Date & Time : 18/02/12 10:20
Distance : 14 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 191 miles
Route & Stats : Whittlingham & Trowse
This was not a good week. I was away on business from Sunday night to late Thursday evening which is really putting a spanner in the works with respect to my training plan. I did manage to get in a couple of gym sessions, 5 miles on a treadmill (boring) and 45 minutes on an elliptical trainer, on a much higher resistance level than intended due to not really knowing how to use the machine and the fact that I was flanked either side by two rather attractive ladies and there was no way I was going to wimp out and reduce the level while they were there. Unluckily for me they stayed there until I was almost finished, both in terms of completing my 45 minutes and my energy levels. Luckily for me they finished their work outs just before I did and didn't notice me virtually crawling out of the gym sweating like a one legged man in an arse kicking competition.
I had originally planned another 16 miler this week after last weeks great run, but somewhere along the way I managed to pick up some soreness in my hip and a rather annoying cough. Anyway, putting that to one side I set off and got into a reasonable rhythym early into the run, after a couple of miles I turned back into the wind and found it very hard going. I was staying local this week, looping around Whitlingham Broad and Trowse. Eventually, I found the best route that was least exposed to the wind, which involved running the opposite way around the broad and coming back on the road sheltered by the trees.
Despite my usual pre long run breakfast of toast with marmalade (no butter), banana and two imodium instants, after 9 miles I had to make a Paula Radcliffe style emergency stop, but fortunately I was close to home so was able use the facilities, take on a gel and top up my drink. However, by the time I set off again my right hip had become quite painful and while it got a bit better after a few hundred yards I decided to cut the run short by a couple of miles to avoid the risk of injury. Fortunately, it feels OK today and I am planning to run to work tomorrow, so if all goes well this week I will be aiming for an 18 miler next Saturday morning.
I should have a less interupted week this week, apart from a quick jaunt out to the South of France on Tuesday night and Wednesday to look at the future - more on that next week.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
71 Days To Go - Sweet 16
Date & Time : 11/02/12 10:00
Distance : 16 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 168 miles
Route & Stats : Whittlingham & Thorpe St. Andrew
As the title of this suggests this was a really good run. 16 miles at just over 9min miles is exactly where I was expecting to be at this stage. I felt good throughout and didn't get the tight feeling that I had in my lower back that I had in previous weeks long runs. Maybe the fact that I was unable to train much during the week, due to being away with work, was a good thing and gave my old bones a bit of a rest.
I felt decent at the end of the run and could probably have carried on, but a plan is a plan and the thought of getting home having something to eat and a soak in a hot bath was too much of a temptation.
The weather was just perfect, clear blue skies not a breath of wind but quite cold, which I don't mind at all. Had to stop and take this picture of the frozen broad, just awesome.
Distance : 16 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 168 miles
Route & Stats : Whittlingham & Thorpe St. Andrew
As the title of this suggests this was a really good run. 16 miles at just over 9min miles is exactly where I was expecting to be at this stage. I felt good throughout and didn't get the tight feeling that I had in my lower back that I had in previous weeks long runs. Maybe the fact that I was unable to train much during the week, due to being away with work, was a good thing and gave my old bones a bit of a rest.
I felt decent at the end of the run and could probably have carried on, but a plan is a plan and the thought of getting home having something to eat and a soak in a hot bath was too much of a temptation.
The weather was just perfect, clear blue skies not a breath of wind but quite cold, which I don't mind at all. Had to stop and take this picture of the frozen broad, just awesome.
Got another week away coming up but 'have trainers will travel' is the motto and I will a) try and grab a few miles (even if it is in the hotel gym) where I can and b) by careful what I eat and drink - it's remarkably hard to stay on the straight and narrow when their is so much culinary temptation thrown at you and the fact that I am on expenses!
