Well Juneathon was a fail. Started to pick up little niggles and then just decided that as I was going on holiday for the last week and a half, I didn't intend to spend that time forcing myself to exercise when there was baguettes and paté to eat and copious amounts of red wine to drink. Therefore, I didn't manage much but with an 85.98km London to Brighton Cycle, my fastest ever run at Crisis, the offer of a new job and a week and a half camping in France, June was extremely good without the 'athon' part. Some amazing stats and huge numbers this year though so well done to everyone that was involved.
Upon returning from eating a lot of baguettes and paté and drinking copious amounts of red wine, I felt Sunday would be a good idea to get on Yolkey and cycle a stupidly long distance. Actually, I really didn't think this was a good idea but as I had a)already agreed to it and b)knew that if didn't do it, I wouldn't be in a position to complete Dunwich Dynamo in 2 weeks, I didn't have much choice. Therefore myself and eatingtrees completed 147.76km in one gear though the hills of Surrey and West Sussex. I'm not going to lie. I had to dig deep. A lot. I found it tough but to be fair, I'd be a little freaked out if I hadn't. It's a bloody long way for a slightly out of shape father to go on a bike. Just shy of 92 miles!! Now we just have to do it all again in 2 weeks and add another 50km to the distance. Joy. On the plus side, it should have a lot less hills. On the downside, it'll be pitch black, through the middle of the night with no sleep. This was something I wanted to do?!?!?
Showing posts with label london to brighton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london to brighton. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Monday, 23 May 2011
Continued hiatus brings out Yolkey
As I'm currently on a bit of a hiatus from running due to the continued pain in my left knee, it was wonderful to get out on Yolkey on Saturday morning with fellow London 2 Brighton rider, my Mum who was down visiting The Boy, and complete 37.3km.
I say it was wonderful to complete it because after not having one ever before, I got my second puncture in 2 rides! I didn't believe slim filled inner tubes would give me any benefits. I am now looking on the internet for some slime filled inner tubes as I'm sure they would have stopped the second if not the first. ARGHH!!!!
Something I did buy myself this weekend were some cycling shoes though. Mountain bike ones obviously so I can actually walk in them but cycling shoes none the less. See I've had a pair of clipless pedals sitting in the shed for a year or 2 now so finally decided to bite the bullet and get some shoes to use with them. Haven't tried them but I'm going to fit the pedals tonight and then in the next day or two, take it for a little test ride.
BUPA 10k next Monday and then follows Juneathon. Not sure how well I'll do with the knee and will probably have to be more cycling based rather than running based but with Crisis coming up too plus a camping holiday in France, things are looking like fun!
I say it was wonderful to complete it because after not having one ever before, I got my second puncture in 2 rides! I didn't believe slim filled inner tubes would give me any benefits. I am now looking on the internet for some slime filled inner tubes as I'm sure they would have stopped the second if not the first. ARGHH!!!!
Something I did buy myself this weekend were some cycling shoes though. Mountain bike ones obviously so I can actually walk in them but cycling shoes none the less. See I've had a pair of clipless pedals sitting in the shed for a year or 2 now so finally decided to bite the bullet and get some shoes to use with them. Haven't tried them but I'm going to fit the pedals tonight and then in the next day or two, take it for a little test ride.
BUPA 10k next Monday and then follows Juneathon. Not sure how well I'll do with the knee and will probably have to be more cycling based rather than running based but with Crisis coming up too plus a camping holiday in France, things are looking like fun!
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
If Carlsberg did weekends....
What a splended weekend that was. May I request that we only have 4 day weekends going forward please. I'm not anti royal or anything but the chance to get out on Yolkey on some quieter roads on Friday morning was too good an opportunity to miss and I promptly clocked up 25.25 miles around the Surrey hills which is a good start to the training.
This was followed up on Saturday morning by a repeat of Wednesday's 9.11km route but it was a tad slower due to heavy legs and took the best part of a minute longer. Then came Mrs HMC's idea of going camping for the night on Sunday. A chance to test the new tent properly and also get the boy camping for the first ever time before our planned trip to France in June. Everything worked. The boy slept like a log, the tent held up in some average winds and myself and Mrs HMC got to camp properly for the first time in 2 years as last summer, the bump was a bit too big to do it comfortably. Wine, open fire, marshmallows and sleeping under canvas. Bliss!
Strangely, my legs feel heavier today than they have done at any point this weekend so it'll be a quick jaunt out tomorrow, followed by a ride down to Worthing on Saturday to visit the in-laws and clock up more miles. I just need to get this few days of work over with first!
Labels:
camping,
l2b,
london to brighton,
running,
yolkey
Monday, 21 March 2011
A great weekend for a run
My usual Saturday morning weekend run was delayed by 24hrs this week as I had some friends coming over for the weekend and he fancied a run to increase his training as he's signed up for his first ever race. That being Grim's Beast in the East. That meant on Sunday morning, after passing the babies over to the wives for their breakfast we hit the road.
