The Running Thread Vol 2

[MarkRSi]

tenohfive said:

From bits I've picked up I think that even GPS watches that measure foot strike struggle to be accurate; I can't see a phone being any better. It's hardware rather than software.

Okay. It's something that's been brought to my attention - I've previously tried to increase my stride length (thinking it will help me run faster/more efficiently) but I'd probably ended up becoming a heel striker - probably not a bad thing necessarily but my cadence it likely a lot lower than the supposedly 'ideal' 180 steps per minute.

Edited by MarkRSi on Wednesday 18th May 21:42

[The jiffle king]

Did my first good interval session in years tonight. 5 x 800 with 3 of us doing this on a hilly course. He fastest guy averaged 5:05 per mile but sadly I was not at that pace. Good to really work hard and enjoyed it fully

[944fan]

MarkRSi said:

Are there any decent smartphone apps for measuring cadence, or would I need specialised hardware for this?

Garmin do a foot-pod but you need a compatible garmin watch to use it with

[Gargamel]

Good run this morning, and a PB for that route. 7 miles in 58:43 - its a trail run with a few hills, including a killer climb right at the end (summit finish)

8:20 Minute Miles, which I am pretty happy about and 3 minutes better than my previous best, which is quite a jump. I put it down to the beetroot juice.

Marathon on 11th September, so need to get plenty more of those in. But that is the race pace I would ideally like to be running 8:30 mm

[Halb]

Beetroot juice really does have a real effect.

Tastes bloody awful though

[Gargamel]

Halb said:

Beetroot juice really does have a real effect.

Tastes bloody awful though

Definitely one to hold your nose and down it...

[markh1973]

MarkRSi said:

tenohfive said:

From bits I've picked up I think that even GPS watches that measure foot strike struggle to be accurate; I can't see a phone being any better. It's hardware rather than software.

Okay. It's something that's been brought to my attention - I've previously tried to increase my stride length (thinking it will help me run faster/more efficiently) but I'd probably ended up becoming a heel striker - probably not a bad thing necessarily but my cadence it likely a lot lower than the supposedly 'ideal' 180 steps per minute.

Edited by MarkRSi on Wednesday 18th May 21:42

I've not actually counted my strides but the watch gives a fairly constant cadence of between 180 and 200 per minute.

I naturally have a short stride and my cadence is much higher than most of the guys I run with.

[SpydieNut]

markh1973 said:

MarkRSi said:

tenohfive said:

From bits I've picked up I think that even GPS watches that measure foot strike struggle to be accurate; I can't see a phone being any better. It's hardware rather than software.

Okay. It's something that's been brought to my attention - I've previously tried to increase my stride length (thinking it will help me run faster/more efficiently) but I'd probably ended up becoming a heel striker - probably not a bad thing necessarily but my cadence it likely a lot lower than the supposedly 'ideal' 180 steps per minute.

Edited by MarkRSi on Wednesday 18th May 21:42

I've not actually counted my strides but the watch gives a fairly constant cadence of between 180 and 200 per minute.

I naturally have a short stride and my cadence is much higher than most of the guys I run with.

- maybe mine isn't that accurate, as it's just my Ambit 2 readout (no shoe tab or heart rate monitor used), but it's telling me my cadence is in the mid to high 80s/min (6' tall though ). i'm running off my forefoot - after getting into injury through training for an ultra, when i slowed my pace and started heel striking, i find this is a much easier gait (and faster) to maintain, plus it's less jarring on the joints. i'm still using normal running shoes though - no minimalist gear here

[944fan]

Is that for one foot though? So actual 160 / min cadence?

[AbzST64]

^^ Yeah would think that's only for one foot so 160 would be closer! Im 6ft and average about 180!

Had a local 5k on Tuesday night..thought id be one of the quicker one's their with a chance of winning...managed a 17.40 only to come second to Myles Edwards (Scottish & British Athlete) who popped along to a local event and did a Sub 16min effort coming out from injury..! Oh well...always next year! haha!

[bigandclever]

A cadence in the 80's suggests you're massively over-striding, or barely moving. I think your maths are wrong

[anonymous-user]

Some good runs this week in sunny Portugal 30 degrees. Half an hour along beach then back along hilly coast path is a killer! Funny how the only other runners at midday are fellow Brits..
No Parkruns in Portugal & I got here too late for Vilamoura Half Marathon..

[SpydieNut]

AbzST64 said:

^^ Yeah would think that's only for one foot so 160 would be closer! Im 6ft and average about 180!

Had a local 5k on Tuesday night..thought id be one of the quicker one's their with a chance of winning...managed a 17.40 only to come second to Myles Edwards (Scottish & British Athlete) who popped along to a local event and did a Sub 16min effort coming out from injury..! Oh well...always next year! haha!

- oops, of course. The watch only measures one arm, so equates to one leg. Ok - so 170 steps/min sounds better

Well done on your run. That's a stunning time

[northandy]

5km trail race last night, up on the north York moors, was great until the leaders took a wrong turn, then up a climb on the Cleveland way, beautiful view but only about the first 25 went that way, the rest got shouted back, unfortunately I was too fast for my own good so ended up doing the shorter, but much much steeper shortcut and dropped about 40 places.

The daft thing was when we joined the main route again for the last 0.5kmI was absolutely flying, if only I'd gone the right way! Lol

[944fan]

Does anyone use calf compression things and are they any good? My calves really ache after a tough run. I have tried stretching, foam roller, sports massage. All help a little but wondered if these would prevent some of it?

[andy_s]

Off on the Cape Wrath Ultra tomorrow morning, 8 days of midge hell, 250 miles of trail & wilderness, looking forward to being 'out of the world', fingers crossed the feet last the distance. At least the hangover is starting to abate...

[Mothersruin]

I've learnt running around the country lanes here that I can swallow enough midges to not need to worry about protein intake afterwards.

[The jiffle king]

compression socks....yes but only in the winter whilst running or as recovery after a very tough workout.

Midges... We finished with pollen season here in Georgia 3 weeks ago. It's difficult to describe how the tree pollen just covered everything, so I empathize with not wanting to breathe in everything

Had a nice run this morning after my weekly drowning session at the pool. 6.3 miles but with 4 quickish in the middle on tired legs. Training for the Peachtree 10k on 4th July which is the largest 10k in the world so looking forward to chaos and carnage!!

[Halb]

944fan said:

Does anyone use calf compression things and are they any good? My calves really ache after a tough run. I have tried stretching, foam roller, sports massage. All help a little but wondered if these would prevent some of it?

I like to run with them, they might not work, they might. But in my head they help, which means they do help. Psychosomatic.

[Mothersruin]

Addict Insane?