Training Log Archive: BrandNewMe

Oh dear god - one of those weddings yesterday where no one is getting up and doing exercise the morning after. I slept over 10 hours which is unheard of for me. Definately out of sorts (and that's not just the hangover...).

Staying at the slightly surreal but totally amazing Portavadie hotel (and spa!) for Ray's cousin's wedding. Cowal peninsula. It is an odd place. A small coastal hamlet that someone has spent many millions changing into a marina / hotel / spa. Is this the poshest yachtie stopover in Scotland? I've never seen anything like it before. This was a quick jaunt out along the Cowal Way and back in time to get my nails done (hahaha!). It was scorchio and as Ray proved on our wedding day, the best way to ensure you stop sweating copiously on a hot day is to take a dip in Scottish waters, so home via the sea.

The run felt not good. Due to go back to the drs next week to discuss options.

Laurence was running the scottish schools in Dalkeith Park. I saw him into the start box, then went for a jog. He had 2.4k, so I had at least 20mins I thought. I ran along the Esk, crossed over and back on the undulating riverside path, under the bridge, and up to the house, thinking I'd have time to jog back to the van, get my camera and jog back for a pic. No such luck. I saw him finishing above me as I was running up to the house. Boo! 2.4k in 16:16, 8th out of 82 on the boys P5/6, and he is still a p4. The boy done good. Celebratory ice creams after. Much fun had - big smiles!

C • Nice one 2

Plantar fasciitis excruciating today. Need to use the splint more often. Not many more cycle commutes left - 2 weeks to go. Can't say I'll miss it. I am hoping to be able to enjoy morning jaunts on arthurs seat instead.

An altercation with a pedestrian on the aqueduct on the way home. She was blocking my way as I was cycling and she thought I should be walking. I had stopped for her (as I do for all pedestrians) and got pretty much entirely out of her way, which you can only properly do if you are sat on your saddle. Anyway, she was giving me crap about how I had to walk, I couldn't ride etc, and I said the signs were only advisory, as proven by a recent court case blah blah blah. At which point she called me a fucking stupid cow and moved off. I was smiling and pleasant throughout, which I think wound her up even more. There were at least 10 other cyclists cycling on the aqueduct at the same time, not all of which were prepared to stop for pedestrians, and some of them were going full pace, so why pick on me? Maybe it's cause I don't look aggressive enough. I need to work on adopting my grumpy 'race face' for cycling too.

Trotter training. First time in at least 18months.

It's the middle of the trotter summer Grand Prix, and with a lot of trots running both the caac 5 last night and Black Rock tomorrow, it was supposed to be an 'easy' session. Castro. 4 x 90secs, 4 x 60 and 4 x 30.

Killer. My legs felt lactate every step of the way. I am not such a hill reps fan. I prefer to do reps on the flat - a much better cardio workout. My body is definately a bit knackered just now. I am seriously suffering from lack of sleep / insomnia. Great fun tho. I managed to avoid heading to the blazer and just jogged around the meadows and home after.

Calf really v tight. Mashed it with my foam roller stick thing after.

Plantar fasciitis getting worse, so slept with my splint on for the first time in ages. Much better for it this morning. My hip is pretty sore today though. It'll be the judo.

I think 'race' might be an exaggeration. We live ludicrously close to Pollock, so couldn't really miss this. Nice sunny evening, grabbed the kids and their friends, and a picnic and headed up. Ray met me there and took care of the kids. I did a course around dumbiedykes then a shorter one round pollock. It was fun but I don't know if I was more shit at orienteering than I was unfit, or vice versa. Not v successful either way, but fun. My bad calf was like a block of wood the whole way. It's not even really tight, it just doesn't seem to have any working muscle in it. It didn't go at any stage though, so that's good news.

Good to see lots if kids having a great time on a sunny evening too.

I did 10:05 for the Pollcok course. 1st year W14 and clubmate Rachel Brown did 10:08. TFFT! A bit too close for comfort.

Warm down. I had to do one as I was so stiff.

Pootle down to Little France and back to get some tests done. Fine

Jog down to the Holyrood XC field, then 6x2mins fast 2mins slow on the grass, then jog on to judo.

Jog home through the bog.

Cycle to work. Wow - my plantar fasciitis REALLY didn't like yesterday's running. It has calmed down a lot recently with my road running. Back to excruciating pain this morning. Interesting.

I need to get a new garmin. Not being able to judge pace is annoying. Blackford hill, morningside and back through the meadows.