Lies, damned lies and statistics!

The good thing about keeping a training blog is that I can measure how I'm doing against this time last year... I've been getting a bit hung up about the times I've been managing for the 10k recently and so compared it with the run up to last years Great Manchester Run...

Before the GMR last year I'd done 15 runs, 7 of which were over 6 miles. So far this year I've done 14 runs (latest this evening), of which 3 have been over 6 miles with another coming close at 5.6... So I guess my long run training just hasn't been the same! I intend to get another couple of long runs in before next week but this evening settled for a 3 mile stretch, completing this in just under 25 minutes and felt good at the end of it.

Aiming to do circa 7 miles on Sunday and perhaps again next Tuesday or Wednesday... I'll then 'taper' for the weekend and hope for the best! :-)

Half mile swim

Swam half a mile this evening (32x25 metre lengths) at the Sub-aqua club pool session in 24 minutes.

Another disappointing training run...

Went out for a run this evening, tired from a busy weekend perhaps but very disappointed with 1 hour 5 mins for 6.5 miles upto the Romping Donkey and back around the Wheelock rail trail. Felt really hard work? Not boding well to beat my previous Manchester 10km time of 48 mins 31 secs but the fundraising is coming along well despite, £250 as of today! Thanks everyone!

Quick Run

Went out for a run early this evening, through Sandbach to Malkins bank and then back down the Wheelock rail trail home. 4.5 miles in 39 minutes. Felt ok but it was quite distracting hearing my own panting running without my iPod for a change!

Run around the Marina

Went for a gentle run this morning with my wife Karen along the sea front at Pwllheli and around the marina and back.

Grey cloud and a light breeze made for a lovely run! 5.6 miles in 55 minutes followed by a cool down on the rocks overlooking the sea... It doesn't get better than this!

Weight training

Did 45 minutes weight traiing this evening at Bannatynes before heading off to Abersoch for the weekend :-)

A run round the Wheelock rail trail

Did a 3 mile run up to the Sandbach by-pass and around the Wheelock rail trail this evening in just over 24 minutes. Felt hard work but pleased with the time.

Sometimes it's just hard work!

Beautiful sunny day today but at a surprise 23'c by the afternoon a bit too warm for running!

Went out at about 2pm only having had a croissant breakfast and no lunch and withered en route! Ran through Sandbach up to the Romping Donkey pub in Hassall and back down the canal towpath and Wheelock rail trail home, stopped and walked a few times along the way...

6.5 miles in a very disappointing 1 hour and 5 minutes!

Weight training

Did 45 minutes weight training in the gym this evening

Half mile swim

Had another swim this evening (sans wetsuit), 32 x 25 metre lengths in 23.5 minutes. Mostly front crawl now with about 8-10 lengths of breassroke to get a breather!

Light Nights :-)

With the arrival of BST at the weekend am now able to get out weekday evenings on some of my longer run routes which take in some lovely country lanes and off road that don't have street lights.

Had a 7.3 mile run up to the Romping Donkey pub in nearby Hassall and back tonight... Ran 6 miles in 55 minutes and completed the 7.3 miles after a stretch in 1 hour 6 minutes. Not the best of times but quite pleased given that it's been a while since I've covered this distance and all feels good afterwards :-)

Gym

45 minutes weight training this evening followed by 10 minutes in the Jacuzzi... The Jacuzzi was much easier :-)

Half mile swim

Swam 32 x 25 metre lengths this evening (no wet suit) at the Sub-Aqua club pool session in Winsford.

Gym & Swim

Did 45 minutes weight training this evening followed by 400 metres swimming (20 x 20 mtr lengths)... Knackered!

A run at dusk

The nights are starting to stay lighter for longer but still ended up running the Wheelock rail trail in semi darkness this evening! 2.5 miles in 23 minutes.

Collecting for the RNLI

Not really training but I spent a couple of hours this morning with the South Cheshire branch of the RNLI collecting in Sandbach.

It was very cold but worth the while. Overall we collected £471 with my collection contribution being £58! Not bad for a mornings work!

Thank you Sandbach!! :-)

Half mile swim

Swam again in my wetsuit this evening covering 32 x 25metre lengths of the pool in 22 minutes. The front crawl seems to be getting easier, managing just over 4 lengths at a time now before I have to bail out and breastroke!

Diving!

Took a break from the training this weekend to go Scuba diving with my daughter and the Sub-Aqua club we belong to up in Loch Long in Scotland!

That is snow on the hills so yes it was cold! :-)

You can find out more about the BSAC branch I dive with here:- http://www.vale-royal-divers.co.uk

Swimming in a wetsuit

Decided to try swimming in my wetsuit this evening in preparation for having to swim in one for the Great North Swim later in the year. It makes quite a difference being slightly more buoyant! Front crawl seems a tad easier but breast stroke much harder being more horizontal in the water.

Swam 800 metres (32 x 25mtr lengths, so half a mile) in 22 minutes, over half of which was front crawl so all in all quite pleased!

Spring?

Went out for a run this evening, twice around the block again covering 3 miles in 25 minutes and 40 seconds. Slightly warmer than last week at 3'c but still running in the dark... Roll on BST!