2 lots of 30' tonight - a 10'/20' split for the first 30 and a flat pace for the second, 2:14/2:24 on the 1st 30' for Anita, 1:51/2:00 for me, with a free rein on the last 30.
We both found this very hard tonight. The gym was busy with New Year Resolutionists (Maybe a new religion???) and as such felt very warm. With 37k/44k in our muscles from yesterday the 10 minutes at the hard pace felt very difficult (But we both completed it) followed by the 20 slower minutes, which still felt harder than it should have done.
Anita went further in total in the 2nd 30 minutes than the 1st!! a 2:18 av v 2:19, Where we row there are 3 Model C C2's, and because of this we occasionally get people rowing beside us. It's pretty obvious most of them have never had instruction on technique (The amount of women rowing in the 3:00 range on 10 damper is quite scary). I think it will be beneficial to all if we approach the trainers at our gym and offer our services :)
I attempted to go out quite hard on the 2nd 30' but just didn't have it, and as such used it as a cool down (1:58 v 1:56 on the 1st 30) - I've got a nice achy feeling going on :)
Anita: 12973m
Andy: 15330m
Cumulative Total: 1815428m (1128.3 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Raubling, Bavaria, Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raubling
Showing posts with label Topnotch Gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Topnotch Gym. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Friday, 2 December 2011
Day 44 - End of a long week
4 lots of 15 today, 9'/6' split, 2:14/2:24 for Anita, 1:51/2:00 for me, 4R.
Both of us have had a long tiring week this week, with early starts (5am for me) and some late evenings, and as such tonight was quite difficult.
I felt the lack of energy tonight, with the 6' at 1:51 4 times feeling tough at times. I try to lose myself in something at that point, either music or whatever is going on around me at the gym at the time.
We both hit all our targets, but Anita felt it as well tonight.
Anita: 12969m
Andy: 15629m
Cumulative: 1369086m (850.9 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9ES
Finish: Oberalpenstafel, Oberwald, Switzerland http://www.summitpost.org/ski-route/162566
Both of us have had a long tiring week this week, with early starts (5am for me) and some late evenings, and as such tonight was quite difficult.
I felt the lack of energy tonight, with the 6' at 1:51 4 times feeling tough at times. I try to lose myself in something at that point, either music or whatever is going on around me at the gym at the time.
We both hit all our targets, but Anita felt it as well tonight.
Anita: 12969m
Andy: 15629m
Cumulative: 1369086m (850.9 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9ES
Finish: Oberalpenstafel, Oberwald, Switzerland http://www.summitpost.org/ski-route/162566
Monday, 28 November 2011
Day 41 - The Calm after the storm :)
2 lots of 30 mins tonight, 2:27 for Anita, 2:03 for me, 3R (1s/500m quicker than the last 4 weeks).
After yesterday's 6344m blast today was a nice sedate hour of UT1/2 intensity rowing. Possibly because yesterday was such a landmark it felt a lot easier than ever before, for the both of us, and that an hour is a bit of a cheat :) Anita says she feels like she should be doing more, but I'm of the ilk that Eddie Fletcher knows what he's doing, and though I've modified the plan slightly (Up the pace by 1s/500m on all pieces every 4 weeks) I don't want to diverge from it - It's produced some pretty phenomenal results so far at relatively short distances :)
Anita: 12249m
Andy: 14639m
Cumulative (Since 3rd Oct): 1281834m (796.7 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO11 2TR
Finish - L'Ermitage, Loèche, Switzerland
After yesterday's 6344m blast today was a nice sedate hour of UT1/2 intensity rowing. Possibly because yesterday was such a landmark it felt a lot easier than ever before, for the both of us, and that an hour is a bit of a cheat :) Anita says she feels like she should be doing more, but I'm of the ilk that Eddie Fletcher knows what he's doing, and though I've modified the plan slightly (Up the pace by 1s/500m on all pieces every 4 weeks) I don't want to diverge from it - It's produced some pretty phenomenal results so far at relatively short distances :)
Anita: 12249m
Andy: 14639m
Cumulative (Since 3rd Oct): 1281834m (796.7 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO11 2TR
Finish - L'Ermitage, Loèche, Switzerland
Friday, 25 November 2011
Day 39 - A little test for Sunday :)
A repeat of Tuesday today - 4 lots of 15 mins, 6'/9' split, 2:15/2:25 for Anita, 1:52/2:01 for Me, 4R.
