Socks

Well, Bishy isn't a bad weather forecaster based on today! Pretty horrid weather for the Bella 10k with wind and rain throughout, and a quick downpour in the last minute before I finished. Annoyingly I still had sore legs after a hard hill session on Thursday, and combining that with the weather, a fast time seemed unlikely. So given all that, I was surprised and delighted to get a PB and a first sub-40 time, finishing with a chip time of 39:44. I forgot my watch though luckily had an old stopwatch in the car and ran it entirely by feel and km markers, so happy as well to get the pacing pretty much spot on. Had I done that run last week with good weather and fresh legs I think I'd have been close to getting under 39, so it's not a bad end to the year for me. It gives me some confidence that I'm still improving and if I can keep it going I should be capable of getting my times down further next year. Did you run it, Bishy, and if so, how did you go?

Good stuff folks, all good times there. Got a 10k in Glasgow at Bellahouston Park next week, then that's me for this year. Are you doing it, Bishy? It says it's a flat route but I've walked round there once and I'm sure there's one fairly high bit, so will see how it goes I suppose. After two times just over 40 mins this year (one in windy conditons, the other on a hilly course), I'm keen to break that mark this time. Slightly annoying that a race I wanted to enter that opened at 5pm is already full, and I missed it because I was having a wee two-hour dose after today's effort!

Anyone been racing this weekend? Good looking races in both Edinburgh and Glasgow today with the Southside Six and Men's 10k. I was in Dundee this morning for the Templeton 10. Given the time of year conditions weren't too bad, but there was still a really strong wind out on the exposed country roads, and combined with the tough hilly route, it made for a brutal race. Apart from marathons, that's easily the hardest one I've done. A very good local race though, with some nice views on a sunny Autumn day and plenty of cakes afterwards, which is always a nice bonus. I had a vague target of sub-67 but finished in 68:45 - fairly content with that though, given the route and the wind. After a downhill start, the first 5 miles is unrelenting uphill-flat-uphill-flat and although I knew it was hilly I hadn't expected it to be quite that hard. A good race though, and I'd like to have another go at it. Also had a good time at parkrun last week in Kirkcaldy. Took another few seconds off my time to do 19:06, but the best bit was the sight as you went up the hll - with leaves completely covering the road, and plenty still on the trees, that steep uphill bit was just a tunnel of gold, and even though I've been round there loads of times, that was still an amazing sight.

I never run with music - probably more a matter of habbit than anything else, but I don't think I'd try it now. On quick runs and races I've no problem just focusing on running, while on slower ones I really like the spells where miles fly by because I'm thinking about somethng else. When I first started running as something to replace football and squash, I did often find it a bit boring, but that isn't really the case now barring occasional 'can't be arsed' days. I finally got round to gettng a GPS watch the week before Loch Ness and it is sometimes quite useful, but because I've become so used to just running wth a stopwatch I find I don't really use it for pacing, instead just running it by how it feels and what sort of effort level I'm aiming for. I don't use a HRM ether - same reason. Some good sessions this week and managed 12 miles with a cold today, so not too bad. Got a 10 mile and a 10k race the first two Sundays in November, so just hoping to have one last push of the year for those. Not sure about Alloa, Morrison. It will sell out though - about 600 had entered when I had a loo a few days ago.

For anyone interested, Alloa half opened for entries a few days ago. I'm going to have a go at that instead of Inverness next March and also fancy doing the Forfar multi-terrain half in February, which seems to be a tough trail and cross-country route. Aside from those, will be looking for a Spring marathon that isn't in Edinburgh (Manchester looks a decent bet just now), Black Rock 5 and probably a few shortish local races for the first half of the year. I got round Kirkcaldy parkrun today in 19:11 - was delighted with that as it beat my previous best by 12 seconds despite having really sore, heavy legs from hard runs the previous two days. Good to get the legs going quickly again and looking forward to the Templeton 10 at the start of November. Good luck tomorrow, Reina. You seem to be going pretty well just now, so hopefully you're on for another good time.

Sometimes you just don't feel right, and that can happen either in hard training runs or races. You were probably just unlucky to have one of those on a race day.I felt exactly like that after a long run a few weeks ago, and didn't feel right for a full week after it. As for Yasso 800s - I've tried them once, building up by one a week from 5 up to 10. It's a hard session in the last few weeks of it, and certainly worth doing for general running fitness, but my experience is that they aren't a great predictor for your marathon time. Or more likely, they aren't a great predictor unless you're running a lot of miles in a week - peaking at 40-50, I don't think I was doing enough for it to matter that much. Most of my repeats were about 3:05, but I haven't yet got close to that sort of time in a marathon. However, my half marathon time isn't too far away from the 'equivalent' of 3:05, but with the half you don't have such a need to run really high weekly mileage. Everyone's different though, so worth a go to see how you get on.

