Hello VRBs! 😀 How’s your running going? As the events season gets into full swing, some of you will already have got one or more races under their belt; others are eagerly anticipating their first of 2023. Me? I’m blithely ignoring bling in favour of mud and vertical! Only 25km run this week, but 805m elevation gain. ⛰️
Additional confession: when I’m not running, I’m not especially interested in finding out more about it. 😈 I subscribe to Women’s Running magazine, but flick through it rather than devouring the advice. On the rare occasion I read books about running, they’re never about training, diet or fitness regimes. The same goes for podcasts, and pretty much all videos too - I’m not interested in spending 20 minutes getting information I could read in two. Easily the most relatable running video I’ve ever seen was the Be more dog one – thanks nowster !
However, I’m pretty certain that my aversion to such resources, similarly to my fondness for hills, makes me an exception around here. So this is your chance to educate, inform and entertain me, and of course your VRBs too, by sharing your personal favourites or discoveries in running-related media. Magazines, books, podcasts, videos, blogs, websites, or even TikTok – please reveal all!
And of course, don’t forget to let us know all about your running exploits! Wishing you all happy, safe, injury-free running!
The Marathon Team xxx
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Written by
Cmoi
Marathon
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I also watch too many shoes reviews as I’m still trying to find the perfect marathon shoe. I’m hoping my next pair will be comfy enough for easy long long runs. They’re sitting in a box waiting for the boys to give them to me for Aussie Mother’s Day 😍
Week 18 of the HM plan is just 29.1 miles. Race day is Saturday.
I'm envious of your ability to put in so many miles so consistently, and you definitely deserve comfy shoes for them! I'll have to take a look at the sites you mention, thanks. Though my main problem is just not being very good at taking running seriously, and I'm not sure that's fixable!
Have a fab HM - you're already in the pompom cheer, btw! 📣
I had a couple of events in January / Feb but nothing now until start of May when there is a 10k trail and then there's a few more things in the pipeline. In the interim I'm just poddling round - making sure to do at least a 10k each month.
Re running media - I regularly watch Nicola Runs on youtube - there's lots of parkruns, some cross country and a fair bit of marathon and ultra (I particularly remember the 5 marathons in 5 days last year). Sometimes her videos make me laugh and sometimes they are quite poignant. There's lots of running joy and it's also quite inspiring (but I am never never doing an ultra!)
I'm off for a run in a few minutes ... not sure I'll match your mud and elevation Cmoi ( 👏👏👏 by the way ) ... it's a lovely suny day here and the wind has dropped ... perfect 😀
Another site for me to check out RunSkippyRun , thanks!
I've been a bit obsessed with elevation these past few days, and the mud quite literally goes with the territory. I really need to get in a bit more distance on road-and-trail mixes; the pure trail stuff tends to be a bit steep and technical, and I'm properly out of practice at that!
We'll be doing the May events post in a couple of weeks, so do reply to that when it's up and we'll add you to the pompom cheer list!
I don’t do a whole lot of video watching or reading about running generally (🫢). If I am struggling with an issue, I will research it to death via the internet. So I just research the issue rather than a set list of likely publications. I am a free spirit too! If you can’t be eccentric at 71, when can you ? I did 109m total ascent today. Not remotely in your class, but not flat either.🙂
Doing issue-based internet research is much more my approach Beachcomber66 , it's general running-related reading, listening or viewing that doesn't grab me.
109m total ascent is great - I suspect plenty of people on here wouldn't do that in a week, let alone one run!
Unsurprisingly I'm all for eccentricity. I've spent too much of my life trying to conform and fit in. Most of the time I manage it, which is definitely easier...
Hi Cmoi I subscribe to Runners World which I find has lots of interesting articles and stories. I also recently went to an evening with author and runner Phil Hewitt about his book ‘Outrunning the demons’ which has lots of stories about the problems others have had, and how running has helped their recovery.
I also get a couple of motorbike magazines. I was struck the other week about the similarities with running - it doesn’t matter what gear you have, if you get out there then you’re a runner/biker. Also, when we’re out there we’re an ambassador for running/biking and how we treat others will affect how people treat our fellow runners and riders. Then there’s maintenance of your body/bike to keep everything going as it should.
