Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Awesome run that. Hope you're doing ok @div0, and glad to hear the recovery is going well @firstborn

For me, i've decided that i'm just ignoring my dodgy foot. Resting it for months hasn't done anything to improve it, nor have multiple visits to physios/podiatrists etc and so i might as well just keep running and just making sure it never gets worse. All along the journey from the initial injury it's always stayed fairly constant no matter what i do. Never getting into pain, just uncomfortable when i'm in barefoot around the house. Generally in trainers it holds around a dull ache. Trying to just be sensible and if i know i'm hitting rough terrain, making sure i'm in my trail shoes.

So yesterday i went off road again. Not a bad route, albeit a bit boring to start as it tracked a road, then quickly wound up a hill, and came across this.

1VxfcuX.png


Probably between 4-5ft long, although from a link my wife sent it, i don't *think* it was poisonous. The thing didn't move an inch in all the time i was near it. I told myself i'd try poking it with a stick on the return journey but ended up finding a much more fun descent back to the car.

Today i've just managed a 4.7 mile run, which is the longest i've managed in a while. I'm just going to keep at it and seeing if anything changes and making sure i'm being strict with stretches both before and after runs and other parts of the day.
 
Martynt74 said:
Awesome run that. Hope you're doing ok @div0, and glad to hear the recovery is going well @firstborn

For me, i've decided that i'm just ignoring my dodgy foot. Resting it for months hasn't done anything to improve it, nor have multiple visits to physios/podiatrists etc and so i might as well just keep running and just making sure it never gets worse. All along the journey from the initial injury it's always stayed fairly constant no matter what i do. Never getting into pain, just uncomfortable when i'm in barefoot around the house. Generally in trainers it holds around a dull ache. Trying to just be sensible and if i know i'm hitting rough terrain, making sure i'm in my trail shoes.

So yesterday i went off road again. Not a bad route, albeit a bit boring to start as it tracked a road, then quickly wound up a hill, and came across this.

1VxfcuX.png


Probably between 4-5ft long, although from a link my wife sent it, i don't *think* it was poisonous. The thing didn't move an inch in all the time i was near it. I told myself i'd try poking it with a stick on the return journey but ended up finding a much more fun descent back to the car.

Today i've just managed a 4.7 mile run, which is the longest i've managed in a while. I'm just going to keep at it and seeing if anything changes and making sure i'm being strict with stretches both before and after runs and other parts of the day.
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That looks like it might be a Smooth Snake quite rare if it is. Very big though if it's 4-5ft so it might be a Grass Snake with unusual markings. Its not venomous in either case
 
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neilw said:
That looks like it might be a Smooth Snake quite rare if it is. Very big though if it's 4-5ft so it might be a Grass Snake with unusual markings. Its not venomous in either case
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Cheers, i put it down to a grass snake. It was zoomed in a little there so maybe my camera just misses the markings.

Still, the biggest grass snake i've ever seen up till now has only been about 30cm long and slithered away quickly, so this was a massive shock! Yesterday, i also saw a lizard which was about 30cm in length. Again, i usually only see the tiny little things.
 
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Martynt74 said:
Cheers, i put it down to a grass snake. It was zoomed in a little there so maybe my camera just misses the markings.

Still, the biggest grass snake i've ever seen up till now has only been about 30cm long and slithered away quickly, so this was a massive shock! Yesterday, i also saw a lizard which was about 30cm in length. Again, i usually only see the tiny little things.
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Oh are you in Spain? Does look like the Ladder Snake from the links above. Nice find. I was in Australia and we hired a wildlife guild to go and look for snakes, and didn't find any, you'd think the place was full of them, Lizards tho millions of them!
 
So i've set myself a plan.

I'm here for another 6ish weeks. My foot is kind of ok, as long as i'm not barefoot. So going to try and increase distance and not just keep doing 3-4 mile runs to see how it handles extended periods.

I get back to the UK on the 6th June, and got a letter to say i'm booked in at the Foot and Ankle clinic on the 17th June. So now i'm not paying for anything, i can hopefully get it fully resolved!

Then i'm gonna book nothing in because i'll be busy doing stuff around the house and don't want to put pressure on myself to build up to anything. Then hopefully i'll be back here for December with an aim to finish the year with the Valencia marathon. Get a decent base and then do the Spain run again in March.

Fingers crossed, this stupid foot finally sorts itself!
 
Signed up for my first couple of fell races in May and June. They are both fairly local and moors I run on fairly regularly but most importantly GPS navigation is allowed, I had no idea the rules for Fell Running were so stringent in terms of kit/navigation etc but the events I'm planning to enter seem a bit more relaxed. Complete opposite spectrum from the large city races I was doing last year, fell race in Addingham during May is turn up to register for a race at 3pm and is £1 entry :D
 
OG said:
Signed up for my first couple of fell races in May and June. They are both fairly local and moors I run on fairly regularly but most importantly GPS navigation is allowed, I had no idea the rules for Fell Running were so stringent in terms of kit/navigation etc but the events I'm planning to enter seem a bit more relaxed. Complete opposite spectrum from the large city races I was doing last year, fell race in Addingham during May is turn up to register for a race at 3pm and is £1 entry :D
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Awesome

I do like the smaller races like that, no medal, no t shirt. Just turn up, have a good time and go home.

