Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Oh no, sorry to hear that. You've not had much luck with injuries recently. Glad it doesn't sound too serious.

360km sounds tough. I've been watching quite a few Youtubes recently on various Ultras. It's been a great insight. I always thought it was odd when people talked about getting lost in Youtube videos, but it's actually very easy to do and there's some great content out there.

Have you ever considered the UTMB? I assume you'd be elligible.
 
Marvt74 said:
Oh no, sorry to hear that. You've not had much luck with injuries recently. Glad it doesn't sound too serious.

360km sounds tough. I've been watching quite a few Youtubes recently on various Ultras. It's been a great insight. I always thought it was odd when people talked about getting lost in Youtube videos, but it's actually very easy to do and there's some great content out there.

Have you ever considered the UTMB? I assume you'd be elligible.
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I applied for UTMB this year but didn't get through the lottery, although it is cancelled this year anyway.Likely that means next year there will be no lottery and everyone from this year will get automatic entry
 
I was hoping to apply for the Lakeland 50 next year, but i imagine the same and it'll be heavily popular with this year being cancelled.

Saw this one pop up recently and might go for it for next year. Only 32 miles but over 10,000ft of ascent.

https://www.ascendevents.co.uk/lakeland-five-passes-ultra/


I'm also debating the Manchester marathon again. I feel like it'd be my best chance of breaking the 4hr mark as i have a 45 mile with 7500ft climb this October and then a 42 mile run with 6500ft ascent next February. With the marathon in mid April, i imagine i'd be at my best fitness and with a moderate goal pace of ~9min/miles on very flat ground it should be fairly do-able.
 
Got out for an easy run, calf seemed to ease off a little bit, still trying to massage it though as it's still sore to touch.

First time i've used the HR alerts on my watch to keep myself in Zone 2. It's a useful tool and i think i'll try and make more use of those functions in the future.
 
Then there's likes of me who still struggle with 5k :p

First run in 10 days today so was dreading it as feet still sore from a hike on Saturday and donated blood yesterday so wasn't sure how the body would respond.

Shins felt much, much better though, in fact one thing that wasn't bothering me!
 
neoboy said:
Funnily enough, Wrekin is only one I've ever done in the Midlands and been to Wales once to climb Snowdon but weather was awful so didn't get to do it.

I just do these trips myself, generally have a good sense of direction and glance at Google Maps before hand for best places to park and it will normally show some foot paths too. Never bothered with a paper map or such but can be helpful for some.

Everything is mostly self explanatory once there and lot of places have clear paths and even little sign posting here and there.

Today was meant to be a relatively relaxed Catbells > Dale Head > Robinson > Little Town > Catbells circular of 11 to 12 miles, however, my friend had a small foot injury so had to just turn back the way we came in and clocked in only 8.4 miles.

Only issue for me today was that apart from doing 5k runs I've been very sedentary since beginning of March and also haven't used my boots in a while so my feet are a quite battered.

From cardiovascular point of view felt pretty amazing and better than last year so running has paid off! Off to do Scafell Pike next week along with Great End and few other small peaks/fells.
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So you dont use an app or anything?! I get lost very quickly and on hills/hikes everything looks the same!

Me and wife did Scarfell last summer. Straight up. On the way down someone told us to take a right and go the scenic way down.... Took like 5 hours!!! Never ending and we nearly died lol. Had to keep asking people for directions and didnt really know whether we were walking in the right direction.

I would love to do more routes but navigation is not my thing. I think I need to make some hiking friends and buddy up!

Where do you live?! :) Wana be my frieeeend?!
 
Yucca said:
So you dont use an app or anything?! I get lost very quickly and on hills/hikes everything looks the same!

Me and wife did Scarfell last summer. Straight up. On the way down someone told us to take a right and go the scenic way down.... Took like 5 hours!!! Never ending and we nearly died lol. Had to keep asking people for directions and didnt really know whether we were walking in the right direction.

I would love to do more routes but navigation is not my thing. I think I need to make some hiking friends and buddy up!

Where do you live?! :) Wana be my frieeeend?!
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Push comes to shove, you can download maps offline in Google Maps and even when you don't have signal, GPS should pick you up so can get general idea of the direction you're headng, that's basically what I've been doing so far if unsure where to go :D
 
Yucca said:
My friend offer open to you too lol!
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Im near Preston.

