The Fitness Thread

[Langers]

I have a pre sale chance to secure a place at the Manchester Marathon next year. Which basically means I can book before it goes on general sale.

Never in my life did I ever think I'd run a marathon but if I don't do this, I know I'll always regret it.

 

[Stan Hullis]

My partner is running it next weekend, her first ever marathon.

I’m looking forward to supporting her from all of Manchester’s greatest pubs.

 

[Langers]

Got my first ever sub-20 minute 5k at Parkrun this morning. Finished in 19:52, a 20 second PB.

Never ever thought I'd manage to do that, dead proud of myself

 

[Tredman]

@Langers - got your Manchester text...?

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Got my first ever sub-20 minute 5k at Parkrun this morning. Finished in 19:52, a 20 second PB.

Never ever thought I'd manage to do that, dead proud of myself

Good work, incredibly satisfying. Which one did you do?

 

[Langers]

@Langers - got your Manchester text...?

Yep - currently in the queue!

 

[Langers]

Good work, incredibly satisfying. Which one did you do?

Worcester Pitchcroft. 3rd time I've done that one. Great course for a fast time

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Worcester Pitchcroft. 3rd time I've done that one. Great course for a fast time

Yep that's my local one, will get down there again soon

 

[Langers]

Yep - currently in the queue!

And... I'm in.

What the fuck am I doing??!?

 

[Tredman]

And... I'm in.

What the fuck am I doing??!?

You’ll enjoy it. Honest.

 

[Stan Hullis]

My partner completed it yesterday, was a really fun event with a really nice vibe all the way around.

Hardest part of the day was trying to get onto the busy trams so that I could find places to cheer on from .

 

[Langers]

It's the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday - I'm doing the Half Marathon, which will be my first ever HM race. I've only ever run that distance twice before, just around the local neighbourhood. And the last time I did that was over 4 years ago.

Very excited about it - I've genuinely loved training for this. I've realised (following some sound advice from much better runners than me on this forum) that mixing up the training and doing a mixture of paces and distances has worked wonders for my fitness. So I feel good and I feel ready - just 1 more training run to do tonight beforehand.

My current HM PB is 1:49 which I know I will beat on Sunday. My aim is under 1:45, and - if all goes well and I get a bit greedy - to push for closer to 1:40.

I only hope I don't have to contend with any uncollected bin bags - I signed up for a running race, not hurdling.

Anyone else running it?

 

[Dire Wolf]

It's the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday - I'm doing the Half Marathon, which will be my first ever HM race. I've only ever run that distance twice before, just around the local neighbourhood. And the last time I did that was over 4 years ago.

Very excited about it - I've genuinely loved training for this. I've realised (following some sound advice from much better runners than me on this forum) that mixing up the training and doing a mixture of paces and distances has worked wonders for my fitness. So I feel good and I feel ready - just 1 more training run to do tonight beforehand.

My current HM PB is 1:49 which I know I will beat on Sunday. My aim is under 1:45, and - if all goes well and I get a bit greedy - to push for closer to 1:40.

I only hope I don't have to contend with any uncollected bin bags - I signed up for a running race, not hurdling.

Anyone else running it?

Good luck, hope the weather cools down a bit for you!

 

[Dire Wolf]

My running frustrates me at the moment, I think it's an age issue! Maximum heart rate is recommended at 220bpm minus your age. So when I run if I go at a pace that feels ok, I go quite a way above my maximum HR zone, especially up hills. If I go at pace that keeps my HR at a sensible level my run feels way too slow. As it is, I'm generally just ignoring my HR and running how I feel comfortable. Not sure if that's wise though!

 

[The Saturday Boy]

My running frustrates me at the moment, I think it's an age issue! Maximum heart rate is recommended at 220bpm minus your age. So when I run if I go at a pace that feels ok, I go quite a way above my maximum HR zone, especially up hills. If I go at pace that keeps my HR at a sensible level my run feels way too slow. As it is, I'm generally just ignoring my HR and running how I feel comfortable. Not sure if that's wise though!

I am also frustrated and I also think it is an age thing. I used to be able to run half marathons without any difficulty, albeit 10 years ago. I have got back into running and can do anything between 1 mile and 5 miles but no idea how far until I get out there and start running. I just can't predict when the legs will get heavy.

Maybe I need to lose that extra stone in weight...

 

[Langers]

Good luck, hope the weather cools down a bit for you!

Thanks - it's supposed to be much cooler on Sunday. And I'm in the 2nd wave of 6 so I'll be starting at 8.45am so it should be perfect temperatures around then.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

My running frustrates me at the moment, I think it's an age issue! Maximum heart rate is recommended at 220bpm minus your age. So when I run if I go at a pace that feels ok, I go quite a way above my maximum HR zone, especially up hills. If I go at pace that keeps my HR at a sensible level my run feels way too slow. As it is, I'm generally just ignoring my HR and running how I feel comfortable. Not sure if that's wise though!

That formula is not particularly accurate, we are all different.

I'm 43 and my 5k/zone 5 HR is 190-205.

I would agree, don't get too beat up on your HR, maybe more concentrate on your effort than your HR?

 

[Tredman]

Also are you using a chest strap to measure heart rate? Some of the watches can get stuck on a cadence lock and measure your steps rather than heart rate.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Also are you using a chest strap to measure heart rate?

Yep, the watches are getting better, but still drift as you say. Always use a chest strap.