Training Log Archive: Indiana Jones

Pre breakfast jog down to the race course and along the river a bit. Loosened off the legs quite well, had a few tight spots after a lot of walking around yesterday followed by a lot of sitting down.

Warm up by the river and some strides etc. Didn't feel too cold as it hadn't started raining yet but I'm glad I decided to keep the gloves on.

Inverness half. Totally different kind of race to last year, got in the lead right from the start after a wind assisted first 1.5km then ran solo until the end to win from Mike Crawley (68'40) and Cristoforou (69'07). The headwind wasn't too bad by the river and I got to halfway feeling comfortable and still thinking a low 65 time could be on. After 12km there was a freezing headwind and it totally sapped my strength, also from being hungry by then. Tried to take my gel but didn't get much of it in with a combination of cold hands and wind etc so most of it was on my vest or was still in the pack. Made up some time on the downhill and along the river (on for sub 66) but couldn't push those faster km enough and once I turned back in the wind all the time was lost. That's where I saw the struggling seagull as I ran a 3'23" km split.

Overall it was good to run relatively well without being near the limit and some parts I did feel strong. Negative parts were running out of energy and all the constant taped crossings between pavement and roads where it wasn't clear where to go and having to stop three times for the lead car to move at junctions.

Easy out and back along the River Tay path from Birnam plus a few strides. Very enjoyable in the sunshine. A few stiff muscles but nothing too bad.

Loop around Hazlehead and Countesswells then strides on the road afterwards. Legs feeling nice and bouncy, stomach was better than the last days although I felt a bit sick during the strides. Hopefully it’ll continue to improve. Foot wasn’t too bad either, noticeable occasionally but not worrying.

Steady loop around Westhill and back. Thought I was back to normal today but halfway through I started to get a sore stomach and thought I’d be sick. Luckily made it back home and then it cleared up. Other than that everything else wasn’t bad apart from the freezing rain making my legs and hands numb. Foot is a bit better after treatment yesterday, still getting an occasional twinge but hopefully will settle.

Easy run through Maidencraig, Hazlehead and Countesswells. Bit stiff from yesterday but felt better by the end. Had a slightly dodgy stomach/sickness feeling in the morning but it didn’t affect the run much, stopped me feeling hungry. Cold wet and windy so glad to get it done early.

Easy run with the group from ASV. Spent most of the day feeling a bit off but improved enough to do the run. Sore stomach all the way though.

Warm up through Hazlehead to the track, back home a slightly longer way. Bit tired afterwards but nothing too sore.

8 x 1km (~85s jog) on the 500m straight. Originally planned to do the session tomorrow at the beach but the weather looks worse so did it today. Meant I was a bit more tired than I'd hoped and found it tough! It was hard to judge the speed on uphill half (in to the wind) and I overcooked the first few reps without checking any of the splits at the time. It's always a bit slow with turning around halfway but felt like it was a good session. Both feet were fine during, noticed it slightly on the cool down but its not any worse than yesterday and loads better than Saturday.

Easy lap of Hazlehead. Planning to have at least one really easy day each week and today that was the aim. Felt like I was running so much slower but I suppose that's a good thing. Less stiff than the last days and feet slightly better too.