The Running and General Exercise Thread

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't weigh so no idea, but 1.5kg seems a lot, especially if you're not that heavy to begin with.

[Shindig]

Weather looks mint tomorrow. I'm off work so I'll get a proper walk in.

[Don]

One of you fellow walkers weigh yourself before and after a 10 miler and let me know. It was 1.2kg today as I was weighing lower than usual today but as Jimmy says, that's 67.66% of my bodyweight. Only thing I can think of is you're all hydrating during the walk.

[Shindig]

I've got no scales so can't help you out. Just went to Durham and back. As cool as the farmland stuff is in the other direction, that walk's got more going on. It lets me see where Durham is at with lockdown as well. Looks no different to when I was at work. Quiet with maybe a couple more families out with the bairns. Out on the roads, it's still got a Bank Holiday feel. A lot of bikers. Decent six miles or so today and I've discovered those little paths by the river always feed you right back into town.

[Kikó]

10k run in the heat today was brutal. Plenty of thongs about in the park though so there is that.

[CJay]

Any of you runners do any recovery-type, slow runs? I’ve been reading about them and apparently they’ll help you become faster in the long term. And sure enough I did a slow 60 minute 10k last week and then on Saturday morning I wiped 2:35 off my 10k record by doing one in 43:35.

[Kikó]

I don't do them intentionally but when I run with the wife I'm closer to 6m+/km rather than 4:30/40. I just find it's based on how leggy I feel on the speed I can produce.

[CJay]

To channel Taz, there’s definitely a psychological aspect of purposefully running slow(er) and not competing against yourself. It’s also an easy way to get miles in your legs.

Here’s the arrival I read: https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a25347729/jogging-a-recovery-run/

[Jimmy Floyd]

15 miles walked this morning, found it an absolute breeze. The great thing about walking is although it burns calories (1,700 according to the app I use), it really isn't an aerobic challenge at all, at least not unless you start going up mountains and things.

The physical challenge is more about wear and tear on the feet and other bits.

[Giggles]

Walk on grass.

[Andy]

Doesnt really matter what you're walking on 15 miles on your feet will always take a toll.

[Giggles]

A toll yes, but less of a toll.

[Foe]

That’s good going Jim.

I did about 16,000 steps this morning, took about 2 hours and my feet were struggling by the end.

Found a pair of Nike tanjuns id bought years ago and never worn and have been wearing them out walking during lockdown.

[Shindig]

I know this all too well at the minute. Got a blood blister on one of my toes from the other day.

[Don]

That CJ article above is very good. Also big supporter of Giggles' post, pavement is not the one, I took this theory up from my first foray with parkruns and now it falls in line with social distancing etiquette too. Ideally it'd all be barefoot too but that's advanced level shit we ain't ready for.

My foot is healing, should be ready for chucking a few sprints and skips into my walks again and hopefully be able to have a kickabout in Monday's sunshine. Allahuakbar.

[Kikó]

To channel Taz, there’s definitely a psychological aspect of purposefully running slow(er) and not competing against yourself. It’s also an easy way to get miles in your legs.

Here’s the arrival I read: https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a25347729/jogging-a-recovery-run/

Interesting read. Did an 8k today with the wife today at a "sexy pace" today and it's interesting to know it actually has benefits.

Going to start this on Strava from Monday to improve my 10k speed which includes a few tempo runs then one fartlek run. I would like to build up my 10k to a point where I can do it sub 40.

[P_3]

I ambled genially through a 6.5 km walk along the coast at just under 1 hour 40 mins. This thread has been an eye opener as to how shit my fitness is.

[Don]

There was me fearing the weather turning and preventing me from having my walks. Today led to the discovery it may actually be better. I think it was around 12 degrees today, low winds and a nice light rain and it was actually ideal as it gets rid of the crowds. Just need to weatherproof and get my layers right but bring on the COVID winter.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's far better when cool.

I did 16 miles on Saturday and properly ripped my foot up. The walking shoes are out for this week and trainers are back in.

[ScousePig]

It probably goes without saying but running is much better when coil.

10k in 42mins last night after work.

[Kikó]

Yeah, massively different challenge doing it in 24 degrees. Today is week 2 of the under 40minute 10k and it's 5-6 2 minute runs at race speed with 1 minute rest in between.

Workout
Include 5-6 x 2 minutes at 5K-10K effort, 1 minute recovery jog between each repetition; include a warm-up and cool-down

Daily Goal
Another pace change workout to build mental toughness.

[CJay]

I did 25k in the morning on Saturday, but it was way too hot. Finished in 2:12:24. The last 5k was miserable, even though it was all downhill, as I was just sapped of energy. I was longing for a big tall hedgerow for some shade but there was literally nothing. 😭 Think I’ll stick to the 21k / 13 mile distance from now on.

Kikó - are you actively trying to go under 40 minutes each week or is there a date you’ve set for when you want to have achieved it?

[Kikó]

It's an 8 week plan so by the end of the 8 weeks I'm supposed to be ready to fire and smash the world record.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Got to 18 miles walking today. My lord, the difference between 15 and 18 is whole worlds of pain.

[Don]

What pace you doing this at? I've kept it constant at 10 miles at 4mph for last few weeks. Haven't had the time to commit to a longer attempt yet.

[Yevrah]

Another broken treadmill at home, so it's time to get out on the road this weekend.

Absolutely shitting it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What pace you doing this at? I've kept it constant at 10 miles at 4mph for last few weeks. Haven't had the time to commit to a longer attempt yet.

I did this at 11:10 per km which has been fairly constant across different distances. I think that's shy of 4mph, but then I'm fatter than you.

[Don]

That's quick enough, I just wnated to see if you're walking at pace or if you were mooching about like a lost soul like some times I've heard from my mates.

[Yevrah]

7.58km in 46:06, with an elevation gain of 47m (not that I know what that means). Ran the whole way, so quite pleased with that for a first effort.

In nice weather at least, running outside is much better than on a treadmill.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's quick enough, I just wnated to see if you're walking at pace or if you were mooching about like a lost soul like some times I've heard from my mates.

Christ, if you just ambled it then these distances would write the whole day off. I couldn't walk much slower than I do and am usually overtaking all and sundry, which in the social distancing era is a bit of a pain.

[Shindig]

If I'm walking normally, 5 is the best part of two hours. At 18 miles I'd be spending the night wherever I wound up.

[Kikó]

Long run tomorrow for 50m-1h15m. Really struggled on the route planning at the moment to keep it fresh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

25km walk yesterday, was my first time breaking the 4hr 30 barrier on that course (a rather pleasant one that involves lots of the Thames and Richmond Park).

Am broken today though and unsure if this is improving my fitness (as is the intention) or just destroying my body.

[Shindig]

4 mile walk yesterday and another 5 today. I've decided if I'm going to walk for walking's sake, heading away from Durham is the better idea. Skips out all the hilly shit and yesterday I saw a pony and some sheep. And the motorists really fucking hammer it through that stretch.

[Kikó]

My running has gone off a cliff last week or so but with it being cooler tomorrow, I'll give it another go.

[ScousePig]

With no football midweek and being back to work full time, my running/exercise has suffered a bit. I'm still managing around 20k on the weekends but not much else in between.

[ScousePig]

25km walk yesterday, was my first time breaking the 4hr 30 barrier on that course (a rather pleasant one that involves lots of the Thames and Richmond Park).

Am broken today though and unsure if this is improving my fitness (as is the intention) or just destroying my body.

Probably a reminder from your body as to why you're doing it in the first place.

To get/keep fit, it's also important not to overdo it.

[AyDee]

First attempt at 2 hours went decent. 14.62 miles in 1:59:54 (Strava moving time 2:00:03).

Only done half marathon distance three times prior to this so a happy milestone. Not sure how much further I'll try to go.

[ScousePig]

15k for me yesterday and another 11k this morning has kept me ticking over for the week.

[-james-]

Was getting quite into doing about 15k a week but my hip is giving me loads of bother. It's just from the impact of running on concrete I think. Anyone dealt with this before?

[Kikó]

It'll be your running style definitely. Do you stretch/yoga/foam roll?

[Adamski]

Clocked my third best 5K time on Thursday - 26:45. Followed up with a pretty disastrous run last night.

Was aiming for 10K but it was never happening, made it to 8.62 and canned it as the rain came on. Very slow, 56m.

First thing or lunchtime for me seems to get the best results.

[ScousePig]

Lots and lots of stretching, warming up and cooling down, James. Before heading out, I go through my usual football stretch routine, but since reading a book called 'Run Less, Run Faster' I've added a few great stretches for my hamstrings, calves and quads. I've not had hip problems really, but running style and trainers should also be looked at.