He'd generally been running around 9km as his max distance so I added a couple of km for good luck and plotted a course on roads, paths, bridleways, mud and gravel over uphills, downhills and the odd flat bit. My thoughts being that it would be better training for Grim than just some roads.
He runs at a similar pace to my half marathon pace so it was easy just to hit the usual rhythm and plodded on. He's also talker but he's a very interesting person so it meant we chatted for a lot of it and it never felt tough or a chore. We finished after doing 11.77km in 1:04:58.
This week I had my race number through the post for eatingtrees home town race, the Hertford 10k and also got into the London2Brighton bike ride again. This year, we'll be doing it on the new builds and my Mum will be part of the team too. Such a good event last year that we couldn't resist. Life is good right now!
Labels:
beast in the east,
grim,
hertford 10k,
london to brighton,
running,
running blog
Monday, 21 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 21. Not half as bad as expected
Day 21 was an early wake up once again in order to see what damage yesterday's bike ride to Brighton had done to my legs. Well I'm delighted to report that apart from some tightness in the calves (helped by sleeping in some compression socks last night), it was fine. It wasn't quick and it's never pretty but it's done.
Back to yesterday's enjoyable bike ride to Brighton, here's a quick report.
My lovely LG kindly dropped myself, eatingtrees and lots of bits of bikes in a side street in Balham and after putting everything back together, we headed off to Clapham Common for the start. The organisation seemed really good and everything was made VERY easy which must be a tough thing to do with 30000 people on bikes to deal with. The first hour, only 8 miles was covered with all the stop starting but that's to be expected and as long as you're there for a bike ride and not a race, you just expect it and accept it. There's lots of good banter with the police and marshalls too so it doesn't even get frustrating.
There's a few hills one of which is called 'How Lane' which could be cycled up but as they're narrow, eventually someone will walk and then it becomes the equivilent of people braking on the M25. After a few minutes, everyone's walking. A quick toilet break was had around 9 miles but after that, I was determined to get past the half way point before having a break and despite complaints from my backside (and the same complaints coming from eatingtrees) we stopped at 29 and a half miles for flapjacks, peanuts, wine gums and plenty more fluids.
Back on the road and it was Turners Hill that caused the next delay. As everyone seems to stop for a break, it's not even walking pace. It's like trying to get onto the central line during rush hour. Once past that though, it was plain sailing (or cycling) until a couple of miles from The Beacon and just 50 yards from the front, everyone was stopped due to an emergency on the Beacon itself. We were held there for over 50 mins and it turns out that a guy unfortunately collapsed on the way up and subsequentially died. My thoughts are with his family.
The police and marshalls were again really fantastic and helpful and the crowd of bikes (which at this point must have stretched back at least a mile) were then released in batches to ease congestion both up and down the Beacon.
The up is tough. Lots of short, sharp hills that don't flattern out at all. I made it up around a quarter of the way on the single speed beast before I lost momentum by having to go round a few people and that was it. I was walking from then on. I'd like to try it on a geared bike one year as I reckon I could make it!
The other side of Ditchling is a speed freak's dream and after leaving eatingtrees at the top (due to his restricted speed legs) I just free wheeled for fun. Then I scared myself and had to apply the brakes. Checking after, I managed 39.8mph!!! The ride into Brighton was great with all the cheering crouds and we were even serenaded by a guy miming the words to we are the champions, with Queen playing loudly out of the windows of his flat while we waited at the lights.
Onto the sea front and it was completed and great to meet up with LG and LG's Lovely Parents. I wasn't too tired and my legs felt OK but I decided against the run with eatingtrees due to my ability to be sane and not slightly demented.
Again thanks go to a 7 month pregnant LG for driving down to Brighton to take us back so we didn't have to deal with the coach and lorry situation!
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23)
June 20th: BIKE 87.44km (a long, long time)
June 21st: RUN 5.14km (26:50)
Back to yesterday's enjoyable bike ride to Brighton, here's a quick report.
My lovely LG kindly dropped myself, eatingtrees and lots of bits of bikes in a side street in Balham and after putting everything back together, we headed off to Clapham Common for the start. The organisation seemed really good and everything was made VERY easy which must be a tough thing to do with 30000 people on bikes to deal with. The first hour, only 8 miles was covered with all the stop starting but that's to be expected and as long as you're there for a bike ride and not a race, you just expect it and accept it. There's lots of good banter with the police and marshalls too so it doesn't even get frustrating.
There's a few hills one of which is called 'How Lane' which could be cycled up but as they're narrow, eventually someone will walk and then it becomes the equivilent of people braking on the M25. After a few minutes, everyone's walking. A quick toilet break was had around 9 miles but after that, I was determined to get past the half way point before having a break and despite complaints from my backside (and the same complaints coming from eatingtrees) we stopped at 29 and a half miles for flapjacks, peanuts, wine gums and plenty more fluids.
