Monday, 28 March 2011

Runners' beer goggles

Why do we do it? Why, on a beautiful Spring day with fluffy white lambs in the fields and fluffy white clouds in the sky, do we go out and make everything hurt by running intervals?
I don't know. But it is what I did this lunchtime. 8x400m (roughly - it's two fields worth of effort) with 1 minute rests between them.
It was a slog from the word go. As they do, they got progressively harder until it got so embarrassing I stopped. Not the most technically advanced way of training, but I'd recently watched the film about Graeme Obree, the Scottish cyclist; his home-made approach worked pretty well, so I'm optimistic mine will work for me.

Whisper it quietly, but I'm thinking very seriously of entering a fell race. Somehow, running with a number pinned wonkily to my chest seems strangely alluring. It's probably the endorphins talking. The runner's equivalent of drinking too much beer and taking on the world.
Smileyrating  4/10 for the effort, 10/10 for the conditions
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous28 March 2011 at 17:00

    I'm not sure why we do it either really. I completed my first run on the hills in the Lincolnshire Wolds last week and my lungs felt as if they were about to burst out of my chest. Apparently they say, by those who know best, it gets easier - I'm yet to be convinced. Cheers to the beer, John

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  2. ultra collie29 March 2011 at 04:48

    which one? (wispered behind the bike she)

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  3. Jerry Rogers29 March 2011 at 15:12

    I'm not sure why we do it either:) This morning I skipped my 4:30 am wake up call for a run and woke up at 6:00am. The added hour and a half seemed to go by in less than 4 minutes. Teaches me to sleep in. The next big race here is just across the border in Minnesota on 4/16 called the TrailMix. It's as hilly and muddy as it gets in these parts. Overall, I guess I train with the hopes of running even more effortlessly through the woods, especially over nice rolling hills. I dread the thought of not being prepared for the thaw and open trails.

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  4. Hayfella29 March 2011 at 17:53

    @795: Hills? Lincolnshire? That's not a hill, it's a kerb! And having got all stereotypy out of the way... yes it does get easier - but it never actually feels like it! Good luck with it though

    @UC: Not sure.Low-key option is Weds Apr 27th , Lord's Seat (5m/1400'). Bonkers option is Sat Apr 30th. Coniston. (9m/3,500'). Decisions, decisions.

    @JR: 0430 wake up? Not yet thawed? You lot are tough! Hold that thought of rolling hills and woods. Good luck for the TrailMix (Great name)

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