Running

I think I weigh about 65kg +/- a kg or two

If ever you fancy an extra 45kg as a training stimulus, let me know. I can't guarantee the twins won't call you a Bumhead, unfortunately. No-one is safe from that insult

in that case I'm 45kg heavier than you still and was closer to carrying round triplets 2 months ago so I'll pass thanks.

though tbf I am actually a bumhead.

Ah wicked! Sounds great. Which show/race was it?

Spent a lot of time at the county fairs in my wrasslin days - deffo miss the funny scenes.

keep up the good work, my man.

bumheads unite

Simonside, by Rothbury. Was a small fair, and I think it suffered a bit from a rainy morning, but it was really nice. Bit gutted we fell at the last hurdle in the egg throwing...

Home turf for me, grew up between Rothbury and Alnwick. I hope you enjoyed it!

Any advice regarding a decent tracking and music system... thinking Garmin vs Apple watch? Am tired of having my phone flop around in my zipped pocket.

Am tired of having my phone flop around in my zipped pocket.

Flipbelt!

Achilles aches? Anyone? Should I just stay off em or what? Properly interrupting my progress so they are!

Ta - looks good and a significantly cheaper alternative.

Have you had this before? Take the week off, do some cycling, walking, foam rolling, heel drops & raises.
Return very easy, with little/no hills.

I get it occasionally - my general stamina is ok so I tend to push my legs further the I should sometimes and stuff like this happens. Will follow your advice @Pifko - cheers.

I'm no physio btw - But I've just come back after a little calf/Achilles niggle and I did the above. I felt that going for a daily 45min lunctime walk at work really helped.

Come to think about it the achilles thing followed a calf thing so I wonder whether I was compensating for one and caused the other...

Yep, work on strengthening those calves. I'm a fore/mid-foot striker so they get a lot of abuse, therefore everytime my Garmin tells me to 'Move' I now go and do a set of 10 heel raises.

Achilles can be quite troublesome, depending in the extent of damage. Hopefully it's just niggly, and pre-tendinosis, in which case backing off, plus heel drops for strengthening and calf stretches (particularly soleus stretch with the back leg bent), as I'm pretty sure that tight calves can be a root cause.

Good stuff. I'll work on it.

Could chuck in a pool session for good measure never hurts.

Play two-shot carry if you want to take it gently.

Snooker might be better as you can use a rest...

Cue the puns

crisps, beer and rest ftw

Quality. Been meaning to go and do one of the Simonside races. Rothbury was my wrestling club too!

Had a PT session yesterday where we did some resistance harness speed training. Is there a way of doing this without having someone else provide the resistance? I did two 45 second rounds and was absolutely spent.

you can get those parachute thingys and pretty sure I've seen sandbags you clip onto your harness. not something i've ever tried though.