Hello Blog lovers,
What an absolutely awful morning it was! The rain came down in bucket loads. It stopped the Old Boy from going on a bike ride. He is like me, enjoys riding the bikes but not in the rain! It meant that the Old Boy came along with me for a long run instead.
My training plan for today said to run for 70 mins. Well that for me is just about 10k. But we had a dilemma! As OB was off on this Sunday, (he usually works), he really fancied a nice Sunday roast. Now the piece of beef we have said that it would take one hour 25 minutes to cook! It should be just about perfect timing if we like it well done. But we like our beef medium rare. We had a bit of pressure to get back home before it became well done!
I don't like pressure! I like a challenge, which is different in my books. My challenge in 2008 was to do a Race for life, I did it, along with 20 family members, and we walked it! In 2010 I wanted to RUN a race for life, so I did it, with about a couple of other ladies. Also in 2010 I wanted to run a 10k. All of which I achieved, at my own pace, my own style. This year I again did a 10k race, (even though I didn't even get my tee shirt to prove it!, or even a mention in a finishers list!)
For next year I had to have another challenge. What better one than the Virgin London Marathon. But that will be done at my pace, my style, no pressure on me, I only want to finish! But it would be good if I finish under ......???.....hours. I have a time in mind, but I shall keep that for now.
So a pressure cooker run today! But at least the rain has stop, I think I would be really demoralised if the rain had been lashing down as it was this morning! I told the Old Boy the route that we would be taking, but just to make sure of getting home in time for dinner we cut down Holbrook and Magpiehall Lane to get to the A21.
I was doing ok going up Magpiehall Lane, I was at a steady pace, but then my laziness kicks in, and my legs began to feel tight, and all the other excuses I could think of came into mind and I stopped running for a short while.
I think wearing my old neutral running shoes yesterday, and the combination of the slippy sticky soft grassy route may have affected my legs and heels. I remember when I first started to run in my old Mizuno neutrals my heels did hurt, which prompted me to get some heel inserts to cushion my landings. I know I only three miles in them yesterday, but do you think this could have had such an impact on my muscles today?
I was feeling quite confident, and I know that I am getting stronger and fitter. In my head I feel as if I could go on an on. I just have to get my head to over rule my body, to shut down the aches and pains messages reaching the brain cell. Then I could run and run! People say to me that I can do it, I can run for 3 miles non stop. None of that walking malarkey. I just wish I could convince my body to play ball!
The Old Boy is helping me to eat on the run. A packet of Haribos to help with short bursts of energy. When I am running its usually with my mouth opened and praying that I don't .....excuse me people, .....that I don't snot all over the place! It amazes me where all that stuff comes from!! Yuck!
Running is not the most glamorous sport in the world, but then most sport where you exert yourself isn't really. Well, unless you are like Nagging Sister and even another young lady at our running club, they have full make up on, from eyeshadow and mascara to Lippy and lip liner!! Why?
Going through the posh houses in the night is just lovely! The way each house lights up their houses is quite something, down lighters, up lights, trees and bushes all lit up, statures all lit up. It really is lovely. I am looking forward to running through here in December, I wonder if they all put on displays of Christmas lights?!
Just a little further now. I was surprised how far we had ran. I thought that by nipping down Holbrook we would cut off a mile. In my mind I should be on about nearly 4 miles by the time I got to the other side of the posh houses. but my Garmin was telling me that I had done nearly 5. This was going to be a 10k run. Even though my training plan said that I had to run for 70 minutes today, we only wanted to run for 50 minutes to get back to sort out dinner!
I was hoping it wasn't going to be well done! I could always have sent the OB on ahead if I felt I was taking too long. But he kept with me. Maybe he put me under psychological pressure to get me to move fast! Mmm now I hadn't thought of that!
It was nice getting on to our estate. Knowing there was just half a mile to go! I was feeling quite warm, not overly warm, but I know I have a pretty pink puffy sweaty face! I know I have worked hard today.
From Crescent Drive just as we came off Shepperton the Old Boy said "Ok, now its non stop all the way home from here"
I nearly made it. Just one more little breather, catch my breath again and then it was jogging all the way home!
Geeky stats for you.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Muddy, Muddy, Muddy, Mob Match.
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| Photo from Women's running Magazine |
Saturday park run at a new venue for me! It was also our mob match, against the Orpington Road runners and the New Eltham Joggers. I like doing park runs, just not normally after a very lovely Friday night out with the Old Boy.
As me and Nagging sister were a bit unsure of exactly where the venue is and how the parking facilities are we decided to leave our homes a little earlier just to make sure that we were not late! The phone rang and I answered it. It was Nagging Sister, sounding bright and breezy! How can she, I think she maybe trying to kid me! I wasn't quite ready when she called, I still had to find my old running shoes. We have been told this route is very muddy!
