More Running, Old Girl?

Hello blog lovers.

Yup! More running. It's Thursday which means it club track day. It was going to be marathon pace 3x1600m around the track, with a minutes rest between each each 1600m. So that means 12 times around the track! (I had to take my shoes off to count that high!)  Along with a warm up and a warm down stretch. Lets see how many laps I can get in before everyone else finishes their 'warm down lap'  before they even get ready for the warm down stretches!

I have been ignoring the cold bug that seems to be trying to get into my system today. Occupational hazard when you have cute little people to look after, sneezing on you and asking for their noses to be wiped every five minutes. We are a sharing household here. I was feeling good though, my little session with Smarty Pants hasn't really affected my leg muscles at all. So I had in my mind to complete every lap today.

Kitman Mike said that we should be doing each 1600m at our own individual marathon pace. All the PWR's got into their pacing groups, I got into mine. A very exclusive pacing group, known as the Old Girl group, and it's usually just me in it! The faster groups set off first, the next and so on. I set off with the last group, I let them gradually get further from me and then I looked at my Garmin. I was still going way to fast for my marathon pace, and had to pull myself back at bit more.

I kept running all the time. The bits that I should have been running, I was! Now that is a first for me (for a while anyway!) I was looking forward to the 1 minute rest time. On my second of the 1600m, and I was a bit slower this time. I hope I can keep each lap consistent, another discipline that I need to learn. And you all know me and discipline!

I was getting lapped quite a lot. Obviously the faster paced groups lapped me several times, and each time the said to me "Well done Old Girl, keep it going" I am just amazed that quite a few people know my name! Mind you, I am the only member of the the Thursdays track sessions 'Old Girl Pace Group' so I shouldn't be surprised really.

I think I managed to do 2 and a bit of the planned 3x1600m. I felt I had done enough, and besides, I didn't really want to hold everybody up while I continued to finish my reps of the track.

So here is my geeky stats, I did remember to stop the timer while I was doing the minute rest, and then turn in back on when I started running again.

( I have just counted the laps, I only ran 9 laps! tut tut tut)

Just A Little Extra Bit!

Hello blog lovers.

Yesterday evening, Smarty Pants and me had arranged to meet up and do just a little bit more extra training as we both had this afternoon kid free. Ok, I guess we could have gone down the pub, or to a restaurant and 'do lunch' but you runners know when the 'running bug is biting' it's hard to ignore!

We decided on a fairly short route, with some hill reps in the middle. Sounds Like fun eh?! Originally we were going to run from our estate to the hill in question, but Smarty Pants didn't really fancy the run up hill. So I suggested I drive there, then do a very short loop before coming back to the hill.

So that's what we did. After I dropped off my grandson to his pre-school I drove straight to Smarty Pants to pick her up, and we drove to Wood Rise in Pettswood.  "That's the hill that we will do the reps on" I said She looked up it. I don't think she was that impressed with it. She will just have to wait and see, ha ha ha ha (*evil laugh*)

We ran the short loop, the rain came down for just a few minutes, I was hoping it wasn't going to really chuck it down, as the hill reps will not be good fun at all! It was less than a mile loop that we did, .90 of a mile to be precise, and then we were into our hill reps.  I went first, to show her how its done (I know, its a bit like the blind leading the blind here!) But I just ran to the first lamppost at speed and then jogged back.

Smarty Pants went to the first lamppost and back again. Then I went further, to the telegraph pole this time and then back again. Blimey! My legs could feel that! That's the first rep done. But some how I don't think Smarty Pants quite grasped on to that idea.  After we had finished the third rep, I said "Ok that's good, now for the fourth one"
"But we have done six already" Said S.P. I felt pretty sure that we had only done three reps, and I wracked my brain thinking, "Maybe we did" I began thinking to myself, "Maybe we were that quick, Smarty Pants feels so sure that we have done six, and I know that I always lose count going around and around the track" I looked up the hill as if to try and visualise how many times I had touched the telegraph pole.
"It is one rep to the first lamppost, then two to the telegraph pole" She eventually said to me, and then I disillusioned her "Um, no, that equals 1 rep, we have to do that maybe 2 or three times more!"
"Lets just do a last jog around the short loop again" says Smarty Pants. 
I think she was really feeling the hill now. It may look only a short hill, but going up and down it at speed several times, soon shows you who's boss! But one day, we will be flying up there as if its just a pimple in the road!

