The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[Mamacita]

The myth that long running = faster running is completely misleading.

If you want to get faster you need to RUN FAST!!!!

Running longer distances will mean you become fitter and therefore able to hold a better pace for those distances but that isn’t improving your actual speed!! Otherwise it’d just be a competition of who can run the highest mileage in the week and that’s not the case.

Yeah I mean that's true, but to improve 5k time you need to become fitter? I see that the person was asking about becoming faster but also said about improving their 5k time.
Idk, at least for me the issue with improving my 5k time is not that I can't run faster, it's that I'm not fit enough to keep the fast pace for the whole run so I do think running longer distances helps

 

[Gogogem1234]

I’ve been eyeing this thread for a while. Avid runner but I’ve got an issue with my metatarsals so been off 3 weeks. I am SO bored. It just feels bruised rather than shooting pains going up my toes. Anyone any experience of this? I really want to get back but safely.
It’s worth saying it’s definitely an overuse. I increased my mileage by too much so don’t feel too sorry for me!!

 

[Shep]

Sorry spice I’ve only just seen this. Yeah, he said it will just be because of everything moving around which tbh sounds like I’ve been palmed off. But anyway it only really happens if I go on a longer run. I ran 8.5k the other day and was so ill all day it puts me off. I haven’t done anything since Saturday I’ve been busy with work and I was hungover on Sunday but I’m aiming to do a longish run in the morning. I’m gonna have a banana before I go. Wish me luck

do you all drink water when running? I don’t.. maybe that’s why I have the shits after running?

I don‘t drink while I run but am thinking maybe I should. At the moment as I am only doing about 4K each time I don’t see the point but if I can start running further then maybe

 

[orange club biscuit]

Check out @runningforcarbs on insta. She's a runner but recently had a baby and didn't run much through her pregnancy but did crossfit instead.

thank you! I’ll check her out

 

[Blair-Waldorf]

I signed up to a half marathon near me on the 8th of August! So hoping it goes ahead. Something to aim for

Which one spice if you don’t mind me asking, I want to do one myself and I’m on annual leave for a couple of weeks around then

 

[Into_the_tunnel]

As above, decent trainers. Go to a specialist shop for atleast the 1st pair. I run in Brooks Adrenaline 21, preferred the 20s but don't have am issue with splints or PF yet.

Why do they tinker so much. I run in Ghosts and the new ones are nowhere near as good as the previous iteration.

But can I find a 5.5???

If it works, keep it! Looking to go back to ASICS after 15 years or so but they make my eyes water even more with the £££.

I heard they have changed the route on the King because they can’t end by the Cathedral anymore? The Castle one is nearest to me. Running heart says yes. Head and Achilles say NO.

 

[Tea4u]

Does anyone have any tips for running when they feel like they can’t breathe so has to stop? Is it my breathing technique?

 

[Readread]

Okay wise ones I am looking for a wee bit of advice.

A few years ago, I could run about 2-3 miles max, mostly on a treadmill as I live in a hot climate and running outside isn't a great deal of fun.
In a mission to lose weight, I tried to take up running again last year however just kept getting shin splints which left me with pain in my shin/lower leg that I just could not get rid of for ages. I had my gait analysis done, bought shoes that they recommended but the shin splint just did not go away.
I've since lost almost 2 stone since last year, have taken up weight training/HIIT workouts and yoga. I feel a lot fitter and stronger, but I want to get back in to running as it is something I do enjoy as a way of escaping the day a bit.

Do you recommend that I go have my gait analysis redone by another person/shop? Or should I just give up on the idea and admit defeat that running just is not for my shins and I?

 

[Hill1994]

So glad i have found this thread! On and off ‘runner’ for years now but only through the beginning of first lockdown up until now i have really stuck to it...although i am still rubbish. Weightlifter at heart but i do love how running makes me feel after! I can only manage 5k at around 28 mins but am trying to push for 10k, it’s just that i get bored when i run and just thinking about the end

I have also spent the best part of a year looking for some decent running trainers, i just bought the adidas ultra boosts but i like a lot of comfort and bounce, and i tried them on and instantly knew they weren’t going to do it for me.

I’m tempted to get the on-running trainers, anyone had them?

 

[Saddlesoap]

Anyone know how important it is to mix up your run route? I think this may be what's stopping me progressing.

 

[jjhv]

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

I don’t have one but I was planning to get one in the Black Friday deals! Do any of the Garmin watches track your general heart rate for anxiety purposes? I want one that would also tell me to breathe properly haha.

Are there any other equipment that are a must if you want to get serious about it?

 

[Shep]

I have sunshine and it’s 8 degrees!!

