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Marathon preparation

October 14th, 2009

Ok, so last weekend was the longest run of my current training plan. It was 22 miles and from there on in i’m officailly on a taper until the Snowdonia marathon on 24 October. Basically over the next days i’ll be running less, eating more and generally resting up as much as possible.

I’m running every day this week and next week but complete rest days on Thursday and Friday. I’ll then make way over to the race on the Friday and have a look over the course before heading to the registration.

The run itself went well – just over 3 hours of me, myself and I running. There was a bit of confusion on the route which I think meant that it was over 22 miles bit it’s all good. I used energy gels on the run and have a fair idea at what points along the course that i’ll use them. I also made a few small decisions about what kit i’ll be using on the day. It might not sound too important but if i’m confident about my kit, my fuel, my refuelling on the route then all that’s left for me to have to think about is the run itself.

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October cometh..

September 27th, 2009

It wasn’t a bad week of running. Managed to complete all my training runs and have been making sure that i’ve been resting up when I can.

It’s been a beautiful autumn week whilst out running. Which can often make the running a lot easier. The colours of the trees, the mists hanging over the fields, the sun rising – how can I not be enjoying the runs!

The months have fast disappeared, the summer’s near enough gone and September is almost a blur. This soon brings us to October which means that i’ve got three more long training runs to put in before the Snowdonia marathon. I’m not daunted by this – i’m hoping the training will continue on plan which means that on the day i’ll have enough inside me to be able to finish and enjoy myself.

I finished off the week this morning with a 20 miler. I had a struggle last Sunday and only did 17 of the 20 miles I wanted to do. Last week the legs felt tired but i’m more than sure that the problem was mental – I had a lack of confidence in myself which is very strange. I’m not the fastest of runners but i’ve never before not finished a distance that I set out to do. So i’ll take that on as experience.

This morning’s run was a two looper:


View 2 loops in Canley -Westwood Heath (20 miler) in a larger map

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Not the best way to taper down

September 12th, 2009

So last week has been a bit of a blur. I’ve been down with flu until Thursday and to be honest still feeling the effects. But went out for a run Friday morning. It has certainly got a lot darker in the morning since I last ran and the temperature has dropped too. But the run was ok. I was expecting a lot worse so pleasantly surprised that just a bit of resistance from my legs as they got me round.

Based on that i’ve decided to go ahead and run in the Robin Hood Nottingham half marathon on Sunday. I’m glad to say that there shouldn’t be a problem with me getting round. My fitness and past training should get me through that. Not sure whether i’m going to aim for a specific time though i would be most happy if i come in under an hour and forty minutes. But i will be listening to what my body tells me as I go round and not push things too hard. I’ve heard this is a good race so am looking forward to it. Much pasts and bed for me and here’s hoping it’s a little cooler in the morning.

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Route – Draycote Water park

August 17th, 2009

Got back to my long run yesterday. It was supposed to be around the 18 mile mark but i really didn’t fancy fiddling around sorting out a precise route so plumped for a few laps of Draycote Water instead.

Draycote Water is about 25 minutes from the centre of Coventry. Make sure you pay and display at the machine as you drive through the entrance or you’ll be trekking back to get your ticket.

The route is fairly straight forward. Each lap of the reservoir is approximately 5 miles. Pick your start point and off you go. The paths are well kept and there are facilities (3 portaloos) at intervals along the route as well as those in the main visitor centre. There are many other people out walking, running, cycling the route but there’s plenty of room for everyone (do keep your ears/eyes open on some bends for cyclists/other runners).

The route is flat along two sides of the route and the others are, to me, hilly – a few fairly short, steep climbs up and then back down again. I didn’t think this at the time but this mix of flat/hills are a great route for training on.

I ran 3 laps coming in at a well paced 40 mins for each one. I took 5 minutes break between laps as this was supposed to be a long and slow run. Didn’t feel that I was at a race temp but think I should still be going at a slower pace. I also tried out some energy gels at the end of each lap. I seem to get on better with the

I also took a rucksack with me this contained a hydration pack and my camera so this was a new experience for me running with any sort of weight on my back.

I toyed with the idea of a fourth lap but after a well argued debate between my head and my legs I decided to call it a day. I warmed down and just took in the views for a while before heading back to the car and home.


