Wed – Olympic Time Trial

With both Armistead and Pooley riding for GB Women, and Froome and Wiggins riding for the men, I looked at the weather on Monday, saw that Wed was going to be ok and managed to get the day off. Olympic fever certainly hit me. Trying to make the most of living in London and having the Olympics. Once in a lifetime and all that.

I’d checked the route, worked out where I could see them go past twice, and thought that it’d be a idea to go and have a ride round Box Hill afterwards to see what all the fuss was about over the weekend.

I was up early, onto my bike at 10am and rode down to Esher and through onto Lammas Lane. Checking the route, I positioned myself on a corner/rounabout following a downhill stretch leading into an uphill where it was a short 2min ride to the other side of the course.

There was a group of Welsh lads, when I say lads, ageing from mid 30’s to their late 60’s who were part of a cycling club and had come for the day to watch the race. It was a lot quieter than I expected, just out of a town centre inside the M25. I thought from the Road Race on Sat/Sun and with school holidays and bright sunshine forcast, it’d be rammed. It wasn’t, and on the other side on Portsmouth Road, it was even quieter, although more stewards as no fencing to keep us back.

The welsh lads were good very friendly, and knowledgeable. One of them had supposedly won bronze in the time trial at the Commenwealth Games back in Wales all those years ago, I have to check that out. Having jokes on someone 30years your senior and an OAP who beats you up every hill still made me feel better about Henry Turgoose smashing me and Alex up the hills this summer down to Woolacombe.

Armistead was first to pass, followed by Pooley. I shot up to Portsmouth road to continue cheering, without an iPhone or anything, was tough to work out who was doing well. Back down to Lammas Lane and I heard that Pooley had got silver, but that was only on finishing. Others came in quicker, so she was out of a medal, but both Pooley and Armistead got top 10.

Onto the mens race, and it seemed the crowd was, surprisingly, less than earlier for the women, even though the spitting rain had stopped and the sun was well and truly out. Froome went flying past, and at our point, just before the 18k marker, seemed to be well up on whoever was in front of him, then the big dog, Tony Martin went past and we knew Wiggins was behind him, from my BB stopwatch, he was up at least 5 seconds on Martin, which was good news. Heading up to Portsmouth Road, and word was that Froome was flying, up 24secs and then Wiggins had gone past 11secs ahead of him. Not sure what to believe after the Pooley getting Silver nonsense earlier, took with pinch of salt, especially knowing cancellara was behind Wiggins, and a strong contender. Froome Zoomed past, then later on Wiggins, who’d made up even more time on Martin, and cancellara seemed excessively far behind.

Jumping on the bike and heading into Esher I was surprised at the support on the route, I must have been at a very quiet point. But all the better, spreading out the support rather than in popular places. Got a great view too! Into Esher and the pubs had people clambering up the walls and people on shoulders with a rammed pub trying to catch a glimpse of the screen to see who could know Froome of his Golden Throne. It was taken first by the German, Tony Martin, then by fellow GB team mate, Sky team mate, and Tour De France Winner Bradley Wiggins. Massive Massive cheers as Wiggins came in first with Froome 3rd as we waited for cancellara to finish, who was well off the pace leaving us with a 1-3 finish which was incredible. People in the street outside the pub, cheering and hugging each other. For cycling! Incredible!

So, with that, a Double Decker eaten, water drank, I headed down to Leatherhead and to Box Hill. Quick stop for a gel before attempting the hill, and I failed at the first hurdle. The road was closed for ‘Olympic work’ so either they’re putting back in the speed humps, or taking down the screens and paraphernalia from the weekends road race. A shame, anyway, not discouraged, I went round the side on rolling roads, some hills I wouldn’t find in East London and then a nice route back on an excellent road, smashing it into Epsom. The through to Richmond Park where realising I was hungry, and in need of liquid thought would stop at the Cafe. It was 6pm, it was shut. I could feel my hunger eating me up, after 57 miles, I needed more than the mornings porridge and lunchtimes ham and cucmber sandwich with hula hoops and a double decker. It was all I could do to smash down another Torq Gel, finish my water and head home running on empty.

