OK, so it's 23:11 and I'm sat here after a truly hectic day. Not just the usual family stuff but also trying to pack and get everything ready for tomorrow. I'm aiming to be gone from the house by 3am and if the AA route planner is correct it'll mean us landing in Shieldaig at 1pm, but I'm hoping we can make up some time and arrive a little earlier than that.
Up to this point I'd assumed it was just me in my little world who was aware of what I was doing. I mean I know I've spoken about it to folks and had some great banter as always from the lads and lasses on BCTTT but somehow I didn't believe people had taken notice, were really that interested or were bothered at all. Today though it seems that everyone have sent me positive good luck wishes, wished me well and asked me to keep them informed about how it goes and updated on the day if possible. It's sort of taken me by surprise to be completely honest and if I'm truthful I now feel a sense of expectation and added pressure to succeed which I've not felt until now? Not that it's a bad things, just...unexpected.
The great news is that the fundraising is still progressing onwards and upwards and up to now it's at £430! Much more than I'd expected and down to Scibbby from BCTTT who has brilliantly drummed up interest and even sold some of her own kit to put into the kitty! Secretly, I'm hoping to go past that £500 mark so fingers crossed!!
I'm just having a little cuppa now everyone's in bed. A bit of chill out time before I hit the sack. Come tomorrow I don't think I'll be resting until Sat evening. I think, I hope, I can do this. The swim may be a long a slow progress having not swam for such a long time (through injury and lazyness! not a good combo) but I can fuddle my way through and then providing everything stays injury free I can only hope I manage to run along those hills happy in the idea of doing something worthwhile for a very poorly girl and her amazing Dad. If the thought of helping their situation doesn't spur me on then my soul is damned and there's no hope for me!
I suspect my next blog entry will be sometime post race but in case I don't make it and my body is left rotting at the base of a Scottish Munro I would just like to say a heartfelt thanks and complete gratitude to all those who have found the time and inclination to sponsor me in this endeavour. It really is appreciated and I hope it brings a smile to Andrew and Bea's face knowing there's someone out there who things they're lives are worth helping.
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Monday, 18 June 2012
The final countdown!
Well, times ticking along now....less than a week to go. I did a 12.5 mile run a few days ago and unfortunately my legs are paying for it. Nowt serious, a few tweeks in the ankles/achilles. So I'm gonna chill this week, maybe ride some short, slow rides jog a couple of 3 milers? Just to keep the legs moving but something that'll allow the legs to heal a bit?
I've had a few people ask me if I'm nervous and to be completely honest I'm not? not even slightly? Which is weird. I should be but I'm fairly relaxed about it. I think maybe because I've got so much else to concentrate on (getting a big family up to Scotland for one!) that I've not really thought about it. Or maybe, and I think this is more likely, I just have that mindset I had when I signed up in that it's not to be a flat out race but rather an awesome event which I want to savour? So long as I survive the swim then I should be in with a chance to finish on the high level route.
The past week has seen a massive surge in sponsorship as well, in that time it's gone from me having about £90 total up to me breaking the £300 mark!! This has lifted a huge weight of my shoulders as I was getting worried that it would all be for nothing. The week has also seen Beatrice being admitted to hospital. She's a poorly girl and had to go to ICU. Andrew, her Dad, was all set to leave for his own Ironman challenge in Germany the day she was taken in so needless to say he didn't go and his Ironman opportunity was let go of. Rightly so but I know Andrew will be gutted as surely as I know he'd have it no other way than to be at Bea's side when she needs him. That's what dad's do. That's the reason he took up the Ironman challenge. For Bea. That is why I wanted to raise as much as possible to help.
I've just finished my last night shift at work so I'm now officially on leave! The next few days will be mostly concerned with checking kit, getting it ready and generally making sure that everything we need is sorted. The fact the shower in the family bathroom has just packed up and needs a new one installing is just one of the many things that I'm sure are sent to try me!
So, head down. Organise, organise, organise and fingers crossed things will go well for this forthcoming once in a lifetime experience.
I've had a few people ask me if I'm nervous and to be completely honest I'm not? not even slightly? Which is weird. I should be but I'm fairly relaxed about it. I think maybe because I've got so much else to concentrate on (getting a big family up to Scotland for one!) that I've not really thought about it. Or maybe, and I think this is more likely, I just have that mindset I had when I signed up in that it's not to be a flat out race but rather an awesome event which I want to savour? So long as I survive the swim then I should be in with a chance to finish on the high level route.
