Running

Yesterday did a 13k in under an hour (6.5k head on into in a strong Westerly, 6.5km with an awesome tailwind) with a couple of steep hill sprints thrown in. Furthest and fastest I've run (on average) I think.

I struggle with my breathing patterns though. I tend to inhale on every third stroke and then exhale on every third...If I don't it gets a bit too erratic and I end up with a stitch or something...Is there a 'correct' way to breathe, or should I continue with this technique for the time being?

try counting the pacing with the breath
so, inhale for 4 steps, exhale for 4,
this is a good exercise to increase the size of the lungs and relax the respiration
you can start with 3 then work it up as it gets easier,
the focus is to get so youre not hanging or chasing the breath.

^ that

I'm comfortable on 3's though, so breathe in for L R L then out for R L R. Sometimes swap over to counter the signs of oncoming stitch.

Ah, yeah, well I had the gait analysis done a month or so ago. Which matched the one I had done a few years ago. I'm pretty confident in that.

worth looking at your core then fore/mid foot strike over heel strike will still cause grief if your core isn't doing the job properly.

oh yeah dont forget to chant 'run to become, become to run' as well constantly
clearing the mind and entering a zen trance state

^ fuck that

no, 'run to become, become to run'

Cool, I'll keep at it then. I do tend to switch it up to 4's when I ease up a bit. I'll work to bring the speed up and rely on 4's.

Is there a list of UK half-marathons online available? I'm aiming to do one in July/Aug.

one who never gives up knows all that,
will ask and let you know

no, 'run to become, become to run'

will it help me maximize my potential?

Cool, I'll keep at it then. I do tend to switch it up to 4's when I ease up a bit. I'll work to bring the speed up and rely on 4's.

Is there a list of UK half-marathons online available? I'm aiming to do one in July/Aug.

runnersworld.co.uk had a very good event search feature when i last looked for events, worth a look

Cool, I'll keep at it then. I do tend to switch it up to 4's when I ease up a bit. I'll work to bring the speed up and rely on 4's.

Is there a list of UK half-marathons online available? I'm aiming to do one in July/Aug.

bristol sept- tamar trotters website
cornwall aug-indian queens
weymouth-- 10 mile 22 oct
sturminster half 07 aug
swanage half 16th july
get entering

oh yeah dont forget to chant 'run to become, become to run' as well constantly
clearing the mind and entering a zen trance state

i involuntarily start counting my steps, usually up to about a few 100s.... similar thing?

oh yeah dont forget to chant 'run to become, become to run' as well constantly
clearing the mind and entering a zen trance state

I like the thought if this though, reminds me of Hurakamis "I run to create a void" which is very much what I enjoy with it. I just want to be able to run further and longer, so I can get more void

yep, its a good thing
like that book too :)

pifko:- http://www.dorsetrrleague.co.uk/fixtures.html

get entering

Oi, I don't see your name down for the Poole 10k...
http://www.poolerunners.com/PFOR/Am-I-In-10K.aspx

yeah cheapskated a postal entry as didnt see the point of paying 20% tax for the privilege of getting fat entering online. Im on and if youre in its on!

How so?

I mention Vibram and Newtons as popular forefoot sellers.

Have just had a play with the trainer finder, can't work out the logic behind it but the cynic in me wonders if sponsorship plays a part in the search rankings?

There definitly doesnt seem to be much of a variation in results. Like a virtual lazy shore worker.
'Get some some Asics GTs, and let me get back to my coffee'

I'm just a keen runner whose read too many issues of RW. But I would start with a well fitting cushioning shoe, and move on to forefoot specific shoes, when the technique was automatic. As a short heavy guy, I was skeptical of shoes like the FiveFingers. I bought a pair for walking around in, and loved them. Could'nt run far in them, but I could feel what all the fuss was about. Using them on tarmac seemed like suicide to me though. So when looking for my next pair, I looked for a combination of forefoot strike specific and cushioning. I read up on Newtons as they seemed to be the perfect solution, as they aparrantly have a resonable amount of cushioning. Reading through the forums throw up a lot of negative reviews though. People did'nt seem to get on with the bulky sole.

The ones that toped my list were the Vivo Barefoots. But I dont really run on the road enough these days to justify buying them. Maybe I'll pick up one of the casual looking pairs for summer, and do a few runs on them.

