The week started with the odd knee twinge on an otherwise fine run over the dam at Pendreich behind Bridge of Allan. It was nice to be "off-road" for a spell and the views were great. I do take the point that in preparing for a road race most training should be done on the road, but it was nice to get a break on some softer ground.
The midweek runs are getting longer than work lunchhour permits, this week's 6 and half miles through Cambuskenneth and Cornton was borderline. Next week will move the Wednesday run to the evening, which will impact at home, hopefully not too seriously. I'll just have to get a move on.
A good club session was followed at the weekend with almost 13 miles on Sunday morning over North Third. There are few things sweeter that gliding along in the morning sun, birds a-twittering and the reservoir glittering. Well, I'm sure there are sweeter things, tablet for example, but it was pretty good anyway.
Thursday 21 February 2008
Week 4 - Up the hill backwards.
For some 5 miles is a long run, it certainly is for me on some days, but in preparing for a marathon I'm given to understand that the weekend long runs (getting longer by the week) are the key to success.
Hal's model suggests progressively longer runs, with a step back evey third week - so 8, then 9 then back to 6, then 11, 12 and back to 9 and so on. This week's long run was 12 miles and we ended up doing 13 over the back road round North Third and down through Bannockburn. In a fit of enthusiasm, I elected to go the tough way round this well worn course - anti-clockwise where the hills are steeper. They were steeper than I recalled, but the run was done without too much of a problem on the day, but the old knees are beginning to show wear and tear and I'll need to be a bit more careful about taking rest days. Still, halfway there.
Other than that, the week's runs went fine, I did 3 miles as a figure of eight round the campus loch at Stirling University on the Friday which I haven't done for years, too short a distance for us finely tuned athletes, don't you know.
Hal's model suggests progressively longer runs, with a step back evey third week - so 8, then 9 then back to 6, then 11, 12 and back to 9 and so on. This week's long run was 12 miles and we ended up doing 13 over the back road round North Third and down through Bannockburn. In a fit of enthusiasm, I elected to go the tough way round this well worn course - anti-clockwise where the hills are steeper. They were steeper than I recalled, but the run was done without too much of a problem on the day, but the old knees are beginning to show wear and tear and I'll need to be a bit more careful about taking rest days. Still, halfway there.
Other than that, the week's runs went fine, I did 3 miles as a figure of eight round the campus loch at Stirling University on the Friday which I haven't done for years, too short a distance for us finely tuned athletes, don't you know.
Week 3 - Getting tougher.
An unnecessary long run on Monday (7 miles) meant that this week's rest day was on the Tuesday, not part of the schedule but changing the running schedule is about as rock-an-roll as I get. Straightforward enough 6 mile run round Bridge of Allan on the Wednesday and and easy 3 miles at the club (Central AC) session on the Thursday.
The interesting part of this week was the weekend away in Weardale, Frosterley to be precise. Saturday morning saw 7 and half miles in glorious sunshine on the back road from Frosterley to Stanhope and we knocked off 4 and half miles on the Weardale way in the direction of Wolsingham on the Sunday. Again lovely, and set me up nicely for the hefty breakfast of Michael Moore's square sausage with haggis. To die for (or is that to die from?).
I say we. Many runs are done alone, but I have also done a good number with friend, neighbour and Central AC compatriot Liam, who has been instrumental in dragging me on runs that I might otherwise have talked myself out of doing. I owe him a debt of gratitude. I think.
The interesting part of this week was the weekend away in Weardale, Frosterley to be precise. Saturday morning saw 7 and half miles in glorious sunshine on the back road from Frosterley to Stanhope and we knocked off 4 and half miles on the Weardale way in the direction of Wolsingham on the Sunday. Again lovely, and set me up nicely for the hefty breakfast of Michael Moore's square sausage with haggis. To die for (or is that to die from?).
I say we. Many runs are done alone, but I have also done a good number with friend, neighbour and Central AC compatriot Liam, who has been instrumental in dragging me on runs that I might otherwise have talked myself out of doing. I owe him a debt of gratitude. I think.
Friday 1 February 2008
Week 2 - The Road to Aberdeen
So far, so good. Currently just slightly ahead of Hal's less-than-punishing schedule. 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday and another 5 (made up of hill reps) on Thursday.
The weekend's long run was special as I was be in Aberdeen and I mapped out a 9 mile route up the Old Deeside Line. If you are ever in the city, this is highly recommended. The path starts at the Duthie Park and runs out of the city as far as Peterculter, some 10 miles out. The original stations and platforms are all still there, but you should resist the temptation to make choo-choo noises as you pass through the stations, it attracts attention. It's a fine run, and much less windswept than the beach, where most Granite City runners seem to go.
This is my first marathon and many have said that it is folly to take on such a challenge at my age (42 by race-day), but given that I'm not taking this up from a standing start (so to speak) I should be OK. It seems to be the thing to do if you run at all, even at my rather lowly level. Also, if I don't do it soon, I'll sink into alcohol-soft middle-age and never get it done.
The weekend's long run was special as I was be in Aberdeen and I mapped out a 9 mile route up the Old Deeside Line. If you are ever in the city, this is highly recommended. The path starts at the Duthie Park and runs out of the city as far as Peterculter, some 10 miles out. The original stations and platforms are all still there, but you should resist the temptation to make choo-choo noises as you pass through the stations, it attracts attention. It's a fine run, and much less windswept than the beach, where most Granite City runners seem to go.
This is my first marathon and many have said that it is folly to take on such a challenge at my age (42 by race-day), but given that I'm not taking this up from a standing start (so to speak) I should be OK. It seems to be the thing to do if you run at all, even at my rather lowly level. Also, if I don't do it soon, I'll sink into alcohol-soft middle-age and never get it done.
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