Geeky stats for this session. As usual I forgot to start my Garmin, just after we finished the hill reps. So I'm guessing another .5 mile needs to be added to the distance, and maybe 6 minutes to the time.

Lets Get Going!

Hello Blog lovers.

I wanted to do a longer run than what I have been doing just lately. I was planning on a 7 mile run, or there abouts. Not too bad for a mid week longer run. After all I don't want to be over doing things. I chose an already well jogged route of mine, with a hill, and the Old Boy was coming along to keep me company.

The route was to go down and up Summer Hill. The mere mention of that hill draws groans and gasps from the PWR (depending on which group leader mentions it, is the ones that groan!) It's good to have a change. I knew that the route is only about 6.5 miles long if I go the usual way, but I could always add on another half mile or so by running back down Southborough lane. So depending on how I feel by the time I get to 'decision road' then it will either be 6.5 or 7. something mile jog today.

I decided to put my earphones in today, just to help me stay focused on my plans, my jog, and just to listen to some good tunes. I know that hill is going to taunt me! So I was hoping that the tunes will help me just to try and ignore it. 

We set off, nice and gentle. No need to rush to the hill. And besides, I like jogging, I like being able to jog, and I am looking forward to the two huge races I have booked myself into! So, no, I am not going to be racing off, I am going to just plod along, exactly how I intend to do my races! I am hoping that the longer runs and the training sessions put together will be enough to get me through both of them.

One thing for sure though! I will cross both finishing lines! That is all my goal is! That is all my 'self' challenge is. My once in a lifetime race, my talking point, and hopefully my VLM Medal holding pride of place among all my other medals, which I still look at and talk about with my grandson.

The wind today was quite strong, threatening to take the Old Boys hat from him, and I was constantly having to pull my hat back down, and what with me trying to keep the silly earplugs in my rather delicately small lug holes, I was constantly fiddling about!

Soon the hill came though. I took at short walk just before the run down, I wanted to prepare myself mentally, to run down it then up again. The Old Boy was not at all impressed with that idea. But I kept to my plan, my way! And down I ran. Of course its lovely running down, and I could do that no problem, getting up the other side though was tough!

Yes I had a walk, I think I did the hill in three, two walks before I got to the top.  It felt good to get to the flat bit! There is not that many hilly sections anymore. And if there is, they wont be as steep as Summer Hill. 

Just after the we passed the tigers head, and got to the top of the road, I sort of found myself in the zone. I was concentrating on keeping my head up, looking at the street lights a head of me, first one, then the next one. "Thats it Old Girl, look towards the next lamppost" is what I was saying to myself, I heard the Old Boy say "You're on your manor now, I can tell" But I just kept the lampposts going past me. For almost a mile I ran like a professional (slow) runner, head up, nice steady pace, concentrating and feeling bloody good at the precise moment. Yes indeed, I was on my turf! I was running on my manor, a true PWR! I was in a happy place.

But as with all my runs I do start to get slower, I was coming out of my happy place, all the happy thoughts that kept me going along that little stretch of road in Chislehurst. Thoughts of my mum came to me then, the same old question came to my mind, as I started to feel my legs getting tired the  nearer we got to Pettswood and Tudor Way. The same question came to me, "Why are you out here, on a windy dark night, running your old ass off?" The answer came "Because of mum" I started to think of her even more then, and the nasty illness that took her away from us. I was gettting upset, and I was getting angry. Then the concentration went, and the noises of the street came back to me.You could tell that because I became very grumpy!  I was looking forward to getting home.  I decided to not to do the extra mile as I nipped down Nightingale road and headed on home. I feel this is enough for today. I am still smiling, I am still enjoying my running and I want it always to be that way!

