Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Pete,what type of Hokas have you gone for. I am now running once a week only due to joint pain and wonder if Hokas might help me. are they road models or off road models? Interested in both.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Pete,what type of Hokas have you gone for. I am now running once a week only due to joint pain and wonder if Hokas might help me. are they road models or off road models? Interested in both.
Hi Simon, they were Hoka Arahi, purely a road shoe. I certainly noticed the increased cushioning.
A friend and clubmate has also just purchased the Hoka Speedgoat which is their trail shoe, and he was very impressed after years of loyalty to Saucony.
I'd have probably just continued my usual policy of doing everything (road/track/treadmill/grass) in my trail shoes, but a combination of xmas and some winter prizemoney meant i took a gamble on a couple of pairs of road shoes (some very minimal Inov8 Roadclaws, and the Hokas at the other end of the scale).
Slow run over Buck Hill and Beacon Hill today. Not sure why I felt so sluggish; was it the effect of last night's Chinese New Year dinner party?
Nice jog up and down a freezing Snowdon yesterday. Seriously cold on top.
I turned on to the bridleway that leads up towards the Outwoods, and noticed a runner less than 100 metres ahead of me. I soon noticed that I was slowly gaining on him. Eventually, when I was about to draw level, he turned to me: "Hello, Anthony, how are you doing?". I recognised him as a student that I have been teaching. Obviously a recreational runner, not one of the Loughborough student athletes so feared by Travs in the Birmingham League cross-country.
Club night tonight, and we were graced by the presence of probably the most famous Godiva-ite of the moment, Katrina Wooton. Mysteriously she didn't seem too enthusiastic about joining our mixed team for the Lee Mill Relay...
So I turned to the matter in hand. 5 x 1 mile reps with 90 seconds rest in between.
After a tough Long Mynd Valleys on Sunday, followed bafflingly by a 3000ft hill session yesterday, I wasn't confident of tearing up the record books tonight, and the aim was just to survive. After knocking out the first rep in 6:40, I felt fairly fresh and latched onto the faster group of marathon trainers, who had already knocked out a 10 mile run and were doing the reps off 60 seconds rest.
I stayed with this group for the remainder, eventually winding the reps down to 6:10..... a total of 9 miles tonight.
Holidaying in Skye next week, so planning to just get plenty of miles in over the next couple of weeks, ready for a tight schedule of ultras coming up.
And my planned 4 day Easter break in Keswick, bagging another 20 or so Wainwrights, has now turned into a race weekend as I'll be doing the TWA. Hopefully still get some Wainwrights in as well if my legs are in a fit state.
10 miles around the cold streets of western Coventry.... what could be more romantic?!
I've got used to taking the Thursday night longer run at a steadier pace, saving my hard effort for more intense sessions. You get no prizes for hammering round the Thursday night run in the fastest time.
But tonight being my last session before a weeks holiday, I decided to inject some pace and give it some hammer tonight. So I blasted it out. Finished a full 15 minutes in front of the rest of the group, who admittedly were sensibly taking it as a very steady run.
After a few decent sessions in the Hokas I have to say that I'm a fan.
After a monster 9 hour drive to Skye, I needed to stretch the legs out. Fortunately the back garden of the house backs straight onto the open Fell of Glamaig. Obvious choice then... strap on the headtorch and blaze my way up there.
Well it really is one of the steepest, scree-covered, lumps of rock I've ever come across. During one interlude as I braced myself against the wind, I did take a minute to reflect how I went from entering a short Peak District fell race in 2015, to climbing Glamaig in the dark, in February, thinking it would be "a good little runout".
Was pleasantly surprised to find that the final 150m or so of climb onto the top of An Coileach was actually quite runnable. From the summit, dropped down towards the col between there and Glamaig itself, then a beeline back down to the cottages at Sconser. This was not the simple descent it sounds. Some parts of it were glorious, but not knowing the mountain, I could only go on what I could see from my headtorch, so had to hold myself back a little. And some of it was just horribly steep and rocky.
