Monday, 2 March 2009

28th- 5th

Saturday
2 and a bit mile relays on road- nottingham
went off to fast , tried keeping up with Rob Hodges from Loughborough for what seemed like ages but was probably only 1-2min! After about 6mins i started to really struggle.
I ran 11.20
My 800m counter parts ran about 10.40

Sunday
90.38.....Ave 144.....Fin 146
1-122
2-109
this felt very slow and the HR seemed to go quite high but it was actually my fastest time for this route so was quite surprised as it did not feel sharp at all.

Monday
Midday-
............48.......50.......30.......31.......25.......32.......25.......23
...........155.....152.....171.....168.....172.....167.....169.....173
9.46...5.34....4.10.....2.27...4.08.....4.19...2.10....2.31.....72
172.....176.....171.....178.....179.....178.....178.....177.....181

.18.......19.......74
179.....180.....165
.81.......66........40
181.....181.....182
1-147
2-126
Totel Time= 45.39 (this was over 10mins faster over the same route)

ok i think you were defiantlt right aboout using power to run as the thrird rep felt very starnge after such a short recovery, legs didnt really feel like they were striding out but was still moving ok. It was the next rep where i struggled and only manged 2.27mins so i think i went of to fast here, but i also didnt get up the hills that effeciant and my calfs also got very tight. Felt very strange.

However after this rep and the recovery i felt quite strong and fluent again for the next rep. this was also the case for the other reps in the 2min range as i think i recoverd quite well and started quite strong and powerful, so basically 2-3min reps i recover quite well but those in the 4mins it felt alot more of a slog at the begining of the rep

Evening- 5km route
Totel Time = 20.47

............31........47.......34......25
...........136?....161.....166.....169
3.54.....3.........3......2.04.....6.30
167.....172.....176.....174.....178
1-141
2-121
plotted out 5km on map and bascically just free ran it and jogged the recovery. Actually quite a good run....didnt intend to train twice today but was feeling good (and was also getting slightly board) the last rep i thought went well as i manged to sustain quite a good pace although the 800m was on a slight down hill.

Tuesday
morning- rest
evening- 12x70sec on track with 1min recoveries
.............1..........1.........1.........64.......70.......65.......65.......66.......1.........1..........1
...........145.....152.....158.....161.....164.....159.....163.....166.....167.....166.....169
.70.......70.......70.......70.......66.......60.......65.......65......70.......70.......66.......50
163.....178.....182.....184.....184.....182.....186.....183.....186.....181.....180.....180

3-126
found this quite a difficuilt session.
the first four reps i felt really good and was in the front of the middle group for all 90seconds. However from then on i would have a good 200-300m and then from then on i would fall back with my legs feeling pretty tired and feeling very short of breath whilst running.
the last rep my breathing was dreadful, the breaths were very short and generally seemed quite ineffeciant. the last two reps i was struggling to get past 300m with 200m-300m slowing quite a bit although the last rep i did 300m in 50seconds so was probably quicker than than any off my other reps except the first four. looking at the HR seems strange as the HR was pretty much at its lowest here.

Wednesday
Lunch
.............2..........2.........2........2..........2.........2.........2.........2.........2.........2...........2
...........109.....125.....125.....137.....135.....134.....135.....145.....142.....144.....144
..2.........2..........2.........2........2..........2.........2...........2.........2.........2.........2..........2..
157.....154.....165.....157.....158.....159.....166.....162.....164.....165.....162.....167

1-126
2-115
legs were aching a little from yesterday so the first couple of reps were tight but i was moving ok by the end.

Evening-
Circuits
not finding this as hard as i used to
After session did 6 or 7 300m? (1min runs) with 100m/less recovery on grass. got into this suprisingly well didnt feel to tight at all

Thurday
Morning-rest (a lateish night)
evening-
joined Gandhi's elite group (and to be honest found my self pretty neverous)
Bacically we did hurdle work which i picked up quite quickly but i could feel it working my hips which is good as i do not do any excerises focused on this area.
we also did high knee excersies with strides and then the final exersise was about 120m run at 5km pace, 1500m and 800m. stopped and turned around was the recovery. after the three reps complte walked back and did it once more. Supposed to focus on technique and speed...i was ok at at the first two paces but 800m pace unbelelivably tight!
Gandhi has invitted me back till easter so that gives me 3 weeks! He also said he does the same thing on Monday morning at 8.30 if i would like to go to that, should i do this as well?
the session was about 1hr 10min long.

