Topic: General Running Thread

[Mr Boat]

How is the training going Mr Boat?  I had my first 20 mile training run on Saturday (after the game!) which was really tough (especially after missing a week with a virus) - I must admit that I am looking forward to tapering!!!

Training's feeling quite tough for me right now. Since my 20 mile race I've done two 50+ mile/weeks. I think I'm on for a sub 3:15 but not sure by how much; depends on the next six weeks remaining training. Legs feel quite heavy today though after a hilly 17 last night at quickish pace.

Well done with your 20 after a week off. If you look here http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/defaultForum.asp?sp=&v=6 and click on the FLM thread theres plenty of helpful stuff. I've just started posting in the 'sub 3.15' thread. They seem a friendly bunch on there.

[Mr Boat]

I wanna start doing these..I'm pretty fit, never stop running during any sport, and reckon I can do a 10k without much training. Looking for one pretty soon, but I'm in Leeds. Anyone know of any close to me? I was looking at the Great Yorkshire Run, but ideally, it would be much sooner than the 6th of September.

Do it mate, you won't regret it. I wish I'd got into athletics when I was your age. 5 and 10km races are great fun and not too far. There should be plenty coming up this time of the year; check out Runners World website, they have all the races listed on there somewhere.

[simonchamp]

A sub 3:15 will be great.  That was my initial aim but I will be happy with a sub 3:30.

How often are you getting out?  I generally have a long run on a Saturday, a cardio gym session (Mon/Tues), a 6 miler on Wed and more gym/speedwork on a Thursday.   When the clocks change it will make it easier for me to get out at night (I live in a village and cant run far before the streetlights are no more!).

Keep up the stirling work...

[Mr Boat]

I'm following a schedule from a book. I run 5 times a week and my rest days are usually Monday and Thursday with a long run on every Sunday. I think I've got 2 or 3 more 50-55 mile weeks before it starts to taper abit.

This time last year when my mate told me he was doing 50 miles a week marathon training I though it was impossible -I was doing 20-30 at that time- but now I realise 50 is nothing; some of the lads I know are up to just over 100. They've been running longer than me though and are only in their 30s.

[Chamby]

I'm following a schedule from a book. I run 5 times a week and my rest days are usually Monday and Thursday with a long run on every Sunday. I think I've got 2 or 3 more 50-55 mile weeks before it starts to taper abit.

This time last year when my mate told me he was doing 50 miles a week marathon training I though it was impossible -I was doing 20-30 at that time- but now I realise 50 is nothing; some of the lads I know are up to just over 100. They've been running longer than me though and are only in their 30s.

Might get close to that barrier this week but I doubt it, got a bit of a hamstring strain so I am laying off the workouts and just substituting it with mileage and doing base mileage, so I have not really lost any of my fitness. I am tall guy so my hamstrings are reallllll fickle with me, pain in the ass if you ask me. Might be trying steeplechase this season though, so should be real interesting haha

["Nookie".]

Do it mate, you won't regret it. I wish I'd got into athletics when I was your age. 5 and 10km races are great fun and not too far. There should be plenty coming up this time of the year; check out Runners World website, they have all the races listed on there somewhere.

Cheers, just had a look on there, wasn't aware of it beforehand. Theres a Bradford 10k on the 29th of this month, Wakefield 10k on the 5th of April, and the Jane Tomlinsons Race for All 10k on the 21st of June. To be honest, I want to do at least one of the first two, and the Jane Tomlinson one.

[Mr Boat]

If you're serious about the training for a 10km race, it may be worth looking at the 10km schedules on the same site. There's another good running site (not a forum) called 'running for fitness'; it explains all the technical stuff like heart rates etc.

["Nookie".]

If you're serious about the training for a 10km race, it may be worth looking at the 10km schedules on the same site. There's another good running site (not a forum) called 'running for fitness'; it explains all the technical stuff like heart rates etc.

How much training do you think would be required?

[Mr Boat]

How much training do you think would be required?

