Official Running Thread

[Indurain's Lungs]

My Garmin Forerunner has never deviated from any timing chipped event for around 5 years And has been 100% on distance.

I may use a phone app if it could knock time off..........

Got my eye on a garmin 220 now!

I've got the Garmin 620 and HRM. It is great fun, but if truth be told doesn't offer a huge amount more than the iPhone and an app or two. What does worry me is that the two devices record significantly differing distances over the same course.

 

[Richy_Seagull]

Hi all, how is the training going for those marathon-ing it this year?

Did a 20 miler on Monday, before 17 this weekend and 12 next weekend. How many long runs have you all been doing? As long as these last 2 go according to plan I would have done
2 x 20, 2 x 18,17, 16, 15 and a half.

I absolutely blew up last year and hobbled round in about 4:25 which was horrible, determined not to let it happen again. PB is 3:58 so really looking to better that this year, just trying to decide what pace to set out with. Did my half in 1:42 and my long runs have been between an average between 8:40 and 9:10 miles. Thinking around 8:50 for the first half and see how I feel from there?

 

[knocky1]

Hi all, how is the training going for those marathon-ing it this year?

Did a 20 miler on Monday, before 17 this weekend and 12 next weekend. How many long runs have you all been doing? As long as these last 2 go according to plan I would have done
2 x 20, 2 x 18,17, 16, 15 and a half.

I absolutely blew up last year and hobbled round in about 4:25 which was horrible, determined not to let it happen again. PB is 3:58 so really looking to better that this year, just trying to decide what pace to set out with. Did my half in 1:42 and my long runs have been between an average between 8:40 and 9:10 miles. Thinking around 8:50 for the first half and see how I feel from there?

You're where I wish I was. I am following a programme that minimises the longest long runs and has a weekly mileage of 45-50 miles. So I would have done for the last 8 weeks of the programme long runs of 15,11, 0, 17,12,16,12 and a final 8. Flu and injury after Hastings Half have stopped my 2 x19 milers.
So like you very uncertain of pace. Want to beat last years 3"50 so will set out at 8:35 pace and see what happens. I did it last year by a few seconds but a negative split for the second half is very rare so you need to aim for your target pace early on. 8:30 pace or less should be very achievable after your training but I am not sure about myself but will give it a go.

 

[Richy_Seagull]

You're where I wish I was. I am following a programme that minimises the longest long runs and has a weekly mileage of 45-50 miles. So I would have done for the last 8 weeks of the programme long runs of 15,11, 0, 17,12,16,12 and a final 8. Flu and injury after Hastings Half have stopped my 2 x19 milers.
So like you very uncertain of pace. Want to beat last years 3"50 so will set out at 8:35 pace and see what happens. I did it last year by a few seconds but a negative split for the second half is very rare so you need to aim for your target pace early on. 8:30 pace or less should be very achievable after your training but I am not sure about myself but will give it a go.

Your mileage overall is far higher than mine! Checking my Garmin says I've done 60m in Jan, 90 in Feb, and currently 104 in March with 25 still planned to come.

Bad luck with the injuries, and fair play for still intending to set out with such a pace. The thing that is holding me back from starting with 8:35 is the state I have been in at the end of my two 20 milers. The first I did at 8:40 pace and was absolutely out of juice at the end, there is no way I could have kept that pace for another 6. I know there is the factor of extra refreshments/less hills/crowd support but still think would be struggling big time.....

Like you say though a negative split is unlikely so maybe I should be pushing faster for first half.

 

[knocky1]

Your mileage overall is far higher than mine! Checking my Garmin says I've done 60m in Jan, 90 in Feb, and currently 104 in March with 25 still planned to come.

Bad luck with the injuries, and fair play for still intending to set out with such a pace. The thing that is holding me back from starting with 8:35 is the state I have been in at the end of my two 20 milers. The first I did at 8:40 pace and was absolutely out of juice at the end, there is no way I could have kept that pace for another 6. I know there is the factor of extra refreshments/less hills/crowd support but still think would be struggling big time.....

Like you say though a negative split is unlikely so maybe I should be pushing faster for first half.