I always run 1.6km (1 mile) at a pretty slow pace at the start, before doing a few 100m spurts to get my pace up a bit. After my run I cool down with a slow jog/walk for about ten minutes, and stretch off outside my house.

Another 15k this morning through Leeds city centre. There was a buzz about the place, even at 9am.

[ScousePig]

Enjoyable (bar the wind) ride out to Emmerdale and Harewood House this morning.

[Spikey M]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EM9CQVUX0AAgSfO.jpg

The guy in the blue is their dad? Their Milkman must be built like a brick shithouse.

[mo]

Various injuries that have plagued me in recent months seem to have died down, so I'm back out running again. Did 5k Wednesday and Saturday and going out again tomorrow with a mate. Currently managing c.32mins on those and would like to work on increasing my pace a little, but I do also want to up my distance. I'm guessing incremental improvements are the way to go, so perhaps tomorrow will look to see if I can make it to 6k.

[Foe]

After about 4.5 months away I’ve been using a bar bell again in my parents garage. Just (even) light(er than usual) weights but my body feels like it’s been hit by a bus.

I can’t wait for the gym to reopen in 2021 but the first month is going to be horrid. Trying to shift a belly and get back into a routine.

[Don]

Been noticing a fair few of my mates who were units throughgymming have embraced a leaner more balanced physique due to lockdown and not being able to lift lorry loads. They look better, perform significantly better (on the powerleague, I don't know the bedroom antics) and are no doubt much healthier. Be interesting to see if they manage to learn their lesson or fall back into bad habits.

[Lofty]

Re-organised the shed so I can actually move in there now, did some dumbbell sets in there last night. Aiming for 3 times a week going forward.

[Shindig]

Turns out four months of home working has done something bad to my posture. Started to feel pins and needles in my fingertips at the start of week. I've been exercising again to get the circulation going and stretching my back out to sort my spine and neck out.

It seems to have worked and stopped a problem before it really, really got going.

[Don]

You been tested for COVID, lad?

[Lewis]

I did a brief squat workout earlier, having not touched anything since March, and I reckon I've lost about twenty per cent across the board. How did everyone else hold up when they got back into it?

[mo]

Anyone used the Fiit app before? Injured my calf on my run the other day so going to have to stop running for 4-6 weeks, saw Fiit recommended on Twitter so might give it a go tomorrow.

[Foe]

I did a brief squat workout earlier, having not touched anything since March, and I reckon I've lost about twenty per cent across the board. How did everyone else hold up when they got back into it?

It’ll come back quicker than you’d think.

My 2 week jaunt home, after 2 or 3 sessions on the bench press I was back to just about where it was pre Covid. Admittedly small weights in comparison to you, but suspect the trend is similar.

[Boydy]

Had been doing couch to 5k until about three weeks ago. Got to the start of week 6 and fucked my achilles. Had a rest for three weeks and tried again today but had to stop after about two and a half minutes.

My calves have felt really tight and sore during this time off too. Especially in the morning. What can I do to fix this annoying bullshit?

[Don]

Stretch. Put down the ultra marathon hopes and don't restart them until you're about a month minimum into a daily stretching programme.

[Boydy]

I have been stretching. :(

Probably not every day but most days. And just my calves cause they seem so tight. What else do I need to stretch?

[Kikó]

I've got this thigh injury which isn't clearing. Sports massage has helped but it keeps pulling and reversing any progress. Might have to take a week off from football and hope it does the job.

[Don]

I have been stretching. :(

Probably not every day but most days. And just my calves cause they seem so tight. What else do I need to stretch?

Full leg and back if you can't isolate it.

My back injury has been lingering too. Not sure if it's all the way back from attempting to play football a few days after my accident in July or if I did it a fee weeks ago. Been 2 weeks of no football now and it's improved but fuck me I wanted it over with by now, I need football.

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54562137

Someone tell Hammer.

[mo]

Eased back into running last week, just to make sure calf had healed. Managed 6k today, another run planned for Wednesday so will see about pushing on a bit.

[Don]

My Monday evening walk down middle of Lidl (the highlight of my days on this shithole planet) led to picking up resistance bands (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crivit-Resistance-Band-Set-resistance/dp/B07P3J51Q2) for something silly like £3.99.

These are obviously budget ones so there is a 1.5m one which is just one long stream of material with no handles or loops or anything and the shorter one is a small narrow band. Been using a couple of times and not sure how healthy it is given I can feel it leading to uneven weight distribution and just generally less than optimal tekkers for the muscles. Also didn't feel DOMS which I can get with 7kg dumbbells so very questionable stuff.

It's new and varied enough to keep me using it for a couple of months at least.

[Lofty]

Got an exercise bike for the spare room. Built it Sunday and done 10k every day on it to start as I'm extremely unfit. Thinking I will start increasing distance every few weeks and I pick a different resistance program every day to mix it up.

[Andy]

Got an exercise bike for the spare room. Built it Sunday and done 10k every day on it to start as I'm extremely unfit. Thinking I will start increasing distance every few weeks and I pick a different resistance program every day to mix it up.

To start with the most important thing is consistency.

[Offshore Toon]

I've pretty much solely been running stairs and it's a killer but so effective.

[Kikó]

I've bought some running tights so I'm ready to go now. My main objective this year has been to hit 10k steps every day which is proving a challenge when j don't get out as I'm just pacing the house like a madman.

[Yevrah]

My 11 year old nephew can do 5k in sub 30 mins. That struck me as pretty good for his age, is it?

[Raoul Duke]

Sounds it. Most adults can't manage a 5k in 30 minutes (although anyone with a few months of serious running under their belt should be flying past that).

[Dquincy]

Anyone here own or experienced with turbo trainers? I'm trying to find out whether the ones where you put your rear wheel on are ok enough, or if I should just go for the direct drive types?

[Kikó]

Went on a run for the first time in a while and it was ridiculously hard. Some nice shots though of the mist:
1351480770028851201?s=09

[Alex]

I hope you went for a Rocky Balboa-esque sprint finish up those steps Kiko. :D

I've been back out myself more recently. Well, over the last few months really. I was aiming for 100 miles in January but the snow and general weather has left me a little bit off course. It's possibly still doable but I won't lose too much sleep if I don't make it.

It's just nice to be back on it regularly, I had forgotten how good a feeling it is when you start to feel the fitness kick back in you're just sort of coasting out there. I'm back to running the 8/9 mile distance comfortably and getting a little bit of pace back too, which is nice. I just want to start regularly hitting the 10 again like I used to do really, and then see what happens from there.

The Liverpool marathon, which I was originally meant to run in May last year, and then got postponed to October last year and then again to May this year has already been postponed again to October. :moop:

[Kikó]

The steps are at the start and not the end so you're already fucked before you've gone anywhere. Really struggled with it today as well but going to try and do a run at the park tomorrow more concentrated on sprinting up a hill...

[Gray Fox]

I'm looking at picking up a bike for travel to work. I currently walk the 3.4 miles it takes to go one way and then public transport it back but for the early starts that is becoming very tiresome.

I've been told by a few people who use one a reasonable amount I should pay the extra to get a Carrera bike in the £300 range. My question is, should I listen there? Or am I more wise just spending a third of the cost on a most basic one?

I'd only be using it to and from work. Maybe the occasional day out with the family.

[Don]

I've put off buying one in favour of supporting the Santander bikes initiative for my community. If you have one of those your way, do that!

Ours have 8 gears and no suspension. I've done rides of 50+ miles on all terrain on them very comfortably and enjoyably. You don't need any of the high-spec bullshit, just get a nice seat.

[Baz]

On the other side, my dads got a very good Specialised bike and it’s one of those “worth paying extra” commodities so would stretch as far as you can, especially if you’re using it everyday.

[Offshore Toon]

Gyms (in Jersey) open Monday. :drool: And we can't be too far off sunny weather and the wind fucking off so cycling is also back on the menu.

[Don]

:cool:

I've had a bout of extensor tendonitis for last couple days, basically tendons on top of foot are inflamed and causing a bit of bother so have had to rest it yesterday and today. Yesterday I was getting pissed up but it's pretty annoying having to stay indoors today in this weather. The worst is I did it by doing my splits attempts on my wooden floor and then exasperated it by tying my laces too tight :cab:

Oh fuck off being struck back down with this over the weekend partway through a walk. Sat on my balcony now in some serious sunshine after managing to overcome my urges to go for my daily walk. It's properly blazing tomorrow so not sure I can resist even though my football starts back up in a couple of days too. Forum posts indicate it took longer than a week to heal last time. Allah is testing me so much recently.