71 miles done, the furthest I’ve ridden since Woolacombe trip, a Time Trial watched where we managed to get a 1-3 in the mens and make Bradley Wiggins our most successful Olympian ever.

Bring on tomorrow and the Velodrome, albeit on TV….

Tuesday – Canoe Slalom

What can-oe

Sunday – Womens Road Race

Waking up exceptionally hungover with 3 days boozing in a row I knew Sunday would be a struggle. Heading back from Ross’s to mine, I had to go round Marble Arch. I knew that the Womens Road Race would be heading past Hyde Park Corner and down to the Mall, so thought would go check it out. There was also a fairly sexy chick on a sexy road bike riding that way, so I followed her.

I managed to get a spot where could see the ‘paid for peoples’ big screen which was ok, and hear what was going on. Then along came the Florida Gators, marching band from University of Florida. They were playing Beatles songs, it was alright. But, surprisingly, all the pom pom girls, and baton girls, weren’t very attractive, or had the best of figures. You’d think that for that in America, they’d be the sexy chicks. But I guess they are the one’s who haven’t got into the Cheerleading Squad, and have to find another avenue to do things, so Marching Band it is. It was good, just like in an american film, but what it had to do with the Olympics, or Cycling for that matter, I’ve no idea. Well, that’s a lie, I have no idea now, but at the time I had a thought. The University of Florida’s nickname for their clubs is ‘Gators’ which was what a few people were chanting/shouting ‘Go Gators’ in annoying US accents. Gatorade comes from Florida, and as it sponsors Team Sky and GB Cycling, maybe they had something to do with this, but on emailing the brand manager, no dice. Just a coincidence.

We got moved by the police after watching the screen for nearly an hour, as it was a ‘walkway’ which is nonsense. I locked my bike up, and got myself positioned outside Buckingham Palace next to some Dutch peeps. I spent the next hour on the phone to my parents who relayed information which I increasingly told the crowd as we had no screen, radio or speakers giving us information about the race. Before the race finished, the heavens opened and we were all soaked through. Honestly ridiculous. Soaking wet, but in Gatorade waterproof and LMNH cap, I braved it out. Come 2km out and Lizzie Armistead was still in the breakaway 3 with the Russian and Mariane Voss. As they went past, Armistead was in 3rd with a sprint finish ahead on the final 300m or so. Not sure what happened to my phone, but it went dead, so we found out that the Dutchwoman, Voss, got first from the Dutch crowd across the way, and then from re-connecting with the parents that Armistead got the first Team GB medal of the games, the Silver. An impressive performance and was great to be there for the mens and womens road race, and for us to have got a medal.

Cycled home, ordered curry, ate it, slept, woke up and felt like death. The adrenalin of Olympics had worn off, the food needed digestion and the call of work in the morning was horrible. An early night required.

Saturday – Olympic Road Race

After the late night and fun times of Friday’s opening ceremony, it was an early start and a 10 mile bike ride over to Ross’s to kick off Saturday. Aided by a Gatorade Prime, Torq Gel and halfway over, the realisation I’m still drunk because I stopped drinking at 2am and was back up on my bike at 7:15am, I headed East to West.

Arriving at Ross’s to a bacon roll, in a lovely wholemeal bun and decent bacon, the day was off to a flyer. Quick shower and we headed to Richmond Park then changed to our GO CAV t shirts.

We got quite a lot of people asking for photo’s and with our Look Mum No Hands Union Jack hats as well, were certainly stand outs in a crowd of cycling enthusiasts. A gentleman came over and interviewed us for the Guardian newspaper and were featured on Sunday online here

Then Cav came right past us in the peloton, so close, almost touching distance. We then made a slow exit to a  pub where some other guys who we helped by locking their bikes us to ours got us our first round in. It was certainly going to be a super cider saturday. We watching it on TV where there were boo’s as BBC changed the coverage channel to BBC Three and we got ladies football then cheering when the Cycling was put back on.

After the 7th lap of Box Hill, we ventured back to Richmond Park to see the leading group go past, but had no idea Cancellaro had falled at Richmond Gate corner, and were disappointed to see Cav, Wiggo, Froome and Tannard still 1min off the leading pack with little hope of a medal.

