Time seems to be passing really quick. I had good intentions to kick start my training in November but it didnt really materialise. Probably down to the weather, probably down to being this side of Xmas.
I see the Xmas break as a real turning point. Things will kick start for sure. Its not that I havent been training, I thinks its more the fact that I cant/dont get out on fells in the week I guess.
The past 2 Saturdays I have done leg 1 and then leg 2, both at 22 hr pace and with a heavyish pack on. Legs felt strong. The mid week training has consisted of work on the New Streets of Penrith. Sundays I have in the gym doing weights on my legs and limited upper body. I have also discovered that the cross trainer is quite a good workout when its on a high setting and you dont use your arms.
Since my induction into the gym I have been drinking more water and eating more fruit. Still havent drunk any alcohol since Halloween.
Looking forward to the Christmas break when I will hook up with others and get some work on Legs 3 and 4. Think Santa will be bringing me new trainers..................
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Sunday 22 November 2009
187 Days - Keep on Moving
14th Nov, Dunnerdale - 44th out of 275 i.e. top 16%.
Really chuffed with this result. Felt strong on the climbs and managed to hold my own and as usual passed a few on descents. I was just a little disapointed that I didnt back myself at the start as I was caught up behind slower runners for first mile or so.
21st Nov, Brampton to Carlisle - 89th out of 473. ie. top 19%
Again pleased with this result. The course was cut short due to the recent flooding but I managed average 6:20 per mile for the 9.25 mile shorter course so I would have got in roughly 62mins which is 7 mins quicker than last year. Training must be paying off.
Not doing anymore races until the New Year so can concentrate on fell mileage/climbing and recceing the Bob course. I know a couple of other Bobbers, so will be trying to catch up with them to recce together. I think this will also sharpen my motivation a little as have struggled with the very wet, windy weather lately.
As Soul II Soul, once sang "Keep on Moving"
Really chuffed with this result. Felt strong on the climbs and managed to hold my own and as usual passed a few on descents. I was just a little disapointed that I didnt back myself at the start as I was caught up behind slower runners for first mile or so.
21st Nov, Brampton to Carlisle - 89th out of 473. ie. top 19%
Again pleased with this result. The course was cut short due to the recent flooding but I managed average 6:20 per mile for the 9.25 mile shorter course so I would have got in roughly 62mins which is 7 mins quicker than last year. Training must be paying off.
Not doing anymore races until the New Year so can concentrate on fell mileage/climbing and recceing the Bob course. I know a couple of other Bobbers, so will be trying to catch up with them to recce together. I think this will also sharpen my motivation a little as have struggled with the very wet, windy weather lately.
As Soul II Soul, once sang "Keep on Moving"
Sunday 8 November 2009
200 Days
May the 28th 2010 is 200 days away. I have 200 days to change this ol' body of mine into being capable of completing one of the hardest challenges undertaken.
Last weeks training went well. Having re-joined North Lakes Spa I have started doing some weights and also go on the cross trainer. I managed to do something every day last week barring Friday (rest day). The usual Sat morning run had to be done in the afternoon due to having my "lifestyle assessment" at the gym. I was actually expecting some form of fitness test so had got myself all worked up for it and even took an energy gel prior. The hardest thing I had to do was to climb up on the "massage style" bed. It was interesting though and I did learn a couple of things. I need to drink more fluid. 2-3 litres of water a day. There also needs to be more protein in my diet to help muscles recover and rebuild. This is in addition to the usual, "eat more fruit". My resting heart rate was 47 and my % body fat was 18. I learned that my body was about 2kg too light due to not having enough fluid in it. So I have been drinking loads since and do feel better.
After the assessment, i decided to give myself a fitness test. Straight up Blecathra from Scales. I managed top get to the top in under 40 mins and felt great. Climbing legs have def got stronger.
