Run Away The Day!

Hello blog lovers.

Just me verses the Track

Today was a difficult day, a day that was expected but still difficult to get to grips with.  The day started out with a lovely walk this morning with J.J. and Janet, both these lovely ladies are recovering from various things but to get out and walk is the next best thing to getting out running.  We stopped for a coffee and a chat and then we said good bye to Janet.

I didn't record our walk via satellites but it counted up my steps.  Then J.J. and I went off to see her daughter Kirsty in Kings College Hospital. Kirsty has Cystic Fibrosis a shit disease, and at this moment she is in hospital on medication to help get rid of an infection.  When she's home then I go and care for her after my morning Thursday run and again on Fridays.  Today I am with J.J. to go and see her for a couple of hours.

So the evenings exercise.  It was track time.  I needed to run, I needed to do a lap for J.J. too!  Run the day away, clear the head and then tomorrow carry on!  Sometimes I do sit and wonder why, and there are going to be so many questions for when I get upstairs, thats for sure.  Cystic Fibrosis, that is going to be a question, cancer, thats another one!  Loads of other stuff too!  But for now, we just deal with things, get on with things, don't get angry, just stayed focused.

My running this evening I just wanted to run as much as I could.  The session was quite a tough session.  Run for 400m rest for 60 seconds, then run for 400m rest for 60 seconds and run for 400m, you get the picture.  We did that for half an hour.  with the warm up before and the cool down stretches afterwards it was a very good session, one that I very much needed to do. Tears and prayers were shed and said.  And now lets get on and do the next thing, stronger, ready to deal with whatever is around the corner.

Geeky stats.

Wednesday Work Hard Day!

Hello blog readers

The school holidays have been kind to a couple of the PWR Beginners, as I can be there for them to take them through their paces.  I don't have any kids to look after so I can meet them in Norman Park.  It was just as well that Tracy reminded me, I was in total holiday mode and didn't really think about running, so it's thanks to Tracy!  The sun was out and there was no rain, so perfect for running.

We were just going to be doing the 4/2 session, with maybe a little interval running on each round, but the girls 'weren't' feeling it, it was just going to be the straight forward 4/2 rounds.  That's ok, next time. Next time I will help them to 'feel it', to feel the need to push that little bit harder, but not too hard that it becomes a chore.  But getting that feeling at the end of the each session of total satisfaction that 'Yes, I done it' is where we all need to be.

We started off after just a short brisk walk to our starting line, which is the gate by the long straight, (which for those who have never done Summer time Normans Park Run, it will be apparent why it's called that) and I started my Garmin. But I don't think Tanya quite trusts me with the whole timing thing, (I should really try and stop the auto-pause when I do the beginners and Wednesdays!) as she started her timer too!

As always the first two rounds of running are pretty good, it's when we get tired that it starts to hurt.  Does it get any easier? Well the answer is no, you always feel like you can't do the next run, but, and this is the thing that keeps you going, you just can keep going!  You find the extra bit of energy to keep the pace going, to go further, to run longer, still waiting for that moment when you 'get in the zone!'  I think I have got to that place on a number of occasions.  A time where you feel you can just keep on running and running.  You don't even realise it until you look at your surrounds and realise how far you have run.  Then you come out of the zone! At least I did.  But those occasions I was training for the marathon.  Not that you have to train for a marathon to be able to get that feeling.  I think you just need to not think about the running, not think about how hard it feels.  But to just enjoy being able to do it!  I am waffling now.  But I really feel inspired when I watch others strive to achieve their own personal running goals, and so lucky to witness it, twice a years with the beginners groups!

The last four minute round of running I asked if they wanted to do the interval running, but I am guessing with the simultaneous 'No!' from the both of them I guess that wouldn't be happening.  So I was pleased I just pushed and pulled them both just a little bit extra during the running sections today.  Yes it hurts (a nice hurt), yes, they want to stop and scream at me to tell shut up, in the nicest way of course, but at the end of each Wednesday Session we are all pretty pleased with what we did!  Now that is what it's all about!  Something you can't buy in the shops, or find in a bar of chocolate! .......chocolate......no, definitely not in chocolate!

Geeky stats

Club Run - New Posts!

