Tonight's training was a swimming session with the Tri club. The pool was busy so it was a bit like swimming in a washing machine at times with a few punches been thrown - not deliberately. 20 minutes in I was breathing out my backside and wanted to give up. I knew what was to follow but thinking about that made me doubt I could get through the session.
So I had to have a good "talk with myself". Take it one length at a time, don't think about the total session and ease off the pace slightly. It was tough, very tough. But I got through it. It wasn't pretty but my objective was to get through the session no matter how hard. It is sessions like these that toughen you up. It doesn't make you a better swimmer but mentally it makes you a more determined and tougher athlete. The more sessions like this improves your mental toughness and in the end that is what will get me through my scheduled events this year. Bring it on.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Monday, 13 January 2014
Yoga to the rescue
After yesterday's 16.6 miles, I got out of the car like an old man to get the groceries. Naturally you stiffen up, but going from 10 miles of hard trail running and increasing the distance by 70% is not to be recommended. The normal weekly increase in mileage is 10%. But for the second season in a row with an early season "A" race, I really do not have a choice. Fortunately I've been here before so my body can cope to a certain degree.
I spent the rest of the day eating or resting so when I headed off for an early night I knew I'd be stiff in the morning and had to do something about it. At 6.30am I rolled out my yoga mat and the first few sun salutations weren't comfortable. However 30 minutes later I was bounding up the stairs feeling fantastic.
As I headed out to the office I realised just how good I felt. I was alive and this must be as a result of my training becoming more regular and the effort increasing. As long as I mix this with good food, regular hydration (of the non-alcoholic type!), rest, plenty of sleep and regular yoga then I will be top condition for what lies ahead. That's my top tip for the SEASON!
I spent the rest of the day eating or resting so when I headed off for an early night I knew I'd be stiff in the morning and had to do something about it. At 6.30am I rolled out my yoga mat and the first few sun salutations weren't comfortable. However 30 minutes later I was bounding up the stairs feeling fantastic.
As I headed out to the office I realised just how good I felt. I was alive and this must be as a result of my training becoming more regular and the effort increasing. As long as I mix this with good food, regular hydration (of the non-alcoholic type!), rest, plenty of sleep and regular yoga then I will be top condition for what lies ahead. That's my top tip for the SEASON!
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Running with the ultras
This morning was cold and icy but I knew I had to meet up at 9am with a group of ultra runners that will help me get my mileage up. Last night I had my 3rd night out in a row but managed 7.5 hours sleep and hadn't had anything to drink so I wonka up refreshed. Took my daughter to horse riding at 8, did a short yoga warm up, stuffed down some porridge and headed out to meet my pals.
15 of us headed out and it started with a nice easy pace - I knew that wouldn't last. Some stayed for 10 miles, others for 13 miles but 3 of us kept on for 17 miles. The pace picked up for a few miles towards the end and my lack of mileage showed. It also struck me that in 100 days time I will be running 3 times that distance! But all the way round I was quizzing my experienced friends, picking up tips on how to handle the feed stations and what to wear to carry my gels and drinks. Preparation is so important.
I'm now recovering on the couch having stuffed my face with food And am watching the football. Tomorrow is a day off training although I think I'll need a yoga session to get my limbs moving more freely. It's been a good weekend in my training plan but it also reminds me how much more I need to do.
15 of us headed out and it started with a nice easy pace - I knew that wouldn't last. Some stayed for 10 miles, others for 13 miles but 3 of us kept on for 17 miles. The pace picked up for a few miles towards the end and my lack of mileage showed. It also struck me that in 100 days time I will be running 3 times that distance! But all the way round I was quizzing my experienced friends, picking up tips on how to handle the feed stations and what to wear to carry my gels and drinks. Preparation is so important.
I'm now recovering on the couch having stuffed my face with food And am watching the football. Tomorrow is a day off training although I think I'll need a yoga session to get my limbs moving more freely. It's been a good weekend in my training plan but it also reminds me how much more I need to do.
