SportsShoes Blog

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.

Well I guess you can tell it’s summer as the rain is slightly warmer!!!

Did an 1 hour 15 on the hills Saturday and felt quite good if not a little damp. The new pod phones (standard ipod) aren’t as good as my old Sonys - they were blowing out in the wind!!) Tune of the session - Whole Lotta Rosie - AC/DC - I would say the best heavy rock song ever written….

Sunday - went to Dalby Forest with my son - he’s not ridden a trail centre yet so we set off on the blue route but quickly realised this was too tame so split off on the red route. He loved every meter of it and can’t wait to get back to tackle some more. If you like riding MTBs and have never been to Dalby, do yourself a favour and take a trip east - you will not be dissappointed.

Monday - just a couple of walks out with the dog but no running - it’s amazing how much more you see when you walk.

Tuesday - a quick hour on the hills tonight and guess what, it rained - lots. Looked like a drowned rat when I got back but at least it was warm rain. iPod song of the session - Ramble On - Led Zeppelin.

Looking ahead - here’s what’s coming up :-

early Sept - Ben Nevis Fell Race

late Sept - 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross (this is going to hurt this year as I’ve hardly touched the bike…)

early Oct - Langdale Fell race

late Oct - OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) 2 day orienteering race carrying full kit - they’ve just announced the location as Borrowdale in the Lake district - NICE!!

Soon be Christmas……………

Here’s how my week after a big lakes race looks (I’d like to know what the top lads do in comparison) :-

Sunday was very much a recovery day from the race and the beer!! Early to bed Sunday night ready for the week ahead.

Monday - walk with the dog first thing (she’s only a pup so no running yet but as she’s a border collie she’ll be helping my fittness regime next year). Then a very steady 40 mins trot home from work and an even steadier cycle back with my son to rescue the car.

Tuesday - 50 min run afetr work - not feeling too bad on the flat and downs but no steam on the hills. My iPod phones finally conked out tonight - I guess they just got fed up of being filled with sweat and rain….

Wednesday - rest

Thursday - felt OK so joined the lads at the club for a blast. I hung on with the fast boys for an hour of fast(ish) hills but then my wheels came off and the weekend really started to show its teeth. I had to let them go and trot the last couple of miles back at my pace.

Friday - quick spin out on the MTB with my son - his technical skills are really coming on well now and he’s starting to appreciate that there’s more to MTB riding than just blasting downhill.

Think I’ll do a couple of hours run tomorrow then we’re off to Dalby Forrest on Sunday to let my son have his first taste of a trail centre - he’ll love it!! 

Wow - I’ve spotted these little corkers on the website and they look great - can’t wait to see them in the flesh and maybe give them a try.

Only reason I’m excited by them is that I used to use Nike’s Tupu trail shoes which I thought were brilliant and could never understand why they dropped them. These look like a new version of the Tupu but even lower and leaner.

If they work like they look I reckon they’ll sell very well…..

Well it’s Borrowdale Fell race on Saturday - one of the toughest races in the fell running calendar.

I’ve done it before in 05 and can remember quite a bit of it but unforunately, it’s always the bits that you can’t remember that are the worst.

I’ve been feeling pretty rubbish lately and struggling to get that floaty feeling when I’m out training. Went out for an hour on the bike Saturday - very steady with my son - then 30 mins run on Monday evening and a harder 1 hour run tonight. The weather was very warm which doesn’t suit me but I actually felt OK today. I’ll be resting up now to Saturday with probably a short spin on the bike tomorrow and a steady jog on Thursday.

There’s a big shin-dig after the race on Saturday and a few of us are camping so it should be a hoot. At least the thought of cold beer and live music should help to pull me round the 17 mile course and up and down Bessy Boot, Scafell, Great Gable and Dale Head.

Got the iPod on and went for a nice run out over the moors this morning - 1hour 15 mins - I guess around 9 miles. Lots of hill climbs and wet techy single track. The weather was good is this summer?

Saw an old mate of mine who I used to ride motorbikes with - he was playing golf with 3 other very serious Pringle wearing chappies - he used to be such a loon on the bikes now he’s chasing a little white ball around a field - what is the world coming to??? Think I’ll stick to the running and biking for now.

Finished the run with 10 minutes hard and felt all went OK.

iPod track of the session =  Nickleback - Rockstar

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!!

Tuesday night I did a speed session.

1 mile warm up jog from home to the woods then a few strides (4 short sprints to get the muscles ready) followed by 6 x 3 min efforts around and offroad circuit with a 1 min jog recovery.

Actually the fast lads were doing the laps in 3 mins mine were more like 3.15 to 3.30. I really need to work on my speed as I felt like a cart horse.

Well I’ve given my 320s some stick now so I thought I’d let you have my thoughts.

Firstly they are a very good looking and comfy shoe with no pinch points or loose areas that can rub and cause blisters. Like other Inov 8s they also have a very roomy toebox (area around the toes) which I really like as it prevents the loss of toenails when doing long descents.

The lacing system is simple but effective and the laces themselves are good at staying tied.

The cushioning is good - perhaps a little too good for a trail shoe - but Inov 8 would argue that the 315 is there if you want less cushion.

The tread pattern is fantastic for off-road use - just nice simple blocks that stay clear in all but the worst of clag.

On the downside, they do tend to feel a bit heavy when wet and don’t appear to dry as quickly as a 315. More of a worry is their performance on wet rock where you have to be REALLY careful on certain rock types (particularly that found on Scafell!!!). The boffins at Inov 8 need to get their thinking caps on here and develop a compound that wears well but prevents the wearer looking like a pig on stilts whenever the floor’s wet.

Overall, I think they’re a great shoe capable of handling anything from long road runs to ultra distance trail runs to fell races that are predominantly track based (pure fell needs a lower profile stud such as a Walsh).

My last piece of advise would be to make sure you don’t buy a size that’s too small - I would always advocate going up a half size rather than down if ever you’re unsure.

Trying to get some routine back into my training now.

Did an hour and ten mins yesterday on the local fells and did a quick 35mins after work tonight. Boy is it wet on those hills - must be summer!!

I feel I need to work on my hill climbing ability which I know means only one thing - Hard Work!!

I plan to re-introduce some structured hill sessions and speed work into my weekly schedule to regain my previous short race form.