Mozzies and Mobs and Kissing Mashals!

Hello blog lovers.

This evening our club had the annual friendly mob match. It's a very friendly affair. The idea is to have as many of our club runners as possible. Then we run around a 7k route to get back to our start point for water, tea and cakes, and to feed our local insects, the mozzies! Can you imagine what its like when 165 runners turn up at 8:30 - 9:00 at night after running a 7k route? Sweaty warm bodies! The mozzies were having a blood festival!

I donned a new pair of trainers, (well my new shoes from last week were dirty!) Ok, so I am still testing equipment. I am  trying out my new adidas shoes, which I just love! The are white, with shiny bits and pink laces! So what I would chose in the shops!

We walked up to the start point and waited for the off.  We took over the road, and there were a few cars wanted to use it. But they were very friendly about it, and you could hear from the back (which is where I was) "CAR UP" as the car crept slowly up to pass the runners.

The Old Boy was mashalling (hence the title of todays blog, in case you were wondering if I went along kissing all the mashals)  along with a few of other runners friends and relatives. Because of his mashaling duties he wasn't cycling so he decided to have dinner early. I had dinner early as well. I don't usually eat dinner that time of day, not on a running day, but we will all be conveneing in the pub at the end of the run, so I needed to eat something. I just can run with food being processes in my tummy!

The start of the run is up hill! My tummy was feeling like a football with the amount I had eaten, even though it was at around 5:45 in the evening that I had it. I struggle up the hill. Nagging sister was with me, she has been running for a few weeks due to illness and her holiday. So the two of us was struggling up the hill behind the mass.

Eventually getting to the top to turn left over the bridge, we were just behind one lady from the 'other' club. Me and NS chatted away to her. She had told us the she though this was just an ordinary club run for her, and she didn't realise it was 'Mob Match' She also told us that had only been running for 16 weeks. Well, that inspired me to put on a bit of a spurt and get in front of her as we entered the woods.

Now I had to try and run fast enough to keep the mozzies from having an early feast.  The Old Boy had told me where his mashalling point was, and it was at the top of the woods before we turn left to run past the school. But right now, I was enjoying the nice down hill section of the run.

It seems as if the down hill sections are very short lived! I was soon running up towards the OB's mashalling post. A great opportunity to grab a chewing gum from him, as well as a sneaky kiss to keep me motivated! And there he was, with his camera at the ready trying to photograph me running up towards him! "Keep going, you have done these woods tons of times, you shouldn't be at the back! Go on, straight down there now, you can do it" he said encouragingly "And what out for the horse"

I knew what was next. It was the undulating, up and down sections. It seems as if the path is narrower. And the sticky icky mud patches were covering the path. My new shoes were going to be filthy, oh well, another pair getting a thorough testing!

Running past the school now, and its all down hill. turn left to run up the path on Botony Bay, and the then down hill, down Goss hill! Yes, I am a definite down hill runner, Maybe I should take up skiing! That is always down hill!

NS had left me ages ago, as we were running up towards the OB, but I had another PWR in my sites, and I just tried to keep up with her. But I think she must have liked the down hill sections too and put on even more speed than I could muster!

Now it was more road section. A gentle incline as Jan had said "But you know its coming though" she said in her best mashalling manner. She wasn't running today as she has injury issues that need sorting out, but her mashalling is top notch, (and when she turns up at the pub she will still be looking glam!) 

The gentle incline seemed like Mount Everest. My full tummy was really weighing me down now. I was feeling bloated and heavy, and the bloomin mozzies where thinking I was a 'Haemoglobin to go' was swishing them away trying to keep them from devouring all my precious oxygenated blood!

Up through the park now. Not far to go at all. Up in the distance I saw the familiar site of union jack shorts! "Come on, get a move on, get and catch your sister up! he bellowed across the park. "Whats your excuse today?" Says Mr. S, "new shoes" I shouted back at him, which for how I was feeling, pretty quick thinking! "Too much testing, now go on, at least overtake the yellow shirt that has just gone past" he ordered.

Jubilee park done and now just the last little bit of road running to do. More mashalls to point the way, although I knew where the finish line was, thanking each one as I passed on by. Now the stitch in my side started. I was holding on to my side, hoping that will cure it, or at least stop it from getting any worse. I could see the last of the roads, the last of the mashalls pointing the way.

