Today was a great day. In the morning I had my psychiatrist appointment. Normally when I go in to one, I think "do I really need to be here" and everytime I come out of it thinking "Yes, I did need to be there and feel a lot better for it.
Today I went into it thinking "I really need a psychiatrist right now" and came out of it feeling a lot better for it! Don't ask me how they do it - years of practice I imagine but they do work wonders.
In the afternoon I did some stuff then went back to the Kilpatricks hills. What a run! The morning was mental therapy. The afternoon was mental and physical therapy. I decided today to change my usual route and not go all the way up the road. Instead I turned off the road where the Kilpatrick Hill race goes up. Instead of following the route exactly, I headed straight for the trig point. This is the first time I've actually gone up this way - usually I just use this route to go down. I enjoyed it so much, my days of going all the way up the road are over. When I got to the trig point I stopped and had a look around to get my breath back and have some water. Then I headed along the ridge joining up with the hill race route before it joins on to the road. I then followed the hill race route all the way round back to the trig point and back down to the car. I didn't see a single person until I headed back down on the road where there was a runner coming the other way. But I did have the sheep for company who Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa'd me in the right direction.
I used my Hokas today which worked well generally, but I think Inov8s might still be better on the hillier stuff, especially steeper rocky terrain. So I might just leave the Hokas for really long runs on trails.
I had the added bonus today that it was nice and boggy so got muddy too.
Showing posts with label Kilpatrick Hills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kilpatrick Hills. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Kilpatrick Sandwich with not much filling
The week started with a run in the Kilpatrick hills and ended in the Kilpatrick hills.
Monday was my last day of my holidays so I wanted to make the most of it. I looked at the weather forecast and it was to get worse as the day went on so I got up early, checked what time the sunrise was and timed it to arrive at the foot of the hills at half 8. I headed up the long road hill and found I was walking earlier than usual. I still managed bits of running after. I was surprised to get to the top, 1.6 miles in 19.47 which is not far off my PB of 19.25. As I continued, I realised that although there was a flatish bit after, I was still ascending. In fact it doesn't actually stop ascending till the 2.2 mile mark. I had a look at Runnning ahead after for the elevation to find that it was 1000ft which is about 300 meters. I know the elevation isn't always accurate with these programs but I find with hills they tend to be more accurate than in cities. After the 1.6 mile mark I actually felt stronger and was able to run all the way up to the end of the road, round on to the small hill. Then down to the resevoir. As I was descending off the small hill down to the resevoir I landed awkwardly and felt the inside of my knee twist. It was fine to run on but sore if I landed in the same awkward position which didn't happen much for the rest of the run so I didn't think that much of it.
It was icy in places but it was all easily avoidable. I decided then not to go along the side of Greenside Resevoir but to go up Cochno Hill. The grass was a lot longer than I remember and not really any bits I could run until I reached the path at the top. Last time I just turned right along the path and down to the resevoir. This time I decided to go to the top of the hill so turned left. I must have been about 30 metres from the top when I saw three runners just coming over the top of the hill. The first people I had seen on the hills all day.
I was getting ready to say Hi when they came closer I realised one of them was Marco who I'd met at the run at Pollok Park the previous Friday and was out with a couple of his Garscube buddies. They were heading down and then up the slacks which is where I was going to go after going to the top of Cochno. So I decided to join them and watched Marco flying down Cochno showing us how it was done. They were just going for an easy run so we walked most of the slacks. When we reached the trig point he said if I would like to join them for the rest of their run. But I decided 7 miles that was enough for my first run in the hills in a few months. So I headed south while they headed west. I had a good descent considering the ice and managed to complete the descent in 15.31 so thats my new PB as before it was 16.11.
Afterwards that niggle was getting sorer but I couldn't figure out if it was an injury I could run through or not. I went for a 4 miler in the evening and I could feel it at times so I decided after to lay off running until it was fine. Tuesday and Wednesday I had off and by Thursday it felt like it had gone so I went to the club for a session round the Merries. I decided to join the C group again tonight because it was icy and wanted to be careful with the leg. Good news was that it was fine. To be honest I'm crap with what things are called in the leg apart from calf, hamstring quad so I still don't really know what it was. It did feel more like a joint thing.
