The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner

[kinboshi]

If you're still feeling your thigh then I'd probably postpone the run on Monday until later in the week. What's the schedule for the rest of the week?

[technolog]

What's the schedule for the rest of the week?

60 mins Wednesday, 60 mins Friday.

I've just taken the dogs for a 4 mile walk and it wasn't a problem at all. I even had a 50 yard jog just to test it which wasn't problem either. However when I got up from kneeling down to dry them on our return home, it was very sore.

[kinboshi]

Skip Monday. Will do you no harm. Maybe run a shorter distance and an easy pace on Wednesday too.

[technolog]

I think I'll see how I feel come Monday. I might even delay it and do Tues, Thu & Sat instead.

[kinboshi]

Personally, I'd not even think about running till Wednesday and then do a shorter than planned run.

If you exacerbate an injury, it might mean all your training comes to nothing. That would also mean Dawn could then beat you.

[Laxie]

Personally, I'd not even think about running till Wednesday and then do a shorter than planned run.

If you exacerbate an injury, it might mean all your training comes to nothing. That would also mean Dawn could then beat you.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, no need to point that out FFS!

[technolog]

Despite my leg feeling just about back to normal, I decided to heed your advice bosh and not run tonight. So long as it continues to feel okay, I'll give it a try on Wednesday. No point pushing it when there's nothing to gain and everything (i.e. the challenge & my dignity ) to lose.

[kinboshi]

Thoughts are with those affected by the Boston bombings... Sounds so awful.

[kinboshi]

Was away for a long weekend (for my birthday - report to follow) in Scotland, and took my running stuff with me with the best intentions of doing a couple of runs whilst I was up there.  Went on some long walks, but no running - probably directly correlated to the fact we were staying in a hotel that had 8 real ales on tap, four of them brewed on site!

Anyway, went out for a run today now I'm back.  After the wind trying to rip the roof off the house last night and how windy it was this morning, I was expecting it to be a breezy run and was bracing myself for this.  Instead, it seems the wind decided to have a rest for an hour and took a back seat to the sun who decided to show up and remind me what it was like.  So it was a pleasant yet tough run.  Not the fastest I've done the 12K route - but the first time I've managed to get every kilometre-split under 5 minutes.

http://connect.garmin.com/splits/299703549

Less than a month until the 10K on the Thunder Run course (Sunday 5th May to be precise).  Hoping it's going to be a dry one.

[technolog]

Thanks for the advice to rest. I did a non-stop 10k training run in 62 mins with no ill effects on the leg. I was hoping to break the hour mark but it was very windy and I reckon that had an effect. I've got 4 more weeks to go before the race so I'll be hoping to bring that down under the hour by a minute or two come race day.

I'm planning on just doing 10k runs three times a week from hereonin. Is that a reasonable training plan? I've heard about Smart Coach on the Runner's World site but don't fancy the speed training sessions. If you strongly recommended it, I might give it a go though.

As the race is off-road at Clumber Park, would it pay to do some running on woodland paths beforehand - I'm currently running predominantly on tarmac and some muddy footpaths.

Am I right in thinking that at 10k distance, this carb loading nonsense isn't an issue? Any other tips on training and preparation?

[kinboshi]

Doing the 10Ks will be sufficient, but you might want to throw in a few 'brisk' 5Ks as well to give you a bit of speed.  I'd also recommend a few runs over 10K as well, but slower than your 10K pace.  That'll help too.

Definitely worth doing some woodland path runs beforehand, if only to get used to the difference in your running shoes.  I assume it's hard woodland paths rather than anything truly off-road?  If so, then it's not really that important to get used to it,and your road shoes will be fine for that.  It's more fun running on woodland paths though, so definitely try it out.

You don't need to carb-load like you would for a marathon, but you're still going to need to fuel your body to get round.  So a good carb-loaded meal the night before and then a good meal well before the start on the day is a good idea.  Nothing you haven't tried before though, so if you normally have toast, then stick to toast; if you like porridge, stick with that.  You don't want a dodgy gut on the day.  Other than that, stay hydrated the day before and on the morning.  Give yourself time to go to the loo before the start.

Other than that, just enjoy it!  Make sure the watch you use to time you is fully charged, etc.  Oh, and make sure you beat Dawn.

[kinboshi]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/22184970

Ten years since arguably the greatest run by a British distance runner.

[craigbetts]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/22184970

Ten years since arguably the greatest run by a British distance runner.

Never ever fancied running London, it has never appealed. Although, I often clock up many hours watching all the coverage. (just seen the men's wheelchair crash into the elite woman at an aid station).

When Paula did the 15min, my brother was running and I was lucky enough to be in the crowd. I was a massive fan of hers and was devastated that she never fulfilled her Olympic Gold.

[kinboshi]

London Marathon ballot is now OPEN:
https://www.virginlondonmarathonballot.com/uk/1/

In October they tell you that you haven't got a place

[kinboshi]

Ran the Thunder Run 10K this morning.  Perfect weather and the ground was good to firm, so no boggy conditions to contend with this time.

I wasn't the only blonde taking part, craigbetts was also running it - his first look at the course in anticipation of the TR24 in July.

About 100 runners took part, and Craig finished in about 10th, and I was in 12th - in a time of just under 47 minutes.  Craig would have finished higher up the rankings if he hadn't gone out too fast and this caught up with him at about 9km.  I swear that the course gets more hilly each year, and it's relentless - you get a brief downhill section, but it's no respite as there's another uphill bit a few seconds later.

Perversely, looking forward to the TR24 now though.  Got a lot more training to do, and had hoped to have run a minute quicker today, but hopefully will peak at the end of July.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/307906341