The Running Thread Vol 2

[RobM77]

smn159 said:

https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/03/london-marathon-can...

Not looking promising for the London Marathon.

That would be a terrible shame. This might be the first London Marathon in my life that I actually sit down and watch all the way through; Bekele vs Kipchoge will be epic. I wonder if CV will go on long enough to affect the Olympics?

I'm also worried that they'll cancel Reading Half Marathon at the beginning of April, which I'm entered into. This one is a big deal for me, because I entered it when I first took up running aged 30 and injured my knee, so couldn't run and had to bin my race number. 13 years later of gait re-training and gym work and I'm back on form and entered again, so it would be rather gutting to throw another RHM number in the bin.

As for other halves, Cardiff is sold out now - does anyone have any recommendations? I'm in Berkshire and want something road based and flat and fast (so Windsor's out) with an interesting route (Bournemouth and other loopy routes are also out). I'm considering travelling up to Manchester or to Newcastle for the GNR.

[smn159]

RobM77 said:

smn159 said:

https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/03/london-marathon-can...

Not looking promising for the London Marathon.

That would be a terrible shame. This might be the first London Marathon in my life that I actually sit down and watch all the way through; Bekele vs Kipchoge will be epic. I wonder if CV will go on long enough to affect the Olympics?

Yes, I know a few who have got places and we have a coach booked to take us all up there for the day - am looking forward to a day of running, without the bother of actually doing any running

[RobM77]

smn159 said:

RobM77 said:

smn159 said:

https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/03/london-marathon-can...

Not looking promising for the London Marathon.

That would be a terrible shame. This might be the first London Marathon in my life that I actually sit down and watch all the way through; Bekele vs Kipchoge will be epic. I wonder if CV will go on long enough to affect the Olympics?

Yes, I know a few who have got places and we have a coach booked to take us all up there for the day - am looking forward to a day of running, without the bother of actually doing any running

I think it's virtually certain that we'll see a new record for the course, maybe by quite a margin.

[RobM77]

Does anyone have any recommendations for fast shoes for wide feet? 10k to HM.

I've trained and raced in Brooks Launch for three years and get on well with them - they're a lightweight shoe with minimal cushioning, but not a proper racing shoe. I've just bought some super comfy shoes for easy and long runs, which are keepers, and am now wondering about now getting a faster shoe for races, intervals and tempo; or perhaps just races if I keep the Launch for speed training runs. Any thoughts? I'm a neutral forefoot runner. I had ordered some Adidas Adios, but they arrived today and my they're too long and thin for my feet - my feet will barely fit into them, even a size up.

[egor110]

RobM77 said:

That would be a terrible shame. This might be the first London Marathon in my life that I actually sit down and watch all the way through; Bekele vs Kipchoge will be epic. I wonder if CV will go on long enough to affect the Olympics?

I'm also worried that they'll cancel Reading Half Marathon at the beginning of April, which I'm entered into. This one is a big deal for me, because I entered it when I first took up running aged 30 and injured my knee, so couldn't run and had to bin my race number. 13 years later of gait re-training and gym work and I'm back on form and entered again, so it would be rather gutting to throw another RHM number in the bin.

As for other halves, Cardiff is sold out now - does anyone have any recommendations? I'm in Berkshire and want something road based and flat and fast (so Windsor's out) with an interesting route (Bournemouth and other loopy routes are also out). I'm considering travelling up to Manchester or to Newcastle for the GNR.

Bristol is mega quick , Taunton half In April and Biddeford half are also reasonably flat.

[webstercivet]

RobM77 said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for fast shoes for wide feet? 10k to HM.

I've trained and raced in Brooks Launch for three years and get on well with them - they're a lightweight shoe with minimal cushioning, but not a proper racing shoe. I've just bought some super comfy shoes for easy and long runs, which are keepers, and am now wondering about now getting a faster shoe for races, intervals and tempo; or perhaps just races if I keep the Launch for speed training runs. Any thoughts? I'm a neutral forefoot runner. I had ordered some Adidas Adios, but they arrived today and my they're too long and thin for my feet - my feet will barely fit into them, even a size up.

