The athletics/running thread

[Harry Genshaw]

No. I've had a few mates do it and they all described it as horrendous. Basically running in zig zags due to folk stopping in front of them for a chat or a rest! This was a few years ago too when there were less entrants. Getting into the pen you did was good work.

I'm in awe of your half marathon pb time (& not a little jealous ). Seriously, well done on a great run.

[Gooner Girl]

To be honest I struck lucky as I was in the first pen behind the elite athletes. The only 'traffic' I experienced was people queuing up to high five Mo Farrah,

Ahhh, but did you beat him?

[Gary the Enfield]

To be honest I struck lucky as I was in the first pen behind the elite athletes. The only 'traffic' I experienced was people queuing up to high five Mo Farrah,

Ahhh, but did you beat him?

Technically yes, as he didn't run. Do you wear the Bolton Wanderers top now?

[Gooner Girl]

To be honest I struck lucky as I was in the first pen behind the elite athletes. The only 'traffic' I experienced was people queuing up to high five Mo Farrah,

Ahhh, but did you beat him?

Technically yes, as he didn't run. Do you wear the Bolton Wanderers top now?

Hmmm! Tenuous!

Sadly we come up with the age old problem of me not having one. What a shame. Else i would, of course...

[Harry Genshaw]

Did the Rivington downhill race tonight. Starting from the mast you have to go to the Pike then any route you like to get to the BRSA club on Chorley New Rd.

We were setting off at 1 minute intervals and it was already dark by the time I got to the woods below the Pike. Not helped by going off the best course from the mast where I found myself amongst waist high tussocks and lost valuable minutes getting back on track.

Great fun and would highly recommend it for next year.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Tried the fartlek stuff over the weekend, but not in such a structured manner as GtE recommended.
I went out with a couple of club runners for a six miler along the canal. They were running at a steady pace which for my benefit was a bit over eight minute miles, and then you took it in turn to spot an object in the distance and race to it, then jog for 45 seconds or so to recover, than back up to pace, then take off like bat out of hell again, and so on.
After the fourth 'sprint' I nearly dropped dead and we went back to just running.
I think I'll give it another go next weekend. Can't say as yet I've noticed any benefit but apart from nearly killing me, it didn't do any harm either.

[Gary the Enfield]

Tried the fartlek stuff over the weekend, but not in such a structured manner as GtE recommended.
I went out with a couple of club runners for a six miler along the canal. They were running at a steady pace which for my benefit was a bit over eight minute miles, and then you took it in turn to spot an object in the distance and race to it, then jog for 45 seconds or so to recover, than back up to pace, then take off like bat out of hell again, and so on.
After the fourth 'sprint' I nearly dropped dead and we went back to just running.
I think I'll give it another go next weekend. Can't say as yet I've noticed any benefit but apart from nearly killing me, it didn't do any harm either.

After 1 attempt? You won't, but if you continue you will.

Hanyhoo I skived off last night and now feel guilty. I want to run this evening but have promised a friend I'll do 12 miles with him tomorrow (he's training for his first half marathon).

What to do.........

[Gooner Girl]

Go for a swim or bike ride tonight instead and run tomorrow.

Did some fartlek training with the intermediates last night. Claiming that as my training session as some of those 13 year olds are blimming fast!

Football in the rain tonight...

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Tried the fartlek stuff over the weekend, but not in such a structured manner as GtE recommended.
I went out with a couple of club runners for a six miler along the canal. They were running at a steady pace which for my benefit was a bit over eight minute miles, and then you took it in turn to spot an object in the distance and race to it, then jog for 45 seconds or so to recover, than back up to pace, then take off like bat out of hell again, and so on.
After the fourth 'sprint' I nearly dropped dead and we went back to just running.
I think I'll give it another go next weekend. Can't say as yet I've noticed any benefit but apart from nearly killing me, it didn't do any harm either.

After 1 attempt? You won't, but if you continue you will.

Hanyhoo I skived off last night and now feel guilty. I want to run this evening but have promised a friend I'll do 12 miles with him tomorrow (he's training for his first half marathon).

What to do.........

Aye, I didn't really expect instant gratification or anything, but I thought it might 'feel' beneficial as I did it. As for long term benefits, I can see that it will give me what I'm after (increase in speed over distance)... so I'll keep at it.

[Gary the Enfield]

Held off on the hills today.

12.5 miles on Thursday night and a 1350 metre swim last night saw me take a session rather than join one today. That means I get to do half the work at half the pace so I can observe the runners and make sure they all finish at the same time.

50 mile bike ride tomorrow, though.

[Harry Genshaw]

Today was the start of 2 busy weekends. 1st X country of the season earlier today which thankfully meant I missed the Palace game. Had a surprisingly good run and felt strong. Trouble is I have a 10 mile road race tomorrow morning to follow .

Next weekend is the Rivington half marathon on saturday followed by the last Grand prix road race a 10k on the Sunday. Looking forward to these but I'll also be glad to get back to some proper training sessions

[thebish]

Held off on the hills today.

yeah - me too!

50 mile bike ride tomorrow, though.

I did a 110 mile bike ride the other day...

(oh - you mean bicycle???)

[Gary the Enfield]

Rivington Half Marathon? Interesting.......


And bish? I thought you were coasteering nowadays!

[thebish]

Rivington Half Marathon? Interesting.......


And bish? I thought you were coasteering nowadays!

i am booked in for a sea-kayaking course!

[Wandering Willy]

Going up Chapletown Road is a bastard. I'll swear it gets steeper the further you go.

[Gary the Enfield]

Held off on the hills today.

12.5 miles on Thursday night and a 1350 metre swim last night saw me take a session rather than join one today. That means I get to do half the work at half the pace so I can observe the runners and make sure they all finish at the same time.

50 mile bike ride tomorrow, though.

not 50 miles, 50 km. Still knackered though.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Spent the weekend up in the back-of-beyond near Salau in the Pyrenees. Had a friend who was guiding us over the mountains and at the end of ten hours hiking we came off the ridge down a huge scree slope. Wheeeeee. Scree running, what a blast (after the initial fear), decades since I last did it. And that was Sgurr Alisdair in the Cuillins, this was almost as long and as steep but better quality scree - nothing large enough to break ankles or cause trips.

[Verbal]

Signing up for the Paris marathon when registration opens in a couple of weeks.

Body is starting to kick back at what I've been doing to it this summer!

[Gary the Enfield]

Signing up for the Paris marathon when registration opens in a couple of weeks.

Body is starting to kick back at what I've been doing to it this summer!

Good luck. Can't remember if you've said you've run one before, but if you want any advice give me a shout.

[Verbal]

Cheers fella. Yeah I did the Greater Manchester one this year. Hoping for slightly better weather in France!