Much of a muchness tonight for the first 3 intervals; Anita wasn't feeling particularly well but she stuck to the task brilliantly.
Then the 4th Interval - I think we both thought he same thing - use it as a bit of a tester for the 6344m Concept2.co.uk Challenge Series November piece.
Anita ended up with a 2:14 average for the 15 mins, First 6 minutes near 2:12, down to 2:25-2:20 for the next 5, then racked it down towards 2:10 over the last 4 minutes, into the 1:57 region for the last 30 secs - Again she is showing how strong she is now, and at 5"9' she is blessed with long levers leading to a lovely technique.
I ended up with a 1:50.7 average, and like Anita did the 2nd furthest distance ever in a 15 minute piece I've ever done, but with some large pace changes.
For the first 6 minutes I was alternating 1:47 minutes with 1:52 minutes, went down to 2:00 for 3 minutes, then from 5 minutes out went down to 1:47, towards 1:45 with 2 minutes left, then into the low 1:30's for the last minute - 4062m in 15 mins for me, 3358m for Anita :) I think we're both ready for the Challenge Series now - If we can do what we did during rowing minutes 45 to 60, then after a Warm Up she should be able to sustain a really good pace for the whole 23/28 minutes :)
Anita: 13110m
Andy: 15653m
Cumulative: 1215572m (755.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Mazembroz, Valais, Switzerland http://www.alltravels.com/switzerland/valais/mazembroz-577306
Much of a muchness tonight for the first 3 intervals; Anita wasn't feeling particularly well but she stuck to the task brilliantly.
Then the 4th Interval - I think we both thought he same thing - use it as a bit of a tester for the 6344m Concept2.co.uk Challenge Series November piece.
Anita ended up with a 2:14 average for the 15 mins, First 6 minutes near 2:12, down to 2:25-2:20 for the next 5, then racked it down towards 2:10 over the last 4 minutes, into the 1:57 region for the last 30 secs - Again she is showing how strong she is now, and at 5"9' she is blessed with long levers leading to a lovely technique.
I ended up with a 1:50.7 average, and like Anita did the 2nd furthest distance ever in a 15 minute piece I've ever done, but with some large pace changes.
For the first 6 minutes I was alternating 1:47 minutes with 1:52 minutes, went down to 2:00 for 3 minutes, then from 5 minutes out went down to 1:47, towards 1:45 with 2 minutes left, then into the low 1:30's for the last minute - 4062m in 15 mins for me, 3358m for Anita :) I think we're both ready for the Challenge Series now - If we can do what we did during rowing minutes 45 to 60, then after a Warm Up she should be able to sustain a really good pace for the whole 23/28 minutes :)
Anita: 13110m
Andy: 15653m
Cumulative: 1215572m (755.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Mazembroz, Valais, Switzerland http://www.alltravels.com/switzerland/valais/mazembroz-577306
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Day 38 - Keeping us honest :)
3 lots of 20 mins today, 2:25, 2:18, 2:21 for Anita, 2:01, 1:55, 1:58 for me, 2R.
Nice and easy again today to start with, with an nice slow(ish) 20 mins, followed by the fast piece, then a warm-down.
Anita - "I felt like I'd done a work-out, even though it was only an hour".
