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Tour de Torfaen Training: Week 1

This week sees the start of my next big challenge – the Tour de Torfaen. Since completing the Tour de Newport I have been maintaining my early morning runs in anticipation of starting another challenge it wasn’t long before I just had to commit to something. Running a neighbouring county was the next logical challenge so I selected Torfaen which weighs in at 56 miles and 7,700ft of elevation. It wasn’t as far as the Newport border but with a few thousand extra feet of elevation over some exposed terrain it’s probably a similar challenge or perhaps a bit tougher.

Tuesday – 7 Miles

The first run of what could be the Tour de Torfaen training block and it was much in the same vein as the TdN early morning runs with a 7 mile route via Somerton, SDR Bridge and the city centre and was as quiet as it usually is. 

I’m pretty sure I’ll be attempting the challenge and I’ve got a date in mind but may not have the same mobile aid station as before. I’m tempted to still attempt it and ‘figure’ things out (e.g. stashing supplies along the way) and hoping that I can recruit some support from friends. When I get an idea in my head it’s head to get rid of it and this one isn’t going anywhere so I may as well commit to it and hope everything works out! 

Distance: 7 Miles

Wednesday 5 Miles (Hills)

It’s official, I’ve committed to running the Tour de Torfaen! I’ve been craving the structure of a new challenge and this challenge should hopefully be achievable in the time that I’ve got to train. I’ve set a date of October 16th which will be my birthday weekend and at 56 miles the distance is achievable but the terrain and elevation is another matter. The route will feature a lot more trails, mountains, and exposed areas in the top of the county. The elevation will be around double what I experienced on the Tour de Newport route so I’ll need to add some hills to my training schedule. 

Based on the plan I was following for the TdN challenge I’ve put together a rough plan featuring a few of long trail runs, the mid-week 4am runs and like the beginning of the previous plan I’ll be introducing some speed and hill work. 

Distance: 5.18 Miles

Thursday – 8 Miles

A slightly late night at the cinema meant that I needed to rely upon the 0340 alarm to get up this morning (I often wake up just before it). After a few minutes contemplating whether I should stay there a little longer I got out of bed and was instantly ready for the run. 

I was contemplating trying out a new route but in the morning I do like the routes where I don’t need to consider where I’m going so I opted for one of my usual 8 mile routes around Somerton, the SDR bridge and Pill. It was a little busier than usual with more people walking to work and the a few unsavoury characters. 

The felt fine and I tried to slow down a bit but nearly every run lately has been marked by Garmin as ‘unproductive’ so thinking that I’m still recovering from the TdN. 

Distance: 7 Miles

Saturday 16 Miles

Not the best start to this week’s running adventure. First I overslept (unlike me — those 4am runs must have caught up with me) but then I managed to get ready and to the station in time by parking at the station but the train I wanted was cancelled (an earlier train that I could have caught was just pulling out of the station) and the next one wasn’t for another hour.

I drove home and then walked back into the station only to discover that all the trains I want to catch back in the afternoon were cancelled (Temple Meads trains were supposed to run this weekend but now aren’t). But with plans already made, I decided to still travel and just deal with the replacement buses.

The route was yet another way into the city and I’d be coming in from Yate, Pucklechurch, Siston and Warmley where it gets a bit more urban as I run through the different neighbourhoods of east Bristol.

The route was a good mix of terrains starting with country lanes and open fields and then encountering woodland paths and the impressive Trooper’s Hill with it’s 18th century chimney. Heading into Bristol I made sure I plotted a route that would take in some trails and it’s surprising how many woodland trails there are so close to the centre.

The route ended up at my favourite pub in Bristol – the Small Bar – and I think this run was probably the sixth different route that I’ve run to the pub.

Distance: 16 Miles

About Author

I once didn't run, then I started to run and got addicted. Then Crohn's Disease put a stop to my running adventures. Now I'm back with a new bum (colostomy) and starting to embark on new running adventures.

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