The Fretboard Running Thread 2023

joneve · January 2023

I've only ever used Sportsshoes.com and never had an issue.

I use my local running shop now, as they let you try before you buy and take the shoes home for trying on/wearing in the house etc. Usually a few quid more, but impeccable service.

stevebrum · January 2023

I use all sort of places - all those mentioned but if you want Nike you can buy direct; they often have discount offers.

Nike have a good 30 day return policy - I got some Pegasus 39s and really didn’t get on with them at all after 3 runs so they went back.

I’m currently going between:

Saucony Ride 15
Asics Novablast
Puma Velocity Nitro 2
Brooks Catamount for off-road/trail

You can also buy direct from other brands as well but I’ve only used Nike. I think Brooks have a comprehensive return policy on worn shoes as well.

The ASICS outlet is worth signing up to - free delivery if you join (free) and usually decent sales if you are happy with last years models.

MandMdirect occasionally have some nice discount on Adidas if you like them as a brand.

Keller Sports have some good sales as do Wiggle - I’ve used both no issues.

Sports pursuit also have some tempting prices but I haven’t used them (yet).

d8m · January 2023

djspecialist said:

bobblehat said:

Can anyone recommend any good online retailers? I usually use sportshsoes.com .

Cheers

Watching with interest. I've racked up over 900km on my current "main" pair (Brooks Glycerine 19). tbh they don't feel worn out so I'll keep them going for another month, but after that I'll be looking for replacements (likely going back to Brooks Ghost I think.)

I've used SportShoes in the past with no issue, other than that I tend to buy direct from Nike as I know what works for me so tend to stick to it.

4 miles after work for me today, slowing down getting easier and felt a lot more natural, think the changes in training etc are starting to have a positive effect...really comfortable run and the legs felt strong.

Bidley · January 2023

Speed work for me today. 4x800m at (nearly) 7min/mile. Didn't manage to sustain that pace but got somewhere close. Feeling easier but it's tough in the cold - much harder to breathe. Toughest run of the week done!

Bidley · January 2023

Also I've had great luck with budget stuff from Start Fitness too - clothing that is. Their shoes deals are usually ok but elsewhere is often better. Higher State gear from Sportsshoes is brilliant, usually have good shoe deals too, Wiggle is great also.

My Novablast 2s are getting near the 500m mark so I think to think about a marathon shoe. They're my second pair of Blasts so I really like the max cushioning and the rocker sole. Any suggestions?

I'm loathe to spend too much as I get through shoes every 4-5 months. The Metarides look great but at £150 on sale is probably a bit much given they'll be in the bin by the summer. I could get a pair of Blasts again, or Saucony Triumph or Nimbus but what do you marathon runners go for?

Benm39 · January 2023

Wife and I started running more seriously in 2020. We're both now north of 50 as of last year and have run a trail marathon plus a trail half each year for last the years (either the Clarendon or Hampshire Hoppit).

This year we've set our sights on completing both Hoppit and Clarendon marathons and a 50k SerpentTrail in between.

Training proper restarts mid Feb and at present we are trying to tick over 3-4 runs per week of between 3-5 miles each.

This evening was a very chilly 3 miles by headtorch and minus 1.5degrees...

Must be mad.

We're not fast and given age and limited ability for much cross training beyond the running itself will be happy with anything around 5hrs for the two marathons and hopefully not too much above 6hrs summat for the ultra but will see I guess!

russpm · January 2023

Bidley said:

Speed work for me today. 4x800m at (nearly) 7min/mile. Didn't manage to sustain that pace but got somewhere close. Feeling easier but it's tough in the cold - much harder to breathe. Toughest run of the week done!

These are really tough sessions but really make a huge difference to your running and fitness. Great work.

russpm · January 2023

Ive not been on here for a while but blown away reading how well everyone is running. This is brilliant for motivation, well done lads.
I’m having a break from marathons this year and am planning on doing a few 10k’s, half marathons etc. I’m also doing The Lakesman half, triathlon again in June which was epic last year. After a 1.2 mile swim and a 56 mile bike …..I still somehow managed to run a 1 hour 35min half marathon. Stunned!

stevebrum · January 2023

Bidley said:

Also I've had great luck with budget stuff from Start Fitness too - clothing that is. Their shoes deals are usually ok but elsewhere is often better. Higher State gear from Sportsshoes is brilliant, usually have good shoe deals too, Wiggle is great also.

My Novablast 2s are getting near the 500m mark so I think to think about a marathon shoe. They're my second pair of Blasts so I really like the max cushioning and the rocker sole. Any suggestions?

