Official Running Thread

[downham seagull]

I am looking for a device that can tell me how fast I am running each mile, whilst recording my time. Any good recommendations?

If you have deep pockets the Garmin 610 is fantastic, touch screen, simple and u can download all your runs giving u loads of stats.

 

[beardy gull]

1:44:25 @ hastings. Brrrrrrrr!

 

[7:18]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1 North Preston Park 0h 08
2 Preston Circus 0h 16
3 Brighton Pavillion 0h 24
4 The Level 0h 32
5 Kemp Town 0h 40
6 Brighton Marina #1 0h 48
7 Roedean School 0h 56
8 Into Ovingdean 1h 04
9 Out Of Ovingdean 1 h 12
10 Brighton City View 1 h 20
11 Brighton Marina #2 1 h 28
12 Duke's Mound 1h 36
13 Hilton Metropole 1h 44
14 Grand Avenue #1 1h 52
15 New Church Road #1 2h 00
16 Boundary Road 2h 08
17 New Church Road #2 2h 16
18 Grand Avenue #2 2h 25
19 Hove Lagoons 2h 35
20 Millionaire's Row 2h 45
21 Enter Powerstation 2h 55
22 Exit Powerstation 3h 05
23 Beach Huts 3h 15
24 King Alfred 3h 25
25 Peace Statue 3h 35
26 Brighton Pier 3h 45

 

[Steve Foster]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1 North Preston Park 0h 08
2 Preston Circus 0h 16
3 Brighton Pavillion 0h 24
4 The Level 0h 32
5 Kemp Town 0h 40
6 Brighton Marina #1 0h 48
7 Roedean School 0h 56
8 Into Ovingdean 1h 04
9 Out Of Ovingdean 1 h 12
10 Brighton City View 1 h 20
11 Brighton Marina #2 1 h 28
12 Duke's Mound 1h 36
13 Hilton Metropole 1h 44
14 Grand Avenue #1 1h 52
15 New Church Road #1 2h 00
16 Boundary Road 2h 08
17 New Church Road #2 2h 16
18 Grand Avenue #2 2h 25
19 Hove Lagoons 2h 35
20 Millionaire's Row 2h 45
21 Enter Powerstation 2h 55
22 Exit Powerstation 3h 05
23 Beach Huts 3h 15
24 King Alfred 3h 25
25 Peace Statue 3h 35
26 Brighton Pier 3h 45

If you are on Facebook PM me your name & I will invite you to a group of select runners. Brighton Marathon - The Ever Prescence, for those of us who have run all the Brighton Marathons.

I did Cranleigh 21 today. Was pleased with a 2:54. Only three weeks to go!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Edna, I'm no medical expert but you might want to think about postponing blood donation until after the Marathon. Check out some runners forums on the subject.

Hmmm. Well I did around 19 miles on Friday (iPhone packed up half way round in the cold & wet so not sure of exact distance). It felt rubbish, I was light headed & struggling for the last couple of miles. I prepared normally, so I think the blood thing really did make a difference. Oops

Read up on the subject since & it suggests your body replaces the fluid lost within 36 hours of blood donation, but takes several weeks for the red blood cell level to return to normal....fail
on my part then, but on we go...I've just done the reverse of what Tour De France cheats used to do.

 

[CliveWalkerWingWizard]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1 North Preston Park 0h 08
2 Preston Circus 0h 16
3 Brighton Pavillion 0h 24
4 The Level 0h 32
5 Kemp Town 0h 40
6 Brighton Marina #1 0h 48
7 Roedean School 0h 56
8 Into Ovingdean 1h 04
9 Out Of Ovingdean 1 h 12
10 Brighton City View 1 h 20
11 Brighton Marina #2 1 h 28
12 Duke's Mound 1h 36
13 Hilton Metropole 1h 44
14 Grand Avenue #1 1h 52
15 New Church Road #1 2h 00
16 Boundary Road 2h 08
17 New Church Road #2 2h 16
18 Grand Avenue #2 2h 25
19 Hove Lagoons 2h 35
20 Millionaire's Row 2h 45
21 Enter Powerstation 2h 55
22 Exit Powerstation 3h 05
23 Beach Huts 3h 15
24 King Alfred 3h 25
25 Peace Statue 3h 35
26 Brighton Pier 3h 45

