Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Richie said:
You should try the Compeed plasters to put over the cuts. They fit and act like a second skin then fall off naturally over time.

I've used them when new shoes dig into the back of my heel to cover blisters and the like so will work well with cuts too and perform well for running
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I had compeed plasters over the cuts and zinc oxide tape wrapped around my feet, but the act of removing the tape itself ended up ripping off the plasters underneath :(

I wouldn't normally do anything special for a half marathon but on this instance, I'd noticed a tiny blister the week before and wanted to pre-empt it developing into something worse. As I don't normally suffer blisters, I'd gone a bit mad and ended up with compeed + tape + anti-friction pads on the inside of the sole and side of the shoe.

The tape was too tight (didn't hurt during the run but OMG it was horrific when I stopped) and this week I slid my foot into my shoe when I noticed that one of the anti-friction pads was creased. I think my foot was catching on a crease in the anti-friction pad and over the distance it just shredded the inside of my foot. Removed that pad before the run this week and no more issues :cry:

Lesson: don't change too much before a long run.
 
Least you made it through the race :)

Annoyingly, i googled sub 2hr half marathon in KM and found a website that said 5:45/km pace. I set off working to that level, and ended up around 5:42 yet confused my watch said 2:00:10. Turns out it actually needed to be under 5:41 for sub 2hr. Not overly bothered as i didn't kill myself, but still a little annoying.

Foot held up reasonably well, but still having some pain today. Got a podiatrist booked for next Tuesday. I'm fairly confident that "rest" is the answer, but i'm impatient and it's annoying me not running. Going to give it this week and then just try lots of short runs of ~30 mins as those don't seem to aggravate it as much as anything over an hour!
 
Martynt74 said:
Least you made it through the race :)

Annoyingly, i googled sub 2hr half marathon in KM and found a website that said 5:45/km pace. I set off working to that level, and ended up around 5:42 yet confused my watch said 2:00:10. Turns out it actually needed to be under 5:41 for sub 2hr. Not overly bothered as i didn't kill myself, but still a little annoying.

Foot held up reasonably well, but still having some pain today. Got a podiatrist booked for next Tuesday. I'm fairly confident that "rest" is the answer, but i'm impatient and it's annoying me not running. Going to give it this week and then just try lots of short runs of ~30 mins as those don't seem to aggravate it as much as anything over an hour!
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The only pace that matters is the one you are comfortable with. I learned a long time ago not to compare race pace with friends as it just mentally destroys you…

I set my fastest half marathon time (1hr 50mins) during lockdown 1. No race or any premeditated effort, but I was running nearly every day

My slowest time is 12 mins slower and that was after lockdown 2 and some binge eating :D. COVID had delayed the 2019 event I’d entered, so naturally training wavered. By the time the notification came through of the new date (2 years later) I’d only done about 3 weeks of training total.

The difference between that PB and the slowest whilst only 12 mins is almost indescribable. If you can complete the distance without killing yourself and can commit to regular runs, you’ll be fine :)

Without getting medical… are you sure it’s your foot? You hear of people with calf/hamstring strain that develop foot pain due to the tension in the legs. Might be worth getting a massage too.

Edit: I’ve just had an email… they’ve awarded me a gold bond charity place in the 2023 London Marathon :eek:
 
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Yeah. Other people’s Pace has never been something that’s bothered me. I’m too slow to be bothered comparing myself!

Yeah. 100% it’s my foot. It’s inflammation around the metatarsals. It helps using a spiky ball but it’s not going at all. Going to give it a bash running tomorrow and see how things go.
 
Well bit the bullet last week, and did my first marathon. Unusual given I did ultras before it.
I fared very well, coming 8th in my group and 62nd overall.
Lost a good few places towards the end, as I burned right out.
But I'm still impressed with the time, given it's meant to be the toughest marathon in the uk.
Every runner I saw looked experienced, no beginners on this one.
Oh I did get a couple blood blisters, had to use thick socks as it rained hard, chafing being the downside despite using anti chafe on the feet.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/xDQnG3EdTub
 
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Don't know if this will be of interest to anyone here, but i've applied to volunteer for Ultra Trail Snowdonia

Become a Volunteer

We're looking for volunteers to join the UTS Event Team and play a crucial role in delivering this amazing event! Read on to find out how to get involved.
snowdonia.utmb.world snowdonia.utmb.world

Obviously could be a long weekend, but would be great to be part of a massive event like that and see some proper elite trail runners. In my head it'd be a little big of volunteering in 8 hour shifts, then maybe get a nice bit of running in and then have a few beers. Main downside being you can only use the Event Credit against a UTMB UK event (which means a future Snowdonia run), rather than exchanging it for one of the other global events, but that's not the biggest issue.
 
