I'm resigning myself to the fact that the Hong Kong summer is upon us. For the last 5 days of so it's been hovering between 29 and 32 degrees and between 80-95% humidity. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will now be sweating continuously until October, unless I stay inside. I'm a fairly hazardous environment to be around in the summer months in Hong Kong. I seem to create my own micro climate and am prone to flash floods. I am a sweaty man at the best of times but I now move into territory previously uncharterred, untouched and generally unwanted. It's a sad life. Normally by about August I am ready to end it all, just to be able to stop sweating so it'll be good to head off to France for this race.
On the down side it makes Long runs really tough as I found at the weekend. I think I'll be spending a lot of my longest sessions now doing even more walking than normal. I seem to blow up after about 3 hours as a rule. On my long run this Sunday, I did 35k and managed to drink 6 litres of sports drink. I know that sounds ridiculous and most literature says that the body can only process around a litre an hour but it has taken me at least another 24 hours to rehydrate.
Also, the heat has really brought the snakes out. I am no expert, but I always think it is safe to assume that snakes in tropical climates can kill you. At elast twice. So I prefer to stay away from them. However, they always seem to be sat in places where you can't actually see them until you're nearly stood on top of the little (or very big) buggers. It happenned to me twice on Sunday, the first time I rounded a sharp bend and although moving slightly slower than sloth, I very nearly trod on it. A quick change of shorts, a dab of lube and I was back on my way. 10k and masive heat exhaustion later I was meandering up a flight of stairs to the dragons back on the Hong Kong trail and nearly trod a grey one (scientific name). I didn't have another change of shorts in my bag so once I had climbed down from the tree I found myself in, it was a quick dab of body glide and on my way again.
Anyway, apart from snakes and humidity it was a fairly strong week of training:
Monday- 7 miles
Tuesday- 7Miles
Wednesday- Gym Bike 35k
Thursday- rest
Friday- Gym Bike 10 x 1 minute full effortm 1 minute rest, plus 10 minutes hard either side
Saturday- Run 2.45
Sunday- Run 4.45, a change of shorts and 2 snakes.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Time to get a coach
It's been a while since I blogged on my not so extensive training for the races in June and August. Since the vet highlighted my distinct lack of fitness I would like to say I've been hard at training. However, the reality is that I just got back from 9 booze and food filled days in the UK, visiting friends and the family. It was a great break, the weather was amazing, not a cloud in the sky and between 25-27 degrees the whole time. However, as much as I enjoyed it, the good times are over and I really need to focus on getting some quality training in and perhaps more importantly, watching my diet and cutting out... ok down, on the drink. I've developed a real taste for red wine over the last 6 months and have managed to convince myself that because it is better for me than beer, it's ok. Well I guess it's time to acknowledge that not many endurance athletes fuel themselves on Steak and Red wine. Ok none. So it's whole grains, salads and less 'treats' for me from now on. In fact, they are genuinely going to become treats again, as opposed to regulars. I've been a little too heavy on the cakes this last few months.
So with my resolutions set, I need to get properly training. Hong Kong is noticeably warmer and humid again which means the sweat fest is back on. I've had to start carryng water for anything over 45 minutes and where I have been doing longer runs with a hand held and one more on the belt, I'll now take the camelback with a few litres. I've started to have a think about what electrolytes work for me and don't upset my stomach (none so far!). I'm actually leaning towards a diluted gatorade or pocari (asian equivalent) as my preferred drink, I struggle to eat in the heat, so tend to lean towards getting extra calories from my fluids.
I'm still weaving in a little stationary bike into the mix, intervals 2 times a week followed by the treadmill (adding an extra 1 minute interval each week) and I am attempting to up the speed on the run afterwards. I am now only slightlky slower than a tortoise.
The UTMB requires that I submit a medical certificate stating that I am fit enough to take part and won't keel over during the race. I'm searching for a dishonest doctor who'll sign such an attestation. I'm more a fan of the disclaimer myself, the approach of some other well known races that I've taken part in. I refer to is as the 'you may die but it's not our fault' approach which I am totally comfortable with. As I may die, but only have myself and my penchant for cakes to blame. Even more likely as an asthmatic training in the Hong Kong air, whose run out of becotide and low on ventolin. Hey ho, let's see what a couple of months of dedication to exercise rather than pies does for me.
We have a couple more long weekends in a row in HK due to a number of unique public holidays. In total we have 4 in a row and one more in early June to ease us back into a full working week. I'm hoping to use these days off to get myself into the sort of shape where a doctir will happily sign my attestation withough questioning his/ her oath and ethics.
So with my resolutions set, I need to get properly training. Hong Kong is noticeably warmer and humid again which means the sweat fest is back on. I've had to start carryng water for anything over 45 minutes and where I have been doing longer runs with a hand held and one more on the belt, I'll now take the camelback with a few litres. I've started to have a think about what electrolytes work for me and don't upset my stomach (none so far!). I'm actually leaning towards a diluted gatorade or pocari (asian equivalent) as my preferred drink, I struggle to eat in the heat, so tend to lean towards getting extra calories from my fluids.
