The Running Thread

Fed up talking videogames? Why?
User avatar
Mini E
Doctor
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Mini E » Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:18 pm

Turns out I ran the Reading Half in 2:03 with acute appendicitis. Came out of surgery an hour ago. I'm not allowed to run the Brighton marathon in 2 1/2 weeks. Absolutely gutted.

User avatar
Victor Mildew
Member
Joined in 2009

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Victor Mildew » Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:19 am

A guy is coming running fairly regularly now and he's so slow I may as well be walking from about a third of the way in. I'm having to zig zag and run in circles to try and keep any speed up and I'm about 2 minutes a mile faster. Yesterday I just had to say I need to push on as I need to get something out of it and tore off. The main aim is to shed a last bit of weight before my wedding in a couple of months and I feel like every session counts, so I may have to politely say I need to just do my own thing.

Did a 10k (as runkeeper insisted on calling it even though the units are set to miles) in 48:40 with an average of 7:42 which was a new personal best for me, made better by having cramp for the last mile and a half so I could have gone a little bit faster.

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
User avatar
Poser
Banned
Joined in 2008
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Poser » Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:18 am

Ad7 wrote:A guy is coming running fairly regularly now and he's so slow I may as well be walking from about a third of the way in. I'm having to zig zag and run in circles to try and keep any speed up and I'm about 2 minutes a mile faster. Yesterday I just had to say I need to push on as I need to get something out of it and tore off. The main aim is to shed a last bit of weight before my wedding in a couple of months and I feel like every session counts, so I may have to politely say I need to just do my own thing.

Did a 10k (as runkeeper insisted on calling it even though the units are set to miles) in 48:40 with an average of 7:42 which was a new personal best for me, made better by having cramp for the last mile and a half so I could have gone a little bit faster.


That's decent. Didn't you basically start running from scratch relatively recently? That's really good progress mate.

As for that last bit of weight, you could consider doing hills or shorter, faster reps, too, which will spike your metabolic rate. It's only really worth considering when you've reached a decent level of fitness, which you clearly have.

It's also a session you could include your 'slow' running companion on, too - you can both do as many reps of a hill, with a jog/walk back recovery, as you wish. We used hills all the time as part of our winter sprint training - it was good for group work as it means nobody is left behind and everyone still ends up knackered.

User avatar
Victor Mildew
Member
Joined in 2009

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Victor Mildew » Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:08 pm

Poser wrote:It's also a session you could include your 'slow' running companion on, too - you can both do as many reps of a hill, with a jog/walk back recovery, as you wish. We used hills all the time as part of our winter sprint training - it was good for group work as it means nobody is left behind and everyone still ends up knackered.


That's a really good idea, i may suggest that for tomorrow as theres a little short hill not far from here that we could use (it's the bit you always dread at the end because it'\s reasonably steep then leading into a shallow hill all the way).

I think ive been doing this a couple of years now but it's only in the last 6 months where i've made real progress and can consistently run fast (well fast to me anyway). The fact i did my 6.5 mile run at a faster average pace than i've managed to do on my 4 mile one (its an extension of the same route) tells me i've got a bit in reserve. When it's a cool day with no rain and im feeling up to it i'm going to see if i can get down to 7.30-7.35 average.

EDIT: That happened quicker than I expected, did the 4 miles in 30:19 - 7:31average. Was calling out 7:29 average when i stopped but i fumbled getting the phone out to stop it and drove the average up :fp:

Still, :toot:

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
User avatar
Mini E
Doctor
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Mini E » Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:06 pm

Nice one Ad! Just been told I'm not allowed to exercise for 6 weeks :( sucks.

User avatar
Jenuall
Member
Joined in 2008
AKA: Jenuall
Location: 40 light-years outside of the Exeter nebula
Contact:

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Jenuall » Wed Mar 22, 2017 5:02 pm

Just started trying to get into running in the last week or so, I need to find a new method of exercise as I'm starting to put on a bit more weight than I would like. I used to cycle to work so I was doing ~20 miles each week day which kept me generally pretty fit, but have recently needed to switch to driving and so I thought I would give running a go.