Into the park now, and the obligatory run around the green! I put on my usual sprint finish, I could hear the clapping and the cheering! I knew I wasn't the last one home, especially as some of the runners were already leaving to go to the pub or home!, but I knew I was pretty much one of the last!

I did it. My number on my token said 163, the pain in my side said "you're gonna chuck up any minute, so sit down"

I great evening run. But because of the pain in my side I had forgotten to get any cake!! I sat down on the bench, and between my sister and my husband I was trying to keep the mozzies from taking their fill. I was hoping that maybe the mozzies were already full, but each time I felt an itch I looked and found a mozzie hanging of the end of me! I had two of the little blood suckers having a chat on my leg! Yuck!

Geeky stats for you

Oh and my shoes by the way, they must be selt cleaning shoes! It hardly looks as if I have worn them! Maybe I just floated with the woods!

I Got A Nice Little Line In Running Apparall!

Hello blog Lovers

What a buzz going around the PWR's campus for the last few days! Well, emails anyway. And at the rec today was a rather dodgy looking character known as 'The Jogging Hippo' with a shh.....shed load of goodies in boxes that he was busy unloading from the back of his motor! And not even a lookout with him! Some of us had already 'heard' about the goodies that he had and had been to his lock up (his mums house actually!) and we were already wearing our 'stuff'.

I was sporting a brand new pair of NewBalance shoes, a new running top and a...... hhhem hemm, a shock absorber! The girls will know what I'm talking about! Everyone was all busy talking about what they had been given....free..... to test out! There is also some nutritional stuff to sample and test, and  have tons of gadgetry to try out, from Polar watchs with/without GPS sensors, Garmins, and some sort of lung capacitor thingy! But the gadgetry is to be handed in at the end of the testing duration!

So there I was, like I say, brand new running shoes (one of two pairs I shall be testing) my new bra, shirt and jacket, and busy looking for at all the other new shoes, tops and gadgets as everyone was wearing as they came in.  The notices were given, the groups organised and routes had been revealed.  My group, group 1 with our illustrious leader, was going ......through the woods! "What about my nice new shoes" I exclaimed "Oh, they are nice and clean looking" said our illustrious leader "don't worry we can change that"

And let me assure you, she did!  Oh well, there is nothing like giving a product a good all round testing! I also had the Polar RCX3 to test. I shall give that a thorough testing too! But I was  also taking my Garmin, because the Polar does not have a GPS sensor with it, just a heart rate sensor.

To the woods we headed, through 'Poo Ally' and turn right almost immediately to head up towards Chislehurst. It's like running up Birchwood Road only more pleasant, what with the trees and roots, and......mud! It is still so much nicer than running on pavements though! We are Pettswood runners after all!  I did expect to pop out on to the road though and then head towards Pettswood itself and do a couple of miles on pavements, but we continued to go through the woods! heading left!

Well I didn't mind, but there was my new trainers! Oh well, that is what shoes are for, save your feet getting muddy! (even though its easier to get feet cleaned up!) I must stop worrying about my trainers. My new jacket seems to be doing ok! It kept me warm, in fact too warm! I had to take it off. I had forgotten to bring the little carry bag thingy that came with the jacket. You can pop it in the little bag and then stick the bag on your arm, so you still have hands free running, and not carrying anything, but instead I had to tie it around my waist. Its very light weight, but when its tied around your waist it twists around, like all shower coats tied around my waist does.

I was at the back as usual, enjoying the run through the woods, and then rain started again. We were quite well sheltered with the leaves on the trees and branches over hanging us like a natural umbrella,  but I still put my jacket on, as with the shoes I have to give it a thorough testing. My shoes were really going  through it, the muddy patches were reall, really sticky in places.

All too soon I saw the familiar concrete underpass, fondly known as 'Poo Ally'. I had hardly noticed the time flying past as we ran through our beautiful woods! It was getting a bit dark now, I can't believe that the days are getting shorter already! Where is our summer?!

