Thursday 17 November 2011

Back on the trails


It has been a while since my last post so two or three maybe incoming to try and update where it's all going (I have a direction).

To sum up the year (In running terms) it's been quite a successful one. One marathon and two ultras under my belt for my first year running ever! The final one (Doyen of the Downs) was a spur of the moment entry and didn't have much time for preparation. Picking up a six page map one hour prior to the gun isn't conducive to winning;) Maybe a better position could have been achieved had I not ran those extra miles but it was great fun nonetheless.

Can't wait for the next one

Tuesday 30 August 2011

50km and a period of slack



So it was my first ultra in what could be called minimal shoes and I don't think I'll be running in anything else. Feet were sore at the end but aren't everyones! The grip in my MT101s is second to none in the mud (international sole)and they stuck to my feet and never felt uncomfortable. I have to admit that I picked up a fair bit of grass seed from going through the fields but that seemed to be the only thing that caused a problem. Next time NB have a sale on I'll get another pair or two depending on when I can get hold of the MT110 ^^


It's been a while since I last posted on here and about half as long since I last went for a run! What's happened I'm not too sure.

Fairland valley 50km race just before a well earned holiday in Spain ( of which the hills are amazing to run in). The Fairlands run was a blast. Good support along the way thanks to LJ. It was run more for fun than anything serious but my finishing time (5hrs 30mins) was a little slower than I expected, but I suffered some difficulties in energy levels after the 22nd mile. However, a massive plus was after the race. Almost no pain in feet/knees :O This was something new, and work the next day was a doddle with very little stiffness. Whether it was all the training prior or the salty Ribena mix that did the trick I felt another 20 miles wouldn't have been out of the question (a slow 20 miles). Great race and a great day and a big thanks to te Fairland Valley Spartans for organising such a well run event. :)

Since the race I've only ran a handful of times and something has demotivated me... What I don't know ^^ But for the time being it seemed to have passed. A bank holiday in Cornwall seems to have worked wonders.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

What to run to

One thing for sure is I have never come across people with the same music tastes when it involves exercise. For some reason people will listen to a very defined taste to help them get through the miles. I have to admit that what I listen to is quite varied depending on the difficulty and tempo.Posting up of what gets me through... Maybe someone will be inspired.

This song is quite new to my playlist but it is so powerful it's hard not to think of it. When you need an understanding of pain, maybe on the slow miles this brings you through to the other side.



This next song... It's tough to describe so I'll explain the situation. Elevated heart rate a surge in adrenaline and the chase in sight. A great tempo for hunting someone on the sidewalk. Only listen with good earphones for the bass effect.

Devil's Dyke

An evening run with a beautiful sunset to top it off. Some of the best country side on this side of London and just outside my back door! Although it was a long run with about 6 miles up hill once they are done you know there's about another 6 all down hill on the way back.

Monday 4 July 2011

Onwards

Wow! It's been some time since I put a post up here... Not sure why but I guess I have been too busy enjoying the summer sun to sit down and make a decent contribution.

As stated in the an earlier post I was in training for the Edinburgh marathon. Was great fun to run and will be doing a lot more of those sort of runs. Managed to double to the money I was raising for charity totally just a little over 600 pounds! My time... Well I would have liked to have gone a lot faster but I guess you've to start from somewhere and the slower it is the easier it is going to be to make a new PB ;) 3 hours 46 mins was the logged time. I was hoping for closer to 3 hours 30 mins but under 4 was the general target and I got it.

Since the marathon I feel as though I have undergone a sort of change in my running. Road running whilst fun has it limits. Pounding down the beach of Brighton is great fun but after the 50th time it does feel quite monotonous not having to think about anything like foot placement or getting the burn in your legs from surging up a forest trail.

Having had this change I've upped my miles per week and almost put aside my road shoes in favour of something very similar to the minimus line. Not weighing anything is such a different feeling to the clumpy road shoes I'm used to. Will try to get some pictures of the downs I run in... they're somewhat awe inspiring...

Algar

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Trail running




I came across this video recently while trying to find out more about the hype of "barefoot" running and in short I'm bought.
Having run home from work along a dual carriage way and almost been sick because of the fumes I couldn't think of anything better than running a couple of thousand feet up with snow on the mountains and tracks of animals around you. Although it's tough to find an area like that here I'm determined to get out on some trails this summer and enjoy what Britain has to offer.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Best foot forward!

Hi Everyone,

I've started this blog again because I am wanting to write my thoughts down again... This time though, it will be focused on a particular subject. Running of course! I've done it on and off now for a few years and only stopped due to injuries but now I have a mission to complete. Come the 22ND of May I have to be ready for my first ever marathon. A daunting task but perfectly doable as I saw last Sunday during the Brighton marathon. Men and women dressed to the nine in full fire-man suits, rhinos, even toilets. A chance meeting with the King replied to any cheers from the crowd with a "Aww, thank you very much!".

Anyway the blog will is also for myself to stay updated and keep a record of everything.

Algar