Balmy Evening Run

Balmy is a funny word, read it in a sentence, move on and it isn't a problem. Re-read it a few times and it starts sounding funny. Almost becoming difficult to pronounce correctly...

Anyway, it was a horrendous commute home tonight. The nobbers were out in full force. No accidents. Just nobbers. The traffic was heavy on the M5 for sure but it was all those toss-pots who cruise up the outside lane and then cut across everything at the last minute to take their exit. That's what really buggers it all up. I think the solution is helicopter gun ships to take them out of play - permanently. I will accept that is perhaps harsh - but, I think we can all agree, fair...  By the time I eventually got past the M4 junction I would've normally been almost home! From there normality resumed and I eventually arrived home about half an hour later than normal.

Fortunately, I wasn't for being put off and after feeding the ever demanding Squeaker, I kitted up and headed out. It was a really pleasant evening. Cool with a hint of rain in the air but it didn't come to anything. Route-wise I went with the clockwise Hobbs with an extra bit. Once under way I can't say I really took in much of the pleasant evening because I was focused on the running. It would probably have been a very nice night for a walk over May Hill. Anyhow, I set off in determined mood and pretty much maximised my effort all the way. I eased off as I re-entered the village as headed home.

Not sure what to do tomorrow. With the Long Mynd up Sunday I really can't afford to run anything major - but equally I really don't want to waste a days training. Perhaps I'll go for seven or eight miles. That can't hurt, can it?...

What Am I Going To Put Myself Through...

With just seventeen days till the Peris Horseshoe race I need a miracle. A miracle of training that is. I am buoyed by the weekends work but seventeen days is not long in this game. Anyway, I'm going to head up to Long Mynd on Sunday for the Long 'O'. There's a range of courses on offer starting at 6k with an estimated winning time of 90 minutes all the way up to 16k with it's 160 minute estimate!!! Me being me - I think we can see where this is going - is obviously in for the longest of the 'O's. I've missed the pre-entry but I've emailed the organiser and she reckons there should be room...

Matthew and Pat will get their revenge over me for last years Lake District Mountain Trial. I'm not able to run that event this year so it's only fair I give them the chance to shoot me down.

What ever the outcome of our friendly rivalry - for despite my recent poor form and fitness I will be giving my best shot, no holds barred - it will be good preparation for what's to come. The terrain of the Long Mynd is rough and hilly. The optimum route is reckoned to contain around 3,000 feet of ascent. I'm guessing I'll be a ways off the optimum so that'll mean more for me. it's going to be a tough event and I reckon I need to get an early start time. I think I will definitely need to coerce the pair of them into leaving home early for the drive up. Should be a good one.

With this weekend sorted I just need to find something for the weekend after and then it's the big one...

The Low Ebb

After my best weekend of training for ages I've come down to earth with a bump. Work was... tiresome. I think the new sap system may well be the death of me. I can see I'm going to be spending more of my week wrapped up in red tape and less actually doing the job I'm employed to do. What's going to happen once I'm no longer as productive as once I was? There are only 40 hours in my working week....

What I have is a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. If you let me do my job now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will fill in your paperwork, I will spend less time doing my actual job, and I will be less productive...

All of which means I need to kick back and relax. No training tonight - my legs could do with the recovery anyway.

Happy With That

Not the weather - it was rubbish. The run. Really pleased how good I felt throughout. It's true we weren't running for our lives - that's Pat and I - but we had a reasonable pace. At least I thought it was reasonable... In reality it was probably a piss poor pace - trying saying that after a few drinks - but to me  it was half decent. The one thing you can bet on though, is that had it not been a pre-arranged run I'm sure I wouldn't have gone. In fact, I'm pretty sure any sort of run would've have been unlikely in all this rain. In reality it was good out there. The rain didn't detract from things much. Barely noticed it really. The wind picked up here and there, especially on the tops, but again it didn't really bother us much. All in all it was a very pleasing run.

We set out form the Blaen y Glyn car park at half past nine just as a fellow runner headed out for the reverse of our intended route. 'See you on Pen y Fan', he said - and we did!

As to the run, we ran the flat and downhill - duh, obviously. We ran into the climbs to the point where the steepness made it no sense to carry on running and then we kicked off back to running as soon as things flattened out a little. I think I ran about as much as I normally would on such a run. In fact, having company probably cajoled me into running sooner than I normally would have and that's a good thing - I'm a right lazy bastard I am.

Anyway, the run took us a little over two hours for the ten and a half mile route with 2,500-3,000 feet of ascent over South Wales' highest summits (did I get the apostrophe correct?). My legs don't feel at all wrecked. In fact we were able to run on solidly on the final ridge. Which might indicate the ease of pace throughout the run or maybe it indicates that I'm getting nearer to being fit. I'm hoping it's the later...

