First! Hoping for some beginners luck...
Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
- Thread starter platypus
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First! Hoping for some beginners luck...
I managed to get in on my first try a couple of years back so there is hope, didn't manage to get in last year though.
Really need to find some motivation to get back into my running, with the birth of my first born due imminently my running this last 6 weeks has been minimal
I went from 100miles through March to 6 miles since 1st April 
Man of Honour
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Have just submitted my entry, it's the first time I've tried for the marathon although I've entered the ballot for RideLondon a couple of times with no success.
Same here, let's hope it's third time lucky for us both!
I've finally resumed running following a three month hiatus, during which time I've gained about 15lb; it's distressing how much more difficult running is with all this extra lard
Soldato
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I thought running was supposed to be less dangerous than cycling?
That is impressive. Even better than the time my misses fell over running and a passing driving instructor gave her a lift home 
Was the second time she fell over on the same street, so it's now known as Face Plant Alley in our house.
Was the second time she fell over on the same street, so it's now known as Face Plant Alley in our house.
Soldato
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I'm not entirely sure. Foot caught on a paving slab and i rolled over and grazed both knees, both hands, my elbow and my back. Nothing broken though so hopefully get out again in a couple of days 
Need to hobble to the polling station and go looking for some new dressings.
Need to hobble to the polling station and go looking for some new dressings.
Soldato
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Looking for a bit of quick breakfast advice after reading the diet part of this thread, although I'm cycling and not running I think the diets are fairly similar.
My issue is I've never been a morning eater, from waking up to at least an hour later my body just isn't hungry or wants food, but drink is OK. As I'm now cycling I've tried shredded wheat with fruit or wholemeal toast, but I'm having to force myself to eat it, taking nearly 20 minutes to get through a bowl of cereal!
Would breakfast smoothies be a good replacement as I don't want to miss out on something before I head off, and then when I get into the office have some toast/solid food?
My issue is I've never been a morning eater, from waking up to at least an hour later my body just isn't hungry or wants food, but drink is OK. As I'm now cycling I've tried shredded wheat with fruit or wholemeal toast, but I'm having to force myself to eat it, taking nearly 20 minutes to get through a bowl of cereal!
Would breakfast smoothies be a good replacement as I don't want to miss out on something before I head off, and then when I get into the office have some toast/solid food?
Why cant you just do that?
Soldato
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It's what I have been doing however if its a busy morning I'm having to miss out and wait for lunchtime, but I do feel a little sluggish cycling on an empty stumach so would like to get something good into the system before heading off, plus I'm trying to add weight so thought it would help there as well?
@Gorilla, both sound like good options to me. Any recommendations for what I should buy in, would powdered stuff be OK? I can make my own smoothies but would become expensive every week getting lots of fruit in? Little bit lost in this area, was trawling through MyProtein...
@Gorilla, both sound like good options to me. Any recommendations for what I should buy in, would powdered stuff be OK? I can make my own smoothies but would become expensive every week getting lots of fruit in? Little bit lost in this area, was trawling through MyProtein...
On MyProtein it'll be Instant Oats you need. 5kg bag for £10. 
If you want protein then keep it simple with Impact Whey Protein, no need for anything fancy. Could maybe use protein powder most days and have the fruit as a treat?
That said if you base it on bananas they are cheap as are frozen berries so doesn't have to cost a fortune.
If you want protein then keep it simple with Impact Whey Protein, no need for anything fancy. Could maybe use protein powder most days and have the fruit as a treat?
That said if you base it on bananas they are cheap as are frozen berries so doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Soldato
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http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/20/8630213/spotify-unveils-new-design-for-runners
This may make me finally switch back to spotify...
This may make me finally switch back to spotify...
Quite a good sound feature if it works well. I don't run with my phone though so will be sticking to nothing or the odd dance mix myself. Have a friend who is looking forward to using it.
And just got back in myself from my first run over 10 miles since the marathon a month today. Felt good to get back to some slightly longer miles again, even if I do still feel like I've lost a bit of speed.
And just got back in myself from my first run over 10 miles since the marathon a month today. Felt good to get back to some slightly longer miles again, even if I do still feel like I've lost a bit of speed.
Does anybody have any advise for dealing with cramps? I had a rest week, starting 9th may, so no weights, no climbing, an only one short (3 miles) slow (10 min/mile) run mid week. The run went fine, and felt good. Then through the day my left calf (the bad one with a history of tearing) started to randomly cramp. Stretching had no effect, and eventually by evening it had lead to a calf strain. So a couple of weeks off running.
