9m/3000' Fairfield race. Probably won't go back.
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9m/3000' Fairfield race. Probably won't go back.
5k fartlek in the woods last night. Really quite muddy and verging on unrunnable at speed.
5.9m/1640' today, at West Nab. I was thinking about Shepherds Crook tommorrow, but my old right hip fasciitis was niggling slightly towards the end of the race, so i've got a nice flow session arranged first thing and will probably go for a walk to a tea room somewhere.
50m on the bike today, Craven Arms and back, 2h54m. I look quite well cooked, the sun is strong.
Carr Bridge Drive reps tonight, 0.25m/ 110', 7 reps. Recovery times are quite good, but i think my legs tire quickly after rep 5.
https://www.daoholistictherapy.com/w...74-600x768.jpg
I've ordered some of this Chinese kung fu rubbing ointment for my old bones. It comes highly recommended in kung fu mastery books and will sort you out after a hard session punching tree trunks.
I intend to be disrespectful to Chi blockages and stagnation, and apply the Shaolin special sauce liberally with utmost honour to the ancient wisdom. I will banish my stiffness and shame to the land of wind and ghosts.
Interesting that the first two ingredients are frankincense and myrrh (but no gold); so the "Wise men from the East" had come from China?Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
I wonder if this stuff would deal with my tennis elbow; it would be a lot cheaper than physiotherapy.
Yesterday, 24m bike ride to my gran's house and back, she's dying of heart failure and hasn't got long left. I gave her some quads recruitment exercises to do so she can walk a bit easier.
Today, return of the 9m speed endurance session which hasn't taken place for a while now. I think i held off a bit really, just concentrated on quick leg speed and good posture. I've got nothing to do until the Thurlstone Chase now, there's not a great deal in the calendar that i like the look of, i should be able to get a top ten at Thurlstone looking at past results. My right kneecap is maltracking a bit so i'm going to have to watch that.
New AM hilly training route yesterday, just when i thought the 'Two Dales' format couldn't yeild any more climb, i find a 8.3m/2620' offering. Normally you have to get the milage into double figures to get above 2500' in the dales. I like it more because it starts with a steady jog up the eastern side of wharfedale from kettlewell to starbotton, which warms you up nicely for the 1000' climb over old cote moor. It was unbelievably sticky and hot in the woods heading up out of starbotton, but very fresh on the summits. You could see the trout swimming about in the river at arncliffe.
Carr Bridge Drive reps tonight, 0.25m/ 110', 6 reps.
After the third rep i decided to have a run up to the water tower, about 1m/250'. I don't know whether this was a good idea from a training standpoint, but i found that it broke my rhythm and screwed up my flow on the remaining 3 interval reps a bit. I ran strongly all the way and was blowing hard, the 1m jog back down was a drag.
A bottle of Dit Da Jow massage oil has now been purchased, and will be presented to my wife on her birthday (this Saturday). She frequently complains about all the aches and pains that she gets from playing tennis. She also knows about and admires the skills of the Shaolin monks.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
9m speed endurance yesterday, an ACW lap of Thruscross starting at the Swinsty car park. I was plagued by negative emotions and self-defeating thinking due to an uncomfortable conversation the previous day; i set off too fast and faded quite early. I wasn't really able to give the session my full attention and never got into that flow state.
I've recently used it on my back. I soaked a piece of kitchen roll and cling filmed it on, and left it for an hour or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
5k fartlek tonight in the local woods which, thankfully, have fully dried out completely. I don't like warm weather, it's harder to get going because you feel sweltered after a hot day in fireproof demin and just want to go to sleep. I'm not sure if i want to go to some obscure little old pal's race called shriggleby stag or just go AM hill training this weekend.
8.5m/2630' AM hills route from Kettlewell today. I ran the whole thousand feet out of Starbotton up to Old Cote Moor, i felt like a challenge. There was a pair of dippers diving in the Skirfare at Arncliffe when i stopped for a drink. I like this route better than the old one over this area, the warmup leg out to Starbotton sets you up nicely for the climb, wheras the old route was steep right from the off. I've found a much improved route from the south corner fell gate on Middlesmoor pasutre to the crag notch above Kettlewell.
80 or so entrants for the Thurlstone chase next weekend, and the start is in waves of 6 so i won't be able to settle into a group near the front.
My next race starts with a 1000' climb in a mile, right from the start line. I've been doing hill reps on a hill of half the distance and climb. Banking on 12-15mins on the day. Don't want to blow my load too early as there's another 3000' of tussocky climbing over the rest of the race.
[QUOTE=Travs;674784]My next race starts with a 1000' climb in a mile, right from the start line.
So does mine Travs! :eek:
[QUOTE=Llani Boy;674787]Well i've just checked and you're not in the same one as me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
I've been doing my half mile/550ft climb reps in 6:30-7mins in training. So i figure given some race adrenaline, i'll keep up that sort of pace for the full mile, even with the thought of three more 1000ft climbs to follow.
