The Running Thread
Discussion
A few people on here seem to be runners, so I thought I'd start a thread about running. You can include what you like on here, your training tips, best times, races you are entering etc etc.
I started running a year ago given I'm towards the end of my football days and mainly do 5 and 10k. Based in Berkshire and run for Datchet Dashers, done a couple of 1/2 marathons, and got hyperthermia during Tough Guy at the start of the year.
T-J-K
The Run London website is quite useful for measuring your route distance...
What sort of hours/regimes do you guys do just to keep fit/keep lean, and what do you eat before/after?
I struggle to eat at the right time in relation to when I'm going to run; if it's after work I've not eaten since lunch and so struggle, for example?!
I only do 5-7k type distance to keep mid-fit so nothing major?!
Thanks
I struggle to eat at the right time in relation to when I'm going to run; if it's after work I've not eaten since lunch and so struggle, for example?!
I only do 5-7k type distance to keep mid-fit so nothing major?!
Thanks
Another runner here!!
Do 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathons and a few other distances in between. Looking at doing my first marathon this year (Robin Hood - Nottingham) so any marathon tips would be appreciated!.
Train 4 or 5 times a week - most nights it's on the treadmill after work and then a long run in the park on sundays.
Been a bit slack the last few weeks with stag doos, weddings and weekends away - so need to get back in shape.
Slightly o/t - T-J-K were you at Dave & Jill's wedding a few weeks back??
Chris
Do 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathons and a few other distances in between. Looking at doing my first marathon this year (Robin Hood - Nottingham) so any marathon tips would be appreciated!.
Train 4 or 5 times a week - most nights it's on the treadmill after work and then a long run in the park on sundays.
Been a bit slack the last few weeks with stag doos, weddings and weekends away - so need to get back in shape.
Slightly o/t - T-J-K were you at Dave & Jill's wedding a few weeks back??
Chris
When in full training, I run twice a day every weekday, do one long run (90-120 mins) on a weekend day and have the other weekend day as rest. Obviously this is rather more than most people do to keep fit, however it does mean I'm quite experienced at timing food and exercise.
I find I get a stitch if I eat within 2 hours of running, so my morning run is usually 4 miles to work before eating anything. Then I breakfast at work. Evening training is done directly after work before an evening meal. I tend to eat quite a lot at lunchtime (pasta salad, fruit, crisps and chocolate) and try to push it as late as possible (definitely post 1pm) to provide food for the training.
I find I get a stitch if I eat within 2 hours of running, so my morning run is usually 4 miles to work before eating anything. Then I breakfast at work. Evening training is done directly after work before an evening meal. I tend to eat quite a lot at lunchtime (pasta salad, fruit, crisps and chocolate) and try to push it as late as possible (definitely post 1pm) to provide food for the training.
EwenM, you obviously take your running quite seriously and get what the rest of us would call good times. How long have you been running?
Woody - Yes that was me at Jill and Daves!
Any advice on the best place to get running shoes? Joejogger don't do mine, and I'm keen to get a bargain
T-J-K
I started running competitively aged 11 at secondary school - we had to do rugby, running or rowing in the winter and I was a skinny little runt so no use for rugby or rowing. Been competing ever since (now 30). Not really training properly at the moment as I got very disheartened with all the training last autumn so took a big break.
I have been running for 16 months now (not seriously) only started as a get/keep fit sort of thing then decided to enter some runs (10k) then ran the Great South Run (10 miles)last year for Cancer Research which helped me with concentrating on my training.
Have not ran any runs this year (yet) but have re-entered for the G.S.R again as i got a garenteed(sp) place, also entered for the Great Capital Run (10k) in July.
Have found it hard to train so far this year, i don't follow a proper training plan and am not a member of a running club, i just go out jogging twice mid week roughly 5-6 miles (according to mapmyrun) and once weekend about 7 miles.
I tend to run at around a 10min/mile pace (avg) and dont seem to be able to improve on it and i also have problems with stitches probably due to eating times in relation to running.
As was quoted previously refering to school, i went for the rugby option as i hated running then and was/am not built for running.
Glyn.
Have not ran any runs this year (yet) but have re-entered for the G.S.R again as i got a garenteed(sp) place, also entered for the Great Capital Run (10k) in July.
Have found it hard to train so far this year, i don't follow a proper training plan and am not a member of a running club, i just go out jogging twice mid week roughly 5-6 miles (according to mapmyrun) and once weekend about 7 miles.
I tend to run at around a 10min/mile pace (avg) and dont seem to be able to improve on it and i also have problems with stitches probably due to eating times in relation to running.
As was quoted previously refering to school, i went for the rugby option as i hated running then and was/am not built for running.
Glyn.
Right then, I'll be the first to put up my (not very good...) times:
5K : 22min 06sec
10K : 46min 28sec (Can't seem to get close to 45 min - need more speed work)
8.5M : 1hr 11min 05sec (always have a bad run at this race - maybe this year will be different!!)
10M : 1hr 19min 52sec
1/2 Marathon : 1hr 40min 39sec
Comments and advice on getting quicker appreciated!
Chris
5K : 22min 06sec
10K : 46min 28sec (Can't seem to get close to 45 min - need more speed work)
8.5M : 1hr 11min 05sec (always have a bad run at this race - maybe this year will be different!!)
