Weekly update including some different runs

Last week I did over 4 hours of training. About 20% of this was swimming and 80% was running.

Some of this running was up in the north of the country. On Saturday morning I did a 7km (4.5 mile) trail race near Barnsley, South Yorkshire. I was told by the local runners it was up hill for the first mile and a half (2.4 km) and then undulating. Looking at my GPS data they were not wrong, I spent most of my race time running up hill!!

Then the next day I did an easy pace 50 minute run in the Peak District. While running it I took some photos along the way on the way out section of the route.

Weekly Weigh-in

This week I have lost 2 1/4 lbs (1 Kg) but my % body fat increased by 1%.

I can understand why the body fat went up but not the weight loss. As on Saturday afternoon I was at a sporting venue watching my brother play in the final. While I was there I had a burger, cheese burger, hot dog and fries all were a large size.

Nottingham Marathon Race Report

We arrived with plenty of time before the race their was not that many people around and their was no queues for the toilets!!!

When we queued on the road at the appropriate start time of 5 hours. This was an educated guess based on half and training times of my brother who I was pacing him round. There was lots of runners in front and behind us.

Then the army canon started the race, its the only race I know that that starts with a canon.

The first few miles where through the city center at a different route than I had previously done. I was therefore surprised with the amount of hills, apart from the ones near the railway station and castle.

After the section through the city we then headed at to the university. Round the university there was some parts on gravel which was ok but there was also a number of other hills.

After leaving the university section we had down past the hospital. This direction of the route had changed so there was a nice long down hill section.

The next section was through the wollaton park. There was some more people cheering you on through there plus YET another hill.

At the drinks station leaving the park there was the Nottingham Caesars (American football) team in the full kit, it was a bit unusual to see this at a race.

The route then came back through the city center with a few more hills. We then ran on the road next to the river trent until those doing the half marathon turned left and ran up the finishing straight and those doing the full ran along the footpath next too the river. At this point the sun and warmth disappeared and the strong winds started.

We then ran past the notts county fc ground and then out towards the country side. This section was flatter from now on but there was some long constant gentle slopes. At this point we where starting to use a run/walk strategy with walking through the aid station to get the required water and sports drinks.

Then we effectively did 2.5 lengths of the national watersports center rowing lake. With 1.5 lengths of it in to strong 20mph (32 kmph) head winds.

Once we got to the far end of the rowing lake we could see that it was 2000m long!!!

From the far end of the lake we walked the last 6 or so miles, as my brother said his back was hurting a bit.

Then we head along footpath next to the river trent, again in the strong head winds. We ran up to the Nottingham Forrest FC ground which we ran under.

there was just under a mile from this point to the finish. As we crossed the bridge to the other side the river, this felt a massive hill at this point.

With the finish line almost in site you had to turn right and do a ½ mile loop. Then we saw the 26 mile sign :-)

Some of the marshal's had dressed up like robin hood.

Then there was the finishing straight, at this point there was not many people left.

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At this point my brothers back was ok and tried to out sprint me on the 150m finish straight on the grass. This was while I was taking a few photos, although I just about caught him up with about 20m from the finish line but at this point his conscience also got the better of him as stopped to let me go past him.

However there was enough medals there.

It was an enjoyable day and it was nice to just run and enjoy a race and not worry about my pace.

Weekly Weigh-in - Not going to good

This week my % body fat is up 0.5% and I have gained 2 lb (0.9 Kg).

This is despite running (plus some walking) a Marathon with my brother. Which according to my running GPS device I used 3,300 calories which is more than a day's recommended daily intake. However I was having sports drinks and gels which was using some of these calories. Plus this week I have also had 4 large cream cakes that somebody brought in to work as it was their birthday.

However more concerning is that since the end of April my weight trend is for a gradual increase and is up 10 lb (4.5 Kg) since then. This trend must be stopped.

Back in Training

After doing the Marathon on Sunday I had one complete rest day from training and then I was back in training tonight.

I did a 1 mile warm up and down running to and from the training venue. Then we did a 4.4 mile (7km) run which was relatively fast with the pace increased nearer the end. My muscles felt tight until about the last mile of this run which they then felt a lot better. On the way back I took it a lot easier pace as I did not want to overdo the training.

Weekly Update

Last week I did 8 hours of training, all of this was running. With most of this being at a Marathon on Sunday where I paced my brother round.

I will do a report on this later in the week, I was also taking photo as I went round. As I was doing this at an easier pace for me.

Two 45 minute Speed Sessions

Thursday night I was a neutral assistance referee (linesman) on the FA Womens Premier League (Southern) game, this was my second game at this level. It was a good game and I enjoyed the match. I had my new Ironman watch on one arm and another referee watch on the other.
I thought it was a good speed session as you have to control you pace while maintaining appropriate positioning along the touchline and the view of the play.

As the ground was still hard I was using non studded footwear which was ok until occasionally when a rapid change of direction was required. On certain parts of the touchline I nearly lost my footing a couple of times.

Afterwards there was not much food their I liked, so after I filled up my car at the nearby petrol station I thought I would get something from their food section. However as it was after 10pm it had all been sold.
After about 5 minutes of driving along the motorway my cars accelerator cable broke. :-(
I managed to get it safely to the side of the road and within 30 minutes the recovery service had arrived and fitted a temporary cable.
So by the time I got to my house it was after Midnight.

The following day I was able to get the correct cable fitted, however it costed just over twice what my fee was the previous night.

Weekly Weigh-in

This week my weight remained the same with my % body fat down 0.5%.

My exercise level is starting to increase while keeping my food intake relatively the same, well apart from the odd bit of dark chocolate toblerone, mmm.

Weekly Update

I have started to increase my training and this week I have done 3.5 hours of training. This was 80% running and 20% swimming.
Nearly half of this time was a 10 mile (16km) run that I did this morning, which was warmer than I expected.

What a month

I have had a good month or so, completed Ironman UK a couple of weeks ago and this week I found out that I apparently have got a referee promotion to level 6 (with 1 being the premiership). Also in less than 2 weeks I will pace my brother in a Marathon.

I only noticed when registering for the season, as I did not receive any letter due to it was sent when I was moving house.

Then I only posted my registration form off by snail mail on Monday lunchtime and by Wednesday afternoon I had got a request by email to be a neutral assistant referee (linesman) on a FA Women’s Premier League (Southern) fixture for next week. This is only the second match at this level I have officiated in.

Weekly Weigh-in

This week I have put on 1 lb (0.5kg) but my % body fat has reduced by 0.5%.

This is due to the lack of exercise while maintain food intake. This is to help my muscles recover after the Ironman. The training is alrady starting gradually to increase again.

Back in Training

I am back in training after having two weeks off.

Last week I did a massive 1 hour 18 minutes of training. It was split between all 3 areas but it would be, as it was a sprint triathlon. This was my last triathlon of the year. Now just running races, cross country races and the occasional game of football (soccer) to officiate in.