18/01/16

It’s been a frustrating few weeks since my last blog, on the running front anyway. I had my lactate threshold test done before Christmas by Dave and Jono at Blizard Physiotherapy and Sports Performance Clinic. I loved the test, it’s a great service, if you’re looking to improve your running you should really consider it. My results showed that I’d been doing the majority of my run training too slow (shock) and that I needed to be spending far more time in my threshold zone, which it turns out is quite high at 168-173bpm. This is not easy running. Anyway, I went away really motivated to get stuck in to some training and improve my running, which myself and Jono had agreed that would be my focus for the next few months (as well as swimming), to do a lot of running in my threshold zone and build up some good run fitness. However, after only two or three sessions with my new zones I was struck down with a knee injury (or so I thought - turns out it’s probably my back that’s causing the issue). The saving grace is that it only flares up when running and is fine when cycling and swimming, so at least I’ve been able to carry on training. Running wise I’ve been doing loads of small 15 minute runs as this is the point at which the pain comes on. I’ve actually done 3 hours running this week but all in 15 minute runs. Very frustrating. Jen has been giving me some treatment, which is really helpful and I think it’s slowly getting better, very slowly. The fact that I’m away on placement in Middlesbrough and only coming back every fortnight is making treatment difficult but I’m doing my exercises religiously every day, so hopefully it will start to ease off and I will be able to increase my mileage again.

Swimming has been going well, there is a really nice pool about a mile away, which I’ve been going to three mornings a week. Most of my swimming is at threshold speed (there’s a pattern developing here), which some days feels great and some days feels like I’m swimming in an endless pool! I find the Finis tempo trainer is really useful on those days where it’s really tough, some days are just harder than others and you can’t just check your watch half way through an effort like you can when running or cycling, the tempo trainer is really helpful to keep me on pace on those days.

Cycling is ticking along nicely, although I’m sick to death of my turbo already! It was nice to be able to get out into the fresh air this weekend for a few hours. Due to being unable to do any proper run training I will be introducing some harder bike sessions this week in my little sauna of a bedroom in Middlesbrough. If the weather is OK I’ll also be getting out into the North Yorks Moors next weekend as well.

It was nice to be able to make it down to the Blizard Try Ons timed 5k on Saturday and catch up with everybody, it was a great turn out. Tom’s and Jono’s training looks to be going really well, which bodes well for the upcoming season! Thanks for reading and thanks as always to Blizard Physiotherapy and Sports Performance.