Or, goodbyeeeeeee..
Getting the big news out of the way first, I've accepted a severance package to leave the place I've worked since 1994. Not particularly nice, but it will give me the chance to take a few weeks out, recharge, and decide what I want to do with the rest of my working life. Mixed feelings as always: plenty that I won't miss, but plenty of people that I will. Made some really good friends, but I guess those friendships will transcend wherever we all happen to work. 3 weeks to go, then a well deserved break - I suspect "Taper" is going to happen somewhere like Dubai or Sharm...
Got back to the first full week of proper training for what seems like ages - last 3 have been off injured / gentle re-introduction / ill. Still a bit energy-lite on Monday and felt a bit sorry for myself, but I got a bit of a talking to and picked the rest of the week up. Reasonable speedwork on Wednesday and a longer pace run on Thursday.
Had planned to finish my unfinished business with the Arrochar to Home run today, but there's a train strike on and the West Highland line wasn't running. Cue hasty replanning. Much playing with MapMyRun found an alternative. Head the opposite direction on the trains that were working, get off at Dalmuir, run along the canal to Bowling, up to Dumbarton, then following a previous route up the Leven to Loch Lomond and finally over the hills to home.
Ironically the route up from Dumbarton was last used after we lost our main contract, the event that precipitated the need to restructure the company and ultimately cause me to leave. Anyway, it was a nice day, and a pleasant enough run, but bloody hell 20 miles is a long way. After running for seemingly ages, and starting to feel a bit tired, I looked at the Garmin to find I'd done 9.3 miles. Not even half way. Anyway, I plodded round on 8:45 minute mile pace, and just about managed the 3 horrible hills in the last 3 miles. But I was tired. Tired enough for a little post-bath snooze after I got back.
The tiredness wasn't helped by the realisation about 15 miles into the run that the reason I get the train to out then run back, which leaves the hills at the end, was moot today. There's only one train back from Arrochar, so if anything went wrong & I missed it I'd be stuck. There's a train every half hour from Dalmuir. So I could have started with 3 miles downhill, then enjoyed a flat run without the mental torture of "god, the hills" hanging over the whole run. Next time...
Music has been a challenge this week. Much going on in my head, for many reasons, and only a couple of songs jumped off the playlist today. Both by the Manics, but I went with the one that has one of my favourite lines, and one that seems appropriate for someone who's trying to look forward. No Surface All Feeling.
"What's the point in always looking back, when all you see is more and more junk". Genius.
One of those odd home-made YouTube jobs, but in this case it'd got loads of the Manics best video efforts, so I'll let it pass.
Week's summary: 4 runs, 43 miles (record): Long run 19.7 miles (record)
Miles since acceptance: 564
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
7 weeks and counting
Or, bugger it, more miles lost.
Sitting at home on a beautiful running day, when I was supposed to re-do the full Arrochar to Home run that I had to cut short when my thigh hurt. This time it's illness that's holding me back, rather than injury, but as everything that's entered my system in the last 72 hours has exited it quickly and enthusiastically, trying any form of exercise would be a risk. So here I sit, frustrated. But, as with the injury, there's no point pushing it. There's still time to get the miles in, but I'm starting to worry a bit about the lack of really long runs - 18.5 miles is still the longest, and I need 3 more in the next 4 weeks before taper starts.
The week started so well too. Did a longer recovery on Monday because it was so nice in the snowy, frosty sunshine. Then a very hard Tempo on Wednesday with 8 miles at 6:57 pace, Really tough, but very satisfying. In hindsight, I'd been feeling a little off during the day, so perhaps the extra effort tipped the system over the edge. And that was it. Week over.
This week's music is dedicated in equal measures to my training and my bowels. Born To Run. (Sorry, couldn't resist it...)
A really good video shot from just behind where I was standing at Hampden in July. There is no better live experience than The Boss, and the BTR sensation, especially from the pit, is something else. Simple musical perfection.
