I know I haven't posted for a while but until I can start training and racing properly again I don't really have much say.
Everything is looking up though at the moment, especially in the early morning spring sunshine. Running at the break of dawn has been a real boost for me and I feel a renewed sense of wanting to get back to running for more than a few miles at a time.
Still must stick to the schedule though. That in itself is good training ... good mental discipline to stick so rigidly to a schedule for such a prolonged period.
The recent holiday period was good, especially as Keir finally managed to get here ... and then managed to get back to Northern Ireland without any problems despite the threat of more snow. We didn't hang around at the airport any longer than we needed to as Leeds Bradford Airport is a very cold place even in summer. Being situated on the top of a very large hill doesn't help.
Between training I've been helping Fay with decorating and fixing things about the house. Note that I'm only helping, Fay is much better at decorating than me so I let her get on with it. She enjoys it much more than I do too. Her recent health scare is well and truly in the past now too.
Although Fiona's is still ongoing and will be for quite some time probably.
Anyway that's enough of me rambling on for now ... more later.
Showing posts with label Fiona Rennie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiona Rennie. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Fay and Fiona
OK I know that title is a bit strange but there is a good reason.
Let's start with Fiona. She's a Scottish ultra runner who is seriously ill at the minute - and not for the first time. She's a lovely woman who needs all the support she can get, and if she reads this she should know that I really do wish her all the best. I know she'll make a full recovery - she's a tough cookie, that one.
Now let's move on to Fay. On Tuesday evening, at home, we had a little 'episode'. Well, quite a major episode as it turned out. She began feeling unwell at about 6:00pm and at 7:45pm I phoned for an ambulance which took us to the A & E in Leeds.
We were there until 3 o'clock the following morning when the doctors finally managed to sort out what was wrong and get things under control. I'm not going to go into great detail (you really don't want me to ...) but the problem was that the new contraception we're using had caused a blood disorder.
For a menstruating woman, having blood that doesn't clot is not good.
Happy to report that everything is under control now but it was quite scary on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning.
There was light hearted moment when we finally got home though. Fay said to me: "I know you're supposed to go for a run after breakfast but why don't you go now (4 am). You're tired and it's dark outside, it'll be just like a 24 hour race. You'll enjoy it."
I politely declined on the grounds that I was too tired. But really I wanted to keep an eye on her to make sure everything was OK. It is, and everything's back to normal.
Let's start with Fiona. She's a Scottish ultra runner who is seriously ill at the minute - and not for the first time. She's a lovely woman who needs all the support she can get, and if she reads this she should know that I really do wish her all the best. I know she'll make a full recovery - she's a tough cookie, that one.
Now let's move on to Fay. On Tuesday evening, at home, we had a little 'episode'. Well, quite a major episode as it turned out. She began feeling unwell at about 6:00pm and at 7:45pm I phoned for an ambulance which took us to the A & E in Leeds.
We were there until 3 o'clock the following morning when the doctors finally managed to sort out what was wrong and get things under control. I'm not going to go into great detail (you really don't want me to ...) but the problem was that the new contraception we're using had caused a blood disorder.
For a menstruating woman, having blood that doesn't clot is not good.
Happy to report that everything is under control now but it was quite scary on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning.
There was light hearted moment when we finally got home though. Fay said to me: "I know you're supposed to go for a run after breakfast but why don't you go now (4 am). You're tired and it's dark outside, it'll be just like a 24 hour race. You'll enjoy it."
I politely declined on the grounds that I was too tired. But really I wanted to keep an eye on her to make sure everything was OK. It is, and everything's back to normal.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Nothing to do with me this time
Nothing much to report about me and my training at the moment - everything is going well - so I'll post a few bits and pieces about other ultra related stuff.
First up is a piece I found in the Northern Running Guide recently which mentions that at the up coming Sheffield Adventure Film Festival there will be a screening of the recent 16 minute film about Scottish international Fiona Rennie made by her husband Pete and Helen Brogan. Congratulations to everyone involved in that. You can also read about the short film at the Diversity Films website. Do watch if you get the chance ... it is rather inspiring.
Next weekend there are a couple of races of interest. Firstly there's a rather unusual race taking place in northern France from 22 February - a 48 hr treadmill race to which six top ultra runners have been invited including William Sichel. As usual all the details are/will be on his website.
