Training Log Archive: AnvilIn the 30 days ending Nov 30, 2008:
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Saturday Nov 29, 2008 #
Running 47:00 [3] 9.8 km (4:48 / km) +30m 4:43 / km
ahr:147 max:166 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Cold morning, cold, cold morning. Took about 15mins to wake and warm up and could feel the bacon and eggs in my belly. Once I toughened up it was a pretty nice run - up and down the Taff, the usual autumn colours and steam coming off everything.
It's been a week of temporary niggles. Monday my left achilles was sore, Tuesday the ball of my right foot was a little sore and today my right knee felt a little tender. None of these things seem to last, but I hope are not indicative of anything else?
It's been a week of temporary niggles. Monday my left achilles was sore, Tuesday the ball of my right foot was a little sore and today my right knee felt a little tender. None of these things seem to last, but I hope are not indicative of anything else?
Note
Wales v Australia rugby match at Milllennium stadium (hence the early run). Disappointing to lose, but all the Welsh were so happy to beat Australia it was a better atmosphere than if they lost.
And it's always fun just to wind them up by saying Wales is just an extension of England ('C'mon, it's all the same' gets a great respose), or even better, tell them you don't understand them - could they please speak English!
And it's always fun just to wind them up by saying Wales is just an extension of England ('C'mon, it's all the same' gets a great respose), or even better, tell them you don't understand them - could they please speak English!
Thursday Nov 27, 2008 #
Street Orienteering race (West End Street O) 1:01:47 [5] 14.2 km (4:21 / km)
ahr:169 max:184 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Made the journey from Cardiff for this one, because I enjoyed it so much last year, and thought it would be interesting to compare the results.
As usual, picked a terrible route - most likely had the lowest points/km ratio out of the entire course. Headed to the NE corner where I didn't go last year which was meant to be quite low on the pedestrian front, which it was, but for some reason I didn't notice a plum 40 and 30 pointer right near the start. Next was all good, into the theatre/restaurant/shopping district which was surprisingly less crowded than last year. It was after here where I made a fatal mistake, went out and got 43 and 28 which took me a long way out of my way and I could have done right at the end anyway, as I went right past 28 on my way to my last control.
All OK after that, except for not realising I'd already been to 28 and getting back almost 2 minutes late. The better route would have easily got me back in time and possibly been able to pick up the final 40 pointer which would have given me a convincing win. Oh well, next time. Except there won't be! Boo.
As usual, picked a terrible route - most likely had the lowest points/km ratio out of the entire course. Headed to the NE corner where I didn't go last year which was meant to be quite low on the pedestrian front, which it was, but for some reason I didn't notice a plum 40 and 30 pointer right near the start. Next was all good, into the theatre/restaurant/shopping district which was surprisingly less crowded than last year. It was after here where I made a fatal mistake, went out and got 43 and 28 which took me a long way out of my way and I could have done right at the end anyway, as I went right past 28 on my way to my last control.
All OK after that, except for not realising I'd already been to 28 and getting back almost 2 minutes late. The better route would have easily got me back in time and possibly been able to pick up the final 40 pointer which would have given me a convincing win. Oh well, next time. Except there won't be! Boo.
C • NZ 2
Wednesday Nov 26, 2008 #
Running race (1 mile time trial) 5:21 [5] 1.63 km (3:17 / km)
ahr:178 max:187 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Some new bloke has turned up at the San Doms track sessions to give a but more structure to the sessions. Good thing too, he seems to know what he's on about - shame it's happening so close to me leaving....
So this was the first monthly time trial to measure improvement. Felt really good, paced it almost perfectly - exactly the time I planned on doing. Lap splits were 81, 81, 81, 78 - felt like I could have easily kept going like that.
Would like to have a go with someone about my level to really push it - was 30s clear of the next guy.
So this was the first monthly time trial to measure improvement. Felt really good, paced it almost perfectly - exactly the time I planned on doing. Lap splits were 81, 81, 81, 78 - felt like I could have easily kept going like that.
Would like to have a go with someone about my level to really push it - was 30s clear of the next guy.
