Training Log Archive: cousteauIn the 31 days ending Aug 31, 2013:
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| Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday Aug 31, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Beautiful warm Sunny Sidmouth day - so only one thing to do.......head to the beach!! :-)
Friday Aug 30, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Thursday Aug 29, 2013 #
7 PM
Hashing tempo 1:03:00 [4] 12.0 km (5:15 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A good hash from Core Copse - but a shame that venue was chosen as it meant that we had to use torches! Still, plenty of good running, and some nice hills too.....although, compared to the Alps, it was pretty much flat!!
Wednesday Aug 28, 2013 #
Note
Travelling home from the Alps today after an amazing week. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel being back at Bike Village and back in the Alps for the first time since Tom died, as I've only ever been there before when he was there.
Fortunately, it felt good to be out there running some of the routes he loved and, at times, it almost felt as though Tom was there too. Especially when I was in the mountains and also when I was in the Bike Village kitchen (where Tom was mainly working the last time I visited Bike Village).
It was also great to catch up with Sam, Lyndsey and the children at Bike Village (http://www.bikevillage.co.uk/). I wish I'd been there a wee bit longer so that I had time go out on a Bike Village ride too......but there is always next time!
RIP Tom.
Fortunately, it felt good to be out there running some of the routes he loved and, at times, it almost felt as though Tom was there too. Especially when I was in the mountains and also when I was in the Bike Village kitchen (where Tom was mainly working the last time I visited Bike Village).
It was also great to catch up with Sam, Lyndsey and the children at Bike Village (http://www.bikevillage.co.uk/). I wish I'd been there a wee bit longer so that I had time go out on a Bike Village ride too......but there is always next time!
RIP Tom.
Tuesday Aug 27, 2013 #
1 PM
Mountain Running/Walking 3:00:00 [3] 15.0 km (12:00 / km) +1000m 9:00 / km
shoes: New Shoes
Sam had the day off from Bike Village today, so we headed out to Champagney-le-Haut for my run of the week. As with all the others, it was one Tom had suggested. Unusually, first half was mainly in forest. Notwithstanding this, there were still some amazing views, especially from the impressive 1973 metre high Tour du Merle. From there, the route climbed up onto the open mountain side to eventually peak at the 2400 metre high Plan du Gouilles Refuge. Pretty awesome views from there!! Sam and I stopped there for a bit to brace ourselves for the awesome end to this run - a 1000 metre non-stop descent back to the car!!..........which we did in an impressive 20 minutes!! Another awesome run!!
Monday Aug 26, 2013 #
11 AM
Mountain Running/Walking 4:00:00 [3] 21.0 km (11:26 / km) +1200m 8:53 / km
shoes: New Shoes
At 2200 metres, todays starting point at Le Saut, near Tignes, and overlooked by the imposing 3747 metre high Aiguille De La Grade Sassiere, was my highest of the week. But, then, my finishing point of just over 3000 metres, on the edge of the Glacier De Rheme-Golette, close to the France Italy Border, was my also my highest of the week. The run up was fairly simple, being straight up the valley, but the views of the mountains and snow around were stunning. The glacier its self was amazing and, although this one has also receded in relation to what the map says, I was easily able to get onto the edge of the glacier, and even had my lunch sat on a rock just on the glacier! Amazing!
On the way back down, I took a random detour to the impressive Passage de Picheru at 2760 metres high.
On the way back down, I took a random detour to the impressive Passage de Picheru at 2760 metres high.
Sunday Aug 25, 2013 #
1 PM
Mountain Running/Walking 3:00:00 [3] 18.0 km (10:00 / km) +1200m 7:30 / km
shoes: More Mile Cheviot
I decided to go to La Gurraz to do a run that Tom had first suggested to me in 2006. But, there turned out to be some kind of event on in the village, so I couldn't park anywhere! So I had to change my plans and start the run from Les Breviers, but it was still the same run....just starting from a different place!
I set off straight up the hill with the aim of, like last time, stopping for a drink stop from the Glacier de la Savinaz. However, since 2006, when I was last there, the glacier has receded a lot and, despite clambering to an altitude of about 2600 metres (some 400 metres higher than where the map shows the glacier!), it was not possible to get to it. Had it not been for Toms accident, I may have tried to get a little closer, but the idea of clambering over partially snow covered ground seemed somewhat irresponsible in the circumstances!
From the glacier, I descended into La Gurraz, and onwards into the I'Isere valley, which I followed up back to Les Breviers....including a very cold, and quite scary crossing of the knee deep and fast flowing river, where the bridge had been washed away in the spring.
I set off straight up the hill with the aim of, like last time, stopping for a drink stop from the Glacier de la Savinaz. However, since 2006, when I was last there, the glacier has receded a lot and, despite clambering to an altitude of about 2600 metres (some 400 metres higher than where the map shows the glacier!), it was not possible to get to it. Had it not been for Toms accident, I may have tried to get a little closer, but the idea of clambering over partially snow covered ground seemed somewhat irresponsible in the circumstances!
