Archive for November, 2007
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Thursday, November 29th, 2007On Saturday my running partner and I decided we were ready to attack the course and use it as a real time worst case scenario session. Due to work, we unfortunately couldn’t meet until 1pm at checkpoint 2.
We then cross decked kit and drove down to the start point. Here I left my own car to the mercy of the skateboarders (no problems at all btw), bonus was the car park was free on a Saturday, bad news is I didn’t know that till the machine swallowed £4 of my cash due do it breaking..
We set off not long after, with our kit we expect to carry on the day. Our plan for the real event was to run 5 miles, then tab 5 miles hit a checkpoint and then continue after a quick kit change with our support team. This however became obviously an impossible task due to certain parts of the route, if in the same condition, being mud traps and not worth the injury to attempt. So a 50/50 split over the entire 10 miles is more likely as opposed to strict 5 miles running THEN 5 miles tabbing. We followed the OS mapping to the letter and in the main it was fine. Although we took a detour due to bad signing around a field which added probably ½ a mile as well as a quick rummage through some blokes garden :O). Lots of interesting things to see especially the really posh house with the miniature train track running through its grounds..Bizarre!!..
The first 10 miles were both scenic, fun and very easy on the body. We arrived at the Church in 2 hours after running 5 mileish and tabbing 5 mileish… All easy to find, and as I said easy to navigate. I know now I do not need the map for that section although it will be carried. The church provided, by its enclosed entrance a nice warm place to sit and change out of our wet kit and into something dry as well as a place to get some extra fluids and food on board… Thankfully the Vicar/Priest never turned up as he would have been in for a shock to find men and women semi naked drying off in his church entrance.
By now it had become dark, which in all fairness was a bonus, so we set off again at 4:08 pm and decided to treat this leg as a night time one and see how slow we would be if we just forced marched it all the way at around 4-5 MPH…. Navigating at night was pretty easy and standard in our jobs. Only the forks in the tracks at certain points caused concerns but the trusted signposts were there to ease any concerns and matched the mapping…The route nearer the end became harder work due to the earlier rain turning it into a real mud bath and it started raining again..
The end was welcome and after having the joy of realising the first car was still there we sat down in it to assess any aches and pains.. Both of us were fine and we had done the 20 miles along with breaks in just over 5 hours. Considering we tabbed around 2/3rds of the course this was very good news and made us realise we were well on track to get to where we want to be on the day..We had been sat there in the car only 5 mins and by now the windows had steamed up…Bearing in mind this is a very quiet out of the way car park we were pleased to have attracted the local police who were expecting to find something different from the two muddied up man and woman chatting about Thames Meander.. It did bring even more humour into the day as we realised what they thought we were up to. :O)
Over the next few weeks we will be doing legs 2-4 and 4 to finish. Thankfully we are in a position to train the longer distances on the Tow Path as we both live within driving distance. Overall a great day out and nice to push out the distance and go at the slowest pace we ever intended to go and still nearly hit our predicted best times.. The next day we both only had slight aches as would be expected. Good times…:O)
No Comments »Boscombe views
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007I had another gym session on Friday following my hill exertions the night before. On Saturday I went for a 10/11 mile run off-road with a pack to give the leg a bit more of a test. I was tired at the end but the leg felt fine, it is still a bit swollen but no pain which to me is good. Luckily I missed the rain as well.
On Sunday I went and ran the last Dorset Road League race at Boscombe. Only 10k but that means having to speed up a bit so was a bit puffed at the end. Lovely weather and organisation but unfortunately the scenery in Boscombe is lacking (non-existent) and the course feels a bit mixed up and there are no places to get any rhythm going. Was glad to finish and complete all the races this year. Am planning to do a couple of mid-week runs this week to give the leg a bit more of a test before I start my longer runs next weekend.
No Comments »Pain, injury and socks
Monday, November 26th, 2007The mileage going up and up, the long runs stretching out to 3 and 4
hours 3 times a week and the slow pace ensures injuries are less likely.
Top tips.
WE ALL LOVE PAIN
Run in the rain and get a very sore rash from your heavy back pack.
It is good to experience discomfort before the race so you can put it
right. Also get used to some things going wrong and enjoy the pain,
it is good mental training.
GET A NEW INJURY TO TALK ABOUT
My wife safely negotiated almost a year of breast feeding without any
ill effects of even a grumble but 4 hours running the Cotswold way
and I managed to get infected nipples and almost enough antibiotics
to cure the resulting mastitis. At least it gives Mrs W a laugh!
BUY NEW SOCKS
As we runners know the only part of the body we don’t look after is
our feet. Having run in the same socks for about 3 years it is time
to treat the feet. New socks are bliss but if you want to really feel
like running on air try a trip to the chiropodist too. Not sure
that’s a job I could do……
Jog on.
