Running thread number 14

[emummy]

This is a thread to talk about all things running and support each other through the highs and lows. All are welcome, from absolute beginners to experts!
We keep a running total of everyone's miles for the month, so feel free to add yours on. Current total for March is:

204.3

I'm still in Snowdonia and I got out for a run today to test out the legs after the Ultra. Everything seemed ok as I started off so I pushed a little bit harder on the climb out. By the top I was feeling pretty good and time wise I was going well. The descent back down was great and I really pushed hard. The ankle and knee were fine and I set a PB for that route so a 5k for me tonight.

258

That's fantastic Alex! So impressed by how quickly you have recovered.
Mixed pace run for me this morning. It's an absolutely gorgeous morning here, off for a shower now then to parkrun to tail walk.

264

Was my bday Tues I got a fitbit ionic frustratingly I am allergic to the buckle!

Couple short runs this week plus park run today another PB of 28.58

270.5

Short recovery run for me yesterday. God it felt hard! My resting heart rate is 12 beats per minute higher too. I get bored at work and take it 😂

I think it's lack of sleep, only manage about 4/5 hours a day when on nights and also maybe lack of food, as I don't get hungry at night really. So eat my dinner about 9pm and then run at 4pm the next day and I've only had a biscuit.

So giving myself a day off today and maybe tomorrow. See how I feel. Annoying.

275

20 mile long run this afternoon. (I prefer a morning run but DH is training for a bike race so he got first dibs on the morning slot as his race is only a couple of weeks away so sooner than my marathon.) It was warm and windy so it was a bit of a slog. I had a couple of rough miles at 13 miles or so but got through that and the run improved.

Adding 8 miles from other runs this week.

303

Chesney I did shifts for years and I tended to be a total waste of space whilst on nights. Well done on managing any exercise.
Had an exploratory holiday run in the rain. Was lovely but a very steep hill (in the Highlands) I’m in awe of those of you who do big hills regularly and also quite jealous. But any tips greatly appreciated , especially on how to come down and not go to fast - I was worried I was going to fall over. When it was wider I zigzagged but where narrow I just kept stopping when felt going too fast.
305.5

@IRun4Me coming downhill is tricky as you naturally pick up speed. It's all about relaxing a much as possible, this means you need to trust that you won't fall. Look ahead and pick your line, arms out for balance and try not to lean back. This puts lots of stress on your quads (acting as breaks) it also means you are relying on the heel of your shoe and foot for grip. You will be more likely to slip and slide on your heel, you want your fore and mid foot to be taking the impact and providing feel and grip. So it's counter intuitive but you need to lean forwards so you are in your natural running position (imagine the ground is flat, if you lean back on the flat you'll fall) also if you are off road having shoes with good grip really helps.
So lean forward, arms out and relax, relax, relax.

Long and hilly run this morning. Pleased to see I did 3 times the elevation that will be in the marathon! Felt better than last week's long effort.
Agree about night shifts, it was all I could do to eat & sleep!
IRun running down steep hills is a bit of an art! Leaning forward, arms wide, short fast steps, but when it gets really steep I tend do a sort of gallop - like when kids pretend to be horses! I couldn't say I've seen it in any Running books but on really really steep inclines I find it gives me more control. Shouting 'Wheeee' is optional!

323.5

Well done on your runs everyone!

Good tips for downhill running too. I find it hard and hate running down steep hills.

Glad I'm not the only one affected by shift work and running. Feels less of a worry 😂

Thanks for the tips I tried them out this morning. I didn’t shout ‘wheee’ this time as I didn’t want to scare the sheep 🐑
I was pleased that I only had to stop a couple of times on the uphill section, when it was really steep. And coming back down was so much quicker
327.5

By the way emummy I’ve been doing some reconnaissance for your Marathon in October and I can safely say if there aren’t enough toilets at the start, don’t worry, there’s lots of ferns and bushes en route

Thank you IRun! That's very reassuring!

