So after the past couple of races I looked at my average times for Kms, and have realised that I am somewhat slower going uphill than anything else.
No surprise there, however, it was noticable that I was being overtaken and somewhat overhauled on the uphill sections on Mount Famine, and also on the semi-uphill sections. I wasn't making the time back on the descents either, with the net result being that despite quite a decent first ascent, I just couldnt keep the pace up and ended up being overtaken by a fair amount of people, ending up 29th, wheras, at some point in there, I was about 20th.
So, uphill training is the way forward. I know I need to get some hill reps done, but I wanted to go out and see if I could run non stop up that damn hill over at Herod Farm. Also, it is pretty much the closest, most vicious hill I can find which entails only a very short amount of time on tarmac if I run there from home.
This was important as I wanted to try out my new Baregrips, and really didnt fancy doing much, if any, running that wasnt on mud or grass.
The Baregrips, I have to say are excellent in terms of grip- except on wet stone. I still cant find anything to grip on that stuff, and when there is a breakthrough, I shall be there in disbelief, trotting all over wet stones and stiles.... until that day, I'll just have to blag it instead. (and fall over a lot).
I also found that, as to be expected with a Zero arrow shoe, there is not much cushioning anywhere on the sole of the shoe. This means that it is indeed as close to barefoot as you can get- which also means that if you stand on a sharp stone, it hurts.
Maybe I need to run in these a lot more in order to toughen my feet up, but Im keeping it minimal at the moment, it being peak season (my first season), and I dont want to cause an overuse injury because of a training issue.
As for the hill... I managed to get 3/4 of the way up it, even after running there, and doing the entire course (again, running), and I think I managed it a mite faster than I did on race day.
I need to stop running with my head for a bit, and just run as fast as I can, letting my body decide when I actually need to stop. I think its the brain that is stopping me from running faster, wierdly enough.
anyhow, in the end it was 10km or so in about 55mins, not a fast 10km time, but I did have 650m of ascent in the way.
Now.
To be faster uphill and keep the pace on the flat sections... thats the issue. and the way to improve?
run up hills.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Thursday, 5 May 2011
night nav
Decided at about 10 last night that I should wander out for a bit of night nav practice. It was meant to have been a rest day, but the evening was just so nice that it had to be done.
I dithered around for a bit looking at places to go, and whether or not I should actually do it, and finally walked out of the door at about 1130.
Walking out over Shire hill I noticed a light where, really, there shouldnt have been a light, and as I was walking along the path 2 random people (one of which was attached to said light) wandered over to me asking if I was ok and whether I was lost. Good public spirited citizens, evidently. But dressed in (bad) camo, and one with mud smeared on his face.
They told me that "tonight is a bad night to be out- if you take my meaning".
uh- no. Its a beautiful night, theres a bit of cumulostratos- no sign of rain, the wind has died down, and theres visible stars as there is no moon out.
"Theres a cougar out there, the park ranger told us just now that theres been a sighting this afternoon"
Right. Whatever.
I entertained them for a short while and then said- right Im off up to Bleaklow, cheers guys.
To which- their parting shot was "youre effing mental mate".
After which I got promptly and significantly lost.
Found myself on the far side of Shire hill, on the steep part- re-oriented myself and bashed downhill, across a stream and back onto the path that I was meant to have found.
So lost, and found again.
I had planned a grand massive tour of the area using rails and bearings, but considering that I had just got lost in a wood, somewhat curtailed my ideas of what may or may not be possible this evening. Starting out with a bearing, it wasnt too bad as I ensured I had a handrail to hit should anything go awry- it did. I hit the handrail, and I found myself, eventually, and was back on track.
This was generally the story for the rest of the time out. Knowing where I was, building in a fair amount of redundance into where I should be heading, and then using up that reduncance to get where I was meant to be going.
So, my bearings need to be tightened up significantly, and I need to trust myself a bit more, and not try to second guess what Im doing. (that just leads to mistakes), and not worry about cougars. That last one should be pretty easy to do I think.
The MHW Dragon jacket was damn good though. Only when I was moving though, as soon as I stopped it got a little less warm- didnt feel the wind so much in terms of coldness, but I did feel it in terms of pushing against me- odd thing to say, but its pretty much what I mean.
ME Combin pants, still doing a sterling job. Well worth every damn penny, even if they are a little old and "bobbled", not found a better trouser yet.
Just waiting to take delivery of my new compasses. (not that they'll make me a better navigator, but it'll be a bit easier without airbubbles in the casing...)
