THE......Definitive Runner's Thread!

[thepainter5]

Sent my entry form off for the 10K. Looks like I'm busy on Sunday!

Good for you. Have a good race and I hope the sun is shining.

[BalhamBeast]

Did my 10K this morning and just got my time back.

Weather was chilly but clear and the going was a little muddy in places. I got the first (5K) lap without too much problem but my legs started to get heavy from the 6K mark. I rallied briefly, then got slower again. Finished at a plod. 1:05:44.6. Nothing to shout about but it is my first race since I started running again after an 18 month hiatus. So I guess I should be happy with that aspect at least.

It's funny how I always feel stronger during training runs than races. Before I did my half-marathon in 2011 I did a 12-13 mile run which included a couple of really nasty hills, took no water with me and felt a lot better than I did during the half-marathon itself. Same with last weekend's run and today. I got it done though, and can look to the next one. I'm thinking a May half is too soon but I could go for the next race in the Clapham Common series (they do 5, 10 and 15K races at the same time, with each lap of the common being 5K - today was two laps for me) though I was tired at the end of my two laps and wouldn't have fancied doing a third. When I run I do one long run, no laps, so I wonder if there's anything psychologically different about that.

What do you guys think - stick with 10K and try to go faster or move up to 15? I can always do other races - it's just this series is one stop on the Tube or a brisk 20 minute walk from my house and I don't have a car (being a Londoner and all).

[thepainter5]

Did my 10K this morning and just got my time back.

Weather was chilly but clear and the going was a little muddy in places. I got the first (5K) lap without too much problem but my legs started to get heavy from the 6K mark. I rallied briefly, then got slower again. Finished at a plod. 1:05:44.6. Nothing to shout about but it is my first race since I started running again after an 18 month hiatus. So I guess I should be happy with that aspect at least.

It's funny how I always feel stronger during training runs than races. Before I did my half-marathon in 2011 I did a 12-13 mile run which included a couple of really nasty hills, took no water with me and felt a lot better than I did during the half-marathon itself. Same with last weekend's run and today. I got it done though, and can look to the next one. I'm thinking a May half is too soon but I could go for the next race in the Clapham Common series (they do 5, 10 and 15K races at the same time, with each lap of the common being 5K - today was two laps for me) though I was tired at the end of my two laps and wouldn't have fancied doing a third. When I run I do one long run, no laps, so I wonder if there's anything psychologically different about that.

What do you guys think - stick with 10K and try to go faster or move up to 15? I can always do other races - it's just this series is one stop on the Tube or a brisk 20 minute walk from my house and I don't have a car (being a Londoner and all).

Congratulations for going out and getting it done.

I wouldn't worry about the time because it was your first race in sometime. Look at today as a training race and make adjustments as needed. It is possible for the reason races seem different than training runs is likely due to the 'race time' atmosphere and the excitement that brings. That has the tendency to have people (myself included) start off too fast and run a faster pace over the first part of the run imstead of the second half. That produces heavy legs and a slower second half of the race.

As for your wondering about moving to a longer race or work at improving your 10K times I suggest both. Gradually incorporate speed work into your training and work on the 10K time but do the 15K race as a long run training day.

The upside to running loops on a race course is that you can set a pace that is easier to keep track of. You also know where you need to push harder and where that finish line is so that you can plan for your push at the end.

[BalhamBeast]

Thanks. I'd rep you but it won't let me just yet.

[ygohome]

Congrats BalhamBeast on your recent race.

Between going longer distance or improving on pace for shorter runs... I myself enjoy going longer distances because I like to explore different neighborhoods. Do whichever you enjoy most of course.

But lately I've been going on shorter runs each morning followed by weights. I'm trying to remove fat but at same time I want to build bigger muscles. So I've not been going long distances for a couple months now. When I'd run long distance I'd tend to skimp on my weightlifting because of exhaustion.

BTW, my squats and deadlifts have really helped me to improve my pace on the shorter runs.

[gs425e]

did my first ever timed official 5 k run on saturday..2 years after having major adrenal surgery due to a tumour..i ran 24.17 a pb time by 2 seconds for me...i like the previous poster ran to fast on the first half of the race being carried along with the other 388 runners...ive learned for next time to pace myself a bit better....but i did well finishing 149th overall and 17th in my age group 50/55 year olds..well chuffed..and thanks for the great advice in this thread..cheers ..andy
im in front of the chap in lime green..ive got my customary black wooly hat on/striped shorts/blue knee cuff

[BalhamBeast]

Congratulations! An adrenal tumour definitely beats my foot surgery/achilles tendonitis combo for comebacks. Good time too. Where abouts was this?

