Training Log Archive: Thumper

I arrived at Wintersett with Hatt to crank out a 16 mile mile reps and 400s marathon/HM session. I was zoo frustrated at the perfect pb conditions and rued another missed opportunity.

I checked my phone quickly and saw that many races had been cancelled and that Mike Burrett of Leeds AC had decided to head to Ward Green 6 mile race (10 mins from my parents house).

After some deliberation, within 30 mins of reading his FB post I had my race number on.

I was hopeful that a strong field would appear due to all cancellations as I wanted a good arse kicking to get me ready for the Yorkshires.

As it turned out there was no stellar line up but a very strong group of people around my ability including, Mike, Bertie Houghton, Aiden Johnson and Dan Kestrel.

I was feeling tired on waking but more spritely having spent some time in the lovely crisp morning- my guts were a little dicky.

The gun went and I set off controlled, but was immediately concerned that I was i about 8th. We quickly reached the 1st mile long steep descent of the 2 lap course, where I was dropped and over taken.

Try as I might, I could not get the wheels turning. As we arrived at the flat lower section I settle into a rhythm and battled alongside Dan to stay in touch with the lead pack of 6.

We then arrived at the first mile long climb, fortunately here many paid the price of an aggressive start and I rounded the hill in third.

Game on..for about 30 seconds, until I got dropped further by Mike and a strong looking Aiden on the long descent. Despite trying, I couldn't get above 5.22 pace on the bottom section and consolidated the long uphill as I watched Mike and Aiden battle for the spoils.

I finished in 3rd. Complete with a mixed bag of emotions..
Pleased, I didn't go all the way to Ribble to ultimately be disappointed
Concerned, why was that so hard and where has my fitness gone?
Optimistic, at least I've had the blow out that I so often need before a target race.
Anxious, what does this mean for the Y-word?!
Soft, I was a bit of a fanny!

Anyway, god runs from Mike and an apparently ever improving Aiden.

C • Good run 2

Interestingly my HR was pretty high on the warm up..
but then normalised after my stride so may have been a HR monitor error

Easy shakeout plod with Hatti around a waterlogged wintersett.

Upon returning I heard the news that Ribble Valley was cancelled. Obviously the floods are devastating for anyone involved and this completely puts it all into perspective. But on a personal note I was optimistic of a decent run so I'm obviously disappointed.

Particularly to waste a (clearly needed) taper.

The conundrum is.. do I get a session in or do I hit the local Barnsley race scene up? Tempted by both.

A long run session makes a lot of sense as I wont be getting a long run done for a while- but do I need to feel the hurt before the Yorkshires?

Decisions.

Easy 6 before attending a carol service at one of the poshest schools in England- luckily Sophie felt as out of place as I did (probably because she was attatched to her father donning a flat cap) and she wouldn't actually enter the chapel.

Still feel very tired heavy and clunky

Easy plod before the shit weather- tried to enjoy it but my back was tight and I generally felt a bit shit

Woke up with the ankle noticeably better but a bit niggly.

Had a mammoth lie-in which was much needed and set out on a beautiful sunny morning to the track at Radley college. The warm up was effortless as was looking forward to a good confidence boosting session of 6 x 1k/90s.

I was hoping for something between 2.50-2.55 for these but as always tried to avoid looking at the watch and just run hard.

The first rep just felt a bit too hard- and the wind was noticeable, I felt a bit weak and a general malaise. It quickly became apparent that this was a session to get through, not to force.

Ankle fine throughout, a bit achey once I got home, but hopefully I can manage it.

Not sure what is wrong with me. Had a mild cold last week, I'm certainly stressed atm as I'm finding the new role a (welcome) challenge. Surely the two nights out couldnt have put me this deep in a hole?!

One thins is for sure, 2 weeks ago I could not contain my excitement about the shape I was in, I thought things were finally about to happen, now I jsut want to stay healthy enough to make the startlines of my target races.

2.59, 2.59, 3.00, 3.03, 3.05 3.06

HR 161-163 for most reps which shows I was working.

Plod home from the brother in laws's

IW with a nice tailwind. Fot a bit better from rest and ibuprofen- have shelved the ASICS for a week to see if it makes a difference

HFW before the cheerful drive to the outlaws for Christmas.

Decided to go head torch adventuring, bad decision- absolutely pissing it down and when I got to holmbrook and crossed a grass section it was a pure downhill quagmire, I slipped awkwardly and really hurt my ankle running home then took ages as I had to keep stretching and mobing it.

Its no coincidence that this occurred whilst I was deep in sympathetic though about Hatti who sprained her ankle earlier in the day

Another night of ibuprofen and grumpiness,

Right foot a bit niggly but markedly better

Planned rest day

A day of ibuprofen for the foot
Luckily I seem to have come through the tiredness...

But still a grumpy bastard- somethings dont change!

Gonna give the asics trainers a miss for a week, see if it makes any difference.


Feeling very fat...need to get some food discpline back - I think its panic eating as normally at this time of year I'm starving myself for the Yorkshires