Sorry Stolly, I forgot to say well done on running every day for a year. I like to have lazy days, sorry I mean recovery days. So would find that very tough. The odd illness would have stopped me on some days too.
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Sorry Stolly, I forgot to say well done on running every day for a year. I like to have lazy days, sorry I mean recovery days. So would find that very tough. The odd illness would have stopped me on some days too.
All of thats true Nick but I think there are far more important important factors, like when you took up the sport in the first place for example. I think I was 46 when I ran (very very very badly) my first fell race :). Also way back last century when I was at school, although I did quite enjoy cross country running for a while and do okay at it, I was mainly into team sports (football and rugby) and later after that karate and hong kong fuey, none of which particularly helped me improve at running. I suspect that now, aged fifty flipping five, I'm a far superior runner than I ever was at school or probably anytime since. Had I given running a proper crack at the time though I could have ended up being miles miles better than I am now. Peer groups when you're young and what you go for, from the wide range of interests open to you, probably dictate more than anything how you'll end up and what things you might get good or not so good at. In the scheme of things genetics are but a small fractionQuote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
Stolly, what you say is true. Training, diet and lifestyle play a critical part in maximising what you've got, but the ultimate glass ceiling is what you've got, and I still argue strongly that there are considerable differences between people. You say you started to take running seriously quite late in life, but when you ran cross country at school you enjoyed it and did OK (presumably meaning you didn't finish last). There's the clue: you have a decent degree of inate ability- possibly average, but still decent. Not everyone does. My recollection of all running when I was at school was misery, discomfort and finishing last every time. It didn't come naturally to me, let me tell you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
During my 16 years (so far) of regular running and taking part in events most weekends, I've read many anecdotes from different people of how they got into running - early starters, early dabblers and late starters, whatever - and seen many people come into the events I've been doing. Even starting as a walker it soon becomes apparent over a year or two of someone's natural ability. Not slowing down as much as others is a good indicator. If/when they take up running, these people who don't slow down also happen to finish quite well up the leaderboard. I would venture to suggest that their glass ceiling is higher than the average. Those whose ceiling is lower have to work and train harder, closer to their max, to achieve the same result as someone with a higher ceiling who's taking it easy on less training. This is what I have observed over the years.
This is a good discussion topic that deserves its own thread. I'm sorry it's taken over this one you started. I applaud you for doing what you're doing to make the best of what you've got. Keep it going, Stolly. I can identify with you, although I can't claim to run every day.
Inspiring stuff Stolly & as TF Guy has mentioned your the Ron Hill of the forum.:)
Well I have been inspired a bit, and I've been for a run every day in September! Tomorrow is a day off work, so I may as well go for a run, which I fear may trigger a similar turn of events for October :)
It really isn't feasible for me to run every day in October, or every day for a year and more. Next week for example, I have to go to Amsterdam on Thursday for a work meeting, leaving home at around 4:30am and won't be home until very late at night - boooo! I did a similar amount of silly hours on Tuesday, and it was pure stubbornness that I had to complete a month, that I went for a run afterwards.
BUT! I can aim for nearly every day.
So - thank you Stolly :)
Hi Stolly, 1st of all well done on setting a goal and sticking to it :-). As a matter of interest how many times a week did you run before you decided to run every day :-)
Great stuff ohw :). I have to travel fairly long distances for my job too from time to time but have still managed, usually by getting up even earlier, to fit the running in. Last week I had two long days out: On Monday a 13 hour journey (11.5 hours in the car for a 1.5 hour meeting!!) to Kingston on Thames and back with driving rain and spray all the way - I got up at 4am, set off at 5am and was back home at 6pm, just in time for a lovely 4 mile run with Harry (in the pissing rain :) ). And on Wednesday I had to get up at 5am to drive to Manchester Airport to fly to Exeter to then drive to Torquay and ditto in reverse for the return journey - still managed my evening run though ;). I think my worst day to get motivated for a run has been the Sunday after my second failed Bob Graham attempt ('monsoon over Bowfell' said in a Reginald Perrin voice :D ) - we'd camped over and arranged to walk up over Haystacks with friends on the Sunday morning meaning that I got home quite late, really quite knackered (zero sleep on Friday night as I'd been running), aching legs and feet and to cap it all 'one or two' problems at home when I got there. I still stumbled out for a run though.... albeit a short one!
And RTS, I used to run 4 or 5 days a week with say 25 to 35 miles of running. My distance is about 40 to 45 miles on average now which is probably the key difference. Obviously that sort of mileage is relatively easily achievable without continuing the run every day thing - I just like running every day.
Those are long days for sure Stolly - my usual working day including commute is around 14 hours as well - leave at 6:20, home around 20:10 so I know how that feels!
And I did manage to run at 10:30pm after getting stuck at work a couple of Saturdays ago for an additional 2 hours. And I did an evening run after leaving home at 2:45am and not getting home until about 18:30.......... So I know it's possible. It just stretches things a little too thin on those totally ridiculous days, especially with trying to do up our new house, and two young step children to fit in as well.
But you are right, it's still possible... No.... Actually... After the really long days, I've actually found it enjoyable! Because the day has left me feeling so drained and possibly stressed, but a good run has blown all that away and felt, in some ways, better than a generous run on a day off! :) I would never have gone for a run on a late evening after a long day before. But I know it's worth it now.
Only just found this thread as it was started when I was not about.
Well done, great achievement. I prefer to run every day as well, I am not sure what my longest unbroken period has been but I know I never made a full year.
At our Club, I often used to say that a days rest per week meant 7.4 weeks per year wasted.
And if I can do it, when I am not even a proper runner, then ANYONE can - so there! :p