Running

[shubs]

Sounds like you are in the zone Belly as sub 2 hours for 13 miles is really respectable. I only ever did 3 runs per week, 2 of them were short/medium and my long one was always on a Saturday morning. Going under 4 hours is a decent target too, certainly for your first one.

I am certainly no expert as I have only done one marathon and a few halves, but the following might be of some use:

1. There is a formula that suggests your marathon time should consist of doubling your time over a half marathon and then adding 20 minutes.

2. I found it good to incorporate some 10K and half marathons into my training programme. Like many blokes I thrive on competition and it also breaks up the monotony of training. I did the Eastbourne Half just over a month before the Brighton Marathon and it worked well, giving me the self belief to kick on.

3. My target time was 3:40 and a marathon running pal of mine told me not to go through the first 13 miles any quicker than 1:50 whatever I did. He told me to run almost unnaturally slowly and totally within myself for at least the first half if not more. He bent my ear for ages about the danger of going out too fast.

4. Really work hard on controlling the adrenaline, getting caught up with the crowd and occasion. Don't waste energy on whooping and doing high fives with people in the crowd-conserve every last drop of energy.

5. Make sure you take on enough water on the day. I made the huge mistake of missing out a couple of water stations on the way round as I didn't want to stop, and I ended up collapsing at the finish line and needing treatment for dehydration.

6. Try to latch on to the pacers as they can do all the thinking and pace setting for you. They got me to about 23 miles until the lack of water kicked in.

7. Fecking enjoy it as it is a brilliant buzz and challenge-I am excited for you! Best of luck and please feel free to ignore any of the above if it is crap!

[rocky]

Good on ye mate; good luck in your first marathon. You are absolutely right to run your own pace - just don't get caught up in the feel-good factor of the first few miles (once the starting crush disperses a bit and you actually get an opportunity to run), because after the first mile, the next few miles are downhill. Too many people get caught out that way, carrying on at too fast of a pace (adrenaline, etc.), but then by mile 18 or 20 end up hitting the wall.

"I've given myself the challenge of attacking any hill I come across..." - Heh, the only hill you're going to really notice is London Bridge. By all means attack it, but just remember that the next 6 miles are the loneliest and dreariest part of the course.

However, £130 for a pair of running shoes is taking the mick - I hope you got a substantial discount on your Ultra Buncos.

[belly77]

However, £130 for a pair of running shoes is taking the mick - I hope you got a substantial discount on your Ultra Buncos.
[/quote]

£94 if you shop around on the internet (amazon prime) and aren't that fussed if you end up with the Bright Yellow ones (they actually look a lot better then I thought they would). They are very comfy and definitrly faster then my Asics.) I havent taken them past 10k yet as I want to get used to them.

I wasn't intedning to sprint up any hills in the marathon, just during training to try and get some strength into my legs.

I'm doing the Silverstone Half in March so I'll use that to gage where I am at on the sub 4 hour scale.

Did either of you use the Yasso 800 to check your pace?

On a lighter note. I wrapped up warm and went out and did a gentle 10k @ 0630 this morning. Running across the countryside as the sun comes up on a freezing winters morning is pervesly enjoyable, even with -7 on the thermostat.

All that was soon forgotten when I spent 2 1/2 stuck on the M25.

Thanks for all the tips, much appreciated.

[rocky]

If you use one of the on-line Race Time Predictors, they suggest that you should be running a half-marathon in around 1:54-1:55 if you're aiming for a sub-4 marathon.

[cambcam]

Fair play Belly, can't offer any advice myself as I'm just a treadmill 3-10k kind of runner, but sounds like you know what you are doing so good luck with that.

Still nursing myself back gently so it's going to be a fair while before any sort of 'event' is possible, but the missus has signed up for the Cambridge Half and a couple of other things, and I wondered if anyone is doing, or has any experience of these:

Firstly, anyone in for this Cambridge based event?

www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/gb/en/cambridge/

Looks like it's going to be popular but it's a bit of an odd concept.

Secondly, anyone done one of these 'Tough Mudder' things?

toughmudder.co.uk

The good lady is in for one in April and another in August. Managed to avoid the April one myself with the injury, but I reckon the August one is going to see me roped in. Must be getting old and grumpy, but the thought of running through mud and pools of icy water in soaking wet clothes on a cold April day is about as appealing as a hole in the head. The Peak District in August might be a different matter, but I'm struggling to see it at the moment.

These things cost a bloody fortune to enter, yet are still really popular , so there must be something about them?

[Van Field Tilt]

Belly's purchase of the Adidas Ultra Boost got me thinking and I was going to suggest that we share our opinions about running shoes(value for money, durability, etc) but then I remembered that we don't all have the same feet and the same running style. I go through a pair of shoes like there's no tomorrow, while a friend of mine can afford to buy a pair only like once every three years or so, as all his running shoes look like they're brand new even though he's jogging all the time.

