Any Runners On Here??

[Flying_Monkey]

I was away from Tokyo last week visiting relatives in Shiga, so I missed the club training session. Instead, however, I did one of my favourite runs in the world, which involves a good 10k of flat, split by a monstrously steep km or so up steps to a mountain temple and then back down. Whereas last time I did this one, a couple of years ago, I came back down the road where cars can access the temple, this time I found a more interesting path down, much harder and steeper. Great!

I ran a couple of my normal 7.5k morning route since coming back and last night was out with the club for my last training session in Japan - we'll be returning home early next week. This was intervals of 1 * 2000m / 3 * 1000m / 2 * 500m. Oh, and it was 94% humidity! I'd warmed up beforehand with two slow 2km loops, and since the air was so thick and I felt sluggish, I once again decided to run with the slightly slower 'B' Group. However, I and one other guy finished so far ahead of the rest that I changed my mind and immediately latched on to the back of the 'A' group - that's people who aim to run 4m / km or faster - for the rest. And at the back was where I stayed, but mostly I was not the absolute slowest.

Progress, I think. Plus I've lost over 1kg since I've been here and most importantly, I feel like I want to be a runner again.

 

[smutchin]

Just back from a trip to Prague. Took my kit but... Jeez, no one told me how hilly that place is!

Still, got a couple of good runs in. I didn't really plan my routes, just had a rough idea of where I was heading. For the first outing (6.5km), I went up to Letna Park - up a steep flight of steps to the plateau - then continued to climb at a more gentle gradient round the back of the Castle to the Strahov Monastery, for a total of around 100m elevation gain in the space of roughly 3km, according to Strava. Then a short, steep plunge back down to the hotel - too steep to be really enjoyable! Crossing Charles Bridge at 5.30am is much nicer than doing it in the middle of the day with the hordes of tourists.

For the second outing (6.8km), I ran along the river for a bit, then took the road that runs up the side of Petrin Park until I could find a way into the park itself and continue all the way up to the observation tower, before another sharp descent back to the hotel. That one involved a more steady spell of climbing, with more consistent gradient, again gaining around 100m but in the space of only 2km.

Wish I'd been able to fit in some more runs, and in particular wish I'd explored Petrin Park more as it's a lovely place for running - very steep if you go straight up the direct route to the top, but there are lots of paths zigzagging across at much more gentle gradient, and it's densely wooded so reasonably cool even in the summer heat - on both occasions I went out early, before breakfast, but it was already over 20ºC by 7am on both days. I had intended to go out every morning I was there but that would have been a bit much given that I was spending most of the time on my feet anyway with all the sightseeing we did.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

He's not on here, but Froome looks like he is a runner!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Tough month personally and professionally and my mojo has got lost as a result

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Trunce 6 last night
A very hot race, the car thermometer was showing 29, at 18:35
After last races breathing issues, l took it a bit easier, walking on the hills

109/274 @ 37:42

It was the first time l"d seen a water-station on the route!, thus it was quite warm (& l've run it since 2009)
I didn't bother, but did scoop river water all over myself at crossings 2, & 3




Club-run this evening, & it was apparantly '33'!!!
Thankfully, it was a steady run

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

Ran along part of the Leeds Liverpool canal at the Liverpool end last night. The kids smoking drugs were no problem but I did get a bit anxious when I ran past the guy with the air rifle and telescopic sights lying in the prone position on the opposite bank and letting off shots into the water.
Still, I didn't get shot.
Later on, a lady (possibly drunk), told me I had lovely legs. It let me finish the run in a nice, upbeat way.

 

[Stephenite]

Tough month personally and professionally and my mojo has got lost as a result

I know what you mean. You'll feel better though if you go for a run.

Can you swim? You can have my Oslo Tri startnumber.

 

[Tin Pot]

Can't run til next week and then only easy and upto 30 mins while I recover . Really want a 2hr trail run in this weather while it lasts!

Here a pic from my last run on Sunday :P

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I know what you mean. You'll feel better though if you go for a run.

Can you swim? You can have my Oslo Tri startnumber.

I'll pass on the Tri

I managed to get out for 5km this morning. First run since coming back to work in UK. You are right, I do feel better.

 

[sarahale]

I've recently taken up running again after entering a half marathon in September (Windsor) I aim to run to raise a little bit for charity and because I enjoy it.

I'm doing about 10 miles a week at the moment, two days ago did my longest run yet of about 4.5 miles. I'm not the quickest runner in the world but I really enjoy it and it helps to strengthen an old injury I have

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

ParkRan at Pontefract this morning instead
It's the first time l've there for over a year!

Mindst you, l did have a wheel to collect from Kendells in Castleford ('LBS', & home to one of the best wheel-builders around)!
It's less than ten minutes to the shop from there, rather than the 20-25, from Nostell Priory
It was a Vision 'Team 30'' Gary had pressed new cartridge bearings in

It was already fairly warm on arrival, & the desire to have a dip in the fishing lake was tempting - if 'bad form'

Saw Mick, a good friend who'd won a (sprint) Triathlon last weekend by about 4 minutes!!
"Chapeau!", my friend


We did, however, all benefit from a shower, as the groundsmen of the RaceCourse (ParkRun shadows the course, on the camera car track) were watering it, with a tractor & bowser, and the over-spray reached us
Which was nice


Not a bad time really, l guess, but way off my PB there (or even my average time)

48th/253 @ 23:39

 

[smutchin]

Got totally pwned by a kid at parkrun this morning. I'm guessing around 8-9 years old. She was running with her dad and they came past me about 500m from the line. I tried to keep up, I really did, but she was going for it.

I finished in 24.16, which I'm pretty pleased with - best time this year on this course. I've only run quicker once, on the alternative course, which is slightly flatter. Still a loooong way off my all-time PB though.

According to the results, my young rival is in the JW10 category, so I'm probably about right on her age, and her course PB is 22.58. She has also gone under 24mins on the Canterbury course, which is a proper tough one. Crikey! That is seriously impressive.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Due to getting a little bit tipsy last night (last day at work for 2 weeks yesterday so I had a wee celebration) I didn't get out for a morning run. So I decided it would be a good idea to run 5k round the football pitch this afternoon whilst I was supposed to be watching the team I help out with. I'm now getting called Forrest. Bastards*

*they are obviously forgetting it's me that decides the pace at training and how many circuits they do...

 

[User169]

Got totally pwned by a kid at parkrun this morning. I'm guessing around 8-9 years old. She was running with her dad and they came past me about 500m from the line. I tried to keep up, I really did, but she was going for it.

I finished in 24.16, which I'm pretty pleased with - best time this year on this course. I've only run quicker once, on the alternative course, which is slightly flatter. Still a loooong way off my all-time PB though.

According to the results, my young rival is in the JW10 category, so I'm probably about right on her age, and her course PB is 22.58. She has also gone under 24mins on the Canterbury course, which is a proper tough one. Crikey! That is seriously impressive.

My daughter races against a girl who ran 19:03 over 5km last year aged 10.

 

[smutchin]

My daughter races against a girl who ran 19:03 over 5km last year aged 10.

Blimey. That's insane.

I'll tell my young rival at next week's parkrun - give her something to aim for. She's only been doing it a few months, so plenty of potential to improve!