Club Night - Move Up Week!

Hello blog lovers.

Group Zero to Hero

Now this group is the very slowest, shortest distant group.  Usually, because of the very nature of Group Zero to Hero, we don't have anyone 'move up' to here.....usually!  Our beginners course only started just this Saturday gone, and people get talking, they hear about this new group, and lo and behold this evening 3 newbies came along from the beginners course to try out this group 0.

I chose a route that can have a couple of short cuts to get back to the rec if need be, but it does include Birchwood Road....up hill!  After some warm up drills, we headed out of the rec to start on the hill.  There were a good number of us, 7 including me, just taking the hill at a nice steady pace.  The regulars were up at the front and the beginners, who until now have only been running for 1 minute with 5 minutes walking, followed behind.  They all kept running to the top of the hill with out stopping!  I think they were well impressed with them selves, I know the regulars of the group were happy for them!

We ran along the top until we got to the roundabout and then we turned right to run down.  I think the newbies were pleased for the down hill.  I was totally impressed with them, because no one stopped running, only on the breaks that I had planned so that everyone could catch up (if needed) or stretch out or just to catch breath!

We ran all the way day to Crossways, and two of the newbies left us then, and walked back to their car.  They had done 1.3 miles, with just 1 stop which was at the top of Birchwood!  I think they were very pleased with their effort, but they didn't feel they could make the next 1 mile!  But the other newbie decided that she wanted to continue and finish the planned route.

We continued on our way, I told her we were going up to the memorial hall!  "Up?" she said, but I had a good vibe that she would do this.  I said that we wold take a break at the top, just to stretch out a bit and get ready to do the last bit back to the rec.  

Vanessa, Georgia and Keely ran ahead and I ran along with Kelly chatting all the way. Sometimes when you're chatting while you run, you just don't notice the how far you've done.  You don't notice the miles or metres in you like new money, you're covering.  We got to Townsend road and thats when Kelly started to notice what she has done.  It started 'telling' in her ankles and lungs.  Nothing painful, just a complaining from the the body as it realises that this running malarkey could get serious!

Our bodies don't like change!  Our bodies would quite happily just lounge around and do nothing, so when it realises that actually you are still running evening though the ankles are telling you to stop, it recruits in other parts of your body to try and thwart your get fit scheme.  Lungs started to hurt, knees and legs!  I remember in my case my shoulders hurt! Shoulders! And just the one!  Most strange!

We we turned into Crossways Kelly the newbie was just absolutely thrilled that she had completed the route!  She was smiling and chatting, saying she couldn't believe it!  It was a very good run!  I love watching people just do the best they can!  

Geeky stats.

Group 1

As its move up week, Illustrious Leader chose a nice gentle flatish route, and we will be running at the slower end of our predicted pace.  But it seems none of the Hero's wants to move up just yet, and we didn't have anyone join in today.  But I think I.L. will still do the slow pace!

Our route was the one that goes through Palace estates, with the extra loop of the green for those that want to do it.  I knew I wouldn't be doing that,  I was at the back anyway, as I am just not built for speed, I just gently plod along.  My speedy bits is on the track (when I eventually get there!) but out on the roads I just don't push myself to go faster! I just plod along.

I was a bit cold when we started off, so I decided to keep my fleece on,  I will just have to tie it around my waist when I get too hot.  I knew I would, but this little gap between group hero and group 1 just really cools me down way to much.  I can't wait for the spring and the summer.  I like those sessions, although it is such a lovely time of year to run, although I can be very hot.  But the woods always comes tops in my books!  Can't beat running in the woods.

We soon got to the middle of the run, the green where you can run around the green of chose to go straight up and then turn right.  There was quite a lot of us, about 10-14 of us, a nice number in a group.  just a few chose to do the 'round the green' section of the run.  Then we got back on to the main road and had a catch up time. 

We were all fairly tight together, even me!  I wasn't that far behind everybody.  With the straight road left to do before we tuned to cross over the rail lines we were given instructions to run as fast or slow as we liked until the off licence (I think I.L. must like this Off licence!) 