Had a physio appointment yesterday (this is normal, every 4-6 weeks) and its mostly fine, no knots, but very tight. He has advised that I can do a rehab run this weekend (15 minutes) and see how that goes.
What I was wandering is does anyone have any ideas on avoiding cramps? I doubt salt intake is too low, I do have prepackaged meals, and when I cook salt is used. I was well hydrated, I don't run without water. Any other ideas or tips?
IndigoGorilla, thanks for the list of events. I'll take a look into them and see if any fit into my calendar.
Had a physio appointment yesterday (this is normal, every 4-6 weeks) and its mostly fine, no knots, but very tight. He has advised that I can do a rehab run this weekend (15 minutes) and see how that goes.
What I was wandering is does anyone have any ideas on avoiding cramps? I doubt salt intake is too low, I do have prepackaged meals, and when I cook salt is used. I was well hydrated, I don't run without water. Any other ideas or tips?
IndigoGorilla, thanks for the list of events. I'll take a look into them and see if any fit into my calendar.
There was a cool morning Friday, e,g. 18*C at 9am vs the 27*C and heavy humidity of the last weeks) so it was a great time to go for a run. Went to a local park that has fun running but fairly twisty and up and down forest trials with tree roots everywhere, so not the fastest place to run but shady and interesting. I aimed for a 10 mile run, since the previous runs I struggled to 8miles with the heat. Even when going very slow.
10 miles cam and went so I thought I would break my record and go for 12, at 12.3 I started back to the car but then realized I could easily do a half marathon and went to 13.1miles in 1hr 50. The total millage would probably be nearer 14miles as the phone GPS consistently under estimates the twisty forest paths. I stopped lost for water and toilette breaks, tying shoe laces, walked up a couple of steep hills , and in general the course is hilly (I topped 800ft according to my fit bit), so I'm pleased with the time and I hope it puts in with a chance of a sub 4hr marathon if I commit. What was nice was the miles didn't slow down much, in fact the 2nd mile was the slowest and the last mile the fastest, normally my first few Miles are 60-90seconds faster than the last, partly due to going down a hill at the start and back up it at the end.
Motivated me to take the marathon more seriously. I knew I could do a few a more miles but didn't want to push it, plus it was getting late. Which is actually going to start to be a problem, running for 2hours plus really takes up a lot of your time!
Sadly temperature are back over 30 so not sure when I can do a good long run again.
10 miles cam and went so I thought I would break my record and go for 12, at 12.3 I started back to the car but then realized I could easily do a half marathon and went to 13.1miles in 1hr 50. The total millage would probably be nearer 14miles as the phone GPS consistently under estimates the twisty forest paths. I stopped lost for water and toilette breaks, tying shoe laces, walked up a couple of steep hills , and in general the course is hilly (I topped 800ft according to my fit bit), so I'm pleased with the time and I hope it puts in with a chance of a sub 4hr marathon if I commit. What was nice was the miles didn't slow down much, in fact the 2nd mile was the slowest and the last mile the fastest, normally my first few Miles are 60-90seconds faster than the last, partly due to going down a hill at the start and back up it at the end.
Motivated me to take the marathon more seriously. I knew I could do a few a more miles but didn't want to push it, plus it was getting late. Which is actually going to start to be a problem, running for 2hours plus really takes up a lot of your time!
Sadly temperature are back over 30 so not sure when I can do a good long run again.
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Well I made it. My IT band flared up two weeks before and wasn't sure I'd make it. The Sunday before I only managed 4 miles before I couldn't run any further, bloody painful thing!
But I had some physio and took plenty of ibuprofen and manged to get round
http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/race-results.php?event=1879&surname=Winward
Would love to have another go without any injury and see how quick I can get as I took it steady for the first 7 miles....
Well I made it. My IT band flared up two weeks before and wasn't sure I'd make it. The Sunday before I only managed 4 miles before I couldn't run any further, bloody painful thing!
But I had some physio and took plenty of ibuprofen and manged to get round
http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/race-results.php?event=1879&surname=Winward
Would love to have another go without any injury and see how quick I can get as I took it steady for the first 7 miles....
Brilliant result, and no doubt you'd have been under your target time if you didn't have the problems beforehand. Still, it's less than a minute to get there over 13.1 miles so fingers crossed you stay injury free next time.