The Running Thread Vol 2

[C0ffin D0dger]

Interesting one about the heart rate, light headiness, etc. I do get this on occasion.

Now this is where it gets a bit interesting for me, a few years back I got diagnosed with an auto immune condition affecting my lungs though luckily not significantly but I have regular hospital check ups. I'm a total wuss where needles are involved and last time I was in they wanted a prick test to measure my haemoglobin level during a breathing / spirometry test. I blacked out and came round with a ECG machine being attached to me. The readings apparently showed a "heart block", something about the upper and lower bits of my heart not communicating properly with each other. During this episode my pulse and blood pressure had obviously also dropped through the floor. They wanted to admit me after this which I begrudgingly agreed to, once in I was supposed to have a 24hr ECG to see if this block thing was happening at any other time but there were no machines available and after 3 days of waiting I discharged myself. My GP has arranged the 24hr test for me and it's being done next week. My thoughts are that there really isn't anything wrong with me. I did a 10k the weekend after in 30°C heat, plenty of running since, and I'm not dead (yet)! Anyway since having the Garmin my rest pulse is supposedly around 45, seems to average around 55 in the day whilst sat at a desk, haven't worn it overnight. So maybe it's all due to me just being a bit fitter than I once was, or maybe not

All will be revealed over the next few weeks I guess after various tests. Supposed to be having an MRI and ultrasound but the local hospital is on its knees so no sign of those appointments yet.

Upshot of all this is if I hadn't had a panic attack I'd be none the wiser. Planning to try for my first half marathon soon so hopefully none of this lark will get in the way of that.

[Smitters]

I too have noticed as my HR drops into the lower 40's I get the dizziness. I had a BP test and it's fine, on the lower end of normal, but it's the quick rises from sitting on down on the floor that do it. Seems to have dissipated a bit though in the last week.

Got my long run this evening due to a busy weekend. Naturally work has gone apest and I've not had a chance for lunch. Great. A fasted hilly 25km then. I imagine I'll feel like st tomorrow.

[tenohfive]

For anyone interested Karl Meltzer (aka Speedgoat - the man the Hoka's are named after) was subject of a documentary covering his attempt on the Appalachian Trail. For some idea of scale, he averaged about 45 miles a day covering over 2100 miles. I'd heard about the attempt but seeing the footage and the kind of trails he was following has given me a new level of respect for the man.
The documentary is on Netflix now - Made To Be Broken.


If you do watch it, wait until afterwards to google 'Appalachian Trail Speed Record,' though.

[Smitters]

Just checking in a little past halfway through the year... Quite pleased actually.

2018 Goals for Smitters

Smitters said:

Run 1,610 km

Currently 996.4km - this could be tight.

Smitters said:

Climb 15,000m

Currently 19,946m (~200m/run) - let's now aim for a round 30,481m, which conveniently, is 100,000ft

Smitters said:

Average 3.0 or more runs per week - stretch of ave 3.5

Currently 4, but skewed as I have been doing a WU, run session and CD as separate Strava entries sometimes.

Smitters said:

Go sub 20 at parkrun

Done - 19.50. 19.30 is a stretch for later this year, 2019 will be an 18.xx, but as a byproduct of the 39.xx 10k project.

Smitters said:

Have a running adventure

Race to the Tower was cool, and I had an overnight run planned up and down Pen-Y-Fan but that was curtailed, so I think this one's still "to do". Have a wee one arriving soon, so I can see some night running occurring, which may spice things up, especially as I have another hilly ultra in November that will require hardiness in the face of stty weather and plenty more climbing.

Smitters said:

As ever, long terms goals are sub 20, sub 40, sub 1.30, sub 3, Comrades and a stretch of sub 24/100. However, I would settle for running every other day in beautiful surroundings for the rest of my life.

I think, in the vein of the "have a running adventure", for 2019 I'm also going to add "do something fun". I'm toying with starting a run streak, where the minimum run is 2 miles/20 mins, whichever comes first. I may also look to race some XC over the winter, because it looks bloody good fun and I'd love to own a pair of spikes (shoe nerd/magpie alert).

[tenohfive]

Smitters said:

Have a wee one arriving soon, so I can see some night running occurring, which may spice things up, especially as I have another hilly ultra in November that will require hardiness in the face of stty weather and plenty more climbing.

Which one? I deliberately avoided putting anything in the calendar due to other life commitments but I can feel the itch for another ultra building. I'm completely lacking inspiration though - there's nothing caught my eye that makes me jump up and register.

[Smitters]

tenohfive said:

Smitters said:

Have a wee one arriving soon, so I can see some night running occurring, which may spice things up, especially as I have another hilly ultra in November that will require hardiness in the face of stty weather and plenty more climbing.

Which one? I deliberately avoided putting anything in the calendar due to other life commitments but I can feel the itch for another ultra building. I'm completely lacking inspiration though - there's nothing caught my eye that makes me jump up and register.

http://www.beaconsultra.com/

Two laps, simple premise with minimal support, carries UTMB points, runnable in the main and inspires an arbitrary desire to get home without turning on the torch. Plus it's fairly short as these things go and makes for a potentially horrible day out, which tends to improve my chances in placing, if not outright time terms.

I've also noted Jim Walmsley is prepping for UTMB and in his latest training block has been climbing 15,000m a week. A. WEEK. I feel lazy.

