Today's Training

Since I took up kickboxing early in the 2010’s I’ve thankfully never needed to use it in a “street” situation... I guess it just helps you realise that’s all a load of bollocks and not worth it... in fact there was one occasion when I was threatened with a golf club during a football match, but I was able to diffuse the situation without resorting to violence... (I think a couple of people had a quiet word in his ear and he thought better of it).

But I was never really a fighter.... I didn’t get into it to prove anything, it was just a tough sport and I had no intention of fighting... until I got competent then it was natural to want to test myself... in fact the thing I miss most is the teaching I used to do at my club...

Back to running and a fairly brisk 4.5 miles and 1400ft this morning to get back into the swing of things, and a steady club run tonight, perhaps no more than 8 miles... cross country season is imminent, and Snowdonia Marathon rapidly approaching, not to mention the first Shropshire Fell Champs race in 10 days, so a lot of conflicting priorities...

Good runs, 1400ft over 4.5 miles isn’t to be sneezed at.

Met a man in a carpark the other day who highly recommended the Snowdonia Marathon — I’ve just taken a gander and it looks great… Completely sickening that the winners are coming in with times I’d be happy to finish a flat mara in. Good luck with it.

Yes it’s pretty amazing... I’d like to go back to my club and have posted a reasonable time... although there’s a good deal of admiration for fellrunning, and several people getting more interested in racing with me... I still think the general vibe is that the admiration is for the toughness and resourcefulness, rather than any talent, and that I need a good road time to be taken completely seriously...

I’d love to go back having posted close to 3hrs30, which would I guess give me half a chance of a 3hr flat marathon in the following year... but with my disrupted training of late, and the amount of races between now and Snowdonia, I just can’t quite see me pulling it off...

Then again, a 3hr31 marathon is “only” 8 minute miling by my reckoning, surely even on a hilly course like that, I can get within striking distance, based on my current training level...

Only 3 weeks to wait to find out!

Oh goodness yes - definitely a load of bollocks, I love watching this kind of crap in films and the like but it does make me laugh when they pretend to land these almighty punches and they carry on as if nothing happened - it is total fantasy!! Thank goodness for civilised society and that we don't live like this any more. I definitely have nothing to prove, to myself or anyone else :)

---

Yes, back to training and ... whoa!!!

I decided to switch back to my longer route today, I was missing the route itself and thought I shouldn't concentrate too much on one thing: I think I am in a funny kind of very pleasant shock:

3.12 miles, 337' climb in 31:15 mins!!

Oh my god - what happened?? :-O

That's 6 minutes better than my previous best!!!

SIX MINUTES!!

What the frack?

A tougher than anticipated session this evening... A 7 mile road run in the wind/rain/dark... but with the variation in abilities within the group, we did about 5 hard efforts of up to a mile, then the faster of us would double back and join those at the back until we were all together again... helping to keep it as a group session.

I pushed it a bit harder than would’ve liked... as usual got involved in chasing someone down each time... with my own extensive warmup gave a total of 10.5 miles, of which somewhere between 4 and 5 were hard effort, and a total of 15 miles for the day.

A character building session for some of the newer members no doubt... dark, windy, wet and not particularly warm... but there will be plenty worse to come when the weather turns nasty.

Tomorrow not planning to cover more than about 10 miles in total but will be looking to really put in some good ascent.

Woken up with a few new aches and pains!! But feeling totally blown away by yesterdays run!

I am afraid I cannot really cope much longer here with the constant Brexit vibes - it's ruining the forum - we're supposed to be talking about running :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DangerMouse

I am afraid I cannot really cope much longer here with the constant Brexit vibes - it's ruining the forum - we're supposed to be talking about running :(

---

So why have you brought Brexit up on the Todays Training thread?

Because that is the reason I am leaving and wanted to let the people here know and they like all right thinking people also don't pay any attention to that awful thread of doom!

Kindly leave me in peace - thank you!