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Had my Podiatrist appointment yesterday. She suggested it's inflamed joint capsules. Likely a few contributing factors. Having done some ~10 mile runs in barefoot shoes in Spain and having "hammer" toes being likely. Along with being tall and having tight achiles'.
She also commented on a few other foot issues, such as my big and little toes both pointing inwards, causing the middle 3 to lift up. I mentioned this was why i was trying barefoot shoes which had big wide shoeboxes but she didn't seem convinced :p

She mainly spent the session attacking it with a shockwave therapy machine and then doing some prodding around my ankle. At the end of the session it felt better, but then i got home and it was generally the same as it had been prior which felt disappointing (The session was bloody expensive!).

However this morning i woke up with no stiffness around the foot like i have done the last few weeks, and it feels much better. She's suggested that i get some decent slippers and to not walk around the house barefoot which is generally when it's worse. Obviously early days yet and i've got another appointment in a couple weeks, but feeling a little more positive. My main concern is whether it's going to now be a weak spot for future issues.

She said i'm fine to run as long as it's minimal and pain never gets above a 4 and to just try and get better at stretching/yoga/pilates. This is something i always tell myself i should do but never get into a routine. Apparently being 190cm tall and running isn't a good combination so she highlighted i need to do whatever i can to keep longevity.

Have accepted i'm not going to do my running clubs virtual run this month given it requires a minimum of a 20 mile run which seems a stretch too far. ALso going to consider giving my entry to a 22 mile run next month away which is a shame as i loved the event when i did it this year (Beacon Bash)
 
Sounds like you may be on the right track then. Just need to be less tall... I wouldn't have thought the NHS would cover bone shortening though, so hopefully you have private cover :-)
 
More seriously, if you can do the slipper thing and keep the pain down then that sounds like a good start. I suspect everyone has a tendency to go through minor pain and carry on, but it has to be there for a reason I guess?
 
Ian_Eb said:
More seriously, if you can do the slipper thing and keep the pain down then that sounds like a good start. I suspect everyone has a tendency to go through minor pain and carry on, but it has to be there for a reason I guess?
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Sadly, just have a Healthcash plan which has fairly low limits. Wonder if i can put myself on some kind of reverse medieval stretch rack?
 
Martynt74 said:
Don't know if this will be of interest to anyone here, but i've applied to volunteer for Ultra Trail Snowdonia

Become a Volunteer

We're looking for volunteers to join the UTS Event Team and play a crucial role in delivering this amazing event! Read on to find out how to get involved.
snowdonia.utmb.world snowdonia.utmb.world

Obviously could be a long weekend, but would be great to be part of a massive event like that and see some proper elite trail runners. In my head it'd be a little big of volunteering in 8 hour shifts, then maybe get a nice bit of running in and then have a few beers. Main downside being you can only use the Event Credit against a UTMB UK event (which means a future Snowdonia run), rather than exchanging it for one of the other global events, but that's not the biggest issue.
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Nice one, should make for a good experience.
I'm down to volunteer for the 100 mile arc of attrition. I'll be some kind of valet runner, going between checkpoints checking timings and looking after runners.
Figured I'd volunteer if I'm ever going to attempt doing it solo.
 
Awesome stuff. I’ve volunteered a few times and found it a little boring but over a weekend I think it’d be like a cool getaway where I can talk about running without boring the pants out of people!

Got a little run in last night. Only 4 miles but only felt my foot pain in the last half mile on a steep downhill so hoping it’s recovering nicely.
 
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Decided to take a rest from running over the weekend as I just couldn't shake some soreness that has been built up in my calf for a few weeks. Didn't help that I was already sore before I took the dog out last week and ending up setting a time nearly a minute faster than my 10k PB :o

Anyway... the last run was Thursday last week so took it easy Fri, Sat and Sun with some walking to stop me turning in to a potato. Last night I decided to try a run and it felt amazing. I completely under-estimated the effect of a few days rest tbh (as someone that usually ploughs through the pain).

