To put it bluntly, no!!
2 lots of 30 minutes today, starting the 2nd 4-week rotation of the Eddie Fletcher Marathon Plan, Anita at 2:28 and 2:04 for me.
The Monday and Saturday rows now seem like a bit of a cheat, which is all to the good as we will be planning to be rowing close to this pace for 8.5 (for Anita) and 7 (for me) times as long in March for the 100km
Anita - 12166m
Andy - 14521m
Cumulative - 640536m (398.1 miles) - Inc. both 1609m runs from yesterday.
Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Saint-Parres-lès-Vaudes, Aube, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Parres-l%C3%A8s-Vaudes
Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Rest Day - The Mile!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We both completed the Mile today for Round 2 of the Concept2 Challenge Series, with some interesting results.
Anita completed hers in 6:41.3 (2:04.7 average). She clocked 3:10 (1:58.8) at half-way, which at that point had me worried as her best 2k time (Set a couple of years ago) was at 2:08.8 average. She hit the wall at 900m (Breath and heart-rate) and struggled home, but in a very respectable time.
Unfortunately she was distraught, and I had to drum it into her that she would have broken her best 2k ever if she'd kept going, and to look at where she had come from; a complete lack of cardio exercise until she was 38. I am very very proud of her, and I hope next time she listens to me when I suggest the right pace to go at (2:01/2:02) - Next time we do this she'll go sub 6:30 :)
I started off quite quick (1:36/7) for the first minute, then settled down at 28 strokes/min, touched 1:45 once in the 4th minute and finished at 5:21.9 (1:40.0 Average) - Not bad for someone who's best 2k is at 1:44.5 Average and still sits at 128.1kg!!!! I feel fitter than I have in a long while, and with 335km rowed this month I'd hope so :)
2 Lots of 30 minutes tomorrow, 2:28 for Anita, 2:04 for me :) :)
Anita completed hers in 6:41.3 (2:04.7 average). She clocked 3:10 (1:58.8) at half-way, which at that point had me worried as her best 2k time (Set a couple of years ago) was at 2:08.8 average. She hit the wall at 900m (Breath and heart-rate) and struggled home, but in a very respectable time.
Unfortunately she was distraught, and I had to drum it into her that she would have broken her best 2k ever if she'd kept going, and to look at where she had come from; a complete lack of cardio exercise until she was 38. I am very very proud of her, and I hope next time she listens to me when I suggest the right pace to go at (2:01/2:02) - Next time we do this she'll go sub 6:30 :)
I started off quite quick (1:36/7) for the first minute, then settled down at 28 strokes/min, touched 1:45 once in the 4th minute and finished at 5:21.9 (1:40.0 Average) - Not bad for someone who's best 2k is at 1:44.5 Average and still sits at 128.1kg!!!! I feel fitter than I have in a long while, and with 335km rowed this month I'd hope so :)
2 Lots of 30 minutes tomorrow, 2:28 for Anita, 2:04 for me :) :)
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Day 20 - 1 Rotation done!!!!
2 lots of 30 minutes today to finish the first 4 week rotation, 2:29 for Anita, 2:05 for me.
The sense of improvement is very strong after today - It was really very easy, and both Anita and I are happy that 2:26/2:02 will be possible for the full Marathon in January.
We've both got the mile tomorrow (1609m) for the challenge series, so being able to blast a time out will be very interesting. Anita is going to try and stick at 2:00 for as long as possible, me at 1:40
Anita: 12084m
Andy: 14405m
Cumulative:
Anita: 277893m (172.7 miles)
Andy: 332738m (206.8 miles)
Overall: 610631m (379.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester, CO4 9ES
Finish: Luyères, Aube, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luy%C3%A8res
The sense of improvement is very strong after today - It was really very easy, and both Anita and I are happy that 2:26/2:02 will be possible for the full Marathon in January.
