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Official Running Thread



Greg Bobkin

Silver Seagull
May 22, 2012
16,293
Sorry, last one from me on this one.

I love the Moyleman. It's my favourite race ever. Honestly... :lolol:

1000040698.jpg
 




soistes

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
2,652
Brighton
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?
Definitely- I started running at 60, and got a half marathon PB last year (aged 67) of 1:41. So I reckon with some consistent training you can still do it!
 


St Leonards Seagull

Well-known member
Jul 10, 2012
554
I did North Lincolnshire Half at the weekend and set a new PB of 1:24:18 which I’m pretty happy with. Looking to have another go at a sub 3 marathon in April probably in Boston (uk).
Anyway the most interesting thing I had last week was when I was running home from work last Thursday and I passed someone in a green Brighton top. Obviously living in Hull I don’t see many Brighton shirts, I did get a bit excited and shouted Seagulls quite loudly, he looked somewhat startled / confused and carried on on his way.
 


Bry Nylon

Test your smoke alarm
Helpful Moderator
Jul 21, 2003
20,665
Playing snooker
Back into running just recently so I can join my daughter on some of her slow training / recovery runs..

I go to the gym x5 days a week but on my cardio days I’ve always walked straight past the treadmills and jumped on a rowing machine instead. But in preparation for running with my 14-year old I’ve been mixing it up recently and doing either 5k or 10k on the treadmill every other day and amazed myself by actually really enjoying it. Well, ok, not hating it. (The endorphins afterwards beat anything the rower has to offer).

Still miles off my daughter’s pace - but the idea is to join her on her on some of her long, slow recovery runs, which for me will probs still mean working at 100% :lol:
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,515
Back in Sussex
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 a bit younger than you (52 as I type) and this is my half-marathon PB history...

05/04/15 - 2:07:09
03/05/15 - 2:06:08
07/06/15 - 1:55:33
07/07/15 - 1:53:51
08/12/19 - 1:46:31
12/04/20 - 1:41:37
31/10/20 - 1:40:01
16/11/20 - 1:34:48
20/06/21 - 1:30:30

Some notes:

1. I'd suffered with a knee injury for years and it was only in the last few months of 2019 that I was able to run regularly pain-free.
2. From 31st January 2020 I ran every single day, averaging c9 miles/day, until a heart condition on 3rd September last year. My legs were always tired.
3. I never trained to improve my speed, I never followed a plan and I never did any "sessions" such as intervals etc. I just went out for a run each day.
4. I mixed up hilly trails over the Downs and largely flat roads.
5. I didn't enter any races - all of these runs were just me out for a run, crossing numerous roads including the A27 and A24 and dodging pedestrians etc. (This is me demonstrating some ego by suggesting I could have been quicker under race conditions!)
6. That last run in June 2021 was the last time I tried to run fast over the HM which, given my heart issue, is annoying now as I'm sure I had a sub-1:30 in me.

TL;DR: consistent running will see you get quicker. It just will. I remember when I first started running, I couldn't understand how anyone could run a 25-minute 5km. Just how do people move their legs that quickly! That's 8:00 min/mile pace, give or take. My HM PB was under 7:00 min/mile and the last time I tried to run a fast 10km, I ran it in 39:05 which included a 5km of 19:01.

Run up hills though - I really think it helped my speed and endurance on the road.
 




Couldn't Be Hyypia

We've come a long long way together
NSC Patron
Nov 12, 2006
16,787
Near Dorchester, Dorset
I'm a bit younger than you (52 as I type) and this is my half-marathon PB history...

05/04/15 - 2:07:09
03/05/15 - 2:06:08
07/06/15 - 1:55:33
07/07/15 - 1:53:51
08/12/19 - 1:46:31
12/04/20 - 1:41:37
31/10/20 - 1:40:01
16/11/20 - 1:34:48
20/06/21 - 1:30:30

Some notes:

1. I'd suffered with a knee injury for years and it was only in the last few months of 2019 that I was able to run regularly pain-free.
2. From 31st January 2020 I ran every single day, averaging c9 miles/day, until a heart condition on 3rd September last year. My legs were always tired.
3. I never trained to improve my speed, I never followed a plan and I never did any "sessions" such as intervals etc. I just went out for a run each day.
4. I mixed up hilly trails over the Downs and largely flat roads.
5. I didn't enter any races - all of these runs were just me out for a run, crossing numerous roads including the A27 and A24 and dodging pedestrians etc. (This is me demonstrating some ego by suggesting I could have been quicker under race conditions!)
6. That last run in June 2021 was the last time I tried to run fast over the HM which, given my heart issue, is annoying now as I'm sure I had a sub-1:30 in me.

