Running, a welcome, and time efficient variation

Inquitus

I was a couch potato this time last year, I got back into cycling last August after watching the TDF and since then have shed over 25kg. I have kept a training log/blog on the cycling forum since then.

I very recently, last week recently, decided to give running a go, to mix up my training. I have 3 kids and time is often limited and a 5km run in 20 odd minutes represents a far better return than a pointless 20 minute cycle would, hence I have decided to slot in running when I don't have the time for cycling, or fancy a change.

My return to date is 2 x 5km runs, this first of which was my first run in about 20 years, though I have played tagrugby once a week, and trained once a week for the last 8 weeks, so running isn't completely alien to the legs. The best thing about it all is I actually enjoyed it! :

1. 23:42 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94347069 23/6
2. 23:50 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95709330 28/6
3. 23:44 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95709340 29/6

I am holding a Garmin Edge 500 in my hand which isn't the best for the data integrity by the looks of the route output, I have a wriststrap on its way.

My aims are humble, I am going to to do the Duathlon in the Phoenix Park on the 6th July and again in August, pretty sure I won't disgrace myself. I would like to get my 5km time sub 22mins soonish and start to extend myself towards 10km. I need to buy some decent running shoes as I am using 5 year old 40 yoyo Nikes that are not up to the task.

Edit: added in runs 2 and 3, mapped out the 5km route on the bike to get precise distance, as Garmin tends to crap out a bit among the houses running, whereas on bike distance comes from wheel revolutions. Times seem pretty consistent so far....

Inquitus

Bough some runners today after a gait analysis in Elverys in the Pavillions in Swords:

Came down to 2 options:

Saucony ProGrid Phoenix 4 Men's Runner @ €59.99
Asics Gel 3020 Men's Runners @ €88.56

I was going to go for the Asics, but they didn't have them in my size so went with the Saucony. The sales girl was quite pushy on them which led me to think I may not be getting the best shoe.

Anyone let me know if I have made a booboo before I take them out for a spin after work?

Thanks,

Inq

Inquitus

Run 4: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96096288 5km 26:08

Having seen the HR data off my first run, and then run fairly flat out the next 2 times and been within seconds of the initial run, I am guessing that around 23mins odd is my best 5km time atm, maybe slightly quicker with the buzz of a race and on the flat, but nonetheless I was running close to as fast as I am able currently.

I decided then to back off a fair bit and try and run at a comfortable pace to see if I felt I could step it up to 10km. I ran this 5km in 26mins and it felt easy throughout and I felt I could go further without issue at this pace.

Run 5: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96096285 10km 52:06

A glorious evening tonight, and I was torn between a run or a cycle out up and over Howth a couple of times. The idea of trying a 10km run won out and off I set round greenery of NCD.

I ran the first 5km in 26:23 and the second in 26:09 and it seems to have been a fairly even effort. I wasn't dead at the end of it and could have perhaps have run a bit further if I hadn't stepped up the pace a bit for the final km.

I think I could run 10km a bit faster, but judging effort and pace seems to be quite tricky, might wear the HR Monitor out next time!

Fingallians AC meet on Mon and Tues and I hope to pop along for some training runs and advice in the coming weeks!

donothoponpop

Inquitus wrote: »

Bough some runners today after a gait analysis in Elverys in the Pavillions in Swords:

Came down to 2 options:

Saucony ProGrid Phoenix 4 Men's Runner @ €59.99
Asics Gel 3020 Men's Runners @ €88.56

I was going to go for the Asics, but they didn't have them in my size so went with the Saucony. The sales girl was quite pushy on them which led me to think I may not be getting the best shoe.

Anyone let me know if I have made a booboo before I take them out for a spin after work?

Thanks,

Inq

Bring 'em back. Garbage of shoes. I've been running for quite a while in Brooks, moved over the Progrids for a while, endd up with major knee problems. I put this down to whatever, until a couple more stories like this from Progrid Phoenix newbies came through...

The support on them collapses quite quickly, from what I can see, causing pronation problems. Since fixed for me, after regulating these to my grass-cutting shoes.

Inquitus

Was away on holidays so spent more time on the bike than running. Set a new PB for 10km last night of 50:39, and I think I took it too easy early on, so if I pushed it a bit more at the beginning I could bring it down under 50 minutes I think without giving it everything, just with better pacing. Pacing is obviously key to running and its something I need to get a better feel for.

Run 6: 5km - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97809134

Run 7: 6km 32:16 in Spanish heat though - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101614746

Run 8: 10km - 50:39 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101933546

Total YTD - 51km

Inquitus

Probably clocked up another 50km in the 3 weeks prior to the Frank Duffy 10 mile in the park, clocked a 10km PB of 46mins en route to a 10 mile time of 01:15:27

Really happy with that time and am considering keeping up the training and having a cut at the half that's on in the coming weeks.