I never knew Neil, but by the way those that did know him talk about him, he was a great guy & is missed.
A donation from the entry fee went to Brake, the road safety charity. Donations can be made via their website, http://www.brake.org.uk/
It wis a gey dreicht day to be running a half marathon, but there were plenty of folks out for the morning, including a good group of GTCers, including Rent-A-Supporter Craig.
I'd originally planned on taking this race as an easy one and just make sure to go sub 2 hours, but as the gun neared, I knew the chances of me holding too much back were pretty slim, so when the start came, I set off at a reasonable pace. As we'd been starting pretty close to the back, that meant I got to overtake 100 to 150 people!
Looking at my Garmin splits, I'm quite pleased with the relative consistency I had. I pushed a little hard on the first few miles, so consciously eased off a little to control my heart rate, and for the next few miles just held it as steady as I could in the worst weather of the day. With the autumnal leaves falling along the course, there was a relaxing end of season feeling to this race, which helped quite a bit through that period.
Dropping into Torrance after the 7 mile mark, I could feel myself starting to flag, but as luck would have it, from behind me I heard "Oh, look there's Colm" as Caroline caught up with me, which brought my pace back up as we ran on for the next 3 miles. Strangely, Craig turned up on a borrowed mountain bike, complete with baby seat. Alas, my arse wouldn't fit in it, so hopes of a backie for a mile or two were dashed.
Not long after the third water station, Caroline decided she was tired and fed up running in the cold, so sped up to reach the finish line quicker. For me it was just about not slowing down any!
About a mile out from the finish I could feel my right ITB tightening quite badly and that familiar pain on the outside of the right knee. Unfortunately I just didn't have it in my legs & hips to increase my cadence too much, which really does help stretch it out for me, so it was just about management of the pain & ITB for the last wee bit. There would be no walking until I crossed the finish line and before long, there it was. Job done.
Met up with the faster finishers from GTC, then cheered on the rest as they crossed the finishing line, applauded at the prize givings then went to the Stables for lunch with mates. Top day.
For the race itself, the route was lovely (and would be magic in the sun) and there was an army of marshalls out there who all did a top job. A worthy addition to your race calender next year.
Things I've learned from today.
My Lonsdale compression top is not suitable for running long distances in.
I obviously need more distance running, but my legs are adapting to it, so I'm sure I can get faster. And do a marathon without crippling myself.
Pussy juice tastes alright
Today's blog is brought to you by an electronic violin cover of Hysteria by Muse
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Friday, 7 October 2011
Run in the Sun
Went for a run in the sun.
Lovely
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Chrysalis
When discussing the end of season running I'm doing (I had a 10k last weekend, got a half marathon this weekend, another 10k the week after, a 16 miler 2 weeks after that then another 10k 2 weeks after that now. Oh, and the 10k Turkey Trot on boxing day), it was put to me that I was going at it a bit hardcore & addicted. Looking at that line up, it does kinda look it, eh?
What I am doing here is increasing the lifestyle changes that started last year, and pushing myself to make sure that they stick. To make a new habit stick, you have to repeat it enough times, and in doing all the races this year along with the training I'm trying to irradicate many of my bad habits and make these new ones stick. Numerous times I've got into something, stuck at it for a while, and then when somethings got in the way of it, I've drifted out of the habit, then moved onto something shiney and new, or I've allowed obstacles to knock me out of my pattern, and gotten lazy. With what I'm getting from training & Triathlon & everything around it, I want exercise to become a fundemental part of my life.
In deciding this, I have moved to remove things from my life that unnecessarily drain time and resources from me. I unplugged my digital box a month ago, which, even though I was only watching about 6 hours of programs a week, has given me back more time than that. I still watch somethings on iPlayer, but with Dr Who finished, theres about 1 program I'm following & that only has a few weeks to run. I actually feel rather liberated. The games consoles gather dust. The comics are no longer bought.
I am not, however, retreating into exercise at the expense of everything else, I must retain the balance of the other things I love, which is why I'm still grinning ear to ear after having come out of the VNV Nation gig. I do enjoy a good bevvy, but I neither need nor want a heavy session very often. I embrace the out doors & now get outand enjoy it instead of always saying "I must get outside more" and then watching some dross on the goggle box, or lying around nursing a hangover.
Roth is going to be a culmination of two years graft & training and a milestone in my life. I'm excited for the race, to cross that finish line, and to be able to look back at the transformation I will've put myself through to that point and to look forward to further challenges. More importantly though, I'm just as excited for all the steps along the way.
