Sunday 9/11

Type: Long-ish
Time: 46mins 30secs
Distance: 5.6miles
Pace: 8.36m/m

I have a really sore throat at the moment, so unfortunately this run couldn't really have been any longer (felt pretty bad when I got back as it was). I felt I needed to get out as I'd been doing Uni work all morning, but the cold air hitting my throat was a bit uncomfortable. Hopefully this wee run (which has made me feel better mentally in retrospect) hasn't had too much of an effect physically.

Thursday 6/11

Type: Short Fast
Time: 14mins 50secs
Distance: 1.75miles
Pace: 8.12m/m

Had such a limited amount of time to do this run so just did part of a normal route very very fast. Had slight sore legs afterwards as I kept the pace up even on the uphills!

Wednesday 5/11

Type: Steady
Time: 33mins
Distance: 4.2miles
Pace: 8.30m/m

Again, another late night run with many layers on!

Monday 3/11

Type: Short
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.5miles
Pace: 8.50m/m

Did this run really late at night. Stupid Uni is getting in the way of all my runs these days ): The course is so time consuming - we're in pretty much 9-5/6/7 a lot of days, so by the time I get home and dinner made it's difficult to find the motivation to run, especially with the cold nights coming in. Despite that, I did this one with a big jumper on in the West End and really felt good afterwards.

Saturday 1/11

Type: Long-ish
Time: 55mins
Distance: 6.25miles
Pace: 8.55m/m

Had to cut this run short as I was due to be heading up to Fort William for a wedding in the afternoon and wasn't ready at all! Felt quite tight going out on this one as I hadn't done a good run whilst not tired in a while, but besides that all was well.

Wednesday 29/10

Type: Long Fast
Time: 56mins
Distance: 6.7miles
Pace: 8.40m/m

This run was terrific. Did it when I got home from Uni and although it was quite late, I'd had a nice big lunch so was full of energy. I went further and faster than I'd planned (as I was going out for dinner later and so needed to hurry) but I kept the pace and was really proud.

Saturday 25/10

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 17mins
Distance: 9.05 miles
Pace: 8.45m/m

This run was great! I was apprehensive as I hadn't actually run all week, but now I'm off the medication and I got a good 11 hours of sleep last night!! I headed out my usual route towards Torrance then back to Canniesburn. Conditions were bad - it was the worst rain I'd seen in a while and winds were strong. I came out of the little off-road path and emerged onto a 60-limit road (at the lowest point, unfortunately) JUST as a car came flying past and soaked me. My right headphone cut out and my t-shirt was ringing. But I finished the run in good spirits (coughing a little).

All part of the fun, eh?

Elevation profile:

Tuesday 21/10

Type: Steady
Time: 27mins
Distance: 3.30 miles
Pace: 8.20m/m

Did this run quite late at night, it was freezing cold. I think winter is definitely upon us! Would have stayed out longer but I didn't want to risk it (with the infection) and also it was getting really late and I'd work to do for Uni.

Sunday 19/10

Type: Longish
Time: 51mins
Distance: 6.3 miles
Pace: 8.30m/m

I've not been runnning much recently as I've had an infection which I'm on antibiotics for. I was also away in Alton Towers at the start of the week (such a long drive!) and I've been having 9am starts with interupted sleeps so I've been completely knackered.

This run was a kind of half hearted effort as it was very wet and I'd been out till 3 this morning, so I wasn't expecting much. That said, I did have a good run - I can't believe the pace! My Nike+ keeps crashing my ipod so I just did the old stopwatch + MapMyRun today and this is what I got! Hopefully I'll take it easy for a few days until I'm better then I'll have to try and sort out running balancing it with Uni and studying (and work!). Hopefully I'll be able to sort something out. It's always fun to run in the rain though so today's run was a big confidence and energy boost.

Sunday 12/10

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 33mins
Distance: 10.9miles
Pace: 8.39m/m

All in all I felt good about this run. I was maybe a little sleep deprived (I've been so sleepy recently with Uni being back and all) but I took lucozade and kept a good pace. Did the hilly route out from Balmore to the road towards Strathblane which was challenging. I did have to stop twice on the tougher of the many hills on that road, but once I was back at the resevoir I kept a good pace and felt stronger. Entered the Edinburgh Marathon 2009 last night, hopefully I'll have got a place. Loch Ness has made me realise how much I love running and how much it is a part of me now (sorry for the cheesiness). If anything can be that good for you and make you feel that good, it's gotta be worth a major place in your life!!

