The Running/Keeping Fit Thread

[Norbs]

April (Ahead/behind this stage last month)
Rowan: 93.8km (+38km)
Carra: 93.4km (+70.7km)
Pablo: 45.7km (-7.9km)
canotmakeit: 43.4km (new entry!)
Rich: 24.5km (-7.4km)
Scarmanga: 21.7km (+9.7km)
badpiggy: 21.7km (-0.7km)
RoadEnd: 17.5km (-27.5km)
Alex 10.02km (-21.6km)
Slinky Skills: 9.8km (-1.9km)
PTP: 5.96km (-4km)

No runs recorded this month:
Dan, Saveloy, Norbs (???)

Apart from the two beasts and Scaramange, we're largely letting it slip lads! My excuse is that I've had a nasty cold since Thursday. What's yours?

Got dreadful shinsplints after a run on concrete and stopped running. It was just as I took on a big order and I didn't want to have pain while doing a lot of ladder work. I'll be back running again in September when work quietens down and the woods gets muddy again

[Shaggy]

You just "used to turn up and win" and "never went for a run"?

Yeah. They were competitive races, not just 'going for a run'. Until today I'd never been for a run.

[Shaggy]

I don't think you've got a chance of winning this one mate unless you're in to Ultra Marathons ha ha!

Seen some of the distances the lads are running on here, madness.

Good for you though mate for starting it, it is hard to get back into it if you haven't done anything for a while but it's a good thread to be involved in.

Haha cheers

I didn't even know there was an element of competition to this thread. I have no intention of getting involved in any of that.

[Rowan]

I always thought this was the most boring thread in the universe.

Until today I have never been to a gym nor been for a run - I used to be a 800m, 1500m and cross country champion but I just used to turn up and win. Never "went for a run".

Anyway, my midlife crisis has begun, my sedentary lifestyle is making me fat. I have a bit of a gut, small moobs, and do I not like that.

So I've just been for a run. Just went for it - a full circuit round the large playing fields behind my house. Ran for about 15 minutes.

My guess is the distance between 1 mile and a mile and a half. I feel ok. Chest went a bit tight (I smoke), legs threatened to turn to jelly but otherwise.....not bad.

I've since installed a running app so I can track distances etc, and incrementally step it up.

The reason I am doing this is to lose some fat and 'firm up' .........I have zero knowledge about any of this.........so would appreciate tips on when best to run (time of day, pre or post meals etc), how far, **** like that.

Thanks in advance.

PS - I have been back for nearly an hour, have freshened up etc but still can't stop sweating. I am already getting that nice post-exercise buzz. I like it.

Its a great thread and running is strangely addictive. I've been injured for weeks now (although this has been compounded through attempts to race in between. Bad idea and probably put myself out for an extra month in the process). A lot of the posters in here started on the Couch to 5k programme and seem to like it. I went the other way and just started smashing miles until they became noticibly easier... then started upping distances.

Foodwise everyone has their favourites. Carbs and protein for post run (chicken and rice, chicken and pasta etc) and I always have the same thing pre run (a bagel with Peanut butter on and a shot of concentrated beetroot juice. The beetroot juice is ****ing horrible. Tastes like a mixture of soil, **** and blood. You should try it). If I'm racing I chuck in a bowl of porridge too. Try to drink 500cl to a litre of water before you go out and if you're doing either over 5 miles or over 30 minutes take a bottle with you until you get used to being back in it. Also I know it sounds like pussy stuff but don't worry about walking. You're better off doing run, walk, run and clocking more miles then just running solidly and jacking it early. Plus it'll get your heart going, allow it to rest and then get it going again. Good in the short term. Think of it as intervals.

I hate running in the morning. I used to do the 6am thing but ****ed it off. If I'm off work I tend to do a lunchtime session otherwise it's evenings. I'm yet to do a parkrun as I can't be arsed to get up. Plus I find them full of fat slow cunts who don't realise there is a race going on and that they should get the **** out of my way. but a lot of mates do and love them. Also I suppose a 5k race is good target. Just over 3 miles so when you get back into it you should be smashing it.

You could try a training plan but, you know, just do your lap. Extend it by a little bit each week or try running one whole loop. Walk then next half and then run the last half home. 3 times a week and then do 1 3/4. Next week 2 and so on. Try to throw in some hills too. There is also something to be said for running further but slower. I was training for a Marathon when I ****ed my foot and had dropped my average pace from 7 minute miles to 8:30 to up the distance (then I goosed myself getting out of a car).

That's probably a bit unweildy but there you go. Come post your runs in here and people will cheer you on too.

And while not running I've been blasting it on the bike. Clipping in is evil as **** but smashing on average 4 rides a week between 35 and 45 miles a shot. It's almost like Duathalon training

[Shaggy]

Its a great thread and running is strangely addictive. I've been injured for weeks now (although this has been compounded through attempts to race in between. Bad idea and probably put myself out for an extra month in the process). A lot of the posters in here started on the Couch to 5k programme and seem to like it. I went the other way and just started smashing miles until they became noticibly easier... then started upping distances.

Foodwise everyone has their favourites. Carbs and protein for post run (chicken and rice, chicken and pasta etc) and I always have the same thing pre run (a bagel with Peanut butter on and a shot of concentrated beetroot juice. The beetroot juice is ****ing horrible. Tastes like a mixture of soil, **** and blood. You should try it). If I'm racing I chuck in a bowl of porridge too. Try to drink 500cl to a litre of water before you go out and if you're doing either over 5 miles or over 30 minutes take a bottle with you until you get used to being back in it. Also I know it sounds like pussy stuff but don't worry about walking. You're better off doing run, walk, run and clocking more miles then just running solidly and jacking it early. Plus it'll get your heart going, allow it to rest and then get it going again. Good in the short term. Think of it as intervals.

I hate running in the morning. I used to do the 6am thing but ****ed it off. If I'm off work I tend to do a lunchtime session otherwise it's evenings. I'm yet to do a parkrun as I can't be arsed to get up. Plus I find them full of fat slow cunts who don't realise there is a race going on and that they should get the **** out of my way. but a lot of mates do and love them. Also I suppose a 5k race is good target. Just over 3 miles so when you get back into it you should be smashing it.

You could try a training plan but, you know, just do your lap. Extend it by a little bit each week or try running one whole loop. Walk then next half and then run the last half home. 3 times a week and then do 1 3/4. Next week 2 and so on. Try to throw in some hills too. There is also something to be said for running further but slower. I was training for a Marathon when I ****ed my foot and had dropped my average pace from 7 minute miles to 8:30 to up the distance (then I goosed myself getting out of a car).

That's probably a bit unweildy but there you go. Come post your runs in here and people will cheer you on too.

And while not running I've been blasting it on the bike. Clipping in is evil as **** but smashing on average 4 rides a week between 35 and 45 miles a shot. It's almost like Duathalon training

Cheers mate, really appreciate that. Interesting stuff.

I have no intention of entering any races or doing any of this properly, as it were. I just wanna get into better shape and get fitter.

I think I want to run daily....increasing the distance bit by bit. What's the recommended time of day to run, if there is one? I'm thinking kinda tea-time.

Is it better to run before a meal? Or a while after one?

It's **** like this that I have no idea about. I just know I wanna get fitter/into better shape.

[Shaggy]

By the way, you must be in ****ing superb shape

[captainfog]

I always thought this was the most boring thread in the universe.

Until today I have never been to a gym nor been for a run - I used to be a 800m, 1500m and cross country champion but I just used to turn up and win. Never "went for a run".

Anyway, my midlife crisis has begun, my sedentary lifestyle is making me fat. I have a bit of a gut, small moobs, and do I not like that.

So I've just been for a run. Just went for it - a full circuit round the large playing fields behind my house. Ran for about 15 minutes.

My guess is the distance between 1 mile and a mile and a half. I feel ok. Chest went a bit tight (I smoke), legs threatened to turn to jelly but otherwise.....not bad.

I've since installed a running app so I can track distances etc, and incrementally step it up.

