2014 then - lets get on with it !!

Right then, 2014. Let's be having you.

I have already entered several races, and so it would appear I have a plan, like I was organised or something:
January : Blymhill 10km
February : Stourbridge Stagger 10m : Tough Ten 10m
March ; Cloud 9 Fell Run: Grizzly Cub Run

If I do that lot it, should set me up nicely for Spring Time !!

Also some other things: re-engage with running club. Try to do more core gym/circuits work.
Tick off this 100 mile bike thing as early as possible.

It's the End of the Year as we know it..

As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to do the traditional review. It makes pretty depressing reading !!

It's been covered in more detail earlier on, in brief:

(1) I had knee injuries again and did not treat them properly.

(2) I struggled from time to time with recurring stomach problems (at least 3 episodes this year)

(3) I dropped out of Tough Ten (injury)

(4) I shuffled very poorly round the Cloud 9 fell race.

(5) Improved slightly to do the Grizzly cub run - but it was hard going..

(6) I contemplated giving it all up.

(7) I enjoyed the Wenlock Tri (though I was a bit rubbish)

(8) I dropped out of Ludlow Tri (stomach)

(9) I did toy with the idea of cross country but it never happened.

(10) I entered Grizzly Cub 2014, started #griztraining on Twitter. 

Really, it's been a poor year. I've struggled with injury, illness and motivation. I've had some job issues and most weirdly of all, had other things I wanted to do.

I'm also very aware of declining health and fitness levels generally. I just can't do what I used to be able to do. 

- However - 

I have finished the year with the highest weekly running mileage for some years, and I'm enjoying it again, which I never thought I would do. Small victories. My mantra is 'learn from yesterday, appreciate today and plan for tomorrow'

Quick Update

Just a quick line to say well done to Wilson Kipsang on breaking the Marathon World record in Berlin and also to Mike Sprason for completing yet another Ludlow Triathlon. I am jealous of both of you guys.

Nothing to see here. Move along please.

Not much to say, really. It's been weird since Wenlock. I've had job issues and other stuff going on and latterly my little health problem has come back.
But on the positive side it has made me think about training, targets and stuff, and given me the opportunity to do a bit of inspirational reading.

Back in the game.
- Two medium-long term targets: Four Villages Half Marathon in January and Grizzly Cub run in March.
- Half an eye on Axe to Exe but that depends on holidays.
- AND I need to bag a 100 mile bike ride.

I'm putting all my training stuff on Twitter under the #griztraining hashtag and copying the diary out here http://ercallstompers.blogspot.co.uk/p/grizzly-training-page.html . Should make interesting reading I hope.
Luv & kisses xx

Much Wenlock Olympian Games Triathlon. Fun in the sun.

This isn't Much Wenlock, it's London. And we were in a pool. But apart from that, it's much the same...

Date: 14th July 2013 Event: The Triathlon. Swim 500m, Bike 19km Run 7km.

I rolled up early for the Wenlock Olympian Triathlon, I bagged a brilliant parking space too. All was going well as I put my bike back together and queued up for my numbers and final information. I was mildly concerned about my poor swimming ability, though I had put some pool time in and was confident of not being total rubbish!! However when I met up with friend Mike and his sister, I realised I had left my goggles at home. Schoolboy error - it was soon rectified by a loan from Mike, though I declined the pink go-faster ones. 

I spent the rest of the hour before start time pacing around and preparing, and then preparing again my bike, after sticking on the numbers. There seemed so many numbers!! I racked my bike up and exchanged a few wise words with my fellow competitors who were all looking forward to the event - but not, perhaps, the heat. It was a warm 'un.

Us slowbies queued up round the pool at start time for a quick briefing. We had gone into the pool in the hope of escaping from the heat - what a bad idea that was, it was like a sauna in there!! We were allowed into the water early though, we thought this might provide some blessed relief but after a couple of minutes it was obvious that this would be like swimming in a bath but without the fun.

I had 2 other competitors in my lane, it was obvious from the off they were no novice swimmers. Still, I stuck to the plan which was to go as steady as I could, letting them pass on a couple of occasions. I was out of the pool about a minute before my estimated time though so I was doing well (and they were doing so much better!) I struggled to get out of the pool which was helped by my climbing on to the lane rope. Good idea. I was quite pleased with my ingenuity.

Transition seemed very leisurely, many of my competitors who were slightly faster swimmers than me were already out and chatting/getting changed. I stuck to the routine and was soon ready to go. I left with two or three others, including Mark, and thought we might be a little group - but I soon left them behind and was flying down to Buildwas. I counted 38 mph on my speedo and I was trying to gain on a couple of cyclists who had passed me. While doing this, I picked up & passed a couple of fellow triathletes.

I then settled into a routine when perhaps I could have gone a bit quicker, but again was soon flying down into Cressage where it all came to an unscheduled stop at traffic lights. Doh! The trek up to Sheinton was quite tough, but I felt very good going up there and when the big 15% climb came about I had no problems at all. It was steep, but no Mont Vonteux (..and I'm no Chris Froome).

