Hello blog lovers.
It is now Saturday and I am only just writing up my blog for Tuesdays club run! Why! I can feel you all asking. It's simple, its Christmas time! Straight after Tuesdays Club run a few club members went to the local wine bar and indulged in a bit of pre-Christmas festivities! Well, it will be the last club run for this year, and it would be rude not to.
So why haven't I written anything down in the following days? Well, I can tell you that, and it's the same as above! Its Christmas! I have been busy out shopping, buying, sight seeing in London and still working! (although having my grandson is an absolute pleasure!)
So lets talk about Tuesday. Well, I do remember it was quite a pleasant evening for December, I mean, it had been so much colder in the days before. Singstar Jo was leader today, and I was sweeper, even though she tried to encourage me to get up the front and push myself. Being at the back means I can keep the other girls jogging along nicely!
Singstar Jo chose a route that we had done before, we headed out, with me bringing up the rear. I felt good, the weather was just perfect for running (it wasn't raining!) and I was feeling in such a good mood! It feels good to be out running with my buddies!
The two ladies who were with me at the back, JJ and Kay were feeling the hills today, and we formed our own little group as we chased after the the main group. I kept their spirits up (I hope at least!) and reminded them of the Christmas spirit and cheer after the run.
It was a great run, I had the two girls sprinting along to the finish at Willet Way rec, and can you believe it, Kay jokingly called me a hard task master, for getting her to sprint the last couple of yards! Now I know I have become a encourager of running!
A great time was had by all at the wine bar, Heathcote and Crook, Illustrious leader had come along as well to celebrate with us and also to present an award to one of the residents who live in the BR5 area and entered our 10k. She was first of the BR5 ladies to finish.
Ok, so not so much about the running this blog, but it is about our running club. Yes, we take our running serious, but we also have fun and socialise we each other, and encourage each other from Group 7 through to Group 1. Its a great club to belong to, and being sweeper for a while is a great way for me to give back to this club.
Thanks Pettswood runners for another great year of being part of the best running club around. Here's to the next year, and I know I am going to be asking my club for tons of help over the next few months, as soon as Christmas is out of the way I will be back to serious training, and maybe even that dreaded word, diet!
Geeky stats will be added a little later
Saturday 22 December 2012
Thursday 13 December 2012
Speed Session! Don't Laugh!
Hello Blog lovers!
Well, I thought I would go along to one of Kitmans Interval Sessions, get some tips, find out stuff, check out things with our coach. Guess what! He gave us the 'drilling' and the route that we had to do, and then said, "Erm sorry, people, I am not going to be there, its my sons 21st today!" Of course we forgave him. Drinking and celebrating, or cracking the whip in the cold and rain! ....Exactly!
But there were four brave souls that turned up, to try and complete Kitmans last interval sessions for the year... Well, I say four brave souls, I meant 3 brave souls and a complete 'leagally Blond, clueless' Old Girl, namely me! I didn't know what I had let myself in for. Well I had done something like it before, when the Thursday sessions first started. Illustrious Leaders other half, Daddancer Richard. I remember going to one of his sessions, and the whistle blowing. Apparently when you heard the whistle you were supposed to run, and then when you heard it again you slowed down to a jog!
Well, back then I was even more unfitter (is that a word?) and I remember people lapping me. I couldn't even remember doing the running faster bits! But I though to myself, I have been running for quite some time now, I have entered the marathon and I am going to need all the help from all over, and as much as I can get! So Kitmans Mike speed session is where I am at.
We met at the Corner of Towncourt Lane, funnily enough quite near to where Kitman lives, maybe we should all pop in....... no, no, speed session. I arrived first. I was looking around, no one was about. I checked my facebook page to make sure I was at the right place. Then I saw some one run up to the corner. I got out of my car and walked over to him. "Hi" I said to him, "I believe there will be two others turning up" I said as we waiting around. "What group do you run in" I guesstimated that he ran in group 7, and I was right! "Blimey, he will be lapping me several times" I thought to my self. we waited a few more minutes and then Alison came up the road too. I found out that she was in group 4 (Is there not going to be any group 1 runners) Then out of the woods emerged Mr.S. Well, he is deffo not a group 1 runner. He is a.....group 3,4,5 or what ever group he decides I think!
Now Mr.S has decided that he wants to do the barefoot running thing. He has been 'practcing' in some sort of shoe that he was wearing about the office, and he finally got him self his very own 'monkey feet' of FFV to those of you in the know, and to those that don't know they are called Five Fingers Vibrams.
Literally soles for your feet and toes, nothing else, not cusioning, not 'special' insoles for over/underpronate, no gel/air filled heels. Just soles. The look like monkey feet, and yes he does take them through the woods!
Mr.S very kindly decided to run with me, he was here to do exactly that, (plus he gets a couple of more miles in his FFV) See, I am useful for all sorts of things. We decided to just set off, no chatting, as it was quite cold. And with that the three of them took off at break neck speed "What the.......?!" I tried desperately to keep up! There was no warm up into the first half mile. But then, when you think about it, these guys, it probably was the slowest pace!
Then I heard Mr.S say "Ooo, better slow down a bit!" And I just said "Oh, thank you, thank you" My sides hurt! My breathing was...., well, anyone would think I was having a panic attack and I was going to hyperventilate! But I got into the groove once it had all settled down.
It was on the first mile Mr. S. got the measure on this Old Girl. "I'll tell you what, we shall do 1 mile then stop for a minute, then do that twice more" Yep, I could live with that. Going up the hills was awful, but Mr.S non stop chatter somehow kept me going, (mostly) but when I stopped running I thought maybe he had been in cahoots with the Old Boy, "No, we don't stop on hills, just run to that car, it's just up the top" I managed to start jogging along again. "I got to do these hills 3 times?" I thought to myself.
I was quite surprised at the first mile. We had done it in under 11 miles. That has not happened for quite some time! It must have been that breakneck speed we had done in the beginning. Geeky stats are at the bottom if you want to check out the speed we went at!
The second mile was more a sedate one. A typical Old Girl mile. Moaning all the way round, while Mr.S kept up the constant chatter. How it does it I don't know. I kept having to keep up with him because he was in the middle of stories that I want to hear the end of, or words that, who knows one day I might use. The longest word in the dictionary is........... darn it I forgot! I'm sure Mr.S will enlighten me again. Stories of, his students, of his work, of drinking wine, cider, beer, running barefoot with Duncan, the relentless chatter that he gives to the Pettswood members on a Tuesday all kept me from noticing the rain coming down.
The third mile was half way done. And as we had already decided to only do 3 laps I was feeling ok with what I had done. Maybe its not the most speedy of speed sessions Kitman Mike has ever had on his training sessions. But to me getting up 'them thar hills' was an achievement. Ok, so I walked the second on, but the first one, on this lap I had ran up the whole of it.
As we were approaching the 'finish' of our 'speed' session Mr.S said "I think we could do just half a lap more, what do you think" Well I knew what I thought, if I did half a lap then I might as well go the whole hog and do the other half! Whats the point in doing things by halves. (I know my speed sessions have a lot to be desired!) So we went around again.
The forth lap is when we finally bumped into on the other other runners! We hadn't actually seen them! I thought they would have passed us by a couple of times at least, but here on our finally lap we bump into Alison. "I knew you were still running" she said "I could see your foot prints on the road, The Old Girls shoe prints and your feet!" she described them "They look like a yetis footbrints" We were being hunted by Alison!
We carried on with the last of the laps together. By now the rain was falling down, very softly, and misting up my glasses. "I can't see Mr.S" I said "Oh good, so you can't see the hill, there is no hill anyway" With that thought in mind, and Mr.S's constant chatting, and now with Alison joining in the chatting I managed to jog the whole way up the two hills! With hands held high I tried to shout with joy, I'm not sure I did! "Don't stop now" the both said, "It's all down hill!"
I carried on with my jogging, I tried to pick up the speed a little bit more, I'm not quite sure I had managed it, but over the top of my glasses I thought I could see the end of the road "Is that the end there Mr.S" I said,
"Yes, that's it" he replied
"Great, now lets sprint the rest" and with that I took off leaving the other too slightly shocked!
"Blimey, if you can do that now, why didn't you do that back there" Said Mr.S as he ran, and 'slapped' his feet down on the tarmac "You're making me run in me monkey feet" he called out, Alison was sounding a bit surprised to "Oh wow" she said, "lets go"
So that was my 'speed' session, I just hope I didn't hold Mr.S. back too much, but thanks so much for running along with Jez. Michael, had already said that he would shoot off straight after the session, we didn't see him at all on our laps! I'm sure he made up his own route.
Geeky stats, and don't forget to check out the speed in the beginning and and the end! I feel quite proud of that :-) (big smile)
Photographs curtesy of Mr.S.
Well, I thought I would go along to one of Kitmans Interval Sessions, get some tips, find out stuff, check out things with our coach. Guess what! He gave us the 'drilling' and the route that we had to do, and then said, "Erm sorry, people, I am not going to be there, its my sons 21st today!" Of course we forgave him. Drinking and celebrating, or cracking the whip in the cold and rain! ....Exactly!
But there were four brave souls that turned up, to try and complete Kitmans last interval sessions for the year... Well, I say four brave souls, I meant 3 brave souls and a complete 'leagally Blond, clueless' Old Girl, namely me! I didn't know what I had let myself in for. Well I had done something like it before, when the Thursday sessions first started. Illustrious Leaders other half, Daddancer Richard. I remember going to one of his sessions, and the whistle blowing. Apparently when you heard the whistle you were supposed to run, and then when you heard it again you slowed down to a jog!
Well, back then I was even more unfitter (is that a word?) and I remember people lapping me. I couldn't even remember doing the running faster bits! But I though to myself, I have been running for quite some time now, I have entered the marathon and I am going to need all the help from all over, and as much as I can get! So Kitmans Mike speed session is where I am at.
We met at the Corner of Towncourt Lane, funnily enough quite near to where Kitman lives, maybe we should all pop in....... no, no, speed session. I arrived first. I was looking around, no one was about. I checked my facebook page to make sure I was at the right place. Then I saw some one run up to the corner. I got out of my car and walked over to him. "Hi" I said to him, "I believe there will be two others turning up" I said as we waiting around. "What group do you run in" I guesstimated that he ran in group 7, and I was right! "Blimey, he will be lapping me several times" I thought to my self. we waited a few more minutes and then Alison came up the road too. I found out that she was in group 4 (Is there not going to be any group 1 runners) Then out of the woods emerged Mr.S. Well, he is deffo not a group 1 runner. He is a.....group 3,4,5 or what ever group he decides I think!
 |
| Mr.S. new shoes |
Literally soles for your feet and toes, nothing else, not cusioning, not 'special' insoles for over/underpronate, no gel/air filled heels. Just soles. The look like monkey feet, and yes he does take them through the woods!
 |
| Mr.S, dirty new shoes! |
Mr.S very kindly decided to run with me, he was here to do exactly that, (plus he gets a couple of more miles in his FFV) See, I am useful for all sorts of things. We decided to just set off, no chatting, as it was quite cold. And with that the three of them took off at break neck speed "What the.......?!" I tried desperately to keep up! There was no warm up into the first half mile. But then, when you think about it, these guys, it probably was the slowest pace!
Then I heard Mr.S say "Ooo, better slow down a bit!" And I just said "Oh, thank you, thank you" My sides hurt! My breathing was...., well, anyone would think I was having a panic attack and I was going to hyperventilate! But I got into the groove once it had all settled down.
It was on the first mile Mr. S. got the measure on this Old Girl. "I'll tell you what, we shall do 1 mile then stop for a minute, then do that twice more" Yep, I could live with that. Going up the hills was awful, but Mr.S non stop chatter somehow kept me going, (mostly) but when I stopped running I thought maybe he had been in cahoots with the Old Boy, "No, we don't stop on hills, just run to that car, it's just up the top" I managed to start jogging along again. "I got to do these hills 3 times?" I thought to myself.
I was quite surprised at the first mile. We had done it in under 11 miles. That has not happened for quite some time! It must have been that breakneck speed we had done in the beginning. Geeky stats are at the bottom if you want to check out the speed we went at!
The second mile was more a sedate one. A typical Old Girl mile. Moaning all the way round, while Mr.S kept up the constant chatter. How it does it I don't know. I kept having to keep up with him because he was in the middle of stories that I want to hear the end of, or words that, who knows one day I might use. The longest word in the dictionary is........... darn it I forgot! I'm sure Mr.S will enlighten me again. Stories of, his students, of his work, of drinking wine, cider, beer, running barefoot with Duncan, the relentless chatter that he gives to the Pettswood members on a Tuesday all kept me from noticing the rain coming down.
The third mile was half way done. And as we had already decided to only do 3 laps I was feeling ok with what I had done. Maybe its not the most speedy of speed sessions Kitman Mike has ever had on his training sessions. But to me getting up 'them thar hills' was an achievement. Ok, so I walked the second on, but the first one, on this lap I had ran up the whole of it.
As we were approaching the 'finish' of our 'speed' session Mr.S said "I think we could do just half a lap more, what do you think" Well I knew what I thought, if I did half a lap then I might as well go the whole hog and do the other half! Whats the point in doing things by halves. (I know my speed sessions have a lot to be desired!) So we went around again.
The forth lap is when we finally bumped into on the other other runners! We hadn't actually seen them! I thought they would have passed us by a couple of times at least, but here on our finally lap we bump into Alison. "I knew you were still running" she said "I could see your foot prints on the road, The Old Girls shoe prints and your feet!" she described them "They look like a yetis footbrints" We were being hunted by Alison!
We carried on with the last of the laps together. By now the rain was falling down, very softly, and misting up my glasses. "I can't see Mr.S" I said "Oh good, so you can't see the hill, there is no hill anyway" With that thought in mind, and Mr.S's constant chatting, and now with Alison joining in the chatting I managed to jog the whole way up the two hills! With hands held high I tried to shout with joy, I'm not sure I did! "Don't stop now" the both said, "It's all down hill!"
I carried on with my jogging, I tried to pick up the speed a little bit more, I'm not quite sure I had managed it, but over the top of my glasses I thought I could see the end of the road "Is that the end there Mr.S" I said,
"Yes, that's it" he replied
"Great, now lets sprint the rest" and with that I took off leaving the other too slightly shocked!
"Blimey, if you can do that now, why didn't you do that back there" Said Mr.S as he ran, and 'slapped' his feet down on the tarmac "You're making me run in me monkey feet" he called out, Alison was sounding a bit surprised to "Oh wow" she said, "lets go"
So that was my 'speed' session, I just hope I didn't hold Mr.S. back too much, but thanks so much for running along with Jez. Michael, had already said that he would shoot off straight after the session, we didn't see him at all on our laps! I'm sure he made up his own route.
Geeky stats, and don't forget to check out the speed in the beginning and and the end! I feel quite proud of that :-) (big smile)
Photographs curtesy of Mr.S.
Wednesday 12 December 2012
Solo run, On A Wednesday!
Hello blog lovers.
As you can see, I was a lone runner today! The Old Boy seems to have pulled, twisted or tore something in his leg, so decided not to go running with me, or even to go on his bike and tinkle his bell at me! I was being heavily persuaded not to go running. The Old Boy looked so cosy wrapped up in the blanket, watching t.v. with the dinner already to go into the oven to finish cooking!
But I resisted! It took all my effort to block out the images, of warmth, the smell of the dinner, a delicious cottage pie, wafting to my nostrils! I plugged in my earphones and took off. My route was going to be the usual one, up Southborough to the A21, along there to the Posh house. But this is where it differs slightly, I am going to go straight passed here and run up the next hill to Locksbottom! Well, that was what I was hoping at least. And then from there turn left and head to Crofton, up to the roundabout, left and then follow the road all the way through Pettswood. Again slightly different, just to add the extra minutes that I need to be out running today.
