A Double, On A Tuesday?

Hello blog lovers.

Well after the euphoria of the Petts Wood 10k on Sunday, I had my running feet ready. I had a free hour, dog free too!  Which is always a bonus, but it does mean that I can do longer than 5k, the dog only likes to do 5k, I guess he has little legs.  So I dropped him off for his play date and set off.  I had an errand to do as well, pop into the doctors for a 'script. So I thought a run around Normans park would be good.  I ran all the up to the doctors surgery, stopping for a walk maybe once or twice.  I don't count these days.  I feel good just getting out, so what if I walk, pishhh!  And I won't tell myself off!

When I got to the doctors surgery I had to turn off my Garmin, as I have it set for no auto pause.  Geesh don't you just hate doctors surgeries!  I really do hate them.  I hate the smell, the set up, no matter how new and modern they are.  Maybe it's just me!  But the worst bit is the queueing!  Cripes I hate queueing!  I stood in line, and I was sweating.  I mean, not just a 'little hot flush', but like 'I have just ran for 2 miles and walked into a warm building, and stopped running' type of sweating.  I was making a puddle on the floor.  I think if it wasn't for the running gear on I could pass as someone who has an extremely high fever, and needed to see a doctor!

Eventually I got to the end of the queue only to find out the said 'script wasn't even ready!  I continued my run towards Normans park and then did just one lap, but not the ordinary one lap, it's one parkrun lap.  an extra half mile maybe?  It is so much nicer than just running round and round! On the way around the park there are dog walkers, people with the babies in the buggies, but this fella (of girl?) was carrying a stick, but he so amused me, I made a remark to the dogs owner "I know!" she said, "Why have a stick if you can have a tree!" she said.  I just chuckled, I couldn't help but get a sneaky picture!

I then ran out of the park and heading back to pick up the little pooch from his play date!  It seemed he had a lovely time actually.  He was a bit bullied by his playmate, Belle, but he was in her house!  But I think it will be the start of a lovely friendship!

So geeky stats for my solo run.

Club Run - Group 1

At group 1 today I thought we 'derserve' a bit more or a challenging run.  So some undulations were called for.  It's good for us.....not sure it's good for me though, not after this morning!  But what the heck, people do it all the time!  I have done it many a time!  So I met up with the other ladies, J.J. and Little.J. and we made our way to the rec. They were wearing their new club buffs!  I should have had mine with me, I felt left out.  But I didn't think it was that cold actually, but maybe next week!  I stood out the front and gave them my route.  Hmmm, I don't think they were impressed with that idea!  But I know they will so love it and themselves once they have done it.

We had a newbie in our midst too, Laura, running for the first time for a while.  She looks as if she has been running for years though, I think she will be running in group 2 fairly soon. This run, is her 'just coming back' run!  So the first hill.......incline, is Birchwood!  It's a killer for a first off bit of running.  But we will have a break at the top.  I think I will need the break more than these guys!  When we got to the top of Birchwood I looked behind me and saw that we were all together, all 10 of us, there were no little sub groups! Wow, perfect pacing up the hill!  So I had a little walk just to get passed the first of the trees with all the gnarly roots that is bringing up pavement. For some reason, the council have decided that these new LED lights are much better, because they are cheaper to run, saving cash and therefore perfect.  But, to me, all they seem to light up is the immediate area, and it doesn't seem to 'penetrate'  the darkness to the sides of the lampposts, there are huge dark spaces between each light!

We we managed to get through that bit with out any tripping up, always a bonus, and then continued towards Tillingbourne.  I am not sure if group 1 were paying attention to me at the rec, when I told them that we would actually be running around Tillingbourne Green!  Probably best not to really say those bits loud any, it's always best to have some lovely surprises! As we were running towards the green, a cat darted across the road, dodged a couple of the runners on the road, dodged another runner on the pavement and then bashed into anothers  legs!  She didn't half scream!! She screamed so loud I am surprised that the neighbours hadn't ran out to check up!  Everyone calmed down after, including the cat who probably thought it ad got away scott free from the first few runners.

