Running

The treadmill in my gym will happily go to the 10% required to match Dalsnibba, so I could run a very very boring race simulation there - crank to 10%, set an alarm for 13.1 miles, run.

I can't even fathom running 13 miles on a treadmill.

Hell, 13 miles on the road bores me.

I like that distance on the road, you can cover a lot of different parts of London (for instance).

However I think 13 miles on a treadmill would take some mental fortitude.

Box Hill repeats? I'll join you if you need a training partner (from March-weekends)
Also looks fun. Maybe.... (is it on road running?)
I've completely lost my mojo for all training. Currently enjoying* getting fatter and fatter.

*not really enjoying, more the opposite. I can't seem to get motivated.

2 miles on a treadmill takes mental fortitude. I tried it the other week and it's worse than I remember. feels nothing like actual running either.

plus it doesn't count in strava challenges.

Treadmill climbs don't really compare.

I propose a number of weekend trips to places with hills.

^ Was a reply to that ^^^^^^

#obviouslyusingtheforuminthewrongway

mental fortitude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rql1TwJalAo

@Dammit didn't you have Achilles/calf problems on the run last time? Did you obtain any kind of specific excercise to perform to help with this?

Persoannly, I would forget fast hill repeats for the time being. Wind down and concentrate of building a good amount of slow base miles over the next couple of months, throwing in 2-3 intervals (depending on length of run) into each long run.

@Dammit I would suggest College Road repeats, but instead of running back down, strap a skateboard to your back so you can get back down to the bottom ASAP to start running up again. You're welcome.

Go to hilly places, run in the hills. Running on a treadmill =/= running on hilly ground. Fast hill repeats will build a bit of strength, but won't be very inspiring. Go to the Downs, run in natural places, man.

Did I ever tell you about that 165 mile treadmill run I did?...

Did I ever tell you about that 165 mile treadmill run I did?...

That much time on the treadmill... are you mad?

Treadmill climbs don't really compare.

I propose a number of weekend trips to places with hills.

Sounds fun, where do you suggest?

@Dammit didn't you have Achilles/calf problems on the run last time? Did you obtain any kind of specific excercise to perform to help with this?

That was 2013, and yes I went to see the Physio. That year I'd only run a half marathon distance once before, it was a learning experience, as they say.

Sounds fun, where do you suggest?

Close to home, I'm thinking Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Lake District - anything that's a Friday evening train away, Saturday & Sunday hill running, then train back on a Sunday afternoon / evening.

Further afield - The Alps & the Pyrenees?

If you're only training for a half mara, some nice runs on the North/South Downs or Pilgrims Way are good options closer to home. Less hilly, but you could get out of London, do a few good hours running and get home in daylight easily enough.

I would be up for North/South Downs rather than Wales/Lake District.
@kl - Do you have any suggested routes or should I just get an OS map and give it a go?

The North and South Downs way routes are available online, generally lovely all the way. I've done a few races in the areas which had great courses which are probably online as well, but I can't remember the names of them. Let me think, they may come to me. Should really keep the medals or tshirts for reference...

Should really keep the medals or tshirts for reference...

you mean you don't have a medal display hanger?

Interesting piece on parkrun vs club grumblers

http://www.naked-runner.com/parkrun-embraced-unfairly-maligned/

5k times (from my general runs, not going out to set best 5k times) as I'm getting fitter/lighter:-

29:44 @ 88.5kg
29:27 @ 89.3kg
29:23 @ 88.7kg
28:54 @ 87.5kg
28:01 @ 87.6kg
27:51 @ 86.3kg
27:12 @ 85.5kg
27:10 @ 85.1kg

Still a long way to go (76kg at least, ideally 70kg).

doing great so far @Greenbank the more you run the more those times will drop.

really hope i'll be fit to run on saturday after tonights beasting at the track. setting a new 5k pb would be a major confidence booster going into next weeks 10k.

I haven't run for two weeks.

Brought my running kit in for a lunch time but just. can't. face it.

I used a treadmill today. I hate treadmills.
Admittedly it was a warm up for some gym work, but why the fuck does anyone use them (in this very very temperate country).
Hoping to sneak a run in in the wolds tmw morning, but the prospect of 5:30 wake ups has been making me lazy.

I did a few of these races a couple of years ago. They are expensive but nice races in hilly places with a range of distances. ( http://www.endurancelife.com/event-new.asp?series=85 ).

Also: North Downs, South Downs, Ridgeway, Chilterns, Cotswolds are all within relatively easy driving distance of London.

Look at the XNRG website and maybe the Centurion Running websites - both of those organise ultras in those areas and they might give you some route inspiration, even if you don't fancy running the full distances.

http://www.xnrg.co.uk/events.aspx
http://www.centurionrunning.com