Lets talk trainers

As i do quite alot of running (1700 miĺes a year (ish) and varied terrains (fells, trails and road). I have tried out alot of different shoes from 10mm drop to zero drop.

I currently wear Altra for both road and light trails. Paradigm for the road and Timp 2.5 for light trails. It took my calves a while to adjust from to the zero drop but i am now converted. Although I quite liked the Nike Air Pegasus Trail 2.

However for anything muddy, wet or worse. Then the Inov8 x-talon 212 is my shoes of choice. I am currently on my third pair (i average about 450 miles in them).

Which is your shoe of choice????

To be coached or not to be Coached

So this is my first week back to training and i have received my first weeks training schedule.

This training involves the following

Monday – 25 mins Recovery

Tuesday – 50 mins Endurance (zone 2)

Wednesday – Hill strides 6 x 20s efforts with 2 min recovery & running drills

Thursday – 50 mins endurance pace (zone 2) & strength session (deadlifts, squats, crab walk etc)

Friday – rest

Saturday – 65 mins endurance pace (zone 2)

Sunday – strength work and walk

The great thing about having a coach is that your accountable for the sessions, if on the correct platform. My coach uses Training peaks which feeds all of my session data back to them. So i cannot just turned around and say “I did it”.

Another great thing about a coach is that they are there to help you with your form and your worries.

I have used template training plans and they are cheap and easy to follow. However, they arent flexible to work life, family life and injuries.

If you can afford a coach than i highly recommend it.

1st of Training for Mcwilliams Ultra round

The plan was to be up at 6am and get out to the local fell and get 6 mile in before breakfast. In reality up at 8.30 and a quick cup of tea. Then a 5 min drive to Waldridge Fells.

A quick 5 min stretch (something I have sworn to do, after been diagnosed with Osteitis Pubis). I covered my watch and then away we go.

Then first mile is pretty flat but veey muddy. The trail then has a uphill mile through the farmers fields and a few stiles. I made it up without stopping and felt quite comfortable. I then have a mile of flat to regroup before the steeepest section. Which is muddy terrain followed by a tough steep road section ( i had to walk about 30 secs of this, as the stamina isnt there, yet!!!!)

I then reached the top of Charlow Fell and then dropped down a 1/2 mile technical section and walked and jogged back up. This gave me four mile and now the return downhill section back to the car.

The return to the car was about keeping my form, standing tall and quick short cadence. The stiles gave me a chance to see how the groin and adductors had coped (all seems fine).

8 miles and 1100 ft of climbing in a slow but confidence building 1h 23 mins. A few stretches and walk to finish.

Now to check what my coach has given me for the following week..

  • The final hill. Sneaking a pic amd a reason to walk
  • The running part of the final hill
  • The downhill return and concentrating on my form (standing tall)

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