I'm still weaving in a little stationary bike into the mix, intervals 2 times a week followed by the treadmill (adding an extra 1 minute interval each week) and I am attempting to up the speed on the run afterwards. I am now only slightlky slower than a tortoise.
The UTMB requires that I submit a medical certificate stating that I am fit enough to take part and won't keel over during the race. I'm searching for a dishonest doctor who'll sign such an attestation. I'm more a fan of the disclaimer myself, the approach of some other well known races that I've taken part in. I refer to is as the 'you may die but it's not our fault' approach which I am totally comfortable with. As I may die, but only have myself and my penchant for cakes to blame. Even more likely as an asthmatic training in the Hong Kong air, whose run out of becotide and low on ventolin. Hey ho, let's see what a couple of months of dedication to exercise rather than pies does for me.
We have a couple more long weekends in a row in HK due to a number of unique public holidays. In total we have 4 in a row and one more in early June to ease us back into a full working week. I'm hoping to use these days off to get myself into the sort of shape where a doctir will happily sign my attestation withough questioning his/ her oath and ethics.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ironman v's Ultra runner. Epic Fail
I am sure most people have seen the ironman v's ultra runner video that has been doing the rounds on you tube for the last couple of months. It goes something like:
'I am an ultra runner, all of my clothes come from TK max with enough storage for 3 flapjacks'
'You need to be earning six figures to buy a bike that weighs as much as my breakfast'
'I like ultra running because it takes me to places I have never been to before'
'In my most recent triathlon I was ranked 11th placed left handed Male aged 33-37 and a half who live in the thames valley region'
It's genius. But I have to say on my long run this Sunday my mate, Dave the Vet, gave me a lesson in running. To be fair he is coming off the back of a 10.40 ironman and I am coming off the back of two months of injury, too many steaks and more than a little pinot noir, so I should have known what was coming. Last week was also my biggest training week in some time, so I started sore, Anyway, even making my excuses I realise I have a long way to go and my fitness is not where it needs to be considering my 100k is two months away. Time to get serious about training, well, after a 9 day break in the UK anyway!
The last week of training was pretty strong, I managed:
Monday 7 miles (11k)
Tuesday 11 miles (17k)
Wednesday 11 miles (17k)
Thursday 7 miles (11k)
Friday 1 hour bike (34k)
Saturday 2 hour hike with the girlfriend
Sunday approx 16.5/17miles I think, wasted and a slightly embarrassing injury
I actually had to walk the last 5k or so as I seem to have strained my right buttock. Nothing to do with the triathlete and his Lycra I can assure you. I have a strange shooting pain in what feels like the joint of my hip and leg. Either way, I am walking funny this week. Maybe it was too big a jump in training in the space of a few weeks, maybe too many big hills, anyway I have made the decision to get myself a coach. I'm going to get one of those online ones, mainly because that's what my friend did and he is now considerably faster than me. A couple of trips to Chin-Zilla my favourite, surprisingly strong, massage lady should sort it out. When I was training for other events I found a weekly massage works great guns for minor strains, particularly those linked to a heavy training schedule.
On a positive note I have continued my run of having toilets in the right place at the right time, so I've not had to participate in the other ultrarunners past time of crapping in the great outdoors. It may sound odd to non runners but the effect of a diet of sports drinks and gels has some startling effects. Few of which are pleasant.
In future weeks I shall post my new training plan and progress against it so that hopefully in future we'll see fails on a less epic scale than on Sunday.
'I am an ultra runner, all of my clothes come from TK max with enough storage for 3 flapjacks'
'You need to be earning six figures to buy a bike that weighs as much as my breakfast'
'I like ultra running because it takes me to places I have never been to before'
'In my most recent triathlon I was ranked 11th placed left handed Male aged 33-37 and a half who live in the thames valley region'
It's genius. But I have to say on my long run this Sunday my mate, Dave the Vet, gave me a lesson in running. To be fair he is coming off the back of a 10.40 ironman and I am coming off the back of two months of injury, too many steaks and more than a little pinot noir, so I should have known what was coming. Last week was also my biggest training week in some time, so I started sore, Anyway, even making my excuses I realise I have a long way to go and my fitness is not where it needs to be considering my 100k is two months away. Time to get serious about training, well, after a 9 day break in the UK anyway!
