Tuesday 31 July 2012

The Needles

I didn't run yesterday. I thought after my herculean effort on Sunday I needed a rest even though there was a 35 minute run on the schedule. 


I regretted that tonight. I was meant to do 4 miles. 1 mile warm up then 3 miles at 9 - 9.15 minute mile pace.
Mile 1 - no problem, legs felt heavy but I thought I'd give them a mile to warm up. 
Mile 2 - sped up, most of it was downhill so it felt ok. 
Mile 3 - legs wouldn't work, couldn't really get above 9.30. 
Mile 4 - ridiculous, my calves felt like iron and I was struggling towards the end.


Perhaps I should have done the 35 minutes yesterday and got the pain out of the way? Would it have hurt more? I've heard about 'recovery' runs and always thought they sounded like a waste of time. I should have listened to Bobby!


I had an acupuncture session today. I talked to Joby about my tight shoulders and darth vader breathing when I run. She suggested I try some Tai Chi and showed me a basic move that would help to 'centre' my energy. I thought about it tonight when I was running and tried to keep my core straight and strong. I'm really interested in acupuncture and alternative therapies. I've been having sessions with Joby for over a year and have become more and more interested in it. It doesn't hurt, the needles are tiny and I get to lie still for 45 minutes!


We're decorating at the moment, today I painted a ceiling. Twice. I've never really decorated before now. It's hard work, you have to think about what your doing before you do it, you can't just rock up, splash some paint about and expect your room to look great. It's the tiny details that are important. But today, I painted a ceiling, twice and am pretty pleased with the results.





Sunday 29 July 2012

Pace yourself

The Olympics have started, the opening ceremony was fantastic, I have had a drink (2 glasses of Proseco on Friday night and 2 G&T's at a party last night) and this morning I ran 10k.

The original plan was for me to do a 10k race today but the nearest event was in Wigan so Flino kindly offered to 'pace' me. Whilst I was eating my porridge this morning there was some discussion around the speed I should aim for...


Rob's suggested precision pace was 9.08 per mile. I decided that I'd do a mile warm up very slow jog down to the flat river path and then start the 10k. Flino offered to set the pace and run a little in front of me. All I had to do was to keep up.

We set off on the warm up, stopping just before a mile to do some dynamic stretches. Then it was on to the river path and the 10k began. The first 3 miles were ok, it was hot in the sun but I felt comfortable. The national BMX championships were on at Alvaston Park and there were people, bikes and dogs milling about all over the path which meant dodging, stopping and starting to make sure I didn't trip over.

When we turned around at 3 miles I began to have a mental battle with myself. I started to worry about running back past the BMX track, my shoulders tightened up and instantly my breathing become laboured. I was doubting myself.

We negotiated the park and I relaxed a little. I started reeling off names in my head of people I want to prove something to by doing this run (a tip I've stolen from Arya in Game of Thrones!) and it actually helped! My breathing slowed down and I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

The last mile was hard, I wanted to stop but Flino kept pushing me, telling me we were nearly finished. I gritted my teeth and sprinted the last 200 meters. I'd ran 10k in 58.08. These were my splits:

9.21
9.24
9.27
9.32
9.37
9.19

In the general scheme of things I know this isn't fast, but compared to last weeks 6 mile run, I was averaging 40 seconds per mile faster. This is the pace I need to run the half marathon if I want to finish in under 2 hours.

I've done 4 weeks of training now, I've ran 17 miles this week and 60 miles in the past month!



I weighed myself yesterday. 4 weeks of training, 60 miles and no alcohol. Hadn't lost a bloody pound. Oh well, on to month 2 of the plan....

Friday 27 July 2012

Greatest show on earth

I can't believe it's finally here - the 2012 London Olympics start today! I remember the day 7 years ago when London was awarded the Games. I was sat in my little terraced house watching the TV with my lodger Olivia. When they announced London had got it, we heard people cheering in the house next door too.

I can't imagine what it must feel like to be an athlete who has got to the Games. The pressure on those people who we 'expect' to win medals is huge. People's lives can really change in an instant, one minute your living your life, training hard, dreaming this dream of winning a medal, then you win, your catapulted to fame if it's a popular event like athletics, swimming, cycling. Your face is everywhere & everyone suddenly wants to know you. What about if you win a medal in a lesser known event like fencing, synchronised swimming or shooting. You've worked just as hard but the general public don't seem that interested. Do those competitors even care?

I did the planned interval session last night with some of the Derwent Runners. There was about 10 of us sprinting through the local park. It was hard work but over quickly. I like those kind of sessions.

