The athletics/running thread

[Gooner Girl]

Well done GtE, hope your man flu doesn't bring you down too much over the weekend.

[Gary the Enfield]

Well done GtE, hope your man flu doesn't bring you down too much over the weekend.

Thank you. It won't. I'm rarely ill and if it stays in my nose and throat I'll be fine. If it gets on my chest I'll not be able to race.

Just to clarify, I meant I beat my pb by 18 seconds.

How's the insect diet coming on?

[Gooner Girl]

Well done GtE, hope your man flu doesn't bring you down too much over the weekend.

Thank you. It won't. I'm rarely ill and if it stays in my nose and throat I'll be fine. If it gets on my chest I'll not be able to race.

Just to clarify, I meant I beat my pb by 18 seconds.

How's the insect diet coming on?

Its put me off running ever again. I knew there was a reason I stuck to triple jump and football. Dangerous stuff, this running malarkey!

You're running really well at the moment, don't get injured!

[mrkint]

I go to a gym and do gym things. Yesterday i picked up a leaflet and before my eyes glanced the page someone far too young and healthy came up to me and said if I wanted to do 'the challenge' as detailed in said leaflet. It's all done on a TRX machine (which looks like this)




The challenge is to get a combined total of reps for all exercises above 235. The challenges are thus:

- 60 seconds of push up pikes http://vimeo.com/33812047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- 60 seconds (per leg) leg lunge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OHPQ-zgi4c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- 60 seconds chest press http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un79W5dVzrw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- 60 rowing action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0L6iuTkaRI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


last one is pretty easy, first three are horrible, horrible things though.

I think I got 135

[Gary the Enfield]

Well done GtE, hope your man flu doesn't bring you down too much over the weekend.

Thank you. It won't. I'm rarely ill and if it stays in my nose and throat I'll be fine. If it gets on my chest I'll not be able to race.

Just to clarify, I meant I beat my pb by 18 seconds.

How's the insect diet coming on?

Its put me off running ever again. I knew there was a reason I stuck to triple jump and football. Dangerous stuff, this running malarkey!

You're running really well at the moment, don't get injured!

Thanks. I plan not to.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Looks like these people are your best bet. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 8514,d.ZG4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Annual subscriptions aren't usually very much. We pay £105.00 per year which includes shower facilities, access to the QEII stadium and all the coached sessions you can shake a stick at!

All for £2 per week.

Thanks - I'll look into it.

Though I'm thinking about doing a full pre-season with a rugby club, so it might be that that takes precedence.

[Gary the Enfield]

Looks like these people are your best bet. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 8514,d.ZG4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Annual subscriptions aren't usually very much. We pay £105.00 per year which includes shower facilities, access to the QEII stadium and all the coached sessions you can shake a stick at!

All for £2 per week.

Thanks - I'll look into it.

Though I'm thinking about doing a full pre-season with a rugby club, so it might be that that takes precedence.

Most clubs will do 'guest' sessions to see if you like it. Even if you go once or twice a month it still represents value for money. Good luck.

[Dr.Karl]

I've just run my first "unofficial" half marathon. In 1h 44m 44s, pretty chuffed with that! I seem to have pacing right for longer ones. I set off fairly slowly, then get into a decent rhythm and tend to go the middle ks quick and the last few a little slower. I prefer the longer runs but what to work on my 5k time, my best is 23m 36s but that was a little while ago. I seem to set off way to quick and fizzle out before the end, what the best way to approach and improve speed?

Been running a lot since my mate did the Manchester marathon. I kept him company on 10-12k runs for his training and started doing it myself since. Really enjoying it atm, its helped a lot with my concentration and I'm generally more alert and switched on. Definitely trying to keep it up.

[Harry Genshaw]

I've just run my first "unofficial" half marathon. In 1h 44m 44s, pretty chuffed with that! I seem to have pacing right for longer ones. I set off fairly slowly, then get into a decent rhythm and tend to go the middle ks quick and the last few a little slower. I prefer the longer runs but what to work on my 5k time, my best is 23m 36s but that was a little while ago. I seem to set off way to quick and fizzle out before the end, what the best way to approach and improve speed?

Been running a lot since my mate did the Manchester marathon. I kept him company on 10-12k runs for his training and started doing it myself since. Really enjoying it atm, its helped a lot with my concentration and I'm generally more alert and switched on. Definitely trying to keep it up.

Thats a damn impressive time for your 1st half marathon Doc - well done

Generally to improve speed you want to be making your training sessions a bit harder. There's lots of different tips and type (intervals, fartleks etc) but general rule of thumb is when you're out on a run, up your workrate for a couple of miles, so you're breathing hard, before dropping back down to comfortable running speed.

And if you haven't done already, sign up for a few races & park runs. Enjoy!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Any tips?
I just can't get below 8 minute miles, no matter what progress I seem to be achieving. I was never a sprinter, always more comfortable in endurance than speed, but prior to my heart failure I could bang out five minute mile after five minute mile. My legs don't get heavy, I've just got breathing/cardiovascular problems. I've tried interval running, fartlek, uphill sessions, and core exercises - none seem to help with the basic problem that I seem to have hit a wall. I'd like to do a marathon again, but there seems little point if I'm going to do above four hours. Any ideas?

