The Running Thread Vol 2
Discussion
I'm a similar story, started running a couple years ago when I was 40.
C25K was amazing, I can't believe now that I used to struggle with it, and am amazed at how quickly I improved.
I go much better at Parkrun or in a race than I do on a training run as there's people to follow/target and my own times to improve. The other massive advantage to parkrun is I've met loads of new friends who run, which means I run more. A running watch that can set a target pace is a massive benefit to me as otherwise I set off too fast and die after 2-3km
The thing that's made the biggest difference recently is just getting out and doing more running, commuting 3.5km 3-4 times a week got me from struggling to stay under 30min parkrun over the winter to getting back down towards my 26:30 PB.
There's some very quick guys on here and in a way that can be a bit demoralising, but there's plenty of us slower types here too and there's some great advice from the speedy ones.
C25K was amazing, I can't believe now that I used to struggle with it, and am amazed at how quickly I improved.
I go much better at Parkrun or in a race than I do on a training run as there's people to follow/target and my own times to improve. The other massive advantage to parkrun is I've met loads of new friends who run, which means I run more. A running watch that can set a target pace is a massive benefit to me as otherwise I set off too fast and die after 2-3km
The thing that's made the biggest difference recently is just getting out and doing more running, commuting 3.5km 3-4 times a week got me from struggling to stay under 30min parkrun over the winter to getting back down towards my 26:30 PB.
There's some very quick guys on here and in a way that can be a bit demoralising, but there's plenty of us slower types here too and there's some great advice from the speedy ones.
RizzoTheRat said:
I'm a similar story, started running a couple years ago when I was 40.
C25K was amazing, I can't believe now that I used to struggle with it, and am amazed at how quickly I improved.
I go much better at Parkrun or in a race than I do on a training run as there's people to follow/target and my own times to improve. The other massive advantage to parkrun is I've met loads of new friends who run, which means I run more. A running watch that can set a target pace is a massive benefit to me as otherwise I set off too fast and die after 2-3km
The thing that's made the biggest difference recently is just getting out and doing more running, commuting 3.5km 3-4 times a week got me from struggling to stay under 30min parkrun over the winter to getting back down towards my 26:30 PB.
There's some very quick guys on here and in a way that can be a bit demoralising, but there's plenty of us slower types here too and there's some great advice from the speedy ones.
This ^^^ is good advice. No matter how good (or bad ) you think you are there are plenty of people on this forum who will give solid advice if you ask questions. There is a wide range of abilities but the common thing is that we all enjoy running.C25K was amazing, I can't believe now that I used to struggle with it, and am amazed at how quickly I improved.
I go much better at Parkrun or in a race than I do on a training run as there's people to follow/target and my own times to improve. The other massive advantage to parkrun is I've met loads of new friends who run, which means I run more. A running watch that can set a target pace is a massive benefit to me as otherwise I set off too fast and die after 2-3km
The thing that's made the biggest difference recently is just getting out and doing more running, commuting 3.5km 3-4 times a week got me from struggling to stay under 30min parkrun over the winter to getting back down towards my 26:30 PB.
There's some very quick guys on here and in a way that can be a bit demoralising, but there's plenty of us slower types here too and there's some great advice from the speedy ones.
At 43 you are just starting your running 
I'm in my 40's and am running better than ever, mainly because:
- I make time in my calendar for my runs, even when traveling which I do a lot
- I'm running regularly. From 2011 to 2015 I was out injured so have built up slowly to 35 miles a week. I felt slow at first, but I ran without a watch and just slowly built up miles over 18 months and now and am running to within 10% of where I was 5 years ago
- This PH thread is great, just like a running club where there are people of all paces and small tips come in which I incorporate into my running
Age is no barrier, just build up slowly, keep trying different things and use park run as a way to test yourself from time to time.
I'm in my 40's and am running better than ever, mainly because:
- I make time in my calendar for my runs, even when traveling which I do a lot
- I'm running regularly. From 2011 to 2015 I was out injured so have built up slowly to 35 miles a week. I felt slow at first, but I ran without a watch and just slowly built up miles over 18 months and now and am running to within 10% of where I was 5 years ago
- This PH thread is great, just like a running club where there are people of all paces and small tips come in which I incorporate into my running
Age is no barrier, just build up slowly, keep trying different things and use park run as a way to test yourself from time to time.
Great advise, thanks, hadnt heard of couch to 5k and having a look at the website now, so will give that a go.
Im using RunKeeper to track my (lack of) progress, so will keep pushing to inmprove week on week, and maybe my body is just needing some time to adapt to what is quite a pounding when compared with cycling or swimming.
Ill keep the faith, sounds like Im not unique in how difficult Im finding it, will also try a park run at some point, cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
Im using RunKeeper to track my (lack of) progress, so will keep pushing to inmprove week on week, and maybe my body is just needing some time to adapt to what is quite a pounding when compared with cycling or swimming.
