LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

While everyone else was in the BRSF meeting on Saturday I took myself off to the Birmingham Wheels club. They do a chunk of their training on Saturday, with the kiddies training before 11 and the adults between 11 and 1pm.

I texted ahead, and when I got there (late I'll admit) John Fry and Vinnie, (Ruth and Sharon T were around too but didn't join our line) were already there, as usual great Brum facilities, secure track, parking, somewhere warm to change and chat, hot drinks, loos, the lot. I can recommend it on the catering alone.

The session was 3 by 5K (or it could have been 15, you know what I'm like without a lapboard, my ice mates know I have issues counting to two) with Vinnie leading and John in position 2. I was okay for a while but then stated to fade when my lower skating position meant that my back started to get to me. Vinnie litteraly dragged me round for a lap or two but not knowing the track that well, I felt it hard to relax.

During the gap John and Vinnie both gave me some pointers on correct crossing over, this is so important at the Wheels track as anyone who has raced there will tell you, once more looking in to the apex, getting my shoulders and hips in and getting good power from the underpush are all areas I'll need to look at.

The second session had me digging and trying to latch on to Vinnie as he came past, he was on roll 4 and push 1, which was okay till I tried to catch him just as he wound up for a push lap. Ouch.

A bit of circling the in the centre before the last session paid dividends, I was able to make up groud on Vinnie through the bends but at the expense of long term endurance.

Vinnie's day job called time at 1pm, we finished the session and had a sit down and hot drink (I can reccomend the hot chocolate) in the club house.

A good session, well worth the 5 quid visitors fee, (I'm sure I've been charged almost that for a hot chocolate in London.) I was made to feel very welcome, as always it's nice to get time and advice on a track with someone who knows it well.

Thanks to all the yellow and green crew who I met and gave me their time, would love to return the favour if you are ever down south.

Glenn · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1109 Location: ST Pauls

Thanks Peter for the training report, any ideas on what time they were doing the 5km in; amount of rest in between intervals and what else they are doing in other sessions?

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere