The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[Lollypad]

I uses to run quite a bit but after 2 keyhole hip surgeries had to stop and haven’t really got back into it.

I signed up to RED January, and a run/walk 50 miles in January challenge.

4 days in I have realised neither of these are realistic, so new plan is R(or walk)ED January, and run/walk 50 miles

So I’m doing RED January but I’m seeing it as exercising every day rather than solely running, no shame at all

 

[nbx512]

I have a love hate relationship with running! Took up running back 2010 with my dad. Did a 10krace for life and then did a local 10k both with walking in, as couldn’t get to running a full 10k due to runnin solo n not havin a clear 10k route ( live 3 hrs away from my dad) did another 10k the following year. Then stoppped runnin for a bit, always dipped in n out.
Last year started running with a friend n we did our village 10k my times have been 1hr 14 my quickest was 1hr11, again stopped.
Just before Lockdown hit and i downloaded the 5k app and completed my first park run it was my last due to lockdown. Completed the app! But then again I stopped. Think I was bored of my running routes.
I’m not the fastest runner and I do walk if i have to especially in 10ks just helps recharge my legs.
I just dip in and out of running now. I went today and did a 5k loop but I walked more cos the fields were muddy n I had the wrong trainers on lol
There is something about running in the winter.
I’ve found since I’m older now I run even slower n my legs are a lot heavier.

Welcome! I hated running for a good 10 or so years (my younger sister is a very good runner and I’d pace her in workouts but would much prefer being ‘finish line support’). In about 2011 my family roped me into a 5km race and I hated every second of it. Fast forward to 2016 and I decided to run a half marathon just to see if I could. I haven’t stopped running since! The running bug will hit you soon enough too

 

[Millyve]

Had to comment after reading this thread. Started couch to 5k at the beginning of the year and finished it last week. Could barely imagining finishing week 5 and now I’m loving running for 30/40 mins without stopping!

How long would you recommend waiting before thinking of building up to 10k?

Do a 10K training plan, will start you off where it thinks you are ready, mine is a couch 2 10K and stated me a couple weeks in!

 

[Saddlesoap]

I think once you go past week 5 you'll look back and laugh at this! Keep us posted

I agree. Not judging at all, but have you tried to do week 3 yet, or are you just worrying about it?

Just back on week 3.
Remember now why I find it hard to do
week 3.

You go from running from 1.30 minute to 3 minute run, such a big jump up.

 

[Shep]

I managed 5.6km. Probably could have managed 6km, but my route had reached a natural end and mentally didn't want to 'start' again.

I have a similar issue. When the app says it’s time to stop running I think I’ll carry on for a minute or two but it instantly becomes harder. So I stop and feel I could have kept going.

Omg me too, was thinking this on Saturday. I love my local Park Run, it's a completely flat out and back along the seafront so you can really push for a PB. I hope it does get to resume at some point this year but it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't, mine has quite a small turn out usually around 50 of us, but I know some are in the hundreds.

Don’t think we have one in our pancake flat town. Nearest I know of is about 20 miles away with some slopes which would be a new experience. Still want to try it though

 

[justbecasual]

Finally accepted my old sketchers are very past their best (I'm blaming not running much recently on my trainers now being very uncomfy) and so I've ordered a pair of ASIC gel contend - heard good things about them and it was the most affordable (£38 seemed reasonable) so excited to see if they'll make a difference!

I'm a big asics fan and rotate between two road pairs and a trail pair. Hope you get on well with them!

 

[Shep]

I have been looking too. I have seen a couch to 10k app which I will think about but if you google after couch 2 5k lots come up of various lengths and strengths

 

[judgejohndeed]

Some run for the fun of it, some has a healthy option, and others for competitive reasons.

Whatever the reason it does the body good, and keeps the heart in good order. The only downside is if you do it too much you do stand to knacker your joints after a few years pounding the roads.

Yes definitely! I would love to do a marathon one day but honestly I just don’t think I can be bothered

 

[bookworm1403]

I've just got a cheap Karrimor headband which does the job for me. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Karrimor...-Hair-Band-Sports-Womens-Ladies-/164118381682

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!!!

 

[Rxt156]

Been gradually upping the speed and distance over the last month or so... abs my “easy” 5k this evening ended up with a PB for 1/2 mile, 1km, 1 mile, 2 mile and 5k.


Perhaps I need to push myself a bit more!

seriously though, incredibly proud of that, it’s been a very very long while since I’ve been that fast!

Congrats!!!!!! Well done
Definitely take the pressure off yourself but having easy days and days when you push the pace a bit. I love an easy run. No stress )))

 

[orange club biscuit]

Anyone running Christmas morning?

I really fancy it... but wondering if it would be daft. I usually run before the kids rise anyway, but equally they might get up early as they are excited and I don't want to delay their excitement as mummy has gone for a run

Always! It gives me a bit of chill time before the madness (and all the food!). I don’t have kids though! this year we are going to do a parkrun route with some friends and have Prosecco outside afterwards -it may be the highlight of my day!

could you go with them after present opening or something? Always love seeing parents running with their little kids on bikes cycling alongside - I imagine the reality is slightly more stressful though

 

[birdiefly246]

I'm not really feeling that safe about going out at the moment so I'm trying to maintain my fitness in the house... bike intervals are a killer! I personally hate the gym and having all those sweaty men around and people looking at you there's always that weird Gym Smell as well!

