Random Running Questions

Headshot · 30-06-2021 4:35pm

Is the Theragun worth it to help with muscle pains?

Reg'stoy · 30-06-2021 4:49pm

Folks, looking to treat myself to a proper sports massage, legs are getting tired and considering how much I have spent on runners and earphones recently, I reckon I'm ignoring the most important item of equipment, my legs! So, question, are they just a run of the mill ordinary massage or do I need to go to a Physio for one.

There is a group-on deal for one here in Swords but group-on deals always gets my spidey sense tingling.

So looking for a bit of feedback on sports massages, cost, where can I get a good one, how often should we get one and are they of a benefit? Thanks in advance.

Slideways · 01-07-2021 6:42am

Reg'stoy wrote: »

Folks, looking to treat myself to a proper sports massage, legs are getting tired and considering how much I have spent on runners and earphones recently, I reckon I'm ignoring the most important item of equipment, my legs! So, question, are they just a run of the mill ordinary massage or do I need to go to a Physio for one.

There is a group-on deal for one here in Swords but group-on deals always gets my spidey sense tingling.

So looking for a bit of feedback on sports massages, cost, where can I get a good one, how often should we get one and are they of a benefit? Thanks in advance.

I'm very lucky in that Ms Slideways is a physio and specialises in running but for a proper massage i would recommend getting someone who does sports massage. A physio is a very expensive way of getting a massage and would rarely be able to put aside the time for a full thorough rub down.

As a personal note, I have never had a sports massage, not a fan and too tense for that. I do love some dry needles though :pac:

Annie get your Run · 03-07-2021 11:23am

Any advice for running in humidity? Water alone does not seem to help (me) so just wondering if anyone else changes their method/quantity/source of hydration during the summer? I slow my pace (which is already v slow!) but struggle a lot to run in the heat.

Bluesquare · 03-07-2021 12:49pm

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Any advice for running in humidity? Water alone does not seem to help (me) so just wondering if anyone else changes their method/quantity/source of hydration during the summer? I slow my pace (which is already v slow!) but struggle a lot to run in the heat.

Check out precision hydration. They recommend pre hydration with their products. ( the mixture is similar to the drink recommend by Stacey in Roar and particularly effective to stop over heating during certain hormonal times ) I find them very good and a bit addictive . Also magic for a hangover .

TFBubendorfer · 03-07-2021 6:57pm

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Any advice for running in humidity? Water alone does not seem to help (me) so just wondering if anyone else changes their method/quantity/source of hydration during the summer? I slow my pace (which is already v slow!) but struggle a lot to run in the heat.

Sports drink helps a lot I find. It doesn't have to be the fancy stuff, the cheap stuff from Lidl or Aldi works just the same. Other things I've tried and work well are half fruit juice half water, works with orange, apple and cranberry juice.

And yes, slowing down. No need to kill yourself in training. Running in humid conditions feels much tougher, so go easy and forget about pace completely.

Jim Gazebo · 03-07-2021 7:13pm

Had a short setback once again, won't be able to use contact lenses for a spell when running. Any tips for running with glasses ? I'll be taking a slow pace to start with as I havent really tested the IT band yet but I'm keen to get going with some base marathon training.

Anything I should be aware of? I absolutely hate the idea of running with them, but I'm going to try. Thanks in advance.

ariana` · 03-07-2021 7:32pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Had a short setback once again, won't be able to use contact lenses for a spell when running. Any tips for running with glasses ? I'll be taking a slow pace to start with as I havent really tested the IT band yet but I'm keen to get going with some base marathon training.

Anything I should be aware of? I absolutely hate the idea of running with them, but I'm going to try. Thanks in advance.

My only issue running with glasses is the rain which seems fairly relentless in the West of Ireland... In summer I love that they keep the flies from going into my eyes.

Jim Gazebo · 03-07-2021 7:39pm

ariana` wrote: »

My only issue running with glasses is the rain which seems fairly relentless in the West of Ireland... In summer I love that they keep the flies from going into my eyes.

True, I've big lenses and they fog up if I get sweaty doing work so I guess I'm afrajd of that and then maybe falling off and smashing :O

Bluesquare · 03-07-2021 8:01pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Had a short setback once again, won't be able to use contact lenses for a spell when running. Any tips for running with glasses ? I'll be taking a slow pace to start with as I havent really tested the IT band yet but I'm keen to get going with some base marathon training.