The plan said that I needed to do the interval running (yeah, I know! I still can't do it), but I did count up all the minutes that I should be out doing stuff and it came to 90 minutes. 90 minutes! An hour and a half! Up bloomin hills! I must be crazy! Well, actually we have already established that runners, and cyclists are total crazies. In fact any one out doing their thing in the cold and icy conditions is!
So I started off, gentle of course, (probably going to be gentle all the way round!) My toe doesn't seem to mind at the moment, being constricted in my compressions socks and shoved into trainers. Maybe it has 'toughened up' and is not going to hurt anymore!
The music kept me from thinking about it being cold, (even though it's not as cold as it was yesterday) but these silly earplugs are just no good for my ears! They keep falling out! they are big and round, my ears are not that shape. But I chose these ones as I can answer the phone from the little button attached, and don't need to get undressed to get my phone, Those of you you know me, you know where I keep my phone!) I had to slow down even more that I was just as I turned the corner of my road to put it back again.
It felt strange being out running by myself. I know I did it yesterday, but that was just for about a mile and half, and a mile and half back again. But this is a long run. I wondered if I would be hard on myself, whip myself into a running frenzy, surprise everybody by my running prowess. Yeah right! All I can say is, it's not wonder all the kid have me wrapped around their little fingers! But, as the lovely ladies said yesterday on our club run, the fact that I am out here, doing it is worthy of praise! Especially as I could so have sat down with the Old Boy and snuggled under my blanket.
I really wasn't that tough on my self. All bark and no bite! I stopped at places I should not have stopped at. Hark at me, I am even calling them stopping now! And having ridiculous excuses as well. To change the song, to put ear phones in, to put the phone in the pocket of the coat, instead of down my bra!
Going up the A21 I stopped (walked) quite a few times. But I had the attitude, 'well you running Old Girl, thats good enough' But by the time I got up to Locksbottom, and half way down Crofton Road, the expletives where just tumbling out. Anyone would think I was on a Turkey run in Ditton! My toe started to bother me again. I was thinking that maybe the nails on toes seem to be a blooming nuisance now! I was imagining the blisters on the tip of my tow getting bigger, and maybe even popping! Eww gross. I don't like feet. Feet and toes. Feet and toes with blisters, ewwww toes with no nails! It just gets worse!
This running malarkey, its not the most glamours sport is it. First of, shoving my feet in what is probably not the most prettiest looking trainers, (well thats what I thought before I became a runner!, now I zone in to asics, feel the weight, check out the colours, the webbing, the sole, everything about it) then folding and pushing as much of my fat ass into a thin, tight pair of long pants, that make you feel as if you are naked. And the tops, the layers that I have on! But at least they are in pink! Top that with a luminous fluorescent woolly hat. Its not catwalk material. And I certainly don't look like I did when I appeared in 'Women's Running' magazine.
I was really cross with my self from Pettswood until I got home. But I still didn't move as fast as I should have done. There were a few good tunes on my Iphone library which kept me totally focused and my pacing out to one tune was just perfect! I think it was Scissors Sisters! Another one I can remember running along to was Chris Rea's Julia! But My constant stopping going down Southborough Lane had me saying quite loudly "Get a move on, you lazy mare" I was just so glad there was no one in front of me, just in case they thought I was talking to them!
I was quite pleased I got to the 'road that I never stop on'. Because I have really disciplined my self to run the whole of this, no matter what state I am in! I ignored the throbbing from my toe, ignored my tired complaining legs, and just looked at the pretty lights, concentrated on my music, thought about Christmas, thought about my mum! Before long I was heading up my path, as fast as I could at that time!
Geeky stats
As you can see, I was a lone runner today! The Old Boy seems to have pulled, twisted or tore something in his leg, so decided not to go running with me, or even to go on his bike and tinkle his bell at me! I was being heavily persuaded not to go running. The Old Boy looked so cosy wrapped up in the blanket, watching t.v. with the dinner already to go into the oven to finish cooking!
But I resisted! It took all my effort to block out the images, of warmth, the smell of the dinner, a delicious cottage pie, wafting to my nostrils! I plugged in my earphones and took off. My route was going to be the usual one, up Southborough to the A21, along there to the Posh house. But this is where it differs slightly, I am going to go straight passed here and run up the next hill to Locksbottom! Well, that was what I was hoping at least. And then from there turn left and head to Crofton, up to the roundabout, left and then follow the road all the way through Pettswood. Again slightly different, just to add the extra minutes that I need to be out running today.
The plan said that I needed to do the interval running (yeah, I know! I still can't do it), but I did count up all the minutes that I should be out doing stuff and it came to 90 minutes. 90 minutes! An hour and a half! Up bloomin hills! I must be crazy! Well, actually we have already established that runners, and cyclists are total crazies. In fact any one out doing their thing in the cold and icy conditions is!
So I started off, gentle of course, (probably going to be gentle all the way round!) My toe doesn't seem to mind at the moment, being constricted in my compressions socks and shoved into trainers. Maybe it has 'toughened up' and is not going to hurt anymore!
The music kept me from thinking about it being cold, (even though it's not as cold as it was yesterday) but these silly earplugs are just no good for my ears! They keep falling out! they are big and round, my ears are not that shape. But I chose these ones as I can answer the phone from the little button attached, and don't need to get undressed to get my phone, Those of you you know me, you know where I keep my phone!) I had to slow down even more that I was just as I turned the corner of my road to put it back again.
It felt strange being out running by myself. I know I did it yesterday, but that was just for about a mile and half, and a mile and half back again. But this is a long run. I wondered if I would be hard on myself, whip myself into a running frenzy, surprise everybody by my running prowess. Yeah right! All I can say is, it's not wonder all the kid have me wrapped around their little fingers! But, as the lovely ladies said yesterday on our club run, the fact that I am out here, doing it is worthy of praise! Especially as I could so have sat down with the Old Boy and snuggled under my blanket.
I really wasn't that tough on my self. All bark and no bite! I stopped at places I should not have stopped at. Hark at me, I am even calling them stopping now! And having ridiculous excuses as well. To change the song, to put ear phones in, to put the phone in the pocket of the coat, instead of down my bra!
Going up the A21 I stopped (walked) quite a few times. But I had the attitude, 'well you running Old Girl, thats good enough' But by the time I got up to Locksbottom, and half way down Crofton Road, the expletives where just tumbling out. Anyone would think I was on a Turkey run in Ditton! My toe started to bother me again. I was thinking that maybe the nails on toes seem to be a blooming nuisance now! I was imagining the blisters on the tip of my tow getting bigger, and maybe even popping! Eww gross. I don't like feet. Feet and toes. Feet and toes with blisters, ewwww toes with no nails! It just gets worse!
This running malarkey, its not the most glamours sport is it. First of, shoving my feet in what is probably not the most prettiest looking trainers, (well thats what I thought before I became a runner!, now I zone in to asics, feel the weight, check out the colours, the webbing, the sole, everything about it) then folding and pushing as much of my fat ass into a thin, tight pair of long pants, that make you feel as if you are naked. And the tops, the layers that I have on! But at least they are in pink! Top that with a luminous fluorescent woolly hat. Its not catwalk material. And I certainly don't look like I did when I appeared in 'Women's Running' magazine.
I was really cross with my self from Pettswood until I got home. But I still didn't move as fast as I should have done. There were a few good tunes on my Iphone library which kept me totally focused and my pacing out to one tune was just perfect! I think it was Scissors Sisters! Another one I can remember running along to was Chris Rea's Julia! But My constant stopping going down Southborough Lane had me saying quite loudly "Get a move on, you lazy mare" I was just so glad there was no one in front of me, just in case they thought I was talking to them!
I was quite pleased I got to the 'road that I never stop on'. Because I have really disciplined my self to run the whole of this, no matter what state I am in! I ignored the throbbing from my toe, ignored my tired complaining legs, and just looked at the pretty lights, concentrated on my music, thought about Christmas, thought about my mum! Before long I was heading up my path, as fast as I could at that time!
Geeky stats
Tuesday 11 December 2012
PWR's Are A Tough Bunch!
Hello Blog Lovers.
It's my club night! Do we let a little thing like minus 3 degrees keep us from running around our streets. No! Of course not. We are made of strong stuff.....either that or we really are just one carrot short of a great casserole!
I decided to run to the meeting place this evening as I was by myself, and to be truthful, I really couldn't be bothered with defrosting the car! It seemed easier to just jog along to the club, its only a mile and half a way.
When I got there, all lovely and warmed up, Jogging Hippo saw me. I am afraid I didn't recognise anyone as my glasses were completely steamed up! Talk about soft focus lens, it was that soft focused everyone looked like pink blobs in Lycra! But J.H. said "I got something for you" It was only when I heard his voice that I realised who he was, but I took my glasses off and seeing him up close just to make sure! "Oh yes" I said in response, just as he dived into his pockets and pulled out this red material thing. "What you need is one of these" he said waving this piece of cloth thing at me. No, it wasn't his underpants, it was a buff! I do have some readers of my blogs out there. Well ok, I do make sure I post it all over the place so that it can be reached all over the world! I just thought what a lovely thing that was for him to do. He said he cycles and he finds these buffs just great. they can be worn in all sorts of ways! and for tonight, its going around my neck to keep me warm on my run. Thanks so very much J.H.
So back to the run. Our Illustrious leader wasn't feeling too good again today, and Singstar Jo seems to be kidnapped Leeds at the mo, so Cupcake Moy stepped into the breech and offered to take group 1 leadership. It will be her first time to take the lead role, and I offered to do the sweeping. As I have said before, I really enjoy the sweeper role, and as I have run up to the meet and I have to run back home again, its all good, and it all works out well. Maybe I should be doing that all the time now, hmm, something to think about!
Our route was heading up hill, up to the now re-opened bridge, and a little loop and the head back again, but going straight down to the round about. Kay, one our our new members, said that we would be running passed her house "Don't let me go in" she said But in the new breath she said "Actually I don't think I would do anyway" Don't it make you proud! And be inspired by our new members! as I said to her "You have the bug, I don't think I could force you to go in, even if I thought you needed to" Jane said that she hasn't go the running bug. Poor Jane, does she not realise that being out in the freezing evening just to run for the sheer pleasure of running, then the bug is definitely there. She is in denial of course.
It was a great run today. The newbies are learning that running in freezing conditions is different, its harder work, its energy zapping, it makes you think your have run further than you actually have. This is where the determination kicks in. The dedication, the bloody mindedness. As we took the shorter route to get back to the meeting place we also put the 'guilt' on each other! That is worse than what ever the weather can throw at you.
I said to Jane just after she asked if it was difficult getting back to running if you have a week out. I said "The worse thing about taking time out is the guilt you feel about not running" And Kay said "Oh I don't like guilt"
"Well, don't let me and Jane down then" I said jokingly to her and the she turned it right back and said "Well as long as you keep coming then I shall keep coming" Oh wow, what a total brilliant volley back was that! Now I have to make sure I keep coming every week!
So our geeky stats to, I so wished I had a Garmin with a thermometer. And thanks everyone else for all your advice about how to keep warm on a bike (well apart from the Old Boy, his advice is to ride faster!)
This is the first little jog I did to get to the meeing place.
This is our route today, and also my jog home as well.
It's my club night! Do we let a little thing like minus 3 degrees keep us from running around our streets. No! Of course not. We are made of strong stuff.....either that or we really are just one carrot short of a great casserole!
I decided to run to the meeting place this evening as I was by myself, and to be truthful, I really couldn't be bothered with defrosting the car! It seemed easier to just jog along to the club, its only a mile and half a way.
When I got there, all lovely and warmed up, Jogging Hippo saw me. I am afraid I didn't recognise anyone as my glasses were completely steamed up! Talk about soft focus lens, it was that soft focused everyone looked like pink blobs in Lycra! But J.H. said "I got something for you" It was only when I heard his voice that I realised who he was, but I took my glasses off and seeing him up close just to make sure! "Oh yes" I said in response, just as he dived into his pockets and pulled out this red material thing. "What you need is one of these" he said waving this piece of cloth thing at me. No, it wasn't his underpants, it was a buff! I do have some readers of my blogs out there. Well ok, I do make sure I post it all over the place so that it can be reached all over the world! I just thought what a lovely thing that was for him to do. He said he cycles and he finds these buffs just great. they can be worn in all sorts of ways! and for tonight, its going around my neck to keep me warm on my run. Thanks so very much J.H.
So back to the run. Our Illustrious leader wasn't feeling too good again today, and Singstar Jo seems to be kidnapped Leeds at the mo, so Cupcake Moy stepped into the breech and offered to take group 1 leadership. It will be her first time to take the lead role, and I offered to do the sweeping. As I have said before, I really enjoy the sweeper role, and as I have run up to the meet and I have to run back home again, its all good, and it all works out well. Maybe I should be doing that all the time now, hmm, something to think about!
Our route was heading up hill, up to the now re-opened bridge, and a little loop and the head back again, but going straight down to the round about. Kay, one our our new members, said that we would be running passed her house "Don't let me go in" she said But in the new breath she said "Actually I don't think I would do anyway" Don't it make you proud! And be inspired by our new members! as I said to her "You have the bug, I don't think I could force you to go in, even if I thought you needed to" Jane said that she hasn't go the running bug. Poor Jane, does she not realise that being out in the freezing evening just to run for the sheer pleasure of running, then the bug is definitely there. She is in denial of course.
It was a great run today. The newbies are learning that running in freezing conditions is different, its harder work, its energy zapping, it makes you think your have run further than you actually have. This is where the determination kicks in. The dedication, the bloody mindedness. As we took the shorter route to get back to the meeting place we also put the 'guilt' on each other! That is worse than what ever the weather can throw at you.
I said to Jane just after she asked if it was difficult getting back to running if you have a week out. I said "The worse thing about taking time out is the guilt you feel about not running" And Kay said "Oh I don't like guilt"
"Well, don't let me and Jane down then" I said jokingly to her and the she turned it right back and said "Well as long as you keep coming then I shall keep coming" Oh wow, what a total brilliant volley back was that! Now I have to make sure I keep coming every week!
So our geeky stats to, I so wished I had a Garmin with a thermometer. And thanks everyone else for all your advice about how to keep warm on a bike (well apart from the Old Boy, his advice is to ride faster!)
This is the first little jog I did to get to the meeing place.
This is our route today, and also my jog home as well.
Sunday 9 December 2012
Stop Press: Turkey Runs At Ditton!
Today was race day, and so here is my report!