Now, of course, it's pavement pounding time. At least we will be able to shake of the mud from our shoes. We ran up Birchwood, can you believe that! The same hill as we ran earlier only on pavement and tarmac instead.  We were going to run to the top and then right to the round about, then it's a lovely down hill section all the way to the 'sprinting road'

I prepared my self mentally and phyiscally, well, I ran down hill thinking about my sprint! I was still at the back of the pack. But I know that I am not that far behind some of the others that I can't catch them up, and even get in front of some of them. As we turned right, I sorted out my line, all the way to the rec. On the road, focused on the sign ahead, but then a car started to head down towards me, I knew I would have to go onto to the pavement, with all those up and down driveways.  I was not going to let that slow me down though, I kept on pounding the pavements until I reached the sign.

I switched off my Garmin and the Polar! A lovely run today, with Naggy Neighbour and Hitchy as well, but they were in group 2!

So geeky stats, from my Garmin only, as this Polar doesn't come with anything to use so that I can upload to the laptop, unless I am missing something of course, and you all know how blonde I am at times.

Golden Weekend!

Hello blog lovers!

Well what a weekend we are having in the Olympics! All the gold medals are racking up now on Britain's mantelpiece! Cycling, running, rowing, and that of the all rounder, Jess Ennis! Now we are adding  gold medals as I write this,  from the tennis with Andy Murray!

I was inspired to go running today, just feeling very proud and British as the Olympics continue, especially as I haven't been running since Tuesday, or even done any cycling! So as soon as I came back from church I went upstairs immediately to get changed into my running gear. Instructions to Big Son to cut the grass while I was out, and then I was off, before I settled down to watch any more of the Olympics.

I stuffed my ears with my earphones, turned the music on, and started running. I need to keep up the long distance, especially if I have any chance of managing a half some time this year. I also need to include hills,  as the Old Boy often points out to me, "We live on the top of a hill, all ways are down and up!" So the only thing that I know I have to do, is Summer Hill.  This is my route now, no more 'just going around the block' when I am on my own, no more, 'I shall just cut it short and go home' I am an athlete! I am runner and a cyclist! I can do this! 10k, 11k what ever, I can do this.

That was my mantra as I set off out the door. The sun was shining, it was warm, I had my grippy water bottle with me, full to the brim. I started running and it really shows that I haven't done any running at all for a few days! Mind you, a rest is always good, but my legs were thinking they have been rudely woken up! (if my legs could think, that is) I'm sure if they could they would be thinking "What the......... what is this silly old women doing, I thought she had come to her senses and given up all that nonsense of running and cycling" but then my new tiny little 'wanna be a true athlete' brain would be saying, "You gotta be kidding, legs, all that hard work is not going to be wasted and allowed to be gobbled up by pints of lager, takeaway curries and ruminating on the sofa again"

I have these strange thoughts, when I am by myself, running. It keeps me amused and not focusing on my heavy thighs that I am whipping back and forth from my hips, defying gravity! My focused turned to my route. There are no other thoughts about cutting it short, in my mind it is set in stone, Summer Hill! 

Running all the way to the Harvester, and as soon as I turn to go up Blackbrook Big Son calls me, "Have you got any milk?" Duh, did the boy not see what I was wearing when I asked him to cut the grass while I was out running! "No, son I don't have any milk, I AM OUT RUNNING!" I said to him. And then without even thinking about it he says to me "Can you buy some on the way back?" If my boy wasn't born in this house I would swear he was swapped at birth!

Summer Hill, and I was smiling! Well as I was running down the first half of Summer hill, I think everyone smiles when they go down Summer Hill, even drivers I reckon! Soon enough my smile turned into a grimace! I switched my Garmin over to check on how hard I am pushing myself, check on my heart rate. I am sure I could push harder. Because its up hill, in my mind I am thinking my heart rate must be beyond what my Garmin can read, because I am working so hard. Imagine my disappointment when I saw that it was only 151 bpm. Hardly breaking a sweat for some of our top athletes.

Then another phone call. This time is was middle child. After I explained to her that I was out running, it was back to the hard work. I nagged and shouted and even slapped my thighs to get my ass running up the hill! My smile was replaced by the grimace face again, no doubt, putting off would be runners, because I am making it look just so painful! The stopping and starting continued up the hill.

The top now! Thank goodness! The sun is still shining down, after the quick heavy shower this morning I was half expecting it to rain, and right at that moment I was hoping it would! Just to cool me down, bring down the pinkness of my face so at least it doesn't look as if my head is ready to explode!

