Running

I'm still alive! But felt flu-ey most of the week, still have aching joints but managed a 10k at an easy pace with no cardiac arrest (and normal HR) on Friday. Didn't feel like running over the weekend, will try again today. Supposed to be 4 miles steady.

Top Tips:

http://www.runningandstuff.com/10-secrets-to-becoming-a-modern-ultra-runner/

Did you pull a ridiculous face and flap your arms about like a seal with a ball? Because that's really how you best channel me!!

I failed at this, I went with the get up and pretend nothing happened technique, saving the tears for when no one could see me! 🤣

I read this and thought: mental issues
http://www.runningandstuff.com/the-last-vol-state-race/

John Price - I've raced with him in Italy a few years back - bit of an oddball.

Running more than 10km in Tennessee is bananas.

Impressive mara/HM double there. Strong stuff!

I'm tentatively looking forward to the National XC now. After some easy mileage Sun/Mon/Tue am, I tried out the Achilles again on the track Tuesday evening, but only did half the planned session - 3 miles @ 5:39/m was reassuringly comfortable aerobically but I was vaguely aware of the Achilles, and it seemed to flare up more on the bends, so 10 x 600m at a faster pace didn't seem like a sensible idea. Rested up Wednesday, then decided to try a treadmill tempo run yesterday, as this seems to have worked quite well for Achilles rehab in the past. This went pretty well, 11.5 miles total including 8 miles @ 5:42/m (16.9 kph, zero incline, much sweat.) Again aerobically fine, was stiffening up towards the end, but Achilles fine, and not too stiff this morning. 32 miles on the bike at lunchtime, and it feels as though I should be OK for a XC/long run weekend without doing too much damage.

@philpub get ready for the mud! My secret squirrel is suggesting that tape might be essential to keep shoes on.

Hmmm... someone's posted this pic on fb. Where's me snorkel?!

YES!

Got some fresh spikes as the track spikes i've worn for the rest of the season won't stay on in that. From flats at Richmond Park to wellies here. Brilliant.

Looks like x-talon conditions. Enjoy!

Does anyone run with a headtorch? If so what recommendations do you have? How many lumens etc

Worth a read, as it depends what you want it for : http://fellrunningguide.co.uk/what-is-the-best-head-torch-for-running/

I've got 3 Alpkit ones Arc, Gamma & Muon.

For overnighters & rough stuff I eventually picked up a discounted Petzl Nao and it is v.good. The others are all good enough for shorter local non-tech trails.

What is this?

Last time I ran Wollaton it was bone dry and fast!

http://www.run4it.com/Petzl-Tikka-Headtorch-p/vmp2015031915281221.htm

Been looking at this, seems pretty reasonable and reasonably priced. A handful of different beams, although I'm not after anything more than a spread light at the moment.

It's a bloody nightmare is what it is. @juanito's loving it, he's proper Northern!

Any news from the National xc forum reps?

512th! Lovely course despite the conditions, hand a cracking day out.

Ace, well done. Did the ground rumble during the starting stampede?

Pretty much. As always a brilliant experience.

My two eldest kids were running, it was pretty gnarly!

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Nice one. Looking at our scorers' positions I would say it was a strong field.

I didn't start the race. I did a warm-up lap to test the achilles, and all was well until I got to the boggy, narly, ankle-threatening tufty grass section, which I deemed would be far too much of a risk to negotiate at race speed if I have a bad landing. Frustrating but hopefully the right decision. I got up for this morning's post-race 17 mile run which felt fine, so hopefully I can now crack on with marathon training without any further mishaps.

I'll let @juanito report on his own race. He looked a little fragile this morning after a few well deserved ales last night.

The tufty finishing section was built for me, think I made up about 20 places from there to the finish, scythed through. Shame you didn't get to run but there were definitely places to get hurt on that course.

Did a 10k this morning, new 10k PB of 36:20, and both halves were new 5k PBs, go figure.

There is no way I could have done a 10k race this morning. I haven't made it out for a leg loosener yet.

I thought it was a great course, had initially been thinking 15s but switched to 12s after the warm up showed there was a lot of runnable grass rather than a pure mudbath.

There was claggy mud all over the place and the final hill with the tussocks was a lot more runnable than i thought it was going to be when warming up. I found the medium lap the toughest then found myself slowly working my way through to finish just inside the top 300. Had a bit of a sprint at the end to try and catch my clubmate and stay ahead of a couple of others.

The new spikes i bought on Friday evening are considerably less shiny now.

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