Official Running Thread

[Ninja Elephant]

[MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] - game changer extraordinaire! Absolutely incredible. What's next for you now? Do you think you could get run even faster or are you going to target shorter distances to see how quickly you can complete them?

[MENTION=6625]Badger[/MENTION] - you raised the bar but it's been lifted in an insane way!

 

[Simgull]

Tremendous [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] - congratulations! To adapt a phrase from your namesake - you were kicking some ass there!!

 

[Curious Orange]

Wow! [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION], just WOW! That is an absolutely tremendous effort!

(Yes, I'm jealous - we're in the same age category, and you've just put in a last 10k of a marathon at about my 10k race pace! )

 

[Anchorman]

Artie Fufkin! My jaw literally dropped when I read that. What a fantastic achievement to always have on your running CV.

 

[Artie Fufkin]

[MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] - game changer extraordinaire! Absolutely incredible. What's next for you now? Do you think you could get run even faster or are you going to target shorter distances to see how quickly you can complete them?

[MENTION=6625]Badger[/MENTION] - you raised the bar but it's been lifted in an insane way!

Thanks mate! I'd love to run an Autumn marathon but that's a busy time of the year work wise for me and the long training time commitment with a young family means it's hard for me to fully commit to 2 in the year. Another major like Berlin, Chicago or New York would be a dream though. I also hear great things about the Yorkshire Marathon. I think my time at Manchester means I'm eligible for a Championship place in London next year, so unless they change the eligibility time which is sub 2:45 for men, that will probably be my next one. I'd like to think I could go quicker. In the meantime, I'm going to just enjoy my running and try to stay injury free. I'm running the Hackney Half in a couple of weeks but I don't think I'll have a goal for that one.

Go get it on Sunday!

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Tremendous [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] - congratulations! To adapt a phrase from your namesake - you were kicking some ass there!!

Thanks very much [MENTION=26634]Simgull[/MENTION] ! Haha!

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Wow! [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION], just WOW! That is an absolutely tremendous effort!

(Yes, I'm jealous - we're in the same age category, and you've just put in a last 10k of a marathon at about my 10k race pace! )

Thanks mate! Keep at it!

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Thanks [MENTION=9083]Anchorman[/MENTION] !

 

[Guinness Boy]

Amazing running [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] very much in awe of that!

 

[Badger]

Hi guys, the morning after the Manchester marathon and I'm still in a bit of shock. 2:44:37! The race went like a dream. I had the usual pre-race nerves in the morning and just about managed to eat some toast and have some coffee. I stayed overnight at the Premier Inn Old Trafford close by the marathon village, start & finish which helped with logistics.

A short race report:
The race started at 9am. I had the short walk from the hotel to the village to get ready and drop my bag off. After a warm up and some light drills I got in the starting pen. I was in the first wave behind the elites which was busy but not too congested. Once we set off I tried to stay calm and relaxed and kept telling myself to hold the pace. I felt great for the first 18 or so miles and was really enjoying myself, holding a comfortable pace around 6:25 min mile'ing. I started to feel confident I was in 2:50 range. I got talking to a guy next to me at mile 19 who was saying we were around 2:48 pace. As I was still feeling good that's when I thought perhaps I could kick on and see if I could get close to 2:45. I decided to go for it in the last 10km and increased the pace to just above 6 min mile'ing. It seemed to feel relatively ok! I was passing quite a few guys at this point but I was struggling to figure out the maths to know if getting inside 2:45 was on or not . I had to dig deep from mile 24 and realised it was going to be REALLY close either way! The last mile is one long straight so you can see the finish banner and clock in the distance from a long way out. It never seemed to get any closer! When I crossed the line I couldn't quite believe the time on my watch. I had done it!

2:44:37. Placed 126th (Overall) / 24th (Male 40+'s). A 22 minute negative split sub 2:45 PB in marathon #4. Oh boy!

When I set out on this marathon specific training cycle back on December 3rd, I was more determined than ever to achieve a sub 3. I went deep into the well for this one to take me to a new level. 18 weeks of hard graft, consistency, I think close to 1000 miles banked (I'd say 80% EASY paced), multiple 18, 20, 22, 23 mile long runs, focussed on recovery, stretching and some conditioning just as much as my running, very fortunate to not pick up an injury and stayed healthy. It all paid off in the end. Beyond happy!

