Official Running Thread

[Greg Bobkin]

Thanks - i've done Brighton twice only so hoping removing the Shoreham power station part and having some support will help!

I've said this before, but I loved the power station (well, that's probably a bit strong – I didn't mind it), but that's probably because I'm from SBS so a lot of the support I got was around that way. It IS a bit of a drag though, when your 18/19 miles in, though, granted!

Rest assured, the crowds in London will be willing you all the way around to – hopefully a sub-3 time. The noise really ramps up as you head down Birdcage Walk and then round the bend into the home straight – it really is quite something. But even before that, there aren't many empty spots. Canary Wharf was pretty deserted when I ran my first in 2003, but there are a fair few peeps there these days.

There's a *tiny* bit of me that is jealous, but three times around London is probably enough for me.

 

[knocky1]

Good luck on getting sub 3 Forest row.

Training gone well for Sunday's Moyleman Downland Marathon.
My last tapered 10 mile Long Run on the flat really hurt as it was nearly twice my running distance this year. Luckily not many flat parts on the Moyleman.

Last Thursday I was offered a colonoscopy today that I was waiting on sometime this September. I had to take it. So 24 hours fasting, then drinking 2 pints of laxatives and this morning a camera shoved up my arse and 60cm along my colon. I avoided sedation to recover quicker and all in all it was probably a nicer experience than Sunday will be.

Best news is 100% all clear no polyps to remove and good news is I skipped out the hospital and can start running once I've eaten and rehydrated. Could be a beneficial extreme carbo loading strategy.

I'll do my best to finish quicker than twice as slow as Forest Row's London M time.

 

[Badger]

All systems go for me in prep for London Marathon. Hoping I can find the 19 seconds I need to break 3 hours! Volume wise training is going ok but finding it hard to get in much speed work. Looking forward to running the race though for the first time and experiencing the atmosphere

Good luck ForestRow. Hoping to welcome you to the sub-3 club. The big crowds in London will definitely help you get over the line. That's what really got me to my PB in Berlin a couple of years ago.

I had a slight blip in my Boston training a couple of weeks ago when I had to stop halfway through my long run with a groin strain. That's not an injury I've ever had before. I managed to get a physio appointment at a specialist running clinic a couple of days later. Thankfully it was a minor strain and I got through it with reduced pace and volume for about 10 days, plus some exercises. So, back on track with 5 weeks to go.

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

Good luck ForestRow. Hoping to welcome you to the sub-3 club. The big crowds in London will definitely help you get over the line. That's what really got me to my PB in Berlin a couple of years ago.

I had a slight blip in my Boston training a couple of weeks ago when I had to stop halfway through my long run with a groin strain. That's not an injury I've ever had before. I managed to get a physio appointment at a specialist running clinic a couple of days later. Thankfully it was a minor strain and I got through it with reduced pace and volume for about 10 days, plus some exercises. So, back on track with 5 weeks to go.

Thank you! I've got the Hillingdon 20mile Sunday week which will be a good barometer of where i'm at

 

[Badger]

Thank you! I've got the Hillingdon 20mile Sunday week which will be a good barometer of where i'm at

Oh nice, it's good to have an organised race as a training run. Just don't race too hard!
I'm actually doing a similar race on the same day. Around the Bay, which is usually 30k, but they've extended it to 34k this year because of construction at their usual finishing venue.

 

[PWA]

Roma Pineto parkrun last week.
Lots of Scotland runners

 

[knocky1]

View attachment 178765
Roma Pineto parkrun last week.
Lots of Scotland runners

Well done PWA. Looks like you enjoyed tough weather. You're having a great social media week.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Running the London Landmarks Half in early April. I'm no runner, but running with my brother for the first time will be very special.

Last, and only, time I did a half (Bournemouth in Oct 2022) I went out way too fast and paid the price at the end. I had been aiming for under 2 hours (I know - you guys are doing it WAY faster) but ran out of steam and landed 2:06.

But today, I had a practice run, and did the half in 1:59.23. So very hopeful - if I can pace myself - of a sub 2 hour run. Having had heart surgery last Autumn, I'd be very pleased with myself. I'll report back after the run.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

My sixth Moyleman marathon today and my word, it was muddy, wet, windy and bloody hard work. Waiting for the official time to come through, but my watch was saying 5:12, which is actually quicker than I thought it might have been at one stage.

I slipped over in the mud, too! I wasn't the only one...

My fear of @knocky1 overtaking me in the final stretch up Mount Cabirn didn't come true, thankfully and I've just eaten what felt like my body weight in Chinese food too celebrate (the marathon, not fending off theGaffer.

 

[FloatLeft]

Bath Half Marathon done today with a time of 1:36:54!

I did NOT expect the climb at the end!!

Next stop Brighton Marathon!!

 

[dazzer6666]

My sixth Moyleman marathon today and my word, it was muddy, wet, windy and bloody hard work. Waiting for the official time to come through, but my watch was saying 5:12, which is actually quicker than I thought it might have been at one stage.

