So frustrating, walked 8 miles today, but couldn't push on and do a race walk. knee kept hurting. It's getting better but the sun was out and I wanted to enjoy my walk but I had to hold back and let people pass me. When people pass me then it's not fun. Let's see what tomorrow will bring.
Grrrr, stupid knee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
15th February 2011, reply to response.
Starting training in March
At the moment I'm concentrating on developing my race walk, and taking part in 10k's, so most of the training is speed and style for shorter races. It's not as if I'm lying on the couch eating pies and looking at my cobweb covered trainers saying, maybe I'll start next week... I've kept up the walking over the winter so have the underlying fitness as well. After the National 10 miles I will have a short rest, then back to the Lakes for long distance training. It's not starting training I'll be doing, just changing styles of training, distance and endurance rather than sprinting and Cardio. I'll be out pretty much every day as well, so to start too early will probably lead to burn out. I started January last year and probably peaked too soon, and keeping a high level of fitness over a long periods of time rather than peaking and troughing leads to more injuries. The University advised me that the fitness levels need to come down regularly to allow the body to repair and recover. Maybe having to rest with a knee injury is a help rather than a hindrance. I find it difficult not to get out walking every day.
By all means, January is fine, but most people don't train every day, maybe a couple of times a week. I get out every day, 20 miles regularly rather than rarely, so reaching a peak doesn't take too long.
I've also still got a lot of mountains to climb. Why? Apparently, "because they're there!"
At the moment I'm concentrating on developing my race walk, and taking part in 10k's, so most of the training is speed and style for shorter races. It's not as if I'm lying on the couch eating pies and looking at my cobweb covered trainers saying, maybe I'll start next week... I've kept up the walking over the winter so have the underlying fitness as well. After the National 10 miles I will have a short rest, then back to the Lakes for long distance training. It's not starting training I'll be doing, just changing styles of training, distance and endurance rather than sprinting and Cardio. I'll be out pretty much every day as well, so to start too early will probably lead to burn out. I started January last year and probably peaked too soon, and keeping a high level of fitness over a long periods of time rather than peaking and troughing leads to more injuries. The University advised me that the fitness levels need to come down regularly to allow the body to repair and recover. Maybe having to rest with a knee injury is a help rather than a hindrance. I find it difficult not to get out walking every day.
By all means, January is fine, but most people don't train every day, maybe a couple of times a week. I get out every day, 20 miles regularly rather than rarely, so reaching a peak doesn't take too long.
I've also still got a lot of mountains to climb. Why? Apparently, "because they're there!"
15th February 2011
Feeling a bit down. It turns out I have a minor (grade 1) strain of the Medial Collateral Ligament, the one on the inside of the knee, which means no training or racing for a while and next weeks 10 miler in Dunnington is now doubtful, and these things can either clear up or linger on depending on how I push my knee. Back in the old days when I was a couch potato, injury was never a problem, apart from the back... getting it off the couch! I didn't have "hamstrings" or "ligaments", now they niggle or strain and give you gyp. On the positive side, a couple of weeks rest for the rest of the muscles, and still 4 months to the Parish. Plenty of time, I hope. I was going to start my Parish training mid March, so the next couple of weeks can be make or break. Still, time to research joint injuries and pass on what is to be learned.
Hopefully, I can be right for the National 10 miler in Coventry in mid March, a statement I would have laughed at only recently but now am a little worried about. Still, anyone out there who thinks finishing the Parish is a far flung dream, let me tell you, if I can do it, me who is just an average Joe, a non athletic try hard middle of the road person, can not only finish, but finish well, then anyone can. Just remember that when your mid training, flogging up a difficult hill, wondering if it's all worth while, then give just a little more, because it's all worth while.
My four trophy's are all on a shelf above my telly, and a glance at them always lifts the hairs on the back of my neck, bring back great memories and make me smile a little. They are amongst my most treasured possesions.
Happy training, (he typed, a little jealously....)
Hopefully, I can be right for the National 10 miler in Coventry in mid March, a statement I would have laughed at only recently but now am a little worried about. Still, anyone out there who thinks finishing the Parish is a far flung dream, let me tell you, if I can do it, me who is just an average Joe, a non athletic try hard middle of the road person, can not only finish, but finish well, then anyone can. Just remember that when your mid training, flogging up a difficult hill, wondering if it's all worth while, then give just a little more, because it's all worth while.
My four trophy's are all on a shelf above my telly, and a glance at them always lifts the hairs on the back of my neck, bring back great memories and make me smile a little. They are amongst my most treasured possesions.
Happy training, (he typed, a little jealously....)
Monday, 14 February 2011
14th February 2011
Having a moment of clarity, just finished work at 5am on valentines day. My coach has said that with the progress I'm making, I can win the Parish. A few people have e-mailed me and said that if there was betting on the race that they would put a couple of quid on me as an outside chance. My father says that his friends have all said I'm a good bet. All in all, that puts pressure on. Big style. I know, after all the sports I have tried, I've finally found one I'm reasonably good at, even it is a minority sport with no rewards. (Why didn't I try harder at football when I was younger instead of wasting my time passing exams. I could be on a quarter mill a week!!!!!!!!) I just enjoy it, the build up, training, and the satisfaction of finally achieving something I can be proud of years in the future when I'm in my dotage, reflecting on what I've achieved while the nurse is cleaning me up.
What really matters is personal, reaching my own goals. I still think many will finish better this year, Jock will be hard to beat, that's a given. Michael George will be close to top three, Vinny will improve, an outsider will pop up from nowhere, Richard Gerrard, who I walked most of the way with for a good third place in the end to end and had a magnificent 4th last year, is still very young and has a few wins to come and will do well, and apologies to all who will improve and I haven't mentioned yet. Predictions? It's a little early, maybe too early, yet I hope for a same day finish, under 16 hours, before midnight on Saturday night, which will see me happy. Still, the way things are going, there will be a fair few finishing the same day, conditions permitting, and a same day finish will not necessarily see me improve on 6th from last year. I suppose that's my self doubt kicking in. Still, I've got to be positive, might not even make the finish, it's a long race and we have to be realistic.
If it all pans out like this, as I think it will, then it will be a magnificent race and one to be proud of taking part. A great advert for a truly world class race, and one that will make the 50th anniversary race one tto remember. Whatever happens, good luck to everyone, and if you haven't entered yet but are thinking of doing so, do it now.
Let's make it a day, (sorry, 2 days, getting ahead of myself there... ) to remember.
I actually forgot it was Valentine's day, I was only reminded by the Captain of the tanker I sailed tonight. A last minute panic, but I've managed to book a table for tonight. I don't think it'll turn out well though, apparently she doesn't play snooker...
What really matters is personal, reaching my own goals. I still think many will finish better this year, Jock will be hard to beat, that's a given. Michael George will be close to top three, Vinny will improve, an outsider will pop up from nowhere, Richard Gerrard, who I walked most of the way with for a good third place in the end to end and had a magnificent 4th last year, is still very young and has a few wins to come and will do well, and apologies to all who will improve and I haven't mentioned yet. Predictions? It's a little early, maybe too early, yet I hope for a same day finish, under 16 hours, before midnight on Saturday night, which will see me happy. Still, the way things are going, there will be a fair few finishing the same day, conditions permitting, and a same day finish will not necessarily see me improve on 6th from last year. I suppose that's my self doubt kicking in. Still, I've got to be positive, might not even make the finish, it's a long race and we have to be realistic.
If it all pans out like this, as I think it will, then it will be a magnificent race and one to be proud of taking part. A great advert for a truly world class race, and one that will make the 50th anniversary race one tto remember. Whatever happens, good luck to everyone, and if you haven't entered yet but are thinking of doing so, do it now.
Let's make it a day, (sorry, 2 days, getting ahead of myself there... ) to remember.
I actually forgot it was Valentine's day, I was only reminded by the Captain of the tanker I sailed tonight. A last minute panic, but I've managed to book a table for tonight. I don't think it'll turn out well though, apparently she doesn't play snooker...
Friday, 11 February 2011
11th February 2011
Pain
I've not been walking for the past few days, busy at work for one thing. I also have some sort of niggling knee injury which appeared after last sundays race. I woke on monday morning with soreness around the front left of my right knee, no swelling, but pain when i put my foot down and push through, causing a slight limp. So, rest and let it get better which it is doing slowly. It's not hurting enough to require pain killers, just niggly, but that brings me to the subject of pain.
As I said in an earlier blog, anyone who is looking to complete the Parish, or indeed, anyone walking at all for any distance, will suffer some sort of pain. Whether it in muscular, nervous system, or in the joints, dictate what pain killers are required. My sister is a pharmacist and helps me out with this. Firstly, there are several types of pain, and different ways of combating them. The ones we are interested in are;-
1. Somatic or Nociceptive pain.
This is from pain receptors in the skin, muscles and bones, and are the bodies defense system against heat, cold, and injury. Burns, cuts, bruises and what we are worried about, blisters and muscular pain caused by oxygen deprivation or strains. These are usually treated with paracetamol, weak or strong opioids, depending on severity. My choice when walking long distances is co-codamol, a mixture of paracetamol and codeine and slightly stronger than these ingredients alone, although I try and avoid pain killers normally, trying to find alternatives or find out why there is pain in the first place. Pain killers such as these cause stomach upset as they attack the stomach wall so eat something first.
2. Neuropathic pain.
This is cause by damage or tension on the nervous system, and can result in pain being felt in places that differ from where the damage is. I have recently had what I thought was a hamstring problem which turned out to be knotted muscles in the buttock pressing against the sciatic nerve. This pain won't be in one particular place, but will travel along the path of the affected nerve. Regular sports massage and chiropractic manipulation can help here.
3 Swelling.
With extreme exercise comes swelling, probably around the muscles and joints and in lower extremities of the body. An anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen from the painkiller group known as NSAIDS can help reduce swelling and the pain associated with it. These work by stopping the production of substances that cause pain, fever and inflammattion and can be mixed with receptor pain killers to attack pain from different directions. I normally take a single co-codamol with an ibuprofen capsule at four hourly intervals, which seems to work for me.