Back to the pub as quick as possible from the park where I got shouted at ‘the race is the other way’. How witty. There was a TV outside that we saw the Kazak from Team Sky nab the gold and then headed back to Ross’s. Great day out, but a disappointing result

Friday – Olympic Opening Ceremony

When we were round Lammy’s for poker a while ago, I realised that he had an excellent view of the Olympic Stadium and site, so when looking for a place to watch the Fireworks for the opening ceremony, what better place than a 9th floor flat with a view like that? I was pretty stoked that he was planning on having people round for the ceremony. But that was later on in the evening.

I went for a 20mile ride in the evening, and headed back through Leyton and found it exceptionally quiet, really quiet. Especially for a Friday. Then tried to go along the canal, but it was shut. It was annoying, but seems that the shut canal has caused other fatal problems, with tragic news on Wed that a cyclist was killed in an accident with an Olympic bus.

I headed over to the pub to have a pint with Lammy, Will, Dene and Eliza before heading to Henry’s next door for the start of the ceremony. Proper great levels of enthusiasm and enjoyment from everyone, we thought the opening ceremony would be shit, but it was anything but.

With the break, well, walking out of the teams, and knowing Team GB would be last, I headed over to Lammy’s and managed to get in the door as someone who was going to another Olympic party let me in, and we crammed into a lift with my bike and some patriotically dressed people partying down a few floors below.

Seeing the NHS nurse dancers and one flash us, and then the Ziggy Stardust one’s bust out their dance routine on the Homerton Station platform to the whoops and cheers of the entire block of FPT was special.

Then the fireworks which were great and some fantastic shots of the london skyline on my camera then home as had an early start on Saturday. Home, at like, 2am.

Marathon Thanks

When people who’ve ran a marathon tell you that it consumes your life, you don’t really appreciate how true that actually is. With the London Marathon being this Sunday, and after running over 300 miles since Jan in training, I’m looking forward to not having to think ‘when can I get my runs in this week?’ and being able to go out drinking of a Saturday night and have a lie in on Sunday, rather than stay sober and get up to pound the pavements.

While this is going to be great, unfortunately I’m not going to have the pay off of finishing the London Marathon, or even starting it.

On my last long training run I injured myself on the final mile, experiencing shooting pains up my left leg. My self diagnosis whilst at home on the internet was Achilles Tendinitis, and a trip to A&E, my favourite way to spend Easter Sunday, confirmed it.

I’ve been resting up since then, barely leaving the house and using crutches to get about, but there just hasn’t been enough time for my tendon to recover, let alone allow me time to build it’s strength back up. A trip to the doctors on Tuesday pretty much shot down any hope I had of running as I was advised I could do myself irreversible long term damage, and the final nail in the coffin was yesterday, when I was unable to walk half a mile without hobbling or being in pain.

You may ask “what about my sponsorship if you’re not even running the marathon?” and it’d be a valid question. I’m in contact with Shelter and we’re looking into other Marathon’s that they have places in which I could run later in the year. If that doesn’t come to fruition, then I’m also looking at other UK Marathons which I can run, as my plan, which hasn’t changed, is to run a Marathon before I hit the big 3 0 next January. So don’t fret, you sponsored me, and I’m going to run a marathon before the year is out.

This email’s not just to let you know I’m not running, but also to say thank you. There’s little doubt that training has consumed my life, and has been most of what I talk about on a daily basis that’s not work related. Thanks for putting up with my boring talk of distances, times and pace. To the people who’s birthdays and celebratory drinks I’ve missed as have had to get up early the next day to go running, thanks for being understanding. Thanks for all your sponsorship, I don’t think I ever expected such a great response from my friends and colleagues and thanks for the support I’ve received over the past few months and the training and race day advice I’ve got from certain people.

Finally, I guess I’d like to apologise, because, I’m going to have to go through this all again later in the year, but I promise to try and talk about it a little less.

Cheers

Keith

I’d laugh if I could, as the last post I had up here was the one bemoaning my first batch of tendinitis back at the end of Jan, and now there’s this one, saying I’ve got it ever worse. FFS.

