The Running Thread

[Cybertronian]

Whatever you do, Cwis, don't lose the momentum you've gained, even if that means having to take it much easier some weeks than others to avoid injury/illness. As Ewen said above, it's so much easier to continue training and build on those gains than it is to start from scratch.

My wife has done Couch to 5k a handful of times, but then always stops running after she 'graduates' to Parkrun and treats it as a one-off end goal, and loses that new found fitness. Asking her to accompany me to Parkrun, her stock excuse is usually "I haven't run in ages and want to be able to run 5k again before going back to Parkrun". My logic to her is that by going to Parkrun and completing it, even with walk breaks, she'd sooner get back to being able to run 5k without stopping versus doing nothing, which is the case right now.

So, how about that weather outside? Not looking forward to my long run on Sunday, where at least half of it will be directly into the 20mph headwind!

[MC Bodge]

Calf problems won't go away....

I went for a very easy run of 2.4K earlier as part of my attempts (I've done a couple of other short ones this week) to build back up to normal distances following the calf cramp/strain a few weeks ago.

All was fine.

I then collected my daughter from school and ran a further 150m, following my daughter on her scooter, then felt a sudden cramp/knot in the calf again.

Agghh. Having got through most of the year relatively injury free, why oh why has this old calf injury come back yet again???

Cycling (off road or on) doesn't appear to cause me any problems, just the impact of runnning. I suppose I am going to have to give it another week or 2 before trying running again....

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 13th November 16:42

[cwis]

Cybertronian said:

Whatever you do, Cwis, don't lose the momentum you've gained, even if that means having to take it much easier some weeks than others to avoid injury/illness. As Ewen said above, it's so much easier to continue training and build on those gains than it is to start from scratch.

My wife has done Couch to 5k a handful of times, but then always stops running after she 'graduates' to Parkrun and treats it as a one-off end goal, and loses that new found fitness. Asking her to accompany me to Parkrun, her stock excuse is usually "I haven't run in ages and want to be able to run 5k again before going back to Parkrun". My logic to her is that by going to Parkrun and completing it, even with walk breaks, she'd sooner get back to being able to run 5k without stopping versus doing nothing, which is the case right now.

So, how about that weather outside? Not looking forward to my long run on Sunday, where at least half of it will be directly into the 20mph headwind!

I'll try not to lose momentum. I've only run the once this week due to a cold and a tummy bug I picked up somewhere, (I didn't fancy "doing a Paula" mid run) and the "fast" run I then did on Thursday has left my legs a bit sore. Worth it though!

So I'm having a day off today (usually run on both Sat and Sun), but to keep up my miles my final run of the week tomorrow I'll try and push up to at least 15Km.

I'll be rested so I have a good chance, I'll keep my speed down and see how I feel at 10K.

I'm going to the local park where there are plenty of trees to stop the wind. I remember that from pushbike training - windy day, get the mountain bike out and go in the woods. There's nothing as sapping as a headwind.

[ExV8]

Another half for me today. Just about a PB (10 seconds quicker) but according to my watch the course was 21.4 and I ran at an average of 12.4 km/h. Bit of a shame as I was aiming for a 1.42.xx although guess with the distance I was more or less there.

[dave0010]

Does anyone have any sites they use to sign up for events in there area? I always love signing up to events as encouragement to train that little bit harder

[Moulder]

dave0010 said:

Does anyone have any sites they use to sign up for events in there area? I always love signing up to events as encouragement to train that little bit harder

Not sure if this is what you mean...

https://therunningbug.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/

Local running shops often have a list of local events, local media/advertising also throws up some interesting events, e.g. stair running.

[markh1973]

Moulder said:

dave0010 said:

Does anyone have any sites they use to sign up for events in there area? I always love signing up to events as encouragement to train that little bit harder

Not sure if this is what you mean...

https://therunningbug.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/

Local running shops often have a list of local events, local media/advertising also throws up some interesting events, e.g. stair running.

Fetcheveryone.co.uk has a good searchable database of events on it as well.

[MC Bodge]

For the next couple of weeks I m going to use skipping as an alternative to running in an attempt to re-condition my calf without over-doing it.

I'm really keen to try out my new Pure Grit shoes, but they will need to wait....

[Dr Murdoch]

Ladies & gents

Ive had a break from running, partly through choice then due to illness. I want to start up again but not quite sure how far, how often and how fast I should be starting?

The Last time I ran was in mid September, and it was 18 miles. My long run pace was about 9min mile, short run (10k) pace about 7.5/8 min miles.

I was thinking of doing a slow 3 mile run tomorrow and then increase straight to 10k on the next run?

