Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
- Thread starter platypus
- Start date
For the strava users checkout www.veloviewer.com for some very cool data anlytics and you year-end infographic:
Man of Honour
I only joined a club in July 2016 so started taking it a bit more seriously then. I'd been doing Parkruns on and off since 2014 and had done a couple of half marathons and a marathon but I suppose it's been a gradual escalation of how much I put into it as an interest.
My 2017 Goals will be:
5:30 - mile (preferably faster)
19:45 5k (Crystal Palace Parkrun) - 19:30 on a flatter course probably
sub 40:00 10k
sub 1:30:00 half marathon
3:25:00 marathon (just entered Edinburgh again, Mcmillan reckons a sub 3:15:00 is possible based on my 5km times but that's probably a bit ambitious at the moment)
Some of these are more stretching than others. I've also got a fair few XC runs and other club runs in the diary plus I'm planning to do more volunteering at Parkrun. Hope everyone has a good winter break anyway.
Soldato
Couldn't agree more. I tire so early on a treadmill too - I put that down to sheer boredom and my mind using any tactic it can to make me stop and get off. Then go and watch some paint dry.
Permabanned
30th Birthday today and celebrated with parkrun at Stretford this morning. Pb at 18.45 too on my GPS. Yet to receive the official time. Happy days. 
Hope everyone else has a fantastic day and a Merry Xmas.
Hope everyone else has a fantastic day and a Merry Xmas.
Permabanned
Ran another 5K today (training run) in Wolverhampton whilst visiting family. After two days of not sleeping as much as usual and eating too much it was hard work!!
Man of Honour
So, shin injuries. I have something that right now seems really minor but I'm concerned that it's the start of something more serious.
I have a small ache pretty much exactly where the shin pain line is here:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/9d/3c/59/9d3c5906a12bf6926534052acde31e26.jpg
It started a week or two ago after I ran my first 10 miler. I've mostly taken it easy since then (with the exception of another 10 mile run on xmas eve) and the pain is no better or worse than it was.
The pain is pretty mild and doesn't seem to be worsened after a run. It's also not particularly bad at any time of day. It's more that for a while it has constantly slightly ached. I've tried putting pressure on the area to see if there's additional pain but there's nothing.
Any thoughts/tips? My stretching and warm down routine for running has been pretty poor but I'm taking steps to remedy that now. I'm considering seeing a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
I have a small ache pretty much exactly where the shin pain line is here:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/9d/3c/59/9d3c5906a12bf6926534052acde31e26.jpg
It started a week or two ago after I ran my first 10 miler. I've mostly taken it easy since then (with the exception of another 10 mile run on xmas eve) and the pain is no better or worse than it was.
The pain is pretty mild and doesn't seem to be worsened after a run. It's also not particularly bad at any time of day. It's more that for a while it has constantly slightly ached. I've tried putting pressure on the area to see if there's additional pain but there's nothing.
Any thoughts/tips? My stretching and warm down routine for running has been pretty poor but I'm taking steps to remedy that now. I'm considering seeing a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
Soldato
It could be any number of things and as I'm no expert I'm reluctant to give advice, but I can share my experiences. It may just be because you are increasing your mileage or it could be to do with your gait/running style. A mate of mine was getting shin splints from running so he went in for a gait analysis. They noticed he was a heel striker and so he's had to work on changing that and it has improved things.
It could also be your trainers. When I first started running I was using 'stability' shoes because someone in a shop said I needed to and then I started to develop plantar fasciitis. Soon as I changed to neutral shoes the problem went away magically.
It could also be your trainers. When I first started running I was using 'stability' shoes because someone in a shop said I needed to and then I started to develop plantar fasciitis. Soon as I changed to neutral shoes the problem went away magically.
Man of Honour
I've been meaning to get new shoes and a gait analysis so I'll grab one tomorrow I guess. Gives me another excuse to not go for a proper run before NYE festivities anyhow 
Soldato
I've not done a lot of long distance running, usually stick around the 3-4 mile mark but on the odd occasions i've stretched an done 10-13 mile just to see if i could i got horrendous stomach pains pretty much all day afterwards.
I did after the 13m and then slightly less a few weeks later doing 10m. Is it just something the body adjusts to or does certain types of preparation help? Usually i just have a big bowl or porridge around 8am and then run around 11am.
That was when i was away from home and able to run on pretty flat ground. I've really struggled since coming home with all the inclines. Although i've also only been out about 5 times in 2 months which certainly hasn't helped!
I did after the 13m and then slightly less a few weeks later doing 10m. Is it just something the body adjusts to or does certain types of preparation help? Usually i just have a big bowl or porridge around 8am and then run around 11am.
That was when i was away from home and able to run on pretty flat ground. I've really struggled since coming home with all the inclines. Although i've also only been out about 5 times in 2 months which certainly hasn't helped!
Man of Honour
Marvt74: it seems to vary for people what the best routine is for eating and the optimum time before a run to eat. For a longer morning run I prefer to eat at least a couple of hours before and preferably a bowl of porridge but not too big, what works for you might be different though. 3 hours would be easily be sufficient for me normally but everyone is different so you might want to experiment a bit with your eating routine.