I came into T2 in good order and found my bike rack despite incurring the wrath of a Triathlon official who was a bit patronising ('I don't you've probably never done one of these before but...'). I was slow again out of T2 and also slow on the run out, stopping to tie shoelaces.

The run along the railway line was quite nice, but I knew what was coming and the climb up to the Wyke was tortuous. I slowed considerably and was overtaken, I got to halfway and had a refreshing drink before beginning the slog back. I saw Mark and thought he was gaining on me so I waited for the inevitable. I didn't get much relief from the downhill though, and the field crossing was a bit hard and ruttifed but once back on the railway line again I think I picked it up a bit. Was overtaken by the 7 mile road run winner but I entered the home field in good order and I was more than happy to finish.

There was good news afterwards as Mike picked up a well-deserved Silver medal and his sister Yvonne the gold medal in their age-groups.

For me? I was pleased with the swim, thought the bike was ok but was disappointed with my run. All in all though, a pretty good day and I was home in time for a little nap before catching up with the Tour on TV. Happy days 

End of the Road?

I must admit, I've been thinking about giving up running, triathlon, fell running, cycling. I wouldn't even have to think about giving up swimming, I am dire anyway!
But no, I see so many inspirational people around me that I couldn't give up. I'm young enough to be putting in some real effort. I'm strong enough to be setting some pretty good times.
I've revamped my training around a diary, and some key sessions. Let's see how this works, I shall report back here.
In other news, it's one week to the "Contractual Obligation Triathlon" that is the Wenlock Olympian Games. I'm dreading this event, mainly because my swimming is so bad. I reckon I can do reasonably well on the bike, having had a look at the hills last week first-hand, and the run will just be hard work. But once the swim is over, I'll be in happy-land.
What's up next? I'd love to say I've got such-and-such an event to train for, but in reality it's just the Triathlon, then we are seriously into holiday time. Hopefully I won't blob out too much though and I can continue with the great progress I've made in the last few weeks ..

Hooray, Hooray it's a Holi-Holi Day :-)

I'm back from a week in the sun of Tenerife.
I had a brilliant week with family, and I took a book called 'Running with the Kenyans' with me. I learned that the Kenyans don't seem to have any magic secrets, it's just hard work apparently.
So, armed with the knowledge from the book and some new Nike Free shoes I decided to try and reignite my training. This meant getting up at 7.30am, slightly hungover, and running in the humid semi-darkness to the tune of other early birds, other slightly wheezy holiday joggers and giggling Canarian council workers.
Day 1 was a trail blazing run; I travelled as far along the sea front as I could before turning and climbing up towards the edge of town, slightly expiring and retracing my steps. It was hard, hilly, but fun.
Day 2 was a bit more of an adventure; having got to the end of the prom I had to climb over a small ravine (good fell training) and scale a wall (mountain climbing) before regaining the prom. I ran along for a while before deciding I should retrace my steps again. Unfortunately I followed someone on an "easier" route and ended up semi-lost and heading up a long hill which ended eventually on the main road. There wasn't much pavement so car-dodging and gully-running was my only choice. I was out for far too long and really whacked at the end of that one.
Day 3-5 I settled on a two-lap course, and the idea was to run lap 2 quicker than lap 1. It was a success on all 3 days, but harder work on Day 2 (I had done a lot of driving the previous day). On Day 3 I just fell out of bed, got dressed and got it over with. Kenyan style.
Pleased with my new-found mojo I've worked out a new training routine for home. So far, it's working.

Bear-ly running.

Thanks to a Morris Dancing-related injury to my knee (no, don't ask) things have been kind of tough recently. Training has been really restricted and as a result, so has motivation, mojo, whatever you want to call it.
I struggled round the Cloud 9 race with Mike, who was excited at the prospect of a fell race as he doesnt get out much. I avoided the downhills, and lost so many places, not that I had many to lose as we were near the rear of the field anyway - but I finished in reasonable form and so declared myself ready for the Grizzly Cub run. All that we needed was some reasonable weather!!
A whole week of inactivity followed, then a long trip down to Devon where we met up with Dave & Gail. Several pub meals and beers later, it was Sunday morning. The weather was closing in, it was barely above freezing and the waves were lashing the beach. Ah, yes, the beach. Of which we shall talk more in a little while.
I set off comfortably at a trot with Dave and we soon swept up Mick; then we turned off the road and onto the beach. Agh. I made a few early tactical errors, and soon Mick and Dave were a long way in front of me, a state of affairs I had to work hard to put right.
Soon, we were climbing towards Beer. I knew this would be hard work, not even a nice downhill slope in between the climbs brought much relief, but at least it was on the road. Once we moved off the road and onto the headland though, it became slightly more slippery underfoot and I was rather tentative about where I was putting my feet in case I slipped.
We put in a few indistinguishable miles on the headland and then began the long downhill to Branscombe. I was very slow going down the lane and halfway down decided I wasnt enjoying it much so I stopped for a pee. At this point Dave was catching me up and as I shambled down the steep hill to the beach (told you I would mention it) he apparently caught me up.
Something in the back of my mind said 'there's going to be some water in this route' and as I got further and further down, this voice got louder. Then we were on to the shingle beach. My inner monologue went into overdrive "no, no, no this isn't right ah, no...no...agh!!" I sized up the stream and hoped I could keep my feet - it looked deep and brown. And, overall, cold. Bloody cold.
The water went over my knees and I couldn't feel my feet. And then a quick pass round some tape and, yes, we went back into the water. Damn you, Axe Valley Runners (even though you are my 2nd claim club).
Allegedly, Dave was right behind me at this point. The next stretch, about 3/4 miles worth of beach plodding, soon sorted that out. It was agonising!!
Once off the horror of the beach there was a cliff to climb up, which was a bit muddy but nothing more - and then we were back on our way to Beer, the steps, the caravan site, all of which was going well. I was looking forward to the gentle run-in, when the marshalls sent up back up the road we had run down at the start. An unwelcome diversion. But it was still a nice run in, despite my hitting a wall (literally) with my arm as we turned into the field where the bandstand was. It was great to see the crowds at the bottom again and a lovely trot to the finish, to banana, hand shake from Town Crier, tee-shirt and something warm to wrap up in. (minor niggle here - we only do a small version of the Grizzly - we don't deserve the proper t-shirt !!)
Dave came in about 8 minutes later which was pretty good. Mick appeared sometime afterwards, having pulled his hamstring. See, I told you it was cold. Picture somewhere when I can download it.