Week's summary: 2 runs, 17 miles: Long run n/a
Miles since acceptance: 521
Sitting at home on a beautiful running day, when I was supposed to re-do the full Arrochar to Home run that I had to cut short when my thigh hurt. This time it's illness that's holding me back, rather than injury, but as everything that's entered my system in the last 72 hours has exited it quickly and enthusiastically, trying any form of exercise would be a risk. So here I sit, frustrated. But, as with the injury, there's no point pushing it. There's still time to get the miles in, but I'm starting to worry a bit about the lack of really long runs - 18.5 miles is still the longest, and I need 3 more in the next 4 weeks before taper starts.
The week started so well too. Did a longer recovery on Monday because it was so nice in the snowy, frosty sunshine. Then a very hard Tempo on Wednesday with 8 miles at 6:57 pace, Really tough, but very satisfying. In hindsight, I'd been feeling a little off during the day, so perhaps the extra effort tipped the system over the edge. And that was it. Week over.
This week's music is dedicated in equal measures to my training and my bowels. Born To Run. (Sorry, couldn't resist it...)
A really good video shot from just behind where I was standing at Hampden in July. There is no better live experience than The Boss, and the BTR sensation, especially from the pit, is something else. Simple musical perfection.
Week's summary: 2 runs, 17 miles: Long run n/a
Miles since acceptance: 521
Saturday, 27 February 2010
8 weeks and counting
Or, Bon Jovi week.
As in "Whoaaahh, we're half way there...". Yes, 8 weeks through the 16 of The Programme. The easier 8 weeks, if you're a glass half empty sort of person, but I'm a glass completely full sort of person at the moment, having decided to reward myself on reaching this milestone (plus the 500 miles since acceptance one) with a cheeky glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Even though the sun's barely over the yardarm. Not that we have a yardarm, obviously; look a bit dumb on the front lawn. Anyway, I digress.
First week back has been a real mixed bag. Very gentle 4 miles on Monday to test for adverse reactions (none) before the return of the snow. Blowing a blizzard on Wednesday and foolishly decided not to wear the shades on aesthetic grounds, then had to run directly into the blizzard for the first 2 miles. Result: eyes so bloodshot people were cowering. On the other hand, once the direction I was running in changed and I could see, it was absolutely beautiful. Overnight rain turned the snow to a slushy gloop on Wednesday, and I had about the most miserable run ever. Simply hateful in every respect, including nearly giving myself hypothermia by taking my hat off, then wondering why I felt light headed and out of energy. Fool.
Today made up for it, though. Having reconnoitred the far end of Glen Fruin as being almost snow free, I decided on the 16 miler. After a horrible first mile through deep snow, the roads in the Glen were clear. Despite a strong cold wind, the sun was out and it was absolutely stunning. After the misery of Thursday, to drop straight into a complete joy to be out was just what I needed. Almost completely ignored the Garmin and just ran and sang (again, not approved technique, but what the hell). The Glen was deserted. Only saw one runner and 2 cyclists in 6 miles - not a single car, but plenty of deer brought down from the hills by the snow.
Nearly veered off to do the 18 miler, but the sensible head kicked in and reminded me not to overdo it. Good advice too, as my right ITB started to tweak a couple of times in the last few miles. Slowed it down, stopped to stretch a couple of times, and it seemed OK at the end.
The same song has had me singing out loud twice this week. I've used it's namesake by The Music a long time ago, but it was The Killers' Human that's grabbed me this week.
Still mystified by how these lifts from the amazing Albert Hall DVD haven't been taken down, but not going to complain!
Week's summary: 4 runs, 34 miles: Long run 15.6 miles
Miles since acceptance: 504
As in "Whoaaahh, we're half way there...". Yes, 8 weeks through the 16 of The Programme. The easier 8 weeks, if you're a glass half empty sort of person, but I'm a glass completely full sort of person at the moment, having decided to reward myself on reaching this milestone (plus the 500 miles since acceptance one) with a cheeky glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Even though the sun's barely over the yardarm. Not that we have a yardarm, obviously; look a bit dumb on the front lawn. Anyway, I digress.
