Running

[DeskJockey]

Third 10k+ completed. Took 12sec/km out of my previous efforts, and clocked 57:41 for the 10k.

New shoes definitely helped.

[dinny_g]

A guy at work did a Park Run in Dublin a few weeks back for a laugh.

£9.00 return flights from Luton - arrived 08:00. Taxi to the Park - did the 5K. Had some lunch and was back on the 15:00 flight back to Luton.

[ZedLeg]

People really getting that message about cutting down on unnecessary flying aren't they

[Gavster]

People really getting that message about cutting down on unnecessary flying aren't they

Same for people doing "I got the cheapest flight out of the UK!!!" type content.

Nice work @DeskJockey glad you're seeing strong progress, that's what I always found to be the biggest motivator.

As for myself, I'm having a self-imposed year off any intense running training to focus on work. Having said that, I'm still doing a couple of runs a week and did a muddy 5 mile cross country race last weekend, which was great fun. First time running in spikes too, which were an absolute game-changer in the thick, muddy, slippy hills. Also noticed that backing off training has had a big effect on recovery, it's much slower now than it was when in the middle of training.

[dinny_g]

People really getting that message about cutting down on unnecessary flying aren't they

Flight was going anyway...

[Explosive Newt]

A rowing obsessed friend has got me into rowing.

I think it is possibly better exercise than running (as in hits other muscle groups and less likely to knacker a joint, plus just burning more energy in a shorter time). I had always been a bit crap at it and wussed out after 5 mins but my technique was all over the place it turned out. After a bit of coaching I am rowing further and faster, currently getting splits of 2:20/500m over 15 minutes, which has been growing since Xmas.

ETA rowing obsessed friend gets splits of about 2:00 - 2:05 over ~30min. So that is my goal as I refuse to be beaten by a girl. Even one who did rowing at a competitive level at uni and has kept that up over the past 20 years.

ETAA I know rowing isn't running

[Gavster]

Rowing is great, I did a helluva lot as a teenager (won gold at national championships), although no idea what my splits were. But yes, technique is a massive part of the efficiency of the stroke, being big and strong does not always equate to a lower split (even moreso when on the water).

[DeskJockey]

People really getting that message about cutting down on unnecessary flying aren't they

Same for people doing "I got the cheapest flight out of the UK!!!" type content.

Nice work @DeskJockey glad you're seeing strong progress, that's what I always found to be the biggest motivator.

As for myself, I'm having a self-imposed year off any intense running training to focus on work. Having said that, I'm still doing a couple of runs a week and did a muddy 5 mile cross country race last weekend, which was great fun. First time running in spikes too, which were an absolute game-changer in the thick, muddy, slippy hills. Also noticed that backing off training has had a big effect on recovery, it's much slower now than it was when in the middle of training.

Thanks. Don't know if I can keep improving at that rate (seems unlikely), but I've decided that one of the weekly runs is a 10k. So compared to a year ago I'm running somewhere around double the distance a week.

[DeskJockey]

I'm rather proud of today's effort. Usual run and route, but clocked 9 PBs including taking 1m57s off my 10k time, and improving on 2m, 5k and one of the worst hills on the route (about 1.1k long starts almost flat then rises up with the steepest part right at the end).

55:44 for the 10k.

[DeskJockey]

10k in 53:53 this morning. Means I've taken 4m46s off my time since my first attempt last Christmas. Today felt good, even though I stumbled and nearly fell over at the start of the second to last hill.

[V8Granite]

A rowing obsessed friend has got me into rowing.

I think it is possibly better exercise than running (as in hits other muscle groups and less likely to knacker a joint, plus just burning more energy in a shorter time). I had always been a bit crap at it and wussed out after 5 mins but my technique was all over the place it turned out. After a bit of coaching I am rowing further and faster, currently getting splits of 2:20/500m over 15 minutes, which has been growing since Xmas.

ETA rowing obsessed friend gets splits of about 2:00 - 2:05 over ~30min. So that is my goal as I refuse to be beaten by a girl. Even one who did rowing at a competitive level at uni and has kept that up over the past 20 years.

ETAA I know rowing isn't running

Rowing is awesome as it helps to be strong and works everything.
3:16:00 for 42k is my best, motivated by a woman dressed as a sexy santas wife.

I’m trying to remember times but I think it was 6:36 for the 2K. 500 was around 1:21 I think.

There is a Scottish guy on YouTube (annoyingly can’t remember his name) who has a couple of Great Danes and he did some great towing technique stuff.

I’m all about the Ski-Erg now but that’s mainly as it ducks and if it sucks it must be better right

Dave!

[240PP]

Did my go to run for when I have an hour or so spare on Sunday morning. It’s about 4.5 miles and starts in Cranham, Glos. It has everything; uphills, downhills, open fields, forests, streams.

I’ve run in a few scenic parts of the world but there’s something about this one.

[Explosive Newt]

Rowing is awesome as it helps to be strong and works everything.
3:16:00 for 42k is my best, motivated by a woman dressed as a sexy santas wife.

I’m trying to remember times but I think it was 6:36 for the 2K. 500 was around 1:21 I think.

There is a Scottish guy on YouTube (annoyingly can’t remember his name) who has a couple of Great Danes and he did some great towing technique stuff.

I’m all about the Ski-Erg now but that’s mainly as it ducks and if it sucks it must be better right

Dave!

Jeepers. These are excellent times. My splits are more like 2:05 these days, and an 8 minute 2k time trial felt like torture. Clearly sexy santa's wife needs to be deployed to help!

With regards to running however, my 5k times have improved and I managed to post a PB of 27:58 the other weekend.
Picture of running route along the river for internet points:

[Ascender]

Finally been getting some consistency back and seeing progress with running again which is nice. Aim is to try for a backyard ultra up here in October time and see about maybe something long or multi-day next year.

This last while threw a bit of a curveball into training as I had a bleep test to train for (am trying to Joni the fire brigade... long story). I'm not built for speed and whilst I'm getting stronger on the hills again, I don't play football or do any speed work if I can help it. So it's been a learning experience, but who'd have thought it, if you want to run faster, you just have to run faster. Managed to get the score I needed in the bleep test so now I'll just have to see if I keep the speed work in or not.

[Gavin]

Did my first park run in ages. Most of the training I did for the endurnce thingy (and I use the term training in the loosest sense) was hiking and cycling, so not really run much for a good while. I did not enjoy it! Defiitely need to get out a couple of times a week again while the weather is warm.

I am conisdering the Kielder Run Bike Run in October so would need to be able to run further than a mile or two!