Running

[KentVillan]

I’m loving running at the moment. The weather is perfect for me now, as I really struggle in the summer with the heat and dehydration.

Have stopped targeting weekly mileage or X runs per week or specific times, and now just run on feel. No guilt if I skip a day, no guilt if I do a slow run. And really noticing times creeping in the right direction week on week, with relatively little training.

Big realisation has been that hills don’t need to be a hard session. Can just walk the steepest bits, or drop the pace right down, and then the benefit of doing hills regularly is starting to kick in.

basically I think the reason most people dislike running or plateau is that they push themselves too hard and get disheartened (or they’re hoping to lose loads of weight quickly, where tbh running isn’t the answer).

Turn it into more of a mental thing, a diversion from playing on your phone or whatever, and the progress comes naturally and sustainably

[KentVillan]

Contrary to last post, just went for a run and hated it. Real build up of food and booze over World Cup and Christmas, lack of training for a few weeks, and bad weather, turned it into a nasty slog. Hoping the next one will be a bit easier. 

[fightoffyour]

Can’t beat running to cure a hangover for me. Getting up and out is the hardest part.

[Paddywhack]

1 hour ago, KentVillan said:

Contrary to last post, just went for a run and hated it. Real build up of food and booze over World Cup and Christmas, lack of training for a few weeks, and bad weather, turned it into a nasty slog. Hoping the next one will be a bit easier. 

I’m just happy to get out around this time of year.

[mjmooney]

Quote

An 81-year-old marathon runner from Leeds says putting on her trainers has helped her mental and physical health.

Hilary Wharam has completed 167 marathons since she took up the sport aged 55.

The Horsforth Harriers runner said she hopes to complete a total of 300 marathons as she "has a lot of energy".

She said: "When you live alone, you don't talk to anybody unless you come out and there's cake afterwards. What's not to like?" 

BBC

Friend and neighbour of mine. She's amazing. 

[Paddywhack]

6 minutes ago, mjmooney said:

Friend and neighbour of mine. She's amazing. 

Oh wow. I watched that yesterday, she's incredible.

I hope my joints hold up and I'm still running in 20-30 years time, let alone running hundreds of marathons in my 80s.

[mjmooney]

24 minutes ago, Paddywhack said:

Oh wow. I watched that yesterday, she's incredible.

Genuinely lovely person, too. 

[Paddywhack]

This thread has been so dry the last 12 months

How’s everyone’s running going? Did anyone do the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday? What races you got planned for the year?

[El Zen]

Really terrible. Been running very little over the past few months, and when I do run I just feel awful. I’ve stayed in shape in the gym, but my running needs a lot of work to get back to where I was I year ago. 

[markavfc40]

I'm approaching my 10th year of running regularly now. I was a late convert to regular running not starting until I was 39. This last year or so though the days of running 40+ miles a week have gone and I now just go for a run and pretty much see how I feel in terms of how far I'll go. Some days I'll do 7 miles in a hour, some days I'll do 4 miles in 40 mins. I probably average about 20-25 miles a week now.

I did the Manchester marathon back in April 2016 and had always planned to do another one as my aim was a sub 4 hour but I did 4 hours 13 mins. I got to 20 mile in 2 hours 50 mins and felt I was flying and going to comfortably break 4 hours but then got severe cramp in one leg then within a mile in both legs and the last 6 miles was hell and I ended up flat on my back a few times with people that were out supporting the event pushing my feet back trying to help me get rid of the cramp.  

I am sure even though I am 7 years older and now nearly 50 a sub 4 hour marathon is still doable but I am not sure I can get myself up for the long training runs again but having said I think I'd like to give it another shot eventually.

Edited May 11, 2023 by markavfc40

[Mark Albrighton]

I never really have anything to say. It’s always the same. 

I’m running 2-3 times a week, normally 5 to 8 miles (8–12km), occasional 10 mile run. 

Had to ease off a bit recently as my knee has been aching, most likely over done it.

Added to the above I don’t have any races planned. Never felt the need to officially run a half marathon or whatever, don’t feel the need to significantly improve my pace. Not interested in joining a running group, they seem fine but I just don’t think it’s for me. I’m headphones in, on my own, running down the lanes, hoping that the bit of road where it floods isn’t so bad today (otherwise I have to do a terrible Jonathan Edwards imitation).

There’s not a competitive side to my running as such. Just a general physical/mental maintenance. So any update from me would be fairly dry. Unlike my trainers after having failed to clear the submerged part of the road.

[KentVillan]

I’ve started mixing up with cycling & gym more and then running every 3-4 days, usually alternating road and trails. Having fewer injury problems and enjoying the runs more. Not training for anything specific but try to do top pace every couple of weeks or so, and otherwise just go slow and get the endorphin hit.

Tempted to sign up for something, but probably a scenic trail race rather than a road run.

[Danwichmann]

I've done 4 trails races so far this year, next one this weekend. Got another 4 race registrations in for later in the year and I'm hoping to average at least one race per month. I've also done my first vertical Marathon, up 71 flights of stairs (6th place) and my first two cycle races, with another coming next weekend. 

My training hasn't always felt great, especially since the humidity started rising, but I've been getting respectable positions in most of my races so I'm pretty happy with how it's going. 

 

[CVByrne]

8 hours ago, Paddywhack said:

This thread has been so dry the last 12 months

How’s everyone’s running going? Did anyone do the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday? What races you got planned for the year?

I ran my second marathon in Paris last month. I had a cold going into it which wasn't ideal and took a toll when I was struggling badly at the end. I still improved my time from 3h33m to 3h18m which was good.

I've taken a few weeks off but now getting back into the shorter distances. Doing 5k runs again. Will look to try get a PB on the 5k and 10k this summer 

[markavfc40]

5 hours ago, CVByrne said:

I ran my second marathon in Paris last month. I had a cold going into it which wasn't ideal and took a toll when I was struggling badly at the end. I still improved my time from 3h33m to 3h18m which was good.

I've taken a few weeks off but now getting back into the shorter distances. Doing 5k runs again. Will look to try get a PB on the 5k and 10k this summer 

Well done mate. 3h 18m is a great going. What are your current PB's for 5k and 10k?

[stuart_75]

15 hours ago, Paddywhack said:

This thread has been so dry the last 12 months

How’s everyone’s running going? Did anyone do the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday? What races you got planned for the year?

I did it. 5th time now, probably my last (I've enough of the t-shirts!).

Not entered anything else for this year. I did a 50km ultra last year and I told myself 'NO MORE RACES'!

[Danwichmann]

1 hour ago, stuart_75 said:

I did it. 5th time now, probably my last (I've enough of the t-shirts!).

Not entered anything else for this year. I did a 50km ultra last year and I told myself 'NO MORE RACES'!

I've told myself that a lot. Then I sign up for something ridiculous the next day. Doing Lantau by Utmb in November, 140km. Made my first visit to Lantau today, those hills are insane, it's going to be another 'never again', until the next one. 

[CVByrne]

1 hour ago, markavfc40 said:

Well done mate. 3h 18m is a great going. What are your current PB's for 5k and 10k?

Cheers, the final 8-10k was a real mental battle. 

5k PB is 19:04 and 10k is 40:52

[El Zen]

Worst time of the year for me as well, in terms of running. Spring in full bloom and pollen everywhere. Can hardly breathe and it feels like I’m boiling. 

[Danwichmann]

5th race of the year today. 15km trail race on Hong Kong Island. Very wet but good fun on the trails. 23rd out of 300+ runners but I'm realising that at 40 years old I can't push like I could just a couple of years ago.