The Running Thread

[Cybertronian]

ewenm said:

...it's a fast course...

Sold!

6am-ish start that day for me, though.

[SpydieNut]

Roger645 said:

SpydieNut said:

Hi all

I need some help with clothing please and thought I'd try here 1st rather than start a thread for it.

I am struggling to keep warm on longer runs (say over an hour or so) when it's raining and windy. I don't mind getting wet, but live in the hills and it can get very blustery and cold. So I need to buy some more gear, as I don't have a decent waterproof / windproof shell. I accept that wearing a waterproof shell will make me sweat more, so something breathable would be better (I know there's only so much 'wicking' away of water vapour etc that it can achieve, especially with high humidity and cold temps) but so long as I can keep warm, I don't mind being wet.

So I'm looking for suggestions please about what to look for, good brands etc - for baselayers, shell jacket, gloves and hat/beanie. Budget wise - not sure. I've read good things about Gore running kit - their shells seem to be £100+. If it works well and enables me to get out in virtually all conditions, then it'll be well worth the money. They should last years, after all

Many thanks for any suggestions

I like kit from Montane, I have their Minimus smock for when it's wet and a featherlight smock for wind protection. Ron Hill trail kit is good and as you mentioned Gore is good. Also have a look at stuff from OMM & Inov8

MC Bodge said:

Layer up with good quality, wicking long sleeved base layers.
The best ones I have are an old Ron Hill Coolmax one and some Altura cycling jerseys. Thin fleece tops for more insulation or wear a soft shell.

If it is very wet and cold then breathability is very much secondary (and barely functional!) to waterproofing. The base layers will keep you comfortable.

Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 6th April 23:11

OK - an overdue update and thanks to all for their advice. i ended up ordering the gore running soft shell (mythos 2 windstopper) and also the hard shell (also mythos 2, goretex active jacket) from wiggle in large. very very impressed with the quality, but on trying them on thought the cut was a *little* on the small side. but they didn't have both of those jackets in XL,so i ordered the XL shell and inov-8 race elite softshell and the inov-8 race elite stormshell (in large, as i read that their cut is a little larger). also got a gore running beanie and a pair of nike dri fit gloves

very impressed with everything. so i figured the L gore kit could be used for walking trails in the miserable weather, or if i lose a bit of weight . so i didn't return anything

i've had a couple of occasions now to put it to the test and am simply blown away by how good this kind of kit is nowadays. last week i did 18 miles up and down some fairly serious hills, in the cold,windy and fairly rainy weather. today i did the same route, in 5*C, slightly drizzly, but very windy weather. i used the inov-8 soft shell last week and the gore softshell today - the run was 2hr 35 today and about 2hr 45 last week - and i never once felt anything other than comfortable. my trunk was not too hot or cold and my arms were cool, but not cold. the beanie and gloves were amazing too.

today at one point i was running slightly uphill, into the wind and leaning forwards, pushing hard with my legs and still only moving forward at walking speed .

but the ability to exercise now in virtually all weather makes that kit worth every penny

i also bought a few icebreaker merino baselayers, but it hasn't been cold enough to test them yet

thanks again everyone!

[ED209]

Last long run today before endinburgh marathon in 3 weeks time, 20.5 miles in 2hrs 57 mins.

maybe about 10 seconds a mile slower than i want to complete the Marathon in. Shattered now!

[MC Bodge]

SpydieNut said:

OK - an overdue update and thanks to all for their advice.

Glad that you have found some good kit. It sounds as if you have splashed the cash!

[ocrx8]

1:19 half in Majorca today as part of Ironman 70.3 (just the run as I was part of a relay team). Pleased with the time considering how hot it was. Hats off to the athletes doing the full event.

[Cybertronian]

Great finish time in the heat. What would you be capable of under cooler temperatures?

[E65Ross]

just got back from a 5.2 mile run.....I need help....

Just not quite feeling the same passion for running right now. My breathing issue/vocal cord problem is a constant reminder of what I've been through. I still enjoy getting out there but I don't have that real desire to clock up the miles or push hard. I'm finding cycling doesn't seem to be an issue unless REALLY going for it, so I'm preferring that at the moment; but I know it's running where my heart really lies.

[MC Bodge]

E65Ross said:

just got back from a 5.2 mile run.....I need help....

Just not quite feeling the same passion for running right now. My breathing issue/vocal cord problem is a constant reminder of what I've been through. I still enjoy getting out there but I don't have that real desire to clock up the miles or push hard. I'm finding cycling doesn't seem to be an issue unless REALLY going for it, so I'm preferring that at the moment; but I know it's running where my heart really lies.

My advice would be to lay off the running for a while (do some other things, maybe get out into the mountains and do routes that would be too steep/technical for normal running) and seek more help for the vocal chord thing.

[MC Bodge]

I went out and ran a comfortable, mixed terrain 15k this morning at just over 5min/km.

Nothing special, but this feels like something of a victory for me, as last year I was planning to give up on running due to the constant injuries. Changing my lifestyle a bit, and building up the running gradually, seems to be paying off.

I now need to enter some races again and will hopefully get to the start line...

Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 10th May 16:31

[Moulder]

First 10k today (Oxford Town and Gown) and pretty pleased with the results.