[Don]

The fitness at football last night had clearly taken a hit, I used to do a HIIT workout on the gym bikes but not sure I can recall my times to compare my fitness level come 12 April so might just need to wait for a parkrun to see if it's the long COVID or just a one off. Gonna run myself into the ground at every football game in the meantime to try restore it.

[Offshore Toon]

I'm playing football for the first time time tonight in about 20 months. The standard is apparently low so I'm expecting a double hat-trick minimum and a muscle injury.

[Kikó]

I'm hoping to play football tonight as well. Our league season starts again on Saturday with a double header fixture (play 2x 60 minute games v the same team back to back).

Can't wait for the cramp.

[Lofty]

Joined a gym, been three times in less than a week and aiming for four times a week: mainly swimming. Novelty probably wear off before July.

[Spikey M]

What type of exercise you doing Lofty?

(Pro-tip; the correct answer - especially for a giant freak - is Powerlifting (not swimming))

On that note, my Gym got atlas stones a month or so back. They are unfortunately incompatible with my dickhead knee.

[Manc]

Atlas stones? Wind your neck in.

[Spikey M]

Yes. Atlas Stones. And I literally just admitted to failing miserably so my neck is sufficiently winded.

[Lofty]

What type of exercise you doing Lofty?

(Pro-tip; the correct answer - especially for a giant freak - is Powerlifting (not swimming))

On that note, my Gym got atlas stones a month or so back. They are unfortunately incompatible with my dickhead knee.

I need to shift a lot of weight and while I know weightlifting can aide that too I want to boost my cardio, not too bothered about being massively muscular. Free weight area is always dominated by absolute LADS so far so not bothered trying to get in the middle of that any time soon.

Right now if I can't book in for lane swimming I go and do 15k on an exercise bike, just beginning for now, will change up programmes and distance as the weeks go on. I am booked in for 4 sessions of swimming in a row next week though so will be looking to do a freestyle drill of 100m warm up, a few 200m/300m runs with a 30 second break in between, then 100m cooldown. Not thrashing it yet as I am basically relearning swimming form from when I was 14.

[Pepe]

Any automation lads?

[Spikey M]

Tom Stoltman :cool:

[Lewis]

Tom Stoltman, the younger and bigger one, will win World's Strongest Man in the next few years.

Good for him, even if it sounds like a pretty weak year.

[Lofty]

I hate running, so naturally I started a couch to 5k today. On treadmill at the gym for now. Not great, not terrible.

[Foe]

I’m finding it frustratingly difficult to get back to pre covid levels of fitness.

Annoying.

Also damaged my right elboe somehow. Suspect a trapped nerve or something, but I basically have to smash ibuprofen to mask the pain to exercise. Definitely not helping but arsed not exercise and “letting it heal”.

[Offshore Toon]

I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to jog for decent periods of time yesterday despite feeling a tad COVIDy with shortness of breath hanging around. Today was a mess again but my legs were knackered.

[Lofty]

Second run tonight, wasn't bad but feeling the need for the rest day tomorrow. Next run Thursday. Wife trying to get me to sign up for something called Sh'Bam next week, sounds like fucking rainbow rhythms.

[Luke Emia]

Been offered a charity place in the 2022 Berlin marathon. I did a couple of half marathons earlier in the year and managed 1 hour 53 so I’m hoping if I get the training started now I could get myself to a position where sub 4 hours should be fairly comfortable.

The biggest concern I have is injuries had a pulled hamstring at the start of July and then had an overuse injury in my foot at the end of the month through pushing to hard too fast and it’s set me right back now.

[Boydy]

Lofty doing Zumba is the viral video we need to get some new members.

[Don]

Just saw a Peloton ad on BT, be fascinated to see if they stick around or not. Can't see what the attraction is outside of whales with anxiety about being seen in public so I'd think it's dead within a couple of years but I walked past a virtual gym class in my gym with zombies following a projector image and was quite disturbed.

[Giggles]

Not being a fucking bane to civilisation by blocking up the roads is a good start. Though if you’re only hearing about it now then you must have been down one of the caves a fair length things time round.

[Don]

The ad simply reminded me of their existence. They've expanded out to treadmills and just bog-standard workouts/yoga bollocks but the only future I hope to see for them is to finally put an end to PTs and take their market.

[Baz]

Has anyone tried Pickleball?

Not read much into it but it sounds like ping pong tennis, which definitely doesn’t need to exist, and I keep seeing it mentioned after initially hearing about it on the This Is Important (Workaholics) podcast.

[Pepe]

My 65+ years old mother loves it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That and disc golf are decent evidence that the best possible sports have already been invented.

[Pepe]

Those are less sports and more games.

[Yevrah]

That and disc golf are decent evidence that the best possible sports have already been invented.

Yep, like food, we have finished sport.

[Andrew]

Never been fit in my 43 years being in this planet, after chasing my youngest child up the stairs and feeling like my heart was going to explode I thought I need to sort myself out.

So four months ago I decided to cut out the usual suspects kebabs, chocolate, Greggs and try and eat healthy and joined the gym..

First attempt at running on the treadmill resulted in it taking me 1 hour 10 mins to run(mainly walk) to reach 5k

Followed a couch to 5k guide for a few weeks all on the treadmill admittedly as I was to embarrassed to even attempt a road run.

Fast forward 4 months and I’ve lost 3 stone down from 22stone 3lbs to 19 stone I’ve completed a 10k run in 83minsand got my first ever medal 😎

I’ve managed to a road run that was 9 miles long and my 5k time is now down to 32 mins which is like half the time my first one took

I’ve completed a few park runs which are full of people of all different abilities and a lot of fun

I’ve signed up for a half marathon in the March and I’ve bitten the bullet and signed up for a full marathon a few months after that which I’m kind of nervous about weirdly.

[Giggles]

Mad to hear someone able to lose it at that age no matter what they do. You must just have a freakish metabolism but fair play.

[Dquincy]

Never been fit in my 43 years being in this planet, after chasing my youngest child up the stairs and feeling like my heart was going to explode I thought I need to sort myself out.

So four months ago I decided to cut out the usual suspects kebabs, chocolate, Greggs and try and eat healthy and joined the gym..

First attempt at running on the treadmill resulted in it taking me 1 hour 10 mins to run(mainly walk) to reach 5k

Followed a couch to 5k guide for a few weeks all on the treadmill admittedly as I was to embarrassed to even attempt a road run.

Fast forward 4 months and I’ve lost 3 stone down from 22stone 3lbs to 19 stone I’ve completed a 10k run in 83minsand got my first ever medal 😎

I’ve managed to a road run that was 9 miles long and my 5k time is now down to 32 mins which is like half the time my first one took

I’ve completed a few park runs which are full of people of all different abilities and a lot of fun

I’ve signed up for a half marathon in the March and I’ve bitten the bullet and signed up for a full marathon a few months after that which I’m kind of nervous about weirdly.

Well done, Andrew. That's superb. Has your wife noticed the improvement? Also, has it helped your mental state as well?

Is there a target weight you're aiming for?

[Don]

Mad to hear someone able to lose it at that age no matter what they do. You must just have a freakish metabolism but fair play.

:lol:

[Andrew]

Thanks, I’d like to hit about 16 maybe 15 stone.

The change in my mental state has been amazing I’ve never done drugs but the feeling I get from reaching a mile stone like the first time I built up the courage to go for a run round the local roads is as close as I’ll ever get to “euphoria” of taking drugs

The first month or so I just run on a treadmill so when I did build up the courage to go for a road run it came as a shock how much harder it was not just effort wise but my feet and knees felt like the had been run over by a car.

My boss is a big exercise guy former boxer etc so he’s been really encouraging and even set a target that he would pay for my gym membership at the gym he goes to “Bannatynes” which is kind of a posh gym I guess the steam and sauna is great 😊 for 12 months if I managed to keep it up for 3 months so that was nice of him

I’ve started the park runs every Saturday now and the encouragement you get from people volunteering or actually taking part is a real boost.

I’ve signed up for the Chepstow 10k again end of this month so I’ve set a target of trying to beat my time I set doing the same course back at the start of November.

Back to the mental state I’ve now become a firm believer in that exercise and weight loss would cure the vast majority of people who feel depressed or are struggling mentally.

Just sitting up from the sofa now has gone from feeling like there was a huge lead ball holding me down and not wanting to actually move or do anything the amount of arguments I’d start with my wife if she asked me to do something was ridiculous and it was all due to me being so heavy and not wanting to move as it was such a effort to even stand up.