Anything I should be aware of? I absolutely hate the idea of running with them, but I'm going to try. Thanks in advance.

I run with glasses all the time - can’t say I have ever had any issues - then again I always wear glasses so probably just used to them . Id take the contacts out for races if it was raining .

Jim Gazebo · 03-07-2021 8:14pm

Bluesquare wrote: »

I run with glasses all the time - can’t say I have ever had any issues - then again I always wear glasses so probably just used to them . Id take the contacts out for races if it was raining .

I'm very comfortable with the contacts to be fair. So its a strange shift, never ran with glasses before. I'll give it a try anyway with an older pair, but I'm too short sighted to run with nothing

Dudda · 03-07-2021 8:48pm

Run with glasses all the time with no issues. They'd never fall off and that's never a worry. I run regularly along a Greenway river which can have a lot of flyers and the glasses really help. Rain is the only thing that's an issue. I'm not to bad as I can take them off and run without them for a bit easily enough and throw them back on if I've to cross a road to be safe

Jim Gazebo · 03-07-2021 8:56pm

Well if anything, everyone here shows how it's not that big of a deal. I'll get back to my it band slow paced interval runs tomorrow and hopefully the glasses won't be a huge issue! Thanks all.

nullObjects · 05-07-2021 2:06pm

Does anyone know if you lose any of your stats / achievements on Strava if there's gap between membership running out and renewal?

Jim Gazebo · 05-07-2021 8:23pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Well if anything, everyone here shows how it's not that big of a deal. I'll get back to my it band slow paced interval runs tomorrow and hopefully the glasses won't be a huge issue! Thanks all.

Been on a few runs. It's fine - I wouldn't like to run a long run in them but it's doable

Does anyone know any shops running the video gait analysis at the moment? Been to a few spots in cork. All off due to covid. Need new runners but recent injury issues indicate I may need to get specific shoes. On the other hand the shoes have to go, have them a year and a half now and that is not helping injury matters either.

TFBubendorfer · 05-07-2021 8:39pm

nullObjects wrote: »

Does anyone know if you lose any of your stats / achievements on Strava if there's gap between membership running out and renewal?

No, there is no issue. If you don't have membership you don't get access to all their features but the stats are collected just the same.

Murph_D · 05-07-2021 9:43pm

Absolutely no issue running with regular glasses. Or even racing - I’ve used mine at all distances from 800m to 50k without any issue whatsoever. They’ll only fall off if you fiddle with them. Rain can be an issue, but a peaked cap will solve most of the problems. At worst, take ‘em off and stick them under the cap (yes, I’ve done that too).

Jim Gazebo · 05-07-2021 9:57pm

Murph_D wrote: »

Absolutely no issue running with regular glasses. Or even racing - I’ve used mine at all distances from 800m to 50k without any issue whatsoever. They’ll only fall off if you fiddle with them. Rain can be an issue, but a peaked cap will solve most of the problems. At worst, take ‘em off and stick them under the cap (yes, I’ve done that too).

Cheers! I think the level of eyesight comes into it. I'm pretty blind without them, I can see the path but thats all but I managed last few days. Shouldn't have been so worried!

longrunn · 06-07-2021 9:31am

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Had a short setback once again, won't be able to use contact lenses for a spell when running. Any tips for running with glasses ? I'll be taking a slow pace to start with as I havent really tested the IT band yet but I'm keen to get going with some base marathon training.

Anything I should be aware of? I absolutely hate the idea of running with them, but I'm going to try. Thanks in advance.

Laser eye surgery! Best thing I ever did!

But if that's not an option then you could get prescription sports glasses. It was a good few years ago but I got them from Crowley's in Carrigaline. They had a similar look and feel to Oakley's with a wraparound that means they stayed put even when wet or sweaty and had three interchangeable lenses (clear, yellow, sunglasses). I had to get them because my normal glasses kept slipping off when sweaty.

Stark · 06-07-2021 9:37am

I do most of my training runs with regular glasses on. Only an issue if it's raining or if I'm doing mountain running and it's a steep technical downhill.

Cartman78 · 06-07-2021 9:57am

Just to weigh in on the running with glasses chat.... would deffo advise on getting prescription sports sunglasses.

I used to wear contacts every day but prolonged use was drying my eyes out (tried a zillion different types) and I personally don't fancy getting laser surgery.