Thursday 9/10

Type: Steady
Time: 22mins
Distance: 2.65miles
Pace: 8.45m/m

First run after Sunday. I'd been itching to get out so I did this run later at night in the rain. Was good, but kept it easy as I'd like to do a long run this weekend.

Sunday 5/10

Loch Ness Marathon

Time: 3hrs 55mins
Pace: ~ 8.58m/m

Well, what can I say? A fantastic day. My bf and I were pretty much racing to the start from Inverness down the other side of Loch Ness and up from Ft Augustus in the car, nearly colliding with oncoming coaches in the process! I was surprised how few spectators there were at the start, but D got some good pictures and video as I crossed the start line.
The course itself was great, though more hilly than I'd anticipated! I thought D's constant reminders that it would be harder than Edinburgh were a bit of an exaggeration, but he was right. The good thing I thought though, was that every uphill was followed by a downhill. The climb into Foyers was a bit tough, but a good crowd the whole way along kept my spirit high. The scenery was great too, I even took my headphones out for a while a few times to take in the atmosphere.

Running down into Dores and who did I see? Yep, D was there with the camera cheering me on. It was amazing, it was so great to see him. He ran alongside me for a couple of hundred metres until I heard more people shouting my name. It was Suzie and Derek from the Scottish Veterans Residencies in Edinburgh! They offered me water and took some pictures which was great, and I said I'd see them at the end. I think it was this support from eveyrone in the middle which kept me going through the rest of the course.

Come 20miles I was feeling good. I managed the hill out of Dores without a problem...though no one made a deal of (and I seem to have forgotten about) the hill at 21miles which I found a bit of a challenge!! I didn't stop at all though, and kept a consistent pace. In the previous 2 marathons I've done, I've always hit the wall at about 18miles and really slowed to little more than a walk, but this time things just went so well. I knew the road quite well and kept telling myself it really wasn't that much further to go - this is what kept my pace I think. A little bit of rain at 21miles didn't even dampen my spirits.

I'd been behind this guy and seen him in my line of vision for a good while and about 24miles I noticed him slow to a walk. He bent over and I wasn't sure if he was actually just tired or hurt. When I slowly edged ahead of him, I glanced round and saw he just looked really tired. I was glad, so I offered him the little bit of lucozade I had left and then I continued, at a faster pace than before. He looked grateful, and I was pleased. I hope he got the time he was after.

Suzie was at 25miles waving and smiling. That was the last bit of encouragement I needed. As I rounded the track in the stadium and came in from the street, some stupid (yet completely energy boosting) "ned" music playing on my ipod, I gave it everything I had. Sprinted the last 100m and crossed the finish line with a smile on my face!!! Derek from the SVR and D were there to meet me afterwards, and I got given a lot of free lucozade which was fantastic! Took some photos for the SVR website (not sure if they're up there yet or not), then after a nice hug and congrats from D, headed back to his house for a fantastic Sunday lunch.

I was so pleased with my time, really over the moon. More so because it was such a more challenging course than Edinburgh and I never stopped once, when on my training runs I do usually stop for one reason or another.
So thanks so much to everyone - the guys from SVR, my parents and friends (in particular my cycling buddy) for all the good luck texts, thanks to John Kynaston for emailing me a really sweet congratulations, D's mum and dad for keeping me this weekend, all the people who sponsored me (means so much to me), and last but not least thank you Derek (:

Edinburgh 2009 here I come...

Wednesday 3/10

Type: Steady
Time: 34mins 16secs
Distance: 4.09miles
Pace: 8.21m/m

Again, another run after Uni to relieve the stresses which are starting to mount (very few so far, luckily!). I've been running as much as I feel this week in the build up to the marathon on Sunday. Eating a lot, resting plenty and generally feeling quite energetic.

Tuesday 2/10

Type: Short Fast
Time: 31mins 18secs
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.15m/m

This was a great one tonight. Started back at Uni today (hence the backlog of postings), doing a Msc in the business school at Strathclyde Uni. It's a bit different from Maths I must say, I miss doing maths, but this course looks equally interesting and it's good to see how things that you study can be applied to real-life scenarios. And of course, I can always head back to Glasgow to do a PhD in some kind of maths after this...

Monday 29/9

Type: Steady
Time: 27mins 50secs
Distance: 3.2miles

This was on the treadmill before squash. Did 800m slow, then 3 more 800m faster and faster, eventually reaching about 7.35m/m pace. Had a nice cool down after that. My boyfriend began getting competative on the treadmill next to me, and put his pace right up before warming up properly (rookie mistake!). He stopped pretty quickly and the gym was so busy he couldn't get on any other machines. Since we had lots of time to spare before squash, I felt bad so went and sat with him after a little session on the treadmill.

