Into work early this morning so that I could finish at a reasonable hour and get an 8 mile off road base run in before having to pick up the children from "After School Club."
I decided today to do a loop based on a 8 mile loop from a Cornwall Walks book I own. The walk entitled Lizard Point, Kynance Cove and Cadgwith is described as looking "quite a short distance on the map but this is deceptive, as the coastal path is exceptionally tortuous, though without severe gradients. The scenery is outstanding, especially if a rough sea is running, and the inland leg makes a pleasant contrast with the coastal sections."
From home, I ran down to Lizard Point, the most southerly point in Britain and turned right onto the coastal footpath. From Old Lizard Head I had a fine view of the lighthouse and point. As you look around the rocks off shore have evocative names such as Man of War, Barges Rock, The Stags and Shag Rock. Sadly, all have claimed lives over the years. 207 died when the Royal Anne was wrecked on the Stags in November, 1720. The victims were buried at Pistol Meadow which you run past but sadly there is no sign or plaque for you to remember them by.
From Old Lizard Head the view opens up wuth the shapes of the rock stacks of Kynance in the distance ahead. For a while I ran across the springy level of turf passing Caerthilian Cove and Pentreath before the National Trust's car park for Kynance Cove is reached.. Kynance is one of the places beloved by the "Excursionists" of the 19th Century. Prince Albert bought his children ashore here in 1846 and Tennyson visited the cove a short while later.
I followed the path round the top of Kynance before bearing right across Lizard Downs. The path here was very muddy and wet with a golden colour before eventually arriving at the row of houses on the A3083 called Mile End. (exactly a mile on the road to Lizard Village). I crossed the road (next to Kynance Filling Station) to the track opposite and this soon opens out into a heathy wilderness (albeit muddy) with the tower of St. Grades Church in sight ahead. This was followed by another short section of gritty path that leads to the Cadgwith road. I turned right heading towards Grade and then took the path left, heading for the church. This is a place of tranquillity and I have been to a number of services here. Midnight mass is wonderful made even more of an event as there is no electric power and therefore the church is lit by oil and the organ bellows are pumped by hand.
I left the churchyard at the stone stile on the eastern end and circled the field before joining an enclosed path over a further stone stile and another field and then crossed the road to a white house, Metheven. I followed the lane towards Inglewidden and then turned left for The Devils Frying Pan.. Running down the hill, I then turned right past Town Place, a National Trust cottage. and joined the coast path again. Immediately, I was running past Devils Frying Pan which is a spectacular natural feature of a rock arch below sheer cliffs which curve like a basin around it. Always a great site and even more so today as the sea was in and washing through the arch. Running south back towards Lizard point on the coast path. Running around the cliffs the path was straightforward and Landewednack Church and the Lifeboat station can be seen in the distance. I ran down into Church Cove (conscious that I soon had to collect the children from school!) and then up past Mariners cottage and back towards the village but not before doing a short out and back detour down Green Lane to ensure I could make the run 8 miles.
All in all a great run after work that I used a new app on my phone for called RunKeeper. The whole run was done at a steady base heart rate pace with no negative aspects to it at all.
I am blessed to be able to live here! :-)
Runkeeper
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Monday, 25 March 2013
Latest Update - 24th March 2013
I have been terribly remiss in my updates and that is either because of work or other commitments I have had but, I have been training. I think the best way forward for the blog is to literally use it as my training diary.
A quick summary of the last few weeks has involved quite a few off road runs around the coastpath and some bike sessions. With 15 weeks to go now until The Outlaw Triathlon (Ironman distance) i am really starting to become more specific as opposed to just maintenance whilst at the same time looking to compete in other events before and after. These are as follows;
7th April 2013 - The Buttermere 10 Mile Trail run up in the gorgeous Lake District. I love this area and whilst 10 miles is not a challenge in itself to run such a course with like minded people should be great fun.Buttermere 10. I won't be racing the event, just using it as training and having an enjoyable day with my family. My wife will have competed the day before in a 10 Mile Cycle Time Trial so it will be a bit of a sporting weekend for us.
