Running (4 Viewers)

Travs

Well-Known Member
New 5km PB on my usual route - 18:26. Very happy with current form.

Travs- how’s the twice a day training going?

Nice one, that's a decent time. I am looking forward to getting out and doing a Parkrun hopefully in the next month or two, although I suspect I'm a little off the 18:30 mark at the moment. Hopefully sub 19 though.

Training is going well, I'll top 50 miles for the week by the time today is over.

The difficulty is not knowing what to train for. I was committed to a large number of Welsh Fell Champs races, but they've now been cancelled/suspended. So I'm starting to think what I'll do with the rest of the year instead... Possibly look towards long distance stuff... Welsh 3000 footers, perhaps a Bob Graham Round, etc...
 

Sky_Blue_Daz

Well-Known Member
Tried to run outdoors for the first time since my operation last year only a very short distance roughly 3 football pitches in length . Ankle and leg seemed to hold up ok might try again Tuesday
I’ve only been using a cross trainer, so it’s going to take awhile to get up to some sort of decent distance and will never be able to run as far or as long as I used to but if I can do 2 a week and 2 goes on the cross trainer I’ll be happy
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
3 x 5 minute hard efforts, with 3 minute rests between each one, tonight.

Efforts done at around 5km effort... If not quite same pace, due to two of the efforts being uphill.

Good to get out on the roads after a week of treadmill training!
 

skyblue1991

Well-Known Member
When is everyone's favourite time to run?

Not tried an evening run yet, may give it a go Easter Monday when I don't plan on having a couple of beers
 

speedie87

Well-Known Member
When is everyone's favourite time to run?

I tried to run wed night but were loads of people out walking ; so won’t try evenings again getting up early tomorrow and going then, hate running in heat anyway especially this time of year when it’s hayfever time too
 

CrawleySkyBlue

Well-Known Member
When WFH, I try to go at lunch time (to break up the day/prevent me sitting at my laptop for hours on end) but this depends on how the morning’s work has gone. If not, I go in the evening.

Much prefer a mid morning run if possible though - mainly for avoiding the heat.
 

Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon

Well-Known Member
When is everyone's favourite time to run?

Not tried an evening run yet, may give it a go Easter Monday when I don't plan on having a couple of beers

I prefer mornings but only get to do those at the weekend which tends to be my long run of the week. I try to avoid running when it's hot and sunny but sometimes i cant avoid it, i had to hose myself off in the back garden yesterday!
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
I’ve been averaging three 10k’s a week, with a few shorter “quick” runs if I can. I’ve only ran twice this week as I’ve been saving myself for a long run, which I’m going to attempt in the next half hour.

One thing I should really do is think about preparing a bit more. Once of my friends messaged yesterday to say he wasn’t drinking as he was planning a run today. Unless it’s an actual organised race (and even then only when I’m pushing for a new PB), I don’t think about food/drink the day before or even the morning of. Sometimes I’ll go out after having a drink or two the night before, sometimes no breakfast, sometimes both etc. I appreciate how important it is, but not to the point I’d let a long weekend dictate what I do. Unless I’m trying for a PB/organised race (eg the marathon last year) I’m not a serious enough runner to do that.

However as it’s a long one today, I’ve gone for a coffee, banana and cereal bar for breakfast; I’ll see if it makes a difference!
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
I’ve been averaging three 10k’s a week, with a few shorter “quick” runs if I can. I’ve only ran twice this week as I’ve been saving myself for a long run, which I’m going to attempt in the next half hour.

One thing I should really do is think about preparing a bit more. Once of my friends messaged yesterday to say he wasn’t drinking as he was planning a run today. Unless it’s an actual organised race (and even then only when I’m pushing for a new PB), I don’t think about food/drink the day before or even the morning of. Sometimes I’ll go out after having a drink or two the night before, sometimes no breakfast, sometimes both etc. I appreciate how important it is, but not to the point I’d let a long weekend dictate what I do. Unless I’m trying for a PB/organised race (eg the marathon last year) I’m not a serious enough runner to do that.

However as it’s a long one today, I’ve gone for a coffee, banana and cereal bar for breakfast; I’ll see if it makes a difference!
I've got a mate who is a very decent runner. We were away in Benidorm on the piss a few years back and after a all day session until the early hours, he actually got up and went for a run in the morning, god knows how people do it. I find even if I've only had a couple the night before I can feel the difference.
 