If you're thinking of a Spring marathon I'd 100% recommend Manchester. It's billing as a flat and fast marathon is definitely legit. I think there were around 14,000 running so a nice size with not too much traffic. It's brilliantly organised, a great course with very little elevation, smooth turns and nice long straight sections and really well spectated (I'd say on a par with Brighton). The dry and sunny weather helped.

Good luck to everyone running Brighton on Sunday!! You've got this!

I've been looking forward to your race report. Absolutely epic achievement, and that's quite a negative split. I don't think I've done a negative split in any race, ever (although that's probably down to how I approach races). I bet it still hasn't sunk in yet.

To put it into perspective, I did an 8k race on Saturday with exactly the same average pace as your marathon! It was a really hilly course, so much so that there was a prize for the fastest time up the final hill. I cannot imagine keeping that pace up for an entire marathon though.

 

[knocky1]

Nothing to add and no time for doing the table yet but i’m not letting that sub 2:45 marathon go to page 2 on NSC.

 

[Guinness Boy]

How soon before the big day must you stop using NSAIDs? Does anyone know how long they stay in your body?

I was a twit at work yesterday and stumbled up some concrete steps on my way back from getting my race energy gels at Decathlon (they'll be pissing themselves up at the irony club). I've skinned an elbow but also have a small but deep bruise on my thigh. Normally would sort it in a couple of days with ice and ibuprofen gel. The ice I've used but I'm tossing up between the Ibuprofen (which I know mustn't be in your system on race day) and the Arnica Cream my Mrs uses that I've never been convinced about (seemed to have no effect last time I tried it and reviews suggest it's just a placebo).

 

[knocky1]

How soon before the big day must you stop using NSAIDs? Does anyone know how long they stay in your body?

I was a twit at work yesterday and stumbled up some concrete steps on my way back from getting my race energy gels at Decathlon (they'll be pissing themselves up at the irony club). I've skinned an elbow but also have a small but deep bruise on my thigh. Normally would sort it in a couple of days with ice and ibuprofen gel. The ice I've used but I'm tossing up between the Ibuprofen (which I know mustn't be in your system on race day) and the Arnica Cream my Mrs uses that I've never been convinced about (seemed to have no effect last time I tried it and reviews suggest it's just a placebo).

You'll be fine taking ibuprofen for a few days. Just make sure you flush them through by the end of the week with plenty of red wine and beer. Best bet is ice on the thigh every few hours today.

My lingering hayfever has merged into a head cold. My back is still fragile. I've run 3 times in 23 days. Thank f*** I haven't got maranoia, as well!

 

[dazzer6666]

How soon before the big day must you stop using NSAIDs? Does anyone know how long they stay in your body?

I was a twit at work yesterday and stumbled up some concrete steps on my way back from getting my race energy gels at Decathlon (they'll be pissing themselves up at the irony club). I've skinned an elbow but also have a small but deep bruise on my thigh. Normally would sort it in a couple of days with ice and ibuprofen gel. The ice I've used but I'm tossing up between the Ibuprofen (which I know mustn't be in your system on race day) and the Arnica Cream my Mrs uses that I've never been convinced about (seemed to have no effect last time I tried it and reviews suggest it's just a placebo).

Best not to take any in the 24 hours before the race.....otherwise should be ok.

Also, maybe wrap yourself up in a 20-tog duvet and sit on the sofa until Sunday morning [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[Guinness Boy]

You'll be fine taking ibuprofen for a few days. Just make sure you flush them through by the end of the week with plenty of red wine and beer. Best bet is ice on the thigh every few hours today.

My lingering hayfever has merged into a head cold. My back is still fragile. I've run 3 times in 23 days. Thank f*** I haven't got maranoia, as well!

I don't think Sunday evening counts as the end of the week. I'm planning a very large flushing then!

Thanks for the advice and I'm sure "Team NSC Paranoid Old Crock" will be on the start line just fine and dandy.

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Amazing running [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] very much in awe of that!

Thanks very much!

 

[knocky1]

Just spotted that [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] could have a slower 10K PB than his last 10K on Sunday. Great work at Ma*ch*****, nope can't type that word.

