Injury

Well it had to happen eventually. I've been injury free for over 18 months so I was almost expecting something to go wrong before the Etape.

I ran 14 miles yesterday and for the first 11 miles I was really enjoying it. I ran from home to Richmond Park and then ran the 7 mile trail around the edge. It was going really well but then I could feel my quads on a couple of the hills. I stopped to stretch but it came back as soon as I ran again. I stopped as soon as I got back to the car park where I was meeting my family. I had originally planned to run 16 but I was in some discomfort.

I stretched for a while and then felt ok so went for a walk with my family. My legs were still a little sore but nothing too bad. I stretched again in the evening and went to bed. This morning, the first thing I thought as I woke was "Oooh, my quads are tight". Then walking to the bathroom, I knew it wasn't good. It felt at least as bad as the morning after a marathon. My thighs are shot.

So I'll stretch on and off all day and I have a sport massage booked so I'll ask her advice. I might go to the gym tonight and do more stretching as well as some core and upper body weights.

I am worried about this. It does seem that there is an underlying problem. I hope its nothing more serious than tight ITB, quads and adductor. I don't know if its better or worse that its both legs. I guess its just rest and stretching for a few days and then reassess.

Oh and I also have a cold and I got a really big blister from the run, my first blister in a long time. I am going to retire my trainers. I have three pair that I rotate and they have all done between 300 and 500 miles. I already have one brand new pair and I've just got another from ebay.

Lazy week with chocolate

This was never going to be an outstanding week but its turned out as a nothing week - a wasted week. Ever since coming back from Devon, I've been tired, unmotivated and very very hungry. I've done practically no exercise and eaten loads (Easter eggs didn't help). If I lost any weight in Devon, I've certainly put it all back on.

I know I gained a lot of fitness cycling 240 miles and it was all worth it but I've got a serious case of post event lowness. I've got to draw a line under it and start again, eating well and doing loads of hard work. It will have to be mostly running as its still the Easter Holidays so I've got the kids all week but anything will do. I'm looking for at least 6 sessions in the next 7 days. Nothing less.

Pictures from Devon

I took a moment to stop and look at the view on the 6 mile climb from Tavistock to Princetown. This was the longest climb we rode and was perfect training for Mont Ventoux.

The top of the moor was bleak but very striking. The weather helped a lot. Apart from Saturday when it was blowing a gail, we had sun and little wind. Very lucky.

Ed beat me up the hill by such a distance that he had time to make a phone call!!!!

Just ahead, the road dipped steeply and is where we recorded our fastest speeds. 48.6 mph has my fastest. The second and third time we decended here, we were a little more tired and more timid and only got to about 42 mph. We'd have liked to get over 50 mph but there is a bend in the road which made it a little hairy.

Ed crests one of the many climbs. About 30,000 feet of climbs in 4 days.

Hills, hills and more hills

With one daughter off on a school trip to Italy and my wife and other daughter in Lanzorote, there was only one thing for me to do, paint the house. But I decided to put that off and go cycling instead. My mate Ed took some time off work and we set off to Devon on Thursday for four days of cycling in the hills.

We stayed with my Dad in Moretonhampstead which is on the doorstep of Dartmoor. The plan was to get there at lunchtime on the Thursday and go straight out for a short ride. We got there in plenty of time so it was lycra on and out the door. We rode along the B3212 to Two Bridges which is a tough way to start; 1,200 feet in 5 miles. We turned left down to Widecombe where we met a couple of very big hills before we ran down to Bovey. Then it was up the main road back home. 34 miles and we knew we were in hilly Devon. We were then treated to a great dinner at Bovey Castle by my Dad and his partner Julie. Fish and chips followed by rice pudding. Yum.

Friday was the biggest day with a century planned. Like with the rest of the rides, speed was never a consideration; it was all about the distance and the hills. We set off in great weather again riding out on the B3212 before turning south to Widecombe. Then Ashburton, Totnes, Beesands, Kingsbridge, Ivybride, towards Yelverton and then on the Princetown road all the way home (if anyone wants the routes then I can send them to you as .GPX files).