View Draycote water park in a larger map

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Black Park parkrun – Race 5

August 17th, 2009
I took a trip down to the Black Park parkrun on Saturday. It’s massively out of the way I know but it looked the closest parkrun to the midlands. I was on a bit of a fact finding mission as i’m fairly keen to see one started up in Coventry and wanted to know what was involved. I have to say I was very impressed!
I arrived fairly early and there were a few cars in the car park. I took a bit of a wander to warm up and returned about 15 minutes later to a much fuller car park and a buzz in the air. I made my way up to where the runners were gathering around the enquiry desk (handily located picnic bench) and just soaked up the atmosphere. There was about 80 people taking part in the run. A pleasing mixture of young and not so young, male/female.
Everyone lined up for the start and we were off on a well signposted, simple route on a gravel track around the park. Four lefts, two rights and before I knew it, it’s over! and i’m heading to the finishing line – ushered on by an encouraging cyclist. On the line your time is recorded and then you’re given a position token.
It took a couple of minutes to queue to register my name against my position token on the computer with the run organisers, but nothing off-putting. It gave me a chance to take some much need breath. Once that was done that was it, a well organised process from start to finish.
I stood and watched the rest of the participants finishing off and then headed home again.
Some of the other runners headed to a nearby cafe but I had to start the trek home.
A few hours later I recevied an email detailing my time for the day’s run. A couple more hours later and all the details are up on the site ready for viewing.

I took a trip down to the Black Park parkrun on Saturday. It’s massively out of the way I know but it looked the closest parkrun to the midlands. I was on a bit of a fact finding mission as i’m fairly keen to see one started up in Coventry and wanted to know what was involved. I have to say I was very impressed!

I arrived fairly early and there were a few cars in the car park. I took a bit of a wander to warm up and returned about 15 minutes later to a much fuller car park and a buzz in the air. I made my way up to where the runners were gathering around the enquiry desk (handily located picnic bench) and just soaked up the atmosphere. There was about 80 people taking part in the run. A pleasing mixture of young and not so young, male/female.

Everyone lined up for the start and we were off on a well signposted, simple route on a gravel track around the park. Four lefts, two rights and before I knew it, it’s over! and i’m heading to the finishing line – ushered on by an encouraging cyclist. On the line your time is recorded and then you’re given a position token.

It took a couple of minutes to queue to register my name against my position token on the computer with the run organisers, but nothing off-putting. It gave me a chance to take some much need breath. Once that was done that was it, a well organised process from start to finish.

I stood and watched the rest of the participants finishing off and then headed home again.

Some of the other runners headed to a nearby cafe but I had to start the trek home.

A few hours later I recevied an email detailing my time for the day’s run and then a couple more hours later and all the details are up on the site ready for viewing.

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Current goal – Snowdonia Marathon October 2009

July 23rd, 2009

I set myself a goal a while back – something to challenge myself with aside from the weekly training schedule. I’m aiming to do the Snowdonia Marathon in October 2009.

I read various articles and reports on this including 9 questions to discover a marathon : Snowdonia Marathon and Runner’s World Readers’ Top 50 Races 2008 and Snowdonia tied in with my timing.

Really looking forward to this one!

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Keeping up with the schedule

July 21st, 2009

I’m sticking well to my schedule so far. The general plan is to make sure i get a run out first thing in the morning and, if i can fit it in, an interval/ speed/ weights session in the evening. The week’s rounded off with a long, slow run on a Sunday – or a race depended on where i am in the schedule.

Last week started well. Monday was my day off so of course i spent that lazing in bed. Well that’s not quite how it happened, I ended up getting a little lost on a long run. The rest of the week was pretty normal – i mixed in a new morning route just to break up the routine a little bit. So last week:

Monday – 14 miles
Tuesday – 4 miles in the morning, weights session in the evening
Wednesday – 7 miles in the morning
Thursday – 7 miles in the morning
Friday – Fartleks for 4 miles in the morning, weights session in the evening

So 36 miles for the week.

Saturday and Sunday were a bit of a wash out but used them up as rest days.

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Running route – Coventry Cannon Park to town centre to Kersley and back

July 13th, 2009

Did my long run this morning – had this one planned for last week but best laid plans and all that. So this run not surprisingly start in Cannon Park car park. There are a couple of reasons for this:

  • If I run from home there is a temptation at some point to cut the run short and head home. If i’ve left the car in the car park somewhere then I have to head back there to get it so a bit of incentive
  • I use the Fitness first gym so close to refresh myself after a run

You could start most of these routes from the Memorial Park park and ride car park too.

    Back to today… I headed up to the Kenilworth Road via Cannon Hill Road. I followed the Kenilworth Road all the way to Warwick Road past the rail station and towards the town centre.