[MENTION=67]Curious Orange[/MENTION] setting me an achievable 5K target that won't be there for me long and [MENTION=23419]penny's harmonica[/MENTION] putting in a good pre marathon 5k SB.

NAME	5K SB	5K PB	SB AG	10K	10M	HM	M
Artie Fufkin	16:55	16:55	81.3%	38:42		1:17:00	2:44:37
Badger	18:05	18:05	72.88%	39:06		1:22:57	2:56:33
Big Nuts	18:30	18:30	73.24%	38:39	1:05:38	1:27:42	3:15:59
Ninja Elephant	19:28	18:23	66.67%	39:00	1:07:57	1:27:43	3:29:12
St Leonard's	19.46	19.44	%			1:34:35
P's Harmonica	20:31	20:10	72.46%	43:03		1:33:56	3:27:19
Dazzer	20:35	19.57	72.79%			1:36	3:43:
Curious Orange	20:38	18:36	67.69%	37:59		1:24:23.9	3:29:23
Bad Ash	20:45	19:40	64.82%	43:27		1:35:00	3:43:03
jimmygull	20:50	20:50		49:19
Knocky	20:59	17:45	75.77%	39:52		1:34:00	3:50:49
Ben Eltons Bro	21:15	21:15	64.24%	45:38		1:39:26	3:52:07
CompleteBadger	21:31	19:37	60.26%	41:25	1:17:11	1:30:58	3:29:52
GNT	21:34	20:20	77.09%	40:31	1:19:12	1:31:18	4:19:55
Simgull	21:42	20:21	69.05%	42:45	1:11:46	1:38:14	3:44:28
Soistes	21:51	21:51	75.36%	46:14		1:43:12	3:51:33
lostinlondon	22:00	22:00	61:14%	44.13
Anchorman	22:31	21:34	70.61%	46.25		1:41:38	3:55:00
Guinness Boy	23:02	22:04		46:50	01:21:06	1:49:06	4:00:06
Greg Bobkin	23:12	20:54		42:	1:13:	1:39:00	3:57:37
Mr Blobby	23:43	23:43	62.19%	48:54	1:20:05	1:47:44	4:27:50
Bob!	23:57	22:41	66.95%	45.39	1:16:42	1:44:21	3:53:35
HerrTubthumper	24:09	19:03				1:36:10	3:05:34
Notters	25:44	25:44	51.23%
Capricorn		16:57		36:55		1:23:20	3:21:11
Deletebeepbeep		18:05				1:23:48	3:01:55
Blue&WhiteSea		17:05		36:53	1:00:09	1:22:39
Mr Banana		19:28
SeafordbySea		20:02		46:10	1:29:21	1:37:48
Left Back		21:02		45:47		1:42:01
RInce'sPython		22:29		48:45		1:55:48
Pembury		18.58		39.08		1:33:02	3:19:
JoePrecious		19:44		46:19	1:24:08	1:38:13	4:04:30
m20gull		26:15		57:32		02:07:07	5:46:02
Nathan				46:58		1:47:20	4:15:15
Jonny Rainbow				41:43	1:12:40		3:24:38
Shippers						1:43:42
sjamesb3466				54:11		2:02:06

 

[Artie Fufkin]

I've been looking forward to your race report. Absolutely epic achievement, and that's quite a negative split. I don't think I've done a negative split in any race, ever (although that's probably down to how I approach races). I bet it still hasn't sunk in yet.

To put it into perspective, I did an 8k race on Saturday with exactly the same average pace as your marathon! It was a really hilly course, so much so that there was a prize for the fastest time up the final hill. I cannot imagine keeping that pace up for an entire marathon though.

Many thanks [MENTION=6625]Badger[/MENTION] ! Yep still in shock. I never dreamed it would go as well as it did. I don't think I could have paced it any better (which was my biggest concern.) This probably sounds weird but there were times in the second half when I was hitting low 6 min mile'ing that I felt I was no longer in control of my legs as they were motoring all by themselves?! I couldn't believe I ended up averaging 6:15 min/mile pace. Legs are in bits now though!

