The Running Thread

[tenohfive]

Cybertronian said:

For me, I like to pack 2 or 3 gels for a half marathon. Do I physically get a boost from them? At least partly, yes, but for me I like the slight mental pick-me-up they provide (they're caffeinated and isotonic). That and I'm rubbish at drinking from cups, which smaller races tend to provide drinks in.

Are you looking to carry the drink from the start, or do you mean one that you'd pick up on the course? Depending on how hard you're pushing it or how you feel on the day, you may find you only need a few swigs or may make use of an entire bottle. With the recent low temperatures, you'll possibly find you can get away with a lot less intake versus the spring/summer.

It's a sort of fell race rather than a half marathon but that sort of distance. So I'll be carrying all fluids and gels with me (and other stuff besides) without the option of picking things up en route.

[johnwilliams77]

ewenm said:

Some anti-stitch tips from Runners World

Thank you. Seemed to help (the breathing tip) during that run I have just done. I think my core is quite strong but I will be doing more plank on my off days.

[ewenm]

tenohfive said:

It's a sort of fell race rather than a half marathon but that sort of distance. So I'll be carrying all fluids and gels with me (and other stuff besides) without the option of picking things up en route.

On the 23k mountain race I did in Chamonix last summer I used SIS Go drinks in my pack. The run took me 2h45m and I didn't feel like I needed any solid food or gels, just the drink.

[tenohfive]

ewenm said:

On the 23k mountain race I did in Chamonix last summer I used SIS Go drinks in my pack. The run took me 2h45m and I didn't feel like I needed any solid food or gels, just the drink.

It's the SIS Go gels (loosest possible term, they're more of a syrup) that I don't get on with, so I'd expect the energy drink to be the same?

Suppose I'll just have to try a few other brands and see what works. But I am keen to get an idea of how much I'm likely to need as with some of the other mandatory gear the weight is starting to creep up.

[tenohfive]

Having done a bit of digging I'm going to give the High5 Zero tabs a go. If I get on with them then I can chuck them in my water bladder at the start and stick with Gu for the energy. Separate out electrolyte and carb intake rather than combining into one product. Does that make sense or have I missed the point somewhere along the way?

[MattS3]

High5 isogels are really easy to swallow.
Very liquid like in comparison to other gels, although not much sodium content.

I find them very easy to take, especially without water.

[Cybertronian]

tenohfive said:

Having done a bit of digging I'm going to give the High5 Zero tabs a go. If I get on with them then I can chuck them in my water bladder at the start and stick with Gu for the energy. Separate out electrolyte and carb intake rather than combining into one product. Does that make sense or have I missed the point somewhere along the way?

That's not a bad shout, actually. You can get some of the Zero tabs with caffeine if you need some perk, though I think the flavours are limited.

[honest_delboy]

I found there was a slight fizz to the tabs so I had to stop taking them.

I now have a tub of high5 energy source and it's excellent, matches my needs perfectly.

[Cybertronian]

After nearly two years without an injury or niggle, I appear to have picked up some achilles tendinitis in my right leg... Probable causes are over-use and a pair of low-heel dropped trainers

Besides resting and massage/stretching, is there anything else I can do to aid recovery? I was filled with dread when I read it's an injury that's notoriously lengthy to recover from.

[ewenm]

Heel raises AND lowers on a step. The lowering should be slow and controlled to below the horizontal.

[krallicious]

A hard run today. Just 7.1km in 36 minutes but it came off the back of a long wine tasting last night. It was the perfect day to go running too; about 4C virtually no wind and dry. I'm yet to use my tights and gloves which is strange but I seem to warm up a lot quicker than I used to.

[tenohfive]

krallicious said:

A hard run today. Just 7.1km in 36 minutes but it came off the back of a long wine tasting last night. It was the perfect day to go running too; about 4C virtually no wind and dry. I'm yet to use my tights and gloves which is strange but I seem to warm up a lot quicker than I used to.

Been wearing my tights and gloves for the last month; I suffer with the cold and usually walk a bit after as a cool down where it really catches up.
Quick thumbs up for Montane Minimus mitts btw - the only part of me that was warm during the sub zero temps and significant windchill conditions we had at the end of last week. Mitts noticeably warmer than the glove equivalent and despite feeling insubstantial (they weigh 40g) they've been toasty, but not uncomfortable either when starting to sweat.

