Training Log Archive: Becks

Hmmm...drove to Boston on Saturday evening, had a huge amount of Mexican food and fun in Cambridge with Lori, SGB, Ian and Alex, slept dreadfully in a guest bed whilst listening to some German guy call his Mum at stupid o clock - when she'd just woken up, of course. Went to Breakheart Reservation, with Brendan subbing in for Alex this time, and did an excellent little course that Ian had planned. The map was a bit old, and things were generally thicker than they looked on it. This was manageable for the first half, but got very very tricky when I hit the stuff actually mapped as green near the end, and it slowed my progress considerably. I felt tired whilst running, but still strong, if not fast. However, my pulse wasn't really going anywhere, very slow, and my brain wasn't massively plugged in. Think I'm really tired, but it was lovely to be out on a map in the sunshine with cool people nonetheless.

The one thing better than pizza and wine with great friends, is pizza and wine with friends paid for by Canadians! Thanks Carol, Patrick, Jeff, Eric and Emily!

C • No, thank you! 1

Was going to skip my session today, then realised that Marcia could buy me a new cooking dish at Ikea and I could go run while she was shopping. So drove up to East Rock and did 10 x 1 min hills, which almost made me vom. Was maintaining the distance till 8, then tiring on 9 and 10, but ran to the road for the final one. Very glad to get the session in, feels good.

C • Drove? 3

35 mins running with 25 fartlek in the middle. I'm not very good at fartlek, I'm too aspergers like about plans and timing and numbers, I have to make up all these rules for it. Still, did lots of corners, stairs, little hills, big hills, and found a great hill for hill reps - option of a long curvy path or many different gradients of grassy hill behind the Divinity School. Much more acceptable morning weather wise, actually cool (low 20s) in the shade and a little breeze.

Strength session, 2 x 15 on everything. Up to 115lb on squats, hamstrings stronger, abs definitely getting tighter. Slowly creeping back into shape. Looking forward to getting back into some proper lifting in the autumn, but I think this light session is good for now, especially with my rubbish back and bum.

So, admin didn't screw up, and today I finally received my first pay cheque that's almost like proper grown up pay. Almost because Post Docs are still treated as a training post here, which is a bit rubbish. Still, this means I have enough to spend up to $300 on a new mattress. Any suggestions from round here of where is good to shop? Obviously not too expensive, but need something much firmer than my IKEA job at present.

C • So 5

I really choose my days. Got up on the dot at 7am, ate a smidgeon of breakfast and out the door. Into a wall of humid, cloudy mingingness. The air felt like treacle and I was sweating buckets despite the grey skies. Of course today was the day for my mile time trial, and it felt loads better - 185 was definitely holding back a bit as opposed to the fastest I could go. But then I finished the fourth lap, looked at my watch, and 7.37. Last time I got 7.35. I'm going to blame it on the humidity, but that's a bit depressing. I didn't feel anything like dying this time though, it felt cruisey and like there was lots more in the tank. So I guess that's a good thing.

C • time trial 6

To bed too late last night and couldn't get up - will try and leave work on time for once to get it in this evening!

Ru oh, as today goes on I am feeling stuffy and sleepy and sore heady...I don't want to rest! Will check resting HR when I get home and see what's what. Would explain the extra tired this morning though.

Edit: HR fine, 45 in the evening. Obviously just being rubbish. Think I'm just fed up about the lab, it's not much fun at the moment and very long days coming up. Bah. Running helps though, staying in bed doesn't. Must remember this.

I could do with a proper holiday.

C • coping 1

40 mins of the cross country. This cycling machine thing is a lot tougher than it looks like it should be! Guess the resistance is pretty high.

Up to 2 x 15 of everything so dropped the weight a little on most things. I am getting much better at the evil hamstring things, which hopefully means my problems in that area are improving.

Morning hilly run round East Rock. Glorious morning, only about 21 degrees, cool in the shade. Had plenty of energy despite yesterday's concerns and was moving well, even uphill while staying in Z3. Beautiful!