Running Beamont road and you just knew that it is nearly finished.  I was quite happy with the running I had done so far.  I wasn't as far back as I was Sunday! (mind you there were not monster hills.....hardly any really!)  Along Tudor way and I got chatting to Paula.  I.L. had come to the back to take up sweeper duties, although I was tired I just kept plodding along at a fairly comfortable social pace chatting away!  Loved it!

Here is the geeky stats

Three In One

PWR's Train Runners!

Hello blog lovers.

I have been a bit 'lax on writing up my blogs, so a quick summery of the first two and a slightly more in depth of todays.

Thursday Morning run

So the first one was Thursday morning, with just athree other ladies we headed on my new favourite 'wet winter' route, through the parks and my estate, up to Petts Wood and back to the rec.  A great run, about 4 miles or so.  It was raining slightly on the way to the rec and I had put my cycling rain jacket on, but really I needn't of bothered as it was quite warm.  I was glad that we were running along my road as I pop my jacket into my mother in laws house!  A lovely run though with me mates!

Geeky stats.

Beginners Course

The second one is all about Saturdays beginners group.  Our first beginners group of the year led by Helen, and the weather was.......awful!  It was raining and a bit chilly!  But that didn't stop a great number people turning up ready to get fit for the summer!

The going was, shall we say very, very soft! After a couple of laps of the park we did some warm up drills and then straight into the session, 1 min jogging and 5 minutes walking!  Everyone managed to do the whole session, with no walking during the running bits!  So hopefully during the week where they continue with 'homework' next week and Hels up's the anti!

Train run

And the rest of the gang!

So, to the last run.  It was the train run. Up at a sparrows fart to meet Michelle and Denise at the rec, as arranged, and thank goodness, as it was a great incentive for me. I shall explain in a second.   Michelle drove us to the St Mary Cray train station to meet all the other keen runners to do the train runs.  I will tell you now, (and I am digging out one of my old excuses for doing a poorly run) I had family celebrations last night. My sister Bims is 50 today and we had a party for her last night, so I was feeling rather delicate.  I went into total couch potato days, (well apart from I was dancing as well) but I mean the whole shebang! Pints of beer, down stairs for a ciggie!  And me, training for a marathon!

So there were all were, on the train going to Swanley and some of the faster longer distant runners are going to Borough Green and Wrotham, about 17 miles run back, and then us shorter distance runners (I know I should be on the longer run, but they are just way to fast for me!) we got off at Swanley.

I am sure, by now, that you all know I live in a very undulating area.  There are so many hills around my here and also some rather nasty little blighters for when you come in to my nearer home,  Polhill, Star Hill, Crockenhill Road, and now so I have discovered, the one we did today!

When people found out I was out partying last night they were all surprised that I was there, in fact so was I!  I literally just go out of bed, got dressed and walked out the door, remembering to grab a bit of change for my train ticket!  Daft really, I should have taken some water, I should have got up earlier and had something to eat! In fact, I shouldn't have had quite as much beer as I did!  But still, it was Bim's 50th!

I had hoped that I wouldn't be too slow, after all, this is all self inflicted and I shouldn't make others wait because of me!  When we got off the train Illustrious Leader said a few words about the route and then we just started running.  Well, what else would we do!  We started running at 11:10 m/mi, straight away! No kind , gentle warm up mile, even for half a mile.  So, there will be no taking it easy on the hungover Old Girl then!  And nor should there be, I might add, nor should there be! Gulp!

For the first mile I kept them in my sights, they started stretching away from me from about 3/4 of a mile in.  But as long as I could see them I will be fine, and I know I.L. will never lose anyone! So I plodded along, and the the sun shone, there was a breeze, but at least there was no rain.  The roads were wet as it had been raining early morning, I was just so grateful that it had stopped!  The first mile went fairly quickly but I was glad to see them stop to  have a catch up, I can't quite remember how far into the run we were, but let me tell you I was very happy for the break.

