Slack blogger Stu dares to show his face ..

Well it's been a slow old blog recently.

Running has been going really well. Completed 2x runs home from Hung -> Devizes, and several 10'ish miles local routers. Come on the Ridgeway!

Today, Body Rump, and was quite a class. I've felt fairly rough all week, so thought I'd best down load weights. That didn't happen.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 22Kg (+2)
Chest 12Kg
Clean & Press 20Kg (+3)
Triceps 5Kg, then 10Kg
Biceps 12Kg

Haven't done any gym since last Friday's BR. Managed 22Kg squats, and 20Kg for C&P, for both the most I've done before. Very pleased.

Tonight I plan to do a few climbs up Cherhill, stopping by on my way home.
Atleast 2 laps, 3 good, 4 amazing.. we will see.

Finger pulled OUT!

Hello, it's been a while, but I'm trying to get back in keeping this lovely blog up to date with my training.

With the Ridgeway creeping up in just under 2 months now, it's time to pull the finger OUT.

Last week was a slow start creeping running back in to the regular routine, which it hasn't been. So this week, Tues I did a nice trot with RC round Bowood.

Last night I fired up a much longer distance, round Calne a bit (dull!) then out to Chip along the cycle path, following the A4 back. About 15 miles.
Pleased there, as it's been a while running that distance. I also didn't get home til 7.30pm due to be out at a customers site, so was tricky getting my act together & mind focussed on running. Really didn't want to!

Today was body pump at lunch.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 20Kg
Chest 12Kg (-3)
Clean & Press 15Kg (-2)
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 12Kg (-2)

Please with the 20Kg for squats, after run last night.

Newbury 10k

Bayer 10k

Course was very nice. On the off the route across the canal bridge & up Northbrook street was very congested, and quite slow. Things eased up turning past McDonalds and heading to the Lion pub. Climbing Strawberry Hill, was about the only hill on route, which didn't take too much out of me thankfully, then we headed the back roads of the Speen in parallel with the A4, which came out by the A34, and out back down to the canal etc. Nice route! Saw Mike at Northcroft, then Skull & Tony a little further along Northcroft Lane, then coming out on Northcroft Street, there was my folks, Harry & Grace all cheering - fantastic! Massive boosts those cheer points! Throughout the race I felt confident & my pace was good.
Yea, so when I crossed the finish line, shattered, checking my data seeing was 47mins, I was a tad suprised! It certainly 'felt' quicker. I had aimed for a PB, but equalled my previous from about 4 years ago.

Thoroughly enjoyed the run. One I'd probably do again next year, and have a bash at a PB'er!

Our runners were:
Lycra-Lou (50:51)
Tim (52:22)
JP (55)
Anthony Sulls (58:08)
Sonya (DNF)*

Other runners:
Steve Dimond (44:20)
Peter Crozier (46:03)
Leah Martin (01:07:41)

*Sadly Sonya pulled out with a hurty foot.

The day then really kicked off.
Showered at Tims, quick pre-lunch pint in the stunning sun outside at the LSB, before meeting the gang at Strada for a slap up lunchy, beers, grappers & espressos! Lara caught up with us about 3pm, back from hen do in Sheffield.
Our next move was back to the LSB for 10 further hours of fun. Aspall cyder for me!

What a fine day out of FUN.

Garmin data.

For tea for Fri AND Sat evening was Indian. Not ideal for runners, but damn tasty!

Yips, it's Friday!

Morning Session

Had to run our Laa to work this morning in Newbury as she's hen do'ing it up with Abi in Sheffield, so no masses of time to play with the gym.
I did manage a 10min bike on hills at L18, then a couple of weight machines before a good stretch & jumped in the pool for ten mins. Sauna & jacuzzi.


Lunchtime Rump

Deserted!

Just Ferne, SiS3x & me, with BeeJacks.
Good class though, he made us all huddle right up to the front which was good, pointing out a couple of errors with my movements & positions. Dead row, need to stick my arse out more, and crunches, pulling too much on my neck.

