Or at least proof that it's possible. Well worth a read.
Rob
Saturday, 16 February 2013
The first three hours
Today was my longest run for a while - a full three hours. I ran through reading and picked up the the Berkshire extension of the Chiltern Way, something I had failed to find on a previous run. Armed this time with a map I found it. It is in fact extremely well marked, aside from the one place where I tried to pick it up, where the sign is obscured, and the path not obvious.
Still, once on it navigation was easy and the running pleasant. I ran through Crowsley Park which is quite intriguing. A high security centre, surrounded by ariels and with a trio of large satellite dishes. Most suspicious, until I fished my phone out and Google maps presented me with the wikipedia link.
Anyway I wasn't running quickly and hadn't planned a route home, so after Crowsley decided to pick a way back to the Thames and run back along the river. I eventually realised the trails looked familiar because I have biked them at night with the CTC. I followed a route a I remembered, however I neglected to factor in quite how much rain has fallen in the last week or so, quite how saturated the ground was anyway, and quite how high the tributaries to the Thames were.
The lane I planned on following to the Thames looked like this:
Hmm. I didn't fancy the longer route round on a busy road so decided to give it a go. After about ten metres, there was a style into the fields on the left. Whilst also being flooded it wasn't as deep as the lane and I was able to get through. It was cold though!
I made it to Sonning, and the Thames Path, encountering only one further flood on the way back into Reading. At least my trainers were clean by the end.
Rob
Still, once on it navigation was easy and the running pleasant. I ran through Crowsley Park which is quite intriguing. A high security centre, surrounded by ariels and with a trio of large satellite dishes. Most suspicious, until I fished my phone out and Google maps presented me with the wikipedia link.
Anyway I wasn't running quickly and hadn't planned a route home, so after Crowsley decided to pick a way back to the Thames and run back along the river. I eventually realised the trails looked familiar because I have biked them at night with the CTC. I followed a route a I remembered, however I neglected to factor in quite how much rain has fallen in the last week or so, quite how saturated the ground was anyway, and quite how high the tributaries to the Thames were.
The lane I planned on following to the Thames looked like this:
Hmm. I didn't fancy the longer route round on a busy road so decided to give it a go. After about ten metres, there was a style into the fields on the left. Whilst also being flooded it wasn't as deep as the lane and I was able to get through. It was cold though!
I made it to Sonning, and the Thames Path, encountering only one further flood on the way back into Reading. At least my trainers were clean by the end.
Rob
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Where and why
I mentioned in my previous blog we have left the West Country. It's part of a journey, that should hopefully end up with us living in the Alps. Stage 1 of that journey was quitting my job and working for myself (which I have done, for a low value of 'working'). Stage 2 was acquire UK base, which we have also done. We're now living in a flat in Reading, chosen entirely pragmatically for it's proximity to motorways, airports and London. Notably not chosen for it's proximity to mountains, hills or exciting outdoor stuff. But! It has impressed.
As mentioned I have been mountain biking. Reading CTC have a great off road section, and do lots of rides, and there is lots of riding to be had locally. A nice bunch and it's a delight to have much better than expected mountain biking available right out of the door. I am reliably informed there are hundreds (or at least many tens) of miles of great cross country riding.
I've also been doing a bit of road biking. Due to being halfway through a move overseas a lot of our stuff is in storage. Limited space in the flat forced me chose which bikes I'd need, and which I could live with out. I selected the hardtail mtb and the fixed to come with us here (plus my trusty Raleigh shopper for getting round town), and everything else went into storage. This means road rides are on the fixed. It's been a while since I've ridden it frequently, and hills are hard work. But luckily there is a decent choice of quiet loops out into the surrounding countryside, and going north means the Chilterns and hence hills, and the south is flatter.
And finally there is running. I had got used to having the Cotswolds on the door step, with miles and miles of hilly trail running. I was expecting a lot of road running post the move. However only a few minutes from the flat I can be on the canals, with miles and miles of traffic and road free running (if a bit flat). North again gets into the hills, though it does require a few miles on the pavement to start with. But again, not too shoddy.
