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Fun Stuff => Pictures & Jokes => Topic started by: Alianora La Canta on August 13, 2016, 11:51:03 AM

Title: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on August 13, 2016, 11:51:03 AM
I am a computer technician, who's trying to train for a half-marathon.

On Tuesday, I went to the gym to do some training. As part of it, I decided to do a long run on the treadmill. I set the (10-mile) distance, tuned the TV module into the Olympic gymnastics, then started running.

4 minutes in, I was just speeding up when the whole thing froze. The belt stopped moving, the picture froze, the menu was stuck and the emergency button
.
.
.
fell off.

Yup, I'd crashed a treadmill.

I managed to put the button back on (it was attached by magnets) but had to declare myself defeated by the rest of it - there wasn't even an end-user-accessible "off" switch. The gym staff were polite enough not to laugh at me when I reported the problem.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: cosworth151 on August 13, 2016, 03:48:56 PM
I'm glad you weren't injured. If that would have happened here in the States, you might have been trampled by a stampede of crazed personal injury lawyers.  ;)
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Steve A. on August 14, 2016, 09:31:00 AM
Don't train on a treadmill. No where near the same as road, as an addition fine, can't beat the real thing.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Scott on August 14, 2016, 01:32:38 PM
Treadmills scare me.  Rather get on a bike or stair machine any day...
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Warmwater on August 19, 2016, 11:08:00 PM
I have one of those machines but it doesn't work, so I just practice standing still. Very safe.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on August 20, 2016, 02:04:28 AM
 :DD :DD :DD :DD
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Steve A. on August 21, 2016, 11:14:07 AM
Which run are you training for?
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on August 25, 2016, 03:09:30 AM
I'm glad you weren't injured. If that would have happened here in the States, you might have been trampled by a stampede of crazed personal injury lawyers.  ;)

One set of lawyers at a time is enough for me, thanks :D

Don't train on a treadmill. No where near the same as road, as an addition fine, can't beat the real thing.

I'm training on a variety of surfaces, in a variety of weather conditions: road, grass, trails, pavements and treadmill are all fair game as far as I'm concerned. I find my feet benefit from the variety, as they improve different aspects on each surface, and I'm a sufficiently bad runner that I benefit from all the different "lessons". (In the case of the treadmills, they seem to particularly help me with running consistently and big hills - it's hard to replicate big hills in my local area, but there's over 500 m of climbing in each of the half-marathon routes that this race has used in the last 2 years).

Also, I don't have a TV licence, so if I want to watch the Olympics, I have to go to the gym ;)

Treadmills scare me.  Rather get on a bike or stair machine any day...

I'm doing the gym version of both of those too - plus the rowing machine, handcycle, swimming, some strength work and paddling. Especially at my level of non-talent, cross-training is very important to reduce injury risk and address fitness areas that running doesn't. I have managed to get injured twice, but both of those were minor twists from falling over my own feet while walking, not from the exercise routines. (Real cycling is out, as I don't have enough balance to stay on a standard bike and the landlord doesn't allow non-folding bikes on the property).

Which run are you training for?

I'm training for the Chesterfield half-marathon, on October 2nd at 8:45 am (so please can the Japanese Grand Prix be fully green-flagged and dry with no problems whatsoever?). The route is a mixture of road, pavement and (a tiny amount of) optional cobbles.

I've included some races in my training schedule:

- five 5 km races at the local park during last autumn/winter (pavement; it would have been more races, but the last one was organised badly enough that I got sent to do an extra lap by mistake, which put me off doing more). I'm aware there's such a thing as Parkrun, which would have been a good replacement, but my nearest Parkrun is 20 miles away, and £5.50 is a lot to spend on attending a race that isn't even timed. The point was to get regular experience of being with other people, to get a feel for how actual runners competed, and to practise being lapped. (At that point it was taking me 45-60 minutes, depending on weather conditions and whether I got hit in the middle of the run, to do what most of the others were doing in 25-30 minutes).

- a 6-mile Comic Relief race at the same venue, but organised rather more competently (where I got a prize for "best hair" due to running in a long red wig with huge red plait that fell off twice during the run). That was to have fun and raise money, but it was also my first experience of a run with an organised warm-up (my half-marathon will have this; the other races this year do not...) and staggered starts (like the half-marathon and unlike the other races this year, there were three different start points depending on intended distance).

- the Silverstone 10 km race (brilliant for meeting Force India staff, but I nearly got taken back by ambulance because I was so slow it was dark by the time I finished. Got a prize for persistence and grinning as I crossed the finish line). This was equal parts to practise starting in a huge field (about three times the expected starting "grid" for my half-marathon), practising how to handle water stations, practising a longer-distance race and experiencing a track I've enjoyed from a whole different angle. Did I mention that three teams (Force India, Mercedes and Manor) had intra-team battles between their factory staff there? FIF1 won the individual "contest", Mercedes had the fastest team and Manor got the wooden spoon. Nearly everyone from all three teams lapped me. (It took me 98 minutes, 18 seconds to do two laps of the 1990s-era track layout, about the same length of time as it took Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and other greats to do an entire Grand Prix there).