Although i do favour the ones a little more expensive which give you a bowl of hot pot at the finish :D Usually they just start at local halls and have endless supplies of toast and tea before hand too :D
 
Anyone with some last minute tips for a first time marathoner? I'm doing London on Sunday! Excited but nervous.

Training has mostly gone well, generally been hitting 55-60km a week, I've got three 30-32k runs in, and smashed my half mara PB by 10 mins (about 1.37) so I'm feeling as confident as it's possible to feel going into it, but it's still going to be 10k longer than I've run in my life.

My particulars questions are:
  • Pacing. I'm aiming for sub 4, and ideally a bit quicker. I know I can sustain 5.15 mins per km for at least 30km. Is that the pace to go out at? I don't want to go out much slower with the aim of picking it up at 30km in, and being unable to do so, but equally don't want to get to 30km and die.
  • Fuelling. I've been using one block of the Cliff Shot Blokz packs per 5km on my long training runs. This seems OK although I end them VERY hungry. I tried taking 2 blocks per 5km and needed the toilet pretty quickly. The back of the packet says you should be taking a whole pack (which is 6 blocks) per hour, which is almost three times what I've been taking so far. I don't want to go too heavy on eating and feel ill/need the loo, but don't want to hit the wall either. My thinking is to take 3 blocks per 10km, and to carry a flapjack in case I get really hungry. What do you reckon?
  • What do people often forget to bring to marathons that they ought to bring? On my list I have:
    • For the run:
      • Fuel - some Cliff Shot Blokz and a flapjack
      • Couple of salt sachets
      • Earphones (I'll put them in my running vest in case I get bored, can't imagine using them though)
      • Vaseline (I'll carry some with me and reapply if need be - my nips take a beating!)
      • Garmin
    • For my bag
      • Change of clothes and shoes
      • Safety pins
      • Probably another flapjack, an orange, etc
      • Toilet paper and hand san
Thanks in advance!
 
Pacing... Go out slower, better to enjoy your first rather than fall over at around 18 miles
Fueling... Too late to change anything now, stick with what you know
Salt sachets. .. ??
Nips... Prevention is best, stick tape over them
 
manic111 said:
Anyone with some last minute tips for a first time marathoner? I'm doing London on Sunday! Excited but nervous.

Training has mostly gone well, generally been hitting 55-60km a week, I've got three 30-32k runs in, and smashed my half mara PB by 10 mins (about 1.37) so I'm feeling as confident as it's possible to feel going into it, but it's still going to be 10k longer than I've run in my life.

My particulars questions are:
  • Pacing. I'm aiming for sub 4, and ideally a bit quicker. I know I can sustain 5.15 mins per km for at least 30km. Is that the pace to go out at? I don't want to go out much slower with the aim of picking it up at 30km in, and being unable to do so, but equally don't want to get to 30km and die.
  • Fuelling. I've been using one block of the Cliff Shot Blokz packs per 5km on my long training runs. This seems OK although I end them VERY hungry. I tried taking 2 blocks per 5km and needed the toilet pretty quickly. The back of the packet says you should be taking a whole pack (which is 6 blocks) per hour, which is almost three times what I've been taking so far. I don't want to go too heavy on eating and feel ill/need the loo, but don't want to hit the wall either. My thinking is to take 3 blocks per 10km, and to carry a flapjack in case I get really hungry. What do you reckon?
  • What do people often forget to bring to marathons that they ought to bring? On my list I have:
    • For the run:
      • Fuel - some Cliff Shot Blokz and a flapjack
      • Couple of salt sachets
      • Earphones (I'll put them in my running vest in case I get bored, can't imagine using them though)
      • Vaseline (I'll carry some with me and reapply if need be - my nips take a beating!)
      • Garmin
    • For my bag
      • Change of clothes and shoes
      • Safety pins
      • Probably another flapjack, an orange, etc
      • Toilet paper and hand san
Thanks in advance!
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As others have said changing up your nutrition less than a week our from a race is probably a recipe for disaster. Personally I'd be aiming for ~60g of carb an hour, think of this as lessons for next marathon time :D.

Pacing wise just try and stay in control, especially in the first few km of start line madness - everyone inevitably starts off too quick as it's extremely easy to get pushed along. Keep an eye on your pace and try to start out a little slower, once you get into the 'meat' of the marathon (30k+) you can see how you feel and potentially lift the pace a bit further.

Nipple wise might be worth some plasters applying before you head off rather than carrying some vaseline along with you (unless you're particularly attached to a pot of vaseline).

