The Running Thread

[Gargamel]

944fan said:

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.

Do your knees a favour and drop some of the belly before your really up the mileage.

Almost anyone can finish a marathon, but at a slow(ish) 10 minute miles - you will be out there for 4 hours 20 minutes, assuming all goes well.
You need to train time on your feet, go and walk for five hours and see you how you feel the next day.

Is a great feeling to have completed one, so go for it

[944fan]

Gargamel said:

Do your knees a favour and drop some of the belly before your really up the mileage.

Yes will do. Plan on maybe doing a month of short runs (<=5K) a couple of times a week for a month to lose some weight and get some miles in the legs without pushing too hard. Then will start slowly increasing the mileage each week.

[Smitters]

Rich_W said:

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

Totally agree. But I suspect, unless you're very active already, and in a sport that requires lots of time on feet, leaping into a sub-3 plan will simply lead to injury and a DNS. Racing a marathon to your maximum ability is a very different proposition to running a marathon and getting round, and much more of a knife-edge that I, or I expect, most people think. I doubt more than one in a million people hit their maximum potential in their début marathon. In my experience (porcelain levels of injury-proofness) running is a lot about slowly-slowly-catchy-monkey.

Or as a wag at Runner's World put it - there are three types or runner. Those about to get injured, those who are injured, and those who are recovering from an injury.

Anyway, what do I know, I've only done one proper marathon myself (two run/week average+newborn #notoptimal).

[krallicious]

It is a difficult thing to judge as everyone is different. I found that more than 3 runs a week lead to knee and hip problems but that is slowly changing. However, it has taken a long while to get to where I am now.

I have had a look at some online training programs and the ones for running sub 3:45s go on about doing 40-50 miles a week. I was doing around 40km a week at most when training for a marathon in May/June and for the one last weekend I was around 20 to 25km due to knee problems I picked up on the first one.

If you are naturally quite sporty, then you just need to find what works for you.

[tenohfive]

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?

Don't underestimate the difference a hat and gloves make, and when you inevitably warm up (or cool down at the end of the run) they're easily packable.

And don't be shy about layering two decent wicking base layers. When it's chilly I'll often wear an ultralightweight long sleeve base layer - a Rab Aeon (the most effective wicking garment I've ever owned) with a normal short sleeve wicking tee over the top.

I do have a waterproof running jacket that I'll take out but only for heavy rain. For everything else I prefer my Inov8 windshell as it's lighter, keeps the wind and the worst of the rain out and is more comfortable when I warm up 5-10 minutes into the run.

[gazza285]

tenohfive said:

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?

Don't underestimate the difference a hat and gloves make, and when you inevitably warm up (or cool down at the end of the run) they're easily packable.

And don't be shy about layering two decent wicking base layers. When it's chilly I'll often wear an ultralightweight long sleeve base layer - a Rab Aeon (the most effective wicking garment I've ever owned) with a normal short sleeve wicking tee over the top.

I do have a waterproof running jacket that I'll take out but only for heavy rain. For everything else I prefer my Inov8 windshell as it's lighter, keeps the wind and the worst of the rain out and is more comfortable when I warm up 5-10 minutes into the run.

I use a merino long sleeve cycling top in winter, it's nice and warm, and the three pockets at the back are perfect for another base layer, hat and gloves and my HH Loke waterproof jacket.
Also coming from a cycling background, I use embrocation on my legs to keep them warm and supple, or a pair of cheap running tights under my shorts. If it's throwing it down, then I have a pair of RonHill Trail Tempest pants, but I only wear these if it's really bad.
I don't suffer with cold feet, so I use a pair of thinish merino blend socks, which do not grow when wet.

[ExV8]

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?

My winter wear tends to be shorts and two t shirts (one long sleeved and one short). The only time this gets a bit chilly is in very heavy rain. I take the view that after a couple of k I warm up including my hands.

[Rich_W]

I've got a couple pairs of Nike tights. Was anti tights for years, but having had them for a few years can't beleive how good they are.

Edited by Rich_W on Thursday 29th October 16:33

[MC Bodge]

ewenm said:

First Cross Country race of the season for me on Saturday (low key start with the Gwent League in Swansea). Anyone else doing XC this winter or are you all sticking to the grippy certainties of tarmac rather than slippy-slidey-muddy fun?

The XC I've seen all seem to be club team events.

[tenohfive]

gazza285 said:

I use a pair of thinish merino blend socks, which do not grow when wet.

Merino socks are the best thing since sliced bread. I've been known to wear my Icebreaker merino top when out running in the rain, but it has to be cold and raining or I overheat.

[Smitters]

I've got a long sleeve thermal for cold, which goes under another top if really cold, and a Montane Minimus waterproof if it's pouring. I swear by a merino wool hat and a thin pair of gloves, which, as has been stated, are easily stowable.

However, for a bit of drizzle I'd go out without a jacket unless I was out for hours as you get hot really quickly. I can't remember when I last ran in waterproof bottoms, though the OMM ones get positive reviews. If you need them for mandatory kit, personally, I would use fully waterproof market-stall specials as I see them more for emergencies, when sitting on wet ground or moving very slowly, thus total waterproof and windproofness are more important than comfort while moving.

I love my Ron Hill winter weight running tights though - lightly fleece lined, small pocket and can easily roll up to a 3/4 to cool off slightly. Warm when wet too.

[MC Bodge]

Having suffered a bit of cramp/strain in my Soleus last weekend, I've rolled it and massaged it all week. I have cycled on it with no pain.

It wasn't sore so I tried a gentle walk/run. Within a minute of gentle running, the calf was cramping again. Aaaaagh

I thought I had got over the calf issues of the past 3 years...

Yes, I rushed back too quickly.

Ho-hum, I suppose I had better take a full week off running and maybe try some swimming.

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 30th October 14:18

[ExV8]

Second half of the week today. A gentle 1.49 which was quite nice.

I was aiming for a sub 2 hour so quite pleased.

[cwis]

Good run today - slowly learning to pace myself. Found my cadence after about a Km (started slow) and twirled 4 minutes off my 10K. Stayed in zone three all the way too (just!) - my first tempo run.

I've been running hills and off road during the last few weeks (it was flat and pavement today as it's a Sunday) and I think the gains are mostly in running economy rather than fitness - it's hard to waste energy when your heart is banging off the limiter, you're going up a 10% gradient and there's a pound of mud sticking to each shoe...

[AbzST64]

Just a quick short 5k race for me this weekend! Been doing a lot of hill reps etc the last few weeks and seems to have paid off.

Smashed my pb (previous 22.05), did a 20.15 so really happy! was looking to break sub 20mins but the first & last 500m was on waterlogged grass so would easily have slowed me around 10secs each way!

Signed up to the local XC winter series which is 4 10k's over the winter period so that'll keep me going to gauge how my winter training is coming along!

[LilPeteMordino]

Figured I'd get back into it this week after a few weeks of slacking.

Cue the dog getting in under my legs in the passageway, falling over legs flailing and catching my ankle on the top of the radiator...

Back to the drawing board it seems

[KTF]

Lordshill 10 Mile on Sunday. 66:32 this year (06:39avg) v 67:15 (6:43avg) so an improvement over last year and a new 10M PB.

Gosport Half coming up in 2 weeks time with the aim of getting a sub 90 for a second year in a row (89:37 last year). Given my 10 mile time has come down, I should get under it with a bit more headroom this time...

[Smitters]

First run back after my marathon - I figured a whole week off would be a good thing and it seems so - a nice easy 7.5km at lunch, HR a bit up on normal, but I'll take that as I'm still not 100% health wise. Time to break out the calendar for next year and plot my races and training - always good to have a plan, though for now, a couple of weeks of running to feeling is just what the doctor ordered.

[MattS3]

Smitters said:

First run back after my marathon - I figured a whole week off would be a good thing and it seems so - a nice easy 7.5km at lunch, HR a bit up on normal, but I'll take that as I'm still not 100% health wise. Time to break out the calendar for next year and plot my races and training - always good to have a plan, though for now, a couple of weeks of running to feeling is just what the doctor ordered.

Was this your first marathon?

I just did mine 2 weeks ago, ran after a week (last monday) and did 3 easy runs last week, in total around 18 miles.
Still feel a little tired if truth be told, so am taking it easy again this week.

[Rich_W]

Can't understand the 2 posters above me,

After I did my first marathon. I had 4 weeks off running. It was at the end of my season and tbh I think I did better for the break. When I did come back I felt far better for it. Let the body relax and repair. Chances are you aren't a professional and you don't lose "that" much speed or strength.