Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Yes, it does seem like low odds. I did go with the second ballot option for a better chance as I'm now set on a marathon and would prefer something a little grander than Belfast. They always are messing it up, and don't want to take that chance on my first one, plus in places, the atmosphere isn't great.
I didn't run it myself, but my brother did Manchester a couple of weeks back, which he enjoyed. If you've got people who would watch it's a good one too, as you can get round on the tram network and see the runners in a few different places. Might not be quite what you're looking for, but it'll be a lot easier to get into than London! I'm sure that there will be people here who have done it who could comment from a runner's perspective.
 
I keep trying to do Chester and then injuring myself. Fancy the 10k, 1/2 and marathon next year. Also might see about Manchester as well.
 
always fancied doing a marathon but play football which means the occasional injuries so always put it off. I'm not quite a couch to 5k runner but not terribly fit. I can run a 10k and complete it in an hour so not fast but least its completed. Not sure if i would ever be able to get to a marathon distance.
Only event aside the park run i've done in person is the Manchester half marathon a few years ago in which i was about 3 stone lighter. i did a virtual 10k which took me just over an hour (silly me getting stuck crossing a road)
I've signed up to a 10k at aintree racecourse in July which i've grabbed Ben Parkes beginner 10k plan for, aiming to do it in just under an hour. I've used Garmin coach a few times just don't seem to get on with it so made the custom workouts on the garmin app. Hopefully doing this workout with set easy paces etc that i can put into the watch i can stay shin splint free.
Gives me about 12 weeks to prep which i think is more than enough.
Aim is to do a few 10k events then look at half marathons again and maybe start having a bash at a marathon in 2025. I'm 36 so age is against me so feel if im ever going to do a marathon its going to have to be in the next few years.
 
always fancied doing a marathon but play football which means the occasional injuries so always put it off. I'm not quite a couch to 5k runner but not terribly fit. I can run a 10k and complete it in an hour so not fast but least its completed. Not sure if i would ever be able to get to a marathon distance.
Only event aside the park run i've done in person is the Manchester half marathon a few years ago in which i was about 3 stone lighter. i did a virtual 10k which took me just over an hour (silly me getting stuck crossing a road)
I've signed up to a 10k at aintree racecourse in July which i've grabbed Ben Parkes beginner 10k plan for, aiming to do it in just under an hour. I've used Garmin coach a few times just don't seem to get on with it so made the custom workouts on the garmin app. Hopefully doing this workout with set easy paces etc that i can put into the watch i can stay shin splint free.
Gives me about 12 weeks to prep which i think is more than enough.
Aim is to do a few 10k events then look at half marathons again and maybe start having a bash at a marathon in 2025. I'm 36 so age is against me so feel if im ever going to do a marathon its going to have to be in the next few years.
What's age got to do with it? All my PBs were in my 40s ;). If you can work up to 18 miles prior to the marathon you should be able to get round - focus on distance and forget about targeting a time for your first.

Easy 7 miler for me this morning, 10 min/mile, 20% effort. No chemo/immunotherapy side effects yet...
 
What's age got to do with it? All my PBs were in my 40s ;). If you can work up to 18 miles prior to the marathon you should be able to get round - focus on distance and forget about targeting a time for your first.

Easy 7 miler for me this morning, 10 min/mile, 20% effort. No chemo/immunotherapy side effects yet...
Age is doing a number on me, football takes longer to get over, certainly struggling to keep weight down. Used to be one of those who could eat what i want but that's not the case anymore. i've got close to my pb on the park run this year so at short distance i;m getting some fitness. Not sure if its just a genetic thing but god i sweat loads when running. My slow speed is around 10:30-11 min/mile and i still sweat loads.
 
Have been making use of a Whoop band since the beginning of the year to help a bit more with the over-whelming urge to over train or pushing myself when I'm feeling ill or whatever. So far so good, can't help but feel like it's more than a coincidence that I have been 'recovering' well the past few weeks and knocked out a 5k PB at a local parkrun on Saturday of 18:36. Pacing was a bit all over the place and was the first time I'd run the course but it's nice to feel that things are moving in the right direction.
Reckon with a bit more speed work I could crack 18.

Side note - there was a bunch of kids (~13 y/o maybe?) in their Yorkshire Schools cross-country vests, I've heard local rumours that the Yorkshire Schools county team is mental and seemed to hold up on Saturday - 3 of them ran well under 18 minutes.
 
I need to stop thinking lunchtime running is a good idea when it's 25C (not sure i'll get much sympathy there...)

Slipped on a wet rock at the beach the other day which has done something to my knee. My wife had to turn away because she was laughing so much. She's a very compassionate woman. Wish i'd seen it in the third person, as it was a proper up in the air flying effort.
 
Glad to see you chaps and chappettes still running, had my first 5k since messing up my ankle real good 17 months ago and to my surprise and much increased weight, managed it non stop at leisurely 29:30 time.

