Any runners on here; advice needed.

Discussion in 'Taylor's Tittle-Tattle - General Banter' started by tom bola, Aug 4, 2010.

  1. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    Running bump....

    Back in March I asked for running shoe recommendations and ordered from sweatshop. I never followed up. The running shoes that we ordered turned up and were absolutely nothing like those we ordered. So back they went and we carried on with our current footwear. Roll on to this morning and a little 5K saw my Asics literally fall apart, (I have been hammering them this month). OK, time to go through more pain and try and find some decent running shoes at a decent price online.

    Mrs Diamond said to me "try Next online, they're supposed to do some good stuff". Once I stopped laughing I tried their site to keep her happy. It was a revelation. A good site where the filters work, excellent range of running gear at very good prices.
    We both ordered a couple of pairs, the ones we don't like go back for a refund. I highly recommend it.

    Still miss park run.
     
  2. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    Sweatshop used to be great but then became part of the Mike Ashley world and so service levels went to pot and they started answering every question with “karrimor”.

    I’ve struggled with running this year. I’m one of those who needs to be training for something and I had seven half marathons booked or planned for this year. With those all being cancelled I’ve struggled getting out. I cannot wait for events to be back on again.
     
  3. wimbornet

    wimbornet Reservist

  4. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    My best ever year for events was 6 half marathons and I had planned to do 7 this year to surpass that. Needless to say that plan went to pot and I have only managed one - Berko. My biggest issue is I struggle to run if I am not working towards an event so running over lock down has been intermittent at best. Cutting right back on running but focusing on my diet means I've lost about 8lb since the start of lockdown.

    This Sunday I finally have an event go to go - the St Albans 10k. I have one eye on the Coventry half in November but it is very expensive for what it is, and I also have the Leighton Buzzard half in November which is without doubt my favourite run of the year.
     
  5. Robert Peel

    Robert Peel Squad Player

    No one likes a show off.
     
  6. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    Ha! I wanted to break the two hour mark this year which some people seem to do with ease...but not me.

    The WFC Forums Strava group puts my pace to shame.
     
  7. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    I didn't know there was such a thing. I'll get on that.

    Lockdown has had the opposite effect on me. I've upped my running and been smashing PBs but also slowly putting on weight because my sweet tooth returned with a vengeance as lockdown wore on. Football coming back put me on the beer a bit more than normal too as the season came to an end. I've had a fortnight off for the family holiday and now getting back to running again while also trying to dodge the sweets and cakes too.

    Good luck with the Snorebens 10k.
     
  8. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    Thanks.

    If I could get my eating right at the same time as training being good I'd be happy. I seem to be stuck in a rut of eating clean or exercising but not both at the same time.
     
  9. Any non motorised treadmill fans on here?

    Tempted to get a lightweight treadmill that I can use in the living room and fold away rather than a huge and immovable electric monstrosity.

    Seems from the reviews that they're probably better in that you have to generate the rotation so you have to do more work which is good for me.

    Can they handle to 12 or 13kph running relatively easily? Are they pretty stable?
     
  10. ForzaWatford

    ForzaWatford Squad Player

    I've been running again in lockdown, I find sometimes I can do 5k with relative ease. I don't feel too out of breath and my legs don't feel heavy. Other times I have to give up after 3k because i'm blowing out my arse and my legs feel so heavy. Sometimes that's within a few days. Can anyone explain this? Is it purely mental?
     
  11. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Are you trying to maintain the same pace? Could be better (even mentally) to slow down and get to 5k than have to stop at 3k?
     
  12. ForzaWatford

    ForzaWatford Squad Player

    I generally don't really care about how fast i'm going, just try and do what feels comfortable. I'd say I usually get about 5 seconds per KM slower every KM though, if that makes sense.
     
  13. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    So what's different when you can run easy and then not so? Different times of day, before or after work or eating, different routes etc.
    First step as UEA says is slow down a bit, especially at the beginning, just ease yourself into it. Mrs Diamond had exactly this issue last year and it was always because she started off too fast. When she came out with me she never had an issue because I start at a very controlled pace.
     
    ForzaWatford likes this.
  14. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    There will be a reason for it, the tricky part is identifying it. I feel really fit at the moment and I'm enjoying my running, but I went out on Wednesday evening for my regular 6k route and I was blowing after 2k, my shoulder ached and legs were heavy. Really I shouldn't have run - my daughter had me awake at 4am that day and I was tired so should have rested.

    Try and monitor when you are eating before a run as well as what you are eating. And as others have mentioned go out slow and build into the run. Use the first mile as a warm up and then judge your pace for the rest of the run.
     
    ForzaWatford likes this.
  15. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    Anyone else struggling to run post COVID? I wasn’t quick to begin with, but I’m running about 45 sec/mile slower than I was previously and I’m really struggling to catch my breath. It’s making it difficult to enjoy running at the moment.
     
  16. Bore

    Bore Reservist

    Yes - I had Covid 15 months ago and for first 6 months my lung capacity was rubbish. Stopped me training - now about 1 min a mile slower due to not being able to run as much which means about a stone heavier
     
  17. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    I had covid in September. It took me a good 6 weeks to stop feeling like my lungs were gonna rip out of my chest when I ran.