Great efforts there from everyone today, well done all. That's a pretty successful last few weeks for everyone who posts on this thread that's raced in that time, and good to see a lot of big iprovements and times that folk are generally really pleased with. Watching the TV coverage of the half I wished I was running as well. When I did go out for 8 miles this afternoon, my legs were glad I hadn't done so! With that in mind, I'm particularly impressed that anyone could PB in the half today with the same 'marathon legs' from last week that I had. Really good stuff there.

No luck for me in the ballot either. Apparently all clubs get some entries as well so I've probably got a better chance that way. Nice to see that someone got in though - good luck with it DHD. Not sure about next year yet, Morrison. Once I get back to it I'll probably try to get my Sunday run back up to 16, and hold it there for a while until a couple of months out. The main difference though will probably to add a second longish run midweek, maybe something like 12. Will be looking to do a spring marathon somewhere, anywhere but Edinburgh. I'm not racing this week but I guess a lot of you are. Weather looks really good for running on Sunday, so hopefully you all have a good run.

Aye, you'll definitely do better in the race than in training. If 18 is your longest training run, then it's probably going to hurt from about 20 on, and it's better to be prepared for that. As above, be careful about going off too quickly, and if anything you'd probably be better starting at a pace that feels a wee bit too slow. The lessons I've learned this year from my first two marathons are to go off easy, and make sure you fuel the body with gels or whatever before you really feel like you need it. I haven't quite got it right with either, but was much better with both yesterday than last time. It's likely to be hard, but you'll make it. And if you have to stop and walk for a bit in the last few miles, so what? I had to do that both times and still managed times I was pretty happy with. I've heard the Chester one is really nice - hope it goes well.

Good stuff folks, three really good times there today and big improvements for you both - can't argue with that. Loch Ness marathon wasnt too bad either. I managed a PB as well doing 3:21:56 to take 4 mins off my last effort in Edinburgh, so pretty pleased with that. Was slightly annoyed that I didn't manage my goal of not having to walk at all, but the walking spells were all much shorter than last time, no more than a minute at a time, so maybe next time I'll manage that. Although it's mainly downhill it's a harder course than you'd expect without running it, and the steep downhill sections early on take their toll on the lower leg muscles. I felt like I was running OK towards the end but just couldn't quite keep it going. The hill coming out of Dores isn't as bad as some I run on long training runs, but with where it comes it's pretty tough and the legs were suffering after that. Nice route, and I enjoyed the first 10 miles - didn't notice too much after that though. That was a pretty warm day for running. It was only 5 degrees when I left Beauly at 6.30 and was still quite cool at 9am, but by 10 when it started the sun was out and it really was warm, and stayed that way throughout. I'm starting to think that the marathon is a different game altogether from the other standard distances, and to improve at it I think I need to start running higher mileage in training. The body wasn't too bad today, but the legs were feeling it. My highest mileage week for this one was just over 50, so next time I'm going to try and start from near that and push it up a bit further towards the end. Current PBs for marathon and half marathon are both from Inverness. Was thining of trying the Alloa half in March instead next year but not sure now - thin it might be another trip up there.

Good to read the report from the Belfast half. Well done there - decent time, especially for a first effort. That's a good bit faster than the 1:47 I managed on my first go and I was pretty happy with that. Still looking forward to heading up to Inverness on Sunday, despite two separate wee niggles that just won't shift. I've had them both for weeks which is causing me a bit of nervousness, thought they don't tend to bother me too much when I'm running a decent pace. It's a long way to run on an ankle that isn't perfect, but I'm not pulling out now as the rest of me feels fine.

I always put the tie-chord of my shorts through my key - never lose it that way. Well, except once... I was running a 10 mile route quite late in the day, about 9.30pm, and I had an urge for a shite with a good bit to go. As I got to the 6 mile point I realised I wasn't going to make it home, so started looking for a suitable spot in the bushes. By the time I found somewhere I was absolutely desperate and in fumbling around with the shorts I lost the key! Didn't help much, as I was too slow and suffered the indignity of having shat myself while wearing white shorts. I'd left a spare key at my mum's house, which thankfully was pretty close to where I was, but it was a wee bit embarrassing to be explaining why I was chapping her door after 10pm at night, while reeking of shite! Thankfully there has been no repeat... Unlucky there, Bishy, that would be annoying. Sounds like you're on the way back to where you were though.