My PB is similar (4hr 10) and want to break 4Hrs - all the advise that I have read suggest you go for a more even pace.
I have done 3 marathons and started fast and got slower to a walk each time. I am aiming to do the half in 1:55/7 get to 20 in just under three hours and plod the last 6.2 in an hour. I can definately not run consistant 8 min miles so you may get a better time if you aim for 8:45's all the way round.

 

[CliveWalkerWingWizard]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1 North Preston Park 0h 08
2 Preston Circus 0h 16
3 Brighton Pavillion 0h 24
4 The Level 0h 32
5 Kemp Town 0h 40
6 Brighton Marina #1 0h 48
7 Roedean School 0h 56
8 Into Ovingdean 1h 04
9 Out Of Ovingdean 1 h 12
10 Brighton City View 1 h 20
11 Brighton Marina #2 1 h 28
12 Duke's Mound 1h 36
13 Hilton Metropole 1h 44
14 Grand Avenue #1 1h 52
15 New Church Road #1 2h 00
16 Boundary Road 2h 08
17 New Church Road #2 2h 16
18 Grand Avenue #2 2h 25
19 Hove Lagoons 2h 35
20 Millionaire's Row 2h 45
21 Enter Powerstation 2h 55
22 Exit Powerstation 3h 05
23 Beach Huts 3h 15
24 King Alfred 3h 25
25 Peace Statue 3h 35
26 Brighton Pier 3h 45

Also 5-9 take a little slower as up hill and 9-14 a little faster as down hill

 

[7:18]

My PB is similar (4hr 10) and want to break 4Hrs - all the advise that I have read suggest you go for a more even pace.
I have done 3 marathons and started fast and got slower to a walk each time. I am aiming to do the half in 1:55/7 get to 20 in just under three hours and plod the last 6.2 in an hour. I can definately not run consistant 8 min miles so you may get a better time if you aim for 8:45's all the way round.

Looks like we will be running near each other most of the Marathon then...I have been doing 8 minutes consistantly in my training so going to stick with that for the first 17. If I achieve my planned splits, will be doing the first 20 in under three hours too...and then trying to get down to the power station and back to the finish line in an hour, although I'm sure there will be some walking mixed in there. Last year my first walk break was at 17 and I find that as soon as I walk once, thats me done really...can't get back going properly again, so it becomes very off and on. This year want to get to 20 before any thoughts of a walk, and as you say "plod" around to the end.

 

[beardy gull]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1 North Preston Park 0h 08
2 Preston Circus 0h 16
3 Brighton Pavillion 0h 24
4 The Level 0h 32
5 Kemp Town 0h 40
6 Brighton Marina #1 0h 48
7 Roedean School 0h 56
8 Into Ovingdean 1h 04
9 Out Of Ovingdean 1 h 12
10 Brighton City View 1 h 20
11 Brighton Marina #2 1 h 28
12 Duke's Mound 1h 36
13 Hilton Metropole 1h 44
14 Grand Avenue #1 1h 52
15 New Church Road #1 2h 00
16 Boundary Road 2h 08
17 New Church Road #2 2h 16
18 Grand Avenue #2 2h 25
19 Hove Lagoons 2h 35
20 Millionaire's Row 2h 45
21 Enter Powerstation 2h 55
22 Exit Powerstation 3h 05
23 Beach Huts 3h 15
24 King Alfred 3h 25
25 Peace Statue 3h 35
26 Brighton Pier 3h 45

I'm also aiming to beat 4 hours on my 4th attempt. PB last year of 4 hours 10 seconds. I think I'd echo CliveWalkerWingWizard's advice and suggest a more even pace. 9 minute miles all the way gets you under with a small leeway for the inevitable slow down. Having said that you know how your training has gone/is going!

