Training Log Archive: AC

Trying to keep some consistency in doing a weekly "long" run in the hope that this will give me a base to improve my overall condition, which has been sadly found out in a series of races in recent months. Was still in Leeds so took the opportunity to do some exploration of one of the big local parks - Middleton Park. A boring 1.5 km through an industrial estate to begin with, but then into a lovely forest with masses of bluebells everywhere one looked. Quite hilly running and lots of stops to take photos and to read a series of very good signs explaining the history of the park. It used to be a coal mining area, feeding the factories in the early Industrial Revolution, so had some interesting landscape formations in the forest. I discovered (after the run) that there is an O map of the park, which looks pretty interesting. This was definitely a tourist run and took it fairly easy and made it a random course checking out various sites. Back through the industrial estate and started to feel a bit sore, with the left knee starting to give a bit of grief. Overall, a lovely run.

Easy warm up with Freya.

Over in Leeds for the weekend to visit friends and had a choice of five local Parkruns. Turns out the Cross Flatts Parkrun starts just 200m from our friend's house, which overlooks the park. Easiest commute to a race ever! Around 150 people in the race. Tough course with a small loop followed by 2 full loops with quite a hill on the last half of each full lap. Started off fine and ran fairly conservatively. The km long hill was as tough as predicted but kept running. Felt better than on last week's run in Oz. Finished well enough then jogged back to see how Lisa and Freya were doing - they both did fine with Lisa beating Freya by around a minute. First race as a family!

Legs feeling pretty wrecked but headed out for a nice and easy spin before we head to the UK for the long weekend (public holiday today). Tough going but nice morning to be out and about.

Legs felt dead and thighs particularity felt like blocks of concrete after the weekend run, the flight and last night's ride. However, still had a go at some intervals. Settled in for 3-2-1-2-3-2-1 min intervals with 1 min recovery. Weather was also pretty warm at 26 degrees. Pace not great, but relatively consistent, with last couple of intervals being a real struggle (4.19, 25, 23, 21, 22, 25, 25). Very slow jog back to the office.

Back in Paris after a comfortable and uneventful flight back from Oz. Scored an exit row from Singapore to Paris, which meant that I could stretch out and sleep quite well. Got back home at 8am and managed to stay awake until the early afternoon when I just had to crash out for a few hours. It was a glorious evening so headed out for a spin around Longchamp with the aim of tiring myself out for the night. Jumped into a small peleton and hung on for a few laps. Then jumped into a faster group and lasted just a lap. Really out of shape for fast cycling! Good evening to be out.

Last morning in Maroochydore and squeezed in one last run at the crack of dawn. Did one of my favourite runs from the Surf Club to Mooloolaba. The weather was a bit crappy - cloudy and a bit of drizzle - so didn't get the full sunrise experience. But still nice to be out. Followed up with a dip in the surf. Sigh ....