19th May 2013 - Is the Marazion Half Ironman distance Triathlon with the swim in front of the iconic St Michaels Mount. It will be cold in the swim with a hilly and testing bike course but should be good prep and training for The Outlaw.
8th June 2013 - I will be running the Endurance Life Classic Quarter 44 mile Ultra Run. The start is in my village and follows the coastpath around to Lands End. Despite the fact I live on the the start line I have never run this event and so would like to. My rationale is again to take it steady but for it to give me encouragement and mental and physical strength to tackle the marathon run in The Outlaw after spending 112 miles on the bike and a 2.4 mile swim.
7th July 2013 - The Outlaw Ironman Distance Triathlon. Myself and 5 colleagues are competing in this event. It incorporates the National Emergency Services Championships so we shall see how we all get on.
17th August 2013 - The Plague 64 mile Ultra Run. This is being organised by MudCrew Events and it seems is based on a course I did a couple of times in the 1990's when there was a 33 mile event from St. Anthony Point (or as the lighthouse is known locally, "Fraggle Rock") around the coastpath to St. Austell. I am looking forward to doing it again nearly 15 years later. I remember doing a night shift first, driving down from Torbay (where I was based at the time) and then running the event with no sleep.
So, training. Where am I with that? Well yesterday, (23rd March 2013) I did my first long run. I had 14 miles pencilled into my diary and because of family commitments and building my training around my wife's I was up at 6 a.m. a quick bite to eat and off out of the door with map as I planned to do a loop which involved the coast path around the Lizard Peninsula but cutting across and along footpath over the fields and Downs. We have had a lot of rain and I knew it was going to be very wet and muddy. However, I don't mind that. The coastpath in fact wasn't too bad. It wasn't until I turned off the coastpath at Poltesco to start finding my way across the barely discernable public footpath through farmers fields that the wet and more than ankle deep mud came into its own. This together with map reading meant that the run was slower than it would have been but still great fun anyway. Just being out in the fresh air is a real bonus. I ran at no more than 75% of my maximum heart rate which I refer to as base. It wasn't too cold but when I reached the west coast the south westerly wind kicked in and made a definite difference to the chill. All in all, 14 miles of good running up and down through fields and coastpath, mostly in ankle deep slippery mud but my Inov8 Mudclaws were upto the job albeit I reckon I have now grown webbed feet.
I will attach some pictures taken during the run first and then some more taken over the past few weeks.
23rd March 2013 - 14 mile run pics
Runs over the past few weeks Pics!
A quick summary of the last few weeks has involved quite a few off road runs around the coastpath and some bike sessions. With 15 weeks to go now until The Outlaw Triathlon (Ironman distance) i am really starting to become more specific as opposed to just maintenance whilst at the same time looking to compete in other events before and after. These are as follows;
7th April 2013 - The Buttermere 10 Mile Trail run up in the gorgeous Lake District. I love this area and whilst 10 miles is not a challenge in itself to run such a course with like minded people should be great fun.Buttermere 10. I won't be racing the event, just using it as training and having an enjoyable day with my family. My wife will have competed the day before in a 10 Mile Cycle Time Trial so it will be a bit of a sporting weekend for us.
19th May 2013 - Is the Marazion Half Ironman distance Triathlon with the swim in front of the iconic St Michaels Mount. It will be cold in the swim with a hilly and testing bike course but should be good prep and training for The Outlaw.
8th June 2013 - I will be running the Endurance Life Classic Quarter 44 mile Ultra Run. The start is in my village and follows the coastpath around to Lands End. Despite the fact I live on the the start line I have never run this event and so would like to. My rationale is again to take it steady but for it to give me encouragement and mental and physical strength to tackle the marathon run in The Outlaw after spending 112 miles on the bike and a 2.4 mile swim.
7th July 2013 - The Outlaw Ironman Distance Triathlon. Myself and 5 colleagues are competing in this event. It incorporates the National Emergency Services Championships so we shall see how we all get on.
