Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Garmin Forerunner Has Landed!!!
I have taken the plunge and ordered a Garmin Forerunner 301, and it arrived yesterday!! It's a bit technical though... you can use it as a personal training partner, programme data into the computer and even use it to find a route... in fact, it's so clever I could probably put it out the door and get it to train for me...
I am going to try it out tonight, it will be very interesting to find out if my distance guestimates are accurate or not! (If I can work out how to switch it on of course!)
A mate has given me loads of books with local walks in as she is moving to Yorkshire so is not ever likely to need them again I guess. They will come in very handy for planning cross country routes.
I have also booked a week in Spain in July! It will be very, very hot and very dry- absolutely ideal, hey!
Training wise, I decided to have an easier week last week as I had a hectic social week... Monday I went to the gym, and covered 3 1/2 miles, running with speedwork and then inclination. Also threw in some elliptical work and went on the stepper for 10 minutes, the knee seemed ok.
Tuesday I meant to go for a long run, but felt really tired so only managed 6 miles. I stopped at mum's and succumbed to a cuppa and a Gillian McKeith programme involving people eating badly. Thursday I managed a long, slow 10 miles, but again felt really tired. My legs felt dead, it was really frustrating... at times like this you question whether you are actually making any progress at all!
I decided to rest the next 3 days apart from a short walk Thursday. For one thing, I had a few hectic social events planned to celebrate (?) turning 38. Went to Lincoln shopping with a mate Saturday. Don't exactly know why we went to Lincoln, I just fancied going somewhere different. I had had vague cultural thoughts about exploring the castle or the cathedral, or looking at some impressive architecture, but the reality was that we hit the shopping centres and found two huge Primarks, so that was about it!
Sunday I didn't go to the gym, as I had lunch with another friend who has moved to Norfolk but was back for the weekend- I don't usually go out so much!! I did do a steady 8 1/2 miles later though, so that made 28 miles in total for the week, which was good as Luke had advised about throwing in an easier week every few weeks.
I had great plans for last night, but ended up doing nothing cos of booking the flights. Mind you, the ladies loos at work have been out of order today, meaning a regular descent and climb of four flights of stairs to the one remaining loo on the ground floor, so that's got to be good! I will go out in a bit and see where the Garmin takes me... just looked, and it's raining- good job it's waterproof!
I am going to try it out tonight, it will be very interesting to find out if my distance guestimates are accurate or not! (If I can work out how to switch it on of course!)
A mate has given me loads of books with local walks in as she is moving to Yorkshire so is not ever likely to need them again I guess. They will come in very handy for planning cross country routes.
I have also booked a week in Spain in July! It will be very, very hot and very dry- absolutely ideal, hey!
Training wise, I decided to have an easier week last week as I had a hectic social week... Monday I went to the gym, and covered 3 1/2 miles, running with speedwork and then inclination. Also threw in some elliptical work and went on the stepper for 10 minutes, the knee seemed ok.
Tuesday I meant to go for a long run, but felt really tired so only managed 6 miles. I stopped at mum's and succumbed to a cuppa and a Gillian McKeith programme involving people eating badly. Thursday I managed a long, slow 10 miles, but again felt really tired. My legs felt dead, it was really frustrating... at times like this you question whether you are actually making any progress at all!
I decided to rest the next 3 days apart from a short walk Thursday. For one thing, I had a few hectic social events planned to celebrate (?) turning 38. Went to Lincoln shopping with a mate Saturday. Don't exactly know why we went to Lincoln, I just fancied going somewhere different. I had had vague cultural thoughts about exploring the castle or the cathedral, or looking at some impressive architecture, but the reality was that we hit the shopping centres and found two huge Primarks, so that was about it!
Sunday I didn't go to the gym, as I had lunch with another friend who has moved to Norfolk but was back for the weekend- I don't usually go out so much!! I did do a steady 8 1/2 miles later though, so that made 28 miles in total for the week, which was good as Luke had advised about throwing in an easier week every few weeks.
I had great plans for last night, but ended up doing nothing cos of booking the flights. Mind you, the ladies loos at work have been out of order today, meaning a regular descent and climb of four flights of stairs to the one remaining loo on the ground floor, so that's got to be good! I will go out in a bit and see where the Garmin takes me... just looked, and it's raining- good job it's waterproof!