We've both got the mile tomorrow (1609m) for the challenge series, so being able to blast a time out will be very interesting. Anita is going to try and stick at 2:00 for as long as possible, me at 1:40
Anita: 12084m
Andy: 14405m
Cumulative:
Anita: 277893m (172.7 miles)
Andy: 332738m (206.8 miles)
Overall: 610631m (379.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester, CO4 9ES
Finish: Luyères, Aube, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luy%C3%A8res
Friday, 28 October 2011
Day 19 - Back on Track :)
4 lots of 15 minutes today, 2:16/2:26 for Anita, 1:53/2:02 for Me
I had a bit of a point to prove to myself tonight, but the first 15 minutes was really hard.
I've been working at a drag factor of 170 (High, but strengthening my arms), so for the 2nd 15 I went down to 150, which felt much easier, but meant a faster stroke rate for the 1:53. It felt good, so I went up slightly to 155 for the last 2 15's and will be staying there.
In the last 3 minutes of the last interval I went up to a steady 1:48, which also felt good; as such the last interval was about 80 metres more than it should have been, but I needed to stretch it out a bit.
Anita again did brilliantly, stretching out a bit on the last interval again to about 40 metres more than planned. We're back on track!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anita: 12837m
Andy: 15358m
Cumulative: 584142m (363 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Trouans, Aube, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouans
I had a bit of a point to prove to myself tonight, but the first 15 minutes was really hard.
I've been working at a drag factor of 170 (High, but strengthening my arms), so for the 2nd 15 I went down to 150, which felt much easier, but meant a faster stroke rate for the 1:53. It felt good, so I went up slightly to 155 for the last 2 15's and will be staying there.
In the last 3 minutes of the last interval I went up to a steady 1:48, which also felt good; as such the last interval was about 80 metres more than it should have been, but I needed to stretch it out a bit.
Anita again did brilliantly, stretching out a bit on the last interval again to about 40 metres more than planned. We're back on track!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anita: 12837m
Andy: 15358m
Cumulative: 584142m (363 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Trouans, Aube, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouans
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Day 18 - Blame Dave Gorman for the Non-Finish :)
A planned 3 20 mins, 2:26, 2:19 and 2:22 for Anita, 2:02, 1:56 and 1:59 for me.
Anita and I, with our friends James and John were off to Cambridge to see a certain Mr. Dave Gorman, the amazingly Jewish Non-Jewish comedian give his Powerpoint Presentation on Wednesday evening, and as such we were at the gym at 6:15am to get the 3 20 minute pieces done.
Bear in mind we finished at the gym on Tuesday at 7:30pm, so we were back there less than 11 hours after we left :)
Anita did brilliant, but I spectacularly imploded after 8 minutes of the 2nd 20 minutes (1:56). Over the course of about a minute all the energy left me, and I was struggling to get the pace below 2:05/500m for the last 11 or so minutes of the piece. I can't say I've ever felt like that before.
I felt so bad (Wobbly on my feet) that I decided to not try the 3rd 20 minute piece, considering I had a full day of work ahead of me then an evening of comedy.
Anita also decided to not do the last 20 minute piece, as in her words "we do it together or not at all" - Love is not a strong enough word :)
Happily though Dave Gorman was brilliant, and his support act Jay Foreman had an interesting musical turn of phrase, including Moon Chavs :) If Dave ever reads this in some weird kind of alternate reality you're my 5th/6th favourite comedian, and you're in Anita's top 10 :)
http://www.davegorman.com/livedates.html
Anita: 8428m
Andy: 9843m
Cumulative: 555957m (345.5 miles)
As a Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Saint-Quentin-sur-Coole, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Quentin-sur-Coole
Anita and I, with our friends James and John were off to Cambridge to see a certain Mr. Dave Gorman, the amazingly Jewish Non-Jewish comedian give his Powerpoint Presentation on Wednesday evening, and as such we were at the gym at 6:15am to get the 3 20 minute pieces done.
Bear in mind we finished at the gym on Tuesday at 7:30pm, so we were back there less than 11 hours after we left :)
Anita did brilliant, but I spectacularly imploded after 8 minutes of the 2nd 20 minutes (1:56). Over the course of about a minute all the energy left me, and I was struggling to get the pace below 2:05/500m for the last 11 or so minutes of the piece. I can't say I've ever felt like that before.