Ideally, you should take what's best for you, what you're comfortable with, and what your body seems to accept. Don't try new painkillers during the race, extreme exercise causes extreme reactions. Always ask a pharmacist or doctor what can and can't be taken and mixed, and don't go over the stated dose, even if your circulation is clearing taken painkillers from your system much quicker than is normal into the race. If a painkiller isn't working, then try a different type. There is also the placebo effect. If you have a headache and someone gives you a smartie (there are other types of chocolate treats available...) warning you that it is the strongest painkiller available over the counter, then there is a good chance it'll work. A, because auto suggestion makes you believe it'll work, and B, because it's chocolate, and as I spoke of earlier, chocolate creates endorphins, natural pain relief.
Don't forget natural pain relief, as I blogged earlier, ginger can reduce swelling, upset stomach and ease digestive problems. Liquorice has strong anti inflammatory effects. garlic and Gingko Biloba greatly improve circulation and the bloodstream which helps pain releif get to the pain area. And, most of all, water. Dehydration is one of the greatest causes of pain as it effects the body in unusual ways, so plenty of liquids, and try and avoid caffeine which is a diuretic.
Always try and find out where and why you have pain. Sore feet, muscles etc are normal from walking long distances, but unusual localised pain is symptomatic of possibly an unusual injury and can be aggravated by continued walking, so make sure you know where the pain is coming from before continuing.
As always, all iv'e written is what I've found and researched on my own, so if anyone has any suggstions or coorrections to my writing, please feel free to cantact and correct me, or if you have any other experiences, please let me know. I'm always open to new ideas and explanations.
One final way of dealing with pain, man it out, grin and bear it. Now, pass the first aid box please...
I've not been walking for the past few days, busy at work for one thing. I also have some sort of niggling knee injury which appeared after last sundays race. I woke on monday morning with soreness around the front left of my right knee, no swelling, but pain when i put my foot down and push through, causing a slight limp. So, rest and let it get better which it is doing slowly. It's not hurting enough to require pain killers, just niggly, but that brings me to the subject of pain.
As I said in an earlier blog, anyone who is looking to complete the Parish, or indeed, anyone walking at all for any distance, will suffer some sort of pain. Whether it in muscular, nervous system, or in the joints, dictate what pain killers are required. My sister is a pharmacist and helps me out with this. Firstly, there are several types of pain, and different ways of combating them. The ones we are interested in are;-
1. Somatic or Nociceptive pain.
This is from pain receptors in the skin, muscles and bones, and are the bodies defense system against heat, cold, and injury. Burns, cuts, bruises and what we are worried about, blisters and muscular pain caused by oxygen deprivation or strains. These are usually treated with paracetamol, weak or strong opioids, depending on severity. My choice when walking long distances is co-codamol, a mixture of paracetamol and codeine and slightly stronger than these ingredients alone, although I try and avoid pain killers normally, trying to find alternatives or find out why there is pain in the first place. Pain killers such as these cause stomach upset as they attack the stomach wall so eat something first.
2. Neuropathic pain.
This is cause by damage or tension on the nervous system, and can result in pain being felt in places that differ from where the damage is. I have recently had what I thought was a hamstring problem which turned out to be knotted muscles in the buttock pressing against the sciatic nerve. This pain won't be in one particular place, but will travel along the path of the affected nerve. Regular sports massage and chiropractic manipulation can help here.
3 Swelling.
With extreme exercise comes swelling, probably around the muscles and joints and in lower extremities of the body. An anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen from the painkiller group known as NSAIDS can help reduce swelling and the pain associated with it. These work by stopping the production of substances that cause pain, fever and inflammattion and can be mixed with receptor pain killers to attack pain from different directions. I normally take a single co-codamol with an ibuprofen capsule at four hourly intervals, which seems to work for me.
Ideally, you should take what's best for you, what you're comfortable with, and what your body seems to accept. Don't try new painkillers during the race, extreme exercise causes extreme reactions. Always ask a pharmacist or doctor what can and can't be taken and mixed, and don't go over the stated dose, even if your circulation is clearing taken painkillers from your system much quicker than is normal into the race. If a painkiller isn't working, then try a different type. There is also the placebo effect. If you have a headache and someone gives you a smartie (there are other types of chocolate treats available...) warning you that it is the strongest painkiller available over the counter, then there is a good chance it'll work. A, because auto suggestion makes you believe it'll work, and B, because it's chocolate, and as I spoke of earlier, chocolate creates endorphins, natural pain relief.
Don't forget natural pain relief, as I blogged earlier, ginger can reduce swelling, upset stomach and ease digestive problems. Liquorice has strong anti inflammatory effects. garlic and Gingko Biloba greatly improve circulation and the bloodstream which helps pain releif get to the pain area. And, most of all, water. Dehydration is one of the greatest causes of pain as it effects the body in unusual ways, so plenty of liquids, and try and avoid caffeine which is a diuretic.
Always try and find out where and why you have pain. Sore feet, muscles etc are normal from walking long distances, but unusual localised pain is symptomatic of possibly an unusual injury and can be aggravated by continued walking, so make sure you know where the pain is coming from before continuing.
As always, all iv'e written is what I've found and researched on my own, so if anyone has any suggstions or coorrections to my writing, please feel free to cantact and correct me, or if you have any other experiences, please let me know. I'm always open to new ideas and explanations.
One final way of dealing with pain, man it out, grin and bear it. Now, pass the first aid box please...
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
8th February 2010
There is a sort of appeal on the facebook parish walk page asking for people to help during the race. It seems that there are walkers "from over" who want to take part but hold back after reading the rule about having an escort vehicle after Peel. I have an added interest in this, if it wasn't for Pauline, my support crew chief, I wouldn't have been able to take part in the last two Parishes or End to Ends, Helen looked after me for my first two, but then caught the "taking part" bug and left me worrying for the 2009 when I'd entered and was left not knowing what was going to happen. Helen asked the other mums at the school gate and Pauline shrugged and said, okay, it's something different, might be a laugh. (I wasn't there, this is just artistic license on my script writing.) Anyway, the end result was I apprehensively met my support crew two days before the race, it could have gone any number of ways, but now we're close friends who have shared a great many experiences which have given us many things to tell our grandchildren years from now when were sat in our respective care homes during our weekly family visits.
In the end though, the race is not just about the competitors. If it was it wouldn't be a race, just a lot of people going for a long walk. The Parish is growing each year, and it has the potential to be a big international event, already viewers of Sky Sports tune in every year, and it is known about the European walking circuit as one of the biggest tests a walker can attempt. But it needs helpers, whether it is support crew, marshalls, staff at churches and feeding stations and the many number of volunteers which keep the race going and building into the Island's second biggest sporting event after the TT races, (sorry if I upset anyone organizing other big events, this is not just my opinion...) Half the people on the Island at some point get out and watch the walkers passing which makes it as well attended by spectators as a Premiership football match.
So, even if you don't want to actually walk you can still take part and do a vital job to help the island build on it's massive sporting heritage. Or if you know anyone, give them a nudge and mention it. Whatever, it'll give you something to talk about at work on the monday afterwards and help a lot of keen athletes achieve their goal. Help to make it a truly international event. If you want to help, at the moment there is the website, http://www.parishwalk.com/ and click on the organising link, and you will find links to people who can help. Also, the facebook page, www.facebook.com/parishwalk is currently building pace and can give hints. If there is interest out there for someone who wants to spend the night looking after someone going for a long walk in the dark, then I'm sure things can be organized, possibly a database. Who knows, you will meet new people, take part in something different, and might even enjoy it. Just ask my support crew chief!
In the end though, the race is not just about the competitors. If it was it wouldn't be a race, just a lot of people going for a long walk. The Parish is growing each year, and it has the potential to be a big international event, already viewers of Sky Sports tune in every year, and it is known about the European walking circuit as one of the biggest tests a walker can attempt. But it needs helpers, whether it is support crew, marshalls, staff at churches and feeding stations and the many number of volunteers which keep the race going and building into the Island's second biggest sporting event after the TT races, (sorry if I upset anyone organizing other big events, this is not just my opinion...) Half the people on the Island at some point get out and watch the walkers passing which makes it as well attended by spectators as a Premiership football match.
So, even if you don't want to actually walk you can still take part and do a vital job to help the island build on it's massive sporting heritage. Or if you know anyone, give them a nudge and mention it. Whatever, it'll give you something to talk about at work on the monday afterwards and help a lot of keen athletes achieve their goal. Help to make it a truly international event. If you want to help, at the moment there is the website, http://www.parishwalk.com/ and click on the organising link, and you will find links to people who can help. Also, the facebook page, www.facebook.com/parishwalk is currently building pace and can give hints. If there is interest out there for someone who wants to spend the night looking after someone going for a long walk in the dark, then I'm sure things can be organized, possibly a database. Who knows, you will meet new people, take part in something different, and might even enjoy it. Just ask my support crew chief!
Monday, 7 February 2011
7th February 2010
Good Morning.
Back in Hull, monday morning, windy and wet, and not too difficult today to take a rest day. Four days on the Island and I didn't get half the things done that I set out to do. Sorry to anyone who I didn't get round to seeing, and there were a few, and hello to the many "new" people I met, it seems there are many people with this years Parish in mind. 50 years is a great milestone, and if the organizers get the target start list of 2,011 entrants, it'll look promising for another 50 years. Looking at Murray's list of people who have already entered, it's remarkable how many of the entrants are giving it a go for the first time. I spoke to a few people who declared an interest but hadn't taken part yet, and the main response seemed to be "I would, but I'm worried about....." before coming out with an unsubstantiated fear based on old stories or some gossip from someone who knew someone who had such and such happen and couldn't walk again, or was crippled for life. If the trainings done properly, and the correct equipment is used, there are no lasting effects, and you are just left with memories and probably new friends met along the way, as well as a new outlook on your own fitness. If in doubt, give it a go.
The final Yorkshire winter season 10k yesterday (sunday) was a difficult affair, all competitors complaining of the conditions. The course was triangular, with a good climb up one side, unfortunately this was the side where the wind was behind, then turn the corner, and the longest side was against the near gale, with the other side having a cross wind which made race walking difficult. Got 60.24 myself, when all walkers were a good few minutes down on their regular 10k times, so I'm quite pleased. 4th out of 20 something, with some quick young athletes from Redcar and Yorkshire. 10k's over now, but the northern 10 mile in Dunnington in 3 weeks, and in the Yorkshire team for the National 10 miles in Coventry near the end of March... Just making up the numbers on that one!
