Running thread

Stuuuuuu said:
I've decided to create a YouTube channel in order to give me a bit of focus with my running, to get me motivated and to hopefully support my mental health whilst giving some tips based on what I've learnt over 30 years (on and off!) of running.

I'll try and get the odd video on there, covering different aspects of running and prep for distance events etc.

Let me know if you'd like me to have a go at covering any particular topics.

youtube.com

Finish Line Focus

A supportive channel and community for ANYONE who wants to run! Whether it's for fun, fitness, health or to take part in - and complete - an event, this is the place for you. Find me also on TikTok and Facebook.
youtube.com youtube.com
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I've added a new video with a few thoughts about running to support good mental health, especially in green environments. I thought it would be a good time to do this as the weather is improving. I hope it's worth a watch!

 
Just finished Keep on Running (the highs and lows of a marathon addict) by Phil Hewitt. It's not about Snickers. Basically almost like a diary/blog of him running and training for marathons. Really enjoyed it. Anyone wants a read drop me PM with address and I'll post it off. Only cost me £2 in charity shop and happy to pass on for free. First come first served
 

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mike1923 said:
After too many years of being a fat disgrace and smoking too much, looking to get into a bit of running

Any advice, or just lace up and go? Couch to 5k any good?
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Well done on making the decision mate - that's an important first step!

Like @gaz76 said, definitely go really, really slowly. There are many benefits to fitness when you do this. Seriously, I would jog at around walking pace or only marginally faster. Make it easy - it does not have to kill you.

Even marathon training plans often start with 10-20 minute walks before they even introduce any jogging or running.

I would also suggest seeking to establish a routine: how often do you want to run? What time of day? See if you can stick to it for a couple of weeks until it becomes normal.

Good luck with it mate - let us know how you're getting on. It's a top bunch of lads in here who will give you masses of support!
 
mike1923 said:
After too many years of being a fat disgrace and smoking too much, looking to get into a bit of running

Any advice, or just lace up and go? Couch to 5k any good?
Click to expand...
Mike, your comment inspired me to make a new video this morning on the very question of how to start being a runner. I hope it's useful!

 
mike1923 said:
After too many years of being a fat disgrace and smoking too much, looking to get into a bit of running

Any advice, or just lace up and go? Couch to 5k any good?
Click to expand...
My favourite thing at the moment is running in nice weather. I enjoy the solitude, the peace and calm, my natural surroundings. Social running is great too - join a running club or get along to your local parkrun.

I'm at an age where I have to take things slowly, and I would strongly advise you do the same. Running is less enjoyable if you struggle for breath, and the best advice I had from my friends on here was to maintain a conversational pace, that is don't go so fast that you aren't able to hold a conversation with a running partner. I couple this with a faster run every so often, where I challenge myself to run a more competitive time. This is usually the weekly parkrun, on Saturday.

It doesn't have to cost a fortune either. The latest running shoe brands are around £140 on average, with a 500 to 800 kilometre lifespan. Alternatively, get down to Decathlon, where shoes are much cheaper (I've just bought a pair for £35, and they aren't noticeably different from an expensive brand). You can get a cap, running shirt, shorts and running socks for as little as £30 total.

Definitely get some decent running socks, in order to avoid blisters on your feet.
 
Well lads, I seem to be on a roll with my videos so I've done another one today.

This is a relatively short one and it's on the interesting topic of how the time of day when you run can impact your life in many different ways!

Hopefully it's interesting or thought-provoking.

 
Stuuuuuu said:
Well lads, I seem to be on a roll with my videos so I've done another one today.

This is a relatively short one and it's on the interesting topic of how the time of day when you run can impact your life in many different ways!

Hopefully it's interesting or thought-provoking.

Click to expand...

