The Running Thread
Discussion
On Tuesday I went to the local tri/running club and we had another pootle round until the last mile where the run leader suggested pushing the pace a little. I took this to mean lets go fast for the last mile and goaded him into a 5:44 mile which is the fastest I've been able to run since the operation on my foot 18 months ago. I smiled a lot and am feeling that I might be able to get back to a reasonable level of fitness.
Wednesday took me to the other running club and we met at a local brewery and ran 30 mins out and 30 mins back. What was great is that there were a couple of people my pace (or even a little quicker) who I met but I had planned to run with a friend and so arranged a run on Monday with them. I did 8.3 miles which is my longest run in 4 years and am feeling like I might be able to do some training.
I'm cycling to and from work an average of 3 days a week, so the move to the US has really helped me get back on track with exercise.
Lotus Notes said:
I have a Suunto Ambit 2S. By using the Movescount firmware, you can configure the watch as you like.
In running mode I've set the GPS to update every second and it shows instant pace etc etc. The battery will last 8 hours in this configuration. I can't fault it apart from the lively price!
The next model up has a built-in barometer for altitude, but it's bulky and moves around on my skinny wrists. I'll stick to my old Suunto for mountaineering.
An Ambit would have been my other choice but the staff discount on the 920XT was too good to ignore. A friend of mine loves her Ambit though.In running mode I've set the GPS to update every second and it shows instant pace etc etc. The battery will last 8 hours in this configuration. I can't fault it apart from the lively price!
The next model up has a built-in barometer for altitude, but it's bulky and moves around on my skinny wrists. I'll stick to my old Suunto for mountaineering.
The jiffle king said:
On Tuesday I went to the local tri/running club and we had another pootle round until the last mile where the run leader suggested pushing the pace a little. I took this to mean lets go fast for the last mile and goaded him into a 5:44 mile which is the fastest I've been able to run since the operation on my foot 18 months ago. I smiled a lot and am feeling that I might be able to get back to a reasonable level of fitness.
Wednesday took me to the other running club and we met at a local brewery and ran 30 mins out and 30 mins back. What was great is that there were a couple of people my pace (or even a little quicker) who I met but I had planned to run with a friend and so arranged a run on Monday with them. I did 8.3 miles which is my longest run in 4 years and am feeling like I might be able to do some training.
I'm cycling to and from work an average of 3 days a week, so the move to the US has really helped me get back on track with exercise.
Sounds good (apart from the heat!) and good to hear the move has helped Wednesday took me to the other running club and we met at a local brewery and ran 30 mins out and 30 mins back. What was great is that there were a couple of people my pace (or even a little quicker) who I met but I had planned to run with a friend and so arranged a run on Monday with them. I did 8.3 miles which is my longest run in 4 years and am feeling like I might be able to do some training.
I'm cycling to and from work an average of 3 days a week, so the move to the US has really helped me get back on track with exercise.
Thanks Ewen. I need to be careful not to build up too quickly, but with my wife having the only car, I have to cycle or run to work and this morning it was only about 18C when I set off.
It's fascinating seeing the running group where most people are 12 min miles or slower and I mean 80% are this kind of pace with many walking. The groups have 1.5 mile, 3.5 miles and 6 mile options, although last night was a 30 out and 30 back which was better.
The other thing which is noticeable is that suppliers come in and let you try their shoes for a run and provide food afterwards at least once a month if not more often.
It's fascinating seeing the running group where most people are 12 min miles or slower and I mean 80% are this kind of pace with many walking. The groups have 1.5 mile, 3.5 miles and 6 mile options, although last night was a 30 out and 30 back which was better.
The other thing which is noticeable is that suppliers come in and let you try their shoes for a run and provide food afterwards at least once a month if not more often.
ewenm said:
920XT + HRM-Run on it's way to me 
Been quite a while since I had some new shiny kit
I've got the Garmin 620 which is the running only equivalent. It's my third Garminj. Really good piece of kit - very accurate, was within 50 metres for the last 10k I did, provides loads of geeky information (I'll try and post an example) and offers multiple displays that you can adapt for what you want to see while running, and picks up satellites almost instantly. The best bit is that it connects with your Wi-Fi automatically and uploads to Strava etc as soon as you get within reach of the Wi-Fi - no plugging into computers or anything. Enjoy - you will need to read the manual!Been quite a while since I had some new shiny kit
Question for you all about how to start doing speedwork after injury.