First week back has been a real mixed bag. Very gentle 4 miles on Monday to test for adverse reactions (none) before the return of the snow. Blowing a blizzard on Wednesday and foolishly decided not to wear the shades on aesthetic grounds, then had to run directly into the blizzard for the first 2 miles. Result: eyes so bloodshot people were cowering. On the other hand, once the direction I was running in changed and I could see, it was absolutely beautiful. Overnight rain turned the snow to a slushy gloop on Wednesday, and I had about the most miserable run ever. Simply hateful in every respect, including nearly giving myself hypothermia by taking my hat off, then wondering why I felt light headed and out of energy. Fool.
Today made up for it, though. Having reconnoitred the far end of Glen Fruin as being almost snow free, I decided on the 16 miler. After a horrible first mile through deep snow, the roads in the Glen were clear. Despite a strong cold wind, the sun was out and it was absolutely stunning. After the misery of Thursday, to drop straight into a complete joy to be out was just what I needed. Almost completely ignored the Garmin and just ran and sang (again, not approved technique, but what the hell). The Glen was deserted. Only saw one runner and 2 cyclists in 6 miles - not a single car, but plenty of deer brought down from the hills by the snow.
Nearly veered off to do the 18 miler, but the sensible head kicked in and reminded me not to overdo it. Good advice too, as my right ITB started to tweak a couple of times in the last few miles. Slowed it down, stopped to stretch a couple of times, and it seemed OK at the end.
The same song has had me singing out loud twice this week. I've used it's namesake by The Music a long time ago, but it was The Killers' Human that's grabbed me this week.
Still mystified by how these lifts from the amazing Albert Hall DVD haven't been taken down, but not going to complain!
Week's summary: 4 runs, 34 miles: Long run 15.6 miles
Miles since acceptance: 504
Saturday, 20 February 2010
The thirstiness of the long-distance runner
Or, how the elite endurance athlete passes Long Run Saturday during the injury lay-off
9 weeks and counting
Or, week T-9 has been cancelled, normal service will be resume as soon as possible
Unsurprisingly, a week off for recovery after last Saturday's thigh problems. Which were accompanied by unpleasant bruising which started on Monday. Quick trip to the doc revealed nothing to worry about, but the advice for complete rest this week. Which is nice.
The fact I've stuck so well to The Programme so far means I'm still in good shape in terms of preparation, so definitely not a disaster. In fact, the sticking to The Programme is something that popped into my head as a surprise a couple of weeks ago, when I did the long run early so I could do the Subcrawl. Would have been easy to just miss the run and have the fun (hey, I'm a poet!). My big worry has always been whether I'd have the discipline to stick to The Programme once the initial enthusiasm wore off.
When we do psychometric stuff with team profiles at work, I score highly on the ideas / people / innovation / unorthodox / problem-solving measures, but spectacularly badly on the implement / disciplined / reliable / see things through ones. If you know Belbin Team Role theory I’m a Plant and Resource Investigator, and off the bottom of the scale for Implementor and Completer / Finisher. Phrases like “dependent on constant stimulation and likely to lose interest quickly” pepper my analyses and for good reason. I really do struggle to finish what I start - but mainly because I am partial to a spot of constant stimulation, if truth be known…
I've done well with The Programme so far - doing all the relevant miles & styles (hey, two rhymes in one post, I'm wasted on this) Recovery / Tempo / Speedwork / Pace / Long Slow (even if it is still, apparently, too fast), and perhaps what I'm actually doing is proving to myself that I am capable of seeing something through for once.
I had absolutely no idea where to go with the music this week. As I haven’t had an iPod on my head all week, the highlight from the playlist isn't going to happen. Could have gone for a guilty secret, but I've already outed myself as a fan of Emergency Andy Williams. But then, a moment of inspiration.