I can't help with specific recommendations. I'm not really fast enough (41min 10k; 1h40 half) to justify "fast" shoes.

But I will definitely repeat the time-honoured advice to buy through a local running shop rather than ordering online. To find my current shoes took me:
- two visits to the shop
- seven pairs tried on, with a quick run at the shop in each
- one pair purchased but then returned to the shop for exchange (having only been worn 10min on treadmill)
- at last, the right pair found - from a brand I'd never considered.

All that effort has resulted in a pair that fits my gait and I'm really happy with. I'd never have found them without the facility to try a load of options in situ.

Of course, your mileage may vary! Good luck in the hunt.

(Also, it doesn't help that manufacturers completely change the shape and fit of a given model from year to year for no reason!)

Edited by webstercivet on Tuesday 3rd March 16:25

[RobM77]

webstercivet said:

RobM77 said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for fast shoes for wide feet? 10k to HM.

I've trained and raced in Brooks Launch for three years and get on well with them - they're a lightweight shoe with minimal cushioning, but not a proper racing shoe. I've just bought some super comfy shoes for easy and long runs, which are keepers, and am now wondering about now getting a faster shoe for races, intervals and tempo; or perhaps just races if I keep the Launch for speed training runs. Any thoughts? I'm a neutral forefoot runner. I had ordered some Adidas Adios, but they arrived today and my they're too long and thin for my feet - my feet will barely fit into them, even a size up.

I can't help with specific recommendations. I'm not really fast enough (41min 10k; 1h40 half) to justify "fast" shoes.

But I will definitely repeat the time-honoured advice to buy through a local running shop rather than ordering online. To find my current shoes took me:
- two visits to the shop
- seven pairs tried on, with a quick run at the shop in each
- one pair purchased but then returned to the shop for exchange (having only been worn 10min on treadmill)
- at last, the right pair found - from a brand I'd never considered.

All that effort has resulted in a pair that fits my gait and I'm really happy with. I'd never have found them without the facility to try a load of options in situ.

Of course, your mileage may vary! Good luck in the hunt.

(Also, it doesn't help that manufacturers completely change the shape and fit of a given model from year to year for no reason!)

Edited by webstercivet on Tuesday 3rd March 16:25

Thanks. The problem I find with running shops is they're great for a standard daily running shoe (it's how I found the Launch and the Glycerin that I use now), but someone with very wide feet wanting a lightweight race shoe is a bit too niche for most shops to carry stock (I've checked already..). I've had my gait analysed by a gait expert in London, so I know I need a neutral shoe already and that I have no other imbalances requiring a particular type of shoe.

Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 3rd March 16:48

[Parsnip]

IMO trying them is even more important when it is a set of speedy shoes - being able to get up to speed on a treadmill and feeling how they are when running quick is critical. If I run slowly in my quick shoes, they feel horrendous, up on the toes at 5k pace and they come alive.

I'm going to treat myself to a new pair of speedsters at the weekend - my trusty Asics DS Racers are giving up the ghost and the extra speed they give is outweighed by how much they batter my legs (to the point I haven't really used them this year) and as much as I love my Omni's, they are properly clumpy feeling when going quick.

Have tried the Saucony Fasttwich, but even though I am an overpronator, I hated the support in them when quick. Plan is to go in and try the Saucony A9 and anything else "quick" they have in stock - will also give the Zoom Fly a shot (even if they did stock the Vapor Fly, I couldn't justify the cost or "cheatiness" until I'm back where I want to be speed wise)

[Smitters]

RobM77 said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for fast shoes for wide feet? 10k to HM.

I've trained and raced in Brooks Launch for three years and get on well with them - they're a lightweight shoe with minimal cushioning, but not a proper racing shoe. I've just bought some super comfy shoes for easy and long runs, which are keepers, and am now wondering about now getting a faster shoe for races, intervals and tempo; or perhaps just races if I keep the Launch for speed training runs. Any thoughts? I'm a neutral forefoot runner. I had ordered some Adidas Adios, but they arrived today and my they're too long and thin for my feet - my feet will barely fit into them, even a size up.