Late Last Night
I suddenly realised I hadn't seen my race number for the mornings race. Searching, pulling out papers, boxes and getting hysterical about where I had put my number for the race in the morning. Still didn't find it, and the Old Boy said he couldn't remember ever seeing. But somehow I remember seeing it, in a brown envelope, yellow number! Surely I wouldn't throw it away! Well I shall just have to turn up there and explain or even pay again on the day!Singstar Jo Comes To Collect Me
Singstar Jo had very kindly offered to drive me to the race meet, (I can drive but I am such a nervous driver I would panic just coming off my estate!) I told her that I had lost my number, and just hoped they would have my name down some where. It was then she told me that no on has been given their numbers, you collect them at the meet! ....Duh.... all that panic and I didn't really have it anyway! Well, not to worry, dizzy as I am, I shall just concentrate the run now. I am feeling remarkably good, I was up early, (still looking for my number) had my porridge and a cuppa, and had everything else organsied, clean shoes, dry socks and even another warmer fleece to put on afterwards.Registration
After getting to Ditton, fairly easily with Jo driving, (only ignoring 'Jane', from the sat nav, once on route) we heading off to the registration. Well, it was a very well orgnised event so far! From the mashalls sorting out the parking to the plastic put down all over the floors in the registration room and corridors! We quickly found our numbers, all done in alphabetical queues, (something that S.J. pointed out to me, after I wandered about the whole room looking for my queue, see, I am totally dizzy) and then went back to the car to get sorted out, leave hats and jackets in the car, (as suggested by Singstar Jo) the day looks like it's going to be just perfect, blue skies and sunshine!Start Line
The start line was crowded, we all had our chips (no, not potato chips) our timing chips on our shoes, and then the 'hooter' went! I watched as all the fast runners crossed over the mats which were bleeping away. We watched as a turkey crossed over the mat, santas and mrs santas, someone with scars(!?) and even a christmas tree and a christmas craker ran on over the mats. I was running along with S.J. and with Jane. Jane is in our group 1 at my runnig club, it is also her 50th birthday today! What better way to celebrate turning a half century than to run in a very muddy race in the middle of December! It was also her first ever race as well!First 5k
We kept at our pace, our group 1 pace, just till we warmed up. Remembering everything that we have been taught, but we also know that it is a race! We kept plodding along, and I heard some one else behind me, running along, I thought to myself "Thank goodness, I'm not last!" But the I heard the man behind me say to the marshal, "This is all of them, there is a late starter behind me, but just one""Oh no, We're running with the last runner marshal"
"Don't worry about it Old Girl" Said Singstar Jo, "Just keep going"
We came off the tarmac and then was into the footpaths, the wet muddy foot paths. The first few K were not as bad as I thought. At least it wasn't sticky, 'getting your shoes stuck' type of mud, but we were splashing about a bit. And the country side! Wow, just gorgeous! Of course we looked up when we could! To miss looking at this scenery would have been criminal! I wished I had had my phone with me to take some shots of the route. I didn't want to take the chance of falling over with it!
I must say just now, before I forget again (It's my age you know) I thought I had started my Garmin from when we crossed over the mats, but, as I was wearing gloves, I didn't quite manage to squeeze the start button, and what with the two other ladies running with me, both with Garmins, I thought the beep that I head was mine! So for the first half mile or so (or 5 minutes as it turns out) has not recorded! I was listening out for the Garmin beeps from either S.J. or Janes Garmin.
Now, I'm not sure, (My chronological gene is missing with me), but I think around about 1 and half miles, Jane, our birthday girl, decided it was getting remarkably warm, and so decided to remove a layer. But being a good Pettswood runner, she obviously put her club vest on over the top of her long sleeve jacket! So another first for her was doing a quick change, on the hoof, and swapping over her tops!, and tying her long sleeve around her waist! (she only had two layers on!) And of course a a sports bra!
"Oh good, half way" I said to the last runner marshal, who, as it appears, seems to be someone else! And changed sex, and costume. She was a very lovely marshal, running in a Mrs Santa outfit, with fetching gold flecked net tights! She was very helpful in not pointing out that we were not quite at the half way mark. I must have been hearing things, or seeing things on my Garmin that are not there! (another stage of next half centuryitus?) But as we we were heading up a hill (Yes, there is a hill!) in fact it looks a big hill!, is whenwhen S.J. said that we have covered, just about, half the route so far!
The Second Half
I looked at my Garmin, and it showed, 2 point something miles into our run! "Oh darn it" I thought to myself, as I realised I was mistaken half a mile back! I Tried not to look at the hill, I kept thinking that as long as Jane is running then I must run too! Why I put that on myself I don't know! I can't even use the fact that she is younger than me, well, only by a couple of weeks!, But why don't she want to stop! I did stop for a walk! I couldn't help it. I know, I'm whinging again! But then I looked up and she was walking as well. I did stop and walk for other sections before I got to here though. But my excuse was that it was muddy, and I didn't want to slip and damage myself (I do have a marathon to run in April)The hill seemed to go on for ever, all through the woods now! And the woods was wet, and sticky, and slippy. There were hidden hazards underfoot! Leaves covered up rocks protruding from the ground. Sticky huge puddles were the only route through the woods. Footprints two or three inches deep showed where the other runners had been. I have never had so much fun running! I was having a blast. I tried to avoid the puddles, but soon realised that, actually, the safest way was to go straight through the middle! Slowly of course!
For the next two miles all we had to run through was mud. We hadn't actually overtaken anyone up to this point, but in the muddy woods we gained ground. The last marshal sweeper, whose name was Ann by the way, encouraged us all saying "Look, you may be able to over take here ladies" as we saw two other ladies struggling through the mud. That seemed to give all three of us a much needed boost as we gained more ground (read as mud) and eventually caught them up. S.J. and Jane managed to overtake them before the path became single file only again. We had to go very carefully, the mud was mocking all of us. Just then, one of the ladies that S.J. and Jane had passed fell, I nearly toppled over her!
Ok, so I was on a timer, but I am also a fellow runner. I helped pick her up, and saw that she was ok.....before I over took and her friend! I caught up with my two buddies and we carried on at a steady pace.
In The Zone
These last two miles just felt just so perfect! we were running along in single file and all three of us sound just perfect. Our breathing sounded as if we were just out for a walk, we were going along at a very steady pace, all of us, I felt, in the zone! I couldn't think of a single reason why anyone don't like running! And running in such a great place. The fields, the woods, the Oast houses, the marshaling! The marshals, ever single one of them were smiley and enthusiastic as we ran passed them! What is not to like! These last couple of miles were just perfect.I hadn't a clue as to where we were, but to me it didn't matter, if there were another couple of miles to do, and they were like this, then I would carry on! I don't think the marshals would be quite smiling then if I had!
We came in to the last few metres, our other club members we standing at the finishing line cheering us all on. We all decided to put on a bit of a sprint to the finish but all finish together!
Great fun, great company, great course and great marshaling by the Maidstone Harriers! We received our gongs, and our goody bag, with Christmas pud and long sleeve shirt, and had our timing chips taken from us. I can't wait to see what my time was for this 6.5 mile course, (my Garmin says 6.05) What more can I say about this morning!
On the way home I just had to say thank you to Singstar Jo who drove me to Ditton, and I had to thank her in the good old Pettswood runners style, with a pint at my local! (she had a pint of diet coke I might add)
Geeky stats, and as soon as I get the official results of todays race I shall post it on here as well.
Thursday 6 December 2012
Out Again, Really?!
Hello blog lovers.
Well, judging by todays title, you can imagine my feelings about going out jogging today! My legs were complaining like anything! My enthusiasm was way down in my aching heels. I was tempted to go for a bike ride instead, but a still small voice told me to "Stick to the programme" Ok so I know I am using the programme in my style, i.e. I just cant do those sprint things, but I am jogging along for the amount of minutes it suggests.
So now that I am on week 7 of my training, which of course means that there is no going back to do week 6 any more, I really do have to concentrate of my jogging and running. On my posture while running, and everything else that is going to help me to the finish line of a 26.2 mile run!
My plan said that I had to jog along for 35 minutes today. That would be doing the Turpington turn around route, but I am getting bored with that. It's no good jogging along the same old roads, especially as I remembered how far I had jogged before on this route. Going by the way I feel today, I doubt I will make it out of Oxhawth without stopping for a walk. So the Old boy suggested another route. It meant taking the head lamps to go through Jubilee Park, but at least it's a different route. And one that I can't remember the stats, the places where I had stopped before, and the distances. I mean me and the Old Boy used to drive to the entrance of Jubilee Park, at Tent Peg lane, but now we are jogging towards it. The Old Boy has obviously got used to jogging off our estate now, I think him getting some spandex pants for cycling has made him more confident!
The head lights lit up our way through the park, and if you look towards the woods with your light shining it picks up the eyes of the foxes, or whatever other creatures are hiding there! Quite spooky really! I huffed and puffed my way through the park, thinking, its not that far now, almost half way. I really was feeling quite tired! I shall say again, what I said to the Old Boy when we were getting changed to go out jogging "Whose idea was it that I sign up for the London Marathon!"
"All yours, my dear" he said, smiling at me sympathetically, or was that 'I doubt you will make it past the start line' type smile!
Now I can see the home straight as we come out of the road leading to the park. I was glad I chose this direction, its the down hill direction. Ok so we had to go up to Tent Peg lane in the first place, but now its all kind of down hill or flat for the rest of the way home! Heading down Blackbrook was really very comforting. Just at the end here is our park, we shall go through there and then be home in just a few short strides.... ok just a little further than a few strides, but it really isn't that far home. And My timing for 35 minute jogging would be just about right!
So you can imagine my face when the Old Boy decided to choose a right turn before we got to the end of Blackbrook lane, and then headed slightly off course to where I wanted to be!
"But my time will be up, I need to go this way" I whined at him.
"Come on, Old Girl, stop whining and get a move on" he said encouragingly, "Its raining!" So I followed, reluctantly to the right, away from the park entrance!
We didn't take that much of a detour really, just added tad extra on to the route. We popped out opposite the road where my friend and pastor live. At the end of this road is the entrance, another entrance, to the park near our home. We jogged through this entrance and bared right to jog along side the golf course. I guess it's good training for my race which I have booked up on Sunday, the Ditton Turkey Run. It's a 10k XC run, with a Christmas pud for all runners! I wished they would just give me the brandy they put in the puds instead, I can't stand Christmas pud!
My legs were really complaining now, my heels feeling like that have been kicked my a heard of elephants, but I am glad I went out for a jog, and not a bike ride! Well, its no fun riding in the rain, is it? But maybe next week I will join my fellow club members for some torture, I mean some hard core training, up and down hills, 11x200m apparently!! Sounds delightful!
So my geeky stats.
Well, judging by todays title, you can imagine my feelings about going out jogging today! My legs were complaining like anything! My enthusiasm was way down in my aching heels. I was tempted to go for a bike ride instead, but a still small voice told me to "Stick to the programme" Ok so I know I am using the programme in my style, i.e. I just cant do those sprint things, but I am jogging along for the amount of minutes it suggests.
So now that I am on week 7 of my training, which of course means that there is no going back to do week 6 any more, I really do have to concentrate of my jogging and running. On my posture while running, and everything else that is going to help me to the finish line of a 26.2 mile run!
My plan said that I had to jog along for 35 minutes today. That would be doing the Turpington turn around route, but I am getting bored with that. It's no good jogging along the same old roads, especially as I remembered how far I had jogged before on this route. Going by the way I feel today, I doubt I will make it out of Oxhawth without stopping for a walk. So the Old boy suggested another route. It meant taking the head lamps to go through Jubilee Park, but at least it's a different route. And one that I can't remember the stats, the places where I had stopped before, and the distances. I mean me and the Old Boy used to drive to the entrance of Jubilee Park, at Tent Peg lane, but now we are jogging towards it. The Old Boy has obviously got used to jogging off our estate now, I think him getting some spandex pants for cycling has made him more confident!
The head lights lit up our way through the park, and if you look towards the woods with your light shining it picks up the eyes of the foxes, or whatever other creatures are hiding there! Quite spooky really! I huffed and puffed my way through the park, thinking, its not that far now, almost half way. I really was feeling quite tired! I shall say again, what I said to the Old Boy when we were getting changed to go out jogging "Whose idea was it that I sign up for the London Marathon!"
"All yours, my dear" he said, smiling at me sympathetically, or was that 'I doubt you will make it past the start line' type smile!
Now I can see the home straight as we come out of the road leading to the park. I was glad I chose this direction, its the down hill direction. Ok so we had to go up to Tent Peg lane in the first place, but now its all kind of down hill or flat for the rest of the way home! Heading down Blackbrook was really very comforting. Just at the end here is our park, we shall go through there and then be home in just a few short strides.... ok just a little further than a few strides, but it really isn't that far home. And My timing for 35 minute jogging would be just about right!
So you can imagine my face when the Old Boy decided to choose a right turn before we got to the end of Blackbrook lane, and then headed slightly off course to where I wanted to be!
"But my time will be up, I need to go this way" I whined at him.
"Come on, Old Girl, stop whining and get a move on" he said encouragingly, "Its raining!" So I followed, reluctantly to the right, away from the park entrance!
We didn't take that much of a detour really, just added tad extra on to the route. We popped out opposite the road where my friend and pastor live. At the end of this road is the entrance, another entrance, to the park near our home. We jogged through this entrance and bared right to jog along side the golf course. I guess it's good training for my race which I have booked up on Sunday, the Ditton Turkey Run. It's a 10k XC run, with a Christmas pud for all runners! I wished they would just give me the brandy they put in the puds instead, I can't stand Christmas pud!
My legs were really complaining now, my heels feeling like that have been kicked my a heard of elephants, but I am glad I went out for a jog, and not a bike ride! Well, its no fun riding in the rain, is it? But maybe next week I will join my fellow club members for some torture, I mean some hard core training, up and down hills, 11x200m apparently!! Sounds delightful!
So my geeky stats.
Wednesday 5 December 2012
Snow Snow Go Away, Oh, You have!
Hello blog lovers,
After waking up this morning to see the first snow settle in my garden I really thought my I would be needing skis to do my long run. But by the time my grandson had made his first snowman, see pic below, the snow had already started to melt (and may I add that he had me out in the garden at 9 in the morning before I had even finished my cuppa!) which meant that by the time it came for me and the Old Boy to go running there was not even a snowflake to be seen. In fact the evening, being as it's December, is quite pleasant, chilly of course!
Our route is going to be the usual one for the 6 miles but we are going to add a extra bit! Up Southborough to the A21 left towards Locksbottom and the left into the posh houses. So far so good, the same route as usual. I did stop a few times before I got to the new houses, coughing up, but I was quite pleased that I didn't stop more! It really was a nasty little cold!
By the time I got to the new houses I had made a pact with myself. I had to run all the way through this estate. Usually I stop before we turn right, and stop again, just so that I can gaze at the lovely house. Oh, and this house looks absolutely lovely with their Christmas lights on, ad a fantastic life size Santa standing on the balcony beautifully decorated with lights! But I didn't let the twinkly lights distract me from my mini challenge. I did it. I was pleased I did it. I ran a little further up the road to, well kind of rubber stamp the fact that I was out of the estate!
Up towards Crofton we jogged. At the mini round about we turned left, please notice that I didn't even use the little short cut either. I was concentrating had on the way I was running, taking in all the advice our Kitman gives to me and our club members. Things like, "Keep your head up, pretend it's being held up by a helium filled balloon" and also about my gait as well. I am trying not to run on my heels, which by the way still hurt!, and also I read the advice he gave to another runner about arms. Not to cross the chest, but to swing them by your side and then give a little extra swing to help get up the hills!
This is what I think about when I am running or jogging as the Old Boy calls it. But it don't matter what it is, it is definitely faster that walking, because we passed quite a few walkers! I was also singing along to my self. And right now I can't think what it was that I was singing. But I do know it was a MooshMix, two songs that I mashed together! It sounded brilliant in my head!
Now I know I said I was going to do more that the six miles this route takes us, and this means going over ground that we have already done! Up Southborough lane again. We turned left into lakes wood road when we got to Pettswood and headed on the homeward stretch. It felt so weird to be passing by top Oxhawth, and the bottom Oxhawth! Bottom Oxhawth is where we came from six miles ago! My legs we feeling tired now. But just for curiosity's sake I decided to take a quick gander at my Garmin to see what my pace was. I was surprised to see it just under 11 m/mi! But then I did reason with myself and remind myself that we were going down hill!
Reaching the Harvester the Old Boy said to me "Only a mile to go"
"0.75 of a mile to go" I said to him. I know this, for some reason from this point, going through the park to go home, that distance has stayed with me. In fact quite a few of my routes, the figures and distances have stayed with me!
