Brand new running thread 2018, come and join us!!

Just 5k today! Very pleasant it was, too!

393.4

7 run club miles last night, and I think another 7 since last posted.

Am also on hols next week, going to try and do 5k every day, it all sound so easy till I get there!

390.4

Hello everyone

Did interval training with a new group last night. They were soooo fast, I was at lagging at the back by a big stretch! I am a plodder though and wanted to try intervals with a group to try and push myself to be faster. I really struggle to get my legs to turn over faster at the moment and sit in a happy plodding long run place! I definitely was running faster than I would have if I'd tried on my own.

Only did 2.5 miles in total but felt it was so beneficial.

Rest day today (going to do HITT and Zumba though) and hills session on my own tomorrow evening.

On holiday in Mallorca next week so currently scoping out potential routes.

Hill training today- literally ran up and down all the local hills I usually avoid. At least one of them wasn't quite as bad as I thought, which is good to know! 2.9 miles.

I think everyone has rougher days or days when they struggle- I can't always work out why a run I've found easier is harder the next day. I definitely think having an easy week now and again is probably a good idea! If you're constantly pushing on distance or speed, sometimes it's good to drop back and see that actually, you can do this and you have improved!

376.4

Fartlek in the sunshine today! Went after getting a filling, made drinking while running a bit tricky as half my mouth was still numb! I think it's a good idea to have an easier week every now and then Just to give your body a break. Enjoy your Glasgow runs!

373.5

I was really disappointed with my last parkrun. My legs just felt so tired! So I'm going to run slightly less distance this week. Instead of 8-10k 3 days, I'm going to be running 5 or 6k three times.

I'm visiting Glasgow this week and it's lovely to run along the Clyde to Glasgow Green.

Great running everyone. I have been struggling a bit with my feet but managed to do 35k (22 miles) in total since my last update so will add that on. Had a good run with a friend yesterday where I just seemed to get into my stride a bit better and although my feet were super stiff afterwards, they weren't painful during the run itself. The Altras (zero drop, bare foot toe box) are helping a lot. I think I just need to persevere with it tbh, and try to schedule 3 runs a week between 7-12k.

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Well done maya.

Most beginner half marathon training plans have 10 miles as the final run before the half marathon, so I think you're right about being able to do the distance. I definitely struggled with the last three miles of mine, though. Maybe try and find a half-marathon "improvers" plan to follow?

Hi, I haven't been on for a bit but I'm still running. I did the Edinburgh 10k at the weekend and shocked myself by getting round in 1:07:54. I had been worried about the course limit of 90 min and it's only 2 min slower than my pb despite the HUGE hill. It's fair to say I'm over the moon.

I'm not sure what to do now. I have two 10ks in July and August then the GNR in September. How long do I give myself to get ready for the half marathon? I ran 10 miles a couple of weeks ago so I'm sure I can do the distance but I want to do enough long runs to feel confident about finishing well.

BTW, if I'm running, riding or cycling on single track lanes, I always position myself in the middle of the road coming around bends- gives you a better chance of being seen and forces the car to slow down and not try to just push past you- if there's lots of sun and shade try to wear something brightly coloured- if someone's driving into glare or wearing sunglasses and you're in the shade dressed all in black, you can be very hard to see!

Haven't been on the thread for a little while, great to see some new faces! Sounds like everyone is making good progress!

I've signed up for the Torbay Half Marathon in 4 Weeks- maximum time is three hours, which should be no problem BUT it puts a little more pressure on, I think!

If anyone is looking for cheap running gear, sports direct currently have a sale on. I've also got some great cheap pieces from boohoo in the past- including a mesh top which is brilliant! The only things I've ever really spent money on are my trainers!

Also, re hills- I live in Cornwall, which is similar for steep hills to Devon. There are a few short steep stretches I just don't run up (there's one I don't run down, either!) and a few I'll only do if I'm deliberately trying to hill train, it's just not worth ruining the rest of my workout- so I pause strava, walk up at a reasonable pace, and then restart from the top- I still get plenty of hill practice in and this way I don't ruin workouts where I'm trying to focus on speed or increasing my distance.

