Official Running Thread

[Anchorman]

After an injury hit 2022, have been gradually building back this year and finally got back above the 70% age grade at Preston Park a few weeks back - 23.04 for 71.39% for inclusion on the table please, best get it on there before the January reset!!

 

[Butch Willykins]

Southend Pier Marathon today. That’s right, 26.2 miles on the worlds longest pleasure pier. Up and down 22 times.

Was a mental slog more than anything, pretty stiff breeze was also challenge. Clear blue skies and sunshine tho, would have been grim and if raining.

Another unique and well put on race from the guys at Sussex Trail Events. I’ve crossed it off the list, not sure I’ll be rushing back to do it next year!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Not sure I could get anywhere near 26.2 miles, but I did make a pilgrimage to Hove Park this morning as part of a 10-miler, to add to eight hilly ones yesterday.

Target is a half marathon this month and then see how we go on getting longer runs in and then maybe another road marathon - and Moyleman, obvs!

 

[Curious Orange]

NAME	5K SB	5K PB	5K SB AG	10K	10M	HM	M
GNT	20:12	20:12	85.4%	40:31	1:19:12	1:31:18	4:19:55
Soistes	21:44	21:44	78.6%	46:14		1:41:17	3:48:21
Blue&WhiteSea	17:26	17:05	78.3%	36:22	1:00:09	1:18:36	2:48:23
Bad Ash	18:15	18:15	75.89%	37:43		1:35:00	3:39:23
Knocky	21:44	17:45	75.77%	39:52		1:34:00	3:50:49
Simgull	21:16	20:21	72.88%	42:45	1:11:46	1:38:14	3:44:28
Anchorman	23:04	21:34	71.39%	46.25		1:41:38	3:55:00
Curious Orange	20:32	18:36	70.7%	37:59		1:24:23.9	3:29:23
TudorApples	18:38	18:38	69.32%	40:39			3:25:34
Greg Bobkin	22:49	20:54	62.16%	46:57	1:18:01	1:39:00	3:57:37
CHAPPERS	22:37	22:37	60.24%				3:57:04
St Leonard's	17:45	17:45	%	38:49		1:27:59	3:05:12
Badger	19:06	18:05	%	37:41		1:22:57	2:55:38
Butch Willykins	20:11	20:11	%	42:41		1:34:39	3:29:53
Artie Fufkin		16:55	%	35:47		1:15:58	2:42:07
CoolTed		17:18	%	36:10	59:55	1:20:39	3:01:52
Ninja Elephant		17:37	%	37:33	1:07:57	1:27:43	3:10:49
Big Nuts		18:00	%	38:10	1:05:38	1:24:23	3:04:49
ForestRow		18:23	%			1:22:20	3:00:18
jimmygull		18:44	%	40:46			4:04:32
HerrTubthumper		19:03	%			1:36:10	3:05:34
Mr Banana		19:28	%
Fitzcarraldo		19:33	%
CompleteBadger		19:37	%	41:25	1:17:11	1:30:58	3:29:52
JoePrecious		19:44	%	46:19	1:24:08	1:38:13	4:04:30
Biffy Boy		19.55	%	41:31		1:29:59	3:11:14
Dazzer		19.57	%			1:36	3:43:
P's Harmonica		20:10	%	43:03		1:33:56	3:27:19
Ben Eltons Bro		20:33	%	43:03		1:32:29	3:28:03
seagull-si		21.29	%			1:43:42
lostinlondon		22:00	%	44.13
Guinness Boy		22:04	%	46:50	01:21:06	1:45.30	4:00:06
Notters		22:13	%
Nathan		22:36	%	46:58		1:44:54	4:06:25
Bob!		22:41	%	45.39	1:16:42	1:44:21	3:53:35
sjamesb3466		22:58	%	47:14	1:21:12	1:48:49
Mr Blobby		23:05	%	48:54	1:20:05	1:47:44	4:13:22
chaileyjem		24:45	%	54:47		1:54:30
DFreemansPerm		28:46	%
Jonny Rainbow				41:43	1:12:40		3:24:38
snowflake				44:16	1:14:03
Shippers						1:43:42
jimhigham							4:31:50
Perrys Trackie Botoms						1:46:37	4:34:24
zfleas						1:55:22

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Apologies for the self-indulgent post, but I'm dragging this thread back up the board after reaching a milestone this morning. After a few lazy months earlier in the year, I've managed to get back to an average of 100 miles a month, passing through the 1,000-mile barrier this morning.

I know it's all relative and some people have done more miles and others fewer, but it's a real mental thing for me and once I get that sort of target in my head, it niggles away at me. Stupid really, but 'it is what it is' A bit like those challenges on Strava – not hitting them really doesn't matter, but inside I'm a little bit gutted to finish 10k short of the 200km for the month 'award'. But life just gets in the way and I refuse to be a complete slave to shit like that!

Hope everyone's running is going well – and any injuries are improving. I'm aiming to get back to Hove Park at some point in November to hopefully knock a few seconds off my SB Another stupid target that shouldn't matter but it does!

 

[Simgull]

Great to see you are back on it - well done!