    I'm also losing weight right now, which might also be affecting me. I completely run out of gas at around 3km and can only proceed at a plodding pace thereafter. Is this just me running out of glycogen because I'm on calorie deficit? It's a very stark change. I've never been a good runner, but now I can barely get 5km finished and it's become a real chore.
     
  18. Robert Peel

    Robert Peel Squad Player

    I had 3 months off running after I snapped my ankle last year. Was back running a full 5k after 99 days, but I've never got the level of fitness back that I had previously - longer than 6 or 7k are a struggle and I now walk a bit of my usual 5K. I think it's probably a combination of age and fitness slipping away in the time off running. Not sure whether I can fully get it back at 45.
     
  19. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    100% you can get if fully back RP if I can after a heart attack and Mrs D can after chemo, (in fact she's running more than ever).

    I've struggled to run at all in the last year or so due to current family/work circumstances but am determined to get it going again asap. Mrs D has advised me to follow the couch to 5K method again.
     
    Knight GT likes this.
  20. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I have never been a long distance running kind of guy. Back in yoof I was pretty quick (100m in 10.8 secs) but anything further than that I hated. The onset of age and some excess weight plus a completely ruined knee made me make the decision to try and sort myself out. I entered the local 10k race (Binfield 10k) to try and make sure I didn't drop out.
    I did the Couch to 5k which I thought was excellent and now have started to build up the distance. In January I did 5k twice a week and then 6k at the weekend, Feb I'm doing 6k in the week and 7k at the weekend. I'm not quick but the aim is to do the 10k in around an hour. On current speed I would do it in about 1hr 15 so work to do
    I think what I'm trying to say is that if there is a goal then hopefully it keeps you going as I gave up far too easily in the past. I have not had Covid though, although the wife and both kids currently have it, so this probably helps. I'm feeling fitter than I have for a while so it's definitely helping
     
    Diamond likes this.
  21. RossConnor7

    RossConnor7 Academy Graduate

    Howdy folks, hope you don’t mind me joining in the convo. I’m an endurance athlete and also a running coach. Just thought I’d share a few things from my training and also from runners I’ve worked with. Some things may be relevant to you, others not, so feel free to take with a pinch of salt. Effort over pace. It can become to easy to think about how quick you are running, look to make it a consistent effort at a slower pace over a distance before trying to run it quicker. In fact as you get stronger you should naturally get quicker without trying. Also mileage, it’s common to increase it to much. I made this mistake when I was younger and I now have achilles tendinitis to show for it. You should only increase your weekly mileage by 10%. So if you run 20 miles one week, you can do 22 the next. Another one is to many runs in a week without recovering properly. Recovery should be treated as a session in its own right, factor it in to your week. Also listen to your body, everybody is different and what works for your mate might not work for you. You may need more recovery. If the body says have a day off have a day off. This is also common with cross training. I’ve worked with runners who have come to a session tired and Ive questioned them about it to find out they’ve cycled 5 times, swam 3 times and been to CrossFit twice as well as trying to fit their runs in. It’s to much. A lot of it can be mental too, I was once told running is 10% running and 90% mental and I’d agree with that. You’re your own worst enemy at times and your harshest critic. Give yourself some encouragement and believe in yourself. One thing I really believe in is goal setting and don’t just think longer term ie get fit or run a marathon. Set medium and longer term goals, weekly and monthly, give yourself some focus. It makes such a difference feeling that you’re working towards something and have some purpose, rather than slogging out for the sake of it. Nutrition and fuelling. Regardless of weight you need to be getting the correct number of calories in order to run properly. I’ll be more specific. Carbs are your main source of fuel when running. Once your carbs run out, you burn fat, great if you want to lose weight, not so great if you want to run well. I did a test one week, where I cut out carbs and I literally had zero energy for any of my runs, I was shocked at how suddenly it took effect. It’s true cutting out carbs will help you lose weight and will generally make you feel healthier and less lethargic but it will impact your running. My suggestion is to make sure you’re still getting some carbs in, even if it’s just on the days you’re running. Mentally if you’re running well you should be pleased and feel happy, no one wants running to feel like a chore. You will still lose weight but remember it’s a process and takes time. Also, if weight loss is your goal, complement your runs with some resistance training. People often think cardio is the best way to lose weight. It’s not. Resistance training is. I do S&C with my athletes, not only is it great for injury prevention but it can also improves performance. Last one, sleep. Might seem silly and obvious, but in modern society to many of us sleep little and spend to much time looking at screens. Ideally you want to sleep for at least 8 hours a day, this is where your body fully recharges both physically and mentally and your body makes the adaptations needed to get stronger. If you don’t do this you end up training again before your body is ready and you do more damage. Kipchoge sleeps for 10 hours a day. Granted we can’t all do that but if you ever wondered what sacrifices a 2 hour marathon runner has to make, there’s one lol.
     
  22. RossConnor7

    RossConnor7 Academy Graduate

    Ps I didn’t realise that would be such an essay when I was writing it. My apologies!
     
