The Running Thread Vol 2
Discussion
If you're not on a schedule towards a specific race/goal can you build up endurance just by plugging away adding a mile to long runs every two weeks, or does that stop working once you reach a certain point?
Due to my severely limited running time I'm literally doing ever faster parkruns on a Saturday (34 down to 24) and a long run very early on Sundays now (bordering on a 2hr half), and basically nothing else (I can get out on the cross trainer occasionally).
From absolutely nothing (couldn't run a mile) I've hit half marathon distance fairly comfortably in 9 months, doing little more than two runs per week and I've only once really pushed myself to the limit on a run (13 miles, 1000ft elevation trail race at Christmas) and felt like I've had nothing left. I love my long Sunday 6am runs and do have plenty of time then, so could theoretically keep on creeping up to marathon distance over the next twelve months on the same schedule.
Basically wondering if the additional weekday runs are needed if you're not on a 12 week plan or whatever, just happy to reach a distance whenever it's comfortable. Speed doesn't concern me greatly, I'm 6ft and 13st so not going to be a rocket anytime in the near future.
Due to my severely limited running time I'm literally doing ever faster parkruns on a Saturday (34 down to 24) and a long run very early on Sundays now (bordering on a 2hr half), and basically nothing else (I can get out on the cross trainer occasionally).
From absolutely nothing (couldn't run a mile) I've hit half marathon distance fairly comfortably in 9 months, doing little more than two runs per week and I've only once really pushed myself to the limit on a run (13 miles, 1000ft elevation trail race at Christmas) and felt like I've had nothing left. I love my long Sunday 6am runs and do have plenty of time then, so could theoretically keep on creeping up to marathon distance over the next twelve months on the same schedule.
Basically wondering if the additional weekday runs are needed if you're not on a 12 week plan or whatever, just happy to reach a distance whenever it's comfortable. Speed doesn't concern me greatly, I'm 6ft and 13st so not going to be a rocket anytime in the near future.
Edited by ukaskew on Sunday 26th February 00:25
Just found this on a tri forum I use. Amusing and dedicated stuff, outing marathon cheats. This one is really good!
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
Smitters said:
Just found this on a tri forum I use. Amusing and dedicated stuff, outing marathon cheats. This one is really good!
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
Just read that... Incredible what some people will dohttp://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
The jiffle king said:
Smitters said:
Just found this on a tri forum I use. Amusing and dedicated stuff, outing marathon cheats. This one is really good!
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
Just read that... Incredible what some people will dohttp://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
k isn't it.Most people don't give a s
t about athletics so cheating isn't going to get you major bragging rights.The thing i like most about running is you can't really buy speed ( unless like that woman you get a black guy to run new york marathon ) you can't buy carbon stuff to loose weight , £100-£150 and you can buy any pair of trainers it relies on hard work and graft.
egor110 said:
The thing i like most about running is you can't really buy speed ( unless like that woman you get a black guy to run new york marathon ) you can't buy carbon stuff to loose weight , £100-£150 and you can buy any pair of trainers it relies on hard work and graft.
Sssssshhhhhhhhh. How do I justify the watch, the snazzy shorts, the cool hat, the £10 socks?After the second year of running the Meon Valley Plod (http://pjc.org.uk/?page_id=108) I am still undecided about trail type events - maybe because my legs are still sore today 
This year I was 5 minutes quicker than last year and it was going OK until mile 18 of 21.x then the fatigue really started to set in but as the terrain was quite hilly at that point, the walking was quite welcome.
I like that there is less time pressure than a road race and that you are totally broken at the end of it so its a good test of fitness - both this year and last year were the toughest races I have done. Getting proper filthy and not caring about it at all is just part of the event but there is something that isn't making me rush to sign up to something similar even if I cant actually describe it...
I will probably do it again next year as it does make a change from a road race. They also do a summer variant which is similar, minus the mud and walking up dry river beds that are anything but, so maybe thats worth a punt for a contrast.
This year I was 5 minutes quicker than last year and it was going OK until mile 18 of 21.x then the fatigue really started to set in but as the terrain was quite hilly at that point, the walking was quite welcome.
I like that there is less time pressure than a road race and that you are totally broken at the end of it so its a good test of fitness - both this year and last year were the toughest races I have done. Getting proper filthy and not caring about it at all is just part of the event but there is something that isn't making me rush to sign up to something similar even if I cant actually describe it...
I will probably do it again next year as it does make a change from a road race. They also do a summer variant which is similar, minus the mud and walking up dry river beds that are anything but, so maybe thats worth a punt for a contrast.
Smitters said:
Just found this on a tri forum I use. Amusing and dedicated stuff, outing marathon cheats. This one is really good!
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
Crazy stuff but have a read of this one:http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/02/runne...
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/01/Arizo...
Click on the link to the new yorker...it's a bit of a read but just incredible cheating!!
AbzST64 said:
Terminator X said:
Any help with head torches for off road at night? Any that I get hold off just don't cast enough light and I'm constantly in danger of twisting my ankle or worse.
Cheers, TX.
Im a big trail runner and use the Lenser H7r.2! Can't fault it to be honest! Cheers, TX.
AbzST64 said:
Crazy stuff but have a read of this one:
http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/01/Arizo...
Click on the link to the new yorker...it's a bit of a read but just incredible cheating!!
The New Yorker article is a fantastic read. Would love to know he hit all the splits at a Marathon major yet, was photographed walking in full track suit and still posted incredible times. Somehow it's managed to stand up to all that scrutiny as well with nobody any wiser. http://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2017/01/Arizo...
Click on the link to the new yorker...it's a bit of a read but just incredible cheating!!
Quite impressive, in a strange way.
I have about 9 weeks left to train for my first marathon and I am currently only on 13mile long run and 25-30miles a week due to a 3 week cold set back...I was aiming to be on 16-17 mile long slow run by now and half tempted to withdraw to prevent risking injury (got a couple of niggles) - anyone else been in this position, thoughts?
johnwilliams77 said:
I have about 9 weeks left to train for my first marathon and I am currently only on 13mile long run and 25-30miles a week due to a 3 week cold set back...I was aiming to be on 16-17 mile long slow run by now and half tempted to withdraw to prevent risking injury (got a couple of niggles) - anyone else been in this position, thoughts?
Personally, and speaking as someone who got tendinitis from overuse / ramping up the mileage too quickly, I'd be tempted to withdraw and build up more slowly. You could risk it if it's a 'big' marathon, but the frustration of having to sit out more weeks through injury is far worse than the frustration of missing a race (IMO)johnwilliams77 said:
I have about 9 weeks left to train for my first marathon and I am currently only on 13mile long run and 25-30miles a week due to a 3 week cold set back...I was aiming to be on 16-17 mile long slow run by now and half tempted to withdraw to prevent risking injury (got a couple of niggles) - anyone else been in this position, thoughts?
Depends what the niggles are: are they real injuries you are ignoring or just gentle aches.If you look at this first time marathon runner plan you are well ahead of the position with 9 weeks to go. This doesn't reach 13 miles until week 10 (and you are on the equivalent of week 7).
http://london-marathon.s3.amazonaws.com/vmlm2014/l...
I haven't followed this plan so can't vouch for how good it is.
Ultimately only you can tell whether you think you can put in the miles to get there but you have time.
Ran the Maverick Hampshire 15k on Saturday in the New Forest, wow what a beautiful course. Beforehand I watched a video and saw some pictures that looked very 'lifestyle' with trail runners passing wild horses etc...it was exactly like that though.
Tempted by their Dorset and Snowdonia races now.
Tempted by their Dorset and Snowdonia races now.
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