SteveMac

Went to Croatia earlier in the year, visited Dubrovnik, Split, Plitivice Lakes and Trogir. Thinking about Cuba for later in the year, but not made a decision yet. Got trips to Berlin and Jersey for running events/long weekends also :-)

It's been a while since I've posted! Well 3 weeks ago I did my first trail marathon on the South Downs, finished in 4:46 a tough hilly course and I was actually 2nd out of 73 doing the marathon distance (well 26.6m!). This weekend I did my first 50k ultra in the Chilterns, VERY hot which made it tough and struggled after 25 miles. Had a 10 minute rest at the 26 mile checkpoint then lots more walking in after that point, bit more running after 28 miles when I realised there was only a parkrun to go and finished in 5:59. Happy to go sub 6 as I did set out on the later start with the elite runners :-) Tapering now until my 48 mile ultra in August. Enjoying the longer stuff and tempted by a full 50 miler next year (maybe even 100k), but also very tempted to focus on shorter races (5k, 10k and HM) to see if I can get faster.

Just keep doing what you are doing now, if you have cut out the crap and are exercising more that will be fine. Obviously if you stop loosing weight then you need to revisit at some point.

Awesome time! That's rapid running!!

Anyone do the Birmingham 10k? Decided I was in good enough shape after marathon training to attempt a PB, so decided to target sub 41 mins, but in the back of my mind was hoping to get close to 40:40. Half way in 20:24 and felt good, finished in 40:43....that hill still hurts, bit disapointed I couldn't hold sub 7 min/mile pace on the hill, but happy overall. Going to attempt a flat 10k later in the year to give myself a shot at a sub 40! Still need to attempt a sub 20 5k at some point as my 5k PB is still 20:18 from a couple of years ago!! Oh and decided to challenge myself and step up to an ultra....48 miles...not sure if brave or stupid

Tips for 10k training or marathon? For marathon, find a schedule that fits with your training. I used Hal Higdon for my first and only ran 3 times a week, but it got me around. For 10k....I'd say try to get in an easy run, tempo run and a longer run (maybe 8-10 miles) each week.

Brighton marathon this weekend finished in 3:23 a 17 minute PB. Negative split of 1:43/1:40, very happy. Birmingham 10k in a couple of weeks. Lot's of running to be done over the summer with the big goal being Berlin marathon in September....going to target 3:15 (HM*2 + 16 mins). If anyone is thinking of Brighton I can highly recommend it, apart from miles 19-22 which go around an industrial area, the support around the rest of the course is fantastic, had me running too fast at times, so needed to slow down! Strava link for anyone interested https://www.strava.com/activities/549468248 Good luck to @andyjsg and anyone else running London this weekend!

Yeah I realise the sub 90 sets me up nicely for a 3:15 attempt, but not sure how wise that is for my second marathon? I was planning on going after a sub 3:15 time in Berlin in September. Training has gone well, my 5 longest runs will total just over 100 miles, with 4 runs of 20m or more. Thinking of starting out at 3:25 pace and seeing how I go, can always push to 3:20 pace after say 13/15m depending on how I feel. Decisions, decisions!! Regarding how all out the sub 90 was, pretty all out!! I could have probably pushed harder around miles 5-9, but then not sure what I would have had left for the final push. If my Garmin is correct, I ran the first 10 miles in 1:09:20, so did the last 5k in 20:12 which is faster than my 5k Parkrun PB (20:18)!! So I did finish strong @villakram A 2:50 attempt from a 10k time of 40 mins is VERY impressive!!

Andy - That is a massive amount to take off your 10k PB!! Oh and I think you are well on your way to a 2:45 VLM finish! I ran the Stafford half yesterday as part of my training for Brighton marathon. Thought I was in decent shape, so was hoping to beat my PB (just under 1:33), so was hoping to run 1:31/1:32 ish. Got through 10m in about 1:09 which I knew was good for 1:31, felt good so pushed on and finished 3:20 under my previous PB to get 1:29:32. Over the moon!!! You have to love marathon training Now need to decide what I should target for Brighton, I was hoping for under 3:30 but does that seem a "soft" target now considering my HM time? Thinking I may attempt 3:25 as I have been running MP during training at 7:55 min/miles.

Yeah I was there, surprisingly managed a PB, albeit 6 seconds, but wasn't expecting it as it's not really a fast course IMO. Yeah really well supported, just like last year, good to see so many turn out to cheer the runners on. Good time you ran too, especially if you didn't train much!!

That's a good time for your first half, well done!

