Feeling Low
I can’t put into words how frustrated and annoyed I am with myself, mainly for doing the lowest thing I could possibly do in a race and stepping off the track. The trials was the first sign of bad things for me and I should have paid more attention to my poor race rather than thinking/hoping that I would be ok the following week.
I didn’t feel myself during the week but I’m not one to knock opportunities and I always assume I can get the best out of myself so I chose to race hoping that some light running would freshen me up.
Things didn’t go well at all at Crystal Palace, I got to 8 laps in the race and my legs went on me, the only way I can describe it is as if someone turned on a tap and emptied the energy from me! I lost a substantial amount of distance in a very short space of time and I knew there was something wrong. I got to 4000m and I stepped off the track. Something I will regret forever. It was out of character but I have no idea what that last km would have been like as I just ran out of steam.
One positive I can take from the weekend is knowing what such great mates I have. Jonny Mellor could not have said anything better after the race to me (even if I didn’t show it at the time) what a top lad. He deserved every second of that huge PB as I know how frustrated he has been in recent times and he is finally showing what he can do. I know for a fact there’s so much more to come from him and I know he’ll show it soon enough. Also congratulations to Walshy on his top run, I don’t know how his little legs do it but when he runs a marathon I see him going off at 66′s and never stopping! Watch out Haile!
Also the texts I received from friends and family trying to cheer me up over the last few days have been great.
I’m taking a break now, I just need to let my body recover. The only conclusion I can come up with myself is that my body is just wreaked. Thinking about it I have been training uninterupted for the last 12 months and I was hitting things very hard in October/November ready for the Euro Cross. Then very hard again in January/February ready for the indoors and on to the World Cross followed by some hard sessions in Albuquerque before a PB in the Mt Sac 5000. After that I’ve been doing big sessions trying to get stronger and when I went out to Font Romeu in July and then raced Heusden my body must have just given in.
I am going to try and get a blood test done to rule out any illness or low iron/magnesium, this may be a contributing factor but I feel if this is prominent in my body the tiredness could have possibly exaggerated this. I’ll also go through my training carefully with my coach as I think we need to plan a little better next year as I don’t think you can expect to perform all year round.
I’m sure some out there may be quick to criticise me stepping off the track but I really couldn’t care less. I’m only frustrated with myself and that will disappear soon enough. Once i’ve got my body right i’ll be back, I’ll be running PB’s again and I’l be looking forward to linking up with the Loughborough lads in the coming months. The group is getting stronger and stronger and I can’t wait to get training with everyone once again.
Comments On "Feeling Low"
I appreciate all the positive comments left thank you. My body is getting its well earned rest and i'll be back! Hopefully a harder winter followed by an easier summer. I'll build a pyramid rather than the leaning tower of pisa!
Ryan Posted on August 13th, 2011I'll get my training updated soon too- I need to do my own diary first, everything is in my garmin history at the moment
Quickest leg at the 12 stage, euro xc representative, 7:54 indoor 3k, world xc representative, 13:41 5k, 29:04 10k.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Posted on August 12th, 2011Comparing those achievements with what you did in 2009/2010 shows what a great year you've had nevermind what happened at crystal palace.
Feeling Low
Heh Ryan, sorry i have been awol for a while, illness unfortunately put me pretty low too,so i can relate to how you must be feeling. Pick yourself up and start again, things are not as bad as you think and you realise this when you are faced with bad health. At least you have worked out what went wrong and you will be a stronger person for it. Don't leave it too long before you put your running shoes back on!!
Fan of the Elswick Express Posted on August 11th, 2011The wheels fall off at some point for everyone and to be honest youve had an epic innings.... 12 month consistant training!!!! Had my fingers crossed for you to bang out another pb at CP but not to worry, you'll come back stronger.
Rob Seaton Posted on August 10th, 2011+1 for updating you training.
Not that I know a huge amount about running, as a cyclist. But looking at your training throughout the year, if anyone did that in cycling they would be unable pedal come September. It’s the norm in cycling to train hard, race for a short time, then rest. Then begin again and peak several times during the race season.
Guest Posted on August 10th, 2011Dave
Can you update your training log with what you've been doing over the summer?
qwearsyjuhtrgfedws Posted on August 10th, 2011What do you plan on changing next year to make sure you peak at the right time on the track? Do you plan on hitting the country and indoors again? Do you have your eyes on the Olympics or maybe the Euro Champs?
Ice Man Posted on August 9th, 2011Sessions
Ryan...can you comment on the kinds of big sessions you had been doing to gain strength...plus the recoveries you used in the sessions themselves and in-between sessions?
Guest Posted on August 9th, 2011When you went to Font Romeu what were you focussing on particularly there? Was it mainly aerobic power work at threshold and a bit faster or did you also do a lot of short recovery/intense lactate type sessions??
If you were to do anything differently knowing what you know now what changes would you have made?
Cheers
Old Scottie
Ryan- Your blog of training and racing inspires many club and university runners on a weekly basis. Although only a few of us will race at GB level, all of us understand how difficult dealing with tiredness and a little bit of burn-out can be. I hope you can rest up guilt-free after the awesome cross and summer season you've had and come back strong. Good luck mate- any decent athlete knows when it's time to take a break and i look forward to hearing about your preparations for the winter season.
KOM Posted on August 9th, 2011Mate, you've had an awesome 12months! A great cross season which led to two GB vests, a great indoors narrowly missing out on the euros then you came out ran well at the bucs then hit a very respectable time in the us! I would kill for a season any where near this and so would most! So chin up, refresh the body and mind then come back stronger next season! Good work pal!
Barkesy Posted on August 8th, 2011Ah shit happens. In running you are lucky to get a couple of good races a year so you have done very well so far anyway with the cross country, indoors and a new 5k pb. Enjoy the break.
Maverick Posted on August 8th, 2011