Crash Training

After cutting short Friday's training and feeling very fresh after yesterday's 10 mile relay leg over Haworth Moor I've decided to change my last week of 'proper' training before tapering begins next Monday.

I've decided to have a week of crash training. This basically involves all the components of a normal training week ... but twice as much of it. This will be followed by a week of reduced training - which is part of my tapering anyway.

Having read about crash training in articles by Frank Horwill I understand that very careful attention has to be paid to recovery, healthy eating, injuries and listening to my body.

Today I began with almost 12 miles of which 8 were at sub 6:40 per mile.

After extensive testing it appears that sorbothane insoles work better when used instead of the insoles which are supplied with shoes.

busy, busy, busy

Had lots of PC/internet connection problems recently ... I think they're all sorted out now and normal service can be resumed.

The full length sorbothane inner soles I bought in London recently don't seem to stop the balls of my feet from being painful on long runs ... in fact, I would say they make it worse. A couple of days ago I had to change my shoes twice during a 23 miler.

The instructions say to use them over the top of the inner soles provided with the shoes. Perhaps I'll try them "instead of" as opposed to "as well as".

Still using the sorbothane heel raises though but the long standing achilles injury is now officially no more ... ie I'm injury free for the first time since October last year.

Ran a Harrogate League race in Thirsk last night, approx 5 miles (probably a bit more). I came away with my best time ever on that course, which I'm very pleased about. One of our team, Gilly, came away with an injury to the back of her left knee though which doesn't look good - she couldn't straighten her leg or put any weight on her left foot. She seemed a bit sad, which is only natural as she's been running well recently. I hope she's OK.

Seriously beginning to think now about exactly what food, drink, painkillers, suntan lotion, kit I'll need to take to the Hull 24 hr race - gels, rice pudding, custard, jaffa cakes, grapes, Turkish Delight, electrolyte sports drinks, salt, sun glasses, the list goes on and on ...

Also been busy allocating tasks for this Wednesday's Otley 10. I have to find at least 50 volunteers and allocate tasks such as marshalling, car park attendants, timekeepers, lead car driver, sweep car driver, finish recorders, people to give out mementoes and drinks after the race. Also have to liaise with local police and councils, scouts, town mayor, other sports clubs who share our car park, etc. Very busy at the moment.

I Feel Fine

Apologies for not posting recently, I've been in London for a few days.

Last Monday was my first very long training run since September 2007 ... 32 to 33 miles incorporating 10 or 11 miles of the Leeds Liverpool Canal into a fierce headwind. A very enjoyable few hours which caused less problems with my ankle than expected.

The days in London were my first this year where the eccentric achilles stretches were not performed - still did the general stretching and ankle massage though.

Whilst in London I called into Run And Become to buy some full length sorbothane insoles and say 'hello' to the staff who help to make the 24hr race at Tooting in October such a good event. Didn't get a chat as they were exceptionally busy - hardly room to move in fact.

Only six weeks to go now to my first ultra since major injury struck about six months ago. Between now and then I have two Harrogate & District Summer Road Race League races in Thirsk and Hudswell (near Richmond), stage two of the Bradford Millennium Way Relay for my club (Otley AC) and also a club handicap (or two).

Training is going really well at the moment and I feel good.