It’s Hove Park parkrun’s 16th birthday on Saturday - the course is being run in reverse which is usually quicker so a chance for that SB

I ran Ljubljana marathon last week - lovely event - Slovenia is a terrific country to visit, we stayed for ten days.
Very happy to run sub-4 again and two mins quicker than Lisbon last year. Life in the old dog yet!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Great to see you are back on it - well done!

It’s Hove Park parkrun’s 16th birthday on Saturday - the course is being run in reverse which is usually quicker so a chance for that SB

I ran Ljubljana marathon last week - lovely event - Slovenia is a terrific country to visit, we stayed for ten days.
Very happy to run sub-4 again and two mins quicker than Lisbon last year. Life in the old dog yet!

Nice one! Yes, Slovenia is great – I went there on a work trip last year and thought it was amazing!

 

[Mellotron]

I'll be meandering back into this, and aiming to get on that leaderboard eventually.

I did a jog the other night - just to the seafront and back, no more than 1.5-2 miles.

It was an offence to joggers everywhere, to even call it jogging. I cannot imagine how bad, how pathetic it must've looked.

What I did in the name of jogging last night compared to say Paula Radcliffe, there was the same distance in execution and technique as the gap between a toddler banging a kitchen cabinet and a John Bonham drum solo.

It was THAT bad.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I'll be meandering back into this, and aiming to get on that leaderboard eventually.

I did a jog the other night - just to the seafront and back, no more than 1.5-2 miles.

It was an offence to joggers everywhere, to even call it jogging. I cannot imagine how bad, how pathetic it must've looked.

What I did in the name of jogging last night compared to say Paula Radcliffe, there was the same distance in execution and technique as the gap between a toddler banging a kitchen cabinet and a John Bonham drum solo.

It was THAT bad.

Better than not doing it though right? Always is.

 

[Mellotron]

Better than not doing it though right? Always is.

Absolutely.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I'll be meandering back into this, and aiming to get on that leaderboard eventually.

I did a jog the other night - just to the seafront and back, no more than 1.5-2 miles.

It was an offence to joggers everywhere, to even call it jogging. I cannot imagine how bad, how pathetic it must've looked.

What I did in the name of jogging last night compared to say Paula Radcliffe, there was the same distance in execution and technique as the gap between a toddler banging a kitchen cabinet and a John Bonham drum solo.

It was THAT bad.

Agree with @CHAPPERS – any kind of effort to get out and exercise should be respected/applauded – don't ever do yourself down or be apologetic or embarrassed by it. A guy I know has decided to give Coach to 5k a go, having lost weight, but wanting to lose a bit more. He was almost ashamed to be talking about it when, really, it could be a MASSIVE step for him.

So you do you, Mellotron – and to hell with anyone else

 

[Mellotron]

Agree with @CHAPPERS – any kind of effort to get out and exercise should be respected/applauded – don't ever do yourself down or be apologetic or embarrassed by it. A guy I know has decided to give Coach to 5k a go, having lost weight, but wanting to lose a bit more. He was almost ashamed to be talking about it when, really, it could be a MASSIVE step for him.

So you do you, Mellotron – and to hell with anyone else

Oh I totally agree - don't worry, I just thought it was funny. I will 100% be continuing - have gotten the fitness bug again recently and don't plan on letting it go.

But you're right - embarrassment can be a reason to stop someone making a positive change in their life, and that's a real shame. The bigger/unhealthier you get, the harder it can be to turn it all around.

 

[Simgull]

Oh I totally agree - don't worry, I just thought it was funny. I will 100% be continuing - have gotten the fitness bug again recently and don't plan on letting it go.

But your right - embarrassment can be a reason to stop someone making a positive change in their life, and that's a real shame. The bigger/unhealthier you get, the harder it can be to turn it all around.

Absolutely brilliant you are getting out there.
Do use parkrun as well - super supportive - you don’t have to run 5k - just do part of the course e.g. one length of the prom or one lap of Hove Park and slowly work up. They also have walking and jog/walk options - again all massive supportive, encouraging and infectious enthusiasm.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Absolutely brilliant you are getting out there.
Do use parkrun as well - super supportive - you don’t have to run 5k - just do part of the course e.g. one length of the prom or one lap of Hove Park and slowly work up. They also have walking and jog/walk options - again all massive supportive, encouraging and infectious enthusiasm.

I've said this time and time again, in all the running-related things I've done, parkrun is still THE BEST thing about running for me. And I'm biased but Hove Park is the best! Last time I did it was a run/walk because of a lazy dog alongside me, but it really didn't matter – it's all about the experience.

 

[AK74]

I'll be meandering back into this, and aiming to get on that leaderboard eventually.

I did a jog the other night - just to the seafront and back, no more than 1.5-2 miles.

It was an offence to joggers everywhere, to even call it jogging. I cannot imagine how bad, how pathetic it must've looked.

What I did in the name of jogging last night compared to say Paula Radcliffe, there was the same distance in execution and technique as the gap between a toddler banging a kitchen cabinet and a John Bonham drum solo.

It was THAT bad.