And then there's the Espoo indoor 24hr in Finland which is hosting the Swedish Championships (but not the Finnish - don't ask [I don't know the answer]). All the best to Anth Courtney and Torill Fonn who are both taking part. I hope Anth gets to see the northern lights while he's in Finland.
Finally, it appears that at the start of this month the Australian Ultra Runners Association announced selection details for the World 24 hr Championships later this year. Basically the qualifying standards are 210 km for men and 190 km for women. One thing I noticed, which I think is a good idea, is that they are also offering performance bonuses, ie
50 Aus dollars for men who achieve 200 km and women 180 km
100 Aus dollars for men who achieve 220 km and women 200 km
200 Aus dollars for men who achieve 240 km and women who 220 km
300 Aus dollars for men who achieve 260 km and women who 240 km
and also:
50 Aus dollars for finishing third
100 Aus dollars for finishing second
200 Aus dollars for finishing first
I think that's a really good motivational idea, especially as the AURA funds are limited and travelling expenses are less generous than for UK teams - all the details are here.
Overall, if I had a choice, I think I'd prefer my country to pay travelling expenses though.
First up is a piece I found in the Northern Running Guide recently which mentions that at the up coming Sheffield Adventure Film Festival there will be a screening of the recent 16 minute film about Scottish international Fiona Rennie made by her husband Pete and Helen Brogan. Congratulations to everyone involved in that. You can also read about the short film at the Diversity Films website. Do watch if you get the chance ... it is rather inspiring.
Next weekend there are a couple of races of interest. Firstly there's a rather unusual race taking place in northern France from 22 February - a 48 hr treadmill race to which six top ultra runners have been invited including William Sichel. As usual all the details are/will be on his website.
And then there's the Espoo indoor 24hr in Finland which is hosting the Swedish Championships (but not the Finnish - don't ask [I don't know the answer]). All the best to Anth Courtney and Torill Fonn who are both taking part. I hope Anth gets to see the northern lights while he's in Finland.
Finally, it appears that at the start of this month the Australian Ultra Runners Association announced selection details for the World 24 hr Championships later this year. Basically the qualifying standards are 210 km for men and 190 km for women. One thing I noticed, which I think is a good idea, is that they are also offering performance bonuses, ie
50 Aus dollars for men who achieve 200 km and women 180 km
100 Aus dollars for men who achieve 220 km and women 200 km
200 Aus dollars for men who achieve 240 km and women who 220 km
300 Aus dollars for men who achieve 260 km and women who 240 km
and also:
50 Aus dollars for finishing third
100 Aus dollars for finishing second
200 Aus dollars for finishing first
I think that's a really good motivational idea, especially as the AURA funds are limited and travelling expenses are less generous than for UK teams - all the details are here.
Overall, if I had a choice, I think I'd prefer my country to pay travelling expenses though.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
hard work today
Today's run was hard ... not because of the run itself but because of the exceptionally windy weather we've been having recently.
The plan was for a 5.1 miles (8.2 km) out an back tempo run on a flattish route.
For the first half I ran 17:08 (target was 17:10 to 17:57)
For the return section I ran 19:40
For the whole I ran 36:48 (target was 34:21 to 35:55)
During the second half I was running at about a minute per mile (37s per km) slower and that was just because of the strong winds. I know I have easily been hitting my targets during tempo runs over the last couple of months so this should have been no problem at all. I seem to have recovered well from last week's madness too.
I dare say that wearing two pairs of tracksuit bottoms as well as a T shirt, a sweatshirt and 2 cotton long sleeved tops didn't make things easier though. Lost 5.6 pounds in weight though (2.5 kg).
I hope it's not so windy in Llandudno later this month.
Very well done too to Fiona Rennie who ran exceptionally well at the weekend in the Glenmore 24 hr trail race with very little training. Second with 108 miles.
The plan was for a 5.1 miles (8.2 km) out an back tempo run on a flattish route.
For the first half I ran 17:08 (target was 17:10 to 17:57)
For the return section I ran 19:40
For the whole I ran 36:48 (target was 34:21 to 35:55)
During the second half I was running at about a minute per mile (37s per km) slower and that was just because of the strong winds. I know I have easily been hitting my targets during tempo runs over the last couple of months so this should have been no problem at all. I seem to have recovered well from last week's madness too.
