Monday 31 August 2009

Round Hill and Beamsley 12miler

Out with Richard for a steady plod around Round Hill and Beamsley.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Round Hill and Beamsley 12m

In the afternoon took the kids down to Bolton Abbey Summer fete which was good fun.

So the last week has seen my run about 50 miles and have lived to tell the tale, so feel like it has been a good week's training.

Saturday 29 August 2009

Long run - 16m Strid Run

Today I managed my first long run in a while - out to the Strid and back - 16 miles in 2 hours. This 7:30 pacing is I think just right for now. It was a tough run (my legs feeling ever increasingly weary in the last 6 miles), but I felt the best after wards than I'd ever felt before for such a long run.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for 16m Strid Run

Thursday 27 August 2009

Three in a row

Managed a 7 mile recovery run yesterday at a fairly easy (7:30) pace, out to Addingham to explore some new roads and tracks mentioned in Andy Wolfenden's "Runs Around Ilkley" excellent guide book.

Today I managed some efforts on the canal. 4 x 0.5m in around 3mins each effort. Not yet back to my quickest but getting there.

Rest tomorrow and then long run Saturday morning planned.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Langbar Baseline

Decided to get out and hit the English tarmac this morning. Thought I'd go for Langbar, and went as hard as I could as I thought it would be a good baseline to measure progress over the winter against.

Did the 9.7m route (from/to road behind my house) in 71:19.

Doesn't sound very fast but it includes the whopping hill that is known locally as "Langbar" and is often a final test for the EBs on a ride. Running it is just as difficult.

Not sure how fast I could ever do it in - under 70 mins would be a good first target.

Garmin details to follow.

Back from Hols

Not blogged for a while, but time to start typing again.

I've just got back from Italy after a family holiday which was great. We went with low expectations as we'd decided for financial prudency we'd spend a lot less than we normally do on our holiday this year. So we cashed in some airmiles, flew to Genoa and stayed in a campsite (via Eurocamp) near Alassio.

We all admitted that it was our best family holiday - less is more?

(There are some more photos on facebook)

While away, I managed 5 runs (early morning, before the kids arose). Two tough uphill road sessions and 3 trail runs through the pine forests. Every inch of every one was sheer bliss, so am hoping these experiences will bring a return to form.

(the week before I left I did three lunchtime runs and felt really languid still)

Friday 7 August 2009

Sunshine

After a few poor weeks of weather the sun returned today and the world seemed a better place.

Yesterday I got coaxed out to do some intervals on the canal with Richard, and although felt slow compared to my best, it felt like my running legs were on the way back.

Today I rested and again felt like I wanted to run which was a good sign.

My bike remains in the car park at work - need to get it to JDs some time soon!

I heard a rumour that the London ballot results have been announced but I've heard nothing yet.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

Broken bike

Rested Monday, and yesterday took the bike to work and rode home. During the day the weather didn't look great, but by the time I left at 6 it was a beautiful evening.

Inspired by the ride I decided that I'd ride in and out of Leeds today. However, as I approached Leeds the "creaking" noise that I'd been hearing when applying a lot of pressure to the pedals happened again and I found myself without any power being applied to the back wheel.

I managed to free-wheel in to the office, but the rear-wheel hub looks knackered, but I'll see what the local bike shop says.

Perhaps a message that I need to put my bike aside and get my running shoes back on!

Sunday 2 August 2009

Pendle Pedal

Completed the Pendle Pedal today. About 100 mies and alledgedly 3,500 m of climbing.

Despite the threat of rain early on, it eventually brightened up and was a really enjoyable ride around some great classic climbs including Waddington Fell, Nick of Pendle and Trough of Bowland.

I finished in about 7:25 but wasn't too bothered about a good time. Felt really, really tired though for the final 40 miles but perhaps not surprising as I haven't really done many long rides over the last few months.