The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[nbx512]

hi everyone!
I have just started running doing the couch to 5k but feel I would benefit from some better suited trainers. I have looked at the Nike Infinity React and the Nike Pegasus, both recommend by friends. Does anyone have any experience in either of these? Any pros/cons to either?

Hello! If you can get into a running store and get fitted properly please do. You may be able to take a video of you running and send it to a store for analysis if you're locked down. Running shoes are the main barrier between you and injury and everyone runs differently. Trusting what a stranger recommends online is like copying someone else's glasses prescription because they say they like theirs.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Managed 5.49km this afternoon. I had to stop a few times to catch my breathing, but I ran the whole thing

My calf is really hurting now though

 

[chickhicks86]

I've entered a half marathon... Lazy arse is already regretting it why did I enter a half for winter, why why why

I'd much rather do longer training runs over winter than in the heat of summer!

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

Hi

I started week 6 today. Never really ran distances before. Usually just a 300m warm up pre hockey match and as little as I could get away with preseason. Couch to 5k helped me immensely. I‘m at almost 4K in a session now and feel I can go for more.
I like doing the same route at the moment. It makes comparisons easier. It’s also quiet and hardly any traffic (although I had to move for two cars today). Might have to change as it looks like it will be an access road to a housing estate being built so there will be lots of mud.
I am starting to enjoy it more now. I used to get a buzz when I finished knowing I had achieved something I never though I could. I now look at the next run and think I can do it. The next run is the last of the interval runs so there will be no walking to recover after that. Once that would have filled me with dread but not now.
Good luck with the rest of it. hopefully you will soon go from a potato to a french fry!!

Oh wow, well done!

I feel the same as you and I'm getting real satisfaction with each run I complete. I looked back at week one which now looks really easy but I remember absolutely gasping for breath half way through that one! I wouldn't have thought 4 weeks ago that I would now be running for 5 minutes solid.

I think you're right about comparisons on the same route - I know that it's 1 2/3rds of the way around the four streets to get to 5 min!

And YES - potato to french fry - I absolutely love this

I'll let you know if I get to week 7 and the full on runs

 

[royray]

Could someone please recommend a 20-30 minute home work out please, trying to find something that doesn’t involve to much jumping up and down as I live in a top floor flat and don’t want to annoy the neighbours.

Blogilates does a few apartment friendly workouts on YouTube, just search blogilates apartment friendly eg this one -
Silent Death Cardio - Apartment friendly workout to lean down
also I'm pretty sure her older pilates videos don't include jumping and things and some of them are very hard!

 

[JLXRD]

How have any of you improved your speed? My pace is around 8.40 per km, sometimes lower, today was longer [the leaves make me nervous!] but apart from the occasional pumping it up [briefly] when a banger comes on, slow is ma thing.

Slow running for long distances is the best foundation anyway! Maybe do one run with faster intervals per week to build speed, that’s what every training plan I’ve done has suggested anyway.

Eventually your ‘easy’ pace should get a little quicker and when you do eventually go for a time trial you should be a little faster after a few weeks obviously you would eventually plateau but where that would be would depend on your gender/weight/height etc.

 

[orange club biscuit]

Hey my son goes out with just a T-shirt, shorts, hat and gloves. I on the other hand wear long running leggings ( Nike) long leave tops ( H&M) running jacket or zipper ( it’s easier to get off and tie around my waist while still running) baseball cap and gloves

Your post reminded me of when my boyfriend and I went to Copenhagen in January and did the parkrun there. All the Danes were properly kitted out in leggings and jackets, coats and hats and my boyfriend insisted on running it in his running club vest, his shortest racing shorts and gloves I think it is a northern thing!

Also. My gloves 95% of the time end up in my bra from about 15 minutes in, but I hate having cold hands!

 

[nbx512]

Hiii! I’m loving this thread and not totally unrelated, I signed up for my first marathon last night for the end of May 2021 I’ve been running probably for 5ish years but only really consistently in the last couple. I did a half marathon a couple of weeks a go in 2hr20mins so certainly not speedy. Any helpful links etc on where to start I would be very grateful xx

Exciting! Have you checked whether the race you're doing puts out training plans? Otherwise having a google for marathon training plans will work. If you have a garmin they've got some pretty good plans via garmin connect (on your computer).

Assuming that you marathon bock is 16 weeks (so starting in February) that gives you about 6 weeks to a) increase your mileage but also do some speed specific work. If that sounds like the right kind of timeline I'm happy to suggest some speed stuff for you.

@SpiceWeasel I haven't forgotten about you sorry, life is just CRAZY atm but I'll get it done soon!

