C25k graduates and general running for pleasure!

[sparkle12mar08]

Couldn't really find anything to post on that wasn't really old so thought I'd start a new thread Hopefully we can have some general chat about running, what we're doing, challenges, problems etc.

To start it off, I'm really struggling with the heat at the moment. It's really awkward because I've tended to go after the school run but that's just too hot now. I run anything between 6k and 10k and I'd have to go at either 6am before dh goes to work, or at 7.30-8pm, neither of which appeal at all! In contrast I ran this morning at about 8:30 and it was cool and a little misty, about 15deg. It felt amazing, and I knocked 1min 27 off my 5k PB, coming in at 30m 36s. I'm just going to have to deal with getting up early, aren't I?!

[HeySoulSister]

I was at running club this morning at 8! it was lovely in the park

few seconds off that time and you wil lhave a sub 30....that's my goal!

[EauRouge]

Hello! Yes, there was a general running thread but it kind of dropped off.

I'm not coping well with the heat either, I used to run in the mornings (was meant to be first thing but for whatever reason always ended up being about 10am) but I've been going in the evenings, sometimes as late as 9pm. I'm quite enjoying it but find it so much harder to find the motivation later on in the day. Where do you live that it was 15C? It hasn't dropped below 17 or 18 here for days, even in the middle of the night.

Congrats on the PB, that's really good. I'm working towards a sub-30 min 5k but no chance in this weather!

[sparkle12mar08]

North Herts, but because it was misty-ish the dampness in the air meant the temp didn't get properly up till after mid day here.

I tried a slightly different stride technique today which I think really helped my time. Generally I've found I run with a very short snappy stride that seems to come from my thighs and hips, if that makes sense, whereas today I let it lengthen naturally and let my knees do a fuller range of movement - my lower legs were more like a pendulum, and I think it really shows in the time.

Sub 30min 5km is my personal challenge now too, but also to run three times a week too, no matter what the circumstances. I've promised myself that I'll make time for my running.

[HeySoulSister]

ah i'm mid beds,we had similar temp this morning too,not far from you op!

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

Another one here who has posted in the very dim distant past.....

Definitely go out early to run.... I recommend 6am - that's my preferred time as its usually cooler then even than late evening....

No such luck today tho... 9:30 start for Leeds 10k and it was very warm at the start let alone at the finish...

But - drum roll - new PB for 10k !!! I ran it in 54:57 (chip time) so sub 55 minutes

Now lazing around having been out for Sunday lunch and eaten far too much

I shall be out at 6am tomorrow - and 12 yo DD says she is coming too.... Hmmmm we'll see what happens when I wake her up

[sparkle12mar08]

Wow! Sub 55 10k is phenomenal, well done putthehamster!

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

Cheers

It's taken me a long time to get there, but this year it has finally come together....

I used to plus round thinking sub 10 min miles were beyond me but I've been 5:2 ing as well, lost around 2 stone, and suddenly started running further and faster ....

I've signed up for a half too and my longest run in training so far is 13.25 miles - I'd never then more than 7.5 miles before either ....

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

Oooops iPhone errors and auto correct all over the place ....

Won't try to correct them all - you can get the gist of it....

[EauRouge]

I'm in cambs so not far from you, it's been so hot here and no rain for at least a week.

Interesting about the stride thing, I tend to take smaller strides as I find I land on my heel with bigger strides. I've only got short stubby legs

[sparkle12mar08]

Ooof. Ran at about 8:15 last night, hoping the worst of the heat had gone. How wrong could I have been? Didn't even manage the whole 5km interval, just couldn't do it, and time was not good, averaging about 7mins per km. It was just so dry and still, such a breathless evening. The only nice thing was running in the setting sun, that was very pretty.

EauRouge - I'm only 5' 3" and have disproportionately short legs with it! The stride difference is hard to explain but it's from the knees not my hips, if thst makes sense?

Not going to run again till Saturday I think. It's my turn to get up with the boys so I think I'll go extra early and see what that's like again. I really don't know what to do over the next few weeks other than try to keep things ticking over. This weather is here to stay and it would be churlish to complain after the past few years, but it makes it practically impossible for me to run on a week day.

[EauRouge]

Another running friend mentioned the stride thing as well so I think I'll give it a go tonight. She enquired about the state of my pelvic floor but I'm not too worried I might look a bit odd as I try to figure out longer strides but still land mid-foot.

I'll probably head out tonight about 8.30 and hope for the best, my hayfever has been horrendous for the last couple of days. I think everyone is struggling at the moment. It's meant to get cooler in a couple of weeks, just in time for the children to finish school.

[sparkle12mar08]

The stride isn't actually massively longer, though it is a bit, it's more that the driver for it is from the natural flex of my knee? I often run with my legs right underneath me with a really stubby stride that lands very flat and midfoot, that seems to be driven from my thigh and hip. This felt different in that there's almost a forward flick out from my knee that means yes I land slightly more heel wise but it's not any much harder effort and the distance covered is that bit greater - enough to make a noticeable time difference for me.

I'm rambling, aren't I?! I really need to get a 10km distance run in soon, I'm afraid the mental confidence will desert me if I don't!