The last week of training was pretty strong, I managed:
Monday 7 miles (11k)
Tuesday 11 miles (17k)
Wednesday 11 miles (17k)
Thursday 7 miles (11k)
Friday 1 hour bike (34k)
Saturday 2 hour hike with the girlfriend
Sunday approx 16.5/17miles I think, wasted and a slightly embarrassing injury
I actually had to walk the last 5k or so as I seem to have strained my right buttock. Nothing to do with the triathlete and his Lycra I can assure you. I have a strange shooting pain in what feels like the joint of my hip and leg. Either way, I am walking funny this week. Maybe it was too big a jump in training in the space of a few weeks, maybe too many big hills, anyway I have made the decision to get myself a coach. I'm going to get one of those online ones, mainly because that's what my friend did and he is now considerably faster than me. A couple of trips to Chin-Zilla my favourite, surprisingly strong, massage lady should sort it out. When I was training for other events I found a weekly massage works great guns for minor strains, particularly those linked to a heavy training schedule.
On a positive note I have continued my run of having toilets in the right place at the right time, so I've not had to participate in the other ultrarunners past time of crapping in the great outdoors. It may sound odd to non runners but the effect of a diet of sports drinks and gels has some startling effects. Few of which are pleasant.
In future weeks I shall post my new training plan and progress against it so that hopefully in future we'll see fails on a less epic scale than on Sunday.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sundown, signed up!
My training is looking pretty rosy for the week so far. I'm really getting into the running thing again and my foot is responding quite well to the instruction it now faces, to bear my weight again. I can't blame the foot for complaining a little, it's more weight than most have to carry, but in general, apart from a few 'twangs' it feels almost as good as before.
Although I have loads of friends, honestly... ok 3, who say they will comment on the blog, they never do. So I am inviting any lost physios or previously broken footed runners to tell me what the hell is going on with this 'twang'. It's a weird feeling, it doesn't hurt but literally feels like someone is pinging a double base along the side of my foot. Assuming it is ligament related and hopefully not permanently damaging, I decided to keep running on it like any sensible educated young man would.
So the week so far. I managed 2.15 on Saturday which is the longest single run I have done since I broke the foot. Not much in time or distance, but I did manage to run to the peak up old peak road. Anyone who has walked up it knows it's pretty steep, so to get 16 stone running up it pleased me no end.
This week I signed up for the Sundown Marathon in Singapore, 100k overnight. For anyone who hasn't been before, Singapore is bloody hot and humid so I imagine it would have to be overnight. There are no seasons in Singapore, it's either bloody hot and raining or bloody hot and sunny. Sometimes it is bloody hot and about to rain. Suffice to say seasonal variety in the weather is lacking. Or, once a day for about 10 hours, it's night time. So we run at night. Should be tough, but a good motivator to get in shape before UTMB.
I signed up for the Sundown Marathon with a great friend of mine, John 'Panda' Key. We did Atacama together last year, which was tough, but a one dayer should be more of a laugh. I say we did Atacama together, John was actually about 10 hours faster than me, but we did at least sleep in the same tent. His training had been much more committed than mine, but I am hoping his commitment to steak and red means I won't be humiliated too badly this time around. Surely it's impossible to be beaten by 10 hours on a 100k, so I am hoping to see improvement!
As a prelude to the race we entered into a massive endurance effort on Sunday. We set off around midday and I wrapped up around 6pm, John carried on until 7.45 apparently. I believe the stats of this particular session were somewhere around several bottles of red each, lamb, steak and a couple of beers. To test myself, I ate nothing green. I did it! We really but the pedal down, pushed on past our limits and when the going got tough, we put our heads down and just carried on. Sterling stuff eh? (sorry for the panda bit, the Korean thought John looked just like a big panda on Christmas day, post lunch, I need to get my own back for getting whupped every race somehow!)
So, 2 and a half months, inclusive of the rugby 7's, to prepare for my first 100k race since last July. I'm looking forward to it already. The week so far:
Saturday- 13 hilly miles
Sunday- um... 7000 calories
Monday- 7 miles and a little groggy
Tuesday- 5.3 miles, including 6x30 second hill sprints
Wednesday- 7 miles (felt shockingly awful after sprint session on Tuesday, is this normal?)
Thursday- worked late, burger and 2 glasses or pinot noir, 1 Cab Sav. At least it's not beer right? Antioxidants? No, ok.
Friday- planned 13 miles
Funnily enough, Krupicka's blog is entitled 'infirm' and he has run further than me. You've got to laugh, I felt quite proud!
In current affairs I saw the Dalai Lama retired from politics today. A real shame as I thought he stood a real chance against the con dems by the next general election.
Although I have loads of friends, honestly... ok 3, who say they will comment on the blog, they never do. So I am inviting any lost physios or previously broken footed runners to tell me what the hell is going on with this 'twang'. It's a weird feeling, it doesn't hurt but literally feels like someone is pinging a double base along the side of my foot. Assuming it is ligament related and hopefully not permanently damaging, I decided to keep running on it like any sensible educated young man would.
So the week so far. I managed 2.15 on Saturday which is the longest single run I have done since I broke the foot. Not much in time or distance, but I did manage to run to the peak up old peak road. Anyone who has walked up it knows it's pretty steep, so to get 16 stone running up it pleased me no end.
