atomicules

Mostly walking the dogs

Strava Year In Sport

Strava Year In Sport

That makes it two years of this reduced running effort, but I have maintained a great streak, doing 75 mins of fast (for me) running (keeping it under an average of 5 mins/km) and then 75 mins of strength (split as 45 mins of actual strength exercises and 30 mins of yoga*). I’ve had maybe one week each year when I didn’t keep the streak owing to being on holiday, etc, but even then alternative exercise has taken over (like the two slower trail runs in Cassis this year).

I still do miss my long runs and I still think it’s a shame I’ve had to let that go since it took years to build up to doing those distances, but what I have now is a good compromise.

And this year I have managed:

  • Two Brimmond Hill runs (I used to think nothing of this distance, but it’s rare to get the opportunity now. Brimmond Hill is a great thing to run up)
  • Two “mini three peak” challenges (again making the most of what’s on my doorstep - I don’t get the point in not running up a hill if it’s there)
  • Two runs of the Calanques trail in Cassis (the best trail I’ve ever run)
  • Finally getting to run up Bennachie
  • And managed my fastest 5k. So close to getting sub-20 (20:15), which isn’t bad for my age.

Strength wise, I really don’t know if anyone else would notice (I am still a bit of a weedy stick), but I can see the difference. I guess if I really wanted to “bulk up” I’d have to do more than two strength workouts a week and do the whole protein thing and I can’t be arsed with that. I just wanted to do something. Could do with upping the weights though since I don’t have the time to up the reps.

Yoga wise. Oof, I’m just glad I can do it. I’m no where near as supple as the Nike instructors, but again, I think for my age I’m pretty good. Managed to get into the wheel on repeated occasions. That’ll do for me.

In general, I am fully aware I’m coasting, but I don’t mind. As I see it I’m in a holding pattern in case life changes again in the future and, if so, I can use this as a base to build up from. And if nothing changes then I’m still making the most of the time I have.

* - I do keep thinking about splitting the strength into equal 25 minute chunks and I might try this next year.

I used to be able to see Mither Tap in the distance from when we lived in the countryside. It took thirteen years until we finally drove there and walked up it. It’s taken another four years for me to get around to running up it. At least living in town now I can get the bus near to there, even if the opportunity doesn’t arise very often.

The easier alternative to when I need to do all my running in one go. Early mornings by the sea are beautiful. I should do this more often than I do.

Back dated this post. Decided I’d make a handful of my Strava runs public

RIP Banana Hat

When I stopped cycling I envisaged having about three years off for a decent rest, but eventually getting back into it. Of course that never happened (it’s just far too expensive compared to running to do for a hobby) so I’ve stuck with running, wearing my banana cycling cap most of the time. I did technically get to wear it once or twice cycling, but not properly.

And now I never will. Annoyingly the peak has snapped in the washing machine (it really needed a wash) and look mum no hands are sadly no more.

I will have to find a new identity.

Try A Strap Or Belt At Shoulder Width Around The Elbow Crease

"Try a strap or belt at shoulder width around the elbow crease. I swear it gives me magic super powers. It's so easy and comfy for me, I can stay up for a while, come up and down on my toes, walk in a bit. All good. Without a belt I got nothing and I'm just hanging out on the top of my head."

Amazing tip I found on Reddit for getting into the wheel pose in yoga. Don’t know if it’s a placebo or actual magic, but it works. Without this I’m too scared to even try.

Managed this twice this year. This is a fun way to get all my week’s running in on one go. It might not be a huge amount of elevation, but trying to keep it under an average of 5 minutes per km makes it hard for me.

Back dated this post. Decided I’d make a handful of my Strava runs public

Wanted to write a post about running the amazing Les Calanques trails in Cassis. Realised I might as well just figure out including what I already have on Strava here. I can’t say I’ll be making many of my Strava activities public, but I can’t see the harm in making ones that are no where near home public.

When it comes to holiday destinations, A is driven largely by what she sees on Instagram. It was just pure luck on my side that the pretty harbour town of Cassis happens to be next to the Calanques National Park. So my main holiday worry was whether the trails were going to be open during fire-risk season - I figured I should get at least one day out of the seven we were there. As it was I managed two trail runs. In theory I could have done more, but it meant getting up early after we’d stayed up late drinking, it’s much hotter than Scotland, and it was on holiday and so not all about me.

Some notes:

  • Some of the stone is so polished it’s slippery
  • There is also lots of loose rock and stone
  • Only time I legitimately could have done with trail shoes with a rock plate - my feet were tender the next day
  • The Port d’En Vau descent is 40% gradient. I did not run down nor up. I just tried to go quickly and carefully, with the thought that A would kill me if I broke a leg and had to be rescued.
  • I actually took a bottle of water with me and drank it
  • It’s the best trail I’ve ever run

Obviously there is much more to explore here than the relatively tiny bit I got to run, but longer distances are probably best not in August. I was happy I got to do this loop once. Absolutely stoked I got to do it twice.

Nike Juniper Trail 1

Just a short post to say I managed to get a second hand (but barely used) pair of Nike Juniper Trail 1 for £20 (bargain!) to finally replace my Decathlon Active Grip.

These are cheaper than the cheapest pair of Decathlon running shoes. They are, unsurprisingly, much better than Decathlon - little bit lower to the ground, better mesh covering, softer, better grip, etc. But they are over twice the price (when new) of the Active Grip.

They are also a very good road/trail/dog shoe. The only downside is I doubt I’ll get quite so much distance out of them - the heels are wearing already from walking because of the softer rubber.

Going to try to appreciate them as much as possible whilst I have them though and make sure I get some off-road runs done.

Decathlon Run Active Grip Long Term Review

Decathlon Run Active Grip Long Term Review

Keeping it short, but I can’t actually fault them for £35. This photo is at 800km of running. But there could be that much again of walking on them: I don’t track walking or dog-walking, but on average do 30km of running (extra because of running with A) and 90km total distance a week… some of that is walking around in the house, I also have one other pair of shoes (for “best”), but it seems safe to say there could be 1600km total on these).

Of course nearly all the grip has worn down, but that’s ok for this time of year. The toe-hole in the mesh started at around 370km of running, got to this size and thankfully didn’t get any bigger.

I might see, though, if I can treat myself and spend a whole five pounds extra on the EasyTrail next as they have a bit more toe coverage and 1mm extra grip to wear through. That might be my ideal road/trail/dog-walking shoe.

But unsurprisingly these are going to have to last a little longer first.

The highest hill near me I can just run to. The trail there is great fun too. I should figure out a nicer route back though. Don’t get to do this very often since need to have a few hours to myself. This was my third time up (and second time this year).

Back dated this post. Decided I’d make a handful of my Strava runs public

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