Official Running Thread

[JCL666]

Would also like to hear if anyone's done this. I'm looking to move to forefoot running as a starter but have no idea where to start.

I bought a book ( Barefoot Running Step by Step: Barefoot Ken Bob, the Guru of Shoeless Running, Shares His Personal Technique for Running with More Speed, Less Impact, Fewer Injuries and More Fun:Amazon:Books ), us read loads of articles and have completely changed my style of running.
It's taken about 2 months.

No adverse effects yet, not even the dreaded calf pain.

Can now run 10k comfortably either with minimalist shoes or with no shoes at all.

 

[element]

I ran 5k. this morning after 11 weeks and 4 days out with a sprained ankle, and it felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'm doing a 20 miler tonight, along the seafron to the pier then up to and around the AMEX and back...plus a few loops around Hove to make the distance.

 

[albion534]

started my slow marathon training for next year, did a 5 miler, 5 an half miler, and a 6.4 mile job in 4 days, all around 9.15 mins a mile, which is good for me considering im top heavy

 

[Best Foot Forward]

Recently signed up for the Brooks Brighton 10k. Training started tonight (have been very lazy) with a 3 miler. Feel a bit tired now, but good to get back into it

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Right, I need some help/advice from the NSC running folk.

I'm training for Brighton marathon at the moment, and slowly building up the miles, currently my furthest run is half marathon distance. However, I tried to go for an 'easy' paced 12km run last Friday, ahead of the Chestnut Tree House 10k race on Sunday, but failed miserably. I was trying to run at c.4.40/km pace, but I found that because I naturally run faster than that, I ended up reverting to the quicker pace (c.4.20).


I'm guessing I won't be able to last that faster pace for the full 26.2, so, as my training runs get longer (and ultimately in the race itself), do I

a) try to go slower in the hope that I can re-train my running pace (or add some variation in pace);
b) just stick to my normal pace, and see how far I end up going before hitting the wall;
or c) presume that as I run more I get fitter, and therefore am able to go further at the faster pace?

 

[Steve Foster]

Ran Pilgrims Marathon on SundY. That's 56 full marathons now completed.

Barns Green 1/2 marathon, Lewes 10, Jog Shop 20, then Beachy Head marathon

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Running Barns Green as well, heard it's a good half. Beachy Head marathon is for true nutters. Are you part of 100 club?

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Right, I need some help/advice from the NSC running folk.

I'm training for Brighton marathon at the moment, and slowly building up the miles, currently my furthest run is half marathon distance. However, I tried to go for an 'easy' paced 12km run last Friday, ahead of the Chestnut Tree House 10k race on Sunday, but failed miserably. I was trying to run at c.4.40/km pace, but I found that because I naturally run faster than that, I ended up reverting to the quicker pace (c.4.20).


I'm guessing I won't be able to last that faster pace for the full 26.2, so, as my training runs get longer (and ultimately in the race itself), do I

a) try to go slower in the hope that I can re-train my running pace (or add some variation in pace);
b) just stick to my normal pace, and see how far I end up going before hitting the wall;
or c) presume that as I run more I get fitter, and therefore am able to go further at the faster pace?

None of the above, loads of info on the internet about the different types of training needed as part of a good marathon program (interval running, track work, race pace runs and long runs slower than race pace. Trying to complete marathon training at that pace for long runs will probably lead to injury or exhaustion unless your a super athlete. Also if you are really serious get a heart monitor and train at different heart rate zones. There are seasoned marathon runners on here who will probably give you more accurate training tips.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

None of the above, loads of info on the internet about the different types of training needed as part of a good marathon program (interval running, track work, race pace runs and long runs slower than race pace. Trying to complete marathon training at that pace for long runs will probably lead to injury or exhaustion unless your a super athlete. Also if you are really serious get a heart monitor and train at different heart rate zones. There are seasoned marathon runners on here who will probably give you more accurate training tips.

I will second this. If you can currently run 13.1 miles you are in great shape already to start a typical 16 week training plan in the new year. My advice is to get a RunnersWorld subscription and check their training plans out. They have loads of 16 week programs for all standards and different levels of commitment ie 4,5,6 days a week. Pick the time you wish to do and the plan will get you up to speed via a variety of methods such as fast, slow, intervals and hills. They also tell you the base level to aim for before you start e.g. 30 miles a week plus able to run 90 mins non-stop.

I always use then, in fact I'm mid-way through a plan right now. Just done a 20 miler and twisted my knee.....ouch.

Good luck.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

None of the above, loads of info on the internet about the different types of training needed as part of a good marathon program (interval running, track work, race pace runs and long runs slower than race pace. Trying to complete marathon training at that pace for long runs will probably lead to injury or exhaustion unless your a super athlete. Also if you are really serious get a heart monitor and train at different heart rate zones. There are seasoned marathon runners on here who will probably give you more accurate training tips.

I will second this. If you can currently run 13.1 miles you are in great shape already to start a typical 16 week training plan in the new year. My advice is to get a RunnersWorld subscription and check their training plans out. They have loads of 16 week programs for all standards and different levels of commitment ie 4,5,6 days a week. Pick the time you wish to do and the plan will get you up to speed via a variety of methods such as fast, slow, intervals and hills. They also tell you the base level to aim for before you start e.g. 30 miles a week plus able to run 90 mins non-stop.

