Attempt to make myself less prone to brokeness
- Thread starter Martynt74
- Start date
Yeah but you're a lot fitter than i am, cancer or no cancer 
Although i think the Majorca 312 has pretty horrific time limits on cutoffs, so your speeds need to be a hell of a lot better than my 13kph average!
Although i think the Majorca 312 has pretty horrific time limits on cutoffs, so your speeds need to be a hell of a lot better than my 13kph average!
Running is gash. If you can't catch it in 20 seconds, or it can't catch you in 20 seconds, you're just burning calories.
Road running 100%
Trail running on routes like this is fantastic!
I'd walk that. I have a cousin who is nuts on fell running and it makes my heart fail just by thinking of it.Road running 100%
Trail running on routes like this is fantastic!
But there is 2* further to go if you get tired...Running is just like walking. You just see 50% more
Strava is currently showing me on a 15 day active streak. Although i'm hoping to get out for my first imperial century on Saturday. It was a goal in 2024 which i never achieved and then i've not done one this year either. Think that mentally getting that done will be massive for confidence to then go onto do double!
As such i'm a little reluctant to do much over the next few days to ensure i'm starting in ideal conditions. I'm certainly holding off any strength work as i've neglected it for so long, i know even a few BW squats/lunges will kill my legs for days!
As such i'm a little reluctant to do much over the next few days to ensure i'm starting in ideal conditions. I'm certainly holding off any strength work as i've neglected it for so long, i know even a few BW squats/lunges will kill my legs for days!
Ticked off my first ever 100 mile bike ride yesterday.
Been a long time thinking about it and never get the opportunity/confidence but wasn’t actually as bad as I’d thought and could’ve continued if needed which feels positive.
Some terrible routing through thick mud meant I had to keep scraping it off the tyres as it was building up into clumps at the forks/frame. In parts I ended up just carrying it as it was easier.
Still in two minds between sticking with flat pedals and getting some SPD cleats and shoes. I do love having my Altra trainers as they fit so well, but they’re not quite stiff enough and the pins on the pedals are destroying the soles.
Downside is it’s really hard to find bike shoes which fit me comfortably.
Legs feel mostly fine today. I debated getting out again but after being out most of the day yesterday. Then going to the pub with my wife and then getting home and falling asleep on the sofa I decided to not suggest I head out again!
Been a long time thinking about it and never get the opportunity/confidence but wasn’t actually as bad as I’d thought and could’ve continued if needed which feels positive.
Some terrible routing through thick mud meant I had to keep scraping it off the tyres as it was building up into clumps at the forks/frame. In parts I ended up just carrying it as it was easier.
Still in two minds between sticking with flat pedals and getting some SPD cleats and shoes. I do love having my Altra trainers as they fit so well, but they’re not quite stiff enough and the pins on the pedals are destroying the soles.
Downside is it’s really hard to find bike shoes which fit me comfortably.
Legs feel mostly fine today. I debated getting out again but after being out most of the day yesterday. Then going to the pub with my wife and then getting home and falling asleep on the sofa I decided to not suggest I head out again!
good feeling to get the 100 done, well done
Yeah, mentally it's a big thing ticked off. Especially the recovery, although i did take it pretty easy. Whilst there was a chunk of road, once you ignore the mud a lot of it was on perfect gravel trails/river paths which i think should be decent replication of what i'd expect on the Traka.
Biggest thing for me now is to really work on cutting down alcohol. That will promote weight loss and should increase energy and performance. It's something i've tried/failed with multiple times since i've been here in Spain though and i need to be better. As mentioned previously i'm hugely weak mentally. I'll spend a whole journey telling myself i'll order an NA beer and then get to the bar and order my usual, telling myself i'll open with the IPA and then switch, but even one isn't great when i'm doing it most days.
Not sure whether to make this a training ride, or whether to just add it to a list for future. Might be one for when you make it over one day @dod
Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto)
Ruta Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto) de Cicloturismo en Ojos Negros, Aragón (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. Esta ruta recorre la Vía Verde de Ojos Negros, uniendo las localidades de Ojos Negros (Teruel) con Sagunto...
An old train track from the mining days down to the sea. Negative elevation and zero cars sounds absolutely perfect.
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Got out today for a bit of a trail run. Still just focusing and concentrating on building up. The route for my local loop is basically straight up and then down the other side of a gorge
www.strava.com
On the way up i've been staying strict on a 2min walk/job alternating pattern. Some of it is steep so 2 minutes on one section can feel fine and i could continue, but that'd likely wipe me out for the next steeper bit. I have previously tried to just do it by feel, but it's easy to go too far jogging and then take longer walking breaks, so i think being focussed on specifics helps. I can then keep adjusting to increase the jogging part. The way down i'm limiting myself too. It's steep enough that just letting go will likely destroy my quads so i try and throw in some walking breaks just to avoid overloading. Although they're definitely feeling better after a few weeks of consistently doing this.
Lunch Trail Run | Strava
View Martyn Thompson's trailrun on 22 December 2025 | Strava
www.strava.com
On the way up i've been staying strict on a 2min walk/job alternating pattern. Some of it is steep so 2 minutes on one section can feel fine and i could continue, but that'd likely wipe me out for the next steeper bit. I have previously tried to just do it by feel, but it's easy to go too far jogging and then take longer walking breaks, so i think being focussed on specifics helps. I can then keep adjusting to increase the jogging part. The way down i'm limiting myself too. It's steep enough that just letting go will likely destroy my quads so i try and throw in some walking breaks just to avoid overloading. Although they're definitely feeling better after a few weeks of consistently doing this.
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Easier said than done in SpainBiggest thing for me now is to really work on cutting down alcohol.
Not sure whether to make this a training ride, or whether to just add it to a list for future. Might be one for when you make it over one day @dod
Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto)
Ruta Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto) de Cicloturismo en Ojos Negros, Aragón (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. Esta ruta recorre la Vía Verde de Ojos Negros, uniendo las localidades de Ojos Negros (Teruel) con Sagunto...es.wikiloc.com
An old train track from the mining days down to the sea. Negative elevation and zero cars sounds absolutely perfect.
All those lovely wines for 2 eurosThat ride looks good. There’s a few of us off to Mallorca in April and no plan at the moment to get to Spain but I will be at some stage. Maybe June/July time, not sure yet
Easier said than done in Spain
That ride looks good. There’s a few of us off to Mallorca in April and no plan at the moment to get to Spain but I will be at some stage. Maybe June/July time, not sure yet
Haha it's the beer which kills me. Go to the supermarket and see the fridge by the tills with delicious cold cans of beer, and i think "i can have 1" but then i do that whenever i'm at the supermarket/petrol station etc and it becomes too much of a routine and habit.
You given up on plans to buy somewhere over here for the time being?
That makes sense. Fingers crossed for January.
I got out this morning. Absolutely freezing, even with thick gloves and clothing, but i've quite a few tasks to do during my lunch break and the first Christmas guest comes tonight so time is going to start getting limited. Pretty impressed with myself for getting up and out considering it was pitch black. Although it's good practice to get confidence riding with the headlights, given the Traka will involve riding through the night.
Also had a call yesterday with Precision Hydration. I was checking out their website and they offer a free 20 minute nutrition plan call. Was pretty useful to get to ask some questions and how nutrition aligns to more normal people. I listen to a lot of elite level stuff talking about fueling and it's difficult to know how that compares to normal folk, especially at the heavier end.