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Just bit the bullet and booked in for Friday morning!
I’m looking to increase my running distances over the summer so I need specialist shoes which are properly fitted for my feet, and although I’m slightly dreading it I know the staff are professional and will be the best people to go to for advice etc!

You’ll be totally fine - they’re trained to do this and they see all sorts of runners and people. It’s definitely the best to have shoes which are suited for you especially increasing distances. Let us know what shoes you go for!

 

[laughing]

Hi. Yes I have done week 3, run 1, very hard. I will be doing Week 3 for a couple of weeks!

 

[Lollypad]

Haha, I maybe can't blame running the same route for not progressing then

I've lost my interest for some reason. I'm going through see how I feel tomorrow and if I'm still not feeling it, going to give myself Christmas off

I lost interest in November and haven’t been for a proper run in about four weeks. So I told myself there was no pressure and I’ll start again in January - not to lose weight (although that would be nice) but for the mental health benefits. I never get much from running if it’s for weight loss, but if I look at it for the real benefits it’s actually easier to keep up with

 

[Lottiedooda]

Also don't forget technique is important...no point worrying about distance and speed etc if you're not getting the best out of your run or unnecessarily over exerting yourself in the first place x

 

[YellowLadybird]

perfect thank you so much for replying! My legs are weak so could do with some strength but I have a really strong core that I've worked really bloody hard on and the thought of losing it was putting me off running

The strong core will really help you out! If you want to maintain your upper body strength then just add in some other exercises. I'm a big fan of push ups as they're so straightforward but an absolute killer. Doing the 100 push up challenge for lockdown (RIP my arms)

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Honestly just run outdoors! Some days it'll suck but as long as you acknowledge this before hand and just accept it you'll do fine

Thank you think the key is just to get up and get out there - said I was having a day off today anyway but the weather is particularly shocking where I am today

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

It’s the dragging myself out part I struggle with! We’ve been walking an hour every day but I miss the solitude of being outdoors on my own. I live in the countryside and I feel very ‘at one’ with my surroundings when I run as it’s so quiet. I have Raynaud’s so really struggle with the cold, picked up a pair of running gloves in Tesco today though so now I have no excuse!!

Get your gear on and get out the door - once you start it's fine (at least that's what I tell myself )

 

[orange club biscuit]

Thanks! Quite scared but excited haha! Yes it's the Edinburgh Marathon. It's meant to have the flattest route of any race in the country so recommended for first timers

Ooh this was my first marathon too! Yes it’s pretty flat. My advice would be not to get carried away on the downhill bit at the start, it’s easy to run too fast! There’s also a pretty barren bit out towards the turnaround point where there aren’t many spectators - so maybe make sure you have some headphones and music for that bit. Oooh and take some spare clothes if you are getting the bus back cos it takes ages and I was sat there in my sweaty gear forever!
Enjoy it! Edinburgh is such a lovely city

 

[OwlWatcher23]

First night run tonight, and first run on pavements (I usually go down the river because it's quieter and less likely to see people - I know nobody cares but I still always feel like I'll get judged for running too slowly or something ). Did the first 10 minutes consistent running which I think is my longest without walking second half walk /run but overall 3k in 20m20 so I'm happy with that

How do people stay motivated to go out several times a week? Especially now it's cold and rainy, I find I go for a run and then make excuses for the next week or so. Starting to just make myself go rather than waiting for motivation, but any tips would be great!

 

[hereforthememe]

I normally am the same, but there was so much pressure I couldn’t wear shoes without a lot of pain. I didn’t need to burst it myself in the end, had a bath and it started draining itself

sorry this is funny, it is so grim, but we have all been there at some point!

 

[theghosttown]

Hello! If you can get into a running store and get fitted properly please do. You may be able to take a video of you running and send it to a store for analysis if you're locked down. Running shoes are the main barrier between you and injury and everyone runs differently. Trusting what a stranger recommends online is like copying someone else's glasses prescription because they say they like theirs.

Second this 100%.

 

[Mamacita]

Hi everyone! Does anyone have any suggestions as to why I’m not getting any faster? I go running about 4 times a week, usually a 5k (or the odd 10k but they’re so hard!). My 5k time is about 28 minutes, which I got about 2 months ago and was so so happy with, but now I just can’t get any faster and it’s really frustrating! If anything I’m getting slower? Anyone got any tips?

From what I've read you need to go on longer runs. Your cardio ability will then increase which will allow you to run faster for the 5k. But also as it was mentioned before do some fast runs too. Probably a combination of doing 5k, one shorter, and one longer run a week could help. Just running 5k each time at the same pace will just keep you at the same level, training is about progressive overload so making it harder each time. My 5k time already improved slightly when I started working towards 10k