[thebish]

Any tips?
I just can't get below 8 minute miles, no matter what progress I seem to be achieving. I was never a sprinter, always more comfortable in endurance than speed, but prior to my heart failure I could bang out five minute mile after five minute mile. My legs don't get heavy, I've just got breathing/cardiovascular problems. I've tried interval running, fartlek, uphill sessions, and core exercises - none seem to help with the basic problem that I seem to have hit a wall. I'd like to do a marathon again, but there seems little point if I'm going to do above four hours. Any ideas?

that'd be your problem right there... always make sure the course is clear....

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Any tips?
I just can't get below 8 minute miles, no matter what progress I seem to be achieving. I was never a sprinter, always more comfortable in endurance than speed, but prior to my heart failure I could bang out five minute mile after five minute mile. My legs don't get heavy, I've just got breathing/cardiovascular problems. I've tried interval running, fartlek, uphill sessions, and core exercises - none seem to help with the basic problem that I seem to have hit a wall. I'd like to do a marathon again, but there seems little point if I'm going to do above four hours. Any ideas?

that'd be your problem right there... always make sure the course is clear....

Ha! You think you joketh. You need to see the state of my left leg after Tuesday's attempt to hurdle a low stone wall rather than climb over the stile...
Ok then, check for walls: it's on my list... Next?

[thebish]

Any tips?
I just can't get below 8 minute miles, no matter what progress I seem to be achieving. I was never a sprinter, always more comfortable in endurance than speed, but prior to my heart failure I could bang out five minute mile after five minute mile. My legs don't get heavy, I've just got breathing/cardiovascular problems. I've tried interval running, fartlek, uphill sessions, and core exercises - none seem to help with the basic problem that I seem to have hit a wall. I'd like to do a marathon again, but there seems little point if I'm going to do above four hours. Any ideas?

that'd be your problem right there... always make sure the course is clear....

Ha! You think you joketh. You need to see the state of my left leg after Tuesday's attempt to hurdle a low stone wall rather than climb over the stile...
Ok then, check for walls: it's on my list... Next?

that's it! I'm out of advice - but I reckon NOT running into walls will improve your times... (my advice comes free!)

[LeverEnd]

Any tips?
I just can't get below 8 minute miles, no matter what progress I seem to be achieving. I was never a sprinter, always more comfortable in endurance than speed, but prior to my heart failure I could bang out five minute mile after five minute mile. My legs don't get heavy, I've just got breathing/cardiovascular problems. I've tried interval running, fartlek, uphill sessions, and core exercises - none seem to help with the basic problem that I seem to have hit a wall. I'd like to do a marathon again, but there seems little point if I'm going to do above four hours. Any ideas?

that'd be your problem right there... always make sure the course is clear....

Ha! You think you joketh. You need to see the state of my left leg after Tuesday's attempt to hurdle a low stone wall rather than climb over the stile...
Ok then, check for walls: it's on my list... Next?

that's it! I'm out of advice - but I reckon NOT running into walls will improve your times... (my advice comes free!)

Try threshold running a couple of times a week. It's the pace you could maintain for about an hour of hard running. Do 10 mins easy 20 min harder 10 mins easy. Or break it into 3 chunks of 8-10 mins. Good thing about this running is that it raises your lactate threshold but doesn't batter your legs like interval sessions do, so you can do more of it.

[Bruce Rioja]

Massive congrats to anyone and everyone that did the Manc 10K this morning. Incredible that it should fall on one of only two hot days that we've had all year.

[Gary the Enfield]

Massive congrats to anyone and everyone that did the Manc 10K this morning. Incredible that it should fall on one of only two hot days that we've had all year.

Yep, looked a toughie.

I'm doing the Bupa 10k in London tomorrow. Hope it's a bit cooler.

[Bruce Rioja]

Massive congrats to anyone and everyone that did the Manc 10K this morning. Incredible that it should fall on one of only two hot days that we've had all year.

Yep, looked a toughie.

I'm doing the Bupa 10k in London tomorrow. Hope it's a bit cooler.

Good luck with that, Fella. Apparently pissing rain is due to resume up here tomorrow, don't know about T'Big Smerk though.

[Gary the Enfield]

Massive congrats to anyone and everyone that did the Manc 10K this morning. Incredible that it should fall on one of only two hot days that we've had all year.

Yep, looked a toughie.

I'm doing the Bupa 10k in London tomorrow. Hope it's a bit cooler.

Good luck with that, Fella. Apparently pissing rain is due to resume up here tomorrow, don't know about T'Big Smerk though.

Well it stayed nice and I finished only 15 minutes behind Mo Farah. 43:52 (unofficially)

[LeverEnd]

Well run. You'll catch the bugger next time!

[Gooner Girl]

Just back in, all hot and sweaty from a 2.5 mile run with friends. I am going to get back to 5km, honest! Am just finding it hard work. Still, really didn't fancy going out tonight but I did, so feeling virtuous and it may have burnt off todays junk food diet.