I figured it was easier, and therefore more likely, that I'd be able to go out for a run than a ride of an evening, plus there's the option of fitting in a run during the odd lunch break at work.

I've always been fairly sporty and active, but have never really gone in for running, or for that matter exercise for the sake of it - generally all my exercising has either been as part of a sport/game - i.e. playing for football teams, tennis/squash leagues etc. or just cycling as a means of transportation. As a result I'm finding it hard not to get a bit bored so far - do people generally run with a club or group in order to make it more interesting?

What sort of distances/times should I be aiming for as a starter? Like I say I'm relatively fit, but haven't done anything much in the way of running in the past. So far I've been out for a few runs around my neighborhood - first couple were about 3k to get a feel for things, then I went for a 5k on Monday to see what time I would get - managed it in just under half an hour which felt like an okay time and one that I could probably improve on.

User avatar
Rubix
Member
Joined in 2008
Location: Bristol
Contact:

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:09 pm

Doing tough mudder so need to start running again. Not ran in 11 years so just popped out and did 2.5k to start.

Any hints?

PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [92h]
WATCH | Ted Lasso S2, HiJack S1, The Apprentice S18
RACE | Westonbirt Half (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept), Cardiff Half (Oct)
User avatar
satriales
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Wed Mar 22, 2017 9:53 pm

Having run 4 miles last week I decided to try and do a gentle 5 mile run today. My leg was still aching from the weekend but I probably won't be able to fit another run in until Tuesday so figured I'll just take it easy and see how it goes. After 3 miles I was feeling really good so I took the long way home and ended up running 6.3miles (just over 10k!) in 59:09. I could have quite easily knocked a minute or two off that, or carried on for a couple more miles but I didn't want to push to hard. I'm pretty happy with that, now I just need to find some better routes that don't involve me waiting to cross main roads :x

User avatar
satriales
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:13 pm

Jenuall wrote:What sort of distances/times should I be aiming for as a starter? Like I say I'm relatively fit, but haven't done anything much in the way of running in the past. So far I've been out for a few runs around my neighborhood - first couple were about 3k to get a feel for things, then I went for a 5k on Monday to see what time I would get - managed it in just under half an hour which felt like an okay time and one that I could probably improve on.


I'm no expert as I only got back into running about 5 weeks ago, but it really depends what you want to get out of running. Do you plan on running a marathon? Or race some 5/10k? Or just improve fitness?
I guess whatever your answer the main key (especially starting out) is simply run a lot of miles. I'm the sort of person that always tries to beat my previous best every time I'm out, so it's very hard for me to slow down but that is what you have to do. Run slow and run further. Then when you're comfortable you can introduce speed/strength work to improve your time but distance alone will also help you run faster.

I'd also recommend entering some parkruns if you can. They are a free 5k event held every week and it's a good motivation when you see your times improve, plus it beats running alone.

User avatar
Victor Mildew
Member
Joined in 2009

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Victor Mildew » Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:26 pm

As my goal was only weight loss, we'd have chatty days of 3.5 miles, then 4 miles, then 4 miles a bit quicker, then 4 at fast pace but chatting, then 6 miles chatting, 7.5 miles chatting, and now I'm on my own most of the time I'm going for speed.

I think a bit of distance and speed variety is good, it seems to have worked for me.

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
User avatar
Jenuall
Member
Joined in 2008
AKA: Jenuall
Location: 40 light-years outside of the Exeter nebula
Contact:

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Jenuall » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:48 pm

satriales wrote:
Jenuall wrote:What sort of distances/times should I be aiming for as a starter? Like I say I'm relatively fit, but haven't done anything much in the way of running in the past. So far I've been out for a few runs around my neighborhood - first couple were about 3k to get a feel for things, then I went for a 5k on Monday to see what time I would get - managed it in just under half an hour which felt like an okay time and one that I could probably improve on.