Just been listening to a stunningly beautiful piece of music, which I first heard as a background to a superb piece on the best TV show in the whole world. Thought "ah-hah, that's the one" and went off to YouTube in search of a video. Well, let me tell you, just about everyone who thinks they have video-editing skills has tried to make a "significant" video over this piece. And, usually, they're dire.
So I went back to the first place I heard it. Of all the wonderful pieces this programme has done, this is still one of the absolute best.
If you don't know it, the music is "An Ending (Ascent)" by Brian Eno.
And, on that bombshell, it's goodbye.
Unsurprisingly, a week off for recovery after last Saturday's thigh problems. Which were accompanied by unpleasant bruising which started on Monday. Quick trip to the doc revealed nothing to worry about, but the advice for complete rest this week. Which is nice.
The fact I've stuck so well to The Programme so far means I'm still in good shape in terms of preparation, so definitely not a disaster. In fact, the sticking to The Programme is something that popped into my head as a surprise a couple of weeks ago, when I did the long run early so I could do the Subcrawl. Would have been easy to just miss the run and have the fun (hey, I'm a poet!). My big worry has always been whether I'd have the discipline to stick to The Programme once the initial enthusiasm wore off.
When we do psychometric stuff with team profiles at work, I score highly on the ideas / people / innovation / unorthodox / problem-solving measures, but spectacularly badly on the implement / disciplined / reliable / see things through ones. If you know Belbin Team Role theory I’m a Plant and Resource Investigator, and off the bottom of the scale for Implementor and Completer / Finisher. Phrases like “dependent on constant stimulation and likely to lose interest quickly” pepper my analyses and for good reason. I really do struggle to finish what I start - but mainly because I am partial to a spot of constant stimulation, if truth be known…
I've done well with The Programme so far - doing all the relevant miles & styles (hey, two rhymes in one post, I'm wasted on this) Recovery / Tempo / Speedwork / Pace / Long Slow (even if it is still, apparently, too fast), and perhaps what I'm actually doing is proving to myself that I am capable of seeing something through for once.
I had absolutely no idea where to go with the music this week. As I haven’t had an iPod on my head all week, the highlight from the playlist isn't going to happen. Could have gone for a guilty secret, but I've already outed myself as a fan of Emergency Andy Williams. But then, a moment of inspiration.
Just been listening to a stunningly beautiful piece of music, which I first heard as a background to a superb piece on the best TV show in the whole world. Thought "ah-hah, that's the one" and went off to YouTube in search of a video. Well, let me tell you, just about everyone who thinks they have video-editing skills has tried to make a "significant" video over this piece. And, usually, they're dire.
So I went back to the first place I heard it. Of all the wonderful pieces this programme has done, this is still one of the absolute best.
If you don't know it, the music is "An Ending (Ascent)" by Brian Eno.
And, on that bombshell, it's goodbye.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
10 weeks and counting
Or, come on in, Lawman Murphy, I've been expecting you.
I am, it has to be said, a bit of a stupid bastard. After a good running week, including an extra hills session and some great speed work at Scotstoun, where I churned out 6:15 miles, I had a mysteriously sore thigh after Thursday's easy run. No obvious cause, and not feeling like a tear, just annoyingly persistent.
Come this morning, it felt just about OK, although as run-time approached, it started to tighten a bit. Really umm-ed and ahh-ed about whether to go out, but came up with a bail out strategy in case it felt bad.
My run was the logical conclusion of the Loch Lomond adventure - Arrochar to Home at 19 miles - and there's half an hour between my train getting to Arrochar and the return journey. I reckoned that if I started to run and it was sore, I could turn around after a mile or so and get the train back. Nice idea. But when the train is 30 minutes late and arrives whilst the return train is sitting at the platform, the bail-out has gone away.
Guess what. A mile in, and the thigh starts to tweak. By 5 it's persistently sore and after 8, it hurts. I decide, therefore, to try the second bail-out strategy and call for a taxi from Luss after 9 miles. Only I've only got one 50p piece with me, and the number's engaged. It costs 40p to make a call from a public phonebox these days, so I'm fecked.