I started to slow down a bit. But then I thought to myself I just need to get going. I need to just put in an extra little bit to get home. Home to a lovely spicy green Thai curry that is waiting for us!
Seeing my road was sheer delight. I pushed a little bit harder, picked up the pace to do a bit of a sprint. The Old Boy still kept ahead of me. I don't think he likes me getting in front of him, I try and try, even when we are on our bikes, to be the first back to our door! One day maybe, when I catch him sleeping!
Geeky stats for you.
After waking up this morning to see the first snow settle in my garden I really thought my I would be needing skis to do my long run. But by the time my grandson had made his first snowman, see pic below, the snow had already started to melt (and may I add that he had me out in the garden at 9 in the morning before I had even finished my cuppa!) which meant that by the time it came for me and the Old Boy to go running there was not even a snowflake to be seen. In fact the evening, being as it's December, is quite pleasant, chilly of course!
Our route is going to be the usual one for the 6 miles but we are going to add a extra bit! Up Southborough to the A21 left towards Locksbottom and the left into the posh houses. So far so good, the same route as usual. I did stop a few times before I got to the new houses, coughing up, but I was quite pleased that I didn't stop more! It really was a nasty little cold!
By the time I got to the new houses I had made a pact with myself. I had to run all the way through this estate. Usually I stop before we turn right, and stop again, just so that I can gaze at the lovely house. Oh, and this house looks absolutely lovely with their Christmas lights on, ad a fantastic life size Santa standing on the balcony beautifully decorated with lights! But I didn't let the twinkly lights distract me from my mini challenge. I did it. I was pleased I did it. I ran a little further up the road to, well kind of rubber stamp the fact that I was out of the estate!
Up towards Crofton we jogged. At the mini round about we turned left, please notice that I didn't even use the little short cut either. I was concentrating had on the way I was running, taking in all the advice our Kitman gives to me and our club members. Things like, "Keep your head up, pretend it's being held up by a helium filled balloon" and also about my gait as well. I am trying not to run on my heels, which by the way still hurt!, and also I read the advice he gave to another runner about arms. Not to cross the chest, but to swing them by your side and then give a little extra swing to help get up the hills!
This is what I think about when I am running or jogging as the Old Boy calls it. But it don't matter what it is, it is definitely faster that walking, because we passed quite a few walkers! I was also singing along to my self. And right now I can't think what it was that I was singing. But I do know it was a MooshMix, two songs that I mashed together! It sounded brilliant in my head!
Now I know I said I was going to do more that the six miles this route takes us, and this means going over ground that we have already done! Up Southborough lane again. We turned left into lakes wood road when we got to Pettswood and headed on the homeward stretch. It felt so weird to be passing by top Oxhawth, and the bottom Oxhawth! Bottom Oxhawth is where we came from six miles ago! My legs we feeling tired now. But just for curiosity's sake I decided to take a quick gander at my Garmin to see what my pace was. I was surprised to see it just under 11 m/mi! But then I did reason with myself and remind myself that we were going down hill!
Reaching the Harvester the Old Boy said to me "Only a mile to go"
"0.75 of a mile to go" I said to him. I know this, for some reason from this point, going through the park to go home, that distance has stayed with me. In fact quite a few of my routes, the figures and distances have stayed with me!
I started to slow down a bit. But then I thought to myself I just need to get going. I need to just put in an extra little bit to get home. Home to a lovely spicy green Thai curry that is waiting for us!
Seeing my road was sheer delight. I pushed a little bit harder, picked up the pace to do a bit of a sprint. The Old Boy still kept ahead of me. I don't think he likes me getting in front of him, I try and try, even when we are on our bikes, to be the first back to our door! One day maybe, when I catch him sleeping!
Geeky stats for you.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
Club Run - Sweeper Duties, Yeah!
Hello blog readers.
Its Tuesday, my cold virus is definately on its last legs, so of course I was eager to meet up with my running club buddies. First of when we all met up was the discussions about the weekends party! Everyone had a good time at our club Christmas do.
Our usual leader, Illustrious Leader, was feeling a bit under the weather today, so Singstar Jo stepped into the breach and lead Group 1 today. I volunteered to be sweeper, along with CupCake Moy, (she does make these gorgeous cupcakes, mmmm yum!). I actually like being sweeper, I really do. Now don't go on at me about it's because I don't like to run fast, or to be in the front, or even to pick the pace up a bit. That is not why I like to be at the back. But being at the back gives me a chance to encourage others who have just started this crazy, crazy activity that we call jogging! I should be warning them about how addictive it becomes really. How, at somepoint, on one of their crazy jogging sessions they may feel that they can run for 10 miles, or even half a marathon. I do give them some insight as to what may hapen to them when I explain that I am, infact going to be running the London marathon, even though I haven't even ran for 10 miles yet, let along a half! See, Crazy!
But it really does give me tons and tons of pleasure as I jog along with fellow members. It gives me even more motivation to do well in my other jogging sessions because you know that you are going to be asked about how much I run on other days, and how fast etc. Jogging along in group 1, does do me tons of good! I believe, for me personally, leaping up the groups is just not meant to be for me. Here, running in this group at this pace I am doing some good andfeeling useful which also does me tons of good for keeping going in my longer runs. Win, win situation I would say!
Cupcake Moy and me, and three of the newbies were just keeping up with the usual group 1 runners. In this evenings route we had a couple of little 'bumps' to contend with. So I thought that by keeping Kay chatting, (she is one of the newbies) then she would breeze up them and not realise she had done them. Simples! She was even talking to me as well, which is a good sign.
We had our usual amount of 'catchup' stops, but I at one point I did have to get my 'whistle' out as we were getting a little spread out, the regular group 1 members were in the 'zone'. But from that point onwards we all kept pretty much together.
As we headed down Shepperton Road, heading from Crescent Drive Kay said "I have no clue as to where we are" When she said that it reminded me of when I used to struggle all the way at the back, and I used to think to myself "If I don't keep up I will get lost" And that in itself was motivation for me to keep up. Mind you, Kay is doing so much better that I did when I was a beginner! I used to do unofficial walking sessions, and she still hasn't done that. Even going up all those hills, ooops upside down hills.
We got to Southborough lane, and of course popping out from Crescent Drive we have not got to climb up the hill towards Pettswood, as we are virtually at the crest! We ran towards Pettswood, our destination is the walking bridge, which is through the carpark near the Newsshopper. From there, just on the other side there were two ways to get back to the rec, the longer way or the shorter way. Well, the newcomers felt that they couldn't cope with the extra half mile, so me and CupcakeMoy took them the shorter way and Signstar Jo took the rest up the hill! I mean, along the upside down hill! There was a newcomer in the group that went the longer way as well! I'm sure next time, the others will soon be joining them on the little extra loops.
So todays geeky stats for our group 1 today.
Its Tuesday, my cold virus is definately on its last legs, so of course I was eager to meet up with my running club buddies. First of when we all met up was the discussions about the weekends party! Everyone had a good time at our club Christmas do.
Our usual leader, Illustrious Leader, was feeling a bit under the weather today, so Singstar Jo stepped into the breach and lead Group 1 today. I volunteered to be sweeper, along with CupCake Moy, (she does make these gorgeous cupcakes, mmmm yum!). I actually like being sweeper, I really do. Now don't go on at me about it's because I don't like to run fast, or to be in the front, or even to pick the pace up a bit. That is not why I like to be at the back. But being at the back gives me a chance to encourage others who have just started this crazy, crazy activity that we call jogging! I should be warning them about how addictive it becomes really. How, at somepoint, on one of their crazy jogging sessions they may feel that they can run for 10 miles, or even half a marathon. I do give them some insight as to what may hapen to them when I explain that I am, infact going to be running the London marathon, even though I haven't even ran for 10 miles yet, let along a half! See, Crazy!
But it really does give me tons and tons of pleasure as I jog along with fellow members. It gives me even more motivation to do well in my other jogging sessions because you know that you are going to be asked about how much I run on other days, and how fast etc. Jogging along in group 1, does do me tons of good! I believe, for me personally, leaping up the groups is just not meant to be for me. Here, running in this group at this pace I am doing some good andfeeling useful which also does me tons of good for keeping going in my longer runs. Win, win situation I would say!
Cupcake Moy and me, and three of the newbies were just keeping up with the usual group 1 runners. In this evenings route we had a couple of little 'bumps' to contend with. So I thought that by keeping Kay chatting, (she is one of the newbies) then she would breeze up them and not realise she had done them. Simples! She was even talking to me as well, which is a good sign.
We had our usual amount of 'catchup' stops, but I at one point I did have to get my 'whistle' out as we were getting a little spread out, the regular group 1 members were in the 'zone'. But from that point onwards we all kept pretty much together.
As we headed down Shepperton Road, heading from Crescent Drive Kay said "I have no clue as to where we are" When she said that it reminded me of when I used to struggle all the way at the back, and I used to think to myself "If I don't keep up I will get lost" And that in itself was motivation for me to keep up. Mind you, Kay is doing so much better that I did when I was a beginner! I used to do unofficial walking sessions, and she still hasn't done that. Even going up all those hills, ooops upside down hills.
We got to Southborough lane, and of course popping out from Crescent Drive we have not got to climb up the hill towards Pettswood, as we are virtually at the crest! We ran towards Pettswood, our destination is the walking bridge, which is through the carpark near the Newsshopper. From there, just on the other side there were two ways to get back to the rec, the longer way or the shorter way. Well, the newcomers felt that they couldn't cope with the extra half mile, so me and CupcakeMoy took them the shorter way and Signstar Jo took the rest up the hill! I mean, along the upside down hill! There was a newcomer in the group that went the longer way as well! I'm sure next time, the others will soon be joining them on the little extra loops.
So todays geeky stats for our group 1 today.
Monday 3 December 2012
Get Out There Old Girl!
Hello blog lovers.
Well, what can I say. The cold virus kept me prisoner in my own home. The cold and rain made sure that I wasn't tempted to go try to see if it could make it round a small route! But this evening I made an attempt to escape these four walls and to feel the cold air on my face, and down my lungs.
I told the Old Boy that I need to go out for at least 3 miles, get these old legs working again, even though I abused them on Saturday night at our Christmas disco, tottering about on, what I can only describe as stilts! Plus trying to dance in them, is not what a person training for a marathon should be doing! Anyway, I digress, (It was a fantastic night out though!) I just wanted to go and do the usual 3 miles, make sure that my lung can cope with the chilly air.
I made sure that I was wrapped up warm enough, I do like cold, and even made sure my Garmin had satellites before I even went to the front door. As soon as we was out of the door I started jogging. I was keeping it nice a slow. My legs seemed to have forgotten how to move faster than the shuffle you do from room to room! My heels hurt still (I must find out what that is all about) and my mojo is somewhere in the house (probably hanging out of the fridge looking for the chocolate!)
I puffed and shuffled around our little 3 miler. Nothing in a spectacular style, nothing to say that those 5 days rest from running had done me a ton of good. But, still, it felt good to be out! I managed to do the three miles with only 2 stops! Not bad considering I did have double woman's flu!
So geeky stats for you
Well, what can I say. The cold virus kept me prisoner in my own home. The cold and rain made sure that I wasn't tempted to go try to see if it could make it round a small route! But this evening I made an attempt to escape these four walls and to feel the cold air on my face, and down my lungs.
I told the Old Boy that I need to go out for at least 3 miles, get these old legs working again, even though I abused them on Saturday night at our Christmas disco, tottering about on, what I can only describe as stilts! Plus trying to dance in them, is not what a person training for a marathon should be doing! Anyway, I digress, (It was a fantastic night out though!) I just wanted to go and do the usual 3 miles, make sure that my lung can cope with the chilly air.
I made sure that I was wrapped up warm enough, I do like cold, and even made sure my Garmin had satellites before I even went to the front door. As soon as we was out of the door I started jogging. I was keeping it nice a slow. My legs seemed to have forgotten how to move faster than the shuffle you do from room to room! My heels hurt still (I must find out what that is all about) and my mojo is somewhere in the house (probably hanging out of the fridge looking for the chocolate!)
I puffed and shuffled around our little 3 miler. Nothing in a spectacular style, nothing to say that those 5 days rest from running had done me a ton of good. But, still, it felt good to be out! I managed to do the three miles with only 2 stops! Not bad considering I did have double woman's flu!
So geeky stats for you
Wednesday 28 November 2012
To Run Or Not To Run, That Is The Question.
Hello blog lovers.
Well, when I first started to blog my way through to fitness, back in the heavier days, way back in those couch potato days, I decided that I would only blog when I actually had something to blog about!
But I feel I need to just do this tiny little blog, just to remind myself of how things are, and what I had decided to do, etc.
Well, this cold virus thingy, it really is getting the better of me. Ok, I went out jogging on Monday, took it nice and easy, and I went out yesterday, again, I took it nice and easy. But I thinking, "Am I actually doing myself any good at all?"
So I scoured the 'tinterweb' and asked the question "Shoul I run with a cold" and this is what I came up with, the first page I looked at, and I had decided, (and have found this to be more useful) to stick with this piece of information.
The info said, and I quote (from a web page could wellsphere web page), So I guess a few days off is not going to kill me.
Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. What other explanation is there for why
you, the runner, have a stuffed up nose and sore throat while your office
mate-whose idea of daily exercise is to walk to the candy machine and back-sits
across from you yapping away on the phone in perfect health?
If you're unsure if you're healthy enough for a run, engage in the neck
check. If your symptoms are all above the neck-sniffling, sneezing, stuffy
nose-you're probably okay to run. If symptoms run the other way-chest pains,
aches, chills, diarrhea, vomiting-it's best to stay indoors and take it easy.
And it's never a good idea to run with a fever.
Runners have a flair for the dramatic. Why else would we run 26.2? But that
same drive often translates into fretting about losing conditioning while in
bed. Be reasonable. Three days inside is not going to derail three months worth
of training. The human body is quick to bounce back to pre-cold condition. Ease
back into your training with a few easy runs and you’ll soon be right back where
you left off.
Well, when I first started to blog my way through to fitness, back in the heavier days, way back in those couch potato days, I decided that I would only blog when I actually had something to blog about!
But I feel I need to just do this tiny little blog, just to remind myself of how things are, and what I had decided to do, etc.
Well, this cold virus thingy, it really is getting the better of me. Ok, I went out jogging on Monday, took it nice and easy, and I went out yesterday, again, I took it nice and easy. But I thinking, "Am I actually doing myself any good at all?"
So I scoured the 'tinterweb' and asked the question "Shoul I run with a cold" and this is what I came up with, the first page I looked at, and I had decided, (and have found this to be more useful) to stick with this piece of information.
The info said, and I quote (from a web page could wellsphere web page), So I guess a few days off is not going to kill me.
Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. What other explanation is there for why
you, the runner, have a stuffed up nose and sore throat while your office
mate-whose idea of daily exercise is to walk to the candy machine and back-sits
across from you yapping away on the phone in perfect health?
There's no point in being bitter. Just get better. When faced with cold-like
symptoms, runners typically have one of two reactions. The first is to go fetal,
curling up in bed with a throat lozenge and a good book, waiting for the misery
to pass. (For the record, this is my reaction of choice.) The second reaction
comes from runners who insist the only way to defeat a cold is to lace up your
shoes, hit the road, and "sweat it out."
Which option is best? Let's find out.
Neck Check
If you're unsure if you're healthy enough for a run, engage in the neck
check. If your symptoms are all above the neck-sniffling, sneezing, stuffy
nose-you're probably okay to run. If symptoms run the other way-chest pains,
aches, chills, diarrhea, vomiting-it's best to stay indoors and take it easy.
And it's never a good idea to run with a fever.
Don't Be A Superhero
Take a look back at your schedule and see if perhaps you got
sick due to a bump-up in training intensity.
