Wales
Had a great week down in Wales, and although it is a long way to travel I had a really productive time. Firstly would like to thank Simon´s Mum and Dad for putting me up. I think their food bill went up quite a bit, but hopefully I was a reasonable house guest!
Coming off the back of the indoors and getting back into the miles and longer stuff has been quite tough for me, and I was wondering how my general base fitness was, so this trip enabled me to see where I was. I have already been increasing my mileage steadily which has been fine but the plan was to put in a few extra miles with company, whilst also adding a couple of longer track sessions into the week. I was pleasantly surprised with the way things went. Both Tuesday and Thursday sessions went very well for me, (shall report in training log later) Ok they were not blistering, but they were steady and given the strong winds I took encouragement out of my performances, especially after the higher mileage. On Wednesday I think Simon was trying to wear me out because we ended up doing 1 hour 30, which is something I would never do mid week between track sessions. Not only that, he took me up hills, over sand dunes, and past the famous big dipper, although I declined to run up it having already done 1hr 20!
Wednesday I popped over to the Thie´s house and it looks really good. Last time I was here was probably two years ago and I (along with James help, well a little bit anyway!) stripped the old wallpaper off the hall stairs and landing walls. Fortunately James has found time and redecorated the whole place and it looks really good. Their dog Pre has got much bigger and although excited didn't bite my toes or steal my shoes so that was a bonus! Mrs Thie made a cracking meal and James and I were able to have a good chat about things and a few irons we have in the fire, so watch this space!!
Friday was also good to meet the guys behind Runnerslife, Aaron and Dan, and we had a good chat about ways we can move the site on and make it bigger and better for all those involved and those who spend their time reading and supporting us, although we are always open to suggestions!?
So back home now and ready to start putting in some faster stuff now on the track, and really get used to that lactate burn again. I have a very busy week coming up, with lots on, but shall write about that in a few days.
Thanks also to SImon for letting me come and stay, it was good for me to get some long runs in with somebody else, as it really breaks up the boredom of being on my own. As I choose not to go warm weather training this year, well couldn't afford it, this was effectively my training trip and I hope that I was some use to him. Obviously we trained together in Morocco, but hopefully he can make a jump with his own training, and get his head down with some good hard miles in.
Thanks
Sp8y
Comments On "Wales"
Paul Jones...in reverse
Good honest comments Sp8ty.
Charles Posted on May 14th, 2009Very nice to see Paul Jones back tracking at a rate of knots!
"light hearted joke" my ar*e
Hi Paul, no hard feelings no. Sorry I guess I missed the point but felt I needed to defend myself. I am always up for constructive criticism as long as it is founded. I also believe that at my 'old age' (in this sport anyway) that I am still learning new things all the time, so any response is appreciated and then looked at. I am sure that I will get down at some point again to train with Simon, was very constructive for me, especially as over the years I would be away training somewhere at this point, so it was a welcome break having made the decision not to fly anywhere.
Sp8y Posted on May 13th, 2009Sp8y
No offence meant!
Neil- great detailed reply- and yes I agree with your comments. Typical that you never got an invite- life's a bitch and the UKA are the losers!
Paul J Posted on May 12th, 2009It was not meant to slur your past hard work and we all know the sacrifices that you have made in the name of running.
It was just a light hearted joke!
No hard feelings eh?
Training
Paul, thanks for the comment.
Sp8y Posted on May 12th, 2009I think that everyone is in agreement that Ryan is doing good stuff out there and we are looking forward to seeing him compete well in the summer and hopefully improve his PB's. He is a great guy. That being said, your last comment is a little strange. Ok my training has been reduced since I joined Runnerslife, (although the circumstances for that have been explained in my blogs) and as such not really indicative of the training I have put in over many many years. So I don't think that "can you hack it" is particularly relevant to me. I have in the past probably over-trained, certainly in respect of track work and have been told such by the likes of Steve Cram. Arguably I should maybe have done more mileage though. Again one thing that I am sure Ryan will agree with is that spending a couple of weeks training at altitude with Mo does not make the man and training varies in that you can get results from many approaches. As I have said before Mike East never ran more than an hour yet ran 3.32. I am surprised that you all think that he has "now seen the light" since his training stint, yet his Dad was a hard trainer 30 years ago, so the foundations of what is required for a long distance guy have always been there for him ! All of a sudden because he does a bit in Font Ramoe (sp) it is the way forward. I have trained at altitude with some World Class athletes such as Anthony Whiteman, Mike East, Hezekiel Sepeng, Robert Anderson and many many more. They did not do anymore than I do. In fact in most cases when I have been away, I have seen many Olympic and World Champions doing pretty much nothing training wise, although the drug issue may be prevalent in some cases. So just like to clarify the can you hack it bit was a little unfounded. Don't forget I am an 800/1500 m runner. Back to Ryan, we shall see where his few months away get him when he gets back, and I for one wish him all the luck. (Just also point out that I never got an invite to the mountains after arguably my best ever indoors!)
Thanks,
Sp8y
(ps Ryan hope you don't think this is a slight on you, just used you to get my point across, good luck fella!)
Training breaks
re your welsh training trip- perhaps you could try and repeat the schedules that Runnerslife member Ryan Mcleod is putting in with Ian Stewart's gang!
Paul Jones Posted on May 11th, 2009Get in touch with Simx and arrange it asap and report back!(if you can hack it?)
Cheers Tookie, was looking all over for it yesterday! Next time you will have to join us for a run..
Sp8y Posted on May 11th, 2009Scooter
Sp8y, you left your scooter in the street. I'll put it to one side and you pick up when you come to Costa Del Porthcawl again. I have spotted Sim having a sneaky go when it gets dark.
Tookie Posted on May 11th, 2009