More thoughts

Had a run this morning before work which really woke me up. I read people's blogs, people who go running at 7am and earlier, and I completely admire the "oomph" they have that makes them able to do this! Don't get me wrong, I get excited when I'm going out a run...but if I woke up at 7am I wouldn't have the energy to go out a run - that I'm sure of! Do people who go running at that time do it without eating breakfast first? If so do they not feel completely drained of energy? I have a friend who, although new to runnning, swears by running first thing without eating first. He does 10+ miles without eating before, and wihtout drinking anything while running, too. Is this good? It works for him, but can it work for everyone? I'm baffled. I used to go to the gym every morning for 7.30am, and I'm sure I still could...but I needed to get up at 6.30 and have breakfast first...which rendered me useless come 5pm. But others seem to keep going all day long! Mysteries of life I guess.

On another note, I'm doing my medicine application right now. It's due in soemtime in October, and I'm having a bit of trouble squeezing in everything I want to say - why do I want to be a Doctor....It did get me thinking, however, just how my running has pushed my confidence to limits I didn't know I had. I feel that now, after completing 4 marathons and putting in all the training around my Uni work, that a whole gateway of opportunites have been opened for me...and there's very little I can't do - including another 5 years at Uni in an intensive course like medicine. Call me big headed (please don't actually), but I feel I'm a lot more capable than many people coming straight from school, and even some who have already done a degree as well....because I know if I want something badly enough I will be able to do it, and put in the effort required to make myself and others proud. This gives me a unique sense of confidence whilst going through the application process.

Sappy, I know...but I needed to get that off my chest.

Saturday 12/9

Type: Long
Time: ~ 3hrs 10mins
Distance: 21 miles
Pace: ~9.30min/mile (including walkingna few times)

After a comment left on my last post (thank you, Davie), I decided to try a new route, so went along West Highland Way from near Carbeth to the main road leading to Killearn, then ran down that road back to Stockiemuir Rd, and then along a track road ultimately heading towards Dumbarton. Better explained here:

The run went well I felt, for the first 16 or so miles (despite having to walk up a few hills). Then, however, I think the hills started to kick in. The heel of my right foot has always given me problems, and it was really sore this time - so much that I had to walk more than I would have liked.

Ultimately, I thought when I did run, I kept a good pace (roughly 9.15min/mile, right at the end too) but the walking was the big annoyance. Plus my Nike+ thing konked out on me at the very end so I can't even see my speed chart thing! At the end of the day I'm glad I covered the distance but am kicking myself (not literally - that would hurt) for pushing myself at the start when my heel wasn't so bad.

Some thoughts....and musics!

Ok, so I want to get this out my head really quicklyu before I start my Uni work...

I have to do a long run tomorrow. I say "have" to - what I mean is I want to do a run on west highland way, but I don't think I can....as I'm training for an on-road run. This run needs to be 20-22 miles...so I was thinking I would run out to Balmaha from my house. That would be 21miles no problems...but I don't think I could run up conic hill...this cutting out a section due to walking which I don't really want to do. I could always run to Drymen then run along the road to Balmaha....but I still don't think that's 21miles (I'm fairly sure the road round conic hill cuts out a lot of the mileage).

So another option is to run towards Drymen then along cycle route 7 to Balloch and get the train back from there. This seems more appropriate, but it's not the WHW, is it? This is one thing that gets me down about training for road races. I love the races, and I love all the training up to about 4 weeks before when I need to crank the mielage up. Then I find it really hard to think of nice road routes I want to do 20+ milers on.

I'm fairly sure this blog is only read by a few people but if they have any advice for a nice, 20-22 miler from my Milngavie somewhere...where I won't be stopping much and yet still enjoying scenery other than some trucks, buses and car fumes please let me know!

Another thing to say, quickly, is that I discovered this blog online:
http://www.popround.com/category/genres/indie/

If you scroll down the page there is some great mixes from 2008 with some fantasic songs for long runs...keep you bobbing along the whole way (:

(I'm not sure how legal it is to advertise other people's sites online...especially if they don't know you read them...so if the creator sees this I hope he takes it as a compliment!)