Weight-wise, very good. Debating taking it easy with Sundays 10k, but in the end I thought I'll forever be putting me weights off because of a run etc, so just loaded up and went with it.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 20Kg
Chest 15Kg
Clean & Press 17Kg
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 12Kg

Pleased. It's been WEEKS since I've loaded that sort of iron on board.
I'm writing this Sat morn, and can feel the backs of my hamstrings. That'll be great for tomorrow! hmmm.. !
Suprised myself I managed the 12Kg biceps. Just got through, by the skin of my teeth!

Thurs Efforts

Brizzle Moring Gym

Hit the stepper machine, I wanted to get some hills done in the bank for Wincle a week Saturday. Did the L18 hills sess, but this time for 20mins, last few times have been a half hour, but a little out of practice.
YUPS, it's was a ferocious killer & dripped half my body weight of liquids out on the sweaty floor.
Great sess that, need more of those.

Our Dazzler was there flashing the iron. Sore from intense 2 hours of footie the previous eve.

Evening RC

Sprints at the Rec Club.
Usual routine, warm up lap round the big field, then split in to teams of 3, for approx. 10 mins of sprints up & down one end of the 1st field.
My team was Sandy, the new older gal and Paul. I was running against Simon & nice-Dave. My efforts were about 60-70%, perhaps a belter on the hill trainer tired me out this morn, coupled with marathon on Sat, but didn't feel like pushing it, mentally.

We were due to have a meeting about replacing Neil's duties, rescheduled for next Thurs after the Cherhill climb back at Nicholas place.

Simon, Tony's son (15/16 years-ish) who is now club captain is doing very well encouraging people, keeping people focused, quite mature for his age. It's very good to see.

Laa couldn't make this one, car battery died so was late at work sorting this.

Weds LunchTrail Trott

Lunchtime Trotter

With Bazzie out with sore leggies (Exmoor marathon on Sat) & wanting to save something for his MB'ing this weekend, with the lads in North Wales, I took to the course we went out on the previous week, on my todd.

Very warm afternoon, and pleased I could push myself at a really good rate round the trails of Hungerford.

I remembered my Garmin, so here's the data.

Thurs Gym & RC

Thurs morning gym session in Bristol, almost didn't happen. After yesterdays run with Baz, combined with a nice break, the bed was looking too comfy, but managed to drag tired corpse out for a little sess. 10 mins cross-trainer L16, Hills.
Moved on to various weight machines, with a couple of free weights 7Kg, biceps x2.
Leg press at 85Kg, happy with that.

RC Speed Session

Hills.
Took this session very easy with Saturday in mind.
New format for hills. Tony had us all start from the top and we all sprinted down, as soon as Simon (who is the quickest) got to the bottom we to stopped where we were, then marked this point with some tape he bought along. This would be our handicap start point. Faster ones had further to go running back up the hill, there we'd get 1:45 rest. During that time you had to jog back to your handicap start point again for the next rep, of which there were 8 in total.
Simon had the furthest to run, then nice-Dave, then probably other-Dave, Nichola, Tony, Paul, myself, Lara then a new girl Sandy. Sandy did well, she looks about mid-sixties, happy girl used to do tri's a bit some years ago.

Weather-wise, very warm this eve, sweat fest for all & smell of barbies in the air .. torture.

Tony announced Simon was now club captain after Neil handing in his wings, and wanted me to help get the website up and running again. Might have to go begging for help & advice on that one.

Lunchtime Trail

Hungerford.

No gym in the morning, resting quads.

The usual Weds lunchtime Spin class looks to have been cancelled now, as Jay has left the leisure centre. Pete who usally stood in, hasn't picked it up either. Think they're moving on to an aerobics workout instead.

Ar lunch went for a pretty fast paced trail run around Hungerford with Bazza.

It was a lovely run out, sun out, not too hot, the run itself was about 3/4'ers trail, through fields, along the canal, by woods lined with blue-bells, very pretty trotting, but tough enough to satisfy.