Running 44:39 [3] 7.9 km (5:39 / km)
ahr:146 max:179 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Rest of the session. 10 min warm ups, 8 mins short sprints, 1 easy lap, time trial, 20 min fartlek, 5 mins cool down (cut it short cause I was riding home). Good stuff, fatigued but not exhausted at the end. Looking forward to next week.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2008 #
Running 44:00 [2] 9.0 km (4:53 / km)
ahr:136 max:162 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Easy streety run. Same start as last night, crossed the Taff at Supertescos and back along the Taff trail. Felt a bit of a blob before the end so pushed it a bit in the last 5 mins. Saw a lady of the night negotiating with a punter a block from my place on the way back - would have thought one of the many families in the area would have complained. I think it adds to the ambiance of the area.
Monday Nov 24, 2008 #
Running 1:12:00 [3] 15.6 km (4:37 / km) +150m 4:24 / km
ahr:150 max:173 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Take that, lazy weekend.
Was meant to do this run tomorrow, but would have ended up with 4 long/hard sessions in a row so swapped it round a bit to make up for doing nothing yesterday.
Headed north towards Whitchurch, crossed the bridge at Llandaff and back into town. Wasn't as long as I expected so did a victory lap of Grangetown to get the time up. Should head that way more often, it's nicely undulating which keeps it interesting and a bit more affluent and safer. Looks a lot nicer too.
Felt quite good, though had to dig a bit to keep the pace up in the last 15 mins - I guess that's the point.
Spent a lot of the day looking over my old AP logs, so looking forward to a couple of weeks in Tassie to do some of the classics. (The trick to looking at work is to download your whole log as a csv file and look at it in Excel, you can also make funky graphs with all the data and it still looks like work!)
Was meant to do this run tomorrow, but would have ended up with 4 long/hard sessions in a row so swapped it round a bit to make up for doing nothing yesterday.
Headed north towards Whitchurch, crossed the bridge at Llandaff and back into town. Wasn't as long as I expected so did a victory lap of Grangetown to get the time up. Should head that way more often, it's nicely undulating which keeps it interesting and a bit more affluent and safer. Looks a lot nicer too.
Felt quite good, though had to dig a bit to keep the pace up in the last 15 mins - I guess that's the point.
Spent a lot of the day looking over my old AP logs, so looking forward to a couple of weeks in Tassie to do some of the classics. (The trick to looking at work is to download your whole log as a csv file and look at it in Excel, you can also make funky graphs with all the data and it still looks like work!)
Sunday Nov 23, 2008 #
Note
slept:10.0 (rest day)
Accidental rest day. Had planned on going for a long run through Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common for old times sake, but woke up to discover it was cold and pissing with rain.
And the achilles was sore after twisting my ankle yesterday on the kerb.
And it was 11 and we were leaving for lunch at 11:30.
And the achilles was sore after twisting my ankle yesterday on the kerb.
And it was 11 and we were leaving for lunch at 11:30.
Saturday Nov 22, 2008 #
Running 35:00 [3] 7.1 km (4:56 / km)
ahr:142 max:154 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Late night and something resembling a hangover made this a bit harder than it should have been.
Did what any good self respecting Australian in South London does and did a loop of Clapham Common. Bit of a boring Common, so glad I lived in Putney, much better options for running. Was nice to see all the soccer, touch footy and AFL games being played - was just like a Saturday morning back home.
Did what any good self respecting Australian in South London does and did a loop of Clapham Common. Bit of a boring Common, so glad I lived in Putney, much better options for running. Was nice to see all the soccer, touch footy and AFL games being played - was just like a Saturday morning back home.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 #
Note
(rest day)
Heading down to London after work for the weekend - last one in the big city in the foreseeable future :(
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 #
Running 36:00 [3] 8.2 km (4:23 / km)
ahr:149 max:162 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
After yesterdays epiphany I got to thinking about the songs that have matched my pace whilst running. I put the ones I could remember onto Poddy tonight to see how the older ones fared with my current fitness level/
The mix tape as follows:
Right Here, Right Now - Fatboy Slim: 4:26 m/km
Music is the Victim - Scissor Sisters: 4:22 m/km
Too gay to public admit to: 4:30 m/km (it was the only English language song that was played on high rotation on every radio station when I was in Egypt and Morocco last year and it's got some kind of sick Stockholm Sydrome hold over me)
Don't stop me now - Queen: 4:03 m/km (last nights special)
You could be mine - Guns N Roses: 4:24 m/km (discovered 2004)
RIght type of mood - Herbie: 4:45 m/km (2002)
Just after I started remembered doing fiddlers to Khe Sahn and it got me into a good rhythm, will have to put that on for the next one.
