The "Big 8" Challenge 2011

tunney

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I'm not sure that another "challenge" thread will draw people into posting
, tbh. The mega threads end up as a strong community updating a table without an awful lot of chatter and we have a lot of those already with the 1000 miles, SCR, push up and streak threads.

If it's quality training advice on fast times you're after then you'd br better starting threads on that (like the sub 60 thread on here) not just a "I'm a really fast runner me" type self congrats thread

I think part of the reasoning behind the OP was that pretty much every thread is an all inclusive, everyone is a winner, special olympics type thread.

donothoponpop

--amadeus-- wrote: »

If it's quality training advice on fast times you're after then you'd br better starting threads on that (like the sub 60 thread on here) not just a "I'm a really fast runner me" type self congrats thread

Can you show me where I suggested this thread was anything remotely of the sort? You're only derailing the challenge by putting made-up quotes in like that.

This challenge is for runners who can hit Racing Flats "big 8" times, in 2011 (2011 times can be carried over for the 2012 challenge for anyone who likes). The runner who runs the most, the fastest, will be higher up the table than those who just manage to hit every time dead on. It's main purpose is to encourage a bit of competition at the faster end of the forum.

It's the first shot in encouraging debate and conversation among the higher performing athletes here, already it has kickstarted a bit of debate, and seens older, neglected threads, restarted with renewed interest.

donothoponpop

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Ideally you would have chatter on those threads but the tables are just so cumbersome.
...

Back on topic, can you knock off the big 8 in training runs or must they be races? Races really limits it further

I know what you mean about tables, but this one should be smaller in that not everybody here will be able to participate, and updates should be infrequent (limited to after races), as opposed to the tables that get updated daily. That should mean that an update will contain a bit of banter (fingers crossed:))

On your related point, I am unsure if it should be limited to races. On the one hand, races are (usually!) accurately measured, so you're comparing like with like. On the other, this challenge is just a bit of fun, and the ideas that work best seem to be those governed by spirit rather than law. So I'm (personally) happy to go with either, but if there was a massive heave for races, then so be it. If we are to go with training runs, perhaps a standard track be used for the shorter distances? This would limit any garmin inaccuracies for the longer ones.

--amadeus--

If you rein in your ire and read what I said you'll see that I didn't suggest that was your intention. That doesn't alter my own perception of the thread or how it could pan out. I'll be interested to see how it develops actually. If it works as you intend it could be interesting. If it goes as I expect it will either die or end up as yet another thread of tables that are irrelevant to all but the few who post in them.

nomadic

I'm not sure training runs should count. I know I wouldn't count a training run as a PB so why should you for this.

donothoponpop

--amadeus-- wrote: »

If you reign in your ire and read what I said you'll see that I didn't suggest that was your intention. That doesn't alter my own perception of the thread or how it could pan out. I'll be interested to see how it pans out. If it works as you intend it could be interesting. If it goes as I expect it will either die or end up as yet another thread of tables that are irrelevant to all but the few who post in them.

There's no ire here?

I'm concerned only that the original idea is not derailed. Quotes suggesting this is a self-congrats thread are very wide of the mark, and need to be clarified. I'm going to continue to clarify that this is a simple, "Racing Flat big 8", challenge, with the intention of adding a bit of competition and discussion at the faster end of the forum, as long as it needs to be clarified.

donothoponpop

nomadic wrote: »

I'm not sure training runs should count. I know I wouldn't count a training run as a PB so why should you for this.

I hear what you're saying, its something we'll need agreement on before it starts. Although, say you were going for the mile time. A bunch of mates start at the right mark, run the mile around the track, stopwatch checks time. Yes/no?

shotgunmcos

nomadic wrote: »

I'm not sure training runs should count. I know I wouldn't count a training run as a PB so why should you for this.

The BIG 8 is not about PBs or race performances, its simply about knocking 8 marks off a list for 8 distances... or have I got that @rseways?

shotgunmcos

donothoponpop wrote: »

I hear what you're saying, its something we'll need agreement on before it starts. Although, say you were going for the mile time. A bunch of mates start at the right mark, run the mile around the track, stopwatch checks time. Yes/no?

Don't we generally trust ART posters about their table posts on various challenges as is? :rolleyes:

donothoponpop

shotgunmcos wrote: »

The BIG 8 is not about PBs or race performances, its simply about knocking 8 marks off a list for 8 distances... or have I got that @rseways?

@rseways, I'm afraid:D

There will be a prize at the end for whoever "wins"- that is, hits the most amount in the fastest time (to be decided- best 5 of 8 using IAAF ranking, or fastest cumulative 8, or something else).

But while entry to the challenge is limited to those who hit at least one of the marks in 2011, those who run faster will enjoy more champagne, extra plaudits, more gold-plated wreaths (I should really have run this by the Boards powers that be before assuming they would sponsor such largesse...)

