Running thread

Wafty Cranker said:
What kind of set up do you have for zwift? Zwift have brought out their own smart trainer, now the cold and dark is on the way, I’m very tempted.

Would you recommend using Zwift to a novice cyclist?
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I am also a novice cyclist, so wont give you any advice as such.

I wanted to get a road bike, and a turbo trainer to use the bike indoors, but my wife also wanted use of something, so we ended up getting a Wattbike Atom. It connect seamlessly with Zwift and I also use connect my Garmin watch to get all the HR data I want on any activity. You can also use a HR strap which connects easily and will be more accurate I suppose. Zwift has lots of training plans and the virtual worlds have numerous routes, so plenty to keep you busy. When using the Atom, I feel Zwift certainly keeps me 'involved' in the ride, lots of data on screen and the 'feeling' of actually riding somewhere helps.

The only issue I have so far, is the comfort. The Atom comes with a 'racing' saddle, but I have already got a 'comfort' saddle which has more padding. This certainly helps, but I managed 42km during the Wolves game on Saturday, and the last 10km was pretty painful on my backside. I guess this is probably down to the nature of indoor cycling, where freewheeling is not something you can do, and standing up feels a little awkward on a static bike, so less respite on the backside. I ill probably need to get some padded shorts and figure out standing up a bit more to make longer rides a bit more bearable. Not sure how much of an issue this would be on a road bike with a turbo, but I would expect fairly similar.

Overall though, I do like Zwift and expect to keep using it for a long time.
 
ob said:
Longest run to date this morning and my last long run before my HM in 3 weeks. I'm away next weekend so will start to taper when I return. I did 11.75 miles and took me 2 hours 15 mins so basically on time for a 2.30 finish which is what I've been training for. It felt ok and my other half said I looked ok when I got in home (did have a short cool down walk after it). I had banana and coffee before going out. At 5k took 2 saltchews, 5 miles 2 jelly babies, 10k 2 saltchews, 7.5 miles 2 jelly babies, 15k 2 saltchews and a jelly baby at 10 miles. Taking sips of water each time. I wore kit I intend wearing for the HM and feel I'm ready. Thanks to everyone on here for their help, support and advice. You guys are an inspiration
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Good luck mate. You’ll be fine, training going well and you seem fully prepared.
 
Nice long weekend of running. 15 miles on the Saturday and a half marathon on the Monday. Sprints last night just to mix things up a little.

Bit late for this year but nice to get to a point where I can book a few races in, even if not quite at my best. Ran the New Forest Half the week earlier and although 4 mins down on my times the year before, still a very enjoyable day.

Noted a Marathon in December so might target that and the Winchester Half Marathon in November as events to try and post a few decent times.
 
smevchenko said:
I am also a novice cyclist, so wont give you any advice as such.

I wanted to get a road bike, and a turbo trainer to use the bike indoors, but my wife also wanted use of something, so we ended up getting a Wattbike Atom. It connect seamlessly with Zwift and I also use connect my Garmin watch to get all the HR data I want on any activity. You can also use a HR strap which connects easily and will be more accurate I suppose. Zwift has lots of training plans and the virtual worlds have numerous routes, so plenty to keep you busy. When using the Atom, I feel Zwift certainly keeps me 'involved' in the ride, lots of data on screen and the 'feeling' of actually riding somewhere helps.

The only issue I have so far, is the comfort. The Atom comes with a 'racing' saddle, but I have already got a 'comfort' saddle which has more padding. This certainly helps, but I managed 42km during the Wolves game on Saturday, and the last 10km was pretty painful on my backside. I guess this is probably down to the nature of indoor cycling, where freewheeling is not something you can do, and standing up feels a little awkward on a static bike, so less respite on the backside. I ill probably need to get some padded shorts and figure out standing up a bit more to make longer rides a bit more bearable. Not sure how much of an issue this would be on a road bike with a turbo, but I would expect fairly similar.

Overall though, I do like Zwift and expect to keep using it for a long time.
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Cheers. That’s helpful.

Do you find Wattbike Atom to be noisy? I want to be able to use it late at night/early morning without waking the rest of the house up. I was looking into getting one, but now I’m thinking it’ll be be quieter and cheaper to get a road bike and a trainer separately.

I thought about the Wahoo Kickr, but from the reviews the new Zwift trainer is meant to be decent, it’s out next month. I figure if I can get the trainer from £449 and a new road bike via work’s ride to work scheme it’ll work out cheaper. Plus I’ll have the option to take the bike outdoors too.

Do you race on there? If so, how do you find it?
 
Wafty Cranker said:
Cheers. That’s helpful.

Do you find Wattbike Atom to be noisy? I want to be able to use it late at night/early morning without waking the rest of the house up. I was looking into getting one, but now I’m thinking it’ll be be quieter and cheaper to get a road bike and a trainer separately.