Good run, felt great - nice to do a short one for once.
The mix tape as follows:
Right Here, Right Now - Fatboy Slim: 4:26 m/km
Music is the Victim - Scissor Sisters: 4:22 m/km
Too gay to public admit to: 4:30 m/km (it was the only English language song that was played on high rotation on every radio station when I was in Egypt and Morocco last year and it's got some kind of sick Stockholm Sydrome hold over me)
Don't stop me now - Queen: 4:03 m/km (last nights special)
You could be mine - Guns N Roses: 4:24 m/km (discovered 2004)
RIght type of mood - Herbie: 4:45 m/km (2002)
Just after I started remembered doing fiddlers to Khe Sahn and it got me into a good rhythm, will have to put that on for the next one.
Good run, felt great - nice to do a short one for once.
Wednesday Nov 19, 2008 #
Running 51:00 [3] 11.2 km (4:33 / km) +50m 4:27 / km
ahr:153 max:180 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car passing by like lady godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me
I'm burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm traveling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you
New song to add to the 'get you out of a rut' list. Great beat and lyrics, I like how the gender switches through the song - keep 'em guessing Freddie!
Like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car passing by like lady godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me
I'm burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm traveling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you
New song to add to the 'get you out of a rut' list. Great beat and lyrics, I like how the gender switches through the song - keep 'em guessing Freddie!
Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 #
Running 57:00 [2] 11.5 km (4:57 / km) +50m 4:51 / km
ahr:139 max:170 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Easy run round the bay. Couldn't have done much faster if I'd tried though. Why is it the first half always seems to take so much longer than the second half?
Not Training 22:00 [1]
I've been paying out my flat mates for using this as their daily exercise regime and decided to put my money where my mouth is and have a go tonight.
Conclusion:
Balance Games: Gay. Shift your weight from left to right for a minute.
Fat burning: Fun, but ridiculous and pointless - hurt my back doing the hula hoop.
Yoga: Boring, but OK.
Muscle: Good, very good in fact - sore in all the right places. May have finally found something to keep me interested doing core work.
Far too cutesy and gay though. Made my character (my Mii) look like a serial killer.
Conclusion:
Balance Games: Gay. Shift your weight from left to right for a minute.
Fat burning: Fun, but ridiculous and pointless - hurt my back doing the hula hoop.
Yoga: Boring, but OK.
Muscle: Good, very good in fact - sore in all the right places. May have finally found something to keep me interested doing core work.
Far too cutesy and gay though. Made my character (my Mii) look like a serial killer.
Monday Nov 17, 2008 #
Note
slept:4.0 weight:78.9kg (rest day)
Getting home at 3am kinda put the kibosh on doing anything except pretending to be awake.
Sunday Nov 16, 2008 #
Street Orienteering race (Venice Street Race) 1:13:03 [5] 10.6 km (6:53 / km)
ahr:166 max:182 rhr:38 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Total Distance: 15.6km!, bridges crossed: 61.
I really don't know what to say, 4 hours later I still feel kinda dizzy and mentally exhausted. The first 6 controls were relatively basic long route choice legs that involved a lot of running and picking the right bridge. I was regretting going so hard yesterday as I was already feeling tired on the way to 4 and was passed by the guy who started a minute behind me.
The fun really started at 8 and I'm now staring at the map wondering where I went on some of the legs! Only real mistake of note was at 15, where I spent too long deciding which was to go, then picked a route that involved a bridge that didn't exist and went quite a long way round to get into the control. Started to feel very tired and began losing focus at 20 - lost contact for the first time of the race going into 22 and was just lucky there were a lot of people in the circle which led me to the control.
