Recovery

After my exertions last weekend I wondered about my recovery. Having read so much about train, race, recover etc I always feel kind of  'out the loop' as I have never noticed anything in particular that gives me the big.. ohh so that's what they mean.
So.. as ever I decided to do my own thing, ie.. follow nothing that I have read. So Monday I nip over to the gym with Bryan in the evening. If we go together it is usually only for an hour, so an easy 20 mins on the X trainer, 15 on the treadmill, a little rowing and cycling and I was feeling well warmed up, my legs were not aching so all was good.

Tuesday I decided to again visit the gym but this time on my own in the afternoon. 30 mins X trainer (little 'Satan' my trainer reckoned as I hate it so much it will surley do me good to do more and added an extra 10 mins onto my X train session) then 15 mins on the treadmill, Satan again upping my effort but not the pace.. most folks hold on when the belt inclines this high!! He also noticed what I didn't, the beginning of the dreaded Bingo Wings... oh to f88k.. old age doesn't come alone. So I got another add on of 15 mins on this arm rowing thing. Geeze it was sore. He reckons this will help before I start on my weights plan in a few weeks. Then it was onto my favourite, the rowing machine, I'm learning to cope with that. The bike to finish. I'm told this is my warm down. 2 hours later and probably weighing a stone less I plod home.

So now feeling like I've had enough recovery Wednesday sees me up the windfarm with Munro. I was planning 7 or 8 miles. It was, to say the least uneventful. We plodded, legs were not great but not bad either. They have closed of Spine road up the windfarm. Now it was named SPINE RD as it is the spine of which all the tracks lead off. So they close it of and guess what happens? your going no where!!! out a track..oops, back I go. Out another track.. oops back I go..etc etc. So I thought F this. I had parked on Spine Rd (the signs were only facing one way, the other way) and had to get back to the car so plodded along the now off limits Spine Rd. Only got about 1 mile when Mr Jobsworth himself stops to inform me the road is closed. Why I enquire. Appears they are expanding the farm and there will be trucks on the road. Oh I think.. trucks, not gonna see one of them coming. Thanks I smile but I'll take my chances. The windfarm is desolate and you can see a toad cross at 100m. Alas it is now off my training routes as it is of no use anymore.

Thursday, I think because the weather was nice and I didn't want to miss out (earlyshift) we set off almost as soon as I got home. Down to Catrine to run along the RAW. It has been a while since I was last on this section and for the life of me couldn't remember what the path was like.. how much road etc.
It is a pretty good bit for the dog, no open fields and few with sheep in them. The path was good and bits have been repaired. As my memory demisted I remembered roughly where I was going & the miles. I was not expecting to run fast but my pace was pretty dismal and my legs on the return leg had given up and gone to sleep. Needless to say the last few miles were challenging especially the road section just outside Mauchline. Once back into the trees and nicer trails I felt better.

As I was feeling so bloody miserable and sore I decided to have Friday off and gym Saturday. Now there is no point making plans if you can't break them. So after a nice long lie in and leisurely do nothing Saturday morning I had to head to work. No gym, no run. Oh I can live with the guilt.

Today is one of my added rest days (we get these as we work 7 days on 2 off) so I was up early, then pretty miffed to discover it wasn't that early.. forgot about the clocks going forward. I decided not to take Munro with me but to go a road run. I haven't done this loop in over a year and was actually quite looking forward to it. Set off steady, sped up in the middle miles.. quickest part as always is crossing the 4 lanes of the A77!! then the downhill return back towards Kilmarnock. By mile 8 my tummy was cramping, I was out in the open with my bright pink T shirt on.. no diving behind a hedge today. The last 3 miles were paced as per tummy cramps. My legs were starting to tire a bit here to but all in I was happy with the run.

I have 2 more days off so my plans .. Monday 12 miles Sorn to Airds Moss and back gym in the evening.. Tuesday 20 miles Failford to Auchencruive and back. Both good paths for Munro :)

Then Wednesday gym or 8 miles before I start 7 night shifts.. now that is what I call a recovery week :)

The D33

It all looks and feels so different 2 days later.