The past week has seen a massive surge in sponsorship as well, in that time it's gone from me having about £90 total up to me breaking the £300 mark!! This has lifted a huge weight of my shoulders as I was getting worried that it would all be for nothing. The week has also seen Beatrice being admitted to hospital. She's a poorly girl and had to go to ICU. Andrew, her Dad, was all set to leave for his own Ironman challenge in Germany the day she was taken in so needless to say he didn't go and his Ironman opportunity was let go of. Rightly so but I know Andrew will be gutted as surely as I know he'd have it no other way than to be at Bea's side when she needs him. That's what dad's do. That's the reason he took up the Ironman challenge. For Bea. That is why I wanted to raise as much as possible to help.
I've just finished my last night shift at work so I'm now officially on leave! The next few days will be mostly concerned with checking kit, getting it ready and generally making sure that everything we need is sorted. The fact the shower in the family bathroom has just packed up and needs a new one installing is just one of the many things that I'm sure are sent to try me!
So, head down. Organise, organise, organise and fingers crossed things will go well for this forthcoming once in a lifetime experience.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Long Rides and generous folk!
So, it's getting close. Very close in fact and I've been reminded regularly that, actually, I've never ridden over 100 miles on my bike before!
That was it. I decided that I'd do a couple of long rides and get a few good hours in the saddle. But...I've also done quite possibly a rather silly, if not slightly romantic, thing and decided that I'm not actually going to break the 100 mile ride barrier until Celtman itself! I know, I know! My thinking is this, Celtman is going to turn out to be one of the 'moments' in life that means so much. Anything I can do to enhance that experience is a worthwhile decision I reckon?
I'd eyed up a trip heading through Mansfield, Edwinstowe, Ollerton and then into Lincoln, returning along the A46 through Newark before heading back home through Mansfield again. It was just short of the 100 miles mark but it worked on my weakness. That weakness, I believe, is dealing with the monotony of long flat rides. Hills, I can do (sort of) but the challenge of constant pedalling at one pace for a long time is a definite difficulty. This ride dealt with all that, and some! Headwinds. Bugger.
The ride eventually came in at just under the 90 mile mark. Unfortunately, the gels I'd taken were out of date! A long way out of date, so the ride includes a long lunch stop at 'The Pride of Lincoln' pub...NOT recommended! Fish and chips but the fish was wet and watery all the way through..eurgh! I just had to get it down my throat otherwise I just wouldn't make it back in any fit state :o(
All in all, this was a good ride. Dealt with the psychological weaknesses I have and gave me a few more miles under my belt.
Everything seems to be going as well as can be expected, especially with the shoulder injury and the big chunk of training lost due to illness. The accommodation has been booked with Fri night being spent at Bracken B&B which has an advert on Steve Carter's great local site and can be found here.
Accommodation for the rest of the Week we've decided to have up there is going to be spent at the beautiful Minch View
The only downside is that Lulu, our lovely chilled out Beagle, can't come with us :o( The owner, Tracey, has been great already and we're not even there yet!! She's OK'd my support runner staying overnight with us, even though this means some sleeping on camp mats etc! She's also managed to arrange for me to get a massage post race by Sarah Almond! And if that's not all....she's just sponsored me!! I've not met her yet and already we love her.
That's meant that I've just broken through the £100 mark for my sponsorship (not my strong point, I hate asking for money!! lol!) I'm now up to around the £150 mark and I'm hoping I can actually get past the £200 mark....maybe? hopefully? If you fancy helping go to www.justgiving.com/celtman and donate what you can.
Thanks in advance!!
That was it. I decided that I'd do a couple of long rides and get a few good hours in the saddle. But...I've also done quite possibly a rather silly, if not slightly romantic, thing and decided that I'm not actually going to break the 100 mile ride barrier until Celtman itself! I know, I know! My thinking is this, Celtman is going to turn out to be one of the 'moments' in life that means so much. Anything I can do to enhance that experience is a worthwhile decision I reckon?
I'd eyed up a trip heading through Mansfield, Edwinstowe, Ollerton and then into Lincoln, returning along the A46 through Newark before heading back home through Mansfield again. It was just short of the 100 miles mark but it worked on my weakness. That weakness, I believe, is dealing with the monotony of long flat rides. Hills, I can do (sort of) but the challenge of constant pedalling at one pace for a long time is a definite difficulty. This ride dealt with all that, and some! Headwinds. Bugger.
