Johnny Hall's Travels and Travails

My training is back on track after a bad week. The week after the Great Edinburgh Run I was good for nothing. Monday and Tuesday was a write-off because I had shin-splints - I'm not sure my legs were up to running that hard. I got a short, easy run in on Wednesday but woke up on Thursday with a stiff back. And then Friday was a travel day (to Wasdale). This week was much better. After a couple of days of rest from my exertions round Scafell, I got right back in the saddle. I've eased the running pace back a bit as I've started to use my HRM to ensure I'm building my aerobic endurance base (rather than thrashing myself). Once I get to my 16 week marathon build-up, I'll start running a bit faster but right now, 10 minute/miles are just fine. Anyway, Tuesday and Thursday were 5 mile canters and this weekend I've extended myself a bit. Yesterday I ran 10 miles for the first time, which was pretty good (the second half was a little hilly - I'll reverse my route next time) and today I cycled 55 miles on the road. Unfortunately, I made a schoolboy error and didn't eat enough at breakfast before I went out. I didn't work this out until I was two thirds of the way round. I had a couple of gels with me (which stopped me collapsing in the gutter) but it wasn't pretty. So 20 miles (and 3 hours) of running and 55 miles (and 3.5 hours) of cycling. Pleased with that. I'm going to try to make sure I cross-train on Wednesdays (on one of my bikes) but I'm definitely getting stronger. More of the same in the week followed by my first big event of the summer - the Wales 3000s. All 15 3000 foot mountains in Wales in the same day (including Crib Goch, Snowdon, the Glyders and the Carneddau). I've had a go a this before (north to south) but only made it round 12 before having to stop. I got sick for some reason - too much energy drink perhaps (or dodgy fish the night before). So, it's unfinished business. Two big changes this time - I've got company (Iain - which means a car at each end) and we're going south to north, leaving a harder start and an easier finish. The aim is to be on our way by 4 in the morning and finished some time between 6 and 8 in the evening. I'll let you know how we get on next week. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better than last week and we can get some decent photos.