The Agony and the Ecstasy

Week Six - 88 Days to Go

One of the key things pointed out in The Plan is try and prevent real life intruding on your training where possible. Unfortunately, when this includes your football team making the Play Off Final for the first time in 21 years thus setting up a first ever trip to the new Wembley Stadium; certain sacrifices have to be made. I'm sure Mr. Pfitzinger would understand...

As such my training after Hagley went a bit to pot so I could accommodate the trip. I went down to club on Thursday evening, but the low turnout meant I went for a steady run on my own. Which also meant that I paced it horribly and went too fast. Ideally I need to find someone else who is marathon training, or at the very least willing to do the long runs with me so that my pacing stays remotely sensible. 

Friday was a long day at work with no running, so to burn off nervous energy before the big match I did about nine miles at a fair pace on Saturday morning, knowing full well that there would be nothing on Sunday regardless of the result. 

I won't bore anyone with a match report but suffice it to say that conceding an equaliser with the very last kick of the match before losing on penalties is exactly the sickener you'd expect. With a day's hindsight though I can apprectiate what a magnificent season it was - to go from being 20 seconds away from relegation to 20 seconds from promotion in twelve months is a fantastic achievement by anyone's yardstick. As they say though, you must experience the lows to appreciate the highs - so let's hope for better next season.

Big Day Out at Wembley

As today was a Bank Holiday, I attempted the long run. In the end I managed fifteen miles (including a brief detour for a toilet break) but it was hard work. I can only blame post-play off ennui so much though, it was probably just one of those days. 

For the rest of the week a combination of work, revision and the occasional run is planned. Hopefully this will be the last of the weeks where slight rescheduling is necessary. By this time next Monday I will have ceased to be a student (until September) so my life will hopefully have some semblance of free time restored...

"Crisis? What Crisis?"

Week Five - 93 Days to Go

Although willing to be proved wrong, it seems my fears at the back end of last week may have been misplaced. The two runs so far this week have been great, with a surprisingly good showing tonight at the Hagley 10k. I don't think that I'm psychologically cut out for running - being one of life's natural pessimists added to the inevitable niggles that come from training leaves me thinking that I am permanently on the verge of falling apart...

Anyway, back to tonight and the first race of the Worcestershire Midweek Series. I had wanted to try this last year but it sadly didn't fit in with my marathon training. This year however I thought that a few Wednesday night races would break up the training monotony so travelled over to Hagley for the first event.

I  must admit, it is a nice part of the world. Seemingly quiet and rural it reminds me a bit of home - albeit infinitely more hilly. The race was two laps over mainly bridle paths utilising parts of the Stourbridge Stagger/Stumble course. Armed with some inside knowledge that the best option at the start was to go hell for leather due to the race quickly turning left onto a narrow path, I was initially worried that I'd be able to maintain the pace. I think familiarity with part of the course helped and as I finished the first lap in just over 20 minutes started to focus on ensuring that I was the first Bournville finisher.

Lap two was certainly tougher, with the field spread out there were fewer opportunities to catch your breath behind a slower runner on the single file parts and the long uphill sandy section had been significantly churned up. Nevertheless, I managed to weather the storm and after engaging in a futile battle with a much quicker runner, crossed the line in 40:14.

My initial delight and slight confusion in seemingly almost running a 10k PB on a multi-terrain course was soon halted when I realised that the race was about .15 of a mile short of the full distance. That said, despite not admitting to any obsessive qualities, I later worked out what the time would have been over the full distance and it would easily have knocked a minute off my best multi-terrain time.

So overall, a pleasing couple of days training wise. I wish the same could be said for work - a 10-6 shift tomorrow will hopefully allow me to get back for training at the club barring any traffic madness. Based on my last late finish on club night however, I may be lucky to make it back before nightfall...

Ebb and Flow

96 Days to Go

I mentioned in the last post that this week would likely make or break me - the overall verdict appears to be somewhere inbetween.

My midweek long run went well, just shy of 14 miles and almost pleasant in the sun and with a slight breeze. Casting my mind back to my first marathon, and the training that appeared to take place entirely in driving wind and rain, I realise that so far I've been fortunate with the conditions that I've been running in. I also realise that by writing this I have cursed this for the next few months.