Labels: Garmin Forerunner
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Oh Nooo!!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
MDS Seminar; London
Well, it was a blooming long day, but definately well worth the effort of going! I can honestly say that I now feel much more prepared and know more about what to expect...
I got up at the unearthly hour of 4am, and after a rather uneventful journey arrived at Victoria Station in London. Walking from where I left the car to the station in Leicester was a bit daunting as the streets were absolutely deserted (and dark) apart from me and a few inebriated folk.
I found my way to Dean Street, passing Buckingham Palace and cursing myself for not bringing a camera. The seminar was held in the Bath House pub, it was quiet strange everywhere being so quite, I am so used to London being manic! I found the pub, told the girl who answered the door that I was wanting the Upstairs Room (she helpfully informed me it was upstairs!!) and met a guy called Ben who is doing the Libyan Challenge rather than the MdS. When we got upstairs, Luke was there setting everything up and the room slowly filled.
About two thirds of people were doing the MdS in 2009, most of the rest are doing it this year, and the others were doing, or considering, similar races such as the Libyan. Luke has undertaken the MdS twice, as well as lots of other Ultras.
He gace us an introduction to the race, what to expect and what happens before and after etc. Then it was onto training and race psychology- lots of useful pointers but one of the main tips Luke stressed was the importance of having routines during the race; a routine for checkpoints, a routine for getting up in the morning, a routine for after finishing the day's stage...
Also important is getting it figured out in your head why you are actually doing this crazy event before you get to Morocco... for me, I think it's the opportunity to do something so amazingly audacious, challenging and down right stupid... something you may only do once in your lifetime... and something which will be the most amazing adventure ever...
We had a scary talk from Dr Roberts on nutrition. I say scary as he told us how much carbs and protein we should be eating and where we should be getting it from, and I could see everybody nervously glancing round as we all realised how inadequate our diets are...
We also had a talk on injury prevention by a physio, which was useful as he showed us some exercises to do to strengthen calves, backs etc. He did say that due to the heel sinking into the sand, this places additional stress on the Achilles, which is not good news for me, and something I'm going to have to be aware of.
A charity gave us some ideas for fundraising, not sure I can see myself organising a raffle but there were some good ideas.
Luke discussed equipment at some length, plus possible contents of a medical kit. Gearmonster were also there with samples of equipment, and I tried on a few rucsacks after the seminar. I tried on the Raidlight ones, but far more comfy for me was a pack made by Molestar, an American firm. The Molestars are apparently more suited for short folks like me, they can also be placed in the washing machine- the one I tried one looked like new, but I was informed it has actually been through two races- including the MdS. I have left my details and they are going to send me one up to try when they have some in stock, though it's not likely to be until after this year's MdS.
Finally there was a Q & A session with Luke and another MdS veteran. Somebody asked the inevitable question about camel spiders and Luke said he's never see one!!
I have taken loads of notes, and really should get them in some sort of order while it's still fresh in my mind. During the day I alternated from feeling quite good about the MdS to feeling terrified! Also met lots of fellow nutters, sorry, serious endurance athletes and had to curb the urge to ask everyone their current weekly mileage!
Walking back to the station, the streets were packed, which made it feel more like London. Buckingham Palace looked quite spectacular lit up against the night, with occasional white flashes as tourists snapped each other in front of it. As I looked down The Mall I could see the London Eye lit up in moving red, white and blue light.
I had an uneventful trip home, and thankfully the car was ok, but didn't get to bed til midnight. Good job I took yesterday off, still went to the gym though. I have a long slow run to do tonight and am feeling like I cannot be ar*ed. Sometimes it's so hard to make myself get out of the door!
I have a busy week, so may reduce my mileage a bit, have an easier week and a bit of a rest...
I got up at the unearthly hour of 4am, and after a rather uneventful journey arrived at Victoria Station in London. Walking from where I left the car to the station in Leicester was a bit daunting as the streets were absolutely deserted (and dark) apart from me and a few inebriated folk.
