Targets
I registered for the 20k of Brussels, on the last Sunday of May. Nothing special, were it not for my complete lack of training over many months. And for my weight, which perfectly reflects the previous factor.
Instead of a sophisticated training schedule, I decided to keep it simple. At the end of February, I should have run 30 minutes at least 3 times and weigh no more than 84 kilos. At the end of March I should have done 60 minutes 3 times and weigh under 82 kilos. At the end of April, 90 minutes 3 times, and 80 kilos. And at the end of May 120 minutes 3 times and 78 kilos.
That should get me to the level I had two years ago. Ambitious? Probably, but not doomed to fail.
Tonight I did my second 30 minutes, in hilly Geneva (the first was with Ellen early this month). Weight-wise I think I am fine too. So the start is there.
Mind you, in this schedule (as in The Waste Land), April is the cruelest month. Breaking through the 80 minutes brick wall barrier is notoriously hard.
Buckets of moral support, please!
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Fare pay
My Geneva room is conveniently located along the tram line that also stops in front of the office, about 15 minutes from when I get on. The fare is a bit pricy at 3 Swiss francs or 2 euros, but the ticket vending machines at the tram stops accept both currencies. Which I consider a great plus, being an international commuter myself.
But. The machines only say they accept cards; my entire deck of them has been refused repeatedly. So it's coins I need. Another but. The machines do not give change. If I insert a 5 francs coin, the ticket will say I have paid too much and mention the amount of overpay. Apparently, one can go to the office of the Tram Exploitation Company to get a refund of the excess payment. I imagine piling up little dockets until, one day, I find the courage to queue up in an office building and receive what they owe me.
Funny system.
In contrast, the Flemish bus services have introduced a facility for paying one's fare through a text message. Much simpler, and much cheaper too: for a trip from the airport to home I now pay 1.3 euros instead of 3.0.
Switzerland vs Belgium: 0-1.
My Geneva room is conveniently located along the tram line that also stops in front of the office, about 15 minutes from when I get on. The fare is a bit pricy at 3 Swiss francs or 2 euros, but the ticket vending machines at the tram stops accept both currencies. Which I consider a great plus, being an international commuter myself.
But. The machines only say they accept cards; my entire deck of them has been refused repeatedly. So it's coins I need. Another but. The machines do not give change. If I insert a 5 francs coin, the ticket will say I have paid too much and mention the amount of overpay. Apparently, one can go to the office of the Tram Exploitation Company to get a refund of the excess payment. I imagine piling up little dockets until, one day, I find the courage to queue up in an office building and receive what they owe me.
Funny system.
In contrast, the Flemish bus services have introduced a facility for paying one's fare through a text message. Much simpler, and much cheaper too: for a trip from the airport to home I now pay 1.3 euros instead of 3.0.
Switzerland vs Belgium: 0-1.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
A MISS
Today is the 20k, the famous 20k of Brussels which I've run for five consecutive years. Even though I'm registered I won't be there this year. Things at work (mainly, two abduction sagas and a trip to Pakistan) have made me miss almost two months of training. Trying last week to do 20k in a very slow pace and finding myself unable to continue after 13k, I decided I have to give the big race a miss this year. I feel sad about it, but I know the decision is the right one.
Instead, I will probably sign up for the Brussels half marathon in September. It's held for 95% on the same circuit, and as a bonus has a finish in the historic city centre. But it lacks the standing and atmosphere of today's run.
In the meantime, the idea is to train three times a week (two of which should be 10k or longer). And do a series of races varying in length between 10 kilometers and 10 miles.
Today is the 20k, the famous 20k of Brussels which I've run for five consecutive years. Even though I'm registered I won't be there this year. Things at work (mainly, two abduction sagas and a trip to Pakistan) have made me miss almost two months of training. Trying last week to do 20k in a very slow pace and finding myself unable to continue after 13k, I decided I have to give the big race a miss this year. I feel sad about it, but I know the decision is the right one.
Instead, I will probably sign up for the Brussels half marathon in September. It's held for 95% on the same circuit, and as a bonus has a finish in the historic city centre. But it lacks the standing and atmosphere of today's run.
In the meantime, the idea is to train three times a week (two of which should be 10k or longer). And do a series of races varying in length between 10 kilometers and 10 miles.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
THE WORKS (4): Bounce
The facade, including front door which I still dutifully locked every night, disappeared too. But what comes down must go up, as they say. The first signs of bounce have started to appear; the construction of a new facade has begun.
Today is a public holiday, but two of the builders still showed up for painting upstairs. They have promised that Sanna's new room will be all done come Saturday night. Photos will appear in this space.
The facade, including front door which I still dutifully locked every night, disappeared too. But what comes down must go up, as they say. The first signs of bounce have started to appear; the construction of a new facade has begun.
Today is a public holiday, but two of the builders still showed up for painting upstairs. They have promised that Sanna's new room will be all done come Saturday night. Photos will appear in this space.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
THE WORKS (3): Roofless
Being lately about something else than it used to be, my blog suffers from identity crisis. So here's a quick update on the running:
1. I set up a Running for Beginners group at work and ten people signed up. Seven of them joined for the first training Friday at lunchtime.
2. I ran the Ninove 15k today and got proof of just how out of shape I am. I'm sure I finished last in the "Men Who Still Have Their Own Teeth" category.
3. The Brussels 20k is only two weeks away. I should not run it, but then it'd be my first absence in five years. Also, I may lose my pre-registration spot if I don't show up, which is a big thing as the 20k sells out in just a few hours nowadays. I guess I'd rather make a complete fool of myself than forfeiting.
Back to the renovation. Earlier, the builders started taking the roof of. That same day it started pouring, leaving us with a pool.
The following day, they took away the rest of the roof. The rains did not really stop. Now they will heighten the walls (for the masonry they need dry weather...) and do some other stuff. There'll be a new roof in a fortnight. Hopefully.
Being lately about something else than it used to be, my blog suffers from identity crisis. So here's a quick update on the running:
1. I set up a Running for Beginners group at work and ten people signed up. Seven of them joined for the first training Friday at lunchtime.
2. I ran the Ninove 15k today and got proof of just how out of shape I am. I'm sure I finished last in the "Men Who Still Have Their Own Teeth" category.
3. The Brussels 20k is only two weeks away. I should not run it, but then it'd be my first absence in five years. Also, I may lose my pre-registration spot if I don't show up, which is a big thing as the 20k sells out in just a few hours nowadays. I guess I'd rather make a complete fool of myself than forfeiting.
Back to the renovation. Earlier, the builders started taking the roof of. That same day it started pouring, leaving us with a pool.
The following day, they took away the rest of the roof. The rains did not really stop. Now they will heighten the walls (for the masonry they need dry weather...) and do some other stuff. There'll be a new roof in a fortnight. Hopefully.
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