Wednesdays to me are the most difficult pieces we do on this plan, with the middle 20/30 minute piece a real good blow-out. It's nice to now be able to comfortably sustain 1:52 for 15 minutes, before letting the pace drop off towards 1:55 over the last 5 minutes. I now consider 1:55 a HM pace for me (1:20), and will be trying to go below that on Christmas Eve :) For Anita I think 2:22 is achievable now for a sub 1:40, which would be amazing :)
Anita: 12745m
Andy: 15266m
Cumulative: 1186809m (737.6 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Aigle, Vaud, Switzerland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aigle
Nice and easy again today to start with, with an nice slow(ish) 20 mins, followed by the fast piece, then a warm-down.
Anita - "I felt like I'd done a work-out, even though it was only an hour".
Wednesdays to me are the most difficult pieces we do on this plan, with the middle 20/30 minute piece a real good blow-out. It's nice to now be able to comfortably sustain 1:52 for 15 minutes, before letting the pace drop off towards 1:55 over the last 5 minutes. I now consider 1:55 a HM pace for me (1:20), and will be trying to go below that on Christmas Eve :) For Anita I think 2:22 is achievable now for a sub 1:40, which would be amazing :)
Anita: 12745m
Andy: 15266m
Cumulative: 1186809m (737.6 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Aigle, Vaud, Switzerland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aigle
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Day 30 - Walkies then a slow-row
2 lots of 40 minutes today, 2:28' for Anita, 2:04 for me, 4R
We went to our good friend Tracey's early this morning to go for a nice long walk with her and her two beautiful woofers, Stan and Ruby through the beautiful countryside around Wivenhoe Woods and the Colne, which started the day of brilliantly.
Then we got to the gym to do the 2 40 minute pieces, and frankly they were very easy.
Anita did both 2:28' pieces at 18 strokes/min, whilst I had a bit of a mess around.
On the first piece I got to 10 minutes left at an average of 2:02, so went down to 2:10's for the last 10 minutes to get to 2:04 at the end.
On the second piece I did the first 10 minutes at 1:52.9, was at an average of 1:58 at 20 minutes (Meaning a 2:10 for the 2nd half would get me in at 2:04 average), was at 2:00 with 10 minutes left (Meaning a 2:16 for the last 10 would get me in at 2:04), decided at 5 minutes to do a minute at sub 1:40, then really had to mess about at 2:50 and lower to get it down to 2:04 with 11 seconds remaining.
I believe I could now Marathon at sub 2:00m pace, and HM at 1:55 (Best 1:59.5) - Anita could Marathon at 2:25, and HM at 2:22 in my opinion, and we will try the HM a week before the full marathon in early January.
Week 6 done :)
Anita: 16222m (417644m Cumulative, 259.6 miles)
Andy: 19360m (499692m Cumulative (So Close :)), 310.6 miles)
Total Cumulative: 917366m (570.1 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Via: Calais, Reims, Troyes, Dijon
Finish: Saint-Albain, Saone-et-Loire, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Albain
We went to our good friend Tracey's early this morning to go for a nice long walk with her and her two beautiful woofers, Stan and Ruby through the beautiful countryside around Wivenhoe Woods and the Colne, which started the day of brilliantly.
Then we got to the gym to do the 2 40 minute pieces, and frankly they were very easy.
Anita did both 2:28' pieces at 18 strokes/min, whilst I had a bit of a mess around.
On the first piece I got to 10 minutes left at an average of 2:02, so went down to 2:10's for the last 10 minutes to get to 2:04 at the end.
On the second piece I did the first 10 minutes at 1:52.9, was at an average of 1:58 at 20 minutes (Meaning a 2:10 for the 2nd half would get me in at 2:04 average), was at 2:00 with 10 minutes left (Meaning a 2:16 for the last 10 would get me in at 2:04), decided at 5 minutes to do a minute at sub 1:40, then really had to mess about at 2:50 and lower to get it down to 2:04 with 11 seconds remaining.
