Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Just run my first Half Marathon distance. Last time I tried this, I forgot part of the route and ended up running short. This route was different and very hilly, some hills was killing me, had an overall elevation gain around 1,321ft. And I finished in 2:12.

The last two miles I really struggled though as I had chest pains, so I took it easy and walked a good chunk to get home safely.
 
2:12 is a decent time then with a good chunk of walking included. I think my best is around 2:08 (unofficial) although that was a while ago now.

I saw a physio last night as i've been getting an increasing amount of knee pain/instability as i've increased mileage recently and it's been ongoing for around 3 months now. Was a really good session and he seemed to suggest my knee and back pain were both linked to a muscle inbalance and lack of flexibility in my hip.

My health insurance suggested 6 sessions which he thinks is more than enough so asked what else i wanted. They do a lot of advice for athletes along with a lot of running analysis and he claimed he could make me a much better runner.

Will be interesting to see how this pans out.
 
I suffered constant pain for a large part of last year in my ankle and stopped doing any exercise at all as it aggravated the joint. Physio and NHS appointments were no use at all, finally in the autumn last year I paid for an appointment at the private clinic and after an MRI they diagnosed a "high ankle sprain" (a tear in the upper ligaments of the ankle) and they could see a lot of scar tissue around the ligament.

I had a steroid injection in the ligament at the beginning of December and the decrease in pain happened almost overnight. I was finally given the sign-off on the 2nd January to start running again and it has been amazing. I am no-where near my old levels of fitness and I am taking it very slowly but I am gradually increasing my distances. I am averaging 20km / week at the moment (all runs are 5km or under) and the ankle is behaving well so far. I'm mixing in 2 / 3 sessions a week of strength exercises and pilates too to help avoid further injury.

I've got a long road to recovery and I don't think I'll participate in any races this year, but it feels wonderful to be finally rid of long-term pain. But I would have never got there unless I went private :( The clinic also told me that because of where the tear was, it was very unlikely it would have healed on its own without the injection
 
Ooof i know how expensive MRI's can be after going private for my wife! As you say it's worth it in the end though.

I have similar in my ankle, the guy last night mentioned he could feel a lack of ligaments in my right ankle (the one at the front top holding the ligaments in). Said that would explain the constant cracking!

If yours is similar to mine then it's very possible to run a lot without too much discomfort (except on some particularly long/difficult runs) :)
 
If anyone is struggling for something to do this weekend the running show expo is on at the NEC this weekend.

You can get free tickets if you go to the lonely goat website (pre book your parking for the NEC and it will save you another couple of quid)
 
Hahahahaha...

I have 2 kids, I never struggle for anything to do ;-)

Saturday will be Parkrun, Ballet, Gymnastics, Work, Laying Floor Tiles :D
 
I look really out of place in a leotard with a bunch of 8 year olds though. I might have to choose a different class :eek::D
 
Will read up on those links. They'll come in handy for the run in the Lakes next month too. Although i've a GPX map of that at least!

I'm hoping the fact it's local that i'll know some of the route already!
 
The last one is a review from someone who did it. Just so you know what you have let yourself in for.

Barclay Marathons next?
 
Haha, it should be easy enough in the daylight to navigate, just orient yourself at the start then just keep a general idea of where you are from there on in comparison.

Lakeland 50 I'll be navigating some in the dark, going to be very interesting. Luckily my hiking experience will cover that aspect but I will do some practice on unknown ground during the day just to re-align myself. Need to get my training ramped up first, plenty of time mind you but then seemingly not enough!
 
I managed a PB today. I shaved off 11 seconds and ran a 22:35. The last time I caught eye of the Pacer 23, he was a good bit in front of me and I was unable to catch up. Today was a little different, before I even realised where he was, I was hot on his heels after we started the second lap (last lap), so I had to just try keep up with him and then I managed to push forward from about halfway around the lap. As I approached the last corner, some guy ended up running past me and I found extra speed there and let him pace me up the hill, I lost him just before we got to the end though. Still finished behind him when I started sprinting the final stretch and overtook 2 people.

Was my 13th run and I still loving ParkRuns.
 
Well done!

I have done 3 this year and so far am about 30 secs faster each week. Doing my best to stay in the same HR zone but watch/strap was being sill last week and claimed I was at 199bpm within 20 yards!
 
That’s when you know you’re unfit!

Hit 100 miles for the month today. Previous best was around 75 so really happy with that.

Also got told by one of the guys that I was running really well and had improved a lot from previous runs. So it was nice that the hard work seems to be paying off.
 
Did treadmill last night because I just couldn't be bothered going out in the cold (again)

The 199 bpm thing is sorted by putting a new battery in the strap! I would say that I can feel the improvement in fitness after only a few weeks. I am still keeping a close watch on my knee and so far all seems well. I did get a bit of minor aching the other day, but it was gone be the time I had watched TV for an hour afterwards. Previously, it just hurt whenever I walked even 10 yards.
 
Great on all the new PB`s, Tried a different venue this weekend, worst time ever at 31mins, was stuck at the back and the path they use is only 3/4 people wide add in the dozen or so dogs, pushchairs and the woman who can seemingly run and talk as if sitting down drinking a coffee i decided to forget it and just plod at a low zone 2 pace :)

Oh and the council were dishing out parking tickets for anyone who was a minute over the allotted time. Avoid Markeaton parkrun in Derby IMO :) due to council parking prices and tickets.
 
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