Thursday 10/9

Thursday 10/9
Type: Speeds
Distance: 5.4km (3.36miles)

I warmed up for 800m then did 1k @ 8min/mile, 7.45min/mile, 7.25min/mile (with 400m jog recoveries) plus a 800m cool down

This was done on the treadmill, admittedly, but I did keep the incline up for most of it (bar 400m) which I felt quite good about. In addition, I forgot my ipod...so I did it without any music. Outside, this wouldn't be a problem...but on a treadmill? Not so fun. The run though was good and I felt very pleased! I went and did the muscle machines after - abductor/adductor (ie, the machine where you have to spread your legs apart to a room full of people....losing dignity slightly...though makes you feel the need to keep pulling those pads towards one another...hence working the muscles....hence giving you a good incentive to keep going!)

Ah the joys of being an active person =D

Tuesday 8/9
Distance: 3.85miles
Pace: 8.22min/mile

This was meant to be an easy run but it really wasn't! My inner thighs for some reason were incredibly tight after the GSR on Sunday...It's not really happened before so I didn't want to push it too hard. It was raining like crazy when I did this run, right after a job interview. It really helped to clear my head before I started my Uni work, though it definitely wasn't easy!

I used to think that my easy run pace was roughly 8.50min/mile...but latelly it has been faster...I'm at a loss wondering why this is? Am I getting faster? I don't think so!!

If I compare this to the elevation though....similarities?

Sunday 6/9

Great Scottish Run
Time: 1hr 51mins
Distance: 13.1miles
Pace: 8.31min/mile

Despite the rain, this turned out to be a great event. As usual, the start was incredibly crowded. My friend (his first half) and I had to kind of shove our way into the muster, then it really took a while to start moving properly (I'm sure this put at least 2 mins onto my time...) Once we did though, it was a good run. The crowds were fantastic! Seriously, nobody does support like the Glaswegians! I felt I managed to keep a good pace, however I did lag a bit in the middle (as my Nike+ confirms ;) )


That, I'm sure, is a result of the horrible "new" race strategy which goes through my head as I approach the middle of a race! I decide that, after starting off at a good pace I should decrease speed then pick it back up at the end...how silly, but at the time I think "yes! What a great idea..." just as my pace slows slightly. Also, I actually cut my foot (inside my shoe...who even knows how that happened) and had to stop momentarily which explains the serious lag at 10miles.

Anyway, finsihed in good spirits, though not really feeling I'd pushed myself 100% (thank you spur-of-the-moment race strategy). My friend finished in 1hr 44, which is a great first effort, though he did have slight chaffing of the nippular area (something he suddenly remembered at the start of the race).

As an after thought too, I;ve been thinking. After Loch Ness Marathon I think I have 2 plans (for this year anyway!). I will do the Nike+ Human Race 10k on 24/10/09. This is basically where hundreds of people go out on that day and run a 10k then connect their Nike+ to the computer and log their times...it's a virtual race! (: Also, I will try and do a half marathon in November, if I can. I think after I've logged the miles for the marathon I might be able to do some more speed sessions and maybe get a half marathon time that ISN'T around 1hr 50 (as they always are!!).

Saturday 5/9

Type: Easy
Distance: 2.79miles
Pace: 8.24min/mile

Just an easy one before the half marathon tomorrow, though ended up being faster than expected. I was busy doing Uni work too, so wanted to get back and do that. As it so happens, I managed to get a lot of work done...finished a chapter and started another one.

I've just been messing about with my Nike+ thing online, it's actually pretty neat. It monitors exactly when you slow down, when you speed up, when you play your power song (yes, that's what it's called - the tune that gets the hairs standing up on the back of your arms!!)
Here is an example from my 17/18 miler at the weekend past.



As you can see, I'm not the most consistent pacer in the world! I always dwindle a little in the middle and then pick the pace up at the end. It's ok for training runs but I worry it'll be my downfall in achieving pb marathon and half marathon times...Oh well. Off to watch a film (The Fall...very good, beautifully acted!), have some smarties and get an early night before the Great Scottish Run tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

Thursday 3/9

Type: Long-ish
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.8miles
Pace: 8.18min/mile

Headed out today after writing up my dissertation for quite some time. It makes you feel so energetic sitting at a computer for hours on end. This run ended up being at a good pace, despite the wind in my face for most of the way back. Was out for dinner tonight too, which was a cool treat afterwards...as I was very hungry!