CrawleySkyBlue

Well-Known Member
I’ve been averaging three 10k’s a week, with a few shorter “quick” runs if I can. I’ve only ran twice this week as I’ve been saving myself for a long run, which I’m going to attempt in the next half hour.

One thing I should really do is think about preparing a bit more. Once of my friends messaged yesterday to say he wasn’t drinking as he was planning a run today. Unless it’s an actual organised race (and even then only when I’m pushing for a new PB), I don’t think about food/drink the day before or even the morning of. Sometimes I’ll go out after having a drink or two the night before, sometimes no breakfast, sometimes both etc. I appreciate how important it is, but not to the point I’d let a long weekend dictate what I do. Unless I’m trying for a PB/organised race (eg the marathon last year) I’m not a serious enough runner to do that.

However as it’s a long one today, I’ve gone for a coffee, banana and cereal bar for breakfast; I’ll see if it makes a difference!

How did it go?
 

Marty

Well-Known Member
When is everyone's favourite time to run?

Not tried an evening run yet, may give it a go Easter Monday when I don't plan on having a couple of beers

As early or late as possible, I like the crisp morning air and the cool evenings. Mid-day running just saps my energy.
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
How did it go?

Thanks for asking, it was good although I got a bit overexcited mid run, which I soon regretted!

The run I planned was predominantly along a canal towpath and I planned to leave the towpath and weave back home at a certain point but I was feeling good (this was at around 7.5miles) so I decided to keep going and aim for the exit further along. At around 10 miles I regretted the decision! Ultimately though I did 12.5 miles in two hours, in this heat and after a few beers last night (all the excuses), so I’m pleased overall.

The amount of people who made no attempt to maintain any sort of social distancing really pissed me off though. When on the streets I always move to the road or as far as possible from anyone heading towards me. It was harder on the towpath but manageable. However so many people just made zero attempt to move while on the towpath, even to at least walk single file. Another bugbear; those who showed no recognition when I did try to move, basic manners.
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
I've got a mate who is a very decent runner. We were away in Benidorm on the piss a few years back and after a all day session until the early hours, he actually got up and went for a run in the morning, god knows how people do it. I find even if I've only had a couple the night before I can feel the difference.

I always remember trying that after an especially heavy night. I’d told my girlfriend at the time I was home at a reasonable hour and hadn’t had too much, which wasn’t quite true. So I had the brain wave to go for a run the next morning to get it out of my system; pretty sure I nearly died.

After a few beers the previous day/night, I can feel the difference but it‘s doable, I just tire quicker and feel awful doing it. But the occasion above was a horror show. I can’t imagine doing it on a lads holiday!
 

skyblue1991

Well-Known Member
Went for a 3 mile run at 09:00 this morning.

Agree with what has been said, better to go whilst it's quiet, temperature is lower and it set you up for the rest of the day.

There's a biting wind though, much different compared to the weekend!

Sent from my I3113 using Tapatalk
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
Yes that wind was absolutely biting this morning... I went out in a vest, and although it was the right decision (I was sweating hard after 7.5 miles), the first 5minutes were bloody freezing!
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
After barely doing any running for a year or two,
I've done 25km this month. Weather, quiet roads and time due to no commute all helping a lot.
 

Rich

Moderator
I’m plugging away. 85km this month, did a 5km effort yesterday and managed 23.17. Haven’t done any speed work for a while so I was worried I’d lost a bit, but feel better after that.
2km effort 2km recovery and another km effort.
 

CrawleySkyBlue

Well-Known Member
I always remember trying that after an especially heavy night. I’d told my girlfriend at the time I was home at a reasonable hour and hadn’t had too much, which wasn’t quite true. So I had the brain wave to go for a run the next morning to get it out of my system; pretty sure I nearly died.

After a few beers the previous day/night, I can feel the difference but it‘s doable, I just tire quicker and feel awful doing it. But the occasion above was a horror show. I can’t imagine doing it on a lads holiday!

It’s funny, before my current parkrun PB, my previous 2 were both set after a night out & a kebab.

Morale of the story: drinking is good for you.
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
I'm knocking up 70 mile weeks now working from home. Nothing to do but work and treadmill, and occasional road run.