I dare say that wearing two pairs of tracksuit bottoms as well as a T shirt, a sweatshirt and 2 cotton long sleeved tops didn't make things easier though. Lost 5.6 pounds in weight though (2.5 kg).
I hope it's not so windy in Llandudno later this month.
Very well done too to Fiona Rennie who ran exceptionally well at the weekend in the Glenmore 24 hr trail race with very little training. Second with 108 miles.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
my brain is fine thanks ...
You may remember that about three or four days after my Run To London I was doing some DIY at home and it all went horribly wrong. At the time Fay vowed that she would never let me do anything around the house for at least a fortnight after a long ultra.
Apparently these long ultras not only wear out my legs, feet, digestive system and endocrine system but they also severely impair my brain function and coordination.
Some people say I'm mad to run 24 hr races ... now I know that it's the races making me mad !!!
Anyway, Fay has obviously relented because I've just spent about four or five hours putting up new bathroom cabinets, shelves, mirrors, etc ... and everything went perfectly well. Much like last weekend's race really.
Which reminds me ... my report should be available in a week or so (hopefully less) but in the meantime there's a great one on Fiona Rennie's blog.
I haven't run a step since that race - I couldn't even wear socks until Friday because of my painful toes - but now is the time to take up my running shoes again. Carefully for the first week though.
I've also been looking long and hard at race diaries for the next 12 to 15 months and the one thing that is as certain as can be is the World Championships in Brugg, Switzerland next June. UKA permitting. I'm still looking for other races though and have one or two ideas in mind. I'd like to race three long ultras in 2011 - which other two though?
Apparently these long ultras not only wear out my legs, feet, digestive system and endocrine system but they also severely impair my brain function and coordination.
Some people say I'm mad to run 24 hr races ... now I know that it's the races making me mad !!!
Anyway, Fay has obviously relented because I've just spent about four or five hours putting up new bathroom cabinets, shelves, mirrors, etc ... and everything went perfectly well. Much like last weekend's race really.
Which reminds me ... my report should be available in a week or so (hopefully less) but in the meantime there's a great one on Fiona Rennie's blog.
I haven't run a step since that race - I couldn't even wear socks until Friday because of my painful toes - but now is the time to take up my running shoes again. Carefully for the first week though.
I've also been looking long and hard at race diaries for the next 12 to 15 months and the one thing that is as certain as can be is the World Championships in Brugg, Switzerland next June. UKA permitting. I'm still looking for other races though and have one or two ideas in mind. I'd like to race three long ultras in 2011 - which other two though?
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
short update
Just a quick post to mention that a few videos of the recent World 24 hour Championships can be found here.
There are also a few race reports that I enjoyed reading - Dan Rose, Scott Jurek and GB crew member Fiona Rennie. Don't forget that my report can be read here.
There are also a couple of newspaper articles in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus and the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.
Then there's this one from last month which I've just come across in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Post Brive I began running again on Thursday 20 May with a five miler and since then I've been out on Saturday (6 miles), yesterday (7 miles) and plan to run again tomorrow (8 miles) and Friday (9 miles) and after that - well it depends on my left hamstring. It seems to ache a bit at the moment, only when running though and it does improve slightly as the run progresses.
I expect to have a proper training schedule in place before the weekend though. I feel I need to do well in Perth to put the recent bad run behind well and truly behind me. It's a bit strange still though in some ways because only two years ago I would have been well pleased with 222 km.
There are also a few race reports that I enjoyed reading - Dan Rose, Scott Jurek and GB crew member Fiona Rennie. Don't forget that my report can be read here.
There are also a couple of newspaper articles in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus and the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.
Then there's this one from last month which I've just come across in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Post Brive I began running again on Thursday 20 May with a five miler and since then I've been out on Saturday (6 miles), yesterday (7 miles) and plan to run again tomorrow (8 miles) and Friday (9 miles) and after that - well it depends on my left hamstring. It seems to ache a bit at the moment, only when running though and it does improve slightly as the run progresses.
I expect to have a proper training schedule in place before the weekend though. I feel I need to do well in Perth to put the recent bad run behind well and truly behind me. It's a bit strange still though in some ways because only two years ago I would have been well pleased with 222 km.
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