We ran towards the green.   We all started out heading up and up and up......untill it flattened out.  We were at the top of the undulation.  We were all pretty creamed cracker, but the long downhill section was such a welcome relief!  We continued with our loop of the green and started on the other side, running up again to where we had started on the gree.

The loop around was pretty good, if a tad challenging.  I let them off in front of me once we started on the next one, going back to the start, so they don't can run at their own pace up the h.......inclines, "Do the incline at your own pace" I said as they all started up the little incline back to where were had started.  I got there just a couple of seconds of the leaders, "Don't stop yet" I called to them, "Keep going to the top" and yes, it was the little hill that I get them to do their hill training on!  I think that is where I felt the knives come out of their eyes flying towards my back!  But I know they will all just cruise up there.....which they all did by the way.  As me I was leading from behind!

After a little rest we ran down the road to the roundabout and and then crossed over the road.  I was waiting for the others to catch up at the back, although they were not too far behind.  Once they had crossed over to other we walked just a little bit and started running again as we got to the lamppost.  I for one will be using the lamppost system from now!  It's what I always used to get Group 0 to do, don't stop running until you get to a lamppost then walk to the next then start running again, You can start walking only once you got to a lamppost!  It just gives you something to focus on!

I wasn't planning on taking them the whole long way round to Crossways via Great Thrift etc, no, I am not that cruel.......am I Michael! Once we had got to the top of Petts Wood Road we ran left and stayed on this road untill the second turning on the right!  By this time Michael and Tanya.....in fact everyone was in front of me!  I was feeling just a tad tired!  So I just followed them all back till we got to the rec.......well I manage to  have a little sprint......mainly to try catch up to the group!  

Group 2 had just got back to the rec too, so we  joined in  IllustriousLeaders cool down stretches.

So, geeky stats......I didn't get a pic of the cat though!

  

10 years Anniversary for PETTS WOOD RUNNERS!

Hello blog lovers!

Me and Woody!

Well what a day it was on Sunday 9th October!  Just an amazing day!  I get so excited about my club's Petts Wood Runners 10k event even though I am not running in it!  Just being part of a fantastic organisation is just brilliant!  I was due at the rec for 8:30 and my lovely hubby the Old Boy dropped me off.  There was already so much happening, gazebos put up, tents put up, the start/finish arch in position!  Everything going like clockwork!

The team leaders with their team around them briefing them before they go out to their positions on the course.  Here is a picture of  us listening to Hels, our Rec Team Leader

Marques for information,
the pub, St. Christopers and
the Higgs BBQ

The 'put up' team were still busy putting things up, Sarah and Barry from OINT (One Inn The Wood) were busy setting up the Beer Tent, a most welcomed attraction,  here for a third year!  There was the St. Christophers tent, Higgs tent, for all those bacon and sausage rolls!  Everything was coming together just perfectly.  We even had a PWR information tent too!

I don't think we have missed out anything this year.......oh and of course the local band were also playing  The Dirty Perks.

We have our mascots busy dancing and playing with the people that were milling about, Woody, Woodina and introducing Woodetta, the latest member of the Woody the gorillas family!  So after the briefing we all went on our way to our posts.  Some were car park and port-a-loo marshals others were 'keep the path clear' marshals while others were on ladies loo duties!  Me and ZippySherry were on rubbish duties, tea duties making sure our marshals are well supplied for tea and to fill in where its needed!  Love this job!  I am on the rec watching the start, witnessing the finish, and joining in all the fun during the race!  Are you supposed to have so much fun volunteering? Here is a picture of Emma Doyle doing her warm up, with the Gorilla family helping out!

Emma and the Gorilla Family!

After making sure there are bins strategically placed all around the green, getting teas and coffees for the baggage ladies, or as Wendimoo likes to call themselves the bag-ladies!.  I checked in to the female changing, just to make sure things were going 'down' smoothly!  And there I found another job, bucket duty!  What is it about races, that as soon as you get your number you need to pee......and then continue to want to pee until the end of the race! I know that is how it is with me!  But sometimes the 'cisterns' can't quite keep up with demand!  So bucket lady I became for a few minutes!  Then I was back on duty with the rubbish.