[gs425e]

Congratulations! An adrenal tumour definitely beats my foot surgery/achilles tendonitis combo for comebacks. Good time too. Where abouts was this?

hi.... thanks....its in hove park in sussex....it is one of the park run ones..
if you dont know there free timed runs every sat morning all over the uk..type in park runs into google

[D3D]

Great job balham and gs425!

I'm in my taper for my half next weekend, already getting jittery. lol

[ygohome]

Congrats gs425e!

[jetmechG550]

Been lurking here for some time, officially registered around december and don't post much, just soak it all in. Anyway, never was much of a runner and last year after a five year hiatus from anything (I used to kickbox and ride motocross, still ride moto) after having an Evans Reconstruction on my right ankle the wife and I got back to the gym. About 3 months into my return I injured my left ankle requiring the same surgery and was out of pretty much everything again until October. Doc gave me the green light and then in December my SIL paid for my wife's entry in a half marathon so I decided I would help her on her training schedule and started running with her. I'll be 40 in two weeks and today I ran my first 5K. While the Kenyans have nothing to worry about, I was pretty pleased with my time. 25:47 which put me 11th overall, 8th in Men's and 3rd in my division. Thanks for reading my rambling, just a little pumped and I'm currently cruising along as the sole passenger at 43,000' "working" so nobody else to share with.

[BalhamBeast]

Congratulations on your first 5K. That time is nothing to sneeze at.

I went out today intending to run more than 7 miles and ended up running 9. I foam roller beforehand and felt light and springy for the first mile or so. It wasn't easy but it I got it done.
I have a few races in mind for the future but the half marathon I did in 2011 is already full so I've opted for a 10 mile towpath race in April. It'll be my first 10 miler but based on today's run I'll be fine (if a bit slow!)

[FitnessFan76]

Has anyone here tried the new Adidas 'Boost' trainers - what are your thoughts: overhyped as usual, or do Adidas really have something?

[Smelly bull]

My 11 year old daughter is participating in an activity called Girls on the Run. This program helps girls develop life skills...thru running programs and eventually the girls will run a 5k. Each girl can bring one person to run the 5k with them...My daughter asked me which I quickly said "hell yeah!" But I have a long mountain to climb. I used to run 5k (21:03 fastest) 10Ks (43:08) and sprint triathlons..I understand the training process, but it as been 10 years and 35# ago.

Yesterday I stepped on the treadmill for 2 minutes of brisk walking and one minute of jogging for a total of 20 minutes. At this point I just want to break in some of the muscles (calves) that are used more for running than powerlifting. I will continue to lift with my normal schedule (and heavy), but on my rest days I will run/plod/crawl/whatever it takes. And I have a physical schedule for Wednesday and I want to make sure the heart is working correctly.

This should be interesting. Best of luck to all...

[BalhamBeast]

Good luck with that! I recommend doing some eccentric drops for your achilles as running can give those tendons a battering.

[D3D]

Been lurking here for some time, officially registered around december and don't post much, just soak it all in. Anyway, never was much of a runner and last year after a five year hiatus from anything (I used to kickbox and ride motocross, still ride moto) after having an Evans Reconstruction on my right ankle the wife and I got back to the gym. About 3 months into my return I injured my left ankle requiring the same surgery and was out of pretty much everything again until October. Doc gave me the green light and then in December my SIL paid for my wife's entry in a half marathon so I decided I would help her on her training schedule and started running with her. I'll be 40 in two weeks and today I ran my first 5K. While the Kenyans have nothing to worry about, I was pretty pleased with my time. 25:47 which put me 11th overall, 8th in Men's and 3rd in my division. Thanks for reading my rambling, just a little pumped and I'm currently cruising along as the sole passenger at 43,000' "working" so nobody else to share with.

Congrats! My first 5k was last June with a very similar time, 25:45. I worked that down to a 20:23 in Dec, and should be able to go sub-20 at my next 5k in April.

Has anyone here tried the new Adidas 'Boost' trainers - what are your thoughts: overhyped as usual, or do Adidas really have something?

