Running and stuff

[FoxesAreBlue]

Just did the 18 miles that f***ed me up last week, managed the first 13 pretty well, the last five were a chore. A very slow time of 2 hours 50 with a couple of walking breaks. To be fair, I had just done a 7 hours shift on my feet and they were already throbbing when I started.

I have decided that I will do the marathon in 2 weeks but don't expect to get round without walking and certainly don't expect to beat my best time (3:57) either.

[Greg2607]

I did the Nottingham half yesterday for my first ever half on 4 weeks training. I'd only ever done up to 12 miles twice before in my life! Managed to get around in 2hours 7minutes. Was going very well up until 9 miles and then the wheels came off. Or More accurately, my legs did.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere though. I'd definately do it again.

Also, as an aside, i Decided that i'm going going to get some training in this winter and run up Snowdon next year!

[Stuliasz]

I did the Nottingham half yesterday for my first ever half on 4 weeks training. I'd only ever done up to 12 miles twice before in my life! Managed to get around in 2hours 7minutes. Was going very well up until 9 miles and then the wheels came off. Or More accurately, my legs did.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere though. I'd definately do it again.

Also, as an aside, i Decided that i'm going going to get some training in this winter and run up Snowdon next year!

Hate natural runners!! Well done, hoping to do Nottingham myself next year.

[Guest]

I have a physio appointment tomorrow. I'm hoping he will say I can start jogging/running for longer than 20 minutes, and more regularly than every other day.

[Bluefoxtim]

Did a 35 mile off road mountain bike event on Sunday. Probably not the best idea a week before the marathon but I did get a free sports massage at the end

Nerves have already started

[Raj]

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Shock-Leicestershire-teenager-dies-going-jog/story-17052278-detail/story.html

Just read this...its bloody tragic

[SystonFox]

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Shock-Leicestershire-teenager-dies-going-jog/story-17052278-detail/story.html

Just read this...its bloody tragic

So sad. So young. RIP

[Guest]

My niece told me about this on Saturday; she had some mutual friends with him. She was about as shocked as a 14yr old gets over these things

[FoxesAreBlue]

It is a very very sad way to go, especially at such a young age, RIP

[SOCCERROO FOX]

That's sad re the above

So my 10km was today went in with a minor groin complaint and not the best prep only did 2 runs in the last 4 weeks. My goal was just to finish with out stopping as it was my first one and a very warm morning here. I did it and still had plenty left and could of easily gone another 5km. Not sure yet on the official time but just missed getting under the hour probably due to not going hard enough as not being sure how i would go and really packed start. The best part was proving to myself i could do it (as couldn't run 500m back a few months ago) and seeing how shocked my mates were when they saw me charging round with the mcg at the finish in a bit of a sprint.

All ready set my goal to do the half marathon next year

[FoxesAreBlue]

That's sad re the above

So my 10km was today went in with a minor groin complaint and not the best prep only did 2 runs in the last 4 weeks. My goal was just to finish with out stopping as it was my first one and a very warm morning here. I did it and still had plenty left and could of easily gone another 5km. Not sure yet on the official time but just missed getting under the hour probably due to not going hard enough as not being sure how i would go and really packed start. The best part was proving to myself i could do it (as couldn't run 500m back a few months ago) and seeing how shocked my mates were when they saw me charging round with the mcg at the finish in a bit of a sprint.

All ready set my goal to do the half marathon next year

Very well done, I imagine finishing in a stadium is a brilliant feeling. Hope you get the bug

[FoxesAreBlue]

Does anybody use the Vibram 5 fingers, I've recently been doing a bit of reading on the biomechanics of running and different schools of thought on running technique. As it happens, I am beginning to change my mind in the whole Trainers v Barefoot approach!

My next big marathon is the Edinburgh full in May so I'm going to try and use the time between now and then to change my running style from a rear/mid strike to the Pose Style (Google: Pose Technique by Dr Romanov).

Just wanted some reviews of these 5 fingers, especially if you have done any long distances in them (10 miles plus ideally racing or training).

Cheers! Andy.

[FoxyPV]

One of the guys in work uses them and loves them, but he said it took a while to get used to them and build up to reasonable distances.

[James.]

Andy you may want to have a read of this where most of the research into barefoot running is going on.

http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

I've been told by a physiotherapist that mid foot running is the most economical but I guess it depends. I think there is possibly a little too much hype about barefooot running and not necessarily that many benefits (for not all but the majority of runners).

[SystonFox]

When you say barefoot do you actually mean BAREFOOT? As in no footwear????

Since the leics marathon the whole week after I was too fatigued and last weekend I became ill so have only managed two runs in the mean time. Only just fit enough for football

[FoxesAreBlue]

Andy you may want to have a read of this where most of the research into barefoot running is going on.

http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

I've been told by a physiotherapist that mid foot running is the most economical but I guess it depends. I think there is possibly a little too much hype about barefooot running and not necessarily that many benefits (for not all but the majority of runners).

Cheers James. I haven't the time to take a look right now but I've bookmarked it and will have a read, I too am of the opinion that there is a little too much hype about it, my opinion (based on just my experiences & my own knowledge not actual research) is that, if mastered, it is good for preventing injuries and running as nature intended, however it DOES take away almost of the power that is generated from the glutes, so saving injury risk on one hand but losing a lot of power in the other.