Back on the road and it was Turners Hill that caused the next delay. As everyone seems to stop for a break, it's not even walking pace. It's like trying to get onto the central line during rush hour. Once past that though, it was plain sailing (or cycling) until a couple of miles from The Beacon and just 50 yards from the front, everyone was stopped due to an emergency on the Beacon itself. We were held there for over 50 mins and it turns out that a guy unfortunately collapsed on the way up and subsequentially died. My thoughts are with his family.
The police and marshalls were again really fantastic and helpful and the crowd of bikes (which at this point must have stretched back at least a mile) were then released in batches to ease congestion both up and down the Beacon.
The up is tough. Lots of short, sharp hills that don't flattern out at all. I made it up around a quarter of the way on the single speed beast before I lost momentum by having to go round a few people and that was it. I was walking from then on. I'd like to try it on a geared bike one year as I reckon I could make it!
The other side of Ditchling is a speed freak's dream and after leaving eatingtrees at the top (due to his restricted speed legs) I just free wheeled for fun. Then I scared myself and had to apply the brakes. Checking after, I managed 39.8mph!!! The ride into Brighton was great with all the cheering crouds and we were even serenaded by a guy miming the words to we are the champions, with Queen playing loudly out of the windows of his flat while we waited at the lights.
Onto the sea front and it was completed and great to meet up with LG and LG's Lovely Parents. I wasn't too tired and my legs felt OK but I decided against the run with eatingtrees due to my ability to be sane and not slightly demented.
Again thanks go to a 7 month pregnant LG for driving down to Brighton to take us back so we didn't have to deal with the coach and lorry situation!
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23)
June 20th: BIKE 87.44km (a long, long time)
June 21st: RUN 5.14km (26:50)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 20. Cycling to to seaside
Today was D-day. An 87.44 km ride to Brighton. I've only just got home and I'm starving so this is going to be a quickie.
Great fun. Loads of support. 39.8mph achieved. Managed to cycle around a quarter of the way up Ditchling Beacon on a single speed. Legs feel OK. They may not in the morning. As long as you don't take it too seriously (this is a note to the lycra clad bunch) it's a lovely bike ride. I'll be back next year without a doubt!
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23
June 20th: BIKE 87.44km (a long, long time)
Great fun. Loads of support. 39.8mph achieved. Managed to cycle around a quarter of the way up Ditchling Beacon on a single speed. Legs feel OK. They may not in the morning. As long as you don't take it too seriously (this is a note to the lycra clad bunch) it's a lovely bike ride. I'll be back next year without a doubt!
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23
June 20th: BIKE 87.44km (a long, long time)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 19. Now I'm nervous
I got up and ran early today in order to get it out the way and give my legs the maximum rest time before tomorrow's Juneathon task of cycling to Brighton. Why o why did I agree to that!
I had a lay in this morning so didn't head out til 7.30am but what a beautiful morning it is. Warm, sunny and with a slight breeze. My usual route this morning and what was meant to be a slow jog to stretch out the legs turned out to be the second quickest time I've run this June. Oops. The problem was I noticed my time half way round and realised I was around 30 seconds up on yesterday's effort so I had to give it a go! 25:23 is none too shabby for me. Under that 5 m/k (8 m/m) benchmark anyway.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23)
I had a lay in this morning so didn't head out til 7.30am but what a beautiful morning it is. Warm, sunny and with a slight breeze. My usual route this morning and what was meant to be a slow jog to stretch out the legs turned out to be the second quickest time I've run this June. Oops. The problem was I noticed my time half way round and realised I was around 30 seconds up on yesterday's effort so I had to give it a go! 25:23 is none too shabby for me. Under that 5 m/k (8 m/m) benchmark anyway.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
June 19th: RUN 5.14km (25:23)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Friday, 18 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 18. Up and almost at them
You'll be unsurprised to hear that day 18 was a repeat of day 17 and many before that and although it wasn't a bad time, I just cannot even anywhere near the pace of my angry day on day 7. I'm determined to beat it though. Mind you, I'm also determined to try and have the ability walk after Sunday's 54 mile single speed cycle to Brighton so you won't find me committing to anything such as beating my best time or breaking that 25 minute barrier! Oh no, you won't find me doing anything quite that stupid!!Also not sure how I'm going to cope with a 10k 3 days after Juneathon when all my distances have been considerably shorter!
