Training Log Archive: RHF

Test Way 2 section hiking - Horsebridge to Romsey
14.8km in 3hrs15mins moving time
Had originally thought we would walk from Stockbridge to Romsey today but I was feeling tired and slept in till 9. Plus we'd arranged a takeaway roast dinner that we had to get back in time for. Another super hot day but fortunately not too many people out (the worst bit the first section along the old railway line). Knew the route fairly well as I have run home from Mottisfont before. Didn't remember a few sections of it and nice to see it at a slower pace. Saw a yellowhammer about 5m away on a fence. Another highlight was stumbling across some teared up paper by the side of the path, I thought it was worth investigating and first piecing together thought it was a break up letter. On further reading we realised it was actually a sex letter that someone had decided to read on the the Test Way (it was bit crude to be called erotic literature). Nice to go back through Squabb Wood (one of the top Harriers runs from my parents). Finishing into Romsey and below the Abbey to find the car still safely there. Great to finish with a roast dinner in the garden, felt almost normal and like we were in a pub post walk

Test Way 1 section hiking - Romsey to Totton then home
20.6km in 4:15 moving time
We had a plan of walking the Test Way in sections (from Combe Gibbet north of Andover to Eling). I have walked sections of it but don't know the middle section. Thought it would be fun to do it all so we came up with a plan of dropping the cars and doing it in bits. Out of Romsey opposite Broadlands was very flat and the heat was intense. Views not that inspiring. Quite enjoyed the section on the Test Way 10km loop from work and found a new area just off Mill Lane. A quick stop for lunch in Nursling church as we wanted to beat the tides on the boardwalks. Found a really nice park in Totton for another break then Eling was pretty busy for the finish. We then walked back home which wasn't the most inspiring but fun to finish at the front door. Both days I was trying out my new poles and found they were good and helpful and a bit of a distraction. Knees and ankles a bit painful after Saturday's walk.

Garden yoga, warrior flow

Garden yoga

Cycle to Farley Mount and back
A lovely sunny bank holiday. Had arranged to see Matt for a social distanced chat. I had thought he was going to cycle down so I cycled up and he thought I was driving so drove! Bit of a walk around Farley Mount and the woods and sat with a view for lunch. Hadn't thought I would be out so long and didn't really want to carry much water or swap the bottle cage. 500ml for 4 hours is probably insufficient! It is hard to appreciate how hot it actually is when cycling or sitting in the shade. Decided to cycle back via Merdon castle and Braishfield to mix it up. Was flagging a bit though and the cycle along Lee Lane into the wind was a struggle. Had been worried about how much I could do since the call with the neurologist on Thursday and the update that they think I am on the spectrum of chronic fatigue. Hopefully when they send the letter to the GP, it will contain some more usable information.

10mins for the back pre work
30 mins in the garden post work

Cycle to Romsey via Lee Lane and back over Toot Hill
Such a nice day so thought it would be good to get out. Hadn't decided on a route, but thought I'd head this way and see what I fancied. Quick stop in Romsey before heading up the hill. Quite nice to be out. Back has been really tight and painful since Monday morning. Now trying out the desk chair but it is still quite bad.

To the Sports Centre via the Greenways then finding some slopes. Two laps of the Sports Centre, taking in some different up and down slopes to replicate the trails a bit more. Legs feeling a bit tired but not terriblly so. Woke up today (Saturday morning) and felt pretty tired, knees and ankles were achey overnight. Ran past 4 of the POC markers (single tree by equipment, bottom of ski slope, below pub hill and bottom of 900m loop hill) all okay.

Core and stretching
Realised I'd forgotten one of my core exercises (had thought it was 6 exercises)

Common: an R for Matt's birthday message and checked half the permanent O course. Quite a lot of people to dodge which I guess I knew there would be. The R turned out pretty good. The POC isn't great, I checked half the course and half of them didn't exist anymore and a few were stickers 2.5m up a lamppost. Cycled over to Neil's house to leave the bike and cut the distance down

Stretching and core

Greenways loop early
Woke up early thinking about backpacking kit and checking Matt's trail O. Probably had a random dream like normal! The maps hadn't been supplied yet so thought I'd make the most of the nice morning and get out. Only company was the birds. Feeling better today, not so fatigued so a bit more free flowing. A nice loop that, funny how I'd never thought of it before lockdown.

Solo cycle
Up the Avenue through Chandlers Ford, back to Ampfield, Hilliers, past the dump and Roke and back to Totton
Another 50km loop (but not actually 50km). Had originally planned on going out to Hursley and up to Merdon Castle and then over the back to Braishfield. An alright route out but a few busier sections. You don't get to the countryside as fast but Knightwood isn't too bad. At the top of Chandlers Ford, I was feeling a bit tired so stopped and debated a plan. Didn't fancy the big hill so headed to Ampfield and joined back up with the route. One section of really horrible road that could've done with a mountainbike (will avoid it next time). Had a stop after the hill past Roke for some water and food. Was just thinking I'd not seen anyone I knew (despite cycling past loads of peoples houses) when Andy Ryan (OSCC) drove past and said hello. Then a good decent from the Ower dual carriageway to Totton. Will use that one again for Forest routes.
Felt a bit ill in the afternoon and really sleepy. Felt fine on Monday though.

Loop of the Greenways
Just taking it relaxed and running whatever pace my body wanted to run at it. Quite warm. Legs still feeling like they could do much more. Not really sure why they've felt so tired this week. They felt a bit better doing yoga (other days I've not felt able to even do stretching).

In the sun, standing routine

Greenways out and back, aborted loop
Legs feeling pretty bad and no energy. Stopped at roughly half way and then just came home. A run to forget really.

Sunday recovery on the Greenways
Plus a few minutes mindfulness/forest bathing listening to the bubbling of the stream and the chorus of the birds singing.
Legs felt pretty tired. Need to do some more stretching and loosening. Did 10 out of 11 acitvities that I wanted to do this week (1 yoga, 3 core, 4 runs, 1 strength work, 1 ride)

3rd core of the week

New Forest ride with Nicole
Headed out through Totton towards Bartley, a new back road up to Nomamsland. Onto Long Cross Plain, down to Brook then via Woodlands to Ashurst, the loop past Deerleap and back.
A 4th week of 50km routes, think it is about right for a good couple of hour cycle. Before hand had been saying I wanted to do more like 1:30-45 but was enjoying it and feeling good. Wore my lenses and my back and neck hurt less. Still felt at times that I was having to crick my head a bit to look forward. Great to learn some new roads and how they link up. Disappointing that I had to consult the map on this ride, missed a turning (thought it could've been it). One map check in 200km is poor, a good proportion of that was new roads. Next week we may head back up the Test way or towards Farley Mount.

Boardwalks and fields from work
If I have to go into work, I will make the most of the opportunity and run some place nice! Glad the boardwalk tide levels were on as I do like running across there and then did more trails and fields rather than through the Lakes and road of the normal Boardwalk loop. Quite a few too many peope out. Made it a bit tricky to avoid them.