Recommence what has now become a trudge during which I'm continually beating myself up for being such a prat and coming out in the first place. This isn't going well at all. It's been a shit week anyway, and this is just adding to the load. 2 miles later, remember that the Helensburgh taxi firm has a freephone number too. This doesn't help the "you're a tit" internal monologue.
The final bail-out is to cut the route short & take the winding back road that I've always avoided because it feels dangerous. As I've given home a 5pm "send out the search parties" time, I feel I have to keep plodding on at a pace that will get me home by then, but not exacerbate the injury. Eventually got round what had turned into a 17.1 mile run feeling thoroughly disgruntled and kicking myself up and down the street.
Then I stopped. I was bound to get an injury at some point, and it was bound to be partly self inflicted, so it's just a case of dealing with it, waiting 'til it doesn't hurt any more, and building back up gradually.
In the down times, turn to the positive. Saw this lot in Glasgow a year ago, and it was stunning. This was about the most energetic 5 minutes I've ever experienced at a concert. I have no idea how these superb lifts from the unbelievably good Albert Hall DVD are still on YouTube, but please enjoy.
And while I've been typing, the Olympics are under way. I love just about everything about the Olympics. So many stories. So much about what's good in sport. And, yes, so much tragedy too. Watch it.
Week's summary: 5 runs, 40 miles: Long run 17.1 miles
Miles since acceptance: 470
I am, it has to be said, a bit of a stupid bastard. After a good running week, including an extra hills session and some great speed work at Scotstoun, where I churned out 6:15 miles, I had a mysteriously sore thigh after Thursday's easy run. No obvious cause, and not feeling like a tear, just annoyingly persistent.
Come this morning, it felt just about OK, although as run-time approached, it started to tighten a bit. Really umm-ed and ahh-ed about whether to go out, but came up with a bail out strategy in case it felt bad.
My run was the logical conclusion of the Loch Lomond adventure - Arrochar to Home at 19 miles - and there's half an hour between my train getting to Arrochar and the return journey. I reckoned that if I started to run and it was sore, I could turn around after a mile or so and get the train back. Nice idea. But when the train is 30 minutes late and arrives whilst the return train is sitting at the platform, the bail-out has gone away.
Guess what. A mile in, and the thigh starts to tweak. By 5 it's persistently sore and after 8, it hurts. I decide, therefore, to try the second bail-out strategy and call for a taxi from Luss after 9 miles. Only I've only got one 50p piece with me, and the number's engaged. It costs 40p to make a call from a public phonebox these days, so I'm fecked.
Recommence what has now become a trudge during which I'm continually beating myself up for being such a prat and coming out in the first place. This isn't going well at all. It's been a shit week anyway, and this is just adding to the load. 2 miles later, remember that the Helensburgh taxi firm has a freephone number too. This doesn't help the "you're a tit" internal monologue.
The final bail-out is to cut the route short & take the winding back road that I've always avoided because it feels dangerous. As I've given home a 5pm "send out the search parties" time, I feel I have to keep plodding on at a pace that will get me home by then, but not exacerbate the injury. Eventually got round what had turned into a 17.1 mile run feeling thoroughly disgruntled and kicking myself up and down the street.
Then I stopped. I was bound to get an injury at some point, and it was bound to be partly self inflicted, so it's just a case of dealing with it, waiting 'til it doesn't hurt any more, and building back up gradually.
In the down times, turn to the positive. Saw this lot in Glasgow a year ago, and it was stunning. This was about the most energetic 5 minutes I've ever experienced at a concert. I have no idea how these superb lifts from the unbelievably good Albert Hall DVD are still on YouTube, but please enjoy.
And while I've been typing, the Olympics are under way. I love just about everything about the Olympics. So many stories. So much about what's good in sport. And, yes, so much tragedy too. Watch it.
Week's summary: 5 runs, 40 miles: Long run 17.1 miles
Miles since acceptance: 470
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