17th August 2013 - The Plague 64 mile Ultra Run. This is being organised by MudCrew Events and it seems is based on a course I did a couple of times in the 1990's when there was a 33 mile event from St. Anthony Point (or as the lighthouse is known locally, "Fraggle Rock") around the coastpath to St. Austell. I am looking forward to doing it again nearly 15 years later. I remember doing a night shift first, driving down from Torbay (where I was based at the time) and then running the event with no sleep.
So, training. Where am I with that? Well yesterday, (23rd March 2013) I did my first long run. I had 14 miles pencilled into my diary and because of family commitments and building my training around my wife's I was up at 6 a.m. a quick bite to eat and off out of the door with map as I planned to do a loop which involved the coast path around the Lizard Peninsula but cutting across and along footpath over the fields and Downs. We have had a lot of rain and I knew it was going to be very wet and muddy. However, I don't mind that. The coastpath in fact wasn't too bad. It wasn't until I turned off the coastpath at Poltesco to start finding my way across the barely discernable public footpath through farmers fields that the wet and more than ankle deep mud came into its own. This together with map reading meant that the run was slower than it would have been but still great fun anyway. Just being out in the fresh air is a real bonus. I ran at no more than 75% of my maximum heart rate which I refer to as base. It wasn't too cold but when I reached the west coast the south westerly wind kicked in and made a definite difference to the chill. All in all, 14 miles of good running up and down through fields and coastpath, mostly in ankle deep slippery mud but my Inov8 Mudclaws were upto the job albeit I reckon I have now grown webbed feet.
I will attach some pictures taken during the run first and then some more taken over the past few weeks.
23rd March 2013 - 14 mile run pics
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| Towards Cadgwith |
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| Poltesco |
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| Poltesco |
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| Looking towards Kynance Cove |
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| Kynance Cove Beach |
Runs over the past few weeks Pics!
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| St Grade Church |
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| St. Ruans Well |
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| Cadgwith |
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| St. Marys, Cadgwith |
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| Devils Frying Pan |
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| Across Housel Bay towards Lizard Point |
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| Church Cove |
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| Loe Pool |
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| Loe Pool |
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| Loe Bar Beach |
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| Lizard Point |
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| Kynance Cove |
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| Towards Oke Tor, Dartmoor |
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| Towards Oke Tor, Dartmoor |
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| Lizard Point |
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| Lizard Point |
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| Pentreath across to Kynance |
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| Kynance Cove |
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| Across Pentreath toweards Old Lizard Head |
Monday, 4 February 2013
Whiff of a chance to get into an Ironman Distance Triathlon
Since my last post, work has been very, very busy and I also took on an additional portfolio to the the other two I already hold at work. As a result, I have had to put in long hours at work and by the time I have arrived home, I have just been too tired to train. The trouble with this is, that I was advised after my accident, that if I did not stay fit I would seize up and in a few years time be crippled. I already get a lot of pain with my still broken neck but the fitter I am, the better it feels. My posture also improves, as do my moods and to be fair, probably my work. A fit body = a fit mind!
I was therefore determined to work hard but at the same time ensure I get a work / life balance in play. Ultimately, my employers will benefit as by staying fit, I will not end up being sick (albeit I have never been one to take much in the way of sickness and even after my accident was back in work (stupidly in hindsight) with 48 hrs of the brace coming off, which had been on for the 3 1/2 months, 24/7 previously). I discussed this with my boss and to be fair he was very good and receptive to my concerns.
Coincidentally, a few days ago, I received an email from the organisers of The Outlaw Triathlon asking if I was still interested in a place (I had put my name down on the reserve list) as they had some cancellations. If I was, I was to email the promoters my contact details. I've been keen to enter as I became aware that this event was going to be the National Emergency Services Ironman distance Triathlon Championships 2013 and I thought this would serve as just the carrot I needed to get out there at "Silly O'Clock" in the morning prior to going to work. I sent them my details and over the weekend, started some training. The whiff of a chance to do such an event got me outside.
I have to balance my training between my wife and 5 children, my wife's shift work and my work, which includes being "on call" for another role that I do within our organisation. So, to do an Ironman distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile marathon run) is going to take some planning and dedication. Hopefully, the next result will be, all round body fitness as well as a decent placing in the Emergency Services Championships that are incorporated into the event.