Was a great way to spend a Saturday evening, but slightly disappointed to find that for all the effort, I only totalled 2.75 miles and 2200ft...!
Bigger runout planned for tomorrow.
Plan was to visit Loch Coruisk today. But not wanting to do a simple out-and-back, I made the unorthodox choice of starting from the head of Loch Ainort.
Up past the waterfall and contouring round the valley beyond. As I was congratulating myself on a fine LDMT-style start to the run, getting nearer to the col at the end of the valley, I turned into the wind and was blown back about 10 yards before I could regain control of my legs. Down into the valley beyond it was even worse and I had to lie down a few times to maintain position.... Welcome to Skye...!
Upon reaching the main path from Sligachan I checked myself over, was still warm enough, and the wind was not quite so brutal. No harm done, so carried on, over the rise and down to Coruisk. What a stunning place. Plenty of cloud about so didn't get the full view, but it added to the atmosphere. On the path round the coast to Camasunary I got lucky as the weather cleared, a bit of sunshine, and some of the finest views I have ever set eyes upon.
By the time I got to Camasunary beach (via a waist-deep crossing) the weather had closed in, it was very atmospheric, but phone away, hood up, and knock out the remaining 8 miles or so back down the Skye Trail to Sligachan, then a tough couple of road miles back to Sconser.
20 miles, approx 2500ft, and one of the most beautiful and dramatic runs I've ever done.
No long distance mountain exploits today, but I felt the need to get a few miles in. So strapped the Hokas and the headtorch on, and did a quality session on the minor road on the north side of Loch Ainort.
2.5 miles at tempo-ish pace out. Turned around and did the 2.5 miles back significantly harder.
A good little run out. Quite character building as it was absolutely pissing down, a howling wind, and the headtorch didn't really help as all it did was illuminate the rainstorm in front of my eyes.
Planning a much more substantial outing tomorrow.
That road- The Moll road- is normally our club 10k race. Starting at Moll and finishing at Sconser golf course. Unfortunately the road collapsed into the sea last winter after some heavy rain. It's now impassable after a few miles. Sounds like you're packing it in. Is it Trotternish tomorrow?Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Yes I ran from the junction with the A87, up to the collapse. It is a substantial collapse, the whole road had gone!
Yes the plan is Trotternish tomorrow.
I went over to Neist point today, and then across to Coral Beach. Absolutely stunning.
I've wanted to do the Trotternish Ridge ever since I first got the fantastic Great British Ridge Walks book by Bill Birkett probably 15 years ago. Today was the day.
Started from the car pull-in near Flodigarry and up through the mystical Quirang. It was between here and the main Quirang car park that I met the only people of the day, a runner coming in the opposite direction, and a small handful of walkers (in fact these are the only people I've seen all week in any of my runs out).
Blazed my way onto the ridge proper, reaching Beinn Edra in 2:15, Hartaval in 4:05 and The Storr a short time later.
From The Storr I'd declined Neilly's advice to drop down and follow the sea-cliffs back to Portree. I wanted to keep it as a pure ridge run, and in any case on the summit of the Storr in zero visibility, surrounded on three sides by what appeared to be vertical cliffs, I wasn't sure of the way down anyway, other than along the ridge.
Not quite downhill all the way from here, I had the conundrum of Ben Dearg to solve. I saw a grassy rake which looked to be heading directly towards the summit, but surrounded by vertical cliffs, and couldn't see the top through the clouds, so I elected to swing out to the right and double back. This was the hardest climb of the day.
Portree finally came into view on 6 hours, but it took almost an hour to get down to the harbour, due to the deterioration of the ridge, no path, and no local knowledge.
A fantastic day out. Some of the views were unbelievable, and at times the weather closed right in and it was a case of head down and work hard. In hindsight next time I'd probably try and drop off at the Storr and follow the cliffs back. The ridge did deteriorate from here in terms of scenery and quality of running, but I'm glad I saw the entire ridge through today.