I was in the same place 3 months ago, @Mellotron.

I was a regular runner [and very occasional poster on this thread] until 2021, but some difficult life events involving my family robbed me of any spare time and energy. During the summer, and with my 49th birthday imminent, I decided to book a full health assessment via the Nuffield. The first part involved completing an online assessment, which inevitably included key metrics such as weight, amount of time spent exercising, amount of time sat down etc. My figures weren't terrible, but gave me the motivation to get off my arse and get fit again. The lifestyle review told me to lose 11 pounds, and that was my initial target.

I was 13st 5lbs (and I'm still 5' 10") at the beginning of August. I went out and wheezed my way through an initial 3 mile 'run', although I use this word generously. However, at least I understood what was needed. I ran that same route for 6 days out of 7 for 3 weeks, which gave me a foundation to build on. I upped the distance progressively, running 4 miles 5 days a week and then 5 miles 4 days a week. Truth be told, I was [probably] overdoing it physically, but my endorphins were making decisions. That routine, combined with eating a little bit better, worked for me during August and September.

Since the start of October, I've remained at 20 miles a week through a combination of a short run (4 to 5 miles), medium run (6 to 7) and long run (9 to 12). My stamina has improved, as has my pace and - most pleasingly - my weight. I'm down to 12st 2lbs and feel much better. I had my physical exam at the Nuffield just over a week ago, and this confirmed I was fit and healthy. I'm determined to keep running and not let life interfere again.

I encourage you - and others in a similar position - to keep going, one step/stride at a time.

 

[knocky1]

Moyleman Marathon entry goes on line 12 noon Friday 17th November. My winter training will be geared towards that. I intend to use 'jeffing' in my long runs. This includes walking 20% to 30% of the distance particularly up hills. Be good to have a few NSC runners there other than me and Bobkin.

Running been good till this week where I lost over a minute a mile. Went with it and managed to run home with normal pick up at Hove Parkrun yesterday despite sore throat. Got worse from there on and today tested positive for Covid.

I hear Ben Elton's brother had the same symptoms last week.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Moyleman Marathon entry goes on line 12 noon Friday 17th November. My winter training will be geared towards that. I intend to use 'jeffing' in my long runs. This includes walking 20% to 30% of the distance particularly up hills. Be good to have a few NSC runners there other than me and Bobkin.

Running been good till this week where I lost over a minute a mile. Went with it and managed to run home with normal pick up at Hove Parkrun yesterday despite sore throat. Got worse from there on and today tested positive for Covid.

I hear Ben Elton's brother had the same symptoms last week.

Take it easy. Sore throat I had with covid this time got worse and worse for a few days. Took a month to get back normal with various knock on illnesses.

Parkrun debut for the son this morning. Guess what? Went off too quick. Plus ca change

 

[knocky1]

Take it easy. Sore throat I had with covid this time got worse and worse for a few days. Took a month to get back normal with various knock on illnesses.

Parkrun debut for the son this morning. Guess what? Went off too quick. Plus ca change

Thanks for tip. I've read up on latest Covid and runners. I'm knocked out with awful sore throat but breathing and heart rate OK. 2-4 weeks of gentle easing back seems to be the rule.
As I suffer Rheumatoid inflammation I have to be extra careful in case I'll have myocarditis, inflammation of heart. Better safe than sorry.
So 30" parkrun coming when I'm ready and I won't try and run through it.

Have a few strava contacts who have struggled for months getting back to pace. They pushed rather than sat back. Thanks again!

 

[CHAPPERS]

Thanks for tip. I've read up on latest Covid and runners. I'm knocked out with awful sore throat but breathing and heart rate OK. 2-4 weeks of gentle easing back seems to be the rule.
As I suffer Rheumatoid inflammation I have to be extra careful in case I'll have myocarditis, inflammation of heart. Better safe than sorry.
So 30" parkrun coming when I'm ready and I won't try and run through it.

Have a few strava contacts who have struggled for months getting back to pace. They pushed rather than sat back. Thanks again!

I've not run for well over a month now which has been extremely frustrating. Starting to run walk my commute to and from work but even that seems plenty at the moment. Got an entry for the Brighton Half but any real training seems a way off. Get well soon.

 

[Bad Ash]

Cross Country (XC) started for me yesterday with the first of 5 fixtures (generally 1st Sunday of the month) in the Oxfordshire League. I'm relatively rubbish at it compared to the road/track, but really enjoy it. Was first time this venue was used, and they had to re-arrange the car parking the day before which resulted in chaos. As a result our race eventually started over an hour late after lining up on 3 separate occassions, by the final time I was bloody freezing (I usually race in just a vest as I get really hot when running). But once the action finally got going it was a cracking, challenging course and I enjoyed it. That was probably helped by the fact I did manage to rein it in at the start and as a result ran pretty consistenly rather than my usual meltdown and going backwards through the field.

Interestingly, as someone who tries to avoid hills generally, my strength seemed to be going up the hills and I was weaker going down them (these weren't too steep or technical decents). Managed a bit of a sprint finish which suggests I'd been a bit conservative.