Seeing as I've accidentally gotten myself into running a half marathon on October 11th I've had to do some training focussing on running. The past two evenings I've been going to the gym with the sole purpose of running. The first evening it'd been tipping down with rain all day and although I've run in rain before, I didn't really fancy it then so treadmill it was. I amazed myself by running for 60 minutes solid without getting especially tired or puffed out. I'd have liked to have gone a bit longer but the machine times out at 60 minutes and I thought that was more than my fair turn.
Attempted the same last night with reasonable success. I had to slow once or twice towards the end as my right knee started to get painful, something that happens occasionally, but otherwise I was thrilled. My pace is about 9.5kph. Obviously I need to be running for about 2 hours at this speed at least and outside before the day but I'm optimistic. Having a day off today due to the knee but should be able to fit a run in before I go off on hols. There's a plan to do some rambling during the week and I'll be doing lots of physical work so I won't cease up. Feels good to be able to justify the cake I've been eating and to feel muscles aching from running that I've never felt before. All helps with the endurance aspect of my training.
Bit worried that Shruti's disappeared off the face of the earth this week... we've got Ben Nevis to organise and I can't do it without her.
Finally, I got a £20 donation from a very kind gent who reads the parish magazine yesterday so if you're reading, many thanks indeed!
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Keep on running
I've managed to fit in a fair bit of exercise this week though I've set myself some new goals and I'm not meeting them which is a bit disheartening. I had a spa day on Saturday and decided to make use of the gym facilities so spent a good hour on the treadmill and a half an hour on the cross trainer but didn't quite manage to meet my distance target. Watched a lot of Top Gear though. Ho hum. Got to the gym at work once and have been out on the bike. Cycled to the sports centre and back this morning to play badminton so that all counts.
I've got a half marathon to run on the 11th October so I'm desperately trying to get the miles cranked up. It's hard though. It's like mny body just doesn't want to run at the moment. Walking, I can do that all day long. Cycling, great! Just show me a track and I'm happy. Swimming, mmm relaxing and strengthening. Running, oh God. Have to persevere though.
Everyone thinks I'm mad, especially my dad ("you'll learn" he said to me) and at this point I'm more than inclined to agree. I can't help myself. I think it would be a lot easier if I had a training partner at this stage. So out for a run or at the gym as many times as I can manage this coming week. Feel exhausted today though...
I've got a half marathon to run on the 11th October so I'm desperately trying to get the miles cranked up. It's hard though. It's like mny body just doesn't want to run at the moment. Walking, I can do that all day long. Cycling, great! Just show me a track and I'm happy. Swimming, mmm relaxing and strengthening. Running, oh God. Have to persevere though.
Everyone thinks I'm mad, especially my dad ("you'll learn" he said to me) and at this point I'm more than inclined to agree. I can't help myself. I think it would be a lot easier if I had a training partner at this stage. So out for a run or at the gym as many times as I can manage this coming week. Feel exhausted today though...
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Time to step it up
After a sluggish week or so and an indulgent weekend I'm finally raring to get back into my training with renewed vigour, not least because I got the latest Runners World yesterday and a brand new pair of cycle shorts. I'm back in the head offices now so have access to the free gym again and have booked a "gym buddy" for next Monday... no excuses now.
I've got a revision weekend coming up but there's an on site gym and a very early morning running session scheduled which I'm going to try my damndest to get out of bed for (6:30 am though!). I really need to up the pace and effort on things though so I'm hoping to head out on the bike tonight for maybe 10 miles or so and hopefully a run tomorrow. That'll depend on my ankle though which was been a bit dodgy since Pen Y Fan but if I can't run then I can cycle or swim instead. My aim for the next few weeks is to do exercise on at least 4 of 5 days.
I have even more incentive to train extra hard now because of how brilliantly the fundraising has gone. You may have noticed I've not updated my total very much lately. I will, but I want to hold out for a little longer and make it special. My Aunt has been fundraising on my behalf and raised a massive amount. I was totally stunned and I just want to publicly say, thank you so much, you're amazing! I've seen my fundraiser article in the parish magazine this week so I might get a little extra from local residents too.
