TZUK Running Club

[FK77]

This year hasn’t been great for me. First relentless work pressure and stress resulted in lack of motivation to run for the first time ever. Then despite the reduced mileage for several weeks, surprisingly I picked up a shin injury. Didn’t run for about 10 days but the pain came straight back when I resumed. Ran a HM with friends while on holiday purely for fun. Enjoyed every bit of it despite being 14 mins slower than my previous slowest half as the plan was to just run easy all the way (except an anaerobic sprint in the last few hundred metres) and enjoy. Then came off ibuprofen and realised how bad it was so taken a break again. Replacing it with outdoor cycling and indoor cross trainer at the gym. Also simulating my intervals and tempos on a gym bike. So getting some cardio in regardless but it’s not the same!

[Space Traveller]

2 Weeks until my first ever half marathon, my plan was just to make sure I finish it.
Now I'm thinking I can go sub 2 hours.....

I'm not sure if I should just run with no expectations or try and get a sub 2 hour time....

It very much depends what level you're at now. 2 hours for a half marathon is 5:40 per kilometre pace. So if you're comfortable running at that pace on your longer runs, then go for it. Obviously things like how hilly your chosen race is can still make a difference though. I find running in a crowd in a big organised race helps pull you round. Also think about your hydration and fuelling, although for a half you shouldn't need too much.

I'd take it easy for the first few K as the poster above says. Then see how you're feeling and speed up as necessary. Don't go too easy though. With long runs, I find your body gets into a rhythm. So if you do 5-6K at say 6 mins per K, it feels really hard work to speed up to say 5:30 per K. If you set off at 5:45, it's not as much of an adjustment to speed up slightly, if that makes sense. good luck in any case, got my first half of the year this coming Sunday, in Kettering.

This weekend just gone, I bagged two new PBs. 22:21 for the 5K at parkrun on Saturday, and then 49:57 for 10K at Oundle 10K on Sunday.

[SimonH]

2 Weeks until my first ever half marathon, my plan was just to make sure I finish it.
Now I'm thinking I can go sub 2 hours.....

I'm not sure if I should just run with no expectations or try and get a sub 2 hour time....

Usually half marathons will have pace runners so you could consider starting with the 2 hour runner and at half way if you feel good push on, if not dial it back. Personally I tend to negative split which I think unless you know your numbers for the distance well is probably a good approach.

[Toddy]

First 10k in a very long time, not the fastest but happy with how I felt. Need to start increasing distance now ready for the Lakesman in June.

[demonloop]

“This too shall pass”

Having gone several hundred miles injury free, a local 10 mile race at the weekend has resulted in a small calf tear, quads like jelly and hip flexors as tight as my wallet.

We sent her a little too hard..

“This too shall pass”

[Chukas]

Race day, today, couldn’t ask for a better day weather wise in the Highlands.

[Space Traveller]

Beautiful day here as well for the inaugural Kettering half marathon. Lovely course, a bit undulating, ie a hilly bastard!

[Andrzej]

Duathlon at Eton Dorney for me. Super, super weather for it.

[Pitch3110]

Not been on the thread for a while but well done all. 👏🏽👏🏽

Cambridge Half yesterday, sorta thinking PB (been training well) but by the end of the first mile it was not going to happen so a nice bimble instead, 15 minutes off the pace.

Very hot and lots of runners receiving assistance in the last couple of miles, it was in the 20’s, hoping all are well.

Pitch

[Chukas]

Forgot to update this, but completed the Inverness half marathon last Sunday, my first ever half.
1 Hour 52 Minutes.

Started in the 2 Hour 10 Minutes group hoping to break 2 hours, so delighted with my time.
In hindsight, I feel it could off been better as I was fighting a lot of traffic at the start, but you live and learn.

Was a pretty hot day as well.

[SimonH]

Reading Half done today in 1:56:08.

Bit slower than I'd hoped but realistically my training has been ruined by multiple illnesses over the winter so actually very pleased with that time.

Normally I'm a negative splitter but could feel myself fading about 14k, last 5k was tough and pleased I at least managed to dig in and held the pace to the end.

Being a bit of a stats geek I worked out I'd finished 45th chip time out of about 400 runners in the M60 category so I'm actually pretty chuffed with that!

Now back to cycling 😂

(Local run Chieveley Chase end of April, I'll probably do it, recommended to anyone vaguely local to Newbury, it's a trail run just shy of 10k)

[Pitch3110]

Top one buddy and well done. Feel the pain with the winter illness, I had the same which derailed me as well.

What’s the saying?? Medals are won in the winter and collected in the Spring/Summer. But only if we don’t get the winter cough/chest/cold thingys.

Congrats

Pitch

[Space Traveller]

Currently got a nasty case of bronchitis. 8 days into no running and attempting to cough my ringpiece up every fifteen minutes or so, and having to make do with a vital organ instead.

[sjedwardz]

I did the Ultra X spring series 50k trail race over in Liphook Hampshire today.

A lot hotter than forecast and over 1k of elevation so pretty tough. Nice course with a great mixture of ups, downs, some flats and beautiful country side.

I managed to come in 18th out of over 200 and first male vet over 50 with a time of 5:32.

So pretty pleased with that but a bit tired now to say the least!!

[Chinese_Alan]

Has anyone ever fallen out of love with running?

I used to be able to run 5K and 10 K Really easily sub 20 minutes for a five and just over 40 minutes for a 10.