Coming out of 24 came into an area I spent a lot of time exploring the day before and was finally able to stretch out and fang it into the finish.
Very sore now, there's muscles in my legs aching that I've never felt before, must have been due to so many fast 90 degree turns.
Not sure of my placing, but I don't think it'll be that good - everyone I spoke to did better times that me. It seems like the better option on the medium length legs was to go out wide where possible with fewer twists and turns and easier navigation. I never did this, opting to try and minimise distance covered - I don't know if I'd do it differently though, half the fun is winding through those little corridors!
Only real disappointment was there was no epic route choice leg, the required you to run in the opposite direction to your control or miles out of the way to the necessary bridge. Lots of micro route choice did make up for it though.
Recommendation: If possible, do it. It's one of the 'Big 3' for the orienteer tourist. Guess the other 2.
I really don't know what to say, 4 hours later I still feel kinda dizzy and mentally exhausted. The first 6 controls were relatively basic long route choice legs that involved a lot of running and picking the right bridge. I was regretting going so hard yesterday as I was already feeling tired on the way to 4 and was passed by the guy who started a minute behind me.
The fun really started at 8 and I'm now staring at the map wondering where I went on some of the legs! Only real mistake of note was at 15, where I spent too long deciding which was to go, then picked a route that involved a bridge that didn't exist and went quite a long way round to get into the control. Started to feel very tired and began losing focus at 20 - lost contact for the first time of the race going into 22 and was just lucky there were a lot of people in the circle which led me to the control.
Coming out of 24 came into an area I spent a lot of time exploring the day before and was finally able to stretch out and fang it into the finish.
Very sore now, there's muscles in my legs aching that I've never felt before, must have been due to so many fast 90 degree turns.
Not sure of my placing, but I don't think it'll be that good - everyone I spoke to did better times that me. It seems like the better option on the medium length legs was to go out wide where possible with fewer twists and turns and easier navigation. I never did this, opting to try and minimise distance covered - I don't know if I'd do it differently though, half the fun is winding through those little corridors!
Only real disappointment was there was no epic route choice leg, the required you to run in the opposite direction to your control or miles out of the way to the necessary bridge. Lots of micro route choice did make up for it though.
Recommendation: If possible, do it. It's one of the 'Big 3' for the orienteer tourist. Guess the other 2.
Saturday Nov 15, 2008 #
Event: Venice Street O
Street Orienteering race 24:13 [4] 4.5 km (5:23 / km)
ahr:172 max:180 slept:9.0 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Venice Park-O, warm up race. 5.98km total, "60m climb".
Good fun; pretty easy - they hold this race right on the eastern tip of the city which is less complex and has a lot of parks.
Almost flawless race, just a slight hesitation half way to #8 where the map didn't quite match what I expected, but a man started shouting at me encouragingly in italian so kept going and was OK.
Some very cool narrow alleyways, especially the one towards the finish. Have noticed they only map the width of the alleys down to a certain distance (for visibility on the map), some of the very narrow ones look the same on the map as ones you could drive a small car down - will watch for that tomorrow. Can't wait though - should be a blast!
Good fun; pretty easy - they hold this race right on the eastern tip of the city which is less complex and has a lot of parks.
Almost flawless race, just a slight hesitation half way to #8 where the map didn't quite match what I expected, but a man started shouting at me encouragingly in italian so kept going and was OK.
Some very cool narrow alleyways, especially the one towards the finish. Have noticed they only map the width of the alleys down to a certain distance (for visibility on the map), some of the very narrow ones look the same on the map as ones you could drive a small car down - will watch for that tomorrow. Can't wait though - should be a blast!
Running warm up/down 15:00 [1]
shoes: Saucony Triumphs
5 min warm up, 10 mins warm down plus lots of photos taken.
Stretching = 0, will hurt tomorrow!
Stretching = 0, will hurt tomorrow!
Friday Nov 14, 2008 #
Note
(rest day)
One of those long days of travel when you're not close to a decent airport.
