Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

New to running here...probably should have read this thread before hand but have been doing a couple of runs a week for the last few weeks.
Did a few 5k runs and a few people said I had a good pace so unexpectedly did 10k Thursday night and then 10k again this morning at 43m41 according to Strava..quite enjoying it
 
Dreadi said:
New to running here...probably should have read this thread before hand but have been doing a couple of runs a week for the last few weeks.
Did a few 5k runs and a few people said I had a good pace so unexpectedly did 10k Thursday night and then 10k again this morning at 43m41 according to Strava..quite enjoying it
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Must be naturally really fit or you're into other sports :) Best i've managed in a 10k is something like 55 mins and i was busting a gut by the end. I've found as i've got older i struggle with speed work however one of my friends is mid 40's is just getting faster getting sub 40 10k so likely i just need to more dedicated.

I've dropped running right back at the moment, pretty much once or twice a week as i'm knackered doing a bunch of fencing and other DIY stuff so struggling with aches/pains/tiredness.
 
Haha yeah i was thinking that. Really impressive times, but i think it's certainly possible when carrying fitness from other sports. I saw a short video of someone mocking his mates running technique who ran something like a 38 minute 10k (he was a semi pro cyclist i think so huge fitness) and was saying it was proof that form doesn't have to be perfect to run fast
 
JustBen said:
I've dropped running right back at the moment, pretty much once or twice a week as i'm knackered doing a bunch of fencing and other DIY stuff so struggling with aches/pains/tiredness.
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DIY can be a good workout activity - don't get the usual run schedule when visiting relatives - but unexpected opportunity to do some tree pruning the other weekend
was a great upper body workout.

still not convinced by my saucony TR2's I'd never experienced very clear pronation characteristics of shoes before, as an ASICS client, but the saucony have a very
obvious inside foot longitudanal support versus outside edge, so consciously modified foot position to use that.
need some kind of gait analysis or device you put in shoe to detect foot attitude.
 
JustBen said:
Must be naturally really fit or you're into other sports :) Best i've managed in a 10k is something like 55 mins and i was busting a gut by the end. I've found as i've got older i struggle with speed work however one of my friends is mid 40's is just getting faster getting sub 40 10k so likely i just need to more dedicated.

I've dropped running right back at the moment, pretty much once or twice a week as i'm knackered doing a bunch of fencing and other DIY stuff so struggling with aches/pains/tiredness.
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Don't do any other sport at all...but I am a postman if that counts for anything :D although I have slowed down a lot over the last few years I did used to go as fast as I could years ago on delivery.

Just put another 10k in albeit slower tonight, something feels off in my lower left back, don't think I warmed/stretched enough either but still sub 47 mins which was alright.
 
Did my first half marathon at the weekend finished in 2:04 so well happy with that. My legs have finally stoped aching so will try an do an easy paced park run on saturday. Route was a 50/50 mix of road and trail. The trail was pretty uneven with some tight turns which did annoy my right knee which was a little concerning as its been fine all year with the training load. Running on the road was totally fine, i did set off a little too quick pace wise for the first 5 km but putting that down to the excitement of the event. Debating if i need to pay a visit to a physio as 14 years ago on my stag do i tore my acl on my right knee but its recovered and have been cycling since and i took up running again at the beginning of the year. I have managed to do the distance on a training run about 7 weeks ago without any issue other than feeling a little tired aftewards and my longer runs were about the 14-17km range.
 
Great first time effort, especially adding the complicated of trail. The uneven ground might've caused a bit of the knee issue, especially if you're not used to it. I'd try strengthening it with a bosu ball type thing and single leg balancing exercises.

I've started trying a few easy runs again. Did a bit last Friday which killed me since it was still 32C and my fitness is really poor, then today i focused on structure. 90 seconds walking and 60 seconds jogging on the way up, then reversed on the way down. Mainly because it was steep and didn't want to kill my HR, but then wanted to keep it easier on the way down instead of just letting go as my legs likely aren't used to that level of impact anymore

The route is amazing, pretty much straight from the front door, just heads onto a rocky fire road type track straight up the mountain then loops back and straight back down the other side of a valley type dip

www.strava.com

Lunch Trail Run | Strava

View Martyn Thompson's trailrun on 23 September 2025 | Strava
www.strava.com www.strava.com
 
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A disappointing (can’t believe I just wrote that) 42:16 in Glasgow yesterday. I just never really got going to be honest but I had ran a 34 and a 26 plus some recovery work in the preceding week so to be expected. Taper time now ahead of Amsterdam!
 
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Haha that training is going well to consider 42:16 a disappointment. Great to see.


I'm still getting out around once a week, twice if i can. Trying to not let it get in the way of the bike, but slowly getting some fitness back. Still lots of walking breaks, especially on hills but feeling a little better and enjoying being out. I'm not particularly rushing anything, just enjoying being back out on two feet in the mountains. Weather is cooling a bit now too so should help.
 
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I have been toying with the idea of trying a bit of a run again. Been doing spin and gym, so hopefully I might be able to do it whilst keeping my mind on my knee and not the breathing and so on. Probably try an easy(ish?) flat 3km to start with and we can see how it goes.
 
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Welcome back to running Martyn. You're in a hot and not so flat area and on the comeback tour so I wouldn't worry about walking. I've watched people walk for a few moments in steeper races only for them to pip me to ~20th place anyway. I wouldn't look down on it if it helps you to your goal.

I'm chasing a 10k PB at the end of the year (Ribble Valley 10k). Hoping for sub 40 (PB is ~43). After taking 20 mins off my Manchester Marathon PB this year I don't feel like it's a big ask.

I really need to start doing strength training through. It's where I'm failing compared to others now as my volume is about 25% up on last year so far so I can't fault that.

I'm also going back for a better go at the Lakeland 100 next year. Had a break this year but apparently I can't stay away. I did tell myself I was sticking to shorter stuff and aiming for speed before I revisit ultras but with the growing popularity and a tough ballot I figured I'd throw my name in just in case.
 
Dup said:
Welcome back to running Martyn. You're in a hot and not so flat area and on the comeback tour so I wouldn't worry about walking. I've watched people walk for a few moments in steeper races only for them to pip me to ~20th place anyway. I wouldn't look down on it if it helps you to your goal.

I'm chasing a 10k PB at the end of the year (Ribble Valley 10k). Hoping for sub 40 (PB is ~43). After taking 20 mins off my Manchester Marathon PB this year I don't feel like it's a big ask.

I really need to start doing strength training through. It's where I'm failing compared to others now as my volume is about 25% up on last year so far so I can't fault that.

I'm also going back for a better go at the Lakeland 100 next year. Had a break this year but apparently I can't stay away. I did tell myself I was sticking to shorter stuff and aiming for speed before I revisit ultras but with the growing popularity and a tough ballot I figured I'd throw my name in just in case.
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I went from 45:54 at the start of May during my HM training block to 41:26 a couple of weeks back during this block - turns out running more does help. Good luck with the PB attempt
 
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