Training Report:
It's been a week of contrasts. The first half was amazing the second half was a load of old rubbish.
Monday through to Thursday couldn't have gone any better. I was running well, completing all my runs, and enjoying myself both on and off the track. But from Thursday onwards I was a different runner. It was as if overnight a button had been pressed. I was lethargic, not in my running but in my general self. I'd lost enthusiasm for doing anything, let alone running about a bit! My mind was very much distracted from any task I tried to complete. Certain activities gave my mind a rest, a momentary distraction from my troubles, but unfortunately it wasn't running. The nature of running means mentally it's not that distracting, especially whilst completing long runs. It's easier to concentrate whilst doing speed sessions but it's all too easy to get distracted in your mind, even when racing.
I was extremely restless and bored, but I could not sum up the willpower to change this. The things outside of my running which were not going as hoped, which to start off with had not impeded on my training, now took centre stage. I started to become somewhat lost in the loneliness and loonieness of the long distance runner!!
Doing what I'm trying to achieve is such a long term plan that the end never seems to be in sight. I have short term goals, such as the Surrey Championships and various other races, but the end goal is a long way off. What doesn't help is that there are no guarantees that the goal will be met. A massive range of factors can effect the perceived outcome. And when one thing in my life suddenly changes, or I feel as the goal posts have been moved, even if it has no relevance to the actual act of being able to get out and run, it makes me question what I'm doing. As most of my life is now devoted to running it's sometimes hard to keep up the enthusiasm for it when other things are going on around me. It's the same for many things in everyone's life, yet when something changes in mine and prevents me physically or mentally from running as I would like, it adds stress to what should be the most enjoyable job in the world!
I would love to sometimes stop for a week or two, spontaneously or just because things are getting hard, but it's not an option where I am. My personal life is my professional life. When you train well your goal feels closer, when you don't they seems further away. If you complete a week's schedule exactly as you'd plan the goal feels obtainable, but if you miss a session you feel a sense of failure or disappointment in your achievements. So to down tools and do nothing mentally makes the whole thing worse.
Thankfully because I've got through many torturous training sessions and many long lonely miles my head is tougher than it use to be. As I write this at the beginning of a new week the troubles and distractions no longer seem so big, they aren't the all consuming issues that I'd thought. They are still there, and I expect they'll remain there until it's all resolved, but I've been able to put them at the back of my mind. Running is now a distraction to the distraction! What's more, I've done all the runs I've intended to do, so that goal as far off as it may be, seems that little bit closer!
Wednesday 23 January 2008
Tuesday 15 January 2008
12th January: Surrey League Richmond Park
1st
Race Report:
With my legs a little jaded from the week's training I decided not to employ the tactics that worked so well in the county championships. Instead of making a long run for it I decided to sit back and let the field dictate how fast we went. I was happily sitting in a group of four at the head of the field for the first mile, then my club mate decided that he wanted to make me work for it. Having missed the race the weekend before - he was sunning himself in Portugal - he came into the race fresh and raring to go. Having trained a lot with him I knew what I was in for so I sat on his shoulder for the first lap. Towards the end of the lap I pulled a small gap through a tricky section of the course and as my legs were feeling ok I made a break from him down a steep hill. If it had been a competitor from another club I would have sat back for longer, but I feel with a team mate to sprint finish at the end is somehow not the done thing! Plus if I'd managed to out kick him in the last hundred yards I know he'd make me pay for it on our long Sunday run! So I hit the front and managed to pull a gap which allowed me to relax and get into a rhythm that I maintained to the end.
All in all a satisfactory race, it's always nice to see an Epsom and Ewell one two.
Race Report:
With my legs a little jaded from the week's training I decided not to employ the tactics that worked so well in the county championships. Instead of making a long run for it I decided to sit back and let the field dictate how fast we went. I was happily sitting in a group of four at the head of the field for the first mile, then my club mate decided that he wanted to make me work for it. Having missed the race the weekend before - he was sunning himself in Portugal - he came into the race fresh and raring to go. Having trained a lot with him I knew what I was in for so I sat on his shoulder for the first lap. Towards the end of the lap I pulled a small gap through a tricky section of the course and as my legs were feeling ok I made a break from him down a steep hill. If it had been a competitor from another club I would have sat back for longer, but I feel with a team mate to sprint finish at the end is somehow not the done thing! Plus if I'd managed to out kick him in the last hundred yards I know he'd make me pay for it on our long Sunday run! So I hit the front and managed to pull a gap which allowed me to relax and get into a rhythm that I maintained to the end.
All in all a satisfactory race, it's always nice to see an Epsom and Ewell one two.
6th - 11th January
Training Report:
This week my body truly felt the effects of pushing it really hard at the county championships. My legs were really sore for two days and a massive cramp in my hamstring on Saturday evening didn't help matters! Added to this the fact I picked up a bit of a foot injury due to not tying my shoe lace up properly in the race - always use a double knot! So I had two days of stretching, walking and baths. Hard work as you can imagine! By Tuesday I felt my legs were getting back to their old selves and I hit back into hard training as normal.