So, I have sat down and planned the next 22 weeks training.
Hopefully (work allowing) I will update this blog, more regularly than I have done until know to show that even with a wife, family and full time job it is possible to compete at such an event.
So, here goes;
Friday 1st February 2013
Bike - 1 hr base ride to Culdrose roundabout and back at BASE heart rate (75% of maximum)
Evening ride, with lights and good to be out there and clear my head after a longish day at work. After I had got in and showered, I was actually called-out to work again, so it was good to sneak that ride in. The time was actually slightly quicker because once I set the GPS off I then glove up and get going which takes slightly longer, so I expect my fist mile will always be the slowest in future.
Total - 15.37 miles in 58 mins.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
Saturday 2nd February 2013
My running, will mainly be around the beautiful coastline which is in a few minutes of my home. So off road shoes on, heart monitor on, I disappeared out of the front door during the late afternoon to complete an hours run.
Whilst quite chilly, I was sufficiently wrapped up and set off down to The Lizard Lifeboat station and then around the Cornwall Coastal Footpath in a clockwise direction, rounding Housel Bay, Lizard Point, Old Lizard Head and towards Kynance before cutting across the fields on the footpaths back to The Lizard village.
The run was at my BASE level (75% of maximum heart rate) and to be fair, whilst not fast, I was happy to be fit enough to run up and down and around the cliffs on muddy, uneven terrain without stopping for an hour. It was a glorious evening and I took a couple of photos on my phone and tracked my route on Edomondo.
Total - 4.77 miles of running in 57 mins and 36 secs
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
Sunday 3rd February 2013
This was a rest day due to other pre-planned commitments.
Monday 4th February 2013
Up with the larks and out on the road on my bike by 5.30 a.m. That's not quite true, as I did the first 25 minutes on the turbo before getting out in the misty drizzle and darkness and rode for a further 1 hr and 35 mins. This ride was done at BASE (75%) and I took in Ruan Minor, Kuggar, Traboe Cross, towards St. Keverne/Coverack and back via Goonhilly, Mawgan, Culdrose and then back down the last 7 miles to home. It was obviously light by the time I reached home but it was great to be out there and I was really pleased to be out there once I had warmed up.
Total - 31.6 miles were covered in the 2 hrs
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
Once at work, I received a call from the organisers of the Outlaw Triathlon and managed to secure a place. I was absolutely delighted.
I now secretly have a goal in mind of where I would like to be but that is a secret until just before the event when I will be able to say whether it is realistic or not.
I was therefore determined to work hard but at the same time ensure I get a work / life balance in play. Ultimately, my employers will benefit as by staying fit, I will not end up being sick (albeit I have never been one to take much in the way of sickness and even after my accident was back in work (stupidly in hindsight) with 48 hrs of the brace coming off, which had been on for the 3 1/2 months, 24/7 previously). I discussed this with my boss and to be fair he was very good and receptive to my concerns.
Coincidentally, a few days ago, I received an email from the organisers of The Outlaw Triathlon asking if I was still interested in a place (I had put my name down on the reserve list) as they had some cancellations. If I was, I was to email the promoters my contact details. I've been keen to enter as I became aware that this event was going to be the National Emergency Services Ironman distance Triathlon Championships 2013 and I thought this would serve as just the carrot I needed to get out there at "Silly O'Clock" in the morning prior to going to work. I sent them my details and over the weekend, started some training. The whiff of a chance to do such an event got me outside.
I have to balance my training between my wife and 5 children, my wife's shift work and my work, which includes being "on call" for another role that I do within our organisation. So, to do an Ironman distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile marathon run) is going to take some planning and dedication. Hopefully, the next result will be, all round body fitness as well as a decent placing in the Emergency Services Championships that are incorporated into the event.
So, I have sat down and planned the next 22 weeks training.
Hopefully (work allowing) I will update this blog, more regularly than I have done until know to show that even with a wife, family and full time job it is possible to compete at such an event.
