All By Myself

Clark and I realised in almost perfect synchronicity this weekend that I've been doing an awful lot of my running by myself so far this year...and I think that needs to change!  Alone, that is, usually apart from Cori dog!

Mostly it's a convenience/time-factor thing...or maybe a bit of commitment/fear some weeks too.  I've been pretty busy during the week (as I've probably bored everyone saying) and I've found it hard to make concrete plans for the weekends.  And on those group runs I have been on, I'm conscious I've mostly been a back marker, in some instances perhaps holding people back.  I've not set out to be anti-social, but feel a little this weekend like maybe I have been!

 I was thinking on Saturday during my long run that perhaps I was getting a little bored with my own company.....and was running out of mindless chat with the dog.  And that I think is when you feel the long miles the most, when there's nothing to break it up, when you've 'solved' all the problems you wanted to in your head and thought all the thoughts you have.  When I'm out without Cori, like on the second part of today's run, I listen to music or the WHW podcasts...when I'm with Cori I tend not to...and his patter isn't always that good....

So enough of that, and all systems go for next weekend and the Fling/Glee run on Saturday (but not staying over - oops), and looking forward to some company to get the miles in. 

A wee update on progress this week - it's been an odd one....I wasn't really feeling like I'd done much this week, and mentally had to kick into touch some negative thoughts that I wasn't where I should be at this point (the WHW is still on my mind pretty much 24/7).  However, sitting back now and checking the stats, I've just done my biggest mileage week of the year with 46 miles, 5,000ft of climb, and a decent back-to-back weekend with a 22 and a 12.  My biggest mileage week in fact since the fateful Glenmore 24 (12.5) in September!  And that's off the back of DOMS from my gym session on Sunday that pretty much lasted until Friday! So, not too shabby at all really.

Loch Ard run - Inversnaid post

A tale of two halves this weekend.  Saturday I went to an old favourite (which I'd forgotten how hilly it was) at Loch Ard.  A place where the sign-posts like to constantly remind you of the WHW with Inversnaid pointed out at many a junction!

The forecast was sunny and blue, and while that didn't hold out (windy, snow showers, sun...bit of everything), it was a decent run with some lovely views.  I didn't feel I quite got the pacing right (looking back, I was probably doing the 'running' bits a little too fast and making the heart rate fluctuate a bit much) but I did get the nutrition and hydration better than of later.  Fuelled by tattie scones and chicken fridge raiders...supplemented by Gu Espresso Love and a wee bit of Chia Charge bar!

Loch Ard run - views to Ben Lomond

The forestry commission have closed off quite a few of the routes....I didn't let that stop me....can't beat 2 miles of churned up mudfest  after clambering over the closure fence to get you smiling at the start of your day!  The route is all on decent landrover track, mostly hard packed, and there was only a wee bit of snow at the top of the 'big hill' at mile 11.

Today, a totally different picture (with no pictures!).  A jaunt up 'killer hill' with Cori, and Clark (the latter on his mtb), followed by 8 miles of headwinds and blizzard.  The legs felt pretty good...the only times I had to stop were when the snow daggers stabbed me in the eyeballs and I went temporarily blind!  Head down and headphones on, catching up on a couple of podcasts - the end of the one with Johnny Fling, and then Alan/Rick and Annette.  Great to hear people in a similar situation to me this time last year and listen to their differing thoughts and plans and aspirations for this year's race.

Ready for another good week of training, and hopefully some social miles on Saturday...I'd like to get a 30 in.  Here's hoping someone else does too!
 

It's astounding....time is fleeting....madness takes its toll.....

But listen closely....
Not for very much longer....
I've GOT TO keep control!

It's that time of year again where the best part of a month of my life disappears in a frenzy of data analysis and post-Christmas reviewing.  It means late nights, sleepless nights, weekend working and lots of things and people to try and get organised, coordinated, saying the right thing, using all the many data sources, being insightful, having decent looking presentations, ensuring there are chairs/food etc to try and keep the audience happy.  