I'm loathe to spend too much as I get through shoes every 4-5 months. The Metarides look great but at £150 on sale is probably a bit much given they'll be in the bin by the summer. I could get a pair of Blasts again, or Saucony Triumph or Nimbus but what do you marathon runners go for?

Good to know you rate the Novablast 2 - I’ve got a pair in the cupboard for when my Novablasts are retired. I paid £62 and £50 respectively in sales.

I did my first marathon in Glycerin 19s and the second one in Hoka Carbon x2. I don’t think it made much difference 10 mins quicker in the Hoka but I’d say that was down to the training and me getting progressively better/stronger.

Much more experienced posters at that distance on here than me but FWIW I’d say go with a comfy shoe (for you) that’s proven at the distance.

It’s back on the rower and mainly upper body strength training for me this week - managed to fuck up my ankle - hopefully just overuse or ironically in the gym whilst strength training for running…last run was 7 miles on Thursday and it seems ages ago!

stevebrum · January 2023

russpm said:

Ive not been on here for a while but blown away reading how well everyone is running. This is brilliant for motivation, well done lads.
I’m having a break from marathons this year and am planning on doing a few 10k’s, half marathons etc. I’m also doing The Lakesman half, triathlon again in June which was epic last year. After a 1.2 mile swim and a 56 mile bike …..I still somehow managed to run a 1 hour 35min half marathon. Stunned!

Congrats that’s a great time in isolation let alone after all the other events.

djspecialist · January 2023

Bidley said:

what do you marathon runners go for?

I use Saucony Endorphin Speed for races (to date, a marathon and a half in that pair) and speed training runs. They do feel quicker than my "regular training run" shoes (Brooks Glycerine), but I don't have enough data to corroborate that claim. In any case, I'm happy to take the placebo on race day!

russpm · January 2023

Bidley said:

Also I've had great luck with budget stuff from Start Fitness too - clothing that is. Their shoes deals are usually ok but elsewhere is often better. Higher State gear from Sportsshoes is brilliant, usually have good shoe deals too, Wiggle is great also.

My Novablast 2s are getting near the 500m mark so I think to think about a marathon shoe. They're my second pair of Blasts so I really like the max cushioning and the rocker sole. Any suggestions?

I'm loathe to spend too much as I get through shoes every 4-5 months. The Metarides look great but at £150 on sale is probably a bit much given they'll be in the bin by the summer. I could get a pair of Blasts again, or Saucony Triumph or Nimbus but what do you marathon runners go for?

I use Nike Vaporfly for races, they are fast and also save your calfs so you feel fresher for longer. They are at their best when you are running at a tempo pace or faster. I’ve tried most of the carbon plate shoes and for me these are the best.
A close second are the ASICS Sky metaspeed.

Bidley · January 2023

Cheers @russpm never tried carbon plate before! Might be time to change that...

bobblehat · January 2023

Thanks for all the shopping advice . Good to know to know I'm not the only one using sportshoes.com

26.2 · January 2023

ASICS Gel Nimbus - last for ever.

Benm39 · January 2023

Probably not applicable to those doing more road based running but I've always found Hoka Speedgoats to be excellent and have recently got a pair of Inov8 Parkclaw which are also very good. I'm mostly doing trail stuff on mixed terrain though (mud!).

I've tried a pair of the enertor insoles and they've also been great for extending the life of shoes whose uppers are still fine but where the sole has lost its support.

Anyone do any zero drop running such as Vivobarefoot? I wear striker for general use but haven't yet tried running in a pair...

russpm · January 2023

I don’t know if anyone else has this problem. I have skinny legs and most running shorts are way to wide.
I’ve found the Gorewear R5 2 in 1 short to be absolutely brilliant for chicken legs.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

d8m · January 2023

Didn’t make club tonight so had to improvise my own session running round the estate gently then giving it some speed up the hills. Called it at 3 miles as it was a bit on the slippy side…

Next up for me will be a repeat of last weeks 9 mile route to work on getting the HR down whilst getting miles on the legs.

Benm39 · January 2023

russpm said:

I don’t know if anyone else has this problem. I have skinny legs and most running shorts are way to wide.
I’ve found the Gorewear R5 2 in 1 short to be absolutely brilliant for chicken legs.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

I have thin legs also and found some higher state 2in1 shorts on Sportshoes.com that are quite comfortable. For really long runs though I tend to wear Path Projects separates although they're pricey to import.

Really cold weather and I use leggings, either 2XU or Skins.

djspecialist · January 2023

I was delighted to bag a couple of PBs this lunchtime!

10k 44:38 (first sub-45 min)
5k 22:07

26.2 · January 2023

djspecialist said:

I was delighted to bag a couple of PBs this lunchtime!
10k 44:38 (first sub-45 min)
5k 22:07

Nice work!!