Stroud is late October and pretty fast. Popular with club athletes too, so you'll be in company from circa a 1.20 finish onwards. Fairly scenic, but scenic and fast are often mutually exclusive in my experience, big city halves excepted.

I believe Asics do wide fits on their shoes, but as an overpronator I can't recommend anything specific.

[RobM77]

Thanks Smitters - Stroud sounds great. It's only a 52m gain, which is fine. Windsor is 216m, which is the same as my usual long run route, and I certainly wouldn't want to race on that, at least to go for a good time. Egor: I did look at Bristol, but the route looked a bit odd. I'll have another look.

For the shoes I think I'm either going to visit a running shop, even if just to get a handle on how my feet fit brands I haven't tried, like Saucony or Asics; or I'll just stick with the Brooks Launch. I wedged my feet into the Adios 4s again last night and nope, they're far too narrow so I'll send them back. I did have a quick run up and down the house in them though and they felt incredible. Such a shame manufacturers don't make fast shoes for wide feet.

[Smitters]

RobM77 said:

Thanks Smitters - Stroud sounds great. It's only a 52m gain, which is fine. Windsor is 216m, which is the same as my usual long run route, and I certainly wouldn't want to race on that, at least to go for a good time. Egor: I did look at Bristol, but the route looked a bit odd. I'll have another look.

No worries.

Bristol goes out and back on the A4, so pretty scenic too, under the clifton Suspension Bridge and down the gorge, and is then scenic in reverse. Cool though as you get to see the leading pack fly back past.

https://www.stroudhalf.com/ Stroud is 27th October this year. I'm about, so if you enter, let me know and I'll cheer you on.

I just checked and the course record is 1.01.50, though on the old course. The new course record is 1.03.xx. and it's only been won with a time >70mins once.The ladies record for the current course is a 1.13.xx. So, yeah, pretty quick.

[RobM77]

Smitters said:

RobM77 said:

Thanks Smitters - Stroud sounds great. It's only a 52m gain, which is fine. Windsor is 216m, which is the same as my usual long run route, and I certainly wouldn't want to race on that, at least to go for a good time. Egor: I did look at Bristol, but the route looked a bit odd. I'll have another look.

No worries.

Bristol goes out and back on the A4, so pretty scenic too, under the clifton Suspension Bridge and down the gorge, and is then scenic in reverse. Cool though as you get to see the leading pack fly back past.

https://www.stroudhalf.com/ Stroud is 27th October this year. I'm about, so if you enter, let me know and I'll cheer you on.

I just checked and the course record is 1.01.50, though on the old course. The new course record is 1.03.xx. and it's only been won with a time >70mins once.The ladies record for the current course is a 1.13.xx. So, yeah, pretty quick.

Both sound great actually, I'll have a think which I'd like to do. I'll let you know if its Stroud - it certainly sounds much less hassle to get to than Bristol, which requires a park and ride and then a bag drop.

[Smitters]

RobM77 said:

Both sound great actually, I'll have a think which I'd like to do. I'll let you know if its Stroud - it certainly sounds much less hassle to get to than Bristol, which requires a park and ride and then a bag drop.

Stroud is much more low-key. Can advise on the best parking spot to escape back east too.

[RobM77]

Smitters said:

RobM77 said:

Both sound great actually, I'll have a think which I'd like to do. I'll let you know if its Stroud - it certainly sounds much less hassle to get to than Bristol, which requires a park and ride and then a bag drop.

Stroud is much more low-key. Can advise on the best parking spot to escape back east too.

Thanks. I have a dodgy back and find standing around painful and it hinders my running, so Stroud sounds like a good option for that. I've watch my wife do Reading and it looked horrific, but I'm going to give it a crack and see how I cope.