This week I signed up for the Sundown Marathon in Singapore, 100k overnight. For anyone who hasn't been before, Singapore is bloody hot and humid so I imagine it would have to be overnight. There are no seasons in Singapore, it's either bloody hot and raining or bloody hot and sunny. Sometimes it is bloody hot and about to rain. Suffice to say seasonal variety in the weather is lacking. Or, once a day for about 10 hours, it's night time. So we run at night. Should be tough, but a good motivator to get in shape before UTMB.
I signed up for the Sundown Marathon with a great friend of mine, John 'Panda' Key. We did Atacama together last year, which was tough, but a one dayer should be more of a laugh. I say we did Atacama together, John was actually about 10 hours faster than me, but we did at least sleep in the same tent. His training had been much more committed than mine, but I am hoping his commitment to steak and red means I won't be humiliated too badly this time around. Surely it's impossible to be beaten by 10 hours on a 100k, so I am hoping to see improvement!
As a prelude to the race we entered into a massive endurance effort on Sunday. We set off around midday and I wrapped up around 6pm, John carried on until 7.45 apparently. I believe the stats of this particular session were somewhere around several bottles of red each, lamb, steak and a couple of beers. To test myself, I ate nothing green. I did it! We really but the pedal down, pushed on past our limits and when the going got tough, we put our heads down and just carried on. Sterling stuff eh? (sorry for the panda bit, the Korean thought John looked just like a big panda on Christmas day, post lunch, I need to get my own back for getting whupped every race somehow!)
So, 2 and a half months, inclusive of the rugby 7's, to prepare for my first 100k race since last July. I'm looking forward to it already. The week so far:
Saturday- 13 hilly miles
Sunday- um... 7000 calories
Monday- 7 miles and a little groggy
Tuesday- 5.3 miles, including 6x30 second hill sprints
Wednesday- 7 miles (felt shockingly awful after sprint session on Tuesday, is this normal?)
Thursday- worked late, burger and 2 glasses or pinot noir, 1 Cab Sav. At least it's not beer right? Antioxidants? No, ok.
Friday- planned 13 miles
Funnily enough, Krupicka's blog is entitled 'infirm' and he has run further than me. You've got to laugh, I felt quite proud!
In current affairs I saw the Dalai Lama retired from politics today. A real shame as I thought he stood a real chance against the con dems by the next general election.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Let the training commence
The injury finally seems to be passing, like the wind, and I'm going to start getting into some proper training again. Since fracturing my foot in an innocuous 'talking to the girlfriend whilst hiking' incident on New Years Day I've not been able to run consistently. 5 weeks off completely sat on my already ample arse contemplating throwing a stationary bike out of the window, have now been replaced with five times weekly runs and a couple of bike sessions.
Last week was my first week of solid training and I incorporated a really good session of hill sprints into my training for the first time. I've been diligently reading up on proper ultra training and everyone seems to do one or two speed sessions a week so I am following suit. Next week I am going to venture on to the track for my first ever track session with some local ironman types. Can't say I am looking forward to it, but it probably has to be done. However, the session last week consisted of 10 x 30 second hill sprints. Ok I am exaggerating. It was 'going' to consist of 10 x 30 second hill sprints until I realised exactly how sick that makes you feel. I was on number 6 when I thought I was going to vomit, so declined the last 4 and jogged off home. I'm heading back to the hill to tackle the full ten this week so I'll let you know how it goes. The other thing to note about hill sprints is that you look many times more stupid than you do jogging. They made me feel very self conscious. I'd be sprinting (I use this term loosely, probably club runner marathon pace) up the hill and taxis kept slowing down to offer me assistance. I'm not making this up, it happened twice. As they were Cantonese and I am not, I', still not sure why. Maybe they were concerned about my health (I did feel like I was dying) or if they thought I was being chased by a big, fat and slow predator, but twice they tried to usher me into the safety of their cab! I had awful images of them heading straight to the St Mary's hospital up the road and depositing me in casualty thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctors would quickly realise that I just have a low VO2 Max and give me some ventolin.
It got me thinking about how bloody stupid the whole thing is. I keep reading about the need to set goals, push ourselves to the edge etc. I think we're all just a little insane. I am a young man (relatively) in my early thirties and I chose to spend my time running as fast as I can up a small hill. It's pretty weird behaviour, and brings me to question what is normal. Can't answer that one, but it clearly isn't me. Sad as it is, I'll be buggered if I am not to be found on the same little hill tomorrow night, running my little (too little cardiovascular capacity that's for sure) heart out.