    There is a route along the Coventry ring road that you can take on foot. I believe you can walk the whole way round though parts of it do involve subways. You can avoid the subways with some careful road crossing or slight diversions.

    I followed the ring road round to the botton of the Radford Road. Run all the way up the Radford Road. The Radford Road becomes the Tamworth Road near to the Royal Court Hotel follow this along until you see  Hollyfast Lane on your left. Hollyfast Lane is a country lane – it was surprisingly quiet this morning – and the views in the sun this morning were wonderful. Still amazed at the green spaces that are around Coventry and loving exploring these on foot.

    At the end of Hollyfast Lane turn left onto Wall Hill Road. I got myself a bit lost here. I knew basically where I was but it was t-junction and my bearings had forseaken me. Walked for a bit in either direction but couldn’t convince myself one way or the other. Luckily I had my phone with me, it took about 10 seconds to get on the internet and dowload the google maps to my phone. A quick search and I was heading left!

    Take a right on to Hawkes Mill Lane and a left onto Browns Lane. At the bottom of Browns Lane go onto Birmingham Road. This is where this morning got interesting for a second time. I had to take the long route round the Pickford roundabout. I wanted to run up the A45 but couldn’t see a path going up the slip road. I’m sure there is a path further up but didn’t fancy finding out. Anyone know if there is a path? Where it starts and how to get onto it?

    So I cut through Allesley Park. Again I got a bit lost here but headed out onto Winsford Avenue that takes you onto Broad Lane. Turn right up Broad Lane and that brings you to the A45. A bit of a detour but I wasn’t in a rush to get back. So along the A45 and through the subway just after Burnsall Road. Down to Sir Henry Parkes Road and back up to Cannon Park.

    This route is mainly along footpaths and can be hilly at times. I didn’t see a single other runner but I guess we runners have to work too! Nice long run.


    View Kersley in a larger map

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    Running clubs in Coventry (and around Coventry)

    July 11th, 2009

    If you’re looking to join a running club in Coventry then here’s a list and a map of all those that i’ve been able to find:

    Coventry Godiva Harriers

    http://www.coventry-godiva-harriers.org.uk

    Kenilworth Runners

    http://www.kenilworthrunners.co.uk

    Massey Ferguson Runners Club

    http://www.masseyrunners.co.uk

    Northbrook AC, Coventry

    http://www.northbrookac.org.uk

    Saracens Running Club, Coventry

    http://website.lineone.net/~saracensrc/index.htm

    Sphinx AC

    http://www.sphinx.org.uk


    View Running clubs in and around Coventry in a larger map

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    First blog post of July!

    July 6th, 2009

    I’ve been a bit lax with my blog posts. It’s not that I haven’t been doing anything! Last week:

    Monday – 4 miles in the morning and then a circuit session in the evening
    Tuesday – 4 miles in the morning and then an interval session in the evening
    Wednesday – 4 miles in the morning and then circuit and weight session in the evening
    Thursday – 4 miles in the morning and then a sports massage in the evening (Fire and Earth UK)
    Friday – 4 miles in the morning then a weight session in the gym
    Saturday – 4.8 km slow but steady paced run
    Sunday – no long run on Sunday i just took a rest day and took it easy in the sun.

    So keeping up with the regime and the two workouts for most of my weekdays. So still happy and getting through it all.

    Saturday i took a visit to the Coventry Runner store. Excellent service again. They’ve updated a bit since the last time I was there. There’s now video gait analysis available (for a fee which is refunded if you purchase trainers).

    Basically a video camera is pointed at your feet as you run on a treadmill. The camera records all the movement of your feet for a period of time. When it’s played back you’re able to see how much pronation (if any) there is as you move and advice is then given as to which type of trainer you should be looking at – so they fetch down a few pairs of trainers and it’s back on the treadmill for a try out of the trainers and another video session to see how those trainers affect your running.

    Very interesting to see the video of me running, particularly in slow motion, they’re able to point out how you should be running and you can see the difference that the different trainer styles make to your running.

    All in it’s a relaxed evnironment to shop in and the guy who served me (whose name I forgot to ask for) was a runner and knew all about the trainers he was selling (i’d done my research too!). They’re updating the resources on their web site soon so it may be worth checking in there in the near future – or now if you haven’t done so already.

    For those interested I pronate a bit so a structured trainer was advised – again you could see the difference on the video. Left the shop with two pairs: Nike Air Structure triax+ and Mizuno Wave Inspire

    Oh and they also have details of the local races that are coming up – Massey Runners, Coventry, Corporate 5 Challenge at Uni of Warwick Tues 18 Aug was a new one to me!

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