Training Log Archive: Jon X

Parked up at Fairholmes for some biking - Kim had kindly lent me Ricky's bike which was a lot more upmarket than any hire bike - very handy for keeping up with Martin as the two of us headed round the south then north loops! About an hour and a quarter round the two and then a quick loop to meet up with the girls at the end.

Glorious day despite the forecast hail and snow, really enjoyed it. Then off to Hathersage for welcome pint of tea and giant yorkshire pud!

Got a bit carried away with the achilles exercies (calf raises etc) at the weekend. My achilles feels a lot better but my calves are wrecked!

Spent the morning buying walking boots, hopefully this will mean rather fewer occasions for cutting steps when winter walking! Then off to see the Chapmans and their new baby, stayed longer than expected so didn't make it out for a run, careless...

A run! Although it was supposed to be a jog/walk but I got a bit enthusiastic....

Headed out to Polmaise at lunchtime to suss out things before I finish planning the night event for next week This would have worked better if I hadn't spent most of the run investigating the unmapped bit and thinking we should map it!

Enjoyed being out running at last and achilles not too bad, however as soon as I got in terrain it became clear that my ankle hasn't really improved in the past few weeks, was very unconfident running across rough stuff. But definitely a plus to be out - quite a nature trail with red squirrel, deer and buzzard all spotted in quick succession - had forgotten there were red squirrels there.

Realised that although I have been in the gym a lot, I haven't really needed to walk anywhere and I need to get my achilles working a bit to see how it reacts before I think about going back to running. So I headed for the FVO hill sesion although I was careful to stay in my work clothes as in trainers I may have found it just too tempting....

Drove round to the start point, no sign of anyone so walked up the hill to Lady's Rock, still no sign so uncharitably wondered whether they had all wimped out and gone for a run. Decided they wouldn't have, so headed back towards the start and met them (Lard, Abi, Elle, Virgin) heading up the hill finishing the first set - impressed by how quickly they were all moving. Walked briskly up and down the hill a couple more times as they did their sets, as they were on 30/30 all the way up and their recovery was jog back then I could almost keep up which gave me lots of opportunity for 'motivational' encouragement.....

Thought I had better do something else as well so sat on the turbo trainer, stuck the bike in hardest gear, and pushed it out at low revs for half an hour while I read an old Trail magazine.

It had an article which gave "the UK's seven summits" - not the seven highest but the seven high ones it thought were the best parallels the UK has to the seven which are the highest from each continent.

The seven chosen were Ben Macdui, Tryfan, Skiddaw, Ingleborough, Ben Alder, An Teallach and Snowdon. I have been up the first five but a few New Year's ago didn't fancy An Teallach in snow and ice and went for an epic snowy walk in the Fannichs instead. Surprisingly have never been up Snowdon either but to my shame did fail once on a blazing hot day when we attempted the Welsh 3000's - got very dehydrated and was cramping on the descent off Elidir Fawr after the Glyders so didn't fancy Crib Goch much as the way up Snowdon. Gutted seeing as the others carried on and made it - it is unfinished business so I really will need to go back sometime!

Didn't have long as although missing out on the FVO run I didn't want to miss out on the FVO soup afterwards courtesy of Brad and Beccy. Not to mention (as it turned out) the FVO sausage rolls and crumble and ice cream and wine and muffins and so on. Although actually it seems I have mentioned them.

Started at 70-75 rpm and just increased by 5rpm every three minutes until 105-110 rpm, then 6 mins warm down back at a more leisurely pace. Heart rate went up steadily but only really working quite hard for a fairly short time.

Wasn't quite sure what the FVO interval session was but tried to remember and do the same on the cross-trainer - did 12 times 90s with 30s recovery which felt like hard work by the end.

C • Good effort. 1

21 mins before, 15 after.

those pesky side planks - I am so much better at one side than the other!

(including warm up/down) Still being eased back in gently by Jase so time still reduced. Avoided the impact exercises and did some extra situps instead.

Then The Dark Knight at Coustick Cinemas, thought the film was brilliant and the venue was well up to scratch too!