Lloyd Biddell

In both my work and private life I'm a real stats geek and can happily bury my head in an Excel spreadsheet for most of the day.  So much so that when planning a holiday I'll crack open a spreadsheet for some reason or another; my wife often complains that I then manage to turn something that should be really exciting into something exceptionally boring! When it comes to running, the opportunities for analysing performance are almost endless, more so now that we can readily access GPS watches that hold all sorts of data.  Nonetheless I often find the analysis on Strava really interesting, but at the same time I'm always craving more.  In my work life I often tell others that the easy bit is to provide data, but how can you convert that data into intelligence? I therefore set out to look back at the five marathons I've run and see whether there is a way to determine something a bit more meaningful.  This is quite a long read and you may get bored by the end of...

Over four weeks into the lock down and still no end in sight.  The running calendar is effectively on hold and there is speculation that there may not even be any racing in 2020.  Whilst not being able to race is a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, the hardest thing is the not knowing when we may return to some semblance of normality. Its interesting to see how other people are approaching being in 'limbo'.  Some are taking a well earned break from running altogether, others are taking it as an opportunity to sort out a niggle or two, some are pulling back into tick over or base phase, whilst a few others continue as normal.  For me, I've taken the latter path which probably goes against the consensus somewhat, but then again I've never been one for sticking to convention.  My premise is that I lost a lot of time from early January to mid-February so I have already had an enforced break and to continue in tick-over mode isn't really achieving anything...

A rare non race update from me these days, not that there is likely to be many races to report on in the foreseeable future due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  It was always going to be touch and go whether I would be ready for London Marathon as I have only been able to train again towards the end of January, but only really doing any focused work towards the end of February.  Its been a strange period as I have always been able to train, but never felt I was in a place to do any longer work that is key for a Marathon build up.  I therefore entered the Stafford Half Marathon a couple of weeks ago to give me some proper data, but also because I could foresee that if I didn't race then, then there was every chance that it would be my last opportunity this side of summer due to the virus outbreak.  As it turned out I ran 68.24 and whilst not a PB it was a far harder course and I felt much stronger at the end of the race.  The data told me I would have been ready for...

First blog of the year, partly by design, partly enforced and partly down to a couple of niggles.  Post Valencia on the 1st December I was next scheduled to do the Wheaton Aston 10k on the 27th December which has become a bit of a tradition for me.  As it turned out it got cancelled due to flooding.  I then went on our annual New Year break to Yorkshire and decided to enjoy the trails and skip the New Year fell race.  However the terrain pretty much destroyed my calves and I suspect the tightness caused some knee pain that I have had to contend with ever since. For the first couple of weeks in January I was confined to gym work only as the pain was too much but it has gradually eased enough that I was content to just tick over with easy treadmill running.  However, it never felt good enough to go outside or do any of the devilish treadmill sessions that probably led to my 2.20 at Valencia. So whilst I've never been unfit, until the beginning of March I've be...

In the last week I had what is known as a 'Charley Horse', not that I knew it was called that until I did some googling.  To most people it is a cramp, but a cramp like no other you will ever experience. This week it was my fifth attack and I'd be lying if I said it is anything other than infrequent - the previous four attacks have been spaced over the last couple of years.  So what it is? Well it only ever happens whilst asleep and for me only ever affects my calf.  I get about a second or two warning, almost like an earthquake rippling with increasing intensity.  Then the most intense pain you could describe that lasts about 10 seconds.  I have cracked my head open some years ago in an accident that required multiple stitches, yet this does not even compare.  The only way I can describe it, is that my leg is moving in one direction but the muscle is trying to pull it the opposite way.  There is only ever going to be one loser in that battle an...

My previous two posts looked at the journey so far and general approach to all things running.  This final post looks at what training typically looks like, plus an eye on the future… The question for me is whether my huge PB was despite my unconventional approach to training and all things running, or because of it?  Read on to find out. You would think that with me previously stating I’m running obsessed that I love running.  You couldn’t be further from the truth.  It is a real love / hate relationship for me. Love / Hate I love it on the odd occasion I race and it all works out coming away with a PB.  The days that follow are euphoric.  I also occasionally feel great in the hour or two after having a session that went better than expected.  Whilst I’m also out running I generally enjoy it, but the thought of going out for a run in the hours beforehand is something I mostly dread.  It is like some weird addiction, I cannot not have m...

As mentioned in my previous post there is a dearth of other blogs that cover how others train to achieve a marathon time in the range of 2.18 – 2.23.  I occasionally see the odd blog here or there, but I always craved more.  This is my version of what it takes…  Part 2 focuses on everything other than training, whilst the final Part 3 (to come) will look at training and the future. The question for me is whether my huge PB was despite my unconventional approach to training and all things running, or because of it?  Read on to make your own conclusion. Valencia PB. Nutrition I will freely admit I have a problem with food.  I calorie count and I struggle to allow myself enough beyond the bare minimum.  I am usually hungry to a greater or lesser degree.  On the other hand, I don’t eat particular foods because of my running, just the sort of normal healthy diet one would expect.  If you work on the basis that you burn roughly 100 calories a ...