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[Taka]

Nice one. What time did you run?

I've still got a cold - just as I ditched the last one, the new one arrived. Makes up for months of not having a significant one... So my mapmyrun calendar is looking abysmal this month.

However on Sunday, I went riding for 3.5 hours up and down some awesome singletrack on the south downs at Friston. Heavenly. Slidey too on the mud at the top. Hoping to go this Sunday too. And a race in Crowthorne Woods on the 14th Nov.

Oops, forgot that I'd posted in here!

Finished with a time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, unofficially according to my stopwatch. I had to queue at the very end for about 5 minutes to cross the finishing line so I've disregarded the official chip time. I didn't go full pelt since I wanted to finish but I was feeling pretty good at the very end so will up the ante on the next half marathon, hopefully Reading in March.

Totally agree that there were far too many on the course. I saw one guy take a fall due to trying to push his way through a small crowd and ended up taking down 3 other people with him.

Signed up to do a reindeer run at a local zoo in December. Prizes for best reindeer outfits, just need to convince my friend to go as one half of a panto horse and stick some antlers on our heads...

[charlesr]

Never did solve the blister problem completely in my Asics 2150s (cured heel by using old insoles, but ball of foot still chaffs on the edge for no reason apart from them seemingly being broken design - see Asics site feedback), so bit the bullet and bought some Asics Gel Cumulus. Went out for a 9 mile run first run with them - no blisters. Not quite as supportive, but lighter and feel better/more natural for my neutral feet.

[Spagoli]

Not quite as supportive, but lighter and feel better/more natural for my neutral feet.

thats what I'm after next. I want something that will impact my running positively, I looked at some Newtons but heard mixed reports plus I don't fancy off road in them as they sound a little unstable, reckon I'm gonna try some Vibram FiveFingers http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/bikila.aspx
I've read a fair bit on barefoot running and reckon its worth a punt nothing to loose except my dignity if I'm seen in them in daylight.

[ShadowDancer]

*cough* *cough* Sweat dripping. I did my first run earlier! (Only a mile)

Building into gently gently. Felt really f-g good to be honest.

[charlesr]

Well played. Hope you stretched after.
You might want to walk tomorrow instead of run to ensure your legs survive the initial pounding. Or do nothing if they are sore.

Spagoli: Lucy has some 5fingers - I'll get a report from her. There was an article in RW a few months ago about the pros and cons of barefoot. It was basically saying that you have to pretend you are new to running again, otherwise there's a huge chance of muscle injury (perhaps exaggerated).

[ShadowDancer]

Thank you C-dude

I did stretch before and after, I usually have a quick stretch down before bed too, its been a long long time tho.

Will see how I feel tomorrow, I did run a bit quick, like a force of habit, next run will be slower, I did enjoy it though.

[charlesr]

Little point doing normal stretching beforehand. No harm though as long as you are warmed up.

[charlesr]

Spagoli: Lucy has some 5fingers - I'll get a report from her. There was an article in RW a few months ago about the pros and cons of barefoot. It was basically saying that you have to pretend you are new to running again, otherwise there's a huge chance of muscle injury (perhaps exaggerated).

Lucy says she was ok until she went too far too early in them and then found it very tough on her achiles. As above, you need to get used to them very gradually.

[Spagoli]

Lucy says she was ok until she went too far too early in them and then found it very tough on her achiles. As above, you need to get used to them very gradually.

Cheers for that. I hope they can add something other than just being a gadget or a fad. I reckon I may use them on a 30mins recovery run and see how they are and build up from there. I do a lot of other training as well now so anything I can do to make it easier on my body has got to be worth a crack. Interestingly I used to get tight achiles when I was running 6/7 days a week now its down to 3 though due to the cycling it seems that thats OK but the cycling is making my hamstrings tight. I've had to start stretching after a ride especially as I need to be able to get off the bike and go straight into a run.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Not strictly the same but I used to wear full boots when windsurfing then changed over to split-toed thinnies - similar to the V5F. Completely different feel and more 'natural' but the wear and tear on the foot, esp the instep took some getting used to.

I've read much the same about these natural running shoes, they are not always 'better'.

[ShadowDancer]

First week went well, 3 runs and two walks

Calfs were a bit tender, didn't fancy extreme cramp or an injury (although I don't know if that would of happened)

Weekend rest, stuck to my diet, bar Friday, had a drink, but 2 drink sessions in ten days is really good for me, and I'm trying.

Body, as big as it is, you can see where I've lost weight too, my stomach has shrunk in.

Just gotta keep it going

Will be looking to buy a cycle when I have more money. Running and cycling. Just a hybrid and a bit of fun onroad.

[ShadowDancer]

Feel a bit bad, just poored myself a snakebite and black (some people call it Diesel, but I'm sure that is an old fashioned drink, I'm really not sure)

Anyway, only 4 cans (2 of each on fridge) 4 can't be that bad.

I've purposely documented this as I do take onboard advice.

[charlesr]

Did another 8.7 mile off roader yesterday. Deers, pheasants, herons and a whole bunch of rare birds in the nature reserve. Ace. Still getting over a cold, so "only" managed 1.07. I'm pretty sure the cold weather was slowing me down too. And the ice on the beach. And the muddy field that filled up my shoes for the remaining 4 miles No one else around unsurprisingly. Lovely

It was a relatively sedate pace for most of it, so I could have done the last 5 mins as a sprint finish I reckon. If I can get that down to 1hour comfortably, then I reckon I'm good for a half marathon at the same pace, so 1hr30

[Rossco]

Ankle operation tomorrow eventually, two years after it happened!

The thought that if it all goes to plan I could be back running about playing sports again like football, squash, badminton, and proper weightlifting like squats and deadlifts in just a few months is so exciting. But my god am I crapping it!!

[Dirty Sanchez]

Good luck with that