Running

Anyone ever get weird blisters on the side of their heels? Not from rubbing, almost feels like the impact is forcing the skin apart. They’re quite deep, unlike normal blisters. Trying to resist hacking them apart.

Hadn’t even considered that but sounds like something that would drive me insane. Having nice scenery really makes a difference in enjoyability.

Virtual race sounds fun, not so much 12 miles though. Do you do it on Strava?

What socks are you wearing? Could be a bobble or something on them?

Nah, new and thin socks.
Too deep and painful to be from rubbing I think.

There are flat no-roads places to run, that aren't track. The Hackney Marshes parkrun route is a decent example if you wanted to try and go sub 18 minutes.

Also, are you doing these runs by yourself? I would think a prooer parkrun would knock at least 30 seconds off (if they are ever allowed again).

Also, I might be jumping to conclusions, but from the way you describe it, it sounds like you haven't done that much training to be knocking out these quick times?

Sounds like runner’s lice. They gravitate to the damp warmth of shoes post-run. When you next wear the shoes the lice work their way through your socks and anchor to your feet with barbs that double as ovipositors. The larvae incubate subcutaneously causing a blister-like appearance as they expand. They hatch while the host is sleeping and head off to find some shoes. You’ll experience pins and needles from the mild toxin that’s released, and a temporary delusion that you can hear the ground moaning as you step on it.

Ah, amputation it is! Gonna save a fortune on shoes.

I've come to the conclusion that running 10Km every day simply makes me slow, and bored of plodding along. I'm going to do fewer, longer runs as suggested.

31Km run this week, with Monday a rest day -what do people thing, two days off and then smash it on Sunday?

Hadn’t considered hackney marshes, it’s not far from me (Walthamstow) so could give that a go.

Also, correct about the lack of training and running solo.I used to commute by bike 3 hours a day and climb indoors when that was still allowed so have taken this up to fill the void. First few weeks of lockdown I was running in a pair of minimal Newbalance shoes from 2013 ish and have just got “proper” shoes a couple of weeks ago. Trying to just work on building the gas tank and gradually increasing speed but it’s all very hit and miss.

Last couple of days I’ve only been able to have short breaks from work so have been going a bit harder. Maybe I should do some actual structured training.

Just had a look at the route and followed the instructions and really can't get my head round it lol

Throwing in fast bits and slow bits (fartlek) into your 'normal' runs might help keep them fresh.

Going to a 31km long run from 18 (going off your strava screenshot the other day) might be a bit of a jump but it might work for you.

Mainly Strava, although any GPS route is accepted. (Pretty informal rules but people are asked not to take the piss by having mainly downhill routes, for example!) We all did a half marathon challenge recently so I'm just gonna use the same route (~3.5 mile loop) and hope to go marginally quicker.

I find the mental challenge of track racing harder, the longer the distance. A bit of scenery definitely compensates for slower road courses. My 10k road PB is marginally quicker than my 10,000m track PB, partly because I've had more cracks at it, but also because 25 laps is soul-destroying. Even over 12.5 laps it's handy having coping strategies, like breaking the race into km chunks, rather than watching the lap counter every lap.

Maybe I should do some actual structured training

Yep. You might find out you are very fast indeed.

Or 525 laps 😂

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Interesting team tactics. Ours has ended up being more egalitarian. One of our fastest runners is only doing 6. Good luck.

The lockdown circuits I have added to my weekly routine have battered my legs so I also am in mini taper mode for the weekend.

If anyone is bored enough to follow on Twitter or Instagram then #kentdoescomrades is your friend.

Is getting knee pain after wearing a new pair of less stable shoes (I'be been filed three times and always had some kind of stability shoe) a sure sign that I need that extra support?
I've not upped my mileage or done anything else mad.

Possibly.

Have you tried running in other more stable shoes? Does that help?

IANAP etc etc.

Going to give my other shoes ago. I had Nike zoom structures and just got the infinity runs. I had reviews saying that they weren’t stable but also others that said they were.

I've started doing little standing hip abductions when making a coffee or whatever, it's showing me just how useless my hips/glutes are. I'd thought generic strength stuff at the gym would have been helping, and it probably was to an extent, but I think more specific focused stuff is in order.

Why is desktop strava so awful to use?

Holy shitballs. That’s brilliant.

Did 10k in 42 mins this morning. Bit of a slower pace than the 5ks but had a massive burger last night and the baby kept me up so energy was a bit... weird. Bit achy too.

Also, would really love to not run with a max-size phone flapping about in my pocket. Been looking at gps watches and am split between Polar Vantage M and the Garmin 245. Currently using a Polar chest strap and the app so am leaning towards staying in that ecosystem unless Garmin are really that much better...

I bought a flip belt to carry my phone. I was on the fence because £30 seems a lot for some stretchy fabric but it's been fantastic.

https://flipbelt.co.uk

I just sprained my ankle yet again, this time walking home from the gym. I have bought lots of expensive cheese as a consolation.