  23. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Thanks @RossConnor7

    Would it follow that by cutting to 2100 calories per day, it would explain why I'm getting completely shattered at 3km every time?

    I alternate weight training days with running, but have managed to balance these in the past, with obvious compromises in improvement, but not to the level I'm experiencing now.
     
  24. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    “Convo”?!o_O
     
  25. RossConnor7

    RossConnor7 Academy Graduate

    I’m no dietician so don’t claim to be an expert in this field but it is a possibility. On average men should be consuming 2500 calories a day, you expend approx 100 calories per mile that you run. How many miles a week do you run? Let’s just say you was running 5 miles 3 times a week. That’s 1500 calories. Divided by 7 that works out at about an extra 215 calories a day. That would take your daily total to 2715. As I said everyone is different, so it may require some trial and error. If you’re currently consuming 2100 calories a day, perhaps try somewhere between there and 2715 even if it’s just adding on the 215 lost from running (it may be more on less depending on your actual weekly mileage).
    If you’re losing energy at the exact same point every time it does coincide with my own thoughts. You’ve probably heard the term, hitting the wall, especially around marathon running. This is actually just your body running out of carbs. This has happened to me on 3 occasions and it’s been when I’ve hit 16 miles bang on every time. It’s possible this is what’s happening to you, even over two miles if your carb store is low. So either including some good carbs (so your brown rice and bread) within your current daily calorie intake or by making sure the extra calories you start taking are made up of these. It might also be worth taking a gel pack with you, although these can be quite hard to stomach. Something like Cliff Bloks might be a good alternative
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  26. Robert Peel

    Robert Peel Squad Player

    Thanks.

    I ran a marathon a couple of years before I broke the ankle and was running 5 or 6 times a week. Did couch to 5k to get going again, as much to build up the ankle as well as fitness.

    Still do about 5.5k 5 or 6 times a week now, but it's a lot harder work than before the break. I also seem to have endless aches and pains.
     
    Diamond likes this.
  27. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    I've taken a punt and booked myself onto Watford half on Sunday. My running is really laboured but I'm noticing marginal improvements, I also need to get food back on track which will help as I haven't fully finished the Christmas style of eating rubbish all the time.
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  28. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    So I had a protein shake with creatine about an hour before an evening run today, and all of a sudden I'm back to my best.

    I was labouring through at up to a minute per km slower and really feeling it recently as I'm dieting to lose some of the excess bulk I'd packed on. Good to know it's just down to food and that I'm still as fit as I was. It was starting to get me down.
     
    Diamond likes this.
  29. RossConnor7

    RossConnor7 Academy Graduate

    Glad to hear it. Sometimes you just need that little boost!
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  30. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    So having lapsed a bit from running I did my usual shot to nothing before Xmas and put in for the London Marathon ballot. I think I’ve been doing it for about 6 years now without being picked. Anyway, guess what my email inbox surprised me with today…

    Still mulling it over before paying up and have a month to decide. Without going back over this thread and with apologies to those who’ve spoken about it before, any hints, tips, nudges towards doing it? I sort of feel like I wouldn’t do any other marathon and I suspect the training is going to involve lots of long, dull runs. But then London is pretty iconic, I loved the atmosphere around the GNR in 2019 and as it’s in September this year I get to train in warmer weather and on lighter nights than when it’s in its usual April slot.
     
  31. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    I've entered a few times without success, and each time I've had the rejection email I've felt a sense of relief...

    Good luck! There are loads of marathon training plans online. I've only ever done one marathon and I don't have any real desire to do more, half marathons are my thing. If I were to give one tip from my experience it would be to build in some extra sleep towards the business end of your training.
     
    UEA_Hornet likes this.
  32. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    I just did the Leamington half this morning on the training path to London. Figured someone on this thread probably would have mentioned it at some point.

    Good course I thought, though some seemed surprised by a couple of the hills. There was a climb out in the sticks around 9 miles that caused quite a few to walk. Only the second half I’ve ever done but knocked 5 mins off my last time to finish in 1:47. Good preparation I think. Obviously not a time/pace I could sustain for 26 miles but I’m increasingly confident a sub-4 hour marathon is doable if I can keep fit.

    Now to find another half for late Aug or first week of Sept…
     
  33. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    That is a great time - well done. I think there is a half in Egham around the time you are looking for.
     
  34. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    How's the marathon training going?
     
  35. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Good I think. Back in March I was carrying a bit too much timber and knew dropping that was the first priority. I've lost 10kg since then through cutting out a load of crap food and beer 6 days a week (Saturdays off) and making sure calories out > calories in. I reckon need to bin off another 3-4kg to be in the best shape but I feel so much fitter.

    I've been looking at marathon training plans for a sub 4 hours and they're mostly 16 weeks long and suggest you need to be at 25ish miles a week in Week 1 and able to do a sub 1:50 half marathon. So the other part of the plan was to get to that level from zero, which I have. Been around 30 miles running most weeks recently. 16 weeks out from the marathon was about a fortnight ago but I realised the early stages of the plans were actually below where I already was, so I concentrated on the Leamington half first and now plan to get on the marathon training proper and up the distance.
     

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