I took Friday off too just to be sure. Saturday a nice layer of snow came so I ran down to park run in my mircospikes. Did registration which was challenging with the cold. When I used to do registration I hardly recognised anybody. While I still don't know a lot I am recognising more and more names. One of which this week was Colin Knox whose blog I've been reading for a while. Unfortunately didn't get to chat as it was during the busy time. I decided after to do the park run as it's a good session at the moment with the 10 hills which I didn't expect to be included in this weeks report!
Today I headed back to the Kilpatricks. As the pavements looked dodgy so it actually looked safer to head for the hills with my microspikes. What a glorius day! Looking at the hills from the bottom most of the snow had gone but as I headed up the road, it was still a thin layer. Today I was slightly slower to the 1.6 mile mark taking 20.22 but ran for longer till I had to walk. Then the run turned awesome. The snow was still there as the sun hadn't got to the other side of the hills. The loch was frozen over and it was just a pleasure to be running in such amazing surroundings. I got to the end of the road where I usually turn right up the small hill. On a non snow day there is a path which goes over this hill but today it was untouched snow. As I pondered what to do I realised that my feet were getting cold just standing there as I was only wearing one pair of socks. So I decided just to turn back down the road which means I still covered 6 miles with a good amount of ascent.
I have been thinking a lot about ascent, training, the fling course and pacing which I plan on posting something about in the future. For now I'm planning another few jaunts on the WHW including a group run which Marco suggested going on at the end of the month. I realise that his training pace is probably my tempo pace but hopefully there will be "slower" people there and even if there isn't - just absorbing as much knowledge and tips as I can before blowing up, will be a training run worth while. I'd rather make the mistakes on the training runs than in the actual race.
Monday was my last day of my holidays so I wanted to make the most of it. I looked at the weather forecast and it was to get worse as the day went on so I got up early, checked what time the sunrise was and timed it to arrive at the foot of the hills at half 8. I headed up the long road hill and found I was walking earlier than usual. I still managed bits of running after. I was surprised to get to the top, 1.6 miles in 19.47 which is not far off my PB of 19.25. As I continued, I realised that although there was a flatish bit after, I was still ascending. In fact it doesn't actually stop ascending till the 2.2 mile mark. I had a look at Runnning ahead after for the elevation to find that it was 1000ft which is about 300 meters. I know the elevation isn't always accurate with these programs but I find with hills they tend to be more accurate than in cities. After the 1.6 mile mark I actually felt stronger and was able to run all the way up to the end of the road, round on to the small hill. Then down to the resevoir. As I was descending off the small hill down to the resevoir I landed awkwardly and felt the inside of my knee twist. It was fine to run on but sore if I landed in the same awkward position which didn't happen much for the rest of the run so I didn't think that much of it.
It was icy in places but it was all easily avoidable. I decided then not to go along the side of Greenside Resevoir but to go up Cochno Hill. The grass was a lot longer than I remember and not really any bits I could run until I reached the path at the top. Last time I just turned right along the path and down to the resevoir. This time I decided to go to the top of the hill so turned left. I must have been about 30 metres from the top when I saw three runners just coming over the top of the hill. The first people I had seen on the hills all day.
I was getting ready to say Hi when they came closer I realised one of them was Marco who I'd met at the run at Pollok Park the previous Friday and was out with a couple of his Garscube buddies. They were heading down and then up the slacks which is where I was going to go after going to the top of Cochno. So I decided to join them and watched Marco flying down Cochno showing us how it was done. They were just going for an easy run so we walked most of the slacks. When we reached the trig point he said if I would like to join them for the rest of their run. But I decided 7 miles that was enough for my first run in the hills in a few months. So I headed south while they headed west. I had a good descent considering the ice and managed to complete the descent in 15.31 so thats my new PB as before it was 16.11.
Afterwards that niggle was getting sorer but I couldn't figure out if it was an injury I could run through or not. I went for a 4 miler in the evening and I could feel it at times so I decided after to lay off running until it was fine. Tuesday and Wednesday I had off and by Thursday it felt like it had gone so I went to the club for a session round the Merries. I decided to join the C group again tonight because it was icy and wanted to be careful with the leg. Good news was that it was fine. To be honest I'm crap with what things are called in the leg apart from calf, hamstring quad so I still don't really know what it was. It did feel more like a joint thing.
I took Friday off too just to be sure. Saturday a nice layer of snow came so I ran down to park run in my mircospikes. Did registration which was challenging with the cold. When I used to do registration I hardly recognised anybody. While I still don't know a lot I am recognising more and more names. One of which this week was Colin Knox whose blog I've been reading for a while. Unfortunately didn't get to chat as it was during the busy time. I decided after to do the park run as it's a good session at the moment with the 10 hills which I didn't expect to be included in this weeks report!
