My Forum

Its more than 4 years since my last post in this thread, since when I have run around 8 half marathons a year, the London Marathon, and a variety of other races at 10k, 10 mile and 15 mile distances.

In all that time I have followed the recommendation I made in November 2008.  I use my aspired time as the 'Recent Race Time' and it has given me a good plan to work to.  Its what i am currently using in training for the London Marathon again in April and the 2 Half Marathons between now and then.

Frankly I don't think age makes any difference with the training as you are working to a time. I still score new PBs every so often, and certainly can't run any faster than 7:10 pace even downhill, but that's my age and it doesn't affect the legitimacy of the SmartCoach training plans so long as, as I said last time, you listen to your body.

I've had a Garmin 205 for 3 years now and wouldn't be without it. Its a brilliant watch that though it marketed at £229.99 at the time only cost me £99.99 (or something silly) from Sweatshop at the time. 

I have never regretted it. It is so simple to use, and whether its for a short 3 mile run or a downloaded 18-20 mile run with directions, it has been so, so accurate. There have been times when I've not taken a track because it didn't look right only for the watch to alert me and for me to find it was bang on and my instinct was wrong!

Reading the report referenced earlier in this thread the 305 came out tops, and I'm not surprised. Judging by that article, the thing to be cautious of with Timex, Nike etc is quite obviously their accuracy. I've never had such a problem with my 205.

I've never used any other GPS watch (though I have used Runkeeper and MapMyRun on my phone), and I'm not likely to be persuaded to change either. Personally I don't recognise any of the problems a few folk have noted, but I do know just how helpful and supportinve the folk at Garmin are with questions or issues.

As you might have guessed, I'm a Garmin fan!

Happychap, I think you'll find they've done about 450 marathons between them and are regular ultra runners. As Peter Bowles says this is not a commercial event, so best get facts right eh folk?

I've chatted with the organiser, Dave Ross, at length and he's a truly committed runner putting this on for the best of reasons (even with an aspiration to put on a Bewl 100 mile one day!!).  He has run the route several times and for this first event has measured it by Garmin. He says it will be a little over length as he doesn't want folk to be short changed on the distance.

I ran the Bewl 15 last year for the first time last year, and though there were only 30 or so folk behind be I loved it and will be back.  But this promises to grow into an equally good and complementary event. I can see myself regularly runing both!

So, there's no need for the Bewl 15 to feel challenged. Its a great and established event at a different distance.  Lets support this one too and have a thoroughly good time on Saturday (whatever the weather)!

(And if you've any questions, rather than speculate, contact Dave Ross direct. As I found, he's more than happy to talk and explain everything.)

 See you there!

@Knockoff NC.

Can well recommend the Darent Valley 10k.  No fuss, small, great people, totally friendly, well organised, and a beautiful run with a great 2 mile downhill to the finish.  And probably the most attractive medal ever, being a different local scene (in colour) each year.

Go for it!

@Skippy's right peg (and anybody else).

Not the right thread, but picking up on something you've said....

I see you've run Bedgebury Trailblazers. I've looked at that for this year but it seems inordinately expensive - £30 for a 10k - £5/mile!  They 'give' a shirt, but who needs yet another running shirt; and car parking is included, but that means if 2 of us enter and come in the same car we are effectively paying parking for 2 cars!  

When you consider that against some of my favourites, eg: Bluewater 10k, and the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Halfs where they also throw in a shirt and car parking is free, and the Reading and Brighton Halfs where you can buy a shirt and pay for car parking, Bedgebury seems incredibly expensive. I certainly don't know another 10k that's that pice.

If they were to reduce the price and do the same as Reading and Brighton and offer a shirt if you want to buy it and sell a car park ticket if you want one, then maybe I'd do it.

How otherwise can you justify paying £30 for just a 10k run?  Is it really worth it for a gentle jog around woodland?  Please convince me!