The challenge of a stride session…
Today’s training session was nearly not pretty. In fact, I nearly threw up - in the forest.
I’ve never done a stride session before. In fact I wasn’t really sure what to do. Fortunately, in a conversation with Alison last week (another training buddy), she was up for a stride session today too - and she’d done them before. And even better, we both finished work around the same time - and, she doesn’t live very far from the forest, my favourite training playground.
We met at her house, got changed and did a warm-up jog to the forest - well I jogged, she ran. Eleven minutes later we arrived at the stride spot - me looking like a mashed tomato and already knackered. Did I mention it was about 28 degrees with a humidity level of nearly 100 per cent? Nice - NOT!
The stride session commenced. It was meant to be ten, 30 second sessions with pace and long strides. I’m a shocker for doing a small-step shuffling run so this was a big change for me. I nearly managed to keep up with her on the first one, and arrived at the stop point feeling pretty good about myself, puffed, but not too bad. I could definitely feel the change in running style.
The second and third sessions weren’t too bad either. However, by about the fourth and fifth I was feeling decidedly green and wobbly. And slow. And shameful. But everyone has to start somewhere right?
About this time I was very glad to be out on the session with Alison - I know if I’d been on my own I would have been looking for a way out. I know I was slow and puffed, but she was brilliant - keeping the times and keeping me going.
We finally finished the tenth lap and and I nearly collapsed on the ground in a heap. It was potentially one of the hardest things I’ve done yet in my training. After a few minutes breather, we jogged back to her place - me with two wee walks in two places.
Another session down. I don’t suppose I have to like them. I just have to do them!
February 4th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Crikey! It doesn’t sound pleasant at all!
February 7th, 2010 at 8:13 am
i agree, have had a few runs of late that have left me hurling in the loo, this heat is TERRIBLE for that, any tips on combatting this one, greatly appreciated… it seems to be on my long runs, esp in the heat… i drink plenty of water and take water on my run?
February 9th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Hello! Sorry I haven’t been in touch, I’ve just found your comments hidden amongst a pile of spam! Sorry!
Yes doesn’t the heat make training a whole new experience! But, it could be that hot on Ironman day so I guess we better get used to it! You could try an isotonic drink - definitely afterwards but perhaps during as well. You might also be getting hungry so depending on the length of your run - over an hour - you might need to start looking at a nutrition gel. I’m still experimenting with these, but at the moment I’m using Leppen Squeezy
http://www.leppinsport.com/product.cfm?p=52. Steve Gurney lives by them I believe! On Sunday I had one five minutes before the start and plenty of water during and that got me through the two hours no problem. Have a chat to the guys at Kiwi Bikes they can also give you some advice about the different nutrition products!
Phew, didn’t meant to write a novel! Good luck and happy training!!!
Jack
February 16th, 2010 at 11:53 am
awesome, thanks heaps… got some powdered powerade at the supey and has been helping with recovery… hey also got the draft of article and although you are mentioned, she couldnt fit your website in, had to cull lots as it was,,,, it will be in april/may little treasures mag…