Bit disappointed with the setting the alarm clock for 4am like 'rocky balboa' quote tbh mate, rocky Balboa is a fictional character and you know fine well I'm real and have had my alarm set for four AM for many years now!!
Seriously though, another great vid, I can't recommend an early morning run enough, one of the excuses I often hear for not going out early is that they wouldn't get enough sleep, there's a simple solution to that, stop watching shite on the telly till all hours and go to bed a bit earlier, I try to be asleep for 9/9.30 pm as 7 hours is plenty of sleep for me.
Living in inner city Manchester early morning runs also have the added benefit of being the only time of the day when your not surrounded by cars and choking on the fumes whilst running
 
gaz76 said:
Bit disappointed with the setting the alarm clock for 4am like 'rocky balboa' quote tbh mate, rocky Balboa is a fictional character and you know fine well I'm real and have had my alarm set for four AM for many years now!!
Seriously though, another great vid, I can't recommend an early morning run enough, one of the excuses I often hear for not going out early is that they wouldn't get enough sleep, there's a simple solution to that, stop watching shite on the telly till all hours and go to bed a bit earlier, I try to be asleep for 9/9.30 pm as 7 hours is plenty of sleep for me.
Living in inner city Manchester early morning runs also have the added benefit of being the only time of the day when your not surrounded by cars and choking on the fumes whilst running
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Bang on mate. Like I said in the vid, I was never a morning person and in fact, the very idea of it was laughable. But with the routine, you just adjust and crash out earlier.

The thing with the exposure to short-wavelength light and the effect on melatonin means that you can expect to end up having better, longer sleep despite the early starts.

Then you don't even have to set your alarm for 2:30 like Gaz76 cos you'll just wake up naturally! I haven't been woken by an alarm in a very long time.
 
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marathonhandbook.com

Boost Your Stride: How To Increase Cadence While Running

Learn how to increase your running cadence safely and effectively. This coach-approved guide explains why stride rate matters, how it reduces injury risk, and how to boost your speed without overstriding.
marathonhandbook.com marathonhandbook.com

A great little article about cadence, shorter strides and faster cadence are in my opinion a key ingredient to better running, I've been working on my cadence lately and it's helping a lot, you will be surprised how good running form and a decent cadence makes life much easier, long distance running should really be a tap dance not a massive stride length sprint
 
gaz76 said:
marathonhandbook.com

Boost Your Stride: How To Increase Cadence While Running

Learn how to increase your running cadence safely and effectively. This coach-approved guide explains why stride rate matters, how it reduces injury risk, and how to boost your speed without overstriding.
marathonhandbook.com marathonhandbook.com

A great little article about cadence, shorter strides and faster cadence are in my opinion a key ingredient to better running, I've been working on my cadence lately and it's helping a lot, you will be surprised how good running form and a decent cadence makes life much easier, long distance running should really be a tap dance not a massive stride length sprint
Click to expand...
Thanks for this, Gaz.

It's a really interesting topic and perhaps one that should be discussed more.

People do seem to have success with a range of cadences but the figure of 180 is always given as the magic number of steps per minute to aim for, largely due to this amount being noticed in elite athletes by Jack Daniels (not that one) back in the 1980s.

There's another interesting article on it here for anyone interested in further reading:
www.runnersworld.com

Cadence: What is it and why does it matter for runners?

Faster feet could be the key to better running
www.runnersworld.com www.runnersworld.com
 
gaz76 said:
marathonhandbook.com

Boost Your Stride: How To Increase Cadence While Running

Learn how to increase your running cadence safely and effectively. This coach-approved guide explains why stride rate matters, how it reduces injury risk, and how to boost your speed without overstriding.
marathonhandbook.com marathonhandbook.com

A great little article about cadence, shorter strides and faster cadence are in my opinion a key ingredient to better running, I've been working on my cadence lately and it's helping a lot, you will be surprised how good running form and a decent cadence makes life much easier, long distance running should really be a tap dance not a massive stride length sprint
Click to expand...

Definitely something I've focused on recently when I've been aiming to speed up in tempo and interval sessions. I usually overstride when I speed up and that makes me susceptible to muscle strains.

I'm a tall runner so naturally I'm always under the magical 180 figure, around 162-175 depending on ease of run.
 
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