Did a quick half hour gym session before heading off for the Sneyd Park hill reps. I decided to run four of the 950m reps instead of the six everyone else was running on account of the race last Sunday. Ran them really consistently - all of them in 3:45 with 2 minutes recovery. Didn't push eye balls out on any of them and eased back towards the finish of each rep. I haven't run them that consistently before. I have been slightly quicker, about 3:38 is the fastest I can remember but on that occasion I faded out to four minutes for later reps. So tonight was good. My legs have recovered pretty well from Sunday. I still feel a bit stiff but if I can run that quick on slightly tired legs how quick could I go when fresh?
Looking forward to the track tomorrow - where hopefully I can put in a full session - I recon the legs will have recovered fully.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Training after a race
That's right, I managed to do some decent training today, the day after a tough hilly race! Haven't done that in a few weeks. I recon I can manage the full Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday sessions this week. The only potential hinderance is going to be the blistered heel but I'll just tape it up and run through the pain. I can take it. They don't call me The Mad "I'm Not Namby Pamby (Well Only A Little Bit)" Runner for nothing.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Far from the best
Well this is worse than me first little filum. Really need to do some testing during the week to get it sorted.
Once you've seen it these wise words of wisdom from my Nepalese Guru will strike a chord. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again but after the seventh failure chuck the bloody thing in the bin or flog it on e-bay.
PS. The results of the Dursley jury are in (hats off for a quick turn around) - I was on the money with the positional estimate - drum role - 30th, scrapes home, back of the net, pick that one out.
Other Bristol and West runners; Alec Woods 2nd (1st MV40) and Mark Dickinson 143 (15th MV50) (just getting back into it ready for the Castles in June).
Once you've seen it these wise words of wisdom from my Nepalese Guru will strike a chord. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again but after the seventh failure chuck the bloody thing in the bin or flog it on e-bay.
PS. The results of the Dursley jury are in (hats off for a quick turn around) - I was on the money with the positional estimate - drum role - 30th, scrapes home, back of the net, pick that one out.
Other Bristol and West runners; Alec Woods 2nd (1st MV40) and Mark Dickinson 143 (15th MV50) (just getting back into it ready for the Castles in June).
I love Dursley
What a great run. Didn't know what to expect from the race today after a bad week. My tummy was a little bit dodgy and I paid for that at about nine miles where I got a tremendous stitch. It was so bad I had to stop for 10s and do some breathing exercises. Thankfully that did the trick and I was able to carry on at full pace to the end.
I felt strange during the race. I felt both knackered and strong at the same time. At two miles (with ten to go) I was wishing for the end because I felt so tired. But I seemed to just keep grinding out the miles. I was bad going up hill today because the blister on my heel has not healed from last week - it is consequently extremely sore at the moment. But downhill was good and I made up quite a few places each time we got to a big drop - which was nice.
Finally, the moment of truth, da da, 89:23 which is close to four minutes off last years time and conditions were definitely worse than last year with there being more mud this time. Result - have to be happy with that. I could be close to the top thirty vs top sixty last year. So I'm still managing to eek out big improvements in my race times so hopefully I can knock a few more minutes off next year.
Re the filming it looks like another pants effort. This time I have some nice shots of the trees and sky - might be useful to the ornithologists I suppose! Anyway, I will try and edit up some of the best bits (if there are any).
I felt strange during the race. I felt both knackered and strong at the same time. At two miles (with ten to go) I was wishing for the end because I felt so tired. But I seemed to just keep grinding out the miles. I was bad going up hill today because the blister on my heel has not healed from last week - it is consequently extremely sore at the moment. But downhill was good and I made up quite a few places each time we got to a big drop - which was nice.
Finally, the moment of truth, da da, 89:23 which is close to four minutes off last years time and conditions were definitely worse than last year with there being more mud this time. Result - have to be happy with that. I could be close to the top thirty vs top sixty last year. So I'm still managing to eek out big improvements in my race times so hopefully I can knock a few more minutes off next year.
Re the filming it looks like another pants effort. This time I have some nice shots of the trees and sky - might be useful to the ornithologists I suppose! Anyway, I will try and edit up some of the best bits (if there are any).
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Angle of dangle
The legs were pain free yesterday for the first time in five days but I couldn't get out to train as I was away to Hertfordshire. The heel blister should also be sorted but I shall be taping it up just in case. This week I have managed to run precisely once and for 20 pathetic minutes. My head has not been good today but hopefully I shall be fighting fit and ready for the Dozen tomorrow.
I have finished the adjustments to the cap-cam. It's difficult to work out exactly the correct position that it needs to be set at because the position of my head moves around as I tire. I start out looking ahead then as I tire (usually after about five minutes) the old noggin starts to droop (I'm talking about my head, thank you). Hopefully I have got the balance right and the footage will be a bit more of the racing view instead of the butt eye view as used in last weeks clip. I guess we'll find out on Sunday or Monday .... or Tuesday.
