Running (15 Viewers)

CrawleySkyBlue

Well-Known Member
Brilliant!

My last 5km effort i was at 3:25 for the first km, and i can almost hold that pace for 3km in a race situation... but no chance over 5km.

Thanks

At the start of lockdown (March-20), my PB at Tilgate parkrun was about 18:45 (although there are 2 hills included in this 5km) and my PB is now 17:15 (albeit on a flat course, but not 'race' conditions). So i've taken 1:30 off in just under a year through consistent training, so very pleasing.

I tend to do 2 harder runs a week - being a hardish 10k (sub 40 min) and a hard 800m rep session (usually 6x 800m @ 3:20ish with 1:30 breaks). I'd then typically add a few quick kms into my easier runs in the week. I aim for 60km a week, either a run every day or 6x10km with a day off. Would like to do more but time doesn't allow with walking the dog 3 times a day and working. I average about 17,000 steps a day, which considering i'm stationary at my desk from 8am until 6pm (except at lunch... walking the dog...) is not too shabby!
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
That's very impressive to keep the training up during the lockdown, and also to post such an impressive time in a "time trial"...

My pb had been 18:34 since about July19.... however this time last year i was way off that, my last parkrun was Jan20 and i was 19:26.... one positive of the lockdown has really allowed me to look at my training critically without too much pressure of races. Managed a 5km "race" with a similarly paced mate a couple of weeks ago at 18:14 but it was incredibly icy, so i'll be wanting sub-18 in the next few weeks.

I'm also trying to do two hard sessions per week. I'm definitely getting stronger but not sure where i can take it in terms of speed... i'd like to think i have potential to go under 17:30, but whether i'll ever get there....

Got a mate in my club who was same pace as me, 18:30-ish.... he put in a few months of real solid work and 70 mile weeks, and he's down to 16:50 now.... but he's 19/20 years old.... i just can't make such a spectacular improvement at 38...!!

Just entered a road half marathon for October.... although it's in the Lake District and has 1700ft of climb, so expecting 10mins on top of my predicted flat time.
 

Adge

Well-Known Member
Managed to get 5 in just before it got dark. Bit of a stretch in the evening now which helps but made a disastrous mistake-forgot my gloves and my hands were like ice after 5 mins 🧊 🥶
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
Really disappointed I still have not had a chance to run, but I have completed a few longer walks and I am not as tired/breathless after, so my aim is to run next week.

It is especially frustrating as I also found out I have a marathon place through my chosen charity. I ran London in 2019, but as I have previously mentioned, my training was terrible - no structure, and only two longer runs; one half and one 16 mile run (which killed me) - so it was a horrible experience really and I didn't make the most of it.

I ran the virtual last year which was better as I had been consistently running and comfortably doing long runs for the 6 months leading up to it. I ran it in just over 4 hours, but I had mates running with me, it was a more relaxed feel than than the usual event and not as undulating.

I am hoping to run this one in sub 4 hours (albeit worried how much Covid may have messed up my fitness), so any recommended training plans would be good? As well as general hints/tips for training? And once I am back to a decent level of fitness, the occasional running/training partner would be great too!
 

SBAndy

Well-Known Member
Managed 3.5 miles this morning but feeling a bit of a twinge in my right calf. No more than a niggle at present but will rest up over the weekend (and have a few too many beers!). Just walked to the local florist and it’s about 30 times colder now than at 7:30 this morning!
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
The restlessness got the best of me and I did my first run since covid, so four weeks.

I ran 3 miles and felt ok all things considered, but it’s incredible how much fitness I’ve lost just from four weeks of inactivity.

I probably pushed it too far, so not feeling the best now, so definitely leaving it a few days until my next outing.
 

SBAndy

Well-Known Member
Was planning a run today but after walking 7-8 miles yesterday turns out I’ve got a blood blister on my heel. That’s gonna cause some disruption I’d imagine. First time I’ve had one, so any idea how long it’s best to not run for?
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
I'd say until it no longer causes an issue... could be healed up in a couple of days, maybe a little longer. You can get specific blister plasters to allow you to continue, but generally better to just let them heal.