Very pleased with the run, was a good pace (especially coming back from a break), expecting to burn out at some point, but was able to keep on trotting.

Good result, and I'm sure will be helpful training for Saturdays marathon in Exmoor.

Data from Bazza's watch.

Sore Quads

Unable to make Circuits this morning, as we're off to see Mark Beaumonts gig this eve, so in the Hungerford office.

After my run last night, the poor old quads are sore and moan-y.

Still, did a 30 mins cycle in the gym at lunchtime, level 16 on Hills.
Possibly could have popped the level up a notch, but being as the quads are upset with me, and Ive been out of the gym for a bit with holiday etc, we'll leave it there.

Couple of weight machines, nothing too intense.

Slight lack of distance training

Realised the other day that I haven't run anything over 6 miles since my Jurassic Coast Challenge, end of March. How on earth did that happen?
This weekend is the final & toughest of Endurancelife's Costal Trail Series marathon in Exmoor..

.. Panic time!
So, got home from work this eve and rushed out (well sort of) for an 11.5 mile trot. It's a route I've run a few times, nice cycle track along the old railway line from Calne to Chippenham, then back along the smelly A4 which has a couple of nice hills to dig in to. Unfortunately, my cheeky Garmin decided to go to sleep mode about 3/4'ers the way through, so lost a mile and a bit somewhere.

Run was fairly hard going, particuarly getting out the door in the first place, but once I was out there, no bother... what a lovely evening it was too.

Garmin data.

All quiet on the March front

Oh dear me.

What a lovely time we had in Marrakech, but the two of us came back with a little leaving gift from Morocco, in the form of upset tums!

Gym, swim, run, rump, all out the flippin' window!

Next week, we'll be back, fire it right back UP propers!

Eaten alive by stepper machine, again!

Bristol Gym

Off out this evening with Lara's mum in Bradford-on-Avon so working in the Bristol office for a change.

Session before work was similar to last Thursday.

Stepper, L17, 30 mins of (hell) Hills.
It's a flipping beast of a ride that. This time remembered to stock up on paper towl, and I needed it, 10 mins in dripping like a tap. Splott!
Helen came over to talk to me about half way through, coudln't really speak so she left me suffering. Can't really say if it was easier than last week, probably not.

Finished with leg work.
The machines where you open legs, and close legs, whatever they're called, am doing well on those at 125Kg.
The leg press I'm up to 85Kg. Happy with that.

Did some other lightish work on machines, and quick 9K free weighs, biceps & above my head lifts. (another excercise I should find the proper name for!)

Helen is looking good for running again, and may actually be doing the Edinburgh marathon for a chum. (to gain her 'good for age entry' to VLM 2011) :)

Back to work ..

Morning Circuits

Sleepy.

Almost didn't get out of the sack, 2 reasons: Daz text to say he;s feeling rough & wouldn't make it, AND, plenty of booze drunk over the bank hols. Still, made it, yee-ha!
Stations were a fair mix cardio & weights, struggled a bit, but plodded on. Good turn-out class size and atmosphere. No Lady GAGA CD!

We both said 'no' to running club this evening, we're packing & sorting for our wedding anniversary trip to Marrakech.

May Cherhill Challenge

Cherhill Handicap Challenge

Just Simon, Lara and myself this month for the Cherhill handicap challenge.

A little under 2 miles a steep 100m climb up to the Cherhill monument, before racing round the back, and down the slippery (very, when wet) chalk side back to the A4.

RABBITS RABBITS RABBITS!!

Lara kicked off first.
I went 3 mins after her.
Simon 2 mins after me.

Simon took me on about at the top, about a 1/3rd way round the 'doughnut' path following behind the monument, I caught up with Lara shortly after that.
Felt strong all the way round. This is excellent, as I had a slightly disappointing run on Tues eve in Heddington. This is also the first time I can remember where I have ran, although slowly, all the way up the hill. Usually have to break down in to a fast power walk were it gets particularly steep about 3/4'ers the way up. Coming down again, had a fast pace, long strides, feeling good. When I hit almost the final section, slippery chalky bit, cut back the speed there to be careful as it was wet rock, I've slipped there previously a few times - eeek!

