The Running Thread

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Avon
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Avon » Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:54 am

satriales wrote:My GUCR attempt ended in a DNF.

The week leading into it was super stressful - I was doing job interviews, and my 6-month old puppy got hit by a car which meant I almost had to cancel the race so I could be at home with him, but thankfully surgery on his leg went well and he was allowed home on the Friday. I changed my plans last minute and got a train to Birmingham on the Friday. I hadn't slept for more than 4 hours a night all week!

I got to registration early, had a burger at O'Neils, scoped out the fastest route to the start from the Holiday Inn across the canal, then went back to the hotel and sorted out my bags. I was all set, I just need to get up at 5:15 and head out the door...

... I woke up at 1:30am and couldn't get back to sleep :x

The race itself is very well organised and as a new runner it felt like they were my personal crew looking after me. I can see the appeal of going back year after year.

Before the start I had a quick scout of the field to see if I recognised anyone. Tried to keep an eye out for Avon but he couldn't be seen. I thought I started from the back but then I looked behind and realised I was probably closer to the front. The first few miles out of Birmingham were slower than expected. All of the awkward cobbled paving and short pitch black tunnels do slow you down a little. Once we start seeing trees I settle into a 10 minute mile pace and am happy with my choice of road shoes. All feels good.

I can't remember if it was before or after CP1 but out of nowhere there some unavoidable puddles. My feet got soaking wet and so I planned to swap socks at CP2. A few miles before CP2 I could feel I was getting blisters and by this point a hip niggle I had in training had returned. Once at Hatton Locks I bought an ice cream from the little cafe and jogged into CP2. I sorted out my drinks, grabbed a prepacked bag of snacks out of my drop bag, and then headed back out. Oops I'd forgotten to sort my feet out!

At about 30 miles the blisters were becoming unbearable. I never get blisters so I'm pretty sure it was the wet feet that did it. I stopped a couple of times before CP3 to apply plasters and do my best at fixing my feet but it didn't help much. I knew already at this point that my hip wasn't going to let me do another 110+ miles and a finish was unlikely. Finally I reach CP3 and make a better job of fixing my feet but not that good as it continues to bother me for rest of the race.

After leaving CP3 I realise I forgot to apply sun cream. I had taken it out of my drop bag but forgotten to use it. The sun was blaring and there was little shade. I could feel I was already burning. Luckily I passed another runner's crew a few miles later and they gave me some sun cream. One disaster averted, gave me a five minute boost in motivation but my hip just wasn't letting me run well. I'm at about 40 miles at this point and I'm feeling much worse than usual at this distance. The tiredness is also kicking in already. Over the next hour I am just walking and considering whether to quit now or get to CP4 and quit. I know that I won't be able to stay awake during the night section and I can't really get a lift home in the night as my partner would need to find someone to keep an eye on the puppy that has a broken leg. So I didn't want to quit in the night and I knew I wasn't going to be able to run through the night. I made the phone call to race hq and called it a day at about 45 miles.

Not actually too disappointed. I felt I paced the start well and stuck to my plan. Things went wrong but I don't feel like it was anything I could have done differently. It just wasn't going to happen today. Huge respect for Avon for finishing eight times without a DNF. It's not as easy as he makes it seem!


Sorry to hear it didn’t go to plan. I did look out for you as I was helping out at registration but didn’t see you there, a GRcade ultra runners selfie would have been good! My race also ended in failure, got to 95 miles in a pretty slow time based on previous efforts and bailed there, knee issue too much to withstand.

This has prompted me to get my knee checked out properly so had an MRI scan last week and consultant recommended an arthroscopy on my right knee due to evidence of cartilage damage.

On one hand it’s nice to know there’s something physical that can be fixed but it doesn’t excuse all the below par efforts over the past 2-3 years but it does mean a period of no running, rehab etc. I bought a Concept 2 rower as a means of keeping fit so will be making more use of this in the near future (did row a slow marathon on this recently… would recommend a seat cushion as my posterior was extremely sore during the latter stages).

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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:07 pm

Been following Garmin recommendations daily for the past 4 weeks. Been pretty boring with mostly Base runs with several Recovery Runs thrown in. Still waiting for my first Tempo run to deal with however, my training load and V02 Max have shown increases.

Will give it another two weeks until parkrun returns.

