Training week starting Sun, 06 February 2011

Who would've thought that this week would be what it turned out to be: a massive blow to my psyche. The R word got thrown around at work which got me quite worried and a little panicked and then to top it off some man trouble. Mentally I wasn't in much of a state to do anything this week and it showed, although some of the outcomes, especially the Surrey League race were a surprise in the end and cheered me up.

12 February 2011
This was the last Surrey Women's XC League race of the season. The course was rather muddy, quite hilly and the combination made it horrible... a variety of under foot conditions with rocky paths made show choice a little tricky as well, but it all was down to spikes in the end because the muddy parts were really outweighing it. There were also a few jumps over a ditch and a few logs and some technical sections with roots etc. So all in all a very good course, but tough. It didn't help that I had been ceilidh dancing the night before and was still extremely dehydrated and I still wasn't quite in it mentally. I decided to just run through and after the first lap got my act somewhat together, though by then all was decided. The only thing that worked well in this race were the downhills, for once I passed people on the downhills which is a surprise.
A positive surprise came later when I looked at the overall results. I came 64th overall which is ok (out of 293), but within the league I placed 50th. 4 places better than last time and it also means I've achieved my goal of coming in the top 50. So not all is bad.
Results are here
Garmin data is here

10 February 2011
Still not there and on top forgot my watch... so no Garmin data either. Did the normal run to Northcote road and decided to just tempo run the hills and keep going over them. Don't know the time but it was good work. All in all should be about 13 km.


8 February 2011
This was the day when disaster started knocking. Went to training but was mentally not there, so decided to just have a run around to get some air in. Ended up doing a few longer reps along the river bank and along the park, nothing great but I was out.
Garmin data


06 February 2011
MABAC today. This was going to be interesting as it was running back to back days and also after the 10 miler. Wasn't quite sure, how my body would deal with this, considering that after the Surrey league I was absolutely shattered. But it went well, I felt strong even though when I set out in the morning, my legs felt rather achey and not happy. The race was great though. Came 19th overall and 3rd woman. Very pleased.
Link to Garmin data (race)

Training week starting Sun, 30 January 2011

Focus is still on the run, but will go out on bike more, though scheduled 4 runs this week, should be interesting.

05 February 2011
Was a bit on a bender last night watching the rugby with some friends = massive hangover. Had promised to go out with a friend, so got myself out there for half 9. First half of run I was really struggling and sweating like a pig, detox pure. Second half was much better, but over all quite a slow run. HRM way off the radar, so data unusable. Need to contact Garmin, cos this isn't normal.
Link to Garmin data


03 February 2011
The usual hill session at Northcote road, though felt like I was working really hard and pushing it quite a bit up the hills. Time wise in the end though, no difference to last week. But feeling and apparently looking good.
Link to Garmin data


01 February 2011
Battersea Park session. Took it out steady on the 1k reps and just absolutely kicked the last 300 on the last rep. Loved it, loved it, loved it! Almost felt like the good old times there, fighting spirit is coming back... me like! Add a 2km warm-up to this.
Link to Garmin data for main session