The running has been going well; I have made my times this week so I am pleased with that.
I did a 12 mile run on Sunday and even though the heat was very uncomfortable I managed to achieve a pace that would put me at week six of my training. I do not wish to move forward to that week at the moment as the Tempo run times are beyond me at the moment.
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Start of the Pennine 100
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011
BLOODy Training!!!!!!!!!!!
My planned 50 mile test run did not go well, and I only managed to reach the 23 mile mark before having to call it a day. I probably could have gone on for a bit longer because, as before, my head was strong and I felt no pain or strain in any part of my body, but my running partner was clearly getting nothing from the run and, more than that, he was expending his energy dragging me forward. The problem again seemed to be a lack of energy getting through to my legs which resulted in a very slow pace (actually excruciatingly slow) from mile 10. I had been very careful with my nutrition before the run and made sure I was hydrated but it didn’t seem to make any difference.
My second blood test came back with similar results to the first – with my bilirubin on the high side and my white blood cells on the low, although both levels showed some improvement.
Following my unsuccessful attempt on the 50 miler and having talked things through with my very understanding (and supportive) doctor, I have decided to go back to basics in terms of my training to see if strengthening the foundations of my fitness can help overcome the problems I seem to be having. I have done a 5km time trial and have used this to calculate my training times for a 16 week marathon plan which I began last week. I have been happy with how the plan has been going so far. I seem to be making the times (albeit not ‘comfortably’) and seem to be recovering well for the next training session. I have managed a 10km in 45 minutes and a 10 mile cross-country run without feeling like I needed to stop.
I am going to review the plan at week 8 and my doctor is going to take some more blood samples, this time to test a host of other things and to check my red blood cells. Hopefully this will give us some answers!
On a positive note, rather than wasting the entrance fee, I have decided to run the last lap of the Brecon Ultra with the team rather than missing out the race altogether. It will allow me to assess how the training is going, whether I am able to run for four hours in one go and I may even be able to help the team through the second half of the race!
One really exciting development is that my Personal Training web site is now up and running so please do have a look at http://cwpersonaltraining.com./ . Let me know if you have any thoughts on its layout or contents. Hope you like it!
Lastly, I did an Instructor’s course on suspension training this week and enjoyed it very much. The Trainer was good and the materials and the practical sessions were well thought out. It’s always good to brush up your technique and to learn how you can do things better. The course was run by Discovery Training http://www.discovery.uk.com
One last thought - always try to run with a smile on your face!
My second blood test came back with similar results to the first – with my bilirubin on the high side and my white blood cells on the low, although both levels showed some improvement.
Following my unsuccessful attempt on the 50 miler and having talked things through with my very understanding (and supportive) doctor, I have decided to go back to basics in terms of my training to see if strengthening the foundations of my fitness can help overcome the problems I seem to be having. I have done a 5km time trial and have used this to calculate my training times for a 16 week marathon plan which I began last week. I have been happy with how the plan has been going so far. I seem to be making the times (albeit not ‘comfortably’) and seem to be recovering well for the next training session. I have managed a 10km in 45 minutes and a 10 mile cross-country run without feeling like I needed to stop.
I am going to review the plan at week 8 and my doctor is going to take some more blood samples, this time to test a host of other things and to check my red blood cells. Hopefully this will give us some answers!
On a positive note, rather than wasting the entrance fee, I have decided to run the last lap of the Brecon Ultra with the team rather than missing out the race altogether. It will allow me to assess how the training is going, whether I am able to run for four hours in one go and I may even be able to help the team through the second half of the race!
One really exciting development is that my Personal Training web site is now up and running so please do have a look at http://cwpersonaltraining.com./ . Let me know if you have any thoughts on its layout or contents. Hope you like it!
Lastly, I did an Instructor’s course on suspension training this week and enjoyed it very much. The Trainer was good and the materials and the practical sessions were well thought out. It’s always good to brush up your technique and to learn how you can do things better. The course was run by Discovery Training http://www.discovery.uk.com
One last thought - always try to run with a smile on your face!
