Not, as the title might suggest, a trek across artic wastes but a relaxing 5 mins laying in bed while my heart rate monitor checks my fitness. My Polar HRM performs a test that gives the equivalent of a VO2Max reading. This gives an indication of the body's ability to use the oxygen taken in while breathing. The higher the number, the fitter you are. I have increased a whole one point to 52 in the last five weeks. While this sounds like not much of an improvement the Polar manual suggests that it will take at least six weeks to notice any difference. My maximum heart rate has also dropped two beats to 172, again an indication of improvement. As stated in my earlier post Easter Runny Bunny I'd like to get my VO2Max up to 60 by September. At the rate of 1 point every 5 weeks that'll take me beyond Christmas so maybe 55 is more realistic. Still, 52 is good for a 20 year old and off the scale for someone my age so I can still feel smug knowing that I can beat most of the ipod generation up to the top of the nearest hill. Not that that would remotely bother them of course.
Planning to go for nice long and hilly road run tomorrow. Whilst I prefer to be off road I like the consistency of road running as it lets you get into the groove, or cruise mode as I call it. That feeling of effortless cruising down the road for miles can't be beaten (well almost). It's not so easy off road due to the variation in terrain and having to negotiate stiles and gates.
Whatever!
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Friday, 11 May 2007
Route Canal Work
I know I've been whinging about the canal run to work and back but it is teaching me an important lesson in running. As I've mentioned previously I try to do a different route everytime I go for a run. This canal run is the same every time and provides a useful measuring stick for my progress. Having overtrained a few weeks ago I could see the effect it had on me: depressed heart rate, heavy legs and at 53 mins, an extra half minute a mile. Having rested I did it again on Wednesday and did it in 48 mins! That's 40 secs a mile faster in one week. For the non-runners out there that's a massive change is such a short time and is a sure sign that my glycogen reserves were depleted by the overtraining. I could feel the difference. It also seemed a hell of a lot shorter. So those extra miles weren't in vain after all.
Apparently we are moving office in June so I'm going to have to find a new route (assuming there's a shower at the new place).
Having mentioned Jos Naylor in my last post, who should be on the telly tonight but the man himself. He was on the Wainwright's Walks programme on BBC2. He's run from Seathwaite to the top of Scafell Pike (about 5 miles and 3000 feet) in 47 mins. It took the presenter and her film crew ten hours. I walked the same route, with a detour up Glaramara, last November on a gorgeous late autumn day. Think it took me about three hours. The photo, from Glaramara across to the Langdale pikes, was taken on that day. The day before I'd been on top of the pointed hill in the middle (Pike o'Stickle).
Apparently we are moving office in June so I'm going to have to find a new route (assuming there's a shower at the new place).
Having mentioned Jos Naylor in my last post, who should be on the telly tonight but the man himself. He was on the Wainwright's Walks programme on BBC2. He's run from Seathwaite to the top of Scafell Pike (about 5 miles and 3000 feet) in 47 mins. It took the presenter and her film crew ten hours. I walked the same route, with a detour up Glaramara, last November on a gorgeous late autumn day. Think it took me about three hours. The photo, from Glaramara across to the Langdale pikes, was taken on that day. The day before I'd been on top of the pointed hill in the middle (Pike o'Stickle). Take to the hills!
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Saint Jos
Not a lot to report on the running front apart from getting out for a road 7 miler on Monday to see what the old ticker could manage after the low average heart rates of the last week. Glad to say its back up to the 130's and my average speed was surprising at just short of 15kph on a hilly route. I'll be back on the canal route tomorrow to work and back.
Just picking up on the theme of watching inspirational tv while running on the treadmill (see Marathon Week posting) I can't recommend Naylor's Run too highly. For those who haven't heard of Jos Naylor he's a legendary fell runner and shepherd from Wasdale in the Lake District. Google him to find out more. Naylor's Run is a documentary of his 60th birthday run in which he ran 110 miles in a day and a half over the 60 highest Lakeland peaks. This has a combined ascent of nearly 40,000 feet (the equivalent of one and a half times up Everest from sea level. That puts the Jungfrau into perspective (more than four times longer and six times higher). Two days later he hand sheared 1000 sheep. Not bad considering the he's had two discs removed from his back and the cartiledge from his knees as a young man and the docs told him he'd never run again.Incredible (but true).
