Hello blog lovers.
We are back at it, a couple of miles on a Wednesday, interval training usually but as Tracy hasn't been well for 3 weeks (she has had the lurgy too) it was a 'get around a couple of laps' run! I should say at least, Tracy didn't do any interval training.....but I kind of, sort of did! You see, it wasn't just me and Tracy out there running, I had the pooch with me too! He does love a run!
We pulled up into the car park and little Dexter couldn't get out quick enough! We walked over to the beginning of the long path, as we always do, and then I let Deci off his lead! He just pelted out in front and me and Tracy just ran on behind him. So far so good! I said to Tracy that she should just do what she couldn't I wouldn't be nagging her to speed up or slow down, or to keep running! We are just going to get around and see how it all goes.
Tracy set the pace, where as Dexter set mine! I had to stop and get him back from the other dogs that he wanted to play with, then I had to play catch up to Tracy with the dog speeding in front of me! That little pooch got a few extra treats than normal as I tried to bribe him to come to me and heel! There were quite a few pooches out this afternoon, and it seemed Dexter wanted to say hello to all of them! I was exhausted trying to catch up to Tracy again. But It was good interval training! I cut across the grass at the top to meet her on the right hand long straight.
Back with Tracy and Dexter behaving himself we ran along all the way to the end. Tracy ran all the way non stop, I of course had my stopping 'get Dexter' sections and my fast running to catch Tracy and then we had to do it all again! I was hoping the treats would last! The same thing happened on the second lap, mainly because all the doggies that were on the first one was still doing their daily constitutionals! It can only be doing me good right, and it was definitely good for Tracy, with just the little walking section after the first mile, she ran the whole way round!
So all in all a good run! No run is a bad run, if you're out there getting your heart rate higher than normal resting rate for 30 mins then it's all good! So geeky stats, I think Tracy ran further tho, because I did cut the corner at the top of the park!
`
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
Club Run! - Just A Little Undulation!
Hello blog lovers.
You gotta love club run, you just never know what you are going to be doing until you get there.....well I did, because I was leading, but still, I may have had to change the route depending on who shows up. And talking about who shows up, my mate Gary was there for the first time! I didn't even notice him at first as I was looking out for Ali! How I missed him though I don't know, he is quite a tall chap! It was good to see him, and it's good that he is out here getting fit!
It's just so easy to sit back and not bother about getting fit, staying fit or whatever. Especially in the cold weather (although this evening it is rather mild out!) And cold symptoms as well, that's enough to keep you sat wrapped in a blanket watching crap t.v. too! But no, we were all out there, 12 of us in bright colours and flashing gizmo's......well, not Gary, the man in black, when it's your first time out with PWR you just don't know!
So my route this evening was Tillingbourne Green! It's a hill, I mean and undulation. And of course there is the undulation that we have to do first to get there! I thought when I looked at all 12 of us that this was definitely a doable route for everyone! Last week we had the easier route, to just blow away the cobwebs from the Christmas and New Year, so today, I thought I would chuck in one of our challenging routes! Just to let us know that we can still do this!
The first undulation, Birchwood Road was good, we all stayed together, and I still managed to keep the lead position! I had a feeling that Tillingbourne would be a different story though! I was coughing a bit going up the undulation! But I have a plan! It didn't take long before we got to the Green and then my plan came into play! "Ok you can all go at your own pace around the green, meet right here where we started from" was my instruction to them. The little up hill first, then longer down hill bit, which is nice of course, and then the longer up hill back to the start. Everyone runs at their own pace where a hill is concerned. Some like to just attack it, pelt up there as fast as they can 'Get it over and done with' type of thing, others just like to keep a steady plod till they get to the top, and still there is the 'I'll just get to that car before I take a walk' ......which at the moment is where I am! At the back too.....just so that I can make sure everyone made it to the top of course.
We had a little breather, and then I chuck in just a little surprise, the last little hill where we normally do our hill training, well we are still going to do our hill training! But we are only going to do it the once, at about 70% extra of what we have been doing! I know, I can be mean sometimes! But it is good practise! It all does us good, just puts a little be extra into our running! Helps us to get faster and stronger!
From there we ran all the way down Petts Wood Road and up to the memorial hall! With a stop at Crossways to catch breath before we ran up to the top! We only had another half mile to do so we ran down Towncourt Crescent to the end and then turned right and then right again! Our run was nearly over with just a sprint finish for those that wanted to all the way into the rec! A good run this evening, everyone was feeding back good vibes so I think they had a good run too!
Geeky stats for you all
You gotta love club run, you just never know what you are going to be doing until you get there.....well I did, because I was leading, but still, I may have had to change the route depending on who shows up. And talking about who shows up, my mate Gary was there for the first time! I didn't even notice him at first as I was looking out for Ali! How I missed him though I don't know, he is quite a tall chap! It was good to see him, and it's good that he is out here getting fit!
It's just so easy to sit back and not bother about getting fit, staying fit or whatever. Especially in the cold weather (although this evening it is rather mild out!) And cold symptoms as well, that's enough to keep you sat wrapped in a blanket watching crap t.v. too! But no, we were all out there, 12 of us in bright colours and flashing gizmo's......well, not Gary, the man in black, when it's your first time out with PWR you just don't know!