After my message on Facebook last night to do with the absolute mound of washing that Juneathon appears to be generating (1 run or ride generates: running shorts, over shorts (as no-one needs to see my arse in that much detail), t-shirt, buff or bandanna and socks plus a cap if it's raining), can I put a request in, that next years Juneathon prize is a months supply of washing powder, fabric conditioner and a small donation to my electricity bill??? Thanks
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
After my message on Facebook last night to do with the absolute mound of washing that Juneathon appears to be generating (1 run or ride generates: running shorts, over shorts (as no-one needs to see my arse in that much detail), t-shirt, buff or bandanna and socks plus a cap if it's raining), can I put a request in, that next years Juneathon prize is a months supply of washing powder, fabric conditioner and a small donation to my electricity bill??? Thanks
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
June 17th: RUN 5.14km (26:23)
June 18th: RUN 5.14km (26:01)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton,
washing
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 16. It's windy out there.
Back on the bike today to make sure all the nuts and bolts I tightened yesterday hadn't made my bike fall apart or anything. They didn't although I do have a request... If anyone has a bit of old inner-tube they want to send me to stop a particular annoying rattle I have on the chain tensioner, please do. I only need a bit about an inch by 2 inches. I'm seeing if I have anything else to bodge it with at the moment.
Anywho, 18.58 km done today in most of the time it seemed to be into a head wind although I reckon that's my imagination. Also, why to my shoes start rubbing my toes now!!! 4 days before L2B.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
Anywho, 18.58 km done today in most of the time it seemed to be into a head wind although I reckon that's my imagination. Also, why to my shoes start rubbing my toes now!!! 4 days before L2B.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
June 13th: RUN 5.14km (25:56)
June 14th: RUN 5.14km (26:00)
June 15th: RUN 5.14km (25:33)
June 16th: BIKE 18.58km (45 mins ish)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 12. Random route
With a good night's sleep, some online banking completed and a bacon sandwich in my tummy, I set off into the unknown to get a few more miles in the tyres prior to L2B next weekend. I purposely didn't plan my route prior to heading out because I tend to look at the hilly parts, know when they're coming and then dread them so I just turned when I felt like it or when I thought it might head somewhere interesting.
Epsom Downs look pretty stunning on a clear day but as it's the downs. you know there are going to be hills. From there, and with a lot of uphill leg work and downhill speed work, somehow, I ended up in Cheam and then came back through Epsom Town Centre and back into the village. 24.85 km was completed and once a little bit of maintenance has been done on the single speed bodge job, I'll be as ready as I'm ever gonna be for L2B. It's gonna be tough!
Right, I'm off to drink beer, eat BBQ and watch footie. I almost feel like a real man
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
Epsom Downs look pretty stunning on a clear day but as it's the downs. you know there are going to be hills. From there, and with a lot of uphill leg work and downhill speed work, somehow, I ended up in Cheam and then came back through Epsom Town Centre and back into the village. 24.85 km was completed and once a little bit of maintenance has been done on the single speed bodge job, I'll be as ready as I'm ever gonna be for L2B. It's gonna be tough!
Right, I'm off to drink beer, eat BBQ and watch footie. I almost feel like a real man
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
June 10th: RUN 2.83km (15:16)
June 11th: RUN 5.14km (25:48)
June 12th: BIKE 24:85km (approx 1:10)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Juneathon. Day 9. Barely awake
Today was the closest day yet, of nearly missing my daily Juneathon 2010 exercise. Reason. I must be sleep typing at the moment. I'm sooo tired. Last night turned into a bit of a journey from hell. It was going so well too but after getting a lift to Waterloo from a friend of mine, I made my train with a couple of minutes to spare and sat down with my book and my ipod. 45/50mins and I'd be in bed and after a 5:20am start, my bed was what I needed. The train set off bang on time. Result!
It wasn't to be. After a train stopped in front for someone being ill and then we stopped again later for a signal failure, I got home over an hour later than it should have been. When my alarm went off this morning, it was like I hadn't even slept!
Therefore today, I got on the bike with my thinking that at least on the downhill parts I wouldn't have to do as much work and the uphill parts would give the training needed for London 2 Brighton in 11 days time! ARGHHH!!!! I ended up going longer than planned as I went the wrong way ( I didn't plan on doing a Half Marathon) but it was completed with a numb bum and aching legs. Right, I'm off to bed.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
It wasn't to be. After a train stopped in front for someone being ill and then we stopped again later for a signal failure, I got home over an hour later than it should have been. When my alarm went off this morning, it was like I hadn't even slept!
Therefore today, I got on the bike with my thinking that at least on the downhill parts I wouldn't have to do as much work and the uphill parts would give the training needed for London 2 Brighton in 11 days time! ARGHHH!!!! I ended up going longer than planned as I went the wrong way ( I didn't plan on doing a Half Marathon) but it was completed with a numb bum and aching legs. Right, I'm off to bed.
June 1st: RUN 5.95km (31:48)
June 2nd: RUN 4.46km (22:31)
June 3rd: BIKE 11.31km (??:??)
June 4th: RUN 5.14km (26:05)
June 5th: BIKE 8.61km (??:??)