So, here goes;
Friday 1st February 2013
Bike - 1 hr base ride to Culdrose roundabout and back at BASE heart rate (75% of maximum)
Evening ride, with lights and good to be out there and clear my head after a longish day at work. After I had got in and showered, I was actually called-out to work again, so it was good to sneak that ride in. The time was actually slightly quicker because once I set the GPS off I then glove up and get going which takes slightly longer, so I expect my fist mile will always be the slowest in future.
Total - 15.37 miles in 58 mins.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
Saturday 2nd February 2013
My running, will mainly be around the beautiful coastline which is in a few minutes of my home. So off road shoes on, heart monitor on, I disappeared out of the front door during the late afternoon to complete an hours run.
Whilst quite chilly, I was sufficiently wrapped up and set off down to The Lizard Lifeboat station and then around the Cornwall Coastal Footpath in a clockwise direction, rounding Housel Bay, Lizard Point, Old Lizard Head and towards Kynance before cutting across the fields on the footpaths back to The Lizard village.
The run was at my BASE level (75% of maximum heart rate) and to be fair, whilst not fast, I was happy to be fit enough to run up and down and around the cliffs on muddy, uneven terrain without stopping for an hour. It was a glorious evening and I took a couple of photos on my phone and tracked my route on Edomondo.
Total - 4.77 miles of running in 57 mins and 36 secs
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
 |
| Above Lizard Lifeboat Station towards Black Head |
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| Across Housel Bay towards Lizard Point and the Lighthouse (in the sun!) |
Sunday 3rd February 2013
This was a rest day due to other pre-planned commitments.
Monday 4th February 2013
Up with the larks and out on the road on my bike by 5.30 a.m. That's not quite true, as I did the first 25 minutes on the turbo before getting out in the misty drizzle and darkness and rode for a further 1 hr and 35 mins. This ride was done at BASE (75%) and I took in Ruan Minor, Kuggar, Traboe Cross, towards St. Keverne/Coverack and back via Goonhilly, Mawgan, Culdrose and then back down the last 7 miles to home. It was obviously light by the time I reached home but it was great to be out there and I was really pleased to be out there once I had warmed up.
Total - 31.6 miles were covered in the 2 hrs
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/156134775/3490305
Once at work, I received a call from the organisers of the Outlaw Triathlon and managed to secure a place. I was absolutely delighted.
I now secretly have a goal in mind of where I would like to be but that is a secret until just before the event when I will be able to say whether it is realistic or not.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
"The Tuesday Ride" - 2nd October 2012
Prior to my serious cycling accident 3 years ago I would get out with a group of guys and girls from my cycling Club, One & All Cycling on most Tuesdays making sure I worked a late shift if I happened to be working that day. I loved these rides as I was out with a great bunch of people with a similair interest, getting a half decent ride in that was both social and indeed on occasions very physical (depending on how hard we decided to push it!) whilst at the same time seeing some different parts of the fabulous county of Cornwall.
Since my accident I have just been unable to do the rides because just being on the bike was too painful around my upper back and neck. I have to say though that my friends would still come and visit me after my accident which was always really appreciated by myself. They don't really know how much I appreciated them to be honest.
I wanted to try to get out a few weeks ago but I knew my friends would just be too fit and fast for me. I decided therefore to wait until the end of the cycle racing season as I know the rides slow down and gradually build up again as the spring approaches. I was heartened with my rides in France as the pain had subsided and I can only put this down to being fitter through my running.
So, at 9 am, I met up with the guys at Union Corner in Falmouth and immediately the banter I had missed for three years started. The group this time included David the GP, Darren the Coastguard Helicopter Pilot, Fiona, the Cycling Coach and myself before we later joined by another Dave.