All of that adds up to no excuse for getting fitter again. Two things I'd like to do this year are this and this. I have a confirmed entry to neither - dithering caused by concerns about fitness, not being sure where we'll be and when, and the lack of income. However I've now done some actual paid work (invoices sent), and hence really am running out of excuses.
Rob
Winter mountain biking
I've been riding my mountain bike. Today was three hours in .. rain. A lot of rain. And mud. Mountain biking in winter has it's challenges. I've also been getting out at night a bit, which is a lot of fun (if also wet and muddy).
This is my bike:
Obviously, on that day it wasn't muddy. It was snowy and less filthy. This is what it looked like on Wednesday night at the beginning of the ride:
As you can see I've added crud catchers. I dislike the look (and indeed resisted mudguards for years when commuting by bike in London), but given the prevailing conditions at the moment thought I'd try it. It's a big improvement (as was my first commute in the rain when I eventually went the mudguard route). The first puddle that results in no wet arse is a bit of a revelation. I have no pictures of the mud and rain today as I didn't want to take my phone out of it's waterproof protection. You'll have to use your imagination. To paraphrase, slimy things with bikes did ride upon a slimy trail.
This is my bike:
Obviously, on that day it wasn't muddy. It was snowy and less filthy. This is what it looked like on Wednesday night at the beginning of the ride:
As you can see I've added crud catchers. I dislike the look (and indeed resisted mudguards for years when commuting by bike in London), but given the prevailing conditions at the moment thought I'd try it. It's a big improvement (as was my first commute in the rain when I eventually went the mudguard route). The first puddle that results in no wet arse is a bit of a revelation. I have no pictures of the mud and rain today as I didn't want to take my phone out of it's waterproof protection. You'll have to use your imagination. To paraphrase, slimy things with bikes did ride upon a slimy trail.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
I'm back baby!
It has, as ever, been a long time. A whole year missed. A few things happened, including a broken wrist (for me) and the Olympics (for the country). I quit my job and started working for myself and we left the west country.
I intend to start blogging again, and this time actually more frequently than once every other year. This years plans are some more endurance events (I'll follow up with some details), finding a home in Chamonix (which will be awesome) and I do actually have to earn some money too. Exciting stuff.
In the meantime, I tried Google map directions for bikes the other day. It warned me they were in beta. They weren't kidding.
Rob
I intend to start blogging again, and this time actually more frequently than once every other year. This years plans are some more endurance events (I'll follow up with some details), finding a home in Chamonix (which will be awesome) and I do actually have to earn some money too. Exciting stuff.
In the meantime, I tried Google map directions for bikes the other day. It warned me they were in beta. They weren't kidding.
Rob
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Marathon du Mont Blanc
I can't believe this was a week ago already. This time last week I was recovering from running in the sun - today I'm sat on the sofa watching the team time trial. The race was great - I crossed the line in 5:59:43. Really pleased to be under six hours, though slower than the 5:30 I was hoping for (but better than 8 or so hours I thoughts I'd be out there at one point!)
We arrived a few days early, as Ali was doing the half marathon (the Cross as it's called) on the Saturday and the marathon was on the Sunday. The weather when we got to Chamonix was cloudy, punctuated with heavy rain and rumbles of thunder. All very .. promising. The forecast for the weekend was hot however and sure enough Saturday dawned to bright sunshine. Ali really enjoyed the Cross, and I enjoyed watching. It gave me an idea of what was in store for Sunday.
The marathon started at 0700. By 0500 I was eating toast and boiled eggs, and shortly after that I stuffed down a pain au chocolate. Standing on the start line I was regretting eating the pain so close to the start time, and indeed my stomach didn't feel great for much of the race. The start was in the town centre, and after some psyching up from the announcer we were off.
The run through the town was pleasantly brisk, and we were soon on the ski de fond circuits (less snowy than when I have run on them previously!) and heading up the valley. I felt slightly sick and had slight stitch but decided not to worry about it as I was likely to be out for a long time, and hence it had plenty of time to improve. That was an accurate observation.
The first bit of climbing was relatively short, but quite steep in places. It didn't take long to get up to Argentiere, and I saw Ali for the first time when we ran under Pierre a Ric (the red run down from Lognan). After Argentiere things got a bit tougher. It was up hill to the top of the Col de Montets, and then depressingly down hill towards Vallorcine. Depressingly because I knew we'd have to gain all the height again fairly soon. Still, it was a lovely sunny morning and despite the uncomfortable stomach I was running briskly enough.