I wear the sunglasses in all sorts of weather....rain is extremely rarely an issue tbh...a baseball cap will help as well

robinph · 06-07-2021 10:10am

I've given up on contacts now, although Specsavers still keep sending me my subscription pairs. Since I got the varifocal prescription it's been a fairly pointless exercise wearing contacts for running as the only reason is to be able to read my watch, and I can't really with the contacts anymore. So gave up and just wear the glasses all the time.

My current frames are the best I've ever had as far as staying in place while active is concerned. I've gone my entire life not realising that such a thing as glasses that stay in place without hurting your ears was even a thing.

Due another eye test now and intend to see if I can get some prescription shades for running as not having shades for running is my main problem now with eyewear.

theoneeyedman · 06-07-2021 10:50am

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

And yes, slowing down. No need to kill yourself in training. Running in humid conditions feels much tougher, so go easy and forget about pace completely.

Humidity is a ba5tard.

Struggled badly on the second half of a 10 miler on Saturday and a 5 Miler on Sunday, was boiling up.
Yesterday evening was fresher, and I was flying on my 10k. East to underestimate the effects of a cloudy humid day is the lesson for me, I thought there was something wrong with me.

Murph_D · 06-07-2021 1:19pm

I bought a couple of pairs of prescription varifocal sunglasses from goggles4u.co.uk - very reasonable cost, nice light frames. Not the most fashionable but very good value for what they are. You'll need your prescription but your optician should give it to you. Ordering is easy enough and there's online help available if you have any issues reading your prescription and frame size etc.

Reg'stoy · 06-07-2021 6:58pm

Might interest some Santry sports clinic are doing a live stream event on running injuries, starting now 7pm

Omega28 · 21-07-2021 10:23am

I've been running consistently now for 6 months and I haven't seen any changes in my pace. I'm still running at 6:35 - 7:00 min per/km. I know 6 months isn't a long time but I thought I might have seen some improvement by now.

Am I being inpatient? What should I expect after running consistently for 6 months?

Thanks

Lujan · 21-07-2021 10:36am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117640479#Comment_117640479

I started running last Sept and struggled to increase pace for the longest time. I started using Run keeper and keeping the audio updates on to use them to focus myself for pace and force myself to speed up slightly but by bit.

I was down to 28mins for a 5k by Feb.

I switched from workout music on Spotify and tried podcasts and audio books and found that my pace worsened considerably, so I would suggest good music instead.

Changing your routes up helps too. I used the same route for ages and started struggling towards the end of the route. Mixed the routes up and it got easier again.

Adding in some longer runs or runs with hills also helped with stamina which helped increase my pace

That all worked for me, might not work for everyone though.

I went from running 5k in around 35mins to sub 24mins.

Butterbeans · 21-07-2021 1:26pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117640479#Comment_117640479

While you would expect to see some improvement in pace over 6 months, especially when you've only started, it very much depends on the quality of the training you're doing.

Is 6:35 / 7 min pace flat out / at the upper end for you? If it is and you're running that pace for every run, progress will be limited because you're hammering yourself every run.

A simply structured weekly plan can really help (link below as an example) to include easy (easy means easy!) runs, intervals (maybe 1 or 2 sessions per week, not on consecutive days) and a longer run. Try and keep it roughly 80% low intensity 20% high intensity. Having a goal to aim for can really help, whatever that may be. Pick a distance and commit to the plan.

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/a760072/six-week-intermediate-5k-schedule/

longrunn · 22-07-2021 1:00pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117640479#Comment_117640479

I was like that a few years ago. Had been doing a few km a few times a week consistently and saw no improvement, was getting really frustrated. Did some research online and found out that running longer distances at low intensity would help. Tried that and started to notice big improvements. Kept increasing my distance while only running at easy pace and found that my easy pace increased naturally. Then I hit a plateau and wasn't getting any faster. I joined an AC and started training with them and have had a massive boost in speed since then. In the space of about 3 years I've gone from being able to run a mile at 7 min/km to my pb of 3:40 min/km.

Omega28 · 22-07-2021 11:53pm

Thanks everyone for the advice.

6.35 - 7.35 km per min would be at 70 - 80% effort and 5:30 - 6 min km per km would be me gassing out and having to slow down.

I'll try mix up my route again. I've done this a few times and it's helped a bit. I don't listen to music or anything. I'll also start adding a few longer easy slow runs in. My longest run so far has been 12km so I might try increase that.

I'm currently running 35 - 45km per week and keeping log of every run. I might also look into joining a running club. I live in Santry so might check out if there's any club that caters for new/beginners.

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