My time:
14:47.
Last months:
17:38!

Woaa!

A smiley Stu for a monstrously sexy 2:40+ improvement there!

OK OK, OK, so 17:38 was the weekend after the Jurassic Coastal Challenge, probably does explain the difference a wee bit. :)

Checked back through my previous times on Garmin Connect. I've done the CHC about half a dozen times before:

2010 April 17:38
2009 Oct 16:51
Aug 16:31
July 15:01
June 15:44
May 14:32

PB was my FIRST run, 14:32. Today's 14:47 is not far off that! Yippie!!

Another strange thing to add to todays result was the 4 & 1/2 pints drunk last night. Pint & 1/2 at the Blackbird with Pete for his b'day after work, then 3 Stella's over the JW, very little tea either. It's a funny old world this trotting lark.

Friday Fun

Morning Gym

Started off morning in Hungerford gym with 20mins on the cross-trainer, hills, L15. Fairly easy going sess really, didn't check to see what I used last week so probably no improvement there, going over the same ground. Ho-hum!

Finished with a few weight machines & free weights, but cut back the weight to save some for my lunchtime session with Jay.

Lunchtime Rump

Friday lunchtime Rump - Brilliant!

Pretty much a sausage fest, with myself Baz, SiS3x, Scottish dude, Chris and girlies Ferne & older lady.. (not a regular)

After warm-up Jay encouraged us to UP our weights by a couple of kilos. I left my squats at 20K, as I only 'just' survived last weeks +3K additions. In fairness I probably could have just made it, maybe next time. When we fired on to biceps, where I always load 10K, never get any better, Jay starts firing off again we ought to load a little bit more on whatever we currently have.. so reluctantly I do, knowing I'll last about 1/2 the sess then die in pain.
In reality it wasn't as bad as that, very tough for me, but only missed 3 or 4 reps when my muscles were on fire! Result!
I'll do that again, it's the way to push harder.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 20Kg
Chest 15Kg
Clean & Press 17Kg
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 12Kg (+2Kg from last time)

Peter Skulls b'day, so a quick jar & half at the Blackbird with him, Suzie, Laa & Wooders.

Drip-fest

Morning Gym

Just under an hour this morning, started with a very tough 30 mins on the Stepper, L17 on Hills. Checked my blog from last week to see what I'd done before, turning out to be useful for that, otherwise I'd probably have guessed '15' again!
Needed what seemed about 2 rolls of tissue to mop up the sweat that resulted - manky! But shows a monster workout for me, don't usually sweat like that. Pleased with that effort.

20 mins or so on various weights, and a couple free weights too.

Evening Running Club

Speed work. Anti-madison.. not sure if that's the right name? (or spelling for that matter!)
Anyway, put in pairs, one bod will sprint round the field one way, whilst the other trots it the other, then where we meet, we swap over, so slow becomes the sprinter, and vice-versa. This lasts for about 7 mins, before a couple mins rest, then one more set. I was paired with Steve, he's a fast boy, so helped me raise my game a bit.
Excellent session. Come home a soaked water rat, bit wet out tonight!

Lara missed RC, end of financial year and HAD to be taken over the local to de-stress, which then resulted in a visit to the Chinese. :)

Jay throws a sickie

Morning Gym

Had an hour to play before work, left out the cardio, and went round all the weight machines, before moving in to the studio for some bar work.

Did chest press, raise above head, chest row at 20Kg. 10 reps, 2 set.
I also tried to do biceps, first of all 5 reps, then 10.

10mins swim, steam & jacuzzi, done.

Spin at Lunch

Well the plan was Spin at lunchtime, but a call from Meg at the gym mid-morning, saying Jay has cancelled and there was no-one to step in stopped my fun.

I popped over and did 30 mins bike L15 on Hills. Average effort, could have put a bit more in I spose, but laughing too much at the telly with Gordo's 'bigoted' mush-up!
Fair play the old girl - she gave it straight back.

