Official Running Thread

Mr Blobby · Jan 9, 2020

knocky1 said:
Decided to compare my 5Ks to marathons as a 50-60 year old over the last decade.
My 19:33 at the start was almost the same AG% as my 21:14 at the end this last Xmas day.
My 5K SBs got better and fairly consistent since chasing you lot. [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] made me his marathon bunny and I am not performing at this distance. Not too worried and will be happy around 4 this year and happy to make it 4 losses in a row.
The year ahead looks hopeful with a 5K 5 year PB looking within reach.

Year 5K SB Brightn Marathon
2009 19:33 n/a
2010 20:59 n/a
2011 21:07 n/a
2012 21:22 DNS
2013 20:58 4:08:47 (month injured all March)
2014 20:52 3:50:26
2015 20:23 3:57:36
2016 20:54 4:00:09
2017 21:31 4:07:10 (Rheumatoid Flare up year)
2018 20:57 4:15:00
2019 21:14 4:40:00

An interesting way to look at your running , mine looks like (not all Brighton marathons)

2009 no running
2010 no running
2011 n/a.... 5.46.34
2012 n/a.... n/a
2013 n/a.... 5.25.38
2014 n/a.... n/a
2015 n/a.... 5.14.13
2016 n/a.... 4.41.24
2017 25.29 4.28.36
2018 23.43 4.27.50
2019 23.18 4.13.22 aged 50

knocky1 · Jan 9, 2020

Mr Blobby said:
An interesting way to look at your running , mine looks like (not all Brighton marathons)

2009 no running
2010 no running
2011 n/a.... 5.46.34
2012 n/a.... n/a
2013 n/a.... 5.25.38
2014 n/a.... n/a
2015 n/a.... 5.14.13
2016 n/a.... 4.41.24
2017 25.29 4.28.36
2018 23.43 4.27.50
2019 23.18 4.13.22 aged 50

Yours shows incredible progression and build up from distance and now doing the shorter 5K distance better every year. Also not so young but still improving. Sub 4 marathon and sub 22:30 must be in the mind.

My final 2019 5K should be 20:54 from Hove prom I forgot that one. So glad to hang on with sub 21's. Might as well make it my main goal for the ensuing years before I keel over.

Ninja Elephant · Jan 9, 2020

Well, if we're playing this game!

2014 - 19:52 - none
2015 - 19:42 - 3:37:55
2016 - 20:58 - 3:59:55
2017 - 18:23 - 3:29:12
2018 - 18:46 - 3:32:48
2019 - 17:55 - 3:10:49

2016 I had a foot problem so I wasn't able to train until a few weeks before the race itself. Just narrowly nursed home in sub-4! Not a straight line of success for me, but I'm confident this year I'll be able to add a 2: to the list. Maybe not in Brighton, given the 180 mile cycle the week before, but I'll definitely do as many this year as required to nudge home in a sub-3 time!

Simgull · Jan 9, 2020

Would have been fun if we could have posted all those profiles and then tried to guess who they belonged to. Or maybe not.

big nuts · Jan 9, 2020

2012 - N/A - 4:20:00
2013 - 22:43 - N/A
2014 - 20:57 - 3:55:27
2015 - 18:59 - 3:29:22
2016 - 18:40 - 3:15:59
2017 - 18:39 - N/A
2018 - 18:37 - N/A
2019 - 18:25 - N/A

First Marathon for 4 years this year. Would hope to go somewhere between 3:06-3:08 based on current form.

knocky1 · Jan 10, 2020

Simgull said:
Would have been fun if we could have posted all those profiles and then tried to guess who they belonged to. Or maybe not.

I’d have got them all so far. Maybe from being table data inputter.
Charity fundraiser who became addicted.
Overweight lad about town who became addicted.
Running to deal with insomnia and became addicted.
Old bald bloke who loves running but only for 10 minutes.

Good NSC decade. Glad I’ve the only declining decade and that’s only around 5%.

Guinness Boy · Jan 10, 2020

knocky1 said:
I’d have got them all so far. Maybe from being table data inputter.
Charity fundraiser who became addicted.
Overweight lad about town who became addicted.
Running to deal with insomnia and became addicted.
Old bald bloke who loves running but only for 10 minutes.

Good NSC decade. Glad I’ve the only declining decade and that’s only around 5%.

Without posting the whole lot I was faster by time in 2016 but faster by age grade (at least in 5k) this year and we all know it's age grade that really counts, right? :thumbsup:

That said my target this year is for PBs in time at HM, Marathon and 5k. If I manage that this year then the rest of the 2020s decade will definitely be measured in age grade :lolol:

knocky1 · Jan 10, 2020

Guinness Boy said:
Without posting the whole lot I was faster by time in 2016 but faster by age grade (at least in 5k) this year and we all know it's age grade that really counts, right?