I slipped over in the mud, too! I wasn't the only one...

My fear of @knocky1 overtaking me in the final stretch up Mount Cabirn didn't come true, thankfully and I've just eaten what felt like my body weight in Chinese food too celebrate (the marathon, not fending off theGaffer.

Good work……seen several posts from pals saying it was worse than the Stinger for mud (which is saying something).

 

[knocky1]

You smashed my time by 30" @Greg Bobkin and a bloody good time you got in the quagmire.
Don't know why I did it after only running 180 miles since last summer but I finished! The conditions sapped me. Much easier when frozen Beast from the East year.
Great day and mental challenge. I walked up every hill but by Bo Peep I was shot and had to walk/run on a 50/50 ratio to get to my pint of Harvey's. Couldn't even run downhill too well.
My old school saucony's studs gripped marvellously and I stayed upright but they were harsh on the lanes round Firle.
Great spirit event, well-done to you and I know I will struggle tomorrow.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Bath Half Marathon done today with a time of 1:36:54!

I did NOT expect the climb at the end!!

Next stop Brighton Marathon!!

Reading the chart, everyone seems to be doing pretty speedy half marathons (compared to me). I'm 58, heavier than I should be but not fat any more and have never been a runner - started a couple of years ago. I love it, but am wondering how I get a bit faster. At the moment, I can't see how I'd get from just under 2 hours to say 1:45.

Is there hope for me at this age?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Good work……seen several posts from pals saying it was worse than the Stinger for mud (which is saying something).

Cheers! Never done the Stinger, but Jay said it was as muddy as Darkstar. Not sir about that, though.

 

[knocky1]

Reading the chart, everyone seems to be doing pretty speedy half marathons (compared to me). I'm 58, heavier than I should be but not fat any more and have never been a runner - started a couple of years ago. I love it, but am wondering how I get a bit faster. At the moment, I can't see how I'd get from just under 2 hours to say 1:45.

Is there hope for me at this age?

Only way to find out is to go for it. Bear in mind the NSC table shows lifetime PBs. Some are getting old and still hitting the heights. I haven't had a pb for 20 or 30 years.
Objectives, training plan, speed work, staying injury free and magic shoes if you don't have them.

 

[FloatLeft]

Reading the chart, everyone seems to be doing pretty speedy half marathons (compared to me). I'm 58, heavier than I should be but not fat any more and have never been a runner - started a couple of years ago. I love it, but am wondering how I get a bit faster. At the moment, I can't see how I'd get from just under 2 hours to say 1:45.

Is there hope for me at this age?

I’m not sure I’m in the chart but the 2 things I’ve done this time round are…

I gave up drinking for a year last July (and have lost 11kg so far)

Used a structured training plan app called Runna since January which has really helped my tempo work.

And that’s it.

At the ripe old age of 50 I have smashed my PBs and am running faster than when I was in my 30’s.

So there is hope.

 

[Anchorman]

You smashed my time by 30" @Greg Bobkin and a bloody good time you got in the quagmire.
Don't know why I did it after only running 180 miles since last summer but I finished! The conditions sapped me. Much easier when frozen Beast from the East year.
Great day and mental challenge. I walked up every hill but by Bo Peep I was shot and had to walk/run on a 50/50 ratio to get to my pint of Harvey's. Couldn't even run downhill too well.
My old school saucony's studs gripped marvellously and I stayed upright but they were harsh on the lanes round Firle.
Great spirit event, well-done to you and I know I will struggle tomorrow.

Brilliant stuff from the Gaffer and GB. As soon as I saw the weather this morning I thought and felt for you guys doing the Moyleman. Just puts into perspective that my usual Sunday morning running partner was injured so I took the opportunity to go a bit later just so I could see off the worst of the rain!! I know…..…

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Brilliant stuff from the Gaffer and GB. As soon as I saw the weather this morning I thought and felt for you guys doing the Moyleman. Just puts into perspective that my usual Sunday morning running partner was injured so I took the opportunity to go a bit later just so I could see off the worst of the rain!! I know…..…

Cheers! Having seen the pictures today, I think I blocked out exactly how bad the weather was at times...

 

[knocky1]

Cheers! Having seen the pictures today, I think I blocked out exactly how bad the weather was at times...

My legs hurt in areas they've never hurt before! Hips and outer thighs fighting the suction of the mud.
You got a great time as runners seemed to be 30 mins to an hour off target pace. See you in 2025.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

My legs hurt in areas they've never hurt before! Hips and outer thighs fighting the suction of the mud.
You got a great time as runners seemed to be 30 mins to an hour off target pace. See you in 2025.
View attachment 178982

Yep, I've got a weird pain going up the back of my leg, in between by thigh and calf – I reckon it's where I was twisting trying (and failing) not to fall over! Went out for 2.5 miles this morning, which actually seemed to help.

With a few more longer runs (and more hill walking) I reckon I could've made it a lot easier on myself. I was running with two girls for a while through Southease and then they left me for dead and ended up finishing another 20 mins ahead of me.

Yes, next year...