Not quite 50 miles

I had a plan, and like most of my plans it went oot the windae!!

Even being on holiday there was not enough hours in the day. 3 trips to the gym and 44 miles running wasn't too shabby I think.

Got my plan at the gym, I'm expected to do 20 mins on a Xtrainer? I didn't think it possible but so far have survived it twice. Hill sessions on the dreadmill after a run up the Carrick hills.. pretty sore on the legs. I have 2000m of rowing to do, now I really don't like these machines and I struggle to get my head round why I would want to row anywhere (or nowhere) but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Did meet Tim twice through the week for a wee jaunt up the Carrick hills, 8 miles of muck, bogs, sheep shit & cow pats not to mention the VERY steep hill at the top. Only managed about 20m before collapsing in a heap. Tim got farther. Aim is to be able to get to the top without stopping. I'm not holding my breath!

Wednesday went up the wind farm with Munro. The weather was piss poor and didn't see another soul (except workers) Managed 15 miles at an even pace and we didn't get lost once.

One mucky dog!!

Dreich!!

Thursday night we drove to Peterhead and I deliberately didn't pack running gear. I'm resting my weary legs and sore back. Walking Munro has been my only exercise. It's good to rest.

Peterhead

However I am planning a 25-30 mile run on Monday on my fresh legs. I haven't decided on a route yet, maybe stick to the RAW or find myself somewhere new altogether. Decisions decisions.

1 out of 2 aint bad!

Talking about my weekend races. This is the only weekend of the year I race 2 consecutive days, to be honest I'm lucky if I hit double figures with races over the12 months, so it's obvious this was going to hurt. I'm not very good at going fast and to me fast is anything under a 9 min mile.

The thing I enjoy most about ultra's is the lack of need for speed, I don't need to feel like I'm bursting a gut up hill and down hill. If it hurts I tend to back off. But not this weekend!!

On Sat I arrived at Callander park in plenty time to get soaked in the mid day drizzle. The park was resembling a bit of a bog in places.. oh yess this is going to be fun. I done a little warm up, kind of hard to run in my furry snow boots but I managed. Had to get to the loo, just as everyone was lining up.. but made it to the back of the pack in time to take up my usual place.
Of we go and by the time we reach the top of the hill I'm in last place.. oh the joys, seems I always have to be there at some point. The paths on the first half of the route are pretty narrow and I was unable to get through so I just kept pace with folks in front and found more room after the biggish hill. After that, for me it was a case of running as hard as possible and try not to loose places. Got passed after the last short sharp hill, I truly thought I was dying and was pleading with my legs to keep going. Then had to ask myself why was I letting someone get away from me on a downhill? hey that doesn't make sense. Only had the run in to catch up, which I did. Was well chuffed I didn't give up, but missed beating last years time by 27 secs. Disappointed slightly in that.
Sat night Bryan took me out for a wee pub meal and couple of beers, not sure if it was to celebrate or comiserate but hey it was a nice gesture.

Then to Sunday, Kirky 12.5k. My 4th time round this route. Sore legs to start with but I was feeling ok. Kept my eyes on folks in front trying to reel them in. I managed quite well with my mile splits being no more than 20 secs apart for the whole 7 miles. Beat last years time & 2007 but still 2 mins outside 2006. Ahh well.

Once home we walked to the gym with all our ID.. ever tried joing a local authority gym? geeze it's easier getting your Hort1 paperwork together!! but none the less, we arrived laden down with photo work pass's, payslips, utility bills, direct debit forms, joining forms and a cheque for our joining fee. We leave with our little members badges and a feeling a of well being.
Tonight we have our induction. I don't require one as a past member but Bryan does so I'll just tag along and remind myself what a gym looks like. I have to book my hour with the trainer to get my own plan made up.. looking forward to it.

This week so far only 13 miles under my belt, was hoping for 50. Planned 8 up the Carrick hills tomo then it'll be a few longer plods. Oh and the gym in between.

Gym or not to Gym?

No idea where I'm going with my training so far. Thought I would mix it up over winter, add some hill runs and speed work. Somehow I'm not finding this very motivating. My mileage has really dropped and so has my fitness.
Usual low mood with the nightshift week although I did manage to get out for a couple of runs. Trouble is nothing has picked up from there.
Have done 2 LSR's. 17.5 and 20.5 no great shakes and the 20 on the WHW was hard, probably due to the different terrain and I was getting dragged by the dog, too many sheep to let him off, I guess I just didn't get the opportunity to relax. After about 6 miles I just couldn't be arsed and was going to turn back, but then remembered it had taken me 2 bloody hours in rush hour traffic to get there.. so on I plodded. Turned back just outside Tyndrum. Pace was steady from start to finish but mentaly I struggled.

I know they say recovery is important but I've been taking 2 days between each run, think that's more like taking the piss!!
Will manage to get my 30 miles in this week. Next week (fri - fri) I'm looking at 50 with no LSR, concentrate more on 8 - 15 miles runs. On hoilday so have no time constraints.
Going to club tonight as I haven't seen folks for a while, legs are all chaffed from yesterday's LSR so will be interesting! Have a x country race sat and 7 mile hilly road run sun. Looking forward to both but a bit apprehensive about how I'm going to do. Each year I try to beat my previous years time.. so far failed.

Now back to the title, have been considering.. on and off, blowing hot and cold, thinking yeah and nae for a good while now about joining the gym. Our local authority one is 400 meters from my door and has a huge gym as well as pool/sauna etc. All classes included within Gold membership (except yoga??) hmm should I? I feel I'd benefit from some structured weight training, also when I don't feel like running I can enjoy some other form of exercise. Any time I joined a gym in the past I have always felt 'I don't fit in' not sure I'll fit in any better now in my more advanced couldn't give a shit years! Difference is at least now I know what I want to achieve and it has nothing to do with loosing 10lbs in 2 weeks!! other half thinks it's a good idea, as he doesn't run this is something we could do together :-) sweet!

Perhaps I'll walk over for a joining form.