Anyway, swam fifty lengths on Friday, ran 4.5 miles on Saturday, and 7 miles today. Restarting training proper today, going to fit in at least two more short runs this week plus another long run next weekend.

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Sorry - 332.5

Did 4k outside this morning. Aware of my hip but it wasn't sore. Wanted to go further but know it wouldn't have been a good idea really. Will build up slowly

342.5

Well done! I put the treadmill on 7% and 9kph today and managed 90 seconds

Well I did it! 2.5k uphill. And 2.5k downhill! Not focusing on my times this week 😄

430

We used to live in Devon, the roads were scary just to drive on never mind run! If you are by the coast there is the South West coast path or there are great trails on Dartmoor.

Oh Heavens! On holiday in Devon. Bought my running gear. Unless I get super brave I don't think any running is happening this week. The roads are vertical (that'll teach me to moan about no hill training), they bend at 180 degrees and are one car width wide if you are lucky!!!

It's only been 2 weeks but I've been itching to get out but don't want to do any damage.

427

Did 3k on the treadmill today after my circuits class so I could see how my hip felt. Did a walk run so took about 22 mins. Could feel the the hip towards the end but only slightly. Spent a good 15 mins stretching afterwards. Will see how it feels and maybe get out on Monday morning.

Lovely long run today, can't do it on Sunday as usual because ds has another athletics meet, a mere 2 he drive away! So out early this morning, cool to start then got sunny. Lovely new route along country lanes & through forest. Hilly but nice!

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Thanks @emummy ! Somehow I managed to miss your post this morning. And it was weirdly relevant. I did my Friday "long run" today. 8km. Same as last 2 weeks but I struggled and had to walk here snd there. But I also did some faster running between telegraph poles. Overall my time was exactly the same as the other weeks!

Good call on using stairs for hill training. Doh! It had never occurred to me 😄

Well done everyone on the races last weekend! Have been a bit quiet on her of late, ran on mon night and came back via the pub as had Tuesday off work, had 3 glasses of prosecco and by that point it had gone cold outside so thought would run home to warm up-not my finest move!!

21 so far this week. Did my first ever track / speed session last night, was good! Managed a 7.13 mile which I’m ridiculously pleased with even though it’s pretty meaningless!

Also thanks to the poster that recommended me the Ron hill infinity marathon shorts in the winter, finally have some and am in pocket heaven!!

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I love Parkrun Autumn! Unfortunately I've been doing it with my 6yo DD so we've mainly been walking!! But I'm looking for a gap when she doesn't want to go to run in my own. I agree it's a lovely environment!

Welcome all!
Rocket there are programmes like C25k for going up to 10k, otherwise you can just gradually increase your long run every week or every other week till you get to 10k.
Most of my running clothes are Ronhill, it's comfortable and long lasting. Websites like sportsshoes.com are good for getting clothes and shoes more cheaply.
Brassica interval training and fartlek are good for improving speed, and park run definitely can help too. Fartlek is the simplest, you go for a short run to warm up then start doing bits where you run faster, e.g. Run for two lampposts fast, then jog till you feel recovered, then run faster to the next bus stop or whatever you can see around you. Do that for 10 or 20 minutes, then have a cool down run of a few km to finish.
Intervals are more set, so maybe run for 10 mins easy to warm up then do 1 or 2 minutes faster, then a recovery jog for 2 minutes, then repeat 4 or 5 times, then do the cool down slow run after. You can change the times of everything to suit you. If you don't have hills, you can run up flights of steps or over bridges.

@BrassicaBabe have you tried going to a parkrun? My 5k time was consistently 32min+ until I went, then on my second parkrun I went down to 29.10! Something about running with other people and there always being someone faster to try and keep up with. I’m totally hooked on them now and evangelise about them to everyone!