Official Running Thread

[big nuts]

Five ridiculously slippy miles in the pissing rain with the dog this morning. I managed to stay on my feet, although it was very close at times.

That’s my February done - 141.7 miles and 6,507 feet. I’ve also run for the past 30 days, quite a feat given my weetabix legs.

122.2 miles for me. Not bad for a February. I have a feeling March will surpass my previous months best which was last month with 139 miles. Every chance of 150 if I stay injury free.

Good running for anyone getting out there first thing, it looked horrific.

 

[Artie Fufkin]

122.2 miles for me. Not bad for a February. I have a feeling March will surpass my previous months best which was last month with 139 miles. Every chance of 150 if I stay injury free.

Good running for anyone getting out there first thing, it looked horrific.

Great consistency mate! Keep at it.

219 miles in Feb for me bringing it up to 437 miles for the year so far. All being well, March will be a big month heading into the London Marathon. I have an important 6 week block coming up.

In the meantime, I'm going to take my frustration from today's game out on the streets of London tomorrow morning at the Big Half.

 

[knocky1]

Only 70 miles for me but had 10 days off running in the middle. Not enough for BM training but the positive is 2x15mile and 2X10miles for 60 of the 70 miles.
Cross training had a big leap due to lay off. 12 miles swimming and a daily dumbell routine.

16-18 miles planned tomorrow @10" pace with a 20 mph wind behind me. LSD Angmering to Hove.

 

[Notters]

23:55, 55.47% PB on a hilly course. Got my self better starting position today though.

 

[Curious Orange]

The wind has dropped, the sun has come out, and I've completed another 20 miles and hit my target pace to boot (despite almost stacking it coming down the Portsmouth Road into Guildford).

Happy with that.

 

[Guinness Boy]

The wind has dropped, the sun has come out, and I've completed another 20 miles and hit my target pace to boot (despite almost stacking it coming down the Portsmouth Road into Guildford).

Happy with that.

That's what my Met Office App said it would be like in Brighton. It lied, the useless

Instead, just as I turned at the very top of Roedean cliffs a horizontal hailstorm hit and, for the next fifteen or twenty minutes the worst weather I've run in for a good four years hit me on the most exposed part of my run.

After yesterday that was just what I needed......

 

[dazzer6666]

Stinger update - well that was actually alright, somewhat surprisingly. Weather not as bad as expected (some lovely views of the Downs, very clear) with virtually no rain and a decreasing wind.....absolutely loads of mud in places (the Steep Down loop was horrid) but also the SDW sections were remarkably dry given the recent weather. Took it very steadily as carrying some ITB tightness and no real fitness (not run more than 13m since early October). Got to the ‘bail out and do the half’ point on Chanctonbury feeling ok so carried on, once I’d made that decision it was basically a nice day out. Didn’t fade too much in the second half, walked all the big hills and managed not to fall over which was a bonus. Just sneaked under 5 hours which I’ll absolutely take given fitness and conditions.

Excellent organisation from Steyning AC as usual, including the welcome brekkie at the end. Looking forward to seeing what awful pose [MENTION=13715]jimhigham[/MENTION] managed to snap as I shuffled past.....[emoji23][emoji23]

https://strava.app.link/iaIW8aNwv4

 

[Bozza]

I improved by 10km best today in most unexpected circumstances.

I've been in an absolute state today after drinking from 11am to beyond 11pm yesterday, and eating all manner of crap along the way. Today I've been camped on the sofa most of the day, although I did have to dash to chunder at one point.

I went out late afternoon to run to pick up the car from where I'd abandoned it by West Worthing station yesterday morning. It's only two-and-a-bit miles away but I decided to take the scenic route to do a couple more miles to help offset some of yesterday's excesses.

It felt like I was just lolloping along at a steady enough pace but when I checked my watch after the fifth mile I was averaging around 7:30/mile. I knew my best 10km pace was at a pace of 7:2something/mile so I put some effort in for the last mile and a bit. This gave me a 10km time of 45:57, which is 13 seconds better than my previous best.

All quite bizarre, although I was wearing the Zoom Fly 3s, so perhaps it was just their magic at work!

