Running

Using muscles in recovery is not a bad thing at all. Keep the blood flowing at a low heartrate actually has positive effect on muscular recovery.

Am thinking of running a Marathon in May, have done 2 before but my training is a bit hit and miss at the mo, running for a couple of weeks, then dropping off for a couple when I get busy. If i get a good week then i run about 3 times, between 4 and 6 miles depending on how lazy I'm feeling.
Anyone know any good 4 month programs? previously done a 3.52 and a 3.46 and would obviously like to go faster but realistically know this is a bit of a tall order, especially as I really struggle to get out more than 4 times a week, even that much at the moment. I've been pondering joining a club locally but am always a bit reluctant to join anything, plus their 4 month program may be a bit steep for my current form
TBH, the reason I'm thinking of doing it is it goes past my house and I'll feel like a complete waster if I see everyone going past while I'm sat on my ass!

I'm really enjoying the hansons marathon program. you need the book to understand it properly but for £7 it's not going to break the bank and there's some stuff you can use even if you don't go with that plan.

if you stick to it it'll get you doing much more mileage per week than most other plans and as the long run tops out at 16mi there's no sessions that require you to be out for 3+ hours so it's every day but short enough you can fit it in around other stuff fairly easily.

a lot of people reckon it's improved their times on previous marathons (but that's probably more down to the mileage increases than anything else).

Hansons Marathon Method: A Renegade Path to Your Fastest Marathon eBook: Luke Humphrey, Keith Hanson, Kevin Hanson: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Anyone used a running coach? Are they any good and would it be worthwhile for one or two sessions?
Looking for ideas for birthday present for my brother, as he seems to have all the kit he needs for running so was think this could be useful as he's just starting training for his second marathon.

Maybe get him to sign up with a club that has a trainer / training programme. Clubs ususally give the possibility to join club trainings for free as a try out. And all the club together probably have the equivalent, if not more, knowledge to a coach.

Professional coaches however, probably won't do any free (proper) training sessions to give a real idea of what it's like. And even is you would only do one or two training sessions with a coach you wouldn't get very much out of it other than some basic running technique or training plans which are also available on the internet. I assume that a professional coach won't write a full scale personal training plan for someone who is only willing to take one or two trainings, or those plans would come at a rather high price. For the same money I would personally chose for a club, which adds some fun to it as well.

A coach for a runner will probably want multiple sessions and to sign up for there programme orbit I have heard of some who do one off video analysis sessions which I imagine could be quite helpful especially if you get to keep the video and any analysis to take away and work on...

A years membership to a oval running clubs will get home coaching, rivalry, cheaper event entry if they are uka affiliated and will improve his running long term, or some sweet new socks wouldn't ever go amiss!

Sounds like a club membership might be a good idea, think his nearest one is Maidstone harriers and looks positive from their website. And maybe some more socks!

Joining a club is quite a personal decision. Your brother will, if he takes it seriously, be spending quite a lot of time with these people! Also note that changing club is quite a hassle and involves paying England Athletics a fee.

Sorry to sound like a party pooper.

On the other hand, joining a club is the best way to get access to good coaching.

Maybe I'll get as far as filling out the form and writing a cheque, if he's really against it I send him on a cooking or butchery course which might have more benefit for me!

Good effort tonight @pifko nice to see you.
Fill us in on your p.b
Perfect night.

cheers smallfurry and hatbeard :)

Good effort tonight @pifko nice to see you.
Fill us in on your p.b
Perfect night.

Good to see you too mate.
Watch says 21:20, I'm sure the guy at the end called out 21:00. Either way its a PB.
Still trying to crack the 21mins...

I'm really enjoying the hansons marathon program. you need the book to understand it properly but for £7 it's not going to break the bank and there's some stuff you can use even if you don't go with that plan.

if you stick to it it'll get you doing much more mileage per week than most other plans and as the long run tops out at 16mi there's no sessions that require you to be out for 3+ hours so it's every day but short enough you can fit it in around other stuff fairly easily.

a lot of people reckon it's improved their times on previous marathons (but that's probably more down to the mileage increases than anything else).

i think i'm going to struggle to get out everyday [2 small kids and work] but obviously the idea of nothing over 16m is appealing, quicker recovery times etc.

Did the Hackney Marshes 5k Parkrun this morning. Really enjoyed it.

I slept through Parkrun this morning thanks to pretty nasty dreams after watching 12 Years A Slave last night :(

I had a bit of a strop yesterday and decided I hate running with a rucksack, or more specifically, my rucksack. It's just a standard North Face one - would a running specific one make any difference? Commuting without a bag requires a level of organisation that I don't quite have.

Can you ride in with things on Monday, then run Tuesday - Thursday, then ride with stuff back on Friday?

Also, does the bag have any support straps?

I have a Berghaus one which has a good waist strap, and it feels almost like its hugging you, which makes it pretty comfortable. Have only run with it once and had way too much stuff, but it sits nicely. Your welcome to try it out and see if it feels any better

Running with a rucksack is a pain unless you have one with the right strapping and have packed it appropriately.

Chest straps are probably a must, as are compression straps, and having a good anatomical fit, so that you don't have everything flapping about,

Was pretty confident of a PB at Finsbury Park this morning but ended up missing out by a couple of seconds @20:52. Happy enough with that though. Ran the first 3k in about 12:15 which I reckon is the quickest I've done, but predictably died on my arse a bit over during the second lap.

Feeling on pretty good form at the moment. Have run five times in the last couple of weeks which is more regularly than any time in the last three or four months. Am also cautiously optimistic that the hip thing which had seriously limited my running towards the end of last year might no longer be a problem. Certainly not feeling any symptoms of it at the moment despite the relatively aggressive short distances/fast pace I've been doing. Touch wood, obvsly.

Running with a rucksack is a pain unless you have one with the right strapping and have packed it appropriately.

Chest straps are probably a must, as are compression straps, and having a good anatomical fit, so that you don't have everything flapping about,

I've gone out once with a bag just to see what it was like and hated it- felt like the tail was wagging the dog, if that makes sense?

As Grob Fett says if I were to do it again I'd try and strap everything down as much as possible.

Can you ride in with things on Monday, then run Tuesday - Thursday, then ride with stuff back on Friday?

Also, does the bag have any support straps?

I have a Berghaus one which has a good waist strap, and it feels almost like its hugging you, which makes it pretty comfortable. Have only run with it once and had way too much stuff, but it sits nicely. Your welcome to try it out and see if it feels any better

Riding in with stuff for the week is exactly the level of organisation I don't have!

My bag has zero support straps. It's just a rucksack, jumping up and down. It's also slightly too wide for me and hurts my (currently sprained) shoulder. I'd like to try yours but I imagine that it would be too wide for me too.

Running with a rucksack is a pain unless you have one with the right strapping and have packed it appropriately.

Chest straps are probably a must, as are compression straps, and having a good anatomical fit, so that you don't have everything flapping about,

Ooh err. Flapping about.

Results are up and I did 20:44. Chuffed with that, as my target was 21:15. No obvious gains to be made as my pacing was even and I did a decent warmup. Will have to train to bring it down.

Re bags, they are a nightmare to run with.

Good time, that.

I'm guessing Hackney Marshes is pretty flat? Am only five miles away, might have to ride over one Sat morning.

Pan flat, with an out and back course on hard paths. You might lose a couple of seconds turning round and crossing a grassy section, but perfect for a fast time otherwise.

Well done T-V, that's an awesome time.

So, bags are shit but a better fitting bag might be less shit... Where could I try on a selection of bags? I don't want to order online as I don't know what will fit me.