I'm no expert as I only got back into running about 5 weeks ago, but it really depends what you want to get out of running. Do you plan on running a marathon? Or race some 5/10k? Or just improve fitness?
I guess whatever your answer the main key (especially starting out) is simply run a lot of miles. I'm the sort of person that always tries to beat my previous best every time I'm out, so it's very hard for me to slow down but that is what you have to do. Run slow and run further. Then when you're comfortable you can introduce speed/strength work to improve your time but distance alone will also help you run faster.

I'd also recommend entering some parkruns if you can. They are a free 5k event held every week and it's a good motivation when you see your times improve, plus it beats running alone.


It's mainly just as a means to maintain (and hopefully improve) my fitness as I'm no longer cycling to work.

I'm not planning on running a marathon or anything like that any time soon, although it is something that I want to at least do once so it's probably worth aiming for somewhere down the line.

I definitely see your point on the run slow and run further thing though - I've always been more of a sprinter and so find it hard to reign myself in. My first few runs I set of at too fast a pace and so ended up not getting as far and hurting a lot more afterwards! Speaking of which - whats the general consensus on how best to prepare for a run these days? I'm sure I've read that just stretching isn't considered the best approach these days as you can do more harm than good?

User avatar
Starbreaker
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Starbreaker » Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:55 am

Just a quick post as I have to dash but well done on picking the best exercise in the world! I normally do give it a stretch, especially hammies and calves. The latter in particular I definitely notice if I don't stretch them. Then I'll warm up for at least 5 mins (so more or less half pace).

Best piece of advice I can give you for committing to running - start using Strava or similar. I'd been running on and off for years but using Strava really helped me to develop it into something I do more or less every day - I don't like running with people, just doing my own thing, but using a (free) tool is great, at the start it'll be throwing all sorts of PBs at you which is fantastic for motivation, if you keep to the same routes your can track your progress and you'll be amazed how quick the progression is.

As for distance, until you get more of a feel for it I'd recommend sticking with 5k, it's the perfect middle distance. Not short enough to sprint all the way round, not long enough to knacker you/stop you from going pretty quickly. If you're up for it I'd definitely recommend getting into a few park runs too, they're free and another great motivator.

Great progress recently all! This thread has been a bit quiet and exploded into life again!

User avatar
Spindash
Member
Member
Joined in 2008
Location: North West

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Spindash » Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:46 am

Image

:D :toot:

User avatar
Mini E
Doctor
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Mini E » Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:55 am

Spindash wrote:Image

:D :toot:


That's fantastic. Congratulations mate!

User avatar
mcjihge2
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by mcjihge2 » Sat Mar 25, 2017 1:14 pm

Whats the parking like at Platt fields?

Xbox Live: GCE
User avatar
Spindash
Member
Member
Joined in 2008
Location: North West

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Spindash » Sat Mar 25, 2017 1:20 pm

mcjihge2 wrote:Whats the parking like at Platt fields?


I don't drive, but there's always space on Grangethorpe Road next to the girls' school, which is also the entrance to the park nearest to the parkrun start.

Thanks Mini E :wub: Feels good.

User avatar
Snowcannon
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Snowcannon » Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:21 pm

Spindash wrote:Image

:D :toot:


Nice one! Not far off sub-20! I was going to do the south manchester one once when visiting a friend, but it ended up cancelled due to a body on the lake :dread: so dashed to Burnage instead

User avatar
Pan
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Pan » Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:32 pm

Spindash wrote:Image

:D :toot:


strawberry float me, that's fast!

Los Trabajadores del munda, unen!
User avatar
Poser
Banned
Joined in 2008
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

PostRe: The Running Thread
by Poser » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:54 pm

Pan wrote:
Spindash wrote:Image

:D :toot:


strawberry float me, that's fast!


That's what she said. Before and afterwards.

User avatar
satriales
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Sat Apr 01, 2017 10:51 am

Had a good parkrun this morning, knocked 1m28s off my PB with a time of 26:04 :toot:

The winning time was only 21:01 which shows how tough the course is. I might try a flatter course next week and go for sub 25.


Return to “Stuff”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Carlos, Grumpy David, KK, Lime, Peter Crisp, Squinty, Ste, The Watching Artist and 333 guests