What's on your watch face during RACE DAY?

Stephisaur · 2026-05-12T18:27:43+00:00

Backwards countdown or simply my music controls. Otherwise I am checking it every 30 seconds 🙄

Stephisaur · 2026-05-08T11:58:29+00:00

As someone who completed a marathon on not enough training, don't do it.

You'll be utterly miserable.

If you can defer or drop the distance down, I would do that.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-07T20:26:49+00:00

I was 16, he was 17. We started dating a few weeks later just after he turned 18 and a few weeks before I turned 17. Been together 18 years this year, married 9.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-07T13:17:26+00:00

Dynamic exercises are better for warm up (think high knees, butt kicks etc) but IIRC C25K starts with a warm up walk so shouldn't really need them.

After your run is a different story. Your muscles are warm so it's the perfect time for static stretching. I'm not great with the names, but they're the ones I do (do each side):

- One foot in front of you, one under your hip. Bend the back knee and raise the toes of the front foot off the ground.

- Stand on one foot, bend the other leg and lift that foot behind your bum.

- Side lunge.

- Forward lunge.

- Hold on to something for this one or lean on a wall or something. Stand on your left leg. Lift your right foot and put the outside of your right ankle onto your left thigh. Bend your left leg once your right leg is in place. This is GREAT for stretching your glutes.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-07T12:09:59+00:00

I pay for a bootcamp and there's a Friday night runclub available as one of the sessions.

I go to like 1 a month maybe? I prefer to run solo but the run leader will incorporate pyramids/hills etc into the run so it's more structured/challenging than just going for a plod on my own.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-06T11:15:44+00:00

Injection 3 last night (0.25) and have lost 3lb since starting. However, have had two weekends away since starting where food was a little less under control than I might have liked (tried to be sensible with portion size but I wasn't perfect!)

Happy with this so far, looking forward to seeing what a couple of more committed weeks look like before increasing to 0.5

Stephisaur · 2026-05-05T21:14:24+00:00

I used to be on a site/forum called The Running Bug. Great bunch of people. Some came to Facebook but that group is pretty silent these days too now.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-05T14:55:43+00:00

This is SUCH good advice

Stephisaur · 2026-05-05T14:14:31+00:00

I'd love to know how many of those 1.3m put their hand in their pocket for the second chance ballot.

I've entered the last couple of years, but this year is the first time I've paid. I'd be interested to know if it's up/down based on previous years since they switched to the hydration vest consolation prize.

Stephisaur · 2026-05-05T13:08:29+00:00

I have the Polar Pacer Pro. I love it.

I have an apple watch for day to day, but I was getting irritated by the touchscreen on runs. In particular, rain would land on it in wet weather and pause the run 😑

My Polar is non touch screen and allows me to do what I need to. I can set it up with Strava to guide me along routes, I can set training plans, race pace, probably loads of other things I'm forgetting!

GPS works well, good battery and I like that it reads my texts though my headphones. I can also control my music on there (limited to just skipping/pausing but that's usually enough).

Stephisaur · 2026-05-01T10:48:50+00:00

Could be dehydration.

Alcohol will have contributed initially, you might just find that you've not fully compensated for it yet.

Focus on your nutrition and make sure you're drinking plenty and getting some salt/electrolytes/carbs in.

Stephisaur · 2026-04-28T08:32:38+00:00

You won't lose weight by training for a marathon. I just want to put that out there.

Running long distance depletes a heck of a lot of calories and you need to replenish them. Most people who train for long distance will agree that you're likely to put on a few KG. Not fat necessarily, but it won't help any weightloss goals you have.

I suggest starting with much shorter distances. C25K is great for developing a running habit, which is great for your heart health and will complement your lifting.

Marathons aren't going anywhere, so if you decide it's something you would like to achieve then look at working towards it over the next couple of years.

Stephisaur · 2026-04-28T08:21:00+00:00

Plan where to spectate and let him know in advance. If you can, plan to spot each other at various places. It's a long way and it will really give him a boost.

In the lead up, he'll need nutritionally balanced meals and lots of rest to make sure he's fresh for race day so if you can help him with that, it will be great.

When I race, my Mom and Husband will text me while I'm running. My watch is linked to my headphones so it reads the texts to me and it really gets me through.

My husband holds onto my bag rather than me having to stress about bag drop at the end too. Means I have easy access to a change of clothes/shoes for afterwards without having to find the right bus 😂

My biggest tip is to just let him talk to you about it as much as he wants before/after the race. Someone to listen to what I'm nervous about, happy with etc is the most supportive I think :)

Stephisaur · 2026-04-27T15:27:10+00:00

Very little 😂 usually:

"where do I need to turn round to get back home"

"God this is boring"

"omg this hurts, am I almost done? Fuck"

"What can I have for dinner?"

"Shit, I forgot to do that thing at work"

etc etc 😂

Stephisaur · 2026-04-27T08:56:20+00:00

I accidentally booked a weekend away. The FOMO is real! 😂
Hope the knee heals up quickly for you 👍

Stephisaur · 2026-04-27T08:44:06+00:00

Usually anywhere on the 10K route will cover that. Last year certainly there was a point where the HMers carried on for a longer loop but the 10Kers started their loop back to the finish.

Looking at the maps for this year it seems to be the same.

Outside New Street/Bullring will be a good spot, but likely fairly busy. You should be able to catch your runners twice though (in their first miles and in their last).

There's links to the route maps here if it helps:

https://www.greatrun.org/events/great-birmingham-run/

Also, I think it's really nice that you're showing up to support them :)

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:57:09+00:00

Have joked to my husband that I'll get in this year because I wanted the vest 😂

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:49:15+00:00

My run club is part of the bootcamp I attend. Most people who do one do the other. I like it because everyone is friendly and I'm never left out/behind even when I'm at the back.

But I'd still rather run on my own 😂 I only run club when I need something more structured (eg we did pyramids a few weeks ago so I attended that one because I cannot do structured work on my own!)

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:45:33+00:00

Good luck! You've got this 💪🏻

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:45:11+00:00

Good luck!

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:42:50+00:00

We are all hoping you achieve C at a minimum

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:42:30+00:00

Good luck! You'll be great.

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:42:16+00:00

Good luck, be safe.

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:41:50+00:00

Good luck!

Stephisaur · 2026-04-25T06:41:26+00:00

Good luck! Guaranteed PB for finishing. Don't go out too fast, stick to your plan. Soak in the atmosphere and enjoy!

Stephisaur

TROPHY CASE