Running thread

OTE Super Gels by a country mile. Double the calories of most gels and easy on the stomach.

Did an 18 miler today and took these with me. Absolute gamechanger. I usually really struggle on the long slow runs and my body is broken and it is a challenge just to finish them. Today, with those gels I felt like I was starting fresh each time. Did a slow 12 miles then threw in 5 at tempo and felt absolutely fine by the end.
 
Did an interval track session with my new club last Wednesday. Got my pace down to 4:39/km which is the best I've had it in over a year (since I had Covid and subsequent long covid).

Park run at the weekend under 25 mins finally so definitely getting my fitness back in spades.

The running coach is convinced he'll get me sub 20 but I'm still not sure. I was hammered on these recent runs, but step by step I go....
 
Did an 18 miler today and took these with me. Absolute gamechanger. I usually really struggle on the long slow runs and my body is broken and it is a challenge just to finish them. Today, with those gels I felt like I was starting fresh each time. Did a slow 12 miles then threw in 5 at tempo and felt absolutely fine by the end.
Hi mate

Yeah I've started taking some energy gels with me too and they really help.
I did the Blackpool half last week and the wind was brutal at certain stages, especially towards the end of the race. The gels really helped.
Certainly going to use them at the Manchester Marathon, I was annoyed with myself that I didn't do the October one under 4 hours so this time I've challenged myself to do a sub 4!
 
Hi mate

Yeah I've started taking some energy gels with me too and they really help.
I did the Blackpool half last week and the wind was brutal at certain stages, especially towards the end of the race. The gels really helped.
Certainly going to use them at the Manchester Marathon, I was annoyed with myself that I didn't do the October one under 4 hours so this time I've challenged myself to do a sub 4!

Start times announced now. Not sure on pacers though. Presumably the sub 4hr pacers go out to even pace the whole race but allow for natural decline over last 10k or so?

I'm going to try for sub 4. Will look to go thriugh first half around 1hr53 and hold that pace as long as I can.

I've got a half marathon this sunday so will look to do that as a MP trial and throw in some faster miles at the end if I can.
 
Start times announced now. Not sure on pacers though. Presumably the sub 4hr pacers go out to even pace the whole race but allow for natural decline over last 10k or so?

I'm going to try for sub 4. Will look to go thriugh first half around 1hr53 and hold that pace as long as I can.

I've got a half marathon this sunday so will look to do that as a MP trial and throw in some faster miles at the end if I can.
yeah mine is 1030 am.
 
I'm 10.15 I think. Looking forward to it now. 2 more challenging weeks mileage wise then the taper.

@gaz76 What time are you aiming for? Your weekly mileage will make this a breeze!
Pubs open at 11 right? Sub 3.25 ish should be doable I reckon.
I ran to the dreaded Altrincham hill again on sunday, Im working on making the "tough" bits familiar. Kept a pace on sunday I was more than happy with for 15 miles, just need to find another 11 down the back of the couch!! Tapering is concerning me a little as every time Ive had a go so far its not helped and made me lazy if anything.
 
Pubs open at 11 right? Sub 3.25 ish should be doable I reckon.
I ran to the dreaded Altrincham hill again on sunday, Im working on making the "tough" bits familiar. Kept a pace on sunday I was more than happy with for 15 miles, just need to find another 11 down the back of the couch!! Tapering is concerning me a little as every time Ive had a go so far its not helped and made me lazy if anything.

Seen a lot of people online complaining about the "flattest marathon" tag. London is a higher elevation gain overall but Manchester has some tougher sections. I wouldn't say there are any particularly tough climbs on the route though, it's just a marathon so a small change can feel brutal if you aren't prepared.

You probably don't need to taper specifically. Just ease up on the pace for 5 of your 7 runs a week and you'll probably feel rested! Everyone is different, no harm in running a few miles at pace in the lead up to give your confidence a boost. The taper is just to prevent injury and rest slightly, but it is all relative to your usual workload.
 
Good last two days running. Ran a training Marathon on Sunday (split by an emergency pick up and toilet break at 9k) and then followed that with a slow recovery 10k yesterday.

No adverse effects on the legs and little fatigue. Looking forward to the better weather with a decent base in the locker.
 
12 mile long run yesterday following a 15 and 16 miler over the past two weekends. Didn't enjoy it at all! Had done a few interval sprint workouts during the week and legs were just gone. Throw in the wind and a bad nights sleep and was just one of those I had to push through.

18 miles this Sunday followed by a 14 miler and the big 20 mile effort before the taper. Getting close to race day now and it is starting to scare me!

I have noted your posts on here and your training is a lot more comprehensive than mine prior to my first Marathon.

I think you have ticked all the boxes and if you can run twenty miles you can easily add a few more to complete the Marathon. You might feel tired in the latter stages but thats just your body’s early warning system, the reality is your body is capable of plenty more.
 
I have noted your posts on here and your training is a lot more comprehensive than mine prior to my first Marathon.

I think you have ticked all the boxes and if you can run twenty miles you can easily add a few more to complete the Marathon. You might feel tired in the latter stages but thats just your body’s early warning system, the reality is your body is capable of plenty more.