But soon the undulations started, soon the hills were all we could see!  I knew they was there, even before I said I would come on today's run.  Me and the Old Boy cycle up this hill, maybe not on this particular road, but this hill which I see as like a ridge surrounding the towns and villages.  So I knew it was going to happen, I even knew after my niece told me when her mums party was going to be! Yet still I came!

The hill looked horrendous in my foggy brain, it could be climbing all the way to heaven, as that is how I saw it.  The group got further and further away from me, but again I wasn't worried.  It was a long straight road and we are running all the way up!  I.L. came and ran with me after telling the others that if they get to the top and don't want to wait then they can loop back and come back down!  Just then memories of a film came to mind, a not very nice film mind, Full Metal Jacket! Where the slower soldier attracts the wrath of his fellow recruits when he fails to keep up with any of the tasks!

I must say, though, no matter how slow any of our runners are in each of the groups, there has never been anyone to complain!  The only one that seems to comment anything, are the ones that are slow, and they are just apologising for being slow!  What they never say is, "I won't come back next week"  What they do say is "See you next week!"

So there I was, traipsing up this blooming hill, and just when you think it may be the end, just around the next bend.....it goes up again!  "I had forgotten just how hilly this is" says I.L. to me.  I am sure it's part of the training to be a LiRF, keep things fun, and sometimes I am sure it will be more fun not to mention the hills! Best forget, then and it can be a surprise for the leader as well!

The down hill was good, (the other side of the ridge), but I couldn't help wondering, 'wouldn't it be nice to just go straight through a tunnel, a nice flat route!' But then of course, you wouldn't experience the fresh air, the fields, the sounds of the country side, the smells!  So onwards and upwards/downwards we go.

The others were doing so well, I looked up and saw Michelle, I remembered when she first arrived at the club, a Tuesday night, her and her friend, and now she is running in group 2!  I put it down to the fact she is younger, and probably didn't abuse herself as much as I did over the years! thats my excuse and I am sticking with it!

There was some flat bits as well, running with the blue sky above was just simply uplifting, I just wish it had pain relief in it as well, my head was a little delicate, my legs were sore from all the dancing and my feet were still complaining after being shoved in stiletto hills for 6 and half hours!  But still, it was a good night!

The time seemed to go really quickly and we were soon in the built up area, I couldn't really believe that we were nearly done with our run!  We had a little park to run through which came out in the Nugent Centre, a shopping centre, that looked as if it was just waking up!  I couldn't really take it in, we are at the shopping centre already!  Ok, I was slow, and no, my running buddies didn't poke me with sticks to make me keep up, they were just ahead of me waiting to cross the main road.  I caught up with them on the island in the road.  I.L. then told us about the nasty little blighter of a hill, "Its steep but it's only a very, very short hill, just up to the station!" She said, with maybe just a slight hint of an apologetic tone to her voice.

It was the last bit of road, I just had to do as much of it as I could,  I saw the others disappear around the corner, then when I came round it I was faced with this vertical wall, with all the others climbing up it, ......with out ropes!  I started running up it, I kept my focus on the ones in front, I just want to do this bit, I just want to run the last bit of this run.  I failed!! Not only that, but one of the others, the only male in our group today, decided to do the hill again. He came flying down it and then started to run up it!  I could hear him, he was saying "It hurts!" And it did!  It was then that I started running again, I just had to finish it, no matter how much hill there was left to climb, I was going to finish running!

I came running up and I could see all the other runners by the station, at least I was running, that statement seemed to be my mantra today as I.L. said it to me a couple of times! Either that or "Quick lets run" as some of the others did loop backs!  I can't remember seeing if the chap (sorry can't recall his name) overtook me or I got to the top before he got there (for the second time) or not.  But I was so glad it was all over! And so pleased I had done it, despite the fact that I was a bit jaded!

Denise and Michelle were both totally thrilled they had done their first train run as well.  We were back earlier than we thought and so we decided to go to Saints and Sinners for a coffee!

A very good run!  Looking forward to doing it all again....

Geeky stats!

Club Night - And Yet Another Hill!

Hello blog lovers.

