Sunday, June 30, 2013

Holiday running


Distance 33.3km [total: minimalist 329.1km: Barefoot 4663.6km] Week26

Tuesday, 18-Jun. 6.6km

My first barefoot run in Spain and I decided to explore the resort village of Cala En Blanes where we would be staying for the week. I set off at around 7.30am in the cool morning. I carried a map and an idea of where I would be running. The only people out at that time of the morning were the Spanish themselves, on their way to work or school, the other nationalities would most likely still be in bed recoving from late nights.

I ran into each area of the resort doing a loop if possibe. The pavements were tiled with a square cross patterned tile that was quite hard to run on after a while due to its deep groove that made up the square. It was easier to run on the road. Running around like this was a good way to get your bearings and to see areas that you would not see while out with a group.

This area is not big on beaches, all they have is small inlets with a tiny beach at the end, the Spanish word Cala means Creek which is what these inlets would be during the wetter weather.

The place was made up of mainly apartments and holiday villas along with the eating places and supermarkets that serve them, in other words, purpose built for the tourist.

My first barefoot run covered 6.6km

Thursday, 20-June. 7.6km

Now this was a far more pleasant run, it took me along the quiet road from Cala En Blanes to Ciutadella with some beautiful views of tiny inlets with houses dotted around the edge.

The road was a one way that allowed traffic out of Ciutadella, alongside was a two way cycle path which I used as my running lane as it was more uniform to run on rather than the patterned footpath. I passed early morning walkers and a couple of runners during the run, remembering to use Olah rather then hi as a greeting. I completed the run in around 40 minutes which I wasn't timing, just estimating.

Saturday, 22-June. 7.6km

A repeat run of thursday but this time with some company. A coincidence in that the family of an old friend of mine was staying in the same holiday town. I ran with one of his sisters sons who was around 19 and training to be a soccer player for on of the big English teams. He mentioned he was keen on running so I said I'd meet up and do the run into Ciutadella. Running with company and chatting makes the run zoom by. I guess also, having done the run once you know the route and all the landmarks. He was amazed how I could run without shoes at the same pace as him, not that we were racing as it was at a chatting pace.

Tuesday, 25-June. 11.5km

Back in England and on my last run of my trip. I ran with Graham and he let me take the lead and route to run on. I chose the river to run along then up along a neglected path into Woodley before climbing up into Greave.
I was running in the VFF's and now my barefoot running is so good I can switch into the shoes and not get a problem but I also have the stamina to keep on going. It was Graham that ended up asking if we were on our way back yet. I put in a good burst along the old railway track that has been turned into a walking track.

Neil

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Holiday time

Distance 33.5km [total: minimalist 317.6km: Barefoot 4641.8km] Week23

Wednesday, 29-May 13km

My last run on a sandy beach for a month as I prepare for a trip to visit family in England. A run north to Semaphore and back along the road and grassy lawns behind the homes fronting the coast. The spiky seed cases have now disappeared, probably sprouted new plants with the return of the wetter winter weather. I' safe to run here until the end of spring when the seed cases return.

Saturday, 1-June 6km

First run back on English soil for around 2 years. It was an inspiring sunny morning so got up for my first run before breakfast. I opened the door an realised the morning temperature in an English summer is similar to the daytime temperature in the Adelaide winter. It was chilly. I warmed up as I ran but my hands still felt cold. I chose a short run along the River Tame for my first outing. An easy 6km. There was not as much mud as I encountered the last time I ran over here but it was still around in patches.I monitored my pulse rate and kept it below 140bpm but it was harder than I thought. On the return journey on some of the uphill paths it shot above 150. The hills are quite a test to a flat land runner from Adelaide.

Monday, 3-June. 6km 

Another river run a bit later in the day, ah, warmer this time. The run was the same route as last time with a slight variation of some steep climbs at the end to push the pulse rate up. I've also caught a cold from my trip on the plane. Brilliant.

Wednesday, 5-June.10km

Old running mate Graham came around today to drag me out for a run. We used to go on regular runs back in the '80s. He knows far more of the off road trails than I do which made for a very interesting and picturesque run. Except from the times we emerged onto roads I was familiar with, I had no idea where I was. Most of these trails would be muddy during typical wet English weather but now the sun had been sining for around a week they were beginning to dry out. It is much more enjoyable running along trails that are not maintained by throwing gravel down.With bent springy knees you can flow along the trail with a light springiness that you associate with animals.The trails were around Werneth Low with only one spot where we walked due to the steepness of the road. Very enjoyable run.

Friday, 7-June. 10k

I am truly amazed that I have had nearly a week of sunny warm weather. Even the locals can't believe that summer has arrived. The run I completed today took me along the canal towpath to the long tunnel at Woodley. As with all these runs over here I'll be wearing my my VFF shoes, it is far too stony to run barefoot and I would feel very self conscious in this country, running without shoes.
From where I get off the canal the road begins to climb at a gentle gradient, maybe 10% along tree lined roads with large houses up to an area called Greave. From there I leave the main road and take the country lane that climbs to the top of Werneth Low, this is the steep part which is around a 20% gradient. I would like to say I ran the whole way but I stopped to pat a lonely pony standing in a field by the edge of the road. The cold I acquired on the flight over here is still wrapped around my chest making my breathing restricted so I'm running at a slower pace that I would normally. I am missing the true barefoot running, VFF's are no substitute.

Sunday, 9-June. 6km

Still the virus hangs on. I had a good bout of coughing last night to try to clear my lungs and woke today to find the heaviness back again. I did manage a few good coughs and cleared it in the morning then as the weather was still nice I headed out for a short run along the River Tame. The VFF's are a necessity as the road is very rough that leads to the river. Most of the paths are gravel as well so I wouldn't get very far barefoot. I ran along the river to Manchester road then crossed onto the other side and back through some farms then a trail that is quite overgrown from when I ran it when younger. My heart rate monitor seemed to be giving some high readings, at times it was up at 172, I'm pretty sure I was not labouring at that rate but I wanted to be cautious due to the virus, I have heard you can damage the heart by running with a virus in the chest area.
I emerged from the trail in Woodley and then made my way back to the canal for the run home.

Neil