Although I cycled in to work every day last week and I do tend to 'make it count' as a workout I am still woefully behind in terms of running. I really need to do some long runs of over 20miles or I am going to fail at the Night & day ultra - something I don't want.
I hate to admit it but the weather has put me off getting out there this weekend (bank holiday as well!) It has done nothing but rain solidly all weekend. Its enough to bring you down.
Along with worrying about running fitness I am also starting to think my upper body could really benefit from some intensive work so instead of braving the rain yesterday I did some upper body and core training. Loved it, which make a change lately as I don't enjoy pushing weights like I use to.
So, that is it really, cycled to work all last week and did some strength work sat morning. Oh yeah and went to a wicked concert last night at the shepherds bush empire but that's not really relevant to the blog!
Hope your all enjoying your bank holiday weekend.
Massive thanks to Nigel and Carolyn for donating £50 each!!!!!!!! Awesome stuff.
28.5.07
20.5.07
Sunday
Daughter was ill this weekend so she didn't want to travel to Dad's-the cheek of it makes me shudder. Don't worry next time I see her she is grounded. God I miss her.
So, whilst I missed her I have been really rather productive. In fact, I am sitting at the office right now and have been getting some work done. Those little things that make all the difference, the things you never normally do-planning, mostly! I did the same Yesterday (lots done!). Then came the really important stuff....... checked out some great video's on Youtube, downloaded some music, updated the iPod (that I never use). Amazingly I did not force my self to go out drinking 'because I could'. Bravo.
Anyway, exercise; Hard and fast 7 miles on Friday night, Sat night (last night) did a steady 14 with rucksack on and first thing this morning I did a very challenging 6 miles-then hit the weights as my upper body has gone to ruin. The Idea being to start preparing for the next race that has a leg at night then first thing in the morning.
It served as a big wake up call! The steady 14 was tough! I have done this 14.25mile lap a few times lately and loved it. I have been running it quickly with no weight on my back and no fluids to carry around. Too be honest the steady plod method took a lot more out of me. Strange. But a vital call to arms. That said, after a stiff and tired start, I surprised my self with the six mile blast first thing this morn!
On top of all this I have ridden into the office and I am about to leave......a rich, heavy and fatty roast dinner has got my name written all over it. Might even have a splash of plonk with it.
Hope you all had a good weekend.
So, whilst I missed her I have been really rather productive. In fact, I am sitting at the office right now and have been getting some work done. Those little things that make all the difference, the things you never normally do-planning, mostly! I did the same Yesterday (lots done!). Then came the really important stuff....... checked out some great video's on Youtube, downloaded some music, updated the iPod (that I never use). Amazingly I did not force my self to go out drinking 'because I could'. Bravo.
Anyway, exercise; Hard and fast 7 miles on Friday night, Sat night (last night) did a steady 14 with rucksack on and first thing this morning I did a very challenging 6 miles-then hit the weights as my upper body has gone to ruin. The Idea being to start preparing for the next race that has a leg at night then first thing in the morning.
It served as a big wake up call! The steady 14 was tough! I have done this 14.25mile lap a few times lately and loved it. I have been running it quickly with no weight on my back and no fluids to carry around. Too be honest the steady plod method took a lot more out of me. Strange. But a vital call to arms. That said, after a stiff and tired start, I surprised my self with the six mile blast first thing this morn!
On top of all this I have ridden into the office and I am about to leave......a rich, heavy and fatty roast dinner has got my name written all over it. Might even have a splash of plonk with it.
Hope you all had a good weekend.
16.5.07
Its a dirty job....
Those of you who have read my entries moaning about our canine friends will know that this blog is not always positive. And I want to have a small moment of self pity once again.
Goddam mud, gravel and flies are really aggravating me at the moment. Its not that I mind getting dirty because I really don't its just all the extra washing and cleaning that you have to do. Not just clothes but the shower gets filthy as well and you have hose and oil the bike every day and yadda yadda yadda. The thing that is really annoying though is the dirt and gravel that is getting in my shorts and underwear at the moment. Really, really p*ssing me off. Last night I literally had about 4 or 5 big pebbles in my Bum crack and that was in addition to the usual dust and gravel. I am being serious! I have re-fitted my rear mud guard to see if this helps.
I think I need to get some of those cycling shorts with a really high back, with braces like dungarees. Bib shorts I think they called. That should fix it.
Fly's seem to be committing suicide in my right eye ball with shocking regularity at the moment as well. Gravel seems to be a problem in this area too. I want to get some of those clear safety glasses but I would feel like a bit of a prat wearing them.
Goddam mud, gravel and flies are really aggravating me at the moment. Its not that I mind getting dirty because I really don't its just all the extra washing and cleaning that you have to do. Not just clothes but the shower gets filthy as well and you have hose and oil the bike every day and yadda yadda yadda. The thing that is really annoying though is the dirt and gravel that is getting in my shorts and underwear at the moment. Really, really p*ssing me off. Last night I literally had about 4 or 5 big pebbles in my Bum crack and that was in addition to the usual dust and gravel. I am being serious! I have re-fitted my rear mud guard to see if this helps.
I think I need to get some of those cycling shorts with a really high back, with braces like dungarees. Bib shorts I think they called. That should fix it.
Fly's seem to be committing suicide in my right eye ball with shocking regularity at the moment as well. Gravel seems to be a problem in this area too. I want to get some of those clear safety glasses but I would feel like a bit of a prat wearing them.