Group Hero To Zero

Just the one hero today, others were trapped by work!  It's so annoying when that happens.  Today Kat made it to the rec.  But she is running with an injury.  The running bug that is inside her just 'ordered' her out to start running.

We only did a very short loop, walk/run all the way, just to see how far and how much she can do.  She is thinking about joining in with the new beginners group which is starting this Saturday, at Willet Rec, 9:00 am, for any one reading this who wants to come along and get to run a 5k distance in a matter of a few weeks (8 to be precise) then come along and join the Petts Wood Runners!  

Plug done!  I took her up Birchwood.  A gentle slope up, but I think its good for encouraging a slower run, especially if you have an injury or coming back from injury.  I did notice that Kat was one for speeding along and then losing energy and have to walk some!  So I decided to try the walk/run with her, not like it's going to be on Saturday, we chose lamppost to 'get' to. Run to a lamppost then walk to the next.  But if there is a little extra bit then maybe push to the run bit to the next lamppost.

We covered just under 2 miles by the time we got back to the rec.  A great effort for Kats first time back for ages.  And also a little loosener for what she needs to do for the beginners class!

Geeky stats.

Group 1

Illustrious leader was leading this evenings run, as she stood out in front explaining the route, the groans that came from group 1 members was most audible!  Hills! One in particular, the one that 'hugs' the green at Tillingbourne!  We love I.L. to pieces, but us lot in group 1 are social animals, social runners, we love chatting as we run along.  We sometimes forget that we are a running club, I think we think we are a chat club with a running problem! So it's good that occasionally our I.L. throws in a hill or two.  Obviously I had forgotten about the hill last week! But then, she does have us marathon runners interest at heart!  I expect now the rest of the group 1 members will be glaring at us for making them 'do the hills'

Hills are good for us, hills are our friends, we love hills!  See I am getting better at saying stuff like that!  We had to run up Birchwood to get to Tillingbourne Green in the first place, a hill that I had already taken this evening in group 0.  I just really hope that all this is doing me good!

I have yet to be able to run from point A of the green all the way round it and back to point A again.  All the times that I.L. has taken me here, (I tend to avoid taking my self here!) I have yet to run all the way round. It starts of as a gently little slope up just for a few short strides, and then its down hill for half way round, a little flat bit before it starts to make a climb.  

As we were running down the down section some local lads, only young, about 14 year olds, started to run along with us, they zipped through us at the back and joined the front runners.  They kept with them until the road started to rise, but the didn't break stride, they kept going.  I kept going too! I kept running, I wasn't stopping, I was at the back, being sweeper of course, but as this is a circle I just ran passed Auriol.  I ran up to the the other runners, I wasn't stopping.  We got to the young lads, they had stopped just at the top of the hill, but not at our stopping place.  We still had to go a little bit more to do, it flatten off just slightly and then a little flip up again.  The legs screaming at me to stop.

They felt like jelly when I got to the corner, point A, and joined the others that was already there.  We waited for Auriol to join us, let her have a breather before we continued with the rest of the route.  Which, was up the hill! And then a right turn.  I.L. was going to lead us to Willet way so that we could do the 'in and out the dusty bluebells' of the cul de sac roads that is down there.  I did one, or was it two!  I shall have to look at the geeky stats!

All in all, I was extremely pleased with myself that I managed to do the 'Green Hill' today.  Maybe the training is finally paying off, I may not be particularly fast, but I get there, plodding along like I do.

Geeky stats.  It was 2 cul-de-sac's I did!

Mondays Moans!

Picture 1

Hello Blog lovers.

I am a day late but this blog is all about yesterdays exercise.  I have just had a thought, not sure if this should be in my cycling blog or whether to leave it here.......hmmmm, I shall have to think about that.

So, the moans.....oh the moans and the groans of yesterday, such a lot of groans! But first let me just reminisce for a second.   I remember as I child, spinning, spinning and spinning, it was a fun thing to do, anything we could spin we tried to spin! A spinning wheel was fun.....  ok that was a bit scary in the sleeping beauty story, but there were spinning tops, (see pic.1) they were fun!  I loved watching them as the spun and spun, around and around. Some even made a lovely whistling noise if you got it to go fast enough.  Then there was battling tops!  (pic 3) That was great fun.  Four in a game, you wound your battling top up, then secured it in the launch zone before pulling the string to make it zoom off to the arena to do battle.  Spinning widely, knocking your opponents tops out of the playing area!  Great stuff.

