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.

On 30/06/2016 at 08:27, Kingman said:

Would be interesting to know proven diets for running, All I've done is cut out 95% of the above crap along with bread, chips and daily packets of crisps. 

I've mainly replaced it with sweet potatoes, sea bass, chicken and salads but have to be honest it's pretty boring. 

All that combined with a 3m daily walk/jog (back to walking at mo as my knee is still to moody to run)

Saying that it seems to be working, On the 1/6/16 I was 100.4kg and as of this AM (30/6/16) I was 94.7kg.

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.

On 18/06/2016 at 17:46, villakram said:

17:54 5k this am, pretty chuffed as it's my first time under 18min.

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

On 27/04/2016 at 11:39, Wainy316 said:

Been running about 5 weeks and used run keeper for the first time the other day.  Clocked 6.82 miles in 56 minutes.

Now I've cleared 10K I'm going to do the Oxford 10K next month to tick it off with a view to training for the marathon next year.

I'm fairly new to all this so any tips for beginners would be appreciated.

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!

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.

I'd absolutely start at 3:45 pace (so about 8:30 / mile) and see how you feel after 20 miles.

 

The (HM * 2) + 15 formula only works for Marathon trained runners. If you'll find the distance a challenge, or if it's your first one I'd be quite conservative.

 

I read that a famous coach (forget who) said that if your 5 longest runs before a Marathon add up to 100 miles, you can do HM * 2 + 15, or even + 10. My longest single run before London was 20 miles and I bonked severely on the day.

 

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!).

Mayweather's top 5 boxers of all time.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2544291-floyd-mayweather-lists-his-top-5-boxers-of-all-time-puts-muhammad-ali-at-no-5

 

By now, this should not be a shock to anyone: Floyd Mayweather still believes that he's the greatest boxer of all time, placing himself above Muhammad Ali.

Mayweather, who will fight Andre Berto in September to wrap up his historic career, recently appeared on ESPN Deportes. There, he was asked to rank his top-five boxers of all time.

This is how his list played out:

Floyd Mayweather

Roberto Duran

Pernell Whitaker

Julio Cesar Chavez

Muhammad Ali

The entire list can obviously be debated, but what is sure to draw the ire of boxing fans is Ali's placement on that list.

"He was only at one weight-class," Mayweather said of Ali. "This is me just being honest. It's so hard (picking a top-five) ... What Ali did is he stood for a cause."

This isn't the first time Mayweather has slighted Ali. Back in April, prior to the Fight of the Century, Mayweather told Stephen A. Smith that "no one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali was better than me."

But what Mayweather didn't say at the time is that he'd rank Ali fifth on the list of all-time greats.

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.

 

Awesome running from everyone on here

Currently in training for the Twin Cities marathon on Oct 4th. Hit a new pr of 1:29 at a half last week, so on schedule for my target pace of 7min, i.e., 3:03

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?

 

 

I'm running a 3000 meter cross country on Monday and have no idea 'how' to run it. I wouldn't normally do anything less than a 10k race and rarely go out do do less than 5k. How much faster should I be pushing myself to run?

I'm by no means a fast runner, my last half marathon a week ago was 1:59:35 (which I was very happy with). What is a realistic aim for a 3k?

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.

IMO, there's nothing better than waking up early and getting a run in before the day begins. I had always convinced myself that I couldn't wake up early to exercise and still function throughout the day, but I've recently began doing so and I've never felt better.

 

When do you guys think the best time of the day to run is?

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!!

 

 

Awesome guys, glad to see the pbs are coming along nicely. 95 for a half is really good, definately sub 45 for 10k, maybe even try for a low 40.

I finally joined the local Basingstoke club earlier this week, they seemed keen for me to join which is always nice. I think a constant rise in competition in both training and races will help push me along. Would really like to win a race that isnt parkrun....

Starting to get closer and closer to my main race of the season which is IM Maryland at beginning of October, not done so well in the long events, but feeling more confident about this one.

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.

Awesome guys, glad to see the pbs are coming along nicely. 95 for a half is really good, definately sub 45 for 10k, maybe even try for a low 40.

I finally joined the local Basingstoke club earlier this week, they seemed keen for me to join which is always nice. I think a constant rise in competition in both training and races will help push me along. Would really like to win a race that isnt parkrun....

Starting to get closer and closer to my main race of the season which is IM Maryland at beginning of October, not done so well in the long events, but feeling more confident about this one.

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!!