I am still sticking to Tue/Thur/Sat as the main run days but will mix in other forms of exercise. The training plan I have shows doing all the big mileage on Sat & Sundays but I will struggle with Sundays during Rugby season as I help out with PRUFC U8's (my sons team). As the days drawout again in spring I think I will start to fit in a decent run on a Friday morning.
I am gong to enter Dunnerdale fell race this Sat. I havent entered a fell race in a while so I am looking forward to the challange and to compare myself against others. I expect to finish in the top 25%. Anything less and I will be disapointed.
Last weeks training went well. Having re-joined North Lakes Spa I have started doing some weights and also go on the cross trainer. I managed to do something every day last week barring Friday (rest day). The usual Sat morning run had to be done in the afternoon due to having my "lifestyle assessment" at the gym. I was actually expecting some form of fitness test so had got myself all worked up for it and even took an energy gel prior. The hardest thing I had to do was to climb up on the "massage style" bed. It was interesting though and I did learn a couple of things. I need to drink more fluid. 2-3 litres of water a day. There also needs to be more protein in my diet to help muscles recover and rebuild. This is in addition to the usual, "eat more fruit". My resting heart rate was 47 and my % body fat was 18. I learned that my body was about 2kg too light due to not having enough fluid in it. So I have been drinking loads since and do feel better.
After the assessment, i decided to give myself a fitness test. Straight up Blecathra from Scales. I managed top get to the top in under 40 mins and felt great. Climbing legs have def got stronger.
I am still sticking to Tue/Thur/Sat as the main run days but will mix in other forms of exercise. The training plan I have shows doing all the big mileage on Sat & Sundays but I will struggle with Sundays during Rugby season as I help out with PRUFC U8's (my sons team). As the days drawout again in spring I think I will start to fit in a decent run on a Friday morning.
I am gong to enter Dunnerdale fell race this Sat. I havent entered a fell race in a while so I am looking forward to the challange and to compare myself against others. I expect to finish in the top 25%. Anything less and I will be disapointed.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
The OMM & "I'll start next week"
As the countdown continous towards May 28th 2010, I have had in my mind that the OMM is the start of it all. We set off for Wales on Friday afternoon and eventually got to registration. Got registered OK, spent some money in the Up and Running shop & then back to B&B for chinese take away, a couple of beers & bed.
The forecast for theElan Valley was quite bad but it never really materialised into the squall that was predicted. Our late start (10.57am) meant that most of the clag had cleared prior to us starting.
Day 1- Moved well with some good Nav taking us direct to our checkpoints without any mistakes. The terrain didnt lend itself to being covered quickly and we were quite pleased with our 231 points haul. This gave us an overnight place of 7th which was way above what we expected.
Day 2 - Unlike the day 1 map, which the route choice was fairly obvious, the Day 2 map offered a choice of direction. we went to the East which gave loads of early points but what we didnt know was that the ground conditions were very poor in this direction compared to the South & West. We gave a good account of ourselves though and ended up finishing 39th out of 300 pairs which was better than my expectations prior to starting.
I am now trying to recover this week, with a couple of gentle jogs with a view to start my new training regime next week.
I hope this feeling of " I'll start next week" doesnt last long.
The forecast for theElan Valley was quite bad but it never really materialised into the squall that was predicted. Our late start (10.57am) meant that most of the clag had cleared prior to us starting.
Day 1- Moved well with some good Nav taking us direct to our checkpoints without any mistakes. The terrain didnt lend itself to being covered quickly and we were quite pleased with our 231 points haul. This gave us an overnight place of 7th which was way above what we expected.
Day 2 - Unlike the day 1 map, which the route choice was fairly obvious, the Day 2 map offered a choice of direction. we went to the East which gave loads of early points but what we didnt know was that the ground conditions were very poor in this direction compared to the South & West. We gave a good account of ourselves though and ended up finishing 39th out of 300 pairs which was better than my expectations prior to starting.
I am now trying to recover this week, with a couple of gentle jogs with a view to start my new training regime next week.