Well done folks, decent going there on what looked a pretty warm day. I always find 'hot' to be the hardest of the difficult weather conditions, so those are both good efforts, especially if you haven't done too much running in warm conditions recently. I watched a bit of the TV coverage and it was an impressive sight, though I think I might have got a bit irritated at the huge number of runners and what was presumably constant weaving right the way round. Good stuff Co Down as well, sounds like you've had good preparation for this one. One wee thing I'd say is that although a couple of short, easy runs this week sounds fine, I'd probably want to do the last one on Thursday rather than Wednesday if possible, just so as not to have the legs doing nothing for too long. Either that, or stic with Mon/Wed but try to do a very easy couple of miles on Saturday as well, just to keep the legs moving. Also don't worry if you feel sluggish on what should be easy runs - it's not like that for everyone, but has been for me every time I've tapered for a half or a marathon. I did my last pretty long run before Loch Ness today - first time in a good while I've felt rotten from the start and couldn't be arsed pretty much from the off. Again, I put it down to the taper - I managed my 15 miles, but felt sluggish and bored throughout. There just seems to be a mental thing where after doing the longest run last week, you subconciouisly feel that everything's done, meaning every run, no matter how easy or hard, feels a real effort.

On the shin pain stuff, usually you can sort it by getting the right trainers for your feet and running style. It can be a bit expensive, but it is worth going to a running shop and seeing what type suits you best. 20:00 for Dunferline parkrun is pretty decent, I was well outside that the day I ran it. The hills there are painful but great for training - the running group I've been going with has done some sessions of mile repeats round there in the last few weeks and they're the best training sessions I've ever done. Wee bit unluky there Reina, but if you can get close to PB on a day when conditions are hard, you know you're in decent shape and must be capable of beating it on a better day.

Might have a go of that myself - I've found there's only one t-shirt I can wear on a long run if it's a warm day, as my others all leave me with big blood spots. That's the last 20 mile training run of the year done, and it feels good to say that. Felt much better towards the end today than two weeks ago despite being warm and sunny again, though a big difference was that today's route had plenty of shaded bits. At the moment I feel better prepared for this marathon than I did for the Edinburgh one, so if I can get through the taper weeks without any illness or injuries I should have a decent chance of beating my time from that day. I'm now looking forward to running this one, and would assume that the course along Loch Ness will be a bit more interesting and scenic than that out and back plod along the East Lothian coast.

I did a half today and saw your post before heading off - hadn't though of it like that before, but I did remember your words going through 10. It helped for a mile anyway before it felt tough from 11 - from that point I went back to my normal thing when I'm struggling and started running for time. 11 miles means about 15 mins to the finish for me, and I find it works quite well counting them off one at a time. Good race that, the Barry Buddon half. Well organised, and the good facilities that come from starting and finishing in a military camp are a bonus. It's also pretty flat and all on good tarmac so on a good day definitely a PB course. Today it was sun, wind, sun, wind and so on which was quite hard on some of the long straights but a good run nonetheless. Finished in 1:30:39 which is about 1:45 outside PB, but I'm actually pretty happy with that. First time I've done that distance with no taper, and I've been struggling all week after last Sunday's really hard long run. I'd have been content with anything under 1:33 today, so pretty pleased to beat that by a decent margin.

Good to see you back to it Bishy, injuries are a total nuisance. Aye, Morrison, still heading to that club twice a week and really enjoying it. Good variety so far and it's nice having other folk around, particularly for the recoveried when we do reps. Haven't missed a session yet, but will do on Tuesday as the Pars come first that night! That's the toughest wek of training I've done for quite a while, doing 19 miles last Sunday and two good sessions of reps through the week, then a 20 miler today in constant sunshine where it was impossible to find any shade. I was absolutely done by the end and was very glad I took a gel and bought a bottle of water while out - I don't usually, but don't think I'd have made it home without them today as I was really struggling from 14 on. Also managed a rare appearance at Kirkcaldy parkrun yesterday, and was happy to take 15 seconds off my only previous time to finish in 19:23. Seems to be going OK at the moment and I've got a half next week to see how the fitness is. Definitely need a couple of easy days before it though, after the last week.

