Running Clique

[Duffers]

I've been swimming for roughly 1 year now. And I'm at a stage where I can easily swim for over an hour. However I do find it tedious, and difficult to push my self to swim longer due to boredom, when I easily could go further. Even with an underwater MP3 player.

I understand this is a running thread and apologies if it's inappropriate, but I'm wondering if any of you running guys have any tips on how to overcome the tedious nature of repetition when exercising over long periods of time? Is it a common struggle or is it just me?

Music/Podcasts/Anything to keep your mind off of what you’re doing.

[mpad_mark]

Did 16.3 miles yesterday, which was slightly disappointing as I was aiming for 18. Seem to be hitting a wall at 16 that I can’t get around.

Why are you finding it difficult? What's hurting or are you just tired? Have you been for a sports massage since you've been putting in all the miles? You're doing a great job, don't take any shortcuts in the training and everything around it or it will catch you out. Don't ever think that you can't or you never will, half this battle when you get into these distances are mental.

Just seem to be reaching my limit, physically and mentally, at around 16. Admittedly at the weekend I made the ridiculous decision to try and get up the hill in Charlton (those who have been to the ground will know it’s not called the Valley for nothing) and it completely finished me off.

I’m mixing up my training a little now, trying to get ten miles in during the week (did 7 on Tuesday night and will do a short 3 tonight) and plan to do 18 on Saturday. If I can get that in then I’ll feel a bit better about things. Also experimenting with fuelling, I realise now that Isotonic stuff gives me cramp while I’m running so it’s water. Having large bowls of porridge an hour or two before setting off. Someone at work advised boiling a load of pasta the night before, portioning it into little bags of 60g and having one every hour. Going to try that on Saturday.

I'm in marathon and ultra marathon training at the moment. I do use gels, but find one of the best things for cramp is rehydrating salts (Diroalyte) and start drinking it 24 hours in advance and during my training runs (if I do a long enough run to take a Camelbak).

I've also tried dates and walnuts together while out.

[Lightnin]

I've been swimming for roughly 1 year now. And I'm at a stage where I can easily swim for over an hour. However I do find it tedious, and difficult to push my self to swim longer due to boredom, when I easily could go further. Even with an underwater MP3 player.

I understand this is a running thread and apologies if it's inappropriate, but I'm wondering if any of you running guys have any tips on how to overcome the tedious nature of repetition when exercising over long periods of time? Is it a common struggle or is it just me?

I do sums in my head about how long it'll take at the speed I'm going, how I can then break that time down into time intervals to keep checking I can reach my goal. If I start to struggle, I just start counting in my head (useful on hills) or start thinking about things I need to do at home or places I need to go. I don't think about what I'm actually doing. It does help though if you're running outdoors in a place that you don't go often as you can take in surroundings and that covers a bit of time.

I've also done the looking out in front of me and trying to find a particular person as my pacer or someone to try and catch (as long as it's not Farah). I realise yiou can't do this with swimming though.

[baggpuss]

Midlands Road Relays Championships in Sutton Park on Saturday if anybody wants to see the 'pros' in action.

Nationals next month where the real elite will be in attendance!

[Duffers]

18 miles today! Under 3 hours too.

Used electrolyte gels (thanks for the tip Lightnin) with water every 45 minutes and water every 3 miles to stay hydrated and they seemed to work a treat. Ran out of puff a little towards the end - had to run/walk the last mile or so but that might be down to the gel wearing off.

All in all much better.

[Lightnin]

Duffers18 miles today! Under 3 hours too.

Used electrolyte gels (thanks for the tip Lightnin) with water every 45 minutes and water every 3 miles to stay hydrated and they seemed to work a treat. Ran out of puff a little towards the end - had to run/walk the last mile or so but that might be down to the gel wearing off.

All in all much better.

Good that is mate, understandable that you start to get very tired anytime around 18 miles. The body just get isn't supposed to do that far (on average) before it starts breaking down. If you're finding yourself out of puff then just drop your pace a little bit, you'll find things so much more comfortable.

Don't forget though, these gel electrolytes are only a liquid form containing various additives and aren't dry polymer electrolytes which will use salt to help mechanical strength and how electrolytes conduct. This is why it's important you think about what you eat before and soon after runs.

Ice up again tonight, all part of aiding a quicker recovery.

[Sotv]

My dad used to run marathons back in the 80’s and said 18 miles was where many hit the dreaded “wall”. He used to train up to 22 miles before races as he reckoned once you got past that you passed the pain point and always found the last few miles easier.

[baggpuss]

My dad used to run marathons back in the 80’s and said 18 miles was where many hit the dreaded “wall”. He used to train up to 22 miles before races as he reckoned once you got past that you passed the pain point and always found the last few miles easier.

Did he run for a club?

[Sotv]

My dad used to run marathons back in the 80’s and said 18 miles was where many hit the dreaded “wall”. He used to train up to 22 miles before races as he reckoned once you got past that you passed the pain point and always found the last few miles easier.

Did he run for a club?

No, used to just do it himself. I remember him doing it when I was a kid, I reckon as he was a committed Christian who never drank or went out anywhere unless it was with church, family or my mom, it was his equivalent of going down the pub for a few hours.

---

Only managed 5 miles today but it was over lots of trails and woods in Sutton park so a different challenge. Really enjoyed leaping over mud, getting a bit lost in woods etc and the scenery was great. I was a bit disappointed for the distance but soon got my answer why I didn’t feel so up for it.
I’d felt maybe my stomach was a bit full before I started and put it down to a large breakfast about an hour and half before, after a mile or 2 that eased off. Got home, had a bath and was feeling fine, then suddenly about 4 pm I started vomiting and it was really intense for about 90 mins. Got that horrible fever after,lay on the sofa and now I’m feeling a bit better but I darent fart!

[scorey1witt]

I once ran out of fish whilst trying to bake a admirals pie (100% true story)

 ..."I ran from the law"

 ..."I had the runs after a rather hot lamb bhuna"

 ..."I lick pigeons"

 ..."I hate sprouts"

 ..."I enjoyed the film 'Running Man' starrng Arnie"

 ..."I think I've got a veruca"

Happiness to all,
Shane.