The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[Tippingpoint23]

Any tips for running in the snow?

I elected to stay inside and not go in the snow/ice just felt I was asking for an injury/getting too cold!

 

[theghosttown]

I’m not sure how many of you are road runners? I have to run on them due to injury and poor footpaths around my area. I do it completely safely and in addition to this I live in a village so the roads are 30mph. Do any of you end up on the receiving end me of abusive motorists who take real exception to it?

 

[orangeandsoda]

Sorry for too much information, but runners trots? Anyone got any advice please?

Was such a strange one for me. When i was training for my first half, i used to get post run cramps anytime i ran >15km. the second half marathon, that completely went away and then again when i ran my last marathon. I didn't change my diet, i think my body just adapted.

Saying that, i had cramps again after my last 10k race but really went for it and perhaps pushed myself a liiiiittle hard.

 

[Notworthy]

I have had PF for about 6 months, just slowly trying to run again, have done two lots of 3k over the last two weeks, as opposed to 15k a week.

I have always worn Asics but for some reason at the start of the year I got a pair of Mizuno. In my head, Mizuno ruined my foot.
Anyone else had a problem with Mizuno?

I had a pair of Mizunos that I loved but it's horses for courses, I know so many people with PF right now, it's more prevalent than Covid

 

[jjhv]

No pb but I had a really enjoyable run today! The weather was great this morning.

How about you?

 

[Giggling Squid]

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

Having trained for a half marathon since august, I can confirm rush winter is a much better time to train for one… I almost died on more than one occasion

 

[BashmentLady]

Any tips for getting past the mental block where it's like physically can carry on but your mind is saying no you can't?

Agree with the user above about having a good playlist, and also - slow down! If you feel like you physically can't reduce your speed till you feel you've caught up with yourself (maybe add a few seconds - minute walking interval?) - I find slowing down gets me back running and able to finish.

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Definitely not a french fry yet, but I'm heading towards chunky chip status!! Went for my second week 4 run at lunch (yay for working from home!) but my legs are little bit painful and I think a lot of that is down to the trainers I'm wearing. So I am spending the afternoon perusing proper outdoor running trainers!

Any recommendations?

Well done for reaching 25 minutes!! I'm about 10 days away and can't imagine doing that...but time will tell!



Go at your own pace I almost died the on my week 1, run 1 - but by the end of the week I found it manageable. I *think* (and someone more knowledgeable may be able to help here) you don't want to get tooo comfortable at each stage. If you step up to the next week and find it too much then definitely drop back and do the previous week's runs. I started out horrifically unfit but finding my fitness levels improving quite a bit each week

I think some places are doing a thing where you send videos of you running and they help decide the best shoe - not as good as the in store experience but very good for to get proper shoes for your needs.

 

[JLXRD]

Thanks for the mention!

I’ve always been a terrible runner. When I was younger I couldn't even run between two lamp posts! However the other year I decided to train to run to 5k without stopping and actually did it. I loved how it made me feel and being able to accomplish a fitness goal that felt so out of reach was incredible. Unfortunately, I haven't really improved too much since then but still regularly run.

My goals are:
- run 5k in under half an hour
- run a 10k without stopping

Does anyone have any tips to reach either of these goals?

I’m so glad this was made!

Do you have a running watch? Is it a garmin? If so I would recommend Garmin coach.

If not, there are a lot of training plans out there to help, I followed a vitality 10k plan to get my 10k under an hour (this one )

Training hub

www.vitalitylondon10000.co.uk

But they also have a beginners 10k plan here:

Training hub

www.vitalitylondon10000.co.uk

The improvers one helped me get about 3/4 mins off my 10k time so they are good

 

[judgejohndeed]

I'm glad it's not just me who hates week 3 of couch - since I last posted, I've given up. Need to try and get back into it. Really annoying.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Well done you have done amazing that’s how I felt about going back to the gym after the first lockdown, I made the choice not to activate my membership and continue with my running, and so far it’s the best decision Iv made. You just feel more alive being outside running, So keep going

Thank you!! Hoping I can keep it up, it’s just getting out there which is the problem most or the time! Great once I am though. I have coast and countryside around me so really easy on the eye.

