Andy
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New Year’s eve and back to the circuit training
Monday, January 7th, 2008New Years week was never going to be too productive due to various commitments and my cold is still hanging around. I managed a quick trip to the gym on New Years Eve before the centre closed and then spent the evening in good company with some running mates and their children until the small hours. It was great fun as usual despite not drinking as I was driving. I was ill during the early hours and felt weak when lining up for the local New Years Day Quarter Marathon but kept a steady (not fast) pace around before collecting award at the end for completing all of last years League Races again.
Back to circuit class on Wednesday when the expected large post Christmas turnout didn’t show. Then managed a short run Thursday (6 miles) and a gym session Friday. Planning another long weekend to keep me used to the endurance.
No Comments »50-mile Weekend
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008On Saturday morning I went to Pats house and we ran out from there along the beach onto the Sandbanks ferry and onto the Isle of Purbeck. From there we ran along the beach, up the cliffs and over the hills to Corfe Castle and then cut back across to the ferry before running back home. All in all it totalled 27 miles and I enjoyed all of it – even some of the hills which had us walking hands on knees up them. Luckily the rain from Friday had gone but had been replaced by high winds which made one or two of the ups and downs a touch more interesting.
On Sunday I ran from home North up the Avon Valley Path as far as Downton and back – again about 27 miles. No wind or rain but loads of mud and was pleased that once I had covered a few miles I managed to run most of it including some of the hills. My legs are definitely getting stronger. I also covered some paths which I had not been on before. Unfortunately about 5/6 miles from home I developed a nose bleed which meant I had to walk a lot of the last few miles. The good thing though is that I still felt strong and capable of running and another weekend with 50+ miles completed is a confidence booster. Will be looking to do similar mileage next weekend.
No Comments »Christmas 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 »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 »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 »Lots of energy (bars)
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007Nothing much to report this week. The rain has eased off a bit allowing me a couple of short midweek runs. Also managed to get back to the circuits class on Wednesday and a couple of gym sessions. No adverse reaction to my leg which is still a touch sore but no worse.
I have been stocking up on all those energy snacks I will be using for the Meander and possibly onwards to the MDS again. A good excuse to get loads of rubbish down my throat with no conscience. At the moment I have got Peanut Kitkats, Jelly Babies, Pepperamis, peanuts, Go bars and gels as well as plenty of SIS energy powder. The Kitkats and Jelly Babies will have to stay at home for the MDS though!
Planning two long runs for the next two weekends if I can take it, hopefully the rain and wind will hold off this time.
No Comments »Rain rain rain…
Thursday, December 6th, 2007I went for a 10-11 mile run on Saturday in cool, clear and sunny conditions. Perfect running weather and was almost disappointed to stop in the end. I wasn’t particularly fast but a few more miles covered and an enjoyable run were more important.
On Sunday I stretched out to about 22 miles but the weather made it hard going. As soon as I got up it was pouring with rain and gusting high winds so I went out as soon as I could to get it over and done with. Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed it despite spending most of the run with my head down admiring my feet, the mud and how deep some of the puddles got. The first half of the run was hilly on the tracks in the forest around nearby and the second half along the Avon Valley Path in mainly flat but more exposed paths. As I got home the clouds cleared and the sun came out for the afternoon, flipping typical! Having said that I felt a much better sense of achievement having run in the conditions I did.
I need to start stringing some long runs back to back soon to build up to mid February and also get used to carrying a larger pack.
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