I walked to the car, the sun was shining but it still felt a little chilly. I had a long sleeve black top on with my Pettswood Runners vest over the top, flying the colours of our running club. I couldn't have looked as if I wanted to be there as Nagging Sister said to me
"You look exactly how I feel"
"It's cold, and it's early, and I know its going to be muddy. Tell me why are we doing this" I said to her as I got into the car.
Her car was nice and warm, comforting, and I could quite easily just sit in the car and watch Nagging Sister run around. But that is not the aim. It's a mob match, I must support my club, I love supporting my club when ever I can!
We found the park, no problem there! The parking was great, again, no problem there. The sun was shining, it looked fabulous out, no problem. We walked over to the start. The mud stuck immediately to our shoes. There was our problem! It built up as we approached the pavilion, the start of today's Park Run. Waiting, waiting for the start. Shivering, chatting, laughing and general camaraderie as we waited for the off.
The man with the mega phone, he started the count down "Three, two, one, go!" and we were all off. The course looked long, it looked huge! It looked bigger than Normans Park, even though it isn't. When I was told that we have to do three laps my heart sank to my very muddy boots! I know its only 5k, but psychologically it looks so far. Mark said he had run this course last week,
"When I got to the 2k board it felt as if I had already ran 2 miles" he said. Well, that doesn't surprise me, our Mark has been known to get lost on the odd occasion.
The first corner was just about 10 strides away and already we had a faller. It seemed as if he had taken out another runner as well! He was wearing a white shirt, but now it was carrying the ParkRun badge of honor, a great big muddy streak across the front and the back! I think the other chap had his badge of honour too. Note to self, take it easy when running on very slippy muddy grass.
I was being very girly about the whole muddy thing, and also, I just didn't want to land up on my ass! I don't want to do any damage to myself to jeopardise my marathon training, (it's a very good excuse today, and must remember to add that in the Old girls book of Excuses) I was being passed by everyone! I think if I went even slower I would be passed by the sweeper marshal as well!
The course has bit of tarmac to run along. I noticed a runner on the floor. As I got nearer I saw that it was Nagging Sister, clutching at her ankle, one of our group leaders was with her. I stopped and asked if there was anything I could to.
"No, it's ok, go on, you just run" So with that I left her on the floor with Sue. A marshal came to look after Nagging Sister and Sue caught up with me and told me that she was being cared for. But from then onwards I really did concentrate even more on not falling over. Watching out for the really sticky muddy parts and the tree roots as we ran passed the tree lined lined path.
Oh, by the way, when the megahorn marshall heard about her fall he put a loud 'ambulance sound on his megahorn and ran across the green to give assistance, much to the embarrasement of Nagging Sister, who insisted he turned it off. Oh, I wish I had seen that!
The next little bit was through to the rugby field. Oh my goodness! A little boys dream place. a huge sticky wet puddle which took the whole width of the entrance to the field. There was no way to go around this, or even go through here running. Tippy toe through the mud, and, if you're like me, then trying to find the driest bit of mud to step on! (which there wasn't any there at all) Now I know why they said 'Old shoes if you have them!' Running around the rugby field was as sticky as the park, but the exit point to start the second lat was again one huge muddy puddle! Why am I here!?
The second lap started and I was still pacing along with a lady in grey flowery socks! She over took me, I over took her, as we ran around the second lap. I wasn't quite the last one, I do believe there was one other person behind me, well two really, a young lad with his dad! I wish I wasn't so girly when it comes to the whole muddy experience!
The second lap was uneventful. I think everyone had got the measure of this course now, and knew where the more sticky danger points are. I started to get lapped by the front runners, the Orpies had all their best runners passing me.
"Good going Pettswood" they said as they passed me. Although we have this rivalry going, its all in good fun. And usually if the mob match was on our own turf and during pub opening times, then we would all end up in the pub enjoying a pint together.
I was approaching the marker boards, lap 1 and 2 turn left, lap 3 straight up! I was still having to do the turn left part. Through the sticky patches. Three laps does seem a lot for a 5k! But the Garmin has it right! One more lap and I would have done 5k.
I was pleased to to be doing the third and final lap, and not having to go through to the rugby field as on this lap we just run straight up to the pavilion, get our token and a nice cup of tea and piece of cake! It was another careful, slow lap. Give me nice tarmac any day, well, only in the raining season! I love running through the woods and trails and parks, but this mud, yuck! No thanks.
The lady with the socks was ahead of me now, I was tired, the muscles in my legs ached slightly as I overcompensated trying not to slip over in the mud! (Ooo look, another excuse for my book) but this was the last lap, thank goodness.
No more incidents of people falling over, no more mud, but plenty of cakes and a nice coffee. We run so that we can eat! Oh yes. I love running! Muddy puddles and all! Oh and Nagging Sister has quite a sprained ankle, here is a picture of it, for the squeamish I suggest go straight to geeky stats!