I haven't seen them in person or run in them, but generally I don't care for any shoe with gimmicky claims, but that's just me.

[thepainter5]

....I went out today intending to run more than 7 miles and ended up running 9.......so I've opted for a 10 mile towpath race in April. It'll be my first 10 miler but based on today's run I'll be fine (if a bit slow!)

Good for you on getting the 9 miler in today. If you do the 10 mile race in April that gives you sometime to get a bit faster. Let us know how the training for that goes.

My 11 year old daughter is participating in an activity called Girls on the Run. This program helps girls develop life skills...thru running programs and eventually the girls will run a 5k. Each girl can bring one person to run the 5k with them...My daughter asked me which I quickly said "hell yeah!" But I have a long mountain to climb. I used to run 5k (21:03 fastest) 10Ks (43:08) and sprint triathlons..I understand the training process, but it as been 10 years and 35# ago.

Yesterday I stepped on the treadmill for 2 minutes of brisk walking and one minute of jogging for a total of 20 minutes. At this point I just want to break in some of the muscles (calves) that are used more for running than powerlifting. I will continue to lift with my normal schedule (and heavy), but on my rest days I will run/plod/crawl/whatever it takes. And I have a physical schedule for Wednesday and I want to make sure the heart is working correctly.

This should be interesting. Best of luck to all...

Good for you SB for running with you daughter, especially when you haven't run in awhile. Training for that 5k and running with her will good for both of you. I used to take my oldest to the track to run laps with me (years ago) and she became really quick. We still run half marathons together a couple of times a year (she's talking about moving back here so we could train together too). I'm sure you will treasure doing this with her as she will also. Keep us informed along the way to the 5K race.




Today I got out and ran a half marathon race. It wasn't a fast time for me and I really had to grit it out as I never really trained for it.In fact I had only ran 15 times since the beginning of the year. I only decided to do the race last week because it's local and this is it's the 3rd year. Having been there the last two years I figured I should keep the streak alive. I also find the easiest way to do a race is to sign up because my wife would kill me if I didn't go after I spent the fee $$.

I knew that today was going to hurt when I couldn't fall a sleep until 3 am and I had a 6:30 am wake up time. To add to my lack of sleep I went out for a two mile warm up which made me want to go back to bed. Had my wife been working this morning I just might have done that. My energy level was very low.

I got to the race and it rained during the short drive there. I sat in the car and thought, I want to be sleeping. Oh yeah, it's spring a head day today so that hour really was missed. I made my way to the start line and shortly after, we were all off and running. I kept to a slower pace simply to be able to finish. This wasn't going to be my best time so I took my own advice, I treated this race as simply a long, slow, training run. Having ran this course twice before, I knew where I had to push and where I could use gravity to help me coast (downhill).

This race wasn't pretty and I have ran faster but today was all about 'getting it done'. In fact as I was 20 meters away from the finish line a couse marshall said, "that's it, you got it done". I finished, claimed my medal and on the way back to my car another runner also said to me "we got it done". It didn't rain at all during the race and 100 meters from my car it started to sprinkle out. I think now I will put in a few more runs every week as the race today reminded me how much I enjoy running and getting the job done.

[BalhamBeast]

Congratulations. I did one half back in 2011 and it was brutal. It was in May but it was a bit muggy that day and there was no water station after 10 miles. Those last three miles seemed to last forever. I got to a point between 11 and 12 where exhaustion suddenly it me and I felt like a) stopping and b) bursting into tears. It was like this really intense wave of emotion. (I'm not a crier normally). I just said to myself, keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get there. And I did.

It's odd because I'd run a 12-13 mile in training previously which included two really nasty hills (the half course was fairly flat as it went alongside the River Thames) and whilst that was tiring, it didn't feel as bad at the end. Also took no water with me on that run.

When I got to the end of my half I thought, how the hell do people run another 13 miles? It's something I'd like to do but it seems ridiculously hard at this point.

[thepainter5]

Congratulations. I did one half back in 2011 and it was brutal. It was in May but it was a bit muggy that day and there was no water station after 10 miles. Those last three miles seemed to last forever. I got to a point between 11 and 12 where exhaustion suddenly it me and I felt like a) stopping and b) bursting into tears. It was like this really intense wave of emotion. (I'm not a crier normally). I just said to myself, keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get there. And I did.