Friday, 4 May 2007
Miles Out
Maybe I was a bit too enthusiastic the other week and got carried away with the miles as I'm now suffering the consequences. When I first did the canal run into work three weeks ago it took me 50 minutes. It's now taking me 53 minutes. My average heart rate on these runs has also dropped from 139 to 127. That suggests to me that I've overcooked it in the previous weeks.
In the three weeks coming back from injury I did 40km, 40km and 81km all at 7 min mile(ish) pace. Previously I hardly ever did more than 15-25 km a week (and still somehow managed sub 90 min half marathons) so this was a big step up in mileage (kilometreage?) for me. I think I need to be a bit more realistic and focus on the quality rather than the quantity.
Also, I'd stopped enjoying it. In the last twelve years at home I've not run the same route twice thanks to the plethora of paths and bridleways around us. On the work run I was running the same boring route 4 time a week.
Regarding the 7-day heart monitor. I handed it in on Monday and have not yet heard from the hospital, unlike the last time when they rang me up the day after. I reckon no news is good news.
Toodle pip.
In the three weeks coming back from injury I did 40km, 40km and 81km all at 7 min mile(ish) pace. Previously I hardly ever did more than 15-25 km a week (and still somehow managed sub 90 min half marathons) so this was a big step up in mileage (kilometreage?) for me. I think I need to be a bit more realistic and focus on the quality rather than the quantity.
Also, I'd stopped enjoying it. In the last twelve years at home I've not run the same route twice thanks to the plethora of paths and bridleways around us. On the work run I was running the same boring route 4 time a week.
Regarding the 7-day heart monitor. I handed it in on Monday and have not yet heard from the hospital, unlike the last time when they rang me up the day after. I reckon no news is good news.
Toodle pip.
Saturday, 28 April 2007
All wired up and no place to go
Five down and two to go. I had the monitor fitted on Monday for my seven day retest. It's not going to get any prizes as a fashion accessory. This is a slightly different model to the previous one and has a coiled wire loop around the neck. It's difficult to hide and looks like I've got a secret service wire tap so I had to wear a tie all week to hide it. The monitor and the other wire (see picture) clip on to pads stuck to the chest.There's a button in the middle that you press if you think you're having an 'episode' and last night I accidently unclipped the monitor and in my rush to clip it back on I unintentionally pressed the button. They'll think my heart stopped beating and whip me in for a pacermaker if I don't tell them what happened! I'll be glad to see the back of it on Monday.
Anyway the running's going well still. Did the work run (7 miles out, 8 back) on Tuesday. Didn't do it on Thurs because it was the lovely Rosie's harumpty something birthday so I had to be home on time but got out for a short lunchtime run. Will try and get out with the dog today and stretch my legs for a couple of hours on the road tomorrow.
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Marathon Week
What a week I've just had. Without really planning to I've run 80km (50 miles) this week. I ran to work and back twice, took the dog for a run yesterday and today, copying the astronaut who ran the Boston Marathon on a treadmill in the International Space Station last week, I decided to run with the elite men in the London Marathon.
Rather than sit and watch the London Marathon I set up a telly in front of my treadmill and set off running with the elite men. Strangely enough even though I was running at 8mph I managed to keep up with them. Magic! Two hours, and a staggering amount of sweat later, I'd run 16 miles. I was tempted to round it up to 20 but reckoned I'd done enough for one week (when compared to my usual 10-15 miles per week in the pre-Jungfrau days). I found it fairly comfortable and like to think I could have turned in a sub 3:20 marathon which is fine for the stage I'm at in my journey to the Jungfrau, especially considering I've just been back running for three weeks.
Normally, 40 minutes is enough for me on the treadmill but this worked really well. It passed the time quickly and when the motorbike camera was facing forward the sensation of actually running with the marathoners was uncanny. I even joined them in the final sprint by upping my speed.