Once in Vallorcine the course turned sharp right, and up. And up. And up... After a long time walking up steep switch backs through the woods we hit the piste. I know the Chamonix area well from skiing and I know thats a blue run and not steep. Or, so I thought. Blue runs it turns out are frickin' steep when you have to run up then! We ran past the top of the Vallorcine bubble and I knew for sure that the next section was almost flat. For sure! Show's what I know. We carried on up. I knew it was a long way to the top of the Possettes having skied off it enough times. But running up it in the heat brought a whole new appreciation as to how high 2200 metres actually is.
Eventually we reached the top and started the descent. It was steep and technical and fun! I flew (for a fairly low value of 'flew') down, passing more people than I was being passed by which was the goal. Despite the heat I was feeling good and bounded down and was soon on the less technical section in the forest above Le Tour. And here suddenly my legs stopped feeling quite so good. Oh dear I thought, this doesn't feel right.
I had worked out if I was back in Tour at 3:30 I was looking good for a 5:30 time. And indeed it was exactly three and half hours when I ran out into the Tour car park, waved at Ali and headed on. Outside Tour I felt really wasted, and walked to eat a gel (by the end I had got through 8). The gel down, I started running again. We were soon through Montroc for the second time, through an aid station (where I had a couple of pieces of cheese which went down well), across the main road and on the path up to Flegere.
Up. Again. By now I was able to run, but could barely lift my legs on the climbs. People started to pass me and I realised that 5:30 was not on the cards. I limped along. It's a stunning route though I wasn't really in a state to take it in. It seemed to go on forever and at started to think that eight hours was probably a more likely time.
After a lengthy period I saw something up ahead - a lift! The far end of the Brevent-Flegere ski area! I knew that meant the end was, whilst not exactly near, at least in sight. I struggled up the piste towards the lift station and another aid station. Some coke and a couple of pieces of orange perked me up. I left the aid station (ignoring the sign advising walkers it was 2 hours to Flegere) at a run. And, miracle of miracles, actually started to feel better. I was passing people and feeling pretty good. Maybe sub six hours could still be on the cards!
At 5:30 I passed the three km to go sign. Could I do ten minute kilometres to the end? I wasn't sure, especially given I knew the last km was up hill. However it seemed vaguely feasible so I pushed on enthusiastically.
Finally I reached the bottom of the last climb. 12 minutes. I was, frankly, fucked. I ran as much as a could, but had to walk as it got steeper, managing to run again on the less steep sections. I could see the top now and hear the commentator encouraging people on. With the crowds of spectators it looked a bit like a Tour de France hill top finish.
I was back to walking on the last steep section. I spotted Ali, who walked alongside me encouraging me on. With less than a minute to go I managed to start running again. The commentator was shouting enthusiastically (my addled brain wasn't up to much French my I got the gist - if I was quick I would be sub six). With a last push I was finally over the line. I was handed my medal and slumped on a bench to recover.
After a few minutes I was back on my feet and look for some post race refreshment. MBC were providing beer. I took one (and more sensibly, some water) and found Ali. Ultimately the beer didn't prove a wise choice. It was welcome, but didn't sit too well on my stomach which on top of not having felt great for the whole race had had to absorb eight gels, assorted bit of energy bar, orange segments and cheese. It did at least stay down till I was out of the hire car!
It was a really good day. The organisation was fantastic and the support at the aid stations brilliant (I had my camelbak filled for me twice!). Will be back next year to try and get that 5:30!
(pic courtesy of Hannah)
We arrived a few days early, as Ali was doing the half marathon (the Cross as it's called) on the Saturday and the marathon was on the Sunday. The weather when we got to Chamonix was cloudy, punctuated with heavy rain and rumbles of thunder. All very .. promising. The forecast for the weekend was hot however and sure enough Saturday dawned to bright sunshine. Ali really enjoyed the Cross, and I enjoyed watching. It gave me an idea of what was in store for Sunday.
