A couple of OK runs hopefully means I can get back in to training properly - though as I've missed the best part of a month in training and gone slightly backwards instead of forwards the target is now just to get round somehow instead of run for a target time.
By now I was hoping to be able to run 9 or 10 miles - I'm managing about 4. I should be able to get that up to around 8 miles in training before the GNR but that is still along way left for the crowd to inspire me for. I'm now looking at around 3 hours to complete the 13.1 mile course instead of the 2:15 I'd hope for.
I'm trying a change of strategy on the training too - more bike and rowing machine work to get the aerobic abilities up while putting less stress on the joints. Basically trying to balance the need to train with out overdoing it and injuring myself again.
August is going to be a hard month
Friday, 31 July 2009
Monday, 27 July 2009
The non running runner
A couple of weeks ago I had a problem with my left calf – a real tight knot inside, a bit like cramp but came on gradually and took a couple of days to fully disappear. Rest for about 4 days and tried it once again, rested a few more days then got the bike out. I was able to cycle fine – though legs and bottom not really used to it and as the bike has lain virtually unused for a couple of years it wasn’t quite right either.
The nut that holds the left crank on has decided it wants to undo itself as you ride along. I just about got home on the first ride out (5 miles). I did it up with a socket before the second ride and it lasted about a half a mile so rode back, tightened it up again this time with a box spanner which enabled me to get it tighter. Much better but it only lasted about 7miles, still 2 miles from home. I’d brought the spanner with me but only a short bar rather than the long one I’d used before to tighten it up. This time is was only about a mile before it started to come loose again but with careful nursing I managed to get home before the pedal and crank fell of completely – time for a more reliable solution.
Between the rides I when on the rower at the gym so hopefully my fitness won’t have gone too far backwards. It does mean it hasn’t moved forwards at all for about a month and it’s now unlikely I’ll complete the GNR in anything like a respectable time. Now it’s just a case of trying to get some running in and do enough work to get two thirds of the way round and then see what’s left from there.
The nut that holds the left crank on has decided it wants to undo itself as you ride along. I just about got home on the first ride out (5 miles). I did it up with a socket before the second ride and it lasted about a half a mile so rode back, tightened it up again this time with a box spanner which enabled me to get it tighter. Much better but it only lasted about 7miles, still 2 miles from home. I’d brought the spanner with me but only a short bar rather than the long one I’d used before to tighten it up. This time is was only about a mile before it started to come loose again but with careful nursing I managed to get home before the pedal and crank fell of completely – time for a more reliable solution.
Between the rides I when on the rower at the gym so hopefully my fitness won’t have gone too far backwards. It does mean it hasn’t moved forwards at all for about a month and it’s now unlikely I’ll complete the GNR in anything like a respectable time. Now it’s just a case of trying to get some running in and do enough work to get two thirds of the way round and then see what’s left from there.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Nealy two weeks off
The main reason for raising money for the BHF was because Angela was having an heart operation, she had that a couple of weeks ago and everything seems to have gone fine. However with going to Papworth (about 83 miles away) every day for 12 days the running went by the board.
Been out a couple of times but obviously not made the progress that I would have liked but thats the way it goes, Wifey obvously comes first.
I'm doing the Gt Bentley 5m race on Friday and should be able to get round in around the hour, I'm expecting to be last. Hopefully there will be some slower runners I can keep up with for at least the first 3 miles and see how long I can hang on after that - get a reasonable time and not keep people waiting too long.
Been out a couple of times but obviously not made the progress that I would have liked but thats the way it goes, Wifey obvously comes first.
I'm doing the Gt Bentley 5m race on Friday and should be able to get round in around the hour, I'm expecting to be last. Hopefully there will be some slower runners I can keep up with for at least the first 3 miles and see how long I can hang on after that - get a reasonable time and not keep people waiting too long.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Hundred miles and FRR
I went for my first run with the Felixstowe Road Runners last night. A good friendly bunch and some of similar speed as me, though most faster and fitter. It was good to be out with a crowd and I pushed harder than I would have done on my own. A hill session may not have been the ideal session to start with - a long 1.5mile 'warm up' to Gulpher Duck pond, circuits up and down the hill (I managed 3) then a slightly shorter run home.