So my route this evening was Tillingbourne Green! It's a hill, I mean and undulation. And of course there is the undulation that we have to do first to get there! I thought when I looked at all 12 of us that this was definitely a doable route for everyone! Last week we had the easier route, to just blow away the cobwebs from the Christmas and New Year, so today, I thought I would chuck in one of our challenging routes! Just to let us know that we can still do this!
The first undulation, Birchwood Road was good, we all stayed together, and I still managed to keep the lead position! I had a feeling that Tillingbourne would be a different story though! I was coughing a bit going up the undulation! But I have a plan! It didn't take long before we got to the Green and then my plan came into play! "Ok you can all go at your own pace around the green, meet right here where we started from" was my instruction to them. The little up hill first, then longer down hill bit, which is nice of course, and then the longer up hill back to the start. Everyone runs at their own pace where a hill is concerned. Some like to just attack it, pelt up there as fast as they can 'Get it over and done with' type of thing, others just like to keep a steady plod till they get to the top, and still there is the 'I'll just get to that car before I take a walk' ......which at the moment is where I am! At the back too.....just so that I can make sure everyone made it to the top of course.
We had a little breather, and then I chuck in just a little surprise, the last little hill where we normally do our hill training, well we are still going to do our hill training! But we are only going to do it the once, at about 70% extra of what we have been doing! I know, I can be mean sometimes! But it is good practise! It all does us good, just puts a little be extra into our running! Helps us to get faster and stronger!
From there we ran all the way down Petts Wood Road and up to the memorial hall! With a stop at Crossways to catch breath before we ran up to the top! We only had another half mile to do so we ran down Towncourt Crescent to the end and then turned right and then right again! Our run was nearly over with just a sprint finish for those that wanted to all the way into the rec! A good run this evening, everyone was feeding back good vibes so I think they had a good run too!
Geeky stats for you all
Monday, 9 January 2017
Monday Morning - Just!
Hello blog lovers!
So this morning......late this morning I managed to drag my cold virus ridden carcass out the door with the pooch in tow! At least he was keen to get out for some fresh air, I could quite easy just creep back into bed and sleep until it was time to do the afternoon school run. I really wasn't feeling it. But I have got such a lot of work to do to be able to give it my best shot in Paddock wood! I have to start the training now! So today, I started. I will have to up the anti a bit, and stick in a couple of long runs during each week rather than just one! But thankfully it is only a half marathon! I didn't get a place in the London!
So there we were, me and Deci-doodle ready to run! He definitely was, he was pulling at the leash! If I let him set the pace then I would be completely knackered by the time we get to the end of the path! I reeled him in a bit and we made our way to the path by the gold course, you know the one, the very original route of mine, turnaround lamppost! But we will not be turning around, I am going to Normans Park. Once around and then back again! It's longer than the runs I have been doing of late, parkruns and club runs. Maybe Sunday I will do twice around the park! That will add on another mile! I'm still not quite sure of my plan yet! I think panic is setting in, that I just haven't done enough! What with having a cold after cold! I thought being active and eating healthy and stuff like that you are supposed to be super cool and just shake of any threat a virus attack! But after the Old Boy got his cold I just knew I would come down with it!
Blimey, I waffled on, but making sure that I told you my excuse for it being a slow run! Actually, I didn't really need an excuse as this time I had a reason! The pooch! After all that straining at the leash, trying to run really fast, when we got to the path way he was stopping every couple of feet, sniffing every single blade of grass! Why does he do that? It's not as if its a quick sniff, cock a leg and off we go to the next one! He's there going over every single centimetre of the ground that the last dog peed on! In the end it was me pulling him to come along! It was like that until we got to Normans Park! There I could let him off his lead and he can run and sniff to his hearts content.....until we head on out of the park again!
He does love running around, playing with the other dogs that are there! I have noticed when I am running with him that when he is up in front of me I am running all the time, it's only when he gets behind me that I slow or stop to get him to come to me! So maybe my next run will be twice around the park before going home! An extra mile and the pooch can play even longer with his doggie pals!
He was back on the lead when we left the park, he wasn't too pleased about that either! Not only that he was dragging behind, and wanting to have a sniff again at everything he looked at! I think going through our local park is the best way home, he can run off the lead again! After coming out of the park we ran along the A21 and then down Crown Lane Spur. I was going to take him down Green way and then along Magpie Hall Lane before we go into the park! As soon as we are there he can come off his lead again!
I crossed over and ran along the grass verge when we got on to Magpie Hall Lane, I was thinking that being on the grass would be good for little Deci.....but no.....he walked along the kerb or tried to walk on the road! All that grass and bushes to sniff at and he wanted the concrete! Well, when we eventually got to the park I let him off his lead and the ran around again, but not as fast or as far as when we were in Normans park. I think I may have worn him out! Well, he has only got little legs!