Today I headed back to the Kilpatricks. As the pavements looked dodgy so it actually looked safer to head for the hills with my microspikes. What a glorius day! Looking at the hills from the bottom most of the snow had gone but as I headed up the road, it was still a thin layer. Today I was slightly slower to the 1.6 mile mark taking 20.22 but ran for longer till I had to walk. Then the run turned awesome. The snow was still there as the sun hadn't got to the other side of the hills. The loch was frozen over and it was just a pleasure to be running in such amazing surroundings. I got to the end of the road where I usually turn right up the small hill. On a non snow day there is a path which goes over this hill but today it was untouched snow. As I pondered what to do I realised that my feet were getting cold just standing there as I was only wearing one pair of socks. So I decided just to turn back down the road which means I still covered 6 miles with a good amount of ascent.
I have been thinking a lot about ascent, training, the fling course and pacing which I plan on posting something about in the future. For now I'm planning another few jaunts on the WHW including a group run which Marco suggested going on at the end of the month. I realise that his training pace is probably my tempo pace but hopefully there will be "slower" people there and even if there isn't - just absorbing as much knowledge and tips as I can before blowing up, will be a training run worth while. I'd rather make the mistakes on the training runs than in the actual race.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Tinto - the before and after
This week saw another week off work. This one was a bit more relaxing compared to my week off in September, but made sure I had some fun adventures nevertheless. The main reason for having a chill week was yesterday was Tinto Hill race, so I wanted to make sure I was rested up and raring to go for my race for November.
On Monday, my legs had recovered really well from the West Highland Way on the Sunday. So I went out an a comfy 4.5 mile easy run.
Tuesday I went to the Kilpatrick hills in what was a perfect day, cold and no clouds. I have decided that the road going up to Loch Humphrarys is my favourite hill just now. The reason being is that it is so long at 1.6 miles. It starts off on tarmac then gradually/ diagnonally makes its way up and then round. About half way it turns in to a forest track, where it gets a wee bit steeper, then just as it turns up and has a steep ascent to finish. Each time I have attempted this so far I have had to walk the steep bit. But thats what I like about this - it is a work in progress. One of the things I have decided to do is have a PB for this ascent, as this is what Anton Krupicka does for his ascents up Green Mountain. Often people think of PBs just for races, but I like the idea of having a PB for certain stretches of training runs like this. So my PB is set at 19.25.
The next section I can usually run all of, around loch Humpharys till the forest track runs out. But today I struggled and found myself run walking until the downhill stretch. I then followed the Kilpatrick hill race route round and down to the reservoir. This bit was fun as it was really boggy and the burn is getting wider. I think soon I'll have to jump in and out its getting so wide. Then up the slacks I seemed to be getting a second wind and was run, walking quite strongly up it. From the trig point to the bottom I've also decided to have a pb so that is 16.11. I went way faster than this in the actual race but never set a split so this is the official PB for that stretch. Going down was fun and lots of boggy bits so got nice and muddy.
On Wednesday again I was surprised by how quickly I recovered from running on the hills the previous day. I fancied something a bit different today so I cycled down to Pollock Park and did the mountain bike loop which was fun. Then I chained up my bike and ran round some of the trails in the park. The thing was with all the leaves, some of the trails you could not make out so it was a case of making my own route. Afterwards since it was quiet, I ran round the mountain bike track, then cycled home.
On Thursday I decided to go to the club. I had intended to turn up, say hi, then do the handicap route by myself. But the weather was so wild that the D and E group said they were going to do the handicap. So I started out with them and then I found out the B and C groups were not doing mile reps anymore but doing 0.7 reps round Newlands park so I thought I'd do that instead and just take it easy. So I just hung on to the back of the C group running between 7.12 and 7.30 pace for 4 reps.
Friday I just did 3 miles and had plenty of carbs.
Saturday, I went down to park run and did the timer which I believe was another perfect game! Number of clicks on the timer equaled, number of tokens given out and never went out of sequence. I got home to find an email saying that I have won the Sweatshop Parkrun monthly prize! Which means a new pair of trainers fitted at sweatshop! I was delighted and still can't believe it! To top it off I headed to Tinto hill race in the afternoon but that deserves its own post.