Fucking Tendinitis

I’ve been pretty fucking useless with marathon running updates, which, really, is no surprise. My runs had been getting longer and instead of coming home after a 3 or 4 mile run and being able to sit down, write a little, reflect and then stretch and shower, they’ve turned into 7-9 mile runs, in the cold, where I really need to stretch as soon as I get home, and re-hydrate, and wash my face from the dried on sweat which has calcified to my eyebrows and beard.

All was going exceptionally well, after a curry and a few beers round Henry’s in Kensal Rise the weekend before last, we set out for a 9 mile run around Hampstead Heath. It was excessively hilly, and I thought nothing of it. The previous Thursday I had embarked on a 5 mile run doing interval training, and I’d been told by Tom Cheeseman that ‘You can run faster than you think’ so I really pushed myself. It hurt.
After these two runs, I was feeling good, speed was good, pace was fine, I managed hills after 9 miles, and my new trainers were going ok. Then it hit me. a bit of pain in my foot. Shit.

The pain subsided, I assumed that it was some bruise and I was ok. The on monday, out in the Cotsworld’s with work, I went for a 8 mile run. It was hilly, one massive uphill and one massive downhill. When I got back to the hotel, my foot was in a large amount of pain. I didn’t exactly ignore it, but put a elasticated bandage round it, the tubey type, and the rest of the week, didn’t dare run.
Hmm, hospital on Friday morning, got told it was Tendinitus, then went to get a proper ankle support, compression socks, went online and bought KT tape which arrived today and have been icing and ibuprofening since. Didn’t leave the house from Friday afternoon till Monday evening. Dedication to getting better.

So now it’s Tuesday. I’m taped up, and walking in bare foot, which isn’t advised, it’s actually advised against, I seem to be ok, but putting a shoe on and walking, I get some pain. I can only assume it’s from swelling and tissue damage, but not sure. It’s been well over a week and not entirely sure how much better my foot actually is. I keep thinking it’s ok, but then again, pains a difficult thing to process over a lenthy time period.

So, certainly no running today, that makes it 8 days off running, which, with just over 11 week to the marathon, has me worries, and resigned to the fact I won’t be able to hit my ‘dream’ time. Darn it. It’s probably all my own fault, but, it’s something new for me, I’ve never had this problem before. I could blame my new trainers, but think more likely to be getting older and body isn’t in the shape it was as a teenager. The bastards don’t know how lucky they have it. Hey, at least I’m not Jack Wilshere. Actually, I’d like the money.

So, tonight, swim time, down in York Hall, hopefully the KT Tape will stay on, as it’s expensive stuff, but I’ve got ten strips woth of use, at about 1.20 per use, so not that expensive I guess. Might but some more come payday on Friday.
Yeah, swim, get some movement, get some CV work and then if feels ok, might go again tomorrow, dependent on when I get back, and how it goes, if not, then Thursday will be a bike ride or a swim. Not sure which yet. If all is ok then think a bike ride on Fri up in Leeds, a weekend on the beers and then a very very slow run on Monday night, a full 14 days after my last one, which is such a fucking pain.

Saturday Run

After the dental work earlier in the week, I’ve been on antibiotics. Amoxicilyn I believe. Anyway, I checked the internet and found that yes, I could drink on them, so Friday night had 3 pints.

This seemed like it could have been a bad idea, what with wanting to get a 7 mile run in this weekend, but it was actually ok.

I awoke late, had some chicken soup and got my shit together. I am not eating soup before going for a run again, didn’t do me any favours for the first few miles. I ran along Morning Lane, Graham Road, Balls Pond Road and then down Essex Road to Angel. It was surprisingly a bit of an uphill struggle heading towards Upper Street, but the downhill towards Old Street and simple home stretch through Shoreditch I think i turned a good pace. The total time for the 7 mile run was 57mins 30secs. Rather impressed with it. On the whole, it was a faster run than the 6 mile run on Monday evening which was 50mins. I can only wonder how much faster I’d have been with more sleep, no booze and a better food input before heading out! Checking the pace, it was fairly steady, and unlike Mondays run where i started quick and went very slow in the middle, a steady pace today was a bit of a big confidence boost.

