Runners
-
@Alex For running, I like EDM. There's a label called Monstercat that has come curated playlists on Apple Music (just search "monstercat"), or their compilation albums are pretty good. Their sub-label "Instinct" is a bit less tempo, a bit more trancey, and I listen to for easy runs. "Uncaged" is a bit faster, more bass, etc, and I listen to for faster runs.
Usually my runs are with the hound though, so no music as I want to be able to hear whether he's still following me or has gotten distracted by some scent and wandered off during the off-leash bit in the park.
-
Fantastic run @Jcaz6996
-
-
Congrats @Nik looks like a beautiful place to run
-
I've been getting back into running the last few weeks, and I've found my garmin suggested workouts feature to be a surprisingly effective motivator; I've essentially given up any independent decision making and do what my watch tells me. As a result, my runs are becoming more varied with a good mix of tempo/threshold efforts along with the usual base runs.
At one point, I thought I was going crazy: it suggested 5 miles at zone 3 for 9 consecutive days, with no variation at all. Day 10 was a rest-day, and the following session was a tough threshold run. I didn't feel like I had the legs for it, but once I got going I actually felt really strong. The threshold effort ended up including my fastest ever 5K time of 21:45 minutes, a 3-minute improvement on my previous PB. I was so shocked that I double-check the distance on a map plotting tool - I was convinced the watch had miscalculated the distance.
Anyway, bit of a ramble but just wanted to say that garmin suggested workouts is a great feature if you're fairly new to running, or getting back into it. Especially if, like me, you find it hard to stay motivated or plan your runs effectively without burning out.
-
A few weeks ago now, but completed the Tahoo 200. Had been on my bucket list for years. An unbelievable experience in an amazing place! Have been enjoying the recovery ever since.
I said never again all the way around, but that lasted a couple of days. Now looking at Cocodona and Moab races!
-
@simmosn holy shit man what an accomplishment. I gotta get off my ass and join all the bad ass runners on here.
-
Very cool @simmosn its funny how quickly the mind changes from never again to yes please
-
Any tips for ankle strengthening / better shoes than road running Nikes for trails? Did my first trial run this morning and loved it, but I was quite unsure on my feet on some of the uneven terrain as I worried my ankle would roll, and there were gravel elements I had to walk on because I had no traction
-
I have a history of ankle instability @Alex partly from years of skateboarding as a teenager. Single leg calf raises are supposed to be the most effective physical training to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and add stability. Can be good to do all sorts of balance stuff too and lots of single leg variations on most leg strength exercises will help.
As for shoes the cool ones are Norda, then Hoka seems to have the largest market share at the moment, but lots of brands have good trail shoes. Ones with lower stack height midsoles and wider platforms on the outsoles will be more stable. Hoka speedgoat is a popular option. Satisfy have a trail shoe coming out soon called The Rocker that could be cool. The firmer insoles of Brooks can be good for stability too. -
@Alex I’ve been wearing an ASICS trail offering for a few months now and love ‘em. Nice tight heel grip and a high tongue are good for my skinny ankles. Good stability and a wide grippy sole.
That said at best I’m a fast walker vs a full on hard trail runner!
Big improvement from running Bristol Half 4 weeks ago …
