A fantastic day out on Tryfan, passing itself off as a training event. Well worth the sore quads the next day. This is Rich climbing up, a long way from the summit.Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Just like in the desert.....
A fantastic day out on Tryfan, passing itself off as a training event. Well worth the sore quads the next day. This is Rich climbing up, a long way from the summit.
Summer's over
So, that was the summer. Hardly a great year for getting used to running in the heat but all things considered, I'm not too upset with where things are currently.
After my last post I spent a week in Devon on holiday with the family and friends and only managed 1 run, but spent a lot of time stretching my leg muscles which was good. I came back not so much refreshed, but certainly not over trained like I was at the end of August last year.
On returning home, things have gone manic at work. This has put some pressure on the running, but so far I've been pretty disciplined and kept more or less to the schedule. The next big target was the High Peak 40 on 17 September. A few long runs of up to 20 miles were all I had time for in the build up, though frankly there's not much point running lots of much longer stuff. I bonked completely on the 2nd loop of Fairholmes a week before the HP40, which did my confidence no good at all.
On race day, I felt a bit lacking in oomph but ok for the first 14 miles, then it all started to unravel. I had a bad day. The next 24 miles were pretty abysmal really. No energy, sore knees and hip, and I had to really struggle to keep going. But keep going I did, cajoled on by an uncharacteristically spritely Rich. The last 2 or 3 miles were much better and I seemed to find enough to run pretty strongly home. Not enough to beat 9hours 30, but only 22 seconds outside it, and a full 1hour 15 quicker than last year so was pleased with the end result.
I was pretty sore after that, but managed a couple of mid-length runs the following week. Then track sessions with Sheffield Tri Club started up again on 27 Sept - an easy week to start us back into it (I haven't been track running for about 4 years) before getting serious in October. The aim is to try to inject a bit of speed into my running as I've kind of been training myself to plod. I'm pretty good at plodding now, but could do with an extra kick.
Last weekend was a sort of training weekend in Snowdonia with the Hammer & Pincers quiz team. A fantastic scramble up Tryfan and across the Glyders on Saturday, followed by a quick jaunt up Snowdon on Sunday. Interspersed with one or two beers, a curry, a poker night and much hilarity. My legs are actually pretty beaten up after that, I think from the downhill section on Saturday which saw us drop 900m in about 3km. So I'm resting up before getting on the turbo tomorrow and running again on Thursday.
After my last post I spent a week in Devon on holiday with the family and friends and only managed 1 run, but spent a lot of time stretching my leg muscles which was good. I came back not so much refreshed, but certainly not over trained like I was at the end of August last year.
On returning home, things have gone manic at work. This has put some pressure on the running, but so far I've been pretty disciplined and kept more or less to the schedule. The next big target was the High Peak 40 on 17 September. A few long runs of up to 20 miles were all I had time for in the build up, though frankly there's not much point running lots of much longer stuff. I bonked completely on the 2nd loop of Fairholmes a week before the HP40, which did my confidence no good at all.
On race day, I felt a bit lacking in oomph but ok for the first 14 miles, then it all started to unravel. I had a bad day. The next 24 miles were pretty abysmal really. No energy, sore knees and hip, and I had to really struggle to keep going. But keep going I did, cajoled on by an uncharacteristically spritely Rich. The last 2 or 3 miles were much better and I seemed to find enough to run pretty strongly home. Not enough to beat 9hours 30, but only 22 seconds outside it, and a full 1hour 15 quicker than last year so was pleased with the end result.
I was pretty sore after that, but managed a couple of mid-length runs the following week. Then track sessions with Sheffield Tri Club started up again on 27 Sept - an easy week to start us back into it (I haven't been track running for about 4 years) before getting serious in October. The aim is to try to inject a bit of speed into my running as I've kind of been training myself to plod. I'm pretty good at plodding now, but could do with an extra kick.