We didn't arrive in Peterhead till very early 0030 sat morning. Tried to get as much sleep as possible as I was shattered after the long drive. Back up earlyish, think about 7. Weetabix, gear on and had a banana on the drive to Aberdeen.
We arrived pretty late and I'm sure one of the last to register but I wasn't much fussed by that, felt nervous enough without adding extra worry. Met Shettleston Bob whilst hanging around the start area. Munro didn't behave well and I'll certainly not have him in such a large crowd again.

I only managed to get my trousers off when everyone started off up the hill for the race briefing. I joined in at the back. Met Anne & Bobby, 2 other Torts. A wee blether and good luck offered and we were off.
(Anne won the senior vet trophy, well done you were an inspiration as always)

I had my plan, to run slow and steady, hopefull of keeping all splits pretty even. I set my garmin to distance only so I couldn't check my pace. I was as usual one of the last out the park. Settled in chatting to the Legend that is Ray McCurdy, the first few miles flew by gossiping away and hearing his plans and past adventures. I soon had to stop for a pee.. and when I caught him back up he was wanting to walk so on I plodded.

Had 6 hours worth of perpetuem in my bottle although my thoughts were I would take around 6hrs 30. The only other food I was carrying was a bar of tablet just in case I needed a sugar rush. I usually have Nuun tablets in my water but decided to go without and hope the perpetuem would be all I needed. I was taking the smallest sip every mile as my garmin beeped. This as it turned out was probably too much too often as I ended up having to dilute what I had left at 27 miles.


I was not making much headway at all at catching people until about 11 miles, eventually slowly picking folks off and heating up (I was frozen in that wind), took my jacket off and gave it to Bryan at some point where he was waiting to shout me on. By the halfway point I was plodding on feeling not to bad at all and still gradually catching people. As always when you feel good, it doesn't last too long and soon felt the rub rub rub of my rucksack on my neck, oh it was sore, I've used it all winter, but always with a jacket or fleece etc, this was the first time with just a T shirt, shall have to do some major re jigging of the straps. Soon met Bryan a couple of miles after the turn and had to unload my bag. Tablet and all. Now left with the remains of my perpetuem and a bottle of water. Not comfortable to run with both hands full.


I was soon back into my pace but think this is where I went wrong. I had previously been feeling good, the miles were disappearing but I was starting to feel ill at ease, I wasn't hurting or trying.. back at the start of this race I state this is to be a training run, but I lost all confidence in myself and my belief  that I was doing the right thing. I doubted my ability to continue the pace... no idea why..  started thinking all the negatives ... oh how am I going to manage 95 miles if I'm so slow over just 30.. yikes.. what the hell was I thinking about???

Anyway for the next few miles I pick up the pace, I'm feeling good and I now know I'm trying, then the bloody wheels start buckling about mile 24 and I have a whole load of new issues to contend with. Ahh the joys of ultra running.
On I plod noticeably slowing down and legs starting to ache.. never mind not too far.

Then some daft cow driving like a maniac on a wee back road (wheels spinning) almost gave me the fright of my life, well let me say I fair gave the back of her motor a whole load of abuse, then she stopped 40 yards up the road to turn into a house, has the cheek to tell me I shouldn't be on the road, f**ing stupid fat bint didn't know what pavement rage looked like.. you do not piss me off  20 odd miles into a run and expect to come off looking good. So not only did I give her a delicate little earful of who should be on the road I fumed for the next 2 or 3 bloody miles.

By the time I stopped ranting I think I was down to about 5 miles to go. Determined not to walk I plodded even slower than ever. Still somehow managing to catch folks. I kept going by a guy who was run/walking. I seemed to get in front at last with less than 3 miles to go when who should appear at my shoulder? Wullie fae Harmeny (again) and another guy from Millbank I think his team were. So we three together decided the last few miles would be ran together. I gave up, oh on yous go, but no they stayed, Wullie gave up, oh on yous go, but no, we stayed. The last mile we picked the pace up and I was more than surprised that after my slow plodding I was finding the faster pace easyish and quite doable. Note for future.. you only think your knackered.