I felt so bad (Wobbly on my feet) that I decided to not try the 3rd 20 minute piece, considering I had a full day of work ahead of me then an evening of comedy.
Anita also decided to not do the last 20 minute piece, as in her words "we do it together or not at all" - Love is not a strong enough word :)
Happily though Dave Gorman was brilliant, and his support act Jay Foreman had an interesting musical turn of phrase, including Moon Chavs :) If Dave ever reads this in some weird kind of alternate reality you're my 5th/6th favourite comedian, and you're in Anita's top 10 :)
http://www.davegorman.com/livedates.html
Anita: 8428m
Andy: 9843m
Cumulative: 555957m (345.5 miles)
As a Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Saint-Quentin-sur-Coole, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Quentin-sur-Coole
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Day 17 - Notice of Marriage :) Plus breaking the rules!!!
4 lots of 15 minutes today, 6min/9min split at 2:16/2:26 Anita and 1:53/2:02 for me.
Started the day at the registrars in Colchester formally giving notice of our marriage in June next year, ended it with what now seems an easy session on the Concept2, but in week 1 was very difficult.
We actually were a bit naughty and had a bit of a sprint for the last 30 or so seconds, putting 40 metres on my distance (In the 1:20's for about 20 seconds) and 30 metres on for Anita. It bodes pretty well for the rest of the training :)
Anita: 12789m
Andy: 15306m
Cumulative: 537686m (334.2 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Juvigny, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvigny,_Marne
Started the day at the registrars in Colchester formally giving notice of our marriage in June next year, ended it with what now seems an easy session on the Concept2, but in week 1 was very difficult.
We actually were a bit naughty and had a bit of a sprint for the last 30 or so seconds, putting 40 metres on my distance (In the 1:20's for about 20 seconds) and 30 metres on for Anita. It bodes pretty well for the rest of the training :)
Anita: 12789m
Andy: 15306m
Cumulative: 537686m (334.2 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Juvigny, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvigny,_Marne
Monday, 24 October 2011
Day 16 - 500km up!!!!!!!
Back to week 1 this week - 2 lots of 30 minutes, 2:29 for Anita, 2:05 for me.
No music tonight as we couldn't find Anita's headphones (Somehow they got into the bottom of my bag) so a nice boring row :)
Anita now says it feels like a bit of a cheat only doing an hour :) and that she wants to go faster than she is - Good signs.
I hit a nice rhythm at 24 strokes/min whilst watching Anglia Tonight - Doubt that is a sentence that has ever been written before :)
Anita - 12083m
Andy - 14404m
Cumulative - 509951m (316.7 miles)
Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Taissy, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taissy
No music tonight as we couldn't find Anita's headphones (Somehow they got into the bottom of my bag) so a nice boring row :)
Anita now says it feels like a bit of a cheat only doing an hour :) and that she wants to go faster than she is - Good signs.
I hit a nice rhythm at 24 strokes/min whilst watching Anglia Tonight - Doubt that is a sentence that has ever been written before :)
Anita - 12083m
Andy - 14404m
Cumulative - 509951m (316.7 miles)
Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Taissy, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taissy
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Day 15 - 3 Weeks done, but a bit of a struggle
2 lots of 45 mins today to finish week 3, 2:29 for Anita, 2:05 for me.
It was a bit of a struggle all told, the av. pace bounced up and down like a yo-yo, even though I thought I was pulling a consistent pace. As such some fast paced minutes were called for to keep the av. pace right over the 45 minutes.
Anita found it to be a bit of a slog - we didn't start until 3pm and had only had breakfast before so a bit of calorie deficit came in. Also there was a bit of sleep deprivation due to work and the gym time spent after work this week, so we're both glad the hard week of the 4-week cycle is done. The next week 3 (Week 7 for us now) starts November 14th.
Next week is a repeat of week 1, so we will see how we've progressed.
