The running thread

[coldbrightsunlight]

Yeah absolutely. I've fallen out of the habit because I've not been training for any events for ages, but I should make my own events and set up training plans anyway to keep improving.

[goroth]

Wind-proof underwear isn't something I've ever heard.

Pretty certain that's what the lady at the shop said they were...

Anyways, I'll see what brand/model they are. Because I like em. Not too warm, but take the edge off.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I've definitely seen such things for cycling and cold weather running.

First week back on a very half baked training programme has been fun.

One tempo run, one interval session, one "long" run.

Aiming to slowly increase my weekly distance (I haven't been running a lot recently and don't want to do too much and hurt myself) to respectable levels and add in another session, probably just a slow jog to wake me up one morning.

[popvulture]

Yeah, getting better is such a frustrating process. I keep getting to a point where I can run about 3 to 5 miles without stopping, but that seems to be the absolute ceiling. Lately it's been more 3 miles and under. I'm totally cool with running being this thing that's just for me and I don't have to compete or compare myself to others, BUT... it would be nice to get some solid progress going towards the next level. I feel like I've been at my current level for years now.

TBH I think my inability to progress has a lot to do with stress in other parts of my life. I worry too much about everything, all the time. Oy.

[PeteeBee]

First week back on a very half baked training programme has been fun.

One tempo run, one interval session, one "long" run.

Aiming to slowly increase my weekly distance (I haven't been running a lot recently and don't want to do too much and hurt myself) to respectable levels and add in another session, probably just a slow jog to wake me up one morning.

Nice! That's pretty much what I'm doing (I assume these are all pretty similar unless you're doing something real weird).

This is what I'm working through:
https://www.sagerunning.com/newsletters/free-aerobic-base-building-plan/

It's hard because this requires quite a bit of time, time that I don't always have every week. Like this week I'm just going to do a 3 or 4 maintenance runs, then go back to the plan next week when some deadlines pass. The week that I'm supposed to be has a number of runs that will take me at least two hours (if you factor in changing, warm up, run, cool down, shower) and I don't have that sort of time.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Yeah, getting better is such a frustrating process. I keep getting to a point where I can run about 3 to 5 miles without stopping, but that seems to be the absolute ceiling. Lately it's been more 3 miles and under. I'm totally cool with running being this thing that's just for me and I don't have to compete or compare myself to others, BUT... it would be nice to get some solid progress going towards the next level. I feel like I've been at my current level for years now.

TBH I think my inability to progress has a lot to do with stress in other parts of my life. I worry too much about everything, all the time. Oy.

Stress may be a factor, I find running helps.

You shouldn't worry about not progressing for a while. It doesn't mean you never will progress, but fitness doesn't work linearly where x input -> y output. I would recommend doing some higher intensity sprint/hill repeat training. This can do wonders for your overall fitness and help increase your distance.

Are you stopping because of lack of energy, breathing problems or leg pain?

First week back on a very half baked training programme has been fun.

One tempo run, one interval session, one "long" run.

Aiming to slowly increase my weekly distance (I haven't been running a lot recently and don't want to do too much and hurt myself) to respectable levels and add in another session, probably just a slow jog to wake me up one morning.

Nice! That's pretty much what I'm doing (I assume these are all pretty similar unless you're doing something real weird).

This is what I'm working through:
https://www.sagerunning.com/newsletters/free-aerobic-base-building-plan/

It's hard because this requires quite a bit of time, time that I don't always have every week. Like this week I'm just going to do a 3 or 4 maintenance runs, then go back to the plan next week when some deadlines pass. The week that I'm supposed to be has a number of runs that will take me at least two hours (if you factor in changing, warm up, run, cool down, shower) and I don't have that sort of time.

Yeah, don't feel bad about skipping a week for life reasons. You're not going to lose all your gains in a week especially if you still get a few runs in!!