I clocked 23 miles and around 7000ft. Didn't break any speed records, but I was generally following the crest of the ridge religiously, and taking in all the high points, even on the way down from The Storr and Ben Dearg. Not to mention carry a 25 litre bag almost full with extra clothing, food, water... and the obligatory photo and food stops.
Main issues were lack of water (I refilled very early on in the Quirang, then things were looking bleak until I managed to find a source on Hartaval. Also navigation... you'd think a ridge with a whopping great cliff on one side would provide no route problems. But in the cloud there are some twists and turns, and dropping down to some of the cols is quite confusing, particularly either side of Hartaval and coming off the Storr.
A day to remember. The race along the ridge, assuming it takes the full ridge, would give Ennerdale a close run for its money in terms of scale and difficulty.
Hi Travs, I went up there today about 2. Climbed from Glenhinisdale and went along to Sgurr Bhataidd Ruadaidh (excuse my Gaelic) -about 8 miles. Weather was 'changeable' the clag came in and I spent 20 minutes wandering about with a sense of panic rising! I've been up there dozens of times but it's still so easy to get lost in the mist. The first year we ran the race only half the field finished due to nav problems so well done! It looks so easy with a great big handrail to navigate with but it's a real bugger in the mist. The climb up Bein Dearg is brutal, and the last four miles are really boggy and energy sapping. You'll need to come back on 1st June for the race. We're only 17 miles. Finlay Wild did it in 2.37 I think!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Is the grassy ramp straight up onto Ben Dearg actually feasible as an ascent? I was tempted, but looking down from the top it was incredibly steep.
Yes I checked out the race route on the SHR website. Seems that it drops off the Storr down to the car park below. To rival Ennerdale for length and brutality it would need to finish in Portree I reckon. But no doubt it is an amazing race route and very tough, and would arguably be a tougher prospect than Langdale and Borowdale... 2:37 doesn't bear thinking about!
Yes, straight up the grass. It becomes scree later on. It's not as bad as it looks but is a terrifying descent! I live about 5 miles from the south end of the ridge. Quite often go up from Borve and do a circuit. You can get up to Bein Dearg from the west and circle round. Can be horribly boggy but character building. Weather appalling today. I had a couple of days off and had great intentions of going down to Slig and doing the Fairy pools circuit but ended up pounding the mean streets of Portree for 10k and heading to the gym for a kettle bell session.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Looks drier tomorrow though. Do you have anything else planned? A good bad weather run is the Suishinish/Borreraig circuit from outside Broadford 10 miles or Glenbrittle forest from the Fairy pools carpark 10 miles, you can tag on the fairy pools for another 5. Have fun. Neil
Today as you say was shocking weather. I just did an easier 5.5 miles from Sligachan, up past the Allt Dearg Beag waterfalls (ferocious), and up towards the Basteir Gorge. Basically went as far as I could follow the path and turned round.
Tomorrow's plan is straight out the back garden at Sconser, straight up the side of Glamaig, and then follow the roller-coaster over the Red Cuillin and as far onto Garbh Bheinn/Blaven as I can safely go. I'll be researching it shortly, but my understanding is at some point on the way to Blaven from this direction I'm going to hit something impassable, at which point I intend to seek out a descent into Sligachan.
Friday planning to get onto Rasaay.
Sounds hard. I've never done the whole route. I've done the Glamaig horseshoe which is great but probably too short for you, only 2h30. My friend did Glamaig to Marsco and back taking in all the peaks both ways as training for Jura. He said Jura was easier!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Raasay is lovely. Totally different to Skye. Don't bother with the car you can run everywhere. Dun Caan is a great wee hill but there are endless trails and forest paths too. Theres a good cafe at the hotel by the pier. Just don't miss the last ferry. I'm back to work tomorrow but will fit in a lunch hour run around Scorrybreac and surrounding area. Then off to teach Pilates in the evening. Hope you've enjoyed your time here. It's a great place but the weather can be shocking! We've run the TRR in everything from heatwave to snow, always the first Sat in June.