Thursday Nov 13, 2008 #
Running tempo 55:00 [4] 12.3 km (4:28 / km) +100m 4:18 / km
ahr:154 max:183 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Whew. 2 x 3 miles at a 'brisk' pace with 400m recovery in between. Not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I've been following a generic half marathon training plan off the runners world website. You can also upload it to the Garmin so you can just run and it tells you what to do each day - except the GPS always makes you run faster than the plan says.
Was meant to so each 3M in 21 mins, did 19:50 and 19:40 and was being told to speed up the whole time!
Was meant to so each 3M in 21 mins, did 19:50 and 19:40 and was being told to speed up the whole time!
Wednesday Nov 12, 2008 #
Running 1:32:00 [3] 18.6 km (4:57 / km) +150m 4:45 / km
ahr:139 max:164 slept:6.0 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
I knew this would be a struggle. 2nd night in a row with disrupted sleep and somethings not sitting right in the guts at the moment but headed out anyway cause thats what the Garmin was telling me to do.
No surprise I felt crap for the first 30 mins, toliet stop at the barrage made it a little better. Finally came good in the last 30 mins around Bute Park, though still happy to see the front door at the end.
After browsing nopesport today I discovered I've been all through the part of Trondheim that's going to be used for the sprint race in WOC 2010. I don't remember it looking that complex, just streets, but a nasty hill up into the forty castle thing where this photo is taken from.
http://www.statravelblogs.com/photos/whereispatric...
No surprise I felt crap for the first 30 mins, toliet stop at the barrage made it a little better. Finally came good in the last 30 mins around Bute Park, though still happy to see the front door at the end.
After browsing nopesport today I discovered I've been all through the part of Trondheim that's going to be used for the sprint race in WOC 2010. I don't remember it looking that complex, just streets, but a nasty hill up into the forty castle thing where this photo is taken from.
http://www.statravelblogs.com/photos/whereispatric...
Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 #
Street Orienteering race (Radyr Street O) 58:00 [4] 12.0 km (4:50 / km) +140m 4:34 / km
ahr:160 max:178 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Been a while since done a night race and was a little rusty. Had no head torch, which was never a problem in London, but I needed it here. Quite a few unlit sections where I had to go pretty slow and sometimes had to stop to get a proper look at the map.
Still, once I got used to it I started to flow a lot better. If I'd planned a little better and could have run a but faster I reckon I could have got them all, probabky would have gone over 60 though.
It was funny, Radyr is a relatively recent development and it felt like I was just running round the burbs back home.
Still, once I got used to it I started to flow a lot better. If I'd planned a little better and could have run a but faster I reckon I could have got them all, probabky would have gone over 60 though.
It was funny, Radyr is a relatively recent development and it felt like I was just running round the burbs back home.
Monday Nov 10, 2008 #
Running 52:00 [3] 11.3 km (4:36 / km) +50m 4:30 / km
ahr:148 max:188 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Loop of the bay, felt really good - not sure why, must have been cause I was counting how often I took a breath for every step I took, to increase my lung capacity....
Yesterdays race: http://ngoc.routegadget.co.uk/ngoc/reitti.cgi?act=...
Yesterdays race: http://ngoc.routegadget.co.uk/ngoc/reitti.cgi?act=...
Sunday Nov 9, 2008 #
Orienteering race (Swallowvallets) 1:23:16 [4] *** 11.3 km (7:22 / km) +520m 5:59 / km
ahr:168 max:202 spiked:19/21c weight:79.6kg shoes: Inov8 Roclites
Regional Event at Swallowvallets, Forest of Dean.
13.3km total, 780m climb (according to SportsTracks)
Really enjoyed it today, forest was so fast and beautiful to run through - probably some of the fastest I've ever experienced. Either pine trees or big old trees far apart with almost no undergrowth except near major tracks and roads. Pretty easy as well - no real contour complexities or fine detail, lots of big hills and gullies though, definately more of a physical challenge.
Was a little hesitant early, had a few spills on the muddy ground and forgot my compass and was subsequently picked up by someone at #6 and we basically ran the rest together, only splitting up on a couple of route choice legs, still met up in the control though. Held up well, felt strong at the finish which was good - I'm pretty happy with my fitness now, I just need to get my brain up to the level where I can navigate at the speed I can run.
