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Friday 9 May 2014

Watching, waiting, getting ready

My wife brought me a cup of tea in bed after a short lie in this morning. She'd sorted the kids out for school and was just about to walk them there. I'd normally take them on a Friday morning, but she offered me a lie in in preparation for the race. I think she wants me to come and support at parkrun tomorrow, but I won't be up early if I can get away with it :)

Something I've observed recently, with me doing some early morning training is that our mornings have been a bit more relaxed. I'd make lunches the night before and aim to get back from my training by 7am. This is instead of aiming to get up at 7 and not actually making it out of bed until 7:30. I think there has also been a bit more give and take with training since She started to attend the local running club, and I schedule my training around hers.


PowermanUK published their startlist, and the stalking of AG competitors was duly completed. After that I went out for a 40 minute easy run in the wind, then packed my kit for Sunday. I'll be off to Sherborne after Mrs A has run parkrun tomorrow.

I just need to decide how much slack I need to include in the 2hr drive. Once there I need to check in at the B&B, register for the race, check the bike and test ride it to ensure it travelled OK. Then attend the athlete briefing, find somewhere to eat dinner. 

There are a few unknowns - whether the B&B will do an early breakfast or give me access to the kitchen for a brew and porridge or tinned rice pud. No point in sweating the small stuff. Like the weather. It is likely to be wet or windy, or maybe both. But I can run and cycle in the wind and rain. They're not ideal but they affect everyone.

I've been reading Charlie Spedding's From First to Last: How I Became a Marathon Champion recently. It has some great positive thinking in it, and it was quite a timely reminder for me. So ask me how I am, and I'll no longer say I'm not bad, but I'll say I'm good, great!

So along those lines, I'm going to have a great race on Sunday. See you then!



Monday 5 May 2014

Weekend round-up

I've spent the past few parkrundays volunteering. It's always nice to get out there and help. However this Saturday was different. After a bike TT last week to test bike fitness and health under pressure it was time to test my run fitness.

To cut a long story short I'm about 1:30 away from my December PB. Let's say that's similar to where I was when I came back from an Achilles injury in October. I know how much I improved over 2 months from that point so I'm hopeful of good things over the next few months.

What I have found strange is doing things slowly. Ignoring the TT and parkrun, all my runs and bikes have been at a low HR. My speed has been improving over time. Run wise I'm up to 6min/km (~10min/mi) not setting the world on fire, but capable of an average 5km time.

Easter was busy with some good training and plenty of time with the family. Both kids are really enjoying their cycling and running, as is my wife.

Today she ran the Shinfield 10km, taking 5mins off her PB. I went with the kids on the U10s 2.1km race, which was a bit of a muddy cross country event. Other than that it was a rest time in preparation for PowermanUK on Sunday.

After being unsure whether I'd go or not, I'm really looking forward to it!