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Back into training proper …
My first full week back on the programme has gone well, although the three hour run at the weekend was hard. As ever, I always recover well but I am finding the time on feet challenging at the moment. It probably doesn’t help that the schedule training times I am using are inherited from last year when I was a bit fitter than I am at the moment, but I am interested to see just how far I am adrift from my previous efforts at following the programme. I realize that that this isn’t quite what the doctor ordered, but you know how us runners are – we get competitive even with (or perhaps especially with) ourselves!
Older and wiser?
The answer to this is yes …. and no!
The results of my blood tests show that my white blood cells are a little low and I have a higher than normal Bilirubin count. While the first suggests I have been unknowingly fighting a virus, the second is a bit more of a mystery to me. However I’m being re-tested in a month and will talk to the doctor when the results are through. On the positive side, I have been given the all clear to start my training schedule for the Brecon Ultra – albeit with the proviso that I take things a little easy to start with and build up slowly over the next month. A mate and I have arranged to do a 50 mile test run along the Ridgeway in September, so I’m hoping that my next set of results will be back to normal and that my below par performances have only been a ‘blip’.
The kettlebell course went well, and I learnt a number of new things which I’m looking forward to incorporating into my training sessions with clients. It’s always good to meet up with other PTs and to discuss what they are doing with their clients and how things are going. Although I love what I do, working mostly on a one-to-one basis with clients means it isn’t very often I get to talk to other professionals ‘in the business’.
The results of my blood tests show that my white blood cells are a little low and I have a higher than normal Bilirubin count. While the first suggests I have been unknowingly fighting a virus, the second is a bit more of a mystery to me. However I’m being re-tested in a month and will talk to the doctor when the results are through. On the positive side, I have been given the all clear to start my training schedule for the Brecon Ultra – albeit with the proviso that I take things a little easy to start with and build up slowly over the next month. A mate and I have arranged to do a 50 mile test run along the Ridgeway in September, so I’m hoping that my next set of results will be back to normal and that my below par performances have only been a ‘blip’.
The kettlebell course went well, and I learnt a number of new things which I’m looking forward to incorporating into my training sessions with clients. It’s always good to meet up with other PTs and to discuss what they are doing with their clients and how things are going. Although I love what I do, working mostly on a one-to-one basis with clients means it isn’t very often I get to talk to other professionals ‘in the business’.
Monday, 1 August 2011
I have week to go before my 48th birthday and as I said previously, I intend getting back into shape for the Brecon Ultra http://www.beaconsultra.com/index.html on the 19th November 2011. Last year the team I was competing with (Witney Roadrunners) were the fastest overall, but because of the one hour handicap given to teams which included ladies, we came second. With a slightly different line-up we are going to try again to go one better this year, but there is a very strong field again.
I have had a few rubbish runs over the last few months when I have felt a significant drop in my energy levels. I'm not sure if this is viral or just age creeping up on me!! I've have had some blood tests done to see if there are any underlying problems and the results will take a week or so.
My personal training business is slowly but surely picking up and time is always very limited leaving little time to just lounge around, but I prefer it that way.
I am off on a kettlebell course this week. Although I already use kettlebells extensively, I am looking forward to updating my skills and making use of the latest thinking both with my clients and in my own personal training.
Happy running
Carl
I have had a few rubbish runs over the last few months when I have felt a significant drop in my energy levels. I'm not sure if this is viral or just age creeping up on me!! I've have had some blood tests done to see if there are any underlying problems and the results will take a week or so.
My personal training business is slowly but surely picking up and time is always very limited leaving little time to just lounge around, but I prefer it that way.
I am off on a kettlebell course this week. Although I already use kettlebells extensively, I am looking forward to updating my skills and making use of the latest thinking both with my clients and in my own personal training.
