2 Comments
After today's Run to the Beat event I was still short of the milage I should be doing during my taper period. So I decided to top up my distance with something I've been meaning to try for a while, a giant game of Etch a Sketch, using my legs and GPS device. It took three attempts to draw the 5k route to create my "velociraptor."
This activity required a bit of orienteering but added an element of purpose and excitement to my run which I've been struggling to find of late. As I ran the backside of the raptor it reminded me of The Oatmeal's idea of 'inventing bizarre ways of measuring distances.' #gpsdrawing
I've been going to LFNS' Sunday Stroll for a few years now, an organised street skate usually of around 8 miles in London. Today however I was a little apprehensive about it because I was to attempt to run the route instead. My friends' Ash and Gib have done this before. I remember I thought they were crazy. Guess I've lost my marbles too! My motivation was the Berlin Double later next month. In an attempt to replicate the same stresses of that weekend I covered a marathon on skates the day before and this morning I ran 8k. As a warm up I ran from Marble Arch station to Hyde Park Corner where the skate congregates. Another kilometre clocked, increasing to the fatigue and anxiety I was feeling. Right now it was all too easy to just turn away but if I could pull this off it would give me a good motivational boost for Berlin. Of course if I fail it will go down the other way.. I checked the route prior the event and figured I'd know after the first kilometre whether or not I could hack this. The course was 7.5 mile round trip from Hyde Park up to Maida Vale and back. I've done this distance many times now but it was the pace of the skate that I wasn't sure about. Normally I run in heart rate zone 3 which results in a very chilled jog. This run however will definitely be pushing in to the higher intensity zones. The run. I started running behind the rear marshal as only skaters should be within the pack. Before long there were Bambi skaters slowing down and widening the gap in front. This didn't look good, with me close behind it was an accident waiting to happen. So I opted to jump on the pavements and run alongside the punters. I enjoyed the music which helped me pick up the pace and eventually I got to the front where they were waiting at the traffic lights. My running felt good, but the roundabout in front was quite hectic and it wouldn't be safe for me to continue running next to the skate. Therefore I ran ahead crossing safely, following the direction of the marshals. The scout marshal which happened to be Alan today was really helpful. He'd point out the direction of the planned route whenever I caught up with him. It meant less sprinting and I could pace myself more consistently. Now I knew exactly what I had to do to complete this. 'This,' was tough. My heart rate was up 20 bpm more than my usual training, yet not dissimilar to the last part of my Dublin half marathon two weeks ago. Despite the lack of the main skate atmosphere it was fun having the banter of my marshal friends who thought I was insane. As Evren put it "I don't know why you would put yourself through something like this!" Theresa who got me into this run malarkey kept checking up on me whenever she whizzed past. At half time I shoved down a protein bar into what must have been a glazed face, as I knew I had to do it all again in ten minutes. It was nice to know that my friend Chidi had been looking out for me during the first half of the event, as she did not see me shoot off ahead. She then did what she does best and threw some motivating cheers at me. Round two. It didn't necessarily feel any easier or harder, just the same heavy load. Got to stay focussed and push on through. However after five minutes I had to slow down a little to take a few deep breathes to push a stitch aside. (Hello protein bar). Thankfully that subsided. Halfway around and my calf muscles started doing small cramps, I reduced the pace and managed to stretch them off at the next lights. Next up was the tightening of my chest, reminding me that my asthma has never quite gone. I knew I wouldn't be pushing any harder than this so I could bear this inconvenience, but with the heavier breathing. (Some people pay good money for this, www.respibelt.com). The inhaler was at my side but thankfully I had the upper hand and didn't need it. Throughout the run it felt like I was being chased by a big boulder. A boulder of endorphin injected skaters high on sunshine and funky beats. As we came close the finish I must have been slowing down or the boulder must have sped up. I could hear the thumping bass from the Asbox fleet just behind me. At this point I welcomed every vehicle that would pull out in front of us, even our good friends of the taxi variety. Park Lane. Half a mile to go. As the skate pack regrouped I ran on ahead. One final dash. There was an enormous sense of relief as I stepped back into Hyde Park. However I could feel my heart drop as Theresa then suggested the Flemming pub. It was like almost catching the carrot and having her throw it 2k away! Run rabbit run. Summary. It's only upon reviewing my Polar M400 stats that I realise why today felt so intense. My training has so far been sitting at a steady average of 6 min/km. The stats for today have been on occasion a whole minute faster. As you can see from the graph below I did have rest points as I waited at traffic lights for around 30 seconds to a minute or two. Good interval training! At times it really was pushing me and as I bath in self satisfaction I feel compelled to do this again. My masochistic tendencies say I'll be thankful to do it at least once more before Berlin. 22.89k clocked today. Below are the stats of my pace in minutes per km. I've done a rough break down of the average pace of each intervals. 1st Half average splits: 4:00 @ 5:01 min/km 0:42 @ 4:51 min/km 1:17 @ 5.34 min/km 2:17 @ 4:37 min/km 1:46 @ 5:48 min/km 1:46 @ 5:59 min/km 7:06 @ 5:40 min/km 4:13 @ 5:12 min/km 1:47 @ 5:43 min/km 2:20 @ 5:32 min/km 2nd Half average splits:
7:44 @ 5:27 min/km 0:30 @ 5:33 min/km 1:41 @ 5:22 min/km 1:45 @ 6:22 min/km 4:40 @ 5:42 min/km 2:17 @ 6:01 min/km 1:04 @ 5:02 min/km 3:37 @ 5:18 min/km 1:48 @ 4:52 min/km 1:45 @ 4:30 min/km
My Race Plan. So my own personal target was 2 hours 15 minutes. Which would be fine if I followed with my training of staying in my heart rate 3 zone, before stepping it up towards the end. Earlier this year I ran a 10k in heart rate 4 zone, however I have not since. This made me weary about being able to sustain the same demand over more than twice the distance. Plus my last run was not particularly enjoyable.