I drank 750 ml while running but reckon I lost much more. I was dripping when I finished and the treadmill and one yard around it were swimming. Lots of drinks and fruit and high GI carbs seems to have done the trick as I feel fine now.
So, all in all April has been a good month so far on the running front. It should give me a good base to start improving the speed and strength in May.
Off to get the 7-day heart monitor fitted tomorrow.
Rather than sit and watch the London Marathon I set up a telly in front of my treadmill and set off running with the elite men. Strangely enough even though I was running at 8mph I managed to keep up with them. Magic! Two hours, and a staggering amount of sweat later, I'd run 16 miles. I was tempted to round it up to 20 but reckoned I'd done enough for one week (when compared to my usual 10-15 miles per week in the pre-Jungfrau days). I found it fairly comfortable and like to think I could have turned in a sub 3:20 marathon which is fine for the stage I'm at in my journey to the Jungfrau, especially considering I've just been back running for three weeks.Normally, 40 minutes is enough for me on the treadmill but this worked really well. It passed the time quickly and when the motorbike camera was facing forward the sensation of actually running with the marathoners was uncanny. I even joined them in the final sprint by upping my speed.
I drank 750 ml while running but reckon I lost much more. I was dripping when I finished and the treadmill and one yard around it were swimming. Lots of drinks and fruit and high GI carbs seems to have done the trick as I feel fine now.
So, all in all April has been a good month so far on the running front. It should give me a good base to start improving the speed and strength in May.
Off to get the 7-day heart monitor fitted tomorrow.
Monday, 16 April 2007
Mr Consistency
Sorry to leave it so long since the last post but decorating (and running) calls unfortunately.
I hate to tempt fate but things seem to be running smoothly (pun intended) now. I managed to get 40km in for each of the last two weeks. Last week I finally (thanks to light evenings) got around to running to work. Not all the way as that would be a 60 mile round trip. (I know, I’m mixing up my measurement systems but the car uses miles and my Polar HRM records in kilometres. Being a child of the great metrication conversion in the 70's I can handle these things. Apologies to you oldies or newies brought up on one system!). I park up and run 11km into work along the Grand Union Canal then 7 miles back again in the evening. My times for both ways were within seconds of each other. Just call me Mr Consistency. It gave me great satisfaction to run underneath a couple of roads on which I’m normally sat in traffic jams.
Another thing it did give me was an appreciation of how monotonous canal running is. I was going stir crazy after six miles. I soon abandoned any (albeit remote) plans of ever running the Tring2Town (30 something miles along the GUC) not to mention the Birmingham to London ultra race (a mere 145 miles of the same canal). I would need institutionalising after either of those. Some would say I’d need institutionalising for even considering them as a sane thing to do. I love running but I need variety to break things up. That’s why I love the hills. No two miles are the same.
Hopefully tomorrow’s run in will seem shorter now I’m a little used to the route.
Saw a lovely temperature inversion yesterday. Left home in the fog, ran up the Chiltern escarpment into bright sunshine. The valley below was full of cloud and the hills beyond were poking up into the sunshine. Thought this might happen so I took my camera.
I hate to tempt fate but things seem to be running smoothly (pun intended) now. I managed to get 40km in for each of the last two weeks. Last week I finally (thanks to light evenings) got around to running to work. Not all the way as that would be a 60 mile round trip. (I know, I’m mixing up my measurement systems but the car uses miles and my Polar HRM records in kilometres. Being a child of the great metrication conversion in the 70's I can handle these things. Apologies to you oldies or newies brought up on one system!). I park up and run 11km into work along the Grand Union Canal then 7 miles back again in the evening. My times for both ways were within seconds of each other. Just call me Mr Consistency. It gave me great satisfaction to run underneath a couple of roads on which I’m normally sat in traffic jams.
Another thing it did give me was an appreciation of how monotonous canal running is. I was going stir crazy after six miles. I soon abandoned any (albeit remote) plans of ever running the Tring2Town (30 something miles along the GUC) not to mention the Birmingham to London ultra race (a mere 145 miles of the same canal). I would need institutionalising after either of those. Some would say I’d need institutionalising for even considering them as a sane thing to do. I love running but I need variety to break things up. That’s why I love the hills. No two miles are the same.