That said my target this year is for PBs in time at HM, Marathon and 5k. If I manage that this year then the rest of the 2020s decade will definitely be measured in age grade

You’re definitely well positioned to get that hat trick.

Although AG is useful to keep up my old sleeve

I wasn’t using it here as I was comparing my personal decline.
Having a look at AG shows my 19:33 10 years ago was bettered by myself for the last 3 years by around 1%.

So I’m fighting the decline.....

dazzer6666 · Jan 10, 2020

Difficult to work anything meaningful from my times really, kind of just plodded along since my first marathon in 2006............never really nailed a decent one sadly....best of 3.43 in 2008, been within 10 mins of that a few times up to 10 years later so guess.

As for parkrun, didn't do one until 2013, best that year was 64.91%
Highest ever was 72.86% in 2015, best in 2019 was 72.79%....................nowhere neat that at the moment

soistes · Jan 10, 2020

Everyone posting their historical trends has prompted me to look at my times. I haven't got that much data as I only started running (and racing) seriously in 2015 as I approached my 60th birthday. But it's all rather dispiriting - a tale of "running to stand still" really. It seems that I started running with some reasonably good times (for age), and since then it's been a case of pretty much struggling to stay at the same level, rather than any clear improvement over time. I've also included my 10k and HM times as they (arguably) tell a more positive story than the 5k and Marathon times, but it does make me think I need to work differently if I'm to get any faster before the inevitable ageing effect really slows me down.

Year - 5k - M
2014 - n/a - n/a
2015 22:27 n/a
2016 22:22 n/a
2017 21:53 n/a
2018 22:05 3:51:34
2019 21:51 4:11:10

Year - 10k - HM
2014 50:38 - n/a
2015 47:19 - n/a
2016 - n/a - n/a
2017 46:33 1:47:22
2018 46:14 1:43:57
2019 48:12 1:43:12

Garry Nelson's teacher · Jan 10, 2020

soistes said:
Everyone posting their historical trends has prompted me to look at my times. I haven't got that much data as I only started running (and racing) seriously in 2015 as I approached my 60th birthday. But it's all rather dispiriting - a tale of "running to stand still" really. It seems that I started running with some reasonably good times (for age), and since then it's been a case of pretty much struggling to stay at the same level, rather than any clear improvement over time. I've also included my 10k and HM times as they (arguably) tell a more positive story than the 5k and Marathon times, but it does make me think I need to work differently if I'm to get any faster before the inevitable ageing effect really slows me down.

Year - 5k - M
2014 - n/a - n/a
2015 22:27 n/a
2016 22:22 n/a
2017 21:53 n/a
2018 22:05 3:51:34
2019 21:51 4:11:10

Year - 10k - HM
2014 50:38 - n/a
2015 47:19 - n/a
2016 - n/a - n/a
2017 46:33 1:47:22
2018 46:14 1:43:57
2019 48:12 1:43:12

A nice if rather melancholic contribution - and a realistic one. It got me thinking......Around the time that I reached 61 I competed against a Brighton based veteran who was of a very high standard and had just reached 65. I'd been 'competing' against him and on off for about 25 years and always thought that he was in a different class to me.To my surprise I beat him and then have never lost to him again; his times fell away very badly - although fair play he still runs and all credit to him. I filed this away wondering what happened to his form and whether 65 might be some sort of cliff-edge.
Now I'm 65 and have yet to even complete an event since my birthday, I'm beginning to realise the answer.
On the positive side, for those who have yet to get there, the 60-64 window was great!

timbha · Jan 10, 2020

soistes said:
Everyone posting their historical trends has prompted me to look at my times. I haven't got that much data as I only started running (and racing) seriously in 2015 as I approached my 60th birthday. But it's all rather dispiriting - a tale of "running to stand still" really. It seems that I started running with some reasonably good times (for age), and since then it's been a case of pretty much struggling to stay at the same level, rather than any clear improvement over time. I've also included my 10k and HM times as they (arguably) tell a more positive story than the 5k and Marathon times, but it does make me think I need to work differently if I'm to get any faster before the inevitable ageing effect really slows me down.

