True, plus, whilst there's a decent amount of elevation, no single climb is very big. It's all just lots of small hills. It's the singular big climbs which break me. Which is easy when compared to this section from last weeks run, which was ~1500ft from 3 miles.
Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
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Wuss mode activated. I got a reply saying it was still possible to drop down and after a bit of deliberating i've decided to go for it. I'm not desperate to run 55 miles and have already proven i'm capable of doing it. Minimising overdoing it is more important i think, and if i feel too much like a wuss, i'll do the extra 16 miles the next day 
Are easy runs the best way for me. I hadn't done any running for maybe 15 years, apart from the usual walking here and there and a small amount of cycling, until the end of last year, I've run maybe 400-500km since then. I still feel weak though especially at parkruns, I'm puffing and panting, swearing and face is bright red. There's just no strength there. Would just keeping going doing 2 or 3 runs a week easyish pace for another year build up my strength or, have I likely left it too long and my muscles have wasted away, or just my age has caught up with me?
I don’t think you’d ever get to a point where you’ve left it too late. Just that you’re over doing it and pushing too hard.
Doing easy runs will build that endurance and just keep an eye on your breathing. If it gets laboured slow down and walk a bit.
From your previous posts you always seem to focus a lot on pace and hitting certain targets so mentally I imagine slowing down would be difficult for you. Perhaps try a running group and join group social runs where they all just take it easy and chat.
Doing easy runs will build that endurance and just keep an eye on your breathing. If it gets laboured slow down and walk a bit.
From your previous posts you always seem to focus a lot on pace and hitting certain targets so mentally I imagine slowing down would be difficult for you. Perhaps try a running group and join group social runs where they all just take it easy and chat.
Definately, I'm pushing too hard but I was a competitive runner at school although that's 25 years ago so I guess I still think I should have it, but I obviously don't.
Lovely view.
My fitness seems appalling at the moment and not really sure why, my HR keeps jumping into Z4 even on short slow runs, causing me to need to stop and walk. Not sure if it's just my body feeling the effects of 2 weeks of booze in Spain or something else.
My fitness seems appalling at the moment and not really sure why, my HR keeps jumping into Z4 even on short slow runs, causing me to need to stop and walk. Not sure if it's just my body feeling the effects of 2 weeks of booze in Spain or something else.
My total volume for this year is way down on last. I can't quite pin it down to any one thing - work has been busy, I've been a bit less motivated over the summer, and have also been ill (Covid + cold/flu). In both cases I wasn't that ill, but it took me ages to get back to my normal running schedule.
I'd not dwell on it unless it's still the same in a few weeks.
I'd not dwell on it unless it's still the same in a few weeks.
Incidentally, does anyone else sometimes find that after a long run, the next run feels really good?
Seems counter intuitive because I'd expect to be a bit leggy, but I often find that I have to consciously try and slow that next run down.
Although today I just went with the faster pace, as it was just too tempting to get a few more minutes in the shower before starting back at work!
Seems counter intuitive because I'd expect to be a bit leggy, but I often find that I have to consciously try and slow that next run down.
Although today I just went with the faster pace, as it was just too tempting to get a few more minutes in the shower before starting back at work!
Because i'm always looking for something new to keep motivation, and with wanting to give myself as good a chance as possible going into next years Spain run and then onwards to the 100 miler in July. I've been re-thinking about coaching/training plans. It's the accountability that i really need.
The main issue is that a lot of coaches charge a hell of a lot. One was upwards of $1200 a month! The guy i used last time around was ~£40 a month, and whilst good, i always felt he wasn't as well suited for slow people like myself and a few things didn't seem to suit me.
I then came across this website https://www.ultratrailcoaching.com/, it seems to use an algorithm to create training plans, but then also has feedback from Karel Sabbe who some people might know from the 2019 Barkley Marathon documentary, he's also finished UTMB multiple times and holds a few FKT's on big routes in the US.