Ill keep the faith, sounds like Im not unique in how difficult Im finding it, will also try a park run at some point, cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
Thunderhead said:
cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
So what if you are. Plenty of people at our local one started off running with the tail runner and are now finishing mid pack.However slow you think you are, there is always someone slower (and faster) than you.
Agreed. I held of doing parkrun until I knew I could run the whole thing, but in hindsight I should have started it sooner and done one of C25K runs at parkrun every week. Lots of people doing run-walk sessions at my usual parkrun, and there's always a few people coming in in the 45-50 minute range.
Plus as I mentioned before there's the social aspect of it, if you don't have any friends who run it can be difficult to motivate yourself, but thanks to parkrun I now know loads of people that are about my pace to run with, and joined a running club that I got to know through parkrun.
Plus as I mentioned before there's the social aspect of it, if you don't have any friends who run it can be difficult to motivate yourself, but thanks to parkrun I now know loads of people that are about my pace to run with, and joined a running club that I got to know through parkrun.
Thunderhead said:
Great advise, thanks, hadnt heard of couch to 5k and having a look at the website now, so will give that a go.
Im using RunKeeper to track my (lack of) progress, so will keep pushing to inmprove week on week, and maybe my body is just needing some time to adapt to what is quite a pounding when compared with cycling or swimming.
Ill keep the faith, sounds like Im not unique in how difficult Im finding it, will also try a park run at some point, cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
If you've been only running a month, I think you are a bit optimistic to think you will suddenly be shaving chunks off of your time. Concentrate on increasing the distance you run each week a bit at a time (common consensus is no more than 10%). You'll find that the extra speed comes along as a by-product.Im using RunKeeper to track my (lack of) progress, so will keep pushing to inmprove week on week, and maybe my body is just needing some time to adapt to what is quite a pounding when compared with cycling or swimming.
Ill keep the faith, sounds like Im not unique in how difficult Im finding it, will also try a park run at some point, cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
It took me six months of running to get myself up to do a 10k - which i finished in nearly 59 minutes... It took another five years to get my 10k time below 45 minutes (at age 41). So you have got plenty of time.
My biggest mistakes when starting out were running too fast (the only people i saw running were Olympic athletes, so thats what I tried to emulate - long strides, fast pace) and waiting for over a year before I joined a local club and ran with other people. PR didn't exist here when I started, But it is a brilliant way to run with others of all abilitites.
My local one this week had times ranging from 16mins to 41mins, so if you can do 3 x 8min miles your time will be approximately 25 minutes, you'd be in the top half easy.
KTF said:
RizzoTheRat said:
and joined a running club that I got to know through parkrun.
Out of interest, which club did you join as I think you are in the Southampton(ish) area like me? If you are not then just ignore the question RizzoTheRat said:
I'm further north in Aldershot. Joined Cove Joggers, don't think the cross country league we're in extends as far south as you but we tend to have people at quite a range of races. We're one of the more relaxed social clubs rather than a hard training one though
Ah, north rather than south hampshire Looking on the Cove Joggers website, Hedge End are part of the Southern XC league so there is a small overlap. Should you ever find yourself running the Manor Farm XC in January, let me know as thats the local one to us.
Just got an e-mail from the club, Manor Farm on 24 Jan apparently. I don't think I made it to that one last year, think I did about 3 or 4 of them, including one at my old school which was fun. Going to try and do more of them this year, I definitely prefer cross country to road running. Annoyingly I've worn through the lining in the heel of my trail shoes though, so must go shopping before the season kicks off. Seem to keep going through shoes in the same place 
Mind you you'll probably have finished, scoffed your sarnies, and headed home by the time I finish
Mind you you'll probably have finished, scoffed your sarnies, and headed home by the time I finish
Yes, its two days before my birthday so ends up with a visit to the pub afterwards. This year was the first year that I have run it - in 2015 it was absolutely pissing it down on the day and I am not keen on XC as it is let alone getting drenched to do it
Its a 'challenging' route with mud, steps and a nasty uphill finish - the pace plot is more of an indication than the elevation graph.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1030407...
Running 10 miles before as a 'warm up' was not so big and clever as I found out towards the end of the XC so I wont be doing that again
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1030407...
If you are after trail shoes then the Salomon Speedcross is the weapon of choice. Many online places start shifting last years models around this time of year so, if you are not too worried about being seen in this seasons colour, there are some bargains to be had. I got mine from Amazon of all places.
Its a 'challenging' route with mud, steps and a nasty uphill finish - the pace plot is more of an indication than the elevation graph.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1030407...
Running 10 miles before as a 'warm up' was not so big and clever as I found out towards the end of the XC so I wont be doing that again
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1030407...
If you are after trail shoes then the Salomon Speedcross is the weapon of choice. Many online places start shifting last years models around this time of year so, if you are not too worried about being seen in this seasons colour, there are some bargains to be had. I got mine from Amazon of all places.