I took a new tack yesterday. Normally I try and keep up with the leaders from the start which leaves me struggling at the end. Call it inexperience, but it is the wrong thing to do. Yesterday, with the Garmin, I kept to 10min 30sec miles for the first couple of laps, slowly dropping down, feeling burn in the shins and the quads slowly easing as the race went on. At 5km, up the pace a bit. I had dropped to 7th and was worried if I was doing it all wrong. Picking up the pace though, I built up to 9m 30s miles, then in the last mile an 8 min 25s mile, which I hadn't done before! And instead of being exhausted, I could have gone on for another 10k, and spent the last lap picking off the places. Still not an official 10k under 60 mins, but my coach said it was a good walk, the style was smooth, and I looked comfortable. The most important thing, which I can pass on, is to warm up. Last week with my sports masseur, and after this race, I have tried to be more rigorous with my warm up. Stretching all muscles, and I'll go through them later on in the blog, is most important. And whether it's a race or just training, start slowly, don't put any strain on the muscles, and build up to your speed. It helps avoid injury as muscles that are cold can strain much easier.
Stretch, warm up, train, warm down (the last mile of your training at a slower pace) stretch.
One other tip to pass on, another coach was present, one who watched with my coach, and he noticed my style uphill and downhill. It hardly changed, something that can cause pain in the legs if you're pushing. If going uphill, shorten the stride and lift the arms higher. Slow the pace a little to save energy, reduces muscular lactic acid, and aids recovery time. Downhill, lengthen the stride a little and lower the arms and try to roll into the stride. Increase the pace to take advantage of gravity. Gravity is free and available at all good downhill sections of the Parish course.
At least one of the competitors yesterday was already entered for the Parish, (I was wearing my "parish walk" baseball cap) he declared himself a little wary, although he was doing it for his father who had done the TT course walk and wanted to visit old walking grounds. Spoke to a couple of Centurions present, who also waxed lyrical about the TT course walk in the past. Why isn't it done any more? I would love to tick off the TT course from my list of things to do. All agreed it was fun, as is all walking on the Island, and agreed that the climb up the mountain out of Ramsey was the toughrest part of any walk they had ever done! Maybe I'll have to come across whenthe days are longer and do it on my own.
I have to go now, I have a long day drinking tea and emptying my sky+ box of the weekends programmes. And I have to analyze my walks on the island of the last few days. Over 40 miles, mostly on Hills, gotta be pleased with that!
An extract from the National Academy of Sciences reiterating my point from a previous post:-
Recent research has suggested that walking for around 40 minutes a couple of times a week is enough to keep ageing brains sharp.
After a yearlong trial with 120 volunteers, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it has been proven that moderate exercise increased the size of the hippocampus – the area of the brain which makes memories.
This is a real breakthrough with around 820,000 people in the UK suffering with dementia and that figure is set to double by 2030. This latest work looked at healthy people in their 60’s and demonstrated how exercise may provide a buffer against the illness, as well as aged related memory loss. Experts have reiterated that until a cure is discovered, finding cheap and easy ways to reverse the trend is imperative.
No matter what age you are, this form of exercise is vital now and in the future.
Back in Hull, monday morning, windy and wet, and not too difficult today to take a rest day. Four days on the Island and I didn't get half the things done that I set out to do. Sorry to anyone who I didn't get round to seeing, and there were a few, and hello to the many "new" people I met, it seems there are many people with this years Parish in mind. 50 years is a great milestone, and if the organizers get the target start list of 2,011 entrants, it'll look promising for another 50 years. Looking at Murray's list of people who have already entered, it's remarkable how many of the entrants are giving it a go for the first time. I spoke to a few people who declared an interest but hadn't taken part yet, and the main response seemed to be "I would, but I'm worried about....." before coming out with an unsubstantiated fear based on old stories or some gossip from someone who knew someone who had such and such happen and couldn't walk again, or was crippled for life. If the trainings done properly, and the correct equipment is used, there are no lasting effects, and you are just left with memories and probably new friends met along the way, as well as a new outlook on your own fitness. If in doubt, give it a go.
The final Yorkshire winter season 10k yesterday (sunday) was a difficult affair, all competitors complaining of the conditions. The course was triangular, with a good climb up one side, unfortunately this was the side where the wind was behind, then turn the corner, and the longest side was against the near gale, with the other side having a cross wind which made race walking difficult. Got 60.24 myself, when all walkers were a good few minutes down on their regular 10k times, so I'm quite pleased. 4th out of 20 something, with some quick young athletes from Redcar and Yorkshire. 10k's over now, but the northern 10 mile in Dunnington in 3 weeks, and in the Yorkshire team for the National 10 miles in Coventry near the end of March... Just making up the numbers on that one!
I took a new tack yesterday. Normally I try and keep up with the leaders from the start which leaves me struggling at the end. Call it inexperience, but it is the wrong thing to do. Yesterday, with the Garmin, I kept to 10min 30sec miles for the first couple of laps, slowly dropping down, feeling burn in the shins and the quads slowly easing as the race went on. At 5km, up the pace a bit. I had dropped to 7th and was worried if I was doing it all wrong. Picking up the pace though, I built up to 9m 30s miles, then in the last mile an 8 min 25s mile, which I hadn't done before! And instead of being exhausted, I could have gone on for another 10k, and spent the last lap picking off the places. Still not an official 10k under 60 mins, but my coach said it was a good walk, the style was smooth, and I looked comfortable. The most important thing, which I can pass on, is to warm up. Last week with my sports masseur, and after this race, I have tried to be more rigorous with my warm up. Stretching all muscles, and I'll go through them later on in the blog, is most important. And whether it's a race or just training, start slowly, don't put any strain on the muscles, and build up to your speed. It helps avoid injury as muscles that are cold can strain much easier.
Stretch, warm up, train, warm down (the last mile of your training at a slower pace) stretch.
One other tip to pass on, another coach was present, one who watched with my coach, and he noticed my style uphill and downhill. It hardly changed, something that can cause pain in the legs if you're pushing. If going uphill, shorten the stride and lift the arms higher. Slow the pace a little to save energy, reduces muscular lactic acid, and aids recovery time. Downhill, lengthen the stride a little and lower the arms and try to roll into the stride. Increase the pace to take advantage of gravity. Gravity is free and available at all good downhill sections of the Parish course.
At least one of the competitors yesterday was already entered for the Parish, (I was wearing my "parish walk" baseball cap) he declared himself a little wary, although he was doing it for his father who had done the TT course walk and wanted to visit old walking grounds. Spoke to a couple of Centurions present, who also waxed lyrical about the TT course walk in the past. Why isn't it done any more? I would love to tick off the TT course from my list of things to do. All agreed it was fun, as is all walking on the Island, and agreed that the climb up the mountain out of Ramsey was the toughrest part of any walk they had ever done! Maybe I'll have to come across whenthe days are longer and do it on my own.
I have to go now, I have a long day drinking tea and emptying my sky+ box of the weekends programmes. And I have to analyze my walks on the island of the last few days. Over 40 miles, mostly on Hills, gotta be pleased with that!
An extract from the National Academy of Sciences reiterating my point from a previous post:-
Walking a couple of times a week can help you in later life...
Recent research has suggested that walking for around 40 minutes a couple of times a week is enough to keep ageing brains sharp.
After a yearlong trial with 120 volunteers, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it has been proven that moderate exercise increased the size of the hippocampus – the area of the brain which makes memories.
This is a real breakthrough with around 820,000 people in the UK suffering with dementia and that figure is set to double by 2030. This latest work looked at healthy people in their 60’s and demonstrated how exercise may provide a buffer against the illness, as well as aged related memory loss. Experts have reiterated that until a cure is discovered, finding cheap and easy ways to reverse the trend is imperative.
No matter what age you are, this form of exercise is vital now and in the future.
Friday, 4 February 2011
4th February 2011
A god training session this morning, although windy and drizzly, got down to Rushen Church by 10am, having to go via douglas first, but was sufficiently warmed up and set off trying to keep a moderate but steady pace. The Garmin did it's job wonderfully, and I was able to keep to steady 11 minute miles pretty much all the way. 10k came up at 63.25mins, which was a great boost as it was mostly uphill for that, possibly one of the toughest 10k's to do! It dropped in after the round table just near the rushen plantation, with some tail winds, and also some head winds with the unusual way the hills and valleys funnel the onshore gales.
Anyway, 13.08 miles, from church to Peel Town Hall, (including the small diversion for Patrick church, was going to go direct, but when I saw the phone box I felt it wouldn't be right.) in 2 hours 27 minutes, 5.3mph, a good time for some tough uphills, and now I have it in my gps it will come up next time and let me push on and beat it. Feeling a few minor aches and pains as well, which is a good thing, as it means I'm benefitting from it. The Sciatic/hamstring was most noticable by it's abscence, which means hopefully that Dawne's massaging and stretching has done the trick. I'm going home feeling much better mentally, with the end of the hamstring pain which at times worried me that it might be something permanent, and with the good training times on which to build. I've also dropped a few pounds which is an added bonus as I'm now close to my Parish weight of last year, and still have a few pounds I can lose.
All in all a good trip, very worthwhile.
Bumped into a couple of people on the sloc. Tony, who I dropped in beside and was worried about his speed, was doing 14 minute miles which is good for uphill, over 4mph, and should be more confident. Another entrant? I hope so.
Also the chap who I spotted from the top of Ballikillowey and gave me something to catch up to, and just as I cought him at the sloc turn itself, decided it was too windy and turned back down. Have another go.
Many thanks also to the car drivers who helpfully slowed down without impatience and often a smile, and the ones who bibbed their horns and waved. I take it as a sign of welcome and encouragement, something you don't see as much of on the mainland and which gives the Island it's uniqueness. Anyone out there who's driving and sees someone training in the wilds, possibly looking a little rough, try giving a beep and a thumbs up. All encouragement is good and could gee someone up into doing that extra bit.
I was going to finish off my training walk week with a 10 mile Western 10 in the morning, but as I have a 10k on sunday morning, after todays ehxertions, maybe just rest from now, with a few stretches to help ease the muscles.
Laters.
