In more ways than one. Just back from holiday, haven't caught up on all the messages yet, only just got through 600+ emails. What a two weeks, fuelled by lots of Duvel, Leffe and assorted other beers, I watched the football. There is something to be said to be on holiday during a big sporting event. For the last 3-4 years we have managed to do this and as both of us are into sport it is great to be able to watch it in the evening.
My own sporting achievements, well less is more :-) Managed two 7 mile runs, one 17 mile mountain bike ride (should be classified as off road biking as there are no mountains in the Netherlands). Most days we managed family rides with Nr one son on a trailer bike behind mine. So the sporting achievements on telly were the more interesting.......I stayed very calm during the farce that was Netherlands v Portugal, was convinced we would score but alas.... The referee won. Hoped England would beat Portugal, didn't see that match as we were on the ferry back to England, the Mrs of course wanted to watch and managed to watch most of it on the big screen while I was on childcare duty. Just managed to see the penalties.
Oohh well that is the summer holiday for another year, back to running. Just did 3 miles to get back into it. The last mile was murder, I was looking forward to running in nice weather but this is a bit much!! Will slowly build back up to 30 miles a week, also had to start being good on eating having put on over half a stone over the holiday.
Aahh isn't it great to be back!
BTW can I /should I delete the thread posted in my training diary by somebody else suggesting, as sweder put it, alternative means of cross-training?
I have done a number of runs since my last post, just to busy to write it up. I feel I am slowly getting back in the saddle. Went to the Running club last wednesday (5/7) where they were doing 3 mile team relays. Unfortunately I didn't make it into a team but I ran anyway. I went for broke and felt pretty sick when I came across the line, but was pleased with the time.
Friday (7/7) I went for a 5 miler which was quite slow but enjoyable. The weekend I feel guilty about, I didn't do my long run. Yes, I know that isn't very good, will try to be a better boy. Did a 3 mile run yesterday and a 5 mile today. Both went very well, no real niggles to speak of and managed to do the 3 mile run in a very fast time.
The real problem is that I haven't managed to sign up for any races. The nearest thing is the RC "tour de stort", a 7 mile run on sunday, 6 on monday, 5 on Tuesday and 3 on Wednesday, which I will hopefully sign up for tomorrow. Anyway still manage to run, if not write it up
Sounds like you are well and truly back on track, v. well done. Interesting concept a race of diminishing distances over a few days...let us know how you get on.
Thanks SW, yes I think I roughly back. Still not as fast as before the FLM but it is going ok.
Tour de Stort started with a 7.2 (according to my polar rs200sd) or 7.8 (Garmin device) run. It was already feeling hot at 9.30 am yesterday morning. The route was an out and back route starting from club house towards and 3 miles on the Flitch way, nice and flat.
Started with my old fault, starting of to fast. I slowed down a tad and managed to keep to the speed for most of the race. I ran for the first couple of miles in 5th position, at mile 3 I had to let two chaps go through and I couldn't keep up with them. On the turn around point I was well ahead of the group behind me but I started struggling at mile 5 and slowed up a bit. The sight of another runner behind me spurred me on and I sped up for the last miles. I came home in seventh place in a time of 60:54. Was quite pleased with the run.
Today could be a killer, twice round a 3 mile hilly loop. As described: "eight hills with a sting in the tail". I happen to know the hills on this run, I mtb down it at breakneck speed, never tried to cycle up it, let alone run it. Will be interesting to see how I cope in the nice temparatures we currently have....
I was full of good intentions today but let's face it, it's just too hot to run.
One has to be sensible in these situations......
What? You are racing today? Wow, I'm seriously impressed by your dedication Ljs, Good Luck and make sure you drink loads
(I'm just off for a gentle 3 miles on the tready in the air conditioned gym;-))
The Tour de Stort, in no way a feat like de Tour de France from which it must have taken its name. It is only four races on four consecutive days and no where near the distance. But it was though in its own right!
I detailed the Sunday 7.6 miler earlier, Monday night saw a 3.1 mile of-road loop which had to be negotiated twice. I sort of knew what I was in for as I do some of the hills by mountainbike, never considered running them :-) This time I had to. As per usual ljs strategy I set of too quick and on Monday I really payed the price for it. This was to be my worst race of the lot, I came home in 54 minutes and had to let people go past who finished behind me on Sunday.
Tuesday night was a 4.4 mile road race, starting on a steep hill and then 3 loops around a road circuit, I still went of too quick but timed it a little better, I really enjoyed this run. It was very hot but afterwards I felt very good. I still had to let some of the so-called vets go through in front of me, it makes a mockery of the age-graded times they operate
Wednesday night the final race, 2.5 miles short and described as a mad dash, which is what it turned out to be. All week I had to let two veterans go, they started behind me everyday, their untold experience standing them in very good stead. They started slowly all week well behind me and then sneaked up on me at the half way point. Tonight I was determined it was to be different. It was only half different, one of the guys is just so good and fast, 60 years of age, there was no way I could keep up with him. The other one started again behind me but came past me after the first mile. I thought it would be a repeat of all the other nights, but I managed to real him back in and on a hill overtake him and to my surprise I still had something left to speed up, the first time ever I managed to run a negative split, even managed a final sprint. 2.5 miles in 17:44 I was pleased. The veterans do show me that there is a lot of room for improvement.
I have only taken up running in October to run the FLM and that was to be that, just the FLM and then I could stop. Never thought I would be bitten by the running bug, but there you go. I am now a fully paid up member of the RC, so there should be every incentive to try and become a better runner.
Good for you, Luc. That's real dedication - running in such heat.
It was 36.3 C at Gatwick where I work, and 36.5 C in Guildford, where I live. My evening was spent in the pub, so I take my hat (and sunglasses) off to you for lacing up your trainers.
You don't have to be crazy to post here, but it helps.
Hats off to you, you crazy Dutchman!
I only managed a wee trot compared with your catalogue of lunacy, but I can confirm running last night was a long way from easy. The post-run refreshments tasted that bit sweeter though, eh?
Yeah, well done Luc, 4 races in 4 days is way beyond the call of duty. And during record UK temperatures?
In its own way it sounds like a feat comparable to Tim's 140 miler last year, or whatever the mad distance was.
What's happened to Tim? (Sorry, LJS, I shouldn't be hijacking your thread.)
Thanks all, have to say the races felt better than todays lunch time amble.
Andy, Tims effort of 140 miles sounds way more mad to me :-), Yep Sweder the beers tasted wonderful.
In the comfort of the airconditioned office it felt like a good idea, 5-6 miles for lunch. Once I got outside it was rather different. I set myself the task to start of slow and built up.
Still not a skill I have acquired, seems rather handy to have. So I slowed myself down and with in seconds I was soaked through, if only it was rain. My mind drifted to work and how come my software program wasn't doing what it was supposed to do. Going through it in my head gave me new ideas and before I knew it I had to make the choice, 5 miles or 3.5......Ok Ok I admit it I choose the shorter run, it felt to muggy to run very far.
At least the slow start and faster end of the run was working. The second mile was quicker than the first and the third faster still. I guess I can look back on a good week 4 enjoyable races, 25 miles banked for the week and I have booked an October 10k race. The nike run london. I am sure I will find another couple of races before that but at least this one is booked and entered