I was having to stop and call him to me, but at least he did come along and was also asking for a carry! I didn't carry him of course, we just took it a little easier for the rest of the way home! He was pleased when we got back! Me, well, I was a little disappointed, I should have worked harder, ran faster, maybe put in another mile! But then, on Facebook today I saw the picture that I have put up at the beginning! Yeah! It's better than not starting at all! .......No need to panic..........no need to worry.........need to train.....need to get fit! That is all!
Geeky stats
So this morning......late this morning I managed to drag my cold virus ridden carcass out the door with the pooch in tow! At least he was keen to get out for some fresh air, I could quite easy just creep back into bed and sleep until it was time to do the afternoon school run. I really wasn't feeling it. But I have got such a lot of work to do to be able to give it my best shot in Paddock wood! I have to start the training now! So today, I started. I will have to up the anti a bit, and stick in a couple of long runs during each week rather than just one! But thankfully it is only a half marathon! I didn't get a place in the London!
So there we were, me and Deci-doodle ready to run! He definitely was, he was pulling at the leash! If I let him set the pace then I would be completely knackered by the time we get to the end of the path! I reeled him in a bit and we made our way to the path by the gold course, you know the one, the very original route of mine, turnaround lamppost! But we will not be turning around, I am going to Normans Park. Once around and then back again! It's longer than the runs I have been doing of late, parkruns and club runs. Maybe Sunday I will do twice around the park! That will add on another mile! I'm still not quite sure of my plan yet! I think panic is setting in, that I just haven't done enough! What with having a cold after cold! I thought being active and eating healthy and stuff like that you are supposed to be super cool and just shake of any threat a virus attack! But after the Old Boy got his cold I just knew I would come down with it!
Blimey, I waffled on, but making sure that I told you my excuse for it being a slow run! Actually, I didn't really need an excuse as this time I had a reason! The pooch! After all that straining at the leash, trying to run really fast, when we got to the path way he was stopping every couple of feet, sniffing every single blade of grass! Why does he do that? It's not as if its a quick sniff, cock a leg and off we go to the next one! He's there going over every single centimetre of the ground that the last dog peed on! In the end it was me pulling him to come along! It was like that until we got to Normans Park! There I could let him off his lead and he can run and sniff to his hearts content.....until we head on out of the park again!
He does love running around, playing with the other dogs that are there! I have noticed when I am running with him that when he is up in front of me I am running all the time, it's only when he gets behind me that I slow or stop to get him to come to me! So maybe my next run will be twice around the park before going home! An extra mile and the pooch can play even longer with his doggie pals!
He was back on the lead when we left the park, he wasn't too pleased about that either! Not only that he was dragging behind, and wanting to have a sniff again at everything he looked at! I think going through our local park is the best way home, he can run off the lead again! After coming out of the park we ran along the A21 and then down Crown Lane Spur. I was going to take him down Green way and then along Magpie Hall Lane before we go into the park! As soon as we are there he can come off his lead again!
I crossed over and ran along the grass verge when we got on to Magpie Hall Lane, I was thinking that being on the grass would be good for little Deci.....but no.....he walked along the kerb or tried to walk on the road! All that grass and bushes to sniff at and he wanted the concrete! Well, when we eventually got to the park I let him off his lead and the ran around again, but not as fast or as far as when we were in Normans park. I think I may have worn him out! Well, he has only got little legs!
I was having to stop and call him to me, but at least he did come along and was also asking for a carry! I didn't carry him of course, we just took it a little easier for the rest of the way home! He was pleased when we got back! Me, well, I was a little disappointed, I should have worked harder, ran faster, maybe put in another mile! But then, on Facebook today I saw the picture that I have put up at the beginning! Yeah! It's better than not starting at all! .......No need to panic..........no need to worry.........need to train.....need to get fit! That is all!
Geeky stats
Sunday, 8 January 2017
49th park run!
Hello blog lovers.
So yesterday I was at Normans Park! The next time I'm running a park run will be my 50th! My goodness how time flys. My stupid cold has really gotten to me now, so much so that I didn't even go out running today. And yesterday I was not feeling too great any way. I decided that I was going to run anyway, I have a schedule, Wendimoo will be in the area next week so it just makes sense to do my 50th next Saturday. Yesterday's run was just a get round as best as I could.
NaggyNeighbour J.J. and LittleJ were there as well as Michael minus his Carole, Sue my 'twin'. Also running at park run was PhysioMike aka #mikethemod with his 'scooter'. It's an amazing 'fancy dress' that PhysioMike has and he will be running with this on the Brighton Marathon raising money. You can sponsor him Here, they are great charities and I'm sure he will appreciate it. Here, this is us here,
And this is me when I'm dressed up! Well ok maybe not!
We are on the winter route now so it's three laps of the park, not my favourite thing in the whole world. We were soon off, 600 runners all moving as one! It's a popular place that's for sure! When we were only on the first half lap a young lady running along asked how many laps we were to run. When I told her it was three she looked as if she wanted to give up there and then. Now you all know what I'm like, if I see someone struggling then I just have to get in there and encourage them to keep on going. J.J. and LittleJ where both running along beside me and were also encouraging her to keep on going.
