Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Sorry mate, cant help - over pronating Mizuno user here :)

Bit of advice needed. All my long training runs have been done with a small 2L camelbak for hydration. Windermere has water stations every 3 miles. Do I ditch the backpack for the race and just use the stations? I tend to drink little and often and have used about 1-2L for 3hr runs depending on temperature.

Cheers for any help

D
 
Personally I would stick with the Camelbak. Like you, I drink little and often as it helps me stave off dehydration without upsetting my stomach. I find the same thing with gels; I have to eat them really slowly if I am to avoid stomach problems.

Also, if you're used to training with it then it's probably a good idea to stick with what you're used to - that's how I look at it anyway!
 
If you've done the training with the bag then that's what I'd be using on the day too. You want as many constants and as little change to your training as possible. Race day isn't time for anything new at all. It's one less thing to worry about.

And on that note enjoy the day, don't worry about the distance and just do your best without doing anything stupid.

Remember

Don't be a pansy in the first half and don't be a hero in the second. :)
 
I agree that if you've used a camelback up until now then probably best to stick with it. That said 2l of water is a lot of weight to be carrying from the off. Somebody said to me many years ago at the start of a race, "I see you've brought a bottle of instant fatigue". I thought about it afterwards and I've never carried any water since , where water is provided of course.

Good luck.
 
Just my first track session with a local running club. Not as hard as I thought it would be, quite enjoyable and will be going back for more.

It was 700m, short rest and then 200m and a 100m recovery. x5

Managed to keep my first three 700m at 2:35/6 but slowed down on the last two at 2.42/2.46.

All of my 200m sprints were around the 35-37s mark.

Pretty pleased as only slowed down on the last two, hopefully do a little better next time I do something similar.
 
Sounds very quick to me. Taking my two sons to an athletics club (started ~3 weeks ago) and they are really enjoying it. Pleasing to see lots of children there; they arent all sat at home on computer games (well, not all the time....).

D
 
IndigoGorilla said:
Just my first track session with a local running club. Not as hard as I thought it would be, quite enjoyable and will be going back for more.

It was 700m, short rest and then 200m and a 100m recovery. x5

Managed to keep my first three 700m at 2:35/6 but slowed down on the last two at 2.42/2.46.

All of my 200m sprints were around the 35-37s mark.

Pretty pleased as only slowed down on the last two, hopefully do a little better next time I do something similar.
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You went off too hard in your first 700's. Key to your sessions like this is to be majorly consistent and if anything you want to be running quicker on your penultimate or final rep, not being slower. Of course it was your first session like this so it was never going to be consistent and it takes a long time to be comfortable with these and nail them but just stick at it. You will take a bit of time to gauge taking the first reps hard enough to be working but not over working so you can get as much quality out of the session as possible and not drop times on your latter reps.

Very odd session though, is that a club/coach giving you this session to do?
 
xdcx said:
You went off too hard in your first 700's. Key to your sessions like this is to be majorly consistent and if anything you want to be running quicker on your penultimate or final rep, not being slower. Of course it was your first session like this so it was never going to be consistent and it takes a long time to be comfortable with these and nail them but just stick at it. You will take a bit of time to gauge taking the first reps hard enough to be working but not over working so you can get as much quality out of the session as possible and not drop times on your latter reps.

Very odd session though, is that a club/coach giving you this session to do?
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Cheers

It was a session run by a local running club. I think the main reason it was 700m rather than 800m (main oddity I guess?) is because many people at the club are running the Bupa 10k in Manchester on Sunday so a slightly shorter session than normal. There was an A group (faster group) who did 800m / 200m but I gave that a miss due to being my first session plus I'm not quite at there speed yet.

Mate who I went with only let me know once we'd done the first repeat that the idea was to keep all the times similar but even then I think I'd have set off too quickly anyway as the first three repeats really didn't feel all that difficult, it was fourth where I could feel fatigue setting in and the fifth was just a horrible slow down but I'll go back and I'll learn from it.

Also ran two 7.00 minute miles to get there as running late which probably didn't help all that much either, a brisk jog would have been better!!!
 
41:27 today in the Manchester 10k. Pretty happy considering for the second year running it was pretty hot but my pacing still needs a lot of work, ran 20:22 through the first 5k and but struggled a bit after I hit 6k and had no sprint finish. Need to sign up for a few more over the summer to keep me fit in the football off season.
 
daver said:
41:27 today in the Manchester 10k. Pretty happy considering for the second year running it was pretty hot but my pacing still needs a lot of work, ran 20:22 through the first 5k and but struggled a bit after I hit 6k and had no sprint finish. Need to sign up for a few more over the summer to keep me fit in the football off season.
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Good time. :)

That's around the time I 'd like to drop mine to this year if possible. Current PB is 46:07 however so it's quite an ask.

I live in Manchester as well, was thinking of racing more often myself and have thought of these races far if you looking for ideas.