Trying to keep sharp, getting a club "session" sent to us once a week, and I'm generally doing them twice in a week.

Be interested to see what it does to my Parkrun time. I expect all the miles will have a positive effect, but doubt I'll see it straight away on my first Parkrun...
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
I’m plugging away. 85km this month, did a 5km effort yesterday and managed 23.17. Haven’t done any speed work for a while so I was worried I’d lost a bit, but feel better after that.
2km effort 2km recovery and another km effort.

Decent. I did 5km in 24:25, need to shift a couple of stone to get my time down properly I feel.
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
I'm knocking up 70 mile weeks now working from home. Nothing to do but work and treadmill, and occasional road run.

Trying to keep sharp, getting a club "session" sent to us once a week, and I'm generally doing them twice in a week.

Be interested to see what it does to my Parkrun time. I expect all the miles will have a positive effect, but doubt I'll see it straight away on my first Parkrun...

How are you balancing recovery time and managing such high mileage?

I’m trying to get one longer run in each week, but still want to do 3/4 a week (including the long one). For example, I ran 12 miles on Saturday but then didn’t run again until yesterday (10k) as my legs were still feeling tired. I ran again today (5k) as I wanted to do something but not tire myself for my longer weekend run, but it was definitely a slower pace today.

Any advice?
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
How are you balancing recovery time and managing such high mileage?

I’m trying to get one longer run in each week, but still want to do 3/4 a week (including the long one). For example, I ran 12 miles on Saturday but then didn’t run again until yesterday (10k) as my legs were still feeling tired. I ran again today (5k) as I wanted to do something but not tire myself for my longer weekend run, but it was definitely a slower pace today.

Any advice?

It's just a case of building up to it slowly...

When things are normal I average around 40-45 mile weeks, with the odd sporadic "high" week if I'm on holiday or off work, etc. So the stamina is there.

But you have to build to it slowly... I was fortunate to be quite fit when I started running properly, as I came from another sport and was already running perhaps 20-25 miles a week. But it still took maybe 6 months of slow progression to get up to 40 miles.

With regards to doing 70... I find there's three elements which affect my mileage.... Training, racing, and work. I can usually do 2 out of 3 of them hard...

Example in normal circumstances, I'm working in office 40hrs a week and racing most weekends, so I have to be careful with my training mileage and can't get above 40.

But presently there's no races, and not travelling for work, so I can push a lot harder in training and do two sessions a day.

Advice...
Build up slowly. There rule of thumb is don't increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% each week or you'll run into trouble.
I'd also add consideration as to how hard you're running. If you're doing hard "sessions", reps etc, they take longer to recover... I don't run "hard" more than twice a week, the rest is steady mileage...

Other thing to remember is I'm training for long fell (mountain) races... Some of these can be 5-6hrs for a 20-25 mile race. So what I'm doing is not necessarily ideal for everyone (it's possibly not even ideal for me!)

Obviously if you're training to run a better 5km/10km/half, you can likely run less, but a bit harder. But I'd be surprised if the very best marathon runners aren't still doing 80-90 miles per week (probably a lot faster than I'm doing them too!)

Main thing is don't suddenly jump from running twice a week to 7 times a week. It won't end well!
 
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Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
It's just a case of building up to it slowly...

When things are normal I average around 40-45 mile weeks, with the odd sporadic "high" week if I'm on holiday or off work, etc. So the stamina is there.

But you have to build to it slowly... I was fortunate to be quite fit when I started running properly, as I came from another sport and was already running perhaps 20-25 miles a week. But it still took maybe 6 months of slow progression to get up to 40 miles.

With regards to doing 70... I find there's three elements which affect my mileage.... Training, racing, and work. I can usually do 2 out of 3 of them hard...

Example in normal circumstances, I'm working in office 40hrs a week and racing most weekends, so I have to be careful with my training mileage and can't get above 40.

But presently there's no races, and not travelling for work, so I can push a lot harder in training and do two sessions a day.

Advice...
Build up slowly. There rule of thumb is don't increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% each week or you'll run into trouble.
I'd also add consideration as to how hard you're running. If you're doing hard "sessions", reps etc, they take longer to recover... I don't run "hard" more than twice a week, the rest is steady mileage...

Other thing to remember is I'm training for long fell (mountain) races... Some of these can be 5-6hrs for a 20-25 mile race. So what I'm doing is not necessarily ideal for everyone (it's possibly not even ideal for me!)