I mentioned last week that many ultra runners blogs had gone a little serious, dealing with 'issues' in the sport. Issues that at least 100 other people globally care deeply about. Well there has been progress. I am now noting a little hypocrisy in some of the blogging going on. The previously spiritual types, all caught up in meaning, seem to be showing a little commercial side. I'm enjoying it, but some of the other spiritual types are not happy. I sense division in the ranks of the ultras. The spiritualists v's those who will only turn up if they are paid goddamn it. They want cashola, the sweet green... sorry I mean to run against the best... cough. It looks like there will be a split between those who want to compete and others who want to hug each other on the way round. I'd like to add my two cents to this debate. I don't care and judging by the fact I only get a couple of hundred readers a month, neither does anyone else. Although to be fair that is probably just that no one cares about me. Sob. A quick note to the 50 or so people avidly discussing this, most of these races have about 100 people taking part. I love them, it's my hobby and although I am rubbish at it, I just enjoy run/walking. However, the fact is, no one else gives a shit. Not even my mum as long as I don't hurt myself. But it doesn't matter, it's all cool. I'll go for a run and forget about it.
I'm going to finish by raising an issue of my own and a cheery little anecdote that'll bring a warm fuzzy feeling to your heart and a tear to your eye. Most runners blogs touch on it (not literally, although I have been known to get a bit on my leg every now and again), but won't seem to embrace the fact that we all encounter them at one time or another. The shits. Joggers Tummy. They got me on my mid week run last week. I am sure most runners have experienced that awful sinking feeling when you're running on roads, surrounded by cars, no where to go (literally) and yet you just have to. It's happened to be before and it'll happen again no doubt. But this time, just when I thought all was lost and I was going to have to moon several passing people carriers, scarring people for life. I stumbled across a toilet. I kid you not. I run this route several times a week and I had never in my life noticed these toilets. And on this night, at my time of need, the clouds parted, the moon shone (not mine) and some public toilets appeared. I couldn't believe it, I half expected that serene music to start, you know the stuff, when they show Heaven in films. Ahhhh ahhh ahhh. And they were clean. The toilets that is, not the films, although they were too. And... they had toilet roll. I've never been so happy on a run. They talk of endorphins, but they are nothing compared to the happinness that Kleenex brings when you're about to cack yourself. So there you have it, I can see it as the next advertising campaign. Silky soft, there for you when you're about to poo yourself. I should work in advertising, no need for a cute puppy with me on the scene. Anyway.
Last week was my first week of solid training and I incorporated a really good session of hill sprints into my training for the first time. I've been diligently reading up on proper ultra training and everyone seems to do one or two speed sessions a week so I am following suit. Next week I am going to venture on to the track for my first ever track session with some local ironman types. Can't say I am looking forward to it, but it probably has to be done. However, the session last week consisted of 10 x 30 second hill sprints. Ok I am exaggerating. It was 'going' to consist of 10 x 30 second hill sprints until I realised exactly how sick that makes you feel. I was on number 6 when I thought I was going to vomit, so declined the last 4 and jogged off home. I'm heading back to the hill to tackle the full ten this week so I'll let you know how it goes. The other thing to note about hill sprints is that you look many times more stupid than you do jogging. They made me feel very self conscious. I'd be sprinting (I use this term loosely, probably club runner marathon pace) up the hill and taxis kept slowing down to offer me assistance. I'm not making this up, it happened twice. As they were Cantonese and I am not, I', still not sure why. Maybe they were concerned about my health (I did feel like I was dying) or if they thought I was being chased by a big, fat and slow predator, but twice they tried to usher me into the safety of their cab! I had awful images of them heading straight to the St Mary's hospital up the road and depositing me in casualty thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctors would quickly realise that I just have a low VO2 Max and give me some ventolin.
It got me thinking about how bloody stupid the whole thing is. I keep reading about the need to set goals, push ourselves to the edge etc. I think we're all just a little insane. I am a young man (relatively) in my early thirties and I chose to spend my time running as fast as I can up a small hill. It's pretty weird behaviour, and brings me to question what is normal. Can't answer that one, but it clearly isn't me. Sad as it is, I'll be buggered if I am not to be found on the same little hill tomorrow night, running my little (too little cardiovascular capacity that's for sure) heart out.
I mentioned last week that many ultra runners blogs had gone a little serious, dealing with 'issues' in the sport. Issues that at least 100 other people globally care deeply about. Well there has been progress. I am now noting a little hypocrisy in some of the blogging going on. The previously spiritual types, all caught up in meaning, seem to be showing a little commercial side. I'm enjoying it, but some of the other spiritual types are not happy. I sense division in the ranks of the ultras. The spiritualists v's those who will only turn up if they are paid goddamn it. They want cashola, the sweet green... sorry I mean to run against the best... cough. It looks like there will be a split between those who want to compete and others who want to hug each other on the way round. I'd like to add my two cents to this debate. I don't care and judging by the fact I only get a couple of hundred readers a month, neither does anyone else. Although to be fair that is probably just that no one cares about me. Sob. A quick note to the 50 or so people avidly discussing this, most of these races have about 100 people taking part. I love them, it's my hobby and although I am rubbish at it, I just enjoy run/walking. However, the fact is, no one else gives a shit. Not even my mum as long as I don't hurt myself. But it doesn't matter, it's all cool. I'll go for a run and forget about it.
