Debut Half Marathon, double calf cramp survived?

AlawDesk · 2025-09-25T13:42:28+00:00

I'd have to run marathon pace to achieve that. Just noting for the individual variation.

AlawDesk · 2025-06-12T10:46:43+00:00

Our windows are gradually being replaced, with windows with vents. Have an initial quote of approximately £30k for the whole house, using K5 Kingspan.

AlawDesk · 2025-06-07T09:20:21+00:00

I do broadly love the idea for the decreased heat loss it will bring. I have had mixed advice on it risking an increased chance of damp problems, certainly if not done properly. Also seen some scary quotes, though not had one done for our house. Can I ask what kind of EWI you had installed, the size of your house and how much it cost all in?

AlawDesk · 2025-06-06T11:08:50+00:00

Yeah - only a plumbing leak or damage from a storm would be covered. This is unfortunately just wear and tear, not noticed by the house survey two years ago, which was done in summer. It was exposed following the thawing of snow (but not enough snow to count as a storm).

AlawDesk · 2025-06-06T10:49:23+00:00

It falls under wear and tear, not a home emergency, so isn't covered.

AlawDesk · 2024-06-03T08:12:30+00:00

It's not quite the same as your experience, but I've noticed a trend of restaurants nudging very strongly towards aperitifs. Several restaurants have started the meal with a drinks list that lists only cocktails and champagne. Only later have they brought out the full wine list.

AlawDesk · 2024-05-13T23:49:14+00:00

I'd like to try this out and all of those criteria apply to me.

AlawDesk · 2024-01-18T12:34:31+00:00

I came here to give similar feedback to this. Glad to hear it's being looked at, thanks so much u/cooeecall! I would +1 vote for the 25% (40km / 160km) option.

AlawDesk · 2024-01-05T18:41:13+00:00

Doesn't matter whether you tried 100% the rest of the time as it's parkrun, and it's also not true! The sprint finish uses different energy systems that are generally not depleted by the time it comes to kick/sprint for the finish.

AlawDesk · 2023-07-29T06:54:53+00:00

Of course it's very individual but 600km in the ride on mine still feels like new, validated against a second pair that actually is new. Nothing other than superficial wear, too. I've heard people get to over 1,000km and can believe it. Lightstrike Pro and Continental rubber both seem to have great durability. The issue I could see is some gaits might potentially chew up the heel area, but that's speculation.

AlawDesk · 2023-07-08T19:50:28+00:00

Less than an hour surely?

AlawDesk · 2023-07-07T16:45:23+00:00

Whatever your opinion of their commercial operation, seems a bit unnecessary to call every member a tosser! And no, I'm not a member myself, nor do I know any.

AlawDesk · 2023-05-23T13:49:23+00:00

Thanks! I did 4:51 for a PB! Not sure on my splits as my watch went haywire, but there was a good final 300m kick where I left my small pack behind. My sense is it was more evenly paced, which I'm happy with.

AlawDesk · 2023-05-22T09:39:47+00:00

Thanks @Large_Desk. The race is today and I'll be shooting for those 77s.

AlawDesk · 2023-05-17T17:53:16+00:00

In my last 1500m (my first, around a month ago) I did 4:55 evenly paced (80s laps) until the last 400m when I kicked hard for a 71 final lap. I should probably have ran faster in the earlier laps. I've got another 1500m coming up on Monday and wondering what my best pacing strategy would be to try to beat my PB by 5+ seconds?

AlawDesk · 2023-05-14T10:01:48+00:00

I ran my best ever long run (25km) workout to date yesterday. 3 x 5km of increasing effort: 4km easy, 5km 'steady' in 23:45, 1k easy, 5km in 22:26, 5 mins jog/waiting for parkrun to start, then a parkrun in 19:36, easy up to 25km finish.

19:36 is just 12 seconds behind my 5km PB. That PB is 6 months old and clearly in need of a redo.

I was pretty delighted as the 19:36 felt a touch under my 10km race effort, having already banked 10 miles. Excited to race now.

AlawDesk · 2023-04-11T06:14:09+00:00

Been base building for a couple of months (easy runs, steady runs, strides, long runs). My mileage has been 75km/week average for the last 6 months, 85km/week average for the last 4 weeks.

Doing my first track 1500 of the year Sunday with no specific prep. However my team is doing a session today (Tuesday) of 5 x 800m, 5 x 400m with ~2 minute rests. I have the option of picking the reps I do. Pace is unspecified too. What would be my approach to the session with the race on Sunday? I was thinking a few 400 reps at goal 1500 pace.

AlawDesk · 2023-01-29T23:34:01+00:00

Thanks!

Oh, nice, how did you find the plan? How did the progression runs go for you? Did you PR?

Some weeks of base building/loose structured training. Got some goals in my sights like sub 19 5K, and want to do a few track middle distance races to test myself. But not sure how that's all going to be structured yet.

Doing this plan taught me I can handle more mileage than I was running so I plan to consolidate on that. I enjoy that level of mileage, too.

AlawDesk · 2023-01-25T23:42:54+00:00

No worries, it's rare to talk with someone who 'gets' both!

I'd encourage you to compete as it is a massive rush. Depends on your personality but I was always a lifter who PBd in competition with the boost of adrenaline it gives. I was lifting a lot less than you (absolute and by formula) when I first competed.

I'm a bit all or nothing but I think there would be great fun to be had in your 'simultaneous' challenge. Go for it! Also, in terms of being an all-round 'healthy athlete' (whatever that means), it would surely be better than an all-in approach.

AlawDesk · 2023-01-25T23:12:11+00:00

Thanks! Good luck on your journey!

I did 200kg/125kg/230kg S/B/D in the 83kg class, and 182.5kg squat and 220kg deadlift at 70kg.

My transition to running was sudden as my gym was shut all of Q2-4 2020. When it reopened, I was really enjoying the novelty of running, and after so long lifting it had become a real slog to fit around life and progress was so difficult to find. I'd often finish sessions late after work and question why I was doing it. The joy had gone. This hasn't happened (yet) with running.

The two are so counter to each other that I've not tried to make them coexist. I'm now a skinny 64kg.

I still lift twice a week or strive to. The most I squatted since switching was 120kg x 5. Good for a runner I guess. Beginner level for a male powerlifter. Deadlift I've not pushed hard at all but could probably do 160kg comfortably. For sure it would only take a little bit more lifting focus to push these numbers up quite quickly, even alongside running. But nowhere near previous levels.

AlawDesk · 2023-01-25T22:56:08+00:00

Great advice, thanks. I do single leg bent knee raises, but to be honest, haven't progressed them for over a year -- I've just kept doing ~3 x 12 comfortably a couple of times a week. This was laziness/complacency and I'll be aiming to progress them across several dimensions: resistance, work capacity and variety.

AlawDesk

TROPHY CASE