On Thursday I went down to the club and decided to take part in the rep session, but trying to maintain a slower pace. The session was one of the favourites - Kenyan Hills down at Cotteridge Park (the hilly part appeals to the sadist in me). I stuck with Simon Newman, who is running ridiculously well after all his training for the Manchester Marathon a few weeks back, it really helped and was a good steady session - although I have to take issue with Strava which claimed that he was faster than me despite us running side by side for the entire time!

Come Friday I was looking forward to a good run after work - if for no other reason that to work out the frustration over the latest high farce at work. Sadly, disaster struck - I noticed through the day that my foot was getting increasingly tight and by the time I drove home it was pretty noticeable. Cursing my luck, I knew a run was out of the question and sat inside to stew.

All kinds of thoughts run through my mind - injury? overtraining? I wasn't planning to run on Saturday anyway but a rational mind would just have a few days off and see how it went. However, as a runner I am anything but rational so I strapped the offending appendage for the rest of the day and resolved to test the waters on Sunday.

As it went, on Sunday morning I felt ok so gingerly set out for a long run. Things got better as they went on - for the first time I probably did the run as intended with a slow start and then speeding up as it went on. Several hours later, sat watching Match of the Day, I don't feel any ill effects so we will see what tomorrow brings.

Certainly the last few days leaves me in a bit of a quandary. Friday could be a bit of a blip or the start of something more serious. Consulting 'The Plan' it seems that currently I fall between two stools - quicker than one plan, but maybe not fit enough for the next step up. I may try sticking to the intensity of the current plan, but reduce the mileage slightly. This will require some mental effort on my part which I'm not happy about.

On an unrelated note, I went to see this on Saturday. It was bloody great.

On a second unrelated note, this much?! For a League Two Playoff?!

First Day Back

Week Four - 101 Days to Go

Just a quick entry tonight, I have been woefully neglecting reading for the solitary Uni exam in a few weeks, instead I've spend the night aimlessly browsing the internet and posting unnecessarily vague announcements on Facebook.

The rest over the weekend appeared to have done the trick, the nine miles this evening felt alright (apart from the first couple obviously) and I finished it off with some 100m strides along the old Cannon Hill gravel pitch - much to the amusement of a group of rude boys and a bemused father playing cricket with his kids. Humiliation is part and parcel of running, probably due to the ill advised lycra.

Checking good old Strava afterwards I noticed it was at a quicker pace than last week, even with the extra mile, so quite pleasing. The real test will come tomorrow with the big run back from work. 'The Plan' calls for 14 miles. I think it's doable, but with the mileage increasing steadily, and with the prospect of the longest run so far pencilled in for Sunday, I feel this week will either make or break me. 

Fingers crossed. See you on the other side. 

The Morning After..

What a difference the few days since my last post have made! We've had a General Election, so as far as I know my job may already have been outsourced the lowest bidder - currently I'm sat on my Parent's sofa in a state of blissful ignorance.

My trip to the old country has been for an old friends wedding, a really pleasant day out catching up with everyone was had. The weather came good and much was consumed - as a consequence of course there was no running this weekend. This is perhaps a good thing as I think that I may have twinged a muscle during my attempt at the Sherrifhales Shuffle last week so a couple of days rest may not be the worst idea in the long run.

My last actual run was Friday morning before I set off - supposedly another 4 mile threshold session however I dropped off quite dramatically after the first mile. What was supposed to be run at half marathon pace ended up being about twenty seconds slower. I blame post-election malaise - the bloody Tories ruining my running along with everything else...

No other non-running distractions planned at weekends before the big day now (except for a couple of contractually obligated working weekends) so it's full steam ahead. Seeing some of my club mates posting some impressive short distance times much better than my current ones has awakened that pesky competitive instinct. As a result, I've taken the opportunity of a change in my work shifts to enter a cheeky 10k race in Worcester at the start of June.

I should really be doing a long run on that day, but I'll sort something out and damn the consequences...

The Hump of the Week

Halfway through week three of 'The Plan' and two longish runs in the bag - although it was particularly poor planning on my part that tonight's 13 mile effort coincided with my having to work until 6 o'clock...

The day started with us being graced with a visit from the newest member of the Senior Leadership Team. Management Bingo full house was declared when she vowed to spend a significant amount of time with us (translation: "I will only be here to deliver bad news or when one or all of you drop in the shit" - which on current form will likely be quite soon). After that it was knuckling down to the usual spreadsheets and things.