Last weekend was a sort of training weekend in Snowdonia with the Hammer & Pincers quiz team. A fantastic scramble up Tryfan and across the Glyders on Saturday, followed by a quick jaunt up Snowdon on Sunday. Interspersed with one or two beers, a curry, a poker night and much hilarity. My legs are actually pretty beaten up after that, I think from the downhill section on Saturday which saw us drop 900m in about 3km. So I'm resting up before getting on the turbo tomorrow and running again on Thursday.
Friday, 19 August 2011
....and relax.
A flurry of activity to report on since early June when I last posted. Training has been going pretty well really, and as it's summer holiday period I'm booking in for a couple of weeks off from running, mainly to avoid injury and give my ageing body a chance to recover but partly also because I'm trying to juggle looking after the kids through the summer, going to work and being on holiday and it's just too much to juggle sensibly.
Since my operation I've been receiving plenty of physio help and according to the experts, all is progressing very well. From my point of view it's slow going though and my shoulder still gives me considerable pain at times. The first big test of it was the Coniston Trail Marathon on 3 July, just 4 weeks after the op. The physios had a long debate over whether or not I should do it, then realised whatever they said I was likely to try it anyway so they showed me a strapping and sent me on my way. As it turned out the shoulder was fine. I carried a bum bag instead of a rucsac and that obviously kept any weight off the injury. The race itself was pretty tough though. Roasting hot, very exposed and far hillier than I'd anticipated. Combine that with some random mile markers around the course to confuse us all, and it proved a serious challenge. Richard, my training partner had a shocker of a day and so, combined with the topographical and atmospheric issues we jointly finished in 5 hours 25 mins. Not my fastest marathon, but a good test.
After a bit of recovery including some cycling, which was great for a change, our minds focused on the Long Tour of Bradwell in early August. In the lead up to that I did what is probably my daftest training run to date - 20 miles on a Monday morning with a deadline to end by 7.30am so my wife could get to work and I could take the kids to school. 3.30am saw me heading out into the dark, without a headtorch (I assumed being summer it would be light at that time - it wasn't). I slipped and slid down some very rocky and tree covered trails without being able to see my feet, and it wasn't until best part of an hour into the run that I was able to see fully. The route I had planned was a familiar 10 mile loop done twice. First loop was ok, on the 2nd loop however my energy just seemed to evaporate and every incline became a serious problem. I limped home at 7.15am just in time to start my day!
On to the Long Tour of Bradwell on 6 August - a 31 mile jaunt around the Peak District, with 6,500 ft of ascent thrown in for good measure. Brutal. Absolutely brutal. I felt good (as good as could be expected) for all bar the last 3 miles by which time I'd kind of switched off, but it was tough. Unfortunately Rich wasn't feeling great again so struggled for much of the way round. Low points for me included falling into a quarry and struggling to uncramp my left calf as it seized up, and coming in joint 2nd from last. But at least we finished - if you look closely, we're almost smiling! I kept well hydrated and fuelled well throughout, which for an event which took us 9 hours 31 minutes to complete (I said it was brutal!) was good going.
And since then I've been concentrating on recovery - sports massage (incredibly painful but allegedly good for me), and trying to stretch out my legs which are currently causing stiff lower back (hamstrings too tight) and tender right achilles tendon (calf muscles too tight). I've been in and out of work looking after the kids during school holidays for much of August, and I'm off on my jollies to Devon tomorrow for a week. Hoping to get some running in whilst away, but very steady stuff and not too tough I hope. When we get back there will be 32 weeks to go to the big race as the date has been set - we fly out on 5 April 2012. It's time to get serious I think, and really put my mind to getting fit and staying healthy, and I'm looking forward to all the shiny new kit I've got to get........
Since my operation I've been receiving plenty of physio help and according to the experts, all is progressing very well. From my point of view it's slow going though and my shoulder still gives me considerable pain at times. The first big test of it was the Coniston Trail Marathon on 3 July, just 4 weeks after the op. The physios had a long debate over whether or not I should do it, then realised whatever they said I was likely to try it anyway so they showed me a strapping and sent me on my way. As it turned out the shoulder was fine. I carried a bum bag instead of a rucsac and that obviously kept any weight off the injury. The race itself was pretty tough though. Roasting hot, very exposed and far hillier than I'd anticipated. Combine that with some random mile markers around the course to confuse us all, and it proved a serious challenge. Richard, my training partner had a shocker of a day and so, combined with the topographical and atmospheric issues we jointly finished in 5 hours 25 mins. Not my fastest marathon, but a good test.
