training – Sisyphus AC

Getting back into running after a time off

I am – once again – building up to a regular training regime after over three months of almost complete lack of training. Only this time I have learnt from the many times I’ve had to get back into training, and I am avoiding the traps of frustration, self-recrimination and unrealistic expectations. Instead I’m taking a more-long term, conscious approach, which – I hope – will lead me to building a more sustainable training programme.

As this is an area which does not get as much attention as “how to run your first marathon” or “how to run your fastest 5k ever!”, which have millions of articles and blogs written about them, I thought I would offer my thoughts for your amusement and profit.!

Sisyphus and the myth of linear progression

I named this blog “Sisyphus AC” as an expression of my frustration at the up-and-down nature of my training and running performance. You see, the way I see it, we train to get better, faster, leaner, until we reach some optimum state (based on each person’s inherent ability and genetic make-up) and then try to…

Between the fields and a spreadsheet

Not a brilliant couple of weeks’ running I am afraid… Bad nights’ sleep (Philip is transitioning seamlessly from a cold to teething!) and a cold of my own conspired to keep me under my weekly mileage and away from Parkruns so far this month. Still, I’ve managed three runs per week regardless, even if there…

A bad run

It was always going to be a bad run last night. I was home a bit later from work, so by the time we had gone for our family walk and I was setting off for my run, Philip was close to his bedtime: I would be back after he was asleep. I didn’t like…

Nerdy runner!

You left me dear readers, basking in the onset of summer, and already there were indications that after my marathon training in the winter / early spring and the focus on speedwork in the late spring, summer was going to be much lazier… And indeed, in typical Sisyphean fashion I let my fitness roll down…

Jasmine and Spreadsheets

I was a bit remiss with my running last week, managing only one run and one bike ride, but I am not beating myself too much about it. The weather was hot and sunny and I ended up spending a lot of time in the garden, clearing away half a tree that had fallen (narrowly…

Breathe out and… taper!

On Sunday I went out for my last Long Run before the London Marathon, and have now began my taper: a period of reduced training volume, aimed at allowing the body to rest and recover before the main event. It was quite a hot day (a taste of real summer in early April, which my…

2017 Ashby 20 Race Review

The whole affair manages to combine the friendliness of a club run with the atmosphere of a village fête and the smooth organisation you would expect from an IAAF Diamond League event!

2017 London Marathon – March update

With just over a month to go before the big event on the 23 April, we have certainly entered the business end of my preparation for the Marathon! Ashby 20, my dress rehearsal race is next weekend (19 March) and a few days later we will enter the last month before London!.. I have to…

Marathon training as a dad – part two of very many!

Looking back to my first post on what marathon training with a first baby was like, the main themes were sleeplessness, confusion and making do! I am pleased to report that within a month or so, we have moved on significantly: Philip is much more settled and beginning to sleep through (most of) the nights,…