Furthest “Run” So Far

It was a hot one today, but I had set my target for the day and wasn’t diverting. I felt a bit tired yesterday, so I pulled a rest day in preparation for today. Back to today, and after a leisurely morning, I set out to conquer the full Hope-Flaxley Wood Loop, 9k. My plan was to run to the beat of my heart. Above 160 I walked, back to 150 I ran again. I kept to that throughout and it was a pretty good regime. I’ll probably aim to use it again for future runs, at least for a while, and hopefully I’ll see my times and distance run vs walk, improve.

Slightly Sore Legs

As I've not really been up any steep stuff for a while, I had a feeling my legs would be a little sore today. It's mainly the quads so I only went for a short walk, around my usual route. The good thing for me is that the short little up, no more than thirty metres, which used to bring me to a stop a few months back, doesn't anymore.

And looking back to yesterday, here's a pic of the summit of Fan Llia. In the middle you can see one of the world's most unimpressive summit cairns.

Digging Out the Deputy Badge

Yes, it's that Four Fans time of year and once again I will be marshalling my regular spot atop Fan Llia. One day I will be on the other side of the fence running but not this year.

As I've not climbed a hill for a while, I wanted to keep my legs okay for tomorrow, so I chose a bike session tonight, and as expected, with my recent FTP increase, it was a proper workout. It didn't push me over the edge, but I couldn't have done many more reps.

Overall, a good workout. Right, I'm off to find the sun cream...

Resting Heart Rate

It's been another good week's training. Six sessions of varying intensity, including that pretty hefty FTP increase on Thursday. That knackered my legs a bit for the next few days but nevertheless I've done a few good sessions. I still feel I'm a long way off 'proper running' but I'm still heading in the right direction. I'm closely monitoring the data to make sure I don't overdo things. As long as I can keep making small gains, week on week, I'll be happy. Talking of the data, it shows my resting heart rate, weekly average, as the lowest it's been for two years. I can't really put that all down to the training because I'm still far less fit than I was back then (and I wasn't really that fit then either). What it tells me, is that I've been low on iron for a long time and that most of my current improvement is from actually having some haemoglobin...

I Took It

My legs felt mostly recovered so, as threatened, I went for it on Zwift. I chose a flattish route with a few bumps. I don't have high cadence so have always tended to grind out more power on the climbs than the flat so the bumps would help keep the power up. After a couple of minutes at the start I felt I knew what power I was going aim for in the half hour ride and just kept at. In the end it turned out two laps of the chosen route and a very pleasing 25% increase in my FTP - I have a feeling the next structured training ride might be a bit more testing than Tuesday's session. Onwards and upwards. It's going to be an easy run day tomorrow...

It's Becoming Difficult to Take a Rest Day...

After twelve workouts, at various intensities, in two weeks I decided on a rest day. My legs felt a bit stiff this morning. They've eased but don't feel fully eased this evening. After yesterday's bike session, which didn't seem like it pushed me hard enough, I feel like another FTP increase is ready for the taking. Provided my legs feel fully refreshed tomorrow then I shall be going for it on the Zwift. If they still feel a bit heavy, then it'll be some sort of recovery 'run'. Either way, it's getting hard to pull a rest day. I know, I know, the body needs time off to rebuild the muscle tissue and all that jazz but I'm so keen to keep the momentum going I don't want to miss a day.

A Full Weeks Training

Overall, it's been a good weeks training. Today's reps felt a bit easier than I thought they would so I need to make sure I set myself targets that will push me. On the plus side, the data is still showing improvement, so things are still heading in the right direction.

And They Were Feeling Fresher Today...

The legs, that is. Yesterday's recovery walk did the trick and that led to today's session with my longest intervals to date. Nine 600's off a 200m recovery. I felt pretty good and at no point did my calves feel tight - which is another first of late. The pace is still not great, but it was my longest session distance to date.

Never has the philosopher Joni Mitchell's proverb, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" felt more profound. For the first time in probably ten years have I really found the motivation to return. I've had many false starts during that time, where I wanted to get fitter without really feeling the same desire that I had twenty years ago, when it all began.

I can't yet predict when I'm going to be ready to stand on that start line, but never will it feel more satisfying when I do...

Legs Still a Bit Tired...

So I've been continuing with the training. Little by little increasing the duration and/or intensity - or both! It's still pitiful but I'm pleased with my progress. My FTP on the bike took another increase a few days ago and my treadmill sessions are seeing more running and less walking - apart from today.

I almost snuck in a rest day as my legs are feeling tired, heavy and a bit sore in places but instead I did a fast walk on the treadmill with a couple of faster 100m's at the end. The final 100m effort was my fastest since finding iron strength....

Today's session didn't put much strain on things so hopefully, my pegs will be feeling a bit better tomorrow - and I feel much the better from having walked fast rather than surfed the sofa. I've not planned tomorrow's training. I'll see how things are before deciding whether to ride the bike or pound the treadmill....

Legs a Bit Tired

I've been continuing to build the sessions this week with a couple of runs and a ride. I was definitely feeling it in the legs for today's third run of the week. Yesterday I had a decent effort up the Alp du Zwift. I'm nowhere near having the fitness to make the summit but it was a good effort, rewarding me with another FTP increase. Have to see how the legs feel tomorrow...

Little By Little

I've been sticking with the run/walk repetitions on the treadmill and have started to slowly increase the duration of the run interval. I've also been closely monitoring my 'body battery' to make sure I'm not going at it over zealously. I am keen to crack on but equally aware not to tip the balance and slip backwards. I can see it's going to be a journey of a thousand miles, but I've most definitely taken those first few steps.

I am so looking forward to what will be the magical moment when I'm able to return to fell running - I will be over the moon to come last - because to be last means I will have made it back.

Where's the Spinach?

Things are still headed in the right direction but I'm definitely starting from a very low point. All the data - have I ever said, I love data - is showing improvement. Stress levels are dropping, resting heart rate is dropping (from a somewhat high level), body battery is on the up, sleep quality is improving, and the mysterious cycling FTP has increased for the third time out of four Zwifts. It is all very lowly but I'm so pleased I can see that light at the end of the tunnel - albeit a very long tunnel...

A Long Long Time....

So, I've been out of the running game for a long time. For well over a year, I haven't been able to run. Even climbing the stairs was hard work. Turns out the human body needs a bit of haemoglobin to function. After a couple of weeks on vitamin D3, K2 and iron supplementation and I've been able to run a session on the treadmill at pacing beyond what could be classed walking. It has been a long time and it felt bloody great!

Longest Time Without a Post

Over a month is a new record for non-posting. It's fair to there hasn't been a lot to post about. Training is as hit and miss as ever, although I am managing to get out for a few 'longer', hillier walks. My fitness is still really piss poor but I'm hoping I'll find some motivation from somewhere to kick it up a notch. Although, it probably needs to crank up five or six notches...