That Phil Hewitt book sounds interesting David_G , will maybe see if I can get my hands on it. Really like your comparison of runners and bikers too, such a good point about how we're ambassadors - like it or not! I'm woeful when it comes to maintenance though, whether of vehicles or myself. Bad, I know.
Hi Cmoi and thank you for doing the honours this week. 🙏
In my own way I am probably just as unconventional in my approach as your good self.
My idea has always been to replace my daily walk to get my steps in, with, across the week, about the same amount of time spent running as I would have spent walking.
I switched from walking to running because I suspected my HR was never getting going through walking, and buying a Garmin confirmed this. Even Low Heart Running has my ticker going way faster.
This approach has gradually resulted in me running further and further - which suits me, and I feel a lot of carry over in the experience, from Hiking to gentle running.
As for influences, I like to watch Youtubers who I think come across as good company. They tend to be WAY faster than me, but I think I absorb ideas from them and end up trying to apply them to my own situation.
The likes of Ben Felton, FOD Runner, Kofuzi, and probably especially Ben Parkes (and Sarah Place), who seems such a nice chap, and, like me, has a dodgy ankle which influences his choice of running shoe, and has resulted in me not buying Adidas Pro / Prime shoes, with their bevelled heels (the work of the devil!).
As for events - I would need to lose a lot of weight before I would feel confident about trying a race. I have lost around a stone since I recently joined a nutrition programme, so only another couple to go! 🤣
Ooh, more sites for me to check out, thanks ForbiddenPlanet ! You definitely pack in plenty of miles, way more than most of us.
Congratulations on the weight loss too! I'm heavier than I like right now, but it's not that which puts me off races - it's the whole noise, and people, and pressure to perform thing that stresses me. Exactly the opposite of the effect those factors seem to have on most runners!
Yeah - it's the combination of those factors that puts me off. The overall pressure to perform would result in me trying too hard and getting injured, because I'm too heavy. That's my thinking anyway!
Sorry but I can’t add to your list, as I really don’t do running books, magazines, podcasts, YouTube or anything else. I just run, although, as you know, I am partial to bling!! I do sometimes do a bit of research into a specific issue if it interests me too.
I finally managed 3 runs in Portugal last week, 2 x 5k and 1x7k and am just about to head out along the prom. Strava described my run on Saturday as mainly flat, but it was actually 118m downhill over the 1st 2k, 500m along the shoreline and back, then 121m of ascent over the 2k back. Not quite Lincolnshire 😂😂
It's kind of reassuring for me that not everyone is addicted to running-related media Sandie1961 . Portugal sounds fab, though that run must've been a little, ahem, unexpected! Think how much good that ascent is doing you though... 😈
Yes, I can imagine you had words with Strava Sandie1961 ! No inhaler and no coughing is definitely a result. Though of course it means you now can't claim an allergy to hills... 😉🙃😀
I’m just wondering if you ever meet anyone on your runs? Or is it mostly just you and the hills? In the nicer weather do you have a little picnic on top of a hill? That would be lovely 😍
I only wish I was going to races. As you know I had to skip out of the 10 miler a few weeks back and I had my eye on a HM in a few weeks….. but no chance of bling yet.
I’m carrying out a scientific experience (sort of) and can only conclude that my aching shins are the result of my shoes or orthotics. So, in a process of elimination I’ve bought new shoes. My podiatrist can’t see me until the end of April so I’m really hoping it’s my shoes 🤞 I’ve had one run and they feel great….
Given my injury history I’ve spent a lot of hours online checking out what could have caused it, what could help it, etc etc 🙄 My favourite go-to sites are:
As you know I love The Running Channel and then I just watch inspiration videos of runners running in scenic places around the world. I’m not on any other social media apart from this one so I don’t get the buzz from FB that others maybe get!
In other news, I’ve started my strength training again and try to do a little bit every day rather than longer sessions a few times a week. This is working well ….
They were a direct replacement for my previous (black) ones, so I knew they’d be ok. Went for mint green because they were the cheapest ones from sportshoes.com, but I do love the colour!
