Any Runners On Here??

[Flying_Monkey]

Nice, but I'm far from the fastest person in my club. There are several sub-17 minute 5k runners, who are in their 20s, but there are 3 or 4 others in the 50-59 age group who regularly run under 17.30 and there is one guy in that age group, who is now mostly based in the UK, who you may have heard of, Mike Trees, who ran 15.41 here last year while he was back for a while! This is part of what has been motivating me to get fitter and faster. There is nothing like being in a club with inspiring (and friendly) people who have over ten years on me and can still outrun me easily!

 

[smutchin]

I'm envious of your progress, FM. I really need to join a club. It's the only way I'm ever going to make any meaningful improvement on my current level of ability. Unfortunately, I can't make training sessions at either of my two local clubs as I don't finish work in time. Hmmm. Maybe I should find a club near the office instead.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I'm envious of your progress, FM. I really need to join a club. It's the only way I'm ever going to make any meaningful improvement on my current level of ability.

Me too!!
Personally I'll settle for getting to a 'sub 20;00' ParkRun', or a 'sub 41:00' 10K

That said, if, I'd joined a different local Club, I might have been there by now, as they're a lot more serious than ours, & have turned out some very talented runners (albeit the natural talent was already there!!)

Ie; this lot!!!
http://www.wakefield-harriers.co.uk/

 

[smutchin]

That's the thing - I'm pretty certain I could do a sub-20 5k with some proper training.

But it's going to be all about audaxing for me between now and the end of May (I've signed up for an SR plus extras). After that, I'll switch my focus to preparing for the marathon I've got pencilled in for September. Might even look at some proper traing plans, even if I don't join a club. I somehow don't think I'll be satisfied with just getting round, a decent time will be the aim...

 

[Bangers]

I have been running for a about. 6/7 years and have gone for to wheels recently for a fresh challenge. The longest distance I ran was marathon in a time of 3:52 ( still think I have a 3:30 in me) I have a couple of small thing Lined up later this year tough mudder in August and the run leg of a triathlon with a team from work.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Joining a club was the best thing I have done - I don't know why I didn't do it earlier, after all it worked for my cycling... but there are clubs and clubs. The reason my current club has been so good is that they actually have organised track training sessions, and hill interval training, as well as entering races etc. The track training is what has really done it for me. Otherwise I don't do huge amounts of training - I have intense periods when I'm on holiday when I will run consistently 10-20km every day - but otherwise I only run about 25km a week, plus track training. But I run with a purpose in mind every time - easy, longer distance OR mid-range tempo OR short and hard etc.

 

[Ian A]

14 mile category C fell race today. The only fell race in Leicestershire. The hills aren't too bad but the mud was something else. Not like the thigh high mud you come across on Haworth Moor. A lot of clay, sticky and not very deep so you slide sideways but not sink deep so can't get a purchase. Out and back too so worse on the way back. That's my excuses sorted then . Pleased to get round albeit in just over 2.30 hrs. I was running well for me where there was less mud and just a bit boggy. I've lost just shy of 5kg in the last four weeks which certainly helps.

 

[rich p]

Joining a club is almost essential for improvement especially in the early days. Track sessions and a long run are the 2 main ingredients for a decent marathon IMHO.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Joining a club is almost essential for improvement especially in the early days. Track sessions and a long run are the 2 main ingredients for a decent marathon IMHO.

I never ran seriously when I was younger, unlike some here, so at the age of 41, I am considering this very much as my 'early days'! Many of the guys in their 50s I was mentioning above only started running seriously in their late 30s or early 40s or rediscovered running at this time after having stopped running after school or college, and if you are starting (or restarting) at this age, the advantage is that you often do things with more care than younger runners often do and won't end up doing long-term damage to yourself because you basically believe you are immortal! I'm very careful about not overdoing it because I want to still be running well into my 60s at least.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

14 mile category C fell race today. The only fell race in Leicestershire. The hills aren't too bad but the mud was something else. Not like the thigh high mud you come across on Haworth Moor

Must be this one then??

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2839

I must admit, like many people, l wouldn't have Leicestershire down as a hot-bed of fell-running.
Then again, with only one race, it isn't!!!

Congratulations & well done though!!!!



