I've had a manic couple of weeks so I've done very little training (which is not a good thing!).
2 weekends in a row were taken up with hen nights. Most girls reading this blog will have been on a hen night (or more often weekend these days) or two and they nearly always involve lots of drinking...so this got me to thinking, what does alchohol do to your running performance?
Running immediately after a drink or two: have you ever done that? I have tried once or twice in my younger days and discovered I got very out of breath very quickly. I don't know if this is a medical fact or not, just my own observation but looking on the internet it seems like everyone is in agreement, beer immediately before running is not generally considered to be a sensible thing to do.
Running the morning after a heavy night: now we've probably all done this however we all know this is bad. But why? Alcohol is a diuretic, which means drinking too much the night tends to leave you dehydrated. The effects of poor hydration are lack of coordination, decreased blood volume so less blood returns to your heart, your heart pumps less with each heartbeat, you muscles get blood which isn't as rich in oxygen, your muscles have less oxygen to produce energy and you then run slower. Now if you have had a really heavy night you'll probably be feeling very rough before you even start!
According to this running times article, in a study investigating the effects of alcohol consumption on running performance, five sprinters and five middle distance runners raced over 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 meters while sober and while intoxicated. Running performances were negatively affected at all distances except for the 100 meters. Sounds like a fun study to observe!
Beer during a run/race: During The Grizzly a couple years ago, nearer the end the course took us through a brewery where beer was on offer. I really fancied it so downed a cup full and that combined with the jelly baby I had just eaten had an amazing effect on me and I overtook loads of people in the next few miles. Why was that? I don't really know but after some research I have concluded a couple of sips during a run are probably ok but a large amount of beer while running is probably a bad thing due to the reasons already stated!
How about this for a run though? The Beer Mile is a drinking game that combines beer-drinking with elements of track and field. Participants complete a mile, consuming four beers at the same time. There are even rules to this, participants must consume one full beer, then run one quarter mile. This process is repeated three times, resulting in running one full mile, and consuming four beers. Hmm, not sure NHRR should adopt this type of event, or should we?
Post run/race beer: now, again, beer is bad post-run despite the carbs it contains. However, personally I reckon if you have run then you should enjoy yourself...bearing in mind that that beer will slow down your recovery...
I think this RW article sums it all up, moderation!
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Midweek League Race 3@Welwyn Garden City
Wednesday 11 June saw race 3 in our midweek road race league hosted by Herts Phoenix in Welwyn Garden City.
When reviewing the fixtures for this year's league, I realised I was due to be at a conference in Berlin on Tuesday/Wednesday (Localisation World, I am a linguistic geek). So, what would any sane person do? They would apologise profusely for not being able to make the race. Of course, that was not the option I chose. I decided it would be far more fun to leave the conference early and try to make the race.
My flight left Berlin at 16:35 (I had to miss the last session of the conference intriguingly entitled "The Intergalatic Impact of Language") so I jumped in a taxi at 3pm making it to the airport in enough time to remember I needed to eat and drink more water. Luckily the flight took off on time, I'd checked in online so I'd chosen a seat near the front of the plane and I only had hand luggage (I was flying to Terminal 5 so there was more than one reason to not check in luggage, after all I wanted to see it again (Did you know unclaimed luggage gets auctioned?)).
We landed at Heathrow early! This was good news as looking at the train times it was going to be tight getting to the race on time. But sadly we were too early for our stand and had to wait 10 minutes until another plane left. By this point, I'd taken the precaution of putting my trainers on and I legged it through Terminal 5 (it's big!), accidentally jumped the passport queue and threw myself onto a tube train that left 30 seconds later (what luck!).
Then I spent an hour on a tube train. I knew there was a train at 18:36 and 19:06 and there was no way I'd be there in time for the 36 so I just sat with my fingers crossed hoping there was no delays on the tube. Luckily there weren't and I made it to Kings Cross (after running up the escalators) with a few minutes to spare.
