Running

I'm shocked that I'm saying it, but... I think my running is actually getting better. My runs don't tire me out so much any more. Which means that my initial plan for a half marathon some time in September/October could be stretched out to a full, with the intention of finishing inside four hours.

It looks somewhat like I might actually finish some 10 km runs in the next few weeks. That's just a frightening thought for somebody who could just make it through 5 before Christmas. Now I can actually focus a little on which way my feet are awkwardly splaying and swinging about the place and try to reign in the more extreme gyrations. It reminds me of something like the Larmor radius. Only a little less circular.

Three runs a week, increasing the individual run distance by one km a week and I should be good for some intervals soon. That will be the fun part. That's if cycling doesn't take over :D I'm enjoying running again, though, so it probably won't.

On a sort of related note, I'm considering buying some sort of training aid thingamijob to make training a little easier. I'm not sure how much of an effect it would have, apart from quantifying what I'm doing. Like, most of the Garmin GPS units rely on Google Maps to plot the data after you run/cycle, which I can mostly do myself. I can see the advantage when one goes for longer runs, but I've mapped out 50 km cycles by hand, it's not that big a deal.

The main advantage, I guess, would be heart rate data, showing different work out zones, which is meant to make training more efficient and focussed. On the other hand, one of the attractions of running is that it's so simple. I'm not training for anything huge, I don't really need a large amount of data to get me to the level I want...

It'll probably depend on whether I have more money than sense at some given time of weakness. There's always a 705 with European mapping for touring on the bike. That option is looking more and more tempting, to be honest, as it would be seriously useful. More so since I'm thinking of doing a few weekend trips around Europe this Summer. Anybody want to start a 'GPS for Mike' fund?

No?

Anybody?

Training

Well it's about time that the new jacket got a proper running in - and it will tomorrow. DURC is travelling to DRC for some smallbore training. I'll be bringing up the full 3p kit as well so we'll see how that's gonna pan out.

I've some plans made for the coming year, which are starting to fall a little more into place. This weekend will tell a lot about how likely these plans are to come to fruition.

It's not all work tomorrow though, we're also taking a trip to Courtlough for some clay shooting as a wind down. I should get some pictures up of the day, all going well. I'll also have some more information on how the jacket and position is going.

Roll on Munich!

DURC training, 12-10-2009

Training in prone is something that I've never really gotten the hang of. I tend to just get down and bang down some shots and see if I can spot anything that's going wrong. Today was no different :D

I took out the new jacket to give it a proper go in the prone position after I made some adjustments last week to my overall position and how things felt. It had already helped to sort out a few problems of my pulse bouncing the rifle and pain in my wrist.

Due to a fortunate position coming up for PhD funding, it's looking like I will be able to finance buying a rifle, not to mention training at the Munich international range in Garching. Nothing totally confirmed as of yet, but it's on the cards.

So, I have been looking at different rifles, number one of which is the Feinwerkbau 2700, or the light version of it. I'm also looking at the new Anschutz Precise, which is an excellent looking stock. Anyway, I took the chance to use a club-mates FWB today and see what it felt like. Aside from a terrible buttplate it feels really nice. The balance is amazing and the stock is so nicely rounded and thin that it sits in the hand very comfortably.

After a quick set up, the following group of, I think, 12 shots was produced;

Aside from the barrel warming shot on the left and the two nines, I'm very happy with this group, especially for a very brief set up with a dodgy buttplate.

On the other hand, my trusty Anschutz 1600 series didn't fail to respond to that with this 10 shot group;

Again, the low shot was the barrel warmer, the 9 shots above are grouped nicely though, especially for a 30 year old barrel and action. Increasing my cant has also helped quite a bit, so Anschutz are coming back up the list...

End result; the new jacket is amazing, well worth the money. Now I just need to translate that into scores and medals in matches and we're well sorted. Selection matches are welcome...