Picture 2

,

Even spinning around and around in circles, (can't do it now, makes me feel very sick, not being spun but me spinning grandson!) See pic.2 (even though that is not grandson, obvisouly!) But just spinning, spinning alone, round and around, as a child, looking up at the sky, spinning and spinning inanely as kids do. Those were the days. But mention spin these days and the fear shows itself,  etched on the faces of the 'victims' of the 'Spin Instructors' !  As you can probably guess, yesterdays cross training comprised of a spin class followed by 'Body Balance'.

Pic 3

I was in a bit of a rush to get there, as I had a school run to do, so I drove there, missing the warm up jog from Bim's house. Finally as I sat in place, bike all set up for my little legs, hardly anytime to 'losen' the legs with a bit of gentle spinning, so the instructor started!  "Ok, round one level 1" and so it begins.

After what seemed ages the sweat was pouring off me, I was guzzling my drink, looking around at everyone. They  were all working hard, you could see the sweat on the shirts of the other spinners.  I didn't want to, but I took  a look at how much time there was left of the class "What, only 3 minutes! Really!" I couldn't believe it I could have sworn we were at least half way through our session, but there it was, illuminating from little computer on the bike, just 3 minutes of spinning done, yet already I was hurting!

It was like that the whole way.  I tough session,I tried to keep up.  It hurt, my legs were screaming! I was sure I must have lost half a stone in sweat!  I glared at Bims, I couldn't give the instructor any of my  'looks' as I was in the direct line from her and there were at least 3 people in front of me!  I couldn't keep up with all that she said, I tried, I really did.  There is no point coming to these classes if you are not going to try, right?

I stood up on the pedals again, trying to at least seem as I was working as hard as the others, and then I saw her.....the instructor.....she was off her bike and was weaving through the cycling sweaty bodies of her class. She was looking to see if they were at the top speed that she said.  "Oh no, oh no, is she going to come over here and see how pathetically I am doing!" I don't think I even touched on the top speed today.

What it would have looked like had a photographer
been about! (pic 4)

She looked at a couple of the ladies at the back row (which is where I was) but thankfully by then she was satisfied with what she had achieved! Her work was done.  Round 3, level 1, spinning, spinning, spinning.  Nearly done, My legs feeling jelly, sweat dripping from my head,my face, my neck, my entire body, nearly done.

Then it was the warm down! Oh thank goodness! It was so good, stretching out the screaming jelly legs, the arms and the back!  Wow. Another spin class done!  Loved it, loved it! I can't wait to do it again!

After that, it was the gentle exercises of the body balance!  But even that had me sweating!  I am sure I am getting more 'bendy', well, I am just wishful thinking really! But it's just what is needed after a very hard spin class!

Great time yesterday. Loved it!

Sunday! I Wish It Was A Sun Day!

Hello blog lovers

A beautiful morning, perfect for a run, but then I do have church to go to.  So off I went to church.  But I had made plans to go on a long run, WendiMoo was going to be joining me and so was J.J.  but she will only be running for about 6 miles.

J.J. came along to my house, we were going to run  to bottom Oxhawth to meet WendiMoo there.  I think WendiMoo must have come out earlier as she was already making her way along Oxhawth to me.  At least we will all be starting out together for todays run......well WendiMoo obviously will have done an extra 1.5 or so!

All ready, the three of us made our way out of the door.  The sky was no longer a lovely blue, it was white, it also started to feel chillier that it had earlier! Why, why, do you not want me to enjoy my run!!??

 Because WendiMoo had walked to my house there was no need to go to bottom Oxhawth, so a quick recalculation in my head of where I wanted to be, and I decided that Hollingworth road would be ideal starter hill to get our hearts pumping!  I would be cutting off, I think, about half a mile.  That's not too bad, as this will be J.J's longest run, I think it would be good to ease her way in it.