I believe I could now Marathon at sub 2:00m pace, and HM at 1:55 (Best 1:59.5) - Anita could Marathon at 2:25, and HM at 2:22 in my opinion, and we will try the HM a week before the full marathon in early January.
Week 6 done :)
Anita: 16222m (417644m Cumulative, 259.6 miles)
Andy: 19360m (499692m Cumulative (So Close :)), 310.6 miles)
Total Cumulative: 917366m (570.1 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Via: Calais, Reims, Troyes, Dijon
Finish: Saint-Albain, Saone-et-Loire, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Albain
Monday, 7 November 2011
Day 26 - Fat Burn Monday
2 lots of 40' today 4R, 2:28 for Anita, 2:04 for me.
The Monday and Saturday distance pieces in the Eddie Fletcher Marathon plan are now long slow fat burning pieces, with nice easy breathing and quite a low heart rate.
It is also a bit boring if the wrong music comes on! It's also a bit of a pain in the arse, especially for me in my left glute :) definitely getting a seat cover/cushion for the marathon in January.
Anita's words about today's training - 'A walk in the park' - 22 strokes/min and only some minor aches in her knees to show for 80 minutes rowing.
Lastly before the distances Anita lost 1.6kg last week, me 1.3kg :)
Anita: 16223m
Andy: 19361m
Cumulative: 787612m (489.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Bèze, Cote-d'Or, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A8ze
The Monday and Saturday distance pieces in the Eddie Fletcher Marathon plan are now long slow fat burning pieces, with nice easy breathing and quite a low heart rate.
It is also a bit boring if the wrong music comes on! It's also a bit of a pain in the arse, especially for me in my left glute :) definitely getting a seat cover/cushion for the marathon in January.
Anita's words about today's training - 'A walk in the park' - 22 strokes/min and only some minor aches in her knees to show for 80 minutes rowing.
Lastly before the distances Anita lost 1.6kg last week, me 1.3kg :)
Anita: 16223m
Andy: 19361m
Cumulative: 787612m (489.5 miles)
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Bèze, Cote-d'Or, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A8ze
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Day 25 - 5 weeks down, 18 to go :)
2 lots of 30 mins today, with 3mins rest between, 2:28 for Anita, 2:04 for me.
The Monday and Saturday dual pieces have become quite easy over the last couple of weeks, both at UT1/2 so good fat burners - http://www.fletchersportscience.co.uk/uploads/img4731d3f5392f41.pdf - The Eddie Fletcher Marathon training plan suggests the 5th session of the week is always optional - Not on my watch :)
Interestingly my hands have really calmed down - the callouses have leveled out, and though my hands are in a state they've rarely been in before there isn't any discomfort doing rowing from them now. My calves however really fasciculate (twitch) on the way home from the gym, and the feeling is like very small electric shocks, almost like a fluttering feeling. Slightly off-putting if strangely amusing to watch :)
Anita is really feeling the benefits - we had to go into Colchester Town Centre this morning to do a quick bit of shopping, and in doing so we pretty much power-walked from the car park into town, around the shops and then back again - Anita commented on the way back that she would have been out of breath before after walking a decent distance as we did, but now there were no issues. I think her being able to maintain a low heart rate is making all the difference, and that at least a 1kg per week weight loss for her over the rest of the training is a distinct possibility, putting her well below 11 stone by the end of March, 3 months before our wedding :) Weigh in tomorrow morning :)
Also cumulatively we went over 3/4 million metres today, done since 3rd October :)
Anita: 12165m Today (342408m, 212.8 miles total)
Andy: 14521m Today (409620m, 254.6 miles total)
Cumulative: 752028m (467.4 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Aujerres, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aujeurres
The Monday and Saturday dual pieces have become quite easy over the last couple of weeks, both at UT1/2 so good fat burners - http://www.fletchersportscience.co.uk/uploads/img4731d3f5392f41.pdf - The Eddie Fletcher Marathon training plan suggests the 5th session of the week is always optional - Not on my watch :)
