Pyramid Training

What started off as a blog about running has rapidly been superseded by tales from Corsica, with food featuring heavily.

Running might have taken a back seat whilst I get to grips with the language and all the highs and lows that come with of living in a foreign country. This week for example, until someone kindly corrected, I realised that instead of making small talk about how much it's raining, I've been saying "It's crying a lot." Fabulous.

However that aside, I've found a very accommodating running club. In some respects, the language barrier is a blessing as I'm not always entirely sure how far we're supposed to be running. If in doubt, I just have to gage how much this session is going to hurt from the various cursing of "merde" and other profanities under the breath of my fellow runners.

We did some pyramid training last week at the track. If getting that 3000m under your belt is a hard pill to swallow after a long day at work, pyramid intervals are the perfect way to make time fly. With long distance running it's tempting to cruise along in your comfort zone without improving. This session is guarenteed to get the job done whilst building up strength and endurance.

10 minutes warm-up easy running.

1. 15 seconds high intensity 15 second rest
2. 30 seconds high intensity 30 second rest
3. 30 seconds high intensity 30 second rest
4. 45 seconds high intesnity 45 second rest
5. 15 seconds high intensity 15 second rest

Repeat 4 times

10 minute cool down easy running

I believe the technical name for this is the swedish word "Fartlek". Yes it does sound funny until you run one.

Breaking the Ice

So it's been nearly a week since I've been in French territory. There have certainly been some highs points, lying on a beach in Ajaccio, eating my bodyweight in bread and cheese and discovering that school dinners in France are to die for.It's easy to understand why there is not one single McDonald’s on the Ile de Beauté And undoubtedly, plenty of situations where I've had no idea what's going on in a conversation so I've just nodded, laughed or stroked any nearby pets by way of avoiding

saying "Pardon" for the upteenth time. Yesterday one of my students likened me to Paris Hilton, I would like to think that has more to do with the fact that blonde haired people are few and far between in this neck of the wood and less to do with what the fact I'm making a career out of being pointless.

Landing in a foreign town knowing literally no-one is definitely a sink or swim situation! In the short time I've been here, I've realised people are very willing to help you, but you have to make the effort and break the ice, however painstaking the small talk is in a foreign language.

On the running front, I was disappointed to discover that the beautiful beaches are not in easy reach braving the concrete jungle, I've run along roads complete with hair-raising drivers careering around every bend. Not ideal but needs must when you're surrounded by incredible food. However I've discovered a running track about 10 minutes away which should make for a much better run.


A bientôt!