The music in my ears was keeping me a running at nice rhythm, some songs are faster some are slower, and it's really helping. I decided to go through the woody bit, instead of running along side the road. Just the smells and sounds of the little wooded bit is enough to bring a sense of freedom and feeling of wellbeing as you run through it.

HANDS OF MY COUNTRYSIDE!

But then......ooooohhhhh, but then I got so angry! Strewn across the path was rubbish, toy radio controlled cars, bits of chairs, bags of shhhh.... what ever! How dare people throw their rubbish on my country side. Are these people just to bloody lazy to go to the tip? They must have made a pilgrimage to get to this place to dump the bloody rubbish in the first place! More than going to the proper place! Why do they do that, filthy bloody mongrels!!! Grrrr,  Excuse me! But it really did wind me up!

As I was moaning and getting angry I kept on just running. I then realised that maybe I had missed a path that I should have gone down, so that stayed paralell with the road! Instead of thinking "Maybe this would take me to the right place, I doubled back, and took another path leading to the left instead.I listened and I heard noise of the traffic, back on the right track! I popped out of the woods on to the road, and I had to continue my running along side of the traffic. Oh well, it wasnice while it lasted, and it was a bit muddy although that don't bother me anymore.

Gary Moore started playing in my ears, 'Still Got The Blues For You' I was totally immersed in the music, a great running tune, I was running with the beat, and it was not slow neither, surprisingly! I was amazing myself, after running this far, to keep running through the this tune, normally by this stage, I would stop for about 10 to 15 seconds and then get going again, but this song just kept me focused!

It was soon time to run down Birchwood road. I decided to run on the road again, all those up and downs of the drive ways are just such energy zappers! I spied a cyclist on her way up. I was guessing by the time we get to each other there would be no parked cars on either side of the road and she would be able to pass me by quite safely. As we got closer I could see it was Moy, a PWR! So of course I had to stop, and this is obviously a full stopping stop, not a walking stop, to have a quick chat with her. She had told me that she went running this morning with some other PWR's and had passed my house! They had ran for over 9 miles! Way to go Moy!

Nearly home, and this is where I started really nagging myself, and trying to motivate myself to get a move on. Get back to that 'Gary Moore' moment.  I wished I had my Iphone earphones instead of the ones I am using, because I can go back to listen to tunes using the button on the wire! But I am not dragging my phone out of my......erm, sports boulder holder, just to look for a specific tune!

On and on, up towards Pettswood, my Garmin still on heart rate. I shall leave it that way. I don't want to be put off by how long I have left to get a bp, or be disappointed that a pb is a long way off!  I managed my water intake quite well this time round, I have plenty left for this last little push for home.

I was so pleased to be running along Faringdon, but there was no sprint today. To be honest I just totally forgot to sprint! I was just pleased to be getting home, and that the rain didn't come. I switched of my Garmin when I got to my door. 1 hour and 25 mins and 58 seconds!!! Oh, no that is deffo not a PB. But when I looked at the distance, it was just slightly longer than it had been before. It must have been when I got lost. ........ Oh and I must appologise to Jonathan for when he got lost, (it's easily done!) or at least he can laugh at me now! But, my excuse was I had an angry head on, and lost totally concentration of where I was (excuses, you got to love 'em!)

p.s. At around 7:45 after donning my cycling gear, I rode to the local (ish) establishment to meet the Old Boy who was finishing his 20 miler on the bike this evening! Call me, keen or crazy, it all means the same thing! I Want To Be Fit!!!!

Todays geeky stats

Club Run - A Touch Of Lazyitus

Hello blog lovers.

Today I had that awful thing that effects us athletes from time to time, especially ex couch potatoes. And that is Lazyitus, with even a dash of 'really can't be arsed-tus' as well. But I got my gear on, I left it to about 7:30 before I even went upstairs! But then it was straight out of the house before I could talk myself back into my chair.

It looked quite cold out, and I even thought it might rain so I wore my jacket. I really didn't need it! I forgot to take it off when I left the car, so I had to tie it around my waist.  The new beginners groups were busy finishing off their session for this week. It looks as if there hasn't been anybody dropped out so far!