I found my way to Dean Street, passing Buckingham Palace and cursing myself for not bringing a camera. The seminar was held in the Bath House pub, it was quiet strange everywhere being so quite, I am so used to London being manic! I found the pub, told the girl who answered the door that I was wanting the Upstairs Room (she helpfully informed me it was upstairs!!) and met a guy called Ben who is doing the Libyan Challenge rather than the MdS. When we got upstairs, Luke was there setting everything up and the room slowly filled.
About two thirds of people were doing the MdS in 2009, most of the rest are doing it this year, and the others were doing, or considering, similar races such as the Libyan. Luke has undertaken the MdS twice, as well as lots of other Ultras.
He gace us an introduction to the race, what to expect and what happens before and after etc. Then it was onto training and race psychology- lots of useful pointers but one of the main tips Luke stressed was the importance of having routines during the race; a routine for checkpoints, a routine for getting up in the morning, a routine for after finishing the day's stage...
Also important is getting it figured out in your head why you are actually doing this crazy event before you get to Morocco... for me, I think it's the opportunity to do something so amazingly audacious, challenging and down right stupid... something you may only do once in your lifetime... and something which will be the most amazing adventure ever...
We had a scary talk from Dr Roberts on nutrition. I say scary as he told us how much carbs and protein we should be eating and where we should be getting it from, and I could see everybody nervously glancing round as we all realised how inadequate our diets are...
We also had a talk on injury prevention by a physio, which was useful as he showed us some exercises to do to strengthen calves, backs etc. He did say that due to the heel sinking into the sand, this places additional stress on the Achilles, which is not good news for me, and something I'm going to have to be aware of.
A charity gave us some ideas for fundraising, not sure I can see myself organising a raffle but there were some good ideas.
Luke discussed equipment at some length, plus possible contents of a medical kit. Gearmonster were also there with samples of equipment, and I tried on a few rucsacks after the seminar. I tried on the Raidlight ones, but far more comfy for me was a pack made by Molestar, an American firm. The Molestars are apparently more suited for short folks like me, they can also be placed in the washing machine- the one I tried one looked like new, but I was informed it has actually been through two races- including the MdS. I have left my details and they are going to send me one up to try when they have some in stock, though it's not likely to be until after this year's MdS.
Finally there was a Q & A session with Luke and another MdS veteran. Somebody asked the inevitable question about camel spiders and Luke said he's never see one!!
I have taken loads of notes, and really should get them in some sort of order while it's still fresh in my mind. During the day I alternated from feeling quite good about the MdS to feeling terrified! Also met lots of fellow nutters, sorry, serious endurance athletes and had to curb the urge to ask everyone their current weekly mileage!
Walking back to the station, the streets were packed, which made it feel more like London. Buckingham Palace looked quite spectacular lit up against the night, with occasional white flashes as tourists snapped each other in front of it. As I looked down The Mall I could see the London Eye lit up in moving red, white and blue light.
I had an uneventful trip home, and thankfully the car was ok, but didn't get to bed til midnight. Good job I took yesterday off, still went to the gym though. I have a long slow run to do tonight and am feeling like I cannot be ar*ed. Sometimes it's so hard to make myself get out of the door!
I have a busy week, so may reduce my mileage a bit, have an easier week and a bit of a rest...
Labels: London, Marathon des Sables seminar
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Marathon Des Sables Seminar
I received an email informing me of a of seminar run by Luke Cunliffe, who has completed the MdS. I couldn't get to the first date, but am off to London tomorrow for the second!
I thought it would be a good idea to get as much advice/ info as possible if I am going to be doing this mad thing!!! According to the website, topics covered include
I thought it would be a good idea to get as much advice/ info as possible if I am going to be doing this mad thing!!! According to the website, topics covered include
- About the MdS
- Training
- Nutrition
- Injury Prevention
- Charity Fundraising
- Personal Admin in the Desert (not filing or checking emails, but stuff like hygiene, cooking, blister treatments...)
- Equipment
- Q & A With Former MdS Runners
Sounds pretty impressive, hey- I'll be taking plenty of notes. Be interested to find out if anybody else is going/ has been??
