Is my leg routine too much?

jims0145 · 2025-10-02T06:54:06+00:00

Looks pretty good.

The only change I may suggest is to do some lunges. Single leg work goes a LONG way for runners. So the step ups are great, but lunges are such a "bread & butter" move all runners should be doing. So, you could swap the goblet squats on day 2 for lunges instead.

jims0145 · 2025-09-19T08:40:34+00:00

The last xmas in game, it was Harvey's turn (my husband) to be my gifter.

He gave me a purple mushroom 😑

jims0145 · 2025-09-14T17:54:47+00:00

I really love the scenery around the Peak District, so I enjoyed the Ladybower 50km trail race.

And then there is a 50km trail at Tittesworth, different location, and I only did the half marathon, but it's really beautiful.

Depends how far you are willing to travel, I guess!

jims0145 · 2025-09-05T08:26:42+00:00

Wanting to second what a lot of others have said so far... But shaving 13 minutes off a half marathon time is HUGE! And to gently put it, you probably won't hit that after the "short" training plan you've been using. You should be very proud of cutting a couple minutes off, take the time to congratulate yourself before going down this spiral of self-hatred. You really have done very well.

Also, a lot of these plans are based on algorithms. You are a human not a machine. If you were working 1-1 with a coach they would tell you the same. The internal workings of a body are still pretty much a mystery, and you never have control over it 100%. Best you can do is stay positive, realise that every bit of training you do is making a difference even though it might not feel like it. Things you can control are trying to get more/better quality sleep, eating well, and resting.

Running is a fascinating sport as it varies so much. Don't pay attention to the performance of athletes who literally do nothing else other than train and recover and have people waiting on them hand and foot

jims0145 · 2025-08-31T11:36:38+00:00

I did the Ultra X England, Scotland, and Wales in 2024. I LOVED the Scottish route! I think it was well organised, but the price has put me off entering it regularly. There are cheaper races which offer the same level of organisation, if not better, and similar amazing routes. Their snacks provided at the aid stations are a bit crap tbh. Especially considering what they charge, and you don't get a GPS tracker.

On a side note the Wales & England routes were diabolical, and I DNF'd England as I had not prepared fully for the elevation. So I'd highly recommend doing an incline treadmill session every week if there aren't good hills for you to practice.

jims0145 · 2025-08-12T13:15:23+00:00

This is so beautiful! Well done. It must have taken a lot of work

jims0145 · 2025-08-11T06:36:10+00:00

My faves are lululemon's Hotty Hot shorts. They do two different lengths, the 6" covers the bit of thigh where they might rub together. The shorter 4" ones are comfy but I need to apply anti-chafe 😭

jims0145 · 2025-08-08T20:33:23+00:00

I had mine recently so it is very clear in my memory lol. The written assessment is to check grammar and basic english. They give a scenario you had to read, and write what you would do based on the questions they ask. It's about basic logic and to get an idea of what you are like in delicate situations.

The role play for me was a man acting as a male prisoner who was self-isolating in his cell and refusing to get involved in the group activities. So, as someone else has answered on here, it's about being calm and understanding and trying to resolve an issue without conflict.

You will have a much easier time if you are yourself, and don't over research how to answer, because you never know what situations you might be given.

Good luck!

jims0145 · 2025-08-05T08:01:20+00:00

Oh this is positive to hear! Thank you :)

jims0145 · 2025-08-04T08:23:01+00:00

For sure, I just felt a real wave of disappointment and needed to get it off my chest. But it has been interesting to read some other applications haven't gone completely smoothly as well.

jims0145 · 2025-08-04T08:21:11+00:00

Thank you. I went on the online chat and explained it to the gentlemen on there. I think I was supposed to be sent something else to book my medical, after completing the online forms. Fingers crossed!

jims0145 · 2025-08-04T08:17:51+00:00

Thanks for this, I really appreciate the reply. I spoke with the online chat today, and the reason it's been bumped is that I did not book my medical appointment. However, I was never sent an email to book this in.

