Despite the lack of intended training volume I have started to taper the last few weeks.
In the last 2 weeks I have gained 1/2 lb but I am 8lb (3.5 Kg) lighter than the same race last year which should help.
This blog will have my thoughts about training for running races and triathlons. It will also contain items about weight loss (nutrition) and general fitness.
In 2007 I completed my first Ironman triathlon at Ironman UK and therefore I am now an Ironman.
In 2009 I took part and completed my first Ultra Marathon a 39.3 Miles (63.2 Km) run.
In 2010 I completed two Ironman distance triathlons with just 1 month between them.
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Sunday, June 24, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Weekly Update
This week my training was down to 8 1/2 hours, this was due to tapering for an event over the weekend which I did not do or even travel to due to the very poor weather conditions. However below is my training percentages by time.
The bike included a long (100km) hilly group bike ride. The runs were just 3 of the 4 parkruns done over the extended weekend which were fast paced which 2 of this weeks runs were course pb's. Then I did a regular parkrun this weekend.
The swim and cross training were after the double parkrun's on Tuesday.
So after an early taper week I will up my training this week (subject to weather).
Bike | 75% | ||
Run | 21% | ||
Swim | 3% | ||
Cross | 1% |
The bike included a long (100km) hilly group bike ride. The runs were just 3 of the 4 parkruns done over the extended weekend which were fast paced which 2 of this weeks runs were course pb's. Then I did a regular parkrun this weekend.
The swim and cross training were after the double parkrun's on Tuesday.
So after an early taper week I will up my training this week (subject to weather).
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Four Parkruns over the Jubilee Weekend
Over this Jubilee weekend I did 4 Parkrun 5km's with two being today with the start times 90 minutes apart and about 20 miles away. I decided to do them all away from my local parkrun and all different events.
The first started at Reading on the regular time. However there was a lot more people (370) their than the last time I ran this event, which explained why I had to park over half a mile away but allowed a warm up. The route is out along the river and then do two loops near a woods and then run backand is virtual all flat. During the race there was a lot of children still ahead of me even at 4km, so I gave it a lot more effort than normal. This meant I got a PB by 17 seconds, that's a good start to the weekend, only 3 more to do.
Sunday was parkrun rest day.
On Monday I headed down to Eastleigh on their new course on a disused golf course which I had previously done. It is 3 laps of a W shape course that loops back on its self. At this event they had the Parkrun founder there as well plus a lot of other clubs and 250 t-shirts, mainly due to this being the only parkrun on the Bank Holiday Monday.
I decided to go of fast and see how long I could last for. I was ok until each time I got to the slope which got a bit harder with each lap. At the end I out sprinted a child that was ahead of me all the way round go a fast pace but luckily he did not have enough for a sprint finish so I edged ahead of him. I ended up with a new course PB by over 100 seconds.
At this point I was half way through with 2 new course pb's :-)
I then went off with my local tri club and did a hilly 64 mile (103km) bike ride, my legs were aching by the end of it.
On Tuesday as my legs were still aching I decided to go to Andover, as is flat and on grass and used it as a recover run. This is 2 laps with 2 short inclines which I took it easy pace and walked up two of the inclines. To test my legs I gave a bit of a sprint for the last 100m which was ok but not 100%, so th e last run would be interesting. This run was 5 minutes over my course PB.
I then drove to Newbury to take part in the last parkrun of the weekend. This race was one that I was aiming for a PB but was not sure now on tired legs. This course is a single lap on gravel pathway with a short section of tarmac across a disused runway, with the finishing straight being over a mile long which has a steady incline for a part of it. For this I positioned myself near the front and to the left, as I know the start was along a narrow path and turns left. I went of fast and was starting to struggle about 1 mile in as their was a bit more wind in the exposed elements but I managed to keep the pace only slowing down by 15 seconds per mile. Then once I turned on to the finishing straight I picked up the pace slightly to quicker than my average pace and even managed to out sprint somebody in the last 100m's. The records show I managed to beat my course PB by 62 seconds, however they don't show that run was in -11c and in snow!!
