Just when things couldn't get much better they took a turn for the worse. Over the past few days I've developed a rather bad cold. Over the past five or six days I've noticed my morning pulse getting progressively higher and higher and that's usually a sign of illness.
It hasn't been high enough to reduce my training in any way (until today) but yesterday afternoon the cold began in earnest. Streaming nose, tiredness, lethargy, etc. I immediately began taking lots of vitamin C as advocated by Frank Horwill and others. Not as much as he suggested but I realise now that I should have started the 'medicine' a couple of days ago.
One thing I have noticed over the past six months or so is that I seem to have forgotten stuff like that. I'm sure it will all come back once I get properly into training mode again - only another four weeks to go.
As mentioned above my morning pulse was exceptionally high - over 20 % higher than normal. So, I've decided to ease back on the cycling and strength training for a few days. The running, such that it is, is only at a very low level anyway at the moment.
One thing I have noticed ... England Athletics have put on their website details of an English 24 hr Championship - this year held in conjunction with the Tooting Bec race in London. There appears to be some confusion though because there are slightly different details on the two pages it is mentioned - here and here - and no mention on the race website (or on the entry form).
If this is the beginning of an annual English Championship then that can only be a good thing as athletes in all other disciplines have a national championship to aim for. For me it's just a shame I won't be fit enough to take part but hopefully it will be something the powers that be continue with - and maybe (hopefully) us it as a selection event for a home nations 24 hr championships. Or is that a step too far ...
At this point I should mention that I suggested a championship to England Athletics back in 2009 when I also pointed out that the list of English records did not include ultra distance events. Within a week or two some ultra records were included but, even now, the men's 100k is missing and the women's 24 hour (road) has not been updated to include Lizzy Hawker.
Showing posts with label England Athletics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England Athletics. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Thursday, 29 September 2011
recent race
Over the past few days there has been lots written about the Commonwealth Championships in various places and here I attempt to bring them all together.
- lots of stuff on the IAU website
- this appeared on the IAAF website
- UK Athletics put something on their website after being prompted by me
- England Athletics has some stuff too
- Welsh Athletics has something here
- the news from Scottish Athletics is here
- Multidays.com has a piece that also includes a short video clip
- blogs which have some good stuff include William Sichel and John Kynaston (with two excellent videos)
- finally there's some stuff on the two official Commonwealth Championships websites ... here and here
As for me ... well I'm recovering nicely at the moment despite my left shoulder being still painful at times. Today I've started looking around for a race or two in the first half of next year before the World Championships in Poland (if I'm selected of course).
- lots of stuff on the IAU website
- this appeared on the IAAF website
- UK Athletics put something on their website after being prompted by me
- England Athletics has some stuff too
- Welsh Athletics has something here
- the news from Scottish Athletics is here
- Multidays.com has a piece that also includes a short video clip
- blogs which have some good stuff include William Sichel and John Kynaston (with two excellent videos)
- finally there's some stuff on the two official Commonwealth Championships websites ... here and here
As for me ... well I'm recovering nicely at the moment despite my left shoulder being still painful at times. Today I've started looking around for a race or two in the first half of next year before the World Championships in Poland (if I'm selected of course).
Thursday, 27 January 2011
rehab stage 3
The last few days have gone extremely well and, beginning tomorrow, I feel able to progress from alternating running and walking to continuously running.
Starting with 35 minutes in the morning and slowly building up to 60 minutes and if all goes well I can go back to 'normal' training on 12 February.
Still cycling, stretching and using weights almost every day - and that's doing me good. And I'm enjoying it.
A couple of things from other sites to mention:
The England Athletics website has a good photo on this page which was taken about 5 minutes before the 24 hr race at last year's Perth Ultra Fest. The article is about the forthcoming Anglo Celtic Plate 100k which will also be held in Perth this year. Before injury struck I was seriously considering entering the open race as part of my build up to the Commonwealth Championships later in the year.
Steve Quick recently posted a short piece about nutrition on his blog. I know there's a lot of interest on various blogs at the moment about nutrition and he seems to be saying something along the lines of: if one doesn't use carbohydrates to fuel long training runs then one's body won't know what to do with the carbohydrates it receives in a race. Seems sensible to me.
