>>1847
Man the fuck up.

>>1847
Stop running?

>>1849
Eat burgers everyday

>>1850
I suppose not. Anyway, I really hate the pretentious bastards I see everyday, with their sunglasses, weird tops and shorts, running around, while breathing heavily. One of these days, I will stick out my leg, let them trip and I will kick their teeth down their throat. Maybe steal their Ipod and bin it somewhere to make it look like a mugging. Fucking cunts.

>>1847
Clearly you're not running hard enough. I'm always burning up by the end of mine, so the cold isn't a problem.

>>1847

Equip yourself with the traditional British winter garb of the serious long-distance runner - a pair of Ronhill Tracksters with a hole in the crotch and a stinking Helly Hansen top that was once hi-vis yellow but is now just piss-coloured.

>>1851

Why would you want to make it look like a mugging? Giben the choice between being charged for assault or for robbery I know which I would go for...

>>1854

*given

>>1851

I want to ask why you feel such contempt, but am also aware you're probably just pratting about a bit. Just in case, though, for me running has been an extremely humbling activity. It's really easy to make a bit of a fool of yourself in public like this, but people do it to keep fit. I admit the weird running gear can be a bit much, but indulge us, eh? As far as hobbies go, it's one of the more beneficial.

>>1853

You've described exactly one person I've seen in my area. Frightening accuracy. He even has the rail-thin figure of a long-distance runner. I just don't think I could pull off the look I'm afraid. I'm not that hardcore.

>>1852

I wouldn't mind something to warm up my hands. Thing is, a vest with any kind of running glove would look awful. I'm a bit stumped. As the other poster put it, I may just have to 'man up' and let my digits go a bit numb while the rest of me generates heat. And you're right, I did end up going out today and had no trouble at all, within the first few minutes I was thankful of the cold weather like I normally am.

Actually lads, nevermind. I just had a flash of brilliance.

>>1856
Pratting about? I don't know. Don't pay it any mind. I suppose I am just a hateful person, and you know what they say about misery and companionship.

>>1858

I'd offer to take you out running, lad. It's refreshing and we're not all wankers, I promise.

I don't mind if I'm the only one bumping this thread. In short: lighter on my feet than ever in my life. Really good one tonight.

Still, I'm surprised no one else has come in, what with new year just rolling by.

>>2038
Go on then I'll bite.

I have been running on and off for about 4 years, mostly off. I usually end up with sore / blistered feet afterwards but nothing too bad, I need some proper shoes for it.

My main problem seems to be with running long distances though, on a couple of occasions after 3 or 4 km my left foot started swelling up and numbing. Any suggestions on what this could be from?

>>2039
>My main problem seems to be with running long distances though, on a couple of occasions after 3 or 4 km my left foot started swelling up and numbing. Any suggestions on what this could be from?
I had that when I started, but when I began running regularly it stopped being an issue. I think it's just your feet reacting to a level stress they're not normally under.

Unless it's causing you serious discomfort, I'd suggest you do what I did: go for a run and pretty much immediately afterwards buy a pair of trainers that fit. That way there'll be enough give that you won't ever be forced to limp home like a twat when your trainers get too tight.

Is jogging in high top Converse a good way to end up crippled/look like a knob?

I'm pretty sure Rocky did it and he was fighting well into his late 80's.

>>2685
ToeJam and Earl used to run around in them all the time.

>>2685
As long as your form is good, then in theory converse should be closer to running barefoot and should be better in the long time.
However if you're running badly you'll probably fuck your knees up because the heel support is crap. You'll have a good chance of getting blisters on your ankles from the rubbing too.

The biggest problem you'd have with converse though is that it'd cost you a fortune because a pair would fall to pieces every few months or so.

>>2685

I wouldn't really recommend it. The converse sole unit is extremely soft and offers little in the way of stability control.

The cheapest Asics, Mizuno or Saucony trainers will do an excellent job of looking after your feet and set you back less than £30 if you shop around. If you're on a really tight budget, I've had perfectly satisfactory experiences with Aldi special buys and with More Mile branded trainers, which you can find for less than £15.

>>2685

They're Alan Partridge's lap dancing shoes.

https://www.youtube.com/v/itq5iXz1hcg

>>2689

Haunting.

>>2687
As someone who runs barefoot in good weather and in Nike's Free Runs the rest of the time, it's nothing like running barefoot.

Seriously, avoid it at all costs.

>>2691

Speaking of running barefoot, Christ do I miss having a proper beach to run on. Nothing like finishing a 5km run through sand. And then going for a beer or ten.

>>2691

>>2687 here.
I apologise, of course you're right I've no idea what I was thinking. Problem is I quite like converse for walking a long distance in because it gives me a better feel of the floor. I made the silly assumption they'd feel the same as for running.

