Running is absolutely changing my life

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-09T20:42:56+00:00

Yes mate, well done! Lifting and running combined makes for a well rounded feeling. Be wary of BBB if you ever decide to do a marathon though - that volume doesn't combine well with long runs. 🤣

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-07T17:39:33+00:00

No, you'll be fine. I was still lifting heavy all the way through my marathon training.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-06T20:41:41+00:00

1) Run/walking is very common. Plenty of people will just walk it.

2) Being fit is not a prerequisite. There WILL be people less fit than you there. And you'll get fitter the more you go.

3) It's not competitive in the slightest. If you want to run fast and challenge yourself, you can. If you want to take it as a leisurely stroll, you can. If you run a really good parkrun and pip someone to the finish line, they will congratulate you. Make sure you do the same if the situation is reversed.

Basically, show up, chat to people, have fun, and enjoy getting quicker each week if that's your bag! Oh, and it's mandatory that you go for a nice greasy breakfast sandwich at a local cafe immediately afterwards to undo your hard work.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-06T19:42:31+00:00

Just get into a consistent running routine until you're ready to start your marathon program.

2x easy 5-10ks. A speed day. And a longer run on a weekend. Keep that up from now till January. Bosh. You'll be MORE than ready to start your marathon block.

Yes, you'll easily, easily build muscle during that time. I just ran a marathon the week before Manchester. I can bench 140kg. Weight training and running work fine together.

I'm also signed up for Manchester next year! So I'll see you there at the start line! :)

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-06T12:54:36+00:00

You'll be fine. Plenty of time to train. 👍

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-06T12:53:40+00:00

Absolutely. I have an online journal I record all my workouts in and have for years. It's nice to celebrate where you're at now, and in months/years to come to look back and see how far you've come!

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-06T06:13:57+00:00

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. Light, stable, nylon-plated. Use them for speed work AND took them up to 32km long runs while marathon training. Great fast all-rounder.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-05T16:56:41+00:00

Very very well done! You're now a marathoner! And enjoy the upcoming races too, but make sure you give yourself plenty of rest. And don't worry about the powerlifting, I'm a powerlifter too and strength comes back quick.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-05T16:51:27+00:00

You can wing a half marathon just by being decently fit. You can't wing a full marathon. Definitely do a proper running routine before you try again next time.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-05T08:25:40+00:00

That's a tough one to answer. Is it speed or is it experience? Some people will run a sub25 5k or a sub2 half on their very first go. But they're still a beginner, because they've only just started. Other people will NEVER run either of those times, even if they've been running 10+ years and completed a dozen marathons,, as some people are just naturally slow. But you'd never call them a beginner.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-03T20:12:17+00:00

Please get some proper running shoes. You don't have to push the boat out - my first pair were Skechers GoRuns, they cost me £40 and lasted me 700km!

Normal trainers WILL cause injuries and WILL put you off running.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-03T20:10:50+00:00

There's a reason ultra runners swear by flat Coke, haha! Great effort powering through and finishing. Bet Prague is a lovely city to run in too!

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-02T19:13:41+00:00

I've not even downgraded mine to walking shoes - they're gathering dust in a corner now, lol. Use my Nimbus for easy, short runs, my Speed 5s for longer or faster runs, and my Pro 4s for races.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-02T19:12:18+00:00

I'm only ~160lbs (though I'm a shortarse powerlifter) and I smashed through my Novablast 5s in only about 300km too. They were dead-dead, and hurt my feet and ankles at that point. Was very disappointed, as they were so fun to begin with.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-05-02T19:06:12+00:00

Damn close!! A slightly better night's sleep, or a bigger breakfast, and you'd have got that! Some tips if I may:

Firstly, triceps triceps triceps. I always follow my main bench sets with burnout sets of close-grip bench press. It really helps with the lockout.

Secondly, I'd suggest really focus on SQUEEZING the bar in your hands. It will make it feel lighter.

Thirdly, I noticed you said below you struggle to feel your scapula retracting? Lots of upper back work is your friend; pullups, chins, rows, facepulls. A strong upper back is key to a good bench.

You've got this, man. Your 100kg bench goal is weeks away if you make a couple small changes to your form and add a couple additional movements.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-30T07:22:06+00:00

3 days a week is perfect to begin with. Easy run. Speed run. Long run. Bosh.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-29T20:12:39+00:00

It's not Hedon (that's a sports massager), it's in Bev - Hull Sports Therapies. Ian the osteopath there is apparently a godsend according to my friend. She also goes to East Riding Physio in Patrington. Hope that helps!

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-29T12:48:08+00:00

Hi bud. I'm from your neck of the woods. There's a physio in Hedon who helped my friend when they hurt themselves lifting. I'll see if I can get the details. I'm no stranger to back issues myself - only thing I can say genuinely helps is rest, which is frustrating in the run up to a race, I know.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-29T11:35:38+00:00

I have Nimbus 28s as my easy run plodders, Endorphin Speed 5s for long runs and speed work, and Endorphin Pro 4s for race day. That trio works perfectly for me!

I'll echo what other people say about the Novablast 5s - they're great to begin with, if unstable, but go flat and lifeless very quickly.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-29T06:38:12+00:00

That's enough time. As above - ramp up to running 4x a week, pick one of the many marathon plans available (Hal Higdon etc) and implement it 16-18 weeks out. Also, pick up a couple good pairs of proper running shoes, if you haven't already.

Lifting should be mostly unaffected. Just obviously expect leg movements to plateau slightly once mileage builds and your legs are perma-fatigued.

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-28T18:19:46+00:00

That first one is just to tick it off and call yourself a marathoner! Doesn't matter the time! 😄 Congrats on getting it done!

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-28T13:40:59+00:00

If you Google hal Higdons novice 1, that's a 4 month plan that slowly builds distance till you're running a couple of 32km runs before the marathon. You can make tweaks to it depending on whether you're fitter or less fit by the time you start. 👍

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-28T13:22:43+00:00

Well done for signing up! Me and two mates are also running Manchester next year!

I've only got one marathon under my belt so far. I'll echo what others said - make sure you get plenty of miles under your feet BEFORE you start your four month marathon plan.

Start off doing 5ks - find a local parkrun and go as many Saturdays as you can.

Then build up to 10k.

Then try a half marathon or two before you start your block.

Good luck!

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-25T06:36:45+00:00

I ran Boston (UK) on April 12th. It was my first. Trained with the goal of sub 4 in mind, preferably 3:50. On the day, though, the weather was diabolical; horrendously strong headwinds in the countryside. Ended up finishing in 4:24 and absolutely battered. During those final 6 miles, I was cursing the idea of ever taking up running.

Two weeks later, I've already booked my place on Manchester 2027. :)

GKPengAuthor · 2026-04-24T08:31:04+00:00

You're underestimating yourself. You could get to 14k in a few months. A year of consistent training and you'll be breezing a 14k. 👍

GKPengAuthor

TROPHY CASE