The Running Thread Vol 2
Discussion
ch37 said:
Just up the road from me, stuff like this fascinates me even if sadly I'm not fit enough to be quite this mad just yet.
Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
I found out about the Shropshire Hills walking / running festival from a friend not long ago. Looks like they are pretty much full up for this year but "How Welsh Dare You Go" sounds like it could be an amusing day out (as mere mortal not trying to win it).Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
Website said:
You will depart from Craven Arms station on the “Oh My God It’s Early!” train to your chosen stop, carrying one of our event trackers. You then follow the route of the Heart of Wales Line Trail back to Craven Arms, clipping your tally at each of the stations, where some basic refreshments will be available. Other than that, you’re on your own- there is very little hand holding in this event, so you will need to carry everything you need to survive in the wilds for up to 24 hours.
You must follow the Heart of Wales Line Trail throughout your journey and your tracker will be checked on completion. On your return you will receive a hot meal along with a memento and finishers certificate. The winner of the trophy will be the person who goes furthest down the line but still makes in back to the Centre in less than 24 hours after the train leaves Craven Arms station.
https://www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk/whats-on-at-shdc/shropshire-way-80k-festival/hwdyg/You must follow the Heart of Wales Line Trail throughout your journey and your tracker will be checked on completion. On your return you will receive a hot meal along with a memento and finishers certificate. The winner of the trophy will be the person who goes furthest down the line but still makes in back to the Centre in less than 24 hours after the train leaves Craven Arms station.
Just picked up running in the last few months and have some questions/concerns....
Its mostly around shoes and feet because I find it severely uncomfortable some times.
The first shoes I got were some Asics GT2000 (I had a "gait analysis" done and I over pronate particularly on the right foot). These were actually quite comfy shoes for "easy" or "zone 2" pace running. But anything faster and I'd start to get this intense burning sensation on the balls of my feet. I couldn't ever pin it down as to what caused it:
Sometimes left foot, sometimes right. I tried different levels of tightening the laces, I tried tying left tighter than right and vice versa, different ways of tying, different socks etc. Weirdly I bought some Hilly TwinSkin socks and these exasperate the problem quite markedly, within 1-2 km I'm at the level where I think I've got to stop. Running on treadmill is often worse as well. The best socks I found so far as some Balega ones, mono skin. Heat definitely makes it worse as I went for a run whilst in Aruba (30+deg) and I actually had to stop and take the shoes off after 4km.
I did my first 10K race (47:50, was chuffed with that). But 5k in I was having to run around this intense burning in the right foot. It was awful and massively distracting.
I've tried another shoe. A Saucony Guide 15 and it definitely fits better than the Asics (which I think are a little too large actually). Much harder under foot though. The burning is still there albeit less pronounced and takes longer to come on. But then I think the firmness is making other problems like numb feet, tingling feet, little toe somehow rubbing on the toe next to it so I have blisters on the inside of my little toe. I've only done easy stuff in them so far and only as far as 10km. I actually don't think I could run faster than easy pace for any length of time in these things without a lot of pain.
I've not got weird feet I don't think. But they are long (usually size 11), fairly narrow in width, quite shallow in height (have always had lots of "space" above the foot in most of my shoes. An insole is normally used) and I have high arch/bridge.
I just don't know what is causing this pain and nothing I've tried seems to sort it. Its almost random. I can "prep" the same way each time and have the problem in different feet or even both. If it means anything, I've been a swimmer since I was about 10 (im 37 now) and never really did any other sports so running is very new to me.
Another possible note: I don't think its rubbing or friction? I dunno. I know the skin on the feet is quite hardy but I thought this level of burning might have created blistering. But when I examine my feet they really look fine, so perhaps it is muscles? or nerves?
What should I be looking at here? what should I try? Get a second opinion on gait? go see a Physio even?
Its mostly around shoes and feet because I find it severely uncomfortable some times.
The first shoes I got were some Asics GT2000 (I had a "gait analysis" done and I over pronate particularly on the right foot). These were actually quite comfy shoes for "easy" or "zone 2" pace running. But anything faster and I'd start to get this intense burning sensation on the balls of my feet. I couldn't ever pin it down as to what caused it:
Sometimes left foot, sometimes right. I tried different levels of tightening the laces, I tried tying left tighter than right and vice versa, different ways of tying, different socks etc. Weirdly I bought some Hilly TwinSkin socks and these exasperate the problem quite markedly, within 1-2 km I'm at the level where I think I've got to stop. Running on treadmill is often worse as well. The best socks I found so far as some Balega ones, mono skin. Heat definitely makes it worse as I went for a run whilst in Aruba (30+deg) and I actually had to stop and take the shoes off after 4km.