This is my next (booked/arranged) race (entries in advance though!!) fell-race, a shortie at 5 miles, but almost as much climbing as you had packed into that distance.

http://www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk/index.php?page=imr

The 'ER', 'LK', & 'PM' puts some people off it. Tthe 2010 edition was my first proper fell-race, complete with 5" of snow!!!!

 

[rich p]

I never ran seriously when I was younger, unlike some here, so at the age of 41, I am considering this very much as my 'early days'! Many of the guys in their 50s I was mentioning above only started running seriously in their late 30s or early 40s or rediscovered running at this time after having stopped running after school or college, and if you are starting (or restarting) at this age, the advantage is that you often do things with more care than younger runners often do and won't end up doing long-term damage to yourself because you basically believe you are immortal! I'm very careful about not overdoing it because I want to still be running well into my 60s at least.

I started in my mid 30s but training with a group at first, led by someone who knew what they were talking about, was a fast learning curve. Once I knew enough about training (and over-training) I was confident of structuring my own strategy. Albeit with some close friends to chat and run with.
The track session was always a must though even after I'd left the club. It was open to non-club members which helped.

 

[Ian A]

Must be this one then??

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2839

I must admit, like many people, l wouldn't have Leicestershire down as a hot-bed of fell-running.
Then again, with only one race, it isn't!!!

Congratulations & well done though!!!!



This is my next (booked/arranged) race (entries in advance though!!) fell-race, a shortie at 5 miles, but almost as much climbing as you had packed into that distance. The plan is to improve with regular training and hopefully be able to do the steeper climbs with some conviction.

http://www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk/index.php?page=imr

The 'ER', 'LK', & 'PM' puts some people off it. Tthe 2010 edition was my first proper fell-race, complete with 5" of snow!!!!

That's the one. 2.34.30 my official finish time. There's certainly no steep long hills, mainly rolling terrain and a lot of more gentle uphill sections. The mud made it hard. There was snow last year and it was apparently easier than this year or so I've been told by many people who ran both. It suits me as I lack anything at the "top end" so to speak. Anything steep or fast and uphill I can't blag with my lack of training. I'm trying to throw intervals/hill reps in but have to focus on the endurance side of things with the races I've entered this year.

The Ilkley race looks tough! Went hiking around there as a kid and I can't remember many flat bits for the organisers to avoid. Next for me is the flat Loughborough half in March and the lumpy in places Baildon Boundary Way in April.

Joining a club is almost essential for improvement especially in the early days. Track sessions and a long run are the 2 main ingredients for a decent marathon IMHO.

Totally agree with this although I haven't had chance to try this yet. I'm a member of a tri club who run several run sessions a week including track and hill reps but it's too early in the evening for me with my kids at the age they are. I try to do my own when I can which certainly helps but obviously isn't the same. The improvements to my swimming was huge when I started swimming with a masters club and the tri club three times a week and would expect good improvement with running. If you can train with a running club then you should .

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

The Ilkley race looks tough! Went hiking around there as a kid and I can't remember many flat bits for the organisers to avoid. Next for me is the flat Loughborough half in March and the lumpy in places Baildon Boundary Way in April..

Yes, Ilkley is a toughie!
Look how far we are above the town, less than 1/2 mile from start!!! (I'm in the hi-viz t-shirt trying to cut round the guy in the black shirt)

 

[Ian A]

I'm glad there were no hills like that where I was running yesterday! Good work.

Here's me in the grey vest running down one of the mini hills on Sunday. It was steeper on the way up but not much. I don't I normally run cross legged. Still got at least 7kg to lose to reach the kind of weight I was before and I could have lost more back then.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

An average of 3.38 for the 6 x 1000m intervals at the track again last night, but whereas last month I was exhausted and the individual times were all over the place, this time I was controlled and running within myself. I started off easy with a 3.43, and then ran consistently 3.39, 3.38, 3.38 for the next three. I had always planned to put in a bit more effort on the penultimate interval before easing up a bit again for the final one - and that's exacty what I did: 3.31 on the 2nd last and 3.37 on the last. I actually enjoyed it, especially being able to keep the faster guys in sight. And I think I can bring the average down a couple of seconds next time.