Post run cocktails

I'm off work this week (and next), my plan was to sit & watch the Olympics. People that know me well, will know that I struggle to sit down for very long, so my vision of relaxing on the sofa with the tv for company hasn't really gone to plan. I made the mistake of making a list on Monday which has meant that I've spent most of the week so far, doing the jobs that are on that list. Our garden now looks less like a jungle though.

I managed to fit in a 35 minute run yesterday, in between digging in the garden, seeing my lovely friend Mrs Booth and making a chicken pie. It was the 'recovery run' that I should have done on Monday so was just a gentle jog. My calves were tight most of the way round even after doing some stretching but in general it was ok.

Tonight is an interval session with the Derwent Runners. We're doing:

6x90 seconds at 8 minute mile pace with 1 minute walk recovery.

I've learnt how to pre programme my fancy watch so (hopefully) it will beep at the right time. Last weeks session proved quite popular so we're expecting a good turn out.

Then, post run, I'm going to drink some cocktails with the fabulous Irene. I've not been out for what seems like ages so am looking forward to it. Drinking alcohol in general doesn't seem to mix well with running but I'm on holiday after all and Friday is a rest day so I shan't feel guilty.

I watched the legend that is Bradley Wiggins win gold in the time trial yesterday. What a massive achievement, wins the Tour de France one week & Olympic gold the next. He raced almost every day for 3 weeks and then had one week to prepare for the Olympics. I'll try to remember that on Monday when I'm moaning about a 35 minute 'recovery' run.

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.

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??

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.

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?