Actually I am planning to take up running. I've never ran at all in my life, except when forced to by PE teachers, and I spent most of my childhood wearing orthotics to correct my flat-footedness. I still over-pronate now, but not as severely as I used to. Despite this I'm now in a position that (were I not a bit out of shape this past year due to owning a car) I can effortlessly walk 10 miles a day in shoes with no support.

I considered getting some basic trainers with support for over-pronaters, but I'm fairly sure even if I had some custom orthotics made again I'd end up having nothing but problems. I've decided to start straight away with barefoot running. For the next few weeks I'm just going to do some exercises to strengthen my calf and achilles, then I'll get some proper minimalist shoes and start working my way up gradually from 1/2 mile runs.

Any recommendations? I'm drawn to the freet because they have most of the benefits of the fivefingers but without the fiddly little-toes and the hefty price tag. Most of the minimalist shoes like the Nikes don't appeal to me because they seem like an unnecessary compromise, all the big brands are trying to make a minimalist shoe which looks and feels like their traditional designs.

So, is there anything comparable to the freet and fivefingers that I've missed? Or would anyone recommend something else entirely?

>>2706

Interesting, I'd not heard of Freet until reading over this thread again. I don't know much about running shoes, actually. I'm still using the same pair from when this thread was started and probably won't buy another until they're utterly knackered. Someone earlier in the thread recommended Saucony shoes for over-pronation.

Me, though, I'm going out tonight to try and ruin my hideous space-age Adidas a bit more. I realised lately that I've been completing the same two set runs for the past 6 months, happily plodding along making no progress. I'm now trying to make the decision of whether I should try running the same routes faster or just run longer routes.

Tonight I'll go with a longer route, if only because I like sprinting too much and neglect any sort of endurance work.

Pic is not what I look like.

>>2754
Weirdly you posted that the exact day that my freet arrived in the post.
Just been for a 5 mile walk in them so far, and apart from a few spots on my toes which were rubbing, they were outstandingly comfortable and easy to walk in.

Build quality and materials aren't really the best quality, but are what I expected for something <£40

Freets website is a bit misleading, their website implies that they're designed by the husband and wife team in the peak district who own the company. They're actually just distributors, the Chinese manufacturer Aparso owns the patent and makes them.

Running uphill after deadlift day is like a whole different world of pain. Merciful fuck.

I apologise if I'm using this thread as a bit of a blog, but this is my second time around on a longer route. It feels amazing to be pushing myself again, but the thing is I live in a hilly area and the downward slopes are killing my shins. It's hard to keep good form when you're knackered, too, but I suppose it's all part of the learning curve. I'll probably leave it at until at least Sunday before my next plod around, as I'm heading to the gym Thursday and Saturday anyway.

Another thing: long distance gives a totally different buzz to intervals/resistance training. It's interesting. After weight training I feel mentally sharp, but very relaxed with a deep pleasant kind of ache. Running for a long period of time gives me more of a spaced out, pain-killer type of feeling. Both are quite nice, I'm just surprised with the different effects you can achieve with just a different kind of training.

Running at 10pm on Christmas Eve in the rain because I'm addicted and weird and also fuck Christmas anyway.

>>2829

http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/ron-hills-running-streak-hits-50-years

>>2830

I can never develop a streak, simply because I only run 5 times a week. I find I have to take time off otherwise my shins are yelling out in pain.

In other news, the human body is amazing. I am swimming in endorphins right now. I could catch fire and still remain relaxed.

>>2926

A streak?

Blimey, as someone who never ran that much before last October, I think 7-10 kms, twice a week is pretty good. Just back now and like yourself, the feeling of glowing endorphins is amazing.

This really isn't to do with running/jogging, but I didn't want to waste a thread on it. Since about 10PM Sunday, my right knee has started making a clicking sound whenever I bend and straighten it. It doesn't happen when I am seated, or when I don't have any weight on my right leg. It happens whenever I bend it close to 90 degrees and then straighten it, while I have my body weight on it. So it has been happening since then while climbing the stairs, when getting up and when I sit. There is no pain but I am apprehensive about it. What could this be? Should I run to my GP tomorrow?

>>2928
My knee has sort of clicked weirdly for years. Sometimes it just feels *not quite right* and I straighten it and it makes a small click and I repeat until there's a much bigger click and it feels normal again. It doesn't click after that.

Never worked out why.

>>2929
Thank you mate.

In any event, it stopped. But then again I have been scared of putting any kind of weight on it. I avoided walking anywhere today.

I've started running again, with the aim to do the Hackney half-marathon at the beginning of May.

Well I say I've started, I had to stop after my right foot started getting a pain on the top-left side of it.

Thinking this might be related to my day-to-day footwear, as recently that's been (slightly too big) bovver boots, plus my running shoes are a bit knackered from last summer when I was running a lot.