To celebrate the completing the 4 Parkruns, 3 course PB's and 2 parkruns in a morning I had 1 cake to celebrate :-)
The first started at Reading on the regular time. However there was a lot more people (370) their than the last time I ran this event, which explained why I had to park over half a mile away but allowed a warm up. The route is out along the river and then do two loops near a woods and then run backand is virtual all flat. During the race there was a lot of children still ahead of me even at 4km, so I gave it a lot more effort than normal. This meant I got a PB by 17 seconds, that's a good start to the weekend, only 3 more to do.
Sunday was parkrun rest day.
On Monday I headed down to Eastleigh on their new course on a disused golf course which I had previously done. It is 3 laps of a W shape course that loops back on its self. At this event they had the Parkrun founder there as well plus a lot of other clubs and 250 t-shirts, mainly due to this being the only parkrun on the Bank Holiday Monday.
I decided to go of fast and see how long I could last for. I was ok until each time I got to the slope which got a bit harder with each lap. At the end I out sprinted a child that was ahead of me all the way round go a fast pace but luckily he did not have enough for a sprint finish so I edged ahead of him. I ended up with a new course PB by over 100 seconds.
At this point I was half way through with 2 new course pb's :-)
I then went off with my local tri club and did a hilly 64 mile (103km) bike ride, my legs were aching by the end of it.
On Tuesday as my legs were still aching I decided to go to Andover, as is flat and on grass and used it as a recover run. This is 2 laps with 2 short inclines which I took it easy pace and walked up two of the inclines. To test my legs I gave a bit of a sprint for the last 100m which was ok but not 100%, so th e last run would be interesting. This run was 5 minutes over my course PB.
I then drove to Newbury to take part in the last parkrun of the weekend. This race was one that I was aiming for a PB but was not sure now on tired legs. This course is a single lap on gravel pathway with a short section of tarmac across a disused runway, with the finishing straight being over a mile long which has a steady incline for a part of it. For this I positioned myself near the front and to the left, as I know the start was along a narrow path and turns left. I went of fast and was starting to struggle about 1 mile in as their was a bit more wind in the exposed elements but I managed to keep the pace only slowing down by 15 seconds per mile. Then once I turned on to the finishing straight I picked up the pace slightly to quicker than my average pace and even managed to out sprint somebody in the last 100m's. The records show I managed to beat my course PB by 62 seconds, however they don't show that run was in -11c and in snow!!
To celebrate the completing the 4 Parkruns, 3 course PB's and 2 parkruns in a morning I had 1 cake to celebrate :-)
Weigh in
Over the last 2 weeks I have lost 2 1/2 lb (1.1Kg) :-)
This is due to a high volume of training 2 weeks ago and some more intense training this week. In addition I was more careful about my nutrition and on my portion sizes.
This is due to a high volume of training 2 weeks ago and some more intense training this week. In addition I was more careful about my nutrition and on my portion sizes.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Last Weeks Training
Last week I done just under 10 hours and under 60 miles, this was a big drop from the previous week but allows me time to recover before I step up the training again. Below is the breakdown by time.
This week I was pleased my swim time increased. The run although less time was more intense with sprints training and a new parkrun 5km course PB. Subject to weather this week may be higher training again.
Bike | 30% |
Cross | 22% |
Swim | 21% |
Walk | 15% |
Run | 13% |
This week I was pleased my swim time increased. The run although less time was more intense with sprints training and a new parkrun 5km course PB. Subject to weather this week may be higher training again.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Big Training Week
Last week I made the most of the good warm weather and did a bigger volume of training doing over 200 miles and 18 hours. Below is a breakdown by time.
I was glad to finally be doing a few more longer cycle rides outside (100km) with the rest being at minimum level. The swim was less but was one long swim at the end of the a tough training week.
Next week will be slightly less but hopefully focussing on the quality/speed.
Bike | 74% | ||
Walk | 11% | ||
Cross | 8% | ||
Swim | 4% | ||
Run | 3% |
I was glad to finally be doing a few more longer cycle rides outside (100km) with the rest being at minimum level. The swim was less but was one long swim at the end of the a tough training week.
Next week will be slightly less but hopefully focussing on the quality/speed.
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