14.5.07
Hill session
Cute little hill session tonight. There is a nice incline about 5 minutes running time from me so it was commandeered for a quick session. An old school friend use to live at the top of the hill, I assume his parents still do. This got me thinking about being at school and all the people I have lost touch with over the years.
I was also thinking about how I took being very lean and defined for granted. Sure, I lifted weights from a young age - before any of my friends did - and I wanted to be muscular but they were just always there....or so I remember. Halcyon days indeed! Abs def not made much of an appearance lately! Is it just age that changes this?
Any way 6 hard hill reps and I felt it. Nicely done old man.
I was also thinking about how I took being very lean and defined for granted. Sure, I lifted weights from a young age - before any of my friends did - and I wanted to be muscular but they were just always there....or so I remember. Halcyon days indeed! Abs def not made much of an appearance lately! Is it just age that changes this?
Any way 6 hard hill reps and I felt it. Nicely done old man.
Ignore the Whiskey
Productive weekend. Good 14.25 mile run on sat Morning and good long bike ride with Nick on Sunday. The rain was a bit of a pain but never mind the important thing is we got stuck in. About 30miles and good portion of that was off-road so fairly taxing at times. All in all we were out for about 3 and half hours.
The bike was making some funny noises though and I identified the problem was the rear hub. Lots of oil applied and given her a day off and drove to work. Fingers crossed the odd noise will have gone next time i ride her. Otherwise I will even more a justification for buying a new one when I cant afford to!
Another point I would like to make is. Horses are bloody lethal! One poor girl was struggling to contain one little gee-gee when we went passed yesterday and another was completely thrown off next a main road after being dragged through a bush. Poor thing.
So if I forget the large quantity of whisky I drank last night it was a very good weekend.
The bike was making some funny noises though and I identified the problem was the rear hub. Lots of oil applied and given her a day off and drove to work. Fingers crossed the odd noise will have gone next time i ride her. Otherwise I will even more a justification for buying a new one when I cant afford to!
Another point I would like to make is. Horses are bloody lethal! One poor girl was struggling to contain one little gee-gee when we went passed yesterday and another was completely thrown off next a main road after being dragged through a bush. Poor thing.
So if I forget the large quantity of whisky I drank last night it was a very good weekend.
11.5.07
I am tired of being right!
Yep, the rain arrived about a week ago and the sun has barely been polite enough to say hello since. Put your hat on mate and come out to play!
OK so this week has been even worse than normal! Yikes it must of been bad.
Basically I have cycled to work and back twice and went to running club on Wednesday. Tonight was an epic blast back in the rain and I got rather dirty but it rocked! proper epic hack home. Awesome.
Right, running a bit late to go and grab my princess so must dash. Last thing though......check out the new link I added today. I sent my entry form off yesterday! Rather excited and yes I am doing it solo. Cant wait. None of my useless friends are even up for getting a team effort organised. Hurry up and come home Stocko, my fitness level needs you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK so this week has been even worse than normal! Yikes it must of been bad.
Basically I have cycled to work and back twice and went to running club on Wednesday. Tonight was an epic blast back in the rain and I got rather dirty but it rocked! proper epic hack home. Awesome.
Right, running a bit late to go and grab my princess so must dash. Last thing though......check out the new link I added today. I sent my entry form off yesterday! Rather excited and yes I am doing it solo. Cant wait. None of my useless friends are even up for getting a team effort organised. Hurry up and come home Stocko, my fitness level needs you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5.5.07
Update
Running club on Wednesday night was the first time we used the 'summer lap'. Its bang on 5 miles and its pretty much the route that taught me to love to running when I was in my mid teens. Out in the countryside and past some beautiful lakes. It shares about 80% of my standard 6mile/10k route.
I think and I am not 100% sure on this but I believe I ran a PB on Wednesday night. By my reckoning I ran 32.59 and as far as I can remember I don't think I have run it in under 34mins. Cycling is obviously helping me out more than I thought because I have been doing very little running lately. Interestingly it was my cardiovascular capacity that was holding me back. At no stage did my legs feel tired, instead I was struggling for breath and feeling a little pukey when I pushed for a hard finish. Interesting.
Anyway, I sit here slightly downbeat because I wanted to get up early do the same 14miles that I did last sat morning but I opted for the soft option and had a lay-in. Tosser. Being a Dad has now taken over the day and its impossible to get out. When will I ever learn?
Have a good bank holiday everyone.
I think and I am not 100% sure on this but I believe I ran a PB on Wednesday night. By my reckoning I ran 32.59 and as far as I can remember I don't think I have run it in under 34mins. Cycling is obviously helping me out more than I thought because I have been doing very little running lately. Interestingly it was my cardiovascular capacity that was holding me back. At no stage did my legs feel tired, instead I was struggling for breath and feeling a little pukey when I pushed for a hard finish. Interesting.
Anyway, I sit here slightly downbeat because I wanted to get up early do the same 14miles that I did last sat morning but I opted for the soft option and had a lay-in. Tosser. Being a Dad has now taken over the day and its impossible to get out. When will I ever learn?
Have a good bank holiday everyone.
1.5.07
May Day, May day!
So here we are the 1st of May and the UK in basking in some sunshine, but yes, the populous are already moaning. Saying that we need some rain. Guess what......it rains a lot in the UK! It will be here soon enough!Fairless pointless post this as I only have a couple of routine cycle rides to tell you about but thought I would share some snaps with you.
the first picture is of lots of blossom covering the path, it does not really do the pinkness justice and the second really shows off the best of an English summer-the bright yellow field looks good as well.
Not a bad looking commute to work is it?
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