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| Nagging Sisters swollen ankle |
Geeky stats, oh and my official park run time for this course was a very slow 37:06, the slowest park run I have done so far! And don't forget to go and buy the magazine, its out now, a great read and you can read all of the interviews that we did.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Bloomin Hard Work!
Hello Blog lovers.
Today I tried to do the interval running suggested in Wednesday, week 6 of my training programme! Bloomin heck! Was that difficult or what! I am just not very good that this sort of training! I am going to have to work really hard just to even enjoy doing this. I am sure there is a reason why this is in the training programme! But while I was doing it all I could think of is "I am not going to be running this fast in the marathon, so why?"
But I kept it up, for two lots of ten minute faster than normal pace runs. with five minutes jogs either side of those, ending with a twenty minute jog. Don't it sound easy when you see it written down! But actually doing it, cor blimey! It just shows how lazy I am, and how much I love being in my little comfort zone. The Old Boy was with me, trying to keep me going. I stopped running about a minute before I was due to do the 5 minute jog, and even then I walked for 2 minutes instead of jogged the whole 5 minutes.
"It's no good writing up your own training plan, if you are following this one" Said the OB. I know he is right, but, cor blimey, its hard!
He decided to take out the routine of the route, just so that I am not sure where the five minutes jog starts and where the 10 minute run finishes! I was going to do the usual Turpington Lane route, but the OB told me to keep running up to the top of the road. It worked. I wasn't sure how many minutes it was to get to certain points on this route. I tried to keep going as much as I could. I checked My Garmin. Top of the road, just after we turned left I need to be doing the next 10 minute running session. I was not looking forward to it.
I want to keep my jogging and running fun, but I know that to do the London Marathon in a 'ok'ish' then I am going to have to put in some hard work. Something that I have never really enjoyed doing, too lazy! I started off my 24 week training in week 6, I should really be in week 7, but I wanted to stick with the week 6 rota, just running for 10 minutes each time for the running sections. I thought I would be able to manage that.
After I run the first of the faster pace sections I was so pleased that there is only one more to do! Even though I have the last 20 minute jogging to finish. I had a stitch, and I was trying to keep my breathing under control, not do all the panting lark. Nice and steady breathing. It was all a lot to try and keep in my head. Breath, run, keep an eye on time, stop whinging!
I checked my Garmin, time for the next 10 minute run.
"When is the next bit of faster pace" The Old Boy said,
"We're doing it now" I said as I reached his side, "This is me going a bit faster"
"Oh right, ok, well, lets go" he said and he picked up his pace a bit and kept just that little bit further in front of me. The pace was hurting me, I wanted to stop, I am sure I slowed down to my jog pace, but still looking as if I was running fast! 'A lot of effort but going nowhere' as the Old Boy said to me earlier!
I was very pleased when the 10 minutes was up. Now I can jog along at my nice and easy, Moosh pace. This is me! Comfort zone! But I know I really have to drag myself out of here, kicking, screaming and crying all the way!
There was no sprint to the finish today, and also, I had to do a 'lap of honour' around my green as I still had a couple of minutes of my jog to finish. Then it was a nice calm walk around, stretches and then come in for some fish, chips and salad dinner! Yum.
Geeky stats for you
Today I tried to do the interval running suggested in Wednesday, week 6 of my training programme! Bloomin heck! Was that difficult or what! I am just not very good that this sort of training! I am going to have to work really hard just to even enjoy doing this. I am sure there is a reason why this is in the training programme! But while I was doing it all I could think of is "I am not going to be running this fast in the marathon, so why?"
But I kept it up, for two lots of ten minute faster than normal pace runs. with five minutes jogs either side of those, ending with a twenty minute jog. Don't it sound easy when you see it written down! But actually doing it, cor blimey! It just shows how lazy I am, and how much I love being in my little comfort zone. The Old Boy was with me, trying to keep me going. I stopped running about a minute before I was due to do the 5 minute jog, and even then I walked for 2 minutes instead of jogged the whole 5 minutes.
"It's no good writing up your own training plan, if you are following this one" Said the OB. I know he is right, but, cor blimey, its hard!
He decided to take out the routine of the route, just so that I am not sure where the five minutes jog starts and where the 10 minute run finishes! I was going to do the usual Turpington Lane route, but the OB told me to keep running up to the top of the road. It worked. I wasn't sure how many minutes it was to get to certain points on this route. I tried to keep going as much as I could. I checked My Garmin. Top of the road, just after we turned left I need to be doing the next 10 minute running session. I was not looking forward to it.
I want to keep my jogging and running fun, but I know that to do the London Marathon in a 'ok'ish' then I am going to have to put in some hard work. Something that I have never really enjoyed doing, too lazy! I started off my 24 week training in week 6, I should really be in week 7, but I wanted to stick with the week 6 rota, just running for 10 minutes each time for the running sections. I thought I would be able to manage that.
