Training Log Archive: bradcIn the 30 days ending Apr 30, 2008:
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Wednesday Apr 30, 2008 #
Note
Rain was due to arrive at midday, so we just went for a quick 5 mile / 350m walk up the hill behind Glenborrodale. We were already in the tea shop at the Ardnamurchan Wildlife Centre when the rain came. Thankfully it had passed through by the time we headed off on the 2 mile walk to the pub for our evening meal!
Tuesday Apr 29, 2008 #
Note
Oh dear - Beccy's sore side kept her awake much of the night. Then we were brought crashing awake when the bed broke! No, sadly, that's not as the result of any "training" - it was because I moved it to get the cot in the room :-).
Drove out to Ardnamurchan Pt, stopping en-route for a 2hr walk up Beinn na Seilg, an amazing viewpoint. Rum, Eigg and Skye were jewels in the azure sea. We could also see all the way to Staffa.
Another wee 1hr walk from Portuairk to the incredible white sands of Sanna Bay.
Drove out to Ardnamurchan Pt, stopping en-route for a 2hr walk up Beinn na Seilg, an amazing viewpoint. Rum, Eigg and Skye were jewels in the azure sea. We could also see all the way to Staffa.
Another wee 1hr walk from Portuairk to the incredible white sands of Sanna Bay.
Monday Apr 28, 2008 #
Note
Shattered, so made it a nice easy day. Gorgeous weather. Drove 10 mins to Castle Tioram - amazing setting - and walked around the Silver Walk and over the Three tarns walk to make it a 2hr30 loop. B's side troubling her, so a fairly gentle stroll - although Jamie seems awfully heavy in the backpack!
Sunday Apr 27, 2008 #
Orienteering race (Road) 44:30 [3] ** 5.8 km (7:40 / km)
shoes: Asics Gel-Trail Attack WR
Our wedding O event. Such a glorious day that we couldn't resist going out and having a wee go at our own event! Set off with the missus and jogged gently to #6, at which point I sped up a bit and went off on the rest of the course myself. Running OK, a bit tired (on my feet all day yesterday!) and the sole of my left foot was a bit sore (those hired shoes) but it was fun. Can't believe how lucky we were with the weather! Fab weekend all round :-)
Saturday Apr 26, 2008 #
Event: Tiomila 2008
Running (Trail) 35:00 [2] 3.5 mi (10:00 / mi)
shoes: Asics Gel-Trail Attack WR
Gentle wedding-morning jog up to the Gathering Stane with Jase, Janine and Marcus. No butterflies :-)
Friday Apr 25, 2008 #
Orienteering 27:45 [4] 4.0 km (6:56 / km)
shoes: Jalas Black FLX
Managed to lose several million brownie points by jetting off with Jase & KD to run the World Schools middle course on the evening before my wedding with lots of my relatives getting in B's hair back in the house, but I really did need to clear my noggin after the stress of the day and scrabbling my speech together in ~1 hour of frantic brain-dumping.
Great fun, tootled around, a bit scrappy but, hey, fab to be out and Barr Wood is always brill. The new area was gorse-tastic. Grand job, Steve.
Great fun, tootled around, a bit scrappy but, hey, fab to be out and Barr Wood is always brill. The new area was gorse-tastic. Grand job, Steve.
Wednesday Apr 23, 2008 #
Running warm up/down (Road) 15:00 [2] 2.5 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: Walsh PB Extremes
Jogged to the start of the Whangie Whizz fell race, and then had a wee jog off afterwards
Running race (Hill race) 33:47 [5] 6.84 km (4:56 / km) +240m 4:12 / km
ahr:171 max:175 shoes: Walsh PB Extremes
Whangie Whizz hill race. 21st/112. Nick B won in 29:06, JamieS 2nd in 29:41, Ange taking it easy in 13th (1st lady), 32:44; JonX and Jase 27th & 28th in 34:22 and 34:32 respectively.
Results go up super-fast on scottishhillracing.co.uk - cheers, Chris!
Nice and sunny after the rain, so whilst it was well boggy in parts, at least we could see where we were going. I made the mistake of not being near the front of the field at the start and as a result was boxed in for much of the 'out' route; I was feeling as if I could have gone a bit faster but simply couldn't get past people. By the time it opened out a bit, we were already in muddy terrain all chopped up by livestock, and I was a bit pants in that stuff, to be honest - I wasn't relaxed, and got knocked out of my stride lots of times. Jase was right with me at the turning point (and JonX not far behind) and I thought that my goose was cooked. I managed to get into a slow but steady rhythm on the climb back up the hill, though, and pulled away a little. Despite sliding and falling over a couple of times on the way off I managed to stretch that lead a little further on the route back to the finish.