A big thanks to the guys who got me to the end and to George Karen & all the marshalls.. a great race :)

Like I said it all looks different 2 days later...   and recovered enough to get to the gym tonight!!

Finish time I think.. 5:58

The D33

It all looks and feels so different 2 days later.

We didn't arrive in Peterhead till very early 0030 sat morning. Tried to get as much sleep as possible as I was shattered after the long drive. Back up earlyish, think about 7. Weetabix, gear on and had a banana on the drive to Aberdeen.
We arrived pretty late and I'm sure one of the last to register but I wasn't much fussed by that, felt nervous enough without adding extra worry. Met Shettleston Bob whilst hanging around the start area. Munro didn't behave well and I'll certainly not have him in such a large crowd again.

I only managed to get my trousers off when everyone started off up the hill for the race briefing. I joined in at the back. Met Anne & Bobby, 2 other Torts. A wee blether and good luck offered and we were off.
(Anne won the senior vet trophy, well done you were an inspiration as always)

I had my plan, to run slow and steady, hopeful of keeping all splits pretty even. I set my garmin to distance only so I couldn't check my pace. I was as usual one of the last out the park. Settled in chatting to the Legend that is Ray McCurdy, the first few miles flew by gossiping away and hearing his plans and past adventures. I soon had to stop for a pee.. and when I caught him back up he was wanting to walk so on I plodded.

Had 6 hours worth of perpetuem in my bottle although my thoughts were I would take around 6hrs 30. The only other food I was carrying was a bar of tablet just in case I needed a sugar rush. I usually have Nuun tablets in my water but decided to go without and hope the perpetuem would be all I needed. I was taking the smallest sip every mile as my garmin beeped. This as it turned out was probably too much too often as I ended up having to dilute what I had left at 27 miles.

I was not making much headway at all at catching people until about 11 miles, eventually slowly picking folks off and heating up (I was frozen in that wind), took my jacket off and gave it to Bryan at some point where he was waiting to shout me on. By the halfway point I was plodding on feeling not to bad at all and still gradually catching people. As always when you feel good, it doesn't last too long and soon felt the rub rub rub of my rucksack on my neck, oh it was sore, I've used it all winter, but always with a jacket or fleece etc, this was the first time with just a T shirt, shall have to do some major re jigging of the straps. Soon met Bryan a couple of miles after the turn and had to unload my bag. Tablet and all. Now left with the remains of my perpetuem and a bottle of water. Not comfortable to run with both hands full.

I was soon back into my pace but think this is where I went wrong. I had previously been feeling good, the miles were disappearing but I was starting to feel ill at ease, I wasn't hurting or trying.. back at the start of this race I state this is to be a training run, but I lost all confidence in myself and my belief  that I was doing the right thing. I doubted my ability to continue the pace... no idea why..  started thinking all the negatives ... oh how am I going to manage 95 miles if I'm so slow over just 30.. yikes.. what the hell was I thinking about???

Anyway for the next few miles I pick up the pace, I'm feeling good and I now know I'm trying, then the bloody wheels start buckling about mile 24 and I have a whole load of new issues to contend with. Ahh the joys of ultra running.
On I plod noticeably slowing down and legs starting to ache.. never mind not too far.

Then some daft cow driving like a maniac on a wee back road (wheels spinning) almost gave me the fright of my life, well let me say I fair gave the back of her motor a whole load of abuse, then she stopped 40 yards up the road to turn into a house, has the cheek to tell me I shouldn't be on the road, f**ing stupid fat bint didn't know what pavement rage looked like.. you do not piss me off  20 odd miles into a run and expect to come off looking good. So not only did I give her a delicate little earful of who should be on the road I fumed for the next 2 or 3 bloody miles.

By the time I stopped ranting I think I was down to about 5 miles to go. Determined not to walk I plodded even slower than ever. Still somehow managing to catch folks. I kept going by a guy who was run/walking. I seemed to get in front at last with less than 3 miles to go when who should appear at my shoulder? Wullie fae Harmeny (again) and another guy from Millbank I think his team were. So we three together decided the last few miles would be ran together. I gave up, oh on yous go, but no they stayed, Wullie gave up, oh on yous go, but no, we stayed. The last mile we picked the pace up and I was more than surprised that after my slow plodding I was finding the faster pace easyish and quite doable. Note for future.. you only think your knackered.