I had an operation on my foot about 18 months ago and have been building up slowly. I now feel I can run 4 days a week and maybe 5 without issues and I'm cycling a little as well.
I want to get back to fitness and some of that is around speedwork and tempo runs. I'm a little nervous about doing too much too soon and this morning did 2 miles of tempo in a 5.5 mile run as a tester and it seemed ok.
Any advice on how to build up to speedwork and how much I should do given my lack of speedwork in 4 years, never mind the last 18 months since the operation.
I had an operation on my foot about 18 months ago and have been building up slowly. I now feel I can run 4 days a week and maybe 5 without issues and I'm cycling a little as well.
I want to get back to fitness and some of that is around speedwork and tempo runs. I'm a little nervous about doing too much too soon and this morning did 2 miles of tempo in a 5.5 mile run as a tester and it seemed ok.
Any advice on how to build up to speedwork and how much I should do given my lack of speedwork in 4 years, never mind the last 18 months since the operation.
The jiffle king said:
Question for you all about how to start doing speedwork after injury.
I had an operation on my foot about 18 months ago and have been building up slowly. I now feel I can run 4 days a week and maybe 5 without issues and I'm cycling a little as well.
I want to get back to fitness and some of that is around speedwork and tempo runs. I'm a little nervous about doing too much too soon and this morning did 2 miles of tempo in a 5.5 mile run as a tester and it seemed ok.
Any advice on how to build up to speedwork and how much I should do given my lack of speedwork in 4 years, never mind the last 18 months since the operation.
I just started doing fartlek, mixing the speed, rather than regimented speed work. see how you feel? Running hills is good, if you have any nearby ...I don't!I had an operation on my foot about 18 months ago and have been building up slowly. I now feel I can run 4 days a week and maybe 5 without issues and I'm cycling a little as well.
I want to get back to fitness and some of that is around speedwork and tempo runs. I'm a little nervous about doing too much too soon and this morning did 2 miles of tempo in a 5.5 mile run as a tester and it seemed ok.
Any advice on how to build up to speedwork and how much I should do given my lack of speedwork in 4 years, never mind the last 18 months since the operation.
Hmm...
For road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
For road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 26th July 11:41
MC Bodge said:
Hmm...
For road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
I have a pair of Brooks Pure Grit which have a 4mm drop and a pair of Innov8 Trailroc245 which have a 3 mm drop. The Innov8's are a thinner and less cushioned so offer a bit more feel but they tend to crucify my feet. The Brooks offer a more cushioned sole and are my preferred shoe - I have the Pure Cadence for road and they are pretty similar. I would recommend the Brooks, I'd only recommend the Innov8s if you were after a more barefoot style shoe and happy very strong feet! I suspect they would be a bit harder on your calves.For road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 26th July 11:41
I'll probably head over to Running Bear to try a pair of the Brooks at some point.
I've just done a bit of experimenting with insoles and volume reducers:
Adding more height inside the Vivobarefoot heel doesn't appear to have lifted my heel too high in the shoes, but this will need testing.
Whilst I was at it, I also added a bit more height to the front of my old, but very nice when I used them, Mizuno Wave Harriers (which now have a noticeable, big heel drop when walking or running) so I might give them another go for longer runs, as there is more cushioning.
I've just done a bit of experimenting with insoles and volume reducers:
Adding more height inside the Vivobarefoot heel doesn't appear to have lifted my heel too high in the shoes, but this will need testing.
Whilst I was at it, I also added a bit more height to the front of my old, but very nice when I used them, Mizuno Wave Harriers (which now have a noticeable, big heel drop when walking or running) so I might give them another go for longer runs, as there is more cushioning.
MC Bodge said:
Hmm...
For road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
Saucony peregrine could be worth a lookFor road running, I wear (2 different pairs of) shoes with a (claimed) 4mm heel-toe drop and find them both very comfortable.
For off-road I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo Trail shoes that were originally 0mm drop. I found that the extra stretch on my calves was a little much, so added a pair of cushioned insoles, which raise the heels by about 3mm (so little different to my road shoes). The Vivobarefoot are a great fit and extremely comfortable.