My eating patterns have competely changed recently. I eat so much for lunch and just seem to kind of pick at dinner. I don't think this is good for doing morning runs though, especially since I've re-started doing my speed sessions on the treadmill. Also...if I eat a big dinner I get excited going a run 1-2 hours afterwards because I know I'm giong to have loads of energy...is that weird?? I heard you're not meant to run just before you sleep as running awakens your "happy hormones" which keep you awake, it tends to put me to sleep though. Maybe it's just backwards for me, who knows.

Tuesday 1/9

Type: Tempo
Time: 35mins
Distance: 5.8k (4miles)

1k warm up then 3 x 1k @ 8min/mile, 7.50min/mile, 7.40min/mile (w/ 500m recoveries) then 800m cool down (plus weights)


Monday 30/8

Type: Easy
Time: 35mins
Distance: 3.85miles
Pace: 8.35min/mile

Saturday 29/8

Type: Long
Time: 2hrs 24mins
Distance: 17.70 miles
Pace: 8.59 min/mile

A good run on what was a very unpredictable Saturday. It had been raining on and off all day but fortunately didn't rain at all the whole time I was out. I think I was running away from the rain clouds to be honest. Only stopped once or twice on the way round - my bf came to meet me for the last 6 or so miles which was good too.
Elevation:


This week too, I did:

Thursday 27/8
Type: Hill sprints
Distance: ~ 3.5miles
Pace: 1.2mile jog then 6 x1min hill sprints then 1.2 mile jog

Tuesday 25/8
Type: Tempo
Time: 35mins
Distance: ~5k

Warm up then roughly 3k fast followed by cool down.

And last week's long run (15.5miles @ 9.25m/m pace) elevation:

Sunday 16/8

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 46mins
Distance: 11.85miles
Pace: 8.55min/mile

I was so glad it wasn't raining when I started this run! It's been raining continously for about 3 days now, and although it's windy the weather held up for me today. It took me a while to get out and ready for this run but when I got out it was good when I did. Headed a route I used to run which includes a few big hills, and is mainly uphill (I think!). On the whole felt I coped well, though running out of water at mile 9 meant I needed to cut this run about a mile short...just couldn't keep going!

So far in August I have run 49.5miles. This is roughly 3 or 4 runs a week including one gym session (x-trainer/rowing/swimming). Now, the GSR half marathon is coming up and I am feeling a little pessimistic. I think I'll get over 1hr 50mins. Obviously I will try for under, but my speed isn't great on my longer runs. When I go faster, I tend to have to stop. When I don't stop, I feel so negative and it just dominates my thoughts so when I come to a hill or something I NEED to stop.
Something else I'm conscious of is that my long runs aren't building up well for my marathon in October (Loch Ness). I'm finding it hard to motivate myself whilst I'm out, even though I look forward to it the day before (if it's sunny) and put listen to podcasts the whole way. I generally stop for a time and walk...which sucks when I used to be able to run 26.2 miles without stopping!!

If anyone (who still looks at this blog!!) has any advice on this I would greatly appreciate it. I have been thinking about running with a club recently but I just don't know if I'll have the time...I may look into it though - it would be a great motivation I'm sure.

Once again, it's been so long

Can't believe I've not posted here since November last year! Another marathon and another New Year later here I am again, training for Loch Ness which I am again running for the Scottish Veterans Residencies.

Edinburgh went ok, though nowhere near my best time - got roughly 4hrs 8mins on what was probably the hottest day of the year! Did manage to raise nearly £200 for Christian Aid, which was fantastic though, considering the marathon was run during exam time and I had very little time to do anything remotely related to fundraising! Passed the exams well though, and am now concentrating on doing a dissertation as I search for a job...what joys. Applying to do medically related jobs while I do my application for going back to actually study the subject next year...so it's all go, but enjoying getting the balance between work and play nonetheless......
........... It is summer after all!

So here's the monthly run down of running...and here's to a good summer before a good Loch Ness!

