Wednesday 26 December 2007

Humbug

So I spent Christmas in bed!

After a super week of training (got out every day bar Thursday) I went out for a sharp walk at lunchtime on Saturday. I felt good. I got home and couldn't shake off the fatigue. Within an hour I was flushed and shivery. Horrible clammy high fevery kak. Four days later and I am left with a painful chest but at least I can be human again.

The good news is I am 87kilos - haha! Thats great considering it was Christmas. Every cloud...

I have to wait until this chest thing is cleared before I can start training again. Fingers crossed for the 6th of Jan winter league race. I had high hopes for that one before this virus hit.

Sunday 16 December 2007

First Race

87.5 kilos. Today was round 3 of the Winter Series 10k races at St Johns. Its a handicaped race where the slowest starts out first.

Before the start, I became reaquainted with lots of old friends: John Cannell, Steve Taylor, Steve Partington, Chris Cale, Mick Holgate and others. I was also introduced to a lot of new folk incuding fellow parish blogger Michael George.

While deciding on my starting time (handicap) for the race, there were a lot of sharp sucks of air through gritted teeth from Steve Tayor. He eventually decided that I would finish around 70mins which meant I would start some 17minutes after the first starters.

I found it very hard to judge how fast to go at the start. There were three and a half laps to do so I did a very cautious first lap being paranoid I would run out of steam half way through. After two and a half laps, I turned round and saw a horde of folk behind. Quite scary. I felt good so I decided to get up on my toes and walk hard for the last lap. This is where people start to meet up as the handicaps come into play.

The finish is a series of bends so you cannot see very far. I knew it was close and I was passing a lot of slightly slower walkers on the way in. When the finish was in sight, I could see four more up ahead. I chased down and passed another two folk. It seems that I can still sprint fairly fast over a hundred yards or so. Thats technique rather than fitness so I felt it was cheating a little over folk who are clearly fitter than me!

Literally a yard before the finish line, the silent Chris Cale came along side me and actually dipped for the line. He was flying!

Steve had been right, I did very close to 70mins, in fact I did 69:12. Those 48 seconds made a lot of difference actually as it seemed that most people came streaming in in a huge bunch over the following minute or so.

Afterwards we had a buffet and a raffle to raise money to send kids off the Island to compete. Having spend time off the Island to compete as a kid myself, I thought this was a super gesture. Many thanks to the organisers for a great day!

I think the main thing holding me back at the moment is my weight (i won't even mention the fitness). I am around 8 kilos over weight which is like carring two gallons of around with you as you race. Xmas coming up so I cannot see much coming off before the next race; which is on the 6th of January.

I will, of course, be there!

Monday 10 December 2007

Sicknote

What a rubbish week that was! Few viruses going about and I got them all back to back. Anyway, was feeling much better today so:

Monday 10th December. 87.4 13st10
Slow 1hr 30mins. Bride, Andreas, Smeale. Felt very comfortable. No niggles.

I am now roaring to go for the Winter Series at St Johns on Sunday (16th Dec)...

Saturday 1 December 2007

Did a longer one (don't laugh!) today with a good friend of mine Rachael Crellin, daughter of the famour Parish walker Rosemarie Crellin. Rach was very sweet and stayed with me the whole way.

The route was Bride - Smeale - Andreas. I registered 5.16 miles. It took 1:08:05, which is 13:12 pace. It was very comfortable, fitness wise, I felt I could do that pace all day. Body wise, I felt like I was falling apart!

Friday 30 November 2007

Second session

89.5 Kilos (14st1) 23% body fat:
Suzanne ran alongside me today. I think this encouraged me to go a bit faster than last time. We did the Small Bride Loop. I registered 3.97 miles. It took 44:31, which is 11:14 pace. Thats a bit more like it.

Shins felt cramped up for the first two miles. I told Suzanne they they felt like lava was being poured down them. They eased off though. I have memories of the same discomfort in the past and my memories told me this would happen. No biggie really. Other than the shins, which are now acheing, I feel fine.

I work in Leeds in the week. Today was my first day back so this was only my second training session.

I have been feeling kak all week. There is a bug going round. However, I took some flu pills, had some soup and felt okayish so decided to push out. It can't kill me after all. (!?) I have put weight on! Going to have to find a way to drink less beer.

Monday 26 November 2007

And so it begins

So I got drunk and agreed see how far I can get round the 2008 Parish Walk!

So, I haven't walked for 20 years. I am 5foot 11 and 14 stone. This is going to be interesting.

I did my first training walk today. Funnily enough the technique is all still there. Relaxed shoulders, fluid arms, forward flat movement. Just very very slow!

Monday 26th November 2007. 88.8 Kilos (14st) 23% body fat:
I did what I will call the "Small Bride Loop" today. Its 3.82 miles. It took me 48:14, which is 12:37 mile pace. My shins were killing me all the way. My hips ached and now I have finished I have cramp down the side of my left foot. A start at least.

How on earth did I manage a 52 mins 10k? It seems a long way away...