Running

Snap! Did my warm-up in Invov8's, toyed with the idea of spikes but decided to look after my feet and left the trail shoes on. Ugh! Almost immediately they were failing to shed mud and it was bambi-on-ice most of the way round. Long distance should be my thing but ended up being beaten by a few club mates I'd normally beat, who were a little more sure on their feet. 159th overall, 11th scorer. (I think we were 2nd club in 12-to-score?) All good training effect, I suppose.

I was delighted for John Gilbert, my club mate who has put in some excellent XC performances over the years, who won yesterday. Definitely his kind of course, he's an animal. Brilliant run from the front!

10 slow miles on grass this morning was more than enough after that. Cracking on again this week.

Older kid was sick yesterday evening, and partner today, another excuse not to go. I hope this is temporary.

Rest is training too, things'll improve.

Just get out when you can. Don't pressure yourself too much, runner under duress is even worse.

I crept inside the top 300 but got beat by people I beat by 3 minutes in our last 6 mile league fixture. One to write off for me. Decent workout though eh!

You did it, that's the main thing. Looks like a proper slog.

Managed my first run of the week this evening. might try a few more next week.

John Gilbert is a legend, and a proper old school club runner, very inspirational. Watch out for him at London!

shit weather eradicating my motivation

When it's raining sideways and only a few degrees outside it's not very tempting to go for a run but I find once you get going it's never as bad as it seems from in the house. Enough layers, gloves, etc and you'll be glad you got out.

Funny - I feel that way about cycling, but truly look forward to running in the cold, wet and wild. Always enjoy Hampstead Heath when it’s chucking it down.

Definitely need to make the right clothing decisions though - long tights, waterproof cap, thin shell, etc.

last week was a complete dream week of running, both timed threshold runs I went faster than I thought possible, had to skip the last km of Fridays easy run as I had to get home, then managed a very respectable run off the bike after very hard bike threshold session, and Sundays 10 miles at marathon pace my HR was 150avg by 6 miles (threshold is around 175) so pushed on a bit and averaged 4:10 per km.

not sure how to feel about it though, it's great to feel this peak in form, but at the same time I'm a long way away from my goal race (Brighton marathon) and I don't want to peak for my warm up half marathon races and fall flat on my face at the marathon again, should I just enjoy it for what it was, and stick to the plan, or increase my training to increase the load..?

Well, after getting such a good time on Sat, I went for a swim off Broadstairs without awareness of just how sharp the rocks are and now have a few slices on my foot and a broken toe. It's not the big toe, so shouldn't be too bad to run on, but the slices are right in the arch. fml

I'd stick to the plan, continue to train according to the correct effort levels (e.g. your MP sessions according to HR), and take advantage of the improved fitness to see if you can reassess HM race targets, which in turn can give you confidence for the marathon target. If things are still going in the right direction by end of Feb, maybe think about tweaking things then.

On the subject of core/strength exercises, someone reminded me about the Nike Oregon Project core stability routine, which I intended to start incorporating into my gym routine as of this morning. So I turned over in bed instead. :) As an excuse, I think I'll try a few out at home before today's easy run, while I've got the videos in front of me for reference. Then on Wednesday morning I can scare everyone in the gym with my Hot Salsa. Looks like some good functional moves going on here.

You have the worst luck, was super pleased seeing your last post that was all finally back on track.

Can't you get yourself a lucky rabbits foot or something?

Nah mate, all is good - these aren't proper injuries, just minor setbacks, and in general I'm running well, feeling good and scouting for interesting ultras later in the year as I'm confident I can get back to proper distances. Also, hurting your foot while trying to clamber out of the North Sea in a January storm can probably be filed under damn foolishness rather than bad luck...

Can't you get yourself a lucky rabbits foot or something?

The vegan equivalents are rubbish, sadly...

Can't you get yourself a lucky rabbits foot or something?

The vegan equivalents are rubbish, sadly...

Four leaf clover ftw.

The vegan equivalents are rubbish, sadly...

there's a joke about a pact with seitan in there somewhere.

Good to hear you're still on the up then. you'll have to get yourself some snazzy vibrams five fingers for your next sea clambering.

just waiting for my 5-finger cycling shoes to arrive - if they're good, will get the whole range...

By the sound of things I'd look at some exercises for your lats and lower back.

Lat pull down
Bent over row
Deadlift
Barbell pullover
Pullups
Side plank might also help

Hope that helps.

Set myself the challenge to exercise every day in January. One of the many positives of this are that I'm back into running. Not huge distances but I've gone from running 6k at 5:50 per km to 4.50 per km in a month and I'm running over 10k once per week, which I'd never really done before.

Also it's helped get my confidence back to play football which I hadn't done for 5 months after a thigh tear.

I finally broke the seal on it tonight. Could only manage a sluggish, stopping and starting 8 km. Felt like shit about fifteen minutes into it. Four weeks off was too much. No idea how I'll get back up to strength in time for my first half marathon in March.

I can't listen to those essential mixes because they have the RADIO RADIO ONE ONE ONE jingle what seems like every five minutes peppered through them. I had the Moodcut Dispatch Agency podcast on tonight instead, pretty dark and moody... suited my state of mind.

You did it, that's the important thing. I ran once in three weeks over Christmas because of illness and family and dreaded the set back, a couple of weeks and I'm back to where I was, if not fitter (I'm a newbie runner btw). Cut yourself some slack and let the endorphins back in your life.

I'm sick of fitness plans telling me how important sleep is, if I could frigging sleep more I would (sorry, 4.30am start today, thanks kiddo)

Anyone using smashrun? Trying it out today. First thoughts is nice but superfluous data.

Royal Parks Half ballot is open now: https://royalparkshalf.com/

£57 !!!!!five!!!seven!!!

All Big London marathons are very pricey now, I'm sure Hackney Half is the same. I do find Royal Parks a bit overrated too, but that's just from watching it.

I was shocked to see NY marathon is $358 for non US residents ($255 for locals). That's just unaffordable as far as I'm concerned.

£26 for my local half marathon (Wimbledon Common done by RunThrough 3 or 4 times a year).

£0 for my extended commute half marathon. I do have to stop to cross a few roads though. Still a way off being back to HM distance yet though.

London Marathon for £40 or so (or was it £45) is a bargain.