So, I was happy with the time considering my lack of training, and considering that my goal for the year is just to get out and enjoy the process of regaining some fitness. I was miles off Ross's 2007 time, of course; that'll be my target for 2009!
Gosh it was good to be out racing again :-))
Results go up super-fast on scottishhillracing.co.uk - cheers, Chris!
Nice and sunny after the rain, so whilst it was well boggy in parts, at least we could see where we were going. I made the mistake of not being near the front of the field at the start and as a result was boxed in for much of the 'out' route; I was feeling as if I could have gone a bit faster but simply couldn't get past people. By the time it opened out a bit, we were already in muddy terrain all chopped up by livestock, and I was a bit pants in that stuff, to be honest - I wasn't relaxed, and got knocked out of my stride lots of times. Jase was right with me at the turning point (and JonX not far behind) and I thought that my goose was cooked. I managed to get into a slow but steady rhythm on the climb back up the hill, though, and pulled away a little. Despite sliding and falling over a couple of times on the way off I managed to stretch that lead a little further on the route back to the finish.
So, I was happy with the time considering my lack of training, and considering that my goal for the year is just to get out and enjoy the process of regaining some fitness. I was miles off Ross's 2007 time, of course; that'll be my target for 2009!
Gosh it was good to be out racing again :-))
Tuesday Apr 22, 2008 #
Orienteering (Road & trail) 37:05 [3] * 7.09 km (5:14 / km) +140m 4:46 / km
ahr:148 max:164 shoes: Asics Gel-Trail Attack WR
Test ran the post-wedding 'long' course on Beccy's map-in-progress, which has caused far more stress than any of the wedding planning over the past months. Whose idea was it to put on an O event the day after the wedding, and to extend the Laigh Hills map up to our house?! Madness!!! Anyway...
methinks it is somewhat short. So we need to make it a bit longer and a bit more difficult. But the map isn't even finished yet. And we have to get it to Steve tomorrow. Oh. Dear. We're stuffed.
On the positive side, my nice new trail shoes (as recommended by Ian of Ultrasport) were great, and I felt as if I was bouncing along.
methinks it is somewhat short. So we need to make it a bit longer and a bit more difficult. But the map isn't even finished yet. And we have to get it to Steve tomorrow. Oh. Dear. We're stuffed.
On the positive side, my nice new trail shoes (as recommended by Ian of Ultrasport) were great, and I felt as if I was bouncing along.
Running warm up/down (Road) 6:40 [1] 1.31 km (5:05 / km) +20m 4:44 / km
ahr:138 max:151 shoes: Asics Gel-Trail Attack WR
Gentle warm down, checking out the route through the primary school. Not that I'm suggesting anyone should run through it, of course.
Sunday Apr 20, 2008 #
Event: British Relays
Orienteering race 45:48 [5] **** 5.59 km (8:12 / km) +144m 7:15 / km
ahr:149 max:171 shoes: Silva K80 dobs
British relays, leg 1 on Mens Short. Started OK, a bit tired after yesterday but I ran well until #6, en route to which our course went straight into a pile of complete grot and I was careless. Once lost, it took me 8 or 9 minutes to find the control, despite running past it twice. Only a little scrappy after that but, despite religiously checking my codes, I managed to pull off my relay party trick at #10 and mispunched. Useless tosser.
So. The remainder of the year will be one of consolidating my fitness to get back to a sport I enjoy and can genuinely be half good at. Hill running. I'll never be better than total cr*p at orienteering.
Beccy had a great run with Abi and Tori to come 2nd in Womens Short. Well done, love!
So. The remainder of the year will be one of consolidating my fitness to get back to a sport I enjoy and can genuinely be half good at. Hill running. I'll never be better than total cr*p at orienteering.
Beccy had a great run with Abi and Tori to come 2nd in Womens Short. Well done, love!
Saturday Apr 19, 2008 #
Event: British Long Champs
Orienteering race 1:45:50 [5] **** 13.49 km (7:51 / km) +358m 6:56 / km
ahr:156 max:168 shoes: Silva K80 dobs
British O long champs. 11.3km +275m. Well, apart from losing 5 minutes in the technical grot at the very end, mostly down to tiredness, and maybe 5-6 mins on the rest of the course, I was pretty happy with my run. Given my complete lack of fitness after a useless winter of perpetual injuries, I held together reasonably well. Of course, I ended up nowhere in the results. As always.
