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Originally Posted by PeteS
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:o:o:oQuote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Still blighted with a painful blister from new trainers, so with some careful strapping, I managed a treadmill hill session today. 4.5 miles, 2850ft. Being very careful with it, in light of racing at the monstrous Ennerdale next weekend.
29 mile walk today. We parked in Ilkley. Caught bus to Buckden and walked back on Dales Way
Arriva bus service excellent and cost £6 for humans with vizslas free
Managed a blister-hampered 26 miles and 9500ft last week. Got off to a poor start today, only managing 2.5 miles and 500ft of a planned longer run. Blister not healing up very quickly in the hot, sweaty weather. Finally have to face facts that I need at least a couple of days away from running, to let them heal, before the mighty Ennerdale at the weekend. So will be the exercise bike or cross-trainer for at least the next couple of days.
Long reps on a circuit on the university playing fields that I last used at least 20 years ago. They have now built a football stadium on part of the fields, so my circuit is a bit shorter than it used to be; but it still involves a gentle downhill soon after the start, and the corresponding uphill just before the finish. I don't know the length, but since my timings for the five reps were 4m13s, 4m27s, 4m27s, 4m21s, 4m25s, it must be about a mile :p.
There is a reason for reps 1 and 4 being faster than the others. Halfway round rep 1, I became aware of voices behind me. Yes, there were a couple of blokes who were keeping pace or even catching me, and still had the breath for a natter while they were running. And they were just on a steady run, not doing reps. Mind you, they were Loughborough students, and about one-third of my age. Then while I was doing rep 3 a girl appeared at one corner of the lower field, and started doing her own reps, shorter than mine (three-quarters of the way round the field, and omitting my downhill and uphill sections). The timing of my rep 4 coincided so that she started her rep a little way behind me; I could only watch as she glided effortlessly past me, but I suppose it spurred me on to put in a bit more effort myself.
Loughborough Uni are one of the top clubs around here. They smash the Div1 cross country every year, beating the likes of Birchfield Harriers, Tipton, Cheltenham, and my Godiva boys out of sight.
Missing club night tonight in an attempt to clear up my blisters for the weekend. Spending the time researching various races. Quite fancy Arrochar Alps next year... looks horrific...!
Likes of Seb Coe went to Loughborough when I was a lad
Yes, but he only got a Third Class degree. I have heard it said that some of the academic staff in his Department were disappointed that a bright lad like that was spending too much time on his athletics and not enough studying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
Never done Arrochar Alps myself, but it's steeper than Jura, easier to travel to, and you don't have to worry about getting your entry in on time. It certainly deserves more patronage: according to the SHRA website, it only gets around 30-40 runners in most years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Having read into it, and looked at the historical threads on here, plus your points made above, i'm sold on it! Will have to be next year though... a little late to organise it for the end of thismonth, and already a little pre-occupied with the small matters of Ennerdale and Buttermere this month...!
Had a rest day yesterday, blister slowly clearing up. Was able to clean it with Surgical Spirit last night without screaming, so it's obviously healed over the raw flesh. Hopefully get out on a bike or cross-trainer session tonight and tomorrow, then a planned pre-race run on Friday to tick off another two Wainwrights (Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike). All being well i'll have something left in the tank after Ennerdale, to complete the Wainwright Western Fells book on sunday (Buckbarrow, Middle Fell, Yewbarrow).
Lovely afternoon in the Western Fells. Honister-Fleetwith Pike-Haystacks-Scarth Gap-Black Sail Hut-Ennerdale
A steady afternoon out to get my legs back, after suffering from a stuttering training regime over the past few weeks, and previously only 2.5 miles done this week due to blister problems.
Took it steady up to Fleetwith Pike but still reached the summit in 24 minutes. Took a little longer than expecting getting round to Haystacks, it's a bit longer than I remembered across the top of Haystacks, but I was really taking my time as it was my first time on Haystacks in clear weather so I was having a good look round. Partly for the benefit of Ennerdale tomorrow, but even more so for the Buttermere race in a couple of weeks (Innonimate Tarn to Scarth Gap was the scene of an absolute shit-tip of a navigation error last time, my "shortcut" costing me plenty of time, and I went from comfortably top half at Honister, to 5th last at the finish.... also aided and abetted by a lack of endurance over such a demanding race).
Raced down from Scarth Gap to Ennerdale floor in just a few minutes, then a steady jog back down a stiflingly hot sun trap of Ennerdale valley back to Ennerdale village where I'm staying until Monday.