No Comments »My training last week
Monday, November 26th, 2007No ill effects from the 10 miler on Sunday, just a slight feeling of tiredness so have taken it easy again for a few days. A couple of short sessions in the gym at the beginning of the week and back to first Circuit class on Wednesday. Unfortunately I was the only one there due to the football so had a quiet session which was far preferable to watching our mighty football team throw yet another chance of qualification down the drain. Having said that I was expecting it which is why I chose to exercise rather than bite my nails for 90 minutes.
Went for the club run on Thursday to be greeted by the joy of a hill session which blew away a few cobwebs but did make me tired. The good news is that there was no adverse reaction to my injury so I am confident of some better running this weekend.
No Comments »A scary experience
Monday, November 26th, 2007I am back at home after a scary experience which ended at the hospital.
We had a get together after-work before the weekend. While I was drinking my first beer I grabbed a chunk of peanuts and did not see that the where other nuts in the bowl. I happened to eat a paranut. After a few minutes I realised that something was wrong. My tongue and throat started to swell, I became red in the face and started to sweat tremendously. I hoped that the problems would disappear but suddenly I became all dissy and passed out on the floor in front of all my boss and colleagues.
I got to hospital and they see that I had suffered a severe allergic shock. They could fight with a shot of adrenalin and other medications. After I night at the hospital I am back at home now and I feel much better.
No training for a few days though.
No Comments »Wimborne 10
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007Saturdays short run was about 7-8 miles off road. Leg was slightly uncomfortable but no pain although it felt sore in the afternoon. Weather was nice so maybe the forecasters had got it wrong.
Up at 5am on Sunday to prepare the course for the Wimborne 10. Spent two and a half hours putting out the signs and mile markers in the pouring rain and wind. Once finished I hid in my car trying warm up and dry off whilst changing for the race. Back out again to get wet and cold before the start. Was shivering on the start line but once away I warmed up although many parts of the course were now submerged.
I managed to warm up during the first mile and ended up running it fairly steadily with no pain. Once finished I deteriorated rapidly so missed out on the cakes and jumped in the car to warm up and get home as I had no more dry clothes.
Leg again felt a bit sore in the afternoon but no worse and didn’t cause me a problem.
I will take it easy again this coming week to improve things a bit more and have another easier weekend next week I think.
Training and Orienteering
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007The last couple of weeks I have been putting in some miles but not enough according to my schedule. Saying that as I believe the second half to be all top two inch (brain induced will power) I reckon i’m more than on track at the moment.
I’m still Orienteering on Wednesdays and have actually started improving that much that i’m only 10 mins off my Nemesis who has been doing this since he left the womb :O)
So the will to continue Orienteering once I have beaten the press ganger may not be there.
Apart from that two weeks ago I did a 6 mile kit march carrying 15kg which was done in 1 and a half hours very very comfortably. Followed the next day by a long swim and a hard gym work out.
This last week has seen me able to train with my Thames Meander Partner for the first time. On Monday I ran alone for 5 miles, Tuesday was a working day but Wednesday and Thursday saw us out at night running 8 miles then 7 miles. It was great to get out there and run together.
We have both decided now (or for now) to run 5 miles, tab 5 miles, checkpoint, kit change then off again.. This in theory will make us well under time and on for a good finish. Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw rest days due to travel and Monday saw a return to the running alone with a 5 miler at pace to blow out the cobwebs…
Overall I know in myself my stamina is very good and things at this moment in time are going nearly to plan. After a couple more run/tabs this week we both intend on doing 20 miles on the tow path this week end so if anyone is about look out for us.
No Comments »On the mend
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007Have spent all last week either resting or visiting the gym trying to keep my body moving without putting any stress on my legs. Am a lot happier now I seem to have a correct diagnosis and the leg has improved considerably. I can now walk pain-free and am hopeful that it is on the mend. I will try a short jog on Saturday morning to give it a short try as I am entered into the Wimborne 10 on Sunday and would like to run even if I will not be racing. I will probably try something short and off-road and without a backpack. Weather looks like it will be rubbish though.
No Comments »Autumn again
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007It´s warmer again and all the snow has disappeared. It looks a lot gloomier outside but it is easier to run. I did a fast 13 km run yesterday at a 5 min/km pace. I really felt relieved to able to run freely outdoors again. I have done a lot of treadmill running the last weeks.
Treadmill running is efficient and has many advantages. The biggest advantage is that it makes you appreciate running outdoors.
No Comments »More speed training
Friday, November 16th, 2007For a long while I have frustrated over my lack of speed. I would like to be able to cruise along for several hours at a speed of 5 mins/km.
This week I have done two speed sessions on the treadmill. Yesterday I did 2 times 4 kms and today 3 times 3 kms. I held an average speed of 4m50s/km. It was not an impressive start but quite O.K. I should be able to the intervalls at 4m30s/km in a month or so.
Speed training outdoors is out of the question now. The streets have nasty patches of ice everywhere and the temperature goes below zero in evenings.
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