Obviously if you're training to run a better 5km/10km/half, you can likely run less, but a bit harder. But I'd be surprised if the very best marathon runners aren't still doing 80-90 miles per week (probably a lot faster than I'm doing them too!)

Main thing is don't suddenly jump from running twice a week to 7 times a week. It won't end well!

Thanks for the advice - I appreciate it.

I am trying to build up gradually, and I have a good level of residual fitness from playing sport forever. I also ran the marathon last year.

However the marathon is part of the issue really; I didn’t follow any set training plan or really take it seriously enough, so I’d now like to do that and transition into a “proper” runner.

Do you do follow a routine prep wise before a run? And/after in terms of helping recovery?
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the advice - I appreciate it.

I am trying to build up gradually, and I have a good level of residual fitness from playing sport forever. I also ran the marathon last year.

However the marathon is part of the issue really; I didn’t follow any set training plan or really take it seriously enough, so I’d now like to do that and transition into a “proper” runner.

Do you do follow a routine prep wise before a run? And/after in terms of helping recovery?

My main suggestion if you're really serious, is to join a club... one of the other regulars on this thread recently joined Northbrook... i'm at Godiva Harriers... there's also Massey Ferguson and Sphinx in Cov…. as well as Nuneaton Harriers, Leamington AC, Kenilworth AC.... if you want any opinions on the various pros and cons of each club then i'm happy to do so (via pm!)

If you join a club you'll probably allocated into a running group with a dedicated coach/leader, and they will be far more qualified than me to help you with a plan/routine...

However my routine is roughly as below...

- Consistency: No point doing a 70 mile week and then nothing for two weeks... better off doing what you can reasonably stick to on a regular basis, and gradually trying to improve and progress.
- I try to run hard sessions twice a week, but run them HARD. This is difficult when you put races and recovery into the mix.
- In prep for a run... i always take the first mile or two easy, then build up with a couple of strides (short harder efforts) to get the heart rate up.
- After a run... i try to stretch after the majority of sessions... it's hard to stick to this if you've just ragged yourself to within an inch of your life on the track, on a cold night in February.
- Prep for a race... i'm no expert on this... but i prefer to still do an easy 3 or 4 mile run the day before a race, stops me feeling sluggish. However many people will 'taper' down and have a couple of days of nothing. Depending on the type of race, some will even do nothing for longer. Personal choice and experience.
- After a race... again i prefer to get on my feet and do something as soon as possible after any race, even the day after a tough race... helps my recovery and gets the blood flowing. I find it worse when i've done a hard race and do nothing for a couple of days, very stiff and sore. Again personal experience and preference.

Hope that gives you something to go on but everyon'es different, and i'd really recommend looking into the local clubs. Not everyone there is a 2hr30 marathon runner... you'd be surprised how 'normal' most people are!
 

Rich

Moderator
I joined Northbrook and saw my times come down from 24.30 to 22.20 for the 5k in 3 months.

I feel it’s really made me transition from a jogger to a runner.
 

Rich

Moderator
A nice 10miles tonight. Headed out from Beduth to Ansty on A Coventry Way and then came back along the canal to sutton stop. Cracking run, would recommend ACW to anyone.
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
I've done the Coventry Way Race twice (well once I completed it, last year, and the year before had to retire after about 30 miles). Great route.

The race starts at Meriden Queens Head in a clockwise direction.

First weekend in April usually. I heard a rumour that this year it may have been rearranged provisionally for later in the year. Although entries open in September and usually sell out within a few weeks.
 

Sky_Blue_Daz

Well-Known Member
Starting the couch to 5k later today , going to go to coundon park and try there, they’ve put in a path at the top end by the changing rooms . Just going to use that till I get more confidence and my running gait improves .
 

larry_david

Well-Known Member
Been inspired by the post about mcfadz doing 5k in 16 mins. I'm not q runner but do (did) play football 3 times week until coronavirus hit.

Did 5k in 29 mins today which I'm pleased with. Had to stop 4 times because I've always had shin splits (self diagnosed, terrible burning that goes down from shins to ankles/feet) so had to stop for that to subside before carrying on.

If I'm gonna try this regular i need to get better shoes. Any suggestions? Plus anyone on here think what I'm describing is actually shin splints?
 

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