Interestingly my hands have really calmed down - the callouses have leveled out, and though my hands are in a state they've rarely been in before there isn't any discomfort doing rowing from them now. My calves however really fasciculate (twitch) on the way home from the gym, and the feeling is like very small electric shocks, almost like a fluttering feeling. Slightly off-putting if strangely amusing to watch :)
Anita is really feeling the benefits - we had to go into Colchester Town Centre this morning to do a quick bit of shopping, and in doing so we pretty much power-walked from the car park into town, around the shops and then back again - Anita commented on the way back that she would have been out of breath before after walking a decent distance as we did, but now there were no issues. I think her being able to maintain a low heart rate is making all the difference, and that at least a 1kg per week weight loss for her over the rest of the training is a distinct possibility, putting her well below 11 stone by the end of March, 3 months before our wedding :) Weigh in tomorrow morning :)
Also cumulatively we went over 3/4 million metres today, done since 3rd October :)
Anita: 12165m Today (342408m, 212.8 miles total)
Andy: 14521m Today (409620m, 254.6 miles total)
Cumulative: 752028m (467.4 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Aujerres, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aujeurres
Friday, 4 November 2011
Day 24 - Bicep Buster :)
4 lots of 15 mins tonight, 2:15 6' 2:25 9' DF 150 for Anita, 1:52 6' 2:01 9' DF 155 for me, 4' Rest between intervals.
Really felt it in the arms tonight, but put that down to a low-carb lunch (Chopped Salad) meaning lower energy levels than normal. As such I had to up the stroke rate a bit (27/28) to maintain the 1:52 pace (though in reality this was nearer 1:51). The 1st rest was a bit longer than it should have been due to a work phone-call, and because of that I found the 2nd interval the hardest (as my heart rate had dropped to normal)
Anita again completed everything asked of her, declaring the first interval felt like a warm-up :) She is now immensely strong in her arms, and I'm confident in her maintaining 2:14 (28:20 Total) for the November Challenge Series 6344m (I'll be looking at 1:48/1:49, 23 mins Total)
Anita: 12933m
Andy: 15464m
Cumulative: 725342m (450.8 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester, Essex, CO4 9ES
Finish: Bugnieres, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugni%C3%A8res
Really felt it in the arms tonight, but put that down to a low-carb lunch (Chopped Salad) meaning lower energy levels than normal. As such I had to up the stroke rate a bit (27/28) to maintain the 1:52 pace (though in reality this was nearer 1:51). The 1st rest was a bit longer than it should have been due to a work phone-call, and because of that I found the 2nd interval the hardest (as my heart rate had dropped to normal)
Anita again completed everything asked of her, declaring the first interval felt like a warm-up :) She is now immensely strong in her arms, and I'm confident in her maintaining 2:14 (28:20 Total) for the November Challenge Series 6344m (I'll be looking at 1:48/1:49, 23 mins Total)
Anita: 12933m
Andy: 15464m
Cumulative: 725342m (450.8 miles)
The Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym Colchester, Essex, CO4 9ES
Finish: Bugnieres, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugni%C3%A8res
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Day 23 - Confidence Booster :)
3 Lots of 20 today, 2:25, 2:18 and 2:21 for Anita, 2:01, 1:55 and 1:58 for me.
I failed to finish last Wednesday (See the blog for Day 18) so today held a little bit more than a usual training day for me.
The first 20 minutes felt like a warm up, the 2nd 20 minutes felt like the main event and the last 20 minutes felt like a warm down - A very satisfactory feeling that I can now quite easily pop a sub 1:55 20 minute piece out in the middle of a session, where my best 30 minutes ever is only at 1:54.3 (7876) - Indeed in 6 weeks time the middle 30 minutes of the 3 on that day should be at 1:54, which will be my best 30 minutes ever :)
Anita again monstered it at a very low strokes/minute (21/22) and I'm getting more and more confident in her ability to go the Marathon distance and longer, and hopefully she is too :)
Anita: 12744m
Andy: 15302m
Cumulative: 696945m (433.1 miles) - Since 3rd October
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Pont-la-Ville, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont-la-Ville,_Haute-Marne
I failed to finish last Wednesday (See the blog for Day 18) so today held a little bit more than a usual training day for me.
