[hilly81]

Following on from Mark's 'Hobbies' thread, it's clear there are a few keen runners on this forum. I've been meaning to start a running thread for a while but wasn't sure there would be much interest!

I started running just under 5 years ago in order to get fit again after 3 bad knee injuries in 3 years and have 1 last hurrah playing football. After a few weeks, having told myself for years that I hated running, I couldn't get enough of it and haven't kicked a football since. Within 12 months or so I had ran 2 ultramarathons, raced a number of times and joined a running club.

I run competetively for Ellesmere Port Running Club and am currently starting a block to have a crack at a sub 36 minute 10k at the Cheshire Elite 10k in March. I love the whole process of training. Easy runs, workouts, cross training etc but the real love is just getting out and running.

I'm nearly 42 (So my age cat is V40M) My current Personal Bests are:

5k - 17:35
5mile - 30:21
10k - 36:44
Half Marathon - 82:13
Marathon - 3:17:46

Who else runs? Are you competetive or just love being out in the cold pounding the pavement/trails? Any races coming up for anyone?

[Search & Destroy]

I’m 55

5k 22.52 Clumber PR
10k 46.32 Edwinstowe Christmas Trail Run
HM 1.53. Clowne

[Paragon of Virtue]

5k 19:53
10k 40:37
HM 1:35

Need to get some more races done next year, all the local ones this year clashed with work trips.

[hilly81]

Paragon of Virtue, on 22 November 2023 - 07:35 AM, said:

5k 19:53
10k 40:37
HM 1:35

Need to get some more races done next year, all the local ones this year clashed with work trips.

I love racing. Yes, it hurts like hell and is generally horrible but so much fun.

I have wanted to do the Chesterfield 10k for the last few years but it's October date has always clashed with one of our Borders League races so have never done it. I see it didn't happen in October this year but has been moved to March next year and now clashes with the Cheshire Elite 10k for me. I'll do it one year hopefully!

No walk in the park 5k on the first Saturday of every month at Queens Park is supposed to be a good race. One I'm planning on doing when being back home falls on the right weekend at some point. If you're just wanting to race then I can't recommend Parkruns enough. Always good fun with good people and free!

[Sammy Spireite]

hilly81, on 22 November 2023 - 10:32 AM, said:

I love racing. Yes, it hurts like hell and is generally horrible but so much fun.

I have wanted to do the Chesterfield 10k for the last few years but it's October date has always clashed with one of our Borders League races so have never done it. I see it didn't happen in October this year but has been moved to March next year and now clashes with the Cheshire Elite 10k for me. I'll do it one year hopefully!

No walk in the park 5k on the first Saturday of every month at Queens Park is supposed to be a good race. One I'm planning on doing when being back home falls on the right weekend at some point. If you're just wanting to race then I can't recommend Parkruns enough. Always good fun with good people and free!

I do the poolsbrook PR very couple of weeks where childcare allows and it’s great fun, with all abilities involved and welcomed.

I’ve not been beyond 5k for a few years after running the Chesterfield Half a couple of times in my early 40s but trying to get myself back in to running mentally, then the physical I’m hoping will come along too.

[hilly81]

Sammy Spireite, on 22 November 2023 - 12:20 PM, said:

I do the poolsbrook PR very couple of weeks where childcare allows and it’s great fun, with all abilities involved and welcomed.

I’ve not been beyond 5k for a few years after running the Chesterfield Half a couple of times in my early 40s but trying to get myself back in to running mentally, then the physical I’m hoping will come along too.

ParkRun really is great. They say it's not a race but I have had some great races this year with some good friends. I manged 1st place at Poolsbrook a couple of years ago. My first ever 1st place. Have managed to win Ellesmere Port 3 times since then as well.

I think the mental side of running is the hardest especially this time of year when it is grim outside. As long as you're sesnible, the body tends to cope remarkably well. The thing is with running, it never gets any easier, you just get faster.

