BeardyFox

My first run since London (for one reason and another). I felt I needed a mental break from structured training and flogging myself. Had been wondering if I really wanted to get back. 
 

Was great temp at 5:30 and within 300 yards I had a smile back on my face. 
I’m back in. 

After categorically ruling out any more races to my wife on monday. I'm starting to get the twitch again.

Thinking shorter distances for a while now though. 

On 27/04/2026 at 13:38, Ric Flair said:

What an experience, a life long goal achieved and probably the marathon bug now secured for a long time. Just incredible and surprisingly was pretty consistent with my splits. Didn't hit the wall but it was a tough battle towards the end.

 

There's no bigger test in my opinion (until I run 38 miles end of May 😂)

 

Well done to everyone who ran yesterday and those who supported, it's a phenomenal occasion.

I caught the back end of the horse you were talking about!

Truly bricking it for tomorrow. Hoping the leg holds up and my glorious ginger skin doesn’t burst in to flames.

Fingers crossed I won’t be waddling around like Ayew at a buffet. 

Good luck to everyone taking part. 

17 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Temperature is increasing by the day for Sunday, FFS

I'm going to have one hell of a tw*t tan 

18 hours ago, LcFc_Smiv said:

Not the marathon I wanted, quads felt like they filled with cement with 10 miles to go, after that it became run/walk with each run causing something else to tighten up 

 

Sub 4, turned into a hobble to go sub 5, but I loved every minute of that.

Well done mate!

1 hour ago, David Guiza II said:

In full maranoia mode now with a few days to go before the big day. I'm even anxious about the expo for no apparent reason.

 

In other news, a chap from my club came 6th at Manchester yesterday and was "disappointed" with his time. Sickening. 

Same here. I've been rehabbing an injury for the past 4 week, one point i didn't know if id actually be able to run it. Did a 10k saturday so feeling a bit better.

Other than going to work im in near lockdown conditions. 

Getting nervous about the expo too but more about travelling from St.Pancras to there and back to the hotel. 

6 minutes ago, Trumpet said:

So the terrain isn't entirely tarmac?

 

Was thinking of a hotel to avoid the parking / travelling over really early so if parking is crap that’s probably made my mind up on the hotel.

Vast majority is tarmac. There’s a small section that’s like a gravel type patch and then a field you have to run across. It had rained the week before last year so it was wet. It’s a loop so you end up running the section twice. I was glad I picked a shoe with good grip 

20 minutes ago, Trumpet said:

Anyone done or planning to do the Leicestershire Half? Looks like there’s a fair amount of elevation. Will be my first half n all, so baptism of fire perhaps?

Did it last year. Thinking about it again for this year. 
The start is a big down hill followed by a bit of undulation. Then in to a country park and fields. After that is not too bad. But around mile 7 or so there’s a big hill and then the last part is running back up the hill from the start. Which is a bit of a killer. 
 

Another thing is that the parking around the place is pretty crap. 

21 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Did this morning a HM in sub 89 mins, which I'm pretty delighted about considering the weather conditions and puddles or mud everywhere. It's 90 seconds off my PB which was set in an event, today was also no fueling during the run or drinks taken in. Day after leg day too, so all in all pretty pleased and hoping can shave more time off in an event.

 

I'm not sure how it's sustainable for a marathon at sub 3 hours though, I don't think I'd hack that 😂 

 

Still hoping to do the Leicester 10k in a few weeks but still sort of waiting on the weather. Really aiming for comfortably sub 40 mins, as my top 10k times are all set in HMs atm.

 

 

At least it's warmer now to wear shorts again and not leggings, think psychologically that really helps too 

Incredible effort. Well done mate.

Also worth noting that if I was posting 89min Half Marathons I'd be windmilling my tadger down Melton high street, so well done for staying humble  😂

I’ve been looking at the predicted times today funnily enough. Just signed up for Strava Premium during my training block. 
 

My Garmin Forerunner has my marathon time as 4hr21 however Strava has it at 4hr45. 
Both have me down for near exactly the same time within 30 seconds of each other on the half marathon so god knows. 

Eye Kettleby Lakes for fishing I think. 

10 miles this morning. Steady seven miles then finish with three quicker. 
Really didn’t fancy it when I saw it was -4 and my front door wouldn’t open. Glad I got out. Enjoyed it in the end. 

I moved to Melton about 18 months ago from Sileby. 
I don’t really think there are places that you wouldn’t want to go to. I’m sure there’s probably some rougher streets but unless you live near them I don’t think you’d ever know.
The town centre is fairly small but has enough shops to get what you need, within reason. There’s often markets on at the Stockyard. It feels like the town is trying as opposed to somewhere like Loughborough that feels like it wants putting out of its misery. 

I run rather than cycle but there’s plenty of routes around surrounding villages. Nice country lanes so you’d probably be spoilt for choice. 

 

41 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Well done. You’ve probably already said, but which marathon are you doing?

Thanks mate. Doing London 

Went out and ran a half this morning. Wanted to see where I’m at with my marathon training block starting in a week or so. 
Managed a personal best, however missed my goal time by 30 seconds. On one hand I’m frustrated that it’s so close but got to be happy with the progress. 
dropped the quickest mile at mile 12 so obviously had a bit left in the tank. 

8 hours ago, Messi said:

Anyone run with carbon plated footwear? 
 

Love my Novablasts but intrigued by the carbon plate so just looking for opinions. 

I’ve ran in the Saucony Endorphin speed 3s (nylon plate) and Adidas Boston 12s (rods) 
I prefer the rods, they feel less intrusive. 
I’ve had to stop using them both as I felt they made my feet hurt too much after. I’ve found whatever small gain I’d get out of them isn’t worth the discomfort. 
It might just be my feet aren’t strong enough or they just don’t suit my mechanics. 
 

I have the Novablast 5 too, love them. Just got the Evo SL, they are great fun and for the price they are worth looking at. 

A miserable 5 miles this morning. Everything soaked through within about half a mile.

Think it got me moving quicker as I got my 2nd fastest 5k time. Hope the weathers drier for tomorrows long run. 
 

2 hours ago, JonnyBoy said:

do you eat anything before you run? this is why i can't do it when i wake up, i need a big meal then at least 2 hours for it to digest 

Depending on what I’m doing. 
if it’s something like an easy pace 3-5 miles I probably won’t bother. I tend to eat a little extra the night before or even just a banana or handful of nuts/granola. 
Anything longer and I’d have porridge or similar but I only really let it sit for half an hour or so. 
Do you take anything out with you on the runs? 

Reluctantly out at 5am this morning, -2 so all wrapped up. Psyched myself up.

400 yards down the road my water bottle leaked all over my gloves, couldnt get them dry the whole time. Hands were like two frozen clubs by the end, trying to untie my shoes was interesting.