Hello,
I know it's been 2 months since i last wrote here, and on todays long run i was wondering why i go through floods & droughts of blogging. The answer, i think, is that in the past i used the blog when i was struggling in life, as a way to voice my inner self, a therapy of sorts.
The reason i haven't blogged for 2 months is because i'm pretty happy at the moment! I've had things to blog about, shoes, kit, routes and my running in general, but havent needed the outlet that blogging provides.
I met an amazing lady in November who accepts me for who i am, heart stuff, anxiety and my ugly mug!
I have been promoted at work, and despite initial anxiety at being left in charge for the first time, i'm really enjoying the new challenge & responsibilities that accompany it.
I have faced down my anxiety demons and i'm winning the fight, there are stumbles along the way, but i'll be damned if i can't beat this affliction.
Finally, there's running. Which is the reason you're here!
For the most of November & the entirety of December i rarely ran more than 3 miles per outing. Running 3-4 times a week, building a solid foundation for 2014, and losing 14lbs in the process!
I introduced hill reps to my running as a structured training session. 210ft in 0.5miles,3 times for 3 miles total including descent. My uphill times rarely change, the way my heart works just doesn't lend itself to steep climbs. The descents are getting faster, hitting sub 5 minute mile pace, i like downhill ;-)
Come Jan 1st i was feeling pretty good, i hadn't over done anything for nearly 2 months, and so upped my mileage and ascent. I took my long run upto 9 miles, a simple lap of Derwentwater with 400ish feet of ascent. The first outing brought with it a pb of a couple minutes, which had stood for almost 12 months.
I moved my hill rep workout to a steeper hill (yes im crazy!) so now in 3 reps i clear around 1000ft in 0.5 mile reps.
I've also made a return to logging some bigger ascents, Sunday Skiddaw runs are making a bit of a comeback, and double reps of Dodd Fell are a new addition for over 2500ft in 7 miles.
Today i decided to up the ante, and really take myself out of my comfort zone. The Ennerdale 25k route isn't new to me, i ran it 4/5 times last year, but had ran it, or any similar distance since July 2013.
It turned out to be one of my greatest runs ever. Ever. The first time i ran this loop it took me 3hrs 37minutes. There's 1200ft+ of ascent, and miles 14&15 are rock & tree route strewn rivers basically, and at that point in the run i would lose time like water through a sieve! I got my pb to 3:24:00 though my 'dream time' was 3hours.
Despite my hill reps and building a good foundation, i was feeling a little disheartened with the lack of uphill or speed improvements. I was finding i was feeling better post runs, but still plodding along at my snail pace.
I set out with the knowledge that i could run 8/9 miles without issue, but i also knew that there was more uphill in the first 8/9 miles here than around Derwentwater.
One foot in front of the other i made it through the first 6 miles comfortably, taking the undulating course in my stride. Around 6 miles i realised that i hadn't walked once, where normally i would have hiked a few of the uphills.
It dawned on me that the hill reps and building a strong base were working wonders. I was just looking in the wrong place!!
I was covering ground i'd normally walk at the same pace as the bits i knew i could run.
I was still running strong after 11 miles, but finding the ascents a little tougher. As i said earlier, miles 14 & 15 are tough! I still lost time on them compared to my average miles so far, but i was running along them competently, picking my footfalls seemingly by intuition rather than thought. Once again i came to the realisation that crazy torchlit runs up & down Skiddaw in foul weather had improved my foot placement on technical ground. Descending Jenkins Path, at speed, in darkness & cloud with only a headtorch for illumination apparently works wonders!!
I was still running at the end, calves cramping, thighs aching, but smiling. I knocked 21minutes 18 seconds off my pb, 3:02'42!! So close to my goal of a sub 3hr loop!
A distance i'd not even come close to running for 6 months, and a huge pb, have shown me that even when i think my training is doing nothing, it's actually working wonders! Never give up!
Thanks for making it this far!! As a new addition to the blog ill be listing the shoes/clothing/kit that i'm using at the minute too!
Shoe(s)
Open Fell - Inov8 Trailroc 235 - uppers aren't brilliant but it's my go to shoe for everything, 3mm drop, super grippy & comfortable over any distance!
Trail - New Balance 1010v2 - 4mm drop, mega comfy, use for most runs that have little or no mud, perfect for river & canal paths!
Road - i've been doing a bit of work on the tarmac this winter, Skora Base is my shoe of choice, 0mm drop, anatomical last, perfect with or without socks
Clothing
Berghaus Smoulder Pullover - made with Polartec Powerdry it is my favourite full sleeve top, super wicking, breathable, and warm!
Haglofs Gram Smock - seriously impressed with this, made with Gore-Tex Active Shell it has barely been off my back this winter! Breathability to the max, 100% waterproof, a genuine must have!
And a special mention to inov8 mudsocks, bought them on recommendation of a friend, best socks i've ever ran in!
Ok, i've talked enough! I'll leave you with some recent photo's!