The run home was surprisingly pleasant, with the gale force winds having subsided and just cloudy grey skies overhead. I do have a sneaking suspicion that the weather in Reykjavik this August will be quite similar.

I managed to keep a nice steady pace, although the last few miles through Cannon Hill were a bit of a slog - probably due to the late hour. At the moment I'm glad that the training is through the summer as excessive long runs in the dark would probably break me.

Tomorrow is a nice easy day helping out with the Beginners Group at club as well as fulfilling my democratic right to cast a meaningless vote in a safe seat at the General Election. At least it will give me the mandate to complain for the next five years.

Or eighteen months on current polling predictions....

The Sheriffhales Shuffle

110 Days to Go

As promised, a reasonably quiet weekend - except for the frantic dash to complete all my outstanding chores. There was at least the cathartic release of returning an enormous selections of books to the library having finished my last outstanding essay (although it was slightly dampened by having to then take out another selection to assist with revision for next month's exam!)

Whilst Saturday was quiet, Sunday meant another reasonably early dash out to darkest Shropshire to run the Sheriffhales Shuffle, which was the second race of the Fourmidables Series which I signed up for almost on a whim due to the faint promise of personal glory.

The weather was terrible when I woke up and as I drove up the M6 I thought of those club mates who had paid the extortionate sum of £25 to run the Birmingham 10k in the pouring rain and no chance of a decent time. Thankfully for me, the rain stopped as I entered more rural climes and by the time I'd parked up, the first hint of blue sky could be seen.

The race itself was 7 mile of multi-terrain and like all multi-terrain races, the Shuffle started with a nice easy part to lull you into a false sense of security - in this case a half mile section along a road before heading straight into fields and a steady uneven climb that really spread the the competition out. Soon we were thankfully back on firmer ground and heading through the middle of the Lilleshall complex (worryingly with an archery competition in full effect) followed by a long descent along the road which helped to get the breath back.

After about four miles I realised that one runner was making a concerted effort to catch me and by about four and a half was very inconsiderately trying to slipstream me as we started the second big climb. I moved to one side to force him past, so as we forded the hill and turned back onto the road we were effectively level. It was then I realised to my delight that he had effectively used all his energy reaching me, allowing me to push back past him as we reached the six mile marker.

The final mile was either downhill or flat and I knew the chap wasn't going to get back at me. Looking back later, the final mile was 6:15 which bodes well for future weeks. In the end I finished tenth in 48:58, averaging just under seven minute miles. Sadly, my plans for Senior Male glory in the series looked to have been scuppered by an inconsiderately quick sod who appears to have decided to enter the whole series. Oh well, at least I'll never be short of towels at this rate..

Although 'The Plan' wasn't exactly followed today - I was supposed to do 14 miles with seven at marathon pace, seeing as the Shuffle was just about 7 miles I can probably ignore the warm-up and just count the race as sufficient effort. That said, nagging doubts mean that I may take advantage of tomorrow's Bank Holiday to do a long run....

The Long Weekend

112 Days to Go

I've finally made it to the first Bank Holiday of May, the last week may have seemed like it lasted for  about four months, but I still made it!

So the second week of training is almost over, with only a few minor changes due to seemingly never-ending car issues (thankfully now resolved). I managed just shy of 9 miles on Wednesday before my induction into the terrifying role of Communications Officer for my running club. It's a good job I've started this blog or I would have been entirely at sea. As it stands, I think I'll be able to survive until Christmas when I have to set up some online payments - then it'll probably be best to go and hide for a few weeks.

Yesterday was a gentle run at club, about six miles at 8 minute mile pace with Rich and Stu. Rich gave me a thorough debrief of his London Marathon experience - it does get quite sobering when someone else mentions that a sub-3 hour marathon basically involves doing 6.52 per mile for 26 miles. I must admit to living somewhat in a state of blissful ignorance, probably still being on a high from last weekend's exploits so it helps to focus the mind somewhat and help to set realistic goals. 

Today I managed about 9 miles down the canals, starting at a steady pace and building up towards the end - even managing to make it up Alcester Road without embarrassing myself! All in all, a productive week - now for a day off before tackling the Sheriffhales Shuffle on Sunday. It's the second race of the Four-midables Series and after the debacle of the first one, promises to be possibly the best marshalled race in the world...