SportsShoes Blog

Well it’s Monday and I’ve survived another 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross (my 6th).

What a day we had yesterday - a record entry of over 500, a new course record set by my Bingley Harriers team mate Rob Jebb, stunning weather and the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen at the event.

As you’ll have read in my earlier posts, I hadn’t really prepared very well (read at all) for this year’s race as I’ve been concentrating on my running instead of biking this year but as there’s a lot of off bike climbing and off road descending in the peaks my time didn’t really suffer. In fact I set my second best time around the course at 4.00 hours 46 seconds. I should be pleased with this but as a first class award goes to all those under 4 hours I feel a little bit miffed.

Anyway, what it did tell me is that I should be well capable of a sub 4 if I put a bit of time into getting bike fit before next year’s race. I’ve decided that this will be one of my target races for next year and want to see if I can find a good blend of cycling and running that will see my results improve in both disciplines.

As predicted, I didn’t feel I did too bad on the climbs and the descents but the road sections (of which there are quite a few) are my major weakness. The roadies just come steaming past me, working together in groups, and I simply can’t hang on. I reckon there’s a good 10 mins to be saved if I can up my road strength and stay with a group.

I beat my pal Pete Jowett by two mins but it’s a bit of a hollow victory as he punctured coming of Whernside which will have cost him 5-10 mins - that said staying puncture free is all part of the race and if you push too hard on the descents is very easy to nip a tube.

My running training partner Jamie Robinson did the race for the first time this year and despite admitting to be sh*****g himself on the start line he had a great, trouble and injury free ride coming home just inside 4.5 hrs - well done Jamie. I’ve spoken with him today and he’s caught the 3PX bug and is already talking about what he could do in next years race - funny how pain can be addictive!!

It was also nice to have some friends on the course spectating this year - the support I got from Jez, Mick, Steve and Ian was fantastic and even though I declined a drink from Sarah on the way up Penyghent it was a much appreciated offer. However, either Ian or me need to practise our Tour De France style rider support as I nearly broke my hand on the mirror of his van whilst trying to pass back an empty bottle…..

The old legs feel fine today - it’s amazing how different the body feels after a long cycle compared to a long run. It’s the down hill braking effect that really screws the leg muscles when running - something that just doesn’t happen when biking.

Next event is the Langdale Fell race in the lakes in 2 weeks time - I’m really looking forward to this as I had a great run there a couple of years ago and I’m keen to get round the course again.

My eldest son Max is going training with the Bingley Harriers for the first time tomorrow - he can’t wait.

Oh dear.

I joined a my new gym about a week ago and it was going great until this morning. Doing my normal chest flyes ( normal 26’s), and that annoying, niggling muscle has gone again in my back! So, had to cut my training short. Hope it is only a short lived problem though, hopefully will be back in a couple of days.

Think i may start back with some cardio anyway as thinking i am quickly slipping into comfort food teritory after holiday, need to stop that asap!

J

I’ve been hammering the bike a bit this last few days in ‘preparation’ for the 3 Peaks Cross on Sunday and I can now see why I get blown away by all the road riders when I try and take them on in this race. I believe that the muscles used for running are obviously the same ones used when cycling but they are used in a slightly different way - and that slight difference really affects the way they perform. What I’ve found is that even just a week of cycling appears to have made a big difference to the way I feel on the bike and the speed I’m riding. I reckon it’s the muscles just adapting to the different conditions in which they’re being asked to work.

Another thing I notice, which is very strange, is that the time from feeling fresh to feeling completely blown (known as ‘bonking’ in the cycling world) is much shorter on a bike than it is when you’re running - I wonder why that is??? Both times when I was on my bike this weekend I had to stop for a quick can of coke and a snickers bar just to get some fuel back in the tank. It’s also amazing how quickly this relights the fire!! I need to get my nutrition right for the race this weekend - I think it’ll be Powerbar sports drink in the camelback and malt loaf and snickers in the back pockets.

I went to work on the bike a couple of times last week, then did 41 miles Saturday and 47 miles Sunday on the roadie then cycled to work and back today. (about 120 miles in 6 days - wow that’s good for me) I managed an average of 17.3 mph over the 47 miles on Sunday which I was really pleased with although the route was not particularly hilly and there was very little wind.

I’m really looking forward to the cross race now although I haven’t dug my cross bike out and given it the once over yet - there’s always Saturday!!!

I’ve even started to think that I might try and have a proper go at it next year by putting a bit more bike training in to see what I could do. I’m thinking of doing the Fred Whitton ride http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/ next year which would certainly lay a good foundation.

Anyway there won’t be much to report this week as I now intend to rest up and let everything recharge before Sunday.

One thing’s for sure it’ll be an interesting race as my pal Pete Jowett will be gunning for me to try and level the series at 2 races each - there’s a good chance he’ll beat me this time as he’s spent a lot of time on the bike this year whilst I’ve been concentrating on running - however, he’s not having it on a plate and he’ll have to work for it if he wants the glory!!!!

Oh no just a week to go before the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross and still no training. If you want to see what this mad event is all about take a look at http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/ . I’ve ridden it 5 times so know my way around pretty well but it never gets any easier - especially that last climb up Pen-y-ghent with the bike on your back. A few years ago it was so windly up there I saw someone get blown clean off their feet.

I better dig the cross bike out this weekend and give it a fettle - it’s been a couple of years since I’ve ridden it seriously as the Peaks was cancelled last year due to the foot and mouth scare.

I’m determined to get out on my bike for a decent length ride this weekend but my plans to do one tomorrow morning have been scuppered by a need to taxi the kids to various sporting events….so it’s looking like Saturday or Sunday afternoon - not my favourite time as I prefer to get training done in the morning.