After I run the first of the faster pace sections I was so pleased that there is only one more to do! Even though I have the last 20 minute jogging to finish. I had a stitch, and I was trying to keep my breathing under control, not do all the panting lark. Nice and steady breathing. It was all a lot to try and keep in my head. Breath, run, keep an eye on time, stop whinging!
I checked my Garmin, time for the next 10 minute run.
"When is the next bit of faster pace" The Old Boy said,
"We're doing it now" I said as I reached his side, "This is me going a bit faster"
"Oh right, ok, well, lets go" he said and he picked up his pace a bit and kept just that little bit further in front of me. The pace was hurting me, I wanted to stop, I am sure I slowed down to my jog pace, but still looking as if I was running fast! 'A lot of effort but going nowhere' as the Old Boy said to me earlier!
I was very pleased when the 10 minutes was up. Now I can jog along at my nice and easy, Moosh pace. This is me! Comfort zone! But I know I really have to drag myself out of here, kicking, screaming and crying all the way!
There was no sprint to the finish today, and also, I had to do a 'lap of honour' around my green as I still had a couple of minutes of my jog to finish. Then it was a nice calm walk around, stretches and then come in for some fish, chips and salad dinner! Yum.
Geeky stats for you
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Happy Birthday PWR
Hello Blog Lovers.
Today we celebrate the anniversary of our running club. 6 years ago today Pettswood Runners were formed. And a quarter of the membership belonged to one family, our group 1 Illustrious leaders family to be precise. It started of with just 12 members, and now we are over 200 strong!
I was feeling a bit tired today, and I said in yesterdays blog, the dark nights do nothing for my motivation, I am just so glad that I belong to a club. It really does make you go out and meet up with your running buddies. And I know sometimes, this is the only time some of the runners do get out and go for a run, due to busy lives and, now, the dark nights.
I was of course going to stick with group 1. This is my pace. I am not going to be a Paula Radcliffe, there will be no miracle times for me crossing over the finish line in record time. I am a plodder. Just plodding along nice and steady. I was going along steady in sweeper role. I knew today that being at the back is where I would be, whether I was in sweeper role or not!
The aches in my knees seem to have all gone. I was just going to see if they come back when I start jogging. I think I much prefer my way of dealing with aches and pains. 'It hurts, so slow down or walk' 'I injured my .........., so rest up for what ever the doctor/physio says + 1 week' I am hoping this is going to get me through all my little aches and pains, so that when I get to April, everything will be stronger, healed, not hurting, used to long distance, slimmer! Well, I am hoping to be slimmer, or should I say lighter!
Jogging along at the back, my little light shining away, alerting traffic and pedestrians alike that I am thundering down past them, I started counting. When I was listening on of the pod casts, the presenter/dj(?) said "Ok, not jog along with the beat, count, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4...." I found myself doing that, every foot fall I was counting. I seemed we we going at around 150 bpm, at least the music in my mind had that sort of rhythm.
Our route was taking us straight up Crofton Road. I wasn't looking forward to it. I was even wondering if I would make it! The bike ride is still deep in my legs! But, marathons are all about endurance, and that is what I need to build up on!
I was pleased we had a little stop at the top! Just to rest my legs, re-inflate my lungs, and general stuff like that! But it wasn't for long, we started running towards Orpington, and I knew that the next half is going to be down hill. That kept a nice half smile on my face. Ok not on my face, but I was thinking of smiling!
We turned left down Addlington Raod, and our Illustrious leader said,
"For those who want a bit of a speedier session, turn right and go around the green, and for those that want a more steady pace just turn left and foll me"
There was just one solitary brave person running out by herself to tackle the green. I think she must have done quite a bit of speedy session there as she caught up with us just where we needed to be! Good timing Chris!
I was still at the back all the way down to the off license. We had another little stop as our IL said,
"Right, now you can go as fast as you like all the way back, just dont change the route." And with that we we off again. I was still at the back, sweeping, and IL was also helping sweep, as everyone know knew the way home.
She also reminded us that as it was PWR's 6 birthday, then someone was bringing cakes! I am sure our pace picked up a little more as we all headed back to our start point! There is one that that our club members can do, just as good as getting p.b's medals for half/full marathons, etc, and that is bake!
This thought seemed to have a bit of a positive effect for me. I plodded along at a nice steady pace, plus we really didn't spread out that much, we were fairly well grouped. so much so that when I got to Crossways, although I thought I would not do the sprint finishes, I just wanted to, I managed to sprint and I passed all of our group 1 today! Now that is a first! Thanks Ilustrious Leader, a great run today.
My geeky stats for you.
Today we celebrate the anniversary of our running club. 6 years ago today Pettswood Runners were formed. And a quarter of the membership belonged to one family, our group 1 Illustrious leaders family to be precise. It started of with just 12 members, and now we are over 200 strong!
I was feeling a bit tired today, and I said in yesterdays blog, the dark nights do nothing for my motivation, I am just so glad that I belong to a club. It really does make you go out and meet up with your running buddies. And I know sometimes, this is the only time some of the runners do get out and go for a run, due to busy lives and, now, the dark nights.