After this i jogged a little and did free running

............35.......28.......19.......26......22........21.......17.......49......54
...........151.....159.....169.....166.....170.....171.....173.....168.....170
10.52. 6.30..6.30.....6.19....4.46...3.40....2.51...1.39......37.......34
171.....169.....168.....170.....173.....173.....175.....176.....174.....177


1-139
2-126
Time= 48.54
took this a little slower and free ran the whole way so was not really aware of how long i had been running for, so was pleased about the first 4reps which i found relativly easy and they were longer than expected.
also did not really notice, or affected by the short recovery and i still seemed quite powerful. the first minute of the 4th rep was quite flat (lacked power) but got back into things. Again the worst rep was probably the 3.40min were i noticed a bit of lack on the old power front. After running for 40mins i got really comfatble and the last four reps seemed really quick (last two i ran fast up a hill with quickish jog back)

enjoyed this session...i quite like the short recoveries...doesnt give you any time to think about any aches and pains!

Friday

Thursday, 26 February 2009

21st-27th

saturday
Parliment hill....refer to memory

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
rest, sunday had quite a bit of a cold which imporved during the day, monday i was feeling alot better but still felt teired and bassically had no energy, feeling better on tuesday and probably would have gone for a slow recovery run in the evening if it were not for University Hall event

Wednesday
15x1min

.............1........1..........1........1........1..........1.........1........1
........131.....135.....138.....136.....134.....138.....139.....141
.1..........1........1..........1........1..........1........1........1..........1
152.....155.....158.....158.....159.....159.....157.....158.....164

1........75.......1.........73.......1
145.....136.....147.....139.....144
43........1.........47.......1.........1
163.....166.....163.....159.....169
1-124
2-115
this was very tight and not fluent,i generally found this run pretty frustrating
the main aim was simply to get moving again

evening- Circuits and 5mins crusing. Actually coped quite well with the circuits and did not feel the effects on the thursday so was pleased,

Thursday
Morining
..........1.40......2.......1.30.....2.31....4.52
...........129.....132.....127.....131.....134
3.45....3.39....4.14....3.56....3.07....4.07
155.....159.....161.....164.....166.....163

1-129
2-114
Total Time= 35.25

Hr stayed sub 160 for all of the reps (although got into the mid 150s quite quickly) apart from the last 20m of reps as most of them i would be finshing up hill and then trying to stride out on the flat
felt better than yesterday but this pace still doesnt feel as fast or aggressive

Friday
Did 10min run building up every 2mins, started at 140 till i was running flat out. didnt feel great, felt quite tight

Sunday, 15 February 2009

14th-20th

Saturday
10km Glostershire
41.39
the course was flat but also very muddy but i did not feel to affected by it and managed to keep up a relative good speed
i am pleased as i beat 2 athlets from loughborough that i have not beaten this season. i took the first lap slightly easier but manged to keep in eye contact with the two loughborough athletes, quatar of the first lap i started to get into a good rythem and kept picking up the pace and it was the first time that i can remember where i was taking people instead of the opposiate. i think the winner did it in the 36-37 region but i will confirm when results are published.

Sunday
93.04....Fin 142....Ave 137
1-110
2-106

Monday
Morning ....1min on 1min off x 15

151.....127
156.....137
157.....137
159.....135
156.....133
154.....138
157.....146
160.....141
156.....135
157.....140
159.....143
160.....143
163.....145
158.....147
165.....
1-126
2-111
Hr would get into the 150s quite quickly so didnt really get high speed but felt ok.
felt quite tired this morning but after a warm up started to feel quite good although i felt quite heavy footed going down hill

evening- totaly time = 56.16
..........2.10.....1.28....1.58...1.26.....1.28...1.28....1.19......60......58.......65
...........130.....139.....136.....143.....142.....138.....145.....147.....149.....142
10.33..5.46....4.44....4.53....4.13...3.54....3.16......68.......80......78........43
169.....168.....170.....171.....174.....174.....174.....174.....174.....170.....173

1-140
2-115
this run felt really good, went of slightly slower yet the HR never really got into the 170 (it was roughly only the last 30seconds where the HR did get there but this really because i did speed up alittle (set my self targets to get to, i think i could have ran further on the first rep but sort of ran out of road) . Also manged to raise the length of reps which passed very quickly and still manged to keep a good speed. i was pleased with this session.