10M : 1hr 19min 52sec
1/2 Marathon : 1hr 40min 39sec
Comments and advice on getting quicker appreciated!
Chris
My normal advice to people who ask "how do I improve my times?" is to suggest they join their local athletics/running club. Every club has runners of all standards and I always find it so much easier running with others than on my own. It's a lot easier to run slightly faster than usual as you get dragged along by the group.
There's a club search facility here: www.ukathletics.net/
Joining a club isn't a commitment to race or even to turn up to train every week; it merely provides contact with other experienced runners and qualified coaches. Of course, if you do want to get into more serious racing it's a good place to start (and you usually get cheaper race entry due to being affiliated to the national body). I can thoroughly recommend road relay races as excellent team events, for example.
There's a club search facility here: www.ukathletics.net/
Joining a club isn't a commitment to race or even to turn up to train every week; it merely provides contact with other experienced runners and qualified coaches. Of course, if you do want to get into more serious racing it's a good place to start (and you usually get cheaper race entry due to being affiliated to the national body). I can thoroughly recommend road relay races as excellent team events, for example.
I've only been running for 16 months, after 10 years of football, but I can only agree with Ewenm, that joining a club made me awre of running easy and doing speedwork. I'm certainly not the fastest in my club, but by no means the slowest, and my wife who runs a 51min 10k is always about halfway in the total race, and she thinks she is very slow. Speedwork has been a revalation and it even has helped with the football. Got my first 5 mile race on Sunday at Marlow, looking forward to it, as I've only done 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathons really
T-J-K
T-J-K
The Hood said:
problems with stitches
I cannot believe that I missed this forum!
Anyway, stitches. I used to have problems with these when I started off too quick too soon. (Also having eaten less than hour before training). If you don't get enough oxygen to your muscles then you get a stitch. At least that's what I was told. Strangely enough, when I was singing and practicing diaphragmatic breathing it was never an issue and my running buddy (experienced) always commented on how shallow my breathing was.
I haven't run for a couple of months because of sciatic problems triggered by a cross country in February. Gutted as I had only just started running after five months off through injury.
TonyHetherington said:
I struggle to eat at the right time in relation to when I'm going to run; if it's after work I've not eaten since lunch and so struggle, for example?!
Me too! The guys at the gym always worry that I eat too late and don't eat enough during the day. I always have a huge bowl of fruit (five portions/pieces) a couple of hours before training. A banana or oatmeal/flapjack bar would be a good source of slow burning energy. When I run or do a heavy weights session I have a scoop of protein shake mixed with oats as a shake or alternatively a banana straight after I finish. The best policy is to eat your main meal at lunch time. I've never managed this though.
Speed training is an excellent way of improving your times. I'd work on building up stamina over distance first before focusing on times. Build up gradually though so that you do not over work or damage your muscles.
'Runners World' has plenty of good advice.
Finding a running partner is good but it can be frustrating once you get faster than them.
Joining a running club can be really good fun and motivational too. Having a race to work towards helps to keep you focused.
Set yourself realistic goals and don't punish yourself. Listen to your body. If it hurts or doesn't feel right don't push yourself. There is a big difference between good pain and negative pain. I had a new personal trainer at new year who did lots of damage to me
'Runners World' has plenty of good advice.
Finding a running partner is good but it can be frustrating once you get faster than them.
Joining a running club can be really good fun and motivational too. Having a race to work towards helps to keep you focused.
Set yourself realistic goals and don't punish yourself. Listen to your body. If it hurts or doesn't feel right don't push yourself. There is a big difference between good pain and negative pain. I had a new personal trainer at new year who did lots of damage to me
Edited by EmmaP on Sunday 13th May 23:32
Another "victim" here. Currently training for Robin Hood half-marathon, hoping to go round in under 1hr 37mins (PB), which is possible.
Am currently going out with a group (nearly 40 people) every Wed night and building up miles, but again, Stag-Do and wedding (mine) are hurting / going to disrupt training!
Definitely join a club if you want to improve.
Am currently going out with a group (nearly 40 people) every Wed night and building up miles, but again, Stag-Do and wedding (mine) are hurting / going to disrupt training!
Definitely join a club if you want to improve.
ewenm said:
T-J-K, how did the 5 miler go on Sunday? I'm guessing you got rather wet...
Did 30.35 which is my first run at the distance. Had hoped for sub 30, but only just got back into training, so hoping for some better times later in the year. I missed the rain, but got soaked cheering in the rest of the club.... Good finish at Marlow though, would recommend the race (APart from the start which is too narrow and has the usual numpties too close to the front.
T-J-K
the jiffle king said:
ewenm said:
T-J-K, how did the 5 miler go on Sunday? I'm guessing you got rather wet...
Did 30.35 which is my first run at the distance. Had hoped for sub 30, but only just got back into training, so hoping for some better times later in the year. I missed the rain, but got soaked cheering in the rest of the club.... Good finish at Marlow though, would recommend the race (APart from the start which is too narrow and has the usual numpties too close to the front.
T-J-K
Not bad at all, just outside 6 minute miling is pretty solid.
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