After a bit of recovery including some cycling, which was great for a change, our minds focused on the Long Tour of Bradwell in early August. In the lead up to that I did what is probably my daftest training run to date - 20 miles on a Monday morning with a deadline to end by 7.30am so my wife could get to work and I could take the kids to school. 3.30am saw me heading out into the dark, without a headtorch (I assumed being summer it would be light at that time - it wasn't). I slipped and slid down some very rocky and tree covered trails without being able to see my feet, and it wasn't until best part of an hour into the run that I was able to see fully. The route I had planned was a familiar 10 mile loop done twice. First loop was ok, on the 2nd loop however my energy just seemed to evaporate and every incline became a serious problem. I limped home at 7.15am just in time to start my day!
 |
| Finishing the Long Tour of Bradwell |
And since then I've been concentrating on recovery - sports massage (incredibly painful but allegedly good for me), and trying to stretch out my legs which are currently causing stiff lower back (hamstrings too tight) and tender right achilles tendon (calf muscles too tight). I've been in and out of work looking after the kids during school holidays for much of August, and I'm off on my jollies to Devon tomorrow for a week. Hoping to get some running in whilst away, but very steady stuff and not too tough I hope. When we get back there will be 32 weeks to go to the big race as the date has been set - we fly out on 5 April 2012. It's time to get serious I think, and really put my mind to getting fit and staying healthy, and I'm looking forward to all the shiny new kit I've got to get........
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Chop chop
After a couple of weeks of good solid running I'm now recuperating after my long awaited operation to sort out my shoulder.
A 17.5 mile run followed by a 19.5 mile run 4 days later was necessary to get some key long runs in in preparation for the Lakeland Trails Marathon on 3rd July before the operation as I'm not sure how long it's going to put me out of action for. The long runs were successful - ended feeling pretty good, having succumbed to the delights of energy gels on each run. Following each of them with a full day at work was a challenge, but something I'll have to get used to as the distances increase and the time available to train diminishes.
I had some bone removed from my shoulder last Wednesday in an attempt to sort out the niggly pain which has persisted since last August. The operation went well apparently and I was out of hospital 6 hours after the operation. Once the anaesthetic wore off it was certainly sore, but I've got some very strong pain killers that seem to just send me to sleep all the time so it's manageable. I started the physio exercises as soon as possible to ensure I don't lose mobility and that has been by far the most painful part of the process so far. I'm no longer using the sling and am hoping that I will be able to get back running asap. The bike is set up in the garage on the turbo trianer just in case however. Only 4 weeks to the marathon so I could do with a speedy recovery ideally.
A 17.5 mile run followed by a 19.5 mile run 4 days later was necessary to get some key long runs in in preparation for the Lakeland Trails Marathon on 3rd July before the operation as I'm not sure how long it's going to put me out of action for. The long runs were successful - ended feeling pretty good, having succumbed to the delights of energy gels on each run. Following each of them with a full day at work was a challenge, but something I'll have to get used to as the distances increase and the time available to train diminishes.
I had some bone removed from my shoulder last Wednesday in an attempt to sort out the niggly pain which has persisted since last August. The operation went well apparently and I was out of hospital 6 hours after the operation. Once the anaesthetic wore off it was certainly sore, but I've got some very strong pain killers that seem to just send me to sleep all the time so it's manageable. I started the physio exercises as soon as possible to ensure I don't lose mobility and that has been by far the most painful part of the process so far. I'm no longer using the sling and am hoping that I will be able to get back running asap. The bike is set up in the garage on the turbo trianer just in case however. Only 4 weeks to the marathon so I could do with a speedy recovery ideally.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Just a quickie....