Sunday 28/9

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 37mins
Distance: 11.56miles
Pace: 8.35m/m

Headed out the usual route towards Torrance, then back via the big hill near where the cows are. I'm not actually sure where that big hill is...but I had to stop on it. I think it's a psychological thing to be honest! I know I always stop at the same points on the regular routes, maybe that means it's time to try some different ones. After the marathon, of course!

Friday 26/9

Type: Easy
Time: 45mins
Distance: 5.06miles
Pace: 8.50m/m

Can't remember anything distinctive about this run, think I did it in the west end. Was going out later on tonight so I think I cut it a little short, was planning to go longer.

Thursday 25/9

Type: Short/Fast/Hill Reps
Time: 25mins + 25mins
Distance: 3.3miles + reps

This was very very unexpected tonight! As I was heading out my short run, I heard somebody shouting to me "they're going that way". When I looked over I saw a man approaching me outside the gym. He told me he was the coach of the Glasgow Uni Hares and Hounds running club, and asked why I wasn't going out with the group (who'd presumably just left). I told him I'd never really been invloved in a club and explained a bit about my running. He told me to go for a 20min warm up then to meet them at Kelvingrove park for hill reps. He was very pleasant. Apparently he'd trained a commonwealth games marathon runner who used to come to Glasgow Uni.

I spent my whole run debating whether or not to meet them, but eventually thought "what the hey". So I did. It was around this time last year that my running took a turn for the worst because I had some real stresses in my personal life, and I'm just so so happy to be out running everyday again, with more confidence than I've ever had before. I figured, if I don't do this now, when will I? So, I went and met them after quite a fast warm up run.

I did 2 sets of 5 45second hill rep sessions with 1min 45 recovery. My average pace for each was about 7.55 m/m, which I guess is ok for a first time try. The coach seemed impressed I'd done all of them. A lot of people only did 3 reps. And here's the big thing - my legs were a little bit sore today! That's not happened after a mid week run in a long time!! So I must say, I'm impressed. I think I will join them for their hill rep sessions on a Thursday as much as I can manage.

All in all, a very interesting run.

Wednesday 24/9

Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles
Pace: 8.3m/m

A nice steady run just as it was getting dark. I enjoyed this one, though I felt we are getting into winter now as, while starting, I had the urge to pull my sleeves down to cover my hands as I was so cold! That feeling disappeared (as it usually does) about 5mins into the run though when the heat hit in!
I'm getting quite obsessed with elevation profiles now. This is a typical one from my mid week runs.

Saturday 20/9

Type: Long
Time: 2hr 45mins
Distance: 18miles
Pace: 9.10m/m

An amazing long run in Inverness with my boyfriend cycling alongside.

Did the upper road route (ie, not the one which the marathon will be on), which meant a very long, fairly steep hill out of Dores. I stopped 3 times, I must say, but only once through sloth!! One time I needed to take my jacket off, the other time my bf stopped and I figured (since he was a bit poorly and had driven me all the way out to cycle beside me) I would stop to keep him company. We were debating whether or not going up hill is easier cycling... Personally I think it's harder running as you have a little momentum on a bike....but he seemed to think the weight of the bike makes it harder.
Our debate ran dry however when it became harder to run/cycle up the hill and talk at the same time.

The course was absolutely beautiful, alongside a loch and the road was very quiet. It's great to have someone to chat to when you're running. I only used my headphones for the very end when D scooted off down the hill about 8 times faster than I could run. The last downhill was fantastic! Overall an absolutely brilliant run, I wish I'd done a few more runs up there when I was visiting in the past.

So now the plan is maybe an 11/12miler this weekend. I stayed up in Inverness longer than I'd planend and we were so busy (climbed a cairngorm on Monday - photos to follow), so I never got the chance to run again. I'll do three this week before the weekend, then next week perhaps 3 before Sunday, including one mid week seven miler. Can't believe the marathon is the weekend after next! It seems as though I've justbeen swamped over the past few months and it's crept up so quickly, which does pose the sponsorship money problem though - I'm not as high as I would have liked to be.
So I'm turning to you! My viewers!

http://www.justgiving.com/xtine-runs-onandon

Please, if you can, sponsor me. As little or as much as you can. I'd hate all this training to go to waste, I want to raise as much as I can!!