Came 3rd/14, which isn't too bad, 4 mins down on the winner - definately the best regional event result I've had so far.
13.3km total, 780m climb (according to SportsTracks)
Really enjoyed it today, forest was so fast and beautiful to run through - probably some of the fastest I've ever experienced. Either pine trees or big old trees far apart with almost no undergrowth except near major tracks and roads. Pretty easy as well - no real contour complexities or fine detail, lots of big hills and gullies though, definately more of a physical challenge.
Was a little hesitant early, had a few spills on the muddy ground and forgot my compass and was subsequently picked up by someone at #6 and we basically ran the rest together, only splitting up on a couple of route choice legs, still met up in the control though. Held up well, felt strong at the finish which was good - I'm pretty happy with my fitness now, I just need to get my brain up to the level where I can navigate at the speed I can run.
Came 3rd/14, which isn't too bad, 4 mins down on the winner - definately the best regional event result I've had so far.
Running warm up/down 10:00 [2]
shoes: Inov8 Roclites
From car -> registration -> start. Finish -> registration -> car. Only cause it was cold and raining.
Thursday Nov 6, 2008 #
Running 44:00 [3] 9.2 km (4:47 / km) +40m 4:41 / km
ahr:142 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Lunch run! Hoping for sun, but fog and misty rain instead - street lights were on! Went up to Bute Park and plodded about in all the fallen leaves and trundled back to work along the Taff Trail. Forgot how nice the post run warm wave of endorphins feels when sitting at your desk, it's never the same of an evening.
Note
http://www.brackla-harriers.org/pudding08.htm
Just sent in my entry for this, my last race in the UK for now - looks like a good 'un, who can't love a race that starts with a sand dune and ends with pudding.
Just sent in my entry for this, my last race in the UK for now - looks like a good 'un, who can't love a race that starts with a sand dune and ends with pudding.
Wednesday Nov 5, 2008 #
Running intervals 40:00 [4] 7.5 km (5:20 / km)
ahr:151 max:185 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
6x800s. Thought I felt good tonight but the times say otherwise - I was up late watching the US election on CNN online so I'll blame it on Obama.
2:46, 2:46, 2:48, 2:48, 2:51 (pushed the button a bit late), 2:45.
Been looking at jobs back home, big demand in Brizzy for water engineers so looking likely I'll end up there. I was leaning more towards Sydney or Melbourne, but since I haven't had a real summer since the one of 06/07 I think I'll be able to handle it.
2:46, 2:46, 2:48, 2:48, 2:51 (pushed the button a bit late), 2:45.
Been looking at jobs back home, big demand in Brizzy for water engineers so looking likely I'll end up there. I was leaning more towards Sydney or Melbourne, but since I haven't had a real summer since the one of 06/07 I think I'll be able to handle it.
Tuesday Nov 4, 2008 #
Running 41:00 [3] 8.1 km (5:04 / km) +100m 4:46 / km
ahr:138 max:161
Up the Taff trail, over Blackweir and back home through Cathays and the City Centre.
Stream of consciousness included: red states/blue states and the moronicness of Palin; the brillaince of Tina Fey and 30 Rock in general; how Arrested Development was cancelled before it's time; how good it's going to be back on the dollar after earning pounds; why so many children in Cardiff have such sulky faces; what the sun feels like without the ozone layer; hoping Cuba soesn't change much before I visit etc etc.
I want my music back.
Stream of consciousness included: red states/blue states and the moronicness of Palin; the brillaince of Tina Fey and 30 Rock in general; how Arrested Development was cancelled before it's time; how good it's going to be back on the dollar after earning pounds; why so many children in Cardiff have such sulky faces; what the sun feels like without the ozone layer; hoping Cuba soesn't change much before I visit etc etc.
I want my music back.
Monday Nov 3, 2008 #
Running 57:00 [2] 11.5 km (4:57 / km) +50m 4:51 / km
ahr:140 max:171 shoes: Brooks Glycerin
Easy cruise round the bay. RIP Ipod run, goning to be tune free all week. I don't like it, forces me to think about stuff.
Very bright tonight which was weird, cause there was a heavy cloud - I think all of Cardiff turned their lights on tonight.