The downside is that I will have to get up at 4am and won't be home until 11pm, which is why I've taken Monday off work... to sleep... I really have a problem getting up these cold, wet, dark mornings... work isn't the problem, it's just the rigmarole I have to go through to get there- dragging myself out of my nice warm bed, getting dressed in the freezing cold and fighting my way through the traffic. I wish I could just zap myself to work, dressed and ready!!
Training wise, this week and next week have been hectic- I've been out two nights this week, and with the seminar it's been tough to fit training in... Monday I ran 5 miles, Tuesday I intended to do a long slow run but a friend wanted a chat, so I ran the first 3 miles and speed marched another four with the phone glued to my ear. In the pouring rain, I got absolutely soaked and it's a wonder the phone didn't die!
Wednesday was Body Toning, but I ran there with a very light pack, plus part of my usual route to make it around 8 miles (I really need a Garmin!!) Thursday and Friday were my nights out- tricky as I still want a life and to not turn into a totally obsessive freak- just a partially obsessive freak will do!
Went to the gym this morning, and as well as the usual strength training, did some work on the ellipticals as well as 3.3 miles running with a further 1.8 miles running 'uphill'. If I go out later and do another 6 miles, possibly with back pack, I'll have hit my 30 mile target for this week.
Next week looks to be busy- It's my birthday Thursday, I will be, ahem, 38... but will have to socialise Thursday and Friday, plus am going out for the day Saturday so will need to fit in the training around that. It's all go...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
First 30 Mile Week!!
Well, this week is my first 30 mile week! I have decided to include walking, when part of the training, as I want to build up that walking as well as the running.
As well as the steady 10 miles on Monday, I walked/ ran 4 1/2 miles Tuesday; Wednesday was back to Body Toning class, and she had made it harder- I actually felt it on my legs! Still, this is no bad thing! I ran there and back, plus round the village 4 miles approx, with a pack containing a pair of shoes, keys/ purse/ phone, and two 1 litre water bottles filled with water- it is amazing how much water actually weighs you down!
Thursday I intended going to the gym, but developed a headache which just got worse during the day. I had visions of it developing into the sickness thingy currently doing the rounds, so just walked the 3 miles to have my eyebrows waxed and tinted (ouch- extreme torture!!) I ended up going to bed at 8:30pm and woke up at 2:30pm with a really banging head. My befuddled brain suggested I might be dehydrated, so I drank loads of water and popped a couple of paracetamol, and luckily it had gone by 6am. I was annoyed at missing the gym, but I guess I have to listen to my body sometimes when it's demanding rest, as it's so easy to get obsessed! (Most of my mates think I already am...)
Friday was a rest (and cimema and eat out) day, but still felt tired this morning, so decided on a 12 mile run/ walk with the same pack as Wednesday but with fleece, gloves and camera as well as the shoes and water. It was a route from John Merril's book 'Long Circular Walks in Charnwood Forest', and started at the top car park at Beacon Hill. It was a lovely sunny day but cold, conditions under foot were quite boggy and slippery at times but I tried to persuade myself it was similar to running through fine sand.
The start was all easy downhill to the bottom car park and road, then some climbing to Woodhouse Eaves. The route twisted through a large golf course, before a long, steep and squelchy climb up to Bradgate Park. The suggested route took the path right round the edge of the park to Newtown Linford, but I added another steep climb up to the memorial before dropping down. Hadn't suffered enough obviously!
There are some lovely thatched cottages in Newtown Linford, but I dread to think how much they would cost! The next part of the route I'd done before, on the 33 mile Charnwood Challenge. The photo below was taken here, you can see how much the stream is swollen. Note the mud!
Near Newtown Linford
A bit of road walking took me to Ulverscroft Priory, skirting round a farm before another long and wet ascent.
I got a bit lost after here; I crossed a road and found the footpath markings, but the book advised me to keep to the left of the fields after this and I just couldn't find any way through into the next field. I followed a farm track all the way to a dead end at the farm, then turned and went downhill the other way, but nothing. So finally, cursing to myself, I went back to the last known marker and noticed a stile to the top of the field to my right- obviously the route kept to the right of the field not the left!! I reckon I must have added 1/2 mile on! I had started to have a couple of twinges from my right knee too, which wasn't good news.