If you do chose to go running, take it easy. You don't want to push a minor
respiratory infection into something more serious. Adrenaline is a natural
decongestant. Your stuffed nasal passages may actually open while running,
making you feel healthier than you really are. But a cold indicates your immune
system is already weakened. Take a look back at your schedule and see if perhaps
you got sick due to a bump-up in training intensity or mileage. An increase in
training volume often means a more vulnerable immune system-so you might catch
colds more often the typical couch potato. (Again, with the unfairness)
Down Time
Runners have a flair for the dramatic. Why else would we run 26.2? But that
same drive often translates into fretting about losing conditioning while in
bed. Be reasonable. Three days inside is not going to derail three months worth
of training. The human body is quick to bounce back to pre-cold condition. Ease
back into your training with a few easy runs and you’ll soon be right back where
you left off.
Tips for a Speedy Recovery
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Gargle with warm water
- Wash your hands frequently
- Take zinc lozenges at the first sign of sickness
- Make sure you're taking a multi-vitamin
- Sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom at night
- Some runners swear by Echinacea (but there's no solid proof it boosts the immune
system)
- Pay attention to your body. It will tell you when it needs rest.
- Stay positive. A healthy attitude is right up there with Mom's chicken soup
for common sense cures for the common cold.
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Club Run - Sweeper Duty
Hello blog lovers.
I still have this awful coughing and mucus and whatnot with me, I'm sure you don't want any more info than that. But I wanted to still go out running with my club. We only ever do 3 and half miles on average, with a couple of stops thrown in, so I don't have to feel guilty about stopping!
I offered my services as sweeper, I knew I wasn't going to be in the front runners today, and I felt I could be more useful to make sure no-one gets left behind! Our Illustrious Leader, was leading the way, but also was concerned about me "If you feel we are getting too far ahead the don't be shy, let me know" I guess then she can organise a sweeper for the sweeper!, but I felt sure that I would be able to keep together with the rest of the group.
We had some of the beginners with us again this week, I am so glad that we didn't scare them off last week with the mention of Cardiac Hill, all though IL did mention that we will be doing half of ....that hill.... in this evenings run. The weather was a bit chilly, I had noticed that some of the faster runners had gloves on. Hitchy, who drove to the rec this evening, had her gloves on. But after yesterdays run, I felt that it was still early for the full winter kit. I was wearing two long sleeve tops though. I am a woose when it comes to the cold.
So our route today had a few little humps and bumps in it. I was, as I have said, in sweeper role and keeping one the the Saturday beginners company as we approached the first of the hills. "oh gawd" she said as she caught sight of it.
"ah that's nothing" I said, "its an upside down hill, just look at each lamppost, then the tree, then the lamppost and just run to those, you will soon be on the other side" I said. She smiled at that, and she looked at the lamppost, she passed it, then she looked for the tree and she passed it. All the way to the top of the hill. I think she was pleased with herself for getting up there.
I felt good going at the pace our newbie was going. I wasn't over exerting myself, I wasn't coughing and splutter, but I was doing something, I was out there running along. I head some of the other group 1'ers saying that somebody didn't come because they were unwell. I'm not saying that I am gloating because I am out here, with the man flu, doing it, because between last Thursday and Sunday I was laid up feeling sorry for myself. I was just feeling good that I finally had enough energy to be able to get out here and do these three miles.
There were some more hills and bumps and lumps to negotiate, but I stayed by our newbies side each step of the way, encouraging up each hill, pointing out the lamppost as we passed it. She seemed pleased with each lamppost we got to and passed. We had about three official stops in this evenings run, and we only stopped for a couple of minutes each time, enough time for our IL to talk us through the next section, and maybe alter the route slightly according to the abilities of all our runners, in order to keep us all together, and then we were off again. Our newbie kept running between each stop, there was no walking.
I recalled that when I first became a member I was doing unofficial walking, so she was doing brilliantly! She also, I'm sure, told me that she had done park run and had ran the whole way! Something which I have yet to achieve!!
So today's blog is dedicated to our newbies who have joined us in our club. Keeping us all running and growing in numbers to become a brilliant running club for all abilities! I really enjoyed this run, I really enjoyed encouring the newbies! I really love running!
Geeky stats for you.
I still have this awful coughing and mucus and whatnot with me, I'm sure you don't want any more info than that. But I wanted to still go out running with my club. We only ever do 3 and half miles on average, with a couple of stops thrown in, so I don't have to feel guilty about stopping!
I offered my services as sweeper, I knew I wasn't going to be in the front runners today, and I felt I could be more useful to make sure no-one gets left behind! Our Illustrious Leader, was leading the way, but also was concerned about me "If you feel we are getting too far ahead the don't be shy, let me know" I guess then she can organise a sweeper for the sweeper!, but I felt sure that I would be able to keep together with the rest of the group.
We had some of the beginners with us again this week, I am so glad that we didn't scare them off last week with the mention of Cardiac Hill, all though IL did mention that we will be doing half of ....that hill.... in this evenings run. The weather was a bit chilly, I had noticed that some of the faster runners had gloves on. Hitchy, who drove to the rec this evening, had her gloves on. But after yesterdays run, I felt that it was still early for the full winter kit. I was wearing two long sleeve tops though. I am a woose when it comes to the cold.
So our route today had a few little humps and bumps in it. I was, as I have said, in sweeper role and keeping one the the Saturday beginners company as we approached the first of the hills. "oh gawd" she said as she caught sight of it.
"ah that's nothing" I said, "its an upside down hill, just look at each lamppost, then the tree, then the lamppost and just run to those, you will soon be on the other side" I said. She smiled at that, and she looked at the lamppost, she passed it, then she looked for the tree and she passed it. All the way to the top of the hill. I think she was pleased with herself for getting up there.
I felt good going at the pace our newbie was going. I wasn't over exerting myself, I wasn't coughing and splutter, but I was doing something, I was out there running along. I head some of the other group 1'ers saying that somebody didn't come because they were unwell. I'm not saying that I am gloating because I am out here, with the man flu, doing it, because between last Thursday and Sunday I was laid up feeling sorry for myself. I was just feeling good that I finally had enough energy to be able to get out here and do these three miles.
There were some more hills and bumps and lumps to negotiate, but I stayed by our newbies side each step of the way, encouraging up each hill, pointing out the lamppost as we passed it. She seemed pleased with each lamppost we got to and passed. We had about three official stops in this evenings run, and we only stopped for a couple of minutes each time, enough time for our IL to talk us through the next section, and maybe alter the route slightly according to the abilities of all our runners, in order to keep us all together, and then we were off again. Our newbie kept running between each stop, there was no walking.
I recalled that when I first became a member I was doing unofficial walking, so she was doing brilliantly! She also, I'm sure, told me that she had done park run and had ran the whole way! Something which I have yet to achieve!!
So today's blog is dedicated to our newbies who have joined us in our club. Keeping us all running and growing in numbers to become a brilliant running club for all abilities! I really enjoyed this run, I really enjoyed encouring the newbies! I really love running!
Geeky stats for you.
Monday 26 November 2012
Half A Century And Running!
Hello blog lovers.
Today This Old Girl Starts the next half century of living. So what do I do, while I am dealing with the baby germs, coughing, spluttering and sniffing like its going out of fashion? I go jogging of course.
I used caution and put out a plea via twitter about whether in fact it's a good idea to run while one is suffering cough and cold symptoms, but by the time when I was all dressed up and ready to go nothing came back to me. I did see that some one had said it was ok to run with a head cold.
My philosophy goes similar to the Old Boys, we have to work when we don't feel too good, so why not do stuff that you like to do when you don't feel good? I suppose when the thing you like to do is knitting, or reading, then really that's not a problem, it's just sitting down, unless you do extreme knitting jumping out of aeroplanes!, but when you just need to go out running, well that's a different animal!
I thought I would just do as much as I could of my 3 mile route. If at any point I felt really unwell, I mean like ready to pass out type of unwell, then I can cut it short at any number of places, and the Old Boy wont pass out carrying me home!
The weather was quite mild considering what we have been having. but I still wrapped myself up nice and warm, two long sleeved layers! I realised that I probably didn't need two long sleeved tops on after all. And if its the same tomorrow night then I will make sure I a short sleeved top and a long sleeved over that.
The run itself wasn't very inspirational, or even exciting or demanding, apart from the fact that when I stepped out side my door to start, I really, really wanted to go back in side, and curl up with me book, and just read about running! But, I thought about a recent video I saw via someones post on facebook, about some chap who was told he could never walk again unaided or without his braces, 15 months later the video showed him sprinting! Patience. Pratice. Perseverance!
I stopped about three times I think, coughing and spluttering but I kept jogging on the whole of the route, and no short detours, well, I am out, might as well,.....and besides, it's what us women to, right girls?!
Mind you, when I got back from my run I did get a little tweet about if you have a cough then its best not to run!!
Geeky stats for you
Today This Old Girl Starts the next half century of living. So what do I do, while I am dealing with the baby germs, coughing, spluttering and sniffing like its going out of fashion? I go jogging of course.
I used caution and put out a plea via twitter about whether in fact it's a good idea to run while one is suffering cough and cold symptoms, but by the time when I was all dressed up and ready to go nothing came back to me. I did see that some one had said it was ok to run with a head cold.
My philosophy goes similar to the Old Boys, we have to work when we don't feel too good, so why not do stuff that you like to do when you don't feel good? I suppose when the thing you like to do is knitting, or reading, then really that's not a problem, it's just sitting down, unless you do extreme knitting jumping out of aeroplanes!, but when you just need to go out running, well that's a different animal!
I thought I would just do as much as I could of my 3 mile route. If at any point I felt really unwell, I mean like ready to pass out type of unwell, then I can cut it short at any number of places, and the Old Boy wont pass out carrying me home!
The weather was quite mild considering what we have been having. but I still wrapped myself up nice and warm, two long sleeved layers! I realised that I probably didn't need two long sleeved tops on after all. And if its the same tomorrow night then I will make sure I a short sleeved top and a long sleeved over that.
The run itself wasn't very inspirational, or even exciting or demanding, apart from the fact that when I stepped out side my door to start, I really, really wanted to go back in side, and curl up with me book, and just read about running! But, I thought about a recent video I saw via someones post on facebook, about some chap who was told he could never walk again unaided or without his braces, 15 months later the video showed him sprinting! Patience. Pratice. Perseverance!
I stopped about three times I think, coughing and spluttering but I kept jogging on the whole of the route, and no short detours, well, I am out, might as well,.....and besides, it's what us women to, right girls?!
Mind you, when I got back from my run I did get a little tweet about if you have a cough then its best not to run!!
Geeky stats for you
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Long Slow, Slow Run!
Hello blog lovers.
I remember when I wrote my first ever blog, and I said something along the lines of, taking up jogging at my age, is probably not the most sensible things to do and is probably even dangerous thing to do! Well I stand corrected! Deciding to run a marathon at the age of 50, is probably the most daftest things, to date, that I have decided to do!
Today my schedule said that I should be doing interval running for 85 mins, which in my world, reads jogging and thinking about running for fast periods, for 85 mins. I can only do that running bit at the end of my nice little 3 and half milers!
I have decided to extend my distance however, you will all be pleased to hear! I do need to test this old body of mine, see how it feels after 7 miles. Next week, add a little bit more, etc, you get the idea! I just hope my body will grasp on to the idea, and pretty quick!
My route this evening would be the 6 miler route, through the posh houses, but I will be doing it in reverse! Sometimes its good to change this a bit, and I will be doing a bit extra to increase the mileage! Of course going this way around the hills are in the beginning of the run, longer slower climbs up through Pettswood. The Old Boy was trying to explain how sometimes doing things in reverse is harder because of the hills. I must be having a 'Blonde' moment because I just presumed hills are hills, I have to run up and I have to run down, same thing if I run down then I have to run up! Surely?
I was really struggling to jog today, I even stopped and had some walking way before the 30 minutes I did on Monday, it was about 17 or 18 minutes into the run! I put it down to the fact that I wasn't feeling too good today. I woke up with a bit of a cough. Baby germs had got to me again! An occupational hazard that I have to deal with! I suppose I could greet all the children coming in to my home wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves! Yes, I could say that for the next few months we are going to be looking at all things doctors and nurses! I could get away with it, I'm sure!
That is how todays run went today. It was a jog some, walk some day! But my thoughts going through my head were "You could so easily have stayed in Old Girl, but look at you, you're out here just doing it" So I didn't beat myself up about todays jog along. After all I am planning on putting in an extra mile. At least the distance will be there. I will start to teach my body about distance!
The Old Boy was jogging along with me, not really understanding why I keep stopping! But I just smile at him, tell him I am tired, tell him that I am starting a cold, in fact all the excuses in my book, just so that he don't ask me again! I know todays run is going to be slow and there will be plenty of walking bits.
We eventually were running down the A21 towards Bromley. Not too far from the round about I just really, and I mean really need to go for a 'wee wee'. I was thinking at that precises moment, 'Why didn't anyone buy me tena ladies as a little giggle joke birthday pressie" I could so have needed them right then. Mental note to self, Check out how many 'natural stopping' places there on on the VLM route, because at this rate I will need one every 5 miles or so!
Fortunately, going this way round the restaruant/pub is just a few yards up ahead! I managed to get there, without embarrassment, and used their facilities. I was just hoping the sight of me wasn't going to put people of their huge dinners! A big orange and black sweaty pink person, walking past the joints of meat they were all busy drooling over!
As we had crossed over the road the OB said "Lets go through Whitehall rec and break up the long road a bit" I felt this was a good idea. It's always good to change things around. So that's what we did. We popped out of the ally way opposite Turpington lane. Now I could have gone down there, and through our park which would be a tad shorter than jogging up to to Oxhawth. But again, my attitude was, well, I'm out, I said I was going to do extra mile so hey ho, go for it.
Jogged/walked all the way to top Oxhawth, "Now, jog all the way home, no more stopping for tea and cakes" the OB said. Well, I was planning on that anyway, because this is my bit of road that I never walk on! But I just didn't have the energy to tell him that! I just wanted to concentrate on each lamppost as we passed under it. Not even counting the lampposts, just, "There's another one gone, look for the next"
We got to our house, I stopped the Garmin and was very, very surprised that actually we had covered 7.77 miles! Yeah, go Old Girl, now that is what I am talking about!
I walked around the green for a bit, mumbling something at the OB, because he has said something about at that pace its going to take at least 7 hours to complete the marathon! I just mumbled away saying things like Rome wasn't built in a day! But I think he was secretly pleased with our run today!
Geeky stats, complete with loo stop, but I did stop it as soon as I ....was on the job.... so to speak!
I remember when I wrote my first ever blog, and I said something along the lines of, taking up jogging at my age, is probably not the most sensible things to do and is probably even dangerous thing to do! Well I stand corrected! Deciding to run a marathon at the age of 50, is probably the most daftest things, to date, that I have decided to do!
Today my schedule said that I should be doing interval running for 85 mins, which in my world, reads jogging and thinking about running for fast periods, for 85 mins. I can only do that running bit at the end of my nice little 3 and half milers!
I have decided to extend my distance however, you will all be pleased to hear! I do need to test this old body of mine, see how it feels after 7 miles. Next week, add a little bit more, etc, you get the idea! I just hope my body will grasp on to the idea, and pretty quick!
My route this evening would be the 6 miler route, through the posh houses, but I will be doing it in reverse! Sometimes its good to change this a bit, and I will be doing a bit extra to increase the mileage! Of course going this way around the hills are in the beginning of the run, longer slower climbs up through Pettswood. The Old Boy was trying to explain how sometimes doing things in reverse is harder because of the hills. I must be having a 'Blonde' moment because I just presumed hills are hills, I have to run up and I have to run down, same thing if I run down then I have to run up! Surely?
