Pot Luck reflections.

Yep it's going to be that sort of post. A piss poor pot luck of thoughts and ramblings.

I had hoped to publish a post on how people deal with running when working shifts (early, lates and nights) but that post was only prompted by a busy set of shifts which meant I had little time to run let alone write something with enough wit that my mum might read it.
Instead I'm going to babble on about everything I have learnt while training and tell you my thoughts on  training in general.

As a naturally lazy person I tend not to do much of anything unless I really need, or want to. A half hearted request to take the bins out wont cut it with me. Though my wife has slowly ground me down into a tidy, clean-ish member of society.

Think more 'Men behaving badly' than 'The young ones'.

This basically means that when I enthusiastically set out my training plan with the help of Jurgen I hadn't taken and consideration about how my complete lack of work pattern from one week to the other. I work a week of nights a month and then early lates with days off in between. I knew I would need to swap things around and do my long runs on my days off. But I didn't give it any more thought than that. BIG Mistake. I ended up really tired and would sometimes run 4 days straight, then nothing for 5 days. I admit I could have got up early and ran before my late shift started, I have friends that do this, and follow bloggers that post wonderful pictures of sunrises in Forrest's. But I am not Rocky (IV) I just love my bed too much. For the last 4 weeks of my training I have now sat down with my shifts and my running plan and fitted them together, something I should have done all along, but hey ho.

I also went away for a long weekend to Madrid and eat way too much food and drink then my family came to visit, fitting in one token 5k. This break fell right where my busiest week should have been and it made me realise I really enjoy running but I it isn't all I want to do. If I don't do as well it's because I decided to spend time with Anna, drinking in a bar I'm happy with that :)

During my training I have also discovered the wonder that is Parkrun. Chances are if you read a blog about running you are familiar with Parkrun and already love it. If you haven't heard about it look it up and go along. It's basically a community of people that organise a weekly timed 5k run for anyone that wants to go along. All you need to do is register, print off a barcode and head along. It's brilliant for regular runners as it let you know how you are progressing. It's also great for people wanting to start running and need, or want a little encouragement. There are a huge range of people that do it and everyone is really welcoming. I've told everyone I know about it and even dragged my Mum and Sister along to Camperdown for their first Parkrun when they were on holiday.

Parkrun along with a couple of other things mean that I seem to have done more short runs than long runs on this training cycle. I have almost always done my 'Long run' but I guess I have done less 7-10 mile runs. I'm not really sure how this will play out on Marathon day but I do know It's meant that I have had more occasions where I've went out and done a shorter run rather than done no run at all. I'm also hoping that all the time on my feet at work counts towards training. Note the ever increasing desperation .

There's no hiding some of the gaps..... Better head out for another run.

The desperate tone is because I'm now tapering. From what I can gather no one really knows what to do in a taper. The general consensus seems to be a mixture of panic, overeating and moaning about injuries. I already do the over eating part so I'm trying hard not to reflect on my lack of training and not focusing on any injury worries. In the last 24 hours I've had a torn calf and a broken back. It's a miracle I've not been admitted to hospital, but at least I'm not panicking.


Finally, I've found speaking to some co-workers about training which has really helped keep me motivated. As has reading blogs about people training. Especially blogs from real runners, the masses that make up the pack*.   I read 5 or 6 blogs, all very good, very funny, very motivating, and mostly from Scotland. However all of these bloggers are girls/woman (delete which is better, I don't want the wrath of bloggers). Where are all the men? If I had a few bloke bloggers I might have learnt the pains of chaffing a bit quicker (Vicks aloe vera is NOT a replacement for Vaseline on long runs), or that loose shorts and no support can make you ache a little. I have read a couple of male bloggers that are very good but they tend to be elite runners and I read them because they are interested not because I can relate to them. SO if any of you can recommend any please feel free to send me a link.

Cool links
Parkrun - http://www.parkrun.org.uk

Bloggers

http://splutterandroll.wordpress.com
http://medalslut.com
http://runningprincess78.wordpress.com
http://www.redwinerunner.co.uk

My next post will probably be after Lochaber. Woop Woop. If you can't handle the anticipation  add me on twitter and I'll give you some updates nearer the time.
@HendriePaul


*This is NOT meant as an insult, I hope to be middle of the pack one day.

