Post Olympic Blues

Week 6 of the training plan has been crossed off the list & over the last 7 days I ran almost 20 miles. I think that's a record for me.

We went to London yesterday to watch the men's marathon. We found a really good spot in Westminster where the race passed us 4 times, 1 mile, 9 miles, 17 miles and 25 miles. The first time the race passed us it was just a blur of runners packed together but by 9 miles they had started to spread out. At 17 miles there was a lone Kenyan out in front and I thought the race had been decided but at 25 miles Kiprotich, Kirui and Kipsang Kiprotich were grouped together. The Ugandan Kiprotich won in 2.08. 2.08 - I could probably just manage 13 miles in the time he ran 26!!

Flino enjoying the sunshine

The atmosphere was amazing and the crowd cheered especially loud for the 2 GB runners. I was so pleased to have gone, after watching so much of the Games on TV I just wanted to experience a small part of it. I'm genuinely sad that it's over. What an amazing show our country has put on over the past 17 days, 65 medals, 29 golds. Imagine the hard work, effort, determination, perseverance, sweat, tears and dreams. Imagine how they feel today.

I ran 3.5 miles this morning, just around the park. It was good to get my legs moving after Saturday's long run. I might have even enjoyed running this morning! 

Perseverance & determination

Saturday 4th August - what a day, GB athletics team win 3 gold medals within 47 minutes and I run 8 miles before 8.30am.


I set my alarm for 6.30am, got up, did some stretching, drank a glass of water and was out of the door for just after 7am. I jogged down Queensway, over Ashbourne Road and then followed the cycle path through Mickleover Meadows. I've only been that way once before on my bike so the time seemed to pass quite quickly. I got to Station Road in Mickleover at 3 miles so carried on down the cycle path towards Etwall for a mile before turning round and heading back. 


I hadn't realised, until the way back, that the first half of the run had been more or less a steady incline. It meant that the 2nd half of the route seemed much easier even though it started to rain.


These were my splits:


Mile 1 10.19
Mile 2 10.43 * I was faffing about with my i-pod trying to find Deadmau5
Mile 3 10.33
Mile 4 10.34
Mile 5 9.58
Mile 6 10.16
Mile 7 10.03
Mile 8 9.41
Total calories 952


I felt good for most of the way round, I think running first thing in the morning agrees with me. I'm irritated by the fact that I don't run at a consistent pace but I guess that will come with more time. I think I could have carried on running for another couple of miles. I'm confident now that I can run the distance for the Great North Run (13.1 miles). It's all about increasing my pace so I can finish in under 2 hours. 


We had our Olympic BBQ in the afternoon, family and friends came over and despite the rain, we all managed to have fun. 

Chef Flino!

In the evening a group of us sat in front of the TV, cheering for Jess and Greg and hardly daring to breathe as Mo Farrah realised his dream of becoming the Olympic 10,000m champion. It was amazing to watch. My brother was actually at the stadium, I can't wait to hear about it.


I read this on Twitter earlier on today:
Beijing 2008: Ennis at home injured, Rutherford scrapes 10th place, Farrah out in the heats.
London 2012: perseverance & determination. 

Greatest show on earth

I can't believe it's finally here - the 2012 London Olympics start today! I remember the day 7 years ago when London was awarded the Games. I was sat in my little terraced house watching the TV with my lodger Olivia. When they announced London had got it, we heard people cheering in the house next door too.

I can't imagine what it must feel like to be an athlete who has got to the Games. The pressure on those people who we 'expect' to win medals is huge. People's lives can really change in an instant, one minute your living your life, training hard, dreaming this dream of winning a medal, then you win, your catapulted to fame if it's a popular event like athletics, swimming, cycling. Your face is everywhere & everyone suddenly wants to know you. What about if you win a medal in a lesser known event like fencing, synchronised swimming or shooting. You've worked just as hard but the general public don't seem that interested. Do those competitors even care?

I did the planned interval session last night with some of the Derwent Runners. There was about 10 of us sprinting through the local park. It was hard work but over quickly. I like those kind of sessions.

This morning I went to train with Rich. I was moaning (as usual) that my calves hurt so we did some work on a foam roller. This lovely bit of kit is sort of like having a sports massage, only more painful. And you have to do it yourself. I used it on my calves, my IT band and my glutes. After rolling, we did some plyometric work -

Squats on a Bosu with a ViPR
Triple extension work with the TRX
Jack knifes on a swissball with press up
Double explosive jumps
Heel to bum kicks with a swissball

We finished off the session with more stretching and now my legs are feeling like my own again rather than 2 blocks of lead. It's strange that more exercise actually made me feel better!

4 weeks are up and today is the day that I can have an alcoholic drink. I made it. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy. If I hadn't left the house it would have been fine. I struggled when I was surrounded by other people having a drink. I've not started on the wine just yet but tonight, when the Olympic opening ceremony starts I'm planning on drinking some Proseco.

I've done 4 weeks of training 4 or 5 times a week. I can't remember the last time I exercised this much! Apart from the aches I actually feel great. I feel more determined than ever to complete every session on the list. I feel like I've got a purpose.

I'm very excited about the next 2 weeks, I'm off work, the Olympics is on, the weather forecast is looking good.

Let the Games begin!