Extreme Sports & Curry Appreciation Steering Group

Three friends, bonded by a shared loved of curry and mountain walking. Also now whisky. Two of whom are also bonded by a love of Point Break. Go Cubs.

[esandcasg]

Running

I think the time may have come to relegate running to an activity that I only do sometimes, or at best once a week. I've been pondering on this for possibly a fortnight. I just can't seem to get into a good rhythm anymore. Be it due to parenting, shift work, or simply being 46, I just haven't found a way to make it sustainable. I sometimes get through a couple of better weeks, but inevitably the legs wind up telling me to cut back again. I'd liken it to the feeling of running on sand - just dead, and lacking in rebound.

So the plan now is simply to ensure a good routine of exercise. Not very exciting or blog worthy, moving forward. So whether I do manage to run once a week, the rest will likely consist of some strength training in the gym, maybe some Hybrid HIIT stuff, hopefully the occasional hike, and maybe a bit of dicking around with a surfboard.

I have experimented with getting into Spin training, but that just don't fit for me. Likely I will eventually need to get a bike for family excursions, but I can't see it becoming a fitness interest. And so probably that's where my Zone 2 type activity will come from - family activities.

So there ya go. Boring, and maybe the end of blogging about it. Although I do have a charity hike in just over a week. But I don't see much interest or inclination for that either. So whatever 😴

T Man

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Andor makes Rogue One worse

I have almost finished re-watching Rogue 1 as a coda to watching S2 of Andor, which I thought was terrific. I think I liked the first season of it, but can't remember much to tell the truth; the 2nd though was just ace. Just a general sense of dread pervading throughout as the realisation slowly dawns on everyone just how evil and oppressive the Empire are going to be. They managed to pull off the trick of you knowing almost everything that's going to happen but yet still feeling all tense about it. There's a particular episode - think it's 7 - which is that in a microcosm; there is an event you have known is going to happen, the Empire talk about it happening, but you are still gripped as you watch it unfolding from the perspective of the rebels, that slow realisation just exactly what the imperials had in mind. Character development was really, really good, as this gradual battle-weary resignation descends on everyone as they hunker down for a protracted rebellion.

Anyway, I watched Rogue One after this to see how it fits and it's just not good at all. Completely paper-thin characters, some utterly pointless (the blind non-Jedi and his mate, the pilot), no emotional impact. So were I to write that list again I might bump it down. But then the films below it weren't great either. Big A

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Big A is in the Lakes but only for a few more hours

Just time for a retrospective of day 3. This was a few miles up to Stanley Ghyll waterfall, then another few miles to the pub. Legs stiff, and I'm starting to suspect my boots are slightly too small.

My legs are achy this morning but I'm happy with my performance over the weekend.

Big A

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Big A is still in The Lakes

Day 2 was tough. We took in Yewbarrow, Red Pike and Little Scout, which may not mean much to you but involved some steep, steep work. First up was a long, hour or so's hike up a long ridge, followed by a very steep walk then a scramble to the top of Yewbarrow. Then, having walked across the length of the peak, a downclimb at the far end.

Yes, an actual downclimb at points. Facing in, finding holds etc. It was, at points, scary. I mean, a number of people were doing that route so it wasn't that unsafe. But still. Tough mentally and physically.

Then a long trek up to the top of red pike. Then basically a 2.5 hour descent over some tricky rocky terrain.

It was very tough. My feet hurt a lot and my legs were very tired by the time we got back to wast water and the car. But, again, a marked improvement in my fitness. I said I wanted to be leading the chasing pack and I'm pretty much there, albeit less strong on very steep uphill stuff. My legs could do with more power.

I didn't struggle though. No long pauses, no frequent stops, no gasping for air. I mostly just felt it in my legs, rather than my lungs.

Big A

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Big A is in the Lakes

A brief update on day one whilst I lie here in my under armour pants and mountain equipment tee.

Yesterday we walked from Boot up to the top of Scafell and back. Weather was mixed but the views were great. Layers worked well - for most of the walk i just needed a fleece as the outer layer but my tnf jacket and a berghaus insulated mid layer both came in handy.

Fitness wise I kept pace with everyone throughout; unknown whether the walk just wasn't that taxing, or that the pace wasn't. But at points I was thinking 'am i fit?'. We'll see. Today is a long one in prospect. Walking a long ridge walk taking in yewbarrow. I suspect this will be a better test.

Big A

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Countdown to the Lakes - Big A's Running Update pt2

Yesterday's run has helped. I've just done the interval run properly this time - able to push the pace back up for the fast sections and finish in what I'd consider to be after a normal distance. Feeling a bit more confident now.