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satriales
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:59 pm

Avon wrote:Sorry to hear it didn’t go to plan. I did look out for you as I was helping out at registration but didn’t see you there, a GRcade ultra runners selfie would have been good! My race also ended in failure, got to 95 miles in a pretty slow time based on previous efforts and bailed there, knee issue too much to withstand.

This has prompted me to get my knee checked out properly so had an MRI scan last week and consultant recommended an arthroscopy on my right knee due to evidence of cartilage damage.

On one hand it’s nice to know there’s something physical that can be fixed but it doesn’t excuse all the below par efforts over the past 2-3 years but it does mean a period of no running, rehab etc. I bought a Concept 2 rower as a means of keeping fit so will be making more use of this in the near future (did row a slow marathon on this recently… would recommend a seat cushion as my posterior was extremely sore during the latter stages).

Bad luck with the knee, probably wise not to do another 50 miles on it. Hopefully recovery goes well. Still incredible that you've only had one DNF in 8 or 9 attempts!

My GUCR failure was definitely more mental than physical. I think I just wanted to get home and see my injured puppy more than I wanted to get to the finish. Lots of other things were against me that week and so when I dropped out I didn't regret it, but felt like I hadn't given 100%.

I gave 100% at Escape from Meriden four weeks later, but still only managed 50 miles due to knee injury. I limped along at less than walking pace for over 3hrs so was happy with the effort, just annoyed at another injury. So I also will be taking a break from long ultras (might still do my yearly 38 mile one) and going to focus on base building and shorter races for a year.

Good luck with the rowing. Pre-covid I was kayaking every week and it really helps with overall fitness, so I definitely need to do something like that again.

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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:22 pm

New half marathon PB of 1 hour and 49 minutes and 30 seconds. Nearly a minute off my PB.

Funny thing was I only set out for a base run and it was in heavy traffic where I had to stop at lights and crossings etc with 2 litters of water on my back.

Will be nice to see what happens when I try again in August.

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PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [59h]
WATCH | Ted Lasso S2, HiJack S1
RACE | Rome Marathon (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept)
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Victor Mildew
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Victor Mildew » Thu Jul 15, 2021 9:55 am

Well done everyone. Also stop being so good, it makes me feel bad!

Comedy run this morning, my right ankle started aching a bit, not bad enough to stop but enough the be constantly aware of it. Several times my foot gave way and it did that almost ankle twist thing, which was a close call, then on the way back I decided to take to the grass to help it, I immidiately put said foot in a hole, foot went folded, and then as I took the next step with the same foot, I stepped in another hole and the foot folded the other way :lol: I shouted, "Oh for strawberry float SAKE!". All that was missing was a rake for me to then step on and smack myself in the face.

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mcjihge2
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by mcjihge2 » Sat Jul 24, 2021 12:48 pm

Parkrun back after a 16 month gap. I was a bit apprehensive at first but felt good in the end. I had got used to local road running for well more than 5km earlier in the morning. I picked Crosby because i knew its a good open wide course ideal for social distancing throughout.

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Ecno
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Ecno » Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:02 pm

Thought Parkrun wouldn't be that busy this morning due to virus apprehension and that it was raining quite hard. Results bot out yet but reckon there was over 350 people which is a decent turnout forbthe one I do.

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Oblomov Boblomov
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Oblomov Boblomov » Sun Jul 25, 2021 8:53 am

I convinced myself Parkrun would be okay due to being outside and (as I also incorrectly assumed, Ecno) it wouldn't be busy, and now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed as the new route is three laps of a big loop, so I essentially spent the best part of half an hour running through clouds of other people's respiration :dread:.

Downbeat to find my time has slipped to 24m40s, but not surprised. Would be nice to get back under 22m but I'm not sure I'll ever hit that sort of pace again, as running is probably always going to be a secondary fitness focus for me.

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satriales
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Sun Jul 25, 2021 2:22 pm

I did my 50th Parkrun. There were 430 people at mine but it's very open so easy to space out. I was about a minute slower than my PB but hadn't run in a few weeks, so that was about what I expected.

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mcjihge2
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by mcjihge2 » Sun Jul 25, 2021 3:01 pm

satriales wrote:I did my 50th Parkrun. There were 430 people at mine but it's very open so easy to space out. I was about a minute slower than my PB but hadn't run in a few weeks, so that was about what I expected.


Do you have to pay for the milestone t shirts now?