Today's blog is brought to you by VNV Nation's Gratitude. Naturally.
"Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning,
for all the loneliness and for all the suffering.
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside.
it inspired in me, an impetus to fight.
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one.
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home.
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words,
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve."
What I am doing here is increasing the lifestyle changes that started last year, and pushing myself to make sure that they stick. To make a new habit stick, you have to repeat it enough times, and in doing all the races this year along with the training I'm trying to irradicate many of my bad habits and make these new ones stick. Numerous times I've got into something, stuck at it for a while, and then when somethings got in the way of it, I've drifted out of the habit, then moved onto something shiney and new, or I've allowed obstacles to knock me out of my pattern, and gotten lazy. With what I'm getting from training & Triathlon & everything around it, I want exercise to become a fundemental part of my life.
In deciding this, I have moved to remove things from my life that unnecessarily drain time and resources from me. I unplugged my digital box a month ago, which, even though I was only watching about 6 hours of programs a week, has given me back more time than that. I still watch somethings on iPlayer, but with Dr Who finished, theres about 1 program I'm following & that only has a few weeks to run. I actually feel rather liberated. The games consoles gather dust. The comics are no longer bought.
I am not, however, retreating into exercise at the expense of everything else, I must retain the balance of the other things I love, which is why I'm still grinning ear to ear after having come out of the VNV Nation gig. I do enjoy a good bevvy, but I neither need nor want a heavy session very often. I embrace the out doors & now get outand enjoy it instead of always saying "I must get outside more" and then watching some dross on the goggle box, or lying around nursing a hangover.
Roth is going to be a culmination of two years graft & training and a milestone in my life. I'm excited for the race, to cross that finish line, and to be able to look back at the transformation I will've put myself through to that point and to look forward to further challenges. More importantly though, I'm just as excited for all the steps along the way.
Today's blog is brought to you by VNV Nation's Gratitude. Naturally.
"Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning,
for all the loneliness and for all the suffering.
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside.
it inspired in me, an impetus to fight.
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one.
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home.
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words,
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve."
Monday, 3 October 2011
The Buzz of Running
I get a buzz out of running.
I get a buzz out of running hard.
I get a buzz out of running & pushing my physical limits.
I get a buzz out of running fast.
I get a buzz out of running with other people.
I get a buzz out of running in front of people cheering.
I get a buzz out of running a faster time.
This might go someway to explaining why I have signed up for a run on boxing day.
And my desire to run a sub 40min 10k
This blog is brought to you by Covenant's Speed (Club Edit)
I get a buzz out of running hard.
I get a buzz out of running & pushing my physical limits.
I get a buzz out of running fast.
I get a buzz out of running with other people.
I get a buzz out of running in front of people cheering.
I get a buzz out of running a faster time.
This might go someway to explaining why I have signed up for a run on boxing day.
And my desire to run a sub 40min 10k
This blog is brought to you by Covenant's Speed (Club Edit)
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Edinburgh 10k
Driving over it was pissing down and I was doubting my decision, but by the time the start came, it had dried up. I switched back from my Inov8s to my old Nikes, as a 10k run at pace on roads felt a sure fired way to mess up my calves.
The route kicks off up the road round Arthur's Seat, which is quite a harsh way to start to be fair. My heart rate was quickly up & stayed up above 170 for pretty much the entire run (zone 5, apparently). There were way more draggy uphills than I'd thought on the course, and very few sections that were flat for long enough to get a good rythmn while allowing my pulse to lower, particularly if I was going to beat my PB.
The Garmin has become an important tool for me, and in this instance gave me something to focus on, to keep pushing onwards, as I could always see that my target was achievable.
So what went right? I picked a pace and stayed as close as I could throughout. THe pace was hard, yet achievable. I only occassionally let what other people were doing effect me; rather than reacting to someone passing me, I stuck to my race and pulled myself round. Job done.
What went wrong? Stupidly, I forgot to double knot my laces, so inevitably they both fell out. D'oh.
Garmin Data
This blog is brough to you by Machine Head's Locust and Bjork's Violently Happy
The route kicks off up the road round Arthur's Seat, which is quite a harsh way to start to be fair. My heart rate was quickly up & stayed up above 170 for pretty much the entire run (zone 5, apparently). There were way more draggy uphills than I'd thought on the course, and very few sections that were flat for long enough to get a good rythmn while allowing my pulse to lower, particularly if I was going to beat my PB.