The marathon started at 0700. By 0500 I was eating toast and boiled eggs, and shortly after that I stuffed down a pain au chocolate. Standing on the start line I was regretting eating the pain so close to the start time, and indeed my stomach didn't feel great for much of the race. The start was in the town centre, and after some psyching up from the announcer we were off.
The run through the town was pleasantly brisk, and we were soon on the ski de fond circuits (less snowy than when I have run on them previously!) and heading up the valley. I felt slightly sick and had slight stitch but decided not to worry about it as I was likely to be out for a long time, and hence it had plenty of time to improve. That was an accurate observation.
The first bit of climbing was relatively short, but quite steep in places. It didn't take long to get up to Argentiere, and I saw Ali for the first time when we ran under Pierre a Ric (the red run down from Lognan). After Argentiere things got a bit tougher. It was up hill to the top of the Col de Montets, and then depressingly down hill towards Vallorcine. Depressingly because I knew we'd have to gain all the height again fairly soon. Still, it was a lovely sunny morning and despite the uncomfortable stomach I was running briskly enough.
Once in Vallorcine the course turned sharp right, and up. And up. And up... After a long time walking up steep switch backs through the woods we hit the piste. I know the Chamonix area well from skiing and I know thats a blue run and not steep. Or, so I thought. Blue runs it turns out are frickin' steep when you have to run up then! We ran past the top of the Vallorcine bubble and I knew for sure that the next section was almost flat. For sure! Show's what I know. We carried on up. I knew it was a long way to the top of the Possettes having skied off it enough times. But running up it in the heat brought a whole new appreciation as to how high 2200 metres actually is.
Eventually we reached the top and started the descent. It was steep and technical and fun! I flew (for a fairly low value of 'flew') down, passing more people than I was being passed by which was the goal. Despite the heat I was feeling good and bounded down and was soon on the less technical section in the forest above Le Tour. And here suddenly my legs stopped feeling quite so good. Oh dear I thought, this doesn't feel right.
I had worked out if I was back in Tour at 3:30 I was looking good for a 5:30 time. And indeed it was exactly three and half hours when I ran out into the Tour car park, waved at Ali and headed on. Outside Tour I felt really wasted, and walked to eat a gel (by the end I had got through 8). The gel down, I started running again. We were soon through Montroc for the second time, through an aid station (where I had a couple of pieces of cheese which went down well), across the main road and on the path up to Flegere.
Up. Again. By now I was able to run, but could barely lift my legs on the climbs. People started to pass me and I realised that 5:30 was not on the cards. I limped along. It's a stunning route though I wasn't really in a state to take it in. It seemed to go on forever and at started to think that eight hours was probably a more likely time.
After a lengthy period I saw something up ahead - a lift! The far end of the Brevent-Flegere ski area! I knew that meant the end was, whilst not exactly near, at least in sight. I struggled up the piste towards the lift station and another aid station. Some coke and a couple of pieces of orange perked me up. I left the aid station (ignoring the sign advising walkers it was 2 hours to Flegere) at a run. And, miracle of miracles, actually started to feel better. I was passing people and feeling pretty good. Maybe sub six hours could still be on the cards!
At 5:30 I passed the three km to go sign. Could I do ten minute kilometres to the end? I wasn't sure, especially given I knew the last km was up hill. However it seemed vaguely feasible so I pushed on enthusiastically.
Finally I reached the bottom of the last climb. 12 minutes. I was, frankly, fucked. I ran as much as a could, but had to walk as it got steeper, managing to run again on the less steep sections. I could see the top now and hear the commentator encouraging people on. With the crowds of spectators it looked a bit like a Tour de France hill top finish.
I was back to walking on the last steep section. I spotted Ali, who walked alongside me encouraging me on. With less than a minute to go I managed to start running again. The commentator was shouting enthusiastically (my addled brain wasn't up to much French my I got the gist - if I was quick I would be sub six). With a last push I was finally over the line. I was handed my medal and slumped on a bench to recover.
After a few minutes I was back on my feet and look for some post race refreshment. MBC were providing beer. I took one (and more sensibly, some water) and found Ali. Ultimately the beer didn't prove a wise choice. It was welcome, but didn't sit too well on my stomach which on top of not having felt great for the whole race had had to absorb eight gels, assorted bit of energy bar, orange segments and cheese. It did at least stay down till I was out of the hire car!