Messages given out, newbies welcomed in and group leaders explained their routes for this evenings runs.  Our illustrious leader was back with us this evening, and she said we were heading to the path behind Crofton School. So mainly a pavement pounding session, with a tiny bit of trail to remind us that we live near by to some beautiful woods, and the woods that we are just touching on this evening are the very woods that lead to my estate! Ooo that does sound very grand, doesn't it!

Even with the route in my mind, my heart was still not in it today. It must be all the abuse I gave my body over the last weekend,drinking smoking, eating and drugs! A typical family party! Ok, so slight exaggeration, it was paracetamol for my hangover the next  day!  But I nagged myself, from the beginning of the run I wanted to stay at the front with our Illustrious leader, but I could feel my lace coming loose, I tried to ignore it, maybe it will hold, maybe it will just stay a tad loose. But of course it didn't. I had to move to the right, into a driveway to do up my shoe.

I rejoined our group, I am now at the back, I felt this wasn't a good place for me to be in while I was in this frame of mind. Psychologically I needed to be up at the front. I did try to get back there, but I just couldn't manage it.

The first official stop was just inside the park at Eynesford. At least now the pleasant park and 'touch on the woods' section starts. It will last for only about 10 to 15 mins. As always there is always a snack supplied on wooded runs, I am getting quite used to the flavour of 'organic gnat' So much nicer than a town gnat!

My feeling of 'not wanting to run today' was still with me, but I tried hard to keep on jogging at a reasonable pace, and try to stay up with the rest of the group. I know at the end of the path the main group will do a 'lollipop loop' while waiting for the others (read as waiting for the Old Girl) to catch up.

At least from here it was all down hill, virtually, with just a tad more trail running, well, just a little path by the main road. Then the run down the hill, to the bridge over the rail lines. We normally have another little re group here, which thankfully they did! But one of our group was so keen, about 5 seconds after I got there she was off! and had to be reigned back in again.

Its just two more roads now, nearly there. My chest is refusing to let my lungs expand anymore, my legs feeling like lead, in fact my whole body feels like lead today. But I kept going. I was saying to myself that the sprint finish is deffo not going to happen today.

The last straight now, right up to the entrance to the rec. I was looking at everyone ahead of me. Our illustrious leader has said to do our own thing now till we get to the rec. Some where still keep pace, others had picked up the pace and was steaming ahead. I crossed over the road. Still not sure if I could sprint this last section, but I headed off to the line that I take to get to the finish line.

And there it was! The thing that pushes me to run fast! It's like I become possessed, and I sprint up to the entrance! It wasn't as fast as some of my sprint finishes, but it was still faster that what I have been doing.

I feel the time has come when I have to extend the sprint finish! We'll see!

Geeky stats

Phew! What A Scorcher!

Hello blog lovers.

I knew reading the Sun headlines would come in useful one day! It was summer here, so while the rain clouds were away annoying someone else, it was quickly fill up the pool for the kids and have a relaxing day in the garden! You have to be quick, just in case it starts raining again!

The weather didn't seem to cool down when it was time to go running! I think it's going to be a very warm run, so I shall do the sensible thing and take water. A nice chilled drinks bottle! Just what I shall need.

Our Illustrious leader wasn't here today, and it was down to her second in command, her husband, who lead out our group 1 today.  "Where shall we go tonight" he said "Anyone have a route in mind" Guess what? I suggested at 10k "You want to do a 10k" he said and some of the other group 1 looked very shocked. Of course I meant doing the Mob Match route, which is about 7k. But I just got 10k on the brain at mo.

As we have had a couple of very nice warm hot days, I was hoping that the huge puddles and muddy patches were drying up. And of course, being as its in the woods, it could be a lot cooler as well.  First off, though, is the hill! more or less straight into it. But I am thinking, "It's all good practise old girl, you should be well used to this route by the time the mob match happens"  That's what I was hoping for. Just get the route firmly in my brain, know when to push myself, and know when to just ease up a bit.

There were still some of the puddles through the woods, and also a tree that was across the path last week has been removed, so no hurdling over obstacles today! I was really feeling the warmth of the day, sweat was dripping into my eyes, I had forgotten my hat! But fortunately I did remember to bring a hanky! I was seriously thinking of doing the 'very British thing' and tying four knots in the corners and shoving it on my head, to help keep the sweat out of my eyes! But, I didn't, I just dabbed, and wiped very ladylike.