Wednesday 16/9

Type: Longer steady
Time: 52mins
Distance: 6.10miles
Pace: 8.30m/m

Decided I wanted to see a bit of countryside tonight, so instead of running in the west end after work I came home and ran out my usual Torrance route. Was a very good run! I was tired to begin with but I felt I kept the pace nice and steady throughout, and the gradual uphill the whole way back seemed very easy - even managed a 7.50m/m pace up the bit hill at the end!

I know there's always a complaint, but my nose felt numb and tingly a lot of the time today and out running too I think. I wonder what that is...

Tuesday 16/9

Type: Speeds
Time: 35mins
Distance: 4.3miles

Did a little steady warm up then every 5 mins or so I upped the pace to between 7.50-8.20 m/m, followed by 5 mins at about 8.40m/m. Was good. It was peeing down with rain, as it has been for a few days now (what's with this weather?) so I got absolutely soaked but it was nice and refreshing. I know I should really do faster speed sessions but I prefer having fun running any distance I want at a speed that's comfortable. I know I'll need to push myself out of my comfort zone though if I ever want to run a sub 3.45 marathon!

Sunday 14/9

Type: Long
Time: 3hrs 2mins
Distance: 20.2 miles
Pace: 9.05 m/m

I'd been dreaming about this run all night...not in a good way though! I woke feeling completely sick, because in my dream I'd been on a fairground ride which made me sick. Had a nice bowl of porridge, but some tunes on my ipod then went out. I went slowly and steadily at first, but completely lagged in the middle. It's strange, becuase at about 16miles I found inspiration again and was completely looking forward to the hills! It was quite hilly at about 16 miles, but I had to stop half way up. I saw a cow next to me and we just kind of looked at one another for a moment...then I started to run up the hill again.

The cow overtook me.

How humiliating. Anyway, finished this run feeling nicely refreshed, with a sandwich from tesco waiting. And consequently didn't stop eating the rest of the day. Next week's long run will be in Inverness on the marathon route, then I'm hoping to do a short 10/11 miler before the marathon. Got more sponsorship today too!

I compared my long run profile with the profile of Loch Ness. I don't think it's very accurate, as the Loch Ness course drops from over 500ft to 200 or so, where my elevation does have a few steep hills, the overall ascent and descent is a lot lower. I'm happy with the overall elevation though, especially the hill at 16miles which I gave my best shot!

Thursday 11/9

Type: Longer steady
Time: 52mins
Distance: 6.3 miles
Pace: 8.34m/m

I ate dinner early in work - the chef prepared pasta for me - then I went out a run in the gym. Had more time because my friend cancelled squash so I went a bit longer. Felt really good, think it's because I was properly fed today.

Was still pretty tired afterwards though, so went home and chilled.

Wednesday 10/9

Type: Swim

Just a little 10 lengths as planned. Feel it stretches my muscles out and makes them feel less tight.

Tuesday 9/9

Type: Short
Time: 33mins
Distance: 4.2 miles
Pace: 8.25m/m

I did this quick run after work. I've been feeling so lethargic these days - completely drained of energy. My job isn't taxing most of the time, but I have been working long hours and I've also constantly been thinking about what to do next year in terms of Uni, so I'm just tired all the time. I also don't think I've been timing my meals well enough - being in work I generally just have a banana sandwich most days and snack on nuts. It doesn't really fill me up well. This run went ok, btu I was very tired afterwards. Think I will go for a gentle swim and then one more run this week before the big long run on Sunday!

Monday 8/9

Type: Swim

Today my muscles were still a little tight, so I went a swim during my lunch hour. Did about 10 lengths front crawl then a couple of lengths breast stroke and backcrawl. I'm not a great swimmer but I do enjoy it! Plus a chill out in the sauna afterwards is always good.

Sunday 7/9 - Great Scottish Run

Type: Half Marathon
Time: 1hr 47mins
Distance: 13.1miles

Well.....this year's half marathon was good! Started off with my friend Gregor though lost him after a mile. Kept a steady pace and didn't slow at all for 11 miles...roughly 8.27m/m pace. However, when I reached mile 11 and saw the time was 1hr 31, I realised I'd have to push it to get 1hr 45 (which was my goal). So I really kicked up the pace, and did the last 2.1miles at about 8 m/m pace. I was so pleased with that, as I don't usually run at that pace, but unfortunatley I picked up the pace a little late and just missed 1hr 45. I was a little gutted but still really pleased!

My muscles were pretty sore afterwards, mostly my quads. Gregor did fantastically, finishing in 1hr 35! Well done to him - his first half. I'd also like to say a thank you to my boyfriend who, after me making us late and gregor and I just jumping out the car at George square, drove the car, parked it, walked about town and came to meet me at the finish. What a sweetie.

