The title of this post pretty much says it all. I'm not really training much at the moment. Down to 2-3 runs a week. Reasonable length runs tho, 10km's most of the time. And I'm hoping to add some cycles, and strength workouts to the mix soon too. But really I'm just enjoying having a bit of a quiet time before I start training proper in the new year. Because next year is going to be quite intense. I want to lift myself to a new level, and by the end of the year I will be able to call myself an endurance athlete, as opposed to a fat guy who runs, as I am now.
But there will be more about that in the new year.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
So what now?
Its been interesting times since Taupo. For the first time since May, I haven't got an event on the horizon to train for. I've been away from home for work for most of the time since the weekend of Taupo, so its been very easy not to do any training. I've only run 20km since the Kerikeri half marathon, which is nothing really. And haven't touched the bike since I got home a week ago.
The next big event I'm targeting is going to be the 2011 Northern Crossing Duathalon, which isn't until May. No doubt I'll do some more events between now and then (The guys I did Taupo with are already talking about going down and having a go at the round taranaki cycle challenge at the end of January). But my main goal, for the next 3-4 months is to build up a huge base level of fitness, in preparation for targeted events in the 2nd half of 2011. Specifically what I want to do, on a weekly basis is:
The next big event I'm targeting is going to be the 2011 Northern Crossing Duathalon, which isn't until May. No doubt I'll do some more events between now and then (The guys I did Taupo with are already talking about going down and having a go at the round taranaki cycle challenge at the end of January). But my main goal, for the next 3-4 months is to build up a huge base level of fitness, in preparation for targeted events in the 2nd half of 2011. Specifically what I want to do, on a weekly basis is:
- Short runs (5km) in the mornings (before work) 5 days a week.
- 3x medium - long runs a week. (approx 2 x 10km during the week, 1 x 15k ish on the weekend)
- 3x cycles (2 x medium length during the week, approx 1 hour, 1 x long on the weekend, 2 - 4 hours)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
November
Running distances from November,
a weeks break after the half marathon to get ready for Taupo
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Taupo
Another weekend down, another event ticked off... This time it was the around lake Taupo cycle challenge. For this one, I did the 2nd 80km out of 160 as part of a relay team with my mate Kris. I went into the weekend quite worried about things, I felt that I hadn't spent nearly enough time on the bike, due to a combination of university and training for last weekends half marathon. So once again, went in with only the goal of finishing. If I had to pick a time to aim at, 4 hours (20km/hr average) would have been what I was aiming at.
The race itself was brilliant, but challenging. Conditions were hot, but sunny with a medium headwind for part of the ride. I found I was right about a lack of time on the bike, aerobicly, I felt pretty good the whole way around, but my legs shut up shop and just didn't want to do what I wanted pretty early in the piece. I felt good pushing a small gear at relatively high cadence, but struggled with the strength to push a bigger gear. I also learnt a bit about riding in groups, a few times I got myself in the middle of a good group and made great progress, but to often I found myself at the front for too long, ended up getting tired, and unable to stick with the group when I got off the front... This is something I'll learn with practice I think.
The end result had me home in 3hr, 40min, 17 seconds. Which I'm pleased with. If I had been offered that tiem before the race I would have gladly taken it, and it was about 2 hours faster than my previous 80k ride, during the northern crossing in May.
So the only question left, is what next?
The race itself was brilliant, but challenging. Conditions were hot, but sunny with a medium headwind for part of the ride. I found I was right about a lack of time on the bike, aerobicly, I felt pretty good the whole way around, but my legs shut up shop and just didn't want to do what I wanted pretty early in the piece. I felt good pushing a small gear at relatively high cadence, but struggled with the strength to push a bigger gear. I also learnt a bit about riding in groups, a few times I got myself in the middle of a good group and made great progress, but to often I found myself at the front for too long, ended up getting tired, and unable to stick with the group when I got off the front... This is something I'll learn with practice I think.
The end result had me home in 3hr, 40min, 17 seconds. Which I'm pleased with. If I had been offered that tiem before the race I would have gladly taken it, and it was about 2 hours faster than my previous 80k ride, during the northern crossing in May.
So the only question left, is what next?
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Kerikeri Half Marathon
Well it's come and gone, and for the first time this year after a half marathon, I can honestly say that I have exceeded my expectations. I set myself a plan (pretty simple really) start slower than I think I can do it, and progressively speed up throughout the run as I feel I can. And for the first time this year, I followed my plan. Using approximate numbers my first 10k (63min) were run at 6:18/km pace, 10-16km at 6:12/km pace and 16km-finish at 6:00/km pace. End result was 2:10:35. A personal Best by 10 min 7 sec, and a years best by 17minutes! So very, very happy with myself.
As for my goals I gave myself after the Waitakere Half;
1. Weigh under 100kg. I weighed in at 100.6 on race day. So close, but not quite... I'll get there tho.
2. Run every step. Done
3. Enjoy the run. Done, well and truly the most enjoyable one I've done.
4. 2 training runs longer than 15km. Only managed one, but also had 3 10k ones, so close...
As for my goals I gave myself after the Waitakere Half;
1. Weigh under 100kg. I weighed in at 100.6 on race day. So close, but not quite... I'll get there tho.
2. Run every step. Done
3. Enjoy the run. Done, well and truly the most enjoyable one I've done.
4. 2 training runs longer than 15km. Only managed one, but also had 3 10k ones, so close...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Weekly Update
Well, another week has passed, and more progress has been made. This week I got through 4 good runs, totalling 41km, including a 15km run this morning. That is the longest training run I've ever done, so something to be pleased with I think. I also ran it relatively comfortably, whilst 6:25/km pace is not setting the world on fire by any stretch of the imagination its still a faster pace than I've done on a run longer than 10km before. But the main thing was the whole way through I felt nice and comfortable.
This time next week I will have done the Kerikeri Half Marathon, and to be honest I'm feeling more prepared for this one than any other I've done. But I stand by my previous statement that I'm gong for completion, not a goal time. I'm aiming for 3 more training runs next week before the race, hopefully with another 10km. Feeling good about things.
This time next week I will have done the Kerikeri Half Marathon, and to be honest I'm feeling more prepared for this one than any other I've done. But I stand by my previous statement that I'm gong for completion, not a goal time. I'm aiming for 3 more training runs next week before the race, hopefully with another 10km. Feeling good about things.
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