The Mountains Are Talking

Had a great trot in the Welsh Hills a couple of weeks back, not too far Devils Kitchen through the Saddle at Tryfan then down to London Rock. A mini beast with a small pack and boots, but the weather was on myside, cloudy and cool. Having taken a soujourn from 42 degree daily temp what part of the Uk wouldn't be cool. The differential helped a great deal, hydration wasn't a problem and my legs were light. The scenery was inspiring, coming home made me realise how much I missed the green and the mountains.

The run up to the saddle (800m) was exhilirating, the countryside commission had placed granite slabs to create a mountain stairway. I'd come across something similar in the Hajar of the Musendam, the Shihi and cut a stairway in a particular exposed part of the mountain to link two villages some 2000 yrs back. By the time my mind wandered back I was 50m from the saddle with a burn in my thighs- happy days. The cloud had lifted from the peaks exposing both Brisley,Tryfan and the way through.

In a few days this part of town would be filled with runners competing in the welsh 1000. Maybe next year....

Time? long enough.

Distance? see time.

It felt bloody good.


Dave

A new kilometrestone

This is today's log entry


A big raise in distance on a tricky trail. I coped but with the expected fall off in form, speed and focus in the last 4km

I took this on 17.5 km after being well rested. I will need a couple of days at least to recover but I'm pleased to report no injury or adverse signs.

It's a couple of hours after this run and I realise that I won't get away with it that easily!! I put myself to bed after re-hyrating and taking a bowl of homemade soup. I slept an hour and got up. I found the old legs to be stiff as boards, strangely troublesome behind and below the knee around the top of the calf...feels like ligaments.
Anyway, nowt too bothersome; I will recover tomorrow, I may take a bike ride as a 'loosener'.

Other news, the bad sort, from the UK. After a promising return over the last 3 or 4 weeks George is in trouble. It appears that he has some discomfort in the lower to bottom calf: not for the first time. This really is disappointing. Fortunately the entries aren't in for The Nottingham Half Marathon. I suggested holding off; there are numerous races throught The Midlands this autumn. I'd rather not add any pressure to his return and hope that with some rest and massage George will come back to us.
Meanwhile I and Marty will keep up the mileage.

I have no news from Dubai regarding Dave's running other that his life-style and profession keeps him in good shape. I know his wife to be an active runner and would hope to have some reports in to brighten our pages with UAE sunshine and Dubai beach runs..

It's time for a post from our treadmill expert I feel...
I'm keen to hear the story of what motivates someone to put in, I believe to be true, 30 miles a week running on the spot! What tricks he has to keep things ticking over...whether he plans to enter a 10km race at some point - for the fun of it!

News from Robin Hood country

I love this software stuff; although separated by a 1000 miles you have a real grip on each others work and progress. It's clear from the three maps (I've only posted one of them) that George and Marty are well on the road toward half marathon success. This can only inspire me to keep my own work-rate high with a view to arriving at both the start and finish line together in good form.

Well done guys! Roll on September.

Slow, but sure...

I had meant to do this tomorrow till a family conspiracy blocked-booked my energy for a mountain- biking trip to La Couvertoirade.
So, the 10k I'd hope to do this week had to be today. I guess I was probably rested enough but I wasn't confident heading out the door.

The sun was blazing down giving 28 in the shade and there was little of that.

I'd decided to find a loop on the road in prep for September's half marathon.

I took plenty of water, some nibbles (which included an apple) and set off trying to find an economical pace.
All went well. The elevation was a little surprising (175m) but I was taking my own sweet time and found it a pleasure.
I broke the run at half way to drink and eat the apple then set off on the long climb home.

Not a blistering pace but I have to say that I'm pleased to have got back up to the distance especially in the heat and with the hills.

Mischief managed.

A hot sunny day...maybe not the right day to move up to 10k, but all went well despite elevation of 175m and 28 in the shade :)

Hello

This is the first of my posts......I am currently running (on the carpet as run dx puts it) around 21 miles a week over three sessions in the gym. The weather is generally extremely hot and sweaty all year round, however I have recently discovered the air con unit's remote control so have managed to knock a couple of degrees off the temperature. I have been running in the gym for about 8 years, however it was only last Dec when I increased the distance to its current level. Have been having a bit of trouble with my back for the last couple of months so am now concentrating on running in a more upright position......doesn't feel right but my back has eased a little. Also have problems with my right knee but that has eased as my weight has reduced from 12st 7lb to 10st 10lb since going on a diet and increasing my distance.

Injury..your achilles heel?

News is coming in from the UK... George and Marty are putting in the spade-work with the goal now, of a half Marathon in September.

George has been struggling with an inflamed achilles tendon. He's had a number of sessions with the physio and finally, perhaps too soon, headed out for a canter. He got a 3 miler in and, other than feeling a bit tender, lived to tell the tale.
Moving on from this George, and his running buddy Marty, took on a 5 miler with aplomb. Holding a commendable 8:15 per mile up to mile number 4....

Another 5m is to be taken on this week with the inclusion of a nice climb for the last mile.

And the beat goes on..

Well, 4 weeks in and all goes well. No fireworks yet but at this stage it's more than enough to get some TOFFEE (i) runs in and some regularity to training. I personally won't be happy to call myself a runner till I can run a couple of 10kms during the week and throw in a 10 miler for a long run.

There is a possibility of a September half marathon if I can get to a point where a sub 2 hours in achievable.



i. TOFFEE: Time On Feet Focusing on Energy and Efficiency