I have finished the adjustments to the cap-cam. It's difficult to work out exactly the correct position that it needs to be set at because the position of my head moves around as I tire. I start out looking ahead then as I tire (usually after about five minutes) the old noggin starts to droop (I'm talking about my head, thank you). Hopefully I have got the balance right and the footage will be a bit more of the racing view instead of the butt eye view as used in last weeks clip. I guess we'll find out on Sunday or Monday .... or Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Legs still utterly wrecked
My quads are still in a bad way. I was able to move around the office more freely without the limping and shuffling but the quads are still painful. I managed a twenty minute run at lunch time which wasn't too bad. I went down the track tonight but just to jog a few laps. I only managed four and it was just too painful. There's no sense in doing any more so I am hoping they will be OK tomorrow for the zoo reps with Keith.
I'm hoping the legs are building some resilience to the abuse but I fear it may take a few more races before they are able to take the pounding week in week out. Hopefully long term it will make my stronger.
I'm hoping the legs are building some resilience to the abuse but I fear it may take a few more races before they are able to take the pounding week in week out. Hopefully long term it will make my stronger.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Achy breaky legs
Too knackered to train tonight. The quads are still bad - but less so than yesterday so hopefully I will be up to training tomorrow at the track. I may have to take it easy though. We'll see.
I have been tinkering with the cap-cam ready for the Dursley Dozen on Sunday. Adjusting the angle of dangle, so to speak, so it points more horizontally when I'm not (ie when I'm looking at the ground - which seems to be most of the time!). I'm also looking at ways to put in a tilt mechanism so that I can flip it up vertically when I'm climbing up hill so it looks up the hill rather than straight at the ground but this is proving more problematic since it still needs to be as stable as possible. Also need to look at a quick way of attaching it to the bike during the transition so I don't waste too much time. Oh why is life so full of technical difficulties for the aspiring nutter.
I have been tinkering with the cap-cam ready for the Dursley Dozen on Sunday. Adjusting the angle of dangle, so to speak, so it points more horizontally when I'm not (ie when I'm looking at the ground - which seems to be most of the time!). I'm also looking at ways to put in a tilt mechanism so that I can flip it up vertically when I'm climbing up hill so it looks up the hill rather than straight at the ground but this is proving more problematic since it still needs to be as stable as possible. Also need to look at a quick way of attaching it to the bike during the transition so I don't waste too much time. Oh why is life so full of technical difficulties for the aspiring nutter.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Oh what joy....
Yet again my legs are sore - big time (quads mainly). This brought much amusement to Graham and Clive as I hobbled around at work. Once I got going the pegs where OK but since I sit on the old lardy for hours at a time I had a few painful moments through the day. On the plus side I don't think they're quite as sore as after that first fell race and that was only two miles. I recon my body is adapting to the abuse I send its way - which bodes well.
I've added another new item to the blog - my race schedule (see right hand side). This is courtesy of an idea I read on a fellow blogger's site, John Kynaston's 'Training for West Highland Way Race 07'. Thanks for that one John it's a great idea and I have to say, from his reading his blog, that he seems like a chap with a similar yearning for pain as me. I knew there had to be another one out there somewhere :) Cheers John.
PS. Just an easy one at the gym tonight - giving the legs a rest - until tomorrow....
I've added another new item to the blog - my race schedule (see right hand side). This is courtesy of an idea I read on a fellow blogger's site, John Kynaston's 'Training for West Highland Way Race 07'. Thanks for that one John it's a great idea and I have to say, from his reading his blog, that he seems like a chap with a similar yearning for pain as me. I knew there had to be another one out there somewhere :) Cheers John.
PS. Just an easy one at the gym tonight - giving the legs a rest - until tomorrow....
Sunday, February 04, 2007
And now for something a little different
Yes, I managed it at last - the something (not that) special. After a bit, scrub that, a lot of faffing I have finally managed to get the footage from the cap-cam onto the web. That's right, I filmed the Long Mynd race on my newest gizmo - the cap-cam. Alright, so it's a small barrel camcorder thingumyjig stuck on my cap but it worked after a fashion! I had a few teething problems with it (which you'll see if you watch) namely it was pointing too low - I didn't take into account my bad looky-down head angle as I run. That will be amended for future films (the cam angle not the head looky-down thing - I'm sure that isn't going to change).
Anyway, it's about 6.5 minutes of edited highlights. It's a bit wobbly, a bit looking at the ground and basically a bit pants but I tried :) Hopefully I can improve my technique for the next one (ooh er).
[PS the video quality is low because Google Video shrinks the size and hence quality during their processing bit]
Anyway, it's about 6.5 minutes of edited highlights. It's a bit wobbly, a bit looking at the ground and basically a bit pants but I tried :) Hopefully I can improve my technique for the next one (ooh er).