We found out that this was her first parkrun, a friend had told her about it and the she just registered and came along! Never been running before, I could see why she was struggling! So from there I ran along with Rolna. There was no way that she would be running the whole 5k in one go, and I know that running around for 3 miles just seem so daunting when you have never done it before! So I pointed out a few goals for her to get to before she stared her walking. For the next two laps that's what we did. She did blimmin well to run for half a mile none stop, that was more that managed when I started out on my running life!
She did really well, not bad for a first time parkrun with no previous running beforehand! And she ran a a fairly decent pace too. I could see the agony on her face but I could also see the determination, that she really wanted to finish this. I just encouraged her along the way and kept her running all the way through to the funnel! Now that's what parkrun is all about! Of course I told her all about us at Petts Wood Runners too, there is always room for newcomers here! I am hoping that she will be there on Tuesday evening!
So my geeky stats, not fast but I did it with Rolna! My official time was 43:52.
So yesterday I was at Normans Park! The next time I'm running a park run will be my 50th! My goodness how time flys. My stupid cold has really gotten to me now, so much so that I didn't even go out running today. And yesterday I was not feeling too great any way. I decided that I was going to run anyway, I have a schedule, Wendimoo will be in the area next week so it just makes sense to do my 50th next Saturday. Yesterday's run was just a get round as best as I could.
NaggyNeighbour J.J. and LittleJ were there as well as Michael minus his Carole, Sue my 'twin'. Also running at park run was PhysioMike aka #mikethemod with his 'scooter'. It's an amazing 'fancy dress' that PhysioMike has and he will be running with this on the Brighton Marathon raising money. You can sponsor him Here, they are great charities and I'm sure he will appreciate it. Here, this is us here,
 |
| LittleJ, me, Mikethemod, J.J. and Sue |
And this is me when I'm dressed up! Well ok maybe not!
We are on the winter route now so it's three laps of the park, not my favourite thing in the whole world. We were soon off, 600 runners all moving as one! It's a popular place that's for sure! When we were only on the first half lap a young lady running along asked how many laps we were to run. When I told her it was three she looked as if she wanted to give up there and then. Now you all know what I'm like, if I see someone struggling then I just have to get in there and encourage them to keep on going. J.J. and LittleJ where both running along beside me and were also encouraging her to keep on going.
We found out that this was her first parkrun, a friend had told her about it and the she just registered and came along! Never been running before, I could see why she was struggling! So from there I ran along with Rolna. There was no way that she would be running the whole 5k in one go, and I know that running around for 3 miles just seem so daunting when you have never done it before! So I pointed out a few goals for her to get to before she stared her walking. For the next two laps that's what we did. She did blimmin well to run for half a mile none stop, that was more that managed when I started out on my running life!
She did really well, not bad for a first time parkrun with no previous running beforehand! And she ran a a fairly decent pace too. I could see the agony on her face but I could also see the determination, that she really wanted to finish this. I just encouraged her along the way and kept her running all the way through to the funnel! Now that's what parkrun is all about! Of course I told her all about us at Petts Wood Runners too, there is always room for newcomers here! I am hoping that she will be there on Tuesday evening!
So my geeky stats, not fast but I did it with Rolna! My official time was 43:52.
Thursday, 5 January 2017
Thursday Double!
Hello blog lovers.
So far, I am on target for my 31 activities in January, but it is only day 5! This morning I met up with the usual Thursday runners at the rec. There were a few missing, they still on holiday or looking for their running shoes which probably hidden under all the wrapping paper and Christmas stuff! Anyway there we all were, all the speedsters were there and me and Tanya! We were a group of our own.
Tanya hadn't been running for a week, and my bit of cold is holding me back slightly, (getting the excuses in while I can!) so I thought we would do the shorter route through the woods today. I think Tanya was pleased with that I know I was. The weather was blimming freezing this morning, in fact when I looked at my car the numbers on the clock showed -3.5 degrees! Brrrr, blimming freezing! But it didn't put me off, I am determined, I want to do this and I will do this!
So me and Tanya were the first to make our way out of the rec, it was just too cold to stand around, I didn't think anyone else would be coming in my group anyway. We made our way to Dog Poo ally and then turned right to follow the path towards Orpington Road. The ground was virtually solid! I probably could have worn my new trainers through the woods really, but that's fine, I am sure I will do fine in my muddy oldies!
The cold was really affecting my chest, shifting gunk and muck from my lungs. I am not sure if it's all down to the cold virus or because I was extremely naughty half of last year with the smoking! Probably a bit of both! We ran most of the way to the top before we walked for a bit to catch our breath. The woods always put me in a good place in my mind, it feels so fresh and free! you can lose yourself, you hear yourself think and you can chat with your running buddies!
It wasn't the fastest run of this particular route, but none the less still most enjoyable. I am slowing, very slowly beginning to fall in love with my running again. I won't 'jinx' it anymore by saying anything else about that! We ran all the way (walk/run) to the top of the woods. We could go down the middle path but that really would be a short short route. No, that just wouldn't do. So I led us along the back of the woods to Botany Bay Lane. Then we ran down it! No turning right to go along to Goss Hill, this is the shorter route. It will be half a mile short of our usual Thursday run, but I am happy with that!
