So where have I been .... Holiday that's where!

Good points:

• Been on two - three holidays
• Eaten loads
• Thoroughly enjoyed myself

Bad points:

• New PB. Not in anything good but the heaviest I have been since the "Guinness" term at uni
• Hardly any running
• All of August off

Two weeks & two days we are meant to be doing a half marathon. Not much chance of that as things stand. Look at yesterday's stats for the first time running in over a month:

Session: 23

Training Date: 08-Sep-11

Approx Time of training: 7:33 PM

Days to London: 227

Distance Covered (km): 8.25

Total Distance in training (km): 98.21

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:58:32

Exercise Time (hours): 0.98

Av Speed (km / h): 8.46

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Home from work

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/51363330

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 85.8

Cost per gym Visit £41

As you can see I have had to introduce a new category to track my weight as this is getting bad. Yesterday was so bad that I had to get a bus from where I gave up! I am not looking forward to this damn half marathon. I am really slow at the moment and massively unfit. Help!

So what happened in August on the running from ... nothing - that's what!

In July after the British 10k, I went on a cruise. I managed one day where I did laps of the top deck, and one day where I tried to but was too hungover. As I was running on the top deck and the boat was moving runkeeper thinks these runs were my fastest ever but if I really could run at those speed I would be giving old Linford a run for his money. Stats:

Session: 20

Training Date: 17-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 4:15 PM

Days to London: 280

Distance Covered (km): 4.5

Total Distance in training (km): 80.26

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:25:49

Exercise Time (hours): 0.43

Av Speed (km / h): 10.46

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Vision of the seas

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/44983828

Class Details: n/a

Cost per gym Visit £41

Session: 21

Training Date: 21-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 8:11 AM

Days to London: 276

Distance Covered (km): 2.2

Total Distance in training (km): 82.46

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:14:10

Exercise Time (hours): 0.24

Av Speed (km / h): 9.32

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Vision of the seas

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/44983836

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 0

Cost per gym Visit £41

The only other thing that happened is I tried running with my old buddy Shikha. She too is doing the half marathon though she has been training loads and is looking super fit and healthy whereas I look like a fat man. We ran for a bit but then bowel trouble kicked in (for her not me) and we had to get home (quick!). Stats:

Session: 22

Training Date: 31-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 9:32 AM

Days to London: 266

Distance Covered (km): 7.5

Total Distance in training (km): 89.96

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 01:01:10

Exercise Time (hours): 1.02

Av Speed (km / h): 7.36

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Leicester

URL: http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_1497425.html

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 0

Cost per gym Visit £41

Hopefully will do at least one piece of exercise this weekend!

A crappy photo

We got a photo free. More photos available here:

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?event=Sports/CPUK/2011/British%2010k%20London%20Run&match=45386&name=Akshay

The British 10k

I nearly didn't do this, as I stubbed my toe on Saturday. But I needed to ... the previous week I was meant to be doing a Clapham run but was suffering from food poisoning or something.

The run itself was enjoyable and I thought I went okay. Though it was so crowded - you always seemed to be dodging spectators and walkers. Though the crowd support was cool - and the first time I had run with so many people watching (that's not true - better support on the GNR when I did it in 2009). Though I did feel a bit demotivated looking at the crowd and not recognising anyone.

Quite a lot of the pros on here call it a fun run: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=176536&URN=6&dt=4&srchdte=0&cp=5&v=6&sp= due to the number of walkers, etc. I for one thought it was okay - though took a long time to get going. 3 verses on the national anthem, etc. Also took nearly 30 mins to get to the front.

Overall took me an hour. Slightly disappointed as slower than last 10k but the crowds did make it difficult. I also stopped for a wee which probably added a min on so. While I would like to use the toe as an excuse, I don't think it was - held up fine in my shoe. More likely the three glasses of wine the night before didn't help!

Official stats:

Session:	19
Training Date:	10-Jul-11
Approx Time of training:	9:35 AM
Days to London:	287
Distance Covered (km):	10
Total Distance in training (km):	75.76
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:59:53
Exercise Time (hours):	1.00
Av Speed (km / h):	10.02
Incline (%):	n/a
Location:	Central London
URL:	http://www.thebritish10klondon.co.uk/HTML/Results/1112.htm
Class Details:	n/a
Cost per gym Visit	£41

Deekron 2 - Akshay 1

Deekron beat me again.

http://castroller.com/Podcasts/MotionTraxxUpbeat/2274208-Treadmill%20Intervals%20-%20Level%202

Could only do 15 minutes on this. After one minute at 8mph (9.7 kph) at incline 12% the big red button got me again.

I hate Deekron - he is too hardcore for me! Maybe I should go back down to treadmill intervals 1 - until that is easy!