[QUOTE=Travs;674792]I've just been looking at the FRA fixture list, and wondering if anyone is going to offer a "Northern Fells weekender" prize, for the best combined performances at Blencathra and Skiddaw this coming weekend? Although I think Travs is referring to Four Fans as his next race, rather than Skiddaw.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
[QUOTE=Travs;674792][QUOTE=Llani Boy;674787]
Well i've just checked and you're not in the same one as me!
But you are sort of in the same one as me. I hope to say hello on the top of Bowscale if I can spare the breath!
Perhaps you could wear a red rose to make for easy identification!
[QUOTE=anthonykay;674793]Actually i was supposed to be marshalling at Blencathra (as llani mentions above), and then racing at Skiddaw, but sadly my previously mentioned family problems mean i will be at neither.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
But then yes Four Fans (going back to defend my "title" from last year's staggered start time-trial :D), Welsh 1000 and Old Crown Round on consecutive weekends will make up for it
Incidentally Four Fans is being ran in reverse direction this year, and will be alternated yearly a la Brecon Beacons.
Thurlstone begins with 1.2m'350' up a track. This will be a joke as it's going to be a random selection staggered start so you'll have nobody to hang onto and pace you. All i can think of is to fire off a few nasty intervals and practice the pacing, just to get you comfortable going really hard and give you an idea of how fast you ought to be going. Too fast, and 10mins into the race you'll be hitting the wall with the delayed effects of O2 debt and your race might as well be over. This is probably the most critical race of my 50@50.
This is a good point, but there is absolutely no doubt that mass-start racing gives an extra edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I raced a track 1500m in April. I was probably in 4:55-4:57 shape even if i'd ran a time trial. But the race edge, and the final 600mtrs toe-to-toe with us both ramping the pace and being equally matched, pushed us both on... i finished in 4:45
Without that battle i'd never have ran that on my own.
Can also relate it to fellracing...
Last year i ran Four Fans in a staggered start time trial. In fact there were no allocated starts, just a 2hr window in which to start. I was in better shape than 2019, and indeed i "won" the time trial, and finished in 2:26... i'd been running right on what i thought was "the edge", as i knew i should be capable of winning given the opposition.
In 2019, i spent the entire race chasing as hard as possible to make up for a minor route error. On the final climb there were 3 guys coming back to me and i flogged it up there to take them and put in a gap before the descent.
End result 2:21, on my first time round the course, and arguably not in as good shape as when i ran 2:26
Full on racing just gives you an edge.
Nothing wrong with a little difference in opinions!!
I'm certainly able to push equally hard in training on my own.
Racing though... it's just different to me. Although everybody is different in the personality and characteristics... my coach would always put me on first leg in the XC/Road Relays where possible, as he said i was a "racer" and needed that competition to get the best out of me... Perhaps doesn't happen quite so much now though.
Evidently from your history and strategy of racing, it's a different case...
Well Saint Saviour be praised, they opted for a mass start! I turned up full of co-codamol and trepidation due to a spike in back problems that caused me to miss training on Thursday night. The chiropractor sorted it out a bit on Friday and got the vertebrae unlocked and moving again, but the muscles were sore and tight. I couldn't get my hamstrings loosened up, though, they were like banjo strings.
It was a loaded field considering the fact that it was a low key local xc, there were some quick looking racing snakes warming up. I'd planned to hang onto the first lady, but she was too fast, u23 track runner by the looks of it. I couldn't get up the bridleway quick enough and I was back in about 15th by the road, but people didn't have my flat speed so I'd pulled back about 4 places by the time we hit the third mile. There were no useful descents. The rest of the race was a battle with the guy in front of me, he left me on the aggravating uphill finish and I didn't get chance to sprint him for the line. I passed him at the bottom of the final climb hoping he'd give up, but he didn't!
I like playing those sorts of mind games with people. Your central governor is always looking for an excuse to make you slow down and stop the torture. Sometimes if someone thinks you've got more in the tank than them, they quit racing you and let you go. Not this guy though, all credit to him.
I like the odd mind-game along similar lines.
Creeping up on someone on a tough climb "awful climb this one, i'm f*$%*d...",
...then breaking into a run...
My game of choice!!
50m on the bike today, up to The Craven Arms and back. Expecting rain i took the winter bike and an OMM smock, and half way down my third pint the weather started its march up Wharfedale. The sky went grey and claps of thunder began, when dogs got up and started walking off i decided it was time to get going. I rode into the teeth of a thunder storm near Howgill, the lane turned to a river and there was all sorts of crap getting washed down. A wet ride all the way back to Leeds.
Carr Bridge Drive reps tonight, 0.25m/110', 6 reps but I lost count.
