Running

Zip isn’t really necessary I don’t thibk

I’ve been following a training plan for 5 weeks, mainly slow runs with some tempo sessions and intervals mixed in. I can’t quite believe how much I beat my half marathon PB by (1.46 from 1.50) with what felt like not too much pain in the training, the hardest part was the motivation to go on slow runs.

Great work, slow runs are super frustrating, but I found ince I started seeing results I relaxed into them and just made sure I went interesting places to enjoy the scenery!

Have what coach described as an easy week this week (85k including 10 yassos and 34k on sunday with last 12 at marathon pace) before peak week next week ~110k, not convinced if the naming of either of these is right but guess it’s all relative.

Beginning to think a bit more about marathon nutrition, apparently there’s a table with water every 5k so no energy drinks, and I don’t think setting up my own energy table is going to work but thinking about other possible solutions guess I can leave a pile of gels somewhere as it’s multiple laps, and as the site is closed there won’t be any cheeky bastards to steal them or dogs to wee on them so that might be the best bet...

Anyone used Maurten? There seem to being used by a lot of top athletes, but not sure if this is being the best or just having biggest budget....

Yeah I've been tending to do my slow runs with the one other person we are allowed to exercise with or somewhere scenic as much as possible, it's the middle of the week lunchtime runs that are harder to motivate myself for. It's nice to not have to psyche yourself up for a harder session though and I don't have to think about eating anything before.

I seem to have developed the ability to switch my mind off for the harder sessions, to the extent that 2 different people I’ve done harder sessions with have asked if I’m alright as I seem to be super out of it before them. I think my head is just figuratively sticking it’s fingers in it’s ears and singing lalalalalalalalala.. whatever works right?

I love that feeling of tunnel vision when it gets tough, I count to 20 over and over again for however long it's needed, it's so grim but it's almost like meditation. I've recently got an online coach who reviews my sessions so its much harder to just ease off or stop if I'm not in the mood.

This chat really tells me I should try harder.

Anyone used Maurten? There seem to being used by a lot of top athletes, but not sure if this is being the best or just having biggest budget....

I've not tried it, the selection of gels here is rubbish (the gov classifies them as BAD BAD DRUGS on import). A friend of mine is sponsored by Clean Fuel Nutrition and I can tell you that this is great if you love the taste and consistency of sawdust.

Absolutely this - whether running or cycling, I find hard intervals, 3-15 mins say, “meditative”.

I detest long slow distance but really trying to do more of this (10 miles at 9 min/mile say - I know that “long” and “slow” are relative)”!). I feel more beat up after slower runs - I think I plod rather than being light on my feet at faster pace, but hoping that slower equals less injury over time....

At the end of the slow runs my coach says to do some strides in the final mile as it helps with recovery and biomechanics, it definitely helps my legs feel better after.

Erm.. thanks for the recomendation, but based on the review i'll pass!

I’d used strides to warm up before a faster session, but I’ll try adding some in at the end of a slow run tonight

I count to 20 over and over again for however long it's needed

Exactly the same for me, am convinced that kinda meditative state is a big part of what I find so cathartic about running

Usual 10k route today, third time I've done it since getting back towards fitness. Only walked 50s of the steepest hill (last few times I've done ~120s of walking).

More importantly it suddenly clicked in the last 3km and felt easier than the slower running earlier.

(Still 10 minutes slower on this route that I was a few years ago, but I'll get back to there eventually.)

+1 for longer, slower runs feeling like they take more out of your joints. Definitely feels like I'm plodding along compared to the 'running' feeling you get with quicker pace.

I use Maurten - its what the pros use so why not. I'd have a 320 before the race and another bottle of 320 for 25-30km and a couple of the gels. It doesn't have any taste and is a fluid gel so is a bit weird but i prefer that lack of taste. Worked well for me. I also tried drinking some pickle juice to help with cramping, didn't have any on Sunday so maybe it worked but seems to be some science behind it and why not eh?

I cant say I like the caffeine one.

I'm struggling with a 4 week cycle of ramping up after a marathon and tapering before one and no gyms being open.

What’s wrong with the caffeine one?!

Think I might buy a starter box, should be enough to try in a couple of more intense training runs including Sunday’s 34km with 12k at race pace and then the two 20k at race pace I have before race day...

Other option is beta fuel from sis, which tastes like ass but was fine for Ironman.. combined with sis go gels.

Have thought of a strategy where but I can leave 3 bottles on course, and pick up at 10.5, 21 and 31.5k with a gel in between should mean plenty of calories in, and breaking race down nicely into 5k ish segments...

Didn’t like the taste - that was a couple years ago so maybe they’ve improved it. I find 320 mix and 100 gels are fine

Pickle juice is nice. Guilty secret

I'd say this close to your marathon its pretty late to start experimenting. I'd just stick to whatever nutrition you've been using and you know agrees with your stomach and give you enough calories to avoid blowing up. I'm sure some of these new more advanced gels and drinks are very good and i will be trying Maurten mainly for its neutral flavour for my longer stuff but that will be at least 4 weeks out. When is the big day?

Have you tried a pickleback? Maybe better post race

Averaging 71km per month for the first two months of the year. Also my last 5 runs I’ve shaved almost 20% off my splits as well.

I’ll never be fastest runner or the biggest fan of running in 29c and >70% humidity but am actually enjoying my running routine over the last few months. Going further and faster each month is satisfying and keeping my relatively sane.

Just under 5 weeks, 3rd April, so figure while towards the end of the ideal window, shouldn’t be too bad..

Haven’t done a marathon since 2018, and completely bonked at IM Austria in 2019, plus figure that’s not really the same kind of intensity so having a bit of a rethink...