Year - 5k - M
2014 - n/a - n/a
2015 22:27 n/a
2016 22:22 n/a
2017 21:53 n/a
2018 22:05 3:51:34
2019 21:51 4:11:10

Year - 10k - HM
2014 50:38 - n/a
2015 47:19 - n/a
2016 - n/a - n/a
2017 46:33 1:47:22
2018 46:14 1:43:57
2019 48:12 1:43:12

Hang on a minute. That’s brilliant progress for 5k, 10k and half marathon in real and AG terms (unless I am an analytical failure) and very respectable marathon times

Ninja Elephant · Jan 10, 2020

I think times are relative to what your goals are - it isn't important to be fast. Personally, I'm enjoying running fast and hard and I'm very much intending to continue to do so - but there will be times that I'm not able to run at full pelt. This time last year I was carrying a bit of weight, I had no form and no fitness. I worked hard to get it back and by August I was flying at times I hadn't achieved previously, and been able to keep it going. You need the lows to appreciate and enjoy the highs.

Personally - I love this thread and all the contributors. It isn't all about speed and times and hopefully it never will be. :thumbsup:

Mr Blobby · Jan 10, 2020

Ninja Elephant said:
I think times are relative to what your goals are - it isn't important to be fast. Personally, I'm enjoying running fast and hard and I'm very much intending to continue to do so - but there will be times that I'm not able to run at full pelt. This time last year I was carrying a bit of weight, I had no form and no fitness. I worked hard to get it back and by August I was flying at times I hadn't achieved previously, and been able to keep it going. You need the lows to appreciate and enjoy the highs.

Personally - I love this thread and all the contributors. It isn't all about speed and times and hopefully it never will be.

Indeed I know that speed wise I am the snail, but happy to be so. After doing my first marathon in 2011 I very nearly knocked it all on the head. I did that for a specific fundraising campaign. Many will know I said never again, and I almost didn't. I am so glad that in 2013 the Martlets asked me if I wanted to run London for them. I thought long and hard about it and finally cracked and said yes. After that I knew I could do them and decided well I want to go sub 5 which I finally nailed in 2016. I took a lot of advice and a PT at the gym basically said with the weight you carry and the amount you drink you aint going to do this. So he said he was happy to carry on doing 1-2-1 PT sessions with sub 5 in mind, so I worked hard and changed my lifestyle a lot and managed to drop to 4.41.24 in Reykjavik, that gave me such a buzz I decided to carry on with being the new me and see how far I could go. I joined a running club in 2018 and that resulted in dropping my time to 4.13.22 and the best I have felt physically when running a marathon. My challenge is with myself and my times but I love seeing what people do on here as it inspires me to keep going even as the age years keep on going up! I loved doing the relay race with NSC runners, it was a real change to run with people THAT quick during a race. It also gave me the confidence to join mates doing the 170m Ragnar replay race (which I am doing again this year!). I have honestly enjoyed running over the last 3 or 4 years as much as anything I do. I think I have the balance right with drinking, running and eating! I want to enjoy life so will always be a slower runner, but I also see myself as a happy runner. I only really use this thread on NSC, but its been great to meet so many off here. It feels like our own little community! Anyway its 6pm, I need to get of the office, hoping to do Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun tomorrow before getting a later train to Liverpool Lime Street. Happy weekend all

big nuts · Jan 10, 2020

Mr Blobby said:
Indeed I know that speed wise I am the snail, but happy to be so. After doing my first marathon in 2011 I very nearly knocked it all on the head. I did that for a specific fundraising campaign. Many will know I said never again, and I almost didn't. I am so glad that in 2013 the Martlets asked me if I wanted to run London for them. I thought long and hard about it and finally cracked and said yes. After that I knew I could do them and decided well I want to go sub 5 which I finally nailed in 2016. I took a lot of advice and a PT at the gym basically said with the weight you carry and the amount you drink you aint going to do this. So he said he was happy to carry on doing 1-2-1 PT sessions with sub 5 in mind, so I worked hard and changed my lifestyle a lot and managed to drop to 4.41.24 in Reykjavik, that gave me such a buzz I decided to carry on with being the new me and see how far I could go. I joined a running club in 2018 and that resulted in dropping my time to 4.13.22 and the best I have felt physically when running a marathon. My challenge is with myself and my times but I love seeing what people do on here as it inspires me to keep going even as the age years keep on going up! I loved doing the relay race with NSC runners, it was a real change to run with people THAT quick during a race. It also gave me the confidence to join mates doing the 170m Ragnar replay race (which I am doing again this year!). I have honestly enjoyed running over the last 3 or 4 years as much as anything I do. I think I have the balance right with drinking, running and eating! I want to enjoy life so will always be a slower runner, but I also see myself as a happy runner. I only really use this thread on NSC, but its been great to meet so many off here. It feels like our own little community! Anyway its 6pm, I need to get of the office, hoping to do Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun tomorrow before getting a later train to Liverpool Lime Street. Happy weekend all

The Weakest Link is a definite highlight for me. Love running as part of a team and much prefer the mixed approach to the lineups.