More sites to check out, thanks Irishprincess ! Though I really don't like that it's your injury history that's led you to some of them. I do hope you can finally put your injuries behind you and get back to your pursuit of bling soon. Go you and your new shoes!
Do I meet people when I'm out running? If I'm on roads or logging tracks, I might see neighbours, cyclists, and hunters, when it's the season.
I do a nice line in popping up unexpectedly in the middle of the forest and surprising people - forestry workers, farmers, mushroom pickers, hikers - with a friendly "Bonjour!" But even that's only happened on maybe a dozen occasions!
As for other runners, in almost three years of running, and discounting the two (count them - TWO!) events I've done, I've met precisely three other runners while out running. One was when I was away on holiday so doesn't count, another emerged from the forest maybe 150m ahead of me and didn't see me, and the third one was running towards me so we actually smiled and exchanged greetings.
The population density where I live is 13 people per square km. No wonder I'm not used to coping with crowds any more!
Best one was almost literally that Irishprincess - ran up a steep forest path to where it met the road, emerged from behind trees and a large van with a merry " Bonjour, bon appétit !" and made a group of forestry workers choke on their lunchtime sandwiches!
I think I've probably now got a reputation locally as that mad old Englishwoman (ahem, dual nationality if you please!) who runs. The hunters and farmers wave to me, and I've been known to stop runs to chat and/or walk along with complete strangers as well as people I know. I've also had drivers wave encouragement or give me a thumbs-up, especially when I'm running up hills. Though today was apparently National Idiot Drivers Day as two tried to run me off the road. 🤬
I must admit that I find all the info about running, how to do it, where to do it, what to wear, what to eat etc. etc. really intimidating. I therefore ignore all of it. I did read a book about running once, “The Pants of Perspective” by Anna Mcnuff. A truly wonderful book, but not because it is about running but because it is an amazing adventure and so well written.
Oh I can relate to the intimidating-ignoring thing so much Shake-and-run ! I've just googled that book, and reviews seem to vary a lot, from those who adored her approach and her writing, to those who think she's an overprivileged underprepared twerp.
However, you're a serious cyclist aren't you? Does cycling-related info fall into the same intimidating category? I'm intrigued!
interesting question! I would not call myself a serious cyclist (although others might). I certainly don’t read lots of articles about kit or performance etc, like the running ones they are too intimidating. But I am a fan of cycling as a sport (love standing at the side of the road for hours to see the TdF wizz by in a matter of seconds) so do read books about cycling and cyclists, but they have to be entertaining and not just a load of data. If I need to know something (about whether a piece of kit is worth investing in for example), I just ask Mr Shakes. He is a very keen cyclist and reads lots of stuff.
Must be handy having an in-house advisor Shake-and-run ! I love the atmosphere of the live TdF too, but I'm not especially keen on cycling in general - haven't got my own bike out in years! I follow Romain Bardet on Strava because he's local and seems a really nice, intelligent down-to-earth guy. Plus he rides off-road for fun.
I was nearly run over by Romain Bardet in Bergerac once. They had finished the stage and were on the way back to their hotel, came past me as we were walking back up the path to the car, hubby pulled me out of the way. Don’t think any of the team had broken into a sweat on the 175km stage (it was a rather uneventful transition stage along the Dordogne valley) and they were travelling quite quickly, obviously keen to get their feet up.
Racking my brains to imagine why you'd say such a thing RunBrianRun . I have a bright orange cap, and two orangey tops. And peachy-pumpkiny-albeit-not-Seville-you-know-when-you've-been-tango'd-orange coloured shoes. Surely, surely we can't be polar opposites? 😱😈🤣
Only in our approaches to running Cmoi 😅 It would seem we both have a love of orange as you rightly point out 😂👍 Albeit my shades are quite extreme compared to yours. 😂
Your speeds are also quite extreme compared to mine RunBrianRun ! 😁 In the time it takes me to run a kilometre in the forest you could probably warm up, run a race, cooldown, collect your medal and have a cuppa.
Hello Cmoi, my running is coming along nicely now after my visit to the physio last week. The lightly strained LCL is still making itself known, and is likely to for the next 4 weeks but at least I know that I am not making it worse by running.