I've been doing this for the last 6 years and they never get any easier...it is strangely one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my job though....it just messes with the ability to get the right balance of training and rest....and hence no blogs for a couple of weeks either. 

That's the bulk of it over though - Tuesday came and went - in a bucket of coffee, several cheese filled bagel bits, sausage rolls and other assorted energy providers, very few of which seemed to tick the box of being healthy.  By that point I was past caring though.  And on the whole, I think it went pretty well (aside from one supplier over-running her session by almost 30 minutes....grrrrr!!!)

Anyway, this isn't generally where I blog about working!  Where's the fun in that?!  So onto the training!


Things always have to 'give' at this time of year.  Physically and mentally it's not possible to be superwoman.  Not all the time anyway ;-)

Training has been ok though.  

Since I last wrote, there was the WHW organised training weekend at Balmaha.  

This is an annual event and in the two years I've been, the turn-out has been great.  I didn't stay over this year, so missed out on some of the fun, gossip and beers :-(.  It was good to see many familiar faces (albeit many only a brief hello), and get a beautiful day of running on the WHW.  Oh, and some free sample Honey Stinger jelly things which were pretty tasty too!

I didn't manage the full 30 this year, and I am a little sad about it.  At that point though, there was little point in pushing myself to do more miles than I was ready for 'just because'!

I had a blether with a number of folk on the way out - with Silke and Carol getting some insight on their time at the CCC last year (I think I'm a bit more scared now), and a longer chat over a few miles with Noanie, who seemed happy enough at my pace for a while, before I turned at just after 10 miles to head back, tempting as it was to continue!  

I thought I was going to be on my own for a while at that point but spotted Donna and Lynn just ahead as I was almost back at Rowardennan, and managed to catch them and crash their party for about 5 miles or so, which was brill and stopped me thinking about being too tired!  It was a busy day on the trail, and we got separated between a hoard of school kids, and me drifting away in my head for a while.....

Back to The Oak Tree for a quick bowl of soup and some coffee and then hit the road home to the comforts of my own bed!  Good miles in a good place!  And not so broken that I couldn't put another 10 miles on the clock the next day, back on the snow on the turbine trail at Braco.

The main parts of training that have taken a back-seat are the gym sessions and pilates, I've tried to keep most of the miles there.  Last weekend was a combo of 18 road/icy miles on saturday and a tough mixed terrain 12 on the sunday.  This weekend, I was keen to get over 20, and did another mixed terrain run from Strathyre to Killin, taking in some of the Glen Ogle race route, and a wee detour to Kirkton Glen behind the church where Rob Roy is buried to get some more ascent in - it's a killer start that wee loop!  So 24 hilly miles, and it was a bit dreich.  Mentally needed it and physically feeling it today!  Opted for spin and gym today instead of the scheduled back-to-back, I don't think that will do me any harm though!  And my monthly sports massage appointment too....ouchy!

Touch wood, no illness or injury so far this year, and long may that continue!

I've been more conscious of ascent this year, with that an objective and learning from last year's WHW, and mindful of the CCC later this year, and trying to get that balance between upping the mileage, and keeping some good climbs in the mix.

So, these last two weeks, 3 runs a week...a 36 mile week and then a 33 (after a 41 the one before).  And I'm not unhappy with that!  I honestly don't think I could have done any more!

Comparing vs. last year (it's the statistician in me that feels compelled to do this):
Jan 2014 = 13 runs : 104 miles : 3490 meters elevation gain
Jan 2015 = 16 runs : 152 miles : 4697 m elevation gain

Feb 2014 = 15 runs : 176 miles : 5735 m elevation (the WHW 30 fell into Feb last year)
Feb 2015....to be continued! (7 runs so far and 80 miles, 2647m elevation....so still some way to go!)

Feeling ok and back on it tomorrow, which will be good for the control freak in me!  The gym/spin sessions will be back in the mix, and excuses for sweetie scoffing should be reduced!  (on that note however I am pretty much 10lbs down on the start of the year....).

All good, and heading in the right direction (to Fort William for goblet #2!!)

Happy training, stay safe, stay healthy.