GYRR, Training Update, Tee Total during the Euro's, Sportify Training Playlist
- Stuart Sadler
- Jul 8, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 9, 2021
Right, lets do a blog to sweep up all the things that I keep thinking about whilst I am running.....
Great Yarmouth Road Runners
I joined the GYRR’s in January 2020. I joined because I like feeling part of a community and because I wanted to see if I could progress if I trained with them. I also felt that joining them would help my motivation. The fact that the Membership is incredibly reasonable, and I would also get approx. £2 off each race entry just made it even more appealing.
Obviously, 8 weeks later though, we were in Full Lockdown. Now 16 months later we still haven’t returned to normal. So that idea of saving £2 from at least one race every month just didn’t work out. However, I am really glad that I did join as they really are a tremendous bunch.
To date, I still haven’t quite made it to a GYRR Training session though. This is for a couple of reasons. 1 is that I like to do things at my own speed, for obvious reasons, so I have never felt quite confident enough to go yet. Secondly, I really don't want to be the one that holds everyone up. They repeatedly say that doesn't matter and I won't hold them up anyway but it doesn't seem to register with me, I am a bit paranoid about being the slowest one there. If I end up fitter after these 2 half marathons though, I may drop in on one session and see how much I hold them up!!!!
The third reason that I haven’t trained with them yet is because I was running 3 times a week with my mate Paul, which was great, ideal and fun. However Paul has suffered with a few injuries recently (and maybe a drop in motivation when it comes to running???). However, like I say, I am happy enough running on my own anyway. Sometimes the wife and I run together but she does prefer running on her own, at her own speed and she (Sam) has made brilliant progress with her running, especially in the last 6 months / year. As it stands though, training on my own is working out really well as I can stretch myself (sensibly) when I am feeling good and stop early if it is a struggle.
Despite the fact that I haven't trained with them yet, they have still been a really nice, pleasant, supportive bunch. They all speak or wave and they all make you feel really welcome. One of the things that kept me running thru lockdown was Rob Bailey's virtual runs (5k's then the 10k Virtual Handicap races). We basically did 11 of those 10k races over the winter - and I did all 11. Doing all the races was my target regardless of times and I really enjoyed them and they really helped me, so thanks Rob.
Like I say though, they are a great bunch and when I have got these 2 HM’s out of the way hopefully I can get more involved.
Last comment re:the GYRR’s – I just want to wish Alan all the best right now! Take care mate!
Training Update
With a colleague (Liam Rowlands) I knocked up a really good Half Marathon training plan a couple of months ago. It went something like a Beach Run or Running up Gorleston Cliffs or intervals on a Monday. A fast (for me) 5k or 10k on a Wednesday and a slow long run on a Saturday. Strengthening or Cycle Rides would take place on some of the rest days. Due to the Calf problems that I have been having for the last 2 weeks though, that has been blown apart. I currently feel more comfortable when I am just doing slower, longer runs. Even when I was cycling I was starting to feel my Quads and Hamstrings and whilst that may be strengthening them, I don’t want to get injured at this point. I only have 3.5 weeks left now until the London Half Marathon, so I think I am just going to keep doing longer, slower runs for the next week and a half and then start to ramp down gradually. Does that sounds like the right approach?
In my last blog I had run 13k last Friday and was disappointed. It got worse on Sunday when I ran the Gorleston Park Run course in loops again. I could only mange 8.4km. It was so Hot in one direction (and I will repeat myself and say that I really struggle in the heat) but really Windy in the other direction. At 8.4k I just hit the wall and threw the towel in, I had nothing left to give. The one thing that I do find though is, if I give myself 2 rest days in between runs (remember that I am 49 after all) I seem to have much better runs. That was proven yesterday, when I got up early to go for a plod. It was early so it was a bit cooler and I ended up doing 10 Miles (16.1km) and I still felt pretty good at the end of it. It just proves that I need 2 days rest and I need cooler conditions. Unfortunately, the weather in London on the 1st August looks pretty warm at the moment.
Luckily though my Calf is continuing to get better. Strangely it feels better after every run, which isn’t what I would expect. It also took a big leap forward after my Physio (Vas) worked on it on Monday. I have felt it a couple of times today but only very faintly and that is definitely the best day that I have had with it so far, so I am hoping that it will be completely gone by tomorrow.
Tee Total during the Euro's ☹
Everyone repeatedly tells me that running gets easier when you are not drinking. Well, anybody that knows me, knows I do enjoy an IPA or a Quality Spiced Rum or a nice glass of Red wine. I’ve binned it all off though. Between the 3rd July and approx. lunch time on 1st Aug I am Tee Total. That means Tee Total during the Euro’s. Again, anybody that knows me and knows how passionate I am about England in International tournaments will know how seriously I am taking this running, when I am not drinking during England’s best Tournament in my lifetime. May I wish the best of luck to Gareth Southgate (who I think has been immense) and the boys on Sunday night. I reckon you have done brilliant to get to our first final since 1966, so whatever happens, well done! In all honesty, it probably isn’t even the strongest team that I have seen, however, it is our best manager and it is our most “Together” team. So Good Luck boys! Thanks for the memories and Well done!
Anyway, as soon as I have done the London Half I will allow myself 2 weeks of being able to have a few social pints. Then from Mid Aug I will be Tee Total again until the Great North Run in Mid Sept.
I have had some people kindly sponsor me just for being tee total (they are the ones that know just how tough that is gonna be for me!) – if you would like to join them, then please donate on this link –
Spotify Training PlayList
When I run, I like to have my headphones in. So, for charity, I have a set up a collaborative Playlist on Spotify (the link is below). If you are interested, please go in and add a track(s). Each track you add costs £2 which can be paid on the charity link just above. Obviously, all money goes to the Marfan Trust. I will then listen to that playlist every time that I train, up until I have completed the Great North Run in mid Sept.
So far I have such classics as the “Hearts FC Theme”, “Snooker Loopy” & “Convoy”. So, if anybody wants to be nice to me and make my playlist more motivational, rather than painful, it would be really appreciated. Thank you!
Thanks
Right, if anybody is reading these, then thanks, I do hope it is increasing awareness around Marfan and raising a few quid for the Marfan Trust too. I hope you all have a great weekend, enjoy the football (come on boys!) and I will let you know how my weekend training goes in a further blog next week. Thanks All!
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