The Running Thread

[Exxy]

Going to have to take an early retirement from running I think One of joints at the end of a metatarsals keeps swelling and becoming painful. Has to be from running, it subsided for the couple of weeks I took off but came back this weekend after running on Friday.

[Avon]

Howdy gents.

Some advice, Ive been looking to get some stuff for my running, socks trainers and the like. I went to the Sutton Runner, as shop in suttin the other day and to say the service there was ******* abysmal is an understatment. For a bloke that works in retail I was horrified. I needed advice and the guy wasnt interested.

Anyway, Ive got some Nike pegasus trainers. I need some socks and running legging/shorts or whatever, any ideas for what Im looking for.

Ta.

I'm a fan of the Nike Dri-Fit Technical Shorts and recommend the Hilly Twin Skin socks, but they are expensive at about £9 a pair.

Next event Druid Ultra 12-14/11. Just over a marathon a day for 3 days. Need to put in a few weeks of decent mileage.

[Avon]

Druid Ultra event completed, first multi-day event (83 miles over 3 days). Report here for those who may be interested.

http://earley-gunners.blogspot.com/2010 ... eport.html

[Avon]

www.fetcheveryone.com

Useful website for keeping track of your running stats.

Completed the 2010 Hellrunner Down South Event last a week ago. Got a 40 mile run in 2 weeks and that's pretty much me done for the year apart from the daily plod to keep myself ticking over.

Managed to get another place for the 2011 GUCR (the 145 mile run), looking to improve my time a lot this year.

[Bunni]

Got a place for the London Marathon. I've bought new gear and have the motivation to go out for a run but the snow/ice situation has completely put a stop to that. With any luck it'll be clear in a few days and I can get back into it. I need to train. Anyone here run a marathon before? I've done a couple of half marathons but to run one on top of the other still seems pretty daunting.

[Avon]

Got a place for the London Marathon. I've bought new gear and have the motivation to go out for a run but the snow/ice situation has completely put a stop to that. With any luck it'll be clear in a few days and I can get back into it. I need to train. Anyone here run a marathon before? I've done a couple of half marathons but to run one on top of the other still seems pretty daunting.

Done a few marathons. There's plenty of training plans on the web which you can follow. My friend ran London for the last two tears and said it was a great experience (crowds, celebs) but not a great run (too crowded). Good luck though and keep us posted with your training efforts.

[Henke]

I haven't ran in a fortnight now. Weather is too shite outside and I can't get to my gym.

[Avon]

Last big running week for me. Got an informal time trial event on Saturday and looking to record some short to middle distance times and then a 40 mile run on Sunday.

Despite consistently running 40-50 mile weeks, the Mince Pies are starting to have an impact with the weight. New regime after Xmas methinks!

[Poser]

Despite consistently running 40-50 mile weeks, the Mince Pies are starting to have an impact with the weight. New regime after Xmas methinks!

How you managing to put on weight with that kinda mileage?! I quit sprinting two and a half years ago and have gained seven pounds in that time.

I'm getting back to running in the new year, for sure. It's been too long and I'm feeling so 'meh' at the moment - I want my energy back.

[Crimson]

Any good running apps for iPhone that don't use the GPS? Tend to run laps around my house and it doesn't pick up my movement.

[Henke]

Since the weather has cleared up here I've found myself running much better than I did. Over the winter I'd been using the treadmills in the gym but only managed about 3k max (with a walking break after about 1.5-2k) before I got horrendous stitches around the area when my operation was last year. Nowadays I'm back running outside, on the pavements, and I'm doing a minimum of 5k without stopping a few times a week. Admittedly, it's not great, but considering that 12 months ago I was 20 stone and dreadfully unfit (and my horrendous summer in hospital) I think I'm doing okay for now. The plan is to be running a minimum of 20 miles a week, which I'm confident I'll manage no bother by then. I've been using the Nike GPS iPhone app by the way, and I'm very happy with it.

[Avon]

Any good running apps for iPhone that don't use the GPS? Tend to run laps around my house and it doesn't pick up my movement.

Won't a simple stopwatch with lap timer do or one of those Nike+ devices.

Not sure of the value of an iPhone running app without GPS as it won't track your distance. You could always set some of these apps not to ping the GPS as often if you want to save battery life.

On the running front, completed the GB Thames Trot ultra yesterday in 9hrs 16 mins which was a new PB. The regular mileage really helped me keep running and minimise the walking breaks.

Got 3 half marathons lined up in the next month now so it's back to shorter quicker races.

[abcd]

You're like some sort of running machine

[Henke]

I know, he's strawberry floating mad!

[Crimson]

Any good running apps for iPhone that don't use the GPS? Tend to run laps around my house and it doesn't pick up my movement.

Won't a simple stopwatch with lap timer do or one of those Nike+ devices.

Not sure of the value of an iPhone running app without GPS as it won't track your distance. You could always set some of these apps not to ping the GPS as often if you want to save battery life.

Pedometer? Just want to be able to track my distance ran over a specific time, and be able to compare my 'high scores' if you will.

[Avon]

On good form at the moment, managed to get a new PB in the Wokingham Half of 1.35 on a wet and miserable day and after an 8 miler the day before, so it was completely unexpected. I've managed to reduce my PB from 1.47 in 2010 to 1.41 in 2011 to 1.35 in 2011 and it's all due to mileage and endurance, I don't really do any speed-work or hill-work at all.

Need to pack in as much distance as I can this week as I've got an enforced week of rest due upcoming laser eye surgery (I've selected the X-Ray vision option ) . I'll be amending the Xbox avatar soon.

Got a mental couple of months lined up with marathon or ultra runs (training or events) planned every couple of weeks as I build my mileage towards the GUCR event in May.

Again, going to recommend the http://www.fetcheveryone.com site for tracking your stats. I found this a real motivation to track my runs and compare against others.

So, not bad overall for one of the "oldies" on GRcade.

What's everyone else up to?

[Glowy69]

My first marathon is less than 2 months away now.

Cant wait, Ive been told for my training not to run any further than 13 miles..Im currently up to 11 and Im managing quite easily.

[Avon]

My first marathon is less than 2 months away now.

Cant wait, Ive been told for my training not to run any further than 13 miles..Im currently up to 11 and Im managing quite easily.

Glowy, I would suggest you start adding some longer runs to your schedule and aim to get to the around the 20 mile mark in training runs.

This will give you a lot more confidence you can do the full 26.2miles, a longest run of 13 miles seems a little short to me.

There's loads of marathon training plans online which you can review for a second opinion.

You've still got plenty of time aswell, it looks like you're on track with your training.

[Poser]

I'm going to be signing up for Men's Health Survival of the Fitters soon, anybody else? Or even heard of it?!

Never heard of it. What is it? I need a target - the threat of looking unfit and slow in front of lots of people - otherwise I'll never get off my arse again.

I do quite fancy the Kielder marathon, mind. Looks pretty n that. You tempted, as it's so close?

[Glowy69]

My first marathon is less than 2 months away now.

Cant wait, Ive been told for my training not to run any further than 13 miles..Im currently up to 11 and Im managing quite easily.

Glowy, I would suggest you start adding some longer runs to your schedule and aim to get to the around the 20 mile mark in training runs.

This will give you a lot more confidence you can do the full 26.2miles, a longest run of 13 miles seems a little short to me.

There's loads of marathon training plans online which you can review for a second opinion.

You've still got plenty of time aswell, it looks like you're on track with your training.

I was told not to do that as it instills some sort of mental block? Like you know how far it is? I did my knee the other day, been told off for constantly running on concrete I dont have many other types of surfaces to run on though