I was of course going to stick with group 1. This is my pace. I am not going to be a Paula Radcliffe, there will be no miracle times for me crossing over the finish line in record time. I am a plodder. Just plodding along nice and steady. I was going along steady in sweeper role. I knew today that being at the back is where I would be, whether I was in sweeper role or not!
The aches in my knees seem to have all gone. I was just going to see if they come back when I start jogging. I think I much prefer my way of dealing with aches and pains. 'It hurts, so slow down or walk' 'I injured my .........., so rest up for what ever the doctor/physio says + 1 week' I am hoping this is going to get me through all my little aches and pains, so that when I get to April, everything will be stronger, healed, not hurting, used to long distance, slimmer! Well, I am hoping to be slimmer, or should I say lighter!
Jogging along at the back, my little light shining away, alerting traffic and pedestrians alike that I am thundering down past them, I started counting. When I was listening on of the pod casts, the presenter/dj(?) said "Ok, not jog along with the beat, count, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4...." I found myself doing that, every foot fall I was counting. I seemed we we going at around 150 bpm, at least the music in my mind had that sort of rhythm.
Our route was taking us straight up Crofton Road. I wasn't looking forward to it. I was even wondering if I would make it! The bike ride is still deep in my legs! But, marathons are all about endurance, and that is what I need to build up on!
I was pleased we had a little stop at the top! Just to rest my legs, re-inflate my lungs, and general stuff like that! But it wasn't for long, we started running towards Orpington, and I knew that the next half is going to be down hill. That kept a nice half smile on my face. Ok not on my face, but I was thinking of smiling!
We turned left down Addlington Raod, and our Illustrious leader said,
"For those who want a bit of a speedier session, turn right and go around the green, and for those that want a more steady pace just turn left and foll me"
There was just one solitary brave person running out by herself to tackle the green. I think she must have done quite a bit of speedy session there as she caught up with us just where we needed to be! Good timing Chris!
I was still at the back all the way down to the off license. We had another little stop as our IL said,
"Right, now you can go as fast as you like all the way back, just dont change the route." And with that we we off again. I was still at the back, sweeping, and IL was also helping sweep, as everyone know knew the way home.
She also reminded us that as it was PWR's 6 birthday, then someone was bringing cakes! I am sure our pace picked up a little more as we all headed back to our start point! There is one that that our club members can do, just as good as getting p.b's medals for half/full marathons, etc, and that is bake!
This thought seemed to have a bit of a positive effect for me. I plodded along at a nice steady pace, plus we really didn't spread out that much, we were fairly well grouped. so much so that when I got to Crossways, although I thought I would not do the sprint finishes, I just wanted to, I managed to sprint and I passed all of our group 1 today! Now that is a first! Thanks Ilustrious Leader, a great run today.
My geeky stats for you.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Week 2 - No Rest Day Today!
Hello blog lovers.
Today I needed to get out and continue with my marathon training. This week is really the beginning. I managed to run for a few days last week, but what with my mega bike ride on Friday night, Saturday morning, I didn't do any running over the weekend. But I am sure I can be forgiven. I think we worked out that all though the Old Boys Garmin read 70 odd miles, it had stopped before we arrived home. We probably cycled around 80 to 85 miles all in all!
So today, I was going to stick with what my training plan said, and that is to jog for 40 minutes. As the clocks have gone back now, its pretty dark out there, the Old Boy has said that he will be my running buddy while I am in training! He was first to go up and get changed. I carried on sitting down watching the Simpsons!
Motivation seems to hibernate in these dark nights, and the rain that has started has made sure it stays there! So it was with a real effort that I went up stairs to get changed. Since my bike ride I seemed to have developed this ache in the back of my knee. I'm not sure if it is because I had brought my saddle up a tad more and have actually worked muscles that should have been working all the time, or if in fact I have over stretched this a little. I will have to seek advice on this. I still thought that I would be able to do just what was required of me today.
I got ready and me and the OB went out. I was even looking forward to it, in some strange way. The rain had just finished, which I was very pleased about, but of course there were puddles and wet pavements to run on now. Still, it makes for an interesting run, leaping like a ballerina over puddles. That should stretch out the old legs a bit!
The achyness in my right knee wasn't bothering me at all, which I thought was very strange, but I did develop another little achyness in my other knee! and this was right at the front of the knee, and I could feel it every time I landed on it.
managed to run all the way to Magpiehall Lane this evening, from Greenway that is! I Stopped for a few moments breath and to give my knee just a little breather too. I really don't get all that 'no pain, no gain' business. To me, pain is to let you know that you are or have done something that needs addressing! Well, I was addressing the little ache and I gave it a break, simples, surely?
