Running 2022

[COYBL25]

Running has become a bit of a chore at the moment; if I even think about it my hamstrings and calfs just stiffen up and no matter how much warming up I do, I just can't get them to loosen to allow me to run freely.

Also my ankles seem to be presently made of glass. I've bought myself some Hoka Clifton 8 for the cushioning and that seems to help; but running, it still feels like my ankles are so stiff and inflexible.

It's all a bit depressing - have gone from running sub 5 minute kms to barely managing to do a km in 7 minutes.

This quite often happens to me mate, stiff legs just seem to come from nowhere and can last for ages.

When it happens to me, it normally means one of two things - over training by going too fast or too far or both or coming down with something and your body can`t recover properly as a result.

I`m not an expert mate, but the way I deal with it, is by slowing my pace down massively and just keeping it like that until I start to feel okay again.

On the worst days, I`d just be doing a " slow jog " and even walking in parts, not worrying about times, which I find really enjoyable, as you`re not putting yourself under any pressure.

Age plays a big part in things too, the older you are the longer it takes for your body to recover.

 

[MisterJ]

This quite often happens to me mate, stiff legs just seem to come from nowhere and can last for ages.

When it happens to me, it normally means one of two things - over training by going too fast or too far or both or coming down with something and your body can`t recover properly as a result.

I`m not an expert mate, but the way I deal with it, is by slowing my pace down massively and just keeping it like that until I start to feel okay again.

On the worst days, I`d just be doing a " slow jog " and even walking in parts, not worrying about times, which I find really enjoyable, as you`re not putting yourself under any pressure.

Age plays a big part in things too, the older you are the longer it takes for your body to recover.

Thanks, I appreciate the response and the advice.

Mind won't accept the aging process, still thinks I'm an 18 yo

 

[leslad]

If you want to mix things up and also have some downtime from your road stuff, why not enter an off road 10K ?

Lakeland Trails run some fantastic 10K races, in some beautiful locations - the one at Coniston is especially scenic, with a challenging, but not insanely high course.

Their events are incredibly friendly, almost like carnivals with some running thrown in. They also run two different types of race - competitive and non competitive ( race and challenge )



View attachment 158533View attachment 158534

This is from part of the Coniston course and you can see why most people stop at some point to take photos - sod the finishing times !

That looks so good. Is there a site where you can find a list of races to enter or do you just Google around to find them?

 

[leslad]

If you want to mix things up and also have some downtime from your road stuff, why not enter an off road 10K ?

Lakeland Trails run some fantastic 10K races, in some beautiful locations - the one at Coniston is especially scenic, with a challenging, but not insanely high course.

Their events are incredibly friendly, almost like carnivals with some running thrown in. They also run two different types of race - competitive and non competitive ( race and challenge )



View attachment 158533View attachment 158534

This is from part of the Coniston course and you can see why most people stop at some point to take photos - sod the finishing times !

That looks so good. Is there a site where you can find a list of races to enter or do you just Google around to find them?

 

[COYBL25]

That looks so good. Is there a site where you can find a list of races to enter or do you just Google around to find them?

Lakeland Trails do a series of races - first one is a Hawkshead in April , then one a month at various locations in the Lakes until November.

Just google Lakeland Trails and you’ll see their website.

If you’re not competitive ( like me ) the races to look at are “ The Challenge “ races, as they’re for slower / older / people who enjoy the social side of running.

I‘ve done off road stuff all over the country and the Lakeland Trails ones are without doubt the most enjoyable. Super friendly and loads of stalls selling food and gear, usually a band too !

Plus they start mid morning, so no starting at 8 am, like many do.

I always make a weekend of it and stay somewhere really nice, when I do one of their races.

 

[COYBL25]

Thanks, I appreciate the response and the advice.

Mind won't accept the aging process, still thinks I'm an 18 yo

We all do !

 

[blueloon]

This quite often happens to me mate, stiff legs just seem to come from nowhere and can last for ages.

When it happens to me, it normally means one of two things - over training by going too fast or too far or both or coming down with something and your body can`t recover properly as a result.

I`m not an expert mate, but the way I deal with it, is by slowing my pace down massively and just keeping it like that until I start to feel okay again.