I'm really excited at the moment but give me another couple of months and I'll be terrified again.
I've got a revision weekend coming up but there's an on site gym and a very early morning running session scheduled which I'm going to try my damndest to get out of bed for (6:30 am though!). I really need to up the pace and effort on things though so I'm hoping to head out on the bike tonight for maybe 10 miles or so and hopefully a run tomorrow. That'll depend on my ankle though which was been a bit dodgy since Pen Y Fan but if I can't run then I can cycle or swim instead. My aim for the next few weeks is to do exercise on at least 4 of 5 days.
I have even more incentive to train extra hard now because of how brilliantly the fundraising has gone. You may have noticed I've not updated my total very much lately. I will, but I want to hold out for a little longer and make it special. My Aunt has been fundraising on my behalf and raised a massive amount. I was totally stunned and I just want to publicly say, thank you so much, you're amazing! I've seen my fundraiser article in the parish magazine this week so I might get a little extra from local residents too.
I'm really excited at the moment but give me another couple of months and I'll be terrified again.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Lessons in goatherding
Had a great weekend in Wales. Got to Brecon quite late after a slight detour (head torches are an absolute boon when putting up tents at night) but was somehow up bright and early on Saturday and full of energy to go walking. We stayed at Bishops Meadow campsite; woe betide you if you turn up late, but in every other respect, a very comfortable site. Next time I might try Priory Mill Farm Campsite for the scenery alone.
We covered around about 20 miles, taking in some of the Taff Trail and then up to the top of Pen Y Fan and back again. My map reading was mostly ok but there were a number of rest stops while trying to climb a particularly steep slope to rejoin the path we somehow lost. The views going up Pen Y Fan were awesome and it's another one of these peaks that I think you could climb again and again, trying different routes each time. Although it was a bit busy at the top it was much quieter than Snowdon was. I'd definitely go back. Legs and feet were ok apart from a bit of a twist in my right knee and left ankle. These seem to be recurring mild injuries so I may invest in a support or two. No blisters though and the boots are really comfy.
Got to try out a Torq gel which tasted fine but I'm not sure whether it actually did anything. I guess with food it feels like proper fuel so maybe it's all in my mind. I also got to taste a Nakd bar and a Trek bar, both of which were lovely and I might well use some of those on Kili. I'll persevere with the gels for a bit longer. Other new items for the weekend included my lovely new Vango Viper 750 sleeping bag, just about the most comfortable thing in the world (considered using it instead of my duvet last night) with fancy pockets, drawstrings and stuff, and a howies jacket. Fantastic at keeping the wind out and comfortably fits a fleece underneath. Didn't get to test it in the rain though.
Having got a good work out on Saturday we decided to take it easier on Sunday, visiting Hay-on-Wye and the Small Breeds and Owl Centre, a delightful place where you can see shetland ponies, pygmy goats and many different breeds of owl. Some of the goats tried to escape through the double gate of their enclosure with us, at which point I discovered goatherding is not a viable career option but my fleece and trousers are goat delicacies.
You can see photos from the weekend here (not taken by me) and a video I put together on my flip, here.
We covered around about 20 miles, taking in some of the Taff Trail and then up to the top of Pen Y Fan and back again. My map reading was mostly ok but there were a number of rest stops while trying to climb a particularly steep slope to rejoin the path we somehow lost. The views going up Pen Y Fan were awesome and it's another one of these peaks that I think you could climb again and again, trying different routes each time. Although it was a bit busy at the top it was much quieter than Snowdon was. I'd definitely go back. Legs and feet were ok apart from a bit of a twist in my right knee and left ankle. These seem to be recurring mild injuries so I may invest in a support or two. No blisters though and the boots are really comfy.
Got to try out a Torq gel which tasted fine but I'm not sure whether it actually did anything. I guess with food it feels like proper fuel so maybe it's all in my mind. I also got to taste a Nakd bar and a Trek bar, both of which were lovely and I might well use some of those on Kili. I'll persevere with the gels for a bit longer. Other new items for the weekend included my lovely new Vango Viper 750 sleeping bag, just about the most comfortable thing in the world (considered using it instead of my duvet last night) with fancy pockets, drawstrings and stuff, and a howies jacket. Fantastic at keeping the wind out and comfortably fits a fleece underneath. Didn't get to test it in the rain though.