13 miles, 1850ft. Good news is the blisters are just about gone, with only a little bit of pain from my Mudclaws on fast descents. I don't think this will cause much of an issue tomorrow. But my main worry is the lack of miles over the past few weeks, due to various niggles and blisters, really felt it in my ankles today on the rough ground, I guess I'm just slightly off top condition. But bearing in my I was at 'peak condition' less than 6 weeks ago I'm hoping I can bluff my way round Ennerdale tomorrow, but I fear my hopes of a good time are hanging in the balance.
Keswick And over Skiddaw to Mirehouse. Quick change and straight into Bassenthwaite for a swim to Otherside. Stuck thumb out and quickly got a lift to Keswick. Drove to Wythburn and a quick up and down of Helvellyn. Knee sore especially descending but nothing a few pain killers couldn't handle.
Yes, hitch-hiking is so much easier when you are only wearing swimming trunks. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Corniceman
The thermometer in the car read 29c this afternoon at Ennerdale. But undeterred, and with a fresh pair of Fell shoes, I hared off back up Crag Fell in absolutely stunning sunshine and clear skies.
Reaching the top, I had intended to reverse my route back down through the trees, but feeling fresh and a little more adventurous, I dropped off ESE down to the wall junction at Red Beck (my 1:50000 OS Map fortunately not informing me that I was passing through an area of disused mines and levels), then back over Angler's Crag down to the head of the lake.
Only 4 miles and 1500ft, but considering yesterday's ordeal at Ennerdale I felt amazingly fresh in the muscles, running a fair amount of the climb up Crag Fell, and the whole climb up Angler's Crag, and almost breaking into a sprint along the side of the Lake back towards the car park.
This weeks total 42.5 miles, 11400ft.
Upping my mileage as I approach elevation to M60 status -- but today's effort was too far, especially coming two days after a rather brisk Beacon Hill run.
I went to Buck Hill, Beacon Hill, Ulverscroft, Bradgate Park (steep approach to Old John*); then, as I approached Woodhouse Eaves on the way home with just over two hours' running behind me, I ground to a halt, despite having consumed an entire Ma Baker's Giant Bar (other oatmeal confections are also available) and a reasonable amount of water. I had to walk most of the remaining two and a half miles home. But it was a lovely run in beautiful countryside.
* Old John was a faithful servant of the Earls of Stamford, who lived in the big house in Bradgate Park in the 18th century. When Old John died, it was decided to erect a monument to him at the highest point in the park, and that the monument should be in the shape of a beer tankard. Obviously I remain mystified as to why it should be considered appropriate for anyone to be commemorated by a monument in the shape of a beer tankard. Anyway, the monument is now referred to as "Old John".
On one occasion I wrote a report on the Charnwood Hills Race for the Fellrunner magazine, and mentioned "Old John's Hill". When the magazine came out, the editor had "corrected" it to "St John's Hill". :mad:
Similar thing happened to me yesterday. I went out early to avoid the heat of the day. A relatively easy run around rural Worcestershire and just ground to a halt. Not sure if it's the weather or if I've been overdoing it of late, making up for recent injuries. We all have bad days but at least we are out there doing it!Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
Now that would have been a sight. I was picked up by a female too!! Surprised I wasn't arrested.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corniceman
Back in Coventry, and opted for a progressive run, 7 miles and 1550ft.
Good news is I seem to be just about clear of my blister issues. Although toes are still very sore after the weekend, but that appears to just be residual pain and not being made worse by running.
Back to the club session tomorrow... Hills! Not entirely looking forward to it after polishing off close to 11000ft since Friday afternoon.
Good effort Travs and Corniceman
Stef’s got us lined up for c 70 miles in the first three days of our upcoming holiday, albeit steadily away
Club hill session tonight... reps up and down a hill of perhaps 180 metres long, not a massive incline, perhaps 9 or 10% average.
10 minute hard uphill reps, 10 mins downhill, 5 mins uphill, 5 mins downhill.
We stayed fairly close as a group for the first 20 mins, but then changing back to uphills was a real struggle for those not so used to running on hills, so I turned the screw a pulled out a big gap.
From a personal point of view I was fairly happy with the session, although obviously a little heavy-legged from the weekend. Broke my new Fell shoes in a bit more on the grass (these Irocks incredibly comfortable straight out of the box, but with Buttermere in the horizon I'm taking no chances), and even more satisfying managed to pierce the incredibly painful blood/gunge/blister underneath my toenail which was causing a huge amount of pain since the weekend.
We were visited by Coventry Godiva's most famous son tonight, with none other than David Moorcroft milling around amongst the group after the session tonight. Must be such an incentive for the huge junior section of the club, to see such a great athlete still a part of the club.