I'm not sure, I've only done a few races and the 3 10km races I've done I never really thought about specific training; I was just running every other day, about 20-30 miles a week.

Since I've started this mara training I've started to think I  may benefit from following a plan for my next 10km if I want to get a pb (39:38).

Last summer I did a summer series which was a flat out 3 1/2 miles. I think that helped me quite alot with the fitness and I just stepped it on from there really.

I'm never going to win a race but it's a great feeling when you get a pb or beat someone who usually finishes in front of you.

[Ben_JP]

Wahoo, had three runs plods ambles since getting a tentative all-clear from the docs last week. Did a slow 3k yesterday, but didn't mind too much, has just been good to get going again.

All marathon plans have been shelved to lessen the stress on my body for a year or two. Aiming to do what I should have done last year, instead of jumping back into two marathons, and focus on getting my 10k time as quick as possible.

Hoping to do a 10k sometime in May so got a bit of time to prepare before seeing where I am at. Good luck to everyone with their spring events too

[lfcdave]

Well im struggling at the moment. Ive been suffering with a sore lower back and shooting pain in my right leg. managed it for a few weeks but it came to a head on saturday and sunday. Self diagnosis puts it down to a sciatic nerve issue but i have a physio appointment tomorrow to confirm that.

Ive had monday and today off running and desperatly hoping that settles it. Will try and get back out tomorow to see how it has reacted. Its fair to say though if i cant get back running pain free very soon my sub 2.30 London effort looks to be going out of the window.

[simonchamp]

Well im struggling at the moment. Ive been suffering with a sore lower back and shooting pain in my right leg. managed it for a few weeks but it came to a head on saturday and sunday. Self diagnosis puts it down to a sciatic nerve issue but i have a physio appointment tomorrow to confirm that.

Ive had monday and today off running and desperatly hoping that settles it. Will try and get back out tomorow to see how it has reacted. Its fair to say though if i cant get back running pain free very soon my sub 2.30 London effort looks to be going out of the window.

I feel for you mate, I got sciatica a couple of years ago from playing football.  It was agony and the best thing I found for it was back exercises and swimming.

Funnily enough, since I have stopped playing football and upped the running, my back has been better as it does seem to strengthen your core.

It will be worth googling to find some lower back exercises, I had several sessions with an osteopath with mine but it made little difference...

[Elli]

Wahoo, had three runs plods ambles since getting a tentative all-clear from the docs last week. Did a slow 3k yesterday, but didn't mind too much, has just been good to get going again.

That's excellent news - welcome back

[Mr Boat]

lfcdave- Hope things improve quickely for you; you were putting some serious mileage in earlier, it must be tough to have to cut right back with so little time to go.

 One of my mates from our club who sounds like the same standard as you had to pull out of FLM about 3 weeks ago; something to do with his psoas thingy in the hip area I think. I suppose it can happen to any of us.

I'm keeping everything crossed at the moment. Did a quickish 17 on Sunday and rested on Monday; on tonight's 8 mile general aerobic run I didn't feel any problem with my right calf which is usually a bit tight after my runs.

[FrancisTierney]

PB for 10k on sunday - 32.15.

I dont know how others feel but when you've been running poorly for a number of months and maybe lost a bit of interest, it feels amazing to finally run well and provides a tonne of motivation and confidence.

Ive gone from dreading a half marathon in 2 weeks to relishing it all in the space of 32 minutes.

I suppose what im trying to say is anyone out there struggling at the moment for motivation or due to injury, Keep going, knuckle down and the good times will come again!!!

[simonchamp]

PB for 10k on sunday - 32.15.

I dont know how others feel but when you've been running poorly for a number of months and maybe lost a bit of interest, it feels amazing to finally run well and provides a tonne of motivation and confidence.

Ive gone from dreading a half marathon in 2 weeks to relishing it all in the space of 32 minutes.

I suppose what im trying to say is anyone out there struggling at the moment for motivation or due to injury, Keep going, knuckle down and the good times will come again!!!

