Running

Not starting too quickly is key and it's not easy when the adrenaline kicks in and everyone seems to be overtaking you. Keep at conversational pace and steadily tick the k markers off. If you're feeling okay with 2k to go up the pace a bit and you will probably find you start passing some of the runners that have blown up- it's a great motivation taking people in the last 200m, and 1hr 15 should be very realistic. Main thing is enjoy it (and don't set off too fast!)

Fab, thanks all. Am trying to use my audax experiences of bonking/dying on my arse/hating myself and everyone involved as the km's refuse to go down and the end seems like forever away to plan my approach. Glad that this seems to be the correct method.

Not posted in a while, halfway through week 5 of a slightly adapted Hal Higdon Novice plan for a Half Marathon end of May. Started running again middle of December and trying to conservatively build.

Ran a 16km last Sunday and it was the first 'long' run that felt completely comfortable in sooooo long, when you can settle into that rhythm tapping it out early Sunday morning whilst most of the world sleeps with some tunes in your lugholes, its a true joy.

Had 8km yesterday of which 7km was at approximate HM pace, it was around 4.15 mins per km but I'm still trying to identify what to shoot for here. Start of the plan I was aiming for 1hr 35 but think I could probably sneak in 1hr 30 given that the run yesterday felt OK - hard, but manageable. There's a huge chance I could get 16/17km into the Half and completely explode but I'm kind of OK with that I think - still a few more weeks of workouts to see how achievable the revised target is.

Its such a good feeling to actually be 'running' again after weeks of shuffling around in Z1/2. Another longer run (17km) this weekend, I'm just praying the form holds and I don't pick up a niggle. Its the age-old tightrope walk. 2x days a week lifting heavy with a focus on single-leg movements is hopefully having an effect here, as well as being systematic with sequencing the harder runs and rest days/weeks. 17 consecutive weeks of running 4 days a week now, its surely going tits up at some point.

I'm doing 4 out of my 6-7 weekly sessions in the evening and the more intense sessions give me the same problem. I've been seriously over trained before and its not that. I think it's just endorphins and/or metabolism running high still. Zma didn't do much for me but i find a large glass of red wine and a wank does the trick. Joking not joking

Anyone running at London on Sunday? I'm hoping to pop up at around miles 3 / 14 / 19 for a good old cheer

I'm spectating again this year. Having two children in the last two years has scuppered my training volume somewhat and although I'm getting in the odd race/parkrun* here and there I really CNBA putting in what it takes to do a full marathon justice. Will probably be around 4 miles (Woolwich) with a nearly-2-yr-old on my back!

Did some parkrun tourism couple of weeks ago in Hove. Babysitters meant I could ditch the buggy and see where my fitness is at. 17:39 on a gently undulating course (a little off Richard Nerurkar's V50 course record of 16:12!) Fairly happy with that given limited running (+ indoor rowing), next up is the Chislehurst Half Marathon in a few weeks, a decidedly low-key road + trail race I did under the radar last year off similar low levels of training, so may try to beat last year's modest but meaningless time.

Is that during or after the run?

No mention of either in my BTF rulebook but I'd suggest after and probably not recommended as a warm up.

i'll be around on sunday cheering on.

I'll be spectating, probably at 6/14/24. - might see you at 14.

Kids are fucking shit for hard training. So is work.

I always found kids to be great motivation for going out for a run. It could be any weather outside, it's still preferable to the bickering indoors

Getting a run in, yes. But proper training, a couple of sessions a week, no.

I managed it up until 2017, so kids would have been 5, 3 and 3.

It's not ideal, obvs

Track on a Monday, intervals or hills on a Tuesday, tempo on a Thurs. Long run with twins in the pushchair on Sunday, probably a parkrun with them on the Saturday too.

Anyway, that was then. Now I'm heading towards 13 stone and have no hope of getting back to my former 'glory'!

That's very impressive. Good work.

Maybe I just don't have the motivation now.

Pretty decent swag in Tracksmith for the weekend

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The girl who got in the car well the person travelling to london in my carriage won that event . Telling everyone blahh blah

London Marathon Ballot for 2024 open now.

In!

What’s the consensus for mileage/time required to get used to cheat shoes? I’m contemplating saucony endorphin pros for a half marathon in about 5 weeks. I’ve never run in anything ‘performance’ previously.. usually mid-range saucony or else trail shoes.

Managed to drag myself round Newlands Memorial Fell Race today. 62 hour work week, short on sleep and woke up feeling like I’m coming down with something.

It felt hard tbh. Just couldn’t rev the engine and get any speed going, but then again I’ve not really done any training or hill miles so getting round is more than good enough.

In

Interested in feedback here - my gut says this shouldn’t be a huge transition

Well done getting round. I’ve managed 2km elevation this month so managing that race seems like a big deal.

Discovered I really like downhills.