I've got similar... did 16 miles yesterday and my sock must have been a little scrunched on my toe. Was sore yesterday... went out for 6.5 miles this morning and it's blistered up.
 
D

Deleted member 9744

Guest
Was planning a run today but after walking 7-8 miles yesterday turns out I’ve got a blood blister on my heel. That’s gonna cause some disruption I’d imagine. First time I’ve had one, so any idea how long it’s best to not run for?
I got one a couple of weeks ago after running my first 10k. Only just thinking of running again now, as it was quite big. Must admit the snow and cold also acted as a disincentive.
 

LastGarrison

Well-Known Member
Was at my thinnest and fittest when I started to do a bit of running so going to try and get back into it as the timbers piled back on over lockdown and especially over the last 6 weeks when the dog is suffering serious anxiety so refusing to go on walks.

Started my first run of couch to 5k today. Got to start somewhere and at least this gives me some structure rather than just trying to bumble along on my own.
 

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee

Well-Known Member
Second run post Covid - 4.5 miles. Started ok but struggled breathing wise towards the end. So frustrating how much fitness I’ve lost.

I was the same 9 months ago having had covid. Took me months to get back. I’ve ran a marathon before, countless halves, and regularly ran 10-15k’s but it took me near enough 7 months post covid to get anywhere near back to full fitness. Was struggling with much more than 4 miles that whole time. Just couldn’t get my breathe properly on runs. Don’t know what caused it to stop but one run I just felt so much better and now thankfully am fine running. Fingers crossed yours doesn’t take so long. One think I have noticed is I’m now really phlegmy. Unsure if a coincidence but always been one of those people who never understood why footballers and other athletes spit midgame. Had never been something I’ve felt I needed to do. Now am spitting a couple of times a run and feel a tad embarrassed doing it especially during covid


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We'll_live_and_die

Super Moderator
Been trying to push my pace. I’m running for fitness and I would like to do less long runs and more fast 5ks. Found a decent loop round by me, for anyone that knows Beduth it involves running from Pete’s chippy into town. Basically one long hill. Happy with the times but my vo2 max has dropped to 44. Average hr is around 177 for these 5ks, just seems to jump after a km for some reason.

Anyhoo I’ll keep on pushing and trying to get back down to challenging 20minutes by the end of the year.

1E3A5518-E888-4C37-9807-4FF838847BD0.png
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
I was the same 9 months ago having had covid. Took me months to get back. I’ve ran a marathon before, countless halves, and regularly ran 10-15k’s but it took me near enough 7 months post covid to get anywhere near back to full fitness. Was struggling with much more than 4 miles that whole time. Just couldn’t get my breathe properly on runs. Don’t know what caused it to stop but one run I just felt so much better and now thankfully am fine running. Fingers crossed yours doesn’t take so long. One think I have noticed is I’m now really phlegmy. Unsure if a coincidence but always been one of those people who never understood why footballers and other athletes spit midgame. Had never been something I’ve felt I needed to do. Now am spitting a couple of times a run and feel a tad embarrassed doing it especially during covid


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Thanks for sharing, albeit I wish your experience was more reassuring! Sounds like we were running similar distances pre covid, so I’m concerned now, especially as I have a marathon in October!

I ran 4 miles today and it was the hardest one yet, had to stop a couple a times.
 

Great_Expectations

Well-Known Member
Been trying to push my pace. I’m running for fitness and I would like to do less long runs and more fast 5ks. Found a decent loop round by me, for anyone that knows Beduth it involves running from Pete’s chippy into town. Basically one long hill. Happy with the times but my vo2 max has dropped to 44. Average hr is around 177 for these 5ks, just seems to jump after a km for some reason.

Anyhoo I’ll keep on pushing and trying to get back down to challenging 20minutes by the end of the year.

View attachment 18725

I know I could (and I will) Google the VO2 Max stuff, as I often see it mentioned. But what’s the benefit/reason for using it as a measure?
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
I've entered a road half-marathon in October, my first ever (i can count the number of road races i've done on one hand, with the exception of the Midlands and National Road Relays for Godiva, and of course numerous parkruns).

Although it's in the Lake District and has 1700ft of climbing, so expected to be significantly slower than a flat half marathon.
 

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