Today's 10.5 miles with 2,500-3,000 feet of ascent

Recovery Day

My legs definitely know they saw action yesterday. Despite it being slow it was obviously a good work out so today is one of recovery.

I put in an hour on the bike this morning, putting off the decision of whether to ease myself around the Hobbs Quarry Loop until later in the day. As of a few hours ago I'm now booked up for a run in the mountains tomorrow with Pat W so that's the decision made on whether to go a run later or not - the not wins. Therefore, saving my legs for tomorrow, I donned the waders and headed into the brook for the Autumn clear out - I do like a good clear out - ssh, no, stop it.

The brambles have really taken hold and there's this voracious ivy type plant that's hungry to send out it's evil tendrils to ensnare and drain the life from all the other plants. Set on world domination they needed to be stopped. Armed with my new sickle I hacked and slashed my way through the dense undergrowth. Nettles be gone - my hand are throbbing from the formic acid. The brambles were harder work but no match for the razor sharp steel. Ninety minutes later I was through. The brook clear for another winter. The battle will resume in the spring. Score one for the home team... and it was actually quite a good upper body workout into the bargain.

Braved It

and got away with it. In fact conditions, apart from a ten minute down pour, where good. The sun popped out now and again. All in all it was another triumph - but not for the weather forecasters. Once again they weren't exactly on the money. I'm actually a little disappointed I didn't go to the mountains after all. To be fair the though, it probably wasn't good over there. The skies to the west did look dark and foreboding..

Anyway, I managed to navigate my way round the Forest over Staunton way. It was a mix of forestry paths and slippery, muddy ones. I covered the 14 miles in a not so quick two hours and thirty minutes. Defending that performance there was around 2,500 feet of ascent to factor in - oh, and did I mention it was slippery out there. Still, it's another run under the belt. Need to get back out there tomorrow. Maybe I'll even get to the mountains?

This Is Boding Well

NOT. Looks like the bloody forecasters might have actually gotten it right for once. Tomorrow's long mountain run might have to be curtailed somewhat. I really need to get out there and run in the hills but... well, if the mountain forecast unfolds to be anywhere near its predicted heavy rain and thunder then I ain't going. I need a long run where I actually manage to run some of it not a slow trudge in tricky conditions.

No, me thinks I shall have to get out somewhere in the forest. Maybe there's a chance I could go run the Malvern Hills from Holly Bush but even there I'll be pretty exposed to the conditions. At least in the forest I can try and route myself out of the worst of it. I just hope I can be tough enough on myself to get out and run come what may - because I really really need to keep the momentum building.

As to tonight it was another case of almost but not quite. Today at work went pretty well - mind you, I managed to shut down the works at 2 o'clock - doh - but TT got things re-started promptly, putting the water back into supply.

During the drive home things looked promising but by the time I got home it was p!$$ing down. I wouldn't have been surprised to hear thunder - and it still might. So instead of a pleasant run it was back to the bike and then a row. And as the rain decided to pour I hope it keeps on coming and then maybe it'll all be gone by tomorrow - forever hopeful...

Run It Again Sam

Managed a run tonight. Not the longest but it felt good. It's not quite so humid out there at the moment and that makes it a much more pleasant experience. I'm hoping the forecasters are as reliable as ever for the weekend - because then we'll get a dry one. If they actually do manage to get it right it's going to be a return to high humidity - not to mention the plentiful amounts of wet stuff.

I finished off tonight's training with an easy 2000m on the concept II, some push-ups and some pull-ups. I need to start giving a bit more focus to my upper body strength - and flab. Going to try and add a row to every session. It won't happen but hopefully I'll manage to work in a few additional workouts.

Bring on tomorrow 'cause then it's the weekend...

Broken Promises

Sadly I have to hold my hands up. I didn't get out for that run. Work was long and hard - stop it, ssh, no. In meetings solid from 10:00 to 17:00. Now that's enough to drain the brain of even the strongest of will. The drive home was scenic, passing through sleepy Cotswold villages and towns. Quick it wasn't. By the time I got home my will to live was reduced to pulp - don't even need to mention how far reduced my will to run was. In fact things were so bad I resorted to a god damn pot noodle for dinner - and that's the bloody devils food. I will quickly add that buying a pot noodle should be illegal, eating one, treason. This one was left over from a mountain run back in the winter for a quick warmer afterwards. Maybe tomorrow will be more successful...

