The Running Thread

[satriales]

Managed to do a half marathon in 1:52 today, 4 minutes quicker than two weeks ago. Got a race in two weeks so if I take it easy until then I think sub 1:50 could be realistic.

When I was pushing myself over Christmas I strawberry floated my knee somehow. I can't feel it day to day but if I go for a run after 2 or 3k it starts to be painful and then continues to be so for a day or two afterwards. Really don't want to strawberry float about with Physios but I don't think I have a choice otherwise I'm perma crocked.

I had something similar a few years back. It was fine normally, but when running it was suddenly painful after about a mile and I'd have to stop and walk home. I went to a physio and they diagnosed it as a tight IT band. Got me to do some leg/knee exercises while very slowly building my distance back up and never had that problem again. Can't remember the exact exercises now but if you search for IT band stretches it wouldn't hurt to give them a try.

[Captain Kinopio]

Thanks for the suggestion I’ll give it a go

[Gorrable]

I'm quite far into training for my first marathon - the Newport marathon just after Easter. Did a 16 mile run today, which is the furthest I've ever run. I was pretty slow but I got it done and my Achilles seems to have held up OK.

Pro tip - if you think you may be developing a lactose intolerance, do not have a large chocolate milk after a super intense long run. I've been alternating chundering and trying to hydrate all afternoon.

[BTB]

Done a few more runs post physio and still no knee pain which is just lovely!

Went to a Runners Needs shop and got some gait analysis done and ended up getting some new running shoes (hoka ariah 6 is anyone is interested). They are more of a stability shoe as the gait analysis shoes I'm in the cusp of neutral v stability. Never tried stability shoes before (didn't actually know they were a thing...).

First time using them today amd I have a blister

Doesn't seem too bad and hoping after a couple more runs in them there won't be any issues, but did dampen my new shoe optimism

[Rubix]

Did another Half Marathon run on Saturday but 8 minutes slower. Was using my Hoka Carbon X2 which I have not ran over 10k in before. Things were okay for the first 15km but the slow uphill and the firm ride of the carbons did the opposite to what I expected from them. Instead of keeping me going they tired my legs and the last 5-6km was a massive struggle and not enjoyable at all.

Will try them at the distance again but leaning towards the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 for my official Half in September as it stands. The Hoka's also pinched my left small toe by the end of the run too, causing a blister.

[Tomous]

Hit 10km on Saturday! Can't remember exact time, was sub 1 hour, 59:XX something.

I've been doing 5-6km runs all year and planned to push myself and hit 8km but I still felt really energised with plenty left in the tank at 6km so I thought strawberry float it, let's go for 10.

[Victor Mildew]

Good news - I can now consistently do my old hilly route without stopping, and the last few times have been able to up the pace at points rather than just drags myself around it.

Bad news - I desperately need to replace my now ancient trainers. There's a hole in the left mesh where my toe has poked through, and my right foot hurts above between the ball of my foot and my ankle. Hurts to the touch and I'm limping today

[Rubix]

Bad news - I desperately need to replace my now ancient trainers. There's a hole in the left mesh where my toe has poked through, and my right foot hurts above between the ball of my foot and my ankle.

New Running Shoe time

Hit 10km on Saturday! Can't remember exact time, was sub 1 hour, 59:XX something.

I've been doing 5-6km runs all year and planned to push myself and hit 8km but I still felt really energised with plenty left in the tank at 6km so I thought strawberry float it, let's go for 10.

well done, keep pushing

[satriales]

Did the Surrey Half today. Aiming for sub 1:50 but ended up with 1:51:40. Not terrible considering the lack of training but still slower than I would have liked.

My HR went through the roof at the start despite feeling like I was taking it quite easy. And then I just got hot and was working too hard for the whole race.

At 8 miles I was on target for 1:48 and my plan was to hold that pace until mile 10 and then start pushing to maybe get under it. I suddenly just lost speed though. My legs had nothing in them and rather than pushing at the end, I was slowing. Even in ultras I usually find energy from somewhere to 'sprint' the last mile but it wasn't happening here.

I think it was just down to lack of training and my legs not being fully recovered from a 1:52 half I did two weeks ago. At least I have a benchmark now If I do the same race again next year.

[Rubix]

Just bought a Garmin Fenix 7x when my Fenix 6pro isn't even a year old

Taking someone's place in the westonbirt Half, I can do it but don't think im mentally prepared.

[Victor Mildew]

Not looking forward to running in the dark again next week.