I did my first 10K race (47:50, was chuffed with that). But 5k in I was having to run around this intense burning in the right foot. It was awful and massively distracting.
I've tried another shoe. A Saucony Guide 15 and it definitely fits better than the Asics (which I think are a little too large actually). Much harder under foot though. The burning is still there albeit less pronounced and takes longer to come on. But then I think the firmness is making other problems like numb feet, tingling feet, little toe somehow rubbing on the toe next to it so I have blisters on the inside of my little toe. I've only done easy stuff in them so far and only as far as 10km. I actually don't think I could run faster than easy pace for any length of time in these things without a lot of pain.
I've not got weird feet I don't think. But they are long (usually size 11), fairly narrow in width, quite shallow in height (have always had lots of "space" above the foot in most of my shoes. An insole is normally used) and I have high arch/bridge.
I just don't know what is causing this pain and nothing I've tried seems to sort it. Its almost random. I can "prep" the same way each time and have the problem in different feet or even both. If it means anything, I've been a swimmer since I was about 10 (im 37 now) and never really did any other sports so running is very new to me.
Another possible note: I don't think its rubbing or friction? I dunno. I know the skin on the feet is quite hardy but I thought this level of burning might have created blistering. But when I examine my feet they really look fine, so perhaps it is muscles? or nerves?
What should I be looking at here? what should I try? Get a second opinion on gait? go see a Physio even?
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 2nd February 12:26
/\/\/\
Def go and see a physio who has experience with runners. I had similar in my right foot and for me it was due to limited mobility in my big toe. Got some mobility exercises and some strength stuff and have been using this toe spacer thing which spreads the load out and seems to help such that it's now tolerable.
Yours might be different, could be due to weaknesses elsewhere - which you def will have if you're fairly new to running. Sports physio will assess and recommend where you need to strengthen.
Def go and see a physio who has experience with runners. I had similar in my right foot and for me it was due to limited mobility in my big toe. Got some mobility exercises and some strength stuff and have been using this toe spacer thing which spreads the load out and seems to help such that it's now tolerable.
Yours might be different, could be due to weaknesses elsewhere - which you def will have if you're fairly new to running. Sports physio will assess and recommend where you need to strengthen.
The jiffle king said:
A strange question but interested if anyone does their running routes in reverse?
I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
Exactly the same! Strange isn't it! I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
I also run a few routes alot when I could mix it up! I am however fully against driving anywhere to run!
joshcowin said:
Exactly the same! Strange isn't it!
I also run a few routes alot when I could mix it up! I am however fully against driving anywhere to run!
I do reverse the routes I run. I think this is because I’ve ridden motorbikes for years and, as part of this, riding a route in reverse can be quite different.I also run a few routes alot when I could mix it up! I am however fully against driving anywhere to run!
Thanks
Rob
Otispunkmeyer said:
I've not got weird feet I don't think. But they are long (usually size 11), fairly narrow in width, quite shallow in height (have always had lots of "space" above the foot in most of my shoes. An insole is normally used) and I have high arch/bridge.
Overpronation = flat feet, but you say you have high arches? Did the gait analysis say that your arches are collapsing? The jiffle king said:
A strange question but interested if anyone does their running routes in reverse?
I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
I do sometimes just to mix things up, but I don't really like it. I know every inch of my 'go to' route - every undulation and exactly where the wind will hit me. Doing it in reverse just feels wrong I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
The jiffle king said:
A strange question but interested if anyone does their running routes in reverse?
I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
I do occasionally, as i know there are some different strava segments to be bagged running my local loops in reverse I rarely run the reverse of any of my routes and I’m not really sure why
Occasionally I do but 99/100 times I run the same route way
samdy said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
I've not got weird feet I don't think. But they are long (usually size 11), fairly narrow in width, quite shallow in height (have always had lots of "space" above the foot in most of my shoes. An insole is normally used) and I have high arch/bridge.
Overpronation = flat feet, but you say you have high arches? Did the gait analysis say that your arches are collapsing? The right foot does seem to roll in. The left really looked more neutral.
Last time I went to the physio (for a calf issue) they commented on my foot arches being high so I am just repeating what they said! I don't know whether being a swimmer for so long has anything to do with it. Tend to end up a little pigeon toed after all the years pointing feet inward and working on having bendy ankles. Maybe the arches are just collapsing. I do often get cramp in the arch of my foot during swimming. It's the first place to go when the cramps start if I haven't quite drank enough fluids.