Walking down the stairs first thing in the morning used to hurt my knees to an extent I’d walk down like a crab side ways, just losing 3 stone had made such a difference in this I can jog down the stairs now with relative ease it’s crazy.

I’m just starting week one of a marathon running guide now which is daunting but I’ve managed a 9 mile run off my own back without any guides so I got a nervous/excited feeling about it, I’ll try and follow most of it by running out doors as the treadmill serves a purpose but as I’ve found out it goes you a false sense of security as it makes it so much easier.

[Andrew]

One other big change is my resting heart beat I bought a Apple Watch just so I could count steps but 4 months ago my resting heart rate was 75to 80 beats a minute now it’s in around 60 to 65bpm which has to be a bonus to my health.

[Kikó]

Quality stuff Andrew. Totally agree with your point about the mental side, I work out 5-6 days a week and it's a massive energy boost.

Sounds like you've got the rhythm now, keep it up. Be careful you don't burn your knees out with a mix up of activities.

[Giggles]

:lol:

I suppose you’re some sort of expert in that now as well.

[Baz]

I suppose you’re some sort of expert in that now as well.

I’m certainly not but surely anyone can lose weight if they eat less and move more.

[Giggles]

I’m certainly not but surely anyone can lose weight if they eat less and move more.

Not once you hit your mid 30’s in the vast majority of cases. So you’re basically exercising and eating leaves for no benefit.
Your body and how it works doesn’t stay the same the whole way through your life.

[Don]

The lengths the great big filthy fucks will go to excuse themselves will never surprise.

[Giggles]

:D I love how much it riles you. You should have edited in even more adjectives for maximum affect there.

[Kikó]

Metabolism doesn't really slow down until mid/late 60s so it's a bit of a myth. Link: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1276650

[Manc sean]

I did 4.5km this morning which I'm glad about. After work running club this January lewis. Starting Wednesday. Nothing mental mind.

[Dquincy]

Andrew - Smashing it mate. Seriously well done. It's so easy not to exercise. I stopped in October and have lost my mojo. Planning on getting back on the bike (figuratively and literally) this January.

Very interesting reading how it's improved your everyday tasks. Health is wealth and all that...

[Dquincy]

... I also don't think you can out train a bad diet, which I need to sort out. I'm not overweight, but conscious what it might be doing to my insides.

[Andrew]

Thanks Dquincy the hardest part is actually starting it and getting past the fear factor of walking through the gym doors or turning up for a park run.

I’ve always been a big lad 6ft stocky build not scared of anything really but the nerves I felt joining the gym and walking through the door first time or when I turned up for the Chepstow run where there was a few hundred runners there i have never felt so out of place most of them in “proper running gear” with club names on the backs etc.

I’m not sure if most runs are like the ones I’ve done so far but the encouragement from people spurring you on and shouting and clapping for you even other runners would slow seeing that I’m a obese runner and would just talk to me and push me on to give me a boost was really overwhelming.

Crossing the finishing line for the first time with loads of people shouting and clapping was a buzz like I’ve not felt before and although I was ready to collapse in a heap, I was totally gutted it was over and heading home.

[Lewis]

I did 4.5km this morning which I'm glad about. After work running club this January lewis. Starting Wednesday. Nothing mental mind.

You still doing the hot yoga?

[Manc sean]

Not for a while cos my back's been fucked. The lad I worked with who kept at it shed loads of weight and has kept it off for years now.

[Clunge]

Nice one Andrew. I can relate to a lot of the knock-on effects of getting active again. Even though I've always been a broadly healthy shortarse who seems to have weighed about 11 stone since I was 15/16, once I turned 30, I could definitely feel physical and mental changes weigh me down. It's the small things that get you, that feeling that a flight of stairs shouldn't tax you quite as much as it does. I could/can also see my body becoming increasingly like my dad's too, which was a bit of motivation to intervene.

My partner and me started couch to 5k in December 2021 and both completed it around Feb/March time 2022 and I've been hovering around the run 5k / run for 25-30 mins three or four times a week ever since, and while it's nothing to write home about, I do always feel so much better after a run. It's not so much the physical benefit, the mental benefit of feeling you've achieved something is a far greater tonic.

I suspect I've edged up closer to 11.5 stone over a busy end to last year and over Xmas/new year so the plan this year is get myself into shape to be able to run 5k at the drop of a hat, and also aim to get my weight down below 11 stone again. I'm also going to get a bit of advice on a training routine to see if I can tone up a bit. I quite fancy looking half decent with my shirt off at some stage.

[Don]

Are your hot yoga studios still running? Putin killed mine off. It was always packed out with a class size of around 20-30 too so I thought it was likely a national epidemic.

[Dquincy]

Nice one Andrew. I can relate to a lot of the knock-on effects of getting active again. Even though I've always been a broadly healthy shortarse who seems to have weighed about 11 stone since I was 15/16, once I turned 30, I could definitely feel physical and mental changes weigh me down. It's the small things that get you, that feeling that a flight of stairs shouldn't tax you quite as much as it does. I could/can also see my body becoming increasingly like my dad's too, which was a bit of motivation to intervene.

My partner and me started couch to 5k in December 2021 and both completed it around Feb/March time 2022 and I've been hovering around the run 5k / run for 25-30 mins three or four times a week ever since, and while it's nothing to write home about, I do always feel so much better after a run. It's not so much the physical benefit, the mental benefit of feeling you've achieved something is a far greater tonic.

I suspect I've edged up closer to 11.5 stone over a busy end to last year and over Xmas/new year so the plan this year is get myself into shape to be able to run 5k at the drop of a hat, and also aim to get my weight down below 11 stone again. I'm also going to get a bit of advice on a training routine to see if I can tone up a bit. I quite fancy looking half decent with my shirt off at some stage.
Nice one. A 5k run outside is so much better for the mind compared to doing the same on a running machine. I used to love running, but sadly my knee let me down (have had issues most of my life).

I'm about 6ft 1" and 13 1/2 stone. Turns out that is overweight according to Alexa.

[igor_balis]

Not once you hit your mid 30’s in the vast majority of cases. So you’re basically exercising and eating leaves for no benefit.
Your body and how it works doesn’t stay the same the whole way through your life.

are all of your opinions based on a combination of received wisdoms and old wives' tales? I think the main reason this nonsense persists is that people in their late 30s and older do a diet for like 2 weeks, didn't notice any difference and just went ah fuck it, guess my metabolism is knackered, cheesecake for breakfast it is.

[Lewis]

It should be harder to lose/keep off weight as your testosterone levels start to drop from your late-thirties, but not to the point where it's the make-or-break factor in whether or not you're enormous.

[igor_balis]

It should be harder to lose/keep off weight as your testosterone levels start to drop from your late-thirties, but not to the point where it's the make-or-break factor in whether or not you're enormous.

correct. I also think people are generally pretty crap judges of how many calories they're consuming/burning etc. my mum isn't an idiot and cooks for a living, and will come out with shit like "I have no idea why I'm not gaining any weight, I have MASSIVE portions!", while failing to notice that said portions consist mostly of cucumber and avocado and carrots and shit, or my mate who had a really strict diet but was still putting away about 5 pints a day and wondering why the weight wouldn't fall off.

[Kikó]

Diet is the biggest factor in whether or not you're a pie. Age is just an excuse.

[Boydy]

I did keto for three weeks or so before Christmas just to try it out and see if I wanted to give it a proper go in January. I was tracking my calories with it too and kept to a deficit. I was pretty astounded at how I generally felt full and didn't have the cravings I would get on a normal calorie restriction pattern.

Or even when I wasn't dieting and just eating whatever, I could have easily eaten a carb heavy meal and then been hungry again a few hours later. I'm now pretty convinced that insulin spikes are the enemy. At least for me anyway.

Saying that, I've just ordered a pizza for dinner but it's the last day of the holidays, innit.

[Giggles]

A time comes where is slows down enough that the results aren’t worth the amount of work required. Or the amount of eating leaves.

[Pepe]

I eat the same as I did a decade ago, do about the same amount of exercise, yet I am a good 10-15 lbs above what I used to always weigh. Go back fifteen years and I ate way worse and did fuck all and was still much thinner. But if SCIENCE says it is just me being a lazy bastard, then it is what it is.

[CJay]

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Read some of Tim Spector’s books. Spoon-Fed and The Diet Myth are both very good and have plenty of rare insight.

[Don]

I'm on 1 meal a day for past week and continue to look and feel like a God. HTH.

