Training Log Archive: northernfeller

Tempo effort on the loop

Easy one into Parkrun, felt good and fresh after a long sleep

Parkrun PB. I got there about ten mins early which was nice. Stretched, chatted, chilled out. There wasn't a lot of depth at the start, just me, JP and Marcus. As we went off in a trio, I felt fine and didn't think we were overly quick, which was good. There was virtually no wind and it was overcast and dry, so the conditions really couldn't have been better. As we hit the gravel I decided to go with Marcus for as long as I could; I couldn't recall his PB but knew it was at least mid-17's so there was the thought that I might be over-pushing. It certainly felt that way as I heard JP drop off before we got out of the bushes. I was just a step behind Marcus, and as we came up the gravel ascent he didn't seem to breathing at all whereas I was gasping already. Relief came as we got to the grass, and at the tree I took a step in front of him. From there we swapped back and forth for a while, generally running knocking elbows. I was right on the edge, and starting to hurt along the straight. When we hit the gravel, he started to pull but then slowed down a touch. My stomach started tying up, and it was all I could do stay even across the gravel. As we came off it, he pulled away and kept pulling. I felt I had 2nd nailed on, and it was now damage limitation in terms of not giving up too much, and I also thought that a PB was on. The ascent killed me, I was all done, and I felt my pace drop right down. The descent offered some respite, but I was struggling big time. Marcus had a couple of dozen yards on me now, and I went into the final straight under 17 mins. All out, tight, grimacing and hurting. Crossed the line to that amazing sense of relief and knowing I'd PB'd. I'll take second to Marcus, really happy with that. Most of all, happy I'm still progressing. Last (Strava) week was 50 miles with lots of ascent, so I think f I can build up my mileage and get some more quality in over the next 6-9 months then I'll be on target for a very solid 10k in June, as well as decent 5k time.

Steady back

Easy loop, felt slow but to be expected given recent high quality sessions inc 3 x 10-13 milers in mountains w/shit loads of ascent and a couple of fast speed sessions in the heat. Not expecting great things from PR tomorrow, think 18:35-45 is going to be about right. Shame, because some of the faster crowd seem to have dropped off doing PR, so would be nice to place 1st or 2nd, but there will be other weeks over the winter.

Really tired still, but weight not up much from holiday which is good.

Segment CR for Proteras Board Walk. Easy run to start of it, then just unloaded both barrels at it for the 1.4 mile segment. Heat made it tough, high 20's and very little wind. All out until end of segment then easier (about a 3 effort) back. Fly back today, so will take tomorrow off to ensure week comes under 40 mile. Friday will be easy loop, then Parkrun on Friday. May try to stick with 18 min pacer if there's one on, depends if I still feel this tired.

Full recce of segment along the boardwalk, feeling shattered, probably combination of heat and big runs recently

Tempo effort along the Proteras beach front, recce'd the segment. Very warm, very busy, CR attempt would have to be in the early AM