Saturday, 11 January 2014
Getting there
On Friday I had an unexpected training session on my bike. In the last year I haven't been cycling much as I prepared for MdS. When I got back from the desert I went out on a few group rides but wasn't fit enough to keep up with them so found it frustrating. As I have a 70.3 ironman in June I will need to get the miles in but the ice is making it impossible to get outside on the bike. But on Friday I had to pick my car up having been at a funeral the day before so I decided to bike the 15 miles.
As soon as I was ready to go the rain started and just got heavier. But I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed being back on the bike, even it meant dodging the puddles in case a pot hole was under it and avoiding the drivers who didn't seem to see me despite being lit up like a Xmas tree! I think more turbo training is required before I venture out on the group ride.
Today I was back on the trail running through the trees. It was way too icy to risk going out on the road. I felt good but I restricted it to 10 miles as tomorrow I should be going on with the ultra runners for a longer run. I'm hoping to pick up some tips on my next race so I can start running with the appropriate gear such as a running vest (mini rucksack) to carry my bottles, food and extra clothes. I know from my MdS experience how important it is to get the right gear, test it and get used to running with it. Can't wait to get back running with these experienced long distance runners as it's quite different to what I'm used to.
As soon as I was ready to go the rain started and just got heavier. But I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed being back on the bike, even it meant dodging the puddles in case a pot hole was under it and avoiding the drivers who didn't seem to see me despite being lit up like a Xmas tree! I think more turbo training is required before I venture out on the group ride.
Today I was back on the trail running through the trees. It was way too icy to risk going out on the road. I felt good but I restricted it to 10 miles as tomorrow I should be going on with the ultra runners for a longer run. I'm hoping to pick up some tips on my next race so I can start running with the appropriate gear such as a running vest (mini rucksack) to carry my bottles, food and extra clothes. I know from my MdS experience how important it is to get the right gear, test it and get used to running with it. Can't wait to get back running with these experienced long distance runners as it's quite different to what I'm used to.
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
A brick session with a difference
Triathletes will be familiar with the term a "brick session". It's usually when you complete a bike session then pull on your running shoes and head off for a run. This is to get you used to the "disco leg" feeling that occurs and your brain shouting "wow - what's going on? This doesn't make sense!" So last night I had a different type of brick session which came about because our usual training pool wasn't open.
Four of us went to a 20 metre pool for a workout. The problem with a pool that size is you don't get a good rhythm as you are constantly turning and pushing off from the wall. But as this was my first swim in over 3 weeks I was actually pleased as a 50 metre pool would have killed me. I'd had an "amber warning" on my HRV monitor in the morning so I only completed 1,500m as I was doing a back to back training (brick) session and didn't want to over do it.
We followed the swim with a yoga class - that's a first for me. Sweating chlorine is not something I am used to and instead of disco legs I had disco arms! Being a teanager when Saturday Night Fever was the rage meant I was used to wobbly arms but it was a very different experience. This was also only my 2nd group yoga class as normally I practice on my own or with my teacher. It was a great workout and although you are not meant to be competitive, everyone is having a quick look to see how they are doing compared to others in the class. The relaxation at the end was bliss.
So home for a wonderful deep sleep and my HRV reading this morning was back to green. Life is good.
Four of us went to a 20 metre pool for a workout. The problem with a pool that size is you don't get a good rhythm as you are constantly turning and pushing off from the wall. But as this was my first swim in over 3 weeks I was actually pleased as a 50 metre pool would have killed me. I'd had an "amber warning" on my HRV monitor in the morning so I only completed 1,500m as I was doing a back to back training (brick) session and didn't want to over do it.
We followed the swim with a yoga class - that's a first for me. Sweating chlorine is not something I am used to and instead of disco legs I had disco arms! Being a teanager when Saturday Night Fever was the rage meant I was used to wobbly arms but it was a very different experience. This was also only my 2nd group yoga class as normally I practice on my own or with my teacher. It was a great workout and although you are not meant to be competitive, everyone is having a quick look to see how they are doing compared to others in the class. The relaxation at the end was bliss.