So - two questions.

Can I get up to a half-marathon pace in 2 months of training? I can comfortably run 5k in 25 minutes, 3 times a week (top time is 21 minutes for a "competitive" 5k last year).

Should I buy some cheap Asics/whatever to replace my running shoes?

>>2960

Going from 5k to a half marathon in two months is perfectly achievable. At your current level of fitness, you should be able to manage a half marathon in about two hours if you get your pacing right. If you're not watching your splits, it's very easy to get carried away with the flow of other runners; You can completely wreck a run in the first few km by going off too quickly and ending up in oxygen debt.

Use a stopwatch (or a fancy GPS gadget) and work on running consistent splits. Based on your 5k pace, you should be aiming for about 6 minutes per km (9:30 per mile) over the half marathon distance. Find a local loop of about 500m, measure the distance on Google Maps and work out the correct time for each lap based on your target pace. Once you've settled in to a comfortable sub-threshold pace, it is surprisingly easy to just keep going. Mix in some faster runs and interval sessions to build your aerobic capacity, but concentrate on just ramping up the distance at a solid pace.

Don't worry about cosmetic wear on your running shoes. Pull out the insoles and feel the sole from both sides. If the sole unit has compressed and lost its springiness beneath the heel or ball, or if the sole generally feels floppy or lumpy, it's time for new shoes. Most people need to replace their shoes every 500 miles or so, but it depends on your weight and your running action. Cheap trainers are just as good at preventing injury as expensive trainers if they fit well, so feel free to go for the cheapest pair from Asics or More Mile.

>>2961
> If you're not watching your splits, it's very easy to get carried away with the flow of other runners

Yeah, that's what happened during the 5k last year and I ended up shaving a minute off my personal best. I realise this is not sustainable for longer distances though.

I use Runkeeper, so I'll try and find somewhere to work on my splits. My target is to complete the run in under 2 hours, so ideally I want to get to 5:30 per km.

As for shoes - I'm a bit worried about my gait so I'm probably going to try somewhere like Runner's Need, get their advice and then grab something cheaper online.

Thanks for the info!

It's that time again, lads. Three years, now. I've had many setbacks due to persistent knee trouble which I I've sorted with several breaks from running, a bit of research and what is hopefully now a proper programme.

While I still do other physical stuff, I really truly miss running. I miss the regularity of it, being outside, how easily I could get up and go.

With this in mind I'm going to start up regular again. Though I do intend to focus on short distance stuff, in the coming weeks I intend to post a proper one mile time. Strangely, decent fitness charts comparing average running times seem to be all over the place.

How have you lads been doing? Any progress?

>>3715
>Three years, now.

Fucking hell. Actually, coming up on four.

>>2962
>Runner's Need, get their advice and then grab something cheaper online.
Oh, so you're that guy ?

>>3725
Why let a little something like integrity or shame get in the way of saving a fiver mate?

>>3726
>a £5er in the hand is better than supporting the shopping facilities on the high street you actually may need.
You're alright Jack; so that's all good.

>>3727
Ooh look, it's this nutter again.

>>3715

I'm new to this thread, I whacked out a 15km run in about 1 hour 30 a couple of weeks back, but generally run 2-3 times a week for about 4km- longer distances to spice it up. I find it a bit tough because I refuse to use a gym and am at work/travelling for about 12 hours a day. It means I have to run in darkness around London, which is fine. If I worked closer to my house, I'd run more.

I don't bother about what shoes I'm wearing, I just wear a t-shirt, shorts, and my default Nike trainers from Sports Direct. Sometimes I think I should go further into it (find better shoes, etc) but I feel like it's a can of worms.

While I love the energy and exercise, running really calms my chronic over-thinking. Some earlier-lads said they found it boring on here. While sounding a bit weird, taking a meditative approach might help. I get emotional when I run, I cry and get really happy.

I bullied myself into posting every run on Facebook as helps me stay motivated.

>>3728
Yeah totally crazy, perfect refuation there chum

I've hurt my Achilles tendon. I've laid off running for about two or three weeks now in favour of swimming, but it is a ballache not just being able to lace up my shoes and go whenever I feel like it.

Sage for nothing interesting.

>>3729
>>3850

Cos you had shit shoes!

Cycling's better.

>>3852
I thought the exact same thing on seeing this thread, but didn't see the point in de-railing the thread for an apples-and-oranges comparison.

But still, the main things I like about cycling is how much further you can go. Running might be alright if you want a quick half-hour session during your lunch break but with a bike you can go for miles out of town and see all sorts. I find cycle maintenance strangely satisfying in all its oily glory too. Plus, if you go offroad on trails there's a good element of skill/balance instead of just being tedious exercise.