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

[cinnamongreyhound]

A thread for all things running in 2018.

This is the 11th thread since it started with a few of us who wanted to chat about our running, running clothes, support each other and get some training tips.

We talk about our runs and support and encourage where needed.

Please feel free to come and join us and add your miles to our running total for the month for the whole thread in bold at the bottom of each post.
Currently on 29.2 for January.

Hi Flamingoose and welcome! The number is our group miles total, so every time you do a run you can add it to that number. Teeny tiny runs are better than no runs!

NamelessEnsign that's interesting you've had less pain since using barefoot shoes. I sometimes think about trying them but I worry they would actually worsen Achilles problem and I'm not sure how comfy they would be on multiterrain routes, stony and tree- rooty trails. I don't know anyone in RL who uses them. What made you take that decision to make the change and how long did it take you to build up the mileage? I do up to 15 miles so not long distance.

RunningAddict I love my Nike top
Warm but I don't overheat and has fold over sleeve ends which you can use instead of gloves. If it's really cold I use on top of gloves at the start and fold back as I warm up.

Nike top
Failed link, try again!

And 4.3 to add from Sat, parkrun plus short run there.
448.1

Can I join please? I ran a lot last year, but have asthma, last autumn I had 2 chesty coughs which stopped me in my tracks. I'm ready to run again now, and downloaded the couch25K app as I also have a dodgy knee!

Good luck getting back to running slippermaiden

I did an aquathlon yesterday, 400m swim and then 5K run, so I'll add my run on:

451.2

I’ve managed 5km on the dreadmill in total but that’s about it since Tuesday! :( nightmare week trying to juggle things with the kids. Seriously slacking!

457.3

familygerms I’m always unsure if I should be recommending barefoot as it’s such a personal thing, but it has made such a massive change for me. I started with day to day shoes then built up to walking in my trainers, then short runs. The idea for me was that while my (custom, substantial) orthotics took a lot of pain away, they just made my joints and ligaments weaker overall. I was doing a lot of Physio and rehab just to be at basic strength.

I have HMS so I just thought it was now or never - I needed to strengthen my hips, knees, feet, and ankles by making them work harder. I’ve worn Freet, vivo barefoot, Merrell barefoot, and at work I wear Drifter Leather and Tikki and Vivo. I have a lot less calf pain, turn my ankles less often, have less knee pain, but it hasn’t solved everything - still plenty of back problems!

I think I read up a lot, tried a couple of pairs and felt the massive difference after only a few minutes of wearing them (my legs were exhausted), and resolved to build up. To be honest it has taken a long time to build up to the point where I can run without giving the shoes a second thought, and it’s still a trauma when I replace my running shoes (i’m in Merrell Bare Access 4 - ok but not a dream shoe!)

5k of interval sprints tonight, legs now broken!

460.4

Cold sunny forest run, legs still tired from Sunday

463.4

Thanks familygermsareok that’s exactly what I’m looking for!

Fizzy it’s so difficult to fit a run in sometimes isn’t it, hopefully things calm down and you have some more time this week

Had an alright 5 miles this morning, weather was battling against me though!

468.4

Do any of you use running belts / those chest strap things to carry water or nutrition? Any recommendations if so?

For my own long runs, I generally carry water in my hand and have an energy gel in pocket ‘just in case’. I’ve only done longer obstacle events previously where I’ve relied on food stations if I’ve needed (just grabbed half a banana or whatever) anything and been fine.

For this 18 miler I’m nit as sure on the stations and also not keen on stopping at all if poss so need to carry things-do those belts bob about?

I have a Karrimor belt with 2 bottles and a pocket which works very well. I also have one from Innov 8 which has bigger pockets. I used that one for London and one of the pockets stored my long sleeved top. It doesn't come with bottles, I use my Ronhill soft flasks. Dh has a flip belt that he is happy with too.
I always like to carry my own water on longer races even when there are water stations, I like the flexibility.

Thanks emummy does it stay in place? I just can’t inagine that it wouldn’t jiggle about.

They usually stay in place! With the karrimor one so find I need to have a bottle of water in it or it rides up, but you can adjust the tightness and the bottles are held quite snugly.

Thank you emummy- have gone for a double bottle one. Sure I’ll now be much faster when I don’t have to hold bottle

NamelessEnsign that is really interesting. I hadn't thought about orthotics actually weakening you overall. It sounds like you have put a huge effort into building up your strength. I think I have the 'grass is greener' syndrome and keep looking for the unattainable, a shoe I can run in as often and as far as I want without flaring up my Achilles. I should maybe just accept that really I'm doing ok as long as I don't overdo it.

Buster the most useful things I've found are a running backpack/ vest thing which has easy access pockets in front for water, gels, etc and enough space to put extra clothes, phone, other bits and bobs in back. I use it mainly for trail running if I'm out in the hills, also I often run in to local shop to get newspaper, rolls and bacon on a Sun morning and it's perfect for that! Very comfy, barely know I'm wearing it, have done up to 15miles wearing. Only downside is back can get a bit sweaty but it's not bad.
If you only need to carry water and gels I love my ronhill trail shorts which have integral pockets in the inside legs which soft water bottles fit into. Snug, don't move around, comfy, I really don't notice when running in them. Shorts also have bands in back to fit gels in -2 different sizes , my gels kept falling out till I realised there was a narrower band too! And a good size back pocket. I will try to find a link.
Both shorts and backpack need the Ronhill soft water bottles to fit into pockets.
I've also used a belt with standard water bottle fitting diagonally across back and also found that fine, but I prefer my shorts.

RunningAddict, you're welcome! I have 2 and love them. Different colours as I got them a couple years ago, but they are my go-to cold weather gear now

6.2 from trail run with club last night. Got a bit lost, but we'd aimed for a 10k so the extra loops were meant to be!
474.6

Trail shorts
Running backpack

Oops, totally failing with links, have just brought top up again, sorry, will try later

Thanks familygerms I have found them Think will get shorts and bottles!

8 from me tonight 482.6

Shorts are brilliant, glad you found them.
I have just learned how to do links and was getting carried away, but I just seem to be redoing the first one over again. Obviously not as clever as I thought I was!

Pretty cold 7km run today in which I knocked 3 minutes off last week’s plod!

487

First day of couch to 5K completed!

Woo-hoo! Well done slippermaiden! Good luck