Feeling good about Loch Ness now!

Friday 5/9

Type: Easy
Time: 35mins
Distance: 4.00miles
Pace: 8.35m/m

Went this run after I finished work at lunchtime. Wasn't meant to be in work but got called in to fax some things. I'd spent the morning cleaning too so was pretty knackered but lunch time! I also thought I'd lost my contact lense in my eyeball before my run...turns out I hadn't. I'm still having so much hassle with them even though my optician (a fellow runner) says they're a MUST for the loch ness marathon!

My boyfriend came back from Inverness today so I went to collect him after this run and we had a wee party in my house at night....didn't get to sleep till about 5.30am...bit worried about the effect of that on Sunday!!

Thursday 4/9

Type: Speeds
Time: 30mins
Distance: ~ 4miles

This was 800m warm up and 800m cool down, with 6 x 800m fast @ roughly 7.50 m/m.

Wednesday 3/9

Type: Steady
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.8miles
Pace: 8.22 m/m

This run was done just after dinner, and it was pretty hot outside. I tried to give my dinner enough time to go down but I still felt a stitch coming on so had to slow it a little in the middle. I actually got new running shoes today. My old ones were pretty well wrecked, so I got the same Brooks Adrenaline. They're so pretty!!! They look so new though...and they're so....bouncy!

Tuesday 2/9

Type: Short
Time: 15mins
Distance: 1.5miles
Pace: 9 m/m

This was just a little short one since I didn't have much time. It was actually done on the treadmill because I did a 3k row afterwards. I feel I'm not really working on my core enough.

Sunday 31/8

Type: Long
Time: 2hrs 38mins
Distance: 17.6miles
Pace: 9m/m

It took me forever to actually get out this run! I got up really early and was nice and refreshed but I didn't head out until after 12.30pm. There were a few little problems with this run, overall though I was pleased with how I felt at the end.

Strangely, at the start I was completely knackered. My legs felt very heavy and I seemed to be very close to the ground, like I was really having to push off with every step...if that makes sense? Then, I chose a very very hilly few miles in the first few miles of the run. It was on road, but on back roads and I had to stop once or twice as the uphills were so daunting. Passed a few runners coming in the opposite direction so maybe I chose the wrong direction!

I think the reason may be that my shoes are worn out. When I got back from Barcelona my dad had left a note in my shoes saying something along the lines of "DO NOT run in these shoes, you're going to injure yourself permanantly...buy a new pair!!"
So I guess I should. I'm going to miss my old Adrenalines though! (sniff sniff)

Oh, and another thing. I've found my song of the moment. It's shocking - it's some teenage american princess off of a tv show my little sister tells me, but the song got me going during my big hill at the end of my run! For the first time in ages it made me run along with a huge smile on my face! Cars must have given me weird looks, but I really didn't care...this song totally boosted my spirits! The song is called "See you again" by Miley Cyrus.

Oh, and my mileage for August comes to a grand total of 109.98miles, with a 10 mile cycle too.

Friday 29/8

Type: Steady
Time: 41mins 30secs
Distance: 4.88miles
Pace: 8.32m/m

Felt much better today so headed out a wee run after leaving work at lunch time. The weather was good - it was very hot though. Passed another runner on the big hill back up to my house who seemed to be struggling as much as I was. Flashed one another a smile though and it gave me the "cheer" to keep going. A smile really does go a long way!

Thursday 28/8

Type: Speeds
Time: 26mins 30secs
Distance: 3.15miles

Did a few speedy miles at 8.15m/m before a 8.35m/m cool down for about half a mile. This was done during my lunch hour at work and I really wasn't feeling that great. In retrospect I need to stop doing this - going runs when I don't feel up to it. When I got back to work I just wanted to go to my bed. The run itself was good but it really drained me.

Had a lovely meal cooked for me that night (thanks toots ;) )while I lay on the sofa and watched a movie. Got a good nights sleep and rested for a day or so before my long run this weekend. Felt better the next day.

Wednesday 27/8

Type: Warm up
Time: 8mins 30 secs
Distance: 1 mile

Just a very very quick run before playing squash. Had to go straight from work so didn't have time for a longer run. Squash was great! I've been swapping partners recently so it's interesting to see the improvement from when I last played with each of them! My arms were really sore afterwards for some reason though.