Tuesday
morning
..........1.17.....1.40...1.58....1.27.....2.37....4.27
...........118.....119.....122.....120.....131.....132
5.13...4.04.....3.56...2.19...1.38.....2.50.....4.03
157.....162.....166.....163.....165......164.....157

Total time= 37.34
1-130
2-115
Ran as i felt, found it harder to run fast in the high 160s so tried to keep it in the 150-160 range and then stopped when it started to get hard
i eneded up running quite slow up the hills though (in comparson) it was more sort of driving than floating but also manged to keep HR within range

Evening 17x70secs

............30......30.......30........30.......30.......30......30.......30........30......30.......30......2.12.....30
...........150.....155.....160.....165.....168.....168.....168.....170.....169.....172.....173.....137.....169
.70.......70.......70.......70......70........70......70.....70..........70........70......70........70......70.......70
164.....169.....171.....171.....176.....174.....172.....175.....175.....176.....176.....180.....177.....180

30.....1.28......41
121.....146.....166
42......35........55
180.....172.....181

1-139
2-124

i started of at the back as everyone went off really quickly but by the 8th rep i was catching and overtaking people, with many of my friends droppig out as the 12th rep except Ben Snowball who managed to do all 20 sustaining middle places
when i took longer rest i could easily keep up with the front leader i just couldnt sustain it without HR going above 180, they were doing 400ms in less than 70sec.....where as i was doing just over 300m

Wednesday
late night meant i rested

Thursday
Morning- rest
Evening- 2x10min

...........5.04
...........130
10........10
174.....178

1-134
2-115
second rep was harder but felt ok

Friday
rest

Saturday, 7 February 2009

7th-13th

saturday
4x200m steep hill on road with possabilty of running 300m flat (in relaity only managed 30-50m on flat)

...........5.07...5.38....7.03
...........128.....131.....128
.56.......59.......56.......56
179.....182.....180.....178

1-157
2-139
(all recovery HR went down to 120 but just before i ran it would jump)
this hill was steep, think i over estimated my ability on this as it was hard. Tried running it like a 400m race- first 100m tried going off fast and then relaxng for 50m and the kicking it back up again but really the hill was steep so it didnt feel fast, felt actually quite heavy and weak in the hips.
wanted to run further on the flat but as soon as i got on the flat i found i was exchusted and rfreally struggled to stride out
Positives- i was shatterd after each reps esspically the last two (felt dizzy on the fourth) yet my heat rate never went really high so im guessing that shows my fittness isnt to bad and if i get a good period of work in my lungs (which hasnt really been worked hard all winter) will become more efficent and stronger allowing me to run faster .

Sunday
90.59.....Fin 149.....Ave 141
1-120
2-111
was not my usal route (this was very icy) so just ran on the roads. run was consistant stayed above the 140s most of the way and i rember legs feeling tired by the end but am feeling good now.

Monday
Morning-
..........2.05....2.49....2.01....8.10
...........133.....130.....116.....149
8.52....4.21...6.20....53......1.56
167.....167.....160.....150.....164

1-115
2-110
Unfortualy it snowed last night (not as much as it has done) which meant it was very icy and slippery this morning. the First two reps were ok the first one was the best- HR got up to 174 and i was cautiouly floating. however after that the run got slower with several quick bursts where the ground was not stable(mainly on grass) but by the end it turned into a steady run except last rep which was good ground but it felt very strange.....A very Frustrating run.

evening-
15.20.....Fin 173.....Ave 167
1-28
2-116
was short on time this evening as my hall had organised a dinner which i needed to attend
the run i felt good and it went very quickly and effortlessley.
Hr got to 175 after 7.30mins but goinging down hill it went down to 160ish which i then picked the pace up for the last 4-5mins. the last 2-3mins my calfs were feeling quite tight but kept my form and generally tried to stay as relaxed as possiable.