Very proud of Beccy coming third despite making mistakes and very little training!
Very proud of Beccy coming third despite making mistakes and very little training!
Thursday Apr 17, 2008 #
Running (Trail run) 43:00 [3] 9.28 km (4:38 / km) +100m 4:24 / km
ahr:153 max:160 shoes: Asics GT-2120 road
Sluggish, sore/tight left hamstring/buttock, generally a poor effort.
Tuesday Apr 15, 2008 #
Strength training (Home circuits) 30:00 [1]
Geez will the top of my left hamstring EVER loosen off? It has been tight as a gnat's chuff since last year!
Running (Trail) 36:47 [3] 6.91 km (5:19 / km) +215m 4:36 / km
ahr:149 max:163 shoes: Saucony Grid Jazz Omni
Busy working and wedding planning - not much chance to get out today, but given that my legs were tired and my left hamstring sore, only having time to go for a short trot was probably a good thing. Was crawling along so slowly I was passed by a mummy duck and her ducklings. Well, OK she was going with the flow of the river, but even so...
Monday Apr 14, 2008 #
Gym (Rowing) 10:15 [3] 2.5 km (4:06 / km)
Pah! All the cross-trainers were in use...
Arms a bit tired after 2 days with a rucksack over the weekend and then wrestling the motorbike over the Bathgate hills today. What a wimp!
Arms a bit tired after 2 days with a rucksack over the weekend and then wrestling the motorbike over the Bathgate hills today. What a wimp!
Gym (Cross-trainer) 30:00 [3] 6.46 km (4:39 / km)
shoes: Nike Air Zoom
Gosh my legs are tired. This was my worst effort in ages. Still, I think that they felt better afterwards... Ha! Two shortish hill walking days and I'm jiggered! Call myself a hill runner...
Gym (Strength training) 15:00 [2]
Sunday Apr 13, 2008 #
Hill walking 4:20:00 [2] 16.5 km (15:45 / km) +1125m 11:45 / km
shoes: Scarpa SL M3 boots
Stag weekend hill-bash # 2, Munro #257, Beinn Fhada. Even more surprised to be feeling only slightly fragile today. They were very gentle with me!
Under time pressure, so a moderately stiff pace out the glen in the mixed showery conditions; steeply up onto the whaleback and then bam, the good luck pitched in again, and the clouds rolled back to give epic views. Fantastic! Couldn't believe my jamminess.
A grand day out, Gromit. All I had to complain about was a rather large blister on my heel. The rest was fab - great hill, great company, great craic.
Top weekend!
Under time pressure, so a moderately stiff pace out the glen in the mixed showery conditions; steeply up onto the whaleback and then bam, the good luck pitched in again, and the clouds rolled back to give epic views. Fantastic! Couldn't believe my jamminess.
A grand day out, Gromit. All I had to complain about was a rather large blister on my heel. The rest was fab - great hill, great company, great craic.
Top weekend!
Saturday Apr 12, 2008 #
Hill walking 3:30:00 [2] 7.5 km (28:00 / km) +950m 17:09 / km
shoes: Scarpa SL M3 boots
Stag weekend hill bash #1 and Munro #256: Sgurr na Banachdich. Surprisingly felt OK this morning despite the cocktail of drinks last night (especially surprised to be alive after three entirely different whiskies, never mind the Slippery Nipple), and positively raring to go in the bright sunshine. Given the snow on the ridge, wisely opted for the 'walking' Cuillin, and we were rewarded with stunning views. For once the luck of the Irish was GOOD luck! Super chuffed to have so many friends up on the hill to share the experience with.
Peter fancied the easy scramble descent option along the Sgurr na Gobhar ridge, which was airy in places and a grand way down once I'd started to get back my head for heights. Top walk.
My convict suit was surprisingly warm!
Peter fancied the easy scramble descent option along the Sgurr na Gobhar ridge, which was airy in places and a grand way down once I'd started to get back my head for heights. Top walk.
My convict suit was surprisingly warm!
Hill walking 1:00:00 [1] 3.25 km (18:28 / km) +300m 12:38 / km
shoes: Inov8 RocLite
Accompanied Simon and Paul on a nice wee dander up to view the Old Man of Storr whilst the others went for a run there. Didn't have my ankle brace so it was a wise decision. Again. Must be getting sensible in my old age - or making sure that I wasn't too wiped out before the evening's celebrations!