Helped Fay look after 13 young scouts [beavers] yesterday evening when they all went to the pantomime in Burley. The show itself was quite good actually but everything else proved to be a nightmare. There was a group of cub scouts there from Otley and together we bought 31 tickets ... but they only sent us 26 and we didn't realise until ten minutes before showtime. Frantic negotiations ensued to ensure we weren't turned away ... the children would not have been happy.
We sorted that out but as a result we would not be able to all sit together. And I had to sit between a very old couple who refused to sit next to one another !!! That's right, the old woman was sat on seat C1 and her husband on seat C3. And neither of them would move. They hadn't had a row and they weren't arguing ... just talking around me as I was in seat C2. I couldn't believe it.
And why do old people think the youth of today are bad mannered ?
Starting with 35 minutes in the morning and slowly building up to 60 minutes and if all goes well I can go back to 'normal' training on 12 February.
Still cycling, stretching and using weights almost every day - and that's doing me good. And I'm enjoying it.
A couple of things from other sites to mention:
The England Athletics website has a good photo on this page which was taken about 5 minutes before the 24 hr race at last year's Perth Ultra Fest. The article is about the forthcoming Anglo Celtic Plate 100k which will also be held in Perth this year. Before injury struck I was seriously considering entering the open race as part of my build up to the Commonwealth Championships later in the year.
Steve Quick recently posted a short piece about nutrition on his blog. I know there's a lot of interest on various blogs at the moment about nutrition and he seems to be saying something along the lines of: if one doesn't use carbohydrates to fuel long training runs then one's body won't know what to do with the carbohydrates it receives in a race. Seems sensible to me.
Helped Fay look after 13 young scouts [beavers] yesterday evening when they all went to the pantomime in Burley. The show itself was quite good actually but everything else proved to be a nightmare. There was a group of cub scouts there from Otley and together we bought 31 tickets ... but they only sent us 26 and we didn't realise until ten minutes before showtime. Frantic negotiations ensued to ensure we weren't turned away ... the children would not have been happy.
We sorted that out but as a result we would not be able to all sit together. And I had to sit between a very old couple who refused to sit next to one another !!! That's right, the old woman was sat on seat C1 and her husband on seat C3. And neither of them would move. They hadn't had a row and they weren't arguing ... just talking around me as I was in seat C2. I couldn't believe it.
And why do old people think the youth of today are bad mannered ?
Sunday, 9 May 2010
leaving soon ...
Well, this will be the last post on my blog before the World Championships.
The last couple of weeks have gone extremely well. Tapering hard with no long runs but plenty of speedwork and a much reduced overall weekly mileage. Eating more food than usual too ... and losing a bit of weight [not that he had much to lose - Fay].
On a slightly different, rather sad note, it has just been announced that the race director for Brive has recently died. See the IAU website for more details.
Also on the IAU website is the news that they will be offering live updates throughout the race, along with interviews and other items of interest.
The race website is likely to have live coverage throughout the event for those that are interested. The race starts at 10.00am local time on Thursday (9.00am UK time).
I've also just found out that England Athletics have posted qualification details for the Perth Ultra 24 Hour Six Nations Home International Team Race which should be read in conjunction with the word document, a link to which can be found on the right of the England Athletics page - beneath the logo. At the moment I know I have the qualification so I'm not thinking about that one. Just the one in a few days time - if the Icelandic volcano is kind to us.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
mini update
England Athletics have produced a newsletter, Setting The Pace, which is available to download from their website. The winter 2009/10 edition has a short article about the recent Commonwealth Championships in Keswick.
I've also noticed that recently England Athletics have started putting much more ultra stuff on their site and have even included some English records - take a look.
At the moment I'm averaging about 8h 45 training per week which I'm quite pleased about considering my recent illness. I know it's a long way short of the 20 hours + I was managing at the end of August but I'll get there in the coming months ... the key is not to rush when it comes to recovery from either illness or injury.
I've also noticed that recently England Athletics have started putting much more ultra stuff on their site and have even included some English records - take a look.