Very impressive time, well done!  The good (and bad) thing about running is that you are always running against a pb and of course every course is different.  What will you be looking at for the half, 1:13ish?

[Mr Boat]

You must have been up there in the top few with that time for 10km I'm sure. That should give you a sub 71 for the 1/2mara shouldn't it?

Great running

[potatomato33]

I'm absolutely gutted! My time for one mile went from the low 5s, to 7:40 on Monday, and I can't figure out what is wrong with me! I've never done more than 5k, but I couldn't even manage 1.5 miles!! It was the same today! I'm pretty worried since I have a meet coming up on two weeks!

[Chamby]

I'm absolutely gutted! My time for one mile went from the low 5s, to 7:40 on Monday, and I can't figure out what is wrong with me! I've never done more than 5k, but I couldn't even manage 1.5 miles!! It was the same today! I'm pretty worried since I have a meet coming up on two weeks!

What has your training been like the past few weeks? Also have you been feeling sick or tired? I suffered from low iron my first season of collegiate running and it destroyed me until I started taking supplements and got it back to a normal level.

PB for 10k on sunday - 32.15.

Was that on the oval or the roads?

[potatomato33]

I hadn't been taking my vitamin pills, so that could be it. Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes a couple of weeks from now!

[FrancisTierney]

Very impressive time, well done!  The good (and bad) thing about running is that you are always running against a pb and of course every course is different.  What will you be looking at for the half, 1:13ish?

Thanks guys.  Ive ran just under 1:12 in the past (two years ago, my last 1/2 marathon) and have improved a lot since then.  My times get a lot better when the race distance is increased so Im hoping to run under 1:10.
Some of you may think this is far fetched based on 32:15 for 10k but I recently ran a 10mile time which would imply my 10k should be 31:37.
Basically the further the race, the better I do as Im not blessed with blistering speed for anything 10k or less.  Im guessing this is the case for many who have entered the sport late on and haven't worked on speed from a young age.

I think i can run just under 1:10 or if not go very close.   

[Chamby]

Thanks guys.  Ive ran just under 1:12 in the past (two years ago, my last 1/2 marathon) and have improved a lot since then.  My times get a lot better when the race distance is increased so Im hoping to run under 1:10.
Some of you may think this is far fetched based on 32:15 for 10k but I recently ran a 10mile time which would imply my 10k should be 31:37.
Basically the further the race, the better I do as Im not blessed with blistering speed for anything 10k or less.  Im guessing this is the case for many who have entered the sport late on and haven't worked on speed from a young age.

I think i can run just under 1:10 or if not go very close.  

I might try a 10k this outdoor season, I imagine it will get quite boring on the track, though I will most likely only do it once, maybe twice and otherwise just focus on the 3k Steeple and the 5k

[theCanadian]

When I ran the Peterborough Half Marathon 3 and a bit weeks ago, I weighed in at 198lbs (I'm 5'11").

I realized that's way too heavy for the 30k race in Hamilton I'll be participating in (March 27), so I decided to eat less (I was eating like a pig before). I've lost 14lbs, down to 184. Makes running so so much easier.

I've ran 32km in the last couple days, but the training is winding down now so that my body can start to rest and heal for the race. Pretty excited about it. I only started running mid-summer last year, have done two 21k's and one 10k, this'll be my longest distance I've ever ran.

[FrancisTierney]

When I ran the Peterborough Half Marathon 3 and a bit weeks ago, I weighed in at 198lbs (I'm 5'11").

I realized that's way too heavy for the 30k race in Hamilton I'll be participating in (March 27), so I decided to eat less (I was eating like a pig before). I've lost 14lbs, down to 184. Makes running so so much easier.

I've ran 32km in the last couple days, but the training is winding down now so that my body can start to rest and heal for the race. Pretty excited about it. I only started running mid-summer last year, have done two 21k's and one 10k, this'll be my longest distance I've ever ran

Good luck mate. Your theory is pretty accurate as most of the amazing africans you see are skinny to say the least.
You haven't been doing it long and believe me it gets a lot easier with time.  Its all about keeping it interesting and fresh through doing different things (Normal runs, short hard runs, intervals, races).  With time you'll find what works for you and allows you to get the most out of yourself.