Anyway, 13.08 miles, from church to Peel Town Hall, (including the small diversion for Patrick church, was going to go direct, but when I saw the phone box I felt it wouldn't be right.) in 2 hours 27 minutes, 5.3mph, a good time for some tough uphills, and now I have it in my gps it will come up next time and let me push on and beat it. Feeling a few minor aches and pains as well, which is a good thing, as it means I'm benefitting from it. The Sciatic/hamstring was most noticable by it's abscence, which means hopefully that Dawne's massaging and stretching has done the trick. I'm going home feeling much better mentally, with the end of the hamstring pain which at times worried me that it might be something permanent, and with the good training times on which to build. I've also dropped a few pounds which is an added bonus as I'm now close to my Parish weight of last year, and still have a few pounds I can lose.
All in all a good trip, very worthwhile.
Bumped into a couple of people on the sloc. Tony, who I dropped in beside and was worried about his speed, was doing 14 minute miles which is good for uphill, over 4mph, and should be more confident. Another entrant? I hope so.
Also the chap who I spotted from the top of Ballikillowey and gave me something to catch up to, and just as I cought him at the sloc turn itself, decided it was too windy and turned back down. Have another go.
Many thanks also to the car drivers who helpfully slowed down without impatience and often a smile, and the ones who bibbed their horns and waved. I take it as a sign of welcome and encouragement, something you don't see as much of on the mainland and which gives the Island it's uniqueness. Anyone out there who's driving and sees someone training in the wilds, possibly looking a little rough, try giving a beep and a thumbs up. All encouragement is good and could gee someone up into doing that extra bit.
I was going to finish off my training walk week with a 10 mile Western 10 in the morning, but as I have a 10k on sunday morning, after todays ehxertions, maybe just rest from now, with a few stretches to help ease the muscles.
Laters.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
3rd February 2010
It's been a hectic couple of days. Arrived tuesday, a quick dinner at Papparazzi's on Douglas front, then across to Peel. Out with friends and unfortunately didn't roll in until nearly 2am, so the plan to get up early and put in a quick western 10 before my 11am massage was hastily changed. it was windy and raining so down to a quick 5 mile warm up, (in the wind, a great hangover cure) then off to see Dawne to get all the knots and kinks out. She quickly found the cause of my hamstring pain as a badly knotted muscle which she told me the name of and I immediately forgot, which was pressing againstthe sciatic nerve in the right buttock, and manifesting itself as hamstring pain. Lots of twisting and pain, but it seems to have eased greatly. It shows the importance of stretching if you're out walking any kinds of distance, pre and post stretching keeps you flexible and gives more protection against injuries.
Back for a quick lunch, and lots of water, then it was Peel to Douglas, 10.5 miles, pushed on and completed in 1hr 59m, with no sciatic reaction.
In the evening it was off to the Welbeck for a bite to eat with Bernie, and finally get rid of her trophy I'd been carrying around for 5 days! It had a big lump of marble and was quite a weight, but she was pleased to recieve it, and manx radio were there for an interview, which will be aired on 23rd February at 6.05pm. Just Bernie and myself (mainly myself, I'm afraid, Guinness tends to loosen my tongue!) waffling on for ten minutes or so.
At the moment it's severe gales and lashing rain, and I have the morning free, so off to Rushen to do the sloc sounds like it might not happen, although if the wind stays from the south west It'll be behind me so just wrap up and enjoy it. I don't like the wind because it blows around my ears and so I can't hear my MP3 player.
Anyway, off out again, a couple of the pubs in Peel have sent out an appeal because the bars are in danger of collapsing, so they need some lads to go and prop them up... That's my excuse anyway.
Back for a quick lunch, and lots of water, then it was Peel to Douglas, 10.5 miles, pushed on and completed in 1hr 59m, with no sciatic reaction.
Saw this approaching Ballacraine from the north, the Island must have some quick horses if they have to be restricted to 60mph!
In the evening it was off to the Welbeck for a bite to eat with Bernie, and finally get rid of her trophy I'd been carrying around for 5 days! It had a big lump of marble and was quite a weight, but she was pleased to recieve it, and manx radio were there for an interview, which will be aired on 23rd February at 6.05pm. Just Bernie and myself (mainly myself, I'm afraid, Guinness tends to loosen my tongue!) waffling on for ten minutes or so.
Anyway, off out again, a couple of the pubs in Peel have sent out an appeal because the bars are in danger of collapsing, so they need some lads to go and prop them up... That's my excuse anyway.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
1st February 2010
Parish Walk 2008.
I’m writing this on the Isle of Man Ferry, we’ve just let go and are steaming down the channel out to the Irish Sea. Like most people are in cars, on board ship I’m not a good back seat passenger; I keep looking out of the window and wondering whether the officer on watch has seen that fishing boat on the starboard bow, if he knows what the safe speed is, if the lookout is really looking out or is just staring into space wondering what’s for dinner, (like I used to when I was a lookout… the most boring job in the world. 8 hours a day, looking out and telling the officer what you see, usually nothing!) Whatever, the skipper of the Ben My Chree won’t let me have a go…
Anyway, as I’m enjoying steam packets sumptuous hospitality, I’ve had my butties and flask of coffee and read my Hull Daily Mail, (Ian Ashbee, Hull City’s influential Captain for 9 years has gone to Preston North End) and of the 3 hour 30 minute trip, I now have 3 hours 27 minutes before docking so I’m going to recall what I can of the 2008 Parish.
It was wet. And windy.
That’s about it really, sums it up in a few words. I don’t recall too much about my second Parish, The wariness and nervous tension of the first one was greatly reduced, and my number was down from 674 to 74, a jump of 600 places in the seedings. Not really, above the finishers it is just about alphabetical order. Nevertheless, I wore my two figure number with pride, as it meant I was one of the 150 or so previous finishers out of the 1500 starters.
The radio was on and reports of the approaching rain was coming through, it was going to be a wet one, so I covered my feet in a whole tub of Vaseline before squidgeing my socks and trainers on, and Helen dropped me off at the start before going off to work. Once again she was working for the morning, leaving at 12 then coming to find me. There are enough feeding stations along the way to Peel for most people, if more than 1700 people start this year and 1700 support crew are stopping every 200 yards, then it will get pretty hectic. Helen finished work and waited for me at the round table, checked I was okay, then nipped off home to Peel to eat and get ready for the long afternoon and night ahead. I had brought my daughter, Lauren, along with me this time, she was 14 and a normal teenager so had to be roused from her pit at noon, but then she was up and raring to go.
The start was fine, and for the first two hours, broken cloud with occasional sunshine tried to make a liar of the weather forecasters, but approaching Ballasalla the hope ended and the skies opened. Watching it later on Sky, the cameras captured the mood well, the wettest day for years with the rain bouncing off the tarmac and running in rivers down the road. Still, it was just another obstacle, and barely brought down the mood on the hardy walkers. The most annoying thing was the motorists who thought it was funny to drive through puddles to splash walkers with dirty puddle water for their own amusement. Or am I being paranoid in thinking they were only doing it to me? I got caught a couple of times by these idiots.
One problem I had halfway up the Sloc. I was taking banana’s at most of the stops, vital energy food and useful, I thought. I only had half a dozen and ended up with stomach cramps which left me doubled up for a good ten minutes… which seemed so much longer. A lesson learned. A varied diet was necessary. You can’t just survive on your favourite food.
The rains strengthened and were joined by gale force winds which seemed to be in your face whichever direction you walked. I had adidas leggings and Hull City’s home shirt on (amber with black trim, the “Wembley” strip) and was soon soaked to the skin, and it was a case of, I’m wet through, it can’t get any worse, so keep going. It wasn’t until closer to Peel that I could change into drier gear.
Somewhere in the north, Lauren in support crew mode, waterproofs on!
After Bride the rain eased, (although it didn’t stop) and I took another chance to change to dry gear. Unfortunately I forget to put my spare socks in the car. Lesson 2 (at least!) of the day. A checklist of everything you need to pack. And check the list! That’s why it’s called a checklist. With hindsight and experience I now have separate boxes for clothes (wet and dry, cool and warm) food and drink, and a fully stocked first aid kit. All vastly overstocked, to avoid coming anywhere near to running out of anything. Two things happened there, One, as I thought I was about to put on clean dry socks into dry spare trainers, I now had to put dirty wet socks back onto my dried feet which was one of the most miserable feelings after such a long time and the high expectancy of the promised comfort. And two, I asked Helen to drive back to Peel and get my spare socks, which as she is one of the nicest people I know, she did. Without complaining. I still haven’t apologised for making her do this, and would like to thank her publicly now. And apologize for being an arse.
By this time my heel blister on my right foot which hadn’t healed properly from the year before had opened up again to make a gooey mess inside the back of my right shoe, it was late at night, around Ramsey, and it was painful again, but as Helen was off on a sock mission, I had no choice but to carry on. The usual jovial local reception at Maughold was missing due to the severe weather, and the stomp up to the Hibernian was dreary although one symptom of the rain was that no one suffered de-hydration! It was during a bad patch after Maughold that I was caught up by Michael Bonney, who I had walked with some of the way the previous year, he had finished just before me in 2007 and was sporting number 72, which was how I recognized him. Falling into line we talked through Lonan and over the next 3 or 4 hours onto the finish in the rain, sharing support, (he had a supply of jaffa cakes which I hadn’t thought of, and now carry) and avoiding wet manhole covers in case of slipping, in the tired state a slip on a wet metal drain cover could spell the end of the race with a groin strain, twisted ankle or other finishing injury. We finished with a joint time of 20 hours 7 minutes, over an hour and a half off my personal best, but vowing for a third one because the mental target now was under 20 hours, that is, a time starting with a 1. It was annoying that we were only 7 minutes outside this time. I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Michael Bonney who has so much more computer knowledge than me, because he regularly sends me excel files detailing time splits between churches, speeds, averages, and so much more after every Parish. Vital in planning for future walks. Also, at this stage our statistics were, done 2, finished 2, and our average time for 170 miles was less than a minute apart, with Michael won 1, drew 1, lost nil…. He was 1-0 up. Time to plan for the equalizer!
With Michael Bonney at the finish, a chance to get out of the rain!