TL;DR: consistent running will see you get quicker. It just will. I remember when I first started running, I couldn't understand how anyone could run a 25-minute 5km. Just how do people move their legs that quickly! That's 8:00 min/mile pace, give or take. My HM PB was under 7:00 min/mile and the last time I tried to run a fast 10km, I ran it in 39:05 which included a 5km of 19:01.

Run up hills though - I really think it helped my speed and endurance on the road.
Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.

I do a "long" run each weekend (c. 10 miles) and a "fast" 5k midweek (currently 26 minutes or so). Sounds like I need to run more often and add hills. There's plenty of those in Dorset.

I'm totally with you on the "how do they move their legs that quickly?". But then when I started I thought " how the f do people run 13 miles??".

As ever, thanks for the encouragement NSC.
 


Greg Bobkin

Silver Seagull
May 22, 2012
16,293
Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.

I do a "long" run each weekend (c. 10 miles) and a "fast" 5k midweek (currently 26 minutes or so). Sounds like I need to run more often and add hills. There's plenty of those in Dorset.

I'm totally with you on the "how do they move their legs that quickly?". But then when I started I thought " how the f do people run 13 miles??".

As ever, thanks for the encouragement NSC.
I remember walking back along Church Road on marathon day (I'd just done the 10k) one year as the leaders came through. I was stunned at their pace and how they can manage it. But then I know people who have run over the Seven Sisters at the Beachy Head marathon and I swear that's impossible!

It is all relative, though and you never know how far you can push your body. I was chatting with a friend before the Brighton Half and her training was going well, but she didn't think she could do it. In the end, she smashed it and even started thinking about doing the full marathon.

Hills are the way forward to see progress with your running. Long runs and speedwork are the other elements that will really make a difference.
 






Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,515
Back in Sussex
Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.

I do a "long" run each weekend (c. 10 miles) and a "fast" 5k midweek (currently 26 minutes or so). Sounds like I need to run more often and add hills. There's plenty of those in Dorset.

I'm totally with you on the "how do they move their legs that quickly?". But then when I started I thought " how the f do people run 13 miles??".

As ever, thanks for the encouragement NSC.
The thing about trail running, is that all time pressures disappear.

People say stuff like "I ran without my watch" or "I ran to feel" but it's bizarrely difficult to do.

When you're running up hills, slogging through mud, having to get through gates or over stiles and navigating around a field of killing cows, pace means nothing at all, so you chill out a bit and just enjoy the running. And when you're next on flat roads, it all feels easier than your time off-road.

I see a cardiologist a week tomorrow so I hope I'll find out my route back to running again.
 




StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
I got back to running (let’s be honest and call it fast walking and a little jogging in between) after putting on around 35lbs of fat over the past 5 years.

Honestly embarrassed and ashamed, after having spent much of the past 15 years running regular 5k and 10k races and events, remaining very fit and confident etc.

I got very lazy and overindulged over the past 5 years, but I kind of mentally ‘snapped’ over the weekend, kind of in a good way - where a tiny part of my brain really told me to ‘get the f*** moving, now’.

So I’m now 4 days in, cleaning the diet well up, and moving 2-3 miles each day to build some muscle back up in the legs, oil up the knees and hips, blow out the cobwebs in the lungs. Most importantly, work my way down to my healthy running weight, and just keep moving.

This maybe should have been posted in the weight loss thread, but this running thread has always been motivating to me - well done everyone who’s still at it, I’ve run done park runs with some of you years back, and you’re inspiring me to get moving again.
 




HH Brighton

Well-known member
Jul 25, 2003
1,578
I only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?

And apols if there are too many questions.
You will open up a whole new world of trainer rotation. I have 10 pairs on the go at the moment. Different trail shoes for mud, hard trails and rocky runs. You will need to see what sort of trail shoes will suit your terrain but something like a pair of Hoka Speadghoats or Saucony Peregrines should do the trick
 


Greg Bobkin

Silver Seagull
May 22, 2012
16,293
I only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?

And apols if there are too many questions.
In contrast to @HH Brighton, I have two pairs of running shoes - one for the road and one for the trails. There was a nutter on Sunday running in flip-flops - I wouldn't advise it - but this time of year, that extra grip makes all the difference. However, head onto the SDW in the summer and you can probably get away with normal road shoes.