As for myself, I don't have a favourite brand but I steer clear of Nike - hate the logo - and New Balance as I had three pairs in the past but I found them to be very poorly made on the whole. One particular pair came apart after only something like two months of jogging!

[lennypack]

Anyone doing the Cambridge half marathon at the end of February?

[belly77]

I'd love to do the Cambridge half but it is sold out.

As for trainers - I am a neutral so have had various pairs over the years.

I've always worn Nike Free Runs but now I've upped my mileage I need a more stable ride.

I've got a pair of Asics Nimbus Gel 17 which are great for the longer runs. They are really sturdy, comfy and have great grip but they are quite chunky and heavy. Great for a long plod.

I have a pair of Innov8 barefoot trail shoes that I only wear when it's really muddy, they are not water proof though which kind of lets them down.

The only bad experience I've had is with Saucony. They basically fell apart after a couple of months where as the Nike Frees lasted a lot longer.

[jayddub]

Jan 19, 2016 19:06:17 GMT belly77 said:

I'd love to do the Cambridge half but it is sold out.

As for trainers - I am a neutral so have had various pairs over the years.

I've always worn Nike Free Runs but now I've upped my mileage I need a more stable ride.

I've got a pair of Asics Nimbus Gel 17 which are great for the longer runs. They are really sturdy, comfy and have great grip but they are quite chunky and heavy. Great for a long plod.

I have a pair of Innov8 barefoot trail shoes that I only wear when it's really muddy, they are not water proof though which kind of lets them down.

The only bad experience I've had is with Saucony. They basically fell apart after a couple of months where as the Nike Frees lasted a lot longer.

+1 for the Asics Nimbus Gel 17's. I've just started running after barely doing any real exercise for 25 years and they're protecting my joints in admirable fashion. My aim is to complete the Couch to 5k programme and do the local park run in the spring.

Never, ever, thought I'd contribute to this thread (or give up smoking - 20 days ash free as of today ) but this whole running thing is rather enjoyable!

[cambcam]

[/quote]+1 for the Asics Nimbus Gel 17's. I've just started running after barely doing any real exercise for 25 years and they're protecting my joints in admirable fashion. My aim is to complete the Couch to 5k programme and do the local park run in the spring.

Never, ever, thought I'd contribute to this thread (or give up smoking - 20 days ash free as of today ) but this whole running thing is rather enjoyable! [/quote]


Well done, love reading about stuff like that.

Didn't even know a programme like that existed, but fair play for being committed. It's gotta feel good to be turning things around, and giving up smoking and running 5k in a relatively short time is no mean feat.

There's always loads of talk about distances, times, targets etc, but I often think that first step (that you have taken) is the most admirable. Anyone that stops pumping their lungs full of crap and gets up off their backside deserves maximum credit as far as I can see.

Keep it up matey.

[shubs]

Absolutely top post Cambcam, and huge respect to Jayddub for his endeavours.

[belly77]

I agree, keep it up and don't let the bad days bring you down. As long as you are moving forward that's a positive. Doesn't matter the time, pace, distance. Just keeping moving forward, one step at a time.

[Russ Greaves]

While I definitely agree that it's a positive thing just to be getting out there, especially if you've previously led a rather sedentary lifestyle, I don't think it's wise to dismiss the value of targets.

Saying you'll run 5k in the first instance is a target and after that I see no reason why you shouldn't say you'll do it faster, then go further.

So time, pace and distance may not be the most important thing, but they do play a part.

[worththemost]

I'm doing the Cambridge Half at the end of next month.
Getting lots of 8km runs in around Cambourne (ideal running territory!) but need to extend this in order to enjoy myself on the day.
Did Peterborough Half in 1hr 46m in 2014 and once ran the Silverstone Half in 1hr 31m back in my prime Uni days!
I think training and pacing is all about getting to know your own body isn't it?
I'm too tight to spend too much on running shoes but if I'm looking to do London in the next few years I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet!

[soulhalshall]

I mentioned earlier in this thread about annoying persistent IT band issues, but I've got a bit fed up with that, and the sea is usually a bit unreliable for swimming in Dec, Jan, Feb, so after just starting up a few jogs again I'm now aiming to have a go at the Athens marathon in November.

I doubt I'd be able to have a proper crack with a real training schedule as I'd have liked to have done but I was talking to a colleague, a good triathlete, who reckons a run 4 mins, walk 30 secs approach can work, with the walking helping guard against the poor form which would lead to pain, discomfort and injury.

That's my aim now, anyway, as much for the experience because unless I stay free of soreness throughout the next few months, I won't be able to go for a time. But I figure that I'm 28, live in Athens and shouldn't cause any lasting damage, so may as well give it a bloody go and finish the race in the old Olympic stadium, which would be rather nice.