Sunday, my legs were pretty sore but not as sore as I thought they would be. I did my 3 miles and that was that.
On Monday, my legs had recovered really well from the West Highland Way on the Sunday. So I went out an a comfy 4.5 mile easy run.
Tuesday I went to the Kilpatrick hills in what was a perfect day, cold and no clouds. I have decided that the road going up to Loch Humphrarys is my favourite hill just now. The reason being is that it is so long at 1.6 miles. It starts off on tarmac then gradually/ diagnonally makes its way up and then round. About half way it turns in to a forest track, where it gets a wee bit steeper, then just as it turns up and has a steep ascent to finish. Each time I have attempted this so far I have had to walk the steep bit. But thats what I like about this - it is a work in progress. One of the things I have decided to do is have a PB for this ascent, as this is what Anton Krupicka does for his ascents up Green Mountain. Often people think of PBs just for races, but I like the idea of having a PB for certain stretches of training runs like this. So my PB is set at 19.25.
The next section I can usually run all of, around loch Humpharys till the forest track runs out. But today I struggled and found myself run walking until the downhill stretch. I then followed the Kilpatrick hill race route round and down to the reservoir. This bit was fun as it was really boggy and the burn is getting wider. I think soon I'll have to jump in and out its getting so wide. Then up the slacks I seemed to be getting a second wind and was run, walking quite strongly up it. From the trig point to the bottom I've also decided to have a pb so that is 16.11. I went way faster than this in the actual race but never set a split so this is the official PB for that stretch. Going down was fun and lots of boggy bits so got nice and muddy.
On Wednesday again I was surprised by how quickly I recovered from running on the hills the previous day. I fancied something a bit different today so I cycled down to Pollock Park and did the mountain bike loop which was fun. Then I chained up my bike and ran round some of the trails in the park. The thing was with all the leaves, some of the trails you could not make out so it was a case of making my own route. Afterwards since it was quiet, I ran round the mountain bike track, then cycled home.
On Thursday I decided to go to the club. I had intended to turn up, say hi, then do the handicap route by myself. But the weather was so wild that the D and E group said they were going to do the handicap. So I started out with them and then I found out the B and C groups were not doing mile reps anymore but doing 0.7 reps round Newlands park so I thought I'd do that instead and just take it easy. So I just hung on to the back of the C group running between 7.12 and 7.30 pace for 4 reps.
Friday I just did 3 miles and had plenty of carbs.
Saturday, I went down to park run and did the timer which I believe was another perfect game! Number of clicks on the timer equaled, number of tokens given out and never went out of sequence. I got home to find an email saying that I have won the Sweatshop Parkrun monthly prize! Which means a new pair of trainers fitted at sweatshop! I was delighted and still can't believe it! To top it off I headed to Tinto hill race in the afternoon but that deserves its own post.
Sunday, my legs were pretty sore but not as sore as I thought they would be. I did my 3 miles and that was that.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
The transition phase has begun...
On Monday, I was surprised to be not sore at all from Pedal for Scotland. My legs were tired but that was it. I was half thinking that it might be one of those ones where Tuesday is where it kicked in but I was totally fine on Tuesday so went on an easy 10k. Then Wednesday I did an easy 4 mile run but all uphill to my parents.
Then Thursday, I know I said last week I would try and go with the Bs but as soon as I heard it was Telephone box loops I decided to go with the Cs as its 0.6 mile loops times 6. Our group was working well together tonight, starting off slow and getting faster. For the last rep, Colin and myself did go with the Bs and managed to stay with them which was encouraging. So maybe could have gone with them for starter afterall.
Friday was a day off as I was planning on 2 back to back races at the weekend. What did I end up doing? - no races! Luckily they were both free so, no money lost. Friday night I didn't get to sleep till 3 in the morning due to having a poker night so Park run was out of the question and then this morning I was wanting to do the 1500 metres for the club championships but couldn't get to sleep and legs were sore from Saturday. Its like I have moved time zone! As just feel jetlagged.