The ride eventually came in at just under the 90 mile mark. Unfortunately, the gels I'd taken were out of date! A long way out of date, so the ride includes a long lunch stop at 'The Pride of Lincoln' pub...NOT recommended! Fish and chips but the fish was wet and watery all the way through..eurgh! I just had to get it down my throat otherwise I just wouldn't make it back in any fit state :o(
All in all, this was a good ride. Dealt with the psychological weaknesses I have and gave me a few more miles under my belt.
Everything seems to be going as well as can be expected, especially with the shoulder injury and the big chunk of training lost due to illness. The accommodation has been booked with Fri night being spent at Bracken B&B which has an advert on Steve Carter's great local site and can be found here.
Accommodation for the rest of the Week we've decided to have up there is going to be spent at the beautiful Minch View
The only downside is that Lulu, our lovely chilled out Beagle, can't come with us :o( The owner, Tracey, has been great already and we're not even there yet!! She's OK'd my support runner staying overnight with us, even though this means some sleeping on camp mats etc! She's also managed to arrange for me to get a massage post race by Sarah Almond! And if that's not all....she's just sponsored me!! I've not met her yet and already we love her.
That's meant that I've just broken through the £100 mark for my sponsorship (not my strong point, I hate asking for money!! lol!) I'm now up to around the £150 mark and I'm hoping I can actually get past the £200 mark....maybe? hopefully? If you fancy helping go to www.justgiving.com/celtman and donate what you can.
Thanks in advance!!
Monday, 28 May 2012
Back in the game!
Well...now that was a tough time! Completely knocked out of the game at, quite possibly, the most important part of my training period.
I've not been on top of the blog for exactly that reason. I've been trying to get things back on track. And it's been hard. VERY hard. You know when you've not done something for a while? and become sluggish and...well....lazy! It then becomes more and more difficult to get off your backside and go for a run and even when you do get out the enjoyment seems to have gone and your wishing it away, never really getting a rhythm and never really settling in to enjoy it. That's been me. For what seems like an age!
I think...I'm over that hill now.
I've been biking to work in Derby regularly now which has put anywhere between 80 and 160 miles in the legs for my 4 days on and then I'm trying to get a longer ride in as well. I'm aiming to get those longer rides up to the 100 mile mark soon (it'll have to be pretty bloody soon as it's under a Month to the big day!).
This week has seen the back end of a good set of races which have all forced me into focusing in on things. These races included Eyam Half Marathon which I thought would be a good one from training point of view as it's hilly. The Emergency Services Triathlon in Nottingham and The Wingerworth Wobble I know having 3 races in the space of 7 days isn't the ideal but it's worked a treat. Proving to me that I'm over the stupid feckin' illness and back on track! Unfortunately, it's also proved to me that my recurring shoulder pain is still about and is a serious threat to Celtman. Even now, 3 days after the Tri, I still have a pain in the shoulder. The light at the end of the tunnel is that at least I have the breast stroke to fall back on. Not something I wanted to do but...if needs must! I think the tactic would be to alternate and just feel what's happening with it during the swim. Hopefully even with breast stroke I should be able to manage it under 1 1/2 hours?
The best thing is that within this week I saw a couple of PB's!
Eyam Half Marathon was only my 2nd HM but it's a hilly one and the sun decided to pop out once it got under way. I'd layered up with my club running vest on over a t-shirt as it was a chilly start. 2 hills later and with the sun beginning to beat down I realised it was a mistake. Luckily I found a marshal and asked him if I could leave my t-shit on a fence post and come pick it up afterwards. He was a star and said he'd take it back to the finish for me! Stop no. 1. Stripping off, showing the big belly and moob combo to the world. Those women wanted me, and so did some of the men - I could see it in their eyes! Having just the vest on I soon realised that although I'd vaselined up on all the usual bits with a vest I need to put some on my armpits, which I hadn't seeing as I hadn't planned on running in a vest! frantically scanning the horizon as I continued running I saw an ambulance - RESULT! Stopping I shouted out, "Any vaseline!?". "Yes mate, in the back" - Stop no. 2. So I waited...and waited....he looked in drawers, in boxes, in the front, in the back. 5 mins later "Nope, sorry mate, can't seem to find it". Well thanks fella, thanks for keeping me waiting! My own fault really. Silly sod. I now needed to up the pace really. Only a few miles in and I'd stopped twice, one of them significantly. I ran along and met up with a guy running in a club vest, Steve. We chatted for a while before I moved on. Always good to meet new folks from the club. The run was a great one for views but the last few hills were a real killer. The very last section, the downhill into the village, I heard my name being called out. Almost stopping I realised it was Gary who'd I've not seen for a while due to the stooopid bug putting me out and it's just too late in the game for any swim sessions to do me any good now! A quick shout back and I was away again but I'd lost my rhythm and that last downhill section suddenly became very tough, weird? I got taken by a fair few on that section and it wasn't until the last section in the village where I managed a little upping of the pace to see me over the line in 1:49:39. A new PB! Considering the course profile, the weather and the stops I was very pleased with this but I was even more pleased with not walking. Good training for the Celtman, psychologically if nothing else!