At the moment I'm averaging about 8h 45 training per week which I'm quite pleased about considering my recent illness. I know it's a long way short of the 20 hours + I was managing at the end of August but I'll get there in the coming months ... the key is not to rush when it comes to recovery from either illness or injury.
Friday, 14 August 2009
official confirmation
A letter arrived this morning from England Athletics:
"I am pleased to inform you of your selection to represent England in the Commonwealth Championship 24 Hour race at Keswick Cumbria on Thursday 17th September 2009, Start time 12 Noon."
etc, etc
The letter was dated 31 July.
As a non driver I find that the journey from Otley to Keswick on public transport isn't going to be the easiest journey (especially as I have to take clothes for five days and everything required for a 24hr race).
If anyone reading this is travelling to Keswick by car (or van) and passing anywhere near Otley, Leeds or Bradford on Wednesday 16 September I would appreciate a lift. Obviously I would make a suitable contribution towards fuel costs, etc. If you can help please email chris.carver@btopenworld.com
"I am pleased to inform you of your selection to represent England in the Commonwealth Championship 24 Hour race at Keswick Cumbria on Thursday 17th September 2009, Start time 12 Noon."
etc, etc
The letter was dated 31 July.
As a non driver I find that the journey from Otley to Keswick on public transport isn't going to be the easiest journey (especially as I have to take clothes for five days and everything required for a 24hr race).
If anyone reading this is travelling to Keswick by car (or van) and passing anywhere near Otley, Leeds or Bradford on Wednesday 16 September I would appreciate a lift. Obviously I would make a suitable contribution towards fuel costs, etc. If you can help please email chris.carver@btopenworld.com
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
crew needed
Just had some bad news. It has now been confirmed that Fay will not be allowed time away from work to crew for me in Keswick at the Commonwealth Championships.
I hope England Athletics are able to provide someone to pass me food and drinks at the appropriate time ... and look after me post race.
It has also been confirmed that the England squad will be staying at Keswick Youth Hostel and the 24 hour runners have been given rooms with bunks which are not on the ground floor. I can imagine climbing onto the top bunk after a 24 hr race !!!
I'll have the bottom bunk.
I hope England Athletics are able to provide someone to pass me food and drinks at the appropriate time ... and look after me post race.
It has also been confirmed that the England squad will be staying at Keswick Youth Hostel and the 24 hour runners have been given rooms with bunks which are not on the ground floor. I can imagine climbing onto the top bunk after a 24 hr race !!!
I'll have the bottom bunk.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Ultra Squad Weekend
I was at the England Athletics Ultra Distance Squad Weekend in Gloucester on Saturday and Sunday. I wasn't particularly looking forward to the five hour journey involving two buses and two trains. It could have been worse though.
Everything was fine until we reached Birmingham a bit late. The train was supposed to arrive at 1107 but arrived at 1128. My next train was supposed to leave Birmingham at 1130 so I was beginning to panic a bit until I found that it was due to leave from the same platform I had just arrived at ... but it was going to be 10 minutes late. We all got on and a few minutes later heard the following message over the public address system: "this train will now leave at 1200 because there's no driver available."
Arrived in Gloucester half an hour late and not too happy.
Got to the hotel at two o'clock, on the early side but it would give me time to meet everyone before proceedings began at three. Never been invited to one of these before - never considered myself 'elite' before and that's still an unfamiliar tag. Chris Finill, Vicky Skelton, Ramona Thevenet-Smith, Andy Smith, Jez Bragg, Dominic Croft, Matthew Lynas, Brian Cole and the other runners I spoke to were great at making me feel very welcome and I'm very grateful to them for that (particularly Chris and Ramona - you were both fantastic).
I always find these type of get togethers rather awkward, mainly because I'm a shy and introverted person by nature - mainly because of my medical history. Apart from cancer as an adult I had recurring major throat problems as a child and I spent three or four weeks in hospital every 18 months or so having throat surgery and not being able to talk for a couple of months afterwards.
Had less than four hours sleep before going for a run on Sunday morning with Jez Bragg, Chris Finill, Matthew Lynas and Dominic Croft. I found that quite a surreal experience ... running down the road with a group of international runners, chatting away and covering well over nine miles in 70 minutes or less before breakfast.