Since I didn't do the park run and it was a nice day I headed up to the Kilpatrick hills to do the Kilpatrick hill race route. This time though I ran straight up the road rather than cutting off up the hill and over the field. As I wanted to run as much of it as possible. I ran all the road up apart from about 10 metres just as it reached the top, so I was pleased with the effort. Once round the corner it continues to go up but very gradually before running down to the reservoir. When the road finishes, the race turns right along a fence and up a hill. But I was feeling good so went straight on and did an out and back up to a trig point. On the way back I turned up back on to the race route and followed it round to the next reservoir. The race route follows the reservoir but I wanted another hill so went up the hill and round instead. It was the toughest hill so far as it was steep so had to walk more. Then went down to the dam and up the slacks which again was run when I could, walk up the steep bits. Then down the other side where I got views right over Glasgow. I was just taking it easy today and felt good when I finished. So it was my longest hill run I've done at 9.4 miles in 1 hour 54 which is about 5mph pace.
So thats me now beginning the transition phase into hill running/ultras. My Highland Fling (first half of the WHW) entry is in, so that is my first 2011 race in the post. All training from now is geared towards the Fling, with other random races thrown in to keep me going through the winter. The other 2 races which are almost definites for next year are LAMM which is the Lowe Alpine Mountain marathon in the second week of June. This is a 2 day race done in pairs over mountains, where location is only revealed a week before the race. This year its a north year so will be an hour max out of Inverness area. I am planning on doing it with Stephen from my club who I did the WHW with earlier this year. There are 4 classes of race from A to D with A being the hardest and we are just planning on doing D, since we've never done anything like that before. Then Clyde Stride again as I enjoyed it so much this year.
I was hoping to do a 50/60 miler later in 2011 but all those type of races in Scotland seem to be in April/May. There is the CCC 100k which is part of the Mount Blanc races in August but you need to have done something like the Highland Fling to qualify, so may just do River Ayr which took place this weekend. I could just do it as a long distance training run but would just need to find a route with lots of shops/drink points on route.
Needless to say I am getting excited about next year already!
Then Thursday, I know I said last week I would try and go with the Bs but as soon as I heard it was Telephone box loops I decided to go with the Cs as its 0.6 mile loops times 6. Our group was working well together tonight, starting off slow and getting faster. For the last rep, Colin and myself did go with the Bs and managed to stay with them which was encouraging. So maybe could have gone with them for starter afterall.
Friday was a day off as I was planning on 2 back to back races at the weekend. What did I end up doing? - no races! Luckily they were both free so, no money lost. Friday night I didn't get to sleep till 3 in the morning due to having a poker night so Park run was out of the question and then this morning I was wanting to do the 1500 metres for the club championships but couldn't get to sleep and legs were sore from Saturday. Its like I have moved time zone! As just feel jetlagged.
Since I didn't do the park run and it was a nice day I headed up to the Kilpatrick hills to do the Kilpatrick hill race route. This time though I ran straight up the road rather than cutting off up the hill and over the field. As I wanted to run as much of it as possible. I ran all the road up apart from about 10 metres just as it reached the top, so I was pleased with the effort. Once round the corner it continues to go up but very gradually before running down to the reservoir. When the road finishes, the race turns right along a fence and up a hill. But I was feeling good so went straight on and did an out and back up to a trig point. On the way back I turned up back on to the race route and followed it round to the next reservoir. The race route follows the reservoir but I wanted another hill so went up the hill and round instead. It was the toughest hill so far as it was steep so had to walk more. Then went down to the dam and up the slacks which again was run when I could, walk up the steep bits. Then down the other side where I got views right over Glasgow. I was just taking it easy today and felt good when I finished. So it was my longest hill run I've done at 9.4 miles in 1 hour 54 which is about 5mph pace.
So thats me now beginning the transition phase into hill running/ultras. My Highland Fling (first half of the WHW) entry is in, so that is my first 2011 race in the post. All training from now is geared towards the Fling, with other random races thrown in to keep me going through the winter. The other 2 races which are almost definites for next year are LAMM which is the Lowe Alpine Mountain marathon in the second week of June. This is a 2 day race done in pairs over mountains, where location is only revealed a week before the race. This year its a north year so will be an hour max out of Inverness area. I am planning on doing it with Stephen from my club who I did the WHW with earlier this year. There are 4 classes of race from A to D with A being the hardest and we are just planning on doing D, since we've never done anything like that before. Then Clyde Stride again as I enjoyed it so much this year.
I was hoping to do a 50/60 miler later in 2011 but all those type of races in Scotland seem to be in April/May. There is the CCC 100k which is part of the Mount Blanc races in August but you need to have done something like the Highland Fling to qualify, so may just do River Ayr which took place this weekend. I could just do it as a long distance training run but would just need to find a route with lots of shops/drink points on route.
Needless to say I am getting excited about next year already!
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