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Don't we generally trust ART posters about their table posts on various challenges as is? :rolleyes:

Absolutely, but this will be performance based, so running a fast 5k based on the garmin will be less accurate than running it on a track, that's all.

shotgunmcos

...damn there goes my secret ploy of hitting a 9min 3k and a 4 min mile, albeit on a 10% decline and 15 red bulls on board

nomadic

shotgunmcos wrote: »

The BIG 8 is not about PBs or race performances, its simply about knocking 8 marks off a list for 8 distances... or have I got that @rseways?

Well they'll all be PB's for me so I will only be putting down race times (I hope).

baza1976

Hi DP,

I like your original idea. I wouldn't be able to hit all those times and I think it would give me something to aim for and help me improve over all. I believe this is what it is about. So what if there are guys/girls on here who would be idle/bored by it?

If some people think it is too easy for them let them make up their own challenge. I remember this time last year there was the same dribble about changing around the already good 1000 mile thread. It wasn't changed and it seems to have been successful again this year.

B

robinph

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Ideally you would have chatter on those threads but the tables are just so cumbersome. They take over the screen and those without 5mb+ probably find it slow to update them. We seem obsessed with tables on ART, possibly one of the Mods can suggest something like a scrolling table to one of the developers? For example the table can only be so long but has a scroll bar. That would mean that you could maybe limit the table view to 10 lines, leaving room in the post to add comments. Sorry to go off topic somewhat DP but as this 'challenge' would involve yet another table and possibly (with all the sub20 5k aspirants) another very long one aka the 1000mile monster! I think I update the 1000 one about 4 times this year as it was a bit of a pain. I'm scratching my head about the SCR challenge and how I could make it easier.

Back on topic, can you knock off the big 8 in training runs or must they be races? Races really limits it further

Another thread of tables would be bad alright, although I doubt that this would become one. Well hopefully not anyway. I would like tables to be removed though, would be better placed on something such as the biki and just link to that relavent table page from the first post, then the thread can become chatter rather than a long list of very slightly different posts.

That would mean a whole of hurt with getting people able to learn the biki code though. :eek:

aero2k

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Can I have a special table for 32-33 year old athletes. Also a sub table for those who are aires and have blue eyes. A sub-sub table for those 32 year old, Airians with blue eyes and size 11 feet would be nice as well

I jest of course, maybe just better going with the original times and see how things progress.

You left out the special crap-free one for tunney.

Runonewon

shels4ever wrote: »

Fat joggers I guess

We fat joggers are beautiful too man!!!!!!

Emer911

So regardless of the times one would be posting, does anyone have any specific races in mind for achieving the PB / desired times?

1 mile
3k
5k
5miles
10k
10miles
Half Marathon
Marathon

If I plan on DCM in October, then the adidas race series will be obviously on the cards, but are these races good ones for the times, or would they be too populated to post any decent times?

I don't have any ideas for the shorter distances though... Ideas, anyone?

donothoponpop

Emer911 wrote: »

So regardless of the times one would be posting, does anyone have any specific races in mind for achieving the PB / desired times?

1 mile
3k
5k
5miles
10k
10miles
Half Marathon
Marathon

If I plan on DCM in October, then the adidas race series will be obviously on the cards, but are these races good ones for the times, or would they be too populated to post any decent times?

I don't have any ideas for the shorter distances though... Ideas, anyone?

Knowing what races to target will be a vital part of the challenge... don't know about next years calender to help you specifically Emer, but to address your point about the adidas series, they are congested, but certainly runnable at the level the challenge is at (might have to elbow your way through the first couple of miles though!).

Again someone else might help you better for specific races for the shorter ones. But just to say for the shorter distances- since I "set" the challenge, my call is races are preferable- but only because of the competition element (should make you run faster anyway). But I'm leaning towards the shorter distances being ticked off in training, on the track, if thats what it takes. This challenge is all about upping your game, and if it gets too complicated scheduling 8 races with a training plan, then go for the targets in training. The only thing I'd say about that is Garmin times won't be accurate (up to the individual if they want to list garmin times). I could tell you who fessed up to the inaccuracy of Garmins, but then I'd have to kill you:eek:

Best of luck with the challenge, love your enthusiasm for it:)

ecoli

Emer911 wrote: »

So regardless of the times one would be posting, does anyone have any specific races in mind for achieving the PB / desired times?

1 mile
3k
5k
5miles
10k
10miles
Half Marathon
Marathon

If I plan on DCM in October, then the adidas race series will be obviously on the cards, but are these races good ones for the times, or would they be too populated to post any decent times?

I don't have any ideas for the shorter distances though... Ideas, anyone?