This appeared to improve matters, but I only wear the trail shoes every 1-2 weeks. I have found that, variously, my calves and achilles appear to struggle with these shoes when I have stopped running/the following day.
Having said this, I ran up and down Skiddaw in them the other week and suffered no problems at all... Odd.
I actually wear a pair of Vivobarefoot Ra shoes or another pair of flat shoes during the week, so my legs should be fairly acclimatised.
I suppose that I could try getting used to running on the road in 0mm drop shoes, but I'm not keen to start stressing/injuring my calf muscles again, having suffered for a long time.
What I am going to try is adding a further 1-2mm heel lift.
I'm looking for suggestions for 4mm drop trail shoes that will cope with light fell running.
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 26th July 11:41
Roger645 said:
Saucony peregrine could be worth a look
Yes, they also look interesting.What I am a bit puzzled about is the fact that, at different times, I have had different post-running stiffness and/or pain or even no issues at all after running in the Vivobarefoot shoes.
My calf muscles are sore and stiff today after a hilly, but gentle-paced 13K run around a country park, but the day that I'd expected to have problems, running up and down Skiddaw, I was absolutely fine...
I should probably give the calves a rest for a couple of days.
Had the Magor Marsh 10k yesterday, which was also part of the British Masters Championship. Still a couple of years away from that myself, but it was impressive to see so many older runners with such strength - the top 50 only had 6x finishers that were not classed as vets and all were sub-39.
Bagged myself a 22 second PB for 39:16 in awfully wet and windy conditions. Possibly could have dipped under 39 given I wasn't feeling too bad afterwards, but you never know how badly the elements could impact you.
Bagged myself a 22 second PB for 39:16 in awfully wet and windy conditions. Possibly could have dipped under 39 given I wasn't feeling too bad afterwards, but you never know how badly the elements could impact you.
Balcon de Fiz in Passy, France. 22km, 1500m +/- in 3h00. Great little course with plenty of support, it was a bit warm towards midday but not as bad a recent weeks.
Unfortunately fell on a fast descent and broke two ribs (I'd only just got over the last rib excursion!), paracetamol is my friend
Unfortunately fell on a fast descent and broke two ribs (I'd only just got over the last rib excursion!), paracetamol is my friend
13.5km LSD ("L" - ha) in comeback. Biblically wet Sunday morning, horrific bonk at 12km, owing to feeding the little one but not myself and to cap it off, a horrid cold, presumably due to getting cold run/walking the last km while my body was in the hole a bit.
In MarathonTalk terms, 1 out of 10.
In MarathonTalk terms, 1 out of 10.
Lotus Notes said:
Unfortunately fell on a fast descent and broke two ribs (I'd only just got over the last rib excursion!), paracetamol is my friend
That hurts... I have also broken/bruised/cracked ribs in the past and it's not too bad on the day, but it will hurt for 6 weeks when running if my experience is anything to go byFeel I am starting to get somewhere with 32 miles last week (and 36 on the bike)so starting to get a base of fitness. Last night I cycled home (and missed the torrential shower by 2 minutes) before heading over to the running club. We only did 4.3 miles over the hills but there was someone my pace so we averaged 6:43 which was great and we are running 10 miles on Saturday, and there is another person who is a little quicker.
An easy 5.5 tonight followed by 6 at tempo on Wednesday, then maybe some rest
An easy 5.5 tonight followed by 6 at tempo on Wednesday, then maybe some rest
Chaps
After a bit (more) advice
Ive entered a 25km run on September 14th (Thames Toe Path Challenge - Putney to Hampton), the longest run Ive done before is a HM. Although I can run a HM distance now, i'm wondering how to structure the next 6 weeks? When / how to start tapering etc.
Ive managed to run 40miles in the last 7 days which is a record for me
After a bit (more) advice
Ive entered a 25km run on September 14th (Thames Toe Path Challenge - Putney to Hampton), the longest run Ive done before is a HM. Although I can run a HM distance now, i'm wondering how to structure the next 6 weeks? When / how to start tapering etc.
Ive managed to run 40miles in the last 7 days which is a record for me
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