What not to train

No training today, a bit of work - which went well - and some planning, blah, blah, blah, boring. Seriously though, I'm ready for tomorrow's race. I feel good so it should be good.

I've checked the race diary for the seventeenth time - and yes, the race is still tomorrow at 2pm. I shall, of course, check another eight times between now and then - not that I'm paranoid - well, OK, just a bit...

Thought for the day: I'm so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying - that's not good

I trained therefore I am

I managed to get myself out for some training tonight. Well, actually, I managed to get myself in for some training as I went down the gym for a 45 minute burn up on the bike. I've missed a few sessions of late and found it hard going but I managed to force myself through to the finish. It's surprising how quickly you can lose form. I finished off with some decent weight work and my shoulders are paying the price - they are somewhat achy.

Most importantly, my legs feel in reasonably good shape so after a rest day tomorrow I should be in kick ass form at Llanthony on Saturday - they will all be kissing my ass as I power to the top and then sprint back down - all, that is, except those who beat me - but we'll keep those to a minimum. I've just got to hope I don't miss the start this week...

Thought for the day: Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur - Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound.

The fantastic four

Jerry, Bruce, Sean and me - although Rick ran the 300's and timed us for the 600's.

It was a chill but calm night. The stars glistened in the sky, like diamonds - on a gert huge wibbly wobbly piece of string. Right, back to this universe.

We ran five 600's with 45-60s recovery - Sean got 60s, I got 45. Then we ran five 300's with an equally short recovery - 'cept I only ran three 300's with a massive recovery on account of being a bit crap. Sean looked in good form, running easy but quick after his pb yesterday. Bruce seemed to be holding his own as well and Jerry? Need I really say anymore?

Anyway, I ran steady for the 600's in 2:00, 1:59, 1:58, 1:59 and 1:57. OK, so that's not great speed but after the last few days I'll take it - and I was only getting short recovery. It's not too bad is it? I ran the 300's purposefully quicker. With the longer recovery I had to really, didn't I? - and Sean was giving me enough stick for only doing three as it was.

So I ran 52s, 50s - and this is something special - coming into the final bend, the crowd looking on in stunned disbelief as I edged onto the shoulder of Sean, doing it the hard way - ooh, er, Mrs - round the outside, closer, closer, level. .. ... urgh, with 20 metres to go, the youngster just found the extra to hold me off - but then he is half my age. It was my fastest ever 300 though so I'm pleased with 46s. Not bad for an old'ish' timer.

Thought for the day: Be the labour great or small do it well or not at all.

Didn't bridge the distance

I ran out of steam a long way before the line tonight. I was in reasonable shape until 3k and then I just - well, died really. My legs tightened and my stride shortened to a kind of geriatric shuffle for the last 2k. Still, I'm reasonably pleased with 18:30 - if it weren't for the fact that others - who cannot be mentioned for legal reasons - beat the pants off me!

I have to admit that I didn't really recover from my long Sunday run. With my quads aching before the race I knew tonight was not going to be quick but I tried and that's all I could do.

Not sure what shape I'm going to be in for tomorrow's track session. I suspect I might not be completing the session but I will try.

Well done to Sean for a new PB, 16:14 and Helen for getting close to hers and - mutter, mutter - Mike T for equalling my course best - the swine - in 18:12. I don't think it's going to be long before he surpasses that.

Thought for the day: Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

Don't fancy my chances

My quads are fair knackered today so I pulled a total rest day. I was going to go down the gym but decided I could do with the rest instead. The calves, however, in a reversal of fortune, are, in fact, fine - after some serious self massage last night - boy did it hurt at the time. I'm really not sure the quads will recover in time for a decent crack at eighteen at the Bridge Inn tomorrow but I shall give it my best shot though.

I'm not too worried about it really. My long run yesterday was long overdue and I am determined to make that the kick start to my summer campaign. I have the power, now all I need is the staying power - and it will come, yep, it will come...

Thought for the day: "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity". - Albert Einstein

I missed the start...

... by 24 frickin' hours. Yes, the main events page on the WFRA website said the race was today but the details bit (which I didn't bother to look at) said it was yesterday - and since there was no one else there I guess it's safe to assume the detail page had it right - bugger. I don't blame them though. To be fair, it does say please check with the organiser. Pretty funny really, but I really felt like I was going to have a good one so it feels like a wasted opportunity. Looking on the bright side, I'll save it all for next week's South Wales Winter Series race, Llanthony.

Anyway, since I'd gone all that way I headed off on a training run instead. I fully intended to follow the route from memory and set off pretty much on race pace. Got about halfway and the old memory not being what it once was, I wandered off piste. After a nice long run and a visit to Crowcombe - very nice little village, highly recommend a visit by the way - no I don't, what am I talking about? I finally reappeared in the vicinity of the car park and my car about an hour and 45 minutes later having covered somewhere in the region of 13 miles and 3,000ft (mapped it once I got home).

So, there it is, a monumental cock up but in the end the longish training run was satisfactory and pretty pacey really, considering the ascent involved. And if I'm honest I would have taken the visit to the Nationals and training over racing solo yesterday - I had a much better weekend this way round. [winks to camera]

Thought for the day: If a person does their best, what else is there?

Nationalistic

I had a day trip up to Alton Towers for the National Cross Country Championships - no, I didn't run - just support. The teams did really well with all four of the men/women junior/senior teams making the top six with the men taking an unexpected bronze. Better than that - in my humble opinion - but what does that matter - was the entire women's team of Amy, Charlie, Helen and Claire all getting inside the top 50 individually.

I had a bit of a jog around while watching but basically had a lazy day. Oh, and I was on hound control for an hour or two - but they didn't manage to eat me alive - all though it was a close call at points.

