Random Running Questions

Clearlier · 10-06-2025 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123499481#Comment_123499481

Some people have been known to write the splits required on the inside of their arm(s). To answer your original question, you should absolutely be able to pace a race yourself but if you're going to the well then a pacer to follow can be very helpful towards the end of a race when all you really want to focus on is getting the very last ounce out of yourself (the windbreak helps too!).

mindhorn · 15-07-2025 06:57PM

Good spots in Dublin city centre for hill sprints (60 secs)? Khyber Road is probably the best bet but a bit further out than I'd like for a warm up/cool down.

MisterJinx · 15-07-2025 09:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123638854#Comment_123638854

Constitution hill

mindhorn · 15-07-2025 09:40PM

Thanks. Looks to be a little on the short side for 60 secs and only around a 2.5% incline.

MisterJinx · 16-07-2025 11:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123639423#Comment_123639423

Maybe bridgefoot street might work for you

Unknownability · 16-07-2025 05:21PM

Fishamble / wine tavern or anyone around that area leading up to James Street.

Appletart Upsetter · 20-07-2025 08:43AM

A question on eating/drinking before a half marathon. I usually run early in the morning and apart from a coffee/some water don't take anything else on board.

On the day of the half marathon, should I try to eat something beforehand or stick to my usual routine? I don't want to do anything out of the ordinary and end up impacting my performance.

mindhorn · 20-07-2025 01:19PM

Only ran one before but what I did was follow what I trialled in training. Race was at 8:30am so at 6am I had some crackers and a banana (approx. 50g carbs). 200mg caffeine at 7:30am. Maurten 100 gel twenty mins before the start. Also did a carb load the day before, might be overdoing it for a HM but I found it helped.

Appletart Upsetter · 20-07-2025 01:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123653158#Comment_123653158

Thanks for this, much appreciated. I normally run around 6.30am, the race is at 10.00am, so I'll have some time to eat a couple of light snacks.

I haven't used gels previously, should I try these out in the weeks before?

mindhorn · 20-07-2025 03:40PM

Personal preference whether you want to use them. I tried them in training and found they helped. If you're planning on using them then I would definitely try them out beforehand.

20-07-2025 03:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123652579#Comment_123652579

Nobody is going to be able to predict how your body is going to react. For some people, small changes can have big impacts. That's why at least some of your long training runs should be replicating raceday preparations

Trampas · 20-07-2025 04:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123652579#Comment_123652579

What do you normally eat for breakfast any other day of the week? In general should be the same as any other long run

Id be the same as you but in preparation I’d be having bagels in the long runs to prepare for half and full races. If coming from home and not million miles away I’d be getting up around 6 to have my breakfast for a race. Gives it plenty of time to settle

Appletart Upsetter · 20-07-2025 05:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123653731#Comment_123653731

I normally eat cereal or toast for breakfast, simple stuff. Bananas too. I've ran 20 plus Kms previously without eating beforehand without issue. The safest bet is to eat plenty the day before, and stick to just liquids on the morning. But if there is some definite performance benefit eating 2/3 hours before I should probably consider it.

I guess the best bet is to try it before my next few long runs and see what works best.

deisedav · 20-07-2025 09:59PM

Problem with no food before a long run is the recovery takes much longer i have found.

Murph_D · 22-07-2025 11:54PM

Why not fuel (breakfast) before the training?

Also, with good training and good nutrition there should be no need for gels during a half, unless you think you’ll be out there for more than two hours.

Beat of luck.

mindhorn · 23-07-2025 06:53AM

For my HM I had a good training block and ate well throughout, but still benefited from having gels during it (and this was under two hours). There's no one size fits all here IMO.

Appletart Upsetter · 23-07-2025 06:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123661418#Comment_123661418

I tend to run early in the morning, usually around 6.30am. So I assumed that if I was to eat, I'd need to do so at least 1 hour before running. I struggle to eat that early so I've always exercised on an empty stomach. Never really been an issue but just wondering should I try and get used to eating before running so my performance might improve for the half marathon. I usually eat quite a lot the night before a long run and it seems to work fine.

marathon2022 · 23-07-2025 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123661616#Comment_123661616

If the race is early and you've had a decent evening meal you should be fine, a coffee to get things moving maybe, a banana if you really want something but stick with what feels good.

Appletart Upsetter · 23-07-2025 04:35PM

Yeah, I think sticking with my usual routine might be the safest bet.

Hoping to break 1hr 50.

Sussex18 · 27-07-2025 01:40PM

Can a GP or a pharmacist give me much for 'Chaffing'? Sudacream helps a bit but I can't shake it, very painful.

Thanks

S

Ceepo · 27-07-2025 01:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123674125#Comment_123674125

I'm sure they could give you some advice or product that would help.

Have you tried Vaseline or Body Glide. Depending on what area you're talking about, could could try some light clothing/base layer like cycle type shorts for inner quads.

Unthought Known · 28-07-2025 08:35AM

Body Glide is great.

Another one is Skin Shield which is more of a roll on. I've had more success with this staying effective, especially in hotter weather.

https://www.elverys.ie/products/up-skin-shield

BP_RS3813 · 28-07-2025 11:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123674125#Comment_123674125

What shorts are you wearing?

I have tried every 1½-3 split shorts that I could find and although one or two were not as bad as the others (Stephen Scullions 262 split shorts were the least terrible for me), all ended up chafing.

Ended up just fully switching to half tights for every race above 3000m. Will wear 1½split short shorts for 800,1500m/mile, 3000m but other then that its only half tights.

Snodge · 28-07-2025 05:06PM

Hi is there anyone here who has used both the Garmin HRM Pro chest strap and the Coros HR Monitor (worn on bicep) and can compare both? Pros/cons of each, which is better etc?

Also is the Coros HRM compatible with Garmin watches?

JohnnyChimpo · 28-07-2025 05:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123674125#Comment_123674125

I wear cycling shorts for every run. Actually I just wear them every day, they're completely replaced any other jocks in my arsenal. There's loads of brands on Amazon, I think mine are mostly "Roadbox" whatever that means.

I've never experienced any chafing while wearing these, insta-chafe if I didn't

BP_RS3813 · 29-07-2025 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123677843#Comment_123677843

Yes, used to use the Garmin chest strap, now use the Coros bicep strap.

Yes the Coros is compatible with most garmins just double check in case yours is a very old model (I have a garmin forerunner 245 music).

Pro's (Coros): Very easy and convient to use, supposedly only 1-2 percent less accurate then the chest straps, charges quickly, easy to carry and more.

Con's (Coros): None really IMO, just if you care about your HR showing up 2 or so beats higher/lower then it actually is then that may annoy you but can't imagine it makes much of a difference. Even some professional distance runners seem to be using it.

Garmin Pros: slightly more accurate,

Garmin cons: pain in the arse to use - need to wet the electrodes (think thats what they are called) before using. Need to clean/wash every so often too depending on how much exercise you do, I also found they can also slip as your run progresses and you get sweatier.