Session: 18

Training Date: 06-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 8:30 PM

Days to London: 291

Distance Covered (km): n/a

Total Distance in training (km): 65.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:15:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.25

Av Speed (km / h): 7.00

Incline (%): Varied

Location: Southbank Club

URL: n/a

Class Details: Treadmill Intervals - Level 2

Cost per gym Visit £41

Killer Kat and one spinning session

So I had a go with Manasi's personal trainer; and she was awesome. A whole array of different exercises, and I really got a feel for how unfit I really am. Doesn't help that it was a boiling day, and I was suffering from hayfever though:

Session: 16

Training Date: 25-Jun-11

Approx Time of training: 2:45 PM

Days to London: 302

Distance Covered (km): n/a

Total Distance in training (km): 65.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 01:00:00

Exercise Time (hours): 1.00

Av Speed (km / h): n/a

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Southwark Park

URL: n/a

Class Details: Kataylsyt

Cost per gym Visit £50

Will definitely be back to see her - as I need it! Took me a few days to recover from being very sore. The next exercise which I did was a spin class on Friday morning:

Session: 17

Training Date: 01-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 7:00 AM

Days to London: 296

Distance Covered (km): n/a

Total Distance in training (km): 65.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:45:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.75

Av Speed (km / h): n/a

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Southbank Club

URL: n/a

Class Details: Spin Intervals, Eva

Cost per gym Visit £45

What a stink one

First time in 5 days went to the gym to do some exercise (I had been to go for a shower). I was planning 10 at 10 - 10km at 10kph. However 30 mins in and some part of my brain made me press the big red button:

Session: 15

Training Date: 22-Jun-11

Approx Time of training: 8:10 PM

Days to London: 305

Distance Covered (km): 5

Total Distance in training (km): 65.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:30:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.50

Av Speed (km / h): 10.00

Incline (%): 3.56%

Location: Southbank Club

URL: http://rnkpr.com/ao2j6r

Class Details: n/a

Cost per gym Visit £50

So why did I fail???? Maybe I am just not cut-out for this. Other possible reasons are:

• Hadn't had any dinner though I had some biscuits and a banana
• It was quite hot in there
• I forgot my running t-shirts so had to run in another t-shirt which was a bit tight and not breathable
• I cut my finger yesterday and lost some blood
• I was dehydrated

Or maybe ... I am just am crap; and trying to progress to rapidly.

Will need to try again soon.

Feel good friday

Nice early morning spin session this morning:

 

Session:               14

Training Date:    19-Jun-11

Approx Time of training:               7:00 AM

Days to London:               308

Distance Covered (km):                n/a

Total Distance in training (km):   60.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):           00:45:00

Exercise Time (hours):   0.75

Av Speed (km / h):          n/a

Incline (%):         n/a

Location:              Southbank Club

URL:       http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/39733170

Class Details:      Spin Intervals, Eva

Cost per gym Visit            £56        

 

Looking forward to Ascot tomorrow now; a nice relaxing break – hopefully. Just bought 6 bottles of champagne for the trip!

I'll show you Deekron "The fitness DJ"

Couldn't do it on Monday for whatever reason, but Thursday morning it was good:

Session: 13

Training Date: 16-Jun-11

Approx Time of training: 7:10 AM

Days to London: 311

Distance Covered (km): 2.81

Total Distance in training (km): 60.76

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:25:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.42

Av Speed (km / h): 6.74

Incline (%): 6.33%

Location: Southbank Club

URL: http://rnkpr.com/ankzxz

Class Details: Treadmill Intervals - Level 1

Cost per gym Visit £64

Deekron from http://www.motiontraxx.com/ helps you along these intervals. Not quite as a good as a personal trainer, I wouldn't think but a hell of a lot cheaper. The

Quite a short work-out but intervals where you get up to 8.1 kph at incline 12% for minutes at a time. They are hard, but feel good afterwards. Will definitely do this one again.

Once again, another bonus was being able to have a shower, as still no hot water at home.

Big up-hill stuggle

Went to the gym yesterday, and was massively unsuccessful. Couldn’t even manage 10 minutes on the treadmill most of which was a warm up:

 

Session:	12
Training Date:	13-Jun-11
Approx Time of training:	9:00 PM
Days to London:	314
Distance Covered (km):	1
Total Distance in training (km):	57.95
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:09:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.15
Av Speed (km / h):	6.67
Incline (%):	Varied
Location:	Southbank Club
Class Details:	Treadmill Intervals - Level 1
Cost per gym Visit	£75

 

So why did the gym fail? Could have been for a number of reasons:

·         I had just eaten

·         It was late at night and I was tired

·         I had still not recovered from the 10k on Saturday and the copious amounts of alcohol I also drank

·         I am just a bad runner

 

In all seriousness I think it was a combination of all of these. I will definitely try this again.