The reason I am doing this is to lose some fat and 'firm up' .........I have zero knowledge about any of this.........so would appreciate tips on when best to run (time of day, pre or post meals etc), how far, **** like that.

Thanks in advance.

PS - I have been back for nearly an hour, have freshened up etc but still can't stop sweating. I am already getting that nice post-exercise buzz. I like it.

Is this going to last longer than my fitness pal?

[Shaggy]

Is this going to last longer than my fitness pal?

Definitely. I think I gave up on that after three days.

I like the buzz after. And I really don't wanna turn into a full blown fatty so need to do something about it before that inevitability occurs.

[Shaggy]

Look how much weight Brendan lost. The guy's an inspiration!

I wanna lose weight like that. Not that I'm as fat as Brendan was, but I'm a naturally skinny lad who is slowly developing moobs and a pot belly, and it doesn't suit me.

[Norbs]

Is it better to run before a meal? Or a while after one?

Eat after, drink before I always thought. Eat before and you feel cumbersome and run the risk of getting a stitch.

[Shaggy]

Eat after, drink before I always thought. Eat before and you feel cumbersome and run the risk of getting a stitch.

Ta.

The whole drinking before thing has surprised me - doesn't it slosh around your belly while you run?

I wondered if maybe you could run an hour or so after eating to burn it off or whatever but yeah unless advised otherwise I think I'll be running a couple of hours before I have me tea.

[Rowan]

Cheers mate, really appreciate that. Interesting stuff.

I have no intention of entering any races or doing any of this properly, as it were. I just wanna get into better shape and get fitter.

I think I want to run daily....increasing the distance bit by bit. What's the recommended time of day to run, if there is one? I'm thinking kinda tea-time.

Is it better to run before a meal? Or a while after one?

It's **** like this that I have no idea about. I just know I wanna get fitter/into better shape.

Tea time is my preferred time You've got a bit of energy from whatever you've eaten during the day and you've not just smashed down loads of food that'll slow you down, give you cramp or some rank flavoured beltching. Again, just what I do but I always give it two hours minimum after eating before setting off (although I've mates who'll happily smash down bacon sarnies before cross country). Definitely drinking before. I don't buy this electrolyte ****. It's made no difference to me whatsoever. I just go with water. Sometimes I have a For Goodness Shakes afterwards but that's just because they taste nice. Not sure they actually do much to help recovery. If I eat beforehand it's usually just a banana. It's old school and it works as well as all that 2 quid powerbar bollocks.

There is loads of science about trainers but I tend not to buy into that. As long as your trainers are comfy and fit well you'll be great. Something with a bit of cushion to them though as Sambas will **** your feet up.

It can escalate quickly too. I wanted to do the great north run a few years back and that was it. Totally out of hand now! Feel great though

[Rowan]

One thing that id say is vital though. If you sweat a bit then stick some plasters over your nipples. Nowt worse that ripping them open

[Saveloy]

]RoadEnd: 67.4km
Saveloy 62.8km
Carra: 50km
badpiggy: 37.1k
Rich: 12.5km
Slinky Skills: 11.1km
Pablo: 8.6km

9.2km. Welcome on board Shaggy. Sounds like you have the same aims I do. I'm 35, really unfit and slowly starting to see my dad's body looking back at me in the mirror.

This might seem a boring thread, but it is rewarding to see your kms rack up and it can be strangely motivating when you're going through a period of inactivity to know others are running on whilst you're sat on the sofa picking bits of burger from the folds of your T Shirt.

I would also note that the mods are a little sceptical over some of Rowan's numbers.

[Rich]

RoadEnd: 67.4km
Saveloy 62.8km
Carra: 50km
Rich: 38.5km
badpiggy: 37.1k
Slinky Skills: 11.1km
Pablo: 8.6km

Been out a for a few runs - including a monster 14km one last night. Ended up getting lost and adding a few kms to what was meant to be around a 10km one. Jeez, my legs were wobbly at the end of it.

Worst thing was that I didn't really have anything to eat afterwards, I started to feel really weird over night, so much so that I had to get up and eat at 2am!