2020 Fretboard Virtual Running Club

Iamnobody

RaymondLin said:

First time posting in this thread, I bought an Apple Watch Series 6 when it was released back in September and I told myself to make use of it, I need to use it to justify it so I started running.  I downloaded the Couch to 5k App and stuck to it, 3 times a week never missing a single schedule (quite proud of that one, made no excuses, rain or not) and this week I finally finished it and did my 5k.

Anyway, just to say Nike is having a sale at the moment, code BRIGHT30 for 30% off and just bought a pair of Pegasus 37 for £50.

Congrats on starting up - I’m new to it this year as well. 

I have Brooks shoes (trail and road pairs) but decided to try some Asics in their sale today. Running shoes are only good for around 500 miles (apparently) so good to snag some in the sales. I’m a neutral so have plenty to choose from.

Have you had your gait checked?

Running shops offer this service, it’s useful to know and will identify if you need any extra stability in your shoes.

BahHumbug

Well, I feel like I’m progressing a little bit n this ITBS recovery.  I’ve run at least every other day for the last couple of weeks.  I started at 2k each run and I’ve gently worked up to 2.5k this morning.  Haven’t generated any more pain yet.  I’ve also carried on doing leg strengthening exercises too.  These are quite tough but most importantly don’t aggravate the knee pain.

And yes @Iamnobody I’ve become very diligent about warm-ups and cool-down stretches!

RaymondLin

Iamnobody said:

RaymondLin said:

First time posting in this thread, I bought an Apple Watch Series 6 when it was released back in September and I told myself to make use of it, I need to use it to justify it so I started running.  I downloaded the Couch to 5k App and stuck to it, 3 times a week never missing a single schedule (quite proud of that one, made no excuses, rain or not) and this week I finally finished it and did my 5k.

Anyway, just to say Nike is having a sale at the moment, code BRIGHT30 for 30% off and just bought a pair of Pegasus 37 for £50.

Congrats on starting up - I’m new to it this year as well. 

I have Brooks shoes (trail and road pairs) but decided to try some Asics in their sale today. Running shoes are only good for around 500 miles (apparently) so good to snag some in the sales. I’m a neutral so have plenty to choose from.

Have you had your gait checked?

Running shops offer this service, it’s useful to know and will identify if you need any extra stability in your shoes.

No, I know I ought to but at the moment it is obviously not possible.  

I tend to stick to Nike trainers, for every style as they generally just fit the shape of my feet the best, they also the same size consistency frmo pair to pair and I can buy blind and they fit perfect.  I actually went out with the new Pegasus 37 last night and it's so different to my normal air max.  It was like running on springs, I think my knees will thank it.  Sooooo comfortable. 

BahHumbug

I’ve got another question about gps watches......I’m a bit obsessive about measuring and recording so I record all my runs on Strava, using my phone.  Carting the phone on long runs is a bit of a bind though and I also find that Strava record has odd off days where it just records gibberish.
So I’m thinking about getting a GPS watch.  Ideally I’d be looking for one that the run data can be transferred to Strava, maybe with heart rate monitoring.  Oh and I’d like it to be cheap, cos I’m a tight wad.  Does such a thing exist?
I can do my own research,  but I’m not in a hurry at the moment, so if anyone can point me in a direction it’d be a great help.

RaymondLin

I only have an Apple Watch and use the Nike Run app in the watch.  It sync to my phone automatically with GPS, heart rate etc.  It can store music but my favourite thing is that it also stores podcast and it automatically clear old listened ones and download new episodes without me doing anything.  So I leave my phone at home.

You can get an Apple Watch SE for £250, not sure if that’s expensive for you.  Sorry I’ve not tried Strava (is it free?)

toescantalk

ITB is literally a pain. I used these exercises which I should still be doing less regularly now pain has gone:

https://strengthrunning.com/2011/02/the-itb-rehab-routine-video-demonstration/

I’d get a cheap Garmin e.g. forerunner for running watch starting out. Think everyone at running club has one Garmin model or another.

drofluf

BahHumbug said:

I’ve got another question about gps watches......I’m a bit obsessive about measuring and recording so I record all my runs on Strava, using my phone.  Carting the phone on long runs is a bit of a bind though and I also find that Strava record has odd off days where it just records gibberish.
So I’m thinking about getting a GPS watch.  Ideally I’d be looking for one that the run data can be transferred to Strava, maybe with heart rate monitoring.  Oh and I’d like it to be cheap, cos I’m a tight wad.  Does such a thing exist?
I can do my own research,  but I’m not in a hurry at the moment, so if anyone can point me in a direction it’d be a great help.

The Forerunner I mentioned a few posts ago is less than £100 and will do what you asked. I just remembered that I actually started a thread a while back asking the same question https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/192047/running-watch-recommendation#latest

djspecialist

BahHumbug said:

I’ve got another question about gps watches......I’m a bit obsessive about measuring and recording so I record all my runs on Strava, using my phone.  Carting the phone on long runs is a bit of a bind though and I also find that Strava record has odd off days where it just records gibberish.
So I’m thinking about getting a GPS watch.  Ideally I’d be looking for one that the run data can be transferred to Strava, maybe with heart rate monitoring.  Oh and I’d like it to be cheap, cos I’m a tight wad.  Does such a thing exist?
I can do my own research,  but I’m not in a hurry at the moment, so if anyone can point me in a direction it’d be a great help.

 My Garmin Forerunner 235 uploads to the Garmin Connect app, and then I have set that up to sync the data across (including heart rate and cadence) to Strava.

