Running

This is my rest week but finding it weird not doing anything at all.
For those that do a rest time do you still do your usual commutes on the bike ete... or do nothing at all ?

Being a rest week doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't be doing any training at all. Yes, reduce volume and intensity but keep doing gentle/short runs. If you really want to stay clear of running (for example if you want to give niggling injuries an opportunity to recuperate) then sure keep on cross training (swimming/cycling/whatever) but again keep it chilled out.

^Very true. I've got a bit obsessive about doing some exercise before flumping on the sofa, a bit like an itch that must be scratched before I can relax.

Do some stretches/yoga.

For those that do a rest time do you still do your usual commutes on the bike ete... or do nothing at all ?

How far is your commute?

I think you should have one day of complete rest day a week. That worked for me.

My commute for the last two years has been 8.5 miles each way, a distance I hardly notice, but rest periods with absolutely no exertion (not even my wee commute) are important. Your body will thank you for it. Too easy for fit and active people to push themselves into physical collapse.

Yep, rest days at complete rest apart from stretching for me.

Only problem is I refuse to get the tube as in a week day I feel more physically exhausted doing that than riding my bike so I usually take one day at the weekend as complete rest.

My commute can vary from 8 to 20 miles depending as I work at different areas all over london.

It just feels funny not doing any running for the whole week. But have been told that i will benefit from it and like you say my body will thank me for it.

But i will be at the gym twice doing core,back and chest strength exercises.
And was at pilates at the beginning of the week.

Thanks for the advice though the fact that I shouldnt feel guilty about it resting that is.

Good news though I got a phone call and have now offically got my place for the Brighton Marathon no turning back now !

^Nice, I think I need to enter some events and then, once committed, train "to" them, as it were.

In other news- anyone in SE London (I'm SE23) fancy going running a couple of times a week?

Would be nice to have some company sometimes.

Yep I made a gradual start but it is hard trying to motivate yourself if you are doing it on your own but hey just go for it sign up for something and then go !

Does anyone here use an Edge 705/800 for running? If so, do you have a specific set up for running?

I would not advocate entering an impromptu trail marathon on the Saturday of your rest week.

Oh... Wait... Whoops... Oh well.

Nice, that actually looks like a really good event, maybe next year for me!

Yeah, the whole 3 day event looks awesome but also really nice that they allow single day entries. On the one hand I'm probably not fit enough for the full 3 days, I've no doubt I'd finish... but I don't want to kill myself for one race. Also, having only decided to enter last night there is obviously no way I could do today (work) and I committed Saturday evening and Sunday to my girlfriend weeks ago. Really looking forward to it... it'll be a nice warm up to the scheduled romantic dinner, concert and ride in the countryside :).

I did my first parkrun today, and my first ever 5km run. It was the furthest I've ever run, I think. Did it in 31:10 - hope I can eventually get that under 30 minutes. Quite fun, actually, although it did hurt.

^ nice one, they'll email you loads of stats if it's the same as the parkrun I did in Coventry.

Have found a very local one here but have just taken on regular work for Saturday mornings so no chance to go try it.

No email and no stats, but I did get an SMS with my time. And you can look at your profile page to see past times: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/athleteresultshistory?AthleteNumber=147115

^^^hope it went well - I did the first day last year, had to drop out of the rest due to injury, would have been back this year, but injured again. They're good people who organise good races. This year should be easier due to the better weather - it was pretty harsh last year.

I'll do one of those, cheers Sparky.

The fastest that I've run 5K so far would put me in 41st for the Brockwell Park event, I reckon with people around me to compete with I could get that down a bit.

Come on down. I'm hoping to go next weekend.

If I equaled my pb i'd be 1st

Just saying

Does anyone have a ANT+ HRM that they use? Intersted to try and find one that will pair with my phone for more data-y goodness

^Nice, I think I need to enter some events and then, once committed, train "to" them, as it were.

In other news- anyone in SE London (I'm SE23) fancy going running a couple of times a week?

Would be nice to have some company sometimes.

Neil, you should come out with the City Runners on Tuesday or Sunday. Normally do 11-12k Sundays and 7k on Tuesday. Real mixture of abilities, very social.

http://www.city-runners-club.co.uk/

getting the runners high so regular now
won my 4.2 k orienteering race yesterday, 1/ 37
training actually does pay off, never would have thought it

Does anyone have a ANT+ HRM that they use? Intersted to try and find one that will pair with my phone for more data-y goodness

I have a Garmin one that I use and is definitely ANT+ but I also have an old Timex one (the watch is broken, but I think the strap works). No idea if it's ANT+, but if it works you can have it for frees.

I live just off Walworth Road, work near Euston. I'd be happy to meet you and let you try either or both.

http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/128173154

just been out for a run, felt pretty rusty. got stitches left right center, had to stop and walk 4 times. so wasn't happy at all until i realised i've just done 8k while feeling crap.

8k on a bad day is really quite something compared to where i was 6 months ago