I did another half yesterday- that’s 3 this year so far. Park run in -2 C conditions this morning. Very slippy so I was pleased with just a touch over 24 minutes.

Bidley · January 2023

Good work everybody, grats on the PBs @djspecialist , getting a 5k PB within a 10k PB is something else.

Just did my long run, 14 miles. I don't know what it is, but I seem to be labouring so far this year. Today's run was at a shade under 9min/miles, and my average HR was the same as the same run I did at 8:27min/mile at the end of December. Must be the additional speed work and cross training.

d8m · January 2023

8 miles for me today. Was supposed to be the same 9 mile route as last week but had to changeit up due to fog so kept it on footpaths.

Sub zero temperature made the breathing harder but happy to get another 8 miles on the legs.

Ive always tried to run atleast 50 miles a month and have kept this up for a couple of years now, but the changes to approach this year mean im on 49.5 miles with 10 days to go! I'm running less but running further.

@djspecialist getting a 5k PB within a 10k PB.... thats some serious effort!

djspecialist · January 2023

20km on Sunday, which was the very definition of a perfect winter's day for a run:

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/6dc65d84c6a29ea0e2e04175555a67c43c7e4b88829fd98e76

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/49c33d57b8b7b37c93b2e96739bd03c615a8631af1ca882a8e

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/acfea615aa914bb6943c1e665169b7c76b549bcfb0c59bc38f

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/b67f22e19150fbfc3ab6286aacf7a31c4c526568c75f25efeb

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/5da63e0ba01d555d580b4faa44b65f90041272082672554356

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/1effbbd047a91be78441fd237ca8b1ade10a396f13080f48cf

Benm39 · January 2023

Yup, gorgeous when it's like that, hopefully some warmth from the sun. Beautiful day to be out!

russpm · January 2023

Bidley said:

Good work everybody, grats on the PBs @djspecialist , getting a 5k PB within a 10k PB is something else.

Just did my long run, 14 miles. I don't know what it is, but I seem to be labouring so far this year. Today's run was at a shade under 9min/miles, and my average HR was the same as the same run I did at 8:27min/mile at the end of December. Must be the additional speed work and cross training.

The speed work does impact on your other runs as you are carrying additional fatigue from run to run.
try doing your longer runs much slower than normal. Trust me this will help with fatigue and also performance on the day. I would also suggest doing at least one of your other runs dead slow.

You can build miles without fatigue.
Accumulated fatigue can result in injuries and/or burn out. I’ve learned this the hard way. I always ended up peaking 4 weeks before a marathon then being exhausted on in the couple of weeks before the race and on race day.
Check out 80/20 running by Matt Fitzgerald.

I now train this way and have smashed PBS at all distances.
Keep going mate.

Bidley · January 2023

Cheers Russ, I figured I should just trust the process and stick to the speeds it tells me. I'm feeling fresh so far this week. 8 miles tomorrow at a slower-than-usual tempo pace, then a chilled 12 on Saturday so it should start evening out.

Also I just bought my 3rd set of Novablast 2s. I just like them that much. Although I am going to start rotating shoes as I've put nearly 500 miles on my last pair in just over 4 months and the midsoles are starting to disappear.

Anyone else rocking a shoe rotation?

stevebrum · January 2023

I definitely think there’s value in the slower slow runs, but it’s difficult to do an 80/20 if you’re only running 3 days a week on the FIRST Programme like @Bidley - the 3 quality runs are mapped out very specifically and give you plenty of recovery time.

Not sure I’ve got a shoe rotation more of an addiction…

Bought a pair of Nike Invincible Run at the weekend so I had a max cushion shoe to help recover from a recent ankle strain. .

russpm · January 2023

Bidley said:

Cheers Russ, I figured I should just trust the process and stick to the speeds it tells me. I'm feeling fresh so far this week. 8 miles tomorrow at a slower-than-usual tempo pace, then a chilled 12 on Saturday so it should start evening out.

Also I just bought my 3rd set of Novablast 2s. I just like them that much. Although I am going to start rotating shoes as I've put nearly 500 miles on my last pair in just over 4 months and the midsoles are starting to disappear.

Anyone else rocking a shoe rotation?

It’s great when you find a running shoe you love. I bin mine after 400-500 miles and always have a new pair ready that I have been walking round in for a week or two.

The other thing I’ve found that really helps with recovery between runs is getting carbs and protein in after each and every run. I usually do about 100g of carbs and 20g of protein. Except for longer runs where I have 80g of carbs per hour.

Benm39 · January 2023

Chocolate oat milk after a long run is just sublime

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