Tuesday 26/8

Type: Short
Time: 23mins 30 secs
Distance: 2.8 miles
Pace: 8.23m/m

Well, after a nice relaxing weekend it's back to normality. This was just a wee run to break me in. My boyfriend is back from travelling around Europe now so I'm having the luxury of going out runs whilst he naps on my sofa...

Thursday 21/8

Type: Long
Time: 2hrs
Distance: 14.33 miles
Pace: 8.55m/m

This run was tough. As I'd written before, I'd kind of psyched myself up for it, but I didn't end up doing the course I planned because the head wind was terrible on the way back. It really slowed me down considerably. I kept going though towards the end my legs were beginning to feel like jelly - too long since I'd last eaten, this 14miler was practicaly done on empty.

I'm glad I did it though, now I'm going to pack for my trip after a nice hearty lasagne. Then it's bed at 9.30pm....this will be a laugh! (:

A thought...

I'm on my lunch break at work at the moment and I'm thinking about my long run later. I've got a route planned out, though it includes about 3 miles of ascent towards the end, followed by a long winding downhill. I'm feeling a bit mixed about this run.
I wouldn't normally write this down, but i have a bit of time to kill so I will. Firstly, I'm planning on taking this as slow as I like. I feel a bit apprehensive, like something is going to go wrong, I don't know why but I hopefully will be fine. I'm going away tomorrow which I'm so excited about as there'll be a little reunion for me - another thing which I'm really apprehensive about!! I've been thinking about it for a while now so I reckon the run will be a good head clearer...then I'll go home, have dinner, pack and get an early night. Gotta be up at 4am!!!

I could just miss out this long run, then however I'd only have one long run before the GSR half on September 7th, and I'd like to run Loch Ness in a good time.

On another note, I got my Nike+ fixed. I checked on the net and it seemed that people in America could take theirs to the Apple stores to get the batteries replaced. So I phoned up the Apple store in Buchanan St and booked an appointment to go in. When I did, the guy (who was very friendly) seemed a bit perplexed. He spent a while asking around, looking on his computers to see how on Earth the tiny little battery could be extracted and changed in this tiny wee device. Eventually, however, he just gave up.........and gave me a whole new one! Even opened the packet and handed it to me (: A great success - saved paying £19 for another one!!!!! So for any queries or worries you have about apple or related products, I'd definitely recommend going in to ask at the Apple store. They were so charming I was almost conned into buying another ipod (I have 5 already!).

Anyhoo, will update later tonight on the run. Best get back to work now. 3 hours till finitooooooo...

Tuesday 19/8

Type: Steady
Time: 36 mins
Distance: 4.30miles
Pace: 8.25 m/m

A good run, though the weather turned shocking so quickly this afternoon! I read in the paper that some areas in East Kilbride and Cambuslang were flooded - no surprise! It had stopped raining by the time I went out, and the drips from the trees were quite refreshing.

Played squash after this run, was a good game. Started off well but got quite tired towards the end though - to the supreme annoyance of my squash partner... I think I'll have a day off tomorrow before the long run on Thursday. Don't want to tire myself for my wee trip this weekend, and I'm feeling a lot more tired these days, maybe because I've increased my mileage by quite a lot in a short space of time. I'm excited to see how this month's mileage compares to last months!!

Monday 18/8

Type: Speeds
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.75miles

This was a good run after work. I was intending to keep it slow as my quads were still quite sore from the long run and cycle at the weekend, but I felt good so kept the pace up. Managed:
1mile @ 8.15 m/m
1mile @ 8 m/m
1 mile @ 7.50 m/m

Then I cooled down for the rest at about 8.45 m/m. Overall it was fun though my Nike+ thing keeps being stupid.

Sunday 17/8

Type: Cycle
Distance: 10miles
Time: 1hour

This was just to get out the house really, but I did include quite a few tricky hills while scouting for new running routes. It began to get really dark though, and as I was cycling back through this pitch black path I thought I heard someone come up behind me. Consequently I picked up the pace exponentially and stung my leg by cycling like hell through a patch of jaggy nettles.

Note to self - get lights for bike. Probably the smartest thing I could do at the moment...

Saturday 16/8

Type: Long
Time: 2hr 16mins
Distance: 15.5miles
Pace: 8.40 m/m

After not having run for a week and very much lazing out in Barcelona, I found this run a bit of a struggle at first. I was worried, because the course out along the canal to Kirkintilloch was essentially flat, though it was very warm. However, by the time I was running back along the main road, I'd found a new energy and really picked up the pace. There weren't any particuarly long hills on this run, but now I know of a few which next week I will include in my 17/18 miler.