My geeky stats for you

Water, Water, Everywhere!

Hello Blog lovers.

I have had a busy day today with the whole exercise regime! This afternoon was a nice genteel bike ride with Nagging Sister! She is desperate for some sort of cardio vascular activity in her days! But The injury she sustain way back in October last year is still causing her problems. So she thought a bike ride would be good for her.

But this is my running blog and not my cycling blog, so will continues with todays running.  I had offered to help Kitman Mike with the new beginners group. Just as last time, I love giving something back to my club and to the sport that I have chosen to help me keep fit. And of course, I love to help and encourage all those that have decided to keep fit and to chose jogging as their chosen sport to help them achieve that.

Todays programme, after a warm up, was 3 minutes jog and 3 minutes walk x 5. There were about 20-25 brave souls in the group. I say brave souls, because the weather was not good, it was wet, it had been raining, but now all that is left is some 'heavy moisture' in the air, which could threaten rain at any moment! It was good to encourage them all around the short loops that we were doing.

I turned up about five minutes past 7, the group had already started their warm up walk. I waited for them at Little Thrift. I had already done a warm up anyway as I had rode my bike to Willet Way Rec and then ran to little thrift.

After we had done the beginners group, (Singstar Jo also offered to help out as well) we jumped in her car and drove the short distance to the rec, ready to start our club run!  Singstar Jo had very heavy legs today, she was still a little sore after running 10 miles on Sunday! And I was just pleased to be out. A glut of exercise in one day, and I am feeling on top of the world! I know I shall be aching a little, later on!

By the time we got to 8 0'clock the rain had started, just that gentle horrible drizzle stuff, and it stayed with us, the whole time! The route that our Illustrious Leader had chosen today was a very undulating
one, with a double loop around Tillingbourne Green. Now this particular green, again was a tad undulating, a nice little challenge not only for the newcomers of the group, but for me as well!

The rain was getting me a little down now. It was really affecting my sight! My glasses were steamed up and rainy! In fact I could see more without my glasses! So I had to put them in my pocket and run without them.

Towards the end of the run, by the time we got to Willet Way, our Illustrious Leader came back to relieve the sweepers, which was me and Singstar Jo.  I pushed on a little faster but Singstar Jo carried on sweeping.

We got back to the rec, the rain was really coming down now, we were all soaked to the skin, smelling (as Singstar Jo said) like wet dog! But I was still feeling great about being out running. After a warm down stretch I realised that I still had to cycle home from here! *Siiiggghhh!*

As soon as I got in, I stripped off and jumped into a nice warm shower! Then it was dinner time! I felt I had definitely earned this today!

Geeky stats

Yes, No, Run, Sit?

Hello Blog lovers,

I really didn't know if I was going to get out this evening.  After work, the Old Boy thought he might get a bike ride in, but by the time he came home the wind had picked up and the rain had started. So he thought he might just come out for a short plod along the pavements with me.

Now running out in the wind is not my idea of fun, throw in a bit of rain and it's less likely that I will even venture up my stairs to get changed into my jogging gear. But eventually the Old Boy persuaded me to go and get changed "It's stopped raining now" he said. I was quite cosy in my snuggles blanket and it took an awful long of effort on my part to extract me from it.

By the time I was ready, shoes on, wind proof jacket on, sweat catching cap on, I was still waiting for satellites! "Let's just go" I said, just as I did on Sunday, "If I get found then I get found" I said, I just didn't want to lose this opportunity. I opened then door to be faced by torrential rain! We both retreated back inside. Umm'd and arr'd about it. Then I said, "That's it, I'm not going jogging today" and I set about getting my dinner ready, only a salad, which was already prepared by the Old Boy.

Just as I was about to add the finishing touches he came out and said "Quick, its stopped raining" I was not expecting nor was I looking forward to hearing those words! But, my marathon head came into force. "Ok, lets just do a fast blast, about 1.75 miles, to the Harvester and through the park" I said. 