From the glacier, I descended into La Gurraz, and onwards into the I'Isere valley, which I followed up back to Les Breviers....including a very cold, and quite scary crossing of the knee deep and fast flowing river, where the bridge had been washed away in the spring.
Saturday Aug 24, 2013 #
11 AM
Mountain Running/Walking 2:00:00 [4] 15.0 km (8:00 / km) +1100m 5:51 / km
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
After two glorious hot summer days, the weather was against me today - storms were due in the afternoon, so I knew I had to make it quick!
I made the short drive from Bike Village up to Plan Peisey to run up one of Toms' favourite mountains - Aiguille Grive, on the edge of the Les Arcs Ski Resort. But on the way, I detoured past another of his favourite places - Les Vernettes, from where Tom loved the views.....and they are amazing!
It was sunny for the climb up to the top of the mountain. But once, on the top, it was clear that I didn't have long as the weather was turning fast. I took a quick set of pictures at the top and, just as I'd finished them, there was a massive crack of thunder on the opposite side of the valley. Clearly, that was my signal to get off the mountain pretty sharpish, and I beasted run back to the car, with 1000 metres of altitude to lose, in just 30 minutes!! Best of all, I got back to the car seconds before the first rain drops fell!!
Then back to Bike Village for tea and cake!! :-)
I made the short drive from Bike Village up to Plan Peisey to run up one of Toms' favourite mountains - Aiguille Grive, on the edge of the Les Arcs Ski Resort. But on the way, I detoured past another of his favourite places - Les Vernettes, from where Tom loved the views.....and they are amazing!
It was sunny for the climb up to the top of the mountain. But once, on the top, it was clear that I didn't have long as the weather was turning fast. I took a quick set of pictures at the top and, just as I'd finished them, there was a massive crack of thunder on the opposite side of the valley. Clearly, that was my signal to get off the mountain pretty sharpish, and I beasted run back to the car, with 1000 metres of altitude to lose, in just 30 minutes!! Best of all, I got back to the car seconds before the first rain drops fell!!
Then back to Bike Village for tea and cake!! :-)
Friday Aug 23, 2013 #
11 AM
Mountain Running/Walking 6:00:00 [3] 25.0 km (14:24 / km) +2000m 10:17 / km
shoes: New Shoes
Just me today as Sam and the other guys at Bike Village had to work........and it was an epic day!! I started in a car park a short drive Bike Village and headed up the valley with the aim being to climb the 2881 metre high Pointe de la Terrasse. It took a lot longer than I expected, and the final bits of the climb were pretty sketchy over lots of scree in a couple of gullies (hardly ideal given what happened to Tom, but he had suggested this mountain to me last year, so I was going to get there!), but it was well worth it! The views from the top were second to none - down to Bourg Saint Maurice, over to Les Arcs and La Plange, down to the Cornet De Roselend, and a clear view of Mont Blanc. Amazing! It was a proper mountain top, with very little flat space and scary steep slopes all around!
Then it was down the mountain, back through the valley and up the other side to see some very scenic lakes (and to play in the snow around one of them!!), before the long descent down the ridge to the car.
An amazing day!!
Then it was down the mountain, back through the valley and up the other side to see some very scenic lakes (and to play in the snow around one of them!!), before the long descent down the ridge to the car.
An amazing day!!
Thursday Aug 22, 2013 #
1 PM
Mountain Running/Walking 3:00:00 [3] 13.0 km (13:51 / km) +1250m 9:21 / km
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
Sam from Bike Village (http://www.bikevillage.co.uk/) had a day off so we both headed out to run one of Toms trails from Pralognan la-Vanoise, called the "Courchevel Spienology". Our starting altitude was about 1400 metres and we climbed up to a coll at 2403 metres altitude. Then we ran along the ridge, which was one of the most amazing places I've ever run (would be awesome for orienteering, with loads of pits and knolls!). At the end of the ridge, we passed through another coll before a quick climb up to the 2197 metre high Rocher de Villeneuve for more awesome views. Then a great fun descent down to the car.
Wednesday Aug 21, 2013 #
Note
Flying to Geneva today for a weeks holiday in the French Alps visiting some of Tom's best friends at Bike Village (http://www.bikevillage.co.uk/). Hopefully also going to get some good high altitude running/walking done - the aim is to do some of Toms favourite runs and rides from the Bike Village area.
Tuesday Aug 20, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Monday Aug 19, 2013 #
7 PM
Steady Run 55:00 [3] 10.5 km (5:14 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A really nice run with running club from Salcombe Hill, on a fantastic summer evening. I led the group to the Britannia Stadium (The Donkey Sanctuary!) on the inland route. Then we headed to the coast path, and went back along that to Salcombe Hill. Awesome views! :-)
8 PM
Stretching/Core Stability 10:00 [1]
Stretching.