This morning I went to train with Rich. I was moaning (as usual) that my calves hurt so we did some work on a foam roller. This lovely bit of kit is sort of like having a sports massage, only more painful. And you have to do it yourself. I used it on my calves, my IT band and my glutes. After rolling, we did some plyometric work -

Squats on a Bosu with a ViPR
Triple extension work with the TRX
Jack knifes on a swissball with press up
Double explosive jumps
Heel to bum kicks with a swissball

We finished off the session with more stretching and now my legs are feeling like my own again rather than 2 blocks of lead. It's strange that more exercise actually made me feel better!

4 weeks are up and today is the day that I can have an alcoholic drink. I made it. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy. If I hadn't left the house it would have been fine. I struggled when I was surrounded by other people having a drink. I've not started on the wine just yet but tonight, when the Olympic opening ceremony starts I'm planning on drinking some Proseco.

I've done 4 weeks of training 4 or 5 times a week. I can't remember the last time I exercised this much! Apart from the aches I actually feel great. I feel more determined than ever to complete every session on the list. I feel like I've got a purpose.

I'm very excited about the next 2 weeks, I'm off work, the Olympics is on, the weather forecast is looking good.

Let the Games begin!


Wednesday 25 July 2012

Top 3 things

Inspired by a comment at work today here's my Top 3 Things about running:


1. Stress reduction - Gives you time to think (or forget) about your day
2. Health - Keeps me moving and gets me outside
3. Social - I've met some great friends through Derwent Runners


I'm a Libra and like to be balanced so these are the Bottom 3 Things about running:


1. Washing  - there is always dirty kit to be washed
2. Effort - it's easier to lie on the sofa watching TV
3. All encompassing - it's easy to become obsessed and turn into a running bore!


I did my 3 miles today that I should have done on Monday. I ran home from work. My calves hurt. It was a nice day. My watch told me I'd run my fastest mile yet.


I did 20 minutes of stretching when I got home. Then ate chips for my tea. Like I said, being a Libra means I like to balance in my life.....

Tuesday 24 July 2012

The little things

I paid attention to what I'd written yesterday and made sure I'd eaten enough during the day and had drank plenty of water.

Breakfast:
Coffee
Cornflakes with banana

Snack:
Small packet of pretzels
Water

Lunch:
Chicken flatbread
Fruit Salad
Decaf Tea

Snack:
Dried Apricots
Bottle of water


It definitely made a difference as I felt ready to run by the time I'd got back from work. I was almost looking forward to it after a 3 hour drive home from a meeting.

Tuesday night is Derwent Runners club night. We have 3 different groups, 4 miles, 6 miles and fast 6 miles. I always run in the 4 mile group. The speed suits my pace. I've tried the 6 mile group a couple of times but am usually left at the back struggling to get up the hills!

I did the 4 miles tonight, it was quite warm when we started running - 28 degrees still at 7pm but I felt ok. There were a couple of hills that usually make me do the Darth Vader breathing but tonight I managed to run up them & have a conversation as well. I know I'm not noticeably faster or thinner yet but it's little things like this that are spurring me on at the moment.

Monday 23 July 2012

I haven't run today

I haven't run today. There, I've admitted it. I don't feel great. My stomach feels like a washing machine and my hay fever, which has been non existent this year just like the summer, returned with a vengeance today along with the sunshine.

I went to bed late last night and I've not eaten well over the last couple of days. I had popcorn and malteesers for my tea last night. I've drank too much caffeine and not enough water. I've gone from exercising a couple of times a week to pushing myself 5 times a week. I need to look after myself so I don't keep lurching from feeling great to feeling like I've been ran over by a bus.

So that's me told. It's ok though, I will run on Wednesday rather than today. And I'll make a concerted effort from now on to eat food that is going to help me rather than grabbing something because it's there and I'm hungry.

I feel disappointed that I've not stuck to the plan but I know that if I'd run when I'd got home today I would have felt worse.

I watched the final stage of the Tour de France yesterday. I was so sure that Team Sky had left it too late for Mark Cavendish to win the sprint. There was too much gap, the lead group seemed so far away. I wondered how Cavendish would feel if, after tirelessly supporting Wiggins & Froome for the past 3 weeks, he didn't get his record breaking fourth final stage win. I doubted their strategy, their determination and their teamwork. Flino sat there laughing at me fretting - he always knew Cavendish would win. I imagine Team Sky knew too.

Saturday 21 July 2012

Henry Ford & the Sunshine

What a beautiful day it's been. Finally felt like summer.

The first thing I thought when I opened my eyes at 7am this morning was 'ouch'. I was aching from yesterday's PT session, I struggled to move my heavy legs out of bed. So I turned over and went back to sleep for another 90 minutes.