I stopped another couple of times as well on our way home, as we ran back down Southborough Lane. I told the Old Boy to continue to go to top Oxhawth. I wanted to make sure that I ran the full 40 minutes as suggested in my training plans. And I know that I have done this route in less than that. So my idea is to just swing left instead of going up Faringdon, just to add a few more minutes onto the run.
I had forgotten to let the OB know of the left turn and had to call him to follow me! I wasn't over doing this, I felt good, apart from the little achys in the knees. The Old Boy thinks I should start running for an hour each time, but I am going to stick to plans, and try to follow to the letter, with maybe a bit of cross training on the bikes on the nicer evenings. And nice pleasure rides on Saturdays.
I also made sure that I didn't sprint up the last bit. I know I could have done, but I just don't want to do any harm or damage to my knees, I was feeling good and I intend things to stay that way.
Geeky stats.
Today I needed to get out and continue with my marathon training. This week is really the beginning. I managed to run for a few days last week, but what with my mega bike ride on Friday night, Saturday morning, I didn't do any running over the weekend. But I am sure I can be forgiven. I think we worked out that all though the Old Boys Garmin read 70 odd miles, it had stopped before we arrived home. We probably cycled around 80 to 85 miles all in all!
So today, I was going to stick with what my training plan said, and that is to jog for 40 minutes. As the clocks have gone back now, its pretty dark out there, the Old Boy has said that he will be my running buddy while I am in training! He was first to go up and get changed. I carried on sitting down watching the Simpsons!
Motivation seems to hibernate in these dark nights, and the rain that has started has made sure it stays there! So it was with a real effort that I went up stairs to get changed. Since my bike ride I seemed to have developed this ache in the back of my knee. I'm not sure if it is because I had brought my saddle up a tad more and have actually worked muscles that should have been working all the time, or if in fact I have over stretched this a little. I will have to seek advice on this. I still thought that I would be able to do just what was required of me today.
I got ready and me and the OB went out. I was even looking forward to it, in some strange way. The rain had just finished, which I was very pleased about, but of course there were puddles and wet pavements to run on now. Still, it makes for an interesting run, leaping like a ballerina over puddles. That should stretch out the old legs a bit!
The achyness in my right knee wasn't bothering me at all, which I thought was very strange, but I did develop another little achyness in my other knee! and this was right at the front of the knee, and I could feel it every time I landed on it.
managed to run all the way to Magpiehall Lane this evening, from Greenway that is! I Stopped for a few moments breath and to give my knee just a little breather too. I really don't get all that 'no pain, no gain' business. To me, pain is to let you know that you are or have done something that needs addressing! Well, I was addressing the little ache and I gave it a break, simples, surely?
I stopped another couple of times as well on our way home, as we ran back down Southborough Lane. I told the Old Boy to continue to go to top Oxhawth. I wanted to make sure that I ran the full 40 minutes as suggested in my training plans. And I know that I have done this route in less than that. So my idea is to just swing left instead of going up Faringdon, just to add a few more minutes onto the run.
I had forgotten to let the OB know of the left turn and had to call him to follow me! I wasn't over doing this, I felt good, apart from the little achys in the knees. The Old Boy thinks I should start running for an hour each time, but I am going to stick to plans, and try to follow to the letter, with maybe a bit of cross training on the bikes on the nicer evenings. And nice pleasure rides on Saturdays.
I also made sure that I didn't sprint up the last bit. I know I could have done, but I just don't want to do any harm or damage to my knees, I was feeling good and I intend things to stay that way.
Geeky stats.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Training Continues!
Hello blog lovers.
I forgot to write up my cycling blog yesterday, I did ride around for about 10 miles. 10 Miles! and I didn't think it was necessary to write a blog about a measly 10 mile bike ride! How blase is that? Such a fitness nutter now!
But todays run, it says in the 'trainining manual' I will be jogging along for 30 minutes. Or course that means a non stop thirty minutes, not my usual run for 15, walk some then run for 5 and walk a tad, etc etc. Oh no! This is training mode. I must try to jog along for thirty minutes now.
The Old Boy came along with me as my body guard/ resident nag/PT/Hubby/jogger. He kept me going this evening. I was getting into the comfort zone in my nice comfy armchair. I kept saying to him
"I gotta go for a jog in a minute" and he replied
"Go on then, get going"
But some how I kept sitting there. He was the first one to go upstairs and get changed! He came down in his jogging gear, hopping about in front of me, urging me to go and ready! I did as I should.
The evening was a bit chilly when we first came out of the door. I decided to put on two layers, but I am sure I am going to warm up quite quickly. We started off.
"I am going at my pace" I told the Old Boy, "A nice easy start before I get into my stride" I said, as though I have been doing this all of my life.
"Yes that's fine, what ever, but shall we go?" he replied.