The Race. 30 seconds in and I'm pulled along with the stream of runners. I'm already in heart rate zone 4. Race plan out of the window but it felt comfortable. After a couple of minutes I see my friend Chidi waving us off which spurred me on to continue at this pace. As I ran I noticed a cute oriental girl with the purple shorts was just in front. Her pace faster than mine. Some people would use that as motivation to step up. A guy in the grey top decided to do this. It was still early on during the race and decided better of it, especially with this being my first half marathon event. Eventually purple shorts and grey top were gone... alas. I'm always going to be a street skater first when it comes to sport and it showed with my running mentality which I realised with this race!
Another thing I noticed was that I'm easily influenced by whatever is happening around me. So I'd stay happily behind someone without noticing my pace has dropped dramatically. This is especially the case when the path got narrow with little room to overtake. It was also reminiscent of the organised street skates when the pack of skaters get very tight, I'd slow down and end up at the back without realising. Something to take away from this is to keep my presence, keep in check with my own pace for these moments. On one of the hills I could hear there was a band at the top trying to get a bit of runner participation with little success. As I got to the top of the hill I started clapping above my head for the musicians, I then heard a Mexican wave of clapping behind me. That was an amazing race moment! What's that sound?!! A growling bear closing in?!..... and another!!! No wait, it was some panting sweaty people. Good for them they were persevering through their struggle, but the gasping zombie bear sounds was really putting me off. (That's why people wear headphones). In all honesty I still prefer not to wear headphones as use miss out on engaging with spectators and musicians, lap up the atmosphere!
Race Review.
I smashed my race target with a final time of 01:55:34. Guess my goal was a little reserved but it's given me confidence and courage to push my pace up for the full marathon in September. Looking at my GPS data there were points in the race I slowed down a lot for no real reason, it's quite easy to lose focus. As I've come to realise it's as much a mental feat as it is physical. Looking at the organisation of the event it was run very well. Staff were very helpful whenever I had questions. It was a shame with the rain after the event as it meant there were just three people standing at the stage for the after party. Hear hear for the non-alcoholic beverage Erdinger at the finish. Could have fooled me! They also organised a 3k fun run after the main event. In an attempt to persuade more participants they also called it a "cool down race." I was already cooled down by the time they started to be honest. However our cheerleader Chidi took part in this event and it was nice for us to see her off and welcome her through the finish line. All in all, it was an enjoyable race and weekend with the positive race results being a bonus. I'll certainly be back one day for another race or to continue sightseeing and over indulging on my food tour... I heart Ireland. #RNRDUB So today I was to attempt my first home to Battersea Park run. I had a rough idea of where to go. However I really am not familiar with the area South of the Thames, as demonstrated by my GPS above. Orientation was a complete mess. I corrected myself as I see the Shard on the wrong part of the horizon. It should have been a 23.3 km but extended a bit as I aborted running to my destination and jumping into the nearest tube station I could find. That said, longest distance in one session! On track for Berlin, but as I get into the longer distances I'm only just comprehending the demand on your body..
Today's Achievements.
So this is the most running I've ever done in a single day. Feeling good. For a run event that doesn't take itself too seriously then check out the Tower of London Run. It attracts runners of all abilities and the 1k looped track will give you the decision of exactly how far you want to run, jog or walk. The course itself was freshly laid grass. It was really spongey in places and was quite pleasant to run on. One section of the course had really strong headwind so I tucked behind others for that bit.
10k result: 51:59. Five minutes off last years Sports Relief event. |
Categories
All
"Any tips, reviews and advice are my own opinions and are not to be taken as professional view points. The information on this site is what has worked for me and is here for guidance only, but I hope you gain insight into the various activities I partake in." Jonathan Chen Archives
December 2019
|