Welsh 3000's log

[iain_g]

OK so I've decided to start a log for the Welsh 3000's I'm doing in June. Same event as Mabli is doing, see
http://www.veganfitness.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20470

Thought I'd start a training log, more for my own benefit than anyone else's but who knows

First, why I decided to do this in the first place -- as well as the chance to raise some money for the Dr Hadwen Trust, I am probably the un-fittest I've been for 15 years and wanted to rectify this!

Training to date since January has consisted of 1 or 2 short runs a week plus occasional circuit training. Did the Yorkshire 3 Peaks with the team on Sunday. Think it was actually the longest continuous walk of my life! That said the distance and ascent was not problematic but I had pretty painful blisters towards the end. (To think I used to do hills like this for breakfast with a 14-16 mile run in the Pentlands when I lived in Edinburgh )

So in the 7 weeks remaining till Wales am planning to do at least one long walk a week in my nice new Vegetarian Shoes Snowdon boots, plus shorter walks to help get my feet used to them. Also hoping to keep up some circuit training, bit of running and maybe some hill sprints. (Though a real shortage of hills near Selby!!)

Today walked about 4 miles in the new boots at lunchtime, and planning a longer ~15 miles hill walk tomorrow. Will be taking plenty of Compeed and duct tape. Might carry some trainers too in case of real discomfort, but the boots seemed comfy enough today.

Well hope 1 or 2 of you may enjoy reading this & look forward to your comments or chat.

[chloe]

hey dude,brilliant!Just noticed Mabli(sp?) also has a log going, im so unobservant,but i will keep up with you both from now on,
I also have new boots and wear them to work,..which looks hilarious,but is quite effective,havnt tackled any long walks in them yet.glad to hear yours are going well!keep up the good training and keep us posted eh!

[mabli]

Yay your own log, cool! Hope the boots sort themselves out, deffo worth taking spares if you can imo. Ive had occasions when my feet have really bled and I still had miles to get back, takes ages for them to heal every other shoe starts to hurt too

Good luck with all your walking, why dont we have a fun competition to see who can walk the most ascent in a week??

*(It'll be fun because Ill win )

[iain_g]

Er maybe I won't join in your proposed competition Mabli!!
And hiya Chloe

Anyway today's log entry.
Drove down to Edale (start of Pennine Way in Derbyshire) to try out the new boots. Did a 15.5 mile walk from Walkingworld.com with a couple little extra bits. Got finished with time to spare so went up Grindslow Knoll above the village, quite a steep ascent. All in all about 20 miles, 1450 metres ascent, 8 hours with stops.

Feet somewhat sore and was glad of a couple of Compeed during the walk. The boots are very sturdy and heavier than I'm used to, also rather hot on a warm day like it's been. (Did Grindslow in my trainers as feet had had it by then!) I took a new set of walking poles with me and found those very helpful in reducing the impact on the knees, which I normally feel on the descents. In fact I'm more concerned about the descents in the Welsh 3000s than the ascents since that's when all the pain seems to occur!

Was my first visit to the Peaks, will def return some time.

[iain_g]

Have just returned from a family event all weekend, so opportunities for training were limited. However my bro, sis and I went for a 6 mile run yesterday morning (before breakfast, urgh). We went at a mutually comfortable pace which worked out as 8m45s miling. It was another beautiful sunny day, so it was good to get out before it was too warm.

[iain_g]

Some cardio work today. Ran a fartlek of 15 x 1 min fast, 1 min slow. As my running watch died recently, the times were estimated by counting steps, and hence a bit approximate! It's a long time since I've done any speedwork like this, and aside from being hard work it was actually a nice change to the steady runs I've been doing for the past year or 2.

Hopefully I can get some ascent practice in on Thursday with either another long walk, or some hill reps.

[mabli]

Hey you, Im still going to keep a tally and see which of us wins the ascent comp I think you'll get top prize for speed and distance though

Keep up the good work, think it prob is a good idea to have a go on a climbing wall like chloe said. My legs still hurt a bit from Sunday and its the top which I dont normally have any hassle with

[iain_g]

Did some ascent work today. Went up to Roseberry Topping on the North York Moors, which gives you 200m of ascent within half a mile, and climbed it 14 times. (The intention was for 15 but I ran out of water, d'oh.) Took about 8 hours inc breaks and probably entailed about 14 miles of distance, maybe less. Another warm day, which adds to the challenge -- but maybe I will get a nice tan! Well, as much of a tan as my Scottish skin will allow.

Car park attendant asked if it was a sponsored walk. No my friend, this is just the training
(Didn't actually say that!)

PS Now that I am beating Mabli, she claims I am "cheating"

[chloe]

teehee well done Iain.i think thats what i will start doing in greenwich,15 times up and down everyday.it wont take me 8 hours though,it just a hill really.
your training looks to be going great guns!

[iain_g]

Today just a subdued 4 mile jog. By eck my calves and quads are aching today!
Got an exam on Tuesday so won't be doing any major training. Maybe a long-ish run on Sunday.

[mabli]

Hey Iain, Im not accusing you of cheating just like to highlight the fact that your post about doing megga (some might say impossible) ascent was posted after mine that said Id done a 19 mile flat walk. Folk can draw their own conclusions, that's all Im saying

Well done though, you must have really perplexed the locals by walking up and down a hill like that.

Good luck with your exam

As an aside, on a weekly ascent scale Im still in the lead but as Ill be out for a couple of days due to injury you have a chance to catch up

[iain_g]

I was just joshing, no worries!! I think at this point I shall concede defeat like a gentleman...
Take care,
I

[mabli]

hey, I'm joking too, Im just hoping to finish the course, its pretty tough

[iain_g]

Well done though, you must have really perplexed the locals by walking up and down a hill like that.

There was one Aussie couple who saw me reach the peak twice and asked "How many times have you been up?". I said this was number 6 or 7 (whatever), hoping to do 15, and he said "We've been up once and we nearly died!"

I saw loads of people that day, it must be a popular local trek, and of course the weather was amazing.

[iain_g]

Well the last week has been something of a write-off, but managed a 4 mile jog on Thursday and 8 miles yesterday. Hopefully will do better this week...