It's odd because I'd run a 12-13 mile in training previously which included two really nasty hills (the half course was fairly flat as it went alongside the River Thames) and whilst that was tiring, it didn't feel as bad at the end. Also took no water with me on that run.

When I got to the end of my half I thought, how the hell do people run another 13 miles? It's something I'd like to do but it seems ridiculously hard at this point.

Thanks.

The lack of hydration would definitely be an issue in longer runs so I started wearing a hydration pak. I was surprised by how many other runners had chosen to wear them yesterday. Just before km 14 there was a water station handing out Hammer gel paks so I took one. I used that for energy as I kept going, taking some every 1 km. I was pleased how it helped.

Putting one foot in front of the other is indeed how to tough out a race/run that isn't going as planned. Last year I did a full marathon and the first half was great and then came 'the wall'. My legs were not working with my brain anymore, it was a really strange sensation. What had been a good race was really me running the first half at my half marathon pace. The next 13 miles really suscked. I ended up walking through the water stations (I never walked during a race before). I got to the point where just listening to my music annoyed me. I had promised myself that I was never doing another full, ever. LOL

I did finish that race by putting one foot in front of the other then I did it over and over. That was a really ugly race for me, I was exhausted and miserable but I did smile as I saw my wife and oldest daughter cheering me on the last 200 mteres and I was just as happy to accept the finishers medal. I'm not sure I was thrilled when my daughter told me that she wants me running with her when she does her first full marathon.

When you go to do your next race I would suggest that you give yourself a range that you want to finish in. That will help because you won't feel the need to kill it in the first half of the race. After you have been able to train for sometime, injury free, you will be able to narrow that time range and push harder. It all comes with patience and training for each of us.

[JRT6]

I'm at a bit of cross roads. My hip isn't going to get any better and I have to drastically cut back. I'm also trying to get my squat back up and I'm the 400 and 800 meter sprint coach on my daughters' track team and I'm a coach who runs with the team. Hopefully I can find a decent minimum to be able to keep my 5k time which is the best it's been in 20 years.

[jetmechG550]

Congratulations on your first 5K. That time is nothing to sneeze at.

I went out today intending to run more than 7 miles and ended up running 9. I foam roller beforehand and felt light and springy for the first mile or so. It wasn't easy but it I got it done.
I have a few races in mind for the future but the half marathon I did in 2011 is already full so I've opted for a 10 mile towpath race in April. It'll be my first 10 miler but based on today's run I'll be fine (if a bit slow!)

Congrats! My first 5k was last June with a very similar time, 25:45. I worked that down to a 20:23 in Dec, and should be able to go sub-20 at my next 5k in April.

Thank you both, I am registered for the 5K at the Mini Marathon in Indy in May, need to find a couple more to squeeze in there that won't conflict with work. Lucked out and was able to bring my bike with me on this trip and rode 40 miles yesterday. Now back to the weights for the next couple days.

[gs425e]

i did my second park run at the weekend..and got a new pb of 23.41 for the 5 k...and finished 139 out of 398 runners...ive now enter a 10k run...any tips on going the extra distance in training..?

im in the brown..with my faithful black woolly hat on

[JRT6]

I ran a hard 3.2 miles on the treadmill last night and it went well. I would love to be able to maintain with one and two runs a week.

[Smelly bull]

Today I did 20 minutes on the treadmill, 2 minutes fast walk, 4 minute plod....it felt pretty good. The run is May 23rd, which should give me plenty of time.

My goals for my next session is to simply relax when i run.

[JRT6]

You're a big guy and just starting out so it sounds like your expectations and goals are realistic.

[D3D]

1:28:10 at the Shamrock Half this morning, 22:35 PR over my first half back in Sept. Couldn't be happier with my progress.

[BalhamBeast]

Wow that's motoring! Congratulations on the PR.

[mwilson49]

Getting ready to run my first marathon. I have done some halves and been training all winter to build myself up.

[tomsfish]

have had to stop upper body lifts this month due to disc injury flaring up.managed to run about 40 miles so far this month and got my running legs back.so thats a plus.

[TCO76]

Well I would have to say that I am one of those guys that has to run. I run on my off days and on weekends but i just tend to feel better when i incorporate cardio. I like the high I get from it too!