Today was indeed hard. Straight from the garden fence onto the steeps of Glamaig. When I finally hit the col between An Coileach and Glamaig, hit the full force of the wind and rain. Possibly the worst I've ever encountered.... was leaning way over 45deg to stay upright, and had to throw myself on the floor several times to stay safe.
On hitting Glamaig summit I made straight for the col to the south... luckily there is a quite fantastic scree-run and I was able to make quick progress. Being nothing if not determined, continued on up Beinn Dearg Mhor, and again down to the next col.
Realised I was soaked to the bone, despite wearing 4 layers, so I made a final ascent onto Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach, then a rapid descent down the fantastic Druim Na Ruaige ridge descent back to Sligachan, then a sorry couple of miles along the road back to Sconser.
So didn't mange the full route today, but still 10 miles and 4100ft... and they were a hard 10 miles..!!
If you were to ask me as a single question, would I travel 10 hours for the Trotternish race.... then the answer would be yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by neilly
But to be more realistic, then ask would I travel that far when there is a clash with Welsh 1000m, Duddon Valley, and potentially also so close to Helvellyn & The Dodds, Ennerdale... then it's a much more difficult question.
If the objective is to attract people from south of the border, then really it needs to be advertised along with Jura as a double... perhaps a prize for best combined performance over the two races.
That's the Glamaig horseshoe I meant. It's great. The run down the last ridge is great fun apart from the last 300m or so which is really awkward, steep, tussocky and slippy.
The weather improved this afternoon. I managed 75 minutes around the cliffs outside Portreeve in an extended lunch break. We hit the heady heights of 14C! Looks decent for your Raasay trip too. I'm doing Bein Tianavaig myself or maybe the run you did yesterday with an extension to Meall Odhar. Glad you've enjoyed your time here. The wind and weather is something else here. I struggle to run down hill sometimes. As you said, it can lift you off your feet. I did a race over in Harris a while ago, it's even worse!
We're quite happy to keep it a low key affair. We've got restrictions from SNH to keep numbers down to 75 unless it's a championship race. The route goes over a SSSI area so they worry about people trampling a rare bog flower on the back of the Storr. Apparently it only grows there and Iceland. We've also got RSPB to tend with, Golden eagles nest 100m from the final descent and if there are chicks we need to alter the route slightly. We put transport on to the start line and back from the finish to PortreeWe hire a Citylink bus-50 seater- and a couple of minibuses so bigger numbers mean more buses etc.
We still think it's the best bargain race in Scotland. £15 Inc transport, baking and prize giving meal. We get sponsored by Talisker whisky who provide prizes and a local architect R.House who pay for the bus. I think we've got some entries this year from Norway and Todmorden! Hopefully see you some time
Neil
Well the Horseshoe certainly took more than 2hr30 yesterday's weather...! I think it took me longer than an hour to battle my way onto Glamaig. I was on the final top in 2hrs30 (it took me until halfway up the 2nd climb to find my climbing legs, but I was able to run much of the final climb).
The ridge descent down was great but terrifying as the tail-wind was pushing me towards speeds I couldn't cope with, so half way down I sat down and ate a Scotch Pie before continuing down a little steadier.
Managed a flat off road run 5.5 miles first time in a long time, but tired quickly at 8 min mile pace. Knee and ankle tied up in final mile and it seems my injuries cause that attritional impact. Not quite so bad when out on fell and at a slower pace.
Followed this up with a mile dash from Stamford Bridge to Earls Court last night. Only a mile but well under 8 min pace. perhaps I might be able to start intervals again sometime soon.