Anita - 18126m
Andy - 21607m
Cumulative - 483104m (300.25 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Cormicy, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormicy
It was a bit of a struggle all told, the av. pace bounced up and down like a yo-yo, even though I thought I was pulling a consistent pace. As such some fast paced minutes were called for to keep the av. pace right over the 45 minutes.
Anita found it to be a bit of a slog - we didn't start until 3pm and had only had breakfast before so a bit of calorie deficit came in. Also there was a bit of sleep deprivation due to work and the gym time spent after work this week, so we're both glad the hard week of the 4-week cycle is done. The next week 3 (Week 7 for us now) starts November 14th.
Next week is a repeat of week 1, so we will see how we've progressed.
Anita - 18126m
Andy - 21607m
Cumulative - 483104m (300.25 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Cormicy, Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormicy
Friday, 21 October 2011
Day 14 - Pain..............
3 Lots of 25 minutes tonight, 8 mins at 2:16 Anita/1:53 Andy and 17 mins at 2:26 Anita/2:02 Andy
All the targets were hit tonight but something made it one of the hardest sessions we've done - It hurt!!!
For me it seemed warm in the gym tonight, and I don't function well if I can't keep cool. For Anita she says it was her mental state - she really didn't want to do it - that made it difficult.
Anyway the worst part of the worst week of the 4 week pattern is done, and again I'm a very proud fiance :)
Anita - 15816m
Andy - 19019m
Cumulative - 427555m (265.7 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Nouvion-le-Comte, Aisne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouvion-le-Comte
All the targets were hit tonight but something made it one of the hardest sessions we've done - It hurt!!!
For me it seemed warm in the gym tonight, and I don't function well if I can't keep cool. For Anita she says it was her mental state - she really didn't want to do it - that made it difficult.
Anyway the worst part of the worst week of the 4 week pattern is done, and again I'm a very proud fiance :)
Anita - 15816m
Andy - 19019m
Cumulative - 427555m (265.7 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Nouvion-le-Comte, Aisne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouvion-le-Comte
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Day 13 - Most Metres in a Day again!!!!!!
3 Lots of 30 mins tonight, 2:26, 2:19 and 2:26 for Anita, 2:02, 1:56 and 2:02 for Me, with 3 minutes rest between them.
This day (The Wednesday in Week 3 of 4) is the hardest day of the Quasi 4 week pattern, and both Anita and I aced it :)
Anita's middle 30 minutes (6473m) was only 75m less than her best ever in 30 minutes, in the middle of 2 other 30 minute intervals!!!!!
For me the 7763m tonight is only 113m behind my best ever. Fully Head-Colded up as well!!!
Both were the best 30 minutes we have done this season!!! Progress and a chance to update Nonathlon (www.nonathlon.com) :)
Anita - 18805m
Andy - 22521m (Both the most we've ever rowed in 1 day)
Cumulative - 408536m (253.9 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Gauchy, Aisne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauchy
This day (The Wednesday in Week 3 of 4) is the hardest day of the Quasi 4 week pattern, and both Anita and I aced it :)
Anita's middle 30 minutes (6473m) was only 75m less than her best ever in 30 minutes, in the middle of 2 other 30 minute intervals!!!!!
For me the 7763m tonight is only 113m behind my best ever. Fully Head-Colded up as well!!!
Both were the best 30 minutes we have done this season!!! Progress and a chance to update Nonathlon (www.nonathlon.com) :)
Anita - 18805m
Andy - 22521m (Both the most we've ever rowed in 1 day)
Cumulative - 408536m (253.9 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Gauchy, Aisne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauchy
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Day 12 - Rowing with a Cold :(
4 lots of 15 minutes today, 9 minutes at 2:16 for Anita, 1:53 for me, and 6 minutes at 2:26 for Anita, 2:02 for me.
Both of us did the required distance, Anita struggled on the last one but made up the time to get back on track in the last 6 minutes.
I've got a cold that has come out today, but completed all the distances, indeed rowing the furthest on the last 15 minutes.