Royton Trail Race 5.5 Mile - Wednesday 9th July 7.30 (Very hilly)
We Love Manchester 10k - Sunday 13th July
Salford 10k - Sunday 7th September


Sale Harriers also run the Sale Sizzlers series, it's a 5k in Wythenshawe park from what I remember and it's 4 races every other week starting in June at some point. It's on Thursday evening.
 
IndigoGorilla said:
Good time. :)

That's around the time I 'd like to drop mine to this year if possible. Current PB is 46:07 however so it's quite an ask.

I live in Manchester as well, was thinking of racing more often myself and have thought of these races far if you looking for ideas.

Royton Trail Race 5.5 Mile - Wednesday 9th July 7.30 (Very hilly)
We Love Manchester 10k - Sunday 13th July
Salford 10k - Sunday 7th September


Sale Harriers also run the Sale Sizzlers series, it's a 5k in Wythenshawe park from what I remember and it's 4 races every other week starting in June at some point. It's on Thursday evening.
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Yeah I think I'll definitely do the We Love Manchester 10K, I do my training round that way anyway so the roads will be familiar. Also thinking of doing the Arley Hall 10K which is near Northwich at the end of June. When they cost £20 or less rather than the rip off the Manchester one is you don't mind so much.
 
daver said:
Yeah I think I'll definitely do the We Love Manchester 10K, I do my training round that way anyway so the roads will be familiar. Also thinking of doing the Arley Hall 10K which is near Northwich at the end of June. When they cost £20 or less rather than the rip off the Manchester one is you don't mind so much.
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Have never thought about the Manchester 10k as I reckon it's way too expensive for a 10k.

I've been looking at the Arley Hall Half Marathon as part of my training for York in October.

Can also recommend the Tatton Yule Yump for a December 10k. Mixed terrain, with some slippy, muddy bits but I was fine in an old pair of road shoes. Great goody bag as it's sponsored by Roberts Bakery so last year you got cakes, teacakes and a loaf of bread :D
 
Any stride technique advice for a big lad? 104kg and struggling! Used to get really bad pain in my shin muscles but recently tried compression socks (well from ankle to below the knee) and they made a massive difference.

The problem is obviously carrying excess weight but I was wondering if there are any running stride methods that would be of benefit to me? I've got some decent new balance trainers so I'm pretty much in the 'all the gear with no idea' category!
 
Hi IndigoGorilla

Well it was hot, very hilly (!) and the hardest thing I have ever done thats for sure. I started well and the first 15 miles or so were perfect; I was thanking all the wellwishers, high-5'ing the kids etc. Feeling pretty amazing to be honest.

Then the stretch from Newby back to Bowness. Hill after hill after hill, culminating in 'ice cream' hill. I wore my heart rate monitor throughout and was close to max at this point - not a good thing. Backed off pace a bit for final 5-6 miles and they seemed to go on forever. The last mile was the hardest, turning back into Brathay Hall to be faced with a steep climb to the finish line almost did me in.

In the encloser they stuck a medal round my neck and gave me a banana and bottle of water, but I was so dazed I couldnt figure out how to get out of the enclosure! Eventually found my family and just collapsed.

I did 3hr 35 minutes and can honestly say I gave it my all. Yes, I probably went off to fast for those first 15 miles (was averaging just under 8min/miles for those) and slowed down to 9min/miles by the end, but it was my first race and I really enjoyed 75% of it!

Some people were running 10in10, 10 marathons in 10 days. Yesterday was the last day for them and I literally took my running hat off to them when i passed them. The thought of doing anything today, let alone a marathon again, is simply incredible.

Oh, I didnt wear the camelbak in the end. It was so hot I thought I could do without it clinging to me. Water stations were every 3 miles and worked fine.

Cheers for help on here during training, may do another one in 6 months...

D
 
IndigoGorilla said:
Good time. :)

That's around the time I 'd like to drop mine to this year if possible. Current PB is 46:07 however so it's quite an ask.

I live in Manchester as well, was thinking of racing more often myself and have thought of these races far if you looking for ideas.

Royton Trail Race 5.5 Mile - Wednesday 9th July 7.30 (Very hilly)
We Love Manchester 10k - Sunday 13th July
Salford 10k - Sunday 7th September


Sale Harriers also run the Sale Sizzlers series, it's a 5k in Wythenshawe park from what I remember and it's 4 races every other week starting in June at some point. It's on Thursday evening.
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That 'We Love Manchester 10k' looks good.

I got 46:50 in the Manchester 10k on Sunday, which I'm happy with. Was aiming for under 45 but in hindsight I think that target was too difficult - the weather didn't help also! :D It was the second time I've done a 'proper' race. Might start doing more of these timed 5k runs which seems to be all over greater Manchester.
 
That's awesome Darkness, well done.

As you may know Windermere was my first marathon but it took me 4 hours 40 minutes. Have since done two more and will be doing my fourth later this year.

Those 10in10 guys are mental, the thought of that on the day seems unbearable but I'd love to try it one day. I give it a couple of months at most before you want to do another.

If you haven't already been I'd go for a very slow and very short jog today or tomorrow. Will get blood back in the muscles and stop you seizing up too much.
 
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