The past few weeks have seen me training consistently for the first time in a very long time. Mileage volume isn't very high yet - we're talking less then 10 miles a week here - but I have been doing 2 or 3 runs a week for the last 7 weeks. Which is great. My "conversation pace" running pace is slowly but steadily dropping towards 10:30-11 minute miling. My weight is staying a couple of pounds under 12 stone. I was hoping for a greater change in both pace a weight by this point but the weight GAIN has been halted for the first time in about 2 years and the pace is still a bit faster than when I first started running so I think "patience grasshopper" is the answer.
I completed my "comeback 5K" - the Bodyfit Eaglesfield Paddle 5K- last Saturday (a week ago today!). 28 minutes 14 seconds. It felt good to be pushing myself again - it's a long way from my PB but it was hilly, I'm nearly 2 stone heavier than I was and much less fit! I enjoyed it though, which is the main thing. I also enjoyed seeing the proper beginners I have been training with (as opposed to me, the Fake Beginner gate-crashing their course) complete their first race - all of them grinning as they crossed the line. That first race buzz. *smile*
I'm doing the Carlisle Race For Life in a week. My aim is simply to get under 28 minutes. I did it last year and managed under 25 minutes but that was off the back of marathon training (shoddy as anything marathon training but marathon training none-the-less), so I am slapping down any ideas of getting near last year's time. I'm trying as hard as possible to forget all previous training and races and just concentrate on me, now, the runner I am now... I do need to try harder though because I keep making the inevitable comparisons.
Yesterday I tried to run up Skiddaw with Ian and Heidi. We went a route I ran with Stu about 2 years ago? Possibly longer. And I coud hardly walk it, never mind run every step like I did before... I am writing the comparison because it's a thought I haven't been able to slap down - however I remain unbothered by the thought - that was then, this is now and I'm ok with that. I can't change the past can I? We didn't make it onto Skiddaw but it was good anyway...
We set out from Peterhouse Farm and ran back along the road for just over a mile. Mostly ran. I had to walk the steeper downs because Oscar was giving me a pull and would have sent me flying on the downhills and I walked the little uphills to save my legs a bit. The whole run out was fully intended as a very steady run-walk. We headed up a bridleway across some fields to get up onto the Ullock Pike ridge line. I walked Oscar ran ahead with Ian and came back to check I was still going then ran ahead again, being completely perfect around the sheep in the fields - he didn't even look at them even as they ran right in front of him. Such a good dog. Before we even reached the ridge line I was struggling. My memory was of a gentle runnable incline onto the ridge, the current reality involves my legs failing to work. Still the view from the ridge is worth it and as the steep climb begins at least I can forgive myself the walking more. The weather, as well as my lack of fitness, was a major issue. The kind of wind that you have to lean into to stay upright, occasionally laced with lashing rain, and as we climb swirling mists. It was blowing away from the steeper edge of the ridge though so we were never in danger, just discomfort. As my unfitness and the weather unfolds we make the decision to pass on going to the top of Skiddaw (we are still in the shelter of the bigger mountain where we are so the wind of the top could be much worse...). We decide to push on to Ullock Pike as that is very doable now we've got this far (although my in-sight "summit" did turn out to be a false one!) and come off the hill over Carl Side into Dodd Wood.
As we neared the true summit I popped Oscar back on the lead, the mist was obscuring my view of the terrain to either side and I wanted to make sure he didn't go diving off any cliffs. I also got a nice little tow up the last bit of hill! From there is a nice downhill swoop to Carlside Tarn, where Oscar and Rosie-dog had a bit of a splash around before we took the path over Carl Side. This bit was unfamiliar to me but the path was clear and as we descended out of the mist we could see the track around the base of Dodd that we needed to aim for. We headed for the tearooms. I was very tired by this point and I was glad when Heidi volunteered to leave me and Ian at the tearooms and run on the 3 miles to fetch the car! We had been out for 2 and a half hours and covered nearly 7 miles which given my current level of fitness is a very long time and a very long way! I've got a long, long way to go to make Trailtrekker doable. But despite finding it hard it was lovely, there's nothing like tackling the fells in good company.
Today I can hardly move and Oscar has slept all day! It's good for us though and we need to keep trying to do the epic runs until they gradually become easier.
I do think I am going to have to build back my fitness a little slower than I had planned... keep the steady consistant running going for another 7 weeks.
With the odd adventure thrown in for good measure of course!
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