Tuesday
Morning-
----- ..2.22....3.08...2.23....2.00...1.55....1.55....1.50....1.44....65......1.17
----- ..148.....144.....140.....154.....144.....144.....149....158.....153.....154
9.28...3.39.....2.47....2.57....2.32...2.50....2.45.....60......53.....1.14....1.25
175.....176.....174.....175.....176.....180.....172.....177.....176.....176.....178

Total Time- 50.22
1-139
2-118
First proper farlek and it was good fun. felt like i was running well, i had certian range of times i was aiming for and all of the reps were at the bottom end, stoped running when HR got near 175 but also when i could feel i was going to have to put more effort in.
the best rep i thought was the 4th rep where the HR went to 175 quite quickly but manged to keep it there for at least 30-40seconds.

One question
with the recoveries do i just go when i feel ready? Remmember you saying that you dont want the HR to drop unnaturally but looking at the recovery times they seem kind of short for the first couple of reps but i felt quite good at the time, but those reps the HR did rise quite quickly

Evening
5x900m hill
..........4.07...4.16.....4.25...4.34
...........150.....150.....149.....153
2.58...3.02...2.49...2.46...2.35
175.....176.....183.....191.....188

tried to do what you said on the phone, stayed at the back of the group for the first three and then tried to lead the last two whilst still trying to float. i did this except one went alot faster at the begging and i never manged t ctach him. these are not the eilte runners but there is a 1.54 and 1.56 runner and a good cross country runner with the others being made up of those that work very hard in training
i did have a longer recovery though than every one else...the group tended to race the recovery as well which i didnt want to do so i joined the group about 50m from the start.
is this the right intensity for a hard/qulity session if ido this once a week

Wednesday
Lunch
1,2,3min x3
............35.......1........1.30....1.36.....1........40.......40........1
...........142....135.....138.....139.....149.....154.....155.....147
..1.........2........3......2.47....2.06....1.........1........1.33......3
147.....157.....161.....165.....164.....168.....167.....169.....171

1-131
2-113
physically my legs were aching from last nights session so i push it at all on this, on the whole i free ran but i set speeds that i thought would last a minium of 1/2/3mins and on the whole was quite accurate

Evening-
circuits but were half hearted as i was generally pretty tired and had not fully recoverd from the sesson at lunch time

Thursday
am going to see how circuits go tonight but i imagine that i may take this day easy or rest as i have had to intense sessions this week and have a race this weekedn. i also imagine my legs will need a rest and some time to adpat.

Rest

Friday
rest

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

31st-6th

Saturday
1.9miles rely at wimblodon comman
10.21 (first leg).....10seconds quicker than last year
am pleased as i was put on first leg which i was not really happy with as we got stuck in traffic which meant i had 30mins to warm up so i reckon i might have gone faster with a better warm up, although i did a ok job with this warm up, just ran everything faster.

ran comftable and strong apart from 5-6min where i lost my tempo a little and ended up losing ground on the front two runners

Sunday
89.37.....Fin 149.....Ave 142
1-109
2-109
had irrated my hamstring from yesterday which meant the first 30mins was really uncomfatble, was limp running as it were. however ran it off and the rest off the run was ok but finsihed frustrated.
Hamstring has been fine since, the physio said this may happen when i pulled it in the summer, he described it as a "ex-girlfriend who continues to hang about"

Monday
SNOW.....and lots of it, well dont know how it compares with Riga but i have never seen so much snow.
so me and Hawkins basically spent 8 1/2 hours walking and playing in the snow (+ 1hour for lunch and a couple of hours for tea), found lots of untouched snow which we ran through, couple of sprints, was up hill and as well as this the snow averaged upto my knee up on epsom downs, basically i slept very well that night

Tuesday
dont think i will run today, will see how i feel but am feeling the slight effects of yesterdays adventure....still snowing

Wednesday
Morning- 50.40.....fin 137.....ave 133
1-111
2-100
ran in the snow found it easier to run in the thick snow than the icy path, the run was slow (although it was not easy) was probably 10-15mins slower but i thought i was moving through the snow pretty good.
i recreated one of your moments from your blog, apart from i didnt slip over just out side the door, i fell right next to the main road in full view off everyone!!