I always fancy walking in the Lakes but rarely have people interested in a long walk so it is a possibility!

Those apps are handy though. I use navigation on my watch for running and it’s superb. I’ve used it during races too. I’m hopeless with a map.
 
neoboy said:
Fell running OCUK meet in the Lakes? ;)
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'Running'?! I thought we were talking about walking...? This escalated very quickly lol. *hides under desk*

I did the yorkshire 3 peaks walk a few years back. 24 miles over 12 hours. Killed my feet and was a long day but not physically difficult.
 
neoboy said:
I've seen a few runners on Saturday and I still dont understand how someone can be that fit to run around those hills :o
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Crazy isn't it.

I try and run around the hills here and cope to an extent, but then people just come flying past faster than i can run downhill!
 
Out of stock in 11 now.

Mind you, NB shoes always gave me blisters. I got through 100's of yards of tape when using them!
 
Yes, mine do feel a little narrow, they're very light though and so i'm hoping the material stretches a little.

This will then be the end of my circling various brands i'm hoping. I've been trying to buy one paid from each brand to find the best fit for me. So far i think my Asics were probably the comfiest, although i'm a massive fan of my Saucony trial shoes so might consider their road versions.
 
Been a while since I ventured into the chat here, had a couple rough years at work which caused a number of issues in my life but things have balanced out and got myself going again during lock down. Last week got myself back up to 14miles on a long run and now starting a "marathon" training plan from McMillan/Strava, their half marathon plans worked well for me in the past.

All that ramble aside, as my long runs increase I want to start taking water, gels and my phone with me, so looking for any recommendations on a lightweight hydration backpack with a couple front side (hopefully on the straps) storage. Amazon and random Google searches are just giving me dog turd after dog turd!
 
Marvt74 said:
I was hoping to apply for the Lakeland 50 next year, but i imagine the same and it'll be heavily popular with this year being cancelled.
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There will be some entries apparently but most have been transferred from this year to 2021. Frustrating as I was ready to ramp up my training for the end of July and wanted to get into the 100 next year. I've stepped up an event level each year so far but that's out the window now.

Signed up to the virtual 100 miles instead. 6 days to do 100 miles at the end of July. Gives me time to find some adventurous routes rather than pound out the same 16 mile route for 6 days.

Despite getting some milage in every week for the last couple months, Mondays attempt to best my 47 min 10k time was a fail, I think it ended up at 49 mins. Trying to do two 10 mile minimum runs a week that are gentle and then any distance I fancy "flat out" just to keep it interesting. With the heat I stuck to the same route as I struggle to sweat and keep cool due to my skin but subsequently found out my effort whilst fasted and not carrying water was beyond a much more experienced colleague would cope with.

Think I might try link Weets, Boulsworth and Pendle Hill as a main run, maybe Yorkshire Three Peaks too if it's appropriate given current circumstances, then just pick up the remainder locally. Just have to tailor it around toddler and partner working from home while I'm furloughed.


Itchytrigg said:
All that ramble aside, as my long runs increase I want to start taking water, gels and my phone with me, so looking for any recommendations on a lightweight hydration backpack with a couple front side (hopefully on the straps) storage. Amazon and random Google searches are just giving me dog turd after dog turd!
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Ooh yes, I think I'm gonna need something like this too. I have a 1/2l bladder but not a suitable running pack to accomodate it plus a bit of food and gels. My boss reccomends his Montane packs which are more of a premium price. Next thing to research!
 
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I have the one from Decathlon. Think Kalenji is the brand. I think they've made some small changes to it recently too. Mine is the 5L one which is fine for most runs, although on a much longer run i'd prefer a 10L one i think. Some get to fairly eye watering prices, and i wonder what the extra benefit is.

Depending on length of runs, you might also be better with a "running belt", something like this.

https://www.montane.co.uk/packs-c98/featherlite-6-p781


@Dup Could join me on the Howler 3 Towers in October which is 43 miles and then aim for the 100 next year?
 
Depends what you class as a long run i guess. I use pair of decathlon shorts with a zipper at the back, enough room for a key to the front door and 2 SIS gels with electrolyte. More than enough for 21k run.
 
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