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

Sparkle - I've been reading a training guide on how to run faster etc - can't remember the title and I'm at work atm..... I'll try to remember to dig it out later and post the title for those who are interested.

Essentially though, it talks about using your running style in a similar way to gears when on a bike, an varying your style dependent on gradient, your desired speed etc.

Speed comes from cadence (turnover or steps per minute) and stride length, and the theory goes that when you want to run faster, or if running uphill, it is easier to use a shorter stride but faster cadence - particularly if that feels more natural (eg if like Eaurouge and me, you aren't overly tall). In terms of stride length, if you work on good form, you should settle into a natural stride length that fits your legs, so its about being relaxed, good running posture and initially at leas, actively thinking about posture every 1/2 mile or so...

I have tried to use "gears" when running up a gradient - wouldn't call it a hill - more a very gentle "up" and it does seem to make it easier to maintain pace - lots of small steps, more effort but seems to hurt less...

Eaurouge - just a thought - I usually find pollen etc is better in the mornings rather than evenings and it is cooler too if you can find anyway to get up and out early.... 6am is cooler than 9pm - at least up north anyway....

[sparkle12mar08]

Well good afternoon ladies! Did a 10k this morning at about 8:30am, was cooler than running after the school run or at night, but I missed the best of it by about an hour I reckon. It wasn't about the time today but about making sure I could mentally go the distance! I didn't stop either which was very pleasing seeeing as it's my first 10km in nearly a whole month.

I've always had a naturally fast cadence, but my stride length is usually very short with it, so working on lengthening it whilst maintaining my placement speed is what will cut my times I reckon. But I'm not a racer by nature or design, so I'll just see what comes of it!

Didn't see much in the way of wildlife today, and the views weren't as stunning as usual because of the cloud cover, but I did see dozens and dozens of butterflies oddly enough, and one of my footpath sections had been trimmed back which meant I wasn't running through nettles and waist high grasses for a change - much more pleasant!

So how have your weeks all been?

[Pinkglow]

Funny I was just thinking of the old running thread when I saw this one.

I'm struggling in the heat too, I was fine during the winter and I just find the cold so much easier to cope with when running. Love the warm weather the rest of the time though!

I'm thinking of going out for an early morning run tomorrow but have never actually ever gone for a early one so not sure I'll cope.

[EauRouge]

I went out early-ish this morning to beat the heat, I can't believe how warm it was at 7.30! I managed 5k in 31 and a bit minutes so pretty pleased. My running is starting to pick up again after a long period of being rubbish. My pace was under 6 mins in the last km, I can't remember the last time I ran that fast.

Looks like we're in for some rainy runs this week! I love running in the rain.

[sparkle12mar08]

We're actually going on holiday tomorrow to a canal side campsite. One direction is the Caen Locks series and a massive hill, the other flat towpath. Guess which direction I'll be doing?

I've never actually run in proper rain before, only light drizzle, so I don't know whether it'll affect me too much. I have a very lightweight polyester running jacket, but I'm think if it's warm I'm probably better in just my tech top and shorts - they'll wick faster and won't be too heavy?

[EauRouge]

I just wear my usual gear but throw on a baseball cap to keep the rain out of my eyes. I imagine if you were doing a very long distance or if it was cold then you'd need a running jacket, but 5k in this heat you won't need anything extra. You might want to pack your trail shoes in case the towpath gets very muddy.

[sparkle12mar08]

I only have one pair of trainers! Asics Gel, don't think the tread is anywhere near a trail one. I do have a pair of trail walking trainers though, might they do? They're not massively cushioned though. Will try and dig out a cap too.

[BlueChampagne]

I've just cut down my distance to 5-6k max in the heat, as I'm not training for anything specific, just keeping fit. Can't run on an empty stomach!

sparkle the ground's so hard here you don't need a trail tread at the moment - extra cushioning more important.

[EauRouge]

I just got a package delivered, bit of a mystery since I hadn't ordered anything- DH has bought me a Garmin! No more massive smartphone strapped to my arm and blisters where the armband rubbed.

[EauRouge]

Grr, Garmin website is still down so haven't been able to register yet. Went out this morning in the hot and steamy countryside with massive smartphone and somehow, somehow, managed to shave 2 secs off my 5k PB. Am hoping for a sub-30 min 5k once this ridiculous weather eases off.

[BlueChampagne]

Lucky you EauRouge! I use a bum bag for my smart phone.

[EauRouge]

I had one but it kept riding up until it was right under my boobs, it drove me nuts. I would prefer something to sit on my hips but if I left it loose it would just bounce around. My running tights have a big pocket but my capris and shorts don't.

I might have to borrow my DD1's Hello Kitty mini-ipod thingy for my music now, I hope she doesn't mind if I delete Katy Perry and S Club 7

[Poppy4453]

Ladies, can i join you. I've been running for a few weeks now and I'm quite suprised at how much i like it.
I run on moorland and do 2.5 miles in 30mins. I could go faster but its quite rocky so i fear i will fall.

I was hot last night, much harder to run in the heat!