The second time I woke up I still thought 'ouch' but got out of bed anyway and whilst I was having a coffee I thought of a million excuses not to run six miles, aching back, could do it tomorrow, should be decorating, what if I can't do it blah blah blah. I was sick of my own internal dialogue. Flino had run the 10K last night and surprisingly didn't want to do another one less than 24 hours later. So in the end, in a bad mood, I put my trainers on, slammed the door and trotted off down the road.

It was the best run I'd done yet. I'd worked out the watch and kept glancing at it to keep my speed at around 10 minute miles. I decided that I was going to run to my parents house which saved me doing the 'run 3 miles turn around and come back again' loop. It was also pretty flat. I had my i-pod on to keep me company, this is what I listened to:

Cash & Carry Me Home - Ghost Poet
I Am The Resurrection - The Stone Roses
Beautiful, Dirty, Rich - Lady Ga Ga
I Just Don't Know - Ghost Poet
FML - Deadmau5
My Oh My - David Gray
F.E.A.R - Ian Brown
Witness the Fitness - Roots Manuva
Rearview Mirror - Pearl Jam * probably my favourite song ever.
Friend of Ours - Elbow
Miss U Less, See U More - Faithless
Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
Breaking Down - Florence & The Machine
Katy On A Mission - Katy B

When I got to 5 miles I felt good, like I could keep going, which surprised me. I got to 6 miles and still had a little bit further to go. I didn't stop. I ran all the way.

These were my splits:

9.58
10.55 (I had to stop to cross the road!)
10.11
10.14
10.02
9.58

In the end I ran 6.33 miles in 1 hour & 3 minutes. I don't think I even did the Darth Vader breathing. I circumnavigated a few huge puddles on the way, got beeped at by a man in a van and chose to run up the dull A50, reasoning with myself that I would be less likely to stop & walk if there were hundreds of cars speeding past me. I didn't want anyone to point & laugh at the slow girl at the side of the road. (I know that really, no-one would have noticed but the thought kept me running.)

I figured out today that running is just a constant battle with yourself. Like Henry Ford said "Think you can or think you can't - either way you're right". I'm the only person that can make me think I can.

Friday 20 July 2012

A You Tube Sensation....

I work part time, 3 days a week. Some people say - what do you do all day? This is what I did today;

Got up.
Ate breakfast.
Walked a mile to PT.

Did my PT session. Rich is helping me to increase my speed & lower body strength. Watch this video to see some of my session today....It was HARD. My arms were aching, I was short of breath and my quads were on fire.

Then at the end of the session we also did this short speed drill. It almost finished me off! All of my session is detailed here.

When I train with Rich I feel differnt to when I run. I'm confident when I train, I feel like I know what I'm doing and although Rich pushes me it's still 'my thing'. With running I always feel like I'm bottom of the class.

I walked home and spent most of the rest of the day putting washing in & out of the maching and moving it about on radiators - yes I had the heating on in July.

My mum & dad also came round for a cup of tea.
I didn't watch Bargin Hunt or Jeremy Kyle.

Derwent Runners had a good turn out at the Tara Kinder 10K with our very own Matt Cartwright coming third! Brilliant.

Six miles tomorrow morning. I'm debating whether to have a lie in and run later in the day or just get up at go so it's done & out of the way. I liked running early last week. Tomorrow I'll have done 3 weeks of training. Ticking the sessions off & begining to see a little glimmer of improvement.

Thursday 19 July 2012

Hoops!

Today started in a rush. I washed my hair and didn't have enough time to dry it so I left the house looking a bit like a lion. I sorted a few things out at work that have been on my mind for a while and when 5pm came round I was ready to try out the new watch.

I got my trainers on, switched the watch on (remembering instructions from Flino as to what buttons to press) and jogged over to the Pride Park loop to start my 6x1 min intervals. Watch was working fine, telling me how fast I was running and how far I'd covered. Which was great, until I realised that for intervals I wanted it to tell me how fast I was running and also how long I'd been running for, or better yet, how long I had left to run. I pressed some buttons and managed to get it to tell me when a minute was up by beeping at me.

Great, I started running quite fast looking at my wrist - it said I was running 11 min mile pace. I don't think I was. I decided that I'd just run pretty quick for a minute and then walk for another minute. Repeat this six times. Jog back round the loop to cool down and remember how to breathe again. Session done. Although it was short, I felt like I had worked hard.

Interval training is meant to be one of the best ways to increase your fitness and improve your endurance.

I clearly need to learn more about the watch but overall a good days running.