I might try a 10k this outdoor season, I imagine it will get quite boring on the track, though I will most likely only do it once, maybe twice and otherwise just focus on the 3k Steeple and the 5k

Ive never ran 10k on the track mate and it does look horrific.  Ive ran 5k on track and lose count of the 12 and a half laps so god help me with 25 laps.   I hate anything 10k and under as i dont have the speed you need.  I prefer the longer races where endurance and rhythym are key.

[FrancisTierney]

The US system is light years ahead of the UK in terms of the student years (18-22).  In the UK, the University competition (BUSA) is put together on a shoe-string and many athletes choose to drink during Uni rather than train.  This years BUSA cross country got abandoned due Snow and many athletes had already travelled for the event.
Compare that to the US where universities pay for a runner's education, provide them with top coaching, physio and kit and its a frightening difference.  All the perks in the USA bring top yongsters and keeps them interested. In turn, the University leagues (NCAA) is of a phenomenal standard compared to the UK.
I wish I had been into the sport in the way I am now when i was at uni.  Unfortunately, my love for running developed during my final year of uni.

I hope it keeps working and the US continues to produce athletes who can maybe, just maybe get near the africans.  It would certainly make the sport a lot more interesting.

[Chamby]

The US system is light years ahead of the UK in terms of the student years (18-22).  In the UK, the University competition (BUSA) is put together on a shoe-string and many athletes choose to drink during Uni rather than train.  This years BUSA cross country got abandoned due Snow and many athletes had already travelled for the event.
Compare that to the US where universities pay for a runner's education, provide them with top coaching, physio and kit and its a frightening difference.  All the perks in the USA bring top yongsters and keeps them interested. In turn, the University leagues (NCAA) is of a phenomenal standard compared to the UK.
I wish I had been into the sport in the way I am now when i was at uni.  Unfortunately, my love for running developed during my final year of uni.

I hope it keeps working and the US continues to produce athletes who can maybe, just maybe get near the africans.  It would certainly make the sport a lot more interesting.

I completely agree, in no way was putting down that aspect of US collegiate running, we are provided with everything we need, shoes, gear, trainers, weight coaches, academic support, everything. I just think during the 80s/90s the general philosophy on training was not right, maybe I am wrong, but who knows, I think the US is making a major resurgence now.

[simonchamp]

Did my second 20 mile training run on Saturday morning and felt pretty good.   Mr Boat I think I will be around your time so will look out for you (well, for the first 20 miles anyway!).

Incidentally, I am running for WellChild so if any of you are rich with children in the UK who have benefited from WellChild feel free to sponsor me!!!

["Nookie".]

Not totally related to running, but what earphones do people use on a run? want ones ideally that don't fall out etc, have decent sound and are fairly cheap?

[Chamby]

Not totally related to running, but what earphones do people use on a run? want ones ideally that don't fall out etc, have decent sound and are fairly cheap?

None, not allowed to race with them, so not allowed to practice with them, plus I think they cause more problems, falling out,
not being aware of your surroundings and other runners, more bad than good in my opinion.

Though if you were gonna wear them, I am sure ipod ones are fine, I doubt you want anything big and bulky, and they have ones that like stick pretty well in your ear. Just to answer your question.

["Nookie".]

None, not allowed to race with them, so not allowed to practice with them, plus I think they cause more problems, falling out,
not being aware of your surroundings and other runners, more bad than good in my opinion.

Though if you were gonna wear them, I am sure ipod ones are fine, I doubt you want anything big and bulky, and they have ones that like stick pretty well in your ear. Just to answer your question.

Ahh didn't know you couldn't wear them in a race. It's just because around 50% of the time, I won't have anybody running with me, just need to keep myself occupied.