Friday Apr 11, 2008 #
Note
(rest day)
Con-call at 8am (again), working at home in the a.m. and then heading up to Skye in the afternoon; not much opportunity to do any exercise. A rest before breaking trail on the hills over the weekend!
Thursday Apr 10, 2008 #
Running (Trail) 32:52 [2] 6.0 km (5:29 / km) +195m 4:43 / km
ahr:148 max:164 shoes: Saucony Grid Jazz Omni
Gentle late evening run up the hill and through the woods to the gathering stane. No zip. Just concentrating on getting out and enjoying my running again; I'll get back to intervals and hill reps, but I need to get some decent base first, I think - there's not much there.
Wednesday Apr 9, 2008 #
Running (Trail run) 37:27 [3] 7.75 km (4:50 / km) +150m 4:24 / km
ahr:156 max:168 shoes: Asics GT-2120 road
Steady run around Dechmont Country Park and the immortal Packet's Lap in Livingston. Haven't been there for ages - I'd forgotten how nice some of the trails are, and the nice view from the top of Dechmont Law. Not so bouncy today, but good to get out at lunchtime.
Tuesday Apr 8, 2008 #
Note
(rest day)
Didn't fancy the short sharp stuff at intervals after so long off, and never found the time to tear myself away from my desk to go out and do some other form of exercise. Well, apart from the hour I spent clearing out the garage and tacking up carpet on the walls so that I can actually get the Outback to fit (it's a tad longer than the Impreza) and be able to open the door without removing all the paint on it... DIY, does that count as a workout?
Monday Apr 7, 2008 #
Running (Trail) 1:04:46 [3] 9.13 km (7:06 / km) +380m 5:52 / km
ahr:141 max:166 shoes: Inov8 RocLite
Very enjoyable tootle around Sauchie crags with Jon X, Ross and Jase. Ran out along the crags then wended our merry way back through the woods on the south side of Windy Gap - well worth considering the Sauchie map into. Took the forest track back up to WG and home along the crags. Felt nice and bouncy, the weather was fine and the company grand.
This is why I love running!
Ankle was getting a bit sore 10 mins before the end, but no swelling afterwards so all is OK. Must be time for another injury by now, though.
This is why I love running!
Ankle was getting a bit sore 10 mins before the end, but no swelling afterwards so all is OK. Must be time for another injury by now, though.
Sunday Apr 6, 2008 #
Orienteering race 38:44 [5] ** 6.37 km (6:05 / km) +220m 5:11 / km
ahr:162 max:172 spiked:12/15c shoes: Silva K80 dobs
Local event at St. Magdalene Hill, Perth. 5.5km blue, a straightforward area; and a much improved map. Ran quite well, and only made ~90s of mistakes; no probs from my (braced) ankle. Glad we made the decision to risk the A9 despite the snow!
C • Snow 6
Saturday Apr 5, 2008 #
Cycling 57:00 [3] 16.7 mi (17.6 mph) +295m
Collected Bertha from "the shop" at Auchterarder (repairing the damage from my "maintenance" and giving the old gal a well-deserved service), and cycled home via Braco & Kinbuck. Cold - someone has turned off the heating again! - but thankfully no hail or snow to dampen proceedings.
Friday Apr 4, 2008 #
Running (Trail) 36:00 [3] 6.94 km (5:11 / km) +235m 4:26 / km
ahr:153 max:165 shoes: Saucony Grid Jazz Omni
Another gentle run, to the Gathering Stane, with the ankle in a brace. All felt OK - well, apart from being turgidly slow. It's great to be out in the sunshine!
Thursday Apr 3, 2008 #
Note
(rest day)
Enforced rest day - 8 hours driving to and from Manchester and 4 hours of meetings.
Wednesday Apr 2, 2008 #
Running (Trail) 32:52 [2] 6.01 km (5:28 / km) +200m 4:41 / km
ahr:146 max:159 shoes: Asics GT-2120 road
Gentle jog to test out my ankle. Stuck to the soft stuff - the wood behind the house and Dunblane golf course. Felt ok, a little uncomfortable and unstable, but no swelling after the run so am on the mend.
Tuesday Apr 1, 2008 #
Gym (Cross-trainer) 50:00 [4] 11.12 km (4:30 / km)
ahr:157 max:172 shoes: Asics GT-2120 road
Cross-country training programme, pushed pretty hard and no twinges from my ankle - good.
Gym (Strength training) 20:00 [2]
Some machines...
Gym (Stretching) 10:00 [1]
...and some stretching.