Tonight we went to Jack Rabbits for dinner to say goodbye to Peaky as she is off on her travels for a month. What a brilliant evening, the food was amazing - it's all cooked on an Aga and everything is delicious! I was very close to cracking on the no drinking but managed to find some resolve at the last minute. I didn't want to have to write that I'd given up.

I've met some great friends through Derwent Runners and whenever we go out we spend most of the night laughing and not really talking about running. It's a very friendly, sociable club and has helped me to realised that not everyone that runs is a 'serious' runner.

I'm full of lovely food now and feeling very tired and happy. 9am PT session tomorrow to burn off the huge piece of Apricot Tart and Cream that I had for pudding. All this exercise has to have some benefits!



Wednesday 18 July 2012

Stop moaning, start running

Got home from work, got this hand delivered. All I have to do is plug it into the computer & download the software then it will start telling me how fast I'm running. No excuses from now on. Thanks Rob!

Rest day today. My legs feel ok after yesterday's session. I'm still permanently hungry though. Today I've eaten:

Bowl of cornflakes with a banana.
Handful of dried apricots.
2 scrambled eggs on toast.
Tomato.
2 chocolate digestive biscuits.
Apple.
Sausages, beans & potatoes.
Solero type ice lolly thing.
One Lungo coffee from our brilliant new machine 
About 6 cups of Redbush tea.

Flino became addicted to Nespresso coffee whilst we were on holiday and as a result bought a fancy machine. It's great. Now I have one coffee when before I go to work & drink Redbush decaff tea for the rest of the day.

It's sprints on the cards for tomorrow's session. I need to do:

6x1min @ 8min mile pace with 60 seconds walk recovery between each one.

8 minute mile pace for a minute a time. After Tuesday nights session I actually think I can do that. I hate to admit it but it almost sounds like I enjoyed last nights run! Actually, that's a lie. I didn't enjoy the running, I enjoyed how it made me feel afterwards. I like that it's made me a little more confident about the next 8 weeks.

Friday evening is the Tara Kinder 10k - no, I'm not running but usually help out with marshalling. It's a local race and is for charity. I like being a marshal, I get to see the runners, shout encouragement and catch up with some friends. You can still enter on the night & if that sounds like a ridiculous idea then you can always volunteer to be a marshal?

I'm watching DIY SOS The Big Build as I'm writing this, with tears in my eyes. Really, I should stop moaning. I've only got to run 13 miles. In the grand scheme of things it's really nothing.



Tuesday 17 July 2012

The Running Rollercoster

Monday - went running, in the rain, got soaked, felt terrible and wondered if this was really a good idea.


Today - went running, in the sunshine, felt much better, went to the pub, drank fizzy water, ate a burger - all's good with the world!


It wasn't the rain that was the deciding factor, I ran in the rain last week and felt ok. I ran further & faster today than yesterday. I was in a better mood yesterday before I started running that I was today. Maybe that was it, maybe I took my frustration out on my run today. Maybe I was just more determined to get on with it.


Anyway, today I had to run at 9.15 a mile pace for 3 miles. I don't have a fancy watch yet so I used my initiative. There is a loop on Pride Park that is exactly 1200m all the way round. Someone has also marked out 100m splits on this particular loop so you're able to work out 1600m (which is a mile). Armed with this knowledge & the stopwatch on my i-phone I figured that I could run at the prescribed pace. 


I did a mile loop warm up jog, started the stopwatch and started running at what I thought would be slightly faster than usual. Mile ends, I'd ran 8.22. Slowed down a bit, carried on running, next mile 8.46, slowed down some more ran half a loop, got worried I was running too slowly, sped up, last mile 8.56.


Got home, decided I needed to buy a watch after all. Will obviously buy it from The Derby Runner. Rob recommended a Nike GPS. I will find out more about it tomorrow. It's great having a brother sometimes! Rob also told me that I averaged a pace of 8.42 per mile tonight, if I did that for every mile of the Great North Run I'd be able to finish in 1 hour 54 mins. That put a huge smile on my face - for a couple of minutes at least until I started to think of the other 10 miles. It's a possibility though.


I've noticed that running is one of those hobbies that sucks you in to buying accessories. Watches with GPS, special waterproof socks (amazing), lightweight waterproof jackets, matching vests & shorts. I've always been the kind of girl that dreamt of buying designer accessories from here  - now I have to decide between Nike & Nicole Fahri!

Monday 16 July 2012

Nuts

I've not ran my 3 miles yet. I've been to Manchester today for a meeting & didn't fancy an early run on a Monday morning. I'm begining to regret it now, it wasn't raining when I woke up at 6.30am. It's throwing it down now. I suppose I could go to the gym and do 3 miles on the treadmill but it feels like cheating. I don't really enjoy running on a treadmill, it always seems to take such a long time and I get really hot. Running outside is usually a better experience. At least there are things to take your mind off the pain.

