Danwichmann

I work 4 days a week, about 20 hours a week. 4 months holiday a year. It's pretty sweet, although I doubt I'll be retiring until I drop. 

22 minutes ago, Rolta said:

Check out the app Run Kaizen/Kaizen (I do their blogs). It's better than other apps for really aiming to beat PBs as it simplifies your training load, while calculating everything around your target time. It gives you a very accurate (more than other apps) race prediction. I know this sounds a bit salesy—I can't stop! My writing is normally better than this I hope (I am so tired).

I am not trying to actually sell it to you, but I use it and it's useful. There's a free trial. I'm a believer in it as much as anything. It's not my main job, but a side thing I do because I like the app. Working with Kaizen really got me into running, and I echo the statements above about it being so good for mental health. I have half an eye on the Madrid marathon in April.

The app is still young, but it's the brainchild of an uber keen sports scientist. The next update has some important new features. In a couple of updates I think it's going to be quite special.

I've noticed posts about it in my Strava feed recently so it's interesting to hear about. I'm only a week from race day so to late to adjust my training now, just enjoy the taper. My couple of races will be on trail and I don't believe any app in the world will ever be able to predict race times for those, there are just too many variables. 

8 hours ago, bickster said:

Interesting. I live in China and all the women i know have been working normally, although I know some companies give them some small gifts or something similar. Seems a pretty rubbish holiday. 

4 hours ago, andyjsg said:

Marathon Majors Completed  

Actual race was a little bit of a mare, been struggling with a hamstring issue for last few weeks and have had days off and just doing light running during my taper. Anyway decided to ignore that and go out with a bang, which involve a 1:20:42 first half, followed by a 1:35:50 managed jog/stop stretch to pull a sub 3 out of my arse. Still finished with a smile, other than the discomfort I actually enjoyed and took in the last few miles and most importantly I got the 6 star medal I’ve been desperate for. Totally worth it, what a journey and now a couple of days in Kyoto before I go back to the wife and kids (who I miss very much - but you know )

I don't know what's more impressive, the sub-3 time or completing all six. Huge congratulations all round. 

I've done a few cycle races now but today is the first time I've done one where the riders had to cycle over the pavement and use pedestrian crossings Pretty special and hilarious. 

I don't know how easy they are too find in the UK, but I love my T8 Sherpa shorts at the moment. They have a high waist band with pockets that will fit two 330ml soft flasks, phone and keys comfortably. They dry super fast and are the best I've found for humid conditions, very comfortable. With the T8 boxer shorts you'll be chaff free as well. Not the cheapest option buy well worth it imo.

20 minutes ago, fightoffyour said:

I run almost every day, I've been meaning to post in here actually (or equally, things that cheer you up) about how immeasurable it is that running has helped me both physically and mentally. But I have no desire to run a marathon again. It would be good to get a time under 3 hours (rather than 3h20 something), as I don't see any other benchmarks worth aiming for, but the dedication required to do a half under 1h30 would not be even close enough and anyway that is beyond me now.

Similarly, I doubt I'll improve on my PB, although (I'm going to give it a good shot this month) which is why I always think it will be the last. But there always seems to be some other reason to do it. Friends, the location, no other races that month or something. 

9 minutes ago, Paddywhack said:

I had stomach cramps again on last night's run.

It's pretty much the same everytime, where the run doesn't go too well and I'm struggling a little, but with no pain, but then as soon as I stop my watch and start walking I'm on my knees holding my stomach. It's waves of intense pain about every 30 seconds for about 10-15 minutes after the run. It doesn't really seem anything to do with going to the toilet.

Trusty google tells me it's probably dehydration. 

Run with a sports drink and sip it regularly while you're running. Plenty of belts available that will hold a soft flask and aren't very intrusive during the run. 

1 hour ago, fightoffyour said:

Krakow my own route solo marathon for me and out

Every time I do a marathon I think it'll be my last. But I still end up doing at least one a year. 

7 minutes ago, andyjsg said:

They are all amazing, I particularly liked Boston. This is no6/final one 

I doubt I'll ever get to Boston or any of the US ones, but Tokoyo, Berlin or London would be great. Collecting all six is really something. 

19 minutes ago, tomav84 said:

agree where the saving is 100 quid or so. but what if the direct flights are double the price and the connections of the indirect ones are reasonably short?

maybe my experiences of connecting flights has been smoother than yours

Also, some destinations can't be reached by direct flights. Entire countries are bared from EU and UK flights as they don't match the safety standards. If you don't take indirect flights, there are a lot of places you can never visit. 

Although I agree it's always worth paying a bit extra for direct where it's available. 