It was a really good day. The organisation was fantastic and the support at the aid stations brilliant (I had my camelbak filled for me twice!). Will be back next year to try and get that 5:30!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Tapering
I've twinged my back. Not related to tapering in anyway, but thought I'd open with it. Presumably a result of assorted twists in yoga last night combined with bad posture in my chair at work all day.
Anyway, as the title suggests I am now taking a bit easier in the run up to the Marathon du Mont Blanc. This week would have been an easy week anyway (as it was at the end of a three week 'hard' period), and following an extended weekend last week with lots of running and some mountain biking, and then on Wednesday an exquisitely painful massage my legs were well and truly knackered by the end of last week.
The bank holiday weekend consisted of mountain biking at Cwmcarn (the XC route, I'm not up to down hill), a local 12.5 ish mile very hilly route hard (1:50 - a new best), an easy hour round town and then finishing up on the Tuesday (I had an extended weekend) by running from one end to the Malverns and back. From the far south end to the north is 16km, > 1000m of ascent and took me 2 hours 10. The run back was presumably the same. But I took some slight short cuts on account of feeling properly stuffed. I got back to the car after 27km, 1400m of ascent and 3.5 hours (and a stop for a can of coke and cup of tea). The biggest bag of chip from the local chippy, smothered in salt, vinegar and ketchup was my unusual but well received recovery food.
So, the weekend just gone was quiet on the exercise front. Easy running and yoga. And we went to the EWR open day. It was a good afternoon, and the EWR folks were friendly and enthusiastic. I am really keen on the Lake Baikal thing. They were also giving away one of their arctic training weeks, which was won by the guy sitting next to me. Bah. However, all was not lost and Ali won 20 quid worth of Cotswold Outdoors vouchers, and the nice man from Bamboo Clothing who was there promoting their clothing gave us both a free top. I've only worn it round the house so far but I have to say its a fantastic material. Really comfortable. We got 10% off any orders in the next couple of weeks and I'll be taking advantage!
Anyway just under three weeks to go to the Cham Marathon. Aside from the Rough Ride next weekend it's all short stuff, with some fast runs thrown in the keep the lungs working and feet turning over. Really looking forward to being in Chamonix for a week in summer (even though it is a bit damp at the moment - hopefully the weather will improve).
Anyway, as the title suggests I am now taking a bit easier in the run up to the Marathon du Mont Blanc. This week would have been an easy week anyway (as it was at the end of a three week 'hard' period), and following an extended weekend last week with lots of running and some mountain biking, and then on Wednesday an exquisitely painful massage my legs were well and truly knackered by the end of last week.
The bank holiday weekend consisted of mountain biking at Cwmcarn (the XC route, I'm not up to down hill), a local 12.5 ish mile very hilly route hard (1:50 - a new best), an easy hour round town and then finishing up on the Tuesday (I had an extended weekend) by running from one end to the Malverns and back. From the far south end to the north is 16km, > 1000m of ascent and took me 2 hours 10. The run back was presumably the same. But I took some slight short cuts on account of feeling properly stuffed. I got back to the car after 27km, 1400m of ascent and 3.5 hours (and a stop for a can of coke and cup of tea). The biggest bag of chip from the local chippy, smothered in salt, vinegar and ketchup was my unusual but well received recovery food.
So, the weekend just gone was quiet on the exercise front. Easy running and yoga. And we went to the EWR open day. It was a good afternoon, and the EWR folks were friendly and enthusiastic. I am really keen on the Lake Baikal thing. They were also giving away one of their arctic training weeks, which was won by the guy sitting next to me. Bah. However, all was not lost and Ali won 20 quid worth of Cotswold Outdoors vouchers, and the nice man from Bamboo Clothing who was there promoting their clothing gave us both a free top. I've only worn it round the house so far but I have to say its a fantastic material. Really comfortable. We got 10% off any orders in the next couple of weeks and I'll be taking advantage!
Anyway just under three weeks to go to the Cham Marathon. Aside from the Rough Ride next weekend it's all short stuff, with some fast runs thrown in the keep the lungs working and feet turning over. Really looking forward to being in Chamonix for a week in summer (even though it is a bit damp at the moment - hopefully the weather will improve).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