Yeah. Being rather new to running I am pretty impressed with the level of bollocks involved. Super specialized running shoes, special running shoe laces, running socks, running shorts, running top, running arm band for your running digital device, special ergonomic running water bottle, running cap. And that's if the weather is nice.

Its like cycling though. Once your weekly distances increase, you start forgiving the Assos's of the world for their pricing.

I have faint scars running from each hip down to the outside of each knee. Simply from running 20km in a new pair of RonHill bottoms (if it was'nt raining I might of felt my shoes filling with blood). I have'nt been shy of technical lycra since.

But like shoes, its not about having the best. Its about having the right stuff for you. For me Skins stuff wins hands down for fit.

Tldr^

As a short heavy guy, I was skeptical of shoes like the FiveFingers. I bought a pair for walking around in, and loved them. Could'nt run far in them, but I could feel what all the fuss was about. Using them on tarmac seemed like suicide to me though. So when looking for my next pair, I looked for a combination of forefoot strike specific and cushioning. I read up on Newtons as they seemed to be the perfect solution, as they aparrantly have a resonable amount of cushioning. Reading through the forums throw up a lot of negative reviews though. People did'nt seem to get on with the bulky sole.

The ones that toped my list were the Vivo Barefoots. But I dont really run on the road enough these days to justify buying them. Maybe I'll pick up one of the casual looking pairs for summer, and do a few runs on them.

I tried on the Vivo before I bought the FiveFingers, but you might want to look at the Merrells too since they do have a degree of cushioning around the sole and the price I think is about the same as the Vivo.

I'll keep an eye out for the Merrel. But 90% of my running these days is off-road.

They have a Trail shoe in their line up. I'm sort of tempted by it because I'm trying to restart my running and off road is where I'm headed this time. Too many potential toys, not enough money :-(

worth looking at your core then fore/mid foot strike over heel strike will still cause grief if your core isn't doing the job properly.

How does core stuff help with knees (not a sarcastic question)?

Its like cycling though. Once your weekly distances increase, you start forgiving the Assos's of the world for their pricing.

I have faint scars running from each hip down to the outside of each knee. Simply from running 20km in a new pair of RonHill bottoms (if it was'nt raining I might of felt my shoes filling with blood). I have'nt been shy of technical lycra since.

But like shoes, its not about having the best. Its about having the right stuff for you. For me Skins stuff wins hands down for fit.

Yeah, but cycling is a bit more "unnatural", if you know what I mean. You're on a machine. An uncomfortable saddle. Riding at speeds that are dangerous were you to fall off.

Running is running in my mind. That's a huge part of the reason I really enjoy it. I can get up, throw some dirty clothes on, tie my shoes up, walk out the door, and run (I usually run in an old pair of MTB cycling shorts, a cotton t-shirt, and a cycling cap). Cycling requires lycra, water bottles, equipment checks, packing of spares/tools, finding helmets and correct glasses, being prepared for weather changes, packing appropriate snacks....

Anyway, I get the need for some specialized stuff in running, but it seems that because to many people it is "just running" the marketing peeps need to work extra hard to make every little thing seem that much more necessary.

If I ever find I need to invest in proper running gear (I have had sore nipples thanks to sweaty cotton), I suppose I will. Also, I can't run 20km, so what I can get away with is probably very different from others. Meh!

Yeah, but cycling is a bit more "unnatural", if you know what I mean. You're on a machine. An uncomfortable saddle. Riding at speeds that are dangerous were you to fall off.!

Running on asfalt is pretty damn unnatural if you ask me. Hence the need for technical shoes. I'm a big fan of technical socks for both running and cycling too. Clothing is just a case of whatever works for you.

OK, my alarm went off this morning for my run and it's the first time in 9 months I've switched it off and gone back to sleep.
I've been really struggling the past 2 weeks, I upped my pace after the a marathon and felt great for a week but since then it's been murder. Not running anything over 8 miles as i'm hoping that i can up my pace and then work on the distance but it's pretty demoralising. Never had this problem before, even when trying to up my endurance/ distance.

I'm going away to wales for the week next week, hoping a week off this week and a week running by the sea in the countryside will re-invigorate me. Anyone got any suggestions?

Sounds like you might lacking a target? Like the marathon you just did

perhaps don't bother about it for a while, make a conscious decision not to run for 2 weeks. Rather than half-deciding and then skip it and then feel bad for not doing it