2 hours ago, andyjsg said:

Had to queue for an hour but just about to pickup my bib for Tokyo Marathon - been waiting/looking forward to this one for about 5 years….

I would love to do a major some day. Enjoy the experience! 

33 minutes ago, StefanAVFC said:

Schrodinger's Mayor.

He's both beholden to Islam and a trans-loving, gay hugging woke warrior beholden to the luvvies.

From the same minds as the work-shy, freeloading, benefit scrounging foreigner's who also steal our jobs and undercut wages. They're good at double thinking like that.

5 hours ago, Paddywhack said:

I just did this. It was horrible 

I only managed 5 miles though, I had to head home because of stomach cramps. I think that’s the 3rd time I’ve had that whilst running that in the last few weeks, first time I’ve had to stop though.

I got a parkrun PB at the weekend though - 22:24. I took 8 seconds off the time I set in 2018, so I was really happy with that. 

Intervals do take some getting used to. Stick with them, they really do make you faster over time. 

And always carry a little packet of wet wipes on longer runs

2 hours ago, bickster said:

I can't quite read the key. Is that saying more or less Catholics voted Nazi? 

4 hours ago, sne said:

Watching the Seville marathon on the telly and the guy in front is by the looks of it not wearing underwear under his tights. His whole package is hanging down bouncing on his thigh. Looks extremely uncomfortable  

Friend of mine had his come out his shorts during the 100m teacher race at college sports day recently. Or at least that was his excuse for not winning. 

4 hours ago, Paddywhack said:

That makes more sense, thanks mate. I’ll be doing this next week then.

This plan has made me realise I’m really bad at keeping to a pace, even when looking at my watch constantly. It’s more dictated by hills than anything else. I guess that’s when getting on a track is useful.

Yeah, I prefer to do intervals like that on a track but I'm lucky in having easy access to one. 

Don't worry about your pace on hills because it's obviously not going to be consistent. Try to run by effort and keep that steady, even if it means the pace varies. 

5 hours ago, Paddywhack said:

I’m going to ask a stupid question.

I’m following a basic training plan I found online. It seems to be working well for me, but it’s not very good at explaining some of the runs.

So...what does ‘7 miles with 6 x 2 minute intervals’ actually mean?

It means you should run hard for 2 minutes, six times during the run. But it's really not well explained if that's all it says because it should also give a rest interval and talk about pace. 

Normally when running intervals you keep the rest of the running quite easy and very easy or even walking during the rest intervals. For 6x2mins, I would suggest something like:

1)10-15 minutes easy running warm warm up

2) Run 2 minutes at a hard pace but not 100% flat out. You shouldn't really have breathe to talk but you don't feel like you are dying. 

3) Jog or even walk for 2 minutes, this is your recovery interval. 

4) repeat 2 and 3 5 more times 

5) Run at an easy pace for remainder it the 7 miles. Easy means you should be able to talk easily while running. If you feel good and recovered, you can start to pick up the pace you your normal, moderate speed. 

Labour may not excite me, but another tory government is terrifying. Easy, really.

3 hours ago, rodders0223 said:

Because it's just as tasty so why have the big fat waste of calories

But it's really not as tasty, at least to me. I've never had a sugar free or low sugar version of any soft drink that I like as much as the original. The calalories don't matter at all, I burn off more than enough. If anything I'd worry about the sugar on my teeth but I doubt the additives are much better for them. 

42 minutes ago, rodders0223 said:

The majority of people who say they can't lose weight for one

...but mainly my dont get today is...who is buying full fat fizzy drinks now? Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, Sugar free Monster, relentless.

They're so **** tasty

Me. I much prefer the taste and I'm not concerned about losing weight, so why would I buy the Zero/ sugar free rubbish. 

10 minutes ago, Tegis said:

Managed to get a spot for the Oresunds bridge race between Denmark and Sweden in 2025. Gold-dust tickets as there has only been about 6 races since it got built,  with the last one in 2010.

As a fan of bridges I'm actually buzzing.

 

That's very cool and I'd love to do a race like that. But it looks like part of it is underground? That's going to mess with your Strava stats! 

5 hours ago, Genie said:

Bit of geography based trivia

Any guess on the blanked out words?

Clue: Its not directly to do with guns

Die because they can't afford medical treatment? 

On 22/12/2023 at 15:29, tomav84 said:

had to explain the concept to some american colleagues the other day. it sounded more and more ridiculous as i went on

I ordered a box of crackers out here in China but they messed up and sent me 12 boxes, leaving me with 144 crackers (I really only needed 2). So, I've been using them with my Chinese students all week. To say they are confused when I explain them and disappointed when they see what is actually inside is an understatement.