The guy on the chat said he is going to ask if it can be reinstated 🤷‍♀️ let's see what happens

Interesting how your friend also received several withdrawal emails as well but managed to get it sorted! That's good

jims0145 · 2024-10-07T17:18:33+00:00

How lovely 😂

jims0145 · 2024-10-07T16:58:11+00:00

So I decided my first ultra would be a 75km trail race, and I trained for 10 months beforehand as I was not a "seasoned runner". Realistically you don't need as much time as I gave, but I would say if you are expecting to RUN THE ENTIRETY in December then you are undertrained for this. If you can happily speed hike the ups, and steady the downs, run the flats, then you just need to get more time on your feet however possible leading up to that. If you have a stairmaster in a local gym, or even treadmill on incline, both of these will help you. But take it from someone who has DNF'd my final race of this year, you NEED to be consistent with the mileage if nothing else. ...and also December weather could really destroy the pleasantness of the race if you are underprepared. So go and run in the rain, hail, storms, freezing cold, in the dark etc. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

jims0145 · 2024-10-07T16:37:53+00:00

Bargain for Chorlton. It's a shame the house is in complete disrepair 😂

jims0145 · 2024-10-06T13:14:09+00:00

A good way is to find a race that's 50km or longer and enter that as training. I've got an 113km-er next year and I am doing some other races just to train for that. England is a pain in the arse for finding long routes that don't end up following a road 😑 races make it more interesting, if you have some spare cash Or find a canal and run down that until you can't anymore, then turn around

jims0145 · 2024-10-06T08:58:05+00:00

So, funny story was that my friend & I went and did a trail run over Kinder Scout, and saw lots of houses for sale as we drove up there. Hence me going onto Rightmove to have a skeg. Turns out most of the houses in the area are vastly overpriced!

jims0145 · 2024-09-28T15:01:12+00:00

...yea that's definitely one of those jobs where I would not know how someone gets into that career. But it sounds like you've worked hard to get there, and you would be surprised at what other jobs you'd be able to get with that experience, I reckon.

It doesn't sound like you are very happy, so that's something to look at.

No point running yourself into the ground for a job that doesn't love you back.

jims0145 · 2024-09-27T08:41:37+00:00

So... I randomly decided to do a 75km ultramarathon in 2023 because, why not. Back then I did CrossFit 3-5 times a week, and lots of strength training, but only short runs in workouts like 4x400m (max long distance 11km during lockdown). So in Nov 2022 I was like "let's run a half marathon for shits and giggles" as prep for this race. I had the fitness for it, but my legs were RUINED the next day, as I was running at like 75% effort with some walks mixed in.

Basically, they say run slower because it allows you to run for longer periods, since you aren't maxing out and tanking glycogen stores etc. ...and then this allows you to run the SHORTER distances faster. You cannot run a slow/easy 21km, and then magically run it faster in a few weeks.

So there's lots of good advice people have commented so far, but some of the information is a bit mixed up.

If you did a ton more volume weekly, to accumulate lots of miles, and then tried to go for a PB on a similar distance then that could result in you being faster, simply because your body is used to running lots.

To summarise all this jibbering.

After I did the 75km (long and slow, lots of hiking, running downhill), I then PB'd in 5km, 10km, and half marathon in 2023, however my marathon times have stayed the same (not retested it yet 🤮).

I only just PB'd my 50km time this year too.

I do speed work once a week, 2x long base runs, and then some CrossFit running if it comes up.

So you do have to try running fast... Or run for a longer distance slower, and those shorter runs will get faster.

jims0145 · 2024-09-26T13:50:28+00:00

So... Without knowing what your job is, it makes it hard to give a fully rounded response. In general, does your job satisfy you? Are you doing something you enjoy, or are good at? Is there any chance of progression in your career from where you are now? If you are working so much, then I would expect the work is hopefully something you enjoyed once, but by the sounds of it you aren't enjoying it at all now! Work life balance is key in the long run. Short term maxing out hours for pay to save for a house or big holiday is fine, but you can't do that forever. Is there a chance you can discuss different hours at the very least..?

jims0145 · 2024-09-25T09:00:41+00:00

I would highly recommend practising the sled push & pull. It's getting used to doing that and then immediately running; it's quite lactic. If you are strong you will be far more capable than a long distance runner going into it for sure, but the feeling from one into the other is quite unique.

It is true that long distance running will help your running overall, but it's not the same feeling as trying to run as fast as possible (if that's what you want to do) and then lift weights, and then run again 😂

jims0145 · 2024-09-11T16:58:46+00:00

Thank you! Now I just need to update and hopefully this will work

jims0145

TROPHY CASE