So I do I just man up, put my trainers on & go or should I wait for another hour? The BBC weather page says the rain should be dying away early evening so I think I'll wait a while.

In an attempt to feel less hungry I bought a small packet of mixed nuts today. I was horified to find out how many calories they contained. I know that they are meant to be full of protein so should keep you feeling full but hells teeth - 670 calories per 100g. There was 70g of them, so about 2 handfuls - so 469 calories. More than a Chunky KitKat. I still ate them though.

There's always articles, news reports, whole programmes, devoted to the rise of obesity in the UK. I think some of it must be down to people not understanding just how long it takes to burn calories. Maybe the information on the packaging could read something like this:

This pack of nuts contains 469 calories. You'll need to run 5 miles to burn them off. This could take anywhere between 25mins and 2 hours depending on your level of fitness.

I feel much better today than I did yesterday, the bath & early night must have helped. I'm 2 weeks into this now. In 8 weeks I'll have done the Great North Run. I'll be sitting in my house having actually run 13.1 miles. I want to feel like I've done the best preparation possible. Right, best get my trainers on then, rain or no rain!

Sunday 15 July 2012

An early night

I'm exhausted. My bones hurt. My back aches. Good job today was a rest day because I really don't think I could have ran anywhere. All this exercise and no alcohol is clearly taking its toll. I've got bad skin. I feel like I've got a hangover, like I've been out partying until 3am. But with none of the fun.

So on the plan for next week:

Monday - 3 miles @10 min miles
Tuesday - 4 miles last 3 @9.15 per mile
Thursday - 6x1min @8 min miles with 60sec walk recovery
Friday - PT session with Rich
Saturday - 6 miles @10 min miles

I'm going to have to start going to bed earlier or drinking some sort of supplement because I don't want to feel like this for the next 10 weeks. Plus I am a miserable cow when I'm tired & I don't think Flino could put up with me! Any suggestions gratefully received?

We've been decorating today. Painting walls is much harder work that I first thought. And all that mess, brushes to wash, dust to clear up, endless cups of tea to make. On the plus side chocolate digestives are obviously de rigueur when decorating - you have to get into the job role right?

Anyway, I've put the bath on, put some of this stuff in it in the hope that it will make me feel better and then I'm going to bed.

On a more positive, note my manicure from yesterday hasn't chipped at all despite all the painting! Every cloud.....

Saturday 14 July 2012

3 Good Things

In the words of the infamous Ice Cube - Today was a Good Day.

Got up at 7am, ran 5 miles with my sister. It didn't rain, my legs didn't hurt and I felt ok. I even managed to hold a conversation for some of the way round. Admittedly we weren't running particularly fast. I need to do something about my breathing, as soon as I start to have to 'work' I begin to sound like Darth Vader. I have to really concentrate on keeping my shoulders relaxed or they end up somewhere round my ears (this isn't just a running issue, my shoulders instantly tighten up as soon as I'm stressed or uptight).

I got home & ticked the last of this week's sessions off my plan. 16 miles this week. Done by 7.50am on Saturday. Not bad.

Then it was time for the spa. After some winding roads & avoiding a few sheep, we arrived. This morning I sat in an outdoor hot tub looking at a perfect view of Win Hill. It felt like I was on holiday.



The lunch was amazing, I wasn't expecting such great food & was glad I'd done the 5 miles. I had:

Gazpacho.
Leek & herb sausages on basil mash.
Dark chocolate delice with a salted caramel centre.


After lunch I had a massage & a manicure. Perfect way to spend a day with my mum & sister.

My husband is out this evening, I've got the sofa to myself. I'm watching The Hollow Crown on the iplayer, eating leftover curry and drinking Redbush tea. And I'm really happy. Amazing what some sunshine, a hot tub & ticking things off a list can do.


Friday 13 July 2012

Anyone for Ugali?

To continue on the theme of yesterday, I've been thinking about food today. People who know me will not be surprised.

A comment on Facebook this morning started me off, someone jokingly commented Not sure you should be posting pictures of trainers and starting sentences with 'What I eat " and that got me thinking that for a lot of people exercise and NOT eating are intrinsically linked. For me, there's nothing better than finishing a session at the gym or a run, coming home & eating my breakfast / lunch / dinner. It stops the guilt when I decide to have chips. Don't get me wrong, I'm as obsessed as the next 30 something year old woman when it comes to the size of my jeans. I've tried diets, for about a day. Exercise is the only thing that's ever made me any thinner.

