Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Buddy · 16 Jan 2024 at 13:15

How's you various injuries @Martynt74 back to it now ?

I've been guilty of getting carried away during zone 2 runs and letting my ego get the better of me. Need to be more disciplined (but it's so cold - needs to warm himself up good )

Martynt74 · 16 Jan 2024 at 13:36

Buddy said:
How's you various injuries @Martynt74 back to it now ?

I've been guilty of getting carried away during zone 2 runs and letting my ego get the better of me. Need to be more disciplined (but it's so cold - needs to warm himself up good )

No sadly not. I've been pretty useless over Christmas and put on a bit of weight which doesn't help, and then working in finance the month of January is always horrific so been working 14-15hr days which hasn't really allowed time to get out. I keep thinking i'll definitely go at dinner, then something comes up, then i just don't get chance in the evening.

Hoping that can improve as things are settling a little now.

ben90 · 16 Jan 2024 at 21:24

Martynt74 said:
My suggestion would be to try and take it easier. The time itself is relatively quick for someone starting and there's a risk of overdo-ing it too soon, especially if you're getting shin pain.

Try taking it a little slower and i'd try and structure in more walking breaks to lengthen the overall activity. So if you know you can run that 2.5km in 13 minutes, try running 1km, then walking 500m, then running again to total around 30 minutes. Just something to break it up and give yourself a break. That way you get used to being on your feet more and your legs should thank you for it. Then as you improve you just increase the running and reduce the walking until you get to a point you're running continuous for 30 minutes and beyond.

One of the biggest tips is just don't see walking as failure. Especially early on.

Appreciate the tips! After doing some more reading, I think it might be the beginning of shins splits. It doesn't hurt to walk or anything but if I tap my shins it feels like they are bruised so I will definitely try to take it a bit easier for now.

JustBen · 18 Jan 2024 at 07:08

Martynt74 said:
No sadly not. I've been pretty useless over Christmas and put on a bit of weight which doesn't help, and then working in finance the month of January is always horrific so been working 14-15hr days which hasn't really allowed time to get out. I keep thinking i'll definitely go at dinner, then something comes up, then i just don't get chance in the evening.

Hoping that can improve as things are settling a little now.

Feel similar, i have had ankle issues (Tib post impingement post deltoid sprain according to the physio app) that have been on-going for a couple of months,thought it was getting better tried slow 13 min mile run and had to stop. No idea when i will get back running, luckily Lakeland trails have put my ultra entry back to next years so i am not pressured into rushing back.
I have found weight wise i have gone from around 13stone 5 up to 14stone 7 since stopping running so trying to really cut back on food.
Also having to work longer days to try recouping some of what was spent over xmas and the tax man robbing me (Child benefit tax). I just want to get back running and be in the routine of get up and get out, be happy even if it was 10 minutes a day at this point.

ben90 said:
Appreciate the tips! After doing some more reading, I think it might be the beginning of shins splits. It doesn't hurt to walk or anything but if I tap my shins it feels like they are bruised so I will definitely try to take it a bit easier for now.

Its quick to get shin splints and long to get rid sometimes. just take it easy or you'll just end up with it re-occuring.

Martynt74 · 18 Jan 2024 at 07:45

ben90 said:
Appreciate the tips! After doing some more reading, I think it might be the beginning of shins splits. It doesn't hurt to walk or anything but if I tap my shins it feels like they are bruised so I will definitely try to take it a bit easier for now.

One big thing for me when i started running and got shin splints was to run around 10 minutes, and then stop and really try and stretch the calves/shin muscles. It made a huge difference if i did that vs not doing it on a 30 minute run.

Not sure if it's just my body passing old age (37!), but everything just seems tight. I did a really easy 5.5 route the other night with loads of walking breaks and even when running was slow. However my quads just above the knees are in pieces. My quads never historically got tight. It feels like it's affecting my back and hamstrings too, even though i've been doing regular stretching/prehab type stuff.
I went to a physio last week about a calf issue, and he seemed in general shock at how tight everything was. I'm wondering if i need a regular massage for a few weeks just to loosen everything off!

platypus · 18 Jan 2024 at 14:11

All done:

not quite sure about the differing distances but I finished 3rd overall.

Martynt74 · 18 Jan 2024 at 14:23

Amazing effort. Hilarious you questioned if you could complete it and then made it with 2 weeks to spare! 15 miles a day is some effort.

platypus · 24 Jan 2024 at 10:56

Martynt74 said:
Amazing effort. Hilarious you questioned if you could complete it and then made it with 2 weeks to spare! 15 miles a day is some effort.