[Dquincy]

I'm on 1 meal a day for past week and continue to look and feel like a God. HTH.
It's not the 9th new moon yet mate.

[Dquincy]

I did keto for three weeks or so before Christmas just to try it out and see if I wanted to give it a proper go in January. I was tracking my calories with it too and kept to a deficit. I was pretty astounded at how I generally felt full and didn't have the cravings I would get on a normal calorie restriction pattern.

Or even when I wasn't dieting and just eating whatever, I could have easily eaten a carb heavy meal and then been hungry again a few hours later. I'm now pretty convinced that insulin spikes are the enemy. At least for me anyway.

Saying that, I've just ordered a pizza for dinner but it's the last day of the holidays, innit.
Did the 3 week keto diet shift the weight?

[Boydy]

You lose a lot of water weight on it at the start so it's hard to tell. Was only really doing it for 3 weeks to see if I liked it enough to do it longer term as I knew Christmas was coming up and I'd be eating everything over it. Was surprised with the effects on appetite.

Checked my records and I dropped 10 pounds on it in three weeks. Probably mostly water though, was pissing loads in the first week or so. Bear in mind I have plenty of weight to lose so YMMV.

You still need a calorie deficit to lose fat but I definitely felt less hungry on it than just eating a normal diet and counting calories.

Also, that pizza I ordered tonight was a large and I couldn't even manage half of it. A while back I'd have smashed the whole thing.

[-james-]

I did about a month of keto last year and the instant weight drop was pretty mad. I find it very hard to not be ~12 stone whatever I do but I think I dropped about half a stone while eating at least maintenance calories. Probably just water weight but yeah. It generally felt pretty good with exercise but my energy would eventually completely drop off a cliff to the point where I could barely manage the walk home.

Also agreed on the food craving thing. Carbs are a hell of a drug.

[Offshore Toon]

I dipped under 100kg for the first time in maybe ten years in early December and then cheddar'd my way back to 105 over Christmas. Next year I'm going to try and stay away from all that shit because it did me no favours except understanding addiction better.

[Kikó]

I'm just under 80 at the moment which is probably 3kg heavier than I'd like to be. Ate lots of heavy food though so hopefully a few weeks of normal eating will bring me back down.

[Andrew]

Managed 13.1 miles on the treadmill yesterday in 3hours 4 mins felt pretty good amazingly wasn’t even out of breath, although my legs were a bit wobbly walking back to the changing rooms!!

Haven’t felt sore or anything today so just going to take it easy this weekend and do a 10k street jog Sunday then a few small runs through the week then try to do another 13.1 but this time an outdoor run,

My Newport half Marathon is coming up in two months so I think I’m pretty close to match fit for that then the real challenge is the marathon a month later.

Think i need to buy some running gear like a hydration back pack and some energy snacks and a decent pair of trainers.

[hfswjyr]

It's insane to me that a 10k street jog is taking it easy.

I've been doing 7k runs regularly for years now and I still feel like I'm about to die at the end of each and every run.

[Kikó]

Depends on the pace. I can never actively run a lot slower for distances which would actually make it easier.

[Andrew]

When I say run, I actually mean more of a fast walk wobble it took me 83mins to complete the Chepstow 10k and that’s pretty flat to be honest and I think I came 3rd from last.

As the weight falls off me more my speed will probably pick up a lot, but timing only means anything to me on a personal level like how I can see it used to take me x amount of time to run 3 miles now I can do it in this time and to see the personal improvement in myself which gives me a little buzz.

When I’ve done the park run and look at the times of the people finishing first they are running 3.1 miles in 16, 17, 18 mins which is another world to me.

[Kikó]

Running sub twenty is something I'd love to do but I can never get the pace right for long enough. I think I'm going to join a parkrun next weekend, you've inspired me.

[Manc sean]

Depends on the pace. I can never actively run a lot slower for distances which would actually make it easier.

Just run based on heart rate, that's what I found was the best thing for being able to clock the miles. If I just started running I'd be going at a pace that I was able to run at when I was 20 and be blowing out of my arse in 10 mins. Stay in the orange heart rate zone and you're right, your pace will sort itself out even if it feels like you could run much faster.

[Andrew]

Just looking back at my 5 mile runs back at the start of November and running the first mile would be run around 15 minute mark then slowly dip to 17 minute a mile by mile 3 finishing the 5th mile 17mins 44.

I’ve just got back from a 10k run and clocked in at 74 mins to finish it ( personal best) with each mile between 12mins to 13 mins

Current progress down from 22stone 3lbs to 18 stone 11lbs so closing in on 4 stone weight loss

Can run 13 miles on the treadmill with relative ease now road runs I’m upto 10miles in under 2 hours.

Also tried a “fast” nothing consumed that contained calories so stuck to water started after a meal about 21.00 Monday night and lasted quite easily much to my surprise till 21.00 Wednesday night, that week I dropped 9lbs in weight and the following week (this week) I dropped another 3lbs which was astonishing considering I’m not calorie counting yet

Also started doing core exercises Ab crunches sit-ups etc and tried a spinning class this week, so currently sat on the sofa with a stomach that hurts when I move and a arse that’s tender to sit on due to the fact I haven’t sat on a bike seat for close to 20 years..

Week 4 of 15 weeks of my marathon guide with a 11 mile road run coming up Sunday.

I’ve treated myself to a new pair of running shoes ASICS only 50 quid so not a great investment really and to be honest they don’t feel that much different to the battered year old under armour trainers I’ve been using so doubt I’ll pay more than that for another pair of running shoes.

Also got feed up of carrying a water bottle in my hand while out so bought a hydration vest that’s light and hardly noticeable on my back even with a full bladder in the back.

[Raoul Duke]

Awesome stuff Andrew :cool:

[Alex]

This is proper impressive stuff Andrew.

I'm also on for a marathon in a few months. Leeds. We're not doing the same one are we?

I hit the half marathon distance for the first time in about a year and a half last weekend so that was a nice little milestone to get back. I'll obviously have to ramp up the distance in the coming months though so I'm interested in something like the hydration vest you mentioned too. I've thought about one of those a few times before as I hate carrying things in my hand when I run!

[Don]

Andrew, mate, can you just chill out? None of that stuff is doing anything, you just have a freakish metabolism.

You did a 48 hour water fast without trouble?

[Andrew]

Alex I’m doing the Newport Marathon it’s supposed to be the flattest Marathon in the uk so thought it be a good place to start.

Have a look on Amazon at the hydration backpacks they are pretty cheap 25 quid upwards I can link you the one I bought if you want to have a look. It does the job well only downside I can see really is if you need an energy gel from the pockets you can’t physically reach it so you will need to take it off to reach into it.

Don don’t think it’s anything to do with a fast metabolism it’s more to do with me being a fat fuck so the weight falls off me pretty quick if I exercise loads and eat clean.

In regards to the 48 hour fast it was considerably easy to do, spent the first 12 hours of it asleep in bed near enough then the following 12 hours in work: out walking or running then back in bed for 8 hours so theres 32 hours done really.

Did get a little hungry when I could smell my wife cooking tea for the kids but had a coffee and took the dog out by the time I came back the hunger pangs had gone.

Not sure if there’s any benefit to fasting but I still managed to go swimming running and work with what felt like more energy than when I’ve had a full stomach so to speak.

Actually one downside to it by the second evening my breath took a turn for the worse seemed to be have a slight smell to it not sure what that was about

[Don]

My boy is a 106kg lump who is seeking some weight loss results from me. I was thinking of giving him a 24 hour water fast before we begin the process of cleaning his innards out but I wondered if it was too ambitious, good to hear it's doable.

[Offshore Toon]

Fasting with caffeine is simple. Fasting without is hell.

[Spikey M]

I gave it a go once and I found it surprisingly easy. The only tricky time was lunchtime in the office. Generally speaking though, a pint of water is usually enough to take the edge off any hunger pangs.

[Andrew]

14 mile road completed in 3 hours 25 mins.

Managed to keep up a steady 12 min/mile till around 10 miles then the legs had other ideas slowed down to 16 min/miles and my lower half was having none of it by mile 12 and basically had to shuffle my way along ignoring the funny looks of people driving by.

I could hold a conversation with someone at mile 14 without a problem or feeling short of breath so if it was upto my lungs I could have carried on quite easily just my lower half needs to get it’s act together.

I’m quite lucky to live near a lot of farm land, fields and a sea front so my running route is quite scenic which helps.

So that’s week 4 of 15 out of the way onwards and upwards!!

[Baz]

Actually one downside to it by the second evening my breath took a turn for the worse seemed to be have a slight smell to it not sure what that was aboutKetosis.