[PS the video quality is low because Google Video shrinks the size and hence quality during their processing bit]
Interim update
Sorry to say that things are taking a bit longer than expected on the something special front - looks like maybe tomorrow now - what a bloomin' let down I am - and even worse it's not looking quite so special!
Anyway, I'll feed you a bit more about the race.
Although I was out there for over two hours the time really did fly by. The first time I glanced at the watch was just after the hour but it seemed like twenty minutes. Not sure of the winners time. I think it was around 1:38 and there were two guys with equal time - one was Simon Bailey? I think. So I'm quite pleased with my effort really, especially since it was my first proper fell race (ps don't tell the organisers because novices weren't supposed to enter on account of it being a bit tough). Patrick Woodisse, fellow Bristol and Wester, finished in 20th (or there abouts) in 1:58.
More about the race. I have to admit that even after looking over the map and seeing the close knit contours I was gob smacked at just how steep the last three climbs were. I've never come close to ever going up the side of a hill like those today. The scariest part was that the downhills were just as steep! If you were out hiking you would take ages to negotiate the downhills - as it was we took mere minutes. Some of it seemed like vertical drops. On the second to last decent my legs gave. I was OK coming down but when I started to run again at the bottom along the meandering path I could hardly move. Fortunately, I recovered a bit before the final ascent which was the steepest and seemed the longest.
Someone at the bottom of that final hill was counting the runners through and before that final ascent I was in 46th place. Great, I thought, if I can tuck in I can get that top fifty spot I was looking for.
Three people came past on that final ascent - which nearly destroyed me. It was just so unbelievably steep - I have never experienced anything quite like it. I was hanging on. I was at my limit. My reserves where depleted and I didn't have much left but the Mad Runner is made of stern stuff. My legs where shagged, I was shagged but I dug deep, deeper than I've ever had to dig before. That top fifty spot was mine and nobody was stealing it. Once at the top I threw caution to the wind and just chucked myself back down the hill. I fell once towards the bottom but managed to pick myself back up and carry on. At the bottom I had gained two of the places I lost - back into 47th place and felt safe. I knew I had made it. I managed to pick off one more guy on the run in. I say run in, more of a run along before another suicidal drop to the finish. Then, there it was, the finish, and I crossed in 46th place.
I definitely need to get out there and run (or climb) steeper hills in training - to simulate the hills I encountered today. If I want to go quicker in these races I have to train for it. I was woefully unprepared for the enormity of this race but rest assured I won't be next time...
Anyway, I'll feed you a bit more about the race.
Although I was out there for over two hours the time really did fly by. The first time I glanced at the watch was just after the hour but it seemed like twenty minutes. Not sure of the winners time. I think it was around 1:38 and there were two guys with equal time - one was Simon Bailey? I think. So I'm quite pleased with my effort really, especially since it was my first proper fell race (ps don't tell the organisers because novices weren't supposed to enter on account of it being a bit tough). Patrick Woodisse, fellow Bristol and Wester, finished in 20th (or there abouts) in 1:58.
More about the race. I have to admit that even after looking over the map and seeing the close knit contours I was gob smacked at just how steep the last three climbs were. I've never come close to ever going up the side of a hill like those today. The scariest part was that the downhills were just as steep! If you were out hiking you would take ages to negotiate the downhills - as it was we took mere minutes. Some of it seemed like vertical drops. On the second to last decent my legs gave. I was OK coming down but when I started to run again at the bottom along the meandering path I could hardly move. Fortunately, I recovered a bit before the final ascent which was the steepest and seemed the longest.
Someone at the bottom of that final hill was counting the runners through and before that final ascent I was in 46th place. Great, I thought, if I can tuck in I can get that top fifty spot I was looking for.
Three people came past on that final ascent - which nearly destroyed me. It was just so unbelievably steep - I have never experienced anything quite like it. I was hanging on. I was at my limit. My reserves where depleted and I didn't have much left but the Mad Runner is made of stern stuff. My legs where shagged, I was shagged but I dug deep, deeper than I've ever had to dig before. That top fifty spot was mine and nobody was stealing it. Once at the top I threw caution to the wind and just chucked myself back down the hill. I fell once towards the bottom but managed to pick myself back up and carry on. At the bottom I had gained two of the places I lost - back into 47th place and felt safe. I knew I had made it. I managed to pick off one more guy on the run in. I say run in, more of a run along before another suicidal drop to the finish. Then, there it was, the finish, and I crossed in 46th place.
I definitely need to get out there and run (or climb) steeper hills in training - to simulate the hills I encountered today. If I want to go quicker in these races I have to train for it. I was woefully unprepared for the enormity of this race but rest assured I won't be next time...
Nothing prepares you for a race like that!