June 6th: RUN 5.14km (26:15)
June 7th: RUN 5.14km (25:02)
June 8th: RUN 5.14km (28:33)
June 9th: BIKE 21.65km (approx 53 mins)
Labels:
Juneathon 2010,
london to brighton
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Juneathon or not Juneathon. That is the question
I can't decide about this whole Juneathon thing. I mean it's a brilliant thing to do and anyone who completes it in my eyes deserves a world of respect but being one of the people who dropped out last year, I can testify about just how tough it is. Doing some form of exercise every. single. day. and blogging about it every. single. day. takes a hell of a lot of motivation for anyone who's not training for some insane kind of triathlon event.
To be honest, after my failure to run in the last 40 odd days and the increased size of what I'm calling my 'sympathy belly', I really should be taking part, winning and halving my excess weight but I'm not sure I can commit. Mind you, if I don't even try, I've got no hope so hope so decision made, count me in and I'll try my best.
By then, I'll be living 15 miles away from work so there goes the 'easy cycle day' and as eatingtrees mentions, the last week is going to absolutely kill after competing in London2Brighton on the bike on the 20th! I think I may have to get the press ups and sit ups involved to help me through my lazy days.
Join us for Juneathon. If you don't have a blog, you have no excuse either! Just put all your daily updates the soon-to-be Juneathon 2010 Facebook page which I'll add a link too as soon as it's live. Come on, join the pain. I mean fun. Join the fun.
To be honest, after my failure to run in the last 40 odd days and the increased size of what I'm calling my 'sympathy belly', I really should be taking part, winning and halving my excess weight but I'm not sure I can commit. Mind you, if I don't even try, I've got no hope so hope so decision made, count me in and I'll try my best.
By then, I'll be living 15 miles away from work so there goes the 'easy cycle day' and as eatingtrees mentions, the last week is going to absolutely kill after competing in London2Brighton on the bike on the 20th! I think I may have to get the press ups and sit ups involved to help me through my lazy days.
Join us for Juneathon. If you don't have a blog, you have no excuse either! Just put all your daily updates the soon-to-be Juneathon 2010 Facebook page which I'll add a link too as soon as it's live. Come on, join the pain. I mean fun. Join the fun.
Labels:
Juneathon,
london to brighton,
running blog
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
weeeee..... that was fun
Yep I'm a child and I have the grazed knees to proved it. Coming off by bike during a 32.64 mile ride isn't unexpected for me. Coming off going less than 1mph rather than the heady heights or 33.9mph on the downhill is somewhat embarrassing though. It was good fun though and well worth it. I'm planning another route of a similar distance next weekend where I'll do my hardest to stay on the damn thing! 54 miles for L2B isn't looking as scary anymore.
The brusied knee stopped any chance of a run yesterday though but hopefully by the end of the week, I'll be pounding the pavement again. Even more so as I've just checked my calendar and see that I have the wheathampstead 10k in less than 3 weeks and haven't trained at all. Plus I'm away the weekend after next. This certainly isn't looking like PB territory but should be a laugh anyway. Eatingtrees seemed to enjoy it last year anyway.
Looks like Hellrunner's a no go for me though. The week before Grim and in a month when I already have a HM? I think I'll pass this year!
The brusied knee stopped any chance of a run yesterday though but hopefully by the end of the week, I'll be pounding the pavement again. Even more so as I've just checked my calendar and see that I have the wheathampstead 10k in less than 3 weeks and haven't trained at all. Plus I'm away the weekend after next. This certainly isn't looking like PB territory but should be a laugh anyway. Eatingtrees seemed to enjoy it last year anyway.
Looks like Hellrunner's a no go for me though. The week before Grim and in a month when I already have a HM? I think I'll pass this year!
Labels:
london to brighton,
running blog,
wheathampstead 10k
Friday, 30 April 2010
The futures bright, the futures Grim
The want and need to sign up for races that are a little bit different than the norm has today, made me sign up for what was without doubt, one of my favourite races last year. Yes, the mud, water and freezing temperatures will once again be in my sights as Grim'10 has been paid for and I'll be there on the Saturday along with eatingtrees. I'm already excited about it! Enough to be thinking about Hellrunner too...
However, the important issue of mine and eatingtree's (& possibly LG and crying bump's) foreign half marathon janut for 2011 is still to be decided. Prague was awesome but tough with the cobbles, Lisbon was lovely with the exception of the 13.1 miles in the middle of the trip so next year.... It could possibly be one of these which frankly, look beautiful or disturbing, depending on which one you click on! The Lausanne Half Marathon, the Polar Night Half Marathon or the Midnight Sun Half Marathon are the current options!
Obviously I need to get myself pounding the pavement again soon which I guess I'll try on Monday as we don't have to go to work or next week sometime. Firstly, I have the small matter of a 25-30 mile cycle ride tomorrow morning in 'training' for L2B. I have a feeling that by the time I finish, every part of my being is going to wish I'd kept some gears on the damn thing. Eatingtrees has sorted the course and says things like 'it's a mix of everything with a few hills thrown in for good measure'. Oh good. no really. Joy!