Edit. Just been for 6k in the old trainers and tried standing on a tennis ball under the feat. I don't think it felt much better mind toward the end I had burning in one foot and numbness in the other!
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Friday 3rd February 19:26
It does sound shoe related to me, but I'm not a physio. Years ago I bought a pair of running shoes without really knowing about the different types and ended up with some with high arch supports. My flat-ish feet did not like that and they caused me all sorts of discomfort.
Try the wet test as a fairly easy way of seeing if you have normal/high/flat arches.
I'd be looking to get another gait analysis done. Maybe check out local running groups on Facebook and search for recommendations?
Try the wet test as a fairly easy way of seeing if you have normal/high/flat arches.
I'd be looking to get another gait analysis done. Maybe check out local running groups on Facebook and search for recommendations?
I ended up going to a podiatrist - had various foot and leg niggles - not a cheap option, consult plus about 300 quid orthotics. The guy was honest enough to say it might not help, but I think it has.
ETA. As smn points out (below) physio is a good shout I had already seen one and worked various stretches which has made a difference too.
ETA. As smn points out (below) physio is a good shout I had already seen one and worked various stretches which has made a difference too.
Edited by Austin_Metro on Saturday 4th February 17:28
I honestly wouldn't bother with running shop gait analysis. A physio is always the first stop if you have niggly injuries - it's almost certain that they're caused by weaknesses / imbalances elsewhere (hips and glutes most likely) and a targeted strength programme will sort it.
Just buy some decent shoes that fit and are comfortable.
Just buy some decent shoes that fit and are comfortable.
I ran Watford half yesterday after only signing up a week before. I wasn't intending to run to a specific time but just more to see where I was at as I haven't done a long run since the great north run last September. Really pleased to have beaten my GNR time by a couple of minutes (1:57) and at the end I actually felt like I had a bit in the tank left over which was really surprising. It was a really nice course as well, quite varied and enjoyable. The course is described as "undulating", there's a decent amount of elevation (something like 250m overall) but knowing there's a downhill after going up is always nice. Next aim then is for sub 1:50!
dazmanultra said:
I ran Watford half yesterday after only signing up a week before. I wasn't intending to run to a specific time but just more to see where I was at as I haven't done a long run since the great north run last September. Really pleased to have beaten my GNR time by a couple of minutes (1:57) and at the end I actually felt like I had a bit in the tank left over which was really surprising. It was a really nice course as well, quite varied and enjoyable. The course is described as "undulating", there's a decent amount of elevation (something like 250m overall) but knowing there's a downhill after going up is always nice. Next aim then is for sub 1:50!
Ha! I did that yesterday as well - was definitely bit lumpy in places Had a calf issue recently and although it's largely settled following some new shoes and rehab work I still feel it so have been keeping the speed down for now.
Also had the lurgy last week so not quite where I want to be in my preparation for London (my usual run buddies did a 20 miler at the Weeknd). Long run of 24k a few weeks back for me and a half this weekend and last, so need to start getting the distance and weekly mileage up a bit now
ch37 said:
Just up the road from me, stuff like this fascinates me even if sadly I'm not fit enough to be quite this mad just yet.
Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
I know I’m a bit late here but The Drop events may be of interest. I did one last year and enjoyed it, although I should point out that returning to a city centre obviously involves running through suburbs, so not perhaps the sort of areas you’d choose to run through. It’s a fun event though due to you not having a clue where you’re going to start from and potentially having a real adventure along the way. Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
https://www.thedropuk.co.uk/
ch37 said:
Just up the road from me, stuff like this fascinates me even if sadly I'm not fit enough to be quite this mad just yet.
Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
This is where some of the ultra-marathon facebook groups come into play. I am part of the beyond marathon facebook group, (who are behind fallout) they held a quiz to get advance tickets to Escape from Meriden this year. I had no intention on signing up but with a quiz, suddenly my wife & I are doing EfM as a pair.Speaking of which, what's the best way to seek out 'alternative' events like this? The 'Fallout' one where you need to get away 40 miles from a point before being killed/eliminated by nuclear fallout looks like my sort of thing, I also had one bookmarked a few years back where its 5k every hour for something like 10 hours, game over if you didn't make the start line on the hour. I'd be fit enough now to walk that quite comfortably, those events appeal to me far more than a straight ultra.
Also look at the BadBoy Running group. a full mix of athletes in there, from DNF'ing a 10k through to winning 100 miler events.
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