The second Parish was just as good as the first, added to it the knowledge that I could complete the race, and knew what pain was to be expected. The first one was into the unknown, all the time wondering if it was possible and not really believing until after the last of the tough climbs, up to the Hibernian, with only 15 miles to go (I know I said only, it’s a figure of speech. When you’ve done 70miles, 15 miles deserves an “only”) that you know you’re going to make it. The first year I walked over the line uttering the Parish finishers mantra “never again” This year as I passed over the line to complete my second, I was already planning my third.
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One side point before I put away the ink and quills, I read a report this morning that regular exercise can delay the effects of old age, mainly Alzheimer’s and other age affected illnesses. Tests show that people who walk half an hour a day had a growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain which helps memory and logical thinking. Another reason to dust off the trainers and get out there, even if it’s just to Rushen or Peel. It has been scientifically proved to make you brainier and vastly improves logic and especially memory!
I forget where I read it though…
Sayonara Dudes!
With Lauren at the finish. Still sporting more than one chin, I still had a couple of pounds to lose!
Sunday, 30 January 2011
29th January 2010
It's been a busy day, I finished work in the early hours, a few shorts hours sleep, then off to that there London for the Centurions Annual General Meeting to pick up a few things, which didn't go quite as planned. The trip to London was the usual panic... is my passport up to date, have I had all my shots etc. When I go to London, I usually fall off the bottom of the M1 and park up at Wembley then get the tube into central London. Unfortunately, most of the tubes were cancelled for some strange reason... I blame Boris Johnson! I could get as far as Euston, then it was an unplanned 4 mile "urban jungle parish training!" incorporating some pedestrian racing which was how my walking "career" started. Walking through the town, picking a fast walking target pedestrian, then keeping in front. It should be an Olympic sport...
Anyway, I arrived a little late but was glad of the exercise, none planned for today, as I had just aquired my new pair of North Face Hedgehogs, my favourite trainers, a pair I had done not only two Parishes, my fastest two, but also the Centurion. The pair that the arse had recently fallen out of. They are lightweight, comfortable, strongly built, and are also goretex which make them shower proof keeping the feet dry. It gave me a chance to wear them in a little. I find that if you buy trainers from sports shops, then they are built as a fashion accessory and are not really made to last. I got these at Millets, where they are made for people who want to actually walk instead of just posing around town. The main conversation centres around the advantages of the Striding edge over the Swirrel edge of Helvellyn rather than which pubs you want to go in! Serious walking shoes...
At the end of the day, they are built to last, be comfortable, and do the proper job. I know they will give me a couple of years good walking, and keep my feet dry. All an added bonus.
By the by, I gratefully accepted Bernie's trophy for being the youngest Centurion, practising my Parish winners acceptance speech.. Only joking! I mumbled a few words of thanks then sat down with a free butty and a coffee, and wondered how I was going to get home! The Island was represented, not least by Centurion Committee member Charlie Weston, although during a break for refreshments I was asked by a few brothers which part of the Island I was from! I was a little disappointed to inform them that I was from Yorkshire, although having family from the Island, as I feel a kinship with the Island, I feel most comfortable there and regret not being manx. Anyhow, Yorkshire it is, for now.
Anyway, I arrived a little late but was glad of the exercise, none planned for today, as I had just aquired my new pair of North Face Hedgehogs, my favourite trainers, a pair I had done not only two Parishes, my fastest two, but also the Centurion. The pair that the arse had recently fallen out of. They are lightweight, comfortable, strongly built, and are also goretex which make them shower proof keeping the feet dry. It gave me a chance to wear them in a little. I find that if you buy trainers from sports shops, then they are built as a fashion accessory and are not really made to last. I got these at Millets, where they are made for people who want to actually walk instead of just posing around town. The main conversation centres around the advantages of the Striding edge over the Swirrel edge of Helvellyn rather than which pubs you want to go in! Serious walking shoes...
At the end of the day, they are built to last, be comfortable, and do the proper job. I know they will give me a couple of years good walking, and keep my feet dry. All an added bonus.
By the by, I gratefully accepted Bernie's trophy for being the youngest Centurion, practising my Parish winners acceptance speech.. Only joking! I mumbled a few words of thanks then sat down with a free butty and a coffee, and wondered how I was going to get home! The Island was represented, not least by Centurion Committee member Charlie Weston, although during a break for refreshments I was asked by a few brothers which part of the Island I was from! I was a little disappointed to inform them that I was from Yorkshire, although having family from the Island, as I feel a kinship with the Island, I feel most comfortable there and regret not being manx. Anyhow, Yorkshire it is, for now.
I gratefully receive this trophy, blah, blah blah...
Bernie should receive a special mention, at 29 she is by far the youngest Centurion, in a sport normally represented by veterans, and by veterans, I mean nearer my own age. It is a tremendous feat, and leaves me wondering what more she can achieve. The London Marathon coming up, but many more events in which to excell, and probably, more than possibly, a future Parish winner.
Back to work in the morning, a car carrier into Grimsby, but I'm on the ferry on Tuesday, weighed down with a fairly heavy trophy, and a few days catching up with friends and family. If anyone sees me while I'm across, mine's a guinness!
Cheers!
Thursday, 27 January 2011
27th January 2011
I haven't been feeling well for the last couple of days, I had an infection somewhere in my jaw that showed itself physically as toothache, but on an emergency visit to the dentist it appeared there was nothing amiss. Still, she drilled out a couple of my fillings and put something in to combat any infection, then closed them up. Still, it was painful, and I couldn't sleep well so was tired, and it was just work and rest. The only respite seemed to come from cycling to work, which was probably the endorphins kicking in.
Endorphins are chemicals generally produced by the brain, known as neurotransmitters. There are at least 20 different endorphins, each having a different role. With exercise, endorphins are released which make you feel better, and prolonged exercise can be strong enough to release enough to create a mild euphoria, the so called "runners high", which goes some way to explain the good feelings of Parish walkers despite the pain. Exercise endorphin release is different for everyone, and it has also been theorized that it increases with age, another possible reason why so many Parish walk finishers are in the so called "veteran" walkers group. Endorphins are also responsible for decreased feelings of pain, acting as they do on the opiate receptors of the brain and the nervous system in much the same way as morphine, although without the addictions. This goes some way to explaining my pain reduction when cycling to and from work.
As well as exercise, endorphins are released during times of stress, which is what happens during severe injury when no pain is felt. People who are injured in stressful situations often feel no pain, allowing them to get out of further danger, or help others. The pain only kicks in when the situation causing the stress is over and the endorphin levels reduce.
Whatever, exercise creates endorphins, which make you feel good. Eventually the body gets used to these feelings, making you want to exercise more. The bodies own mechanism for keeping us fit and healthy? Possibly, but it seems to work, exercise makes you healthy and happy, and more able to deal with stress.
Endorphins are also released by eating spicy food, and also chocolate, making them addictive by chemical means, meaning you have an excuse when you decide to go out for another curry or reach for that last Quality Street!
Endorphins are chemicals generally produced by the brain, known as neurotransmitters. There are at least 20 different endorphins, each having a different role. With exercise, endorphins are released which make you feel better, and prolonged exercise can be strong enough to release enough to create a mild euphoria, the so called "runners high", which goes some way to explain the good feelings of Parish walkers despite the pain. Exercise endorphin release is different for everyone, and it has also been theorized that it increases with age, another possible reason why so many Parish walk finishers are in the so called "veteran" walkers group. Endorphins are also responsible for decreased feelings of pain, acting as they do on the opiate receptors of the brain and the nervous system in much the same way as morphine, although without the addictions. This goes some way to explaining my pain reduction when cycling to and from work.
As well as exercise, endorphins are released during times of stress, which is what happens during severe injury when no pain is felt. People who are injured in stressful situations often feel no pain, allowing them to get out of further danger, or help others. The pain only kicks in when the situation causing the stress is over and the endorphin levels reduce.
Whatever, exercise creates endorphins, which make you feel good. Eventually the body gets used to these feelings, making you want to exercise more. The bodies own mechanism for keeping us fit and healthy? Possibly, but it seems to work, exercise makes you healthy and happy, and more able to deal with stress.
Endorphins are also released by eating spicy food, and also chocolate, making them addictive by chemical means, meaning you have an excuse when you decide to go out for another curry or reach for that last Quality Street!
Monday, 24 January 2011
24th january 2010
A rest day yesterday after Saturdays exhertions, although it is warm enough, (and petrol is expensive enough!) to get the bike out for work. It's 6 miles each way, and at a decent lick, about just under half an hour each way, it's an hours good exercise a day. And more calming. I'm usually a mild mannered person, but sitting in heavy traffic behind some of the idiots who managed to bluff their way into a motor vehicle gives me a mild attack of tourettes syndrome! We have a cycle path that goes most of the way from my house to King George Dock, and mp3 player on, it's relaxing, almost enjoyable. I am a little competitive though, and another cyclist on the path gives me an urge to go faster and get in front. Childish, I know, but I get a smug feeling as I pass.
During rush hours, which seem to last most of the day here, it takes a good half hour to drive to work anyway, so I'm not really losing any time.
It is a good form of cross training. Cycling works different muscles to speed walking, so the walking muscles aren't pushed so hard so have recovery time, while the body and heart are still getting their regular workout. I also go swimming once a week, another good form of cross training exercise, whilst running, not a favourite of mine, is yet another. I did refrain from cycling to work while it was icy and stalled at the sign of any cold weather so it needed a nice day to finally blow the cobwebs off the boneshaker and throw my bike clips on, but now I've been a couple of times it's all systems go. The only problem is coming home late at night. I finished work at midnight last night, and the bike home was quiet and easy, but when I arrived, I was wide awake from the exercise!
Not good when it's bedtime...
During rush hours, which seem to last most of the day here, it takes a good half hour to drive to work anyway, so I'm not really losing any time.
It is a good form of cross training. Cycling works different muscles to speed walking, so the walking muscles aren't pushed so hard so have recovery time, while the body and heart are still getting their regular workout. I also go swimming once a week, another good form of cross training exercise, whilst running, not a favourite of mine, is yet another. I did refrain from cycling to work while it was icy and stalled at the sign of any cold weather so it needed a nice day to finally blow the cobwebs off the boneshaker and throw my bike clips on, but now I've been a couple of times it's all systems go. The only problem is coming home late at night. I finished work at midnight last night, and the bike home was quiet and easy, but when I arrived, I was wide awake from the exercise!