Anita - 12861m
Andy - 15509m
Cumulative - 367210m (228.2 miles)
The Journey -
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Inchy-en-Artois, Pas-de-Calais, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inchy-en-Artois
Both of us did the required distance, Anita struggled on the last one but made up the time to get back on track in the last 6 minutes.
I've got a cold that has come out today, but completed all the distances, indeed rowing the furthest on the last 15 minutes.
Anita - 12861m
Andy - 15509m
Cumulative - 367210m (228.2 miles)
The Journey -
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Inchy-en-Artois, Pas-de-Calais, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inchy-en-Artois
Monday, 17 October 2011
Day 11 - Most Metres in a day ever, for both of us!!!!!!
2 lots of 45 minutes today, 2:29 for Anita and 2:05 for me
Anita again did really well, completing both 45 minute stints well, and the only issue I had was my posterior falling asleep in the last 15 minutes :)
I lost 2kg last week, and over an inch on my Chest, Waist and Hips (Over the last 2 weeks), whereas Anita actually gained 200g, and gained slightly on her Chest measurement, but lost on her hips.
I believe I am now losing fat having toned a bit in week 1, whereas Anita is still putting muscle on, and will start losing over the next few weeks.
Anita - 18127m
Andy - 21607m
Cumulative Total - 338840m (210.6 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arras
Anita again did really well, completing both 45 minute stints well, and the only issue I had was my posterior falling asleep in the last 15 minutes :)
I lost 2kg last week, and over an inch on my Chest, Waist and Hips (Over the last 2 weeks), whereas Anita actually gained 200g, and gained slightly on her Chest measurement, but lost on her hips.
I believe I am now losing fat having toned a bit in week 1, whereas Anita is still putting muscle on, and will start losing over the next few weeks.
Anita - 18127m
Andy - 21607m
Cumulative Total - 338840m (210.6 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arras
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Day 10 - 2 Weeks done, and a visit from Jimmy!!!!!
2 lots of 40 minutes at default marathon pace today (2:29 Anita, 2:05 Andy)
Both of us completed the time quite easily, and a few minutes into our 2nd stint the legend that is Jimmy McCullagh turned up at the gym, after doing a test for his London Marathon training.
We had a 10 minute-ish conversation (Both Anita, Jimmy and I) and we were shocked that it was an easy conversational pace for us. Anita is definitely keeping her heart rate much lower, and her breathing is very controlled, even on an 80 minute piece like we did today.
We also noticed in the Gym today a 50km challenge board, where the challenge is to rack up 50km in the month of October on either the Treadmill, Cross Trainer, Bike or Rower. We have done just shy of 300km together in the first 2 weeks of October!!!!!
Anita - 16112m
Andy - 19207m
Cumulative Total - 299106m (185.9 miles)
As a Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Burbure, Pas-de-Calais, France (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbure)
Both of us completed the time quite easily, and a few minutes into our 2nd stint the legend that is Jimmy McCullagh turned up at the gym, after doing a test for his London Marathon training.
We had a 10 minute-ish conversation (Both Anita, Jimmy and I) and we were shocked that it was an easy conversational pace for us. Anita is definitely keeping her heart rate much lower, and her breathing is very controlled, even on an 80 minute piece like we did today.
We also noticed in the Gym today a 50km challenge board, where the challenge is to rack up 50km in the month of October on either the Treadmill, Cross Trainer, Bike or Rower. We have done just shy of 300km together in the first 2 weeks of October!!!!!
Anita - 16112m
Andy - 19207m
Cumulative Total - 299106m (185.9 miles)
As a Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Burbure, Pas-de-Calais, France (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbure)
Friday, 14 October 2011
Day 9 - Strangely Relaxing................
A very strange one today, 3 lots of 20 minutes, 7 mins at 5k Pace (2:16 Anita, 1:53 Andy) and 13 at Marathon Pace (2:26 Anita, 2:02 Andy), with 5 minutes rest between them all.
Both of us have agreed - It was quite easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anita - 12662m, and all targets hit
Andy - 15228m, slightly naughty with the last 20 minutes by going faster than the plan (The last fast 7 mins was at 1:51.6)
End of week 2 tomorrow, with a couple of 40 minute stints at default marathon pace.