I'm not meant to be running today, my legs hurt this morning when I got out of bed & I feel tired. 5 miles tomorrow. My sister (who was once on the cover of a running magazine) is visiting this weekend, we are taking our mum to a spa in the Peak District so I'd really like to get the 5 miles out of the way before relaxing. This means another early run. The Kenyans at the Iten training camp get up every day at 5am to run. They sometimes run three times a day. I feel like a hero if I manage more than 3 runs in a week. The Kenyans also eat a lot of vegetables with this stuff called ugali. So this afternoon I have made a vegetable curry. And I'll be eating it later with rice, chapatti and popadoms. But still no beer.


Not quite Ugali....


Thursday 12 July 2012

The dinner of kings

I had a good day today, my friend made a good decision which has made her happier, I had a productive meeting in Northampton this afternoon and I ran 4 miles, 2 of them at 9 minute mile pace.

I wasn't sure how I was going to do the 2 quicker miles, so I put a post on the Derwent Runners facebook page to see if anyone would run with me and sure enough Caine obliged. I needed someone to run those 2 miles with me, it's not a long way but I needed someone to tell me how fast I was going and to keep me running at the same pace. I've not crossed the 'technology' line yet with my training. I should probably get one of those watches. But I don't want to become obsessed with pace. Can you get quicker without one though?

I ran a mile down to the park to meet Caine and then we started the two mile stretch at a faster pace. The first mile was ok, the first half of the second mile was harder and the last half a mile was a challenge. 18 minutes later I'd done the 2 miles. After a little walk to get my breath back, I jogged home thinking about running 13 miles at roughly that pace. I've got another 10 weeks though so I'm not dwelling on that thought.

Right now I'm going to eat one of my favourite dinners - baked potato, fish fingers and beans - the dinner of kings. The potato has to be done in the oven though, no microwave. Crispy skin is essential. The fish fingers - cheaper the better - also cooked in the oven. The beans, I'm a Heinz girl and they have to be heated up in a pan. All this running makes me permanently hungry.

Friday's challenge - going to the Beer Festival without drinking alcohol. I think I can do it. After sprints in the monsoon last Friday anything is possible.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Early start

I woke up before my 6:10am alarm this morning, I'd been dreaming of running! I got up, put my kit on straight away, did some stretches in the kitchen and then went straight out.

It was perfect weather for a run, not too warm, not cold, a little bit damp. No-one about. I felt like I had the streets to myself. I ran down Keddleston Road and by the time I got to Five Lamps I felt almost ok. I had my i-pod in. This is what I listened to:

Alive - Pearl Jam
Bang Bang Your Dead - Dirty Pretty Things
Raise Your Weapon - Deadmau5
Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
Stellify - Ian Brown
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

It was only 3 miles. I didn't stop and when I got home I felt pleased with myself.

I don't mind getting up early, in fact I think I'm pretty good at it - alarm goes off, I get out of bed. Unlike Flino - alarm goes off, snoozes it, alarm goes off, snoozes it, repeat a few more times! I like the feeling of training first thing, I like that it's done & I can get on with the rest of my day.

On the way to work this morning Flino & I were talking about a programme that was on last night on BBC4 -  Born to Run. It's about an Irish priest who has coached almost all of the Kenyan middle distance champions in the last few years. I'm going to watch it tonight and see if I can learn anything from him!

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Too busy

Today was a day when I was too busy. I had to go to Fareham for a meeting with work, this invovled getting up at 6, driving to Fareham, having a 3.5 hour (productive) meeting and then driving home & getting stuck in load of traffic. Result - I got home after 7pm, tired, hungry and still needing to catch up on a few emails.

In the past I would let this mess up my training schedule, I'd miss the run out, tell myself it doesn't matter and then later in the week I'd think, well I've not done that run so maybe I'll start again on Monday. But I can't this time. So I'm having my tea, an early night and I'm planning on running 3 miles before work tomorrow. Tomorrow is a rest day on the schedule - I'm not missing today's run - merely postponing it.

In other news, I learnt a good lesson today. I judge people too quickly. I need to stop. I shall add it to my list:

Stick to my training plan - all good so far
Not drink alcohol until the start of the Olympics - as the above
Stretch after running so I can touch my toes - still stretching, not touching toes yet
Eat properly - just about to make salmon & potato salad
Be less judgemental

That last one, tougher than running??

Monday 9 July 2012

Witness the Fitness


I love Mondays. Start of a new week, a good day to start things, a day of good intentions. Did I mention I don't work on a Monday? I like my job but it's great not having to go to work on a Monday!