I thought about the Wahoo Kickr, but from the reviews the new Zwift trainer is meant to be decent, it’s out next month. I figure if I can get the trainer from £449 and a new road bike via work’s ride to work scheme it’ll work out cheaper. Plus I’ll have the option to take the bike outdoors too.

Do you race on there? If so, how do you find it?
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Suppose it depends where you plan on putting it in your house? We have ours in the conservatory, and can close the door. If someone is watching TV in the lounge (open plan house) they aren't bothered by the Wattbike, so noise wise, I wouldn't be overly concerned. Not sure about the noise comparison between a turbo and the Atom though, probably depends on the budget for the trainer.

A roadbike and trainer would defo have been a cheaper option, but keeping the wife happy I guess. Might go for a road bike next year instead!

I haven't looked into racing on Zwift yet, but might give it a go when I have a bit more fitness!
 
smevchenko said:
Suppose it depends where you plan on putting it in your house? We have ours in the conservatory, and can close the door. If someone is watching TV in the lounge (open plan house) they aren't bothered by the Wattbike, so noise wise, I wouldn't be overly concerned. Not sure about the noise comparison between a turbo and the Atom though, probably depends on the budget for the trainer.

A roadbike and trainer would defo have been a cheaper option, but keeping the wife happy I guess. Might go for a road bike next year instead!

I haven't looked into racing on Zwift yet, but might give it a go when I have a bit more fitness!
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Thanks for the info. I reckon I’ll get set up, it’s just a case of deciding which set up to go for.

I might see you in Wattopia (or whatever it’s called) next month!
 
Did a 24hr challenge my gym was doing yesterday, you get "moves" for every time you exercise, I did 22 miles bit by bit, and a spin class, was top of the leader board but the guy in second just kept going, so kept having to go out and run some more miles, I thought he had given up around half ten last night, and that I had won, woke up this morning and two other lads have beat me, cyclists I think, was a fun challenge though
 
gaz76 said:
Did a 24hr challenge my gym was doing yesterday, you get "moves" for every time you exercise, I did 22 miles bit by bit, and a spin class, was top of the leader board but the guy in second just kept going, so kept having to go out and run some more miles, I thought he had given up around half ten last night, and that I had won, woke up this morning and two other lads have beat me, cyclists I think, was a fun challenge though
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I did wonder what was going on after seeing multiple activities on Strava! Putting everyone to shame again!
 
Stretford Parkrun this morning in 24:04, a PB at Parkruns, knocking 25 second off my previous PB, three years ago. Very pleased with that. My next goal is to get below 24 minutes, but I'm not sure that will be possible.

My only slight concern is that my Garmin, which is normally pretty accurate, recorded the distance at 4.98km, which leaves that nagging doubt that it isn't a real 5km time. It's still my fastest ever Parkrun though.
 
Paladin said:
Stretford Parkrun this morning in 24:04, a PB at Parkruns, knocking 25 second off my previous PB, three years ago. Very pleased with that. My next goal is to get below 24 minutes, but I'm not sure that will be possible.

My only slight concern is that my Garmin, which is normally pretty accurate, recorded the distance at 4.98km, which leaves that nagging doubt that it isn't a real 5km time. It's still my fastest ever Parkrun though.
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I'm guessing the variable at Stretford is whether you run in the inside or outside lane around the running track sections.
 
staffsblue said:
I'm guessing the variable at Stretford is whether you run in the inside or outside lane around the running track sections.
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Yeah, good point. I started near the front on the inside today. Previously I've been on the outside, further back in the field. Today's run was probably shorter than my previous runs here, and quicker because I wasn't slowed down by too many other runners.
 
Paladin said:
Yeah, good point. I started near the front on the inside today. Previously I've been on the outside, further back in the field. Today's run was probably shorter than my previous runs here, and quicker because I wasn't slowed down by too many other runners.
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I was there 2 weeks ago when the "B" course was in operation & the start was a bit of a faff as the path at the start was super narrow.
 
staffsblue said:
I was there 2 weeks ago when the "B" course was in operation & the start was a bit of a faff as the path at the start was super narrow.
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Haha. I was at the same run. I tripped up on some raised tree roots causing a bulge in the path, on my way to the start. Someone joked that it would give me an adrenaline rush and improve my time. It didn't.

And yes, the start was very chaotic that day.
 
Stoned Rose said:
Not posted for ages but still at it in various forms.

Still loving the hills at St Helens Dream pretty regularly. Playing loads of 6 a side, spinning and even throwing in a few tabata sessions.

Fittest I’ve ever been tbf.
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Nice one mate. I went over and did that Dream park run about 6 months ago & enjoyed it - like you say though, it’s not flat is it?!
 
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