I always use then, in fact I'm mid-way through a plan right now. Just done a 20 miler and twisted my knee.....ouch.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Foster]

Running Barns Green as well, heard it's a good half. Beachy Head marathon is for true nutters. Are you part of 100 club?

Yes, am a member of the 100 marathon club.

Done Beachy Head marathon 6 times now. Got two more marathons in 2012 afterwards, A20 marathon & Portsmouth.

Will run Liverpool on New Years day, a couple of ultras afterwards, then start thinking about the easy ones in the spring, Brighton & London again.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Yes, am a member of the 100 marathon club.

Done Beachy Head marathon 6 times now. Got two more marathons in 2012 afterwards, A20 marathon & Portsmouth.

Will run Liverpool on New Years day, a couple of ultras afterwards, then start thinking about the easy ones in the spring, Brighton & London again.

Do you a actually train for your marathons or do you never have enough down time between races for your fitness to dip?

 

[beardy gull]

Running Barns Green as well, heard it's a good half. Beachy Head marathon is for true nutters. Are you part of 100 club?

Barns Green is indeed a good half marathon. Will be my third time this year, hoping for better weather now it's moved forward a month. I'm also using a Runners World training plan, I'll let you know if I recommend them after next Sunday!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

None of the above, loads of info on the internet about the different types of training needed as part of a good marathon program (interval running, track work, race pace runs and long runs slower than race pace. Trying to complete marathon training at that pace for long runs will probably lead to injury or exhaustion unless your a super athlete. Also if you are really serious get a heart monitor and train at different heart rate zones. There are seasoned marathon runners on here who will probably give you more accurate training tips.

I will second this. If you can currently run 13.1 miles you are in great shape already to start a typical 16 week training plan in the new year. My advice is to get a RunnersWorld subscription and check their training plans out. They have loads of 16 week programs for all standards and different levels of commitment ie 4,5,6 days a week. Pick the time you wish to do and the plan will get you up to speed via a variety of methods such as fast, slow, intervals and hills. They also tell you the base level to aim for before you start e.g. 30 miles a week plus able to run 90 mins non-stop.

I always use then, in fact I'm mid-way through a plan right now. Just done a 20 miler and twisted my knee.....ouch.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice guys. I used the RW plan the only other time I did a marathon many moons ago, and its a good reminder to do it again. I do a fair bit of hill work at the moment within my training, but I was just conscious that I'm putting the miles in, but not varying it too much (enough).

Hope the knee isn't too bad, HT...

 

[Steve Foster]

Do you a actually train for your marathons or do you never have enough down time between races for your fitness to dip?

For the last 2 years+ I have ran a marathon every month, with at least one other race a month, min 10 miles as a training run.
Still do the 4-8 mile runs in the week as training.

The body gets used to it very easy & my fitness level stays constant.

Running one marathon a month (now have ran 56 full marathons) may seem a lot to many on here, however, I am just an amateur compared to many in the 100 Marathon club, who have run 200, 400, 600 & in one case almost a 1000 marathons - that's crazy!

 

[Berty23]

I am not designed for running after a hockey injury ten years ago led to me being told I should not play contact sports and in fact anything which involves running. It was a lower back injury to my bottom two discs. A few years ago I read something mike atherton had written about Pilates. I tried it and felt much stronger.

A couple of years ago my wife was diagnosed with cancer in her eye while pregnant with our twins. Fortunately she could wait for the girls to be born and then had treatment. Everything now looking better. She had never run a mile before let alone a half marathon and signed up for the great eastern last october to raise funds for eye tumour research. Sadly due to complications with her eye she had to withdraw from the race two days before. Against my better judgement I agreed to run with her and trained hard. Somehow I finished which was a relief. We have now signed up for the Cardiff half marathon next month.

The reason for writing is two fold
1. If you are reading this and have not tried running as it is not for you or you can't. You probably can and should try
2. Has anyone run Cardiff half before? Is it any good?

Cheers.

 

[element]

****

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I am not designed for running after a hockey injury ten years ago led to me being told I should not play contact sports and in fact anything which involves running. It was a lower back injury to my bottom two discs. A few years ago I read something mike atherton had written about Pilates. I tried it and felt much stronger.

A couple of years ago my wife was diagnosed with cancer in her eye while pregnant with our twins. Fortunately she could wait for the girls to be born and then had treatment. Everything now looking better. She had never run a mile before let alone a half marathon and signed up for the great eastern last october to raise funds for eye tumour research. Sadly due to complications with her eye she had to withdraw from the race two days before. Against my better judgement I agreed to run with her and trained hard. Somehow I finished which was a relief. We have now signed up for the Cardiff half marathon next month.

The reason for writing is two fold
1. If you are reading this and have not tried running as it is not for you or you can't. You probably can and should try
2. Has anyone run Cardiff half before? Is it any good?

Cheers.

What a lovely story. Well done to both of you and good luck in Cardiff. I have run in Cardiff but its a city I have visited many times and I'm sure it will be a great race especially if it goes down by the water side.

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

To save trawling through all these posts a question: Is there a REMF Team enter ing the Brighton Marathon next year ?