This thread is a real motivator tbh

 

[Rxt156]

Hi guys, I've a question for some of you who have probably a lot more running experience than me. There's a local 4k route that I'd generally try to do twice/three times a week. I generally finish it in around 22 minutes at a comfortable enough pace. However, there are some days (today) where I really struggle to get around it - today I was around 2 minutes slower than usual. I can't really put it down to sleep/diet etc as they're fairly constant. Do any of ye have any experience or reasons as to why some days are more of a slog than usual? Or how to improve overall pace?

Hi!!! Keep up the good work. You will improve by being consistent. It also helps doing runs of various distances and speeds. There’s a range of different plans online that will suit your ability and individual aims

Sometimes you have good and bad days, there may be no reason or you may not be able to work out why so I just think at least the bad one is out of the way and the next one will be better!

 

[Tippingpoint23]

I’m having problems with my achilles. I have massive calves which I assume make them tight. I have been stretching them to no avail. Now trying some core strengthening exercises
to see if they help


They say the step out of the door is the hardest one. Just do it even if it’s only a few hundred metres. The buzz will come back. While I haven’t been working (new job from Monday so I’ll probably be asking for motivation soon) I put my running gear on when I get dressed so I don’t have the excuse of having to change.


For me it’s psychological. I can run fast. Even at close to 20 stone I could run 100 metres in a shade over 11 seconds. When I can run again (going to try at the weekend), I will be on the last c25k run of week 7. I know I can go faster but I’m not confident of having the stamina to finish the run.
Another problem is pace generally. I have a pace I swim at a pace I walk at and a pace I run at. I can increase all of them for a short distance but if I try to go slower than my natural pace I feel awkward and uncoordinated so I don’t go too fast early on


I used a wobble board and bounced a ball off a wall when I tore my ankle ligament many years ago. Worked wonders and was quite good fun

I can’t help with the Achilles issue - I had sleep boots for 2 years and did all the stretching etc recommended and they’re still tight and I walk on my toes. Proving an issue the more I run but I’ve been forcing myself to change how I naturally run which is sort of helping!

 

[nbx512]

Hi everyone, I completed c25k during first lockdown but then gave up. I often suffered with terrible hip and groin pain particularly in the left side. I’m still having some pain now and it’s been so long since I ran at all. Any tips or is this par for the course. I literally do not how to get started again or joe the hell I even did it at all for that matter. the thought of al that effort and ohh I go soooo red it’s embarrassing. But afterwards I felt great just can not seem to force myself back to it at all

Welcome! Get checked by a physio but it's most likely a strength issue of weak muscles. If you go back in this thread I wrote out some easy exercises to help strengthen those muscles. Ideally you'd be looking at hip flexors, glute, hamstring and calf strengthening for better load absorption. That said I can't stress enough the importance to be assessed by a professional in person. I'm not a qualified physio or anything (I am a qualified run coach) so what I write about strength training is just from my own experience and what I've picked up from my physio and coach.

 

[Blair-Waldorf]

Anyone getting out today I’ve committed to running 50 miles in January

 

[Bluetomato]

I finished couch to 5k about 4 weeks ago, so have been doing a 5minute walk, 30 or 35 minute run then 5 minute walk 3 times a week since then. However it now seems I have it band syndrome - and the overwhelming advice is to rest. I’m so disappointed, I feel like I’ve got so far now all my hard work will have been for nothing. I ran a few years ago and was plagued with shin splints so gave it up, typically this time round I didn’t get them at all but have this knee pain. Sorry, just miserable and sad I can’t run. I never thought I’d hear myself say that!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Nothing like a good purge. Some insta runner/ body positive accounts I like:
@emmaabrahamson
@lucybartholomew
@trackclubbabe
@thelongweighdownwithjess
@samirosefitness
@amberrunz
@lydiaodo

I'll probably think of more as I go and can list them too.

Ooh thanks I’ll sit and have a look at those later

 

[Shep]

A girl whose parents live up the road from me was back at Xmas and wants to run with me. I am a bit nervous about it as I think she is quicker and fitter than me.
Was going to start week 7 today but felt a little stiff after two runs in two days so walked for a couple of miles instead and will try and get out tomorrow. And boy was it cold!
it’s definitely harder to motivate myself when I know it’s all running.

 

[Mamatoo2]

I personal find treadmill sprints help me increase my pace as I find it’s helps with my breathing & also helps me get into a good running stride

 

[judgejohndeed]

How are we all? Any good runs or PBs this week?

I'm struggling with couch to 5k this time round, might be the cold air, really hurting my throat and lungs!