Running

[rocky]

Jan 22, 2016 22:43:45 GMT Russ Greaves said:

...I don't think it's wise to dismiss the value of targets.

Jan 27, 2016 17:27:44 GMT soulhalshall said:

...so after just starting up a few jogs again I'm now aiming to have a go at the Athens marathon in November.

Soul, mate - you appear to be taking Russ's advice to extremes.  Best of luck.

[cambcam]

Interesting article this about whether treadmill or road running is best for you. I always assumed the treadmill was more forgiving and best for nursing joints, but it appears that might not be the case:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35399598

I've pretty much given up road running (assuming it was impact heavy) and tend to stick to the gym several times a week for a recreational treadmill run/swim/sauna/spa routine. The distances are generally 5/7.5k and at a reasonable pace, but always with the incline set to zero.

Reading the article, looks like that might not be a good idea at all. Might be time to mix it up a bit and get back on the road after all.

[spyros]

Jan 18, 2016 21:35:48 GMT shubs said:

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.

One of the over-riding factors that might affect this (especially at London) is that it's really, REALLY busy. I found the field never really thins out until after you've left the City at about 22 miles! Good luck with it Belly - I came straight out of the main ballot this year so will be trying to convert my 20-mile on rural road pace (7 mins per mile) into something better then my 3:55 marathon PB - at the moment I'm a statistical marvel!

Of course, you can always go down the same route as this guy...

[belly77]

I've heard it's a bit stop start but I thought it thinned out after a few miles? Did you get behind a pace maker,

I would be made up with 3:55. I'm doing 18 miles this weekend but will be taking it nice and slow. Have been doing a lot of hill work, lamp post sprints and squats so hopefully my pace will pick up. Did 10 miles at 08:30 on Monday fairly comfortably so hoping I'm on the right track.

7 min miles for 20 miles is bloody good going, what's your secret?

[spyros]

Feb 17, 2016 22:37:48 GMT belly77 said:

I've heard it's a bit stop start but I thought it thinned out after a few miles? Did you get behind a pace maker,

I would be made up with 3:55. I'm doing 18 miles this weekend but will be taking it nice and slow. Have been doing a lot of hill work, lamp post sprints and squats so hopefully my pace will pick up. Did 10 miles at 08:30 on Monday fairly comfortably so hoping I'm on the right track.

7 min miles for 20 miles is bloody good going, what's your secret?

Sounds like you're well on the way. 10 miles at 8:30 = sub 4 hours is certainly within your grasp with a couple of months still to go - I would advocate shorter hill runs and core work (squats, lunges, planks etc.) over slamming your feet, ankles, knees and hips repeatedly into the road over long distances.

Wait a minute - where did you find a hill in East Anglia?

[Russ Greaves]

If you're doing seven-minute miles over 20 miles then you'll surely smash your PB?!

I've managed around 6mins 40secs average over 10 miles and I felt good at that pace (really I should have kept going just to see how far I could go at that speed), but if I was setting out to do anything like 20miles I know I'd take it easier.

I'm not sure if it makes sense, but I sort of feel like I have a 'natural' pace - just a speed of running that feels like I'm in the groove, like I could run and run. I'd say that's around the 7.10-7.20 per mile mark. But that'd give me a marathon time only a little over three hours, and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that right now.

[spyros]

Feb 25, 2016 14:20:32 GMT Russ Greaves said:

If you're doing seven-minute miles over 20 miles then you'll surely smash your PB?!

I've managed around 6mins 40secs average over 10 miles and I felt good at that pace (really I should have kept going just to see how far I could go at that speed), but if I was setting out to do anything like 20miles I know I'd take it easier.

I'm not sure if it makes sense, but I sort of feel like I have a 'natural' pace - just a speed of running that feels like I'm in the groove, like I could run and run. I'd say that's around the 7.10-7.20 per mile mark. But that'd give me a marathon time only a little over three hours, and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that right now.

Trouble is, I've only ever run one marathon before (London 2014) and I do have trouble working out any other race pace than 'start off too quickly and see how it goes'. The afore-mentioned London congestion could also put paid to any pacing strategy.

I have a half-marathon best that doesn't sit with my marathon time at all, so first and foremost I'm looking to do something about that. If all goes exceptionally well I can have a crack at a 'good for age' qualifying time of 3:15. I like the idea of being good for age.

Russ - that 6min 40s 10 mile time is crying out for a test over half marathon distance at least?

[Russ Greaves]

I've lost the desire to run long distances now. I like a 5-10k jaunt. I'm not convinced running much further is all that good for you, particularly on hard surfaces.

Based on the age on your profile, if you do clock a 3:15 that's a superb age-graded time. In fact, a superb time regardless. Every distance has a sort of benchmark for mere mortals: 20-minute 5k, 40-minute 10k... I think anything close to a three-hour marathon is excellent.

[worththemost]

Cambridge Half Marathon this Sunday, the mile markers were out this morning as I drove through Grantchester.
I can just about cope with the race, but a 09:30 start- ergh!!!

