So I’ve stuck to my guns this week. From last week’s blog it’s pretty clear to see that I wasn’t enjoying my running. I was also very interested to see that Rob Clark was also writing about a very similar feeling in his blog.
My resolution to ditch the training plan for the week seems to have had the desired effect. I’ve run, swam and walked the dog so I have been ticking over but it’s a couple of other things that have really helped to focus on the joy of running rather than the chore side of training.
Last Sunday was the annual Sun City Tri. This is my clubs race and for the first time I marshalled at the event. I’ve never helped out behind the scenes at any type of race before and watching all the participants get lined up on the start was really exciting.
I was marshalling out on the run course so I got to see and cheer on everyone who got through the sea swim and bike legs. It was just fantastic watching athletes of all shapes and sizes head up the hill in Seaburn and then directing them back down towards the finish on their way back.
Although blatantly knackered they were all having a ball. Cue distant memory being triggered inside small Tuck lizard brain “Aha, that’s why I train and race”. Okay, sometimes you just need the obvious pointed out to you.
Even more impressive was the blind athlete taking part guided by her sighted partner. A 750m sea swim, 18km bike and 5km run all dispatched perfectly. I later found out they were using it as a warm up race for the World Championships. Humbling and inspiring in equal measures.
Last Sunday was the annual Sun City Tri. This is my clubs race and for the first time I marshalled at the event. I’ve never helped out behind the scenes at any type of race before and watching all the participants get lined up on the start was really exciting.
I was marshalling out on the run course so I got to see and cheer on everyone who got through the sea swim and bike legs. It was just fantastic watching athletes of all shapes and sizes head up the hill in Seaburn and then directing them back down towards the finish on their way back.
Although blatantly knackered they were all having a ball. Cue distant memory being triggered inside small Tuck lizard brain “Aha, that’s why I train and race”. Okay, sometimes you just need the obvious pointed out to you.
Even more impressive was the blind athlete taking part guided by her sighted partner. A 750m sea swim, 18km bike and 5km run all dispatched perfectly. I later found out they were using it as a warm up race for the World Championships. Humbling and inspiring in equal measures.
More importantly and effecting though has been the Olympic Games. In the weeks prior to the games starting the usual British media obsession with tearing things down rather than building them up was in full effect.
There can’t be anyone who has watched these games who can’t be anything other than awestruck at the performances of all the athletes. It’s stunning to watch. I’ve also been highly impressed by how the athletes are handling the media pressure and talking so eloquently of the sacrifices required to achieve in sport at the highest levels. Our over paid and over pampered footballers could learn a lot from them.
We’ve been luckily enough to get down to London to watch the Ladies Triathlon and Show jumping. If you get the chance you have to go. London seems like a different city. Lighter and happier, public transport is working, the Olympic volunteers are welcoming and people are smiling (I know highly unlikely for London but there you go).
There can’t be anyone who has watched these games who can’t be anything other than awestruck at the performances of all the athletes. It’s stunning to watch. I’ve also been highly impressed by how the athletes are handling the media pressure and talking so eloquently of the sacrifices required to achieve in sport at the highest levels. Our over paid and over pampered footballers could learn a lot from them.
We’ve been luckily enough to get down to London to watch the Ladies Triathlon and Show jumping. If you get the chance you have to go. London seems like a different city. Lighter and happier, public transport is working, the Olympic volunteers are welcoming and people are smiling (I know highly unlikely for London but there you go).
Putting this altogether along with a nice week of cross training and the good ship Tuck is in a happy place. An even happier place as I’m now on holiday for two weeks. Let’s see what a diet of beer and baguettes does to my training resolve and waistline.
I’m on twitter if any North East Runners readers are feeling sociable. My mood swings are less in evidence on there. You can find me should you be so inclined @Tucker_DJ
Last Week’s Training Log:
Mon – 45 min Run
Tue – Pyramid Swim (200m Warm Up, 100m, 200m, 400m, 200m, 100m, 200m Cool Down)
Wed – 45 min Run (15min Easy, 15min Steady, 15 min hard)
Thu – 1hr 15 Steady
Fri – Easy 3.5 mile run with the boy for his Junior GNR training.
Sat/Sun – Sunshine, Beer, Wine, Olympics
I’m on twitter if any North East Runners readers are feeling sociable. My mood swings are less in evidence on there. You can find me should you be so inclined @Tucker_DJ
Last Week’s Training Log:
Mon – 45 min Run
Tue – Pyramid Swim (200m Warm Up, 100m, 200m, 400m, 200m, 100m, 200m Cool Down)
Wed – 45 min Run (15min Easy, 15min Steady, 15 min hard)
Thu – 1hr 15 Steady
Fri – Easy 3.5 mile run with the boy for his Junior GNR training.
Sat/Sun – Sunshine, Beer, Wine, Olympics