MIxed pace run today in the sun. Weather getting warmer again, which is what usually happens when the school holidays are finishing!

333.75

Back to running today with an 8 mile trail run. Good tips about running down hills, I'm still not very good at it yet and tend to cause a bit of a log jam in group runs.
341.75

Went out Sunday a did a very easy 3.5 miles off road. Was pleased to just get out!

Yesterday I did 5 miles steady off road, felt a lot better as had a fairly good sleep in the day.

Today had a really good sleep as finished work earlier than expected! So went and did 5k round the roads to test my new birthday trainers out. Went really well, had lots of energy! Amazing what some sleep can do 😂

353.3

Happy Birthday Chesney and well done!

Great running everyone, sounds like you're building up to the marathon really well @emummy.
So I'm back home after being away for the Ultra. I did 11k this evening with 5 x 1 km efforts in the middle, I wasn't sure how I was going to go as it's only 10 days since the Ultra. It was a good run and I felt super comfortable, the reps were good and the recovery between were great. So all in all I'm recovering pretty well.

360.1

Hello, I would like to join you on this thread if that's ok.
I started my journey back to running first by walking because I had had knee problems in the past. Then, I used the 5k app which I loved because of the encouragement. I was surprised that I actually began to enjoy running.
And finally, I went out on a run that was supposed to be 5k yesterday and got lost. It actually turned into 13k and I was really pleased that I managed it ok.
So now, I'm thinking about training for a half marathon. But I'm really nervous about that because I've never done anything like that before and because I don't want to kill off my pleasure for running by over facing myself.
Any tips would be great...
Also, does anyone have an app to recommend where I can listen to my own music at the same time ?
All the best to everyone today.

Welcome Grooviegazelloo! Half marathons are great & I'm sure you could do it. I worked my way up quite slowly, so did a few 10k races before training for a half. I think a good thing is not to put a lot of pressure on yourself and just try to enjoy the process. When you follow a training plan be flexible with it & listen to your body. So if you're tired one day do an easier run or take the day off. Also choose a race that looks like fun - a nice scenic route, or good crowds or one that's easy to get to. And choose one with a generous cut off time so you don't feel under pressure - unless of course you're a speedy person then you don't need to worry! I enjoy doing races but I don't do lots and always try to have regular beaks where I'm not training and just run for fun.

Oooh emummy. Thankyou for getting back to me with your suggestions. They are very precious to me.

Hi there @Grooviegazelloo welcome to the thread.
I think @emummy hit the nail on the head with the half marathon training.
I'll add a couple of things, build up slowly and never increase your blocks by more than about 10% at a time. So if you currently do 5ks don't suddenly jump to running 15k. Or from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Increase them over time. Pick a half you like the sound of, for example the Brighton Half might sound really good but if you don't like running in big crowds then give it a miss as there are 12,000 runners. I run almost exclusively off-road it's much more enjoyable to me, the sounds and smells, less traffic much more varied terrain. Just remember to enjoy yourself, it is fun after all. If you need to miss a session then that's cool.

Hi runners
I'd love anyone's advice on my thread here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/3671776-Storm-through-a-5km-one-day-cant-do-it-the-next

Thanks

Some great advice :) Also, time doesn't matter. No one but you really cares what time you do it in. All that matters is that you enjoy it and you get a picture of you grinning with medal round your neck at the end.

3 mile run today.
363.1

Thanks a lot for your advice too Alex. It's lovely to ponder over. As I never imagined myself enjoying long distance running, it's so new for me to think about. I also almost always run off roads and don't tend to come across many people.So the idea of the crowds hadn't really crossed my mind.
As you say, enjoying myself is the most important part. And thankyou for reminding me about that.

Kitten- the time part is a big issue, you're right.It is, in fact, a big reason why I didn't keep up to running when I was in my 20s. I was always expecting that I should get faster and faster. I stopped enjoying it. Then stopped the whole thing !
what ia great thought - picture of me grinning with a medal on.