I have the flabbiest bingo wings going on so I'm trying to turn some of it into muscle. Also I have no boobs and apparently growing your pecs can increase your curves? I'm there honestly.

Ah the sweaty men are my gym reward I understand. When I first started the gym I was an anxious mess has I had no strength at all due to losing any muscle when I had anorexia. Got there for my work out class and quickly realised that no one gives a single shit what anyone else was doing and now I'm at ease. I do make a point of being friendly to everyone though. If I see someone new in my class I always try and smile at least.

Have you tried tricep curls for the bingo wings? Get something like a weight of a band, start with your arms above your head and pull it over the back of your head. Works a really thin muscle in the arm apparently and can help with bingo wings. Also yes that is true, the more prominent the chest muscles the rounder and bigger your boobs look. Not sure it's enough to increase a cup size or anything but they do look rounder and fuller

 

[Emsie]

Any advice for a newbie? I'm tier 4 and usually do 4 spin classes a week so looking for something I can do to get me nice and sweaty! I've downloaded coach to 5k but it's a bit slow. Any other running apps you would recommend? Or am I best to start with c25k?

 

[orange club biscuit]

Well. I went out for a run just after my last post and tried to slow it down a bit. For context of where I am today, the weather is fucking grim running on a mixture in parts of pavement, gravel and just pure mud.

Distance: 6km
Time: 41:02
Avg Page: 6'49"/km
.........Avg Heart Rate: 182BPM

Did honestly feel a lot easier and I could have carried on tbh but needed to get back. I will try again to slow it down tomorrow and see if it makes any difference to my heart rate.

If it's no trouble and you want to that would be amazing, thank you I've never had any kind of plan written for me just taken ones off the internet. I only started running in 2018, but into general fitness since I got to about 23. Before that I was the image of bad health, not overweight (actually had an eating disorder in my teens so verging on the other end of the spectrum) but terrible diet and smoked from 14-23

@nbx512 is spot on re the recovery pace, also running by time is a good tip too. Although I swear it sometimes makes the time go slower haha.

Did you say you are using an Apple Watch? Wrist hr (which I think someone said above) is quite shit sometimes and can pick up your cadence instead of HR, also am sure mine doesn’t work as well when I have cold hands cos it can’t pick up your pulse as easily? It’s slightly less scientific but some people recommend using RPE (relative perceived exertion )instead, which is what I defer to when I don’t like the look of what my watch is telling me

side note, I miss parkrun so much, literally find it so hard to make myself try as much when I’m on my own (and also get out of bed for 9am on a sat)

 

[Reflected view]

Thanks

How many runs do you do in a week? I don’t care how far I go (minimum 5k) I just need to get out 4-5 times!

Hey, I try to get out 4-5 times a week to, depending what shift I’m on, I’m just a new runner started when COVID 19 came about, I’m absolutely loving running, before it would be fitness classes that I went to, but there’s just something about running

I haven't ran since the end of December and I am finding it so hard to motivate myself to get back out and do it, it's getting warmer and lighter so I've really got no excuse but I just seem to have some sort of mental block preventing me from doing it, even though I know I enjoy it!

I was feeling the same way a few wks ago, I had to throw myself out the door but once I was out it was fine, i keep saying to myself “go out a run today as you might not be able tomorrow” hope you get over that hurdle soon

 

[Tippingpoint23]

I’m doing a 10K run on Sunday - first ever run with multiple people around so will be interesting to see how I find it before my half marathon in a couple of months (fingers crossed this is still happening!)

 

[Pawpaw365]

During couch to 5k, I got terrible calf pain and it prevented me from running the rest of the run I do and have always stretched before and after the run. Does anyone have any other tips? Should I stop running for a while?

Be careful, I ignored calf pain for a while and I now have stress fracture from running so that’s awesome. Do you have properly fitted running shoes? Have you checked that your technique is correct too?

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Brilliant well done you I have my porridge every morning no matter what

Thank you so much! Porridge is fab, when I first started running I once prepared for a 10K race for life by having a huge bacon sausage and egg butty Worst stitch I’ve ever had in my life!!

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Think I’m going to get a lightweight high via jacket. Although from how red I got I look like a bloody Belisha beacon

If anyone has tips to not look like a beetroot please do share I hate how red I go!

 

[stopthescams]

As you can see everyone's idea of fast is relative. You're not going to get faster if you go out everyday and just try to run faster. Have some structured training, a good way to start is 1x speed session, 1x easy run and 1x long run per week. The easy and long runs should be super slow and conversational. E.g. My tempo pace is 4.30/km but my easy and long runs are between 6-6.30/km

That’s very true! Thank you

Ice is the worst - there are some roads and pavements here which have been covered in it for about 2 weeks! Second the suggestion about getting some trail shoes or grippier ones - also generally non-paved surfaces are a bit easier to run on (although hard grass has a different sort of ankle twisting danger...)

Slightly running related question but I am considering upgrading my phone from an iPhone 8 (fits in my shorts waistband pocket) to an 11 or 12 (which probably won’t). Any of you runners run with your phones and have any good suggestions about carrying a massive phone? If I’m only doing a short run I don’t bother taking it but longer ones I like to! I don’t like bum bags or arm bands but would consider a flip belt or something very slimline maybe...?!

I used a bum bag / fanny pack or whatever people call them these days. Just a black one I have an iPhone XS Max and fits a few other bits in there too and doesn’t hinder my running