BYU Blog 6

 Gosh feels like less than 5 weeks since I wrote last blog. Training properly is kicking in, with injuries hopefully subsiding. 

Events have taken place and I slowly build routine to include running, walking, tai chi, nutrition, hydration. As part of the Last of the Summer Wine crew we have completed five stages of The Peak District Boundary walk, there are twenty. See Facebook posts for updates. Cheers to Greg and Jak for making this a weekly fun activity.

Rasselbock continue to support my road to BYU. Thanks to Eric, Jonathan and family for finish photos, cake and jokes (if you know you know). I did not target Shipley event but turned up and managed 16k, three laps in 2 hours and a bit. This was after impromptu 11k warm up for Monsal Trail Parkrun which also doubled as my club, North Derbyshire RC monthly Parkrun Social. Happy with under 27 min parkrun. Also took a sneaky walk round Clumber in preparation for next event.

The BYU format and similar events negate the need for navigation, not my strong point, but still require ultramarathon know how. With limit experience this is still an area for improvement. Current focus is aiming for 7 min per km pace using a 5 min run/jog 2 min walk (drink/eat) approach. Testing, Testing 1,2,3. 

All of this focus was distracted by the Chesterfield CAMRA Beer Festival for two days plus preparation and take down days. Have I mentioned I am current Chair of Chesterfield CAMRA. Ha Ha!! 

Please put your thoughts, tips and ideas in comments below. Onward and Upward. 

Comments

  1. Taylorakis21 February 2025 at 11:43

    Just tripped over your blog , Steve. Reminds me for a moment of the training diaries I kept fifty bloody years ago. I'm jealous both of your exploits and the real ale quaffing. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BYU Blog 13

 So my 12 month journey to my first Backyard Ultra, at age 62, is over. Saturday 13th September. 10 am set off on first lap of Rasselbock BYU Hardwick. Having assembled a crew of friends and practised avidly the event was now real.  I had adopted and practised a mindset that does not set a limit but also takes account of where you are at so as to be aware of realistic personal aims. I did not make this known. All I said was minimum 8 laps (hours).  My actual ultra distance achievement before was 40 miles in 2023. My approach of 3 mins walk, 3 min jog acted as my basic approach in the absence of chatting to other participants, singing to myself, saying hello to marshals and passers by. Having clarity about how to distract yourself from the monotony and repetitiveness I think is important. Having achieved 7 laps in 6 hours at two training Rasselbock events I was assured of 7 laps hence minimum 8. As time ticked by and 47 minutes per lap became 51 and eventually 54 and not m...
Read more

BYU Blog 11

 Well having managed to do 7 laps in 6 hours at Hardwick Hobble and my second slow marathon of the year I thought why not build on that. So since week after marathon I set a programme of 9 weeks of 60k per week. Then three week taper to BYU. In the middle of week four I have adapted to accommodate home life, general health and energy levels. Whilst testing endurance consecutive days long run/shorter run, including race days, using Parkrun with pre-run and just 10k every day, one rest day. Walking nearly every day continues as does taichi and strength and stretch work. Not forgetting plenty rest in my retired, life of Riley according to some style. #milestogether blog continues to provide insight to the byu/ultra world. Still using format, soon to simulate overnight, napping and different food stuffs as the race gets closer. Last Sunday I marshalled at Rasselbock Running Marathon Day at Sherwood Pines. Great to see a big marathon set up for a relatively new company. Great to see so ...
Read more

Restoring French Chateaux

 The restoration of chateaus in France, by some of the British, is a slight on the French revolutionaries. The fact that a TV programme highlights and praises their efforts is ironic. Their reinstating of 'business as usual'   by becoming the Lord or Lady of their manor is a real smack in the gob for the history of the French Revolution. I know many of you will say I am jealous, moaning and other more derogatory languages but imagine French people restoring castles in the UK. Well maybe not because unfortunately the British revolution failed to dismantle the prevailing order. They still own the 'chateaus' Stately Homes, charge us to visit them and their grandeur. You see history does help explain our current state. We are still slaves, living under the illusion of democracy and expecting them to solve the problems they created. I am well aware this is a view not supported by many whereas voting is supported by 70%. Thus democracy's maths deems me wrong but only nume...
Read more