Total Cumulative Distance - 263787m (163.9 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish - Zoufaques, Pas-de-Calais, France (263.8km, 163.9 miles)
Both of us have agreed - It was quite easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anita - 12662m, and all targets hit
Andy - 15228m, slightly naughty with the last 20 minutes by going faster than the plan (The last fast 7 mins was at 1:51.6)
End of week 2 tomorrow, with a couple of 40 minute stints at default marathon pace.
Total Cumulative Distance - 263787m (163.9 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish - Zoufaques, Pas-de-Calais, France (263.8km, 163.9 miles)
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Day 8 - 80 minutes, really feeling it now...........
4 lots of 20 minutes with only 2 minutes of rest between them today.
Anita's 20's - 2:26/500m, 2:19, 2:22, 2:26
Andy's 20's - 2:02/500m, 1:56, 1:59, 2:02
Anita did amazingly well today, far better than last Wednesday which was only 3 20 minute intervals.
I hit all the targets today, due in the main to upping the stroke rate when my arms couldn't pull hard enough. Felt really quite good at 29/30/31 strokes per minute for the last 2 intervals, so fell back on cardio fitness.
Anita - 16630m
Andy - 20058m (1039m to HM)
Cumulative Total - 235897m (146.6 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Coulogne, Pas-De-Calais, France
Anita's 20's - 2:26/500m, 2:19, 2:22, 2:26
Andy's 20's - 2:02/500m, 1:56, 1:59, 2:02
Anita did amazingly well today, far better than last Wednesday which was only 3 20 minute intervals.
I hit all the targets today, due in the main to upping the stroke rate when my arms couldn't pull hard enough. Felt really quite good at 29/30/31 strokes per minute for the last 2 intervals, so fell back on cardio fitness.
Anita - 16630m
Andy - 20058m (1039m to HM)
Cumulative Total - 235897m (146.6 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Coulogne, Pas-De-Calais, France
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Day 7 - Interval Torture
4 lots of 15 minutes today, 7 at 5k pace (Anita 2:16/500m, Andy 1:53/500m) and 8 at Marathon Pace (Anita 2:26, Andy 2:02)
Anita again did really well, and only just missed the target on the 4th interval. I again struggled in the 3rd and 4th intervals with the 1:53 pace - Just didn't have it in the arms again to pull the low stroke rate.
Anita - 12756m
Andy - 15236m
Total Combined - 199209m (123.8 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - 10km into the Channel (Dover to Calais)
Anita again did really well, and only just missed the target on the 4th interval. I again struggled in the 3rd and 4th intervals with the 1:53 pace - Just didn't have it in the arms again to pull the low stroke rate.
Anita - 12756m
Andy - 15236m
Total Combined - 199209m (123.8 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - 10km into the Channel (Dover to Calais)
Monday, 10 October 2011
Day 6 - 80 Minutes, Week 2 Starts
2 Lots of 40 minutes today, both at Marathon Pace (2:29/500m Anita, 2:05/500m Andy)
I found it very difficult in the arms in the 2nd 40 minute stint, Anita however felt strong throughout, especially with her breathing - This is brilliant as breathing and heart rate maintenance have always been an issue in the past.
Anita - 16112m
Andy - 19206m
Total distance now amassed: 171217m (106.4 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish - Cheriton Junction, Folkestone
Tomorrow - The Channel to France
I found it very difficult in the arms in the 2nd 40 minute stint, Anita however felt strong throughout, especially with her breathing - This is brilliant as breathing and heart rate maintenance have always been an issue in the past.
Anita - 16112m
Andy - 19206m
Total distance now amassed: 171217m (106.4 miles)
As a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish - Cheriton Junction, Folkestone
Tomorrow - The Channel to France
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Day 5 - Week 1 Complete :)
Finished week 1 today (5 hours) with 2 30 minute pieces and 3 minutes rest at default Marathon Pace (2:29 for Anita, 2:05 for Me)
I think both of us can agree that it felt more like an hour warm-up!!! All to the good that our Default Marathon Pace feels nice and easy in week 1.