I looked at my watch and it was 10:15, I then met up with J.J. and Kirsty, ready to do one more thing.  At our club we like to have local heroes to be the official starters of our race.  We had the The Running Man in 2013, the wettest 10k we ever had!  I believe last year we had June, the local Lollipop lady, who has been safely seeing children over the road for years!  And this year, well its Kirsty and me!  Kirsty Bygraves (yes, she is related to the Max) is a lovely young lady.  She is 22 years old, and back in her younger days at school she used to like playing football! I know......she's a girl.....playing football......I still struggle with the whole offside rule........and no, I don't think I want another explanation!  Anyway, she has had to give up her football, her lungs won't allow her to doing anything like that anymore.  Kirsty has Cystic Fibrosis, an incurable life shortening disease.  So, she does what she can to raise awareness for this disease and to raise funds for St. Christophers Hospice, who are now part of her care team, and of course Petts Wood 10k raises money for St Christophers, and so far, not including yesterday, we have raise over £43,000 pounds since we started 10 years ago!  I also had the honour to be able to stand next to Kirsty, to say the countdown with her.  I had that honour because of what my running club had done earlier this year, they had voted me for the Members award.  What an honour, felt so humbled and proud at that moment!

Me and Kirsty!

Three, two, one.......Kirsty pushed the klaxon and the first wave of runners went through!  we had several 'pens' and to ease congestion going though the gate we sent them off in waves, and it went totally smoothly!  Kirsty and me cheering from the little stage, watching as all 837 runners ran past us!  There just seemed so many of them, they just kept on coming!  This is one of the best 10ks around, it keeps getting voted in the runners world, with 100% of the runners saying they would do it again!

Once all the runners had gone it was time for the next race, the childrens race!  There seemed to be so many kids!  The Gorillas, Woody, Woodina and Woodetter were at the start lines to cheer.....or chase after them in their races.  I was on hand to hand out the chocolate medals to all who passed over the line!  Let me tell you, there are some extremely fast little runners, I reckon there could be some future Olympians among them!

Future Olympian!

After that it was all change!  The tapes came down, tables were laid near the finish funnel and bananas water and tee-shirts were laid out ready for when the runners come back. Oh, and of course, a speciality of PWR, Samosas from the local Raj Doot!    We didn't have long to wait, because the first of the runners, Alistair Locke, was back 36.01 minutes after he left!  That's an incredible speed!  the first lady back was Jessica Keene in 38:49 minutes!  Simply amazing!  Then there was a steady flow of runners coming in after that.

The finishers tables

And for this year only
The finishers 10th
anniversary tee-shirt!

The last runner was simply amazing, it brought tears to many an eye as over the loud speaker came "Lets give a huge cheer for Louise ably guided by Jerry"  Yes, Louise is PWR 10k's first blind runner and our very own Mr.S was guiding her around the course!

Louse and Mr. S.

Simply amazing!  I was just totally speechless!  What a feat, negotiating the woods, with roots, holes, stones.....hills......and with Mr.S no doubt cracking his jokes!  Oh I do miss Mr.S in our group.  I shall have to get him to come and say hi to us all in group 1.

After all the awards and prizes were given, the people slowly disappeared, the beer kegs were slowly emptied, the bacon all gone, cakes from the St Christophers tent were eaten, it was times for the take down.  Again this worked like clock work!   The take down team came along ready to do their bit.  Folding, unscrewing, packing, washing, sweeping, rubbish thrown into the rubbish van.  Once it was all done you wouldn't have thought there were well over a thousand people had been through that rec!  All was clean, calm and spookily quiet!  And then......everyone went down to the pub, O.I.T.W. to have a celebratory drink!

Fabulous event, I would recommend this race to anyone!  If you have time go look at the reviews on Runners World.  Oh, just one other thing!  Us marshals and volunteers were all give these fantastic buffs!  How cool is that!  Here's to next year!  Cheers all!

Buffs!

Cheers!

Second and last four photos curtesy of Kevin

And this brilliant video taken by our own PhysioMike

https://youtu.be/zyM8_cmDKCQ

Solo Run.

Hello blog lovers.