Hello blog readers.

The clocks have gone forward and the light evenings are here at last!  Well, it was still light at 7:30 this evening, but the rain was here.  And it was quite heavy too!  I was wondering if any of Group 1 will be brave enough to come out, it is the Easter school holidays too, so there could be loads of members away.

We had a message in a group Facebook page about trying out a new system for getting the runners out there running as quickly as possible, and tonight we were going to trial it.  There were some lovely new 'posts' with Group 1, Group 2 labels on them  right the way to Group 11, and an extra one with New Runners meet here.  The idea was for all leaders to be by their numbers for the members to be able to see and then mingle there.  Lets see how it all works out.

With just the three of us left in the rec we ran out to see group 2 running down Crossways, we turned left to run up to Birchwood and beyond.  As it was such a horrid evening, and I am totally impressed with Jenny and Becky for getting out here in this weather, I thought I would 'challenge' us all to get around this route without stopping, just to see if we can do it!  They girls were up for it, if we take a walking break then so be it, it will be shorter walking break!

We ran all the up Birchwood, we turned right and ran along there to the Kingsway and crossed over.  Ok so we took a tiny walking bit there to cross over the roads, but they we were straight back to running. We were on fire, at least we would have been if the rain had stopped! Thankfully though the rain had got lighter so we were totally drenched.

Jenny wanted to do the 'training hill' again, but me and Becky stayed at the top, Becky stretched out her calf which was giving her a bit of a niggle, and I had no excuse really, just being lazy!  We didn't stop for too long a Jenny ran up the hill.  We walked to the bus stop (usually we walk to the next lamppost but as we are on a mission to run as much of this course as possible our walking breaks were shorter.

The next bit of the route seem to go by really quickly and we were already up to the memorial hall.  To think that the two girls were thinking of joining group 2 this evening, I think move up week next week can see two more in group 2!  With just the undulations of Woodland Way, Great Thrift and Hazelmere to do, with the little loop of Little Thrift as well, we did great time.  I do believe Group 1 has a PB for this particular route!  I think a great big pat on the back for us all!  Well done Jenny and Becky!

Here's the geeky stats for this run.

Beginners Easter Session Week 4 +1 week

Hello blog lovers.

I am a day late in posting, but I am back on the ball now.  What a different day it was on Saturday compared Friday!  Friday I was swinging through trees, climbing along rope bridges and swooshing down on zip wires in Bedgbury, (a place I can thoroughly recommend  by the way, for all your little monkeys and yourselves!) and then Saturday!  Saturday!  What can I say, I woke up to the sound of rain and wind and dark grey skies!  Whats going on!

I had already said, publicly, that I would be at the rec to be there for any of the beginners that would turn up.  So no backing out!  Besides, a bit of rain, it wont kill us, we're not made of sugar! Gulp.  I drove to the rec and entered the empty car park.  One dog walker was just leaving the ground, I am sure there was at least two tennis players on the courts, and that was it!  Maybe they won't be turning up.  It's a lot to ask for the beginners to come out on a day like this, during the holiday break, leaving the chocolate eggs unguarded at home!

I sat in the car, I posted on Facebook about the empty rec, and the next thin was a car pulled up beside mine, it was Kelly!  Well that is at least two of us!  But then slowly, slowly others joined us, Tracey and Tracy, Irene, Michael and Carole, Kelly, Emma, Joanne.  And just when I though no one else would turn up then Kay turned up,  She didn't think that anyone else would be here!

We got under way, and due to my brain being waterlogged through the rain, I started doing the drills before we did the warm up walking laps!  So as soon as we had finished the drills we went straight into the walking lap of the park, to keep us nice and warm!  Just as we were coming to the end of the first lap so Tanya came in!  "Oh good I said, you have missed the 'Ministry of silly walks'!" I said to her "But just for you we can do a couple more"  I knew she would be pleased about that!

So the session was just as it was last week, 4 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking.  I had also forgotten to take my whistle, but as the usual PWR members know, I have my own 'natural' whistle, and it is loud, no strings attached.  After 4 minutes of running, I put my fingers in my mouth and whistle a piecing loud pitch.  Everyone heard it, good, I'm glad that worked!