I have just reread Vassos Alexandra’s books which are stories of his experiences marathon and ultra running:
Don’t Stop Me Now
Running Up That Hill
I am amazed that someone so disorganised can achieve so much. He is someone who fails to get to parkrun on time, often forgets his barcode, or turns up at a race with no running shoes. But the books give a lighthearted insight to such races and introduce the various runners that do them.
Great news that things are improving for you Dexy5 ! I'd only ever heard of Vassos Alexander as a sports presenter, had no idea that he ran, let alone marathons and ultras.
I can relate to being disorganised, especially the lateness and forgetting stuff. I'm naturally messy and chaotic, usually multi-tasking or trying to fit in just one more thing before going somewhere. I have to have mental, written and computer lists to ensure I don't forget stuff!
I've always avoided Chris Evans! Only know of Vassos from his BBC work, and even then couldn't tell you in which context I've heard him - must be commentary!
Work has gone crazy all of a sudden so I’ve been struggling to get any runs in. I’m telling myself that since I’m on a taper, that’s fine. Both my other events seemed to be preceded by a couple of weeks of illness or busyness so I’m feeling ok. I’ve got a quieter day today so I’m going to pick up some blister tape that’s been recommended by a friend and possibly some new shoes…
I listen to the Women’s Running podcast every week. One of the presenters had a very disrupted journey to the Paris HM and Ice found that so encouraging as I’ve wobbled my way towards the Forest of Dean on Sunday (eek!). When Runners’ World podcast looks interesting, I listen to that too, and I subscribe to the magazine. I like looking at kit… There was a great podcast from RW on mental toughness recently and I’m going to buy “Do Hard Things” based on how good that was. Vassos Alexander’s books are a really nice read. Lots of stories about how people got into running. They’re very relatable as someone who loves running but it hasn’t totally taken over their life!
Work's gone crazy MissUnderstanding ? Must be something in the air, as I'm replying to posts late for similar reasons. Funnily enough I've never listened to the Women's Running podcasts as the blurb for them has rarely appealed. I guess I should give them a try!
You'll be fine with FoD - remember, you can always take in the scenery!
I do like a bit of mud and vert meself. I do like a running book as well A story, rather than one about paces, stats etc, which seem to proliferate the genre. I was gifted subs to Womens Running mag for a few years. The gear recommended was always top of the range expensive. I can’t recall Lidl, Aldi., Tesco getting a look in 🙄
I’ve not entered a single solitary event yet as I’m not fit so I’m sitting on my credit card til things improve. My usual spring marathon was a big miss. I sat moping at a family dinner last Sunday, wishing I was tearing it up in Derbyshire instead ☹️
Doing very slow dog walks is teaching me the importance of patience. Andy Puddicombe was telling me the other day that you can’t learn patience until you’ve given up impatience 🙂. Wise man 😇
You're not as late as my reply misswobble ! I do hope you're back to fitness and able to get back out ther running soon, it's so frustrating when you can't do what you want.
Tend to agree re Women'sRunning and their choice of gear, though I think I've seen them recommend Tesco kit from time to time. Not that that helps me, as I can't get it here. I quite often make squeaky noises at their skincare recommendations - a £16 lip balm this month! Being me, I'd lose the damn thing within a day or two of purchase. Not happening.
I love the fact that you just don't follow the crowd, you do your own thing and you do it well by the sound of it!!
You may remember myself and some of my running club are doing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge in May. The training is going well albeit at times my legs don't quite know what Im doing to them, but hopefully they're getting stronger. However, I am loving getting out and doing trail runs, so much nicer than road races and Im getting used to the different techniques for doing hill training, so I know I still have a lot to learn, but its good fun, even if I am sore for a couple of days afterwards!.
Thanks Hedgehogs123 . Tbh, my running's very strongly influenced by where I live - if I'd started running where I used to live in the UK, I'd probably be running on roads. Though come to think of it, I had a nature reserve and a canal path very close, so maybe not. It'd definitely have been flatter though!
Are you managing to get some decent hills in? Hope so! I did 12k yesterday in the forest with 407m elevation gain, and was thinking of you. I doubt I'd be fit enough to take on the 3 Peaks in May, it's nearly three times that distance and nearly four times the elevation gain, isn't it? I'm out of practice at that sort of thing, and also at being on my feet for any length of time - I've only done two hours' running once in recent months. I definitely need to build back in time for the HUHM.