At this point, I deployed the next part of my plan which was to change into my running kit on the train (I did feel like a wally sitting on the train in my kit) and then I sat on the train. Sadly, I hadn't spotted that the train was goiong to spot at Potters Bar AND Hatfield on the way to WGC which added crucial minutes onto the journey time. My heart was beating like crazy and I was all clammy...at this point I decided that if I missed the start I'd do the race anyway...
The train got into WGC at about 19:35, by some fluke I had managed to get on a carriage that was opposite the ticket barriers so I jumped off the train, flung myself at the barriers, legged it down some escalators and into a taxi.
I decided that I would get the taxi driver to drop me off on the start line (to hold the race up if needed), I arrived with 3 minutes to spare (best £3 I have spent in ages) and I even had time to find a safe place for my bag and have a wild wee under a tree.
Oh yes, and there was a race too. I ran surprisingly well finishing the (was it wasn't it?) 5 mile course in 42:41. Must have been all the adrenalin pumping round my body!
(Oh, and thanks to Tash for the use of her Wimbledon towel!)
When reviewing the fixtures for this year's league, I realised I was due to be at a conference in Berlin on Tuesday/Wednesday (Localisation World, I am a linguistic geek). So, what would any sane person do? They would apologise profusely for not being able to make the race. Of course, that was not the option I chose. I decided it would be far more fun to leave the conference early and try to make the race.
My flight left Berlin at 16:35 (I had to miss the last session of the conference intriguingly entitled "The Intergalatic Impact of Language") so I jumped in a taxi at 3pm making it to the airport in enough time to remember I needed to eat and drink more water. Luckily the flight took off on time, I'd checked in online so I'd chosen a seat near the front of the plane and I only had hand luggage (I was flying to Terminal 5 so there was more than one reason to not check in luggage, after all I wanted to see it again (Did you know unclaimed luggage gets auctioned?)).
We landed at Heathrow early! This was good news as looking at the train times it was going to be tight getting to the race on time. But sadly we were too early for our stand and had to wait 10 minutes until another plane left. By this point, I'd taken the precaution of putting my trainers on and I legged it through Terminal 5 (it's big!), accidentally jumped the passport queue and threw myself onto a tube train that left 30 seconds later (what luck!).
Then I spent an hour on a tube train. I knew there was a train at 18:36 and 19:06 and there was no way I'd be there in time for the 36 so I just sat with my fingers crossed hoping there was no delays on the tube. Luckily there weren't and I made it to Kings Cross (after running up the escalators) with a few minutes to spare.
At this point, I deployed the next part of my plan which was to change into my running kit on the train (I did feel like a wally sitting on the train in my kit) and then I sat on the train. Sadly, I hadn't spotted that the train was goiong to spot at Potters Bar AND Hatfield on the way to WGC which added crucial minutes onto the journey time. My heart was beating like crazy and I was all clammy...at this point I decided that if I missed the start I'd do the race anyway...
The train got into WGC at about 19:35, by some fluke I had managed to get on a carriage that was opposite the ticket barriers so I jumped off the train, flung myself at the barriers, legged it down some escalators and into a taxi.
I decided that I would get the taxi driver to drop me off on the start line (to hold the race up if needed), I arrived with 3 minutes to spare (best £3 I have spent in ages) and I even had time to find a safe place for my bag and have a wild wee under a tree.
Oh yes, and there was a race too. I ran surprisingly well finishing the (was it wasn't it?) 5 mile course in 42:41. Must have been all the adrenalin pumping round my body!
(Oh, and thanks to Tash for the use of her Wimbledon towel!)
Running...and cycling too!
Last Sunday (8 June), Gary and I decided to do the Barton 10k. Initially, Gary hadn't been too keen on doing this as we had a Midweek League Race the following week. But I was always keen (and he came round to my way of thinking eventually). We did this race last year and it was very enjoyable (if a bit warm and polleny) and I was keen to do it again.