There was a bit more climbing to the view point below;
Beacon Hill
I set off down a muddy track, and veered right, back towards Beacon Hill, dropping down through a large squelchy field. After this the footpath passed through a field with two large horses in, and things got a bit fraught! One horse just watched me go past, but the other was very excitable, and repeatedly charged at me at full gallop, before wheeling away at the last minute, bucking and kicking its heels in the general direction of my head. Now I am not scared of horses, but this was quite intimidating, as I really didn't fancy a kick in the head and strange horses aren't predictable. Plus it was big!! I kept to the edge of the field, and walked slowly, but as I ventured across to the stile it followed me very closely, ears flat back, which was a sign that he was definately not au fait with my prescence!
I leapt over the stile, half expecting to be knocked sprawling to the mud at any second, landed in the next field, heaved a great sigh of relief, only to see there was another exciteable horse charging towards me! Luckily it wasn't quite so lairy as the first one, but I just climbed out over the fence at the corner of the field as it was stood right in front of the stile and I felt disinclined to ask it to move. I am not quite sure of the best thing to do in this situation but it was quite scary! Be interesting to know if anyone else has had problems on that path!
It was all uphill to the car, and I walked the last bit of the last ascent. Took me around 3 hours 20 minutes, however my knee is a bit sore I am hoping I have just twisted it... hoping to get to the gym tomorrow although the knee will have to dictate what I do when I'm there.
As well as the steady 10 miles on Monday, I walked/ ran 4 1/2 miles Tuesday; Wednesday was back to Body Toning class, and she had made it harder- I actually felt it on my legs! Still, this is no bad thing! I ran there and back, plus round the village 4 miles approx, with a pack containing a pair of shoes, keys/ purse/ phone, and two 1 litre water bottles filled with water- it is amazing how much water actually weighs you down!
Thursday I intended going to the gym, but developed a headache which just got worse during the day. I had visions of it developing into the sickness thingy currently doing the rounds, so just walked the 3 miles to have my eyebrows waxed and tinted (ouch- extreme torture!!) I ended up going to bed at 8:30pm and woke up at 2:30pm with a really banging head. My befuddled brain suggested I might be dehydrated, so I drank loads of water and popped a couple of paracetamol, and luckily it had gone by 6am. I was annoyed at missing the gym, but I guess I have to listen to my body sometimes when it's demanding rest, as it's so easy to get obsessed! (Most of my mates think I already am...)
Friday was a rest (and cimema and eat out) day, but still felt tired this morning, so decided on a 12 mile run/ walk with the same pack as Wednesday but with fleece, gloves and camera as well as the shoes and water. It was a route from John Merril's book 'Long Circular Walks in Charnwood Forest', and started at the top car park at Beacon Hill. It was a lovely sunny day but cold, conditions under foot were quite boggy and slippery at times but I tried to persuade myself it was similar to running through fine sand.
The start was all easy downhill to the bottom car park and road, then some climbing to Woodhouse Eaves. The route twisted through a large golf course, before a long, steep and squelchy climb up to Bradgate Park. The suggested route took the path right round the edge of the park to Newtown Linford, but I added another steep climb up to the memorial before dropping down. Hadn't suffered enough obviously!
There are some lovely thatched cottages in Newtown Linford, but I dread to think how much they would cost! The next part of the route I'd done before, on the 33 mile Charnwood Challenge. The photo below was taken here, you can see how much the stream is swollen. Note the mud!
Near Newtown LinfordA bit of road walking took me to Ulverscroft Priory, skirting round a farm before another long and wet ascent.
I got a bit lost after here; I crossed a road and found the footpath markings, but the book advised me to keep to the left of the fields after this and I just couldn't find any way through into the next field. I followed a farm track all the way to a dead end at the farm, then turned and went downhill the other way, but nothing. So finally, cursing to myself, I went back to the last known marker and noticed a stile to the top of the field to my right- obviously the route kept to the right of the field not the left!! I reckon I must have added 1/2 mile on! I had started to have a couple of twinges from my right knee too, which wasn't good news.