Thanks mate. It's not my first. My first was 6 years ago and I didn't train much at all and had zero running base going into it either.

The fact it is for charity is giving me a good mentality of not skipping any runs and powering through. Mentally I need a reason to do something, it's always been the way I work! I'm one of those who is usually feet up until there's a deadline and then I kick into gear.

Getting into the final two weeks now with a 20miler a week on Sunday.

Looking forwards to it, the 18 mile effort has given me confidence. Would love to do it sub 4hrs...that's probably going to make or break how much I "enjoy" the event itself!
 
Pubs open at 11 right? Sub 3.25 ish should be doable I reckon.
I ran to the dreaded Altrincham hill again on sunday, Im working on making the "tough" bits familiar. Kept a pace on sunday I was more than happy with for 15 miles, just need to find another 11 down the back of the couch!! Tapering is concerning me a little as every time Ive had a go so far its not helped and made me lazy if anything.
Seriously I think you can get close to 3 hours. Pacing is the key for you. Every single mile in about seven minutes for 26 miles is physically possible. Your training mileage is far greater than anything I ever did and I was comfortably under 3.25 a couple of times....with even pacing!

Also my mate that I trained with for years was always sub 3. He had more talent and didn't do many more miles than me
 
Seriously I think you can get close to 3 hours. Pacing is the key for you. Every single mile in about seven minutes for 26 miles is physically possible. Your training mileage is far greater than anything I ever did and I was comfortably under 3.25 a couple of times....with even pacing!

Also my mate that I trained with for years was always sub 3. He had more talent and didn't do many more miles than me
Ta mate, yep sub3 is the goal tbh, but maybe not this time, I think I may need to get more experienced at the actual racing a mara before I crack the sub 3, my pacing at the start is always miles off,, Ive been working at starting slow on pretty much every run i do, but its totally different when theres other people there and you have someone grunting away in front of you, 3.25 is just a no pressure kind of target.
 
Ta mate, yep sub3 is the goal tbh, but maybe not this time, I think I may need to get more experienced at the actual racing a mara before I crack the sub 3, my pacing at the start is always miles off,, Ive been working at starting slow on pretty much every run i do, but its totally different when theres other people there and you have someone grunting away in front of you, 3.25 is just a no pressure kind of target.

As an aside, do you (or anyone) have a pair of the Saucony Endorphin Speeds? How do you find them?

I have read good things about them as an all rounder, but interested to hear your thoughts.
 
Ta mate, yep sub3 is the goal tbh, but maybe not this time, I think I may need to get more experienced at the actual racing a mara before I crack the sub 3, my pacing at the start is always miles off,, Ive been working at starting slow on pretty much every run i do, but its totally different when theres other people there and you have someone grunting away in front of you, 3.25 is just a no pressure kind of target.
Sounds like a plan.
 
As an aside, do you (or anyone) have a pair of the Saucony Endorphin Speeds? How do you find them?

I have read good things about them as an all rounder, but interested to hear your thoughts.
Hi mate yep I have a pair of the endorphin speed, I use them for just everyday mileage and havent tried them in a race, they pretty light and have a decent amount of bounce in them so it makes them decent enough for everyday running.
I wouldnt really say they would be my pick for a mara though, although I have done 20 milers in them with no problems.
I originally bought them on the back of an ed budd review on youtube, where he said they trumped the pro version, then a couple of weeks later he changed his tune and said the pros were better, so I would be tempted to pay the extra £20 or so for the pros.
Saucony are pretty decent for everyday running shoes imho I also have a pair of the triumph 18 which feel heavy as fuck compared to my other stuff, but they really are great for long chilled out runs comfy as fuck and leave no problems with the legs after.
 
Any thoughts on tapering mate? You have seen my mileage, Im just wondering if and when to start dialling it back a bit so the legs are bouncing come marathon day
Not particularly. I'd play it by the book, especially that one by famous 1950s Dukla Prague reserve team left back Hal Higdon. I tended to over rest in the final week knowing that any more training is futile physically and only beneficial mentally?. Stuuuuuu could offer better advice
 
Not particularly. I'd play it by the book, especially that one by famous 1950s Dukla Prague reserve team left back Hal Higdon. I tended to over rest in the final week knowing that any more training is futile physically and only beneficial mentally?. Stuuuuuu could offer better advice
Hahaha got to admire a man who can hold a grudge, a rare thing in todays namby pamby brigade
 
Seen a few comments regarding footwear, and got me thinking....

I have a pair of Adidas Ultraboost, but the soles have started to split so need replacing. I have always found them comfortable, although have suffered with various leg niggles (ankles, knees) and lower back pain from time to time, but put this more down to perhaps not stretching enough as a routine.

So, I'm leaning towards buying another pair of Ultraboost, and my goals are only really going up to half marathon's at the moment, although that may change when the London ballot is announced later this month!

Do some of you use different footwear for long runs and races?

I use my current Ultraboost for everything currently, including walks (~15km a week).

I guess just wary of spending £100-£150 on pair of running shoes and finding them uncomfortable.
 

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