In the dark

The clocks going back to GMT at the weekend has meant a reduced choice in routes as the dark nights limit us to running on roads with street lighting.


Monday night was also a battle against the elements as strong winds buffeted me throughout a 7 mile run, from Medomsley, up to and around Consett, and back again. I also included 2 x 1.5 miles at tempo.


Last night, we managed to avoid the worst of the weather as the torrential rain eased off just as six of us set out for an interval session of 5 x 4mins with 3 mins jog recovery. The route was once again around the streets of Dunston and The Teams, with two laps of the track to take the distance up to 8 miles.

Although it has been very windy and wet, temperature wise it is very mild with temperatures averaging 9C.

My knees and hamstrings are once again objecting to my attempts at speed work so an easy 6 miles should appease them tonight.

Comments

Christina said…
I guess it is Weather vs. Running. I'm hoping my newly-found love for running will keep me going this winter.
Alan Dent said…
I'm sure it will, Christina
Natalia said…
Oh wow. I can only imagine the lashing rain and howling wind! I love this kind of weather, but running in it is another matter altogether. Running in the dark in summer is one thing, winter in the UK is another.......
Jenny said…
Well done for running in the elements of the past few nights! I love the way you say "an easy 6 miles" - that's the most mileage I've ever completed in one go up to now.

Also, being fairly new to the wonderful lingo of the running world, what is a 'tempo' run? I'm thinking it's a comfortable jog/run pace where you're not pushing too hard - is that right?
Alan Dent said…
Hi Jenny - a tempo run is a comfortably hard runor a faster paced session (a lactate threshold run) So its fast but not as fast as race pace - these type of runs increase your lactate threshold which is the point where your body fatigues at a particular pace.