[popvulture]

Yeah, getting better is such a frustrating process. I keep getting to a point where I can run about 3 to 5 miles without stopping, but that seems to be the absolute ceiling. Lately it's been more 3 miles and under. I'm totally cool with running being this thing that's just for me and I don't have to compete or compare myself to others, BUT... it would be nice to get some solid progress going towards the next level. I feel like I've been at my current level for years now.

TBH I think my inability to progress has a lot to do with stress in other parts of my life. I worry too much about everything, all the time. Oy.

Stress may be a factor, I find running helps.

You shouldn't worry about not progressing for a while. It doesn't mean you never will progress, but fitness doesn't work linearly where x input -> y output. I would recommend doing some higher intensity sprint/hill repeat training. This can do wonders for your overall fitness and help increase your distance.

Are you stopping because of lack of energy, breathing problems or leg pain?

Yeah, it definitely helps me with stress, too... in fact I don't really know what I'd do without it. When I don't run, I'm pretty miserable. But yep, I'd say the thing that usually stops me the most is knee pain. Nothing terrible, just need to probably run through it, I guess... as for sprints, haha I know they'd help me but I haaaate stuff like that. It's like one of those things where you know damn well it'd be great for you but your mind's like "nooooooooooo." I feel the same way about core work, which I know would also be great for my overall stamina.

[coldbrightsunlight]

They are both so good for your fitness I hate sprints too so I don't do them enough but it's good for you.

[popvulture]

Yeah I'm tall so my back is shit. Core work needed. Sighhhhh... I should get on it, as well as the interval stuff.

[Sonaboy]

Yeah I'm tall so my back is shit. Core work needed. Sighhhhh... I should get on it, as well as the interval stuff.

trade the track for the indoor pool, if possible

[PeteeBee]

Yo real talk, I’m splitting my time between a pool and running, and I don’t think that I have ever felt better. The two balance each other very well. I’m a pretty shit swimmer, but it’s getting better. Realistically it took about three weeks, three times a week, before it felt like I belonged at the pool and wasn’t making a fool of myself. I’m still slow, but I love it. My aerobic fitness is going up faster than it does with running alone because I’m able to work out a lot more and not get feet/knee/hip/back issues. I’m 6’5 so I feel your pain (pun intended) with the tall person problems.

[popvulture]

Yeah man I did some laps at a great public pool we have here over the summer, and was immediately impressed with how effective yet seemingly impact-free it was. Need to get more of that happening... doubt I'll ever give up running (as long as I can run), but mixing swimming into things would be awesome.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Yeah true, I always forget about swimming because I despise public pools and regrettably I don't live near a quiet mountain pool. Ridiculous right? But it's supposed to be great for you.

[Sonaboy]

Yeah man I did some laps at a great public pool we have here over the summer, and was immediately impressed with how effective yet seemingly impact-free it was. Need to get more of that happening... doubt I'll ever give up running (as long as I can run), but mixing swimming into things would be awesome.

Even if you just do a few laps, but then just tread water in place, you'll notice things lining up better in your core.
You can spend the rest of the time in the water doing things like floating stretches or stuff like breath work, pushing off the wall with your legs, trying distance underwater, etc.

[goroth]

Also PV, break up your run. Run 3 miles. Walk 1. Run 3.
Increase the total time you are doing something physical.
This is a good way to get through barriers.

Or increase the intensity in parts. Fartlek training is really good because it is essentially unstructured intervals. If you goal is just to get better then it doesn't matter if it is totally unscientific (fartlek can get complicated if you want to attain a specific goal). So you keep your same 5 miles but randomly decide to do shit, like "I'm going to sprint flat out to the next light pole" or "I'm going to run 10% harder to that road sign", then you go back to your old pace until you feel like doing another interval.

But I'd add a mile of walking in the middle.


Went to link to the underwear I've got and the stupid shop has stopped selling them, but yeah. Any underwear that are longer in the leg and not made of stupid cotton will be good under tights in the cold.