It's usually best to build up the mileage fairly gradually, I think it's typically recommended not to increase by more than 10% each week so jumping from 3 miles to 13 miles is quite a difference and doesn't allow your body the chance to adapt properly which would increase the risk of injury or even more simply that your body feels tired and stressed so you don't feel able to go out again regularly. It's a fairly common problem for people to try and do too much too soon which means they need time to recover and then as soon as they feel fit to do it all again which necessitates another lengthy recovery period while building up gradually would mean you can go out for shorter runs but more often. Your body will adjust but doing it in stages is likely to make it better and more enjoyable.
Other experiences will vary so maybe see what some of the more knowledgeable runners suggest.
It's usually best to build up the mileage fairly gradually, I think it's typically recommended not to increase by more than 10% each week so jumping from 3 miles to 13 miles is quite a difference and doesn't allow your body the chance to adapt properly which would increase the risk of injury or even more simply that your body feels tired and stressed so you don't feel able to go out again regularly. It's a fairly common problem for people to try and do too much too soon which means they need time to recover and then as soon as they feel fit to do it all again which necessitates another lengthy recovery period while building up gradually would mean you can go out for shorter runs but more often. Your body will adjust but doing it in stages is likely to make it better and more enjoyable.
Other experiences will vary so maybe see what some of the more knowledgeable runners suggest.
I've found I need at least 2 1/2 hours gap between food and running
I've also found that if I'm doing a morning run - even up to 12 miles - I don't eat before
I feel hungry before I leave the house (which is off-putting) - but by the end of the run I don't feel any more hungry, nor do I feel particularly hungry during the run either
Park-run this morning - first in over 6 weeks - forgot how much they hurt !
I've also found that if I'm doing a morning run - even up to 12 miles - I don't eat before
I feel hungry before I leave the house (which is off-putting) - but by the end of the run I don't feel any more hungry, nor do I feel particularly hungry during the run either
Park-run this morning - first in over 6 weeks - forgot how much they hurt !
Man of Honour
So, gait analysis done. I slightly overpronate but not terribly so. My foot strike is fine and I apparently have the classic cyclist thing of my feet sticking out a bit.
Got some new shoes with lots more padding and some supportive insoles. They feel far better than my old really knackered trainers. Hopefully these and a little rest will help sort my issues.
Got some new shoes with lots more padding and some supportive insoles. They feel far better than my old really knackered trainers. Hopefully these and a little rest will help sort my issues.
Soldato
^^That's good, hopefully it will improve the shin problems.
Re: stomach issues. I've only ever had "digestive distress" after running when racing really hard. So after both half marathon races and after the Halloween duathlon I suffered really bad discomfort for the remainder of the day! It's never been an issue on training runs. I have wondered if it was due to the beetroot shots I usually take before a race but it could just be from going hard.
I'm not looking forward to how my guts will feel after racing a marathon.
Re: stomach issues. I've only ever had "digestive distress" after running when racing really hard. So after both half marathon races and after the Halloween duathlon I suffered really bad discomfort for the remainder of the day! It's never been an issue on training runs. I have wondered if it was due to the beetroot shots I usually take before a race but it could just be from going hard.
I'm not looking forward to how my guts will feel after racing a marathon.
Permabanned
Similar to Shamrock I've only ever really suffered major stomach distress after racing. Unfortunately tends to last the whole day as well.
For training runs I need to eat around 2-3 hours before depending on the size of the meal and will be fine. Theres been the odd occasion when I've eaten within two hours and almost always ejd up with stomach cramps. Could be worth keeping a diary and noting what anf when you eat before hand and any issues you've had.
For training runs I need to eat around 2-3 hours before depending on the size of the meal and will be fine. Theres been the odd occasion when I've eaten within two hours and almost always ejd up with stomach cramps. Could be worth keeping a diary and noting what anf when you eat before hand and any issues you've had.
Associate
Can't say I've ever really noticed stomach issues post race. I tend to either run before I eat lunch so I guess a good 4 hours after breakfast, or no more than 30 mins after I have a light breakfast.
I have however, several times, post race gone for a meal and decided "yeah a beer would be nice" and get hit with a massive headache I assume from dehydration (as that's usually the only time I get headaches). Last race I even drank several bottles of water post race to no avail. I might learn next time....but probably not!
FT, hope your new shoes help. I use to suffer from shin splints early on and it was due to heal striking, a few weeks of slowing down and working on form and it's never come back.
I have however, several times, post race gone for a meal and decided "yeah a beer would be nice" and get hit with a massive headache I assume from dehydration (as that's usually the only time I get headaches). Last race I even drank several bottles of water post race to no avail. I might learn next time....but probably not!
FT, hope your new shoes help. I use to suffer from shin splints early on and it was due to heal striking, a few weeks of slowing down and working on form and it's never come back.
Permabanned
Managed to get out for two parkruns this morning and a local 5K race. So 9K in total and a fair it of elevation. Feeling fairly tired now!
Anyone else go to parkrun/get a run in today?
Anyone else go to parkrun/get a run in today?
Man of Honour
Well done, that's a good days running. I'd have liked to do a few Parkruns over the holidays but the closest one is over an hours drive away at the moment. Not feeling healthy enough for a run today but I thought that might be the case so did 9km yesterday and so I've done over 50km in the past week or so which I'm fairly happy with.