Not sure what you mean by salt sachets, if it's for taking on sodium during the race I'd suggest something more tailored towards exercise like some of the generic SiS/OTE hydration tablets that you can stick in a drink?

For post race I think you've got everything covered but make sure you have a change of socks (something I've forgotten in the past so worth mentioning) and I'd probably aim for having a bit more in the way of snacks/drinks. Although I haven't run London I can imagine the finish area is absolute carnage and you'll be frazzled, you don't want to be hunting around for food/drink so having something relatively quick to hand would be good.

I have just seen the weather for Sunday, although it's low wind and not too cold it looks like there is a lot of rain forecast. I'm not sure what the deal is with the start line but would be worth taking along a bin bag or if you're planning to take one anyway then some sort of waterproof. You'll be in the start pen walking/stood still for a long time so don't want to get overly cold in the rain,


Best of luck for Sunday, let us know how you get on
 
Yeah, i think pacing is the key one. It's so easy to get dragged along with the crowds. I'd aim for 15-30 seconds or so slower than goal pace for the first 3 miles whilst it thins out to really force yourself and then push a little bit more when there's less temptation.
 
Thanks everyone!

A couple of running pals (who know what they're doing - one has a 2.42 marathon under his belt!) say they tend to bring salt sachets for taking on sodium, rather than anything more high tech, and it seemed an easy solution to that problem!

I've got hold of some Nipeaze plasters, although the vaseline has got me through my 30k training runs unscathed so I'm half tempted to stick to what I know on that front.

A change of socks and a load of extra food is a great shout. Also really like the bin bag idea. I'm going to wear some old trackies and an old hoodie - you can donate them at the start line - but a bin bag to stay dry is very sensible!

I'll give you an update next week! Curious mixture of excited and nervous!
 
manic111 said:
Thanks everyone!

A couple of running pals (who know what they're doing - one has a 2.42 marathon under his belt!) say they tend to bring salt sachets for taking on sodium, rather than anything more high tech, and it seemed an easy solution to that problem!
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Solution to what problem, have you an issue with sodium depletion? You're probably getting plenty of sodium through your diet.

I've only used salt tablets once and that was during a 150 mile week in 40 - 50 degree heat.

Otherwise, good luck.
 
I think it also depends on how much you kill yourself and how much you generally sweat. Although for a run of around 3-4 hours i'd likely only use water as i don't think you'd struggle too much. Especially in cooler conditions.
 
Martynt74 said:
Hope you're doing ok @div0
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Been struggling through thanks!

Have mostly managed to keep up my target not to drop below 30km/week, other than the first week after the fall.

Definitely still not right yet, but am now back running at my normal slow pace. Haven't done anything with any intensity though.

Had my first trip back to the scene of the crime though and is rockier than I remembered, so can see why I managed to do some damage.

Glad you seem to be feeling you can start trying to ramp things up a bit again. Fingers crossed for the build up to Valencia.
 
manic111 said:
Anyone with some last minute tips for a first time marathoner? I'm doing London on Sunday! Excited but nervous.

Training has mostly gone well, generally been hitting 55-60km a week, I've got three 30-32k runs in, and smashed my half mara PB by 10 mins (about 1.37) so I'm feeling as confident as it's possible to feel going into it, but it's still going to be 10k longer than I've run in my life.

My particulars questions are:
  • Pacing. I'm aiming for sub 4, and ideally a bit quicker. I know I can sustain 5.15 mins per km for at least 30km. Is that the pace to go out at? I don't want to go out much slower with the aim of picking it up at 30km in, and being unable to do so, but equally don't want to get to 30km and die.
  • Fuelling. I've been using one block of the Cliff Shot Blokz packs per 5km on my long training runs. This seems OK although I end them VERY hungry. I tried taking 2 blocks per 5km and needed the toilet pretty quickly. The back of the packet says you should be taking a whole pack (which is 6 blocks) per hour, which is almost three times what I've been taking so far. I don't want to go too heavy on eating and feel ill/need the loo, but don't want to hit the wall either. My thinking is to take 3 blocks per 10km, and to carry a flapjack in case I get really hungry. What do you reckon?
  • What do people often forget to bring to marathons that they ought to bring? On my list I have:
    • For the run:
      • Fuel - some Cliff Shot Blokz and a flapjack
      • Couple of salt sachets
      • Earphones (I'll put them in my running vest in case I get bored, can't imagine using them though)
      • Vaseline (I'll carry some with me and reapply if need be - my nips take a beating!)
      • Garmin
    • For my bag
      • Change of clothes and shoes
      • Safety pins
      • Probably another flapjack, an orange, etc
      • Toilet paper and hand san
Thanks in advance!
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I'd add some savoury food to your end of race bag. I like to get a milkshake down as soon as possible after a long run or bike ride, plus something savoury can be a very welcome change when you've been stuffing bars / gels etc down for a few hours.
 
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