Having got a good work out on Saturday we decided to take it easier on Sunday, visiting Hay-on-Wye and the Small Breeds and Owl Centre, a delightful place where you can see shetland ponies, pygmy goats and many different breeds of owl. Some of the goats tried to escape through the double gate of their enclosure with us, at which point I discovered goatherding is not a viable career option but my fleece and trousers are goat delicacies.
You can see photos from the weekend here (not taken by me) and a video I put together on my flip, here.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Brecon Beacons
Things have tailed off a little in the last couple of weeks, mostly due to study. Only managed two exercise sessions last week and nothing so far this week. That's soon to change though. I've got the day off work tomorrow so I might start out with a run or a bike ride/swim and then on Friday night I'm headed to Brecon to spend the weekend camping and walking. I'm sure Pen Y Fan is not quite as challenging as Snowdon but I will be doing two days of walking in a row which is good practice in itself.
Next week, once the assignment is in, I'll be back to at least 3 exercise sessions a week. I know I'm addicted because I really miss not doing it. I find myself standing with my hand on my bike saddle, wanting to jump on and ride off when I need to be studying instead. Maybe that's just escapism rather than a desire to get fit ;)
Next week, once the assignment is in, I'll be back to at least 3 exercise sessions a week. I know I'm addicted because I really miss not doing it. I find myself standing with my hand on my bike saddle, wanting to jump on and ride off when I need to be studying instead. Maybe that's just escapism rather than a desire to get fit ;)
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Pictures from Snowdon
Our first stop, just a little way up.
Looking up at part of the track. It was pretty steep in places.
One of the many spectacular views.
Closer to the top.
Made it right to the very top.
They should have just flown up :)
Monday, 3 August 2009
FAQ - Kilimanjaro
I've had lots of people asking me about various details of the trek or about Kili facts and figures. I've read quite a bit about it but can very rarely recall the information when asked for ti so thought I'd put together a bit of an FAQ.
Where is it?
On the Northern border of Tanzania in Africa.
How big is it?
It's 5896m or 19340 feet high and is about 60 by 40 kms in size at the base.
Where do you start?
In the Machame village.
What route are you doing?
The Machame route. It's longer and steeper than the most popular route (Marngu, which 70% of people take). About 25% of people attempt it. Where as some of the other routes have cabins for sleeping in, this is strictly tents only.
How cold will it get?
The temperate will drop by approximately one degree for every 200m ascended. There are 5 "zones" to Kili. Cultivation, Forest, Moorland, High Desert and Summit. The temperature will range from 21 to 27 degrees C in the lowest zone and drop to between -18 and -26 at night.
How long is the route?
About 100kms.
What distance will you cover each day?
It'll range from 9kms to 30kms but on average it'll be about 15kms per day.
Will you definitely reach the top?
There's a 65% success rate of reaching the top but I'm feeling pretty confident :)
For a really good overview of the route you can look here and for more general info about the mountain you can look here.
Where is it?
On the Northern border of Tanzania in Africa.
How big is it?
It's 5896m or 19340 feet high and is about 60 by 40 kms in size at the base.
Where do you start?
In the Machame village.
What route are you doing?
The Machame route. It's longer and steeper than the most popular route (Marngu, which 70% of people take). About 25% of people attempt it. Where as some of the other routes have cabins for sleeping in, this is strictly tents only.
How cold will it get?
The temperate will drop by approximately one degree for every 200m ascended. There are 5 "zones" to Kili. Cultivation, Forest, Moorland, High Desert and Summit. The temperature will range from 21 to 27 degrees C in the lowest zone and drop to between -18 and -26 at night.
How long is the route?
About 100kms.
What distance will you cover each day?
It'll range from 9kms to 30kms but on average it'll be about 15kms per day.
Will you definitely reach the top?
There's a 65% success rate of reaching the top but I'm feeling pretty confident :)
For a really good overview of the route you can look here and for more general info about the mountain you can look here.
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