Sounds positive Simon
Great hearing about Travs’ adventures on Skye
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
Indeed. It sounds great and stark contrast to the streets of west London! I have been to Skye 3 times but never set foot in the Cuilins. last time up I stayed near to Kyle of Lochalsh and focussed attention on the hills around Kintail. Also very, very good. A stark difference with those hills are the roughness of the trods, and especially in decent when 3000 foot plus downhills on a shoddy steep trail seem the norm. I am sure Trav has been up to Skye before, I do recall some similar adventures? His increased fitness now though seems to be paying dividends for him, being able to string several brutal days together. Forest v Derby on Monday night, exciting but not a day for a jog along the Trent!
Trained today for the first time in 3 weeks, just a pootle round the first leg of the BGR. Massively relieved that my dodgy foot has survived 13 miles being repeatedly brayed in a pair of unforgiving Walshes.
(Although ironically it feels like i’ve totally cut up my heel, probably down to the big gel pad I had protecting my metatarsals. swings and roundabouts).
Went over to Rasaay today. What a fantastic place. Really needs more than a single day. The going was much rougher than expected and I couldn't get as far as planned, as was confined to the ferry timetable.
Obviously the first port of call was the highest point on the island... Dun Cana... what a place, sea, lochs and moorland as far as the eye could see... descended towards the west coast, then down to the south coast and back towards the ferry...
19 miles and around 2000ft... every bit as challenging as Skye, and every bit as magical in its own way.
I always take the race route up and start/finish at the hotel. Still takes me 50 minutes up. You can get back to the hotel from the last summit in 25 minutes on a good day. Stopping for pies doesn't help, adds some ballast I suppose. I think the horseshoe from the hotel's about 7.5 miles with 4000ft. The run back across the moor can be horribly boggy, I've fallen in up to my waist before.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Raasay always reminds me of the Wicker Man. No Police, cut off from civilization, bandit country! Theres all sorts goes on over there.I occasionally go over for work to visit patients. I always manage to fit a run up Dun Caan in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
I normally just go up from the end of the old railway. 6 miles return.
Im surprised you got over today. I though the ferry would be cancelled. I was up Bein Tianavaig about 10 and had a 50 mph wind pushing me up all the way. When I turned at the top I could hardly move downhill so.descended north, then east to pick up the shore line path on the Sound of Raasay back to the car.
Sounds like you've had a busy week, you've packed more in than I'd do in a month!
Yes I packed a lot in... managed 85 miles and 19350ft. My biggest ever week. Funnily enough I don't feel too bad for it either. Perhaps because I only did one 'hard' road session. Although none of the long days out would be considered easy by any means!
Hopefully a good bank of miles to help with the upcoming ultras... 3 between now and early-April. Then a long challenge type excursion in may.
Well after last weeks escapades, it was back to the bread-and-butter tonight and the main club session of the week.
Tonight's ordeal was 8 x 1km on the road, with 60secs rest.
Felt strong but not particularly speedy (no surprise after last weeks heavy mileage and climb), and never really got below 6min/mile pace for any of the reps. But I more than held my own with the marathon trainers who I believe (based on my limited understanding) are not necessarily flogging themselves to death on the rep sessions, but are consistently knocking out decent reps off limited rest. In fact I finished the session a full minute in front of these guys, who I would expect to be a little bit in front of me if they were really banging the reps out.
Next few weeks are looking particularly difficult to train effectively for... in the next 6 weeks I've got 3 ultras, but in between have two AS Fell races, and the road relays. This week there will be no more particularly hard sessions as I need some freshness in the legs before the Cardingmill Canter on Saturday.
Today's total 9.5 miles.
Club night tonight and a 9 mile jaunt around the streets of south Cov.
One of the roads featuring in one of our routes has been awarded "most polluted road in the West Midlands..." what an honour!
