Running

^ that.

But don't rely on any technology, no matter how good the marketing.

If you run the same route a lot, find a 500m stretch with markers (lamposts or something), in the middle of the run, and at the end. Then time yourself.

the distance doesnt need to be accurate if your only interested in comparing your own times.

I've stopped doing this, but it was a useful indicator of my pace in the middle and at the finish of a run.

The 305 provides you with a pace indicator- constantly updates to tell you how many minutes a mile is taking, I don't look at it much but (to me, at this extremely early stage) it is interesting.

Sounds like you already have a HRM. So start doing some intevals.

I fecking hatre inteval training, so it must be good.

http://www.runningtools.com/interval.htm
http://www.time-to-run.com/training/methods/intervals/index.htm

What is your background. Are you a reformed couch potato and this was your first attempt or is it the result of years of dedication and hard training? If so what training have you done.

Having information is all well and good but If running is purely about the numbers what's the point.

If you are just starting you will see such big improvements you won't need granular detail to know it's having an effect and IMHO it takes away from the fun of running and once this is gone then you'll loose your motivation pretty quickly.

Having information is all well and good but If running is purely about the numbers what's the point.

If you are just starting you will see such big improvements you won't need granular detail to know it's having an effect and IMHO it takes away from the fun of running and once this is gone then you'll loose your motivation pretty quickly.

I agree with this.

I still do intevals, but not with measurements. On the way out on a 8 km jog I do say 5 intervals between lamposts etc. at roughly 80% of full speed. On the way back I do the same 5 in full sprint.

The danger of just increasing distance all the time is getting into the habit of running slowly. This is'nt a problem if you are running purely for health and enjoyment of course.

you said you were interested in joining the greenwich tritons this year didn't you?

get yourself down to one of our run sessions on a tuesday eve, it's an hour of continuous running but the format changes each week. this weeks was 6x 1k laps increasing in pace as you went (i was at se beers though drinking 5 pints at increasing pace instead as I have still got dodgy chest cough) we also do hill sprints and interval training too with the standard warmup/cooldown and stretching for each as well.

if you can run 10k at any speed you're fit enough to take part and you set your own pace whilst running and the group varies from beginners to double ironman standard.

it's free and it's open to non-members, we start dead on 7.30pm and the meet point is by the mini roundabout on st german's place at the edge of blackheath. there's details on the tritons website.

I joined in sep last year and I've got my 5k time down to 22:28 (32:19 in June) and the last 10k in november I ran I finished in 48 minutes something.

you can park on the road by the meet point as it's just a residential road, there's lamppost's about for chaining up a bike but tbh it's a bit dark & deserted up by the heath at that time and we don't really stay in one place the whole time so unless it's a hack bike I'd personally not risk it.

you won't need a kit bag though, I took a water bottle the first few weeks but ended up not bothering in the end as no one else did, hydrate before you go and you'll be fine. don't wear too many layers either I made that mistake a few times and soon found it's really fucking annoying running intervals carrying a jacket.

I run with my house keys (separated from my big keyring) and a five/ten pound note just in case I want to buy something to drink/eat from the shop on my way back.

no one drinks after the tuesday runs but we do a monthly 5k handicap on a friday on the heath which is followed up by a trip to the spanish galleon down in greenwich town centre (the landlord is a triton)

I might give this a bash next week, sounds more interesting than running on my own and close to my parents for a free meal afterwards!

Hmm, I just checked the site and can't find the bit that mentions the runs being open to non-members but you'll be fine to join in anyways. just say you're interested in joining and wanted to check it out if asked. the guys who lead the runs are nice chaps so you won't have any problems they don't demand membership cards or anything.

the meet point is here (just on the heath next to the arrow not in that persons house): http://goo.gl/maps/V9jP

aim to get there for 20 past if i were you as it starts at 7:30 and come 7:31 you may not be able to see where we've gone.

Ha!

I can offer secure bike parking not free dinner.

What should I use to carry my keys/wallet/phone? Is a bumbag the only option?

And what do you guys wear? Tights? Shorts? Tracksuit?

had been for a run on Monday evening and was struggling to make it up / down stairs.

You need to get a better base before starting interval training then. Consistency, e.g. 30 mins 2 x per week, 45 mins 1 x per week without struggling to walk up /down stairs the next day.

If you start intervals now I predict an injury.

What should I use to carry my keys/wallet/phone? Is a bumbag the only option?

Wallet? Are you running to the pub?. Phone? Who ya gonna call?

Key on keyring, in hand, or in pocket in shorts. Or leave under plantpot (neighbours) and retrieve when you get back.

And what do you guys wear? Tights? Shorts? Tracksuit?

Whatever is comfortable for you, consider long lycra if you might chafe in the middle.... The marketing folks would have you wearing Compression stuff as it's 0.00001% more effective or whatever the "research" says.

Wallet? Are you running to the pub?. Phone? Who ya gonna call?

I run in a tracksuit at the moment, I take my wallet in case I get injured or something and need money to get a taxi, or bonk and need to buy chocolate. Phone, in case I need to call taxi/ambulance/whatever or if work needs to call me. I know that sounds para, and I'm never more than 5 miles from home when I run, but still, anything can happen (and has happened) anywhere, any time...

http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

I'd only consider taking money (a tenner, no coins) for 10 miles+ runs. Get your ICE numbers and personal details on a Road ID, or just laminate a bit of paper with them.

Tracksuit is fine, shorts will help you keep cooler. Keep your core warm, legs aren't so important once you're moving they'll be warm enough.

I agree but nowadays I like to keep my knees warm as I do suffer knee pain after running/cycling in cool weather sometimes... weather is pretty mild now though so it's not as bad

I've seen the road ID things before - was gonna get one for cycling

I bought a tiny phone off ebay for £20. Ideal for biking and running.

I agree but nowadays I like to keep my knees warm as I do suffer knee pain after running/cycling in cool weather sometimes... weather is pretty mild now though so it's not as bad

I've seen the road ID things before - was gonna get one for cycling

Just to add, I've one of these - don't use it for running but you might find it useful (attach key and wear snugly on wrist)

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/32347/Lizard_Skins_Key_Chain

I think i've decided its better to run without music. I completely agree it can keep you going when the feel shit but sometimes find myself zoning out and running to the beat and dropping my pace. Ran without it today and did loads better on the route than i've ever done. Ran Brighton marathon last year and they had a headphone ban (not that anyone pays any attention to it) and found I was paying attention to how I was running a lot more.

barefoot running- a load of the latest marketing bollocks or genuine freedom?-
discuss.
(other than the beach places I run would shred your feet in minutes so I aint buying it)

Excellent way to knacker yourself in a variety of different ways.

I think i've decided its better to run without music. I completely agree it can keep you going when the feel shit but sometimes find myself zoning out and running to the beat and dropping my pace. Ran without it today and did loads better on the route than i've ever done. Ran Brighton marathon last year and they had a headphone ban (not that anyone pays any attention to it) and found I was paying attention to how I was running a lot more.

I started out running with music but as soon as I got up to about 10k distance runs I was getting fed up of sorting out hour long playlists I soon stopped bothering, now I enjoy running without music always plenty enough to go through my head while I'm running to keep my brain occupied.

First run of my Tri-training tonight. I hate running. Grrrrr.