I do hope we get some more cold weather though; I'm a big fan of running when the chill takes your breath away. Makes me enjoy just being outdoors.


The High5 Zero electrolyte tabs seem to be going down fine - no issues. So touch wood between them and Gu gels I think I've got my race fuel on the right lines.

[Smitters]

Finally, another run. I've been absolutely felled with illness, a combo, I suspect of already having a chest infection, running a marathon, and then having my boy start nursery and become a hive of snotty horror.

I did a standard 7km loop at work, and for the same HR as a couple of months ago, was 45sec/km slower. Yikes.

Looking forward to planning my 2016 racing, and then the training plan. I hope to race more next year, with clear A, B and C races. A are targets, B are specific sharpeners in training and C are just for fun races. In the mean time, it's just plenty of LSD and hills for this lad. Can't wait.

[Cybertronian]

ewenm said:

Heel raises AND lowers on a step. The lowering should be slow and controlled to below the horizontal.

Thanks for that, Ewen. Put together a make-shift step rig in my office for an hourly sesh. Been applying a few dabs of ibuprofen gel as well, which seems to have reduced some of the tenderness.

[addey]

Cybertronian said:

ewenm said:

Heel raises AND lowers on a step. The lowering should be slow and controlled to below the horizontal.

Thanks for that, Ewen. Put together a make-shift step rig in my office for an hourly sesh. Been applying a few dabs of ibuprofen gel as well, which seems to have reduced some of the tenderness.

Raise with both feet and lower on one (slowly), 2/3 sets of 15 every other day. I know this as its what I'm currently doing

[dave0010]

Living in London now and started a new job. Instead of paying extortionate prices for a parking space at home I'm leaving my company van at work. This week i've been doing the 5 mile route back and forth from work. Its more than I've normally run and its knackered me out but I'm enjoying it.

One thing thats started to happen though thats beginning to worry me if some knee pain. Before if I ran maybe 10 miles in a single run i would get some times a pain in my left knee, on the upper outside. As soon as I stop running and walk the pain goes away. Then after a few minutes walking I can run for maybe 5-10 minutes.

The other night then pain came back and I thought it about time to update my shoes. Id had them for maybe 9 months and they needed replacing.

Running in today I noticed the same pain towards the end of my run. I'm guessing this is possible due to technique, maybe I'm not keeping my left leg straight enough and have started to have to much external rotation whilst running?

Any rough ideas for trying to fix this pain?

Just to note I have been a constant runner for some time, before this though I would only ever notice this pain on longer runs. This is the first time thought that I've run connective days and to this distance.

[Rich_W]

dave0010 said:

Living in London now and started a new job. Instead of paying extortionate prices for a parking space at home I'm leaving my company van at work. This week i've been doing the 5 mile route back and forth from work. Its more than I've normally run and its knackered me out but I'm enjoying it.

One thing thats started to happen though thats beginning to worry me if some knee pain. Before if I ran maybe 10 miles in a single run i would get some times a pain in my left knee, on the upper outside. As soon as I stop running and walk the pain goes away. Then after a few minutes walking I can run for maybe 5-10 minutes.

The other night then pain came back and I thought it about time to update my shoes. Id had them for maybe 9 months and they needed replacing.

Running in today I noticed the same pain towards the end of my run. I'm guessing this is possible due to technique, maybe I'm not keeping my left leg straight enough and have started to have to much external rotation whilst running?

Any rough ideas for trying to fix this pain?

Just to note I have been a constant runner for some time, before this though I would only ever notice this pain on longer runs. This is the first time thought that I've run connective days and to this distance.

Couple of ideas.

Get a foam roller and do your ITB
You may have a weak quad, which is pulling your knee slightly. I had this a few years ago. Found a suitable exercise on YT in the end.

[MC Bodge]

Back on the horse, again, for very short runs yesterday and this morning. All fine whilst running.

After today's easy mile I can feel an intermittent sharp sensation in the lower leg that isn't there after skipping/jumping, calf raises or squats....


I hate my Soleus muscle.

Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 28th November 12:52

[Flibble]

I'm off the horse, due to having a cold. I hate being ill.

[MC Bodge]

Flibble said:

I'm off the horse, due to having a cold. I hate being ill.

Very frustrating.

I've been off running for a month, my fitness is going to be shocking when I get back to it properly.