I would've thought trails would be better for you if you've got dodgy knees - there's certainly less impact on the legs, compared with running on Tarmac. But go for it - trail running is brilliant. As @Bozza says, times and expectations go out of the window, it's just an excuse to take things a bit easier (walk up the hills, but never waste a downhill) and eat as you go :lolol:
 


Greg Bobkin

Silver Seagull
May 22, 2012
16,293
I got back to running (let’s be honest and call it fast walking and a little jogging in between) after putting on around 35lbs of fat over the past 5 years.

Honestly embarrassed and ashamed, after having spent much of the past 15 years running regular 5k and 10k races and events, remaining very fit and confident etc.

I got very lazy and overindulged over the past 5 years, but I kind of mentally ‘snapped’ over the weekend, kind of in a good way - where a tiny part of my brain really told me to ‘get the f*** moving, now’.

So I’m now 4 days in, cleaning the diet well up, and moving 2-3 miles each day to build some muscle back up in the legs, oil up the knees and hips, blow out the cobwebs in the lungs. Most importantly, work my way down to my healthy running weight, and just keep moving.

This maybe should have been posted in the weight loss thread, but this running thread has always been motivating to me - well done everyone who’s still at it, I’ve run done park runs with some of you years back, and you’re inspiring me to get moving again.
It's easily done. If I didn't run, I'd pile it on because I love food. But don't feel ashamed or embarrassed, because you're getting out there and exercising, Which is more than a lot of people...
 




Badger

NOT the Honey Badger
NSC Patron
May 8, 2007
13,196
Toronto
You will open up a whole new world of trainer rotation. I have 10 pairs on the go at the moment. Different trail shoes for mud, hard trails and rocky runs. You will need to see what sort of trail shoes will suit your terrain but something like a pair of Hoka Speadghoats or Saucony Peregrines should do the trick
I just broke in a new pair of shoes. It's peak marathon training week and I wanted to give my new race shoes a try (Saucony Endorphin Pro 3). I have a full shoe rack next to my front door which holds 12 pairs of shoes, only 3 of them are not for running. 8 pairs of road shoes in various states of wear, a mix of faster "race" shoes and everyday runners, plus a pair of winter trail shoes for the really snowy/icy days here.

I think I have about 6 other pairs of running shoes scattered around the house. I should probably donate some to charity, I don't need this many!
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,515
Back in Sussex
I only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?

And apols if there are too many questions.

As @Greg Bobkin says above, once you get into late Spring and Summer, when the trails are largely dried out, road shoes will do just fine. I use older road shoes on summer trails. Grass and dried mud is a lot more forgiving than concrete.

Other than that, it depends on what your trails are like and whether you run door-to-door and probably need to traverse some road before you reach the trails. There are quite a few road-to-trail shoes for this - the lug depth and grip isn't too deep/aggressive meaning they'll cope fine on the paved stuff before you reach the trails.

I'm very much a Nike fanboi, and the Pegasus Trail models will serve this purpose fine. There is a Gore-tex variant if you want some waterproofing.
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,515
Back in Sussex
I got back to running (let’s be honest and call it fast walking and a little jogging in between) after putting on around 35lbs of fat over the past 5 years.

Honestly embarrassed and ashamed, after having spent much of the past 15 years running regular 5k and 10k races and events, remaining very fit and confident etc.

I got very lazy and overindulged over the past 5 years, but I kind of mentally ‘snapped’ over the weekend, kind of in a good way - where a tiny part of my brain really told me to ‘get the f*** moving, now’.

So I’m now 4 days in, cleaning the diet well up, and moving 2-3 miles each day to build some muscle back up in the legs, oil up the knees and hips, blow out the cobwebs in the lungs. Most importantly, work my way down to my healthy running weight, and just keep moving.

This maybe should have been posted in the weight loss thread, but this running thread has always been motivating to me - well done everyone who’s still at it, I’ve run done park runs with some of you years back, and you’re inspiring me to get moving again.
It's easily done.

When I was told to stop running I was determined to not put any weight on. Being told to stop drinking too helped, I guess, but I was running to much that I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and my weight just stayed the same.

I actually started losing weight when I stopped running as I was being so careful, but Christmas came round and I reverted to my piggish ways, including a bit of drinking. and my weight started creeping up, and has continued to do so. I need to get a grip again!
 








dazzer6666

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Mar 27, 2013
56,055
Burgess Hill
Five finishers including the first ever women - Jasmin Paris - who finished the fifth loop with just one minute and 39 seconds to spare!




Absolutely astonishing from her (not for the first time). Laz will be very disappointed with so many finishers though - RUINING his reputation - next year’s entrants are ****ed :laugh: Shame for Damian Hall (another Brit) who got lost on the 5th loop and had to return to base.

Anyone wondering what this race is like, there’s a brilliant documentary that explains it all

 


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