- this weekend, I'm doing a 5-mile/10-mile race on trails (it's billed as a mix of tarmac, pavement, shale, grass and woodchip). This is to experience surface and terrain transitions (it alternates between thick woods and field-like parkland, and even passes a reservoir at one point), experience of an even longer race and race management. You see, if I want to do the whole 10 miles as planned, I've got to do the first half of the race fast enough to be allowed onto the second half... ...while retaining enough energy to get the 10 miles finished in the maximum time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Oh, and the toilets shut 15 minutes before that limit.

I would have done a 10-mile race on some of the paths used in the half-marathon I've entered, but it was the week after the dragon boat races I competed in with my company for the European Corporate Games (12th in the 500 m version, 9th in the 250 m edition, out of 25 teams) and I hadn't fully recovered my energy by race day (I wasn't injured, I simply needed a couple more days before I would have been ready to put everything on the line again).

I also would have done 5 km races in my hometown and Donington Park, but both clashed with other events (the Monaco Grand Prix for the hometown 5 km - if you want me to do such a short running race on a Grand Prix day, think twice before starting it at the same time as the Grand Prix's formation lap! - and the European Corporate Games for Donington. I have confirmed that the clash doesn't exist for the latter next year as the Corporate Games is on a different weekend).

I have yet to finish a running race in a position higher than last - I was 1172nd at Silverstone - and my fastest 6-mile time in a race is 78 minutes. I do know from training that I can do a full half-marathon in three-and-a-half hours on a good day, and the roadsweeper that collects overly-slow runners goes round at four-and-a-quarter hours at the event I've entered. My target is simply to finish before the roadsweeper does (in the same way as I finished Silverstone two minutes before the ambulance that was doing the same job).

I will be fundraising for the National Autism Society, but haven't arranged any official fundraising options yet. These will exist by the end of next week. Though really, the fundraising is a minor part of the motivation - mostly it's a matter of me needing a focus for getting/staying fit due to strong competitive instincts. Finishing last, but with heart, is something I find motivating, in a way that following an exercise plan for its own sake doesn't.

I have one of those machines but it doesn't work, so I just practice standing still. Very safe.

 :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Steve A. on August 25, 2016, 05:52:00 PM
Good luck for the run, don't worry about finishing position, just enjoy. I find the crowd and other runners give you a bit extra on the day. I have the great north run coming up in just over 2 weeks. Don't forget, no matter what position, no matter what speed you are way faster than all those stuck on a couch.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on August 25, 2016, 10:10:27 PM
Best wishes with the Great North Run! And yes, I will be lapping everyone on the couch (including my rather bemused colleagues, most of whom think going to the gym is strange...)
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on September 20, 2016, 09:16:44 PM
Forgot to update following the trail race: I learned a very important lesson.

Never try to run round a tight corner at the bottom of descent if it features a mud bath and a dog is trying to jump onto your back.

Also, I am not Mo Farah. (Mo fell over during his 10,000 m Olympic race and still won. I got thumped 3 metres from the end of my race - not related to the dog incident - fell flat on my back, coughing 60 times a minute, and finished the race on a stretcher, en route to the local hospital. Apparently that is considered sufficient to get a finisher's goody bag. Oops.)
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: cosworth151 on September 20, 2016, 09:29:37 PM
Dang! I hope you're OK, Ali. It sounds like you definitely earned a swag bag. 
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Steve A. on September 23, 2016, 05:21:23 PM
A finish is a finish, well done Ali, hope you are ok and ready for the next one.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Scott on September 23, 2016, 07:21:44 PM
Ditto that...don't let it spoil your next go.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on September 23, 2016, 07:28:08 PM
Thank you for the good wishes. I'm now fine (apart from a cold I picked up yesterday and, judging by the others who've had it, I'll be completely rid of by Tuesday). I'm in the "relaxed" phase of my training, mostly just doing small bits of walking to ensure I don't get too tensed up in my body or mind. (Work's happy about this as they suddenly needed more overtime at the same point as I needed something to stop me from accidentally overtraining ;) )

I certainly won't let it spoil my next go :)  Also, I've started fundraising for the National Autistic Society (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Christine-Swain). My target is modest but I hope to hit it.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Ian on September 23, 2016, 08:11:20 PM
Good on you Ali, glad you're ok.  :good:
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on October 03, 2016, 01:14:21 PM
That was a hectic 48 hours!

- 8:30 pm on Saturday night - got an email during the Petit Le Mans to say "You must pick up your racing bib last Thursday". Do I look like a Time Lord, organisers?

- 7 am yesterday morning - went to venue early. Turns out 400 of the 550 competitors didn't pick up their bibs (the others having presumably paid extra to have their bib posted) so the sheepish organisers had the bibs in their tent. Phew!

- 9 am yesterday morning - the race was supposed to start. And didn't.

- 9:20 am - it finally began, the delay being due to clearing traffic from the dual carriageway and surrounding roads. The first mile went quite well.

