Training week, Sun 28 Nov to Sat 4 Dec

The snow has come to Stirling Town and has thrown everything into a bit of chaos and covered everything under a blanket of snow. Unfortunately, it makes life rather difficult because the sports centre is closed and the few streets that are cleared are more like soft brown sugar to wade through.

Sunday, 28 November 2010
We intended to do the RNLI Reindeer Run, however it got cancelled and rightly so. It was snowing all Sunday without stopping and the only exercise possible was a short walk to the village shop for milk and some snow shovelling to avoid the worst. Did a few core exercises, but that was it.

Monday, 29 November 2010
We did more snow shovelling and got to uni in my car. I thought I'd try and see if there's a spinning session on, but all cancelled. So the exercise consisted of a walk through deep snow back from the rental place to Lou's house.

Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Cabin fever set in... had to go for a run.
Stirling University Loch
The snow was good and fluffy and provided sufficient grip for some decent running.
Total time: 56 min, Avg. HR 152, Max HR 173, distance: about 9.5 km
26 min warm-up jog around the loch (1.5 laps)
6x Rugby pitch hill with 100 yards on top (54-58 sec) (about 200m each) with jog back (1.15 min) Snow up the hill was about ankle deep, but on top there were some snow drifts which went about knee deep. Good fun this.
16 min warm-down jog (finish off lap + 1 lap)

Wednesday, 01 December 2010
Lots of walking in the snow today. Intended a swim but the times didn't work out.

Thursday, 02 December 2010
Stirling University Loch
Total time: 68 min, Avg HR 152, Max HR 173, distance: 11.3 km
16 min warm-up jog (1 lap)
7x 3 min pick-up, 90 sec recovery jog (2.5 laps)
22 min warm-down jog (1.5 laps)
It was quite good fun running in the twilight. The snow illuminated the path, however, after the last one it was just too dark for fast running.

Friday, 03 December 2010
Thought again I might get a swim in, but with the department Christmas lunch and the Panto in the evening that didn't happen.

Saturday, 04 December 2010
Beautiful weather so a long run was well in order.
Kings Park, Stirling
The snow surface was marvellous and the sun was reflecting off the snow. Together with the scenery and the views of Stirling castle the time just flew by. Just a really enjoyable run.
84 min run
Avg HR 146, Mac HR 160, distance: 13 km
In hindsight, that's pretty slow, but then again, it was in the snow and a good deal of it was the soft brown sugar kind. So I suppose it's alright, and it's mainly time on my feet.