I wrote a list this morning, last thing on the list - 3 mile run. I put it off for as long as I could by doing mundane, necessary jobs in the house - washing - running creates washing, silly little socks, shorts with built in pants that get tangled up & t-shirts of races that Flino's ran. When it got to lunchtime I'd run out of excuses & I decided to just get it done.

I ran with my headphones & i-pod today. I felt like I needed some company on my run. This is what I listened to -

Bring the Noise - Public Enemy
Bang Bang You're Dead - Dirty Pretty Things
Breaking Down - Florence & the Machine
FML - Deadmau5
Witness - Roots Manuva
Alive - Pearl Jam
Please Please Please  - The Smiths

It wasn't too hot, it didn't rain and it's one more run ticked of the list. A woman with a dog ran past me in the park. She smiles and waved - acknowledging me as another runner. That made me smile. We booked our hotel for the Great North Run weekend last night. Non refundable. Can't back out now.

Sunday 8 July 2012

Running up that road

I've just done 5 miles in my new shoes! I didn't want to run today, I woke up & felt rubbish (despite the no drinking), I was snotty, tired from yesterday's skip filling and generally mardy. Nothing new there then. I sat drinking a cup of tea thinking that this is when I usually make the decision not to run - I've got a cold, I need to do some jobs. But like any self respecting girl I thought of my new shoes and put them on and got out of the door.

Flino came with me today, it was hot & my legs felt like they were made of lead. Once we got going though the lead feeling began to wear off and towards the end I even managed a little sprint. I was walking up the road after I finished when I saw my brother - would have been better if I'd been running!

I spent most the run wishing that I was better at running and willing myself not to stop. When I got home, the first thing I did was tick the run off the plan...

Week one - done. I've done about 13 miles this week. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. I've just got to run as far as I have in a week in one go. It's a start though. Isn't it?


Saturday 7 July 2012

Hop, skip, jump

After a quick chat with my brother consulting with my coach we decided that as I'd done sprints yesterday I shouldn't do 3 miles today. I also got a brand new pair of these hand delivered from Rob as, thanks to yesterday's drizzle, my trainers got soaked. I'm looking forward to wearing them for tomorrow's 5 miles.

Instead we filled a skip with junk, from the garden, from the cellar and most importantly ripped up the carpets from 2 bedrooms. I'm planning on learning how to sand the floors, how to paint walls and even how to wallpaper. Staying in tonight, still not drinking and reading a DIY guidebook. Rock and roll.

Friday 6 July 2012

I'm sprinting in the rain

I don't work on a Friday (or a Monday - more on that another time) so I usually have a PT session at 9am. Most Fridays I walk there, do my session and stumble back home cursing Rich for making me do burpees or bear crawls or other ridiculous tasks.

Today we were planning to do some sprints outside. There was an actual monsoon. We still did the sprints. 4x800m (ish). Bear in mind a 'sprint' for me is something I've only ever done if I'm late for the bus. Half way through the session I felt like a rung out dishcloth but when we finished I felt like a warrior. 

When I'm running fast (for me) I struggle to breathe, I sound like I'm about to pass out. My shoulders tense up and I start panicking that I'm never going to get to the end. Then I start to slow down as a result which makes it all worse. In general I'm a worrier, I worry about unnecessary things and it makes me stressed so then I worry more. It drives me insane; I know I'm doing it and I can't stop it. Today when I was running, for a couple of seconds I thought about my breathing, I made myself breathe in and out properly and then I relaxed and I managed to run just a little bit faster at the end.  It felt like I was almost in control.

Thursday 5 July 2012

What did Seb Coe have for dinner?

I ran after work, it was hot, I was tired, my legs felt like they didn't want to move but I had my new kit on (orange Nike since you asked) and I kept going even though I wanted to walk.

My brother had emailed me a training schedule to follow today. I had a quick look but couldn't bring myself to study it in great detail in case it put me off. For the full 30 minutes of my run tonight I was thinking about it, wondering how I'd feel if I actually did every session on there, if it would get easier, if I'd start to actually enjoy it. Well maybe not the full 30 minutes, I also thought about my dinner. I think about eating all the time, what I've eaten, what I'm going to eat, what I shouldn't eat, what I should eat more of.... it makes no difference, I love eating!

There's so much information on what 'runners' should & shouldn't eat. Carbs are good, more protein is better, don't eat salt, make sure you eat some salt or you get cramp, drink loads of water, don't drink caffeine, drink a coffee before you train -  I wonder what Seb Coe ate when he won his Olympic title? Do you really need to know all this 'stuff', can't you just put your trainers on and start running?

I ate nachos, chili and rice followed by a chocolate eclair at my friends house & it was great. (Didn't have the Pimms though!)

