Training Log Archive: Rosco

Ouch

High intensity session.

Slow leg loosening run with Jon round Dunblane. Felt better, felt worse.

Event: Alloa Half Marathon
 

wu: round the first loop with Jon and other bits and bobs
wd: walk to Grump's for soup and cake:)

The big short term goal, would 5 weeks of training suffice? I knew I wasn't in PB shape and didn't think Alloa was a PB course, although Jon proved that wrong. What was my target since Forest was already taken care of? I decided to just try and be under 6 minute miles and see how I felt later on.

Mile 1 was a brisk 5.30, so I was obviously running ok, better cool the jets though otherwise I would soon be a wreak. 5.44 a bit better, but still too fast, plenty of time in the bag though. As I reduced speed some more, some - who had started at a more appropriate pace came through - others - who had started at a less appropriate pace - came back: I held position.

The undulating course (miles 3 and 4 were tough) meant the racing was interesting: as some ebbed, others flowed. A quick downhill mile 5, even though I was passed by someone with outrageously bad technique, meant a struggle to regain power and form through Tillicoultry. Although the wind was only 3 miles an hour along the Hillfoots, its impact was telling. I thought things could get lonesome, I thought wrong. A chap from Falkirk powered through (although I had thought it was a Glasgow uni top). I tucked in behind and got a very nice tow. We passed a couple of others, but surprisingly they were not able to take advantage of the slipstreaming.

As we neared Menstrie my wind deflector seemed to be slowing and I was feeling good; I went out in front thinking about getting a gap, he wasn't for it. By mile 10, I wasn't for it; a nasty stitch. And at the bottom of the long drag to Lornshill. A bit of hyperventilating nipped the stitch in the bud and I lived up to my Ochils top and got back in front. Made good progress on the next fellow and passed him as we crested the rise - downhill to finish! I strode out as best I could, feeling strong, but with no extra gear. The right calf was beginning to tighten by now, no need for heroics. Then, at 13 miles, the guy with the bad running style passed me again! Cheek. Held the rest off, but didn't manage to dip under 77 minutes.

Still, a pretty good effort considering. If I can get some nice training in, plenty more to come. And enjoyed the racing, something I don't normally bother with.

1: 5.30
2: 5.44
3: 6.03
4: 6.13
5: 5.34
6: 6.01
7: 6.12
8: 5.21 (! A bit short!)
9: 6.02
10: 5.50
11: 5.45
12: 5.46
13: 5.53
Total: 77.04

Wee run with Fi round Gallow Hill and King's Park. A beautiful clear, cold, crisp evening; shadows from the moon. Calves still tight, but in a more balanced way and not as bad as earlier in the week.

Suddenly felt very tired; bed more appealing than stretching.

Alloa Half Marathon Road Running Training Club run, from the yooni, round the Carse of Lecropt. Steady to start, then Jon revealed his plan of a tempo section between motorway bridges. Seemed like an excellent idea to me.

So this is what I did, though ramped things up a bit earlier than that. Forest joined me for most of it, but tweaked his calf, hope it's not too bad mate. I felt much faster and stronger than at the weekend; felt good at 3.45/k.

Then an easy jog through the woods of Bridge of Allan.

C • Betting odds 5

A good stretch, much needed.