New Year, same me.

It's been a while since I last posted about actual running so I thought I better post something about what I'm doing for the year and how I'm fairing. The big target for the year is Lochaber marathon on Sunday the 6th of April. I actually signed up a wee while ago and initiated a 16 week training plan.

Training plans are in interesting thing in themselves and I'm sure a smarter person than me will have dedicated a whole blog post to it. Alas I am not that smarter person. I decided to seek help from a higher power and instilled an Iron (wo)man who will not be referred to as Jurgen (read James Cracknalls book for the reference). I based a plan on Hal Higdon novice and tweaked it based upon the belief that I could always run 3 times a week and possibly add a 4th on if work and my motivation allowed. Jurgen Was quick to help and edit, offering advice in ensuring I kept my long runs slow and added in some marathon pace in the last few miles, building up to a 70/30 ratio. I also added some more longer runs. Conscious of how I faded in the last half of Loch ness. So thanks Jurgen and sorry for what you're about to read.

My training plan started on a week I was on nights. The following week I was at a conference so I had to bodge the first two weeks, much to the mockery of my parents and sister who visited in the 3rd week. This ribbing and nagging from Anna was actually just what the doctor ordered. It got me back running some decent miles of regular 6-9 mile runs.  I've now managed 3 solid weeks and feel I'm in the swing of things. I find the first run really important. This is all just habit and sadly they are easily lost and hard gained.

Anyway. I've now revised my plan to take my first sloth like 3 weeks into account and am running well. Part of the plan is to run with people regularly and before Christmas I went to a 4 sessions at a running club. I found I really pushed myself as most of the members are 'proper' runners. I was amazed that on my first 6 mile run at the club I finished well under 50 minutes, though I almost dead at the end. Running in company means you push yourself to keep up and I would have definitely slowed had I been on my own. I also went to one of the group speed sessions where everyone stays together. Despite me being too out of breath to speak everyone was very friendly. Sadly shift work means I can't be a regular but when I can next go I'll sign up and go whenever I can as I really enjoyed it and think my running will  benefit massively.

Before Lochaber I will be running in the Forfar Multi-Terrain Half Marathon and am really looking forward to it. I think it's probably a really strong field with a lot of club runners but I'm running it with a friend so either way it'll be fun. As the course is really tough, with a river crossing and lots of mud if I can get round in under 2 hours I'll be happy. I'll also use it as a gauge to set targets for Lochaber.

After Lochaber I will be running the Edinburgh Half marathon with some friends. A group of us are hopefully running it and I will have the aim of pacing Anna to get whatever time she says. This is a little payback for all her help and to say thank you for the support she gives me. Hopefully I will still be faster than her. She is catching me quickly.

The rest of the year will be taken up by trying to get some more speed and focusing on 10 miles. Whenever I run 10 miles in training I really enjoy it and I think this is 'my distance' but having never ran the distance in  a race I'd be interested to see how it goes.

This has been a bit of a mixed blog so I will add to the pot luck and talk about two other things while I'm at it. My mum and Dad got me a Garmin forerunner 10 for Christmas. I had previously been a bit sceptical about GPS watches as I thought the battery and size would be terrible and Huge. The forerunner is billed on line as the entry level watch but it's brilliant. I haven't used all the settings yet but I really enjoy being able to quickly check current pace and distance ran rather than the ever increasing time. If anyone is on the fence give it a go, as so far, so good. As for the size it looks great on and is smaller than some dress watches these days. The battery seems to be holding out well but I'll mention that on my bigger runs.

Finally I bought two pairs of trainers recently. The first, a pair of Brooks Ghost 6 for my marathon training. The second, a pair of Adidas Kanadia 5. The Kanadia's were a bargain as they were on sale. Anna got a pair too as we enjoy going for trail runs together so hopefully they will see some use.

 I'll write about them more when I have used them but I just wanted to say I thought the people at Sweatshop Dundee were friendly and helpful. Not pushing you to buy expensive shoes, just the right ones. It seems a long established shop so it probably doesn't need my support but if you are in Dundee and want some advice/shoes go local and head down rather than the online lottery of shoe sizes.