I managed to catch up with Steve again after the finish. Apparently he had me in his sights the whole way and was hunting me down!
The Triathlon saw me come in on 1:16 after a very painful and nightmare of a swim. Coming out way at the back of the pack for the swim!
I can't say for sure but I think this, even with the swim, was a PB? Not much to be said for the Tri really, other than it was ridiculously hot and my transitions have gone to rat shit!
The end of the week saw me running 'The Wingerworth Wobble' which is a fell run by the Wingerworth wobblers, a very relaxed and very local running group. Unfortunately this was the day after the Triathlon and I really wasn't sure whether I should do it and possibly risk an injury. Needless to say I did it anyway, silly boy. The best bit about this race was the fact I could get on a bike, ride over, do the run and ride back! Relaxed and easy. Again, this run is a fairly hilly one but I actually felt quite good all things considering. I bumped into Steve again and this time we had a chat while running and I learned he's also into Triathlons having just done his first one at Southwell. In traditional style about a mile or so in I needed a pee so I nipped off and let Steve continue without me whilst I pee'd for England! lol! The rest of the run was as expected really, along a lot of the footpaths I normally run along. All except the finish. Straight up a fairly steep hill. No chance of walking as there's loads of people at the finish cheering you on so you don't dare stop, lol! There were a couple of club vests cheering me on including Debbie who finished first lady and minute ahead of me. I managed to finish in 40:57 which I thought was OK all things considered?
All in all, a good week for me. I actually feel like I'm back into my training again. It's just a pity times running out. Hopefully I can do enough to get me in a position to do myself proud at Celtman.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see?
I've not been on top of the blog for exactly that reason. I've been trying to get things back on track. And it's been hard. VERY hard. You know when you've not done something for a while? and become sluggish and...well....lazy! It then becomes more and more difficult to get off your backside and go for a run and even when you do get out the enjoyment seems to have gone and your wishing it away, never really getting a rhythm and never really settling in to enjoy it. That's been me. For what seems like an age!
I think...I'm over that hill now.
I've been biking to work in Derby regularly now which has put anywhere between 80 and 160 miles in the legs for my 4 days on and then I'm trying to get a longer ride in as well. I'm aiming to get those longer rides up to the 100 mile mark soon (it'll have to be pretty bloody soon as it's under a Month to the big day!).
This week has seen the back end of a good set of races which have all forced me into focusing in on things. These races included Eyam Half Marathon which I thought would be a good one from training point of view as it's hilly. The Emergency Services Triathlon in Nottingham and The Wingerworth Wobble I know having 3 races in the space of 7 days isn't the ideal but it's worked a treat. Proving to me that I'm over the stupid feckin' illness and back on track! Unfortunately, it's also proved to me that my recurring shoulder pain is still about and is a serious threat to Celtman. Even now, 3 days after the Tri, I still have a pain in the shoulder. The light at the end of the tunnel is that at least I have the breast stroke to fall back on. Not something I wanted to do but...if needs must! I think the tactic would be to alternate and just feel what's happening with it during the swim. Hopefully even with breast stroke I should be able to manage it under 1 1/2 hours?
The best thing is that within this week I saw a couple of PB's!
