Running

Can I just say - isn't running at this time of year lovely? Just started again after a coupla months off, had almost forgotten how good it feels to have those zen periods when you just forget that you're actually running and don't even remember the last few miles. #runnervana

Yep, I'm loving it at the moment; the crisp cold air seems to make me faster.

Got close to my 21min 5k PB on today's lunch time run - Hampered by impatient motorists who need to rush to junctions to queue instead of just letting me cross. <20min 5k will be mine before 2014 is over. Had some slight hunger shakes before setting off. Now I'm not even hungry...? #prodiet

Can I just say - isn't running at this time of year lovely? Just started again after a coupla months off, had almost forgotten how good it feels to have those zen periods when you just forget that you're actually running and don't even remember the last few miles. #runnervana

7 weeks in, and up to 3 x 6km a week and still aware of every single footfall. #lesigh

(5kg down though, but still 10kg to go...ideally 15kg as I've long since forgotten what 11st is like.)

The first 5 / 10 minutes were a bit grim as my hands gradually warmed up, but otherwise great conditions.

So many throbbers in full winter kit though - tights, waterproofs, fucking head torches.

At least no one in a balaclava.

So many throbbers in full winter kit though - tights, waterproofs, fucking head torches.

'attaboy!

Ha! 10kg of surplus corpulence has its benefits: Karrimor Xlite s/s top, shorts, socks and trainers and I was still sweating like the proverbial.

Unscheduled run to work this morning due to the perfect conditions. Took a detour to do as much traffic free as possible was ace.

Took longer to get home the direct route on public transport, carrying my kit.

Really need to get twice day run fit.

Never had sweaty ears (!) but do wear glasses. I'll give them a try I guess and see.

No problem with glasses and my Sony ones, but I guess it depends on what type of arms/temple-tips[1] your glasses have.

1. Who knew that's what they were called? (I googled)
   

Going to look for those as well thanks.

beautiful running conditions this evening. managed to do 5x1600 @ 5:21 average so pretty pleased and looking forward to Gosport now.

a little bit of rain before saturday and cross country will be quality as well.

I did Gosport a few years ago - pretty uninspiring course, but a well-run race. The guy who finished in front of me was in his 50s, had a waist-length ponytail and was running barefoot - hero.

Had a good session at track yesterday,

Am bit sore this week as I just started a new gym programme to add strength training into my routine so swapped this weeks 2x3200, 2x1600 workout with next weeks planned workout instead.

ended up doing 12x400m with one lap recovery

Idea was to go out at faster than 5k race pace (currently 6:55 pace) but ran on feel rather than watching my garmin and averaged 1:29 per lap (5:56 pace).

Got 3 weeks until my MoRun 10k in Greenwich. still not 100% sure I'll manage my target 7:00 pace but am feeling like I'm starting to get much faster as my weight drops and my training slowly increases. will be gutted if I don't go sub 45:00 but will see what happens on the day I guess.

what are people's thoughts on gore tex trainers, my work run during winter is a track round a waterlogged, muddy park, and the current adidas' are just sievelike, in their ability to let in the slightest amount of water.
I'm just looking to make sure my feet aren't soaked with the grizzly weather over the coming months, and am wondering about gore tex options.
Hit me with your trainer knowledge peeps...

was thinking of getting these

http://www.adidas.co.uk/response-trail-21-gtx-shoes/M18796_580.html

For me it's either stay completely dry, or embrace the wet. I rather have an open shoe that dries quickly if it's going to let any water at all in, even in coldest winter, wool socks keeps me warm anyway.

So if they keep you nice and dry, go for it, if they leak just a bit, I'd question if it's worth it.

In important breaking news, socks are the latest addition to the list of unacceptable winter running clothing.

Never tried (or even thought about) Goretex shoes.

I would say that surely the first tear/split in the upper it will leak? My trail shoesalways tend to get gouged on something sooner rather than later.

Any puddle deeper than ankle-height will result in a shoe full of water anyway so I think I'd just embrace the mud!

hopefully not going to be running through deep puddles, but right now as soon as I hit even the dampest of grass, water's coming in and soaking my socks...

I know they won't keep my feet totally dry in the worst of conditions but some water resistance would be nice...

Wouldn't be trail running, just hitting the grassy parts of the park as I've been told to avoid road miles..

@kl - Woah there, does that include socks that sit lower than the ankle?

I'm afraid so. I was surprised as you, but I referred the matter to the Hardness Committee, and they said, 'Yes of course it includes all socks it's not fucking Norway there isn't any snow in the ground they're feet not fucking hands that do fucking dishes'. Pretty unequivocal really, though there was talk of exceptions being made for runs upwards of 2 hrs when winter arrives.

Could you define 'winter' though? The range we have goes from murky greyness at about 5c to -15c with ice and snow. Generally I'm fine in just a pair of merino boxers until mid January but then generally consider a singlet as icicles on the nipples is not a good look and they do kind of chafe on runs over an hour.

it can be as uninspiring as it wants. I need it to be flat and there to be no wind so i can get my target time. Have booked a grim b&b for the night before.

Gonna wear my rolla' cap for xc if the sun stays out, they'd forecast proper rain so I didn't bring sunnies. It's like a summer day out here. /csb.

Hope other xc'ers have fun today.

Just spent some time in runners need talking to one of their shop assistants, and it seems my feet are going to be wet one way or another. Think I might get some asics trabuco with the gore tex lining and see how that goes.
Tried on the Adidas and they seemed very robust. Just don't want my feet to be soaked from beginning of run to end, and my trainers to turn a murky grey colour from the mud I'm running through..

^ embrace the wet & mud, it's not so bad.

Ducked under 40 mins for muddy 9.6km on a nice flowing course, nothing technical some really fast open descending in places.

3 lumps of cake via the club then straight off to catch the early train back. Might regret the lack of warm down...

p.s. Technology says avg 180bpm max 194 today.

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