[Andrew]

Just signed upto the Chepstow racecourse half marathon for Sunday.

I did the Chepstow racecourse 10k back around the 27th Nov and I can remember thinking as I crossed the finishing line I’ll never have managed another lap never mind two, so be good to see the progress on the same course over 3 months.

I think I weighed around 278lbs then I’m sitting at 263lbs now so a stone lighter.

I haven’t taken any pictures of myself during the last few months so even though I can feel my clothes getting to big for me and the lbs coming off on the scale, there’s pictures taken at the race so be a bit of fun comparing the 2 sets taken.

[Boydy]

Does that race have jumps in it?

[Spikey M]

:D

[Andrew]

Probably, when people have to jump over my crumpled collapsed body at some point through the run.

[Boydy]

Probably, when people have to jump over my crumpled collapsed body at some point through the run.

:D

Nah, I'm sure you'll be grand. You're doing well, keep at it! It's seriously impressive progress.

[Andrew]

So I finished my first ever half marathon event
Came in a respectable last place, I had two aims to this

1. Don’t stop at all no rest breaks no walking just keep plodding along.

2. Finish it in under 3 hours


Managed both finished at 2hours 41 mins and didn’t stop so I’m really over the moon with this.

Came across a picture of me back in September and just losing 3 stone has made such a massive difference in my appearance.

Next few months I’d like to lose another few stone and get to 16 hopefully before April when I attempted the Newport Marathon.

[Kikó]

Pics.

[Manc]

Kinky.

[Andrew]

Just completed a 15 mile run, managed to keep under 11.30min a mile until the last two when my legs went awol and could only muster 15mins a mile.

Got to keep looking at how far I’ve come I guess because the thought of running another 11 miles on top of todays run seems impossible just now.

[Alex]

The legs deserting you is a genuinely distressing feeling when it happens! It's just because it's uncharted territory. You can never be quite sure what will happen when you start pushing the distance past a certain point.

I appreciate where you're coming from in terms of "11 more miles seems impossible". Remember there was a time when you first started where probably after a couple of minutes another few hundred meters seemed impossible though! It's all relative and you will crack it. :thbup:

[Andrew]

May aswell post an update before I actually run the marathon (April 16th)

I’ve joined a running club and gone running with a few others twice a week usually hill runs and sprints etc on top of my training runs and it’s helped massively.

I’ve run a mile at 9 mins 20 seconds and at the same time finished a 5k at 30 mins 45 seconds my first 5k was over an hour (my first ever attempt at a mile run took me over 17 mins)

My weight is now 17 stone 10lbs from 22 stone 5
I’ve just run a half marathon in 2 hours 26 my best official time at least

Completed a 18 mile run yesterday in under 4 hours and managed to keep the miles per minute between 12 to 14 min felt like I could have gone on and pushed myself to 20 miles plus easy so the daunting feeling of actually running the Newport Marathon on the day is slowly being replaced with excitement now.

I’ve started weight lifting (squats, deadlifts compound exercises mainly)

According to my Apple Watch stats I’ve run since September

Fastest 5k 30 mins
Fastest 10k 1 hour 10 mins
Fastest half marathon 2 hours 26

Run a total

36 5k runs
20 10k runs
10 half marathons (13 miles)
Longest run 18 miles

Not sure how you post pictures on here but the photos of me before I started this compared to now are stark in comparison.

[Spikey M]

Good shit Andrew.

The esiest way to upload is just to upload the pictures to imgbb or another image hosting website.

[Mike]

Nicely done!

[Offshore Toon]

Any advice re running shoes? I've always just used old trainers, but I'm going to do a 48.1 mile round-the-island walk in June and plan on running a good amount too so I'll need something that can take a good battering.

[CJay]

Any advice re running shoes? I've always just used old trainers, but I'm going to do a 48.1 mile round-the-island walk in June and plan on running a good amount too so I'll need something that can take a good battering.

https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/adrenaline-gts-22-mens-supportive-road-running-shoe/110366.html?dwvar_110366_color=458

These are shoes I use to run around 140km per month. I've had the 21s and the 22s and have found them to be excellent.

Is it bumpy rocky trail or smooth road / footpath? You might be better with something more geared towards trail running if it's the former.

[Offshore Toon]

It's a mix but with lot of rocky trails. The entire north coast is cliff path, and that's where I do most of my training, so it probably makes sense to get something more suited to that but I'd be tempted to get two pairs.

[niko_cee]

When I went round the island here I did it in an old pair of Adidas ZX 5000 RSPNs which had a sort of integrated lining/sock thing, which was great for keeping little stones out which you pick up on the cliffs in particular. Probably the best pair of trainers I've ever had. Would go to lengths to get a pair now but they don't really seem to exist. I'd say make sure whatever you wear is well worn, comfortable and lightweight. You'll be fucked after doing 48 miles in one go, 38 was bad enough.

[Offshore Toon]

I had a go at doing the route a few weeks ago and walked 28 miles in 10 hours, but that was on an empty stomach and with zero training at all, let alone on the cliff paths which absolutely wrecked me and I ended up getting a lift from Plemont because I was done in. The cliff paths are usually too muddy to train over winter but given how mild its been they've been fine since so I've just been hammering them since. Last summer I did the entire north coast cliff path route and back (35 miles in 10 hours) which I reckon is harder than the island walk. I'll aim to do that again a couple weeks before the island walk and for the most part just get used to being on my feet all day. I struggle with jogging just because of the mundanity of it but I'm hoping on the day the competition gets a rise out of me.

[niko_cee]

I just walked it with zero training beyond my normal walking. I think I'm lucky that I've always had good feet so blisters etc weren't a worry. The way it works here is that you get the cliffs done first [about 12 miles I think] so that bit's actually quite easy, it's more the endless slog on the roads that follows that takes a toll, particularly when you go through 30 miles. My reasoning for no training [other than being lazy/complacent] was that, being as the hard bit is only ever going to be the end, there was no point in training to walk 10 miles, as that's a piece of piss, and there was equally no way I was going to do the whole thing as some sort of practice.

I know some people who run it, which seems completely mental to me, although getting it all done within a time frame of under 12 hours [for 39 miles] probably helps mitigate fatigue, even if you are having to go faster to do that.

[Offshore Toon]

It could definitely be done with no training but I don't think it'd be enjoyable. Did you plan much in terms of food or did you just eat whatever they handed out? My plan is to run downhill and flats and I should have a good pace for whatever walking I do. Finishing is the main thing but I've got an eye on finishing in the top 10%.

[niko_cee]

My wife had all sorts of energy bomb type snacks and the like but I just ate what was on offer around the course, mostly bacon rolls, crisps and bananas. There's definitely a temptation to carry too much stuff. I was dead set on carrying nothing, which would probably have worked out well enough had it been 'permitted', although it did rain a bit.

[Offshore Toon]

I'm thinking like ten bananas and a couple sandwiches. I usually exercise fasted so its a bit alien to me but if I want a good time I'm assuming eating is recommended.

[Andrew]

https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/adrenaline-gts-22-mens-supportive-road-running-shoe/110366.html?dwvar_110366_color=458

These are shoes I use to run around 140km per month. I've had the 21s and the 22s and have found them to be excellent.

My 50 quid pair of ASICS silos are about to fall apart so I think I’ll grab a pair of these the reviews look good.

Newport Marathon is this Sunday I think my trainers will last that so I’ll buy a pair after that.

I’ve picked up a weird injury in my hip that’s causing me to limp when walking and going up stairs but seems fine when I run.

Last 10 mile run completed now so take it easy this week got a social run on Wednesday which I might do but I think I’ll stick to swimming for this week and eat and rest till I attempt my first Marathon.

[Andrew]

I did it !! 26.2 miles in 5 hours 56 mins !!

The last mile was the hardest as I knew I was so close to finishing..

The feeling was amazing crossing that finish line seeing me wife and kids there to cheer me to the finish would have made a lesser man emotional!!

Never in a million years did I think back last September I’d be able to run 1 mile never mind 26 of them!

First mile run without needing to stop and walk back in September took me 17 mins

Just run an average of 13.31 min miles for 26 without stopping or needing to walk

I only wanted to really complete this today wether I had to walk jog run shuffle etc but to finish it in under 6 hours and not having to stop has blown my mind.

[Kikó]

Amazing effort. Well done

[Mike]

Great stuff!

[Alex]

That's class Andrew, well done. The effort that has gone in and the massive progress you've made over what is, really, a relatively short period of time is genuinely very impressive.