I was really struggling to jog today, I even stopped and had some walking way before the 30 minutes I did on Monday, it was about 17 or 18 minutes into the run! I put it down to the fact that I wasn't feeling too good today. I woke up with a bit of a cough. Baby germs had got to me again! An occupational hazard that I have to deal with! I suppose I could greet all the children coming in to my home wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves! Yes, I could say that for the next few months we are going to be looking at all things doctors and nurses! I could get away with it, I'm sure!
That is how todays run went today. It was a jog some, walk some day! But my thoughts going through my head were "You could so easily have stayed in Old Girl, but look at you, you're out here just doing it" So I didn't beat myself up about todays jog along. After all I am planning on putting in an extra mile. At least the distance will be there. I will start to teach my body about distance!
The Old Boy was jogging along with me, not really understanding why I keep stopping! But I just smile at him, tell him I am tired, tell him that I am starting a cold, in fact all the excuses in my book, just so that he don't ask me again! I know todays run is going to be slow and there will be plenty of walking bits.
We eventually were running down the A21 towards Bromley. Not too far from the round about I just really, and I mean really need to go for a 'wee wee'. I was thinking at that precises moment, 'Why didn't anyone buy me tena ladies as a little giggle joke birthday pressie" I could so have needed them right then. Mental note to self, Check out how many 'natural stopping' places there on on the VLM route, because at this rate I will need one every 5 miles or so!
Fortunately, going this way round the restaruant/pub is just a few yards up ahead! I managed to get there, without embarrassment, and used their facilities. I was just hoping the sight of me wasn't going to put people of their huge dinners! A big orange and black sweaty pink person, walking past the joints of meat they were all busy drooling over!
As we had crossed over the road the OB said "Lets go through Whitehall rec and break up the long road a bit" I felt this was a good idea. It's always good to change things around. So that's what we did. We popped out of the ally way opposite Turpington lane. Now I could have gone down there, and through our park which would be a tad shorter than jogging up to to Oxhawth. But again, my attitude was, well, I'm out, I said I was going to do extra mile so hey ho, go for it.
Jogged/walked all the way to top Oxhawth, "Now, jog all the way home, no more stopping for tea and cakes" the OB said. Well, I was planning on that anyway, because this is my bit of road that I never walk on! But I just didn't have the energy to tell him that! I just wanted to concentrate on each lamppost as we passed under it. Not even counting the lampposts, just, "There's another one gone, look for the next"
We got to our house, I stopped the Garmin and was very, very surprised that actually we had covered 7.77 miles! Yeah, go Old Girl, now that is what I am talking about!
I walked around the green for a bit, mumbling something at the OB, because he has said something about at that pace its going to take at least 7 hours to complete the marathon! I just mumbled away saying things like Rome wasn't built in a day! But I think he was secretly pleased with our run today!
Geeky stats, complete with loo stop, but I did stop it as soon as I ....was on the job.... so to speak!
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Club Run - Cardiac Hill!
Hello blog lovers.
It was a wet evening! The Old Boy was contemplating going out on his bike, but he decided against it! I said "Why don't you go for a run instead" The next minute he had changed out of his cycling gear and back into his jeans! Ready to settle in front of the t.v.!
Oh well, he obviously isn't as dedicated as me! Mind you I was in two minds about it. But hey, water is not going to melt me. It will, however, turn me into a drowned rat lookie likie! But a bit of bathing, pampering and brushing afterwards can almost sort that out.
I have started to read a book that was given to me for my birthday. Quite an amusing book, I feel sure this will be a good read for me, because so far I can identify with the author, totally. Even down to the fact that arguing with yourself becomes second nature, so I am not alone in that matter. and this is a natural thing that happens to runners!
But the author does make me think about why I wanted to train for a marathon in the first place, she herself has the exact same reasons as I have, but I do have one extra reason as well. The fact that one of our group 1 runners last year had been entered for the VLM last year, by her daughter! But she had in fact never ever ran a race before! She didn't shy away from it. She took it with both hands, or should I say feet and trained for it. I watched her on the telly (I know, I was being lazy even at that time, I should have been down there cheering her on and our other PWR's) and she completed it in 5 hours and 20 minutes, I think it was!
So as soon as the registration was opened, which I just happened to see via our club's facebook page that it was, I found myself entering all my details, and pushing the submit button, and paying the cash to enter the race! I didn't tell a soul what I had done. I kept it too myself for those few months until the time when everyone was either putting smileys next to pictures of their acceptance magazines or talking of Elvis Presley! Even then just for a few days more, I kept it to myself, only telling the Old Boy!
Yep, runners are weird sort of people! Have to be, who else would go out in the cold, the rain, the snow, the dark, get up early, go out late, run for miles and miles, hurt and then come back and say "Well that was good!"
Todays club run was nice a sedate run, sort of! We had some newbies with us, they had been attending one of the beginners groups and this was their first time joining in with the group runs. Our leader today was SingStar Jo, I was secretly glad of that, well when I first heard it was her leading. Singstar Jo had her birthday weekend the same time as me. I know she had a good a time as I did at my party! So I was presuming that she would be going a nice gentle, easy, slowish flat route and pace.
She stepped up to talk us through the route, mentioned the nice down hill to the off license and then...up to Orpington, over some cheeky little humps and bumps to.....Cardiac Hill! dun dun daaaaa! (you have to sing that bit in scary mode!) Maybe she still has alcohol inside her, and she doesn't realise what she is saying. I looked over to our Illustrious Leader, I was hoping that she might jump in and have a gentle word with her about the dangers of running after a very nice weekend celebrating, but she didn't!
I just had to take it on the chin. Then I began to remember! "What are you talking about woman! You ran yesterday for 30 minutes non stop!" I did run yesterday! I managed that ok! It's going to be just fine! And it was!
The first mile had split us into two groups, the newbies were a tad behind with our Illustrious Leader's husband Richard, it is he who takes one of beginners group. So we decided to split the group into two, Illustrious leader would wait for the newbies and the rest of us would carry on at the pace we were going. I did volunteer to stay with I.L. but apparently hanging outside off licenses is not new to her!
Singstar Jo kept us going at the same pace, over the railway bridge, and then the cheeky little bumps. I didn't want to stop on these bumps, and I forced myself over them. I think I must have stopped running as I heard a "Come on Old Girl, keep going"
We kept on jogging until we reached the road fondly known as 'Cardiac Hill' I looked up at it, pleased that it was dark! Hills are just not as scary or 'hilly' in the night time! We had another quick breather here, for every one to catch up, the beginners were with I.L. and Richard,( now going to be known as Dancing Dad! Oh yes, that's his new name from now on! Well, unless he really doesn't like it, sends me a new marathon training plan that has me running up cudham north lane as a warm up, in which case I will change it back.) They would be running at a slightly slower pace, and maybe even change the route slightly.
Now for the hill. I had set a precedence the last time we were on this hill, and it was Singstar Jo that had me running up this hill for the first time, all the way, non stop! I can't be stopping on here again now. Alcoholic weekend or not, I had to do this hill!
Well, I did it! I was pleased I did it. My legs were not liking me one bit however, but who cares, Marathon brain is in control at the moment, and I did it. I did walk a little along the flat afterwards though, prompting another "Come on Old Girl, keep going"
We stayed together until Birchwood Road, and then from there, it was as fast or as slow as you like. I was at the back with the sweeper, who just as we turned the corner had an encounter with a beer can, it locked down on her foot, and I heard her 'clanking' along behind me! Somehow she had landed perfectly in the middle of the beer can and it 'embraced her foot, and became like a huge hob nail on her trainer!
Half way down this road is when I started to pick up the pace up, I started to pass some of the group as we headed towards our start point! I started running, it was easy, it was down hill! I passed some more of our group 1. I had the front runners in my sights. I decided to pretend I was in a race! I was going to catch them up if not pass them before they get to the sign post. I ran as hard as I could. Faster and faster! They were were getting close, I can hear their trainers hitting the wet pavements, I can hear their breathing as they all concentrated on getting to the sign post. I managed to just catch up to one of the back runners as we got to the sign post!
I took a deep breath, bent over to rest, or whatever that does to runners, you always see them bending over like that, I have no idea why, apart from the fact it feels bloody good! And then we walked inside the gate to start our warm down stretches! "Why do I do that, that kills me" I said to another group 1 runner walking beside me "Because you love it" she said to me!
Because I love it! Yup, that is how this hate/love relationship with running has developed over the past 4 years, I do it because I love it!
Geeky stats for you
It was a wet evening! The Old Boy was contemplating going out on his bike, but he decided against it! I said "Why don't you go for a run instead" The next minute he had changed out of his cycling gear and back into his jeans! Ready to settle in front of the t.v.!
Oh well, he obviously isn't as dedicated as me! Mind you I was in two minds about it. But hey, water is not going to melt me. It will, however, turn me into a drowned rat lookie likie! But a bit of bathing, pampering and brushing afterwards can almost sort that out.
I have started to read a book that was given to me for my birthday. Quite an amusing book, I feel sure this will be a good read for me, because so far I can identify with the author, totally. Even down to the fact that arguing with yourself becomes second nature, so I am not alone in that matter. and this is a natural thing that happens to runners!
But the author does make me think about why I wanted to train for a marathon in the first place, she herself has the exact same reasons as I have, but I do have one extra reason as well. The fact that one of our group 1 runners last year had been entered for the VLM last year, by her daughter! But she had in fact never ever ran a race before! She didn't shy away from it. She took it with both hands, or should I say feet and trained for it. I watched her on the telly (I know, I was being lazy even at that time, I should have been down there cheering her on and our other PWR's) and she completed it in 5 hours and 20 minutes, I think it was!
So as soon as the registration was opened, which I just happened to see via our club's facebook page that it was, I found myself entering all my details, and pushing the submit button, and paying the cash to enter the race! I didn't tell a soul what I had done. I kept it too myself for those few months until the time when everyone was either putting smileys next to pictures of their acceptance magazines or talking of Elvis Presley! Even then just for a few days more, I kept it to myself, only telling the Old Boy!
Yep, runners are weird sort of people! Have to be, who else would go out in the cold, the rain, the snow, the dark, get up early, go out late, run for miles and miles, hurt and then come back and say "Well that was good!"
Todays club run was nice a sedate run, sort of! We had some newbies with us, they had been attending one of the beginners groups and this was their first time joining in with the group runs. Our leader today was SingStar Jo, I was secretly glad of that, well when I first heard it was her leading. Singstar Jo had her birthday weekend the same time as me. I know she had a good a time as I did at my party! So I was presuming that she would be going a nice gentle, easy, slowish flat route and pace.
She stepped up to talk us through the route, mentioned the nice down hill to the off license and then...up to Orpington, over some cheeky little humps and bumps to.....Cardiac Hill! dun dun daaaaa! (you have to sing that bit in scary mode!) Maybe she still has alcohol inside her, and she doesn't realise what she is saying. I looked over to our Illustrious Leader, I was hoping that she might jump in and have a gentle word with her about the dangers of running after a very nice weekend celebrating, but she didn't!
I just had to take it on the chin. Then I began to remember! "What are you talking about woman! You ran yesterday for 30 minutes non stop!" I did run yesterday! I managed that ok! It's going to be just fine! And it was!
The first mile had split us into two groups, the newbies were a tad behind with our Illustrious Leader's husband Richard, it is he who takes one of beginners group. So we decided to split the group into two, Illustrious leader would wait for the newbies and the rest of us would carry on at the pace we were going. I did volunteer to stay with I.L. but apparently hanging outside off licenses is not new to her!
Singstar Jo kept us going at the same pace, over the railway bridge, and then the cheeky little bumps. I didn't want to stop on these bumps, and I forced myself over them. I think I must have stopped running as I heard a "Come on Old Girl, keep going"
We kept on jogging until we reached the road fondly known as 'Cardiac Hill' I looked up at it, pleased that it was dark! Hills are just not as scary or 'hilly' in the night time! We had another quick breather here, for every one to catch up, the beginners were with I.L. and Richard,( now going to be known as Dancing Dad! Oh yes, that's his new name from now on! Well, unless he really doesn't like it, sends me a new marathon training plan that has me running up cudham north lane as a warm up, in which case I will change it back.) They would be running at a slightly slower pace, and maybe even change the route slightly.
Now for the hill. I had set a precedence the last time we were on this hill, and it was Singstar Jo that had me running up this hill for the first time, all the way, non stop! I can't be stopping on here again now. Alcoholic weekend or not, I had to do this hill!
Well, I did it! I was pleased I did it. My legs were not liking me one bit however, but who cares, Marathon brain is in control at the moment, and I did it. I did walk a little along the flat afterwards though, prompting another "Come on Old Girl, keep going"
We stayed together until Birchwood Road, and then from there, it was as fast or as slow as you like. I was at the back with the sweeper, who just as we turned the corner had an encounter with a beer can, it locked down on her foot, and I heard her 'clanking' along behind me! Somehow she had landed perfectly in the middle of the beer can and it 'embraced her foot, and became like a huge hob nail on her trainer!
Half way down this road is when I started to pick up the pace up, I started to pass some of the group as we headed towards our start point! I started running, it was easy, it was down hill! I passed some more of our group 1. I had the front runners in my sights. I decided to pretend I was in a race! I was going to catch them up if not pass them before they get to the sign post. I ran as hard as I could. Faster and faster! They were were getting close, I can hear their trainers hitting the wet pavements, I can hear their breathing as they all concentrated on getting to the sign post. I managed to just catch up to one of the back runners as we got to the sign post!
I took a deep breath, bent over to rest, or whatever that does to runners, you always see them bending over like that, I have no idea why, apart from the fact it feels bloody good! And then we walked inside the gate to start our warm down stretches! "Why do I do that, that kills me" I said to another group 1 runner walking beside me "Because you love it" she said to me!
Because I love it! Yup, that is how this hate/love relationship with running has developed over the past 4 years, I do it because I love it!
Geeky stats for you
Monday 19 November 2012
Now The Party's Over! - Or Is It?
Hello blog lovers,
I was back to my training again today. I am still sort of floating around the week 6 and 7 or my training plan, which means very soon, I will have to progress to week 8 very soon. My training kind of started 4 weeks ago now, so really I should pull me finger out and get going!.
So after a fantastic birthday celebration weekend I found the energy, (just) to go for a 40 min jog. The Old Boy was still feeling a little delicate as well, but he found the energy to go out on what felt a rather chilly evening, but actually wasn't that bad.
For the 40 min jog, and I knew I wasn't going to be doing anything ore that this, I said to the OB that we will do the usual route of Turpington lane and back.
"As long as there is no stopping for tea and cakes" he said, but I reckon he would have been pleased if i did! It really was a good party!
We started of quite gentle, as always, in fact, as I was jogging along the Old Boy was walking! Which I thought was a bit naughty! "Come on, get going, get that heart rate up" I said to him. He eventually got into the rhythm and jogged along beside me.
My ankles again feel really tight. What is that all about? Is that what the Achilles heel do, just hurt if you exercise too much? But after a while it all loosened up again, but both of them now do feel as if I have bruises on the backs of my heels. I kept jogging way beyond all the places that I usually stop. I was feeling pretty good considering that I had such a brilliant weekend! By the time I got up to Greenway I was still feeling pretty good.
"Keep going Old Girl" I said to myself in my head! "Keep going, no need to slow down the pace" I really wanted to go further that I had for a long time, today. Push myself to do just a few extra metres. I had managed to run all of Greenway, then turned the corner. I came face t fact with Magpiehall lane. It's really strange, but when i first started running, and I got to this part of the route, this road seemed to have a huge hill. I thought I would never be able to run all the way. And up till a few months ago, I still used to stop on this road, with the slight incline! But today I carried on running up it.
