Running

Hello fellow runners,

It's been a while since I posted, but I'm interested to see if anyone is in the same boat.
I've been running and doing intervals for some time now, got my VO2 max up to my PB of 55 and a PB half marathon of 1:29:50.

Then the prescription of effexor (venlafaxine) came along.

I'm not sure if it's related, or if it's a drop in fitness, but my intervals have dropped way off, can't sustain them anymore, my running pace has dropped way down, I'm absolutely shattered after a run, I really need to focus on deep breathing now when I'm running so I don't start wheezing.

Does anyone else have experience of this? I'm really wondering if it is just a drop in fitness, or if it's the medication. My weight has stayed roughly the same.

I had a week in Australia for work recently, a city I enjoy running around - which given that I wake up for the days at 23:30PM, leaving me a good six hours to myself means that I can run round the harbour, go to the gym, answer all my emails etc in a fairly relaxed manner.

I go to the gym for 45 -60 minutes most days, but that doesn't show up on this, the record of what I've been doing for the past month or so:

My question - when I was in Australia (26th of May to 3rd of June) I was running faster and faster, my final run was at 4.40 km/min average, and there was plenty of headroom (I wasn't pushing, just enjoying the run).

Now I'm back in London and it's a real effort, none of the zing is left in my legs and it's nowhere near as much fun as it was.

I'm not running every day, I've got no injuries - what's going on?

This is mad! I'm already captivated!

Hills.

Jaw dropping stuff. Would enjoy hiking this over about 3-4 weeks!

Thinking it'd make a good club relay race too, logistics might be challenging?!

Sydney harbour is definitely flatter, but I don't think there's much in it:

It's warmer and it's exciting and its new?

And now you're tired so you're slower.

organising the logistics would be part of the challenge!

Running after two weeks of inactivity is rubbish isn't it?

Having done exactly that today, I always remind myself it is as bad as it will get.

True, a bit like the Welsh Castles relay is too I guess!

I did test out my new commute bag (Amazon 20 quid special). Will fit pants and stuff maybe lunch.

Nice one, how far is your commute?

A massive 5k.

The plan has been there and back.
But last 2 weeks have been busy and I brought work home....

If that heart rate data is believable, you were pushing quite a lot harder in Oz.

I was, but it felt easier than the London run, if that makes sense?

Perfect. I'd "double run day" that most days if that close to my work etc.

Air quality?

Are you me?

I was out in Sydney for a week in May and managed to fit in a few runs round the coast - same basic route with Darling Harbour and the bridge, but round to the opera house and, on the first day when the park was open, macquaries chair and down to hyde park.

And, same, found it all surprisingly easy at least at the start of the week. Towards the end as work and jetlag knackeredness kicked in, it was a bit of a grind. I'm guessing it was just new, different, and coming off a few days travel-enforced rest.

Back in London with a back pain from the flight and hells own jetlag, its taken me a couple of weeks to get a basic run in.

it's just fatigue no?

You had twice as big a week last week, showing lower heart rate for same perceived effort, perceived increase in effort for same speed. Just take it easy and let the benefits of the training bed in

That's the plan.
It'll need some logistics, Monday take lots of stuff in, run home etc.

I'm lucky that I work in Brixton and get to run down college road to Brockwell park.

Tarsuinn trail race on Arran yesterday. 16.5 miles/7375ft (even if strava claims less ascent). All that ascent is over 12 miles too.

Keen to see the results, had an ok day - made a lot of places on the more technical stuff. Hard to gauge the day/performance when it’s so steep. Was a bit baffled when the lady ran at me to put a medal round my neck at the finish - the trail scene is definitely a bit different to fell running!

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Arran's ace, was it up goatfell?

Just got home from Endure24. What an epic, amazing, fucking hard, awesome, really fucking hard race. So many friendly people all willing to chat to the solo runner who imposed himself on them for a break from the monotony. So many awesome performances, really inspiring to see so many People pushing to achieve their goal whether it was the lady who had been ill for 18 months and could only manage 6 miles or the ultra runner gunning for 100 miles and the coveted yellow t shirt.

I hit my target of 100 miles, had time for another lap and thought that would be my last. Plodded around making 21 laps (105 miles), took my top off at the finish and went to check results to make sure I'd counted correctly and fuck me I'm in third place overall. Well I had to do another lap didn't I? Couldn't have someone jumping ahead. Full of adrenaline I set off and ran what felt one of my fastest laps to put me into 2nd place overall. Wtf!? Couldn't believe it. Very chuffed indeed.

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