Didn't make lunch today, so popped out and grabbed some Sushi from Tesco's.
Yum.

Heddington Hill Climb

Not a great result to be honest! A little dissapointed.

Was a smashing lovely eve, beautiful and sunny, nice nip in the air to keep the runners cool. A few runners from the club; Tony, Simon, Amanda, nice-Dave, other-Dave, Paul, Steve (his young daughter ran too!), Nichola, plus Anthony & one other from Avon Valley Runners + Lara & myself.

My Timings
2010 - 08:04
2009 - 07:40
2008 - 08:00

Oh dear.

Not a great year personally for the Hill Climb then! My goal was to beat last year, but that plan will have to wait to 2011!

Think I came about 5th or 6th out of 15 or so.

Frustratingly, I'm sure I could have caught nice-Dave with a good kick at the end, but still thought we had another section to climb, then round a tight blind corner, there was the finish. Argh!
Note to myself: switch (the bloody) Garmin on to distance screen, and not time/H.R.
If I'd been monitoring my distance I would have known when to pop off a little boost & try my luck!

Both Lara and I were coughing our little lungs out at the top. That short sharp intense work does wonders clearing them out.

Tuesday Circuits

Circuit Training

Average session this morning. Not really that pumped, perhaps a little tired still from weekends FUN, too much of the sauce I think. Didn't race the sprints too much, keeping a little in the tank for this evenings Heddington Hill Climb, which will murder me!

Stations-wise, heavy on the abs, less weights to lift.

Brussells has a new CD. Linkin Park, cranked the volume right up!

Finished with usual stretch & 15 mins sauna.

Mon lunchtime swim & VLM

Little Dip

Lunchtime swim, 10 mins splashing in the Hungerford pool at lunchtime. More beer recovery from yesterdays Virgin London Marathon yesterday, than a proper training session!

VLM (yesterday)

5am start in Calne, picked up Alanna from Newbury at 7, then Tim & Sonya, before heading to Basingstoke Railway Station for the 8:10 to Waterloo.
Headed out to Charlton mile 5-6 for the first stop.
Cans of Stella opened at 10:30am. (thanks to Timikins)

Baz romped it - 3.27! Goal was 3.30, but pushed hard til the end. Struggled at mile 17, but bounced out the other side. We saw him fly by at mile 5 (Charlton) and at the NSPCC section mile 23. They let us get to the front of their cheer point, and grabbed a couple of snaps, before letting someone else have a go.

Natalie Seymour and Mike ran together too, finishing in 5:24. Nat had horrible breathing issues at mile 19m, eventually wearing her down & had to walk the last couple of miles.

After rhe run, we went to Bazza's hotel for the NSPCC reception - very impressive. He got a shower there, massage, and met up with his folks. Headed to the pub where we dowed about 4 pints in the sunshine, Baz celebrated is style with cigars as well.

Some chaps from the club:
9378 Andrew Driver 3:54:46 <-- huh??
12176 Mark Cawley 4:05:21
17528 Doug Hamilton 4:25:13

Confused by Andy's time at the mo, had him down as a 3-3.30.

Steve Dimond also ran, finishing in an impressive 3.23.

Hannah was working in the Cancer Research tent, massaging the runners as they finished. Wasn't able to catchup with her unfortunately, the finish was tickets only, and tubes were rammed!

Got back to Mums about 9pm, shattered! (& lashed)

Some piccies, here.

Lazy morning cuppa

Easy start

No gym this morn, instead enjoyed a cup of tea in bed with the wife watching telly.

Lunchtime Body Rump

About nine in, including SiS3x & Hazza. Baz resting for the VLM.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 20Kg (+3Kg since last week)
Chest 15Kg
Clean & Press 17Kg
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 10Kg

Struggled a little with chest. Biceps, don't seem to be getting any easier or better, more work required here in the usual gym routine.
Massively impressed I pulled off 20Kg'a with the squats, expected to struggle like crazy, but was really alright.