First Half marathon session today as I'm training for the Great Birmingham run-and aiming for under 1:20 (again-it's been my aim for my previous 2 halves). I've got an eight week training plan starting next week to allow me to hopefully get there but it'll be a bit of squeeze.
The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
ewenm said:
Sounds like a good session. Key will be increasing the distance in the 6-min-mile pace efforts. That said, I ran my HM PB off 3kS/C and 5k training 
Yep, it builds to 4x12 min efforts at HM pace, so hopefully an 8 mile session at HM pace!My current HM PB came from having an achilles injury and swimming with only light running the previous 2 months!
cookie118 said:
First Half marathon session today as I'm training for the Great Birmingham run-and aiming for under 1:20 (again-it's been my aim for my previous 2 halves). I've got an eight week training plan starting next week to allow me to hopefully get there but it'll be a bit of squeeze.
The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
Make sure you factor in the mile stretch of challenging climb at around mile 11!The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
Cybertronian said:
cookie118 said:
First Half marathon session today as I'm training for the Great Birmingham run-and aiming for under 1:20 (again-it's been my aim for my previous 2 halves). I've got an eight week training plan starting next week to allow me to hopefully get there but it'll be a bit of squeeze.
The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
Make sure you factor in the mile stretch of challenging climb at around mile 11!The session today was 3x10 mins off 5 mins recovery at HM pace. I was very good on the pace (hitting 6 minute miles all the way) but it felt much tougher than it should have been.
I think that half marathon training will bevery hard over the next few weeks!
Has anyone run it beforehand-what's the hill like, a bit of a drag or very steep?
cookie118 said:
Yep! I'm not sure how I'm going to do it tactically but 1:20 is 6:06 per mile, so initially I'm thinking the plan is to hit 6:00 from the start and have some time reserve for the hill. TBH I think it might be how I come off the hill that will be the deciding factor.
Has anyone run it beforehand-what's the hill like, a bit of a drag or very steep?
It's my local race - I've had friends positive split the race with mixed results. Some have gone out too hard from the start and had nothing left for the hill. Others went out too conservatively and could have gone a touch faster, even factoring in the hill.Has anyone run it beforehand-what's the hill like, a bit of a drag or very steep?
At about mile 10, you enter a downhill stretch into a tunnel before climbing on the other side to get out. The hill is pretty long, though the steepest part is at the bottom near the church. It flattens out briefly in the middle for maybe 50m before climbing again.
Thunderhead said:
cant imagine doing one yet as Id definitely be stone last!!
Meh, who cares I've got a small-field marathon next week, I reckon I'll be *cough* final finisher. Don't care, still get the medal. Plus the quick runners will have to wait for me before they can get the bus back
Cheers, I may just take a look at a local park run, although I must admit I do prefer training alone.
I had a good run this morning, and have accepted the concept that Im going to have to go backwards to go forwards. My shins are really painful, and after my recent runs Ive been very over tired, so clearly Ive been pushing too hard. Also tore my calf muscle a couple months ago weight training so am wearing a compression sock/bandage to prevent that hurting while running, so I doubt that injury helps.
Overall Ive been feeling like an old(er) man after a run, and after reading more of this thread, looking at the C25K type approach, and actually listening to my missus who is a decent runner, I accept Ive pushed way too hard too soon and am suffering for it (my image of cars driving past and the occupants going "wow, look at that specimen run!!" will have to wait. It'll be more like "wow, that poor bloke probably shouldnt run")..
As a result this mornings run was a slow pace/less distance affair of 2.4 miles at 10:19mins/mile, and I feel much better for it. Shins still hurt but Im hoping they will build up now I am not pushing them too hard, and I feel energized as opposed to drained, which is fantastic!!
Thanks for all the advise, I was contemplating stopping running but am much more keen now, actually cant wait for my next run.
I had a good run this morning, and have accepted the concept that Im going to have to go backwards to go forwards. My shins are really painful, and after my recent runs Ive been very over tired, so clearly Ive been pushing too hard. Also tore my calf muscle a couple months ago weight training so am wearing a compression sock/bandage to prevent that hurting while running, so I doubt that injury helps.
Overall Ive been feeling like an old(er) man after a run, and after reading more of this thread, looking at the C25K type approach, and actually listening to my missus who is a decent runner, I accept Ive pushed way too hard too soon and am suffering for it (my image of cars driving past and the occupants going "wow, look at that specimen run!!" will have to wait. It'll be more like "wow, that poor bloke probably shouldnt run")..
As a result this mornings run was a slow pace/less distance affair of 2.4 miles at 10:19mins/mile, and I feel much better for it. Shins still hurt but Im hoping they will build up now I am not pushing them too hard, and I feel energized as opposed to drained, which is fantastic!!
Thanks for all the advise, I was contemplating stopping running but am much more keen now, actually cant wait for my next run.
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