The Running Thread Vol 2

[gazza285]

Harpoon said:

My tried & tested short combo is a compression inner from Skins, 2XU or whoever. For an outer short I venture into the shopping hell that is Sports Direct, find something in black with pockets (some have zips) for about £5 a pair, grab several and exit as quickly as possible.

You shoplift them?

[JimmyConwayNW]

Tried the amazon belt from starwood suggested on here. First run with it last night. Barely knew it was there, no discomfort and phone wasn't bouncing around in my pocket which was great.

Loving running on these mild light nights after work.

[Challo]

RizzoTheRat said:

S1KRR said:

So as the weather is clearly turning good (well sortof ) I actually wore shorts today!

However, I could do with some new ones, but it seems from my initial searches that virtually no run specific shorts have pockets with a zip I'm obviously going to need at least 1, preferably 2 pockets. (For a key and a small MP3 player). So the pockets don't need to be huge. Mid/ 3qtr thigh is probably about right length. I tend to favour shorts that you wear something underneath, but will consider other solutions if better

Any suggestions from the major brands?

Alternative suggestion, a bloke out on a run yesterday had a key pouch laced in to his trainer which seemed like a good idea (in dry weather).

My Nike shorts have a zip at the back which used to easily carry my iphone 5S and keys. I know have a running belt, which is handy for races and adding in gels.

[xcseventy]

andy_s said:

Fantastic day out among the Crainlarich hills, only 15 miles but 2.4k lift, tops clear and great viz plus a slight positional embarrassment to add a bit of climb...what more could you ask?!

Which ones did you climb? Should be doing Ben More & Stob Binnein on Saturday.

Edit: Just to add Alpkit shorts are very good, had these for a few weeks now: https://www.alpkit.com/products/koulin-trail-runni...

[Abc321]

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

[fiatpower]

Abc321 said:

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

What do you want to improve? Distance or speed?

[Abc321]

Distance, furthest I've done is a HM but was just over 2 hours and aged 24 with a BMI of 22.5 I feel I should be 'fitter' than I am. Some guided advice would help maybe?!

[johnwilliams77]

Abc321 said:

Distance, furthest I've done is a HM but was just over 2 hours and aged 24 with a BMI of 22.5 I feel I should be 'fitter' than I am. Some guided advice would help maybe?!

Run more, run consistently, eat cleaner. Follow a half marathon plan (12/16 weeks).

[Harpoon]

gazza285 said:

You shoplift them?

Makes for good interval training legging it!

I do pay, honest!

[andy_s]

xcseventy said:

andy_s said:

Fantastic day out among the Crainlarich hills, only 15 miles but 2.4k lift, tops clear and great viz plus a slight positional embarrassment to add a bit of climb...what more could you ask?!

Which ones did you climb? Should be doing Ben More & Stob Binnein on Saturday.

Edit: Just to add Alpkit shorts are very good, had these for a few weeks now: https://www.alpkit.com/products/koulin-trail-runni...

An Caisteal, Beinn a Chroin, Beinn Tulaichean & Cruach Ardrain - plus another 100m climb as came too far down a spur, just for good measure.
Was out today in Arrochar Alps country, similar profile (15/2.4) in a slightly longer time due to the hill compression, up Vorlich, Vane & Ime the trackless way - like giant bloody hurdles! Enjoy Saturday - weather should be a bit cooler - sweating today in shorts and tee...!

[S1KRR]

Abc321 said:

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

There is a Pistonheads group on Strava

[xcseventy]

andy_s said:

An Caisteal, Beinn a Chroin, Beinn Tulaichean & Cruach Ardrain - plus another 100m climb as came too far down a spur, just for good measure.
Was out today in Arrochar Alps country, similar profile (15/2.4) in a slightly longer time due to the hill compression, up Vorlich, Vane & Ime the trackless way - like giant bloody hurdles! Enjoy Saturday - weather should be a bit cooler - sweating today in shorts and tee...!

Good route that. Hoping to do the Crainlarich 7 in a few weeks one i've got a bit more daylight.

I was up Vane yesterday morning too, perfect conditions. 7am summit:

[andy_s]

^ great pics - I'm on the other side this morning for a bit of WHW, after the weekend will do the Ben Lui round, another good wee course. Good luck with the seven, the descent & regain up to the saddle is intimidating - hope for poor viz...

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 27th February 10:15

[BenjiS]

Abc321 said:

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

Strava in, and of, itself won't help you improve. All it'll do is give you the data.

Best thing I ever did for improvement was join my local running club.

[xcseventy]

BenjiS said:

Best thing I ever did for improvement was join my local running club.

100% this.

[MattS5]

Jimboka said:

I always buy decathlon shorts & socks. The shorts are about £5 and better than the £20+ Nike’s I used to buy...

Just had a pair of Decathlon "Marathon" shorts delivered, Medium sized, i could only just get them over my hips!
I'm a 31"/32" waist, so I assume these come up small?

[FredClogs]

BenjiS said:

Abc321 said:

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

Strava in, and of, itself won't help you improve. All it'll do is give you the data.

Best thing I ever did for improvement was join my local running club.

A watch with a pacing function and alarms helps me. Got a 5k pb today out of no where, this weather is helping.

[BenjiS]

FredClogs said:

BenjiS said:

Abc321 said:

Anyone use Strava? Feel like I'm not improving at all and would like some 'advice' as I have no idea and just run aimlessly, and thought I'd give that a try.. also anyone have any promo codes? I currently use the free version of Runkeper

Strava in, and of, itself won't help you improve. All it'll do is give you the data.

Best thing I ever did for improvement was join my local running club.

A watch with a pacing function and alarms helps me. Got a 5k pb today out of no where, this weather is helping.

My point is Strava tells you what you did, not what you need to do. You can work out what to do, if you have the knowledge, based on the data it’s recorded, but it’s the knowledge that will provide improvement coupled with the data.

[boyse7en]

xcseventy said:

BenjiS said:

Best thing I ever did for improvement was join my local running club.

100% this.

Yep. Join a club. Any running club will do that has a broad spread of abilities. That way you can run with a group and as you improve you can move up to join the next group up. Running on your own you very rarely push yourself as much as you will as part of a group.

[john2443]

Gels.

I was marshaling at mile 3 of a road half at the weekend and was surprised that among the rubbish there were quite a lot of gel wrappers - surely at mile 3 people don't need to be fuelling?