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Just spotted that [MENTION=11816]Artie Fufkin[/MENTION] could have a slower 10K PB than his last 10K on Sunday. Great work at Ma*ch*****, nope can't type that word.

[MENTION=67]Curious Orange[/MENTION] setting me an achievable 5K target that won't be there for me long and [MENTION=23419]penny's harmonica[/MENTION] putting in a good pre marathon 5k SB.

NAME	5K SB	5K PB	SB AG	10K	10M	HM	M
Artie Fufkin	16:55	16:55	81.3%	38:42		1:17:00	2:44:37
Badger	18:05	18:05	72.88%	39:06		1:22:57	2:56:33
Big Nuts	18:30	18:30	73.24%	38:39	1:05:38	1:27:42	3:15:59
Ninja Elephant	19:28	18:23	66.67%	39:00	1:07:57	1:27:43	3:29:12
St Leonard's	19.46	19.44	%			1:34:35
P's Harmonica	20:31	20:10	72.46%	43:03		1:33:56	3:27:19
Dazzer	20:35	19.57	72.79%			1:36	3:43:
Curious Orange	20:38	18:36	67.69%	37:59		1:24:23.9	3:29:23
Bad Ash	20:45	19:40	64.82%	43:27		1:35:00	3:43:03
jimmygull	20:50	20:50		49:19
Knocky	20:59	17:45	75.77%	39:52		1:34:00	3:50:49
Ben Eltons Bro	21:15	21:15	64.24%	45:38		1:39:26	3:52:07
CompleteBadger	21:31	19:37	60.26%	41:25	1:17:11	1:30:58	3:29:52
GNT	21:34	20:20	77.09%	40:31	1:19:12	1:31:18	4:19:55
Simgull	21:42	20:21	69.05%	42:45	1:11:46	1:38:14	3:44:28
Soistes	21:51	21:51	75.36%	46:14		1:43:12	3:51:33
lostinlondon	22:00	22:00	61:14%	44.13
Anchorman	22:31	21:34	70.61%	46.25		1:41:38	3:55:00
Guinness Boy	23:02	22:04		46:50	01:21:06	1:49:06	4:00:06
Greg Bobkin	23:12	20:54		42:	1:13:	1:39:00	3:57:37
Mr Blobby	23:43	23:43	62.19%	48:54	1:20:05	1:47:44	4:27:50
Bob!	23:57	22:41	66.95%	45.39	1:16:42	1:44:21	3:53:35
HerrTubthumper	24:09	19:03				1:36:10	3:05:34
Notters	25:44	25:44	51.23%
Capricorn		16:57		36:55		1:23:20	3:21:11
Deletebeepbeep		18:05				1:23:48	3:01:55
Blue&WhiteSea		17:05		36:53	1:00:09	1:22:39
Mr Banana		19:28
SeafordbySea		20:02		46:10	1:29:21	1:37:48
Left Back		21:02		45:47		1:42:01
RInce'sPython		22:29		48:45		1:55:48
Pembury		18.58		39.08		1:33:02	3:19:
JoePrecious		19:44		46:19	1:24:08	1:38:13	4:04:30
m20gull		26:15		57:32		02:07:07	5:46:02
Nathan				46:58		1:47:20	4:15:15
Jonny Rainbow				41:43	1:12:40		3:24:38
Shippers						1:43:42
sjamesb3466				54:11		2:02:06

Many thanks [MENTION=15605]knocky1[/MENTION] !! 10k is definitely my least favourite distance so I don't race many. I think pacing a quick 10k is a real skill.

 

[jimmygull]

Whoop whoop! Just been to see the best physio this morning. So thorough and really knew her stuff. She picked up via resistance tests that my Psoas muscle was not functioning properly and that this was causing my right leg to over compensate and put pressure on the knee. She did lots of prodding to fix that. Did the resistance test again and the difference was incredible. She thinks that with the right prep this week (hip flexes, foam rolling the quad etc) that I could be ok for Brighton AND London! Going back for additional ultrasound on Friday and pre-race strapping. So I am back in the game! Chuffed, as was fearing the worse and on a bit of a downer about the whole thing, at least now I have a shot at it!

BIG congrats to Artie, unbelievable performance!!! And sounds like all Brighton marathoners are in decent shape, look forward to joining you on Sunday!