Good question. Will try to list possible races in which aiming for these times would be goo targets to shoot for

1 mile - Graded Meetings,Goal Mile, BHAA (think they do 1 mile races)
3k - Graded Meetings, BHAA
5k - Rathfarnam 5k (may not suit with marathon prep), Jingle Bells
5miles - Raheny, Sportsworld
10k - Dunshaughlin, Navan, Craughwell (is that 10k or 10 mile cant remember??)
10miles - Dungarvan, Ballycotton
Half Marathon - Waterford, Kildare, Limerick
Marathon - Cork, Dublin, Longford


Again this is a list off the top of my head there are other races im sure that people could add so dont bite my head off for not including everyone

ecoli

donothoponpop wrote: »

Knowing what races to target will be a vital part of the challenge... don't know about next years calender to help you specifically Emer, but to address your point about the adidas series, they are congested, but certainly runnable at the level the challenge is at (might have to elbow your way through the first couple of miles though!).

Again someone else might help you better for specific races for the shorter ones. But just to say for the shorter distances- since I "set" the challenge, my call is races are preferable- but only because of the competition element (should make you run faster anyway). But I'm leaning towards the shorter distances being ticked off in training, on the track, if thats what it takes. This challenge is all about upping your game, and if it gets too complicated scheduling 8 races with a training plan, then go for the targets in training. The only thing I'd say about that is Garmin times won't be accurate (up to the individual if they want to list garmin times). I could tell you who fessed up to the inaccuracy of Garmins, but then I'd have to kill you:eek:

Best of luck with the challenge, love your enthusiasm for it:)

Still not hundred percent on the shorter times being done in training would prefer to try organize "Boards 8 Challenge Time Trials/ Races" if we could get enough they could be a good for a form of meet and train or even proper racing with maybe some people lending their services as pacers or something (would only need one per race at the target time pace)

donothoponpop

ecoli wrote: »

Still not hundred percent on the shorter times being done in training would prefer to try organize "Boards 8 Challenge Time Trials/ Races" if we could get enough they could be a good for a form of meet and train or even proper racing with maybe some people lending their services as pacers or something (would only need one per race at the target time pace)

Since the idea behind this is to improve performance, that sounds like a great idea. If you prefer exclusively races or organized time trials, I'm all on for that. It would take a bit of work in getting volunteers to organize, but I'll certainly volunteer to help in any way I can. Can think of quite a few Boardies who I might bully into volunteering too:D

Word is out guys, ecoli has nailed it, times to be gotten in races or "Boards 8 Challenge Time Trials/ Races". If a race calendar don't suit you, help organize a time trial that does suit.

shels4ever

ecoli wrote: »

Still not hundred percent on the shorter times being done in training would prefer to try organize "Boards 8 Challenge Time Trials/ Races" if we could get enough they could be a good for a form of meet and train or even proper racing with maybe some people lending their services as pacers or something (would only need one per race at the target time pace)

A nice paces sub 20 5k race on the track in 5-6 week would be nice

shels4ever

donothoponpop wrote: »

1 mile - 5 mins
3k - 10 mins
5k - 20 mins
5miles - 30 mins
10k - 40 mins
10miles - 1 hour
Half Marathon - 90 mins
Marathon - 3 hours

So which one would you most like to run? If I could pick one it would have to be the 3k but at the moment wouldnt be in the same ball park, next year I think if everything went perfect maybe a 10:30 would be on the cards but thats with no injury and perfect 6 months running.

donothoponpop

shels4ever wrote: »

So which one would you most like to run? If I could pick one it would have to be the 3k but at the moment wouldnt be in the same ball park, next year I think if everything went perfect maybe a 10:30 would be on the cards but thats with no injury and perfect 6 months running.

There's a great thread from a while back on improving your 3k time.

BeepBeep67

donothoponpop wrote: »

There's a great thread from a while back on improving your 3k time.

Thanks I've just found my March - June training plan

shels4ever

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Thanks I've just found my March - June training plan

Will give you a race in June then What handicap will you give me?

BeepBeep67

shels4ever wrote: »

Will give you a race in June then What handicap will you give me?

There was a 3k graded the 1st Wed in June last year - I'll give you 30secs (I think I seen on your log you are aiming for 10:30) - what's the forfeit?

shels4ever

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

There was a 3k graded the 1st Wed in June last year - I'll give you 30secs (I think I seen on your log you are aiming for 10:30) - what's the forfeit?

Yep 10:30 would be a very optimistic target for me, but why not aim hight. The loser has to run a marathon

BeepBeep67

shels4ever wrote: »

Yep 10:30 would be a very optimistic target for me, but why not aim hight. The loser has to run a marathon

Within 12mths - deal

shels4ever

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Within 12mths - deal

Your on