We all smashed the hill, it's short but when you have cold legs it's tough.  I think I remember saying something about this little hill  before, that it seems longer and steeper after 2 miles!  So really there is no happy mediums when it comes to hills....no matter how short they are, I dislike them.

We ran to Shepperton ready to go down the cinder path, all running very well indeed.  WendiMoo and J.J. were not really feeling the 'love' today, with the whole running thing, WendiMoo was tired and J.J. just wasn't really up to running, but they both got themselves here and were doing really well. Strangely I was feeling good.  Even though it was a bit chilly and bleak looking, I would really have loved to have ran this morning, but just at that point I was doing ok!  I didn't say anything, I didn't even want to think about it any more, just in case.....you know...... you put the "heebeegeebees" on it!

I usually avoid running the little loop at the end of the cinder path but of course today we need miles under our feet so we went around the loop.  For some reason it really seemed quite short!  We ran down and then up and then next thing I knew we were back to where we had started!  I am beginning to think that when I took the ladies on a Thursday run around here a few weeks ago, then I must had done it twice!  Now, when did I last do this, I can check up on my geeky stats?!

After running along to the roundabout we went straight over, even though WendiMoo was looking forward to heading on along the nice long down hill section that we normally run on.  This time though we were doing the Palace estates!  We need the miles!  I was feeling pretty good (still) and just kept on running.  Our next walking section happened on a down hill section.  I chose to take the walking break, as I knew we still had miles to do, W.M. and J.J. ran!  They were loving the down hills.  When I mentioned to J.J. earlier that I will be doing my usual run a mile walk a minute, I said to her that there will be times where you will feel you can just run on through the mile.  I guess this was her and W.M.'s time to fly!

The road up from the off license all the way up to 'Cardiac Hill' was next.  Now you know why I relish every walking section and not run through the mile.  I really wanted to conquer this hill, especially after having a couple of miles in my legs!  I wanted to prove it to myself that I could do it.  Obviously I wouldn't beat myself up if I couldn't.....much!  And there it was. Cardiac Hill, looming up.....nothing like Summer Hill, but still it's there.

All of us started to run up it, W.M. first then J.J. followed by me.  I passed J.J. and then I passed W.M.  I didn't want to stop, I just had to do it.  All the way to Willet Way, where group 1 normally have a little breather after doing the hill.  I can't remember the last time I ran this bit of Cardiac Hill with out stopping, but today I was determined to!  And I did it! I was well pleased.  W.M. and J.J. had a bit of a walk/run up it but we had a quick stop to get our breath. "Do I feel rain in the air" says J.J. "It's just heavy mist" I joked, and I hoped that was as heavy as it gets.

With just a short way to go for J.J.  and half way for me and W.M. the rain started to get a little heavier. By the time we got to J.J.'s road it was coming down even more.  Thoughts of the last long run in the rain crept into my thoughts.  Yet I was still feeling good.  The cold hadn't started to effect me yet, and it was getting colder!  We said goodbye to J.J. and continued our way to Little Thrift. Over the bridge and then through the park.  The cold, the wet and the wind making our running, again, not a very pleasant experience.  I know that if it is raining on either of the races I have booked on then I will just get on with it! But right now, when I don't have people waiting for me on a finishing line then the thought of going home earlier was crowding my mind.

By the time we got through Whitehall rec both W.M. and me were feeling pretty cold and wet!  We decided that it's time to call it a day on this run, best to keep our running fun, and not a chore!  It's the only way to keep on doing things that you love doing!  So we ran to W.M.'s house, said goodbye to her and then I ran to Southborough Lane.  I was still thinking about getting in as much distance as I could before I got home.  I thought about running up the A21 and then turning down to Princes Plain, but then there would be no chance of me adding to my miles if I felt I could go on, not with my house almost with in touching point.