Raised the fashion stakes today, with a ragged old berghaus top, bright yellow/green shorts, garish orange chunky Hokas, and obligatory baseball cap (worn backwards of course). The only thing missing was my old Dark Peak vest, which would surely have elevated me to catwalk status.... the lovely young lady behind the desk at the track certainly looked twice... although I think the Hokas might have clashed with her pink hair...
As to the run... it was supposed to be a steady one, with an AS race Saturday. Managed about 2.5 miles steady before getting bored and flying off the front, getting back to base a full 7mins before the next guys... I'll never learn...
8.5 miles and 3800ft this morning. Brings the weekly total to 38 miles and 10800ft, which is satisfactory after a hard previous week, and training around yesterday's short race.
Next week likely to only contain one hard session, the rest of the week will be easy with the aim of getting to the start line of next Saturdays Haworth Hobble in a fresh state.
I enjoy reading your Todays Training posts Travs. It amuses me no end your forecast's for the following week as being mainly easy, but it almost always isn't. You can't stop yourself! Good on yer, and keep it up as your race results show you must be doing it right.
You might even make it into my FF 2020 team the way you are going!
Thanks Llani…!
Although i suspect it will be a cold day in hell before i grace anybody's FF team... If i even manage to get within vague touching-distance of the top 100 at the champs race in a couple of weeks i'll be absolutely ecstatic.
But i'll do my utmost to get the best out of myself and see where i end up.
Perhaps this is why i look to long-distance stuff as where i can do something. Another of my failings (along with my inaccurate weekly training predictions) is claiming each year will be the one where i finally do something worthwhile at real long stuff. usually goes belly-up, but this year there are some concrete plans already in place. Just need to get through the next few weeks of ultras in good shape and it will be all go on that front...
2 x undulating 2 mile reps tonight, with 90secs rest between.
The idea being you run the 2nd rep equal pace or slightly faster.
After going out on the first rep off the front of the group, I thought I may well have overlooked it. 2nd rep felt harder, and when the coach and another guy came belting past me in the final mile, I did think I must have slowed down dramatically. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd ran the 2nd rep 5 seconds faster (the two who passed me had obviously severely undercooked their first rep, and sped up massively on the 2nd).
Hard session, but simple. 9.5 miles total tonight, of which 4 were hard effort.
I'd also add that one of my training partners, who I've trained with for over a year, asked me how old i was last night, as he thought i was in my 20's....! (i'm 36!)
That still makes you a baby in fell running terms. I worked out the statistics from the Carding Mill Canter results last weekend: among the men, there were only 20 under-40's; but 25 in the 40-49 age-group, 27 of the 50-59's, and 15 of us 60-69's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Seems to be some good younger runners, particularly for Mercia... Both the first two were early 20's, there was another guy in the top half-dozen or so who was 19. And there's another even younger lad who was doing one of the new year races and he looks like an absolute top talent for the future.
Club night tonight. Given my knee issues at the weekend, I'd intended to just turn up and do a few laps and see how I felt. In the event, everything felt fine and I was able to knock out the session at something approaching full pace (bearing in mind saturday's 25 miles still somewhat in my legs).
Track session. 1km, 4 x 400m, 2km, 8 x 200m.... all off 90secs rest. Having never done this session before, it looked hard enough on paper, and the frequent changes in distance were a challenge...
Interestingly, I was pulled up by one of the other club coaches tonight about being flat-footed on my right leg. This was at the end of the 2km rep so I assume it was fatigue kicking in, as I was certainly running a lot more on the front foot on the shorter reps.
I had noticed that my brief history of (minor) injuries had always involved problems on my right leg.... always assumed this was due to my left leg historically being much stronger (played football for 20 years and was completely left-footed.... and in Muay Thai I was southpaw and very dominant with my left leg)....
However it could well be that it is a technique issue... although that could still be related to strength differences in the right leg. I have been working hard in the gym to bring my right hamstring in particular up to standard, on top of the usual extensive squat regime I put myself through...
Total of 8 miles tonight, of which just under 4 were hard effort...