Oh yes, lots of different hill training, some very steep, but obviously not as steep as the Yorkshire 3 Peaks will be but it's all helping. hill training, last weekend was tough but I'm learning lots of different techniques from the experienced trail runners in our group. I'm also going out this weekend to somewhere with some tough hills but I'm enjoying it too, which a win win!!🌄
That's good - I think you live somewhere super flat, don't you? Must make it difficult to find 30% gradients to practise on. I'm lucky that I have them almost literally on the doorstep, but haven't been strong enough to do them again until fairly recently.
Hi, yes I live in Lincolnshire which mostly is flat, but we do have the Wolds and there's some quite steep hills which is where most of our training is taking place. It sounds lovely where you live, nature at its best. I'm hoping to move in 18 months back to the coast but also close to north Yorkshire moors so a good choice of running routes.
I suppose that I should confess that I have found the NRC runs helpful. Whilst I am a free spirit really, having a plan does make me focus on things which improve how I feel on a run. That first ten minutes can be tough, and a reminder about getting breathing under control before pushing on is a message which often penetrates the red mist. The best runs are ear phone free though, with only the sounds smells (some of them!) and sights of the countryside for company. 🙂
I've still not managed to listen to any NRC runs Beachcomber66 ! Attempted to listen to what I assume is "Hilly, hillier, hilliest" in the French version with Coach Lucien, and couldn't get past the intro.
I've been doing quite a few earphone-free runs recently in favour of birdsong. Also helps if I can hear any tree-felling in the vicinity! Though I had a lovely forest run the other day to the sound of Nat King Cole.
I am probably just lazy! Having someone else working out when it is time to change gear makes me much more likely to do interval runs. Definitely not for everyone, and not for me on every run, but I think that I have prepared better for this HM run than was the case with previous efforts. Time will tell I guess.
No, I'm sure I'm the lazy one Beachcomber66 ! I react badly to being told what to do unless I can clearly see the reason for the instruction and it seems suited to the context.
Being peculiar I loathed the NRC pre-run wittering too - "I like a challenge and you obviously do too, otherwise you wouldn't have chosen this run blah blah blah..." I'm sure most people find it motivating!
That's the thing, I struggle to tune out auditory input I dislike, so I put a stop to it if I possibly can. Doesn't matter whether it's speech, music, or other sound - I have to get it out of my head asap!
That must be hard. I developed the ability to look as though I am listening, even throwing in encouraging noises from time to time, whilst thinking about something else entirely. Protects what is left of my sanity.🙂
I used to be able to do the with you not with you thing, usually by multi-tasking, e.g. marking or preparing classes while ostensibly listening to a presentation. But if something comes on the radio that I hate, I have to switch off or change channel. I'll even sing to blur the unwanted sound imprint!
Oooh, I'm with you on this one. I can barely read running related articles, let alone watch videos, listen to podcasts or read books!
If I have an injury I will research and read intently but my favourite running relating reading is event research! Before choosing an event, I will read reviews, check past results, check elevation, running surface, views, aid stations, the existence (or more likely non-existence) of a unisex T and goody bag contents in general! I can spend a lot of time doing that .... 😍
However, it seems I didn't do my homework properly for the Monsal HM this weekend; I have been lulled into a false sense of security as it was described as mostly flat and along a disused railway trail (steady, but small gradient right?) . On receiving the GPX file last week I discover it has an elevation gain of 244m according to Garmin. Whilst I know that's nothing for you cmoi, it is at least twice the ascent of any previous HM I have done!!! To say I was surprised is something of an understatement. Hey ho!!!
That does seem a lot of elevation. Just checked out my bike ride (27k) from Miller’s Dale into Bakewell and back and I recorded 136m on Strava 🤷♀️ MyTissington Trail half was 25m but it was in the downhill direction!
Thanks Sandie - although 136m is still more than I was expecting, it's much more reasonable. Komoot says 280m! I didn't try strava cos I only have the free version 😍
it means your outward stretch will be at a steady pace linda9389 , and then you can enjoy the return leg going downhill- the perfect combination! It’s like running into the wind first so you can enjoy the wind behind you once you have warmed up. Says she who is just doing 10k!
