Running

Found out the sad news last night, that a member of my former club has died.

http://www.northern-scot.co.uk. moray-road-runners-plan-tribute-to-ultra-distance-athlete-and-former-RAF-lossiemouth-serviceman-Jon-Ward

Some of you ultra runners, may remember Jon. Or seen him run London and Edinburgh marathons with the Benevolent Fund Benelelephant costume.

Off to support John Anderson, whilst he runs the 100 mile Moray Way which they had both planned for today.

Today's run was raising funds for the Samaritans. Unfortunately Corona lockdown and the depression from it, claimed another person far too soon.

Can't remember the last time I tried on a cycling cap, but the peak is foldable but it holds its shape and the peak isn't as wide as a normal cap, but wide enough. It fits pretty much like a standard cap and is super comfy.

Does anyone want a copy of Like the Wind issue ten ? Re read in lockdown, so now surplus to requirements. I can post it if anyone wants it?

My cap of choice too. Very comfy, though leaves odd tan lines on my bald head. After many runs and many washes, the peak is a bit, errrr, floppy. Ended up buying another two

First 10k effort in many many years yesterday. 58:23. Not bad and don’t feel destroyed today. Knees started complaining at 8.5km tho...

Well, John finished the 100 mile Moray Way around 2am this morning, as he and his late friend had planned 😭
Raising over £10,200 for the Samaritans so far
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jandjmoraywaychallenge

Steven accompanied him on the bike for the whole route and helped look after him and the other runners that joined for a leg or two
https://www.strava.com/activities/3681005042

If your in a dark place, struggling with mental health, please please talk to someone.

This is so sad, really sorry to read about. Jon sounds like he was a great guy and I wish he'd been able to find some help. Glad that John did the run anyway, though it must have been super tough for him to go ahead with it. Depression is so fucking shit.

Thanks Hats

The picture of John before the start is quite emotive.

Blacksboat Station on the Speyside Way.

Grantown Square. About half way and still smiling.

Dava way.next to the Jesus Saves stone on the A940

2am finish.

It's a cracking route, except for Ballindalloch to Cromdale which is just a whole world of nuts.

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Sounds like a great tribute to Jon. Run in peace.

What's the fit like? I have a, erm, very large head!

Anyone tried one of those vibrating massage guns that are popping up in all the adverts at the moment? Nowt wrong with my foam roller but I think I’d love to pummel my annoying calf with one.

...

I ordered the Theragun Mini recently. Should arrive next week. Will see how it compares to the prev

I like it. It's a little less aggressive than the expensive ones but it's small enough I can leave it downstairs which means I actually use it.
I've run a lot more in the last few days than I normally do (20k Friday, 20k Sat, 17k Sun) and made a point of using it as part of stretching after.
Normally if I ran 20k then the following day I'd be hobbling down the stairs somewhat but I've been pretty much fine. Enough that I'm pondering heading out again today for another 18k (arbitrary club lockdown challenge to do 25/50/75/100k in 5 days)

But yeah, thumbs up on the mini so far.

It's 61cm (24inches) max circumference without stretching (has a little elastic in it). It's probably the most comfortable cap I've worn.

Ah prefect I'm within that!

Head torches... I'm doing a trail race this weekend that I thought was a nice casual 20km but turns out is 20 miles (we have never used the imperial system in this country so I'm not sure what that's about, other than confusing people). It starts at 3pm, has some chunky elevation, is forecast to absolutely pelt down with rain - and sunset is at 7pm, so I'm worried about finishing in the dark. So I need a head torch... what do I look for? I know nothing about head torches... help!

Is 20 miles just a typo?

You really need a good spread of light if your running at any speed. With a tight bright beam. you can't see what's coming until your on it. Or you need to keep looking down to track the obstacles... Its a recipe for feeling sick.

I have a Silva trail speed headlamp. However latterly I prefered using a hand lamp. One of the cheap Cree 18650 torches, which I took the lens and reflector out of, so it has a very wide beam and no hot spot. With the lamp being away from your eyes, you get better shadows of dips, rocks and roots. If it's raining, foggy or cold enough you can see your breath, you don't get dazzled.
You don't blind people when you look at them, but you do need a free hand

The Salomon running caps are a good size - the one Ive just bought fits comfortably, and I'm a size 7 7/8 (63cm)

Thanks for the feedback, we actually plumbed for the Musclegun simply because it came top in Men’s Health and Runners World reviews. I think this was heavily weighted towards value for money though. When it arrives I’ll give feedback here but I don’t have experience of an alternative so I’m not sure it’ll be helpful to others.

Definitely not a typo, unfortunately! The organisers have had to draw lots of maps explaining how far a mile is as most people don't really know. I guess I just have to run faster to finish before sunset.

Thanks for the tips, I'll look at getting a hand lamp too. I can always stash it in a pocket when I need both hands. Off to decathlon right now.....

Latest stupid challenge I have taken on is Julyathon - 31 days of running, need to tick off one 1km, one 2km, etc. I agreed to it before I did the maths and realised that it's 450km over the month. Guess it will keep me busy at least. About 10 of us are doing it, some virtually, if anyone else wants to join in then the more the merrier!

is that a final week of

Monday 25km
Tuesday 26km
Wednesday 27km
Thursday 28km
Friday 29km
Saturday 30km
Sunday 31km

If so, that's utterly bonkers

insane. you'd be better doing it in reverse.

Why didn't they just say it's a 32km run.

Unless it's an international recognised race distance like a mile, or certified course 10 mile road race, its a bit stupid using miles for a trail run when it's a unit that's not normally used.

I bet there's a few DNS from people who don't fancy an extra 12km.

Or work in front the ends
1, 31, 2, 30, 3, 29,.....

Or save the small days <5 incase you have a shit day mid month or can't commit the time.
6, 31, 7, 30, 8, 29,...

Any order is fine! I'm trying to front load the month and factor in work events and life and stuff...

I have no idea, it's really bizarre and the first time I've seen it here. 英里 is miles and I was staring at it for ages as the 英 is used in the word for "the UK" and also the words brave and hero... So when I saw it my first thought was "hero km?? wtf?" before I worked it out. Anyway I don't think I'm going to be much of a hero, dragging myself around a mountain in the rain for 20 anything.