Then we entered the market. I tripped on a cobble, one of my drinks bottles fell off and I landed on my back. Oh, and someone clipped my ankle as I hit the floor. Thankfully, I was racing in my "I'm not being awkward, I'm autistic" top, so no silly assumptions got made about me this time. Also, it turned out I had no significant injuries and, after a quick self-check, I was able to get up and run.

I made it to the dual carriageway, 3 miles into the race, just before the roadsweeper did (the roads were re-opened after the roadsweeper, which was set to the minimum permitted race completion pace). I managed to get a 5-minute lead on the roadsweeper over the following 7 miles.

A quick visit to the toilet meant the roadsweeper caught up again. However, it turned out that the roadsweeper had been instructed to increase its speed until encountering the last runner. So it was explained to me that while they'd prefer me to get to the end as fast as possible (it was a road race, and besides, nobody would complain about roads being re-opened early if no runner required it closed), the roadsweeper did have leeway to go slightly slower than my previous pace and still have the roads re-opened in time.

I eventually finished, grinning, with arms spread out and flailing, in a time of 3 hours, 23 minutes and 19 seconds. This was in last position, by a margin of just under 2 minutes. I was so happy that I hugged the nearest photographer :D

I am now seriously considering doing another half-marathon this year... ...but not until my quads and shoulder blades have stopped aching ;)
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Steve A. on October 03, 2016, 01:45:15 PM
Brilliant, well done, love the description of the day. My longest hand marathon turned in to 17 miles. I walked to the railway station to get the train only to be told that the last train had gone, a minutes panic and staring round wondering and generally swearing to myself.
Nothing for it, run home, just over 2 miles. Then jump in car, drive to Newcastle and find a parking space on the wrong side of town. Another run, this time just under 2 miles and on to the start line with very little time to spare, then off on the official half marathon. 
Glad you finished and glad you enjoyed it. See you on the start line for the great north run in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: cosworth151 on October 03, 2016, 02:20:04 PM
Congratulations, Ali! Well done!  :good:

It sounds like quite an adventure. Thanks for keeping us updated. The big thing is that you did finish, and that you're going to do it again. I'm sure you do even better next time!
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on October 03, 2016, 05:27:15 PM
Well done Alia. You are tops.

 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Scott on October 03, 2016, 05:30:01 PM
Way to go Ali!  And wonderfully told.  Hope the shoulder heals quickly.

 :good: :good: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Ian on October 03, 2016, 07:53:29 PM
well done Ali, great fighting spirit, proud of you.  :-*
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Alianora La Canta on October 04, 2016, 12:23:38 PM
Thank you, everyone, for the congratulations  :-[

My longest hand marathon turned in to 17 miles. I walked to the railway station to get the train only to be told that the last train had gone, a minutes panic and staring round wondering and generally swearing to myself.
Nothing for it, run home, just over 2 miles. Then jump in car, drive to Newcastle and find a parking space on the wrong side of town. Another run, this time just under 2 miles and on to the start line with very little time to spare, then off on the official half marathon.

Phew! That was a very tough five-eighths-marathon, Steve!

The big thing is that you did finish, and that you're going to do it again. I'm sure you do even better next time!

I hope so. 2017's plan revolves around doing races I didn't get to do this year (Donington 5k is the big example, but there'll be others), and reprising the Silverstone 10k.

I plan to do something at my local race, which is on September 24 next year. It won't be the full marathon, which they hope to be able to do next year (the half-marathon headlined this year due to local and competitor objections to the proposed full-marathon route*). However, I'm open to it being either me doing the complete half-marathon... ...or joining with some friends to do the 2- or 4-person relay versions. At this point the former looks more likely, especially since I want to decide before the early-bird discount closes in 2 weeks.

There are two half-marathons near me in 2016 - one on Halloween 15 miles away, and an easier-to-reach one about 5 miles away towards the end of November. Depending on how fast I shake off the aches from this race, I may elect to do one of them. (Not both. I'm not quite that fit/brave/stupid yet).

Hope the shoulder heals quickly.

I believe it will. The aches I have, from what I've read, are typical of rookie runners doing a new distance and will heal as part of the natural recovery process. My plan is to avoid the gym and roads this week (except for a little light walking to get to places and, later this week, some light swimming) and then see where I am (I expect next week to be a light week and then after that to resume regular training).

* - The local objections were because it effectively shut entire neighbourhoods off for nearly a whole day, and the competitor objections were because the route had an unusually large number of hills (there were nearly 200 m of elevation on the half-marathon route, and the full-marathon version was almost half a kilometre. Only routes deliberately advertised as hilly tend to be that hilly, and my local race isn't).
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: BraydenSoh on October 05, 2016, 05:23:46 PM
Good job Ali! Running is never about where you finish but the process of getting to the end (including all the hard work you put in during training)! Keep on training and who knows, maybe you will get addicted and try for a full marathon! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

I would recommend you do some light stretching before you sleep so as to ease the muscles. Rest for 2-3days and try to go out for a recover run. It helps alot in my case.
Title: Re: Training could be going better
Post by: Scott on October 05, 2016, 07:28:37 PM
If I go more than two days without getting on my bike the next time is painful.
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