I'm going to finish by raising an issue of my own and a cheery little anecdote that'll bring a warm fuzzy feeling to your heart and a tear to your eye. Most runners blogs touch on it (not literally, although I have been known to get a bit on my leg every now and again), but won't seem to embrace the fact that we all encounter them at one time or another. The shits. Joggers Tummy. They got me on my mid week run last week. I am sure most runners have experienced that awful sinking feeling when you're running on roads, surrounded by cars, no where to go (literally) and yet you just have to. It's happened to be before and it'll happen again no doubt. But this time, just when I thought all was lost and I was going to have to moon several passing people carriers, scarring people for life. I stumbled across a toilet. I kid you not. I run this route several times a week and I had never in my life noticed these toilets. And on this night, at my time of need, the clouds parted, the moon shone (not mine) and some public toilets appeared. I couldn't believe it, I half expected that serene music to start, you know the stuff, when they show Heaven in films. Ahhhh ahhh ahhh. And they were clean. The toilets that is, not the films, although they were too. And... they had toilet roll. I've never been so happy on a run. They talk of endorphins, but they are nothing compared to the happinness that Kleenex brings when you're about to cack yourself. So there you have it, I can see it as the next advertising campaign. Silky soft, there for you when you're about to poo yourself. I should work in advertising, no need for a cute puppy with me on the scene. Anyway.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Vampire Black Ops Trail Runner
I hope you'll forgive the title, no one reads my blog and I was struck by an idea as I wandered around Dymocks book store (Hong Kongs Borders, only solvent) earlier. It seems to me that nearly every book in the shop featured either vampires or some kind of hardcore stone-cold killer. I thought of changing the title of the blog itself to Vampire running, but then realised that I don't really want this to be read by a bunch of hormonal teenage girls. I love the fact that the story of the vampire seems to have become a teen romance genre. Now, I can appreciate the sexuality of the whole blood sucking thing, if you're a bit of a weirdo. By I'm not quite sure how vampires have become 'good guys'. I like my vampire to a bit more of a stone cold killer myself. The baddie. A bit more black ops.
So I thought about Black Ops Running, but thought this would either attract a bunch of hormonal guys, those who are looking for the latest computer game where they get to shoot hundreds of strangers. Or alternatively, it may attract those who genuinely like guns. Those who at some point will consider going on some sort of real rampage. Neither of which I am overly interested in becoming acquainted with. And then I realised that these black ops agent has also become the good guy. I killed loads of people... but it was necessary. And somehow, it's just... quite cool. I feel a little ashamed of myself for writing that, but it's true.
I'm definitely not a vampire for two reasons. 1. they don't exist 2. They are fast runners apparently. I prove week-in, week-out that I am not a vampire. Mostly I like to run very slowly in the sunshine. Occasionally I push myself up to a pace that we might call mediocre, but only when there's a race on. I am also not a special operations hard core killer. I'd always fancied myself as a stone cold killer, but then I stumbled across Human Resources and felt it might offer a more stable career. Less likely to be killed and all that. Sometimes, when ensuring the best person is selected for a role, my eyes narrow, my hand twitches towards my inner pocket and then I reveal my pen, which I use to take copious and detailed notes. But generally I never have to kill people with my bare hands. Well not very often anyway.
Anyway, ever though I'm neither a vampire or killer, I am running again. Which is lovely. Accepting that my life is a little more mundane I've been pretty excited to be out running again. I've managed my first proper weeks training this year and I am back to thinking that I may actually have some chance of getting half way round the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc in August. Don't get me wrong, I'm still bricking it, possibly more so since I remembered how hard a moderately hilly ten miles is, but at least I can take comfort in the fact I can run again. Over the last week I've managed:
- 3x7 miles
- 1x10miles
- 1 gym session of 25k on bike, 20 minutes run
Not enough to be thinking of doing any damage at the the UTMB, or even getting close to finishing. But enough to make me feel happy that I'm on the way. It also gets me out of the gym and more importantly the pubic boufing changing rooms. I have to confess, I'm not missing it at all.
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it, but there seems to be a proliferation of very serious blogs on running over the last month. I seem to to have noticed a lot of blogs on subjects such as the environment (which is perfectly fine obviously), big shiny races (also perfectly fine) and the spirituality of running (not fine, go to yoga). My favourite though, is the number of people who keep writing that we need to 'remember why we run'. I'd have thought it is obvious why we all run, it's because we're not vampires or stone cold killers and life is a little mundane. Anyway, I'm off to have a nice cup of tea and read my CIA Blacks Ops Novel.
