2015 Running Thread

[ThursdayLast]

Well...nearly!

Thread for all running chat, no matter how fast or how far you run

Mitchy yes, first road marathon, I've done a lot of trails of a similar length but a road marathon is different due to the pace that needs to be maintained. You can train for a marathon with 3 runs a week with one long run building to a max of 3 hours, I think, so you should be fine. I don't want to over train (or risk injury) so won't be doing more than 4 sessions a week maximim when I start doing long runs - so far I've been doing a lot of shorter speed session training with a a long run of only 13 miles. Will also be doing one competition a month before the marathon including a HM 3 weeks before the Rome marathon.
I like to run around 50kms a week in general.

I use 'food is medicine' but fuel works too, a teen member of my running club died of (or with) anorexia last year and that was very disturbing, very easy to normalise extremely low BMIs with distance running

I saw you reference Matt Fitzgerald earlier, other thread maybe? I have both his racing weight books (one is the 'quick start' guide) I couldn't quite get into the quality scoring method (long calorie counting habit) but I really loved his one about running 'by feel', I just like the way he writes about running

Anglaise, you'll have no trouble dropping a couple of kg surely while training for a marathon?
I struggle to keep my weight up since I got back into runningand you do more miles and way faster than I do

is that about 30 miles? I have a ridiculous neurosis that over 35 miles a week is where my soleus will 'go' again so am kind of hoping to do the marathon at around that maximum volume which some people think is nuts but some experienced ultra runners seem to think other training variables are much much more important - such as the specificity of the long slow run - and the rest is fine tuning which really doesn't matter

I might not even do any speedwork, just do the long run at 2 minutes slower than say, 10k pace, and my other runs at whatever feels comfortable

BMI 15.7?
that sounds shocking Mitchy:(

I like the sound of HIIT. I definitely want to do something to strengthen my core. I did my Shred dvd today, which seems like quite a good mix of a bit of weights, some short, high intensity cardio and some abs work.

does it?

have you ever seen Ilsa Paulsen?

I often wonder what variables have greatest influence on musculoskeletal stress, is it just miles, or frequency or speed, or surface?
How much influence does body weight have too heavy equals extra stress, to light and you are undernourished and not able to properly repair and recover ?

I just googled Ilsa
she looks...
not sure of the right word
it elicts a fear of dying if you stay on this path

many of the elites have a BMI that is well below 18.5

it doesn't mean they have eating disorders but distance running is a good way to hide them in plain sight I think

anyway I think I am in the 11% or so of people who bizarrely gain weight training for a marathon , I would prefer in some ways to gain weight and complete the event injury free since am not aiming to do it any quicker than the minimum time allowed (I think this one is 6 hours, I will be v happy to trot round in 5) but I think some of my weight gain is the challenge of staying hydrated (am on lithium)

Most Marathon runners I know try to do 4 training sessions a week with total weekly miles adding up to a peak of 52. They will do a long 20+ miles usually on a Sunday, often parkrun as speed session or club training session and then a couple of other runs to keep the mileage up.

I don't exercise other than running. Classes are so expensive and it's tough to fit them in around work and kids. I do walk a lot, 1to2 dog walks a day (I take them on most runs so they only have one walk those days). And either two or three school runs a day but those are at the pace of my 4 year old, which isn't as slow as you'd think! I will try to start antenatal yoga soon if I can find a class that fits with work as I got a lot from it when I was pregnant with my other boys.

Training for my half marathon will definitely make me lose weight. But that is definitely a good thing - I am currently heavier than I should be!

This made me laugh. Mainly as most of it explains my state of mind.

I lose weight running, when I run consistently I am about 10lb lighter and my waist two inches smaller, so am looking forward to measuring myself in six weeks and seeing the difference!

I have just ordered a new pair of saucony running shoes as mine are starting to look worn on the inside heel bit. They still feel fine but figured I would get a,new pair and then.break.them in. Plus it's sale time. I went for the same pair I currently have but in the junior range so no vat and they were also half price in the sale. Including postage they have cost me £28:99! Bargain!

Holmes I am in awe of your HM! I need to go easy a bit. I did shred today. One of my non running goals is to do plank squats! My mum (70) does these!!!! At least I'm trying now.

Yoga is great for runners. It's all about tuning into your body rather than pushing it. It's essential to add a bit of balance. I'd love to do more exercise - my job could not be more sedentary! At the moment I am working on doing something every day - even if it's just 15 mins strength.

argh halle, so true! hahaha

Hi,

Some great posts!

I'm running the London marathon this year( I'm totally unfit) got in through the ballot.

I have started my training plan this week, three runs a week. I did a half marathon last year in 2.5 hrs- I then said I was never running again! The ballot came through and well it was a sign......

Wow - good for your mum! Don't be too in awe of my HM yet - it's the third I've signed up for, but I haven't managed to get to the starting line yet! I'm determined to make it this time though - I've given myself a long time to get ready for it. Plus it is going to be a beautiful setting - round Coniston Water near our new home in the Lakes. Might even cool off with a swim in the lake afterwards!

I did Yoga this morning. I've been doing it for about 3 months now and have found it really helpful. I'm much more flexible and much less stiff after runs and this has been the first winter in years where I haven't (yet) been injured. Was back this morning after the Christmas break and could feel immediately how much stiffer I've got after just 2 weeks off!

Need to be ready for the weekend as I'm running my 100th parkrun :)

Have 3 Half marathons booked so far this year and would like to get my time down a bit. I ran my first ever HM in March of last year and ended up doing 5 as I found them so addictive. Getting pressure to do a marathon now but I'm still too scared

Halle - that's brilliant. Poor DH and DD, they have two us to put up with :)

Mitchy you aren't the only one who gains weight during marathon training, a couple of my friends are the same. Not sure if it's due to appetite or muscle increase!
I like the Matt Fitzgerald way of writing too. I can't remember his calculation for my ideal racing weight but it is around 57kgs with a BMI of 18,5 and a bodyfat % of 14 or so. My body fat % is around 15% and I only need to lose 2 kgs so it shouldn't be too difficult.
I think I'll buy his latest book on the 80:20 low:high impact plan to motivate me more with the training. I really want to do a time of 3h45m or under whch should be possible with my 10k and HM times but in reality anything under 4 hours would be great. Or just to finish injury free so I can visit Rome properly afterwards!
Cinnamon I would love to have time to do 50 miles a week, but with work and 2 youngish kids (I'm a single mum) it is difficult to find the time. Most of the runners in my club manage their training with 3 outings a week. I think if you make your runs quality rather than just quantity then that can help. But I know that statistically it is miles under your belt that count at the end of the day, both for finishing and doing a good time. Work allowing I'll try and do more in the next 2 months but I don't want to get into over training as that can be dangerous too.

Suzanne In Matt Fitzgerald's Raing weight he explains in some detail how to lose weight but not performance, plus the sort of foods to eat to achieve this. There are too many athletes who lose weight too quickly and lose muscle instead of fat so that their performance is worse than before, but you can avoid this.

thanks for the Matt Fitzgerald recommendation, I think I looked at a few kindle samples of his a while ago but I'll give his work another go.
Tbh I've not read any running books which impressed me much

I don't speak from personal experience Anglaise1, as only the crazies very dedicated runners do marathons. It's the amount of time per week plus feeling you have to run that puts me off a marathon but perhaps when my kids are older I'll change my mind.