April 2009: ~130miles plus West Highland Way cycle (95miles) - fantastic but pretty damn hard!
May 2009: 148.97 miles plus Edinburgh Marathon
June 2009: 26.33miles (!!) plus lots of tennis, squash, gym and cycling
July 2009: 23.85 miles (these are the months of "rest"!) plus Great Glen Way cycle (75miles) plus gym and lots of swimming

...

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!!

Sunday 29/12

Type: Long(kind of)
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.65miles
Pace: 8.2m/m

This really was not a good run today. I was completely knackered after staying out late last night and tried to squeeze this long run in between eating and playing squash (with a new partner), but I started far too fast and had to stop twice, also had to walk up a hill once...and my new ipod broke. what good fortune. So I just tried to keep the pace quite fast and cut the run short. I think I'll try to do another long run this week sometime, maybe monday. I'm not too sure.

Friday 28/12

Type: Steady
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.75miles
Pace: 8.3m/m

I slowed the pace half way through this run because I started too fast. It wasn't very cold which was good, but it was wet and rainy.

Wednesday 26/12

Type: Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.15miles

6min warm up at 8.45m/m
4.2miles of 4x5min speeds at 7.50m/m , with 3 min recoveries between
9 min cool down at 8.50m/m

I went out to the waterworks and did a nice set of speeds on the flat ground with my new nike+ It's actually quite good to have a voice in your ear spurring you on. I lost myself a bit during the second speed, but tried to keep the time up and keep on going. Kept passing the same people over and over too, sometimes slow on recoveries, sometimes fast on speeds. All in all a good run.

Monday 24/12

Type: Easy
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.15miles
Pace: 8.3m/m

26.4mins at this pace followed by the hill at roughly the same pace. This run was really good - I wanted to run today so I could have Christmas day off, so I kept it fairly easy so my legs wouldn't be sore. As it so happened, the run was great. The rest of the day wasn't so good, but the run was. And it was quite Christmassy...Tesco was mobbed!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday 23/12

Type: Long
Time: 2hrs
Distance: 13.7miles (offroad)

Went onto the WHW for a long run with my cycling buddy. This was actually a really good run, it was so cold and icey but the paths were very busy and we did a fairly flat route. I ran the majority of the way, besides one incredibly steep path which i walked up...and we both kinda slipped back down... I took a few videos though which was good, and when I got home I had a nice relaxing afternoon before hanging out with a friend at night. Awesome stuff.

Friday 21/12

Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles

23.29mins at 8.15m/m pace for 2.85miles then 11.10mins at 8.3m/m.
Plus 2.16 hill at 7.55m/m !

That pace for the hill at the end of the run was actually phenomenal for me! pretty pleased about that. Rest of the run was good, saw my runner next door neighbour who waved, apparently he was out this morning, I wonder if he's training for a race....

Thursday 20/12

Type: Speeds
Time: 34mins
Distance: 4.2miles

6.38min easy pace + 3 x 3.30min speeds with 3min recovery jogs + 6min steady

Quite a tough run, the speeds weren't so much "speeds" as they were faster than average pace. I'd had a late night and was pretty tired but did cope quite well. Plus the little 17 sec hill sprint at the end made me feel strangely accomplished...

Tuesday 18/12

Type: Slow
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5miles
Time: 8.45m/m

I kept the pace fairly slow on this run, mainly because I didn't want my legs to become sore from yesterday when they weren't already. It worked well. Had some new music on my ipod and I felt full of energy at the end. Had a 10 minute row afterwards and a nice hot shower. Wore my friend's woolen gloves and my hands were so hot a sweaty! I think some of my birthday money is definitely going towards running gloves!!

Monday 17/12

Type: Long
Time: 1hr35mins
Distance: 11.1miles
Pace: 8.33m/m

My 21st birthday! I went a long run before playing squash, and it was great! Although I don't think the temperature was much about 0*C so it was incredibly cold outside! I've begun a training schedule now (on the runnersworld site), and i'm aiming to follow (as closely as I can) the sub 3.30 one. I may need some luck!
Squash was fantastic too. "Anon" got me a raquet for my birthday and it's a good one...I think I could have whipped his ass if I'd been playing to my full potential, though I was a little cold after the run. Also rowed for 10mins, and I've found that eating cashew nuts really helps me keep my strength after I run.

