SportsShoes Blog

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.

Well im now back from the Junior Track Europeans in Pruszkow and it was a very sucessful championships! We went on to win the final of the team pursuit, with both us and the Belgians posting faster times than in qualifying.  It was a really good atmosphere in the track and the crowd were really supportive, plus it was good to get the first gold for the GB team.

I then competed again the next day in the 2000m individual pursuit. I was pretty nervous cos I was warming up and watching the other athletes post times very close to my recently set PB and so probably panicked when it got to my heat.  I was off last against Jolien D’Hoore the World Junior Road Race Champion and 4th placed at the Junior World individual pursuit. I rode the first kilometre very fast and died a million deaths in the closing 2 laps, qualifying second fastest to D’Hoore by 0.2 seconds. This meant I was still in the ride off for gold and silver but it wasn’t the way I wanted to qualify. However, I came back to the final feeling confident and determind to give it everything but to control the first km.  I rode an evenly paced race and took the lead in the last 3 laps.  A strong rider, Jolien then kicked in the last lap but I still managed to win…by 0.4seconds!

This then meant another presentation and a second time listening to the national anthem! (I was glad I’d made the effort to get some nice new Nike trainers from Sports Shoes before I left for Poland to wear on the podium!) I also received another European Champions jersey…see pics!

I was really happy and phoned my family and gym coach then it was back to bed as I had another event in the morning!

For the next days event I was riding up a category in the U23’s 3000m individual pursuit so competing against girls potentially 5 years older, however the aim was to use it for experience.  I finished 13th in a respectable time of 3:50, 2 seconds slower than my PB but it was good to see where the standard was and how much I need to improve when I become an U23.

So all in all, a good trip and I returned hope with 2 gold medals and as Double European Champion!

http://track-pruszkow2008.eu/galerie/pretty_fast-31/1.html pictures from the event

Had a rest on Wednesday then went out with the fast boys from the Bingley Harriers on Thursday night who were up for a session.

Managed 40 mins then had to let them go - the pace was just too hot for me. So me and another chap trotted back at our own pace. 

I seem to be really struggling on the hills at the minute and don’t know why. I’m wondering if it’s just  that the season is starting to catch up with me a little. I’m at the point where I don’t know if I need to train harder or have a few weeks off. Trouble is I’ve got that many races planned that I can’t fit in a rest period so I guess it’ll have to be the harder training option!!!

After the humiliation of being dropped on Thursday night I went out Friday for a quick 35 mins up the local hill and felt reasonable - song of the session - Wig Wam Bam by The Sweet - now don’t laugh (well ok you can if you like) but if you manage to ignore the cheesy lyrics and can pretend you never did the ridiculous dance it’s actually a cracking song.

Saturday I eventually managed to crack out the road bike - did 20 miles at 17.5 mph average which is about my usual pace - Hannah will probably chuckle at this and call me chicken legs but I don’t think it’s that bad for an occasional cyclist on the hills riding solo. I enjoyed the ride and decided I need to do more of this to compliment my running and in prep for the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross in September.

Now sat here considering going up to do Sedbergh Hills Fell race tomorrow - 14 miles 6000 ft - It’s either that or a walk round Kettlewell Scarecrow festival…….I’ll let you know if you tune in tomorrow.

Did 3 hours on the mountain bike (Marin Mount Vision) this morning.

It’s been a while since I’ve ridden my full susser and I really didn’t feel very ‘trail sharp’.

Still it was nice to get out with my old cycling pals for a muddy blast round the local trails. Thankfully one of them had been to a party last night and had too many cocktails so he was rough when he picked me up - this slowed him up and stopped them giving me a whipping up the first long climb (Alter Lane out of Bingley).

I really like to combine cycling with my running as I beleive it helps to develop my CV whilst being easier on the body (assuming I manage to stay on of course).

My mate Jamie completed the Wasdale fell race yesterday in 5 hours and 5 mins - he was dead chuffed - that’s one tough race!

Need to get some miles in this weekend to burn off all the brithday cake.

It’s Wasdale Fell race tomorrow - I’m not doing it but my OMM partner Jamie is. It’s one of the toughest races in the UK - at over 20 miles and with around 7500 ft of climb over many of the Lakes’ highest peaks it’s a real beast. I did it last in 2006 but decided to skip it this year as I want to make sure I’m fully recovered after the yacht race.

My next race will be Borrowdale fell race in August - another long (17 miles) lakes race that takes in Scafell, Great Gable and Dale Head. It’s a tough one but there’s a big party in the evening so that should keep us going till the end.

Then it’s the 3 Peaks cyclo cross in September (better try and get a few bike miles in me thinks!!) followed by the OMM in October.

By the way - anyone watch Superstars? - I remember watching that when I was a kid - Brian Jacks (remember him??) what a hero!!

I’ve been racing a lot recently and done ok! Got a 3rd in a National Women’s Series in Brentwood, Essex which I was happy with. http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/

A couple of days later I won the womens prize in a local mens circuit race in Brighouse and then got 10th in another Women’s Series race, a road race in Capenwray. This was quite a hilly race which doesnt usually suit me so I was pleased with the result.

Unfortunately the National Circuit Championships didnt go to plan as I missed the break, but I’ll put it down to experience…I wont make the same mistake again!  See Natural Circuit Championships

Trainings been based around the racing so doing a mix of stuff. Trying a new rollers session at the moment which is really hard: 2 mins @ 120 revs per minute, 2 mins @ 100 revs per minute x 5. Hopefully this will get some speed into my legs as I start the track training block in the lead up to the Europeans pretty soon.

Hannah

Morning everyone.

Just letting you all know how my first workout went. Enjoyed it on friday, really helps if you have written down infront of you what you are doing! Saves time wandering about and getting bored!

I only did 16 sets on chest - Incline bench (4 sets), flat dumbell press (4 sets), incline flyes (4 sets) followed by burning out press ups (4 very hard sets).

Then i did 8 sets on biceps - 4 sets of barbell curls followed by 4 sets of hammer curls.

I managed to do it all in under an hour which is really streamlining for me! I wrote down all my weights and reps as well, so can get straight into it next time. This regime is going to last for 4 weeks then i change it slightly.

I didn’t think i had done that much but when i woke on sunday ( 2 days after) my chest was killing! A bizarre self satisfying pain ( you guys out there know what i mean, you are killing but it’s great cos you feel like you have really worked your muscles and you feel pumped).

Cycled to work again this morning. Trying to put the bike in a really high gear all the way to get the lactic acid in the legs. Ends up a pretty tiring cycle that way and helps to work my legs. Since starting to cycle to work about 5 weeks ago my girlfriend mentioned the other night she thought my legs had grown and they were more toned! RESULT!

Looking forward to tonight’s workout… gunna smash it in! will let you know what i do.

J.