The back end is a real mental battle, isn't it? I found that far harder than any of the physical aspect of the training when I did one. Just constantly trying to stave off the voice in your head that says "let's just stop". I think its because after the twenty miles (or whatever you train up to) it's all just unknown territory at that point.

[Andrew]

Defiantly mate the longest run I did in training was 18 miles so after that it was in unknown territory but the first 22 miles was easier than I thought considering it was mainly through country lanes with no crowds cheering you on got to 23 ish and my breathing was just as good as when I started but the legs I could feel were getting heavier.

Just at the right time though there was a bunch from the running club I’d joined that had been tracking me and had made their way down to where I was approaching and were shouting and cheering me on which is an amazing boost to how you feel.

Mile 25 to the end felt like it took longer than the entire race upto then and the desire to just stop and walk was ridiculously tempting but I could see I was on course to finish in under 6 hours and give it all I had seeing my wife and kids shouting on the sidelines was amazing.

I never thought I’d run a marathon but I’m looking on the next one now 😃

[Alex]

Defiantly mate the longest run I did in training was 18 miles so after that it was in unknown territory but the first 22 miles was easier than I thought considering it was mainly through country lanes with no crowds cheering you on got to 23 ish and my breathing was just as good as when I started but the legs I could feel were getting heavier.

Just at the right time though there was a bunch from the running club I’d joined that had been tracking me and had made their way down to where I was approaching and were shouting and cheering me on which is an amazing boost to how you feel.

Mile 25 to the end felt like it took longer than the entire race upto then and the desire to just stop and walk was ridiculously tempting but I could see I was on course to finish in under 6 hours and give it all I had seeing my wife and kids shouting on the sidelines was amazing.

I never thought I’d run a marathon but I’m looking on the next one now 😃

Definitely nice to have that encouragement, it makes a lot of difference. So much of it is mental at that point I think, anything to focus your mind on is a help.

The only one I've ever done I felt like stopping and just sitting on the ground where I was with about three miles to go and in some massively lucky turn of events a lad I'd not seen for about five years just jogged up next to me and was like "alright mate, I thought that was you". We were never best friends or anything, we just used to play football together, but we stuck together until the finish and just having someone to talk to until the end sorted me right out. I haven't seen him since either, come to think of it. I can't be totally sure I didn't hallucinate him. :D

Do you have the next one booked in already? My second one is coming up in three and a half weeks, roughly five years after my first one. So don't leave it that long!

I got my twenty miler in earlier today, which was nice to get done. I just need to keep things ticking over for a few weeks now I guess.

[Waffdon]

WSM looks tasty going into the final 3 events. Shame you can’t watch it until Christmas.

[Lewis]

Tom Staunchman is usually a guarantee for the stones so he should be alright.

[Waffdon]

Dumbbells is one of his worst though. He did say he’s been improving on them so who knows.

[Ben]

It’s his technique that lacks in this event rather than outright overhead strength (he’s decent in log now). Some good pressers in this though so it could be lost here for him if he flakes out.

[Ben]

Apparently he’s just put up 125kg so that probably puts him in pole position to win the whole thing now.

Imagine a 125kg single arm DB being your weakest event ffs.

[Lewis]

Isn't deadlifting his 'weakness'?

[Ben]

Probably a toss up between the two. Although he managed 6 reps on deadlift yesterday which was good for him.

[Waffdon]

Can’t believe some bald gimp with a moustache is going to win the whole thing. He looks like he should be in some Porno shoot

[Don]

Can you just please use spoilers for that shit, last couple have been ruined for me thanks to you gimps on here.

[Waffdon]

Spoilers for something getting shown in 8 months? Good ain

[Spikey M]

Novikov is the one that baffles me. He just doesn't look like he should be there. He must be on some next generation gear.

[Waffdon]

The times on that bus pull are absolutely hilarious

[Lewis]

Was it a van?

[Manc]

Andrew will be fuming with this.

[Shindig]

Don't try too hard for the best newbie award, mate.

[Andrew]

Definitely nice to have that encouragement, it makes a lot of difference. So much of it is mental at that point I think, anything to focus your mind on is a help.

The only one I've ever done I felt like stopping and just sitting on the ground where I was with about three miles to go and in some massively lucky turn of events a lad I'd not seen for about five years just jogged up next to me and was like "alright mate, I thought that was you". We were never best friends or anything, we just used to play football together, but we stuck together until the finish and just having someone to talk to until the end sorted me right out. I haven't seen him since either, come to think of it. I can't be totally sure I didn't hallucinate him. :D

Do you have the next one booked in already? My second one is coming up in three and a half weeks, roughly five years after my first one. So don't leave it that long!

I got my twenty miler in earlier today, which was nice to get done. I just need to keep things ticking over for a few weeks now I guess.

I’ve got a few booked in now only one marathon though and I think I’ve dropped a bollock on this one as I didn’t realise it’s the triathlon weekend down Tenby and the Sunday (marathon) is mainly triathletes taking part… it’s supposed to be one of the tougher marathons to run aswell elevation is over 2000ft compared to the Newport one I just did which was 75ft.

I’ve got a trail half marathon coming up which is over 2000ft elevation so that will be a good test as all I’ve really run on is pavements and treadmill.

13th May
Radyr & Morganstown Trail Half Marathon

June 11th
Swansea Half Marathon

July 2nd
Tenby Marathon

July 22nd
Chepstow Half Marathon

August 6th
Barry 10k.

October 1st
Cardiff Half Marathon

November 12th
Cardiff Trail Half Marathon

Going to see how the rest of this year plays out then I might sign upto the Ogmore to Cardiff ultra which is about 35 miles long.

[igor_balis]

my mate from the bank managed to (just) break 3 hours today, is that good

[Spikey M]

3 hours of what? Marathon running? Great! Chatting with the OAP's that still use bank branches? Shit.

[igor_balis]

ye marathon

[Yevrah]

Under 3 hours for a marathon is a phenomenal time.

[Alex]

Yeah. Going "sub 3" is like the gold standard for amateur runners really. It's a fantastic time.

In fact I think going under 3 hours in a proper race is the cut off that will, as an amateur, get you a London Marathon place on time alone - i.e. you basically just "qualify" and don't have to enter the ballot. Although I assume there are still only a certain amount of spots they have reserved for those people too. They probably hand them out based on who is fastest.

For context you would need to average about 6:50 a mile for the whole race. Strava tells me the fastest mile I've ever clocked is 7:12, in about six years of running. I mean I'm sure I could do a mile (or maybe even a couple) at that pace if I went out with the intention of doing it. But to keep it up for that distance? No chance.

I mean everyone is different, but I went 8:50 a mile over 20 miles last week and I've really knuckled down on training to get there. So he's not fucking around if he's running the entire marathon in that sort of time.

[igor_balis]

yeah my mate is mad dedicated. he was running before, after and sometimes during work on his lunch break back in 2016, but would also have entire packs of donuts for his lunch and shit.

in the last couple of years he's given up alcohol and any unhealthy snacks entirely, and committed to a "Kenyan runners physique". it's quite impressive for something entirely amateur.

[Alex]

Up and out for the Leeds Marathon today. I've been worrying (and moaning) about the hills involved in it, but after just reading that Sinfield is doing the whole thing pushing Rob Burrow in his chair I shall not be making another peep about them. Fucking hell.

I'm not usually massively fussed about famous people pursuing causes (I don't have anything against it obviously, I just tend to be quite passive on it) but I can't help but be almost constantly impressed by those two. And a little bit annoyed at Sinfield for making the rest of us look shit in comparison. :D

[niko_cee]

Properly emotional watching Sinfield carry Burrow over the line.

[Lewis]

With all due respect to Rob Burrow, somebody should just smother him.

[Giggles]

I don't know how you don't just finish off after a diagnosis of that. Horrendous.

[Alex]

Yeah, he's next level isn't he. It's difficult to comprehend really. I assume an actual knighting is nailed on in the very near future. If it's not then something has gone very wrong with the system.

I saw him quite a lot out on the course. He kept overtaking me! They would run a few miles and then stop to make sure Rob was Ok (it was really warm out there) and I would pass them and then ten minutes later he would pass me.

There's something slightly demoralising about being 18 miles in and half way up a quite steep 3 mile hill, towing, and Sinfield breezes past you for the fourth or fifth time whilst pushing another grown man in a chair and just saying "alright" to everyone like he's strolling down to the shops or something. :D

It was a cracking event though. Hard but a lot of fun.

[Alex]

With all due respect to Rob Burrow, somebody should just smother him.