Friday 14/12

Type: Steady
Time: 28mins + 2.20mins hill
Distance: 4miles
Pace: 7.50mm

I am in an extremely good mood today (:
I feel terrible for not updating this! I have a diary full of running times that I've not marked up, mainly because I've forgotten the distances which I did! The longest run I've done recently was 16miles on the West Highland way with my cycling buddy who's hand is completely better now! We've done that route twice recently. I didn't have time to do a long run last weekend unfortunately and I felt myself coming down with a wee cold, so I figured taking one week off shouldn't hurt!

I entered the Edinburgh marathon again and plan to do another half marathon early next year, and one closer to the marathon too (that is if I get in, which I really hope I do!)

I'm going to come on here when I'm off during christmas at some point and update with all the runs I've done. For now though I'll just put in todays run....oh, and it's my 21st birthday on Monday!


Wednesday 12/12

Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.45miles

These were 2-3 minute speed sessions with recovery jogs in between. Just a quick one.


Tuesday 11/12

Type: Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.2miles

I completely knackered myself after the first of these speeds sessions so i did the others slower. They lasted about 2/3 mins each but they were mainly downhill. I started and ended with a 5-8minute gentle jog but both were uphill and the jog home was fairly tiring.

Monday 10/12

Type: Easy
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4miles
Pace:8.40m/m

I just fancied getting out for this run, since I'd not done my long run yesterday. I was fairly busy at the weekend.

Thursday 6/12

Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles

Can't really remember much about this run, other than I did 17mins at a reasonable pace then sped up for a short while then eased off a little towards the end, so the overall pace wasn't a steady one.

Monday 3/12

Type: Easy
Time: 27mins+2min hill
Distance: 3.7miles
Pace: 8m/m

This was my first run in ages at home. Was good though I'd forgotten how hilly it is!

Wednesday 24/10

Type: Easy
Time: 28mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 8.35m/m

Wasn't planning on running this evening but the thought of sitting studying for hours without some of that post-exercise adrenaline was extreme motivation for me to go out. It was a freezing cold night though and I only had a tank top! I'd only brought my running stuff just incase but turns out that, with the pace a little faster, I stayed pretty warm the whole time. And I've been given a new pair of headphones, woo! I swear, hearing some of those dance tracks at full volume for a change REALLY spurred me on!! I was tingling when I got back to the gym and I swear that was the good music....and probably goosebumps. So thank you to anonymous!

I've actually been itching to get out on the WHW, but my cycling buddy's hand is still healing, he's not to cycle for another 6 weeks or so. Looks like that plan will have to be postponed. Just looking forward to heading out there for a couple of hours one crisp winters day.

Tuesday 23/10

Type: Short Fast
Time: 22mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 7.20m/m

I went really, really fast here. Somebody overtook me at the very start of the run and I tailed them the whole rest of the way...I must admit it was pretty competative, because I was definitely getting faster...and they definitely knew i was there so they must've been speeding up too! The cheek! I hate overtaking people, but racing somebody up a hill just so they don't overtake you is a bit of a joke. I eventually just gave up, crossed the road and ran back. Would have liked to run longer but I needed to tutor later on that night and I was also playing squash again. I've started to feel a little twinge on the inside of my knees when I run which is a little worrying. Luckily though it's both knees, so I'm hoping that the chance of an injury is minimum. Will take a rest on Thursday and do my usual long run on Saturday, maybe try for a faster 10miles.

Monday 22/10

Type: Steady
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4.35miles
Pace: 8.15m/m

A pretty fast paced run. Problem is though, that I have this pretty bad habit these days of just abandoning what I'm doing to get out and run. Okay, so it only takes an hour or so, but Uni work is building up...and my headphones are broken. The music is so quiet - that's annoying.