I think that without any drinking tonight and spending it at home, I’ll go for another run tomorrow, maybe 4 miles then take a rest on Monday. I have enjoyed running in the daylight today, just feels a bit better than night and after work, plus Mon could be a bitch with Turbo Tango work to do!

Marathon training properly begun…. I think

So its Friday, and it’s been a bit of a strange week, we’ll start back with last Sunday.

I had a ‘quiet’ night on Sat, and by that I mean I did nothing, literally nothing. After driving back from Dan’s wedding I had fairly standard chow mein from ruby house, and got an early night. This mean I went for my first Sunday run, and first morning run of 2011, and more importantly, my first sun/morning run of many in the build up to April 22nd 2012.

I think I only ran, let me check, yes, I ran 3 miles not that far, but quite quick, 24 minutes, it was a good start to morning and weekend running. It turned out to be an eventful Sunday too, which included coffee, roast, sitting outside to eat for possibly the last time this year and which ended up with me driving to Talbot Green for a nice early start at Spar on Monday morning.

Monday evening, I managed to hit the gym at the hotel, and a 3mile row in just under 24mins followed by a 3mile run on the treadmill in a pityful 30mins which nearly destroyed me wasn’t great. Not sure if it was the fact I ran after doing the rowing, which haven’t done in about a year since ‘quitting’ the gym. It could be that I’m used to running on roads/parks and concentration on my pace listening back on my iPhone rather than a screen in front of me, and looking at a Top 10 Katy Perry video’s on the TV in front of me was to blame. I can’t decided. All I know is that it has cemented my despise of treadmills and that road/park running is much more fun, interesting and rewarding. I’ll have to get myself some more cold weather gear for the winter to keep it up, but I’d much rather that than a boring treadmill and a 40 odd quid a month gym membership. Ouch.

Tuesday was a late one, leaving South Wales and not getting back till gone 11pm which was a major ballache.

Wednesday, another run and a bit of a longer one, again it was quite quick and I was rather happy. 4 miles in 33 minutes. Excellent work. It’s faster than my target of hitting 7 miles an hour and with fatigue hopefully making the marathon in around 4hours.

Thursday, yesterday as I write this, and another short-ish run, 3.3miles in 28mins, which I guess is around the right pace. Felt a bit tight at the start, and going from a hot house with full heating to a cold outdoors gave me a headache for the whole run. I’d eaten well and thought that it would give me enough energy to get round a bit faster, but I think i probably lost time on a couple of traffic lights and people getting off busses, so am not beating myself up about it too much. I didn’t really stretch properly before or do any sit ups as the house was too warm. Seems from other runs that sit ups and stretching have really helped to get me pumped before I set off and get a good pace from the offset.

So, Friday, think I can get a run in this evening before a few beers and have a rest tomorrow, no drinking Sat night and then plan on getting a 6-7 miler in on sunday in the daylight after a good hearty breakfast to set myself up for the next week and show myself that i can do it.

Also, I am finding that RunKeeper is not especially accurate and am planning my routes on google maps before hand. knowing where I’m going and setting targets for distance and time have really helped on route rather than deciding whilst I’m out. I guess that target setting is going to factor a lot in other runs. On Sun I may take the overground out somewhere, and then run home rather than just do a round trip route, which could make for a better and more enjoyable run. We’ll see!

Back in the game

Runs on Wed, Thurs and Fri this week have been good, getting back into things after a few weeks being ill. Kind of been chomping at the bit to get back out but Sunday seemed like I was still too ill and work was busy early in the week. Hope that the illness is out of the way and that I’ll have a nice free run for a couple of months to get into the groove.

Wed was 3.3 miles in 26mins which seemed exceptionally fast, followed by a 3miles in 24mins which as a second run in 2 days after time off I was very happy about. Come Friday and I managed a 4.7miler in 41mins which again, was really happy with. Just need to keep it up next week and try for a weekend run on Sat or Sun… actually as it’s Dan’s wedding on Sat, probably be Sun