I just steer clear of that thread (and any others in a similar vein.) Don't let that put you off the rest of the forum - there are mainly good people on here. Shame to let a few bullies hiding behind pseudonyms spoil it for the majority. I'm sure that has more than contributed to the lower numbers on here of late.

Anyway, back on topic. Today's training is an hour of hill reps and its going to hurt....

I’m active on a couple of other forums (football and music), but not as active as I am on here... and the Brexit debate on this one is by far the least ferocious..... I recall on the music one, one angry punter requesting a meeting with someone else on Tottenham Court Road for a dust-up....!

That said, I think I’ve made one post on that thread, and I don’t even read it now... really don’t think it warrants leaving the forum, it’s easy to ignore...

I did an hour, 4.5 miles and 2750ft in a very warm gym... hoping to do similar this evening, and may even risk a Parkrun in the morning...

I have been tempted to make a return to park run of late though fear this will be a reality check as I doubt I'll be anywhere near my PB now. I've not been since 2015 having amassed just over 100 runs. Looking to mix things up a bit over the winter but having ditched the road shoes (and taken a vow never to run on tarmac again!), it would have to be an off-roader. May have a go at Worcester which is largely on woodland trails.

Thanks, you're both right, and I realise that it is tame in comparison, I just need a break from it. There have been periods of quiet on that thread that make this place much more welcoming, but when they get going I come on to see what folk have been up to and it's just a long list of B-word posts. Without even reading them it's depressing and not what I am looking for right now, it's dragging me down and I need to fire up and be surrounded by positive energy. It would be great to be able to ignore posts from that thread in the activity feed, but I can't find an option for that.

Absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it is extremely off-putting PeteS, everyone is just sick of it all, we need places to escape from it all. I realise saying this as someone who is really new here is somewhat challenging, but I can only live according to my truth and everything is saying to me avoid this negative toxicity. Everything I have been working so hard on the last couple of months is all about being more healthy, strong, fit and positive and it is none of those things.

I am good, I am not upset or anything, just taking rightful action to look after myself, leaving is a bit of an overstatement, sorry, I will still be around in the hope that it all ends soon, only another month or so with a little bit of luck! Then we can get back to this being a fell running forum ;)

===

Yes - back to training! The timing is good actually, I am away for a week felling trees, restoring old coppice and building fascines for erosion control; chopping things up with billhooks and axes, no computers, no phones or even any mobile network signal, living wild out in the woods in the middle of nowhere, cooking healthy vegetarian food on a camp fire with super tough and lovely people who care about the world and actively work hard to make things better; it's brutal hard work all day every day from dawn till dusk - which makes for about as hardcore a training week as you could imagine. I doubt I will get any actual running in, though what usually happens is that I lose a little bit of weight, my arms and core tone up and I come back feeling really good - that to me is healthy and positive :D

Good luck with everything and catch you on the other side!!

Good luck DM. I envy your week away - sounds great!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PeteS

I have been tempted to make a return to park run of late though fear this will be a reality check as I doubt I'll be anywhere near my PB now. I've not been since 2015 having amassed just over 100 runs. Looking to mix things up a bit over the winter but having ditched the road shoes (and taken a vow never to run on tarmac again!), it would have to be an off-roader. May have a go at Worcester which is largely on woodland trails.

---

PeteS you need to get in a club and get on the XC.... that will set you up for the following Fell season.... in fact I think the first Birmingham League XC fixture (division 1) this year is in Worcester!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

PeteS you need to get in a club and get on the XC.... that will set you up for the following Fell season.... in fact I think the first Birmingham League XC fixture (division 1) this year is in Worcester!

---

Yes Pete - you are quite correct. That really is what I should be doing. However, I have reached my mid-fifties and don't really have the urge to compete anymore. I still do the odd race as you know and aim for a reasonable time for my age group but generally, I'm just glad to be still out there still doing it and trying to remain injury free. My body won't take the bashing it used to get and doesn't heal as quickly when it does! 😁

Tonight's training was a hill rep session which amounted to a total of 8.5km/515m of which 2.5km were flat warm up/down. Lots of short, sharp, steep stuff on a wet and muddy Clent Hills. Early rain eased off to leave a lovely evening, the last rays of the autumnal sun making a tough session bearable.