Then came a long relaxed breakfast before the rain started. That wasn't good as I had to walk back into Gloucester to the train station [no buses there on a Sunday]. Journey home was uneventful except that we left Sheffield seven minutes late and arrived in Leeds two minutes early !!! The scheduled journey of 48 minutes actually took 37 minutes - very strange.
Overall a good weekend. I picked up a few tips from Chris Finill, Andy Smith and Hilary Walker and learned about the forthcoming Commonwealth Championships. It still rankles a bit that I haven't been officially selected yet even though I exceeded the tough qualification criteria easily in my last 24 hr race ... all this waiting makes planning and training a bit difficult.
Oh yes, less than four hours sleep. Well, the bloke I was sharing a room with snores, loudly. Very loudly at times. So loudly that, a couple of hours after getting into bed I decided to try using my MP3 earphones as makeshift earplugs. Not much better but I eventually drifted off to sleep ... sort of.
Everything was fine until we reached Birmingham a bit late. The train was supposed to arrive at 1107 but arrived at 1128. My next train was supposed to leave Birmingham at 1130 so I was beginning to panic a bit until I found that it was due to leave from the same platform I had just arrived at ... but it was going to be 10 minutes late. We all got on and a few minutes later heard the following message over the public address system: "this train will now leave at 1200 because there's no driver available."
Arrived in Gloucester half an hour late and not too happy.
Got to the hotel at two o'clock, on the early side but it would give me time to meet everyone before proceedings began at three. Never been invited to one of these before - never considered myself 'elite' before and that's still an unfamiliar tag. Chris Finill, Vicky Skelton, Ramona Thevenet-Smith, Andy Smith, Jez Bragg, Dominic Croft, Matthew Lynas, Brian Cole and the other runners I spoke to were great at making me feel very welcome and I'm very grateful to them for that (particularly Chris and Ramona - you were both fantastic).
I always find these type of get togethers rather awkward, mainly because I'm a shy and introverted person by nature - mainly because of my medical history. Apart from cancer as an adult I had recurring major throat problems as a child and I spent three or four weeks in hospital every 18 months or so having throat surgery and not being able to talk for a couple of months afterwards.
Had less than four hours sleep before going for a run on Sunday morning with Jez Bragg, Chris Finill, Matthew Lynas and Dominic Croft. I found that quite a surreal experience ... running down the road with a group of international runners, chatting away and covering well over nine miles in 70 minutes or less before breakfast.
Then came a long relaxed breakfast before the rain started. That wasn't good as I had to walk back into Gloucester to the train station [no buses there on a Sunday]. Journey home was uneventful except that we left Sheffield seven minutes late and arrived in Leeds two minutes early !!! The scheduled journey of 48 minutes actually took 37 minutes - very strange.
Overall a good weekend. I picked up a few tips from Chris Finill, Andy Smith and Hilary Walker and learned about the forthcoming Commonwealth Championships. It still rankles a bit that I haven't been officially selected yet even though I exceeded the tough qualification criteria easily in my last 24 hr race ... all this waiting makes planning and training a bit difficult.
Oh yes, less than four hours sleep. Well, the bloke I was sharing a room with snores, loudly. Very loudly at times. So loudly that, a couple of hours after getting into bed I decided to try using my MP3 earphones as makeshift earplugs. Not much better but I eventually drifted off to sleep ... sort of.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
plans for next month
Recently entered the East Hull 24 hr race. I'm not planning to run the whole event as I don't think I'll recover sufficiently for the Commonwealth Championships in September which is the main target this year. I'm just planning to run 100 miles in Hull.
May looks like it's going to be very busy for me:
Sun 3 May - meeting #1 for crew of Run To London
Mon 4 May - wedding anniversary & Fay's birthday
Thu 7 May - Harrogate League race 1 in Thirsk
Fri 8 May - Torch Race (annual relay race up Otley Chevin by local scout groups - I'm involved with Otley Parish Scouts)
Sat 9 May - meeting #2 for crew of Run To London
Sun 10 May - meeting #3 for crew of Run To London
Tue 12 May - Otley AC committee meeting
Sat/Sun 16/17 May - England Ultra Squad Weekend in Gloucester
Wed 20 May - Harrogate League race 2 in Wetherby
Sat/Sun/Mon 23/24/25 May - Run To London
Fri 29 May - Keir's birthday
Mustn't neglect training although most of May is either tapering or recovering !!!
