Sunday 24 February 2008

w/c 18th February 2008 - A hazy shade of winter

This week's training has been pretty darn good, lots of quality and no long run, but generally really enjoyable. It's not really PBR training, more like finishing off the cross country season and the winter in general. I've had just about every weather condition this week, other than snow and heatwave. The difference in temperature between the speed sessions on Tuesday and Thursday was 15 degrees C!

I feel strong, but have a sore back after the national XC on Saturday. Never had a sore back before so will have to get that looked at. It doesn't stop me running buts hurts after an hour or so.

This weeks training:

Monday - 13.5M, 1000' climbing - trail run on Peckforton Hills. Sunny and warm. Lovely easy paced run with fast finish.
Tuesday - 7M - speed session at Covert Rise - included 1 mile TT after previous efforts and warm up. Ran 5:40 for that - had stitch so not as quick as I know I can. Freezing cold - well below freezing.
Wednesday - Rest, out for lovely tea :-)
Thursday - 7M - simlar speed session to Tuesday, much warmer and strong breeze. Ran 5.35 for the mile TT after a longer warm up. Ran well in subsequent efforts.
Friday - Rest
Saturday - English National Cross Country championships - 12km. Really tough course and a hard race. I ran my heart out for 2 and a half laps and then the wheels came off and my back was sore. Pleased with 45:00. Felt ok afterwards, suggesting there was more in the tank. Back was really sore and I need to get this looked at.
Sunday - Moel Famau run with Tim in foul weather - 8M 2700'. Cold and windy and very wet!! Started sluggishly but felt better. Back became sore after an hour so cut short the planned run.

Totals: 42 miles, @4000'ish

Bit worried about my back but will get it attended to. Feels like I need someone to just sit on it and wait for something to 'click'. Generally though, it's good to be feeling reasonably strong and fit as the winter makes its mind up whether to go or stay a while longer.

Saturday 23 February 2008

February 24 2008 - Let's get it started!

Still can't quite believe that I'm commiting to this. It's scaring the pants off me at the moment.

So much of it is unknown - the terrain, the difference in difficulty between this and BGR and even when and where I'm going to start and finish on the round. There's so much to learn and decide. Scary. Daunting.

But so much of it is known. The rigours of a 24 hour round, the training, the climbing, the eating! The obsession and yet the struggle for balance and fairness and the meeting of ones responsibilities. Getting out for long runs at the weekend, fitting in climbing via Tattenhall railways and Moel Famau runs after work, losing weight and gaining strength. Scary and daunting also.

All these knowns and unknowns combine to give me plenty to do. The first thing to do is to sort out a training programme. This means I'll also need to decide on a date.

Two factors will come into this and they are in opposition. The most suitable date is the point at which they balance. The first factor is having enough time to prepare and train and the second is to have as much daylight as possible on the day. Mid to late August seems about right. That gives six months to train and just about enough daylight to get around.

Based on that, I've worked out the guts of a training programme. It focusses on weekends and ascent per week. I don't want to plan every day and live to a schedule, so the weekdays will evolve as and when, with railways and Moel Famau finding their ways back into my life!

It gives me a 15/16 August date. Very provisional, but that's the first draft. I've still got to be sure I'm doing this and be clear how it relates to everything else. Right now, this training schedule starts to help me realise what this actually is. Once I know that, I can really get it started.

Tuesday 19 February 2008

February 19 2008 - Here we go again...

I always like to get myself something for my birthday. This year, on the occasion of my 35th anniversary, I got myself a new blog. Perhaps more significantly, I made the decision to go for the Paddy Buckley round sometime towards the back end of summer 2008. I've got 6 months to prepare.

I'm so excited! I loved having the BGR in my life despite the sacrifices I made. It bought the best out in me in terms of determination, preparation and friendship. I miss it and want another challenge. The Paddy Buckley represents that. Moreover, completing all three British rounds is something I would love to do. But hey, one step at a time....

I beleive that my BGR demonstrated to many that you really do not need to be athleticially gifted to do it. I know there are people who saw me get round and then re-evaluated their own ability to do likewise. I'm sure some have and have thought, "If he can do it, I bloody well can". I'm wondering whether the PBR falls into the same category or is it simply just a bridge too far for the regular mid-packer, no matter what preparation goes in?

There's only one way to find out. I'm going for it. It'll be an August attempt I think, maybe even late August. I want six months to prepare and I have to (really want to actually) support some BGRs over the summer and return some major favours.

I'm in the throws of looking at a training schedule and will probably post it soon (comments welcome!). In the meantime, I'm steeling myself for another campaign.

Here we go again....!