Training Log Archive: simmo

Event: Stirling MetrO
 

Metro race at Stirling. Never confident that I had a good route, especially towards the end when I needed a long diversion to reach the designated 14 controls. Quite surprised to come in 4th, only 30secs behind the second placegetter. Was conscious of slight achilles pain the whole time, but it never got worse. Can't say the cold has gone completely, but didn't cause me any problems during the run.

Left out every second station, so Calf/ham stretch, cycling, achilles drill, abs curl, push ups, forearm/wrist activity + brisk walking there and back and between stations.

Tentative run at Yokine Reserve. One lap, would have done another if the achilles had been all clear. It wasn't painful, but just niggled at me the whole way. At least there was no chest congestion - just the usual heap of crap to blow out of my nose afterwards.

Still got the cold - strange one this time, only had sore throat for half a day on the first day, and a dry tickly cough on the third day, but my nose has been streaming to a greater or lesser degree for 9 days now.

Achilles progress - definitely much better after the cortisone, and getting stronger each day with the exercises (heel raise/drop). Just about ready to start doing them with bent knee.

Set of outdoor gym equipment has now been installed around the lakes in Hyde Park. Appears aimed at the population profile of the surrounding area (ie frail pensioners) with some very mild activities, and even milder recommended reps on the more serious ones. And there are no 'heavy duty' items like the rowing machine and weights at other locations (Perry Lakes, Burswood, Brittannia and Banks Reserve). Still, you can do a reasonable workout at some of the stations: 1. Calf & Ham stretch; 2. Cycling - 3 different resistance levels; 3. Step-ups (I can also use this for my achilles exercise); 4. Abs curl; 5. An upper body 'cycling' thingy, also with 3 resistance levels; 6. Push-ups - standing intended for the older folk, but the railing goes down to about knee level so you can do an almost horizontal push-up; 7 & 8 are both different types of forearm and wrist exercises. Cheaper than joining a gym, and there's a nice 750m each way walk to get there and back.

C • Outdoor Gyms 7