My left itb is sore from racing with a nasty back condition last weekend, it felt sore in warm-up but backed off a bit once I'd warmed up. I'd have liked to have done more reps really, but I've got to be sensible.
No running this weekend, this left itb soreness needs to clear ready for alderman's next weekend.
51m ride to the craven arms and back today, including a very eventful detour adding the extra mile. Please see today's bike ride for full details.
Carr Bridge Drive reps tonight, 0.25m/110', 10 reps... first time into double figures, it got pretty heavy going at about 8 in this heat.
Just seen an Aussie guy dig up a really big gold nugget on the TV. If you think of the biggest potato you've ever seen, it was about like that. 200,000 Aussie dollars in value.
Aldermans Ascent today, 5.3m/1300'. Possible the worst i've ever performed in a race. About 10mins in i started feeling empty and very hot, i kept doing my best and had a fairly good descent to the far CP in the bottom. Setting off out of the gill to the base of the climb my legs didn't want to run at all. The climb was punishing and i was out of water by the top, i had a gel which i think may have made to worse, my mouth was so dry. From then on i just got slower and slower, i couldn't even get going on the downhills. I decided i was on the edge of heat exhaustion and started to look for water, which i found in the form of a very small trickle running off the fell. I managed to get about half a litre down me and felt a lot better, i splashed some on my face and ended up with grit in my eyes. From then on i got progressively faster and was running comfortably over the last half mile. It just goes to show how chemically necessary water is to the body's performance, even if you're still moving and upright you can still be well down on power.
Today i met Martha Tibott from Saddleworth Runners, a young lady in her twenties. She staggered past me on her last quarter mile run into the finish of the ladies race and looked awful. I back tracked and found her collapsed in a bush in the ginnel, it took her 3 attempts to tell me her name and she was badly heat exhausted with blood coming out of both knees and foam from her mouth. I gave her some water, but she was getting less and less compus mentus. I shouted the corner marshal to get a first aider quickly, she arrived and i left her to her job.
The first and biggest problem i had was not knowing whether it was a first aider case or an ambulance case, and having this level of responsibility towards another helpless human being was quite overbearing. If anyone knows how she is, i'd be thankful for good news.
There is a post on Fell Runners UK which says she is in hospital on a drip but talking OK and once rehydrated should be fine.
Well done on your initial actions Mr B. I'm sure they will be appreciated.
Having seen some of the ladies at the end of their race I think I hydrated a bit too much and was burping and belching on the first climb. Apologies to anyone in the vicinity. I set off really slow and kept it that way until the last mile run in. Managed to get round in 57.29, which considering the heat was happy with.
The last time I felt heat like that was getting off an aeroplane and walking across the tarmac in Kuwait.
An enjoyable day, very well organised and a great burger washed down with a couple of pints of Bad Ass Blonde from the Donkeystone Brewery Co.
Last time i felt heat like that i was walking out of Atlanta Airport in summer.
50m bike ride to Appletreewick and back today. New PB set of 2h49m, when i got up today i didn't feel like i'd done a race yesterday, the heat restricted me that badly.
New session today, i felt that the 5k fartleks were getting a bit easy and that i was arriving home not having really killed myself.
Tinshill Lane rep, 1x 0.7m/240'
Carr Bridge Drive reps, 2x 0.25m/110'
5k Fartlek in woods
Total 5.5m/810' including the jogging between the efforts. It was a bit of a challenge in the heat, but i'll keep it going and see what happens.
Turnslack race today, 8m/2000'. I raced quite well, lost ground on the hills, but committed and made it back on the flats and descents. I was close to the lad in front of me on the final overgrown run off, but the bracken was thick and I chose not to go full speed in case I hit a rock. Visibility was bad in places, the trod was completely obscured. Points wise, I should be in the low 80s.
50m ride to the craven arms and back today. Legs a bit sore from turnslack, but still cracked a sub 2h50m. Thankfully restrictions have been abolished and I can now stand by the range with a beer.
Surely a bit warm to stand by the range!Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
Tinshill Lane rep, 1x 0.7m/240'
Carr Bridge Drive reps, 2x 0.25m/110'
5k Fartlek in woods
Total 5.5m/810'
I felt like i could do more CBD reps today, like i was going quite fast for some reason, probably not being too hot. I decided to keep it at 2 until i know i can comfortably complete the session without issues. I've got more compensation issues down my left ITB after picking up a back sprain at Turnslack, it was feeling a bit sore.
Someone was holding a baby up the their front window on Carr Bridge Drive, which was hugely entertained by me running back and forth. I waved at the little fella and he/she got very excited and waved back.
Sad news of Ron Hill's passing last month, just heard.
No running this weekend, i got my back adjusted at the chiropractor on friday so hopefully the over-compensation will go away, but i need to rest it. Hitting it with Dit Da Jow compress as we speak.
50m bike ride up to Burnsall today.