We turned right into Holbrook, left into Parkfield, I am still running! I was feeling ok, keeping the breathing under control. If I felt as if I was running out of breath the I just slowed up the pace a bit. Back past the Harvesters now! Still running! Yup, I may have this one cracked! I was looking towards the school now, thinking about the slight incline that I will need to run up to get to Faringdon,
"Straight over the road to top Oxhawth" the Old Boy said. I just carried on. But as we got to the other side of the road, and just a little further, I had a walking break, (tea and cake to the Old Bo!) "Well done, good going" he said! "Now, lets get going again" even before I could utter anything!
I did take the whole minute thought before we started running again. But that was the first and only run, 29:35 minutes into the run! Yep, I was very pleased with that, I have finally met with my clubs criteria or being able to run for a least 30 minutes to be able to join!
To get the whole of the 40 min jog session we had to do a little twiddle on the usual route and add a little bit of an extra road or two before we arrived home!
So, would you like to see the geeky stats, well here they are.
I was back to my training again today. I am still sort of floating around the week 6 and 7 or my training plan, which means very soon, I will have to progress to week 8 very soon. My training kind of started 4 weeks ago now, so really I should pull me finger out and get going!.
So after a fantastic birthday celebration weekend I found the energy, (just) to go for a 40 min jog. The Old Boy was still feeling a little delicate as well, but he found the energy to go out on what felt a rather chilly evening, but actually wasn't that bad.
For the 40 min jog, and I knew I wasn't going to be doing anything ore that this, I said to the OB that we will do the usual route of Turpington lane and back.
"As long as there is no stopping for tea and cakes" he said, but I reckon he would have been pleased if i did! It really was a good party!
We started of quite gentle, as always, in fact, as I was jogging along the Old Boy was walking! Which I thought was a bit naughty! "Come on, get going, get that heart rate up" I said to him. He eventually got into the rhythm and jogged along beside me.
My ankles again feel really tight. What is that all about? Is that what the Achilles heel do, just hurt if you exercise too much? But after a while it all loosened up again, but both of them now do feel as if I have bruises on the backs of my heels. I kept jogging way beyond all the places that I usually stop. I was feeling pretty good considering that I had such a brilliant weekend! By the time I got up to Greenway I was still feeling pretty good.
"Keep going Old Girl" I said to myself in my head! "Keep going, no need to slow down the pace" I really wanted to go further that I had for a long time, today. Push myself to do just a few extra metres. I had managed to run all of Greenway, then turned the corner. I came face t fact with Magpiehall lane. It's really strange, but when i first started running, and I got to this part of the route, this road seemed to have a huge hill. I thought I would never be able to run all the way. And up till a few months ago, I still used to stop on this road, with the slight incline! But today I carried on running up it.
We turned right into Holbrook, left into Parkfield, I am still running! I was feeling ok, keeping the breathing under control. If I felt as if I was running out of breath the I just slowed up the pace a bit. Back past the Harvesters now! Still running! Yup, I may have this one cracked! I was looking towards the school now, thinking about the slight incline that I will need to run up to get to Faringdon,
"Straight over the road to top Oxhawth" the Old Boy said. I just carried on. But as we got to the other side of the road, and just a little further, I had a walking break, (tea and cake to the Old Bo!) "Well done, good going" he said! "Now, lets get going again" even before I could utter anything!
I did take the whole minute thought before we started running again. But that was the first and only run, 29:35 minutes into the run! Yep, I was very pleased with that, I have finally met with my clubs criteria or being able to run for a least 30 minutes to be able to join!
To get the whole of the 40 min jog session we had to do a little twiddle on the usual route and add a little bit of an extra road or two before we arrived home!
So, would you like to see the geeky stats, well here they are.
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Last one Before PARRRRTYYYYY!
Hello blog lovers.
That's right! After a lazy weekend I am going to have another lazy few days. That's what happens when you get close to one of those big '0' birthdays! The preparation begins tomorrow, and I don't mean preparation for training or running, I mean for my party! So no time for running! But I promise training will begin again in earnest after these next few weekends.
As I had done virtually 6 miles yesterday, albeit with a 15 min gap after 2.71 miles, I was thinking that I would only run for about 3 miles today, I know that is not what my training plan says, but this month was always going to be difficult training with my birthday coming up! But somehow the Old Boy had me agreeing to a 6 miler!
"We can always cut if short, if we go up Magpiehall lane, and you really don't fancy it" he said as his very persuasive argument.
"Ok" I said, And I really thought that I would be cutting it short! My legs were very tired.
We started the run, I was really slow! My ankles were feeling very tight! It will take at least a mile gentle jogging before they will loosen up. I felt like an old lady as I tried to jog along up Faringdon! But loosened up they did. I went past the first mile, the pub/restaurant on the corner. Then me and the Old Boy kept on running until the next left turn!
I was doing quite well, the heels had loosened up nicely and I was feeling ok, if maybe just a little tired. Maybe I will cut it short and turn down by the church to go home. I carried running, still haven't stop, and I could see the new school gates! I am quite happy with this, I was wondering how far I could go, being as that I have quite tired legs at that precise time I was doing ok! I kept going, up to the A21. Then turned the corner, and I kept going. I kept going until just before the bus garage! The Old Boy urged me on again. I started running after only a few seconds walking.
I could see the hill approaching, I was wondering if maybe I should have cut short and gone down past the church, to dear old Turn around Lamppost and home. I took another short walk, a deep lung full of air, and I attacked the hill. I really wanted to run the whole way, or at least from the moment I started running, I didn't want to stop until I reached the posh houses!
Do you know what? I did it! I ran the hill! I got all the way into the posh house, and I even ran half way up the first straight.......and then I took a walking stop! From here on though my legs we really complaining, I just slowed my pace down, which the Old Boy kept telling me to do anyway, just to get my breathing in control again. I though I was doing pretty well actually, but then he can hear how much I am puffing away!
I knew when we popped out of the new houses it wasn't that much further to go. I had decided then to do my sort of interval running. which would start as soon as I got on to Crofton Lane. I would jog one lamppost then speed up a bit to the next, then jog to the next one and speed up to the next. The Old Boy was a bit in front of me when I started doing that, but when I did I soon caught up with him. I didn't tell him what I was doing. Maybe he thought he was going a tad slower!
I tried to keep it up as best as I could. I walked a few more sections before I got home. Well, it wouldn't be me if I didn't. I know one day, I will be running 6 miles non stop! Just not today.
So here is my geeky stats, I shall rest up my Garmin now, hopefully Sunday will be the next run, lets just see how I feel after this weekend!
That's right! After a lazy weekend I am going to have another lazy few days. That's what happens when you get close to one of those big '0' birthdays! The preparation begins tomorrow, and I don't mean preparation for training or running, I mean for my party! So no time for running! But I promise training will begin again in earnest after these next few weekends.
As I had done virtually 6 miles yesterday, albeit with a 15 min gap after 2.71 miles, I was thinking that I would only run for about 3 miles today, I know that is not what my training plan says, but this month was always going to be difficult training with my birthday coming up! But somehow the Old Boy had me agreeing to a 6 miler!
"We can always cut if short, if we go up Magpiehall lane, and you really don't fancy it" he said as his very persuasive argument.
"Ok" I said, And I really thought that I would be cutting it short! My legs were very tired.
We started the run, I was really slow! My ankles were feeling very tight! It will take at least a mile gentle jogging before they will loosen up. I felt like an old lady as I tried to jog along up Faringdon! But loosened up they did. I went past the first mile, the pub/restaurant on the corner. Then me and the Old Boy kept on running until the next left turn!
I was doing quite well, the heels had loosened up nicely and I was feeling ok, if maybe just a little tired. Maybe I will cut it short and turn down by the church to go home. I carried running, still haven't stop, and I could see the new school gates! I am quite happy with this, I was wondering how far I could go, being as that I have quite tired legs at that precise time I was doing ok! I kept going, up to the A21. Then turned the corner, and I kept going. I kept going until just before the bus garage! The Old Boy urged me on again. I started running after only a few seconds walking.
I could see the hill approaching, I was wondering if maybe I should have cut short and gone down past the church, to dear old Turn around Lamppost and home. I took another short walk, a deep lung full of air, and I attacked the hill. I really wanted to run the whole way, or at least from the moment I started running, I didn't want to stop until I reached the posh houses!
Do you know what? I did it! I ran the hill! I got all the way into the posh house, and I even ran half way up the first straight.......and then I took a walking stop! From here on though my legs we really complaining, I just slowed my pace down, which the Old Boy kept telling me to do anyway, just to get my breathing in control again. I though I was doing pretty well actually, but then he can hear how much I am puffing away!
I knew when we popped out of the new houses it wasn't that much further to go. I had decided then to do my sort of interval running. which would start as soon as I got on to Crofton Lane. I would jog one lamppost then speed up a bit to the next, then jog to the next one and speed up to the next. The Old Boy was a bit in front of me when I started doing that, but when I did I soon caught up with him. I didn't tell him what I was doing. Maybe he thought he was going a tad slower!
I tried to keep it up as best as I could. I walked a few more sections before I got home. Well, it wouldn't be me if I didn't. I know one day, I will be running 6 miles non stop! Just not today.
So here is my geeky stats, I shall rest up my Garmin now, hopefully Sunday will be the next run, lets just see how I feel after this weekend!
Such A Good Weekend!
Hello blog lovers,
I did have such a very good the weekend just gone, I didn't train at all! I know! But it doesn't mean that I am going to fail, bail out, quit or anything like that, it just means that I had a good weekend! Simples!
I helped out at our beginners group again yesterday (Tuesday), not only does it give me a sense of giving back, and to encourage all the next group of runners to come and join our running club, but it also helps me out immensely!
Having not run since last Thursday then and extra 2 or 3 miles is just what was needed! Kit man Mike asked me to do the warm up lap with beginners! I just did exactly what Mike did with them last week, a bit of jogging, side crabby thingys and some flailing our arms in a windmill like fashion soon got us all warmed up.
But the time I did the little warm up lap the other two ladies were there and ready and willing to take the beginners through to the 10 min jog, 1 min walk x3.
It was a good workout, and they all did so well. Here is the geeky stats for their route, there was a bit of a hill, which would have killed me a few years ago, but these guys and girls were doing really well!
When we got back Kitman Mike said that it was nearly time for our group runs, so it was straight in the car to get to the rec on time.
I saw Hitchy there and she was talking to a new member that has just joined. The new member is going to be doing the VLM as well next year, and decided that she needs the support of a club to help get her marathon fit! I am sure, once she has settled in she will think, "Why didn't I do thi ages ago?"
My legs were a bit tired after running up the hills today, but as we were going to be having a club draw to see who will get the 3 allocated club places for the VLM I though that we would be doing one of the shorter routes, "Staying local" as our illustrious Leader says.
And there were the words I needed to hear "We are staying local,......" her words kind of trailed of for me then, I was just pleased that we were not straying to far. I offered my services to be sweeper again, as I knew I would be in the back anyway, and then were were off.
I was chatting along with Paul, he has been away from running for a few months, but, I'm not sure what it is, the call of the running shoes pounding the pavements does bring us all back to it as some point. Ok, it took me a whole year after I stopped running, but I found my mojo again, and hasn't really left me. I know that some peoples mojo has to be looked for. Nagging sister found hers doing park runs, Even now, after hurting her foot, the call to work hard at getting fit is strong with her, she is missing her running! She has signed up for a month at a gym just so that she can participate in some form of exercise while her ankle recovers from the recent fall! Paul has come back to the club! Running. once its in there, it stays there! This is why we run!
Anyway, I have so digressed! The route we took was all a bit twisty turny, I hadn't a clue where we were! I was just hoping that I would stay up with them! I was quite pleased that Paul was there, he was running along at my pace, 4 months out will do that. but we wasn't stretched out, we were all quite evenly paced. The new runner admitted later that she was glad that she chose group 1 as this was her pace. She was thinking of going along with group 2 as they do a slightly longer route and slighter faster as well!
I had told her that group 1 was my pace. I am not going to be going any faster any time soon! That is obvious they way I plod along, and so there for I don't feel the need to 'move up' to the next group. My longer runs will be done at weekends and during the other days of the week with the Old Boy. The endurance I have to work on, my pace will stay the same I am sure.
We eventually came across the new railway bridge. It was only then that I realised where I was! So if I did get left behind, lost, then at least I knew how to get back to the rec. But we were all still virtually together. We had another quick little break here for our Illustrious Leader to tell us that we can now go as fast (or as slow) as we wanted, all the way back to the rec, and the she will take over as sweeper.
I like the down hill of Birchwood, as Hitchy said, you can shake out your shoulders, relax your arms, smile! and generally have a good time heading down. As I was no longer needed for sweeper duties, about 3 quarters of the way down I started to put a bit of a faster pace on, getting ready for the sprint on Crossways. I just picked it up a little, eased into the fast run, tried to stay focused. I was hoping I didn't start to early, coming from the other end of Crossways, I didn't want to burn out before I got to the gate!
I turned the corner, checked for the traffic and then started to sprint even faster, keeping my eyes on the sign to the rec! I did it. I didn't start to early, even though I didn't see my sprint road, I managed to keep up a steady faster pace. I must try pushing it a little harder now I think, start my faster running a little bit earlier, and then sprint only on Crossways!
So my geeky stats for group 1 run. And it turned out it was one of our longer runs! 3.89 miles!! So much for me thinking I was going to have it easy! After this some of us went to the wine bar to watch the draw, and to watch our club secretary hand over 'the Big Cheque' of £3,000 to Harris Hospice, the money raised from our Pettswood Runners 10k run held last month.
I did have such a very good the weekend just gone, I didn't train at all! I know! But it doesn't mean that I am going to fail, bail out, quit or anything like that, it just means that I had a good weekend! Simples!
I helped out at our beginners group again yesterday (Tuesday), not only does it give me a sense of giving back, and to encourage all the next group of runners to come and join our running club, but it also helps me out immensely!
Having not run since last Thursday then and extra 2 or 3 miles is just what was needed! Kit man Mike asked me to do the warm up lap with beginners! I just did exactly what Mike did with them last week, a bit of jogging, side crabby thingys and some flailing our arms in a windmill like fashion soon got us all warmed up.
But the time I did the little warm up lap the other two ladies were there and ready and willing to take the beginners through to the 10 min jog, 1 min walk x3.
It was a good workout, and they all did so well. Here is the geeky stats for their route, there was a bit of a hill, which would have killed me a few years ago, but these guys and girls were doing really well!
When we got back Kitman Mike said that it was nearly time for our group runs, so it was straight in the car to get to the rec on time.
I saw Hitchy there and she was talking to a new member that has just joined. The new member is going to be doing the VLM as well next year, and decided that she needs the support of a club to help get her marathon fit! I am sure, once she has settled in she will think, "Why didn't I do thi ages ago?"
My legs were a bit tired after running up the hills today, but as we were going to be having a club draw to see who will get the 3 allocated club places for the VLM I though that we would be doing one of the shorter routes, "Staying local" as our illustrious Leader says.
And there were the words I needed to hear "We are staying local,......" her words kind of trailed of for me then, I was just pleased that we were not straying to far. I offered my services to be sweeper again, as I knew I would be in the back anyway, and then were were off.
I was chatting along with Paul, he has been away from running for a few months, but, I'm not sure what it is, the call of the running shoes pounding the pavements does bring us all back to it as some point. Ok, it took me a whole year after I stopped running, but I found my mojo again, and hasn't really left me. I know that some peoples mojo has to be looked for. Nagging sister found hers doing park runs, Even now, after hurting her foot, the call to work hard at getting fit is strong with her, she is missing her running! She has signed up for a month at a gym just so that she can participate in some form of exercise while her ankle recovers from the recent fall! Paul has come back to the club! Running. once its in there, it stays there! This is why we run!