[Chamby]

Ahh didn't know you couldn't wear them in a race. It's just because around 50% of the time, I won't have anybody running with me, just need to keep myself occupied.

Well it depends, most do not allow them, some do. Always best to check with the officials first.
EDIT: when i said the thing about not being allowed to wear them in a race that applied for NCAA rules.

[El_Macca_17]

If you do wear headphones please be aware of your surroundings. I narrowly avoided injury during London a couple of years ago when the guy in front of me suddenly stopped right in front of me, in the middle of the road about 6 miles in, to tie his shoelace. As I knocked him over I shouted at him and he just said "Sorry I didn't know you were there!" What, 6 miles into the London Marathon with 30 000 people taking part? What did you expect?!

[theCanadian]

If you do wear headphones please be aware of your surroundings. I narrowly avoided injury during London a couple of years ago when the guy in front of me suddenly stopped right in front of me, in the middle of the road about 6 miles in, to tie his shoelace. As I knocked him over I shouted at him and he just said "Sorry I didn't know you were there!" What, 6 miles into the London Marathon with 30 000 people taking part? What did you expect?!

What a retard. I typically ensure that I have at least 3 or 4 metres in between me and runner in front of me though - unless this is unavoidable which can be the case towards the start of a race.

[El_Macca_17]

That was the problem as the pack hadn't really thinned out by then. He wasn't the only one either - I saw plenty of others just suddenly stopping and being pushed over by runners behind them.

[Chamby]

That was the problem as the pack hadn't really thinned out by then. He wasn't the only one either - I saw plenty of others just suddenly stopping and being pushed over by runners behind them.

I can't wait to run my first marathon when I graduate, NYC will be my first, the following November after I finish college. Goal is 2:30 for my first, should be interesting. Hopefully Boston sometime after, then I'll retire haha

[simonchamp]

Not totally related to running, but what earphones do people use on a run? want ones ideally that don't fall out etc, have decent sound and are fairly cheap?

Sennheiser PMX70 Sport work for me - I mainly use them in the gym but they are pretty good outside.  Occasionally on a windy day I can notice a bit of rustling but turn up the volume and it disappears!

["Nookie".]

If you do wear headphones please be aware of your surroundings. I narrowly avoided injury during London a couple of years ago when the guy in front of me suddenly stopped right in front of me, in the middle of the road about 6 miles in, to tie his shoelace. As I knocked him over I shouted at him and he just said "Sorry I didn't know you were there!" What, 6 miles into the London Marathon with 30 000 people taking part? What did you expect?!

Aye, I wouldn't use them in a race, just for lonely training and I'd take them out crossing roads etc.

[Chamby]

Aye, I wouldn't use them in a race, just for lonely training and I'd take them out crossing roads etc.

Run without them occasionally, I was on a trail this past weekend, I was about 6 miles deep into the woods, nothing around, no one near me for at least a mile. I stopped to take a leak, and everything just got real quiet after not hearing my footsteps anymore. I don't want to sound like a sap but it was truly surreal. It was so quiet, then I started running again and just hearing the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground. It was really cool, one of my best experiences while running.   

["Nookie".]

Run without them occasionally, I was on a trail this past weekend, I was about 6 miles deep into the woods, nothing around, no one near me for at least a mile. I stopped to take a leak, and everything just got real quiet after not hearing my footsteps anymore. I don't want to sound like a sap but it was truly surreal. It was so quiet, then I started running again and just hearing the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground. It was really cool, one of my best experiences while running.  

Shall bear that in mind.

[Martyn.]

I've got these for running headphones...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-PMX70-Sportline-Neckband-Headphones/dp/B000FJD5IA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238010285&sr=8-2

They are pretty good, and a lot better than using iPod earphones whilst running I found.

Also found these, and they look like the 'version up' for the same price...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-502542-PMX-Sport-Headphones/dp/B001GT185K/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238010285&sr=8-7

Hope that helps the people who have been wondering about running headphones in this thread