I didn't manage to get up that hill after we popped out of the woods today. The heat was just zapping my energy (excuses time again) but fortunately, every time that our leader turned around I seemed to be running! Unless I had my head down while I was walking and missed him!

I was at the back, as per usual, and when I caught up with our leader and the front runners, I was glad! Because each regroup, our leader sent the front runners off on a little loop to keep the muschles warm (if this heat isn't enogh!) so they were doing little extra bits. He did say after I reached them that we could join them on a smaller lap or just take a rest and wait for them to catch up. I chose 'life' I knew if id did the little extra bits I would probably die!

Through the park. it always feel really close now. But I do rememer a time what I though 'Oh know, we still got to get to the rec" But now it feels like its just around the corner!  We were well grouped together, so there was no need to 'marshall' anyone. I would be just marshalling me! The last hill before the rec now and I try to put on a bit of a sprint! But going up hill I failed! And it was just as well, because when we entered the park, our leader made us do the whole of the mob match and run around the cricket field before stopping out side the pavillion! This is where I did my sprint though! I even managed to pass a couple of the front runners!

A good run today, but very hot!  Geeky stats for you.

Blood and Mud and Determination!

Hello blog lovers.

Today was a club run. It was a great run too. First of I must mention our Kit man Mike and our other coach Liz, who have started a new beginners group again today. Between them, over an 8 week period they help and encourage to complete beginners from couch to 5k! And when me and Nagging Sister got to the rec this evening it was such an awesome site! 33 beginners, all wanting to run, get fit and have fun doing it! Including Nagging sisters friend, who was dead scared that she wouldn't even be able to run for 30 secs without the paramedics being called for, but when we arrived at the rec, there she was jogging around the field! So well done Mike and Liz!

In our group 1 today we had some newbies and some of the last beginners group that have come to join us in the club! Our ranks are swelling! Our Illustrious Leader gave us the option of going through the woods or pounding pavements. Apparently I was one of the loudest opting for the woods! (so apparently I'm to blame!)

We set off on our way. We are going to be covering the route of our annual  mob match with the Orpies. So its good that we can show the newbies and any of the others that have joined recently what the route looks like.

Of course you all know what the weather has been like! Rain, and a little bit more rain, and then we really had some rain! But today we had.......sunshine, for a very short while, and it has been overcast, with just a very slight 'spitting' action from the skies. But it has not been enough to dry up all the muddy puddles! We didn't really think it would actually. But one of our other coaches said he had been through the woods and his trainers were nice and clean! He obviously didn't do the mob match route!

We were like dancing ballerinas, with a grand jeté over every puddle and muddy hole there was. So graceful as we squelched our way through! Who's idea was this anyway. There were obstacles to negotiate and nettles to avoid, and prickly plants to swerve by! Unfortunately we did have an injury, and there was blood! It was me! I managed to get caught by one of the prickly twigs, but like a true trooper and dedicated Pettswood runner, I carried on running, here, this is my injury, and my very muddy shoes! Now I am a true runner!

I had no idea what the newbies were thinking. It is a little different running around a field and running through the woods, but as Nagging Sister says, you don't even notice the miles when you are running in the woods! It's just all to lovely and perfect to notice the running.

We got through the woods, the next bit was on the pavements until we get back to our meeting point. We did have the hill to get up. The hill, just a short one, but whenever I have run this route before I always stop half way up! But today, I was talking to Sue, our group 1 Marathoner, and I just kept going up it! I got to the top, and she said "There you go, you did it" at which point I promptly stopped running to give myself a pat on the back! But I did do it, and then I got to running again, to meet up with the others who were waiting at the top of the road to turn left for the last leg of our run.

Heading to the park we slowly split the group, the main body of people running with Mike now, as he took over the lead, and our illustrious leader was doing the sweeper role. I was kind of inbetween these two sets of people. Which put me in a very good position for doing 'on the run mashalling' as I directed a couple of the newbie ladies as to which way we were running. I knew I had a purpose in Group 1!

I did my sprint bit after I had pointed the way to the ladies behind me, who were in front of our Illustrious Leader. Just as well I didn't sprint before, because we entered the park on an uphill section and went in a different entrance. But by then, some of the other groups had arrived back, so I had to look really good. I put on a fast sprint! and I'm sure it was slightly down hill as well, I was flying home! Mr S. said "Blimey, I didn't know the Old Girl could run!" praise indeed from him, as he does these amazing runs of up to 100 miles at a time!