Next run, as I mentioned, will be Saturday. Aiming for 40 minutes, with a shorter run next Wednesday to finish off.

Big A

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Countdown to the Lakes - Big A's Running Jogging Update

Well, panic has set in a little. I ran on Sunday and it did not go great - nominally an interval session but ended up just being a straight 16 minute run, which was a struggle in itself. That was worrying.

Thankfully I've just come back from a 35 minute run, and although I deliberately set off slowly and was only really running at a normal pace (for me) by the end of the run, I felt the distance and time were more important than the pace as far as the forthcoming Lake District trip is concerned.

It will be interesting to see where I end up. I've had three trips there with this group now, and the first and third times I struggled for fitness completely. The second time I was sort of middle of the pack, but to the rear of the middle at points, really. I'd like to be at the front of the middle this time around but I have no idea how fit anyone else (bar the really fit trio) will be.

I'm going to run again tomorrow; will try the interval session again, I think. Then on Saturday I shall try a 40 minute run, then one more shorter run on Wednesday before heading off the next day. Fingers crossed.

Big A

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Spring

Yes, it does seem like that here as well. We've had some brighter and warmer days, so the worst of the winter does seem to be behind us. Still a slight nip in the air in the mornings, and no doubt there will be another coldish spell or two. But it does make you feel better.

Hopefully I've settled again into something of a routine, now. I am mindful of the fact that some of the barriers to progression might be psychological, but I feel that I am able to take better care of my physical well-being now.

So nothing more to add, really. Simply that I do hope to push the distances forward a bit through the Spring months. Still eyeing those two races for the end of the season, before summer hits.

T Man

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B Dog's Trading/Exercise Update

I have lived here long enough to know that this is a naive statement, but in the last week spring has arrived here in Norway. With that, most of the snow and ice has disappeared, especially on the roads and footpaths around where I live.

This of course has allowed me to head back out and start up the running for the season ahead... some 2 months earlier than last year. Usually the first few weeks of running are a case of hobbling around trying to gain some sort of conditioning after spending 4-5 months sitting on my arse, but this season has actually started fairly well.

I guess I have Monty to thank here. Firstly, being active and walking a lot over the winter has helped maintain some sort of conditioning (I have also tried to maintain some sort of squat/lunge training over the winter). I feel pretty good conditioning wise and not like I could pop a hammy at any point - yesterday I did intervals around 4.10 pace. I also feel like my base aerobic conditioning is a lot better than it has been since I quit cycling. Whilst swimming is obvs good training, it does tend to be higher intensity. And lastly, I am a bit lighter than I was a year ago when I was pushing a hefty 88kg. Last time I weighed myself a few weeks ago I was around 85, but that was fully dressed and after eating. So maybe 83? A weekend away with Big A might have pushed me back up to 88 however.

So overall a positive start. I have no goals or aspirations this season though. There are aqualons and swim-runs that I could potentially do, but I am not targeting anything - just take it as it comes.

B Dog.

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Big A's Running Update

I was going to blog yesterday after a 35 minute run but decided to push myself and run again today. I feel guilty for letting things slip since the new year and as a result wanted to try and make a concerted effort to address a drop in fitness.

That's why I ran 35 minutes yesterday, rather than attempting to drop down and build up again. The run was one of the set, post couch to 5k runs where you're supposed to start slowly for ten minutes, go to normal pace for the next 20, then go fast for the last five. I just ran normal pace for the lot.

Today I did the interval run again, which is pretty much all I have been doing since the new year, figuring that at only 16 minutes it wouldn't knacker me too much. Thankfully it did not.

I'm off to stretch now.

Oh and T Man - I empathise. I've been there and it sucks. It's only now that my youngest is 6 that I was able to commit to the C25K thing and run three days a week.

Big A

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Seasonal Bugs

I had a cold last week, which obviously put the brakes on things. Still lingering a bit, but I went for a little jog this morning anyway. Felt reasonably OK, so I should be able to get back on track this week.

There is a 5K race in Swansea on May 25th, and also a 5 Miler on June 8th. Depending how things progress in the next month or two, I'll consider entering one of both of these.

No real aspirations, but it's nice to have something to work towards and perhaps gauge where I'm at. Targeting a new PW at each distance, no doubt. So what?!

T Man

EDIT: It looks as though Tryfan might have Chicken Pox = no school = another week of training slips away 😫

[esandcasg]

Big A's Running Update

I have struggled.