[PottonU]

I'll be running in United sky blue ERMS away shirt will keep an eye out for any fellow U's taking part

[cambcam]

Feb 26, 2016 19:26:08 GMT PottonU said:

I'll be running in United sky blue ERMS away shirt will keep an eye out for any fellow U's taking part

That's a good idea.

There were three or four guys in United tops last year and I made a point of calling out and giving a bit of encouragement from the sidelines. The good lady ran her first 'half' (first of any type of run in fact) last year, and mentioned how important every bit of encouragement is and how it keeps you going.

Reading your post got us thinking, so she's going for it too - if you see a lady in a United 'Haart' shirt be sure to say hello.

She went round last year in (I think is was 1.55ish) so is hoping for similar this time. Would love to do the event myself but find the knee joints just get too sore after about 7/8 miles so stick to 5/10k treadmill runs with the occasional shortish road run thrown in too.

Have a good run and enjoy yourself, and good luck to all fellow U's taking part too.

[belly77]

Blimey Russ that's quick going, much faster then me.
I'm struggling a bit with my pace. My goal is run every mile at 08:45. I've been trying to run this pace for stints of my long runs. My problem is that I'm more around the 08:15 pace or toward the 9's. Can't seem to sit on my target pace.

As for hills, the Essex, Herts, Cambs borders are hillier then they look. Head out towards the back of Gt Chishall, Chrishall, Elmdon and there are plenty of leg burners out there.

[PottonU]

Feb 27, 2016 16:13:11 GMT cambcam said:

Feb 26, 2016 19:26:08 GMT PottonU said:

I'll be running in United sky blue ERMS away shirt will keep an eye out for any fellow U's taking part

That's a good idea.

There were three or four guys in United tops last year and I made a point of calling out and giving a bit of encouragement from the sidelines. The good lady ran her first 'half' (first of any type of run in fact) last year, and mentioned how important every bit of encouragement is and how it keeps you going.

Reading your post got us thinking, so she's going for it too - if you see a lady in a United 'Haart' shirt be sure to say hello.

She went round last year in (I think is was 1.55ish) so is hoping for similar this time. Would love to do the event myself but find the knee joints just get too sore after about 7/8 miles so stick to 5/10k treadmill runs with the occasional shortish road run thrown in too.

Have a good run and enjoy yourself, and good luck to all fellow U's taking part too.

Did it in 2hrs10min saw a good few fellow U's running and spectating got the odd cheer of up the U's which was nice

[Russ Greaves]

Feb 27, 2016 18:27:59 GMT belly77 said:

Blimey Russ that's quick going, much faster then me.
I'm struggling a bit with my pace. My goal is run every mile at 08:45. I've been trying to run this pace for stints of my long runs. My problem is that I'm more around the 08:15 pace or toward the 9's. Can't seem to sit on my target pace.

As for hills, the Essex, Herts, Cambs borders are hillier then they look. Head out towards the back of Gt Chishall, Chrishall, Elmdon and there are plenty of leg burners out there.

Have to add that my 7.10 pace is on a relatively flat track, with just a few undulations, and crucially has not been proven above 10miles.

I'm frankly in awe of elite marathon runners as the pace at which they run the distance seems more superhuman to me than Bolt's speed over the sprints.

[cambcam]

Feb 28, 2016 17:18:20 GMT PottonU said:

Feb 27, 2016 16:13:11 GMT cambcam said:

That's a good idea.

There were three or four guys in United tops last year and I made a point of calling out and giving a bit of encouragement from the sidelines. The good lady ran her first 'half' (first of any type of run in fact) last year, and mentioned how important every bit of encouragement is and how it keeps you going.

Reading your post got us thinking, so she's going for it too - if you see a lady in a United 'Haart' shirt be sure to say hello.

She went round last year in (I think is was 1.55ish) so is hoping for similar this time. Would love to do the event myself but find the knee joints just get too sore after about 7/8 miles so stick to 5/10k treadmill runs with the occasional shortish road run thrown in too.

Have a good run and enjoy yourself, and good luck to all fellow U's taking part too.

Did it in 2hrs10min saw a good few fellow U's running and spectating got the odd cheer of up the U's which was nice

Well done, a very good run indeed. I saw you go through the start and gave a cheer - I'm assuming it was you as there was just one chap in the blue as far as I could see, with a fair few in the Amber too. The missus wore the 'Haart' shirt and mentioned there were a good number of spectators shouting "Come on you U's/Amber Army" etc which helped her round in a respectable 1:58:37

There was one guy in a current home shirt that blitzed it (can't be sure of exact time) and another tall guy that even had a wooly United scarf wrapped round his neck (!) who was very quick too. A final mention to another guy in a United top that went past, who responded to a shout of "Come on United" with a reply of, "Doing it for Marcus!". A shout back of "Go on Bertisprout" was met with a massive smile and a big thumbs up..... fantastic.

Well done everyone.