Sunday Aug 18, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Saturday Aug 17, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Friday Aug 16, 2013 #
7 PM
Cycling 25:00 [2]
A beautiful summer evening....rude not to cycle down to the beach!! :-)
Thursday Aug 15, 2013 #
7 PM
Hashing 53:00 [4] 10.0 km (5:18 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A good hash from Salcombe Hill. Unusually, after running around the top of the hill for a while, the trail headed down '49 steps' to The Byes, where we had the re-group by the River Sid. From there, we headed up the tough climb of Soldiers Hill, and back towards the cars. Made a good change on a nice summer evening.
Wednesday Aug 14, 2013 #
7 PM
Steady Run 1:00:00 [3] 11.0 km (5:27 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A nice run with running club. With about 30 seconds warning, I ended up leading the session as Mark hadn't turned up. So We ran up Mutters Moor from the Sailing Club and then I just made up a random route as we were going along! Good fun........managed to twist it around enough to get some people disorientated!!
Tuesday Aug 13, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Monday Aug 12, 2013 #
7 PM
Steady Run 1:00:00 [3] 12.0 km (5:00 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
Social run with the running club from Otterton on a really nice summer evening. We headed down the River Otter, via Pulhayes Farm, to see the sea at Budleigh Beach, before heading up the river a slightly different way, and then heading up towards the football pitch and then back into the village. A nice run.
8 PM
Stretching/Core Stability 10:00 [1]
Stretching.
Sunday Aug 11, 2013 #
2 PM
Mountian Biking 1:00:00 [3]
Stayed at my parents house last night, and we decided that today was the day to finally move my mountain bike from their shed to mine (I've only been living in Sidmouth 2 years!!). So I rode it to my house via a few loops in Core Copse, and then some loops on Fire Beacon.
Then home to change, before heading off to the beach!! :-)
Then home to change, before heading off to the beach!! :-)
Saturday Aug 10, 2013 #
11 AM
Cycling 20:00 [2]
Beautiful sunny summer morning, so cycled down the beach. Considered going for a swim, but the water isn't warm enough yet - the only people in the sea appeared to be northerners, to whom the water was, presumably, boiling!!
Friday Aug 9, 2013 #
9 PM
Cycling 20:00 [2]
Cycled down to the sea front with Joe to watch the precession and fireworks to mark the end of Folk Week. I've never seen Sidmouth so busy - literally thousands of people on the sea front and beach!
Thursday Aug 8, 2013 #
7 PM
Hashing 55:00 [3] 9.0 km (6:07 / km)
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A good hash from PP and FF's house near Farringdon. I took a while to get going, but eventually got into it. Didn't push too much, as this is the time of your for just chilling out and just enjoying running, rather than working too hard.
Wednesday Aug 7, 2013 #
7 PM
Recovery Run 53:00 [3] 9.5 km (5:35 / km) +215m 5:01 / km
shoes: Saucony Cohesion T42
A social recovery run with Joe, who has come to Sidmouth to visit his Grandparents and thaw out after being in Scotland! We went from Geralds House, over to The Byes, then up to Harcombe, before climbing up to Trow. Then along the top of the hill before dropping down Soldiers Hill back into town.
Tuesday Aug 6, 2013 #
8 PM
Cycling 20:00 [2]
A very gentle cycle down to the town for a walk along the beach and to sample sights, sounds and smells of Sidmouth Folk Week (Sidmouth's answer to Glastonbury, only a bit smaller and held by the sea!!). Pretty certain the smells coming from one group of folk on the beach were more of the 'Wacky Backy" variety!! (though I'm by no means an expert in that kind of thing!).
A great atmosphere and, as much as I love Scotland, its really nice to be back enjoying the awesome views from Sidmouth sea front!!
A great atmosphere and, as much as I love Scotland, its really nice to be back enjoying the awesome views from Sidmouth sea front!!
Monday Aug 5, 2013 #
Note
(rest day)
Flew home from Scotland today. Glad to be back in some proper warm air.....not like the 'warm' air they have up north thats only really warm if you reside north of the A30!!
Sunday Aug 4, 2013 #
2 PM
Walking 2:00:00 [3]
shoes: Inov8 Mudclaw 333 (2012)
Its going to take me a wee while to update everything from tour and the Scottish - But this a good day to start with. To reflect on what would have been Toms birthday, I decided that the most appropriate thing to do was to run up a mountain on the way back from Nairn. I picked Cairngorm because it was the nearest big mountain to the A9 that I didn't need a map to get up (since I forgot to bring any maps for this!) - and I didn't use the funicular railway!! It was a strange feeling being back on a big mountain for the first time since the accident, especially knowing that the last time that I was in such a place was with Tom on the 2012 LAMM. Very emotional at times, but it felt like the right thing to do, and it enabled me to collect some bits of rock to build a wee Scottish cairn on Toms garden at the crematorium.
RIP Tom.
http://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Chesters
RIP Tom.
http://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Chesters