Upholstery

Not on the van this time though. Tonight I made a start on giving my chairs an update. Not sure.... What do you reckon? Fail or pass I do bloody love stapling stuff. Manly - but maybe not when applied to reupholstering chairs...


By the way the new one is the one on the left.

Managed ninety on the bike tonight. Couldn't get myself enthused for a run. Tomorrow, I promise...

Oh So Humid

As an update to my earlier post. I did manage the run. Couldn't wait for the evening so I went out late afternoon. To say it was very humid would be an understatement. Despite the route only being 5k it has a hill worth 400ft and by the time I got up there and into the quarry I was dripping. It was like running through the Burmese jungle.

Despite having to sit outside for half an hour to cool down and stop dripping before I could enter the house it was a run worth running. My legs felt OK. The earlier bike session having got the blood circulating.

It's been a good weekends training and now it's six thirty on a Sunday afternoon, work doesn't start for thirteen hours so it's time to chill - except it really isn't very chilly and I've not got air con - although I do have Con Air - but that's not going to help with the temperature...

Oh What Achy Legs

They haven't ached in the way that they ache now for a while - not sure if I need some punctuation in there somewhere! It's a good ache though. The kind of ache that lets you know you've been up a mountain and back down a hill. The kind of ache.. I'll shut up now.

Took things easy this afternoon with an hour on the bike. The pegs are starting to feel improved right about now so if I can raise some enthusiasm I'll pootle around the Hobbs Quarry loop this evening. It feels a bit too humid out at the moment - plus I've no enthusiasm at this particular time...

Well That Felt Just Like The Old Days

I do declare that I was actually running! - I think.

It would be a slight exaggeration to say I had some speed but I felt pretty strong out there. The forecast accuracy was shit, mind. Starting misty and wet an clearing by midday. Yeah, right. On which planet? So having consulted the mountain forecast I decided to leave a little later and headed over to the Gywyne valley for an eleven o'clock start - what a waste of time that was. Things started misty and just got worse. It was actually pretty nice to start with. The visibility on the top was poor. Maybe down to 100m in places but conditions weren't unpleasant and because I was running much better I was really enjoying it. By the finish it was mashing down but because I was running well it didn't really diminish my enjoyment.

So, back to the run, I set off from the car park nearest to Crug Mawr, determined to give my secret Black Mountains route to Crug a bash. It wasn't a brilliant route, it has to be said, but I could see one or two further possibilities to try. I kept getting side tracked by little trods which took me slightly off the direct line but once I was through the thick stuff near the bottom of the climb the rest was pretty decent and despite not being able to see Crug Mawr until I was practically on it - and not being arsed to get my compass out - I hit it pretty spot on - "use the Force, Luke, use the Force". I need to revisit in a week or two and trial the other couple of options I espied. Still think there might be something in it...

Anyway, with CM out of the way I merrily ploughed my way along the top to Pen y Gadir Fawr. That's where I got into a bit of a rhythm and despite being quite a long stretch the time flew by and before I knew it I was ascending onto Pen y G. From there I followed the BMs race route for the rest of the run.

The section along the Charlie y Fan ridge to Bal Mawr was into the full force of the wind and rain but my renewed vim and vigour kept me punching through the conditions to get back to the van about 2 hours and 15 minutes after I started. Now that isn't particularly quick for the 19.6km route but I did stop a few times for 'the call of nature' and the wind was pretty fierce on the top. Oh, and there was 2,600 feet of ascent. All in all I am very pleased. That light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get brighter and brighter...

Today's 19.6km with 2,600 feet of ascent

I Needs Me A Long Run

It's been a bad week on the mojo front. The weather hasn't helped. It always seems to rain at the wrong time. Looks like the weekend might be OK so I'm going to attempt to head to the mountains. I'll probably go for the east Black Mountains. Maybe even try my secret, alternate route to Crug Mawr for the BMs race. To be fair it's not secret and everyone seems to think it's a shit route choice but I'm not so sure... Got to try it though. Good, bad or ugly I've got to put it to bed. It's an itch and with the BMs fast approaching there isn't much time to scratch it...

Littleton Strikes Back

And I think I need a little of the Force. It's been another wearing day at work. I had answers for some of the problems and questions for others. Fingers are well and truly crossed. There's more to come tomorrow - I just hope I manage to beat the slow moving cyclists going up Mt Pleasant/Hardwick Hill at 7:15 on the way in. It's not a great section of road for passing those hardcore cyclist pumping the pedals. I just bid my time until it was safe but will they strike again tomorrow...

Felt too knackered to go for a run this evening so I opted for the bike and a ten minute blast on the rower. It's not the same but there it is. Now going to put my feet up and await tomorrow's battle...