Of course on second run after 1km my calf decided to do that pulling thing so decided to stop at 3k to limit any damage. Definitely one step forward and two steps back for me so back to nursing that for quick recovery.
 
Glad to see you chaps and chappettes still running, had my first 5k since messing up my ankle real good 17 months ago and to my surprise and much increased weight, managed it non stop at leisurely 29:30 time.

Of course on second run after 1km my calf decided to do that pulling thing so decided to stop at 3k to limit any damage. Definitely one step forward and two steps back for me so back to nursing that for quick recovery.

Next time try doing 1km and then stretching them off. That used to help me. Although that was more with shin splints.


Great work though and good time on getting back out.
 
One flipside is that zero bother with ankle now, still flares up once in a while on the 20+ km hikes but absolutely no issues during both runs so encouraging stuff.

I am probably doing no favours to my calves running at frankly disgusting weight though.
 
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Yeah. You and me both.

I told myself here in Spain I’d be a picture of health. Loads of salads and healthy foods and getting out every day.

The reality is I’m still the same person so will eat crisps and bread at every opportunity and I can count on my fingers the number of days without booze :(
 
Sadly not. Been here 2 months and here another 4 weeks.

Then back to England for 5/6 months whilst we sell the house then hopefully back over here for good.
 
Slowly getting back to running after 4 years out due to knee injury (still ongoing) and gota pair of brooks adrenaline gts 22 today.

When I’ve watched myself running in a treadmill my legs/feed come inwards when I land. Not my ankles (well, slightly) but I mean my actual feet land in the MIDDLE of my stance.

Imagine I was running on a perfectly straight line, my feet land PERFECTLY on this line.

This has to be a problem right? I’ve tried to imagine my feet would be landing either side of this line but it just feels crazy, like I’m riding a horse.

Should I persist in trying to fix this?
 
Slowly getting back to running after 4 years out due to knee injury (still ongoing) and gota pair of brooks adrenaline gts 22 today.

When I’ve watched myself running in a treadmill my legs/feed come inwards when I land. Not my ankles (well, slightly) but I mean my actual feet land in the MIDDLE of my stance.

Imagine I was running on a perfectly straight line, my feet land PERFECTLY on this line.

This has to be a problem right? I’ve tried to imagine my feet would be landing either side of this line but it just feels crazy, like I’m riding a horse.

Should I persist in trying to fix this?

What i always got told that you've likely been running that way for a long time, and so trying to suddenly stop doing it will likely lead to more injury. You could possibly check with a physio who can do running analysis to try and suggest what the cause is. Although i guess the concern is whether thats causing your knee issues?

I got out for 8 miles on Saturday up the local hill overlooking the coast (the Montgo). A fairly unpleasant elevation profile and tricky terrain. At around 1km in and 600ft ascent, i actually felt quite light headed and debating heading back to the car as it was a very big drop off and a slip/stumble could've easily sent me over the edge. However i took a breather, had some food and pushed on. Once i was past that steep section and onto a bit of a flat bit i could recover and wake up properly (it was ~6:30am at this point) i then got to the top feeling good.

The descent was even steeper which made for slow progress, but i felt good for the last 5ish km on flat trails and managed a reasonable pace without too much walking.

This week has had a couple short runs, my fitness is still in the gutter though, i'm assuming due to lots of alcohol being consumed. Something i really need to remedy when we move out for good!
 
I was going to get out on Sunday, but had stuff on. Monday didn't feel right at all and did covid test to reveal I am infected again! No chance of starting again for a week or so now :-(
 
I've had a number of races over the past week weeks, been meaning to post them


TOG 5K, my clubs race, 22:55, a fast course with some slight incline, last year I managed this in 22:35
Wild Deer Gibside 5k, 29:02, a very hilly route which I had to walk up some of the hills to save the legs
Sunderland 10K, 51:48, fastest time I've managed to do this course in, still having to walk a few sections to get blood sugars checks and take action
Gordon Smith Relays, local club only relay race, 2nd wave, 2 miles at 15:35

I have The Childrens Cancer run this weekend (5 Mile Trail run) and then Clive Cookson 10K (Road Race) next Wednesday
 
I've had a number of races over the past week weeks, been meaning to post them


TOG 5K, my clubs race, 22:55, a fast course with some slight incline, last year I managed this in 22:35
Wild Deer Gibside 5k, 29:02, a very hilly route which I had to walk up some of the hills to save the legs
Sunderland 10K, 51:48, fastest time I've managed to do this course in, still having to walk a few sections to get blood sugars checks and take action
Gordon Smith Relays, local club only relay race, 2nd wave, 2 miles at 15:35

I have The Childrens Cancer run this weekend (5 Mile Trail run) and then Clive Cookson 10K (Road Race) next Wednesday
You’re fairly local to me, I did the Terry O’Gara 5K and Gordon Smith Relays (1st leg) too.
Well done, and good luck with the Cancer Run and Clive Cookson.
 
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