Saturday 20/10

Type: Long
Time: 1hr20mins
Distance: 8.10miles
Pace: 9.2m/m

I did the first half of this long run really slowly, and then for some reason found a lot of hidden energy in the second half. I pretty much belted the second half (I think it may have been the lucozade kicking in) so I think this pace is extrememly inaccurate. I slept in this morning so didn't have enough time to do a really, really long run (as I was playing squash afterwards) so when that happens, I try to compensate by doing a shorter "long" run but doing it a fair bit faster. And squash afterwards was grrrreat!

Uh-oh!

I've not posted in so long! I've been extrememly tied down with Uni since I went back and haven't had much time for blogging. After the little lay off I had, I've gotten back into it full swing and have been concentrating on a lot of shorter, faster runs than longer, slower ones. I think a general sum up will do.

Thursday 27/09

Type: Steady
Time: 40.30mins
Distance: 4.6miles
Pace: 8.45m/m

Monday 1/10

Type: fartlek
Time: 45mins
Distance: 4miles

Friday 5/10

Type: Fast
Time: 45mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Pace: 8.25m/m

Saturday 6/10

Type: Short fast
Time: 32mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.30m/m

Tuesday 9/10

Type: Steady
Time: 55mins
Distance: 7miles
Pace: 8m/m

This was a really good run, though felt it was a little shorter distance than that.

Wednesday 10/10

Type: Short bursts
Time: 37mins
Distance: 3.9miles
Pace: 9.3m/m

I did this run slowly but every so often I just sprinted a couple of hundred yards. It all started when I was sprinting to get the green man, and I quite enjoyed it. So from then on everytime I saw something cool I just sprinted for a while!

Thursday 11/10

Type: Fast
Time: 37mins
Distance: 5miles
Pace: 7.3m/m

I did a little warm up here and then ran mainly in the 7.40 - 8m/m range.

Saturday 13/10

Type: Long
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m

This was a really good one too. Felt good afterwards so did 1mile on the treadmill when I got back to the gym before I played squash with a friend. I forgot to mention that I've very much gotten into squash now too, what a great game! And I have a fantastic coach....

Wednesday 17/10

Type: Steady
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: 8.45m/m

Thursday 18/10

Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.8miles

Did a 4.30min warm up then did 6 sets of 2min speeds followed by 2 min jogs. It was really good, I especially love sprinting past the traffic as it comes towards you!!!

Friday 19/10

Type: Easy
Time: 33mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m

Wednesday 26/09

Type: Long
Time: 1hr15mins
Distance: 8.32miles
Pace: 9m/m
Rating: 6

I felt so good while doing this run that I just kept going. It wasn't especially long but I'm glad I've been having no pains or tiredness since I have been running every day after a bit of a lay-off. My Achilles Tendon does still hurt a bit bt I've been doing plenty of stretches. This run was followed by a 20min row, for 3k.

Tuesday 25/09

Type: Steady/Hilly
Time: 39mins
Distance: 4.66miles
Pace: 8.2m/m
Rating: 5

The middle section of this run was a series of very steep hills which took me about 10 mins end to end. My average pace was about 9.05m/m on the hills, so it was a considerable slow down from before. I had horrible visions of having to stop and walk but I managed just fine. I was a little worried when heading back though because it started to get very dark and it was raining. I also had little in the way of reflectives on, which didn't boost my confidence much.

Also, the end hill took me just over 2 mins to get up, which was a fairly fast pace, all things considered!

24/09

Type: Easy
Time: 35mins
Distance: 3.95miles
Pace: 8.51m/m
Rating: 4

Took me 2mins50 to get up the hill at the end this time. I was expecting that to be the hardest part of the run but it actually wasn't. The run itself was actually surprisingly easy given I hadn't run properly for over a week.

Sunday 23/09

Type: With mum
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 5.15miles
Rating: -

3miles - 44mins - run/walk combo with my mum (she's just started getting back into running)
plus
2.15miles - 20mins - 9.20m/m

Did this run at the waterworks because it's nice and flat up there. I've not ran for over a week, though I didn't really feel any kind of strain or anything, I guess because I was doing it nice and gently. I hope the rest this week helped. I don't think it would have been a good idea to dive into the running given the stresses I was having. But it's primarily sorted now and this is a new chapter in my running. My new goals are another half marathon sometime in the winter (If I can find one) and also to plan my marathon for next year. I'm thinking Edinburgh or London, obviously more so Edinburgh becauase there's so little chance of me actually getting into London.