Very bright tonight which was weird, cause there was a heavy cloud - I think all of Cardiff turned their lights on tonight.
Sunday Nov 2, 2008 #
Event: SOC November Classic
Orienteering race (November Classic) 1:36:03 [4] *** 12.8 km (7:30 / km) +185m 7:00 / km
ahr:160 max:174 spiked:8/18c shoes: Inov8 Roclites
Burley West, New Forest. 15.5km total.
Absolute pigs ear of it. Had heard the area is pretty fast, vague and featureless. Needed to make good use of the compass - I've got a pretty cheap one cause I never really use it and have decided I need to upgrade after today, ran into a tree in 2 seperate occasions waiting for it to settle.
Also struggled with the scale, first time on 15000 since I can remember and I never got used to it.
I didn't really enjoy it much, got stuck in a thick and deep marsh at one point that was mapped exactly the same way as one that was like running on an oval.
There were some nice sections though, most of the white was really nice to run through, lots of orange leaves on the ground, big pine trees and no undergrowth - it's a shame we didn't spend more time in it.
Apart from the getting stuck in a marsh, lots of small mistakes - imagine I could have easily done under 80. Felt good physically though, it's good that courses of this length don't phase me any more.
Absolute pigs ear of it. Had heard the area is pretty fast, vague and featureless. Needed to make good use of the compass - I've got a pretty cheap one cause I never really use it and have decided I need to upgrade after today, ran into a tree in 2 seperate occasions waiting for it to settle.
Also struggled with the scale, first time on 15000 since I can remember and I never got used to it.
I didn't really enjoy it much, got stuck in a thick and deep marsh at one point that was mapped exactly the same way as one that was like running on an oval.
There were some nice sections though, most of the white was really nice to run through, lots of orange leaves on the ground, big pine trees and no undergrowth - it's a shame we didn't spend more time in it.
Apart from the getting stuck in a marsh, lots of small mistakes - imagine I could have easily done under 80. Felt good physically though, it's good that courses of this length don't phase me any more.
Saturday Nov 1, 2008 #
Running race (Cardiff 5k time trial) 18:49 [5] 5.0 km (3:46 / km) +10m 3:44 / km
ahr:171 max:182 weight:80.3kg shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Thought I should do at least one of these while I'm here. Problem with these races is, though they're free they start at 9am, which is just too early for me on a weekend - no matter what I do, I just can't get up to full throttle.
Anyway, it was a nice morning and it's a nicer loop that the Wimbledon Common one. As usual, I get stuck with some wheezy bloke who just has to run right behind me.
Splits: 3:38, 3:47, 3:47, 3:52, 3:45.
Anyway, it was a nice morning and it's a nicer loop that the Wimbledon Common one. As usual, I get stuck with some wheezy bloke who just has to run right behind me.
Splits: 3:38, 3:47, 3:47, 3:52, 3:45.
Running 40:00 [2] 6.6 km (6:04 / km) +170m 5:22 / km
ahr:149 shoes: Mizuno Trail Bargain
As I had a car for the weekend (again), did the tourist thing and headed down to Dartmoor National Park. As it worked so well for the Brecon run, I found a good loop to do from a website. Looking at the ordinance map, I couldn't see all the tracks I was meant to follow, but thought they just must be new or unmapped ones - the internet is never wrong, right?
So, after climbing the first Tor (Dartmoor speak for hill) I decended into a trackless, shrubby, boggy, pickly, rocky hillside.
Got pissed off so cut the loop short and headed for the next Tor where I knew there was a track from looking at Google Earth.
Enjoyed the rest of it - the rocky hilltops were pretty cool, kind of reminded me of Hanging Rock, Miranda wasn't anywhere nearby though.
So, after climbing the first Tor (Dartmoor speak for hill) I decended into a trackless, shrubby, boggy, pickly, rocky hillside.
Got pissed off so cut the loop short and headed for the next Tor where I knew there was a track from looking at Google Earth.
Enjoyed the rest of it - the rocky hilltops were pretty cool, kind of reminded me of Hanging Rock, Miranda wasn't anywhere nearby though.