This was a triumph for both of us. Ed's first century and my second in 7 days. It had more climbing than either of us had ever done in a day and more than all our planned rides other than the Dave Lloyd which is only slightly more and the Etape.

Saturday's route was designed so that I could visit my mum for lunch. She lives in Yealmpton, 30 miles from Moretonhampstead. So, it was back up the now familiar hills towards Princetown but it was not the peaceful day we had thought it was. Up on the moor is was blowing a gale with winds whipping off the moor and making the bike very twitchy. On hills where I had gone 40 mph the day before, I was struggling to get to 20. It was very slow progress. We finally turned south off the moor and out of the wind towards Dousland and then going cross country until we reached Plympton. It was then a short hop over the A38. We were treated to a nice lunch and a fantastic Rhubarb Crumble. It was then back on the bike to do the journey in reverse but with more than half the climbing still to do and a stomach full of food. It was hard work but mercifully, the wind had dropped.

Sunday was always down as a flexible day. We knew we would go out but had no real idea how far to go. Neither of us were on our last legs but we were tired and new that it would be hard work. We decided on a 40 mile route to Tavistock and back. My Dad had said that the road from Tavistock to Princetown was pretty much up hill for about 6 miles. This was the kind of hill we came for as there is nothing like that in Surrey.

I quickly realised I was very tired and Ed was much less so as I struggled up the now familiar hills out of Moretonhampstead up to the moor. Ed quickly had a sizable lead but there was nothing I could do. Anyway, I was slow but really enjoying myself as it was lovely and sunny and I was climbing very smoothly. Ed waited at a couple of spots and we made it to Tavistock in around 2 hours. Having freewheeled into Tavistock, I knew the climb I had to do and whilst I was not quick, I was comfortable and never once felt I was getting into trouble.

All in all, it was a brilliant few days, really good training and a lot of fun. I need to take a few days off and have an easy weekend over Easter as I have heavy, stiff legs but I'm sure I will reap the rewards of this in the weeks to come.

STATS

Thursday
Distance: 34.40
Time: 2:17:29
Average Speed: 15.01 mph
Ascent: 4,274
Max Speed: 41.4 mph
Average Heart Rate: Not recorded
Calories: 1,670
Weather: Sunny, 15 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: PSP22 (1 bottle), High5 4:1 (1 bottle), 1 nut bar

Friday
Distance: 103.2
Time: 7:08:17
Average Speed: 14.46 mph
Ascent: 11,451
Max Speed: 48.7 mph
Average Heart Rate: 135 (73% max)
Calories: 5,203
Weather: Sunny, 16 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: PSP22 (2 bottles), High5 4:1 (2 bottles), 1 Power bar, 1 Viper, 1 nut bar, 1 cheese scone

Saturday
Distance: 60.86
Time: 4:26:36
Average Speed: 13.8 mph
Ascent: 7,601
Max Speed: 44.5 mph
Average Heart Rate: Not recorded
Calories: 2,572
Weather: Cloudy, 10 degrees, strong winds in the morning
Nutrition: PSP22 (2 bottles), half a nut bar, lunch half way

Sunday
Distance: 41.59
Time: 2:53:26
Average Speed: 14.39 mph
Ascent: 5,183
Max Speed: 43.6 mph
Average Heart Rate: 127 (69% max)
Calories: 2,107
Weather: Sunny, 16 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: Half a nut bar and 1 bottle PSP22 (weak)

Totals
Distance: 240.1 miles
Time: 16 hours 42 minutes
Calories: 11,552
Ascent: 28,509 feet (8,690 meters)

Cyclist or Runner?

I have been asking myself recently, am I a runner or am I a cyclist? What would I like people to know me as? What would I like to be best at given the choice? It was playing on my mind during the duathlon last Saturday.