Yesterday I came across a 33 year old song I haven't heard before but which I wish I had - it's absolutely brilliant. I found it on the free DVD which came with the current issue of Classic Rock magazine. The song is Magic Man and it's by Heart. It was originally on their debut album (released in 1976) but this superlative live version is from Dreamboat Annie Live.
The version below isn't quite as good in my opinion but it's from 1977 so shows a performance from around the time it was written and recorded.
HEART - MAGIC MAN
I've known about Heart for at least 25 years now but for some reason missed this song.
May looks like it's going to be very busy for me:
Sun 3 May - meeting #1 for crew of Run To London
Mon 4 May - wedding anniversary & Fay's birthday
Thu 7 May - Harrogate League race 1 in Thirsk
Fri 8 May - Torch Race (annual relay race up Otley Chevin by local scout groups - I'm involved with Otley Parish Scouts)
Sat 9 May - meeting #2 for crew of Run To London
Sun 10 May - meeting #3 for crew of Run To London
Tue 12 May - Otley AC committee meeting
Sat/Sun 16/17 May - England Ultra Squad Weekend in Gloucester
Wed 20 May - Harrogate League race 2 in Wetherby
Sat/Sun/Mon 23/24/25 May - Run To London
Fri 29 May - Keir's birthday
Mustn't neglect training although most of May is either tapering or recovering !!!
Yesterday I came across a 33 year old song I haven't heard before but which I wish I had - it's absolutely brilliant. I found it on the free DVD which came with the current issue of Classic Rock magazine. The song is Magic Man and it's by Heart. It was originally on their debut album (released in 1976) but this superlative live version is from Dreamboat Annie Live.
The version below isn't quite as good in my opinion but it's from 1977 so shows a performance from around the time it was written and recorded.
HEART - MAGIC MAN
I've known about Heart for at least 25 years now but for some reason missed this song.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Commonwealth Championships
This afternoon I was just catching up with ultra news and when I came to look at the website set up for September's Commonwealth Championships I came across a map of the course.
It is a flat route in Fitz Park which will be about 1 km in length. Hopefully it will be fully tarmac (not quite there yet apparently) and Alan Young will hopefully measure it with his Jones Counter in April or May.
Should be really good. I just wish England Athletics would actually name a few team members, their advertised selection criteria indicates that the "first selection date will be on 1st January 2009, or shortly afterwards."
It is a flat route in Fitz Park which will be about 1 km in length. Hopefully it will be fully tarmac (not quite there yet apparently) and Alan Young will hopefully measure it with his Jones Counter in April or May.
Should be really good. I just wish England Athletics would actually name a few team members, their advertised selection criteria indicates that the "first selection date will be on 1st January 2009, or shortly afterwards."
Monday, 23 February 2009
Otley AC
Not a lot happening really ... I've had to let the Run To London take a backseat for a couple of days while I catch up with secretarial duties for Otley AC.
At the moment this mainly entails processing the application forms of over 50 juniors ... inputting their details on our database and also on the England Athletics database before arranging for the club's treasurer to pay England Athletics £5 per junior.
Very laborious.
At the moment this mainly entails processing the application forms of over 50 juniors ... inputting their details on our database and also on the England Athletics database before arranging for the club's treasurer to pay England Athletics £5 per junior.
Very laborious.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Christmas Handicap
This morning I took part in Otley AC's annual Christmas handicap. The route is about 5 miles round Swinsty Reservoir and the village of Timble. For more details see Otley AC's website.
Weather wasn't too good but we had 25 or so runners for a decent competition. I managed 35 mins for the undulating course. Not fantastic but OK considering my limited training of late.
Just been invited, by Norman Wilson, to an England Athletics Ultra Squad training weekend, etc in Gloucester at the end of January. Not sure whether I can attend yet but if I don't will it damage my chances of representing England at the Commonwealth Championships or other future championships.
