Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Feeling Tired...
First day back at work today after the Easter break, and I'm feeling tired...
I ate far too much chocolate over the weekend, like I knew I would- I have no will power whatsoever! Just as well I am training for an ultra marathon, it sure makes it easier to keep the weight off!! I decided to try a 10 mile steady run Saturday evening, and luckily the knee felt ok. In fact, I felt so good when I was nearly home that I added on an extra mile.
Sunday I had quite a tough work out at the gym; 30 minutes faster running, and 25 minutes inclination work, running and walking plus usual weights. I tried the steppers and ellipticals and really felt it in my knee when I got off; how come they are affecting the knee and running doesn't? They never used to. Shouldn't complain though I guess... at least running doesn't seem to affect it too much...
Monday is my usual rest day; I had kind of toyed with the idea of going for a short run but just couldn't be ar*ed in the end! So- totals for last week was 35 miles including the gym work as well. At this stage I think I will aim for 35 miles every week now, with the odd easier week.
I have a decision to make... I can either do the Caythorpe Canter this weekend, which is a 26 mile walk near Grantham, or the Belvoir Half Marathon, the race that trashed my Achilles last year... I would like to do the Belvoir Half again but then again I would probably get more from the 26 mile walk, and if I walked rather than ran then it shouldn't affect my knee...
I ate far too much chocolate over the weekend, like I knew I would- I have no will power whatsoever! Just as well I am training for an ultra marathon, it sure makes it easier to keep the weight off!! I decided to try a 10 mile steady run Saturday evening, and luckily the knee felt ok. In fact, I felt so good when I was nearly home that I added on an extra mile.
Sunday I had quite a tough work out at the gym; 30 minutes faster running, and 25 minutes inclination work, running and walking plus usual weights. I tried the steppers and ellipticals and really felt it in my knee when I got off; how come they are affecting the knee and running doesn't? They never used to. Shouldn't complain though I guess... at least running doesn't seem to affect it too much...
Monday is my usual rest day; I had kind of toyed with the idea of going for a short run but just couldn't be ar*ed in the end! So- totals for last week was 35 miles including the gym work as well. At this stage I think I will aim for 35 miles every week now, with the odd easier week.
I have a decision to make... I can either do the Caythorpe Canter this weekend, which is a 26 mile walk near Grantham, or the Belvoir Half Marathon, the race that trashed my Achilles last year... I would like to do the Belvoir Half again but then again I would probably get more from the 26 mile walk, and if I walked rather than ran then it shouldn't affect my knee...
Labels: Belvoir half marathon, Caythorpe Canter
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Piccy!
Nearly forgot!! I have found a pic of me in the Belvoir Half Marathon! If you scroll down through the thumbnails, I'm picture number 0589, in the purple top...
Labels: Belvoir half marathon
Monday, April 09, 2007
The Belvoir Half Marathon
This was my first ever half marathon, so I was a nervous, especially as it will be a test of whether I am capable of managing the longer distances...
The race started at the village hall in the tiny village of Hose, set in Leicestershire's Vale of Belvoir (pronounced beaver!) so is quite local for me. There were loads of runners, luckily there was plenty of parking on the huge playing field. The toilet facilities weren't so good though; the first thing which struck me was the length of the queue for the ladies! Apparently some portaloos had been ordered but were late, luckily I managed to get into the loo with ten minutes to spare!
After some confusion over which way the event actually started and us slower bods trying to get to the back of the field and finding ourselves at the front, we were away; down the field and out on the road to Harby (sight of the Belvoir Challenge!!)
I wasn't sure how to pace myself, after all it's very different from doing a 10k. A lot of folks seemed to be passing me and I started to worry about coming last! The route was marked every half mile, and I found myself constantly scouring the view ahead, looking for the next one, only to see it and then discover it's actually someone's flourescent running top!
It was sunny and quite warm as we passed through Harby and set off towards Langar. There's an airfield near Langar and several small aircraft buzzed overhead. I found myself behind two ladies who were going at my pace, and managed to overtake a couple of people. We reached the first water point just after 4 miles and I walked through whilst gulping down water. The two ladies ahead picked up their pace and I lost them. I had my running pack with the last of my free samples from High5; this was a surprise as I expected it to be like water, but it was quite thick and gel like, but not unpleasant.
The half way point came and went, along with a welcome breeze. We turned towards Long Clawson and passed through another couple of water points. At this point is started to feel like a bloody long way, and a few folk had started to walk uphill. At around 9 miles my left knee started to ache, and by 10 miles the old pain had come back. I'm assuming that following my chesty cough, I shouldn't really pushed myself to do 12 miles last Sunday.
The miles between 9 and 12 seemed to be a series of gradual climbs, and by this time it seemed hard work. It would have been so easy to slow and walk, but I kept pushing myself. I caught up with the two ladies I'd been following earlier andpassed them when they slowed to a walk. I passed another group of runners, and although I felt my pace had slowed, they didn't come past me.
The last water point was just before the 12 mile point, where the road turns back to Hose. Fummily enough, the last mile seemed much easier and I managed to pick up my pace. As I neaered the village I could see the light shining off the cars in the playing field, and a lot of early finishers passed us in their cars, shouting encouragement which was nice.
I managed a sprint(ish) finish, and was quite surprised to finish in 2 hours 11 minutes and 51 seconds! (results can be found here). I am pleased with that, as it's just below my usual 10 minute miles so quite consistent. Plus I wasn't last as there were quite a few behind me in the end!
The down point though is that my left knee is quite painful today, so I am going to have to rest it. I am also aching, but not too badly. I did get my chocolate too, in fact I feel a bit sick...