Aye, Thursday night was really hot for running. I was doing some hilly half mile reps and also had a cold - that's a tough session anyway, but was absolutely burst at the end of it with that heat. Good stuff Co. Down - sounds like you're well on the way, so probably just a matter of gradually increasng the long run distance, ideally trying to get it to about 11 miles a couple of weeks before the half. Are you pretty much recovered now Morrison? You still going to manage your marathon next month or are you too far behind?

Aye, good stuff folks. That's what I like most about running - we can all be as competitive as we want to be, either against other people and going for places in race, or against ourselves and trying to make whatever target we set ourelves when running alone. I really do miss playing football but I was never good enough to play competitively, and running does allow me to satisfy that competitive streak. I'll certainly never have an attitude of 'so what' when someone a bit slower than me does a time they're happy with, and I think most folk who do it have that same respect for other runners, however fast they might be. I enjoy hearing how everyone who posts on this thread is getting on.

Good stuff doing a triathlon; what distance was it? I fancy having a go at one some time, but the swim in particular would need a bit of work as I'm OK at breaststroke and backstroke but I've always been utterly hopeless doing front crawl. A pal at work recently tried to peruade me to do one next month but I'm nowhere near ready for that. Been thinking about trying it next year though.

Forth Road Bridge 10k for me today. Near perfect weather for it, and unsurprisingly a more scenic route than you get for most races. Was hoping I might break 40 mins, but was 30s outisde that and slightly slower than at Musselburgh a few weeks back. A wee bit disappointing given the good conditions, but it's a much hillier route so wasn't bad. Probably could have pushed a bit harder in the first half, but it's hard to pace it with all the ups and downs. I've recently started running with the club that organise this, so ended up helping out with it today. You certainly see another side of it doing that, and appreciate much better all the work that folk put in to organise these local events. It was actually quite stressful at times doing the number pickup, but good to get involved in it and contribute to what is a popular race.

Good to see a few folk managing to get back out after being out a while - it really is a great feeling when you've been frustrated by injuries for a while, so hopefully you're all enjoying it. First attempt at Donkey Brae for me today, a fairly brutal 7 mile race in Aberdour. A lot of ups and downs, including donkey brae its self which comes about half a mile from the finish, and some sections on gravel grass and mud. The legs didn't feel good at all for most of it, though that was mainly down to doing a long run on Friday. Pretty happy with the time of 46:30ish, which would have been fine even if feeling good.

For some bizarre reason, I've pretty much decided I want to try another marathon this year, and do the Inverness one in September. When I finished the Edinburgh one, I was quite sure that I was just going to focus on shorter stuff for the rest of the year, but I'm now pretty keen to have another go. First 16+ mile run today since May was surprisingly comfortable, so I should be OK. I finally got round to going along to a running club this week, and really enjoyed both sessions. Amazing how it can sub-consciously push you on, just by running with other folk, and if anyone is considering it, I'd really reccommend just going and doing it. So much more enjoyable running with a group than on your own as well. The hamstrings were a bit sore after the first session of 200m sprints on rough grass, but definitely worth it and I'll definitely be back this week.

Good stuff Rowan, glad to hear you're getting there with it even if it can be low going getting back. Well done Co.Down, got to be happy with that improvement. How long have you got til your half? Was good to get a blether to Morrion and true_rover after yeterday's Muselburgh 10k. One thing though folks - if we happen to meet after a race again and my face is covered in slavers, go and tell me. I didn't realise that I was abolutely covered in them til I saw it in the car mirror! I think we were all happy enough with our times, which weren't bad at all given the pretty severe gale the race was run in. Think I overdid it a bit today though. I felt fine this morning and went out for 14 miles, but it was a bit too far after yeterday's effort. 10 would have been plenty, but as always seems the way when that happens, I was miles from home and had to carry on.

I'm amused by the idea of a quiet week that happens to include a wee marathon run! Weather for tomorrow looked rotten last time I looked, so would image fast times will be difficult. Still though, will be good for me to finally run a 10k after getting through pretty much every other standard distance recently. It's been quite a light week for me, although I was pleased to improve my one mile time in the latest of the Ravenscraig Park series on Tuesday, getting round in 5:29. It was quite a remarkable race in that a woman won outright, something that I can't imagine happens very often. The field wasn't as strong as last time, but even so it was a great run from her to finish in 5:05.