Snow is ok as long as it’s not compacted as it will be like an ice rink. Might make your legs more tired though as you have to use more force to kick off. In the long term that might do you good.

 

[no-no]

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!

Same! I was doing 40km a week in horrendous weathers, local legend galore on Strava but really cba atm. I got stopped by a knee injury, waited weeks for a treadmill (still unused) and have no get up and go due to work etc. I seem to spend all my time decorating now (procrastination) and cursing the running newbies as I drive the dog the park I went for a 5km at the weekend and it was a killer, my splits were almost a minute slower and I stopped twice.

Has your work got busier or is lockdown depleting your motivation? You’ll be more up for it in the warmer weather and sneer at this inactive period Good luck to everyone experiencing the same. Spring will sort us out.

 

[theghosttown]

I am soooo excited. I have been on 3 weeks rest due to a suspected stress fracture but physio has said I can now start incorporating power walking and hill climbing into my routine and then hopefully I can get back into running. I started swimming and have also bought a bike and I’m going to do a combo!

Slightly off topic kinda but have any of you competed in a small triathlon?? Can you recommend any good ones around the country as that’s my goal for next year!

 

[Minniemousesshoes]

Any one got any good YouTube channel running recommendations?

I love The Run Experience guys. I think their advice has helped me with my calf issues (that and a new pair of trainers) at last.

Can’t remember how I came across them. Any others out there ?

 

[orange club biscuit]

I know this is more of advice thread but does anyone follow any running influencers on insta? I used to like ProjectMarathonGirl but she got on my nerve during her pregnancy and now shes had her child its like she is the only woman to ever have a baby! I dont mind Kellogs_ontherun but i am curious how her and Welshrunner manage to maintain their lifestyle and 4 kids on influencer income when they don't have massive audiences.

Was wondering if someone should make a thread on running influencers! I also feel the same about PMG, she is such a great runner and has built her following off it, it must be v hard to continue that whilst having a newborn. I do find the baby stuff quite dull but I guess it’s helpful to some people.

I used to follow the Runner Beans, I like her in the sense that she’s very honest but I also find the constant ADs, constant flying (her husband is a ba pilot so kinda fair enough but I swear she used to fly to the states literally for one race and come home?? And travel ALL the time pre covid) and chat about BQs quite annoying so I had to unfollow. I also remember once she posted an aff link or discount about sports bras for some brand and then in the same post/story replying to one of her followers really snarkily that she never wears that brand of bras - wtf?

I really like twicethehealth, tinaemelie (kilian jornet’s gf - tbf she is an amazing runner in her own right), rushbynature, lydiaod - also some random lesser known American pro runners which makes me wish I lived In Colorado or somewhere other than the rainy north of England (sigh)

 

[laughing]

Yes. Calves were my problem as well.

Keep doing those stretches!

 

[Notworthy]

Has anyone else had the experience of getting really low blood sugar when building up how long you are running?

I'm aware of the need to fuel when doing 'endurance' level stuff, but I'm coming to the end of a C25K programme and I'm on 2x15 minute runs with a 2 minute walk break so I should be managing what I'm doing now. I run at a sensible pace (11min/mile) with a group, who all seem to be fine even though some of them are definitely less fit than me.

When we're getting to the end, I'm often getting numbness in my face, tingly hands, and feeling really dizzy. I'm not overly out of breath, it's not a case of overexerting myself like that but tonight the world properly started spinning and I had to cut and walk earlier than I would have liked (managed the 15, was gonna do another 5 to get back but couldn't) to avoid fainting. We got back to the cars and luckily there were some fruit pastilles I could down to bring myself back up.

I'm a nurse and fairly confident it was a hypo, but I don't understand why; I'm not diabetic, and I had eaten a reasonable time before my run so shouldn't have been hitting the wall. It was a bit warm but not insanely hot. It was quite scary though. I've literally gone and bought some glucose tablets to have in my pocket because I don't know how to avoid it happening again and if I was on my own further away from base I could genuinely have ended up blacking out.

Out of interest, are you sweating when you run. I have been struggling all summer with the heat. I don't sweat when I run and after about 3k my head starts to feel like it's going to explode, then I get dizzy and nauseous. During winter I was comfortably running 10 to 12k 4 times a week. My sister has a similar problem and was diagnosed with Hashimotos

 

[Book]

Obviously not ideal timing, but I would speak to your gp. I’ve had ongoing issues with my hips for a few years now, diagnosed via an MRI.

Oh god really thank you hope you are doing well xx

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.

Thank you I will check out your advice xx

 

[Notworthy]

New thread title

The Running Thread #2 PF is a pain in the calf

I think this is the only entry but it's a good one so I'll pop off and make a new thread.

I can't make a new thread for some reason. It won't allow me to tag The Running Thread