Myself, LG & bump have also found somewhere new to live so we just have to pack up the entire flat now and move it to the country. I'll no longer be in London which is great for many reasons. The reason it won't be is I have a lot of new route planning to do and I can't even avoid the hills if I don't know where I'm going!
However, the important issue of mine and eatingtree's (& possibly LG and crying bump's) foreign half marathon janut for 2011 is still to be decided. Prague was awesome but tough with the cobbles, Lisbon was lovely with the exception of the 13.1 miles in the middle of the trip so next year.... It could possibly be one of these which frankly, look beautiful or disturbing, depending on which one you click on! The Lausanne Half Marathon, the Polar Night Half Marathon or the Midnight Sun Half Marathon are the current options!
Obviously I need to get myself pounding the pavement again soon which I guess I'll try on Monday as we don't have to go to work or next week sometime. Firstly, I have the small matter of a 25-30 mile cycle ride tomorrow morning in 'training' for L2B. I have a feeling that by the time I finish, every part of my being is going to wish I'd kept some gears on the damn thing. Eatingtrees has sorted the course and says things like 'it's a mix of everything with a few hills thrown in for good measure'. Oh good. no really. Joy!
Myself, LG & bump have also found somewhere new to live so we just have to pack up the entire flat now and move it to the country. I'll no longer be in London which is great for many reasons. The reason it won't be is I have a lot of new route planning to do and I can't even avoid the hills if I don't know where I'm going!
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Hauling My Wheels
Well I'll be honest. I haven't run since my last attempt ended in a hop, skip, jump attempt when pain shot through the inside of my left knee. Most of the time it seems ok but again yesterday night after I'd done about 3 hours of driving, the same spot was pretty sore. Not sure what I've done but I'm figuring that resting it is the best way forward for now as I have nothing coming up in the near future.
Cycling however is something I've done a bit more of. After the new inner tube arrived and was fitted, I cycled home from work on Friday (I think it helped what can only be described as the hangover from hell) and then the weekend came. The beautiful, sunny and almost warm weekend. This meant that on Saturday, I embarked on the longest cycle ride of my life I think. I certainly can't remember ever going any further! 16.23 miles was completed at a relaxed pace and I got home with the clock saying I'd been out for an hour and 20 mins. I'm happy with that. I certainly won't be doing L2B at a quicker pace. I even felt fine the next day which I figure is a good indication!
Along with cycling to work a couple of days this week (I'd like it to be more but meetings and car servicing have got in the way of that), I'm going to take my bike back to my parents this weekend and clock up some miles there. In theory I won't be doing that alone as my Mum has also been getting some miles in on her bike so hopefully I'll have some company. As long as she's not on the golf course anyway!
LG and 'the bump' are doing well and we had the 20 week scan last week and everything's great so far. I'm loving the cycling and according to theredbucket, I can eat loads of eggs for breakfast and it may actually do me some good. So apart from the left knee, all is pretty damn good in HMC land.
Reading back, that's quite a positive post from me. Considering the best feedback I've ever had from a post is when I had an absolutely retched time at the Lisbon Half, I figure you guys like me to suffer and this one isn't going to go down half as well.
Cycling however is something I've done a bit more of. After the new inner tube arrived and was fitted, I cycled home from work on Friday (I think it helped what can only be described as the hangover from hell) and then the weekend came. The beautiful, sunny and almost warm weekend. This meant that on Saturday, I embarked on the longest cycle ride of my life I think. I certainly can't remember ever going any further! 16.23 miles was completed at a relaxed pace and I got home with the clock saying I'd been out for an hour and 20 mins. I'm happy with that. I certainly won't be doing L2B at a quicker pace. I even felt fine the next day which I figure is a good indication!
Along with cycling to work a couple of days this week (I'd like it to be more but meetings and car servicing have got in the way of that), I'm going to take my bike back to my parents this weekend and clock up some miles there. In theory I won't be doing that alone as my Mum has also been getting some miles in on her bike so hopefully I'll have some company. As long as she's not on the golf course anyway!
LG and 'the bump' are doing well and we had the 20 week scan last week and everything's great so far. I'm loving the cycling and according to theredbucket, I can eat loads of eggs for breakfast and it may actually do me some good. So apart from the left knee, all is pretty damn good in HMC land.
Reading back, that's quite a positive post from me. Considering the best feedback I've ever had from a post is when I had an absolutely retched time at the Lisbon Half, I figure you guys like me to suffer and this one isn't going to go down half as well.
Labels:
knee pain,
london to brighton
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Running again. Good! Pain. Bad!