 

[knocky1]

I'm also aiming to beat 4 hours on my 4th attempt. PB last year of 4 hours 10 seconds. I think I'd echo CliveWalkerWingWizard's advice and suggest a more even pace. 9 minute miles all the way gets you under with a small leeway for the inevitable slow down. Having said that you know how your training has gone/is going!

I am with that. 8" pace to beat 4 hours is too fast. ideally we should be aiming for negative splits. 9" first half should give you strength at the end.
Tiredly happy tonightI have just had 4 weeks out with anterior tibialis tendonitis. Did a do or die first run back today as last chance for long run. Managed to do an injury free 18 miles in 3 hours but can hardly walk up stairs due to lack of training. It's good to be back!

 

[7:18]

I am with that. 8" pace to beat 4 hours is too fast. ideally we should be aiming for negative splits. 9" first half should give you strength at the end.
Tiredly happy tonightI have just had 4 weeks out with anterior tibialis tendonitis. Did a do or die first run back today as last chance for long run. Managed to do an injury free 18 miles in 3 hours but can hardly walk up stairs due to lack of training. It's good to be back!

I take your advice, I'm just worried that after training on the 8 minute miles since January that changing now would be a mistake...I think I'd find 9 too slow. I'm basically hoping to do the first 17 at 8 minutes, and then do the rest in around 9 with a minute on each mile as "spare". Really excited/nervous as it gets harder every year (to improve on the previous year's time). A bit scared of not beating last years 4.08.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I take your advice, I'm just worried that after training on the 8 minute miles since January that changing now would be a mistake...I think I'd find 9 too slow. I'm basically hoping to do the first 17 at 8 minutes, and then do the rest in around 9 with a minute on each mile as "spare". Really excited/nervous as it gets harder every year (to improve on the previous year's time). A bit scared of not beating last years 4.08.

As an aside three tips I have when trying to get a PB are 1) tuck in behind someone if running into wind 2) stick to the centre of the road 3) use down hill sections to your advantage and speed up a little. Not rocket science but it could easily gain you 3-4 seconds a mile doing this which over 26 miles can add up. It all helps.

 

[7:18]

As an aside three tips I have when trying to get a PB are 1) tuck in behind someone if running into wind 2) stick to the centre of the road 3) use down hill sections to your advantage and speed up a little. Not rocket science but it could easily gain you 3-4 seconds a mile doing this which over 26 miles can add up. It all helps.

Thanks for the tips, always do try and tuck in behind someone else and speed up on the downhills...but have never run in the centre of the road...have always tried to take the inside edge of the upcoming turn, trying to take the inside corners. I also like being close to the crowds...love hi-fiving the kids, gives you a boost to hear them happy and having a good time. Whats the main reason you stick to the middle?

 

[woodster]

Depending on who you listen to........often the training long runs should be slower than your intended goal time but it also assumes you are doing some distance of variation at marathon pace or faster to enable the legs/brain to understand what it feels like.

A lot will depend on weekly mileage....... But I would say you would be better going out at around 9 min/mile and be comfortable with knowing that to mile 17 you have run quicker. If you have built in the endurance in your legs, you should be able to maintain the last 9-10 miles slightly quicker or at the very least the same and beat your goal of 4 hours.

I've come to the conclusion marathon training is all about preparing for the last 10 k ....... Some say the second half!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Thanks for the tips, always do try and tuck in behind someone else and speed up on the downhills...but have never run in the centre of the road...have always tried to take the inside edge of the upcoming turn, trying to take the inside corners. I also like being close to the crowds...love hi-fiving the kids, gives you a boost to hear them happy and having a good time. Whats the main reason you stick to the middle?

I understand the shortest distance tends to be down the middle of the road*, you don't have to turn as much when you hit corners and roads are cambered so the middle is flatter and easier on the legs. My view is this adds up to make for a marginally faster run.
* - this was certainly the case in Berlin and London where the shortest distance was marked on the road for the elite runners and it was more often than not down the middle.