Anyway, I feel this week has been quite succesful in terms of training as I cycled to work Wednesday, did 1hr 10min running on the hills last night (ipod track of the session - Alex Party, Read my Lips - can’t beat a mid 90’s dance classic if you’re in the mood) and cycled to work again today.

I’m really looking forward to next year when I can run with my dog in a morning. As she’s a pup we’re restricted to fast walks until she’s fully grown (although she ends up running everywhere anyway!!!)

There’s a festival in Saltaire tomorrow night so it might be a few beers and some live bands for me, the family and some friends…..perhaps training 1st thing Sunday might get delayed.

Now the season has finished it’s time for a rest for a month or so then I will be going back to fitness training as I have not been the best with fitness over the past couple of years. I struggled a lot at the begining of the season for fitness and also avoiding injury. I want to work on my upper body strength in my shoulders and arms aswell as my core stability, as I have a lot of back problems.  Unfortunately it will be time to go runing again soon, which I’m not a massive fan of but I need to get my stamina and aerobic fitness back up to scratch.

So over the next few months I will be keeping you up to date with how its all going and what I have been getting up to!

Just a quick question to throw out there …

I have recently just joined an outside gym ( as the gym i use in my buiding has run its course). This out side gym is an independant gym and hence a bit smaller than the larger chains but is considerably cheaper.

I was wondering how much everyone pays for gym membership? I enquired at a large chain earlier this week and they quoted me £50 a month and a £30-£50 joining fee. Surely this is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE???

The one i joind was £85 for 3 months which works out about £28 a month which i think is very reasonable. Just interested how much these gyms can charge up to.

Anyway, was there at 7.00am this morning, me and one other person. Huge deadlifts … loved it.

J.

Well that’s summer over folks ha ha ha - you missed it too did you?

I can now officially tell it’s winter as we did our first speed session on the grass last night and as usual - IT HURT!!

More than that we all agreed that Thursday’s session will be on the road as it’s now too dark for off roading - better get down to SportsShoes and get myself some new road pumps - my old Nike Pegasus are looking a tad tired.

I did an hour with my son on the mountain bikes on Saturday then an hour+ on the roadie on Sunday. My plan was to do a big ride but it never happened.

Did a few dog walks on Monday (does that count as training? - I’m telling myself it does especially if it rains!!!) then did the speed session last night - 6 x 2min 50 laps with a 1 min recovery. Then went to work on my bike today.

Came home and ate about three tons of pizza so better take the dog out for a good old trot tonight.

just lost in a tight match with daryl selby. first game was played at a very high pace. had a good lead at 9 - 6 but a few intersting refering decisions went against me and i lost it 11 - 9.. second game was similar to the first but vise versa - a bad start losing the first 5 rallies making alte come back but unfortuneatly losing 11 - 9 and the third 11- 6.. dissapointing to lose but encouraging signs and looking forward to the next event , leinster open starting on october 2nd..

This coming Tuesday, Bingley Harriers are having ‘a bit of do’ after the training session.

This is to celebrate the move of the seniors from Beckfoot school to the excellent facilities at Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club. In terms of distance ‘the move’ is only about 200 yards as the school and the rugby club are only seperated by a road.

The move has been prompted by the rebuilding work that’s going on at the school but is also seen as an opportunity to develop the social side of the club as the B&B bar gives us a great post training meeting / chatting area - something we’ve been lacking for a long time.

It is hoped that training from B&B will encourage lots more existing members to come down and join in the pack runs and speed sessions but also we’re hoping it might attract new members too - WHY NOT MAKE IT YOU!!!

If you are :-

- new to running

- ran years ago and are just getting going again

- have been running for years but never been a club member or are

- running for a club that doesn’t meet your needs

(and live reasonably local)

why not come and see us at the B&B rugby club every Tuesday at 7pm (speed / hill sessions) and Thursday at 7.30pm (pack runs).

Whatever your ability, you’ll be made welcome and I assure you that (unless you’re already an elite / national standard runner) you’ll quickly get fitter and faster. Whoever you are, one thing’s for sure, you’ll meet a load of new pals with the same interest as you.

Please don’t be put off by Bingley’s impressive heritage of champions and believe some people who say it’s an elitest club - it isn’t. It genuinely caters for everyone whether you’re the slowest once a week gentle jogger or a world champion.

Come on down - you know you want to!!!!!

(By the way, in case you’re not local the above applies wherever you live - joining your local club could seriously improve your running and bring a lot of fun into your life).

Here’s the motley crew from Bingley Harriers (well most of them anyway). I’m number 42, there were 42 people who finished in front of me and 442 finsihers in total - 42 hmmm perhaps it really is the answer to life the universe and everyting (read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy if you’re a bit lost).

Anyway, I’ve felt pretty good this week ‘post Ben’ - went out for a very steady 40 min trot with a few other Bingley Ben racers on Tuesday (got stung by a wasp - b%&*$£d thing) then did an hour+ on Thursday again at very low intensity (This was a pub run from Baildon so we had to make use of the amenities when we got back!!)

Need to try and get some bike miles in now for the 3 Peaks Cross which is only 2 weeks away. No idea how this is going to go this year as I’m running OK on the hills but haven’t ridden more than 20 miles in one ride all year. The 3PX is 36miles and very tough. I’ll be up against some very fit 100+ mile / per week roadies who’ll come storming past me on the tarmac but I can usually pull a bit back on the climbs / carrying sections and let my MTB skills help me on the descents.

It’s the Yorkshireman off-road marathon tomorrow from Haworth which I would like to have done (did it a few years back - nice race) but my good lady is out so I’m child and dog minding. If the weather’s half decent I think we’ll all go for a big walk over the moors.