The Running Thread

[knight]

Great result

Not sure I'm ready for a marathon yet, possibly do a half first and I've signed up for the great South run again next year which gives me plenty of time to improve on my stamina

This year I ran for the Alzheimer's charity and so far have raised just over 600 quid which I am absolutely blown away by. My dad died on 30th September and he had advanced dementia so I'm glad I was able to help fight this horrible disease

[blade runner]

Smitters said:

Finished the Bristol-Bath Marathon, though it's nearly finished me. Paced the first half OK, but my legs were done after 13 miles, even at bang on two hours (I did a 1.45 half six weeks ago, and a 1.55 or so in Cardiff to set effort four weeks ago). Racing driver excuses - two illnesses in a three week taper, including being ill on the day make for an unpleasant mile 14-25 slog. Moreso if it's hilly. Strava comedy here: https://www.strava.com/activities/420584682

Still - I've raised nearly £400 for charity and I just knew that those the cash would help have a far harder time than some chump running down a road with a sore knee, tired legs and a sweaty head.

I can definitely do sub four, so that's next years target, along with some health.

Well done - it was certainly a tough course! Managed to stick with the 3.30 pace setters fairly easily until mile 19 at Kelston, but my quads were getting tight by then and they were way to quick for me up the long hill. Last 6 miles was murder - not sure what hurt more, the ups or the downs, when all I wanted was some flat road to try and get a rhythm going again... Struggled through to a 3.37 finish and can hardly walk today. Nice race, hope to be back next year with a few more longer runs in my legs and some more hill work to crack 3.30.

[markh1973]

Beachy Head marathon on Saturday - first time for me but won't be the last.

First 32km felt great - lovely scenery and despite (intentionally) walking the hills covered that in 3:15 ish.

Next 10km up and over the Seven Sisters were brutal taking another 90 minutes.

So a finishing time of 4:45:31 which i am absolutely delighted with.

Next (well there may be a half marathon in between) at the end of November is the Gatliff 50km - my first official ultra.

[Smitters]

Well done bladerunner and Markh1973 respectively. Seems we all chose tough courses to have an outing on!

Weirdly, my legs are absolutely fine today - barely a trace of the marathon there, which makes me all the more sure that it wasn't lack of training that did me, more a bug or poor pre-race fuelling that left me knackered by halfway. Reassuring, but annoying after so many months preparation.

[bigandclever]

I've got a month to go before attempting the Everest marathon. Getting increasingly nervous

[944fan]

I haven't done much running recently. Got really into my swimming and spent all my time doing that. Now have a long running eye infection and can't swim.

I have a question about marathons. I have always liked the idea of trying one but I have an issue in that I have, in the physios words "the flatest feet he has ever seen" He said I would never be able to do a marathon. I was fitted with orthotics but they give me blisters.

I think I need to do small amounts of running with lots of rest. What is minimum I could do to be able to complete a marathon (don't care about time)? I was thinking maybe Tues/Weds do a fast ish short run (starting at 3 miles an increasing a little each week). Then a long run on Saturday.

[krallicious]

944fan said:

I haven't done much running recently. Got really into my swimming and spent all my time doing that. Now have a long running eye infection and can't swim.

I have a question about marathons. I have always liked the idea of trying one but I have an issue in that I have, in the physios words "the flatest feet he has ever seen" He said I would never be able to do a marathon. I was fitted with orthotics but they give me blisters.

I think I need to do small amounts of running with lots of rest. What is minimum I could do to be able to complete a marathon (don't care about time)? I was thinking maybe Tues/Weds do a fast ish short run (starting at 3 miles an increasing a little each week). Then a long run on Saturday.

Sorry to hear you will still be out of the pool for a while longer.

I did my first marathon by training 3 times a week and only running up to 14km. I would slowly up the mileage over the course of 8 months or so with to shorter runs (around 10km ish) and a longer one of around 21k.

As for flat feet, go and have a proper gait analysis done and you will be able to find some shoes that fit. Good luck with the training and getting back into the pool as swimming helps no end with distance running!

[markh1973]

krallicious said:

944fan said:

I haven't done much running recently. Got really into my swimming and spent all my time doing that. Now have a long running eye infection and can't swim.

I have a question about marathons. I have always liked the idea of trying one but I have an issue in that I have, in the physios words "the flatest feet he has ever seen" He said I would never be able to do a marathon. I was fitted with orthotics but they give me blisters.

I think I need to do small amounts of running with lots of rest. What is minimum I could do to be able to complete a marathon (don't care about time)? I was thinking maybe Tues/Weds do a fast ish short run (starting at 3 miles an increasing a little each week). Then a long run on Saturday.

Sorry to hear you will still be out of the pool for a while longer.

I did my first marathon by training 3 times a week and only running up to 14km. I would slowly up the mileage over the course of 8 months or so with to shorter runs (around 10km ish) and a longer one of around 21k.

As for flat feet, go and have a proper gait analysis done and you will be able to find some shoes that fit. Good luck with the training and getting back into the pool as swimming helps no end with distance running!