I managed to stay focused and remembered how many times we had run, and I think maybe just maybe, we had walked for a tad longer than the two minutes, so my timings were slightly different from Michaels, who had kept his eye on his watch the whole time.  I still haven't found out how to pause the 'auto'pause' on my Gamin, and so on the unusually slow bits of our walking session it had stopped recording!

But, still they all did really well! All twelve of them!  The hardest bit of running on days like that is getting your shoes on and getting out of the door!  I know that some of the other beginners also managed to get out and do their homework at different locations as well.  Dedication, and the 'want' to succceed is all that you need to do it.  The only time you fail is when you give up!

Geeky stats

Thursdays - Just the One!

Hello bloggers

Me, Diane, Tracey and Dorette

The morning looked perfect for running,  and I was looking forward to getting out there to do some running.  I knew there were a couple of the usual members that couldn't come along today, and wasn't sure who was going to be there.  But I was hoping for at least 1 other as I wanted to run through the woods.

There were quite a few usual Thursdays runners missing even in the other group, must be the Easter Holidays keeping them away, but Ralf had bought along a friend of his, visiting from South Africa.  He had promised her that we do run at a nice steady (read as slow ish) pace and the we stop from coffee!  Well I think he was telling stories about the coffee, although we have on special occasions gone to the coffee shop after our run!

We all set off in the same direction, as we were all going through the woods.  I was planning on following some of the 10k route, but instead of doing the road bit, we were going straight to the woods!  Our pace was nice and 'steady' best not try and race around on cold unwarmed up legs.  Through the woods the paths were drying up nicely, but now of course, the paths have a 'cobbled stone' effect and it's quite challenging.  There are the 'smoother' sections that people had used to step around all the wet muddy puddles when they were there, so we were zigzagging along our way.

There were four of us today, Diane, Tracy, Ralfs friend Dorette and me.  Chatting away as we ran along.  We got to the first bridge and I told them to that we will be running over the bridge today.  I don't have to see Kirsty in her home today, so a bit of a longer run is possible today.  I am not sure exactly what I had told the others.  I think I did mention that it will be a tad longer!

It's been a while since I ran over all three bridges, the paths have be just too yucky, and of course I did need to be somewhere at 10:30 or as near to that time as possible. The middle bridge he is just such a lovely little bridge.  It crosses a single line of track and you can just imagine the steam engines running underneath! The railway children sat near by waving at each train, it has that feel about it.  But it's only an old metal bridge!  I took a picture of it, and of us too!

The third bridge is the one that is part of the PWR's 10k route, it leads into Jubilee park.  When I said that Dorette said "We're not doing 10k are we?"  I was wondering if I could find another couple of miles going through the woods, but I thought, best not to really, Just the usual 3.5-4 miles max for a group 1 Thursday run!

The only bit of road running.........well apart from the bit to get into the woods through Dog Poo ally, we had to do was when we came out of Jubilee Park and then run past the Bickley Manor Hotel, and then we turn right and the sharp right to run down to the end of the road.

Of course, after this we turn right to the end and the turn left to go back into the woods.  With the big hill facing us, mocking us, daring us to get up it in one go.  It tried to makes us slip and fall during the wet season, it tries to break us in the hot summer season as we get warmer and warmer trying to run up it. But we keep coming back to it, one day we....I will break it, I will get up it in one go and I will not stop getting up it in one go!

Today wasn't that day though.  I got to the top of the hill, panting, (as I always run the last corner of it) to see that the others had done it, all of us walk/ran it....but Diane did the best as she ran most of it.  The cows in the fields were totally well chilled out, there was one there was was particularly chilled out with its head on the grass giving it some '|Z's'.  I tried to capture it as it was laid out, but it raised it head just as I got my camera ready.

We ran along the top of the woods although to the middle path, I was thinking about taking a left path to go through the lovely housing estate, but instead decided to stay in the woods.  We ran past the Day Light Saving memorial and had a photo opportunity there with Dorette, here's some of the pictures.

