Running

Nice one - You'll smash your 2016 time.

That is the plan. Roughly 4.5hrs is a comfortable marathon time atm - meaning I can continue on at that pace for another few hours without too much trouble. But my training for pretty much all this year has focussed on endurance, and I've lost some speed which I'd like to get back whilst maintaining the endurance. I still do the odd hills/intervals session with the club but generally they're short, sharp sessions and probably not really what I need to be doing to improve pace over longer distances.

Also last week I ran 50 miles without intentionally trying to do a lot of running. Not trying to boast here (I was fairly tired come Sunday afternoon) but I think I need to figure out a bit more of a proper weekly routine to do more runs with a target in mind for the session as opposed to just get out and run.

Somewhere closer to 3.5hrs I hope should be achievable with the right training over the winter.

Also last week I ran 50 miles without intentionally trying to do a lot of running

Haha, yeah I saw your double-run day(s?) last week. You'll have an excellent base, I don't think it'll take long for the speed to return.

I have some Mizuno Wave Inspire 14s which I seem to get on well with, I'd like some offroad shoes, is there a Mizuno equivalent or should I be looking at other brands? Seems I need a 'stability' shoe.

Salomon XA Pro looks good.

I found a distinct lack of stability trail shoes when I was looking and ended up with the XA Pro. They’re a bit heavy and the first few runs gave me large blood blisters on the outside of my big toes by the nail - the toe box is a bit inflexible. I’m stubborn though and my toes seem to have adapted, very comfy otherwise.

Isn't pronation less of an issue for off road, seeing as the ground is all over the place your feet will be landing at all angles. As opposed to running on flat tarmac where it's pretty consistently flat landing.

Correct.

Sad not to be arriving in B'ham about now. Staying tuned though.

https://tracking.racedrone2.net/?escape-from-meriden

Clubmate is doing 250th Parkrun tomorrow. That's almost 5yrs solid

I'm doing my first Parkrun since 2010. I only actually did it once back then. My time was 20:30. My fastest 5k since I started again this September is... 20:30. I hope to beat that tomorrow with people to chase.

Tour of Pendle tomorrow. 6 days rest has felt like an eternity. Probably shouldn’t have boozed so much when my friend came to visit. Tickle in my throat as a result. Nothing that a lovely pizza dinner with malteasers for pudding can’t sort out. And the weather looks ok too!

100% athlete I not.

Good luck - reckon you'll smash it.

Enjoy. Sometimes there are pacers at PR's so that could help if so.

Should be fun, enjoy.

How did it go?

I hurt my foot somehow this week , walking to work I think so no parkrun for me today. Disappointed, I was going to try and push hard.

I hope you're OK for next week then

I got 19:38, 8th - I'm very happy with that especially seeing as it's a hilly course, far more hilly than I expected. It was good to run with other people for a change. This time I started too far back and didn't know where I was in the field at any point. Next time I will start at the front and decide who to follow. I think I will also know better how to pace myself within a lap (it's a three lap course with basically no flat).

I'll have to try it on a flat course (not so simple around here). I'm also thinking about trying a short offroad event in early December.

^ ace, well done @Thick_Hollins

Hope your foot better soon @alialias

Good effort with hills! Also more amazing running by you this morning @rhb. I'd love sub 20 this year but it's out of reach I think. 21.40 ish is my best and that was before a break. It's absolutely my aim for the first 6 months of next year.
Foot will be fine I reckon, thanks both, gentle one planned for early Monday with my gf so will see how it is

Anyone else do the London Champs today? Lovely day for it and barely any mud to be seen

Following a pacer you might be surprised? I'd be amazed if it didn't happen in first half of next year either way. Also, i know i mentioned before but do consider joining Chorlton Runners still, they're on yer doorstep & loads of sessions & groups for all paces.

I'm well chuffed with this morning (although I slowed 10s per mile each split!). No reaction in knee so far since so fingers crossed next few days the same.

Thanks @rhb, @alialias.

Now I'm interested to hear @nefarious's race report

Did my first ever park run in Franschhoek, South Africa today. It was 4km from town so jogged there but arrived late, so had to set off straight away! It was hot and dusty but wound it’s way through rickety bridge vinyard - so was really beaut. Found myself looking at the scenery and almost took a couple wrong turns.

Really want to work on pace and try again when I’m back from holiday and go for sub 20 mins in the new year. Was fun though.

Spent the afternoon on the wine tram as a reward 😬

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Too shagged to scribble down my usual Homeric tome - for now. Will put out a long winded ramble in the coming days for those bored enough to read it.

Essentially, had an alright day, did a 3:35 when I was aiming for a 3:30, came 277/500. Was surprised how broken I felt at the end. Also, felt bad at the start and was way further back than I thought. Stomach felt odd/slight headache but that went away after 6-8 miles. Got a decent second wind just after the 3rd last climb, which was good for morale as the last 6 miles are much harder than the first 10 as they contain over half the ascent.

All in, I got it done in an ok time with pretty minimal preparation. I also paid the price of minimal preparation by sacrificing my legs to the Fell Gods, not that they'd want them - they were shite.

Hard to follow a Nefarious post, so I will leave you with the news that my Garmin thinks I am Batman

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Hard to follow a Nefarious post, so I will leave you with the news that my Garmin thinks I am Batman

This is superior content.