I like the mileage count you've given me a boost. I was in India for January and got 2 weeks of food poisoning and only managed 70, Feb was 174 and March should finish around 170. My secret weapon is the 30 days trekking up to and out of Everest Base Camp in December. 8 hours walking every day climbing and descending and very little level ground. Shame I got the squitters in India!
Your half marathon shows you can go sub 3:45 and you have to decide what you want to go for. I want sub 3:40 but have bottled it and will go for sub 3:45. I would rather fail by 15 minutes than run round comfortably. It's why I am becoming addicted to marathons because I cannot tell the outcome.

 

[dazzer6666]

Most coaches will tell you that time on feet is more important than miles if training for longer stuff......10 min miles over the Downs for 3 hours (18 miles) being loads better than 20 in say 2.45 on the road.

Despite trying I have never managed a negative split in a marathon - always either fade during races, or balls it right up and start too quick.

 

[Bozza]

It's funny this running thing. I'd had what felt like a long 4 days this week so had a few ciders and a large glass of red last night. This morning I felt quite jaded and had put off going out for the run I had planned for today.

I then checked my work calendar to see two conference calls I didn't know about so had to go out there and then or I'd miss going out today. This was the result...



Achievements:

First run with a sub 9min/mile pace.
Best 5km since I started (26:58 - 39s faster than my previous fastest recorded last Sunday)
Over 3 minutes faster than the same route I ran this time last week.

I'd have smashed my 10km time from last Sunday if I'd had enough time to run an extra mile.

 

[dazzer6666]

It's funny this running thing. I'd had what felt like a long 4 days this week so had a few ciders and a large glass of red last night. This morning I felt quite jaded and had put off going out for the run I had planned for today.

I then checked my work calendar to see two conference calls I didn't know about so had to go out there and then or I'd miss going out today. This was the result...

View attachment 64211

Achievements:

First run with a sub 9min/mile pace.
Best 5km since I started (26:58 - 39s faster than my previous fastest recorded last Sunday)
Over 3 minutes faster than the same route I ran this time last week.

I'd have smashed my 10km time from last Sunday if I'd had enough time to run an extra mile.

Thats's ace, looks like a real breakthrough !

For what it's worth, when I did my first marathon I had three months 'dry'. On the day I did crap. Never done it since. I like a large glass of red or two and think nothing of one or two the night before a long training run or marathon these days. In moderation I genuinely think it makes no real difference at our level. Paula R once said she sometimes has a glass the night before a marathon.

 

[Guinness Boy]

First go on the Garmin. Training plan was 20 min easy / 20 steady with no recovery. It took the watch 5 minutes to find my GPS to start with, which I guess was it initializing all the GPS functions. Luckily had runkeeper on my phone on as well. However once the watch found me it was much easier than the phone and I was able to maintain a 10.15 for the remaining 15 of the "easy" and did the last 20 at 9.20. Checking pace on my wrist as opposed to the phone is FAR easier.

 

[Bozza]

For what it's worth, when I did my first marathon I had three months 'dry'. On the day I did crap. Never done it since. I like a large glass of red or two and think nothing of one or two the night before a long training run or marathon these days. In moderation I genuinely think it makes no real difference at our level. Paula R once said she sometimes has a glass the night before a marathon.

I'm certainly not going dry as such, but as part of a general weight loss thing (1.5 stone down, 2 to go) I've tried to cut out casual at home drinking. I still drink when at the football or otherwise out etc.

That said I've had a fair few evenings where I had a glass of red but last night was the first night in 2015 when I got stuck into the cider for no reason other than I really fancied it and although I only had a few, I felt the after effects this morning.

 

[Bozza]

Checking pace on my wrist as opposed to the phone is FAR easier.

I'm trying to find an excuse to get a new gadget but this still isn't one for me.

I never visually check my pace on my phone - I just use the half-mile verbal pace announcements that cut over my music.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

First go on the Garmin. Training plan was 20 min easy / 20 steady with no recovery. It took the watch 5 minutes to find my GPS to start with, which I guess was it initializing all the GPS functions. Luckily had runkeeper on my phone on as well. However once the watch found me it was much easier than the phone and I was able to maintain a 10.15 for the remaining 15 of the "easy" and did the last 20 at 9.20. Checking pace on my wrist as opposed to the phone is FAR easier.

