Nick Sharp - Official Mobile Blog Home

Lifeblog post

Posted by nicksharp with Nokia N95, 8/5/2008 6:14:02 PM

Out on holiday touring the alps and dolomites. Completed two races so far - 6000d in la plagne and camignada in auronzo. Very tired but hoping to do sierre zinal at the weekend.

Sore legs

Posted by nicksharp, 7/9/2008 1:20:39 PM

Raced at the weekend at Skiddaw, Keswick. Very hard race - a fast 5 miles descent which has left me with extremely achy legs...I've had to take the last two days off!

Will take it easy through the week with plenty of cycling.

My summer holiday starts in just over a week - 6 weeks off!!! Looking forward to racing abroad.

Weekend approaching

Posted by nicksharp, 7/4/2008 4:00:30 PM

As a teacher I find this time of year very tiring - the closer to the end of term we get the busier everything seems to become. Looking forward to the weekend although the forecast is for wet and windy weather...

Going to do Skiddaw Fell race. This race is often used for selection either for the Europeans or World trophy. A long steady climb up for 5 miles and an eye balls out descent. The legs are generally extremely sore afterwards!

Will also try and fit in some longer miles...it never ends.

Mid week race

Posted by nicksharp, 7/2/2008 10:46:29 AM

Just completed a short 5 mile (flat) mid week race - 20 Barriers Challenge. Ran it on tired legs (lots of fast miles at the weekend).

Felt better than I did at the weekend but still not right...will try racing again at the weekend in Keswick.

I'm trying to substitute mid week races for speedwork at the moment to try and find some kind of race fitness.

Still putting in the miles for La Plagne (end of July)....

Bad race

Posted by nicksharp, 7/1/2008 5:01:24 PM

Well we all have them...and this weekends race was no exception! It was the short 'British Championship' race at Blackstone Edge, Lancashire. I didn't feel good before the race, during the race was no better, and after the race was worse!

You have to put it behind you...remind yourself that you're not that unfit and look forward to the next race.

Shoes

Posted by nicksharp, 6/20/2008 11:31:11 AM

I've been racing in the original Salomon Speedcross and I really like them. However, this morning I tried a pair of the Salomon Speedcross 2 for the first time...what a lovely shoe! Very comfortable, stable, snug fitting and good grip - it seems to be a great shoe.

I'll be racing in the shoe this weekend - the first real test!

Race results

Posted by nicksharp, 6/19/2008 1:36:26 PM

Raced at the weekend at Ennerdale (in the Lake District). Managed joint 1st place - good to get some long miles into the legs. Should be good preparation for La Plagne in the summer.

Looking forward to some short midweek races - always good for the speed!

Long race

Posted by nicksharp, 6/13/2008 5:05:42 PM

The longer European races are coming up soon and it's time to get some miles in. I've planned to do the Ennerdale Horseshoe race this weekend. This is one of the 'classic' long lakeland races (along with Wasdale, Borrowdale and Duddon). 23 miles and with 7500' of ascent it should provide a good long workout!!

Results and details to follow...

Hard race

Posted by nicksharp, 5/12/2008 4:12:42 PM

Raced at the weekend - Buttermere Sailbeck. Only 9m but with 3800ft of ascent it's a tough little race.

Didn't feel great. A bit tired - possibly too many hard sessions during the week. Now looking towards the 2nd British Champs race this Saturday.

Feedback

Posted by nicksharp, 5/9/2008 3:48:05 PM

Track session went well - in the end decided to do 16 x 400m reps @ 74s per rep with 100m recovery.

Not the most thrilling session but...

Thinking of racing at the weekend in Keswick. It's probably too long a race before Moel Elio (the next British championship race the following weekend) but you have to enjoy yourself once in a while!!!