That said, I may be dead wrong! It certainly is an interesting debate.

When you say barefoot do you actually mean BAREFOOT? As in no footwear????

Since the leics marathon the whole week after I was too fatigued and last weekend I became ill so have only managed two runs in the mean time. Only just fit enough for football

Not quite completely barefoot, you need to protect the skin from being broken by stones, twigs glass etc so,min this case I am referring to barefoot as wearing minimalist shoes such as the Vibram five fingers or Adidas aid pure version etc.

EDIT: James.. This website is brilliant and is just what I have been trying to find! Thank-you!

[danny.]

Andy - I run in five fingers. Personally I love them, I had awful shin splints and ITBS so bad I couldn't walk for months - I switched to VFFs and forefoot landing and never looked back. Been injury free ever since, coming up for almost a year now.

I've got some bikila LS and also sprints. The bikila would be easier to try initially as they have thicker soles.

I doubt you have time to wear them for a marathon in march though - you need to take the transition very slowly or you will annihilate your calves and Achilles.

Re: losing power, that's complete crap. I got much faster compared to shoes. May park run went from ~23 mins to 18.59 in 3 months. 10k time down to 40 mins and the last 10k I did I was 40th something out of 500+ people (and I'm by no means a great runner or that fit, and had been running around 1 year at that point). You just need to work on incorporating glutes into your running form.

[FoxesAreBlue]

Andy - I run in five fingers. Personally I love them, I had awful shin splints and ITBS so bad I couldn't walk for months - I switched to VFFs and forefoot landing and never looked back. Been injury free ever since, coming up for almost a year now.

I've got some bikila LS and also sprints. The bikila would be easier to try initially as they have thicker soles.

I doubt you have time to wear them for a marathon in march though - you need to take the transition very slowly or you will annihilate your calves and Achilles.

Re: losing power, that's complete crap. I got much faster compared to shoes. May park run went from ~23 mins to 18.59 in 3 months. 10k time down to 40 mins and the last 10k I did I was 40th something out of 500+ people (and I'm by no means a great runner or that fit, and had been running around 1 year at that point). You just need to work on incorporating glutes into your running form.

Brilliant, thanks for that answer, I tried to plus1 you but it wouldn't let me :-/

Think your probably right about not being ready for the marathon, but I think I will definitely pick up a pair, I've been told its cheaper (by about 50%,) to order from America however this was last night and haven't had a chance to check yet!

[Haydos]

Did my first outdoor 5km run yesterday. Turns out the ground is much harder than a treadmill Calves feel like wood at the moment. Happy with 23.30 though. Would like to aim for 10km in the near future but going to try and knock a couple of mins of my 5km time first.

[danny.]

Think your probably right about not being ready for the marathon, but I think I will definitely pick up a pair, I've been told its cheaper (by about 50%,) to order from America however this was last night and haven't had a chance to check yet!

The only thing about VFFs is the sizing is REALLY important, as you wear them with no socks, so they have to fit perfectly. Also the sizing won't resemble your normal shoe size. My VFFs are size 45 (they are all only in euro sizing) which is about a 10.5, my shoes are all between 46-47 (11-12). So make sure you check the sizing guide and measure your feet super carefully - but it might be worth ordering from someone in the UK who do free/cheap returns in case you get the size wrong. Or if you go to London ever there are some places in Camden that sell them.

[FoxesAreBlue]

The only thing about VFFs is the sizing is REALLY important, as you wear them with no socks, so they have to fit perfectly. Also the sizing won't resemble your normal shoe size. My VFFs are size 45 (they are all only in euro sizing) which is about a 10.5, my shoes are all between 46-47 (11-12). So make sure you check the sizing guide and measure your feet super carefully - but it might be worth ordering from someone in the UK who do free/cheap returns in case you get the size wrong. Or if you go to London ever there are some places in Camden that sell them.

More excellent advise thanks! Better sort my feet out then as after this years running they look more like a dinosaurs foot!

[danny.]

No worries man. Give me a shout if you get some, they take quite a bit of getting used to!

[FoxesAreBlue]

Will do, will probably wait 'till the new year I think, at the minute I am adding a programme of forefoot running to my usual routine to try and help prepare my legs.

In another slightly different topic, one of my clients has asked me to do a triathlon with him next year, so I've bought a second hand Bike off eBay it's a Scott Mountain bike, took it out this morning for my first run, a 5k round the village. Bloody hell road cycling is hard! It is a hard tail mountain bike, rather than a road bike as the roads round Newbold are awful in places. SOS I thought the chunky tyres would do me good. They didn't - as soon as I stopped pedalling, the bike lost all momentum, I was going to use it to commute to Leicester (20 mile round trip) but I need to build up a bit more leg strength first!

[Steven]

Is it wrong of me to expect pedestrians to move over when I am running on the footpath/pavement?

[danny.]

Is it wrong of me to expect pedestrians to move over when I am running on the footpath/pavement?

They generally don't, pisses me right off. Especially when you get 3-4 people just taking up the entire pavement and you just can't get past.

I usually just speed up and run at them or within a few inches, I suppose being 6'3" and 14.5 stone helps with this, although people still don't move half the time. I've clipped people so many times out running, it's ridiculous - gives me 'running rage'.