I did exactly according to my plan, or at least my pace. I plodded along nicely, up Faringdon, the nice little slightly downhill section of Oxhawth before heading up Southborough. Now the last time I ran up this road, last Sunday, I had managed to get all the way to the mini round about. This time I went even further! Up as far as Turpington Lane, turned left into Turp, and then turned left into Greenway! Now I haven't done this for a long time. Well, since Naggy Neighbour managed to drag my ass around this route non stop way back when! But just half way down here I did stop jogging. The Old Boy noticed!
"Come on, what are you stopping for?" he said
"I'm just catching my breath" I said, and then from that moment until we got back he nagged me! Just like Naggy Neighbour used to, just like Nagging Sister used to, he was relentless! How he can talk s much and keep up the jogging, I don't know. I just plodded along and listened. Yes he was making sense, but I was still thrilled with what I had achieved so far. It's only week 1 of my training plans, but already I have jogged further that I used to before that ever so annoying walking break, which by the way was probably less than 20 to thirty seconds!
Up the hill that used to have me stop and look at it. Do you know what, it doesn't look that impressive now! It's a slight bump, a step up, a nothingness of a hill! I was saying this to myself in my head, as I ran up it. It worked! It got me up the hill non stop! turning right into Holbrook and then turning left to run up Parkfield to go back up Southborough! I was doing my bestest every jogging along! Ok the Old Boys constant nagging kept me going. I know if I was by myself I would have probably done a couple more walks.
I did slow down a bit more to retrieve my hankie from my pocket! But as soon as it was out I was jogging along again. I was clock watching my this time. As I was running along to bottom Oxhawth!
"Just a little further, and then that will be the 30 mins jog done" I said to myself. I daren't say that to the Old Boy, he would just say,
"No, no just keep going"
And right at the minute, I really didn't want to hear it. All I wanted was to get the thirty minutes done, and then I can go a little easier on my self.
"That's it, that's 30 minutes continual jogging" I said to the OB, and just as as I thought he said
"Keep going, its only about another 5 minutes home now"
I did keep going for a tad more, and then took another little walking break, I crossed over Lovelace Ave, and then ran from the other side all the way home! Non stop! Now this is my best run on this route for a bloomin long time......since Naggy Neighbour dragged me round nonstop jogging! I was pleased with this. The best jog on this route for a long time. The endurance is finally catching up with me. It's only taken 4 years!
All the way down Faringdon I kept up the pace. I started to put a bit of a sprint on, like I usually do, but the Old Boy said not to, just stick to the plan. It's very odd for me not to push myself a little harder at the end. I like that fast bit, and I quite missed it! So, I may just add that back into my plans!
So my geeky stats, lets see how I did.
I forgot to write up my cycling blog yesterday, I did ride around for about 10 miles. 10 Miles! and I didn't think it was necessary to write a blog about a measly 10 mile bike ride! How blase is that? Such a fitness nutter now!
But todays run, it says in the 'trainining manual' I will be jogging along for 30 minutes. Or course that means a non stop thirty minutes, not my usual run for 15, walk some then run for 5 and walk a tad, etc etc. Oh no! This is training mode. I must try to jog along for thirty minutes now.
The Old Boy came along with me as my body guard/ resident nag/PT/Hubby/jogger. He kept me going this evening. I was getting into the comfort zone in my nice comfy armchair. I kept saying to him
"I gotta go for a jog in a minute" and he replied
"Go on then, get going"
But some how I kept sitting there. He was the first one to go upstairs and get changed! He came down in his jogging gear, hopping about in front of me, urging me to go and ready! I did as I should.
The evening was a bit chilly when we first came out of the door. I decided to put on two layers, but I am sure I am going to warm up quite quickly. We started off.
"I am going at my pace" I told the Old Boy, "A nice easy start before I get into my stride" I said, as though I have been doing this all of my life.
"Yes that's fine, what ever, but shall we go?" he replied.
I did exactly according to my plan, or at least my pace. I plodded along nicely, up Faringdon, the nice little slightly downhill section of Oxhawth before heading up Southborough. Now the last time I ran up this road, last Sunday, I had managed to get all the way to the mini round about. This time I went even further! Up as far as Turpington Lane, turned left into Turp, and then turned left into Greenway! Now I haven't done this for a long time. Well, since Naggy Neighbour managed to drag my ass around this route non stop way back when! But just half way down here I did stop jogging. The Old Boy noticed!
"Come on, what are you stopping for?" he said
"I'm just catching my breath" I said, and then from that moment until we got back he nagged me! Just like Naggy Neighbour used to, just like Nagging Sister used to, he was relentless! How he can talk s much and keep up the jogging, I don't know. I just plodded along and listened. Yes he was making sense, but I was still thrilled with what I had achieved so far. It's only week 1 of my training plans, but already I have jogged further that I used to before that ever so annoying walking break, which by the way was probably less than 20 to thirty seconds!
Up the hill that used to have me stop and look at it. Do you know what, it doesn't look that impressive now! It's a slight bump, a step up, a nothingness of a hill! I was saying this to myself in my head, as I ran up it. It worked! It got me up the hill non stop! turning right into Holbrook and then turning left to run up Parkfield to go back up Southborough! I was doing my bestest every jogging along! Ok the Old Boys constant nagging kept me going. I know if I was by myself I would have probably done a couple more walks.