The other benefit is that the platform syncs with Garmin Connect to sync over workouts to my watch. All for €40 a month which i can live with in the short term. The website is decent enough, they'll suggest routes in your local area and there's whatsapp support which is replied to really quickly (presumably not from Karel himself!)
Looking ahead, there's a good chunk of VO2 workouts to build an initial base, which should be useful, so i'm pretty excited to see how it all works out
The main issue is that a lot of coaches charge a hell of a lot. One was upwards of $1200 a month! The guy i used last time around was ~£40 a month, and whilst good, i always felt he wasn't as well suited for slow people like myself and a few things didn't seem to suit me.
I then came across this website https://www.ultratrailcoaching.com/, it seems to use an algorithm to create training plans, but then also has feedback from Karel Sabbe who some people might know from the 2019 Barkley Marathon documentary, he's also finished UTMB multiple times and holds a few FKT's on big routes in the US.
The other benefit is that the platform syncs with Garmin Connect to sync over workouts to my watch. All for €40 a month which i can live with in the short term. The website is decent enough, they'll suggest routes in your local area and there's whatsapp support which is replied to really quickly (presumably not from Karel himself!)
Looking ahead, there's a good chunk of VO2 workouts to build an initial base, which should be useful, so i'm pretty excited to see how it all works out
Completed my first 10k ‘race’ today at the tender age of 49 and loved it. I know it’s a small distance compared to what most of the nutcases in this thread are doing but I’m super proud and have come a long way from the start of couch to 5k in June. Next step more running and prep for a half marathon in April next year. Thanks all for the help so far.
Congrats dude! It's a slippery slope from here
I started running 5 years ago and I'm doing a 100 ultra next July. I went from zero to 10k race (just nipped into sub 1 hour) in a month, half marathon 4 months later then marathon a year after that. I'm 37 today, never felt better or fitter. I could give up and get fatter and slower but always know I could stick on my PR kit and go run up the local hill any time I want now I have the experience. It's a great feeling.
Great work @mac1. One thing I’ve learnt is never compare yourself to others. No matter what there’ll always be someone who you think does incredible things ( unless you kipchoge or Kilian jornet!)
It can be a slippy slope but there’s also nothing wrong sticking with distances you enjoy
It can be a slippy slope but there’s also nothing wrong sticking with distances you enjoy
Glad to see everyone getting out. Brilliant work @mac1 it can/does get addictive
I went on the treadmill for the first time since March on Fri and everything seemed OK, so hoping to be able to get out on the road again soon.
I went on the treadmill for the first time since March on Fri and everything seemed OK, so hoping to be able to get out on the road again soon.
Good to hear Ian.
I finally did the 3 Towers ultra after 3 years of deferrals. Glad I dropped down to the 39 distance. My legs were feeling ok and I was still running but the course took in so much mud and bog that it just wasn’t very enjoyable for the most part.
Knowing the area quite well there are a few changes that would’ve been much better, although I guess some people like mud so it’s a balancing act.
Not too many entrants. Think about 30 and surprisingly I came 3rd. Given I’m usually mid pack at best it was odd. Not being competitive I actually found it quite stressful being 3rd and wanted someone to overtake me as whilst I was happy to drop places I still found I was looking behind wondering where 4th was.
I finally did the 3 Towers ultra after 3 years of deferrals. Glad I dropped down to the 39 distance. My legs were feeling ok and I was still running but the course took in so much mud and bog that it just wasn’t very enjoyable for the most part.
Knowing the area quite well there are a few changes that would’ve been much better, although I guess some people like mud so it’s a balancing act.
Not too many entrants. Think about 30 and surprisingly I came 3rd. Given I’m usually mid pack at best it was odd. Not being competitive I actually found it quite stressful being 3rd and wanted someone to overtake me as whilst I was happy to drop places I still found I was looking behind wondering where 4th was.
Says more about the other contestants than it does about my performance!