We set off, more or less straight away. And I was like a bat out of hell, zooming off down the road, thinking about my dinner! "My goodness, a bit of a rain has put a bit of urgency into you" he said.  We ran up Faringdon and then straight up to pop out of top Oxhawth. Then it was straight down to the Harvester. I don't know when the satellites found me, but it informed me that it had 'lost' me again! I think maybe I will have to clear the old information out and start again!

I did start the time though, and I had a sneaky look at my Garmin when I got to the probable 1 mile mark. And it was under 11 minutes! I was pleased with that, but now for the .75 of a mile at hopefully the same pace. That was my thinking, anyway. The Old Boy had other thoughts.  "Up here, a bit further then down Holbrook and to the A21" he says, "Then up to the church, and along the ally way and then back home"

He has a way of surprising me like that. I wished I had of known that before I took off at stupid-a-mile a min pace! I duly followed and tried to keep up the same pace. I was stopping and starting again, as per my usual runs. All the way up to the church and to turn-around-lamppost. From here though, as suggested by the Old Boy, I shall do a little bit of fartlek training. Jog two lampposts and run one, jog two, run one all the way down the half mile of the alleyway.

Then it was a gentle jog for the rest of the way home. By the time I got in I was feeling quite pleased that I actually went out. The rain stayed away for the time we were out, and it felt quite warm out considering how cold it has been. In fact, both the Old Boy and I was totally sweaty bettys when we got in!

So here is my geeky stats for this run. There is, of course some missing bits. From the beginning of my run until it found me by the roundabout, but then it lots me again.  So I think I maybe need to add maybe half mile on top of what is shown.

Normal Service Has Been Resumed!

Hello Blog Lovers!

Well, what a week! Blizzard conditions kept me from my running and from getting any more miles in on my new bike (which I am quite pleased about really, because I don't want it to get too dirty just yet!) Yes, I know people do run in the snow, and I have even been one of the complete, basket cases who have run in the snow before! But I really didn't want to risk any possible injuries that could occur by running in the snow. After all, I have my two longest races coming up very soon. The Tonbridge Wells Half in February, and then the major race, the race that I have been training for, the Virgin London Marathon in April!

When I woke up this morning the sun was shining brightly, the Old Boy looked out of the window nand announced that the snow had all but gone. There was just a tiny pile of snow left, with a pair of sunglasses, a carrot and a scarf, heaped by the side of it, the remnants of Mr. Snowman.  I was looking forward to getting back from church today!

I got up and got myself ready for church, and off I went. Not to say that I was clock watching or anything, (although I was going to be talking to my daughter in Australia about 12:30 today) but the time went by quite quickly.  I said my goodbyes to the church folk and got home, and text my daughter to let her know I was back. I  also text Smarty Pants to see if she wanted to go for a run.  She seems to be going stir crazy with the lack of running this week as well! But she was more eager than me, and was out at 09:30 this morning!

But after a lovely conversation with my daughter in Oz, instead of sitting down missing her to bits, I quickly got myself together and then waited. I waited for the satellites to find my Garmin! Do you think it found it straight away?! Oh no! In the end I just started the timer and went out out, and thought, "If the Satellites don't find me, then it don't matter, I am out and running!"

I was going to do the 'Fartlek' training that was suggested by Kitman Mike. After a warm up half mile I went into my Fartlek. It was tougher than I thought it was going to be. I decided to run between only the lampposts on the pavement that I was on. Sometimes, back in the old days, I used to look for lampposts on both sides of the road as they came up quicker! But, this is training, so its the longer gaps between lampposts for me! And also, I found out, that some of the faster runs between the lampposts were even longer, as they crossed roads or went around corners!

I must admit I did do some walking! But only on the slower paced lamppost sections! I did run (I think) all of the faster paced sections, which I was quite pleased with.