Soggy Bottom

not to be confused with a saggy one - although unless I keep onwards and upwards with the training that's what I might be getting...

With another day off work I headed over to Cannop Pond in the south western section of the main forest. I've not run in the forest between Parkend and Coleford before so today I decided to change that. I set off along the flat of the cycle path - and got totally bloody carried away. The first couple of kilometres were way too quick. It was a good feeling to be striding out but I paid for it shortly there after.

Down to the edge of Parkend I turned west and climbed towards the RSPB nature reserve - didn't know that's what it was, mind. Not until I read this sign that said, "RSPB Nature Reserve" - ah, this would be an RSPB reserve then... or to give it its full title, The Nagshead Plantation Nature Reserve.

It was a picturesque area and I would have taken the time to look around had it not started to rain down stair rods - that and the fact that I was starting to pay for the quick start. Despite the watery stuff - which wasn't really that unpleasant - I continued to push on.

I took a bit of a wrong turn on the stretch up past Coalway, missed the right turn and popped out - ooh er, misses - onto the high street. Not one for turning back unless I absolutely have to, I piled it down the road before heading back into the undergrowth once more.

The final section, in the Perch Inclosure - nothing to do with fish, was great. Plenty of narrow, twisty tracks. Just how I like it. The slightly overgrown tracks gave way to mountain bike trails before dropping down steeply past the Hopewell Colliery and back onto more of the mainstream, wide forestry tracks, a bit of road and a final section along by the ponds back to the car.

Totally soaked by the end but pleased with another good run. Once back home I finished off with a solid hour on the bike. Now it's time to sit back and relax...

Today's 13km, 650ft ascent

I Think I Made The Right Choice

A quick look out the window this morning and I knew I wasn't headed for the mountains. At seven it already felt humid and the temperature was only going to build from there. Instead I headed for the outer limits - of the forest near Symonds Yat. I don't know the area too well but I knew there would be lots of tree cover. On a warm day like today that is what I needed but even so it was it was still a sweaty run.

A part of me was sad to be missing the BB race but as I ran through the woodland I knew it was the right decision. I would have died out there on the mountain today.

So decision made, I set out to run about 10 miles rather than extend the distance again. The aim was to try and up the pace a little rather than plod along and it actually felt pretty good. At times it almost seemed like I was going at a decent pace! - but that surely must have been an optical illusion...

Anyway, I covered the 10 miles in almost exactly an hour and a half. Now that wouldn't be very quick along the flat but when you factor in the 2,000 feet of ascent it doesn't sound too bad. Based on recent form it was a pretty big step up. Onwards and upwards. Things are headed in the right direction.

Today's route:-

Today's 16km with 2,000 feet of ascent

I'm Teetering...

The forecast for tomorrow looks much like today. Hot! At my current level of fitness that's just going to be too hot to attempt tomorrow's Brecon Beacons fell race. My legs feel fully recovered from the last two days running. I reckon I'd be able to get round the course - slowly - but not in heat like this. Fully fit it wouldn't be pleasant. I'm not good in the heat at the best of times. As I am right now it would be fool hardy of me to attempt it. I shall rise early doors and see what the weather looks like before I rule it out but at the moment I can't see it. It will be disappointing but when the dust settles I'd rather live to run another day. If I do shy off I probably go run in the forest in order to get some shade...

On other matters, the damn aphids are having a go at my chillies - bastards. My attempts to hold them at bay with natural remedies are failing so I have had to resort to a pesticide spray. It's not my fault. I didn't want to do it but they forced my hand. Now I shall send them to hell in a chemical inferno. There will be no smoking of a kipper for those little green devils. They will not be coming back for breakfast....

Brecon Beacons Or Bust

At this point in time I am aiming to run the Brecon Beacons race on Saturday. I won't be competing. I'll just be trying to get around the 30km route. It will be by far the toughest challenge since my two weeks out with illness. I'm not sure I will make it but you can rest assured I will give it my best. As a foot note, if it looks like it's going to be stinking hot then I'll not be heading over. I'm mad not insane.

Today I got out with Martin at lunch and we ran the Dundry loop. I wasn't sure I'd make it over the top and was fully prepared to turn tail and head home short of the summit. My legs felt utterly kak after yesterday's run - and it was humid like a Swedish Sauna. Heavy legged I plodded. Hitting the climb I was shuffling. By the top I was almost running on the spot but running I was and over the top I went. The downhill didn't go much quicker as I stomped along. I completed the 7.2km in a time so slow I can't even bare to disclose it. Suffice to say it was very very slow. But I got around and I ran the whole way. Wind the clock back two weeks and I wouldn't have made the summit. I am improving - but slowly. Read my lips, I will be back...