On the worst days, I`d just be doing a " slow jog " and even walking in parts, not worrying about times, which I find really enjoyable, as you`re not putting yourself under any pressure.

Age plays a big part in things too, the older you are the longer it takes for your body to recover.

Thanks, I appreciate the response and the advice.

Mind won't accept the aging process, still thinks I'm an 18 yo

And that’s the truth and the key! Accepting you need longer recovery can be frustrating, I’ve gone from a hard 8 min mile 10 km on Sunday to two weary runs at 11 min30s pace this week , including this morning, and my legs are still tired. Two days off for further recovery then a 1/2 marathon on Sunday …….and hopefully a decent time.

 

[Pootsy]

I'm on Week 9/16 training for the Belfast Marathon. On my long run on Friday past I started to get a pain in the ball of my foot at 16km. It felt like the sock was bunching up under it. I finished the 28km run and found my sock was perfect. After an hour or two just walking around normally round the house, the pain and feeling came back again.

Tried a 10k this week and felt the same thing so I have Gel insoles coming tomorrow to try to ease the pain a bit. No way am I getting this close without running the Marathon, especially after the events of the last 2 years.

 

[COYBL25]

I'm on Week 9/16 training for the Belfast Marathon. On my long run on Friday past I started to get a pain in the ball of my foot at 16km. It felt like the sock was bunching up under it. I finished the 28km run and found my sock was perfect. After an hour or two just walking around normally round the house, the pain and feeling came back again.

Tried a 10k this week and felt the same thing so I have Gel insoles coming tomorrow to try to ease the pain a bit. No way am I getting this close without running the Marathon, especially after the events of the last 2 years.

Sounds like it could be metatarsalgia - I suffered from this, when I started increasing my mileage for my first marathon.

It’s like a “ hot spot “ on the ball of your foot ?

However, there’s that many bones in your foot it could be a few things.

A podiatrist, who specialises in running could help.

 

[leslad]

I'm on Week 9/16 training for the Belfast Marathon. On my long run on Friday past I started to get a pain in the ball of my foot at 16km. It felt like the sock was bunching up under it. I finished the 28km run and found my sock was perfect. After an hour or two just walking around normally round the house, the pain and feeling came back again.

Tried a 10k this week and felt the same thing so I have Gel insoles coming tomorrow to try to ease the pain a bit. No way am I getting this close without running the Marathon, especially after the events of the last 2 years.

good luck!

 

[MisterJ]

This quite often happens to me mate, stiff legs just seem to come from nowhere and can last for ages.

When it happens to me, it normally means one of two things - over training by going too fast or too far or both or coming down with something and your body can`t recover properly as a result.

I`m not an expert mate, but the way I deal with it, is by slowing my pace down massively and just keeping it like that until I start to feel okay again.

On the worst days, I`d just be doing a " slow jog " and even walking in parts, not worrying about times, which I find really enjoyable, as you`re not putting yourself under any pressure.

Age plays a big part in things too, the older you are the longer it takes for your body to recover.

Followed your advice this afternoon and it felt much better

 

[COYBL25]

Followed your advice this afternoon and it felt much better

The thing with running mate, is there isn’t a one size fits all approach to it.

Ir’s about finding what’s right for you.

The normal approach is a hard day, followed by an easy day and repeat.

However, if you need to take two easy days to recover, so what ?

 

[Pootsy]

Sounds like it could be metatarsalgia - I suffered from this, when I started increasing my mileage for my first marathon.

It’s like a “ hot spot “ on the ball of your foot ?

However, there’s that many bones in your foot it could be a few things.

A podiatrist, who specialises in running could help.

Correct. Specialist insoles bought and I’ve to rest up for a week which will be tough. Dust the bike off again probably

 

[COYBL25]

Correct. Specialist insoles bought and I’ve to rest up for a week which will be tough. Dust the bike off again probably

Do you have hammer / claw toes on the affected foot, as this is what causes mine ?

( the fact that your toe / toes doesn’t line up properly, causes stress on the metatarsal bones in the sole of your foot, with each strike of your foot on the floor, causing a hot spot )

Certain brands of shoes make it worse for some reason.

 

[Pootsy]

My shoes were close to needing replaced. Possibly went off the cliff during a long run. Never had an issue like it before and I’ve been running for 10 years, just not this kind of distance.