[bigandclever]

I keep getting ads for the Cheviot Goat ultra in my Facebook. Looks hard

[Smitters]

bigandclever said:

I keep getting ads for the Cheviot Goat ultra in my Facebook. Looks hard

It does. Quite pricey too, but I suppose that region, those conditions, you'd want them to have GPS, good medico-coverage etc.

[andy_s]

On the start line for the Southern Upland Way race organised by GBUltras this Saturday along with my wife, woefully underprepared as it's just been gym stuff the past month, so could be interesting... 340kms/7.6km/100hrs cut. Let's see if I see the finish line !

[Smitters]

andy_s said:

On the start line for the Southern Upland Way race organised by GBUltras this Saturday along with my wife, woefully underprepared as it's just been gym stuff the past month, so could be interesting... 340kms/7.6km/100hrs cut. Let's see if I see the finish line !

Good luck. That looks ace. I've just remembered what I thought my adventure could be - a run across Wales. Looks very doable in a day, even entirely self-supported, though getting a lift back to my car would be important!

ETA - looks massively doable - stay in Aberystwyth on Friday night, 0530 train to Newtown, persuade a startled taxi driver to drop you in the middle of nowhere at 730 in the morning, run back to Aberystwyth, eat much fish and chips. One BnB, £14 of train, a taxi fare and pocket money en route.

Edited by Smitters on Wednesday 15th August 12:41

[Smitters]

Apologies for two back to back posts, but different subjects:

Team Ingebrigtsen is a Norwegian documentary, subtitled and available on YT in eight episodes of about 40 mins in length. It is absolutely worthy of some time if you have any interest in the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpwxcClhhqk

Edited for a better HD source and episode count

Edited by Smitters on Thursday 16th August 14:29

[tenohfive]

andy_s said:

On the start line for the Southern Upland Way race organised by GBUltras this Saturday along with my wife, woefully underprepared as it's just been gym stuff the past month, so could be interesting... 340kms/7.6km/100hrs cut. Let's see if I see the finish line !

Good luck Andy, you and your wife don't do things by half do you. You heading back to Kinlochleven next month for RoS again too?

[Gargamel]

Smitters said:

I too have noticed as my HR drops into the lower 40's I get the dizziness. I had a BP test and it's fine, on the lower end of normal, but it's the quick rises from sitting on down on the floor that do it. Seems to have dissipated a bit though in the last week.

This is almost every human. Lower resting heart rate, high fitness. Stand up quickly, or put your head down (tieing laces is usually mine) stand up - bit of room spin... Can be especially prevalent if you are a bit dehydrated.

Nothing to be concerned about, assuming 1. you don't pass out and 2. it clears within a few seconds.

Go more slowly next time, or wear a G suit when you are attempting maneuvers !

[The jiffle king]

Back to doing some speed work this morning. Nearly did not go as it was raining but did 6 x 800m at a fair pace for me. Nearly gave up after 3 reps as well

Now feeling very pleased I stuck with it despite the rain. The chap doing 20 x 200m deserved a medal!!

[andy_s]

tenohfive said:

Good luck Andy, you and your wife don't do things by half do you. You heading back to Kinlochleven next month for RoS again too?

Cheers (&cheers Smitters) - my wife is marshalling over the weekend at RoS and I'll be spectating/relaxing in the pub!

[GTO-3R]

GTO-3R said:

I think I've got runners knee

I feel no pain while running but when I finish it feels like there is no strength there and wants to give way. If I've been sat down for a while it's sore when I get up and hurts the most when I put weight on it to stand up.

I've rested it for a week now but doesn't appear to be improving. Does anyone have any suggestions for stretches etc? I'm booked in with an Osteopath to check my hip alignment as from what I've read this could be a cause!

Gutted as I have a few good races coming up in the next few weeks

Just to follow on from this, I went to the Osteopath and it turns out that the top of my Fibula had actually slipped round towards the back of my knee and was a little stuck. He gave it a good click back in to place and I've had no pain since after running thankfully!

Quick question on orthotics, who uses them off the shelf and are they worth it? I've currently got a pair from sweatshop when they did my gait etc but they're a bit knackered now. I bought some new Pegasus 35 trainers last week and my current orthotic makes them feel very firm under foot and not nearly as cushioned as the standard insert. Just wondering what the general consensus is on them and are they worth it?

[tenohfive]

I used to use some that a physio recommended, Talar Made ones. Not cheap either.

I stopped using them. Noticed zero difference.

To trot out an old cliche - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm generally anti-orthotics or anything else that messes with your natural running style as I feel that it invariably pushes the problem somewhere else. Go with whatever feels comfortable is my view - in this case, the standard inserts that come with the shoe.

[The jiffle king]

Early doors 20 for me today starting at 6:15 am helping a couple of friends marathon training. Nice easy 15 then 5 quicker at the end. Home by 9am which was great. Pretty tired now

[GTO-3R]

tenohfive said:

I used to use some that a physio recommended, Talar Made ones. Not cheap either.

I stopped using them. Noticed zero difference.

To trot out an old cliche - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm generally anti-orthotics or anything else that messes with your natural running style as I feel that it invariably pushes the problem somewhere else. Go with whatever feels comfortable is my view - in this case, the standard inserts that come with the shoe.

Did a 10K yesterday in the orthotics that came with the shoe and it actually felt better than the ones I had from sweatshop. I'll be leaving the standard ones in

[RizzoTheRat]

Anyone here do any Hashing? There's a Hash House Harriers meet not far from me on Wednesday so thinking of going along. Not too sure what to expect.