Not good when it's bedtime...
Saturday, 22 January 2011
22nd January 2010
Waiting to go to work, listening to Hull City away at Reading. Not good listening, struggling against the home team. Still, it's early doors yet.
A good coaching session this morning. If you want to be comfortable at reasonable Parish speeds then it's good to be able to maintain high speed for shorter distances. You have to average just over 3 and a half miles an hour to finish within the 24 hours. 4mph gets you 21h 15m. 5mph gives you 17hours. So it's easy to see, a little more speed knocks good time off, and if you practise at quicker speeds then slower speeds become more comfortable over longer distances.
We did some warm up sprints, some technique, and then a timed 10k watched by the coach. Tried to keep to a 60 mins 10k to keep up the race walk style, and it seems to be coming along nicely. I can go quicker but start to lose technique, tripping over my feet and occasionally scuffing, but as I practise the speed slowly picks up. Got a 20k planned, and a possible 10 mile, then Northern area 20k for Yorkshire. I'm nowhere as fast as the young lads but in a team of four I can throw in a decent result, and there's no better experience than actual races.
Also gotta keep my elbows in. If I don't concentrate I look as if I'm trying to take off. Do'h!
A good coaching session this morning. If you want to be comfortable at reasonable Parish speeds then it's good to be able to maintain high speed for shorter distances. You have to average just over 3 and a half miles an hour to finish within the 24 hours. 4mph gets you 21h 15m. 5mph gives you 17hours. So it's easy to see, a little more speed knocks good time off, and if you practise at quicker speeds then slower speeds become more comfortable over longer distances.
We did some warm up sprints, some technique, and then a timed 10k watched by the coach. Tried to keep to a 60 mins 10k to keep up the race walk style, and it seems to be coming along nicely. I can go quicker but start to lose technique, tripping over my feet and occasionally scuffing, but as I practise the speed slowly picks up. Got a 20k planned, and a possible 10 mile, then Northern area 20k for Yorkshire. I'm nowhere as fast as the young lads but in a team of four I can throw in a decent result, and there's no better experience than actual races.
Also gotta keep my elbows in. If I don't concentrate I look as if I'm trying to take off. Do'h!
Friday, 21 January 2011
21st January 2010
My coach is organizing a session in the morning, and, although I'm on standby, hoping to nip across to Lincolnshire for a couple of hours. He's coaching a promising couple of young lads as well, teenagers who seem pretty keen, and one teenage lad who's doing 52 minute 10k's and still improving so it's good to practise on the shorter distances with someone to try and keep up with. It is satisfying to see race walking attracting youngsters into it's ranks. Walking seems to have gone through a quiet patch over the last couple of decades, and a steady upsurge is most welcome. Although here in Yorkshire the numbers are only growing gradually, they are growing, and long may it continue. I still hope to get across for the March island winter 10k, looking at the photos it's amazing to see hundreds taking part, young and old, all enjoying the walk. It's a rare sight on the mainland with not enough publicity as in most sports here.
I'm 99% certain to get across to the island on the 31st for a week, I'll be staying in Peel, and doing the usual walk to my dad's in Douglas, also planning on doing the sloc at some point with Helen, if not, she's on the route of the western 10 which is always a good back up. I've got to get back for the Yorkshire 10k though, which unfortunately is on the same day as the Island's winter league 10k. It's one or the other...
Countdown? Just over 5 months to go. A long way, but it'll soon pass. Don't overdo it at first if you are thinking of competing for the first time. I do sometimes push a little too far myself, so rest days are important. The body needs training, but it also needs to recover from this training. Push too hard and you'll find yourself slowing down, suffering from cramps and muscle fatigue, and just getting bored with getting ready and going out every day. A few days off and you'll be eager to get the trainers on and put a few miles under your belt.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
19th January 2010
Yet another hoax, fiddle, con, call it what you will, on the "health foods" account. The latest is the so called vitamin water which has claims on the bottle that it is "nutritious" and "cleansing". I've seen this in Asda, well over a pound a bottle, and it looks pretty convincing. Reality? It's made by the Coca cola company, a small bottle has the equivalent of 5 spoons of sugar in it, with barely more vitamins than other similar drinks. Not enough to be beneficial to health.
The truth is, the health food sales area is a multi billion pound industry, and the companies involved are all too keen to exploit the unwary, willing to spend extra to put something healthy on their shopping list. They exploit the law and use fancy healthy looking packaging to appeal. If they reduce their fat content by less than a few percent, they put the words "Reduced Fat" in big letters. Low fat could still be packed with salt or sugar. Whatever, it's good to learn what allowances and ingredients are healthy, and to read the packaging. Either that, or buy all fresh produce and cook from scratch...
The truth is, the health food sales area is a multi billion pound industry, and the companies involved are all too keen to exploit the unwary, willing to spend extra to put something healthy on their shopping list. They exploit the law and use fancy healthy looking packaging to appeal. If they reduce their fat content by less than a few percent, they put the words "Reduced Fat" in big letters. Low fat could still be packed with salt or sugar. Whatever, it's good to learn what allowances and ingredients are healthy, and to read the packaging. Either that, or buy all fresh produce and cook from scratch...
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
18th january 2010
Footwear.
And that's all I'm going to say on the matter.
Walking with either of these gaits can cause injury so it's a good idea to try and concentrate on countering this whilst training.
My shoes? Currently I have a pair of Mizuno Wave Harrier 3, which technically are a cross trainer for fell running, but are very light, have a very thin sole so doesn't have much cushioning, which is needed for running as it cushions the landing, but not really necessary for walking if done properly. I'm contemplating the Adizero pro, which are even lighter. I will have 2 pairs worn in and ready for the race. Just in case.
Training, just a couple of pairs of normal off the shelf trainers. As long as they fit. Alternate between the two so they dry out and stay fresh.
Sorry this is a long blog today, our lass is watching the eastenders omnibus she sky plussed, and I've already been out for a quick 8 miles this morning. Nothing else to do, really. Sorry.
Happy training!
See, still got the toe. It's in a small collection of toes that have dropped off over the last few years.
Laters.
I believe this is very important.
No, I'm only kidding! Everyone has their own opinion on footwear, everyone has different feet as well as different methods of walking, so it's not possible to state flatly which are the best walking shoes. Obviously the most important thing is that they fit. I walked my first parish in an old pair of nike air, comfortable enough although the biggest mistake I made was just after Santon I got a stone in my shoe and because all I had in mind was to keep going, it finally nestled in next to my second toe. I just took a couple of pain killers and kept going. It rained in the evening as I was passing Jurby airport and stopped before Bride, so I took an opportunity to stop and change into dry gear whilst having a nice cuppa. Socks off though, I realised maybe I should have stopped earlier. The second toe was black.
Shortly after finishing.
Helen laughed whilst picking up my discarded wet socks with a long stick and said 100% I would lose the toe. I proved her wrong by keeping it. In a small box. I still have it now although it looks a little leathery and dried out. I use it to frighten the kids...
The nail did regrow although it doesn't attach to the skin just flaps loose like a hinge, I suppose there was enough nail root for this to happen, although the nail and surrounding skin falls off after every race. It just goes to show prevention is better than cure. I now have special elasticated laces that are regulated to my shoes so that they don't require tying, allow me to slip my trainers on and off and expand when my feet swell up, which everyones do after a good few hours as water drops down an collects in the feet. A stone in my shoe now means slip it off, shake it out, and slip it back on again, hardly breaking stride. It doesn't need readjusting either. There are a few different types, I use xtenex laces, at around a fiver a pair are also good value.
http://www.xtenex.com/lace-choices.php for info.
There are three phases in the life of a pair of trainers. New footwear are built to a standard shape. I got a pair measured to my foot shape for the 2008 parish and they still weren't the right shape, had to be "worn in" so that eventually turned out to be a waste of money. Standard off the shelf trainers are fine. As they are worn, they gradually change to the shape of your feet. Depending on how peculiar the shape of your feet this could produce chaffing and blisters, so short walks are best for breaking in. I'm wearing in a new pair of boots at work at the moment and it's agony at times, but necessary. Once worn in the trainers are fine, but eventually damage to the fibres and the sole will mean they lose this shape, and although they look fine, they don't fit any more. I call this "the arse falling out of them" This is when they should be thrown away as they are no use for long distance walking. I've had a couple of cracking pairs of trainers go like this recently and it's like losing an old friend. So, get the trainers you are doing the Parish in at least a month before, and make sure they are worn in. Don't go with a comfy old favourite pair in case the arse falls out of them halfway and you end up with blisters. I usually have a couple of pairs of cheap standard off the shelf trainers for training, and separate shoes for races. I will be visiting Chris Cale at his shop, Up and Running, for another pair of race shoes when I'm across on the Island next, he has a great wealth of race walking experience and the facilities in the shop to check walking gait to find the best types necessary. I do have a slight supination which I'm trying to correct with my coach. I walk on the outside of my foot, you can tell if you suffer from this by looking at the wear on the soles of your shoes.
My shoes? Currently I have a pair of Mizuno Wave Harrier 3, which technically are a cross trainer for fell running, but are very light, have a very thin sole so doesn't have much cushioning, which is needed for running as it cushions the landing, but not really necessary for walking if done properly. I'm contemplating the Adizero pro, which are even lighter. I will have 2 pairs worn in and ready for the race. Just in case.
Training, just a couple of pairs of normal off the shelf trainers. As long as they fit. Alternate between the two so they dry out and stay fresh.
Sorry this is a long blog today, our lass is watching the eastenders omnibus she sky plussed, and I've already been out for a quick 8 miles this morning. Nothing else to do, really. Sorry.
Happy training!
Laters.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
16th January 2010
Back in Ulverston for the weekend, a couple of jobs done, and a chance to do some touristy things with friends, (friends who unfortunately came here for the museums and pubs... definitely not for the walking!) So a chance for a few days rest, (from walking) got a job bringing in a nuclear waste ship in on friday, then stand-by for the weekend in case any other ships cropped up. So, got to the Laurel and Hardy museum, visited the house where Stan Laurel was born, a bit of a pub crawl, then the Motor Museum and the James Bond museum, although we didn't have time for the Keswick Pencil Museum (unfortunately.....do'h!)