Eyam Half Marathon was only my 2nd HM but it's a hilly one and the sun decided to pop out once it got under way. I'd layered up with my club running vest on over a t-shirt as it was a chilly start. 2 hills later and with the sun beginning to beat down I realised it was a mistake. Luckily I found a marshal and asked him if I could leave my t-shit on a fence post and come pick it up afterwards. He was a star and said he'd take it back to the finish for me! Stop no. 1. Stripping off, showing the big belly and moob combo to the world. Those women wanted me, and so did some of the men - I could see it in their eyes! Having just the vest on I soon realised that although I'd vaselined up on all the usual bits with a vest I need to put some on my armpits, which I hadn't seeing as I hadn't planned on running in a vest! frantically scanning the horizon as I continued running I saw an ambulance - RESULT! Stopping I shouted out, "Any vaseline!?". "Yes mate, in the back" - Stop no. 2. So I waited...and waited....he looked in drawers, in boxes, in the front, in the back. 5 mins later "Nope, sorry mate, can't seem to find it". Well thanks fella, thanks for keeping me waiting! My own fault really. Silly sod. I now needed to up the pace really. Only a few miles in and I'd stopped twice, one of them significantly. I ran along and met up with a guy running in a club vest, Steve. We chatted for a while before I moved on. Always good to meet new folks from the club. The run was a great one for views but the last few hills were a real killer. The very last section, the downhill into the village, I heard my name being called out. Almost stopping I realised it was Gary who'd I've not seen for a while due to the stooopid bug putting me out and it's just too late in the game for any swim sessions to do me any good now! A quick shout back and I was away again but I'd lost my rhythm and that last downhill section suddenly became very tough, weird? I got taken by a fair few on that section and it wasn't until the last section in the village where I managed a little upping of the pace to see me over the line in 1:49:39. A new PB! Considering the course profile, the weather and the stops I was very pleased with this but I was even more pleased with not walking. Good training for the Celtman, psychologically if nothing else!
I managed to catch up with Steve again after the finish. Apparently he had me in his sights the whole way and was hunting me down!
The Triathlon saw me come in on 1:16 after a very painful and nightmare of a swim. Coming out way at the back of the pack for the swim!
I can't say for sure but I think this, even with the swim, was a PB? Not much to be said for the Tri really, other than it was ridiculously hot and my transitions have gone to rat shit!
The end of the week saw me running 'The Wingerworth Wobble' which is a fell run by the Wingerworth wobblers, a very relaxed and very local running group. Unfortunately this was the day after the Triathlon and I really wasn't sure whether I should do it and possibly risk an injury. Needless to say I did it anyway, silly boy. The best bit about this race was the fact I could get on a bike, ride over, do the run and ride back! Relaxed and easy. Again, this run is a fairly hilly one but I actually felt quite good all things considering. I bumped into Steve again and this time we had a chat while running and I learned he's also into Triathlons having just done his first one at Southwell. In traditional style about a mile or so in I needed a pee so I nipped off and let Steve continue without me whilst I pee'd for England! lol! The rest of the run was as expected really, along a lot of the footpaths I normally run along. All except the finish. Straight up a fairly steep hill. No chance of walking as there's loads of people at the finish cheering you on so you don't dare stop, lol! There were a couple of club vests cheering me on including Debbie who finished first lady and minute ahead of me. I managed to finish in 40:57 which I thought was OK all things considered?
All in all, a good week for me. I actually feel like I'm back into my training again. It's just a pity times running out. Hopefully I can do enough to get me in a position to do myself proud at Celtman.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see?
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Man down...
Well, I'd love to report that everything is back on track and training is going well.
It's Not.
The doctor finally diagnosed me with Flu, Sinusitis and an ear infection! Great.
My introduction to the world of Duathlon was cancelled, I just couldn't do it. I've not run/biked/swam for 3 or 4 weeks now and this is vital time. I even had to cancel my first session back with Gary.
But...I've not been idle (well not completely).
In the mean time I've managed to buy myself an OMM Ultra 15l running rucsac ready for Celtman. Claire has agreed to pay for a Video swim session or my birthday, today! whoo hoo! So that should be interesting and probably embarrassing as I'll be posting the vid up here no doubt. I've had my entry confirmed for the Emergency Services Tri. Held at Nottingham (Holme Pierrpont) in May, I've also entered the Eyam Half Marathon in May. It's a hilly race with good reputation and seeing as it's fairly local, and I've missed a lot recently, I figured why the hell not! I'm also playing with the idea of Newton Running shoes, fingers crossed I may have acquired myself a pair to try out...watch this space.
I hope that the next update to the blog will actually have some activity, some resemblance of training back on schedule and ready to take on Celtman....we will see.....
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Challenges, coughs and colds
Well, it's been a while.
I've been.......dead......
Training was going fairly well, so well in fact that when the chance to take a challenge presented itself I took it! I'd taken my bike to work as it had a puncture and I couldn't find my puncture kit or tyre levers. Mooey, one of the lads at work lent me his so I took the bike to work and fixed it up there. I then had a daft idea. I wonder if I left my bike at work whether I could run in the following day and then ride it home after a nightshift? Course I could...Imean...it's only 21 miles. Silly sod.