 

[knocky1]

Stinger update - well that was actually alright, somewhat surprisingly. Weather not as bad as expected (some lovely views of the Downs, very clear) with virtually no rain and a decreasing wind.....absolutely loads of mud in places (the Steep Down loop was horrid) but also the SDW sections were remarkably dry given the recent weather. Took it very steadily as carrying some ITB tightness and no real fitness (not run more than 13m since early October). Got to the ‘bail out and do the half’ point on Chanctonbury feeling ok so carried on, once I’d made that decision it was basically a nice day out. Didn’t fade too much in the second half, walked all the big hills and managed not to fall over which was a bonus. Just sneaked under 5 hours which I’ll absolutely take given fitness and conditions.

Excellent organisation from Steyning AC as usual, including the welcome brekkie at the end. Looking forward to seeing what awful pose [MENTION=13715]jimhigham[/MENTION] managed to snap as I shuffled past.....[emoji23][emoji23]

https://strava.app.link/iaIW8aNwv4

Well done. Sounds a good day out. I’m retiring from road marathons this April but want to add the Stinger to my Three Forts, done with you coincidentally, and Moyleman. Beachy Head is harder to squeeze in as peak holiday time for me.

 

[big nuts]

I improved by 10km best today in most unexpected circumstances.

I've been in an absolute state today after drinking from 11am to beyond 11pm yesterday, and eating all manner of crap along the way. Today I've been camped on the sofa most of the day, although I did have to dash to chunder at one point.

I went out late afternoon to run to pick up the car from where I'd abandoned it by West Worthing station yesterday morning. It's only two-and-a-bit miles away but I decided to take the scenic route to do a couple more miles to help offset some of yesterday's excesses.

It felt like I was just lolloping along at a steady enough pace but when I checked my watch after the fifth mile I was averaging around 7:30/mile. I knew my best 10km pace was at a pace of 7:2something/mile so I put some effort in for the last mile and a bit. This gave me a 10km time of 45:57, which is 13 seconds better than my previous best.

All quite bizarre, although I was wearing the Zoom Fly 3s, so perhaps it was just their magic at work!

The George Best of NSC running. Those Zoom Fly 3’s must be magic I might look into them for myself if you can get pissed and still set PB’s.

 

[dazzer6666]

Well done. Sounds a good day out. I’m retiring from road marathons this April but want to add the Stinger to my Three Forts, done with you coincidentally, and Moyleman. Beachy Head is harder to squeeze in as peak holiday time for me.

Good plan, I’ll run it with you next year [emoji106] Can recommend a few other similar races too if you’re interested [emoji16]

 

[jimhigham]

Massive respect to all you Stingers today. I had a 2 mile walk each way from my parked car to my location up at 11 miles (and then 24) and I was very pleasantly surprised at how little mud there was along that stretch of the SDW. Nonetheless, that’s a lot of miles on mud and in bitter wind. It’s an absolute beast to sit down for six hours not generating any body heat. I actually wished I was running the thing a couple of times instead. No worries though. I’ll be joining you all in the tarmac on marathon day.

You’re all winners!

 

[dazzer6666]

Massive respect to all you Stingers today. I had a 2 mile walk each way from my parked car to my location up at 11 miles (and then 24) and I was very pleasantly surprised at how little mud there was along that stretch of the SDW. Nonetheless, that’s a lot of miles on mud and in bitter wind. It’s an absolute beast to sit down for six hours not generating any body heat. I actually wished I was running the thing a couple of times instead. No worries though. I’ll be joining you all in the tarmac on marathon day.

You’re all winners!

It was quite chilly running at times, gloves were on and off multiple times, so can only imagine how bone-chilling it was sitting still in that breeze. Top work from all of you [emoji106]

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Irchester Country parkrun for me on saturday, they'd had to cancel the last two weeks but the conditions were almost perfect on saturday morning. I followed a local for the first 0.75 miles as he flew out of the traps but he clearly hit a wall when we hit the uphill section and I strode past and led from then onwards. It's a nice course but it was a struggle on the muddy paths with unavoidable puddles all over the show. I ran 18:28 which was plenty and then went back to find my mate who was attempting his first ever parkrun, but he had called it just before halfway. I had said beforehand that he only sees my running achievements at a parkrun or a raceday, he doesn't see the work which goes in first. He wasn't expecting to challenge me, but he also wasn't expecting to be toward the back of the field. He got disheartened early on and binned it which was a shame.

