P + D training for VLM 2013

Wow lots of reading back

15West well done on the muddy 22 how did the cold bath go? more miles into the bank

Lit SIS gels are good I find them easy to take and carry and not as thick as the High five gels but they also pack more carbs. If you think of your body as a car that need fuel but it can only take fuel on at a slow rate (this is due to your stomach only able to absorbe fluid and carbs at a certain rate when exercising as blood supply is diverted to other parts of the body) At 20 you start to run out of fuel but if you wait till you run out your body wont absorb the carbs fast enough so you need to start before this happens. By topping up from the start you will prevent the body from running out as you are giving it longer to absorb the carbs. I tend to take them:1, 20 mins before the start, 6,12,16,20,24 miles and sip water every 3 miles . Hope that explains it a bit

NN Great 21 miles in the bank and a neg/split over the whole run nice, like you I went back to bed after my run after all it's Sunday.

Men well done on your 21 yesterday, cant do the thick head thing any more

Chris J77 impressive 21 and a nice boost with the sub 7 min miles well done.is it from the periformus muscle lots of good stretches on you tube for it

Surry well done on the 21 miles, regarding gels I used 6 last time in London.

Mark 1981 well done on the 20 mile run

Pottermiss well done on the 18 today, you could try a cold bath but sometimes we can find we can run through some aches and pains but go easy. You could also invest in a good foam roller I tend to spend 20 mins a night in front of the tv stretching and using the foam roller.

Ziggy nice 18 mile run and neg split well done Edinburgh is down hill

Well did 22 miles and did'nt get wet from the rain  22 miles 2:52 all nice and easy and no gel today. Went back to bed after my cold bath and hot shower

well done long runners..some great times and I enjoyed  reading everyone's experiences  
Mark 1981, I a with you 100% as far the gels go..they are there to use , not illegal , take them simple
Surrey Runner..my son lives in Surrey I love running with him up there its so flat compared to these Devon hills.
Pottermiss a massage is worth a try I have never had one myself nor used foam rollers there is some good advice from Literatin give the stretches a try hope its ok tomorrow
Fiona nice 18...and today is the only day ever I have got up at that to to run...I was actually surprised to see quite a few runners about o be honest
NP I use the sis gels too, and refule within 20 mins 
with Promax protein bar and 500mls milk..no cold bath just nice HOT shower for me and I could have stood there all day..
I slept for 5 hours , it was the shock of the early start more than the 21 ..lol..getting ready for work now

I tried an ice bath after my run this afternoon, filled the bath up with cold water and a few trays of ice cubes. I psyched myself up for a few minutes and then walked into the bathroom like a boxer walking into the ring for a big fight.

Got into the bath, sat there for about 30 seconds and then jumped out like a wimp.

With a few words of encouragement from my girlfriend i decided to have another go, i was determined to give it a better effort this time. I get in again sit down and grit my teeth but i couldnt do it, i was out again after about 20 seconds this time. Its just too cold!

NP How the hell do you do it?

Im a wimp

Mark - I tried the cold bath yesterday and managed about 10 seconds in it - up to my ankles and that was enough - not a cat in hells chance of me dipping my bits in that. Cant imagine anything worse after 21 miles or so - I think you have to be a certain type of sadist to run marathons, but to sit in ice cold baths straight after you have to have a particularly penchant for pain.

I reckon I managed a couple of minutes. Mark - maybe leave the ice cubes next time!

I've done cold bathing once, at a thermal spa in Baden Baden. Difference was, it was big enough to jump around in to counteract some of the horrific cold, and you could go and get straight back in the nice warm bath straight after. No tea, though.

I often run the bath with enough cold water to just cover my legs and sit in it with my running top still on so I don't freeze to death and the husband finds me with rigor mortis and just let the cold water do its stuff after a particularly hard run. No need to put yer bollocks in it though (even though I don't possess a set).  You could wear speedos chaps... Then have a hot shower to bring everything back to normal proportions. 