[Valley Blues]

I took up running, in a fashion, once I had to pack up playing football.

I’ve always liked snap and ale and never had a problem with my weight when footballing Saturday, Sunday and at least once in the week but I’m self-employed and injuries were becoming more frequent so I had to hang up the boots.

I was conscious I didn’t want to bang the timber on so began running to keep in shape. I was in my early 30’s.

At first I didn’t particularly enjoy it and did it out of a sense of necessity but I quickly began to get quite hooked.

I’ve never been good enough, or particularly inclined I suppose, to run competitively but I did enjoy the self-competition of pushing for improvement in times, distance and difficulty of runs.

I would run 3-4 times a week, generally around 6-7 miles a run and ran up to half-marathon distance.

I ran the Great North three times, Nottingham half twice, Worksop half three times and Clowne once.

My best was 1.41 at the Worksop but I generally ran around 1.43-1.45. Nothing spectacular at all but reasonable for a casual runner who liked a pint, I suppose.

I’ve not run now for a couple of years as my work has meant my days are quite physically taxing at the moment, my lad is footballing three nights a week and I suppose I’ve fallen out of the running habit.

During my footballing days I never thought I’d say it but I soon learnt that running is certainly an addictive pastime.

[s42blue]

Never been a runner. Always been 13-14st (until the last 18 months but getting there reasonably quickly) and at 6’3” is about right. Did lots of cycling, long distances, C2Cs but my daughter at 20 said she fancied one…. The rest is history.

If I can crack 5hrs I’ll be happy tbh. Had a plan today from Manchester which looks good tbh.

[Sammy Spireite]

s42blue, on 22 November 2023 - 03:07 PM, said:

Never been a runner. Always been 13-14st (until the last 18 months but getting there reasonably quickly) and at 6’3” is about right. Did lots of cycling, long distances, C2Cs but my daughter at 20 said she fancied one…. The rest is history.

If I can crack 5hrs I’ll be happy tbh. Had a plan today from Manchester which looks good tbh.

I'm 5'10" and about 13 1/2 Stone and manage to do the Half marathon in 2h 5mins a few years ago.

Struggle to break 30mins for 5k now but still keep trying!

[hilly81]

Valley Blues, on 22 November 2023 - 02:55 PM, said:

I took up running, in a fashion, once I had to pack up playing football.

I’ve always liked snap and ale and never had a problem with my weight when footballing Saturday, Sunday and at least once in the week but I’m self-employed and injuries were becoming more frequent so I had to hang up the boots.

I was conscious I didn’t want to bang the timber on so began running to keep in shape. I was in my early 30’s.

At first I didn’t particularly enjoy it and did it out of a sense of necessity but I quickly began to get quite hooked.

I’ve never been good enough, or particularly inclined I suppose, to run competitively but I did enjoy the self-competition of pushing for improvement in times, distance and difficulty of runs.

I would run 3-4 times a week, generally around 6-7 miles a run and ran up to half-marathon distance.

I ran the Great North three times, Nottingham half twice, Worksop half three times and Clowne once.

My best was 1.41 at the Worksop but I generally ran around 1.43-1.45. Nothing spectacular at all but reasonable for a casual runner who liked a pint, I suppose.

I’ve not run now for a couple of years as my work has meant my days are quite physically taxing at the moment, my lad is footballing three nights a week and I suppose I’ve fallen out of the running habit.

During my footballing days I never thought I’d say it but I soon learnt that running is certainly an addictive pastime.

Fantastic! I hope you find the time to get back into it at some point. It's certainly addictive. My wife tells me I'm a certified running bore these days.

[Search & Destroy]

6km real steady one tonight after Sundays HM

[RN Blue]

Never been a runner of any note, had to do it in the Navy, didn't like it. Now I'm too far and have bone on bone in my right knee, it's not a joyful experience. I go to the gym and do low impact stuff and do include 2-3 miles on the treadmill but a brisk walk up an incline at max 4 miles an hour speed is about all I can manage.

