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[Paradigm]

To the runners:

The Great North Run is on the 30th Sept. When am I supposed to do the full distance in training and then lay off and do shorter and shorter runs? 2 weeks before? 4 weeks someone else has written?

[Spagoli]

To the runners: The Great North Run is on the 30th Sept. When am I supposed to do the full distance in training and then lay off and do shorter and shorter runs? 2 weeks before? 4 weeks someone else has written?

Depends on your training plan. If you havent got one you should probably be building up speed towards the end and then tapper off 2 weeks before the race with last long run a couple of weeks before. Depends on your fitness really if you can comfortably do the distance or not. Whats your longest run so far?

[rumbletum]

When I did my first half marathon (the GNR, back in 2001) I never did the distance beforehand - I had done several 12-12.5 mile runs comfortably but wanted to do the distance for the first time at the event.

The last 12miler I did was two weeks before, and I think the week before I did 8 miles, then just a couple of short ones during the week.

Personally I think 4 weeks is way too long, I did a marathon earlier in the year and my longest run (24m) was three weeks earlier.

What sort of distance are you running now? And how long do you feel you take to recover from that?

[Paradigm]

Depends on your training plan. If you havent got one you should probably be building up speed towards the end and then tapper off 2 weeks before the race with last long run a couple of weeks before. Depends on your fitness really if you can comfortably do the distance or not. Whats your longest run so far?

I did 10 miles a couple of weeks ago and then got hit by a wonderful, really bad cold about 3 days later (so I don't know about my recovery time from it). I'm going out for my first run tomorrow since that, probably 5 miles or so just to get back into it, though I'll see what I can do.

Edit: at the time I reckon I could have carried on, as well. I managed to sprint the last few hundred metres as I felt quite good.

[Extra Terrestrial]

I managed to run 5 miles on Saturday evening (before I went out), 7 miles on Sunday morning (it was an absolutely lovely run) and I did 4 miles yesterday morning from Woodbridge to Shingle Street (coastline near Bawdsey) before running all the way to Ipswich, which is about 10-11 miles.

I practically ran a marathon over the last 3 days and my legs are having a rest today although I did have to walk back from town due to the rubbish buses and the fact that it was sunny this morning.

I am pretty proud of myself actually!



Shocking stuff from Ish - where has he been in the past 2-3 months!?

Hey, Paradigm good luck with your run in September; I might join you in a couple of years when I feel comfortable to run that distance.

[Ish]

I know ET I've been terrible. I've just been boozing. Truly shocking.

[charlesr]

I'm still doing the exercise bike regularly. Sitting in front of an episode of Alias normally, although seeing the screen through the sweat is tricky. I need a fan.

My wife does Pilates classes which I've been going to once a week for over a year now. Last week in the advanced class she made us do all this mental stuff and everything ached for days. Once you get advanced, it really is taxing in the extreme.

[ascender]

Training was going OK until I hurt my foot on a hill run. Managed to finish the run but I knew something wasn't right. Ended up getting it x-rayed and have been resting for the last 3 weeks while they get round to looking at the x-rays. Sorry, bit inaccurate. They've now looked at the x-rays and have posted me a letter with their diagnosis. Fantastic.

[Ish]

ET you'd be proud of me. I'm not had a drink for 8 days now and am getting properly back into my exercise. Just got back from a kilometre swim.

[Spagoli]

Well thin k training is finally helping, getting somewhere back to feeling fit. Did a 5mile race last week and averaged 6min33 per mile and feel could have gone faster. Did an 8mile run last night and felt could go on gforever just like the Gump.

Went to JJB last Fri in Brum, bit late now I guess but they had a half price sale on, got some Asics 2110 for ?40 a couple of running tops ?7 and ?12 and a Nike Compression top for ?7.50. Had heard they were good so thought at that proce i'd take a punt on a vent top. Glad it was only ?7.50 as not sure i'll be wearing it much its so tight I can barely breath in it sat down yet alone while running.

[Paradigm]

Interesting, is that the Nike Pro (athelete's secret weapon!!!!!!!) stuff? I was in JJB a while ago and saw they'd knocked it down. I was more interested in the strange shorts, no idea if what they claim about it being helpful with movement is true or not.

I need some lighter running shorts though - any Asics in the sale at all? I just want them to match my trainers!

[Extra Terrestrial]

ET you'd be proud of me. I'm not had a drink for 8 days now and am getting properly back into my exercise. Just got back from a kilometre swim.

*faints*

Hey, well done mate; was it in an Olympic size swimming pool? That would 20 lengths if you did - that is pretty good considering you haven't exercised much in the past few months!

Keep it up.

Spagoli, that is quite a good average time during your 5 mile run if you ask me but if you felt you could run on forever when you ran for 8 miles yesterday then you can better that in due time.

I only wear these Nike running shorts, which I got for ?20 from JJB as opposed to the ?30 price-tag on the website and are absolutely brilliant and very comfortable when running long distances.

Nike Featherweight Shorts

As for t-shirts, I just stick with my many Threadless tees I own as I really don't like any of those athletic based tees I have tried on and off over the last two years.

I have always thought that shorts are more important than the tees when it comes to running anyway.

I have joined a running club called the Ipswich JAFFA club, which I only just started last night and managed to run the 5km track challenge with other local clubs; you can see what I am doing every Monday on the website:

Monday night track sessions

Looks like I have finally put the drinks down for good now to get back on track with my exercises.

[Extra Terrestrial]

I need some lighter running shorts though.

Look no further:

Nike running shorts

I highly recommend the Featherweight shorts just as I did on my previous message.

[Extra Terrestrial]

Rode in a sportive on Sunday - Legbreaker Challenge. 3050m of climbing in 130k. Came in 15th out of 164 with 5:16:52, which I was pleased with.

http://www.legbreaker.co.uk/coppermi...album=2&pos=97

Somehow I missed this; well done mate!



I presume you have some upcoming events similar to what you have done recently or is it an annual event?

[Spagoli]

Yep, the secret weapon of the athlete with steel ribs Paradigm. I really wanted to like it, maybe I need to persevere a bit and try it running. I know the leggings are supposed to be good especially the skins ones. They are supposed to aid in circulation which allegedly makes your legs feel better the next day.

Dont remember seeing any Asics but def had nike and adidas spilt side racing shorts at £7.50.

ET well worth getting technical top, they are amazing, assuming you sweat they will stay dry and def help keep you cool and if you get wet from rain they will dry off within 5 mins once it stops as well as not absorbing the water and adding 5lbs of weight to you.

I bet joing a club will make a huge difference. I have just left my old one Aldridge and am joining Birchfield Harriers in an attempt to add some quality to my sessions. They have their own stadium and track and some top class athletes whereas Aldridge share the cricket club with a hockey club and probably will struggle this year to even get a cross country team out this year.