3 x 2000 metres into a howling head wind isn't my usual choice for a first proper run after a rest, but it was duly dispatched. As were the rest of the week's runs. With a league match on Saturday I was a little unsure of how to approach my training on Thursday and Friday. As I'd eased back so much for the Surrey's I decided to train hard and not ease back, and hope for the best!
This week my body truly felt the effects of pushing it really hard at the county championships. My legs were really sore for two days and a massive cramp in my hamstring on Saturday evening didn't help matters! Added to this the fact I picked up a bit of a foot injury due to not tying my shoe lace up properly in the race - always use a double knot! So I had two days of stretching, walking and baths. Hard work as you can imagine! By Tuesday I felt my legs were getting back to their old selves and I hit back into hard training as normal.
3 x 2000 metres into a howling head wind isn't my usual choice for a first proper run after a rest, but it was duly dispatched. As were the rest of the week's runs. With a league match on Saturday I was a little unsure of how to approach my training on Thursday and Friday. As I'd eased back so much for the Surrey's I decided to train hard and not ease back, and hope for the best!
Monday 7 January 2008
Saturday 5th January: Surrey County Championships
Result - 2ndRace Report:
I was really focused for Saturday's race. I like to have a laugh with my team mates and friends at races, which I did as it helps with any nerves that I sometimes get before even the smallest of races. But with about ten minutes before the start I got tunnel vision. I psyched myself up and I knew I was in good shape, I knew I was ready.
Before the start I had a few plans. Surrey is quite a strong county so I knew there would be lots of good athletes to contend with. I also knew I would most likely be scrapping over second place as Phil Wicks the national half marathon champion and GB world cross country representative was running. And although I have strong hopes of challenging him one day, I knew at the moment he was in a league of his own. So I decided to stick with the chasing pack to start with as 7.5 miles in quite muddy conditions is a long slog.
The gun went and my initial plan was chucked out after thirty seconds. Phil went straight into the lead as predicted but the chasing pack seemed to be showing too much respect and was going a bit too slow. Not surprising really, given the race was only half a minute old and would last for over forty, but I decided to go with Phil for a mile or so in the hope I would get a gap and I could hide from the rest; out of sight out of mind. And I guess it worked! I finished in second all alone. Phil was well ahead and the chasing pack were out of sight.
It was a hard race on my own. Putting myself in second after only 400 metres and then focusing on staying there when I had no one to work with, and knew that the others were hunting me like a pack of dogs. As I began my last lap after five miles of running I was wondering if I'd made the right choice. I was tired and had a few doubts as to whether I would last. But I told myself that I'd put myself in this position and to get on with it, and I guess I did. I was over the moon to come second, and shows a good improvement from my fifth place last year. Now I'm focused on making up for a poor performance last year when representing Surrey at the inter counties.
I think I owe a little credit to my brother who inspired me to make my move so early on. For Christmas he got me a picture of a litte known American runner named Steve Perfontaine, with his quote, 'To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.' And for once I really think I did give my best!
1st - 4th January 2008
Training Report:
Training this week has been really low key and relaxed, as I eased down for the county championships on Saturday. I met up with friends as much as possible who were also easing back to ensure that I didn't get any urges to work hard and waste my energy. It's a strange feeling when you ease off, your legs feel full of energy and bounce and are willing you to use them properly. You have to keep reminding yourself to run slowly and to stick to the length of run that's been scheduled, and not get carried away, regardless of how good you feel. It's also a strange sensation psychologicaly. You feel that a gentle twenty minute run will make you slower come race day. Your head seems to think a hard 45 minutes or some hill reps will make you fitter and stronger come race day. To do that would give you confidence that you're running well, so when you toe the start line you know you're in good shape, but to give your body an extra few days to recover from the months of training is ultimatley the better option. Well I hope so anyway!
I always do the same session the day before a race. An easy 25 minute run which includes three thirty second fast strides with thirty seconds recovery. I like my legs to get a fast turn over the day before. But at only thirty seconds in length and only three reps it won't tire me out at all.
My new non chocolate diet is going ok, I decided not to go cold turkey, I've had enough cold turkey this Christmas! But I made sure other than my occasional bit of chocolate I ate lots of fruit and veg this week as well as the distance runner's trusty friend carbohydrates. Along with stretching and sitting in ice baths it was all I could do to ensure I was ready to do myself and my training justice.