It was a dry day but quite windy. The Tuesday ride generally follows the same route and thankfully, the pace was not too fast on this hilly course. My heart rate monitor decided not to work so I couldn't tell you how hard I was going but I certainly felt within myself. Riding from Falmouth, through the back roads to Treverva and then up and across and around the back of Stithians Lake before the long climb up and towards Redruth before hanging a left to pass through Carnkie (Redruth) and down through Pool and onto Portreath before travelling across North Cliffs to Gwithian where we stopped (as has been usual for the Tuesday ride for the past 4 years) at The Godrevy Beach Cafe (check out the virtual tour. I never get tired of the beauty around here and you can even see one of our club members in his kit sat outside!) for coffee and a cake. More excellent banter and then back onto the bikes, to cycle up through Gwithian to Connor Downs, past Trevaskis Farm (another great place for cakes!) and onto Praze-an-Beeble before the long climb up to Black Head and onto Porkellis and then Carnkie (Helston). Unusually, we have two Carnkies in Cornwall, just about 7 miles as the crow flies apart from each other. Our route for the last few miles retraces the start through Treverva back to Union Corner in Falmouth.
It was a great ride and I was delighted as despite a dull ache I was not suffering in any way with the pain that I have had before.
All in all, I had great fun in great company and the route can be found (in two parts as I didn't include the cafe stop) on my Endomondo link for 2nd October.
If anyone wants to join us for the ride then you can. The only rule is that you have to wear an approved cycle helmet. See you at Union Corner, Falmouth at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays! If I am not there, someone always will be.
Since my accident I have just been unable to do the rides because just being on the bike was too painful around my upper back and neck. I have to say though that my friends would still come and visit me after my accident which was always really appreciated by myself. They don't really know how much I appreciated them to be honest.
I wanted to try to get out a few weeks ago but I knew my friends would just be too fit and fast for me. I decided therefore to wait until the end of the cycle racing season as I know the rides slow down and gradually build up again as the spring approaches. I was heartened with my rides in France as the pain had subsided and I can only put this down to being fitter through my running.
So, at 9 am, I met up with the guys at Union Corner in Falmouth and immediately the banter I had missed for three years started. The group this time included David the GP, Darren the Coastguard Helicopter Pilot, Fiona, the Cycling Coach and myself before we later joined by another Dave.
It was a dry day but quite windy. The Tuesday ride generally follows the same route and thankfully, the pace was not too fast on this hilly course. My heart rate monitor decided not to work so I couldn't tell you how hard I was going but I certainly felt within myself. Riding from Falmouth, through the back roads to Treverva and then up and across and around the back of Stithians Lake before the long climb up and towards Redruth before hanging a left to pass through Carnkie (Redruth) and down through Pool and onto Portreath before travelling across North Cliffs to Gwithian where we stopped (as has been usual for the Tuesday ride for the past 4 years) at The Godrevy Beach Cafe (check out the virtual tour. I never get tired of the beauty around here and you can even see one of our club members in his kit sat outside!) for coffee and a cake. More excellent banter and then back onto the bikes, to cycle up through Gwithian to Connor Downs, past Trevaskis Farm (another great place for cakes!) and onto Praze-an-Beeble before the long climb up to Black Head and onto Porkellis and then Carnkie (Helston). Unusually, we have two Carnkies in Cornwall, just about 7 miles as the crow flies apart from each other. Our route for the last few miles retraces the start through Treverva back to Union Corner in Falmouth.
It was a great ride and I was delighted as despite a dull ache I was not suffering in any way with the pain that I have had before.
All in all, I had great fun in great company and the route can be found (in two parts as I didn't include the cafe stop) on my Endomondo link for 2nd October.
If anyone wants to join us for the ride then you can. The only rule is that you have to wear an approved cycle helmet. See you at Union Corner, Falmouth at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays! If I am not there, someone always will be.
Monday, 1 October 2012
1st October 2012 - Discipline starts
My wife was up at 5.00 a.m. ready to get ready for her early shift starting at 7 a.m. and I was woken by the alarm clock too. I tried to doze for a few more minutes having had a few calls from work through the night but that early morning dawn chorus known as a "lesser spotted ladies hairdryer" brought me to my senses, so I thought I may as well get up!!! So by 5.30 am, I was dressed in my running kit with my buddy the head torch and I popped out of the front door for a short run before she disappeared and left the children home alone :-) (only kidding of course!)