Pacific Heron, Barrow Docks.
I managed to get out on my 8.5 mile circuit at the break of dawn this morning and was surprised to see no rain at all although up at the top of the hills I walked into the clouds. I was out last night, a small sherry with the vicar and bed by nine thirty, (Lying?... Who? Me?) but any alcohol lingers in the body so was expecting to be slow. Still, it was a chance to test my new toy in the lakes so off I set. The route is only up and down, no flat bits whatsoever, but I was surprised to find it was nearly a thousand feet climb. Forgot the heart rate monitor strap so didn't get all the results, but got a good indication of my current fitness, which is better than expected, so I can afford more rest days. I don't want to peak too early this year, Build up slowly to avoid injuries.
Sun 16th, 7am training walk data
Back to Hull in the morning, (boring, flat, industrial grey Hull. Even the name sounds flat and grey!) a week off work so maybe out to the Yorkshire Wolds, the weathers milder so a chance for a good 20 miler, and also hopefully a Coaching session in Cleethorpes. My next 10k is 6th February so three weeks to work on technique and try for a new PB. I see the cancelled 10k on the Island is in March so might try and nip across for that one, and I'm off on 31st of this month which might give me a chance to get across and do some hill training, drag Helen and her other half, Kevin, up the sloc. The poor chap has been roped in as Helen's training partner as well as entering the Parish, although he's relatively fit, a runner, so we're hoping he gets up to her speed soon. We have three quarters of a team so far, still looking for someone whose confident of finishing, (who hasn't finished yet) to make a foursome. Being in a team might give another extra incentive, can't let your teammates down.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
15th January 2010
The parish is a mental challenge. More than a physical challenge. So much more. The first time I finished the Parish made me a much better person, both physical and mentally. I set out the first time, determined to walk the 85 miles. I told everyone I know that I would complete it, and the humiliation of telling everyone I'd failed spurred me on to the finish. I didn't want to face my family and friends and say that I had not completed what I'd set out to do, and this, more than all the training and preparation got me over the finish line of my goal. All the pain and suffering, no matter what it threw at me, pushed me on to the eventual prize in my mind. That's what you need to concentrate on. I set out to finish. And whatever your goal, you should set out on the start line with your goal in mind. Whether its the first church, Peel, Bride or whatever, give yourself a goal. That gives you the incentive. My incentive now, as it has been for the last four years, is to beat my goal, which is now my last result. I'm as proud of my first parish finishers trophy as much of my last, if not more. If people ask me now, what is my greatest achievement in life, my first Parish comes close to the top of my list.
Life is about goals, and you cannot think about standing on the start line thinking "Maybe I'll see how I'll do." Go for it.
If you are intending to finish, good for you. Go for it. You will suffer pain. Probably more than you've suffered before (Except maybe childbirth, I can't vouch for that. My wife says its smarts a little...) and it'll hurt for days afterwards. I had to start for a toilet break an hour beforehand the first three days after my first Parish, with the humiliation of my family laughing at me while I tried to stand up. But, when I eventually got to my feet, I was smiling, saying, "at least I'ved finished the Parish!".
It will hurt, and it will push you to your limits, but the knowledge that you have a Parish walk finishers trophy will be worth it......and so much more!
Happy training.
Life is about goals, and you cannot think about standing on the start line thinking "Maybe I'll see how I'll do." Go for it.
If you are intending to finish, good for you. Go for it. You will suffer pain. Probably more than you've suffered before (Except maybe childbirth, I can't vouch for that. My wife says its smarts a little...) and it'll hurt for days afterwards. I had to start for a toilet break an hour beforehand the first three days after my first Parish, with the humiliation of my family laughing at me while I tried to stand up. But, when I eventually got to my feet, I was smiling, saying, "at least I'ved finished the Parish!".
It will hurt, and it will push you to your limits, but the knowledge that you have a Parish walk finishers trophy will be worth it......and so much more!
Happy training.
Monday, 10 January 2011
10th January 2010
Feeling better today, so got out for a quick 6.5 mile lap, keeping above 5.2mph/11min 30secs per mile, heart rate steady at 135, so not too bad despite being well wrapped up and a layer of ice on the road. Working later on this evening so I'll have an hours session on the treadmill this afternoon for some cardio whilst catching up on recorded weekend telly. The treadmill only goes up to 15% incline so I've propped up the front with a piece of timber to give it more incline. This means that it still has an incline when it's level, but it's there for fitness so never mind.
I see that some people have started Parish training, using sundays to put a decent couple of hours walking in. Make sure that you take enough drinks. It's recommended that you should weigh yourself naked, (we won't look, honest!) then put in an hours walk without taking any food or water, and (after towelling the sweat off) weigh yourself again. The more accurate the scales the better, if it goes down to fractions of kilo's then all well and good. The difference in weight is the amount of water you have lost. (1 kilo = 1 litre) This, in turn, is the amount of drinks you need per hour of walking to replace water lost. There isn't any real need to take expensive sports drinks, at about a pound apiece they are pretty much a waste of money. A good balanced diet will replace most vitamins and minerals lost through sweating. Get a drinks bottle, use 10% ribena (there are other fruit squash drinks on the market!) to 90% water, and this is perfectly good. If, after you've been training, you have that tell tale "tide mark" around the sweat on your training gear that shows you've been losing sodium (salt) then you can put a quarter level teaspoon of sea salt into the drink mix. Not table salt, which is iodized and refined so actually contains just salt but has all the beneficial minerals removed. Sea salt is rich in minerals including nitrates and potassium which are sweated out and are necessary minerals, and because of this contains less actual salt than table salt. Oh, and don't get your teaspoons and table spoons mixed up.
Obviously more water is lost when you push harder during training, when it gets warmer outside, (soon, I hope!) and when you wear more clothing. Less water is lost when your fitness levels rise and your body uses less energy for the same results, so therefore you need to do the above weight/water loss test quite regularly. This will also give you an indication on your fitness levels. If you find you're losing less water, it shows that your body is using less energy to do the same work, i.e. your training is paying off!
Cheers!
I see that some people have started Parish training, using sundays to put a decent couple of hours walking in. Make sure that you take enough drinks. It's recommended that you should weigh yourself naked, (we won't look, honest!) then put in an hours walk without taking any food or water, and (after towelling the sweat off) weigh yourself again. The more accurate the scales the better, if it goes down to fractions of kilo's then all well and good. The difference in weight is the amount of water you have lost. (1 kilo = 1 litre) This, in turn, is the amount of drinks you need per hour of walking to replace water lost. There isn't any real need to take expensive sports drinks, at about a pound apiece they are pretty much a waste of money. A good balanced diet will replace most vitamins and minerals lost through sweating. Get a drinks bottle, use 10% ribena (there are other fruit squash drinks on the market!) to 90% water, and this is perfectly good. If, after you've been training, you have that tell tale "tide mark" around the sweat on your training gear that shows you've been losing sodium (salt) then you can put a quarter level teaspoon of sea salt into the drink mix. Not table salt, which is iodized and refined so actually contains just salt but has all the beneficial minerals removed. Sea salt is rich in minerals including nitrates and potassium which are sweated out and are necessary minerals, and because of this contains less actual salt than table salt. Oh, and don't get your teaspoons and table spoons mixed up.
Obviously more water is lost when you push harder during training, when it gets warmer outside, (soon, I hope!) and when you wear more clothing. Less water is lost when your fitness levels rise and your body uses less energy for the same results, so therefore you need to do the above weight/water loss test quite regularly. This will also give you an indication on your fitness levels. If you find you're losing less water, it shows that your body is using less energy to do the same work, i.e. your training is paying off!
Cheers!
Sunday, 9 January 2011
9th January 2010
Still suffering, keeping it under control with high strength cold and flu capsules, ginger tea and lots of drinks. I've managed to keep working but have taken an enforced rest for a couple of days which is a shame because I was due to race in a 10k in York this morning and was confident of knocking a couple of minutes off my personal best, and with my new toy I could have analyzed the race at leisure later on. My next race is not for another few weeks, maybe I can kill two birds etc and get across to the island for one of the winter walking league 10k's. I see one has been rearranged for March which might make for a quick weekend trip across, and with a couple before then maybe I'll have to start rearranging my diary. I am planning to get across for a week at the end of this month, hoping to pack some butties and a flask to do the sloc from Rushen church to Peel for a good training walk.
Weighed myself this morning, having kept strictly to my planned diet, roughly keeping to 500 calories below daily allowance and at least 5 miles a day at 5mph, and was surprised to find I'd dropped 4 and a quarter pounds of christmas excess, so the sensible eating, daily exercise and CLA seem to be working Kerry! I have a set of the weight watchers scales which measure body fat and body water amongst others and it seems to have gone from the right areas as well. I'm keeping to the reduced calories during the week and eating normally at weekends which become a treat day. I'm unfortunate to have a metabolism which stores fat easily so it's easy for me to put the weight on, difficult to get rid, but after a while the stomach learns what's going on and it gets easier to keep to a sensible regime, after a while fast foods and fatty titbits start to become unpalatable. It was my youngest daughters 14th birthday yesterday, and she decided to order KFC for her and her friends. It's funny how being civilised in the modern era means eating food from "buckets". I did have a piece, (my only slip of the week, but it did smell tasty) but took one bite and tasted only the fat. Saturated fat at work, keeping it inexpensive, "tasty" and dangerous. It was her birthday treat though so I couldn't deny her.
Anyway, I'm hoping to feel well enough to get out for a good 10 mile walk in the morning. I broke my MP3 player, one that I've had for years. It was old and tatty but I knew how to work it, and I'd carried it on four parish walks so I'm a little annoyed, and I've had to learn how to put podcasts on my phone. Which made my brain hurt a little.