[satriales]

With very little training I am running a 12hr race tomorrow

It's measured as the crow flies from the start and you plan your own route. 40miles gets a medal and is close to my house so that's the goal. Should be perfectly doable on a normal day, but my lack of fitness will make it tough.

Tracking is usually fun to spectate, as a hundred people scatter off in completely different directions. There will also be an expanding cloud of radiation that we have to outrun.

Tracking (starts 10am Saturday): https://track.trail.live/event/fallout
Event info: https://www.beyondmarathon.com/fallout

[Rubix]

Not looking forward to running in the dark again next week.

Apart from parkrun and my Sunday run all my runs are done in the evening, so looking forward to running in the light this week.

[Tomous]

With very little training I am running a 12hr race tomorrow

It's measured as the crow flies from the start and you plan your own route. 40miles gets a medal and is close to my house so that's the goal. Should be perfectly doable on a normal day, but my lack of fitness will make it tough.

Tracking is usually fun to spectate, as a hundred people scatter off in completely different directions. There will also be an expanding cloud of radiation that we have to outrun.

Tracking (starts 10am Saturday): https://track.trail.live/event/fallout
Event info: https://www.beyondmarathon.com/fallout

Interesting race and good luck!

How much do you think route planning factors into the winner?

[satriales]

Interesting race and good luck!

How much do you think route planning factors into the winner?

Thanks! It was actually this Saturday just gone and I managed to scrape into the 40 mile (as the crow flies) border just 15 minutes ahead of the ever-chasing radiation cloud.

No 51


I was severely under-trained going into this race so my only goal was to reach the finish, which I did, but it hurt a lot. The winner is based purely on distance and I don't think many people were really even trying to win, we all had our own goals and for most people that was just get to 40 miles (the safe zone) or 12 hours, and then stop. The winner ran 62 miles (100km) but there is unlimited time as long as you stay ahead of the radiation cloud. Only a handful of people carried on past 12 hours.

I love this format of race. I did Escape From Meriden once which is the same but starts at midnight (no sleep!!) and without the chasing cloud. Route planning is huge in these. For this one very early on I got passed by somebody way fitter than me who said he was aiming for the same town. I then kept noticing that he wasn't running a particularly straight route and despite going much faster he didn't gain too much distance over me.

I also made a few bad route choices. I ran through the middle of Reading because it was most direct but it was busy and I had to keep stopping or zigzagging to avoid people. If I do it again then I'll take the more scenic river route which only adds half a mile.
Also, I ran along a track called The Devil's Highway. I now know why it's called that. Those short sharp hills were unexpected and not what I wanted to see having just run 30 miles!!

[Tomous]

Congrats satriales! Thanks for the update, enjoyed reading into it and your experience. Sounds like a great race.

[Rubix]

Still waiting to find out if I will be running a half this Friday, I don't feel prepared so wouldn't mind if I didn't get to go.

[Sprouty]

There are some great runs on this page! Well done all!

I'm aiming to lose a few kilo before going on holiday in a month and a half, so running is back on for me. On getting home from Scotland I weighed about 85 kilo, with my goal being 80 or less in 50 days time. Started with a 5k run today, managed a better time than I expected, but legs are struggling, feel tight and prone to cramp. Sensible choice to do 5 and not 10 today, as I'm already up against it with time and my aims, without chucking cramp in to the mix!

I really felt like I was struggling, assumed I was slower than 6 minutes per km, only to check right at the end and see I wasn't far off 5. I look forward to getting in to the grove!

[Victor Mildew]

Yes so belting progress going on, well done everyone!

Still only at 2 runs a week, but I'm steadily getting speed up again. Nothing earth shattering but this morning I was able to consciously increase speed while going up quite steep hills which would have been unthinkable last month (in fact I'd often stop and walk on them). I don't have any scales to weigh myself but I feel like I've lost at least a few kg, definitely noticing it on my face and beer belly. Main aim here is to not have to such my stomach in constantly when by the pool on holiday like I did last time.

[Tomous]

There are some great runs on this page! Well done all!

I'm aiming to lose a few kilo before going on holiday in a month and a half, so running is back on for me. On getting home from Scotland I weighed about 85 kilo, with my goal being 80 or less in 50 days time. Started with a 5k run today, managed a better time than I expected, but legs are struggling, feel tight and prone to cramp. Sensible choice to do 5 and not 10 today, as I'm already up against it with time and my aims, without chucking cramp in to the mix!

I really felt like I was struggling, assumed I was slower than 6 minutes per km, only to check right at the end and see I wasn't far off 5. I look forward to getting in to the grove!

How long have you been off running? Being close to 5 mins per km is a decent pace to be starting from!