I would say it really depends what sort of marathon you want to do as well.

I have now done two - Beachy which you really have to take seriously - i was on 4/5 runs a week and up to 33km long run.

Earlier in the year though i did a LDWA challenge event - self navigating - mixture of walking and running. I dd 28 miles on that off the back of never having run more than 16 miles

[944fan]

Thanks. I'm considering the Milton Keynes marathon which is pretty flat - small elevation changes only and no actual hills. At my size any marathon with big hills (e.g. Beachy Head) will finish me.

Will look at getting a proper gait analysis. I think the problem I had in the past was I was using the orthotics with support shoes and they should be used with Neutral.

[MattS3]

The most difficult part of the Milton Keynes marathon to contend with is the repetitive ups and downs of the underpasses so I've been told.

[944fan]

Oh yeah didn't think about the underpasses.

[Smitters]

I think it's more than possible to train for a marathon on two to three runs a week, as long as you take some time about it.

There's certainly nothing wrong with deciding on a marathon and training for it right off either, but time is really what most folks who aren't already regular runners. This helps avoid injury and also allows you to learn how your particular characteristics (like flat feet) need managing, though obviously this differs depending on what other sports you do too. I say go for it.

[Rich_W]

Smitters said:

I think it's more than possible to train for a marathon on two to three runs a week, as long as you take some time about it.

Yes, and you'll complete. But unless you are a good runner to start with you won't have a decent result.

I did 3 a week for my first 26.2 Got round 4h20. Very disappointed really. Would recommend at least 5 if not 6 days a week.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/images/asics/AS...

Granted it's a sub 3 plan. But you need to run a lot generally. imo

[MC Bodge]

Rich_W said:

Yes, and you'll complete. But unless you are a good runner to start with you won't have a decent result.

I did 3 a week for my first 26.2 Got round 4h20. Very disappointed really. Would recommend at least 5 if not 6 days a week.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/images/asics/AS...

Granted it's a sub 3 plan. But you need to run a lot generally. imo

Other than the fact that I would almost certainly injure myself during the buildup, the sheer amount of running hours required for a good marathon performance puts me off.

[Gargamel]

markh1973 said:

Beachy Head marathon on Saturday - first time for me but won't be the last.

First 32km felt great - lovely scenery and despite (intentionally) walking the hills covered that in 3:15 ish.

Next 10km up and over the Seven Sisters were brutal taking another 90 minutes.

So a finishing time of 4:45:31 which i am absolutely delighted with.

Next (well there may be a half marathon in between) at the end of November is the Gatliff 50km - my first official ultra.

Hi, I have finished Beachy, I think unless you have actually run the course it is pretty hard to describe just how brutal the closing six miles actually are.

Not a bad time all things considered, I particularly found it hard to leave the feeding stations, with all those lovely hot pies....

[anonymous-user]

MC Bodge said:

MC Bodge said:

Jimboka said:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00RZE7SUY/ref=mp_...
I find these cross country shows good for the price. Not the lightest, but after 10 seconds of mud it makes no difference anyway!

I had been thinking about these, but wanted to try some for size.

The Innov8 shoes I have tried on in the past haven't really fitted my feet.

The Moremile shoes appear unavailable at low prices in size 10
. Going full price, I would be looking for something else.

I could do with a pair of "trail" shoes and a pair of mud plugging "fell" shoes.

Funny place Amazon, size 10.5 were £19.99 earlier. Change daily...

[ExV8]

First of two halves due this week with today's a nice PB of 1.44 dead. Next due Friday where I aim for under 2 hours .

Still some way to go but happy with the progress.

[knight]

Does anyone have any recommendations for winter running clothes? I'm looking for waterproof jacket and trousers (not tights) Is it best to go with something specific for running or can any old lightweight waterproof do?

[944fan]

knight said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for winter running clothes? I'm looking for waterproof jacket and trousers (not tights) Is it best to go with something specific for running or can any old lightweight waterproof do?

Most waterproof stuff is boil in the bag. You will get just as wet from sweat. The name of the game is to stay warm. Base layers are a good start. A lightweight jacket for when its monsoon. Gillet for extra warmth.

Need to aim to keep your feet as dry and warm as possible as big soggy socks will give you blisters I find.

[944fan]

Rich_W said:

Yes, and you'll complete. But unless you are a good runner to start with you won't have a decent result.

I did 3 a week for my first 26.2 Got round 4h20. Very disappointed really. Would recommend at least 5 if not 6 days a week.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/images/asics/AS...

Granted it's a sub 3 plan. But you need to run a lot generally. imo

I don't want to go down the route of aim for a good time. I started swimming/cycling/running to get fit and lose weight. But I got obsessed with racing and times. I discovered I was quite good a swimming and when nuts was swimming 6 times, dry land 3 times, getting up at 5 in the morning to break the ice. All trying to beat the next target.

I want to run a marathon for the satisfaction of knowing I have done it. Granted I don't want to walk and it take 6 hours but at the same time I;m not going to get carried away.

Also at 6'5'' and reasonably muscular (with a decent belly also) I am never going to be a fast distance runner.