...the update that is, not the run. This morning was a belter - almost 15 miles on the way to work, gloriously sunny, varied terrain and, although pretty hard work, was stunning. The picture is about 6 miles into the run, about 7.30am on Stanage Edge in the Peak District and it's all on my doorstep.
Marvellous!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
The date is set
Confirmation came through today of the race dates - fly out on 5 April 2012 and return on 16 April 2012 with the actual race taking place from 8-14 April. That's 324 days away. That's not very long.
Luckily I have at least a vague plan of action as outlined in my races for 2011 shown on the right. Next up is the Lakeland Trails Marathon around Coniston less than 7 weeks away. I have some shoulder surgery to contend with in the meantime (it was postponed from this week to 1 June) so I'll have to see how that works out and fits in with my training.
Tomorrow morning brings with it a delightful 14 mile trip out into the Peak District on my way to work, and it's forecast to be sunny. Should be good. Having said that, based on how I looked at the end of the Sheffield Half Marathon, I may be struggling at work later on.......
Monday, 9 May 2011
Sheffield Half Marathon ticked off.
Sunday saw the first of the final year's preparation races ticked off - the Sheffield Half Marathon. 13.1miles through the scenic, and not so scenic streets of the Steel City. It wasn't the ideal preparation, going out until 2am on Saturday morning, followed by an alcohol induced chunder in the wee small hours, but by Sunday morning I was at the start line almost raring to go.
The race was quite warm and humid, but reasonably comfortable for most of it. I struggled a little from 11 miles and had to concede defeat to Rich (fellow MdS 2012 competitor and main training partner) in the last mile as my dehydrated state slowed my pace. Clocked a 1 hour 51 mins and 37 secs and was aiming at 1hour 50 so not too shabby all things considered.
Training since the last blog post has been steady - not all going to plan, but got some decent longish runs in - a brutal 66 minute return trip from Horton-in-Ribblesdale up to the top of Pen-y-Ghent and back in the Yorkshire Dales; a 2hours sweat-a-thon through the Peaks and a 10 miler round Fairholmes/Derwent Reservoir which I enjoyed a lot less than the night time run of the previous month.
Next step is to focus on the Lakeland Marathon round Coniston in July in 8 weeks' time. Only problem is I have to have an operation on my shoulder next week and I'm not sure how long it will prevent me from running. The bike is set up on the turbo trainer in the garage in case I can't run for a few weeks but it's not ideal. On the plus side, it should mean I can carry my pack in Morocco a little more comfortably than I can now. The downside to that is that distances don't really get any easier now until April 2012.
I've now booked in all the prep races I think I can handle between now and getting to the MdS so I have a good looking set of target training events to work towards.
The race was quite warm and humid, but reasonably comfortable for most of it. I struggled a little from 11 miles and had to concede defeat to Rich (fellow MdS 2012 competitor and main training partner) in the last mile as my dehydrated state slowed my pace. Clocked a 1 hour 51 mins and 37 secs and was aiming at 1hour 50 so not too shabby all things considered.
Training since the last blog post has been steady - not all going to plan, but got some decent longish runs in - a brutal 66 minute return trip from Horton-in-Ribblesdale up to the top of Pen-y-Ghent and back in the Yorkshire Dales; a 2hours sweat-a-thon through the Peaks and a 10 miler round Fairholmes/Derwent Reservoir which I enjoyed a lot less than the night time run of the previous month.
Next step is to focus on the Lakeland Marathon round Coniston in July in 8 weeks' time. Only problem is I have to have an operation on my shoulder next week and I'm not sure how long it will prevent me from running. The bike is set up on the turbo trainer in the garage in case I can't run for a few weeks but it's not ideal. On the plus side, it should mean I can carry my pack in Morocco a little more comfortably than I can now. The downside to that is that distances don't really get any easier now until April 2012.
I've now booked in all the prep races I think I can handle between now and getting to the MdS so I have a good looking set of target training events to work towards.
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