Training, Planning and Running the DW Race

Right, finally. I have got back into the whole training thing.

I wasn’t going to mention it as it wasn’t all that much of a stint training but last Thursday I went for a paddle after work. Nothing major, just a slog upriver, muck about in the rapids and a blast back. It was enough to remind me that I could do with building more muscle though.

One thing that concerned me while making my way up the river was the lack of pull out points if we capsize. When Nigel and I took the K2 out and had a couple of sinkings we were near the launch point and were able to get back on the water without too much issue, but further up river beyond the power station there is nothing but steep banks and nettles.

I have just applied to join the BCU (a requirement to take part the in the DW race) and I understand that membership gives you access to quite a lot of waterways in the UK. I’m hoping that the Shropshire Union Canal is one of those waterways because at least canal banks are going to be easier to get out on.

Monday night I went a running. After work, got changed and just went. I didn’t take my usual stuff, no heart rate monitor, no camelback, not even a watch, just my iPod. And I discovered that it was a whole lot of fun without encumbering myself with the usual paraphernalia I feel I need.

4.2 miles of road and footpath according to google. It became 0.1 of a mile longer because there was a load of cows malevolently blocking a gate when I neared home so I had to go around them. I didn’t time myself because I didn’t want to burden myself with hitting targets or keeping to a certain pace I just wanted to put some road miles onto my dodgy knee.

I did commit the running crime of failing to warm up or warm down so my punishment today is aching calves. Apart from that I have no other ills to report, knee has held up to the rigours and though my broken toe reminded me that it is still there every now and then while running, it doesn’t feel any worse for wear today.