I don't really know what happened, legs felt great and kept getting stronger. I'm pushing on now for 400 miles this month :cool:

.

Martynt74 · 24 Jan 2024 at 13:37

That's awesome. Conversely Strava tells me i'm 40km down on my annual goal already

Adam-r · 25 Jan 2024 at 14:49

ben90 said:
It's the usual cliche, but with the new year I've decided I want to start running more and do a half marathon in 6 months. I've just completed my 3rd running session which involves 1 run around the block next to my house. It works out at bang on 2.5km, and my app says I've done it in 13 minutes with a 5.29 km time. Not a clue if that's any good but it's 30 seconds faster than my first run so I'm pretty pleased. The biggest issue I am struggling with is my shins pumping up mid run so I hope my legs will adapt over time.

I had this. Was fine after surgery on both shins

meandu229 · 26 Jan 2024 at 08:35

Martynt74 said:
That's awesome. Conversely Strava tells me i'm 40km down on my annual goal already

I feel this. Weather is already picking up though

platypus · 26 Jan 2024 at 17:03

What a gorgeous day for a run. I hope everyone got out today

.

Martynt74 · 26 Jan 2024 at 22:43

meandu229 said:
I feel this. Weather is already picking up though

Weather here is always good

platypus said:
What a gorgeous day for a run. I hope everyone got out today .

Yeah. Took the day off for time in lieu from year end.
Did 8 miles for the first time in as long as I can remember including around 2400ft ascent on some really technical stuff.
Sun was shining and it felt amazing. My foot held up and whilst fitness was lacking and I walked a lot I felt as happy as I’ve been in a long time.

Strava link with some photos

https://strava.app.link/ufjwzoLyGGb

platypus · 27 Jan 2024 at 07:13

Martynt74 said:
Weather here is always good

Yeah. Took the day off for time in lieu from year end.
Did 8 miles for the first time in as long as I can remember including around 2400ft ascent on some really technical stuff.
Sun was shining and it felt amazing. My foot held up and whilst fitness was lacking and I walked a lot I felt as happy as I’ve been in a long time.

Strava link with some photos

https://strava.app.link/ufjwzoLyGGb

I'm lucky in that I work optional Fridays - I was looking out of the window thinking "man it looks gorgeous out, wish I was running", so I did

. Turned off the computer and threw my trainers on.

I hadn't actually looked at your location, that permanent? I am exceptionally jealous of where you are, and that run looks amazing. Wish I could do that every day! Congrats on the foot holding up, you must have felt incredible.

Martynt74 · 27 Jan 2024 at 07:38

Yeah. Moved over in October. We’ve just bought land in a nearby town to build so no sign of ever wanting to leave.
Yesterdays trails were probably a 5 minute drive which is a big factor in picking the area. Just the ability to get to those views from my front door rather than driving to the Lakes like I used to is amazing.

platypus · 28 Jan 2024 at 13:16

Martynt74 said:
Yeah. Moved over in October. We’ve just bought land in a nearby town to build so no sign of ever wanting to leave.
Yesterdays trails were probably a 5 minute drive which is a big factor in picking the area. Just the ability to get to those views from my front door rather than driving to the Lakes like I used to is amazing.

So training camp at yours when…?

mitch212k · 28 Jan 2024 at 13:23

Been getting back into running lately. There's a decent route near me but it's only ~4km. Don't really have any interest in Parkrun, could do without being in a cult

Martynt74 · 28 Jan 2024 at 13:47

platypus said:
So training camp at yours when…?

Funnily enough I keep joking with the wife that we should add some accommodation aimed at runners/cyclists.

Got a 40,000m2 plot with stunning views and brilliant trails/roads for both sports. I’m building a gym on site and throw a hot tub in and we have a winner!
I just

platypus · 28 Jan 2024 at 18:52

Martynt74 said:
Funnily enough I keep joking with the wife that we should add some accommodation aimed at runners/cyclists.

Got a 40,000m2 plot with stunning views and brilliant trails/roads for both sports. I’m building a gym on site and throw a hot tub in and we have a winner!

I've discussed doing just that, and at great length, with a long time running partner of mine. One of those life dreams that'll never happen cause I've had kids

.

Martynt74 · 29 Jan 2024 at 09:40

platypus said:
I've discussed doing just that, and at great length, with a long time running partner of mine. One of those life dreams that'll never happen cause I've had kids .

Recruit the kids as coaches?