Literatin - re gels: I use SIS and HiFive, just whatever I can get at the time from nearby shops.  I think I prefer the SIS but both work well for me.  I had one at mile 7 and 13 yesterday of my run.  I only truly see the point of running with no fuel if you aim to do the same on race day.  I think the harder part is sticking to the routine on the day of the marathon, with nerves etc, it is hard to take on board gels from mile 18 onwards.  I also sip water every mile or so but don't drink more than around 400ml in the winter on long run.  Summer a different story! 

Cracking running today folks, 15 and NoP, are you two handbags at dawn to see who can do the most miles before brunch...?! 

NN - brilliant.  Is that Heart Rate reserve or max?  I am annoyed with my HRM at the mo, it had my HR at 250 max for 2 miles yesterday and wrecks my overall percentage.  Do you find yours plays up for first mile or so?  I might need to put some lube on my strap on... 

Mennania - Wrexham Half for me also, are you ready for it?  I ain't! 

Feeling good today, legs feeling very fresh after 18 yesterday so proves to me that my pace was spot on.  I am currently following the sub 55 but doing the long runs as per the 55-70.  I think it should work well for me.  I am wondering whether to do the MLR run as per the 55-70 too, so do the recovery runs and LT session as per sub 55 and the longer medium run and LSR of the 55-70.  Complicated I know but I think that longer medium run would give me some more benefits and if I am strict re not adding too many hills in and keep HRM on, I can definitely do it. Thinking aloud here. Excuse me. 

I remembered the tea NP but it made no difference unless i'd poured it into the bath! I managed no more than a couple of mins and that was with no ice just cold water.

Reading back some brilliant and inspiring long runs going on today. NN if you were first back then I was last back. Felt tired this morn after the switched LT yest and it was still v windy here so didn't set out until just after 4. 18 with 10 mp in 2hr 16 and i took 1 gel (also use SiS) just before the mp miles.

NP very well raced yesterday 

Lit are you going for your first comeback run tomorrow? If so good luck.

15W you got the puppy yet?

I might have to try it without the ice cubes next week!

The cup of tea didnt help either

Markf - Are you doing a half marathon in the build up? I wasnt going to bother but im thinking of doing Blackpool later this month. Im going to be in Liverpool that weekend so i though i might give it a go. Im just a bit worried about the following week being a write off if im tired.

Superbowl tonight, so ive got a giant pizza and a big bottle of coke to myself cant wait!

Yes I've entered B'pool Mark, its still 8 weeks out before VLM so i shouldn't worry about having a lighter week after.

Superbowl for me too later, will be supporting the Ravens.

HeOw wrote (see)

I often run the bath with enough cold water to just cover my legs and sit in it with my running top still on so I don't freeze to death and the husband finds me with rigor mortis and just let the cold water do its stuff after a particularly hard run. No need to put yer bollocks in it though (even though I don't possess a set).  You could wear speedos chaps... Then have a hot shower to bring everything back to normal proportions. 

my poor bollocks, not sure they've fully recovered yet. WIll speedos make that much difference??

NP - I had a cup of hot water, not tea. Drank it pretty quickly.

markf - we'll be bringing the puppy home in about 3 weeks. Scary stuff.

How are people's legs? Mine are aching somewhat. Been eating loads today - one thing I really love about running is stuffing myself guilt free.

We've got some unpleasant running conditions in the next few days.

Cold water does wonders if you suffer from chaffing.....

Markf - Yeah im supporting the Ravens tonight as well, i know the bookies have them down as the underdogs but i think its fate for Ray Lewis to win in his final game.

I need to look at my programme and see if I can juggle things around to fit Blackpool half in.

15West - My legs feel great at the moment, ive been really tired this week after last weekends MP LR but today was fine, I did go at a slightly slower pace than normal though.

Im stuffing myself today, its great isnt it

Heow its % of max so really pleased..which hrm do you have ?..give it a good wash then try cleaning the connections with vinegar, that always workd if mine has had a funny 5 mins.,

And lol...no need to  put yer bollocks in it though (even though I don't possess a set).  You could wear speedos chaps... Then have a hot shower to bring everything back to normal proportions.  Heow...you have such a great way with words...