Training this week has been really low key and relaxed, as I eased down for the county championships on Saturday. I met up with friends as much as possible who were also easing back to ensure that I didn't get any urges to work hard and waste my energy. It's a strange feeling when you ease off, your legs feel full of energy and bounce and are willing you to use them properly. You have to keep reminding yourself to run slowly and to stick to the length of run that's been scheduled, and not get carried away, regardless of how good you feel. It's also a strange sensation psychologicaly. You feel that a gentle twenty minute run will make you slower come race day. Your head seems to think a hard 45 minutes or some hill reps will make you fitter and stronger come race day. To do that would give you confidence that you're running well, so when you toe the start line you know you're in good shape, but to give your body an extra few days to recover from the months of training is ultimatley the better option. Well I hope so anyway!
I always do the same session the day before a race. An easy 25 minute run which includes three thirty second fast strides with thirty seconds recovery. I like my legs to get a fast turn over the day before. But at only thirty seconds in length and only three reps it won't tire me out at all.
My new non chocolate diet is going ok, I decided not to go cold turkey, I've had enough cold turkey this Christmas! But I made sure other than my occasional bit of chocolate I ate lots of fruit and veg this week as well as the distance runner's trusty friend carbohydrates. Along with stretching and sitting in ice baths it was all I could do to ensure I was ready to do myself and my training justice.
Thursday 3 January 2008
22nd - 31st December
Training Report:
Christmas is always quite a strange period in athletics. For me it's a key period halfway through the cross country season, with all the major championships ready to come thick and fast in the New Year, yet things seem to shut down. My track is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period, and races seem non existent unless is some kind of inter club race that's more about having a laugh than running seriously. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first person in line to have fun, it's just a little frustrating when it all comes at a crucial phase of the season.
My one weakness at Christmas is chocolate; alcohol I can quite easily say no to, but chocolate is a different matter. It's an addiction that I may need to seek help for. If it's in the house, it must be eaten. It calls me over, taunting me, goading me into consuming one, two, eight bars at a time. Thanks to kind friends and relatives we had four tins of 'Roses' and 'Quality Street' in the house, they won't make the New Year! The guilt I suffer every morning is terrible, as I wake up surrounded by shiny rappers and melted chocolate stains on my duvet! For sure I know what my New Year's resolution will be! But I may need to join 'Chocoholics Anonymous' to help me through the dark lonely times.
As far as training is concerned, touch wood, I still seem to be running well. It is a little harder to push myself out of the door at this time of the year, especially when 'Jurassic Park 2' and 'Home alone 3' are on the TV! With a week to go until the Surrey County Championships I did my last hard speed session on the 30th. With my track closed I was forced to run my 6 x mile reps on the road. I actually find this session a lot more enjoyable out on the road. You can push and relax during the rep without the constant lap times being read out, plus running on an undulating course is more representative of what I'll face in races, rather than the flat surface of the track. I managed to average a fraction over 5 minutes for each mile, and felt strong and in control. It was one of those runs where you're so focused and relaxed that you feel you could go on forever. And with a last mile of well under 5 minutes I was happy that all the chocolate eating hadn't taken its toll too much!
I'm going to spend New Year's eve being a good/sad git athlete. I'll be at home watching TV with my last chocolate bar in my hand! I may even get an early night to get ready for a new year of training!
Christmas is always quite a strange period in athletics. For me it's a key period halfway through the cross country season, with all the major championships ready to come thick and fast in the New Year, yet things seem to shut down. My track is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period, and races seem non existent unless is some kind of inter club race that's more about having a laugh than running seriously. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first person in line to have fun, it's just a little frustrating when it all comes at a crucial phase of the season.
My one weakness at Christmas is chocolate; alcohol I can quite easily say no to, but chocolate is a different matter. It's an addiction that I may need to seek help for. If it's in the house, it must be eaten. It calls me over, taunting me, goading me into consuming one, two, eight bars at a time. Thanks to kind friends and relatives we had four tins of 'Roses' and 'Quality Street' in the house, they won't make the New Year! The guilt I suffer every morning is terrible, as I wake up surrounded by shiny rappers and melted chocolate stains on my duvet! For sure I know what my New Year's resolution will be! But I may need to join 'Chocoholics Anonymous' to help me through the dark lonely times.
As far as training is concerned, touch wood, I still seem to be running well. It is a little harder to push myself out of the door at this time of the year, especially when 'Jurassic Park 2' and 'Home alone 3' are on the TV! With a week to go until the Surrey County Championships I did my last hard speed session on the 30th. With my track closed I was forced to run my 6 x mile reps on the road. I actually find this session a lot more enjoyable out on the road. You can push and relax during the rep without the constant lap times being read out, plus running on an undulating course is more representative of what I'll face in races, rather than the flat surface of the track. I managed to average a fraction over 5 minutes for each mile, and felt strong and in control. It was one of those runs where you're so focused and relaxed that you feel you could go on forever. And with a last mile of well under 5 minutes I was happy that all the chocolate eating hadn't taken its toll too much!
I'm going to spend New Year's eve being a good/sad git athlete. I'll be at home watching TV with my last chocolate bar in my hand! I may even get an early night to get ready for a new year of training!
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