I had a bit of a shoe lace issue when I got to the river so I put my foot up on the ledge to do it up only to be greeted by the three dogs that were there. Their owner was having a cheeky ciggie break while the dogs paddled in the water. The dogs came up and started putting their noses on my shoes, have a good look at what I was doing, and then the next minute I had one of the dogs come right between my legs and gave me a cheeky kiss on my nose as I was doing up my shoe!
I think we should all be like dogs, just come on up and say hi, poke your nose in, see what's going on and if the occasion calls for it, give a cheeky little kiss! No doubt you will get a slap around the ear'oles for even thinking about doing that now days! Anyway we continued our run up to the rail lines. My glasses were steaming up nicely! I had to carry them in my hand, I couldn't see far ahead but what I could see at least, wasn't blurry!
We soon got back to Dog Poo ally and was back at the rec. All done for the morning, and now ready for my track session later!
Geeky stats.
For the last few Thursdays I had lazyitus real bad! I thought it could almost be terminal for my running mojo. But a nice relaxing Christmas break does the world of good for mojos! It was a good crowd at Track this evening with a few newbies including J.J. She was coming along this evening to see what it's all about! She also is determined to get fitter, thinner and healthier! We have both kicked the dreaded ciggies to the kerb! She has never been to a track session before but she spoke with PhysioMike and he told her that she can do just as much as she wants and then just step of the track when she has done enough! It all sounds so simple and easy doesn't it! If only it was! Nothing worth having is easy to come by. You have to work at it! Otherwise it will be like doing the treadmill while sitting on the chair. Or having the travelators like those they have have Tesco's and airports all over public places! Wouldn't that be good! When you want to stop you can just step off!
But not this evening. This evening is all about hard work, it's all about what we can do, as individuals can do for our selves but with the support of all those who are a track and with PhysioMike in charge of the whole session.
I must say, it was blimmin cold, I mean blimming cold. The frost was building up nicely on the cars, everything was twinkling away like we were all staring in Frozen, Live! I know, excuses coming up! But it's true, it's a reason, honest! The cold does effect my breathing! Especially with this cold. I say cold, I was feeling worse yesterday, with headache and stuff, but today I am just left with this cough and drippy nose! But I will still work hard. I seem to use that word a lot, 'but', I shall have to try to think of a new word which means the same, kick 'but' while kicking butt! My fat butt! You see I am delirious! It was cold out there, and I am rambling!
So the session that PhysioMike had planned was slightly different to what he was going to get us to do. He wanted to make it a bit more interesting, especially after Christmas holidays! So it was tempo running for 15 minutes, running at your parkrun pace! I think both me and J.J. managed that bit! But then straight after that, and I mean literally, straight after that it was hard running for 5.15 mins rest for 90 sec and then hard running for 1.45 mins. Blimey, it really looks easy now that I've written it down, but really, it wasn't! It was tough!
I felt disappointed in myself that I walked when I should've been running! Normally at track I have managed to run all the running bits, but today I just couldn't do it! I told myself off and told myself to get a 'blimmin move on' and just kept trying and trying to keep up. We had to do the 5.15 mins, rest 1.45 min rep three times, and then we did some relays after a little break. The relays were only 60 meters but we had to do 8 each. We got ourselves into teams of three and then began the relays. No timing this time, just do 8 each!
I could see that 60 meters is no distance at all, and I just pushed myself that little bit hard to hand over the batton to Ali. She ran as fast as she could to J.J. to hand the baton to her and then J.J. ran it to me. Eight times, at least I think I did! I had lost count, especially listening to the faster runners saying 'That's 4' I worked so hard I just couldn't count as well! When PhysioMike said at the end that we all ran even faster on the 60's even after all that running we done before, I realised that yes, I did run faster, even when I thought I hadn't anything left!
Both me and J.J. left the Track feeling really pleased with our selves. It was hard, it always is, but that's why I go. A brilliant session this evening with some fantastic people and fantastic coaching from PhysioMike aka as Mike The Mod! Who by the way is doing two marathons in two weeks, Brighton and London while running with his 'Scooter'! You can go and sponsor him as he is raising money for some worthwhile charities!
Geeky stats.
So far, I am on target for my 31 activities in January, but it is only day 5! This morning I met up with the usual Thursday runners at the rec. There were a few missing, they still on holiday or looking for their running shoes which probably hidden under all the wrapping paper and Christmas stuff! Anyway there we all were, all the speedsters were there and me and Tanya! We were a group of our own.
Tanya hadn't been running for a week, and my bit of cold is holding me back slightly, (getting the excuses in while I can!) so I thought we would do the shorter route through the woods today. I think Tanya was pleased with that I know I was. The weather was blimming freezing this morning, in fact when I looked at my car the numbers on the clock showed -3.5 degrees! Brrrr, blimming freezing! But it didn't put me off, I am determined, I want to do this and I will do this!
So me and Tanya were the first to make our way out of the rec, it was just too cold to stand around, I didn't think anyone else would be coming in my group anyway. We made our way to Dog Poo ally and then turned right to follow the path towards Orpington Road. The ground was virtually solid! I probably could have worn my new trainers through the woods really, but that's fine, I am sure I will do fine in my muddy oldies!