BahHumbug

Thanks very much @RaymondLin @drofluf @djspecialist .
£250 is a bit steep for me, but I’ll certainly look into the Garmin watches.  I didn’t know they are so cheap.
Thanks again.

Iamnobody

BahHumbug said:

Well, I feel like I’m progressing a little bit n this ITBS recovery.  I’ve run at least every other day for the last couple of weeks.  I started at 2k each run and I’ve gently worked up to 2.5k this morning.  Haven’t generated any more pain yet.  I’ve also carried on doing leg strengthening exercises too.  These are quite tough but most importantly don’t aggravate the knee pain.

And yes @Iamnobody I’ve become very diligent about warm-ups and cool-down stretches!

One thing I noticed was running uphill brought on the ITB pain - most of my routes are quite flat now. 

BahHumbug

Iamnobody said:

BahHumbug said:

Well, I feel like I’m progressing a little bit n this ITBS recovery.  I’ve run at least every other day for the last couple of weeks.  I started at 2k each run and I’ve gently worked up to 2.5k this morning.  Haven’t generated any more pain yet.  I’ve also carried on doing leg strengthening exercises too.  These are quite tough but most importantly don’t aggravate the knee pain.

And yes @Iamnobody I’ve become very diligent about warm-ups and cool-down stretches!

One thing I noticed was running uphill brought on the ITB pain - most of my routes are quite flat now. 

Yep, same for me.  Either uphill or pavement/road camber that lifts the outside edge of the foot towards the knee.  So I'm trying to keep my runs short and fairly flat.

steven70

drofluf said:

steven70 said:

Back again after the longest time off (over three months) in 20 years...the key seems to be allowing a couple of days recovery after each run. 

Anyways...question about running watches please:

Can anyone recommend a basic watch that will tell me distance and time. I want to build up to some speed intervals and gym is out of the equation. I don't have a smart phone and not worried about apps or stuff - just wanna be able to (e.g) run fast for some 0.5K intervals while out and about...or go off on a tangent from usual route etc 

Any advice or ideas appreciated - thank you.


Edit: The key thing is not needing a smartphone...I have looked online but not always clear and recommendations appreciated. Cheers.
 

Sorry for a late response. Would a Garmin Forerunner 35 fit the bill? I’m pretty sure that you can use it without a smartphone. 

Sorry for the even later acknowledgement Yes, I reckon that will do nicely - says it 'tracks your distance, pace, intervals and more[]no phone, no chest strap. '

Thank you, for the advice, I reckon that'll do the job.

Cheers

Iamnobody

How’s it going runners? Will we need a new thread for 2021?

I’m still getting out 3 times a week, and will be doing my Sunday long one later (long for me anyway). 

Will we get any new members next year? I didn’t do any running before 2020 myself so I’m still new to it. 

Anyone looking to start running this thread has some great tips/advice. 

Heartfeltdawn

Yes, start a new thread. I've done so little running this year with the work-life-lockdown balance so unequal. I have however managed to make it through with only one vaguely serious hand injury this year. Serrated knives and vegetables in a professional kitchen = badness. 

BahHumbug

Yes please to a 2021 thread.
Ive been continuing to work gently back from (probably) ITBS.  I’ve been getting out 3 times a week, with gradually increasing distance.  I did 8k on Christmas Eve, then just under 10k today.....although that was a bit tough while still feeling the after effects of Christmas eating and drinking.

monquixote

I've continued running, but lockdown has caused it to drop off quite a bit. 

I'm at 900k for the year whereas I've been over 1,200 for the previous two years.

joneve

Definitely down for a new thread. 

I need to get back on the wagon. I got a new Garmin, a free train vest and some new running shorts for Christmas and I’m ordering some wireless EarPods so I’ve got no excuses really (other than being crippled after every run and not bothering to stretch properly every day because I’m lazy!) 

drofluf

joneve said:

Definitely down for a new thread. 

I need to get back on the wagon. 

Me too! Since I got a smart cycle trainer a couple of months ago I haven’t run at all. On the plus side I’ve done at least 5 hours a week on the trainer and have followed some structured training which has made me fitter. 

Decided to ease myself back into running this morning with an easy run this morning. Just under 4k and I’ll build up from there. 

djspecialist

+1 for a 2021 thread. Running this year has been really important to me, and I find sharing experiences / encouragement to be a big help.

Personally I haven't found lockdown to get in the way of exercising - my monthly distance has been pretty consistent since October 2019, when I decided to start taking running a bit more seriously. If anything, the time saved from the commute, together with WFH (so I don't need to remember to bring gear to the office) has helped a bit.

My highlights from 2020:

- Took part in my first race: Cambridge Half Marathon in March (just before lockdown #1). That remains my longest run to date.

- Maintained a good routine of 3-4 runs per week, steadily through the year.

- Got into listening while running (mostly podcasts; occasionally some music), which has been great as I've gradually increased my distances. The key for me was finding some headphones which (a) stay put and (b) don't block ambient noise, because I don't like the feeling of being disconnected from my surroundings while running. I highly recommend AfterShokz Aeropex.

Goals for 2021:

- Another half marathon. Obviously that will be unlikely during the first few months, but Cambridge has delayed the 2021 race to October, so fingers crossed.

- Total of 1,000 miles. This year I clocked up 1,425 km so this seems within reach.

PolarityMan

+1 for 2021 thread, might be cool to have a monthly progress roundup.

I've had a week of LF over Xmas and just tweaked my back playing with the kids. Planning to start again when I go back to work on Monday but I know I will suffer from over eating and the break so a 2021 thread might help with motivation.