Anita was easily hitting the 2:29 pace at 19 strokes per minute for the first 45 minutes, before she started to feel it in her arms.
I played about with the pace in the 2nd half (1st half 21 spm) and for the last 5 minutes of the row got down to 14 strokes per minute at the prerequisite pace (2:05). Had some interesting fasciculations due to the exercise
Anita - 12085m
Andy - 14404m
Total Distance now complete - 135899m (84.5 miles)
If Mapped as a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester - CO4 9ES
Finish - Sandway, Kent (M20 J8)
Next Stop 1hr 20 (2 40 minute pieces) on Monday......................
I think both of us can agree that it felt more like an hour warm-up!!! All to the good that our Default Marathon Pace feels nice and easy in week 1.
Anita was easily hitting the 2:29 pace at 19 strokes per minute for the first 45 minutes, before she started to feel it in her arms.
I played about with the pace in the 2nd half (1st half 21 spm) and for the last 5 minutes of the row got down to 14 strokes per minute at the prerequisite pace (2:05). Had some interesting fasciculations due to the exercise
Anita - 12085m
Andy - 14404m
Total Distance now complete - 135899m (84.5 miles)
If Mapped as a Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym Colchester - CO4 9ES
Finish - Sandway, Kent (M20 J8)
Next Stop 1hr 20 (2 40 minute pieces) on Monday......................
Friday, 7 October 2011
Day 4 - Day 2 all over again..............
4 15 minute intervals with 4 minutes rest again today, made of of 6 mins at 5K pace and 9 mins at Marathon Pace
Anita - 12481m
Andy - 15223m
4 day total so far: 109410m, or nearly exactly 70 miles.
Anita found it difficult with the early start at the gym (We were rowing by 6:15am), and as a Type 2 Diabetic we maybe didn't eat breakfast early enough (About 5am) for her to get the required energy, but she stuck at it and did finished all the pieces!! V. Proud of her.
I found today so much easier than Tuesday, with the inclusion of a little bit of Lucozade Sport :) Now doing the 1:53 500m pace for 6 minutes at 25/26 strokes/minute for all the 4 periods. I think this will help all our times and distances!!!
Now, the Journey: http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp#fromNode=248260045572461%7CCO4%209ES,%20Highwoods%7CSTREET%7C600202%7C228517%7CtoNode=308260063461839%7CWeavering,%20Maidstone%7CSTREET%7C577795%7C155587
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Today's End - Between J7 and J8 M20 (Bearsted/Weavering, nr. Maidstone in Kent) - 109.41km (70 miles)
Anita - 12481m
Andy - 15223m
4 day total so far: 109410m, or nearly exactly 70 miles.
Anita found it difficult with the early start at the gym (We were rowing by 6:15am), and as a Type 2 Diabetic we maybe didn't eat breakfast early enough (About 5am) for her to get the required energy, but she stuck at it and did finished all the pieces!! V. Proud of her.
I found today so much easier than Tuesday, with the inclusion of a little bit of Lucozade Sport :) Now doing the 1:53 500m pace for 6 minutes at 25/26 strokes/minute for all the 4 periods. I think this will help all our times and distances!!!
Now, the Journey: http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp#fromNode=248260045572461%7CCO4%209ES,%20Highwoods%7CSTREET%7C600202%7C228517%7CtoNode=308260063461839%7CWeavering,%20Maidstone%7CSTREET%7C577795%7C155587
Start - Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Today's End - Between J7 and J8 M20 (Bearsted/Weavering, nr. Maidstone in Kent) - 109.41km (70 miles)
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Day 3 - V. Difficult
Quite a painful one today - 3 lots of 20 minutes with 2 minute rests between, first at Marathon Pace, 2nd at 10k pace, 3rd at Half-Marathon Pace.
27392m done between us, taking the total to 81706m in 3 days training.