The cold was really affecting my chest, shifting gunk and muck from my lungs. I am not sure if it's all down to the cold virus or because I was extremely naughty half of last year with the smoking! Probably a bit of both! We ran most of the way to the top before we walked for a bit to catch our breath. The woods always put me in a good place in my mind, it feels so fresh and free! you can lose yourself, you hear yourself think and you can chat with your running buddies!
It wasn't the fastest run of this particular route, but none the less still most enjoyable. I am slowing, very slowly beginning to fall in love with my running again. I won't 'jinx' it anymore by saying anything else about that! We ran all the way (walk/run) to the top of the woods. We could go down the middle path but that really would be a short short route. No, that just wouldn't do. So I led us along the back of the woods to Botany Bay Lane. Then we ran down it! No turning right to go along to Goss Hill, this is the shorter route. It will be half a mile short of our usual Thursday run, but I am happy with that!
I had a bit of a shoe lace issue when I got to the river so I put my foot up on the ledge to do it up only to be greeted by the three dogs that were there. Their owner was having a cheeky ciggie break while the dogs paddled in the water. The dogs came up and started putting their noses on my shoes, have a good look at what I was doing, and then the next minute I had one of the dogs come right between my legs and gave me a cheeky kiss on my nose as I was doing up my shoe!
I think we should all be like dogs, just come on up and say hi, poke your nose in, see what's going on and if the occasion calls for it, give a cheeky little kiss! No doubt you will get a slap around the ear'oles for even thinking about doing that now days! Anyway we continued our run up to the rail lines. My glasses were steaming up nicely! I had to carry them in my hand, I couldn't see far ahead but what I could see at least, wasn't blurry!
We soon got back to Dog Poo ally and was back at the rec. All done for the morning, and now ready for my track session later!
Geeky stats.
For the last few Thursdays I had lazyitus real bad! I thought it could almost be terminal for my running mojo. But a nice relaxing Christmas break does the world of good for mojos! It was a good crowd at Track this evening with a few newbies including J.J. She was coming along this evening to see what it's all about! She also is determined to get fitter, thinner and healthier! We have both kicked the dreaded ciggies to the kerb! She has never been to a track session before but she spoke with PhysioMike and he told her that she can do just as much as she wants and then just step of the track when she has done enough! It all sounds so simple and easy doesn't it! If only it was! Nothing worth having is easy to come by. You have to work at it! Otherwise it will be like doing the treadmill while sitting on the chair. Or having the travelators like those they have have Tesco's and airports all over public places! Wouldn't that be good! When you want to stop you can just step off!
But not this evening. This evening is all about hard work, it's all about what we can do, as individuals can do for our selves but with the support of all those who are a track and with PhysioMike in charge of the whole session.
I must say, it was blimmin cold, I mean blimming cold. The frost was building up nicely on the cars, everything was twinkling away like we were all staring in Frozen, Live! I know, excuses coming up! But it's true, it's a reason, honest! The cold does effect my breathing! Especially with this cold. I say cold, I was feeling worse yesterday, with headache and stuff, but today I am just left with this cough and drippy nose! But I will still work hard. I seem to use that word a lot, 'but', I shall have to try to think of a new word which means the same, kick 'but' while kicking butt! My fat butt! You see I am delirious! It was cold out there, and I am rambling!
So the session that PhysioMike had planned was slightly different to what he was going to get us to do. He wanted to make it a bit more interesting, especially after Christmas holidays! So it was tempo running for 15 minutes, running at your parkrun pace! I think both me and J.J. managed that bit! But then straight after that, and I mean literally, straight after that it was hard running for 5.15 mins rest for 90 sec and then hard running for 1.45 mins. Blimey, it really looks easy now that I've written it down, but really, it wasn't! It was tough!
I felt disappointed in myself that I walked when I should've been running! Normally at track I have managed to run all the running bits, but today I just couldn't do it! I told myself off and told myself to get a 'blimmin move on' and just kept trying and trying to keep up. We had to do the 5.15 mins, rest 1.45 min rep three times, and then we did some relays after a little break. The relays were only 60 meters but we had to do 8 each. We got ourselves into teams of three and then began the relays. No timing this time, just do 8 each!
I could see that 60 meters is no distance at all, and I just pushed myself that little bit hard to hand over the batton to Ali. She ran as fast as she could to J.J. to hand the baton to her and then J.J. ran it to me. Eight times, at least I think I did! I had lost count, especially listening to the faster runners saying 'That's 4' I worked so hard I just couldn't count as well! When PhysioMike said at the end that we all ran even faster on the 60's even after all that running we done before, I realised that yes, I did run faster, even when I thought I hadn't anything left!
Both me and J.J. left the Track feeling really pleased with our selves. It was hard, it always is, but that's why I go. A brilliant session this evening with some fantastic people and fantastic coaching from PhysioMike aka as Mike The Mod! Who by the way is doing two marathons in two weeks, Brighton and London while running with his 'Scooter'! You can go and sponsor him as he is raising money for some worthwhile charities!