Whilst I know I don't actually have to choose, people like to pigeon-hole you. Most runners don't want to know about cycling and most cyclists think running is a waste of time (generalisation, I know). Only the tri boys and girls like to talk about both and given that I don't swim, I'm not part of their world.

So, given the amount of money and time I am putting into cycling this past 6 months and at least the 5 months to come, it might be surprising that I have come to the conclusion that I am a runner first and a cyclist second. Here are my reasons:

1. Fulfilment
When I'm cycling, and specifically during the Epic and Ashdown rides, there were moments of pure joy. Getting to the top of Glascwm at the Epic, coming down the final hill at 40 mph, passing people up 'The Wall' at the Ashdown. All superb. But the sense of achievement, whilst strong, is fleeting. I don't feel that I've completed something really big. Running 21 miles however, stays with me for ages. Whilst I don't get big thrills during the running race itself, the feeling after is so strong. I'm still amazed that I can do it and I get such a sense of achievement.

2. Difficulty
If you are a serious cyclist you might want to cover your ears but I think in general, running is harder than cycling. OK, so there are lost of different types of running and cycling and I know I haven't tackled the really hard riding yet (Fred, Dave Lloyd, Etape) but I think its true. I think its the freewheeling (stay with me....). For me, you are either running or your not. Walking is not running. When I run 21 miles I run for the entire 3+ hours. But on a bike, people freewheel all the time. You can rest whilst still making progress (this makes more sense in my head, sorry).

3. Faffing
I don't think I will get over the level of messing about there is before, during and after a cycle. The amount of gear you have to get ready and carry with you does annoy me. Especially as I am a faffer anyway. It takes me 10 minutes to get ready for any run but not so for riding. Then there is the repair equipment just in case there is a flat and then the cleaning at the end. For the Meon Valley Plod, the biggest headache was regular shoes or XC shoes and actually, either would have done.

4. Stopping
I can't get my head around feed stations on rides. I know you don't have to stop and nutrition is vital but stopping for a chat is common place and part of cycling. That's cool but it seems odd coming from a running perspective. During a running race, if you stop at a water station or marshal point for more than a minute, people start asking if you are injured and do you need a ride back to the start.

5. Cost
Over £2500 for cycling so far in the last 12 months. £120 on running.

Many of you (as if thousands read this) will disagree with a lot of this especially the difficulty points. Others might point to my 6 years as a runner and only 9 months as a cyclist and they have a valid point. These are just my deranged thoughts after 4 hours of running and cycling on Saturday. When it boils down to it, I'm just pleased I don't have to choose and I can run and ride a lot.

Sexy

Got my bike back from Prologue last night. Its looking very sexy. New Mavic wheels fitted, new chain, new cassette, new cables, new handle bar tape and new GP4000 tyres. Sweet.

I was very surprised at just how much lighter the bike felt with the new wheels. Also, the freewheel is very quiet which is a big change from the noisy Fulcrums.

Monthly Stats - March 2009

A fantastic month. It started slowly as I suffered after doing the Meon Valley Plod 21 mile run on the 1st. Once I got going, I met all my goals and felt good with it. According to MapMyRide, I burnt off 33,408 calories which is amazing if true. I did 41 hours 52 minutes of exercise, ran 63 miles, rode 528 mile and climber 32,800 feet climbed on the bike.

March Goals:
Do over 60 miles running - PASS (63 miles)
Do over 450 miles cycling - PASS (528 miles)
Complete 85% of my planned training sessions - PASS (100%)
Complete the Meon Valley Plod in under 3:50 - PASS (3:32)
Complete the Burgess Hill Classic in under 4:30 hours (riding time) - PASS (4:25)
Complete the Ballbuster in under 4:00 hours - PASS (3:46)
Break the 10 miles in 30 minute target - PASS (First 10 miles of Burgess Hill in 28.30)

April Goals:
Do over 50 miles running
Do over 550 miles cycling
Complete 85% of my planned training sessions
Ride over 200 miles in Devon
Average 18 mph for 1 hour
Break 5K PB in under 22 minutes