That's a cracking time, well done!

So I ran my first marathon on Sunday. Decided I'd go out at 3:45 pace, ran a comfortable first half (1:52) and actually felt OK at mile 20 despite a hill at mile 18, so decided to push on and managed to pick up the pace, second half was done in 1:48. So a negative split :-) Finished in 3:40, well pleased...although my legs were not too happy. Also great crowds at Bournemouth, a decent course, although the hill and the wind can be a factor. I wouldn't say use it as a PB course, but definately one to try for the atmosphere.

Yeah Joshua needs to step up, was always going to beat Cornish and he beats Whyte too, regardless of the result from amateur days. I'd like to see him fight Price and then Chisora as both can punch, if he gets past those then just let him loose on whoever wants to fight him imo! Maybe someone like Arreola or Charr?

Good to read about everyone elses running! For those picking up niggles, just cut back your mileage every other week, don't try to increase mileage every week oh and take it easy pace wise too. City of Birmingham 10k last Sunday, went off too fast in the first mile and then the last mile was a struggle, but managed a PB (41:17), so hoping to get a 40:xx time next year, glanced at my watch at 5k and was 20:40, so 20:37 for the last 5km, so a pretty even split.....however need to try a Parkrun again soon as pretty sure I can beat my current best of 20:18, but question will be if I can get under the magic 20 minute mark, that's for later in the year though. Final long run of my marathon training, 22 miles done Sunday just gone including the last 5 at marathon pace which felt tough. Time to trust in the taper now and will see if the training worked!

You could swing north to take in South Dakota (Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse) and Minnesota (lots of lakes!) before going to Chicago, if you have time. Both have some amazing places to visit.

That's what I was thinking, so thanks for confirming my thoughts as it were!! Yeah my first one, so not expecting to hit what the calculators are telling me...the (HM*2)+15 formula would have me around 3:20....maybe I'll target that for next year :-) I reckon you'll hit 3:15 if you tried again, you planning on going for it again next year? While you bonked severely, it was still a great time (around 3:30ish IIRC from Strava!).

The video in that link is worth a watch. Top 5's are all subjective though everyone has a different opinion, but yeah of course Floyd is going to put himself top!! He doesn't make my top 5 though :-)

Santa Cruz v Mares soon, that should be a good fight. I think Leo wins. Still can't call Cotto v Canelo, have a feeling Canelo takes it, but for me winner has to fight GGG assuming he beats Lemeiux, which he should.

I hit 1:30 at a half earlier this year to set me up for my goal of 3:15 at London. I blew up at 20 miles with cramp and ended up finishing in 3:33. x2+15 wasn't enough for me, should've gone slower. I'm finding it difficult to decide what pace to run my first marathon. My half time (1:33), would suggest around under 3:30 for a full, but thinking of playing it safe and aiming for 3:45 then seeing what's left after 20 miles. Any suggestions from those who have run a marathon before? My thinking is get around this one in a decent time, then try to hit 3:20-3:30 next year. Also well pleased with my last half, came in a couple of seconds under 1:33, but it was about 22c on the day, so target for next year is 1:30....not sure if that's possible as don't think I could have run any faster than 1:33, the legs were done at the end!! Anyone else running City of Birmingham 10k in Sutton Park next weekend?

As it's a 3k, go out as fast as you can. Worst case you have to hang on and slow down for the last 1k or so, but no point starting slow as there isn't enough distance to make up time at the end. Thanks for the advice everyone. Went out as hard as I could and finished in just over 10 minutes, which was a long way day the field but way beyond any pace I've run before. Still, back to proper distances now. How many villatalkers are doing the Birmingham Half this year? That's a great time!! Don't worry about how far down the field you were, focus on beating your previous times rather than other competitors imo. Yes, signed up for the Birmingham Half.

I tend to exercise during the week after work, but it is nice to go first thing sets you up for the rest of the day.

Saw reports online suggesting Lomachenko v Rigondeaux was close to being agreed, what a fight that would be!!

Ironman, nice...that's a good "A" race to have! Finished 10k in just under 42 mins, happy with that as didn't think I would get under 42 this year that was my 2016 target, which now needs to be revised!! Which 10k? Wythall & Hollywood. No chip timing (I started towards the front), but only a small race, around 800 for both a 5k and 10k. Quite a nice route actually.

Ironman, nice...that's a good "A" race to have! Finished 10k in just under 42 mins, happy with that as didn't think I would get under 42 this year that was my 2016 target, which now needs to be revised!!