Out for Tim's b'day beers & Indian this evening, then Sunday, to London to cheer on Bazza, Nat and Mike in the VLM.

Tony's got his whip out again

Morning gym sess in Bristol

Arrived at the gym, and spied The D-Mans machine in the car park! Daz was in doing some tread0mill & weights.

Only had about 40 mins, so cracked on with 20 mins stepper, level 15, Hills, In fairness, probably should have fired off L17, or maybe 18 even, next time!

Finished with 9Kg dumbells, front lift, and raise above head, and biceps. Did 5 side raises, and 5 (just about) front raises - very hard.

RC Speed Session

Few more faces tonight, including other-Dave, Amanda, Nichola, nice-Dave, Simon, Tony, and smashing Steve - he doesn't come that often. Nice guy.
Tony, without Neil present again (stuck in m a meeting), whipped us all up getting quite shouty. This is nrew attitude for him, normally quiet & pretty chilled. Liking it though, I respond well to that from him.

Session was the speed sess we did 2 weeks ago. We all sprint out round the field (back field this time) for 1 min, then Tony shouts STOP, we rest for 40secs, them sprint back to where we came front. Started out quicker this time that last, resulting in a slight dip somewhere in the middle. Dave and I had a few nice tustles, about 50/50 fair even who came out on top, although he generally won the latter battles as I became more fatigued. For the last min. sprint back to the start, with about 20 secs to go I over-dosed my little leggies with nitroglycerine, bombing past several runners at quite a whack, including Dave (who had only just over taken me!) and collapsed over the line, straight on the floor, on my back, gasping for air - f'ked myself up proper good! Pat on the back.
"

Warm down, couple of slow trops round the field, then a slooww trot home.

Bazza has been up to the London Marathon Expo today, to pickup his race number. Sent me a wicked photo of the winners trophy - impressive!

Mid-week Hungerford workings

Hungerford.

In the gym for an hour before work. First off, 10 mins hills on the tread-mill to help for the Heddington Hill Climb next Tues. Programme; Hills, level 18 at 5.8mph (+.2mph from last time) Shattering, but not as tough as last weeks, so a slight improvement there.

Worked round most of the weight machines in the gym.

Finishing in the studio with 20Kg on the bar, 8Kg individual dumbells for biceps.
Bar work- front pull ups, above head raises and chest press on the bench, 10 reps. (x2 sets)

10 mins swim, steam & sauna. Jacuzzi was broken! Oh noo!!

Lunchtime Spin

Another small class, with myself, Ferne & Polish, with a new girl who said she usually does Pete's Spin. She works locally in Hung, running her own recruitment business.

Jay, on fire of course. I'm finding her class hard, not flowing for me just yet, perhaps not enough recovery before moving on to the next track, when compared to a session run by Pete. BUT, this may be a good thing, and may just take several more sessions before I can raise the bar & get fitter from it. Jay did have a whinge about our spin bikes, as this model doesn't have a middle bar, or raised bar on the handle bars to grab when you are up/leaning forward. They're actually pretty good bikes, think she's just having a slag-off!

Jay's quote this week: "I want you to feel knackered & SICK"

Tues Wee Club Trott

Running Club this evening, very small turn out: nice-Dave, Tony, John (non-regular with 'the teeth') & myself.

Tony took us round Bowood, approx. 3 miles. Beautiful evening, really enjoyable trot out. Felt quite strong, and Dave and I held a pretty good pace between us.

I mentioned to Dave that I have entered the Ridgeway Challenge. He said him, Nichola & Tony will be doing the first half the route in June time as a training run - he'll let us know when they plan to do this. See if Bazzler can join us too, when I get a date.

Circuits with Dazzler

Brussels quite fired up on occasions this morning, with useful comments like "no pain no gain", at volume!

Daz back from hols, so we rocked it up. He found it a tough session being off for a week. Class pretty full, good atmpostphere, and most, if not all, stations occupied.