Of Grizzlys, pre-Grizzlys, Cubs, Bears and other stuff

SO.......
If you read the last entry on this website, you would have found a suitably-motivated person, ready to rock&roll.
Unfortunately, life's got a habit of kicking you, after it has pulled the carpet from under you, before dumping you in the skip.
Enough of that. The weather's been rubbish. I've had another chest infection. I've taken up Morris Dancing. Some or all of the above statements may be true.

today's picture:

From left to right:
Some tourists, a pushchair, Dave Arnold, Dave Guinea, Mike Sprason, Shaun Reynolds, a Hillman Avenger.
This was taken on Seaton seafront, before the 1996 'Grizzly' race.
Ah, but we were all so young then. Ok, younger.
 Since then, of course, we've all gone on to bigger and better things. David A, of course, has been for some years acting as the body double of Bernard Thresher, the ace folk musician and lead singer of Lancashire's finest hardcore chip-eating guitar and pringle box whizzos the Lancashire Hotpots.
Dave G - well, he's been a bit quiet, to be fair. Always was. Looks like a shoo-in for Popeye in this pic, though.
Shaun - He's been a busy lad. His son Aidan lit t'Olympic torch you know. Fire is a big thing in the Reynolds' household, what with him being an ex-fireman and all that.
Mike - He's gone from strength to strength. He's still running. He still has those shorts.
Me? I'm not on that picture. I wasn't allowed out of the house at that time. But I did go to Devon soon afterwards.
The boys have a love-in every year over the Grizzly, though these days it does tend to be the Cub run. Hopefully I can post this year's version of that picture :)

lean, mean, fighting machine

Good news on the health front. Since 31st December my mysterious condition seems to have been behaving itself so it's been back to training.
But how do you come back?
I have to say that during the nearly 3 months that I was off, I veered between the despair of not being able to do something I loved and acceptance that this was the way it was so I'd better try and find something else to do. I think most of the time I fell somewhere between the two stools.
When I couldn't run, I thought that my 'comeback' - if indeed there was going to be such a thing - would be a mad frenzy of athletic performance with me throwing myself in at the deep end until it just hurt through exhaustion, and at the end of the initial period I would be back to my bestermost best.
Any sane person would tell you it's not going to happen like that though. In a rare moment of sanity I set myself a target of 'just getting out there' for most of weeks one and two. The sheer pleasure of just getting out into the sun (for it was warm for the time of year) was enough for a couple of days, but then the CBA quickly made a reappearance and had to be held at arm's length. Leg strength has gone, somewhere, leg balance has also gone and flexibility is very poor, not that its been brilliant recently but it's definitely got worse.
Wakeup call no.1 came when I attempted a 'long' (over an hour) run round the Wrekin one Sunday morning. I was wasted by the end of it and it took me a day or two to recover.
Wakeup call no.2 came when I attended my first circuit training session for over a year. Although it was billed as an 'easy' session I was aching for some time afterwards.
Last week, motivation was already low when I commenced early morning running. Apart from the body shock of being out there, I had forgotten how nice it was. I was just getting into it when - wham - the snow arrived.
Snow is my enemy.
I can't run on snow. Having poor balance means I have poor confidence which means I have poor balance and it's generally an unhappy medium for me.
So it was another few days off, until I could get in the gym to vent my frustration on the machines. It was hard going, treadmill running usually is, it doesn't lend itself to getting on your toes very much. But I put in a good session on the 'mill, the bike and the rower. It's like warm-weather training, vest and shorts stuff. Lovely.
Targets for 2013 -
February Tough Ten. Get round the Tough Ten.
Cloud 9. Ditto
Grizzly Cub. Have a good run.
then..
warm weather training (..er..) in Tenerife :-)