I've got a PT Session tomorrow at 9am. Rich has been my PT for about 3 years. He's a great motivator and the sessions are never the same. Some people think having a PT means you're lazy and need to be told what to do in order to exercise. In my case they're probably right!

A day you're too busy?

I did it! Went to the pub & didn't drink. Didn't win the quiz either - name the last 5 presenters of the Antique Roadshow? Peakey surprised us all with her knowledge of that programme.

On the cards today - 3 miles. What's that - half an hour? So why do I feel like I've had to plan & organise my day just to fit it in. I don't have a car & had planned to go to my friends house for tea so I had 2 options, get up early and run before work or get up early, take my husband (Flino) to work so that I could have the car and then I can run after work & go to my friends for tea. Either way getting up early was hard,after not going to bed until nearly midnight after the pub quiz. I'm usually in bed with a cup of chamomile tea at 10pm!

I've got the car, I'm at work and I'm planning to run when I've finished work & then go and eat chilli with the girls (added bonus that I don't have to make my own dinner again).

You have to be organised to run, it means thinking about finding a gap in your day. My brother has a poster in his shop that says 'The day you're too busy to run is a day you're too busy'. I'm going to keep repeating that over the next 10 weeks. It might help.

Wednesday 4 July 2012

First Hurdle

So today is a non running day. Rest is essential in any training plan according to my well informed sources (Runners World & my brother Rob). But I have a bigger challenge on my hands tonight - I want to go the pub quiz.

The quiz isn't the challenge - I'm full of useless information - but I've made a pact to not drink alcohol until the start of the Olympics. It's not like I want to go and drink 12 pints but the Derwent Runners pub quiz team is inextricably linked to a sociable glass of wine (or two). It's all about willpower really. And I don't think they sell that behind the bar!

Tuesday 3 July 2012

3 miles & a stir fry

The title sort of gives it away really. I did 3 miles in the rain, came home & ate stir fry.

I didn't go to running club because I knew that if I waited for an hour from when I got home I would think of a million reasons not to run. So I put my kit on as soon as I got home and went. My husband ran with me. This doesn't happen very often because a.) he is much faster than me & b.) he is much faster than me. But we ran 3 miles together in the rain. And then he made the stir fry. Maybe this alone is a reason to run more often?

I can't touch my toes. I found this out when I was attempting to stretch my hamstrings after running. So I'll add this to the list of Things I Need To Do, on the list so far:
Stick to my training plan.
Not drink alcohol until the start of the Olympics.
Stretch after running so I can touch my toes.
Eat properly (I'm working on this).

I like a good list. I make them for everything. I like ticking things off. I think in life there are 2 kinds of people, those who make lists and those who don't. Are there those that like running & those that don't? Or are there just people who run & people who don't? Will I ever be someone that 'likes' running?

Excuses excuses

So this is the point in my day when I usually start to think of Reasons Not To Run. It's raining, I'm tired, I won't get home from work on time, the dog ate my homework. Those sorts of reasons. And all of them are really excuses for the real reason which is I can't be bothered.

I need to eat better food if I'm going to do this. I'm educated enough to know that a packet of hula hoops is not a nutritious or sufficient lunch. And I do have a tendency to lecture other people about healthy eating. So I guess that's another thing that writing this blog is going to help me do. I just have to be a little more organised. Make lunch to take to work. Have proper food in the house - cheese & crackers might be my favourite thing to eat but maybe not 3 times a day. Stop drinking wine. No, really stop drinking wine. I've made a pact with my husband that we won't drink any alcohol from now until the Olympics. How long until I crack?

Monday 2 July 2012

Hangover Hill Sprints

Nothing like jumping in at the deep end... so after a weekend filled with junk food, alcohol and late nights I ran up & down a hill 6 times and was almost sick in a bush.

More details? I do some running, I've dabbled with running on & off for about 10 years. I always have good intentions but seem to have little staying power and then I get bored. I can always come up with an excuse not to run.

This time though I am determined. I am going to stick to a training programme and I am going to do the Great North Run in September feeling as though I am prepared.

This blog is going to help me to do this. This is week one and this is my plan:

Tues 3 miles
Thurs 3 miles
Sat 3 miles
Sun 5 miles

Other info...I am always surrounded by runners, my brother owns a running shop, my sister is a runner, my husband is a runner, lots of my friends run. So in theory I should be able to run. I like exercise. I try & train once a week with Rich from Results Conditioning ( god only knows how he puts up with me moaning!). I'm a member of a running club - the fantastic Derwent Runners. I just don't like running much. Probably because I just don't do it enough.

3 miles tomorrow? Can't wait.