[GTO-3R]

I've been finding it very difficult to get my running mojo up and going this year. I took a break last November to give my body a rest after a busy running year (for me) and didn't run again until the start of Jan where I was only going out on a Sunday morning for a slow long plod. Now the season is approaching, I feel really unfit and finding it difficult to get my speed back. When trying 5-10K pace I get out of breath easily and don't feel like I can maintain a speed that I would have easily done last year!

I know I've got to go through feeling st again to get back to where I was but it's making me not want to run

[RobM77]

GTO-3R said:

I've been finding it very difficult to get my running mojo up and going this year. I took a break last November to give my body a rest after a busy running year (for me) and didn't run again until the start of Jan where I was only going out on a Sunday morning for a slow long plod. Now the season is approaching, I feel really unfit and finding it difficult to get my speed back. When trying 5-10K pace I get out of breath easily and don't feel like I can maintain a speed that I would have easily done last year!

I know I've got to go through feeling st again to get back to where I was but it's making me not want to run

Have you tried starting with lots of easy miles and then adding the speed stuff in later? Perhaps twice a week initially, then 3 times a week, but keep it all conversational zone 2 HR, just looking at the scenery and waving to dog walkers, then perhaps after 3-4 weeks bring in some intervals and then eventually tempo?

[GTO-3R]

RobM77 said:

GTO-3R said:

I've been finding it very difficult to get my running mojo up and going this year. I took a break last November to give my body a rest after a busy running year (for me) and didn't run again until the start of Jan where I was only going out on a Sunday morning for a slow long plod. Now the season is approaching, I feel really unfit and finding it difficult to get my speed back. When trying 5-10K pace I get out of breath easily and don't feel like I can maintain a speed that I would have easily done last year!

I know I've got to go through feeling st again to get back to where I was but it's making me not want to run

Have you tried starting with lots of easy miles and then adding the speed stuff in later? Perhaps twice a week initially, then 3 times a week, but keep it all conversational zone 2 HR, just looking at the scenery and waving to dog walkers, then perhaps after 3-4 weeks bring in some intervals and then eventually tempo?

Yeah that's what I've been doing the last couple of weeks. Getting back out with my running club doing some easy runs, having a chat and did some speed work on my own on a different day. The speed work is what's lead me to realise how far off I am and sapped my mojo a bit. I've got the Wilmslow half in 10 days so I have something to train for at least, even if I don't get near my "usual" time.


Is there a Pistonheads Strava group?

[Smitters]

GTO-3R said:

Is there a Pistonheads Strava group?

https://www.strava.com/clubs/157370

[RobM77]

GTO-3R said:

RobM77 said:

GTO-3R said:

I've been finding it very difficult to get my running mojo up and going this year. I took a break last November to give my body a rest after a busy running year (for me) and didn't run again until the start of Jan where I was only going out on a Sunday morning for a slow long plod. Now the season is approaching, I feel really unfit and finding it difficult to get my speed back. When trying 5-10K pace I get out of breath easily and don't feel like I can maintain a speed that I would have easily done last year!

I know I've got to go through feeling st again to get back to where I was but it's making me not want to run

Have you tried starting with lots of easy miles and then adding the speed stuff in later? Perhaps twice a week initially, then 3 times a week, but keep it all conversational zone 2 HR, just looking at the scenery and waving to dog walkers, then perhaps after 3-4 weeks bring in some intervals and then eventually tempo?

Yeah that's what I've been doing the last couple of weeks. Getting back out with my running club doing some easy runs, having a chat and did some speed work on my own on a different day. The speed work is what's lead me to realise how far off I am and sapped my mojo a bit. I've got the Wilmslow half in 10 days so I have something to train for at least, even if I don't get near my "usual" time.


Is there a Pistonheads Strava group?

That'll come. The biggest hurdle is being able to do those easy runs regularly, you can then build the speed work on top. Maybe resolve to take the half marathon easy, at least for the first 10-15km?

[downthepub]

Smitters said:

https://www.strava.com/clubs/157370

Ooo, I'll join that. Seems like fun. Not a fast runner, but I do 25-40kms a week.