One thing I can't understand though... as usual there was a t-shirt for all finishers. But the organisers only seem to order these in extra large... now I'm not being awful here, but your average serious runner isn't likely to be all that big... so come on, organisers let's have some smalls or at least mediums!
The race started at the village hall in the tiny village of Hose, set in Leicestershire's Vale of Belvoir (pronounced beaver!) so is quite local for me. There were loads of runners, luckily there was plenty of parking on the huge playing field. The toilet facilities weren't so good though; the first thing which struck me was the length of the queue for the ladies! Apparently some portaloos had been ordered but were late, luckily I managed to get into the loo with ten minutes to spare!
After some confusion over which way the event actually started and us slower bods trying to get to the back of the field and finding ourselves at the front, we were away; down the field and out on the road to Harby (sight of the Belvoir Challenge!!)
I wasn't sure how to pace myself, after all it's very different from doing a 10k. A lot of folks seemed to be passing me and I started to worry about coming last! The route was marked every half mile, and I found myself constantly scouring the view ahead, looking for the next one, only to see it and then discover it's actually someone's flourescent running top!
It was sunny and quite warm as we passed through Harby and set off towards Langar. There's an airfield near Langar and several small aircraft buzzed overhead. I found myself behind two ladies who were going at my pace, and managed to overtake a couple of people. We reached the first water point just after 4 miles and I walked through whilst gulping down water. The two ladies ahead picked up their pace and I lost them. I had my running pack with the last of my free samples from High5; this was a surprise as I expected it to be like water, but it was quite thick and gel like, but not unpleasant.
The half way point came and went, along with a welcome breeze. We turned towards Long Clawson and passed through another couple of water points. At this point is started to feel like a bloody long way, and a few folk had started to walk uphill. At around 9 miles my left knee started to ache, and by 10 miles the old pain had come back. I'm assuming that following my chesty cough, I shouldn't really pushed myself to do 12 miles last Sunday.
The miles between 9 and 12 seemed to be a series of gradual climbs, and by this time it seemed hard work. It would have been so easy to slow and walk, but I kept pushing myself. I caught up with the two ladies I'd been following earlier andpassed them when they slowed to a walk. I passed another group of runners, and although I felt my pace had slowed, they didn't come past me.
The last water point was just before the 12 mile point, where the road turns back to Hose. Fummily enough, the last mile seemed much easier and I managed to pick up my pace. As I neaered the village I could see the light shining off the cars in the playing field, and a lot of early finishers passed us in their cars, shouting encouragement which was nice.
I managed a sprint(ish) finish, and was quite surprised to finish in 2 hours 11 minutes and 51 seconds! (results can be found here). I am pleased with that, as it's just below my usual 10 minute miles so quite consistent. Plus I wasn't last as there were quite a few behind me in the end!
The down point though is that my left knee is quite painful today, so I am going to have to rest it. I am also aching, but not too badly. I did get my chocolate too, in fact I feel a bit sick...
One thing I can't understand though... as usual there was a t-shirt for all finishers. But the organisers only seem to order these in extra large... now I'm not being awful here, but your average serious runner isn't likely to be all that big... so come on, organisers let's have some smalls or at least mediums!
Labels: Belvoir half marathon, road race, running
Friday, April 06, 2007
Half Marathon Ready??
Well, I have my first half marathon on Sunday, the Belvoir half.. this will be my first half marathon. I managed a slow 12 mile run last weekend, and have been tapering this week (although went a bit mad in the gym last night as it was really quiet; only about three others in there!)
I have a slight left heel pain, not where the achilles is, but further down, so I'm hoping that it doesn't develop into anything more serious.
It's Good Friday today but no work. The builders are still here though, and predictably, as soon as I got my lunch and sat down at the computer, they suddenly appeared at the window, working on my flat! Nothing more offputting than having two blokes watching you eat lunch!
Been a bit naughty with hot cross buns too... my mum has bought me a Cadbury's Caramel Easter Egg with a massive bar of Cadbury's caramel in it, so after my run Sunday I plan to do it some serious damage!
I can't stop thinking about the Marathon des Sables (think I'll shorten it to the MdS). I have been reading accounts of folks experiences and I am very scared! Apparently 2006 was the toughest race yet due to excessive heat and humidity; 170 people dropped out of the race! 2007 weather was back to normal though, with far less drop outs... let's hope 2009 will be normal too!
I'm not underestimating this. It is going to be an enormous challenge. The defining point of my life so far... I feel that everything I do, every walk or run I undertake from this point onwards is leading up to March 2009 in the desert...
I have a slight left heel pain, not where the achilles is, but further down, so I'm hoping that it doesn't develop into anything more serious.
It's Good Friday today but no work. The builders are still here though, and predictably, as soon as I got my lunch and sat down at the computer, they suddenly appeared at the window, working on my flat! Nothing more offputting than having two blokes watching you eat lunch!
Been a bit naughty with hot cross buns too... my mum has bought me a Cadbury's Caramel Easter Egg with a massive bar of Cadbury's caramel in it, so after my run Sunday I plan to do it some serious damage!
I can't stop thinking about the Marathon des Sables (think I'll shorten it to the MdS). I have been reading accounts of folks experiences and I am very scared! Apparently 2006 was the toughest race yet due to excessive heat and humidity; 170 people dropped out of the race! 2007 weather was back to normal though, with far less drop outs... let's hope 2009 will be normal too!
I'm not underestimating this. It is going to be an enormous challenge. The defining point of my life so far... I feel that everything I do, every walk or run I undertake from this point onwards is leading up to March 2009 in the desert...
Labels: Belvoir half marathon, chocolate, Marathon des Sables