I have thought this myself. By which I mean in terms of, if it were me, absolutely that is what I would want. Well, I think that is what I would want. Who knows how you feel when it actually comes down to doing it.

I don't know if being a married man with children changes that for him either, I can't speak from that perspective because I don't have either. My default position would be I wouldn't want them seeing me like that, but how do you know until it happens? I'm sure the fundraising keeps him going to some extent too, perhaps. I don't know.

It's a different kind of strength to keep going in a situation like that though. So whatever his reason is fair play to him, I would be long out of it by now I think. I was a little surprised he was around for the marathon because the rate he's declining is frighting.

[Shindig]

At that point my life expectancy would be so short I'd just see it out.

[Baz]

He gets a pass cos I imagine he’s raised a lot of money, but most of them need switching off so the resources (money, properties, people) can be better used elsewhere.

[Don]

Since my move to London, I'm in some strange no man's land of gyms which include a spa/health club. The closest all seem to be 20-30 mins away. I went to see the closest one today, a David Lloyd (17 mins drive), and I was familiar with their business model of trying to pull in the self-publicists but fuck me, £194 per month and their gym was a fairly shit one too. Don't get me wrong, their spa was world class and so was the absolute wall-to-wall slutty specimens begging for attention but I'm still reeling from the discovery of the price.

I'll have to take the 25 minute drive to a Virgin for £85 per month which, up until 6 hours ago, seemed a hefty price compared to my beloved £50 Bannatyne of old.

[Offshore Toon]

My best gym ever was The Gym at Wood Green for £18 per month. So much space to chuck tyres about.

[niko_cee]

No need for cardio either as you'd get a good work out running away from the Wood Green Massive on your way to/from the gym.

[Waffdon]

Since my move to London, I'm in some strange no man's land of gyms which include a spa/health club. The closest all seem to be 20-30 mins away. I went to see the closest one today, a David Lloyd (17 mins drive), and I was familiar with their business model of trying to pull in the self-publicists but fuck me, £194 per month and their gym was a fairly shit one too. Don't get me wrong, their spa was world class and so was the absolute wall-to-wall slutty specimens begging for attention but I'm still reeling from the discovery of the price.

I'll have to take the 25 minute drive to a Virgin for £85 per month which, up until 6 hours ago, seemed a hefty price compared to my beloved £50 Bannatyne of old.

£194 :|

I’m £18.50 or something at The Gym. Just usually full of old dossers and woman when I go at lunchtime. Sometimes get a few juice heads in but is what it is.

[Spikey M]

That would get you nearly 7 months at my gym :D

[Spikey M]

David Lloyd was the closest gym to my 1st flat and I called them to find out the monthly cost. They flat out would not tell me on the phone, I had to go and see it. So I did, and fuck me they like to push a sale. They wanted £90 a month for an off peak membership. I'm glad to see they have tracked inflation.

[Raoul Duke]

The point of the price is to keep the plebs out

[Mike]

The chips in the cafe are top though.

[Don]

The point of the price is to keep the plebs out

Conspicuous consumption means it has quite the opposite effect, as evidenced by me ofc.

[Kikó]

Despite the heart mentalness in the other thread, I did a 10k the other day as part of the Brussels 20k. Annoyingly, my Strava didn't record and because I was in a relay, I can't tell what my time was. I've signed up to do a 20k this weekend so as long as I'm not considered dead, that should be fun/painful.

[Luke Emia]

I’m on an 18 week training plan to run a marathon. Not actual race in mind but just to do one. 3 weeks in and at the minute pretty good although I’m pretty much just running at my level.

The next 2 to 3 weeks see the running increase quite a bit so this is the challenge as I had an Achilles issue that stopped me running for about 8/9 months and I haven’t run a half marathon for 13 months so I’m concerned this could be where I breakdown again.

[Luke Emia]

10 miles this morning in 1.28:54. Rolling pretty well at the minute. As I pissed about and didn’t do my run for yesterday until 6pm so I think with proper prep I could have knock a couple of minutes off that pretty easily.

3 weeks till the first half marathon and I’m hoping to do that inside 1.55 and take it from there.

[Andrew]

Just got back from completing my second marathon at the long course weekend down Tenby 6000ft elevation the hills were brutal.

Missed the cut off for a red carpet finish by 3 minutes but balls to that I was just happy to reach the end of the 26 miles.

The atmosphere at the athletes village was amazing support from every running and the locals was great and a real boost, I’ve signed up to do the full weekend next year so that’s something to aim for now aswell!

Starting my training for my first attempt at an ultra now in 15 weeks starts at Llanrhidan in West Wales following the coast all the way down through the Gower and finishing in Swansea.

Hoping to have reach my target weight off 16 stone by then aswell

[-james-]

Thought it might be fun to work on flexibility, been doing daily stretching and a load of hamstring lengthening stuff like RDLs and good mornings. Progress has felt pretty slow but re-measured today for the first time in a couple of months and it's coming along nicely. Splits by Christmas :huhu:




https://i.imgur.com/bTnn4U1.png

https://i.imgur.com/YeKYxz7.png

[Boydy]

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/22/34/c9/2234c9c08b961d25a01e430c2adb988b--making-jean-shorts-its-always-sunny.jpg

[Offshore Toon]

That whole post is mental, James. You're being out-exercised by Mahow.

[-james-]

Merely another outlet for my autism.

[Baz]

What's that app? :D

[Spikey M]

That whole post is mental, James. You're being out-exercised by Mahow.

:D

[Offshore Toon]

What's that app? :D
It's probably a camera filter on Grindr.

[Don]

Top work, flexibility is critical. Would highly recommend the splits training app, enjoyable sub 30 min workouts that will get you to serious flexibility levels whilst giving the post-yoga euphoria. I never did reach full splits but no biggie.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I am currently 69th (nice) in the rankings for people who use my gym.

It is lifetime, I think, but a good portion of the gym use fobs rather than phones to track their workouts but still. 69.

Up to 3 sessions a week with each one lasting just over an hour.

I actually think that I kind of enjoy it too, not when I'm actually working out but I seem to look forward to my gym days and I do get a buzz after finishing a session.

[Alex]

Good man.

I know what you mean regards the buzz after. I mean I don't go to the gym but with a run, I imagine it's a similar thing. It can be difficult during, of course. But you never wish you hadn't done it after.

[Kikó]

I've been working out pretty much 4 times a week now since COVID and it's definitely a buzz/addiction to keep pushing yourself every time. I genuinely have mood swings if I don't work out because something gets in the way of it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Anyone have any tips to prevent/treat muscle fatigue?

Last two gym sessions I've had I really struggled with my strength exercises due to fatigue in my arms.

Really pissed me off.

[Offshore Toon]

Potentially ZMA before bed, but otherwise creatine, cold baths, enough protein and stretching.

[-james-]

You will need time to adapt to the training load. New exercises always give me bad DOMS as well but it doesn't last too long.

Upping my protein intake was a game changer. I think I was sitting at about 50g a day when I wasn't paying attention to it but try and shoot for 120g+ per day now.

[Kikó]

Creatine is great as well. If you're getting DOMs then maybe you're doing too many exercises on a muscle. Simplify it and let yourself recover.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did buy Creatine after I felt the fatigue on Wednesday.

Took it today, didn't seem to do much but that might just be because it's too early to have had an effect.

It's not DOMs, my arms have felt fine before going to the gym (and after) but as soon as I start lifting my muscles just seem to turn to mush.

[Kikó]

Creatine takes 30 days to have any effect.

[Waffdon]

https://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/alpha-pre-workout/12941037.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=12941038&affil=mpppc_campaign=71700000101150735&adtype=pla&product_id=12941038&gbraid=0AAAAADuhnyGXpUTW4thel12tH-pw6Oayd&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1pqbQbdZKBZDBbZ2w8dX-ZFLMLWarkglIrAnnI9cvsnV33DqCLcHfQaAmzOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I got this for free the other week and tried it out today by mistake. It looks like the standard protein powder tub and I was using the 30g scoop and put near enough 50-55g of powder in. I could be wrong my I’m sure 20g equates to 300mg so needless to say I’ve been a mess all day. Sitting in bed right now 7 hours feeling like I’ve polished off a half q of marching powder.

[Waffdon]

Still having what I presume are heart palpitations are fun

[Kikó]

Why would you have any of it? Looks like junk?

[Waffdon]

I thought I was having a protein shake. Never clicked until after I came back from gym early as felt like I was going to keel over.

[Ben]

We all make that mistake once. Never twice.

[Manc]

Massage guns. Talk to me. Are they all one of the same or is there a a go to brand?