Firstly, I’m not going to mention my mini stroke anymore, I feel by doing that I’m hanging on to it and it’s there ready as an excuse, I have no lasting physical effects so there is no reason why I should be running any differently. However I have had quite a few niggles recently, but they are worse in the morning and actually feel ok when I’m running fast, so get over it and crack on I think. Having said that, the wedding is coming up fast, we have a lot to do and then it’ll be hard to train on Honeymoon, so I’m thinking about ticking over until then, then back into full training when I get back.
I train hard all the time so I find it hard to back off, the temptation is just to keep plugging away, banging out sessions and sticking to what I know, but I think I’ll benefit from a few weeks of less miles and easier sessions and keeping them relaxed.
I am planning on running the Great North Run this year, previously I’ve run it off 10k training. I’ve run well in the past, but I know if I give it a good crack then I can run a much faster time. I’ve also entered the Leeds Abbey Dash, I missed it through injury last year so I really want to do it this year. These are my next two ‘A’ races, anything else will be part of my preparations.
I went for an easy 10 mile run on Sunday, I still had Blaydon race in my legs so I took it easy. I have a nice 10 mile loop from home, it’s up and down like a roller coaster on scenic country roads and you hardly ever see a car.
Monday, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) kicked in, my legs were stiff and although there was no sign of any aches and pains on Saturday I still felt pain in my Glutes, hip and Illiospoas. I ran to and from work, but took it easy.
I normally train at the club on a Tuesday evening, but this Tuesday evening myself and Clare had an appointment with the Vicar about our wedding in the evening so I planned to do my session in the morning.
I got to Maiden Castle and set off on my warm up, it was a real struggle, I hobbled around the fields, by the time I got back to the track and decided to scrap the session, I couldn’t see the point in hurting myself only to run a poor session, I’d rather try again tomorrow after loosening off.
The meeting with the Vicar went well, we discussed the wedding and order of service, everything is looking good. We also met the organist and had a chat about which hymns we want and music we want playing. At one point the organist said “so you want the whole shebang?” I said “I didn’t think that you’d know Ricky Martin, or if the Vicar would approve”. I think it was lost on him but Clare got it and had a fit of giggles.
I am planning on running the Great North Run this year, previously I’ve run it off 10k training. I’ve run well in the past, but I know if I give it a good crack then I can run a much faster time. I’ve also entered the Leeds Abbey Dash, I missed it through injury last year so I really want to do it this year. These are my next two ‘A’ races, anything else will be part of my preparations.
I went for an easy 10 mile run on Sunday, I still had Blaydon race in my legs so I took it easy. I have a nice 10 mile loop from home, it’s up and down like a roller coaster on scenic country roads and you hardly ever see a car.
Monday, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) kicked in, my legs were stiff and although there was no sign of any aches and pains on Saturday I still felt pain in my Glutes, hip and Illiospoas. I ran to and from work, but took it easy.
I normally train at the club on a Tuesday evening, but this Tuesday evening myself and Clare had an appointment with the Vicar about our wedding in the evening so I planned to do my session in the morning.
I got to Maiden Castle and set off on my warm up, it was a real struggle, I hobbled around the fields, by the time I got back to the track and decided to scrap the session, I couldn’t see the point in hurting myself only to run a poor session, I’d rather try again tomorrow after loosening off.
The meeting with the Vicar went well, we discussed the wedding and order of service, everything is looking good. We also met the organist and had a chat about which hymns we want and music we want playing. At one point the organist said “so you want the whole shebang?” I said “I didn’t think that you’d know Ricky Martin, or if the Vicar would approve”. I think it was lost on him but Clare got it and had a fit of giggles.
On Wednesday we went to Churchill playing fields (North Shields poly’s club house) so Clare could start her Beetroot juice testing. Clare had a good turn out of testers and so far no one has been put off by the taste of the Beetroot juice. While there I went for a run with Vaughan and Rob Foster, it was an easy three mile and a good warm up I then did my session. I ran ok, I ran fast but relaxed and without straining I felt ok.
Thursday morning I ran into work, stiff and sore at first but I soon loosened off, I picked the pace up the further I went, I wound it up to a tempo pace I felt good.
I did a session down Maiden Castle on Friday, I love training down there because it has so much to offer. I trained on the cricket field, the field is just over 600 meters around, it’s perfectly flat and well looked after, it’s like running on a soft carpet. I did a few single lap efforts with a minute recovery. As I’ve been struggling with motivation I decided to do this session because I knew it would be a confidence booster.
Thursday morning I ran into work, stiff and sore at first but I soon loosened off, I picked the pace up the further I went, I wound it up to a tempo pace I felt good.
I did a session down Maiden Castle on Friday, I love training down there because it has so much to offer. I trained on the cricket field, the field is just over 600 meters around, it’s perfectly flat and well looked after, it’s like running on a soft carpet. I did a few single lap efforts with a minute recovery. As I’ve been struggling with motivation I decided to do this session because I knew it would be a confidence booster.
Before I started I put out some cones. I have certain points on the loop that I use as reference for placing the cones, this way I can compare times from session to session and it also means I can’t cut the corners.
The session went well, I was lapping as fast as I’ve ever done before, I had no niggles and I felt strong. Job done, I was buzzing again.
As well as the cricket field, there is also the rugby pitches on the other side of the river, if I do full laps of those fields I go round under six minutes, again I have memorized key land marks so I know where to turn. There is also hills, steps, river banks, woodland trails, bridal paths and an athletics track to train on at Maiden Castle. Lots of athletes travel miles to find facilities like this to train on, I have it on my doorstep and never take it for granted.
Saturday was an easy day and on Sunday I ran into work via Sherburn Hill so I could watch the Olympic torch go past. Over the last few weeks the torch has been getting carried around the country, I’ve not had much interest in it, but over the last few days as it’s past through our area I’ve suddenly become very consumed. It’s been fantastic watching it go through areas that I know well and being carried by many deserving friends. The torch has past through towns and villages that I’ve trained on, it went close to my parents house, about two mile from my house and on Saturday actually went right past my works window. I think what I like most of all is that the public have really been swept away with torch relay. It was great to see so many people out cheering the torchbearers on.
The session went well, I was lapping as fast as I’ve ever done before, I had no niggles and I felt strong. Job done, I was buzzing again.
As well as the cricket field, there is also the rugby pitches on the other side of the river, if I do full laps of those fields I go round under six minutes, again I have memorized key land marks so I know where to turn. There is also hills, steps, river banks, woodland trails, bridal paths and an athletics track to train on at Maiden Castle. Lots of athletes travel miles to find facilities like this to train on, I have it on my doorstep and never take it for granted.
Saturday was an easy day and on Sunday I ran into work via Sherburn Hill so I could watch the Olympic torch go past. Over the last few weeks the torch has been getting carried around the country, I’ve not had much interest in it, but over the last few days as it’s past through our area I’ve suddenly become very consumed. It’s been fantastic watching it go through areas that I know well and being carried by many deserving friends. The torch has past through towns and villages that I’ve trained on, it went close to my parents house, about two mile from my house and on Saturday actually went right past my works window. I think what I like most of all is that the public have really been swept away with torch relay. It was great to see so many people out cheering the torchbearers on.