Very Short Blast

Well what a drive home that was. Wipers to max and beyond..... Surprisingly it didn't take that much longer than normal.

Anyway, I wasn't really feeling it by the time I got home but managed a swift Zwift despite myself. Four 400m's at 4:15 pace or there abouts. There was a few months ago I wouldn't have managed even that so I'm getting better. Aiming for another run tomorrow and then more on the weekend to try and keep the momentum going....

5k Before Breakfast!

I've only ever managed that feat of eagerness once or twice during the entire time I've been running. So I managed to set my alarm, set my event and off I went. I inched the pace up though the run, as I've been doing on previous days and finished a little faster but also less fatigued. I was expecting my legs to feel heavy but they felt fine. And after all that it's time for the really hard bit - it's time for work.

It Was Hard Work Today

My legs were heavy and I battled my self doubt to complete another 5k session. I nearly stopped but managed to overcome myself. Heart rate was maxing out and I was dripping by the end but pleased I beat my dithering. Third good session in a row. I started with a thirty minute warm up on the bike. Hoping to keep on with more of something tomorrow.

A Zwift Event

So today I tried one of the Zwift events. You click to join the event from the list and then well, I wasn't really sure what to do and I obviously didn't do it quite right as my 5k 'race' was only 4.7km when I crossed the finish line. I think next time I need to just start running as soon as the event start timer hits zero. I was expecting it to automatically trigger to the run screen and tell me to go but it didn't really go like that.

Anyway, I did get underway eventually and it was actually pretty focusing. Slightly weird, running in a virtual world, as we were, my fellow virtual runners and I, but focusing never the less. I managed to go past one runner to take the lead but then got overtaken myself, into the last kilometre. But it was good training as I kept inching the pace up to try and get back but my heart rate was on 172 by the end - a sign of my poor fitness levels - and I couldn't go any quicker.

I have to say the Zwift software has actually made treadmill running interesting. Watching the live stats. Seeing the affect of increasing the speed, on the route averages. Trying to cut the distance to the runner ahead - or keep it from the runner behind. Having a goal. Yeah, I could get into Zwift.

Zwift But Not Swift

Tried Zwift on the treadmill today. It started life as a social turbo trainer app for cyclists and they've now added running. It was actually pretty good. Gave an incentive to keep treading the boards as the stats accumulated. Doesn't look to be many runners on it yet though but there were loads of virtual cyclists constantly firing past - which is a surprise seeing as how much it costs. If the monthly fee for running is as high I won't be continuing past the beta but if the price is right I'd give it a go as it really was pretty good for getting over the boredom that is the treadmill.

5k completed in a time not worth mentioning but Garmin's VO2max stats continue to edge up so I must be headed in the right direction...

God Damn Butterflies...

So as I see it, the forecast for the long weekend looks to be a bit pants. I thought we'd finally reached the warmer stuff and then bam. Some bastard butterfly, on the other side of the world, flaps his wings and puts an end to that. Despite that, the plan remains the same. Three days and three runs to complete. Not sure where, what or how but I'll work that out tomorrow. I eased into the weekend with some reps on the treadmill and bike cool down.

Nine, Cooler Than Two...

but still surprisingly hot as I hit my fifth run in five days. A minor miracle and I feel the better for it. Garmin says my VO2max is increasing - although I am dubious as it's still all very slow and laboured and I feel far far away from anything approaching fit.

As to today's run I finally made it into the forest. A loop past Cannop Ponds along the cycle path before heading up and back along a parallel path though the forest.

Two Hotter Than One?

I can confirm that running at two o'clock is indeed hotter than when running at one o'clock. Three hotter than two? Tune in tomorrow… just kidding - about the time not the intention to get back out there for another run.

So, as the title teases, I made it back out for another 'run'. 9k this time. No easier but I feel it's doing me 'good'. I didn't stray into the forest as per my original plan but stayed closer to home for a loop of Flaxley Wood, taking the stinger laden, tree fallen and generally pretty well overgrown lower path on the eastern flank. And in case you were wondering I didn't know it was going to be quite so stinger laden, tree fallen and as generally overgrown as it was. Still, I made it back in one piece.

More up tomorrow...

Remind Me Why...

I thought it would be a good idea to go for a run at one o'clock in the heat of the sun? Hot, very hot is the only thing I have to say on the matter and stiles, lots and lots of stiles. Those are the only two things I have to say on the matter. Hot, stiles and gates. Three things. Those are the only three things I have to say on the matter. Hot, stiles, gates and - okay, I'll stop now. Still, I got out there and that's what matters.

I stayed local for a loop I don't think I've actually run in that variation before. Twas quite a nice, near traffic free, loop. I think I'll put it on the list as one to run again. Finished off with 15 minutes warm down on the bike so I am fully ready for tomorrow's run. Probably head into the forest for that...

Hiiting The Weekend

So I've managed to finish the working week with a flourish. A 5k pootle yesterday, a short interval session on the treadmill with bike warm down today and, best of all, I cleared my inbox - ready for it to fill back up again next week.

Up tomorrow, I'm aiming to head out for the first run of what I hope will be three days in a row this weekend. The forecast looks okay although Monday likely needs an early start to avoid getting rained on. 

Finally Managed It...

A lunch time run at work. Not a long run. Not a fast run but most definitely a lunch run. It was a little out and back pootle along the Sharpness canal path. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going...

Persevering...

So I decided to repeat my steps from Monday. Safe in the knowledge I couldn't go any slower, I did indeed manage to go a bit quicker. It didn't feel any easier though - it never does. Still a long way to go. And when I got home, I even had enough energy to make the much needed assault on the 'lawn'. With my new strimmer I managed to bring it under control. I reckon I might almost be able to get the mower on it now.

First Sunblock Of The Year

It had to be done. The factor 30 hit the skin for the first time this year as I headed into the forest to hunt boar - just kidding, for a 'run', in the loosest sense of the word.

It was not fast. It was not pretty. To be honest, it was barely running at all but I must persevere and things will improve - I hope. And on the up side, it was fast enough to register as running on the google fit app, so that's good enough for me.

Oh My Back...

In addition to finally getting out for a run yesterday, I spent the morning in the garden. If you didn't know, I am not the greatest gardener in the world and it has all got a bit out of control [read very out of control]...

Anyway, it was a very productive morning and I managed to get most of the garden back under control except for a few weeds and the 'lawn' - and that needs a strimmer, of which mine is broken so I need to invest in a new one. The upshot is that my back is refusing to function correctly today. Despite that I managed to get the chilies and herbs sown. A little late this year but with winter seemingly intending to last through to autumn, I held off until now.

After that I tried a few steps on the treadmill to see how the back would be and decided it was a no. Peddling my way to thirty on the bike instead with the intention of getting back out there tomorrow...

I Can Confirm...

It's hot out there. Finally, I ventured forth...
Headed over to Flaxley wood for a loop. It was good to be back out there but by god am I rubbish. Heart rate was through the roof and I was hardly moving. There is much work to do. Still, it's a start...