Anyway, I feel ready for tomorrow's Quantocks - so I'll probably run pants...

Thought for the day: Corduroy pillows: They're making headlines!

Fantasy Friday

Without the fantasy but never the less a good Friday, all the same. Didn't get up to much training - that is - I did naff all. But I bunked off work early and had a nice, rest full day and watched Cloverfield at the flics - good film, a no watch look film. I should explain my film review scoring. One look at the watch is a good film, two looks is respectable, any more and you're getting into not so good territory, so no looks is very good - go see it. 'Ark at me, who do I think I am? Barry Norman?

Right, back to almost writing about running. I'm off to watch the National Cross Country Championships tomorrow - I shall be super supporter extraordinaire. I've not got my running vest so there is no way I can accidentally end up running - plus I'm rubbish and would be a disgrace to the club - and I wouldn't want that.

Finally, I'm happy to report that the left calf is now fully top notch so I should be ready for Sunday.

Thought for the day: Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs.

A little tired

I am a tad tired after an unwanted early start but at least I finally resolved an issue at work that's been getting on my t........ nerves. Too tired, in fact, to train I've just been lounging around the house, catching up on Neighbours - damn, must keep my gob shut.

Then, of course, there was the curious incident of the broken lock in the day time - a story, alas, for another time...

Anyway, I'm tapering ahead of the Quantocks race. Yesterday's track session, although pleasing caused my left calf to tighten right up but after some severe and some might say, painful - that is to say, down right agonisational - I think I made that word up - massage, it's actually pretty bloody good today - I didn't expect that, I really didn't. In fact, I can't believe how good it feels today. As they say in the trade, magic hands make light work - oops, I mean - no pain, no gain...

Thought for the day: When French speakers swear, do they say "Excuse my English?

Rickless...

... again!!!

We had no instruction tonight and didn't know what to do so I decided we should run some 400's with sharp recovery - using the rotational technique - what other technique is there?

Recovery was a strict 60s - and I cracked Jerry's whip - ooh, kinky. So off we set running our eight 400's. It was another good turn out with most of the lads, including Nick again, which is really good to see, but none of the old fogies - except me - and one other - no, I take that back - just me.

My times were a mix of 74's and 75's. All nice and consistent but my left calf has now tightened right up. Still, I've got a few days before the Quantocks race on Sunday.

Good luck to Dan M by the way, as he prepares for some Master's 3k track competition.

Thought for the day: I have lots of ideas. Trouble is, most of them suck.

Today is the 19th

Well the calves are still very tight but at least I have a good probable reason for that. My non-Nepalese Guru suggested it was probably down to the frozen, firm ground from Sundays 10 mile race and the fact I wore my studded fell shoes - wise words indeed. I'll chalk that one up to experience - and then subsequently forget it as I'm bound to make the same mistake again - I never learn.

Anyway, I got out for an easy 45 minutes around Ashton Court after work this evening. I gave my new Mizuno Harrier trail shoes a go and they were both comfortable and really rather grippy - which was nice. Hopefully I've loosened the pegs a bit ahead of tomorrow's session - on the track I mean. I finished off with a quick whip round the weights area of the gym before signing off for the night.

Thought for the day: No man was ever shot by his wife while doing the dishes.

Couldn't make the session

My calf muscles were tight today - very tight. So tight, in fact, that they pained me to walk - and I have a high pain thresh hold - as some can attest to. So instead of attempting Rick's session, which would surely have made things worse, I elected to go to the gym and put in an hour on the bike. That worked out well and I was able to pedal without problem. My upper body is aching a tad though as I did a few more bits and pieces than normal - I have my figure to maintain, don't you know - tch, such vanity.

Anyway, I saw Sean at the petrol station down Asda'l' on his way to the session and made my excuses - I think he believed me. Really though, I couldn't have managed running today. I ran hard yesterday but it was only ten miles and I didn't think I pushed to the limit but maybe on second thoughts I did - I was sick at the end - which pleases me in that I still have the ability to push myself to the limit.

Not going to plan for tomorrow. I shall wait and see how I feel...

Thought for the day: Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.

FOD off

What a bloody great day!! The sun shone, the birds sang, the frost - well, it just kind of sat there really, being cold - and I came 3rd in the 15.4k Forest of Dean Trail Race. My third podium finish. Ooh yeah, baby - he shoots, he scores.

I was in ninth place in the first 500m and then once we hit the start of the incline I just picked my way through to third. By the end of the first lap I was on my own in third and 10s inside my time from the last race. I decided to make my position safe and piled on the power up the hill. By the end of the second lap, third was guaranteed and I have to admit to feeling a little tired. I stayed focused - with the help of my supporter - to come home 13s quicker than last time - guess that answers the question as to whether I'm improving, holding position or going backwards!

Well done to Kate Goodhead for 1st place in the 10.4k race - and I really mean 1st. She reeled in the male leader in the last stages of the race to finish first outright - superb result.

Finally, well done to Sylvia Crump (Graham's other - and some say - better half) for taking third place in the Senior Women's 5.4k race.

Did I say before - what a bloody great day!!!

Thought for the day: What's another word for thesaurus?

New shooos

Finally managed to get down to Up & Running - Bristol's hottest new running shop - to spend some cash. Came away with a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 11's and my first ever pair of trail shoes - Mizuno Wave Harrier's. It's about time I had some proper trail shoes for those occasions when it's too slippy for road shoes but not rough enough for the Gladiator fell shoes. Still need to pick up my first pair of racing flats though - every gram must be shed in my quest for faster times.

No real training to report today. Just a quick visit to the gym for an easy half hour on the bike - no cross country session today, just light on the pedals, turning the legs over. Finished off with a few weights and then home to admire my new shooos...

Thought for the day: Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to.