Hopefully tomorrow’s run in will seem shorter now I’m a little used to the route.
Saw a lovely temperature inversion yesterday. Left home in the fog, ran up the Chiltern escarpment into bright sunshine. The valley below was full of cloud and the hills beyond were poking up into the sunshine. Thought this might happen so I took my camera. The cardiologists are back on the scene. I received an appointment for the 23rd to have the monitor fitted for a seven day recording. Time to shave my chest again. Watch this space on that one. In the meantime I’ll be looking for a second opinion from a sports cardiologist.
Until the next time……
Until the next time……
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Trivial Pursuits
Another few miles in yesterday. Me and the dog through Ashridge forest. Past Cold Harbour, into the Golden Valley and back up past the magnificent management college aka Ashridge House (part stately home, part church, part castle). A bit achey after Sunday's road run; didn't get the heart rate over 140.Trivia about Ashridge House: apparently the Bucks-Herts border used to run down the middle of the dining room!
Note for filmlovers. I was running through the Golden Valley last year to find they'd built a drystone wall along the bottom of it. Turns out it was plastic and was part of the set for film called Stardust starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert deNiro, Claire Danes, Peter O'Toole and Ricky Gervais. It's out in August.
---==={ The End }===---
Sunday, 8 April 2007
Easter Runny Bunny
Still trying to get back to where I was in February. Been out twice over the weekend, one 12k off-roader with the dog and a 19k roader today. Not sure what's going on with the legs but thighs were aching on the off-roader. Calfs were a bit sore too. Maybe it's just lack of miles recently but that's never been a problem before. Strangely enough they seem ok after today's run. I paid special attention to rehydrating today. Seems to have worked.
Wore my new road shoes (Asic Gel Kayano 13's) for the first time today. Felt pretty good.
I performed the Polar Optimiser test yesterday to check out my VO2max (or at least the Polar equivalent). It's 51 which is excellent for my age group and even good for a 20 year old (compared to Paula Radcliffe's 80). I reckon I need to try and get it near to 60 before the Jungfrau.
Will probably take the dog out on an easy run tomorrow.
Wore my new road shoes (Asic Gel Kayano 13's) for the first time today. Felt pretty good.
I performed the Polar Optimiser test yesterday to check out my VO2max (or at least the Polar equivalent). It's 51 which is excellent for my age group and even good for a 20 year old (compared to Paula Radcliffe's 80). I reckon I need to try and get it near to 60 before the Jungfrau.
Will probably take the dog out on an easy run tomorrow.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Back on track (famous last words?)
Cool but sunny spring evening, the Chiltern Hills bursting into leaf and just me and the dog cruising down the paths and bridleways. Fantastic. What more can a man ask for? Felt great to be back in action again. Slight hint of the old calf strain but I reckon its mostly in my mind. Looking forward to a great Easter weekend.
Still no news from the cardiologists. That's fine by me.
Still no news from the cardiologists. That's fine by me.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Ich lerne Deutsch
Well, after the inital fuss and panic from the cardiologists I've yet to hear about my seven day heart monitor. I suspect that they are trying to fit me in to their existing appointments. So, in the meantime I'm busy learning German while driving to and from work. It beats listening to the banal tripe on the radio these days. Is it me or is even Radio 4 annoying as hell, especially that John Humphrys? His permanently confrontational attitude winds me up something chronic.
Anyway, the CDs I use are excellent. They are by Michel Thomas (amazing life story). I learnt French with his CDs last year. I learnt more in an hour with them than I learnt in four years at school. Criminal!
Haven't been running since Saturday as my calves have been aching. That's what taking six weeks off running does for you. It's both my calves so I don't think it's anything to do with the recent calf strain in my left leg. I'll hopefully get out tomorrow (Wed) night.
On a more poignant and pertinent point it would have been Tony's 43rd birthday today. Indeed it is his twin brother Bob's birthday today. Happy birthday bros.
Auf Wiedersehen pet!