Good effort Travs and enjoy your increasing mileage DT. Great to hear about Dave Moorcroft, but do the juniors know who he is? My brother in law was a renoun 110m hurdler from the same generation as Moorcroft, Jon Ridgeon. Took him to meet the kids at Notts ac and they'd never heard of him, where as the older athletes were queuing up to shake his hand!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
No idea if they know who he is, although i think our club is quite big on educating the kids about the history of the club.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corniceman
Our junior section is absolutely massive, quite a sight to see on a Tuesday night when they are all out on the track and field, and various groups out in the grounds of the University. It's quite astonishing the effort that goes in, and i understand there's a waiting list for junior enrolment into the club. It's also equally remarkable how many juniors equals (in percentage terms) such a small return in high-level adults, when you take into account the obvious drop-out rate, teenagers discovering beer/girls/boys/etc.
Club night tonight. The planned session was a 6 mile run with a 2 mile 'time trial' the middle 2 miles.
Unfortunately I was outvoted in favour of a rep session on the grass. 2 sides of a football pitch hard, with 1 side recovery, x12.
So quite a fast session, I ran it hard although did the session in my socks as still breaking in my training shoes, and therefore a bit nervous about turning the sharp corners of the pitch and inflaming my blisters which are healing up nicely.
With an extensive track warm up on my own, the group warmup and warm down, managed 8 miles tonight.
Once Buttermere is done, I'm contemplating dropping to one club session a week, for a few weeks, and doing the 2nd hard session on the treadmill to mimic the upcoming Snowdon race... hard uphill for an hour, and then half hour with the gradient as low as possible (probably flat), as fast as possible.
80 minute progressive run this morning. After 40 minutes I was rather wondering if I could continue to up the speed every 5 minutes until the end. But inspired by watching Naylor's Run and a couple of interviews last night, where he mentioned along the lines of "run out hard, and hold it on the way back"..... I persevered.
10 miles, 2150ft. Not bad considering I was laid low yesterday with a bit of a cold/bug. I guess it was just my body protesting after a solid week of training straight off the back of a very tough Ennerdale. But felt ok this morning, and best of all my shoes seem to be broken in and no blisters!
All being well I'll begin my specific Snowdon training tomorrow with a tough session on the treadmill.
First 'Snowdon specific' training session this morning.
90 minutes (my initial target time for the race). 60 mins hard uphill then 30 mins downhill (actually flat as the treadmill doesn't go below flat).
As expected, this was a very tough session to stick to. My strong start (actually maintaining something that resembled a run) went fine up to about 35 mins, then I simply had to have a few mins at a power-walk, which as we know is the beginning of the end, and it was then a struggle to put together more than 3 or 4 minutes of continuous uphill, and it was with some relief that the hour ticked over (3350ft ascent), and I turned the gradient down to flat.
As someone who does my 'flat' treadmill running at a gradient of 4.5%, and having just completed an hour at 15% gradient, turning it down to completely flat really felt like going steeply downhill, and for about a minute I felt like I was going to fly off the front of the treadmill. Made good work of the final 30 mins, indeed it was more a case of keeping the legs turning over at a high rate, rather than dealing with fatigue.
Managed 9.5 miles and 3350ft, which I have just seen is almost identical to the race stats (9.5/3300ft)..... for some reason I thought the race stats were 10miles/3500ft, so I'm fairly happy with that as a first go. There's certainly more to come on the ascending side, I wasn't climbing to my best (I'll put that down to a heavy week of training and running Ennerdale last week).
I know it's not the same as running the race on the ground, but it's the best preparation I can put together, and I plan to do it 3 or 4 more times before the race.
Total for the week, 41 miles, 7850ft.
Next week got a tough looking track session on Tuesday, and a couple of steadier sessions, ready for the ordeal that is Buttermere on Saturday.
21 miles walk today along the River Otter (the one with the Beavers) today
East Devon Way planned for tomorrow - 40 mile Exmouth to Lyme Regis
Big week then?
Club night tonight, and a tough track session on a surprisingly humid evening.
I may not have been the fastest person on the track, but I was certainly leading the fashion stakes.... my old Dark Peak vest (brown/yellow/purple), black and green baseball cap (worn backwards of course), turquoise shorts, black/red/yellow trainers... how can one man have so much fashion sense and still be single?!
5 x 1000m reps with decreasing recovery.... 2mins, 90secs, 60secs, 30secs...
Heavy legged from a big weekend of training, I couldn't match the front couple for out-and-out pace, but not to worry, as I knew that once the recovery times got shorter I'd catch back up. I don't have the pace, but I have comparatively good powers of recovery, I guess a throwback to my kickboxing days when we'd do extremely hard rounds and be expected to recover quickly and go again.
As expected I started to close the distance on the 3rd and 4th rep, and blazed my way to the front on the 5th and final rep. A good session, and coupled with a decent pacy warmup and warm down, 7 miles in total.
