The Running/Keeping Fit Thread

[Buzzo]

My plan was pretty simple.

2 short runs mid-week on tread mill (more forgiving on joints and helps avoid injury), starting at 1 mile and building up to 3. Looked at pace on these.

Long run on Sunday starting at 3 miles, building up to (I think I got to 15 miles).

It is all about endurance, but the time commitment is substantial. You also become expert at converting KM's to Miles dependant on the type of kit you have. Mind you smart watches handle all that now. I ran with a CD walkman it was that long ago FFS

[wiw]

Originally Posted by Buzzo

Just noticed the London Marathon is now in October, was wondering how the fuck you were going to squeeze a 6 month training schedule in by April

From my memory you have to train up to being comfortable running at least a half marathon in training. But I wouldn't go over 18-20. No matter how much you train the last 6 miles are purgatory. London is a good marathon though, totally flat all the way round and (at least used to be) well attended by fans.

Definitely give up the tabs

Also, I ran it twice, and the buzz as you run done the mall, massive crowds screaming you on, is second to none embrace the challenge and try and enjoy it. The challenge is the training and staying fit, if you do that the day takes care of itself.

Thanks for the tips

Yes it's in October - would be fairly fucked if it was in April

Have you not done one for a while then?

Originally Posted by Alex

Care to share the plan?

Were similar age right? I guess not similar weight. But 6 months seems reasonable to be able to run that distance.

Of course - PM your email?

[Buzzo]

Originally Posted by wiw

Thanks for the tips

Yes it's in October - would be fairly fucked if it was in April

Have you not done one for a while then?

19 years apparently FFS That made me feel old realising that. Ran it in 2002 and 2003.

When I first ran there was a guy getting heart massage after three miles and he looked about ten times fitter than me.

I'd say finding your stride and economy of movement are pretty key. On the day it can be a bit tortoise and hare, I was passing loads of people that had gone out hard over the last 6 miles. You crave sugar after 18 miles (there is science behind this) and there are people lining the roads handing out jelly babies - you will take them .

The other massive bit of advice I learned from year 1 - 2 is to put your name on your shirt. It is amazing the boost you get from people screaming 'cmon Mark (that's right) you can make it. And when everyone else gets it and you dont it sucks.

Also after half way the track heads out to canary wharf to double back on itself. Unless you are a sub 2 hour runner you see people at the 18 mile mark absolutely sprinting and looking much better than you whilst you are at 12

I recall being massively motivated to get past a guy in a Mr Tickle costume towards the end feeling that he was taking the piss out of my own endeavours.

You will love the day itself if you have trained. It is sensory overload in the best way.

[Buzzo]

I had a few people watch me along the route and my Mum and Sister went down at the time.

At the finish line when I found them (they saw me at about 4 points on the day) my Mum came out with the classic line to me "You've got no idea how hard it was to get around London today".

[spud_gun]

I've not done any serious exercise since my kids turned up.

As a result I'm hideously out of shape.

Over the last week or so I've got stuck into the back garden and i'm feeling pretty good as a result.

I've lifted 2 large patioed areas of the garden and dumped the contents in a skip, moved 2 ton of top soil and 2 ton of sharp sand and I've got 6 ton of chuckies still to move along with move and position a dozen or so 2.4m railway sleepers.

I could hardly walk after working in the garden for the first couple of days but feeling great now. The endorphins are pumping, no doubt.

Trick will be to continue getting similar exercise / work out when the garden is done and dusted.

[luke]

One bit of advice I received from an accomplished runner..When your running a lot or just starting, try incorporating the kettle bell Russian swing into your off days, really improves and stretches your hip flexors (which get ruined by running) and will prevent a lot of niggling injuries.. plus it will improve your cardio.

[Norbs]

Originally Posted by luke

One bit of advice I received from an accomplished runner..When your running a lot or just starting, try incorporating the kettle bell Russian swing into your off days, really improves and stretches your hip flexors (which get ruined by running) and will prevent a lot of niggling injuries.. plus it will improve your cardio.

Better do it quickly before it's sanctioned

[bacon]

Originally Posted by Buzzo

My plan was pretty simple.

2 short runs mid-week on tread mill (more forgiving on joints and helps avoid injury), starting at 1 mile and building up to 3. Looked at pace on these.

Long run on Sunday starting at 3 miles, building up to (I think I got to 15 miles).

It is all about endurance, but the time commitment is substantial. You also become expert at converting KM's to Miles dependant on the type of kit you have. Mind you smart watches handle all that now. I ran with a CD walkman it was that long ago FFS

I'd agree with that plan - two shorter runs during the week - one faster than the other plus a long run over the weekend - build the long runs up slowly - increments of 2km or 4 km over the previous week - I got up to 36km - take a break from long runs every 4th week.

Also on the long run try and negative split so the 1st half of your run is slower than the back half - this helps you learn to conserve energy for the killer back half of the run.

If the London Mara is less than six months and you've never done the distance - I'd be starting now! Enjoy ..

PS - the 1st one I did I trained with a running/charity group - it helped a lot!