Would be great to have a record turnout this year and a few drinks afterwards. The Bristol Bar was the perfect venue afterwards.

Mr Banana · Jan 10, 2020

I really enjoy cheering people but find all the talk of times and distance details a bit tedious sometimes. Whatever your ability, you've still got up early on a Satdi morning and run (or a Sunday and raced) - it's nice to smash 20 minutes or whatever but it doesnae really matter.

I've seen some pals give themselves a really hard time for not getting sub-80 in a half and others finding a half-hour 5k genuinely life-changing for their confidence. Important to enjoy it and congratulate yourself regularly, I reckon. While remembering you're still a running wanker.

timbha · Jan 10, 2020

Mr Banana said:
I really enjoy cheering people but find all the talk of times and distance details a bit tedious sometimes. Whatever your ability, you've still got up early on a Satdi morning and run (or a Sunday and raced) - it's nice to smash 20 minutes or whatever but it doesnae really matter.

I've seen some pals give themselves a really hard time for not getting sub-80 in a half and others finding a half-hour 5k genuinely life-changing for their confidence. Important to enjoy it and congratulate yourself regularly, I reckon. While remembering you're still a running wanker.

Great post, and Mr Blobby’s beforehand. At time I find talk of splits, strava, age grading, PB’s, etc all a bit boring (and sometimes demoralising when things aren’t going too good) but just reading about the pleasure that running is giving can be a massive boost, even when injured.

dazzer6666 · Jan 10, 2020

Mr Banana said:
I really enjoy cheering people but find all the talk of times and distance details a bit tedious sometimes. Whatever your ability, you've still got up early on a Satdi morning and run (or a Sunday and raced) - it's nice to smash 20 minutes or whatever but it doesnae really matter.

I've seen some pals give themselves a really hard time for not getting sub-80 in a half and others finding a half-hour 5k genuinely life-changing for their confidence. Important to enjoy it and congratulate yourself regularly, I reckon. While remembering you're still a running wanker.

Absolutely. That’s partly why I love the longer trail races. No-one gives much of a toss about your time.....just want to know how far it is to the next food stop [emoji106][emoji3]

knocky1 · Jan 10, 2020

Garry Nelson's teacher said:
A nice if rather melancholic contribution - and a realistic one. It got me thinking......Around the time that I reached 61 I competed against a Brighton based veteran who was of a very high standard and had just reached 65. I'd been 'competing' against him and on off for about 25 years and always thought that he was in a different class to me.To my surprise I beat him and then have never lost to him again; his times fell away very badly - although fair play he still runs and all credit to him. I filed this away wondering what happened to his form and whether 65 might be some sort of cliff-edge.
Now I'm 65 and have yet to even complete an event since my birthday, I'm beginning to realise the answer.
On the positive side, for those who have yet to get there, the 60-64 window was great!

I’m sure you’ll bounce back, just need a lot of hard slow miles on the recovery. Your reply is the most understanding of my table of comparing 10 years of running in my 50’s. I did it after the report that running adds 4 years to the heart and wanted to see how running in my 50s had panned out. My overall running has weakened but have masked it by just one or two full out efforts each year at 5k.

I’m fully supportive of all runners and walkers, who I join in marathons annually. However, the time I can’t race now and again will be the day I stop running altogether and will revert to walking, running and swimming.

Ninja Elephant · Jan 11, 2020

Wonderfully, I was up and out of bed in time to cycle over to Worthing for their parkrun today. Obviously the wind was a serious factor in the first almost half, but also a touch of laziness set in. It was clear that I wasn't catching the guy in 7th and wasn't likely to be unable to fend off the chap running behind me in 9th. I was settled in 8th after about 1.5kms, and I wasn't going to be managing a sub-18 effort so I was kind of cruising into the wind. I ran the first KM in 3:47, the second in 3:58. I had a mental word with myself and cracked on with 3:45 and 3:29 for each of the last two. I believe in a few weeks I should be capable of getting back under the 18 minute mark on the right course, in the meantime I'll stick to my training plan and get plenty of cycling done. 20 miles in total for the day, but a nice rest tomorrow on the cycling front with just a morning run with [MENTION=18183]big nuts[/MENTION] to get in the legs.

Good to see [MENTION=33116]Garry Nelson's teacher[/MENTION] donning the high vis this morning. :thumbsup:

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