That will be my only real hard session of the week. Buttermere on Saturday. I'll do something steady tomorrow, day off Thursday, and Friday afternoon I'll do a short run/walk up in the Lakes, tick off a couple more Wainwrights.
Makings of a decent week Brett with 41.1 miles walked today. Definitely getting stronger because I ran upstairs when I got back
How many hours did the 41 miles take you? Did you walk all of it? Or did you run some of it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
We were out walking for about 13.5 hours. We were in the Red Lion in Sidbury 65 mins too
Arrived in the lakes early evening ready for tomorrow's Buttermere Horseshoe.
Absolutely perfect weather. From the Swan Hotel at Thornthwaite, up through the forest and onto Barf, short up and down to Lords Seat, a similarly short runonto Broom Fell, then a slightly longer and more interesting up and down to Graystones, reaching the summit around 1hr05 after starting. I was by no means racing, but going at a reasonable pace most of the way, so an hour to get 4 "easy" Wainwrights in the bag.
Then dropped steeply down to Scawgill Bridge (rather than following the steep path down I elected to try a more direct grassy route, which ended quite badly, and some embarrassing bracken-bashing to get myself back over to the path), and down the maze of roads in the Lorton Valley to my b&b. 6 miles, 2200ft, 1hr30. Feel full of energy, but not feeling particularly pacy.
After a couple of days of absolute chaos on the evening trains, resulting in missing training Monday and Tuesday, I did my first session since Buttermere tonight. A fairly steady 6 miles and 2200ft in an hour.
A few issues. Achilles still not totally pain-free, a bit of tightness generally (after running Ennerdale and Buttermere in the past 3 weekends I suppose this is to be expected), and lost another toenail tonight.
Hopefully put in a hard session tomorrow, and then tick over before the Callow race on Sunday.
Ice is your friend Travs
Big hill session tonight and my 2nd re-enactment of the Snowdon race on the treadmill.
Didn't go quite so well tonight. Whether it was the heat which was ferocious in the gym, or the remnants of Buttermere in my legs from the weekend, I just didn't have it in me tonight. After about 20 mins of good uphill running I just ran out of petrol. Even reducing to a power-walk didn't recover things and I was further reduced to a distinctly non-power-walk for some considerable time.
But I dug in grimly and held on for the 90mins, eventually managing 3900ft and 7.5 miles, having decided after about 40 mins that I would just continue to work as hard as possible in whatever way I could, rather than battle upwards for the hour then sprint for 30 mins.
So although not going exactly to plan, a decent session. Will have a couple of easier sessions before Sunday, to hopefully recover a little before the notoriously tough Callow race (5 miles 2500ft) on Sunday, and go again at "Snowdon' next week, with hopefully a bit more in the tank.
Last ten weeks training have resulted in an average of 30 miles and 9200ft. The previous ten weeks before that were 28.5 miles and 8500ft.
So a minimal increase, but week-to-week I've been more consistent. I lost an entire week recovering from the UTS which dropped the average, and have also had to "break in" a new pair of training shoes which caused some blister issues which also put a restriction on the mileage.
But overall, just keeping a measure of my weekly totals, and always aiming for that 40 miles/10000ft target, has helped me to generally remain consistent, and probably not a coincidence that I've had a pb by an hour at Buttermere, and several races in and around the top 10 in Shropshire, which would have been unthinkable 6 months ago.
Hopefully the next ten weeks show a better increase in miles.
Quick sharp track session tonight in the heat.
2 x 200m, 2 x 400m, 2 x 600m, 2 x 400m, 2 x 200m.... all off 90 seconds rest.
The lungs and mind were willing, but as I very much suspected, the legs weren't. Could barely get down below 84secs for the 400m reps, although went mad on the last 200m and pulled out 36secs.
But still a good runout and a nice way to kick the week off, 6.5 miles including warmup and warm down.
No race now for nearly 3 weeks (Snowdon next), so plan is plenty of steady miles to let the legs recover, and a few more specific sessions geared towards the race.
Another "Snowdon replica" treadmill session tonight in the oppressive heat of the gym.
Basically an hour uphill followed by 30 mins hard on the flat. Aim to hit the 9.5 miles and 3300ft race stats.
Went a lot better than last time, but still have some leftover pain from my Achilles issues, so couldn't push hard on the final 30 mins. In fact I reverted back to uphill for a few minutes ease the discomfort, the aim of being fit and fresh on the start line being a higher priority than ragging myself in training.
Managed 8 miles and 3700ft, so a decent session, but pushing hard in this heat is a big effort.
Afoot in Two Dales LDWA event yesterday - 50.8 miles walked with Stef in 15 hrs 25 mins
Nice one DT thats your qualifier for next years 100 sorted then ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup