Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

I use a Nathan single bottle belt and a double bottle belt for long long runs. They're both very stable and comfortable. Packs tend to be more bouncy than a belt in my experience.
 
I will probably go for the 2nd one mainly because it "should" hold my phone and running jacket as the weather can turn quick up here... Just need to see if water is enough for me or if I benefit from a sports drink of some form.
 
Mostly carry sports drinks in the single, but one water & one sports drink in the double. Also I have a detachable pouch for sweet stuff on longer runs :)
 
Do you carry a jacket with you on the long runs where the weather may turn and, if so, how do you manage it. Apologies for all the questions but I know you do and have done a lot of long distance stuff hence why I am asking so I can benefit from your experience :p

It's more relevant now as the weather up here can change quickly.

Thanks again :)
 
I would tie the arms of the jacket around my waist. But tbh I don't think I've ever started a run like that I've only ever worn a jacket if I think i needed at the star of the run. Sometimes you get caught out no big deal

re the water question I generally prefer bottle belts to backpacks. I tend to find that the backpack makes me sweat more
 
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Physios. I tore my calf for the third time in 18 months about 10 weeks ago.

Previously I've rested completely for around 2 months, then started doing some stretching, and slowly built up the running. Obviously this hasn't really helped, as soon as I add any pace (anything fast than 9min/miles) it has popped again.

So this time I've been to see a Physio. They are doing the expected things, ultrasound, and sports massage. But they have also indicated that they believe that I'm putting extra strain on through my calf due to short hamstrings (At some point I've loss the ability to touch my toes, no idea when that happened). So I've now got a bunch of excerises to do to stretch these, and my hips.

So what I'm really wondering, anybody used a physio for anything similar, and how soon you were running normally again?
 
Richie said:
Do you carry a jacket with you on the long runs where the weather may turn and, if so, how do you manage it. Apologies for all the questions but I know you do and have done a lot of long distance stuff hence why I am asking so I can benefit from your experience :p

It's more relevant now as the weather up here can change quickly.

Thanks again :)
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I generally dress for whatever the weather is at the start of the run. So layers in the cold; short sleeve T, long sleeved T and a wind proof shell, thermal leggings, a hat and gloves. If it's raining I get wet :p
 
Well I am slightly gubbed at the moment :o

Today was meant to be my LSR of 12 miles. I tend to map out a route on Runkeeper so I have a general idea of where I am headed as it is all country roads around me. The closest I could get was 12.56 miles so I started out on that. Got towards the end and thought "sod it", got the bit between my teeth and kept going till I had completed my first ever 1/2 Marathon distance (actually 13.13 miles so a bit over)

It was tough towards the end (last mile or so). I was getting tired and dehydrated but as someone more famous than me said, I just went "shut up legs" and somehow kept going.



Managed the 13.13 in 1:54:33. The half marathon time was 1:54:05 with an average pace of 8:43/mile - http://runkeeper.com/user/runningfromthelaw/activity/59729016



Quite pleased with it as there was just under 1100 feet of climb involved concentrated in the first 6 miles and this is easily the most I have ever ran in one go. Previous to this was 10 miles.


Took some Lucozade Sport out with me but really did not get on with it. I found the taste very strong and sugary and it made my mouth all kinda gummed up. Guess I will stick with water for now. Because of that I only drank about 1/4 of a bottle which left me pretty dehydrated during the run (my pee was practically orange when I got home :o)


New things I have learned/experienced? -

1. A double stitch (one on each side at same time) is miles worse than a single stich :o
2. Watch out when passing by farms - collie dogs just love herding thing... Cows, sheep, runners not paying attention :p
 
Excellent! I dont get on with lucozade drinks, pref the powders you can adjust the strength of now and again. Sometimes only use a touch of powder to take the blandness off water.
 
I'm new to running and did my first proper run today. Ran/walked 2.66 miles in an embarrassing 38 mins :o

I really struggled but not because I ran out of breath, it was because I had a really bad stitch.

Now question for you guys - how can I avoid getting stitches? My colleague said I should drink plenty of water and keep myself hydrated a few hours prior to running, and eat a banana an hour beforehand to give you energy. Is this true??
 
None of those for the distance you are covering tbh - that's not a derogatory comment by the way.

For me a stitch, if i get one, is controlled by breathing. This works for some, others will stop and recover then start again. They'll subside as you get fitter so carry on your run/walk approach and walk if a stitch comes on. Though try shallower breaths as that works for me. Stick at it :)
 
I guess I was breathing pretty heavily compared to the person I was running with :/ I'll try and control the way I breathe and see if that'll help reduce the stitches, thanks :)
 
I have decided to take the next 4-6 weeks off running. The pain in my right knee is just getting tiresome. It's got to the point that, even after a wee 8 miler, I am suffering the following day and I just don't want to end up crippled in older age.

I aim to restart in the first week of 2012. In the meantime, I will do some strength and stretch exercises to build up the knees and then I will take things a bit easier and build up the mileage more slowly to try and stop the problem recurring.

It's annoying that my one knee is rock solid and doesn't even hint at being sore even after 13 miles yet my other knee can't go 1 mile without the niggle coming back :(

It is really depressing that my fitness will suffer. After working hard over the past 8 weeks to being able to complete half marathon distance, it will drain away to nothing :( I feel it's something I need to do though to prevent further problems....
 
Richie said:
I have decided to take the next 4-6 weeks off running. The pain in my right knee is just getting tiresome. It's got to the point that, even after a wee 8 miler, I am suffering the following day and I just don't want to end up crippled in older age.

I aim to restart in the first week of 2012. In the meantime, I will do some strength and stretch exercises to build up the knees and then I will take things a bit easier and build up the mileage more slowly to try and stop the problem recurring.

It's annoying that my one knee is rock solid and doesn't even hint at being sore even after 13 miles yet my other knee can't go 1 mile without the niggle coming back :(

It is really depressing that my fitness will suffer. After working hard over the past 8 weeks to being able to complete half marathon distance, it will drain away to nothing :( I feel it's something I need to do though to prevent further problems....
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Knee pains plagued me at the start of the year. I took a good 6-8 weeks off running and I know how you feel. Unfortunately, as soon as I started running again the pain started to come back. I was very lucky, as I found that by icing it after each run I would get no pain at all - after a couple of months of ice after each run the pain went away, and has not returned for a good 6 months. Hope it gets better for you, I know how you feel. Like you say though, use the time to build strength and flexibility.

Think I am going to pop into the Nike Running store this week for some more winter gear e.g. gloves and hat and possibly something other than shorts!
 
Well no response to my question about physios. Mine has now told me to start running again, nothing major, only 5 miles the first week (in two runs), at a very slow pace. Also bit advised to do Pilates to build up my core strength, and continue with the strenching exercises. So far ok with the first run, but obviously my fear is for when I try and up the pace, won't be doing any tempo work until January. Shocking how much my fitness has dropped since august (when I tore my calf last), heart rate is 15 bpm above where it was then, and it was quiet high then.
 
Never used a physio myself. As for the drop in fitness - it's the one thing that is annoying me but it's better that than walking like a cripple by forcing the issue. I am hedging my bets by spending the next 6 weeks stretching and strengthening the leg muscles (knee, quads, calves and hamstrings) in the hope that this will resolve future issues.

The drop in fitness is not a huge burden.... I went from struggling to run 2 miles to running 6 times that within 2-3 months so I will get it back.
 
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