It was a very still morning and dark as I ran through the village before disappearing off down the footpaths and onto the coast path. There was a slight drizzle and the ground underfoot was very damp having had a downpour overnight but it was refreshing and great to be out there. Lizard Point Lighthouse cast me in light every 30 seconds as I ran towards Housel Bay and then I took different paths back up into the village and through the fields back to home. It may have been early but it was worth it and refreshed me for the start of the day ahead at work. I walked back in the front door as Mrs T. walked out for work. A quick breakfast, shower and change before getting my children up, showered and out of the door delivering them to breakfast club.
A short run as can be seen on Endomondo but off road in the main and 28 minutes in the bank. Not a 100 miles but you need to start somewhere!!!
It was a very still morning and dark as I ran through the village before disappearing off down the footpaths and onto the coast path. There was a slight drizzle and the ground underfoot was very damp having had a downpour overnight but it was refreshing and great to be out there. Lizard Point Lighthouse cast me in light every 30 seconds as I ran towards Housel Bay and then I took different paths back up into the village and through the fields back to home. It may have been early but it was worth it and refreshed me for the start of the day ahead at work. I walked back in the front door as Mrs T. walked out for work. A quick breakfast, shower and change before getting my children up, showered and out of the door delivering them to breakfast club.
A short run as can be seen on Endomondo but off road in the main and 28 minutes in the bank. Not a 100 miles but you need to start somewhere!!!
Bumping Along
So, over the past few weeks, I have bumped along doing infrequent training which has involved either running or cycling for between 30 minutes to 90 minutes in Cornwall and in France. The cycling in France (Charente Maritime) was superb. Quiet, country, good surfaced roads with hardly any cars to be seen. In fact if I saw four cars an hour on a ride in France I would not be exagerrating. All my training was done at 70 - 75% of MHR, so base training and on the bike I managed to average 17 mph at that speed, so I was pretty pleased to be honest and it showed that my ultra run training had got me to a reasonable standard of fitness. What I was delighted about was though, was that my broken neck and back whilst not totally pain free was far better than it has been when I have tried intermittently to get on my bike over the past 2 years or so. I put that down to again, the ultra run training.
I was also out running. Going through the maize fields and forests of the area. Very hot on occasions (well for me anyway) at upto 35 degrees celsius but fantastic just the same. Peaceful with the only sound being the wind in the maize or the Crickets and Grasshoppers doing their thing in the grass or the odd lizard scurrying away from under my feet. This made me jump at first but once used to it, it was not a problem.
Since my return from France, I have managed to do a couple of runs but no bike riding. From 1st October, I start training in earnest.
My Endmondo links below albeit I didn't have the GPS everytime. I will do from October 1st.
workouts
Below, I will post the pictures I took whilst out training in France and some in Cornwall (I'm sure you'll guess which ones are France and which are in Cornwall :-) ). I hope you like them.
I was also out running. Going through the maize fields and forests of the area. Very hot on occasions (well for me anyway) at upto 35 degrees celsius but fantastic just the same. Peaceful with the only sound being the wind in the maize or the Crickets and Grasshoppers doing their thing in the grass or the odd lizard scurrying away from under my feet. This made me jump at first but once used to it, it was not a problem.
Since my return from France, I have managed to do a couple of runs but no bike riding. From 1st October, I start training in earnest.
My Endmondo links below albeit I didn't have the GPS everytime. I will do from October 1st.
workouts
Below, I will post the pictures I took whilst out training in France and some in Cornwall (I'm sure you'll guess which ones are France and which are in Cornwall :-) ). I hope you like them.
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| Caerthilian Cove - Run |
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| Towards Kynance Cove - Run |
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| Lizard Point - Run |
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| Above Gatebourse - Bike |
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| Towards Nere - Bike |
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| Saleignes - Bike |
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| Vinax - Bike |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Run |
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| Looking down into Gatebourse - Run |
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| La Garenne - Where I was staying at the end of the run |
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| Cognac - Bike |
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| Cognac - Bike |
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| Bike |
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| Bike - Mortagne Sur Gironde |
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| Bike - Mortagne Sur Gironde |
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| Lizard Point - Run |
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