I have written my blogs arse about face today.  , This one is all about my run on Thursday morning!  I needed to be in Petts Wood so I thought I would do my run from there.  I wasn't sure if I would be running with anyone else but I really wanted to run in the woods anyway!  There were a few runners there already but they were all the faster runners.  There was no one who runs at my pace. "Come with us" said Michelle!"  Now she runs in the middle group, David was taking that one out on Thursday.  Nicola was taking out the faster group, doing the PWR 10k route, or at least most of it!

I decided to try and give it a go.  If you don't push yourself then you just don't get any faster!  So I tagged along behind the middle group.  We all ran out of the gate but by the time we were up Crossways and turned left to go through the woods I was already puffing!  This was going to be hard, and I just knew that I would be holding them back! "Listen guys," I said to them "You go on and do your route, I shall turn here and go through the woods doing my route" I finished. "Oh no that's ok" David said, "We can do my route but in the opposite direction!" And with that we all went through the ally

Geesh!  I don't know how long I would be able to keep up with them, but I would give it a go, but they knew now, that if I wasn't behind them then not to worry!  I would do my own thing!  So we all went on into the woods through Dog Poo ally and then turned left to run along to by the rail tracks to the bridges.  They were well in front of me, I was running and pushing myself to keep up.  This was going to be a tough run!

All along the path to the first bridge, we didn't go over it, we continued along by the rail track to the path that goes down by the river.  The down hill was good I managed to catch them up slightly.  I was thinking to myself that I was going to be knackered for my evening run in Normans Park!  That is when I usually push myself to run as fast as I can!  Could I really do two hard runs in one day?  Well, we shall see soon!

Running along by the river and the group really started to pull away from.  There is no-way I can run at their pace....not yet.....I think I will really start to push myself on track now!  By the time I got to the end of the path, just by the beginning of Goss hill, they were gone!  I didn't know which way they went, but at least I could continue the rest of the run, which would have been the route I was going to do anyway, at my own pace! Well, maybe try and run a bit faster in places!

And one other thing about following the middle group, they have gone in the opposite direction I would have taken had I been by myself, now I have to run UP Goss hill!  For the rest of the run, once I got to the top of Goss hill, I just took it a little easier, after all, I was going to go to track that night! Track, that is when I should push hard!

I finished the run probably a bit slower than I thought.  I really expected it to be faster, but I think if you start out too fast, you can and do burn up too much energy.  Pacing, that's what it's all about!  But I was feeling good, just beause I was running through the woods!

Oh just a little footnote, I didn't go out running in the evening........I was working too late!

Geeky stats.

Beginners of Course!

Hello blog lovers.

I am just loving these sessions with the beginners!  They are just all so inspirational!  I was there at 09:50 this morning with Naggy Neighbour and Tracy.  There were just a handful of beginners there and quite a few PWR's.  I was wondering if they will all show today!  But while I was talking, and finding out a few things (like who received emails last week!) then they all started to appear!  By the time we started on our fist warm up walking lap of the rec there were about 60 or so people there, including the PWR's.

So here we are, half way through our course and also for the first time, running longer than we are walking!  Their faces were saying "I don't know if I can do this" but I know they will all do so well!  After the second walking lap of the green we went into our drills to really warm up those muscles so that the running for 4 minutes will seem like a breeze!

And then it was time. Time to run for 4 minutes non stop, with just 2 minutes recovery!  There was still a buzz going through the group "Oh I don't know if I can do it"  But let me tell you, nearly every single one did!  There were a couple of exceptions, one was that she decided to come along for the first time today!  She saw us last week and really wanted to get in on the action, get some of this free getting fit action that is happening.  And who cam blame her!  We also had someone who was a bit sick.

Now let me tell you this, a warning, maybe we should actually write it on our website.  "If you start on the beginners course please be aware that you may think you become invincible!  You may experience feelings of 'I can do anything even if I have a rotten cold/flu or a slight broken bone somewhere in my body"  Yes, us runners do think this, I myself thought and still do, think this exact same thing!  In fact in 2012, while I was watching the marathon on the telly I really believed I could do it.......and so I entered.......and I got a place for the 2013 Virgin London Marathon!  So be warned!  But seriously, if you really are feeling under the weather it is best to rest up!  That is something that I take heed of now!

