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| Extended runcommute along the Severn Way, Worcester |
Today is the first day of summer break for the kids. I cut back on work for 6 weeks (only working Saturdays) until they start up again, I normally work Monday - Friday 10-2 while the kids are in school. Finding time to run will become more difficult as my run commutes to and from work are obviously put on hold. My commutes have become an easy and tremendously helpful addition to my weekly mileage. There's really rarely a reason not to run a few miles to and from my car. I'm doing a little more research looking at maps to make this time even more productive and efficient time-wise. I like it as it has no compromise on sleep unlike the cumulative early mornings.
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| Leapgate rail line |
I've bailed on the half marathon this fall, just not feeling it and am excited to just put in a lot of really easy running and build a huge base. So no races in site, just anticipating race lotteries that start in December. Western States 100, Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, and Tor des Geants. I've got the usual aches and pains but am running alright. Just enjoying being outside. I've even stopped with podcasts, books, and music some days while I run. The early mornings and silence are very welcoming. I'm still up at 4am to get out before the wife goes to the gym. I'm glad she is enjoying exercise so am happy to accommodate her. She's definitely made it a solid habit which isn't easy but to do.
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| Muay Thai grading |
I'd been joining in with the Muay Thai boxing classes for a couple weeks and was coerced into doing the grading. We do a fair amount of Thai boxing in Jeet Kune Do so I knew the basics anyway. The classes are very intense which I enjoy. The main focus is technique for now but there is a possibility of fighting in the ring in the future! Not sure if I'm up for that as Thai boxing is really violent but you never know! Being a sport fighting style it's a bit different as we use the gloves for blocking but it's a lot of fun with a great group of people. The academy really has become a fantastic home away from home. They all love to jokingly making fun of my accent and nationality which is always a laugh. I'm there Monday through Friday between my classes and my daughter's tae kwon do, just wish my son would take more interest. I've had a couple weeks I was there 7 days!
The Thai classes are immediately after JKD so since I have the time available I may as well join in. You m usually really tired but always worth it. The few photos are from the grading.
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| Muay Thai grading, clinch sparring |
The clinch sparring was super intense. Essentially you're fighting for control of the upper body while trying to knee the other person. After the grading our head instructor told me he noticed I had put the time in to prepare. With such a short time between the grading and the few classes I had I definitely did going over the handful of drills we needed to do. I knew the strikes but needed to hone my footwork, positioning, and range.
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| getting my yellow arm band |
So that's about it for now. Nothing really exciting, I did get a couple new pairs of shoes! Brooks Transcend 6 for run commuting and the new Altra Torin 4, my every day road shoe, the previous version I had 800 miles on! Also had my buddy from Minnesota bring over some new running shorts to try out. The company Rabbit isn't available in the UK so I had them shipped to his house before he flew over here for a work trip. So far the Rabbit FKT 5" short is good, but still need some more miles in them. I previously had the Patagonia Strider Pro 5" which were greet but the new version they changed the liner and they're just a bit too tight for me. Both models aren't cheap but I feel they're worth every penny.