Friday 14/09

Type: Alternating
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.38miles
Rating: 8

23mins13 - 2.7miles - 8.35m/m
12mins - 1.35miles - 8.55m/m
9mins10 - 1.08miles - 8.30m/m
2mins10 - 0.3miles - 8.55m/m

This run was very tough, I hadn't had enough sleep the night before and I've also been a little stressed, so have lost my appetite. I was very much up for this session though half way out I really started to feel the toughness. Also, I'm not sure but I think I have a mental scarring about the road I was running on! See, it's a flat road and about 2miles long, but I'm absolutely positive that it slopes upwards. I start out with the best of intentions but once I get out about 1/2mile I'm absolutely exhausted and need to stop. It doesn't happen on any other road...and this one seems to be completely flat too! What's with that?

I think I've been pushing it a bit recently, especially with the gym sessions so I think I'm going to take a little break this weekend, maybe into next week too. I have a few things planned, and I'd like to settle back down into my routine before I have a run which is so tough it puts me off.

Tuesday 11/09

Type: Short
Time: 20mins
Distance: 2.38miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 5

I wasn't planning on running today but I felt quite "stressed" after work so went to the gym and ran in the west end. (The reason I put stressed like that is because my job isn't really very stressful most of the time...it's very satisfying actually, I just hate sitting still for 5 hours at a time) I headed out the usual route but my battery went dead in my ipod, and I was really getting into the music, so I decided to up the pace and just do a very shortened version of my run back to the gym again. When I got back, I did some cross training to give my Achilles Tendon a wee rest (it's been hurting a bit more recently - especially when I stood back up from my desk after my run yesterday) Here's my very light cross training diary:10mins rowing10mins cycling 20mins total body x-trainer
The machines at the gym have now had tv's installed in them and so it's a little bit more interesting than simply working out to music...although I still think running outside beats everything I did this afternoon. However - something interesting - I checked my heart rate on some of the machines today. I've not checked it since my heart rate monitor broke a couple of months ago. On the bike it was 135bpm when I was going fairly slowly. On the x-trainer it was 145bpm when I was pushing it slightly. Now I've been looking over the training diary which I kept from 1st October last year, and I've noticed that my heart rate used to be (on average) about 150-155bpm on the cross trainer and about 150-160 when I was cycling. So it has lowered quite significantly, and when I say "pushing it", I wasn't even breathing through my mouth which is good.

On another note, I've been looking to enter another race - I'm thinking a Cancer Research Race For Life 10k in Edinburgh. I'd like to raise money with a run sometime, and I think that is an excellent cause. Anyway, I'm also going to enter another half marathon because I think that is my favourite distance! I'm going to look for some big ones, even if they're not in Scotland I think I could make a wee holiday out of it if I travelled for one. There is a 10k in Inverness which has an absolutely stunning course, and I would love to do that but it's perhaps a bit soon after I go back to Uni, so I'll have to wait and see.

Oh, and my cycling friend has broken his hand whilst out on the West Highland Way! It's in a cast and he won't be able to cycle for a while, which is a real shame. Wishing him good luck and a speedy recovery.

Monday 10/09

Type: Long(ish)
Time: 1hr22mins
Distance: 9.5miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
Rating: 7

The pace here is perhaps a little inaccurate, my pace was really all over the place. I belted the first couple of miles, slowed in the middle and then belted the last few too. I blame the stupid car game. It really is addictive. Today I was racing the 159 all the way from St Georges X to Hyndland (where I lost it) but I managed to pretty much keep up with it the whole way, so I must've been doing some speed.
Add to that, that I saw my old driving instructor, though wasn't entirely sure if it was her or not. So I sprinted about half a mile up a hill to try and catch up with her car. Turns out it was her, but she didn't see me. I don't blame her really - I'm glad she never took her eyes off of what I was doing when I was learning to drive in her car!!