The reps seemed to go really fast again, we were soon on the fifth rep of the 4 minute running!  It's just amazing to see how they all have coped with it.  Ok, it's not easy, it takes a lot of hard work but the reward after doing all that hard work is the feeling you get!  It feels like you can take on anything!  It lifts your mood, it gives you this huge sense of achievement, it burns of calories! You can do it anyway anytime and get the same feelings over and over again! And........and.......the best bit, its free!  Do you know anything else that can do that, because I don't.

Of course it does give you ideas.  Ideas of other ways to keep fit......and now here I am with a cupboard full of old running trainers, drawers full of running tech gear, and a wardrobe slowly growing with....cycling gear, and the proud owner of two bikes!  Maybe that should also be added to our website, "Any purchases bought for keep fit is no fault of the club, unless its the club kit"

So there you are, fourth week completed with still a huge number of determined and enthusiastic beginners with us!  Can't wait for next week! Oh, and this week I took a few pictures, including one our Club Coach DiscoRich......it's his birthday today!!

Running!

Four minutes!

Birthday Boy DiscoRich

Oh look, there's me..!

The look of concentration!

They really are smiling!  It's all done!

Helping With The Homework!

Hello blog lovers.

Helping with the homework, that's what I call it.  Not sure what Tracy would call it!  But I am here to help.  I heard on Saturday, that she felt right back into the swing of things and that she really found it easy and she could have gone running for longer! Hmmm.  That is telling me that she wants a challenge.  She wants to get back to the fitness that she had before the summer holidays.  In actual fact, the fitness level doest just disappear over night like that, but you do still need to get out at least once a week.  Muscle memory, I think that was a phrase I heard or read somewhere recently!  And I think that is what she has right there!

All that was needed is to give her muscles a gentle reminder!  So I collected her and we on to Normans park.  We are going to be doing 3 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking. Exactly what we were doing on Saturday? Well yes of course, this is the homework that we set!  But I added a little extra kick just to get not only her muscles to remember, but the whole of her body remember, what fun and fitness she felt just before those summer holidays! So for the last 30 seconds of the first run section we will just push it a little bit harder, run faster than we have been,  just for that last 30 seconds.  "Come on Tracy, you can do this" I said to her.  I could feel her eyes burning on my back!  But that's ok,  the daggers will come out on the next rep!  I tell you, Naggy Neighbour will be proud of me!

Of course we didn't start running until we had a bit of a warm up walk.  Just a brisk walk, a few high knees and butt kicks to the place where we shall start our running!  I could have done the whole drills thing first with her, just me and her in the middle of the park doing the ministry of silly walks, but I spared her that,  the looks and the daggers I will get from her will soon come, thick and fast!  She's my mate, I can get away with it! The first walking section came and a deep breath came from her!  She did well on that first speedy bit.  But it doesn't stop there.  The last 30 seconds of our walking will be done at a power walk speed!

The next running section it was the last 45 seconds of our 3 mins of running that was to be done a a slightly faster pace.  Now I could fee the daggers coming out.  "That's it Tracy, you're doing it" I encouraged her!  I don't think she thought it was encouragement, but nagging!  The next run of course I forgot how many we had done already, and I asked her if it was the third of fourth and she gave me the wrong one, and we ended up doing 45 seconds again!  Ooo such a wicked woman I am, because that meant we were only going to do the one 30 second speedy bit! All the others are now 45!  On this fourth rep of running, when we got to the 45 second speedy bit Tracy really went for it!  Picked it up a gear, put the foot on the gas and went for it!  Still, not 100%, but it doesn't need to be.  Just up one gear is all that is needed to give a good workout!  Interval running!  It works!

The last run section was a good un.  I am sure Tracy will agree!  Because for the last 1 minute of it we will be doing interval running, we will be running just a tad faster than we were doing!  Of course Tracy, by now came up with a plan, to run really slow to begin with!  Oh my, those daggers in my back are coming fast and furious now!  I now know exactly what Naggy feels when she runs with me!  But the best bit of all is when it's all done!  "Done it" says Tracy and then that big smile spreads across her face!  "Thanks mate" she says to me!

