Back on the bridge - update!

Morning running friends!

I say morning, it's actually evening, but the run about which I was posting was this morning. Oh, you know what I mean lol

Having been really pleased to get back to running again with a little 4k on Friday, even though my legs were moaning at me by the end of yesterday, walking round Blackpool "Pleasure" Beach for hours, after a good night's sleep I felt raring to go this morning, so off I trotted. Perfect running conditions, if a little chillier than I have been used to recently, so I decided it was time to break out the lycra. Photo NOT included, nor will it ever be

I have some long running pants and a long sleeved compression top, both from Aldi. The running pants are great, really light, though do have the tendency to show a certain bulge (think male ballet dancer). I fixed this by a) pulling my top down low and b) solving the major drawback with these running trousers, they have no pocket - I wore my normal running shorts underneath! Why, Aldi, would you make running pants without pockets? Are you insane? Anyway, the running pants are black so fairly inconspicuous. The top is grey and quite figure hugging, and if I wasn't concerned about middle aged spread before I certainly am now, even though I'm not overweight.

Anyway, I decided to do my slightly longer warmup as before and do a circular route. Well not really circular, but out for 3k along the Middlewood Way towards Poynton, as I know that is quite a good path and not muddy, and then back along the canal towpath. And I did. And it was fine. I even managed the steep-ish climb from the Middlewood Way to the canal without further injuring myself I think.

In the end I ran just shy of 6k in just over 39 minutes, at a pace of 6:50/km. I wasn't going for pace at all today, just pleasantly surprised I was sub 7.

One thing I tried a bit was trying to incorporate some of the Chi Running stuff Ripcurlrana71 mentioned. I'm sure I've not got it all yet, but in particular, I tried to shift my weight slightly forward so I naturally mid-struck rather than heel-struck, and it did feel better. I've been so intent on trying not to slouch when I run that I think I've gone too far and my ramrod straight posture tends to put the line of force directly on my heels, which you can see from the wear pattern on my previous trainers. I'll let you all know how I get on with this, it seems interesting!

Oh - and of course I finished off with the C25K stretches, minus the silly ITB ones. From what I've read, the ITB stretches don't really work anyway, and basically you've got to tie yourself in knots whilst still managing to balance, which I can't say I've really managed to achieve.

Have fun on your running journeys everyone, and thank you for all the wonderful support on my last post. Some of the responses literally bought me to tears, in a good way I mean.

Neil (still a runner!)

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Neil, another good return run from you. I think quite a few chaps wear shorts over their Lycra to spare their blushes and gaining a pocket is another good reason. 😃🏃‍♂️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Another really fascinating post from you Neil, glad that you enjoyed your 4k run on Friday despite having rather sore legs after walking 🚶 round Blackpool "pleasure" beach, agree about the word pleasure in inverted comas, all these one armed bandits and fruit machines, certainly not my scene. There must be many ladies here that are disappointed that you have not and will never send a picture of you in your new black 🖤 lycra pants, I am sure the ladies would love to see a photo of you wearing them😊😘

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Fantastic news👍👏 you'll always be a runner in our books 😉 glad you're back 😁

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Well done Neil, sounds like a great run both enjoyment and pace!! Have a great running week

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Go Neil... the image I have in my head now is quite weird!!!

You are doing wonderfully.. glad you are here and still having fun xx

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

It seems a sad state of affairs in this age of body confidence that chaps feel the need to apologise at times for having a penis.

[Hidden]

Great comeback Hidden . I'm with Pink here, it's a sad state of affairs that you feel body-shame, particularly despite being slim and fit.

That said, if it's interfering with your runs in public places, then I have seen men wear loose football-type shorts over their running tights and that'll certainly come in useful in the colder months.

I'm so pleased you're digging your way out of a slump. Keep on running!

😁

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Yay! Good run there Neil, sounds like you found your stride. Very pleased for you. I am going to crack out the winter running togs this morning as it is a touch nippy. Goodbye shorts. 😕

Sadie xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

There was ice on the car this morning. Ice!!! I think next run though I am going to wear shorts. All this long sleeved nonsense is just too hot!

Might have to wait till Friday to run, left leg is complaining a bit today, not helped by the fact that I jumped off a packing bench onto the floor and jarred it, I was running some network cables at work lol

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

Great read Neil glad you had a good run. Your description of your ALDI leggings made me giggle 🤭.

Tbh I only tried the chi running once! Well as far as the not heel striking goes. The rest I do/did anyway. I’ll try it again - but changing my heel strike was hard. Apparantly you try it for very short distances at first. Anyway - glad you’re back Neil. 😊

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

So glad you're back on it - and that you had a great run! And we need to see your lycra! No embarrassment here! We all wear it So glad you're feeling better x

[Hidden]

Oh, go on, let's have a piccie - though perhaps your attempts to cover the balletic bulge are all to the good

Smashing run, good pace and lovely post.

I naturally mid foot strike, but my first running shoes had a 12mm drop, and that made me heel strike. Brooks Ghosts are prone to that.

[Empem Graduate10]

Congrats on your lycratastic run this morning.Yes I don't get the illitobial twisty thingies either but do the others religiously .Happy running

[Tbae]

Good onya Neil.👏👏👍

You have got the gear and plenty idea.Just maybe not the Lycra idea.

Put the Lycra on backwards, you will have more ball room.🙈😂There are no pockets, so makes no difference.🙈😂

💥🏃‍♂️💥👏👏

[Hidden]

I'm having a Superman image here Neil. Was it blue lycra with red shorts by any chance? I've got one or two easy ITB stretches but my physio gave them to me as I could never figure out the pics or the youtube videos. Glad you are back in action again.

[Razouski]

Excellent run Neil, glad you're enjoying being back on the bridge. Just a thought about your bulging lycra... have you thought about wearing your usual running shorts over the leggings/ running pants rather than under them? Then you'd have your pocket problem solved and a little bit of modesty into the bargain. And look like a superhero into the bargain!!