So home for a wonderful deep sleep and my HRV reading this morning was back to green. Life is good.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
A year ago today
I decided to go back through my training records and see the mileage I was putting in a year ago in preparation for MdS in April. I was surprised that I ran 50 miles in a week but then realised I was "cramming" in the miles to make up for time out injured as I had a 79 mile run, the Great Glen Way, at the end of the month.
Fortunately my next big race, 53 miles isn't till the end of April but I do need to get the mileage up. However I am trying to do that while avoiding injury. Today on my recovery run my hips felt dreadful which was due to my 10 mile trail run (after little running) yesterday and a lack of yoga (again,). But after my run my legs and hips were saying "thank you" so it was a good plan. Tomorrow is a rest day although I will be taking time out for an hours yoga session. Then back to the pool for the first time in 3 weeks on Tuesday - it will probably take 3 weeks to feel good about that!
As for my son who took part in an 800m and a 400m race today. His preparation wasn't ideal so you can imagine what the result was. 2 personal bests and one which he'd been trying to break for a year! Obviously a lot of hard work had gone in but I think the rest over Xmas had been good for him. A message that I am not ignoring although I do need more regular and longer runs.
Fortunately my next big race, 53 miles isn't till the end of April but I do need to get the mileage up. However I am trying to do that while avoiding injury. Today on my recovery run my hips felt dreadful which was due to my 10 mile trail run (after little running) yesterday and a lack of yoga (again,). But after my run my legs and hips were saying "thank you" so it was a good plan. Tomorrow is a rest day although I will be taking time out for an hours yoga session. Then back to the pool for the first time in 3 weeks on Tuesday - it will probably take 3 weeks to feel good about that!
As for my son who took part in an 800m and a 400m race today. His preparation wasn't ideal so you can imagine what the result was. 2 personal bests and one which he'd been trying to break for a year! Obviously a lot of hard work had gone in but I think the rest over Xmas had been good for him. A message that I am not ignoring although I do need more regular and longer runs.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Dead man running!
It's not been a good week for me with the snot fest followed by the flem fest and I have a feeling the chest fest is soon to follow. But I'm well rested and my HRV technology was telling me I was ok so today I went out for a 10 mile trail run - the one I only managed half of last Saturday. The conditions were so wet underfoot that at one stage I had to divert via a very muddy field to get round my circuit. But othwise it was a perfect day for running.
I enjoyed the freedom of running while not gasping for breath and taking in the beautiful scenery of Chatelherault Country Park. There is 800 ft of climbing during the 10 miles so it's a tough track but after lap 1 I felt fine and after lap 2 I knew I had run within my capability, but pushed it a little. However the data from my ever reliable Garmin said my average heart rate was 199 and my max was 256. I remember looking at my watch at 256 and thinking, if this is accurate them I'm dead! I wasn't struggling with my breath so I disregarded the data. Time to buy a new heart rate strap as these heart rate statistics are meaningless.
Tomorrow I will be running again but will use it as a recovery run. My son will also be competing in an 800m race. Should be fun, at least for me to watch, but he will look as tired as I am at the end. It's great to be back exercising but I know I've got to take care at this stage.
I enjoyed the freedom of running while not gasping for breath and taking in the beautiful scenery of Chatelherault Country Park. There is 800 ft of climbing during the 10 miles so it's a tough track but after lap 1 I felt fine and after lap 2 I knew I had run within my capability, but pushed it a little. However the data from my ever reliable Garmin said my average heart rate was 199 and my max was 256. I remember looking at my watch at 256 and thinking, if this is accurate them I'm dead! I wasn't struggling with my breath so I disregarded the data. Time to buy a new heart rate strap as these heart rate statistics are meaningless.
Tomorrow I will be running again but will use it as a recovery run. My son will also be competing in an 800m race. Should be fun, at least for me to watch, but he will look as tired as I am at the end. It's great to be back exercising but I know I've got to take care at this stage.
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