Geeky stats.

She's Only Running Again!

Hello Blog lovers.

That strange bright orb thing was in the sky again today, warming up the day, drying up puddles and putting this strange look on peoples faces, I believe it used to be called smiles! What can you do with a day like today! Run or Ride?

Well the Old Boy is working, so it's a run for me. I love me running, and now that I have signed up to do a race in September, I better get to doing some more of it. It's a 10k race, through Chislehurst. On the web site it was said to be 'undulating' to you, me and all else who hates hills, that means HILLS!

I just have to get to work on some hills!  Therefore it's back to Summer Hill! I was thinking of making it a little longer route as well, but well, actually,....erm, I forgot! I was going to go straight down Southborough Lane, and the turn right up Bromley common, and the turn right down past the dripping tap. That was my plan, but in reality, I turned up Blackbrook lane as I did on Thursday. "Oh well, I can always tack extra on the way back instead" I thought to my self. (As if that will happen!)

Running up to Summer Hill I was feeling pretty good. I have gotten over my aches from Thursday effort on the hill, and I was determined to push myself even harder this time around. So the scary grimacing face was well and truly in place! Not the down hill section, of course! Getting up there was pretty tough. Everytime I stopped running I told myself off, I nagged myself to get going again. (I didn't listen to myself mind) I was hoping no one was in earshot of me. I don't suppose it's quite the normal thing to be talking to oneself really!

My legs did start to get a tad heavy once I reached the top of the hill. I was half expecting, or should I say, half wishing, that the Old Boy would be in the pub garden of 'The Tigers Head'. As I set off for my run, I met the Old Boy on his way home! I told him I would be about an hour or so. I had mentioned to Big Son where I would be running, and I was hoping that the OB would ask where I was going, He didn't ask, and Big Son didn't tell him the route that I was doing today, so f course he wasn't at the pub, with a lovely pint of lager! Oh well, lets just get the job done.

I was stopping a little bit more often now, I'm sure more often that I did on Thursday! Oh well, PB out of the question! My water in my bottle was going down a treat as well, I was hoping that I wasn't going to run out before the end of my run.

Thoughts turned to my dinner. The Old Boy has said he had a chicken to stuff in the oven! Yup, that gave me a little bit of energy burst! Chicken and salad, you can't get better than that after a run. I was thinking about it all the way down Birchwood Road. I can just see it now. (I must remember not to smile when I'm by myself too). And with that thought I was out of the zone again, and thinking of the heavy legs that I was trying to 'fling' from my hips at speed!

When I got to Pettswood, I decdided that I would stick to the same route that I did on Thursday. I like to compare times when I do the same route. See where I can improve, or (which I doubt very much) maybe even go a little easier on myself in order to push myself harder in other areas, to achieve a PB. With that in mind I concentrated on running the route. I thought about trying not to 'heel strike' as I run, and push myself a little harder on the easier parts.

It was when I got to top of Hollingworth, I looked at my watch, I realised I could be on for a PB if I push myself a little harder! Flipping Nora Old Girl, go on, get and do it! I tried and tried to push myself, No stopping, just keep going. I kept checking my Garmin. I'm on target, I can get a PB, only by a minute or so, but it's still a PB!

When I pushed the stop button outside my house, I was absolutely delighted that it was 2 minutes quicker than Thursday! Yeah, look at the Old Girl go!! Twinkle toes, my feet are burning baby, yeah burning! Well that is what I wanted to say, but all I managed was a 'Flipping Nora!

When I went in doors though, no aroma of the said chicken cooking! The Old Boy was firmly fixed to the t.v. Of course, it was the Tour de France. So I sat and joined in the viewing. Big Son came down and he made me a cuppa. Then the Old boy said "Do you want a muffin with that?" Not only did the OB buy a chicken, he also bought some lovely muffins.  Now there is something worth running for.

A post run, pre dinner lemon muffin! Mmmm yum

I'm sorry I started it before I photographed it, just soooo tasty.

Oh and geeky stats for your perusal, and its a 2 minute and 5 sec faster that Thursdays run!