In true Lindsay-style, I decided a good plan was to cycle to the race (only 6 miles from Hitchin), do the race, and then go on a bike ride. The 6 miles there was a nice loosener and I don't think it affected my run although I am glad it wasn't any further.
The race starts by running (off road) up a nice bug hill. It's one of those hills where your legs are like jelly at the top (I also get this feeling when I walk up the stairs at work!) and you heart is beating so hard it is painful. SO yes, of course I had to walk the last little bit of the hill (and another little one at 7k) but otherwise I really enjoyed this run and I fely nice and strong, especially near the end where I overtook 5 or 6 people. My time was nothing special (62 mins) but that wasn't the point today!
After the race, we set off on our bikes again, it was a gorgeous day, not a day for housework (in our house it never is unfortunately). We decided it was the perfect day to use our National Trust membership and visit the nearest NT place to Hitchin which was Shaw's Corner in Ayot St Lawrence. The cycle there (and back again!) was really lovely, the sun was shining and all was good with the world.
We crawled back home at about 6pm (we'd left at 10), tired and somewhat flushed from having been in the sun all day. A mad day, but a lovely one!
In true Lindsay-style, I decided a good plan was to cycle to the race (only 6 miles from Hitchin), do the race, and then go on a bike ride. The 6 miles there was a nice loosener and I don't think it affected my run although I am glad it wasn't any further.
The race starts by running (off road) up a nice bug hill. It's one of those hills where your legs are like jelly at the top (I also get this feeling when I walk up the stairs at work!) and you heart is beating so hard it is painful. SO yes, of course I had to walk the last little bit of the hill (and another little one at 7k) but otherwise I really enjoyed this run and I fely nice and strong, especially near the end where I overtook 5 or 6 people. My time was nothing special (62 mins) but that wasn't the point today!
After the race, we set off on our bikes again, it was a gorgeous day, not a day for housework (in our house it never is unfortunately). We decided it was the perfect day to use our National Trust membership and visit the nearest NT place to Hitchin which was Shaw's Corner in Ayot St Lawrence. The cycle there (and back again!) was really lovely, the sun was shining and all was good with the world.
We crawled back home at about 6pm (we'd left at 10), tired and somewhat flushed from having been in the sun all day. A mad day, but a lovely one!
Friday, 6 June 2008
Can't sleep
After a hard raining session, do you ever find that you can't sleep? It's 12:30 and I can't sleep!
Tonight's session was fun, I really enjoyed it (there has been some good stuff recently, thanks Karen!). After Tuesday's 1500m reps (which went well for me, I averaged around 7:25/7:30 for the 4 reps), it was refreshing to do some 200m reps. The session was 200m reps with reducing recovery time (90s/75s/60s/45s/30s/15s). I missed the Balke test when we did it the week after the marathon (if I remember rightly I could barely walk that day) so I've been "borrowing" Linda Aird's times/distance. My aim was 54 seconds per 200m and if at any point you went beyond your target then it was time to bow out gracefully, it was all about quality not quantity! I managed the whole set 4 times, mainly at 52/53s with the final set more like 50/51s.
So a combination of pushing myself hard and a late dinner means here I am, blogging when I should be sleeping!!!
Tonight's session was fun, I really enjoyed it (there has been some good stuff recently, thanks Karen!). After Tuesday's 1500m reps (which went well for me, I averaged around 7:25/7:30 for the 4 reps), it was refreshing to do some 200m reps. The session was 200m reps with reducing recovery time (90s/75s/60s/45s/30s/15s). I missed the Balke test when we did it the week after the marathon (if I remember rightly I could barely walk that day) so I've been "borrowing" Linda Aird's times/distance. My aim was 54 seconds per 200m and if at any point you went beyond your target then it was time to bow out gracefully, it was all about quality not quantity! I managed the whole set 4 times, mainly at 52/53s with the final set more like 50/51s.
So a combination of pushing myself hard and a late dinner means here I am, blogging when I should be sleeping!!!
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