Evening- 20x50-60m, gradual hill in ankle deep snow

1-5 reps....Ave 12sec....................36sec rec
HR 150-165............150-154

6-10reps....Ave 12sec....................36-40sec rec
HR 164-171 ...........158-160

11-15rep....Ave (11,12) 12sec (13,14,15) 11sec........38-40
HR 163-168.........................................162-168

16-20rep....Ave 11.........................38-40
HR 170-175..............164-169

1-138
2-114
was not quite sure what i was going to do for a session today as roads are still very slippery and some of the snow has frozzen, found this grass patch with a median incline and warmed up to see how i was feeling....planned on doing 5-10 fast but after first rep decided against it and ran at about 3k pace with jog recovery

i felt really good, it was generally relaxed running, i was trying to look good. i didnt set out to complte a certian number of reps just ran untill my HR finished a rep higher than 175.

Thursday
Travelling all day so didnt get a chance to run

Friday



Monday, 26 January 2009

24th-30th

Saturday
Late night so HR was higher in the morning despite myself feeling ok
40.06.....Fin 146.....Ave 136
1-119
2-116
started of slow to see how i was feeling and was running pretty well so picked up pace to about 150hr but after 20min legs became tired and i slowed right down

Sunday
93.02....Ave 142.....Fin 136
1-116
2-115
was feeling pretty good and had some stored up energy....was also limted on time so decided to go a bit faster.....felt lke a really good and very comftable, these extra 10 beats got me up some hill alot quicker without hr goining silly high

Monday
50.51.....Ave 150.....fin 153
1-121
2-112
run was ok, was steady and about 1min faster than last time (i think i need to double check) i took the route round the woods which i used to do on the wednesday lunch time
only problem was that i felt quite sort of breath whilst running which i cant really explain

Tuesday
54.55.....fin 139......ave 135
1-111
2-103
yeah a pretty good run calfs felt pretty tight though but apart from that nothing much to say....LAST EXAM tomorrow

Wednesday
62.40.....Fin 162.....Ave 152.....Max 163
1-133
2-120
just went out and ran as i felt, didnt look at the HR. felt pretty comftable but there were places (manily on the flat) where i lost my rythem because of calf was tight and i tried to stretch it whilst running. the last 5mins i slowed a little but i finsihed pretty strong,

Exams are over so will be able to begain full training again, am going home for a couple of days tomorrow (havnt decided the date to come back on yet) but it means i can run a short, less than 3k i think relays in wimblodon, the other alexs are doing this aswell, is this worth giving a go or is there anything in particulat you wanted me to do, i rember the route being pretty flat

Thursday
Been Traveling most of the day so just did a recovery run of about 20mins to the track to watch Hawkins run. to my suprise i find it is awards evening (which i walk in late to, so look a little silly) and then find out i have won the most improved Under 20 award for my achievment in..............the HIGH JUMP!!
i then walked 40mins home with Byrne

Friday
Rest

Thursday, 22 January 2009

17th-23rd

Saturday
Supposed to be a 10k but must have been more of 8-9km
35.11.....Race was wet and muddy (largly borning, running round a big feild)
was not greatest of runs rythem was alos distrupted because of the mud and the tights bends, found it hard to get going fast stright away- positive= was closer to a training rival compared to last time i raced him

Sunday
123.23.....Fin 146.....Ave 137
1-111
2-103

Monday
58.36.....Fin 119.....Ave 128
1-106
2-102
feeling pretty drained from revision all day and was in no mood to put in any effort, ws just to get out of my room really

Tuesday
Exams, tired and early night

Wednesday
Warm up, circuits and warm down
circuits i thought were easier than last weeks (still quite tough though) so im stronger but dont think i have ever sweated as much (which was pretty Embarrassing as i was in a group with some very pretty girls)
Felt really good after session

Thursday
62.32.....fin 157.....Ave 156.....Max 164
1-124
2-115
total distance was probably about 8miles and it is a good unduelating route with some long hills, im am very pleased that i have explored over this side of town!!
the run was just a nice steady run just to relax, didnt feel ready to do a fast session however i am thinking about going for a run tomorrow so might do that 10min building up pace session just to get my mind of revision and things

Friday