Happy running
Carl
Friday, 22 July 2011
New beginnings
I can't believe it is a whole year since I've managed to post anything on my blog BUT my radio silence has been for good reason. I've spent the last year completing my personal training qualifications and setting up a business. Although I have been keeping up with my own fitness regime I have had to take a step back from the ultra scene as the four or five hour training runs just haven't been possible.
However, I have now registered for the Brecon Ultra in November and the clock is ticking so it is time to dust off the 50 mile training plan and get going again - not only with the training but also this blog.
Watch this space ....
However, I have now registered for the Brecon Ultra in November and the clock is ticking so it is time to dust off the 50 mile training plan and get going again - not only with the training but also this blog.
Watch this space ....
Sunday, 11 July 2010
A Day on the Fells
A great deal has happened since my last post. I have been working, trying to get as much running in as I can (not a lot!!) and have some sort of home life – hence not being able to keep my blog as up-to-date as I would like. However, I do intend to remedy that and post regular updates from now on.
Alison and I have just come back from a break in Wenslydale. We have stayed at this particular cottage a few times before but keep going back as it has good access to the whole of the Dales. We managed to get in quite a bit of walking and chilling time. While we were there, I even managed a Fell Race! Bingley Harriers (www.bingleyharriers.co.uk) organise three races over a long weekend in Kettlewell and I would thoroughly recommend it. I was only able to get to one race but having spoken to the runners who were there for the whole weekend, I will definitely try to get back next year for all three races. I did the final race of the weekend which was a 3km race to the top of the hill behind the campsite and back again. I am not known as a good climber but I can hold my own on descents so I was interested to see how I would do. I set off at a good tempo pace but could not keep with the ‘racing snakes’, so I just tried to keep the pace at 85% MHR, ie - not too hard. When I reached the top, three people had overtaken me including the first lady (who I knew was a seasoned fell runner), but I was intending to try to target them for the down hill run. They had about a 100m lead on me as I started my descent so I just went for it, hoping for the best and that my feet would keep up! It took a further 400m to catch and pass them all, then it was just head down and push as hard as I could to the finish. Thankfully no one caught me and I came in in a time 16:39 which put me in 9th place out of 32 runners – a result I was very happy with especially as I have not been managing to put the miles in I would like to have been doing.
Its back to work tomorrow and Alison and I are looking forward already to the week we have booked off in September.
Colm and I have now entered the OMM and await confirmation in August as to whether we have a place in A Class. Fingers crossed!
Alison and I have just come back from a break in Wenslydale. We have stayed at this particular cottage a few times before but keep going back as it has good access to the whole of the Dales. We managed to get in quite a bit of walking and chilling time. While we were there, I even managed a Fell Race! Bingley Harriers (www.bingleyharriers.co.uk) organise three races over a long weekend in Kettlewell and I would thoroughly recommend it. I was only able to get to one race but having spoken to the runners who were there for the whole weekend, I will definitely try to get back next year for all three races. I did the final race of the weekend which was a 3km race to the top of the hill behind the campsite and back again. I am not known as a good climber but I can hold my own on descents so I was interested to see how I would do. I set off at a good tempo pace but could not keep with the ‘racing snakes’, so I just tried to keep the pace at 85% MHR, ie - not too hard. When I reached the top, three people had overtaken me including the first lady (who I knew was a seasoned fell runner), but I was intending to try to target them for the down hill run. They had about a 100m lead on me as I started my descent so I just went for it, hoping for the best and that my feet would keep up! It took a further 400m to catch and pass them all, then it was just head down and push as hard as I could to the finish. Thankfully no one caught me and I came in in a time 16:39 which put me in 9th place out of 32 runners – a result I was very happy with especially as I have not been managing to put the miles in I would like to have been doing.
Its back to work tomorrow and Alison and I are looking forward already to the week we have booked off in September.
Colm and I have now entered the OMM and await confirmation in August as to whether we have a place in A Class. Fingers crossed!
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