The Garmin has become an important tool for me, and in this instance gave me something to focus on, to keep pushing onwards, as I could always see that my target was achievable.
So what went right? I picked a pace and stayed as close as I could throughout. THe pace was hard, yet achievable. I only occassionally let what other people were doing effect me; rather than reacting to someone passing me, I stuck to my race and pulled myself round. Job done.
What went wrong? Stupidly, I forgot to double knot my laces, so inevitably they both fell out. D'oh.
Garmin Data
This blog is brough to you by Machine Head's Locust and Bjork's Violently Happy
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Season Breakdown
Event Overall Swim T1 Bike T2 Run
Lisboa 06:45:45 45:10 05:39 03:20:13 06:37 02:22:04
Strathy Sprint 01:32:51 16:32 00:47:35 00:23:41
Stirling Sprint 01:28:39 17:52 01:26 00:44:14 01:17 00:23:48
Tighnabruach 01:24:59 15:22 02:23 00:43:17 00:54 00:23:02
Strathy Stand 02:39:48 31:02 02:46 01:17:30 01:02 00:47:26
Lochgilphead 01:28:08 10:54 01:56 00:41:10 01:03 00:33:05
For comparison, from 2010 on my hybrid:
Kelso 02:01:15 17:47 03:00 01:00:43 01:58 00:37:47
So what does this tell me? Everything needs to get better. My transitions are shocking, my swimming is a bit hit and miss, theres big savings to be made on the bike and if I can improve there, I can put myself in a better position for a stronger run leg. But. I've come a massive distance from my prologue year!
Lisboa 06:45:45 45:10 05:39 03:20:13 06:37 02:22:04
Strathy Sprint 01:32:51 16:32 00:47:35 00:23:41
Stirling Sprint 01:28:39 17:52 01:26 00:44:14 01:17 00:23:48
Tighnabruach 01:24:59 15:22 02:23 00:43:17 00:54 00:23:02
Strathy Stand 02:39:48 31:02 02:46 01:17:30 01:02 00:47:26
Lochgilphead 01:28:08 10:54 01:56 00:41:10 01:03 00:33:05
For comparison, from 2010 on my hybrid:
Kelso 02:01:15 17:47 03:00 01:00:43 01:58 00:37:47
So what does this tell me? Everything needs to get better. My transitions are shocking, my swimming is a bit hit and miss, theres big savings to be made on the bike and if I can improve there, I can put myself in a better position for a stronger run leg. But. I've come a massive distance from my prologue year!
Reflections on a Great Year
The short attention span PC summary:
I was weak.
I got better.
I'm going to get better still.
Like I've said before, last year with its two sprint triathlons was the prologue to this years stage 1, and now that Lochgilphead has come and gone, the triathlon season has finished and I think now is a good time to step back and reflect on what I've done.
About a year ago, my big brother Ciaran was talking me into signing up for Lisboa Middle Distance triathlon. I'd completed two sprint tris in around about 2 hours each. I'd set a new PB for a 10k run of 57:09. I was in the best shape I'd been in physically for at least 4 or 5 years. I knew to get into triathlon I needed to upgrade from my cheap as hybrid, which brought me to Evans during the sales and my wonderful piece of carbon. Best purchase.
In November I bought myself a turbo trainer, and between my lack of enthusiasm for that, and my shocking swimming technique, I knew training solo was not going to work out for me, which led me to the Glasgow Traithlon Club. Joining the club ranks alongside signing up for Lisboa as greatest decisions of the year.
Over the winter I did a lot of swimming and running sessions, and the coaching (obviously) has been instrumental in the massive gains I've made. Being surrounded by like minded people of all ages and abilities gave let me reference points to show what I could do and how I was progressing. And progress I did.
More important than that though was the easy friendships and support offered by people all round the club. Turning up for my first club ride from Pollock Park late in winter I was nervous - I didn't know anyone, I was weak on the bike and the weather wasn't too great either, but soon I was on the road with Alastair, Jo & Charlotte and everything was hunky dorey (well, except for the weather and the punctures), ending with a cake & hot chocolate stop, and no need to be nervous turning up for one of those group rides, because you could be as weak on the bike as I was back then, but you know you'll get help along the way.
