Running

Sounds like the ballot places for London are being announced. My mum has a place, I have not yet heard anything.

Actually, I misinterpreted my mum's email which only read "Guess who's got a place??", she hasn't got a place, but I do!

It was a letter (I haven't had any emails) and I'd forgotten that I'd put my parents' address as I wasn't sure if I'd be moving.

I'd just like to say that I'll happily accept someone's place if they happened to enter the ballot on a whim but now cannot be bothered to enter the VLM...

Exciting news there @Arducius!

Re: running to work @TurtleRecall - I run in at least once a week. I have a large assortment of stuff that I keep at work (all the toiletries in the world, towel, shoes, spare pants, jumpers) so generally just carry phone, wallet, keys, whatever clothes I'm going to wear that day. I really enjoy the run, obvs it takes longer than cycling but it's still far quicker than public transport. Normally I wear the clothes I've cycled in so changing at work means I get to wear clothes I can't ride a bike in, mainly swooshy skirts or minidresses (this may be a niche advantage to run commuting). I tried on a million rucksacks but bought one from osprey in the end. It has a hydration bladder that I don't use on my commute but used loads when I was on holiday.

HRM says I ran avg 152bpm max 168bpm today, for 8.6miles in 1h05 (succumbed and Stravad for measuring convenience as not a route I normally run). This confirmed my rpe judgement was about right.

@Arducius that does sound like you should be seeking advice now rather than waiting.

Congrats on getting into London btw.

I'm in Colorado at the moment and have been for a number of short (5k) runs, HR is higher for the PE level and climbs are harder work than they should be at the moment.

Interested to see if I will adapt, and if so by how much over the next week and a half.

You're at 1,600 meters, so that's probably to be expected.

If you don't adapt, and the very worst happens, can I have your bikes?

Amateur doctors / know-it-alls, please diagnose me:

I've upped my mileage quite a bit recently (and ride a lot), and have started getting a pain around my lower shin and calf / upper foot. It's more of a muscle strain / tightness feeling rather than anything sharp and stabbing.

I've read a little bit about shin splints and don't think it's that, is there anything else? Don't think it's tendinitis either. Maybe I've just done a bit too much too quick?

Here's this mornings run - I'm in Z3 where I'd expect to be Z2: http://www.strava.com/activities/201864052/heartrate

TW- yes, of course.

Andy you are turning into a nut job

Got into London Marathon again. Paris Marathon and London Marathon back to back is a go.

Also confirmed to run Copenhagen Marathon in May.

Am thinking I might register and go to Bordeaux Marathon with Run Dem Crew between Paris and London with a registered place and see how I feel after Paris. would still be an amazing trip if I don't run (or change to the Half-Marathon).

^ not being funny but that's a joke, I've applied every year for 8 years and got my annual rejection letter today....

Just checking how many Andys post in this thread?

You and arducius prolly more

Anyone running with a headlamp? I need one for winter, was almost too dark today to head out after work.

Used alpkit gamma in the past, also held bikelight in hand as lower angle helped show rough ground.

Cool, 50% chance I'm not turning into a nut job then... ;)

I've always used headtorches, predominantly on trails.

Lenser H7 is the one I've stuck with.

No marathon place for me. Milton Keynes it is then.

Don't they do legacy entries for people that have applied a million times?

How about good for age?

Or how about - fuck the London marathon, it's actually a bit shit (and it's downhill, ffs), do a different marathon with a much nicer route, and less utter throbbers on it.

Throbbers choppers nodders
All part of the mix

Headtorches
Hope
Cree, cheap and powerful
Petzl -e-lite, smallest and lightest

They used to give places for people who'd been rejected 4 times, so your 5th application got you in allegedly. But then so many people heard of this and used it as a tactic that, as of 5 or 6 years ago, they can't honour even this as there simply aren't enough places.

Good for age is hard. 18-40 it's sub 3:05 for men (3:45 for women). An old school-friend of mine gets in on that ticket, but then he did come 250th one year.

How recently does the sub 3h05 need to have been?

The potteries marathon is making a comeback next year and I've just been offered a place for free... Apparently the course is hellish. Anyone else fancy it?