Training was 10 weeks from not running for years to the event, and today was near enough as quick as I have gone at any training distance.

The plan is to now run 1-2 10k's a month, training will be two 6 mile runs a week including an event if there is one that week. I will also try and fit in the local 5k parkrun as well.

[ewenm]

I've just had a week off due to a heavy cold. Today was my first run in 9 days and the legs felt good but the lungs were still coughing up a lot of phlegm - nice! 5.5 miles of overall uphill run-commute in 38:30.

Off to the Lake District on Friday for 4 days including the Keswick Mountain Festival 25k race on Sunday. Given the last week, I suspect it's more of a training trip than a target race now but as long as I enjoy it, I really don't mind. Running in the hills/mountains is my primary method to stay sane.

[markh1973]

Moulder said:

First 10k today (Oxford Town and Gown) and pretty pleased with the results.



Training was 10 weeks from not running for years to the event, and today was near enough as quick as I have gone at any training distance.

The plan is to now run 1-2 10k's a month, training will be two 6 mile runs a week including an event if there is one that week. I will also try and fit in the local 5k parkrun as well.

Well done - that's a great first 10k race. I found the ease with which I could race 10k was increased by running more than 10k but at a slower pace so you might want to consider trying to increase your distance.

I did my first race of the year yesterday - delayed as a result of the torn knee ligament - at Larkfield. Nice 2 lap 10k race - finished in 45:45 - didn't follow the race plan at all as I had intended to do the first 5k in 26 minutes ish and then see whether I could speed up for the second half. Instead got carried away with the race adrenalin. Still delighted with the time considering I'm still recovering from injury.

Knee doesn't feel great this morning so hoping that settles down quickly before the Beckenham relays on Wednesday evening.

[Carlton Banks]

Guys

Advice - I signed up for a half marathon which is in 4 weeks.
Is this a stupid idea.
My fitness levels are ok as I play a lot of sport and I have previous run a half marathon.
Any tips for a 4 week train?

[ewenm]

Carlton Banks said:

Guys

Advice - I signed up for a half marathon which is in 4 weeks.
Is this a stupid idea.
My fitness levels are ok as I play a lot of sport and I have previous run a half marathon.
Any tips for a 4 week train?

What do you want to achieve? Just completion? Run all the way (no walk breaks)? Specific time target?

[Carlton Banks]

ewenm said:

Carlton Banks said:

Guys

Advice - I signed up for a half marathon which is in 4 weeks.
Is this a stupid idea.
My fitness levels are ok as I play a lot of sport and I have previous run a half marathon.
Any tips for a 4 week train?

What do you want to achieve? Just completion? Run all the way (no walk breaks)? Specific time target?

Firstly, finish the race without dying.

Beating my PB (2hrs) would also be good!

Just that really.

[VladD]

Carlton Banks said:

ewenm said:

Carlton Banks said:

Guys

Advice - I signed up for a half marathon which is in 4 weeks.
Is this a stupid idea.
My fitness levels are ok as I play a lot of sport and I have previous run a half marathon.
Any tips for a 4 week train?

What do you want to achieve? Just completion? Run all the way (no walk breaks)? Specific time target?

Firstly, finish the race without dying.

Beating my PB (2hrs) would also be good!

Just that really.

Get one long run in each week. Say 14 miles, but at 10:30 pace. That should give you some stamina without pushing you too hard pace wise.

[Carlton Banks]

VladD said:

Carlton Banks said:

ewenm said:

Carlton Banks said:

Guys

Advice - I signed up for a half marathon which is in 4 weeks.
Is this a stupid idea.
My fitness levels are ok as I play a lot of sport and I have previous run a half marathon.
Any tips for a 4 week train?

What do you want to achieve? Just completion? Run all the way (no walk breaks)? Specific time target?

Firstly, finish the race without dying.

Beating my PB (2hrs) would also be good!

Just that really.

Get one long run in each week. Say 14 miles, but at 10:30 pace. That should give you some stamina without pushing you too hard pace wise.

It is a half marathon though....do you still suggest 14 miles?

[ewenm]

Carlton Banks said:

Firstly, finish the race without dying.

Beating my PB (2hrs) would also be good!

Just that really.

How many times a week can you run?

[Smitters]

Stroud Trail Half Marathon done. Beat last years time by 1 one minute per mile for the same average heart rate and came in the top 50 of 210 finishers. Pretty pleased with that! Also felt stronger in the final quarter and was able to chase down, if not ultimately catch, some folks ahead. Only got overtaken once in the second half too, though took six or seven places.

Got a recovery week in store now, some physio and time to sort a little home gym before kicking off the second phase of training for the Autumn marathon. Chuffed to bits to be honest.

ETA - placing!

Edited by Smitters on Monday 11th May 11:38

[VladD]

Carlton Banks said:

It is a half marathon though....do you still suggest 14 miles?

I'd say 12 to 14 if you can. You need to get your body used to covering the distance and if you can do a little more, then so much the better. Better to be over prepared than under.

I should point out that I'm no expert, but looking at training plans I've done recently, this is what I'd try and do.

Edited by VladD on Monday 11th May 10:51