That Weren't Easy

but I made it. All 26.5 glorious kilometres of it and it didn't rain once. The sun never showed up, mind, and it was pretty humid but I'm not complaining. Some of the views were fantastic and I actually felt pretty good for the first 18-20km. Even had a reasonable pace going in places. Then the wheels didn't so much drop off as buckle and I was reduced to a crawl. Was I ever glad to see the car across the valley - pity it was still 2km away though...

Anyway, I set out at 11 o'clock from the Barrow Wake View Point near the Air Balloon roundabout and headed north along the Cotswold way towards Birdlip. Before I reached there I turned east and northward to pick up the Gloucestershire Way and Ultimately the Cotswold Way near the end of what would be Leg 3 of the Cotswold Way Relay. From there I followed the CW back to the car along part of would be Leg 4 CWR. All in all I pleased to have got another long run in. Longest to date so far, adding another 6km to my previous furthest and best of all, I didn't get wet. A win win all round - except my legs feel like they need to be amputated...

Today's run;

The 26.5km with about 500m of ascent (1,600ft)

Sorry, I'm Not Going Out In This...

But having booked tomorrow off work - why did I think the weather would be good? - I shall be heading out somewhere come what may. To be fair the forecast looks on the cusp. It could be a wet one. There's an equal chance it'll be dry but more likely as not it'll be a mix of the two although I don't expect to see the sun. I want to try somewhere in the region of 25km and I'd rather run somewhere new to me but a loop rather than an out and back. Guess I need to puruse my myriad of maps...

Tonight, with the shitty weather, I put in a really solid bike session. With the resistance cranked and the rpm up at eighty the old girl began to creak. From the sounds she was making tonight I thing I'm going to have to trade her in for a newer model - I am, of course talking, about the exercise bike - why, what were you thinking? I even did a little research as I pounded the pedals and found a beauty but she was way out of my league. Internet connected via your PC you can race others from around the world over a range of virtual routes, the magnetic resistance varying as the virtual route heads up and down the hills. Looked like a fab bit of kit but back to reality, I shall be looking at a few lower cost options...

Ouch, Ah, Ooh

My legs are f*(%ed. Can't believe how sore they are after yesterday's paltry 20k. It does not bode well for next weekends Brecon Beacons fell race. I may run it come what may - but then again, I may have to be sensible. I might even get in touch with the organiser to see if I can set off half an hour early so I'm in before dark...

Anyway, I resorted to a solid hour on the bike again but even that was hard work and my legs complained the whole time. Watching the marathon took my mind off the pain though. Look towards the week ahead I might see if I can take Wednesday afternoon off work and go for another longish run. That should give my legs chance to be recovered and, more importantly, give them chance to recover in time for next Saturday's race. I'll be over by the Cotswolds for a meeting so perhaps some kind of 25k circular route along some of the Cotswold Way might be in order. I shall consult the maps...

Longest Run So Far

Although at 20k, it really wasn't that far. It was, however, about 8k further than last week though and with about 1,500 feet of ascent. Certainly wasn't a quick run either and the humidity was stifling but I'm pleased to have clocked up another milestone on the way back. Despite being the longest run for a while I actually felt stronger in the last few kilometres than I did at the start. Going to finish off with an hour on the bike and then it's feet up time...

New Pants

Well after a fairly non-stop day at work I finally got around to buying some new pants - online of course, I don't do going shopping. It's been six years since I purchased my last pair - they've worn well, mind - but I've been meaning to get myself a new pair for a while...

Anyway, I got home late after getting caught at work and then hitting the traffic on the 5. It was bad tonight and even my secret diversion didn't help much. Met by more bloody rain, I once again stayed indoors. I must get out tomorrow though, come what may - and early as I'm hoping to venture forth into the big city for a night out...

That Wasn't Cricket

It's been a good weather day today - good weather, that is, until one pulls up onto the driveway. Then, of course, the heavens open. I was so concerned I nipped into the shed to start work on the ark. It absolutely chucked it down - and I bottled it. I was up for the run before the cloud burst but that definitely burst my bubble. I gave it half an hour but it didn't seem close to stopping so I resorted to an hour on the bike. I'm disappointed in myself for not being strong enough. I should have headed out into the wet - but in my defense it really was hammering down.

Anyway, it was a good solid bike session. I cranked up the resistance and really got a sweat on. Not quite a run but it did get the blood pumping and the legs wobbly come the end. Hopefully the lunch run will happen tomorrow and with it the Dundry loop... Will I have enough power to get over the top?...