Geeky stats.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
Just A Very Short One!
Hello blog lovers!
Well, I guess I can tell you now what my plan is for January! Its to run every day! Well, at least to get 31 active, cardio, sessions between 3rd (when I started running again) and the end of the month! That's my plan, as well as the whole dry January thing, and the diet thing, and......well I am going to tell you about that very soon!
Just because I am going to doing something every day, it doesn't mean that it's going to be all running, and if I am doing a run then it won't necessarily be from 3 miles! Today's run was just a tad over a mile! But I did the interval running, and it's a mile running that I don't normally do! So for me, it is an extra mile! A faster mile than I have been doing, but looking at the geeky stats, not my fastest ever mile! I am blaming weather, the cold, my fatness, my chubby legs, recovering lungs.....oh and me! I know it's all me that has to blame for the way I am......well apart from the cold, I can't do anything about that! I tried keeping away from all those with the lurgy, but some of them did reach me! And the weather, I can't be blamed for that, even though I am on the 'hot line' to the Big Boss upstairs from time to time!
My 1 mile route is all round the estate, one big loop. Ok, small loop, but it is the second activity of my 31 activities of January 2017. I really do mean business this time, and I really hope it's not the whole 'January thing' because I really want to get fit and slimmer! There I've said it, I want to be slimmer, I am fed of my chunky thighs, bingo arms and goodness knows what's going on around the middle! Muffin top, they call it, mine is more like and explosion from the Quatermass experiment, of an atom bomb proportion!
I did it, I ran it, and no, it wasn't my fastest as I've said, but it's a start. And, more importantly.....I enjoyed it! I am enjoying kicking ass with fatness! Officially day 4 (which is when the no smoking and no drinking began) but day 2 of active activities! Geeky stats enclosed! Eat that fatness!
Well, I guess I can tell you now what my plan is for January! Its to run every day! Well, at least to get 31 active, cardio, sessions between 3rd (when I started running again) and the end of the month! That's my plan, as well as the whole dry January thing, and the diet thing, and......well I am going to tell you about that very soon!
Just because I am going to doing something every day, it doesn't mean that it's going to be all running, and if I am doing a run then it won't necessarily be from 3 miles! Today's run was just a tad over a mile! But I did the interval running, and it's a mile running that I don't normally do! So for me, it is an extra mile! A faster mile than I have been doing, but looking at the geeky stats, not my fastest ever mile! I am blaming weather, the cold, my fatness, my chubby legs, recovering lungs.....oh and me! I know it's all me that has to blame for the way I am......well apart from the cold, I can't do anything about that! I tried keeping away from all those with the lurgy, but some of them did reach me! And the weather, I can't be blamed for that, even though I am on the 'hot line' to the Big Boss upstairs from time to time!
My 1 mile route is all round the estate, one big loop. Ok, small loop, but it is the second activity of my 31 activities of January 2017. I really do mean business this time, and I really hope it's not the whole 'January thing' because I really want to get fit and slimmer! There I've said it, I want to be slimmer, I am fed of my chunky thighs, bingo arms and goodness knows what's going on around the middle! Muffin top, they call it, mine is more like and explosion from the Quatermass experiment, of an atom bomb proportion!
I did it, I ran it, and no, it wasn't my fastest as I've said, but it's a start. And, more importantly.....I enjoyed it! I am enjoying kicking ass with fatness! Officially day 4 (which is when the no smoking and no drinking began) but day 2 of active activities! Geeky stats enclosed! Eat that fatness!
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Post Festivities Club Run! From Couch to Group 1
Hello blog lovers!
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a great time, nice and relaxing family time, or time with your mates! At Club run today, its the first Tuesday of the month, which means it's Move Up Week! It means that all those that want to try for the next group up can do so and not feel as though they will hold anyone up, because the leaders will be going at the slower end of their advertised running pace!
Well for us in group 1 and being the post 'feasting to excess' run of the year, our move up is from the couch to group 1! Well it is for me anyway. I haven't ran since the Tuesday before Christmas! The WooWoo run! And I really have over indulged in everything! Including ciggies!! But that is all now behind me. I have my right frame of mind, goals set, and I feel totally focused! I am also planning getting extra help with my training and fitness levels, but more about that in the next week or so!
So today. Ready, dressed (in my new running leggings, which by the way are just a tad to small, but I am going to sort that!) and really looking forward to going. I drove on over to J.J.'s house and met up with her and LittleJ. We had a chat before we all went over to the rec. It was pretty cold out, I made sure I was well wrapped up, even putting on my winter cycling jacket! It helps to keep the wind out! With my buff and gloves I felt ready.
I was a bit apprehensive about this evenings run, I really had over indulged in everything, my middle was feeling rather pudgy. But I did weigh myself this morning and the scales showed that not as much damage had been done as I expected! Now lets see if my breathing would be off!
I gave my little route speech and then when all the other leaders had said theirs we were ready to go! I had the usual count up, there were 9 of us in group 1 this evening, all very pleased and looking forward to the nice slower, easier route that I had planned! The only real incline was Kingsway. We al ran up there and then when I stopped and turned around to see if I needed to slow the pace down a tad I saw that we were all together! No one was behind or struggling! That's brilliant!