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satriales
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by satriales » Sun Jul 25, 2021 6:22 pm

mcjihge2 wrote:
satriales wrote:I did my 50th Parkrun. There were 430 people at mine but it's very open so easy to space out. I was about a minute slower than my PB but hadn't run in a few weeks, so that was about what I expected.


Do you have to pay for the milestone t shirts now?


I've not had any email yet about that but the parkrun blog says that from September they will charge for the t-shirts.

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PostRe: The Running Thread
by poshrule_uk » Sun Jul 25, 2021 6:54 pm

It was great to see Parkrun back, my local event didn't seem as bust as expected and numbers at the 3 local one's to me are lower than the last one pre pandemic

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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Curls » Sun Jul 25, 2021 6:59 pm

My first run outside today since breaking my fibula. Felt gooooooooooood man , felt real real goooooood. Took it nice and easy following my physio plan. 2 min on, 2 min off for 30 mins. Racked up about 4.5km in end so walked the final 0.5km to make it 5km. Aim for end of august is to continue the rehab and run a 5km without stopping, end of september 10km, November, I'm gonna book myself in for the Larnaka half .

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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:24 am

I am 9 miles away from having under 100 miles left of my virtual Lands End to John O'Groats left. Caught up after injury and now plan to finish next month instead of November :)

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PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [59h]
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RACE | Rome Marathon (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept)
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Ecno
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Ecno » Tue Jul 27, 2021 4:59 pm

Rubix wrote:I am 9 miles away from having under 100 miles left of my virtual Lands End to John O'Groats left. Caught up after injury and now plan to finish next month instead of November :)


Is this the conquerors app?

I have had to fudge my starting date to give me 2 years rather than the 18 months I originally have myself.

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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:30 pm

Ecno wrote:
Rubix wrote:I am 9 miles away from having under 100 miles left of my virtual Lands End to John O'Groats left. Caught up after injury and now plan to finish next month instead of November :)


Is this the conquerors app?

I have had to fudge my starting date to give me 2 years rather than the 18 months I originally have myself.


Nah this was end to end run. You get 12 months to do it.

Do not pre order games from Amazon!
PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [59h]
WATCH | Ted Lasso S2, HiJack S1
RACE | Rome Marathon (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept)
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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:19 am

I have finally got to a point where I am running enough and enjoying it that I want to spend a bit more on it. With races coming back and Half and full marathons (maybe) on the horizon it's time to split up my shoes.

I am looking to have at least four pairs of current running shoes in my lineup. I already have three it's just finding that fourth.

Everyday: Currently Brooks Ghost 12 (at 580km) replaced by Hoka One One Clifton 7
Recovery: Will become my Brooks Ghost 12's once they hit 700km
Trail: Currently Solomon Speedcross 4 (at 180km)
Speed Runner for longer runs and quick runs: N/A yet

I was looking at the Hoka Carbon X2 or Hoka Mach 4 for my speedrunners.
Also looking to add another everyday maybe Hoka Clifton 8 or Clifton Edge here and another Trail but haven't decided yet.

Looks and colour are also important as feel, upper, cushioning and endurance (everyday only).

Do not pre order games from Amazon!
PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [59h]
WATCH | Ted Lasso S2, HiJack S1
RACE | Rome Marathon (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept)
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Victor Mildew
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Victor Mildew » Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:33 pm

Watched a couple of running related things on Amazon which I'd reccomend to you:

47 COPA - A guy takes Paddy Buckley's 47 Summits, where you run around Snowdon in a loop, summiting 47 mountains in under 24 hours :dread: . Utterly insane stuff

Skid Row Marathon. Homeless peopleon skid row are encouraged to join a running group by a judge (becuase he's nice), and he takes them to a couple of marathons around the world to help them turn their lives around. Stick aroind for the whole end credits and I challenge you not to get a bit emotional.

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
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Cyburn2
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Cyburn2 » Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:39 pm

Did 5 Miles (8.05Km) at a 5m 43s per km

Need to get back to doing 10km plus runs.

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Rubix
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PostRe: The Running Thread
by Rubix » Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:56 am

Just passed 800 miles for the year this morning. Only 73 Miles to my goal at John O'Groats

Do not pre order games from Amazon!
PLAY | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth [59h]
WATCH | Ted Lasso S2, HiJack S1
RACE | Rome Marathon (March), Chew Valley 10k (June), GNR (Sept)

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