Enjoyed the session, did quite well, felt comfortable leaning towards the heavier of weights at those stations, clean & press, triceps etc. Press-up's were by far the hardest station - managed about 15 or so before having nothing left.

Finished with usual stretch, and 15 mins in the sauna, then a nice cup of tea. Done.

Friday Rocked!

Had a couple of blinding sessions in Hungryford today:

Gym before work, &
Body Pump at lunchtime.

Hit hills hard on the tread-mill before work, with the club organised Heddington Hill Climb in mind, a week Tuesday. Heddington is a mile road race up a steep hill - tough bugger it is too.

10 mins on the tread-mill, hills, level 18 @ 5.6mph.
30 mins cross trainer - level 15.

Heart almost popped out after the tread-mill sess, very intense for me, never been up to L18 before! Will get a couple more of these in before the Hill Climb race.

A few light weights on about half the machines. Quick stretch.
20 lengths or so in the pool, with brief sauna & jacuzzi, to chill.

Body Rump at lunch.

Full class this week of about 10 people, Si & Baz included. Baz dropping a little weight with London Marathon in mind. Jay, she was on FIRE, very lively & shouty - all good though.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 17Kg
Chest 15Kg
Clean & Press 17Kg (+2Kg since last week)
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 10Kg

Will attempt squats with 20Kg next week.

Ready for the weekend now... off to Brighton for Lara (& Tims) marathon.

Whippit Racing on Methadrone

Well not quite!

Running Club sprints session at the Recreation Club.

In attendace: Lala, me, Nichola, nice-Dave, other Dave, Simon, and the young dude whos name I forget. Tony trotted gently with us to for the odd rep.
Neil was there for support, as he's nursing an ankle injury.

In a team with Dave Telfer & Simon. Obviously Simon creamed us compeltely, but Dave and I were excellent running buddies trying to push ahead, and I managed to beat him on the odd sprint. Really pleased there, as he's very quick just now, doing 42mins at Bowood 10K on Sunday, where I managed 47mins.
Excellent session.

Lara, took the sess easy tapering for Sundays Brighton Marathon, sometimes running with Neils daugthers Chessie & Harriot.

Sadly, running friend Helen had to pull out of the London Marathon. Accumulated injuries playing havoc.

Jay spanks Spin

Had about an hour in the Hungerford gym before work this morn. Started with 20 mins on the stepper, level 12. Moved round the room on the various weight machines. Finishing with some free weight, chest, etc with a 20Kg bar in the studio. Biceps 8Kg, as right lower arm is sprained from a few weeks back. More work on the free weights required, to help with Body Pump.
10 mins swim, quick steam, sauna & jacuzzi.

Lunchtime was the first Spin session with shouty-Jay, who does our Body Pump class on Friday lunchtimes. Just three of us in; myself, Ferne (Kerridge Commercial Systems) & giggly Polish gal. Jay pretty much fired us up from the outright, sometimes too much, perhaps with not enough recovery for everyone. Can see it will take a few more weeks to iron stuff out & what works, especially when class is back to its full compliment. Certainly interesting to see what some of the other regulars make of it when they've back from hols, they may not lap up the louder tunes & more active session... we shall see.

I got a damn fine workout atleast - so, job's a goodun!!

Jays quote afterwards: "you should have so much sweat under your bike that you have to swim off"

I love that!

2 in - 1 out

Sending off my London Marathon withdrawl today, bib #4886 deferring til 2011, when hopefully I can be a bit faster.

BUT!
It's not all doom & gloom, as I've entered:

1.Newbury 10K - 30th May

2.Ridgeway Challenge - 28-29th Aug

Newbury will be great fun, Tim, possibly Barry, JonElton, JP (poss) and a plan to hit a few beers, Espressos and scran afterwards in town.

Ridgeway, hopefully with Bazza & Nick. There were 3 Calne runners last year, Tony completed in 21 hrs, Nichola & Dave Telfer in 23.30.
Have entered to complete in the under 24 hours catergory.

Tuesday Circuits

Without my wingman Dazzler-F this morning, he's on a weeks holiday.