Weighed myself this morning, having kept strictly to my planned diet, roughly keeping to 500 calories below daily allowance and at least 5 miles a day at 5mph, and was surprised to find I'd dropped 4 and a quarter pounds of christmas excess, so the sensible eating, daily exercise and CLA seem to be working Kerry! I have a set of the weight watchers scales which measure body fat and body water amongst others and it seems to have gone from the right areas as well. I'm keeping to the reduced calories during the week and eating normally at weekends which become a treat day. I'm unfortunate to have a metabolism which stores fat easily so it's easy for me to put the weight on, difficult to get rid, but after a while the stomach learns what's going on and it gets easier to keep to a sensible regime, after a while fast foods and fatty titbits start to become unpalatable. It was my youngest daughters 14th birthday yesterday, and she decided to order KFC for her and her friends. It's funny how being civilised in the modern era means eating food from "buckets". I did have a piece, (my only slip of the week, but it did smell tasty) but took one bite and tasted only the fat. Saturated fat at work, keeping it inexpensive, "tasty" and dangerous. It was her birthday treat though so I couldn't deny her.
Anyway, I'm hoping to feel well enough to get out for a good 10 mile walk in the morning. I broke my MP3 player, one that I've had for years. It was old and tatty but I knew how to work it, and I'd carried it on four parish walks so I'm a little annoyed, and I've had to learn how to put podcasts on my phone. Which made my brain hurt a little.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
6th January 2010.
I've got man flu. A 4 mile walk round the block in the cold was mildly uncomfortable, hopefully sweated some of it out, I have to go to work in an hour, I know it's serious but with luck I'll survive until the next blog, but if I don't reappear, you know what's wrong.
(cough, cough...... sniff)
Bye now.
(cough, cough...... sniff)
Bye now.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
5th January 2010
I managed to get out for a quick trip round the block with the new "toy", (1.33miles according to the results!) and was very impressed. Loving the mile indicator, a beep and vibrate, useful if your wearing earphones, and a visible readout of speed and minutes per mile. Constant timing and heart rate information, almost too much to be honest, but i've got time to get used to it.
As soon as I walked in the unit communicates wirelessly with the laptop and downloads the information (before I had taken my wet shoes off, almost as if it was rushing to prove a point!) and I was left with a full page with a map of the route, distance, times, heart rates, places I slowed down and sped up, elevation, (the back of the house is 2 feet lower than the front where I started my walk) and many others, all cross correlated to give graphs, tables and sheets of information I could study all day. All this from a 15 minute walk round the block! It's definitely going to be fun using it, going to give me confidence, even the walk round the block in the rain and wrapped up, not rushing, averaged 5.18mph, and with an "Active Virtual Partner" mode which puts you up against someone a little faster than you, can do my training no harm at all.
If you are serious about training, I recommend one of these products. There are a few different types available, and with christmas come and gone maybe ebay has 2nd hand ones for a lot less. Mine was quite expensive, but I can pass results over the internet to all interested parties for analysis, and I walk alone so it gives me constant updsates where usually my mind can wander. It also has a guaranteed minimum 20 hour battery (if operated on correct settings) which gives me another Parish target... finish before the battery runs out! Serious walking can be smoothed out and analyzed and now its not just a case of going out for a walk and hoping it's worthwhile.
I'm not at work til midday so i'm off out for a longer walk.
Bye!
As soon as I walked in the unit communicates wirelessly with the laptop and downloads the information (before I had taken my wet shoes off, almost as if it was rushing to prove a point!) and I was left with a full page with a map of the route, distance, times, heart rates, places I slowed down and sped up, elevation, (the back of the house is 2 feet lower than the front where I started my walk) and many others, all cross correlated to give graphs, tables and sheets of information I could study all day. All this from a 15 minute walk round the block! It's definitely going to be fun using it, going to give me confidence, even the walk round the block in the rain and wrapped up, not rushing, averaged 5.18mph, and with an "Active Virtual Partner" mode which puts you up against someone a little faster than you, can do my training no harm at all.
If you are serious about training, I recommend one of these products. There are a few different types available, and with christmas come and gone maybe ebay has 2nd hand ones for a lot less. Mine was quite expensive, but I can pass results over the internet to all interested parties for analysis, and I walk alone so it gives me constant updsates where usually my mind can wander. It also has a guaranteed minimum 20 hour battery (if operated on correct settings) which gives me another Parish target... finish before the battery runs out! Serious walking can be smoothed out and analyzed and now its not just a case of going out for a walk and hoping it's worthwhile.
I'm not at work til midday so i'm off out for a longer walk.
Bye!
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
4th January 2010
Been a busy couple of days at work, although been lucky enough to get out for a quick 5 mile, sub 1 hour circuits, not training, just wake up, circulation starting, metabolism shake up stuff. Diet going well, being honest in the diary although the cook down at Spurn Point where we picked up the inbound ship had done a delicious smelling beef stew, took a lot of willpower but ended up with a banana, home made flapjack, and a green tea. Weights dropping nicely though, and feel good.
Got home about 7 to find my christmas present to myself had arrived! I've been mainly training with a wrist mounted heart rate monitor, which, along with the university readings, helped me work out calories burned and liquid required. When I did the Centurion with Bernie Ball, she had a wrist mounted GPS which showed her speed and time per mile. I thought this was a good idea. Then, in the End to End, Richard Gerrard had a similar GPS, which showed us when we were slowing down and needed to pick up, but generally kept us informed of our rate, not too slowly, and quicker when we needed it. I started checking around, and decided on the Garmin Forerunner 310XT, and have just spent 3 hours setting it up. I'm like a kid with a new toy (literally!) and even though it's nearly midnight, I'm contemplating putting my trainers on and doing a quick 5 mile circuit. But, it's icy, late, I've had a glass of JD (120 calories for a large one, it all goes in the diary!) and work at lunchtime tomorrow, time for an early walk and I'll let you know how it goes. Probably all software gone t's up and frustration, we'll see.
Cheers, and goodnight!
Got home about 7 to find my christmas present to myself had arrived! I've been mainly training with a wrist mounted heart rate monitor, which, along with the university readings, helped me work out calories burned and liquid required. When I did the Centurion with Bernie Ball, she had a wrist mounted GPS which showed her speed and time per mile. I thought this was a good idea. Then, in the End to End, Richard Gerrard had a similar GPS, which showed us when we were slowing down and needed to pick up, but generally kept us informed of our rate, not too slowly, and quicker when we needed it. I started checking around, and decided on the Garmin Forerunner 310XT, and have just spent 3 hours setting it up. I'm like a kid with a new toy (literally!) and even though it's nearly midnight, I'm contemplating putting my trainers on and doing a quick 5 mile circuit. But, it's icy, late, I've had a glass of JD (120 calories for a large one, it all goes in the diary!) and work at lunchtime tomorrow, time for an early walk and I'll let you know how it goes. Probably all software gone t's up and frustration, we'll see.
Cheers, and goodnight!
Sunday, 2 January 2011
2nd Jan 2010
By now everyone should be over the effects of the new year revelries, and at least 50% of the country will have abandoned the new years resolutions. It's difficult here because the majority of people think chocolate in some form is a good present, so the house looks like a branch of Thornton's. Temptation, but stayed firm so far.
I'll be back at work in the morning on the Humber, a long day, little exercise, and a seemingly endless supply of coffee which I'll try and avoid. Caffeine has a dehydrating effect, so the body, whilst taking on liquids in the shape of the coffee itself, loses water. this in turn makes you feel peckish, as I've said earlier, one of the early side effects of dehydration is feeling hungry. I'll have a couple of home made flapjacks in my bag, a couple of bottles of water, and maybe some glucose tablets for energy.
As for exercise, I'll be getting up an hour early and a brisk 5 miles to the papershop and back, kick everything off and wake me up.
If you are taking part in the Parish for the first time and haven't exercised in a while, it's a good idea to have a check up. Particular attention should be paid to blood pressure and cholesterol levels, a normal healthy adult on the outside can be different on the inside. If you are starting training now, (there are still almost 6 months to go so plenty of time) or are just inproving your current health in preparation, good fitting walking shoes and loose-ish clothing to allow the skin to breath, if you haven't exercised in a while there will be sweat. Build up gradually with short managable distances and rest every three or four days, or whenever you feel pain in the muscles or joints. Pushing too hard can cause long term damage. Warm up with stretches, especially hamstrings, calves and quads, and don't start straight off at a gallop, walk slowly and build up over a few minutes to get the blood circulating and warm up the muscles. On nearing the end of your walk, ease off and let the muscles cool off gradually, and a few more stretches when you've finished. Take enough water, and drink in sips, not all at once.
If possible, you should be panting slightly and sweating a little (not gasping for breath, turning purple or getting dizzy, these are clues that you are trying too hard.) to benefit. Gradually building up over the weeks will push you further and make it easier.
One more thing. try and find a like minded person to train with. You can motivate each other on those days when it looks cold and grey and you don't feel like bothering.
I'll be back at work in the morning on the Humber, a long day, little exercise, and a seemingly endless supply of coffee which I'll try and avoid. Caffeine has a dehydrating effect, so the body, whilst taking on liquids in the shape of the coffee itself, loses water. this in turn makes you feel peckish, as I've said earlier, one of the early side effects of dehydration is feeling hungry. I'll have a couple of home made flapjacks in my bag, a couple of bottles of water, and maybe some glucose tablets for energy.
As for exercise, I'll be getting up an hour early and a brisk 5 miles to the papershop and back, kick everything off and wake me up.
If you are taking part in the Parish for the first time and haven't exercised in a while, it's a good idea to have a check up. Particular attention should be paid to blood pressure and cholesterol levels, a normal healthy adult on the outside can be different on the inside. If you are starting training now, (there are still almost 6 months to go so plenty of time) or are just inproving your current health in preparation, good fitting walking shoes and loose-ish clothing to allow the skin to breath, if you haven't exercised in a while there will be sweat. Build up gradually with short managable distances and rest every three or four days, or whenever you feel pain in the muscles or joints. Pushing too hard can cause long term damage. Warm up with stretches, especially hamstrings, calves and quads, and don't start straight off at a gallop, walk slowly and build up over a few minutes to get the blood circulating and warm up the muscles. On nearing the end of your walk, ease off and let the muscles cool off gradually, and a few more stretches when you've finished. Take enough water, and drink in sips, not all at once.
If possible, you should be panting slightly and sweating a little (not gasping for breath, turning purple or getting dizzy, these are clues that you are trying too hard.) to benefit. Gradually building up over the weeks will push you further and make it easier.
One more thing. try and find a like minded person to train with. You can motivate each other on those days when it looks cold and grey and you don't feel like bothering.
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