Anita - 12318m rowed v 12561 training target
Andy - 15074m rowed v 15132 training target
Anita suffered on the 2nd and 3rd interval with keeping up to the pace, and thoughts are that the lunch we had today compared to yesterday wasn't as substantial and energy-giving (Ham Rolls v Tuna Pasta Salad) - Something to bear in mind from now on.
I struggled slightly on the 3rd 20 minutes, with a 2:00.4 500m Pace where I should have done a 1:59, but that's all part of the training; to get fitter and better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now to our Journey if plotted on a Map
Start: Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES (Colchester)
End: J31 M25 (Purfleet) at 81.706km (50.8 miles)
Day off tomorrow!!! Next set Friday AM prior to work - Expecting that one to hurt a lot!!!!!!!!!
27392m done between us, taking the total to 81706m in 3 days training.
Anita - 12318m rowed v 12561 training target
Andy - 15074m rowed v 15132 training target
Anita suffered on the 2nd and 3rd interval with keeping up to the pace, and thoughts are that the lunch we had today compared to yesterday wasn't as substantial and energy-giving (Ham Rolls v Tuna Pasta Salad) - Something to bear in mind from now on.
I struggled slightly on the 3rd 20 minutes, with a 2:00.4 500m Pace where I should have done a 1:59, but that's all part of the training; to get fitter and better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now to our Journey if plotted on a Map
Start: Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES (Colchester)
End: J31 M25 (Purfleet) at 81.706km (50.8 miles)
Day off tomorrow!!! Next set Friday AM prior to work - Expecting that one to hurt a lot!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Day 2 - 15 Min Interval Training
4 Lots of 15 minutes (6 minutes at 5k pace, 9 minutes at Marathon Pace) with 4 minutes breaks in between today.
Anita rowed superbly, rowing 12698 metres compared to a plan of 12691
Andy - 15134 metres out of 15224, with the last 5k Pace 6 minutes (1:53) really hurting.............
3 Lots of 20 minutes tomorrow...................................
Total Rowed Distance Since Start of Training - 54.314km
Start Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish J13 A12 - Ingatestone Bypass
Anita rowed superbly, rowing 12698 metres compared to a plan of 12691
Andy - 15134 metres out of 15224, with the last 5k Pace 6 minutes (1:53) really hurting.............
3 Lots of 20 minutes tomorrow...................................
Total Rowed Distance Since Start of Training - 54.314km
Start Topnotch Gym CO4 9ES
Finish J13 A12 - Ingatestone Bypass
Monday, 3 October 2011
Day 1 Done!!!!
Training done for the day - 2 lots of 30 minutes with a 3 minute break.
Anita - 12083 metres - 2:29 split/500m
Andy - 14399 metres - 2:05 split/500m
Currently the above paces are what we plan to do for the full Marathon test on January 8th 2012.
The Journey has begun.................
Start - CO4 9ES - Topnotch Gym Colchester.
Total Distance Rowed 26.482km
End Day 1 - J22 A12 (Witham North)
Where will we end up - Best guess is somewhere in Russia (Planned 3780km after the 100km day between us)
Anita - 12083 metres - 2:29 split/500m
Andy - 14399 metres - 2:05 split/500m
Currently the above paces are what we plan to do for the full Marathon test on January 8th 2012.
The Journey has begun.................
Start - CO4 9ES - Topnotch Gym Colchester.
Total Distance Rowed 26.482km
End Day 1 - J22 A12 (Witham North)
Where will we end up - Best guess is somewhere in Russia (Planned 3780km after the 100km day between us)
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Training Starts Tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Training for the 100km Indoor Rowing Challenge for Sport Relief 2012 starts tomorrow. Anita will be rowing 1.65 million metres in training for the 100,000 metre main event, and I will be rowing 1.95 million, and both of us from tomorrow until the big day (Saturday 17th March) will have rowed over 130 hours in preparation.
We will keep you all posted on here on how the training is going.
Cheers,
Anita & Andy
We will keep you all posted on here on how the training is going.
Cheers,
Anita & Andy
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