A good work out can do so much more than just make your body fit, it can affect your mood and your spirit!  Sometimes we just need others to kick our ass to get out there and do it......and time.......no work........good weather......well, maybe not too fussed about the weather!

Homework done, now she has to do one more before Saturday! Easy, right!?

Geeky stats.

Club Run - Long Sleeves!

Hello blog lovers.

It's club night tonight, and its the first time my long sleeve jumper has come out!  I hate being cold.  Running while you are cold is not good either,  the run up the hill on Kingsway will warm us up.  It will blow the cobwebs away!  It's also move up week, and as it happens one of our beginners decided that she would 'move up' too.  Although I think it was a case of mis-communications, she was expected the 'homework' running and not the usual club night running.  But give her her due she didn't back off and decided not to go home with out trying and she came along to see if she could do it.

I chose a fairly flatish route apart from the hil.......ooops undulation up Kingsway.  I shall have a break at the top for catch up.  Our route from there is along to Petts Wood Memorial and over the walking bridge.  We were splitting into two little groups so the front group with me did loop backs.  Janet, J.J. and Auriol were wonderful sweepers and were taking turns in being at the back so that everyone had a good run.  It worked really well.  All nine of us were keeping fairly tight together, the loop backs work really well.  And also, if I need to cut short the route the loop backs will make up the distance!

We ran like that all the way to Shepperton, I decided that I would change the route and turn left down Ryecroft instead of going the whole length of Shepperton, it's a slight incline going all the way along there.  With the loop backs I know we shall make our 3 miles.  Once we were on the other side of the road, ready to run down Tudor way I asked everyone if they wanted to do a short run or longer run.  In the end we did actually split in to two little groups.  I had to put my leaders head on and decide.  It's blimmin hard being a leader as I do try and please everyone.  But a leader is what I am so I was grateful that J.J. and Janet ran with our beginner back to the rec taking a shorter route while I took the others along the undulations of Woodside, Great Thrift and Hazelmere.

And boy did they run.  Tanya seem to be well into the zone as she kept the pace going leading the way.  It was virtually non stop from here till we got to the rec.  Tanya later told me that she was thirsty and just wanted to get back so she could get a drink!  But it was a great run.  At least our beginner knows the pace that she has to aim for and the distance.  It's parkrun distance, exactly what we are training all our beginners to get to.

Here is our geeky stats.

A Blog Of Blogs!

Hello bloggers.

Ok, I'm thinking that you are thinking "Where have you been?" Or actually you are probably feeling glad of not being 'spammed' by my blogs of late!  I have been running, I've not just been sat on my backside,  but my blogging has taken a back seat!  The reason is because of my short break in Chicago!  I didn't have time to write up my blog for last Thursday and for the Thursday before that,  I was just a bit tired to even think properly!

Anyway, I am totally over the jet lag thing now and I am totally focused on my running again.  I have even entered the Brooks Brighton 10k and mulling over the idea of the Paddock Wood Half!  See, focused!  More bling to be had!

So I could go all out and describe every run I have done so far.......or  maybe not.......if you prefer!  But, ok,  let me just touch on them, just a short sentence or two,  just so that I know how I was feeling on each run. So the first one I missed writing about was on Thursday 22nd September, the day I had to head for Heathrow airport after work.  It was the usual Thursday morning run, meeting other PWR's at the rec.  Tanya came along with her dog Max and B was there too. I bought along Dexter, my daughters pooch! I like to take him to new places, see if he will continue to run with me, when I take him around Normans he won't do the 3 laps around the park, he gets bored!  But he does like to do the parkrun route, just twice around!  He was well behaved really!  He came back when I called him and didn't get lost at all!  Max just runs right next to Tanya all the time!  Dexter lovers being the leader!  We all had a great run that day, especially Dexter, he found the little stream!  Oh just watching him splash in there and then trying to catch the water as it comes up was very amusing!  He totally loves the water! The weather was good that day I believer and the woods were dry, which was a bonus, I didn't want the pooch to get his muddy paws over my seats, but then, he had been in the streams!

