June - Trial by Harrier!

Hello,

First off, been very slow updating the blog, very lazy of me. Thankfully though I've not been as lazy with my running. This month was a busy one. Two main things happened in it. The first was my niggling injury to my right knee. I went to a physio and got it checked out. Thankfully it was nothing too serious and I was diagnosed with suspect patellar tendonitis. The exact cause was not found, but I do have a tight ITB, have been increasing mileage, and was told by the physio my knee caps are pretty loose compared to the average person!

The second main thing was that after having a chat with one of the engineers at work, it turned out he was a member of Stockport Harriers and he invited me along to there training sessions. I'd been thinking of joining for a while, and this was the final kick I needed. So off I went to a few Stockport Harrier training sessions! I was worried if I'd end up embarrassing myself at these sessions, but they were really friendly and offered encouragement and I was able to hold my own on the mid week session. The weekend distance training session though showed me the difference in class though!

Round Woodbank Park
03/06 - 29:40 - My right knee hurt on this run and got worse as the run went on and was what convinced me to see the Physio
12/06 - 24:34
16/06 - 2 laps - 38:19

6 Climbs up steep path @ Woodbank - 1st Harrier training sessions
20/06 - Forgot to record the time

Round Marple and back
22/06 - 30:00 - Failed to complete this run due to falling over and grazing myself to badly to carry on. This run convinced me of the value of trail running shoes

Round Lyme Park and back (15 mile XC - very hilly)
24/06 - 2:51:00 - 1st long distance run with the Harrier. I kept up with them on the hill sections, but as soon as we hit the flat after 7 miles I was spent and they had energy to burn. A kind chap called Brian kept me company whilst the rest sped off over the horizon. It was hard to see them so strong whilst I was spent, but it gives me something to aim for.

5 x Tempo laps of Woodbank (Interval training)
26/06 - 3:20 ish (each lap of woodbank equivalent to roughly 1km

600 sprint / 200 recovery - Speed training
28/06 - 2:14 per 600 on average

All in all it was a fascinating month. It was a real jump in the technical level of training for me. I'd been use to just going out running, whilst this was a lot more focused. The Harriers were great at sharing advice which I'm sure will pay dividends.

Cheers

Andy