Review Of 2011

Goal Review 2011

These are the goals I set last year round about this time

Pollok 10k - Sub 42  (May)- didn’t enter race
Carluke 10k- Sub 44  (June) - didn’t enter race
Ultra Marathon- Finishing  (July)- stopped at 30 miles leg cramps
1000 miles- with a 3 month rest (July-Sept)- did 1006 miles

Well a different year for racing, due to the ultra training and the slower pace I felt that entering the 10k would be a waste.  The other two goals one was partly met and the other met;

The ultra was a new experience for me and I have learned loads and I also feel confident about the training, the pacing, the hydration. I am looking forward to finishing it.

In November I did Strathaven 10k just to get a race in and to judge how much I had slowed with the ultra training.  Although I did it in a personal worse time of 43.04, it wasn’t too bad considering I had done no speed training.

December saw me running the Jogscotland 5k at Strathclyde Park- 21.46, again a personal worse but again not too bad.  So this year I ran;

• Clyde Stride Ultra Marathon – June (stopped at 30 miles)
• Strathaven 10k November- 43.04
• Jogscotland 5k December- 21.46

I ran 1006 miles

Injury wise, I did quite well;

April 5 days with injured eye

Sept 9 days with injured toe

Both of which were a result of carelessness and totally unaffected with running one with a computer cable and the other with a couch in a dark room!

Health wise, I did well

Dec- had a cough for a few days

Overall, a very good year running wise – so now looking forward to next year;

March- Cambuslang 10k (incorporating speed training)

May- Monklands Half Marathon- (dependant on training schedule)

June- Strathearn Marathon

July- Clyde Stride Ultra Marathon

November- Strathaven 10k

Looking forward to the challenges….

allan

November Review

Hiya,

Not too bad a month 65 miles, adding to the yearly total of 949 miles.  The snow is on the way too!!  I am enjoying the jog scotland which is guaranteeing a wednesday run with some company.  I have a 5k today which I haven't run this racedistance for 6 years- so no PBs in mind.

Did a PW at Strathaven 10k which was hardly unexpected due to my difference in training with the ultra.  43mins so not too bad- gives me a target for next year.

Getting into a better routine with the runs and the new job!  So all good.

Loooking forward to running with the christmas hat on today 22.50 target.

cheers

allan

October Review

A better month for mileage; 68 miles, not great due to the change of job.

Overall, 886 miles for the year, so 1000 miles looks very avhievable.  This week was not great mileage only managing out tomora Sunday.  However, should manage 4 runs next week- so back on track.

A PW at Strathaven 10k last week 43.04, which was hardly unexpected dut to training limitations and transition from ultra training.  However, claer plans being formulated for next year;

• March 10k 
• May Monklands1/2 Marathon Marathon
• June Strathearn Marathon
• July Clyde Stride
• Nov Strathaven 10k

Cheers

allan

September Review

Well a much quieter month mileage wise- 26 miles!!  A bit of a struggle due to various factors namely a 'nearly broken' toe which lost me two weeks and starting a new job with no showering facilities.

I have now managed to get back on track with a sort of routine, which has meant I managed three runs this week which hopefully will keep me on track form my plus 1000 miles year.

cheers
allan

August Review

A much quieter month mileage wise 57.89.  I was enjoying the fact I didn't have to run which is quite a good feeling after all the ultra training.  Although I have now signed up for the strathaven 10k and the Tinto hill race in November.

So there is now an added incentive to include speed sessions and hill work- just the motivation I needed.

I did a training run up Tinto two weeks ago and it was so hard.  38 minutes up and 18 minutes down and very very sore legs for the next 4 days!

I am now including cycling sessions into my training to improve my hill work.

Clyde Stride- My First Ultra!!!!!!!- Nearly

Hiya,

Just back from the Clyde Stride.  I didn't quite manage the full race dropping out at the 3rd checkpoint -30 miles.  The cramps in my calfs were preventing me even walking to finish it- the were crippling!  This is something I have never had before and one I don't want to have again.

On reflection there were a few things I could have done differently;

• More longer runs trying to get my long run up to 5 hours
• A slower 1st leg I did the 1st 10 miles in 8-8.30min mile- despite planning on 9 min mile pace
• Made arrangement for water replenishment at the 1st checkpoint

I still enjoyed the race and know I could do it.  My original plan was to do this for my 40th so in effect I have done a recce of the parts of the race I was unfamiliar with.

It was also good to catch up with the Strathearn Harriers it was a pleasant surprise to see them, many of which I haven't seen for years the two phils and the two Lizs.

If I felt I could have finished I think I would be more disappointed , although given the cramps there was no way I could- so good experience and there is always next year.

cheers

allan

June Review

Well another month away and now 2 weeks before the big race.  I have done 123 miles this month with the last two weeks having pretty low mileage for a few reasons.  The first being I am now pretty fed up with the long runs and the need to run, rather than the desire.  The second being I have been quite busy at work, also the running is impacting on time with Liam, especially the long runs.

I have came to the conclusion that I can run 20 miles quite comfortably in about 4 hours witout much pain.  The next 10 miles will be tough and the next 10 will be even tougher.   However the last 20 miles in in 'my own territory' I am used to the route and I can walk/jog the end.

I am looking forwar to it or should I say the end of it:!!

cheers

allan