 

[jimhigham]

It was quite chilly running at times, gloves were on and off multiple times, so can only imagine how bone-chilling it was sitting still in that breeze. Top work from all of you [emoji106]

I still love the shooting days. Always so much more fun than the day job. It's just that the Stinger always seems to be the coldest shoot of the year.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

Only 70 miles for me but had 10 days off running in the middle. Not enough for BM training but the positive is 2x15mile and 2X10miles for 60 of the 70 miles.
Cross training had a big leap due to lay off. 12 miles swimming and a daily dumbell routine.

16-18 miles planned tomorrow @10" pace with a 20 mph wind behind me. LSD Angmering to Hove.

Did you do your long west to east run yesterday? If so, you certainly chose the right direction. I struggled to do 6 miles, only 3 of which were into that wind.

 

[jimhigham]

Anybody running the Cambridge Half Marathon next week? Myself and the rest of the Sussex Sports Photography crew will be lying in wait for you if you are.

 

[knocky1]

Did you do your long west to east run yesterday? If so, you certainly chose the right direction. I struggled to do 6 miles, only 3 of which were into that wind.

I needed the assistance that's for sure.
18 miles +1K to Hove Station. It went like clockwork. Said I'd be home at 1pm and a train delay of 3 minutes saw me at the doorstep at 1.03pm.
Hitting Angmering Beach was very muddy and I was forced to run in muddy puddles, on pebbles and on the sand as a beautiful low tide. After 2 miles picked up the footpath and apart from a circle of Shoreham Beach facing the wind to make up 2 miles it was all enjoyable till 16 miles when the top of my legs hurt like ****. Lost 5lbs in weight as no breakfast, no water and no food on run. Back to normal weight this morning but unable to do my recovery swim as King Alfred closed.

As I'm lacking mileage for BM I'll continue to run 10" long runs with the wind behind me. Hills, wind and tempo can all be done in shorter mid week runs. Rather than give up on the marathon I have a revised finish time of 4:15 to 4:00 hours.

 

[Nathan]

Ran the London Half yesterday, finished with official time of 1:44:54 which is a new PB from last weeks! Really pleased to get under the 1:45 mark. Although just didn't enjoy it as much as Brighton Half, not sure why. Went off too fast for the first 4 miles, then had to recalculate my pace and struggled until the end. Also the course was slightly longer than it should be - i know they are never exactly the distance and i take that into account, but the half marathon distance for this was 13.34 miles. Nearly a quarter of a mile more. Still, it worked out ok in the end!

Well organised event, but a lot of hanging around before hand and waiting in pens. Baggage collection was a pain in the arse as well.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

I needed the assistance that's for sure.
18 miles +1K to Hove Station. It went like clockwork. Said I'd be home at 1pm and a train delay of 3 minutes saw me at the doorstep at 1.03pm.
Hitting Angmering Beach was very muddy and I was forced to run in muddy puddles, on pebbles and on the sand as a beautiful low tide. After 2 miles picked up the footpath and apart from a circle of Shoreham Beach facing the wind to make up 2 miles it was all enjoyable till 16 miles when the top of my legs hurt like ****. Lost 5lbs in weight as no breakfast, no water and no food on run. Back to normal weight this morning but unable to do my recovery swim as King Alfred closed.

As I'm lacking mileage for BM I'll continue to run 10" long runs with the wind behind me. Hills, wind and tempo can all be done in shorter mid week runs. Rather than give up on the marathon I have a revised finish time of 4:15 to 4:00 hours.

Great stuff. I used to run from Worthing to Littlehampton (and back) quite often - but usually on a sunny afternoon. But I can see how the going could get heavy around Angmering/East Preston (where Des Lynam lives!). Yours was a good run but after Goring it must have been very dull. But a good one to get you in shape for the marathon and absolutely in the right direction.