 

[knocky1]

I take your advice, I'm just worried that after training on the 8 minute miles since January that changing now would be a mistake...I think I'd find 9 too slow. I'm basically hoping to do the first 17 at 8 minutes, and then do the rest in around 9 with a minute on each mile as "spare". Really excited/nervous as it gets harder every year (to improve on the previous year's time). A bit scared of not beating last years 4.08.

OK. Change your mindset. Run as you feel on the day but always think of running those last 6 miles. Mentally think of driving home from the power station over the next 3 weeks. That should leave something in reserve on the day. Walkings for wimps and I will probably be a wimp this year. Was aiming 3' 45" but be happy with 4' 10" now after month drinking and limping.

Also I would not do any run over 5 miles at 8" pace for next 3 weeks and only 1 or 2 at that pace. Dropping to 9" and 10" would be really beneficial. Herr Tubs advice on tucking in would be invaluable on a windy day. Can't beat lying on a sofa giving marathon training advice to someone who has done loads when I have never done one! Have 8 years of Olympic triathlons and half marathons under my belt though. See you running past me at Hove Lagoon.....

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I understand the shortest distance tends to be down the middle of the road*, you don't have to turn as much when you hit corners and roads are cambered so the middle is flatter and easier on the legs. My view is this adds up to make for a marginally faster run.
* - this was certainly the case in Berlin and London where the shortest distance was marked on the road for the elite runners and it was more often than not down the middle.

I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this though. I read this somewhere a few years back when I was preparing for a PB in London. It worked for me and I have used this theory ever since.

 

[woodster]

There are less bottles and rubbish in the middle of the road, plus there are nice white lines to focus on......just in case you get bored!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Hi guys, not really posted much on here...have done all the Brighton Marathons so far but don't really know too much of the technical stuff...just always try to get round as best I can. Last year I did my PB of 4 hours 8 minutes. This year, for the first time, I'm training using a watch to track my mile times. So far have been doing 17 mile runs in 2 hours 15 and feeling good up to that point, but haven't done anything longer. I'm hoping to run the first 17 miles in 8 minutes each, and then allowing 10 minutes for every mile after. My aim is to beat 4 hours. Any advice?

1North Preston Park0h 08
2Preston Circus0h 16
3Brighton Pavillion0h 24
4The Level 0h 32
5Kemp Town0h 40
6Brighton Marina #10h 48
7Roedean School0h 56
8Into Ovingdean1h 04
9Out Of Ovingdean1 h 12
10Brighton City View1 h 20
11Brighton Marina #21 h 28
12Duke's Mound1h 36
13Hilton Metropole1h 44
14Grand Avenue #11h 52
15New Church Road #1 2h 00
16Boundary Road2h 08
17New Church Road #2 2h 16
18Grand Avenue #22h 25
19Hove Lagoons2h 35
20Millionaire's Row2h 45
21Enter Powerstation2h 55
22Exit Powerstation3h 05
23Beach Huts3h 15
24King Alfred3h 25
25Peace Statue3h 35
26Brighton Pier3h 45

Another one here going for a similar time. First proper race for ages today, 16 miles in 2.06. Don't think I could sustain that pace, but I did 23-odd miles in 3.5 hours the other week.

One thing I found today was that I went off too fast (1hr dead for first eight miles).

 

[7:18]

thanks to everyone for the advice...will think very carefully about running down the middle of the roads. Still really debating the 8/9 minute splits...know I can do the 8's up to at least 17, and with the adrenaline of the day, and all the extra fuel available...think I could carry it through. Would be hesitant to sacrifice time at the beginning...although it sounds good to have more energy for the end. Can see myself taking a few walking breaks on the way out to the power station, but always imagine myself running from there back to the finish.

This year, I've even included running out to the power station and back in my training...since its the toughest part of the course for me, thought this would help me mentally knowing I've run it regularly in training. Thanks again to everyone for their tips and suggestions.