 

I occasionally use the Motion Traxx Podcasts for music: http://www.motiontraxx.com/ but I thought I would try out one of their training podcasts called Treadmill Intervals Level 1. You can listen to it here http://www.motiontraxx.com/episodes/MotionTraxx_Ep059_Treadmill_Intervals-Level_1.mp3

 

Quite early on you are doing over 8kph speed at incline 12%. An incline I have never run at. Let’s try this again at some stage and see if we can get further than 9 mins. It is only a small (24 min podcast) so thought it would be easy. On the plus side, I have managed to have a shower!

Just ate ... should I run

Found this helpful site, which says no. Might do some slow cross training or something:

 

http://www.nyrrc.org/nyrrc/mar01/training/septip.html#anchor4654369

One down ... lots to go

8am on Saturday, did my first 10k race of the year. Not a bad time (since I have only just made it up to this pace) of 55 minutes though as it was a loop, I was being lapped quite often which was a bit demoralising at the time.

Enjoyable run all-in-all though and a great way to start the weekend knowing that you have already achieved something.

Session:	11
Training Date:	11-Jun-11
Approx Time of training:	8:00 AM
Days to London:	316
Distance Covered (km):	10
Total Distance in training (km):	56.95
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:55:10
Exercise Time (hours):	0.92
Av Speed (km / h):	10.88
Location:	Battersea Park
URL:	http://uk.srichinmoyraces.org/files/uk/10K%2011-6%20Final%20Results.pdf
Class Details:	n/a
Cost per gym Visit	£90

Still no hot water, so have been going to the gym to shower, though not counting these visits in reducing the cost per gym visit unless any exercise is actually done.

First 10k is looming

First official 10k is looming. Not looking forward to it, now – a bit nervous. Not looking forward to the 8am Saturday morning start either. Going out for a few beers as David’s leaving-do from work. Must not have too many beers! I have uploaded the route.

No hot water

Boiler packed up, so the perfect opportunity to go to the gym, least of all for a shave and a shower. Did a spin class too:

 

Session:	10
Training Date:	08-Jun-11
Approx Time of training:	7:00 AM
Days to London:	319
Distance Covered (km):	n/a
Total Distance in training (km):	46.95
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:45:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.75
Av Speed (km / h):	n/a
Incline (%):	1.00%
Location:	Southbank Club
URL:	http://rnkpr.com/amyw8z
Class Details:	Spin2Thin, Eva
Cost per gym Visit	£90

 

 

Very pleased as Gym visits are now costing less than a £100 per visit!

A trip down memory lane...

Passed all the old sites:

 

·         Old School

·         Old Friends Houses

·         The Beach

·         The Most Easterly Point

·         Cliffs

·         Police Station

·         Sea Wall

·         Sparrow’s Nest

 

Enjoyed it, and new PB distance wise this year:

 

Session:	9
Training Date:	05-Jun-11
Approx Time of training:	7:50 AM
Days to London:	322
Distance Covered (km):	11.01
Total Distance in training (km):	46.95
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	01:13:40
Exercise Time (hours):	1.23
Av Speed (km / h):	8.97
Incline (%):	1.00%
Location:	Lowestoft
URL:	http://rnkpr.com/ampwve
Class Details:	n/a
Cost per gym Visit	£113

 

Back on the bike

It is been a long time since I have done a spin class, and now I remember how hard they were. But as they saying goes “It’s like riding a bike”!

 

Haven’t updated stats in a few trips, so here goes:

 

Session:	6
Training Date:	24-May-11
Approx Time of training:	7:30 PM
Days to London:	334
Distance Covered (km):	6
Total Distance in training (km):	29.11
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:36:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.60
Av Speed (km / h):	10.00
Incline (%):	1.00%
Location:	Southbank Club
URL:	http://rnkpr.com/alme9a
Class Details:	n/a
Cost per gym Visit	£150

 

Session:	7
Training Date:	29-May-11
Approx Time of training:	9:46 AM
Days to London:	329
Distance Covered (km):	6.83
Total Distance in training (km):	35.94
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:43:12
Exercise Time (hours):	0.72
Av Speed (km / h):	9.49
Incline (%):	1.00%
Location:	River to LB
URL:	http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_GB/plus/#//runs/detail/92810544/1911832955/all/allRuns/
Class Details:	n/a
Cost per gym Visit	£150

 

Session:	8
Training Date:	01-Jun-11
Approx Time of training:	7:00 AM
Days to London:	326
Distance Covered (km):	n/a
Total Distance in training (km):	35.94
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:45:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.75
Av Speed (km / h):	n/a
Incline (%):	1.00%
Location:	Southbank Club
URL:	n/a
Class Details:	Spin2Thin, Eva
Cost per gym Visit	£113