I hope this feeling of " I'll start next week" doesnt last long.
Monday 19 October 2009
OMM 2009
Went out for my last pre-BGR specific training run last weekend. Up Helvellyn via Sheffield Pike. Covering about 11 miles & about 5000ft of ascent/descent. A lovely run in sunny conditions with great unhindered views all around. Days like that are what inspires me to keep running. Those people that don't run on the fells are mystified at the attraction of punishing yourself up and down the great lakeland hills. If only they were up there, then they would know and fully understand what its all about.
We are off to Wales to compete in the OMM this coming weekend. This event achieved worldwide recognition last year as 3000 runners were "unaccounted" for. Having a quick look at the long range forecast there seems little chance of a repeat. Nevertheless it will be a good weekend with loads of miles and ascent covered with a pack on my back. All good stuff for the BGR.
My running partner for the weekend, lanxy, introduced me to these events in 2006 and we have so far failed to achieve a good finish compared to what he has achieved pre '06. So fingers crossed for an injury free weekend, complete with good route choices and plenty of luck.
After the OMM the real BGR training kicks in with a steady increase in mileage and weekly ascent through to May. In addition I will throw in some other training such as weights/circuits & cycling. I might even do some Pilates which is good for core stability. Along with the physical side of things I will make an effort to look more carefully at nutrition & hydration levels to get the best out of this old "rugby battered" body of mine.
So on to the Elan Valley this weekend. Let the battle commence.
We are off to Wales to compete in the OMM this coming weekend. This event achieved worldwide recognition last year as 3000 runners were "unaccounted" for. Having a quick look at the long range forecast there seems little chance of a repeat. Nevertheless it will be a good weekend with loads of miles and ascent covered with a pack on my back. All good stuff for the BGR.
My running partner for the weekend, lanxy, introduced me to these events in 2006 and we have so far failed to achieve a good finish compared to what he has achieved pre '06. So fingers crossed for an injury free weekend, complete with good route choices and plenty of luck.
After the OMM the real BGR training kicks in with a steady increase in mileage and weekly ascent through to May. In addition I will throw in some other training such as weights/circuits & cycling. I might even do some Pilates which is good for core stability. Along with the physical side of things I will make an effort to look more carefully at nutrition & hydration levels to get the best out of this old "rugby battered" body of mine.
So on to the Elan Valley this weekend. Let the battle commence.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
I dont 100% know why I want to write a blog. Is it cause I like to show off, or is it just that I want to record my training etc leading up to the hardest challenge of my life. I dont know. All I know is that the lads at work took some serious amount of piss out of me when I said I was thinking about writing one.
With "The Bob" attempt etched firmly into next years calendar, I have trained quite hard all summer to get my general level of fitness up and in the process have lost a lot of my "rugby" bulk. I am just teetering under 13st and am down to a size 32 waist. I was probably a teenager the last time I bought trousers in a size 32 waist. The OMM beckons at the end of this month and then the specialist training for the BOB starts. I have also just rejoined the gym in an attempt to balance my training with a few weights and maybe some circuits type training sessions.
As I write this I have now just realised why I am writing this. Its not that I want to show off or that I will look back fondly at my training. The reason I am writing this is to help keep me focused on my training. Now I know why. Next question is why would i want to share it then..........................
With "The Bob" attempt etched firmly into next years calendar, I have trained quite hard all summer to get my general level of fitness up and in the process have lost a lot of my "rugby" bulk. I am just teetering under 13st and am down to a size 32 waist. I was probably a teenager the last time I bought trousers in a size 32 waist. The OMM beckons at the end of this month and then the specialist training for the BOB starts. I have also just rejoined the gym in an attempt to balance my training with a few weights and maybe some circuits type training sessions.
As I write this I have now just realised why I am writing this. Its not that I want to show off or that I will look back fondly at my training. The reason I am writing this is to help keep me focused on my training. Now I know why. Next question is why would i want to share it then..........................
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