There was a bit more climbing to the view point below;
Beacon HillI set off down a muddy track, and veered right, back towards Beacon Hill, dropping down through a large squelchy field. After this the footpath passed through a field with two large horses in, and things got a bit fraught! One horse just watched me go past, but the other was very excitable, and repeatedly charged at me at full gallop, before wheeling away at the last minute, bucking and kicking its heels in the general direction of my head. Now I am not scared of horses, but this was quite intimidating, as I really didn't fancy a kick in the head and strange horses aren't predictable. Plus it was big!! I kept to the edge of the field, and walked slowly, but as I ventured across to the stile it followed me very closely, ears flat back, which was a sign that he was definately not au fait with my prescence!
I leapt over the stile, half expecting to be knocked sprawling to the mud at any second, landed in the next field, heaved a great sigh of relief, only to see there was another exciteable horse charging towards me! Luckily it wasn't quite so lairy as the first one, but I just climbed out over the fence at the corner of the field as it was stood right in front of the stile and I felt disinclined to ask it to move. I am not quite sure of the best thing to do in this situation but it was quite scary! Be interesting to know if anyone else has had problems on that path!
It was all uphill to the car, and I walked the last bit of the last ascent. Took me around 3 hours 20 minutes, however my knee is a bit sore I am hoping I have just twisted it... hoping to get to the gym tomorrow although the knee will have to dictate what I do when I'm there.
Labels: John Merrill, walking
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Moving On...
Does anybody else struggle to come up with suitably original and descriptive titles for their blog posts?
I haven't done an awful lot since I last posted, apart from a steady 10 miler last night. I had to stop a few times to answer texts, maybe I should leave the phone at home!!
I am considering doing a fairly long walk Saturday, with a pack- in the region of 17 miles or thereabouts... the next suitable LDWA walk looks to be the Belvoir Challenge in February so need to keep my hand (and legs!!) in.
Am considering doing something tonight but not sure what as should have been going for a meal but my mate has succumbed to this sickness bug that's doing the rounds!
I haven't done an awful lot since I last posted, apart from a steady 10 miler last night. I had to stop a few times to answer texts, maybe I should leave the phone at home!!
I am considering doing a fairly long walk Saturday, with a pack- in the region of 17 miles or thereabouts... the next suitable LDWA walk looks to be the Belvoir Challenge in February so need to keep my hand (and legs!!) in.
Am considering doing something tonight but not sure what as should have been going for a meal but my mate has succumbed to this sickness bug that's doing the rounds!
Labels: Belvoir Challenge, walking
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Good News!
I have some good news; I went into the gym, and the manager (I think she is) recognised me and asked how things were going. We chatted for a few minutes and I told her about the MdS, and she asked if I intended raising money for charity. I said that I would like to, and she offered to hold a 'stepathon' event or similar to raise money for it! She said to just speak to her later when I am ready, and said that they like to hold money raising events!
This will be a major boost, I must have a look to see if they have a web site I can out a link to- it's The Engine Room in Thurmaston.
This week has been fairly quiet, I went for a 5 mile walk/ run New Year's Day with Katie. Then 8 1/2 miles at a steady pace Wednesday evening, I felt quite good so managed to pick up the pace.
Thursday I was out so went to the gym Friday instead; I have had to be careful with the ellipticals and stepper due to the odd knee pain I was experiencing (but not affected by running/ walking). I did 3 miles on the treadmill running up to 6.7 mph plus another 10 minutes inclination walking, plus the other usual stuff.
Yesterday I really didn't feel like going for a run- physically I felt fine, I just couldn't be ar*ed so had to practically shove myself out the door- does anybody else get days like that or is it just me!?! I did 7 miles cross country with a fairly light pack, although running with a pack does make a difference. I did manage to slip over but only dented my pride! I couldn't wait to get home though as I felt quite lazy!
Had a good session at the gym today though, my brain must have wanted to make ammends! I ran about 3 1/2 miles, top speed 7.5mph, did resistance work on the ellipticals and decided to try the stepper for 10 minutes on a fairly gentle setting. Apart from a very slight sensation which wore off very quickly the knee was fine. Oh, finished up with 1/2 mile running on incline...
