I'm too old to give up but too young to rest by Johnf

• Why am I doing this?

  Like on realbuzz.com

  0

  0

  ScrapbookShare

  May2320124:13 p.m.

  Aah the sun has risen after what seems like months of grey skies.  I know many runners don’t  like the summer heat but I find it a joy, no decisions to be made on kit choice, long sleeves v short sleeves, layers, jackets, hat, gloves, tights etc.  shorts and a t-shirt (ok you may have to decide on a singlet?).  Adjust your time expectations if it is extremely hot and you’re going long and I guess make sure you have some fluid.  Get out into the country and just enjoy the sun and store the memories for those cold winter days that will far outnumber the summer warm ones. 

  Since my heart issues last September and then calf problems over the last few weeks, I have done enough miles but all of them have been very steady and I have noticed that my steady has become slower, perhaps by 20 to 30 seconds per mile which just shows the effect of not putting in some faster paced stuff occasionally.  Might be more noticeable in an old git like me, but definitely noticeable.  So I have started to put some order back into my random schedule with planned tougher runs.  It is amazing how much more effort is required to start knocking off those seconds, but it does give a good buzz when you’ve finished.  Was out early this morning for a 5 miler with mile times varying from 7.45 to 8.38. I’m not really sure why I’m doing it, but I am!

  Did anybody watch the TV programme, probably a couple of years ago about the base camp hospital for Everest.  Can remember at the time that the odds of dying were about 1 in 15 people attempting to summit.  Over the weekend there were 4 confirmed deaths with a couple more likely to happen all in a really short period.  The climb is no longer the killer, it’s the high altitude that has most effect combined to an extent with the very low temperatures.  Apparently there was a break in the weather and a backlog of people waiting to go and they think many of the problems were caused by queues of people waiting to pass each other on a couple of the narrower points and then some people spending too long at high altitude with insufficient oxygen and suffering a brain oedema.  The cost of the climbs are in excess of £30,000, a very costly gamble.

  I can’t end without mentioning Keith Luxon.  I remember Keith when he first started blogging on this site after he had run the NY marathon.  The stats he started to post always indicated that here was a fairly recent running convert with a few miles in him.  Well he’s certainly proved that with a quite staggering achievement at Brathay with the 10 marathons in 10 days. I know there are some great runners on here that knock out some consistently good marathons week after week, SeanG springs straight to mind, but I think this is a very special event.  Some great fund raising too.  Keith will tell you that we are all capable of doing it, theoretically that may be right, but putting in the work to do it is more than theory.  I just don’t know how he will get his next endorphin fix?

  49 post views

  Comments (7)

  • HellenH 'Enjoy the tougher sessions John (if you can enjoy tough sessions!) I remember the Everest prog a few years ago -I have a weird obsession with all things Everest - thankfully one of them isn't wating to climb it! It been awful what has happened over the last few days - never underestimate the natural world. Keith = legend, don't know what else to add to that really! ;)' added 23rd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • Nick 'Good for you, John. Even us older guys need to have a target to aim at! I don't think I'll be going up Everest just yet though ;-)' added 23rd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • Firefly123 'I have to say that once I get going with a tough session I don't mind it - it's the thought of doing it that's worst! Summer running is great if you're not racing - I don't think you can beat running along in shorts and tee shirt. ' added 23rd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • Rob_Barber 'You're right John, it is bliss to feel the sun on your pale and pasty and usually covered bits :-)' added 23rd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • SeanG 'I'm you with John. Warm, sunny weather over the cold, wet and windy stuff any day of the week, even on race day. Yeah, what speed (sic?) I had in my legs have disappeared too. Not quite ready to work on getting it back though.' added 24th May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • moose10 'Must admit I'm with you much prefer running in the warm as opposed to the wet,wind and cold. Best of luck with those tough runs and getting the seconds back' added 24th May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • Dungey 'Loving this nice weather John, hoping it will last a while. Does make my runs in the morning and evening though, but not complaining. My pace has dropped off following injury so, like you, am keen to get it back in. Targetting the Bristol Half later this year. Good luck with the training' added 24th May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  Please login to comment
  
  

Previous Posts