I did slow down a bit more to retrieve my hankie from my pocket! But as soon as it was out I was jogging along again. I was clock watching my this time. As I was running along to bottom Oxhawth!
"Just a little further, and then that will be the 30 mins jog done" I said to myself. I daren't say that to the Old Boy, he would just say,
"No, no just keep going"
And right at the minute, I really didn't want to hear it. All I wanted was to get the thirty minutes done, and then I can go a little easier on my self.
"That's it, that's 30 minutes continual jogging" I said to the OB, and just as as I thought he said
"Keep going, its only about another 5 minutes home now"
I did keep going for a tad more, and then took another little walking break, I crossed over Lovelace Ave, and then ran from the other side all the way home! Non stop! Now this is my best run on this route for a bloomin long time......since Naggy Neighbour dragged me round nonstop jogging! I was pleased with this. The best jog on this route for a long time. The endurance is finally catching up with me. It's only taken 4 years!
All the way down Faringdon I kept up the pace. I started to put a bit of a sprint on, like I usually do, but the Old Boy said not to, just stick to the plan. It's very odd for me not to push myself a little harder at the end. I like that fast bit, and I quite missed it! So, I may just add that back into my plans!
So my geeky stats, lets see how I did.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
My Rocky Moment!
Now, let me ask you a question. When you saw the sub title of todays blog, did you think, "ah, she is having a rough time" or did you think, "Has she gone mountaineering" But I bet you didn't think of how I saw my rocky moment!
Well, lets start from the beginning. I have listened to my coach. I ran on Sunday, as blog readers you will know that, then I had a rest day, and today I ran for 40 mins, well it was over forty mins actually, as I ran with my running club.
Today was another first as well, (I will tell you about the other first in a minute) Singstar Jo was doing her debut Group 1 leader role today! Our Illustrious leader, was doing sweeper duties. When Jo had told us the route it sounded quite reasonable. But then when we all huddled up in our groups, she then said "Oh I forgot to say, we are doing Cardiac Hill" That made a few eyes pop out. But still, we can do it. The weather is quite warm, even though its misty and looks cold out. But in actual fact it was perfect running conditions.
We started our run. I had forgotten to 'wake up' my Garmin, and we were running along Tudor way before it finally found satellites, a whole .10 of a mile later! It could have been worse, it may not have found any at all!
We were going straight under the railway bridge then turning left and running to the off license, where we will have our first catch up. This is how I know it was .10 of a mile before my Garmin found satellites, as usually this is just bang on a mile! Then it was another turn left back over the railway bridge.
We were going to head towards Orpington. I knew which road Singstar Jo was going to take. She was heading for the hills. I know they are only small hills, but they usually have me walking up them. But not today. I managed to get up the first hill in one go. But just as we were going for the second hill, one of our group caught her foot on some raised pavement, she came down quite heavy on her knees and hands, and then she said she did this slide through the mud!
After the shock of it, we checked her over, she was quite fine and said that she can carry on running. We are made of firms stuff in the P.W.R's. You're not a proper runner until you have ended up with dirty knees and hands! And in the case of this particular young lady, her lovely new bright yellow top had a huge mud patch on it now!
We had a short break there, just to make sure that she was fine, then we all tackled the next short hill, before turning left. This next road leads us to Cardiac Hill. A quick catch up here before we all started the hill together.
This is my running nemesis, this used to be my cycling nemesis! I have yet to conquer this hill running up it! I took a deep breath, and then we all started running up hill! I kept my pace nice and easy, kept my strides short, I kept my breathing in check. I was running up the hill! The path narrowed, allowing only single file, two of the ladies were walking! I had to concentrate real hard, just so that I don't join them in the walking! I needed to run up here. This hill has beaten me too many times.
I managed to get to the mini roundabout. I was still running! But we were not turning left here, we were continuing to go up, up, up! We are doing the whole hill! No traffic to stop us at the round about, so I continued to run. I tried desperately not to think about what I was doing, only concentrate on running. I can see the flat bit. I remember seeing the flat bit when I rode my bike up here the very first time, and the elation I felt when I managed to ride up it non stop! Now it seems as if I am going to make it with the running as well.
The flat! I made it, I can see the front runners just ahead gathering at the end of the road for a well earned breather, and to wait for the others. I ran up to them, arms raised in the air, huge smile on my face! I had done it! I had conquered Cardiac Hill!!
The rest of the run seemed an absolute breeze from here till the end! Or was it that I was just too much into my 'Rocky Balboa' moment that I just didn't notice the rest of the run home!
Well done Singstar Jo, your debut leadership had me breaking the curse of Cardiac hill! Bring on Summer Hill! (but, not just yet)
Geeky stats.
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