Garmins are ace.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I'm trying to find an excuse to get a new gadget but this still isn't one for me.

I never visually check my pace on my phone - I just use the half-mile verbal pace announcements that cut over my music.

Each to their own. I don't bother with music. Running is normally the only time I am completely on my own. I like hearing the sounds of people out and about and clearing my thoughts. What that means is if I don't check that my phone's volume is correct when I leave I don't hear the pace announcements. I have also noticed that Runkeeper's GPS is a little inconsistent over my 5k course.

 

[dazzer6666]

Each to their own. I don't bother with music. Running is normally the only time I am completely on my own. I like hearing the sounds of people out and about and clearing my thoughts. What that means is if I don't check that my phone's volume is correct when I leave I don't hear the pace announcements. I have also noticed that Runkeeper's GPS is a little inconsistent over my 5k course.

100% with you on this. Hardly ever take my phone with me (much to my wife's annoyance if I am up on the Downs for 3-4 hours on my own).

 

[Bozza]

100% with you on this. Hardly ever take my phone with me (much to my wife's annoyance if I am up on the Downs for 3-4 hours on my own).

I don't use my phone as a phone when I'm out - it's my music player and run recorder. It's rung once or twice whilst I've been out and I've not answered it.

 

[dazzer6666]

I don't use my phone as a phone when I'm out - it's my music player and run recorder. It's rung once or twice whilst I've been out and I've not answered it.

Would be better to have it in case of emergencies, I just prefer to be 'properly free'.......if it's a nice day I do take it along to take pics sometimes though

 

[soistes]

Each to their own. I don't bother with music. Running is normally the only time I am completely on my own. I like hearing the sounds of people out and about and clearing my thoughts. What that means is if I don't check that my phone's volume is correct when I leave I don't hear the pace announcements. I have also noticed that Runkeeper's GPS is a little inconsistent over my 5k course.

Definitely this. I only listen to music if I'm running on the gym treadmill (which otherwise is total tedium). Proper running outside is so much better with no sound, other than what's there in the environment I find (I also think it's a bit safer when you have to cross roads etc). The Garmin watch which I got for Christmas has completely transformed my training, and helped me work on getting even or negative splits, whereas I always used to start off much too fast, and not really have a clear idea of pace, until I ran out of steam and had to slow down.

 

[Bozza]

Definitely this. I only listen to music if I'm running on the gym treadmill (which otherwise is total tedium). Proper running outside is so much better with no sound, other than what's there in the environment I find (I also think it's a bit safer when you have to cross roads etc). The Garmin watch which I got for Christmas has completely transformed my training, and helped me work on getting even or negative splits, whereas I always used to start off much too fast, and not really have a clear idea of pace, until I ran out of steam and had to slow down.

Amusingly the only time I've crossed a road and did so right in front of a car without looking was the one time I didn't have any music. I was trying out some wireless bluetooth earphones and they ran out of battery mid-run. I was so astounded at how much noise I was making - my plodding feet and heavy breathing - that I crossed a road without looking. Fortunately the car driver had predicted this and had stopped!

I think I got the hang of pace management today for the first time. My fastest mile was 8:31 and my slowest was 9:33. However, the Strava GAP times, taking account of the gradient (I start downhill and end uphill), had my miles as: 9:06, 8:58, 8:47, 8:50 and 9:04 in that order.

 

[Guinness Boy]

100% with you on this. Hardly ever take my phone with me (much to my wife's annoyance if I am up on the Downs for 3-4 hours on my own).

I do the same when I go to the pub

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

First go on the Garmin. Training plan was 20 min easy / 20 steady with no recovery. It took the watch 5 minutes to find my GPS to start with, which I guess was it initializing all the GPS functions. Luckily had runkeeper on my phone on as well. However once the watch found me it was much easier than the phone and I was able to maintain a 10.15 for the remaining 15 of the "easy" and did the last 20 at 9.20. Checking pace on my wrist as opposed to the phone is FAR easier.

I definitely want one. Runkeeper today said I did my first 2 kilometers in 2.20 and 2.15!!!