A big thanks to the guys who got me to the end and to George Karen & all the marshalls.. a great race :)

Like I said it all looks different 2 days later...   and recovered enough to get to the gym tonight!!

LSR

That is the D33. From the end of last season I decided my main aim for this year was the WHW race. I take my hat off to those who are competing in many of the SUMS races this year but I know it won't be me.

I still feel in total awe of the distance and more than a little scared by the effort I know I'm going to have to put into it. All my  participation in the SUMS series this side of the race is for training only. So far I've not managed over 20 miles.
Reason.. not too sure. I'm having to miss out on all the organised training runs due to shifts and have been finding getting the long ones in on my own quite an ordeal, mental more than physical. Time is also not my friend. I think confidence is as much an issue and this is where, I hope.. running in a race will help. No turning back when I can't be arsed and there will be lots of people to help pull me along.

Anyway, plans for Saturday, turn up, register and enjoy. Will be trying out my new food thingy, perpetuem under real conditions.. this could go well or horribly bad... will be prepared!!. Hopefully my new shoes will be here too but I'm thinking it may not be such a good idea to try them over 33 miles on their first outing, probably stick to road shoes.

This is my weekend off, I only get one per month and prefer to spend it with my other half than spending hours running up hills as we are passing ships for the rest of the month.. so this weekend works in well as we would have been travelling to Peterhead for the weekend anyway (he's fae there). All is good and so far I'm relaxed and looking forward to it. Lets see how the nerves kick in on Saturday, even if I am planning a training run!!

Here's hoping for nice weather, forecast looks cloudy with sunny intervals.. excellent. Anything that doesn't include howling wind and rain is good.

Yesterday we (Munro) went down to Dundonald Castle to run round the smugglers trail. Turned right into the car park and thought I'd landed in Narnia.. the whole trail and hills were under a very thin blanket of snow from the day before. Cool, just as well I had my trail shoes on!!!

The dreadmill

Today I done something I always said I could never do.. ran for 2.5 hours on a treadmill!!!

I jogged to the gym (via the bank & post office). Got myself sorted and entered the gym. I'm not one to moan.. honest, but that is twice this week I've walked in and the whole 6 treadmills have people WALKING on them.. it's really not for me to say, but there's hunners of miles of pavements out there you can walk on for free!!!!
I had a seat on rower thing with no real intention of using it, just thought I'd clog up the machines for others while I waited. I've already had this rant and Tim did point out they pay the same as me etc etc but come on ffs!!
Anyway's I have with me 2 bottles, one with 2 hours supply of perpetuem and one of water. This is my first use of this stuff and I needed at least a 2 hour run to see if the bowels held or imploded etc. That is the reason for the gym..toilets down the corrider & 400m from my front door if it all went horribly wrong. So I finally got on a dreadmill and boy was I going to get my money's worth.
Set it at 10m miles, you can only do 60 mins so fair enough off I go at 2% gradient. First hour flew by...yawn. Re set the machine this time at 1.1% gradient, I'm no fool and know my limitations. 2nd hour flew by.. geezus christ I'm loosing the will to live totally, but have found gyms like ever other gathering of people has it's charachters, it was actually quite amusing just people watching. Onto my last 5k and I'm still at the same speed but again a little drop in the gradient, just 1% this time. I have a feeling I'm almost there. I've finished my perpeteum and my tummy is not grumbling or cramping but I do keep burping .. not good for the folks around me.. oops and I'm very thirsty even though I have dunk 2x amount of water.
The last 10mins were dreadfull and if I wasn't on a machine with a belt I would most def have slowed down. But as it was.. I was on the dreadmill and I'm almost finished and there was nooo way I was going to give up. I must have saw every minute on the clock for the last 10 minutes... bloody torture. But finished it and took advantage of the 5 min cool down. My T shirt was dripping, the sweat running off my shorts down my legs... positively glowing!!

