Wet Sunday morning and when Ken's door opened he was crying and blubbering "Do we have to go?". Of course we do, what's the point of all that state of the art rainproof breathable fabric if you never get out in it? And anyway, the rain keeps you from overheating. Let's go!
So that was it, dragged him off out towards St. Albans and up over the Childwickbury road and back via Redbournbury mill and ford with the lovely Beesonend Lane climb back to Harpenden.
Had to keep on the roads as the paths were knee deep in mud hence the detour out to the main road that I'd rather have avoided.
Felt the need for speed at around 6 miles and picked up to something like half marathon pace, but still suffering from lack of lung capacity. But the legs still have the power and stamina so far to keep going.
With the out and back from Ken's place to mine I reckon I cleared 10miles:
Sunday 30 November 2008
Saturday 29 November 2008
Quick intervals
When out in search of the other side of the Oaklands college lane from where the kids do french lessons in St.Albans and yippee do I found it. So now, in theory I have a loop. Decided to try out some one km reps to see how that went. Accidentally on purpose did not get round to pressing "go" on the Garmin so the warm up lasted far too long.
By the time I was moving quickly I was already on the campus and taking 4.10 to clear km one. But the middle of the second rep I'd got to the end of the lane and rather then end up on Sandpit lane I decided to do a U turn and head but up the lane - much to the amazement of the stealth cyclist that had appeared behind me. He was making to over take on my right, but I grabbed the pole at the end of the lane and spun 180 degrees not missing a step and was still going at 10km pace right at him. Oops. Sorry mate.
Anyway down hill fast from there, slower and slower kms, again legs could do it no worries but just nothing in the lungs yet except a never ending supply of muck to hack up. Still the very cold air only set me off a couple of times this morning. But in the end I gave up the intervals after the 5th at 4:30. Oh dear. How quickly it leaves you.
On a more chirpy note, I am loving my new black Gel Kayano 15s - the cushioning in the heal is a dream come true and the cross over laces at the bottom seem to be a good idea.
By the time I was moving quickly I was already on the campus and taking 4.10 to clear km one. But the middle of the second rep I'd got to the end of the lane and rather then end up on Sandpit lane I decided to do a U turn and head but up the lane - much to the amazement of the stealth cyclist that had appeared behind me. He was making to over take on my right, but I grabbed the pole at the end of the lane and spun 180 degrees not missing a step and was still going at 10km pace right at him. Oops. Sorry mate.
Anyway down hill fast from there, slower and slower kms, again legs could do it no worries but just nothing in the lungs yet except a never ending supply of muck to hack up. Still the very cold air only set me off a couple of times this morning. But in the end I gave up the intervals after the 5th at 4:30. Oh dear. How quickly it leaves you.
On a more chirpy note, I am loving my new black Gel Kayano 15s - the cushioning in the heal is a dream come true and the cross over laces at the bottom seem to be a good idea.
Friday 28 November 2008
Worst ever Hound and Hare
I will do it.
I won't do it.
Wednesday I did jogging on the wii fit and survived.
Thursday I ran home from the station and did not die from coughing muck up.
So day of truth came round and who could resist the lovely rain, new pair of shoes, all the banter from the guys around and an adjusted handicap (up from 31:45 to 33).
I did 35.19, last over the line and 9th fastest out of around sixteen. Sill not that dire considering it was my first attempt at running since being out sick for four weeks.
Three guys set out with me on the 33 handicap, Martin is back on form and zoomed off storming in with a 31 something and the other guy, Rob pulled away and I just did not have the lungs to keep up.
My legs were pretty much up for it, no tiredness or lack of power, just shallow breathing and reduced lung capcity meant I could simply not get enough air into the machine to make it fly.
But hey - I'm back - and soooo much room for improvement. Can't wait for next week's reps.
I won't do it.
Wednesday I did jogging on the wii fit and survived.
Thursday I ran home from the station and did not die from coughing muck up.
So day of truth came round and who could resist the lovely rain, new pair of shoes, all the banter from the guys around and an adjusted handicap (up from 31:45 to 33).
I did 35.19, last over the line and 9th fastest out of around sixteen. Sill not that dire considering it was my first attempt at running since being out sick for four weeks.
Three guys set out with me on the 33 handicap, Martin is back on form and zoomed off storming in with a 31 something and the other guy, Rob pulled away and I just did not have the lungs to keep up.
My legs were pretty much up for it, no tiredness or lack of power, just shallow breathing and reduced lung capcity meant I could simply not get enough air into the machine to make it fly.
But hey - I'm back - and soooo much room for improvement. Can't wait for next week's reps.
Friday 21 November 2008
Back from Illness
Been off running for over two weeks now.
Flu, with fevers, aches, pains, streaming nose, all very unpleasant and not conducive to running in any way at all. After a week of that I was left with a chest infection that would not shift so been on anti-biotics since Tuesday. Lovey.