So I finally got my trainers back on today in an effort to get myself into some sort of shape other than the 'round' one that I currently reside in. It was nice to know it would be a short, easy and nice run to blow some cobwebs away and to work off some huge quantities of food I seem to have devoured recently. It was also a chance to try out an iPhone (or iPod Touch in my case) holder that I'd been sent by MobileFun. It does work and is usable through the front (although why would it need to be if you're trying to run?!?) but having anything on my arm for that amount of time seems to weigh it down and therefore make it ache more anyway. For now, I'll be sticking to the Shuffle!
I planned on the Wimbledon common out and back route that I used to do mainly because after the initial slight incline, it was all flat. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't run with my calf support on as I wanted to see if all was better in the shin and calf pain area. As it stands, there is no pain other than a standard aching. Well on my calf anyway.
I seemed to have a slight pain along the inside of my left knee but again, I knew I was out of shape and just (k)needed to carry on. It wasn't like I was going fast! Anyway, all went well until just after 3 and a half miles where I had to pull up sharply due to the pain suddenly shooting straight through my knee. It hurt. A lot!! I walked for a bit and then tried to run but it was having none of it.
For a second I thought I was in trouble but I'm delighted to say that after a 20 min walk down to the shops, it seems to be a bit better. Something to be aware of for the next couple of runs though. In the end, the 'running' part of my run was 3.59 miles in 31:10 which works out at 8:40's.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try and get into double figures on the bike in some pre-training training for L2B. After reading about the route on this very good site I found, I may need to consider changing to an easier gear ratio for all those hills. If it's not about speed then I may as well try and pedal up some of them!!!
I planned on the Wimbledon common out and back route that I used to do mainly because after the initial slight incline, it was all flat. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't run with my calf support on as I wanted to see if all was better in the shin and calf pain area. As it stands, there is no pain other than a standard aching. Well on my calf anyway.
I seemed to have a slight pain along the inside of my left knee but again, I knew I was out of shape and just (k)needed to carry on. It wasn't like I was going fast! Anyway, all went well until just after 3 and a half miles where I had to pull up sharply due to the pain suddenly shooting straight through my knee. It hurt. A lot!! I walked for a bit and then tried to run but it was having none of it.
For a second I thought I was in trouble but I'm delighted to say that after a 20 min walk down to the shops, it seems to be a bit better. Something to be aware of for the next couple of runs though. In the end, the 'running' part of my run was 3.59 miles in 31:10 which works out at 8:40's.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try and get into double figures on the bike in some pre-training training for L2B. After reading about the route on this very good site I found, I may need to consider changing to an easier gear ratio for all those hills. If it's not about speed then I may as well try and pedal up some of them!!!
Labels:
knee pain,
london to brighton,
running blog
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Back to earth with a skid, crash, bump and bang
After my 'la le la. everything's going great' 10 miler on Saturday when I was hitting my HM PB pace without trying, I was slapped back down to earth in the strongest way possible yesterday. I ran 5 miles home from work. Exactly the same route as I did last week in 8.38's. Yesterday.... 9.23's!! EVERY. SINGLE. STEP. HURT. LIKE. HELL. Calves were sore, ankles not much better, bag was too heavy because I stupidly left things in there I should have left at work, pavement traffic seemed heavier, pedestrian crossing lights were against me but mainly, I think I've upped the mileage a little too quickly this week and should have left it another day. However, at least I did it and didn't just get on a bus. Yes I was tempted and I have to be honest, if the traffic had been moving and not stationary by the time I'd hit Fulham, I may just have jumped on!!
My legs were sore last night but after lying around in my compression socks in the evening, my legs feel pretty good again today. Good enough to get on the single speed beast and cycle into work today anyway. I'll call that the beginning of my training for London to Brighton. 5 miles. Only another 49 to go. It took me around 28 mins which is about 20 mins quicker than getting on the tube or bus! Now I've just got to get home again! It's nice to work in a new building though, they have clean and modern showers and everything!!!
The run tomorrow will be postponed by the fact the car is going into the garage to stop random warning lights flash at me while I'm on the motorway. This means I'll have to drop off and collect it. Maybe I'll do a few miles when I get home or on Thursday. In fact, Thursday's probably the better option after yesterday's attempt! Writing this blog really does help me make decisions sometimes!
The above was written earlier and I've managed to get my butt home on the bike too now. Things I've realised. The fastest way round Hammersmith one way system is on a bike. Also, if there's a police car with it's blues and twos going, slip stream it. There were loads of cyclists following this police car. It didn't take long to realise that this was the way forward! Over 10 miles on the bike today and it felt great although I'm going to need to practice Putney Hill a lot more if I'm going to have any luck come L2B time. Guns don't kill people.... hills do!
My legs were sore last night but after lying around in my compression socks in the evening, my legs feel pretty good again today. Good enough to get on the single speed beast and cycle into work today anyway. I'll call that the beginning of my training for London to Brighton. 5 miles. Only another 49 to go. It took me around 28 mins which is about 20 mins quicker than getting on the tube or bus! Now I've just got to get home again! It's nice to work in a new building though, they have clean and modern showers and everything!!!