I ran today, at least, but I've struggled to fit in runs around my new in the office pattern of Monday, Tuesday, Friday. It doesn't lend itself for several runs a week and even though I've ran here and there I've not settled into a pattern that has worked for me in any real way.

I've got about a month and a half before I go away to the Lake District, so all is not lost, and so long as I keep running every week I'll be ok, but I really want to get back up to one 40 minute run a week as well as shorter runs. I don't know how this will translate in terms of hill walking fitness/ability but it's what I was aiming for when I finished couch to 5k so I'm going to try and stick to that target.

Today's run was fine - good to get done and it felt good whilst I was doing it. I am starting to feel my glute again so I need to go back to stretches. But apart from that, just need to find a way to get back to running thrice a week.

Big A

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A new year, a new start?

Well, Christmas was indeed quite exhausting. My head always feels a little funked at this time of year, for daylight reasons, especially if I'm not able to exercise properly and get outdoors as much as I'd like/need. And my body aches, too.

So it is nice to be back in a normal routine - work, school, exercise. Structure! As mentioned, I now have a little more time available to sway with the obstacles on a weekly basis. So hopefully I will get into a proper stint of decent training/exercise. Even just one week into it, I do feel my body responding favourably. I like to maximise the opportunity when the going is good. Also need to stay mindful of pushing too much.

The next predictable obstacle is of course half term. It's often surprising how quickly things unravel - aching etc. But hopefully this time I will get enough work in to feel able to continue from a decent level afterwards. Also, I've not booked time off to correspond with the school break. So I'll still get those breaks away. It keeps me moving - physically and mentally.

Goals? Not much. Consistency first.

T Man

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Big A's Running Update

Well, just finished my first run since before Chrimbo. That's not what I intended but, do you know what, there was a lot of boozing at christmas and I like boozing at christmas. I have undoubtedly lost a little fitness as today's run attested, but not so much I cant swiftly get it back.

I'm still using the couch to 5k app, doing a shorter, interval based run today, and will carry on with the three 'beyond c25k' runs once I'm fully back into a routine (probably next week). But on today's evidence that won't be that difficult.

Big A

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Big A's Running Update

A very brief one from me, celebrating that I've just done a 40 minute run. 7.2km according to onthegorun or whatever it's called, equating to just under a 28 minute 5km pace. Not great, but not bad considering the distance. And it felt good. It didn't seem in doubt at any point, and I wasn't crawling over the line at the end.

I didn't feel too great after Wednesday's run, so it was nice to bust out this longer one and to feel it was within my capabilities.

Big A

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Big A's Running Update

Well now. I haven't been well the last couple of weeks but, at B Dog's urging, I haven't stopped running. Well, I've kept up the runs to a degree anyway, dropping to two sessions a week. That in itself might be fine but my diet has absolutely gone to poo poo. Big bags of crisps are being consumed on a far too regular basis. Very little water is being drunk.

We're getting close to chrimbo now, so I won't be too hard on myself, but I need to make dietary changes at least.

Post-couch to 5k, there are three runs available within the app, each with Steve Cram's dulcet tones. The first is a stepping stone run, 35 minutes, with the first 10 being at 80% of normal pace, 20 minutes being at normal pace and the last 5 being faster. The second is a speed run - 5 minutes of normal pace, then 60 seconds fast, 60 seconds slow x 6. The third, which I haven't done, is 40 minutes, and I think this is just a flat run.

I mentioned I'd dropped down to two runs; last week I ran the 35 minute run on wednesday and the speed run on friday. Today is wednesday and I did the speed run again. Today was hard, and I think that's the impact of diet, so I need to up my game in that regard.

I've got a week off over Christmas, so the plan is to run again on friday then, during the break, fit in two runs. The ideal would be one speed run and one longer run, but we'll see how I get on. Then, after Christmas, either back to 3 runs a week or, ideally, two runs with the third exercise session being something like squash.

Big A

[esandcasg]

Keeping Pace with the CASG

Looking at Big A's progress, and of course B Dog continuing to set the standard for shorter distances at least, I do feel that I'm lagging a bit.

My hope is to narrow the deficit, or at least prevent it from widening, in the new year. "T Son" will be increasing his school attendance to the full 5 mornings, having only gone to 4 mornings this month. He seems to be enjoying, and of course benefitting.

So the positive of that is I will have the full 5 weekday mornings to adjust and fit my routine to. Currently it is difficult to feel entirely fresh each time I run, due to what I may have been doing at the weekend. So with greater flexibility for run/recovery days, I am hoping to get into a better pattern of training.

Not counting any chickens yet, though!

T Man