Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Dup said:
Sub 1:30 is mega and must feel really promising for a sub 3 marathon.

I've not done a competitive half since I started running (aside from the local Hendon Brook race but that's 2200ft and more like 13.5). I did 1:35 on my way to a 3:20 Manchester Marathon this year but I reckon there's more on the table if I'm only doing a half.

I've consistently done ~40 miles a week for the last 7 weeks ~6k elevation. The most consistent I've ever been and well up on all stats vs last year and any other year. Might have done nearly 2k miles by new year.
Click to expand...
I'm not a big marathon runner, I do one a year and they tend to be trail events for fun rather than to get a time. My Marathon PB is 3:40, Next year I'm going to Liege to do the Beer Lovers Marathon that's defiantly not going to be a fast one :D

I would like to go sub 3:30 at some point.
 
moppy89 said:
I got given these as a birthday present and I love them. I run on pavement but in some completely unlit areas and it does me very well. I almost never run with it on max brightness because it is super bright. Usually have it on 1 or 2 of max 3. The little red light is also useful at the back and detachable to hang on your bag or something instead
Click to expand...
how often do you find you charge the smini ... I'm conflicted between something like that nearer 50g, or more of the 3AAA/Li-poly devices of 100g, which may seem heavy,
like fenix's https://www.amazon.co.uk/FENIX-HL18R-T-V2-0-Black-Rechargeable/dp/B0DTYYNZLD.

(running on the adjacent running path this evening, but at least two drivers came towards me with main beams .. I want a light to remind them I am here)
 
Prior to going to the UK in mid October i'd been trying to get out twice a week for around a month, then ran in the UK and then hadn't done anything since returning. Managed a whopping 20km last week over 2 runs. First was genuinely intended to just be a hike, but decided to try and job the descents. Then Sunday i planned a proper route of around 13km. It was mostly a case of hike the hills, jog the descents/flats, although with the climb out my front door i'm not sure how much i'd have been capable of running up even in peak fitness! Around 360m in ~2 miles. I think i used to aim for that kind of elevation over 10miles on most runs.

Pretty shocked at how trashed my quads are, and weirdly my stomach feels like i've spent a gym session doing crunches! The quads i can understand as running downhill will always trash them to a point and then i jumped straight onto the indoor bike whilst watching football. Shows how weak some of my muscles are though from lack of specific use.

A friend has said she wants to do 34miles for her 34th birthday in June 26 and asked if i'd join her for some/all. Will be interesting to see if my foot can hold up with some increased volume, and i'm also signing up for an ultra cycling event in May for my 40th, so hopefully my actual fitness/endurance will be up there.
I'm currently trying to explain that 34 miles in the hills is way more fun than on the road, so will see if i can convince her!
 
Last edited:
you get more exercise benefit running hills than flat, because of the additional control it's more isometric ... and you have a top for a view
I've never done fell/hill running in the dusk where light would be essential
(my halfway/return point is a roundabout where I study bad driving)
 
jpaul said:
how often do you find you charge the smini ... I'm conflicted between something like that nearer 50g, or more of the 3AAA/Li-poly devices of 100g, which may seem heavy,
like fenix's https://www.amazon.co.uk/FENIX-HL18R-T-V2-0-Black-Rechargeable/dp/B0DTYYNZLD.

(running on the adjacent running path this evening, but at least two drivers came towards me with main beams .. I want a light to remind them I am here)
Click to expand...
Haven't used it enough to really give an honest answer. I've only done short runs in them but have done ~3 hours before charging and it wasn't in the red by then
 
Not been running much recently, just not felt it and struggled with just feeling knackered all the time. Oddly my partner who has been loosing a chunk of weight over the last 6 months has started asking for a treadmill! Got a rebook one looks ok for a little under £600.
Likely one of the things that was leaving me tired was having to run at silly times before my partner went to work or after she got back (kids aint old enough to be left) so least when i get this tomorrow i can start doing the odd bit :)
 
Awesome. I'm tempted by one of the walking ones to use under my standing desk, but not sure how much it'd be distracting.

I imagine fitting in running when having kids is tough. I spend more time in the cycling thread and there's a few folks in there with young kids with similar issues, benefit being an indoor turbo isn't quite as boring on a bike as a treadmill. For me at least.

I'm still doing little bits and a little surprised at how unfit i am. Even when i was running Ultras i seemed to have the kind of body that would struggle to run a mile if i'd had a couple of weeks off. So i accept it'll take a while to come back, just need to stay consistent and try and avoid injury.

The girl who i said i'd try and run 34 miles with is having some ITB issues and so who knows how she'll get on, maybe i'll have an out!
 
JustBen said:
Not been running much recently, just not felt it and struggled with just feeling knackered all the time. Oddly my partner who has been loosing a chunk of weight over the last 6 months has started asking for a treadmill! Got a rebook one looks ok for a little under £600.
Likely one of the things that was leaving me tired was having to run at silly times before my partner went to work or after she got back (kids aint old enough to be left) so least when i get this tomorrow i can start doing the odd bit :)
Click to expand...
Got 2 young kids and work odd shifts starting at 6.45 some days and finishing at 2200 others.

I've realised the only way to have any consistent running/exercise/me time is to wake up earlier. 4.30/4.45 alarm, go to gym/run and get back just as kids wake up or head straight to work.

I try and be in bed by 9 every night and asleep by 2200 at the latest
 
That’s definitely got to be tough with the irregular shifts.

I need to dig out my headtorch. Trying to get out in mornings and it’s pitch black and a bit too rural to see anything beyond moonlight. Not too bad on the roads but a nightmare on the trails.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom