Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

[neilw]

Sub 1:30 is mega and must feel really promising for a sub 3 marathon.

I've not done a competitive half since I started running (aside from the local Hendon Brook race but that's 2200ft and more like 13.5). I did 1:35 on my way to a 3:20 Manchester Marathon this year but I reckon there's more on the table if I'm only doing a half.

I've consistently done ~40 miles a week for the last 7 weeks ~6k elevation. The most consistent I've ever been and well up on all stats vs last year and any other year. Might have done nearly 2k miles by new year.

I'm not a big marathon runner, I do one a year and they tend to be trail events for fun rather than to get a time. My Marathon PB is 3:40, Next year I'm going to Liege to do the Beer Lovers Marathon that's defiantly not going to be a fast one

I would like to go sub 3:30 at some point.

 

[jpaul]

I got given these as a birthday present and I love them. I run on pavement but in some completely unlit areas and it does me very well. I almost never run with it on max brightness because it is super bright. Usually have it on 1 or 2 of max 3. The little red light is also useful at the back and detachable to hang on your bag or something instead

how often do you find you charge the smini ... I'm conflicted between something like that nearer 50g, or more of the 3AAA/Li-poly devices of 100g, which may seem heavy,
like fenix's https://www.amazon.co.uk/FENIX-HL18R-T-V2-0-Black-Rechargeable/dp/B0DTYYNZLD.

(running on the adjacent running path this evening, but at least two drivers came towards me with main beams .. I want a light to remind them I am here)

 

[Martynt74]

Prior to going to the UK in mid October i'd been trying to get out twice a week for around a month, then ran in the UK and then hadn't done anything since returning. Managed a whopping 20km last week over 2 runs. First was genuinely intended to just be a hike, but decided to try and job the descents. Then Sunday i planned a proper route of around 13km. It was mostly a case of hike the hills, jog the descents/flats, although with the climb out my front door i'm not sure how much i'd have been capable of running up even in peak fitness! Around 360m in ~2 miles. I think i used to aim for that kind of elevation over 10miles on most runs.

Pretty shocked at how trashed my quads are, and weirdly my stomach feels like i've spent a gym session doing crunches! The quads i can understand as running downhill will always trash them to a point and then i jumped straight onto the indoor bike whilst watching football. Shows how weak some of my muscles are though from lack of specific use.

A friend has said she wants to do 34miles for her 34th birthday in June 26 and asked if i'd join her for some/all. Will be interesting to see if my foot can hold up with some increased volume, and i'm also signing up for an ultra cycling event in May for my 40th, so hopefully my actual fitness/endurance will be up there.
I'm currently trying to explain that 34 miles in the hills is way more fun than on the road, so will see if i can convince her!

 

[jpaul]

you get more exercise benefit running hills than flat, because of the additional control it's more isometric ... and you have a top for a view
I've never done fell/hill running in the dusk where light would be essential
(my halfway/return point is a roundabout where I study bad driving)

 

[moppy89]

how often do you find you charge the smini ... I'm conflicted between something like that nearer 50g, or more of the 3AAA/Li-poly devices of 100g, which may seem heavy,
like fenix's https://www.amazon.co.uk/FENIX-HL18R-T-V2-0-Black-Rechargeable/dp/B0DTYYNZLD.

(running on the adjacent running path this evening, but at least two drivers came towards me with main beams .. I want a light to remind them I am here)

Haven't used it enough to really give an honest answer. I've only done short runs in them but have done ~3 hours before charging and it wasn't in the red by then