Onwards. The group rides started a bit more often, and my bike skills slowly started to improve. At Stirling Sprint Duathlon I found that just by wearing Glasgow club kit you got cheered on, as there was a name to shout, and that GTCers are very vocal in support of their own, even when they don't know you yet. Then came the Aberfeldy Spring Training camp, which was all about hanging out with a great bunch of folk, making new friends and pushing myself & finding out how poor nutrition strategy wipes you out after getting talked into the longer cycle route and under fueling myself such that I was wiped out & weak as a kitten by the end (still, best decision of the weekend to do that route).
Lisboa approached and the support from all round varied; by now my mates had accepted the oddity that I was up to and even my lack of drinking & were all behind me, including Jamie o'er in Afgahnistan, pushing me on as he pushed himself; supprt from around the club was great, even if I was looking a little (ahem) underprepared for it, but support at work was unfortunately mixed. There were plenty of folk who were impressed with what I was about to attempt, but there were others who were downright condescending, calling me mad to my face in a very disparaging way. But then they tended to be fat, unfit and wouldn't know what exercise was if it jumped up and slapped them in the face.
And then of course there was my family. Spread out across the country and the globe, emails of support and encouragement flash back and forth between us on a regular basis, and we've become a self feeding encouragement group. Its fantastic!
Lisboa, what can I say, the toughest race of my life and the beginning of something special I think. Many thanks to Heike, David, Seb & Ele for their support throughout the weekend. The support from the crowds and volunteers was immense on the day. Before the race, I hadn't done the distance in each of teh individual elements, so it was a massive step up, far bigger than it should've been if I'd trained better, but I am immensly proud of myself for doing it, even with the pain.
The following week I was lap counting in Bishopbriggs pool, and a cracking day that was. Soon I was back racing at Strathclyde Park, where a shoddy run leg following by a conversation with Vikky began the ongoing transformation of my running style and the reduction in ITB problems. Not long after, I went to Stirling and did my first sub 1:30 sprint triathlon, then crushed 2010's 10k PB by 12 minutes 2 weeks after that. Tighnabruach came soon after and a sub 1:25 finish (by 1 second mind!). That weekend was perfect; the weather, the race & the friends.
With nothing on the radar for a couple of months I did slacken off a bit over the summer, pulling in a few longer rides, but just generally ticking over, untill the Aberfeldy Middle distance where I put down a marker time for myself in a half marathon; a marker time I expect to be able to quickly lower. My first standard distance race came soon after, on an up and down strathclyde park course, which while I am pleased with how I have progressed, on the day I was still annoyed that I hadn't trained properly for it. But my bike leg was a little better than I'd feared & my run if taken to the full 10k would've been my 2nd fastest 10k run.
Then was 'Gilp, the day after a wedding, where I'd spent the morning with a grim red wine hangover, wet and windy, still feeling a bit grim, way off my game, but it was another sub 1:30 and at the end of the day, lots of fun with a lot of friendly faces from the club. Had I been in the race the year before, I would've struggled round in about 2 hours, then shuffled to my car to drive home on my tod to lie around in pain. Instead I happily stood in the rain cheering on the rest of the club on the course from the later waves before hitting the pub with a bunch of mates. The increase in physical & mental strength over the year has been phenominal and my mind still boggles at what I have achieved this year. Talking to Seb after Gilp, he pointed out to me the massive diffence he's seen from me fighting to get round in Lisboa to the controlled strength at Gilp, and that on that days performance, even though it would take a long time, he reckoned at current level, even if it was slow, I could finish an Ironman
And you know what, if I had to, I could finish one tomorrow.
I was weak.
I got better.
I'm going to get better still.
Like I've said before, last year with its two sprint triathlons was the prologue to this years stage 1, and now that Lochgilphead has come and gone, the triathlon season has finished and I think now is a good time to step back and reflect on what I've done.
About a year ago, my big brother Ciaran was talking me into signing up for Lisboa Middle Distance triathlon. I'd completed two sprint tris in around about 2 hours each. I'd set a new PB for a 10k run of 57:09. I was in the best shape I'd been in physically for at least 4 or 5 years. I knew to get into triathlon I needed to upgrade from my cheap as hybrid, which brought me to Evans during the sales and my wonderful piece of carbon. Best purchase.
In November I bought myself a turbo trainer, and between my lack of enthusiasm for that, and my shocking swimming technique, I knew training solo was not going to work out for me, which led me to the Glasgow Traithlon Club. Joining the club ranks alongside signing up for Lisboa as greatest decisions of the year.
