Running

[Russ Greaves]

Ha. I’ve done my bragging elsewhere, fear not! I’m proud of that one because it’s come on the back of hundreds of miles and lots of hard training, and on the day I pushed myself as much as I could. Sub-33 was a big goal of mine so I’m delighted with it!

The course profile sets you up for negative splits because the 220ft of climbing is pretty much entirely in the first half, so ran a 17min first 5k and dipped under 16 for the second 5k. Fortunately I had company for the uphill slog and we all did our bit on the front, but the group split near the top and it was every man for himself after that!

A training partner of mine was the one who got the female course record - her age-graded time was in the 90% range, which is considered world-class! Amazing for someone who just runs for ‘fun’ in their spare time.

[Russ Greaves]

May 15, 2023 18:29:48 GMT kentishu said:

As a lapsed 10k runner, I keep reading this thread hoping for inspiration. Hasn't worked yet unfortunately, and with talk of sub 33 times, it's not going to!

Kentish

The time is only a part of it - 33mins is nothing to the guy who won it in 30flat, and even less to an elite who can do it in under 27mins! What I like about runners is the fact they turn up consistently and get it done. There will have been people at Beverley aiming to break an hour who pushed themselves as hard as I did on the day.

I know it isn’t for everyone and I absolutely get it (I have hated it in the past) but I’m so sold on the benefits of running and I would love everyone to get as much from it as I do. It is, however, a tough sell!

[sneakyfate]

If it's any help, kentishu, I'm pleased these days if I can manage a 10K training run in under an hour 😆.
I would hope to do a bit better than that in an organised race, but it's 4 years since I last did one, and on that occasion I was surprised and delighted to dip just under 50 minutes - now I would be pleased with sub-55. I'm 66 now, but even in my "prime" I never got under 42 minutes - it's all about perspective.

[Actually Valid Username]

Can't seem to break sub 26 mins on a park run at the moment, I'm trying to be as relaxed as possible and "let" it happen. Every so often I tell myself I'll take it seriously but... Come on... If I had the energy after work every day to go for a run I'd already be doing it.

I wish I could though- everyone's right about the mental benefits of running, it's like a pressure washer around the inside of my head. Nothing matters when you're riding that high

[Russ Greaves]

May 15, 2023 19:41:19 GMT Actually Valid Username said:

Can't seem to break sub 26 mins on a park run at the moment, I'm trying to be as relaxed as possible and "let" it happen. Every so often I tell myself I'll take it seriously but... Come on... If I had the energy after work every day to go for a run I'd already be doing it.

I wish I could though- everyone's right about the mental benefits of running, it's like a pressure washer around the inside of my head. Nothing matters when you're riding that high

Get your heart rate up before you start. You should be on the start line already feeling like you’ve had a bit of workout! The energy you expend in warming up properly (including a few short ‘sprints’ at faster than your target pace) will not leave you short of the energy required to run for (under) 26mins, but it will prime your body for the effort and allow you to start faster and maintain it longer. It’ll feel a bit uncomfortable when you first do it - like you’re tiring yourself out before you even start - but it works!

[kentishu]

I know everything you say is absolutely correct guys, and I used to do it, there was a time when I did a half marathon virtually every Sunday, then I had a break and could only manage 10k's when I got back in to it, then the pandemic put paid to that, and I just haven't been able to get going again. That is really as pathetic as it sounds, I know I must do better...

Kentish

[Russ Greaves]

I’m doing the Amsterdam half marathon in October. Looks like a great event. Has anyone done any overseas races? It’s just a shame the race is at 1pm on the Sunday and I’ve got the return flight at 9pm that day.

Also, did the Buxton (Pavilion Gardens) Parkrun on Saturday and it was a great course. A little climb or two but scenic and pretty decent for parking.

[markshanahan]

Good luck! I did the Copenhagen HM 4 years ago. Lovely - and flat - course. Used to live there so took me through some familiar places. The winner broke the world record. I took about twice as long!

[markshanahan]

Had a pacemaker op 3 months ago. Before that, ran nearly every day. Been back running for last 2 months but struggling to get to former speeds and distances. Anyone else on here running post-pacemaker and if so, what’s your experience? I just need to be patient and build it up I guess. I am 52 by the way (pacemaker due to low HR. No other heart issues)

[soulhalshall]

Running abroad is a great way to travel. I did a load of races in Greece when I lived there so prob doesn't really count but also did the Lucerne half marathon a number of years ago.

In the present, did a first race of the year last week hoping to very slowly return to running after about a year of injury setbacks. The soft ground of cross country season may help or could be back to square one soon enough.

[rocky]

Aug 31, 2023 17:47:16 GMT Russ Greaves said:

I’m doing the Amsterdam half marathon in October. Looks like a great event. Has anyone done any overseas races? It’s just a shame the race is at 1pm on the Sunday and I’ve got the return flight at 9pm that day.

Also, did the Buxton (Pavilion Gardens) Parkrun on Saturday and it was a great course. A little climb or two but scenic and pretty decent for parking.

Amsterdam marathon has great crowds, superb organisation and an enjoyable, flat course - it's where I set my marathon PB.  I would imagine that the half is equally appealing.  I would hope that you can arrive a day or two early to take in the museums and culture that Amsterdam has to offer.  Re: same day flight home - I would suggest plenty of warm-down walking, jogging and stretching after the race, and at the airport.  When I ran the marathon I had to jump on a coach the same evening, sitting confined for hours on end, and I could barely walk off the coach upon arrival in Cambridge the following afternoon. Flying is a much better option.

I also ran the Brussels marathon - similarly flat course, but more pollution, sparser crowds, chaotic organisation (aside for the elite runners), and just an overall less enjoyable experience.

[mrjimmy]

I ran this race a few years ago after being handed a flyer at the Prague Half.

wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-veranstaltung/detail/430004617/43rd-international-run-around-lake-wolfgangsee.html

Really well organised and the whole town gets involved.

[sneakyfate]

I'm doing the Scottish Half Marathon in Edinburgh on 24 September, with my son-in-law who has very kindly said he'll run with me - I'm sure he could finish 15-20 minutes ahead of me if he wanted to! Not sure if that counts as foreign
My son and daughter-in-law have just run the Marathon du Medoc, which involves several stops for wine, cheese and various other delicacies. They judged it beautifully and just made it in under the cut-off time of 6.5 hours!

[imp566]

Sept 4, 2023 21:46:57 GMT sneakyfate said:

I'm doing the Scottish Half Marathon in Edinburgh on 24 September, with my son-in-law who has very kindly said he'll run with me - I'm sure he could finish 15-20 minutes ahead of me if he wanted to! Not sure if that counts as foreign
My son and daughter-in-law have just run the Marathon du Medoc, which involves several stops for wine, cheese and various other delicacies. They judged it beautifully and just made it in under the cut-off time of 6.5 hours!

Marathon de Medoc - sounds like my kind of social running!

[lionel]

Does a triathlon in Mumbles count...