We had a little walk just to get control of our breathing after the undulation and then continued to run on through Petts Wood and over the walking 'Troll' bridge. Lets see if we can keep it nice and quite over the bridge after stuffing our selves with Turkey, pigs in blankets and profiteroles! I for one was finding it difficult to run lightly that's for sure! But it was still fairly quiet over the bridge, so not too bad. We continued running all the way around Crestview before having a next walking section.
We were all still together, I was beginning to get warmer as well, though my gloves still on, I had a feeling they will be off soon! Carole and Michael we up the front with me, J.J. and LittleJ were sweeping but we were all in a nice compact group. We crossed over the road and ran down Crescent Drive, with just a very short walking section before we got to Shepperton Road. We ran all the way up to the top of road, I decided that we were going to turn left and run under the bridge on Tudor way.
When we get to the memorial hall again I shall see how far we had done and the time we had run it. Then it would be a decision whether to go the short way or the longer way! Guess which one we went for! Yup, the long way! Well, why not, we still had plenty of time and we had only covered 2.2 miles so we could easily fit in that last mile we need to make it a perfect group 1 distance! And it seemed that everyone was well happy to go along with it, even getting a "Yay" from Kelly!
Michael and Carole were totally on form this evening and they pushed on a head so I sent them to do the little loop of Little Thrift and then by the time they got back we would all be together again. With the last push to the rec some of us had that little sprint to the gate!
It was a perfect start to the New Year, although some of my group 1 were all ready on their 2nd or 3rd run of the year! But now, from this point I am going to keep on running. Get more healthy, get fitter, this is the year! My new running pants and going to pull on easier and easier as the weeks and months go by!
Geeky stats
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a great time, nice and relaxing family time, or time with your mates! At Club run today, its the first Tuesday of the month, which means it's Move Up Week! It means that all those that want to try for the next group up can do so and not feel as though they will hold anyone up, because the leaders will be going at the slower end of their advertised running pace!
Well for us in group 1 and being the post 'feasting to excess' run of the year, our move up is from the couch to group 1! Well it is for me anyway. I haven't ran since the Tuesday before Christmas! The WooWoo run! And I really have over indulged in everything! Including ciggies!! But that is all now behind me. I have my right frame of mind, goals set, and I feel totally focused! I am also planning getting extra help with my training and fitness levels, but more about that in the next week or so!
So today. Ready, dressed (in my new running leggings, which by the way are just a tad to small, but I am going to sort that!) and really looking forward to going. I drove on over to J.J.'s house and met up with her and LittleJ. We had a chat before we all went over to the rec. It was pretty cold out, I made sure I was well wrapped up, even putting on my winter cycling jacket! It helps to keep the wind out! With my buff and gloves I felt ready.
I was a bit apprehensive about this evenings run, I really had over indulged in everything, my middle was feeling rather pudgy. But I did weigh myself this morning and the scales showed that not as much damage had been done as I expected! Now lets see if my breathing would be off!
I gave my little route speech and then when all the other leaders had said theirs we were ready to go! I had the usual count up, there were 9 of us in group 1 this evening, all very pleased and looking forward to the nice slower, easier route that I had planned! The only real incline was Kingsway. We al ran up there and then when I stopped and turned around to see if I needed to slow the pace down a tad I saw that we were all together! No one was behind or struggling! That's brilliant!
We had a little walk just to get control of our breathing after the undulation and then continued to run on through Petts Wood and over the walking 'Troll' bridge. Lets see if we can keep it nice and quite over the bridge after stuffing our selves with Turkey, pigs in blankets and profiteroles! I for one was finding it difficult to run lightly that's for sure! But it was still fairly quiet over the bridge, so not too bad. We continued running all the way around Crestview before having a next walking section.
We were all still together, I was beginning to get warmer as well, though my gloves still on, I had a feeling they will be off soon! Carole and Michael we up the front with me, J.J. and LittleJ were sweeping but we were all in a nice compact group. We crossed over the road and ran down Crescent Drive, with just a very short walking section before we got to Shepperton Road. We ran all the way up to the top of road, I decided that we were going to turn left and run under the bridge on Tudor way.
When we get to the memorial hall again I shall see how far we had done and the time we had run it. Then it would be a decision whether to go the short way or the longer way! Guess which one we went for! Yup, the long way! Well, why not, we still had plenty of time and we had only covered 2.2 miles so we could easily fit in that last mile we need to make it a perfect group 1 distance! And it seemed that everyone was well happy to go along with it, even getting a "Yay" from Kelly!
Michael and Carole were totally on form this evening and they pushed on a head so I sent them to do the little loop of Little Thrift and then by the time they got back we would all be together again. With the last push to the rec some of us had that little sprint to the gate!
It was a perfect start to the New Year, although some of my group 1 were all ready on their 2nd or 3rd run of the year! But now, from this point I am going to keep on running. Get more healthy, get fitter, this is the year! My new running pants and going to pull on easier and easier as the weeks and months go by!
Geeky stats
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