Over the winter I did a lot of swimming and running sessions, and the coaching (obviously) has been instrumental in the massive gains I've made. Being surrounded by like minded people of all ages and abilities gave let me reference points to show what I could do and how I was progressing. And progress I did.
More important than that though was the easy friendships and support offered by people all round the club. Turning up for my first club ride from Pollock Park late in winter I was nervous - I didn't know anyone, I was weak on the bike and the weather wasn't too great either, but soon I was on the road with Alastair, Jo & Charlotte and everything was hunky dorey (well, except for the weather and the punctures), ending with a cake & hot chocolate stop, and no need to be nervous turning up for one of those group rides, because you could be as weak on the bike as I was back then, but you know you'll get help along the way.
Onwards. The group rides started a bit more often, and my bike skills slowly started to improve. At Stirling Sprint Duathlon I found that just by wearing Glasgow club kit you got cheered on, as there was a name to shout, and that GTCers are very vocal in support of their own, even when they don't know you yet. Then came the Aberfeldy Spring Training camp, which was all about hanging out with a great bunch of folk, making new friends and pushing myself & finding out how poor nutrition strategy wipes you out after getting talked into the longer cycle route and under fueling myself such that I was wiped out & weak as a kitten by the end (still, best decision of the weekend to do that route).
Lisboa approached and the support from all round varied; by now my mates had accepted the oddity that I was up to and even my lack of drinking & were all behind me, including Jamie o'er in Afgahnistan, pushing me on as he pushed himself; supprt from around the club was great, even if I was looking a little (ahem) underprepared for it, but support at work was unfortunately mixed. There were plenty of folk who were impressed with what I was about to attempt, but there were others who were downright condescending, calling me mad to my face in a very disparaging way. But then they tended to be fat, unfit and wouldn't know what exercise was if it jumped up and slapped them in the face.
And then of course there was my family. Spread out across the country and the globe, emails of support and encouragement flash back and forth between us on a regular basis, and we've become a self feeding encouragement group. Its fantastic!
Lisboa, what can I say, the toughest race of my life and the beginning of something special I think. Many thanks to Heike, David, Seb & Ele for their support throughout the weekend. The support from the crowds and volunteers was immense on the day. Before the race, I hadn't done the distance in each of teh individual elements, so it was a massive step up, far bigger than it should've been if I'd trained better, but I am immensly proud of myself for doing it, even with the pain.
The following week I was lap counting in Bishopbriggs pool, and a cracking day that was. Soon I was back racing at Strathclyde Park, where a shoddy run leg following by a conversation with Vikky began the ongoing transformation of my running style and the reduction in ITB problems. Not long after, I went to Stirling and did my first sub 1:30 sprint triathlon, then crushed 2010's 10k PB by 12 minutes 2 weeks after that. Tighnabruach came soon after and a sub 1:25 finish (by 1 second mind!). That weekend was perfect; the weather, the race & the friends.
With nothing on the radar for a couple of months I did slacken off a bit over the summer, pulling in a few longer rides, but just generally ticking over, untill the Aberfeldy Middle distance where I put down a marker time for myself in a half marathon; a marker time I expect to be able to quickly lower. My first standard distance race came soon after, on an up and down strathclyde park course, which while I am pleased with how I have progressed, on the day I was still annoyed that I hadn't trained properly for it. But my bike leg was a little better than I'd feared & my run if taken to the full 10k would've been my 2nd fastest 10k run.
Then was 'Gilp, the day after a wedding, where I'd spent the morning with a grim red wine hangover, wet and windy, still feeling a bit grim, way off my game, but it was another sub 1:30 and at the end of the day, lots of fun with a lot of friendly faces from the club. Had I been in the race the year before, I would've struggled round in about 2 hours, then shuffled to my car to drive home on my tod to lie around in pain. Instead I happily stood in the rain cheering on the rest of the club on the course from the later waves before hitting the pub with a bunch of mates. The increase in physical & mental strength over the year has been phenominal and my mind still boggles at what I have achieved this year. Talking to Seb after Gilp, he pointed out to me the massive diffence he's seen from me fighting to get round in Lisboa to the controlled strength at Gilp, and that on that days performance, even though it would take a long time, he reckoned at current level, even if it was slow, I could finish an Ironman
And you know what, if I had to, I could finish one tomorrow.
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