Archive for December, 2007
« Previous EntriesChristmas training
Monday, December 31st, 2007As it is Christmas week my training opportunities were varied. The gym was shut all week until Friday. It would appear however that my cold has abated for the festive period. I worked Christmas Eve but managed a short but uninspirational run of about 5 miles before starting on the food. We were away Christmas Day and Boxing Day so squeezed in a quick five miles before leaving on Christmas Day and about the same from my Dads house on Boxing Day along the canal. No great training benefit but it made me feel less guilty about eating and drinking a weeks worth of calories in two days.
Went and ran about 4 miles around the woods out the back of my house on Thursday with what felt like a lump of lead in my belly. Thankfully the gym reopened on Friday so despite feeling like a reoccurrence of the cold I went down and put in some quality time. Have planned two longer runs at the weekend.
No Comments »Running is the best medicine
Saturday, December 29th, 2007Got up Saturday and felt very rough. Took me about 3 hours to get myself ready and went out for a run hoping to sweat it out – this is not recommended by the way!!
Concocted a run of 15-16 miles never straying more than a couple of miles away from home. As you can imagine this meant a lot of short loops, I’m just lucky I live in the countryside. The “sweat it out” theory didn’t work and I felt even worse in the afternoon so went to bed early after a hot curry.
On Sunday I still felt rough but not so bad so decided on a flat run which basically means out the back door, through the woods and along a disused railway line for as long as I want. The longer I went on the better I felt and ended up doing a similar distance as yesterday but feeling stronger and stronger. Hopefully this will be the start of the end of it.
This coming weeks schedule will be sporadic due to Christmas but I’m hoping to get in some short runs before some long stuff next weekend. A very Happy Christmas to everyone reading.
No Comments »Are you serious?
Monday, December 24th, 2007Felt quite strong earlier in the week and had a good gym session on Monday followed by a strong 9-10 mile road run on Tuesday. However when Wednesday arrived the situation had been reversed – a large sniffle had embedded itself in me and my circuits session was a bit strained. Flipping typical, I haven’t had a cold for years and now I get two in the space of a few weeks!
On Thursday I managed a slow 5 miles before attending Wimborne AC Road Runners Christmas function. Wasn’t totally with it and wasn’t able to drink too much as I was driving on Friday. I did manage to pick up the “Are you serious” award for deciding to go back and attempt the MDS a second time, I sometimes ask myself the same question – thanks guys!
Due to my impeding bout of man-flu I struggled to a short spell in the gym and went home early to try and get some sleep. Still hoping to do some running this weekend.
No Comments »Moving forward
Thursday, December 20th, 2007I am keeping up the good streak that started last week. The treadmill in my gym was broken this morning so I had to settle for 50 mins on the exercise bike instead. I count that as 10 kms of running in my training diary. Maybe that is not correct, but I like to be able to compare training weeks.
We have wonderful winter weather here. A nice crisp cold, a clear sky and no wind at all. I might go out for an evening run as well tonight when the children are tucked in their beds.
No Comments »Running partner
Wednesday, December 19th, 2007Met up with Pat on Saturday who I have met through the TM forum. We did a 20 mile (mainly off-road) circuit around my local area. The weather was ideal for once, no rain and only a slight cold breeze. Not that I noticed much as we spent the whole time chatting like mad and the run seemed to take no time at all. Luckily our paces suited each other too. Another advert for running with friends, I would have been a lot slower without him and motivation would have been harder. We are planning another run together nearer to his place in a couple of weeks.
On Sunday I was planning to do about 28 miles but about 15 miles in I decided to cut it down to about 20 and followed a similar route to the day before. I had only had an hour or twos sleep following my wifes Christmas do on the Saturday night so elected to do a stronger 20 rather than struggle for another 8 miles and ruin the rest of the weekend. It turned out to be a good decision and I mentally felt better for it.
Will probably aim to do similar or less next weekend just before Christmas and then up it again afterwards.
No Comments »Cold training
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007Getting cold out there.. Last week saw me only train Monday – Wednesday and Saturday.
Monday was a steady 7 miles or so in the dark due to work commitments. Which is all good in the long term. It also allowed me to stretch my legs off after lolling about far too much making excuses on why I didn’t have time to go out.
Tuesday saw me go for a fast paced run over 8 mile, once again just to blow the cobwebs out after only running at race pace over the last couple of outings. This was enjoyable and even though it was Baltic it didn’t cause a big enough excuse not to go out :O)
Wednesday The dreaded Orienteering day.. 55 mins over a ridiculously short course considering the time. However it is a work out and although I hate it (only on days I perform badly on the courses) it is an hour on the feet.
Saturday Just tabbed 6 miles with race weight on and to keep the legs ticking over.. Overall a steady week to ease me into Xmas. Let’s hope the old motivation keeps me going over the festive period.
If this is my last post before the New Year Happy Xmas folks and hope you all have a good un… Cheers Tony.
No Comments »On track again - hopefully
Monday, December 17th, 2007I have been well for a week now and my training is slowly picking up. I did 10 plus 16 kms during the weekend and enjoyed it.
The weather is cold in Sweden now. This morning it was minus 2 degrees and a little snow on the ground. But that is actually good weather for running because the ground is fairly dry and the snow makes it brighter. The worst conditions for training are when the temperature moves under the freezing point at night and above during the day. Then you have ice and water on the streets both at once.
9 weeks left to the Thames Meander. Deduct 2 weeks for a taper which leaves 7 weeks of effective training. Not much really.
No Comments »Saving myself
Monday, December 17th, 2007A bit tired this week but not too bad following the wet and windy adventures at the weekend. Leg a bit sore but nothing major. Managed a couple of gym sessions, a circuit training class and two very short (3-5 mile) runs during the week. Nothing too strenuous due to work commitments, traffic and works Christmas do on Thursday. I think I am saving myself a bit for the weekend as am planning two long back to back runs again.
No Comments »Wet weather training
Thursday, December 13th, 2007My hopes of fine weather have been dashed yet again. Got up at about 6am on Saturday to clear skies. When I went to leave for my run an hour or two later the rain was relentless and didn’t stop until I got home 4-5 hours later having covered about 26 miles. The only parts which relieved me were when the wind was blowing from behind and I could open my eyes and see a way ahead. Other than that it was a haze of wind, rain and mud. I did make sure to take regular walking breaks to take on food and drink though. Arrived home very tired. About an hour after I got home the skies cleared again – gave me a sense of deja-vu.
Sunday I had planned to do about 22 miles so had measured a route down to Christchurch where I was planning to watch the start of the local Xmas 10k where a lot of our running club were running. The weather yet again let me down, not constant like yesterday but howling winds along the valley interspersed with freezing little storms kept me moving. Was a touch surprised to find that my GPS measured about 13 miles so having watched the start of the race I trudged back through the showers and wind to complete another 26 miles or so. The journey back was a real struggle as I had not done long back to back runs for a while and I had to walk quite a few detours to avoid floods. Needless to say the rest of the weekend was spent on my backside.
Having said that I was pleased to have done the mileage albeit in discomfort. My legs did not feel too tired although my left leg injury is feeling it a bit.
No Comments »Trying again
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007The cold has gone I make another try to get back in the training routine. I did 7 kms on the treadmill today in a nice relaxed mood. I will do the same tomorrow and then build from there. Hopefully I will meet no more setbacks for a while.
The days are short in Stockholm and with no snow on the ground it is just dark and gloomy everywhere. I have signed up for a 64 km clubrun Dec 30. Something to look forward to and to keep me motivated.
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