That was unbelievable. Quite the hardest race I think I've ever done. I finished in 2:09 and made the top 50 (46th). The last three hills were so steep I was on all fours, and so long I was praying for the top when I was only a third of the way up!
Will I be back next year for revenge? - I wouldn't bet against it. With a few more races under my belt I think I'll go for sub 2 next time.
More to follow, including something a little special....
Will I be back next year for revenge? - I wouldn't bet against it. With a few more races under my belt I think I'll go for sub 2 next time.
More to follow, including something a little special....
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Not long now
How's that for a lovely pair - stop that, I'm talking the route and profile. Looks like a nice Sunday morning stroll don't you think! The count down to the Long Mynd race is well under way. It's just over 17 hours to kick off and I've been putting the finishing touches to the hang glider... I'm feeling a little nervous now but not because I feel the pressure of what time I will do, more the pressure of actually making it round without getting lost!
On to other matters, my race number for the mountain bike duathlon is through, number 46, so my thoughts will be turning to that in a weeks time.
Off now to fuel up for tomorrow - I'm thinking Pizza :)
Friday, February 02, 2007
Sense has prevailed
Yes, sadly, sense has prevailed and I've decided to run only the Long Mynd on Sunday and forgo the Titterstone Clee race on Saturday. To that end, I rested yesterday instead of hard training and only put in an easy twenty minutes today at lunch time. I want to be 100% rested for Sunday where I shall be aiming to finish towards the sharp end. I know that I'm going to be out of my depth and quite possibly I shall be lucky to finish at all - since I am venturing very much into the unknown but as they say, if you aim for the stars you might just make the moon - and I'd be happy with that.
I'm just itching to get going now and Sunday can't come quickly enough. I've been studying the map and taking advice and I know it's vital that I don't get carried away and go off too quick. The race looks tough in the 2nd half where the three big hills kick in. So I just hope I can control myself - this may turn out to be a real test of will and I might find out that my love affair with hill running is over! But if all goes well I should have something interesting for the blog....
I'm just itching to get going now and Sunday can't come quickly enough. I've been studying the map and taking advice and I know it's vital that I don't get carried away and go off too quick. The race looks tough in the 2nd half where the three big hills kick in. So I just hope I can control myself - this may turn out to be a real test of will and I might find out that my love affair with hill running is over! But if all goes well I should have something interesting for the blog....
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Taking it easy at the track
After yesterday's race I decided to take it easy tonight - I lied :)
We ran five 800's 'cept I added an extra one to make six as I have a fear of odd numbers dating back to the time when I was run over by a milk float carrying an odd number of bottles.
It was one of my faster sessions tonight. In fact, I don't think I have actually run six 800's back to back before. Recovery was a bit loose but I was still pleased with the reps. I started steady with a 2:37 and 2:38. Then came a 2:34 as I chased Nick down and beat him on the dip. Well, I say beat, there is actually some debate as to whether I stole it on the line or not so we are eagerly awaiting the official photo finish - which is currently being developed by the Kodak labs in Dusseldorf. We should have the results for you a week next Thursday. The 2:45 was as a result of that gargantuan effort on the rep before and I was pleased to recover for the penultimate rep of 2:41. The boys gave me some heckles on my final, solo rep - which was nice - and lifted me to a final flourish of 2:40.
Nick was running really well tonight. He seems to be flying at the moment. Harry was also on form and Rob stuck with it to complete the five. Harry and Rob may have gone off a bit quick on the first couple but still pretty good.
PS I made up the bit about the milk float - it is, as they say in the trade, total bo@#%cks. I just wanted to put in an extra one as my fifth rep was fast enough to merit it.
We ran five 800's 'cept I added an extra one to make six as I have a fear of odd numbers dating back to the time when I was run over by a milk float carrying an odd number of bottles.
It was one of my faster sessions tonight. In fact, I don't think I have actually run six 800's back to back before. Recovery was a bit loose but I was still pleased with the reps. I started steady with a 2:37 and 2:38. Then came a 2:34 as I chased Nick down and beat him on the dip. Well, I say beat, there is actually some debate as to whether I stole it on the line or not so we are eagerly awaiting the official photo finish - which is currently being developed by the Kodak labs in Dusseldorf. We should have the results for you a week next Thursday. The 2:45 was as a result of that gargantuan effort on the rep before and I was pleased to recover for the penultimate rep of 2:41. The boys gave me some heckles on my final, solo rep - which was nice - and lifted me to a final flourish of 2:40.
Nick was running really well tonight. He seems to be flying at the moment. Harry was also on form and Rob stuck with it to complete the five. Harry and Rob may have gone off a bit quick on the first couple but still pretty good.
PS I made up the bit about the milk float - it is, as they say in the trade, total bo@#%cks. I just wanted to put in an extra one as my fifth rep was fast enough to merit it.
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