Southborough Lane was the only option.  At least then I could if I wanted to, run up to Petts Wood and add an extra mile.  I turned down to start my soggy cold and windy way home.  WendiMoo was right, the wind down here is just horrible.  I knew then that going up to Petts Wood is not going to happen.  My jacket was sticking to me as the wind blew, I only put on short sleeves under my jacket and I was feeling so cold now, my jacket sticking to me like a second skin.

I turned down bottom Oxhawth and ran along to Farringdon.  The rain now really starting to sting my face, I even thought that it was hailstones!  It was hurting that much.  It was good to see my road, I kept running all the way till my door.  So I didn't do the whole route again, but I was pleased with the run that I did.  I was pleased I ran up the hills, and I was pleased to have my running buddies with me!  And I also think that the Dextrose energy  things was working well for me!

Geeky stats.

Free Run On School Holidays!

Hello blog lovers.

I was lucky enough to have a free day today, during the school holidays, so of course there is only one thing that can be done....run!  I was expecting a delivery but after checking the tracker thingy I could see I would have at least 2 hours before they would even be on their way! Plenty of time for me to get around a route today with who ever else will be free!

WendiMoo was able to come along so I picked her up as she had missed her bus, and we drove to the rec.  It was a bit chilly, but earlier the sun was shining so hopefully it will come back when we are running.  As it is school holidays there were a few people who couldn't come along but there was also two who could come, Illustrious leader and she is a teacher and another chap who I think is also a teacher, but he was running in DiscoRichs' group today.

I chose to do the cinder path, I don't think the woods are quite ready for our Thursday running sessions yet, maybe I will have a check soon, to just make sure!  So with just me, WendiMoo and Illustrious Leader we set off for our 3.5 miler.

Although I had a great run on Tuesday and a rest day yesterday, today I was feeling a little tired, I am sure it's to do with my age!  I shall have to do some research actually about how women of 'that age' feel when they are out running.  Because some times I feel totally all up for it and then then next time it's a struggle!  What with the wonky thermastat that I now have in my body I am all sixes and sevens!

We had a really pleasant run down the cinder path, I just love running with buddies, because we have some great conversations.  As I.L. said "It is better that chatting over coffee sat on the sofa"  And of course it is.  The fresh air does do you soul some good, and no doubt the exercise is tons better for your body!

I had a lovely run this morning, and I am glad I went out, as this evening the thought of doing track in the rain just didn't feel me with the same enthusiasm and I decided to listen to my inner self, the inner self that tells me to keep my running fun and not a chore, and to not go!  

Geeky stats for this mornings run.

Boot Hills!

Hello blog lovers.

Just the one report this evening.  I think due to half term nobody showed for group 0.  I was a bit out of whack sending out emails and and text messages, stuff just got in the way today and yesterday I was also busy doing stuff......and recovering from wet, long run!

So I was totally fresh for group 0 this evening, and looking forward to what was ahead.  Well, that is until Illustrious leader told us the route!  As it is half term she said "I have had time to play on plot my route" or which ever one she uses, "And come up with this one"  This route had a very cheeky little hill loop to do....twice "Just for you Old Girl" said Illustrious Leader, "I heard you were enjoying some hills" she continued.  It was dark so I couldn't see if she was smiling when she said it!

Hills are our friends, we like hills.....nay..... we love hills! Nope, it's not working!  I still don't like hills but I am trying desperately to respect them.  To add some in my runs now, just as I.L. has today.  She did give the option of only doing the little hill loop once,  but everybody did it twice!  How could I not do it twice!  So I powered up it a second time.

There were more undulations all the way back, I tried my best, I walked when I needed and when I was needed to (sweeper) and really enjoyed the route!  Yup, I said that! It was undulating, but it was a different route, we ran along some of the same roads but we got to them in different ways, and it really was an interesting route.  It took your mind of the undulations.  I think I quite like I.L.'s routes when half term is here!

Only one bit of downer on todays run and that was one of members had a tumble, but she said she was fine.  Petts Wood through and through!  We got back to the rec and had our stretches and warm down.  I really enjoyed todays run!

Geeky stats.  It amused me when I uploaded todays stats, it was the 'picture' that it drew! A Boot, which is where the title comes in! (Just in case you were wondering)