Fwiw linda9389 plotaroute was suggesting way less, just 151m. Though that also says 40% steepest downhill, which sounds like a load of nonsense, unless the route involves running up and down bridge steps or similar.
You could always get a boring old printed OS map and check the contours!
Of course, if race organisers could actually be bothered to provide elevation gain and gradient information instead of just using subjective adjectives like flat, hilly, undulating etc, these issues would be minimised. Yes, I know I'm biased, but it winds me up so much.
I completely agree with you cmoi (though for polar opposite reasons of course 😍)
Another vote for 100 ish sounds good to me. There are a couple of steepish peaks in the elevation graph ... remains to be seen just what they are ... surprise!!!
Wanted to reply re the elevation first linda9389 , then got caught up in other stuff and HU went awol - here's the rest of what I meant to say!
Even though I almost never do events - or perhaps because of that - I actually agree with you re researching them. My priorities, though, would be location, distance, elevation gain ( as per my other reply) and cut-off times. Price might come into it, but I can genuinely say I've never given a thought to goody bags, T-shirts, or bling! They're just not relevant for me. Aid stations tend not to figure on my radar either, as the sort of events that might interest me are often ones where aid stations are few and far between, or non-existent. They're more likely to give a compulsory kit list!!
Ahh yes, different type of events need different research don't they. I do like to know what I'm up against ... minimise surprises, control what I can ... because there's plenty I can't 😍
Definitely with you on that! I panicked about being thrown off my trail event for failing to have the right kit or daring to drink or snack between aid stations. Or getting lost (I didn't, but some did...), somehow missing the checkpoints and/or failing to run over the timing mats.
The rule about not being allowed to drop out between checkpoints, other than for injury or illness, turned out to be great though. Fabulous for mentally chopping the run into do-able chunks!
Wow you really do do your homework! I don't do any of that, maybe I should, but sometimes I quite like the surprise of not knowing the course route. Not always a good thing though, in February I got a last minute place on the Raunceby Ripper, a 9 mile trail run, there were some very steep hills and farmers ploghed fields to run through. That was a bit of a shock to the system!!
I didn't do a recce of the Trail du Gévaudan as I knew I'd find it too intimidating, plus I know the area and topography so had some idea of what the route would be like. However, I trained properly, for the one and only time in my running life, and on as much challenging and steep terrain as I could find. I doubt I'd have got round if I hadn't.
When it comes to off-road events, I personally think it's important to be clear what you're letting yourself in for and to prepare accordingly. Over here it's primarily volunteers who have to come to the rescue if things go wrong, so apart from reducing risks to yourself, it's fairer to them too.
Yes, I have learnt the hard way, luckily only training runs but I do usually ask around when I'm doing somewhere I haven't done before. Luckily there's usually a few of us doing events around here so I do get words of wisdom from them.To date, most of my races so far have been road or a mixture of road and trail so nothing where I can put myself or anyone else at risk, but I totally get you're saying.
Ha ha this made me smile! Same here, when I’m not actually running, I don’t really go out of my way to find out more about it either 🤣. I feel I ought to, I buy Runner’s World because I like the photos of some of the amazing places people run, but that’s about it really. I quite enjoy the running over adversity stories too, and how much running has helped people from all walks of life improve their lives. I have no invaluable advice to impart apart from patience, really, and a sense of humour is a must. I start falling asleep when stuff gets technical, I tend to run by feel and intuition, but having said that I like to check out elevation on the Footpath app, as well as working out new routes.
Anyway, it’s great to see you back to your gallivanting best Cmoi up hill and down dale. I had to avoid hills for a bit as it makes my leg flare up a bit, but managed 8k and some hills today, the furthest in ages, and touch wood it doesn’t feel too niggly but I think the next one will be on the flat.
Thanks for your kind words re my mad running Frenc , and I'm so pleased to hear that things are continuing to improve for you.
I think you've nailed it with I have no invaluable advice to impart apart from patience, really, and a sense of humour is a must. That applies to all types of running, and level of experience too. Actually it might not be a bad motto for life, as well, when I come to think of it!
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