Swimming (750M / 00:14:46) 18M Pool in Gym
Back
in the pool and aiming to carry on the steady work from last week.
I
felt pretty comfortable and didn’t have the sensation of pushing all that hard,
it just felt like I was swimming quite strong for a bit less effort than
before.
One
of things I have been trying to do is not to check my watch for time as I go,
and I was fairly sure that I was going to be slower than my previous effort as
I felt like I was going easier and slower.
When
I finished my requisite number of lengths I stopped the watch and was surprised
to see that I had knocked another two seconds off the time from last
week. I have no expectations to keep improving with every single swim and
knocking time off each time, however I will gladly take it as long as it lasts.
Amazing really how just two seconds can make you feel.
Running
(18.00 Miles / 03:01:23 / 00:10:04 / HRZ 2)
Time
to pay for my laziness at the weekend. I had ditched doing my long run last
weekend and I needed to make up for it now. So after work it was time to
slip on the shoes and head out for an 18 mile loop. Not exactly the
highlight of my day but it needed to be done.
My
mind set was fairly optimistic as I headed out the door, the weather was lovely
and it was around 19 degrees, which is warm enough at 6.30Pm in Northern
Ireland.
About
half a mile in to the run I realised I had forgotten to put on my running cap.
No big deal you might think, however it’s funny how something so simple and
habitual can make all the difference. To say I was irritated the whole
way round by excess sweatiness due to the lack of hat is an understatement.
The
sun was shining, the countryside looked nice and all was well with the world.
Then at 7 miles I turned off the country road and on to the hard shoulder
of the main road. Not just as nice but I was feeling pretty strong and
keeping in my Heart Rate zone – going slower than I would like but still
keeping steady and no worries. (apart from the sheen of sweat that perpetually
covered my face and attracted flies in their dozens!)
One
of my pleasures when running is to listen to Podcasts. I prefer this to
music as it feels like I have someone talking to me, although I don’t get to
answer back.
I
have to say that the interview I listened to on the Rich Roll Podcast was
brilliant. It was with a guy called John Joseph, who is a veteran hard
core punk musician from New York, Ironman, Author, Buddhist Monk and Vegan.
A really interesting guy and the most atypical New Yorker you have ever
heard.
He
talked a lot about his new book which is called “Meat is for Pussies(A
how-to guide for dudes who want to get fit, kick ass and take names),” which sounds like a great read, if for nothing else
than the brilliant title. I will definitely be getting the book and I
recommend having a listen to the interview. All two and a half hours of
it!!
(He
also happened to say “F*$k” more times in an interview than I’ve ever heard
before – so it was right up my street.)
Sixteen
miles in to the run and the legs started to come off. Admittedly it was
9.00 PM at night and I was feeling tired and the pace was significantly
dropping to below a 10.30 per mile pace. Not good, but it was late and up
hill so I was just glad to get home and sit down and get a very large drink in
to me.
Am
I happy with the run? Yes, in that I did it and pushed through when it was hard
going. No, as it was at least 30 secs per mile slower than I wanted and I
really felt like I was suffering more than I should in the last couple of
miles.
The
verdict is – More work to be done and Meat is For Pussies!
Wednesday 4th September 2013
Swimming
(750M / 00:14:44) 18M Pool in Gym
Another
two seconds off. Quite pleasing.
Over
and out!
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