Running

yes.

Just out of interest, what kind of mileage do you do during the rest of the week?

Three/four days of running, one/two days of cycling.
Runs are around 11 miles, and cycling is 40-75 miles; either one trip or split over two days, hard/easy depending.

I have been running since 2014, followed marathon plans in past years: Hal Higdon / Pfitzinger, but I struggle with short runs, tempo stuff, and anything that requires thinking too scientifically. I run in order to not think too much if that makes sense!

This year with Covid and no 10k races (which are my favourite usually) meant that I could experiment with the week. Meaning longer runs when I go out, but more rest. It works in that my weekly mileage has gone up steadily in the last few months.

Two 'out there' aims (before the end of the year perhaps) are a 100 mile training week and separately a 50 mile run/walk/crawl ha. My long runs (thanks to advice here) have gone from sustaining what I would name a medium-to-high pace for 2 hrs on road surface , to 4+ hrs now at a medium pace on mainly gravel / footpaths (5 hrs including breaks).

The other experiment I did was a year ago, running 7-10 miles a day for a month which was tiring, but I had noticeable improvement physically and glided through a 10 mile race straight off the back of it.

Sorry for the long post!

No, thanks for posting! Really good training! Those long ones sound mega.

Yeah that's pretty impressive.

I've been running for a month now after bumping in to an ultra-runner in the middle of the Cairngorms and being totally inspired.

It's going pretty well, I'm running 4 times per week now, normally 5k>10k>5k>10k but this week I've bumped it up to 10k>15k>10k>15k. I'm not recording myself at the moment, but building my pace as I feel it naturally, oh and avoiding roads/paved surfaces as much as possible.

5k>10k>5k>10k but this week I've bumped it up to 10k>15k>10k>15k

Awesome if it's working but honestly would caution against 50%+ jumps week on week. Running is hard and is hard on the body, ease yourself in and ease yourself up to the distance. Maybe you wont get injured but if I ramped distance like that I'd be fucked

Thanks for the heads up! I wont be doing another increase like this for a while I believe, it was just getting back up to speed after blowing the cobwebs off.

Ha I was more than a little tipsy and have no idea of what you're capable of so sorry for the unsolicited advice! Good luck and do post updates.

My update:
Distance running fell off somewhat after my half, and now I'm thinking about trying to work up to marathon distance (thanks, thread) with no pressure on time or on running the whole thing. Just kinda really liking the idea of achieving that kind of distance on foot.

Signed up for first marathon trail run - in exmoor to keep it exciting... https://trailevents.co/events/exmoor/

Has anyone got any experience of 'trail events co' as an organiser? managing regular 10k runs during the week and aiming for survival on the day!

Top of foot pain, either side of the main 'ridge' on the foot - anyone banished it? Run a lot and never experienced it, but it recently flared up when I upped mileage a bit, took a couple weeks off but even now as I gradually ramp it up again it still lingers.

EDIT: pretty sure its Extensor tendonitis, and would love some foot stretching/strengthening ideas that have worked for others

Not at all, I welcome it - I'm a relatively fit cyclist moonlighting as a runner. Which means some parts of my body are better than others at running. I need to be careful I don't do any damage by pressing on too early.

Hope this is the right place to put this query:

How likely are these shoes to be fake? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Salomon-Speedcross-3-Running-Shoes-Mens-Trainers-Sport-Walking-Sneakers-6-5-12/373160908983

Anybody run in Goodr sunglasses? Any good?

The wife and I both have them and approve, don’t cost the earth and fit really well but aren’t super cheap like Decathlon if you have a habit of killing glasses.
We have the black OG version and I read somewhere the mirrored lens options have a tendency to scratch.

No experience of the organisers, but let us know how it goes – I'm keen on the idea of the Lulworth marathon in November, but it's quite spenny...

Does anyone know of any local/small budget events happening in November/December near London/within a few hr's drive? I did one in Kent last year which was v low key (can't remember the name, but it was self-navigation and started in a rugby club), and then the Seagrave Wolds Challenge nr Loughborough which was a hoot in knee-deep mud.. Any suggestions?

pretty sure its Extensor tendonitis, and would love some foot stretching/strengthening ideas that have worked for others

I have had what I think was extensor tendonitis. Never had a diagnosis or saw anyone but I self diagnosed after a bit of googling and realising my shoes and foot were in alignment (laces, edge of tongue, and the tendon running down the top of the foot to the big toe). I rested for a bit until the pain was gone and stopped doing my shoes so tight and never had an issue since. I now run in different shoes and rotate a couple of pairs too so that may help.

So I've managed to find the forerunner 45 I thought I'd lost during lockdown. Is anyone interested in buying my newly spare forerunner 45s? they're going for about £100 second hand on ebay. I'll accept less and a forum/charity donation.

Do you have a band? One of those will come in handy.
One that springs to mind is placing a towel on the floor and with your big toes scrunching it up - focus on the big toe.
You could also do squats, lunges on your tip toes which might help.

Really I’d suggest speaking with a professional though 🙂

Think someone wanted new shoes and might have been looking at vaporflys? Possibly @dubkev ? They release new batch on the 12th at 8am

Has anyone ever run up Snowdon? I'm heading there in a month, and would love to visit the summit but I don't have the 5 hours each way to burn by hiking/walking. Any advice would be appreciated.

Presumably direct from Nike?

Probably first step is resting and loosening your shoes a bit.

I used to get similar things years ago with shoes that weren't an ideal fit and overtightening

Yes, the other weekend. Where are you coming from? There are lots of very clearly defined and virtually paved paths up and down, including the Pyg track. If you have a bit more experience and a head for heights then Pen y ass, Crib Goch, Snowdon is the best choice.

You may want to think about how you will get there as well. The parking gets very busy.

5 hours each way

I walked it last Oct with a 5yo, my partner, and myself carrying the 1yo. I can confirm this time is accurate if you are travelling at the pace of a whiny 5 year old and stopping lots for snacks and to breastfeed. You, I'm guessing, won't have so much to slow you down?

We went up from the car park at Pen-Y-Pass. Followed the Miners track up and the Pyg back down. If you want pure speed then go for Miners up and down but it's less interesting as it's basically a non-tarmac road used by 4x4s from the water company. If you want the most fun route up then Crib Goch as Juanito says. Plenty of videos online if you want to see what it's like.

Thanks folks, I plan on taking Pen y pass from the carpark. I'll try to get these early doors to grab a parking space.

Crib Goch looks challenging and I'm sure I'd be alright, but it's not something I'd really like to try on a November morning whilst on my own.