Total mileage for this week; 28 miles, next week I will do 30! It will be so much easier now Christmas and New Year are out the way although I have loads of chocs and biscuits left! Hmm, maybe I should just scoff them all and do 100 miles to burn it all off... my willpower is less than impressive and the box of Thorntons is calling to me right this minute...
This will be a major boost, I must have a look to see if they have a web site I can out a link to- it's The Engine Room in Thurmaston.
This week has been fairly quiet, I went for a 5 mile walk/ run New Year's Day with Katie. Then 8 1/2 miles at a steady pace Wednesday evening, I felt quite good so managed to pick up the pace.
Thursday I was out so went to the gym Friday instead; I have had to be careful with the ellipticals and stepper due to the odd knee pain I was experiencing (but not affected by running/ walking). I did 3 miles on the treadmill running up to 6.7 mph plus another 10 minutes inclination walking, plus the other usual stuff.
Yesterday I really didn't feel like going for a run- physically I felt fine, I just couldn't be ar*ed so had to practically shove myself out the door- does anybody else get days like that or is it just me!?! I did 7 miles cross country with a fairly light pack, although running with a pack does make a difference. I did manage to slip over but only dented my pride! I couldn't wait to get home though as I felt quite lazy!
Had a good session at the gym today though, my brain must have wanted to make ammends! I ran about 3 1/2 miles, top speed 7.5mph, did resistance work on the ellipticals and decided to try the stepper for 10 minutes on a fairly gentle setting. Apart from a very slight sensation which wore off very quickly the knee was fine. Oh, finished up with 1/2 mile running on incline...
Total mileage for this week; 28 miles, next week I will do 30! It will be so much easier now Christmas and New Year are out the way although I have loads of chocs and biscuits left! Hmm, maybe I should just scoff them all and do 100 miles to burn it all off... my willpower is less than impressive and the box of Thorntons is calling to me right this minute...
Labels: fund raising, training
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy 2008 Everyone!!
A very happy 2008 to one and all!! I must admit, my very first thought of the New Year was "Sh*t, I am doing the MdS NEXT year!!!"
Now is a good a time as any to review progress over the last year... my goals for 2007 were as follows, with my comments in red;
I will have undertaken the Belvoir Challenge in a faster time than before (I took 10 minutes longer... but it is a different route each year, plus several folks reported that their GPS said the route was more like 28 miles than 26... that's my excuse...)
I will have undertaken the Charnwood Challenge in a faster time than before (Yes- took nearly an hour off my time!)
I will have undertaken at least one Triathlon. There is a local sprint Triathlon around May I might aim for (no- mainly due to the fact that I can't swim!!)
Will have undertaken the Barrow Classic 10 in a faster time than before (No- this race wasn't organised this year, plus I was injured)
To run a sub 60 minutes 10K! (Yes!! Every 10k this year has been a sub 60 minutes!)
Will have undertaken a half marathon race, not sure which one yet though (Yes! I have done two!!)
I will undertake the 56 mile Bullock Smithy Hike this year- had to withdraw last year due to a chest infection (No- decided this would be too far, this year though...)
Will have undertaken a trekking holiday in Morocco, and climbed Mount Toukbal; this is booked for June this year!!! (Yes!!!)
I will keep a training log, something I have never done before. I will also try to work out how to link to other blogs down the side of the screen- I can’t do it! (I did manage to link to the blogs, but have been less than successful in keeping the training journal apart from on here)
I will get to a weight I am happy with, and tone my body. Rather than have a specific weight in mind, I will see how I feel, after all muscle weighs more than fat. (This is kind of ongoing. Despite all the training I don't actually feel well toned).
2007 Review
When I started this blog, I originally intended to do triathlons with the possibility of building up to an Ironman, but the MdS kind of overtook that!
The best bits were;
Now is a good a time as any to review progress over the last year... my goals for 2007 were as follows, with my comments in red;
I will have undertaken the Belvoir Challenge in a faster time than before (I took 10 minutes longer... but it is a different route each year, plus several folks reported that their GPS said the route was more like 28 miles than 26... that's my excuse...)