Monday, 6 February 2012
78 Days To Go - Sub Zero
Date & Time : 04/02/12 07:00
Distance : 14 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 145 miles
Route & Stats : Colney & Back
I've said on many occasions that getting my long run done on a Saturday morning is by far and a way my preferred option. Well this Saturday, out of necessity rather than choice, I took that to a new extreme and was out the door by 7am. With Norwich playing at home and various other family and social commitments my choice was get up at 6:30am and get on the road early or run with a hangover on Sunday morning. No choice really, and as it turned I had by far the best weather conditions of the weekend.
That said, it was chuffing cold when I did step out the door. I checked the temperature in the car which said -3, however it was as still as millpond, with not a breath of wind. I set off it darkness heading out of Trowse on the back roads towards Lakenham, then onto Eaton along the back of the golf course, into Cringleford, past the posh houses then up past the hospital and back into the city on Earlham Road. I then turned right into Bluebell Road and up through Eaton Park, just as the Parkun runners were gathering (might try and integrate a Parkrun into my long run one of these days) and finally back into Trowse via Whittlingham Hall getting in just before 9:30am. It was a really good run, very steady and slow - but that was the plan. Despite the initial shock of being out at 7am, I really enjoyed it and may well start doing this on a regular basis - it was such a good feeling to know that the long run was done and virtually the whole weekend was still in front of me.
And what a weekend it was .... Norwich were brilliant against Bolton to win 2-0, Rob Mills' 40th birthday bash at Dunston Hall was a laugh and then waking up to deep snow on Sunday morning was awesome and we spent most of the day as a family mucking about in the snow (check out the Mexican snowman!) followed by a Mrs W special - roast pork with all the trimings.
I even managed to fit in the time to bake a banana & walnut loaf cake, with help (as usual) from Imogen, which was delicious!
Overall I managed 30 miles during the week with is just about on plan and a couple of sessions on the cross trainer. I am travelling again this week so will have to fit in runs as best I can, which puts more emphasis on the weekends. I need to start easing up the weekend long run mileage now, with 16 miles this weekend's target - can't wait !
Distance : 14 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 145 miles
Route & Stats : Colney & Back
I've said on many occasions that getting my long run done on a Saturday morning is by far and a way my preferred option. Well this Saturday, out of necessity rather than choice, I took that to a new extreme and was out the door by 7am. With Norwich playing at home and various other family and social commitments my choice was get up at 6:30am and get on the road early or run with a hangover on Sunday morning. No choice really, and as it turned I had by far the best weather conditions of the weekend.
That said, it was chuffing cold when I did step out the door. I checked the temperature in the car which said -3, however it was as still as millpond, with not a breath of wind. I set off it darkness heading out of Trowse on the back roads towards Lakenham, then onto Eaton along the back of the golf course, into Cringleford, past the posh houses then up past the hospital and back into the city on Earlham Road. I then turned right into Bluebell Road and up through Eaton Park, just as the Parkun runners were gathering (might try and integrate a Parkrun into my long run one of these days) and finally back into Trowse via Whittlingham Hall getting in just before 9:30am. It was a really good run, very steady and slow - but that was the plan. Despite the initial shock of being out at 7am, I really enjoyed it and may well start doing this on a regular basis - it was such a good feeling to know that the long run was done and virtually the whole weekend was still in front of me.
And what a weekend it was .... Norwich were brilliant against Bolton to win 2-0, Rob Mills' 40th birthday bash at Dunston Hall was a laugh and then waking up to deep snow on Sunday morning was awesome and we spent most of the day as a family mucking about in the snow (check out the Mexican snowman!) followed by a Mrs W special - roast pork with all the trimings.
I even managed to fit in the time to bake a banana & walnut loaf cake, with help (as usual) from Imogen, which was delicious!
Overall I managed 30 miles during the week with is just about on plan and a couple of sessions on the cross trainer. I am travelling again this week so will have to fit in runs as best I can, which puts more emphasis on the weekends. I need to start easing up the weekend long run mileage now, with 16 miles this weekend's target - can't wait !
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