Anyway, I have so digressed! The route we took was all a bit twisty turny, I hadn't a clue where we were! I was just hoping that I would stay up with them! I was quite pleased that Paul was there, he was running along at my pace, 4 months out will do that. but we wasn't stretched out, we were all quite evenly paced. The new runner admitted later that she was glad that she chose group 1 as this was her pace. She was thinking of going along with group 2 as they do a slightly longer route and slighter faster as well!
I had told her that group 1 was my pace. I am not going to be going any faster any time soon! That is obvious they way I plod along, and so there for I don't feel the need to 'move up' to the next group. My longer runs will be done at weekends and during the other days of the week with the Old Boy. The endurance I have to work on, my pace will stay the same I am sure.
We eventually came across the new railway bridge. It was only then that I realised where I was! So if I did get left behind, lost, then at least I knew how to get back to the rec. But we were all still virtually together. We had another quick little break here for our Illustrious Leader to tell us that we can now go as fast (or as slow) as we wanted, all the way back to the rec, and the she will take over as sweeper.
I like the down hill of Birchwood, as Hitchy said, you can shake out your shoulders, relax your arms, smile! and generally have a good time heading down. As I was no longer needed for sweeper duties, about 3 quarters of the way down I started to put a bit of a faster pace on, getting ready for the sprint on Crossways. I just picked it up a little, eased into the fast run, tried to stay focused. I was hoping I didn't start to early, coming from the other end of Crossways, I didn't want to burn out before I got to the gate!
I turned the corner, checked for the traffic and then started to sprint even faster, keeping my eyes on the sign to the rec! I did it. I didn't start to early, even though I didn't see my sprint road, I managed to keep up a steady faster pace. I must try pushing it a little harder now I think, start my faster running a little bit earlier, and then sprint only on Crossways!
So my geeky stats for group 1 run. And it turned out it was one of our longer runs! 3.89 miles!! So much for me thinking I was going to have it easy! After this some of us went to the wine bar to watch the draw, and to watch our club secretary hand over 'the Big Cheque' of £3,000 to Harris Hospice, the money raised from our Pettswood Runners 10k run held last month.
Thursday 8 November 2012
Almost To Plan!
Hello blog lovers.
Another 'challage day' and I think I did pretty well! Todays challenge was to jog for 35 minutes. I can do that! I am sure I can do that! Or at least have a darn good try at it! The Old Boy was coming along with me, I think secretly he is quite pleased that its only a 35 jog along!
Now a 35 minute run for me now day is about a 3 mile route. So it's up to Turpington lane, do the loop and then back again. Simples. I know I can do this route in about 37 minutes so whats an extra couple of minutes on the schedule.
I had it in mind to do really really well. I always do have good intentions when I set out. And going over the same route, when I am in the right frame of mind, is very good! Because I know all the places that I used to stop, well walk from. The Old Boy calls them stops, in fact he calls them stopping for tea and cakes! But I am walking really, obviously, there are no tea shops on this route! But this evening, I did jog along, to most of it. Only two walking sections! Two! The Old Boy calls them silly stops 'Why are you stopping, there is no need to stop" he said. But I knew I needed it. I only walked for 20 or thirty seconds each time.
From the second walking stop I really thought I would be having another one before I got back home. But I didn't stop again until I was at the lamppost outside my home! Very pleased with that. It wasn't the fast jog of all, but the pace was fairly consistent the OB said. Now lets see what the geeky stats say.
Geeky stats.
Another 'challage day' and I think I did pretty well! Todays challenge was to jog for 35 minutes. I can do that! I am sure I can do that! Or at least have a darn good try at it! The Old Boy was coming along with me, I think secretly he is quite pleased that its only a 35 jog along!
Now a 35 minute run for me now day is about a 3 mile route. So it's up to Turpington lane, do the loop and then back again. Simples. I know I can do this route in about 37 minutes so whats an extra couple of minutes on the schedule.
I had it in mind to do really really well. I always do have good intentions when I set out. And going over the same route, when I am in the right frame of mind, is very good! Because I know all the places that I used to stop, well walk from. The Old Boy calls them stops, in fact he calls them stopping for tea and cakes! But I am walking really, obviously, there are no tea shops on this route! But this evening, I did jog along, to most of it. Only two walking sections! Two! The Old Boy calls them silly stops 'Why are you stopping, there is no need to stop" he said. But I knew I needed it. I only walked for 20 or thirty seconds each time.
From the second walking stop I really thought I would be having another one before I got back home. But I didn't stop again until I was at the lamppost outside my home! Very pleased with that. It wasn't the fast jog of all, but the pace was fairly consistent the OB said. Now lets see what the geeky stats say.
Geeky stats.
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Slow Interval Running!
Hello Blog lovers.
Still n track with my training, only, its my way of training. I have been following the training guide that I was sent, and today's training wanted me jogging for 5 minutes, running for 15, jogging for 20, run for 10, jog for 10, run for 5, jog for 20 minutes. Well, I think I did the first five minutes just right, the next section, the whole running for 15, well, put it this way, I have decided, I am not a runner, well, not yet! I have never really tried the whole running thing. I have tried on several occasions, and I just fade. I do my run faster when I do my sprints, but that's when I am in easy reach of my destinations. Running is something that is done at the very end of a run! Well that is how I percieve the whole running thing, as apposed to the jogging thing.
Trying to do interval running is very disciplined, something I don't like! I dig my heels in and stand and sulk, and get all stroppy where discipline is concerned. A challenge, I can do. So I am going to have to change my attitude. Think of everything as a challenge. A training plan? No, its a challenge plan! I shall tick off each challenge that I have accomplished! That's what I need to get into my head.
I didn't managed to stick to the plan today, I was even getting stroppy about going out in the first place. I was trying to persuade the Old Boy to go for BBQ spare ribs instead! But he has decided that his 'body is a temple', no more crap to be shoved in side, except on Friday, (I hope, I do like my Friday nights out) and so I had no choice really, but to get my backside into gear and get out jogging.
The weather wasn't too bad, and I thought I would trust my instincts and just run in my winter top, leaving the jacket at home. I was right! I soon warmed up, as I jogged the first 5 minutes, a nice leisurely pace, my pace, a pace that I could happily jog along for a whole 26.2 miles (well that's what it feels like when I am just starting out), its just those running moments that take it out of me. (and jogging for any longer than a mile!)
I know I have to get used to the hard training plans, the running, and it will help to build up the endurance, but I am not liking it! Still, I am sure the fitter I get the more I will be able to do. And hopefully I will be losing weight as well! Fingers crossed!
My geeky stats, and as you can see, I really didn't stick to the plan at all! Tut, tut, tut. Must try harder! But as I keep reminding myself, way back when I first started to think about running, I couldn't even run 300 yards without needing to spend a week in an oxygen tent! Rome wasn't built in a day, and when my temple of a body is fully fit, it will be a magnificent temple, for an Old Girl!
Still n track with my training, only, its my way of training. I have been following the training guide that I was sent, and today's training wanted me jogging for 5 minutes, running for 15, jogging for 20, run for 10, jog for 10, run for 5, jog for 20 minutes. Well, I think I did the first five minutes just right, the next section, the whole running for 15, well, put it this way, I have decided, I am not a runner, well, not yet! I have never really tried the whole running thing. I have tried on several occasions, and I just fade. I do my run faster when I do my sprints, but that's when I am in easy reach of my destinations. Running is something that is done at the very end of a run! Well that is how I percieve the whole running thing, as apposed to the jogging thing.
Trying to do interval running is very disciplined, something I don't like! I dig my heels in and stand and sulk, and get all stroppy where discipline is concerned. A challenge, I can do. So I am going to have to change my attitude. Think of everything as a challenge. A training plan? No, its a challenge plan! I shall tick off each challenge that I have accomplished! That's what I need to get into my head.
I didn't managed to stick to the plan today, I was even getting stroppy about going out in the first place. I was trying to persuade the Old Boy to go for BBQ spare ribs instead! But he has decided that his 'body is a temple', no more crap to be shoved in side, except on Friday, (I hope, I do like my Friday nights out) and so I had no choice really, but to get my backside into gear and get out jogging.
The weather wasn't too bad, and I thought I would trust my instincts and just run in my winter top, leaving the jacket at home. I was right! I soon warmed up, as I jogged the first 5 minutes, a nice leisurely pace, my pace, a pace that I could happily jog along for a whole 26.2 miles (well that's what it feels like when I am just starting out), its just those running moments that take it out of me. (and jogging for any longer than a mile!)
I know I have to get used to the hard training plans, the running, and it will help to build up the endurance, but I am not liking it! Still, I am sure the fitter I get the more I will be able to do. And hopefully I will be losing weight as well! Fingers crossed!
My geeky stats, and as you can see, I really didn't stick to the plan at all! Tut, tut, tut. Must try harder! But as I keep reminding myself, way back when I first started to think about running, I couldn't even run 300 yards without needing to spend a week in an oxygen tent! Rome wasn't built in a day, and when my temple of a body is fully fit, it will be a magnificent temple, for an Old Girl!
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Time To Give Back!
Hello blog lovers.
I had another rest day yesterday, well, it was firework night and we had a little firework party at our church. I could have gone for a run after but I thought a day rest is as good as exercise as well. My legs and my ankle and heels were still quite sore yesterday.
Today however I noticed on my running clubs facebook page that one of our coaches was in need of a couple of volunteers to help out with the beginners group. Just to help them jog for 8 minutes, walk for 1 and do that four times. It doesn't sound a lot does it. But when you actually do jog along to it, its quite something. For a beginner this is quite an achievement! After only 3 weeks to be able to jog along for four lots of 8 minutes intervals is brilliant.
I wanted to give something back to my club, who over these last two years have given me encouragement, support, friends and just a fantastic feeling of belonging to the best running group ever! I wanted to be able to help others achieve their goals. So I volunteered. Singstar Jo also volunteered to help out. All that was an hour before my normal club run!
I felt I could do it though. And if I really felt as though I couldn't make it then I would forgo my group 1 run today. Having run for 6 and half miles in the past few days though, I dudn't think I would be going for an early shower today!
I met up with Kit Man Mike and his beginners group. There were only 5 of them today. A nice select group. But one of the ladies had an injury. After we started jogging along she had to pull out of the interval jogging and Kit man Mike, who happens to be our physio as well, help her with her injury. That left me and Singstar Jo to carry on with the four other beginners, to complete a loop.
I was very impressed with the group, they were all doing so well, and only after 3 weeks with the beginners group! I know they are given 'homework' that they have to complete during the week, which will help with their fitness.
We completed the lap and got back to Kitman Mike, the Singstar Jo and me had to go along to our meeting place to start our group 1 run! Singstar Jo is in fact our leader today. I bet she is so pleased that Cardiac Hill was not n her plans today!
We got to our meeting point. Singstar Jo ran from Little Thrift, I drove my car, well, I would only have had to walk all that way back to pick it up otherwise! Our route today was down Southborough Lane, a little lollipop at the end near the Harvester, and then back up again.
We started of nice and steady. It was a very select group 1 today, only 5 of us in todays jog. It seems as if group 2's ranks has somewhat swollen as group 1 members merge into group 2. We were chatting away as we were jogging along, my legs seemed to feel a lot looser than they were earlier today. We didn't have a stop until we reached the Harvester. By this time though, I needed to 'go powder my nose' So I excused my self from doing the lollipop and let the others follow our leader Singstar Jo do continue to do the little loop.
By the time I came out I was beginning to cool down a bit, so I just jogged up to where they would be popping out just so that I can stay warm. We then continued our run back up Southborough. I think I had managed to do this quite well, considering that I had done the beginners group a little earlier! I ran up most of the hill. I did have a little walk, but I soon caught up with them again. Well, I think Singstar Jo was going very easy on the group as she was feeling it from the beginners as well.
I still had a little bit left over to do a sprint up Crossways, and not only that but some of group 2 merged into our group and I kept pace with them as well as overtook them towards the end of the run! I really had to push it extra hard to even catch up to Sherry mind! She must have been going some as well!
So there are two lots of geeky stats to look at today, the first one is me helping out at the beginners group, complete with the lap I took in the car to get to the meeting place, and the second is our group 1 run. And Jo, thanks so very much for not adding in hills today! I don't think I would have done so well if you had.
I had another rest day yesterday, well, it was firework night and we had a little firework party at our church. I could have gone for a run after but I thought a day rest is as good as exercise as well. My legs and my ankle and heels were still quite sore yesterday.
Today however I noticed on my running clubs facebook page that one of our coaches was in need of a couple of volunteers to help out with the beginners group. Just to help them jog for 8 minutes, walk for 1 and do that four times. It doesn't sound a lot does it. But when you actually do jog along to it, its quite something. For a beginner this is quite an achievement! After only 3 weeks to be able to jog along for four lots of 8 minutes intervals is brilliant.
I wanted to give something back to my club, who over these last two years have given me encouragement, support, friends and just a fantastic feeling of belonging to the best running group ever! I wanted to be able to help others achieve their goals. So I volunteered. Singstar Jo also volunteered to help out. All that was an hour before my normal club run!
I felt I could do it though. And if I really felt as though I couldn't make it then I would forgo my group 1 run today. Having run for 6 and half miles in the past few days though, I dudn't think I would be going for an early shower today!
I met up with Kit Man Mike and his beginners group. There were only 5 of them today. A nice select group. But one of the ladies had an injury. After we started jogging along she had to pull out of the interval jogging and Kit man Mike, who happens to be our physio as well, help her with her injury. That left me and Singstar Jo to carry on with the four other beginners, to complete a loop.
I was very impressed with the group, they were all doing so well, and only after 3 weeks with the beginners group! I know they are given 'homework' that they have to complete during the week, which will help with their fitness.
We completed the lap and got back to Kitman Mike, the Singstar Jo and me had to go along to our meeting place to start our group 1 run! Singstar Jo is in fact our leader today. I bet she is so pleased that Cardiac Hill was not n her plans today!
We got to our meeting point. Singstar Jo ran from Little Thrift, I drove my car, well, I would only have had to walk all that way back to pick it up otherwise! Our route today was down Southborough Lane, a little lollipop at the end near the Harvester, and then back up again.
We started of nice and steady. It was a very select group 1 today, only 5 of us in todays jog. It seems as if group 2's ranks has somewhat swollen as group 1 members merge into group 2. We were chatting away as we were jogging along, my legs seemed to feel a lot looser than they were earlier today. We didn't have a stop until we reached the Harvester. By this time though, I needed to 'go powder my nose' So I excused my self from doing the lollipop and let the others follow our leader Singstar Jo do continue to do the little loop.
By the time I came out I was beginning to cool down a bit, so I just jogged up to where they would be popping out just so that I can stay warm. We then continued our run back up Southborough. I think I had managed to do this quite well, considering that I had done the beginners group a little earlier! I ran up most of the hill. I did have a little walk, but I soon caught up with them again. Well, I think Singstar Jo was going very easy on the group as she was feeling it from the beginners as well.
I still had a little bit left over to do a sprint up Crossways, and not only that but some of group 2 merged into our group and I kept pace with them as well as overtook them towards the end of the run! I really had to push it extra hard to even catch up to Sherry mind! She must have been going some as well!
So there are two lots of geeky stats to look at today, the first one is me helping out at the beginners group, complete with the lap I took in the car to get to the meeting place, and the second is our group 1 run. And Jo, thanks so very much for not adding in hills today! I don't think I would have done so well if you had.
Beginners Geeky Stats
Group 1 Run Geeky Stats.
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