So I thought about Black Ops Running, but thought this would either attract a bunch of hormonal guys, those who are looking for the latest computer game where they get to shoot hundreds of strangers. Or alternatively, it may attract those who genuinely like guns. Those who at some point will consider going on some sort of real rampage. Neither of which I am overly interested in becoming acquainted with. And then I realised that these black ops agent has also become the good guy. I killed loads of people... but it was necessary. And somehow, it's just... quite cool. I feel a little ashamed of myself for writing that, but it's true.
I'm definitely not a vampire for two reasons. 1. they don't exist 2. They are fast runners apparently. I prove week-in, week-out that I am not a vampire. Mostly I like to run very slowly in the sunshine. Occasionally I push myself up to a pace that we might call mediocre, but only when there's a race on. I am also not a special operations hard core killer. I'd always fancied myself as a stone cold killer, but then I stumbled across Human Resources and felt it might offer a more stable career. Less likely to be killed and all that. Sometimes, when ensuring the best person is selected for a role, my eyes narrow, my hand twitches towards my inner pocket and then I reveal my pen, which I use to take copious and detailed notes. But generally I never have to kill people with my bare hands. Well not very often anyway.
Anyway, ever though I'm neither a vampire or killer, I am running again. Which is lovely. Accepting that my life is a little more mundane I've been pretty excited to be out running again. I've managed my first proper weeks training this year and I am back to thinking that I may actually have some chance of getting half way round the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc in August. Don't get me wrong, I'm still bricking it, possibly more so since I remembered how hard a moderately hilly ten miles is, but at least I can take comfort in the fact I can run again. Over the last week I've managed:
- 3x7 miles
- 1x10miles
- 1 gym session of 25k on bike, 20 minutes run
Not enough to be thinking of doing any damage at the the UTMB, or even getting close to finishing. But enough to make me feel happy that I'm on the way. It also gets me out of the gym and more importantly the pubic boufing changing rooms. I have to confess, I'm not missing it at all.
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it, but there seems to be a proliferation of very serious blogs on running over the last month. I seem to to have noticed a lot of blogs on subjects such as the environment (which is perfectly fine obviously), big shiny races (also perfectly fine) and the spirituality of running (not fine, go to yoga). My favourite though, is the number of people who keep writing that we need to 'remember why we run'. I'd have thought it is obvious why we all run, it's because we're not vampires or stone cold killers and life is a little mundane. Anyway, I'm off to have a nice cup of tea and read my CIA Blacks Ops Novel.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Up and running
Ok, so it induced a migraine but I am up and running and on my way to the 2011 UTMB. 20 minutes on a treadmill isn't exactly tough going but my foot felt fine, no pain during or after, which I am delighted about. I'll look to gradualy add more k's over the next few weeks before I hopefully get round to competing in one of the 5 races I enterred late last year. I am certainly carrying a few more pounds than I was at the beginning of the year so I'll need to do something about that as well. The ferrero rocher training plan that I have been on has been tough, but somebody had to do it, there were times when I didn't want another chocolate, but I manned up and took another down. Sometimes I had to have another cup of tea just to stomach its nutty goodness. Now however, it's time to look forwards at the training I have to gear up to over the next 6 months.
Next weekend is the Hong Kong island King of the Hills which may have come too soon for me (or too late some might argue, by about ten years), however, I should be able to dawdle around the half marathon and aim to complete the full one on the final race of the season, scheduled for the 6th March. It'll be tough but I had been doing plenty of exercise up until the new year when I fractured the foot, so hopefully there is at least some residual fitness there. I am also going to look for a 100k race around May/June time to help me focus on the training required to complete the hundred miler in late August, but I don't have any ideas as yet.
As I mentioned briefly, I somehow managed to give myself a migraine with my little jog yesterday. I'm not sure if it was a result of the 4 large whiskeys I had on Friday night or the sheer delirium of being able to jog again, but it's always a rather unpleasant feeling when I pick one of these up. I lose sight in my right eye and then start to slur before failing completely to string together sentences. I'd met up with a mate of mine who comented; as I stumbled towards him, slurring my words, bumping into random objects, that he couldn't tell the difference. A little unfair I thought, but being as we spend most of our time accompanied by a decent bottle of vino or several pints of the ambar nectar, I could sort of see his point.
A side effect of the migraine yesterday was sober attendance at Dave the Vets BBQ this afternoon. I'm not one for excessive consumption on a Sunday, but I would normally have a few beers to oil the wheels. A social lubricant if you will. Today made me realise how little fun I am when sober. It's quite a tough realisation to have when you're 31, to realise that you're a little dull, but it is one I have to accept I guess. I am fortunate that a few of them are in full flow preparing for Ironman New Zealand. From what I read we shouldn't really speak with each other, let alone be friends; them with their shiny kit and shaved limbs, me with my smelly muddy kit and body hair (coiffed I might add). Two different breeds and yet there we were chatting merrily about our sporting differences. It's nice that people from such different cultures can get along...
Now that I can start to jog again I've decided to get a plan put together by a coach so I'll outline that in future blogs, but I'll ease myself back into the running. I intend to continue on the stationary bike a fair bit over the next few weeks so as not to over work the foot. I think I may have become slightly attached to the stationary bike. Peddalling along, never getting anywhere, there's something quite poetic about it all. But it's probably not going to get me around the alps in one piece, so I'll gradually incorporate more and more running into my schedule.
In anticipation of my running getting back into full swing, I bought myself some stupidly expensive trainers this week. I've decided to give the Newtons a go as they mimic the barefot motion whilst providing plenty of support. I've received mixed reviews as apparently they are really focused on making good runners better. We'll see what sort of impact they have on a crap runner. Hopefully they don't exaccerbate trends and make me 'crapper'. Not something I have ever needed help with. The Newtons have another downside that I am not sure I can overcome. They are the ugliest trainers I have ever seen. Some kind of psychedelic fluro green monstrocity. I have to be honest and say I kind of liked them. However, my girlfriend told me that if she had made the mistake of marrying me, she would rectify this, purely for me for wearing them in public. Let's just say I'll be going running very eary in the morning. So a quick warning, should any really slow UFO's be sighted over Hong Kong, it's just me, getting back into the swing.
For now I am just excited to be able to run again and start properly on my journey towards the Alps in August. It's going to be awesome.
Training summary:
February 6th- Run 20 minutes on a treadmill, 180k on the stationary bike.
I can hear the Apls shuddering in fear and anticipation at rumours I may be running... or should that be participating.
Next weekend is the Hong Kong island King of the Hills which may have come too soon for me (or too late some might argue, by about ten years), however, I should be able to dawdle around the half marathon and aim to complete the full one on the final race of the season, scheduled for the 6th March. It'll be tough but I had been doing plenty of exercise up until the new year when I fractured the foot, so hopefully there is at least some residual fitness there. I am also going to look for a 100k race around May/June time to help me focus on the training required to complete the hundred miler in late August, but I don't have any ideas as yet.
As I mentioned briefly, I somehow managed to give myself a migraine with my little jog yesterday. I'm not sure if it was a result of the 4 large whiskeys I had on Friday night or the sheer delirium of being able to jog again, but it's always a rather unpleasant feeling when I pick one of these up. I lose sight in my right eye and then start to slur before failing completely to string together sentences. I'd met up with a mate of mine who comented; as I stumbled towards him, slurring my words, bumping into random objects, that he couldn't tell the difference. A little unfair I thought, but being as we spend most of our time accompanied by a decent bottle of vino or several pints of the ambar nectar, I could sort of see his point.
A side effect of the migraine yesterday was sober attendance at Dave the Vets BBQ this afternoon. I'm not one for excessive consumption on a Sunday, but I would normally have a few beers to oil the wheels. A social lubricant if you will. Today made me realise how little fun I am when sober. It's quite a tough realisation to have when you're 31, to realise that you're a little dull, but it is one I have to accept I guess. I am fortunate that a few of them are in full flow preparing for Ironman New Zealand. From what I read we shouldn't really speak with each other, let alone be friends; them with their shiny kit and shaved limbs, me with my smelly muddy kit and body hair (coiffed I might add). Two different breeds and yet there we were chatting merrily about our sporting differences. It's nice that people from such different cultures can get along...
Now that I can start to jog again I've decided to get a plan put together by a coach so I'll outline that in future blogs, but I'll ease myself back into the running. I intend to continue on the stationary bike a fair bit over the next few weeks so as not to over work the foot. I think I may have become slightly attached to the stationary bike. Peddalling along, never getting anywhere, there's something quite poetic about it all. But it's probably not going to get me around the alps in one piece, so I'll gradually incorporate more and more running into my schedule.
In anticipation of my running getting back into full swing, I bought myself some stupidly expensive trainers this week. I've decided to give the Newtons a go as they mimic the barefot motion whilst providing plenty of support. I've received mixed reviews as apparently they are really focused on making good runners better. We'll see what sort of impact they have on a crap runner. Hopefully they don't exaccerbate trends and make me 'crapper'. Not something I have ever needed help with. The Newtons have another downside that I am not sure I can overcome. They are the ugliest trainers I have ever seen. Some kind of psychedelic fluro green monstrocity. I have to be honest and say I kind of liked them. However, my girlfriend told me that if she had made the mistake of marrying me, she would rectify this, purely for me for wearing them in public. Let's just say I'll be going running very eary in the morning. So a quick warning, should any really slow UFO's be sighted over Hong Kong, it's just me, getting back into the swing.
For now I am just excited to be able to run again and start properly on my journey towards the Alps in August. It's going to be awesome.
Training summary:
February 6th- Run 20 minutes on a treadmill, 180k on the stationary bike.
I can hear the Apls shuddering in fear and anticipation at rumours I may be running... or should that be participating.
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