Weather wasn't too good but we had 25 or so runners for a decent competition. I managed 35 mins for the undulating course. Not fantastic but OK considering my limited training of late.
Just been invited, by Norman Wilson, to an England Athletics Ultra Squad training weekend, etc in Gloucester at the end of January. Not sure whether I can attend yet but if I don't will it damage my chances of representing England at the Commonwealth Championships or other future championships.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Long run went well
Thursday's training went well. Covered the first mile in less than 8:30 and the 18th mile in less than 7:05. Although I didn't make the target at every mile, I did progressively get faster ... not easy on a course with two very large hills.
Yesterday I ran 9+ miles at an easy pace in the morning and in the afternoon I spent 45 mins on the bike before doing a strength training session. Today there's more cycling and strength training.
Apologies for not updating this for a few days ... I've been busy working on a new Microsoft Access Database for Otley AC. We need a new one because from May 2007 the membership scheme is being administered by England Athletics instead of the North of England AA and only recently have they decided what information they would like ... and, of course, it's different stuff. Also, we now have a junior section and we need different information for children such as parent's contact details.
Yesterday I ran 9+ miles at an easy pace in the morning and in the afternoon I spent 45 mins on the bike before doing a strength training session. Today there's more cycling and strength training.
Apologies for not updating this for a few days ... I've been busy working on a new Microsoft Access Database for Otley AC. We need a new one because from May 2007 the membership scheme is being administered by England Athletics instead of the North of England AA and only recently have they decided what information they would like ... and, of course, it's different stuff. Also, we now have a junior section and we need different information for children such as parent's contact details.
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Head still hurts ...
Went for a run this afternoon. Up to 50 mins now and as my son is doing the Sport Relief mile next weekend I thought it a good idea that he came with me ... just in case, you understand !!!
He's actually doing the 3 mile version but he's never run so far before. Him being with me made sure I ran slowly and with care today.
Recently posted on the England Athletics website is the selection criteria for this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k (18 May - Cardiff). Basically performances since 1 Jan 2007 will be considered but candidates will probably have taken part in either the Epney Gloucester 50k, Draycote Water 35 or Barry 40 this year as proof of fitness [I hope I've interpreted that correctly]. The full article is at http://www.englandathletics.org/teams/road-running/anglo-celtic-plate-100k-selection-details/
I know I'm nowhere near fit enough at the moment for a 100k race in May but this information is useful for future years. And possibly can be used as a basis for selection for the Commonwealth Championships 24 hr event in autumn (?) 2009 by substituting dates and races in their statement.
Had a fantastic reply from William Sichel about compression clothing which I'm very grateful for (and also his concern about yesterday's incident).
And to anyone else who's reading this, no, I wasn't drunk. I've not touched a drop since my birthday about a fortnight ago.
I hope William doesn't mind me picking his brains every now and again but I find it really useful talking to more experienced runners about the intricacies of ultra running.
He's actually doing the 3 mile version but he's never run so far before. Him being with me made sure I ran slowly and with care today.
Recently posted on the England Athletics website is the selection criteria for this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k (18 May - Cardiff). Basically performances since 1 Jan 2007 will be considered but candidates will probably have taken part in either the Epney Gloucester 50k, Draycote Water 35 or Barry 40 this year as proof of fitness [I hope I've interpreted that correctly]. The full article is at http://www.englandathletics.org/teams/road-running/anglo-celtic-plate-100k-selection-details/
I know I'm nowhere near fit enough at the moment for a 100k race in May but this information is useful for future years. And possibly can be used as a basis for selection for the Commonwealth Championships 24 hr event in autumn (?) 2009 by substituting dates and races in their statement.
Had a fantastic reply from William Sichel about compression clothing which I'm very grateful for (and also his concern about yesterday's incident).
And to anyone else who's reading this, no, I wasn't drunk. I've not touched a drop since my birthday about a fortnight ago.
I hope William doesn't mind me picking his brains every now and again but I find it really useful talking to more experienced runners about the intricacies of ultra running.
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