[Westbars Spireite]

For someone who doesn't (ever) run and is basically overweight and could do with improving fitness, are there are tips beyond 'get off your backside and get some trainers'? I'm lucky to have Holmebrook Valley Park right next to me and there are loads of people who seem pretty serious about their running who use it. I doubt I could run 200 yards without having to stop right now but if I can motivate myself 43 isn't too late is it?

[azul]

I’m 98 and my morning regime is…

5am rise (4am in summer)
Bowl of muesli and a banana
10km wild swimming in the Derwent
Run back to may starting point
Prune Juice on my arrival home

[hilly81]

Westbars Spireite, on 23 November 2023 - 02:24 PM, said:

For someone who doesn't (ever) run and is basically overweight and could do with improving fitness, are there are tips beyond 'get off your backside and get some trainers'? I'm lucky to have Holmebrook Valley Park right next to me and there are loads of people who seem pretty serious about their running who use it. I doubt I could run 200 yards without having to stop right now but if I can motivate myself 43 isn't too late is it?

Not at all! Couch to 5k is a great place to start. It structures your runs over a period of time that eventually have you running 5k without stopping. https://www.nhs.uk/l...th-couch-to-5k/

But yeah, getting on some trainers and getting out there really is the best way. Just don't try and do too much too soon. Don't be afraid of run-walking (1 minute run - 2 minute walk for example). Elite athletes run-walk when they are coming back from injury. Make sure everything is easy, conversational pace. If you try and run everything flat out then you'll end up injured and fed up.

[Valley Blues]

hilly81, on 23 November 2023 - 02:38 PM, said:

Not at all! Couch to 5k is a great place to start. It structures your runs over a period of time that eventually have you running 5k without stopping. https://www.nhs.uk/l...th-couch-to-5k/

But yeah, getting on some trainers and getting out there really is the best way. Just don't try and do too much too soon. Don't be afraid of run-walking (1 minute run - 2 minute walk for example). Elite athletes run-walk when they are coming back from injury. Make sure everything is easy, conversational pace. If you try and run everything flat out then you'll end up injured and fed up.

I’d like to add that getting the right trainers is important too.

I suffered foul of this in the early days with trainers with the wrong support.

I found there was no need to spend big money as I was a relatively moderate distance runner but once I discovered I overpronate it allowed me to select trainers with the correct support.

A wet foot on the bathroom floor or look at the wear on the sole of your daily footwear and it will tell you all you need to know about your gait and what trainers to wear Westbars.

Oh, and you’re just hitting your prime at 43 👍🏻

This post has been edited by Valley Blues: 23 November 2023 - 03:34 PM

[calvin plummers socks]

Westbars Spireite, on 23 November 2023 - 02:24 PM, said:

For someone who doesn't (ever) run and is basically overweight and could do with improving fitness, are there are tips beyond 'get off your backside and get some trainers'? I'm lucky to have Holmebrook Valley Park right next to me and there are loads of people who seem pretty serious about their running who use it. I doubt I could run 200 yards without having to stop right now but if I can motivate myself 43 isn't too late is it?

Do all your running on grass/trail

Do a manageable starting session
(Run 30 sec/ walk 1 min and repeat as long as you can)

When improving run for time not distance (ie. Aim to run for 5 mins then 10 etc. don’t time for distance for a period of time).

One of best starting sessions I used is:-
Football pitch- run corner flag to opposite ends corner flag- walk recovery along touch line behind the goal and repeat as many as you can do before failure.

[Westbars Spireite]

Thanks gents. Any suggestions on trainers without spending a small fortune?

[Paragon of Virtue]

Westbars Spireite, on 23 November 2023 - 04:17 PM, said:

Thanks gents. Any suggestions on trainers without spending a small fortune?

I used to swear by Nike Pegasus, decent all round shoe which will last for ages