My legs were feeling pretty good, and I was hoping that we would be getting a good distance.  I just can't remember how long this route is, it has been a while.  We followed the sound of the cars which were really close now, on our left as we ran parallel to the road, past the woodcutters lodge and on towards the railway lines.  Our run was nearly over, we had a good chat, and a history lesson with the William Willet memorial and a great run.  Four miles, still under the hour, which I was quite pleased about!  Ralf was already back at the rec, I think that he was wondering if we did actually stop for coffee!

Here's our geeky stats

Club Night!

Hello bloggers

Club night, and tonight my team are all injured, recovering or just tired from working hard. Ariol is with me but she has been suffering with her foot.  So I nice straight forward route today, one that is not too twisty turny and I can keep an eye on everyone from the back.  There were only the four of us anyway, so not a huge group this evening.

I was still feeling it from this morning.....did I tell you that I rode my bike around my 'training route' of Blackbrook lane and Southborough Road?  Not only that but I got a PB today for it too!  So, today, it's a 'double' exercises day for me, just like on Thursdays!  Must be the 'T' in the day!  Mind you, today I also downloaded this app thingy, for doing core exercises and stuff!  I am grasping at straws now, to lose the weight! But I am hoping, for one thing, that I keep at it, and 2 that it will work!  I did the first and the second session, as I wasn't quite sure how the whole thing worked!

I thought it was a bit chilly when I got into my car to drive to the rec, but when I was chatting to all the others there I suddenly got all hot again.  I think that 'change' thing is happening.  I thought it had all finished, or symptoms eased up at least, but it seems to have started up again! tut.

Our route today was going up Birchwood and then along towards Tillingbourne green, turning right to go up and over the little undulation there.  Me and Auriol decided that we would only be running up it once today, but Jenny and, darn it, I still forgot to get her name, and the other lady did the little undulation twice!

We ran all the down the road, each of us chatting as we did, taking time out to have a walk between lampposts.  At the end of the road, by the memorial, Jenny and the other lady we looking pretty strong! Me and Auriol were just behind them.  Just the undulations of the last long road to do, and by this time even I was looking out for the lampposts to run to and then have a recovery walk!  But the two ladies ran the little loop of Little Thrift, Auriol was going to use this as an opportunity to just rest up a bit.  and the we all continued on to the rec.

It was a good run, had I joined the ladies with the two reps of the hill and running around the loop then the milage would be 3.2, exactly 5k!  But as it is, well you can see what it says.  I enjoyed my run and enjoy runing with this group.  I missed all my 'crew' though and wish the speedy recovery and time out for some R & R (run and resting!)

Geeky stats

Beginners Week 4

Hello blog lovers.

I woke up feeling ok, ready to help the beginners through 4 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking.  I arrived around 8;50 ish and put the cones out, just the ones in the middle of the green, and then I waited for everyone else.  They soon started to come.  There were some that couldn't make it, either work or family commitments.

By 09:00 there were over 30 beginners ready to do the next session.  That is not bad for nearly half way through the course!  That's pretty darn good!  And when asked the question "Who did their homework during the week?" Nearly everyone had their hand up!

ZippySherry was taking the lead today, and she got them all under way with the warm up two laps walking briskly around the park.  This is a good time for everyone to chat to each other, ask how their training and homework is going, sorting out if they can meet up and do the homework together during the week.  It's also a good time for all us PWR helpers who are there to answer any queries that the beginners may have, before the running starts!

The two laps done and then it's on for the running session.  4 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking.  It seems a long way from the 1 minute running just a few short weeks ago, and I know there were quite a few of the runners saying back then "Wow I didn't think I carry on till the end of the minute"  But now, one then two then three minutes pass before they are even thinking "When is the end of the 4 mins"

We do that for 4 more times, and the responses from all the runners I talk to is just so uplifting.  They are feeling proud of them selves, they are feeling proud of each other, their families are looking forward to hearing from them so they can be proud of what they have achieved!  As one of the PWR said earlier, "I love it when the final whistles blows and they are all congratulating each other on what they've achieved"

We have this week to practise this session, and then next week....its a holiday week.  But I know some of the runners will be at the rec to repeat this session, getting ready for the following week, week 5!

It really is a rewarding thing to be able to do, just watch people striving to achieve goals!  Brilliant

Geeky stats for this week.