So that was it. The bike was left at work and the next day I was to run in. I'd had a grumbly headache that day but I shrugged it off and besides, I was committed. My bag and bike kit was left at work so the following day I had to pack what I needed (which was a lot more than I thought!) into a draw string bag and then fashion a way to tie it off on my back. I also took a drinks belt. Sunglasses on and I was off. I'd not gone further than a few hundred metres and the drinks bottle pinged out and rolled along the floor, feck. Not a good start. I picked it up, put it back in the belt and ran on. It wasn't the only time it fell out. The final time saw me retracing my steps and picking up a broken bottle which then had to be carried in my hand throughout the run. Bloody awkward but as it was sunny I just couldn't do with out it.
As it was a long way I'd brought a few energy bars and managed to chomp my way through them fairly well so felt OK on the nutrition front. The first 10 miles or so felt alright and even heading down from Ripley it wasn't too bad. Psychologically, it was tough to keep going as the route was...well...boring! Once I hit Coxbench area, about 16 miles in?, my hips starting screaming but this was exactly what I needed a tough run. The kind of run where you want to stop but you find yourself locked in that internal battle to try and keep yourself going no matter what. It was this I needed to practice in. It's this that I'll be needing during Celtman.
Surprisingly, apart from the aching hips I was surprised by what came next. No DOMS!?? No soreness in my legs but strangely a headache I just couldn't shift? Which was strange as I'd ensured I was hydrated and was obsessively inspecting the colour of my pee on a regular basis. All was good except that bloody headache. Unluckily for me, we had a busy night at work so rest was a no go. The ride home was tough to start but quickly I was back into it and was surprised to find it pretty easy. I think this was part of the reason for no soreness in my legs as it was a gentle movement for my legs which I think helped (That and the compression kit and recovery drink).
Although the body felt well after the run/ride, it wasn't. What followed was quite possibly one of the worst nights of my life. It was a night of hot and cold sweats, aching limbs and a pounding headache similar to the soul destroying headaches found at altitude. 8 days later and I'm still suffering. Gone are the achey limbs, headaches. The mouth has been filled, and then emptied, of ulcers. The nose blocked with blood and the agonising ear ache has now taken the place of the sweats as interrupter of sleep. I still feel rubbish but I'm due to run with Wingerworth Wobblers on Sat and believe it or not I have a race on Sunday (Duathlon). Hopefully, everything will settle by Saturday and I can get myself back on track.....I hope....
Another added decision has been made also, I've now made the major decision to leave MAD swimming club and return to my 1 to 1 coached sessions with Gary. The first of which is also...Saturday! I've just GOT to be better for the weekend!
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
4 seasons....one week!
This week has been a wee bit mental weather wise and we've seen Hot temperatures, sun and clear blue skies one day, A clear crisp spring day and even almost blizzard conditions another when the snow hit Beeley Moor!!
It was the day after the snow had hit and the sun had returned so off I went again determined to do the route I'd planned a week or so ago but missed a bit out.
I'd decided to use a drink on this run as we found Claire's drinks belt and I'd just bought some 'Nectar Fuel' to try out. I'm not sure if it was the drink or just the lovely day but I was feeling good and strong throughout the run. The only downside was the bit of the run I'd missed out on my previous attempt. The snow had worked its magic and it was a bloody quagmire throughout Walton wood which brought things almost to a standstill. I was slipping a sliding all the way and even went on my ass at one point!
Once out of the wood I managed to get back into some sort of stride before hitting Bolehill. Now, seeing as Celtman is.....hilly....Bolehill, I think, will prove to be a good training hill for me. This time round it was a classic training section, deeply psychological!
As it was still sunny the hat's peak came down partly to block the sun but more importantly to block my view of the top of the hill. I had tired legs from the quagmire of Walton wood and this hill is steep and goes on for a fair distance so it was most definitely a case of head down, rhythm going and plug away regardless of what the head was telling me to do! This paid off as, looking at the figures afterwards, the mile lap still came in under the 10:30 min/mile pace which may not mean a lot to others but put into the context that when I started running my pace was 10 min/mile and now I'm running up Bolehill, 6 miles into a run and I'm almost hitting that pace!
All in all, it's a great route varied in both vista and gradient so offers great variety in training.
I can tell the training is becoming better quality as this run was the first time I've felt the need for a recovery drink (FGS) and recovery tights!
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