The run tomorrow will be postponed by the fact the car is going into the garage to stop random warning lights flash at me while I'm on the motorway. This means I'll have to drop off and collect it. Maybe I'll do a few miles when I get home or on Thursday. In fact, Thursday's probably the better option after yesterday's attempt! Writing this blog really does help me make decisions sometimes!
The above was written earlier and I've managed to get my butt home on the bike too now. Things I've realised. The fastest way round Hammersmith one way system is on a bike. Also, if there's a police car with it's blues and twos going, slip stream it. There were loads of cyclists following this police car. It didn't take long to realise that this was the way forward! Over 10 miles on the bike today and it felt great although I'm going to need to practice Putney Hill a lot more if I'm going to have any luck come L2B time. Guns don't kill people.... hills do!
Labels:
london to brighton,
ouch,
running blog
Sunday, 7 March 2010
That wasn't as bad as expected
10.07 miles completed in 1:28:04 at 8:45's. (That's 16.21k at 5.25's in case you're that way inclined). That's the longest I've run since the 2nd of Jan and without knowing, it is actually slightly faster than my Half Marathon PB pace!! I only looked at the watch at the beginning and the end so it certainly wasn't planned but I'll take it with only 2 weeks to go til Lisbon.
The plan leading up to then is a home run from work on Mon and Tues and then a cycle home on the Tues and Thurs. This should keep the muscles ticking over for another 10 miler next Saturday. I'll then do the same during the week next week and then have a 2 day rest prior to the Half on the Sunday.
See all, planned!! I was never worried about my lack of training (LIES, LIES, LIES) but I do now have the additional worry of trying to get my legs in a state to cycle the 54 miles to Brighton and to train my backside to be able to be on a saddle for that amount of time! This, I certainly am worried about!
The plan leading up to then is a home run from work on Mon and Tues and then a cycle home on the Tues and Thurs. This should keep the muscles ticking over for another 10 miler next Saturday. I'll then do the same during the week next week and then have a 2 day rest prior to the Half on the Sunday.
See all, planned!! I was never worried about my lack of training (LIES, LIES, LIES) but I do now have the additional worry of trying to get my legs in a state to cycle the 54 miles to Brighton and to train my backside to be able to be on a saddle for that amount of time! This, I certainly am worried about!
Labels:
10.1 miles,
london to brighton,
running blog
Friday, 26 February 2010
Almost
I nearly went for a run last night. Honestly, it was so close. I had the route planned and everything. It was a 4.85 mile route that had a planned stop at 4.1 miles at the fish & chip shop to pick up dinner. OK, it wasn't going to be the healthiest route but it was going to have an enjoyable end to it! There was a bit of drizzle while I was coming home from work but by the time I'd said hello to LG, checked the post and taken off the grown-up shoes that were doing their best to blister my toes, the heavens had opened and at that point I knew in my heart of hearts, the only way I was getting to the chippy was in the car. And I did. And it was tasty. And it wasn't the best preparation for the Richmond Park 10k tomorrow.
I'm kind of looking forward to it and kind of not. See I don't enjoy running round Richmond Park. There are just too many people and cars to make it enjoyable and worthwhile. However, I'm hoping that as it's an event, it'll be slightly better! Here's hoping anyway. But what I do know is that it'll be good to run with eatingtrees again and basically have a bit of a gossip most of the way round, loyally supported by our number one supporter, my Lovely Girlfriend.
I also appeared to have said the final 'yes' to the London to Brighton bike ride sometime in June with eatingtrees, jogblog and iliketocount. 55 miles on a single speed that I built?!?! It's gonna hurt but the plan appears to be doing it for a bit of fun and not take it too seriously which interests me a lot more than cladding myself in lycra and trying to power my way there. Plus, for everyone else's benefit, I won't be wearing lycra. That's a win-win for everyone I reckon!!
I'm kind of looking forward to it and kind of not. See I don't enjoy running round Richmond Park. There are just too many people and cars to make it enjoyable and worthwhile. However, I'm hoping that as it's an event, it'll be slightly better! Here's hoping anyway. But what I do know is that it'll be good to run with eatingtrees again and basically have a bit of a gossip most of the way round, loyally supported by our number one supporter, my Lovely Girlfriend.
I also appeared to have said the final 'yes' to the London to Brighton bike ride sometime in June with eatingtrees, jogblog and iliketocount. 55 miles on a single speed that I built?!?! It's gonna hurt but the plan appears to be doing it for a bit of fun and not take it too seriously which interests me a lot more than cladding myself in lycra and trying to power my way there. Plus, for everyone else's benefit, I won't be wearing lycra. That's a win-win for everyone I reckon!!
Labels:
london to brighton,
Run Richmond Park,
running blog
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