I didn't set out with a goal in mind apart from I wanted to run at a consistent pace for at least an hour, so ended up squeezing in 12km after getting in from work and before the football. All my splits were within 4s variation with the last 8km being dead-on the money which is always good. I know I could have gone much further and didn't have any calf pain at all today which bodes well for some longer runs on the weekend.


hux said:
Well bit the bullet last week, and did my first marathon. Unusual given I did ultras before it.
I fared very well, coming 8th in my group and 62nd overall.
Lost a good few places towards the end, as I burned right out.
But I'm still impressed with the time, given it's meant to be the toughest marathon in the uk.
Every runner I saw looked experienced, no beginners on this one.
Oh I did get a couple blood blisters, had to use thick socks as it rained hard, chafing being the downside despite using anti chafe on the feet.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/xDQnG3EdTub
Click to expand...

Great time :cool:

Did you find that you approached the marathon distance with a different mindset on how you'd typically run an ultra? I imagine an ultra is more of a plod than running with any sort of pace so to go from an ultra to a marathon with a decent time is an achievement.
 
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Black Noir said:
Decided to take a rest from running over the weekend as I just couldn't shake some soreness that has been built up in my calf for a few weeks. Didn't help that I was already sore before I took the dog out last week and ending up setting a time nearly a minute faster than my 10k PB :o

Anyway... the last run was Thursday last week so took it easy Fri, Sat and Sun with some walking to stop me turning in to a potato. Last night I decided to try a run and it felt amazing. I completely under-estimated the effect of a few days rest tbh (as someone that usually ploughs through the pain).

I didn't set out with a goal in mind apart from I wanted to run at a consistent pace for at least an hour, so ended up squeezing in 12km after getting in from work and before the football. All my splits were within 4s variation with the last 8km being dead-on the money which is always good. I know I could have gone much further and didn't have any calf pain at all today which bodes well for some longer runs on the weekend.




Great time :cool:

Did you find that you approached the marathon distance with a different mindset on how you'd typically run an ultra? I imagine an ultra is more of a plod than running with any sort of pace so to go from an ultra to a marathon with a decent time is an achievement.
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Yeah I did, I was actually worried for this one an me yet I can go smash an ultra and think nothing of it.
It's partly from it being uncharted territory, and the fact it's all road so hard on those joints.
Only two weeks later so I feel back to normal, didn't help my running 7 times in the last 9 days, though I've been off since Saturday to give myself a rest.
It's funny how doing a different run, really affects things.
I ran similar to how I do ultras, paced myself at the start and see how I felt as I went on. Should have held back a bit more, but still managed to do decent enough.
 
Hugely recommend this place by the way.

kymira.com

Kymira - Regenerate Possible

At the forefront of today, making tomorrow happen. Born of science, we recalibrate the possible in Human Centered Technology to optimise Human Performance.
kymira.com kymira.com

Some great deals on their BF page and i honestly can say the Infrared leggings have been beneficial for me :)
 
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Genuinely wouldn’t be without mine. I’ve done 40 mile ultras and felt ok to do 10 miles the next day and definitely notice a difference.

I believe Gerard brought in a fine at Aston Villa to any player not wearing them (these exact ones). Which shows the belief in it.

I paid £80 for the leggings and only wear them after my long runs due to the cost. But at these prices half bought a few pairs to wear them more often.
 
Martynt74 said:
Hugely recommend this place by the way.

kymira.com

Kymira - Regenerate Possible

At the forefront of today, making tomorrow happen. Born of science, we recalibrate the possible in Human Centered Technology to optimise Human Performance.
kymira.com kymira.com

Some great deals on their BF page and i honestly can say the Infrared leggings have been beneficial for me :)
Click to expand...
Do they help with aches and pains, and can you run in them?
Got me tempted to grab a pair, I'm guessing they come up small.
 
hux said:
Do they help with aches and pains, and can you run in them?
Got me tempted to grab a pair, I'm guessing they come up small.
Click to expand...

I guess you can run in them. I know they suggest wearing them prior to a run to help warm up the muscles.

I only don’t because the thought of falling and ripping them is too great so I just use cheap Amazon tights for running in the cold!

I’m kind of wishing I’d bought the compression socks for my calves.

My tights are XL which I’d say are similar to other similar items. Unsure about the joggers/hoody though as not received yet.
 
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