I'm away to Paris at the weekend so, again, won't be running for a few days. I am, however, beginning to include cross training in my training plan so I'm hoping this will compensate. I think my next long run will either be done on Thursday night or, failing that, next Tuesday.

Saturday 9/8

Type: Long
Time: 2hours
Distance: 13.5 miles
Pace: ~9.10 m/m

This was a great long run. Was pretty rainy which wasn't fantastic, but it kept me cool. I ran out towards Torrance and back via McDonalds in Milngavie, where I stopped for water. I got some weird looks entering McDonalds to ask for tap water on a Saturday afternoon! The problem in the run arose at the big hill just after McDonalds. It was really the only difficulty, my legs were tired so I had to stop half way up and walk. It's not so much that this is a long hill, but it's fairly steep at some points. There's always people walking half way up too, which kind of spurs you on to keep running!!
I always run up the long, winding hill at the end of most of my runs though, so I'm hoping that this stands me in good ground for the hill at 17miles of Loch Ness. We'll see....

Tuesday/Thursday 5/7 /8

My stupid nike+ thing went dead and I lost all my run data, then I was on holiday in Barcelona between 10th and 15th of August.
I ran on these two dates and i reckon I covered about ten miles between the two. I may have run another day on the treadmill, I just can't remember. Argh.

Monday 3/8

Type: Steady
Time: 39 mins
Distance: 4.90 miles
Pace: 7.55m/m

I'm simultaneously giddy and angry about this run. Firstly, it was kind of an accident - I had a mix up over squash times and missed my court, so I went a run instead. I'd had a big pasta dinner and I think that's tje reason the run went so well. I had so much energy throughout, even "sprinting" (this pace is a sprint for me!!!!) up a long, winding hill at Hyndland. BUT, here's the thing. I forgot my Nike+ sensor thing in my ipod, so this run which I'm very proud of never got registered! Ah well. To be honest for all I love my Nike+ (it's a lot easier and quicker than mapmyrun), I think mine might be malfunctioning - after every single run I hear Paula Radcliffe's voice saying "Hope you're feeling great, cause you're certainly doing great, you've covered 500 more kilometers..."

Somehow I don't think "she's" rightly praising me with this every time I run! Anyway, loved this run, and was especially proud of how fast I went considering the large hill in the middle.

Saturday 2/8

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 30mins
Distance: 10.40 miles
Pace: 8.55 m/m

I think the first 3 miles of this run were done at a slower pace than the last 7ish, so the average pacing is a bit off. It was a gloriously sunny day today, I'd spent the morning at the opticians who was letting me try out contact lenses. He's a runner himself, and he pointed out that I'm doing what is, perhaps one of the most scenic marathons in Scotland and I won't be able to see very much beyond the runners in front of me!
It's true, I'm quite short sighted, and I never wear my glasses out running and it's a shame as I miss the details of the scenery I run amongst. Today's run was focused out in the country which was fantastic. I managed a new route with a sharp ascent, though I did get lost half way and had to stop for 5mins waiting for a phonecall with directions!!!

By the end of the run I was feeling great, though I thought I shouldn't push it, so stuck with the ten miler. Didn't have too much to eat straight after, but was out at a party where the buffet was welcomed that night!!!!

Friday 1/8

Type: Warm up
Time: 15mins
Pace: 9.30 m/m

This was a warm up run before I rowed 3km. I wouldn't normally have included this, but what I notcied was that the calf pain was more of a click now than an actual pain, and it's definitely associated with going uphill.....maybe that's not so good for the marathon planned!

Thursday 31/7

Type: Steady
Time: 36mins 30secs
Distance: 4.36miles
Pace: 8.22 m/m

Okay, so I didn't really stretch as much as I should have before this run, but I did stop half way through and stretch out my calf. As this run was in the West End, it's a lot less hilly, so there was a lot less pain, which was good. All in all, I was pleased with this run.

Wednesday 30/7

Type: Steady
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.25 miles
Pace: 8.55m/m

The pain came back. Argh. While I was travelling in Europe we were walking around so much I developed a pain in the back of my knee. It's been constantly niggling for a while but not really sore as yet. Until this run. Everytime I went up a hill it hurt, hence the slow pace. I'm really annoyed. I thought not running for 3 weeks would help injuries heal! I've been massaging it a little, and tonight I'm going to stretch for a long time in the gym before heading out a run. If the pain comes back I'll stop and cross train tonight. I'm hoping it will be a bit better for the long run this weekend.
Ah the joys.

