Running

Well that went bloody well, 70 seconds faster than last year, running with and beating a bunch of lads I normally have no chance of getting near.

Today was a good day.

Ooof, just saw your Strava, great effort.

Cheers! Flat out start to finish.

Excellent improvement!

I managed to squeeze out 6 seconds quicker than the same course last season, although conditions under foot were probably a little drier to be fair. But in a clear indication how quick the field is in Surrey League these days, I was 71st compared to 51st, and nowhere near the scoring ten. (One of our 2:28 marathon runners was also squeezed out!) Still, we won the match and closed the gap to Wimbledon to a handful of points. The last match on Wimbledon Common (oo-eck) will be a right ding-dong.

Great running fast people.

I have an ankle niggle. Rested for a week but it didn't hold up this morning. Currently icing it. It the ligaments on the outside. Boooo

running with a phone to track mileage but mostly to listen to music (BT headphones) whats the best way of carrying phone or something else?

I did Apple Watch and Bluetooth in-ears to completely omit the phone but after a couple of months I found music really off putting, messes with my breathing and concentration. No phone is a complete win though.

15km trail race yesterday, 927m elevation. I felt exhausted (I don't think I'm properly over being ill at xmas) but cheerful, chatted to people and enjoyed the view. I spent the whole time alone but within sight of a friend, and then got overtaken by another friend who was leading the 30km race (he ended up coming 4th and was gutted).
Beautiful scenery - bamboo forests, tea plantations, ancient temples, that kinda stuff - and a well marked trail (although a couple of my friends still managed to get very lost).
My whole body hurts today, so I'm taking that as a good thing!

If I listen to music that's the right BPM and not a weird time signature, and run in time with the music, and breathe in time with my steps, it actually helps me breathe more regularly

Don't spotify do a playlist that adapts/responds to your running rythm or something? Never used it but could be worth it for those who like music when they run.

I did my last big training run on Friday, 28 and a bit miles along the Thames from Goring to Henley, and then back to Reading in 5h17m. An average 40s per mile faster than the previous weeks 30 miler but the ground had dried out a bit, and less time stood still. Followed it up wth 16 miles on Saturday which felt like plenty. Legs feel shot today.

Lots of good stuff happening here.

Managed 2x1+hr runs this weekend - first time running back to back days, first time doing an hour. Will be utterly blagging the double mara in March, but not planning on being competitive - no injury relapses and looking hopeful for maybe actually racing some ultra stuff later in the year...

Where's your double mara @kl?

Those Alpkit running tights have a pocket that perfectly takes a smartphone. Very comfortable to carry, no bouncing around.

I can't do those Velcro arm pouches.

This. Most decent tights or shorts that aren't a race fit come with a pocket for phone, card & key now. Velcro arm pouches are a nonsense.

16 mile recovery run after that. Nice! :)

I was happy enough with my first 20 miler of the VMLM schedule yesterday. Recent weekly long run progression has been 15, 17, 17, 18, 20, so not too much of a shock, especially since the last marathon was only three months ago. 79 miles for the week. This week I'm kind of entering into "marathon specific" phase, with my first continuous tempo run in place of the regular threshold intervals. That'll either be joining a nifty tempo training group in Battersea Park on Thursday evening, or a Saturday morning session with the club, depending on what the weather's doing on Thursday evening and whether I can be bothered cycling 8 miles to Battersea in a howling gale.

I have an iPhone 8 plus which I find doesnt fit - in either of my tights pouches (nike or adidas)

Gin Pit - somewhere near Manchester, you run through Bolton and Leigh. It's a mara each day on Sat/Sun. V small event, have done it a few times - came second the first year, haven't troubled the scorers since, certainly won't this year.

A mate uses a flipbelt- at least I think that’s what it’s called. Looks decent and unobtrusive.

Iirc, you can get an OS Map in the pocket on the alpkit tights. I've carried jacket stuffed in one in changeable days. Phone should be no bother, tablet might be a squeeze.

somewhere near Manchester, you run through Bolton and Leigh

Will see if I'm free for some heckling.

Or just come for the scenery and atmosphere. When we did it c.4yrs ago, the polis were actually recovering a murdered body from a bin beside the track as we ran past.

Sounds nice! I'm looking for somthing to work towards over the summer as I have Endure 24 at the beginning of June and then nothing else planned but Manchester might be a bit far.

R.E. phone holders: I've seen some chat of people putting a buff around their waist and just rolling/folding a phone into that. No first hand experience though.

I don't really want to buy another pair of tights. I was wondering if Apple Watch (or similar) or one of those Mighty things.

Hmmm this looks ok. Currently been wearing a cycling jersey under running top and keeping phone in back pocket.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Professional-Running-Waist-Bag-Men-Women-Gym-Sport-Bag-Trail-Unisex-Running-Belt-Waist-Pack-for/32828497012.html?

Flipbelt is just one of these as far as I can tell, so will order one and see.