The next run that I had done was a whole week after!  So, I have been to Chicago, eaten loads and huge portions and drank loads, no exercises, feeling totally bloated and sluggish and I didn't take my running gear either!  Just setting the scene so you know how I was feeling! You can imagine what I was like!  I put a message up the the Thursday morning chat box to see if there would be any group 1 runners to meet up with, and I was just a tad relieved when I found out there wasn't any, as it meant I could just relax a bit more and then go for an even shorter run than I had planned if there were runners to run with!  I had the pooch with me again, and as it had been raining it made sense to just run around my local park with him.  So thats what we did.  And boy did I feel like Mrs Blobby from Blobby town, and I was trying to run after the dog?!  But I felt it was a good start!  I was still so tired from the jet lag, I was expecting it to be over and done with on the first night but I just couldn't keep my eyes opened! Still, there is always the next day! Less than 3 miles, but still, a run is a run!

The next days outing?  Well that is todays! (Friday was spent mostly making sure I was totally over the jet lag!) and it's with the beginners!  I was leading and I just hoped that I had my leaders head on correctly, no mistakes this time around, and totally keeping an eye on my Garmin.  We are already up to 3 minutes running and 3 minutes walking!  I am sure they will all do so well!  Naggy Neighbour came with me today to help out with the encouragement!  She is training for some crazy run around the Isle of White!  Can you imagine anything like it?  Well, actually yes, we have some pretty amazing runners in our club who go and do crazy distances in some most exotic places!  

There must be about 60 people here as well as our PWR helpers today.  The buzz is "I don't think I can do it"  "3 minutes? Really!"  But I tried to assure them in my own way, "You've been doing 2 minutes already, so you know you can do it, the next minute will be just a tad slower is all"  Now I know what I mean in my head, but whether it comes across to the group is another matter!  They didn't look too convinced!  Best to just get the show on the road!.......er I mean grass!

The usual two laps of the green, (avoiding the big pile of dog doings! Thank you Karin, aka Naggy neighbough, for clearing that up)  a nice power walk around the green! Then straight into the drills!  Once that was done I blew on my whistle........ok, I didn't have a whistle.......but I do know how to make a very loud whistle noise.......to get them all started for the first run!  That first 3 minutes just flew by, well that was the buzz now coming from the group! The second, third and forth rep of the 3 min walk/run seem to fly by.  I chatted to some of the group on the fith rep, "How's it all going" I asked "Well, when I first started it seemed like a dream to be able to do 5 k after 8 weeks, but now I am thinking it's a possible" said one of them. "Have we really done 5 runs?" said another and "Wow, I can't believe there is only 20 seconds left of this last run left" said yet another!  See, what did I tell you! Just mind over matter, eh Naggy? (it's what she always tells me when I ask her to pace me!)  When the 3 mins run was up we just all walked back to the Pavillion to do some stretches.

I can't believe that we have already completed the third week of the beginners course, but there it is! Wow, fantastic going.  I am so enjoying doing this!  But that wasn't the end of mine and Naggy's running.  We had decided that we would run through the woods, after all Naggy is in training!  I can't believe that she has never been running through the woods before, but I guess if you don't know your way around it can get a little scary navigating your way through, even with Chocolate, her boxer cross dog!  

I must admit, I am enjoying my running again, really loving it!  Even that little solo run I did on Thursday, it was less than two miles, but hey, a run is a run.  And running through the woods is just so nice.  The rain was coming down, or as I say to the beginners, it's free hydration.  When we first felt the rain while we were in the car park back at the rec, there was a teaser posed "We could always go for breakfast!"  But fortunately neither I or Naggy had any cash on us! The woods it was!  Naggy enjoyed the run through the woods, and I tried to point out as many landmarks as possible so that if she felt a little confident then she could run through there again, just her and Chocolate! 

The trails don't seem to slow naggy down any, I should add!  I was still trailing behind her, trying to catch up to point out said land marks!  But it was a good run!  I am glad we decided to run and not eat!  

So there, all caught up with my blogging!  Some feel good runs, that lonley solo run after my holdiays, and the 'doggies run' with Tanya and B.  Now, let me go book another race!


Geeky stats for the woods run today.  I am sure if you are interested in the other distances you can just click 'back' from the Garmin site.