All in all, it was just brilliant to be out running again. And I think I did, well..... not to bad. Here is my geeky stats, I think the satellites found me after about half a mile, but what I am pleased with is the time for this run. Quicker than I thought it would be, considering I haven't been out for AGES!!

<iframe width='465' height='548' frameborder='0' src='http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/266655934'></iframe>

Road And Track!

Hello Blog Lovers.

Road and track. Road and track! That is what I did today! But I didn't run to the track, which would be about 3 miles from me! But I did run on the roads.

This morning about 9:30 I met Richard, Illustrious Leaders hubby, and about 5 other people, all wanted to get in extra training. Richard was taking 3 people at group 2 pace and I took 2. Kay was one of them. It's good to see that the running bug working hard in all our PWR's.

We were going do be running for about 3 miles. Richard gave me the route, this morning. It was good to see there was no hills involved, I was still feeling the miles from Sunday. But its good pain, muscles done good pain! We started off from Willet way Rec, and left by the other gate for a change, to go over the railway bridge. Out route was going to go through Jubilee park.

We were chatting away nice, until we started to feel the jogging getting our breathing working harder. Wither the cold it always seems you work twice as hard. Even I was panting at the beginning! Just like I used to when I first started out! But we soon all settled down.

We covered more that an 1.5 miles before we needed to take a small walking break! Not bad going, considering it was bloomin freezing, which always zaps your energy! I didn't want to stop altogether, it would have been just to cold to stand for a while, I didn't want the girls to get cramp.

Richards and his group will be doubling back a couple of times to meet us and then we all go off again. It was a good run. Even the run up the hill, ok, so we walked a bit of it! But we managed to run most of it! It is a cheeky little blight, a long hill, especially when you're first started out on the crazy insane road of jogging!

We came through the the walking bridge again, and started to run towards Crossways. That's when Richard said to me "We still got 15 mins, to go, we shall get to Wood Rise and do some hill reps" I looked at him, he did have a smile on his face, and for a split second or so, I thought maybe he was joking! But he wasn't! I kept quite about that to the girls, just for now.

"Are you going to sprint up Crossways?" Kay had asked me, "No, not today" I said, "Save that for Tuesdays" I didn't have the heart to tell her about the little exercise planned for the end of this session!  But when Richard gave the the joyous news just as we could see the sign for the park, the girls asked "Is he joking?" I assured them that he wasn't, which is why we were not sprinting the last bit!

So hill reps. Run fast, not at full pelt up hill to a designated post and the back down again, where your partner, does the same thing, in a kind of tag team situation. When they get back you run back up to the second lamppost and back down again, tag your partner to do the same. Repeat x3!! Yes, Richard has a wicked sense of humour, but, funnily enough, I quite enjoyed those reps! Weird!  Well done Ladies, (Oh and I for one, was very gratefull for the couple of walking stops we did ;-) but keep that quiet!)

Geeky stats.

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Track training.

Well this was interval running as well. Running at max power (I think that is what I was supposed to do) for 1600 meters, jog/walk for 200, then max for 1200, jog/walk for 200, then max fo1000, jog/walk/die for 200, again at 800 and then 400!

Well, I was still trying to figure out how many times around the track, I was supposed to go, or maybe I start at 1200, then work from them. But anyway, I tried my hardest. Legs complain like anything. They just have no idea what has hit them! I did start out way to fast. But sometimes when you're looking at everyone else tear-arsing round the track, its difficult not to fall into pace. I looked at my Garmin, I realised I started out at 9 something, then I slowed down and I think I did the first rep in about 10:47.

My other faster laps need to be consistent now. I have set the pace! Darn it, why did I start of to fast! But, I wasn't going to whinny, I am just going to do as much as can, and just see if I can run faster on the fast bits. The shorter walking out sections will come quicker each time.  Of course I got lost as to how many times I went around the track! I think I need a stamp each time I do a lap! At least then I will be able to count the stamps!

A good session, in fact a good day! Freezing cold morning start, freezing cold end! Now that is total craziness!! When do the men in white coats come for us?

Geeky stats!

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