Training Log Archive: AC

Modica. Fantastic town for street orienteering and so took a town map and made a bit of a course up and down the hills. Modica is in a steeply sided valley with layers of streets and stairs up each side in a real jumble of lanes and alleys. It would make a sweet O-map. The map of course was a bit misleading as some roads were not there or were cut off, but it was great fun to go racing around early on a Sunday morning and really putting in an effort up the stairs and down the streets. Nice way to finish off teh holiday training.

Well-earned rest day after yesterday's effort. Hard to think of doing that distance again straight away in NY Marathon!

Seriously tough long run in the heat and hills. A real HFU run and very pleased with the outcome if not the process. Started out towards Donnalucata and then ran along beach towards Cava D'Agilia for a couple of km. Through Cava and looking for a road off to teh left to go up teh hills towards home but never found it. So continued on for 4km along main drag into a roaring headwind to next town of Sampieri. Bought a bottle of water to replenish the bidon (using waist belt) and turned inland. Long climbs in open sun were very tough and kept looking for non-existent roads to take, so just kept going. Had to take the shortcut down the train line again but kept plugging away and so managed to get home in reasonable shape. And then plunged into the pool!

Big drive up to Syracusa - very nice town. Long day and didn't get back till late.

Decided to do an interval run in the middle of the day for some bizarre reason. Figured I could run out for 17 mins up the hill towards and pat the railway line i ran down the other day, and then do 3min/1min on way back using the downhill o maintain momentum. Went fine for first two intervals (@4.02/km and 4.02) and then slowed up ion next one with slight uphill (@4.13), then really slowed up on last one due to fatigue (@4.25). Great to dive into the pool again - I reckon this really aids recovery. Might try and restart swimming back in Paris.

Down to beach again and then backalong some back roads. Many of the raods on the map are somewhat fictitious and so had to take a short cut along a railway line (keeping a keen eye and ear out for trains, but figuring the rail traffic in this part of Sicily is pretty sparse) to avoid adding a considerable length onto the run. Hot again and quite hilly on way back. But feeling good.

Took it easy today, and went for a drive around the countryside, inc to see some Greek ruins near Palazzolo.