Another hot, sweaty uphill session tonight.... brings today’s total to 8 miles and 4900ft...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PeteS

I have been tempted to make a return to park run of late though fear this will be a reality check as I doubt I'll be anywhere near my PB now. I've not been since 2015 having amassed just over 100 runs. Looking to mix things up a bit over the winter but having ditched the road shoes (and taken a vow never to run on tarmac again!), it would have to be an off-roader. May have a go at Worcester which is largely on woodland trails.

---

Our local parkrun has been cancelled for tomorrow. Part of the route is on the towpath alongside the canal. Apparently the word "alongside" in that description is not currently accurate, following the recent rain.

Both the Severn and Avon are very high. No major flooding yet but only a matter of time given the sodden state of the land around here.

Had a run out at the local Parkrun this morning... after a couple of stunted weeks training, followed by 5000ft of hard work yesterday, wasn’t expecting much, and so it proved...

20:37..... over two minutes off my pb time. Even after the first short and flat lap of around 4 minutes, I was 15 seconds down on pb pace. Even though I was certainly not pushing it, I should have been keeping it below 20mins if not around 19:30.... but blew some cobwebs away which was the main intention.

More important to get some quality miles in this week, ready for next weekend’s Breidden Hills Race.

I think I'd be pretty chuffed with 20:37 these days. Looking back at my times from 4 years ago, I was regularly sub 20 and knocking on the door of 18mins when injury brought that to a halt.

I fancy Breidden Hills but it is the day after Worcestershire Beacon and I'm not doing both. Definitely no Fishwick in my DNA! Will make a decision towards the end of the week based on the weather.

Parkrun followed by a 5.5 mile walk by the canal

Did a slow jog up the newlands valley, high spy, maiden moor and fast down the side of catbells yesterday. Today, the tapering starts when the hangover stops. 🤢

Parkrun on Saturday for speed and the 2.5 hrs running around Otley Chevin today, including 3 ascents. Tour of Pendle training continues.

After the embarrassment yesterday of losing a walking-race to my 5 year old nephew (although he ran all but the first 5 yards... as he then excitedly explained to his parents “I runned in the walking race and beat Pete....”)

I decided to punish myself with a very hot and sweaty 90 minute treadmill session. 9.5 miles 2400ft.

Brings the total for the week up to a respectable 42 miles and 9800ft, which considering I didn’t run at all until Thursday, isn’t too bad.

Felt like a new person today compared to yesterday’s Parkrun. The form will come back. My only worry is not being able to get many/any 20 mile-ish runs in before the Snowdonia Marathon in three weeks, due to a proliferation of Fell race and cross country commitments. Perhaps I’ll have to make do with the fact that I’m doing a fair mileage, and chance it on the day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Travs

After the embarrassment yesterday of losing a walking-race to my 5 year old nephew (although he ran all but the first 5 yards... as he then excitedly explained to his parents “I runned in the walking race and beat Pete....”)

I decided to punish myself with a very hot and sweaty 90 minute treadmill session. 9.5 miles 2400ft.

Brings the total for the week up to a respectable 42 miles and 9800ft, which considering I didn’t run at all until Thursday, isn’t too bad.

Felt like a new person today compared to yesterday’s Parkrun. The form will come back. My only worry is not being able to get many/any 20 mile-ish runs in before the Snowdonia Marathon in three weeks, due to a proliferation of Fell race and cross country commitments. Perhaps I’ll have to make do with the fact that I’m doing a fair mileage, and chance it on the day.