I will have undertaken the Charnwood Challenge in a faster time than before (Yes- took nearly an hour off my time!)
I will have undertaken at least one Triathlon. There is a local sprint Triathlon around May I might aim for (no- mainly due to the fact that I can't swim!!)
Will have undertaken the Barrow Classic 10 in a faster time than before (No- this race wasn't organised this year, plus I was injured)
To run a sub 60 minutes 10K! (Yes!! Every 10k this year has been a sub 60 minutes!)
Will have undertaken a half marathon race, not sure which one yet though (Yes! I have done two!!)
I will undertake the 56 mile Bullock Smithy Hike this year- had to withdraw last year due to a chest infection (No- decided this would be too far, this year though...)
Will have undertaken a trekking holiday in Morocco, and climbed Mount Toukbal; this is booked for June this year!!! (Yes!!!)
I will keep a training log, something I have never done before. I will also try to work out how to link to other blogs down the side of the screen- I can’t do it! (I did manage to link to the blogs, but have been less than successful in keeping the training journal apart from on here)
I will get to a weight I am happy with, and tone my body. Rather than have a specific weight in mind, I will see how I feel, after all muscle weighs more than fat. (This is kind of ongoing. Despite all the training I don't actually feel well toned).
2007 Review
When I started this blog, I originally intended to do triathlons with the possibility of building up to an Ironman, but the MdS kind of overtook that!
The best bits were;
- increasing my weekly running/ walking distances from around 10/ 12 miles per week to 25 miles plus
- building up runs to half marathon distance
- taking more than 4 minutes off my 10k PB
- undertaking 33 mile walk in one day
- shaving time off a lot of the challenge events I had completed in 2006
The not so good bits;
- injuring my Achilles in the Belvoir Half Marathon and having to stop running for several weeks. However (touch wood) this appears to have completely healed
- having one swimming lesson and giving up
- meaning to replace my bike tyres and not getting round to it. I have hardly been out on the bike at all
Plans/ Goals/ Aims for 2008
Obviously the Mds is going to dominate 2008 training plans. I am going to have to increase the distances covered each week, but gradually so as to avoid injury. I will start with 30 miles a week and build up slowly from there. I am going to keep up the long walks as well as build up the length of my runs. I will need to introduce consistent pack training, gradually increasing the weight of the pack. I will also need to introduce back to back runs.
By this time next year I would like to be covering 50- 60 miles per week, and be training with full pack weight. This will set the scen for the final push to peak at 70 miles some weeks before tapering for the event itself.
I will have indertaken some 50 mile events, including, finally, the Bullock Smithy Hike.
I would like to sub 2 hours for a half marathon, and maybe sub 55 minutes for a 10k. However, I won't be doing many 10ks. Like Lloyd, I have found that training to run these distances is counter productive, as the need to taper before the even means that weekly mileage for that week is compromised. I think the training needs to go beyond the 10k distance and I will need to concentrate on slower, longer mileage events such as 10 miles and over. I will still probably do a few 10k's though.
I'd like to beat my time for the Belvoir Half, Grindleford Gallop, Valleys 'n' Views etc.
This year I will also need to test equipment/ clothing for the MdS. By this time next year I will need to have a clear idea of what I am going to take and how to use it!
I am also going to get back to the swimming lessons and get my bike in working order; I'd like to have a bash at a triathlon or duathlon, besides I think the cross training will help with overall fitness and avoiding injury.
I should also add eating much more healthily as I have been eating far too much crap lately and need to fuel my body properly if it is to function under the increased training!! (Isn't chocolate one of the major food groups though??) Oh, suppose I should try to limit my coffee intake...
I would like to lose more weight and tone up but am not going to obsess over it as it may well happen naturally as I increase the mileage (we can hope!!)
I would also like to undertake a long distance path- there is one called the Leicestershire Round circling Leicestershire, it's 100 miles long and I was toying with the idea of doing it over 4 days, say 25 miles a day, which would also be good back to back training.
Phew!! Think I will have to get out for a run now after all that!
Hope 2008 is a great year for us all, especially those doing the MdS this year!!
Labels: New Year's Resolutions, training plans
