Training Log Archive: Jon X

Not quite a run that happened according to plan - supposed to be a an early afternoon run but feeling knackered so went back to bed for two hours more sleep instead......which meant I needed more food when I woke up.....which meant I couldn't head out for quite a while....which meant the athletics coverage had started.......

In the end I watched the 100m semi-finals and headed out immediately afterwards hoping to get back in time for the final.

Route http://gb.mapometer.com/en/running/route_225799.ht...

Opposite to yesterday really, felt great for half an hour and then started to feel it a bit in quads and hamstrings on the undulating bit to Cambusbarron and through Polmaise quarry. Kept the pace up pretty well after that and felt better than on the long run with Rosco the other week, had learned my lesson and wore a camelbak plus took a couple of gels.

Kept the pace honest to the end and made it through the door to get the TV on a bit less than a minute before the gun went for the 100m final, perfect timing to see Usain Bolt make the amazing look simple - again.

C • Looking good... 2

From the uni through Bridge of Allan, up Kippenrait Glen, on to Sheriffmuir and then back down the road all the way to Meadowpark (or rather gap in the uni wall just before it).

Pretty sunny to start with but also very windy, this brought the clouds in and cooled things down after a while. Must have been pouring with rain up near Dumyat as the roads were still awash.

Felt rubbish to start and sore left quad, however started to get into it after half an hour or so as climbed up towards Sheriffmuir and enjoyed myself after that. Good to have heart rate monitor again as every time I felt I was working hard I could look at it and decide to slow down again!

C • pouring with rain up near Dumyat 1

Easy week this week has been a bit lighter on the mileage than planned, however still felt like I needed a rest day today. I guess I was right as I fell asleep as soon as I got in from work.

Went to the physio at lunchtime and got some good work done on my back, need to keep making progress with it over next few weeks and do my exercises more regularly......

Broadwood 5km. 30th out of 199.

Put in my racing flats but then read the details during the day to see it was 'mainly off-road' which concerned me for a while. It shouldn't have as off road meant tarmac footpaths!

Knew I was feeling a bit stiff and tired still, so wanted a big warmup and set off in good time from work. Yes really I did. Just as well as this meant the 30min traffic jam on the A80 still saw me arrive 25mins before the start with time for at least some warmup after registering etc.

The race itself was pretty much as expected although not as I would have hoped. Lots of banter start merchants who started falling back fairly early and I managed not to start tooo fast myself. However I have not done enough reps over the past few months to have the pace I should, so it all felt a bit lacking in rhythm and uncomfortable, and I slowed gradually (although only passed by two people after the first 400m, one of them the first women with 1km to go dammit).

Don't have proper splits but basically ran the first 1km in 3:50 and slowed steadily with the final one in 4:04. Pretty disappointing time which just shows how much work there is to do over the next two months.

Decent little race with a few twists and turns and sharp corners, all seemed fairly efficient to me apart from the inevitable of the km markers being not quite right, however Rosco at the front of the race might have a different view after being misdirected twice on his way to 3rd place!

Warmup jogging/drills/stretching beforehand, and then a lap of the loch with Rosco afterwards. Felt great on the lap of the loch so at least recovery was quick even if the race wasn't!

Easy from uni with FVO posse, bit of a slog up the climb from Logie Kirk on slippery slippery path - and generally a bit more mud than there should be in August...

Then on to Westerton to meet up with Abi before she vanishes for a year, fine food rounded off with Fi's Fab Farewell Cake.

4 x 4mins round loch at uni with 1 min between reps. Legs still heavy but no worse at end than beginning. Not sure I would have made it out if I had not arranged to meet Ross and Fi!

Aiming for no worse than 1km on each rep, actually ran 1.03km, 1.03km, 1.01km and then a tantalising 996m on the last rep.

Warm up round uni and loch, then pre-interval drills. Warm down back round loch the other way to meet Fi and then on to complete the lap.

I seem to have put on 3kg during the past ten days of country house living plus meals out. Despite running six races. Ouch.

C • Just wait 3

Leckie road loop in reverse. Legs still very tired so no surprises there.