Monday 29/7

Type: Speeds
Time: 30mins
Pace: 5 mins @ 9.3m/m, 10 mins @ 8m/m, 10 mins @ 7.30 m/m, 5 mins @ 9.3m/m

A very quick speed session on the treadmill before playing squash. I'd eaten too quickly though prior to running so developed a bit of a stitch, but i stretched it out. I like the sprints, but I need some more good music on the old ipod if I'm going to make a regular deal of them. Right now my running "choon" (as my best friend would say) is Kids by MGMT. I'd recommend it!
Squash was brilliant (as usual), though the mosquito bites on my legs made my partner think I'd been involved in some kind of fight. We didn't keep points but I did make some good sneaky moves. I need to build up my strength and stop focusing on the wee sly shots!!
After squash I rowed for ten mins. Arm muscles were quite tender a few hours later.

Sunday 28/7

Type: Cycle!!
Time: ~5/6 hours
Distance: 64 miles

My cycling friend and I went along the Forth &Clyde Canal to the Falkirk wheel, where we stopped for lunch, then we continued along Union canal to Edinburgh. Was a roasting hot day, we were sweating like crazy! Plus we kept a constant pace of about 12-15mph and all the flies ended up down my top! It was a really easy path, though we were both quite tired from late nights before. Dined in Edinburgh then cycled home from Glasgow Queen Street (stopping for a little pint refreshment on the way of course)
All in all, a good day's cycling. Hoepfully building up the muscles for the impending long runs!

Friday 25/7

Type: Long
Distance: 6.42miles
Time: 56mins 16secs
Pace: 8.45m/m

My first "long" run since starting back at my training. Felt okay though it was pretty warm outside. We're having a little heatwave in Glasgow at the moment. I practially ran out of work at 4pm so I could get to the gym and get out a run. The route was the usual one, only stopped once for traffic lights and ran the whole way up the big hill at Queen Margret Drive quite fast. I was glad I got over 6miles as the back of my leg is still hurting a little. This Sunday i plan to cycle 50miles to Edinburgh, so hopefully that non-impact will constitute my long run.

Thursday 24/7 (It's been so long!!)

Whaw, where to start?
To be honest, this is just going to be the quickest run down of the past few months I can manage before I get this blog up and running again!
in my training for the Edinburgh marathon this year I developed a chest infection which knocked me out for about 3/4 weeks. This, combined with studying for exams, really knocked my training, so I decided that, instead of running a competative race I would run for charity. Managed to raise £200 for Christian Aid, and I completed what was probably the best run I've ever done in a time of 4hours 10 mins.
In addition, I walked the West Highland Way over 5 days, and I cycled from Glasgow to Inverness over 4 days (over 200miles!). I've been travelling around Europe so that's me just back on with my training after 3 weeks of rest.

My next goal is the Loch Ness Marathon on October 5th, which I'm very happy to be running for the Scottish Veterans Residencies. Aiming for sub 4hours, but I'll be happy with whatever time I get as long as I raise as much money as I can!

In other news, I finished my degree (2:1) which I'm thrilled about...contemplating going back to do a PhD, in the meantime working full time and training!

So here's to a fresh start at training for yet another marathon....cheers! (:

Tuesday 22/7

Type: Easy
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.7miles
Pace: 8.50m/m

A nice night run to break me back in gently. Have a slight twinge in the back of my right leg from walking so much while I was travelling! Will keep an eye on that.

Wednesday 23/7

Type: Steady
Time: 35mins
Distance: 4.27miles
Pace: 8.2m/m

I was so excited to get out and do this run after work. The sun was beating down and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thursday 3/2

Type: Easy
Time: 28mins 30secs
Distance: 3.3miles
Pace: 8.40m/m

A good easy run today. Was tired but made myself get up and took a quick bowl of frosted wheats (maybe not the best cereal) and that fuelled me on. The first part of the route was quite hilly too - through the woods at the back of the house. Want to go out on WHW tomorrow morning though will need to get up quite early to do that I think!!

Wednesday 2/1

Type: Steady
Time: 44mins
Distance: 5.45miles
Pace: 8.05m/m

This was a brilliant run today, I'm so pleased. I was kind of freaked out over how bad Sunday's run was, and I'd kind of forced myself into thinking I was doing a long run today. But I was still fairly tired from the New Year's festivites so decided to keep this one a steady one. The voice on my ipod isn't working unfortunately. think I might have to send it back.
Not that I make resolutions, but if I did, it would be to stick to a marathon schedule. I really have to! The Edinburgh marathon ballot is drawn on 15th, so fingers crossed!!