[Cybertronian]

Dr Murdoch said:

Ladies & gents

Ive had a break from running, partly through choice then due to illness. I want to start up again but not quite sure how far, how often and how fast I should be starting?

The Last time I ran was in mid September, and it was 18 miles. My long run pace was about 9min mile, short run (10k) pace about 7.5/8 min miles.

I was thinking of doing a slow 3 mile run tomorrow and then increase straight to 10k on the next run?

Do you have a race you're looking to work towards, or just to get back into running in general?

Given your previous experience, I'd probably start off with 3x runs a week, with the 10k as your longest. Keep the paces easy on all of these runs for 2, maybe even 3 weeks - returning to running will be a shock to the system!

[The jiffle king]

I'd do 3 very gentle miles and then rest for 2 days. Then I would go out and do another 3 miles and rest for 2 days. Then I might build up to 4 miles. It would take me 3 weeks to be back at 10k after a break and even then I would not start speedwork for 5 weeks. Just my take on it, but people come back too quickly all the time and end up injured again

[tenohfive]

The jiffle king said:

I'd do 3 very gentle miles and then rest for 2 days. Then I would go out and do another 3 miles and rest for 2 days. Then I might build up to 4 miles. It would take me 3 weeks to be back at 10k after a break and even then I would not start speedwork for 5 weeks. Just my take on it, but people come back too quickly all the time and end up injured again

If coming back from injury then what you say makes perfect sense. But a break through choice and illness can be treated differently surely - no risk of exacerbating an injury, it's just a case of building fitness.

If taking time off was through choice my take would be similar though - take it easy, let your form come back slowly, and most importantly don't risk pushing yourself so hard that it's not fun. With the days getting shorter, windier, wetter and colder motivation is something that needs preserving.

Edited by tenohfive on Monday 16th November 20:40

Edited by tenohfive on Monday 16th November 20:41

[MC Bodge]

For the next couple of weeks I m going to use skipping as an alternative to running in an attempt to re-condition my calf without over-doing it.

I'm really keen to try out my new Pure Grit shoes, but they will need to wait....

[dave0010]

So first run around London went well yesterday. I managed a 10 mile exploration run from Whitechapel in and around London. Found myself on the embankment but even on a midweek at midday it was packed with people. I think Il head east next past the O2 arena and around the docklands. After that I'l explore Victoria park.

Also I've noticed just how stupid people can be with selfie sticks!! they just swing them around all over the place!!

[ewenm]

There's a good loop from Limehouse along the river to Monument then up to Regents Canal near Moorgate and along the canal back to Limehouse via Victoria Park.

I also used to run up to Finsbury Park and then take the old railway that leads up to Hampstead and then up onto the Heath.

[Cybertronian]

dave0010 said:

Also I've noticed just how stupid people can be with selfie sticks!! they just swing them around all over the place!!

Not just selfie sticks, but the one that peeves me off is dog owners that leave the lead with loads of slack with limited space for others to manoeuvre around. Groups of people taking up the whole width of pavements, towpaths etc is annoying, too, especially if they ignore your warnings that you're approaching and then act all surprised when you zoom past.

[johnwilliams77]

cwis said:

Cheers!

Make sure you're not going too fast. I found (before I actually started doing C25K) that I could already run 5K (in 38 minutes) if I was running with someone who knew what they were doing, as I always started off too fast by myself.

I still DID the C25K program (well most of it) - as advised by the grownups in this thread, and found it very helpful. I stopped in week 7, as I could by then run 10K (in an hour and 10, so starting to get quicker).

I started doing hills and trail running instead, again as advised - they know their stuff this lot!

I'm seriously thinking about joining a club now, for regular runs and advice and I'm considering a half marathon next year.

Running thread, you've made a runner out of me!

Likewise, last day of week 4 tomorrow. It may make a runner of me also, I will report. I am in the sun just now so it makes it a lot nicer this week.

Will be asking for some tips and pointer once I get to 5k

[cwis]

Off to an "open run" evening with a local running club this evening. Get to try them out and see if I "fit" as it were.

Quite blowy out there!

[johnwilliams77]

Week 4 c25k complete. Tough but I've pushed myself harder. Getting a small pain on my right side around my ribs.....perhaps onset of stitch (maybe be due to eating too close to the run?)

[ewenm]

johnwilliams77 said:

Week 4 c25k complete. Tough but I've pushed myself harder. Getting a small pain on my right side around my ribs.....perhaps onset of stitch (maybe be due to eating too close to the run?)

I find I need to leave at least 2 hours between eating and running.