Muscles from Brussels (aka: 'Brussels') took ths class: more weights than cardio in this session. Lots of front, lateral, both combo raises, and just the one of mine & Dazzers fave: 'Basteroids'! 3 or 4 core situp type stations.

NO Lady Gaga album for the soundtrack - has 'Brussels' moved on??
Gutted.

Biggest class I've seen, possibly 20 or maybe more & lots of newbies. 3 or 4 stations were doubled up to cope.. Must be the summer coming then.

Finished with stretching then 15 mins in the sauna.

Chiropractor Maintanance Visit

Popped along to my Chiropractor for a quick maintanace update this morning. Been a while, just over a year, oh how time flies ..
Checked out my damaged knee from slipping on ice just before Xmas - couldn't find anything to worry about there, a little tight, but released that with a couple of knocks. Right ankle didn't have massess of movement, so snapped that (pop!) 4 times, and released that nicely. Came back fine.
New lady there Kate, she didn't massage this time, Michael did it, who wasn't as good as the old lady, Sue I think. She knew a killer massage alright, top stuff.
Other than that, looking in good shape. Next visit in a couple of months time.
Relieved!

Calne 10K at Bowood

With Lara, Tim & Sonya, we ran the Calne 10K around the grounds of Bowood House. Lovely day with sunny spells, just enough nip in the air to keep us cool whilst running. It's technically a multi-terrain (hilly in parts, some would say) "fun run", which I think means isn't an officially measured course. My Garmin later showed 5.8 miles.

Lara & Tim running the Brighton Marathon next weekend, so was an ideal taper session for them.

Calne 10K Event Details

Started near the back of the pack with Lara, Tim & Sonns, broke away, but only caught up with Nichola, the tail Calne runner at practically the end. So not a quick run compared to the other runners in our club - ho-hum! In 2008 when I last ran this race, finished a min quicker.

Me 47 mins.
Lara, Tim & Sonya 69 mins.

222 finishers.

Lunch, seriously massive pork roast at The Fox in Broughton Gifford.

The Fox Pub

Small Rump

Hungerford office. Wee nip in the pool for 20 lengths, or there abouts, before work. Pushed for time so 5 mins in the sauna & jacuzzi.

Small Body Rump class at lunch, just the three of us; Baz, Polish girl & me, probably because of the Easter break. Jay turned up a bit late (the usual) so Polish had a bit of tutting to add - hehe.

Weights
Warm up 10Kg
Squats 17Kg
Chest 15Kg
Clean & Press 15Kg
Triceps 10Kg
Biceps 10Kg

Has been a good couple of weeks since properly training with weights so found the chest & biceps particularly hard, missing out the odd rep - naughty. Need to catchup on these next week. Squats the same as 2 weeks before, managed to cope there OK.
Core work, all good.

On Sunday Lara, me, Tim & Sonya run the Bowood 10K, then out for Sunday lunch.

FAB start to summer speed sessions

Had packed my gym kit last night to head in for a light session this morn. Alarm off, snooze, off again, snooze, head said a big no. Oh well!

RC this eve - speed session at the Rec. Club.

10 members showed up, impressive for recent times. We did 10x 1 min sprints with 40 secs recovery in between. Lap of the field for warm up, then again warm down. Tony was extremely fired up, which had a knock on affect on the rest of us, upping the game. Killed myself(*) on the last few sprints with his encouragement - just what I needed, pleased.

(* - Garmin said HR touched 205 - umm, eek!)

Mid-week training in Hungerford

Still tired from the Jurassic Coastal Challenge about a week & a half a go, haven't yet fired it back up properly yet, mind & body pretty disinterested.

Working in Hungerford today, did about 20 mins before work of various weights machines.
No cardio.

10 lengths in the pool.

Lunchtime was a 45 min Spin with Pete. Excellent training, just a bit dull.
Next week Jay takes over the Spin sess... hope that's a good un.

First bash at this blog..

Hello, this is my personal training journal for distance trail trotting, marathons, ultras and all that jazz.