Went out today and jogged (yes jogged friends) around the Westminster loop. Had to stop at Blackfiars on the way out to hack up some lovey stuff from my chest and anything inside the training zone made my chest complain. I was actually overtaken on more than one occasion and could not do anything about it.
Legs were fine and strong. Now, just need the chest fixed and I'll be back at intervals soon. Not looking too hot for next Friday's Hare and Hound!
Flu, with fevers, aches, pains, streaming nose, all very unpleasant and not conducive to running in any way at all. After a week of that I was left with a chest infection that would not shift so been on anti-biotics since Tuesday. Lovey.
Went out today and jogged (yes jogged friends) around the Westminster loop. Had to stop at Blackfiars on the way out to hack up some lovey stuff from my chest and anything inside the training zone made my chest complain. I was actually overtaken on more than one occasion and could not do anything about it.
Legs were fine and strong. Now, just need the chest fixed and I'll be back at intervals soon. Not looking too hot for next Friday's Hare and Hound!
Thursday 6 November 2008
Thursday Intervals
Made it in good time to the RV for once. Everyone very chirpy with interest rates down 150 basis points to 3 percent!
Near perfect conditions and no incidents on the towpath.
Today's elite session was twelve by 60 seconds on and 30 recovery, with 2 mins at the turn.
To my relief Karen said she would only do ten as she had a race at the weekend and I, being ever the gentleman (or lazybones...) immeadiately decide to do her alternative. By halfway Justin and Martin were both in the 10 set group.
Amazingly, (or more like she was not trying so hard due to the race on the weekend) I could atually hold the back group's pace for all 10 reps. I also had to watch as ended up leading a couple of the reps and could not help tanking it through the last one to see if anyone would come with me. Not sure if they did as I collapsed in a heap at the end.
Great to see Martin again and his huffing and puffing in my ear was a great incentive to hold the pace and not drop back through the group.
Near perfect conditions and no incidents on the towpath.
Today's elite session was twelve by 60 seconds on and 30 recovery, with 2 mins at the turn.
To my relief Karen said she would only do ten as she had a race at the weekend and I, being ever the gentleman (or lazybones...) immeadiately decide to do her alternative. By halfway Justin and Martin were both in the 10 set group.
Amazingly, (or more like she was not trying so hard due to the race on the weekend) I could atually hold the back group's pace for all 10 reps. I also had to watch as ended up leading a couple of the reps and could not help tanking it through the last one to see if anyone would come with me. Not sure if they did as I collapsed in a heap at the end.
Great to see Martin again and his huffing and puffing in my ear was a great incentive to hold the pace and not drop back through the group.
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Tuesday Intervals
Was itching to get out today as did nothing since Friday. Weekend was a snively washout and did not make it to circuits on Monday due to same and a very slow train home.
Just made it to Bunhill row in time to set of with the gang, some twenty or so fit looking blokes and to my relief Karen was there too, so at least I reckoned I'd be able to keep someone in sight for the first half.
Today's session was a classic: eight sets of three on with one recovery and a two minute rest at half way.
Excitement at rep two: although I did not see it (already dropped by the top boys), at the bridge over the side canal there were great angry shouts from the fast group. Seems a cyclist decided to ignore the sign saying cyclist dismount and cycled over it right into a wall of rocket lockets travelling at speed. He did not come off the bike but he did hit a runner and nearly went for a swim in the canal. Cyclist was screaming at the guys to slow dowjavascript:void(0)
Save Nown, but really he should obey the signs......
I was pleased with my out bound performance, holding the pace with the back markers (even setting it at one point) but paid the price on the way back. I reached the furthest point I've ever been along the canal right out a couple of bridges after the start of the park.
Elite went through on the seventh and while it was good to see Martin back amoung us he still held the last one miles better than me - simply nothing left at that point.
Just made it to Bunhill row in time to set of with the gang, some twenty or so fit looking blokes and to my relief Karen was there too, so at least I reckoned I'd be able to keep someone in sight for the first half.
Today's session was a classic: eight sets of three on with one recovery and a two minute rest at half way.
Excitement at rep two: although I did not see it (already dropped by the top boys), at the bridge over the side canal there were great angry shouts from the fast group. Seems a cyclist decided to ignore the sign saying cyclist dismount and cycled over it right into a wall of rocket lockets travelling at speed. He did not come off the bike but he did hit a runner and nearly went for a swim in the canal. Cyclist was screaming at the guys to slow dowjavascript:void(0)
Save Nown, but really he should obey the signs......
I was pleased with my out bound performance, holding the pace with the back markers (even setting it at one point) but paid the price on the way back. I reached the furthest point I've ever been along the canal right out a couple of bridges after the start of the park.
Elite went through on the seventh and while it was good to see Martin back amoung us he still held the last one miles better than me - simply nothing left at that point.
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