I dithered around for a bit looking at places to go, and whether or not I should actually do it, and finally walked out of the door at about 1130.
Walking out over Shire hill I noticed a light where, really, there shouldnt have been a light, and as I was walking along the path 2 random people (one of which was attached to said light) wandered over to me asking if I was ok and whether I was lost. Good public spirited citizens, evidently. But dressed in (bad) camo, and one with mud smeared on his face.
They told me that "tonight is a bad night to be out- if you take my meaning".
uh- no. Its a beautiful night, theres a bit of cumulostratos- no sign of rain, the wind has died down, and theres visible stars as there is no moon out.
"Theres a cougar out there, the park ranger told us just now that theres been a sighting this afternoon"
Right. Whatever.
I entertained them for a short while and then said- right Im off up to Bleaklow, cheers guys.
To which- their parting shot was "youre effing mental mate".
After which I got promptly and significantly lost.
Found myself on the far side of Shire hill, on the steep part- re-oriented myself and bashed downhill, across a stream and back onto the path that I was meant to have found.
So lost, and found again.
I had planned a grand massive tour of the area using rails and bearings, but considering that I had just got lost in a wood, somewhat curtailed my ideas of what may or may not be possible this evening. Starting out with a bearing, it wasnt too bad as I ensured I had a handrail to hit should anything go awry- it did. I hit the handrail, and I found myself, eventually, and was back on track.
This was generally the story for the rest of the time out. Knowing where I was, building in a fair amount of redundance into where I should be heading, and then using up that reduncance to get where I was meant to be going.
So, my bearings need to be tightened up significantly, and I need to trust myself a bit more, and not try to second guess what Im doing. (that just leads to mistakes), and not worry about cougars. That last one should be pretty easy to do I think.
The MHW Dragon jacket was damn good though. Only when I was moving though, as soon as I stopped it got a little less warm- didnt feel the wind so much in terms of coldness, but I did feel it in terms of pushing against me- odd thing to say, but its pretty much what I mean.
ME Combin pants, still doing a sterling job. Well worth every damn penny, even if they are a little old and "bobbled", not found a better trouser yet.
Just waiting to take delivery of my new compasses. (not that they'll make me a better navigator, but it'll be a bit easier without airbubbles in the casing...)
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Walsh shoes
Yes!
I have my first pair of Walshes.
We were down in London for a day before heading back up to our new stomping ground, and wandered into London City runner when Ms destruction noticed a couple of pairs of old school fell shoes decorating the bottom of the bargain wall.
The Comp shoes were in her size and the general shoes were in mine.
a tenner each!
done, and done.
Obviously I know im looking at tech which is a fair few years old, and the current walshes may or may not be like this, but from first impressions, they are well constructed, the heel cup looks like a nightmare, the insole is something that needs to be thrown away (and replaced with superfeet), and when I wear them, it feels like I am about 1/2 an inch taller.
After going for a bit of a test walk/jog in them, I did nearly go over on my ankle about 5 times, on relatively easy ground, so i think that should I begin to wear these for more serious running, I need to practice in them to get a better idea of where gravity works, and where it doesnt in relation to where im stepping.
The grip.
Well, whats not to like. Big spikes. Holes in ground. Wouldnt like to be slapped in the face with one.
Cant wait to get out there and try them out in anger. (whilst hopefully not twisting my ankle)
I have my first pair of Walshes.
We were down in London for a day before heading back up to our new stomping ground, and wandered into London City runner when Ms destruction noticed a couple of pairs of old school fell shoes decorating the bottom of the bargain wall.
The Comp shoes were in her size and the general shoes were in mine.
a tenner each!
done, and done.
Obviously I know im looking at tech which is a fair few years old, and the current walshes may or may not be like this, but from first impressions, they are well constructed, the heel cup looks like a nightmare, the insole is something that needs to be thrown away (and replaced with superfeet), and when I wear them, it feels like I am about 1/2 an inch taller.
After going for a bit of a test walk/jog in them, I did nearly go over on my ankle about 5 times, on relatively easy ground, so i think that should I begin to wear these for more serious running, I need to practice in them to get a better idea of where gravity works, and where it doesnt in relation to where im stepping.
The grip.
Well, whats not to like. Big spikes. Holes in ground. Wouldnt like to be slapped in the face with one.
Cant wait to get out there and try them out in anger. (whilst hopefully not twisting my ankle)
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