---

Though I'm not a great fan of road running, I do like the Snowdonia Marathon. I first did it in 1985, when I lived there, in 3.30. Did it again 30 years later and managed 4.05. I'll do it again in 2025. Lovely views and it goes past so many crags I've climbed on. One benefit of a road race is you can look at the view, whereas in a Fell Race it may go through lovely scenery, but your looking at the ground ahead all the way. I often go back and walk fell races with my wife, so I can appreciate the views.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PeteS

Both the Severn and Avon are very high. No major flooding yet but only a matter of time given the sodden state of the land around here.

---

Where do you live? I was brought up on Bredon Hill - ran over it the other day visiting my sister in Ashton under Hill. Done Evesham parkrun when visiting, but now blessed to live in Yorkshire.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MattPo

Where do you live? I was brought up on Bredon Hill - ran over it the other day visiting my sister in Ashton under Hill. Done Evesham parkrun when visiting, but now blessed to live in Yorkshire.

---

Bredon Hill is a good run. I was on the Malverns a week ago thinking I should have a run over there soon.
I live just outside of Halesowen so not really proper Worcestershire but all my running and cycling is out that way. (I get a visual on the two rivers on a regular basis!) My local hills are Clent which account for at least two runs and a few dog walks each week. Not done Evesham Park run but have done their 10k many a time. Worcester is my preferred local park run though not done that for 4 years either mores the pity. Planning a return some time soon.

An extremely hot hour on the treadmill at 15% gradient. Managed 3250ft through a combination of hard power-walking and intervals of running.

It's not fell-running, but I defy anybody to say it's not a useful workout, and it is certainly very tough. That said I could probably find another couple of hundred feet at least with a "race head" on.

This week I want another session similar to today, and a hard flat session, which will come tomorrow at club night. The rest will be steady (I've heard that one before!).

Club night tonight and 8 x 800m on road/path/gravel. 2mins rest after the first rep, with each rest period decreasing by 10 seconds, so that between 7 and 8 you are down to 1min rest.

Fairly straightforward stuff to keep the reps consistent until about rep 5 or 6, then gets exponentially difficult for the remainder.

Kept them fairly consistent at around 5:45/min pace. 6 miles of which 4 were good effort. Plus 4 miles/1200ft this morning. Felt good tonight.

Steady day tomorrow, hopefully another decent haul of miles, but nothing too taxing.

4 miles easy last night
4 miles easy the night before
(trail) marathon on Sunday…

A shorter run tonight in fading light (forgot the head torch!). 8km/400m.

A climb-heavy day today. Totted up the week so far and up to 25 miles/10,000ft so far. Easier day tomorrow. 2nd nephew arriving tomorrow so on family duties!

The week's training finishes a day early, due to racing tomorrow. Total of 47 miles and approx 14000ft.

Fairly happy with that after a couple of bad weeks. Felt very good all week, a couple of great hill sessions. Nothing but a pb will put a smile on my face at Breidden Hills tomorrow though!

10.8 miles of mostly walking but some running today with Keighley Parkrun in the morning, and walk along the Leeds - Liverpool this afternoon calling in for coffee plus cafe at the Five Rises cafe. Talk of a walk in Stollyland tomorrow

Yesterday was first run for 3 1/2 weeks due to back problem before holiday. Did some walking on holiday, but just tried to look after back as didn't want to ruin hols.

Back home and did 4 miles yesterday at 9 minute mile pace, so passable.

Gentle jog/walk today in Billinge Woods. 6 miles/1000ft.

All feels OK. So far, so good.

Just over an hour this evening enjoying the last of the sun with a mixed interval/hill rep session in Warley Woods.

early 3 mile around Witton. Probably do similar tomorrow or Saturday and if all OK will be out on the hills on Sunday maybe Great Hill or Darwen Moor.

Hope to get back on the training tomorrow after a somewhat stressful week with family illness... may have to forego the Snowdonia Marathon, as my travelling companions probably not feeling up to the journey, and I’ve missed another week of training...

Keighley Parkrun

And a seven mile walk