The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner

[kinboshi]

That's disappointing - I was hoping for a magic shortcut   

There is one, it's called training.  Within 2-3 weeks, your calves will feel fine(ish).

[byronkincaid]

dynamic stretching is fine before exercise

[craigbetts]

Month and a half to go until the 'Thunder Run' - so today is the first of my doubling-up on the 10Ks.  Just run one this morning and it was bloody hard, really humid.  This evening I'll do a second one, hopefully it will be raining then.

Whats your 10k training time att? How far off your max is this? Only reason I ask is, I was due to do a 10k race on Friday and have not run one in anger for 8 or 9 years. Luckily/unluckily I am now going to Headingley for the 20/20.

[Jon MW]

Pre race drinks or snacks  - any suggestions?

[kinboshi]

dynamic stretching is fine before exercise

It is, but not from cold. Any dynamic stretching done by professional athletes is done off the back of running or similar to get the muscles 'ready' for work.

[kinboshi]

Month and a half to go until the 'Thunder Run' - so today is the first of my doubling-up on the 10Ks.  Just run one this morning and it was bloody hard, really humid.  This evening I'll do a second one, hopefully it will be raining then.

Whats your 10k training time att? How far off your max is this? Only reason I ask is, I was due to do a 10k race on Friday and have not run one in anger for 8 or 9 years. Luckily/unluckily I am now going to Headingley for the 20/20.

To be honest, I'm not sure. Almost all my 10k runs include some pretty big hills to get me ready for the thunder run which includes some severe hills. Will be doubling up this week again, but my try a flatter course for my first one and see what sort of time I'm capable of.

[kinboshi]

Pre race drinks or snacks  - any suggestions?

Don't eat too much too close to the time you run, and make sure you're properly hydrated. People will eat and drink different things and the main thing is to have something that you're comfortable with and doesn't sit too heavy, etc. On the day of a race don't try anything you're not used to.

[EvilPie]

This whole stretching thing.

Someone explain please. I've never stretched before, just done 2 mins on a rower then some light weights before I go mad.

I've recently started stretching because I thought it was a good thing but now apparently it's not.

If I do 2 minutes on the rower then a bit of stretching in between abs sets is that good or bad.

[kinboshi]

I've always looked at stretching to achieve one of three things:

1.  Stretching to help achieve greater mobility/flexibility long-term (such as in karate)
2.  To get your muscles ready for explosive activity or for movement that might push them to the limit (such as before football, hockey, rugby, etc.) - and so to prevent injury
3.  After exercise to help the muscle recovery

But I'm sure there are others who know more about it on here.

[kinboshi]

As this 'Thunder Run' will include some of the running to be done at night on a pitch-black course with no lighting other than from the moon and stars, I've got myself a rather neat head-lamp thing:



How cool am I going to look wearing that?  Fortunately, it'll be dark.

[RED-DOG]

2.  To get your muscles ready for explosive activity or for movement that might push them to the limit

AFAIK Soldiers don't stretch.

Isn't it usually "Hands off cocks on with socks, drop & give me 50 you 'orrible little man" etc...

[kinboshi]

2.  To get your muscles ready for explosive activity or for movement that might push them to the limit

AFAIK Soldiers don't stretch.

Isn't it usually "Hands off cocks on with socks, drop & give me 50 you 'orrible little man" etc...

I didn't mean grenades and mortars when I referred to explosive activity.

[kinboshi]

Our team of 7 for the 'Thunder Run' is now down to 6.  So that means we'll all be running five laps of the 10K course instead of four.  Not much of a difference I guess, but it does mean less time between runs for recovery, sleep, food, etc.  I asked the team if they wanted someone to substitute for the bloke who's had to drop out, but they're all happy with having six in the team.

Bugger.

[Longines]

How cool am I going to look wearing that?  Fortunately, it'll be dark.

Good choice - my son uses the same one for his Scout treks/camps.

[kinboshi]

Less than two weeks to go until the http://tr24.co.uk - so my training is just about 'peaking' now before the steady taper so I'm 100% for the actual day.

Yesterday I did 20K round a wet Colwick Park.  It was the first chance I've had to use my off-road running shoes in 'anger', running through puddles and muddy trails.  I was more than happy with how they dealt with it and I think my feet were the driest part of me when I'd finished.  Did a 10K this morning and that went OK, and although I'm not getting any faster, the runs are definitely getting easier.

The British summer being what it is we have no idea if the 30th will be baking sunshine or torrential rainstorms.  I'm hoping for mild, overcast with a slight drizzle (but of course the sun can shine as brightly as it wants when I'm in between my laps