However, around two years ago, I began to stop during a run. Just for about 10 seconds, I’d start again and back then I’d be able to continue and finish the rest of the run. However, fast forward two years and I find myself stopping over and over again, I’ll do the first large portion of the run and then all of a sudden all I’ll start thinking about is stopping - sometimes not being able to run more than a few hundred metres without stopping next. I don’t know what it is, but it’s killing me.

I used to really enjoy running, but now when I think about going out for my next run, I just think that it’s gonna take ages. I’m gonna keep stopping and I won’t enjoy it.

For an idea of how much I run I only run one 10 K and one 5K a week but I’ve been doing the same thing in terms of routine for about five years now.

Has anyone been in this predicament before and if so, did you manage to get over it? Do you have any advice for someone in the same situation?

[Ivan Drago]

Every runs different for me Alan, I’m pretty similar to you that I only run 5k and 10ks.

I can go out tomorrow and after 5 mins what to jack it in and go home and other days I feel like I’m cruising.

I’ve changed the way I run now, I used to go out and try and better my times every run. I’ve switched it up completely and now do a type of steady state cardio and one run a week quicker.

So the bulk of my training is 6 minutes per KM. Takes a while to get the hang of running slower but it actually really enjoyable when you do start to hit the 6 min KM’s.

Give the slower runs a go for a few weeks and build back up from there would be my suggestion.


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[sjedwardz]

I fell out for about a year and focused on the peloton bike instead of

Then on a summer holiday in the south of france took my running shoes with me as no chance of being able to do anything else. Got up for sunrise one morning for a nice 10 k trail run and voila. Back into running again.

In typical me style it went gang busters and ended doing ultras again.

Some ideas for you.
Join a running club. I’m not the most social of people but mine is brilliant. They organise a run pretty much every day of the week and cater for all skill levels. The group thing can really help motivation.

But some more kit. Nothing like having some new to try out.

Try running on trails if you haven’t already. You will be amazed at what’s around you and what you have overlooked before. I can recommend the free site plotaroute , use the trails map to hunt out footpaths , bridal ways etc.

Enter an event. You won’t want to turn up to one of those untrained. Plus the buzz of competing.

[famyklebust]

I did the Ultra X spring series 50k trail race over in Liphook Hampshire today.

A lot hotter than forecast and over 1k of elevation so pretty tough. Nice course with a great mixture of ups, downs, some flats and beautiful country side.

I managed to come in 18th out of over 200 and first male vet over 50 with a time of 5:32.

So pretty pleased with that but a bit tired now to say the least!!

I did the 25k, and it was an incredible day. So much warmer than I expected though. Congratulations on an impressive time in that weather and those hills!


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[demonloop]

Has anyone ever fallen out of love with running?

I used to be able to run 5K and 10 K Really easily sub 20 minutes for a five and just over 40 minutes for a 10.

However, around two years ago, I began to stop during a run. Just for about 10 seconds, I’d start again and back then I’d be able to continue and finish the rest of the run. However, fast forward two years and I find myself stopping over and over again, I’ll do the first large portion of the run and then all of a sudden all I’ll start thinking about is stopping - sometimes not being able to run more than a few hundred metres without stopping next. I don’t know what it is, but it’s killing me.

I used to really enjoy running, but now when I think about going out for my next run, I just think that it’s gonna take ages. I’m gonna keep stopping and I won’t enjoy it.

For an idea of how much I run I only run one 10 K and one 5K a week but I’ve been doing the same thing in terms of routine for about five years now.

Has anyone been in this predicament before and if so, did you manage to get over it? Do you have any advice for someone in the same situation?

This is the issue I think. That would bore the life out of me, too!

Mix it up, have a different routine week by week. You can alter your route, alter the distance, and alter the session

For example, instead of running straightforward 10k every week, change it up..

Week 1.. Make it 1k on 1k off (1k at threshold pace, 1k at easy pace)
Week 2.. Make it progressive (start slow, increase pace by 15s each km)

etc etc

Also, enter local races! Having a target 6/8/12 weeks away really gives something to aim for, rather than aimlessly running

Add in a parkrun on a Saturday..

There's lots you can do to change it up

[Chukas]

This is the issue I think. That would bore the life out of me, too!

Mix it up, have a different routine week by week. You can alter your route, alter the distance, and alter the session

For example, instead of running straightforward 10k every week, change it up..

Week 1.. Make it 1k on 1k off (1k at threshold pace, 1k at easy pace)
Week 2.. Make it progressive (start slow, increase pace by 15s each km)

etc etc

Also, enter local races! Having a target 6/8/12 weeks away really gives something to aim for, rather than aimlessly running

Add in a parkrun on a Saturday..


There's lots you can do to change it up

This is the way forward, I change my routes and distances depending on how I’m feeling.
If I’m feeling good and enjoying it, I might just keep on going, if I’m not, I might add in some pace to get home quicker and go again next time.

[s1wnw]

I’ve got the London marathon this weekend. Looks like it is going to be a warm one


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[Space Traveller]

I’ve got the London marathon this weekend. Looks like it is going to be a warm one


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Best of luck!

It's looking warmish, but round about 14-16c when the waves start, which isn't too bad I guess. Only really gets to 20c after 2pm. Hazy as well according to the Beeb, so hopefully you won't be in direct sunlight, which I hate.