Conclusion, never again. The trial of the perpeteum went well though so all is good.

Wednesday afternoon I took part in the Scottish Police X country champs at Pollock park. It was windy, wet and cold and as I had expected a low turn out. I was aware it would only be racing snakes that would take part but you either put up, get out there and try your damnest or you lie in your warm cosy bed after nightshift. Hmmm .. lets just say I wasn't last and really enjoyed the undulating hilly course. It was however time wise my slowest X country since Killie in November. I know all courses differ and it's hard to make comparisons but I finished like a wee fresh daisy wanting more.. probably cos I was out on my own for most of the run with no one to chase down or run away from, well apart from a Fife guy, chased down his bandy legs for at least 1.5 miles. Think I shall call it a tempo run.

Ouch!

After my pleasant dog walking weekend I set off  Monday morning driving to Auchencruive, planning 25-30 miles along the RAW. It was still frosty when I set off but it was a gorgeous sunny morning if not quite warm.

Whilst the 10 miles to Failford are nice trails and very few roads to cross you then have to choose whether you run up the main road for a mile or so to join the Barskimming estate. I really don't like this busy fast road and I particularly hate it when I have the dog, so executive decision was made to return from Failford, park rucksack in car and make up the miles round the local Auchencruive trails. And I DID believe I would do this.. for a while anyway!! I struggled a bit the last 2 or 3 miles, nothing too bad and certainly no walking but a def dip in energy and happy thoughts. Sooo, that when I got to the car, I not only parked the rucksack but also my tired lazy butt. Had a coffee and crispy choc cake.. realised the time.. oops you can fair a pass the time of day running!! so headed home.. with yet another 20 in the bag. Clearly things are conspiring against me getting over the big 20.

Evening was spent lying in the bath with the jets on for a nice wee bit of gentle massage.

Tuesday was another trip up the Carrick hills. Tim and Stan both recovered from thier Sat WHW run were running quite comfortably and having to wait on me at the gates. I wasn't exactly struggling but my legs were a bit hurty. Managed slightly farther up in my struggle to the top without stopping. Maybe half way next time!! Usual great fun bounding back down, Stan taking a bit more time with a small knee niggle. Then my turn to hurt my ankle in the cow ruts. All in all another good run.

Today is when it all went ouch! I thought I would take the dog a nice easy run round the smugglers trail. Maybe I was still tired but my mood was pretty foul after getting stuck in unbelievable traffic.. or other wise known as a Learner.. now I know we were all there once etc..but ffs.. some just shouldn't be on the road and certainly not when I'm trying to get somewhere!!! but get there I did... eventually.

I decided to stick to the main outside trail, quite hilly but good paths out to Loans and back, was planning on 3 loops. After getting lost, jagged and stung the last time out I told myself no way was I going off the route. My first mile was noticeably slow, and I only got slower. I felt terrible, my legs were heavy and I was for the first time ever wearing my heart rate monitor. If my max is correct then I was jogging along above my cardio rate and on the long uphills going of the chart. Obviously I need to work some more on keeping my heart rate down whilst barley running at 12 min miles??
On my second lap I decided to take in my rather long steep hill.. and of course there is a wee path I'd seen going in the general direction for me to rejoin the main route. Yep, good fun getting up the hill, no stopping at the top and heading onto this path into the unknown.. oh I never learn, jagged and scraped but still in relatively good shape I rejoin my route.. success.
After getting round the little reservoir I decide to go up the next big hill, why make it easy for myself? I slip and slide but knuckle down and get up the steep bit, keep my head down and continue to run the rest of the hill... yess, happy with that, never managed to keep going before. Back down the hill onto the main path and I realise I am literally dead on my feet, having to focus myself totally or I would have been walking without noticing. My next mile or so was spent with me arguing with myself about, a) going back to the car whilst still standing. b) going round again and hoping at some point to get back to the car still standing. Both options were very appealing and I only decided to call it a day when I got back to the start.
At least this way I'll be fit for the gym this evening and my wee run up the Carricks tomorrow!!