The first 20 minutes felt like a warm up, the 2nd 20 minutes felt like the main event and the last 20 minutes felt like a warm down - A very satisfactory feeling that I can now quite easily pop a sub 1:55 20 minute piece out in the middle of a session, where my best 30 minutes ever is only at 1:54.3 (7876) - Indeed in 6 weeks time the middle 30 minutes of the 3 on that day should be at 1:54, which will be my best 30 minutes ever :)
Anita again monstered it at a very low strokes/minute (21/22) and I'm getting more and more confident in her ability to go the Marathon distance and longer, and hopefully she is too :)
Anita: 12744m
Andy: 15302m
Cumulative: 696945m (433.1 miles) - Since 3rd October
The Journey:
Start - Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish - Pont-la-Ville, Haute-Marne, France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont-la-Ville,_Haute-Marne
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Day 22 - Time for reflection......
4 lots of 15 minutes today, 6 mins/9 mins split, 2:15 & 2:25 for Anita, 1:52 and 2:01 for me, with 4 minute rest periods between intervals.
Apart from slight fatigue in the last minute of the 6 fast minutes in last 2 intervals it was quite easy fo both of us, and got me thinking back to 3 years ago, when for the Charity Week at work a number of us rowed over 500km in the 40 working hours of the week, each taking 15 minute intervals, with some of us taking 3 intervals per day.
I wasn't much heavier then than I am now, but my best interval for the week was 3823m, with most of them in 3600m region. It was the first time for me on a Concept 2 rower.
Tonight my lowest 15 minutes was 3850 metres (following the Eddie Fletcher plan), and my highest 3902, rowing 4 intervals with only 4 minutes rest between them!!!
Anita only rowed a couple of intervals that week, and both rows were in the 2800/2900m region.
Tonight she rowed 4 intervals with the lowest at 3208m, which would have been the furthest rowed in 15 minutes by any woman doing the challenge 3 years ago!!!!!!
We've both come some way, but I'm under no illusions that we've got the hard miles yet to come to get ready for the 100km in March.
Anita: 12898m
Andy: 15465m
Cumulative: 668899m (415.7 miles)
Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Éguilly-sous-Bois, Aube, France, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89guilly-sous-Bois
Apart from slight fatigue in the last minute of the 6 fast minutes in last 2 intervals it was quite easy fo both of us, and got me thinking back to 3 years ago, when for the Charity Week at work a number of us rowed over 500km in the 40 working hours of the week, each taking 15 minute intervals, with some of us taking 3 intervals per day.
I wasn't much heavier then than I am now, but my best interval for the week was 3823m, with most of them in 3600m region. It was the first time for me on a Concept 2 rower.
Tonight my lowest 15 minutes was 3850 metres (following the Eddie Fletcher plan), and my highest 3902, rowing 4 intervals with only 4 minutes rest between them!!!
Anita only rowed a couple of intervals that week, and both rows were in the 2800/2900m region.
Tonight she rowed 4 intervals with the lowest at 3208m, which would have been the furthest rowed in 15 minutes by any woman doing the challenge 3 years ago!!!!!!
We've both come some way, but I'm under no illusions that we've got the hard miles yet to come to get ready for the 100km in March.
Anita: 12898m
Andy: 15465m
Cumulative: 668899m (415.7 miles)
Journey:
Start: Topnotch Gym, Colchester CO4 9ES
Finish: Éguilly-sous-Bois, Aube, France, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89guilly-sous-Bois
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
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
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
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
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