Running

The marathon runners of the 80s never rested. In fact, when they were tired they would double their mileage...

Does anyone know anything about nose breathing only threshold tests?

Just had to do one and it wasn’t that pleasant! My nostrils close up if I breathe in too hard which made it interesting, but I wasn’t sure of that was part of the test.

London Landmarks Half Marathon ballot entry open today.

Just saw this. Is it closed already? I can only see charity places option.

I took a chance on some Nike epic react flyknits I saw on sale, figuring I could dad lyfe them this summer if I didn't get on with them.

I did a quick run down hill to the station, I am looking forward to running home tonight.
I couldn't say the same about my ASICS windhawks.

Is the point where you/anyone starts breathing in through nose/mouth/arse a rough and ready measure for running at just about threshold?
Is it any different from running at threshold heart rate?

It's, to quote skinny (from on here) (and I'm probably quoting badly) one of two ways to increase your FTP. You either push it up slowly (by working just below threshold) or pull it up hard by doing intervals over threshold.

(I think, happy to be put back in my box if I've got it arse over tit)

"The ballot for LLHM 2020 has now closed and will be announced on Thursday 27th June"

Ooh, today.

[EDIT] "Congratulations." £55 though!

It's, to quote skinny (from on here) (and I'm probably quoting badly) one of two ways to increase your FTP. You either push it up slowly (by working just below threshold) or pull it up hard by doing intervals over threshold.
(I think, happy to be put back in my box if I've got it arse over tit)

Yep that’s the general training advice I’ve read too. Try not to forget to fit in the long slow runs/time on feet though, as these work on strength. I’ve been guilty to not doing much of this - Too boring.

Where’s @PhilPub at lately?

Awww, thanks for asking! :) Still alive, sort of running but nothing too strenuous. In nursing my dodgy foot I seem to have developed a dodgy knee, which is rather frustrating because it twinged on the rowing machine this morning, which is supposed to be my running x-training fall-back strategy. D'oh! But it is just a twinge so hopefully nothing serious. 120 running miles for June, so ticking over OK, getting to the gym 3-4 x/week and some cycling. There's a low-key Assembly League race next week (new venue, Crystal Palace Park) so I'll do that and hopefully plan a regular return to track if foot/knee are behaving.

Re: breathing, I've not tried the nose-breathing strategy, but I do occasionally try a "perceived effort" tempo run where I go as fast as I can whilst maintaining a 2-2 breathing pattern rather than resorting to 2-1 (i.e. breathe in 2 steps, breathe out for 1). I think this would normally get me to about HM pace, i.e. not quite threshold. Probably a useful exercise when trying not push things too hard (which you might do if tempted to try and hit a certain pace for the tempo.)

Its nice out tonight.
New shoes - ace
Tried the breathing thing - it's hard and limited me to about 515 a km, which meant I went for a long run ( for me) of 12 k...
I think I'd prefer HR to monitor effort as only breathing through 1.5 nostrils isn't great. (My left one closes if I inhale under effort)

My Achilles has been causing a lot of pain when I run in the past 4 weeks - it started after two very hilly runs in the alps. I’ve been icing, resting, stretching and rolling but it doesn’t seem to be improving much. I’m running Race to the Stones (100k) in 2 weeks, but haven’t managed much running (nothing longer than 25k) in the last fortnight so feel like I’ve started tapering way too early.

I’m going to try a final 20/25k tomorrow, but I’m worried about it. what should I do?! Any other types of training I can do that are less impact but keep my legs moving? Physio told me to rest it for two days, but that’s passed and it still doesn’t feel good. I’m so frustrated that this has happened so close to the end of my training - everything has been manageable until now!! Any advice appreciated..

feel like I’ve started tapering way too early

Nah you're good. Lots of ultra training plans have a 4 week taper. Better to rest that achillies and go in fresh than push it and go in injured and have a horrible race or DNF. You won't lose the endurance over the next few weeks if you take it easy.

I had a real habit of making tendon problems worse by focusing on the tendon. I’m finally beginning to accept that with tendons the key is to leave the actual tendon alone to heal - don’t stretch it, don’t massage it, don’t roll it. All the stuff just makes things worse. If it’s healing well then maybe a very very light stretch - put a little tension on but nothing else.

Focus on the muscle - so for acciles, roll and massage the calves and make sure the muscles aren’t knitted or stiff.

Bent knee heel drops seem to work for me with lower leg too - up on both feet so minimal stress, and then lower down on one leg.

But yeah lower leg stuff is a pain to deal with

Finally broke 20 mins on the 5km with a 19:48 on a threshold test. Legs felt sluggish too so hopefully a bit of scope for improvement when I’m not so shattered from work.

Top effort. Get a taper in and sub 19.

Saunders this weekend - a whole new running experience.

Have a good weekend of training and racing.

Mint, well done. This is a goal of mine too but have basically stopped running.

@speculoos I totally agree with @cookiemonster on this, don't roll or stretch your tendons. I helped my ITB so much by massaging everything around after reading about how bad rolling the actual band is

I'm off to Fletcher Moss Parkrun tomorrow if you fancy kick starting again? Or get yerself to Sale / Stretford for a blast at one of those!

Enjoy!

Nice one!

Fastpacking* bags: Apart from Ultimate Direction which brands should I be looking at? My little Decathlon running pack is good but doesn't have the capacity for an overnighter :(

*Wanky term for run-backpacking

OMM

Of course! Having a bit of a blank... 6 hours on the train with two small kids will do that.

+1 omm

Salomon

Biig audax tomorrow so I'm resting! Next week I'm back on my feet. Have stopped carrying so much to and from work so a commute jog is on the cards