Total 4.1 miles and this took me over the 100 mile mark since starting again.
Last week was not a good one and I was starting to doubt whether I could get back in to shape for the GNR, last night was a real pick-me-up and I'm back enthused again and looking forward to my next session with FFR in a couple of weeks time. Hopefully even more ready for what ever awaits.
Total 4.1 miles and this took me over the 100 mile mark since starting again.
Last week was not a good one and I was starting to doubt whether I could get back in to shape for the GNR, last night was a real pick-me-up and I'm back enthused again and looking forward to my next session with FFR in a couple of weeks time. Hopefully even more ready for what ever awaits.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Sunday in Chapelgate
That's where the mileage takes me on my route to Newcastle, out of Norfolk and into Lincolnshire, past Kings Lynn and onwards towards Boston.
Some OK runs this week Monday was rubbish but the long run on Thursday and the interval session today went well, despite the wind. Perhaps the threat of rain kept me moving (it arrived a few minutes after I go indoors so worth the effort.
Finally booked some accommodation for the run, a 'lodge' on a caravan park in the middle of nowhere and a 40mile drive to the finish, and then a train to the start.
Some OK runs this week Monday was rubbish but the long run on Thursday and the interval session today went well, despite the wind. Perhaps the threat of rain kept me moving (it arrived a few minutes after I go indoors so worth the effort.
Finally booked some accommodation for the run, a 'lodge' on a caravan park in the middle of nowhere and a 40mile drive to the finish, and then a train to the start.
Monday, 1 June 2009
Increasing distance but no speed
The long run is up to 4 miles now, but at a pathetically slow pace - averaging around 13 min miles.
To achieve my target time that's got to get down to about 10 min miles on a long run and even quicker on the short ones.
I came to the decision not enter the Kirton 5 next Friday. I've not got the miles nor the speed to keep up with those who came last in 2008 - so I've postponed my first race for a month to hopefully get faster over 5miles.
Great Bentley 5 on 10th July is now the first target race, by which time the long run should be 7 miles so a 'fast' 5 (well under and hour) should a be more practical proposition.
To achieve my target time that's got to get down to about 10 min miles on a long run and even quicker on the short ones.
I came to the decision not enter the Kirton 5 next Friday. I've not got the miles nor the speed to keep up with those who came last in 2008 - so I've postponed my first race for a month to hopefully get faster over 5miles.
Great Bentley 5 on 10th July is now the first target race, by which time the long run should be 7 miles so a 'fast' 5 (well under and hour) should a be more practical proposition.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Run from the MiL
Monday I had to help shifting some furniture at the mother-in-laws, so wifey drove there and I ran home. Good plan - fastest session since I returned to running ;-)
Fast but not to the finish. I didn't manage one complete session without some walking this week. did at least 2/3 of the run but perhaps I'm slightly upping the speed and the distance is suffering.
Tried to keep it slow and steady on the first attempt at 4miles and was doing OK until I had to stop for traffic and then found it hard to keep going again. Also getting to the distance where some fluid on the run may help too. Need to find a comfortable way of carrying some.
On the map I'm at West Winch - an appropriate place for a sailor
Fast but not to the finish. I didn't manage one complete session without some walking this week. did at least 2/3 of the run but perhaps I'm slightly upping the speed and the distance is suffering.
Tried to keep it slow and steady on the first attempt at 4miles and was doing OK until I had to stop for traffic and then found it hard to keep going again. Also getting to the distance where some fluid on the run may help too. Need to find a comfortable way of carrying some.
On the map I'm at West Winch - an appropriate place for a sailor
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