Anyway, the CDs I use are excellent. They are by Michel Thomas (amazing life story). I learnt French with his CDs last year. I learnt more in an hour with them than I learnt in four years at school. Criminal!
Haven't been running since Saturday as my calves have been aching. That's what taking six weeks off running does for you. It's both my calves so I don't think it's anything to do with the recent calf strain in my left leg. I'll hopefully get out tomorrow (Wed) night.
On a more poignant and pertinent point it would have been Tony's 43rd birthday today. Indeed it is his twin brother Bob's birthday today. Happy birthday bros.
Auf Wiedersehen pet!
Sunday, 1 April 2007
Heart to heart
The good news is that I passed the treadmill test. No signs of any heart disease under stress. For those of you interested in such things the test consisted of 3 minute stages at gradually increasing speeds and inclines with the 7th and last stage being 10mph on a 22%(!) incline. Needless to say I didn't make it that far. I got to stage 5 (just), 5mph @ 18%. Not bad as I'm still training at 5mph @ 15% on my own treadmill and I don't usually run with 12 leads dangling from my chest and a blood pressure collar attached to my arm (my blood pressure was perfect by the way) .
Anyway, here's the bad news. They want to give me a pacemaker. Not the sort that runs in front of you in a race, the sort that looks like a metal matchbox and fits under the skin in your chest. The 3-day monitor I wore last week showed them some scary results. Remember, I had food poisoning that weekend. In the cold light of day I can see why they are worried. The doctor said that my heart rate was in the 20's during the day (I'm not surprised as I was asleep during the day) and that in one instance it didn't beat for nearly five seconds (which just happened to coincide with the lowest point in my food poisoning episode).
Overall, he is worried that I have bradycardia (very slow heart rate) and that the danger is that I blackout especially while driving. My response is that my low heart rate is exercise induced (my resting rate decreased in direct proportion to the amount of training I was doing), I don't have dizzy spells or feelings of weakness (indications of bradycardia) and that the 3-day recording should be discounted because of the exceptional circumstances. He said he would consult his boss but in the meantime I had to inform the DVLA as they might want to suspend my licence!
So, the position is that I phoned the DVLA and they are not interested (indeed were almost dismissive) and that the consultant has agreed to a retest. They are going to do a 7-day monitoring. If that shows anything to worry about then I don't think I have any choice but to agree to the pacemaker. If it doesn't, then I'm going to refuse to have it fitted.
As regards the running, I've been out twice in the last two days and it's been great. No problems with calf or heart. Even if I have a pacemaker fitted I'm still going to run and still going to do the Jungfrau.
How can running up a hill become so complicated? Stay tuned dear reader.......
Anyway, here's the bad news. They want to give me a pacemaker. Not the sort that runs in front of you in a race, the sort that looks like a metal matchbox and fits under the skin in your chest. The 3-day monitor I wore last week showed them some scary results. Remember, I had food poisoning that weekend. In the cold light of day I can see why they are worried. The doctor said that my heart rate was in the 20's during the day (I'm not surprised as I was asleep during the day) and that in one instance it didn't beat for nearly five seconds (which just happened to coincide with the lowest point in my food poisoning episode).
Overall, he is worried that I have bradycardia (very slow heart rate) and that the danger is that I blackout especially while driving. My response is that my low heart rate is exercise induced (my resting rate decreased in direct proportion to the amount of training I was doing), I don't have dizzy spells or feelings of weakness (indications of bradycardia) and that the 3-day recording should be discounted because of the exceptional circumstances. He said he would consult his boss but in the meantime I had to inform the DVLA as they might want to suspend my licence!
So, the position is that I phoned the DVLA and they are not interested (indeed were almost dismissive) and that the consultant has agreed to a retest. They are going to do a 7-day monitoring. If that shows anything to worry about then I don't think I have any choice but to agree to the pacemaker. If it doesn't, then I'm going to refuse to have it fitted.
As regards the running, I've been out twice in the last two days and it's been great. No problems with calf or heart. Even if I have a pacemaker fitted I'm still going to run and still going to do the Jungfrau.
How can running up a hill become so complicated? Stay tuned dear reader.......
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