It was really hot today too. I had planned to go on for longer but I ran out of water. Stopped in Bradfords where the kind lady filled me up, but I went through that pretty quickly too. I also felt kind of drained. I was camping at the weekend and hardly ate at all...I can't really afford to buy meals out anymore! On Sunday I hardly ate anything at all - I had such a long, bad drive down from Fort William and by the time I got in at 8.45pm I just wanted my bed. So I think my theory was right - I know it's obvious, but the more you eat (well, the more proper meals) the better you are at running. My eating patterns have been all over the place this last wee while, I think it's just trying to balance the times I run with working, and doing Uni work too. If I run in the morning, have lunch at work and then go to Uni, by the time I get home at 7ish I have no appetite....which means that the following morning I'm sapped and knackered.

Anyway, I'm not complaining. On that note though the Mountain Biking Championships were great! The cross country wasn't as good as the downhill - that was awesome. Biking seems like a good sport, but I must say I still think I prefer running - it's much cheaper and more practical. You can run anywhere! (provided you have your running shoes, obviously) Also, I can't see how there can be any greater achievement between the two than running a marathon. You put in months of training and you literally move yourself 26.2miles...on your own feet. On a bike, okay you can achieve some fantastic things if you train, but still, you're not exactly moving yourself - it's you AND the bike. The bike is moving, you're just helping it move along. But who am I to judge.

Friday 7/09 (Run 2)

Type: Steady
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.31m/m
Rating: 3

This run was absolutely fantastic! I ran really late at night before joining my dad and some friends for a well earned drink (and by drink I mean cup of tea, haha) I didn't have a route in mind when I headed out - I just strapped the reflectives on and headed down the road. I like running when there's no traffic because I love to run on the roads (keeping an eye out obviously)
The reason this run was so easy, I've deduced, is because I had my dinner about an hour and a half before I went out. Pasta, quorn dippers (kind of like chicken dippers but...well...made with quorn) and beans. So I think I had a good mix of things in there and it really did fuel me. I think that's maybe why I struggle on some of my morning runs - because I don't eat late enough the night before...so consequently I've no energy when I actually do run. I'll need to test this theory.

I've also become obsessed with this song which I think I must've mistakenly put on my ipod - "Charlotte" by Air Traffic. It's brilliant! It came on just as I was sprinting up a hill and I swear it kept me going. I was so shocked at how fast I went during most of this run - for once I think I actually kept the pace the whole way through, which made that cup of tea afterwards all the more satisfying...

Friday 7/09

Type: Easy
Time: 26mins40secs
Distance: 3.17miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Rating: 5

PLUS 2mins14secs - 0.28miles - 7.58m/m uphill run.

I thought it might be fun if I began to record my times for the hill at the end of the run. I wasn't actually planning to run the whole way up, I was going to take the early turn off to my house but then 2 postal workers crossed the road and, not that I try to impress people or anything, but I just kept bolting up and on. My breaths were burning in my lungs afterwards, however I felt great. It's nice sometimes to just play things by ear - just go where you want and run as fast as you want without any planned destination in mind. I wasn't even planning on running today but I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't get back to sleep (I dreamt I was trying to hold a shark still which got away from me into my bed) I finally did get back to sleep and was planning a lie in but I woke up at 8am and was wide awake, so set out for a wee easy run.

I went to see Run, Fatboy, Run last night. It was fantastic! Although highly unrealistic...I mean, I did months of training for the Edinburgh Marathon and - okay fair enough I ran the whole way, didn't limp on a sprained ankle - but still, I found it bloody hard!! Okay, beingway too critical here. Excellent film. Even more excellent when your friend keeps turning to you every minute of the film going "is that really how it feels?" or "why the f**k do you do that, man?"
Ah she doesn't get it, but she rocks nonetheless.

Injury

I think I know what my heel pain is: Achilles Tendon Bursitis.

This is, of course, after some online self-diagnosis. Maybe not the best way to do things, but from http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://cms.depuy.com/display%3FdocId%3D20007&imgrefurl=http://www.allaboutmydoc.com/surgeonweb/clinicId.17281/theme.theme10/country.US/language.en/page.article/docId.20003&h=300&w=300&sz=18&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=ik8awnS9F1bwZM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAchilles%2BTendon%2BBursitis%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN (about 1/4 way down the page) it all becomes clear. Where the sight of inflammation is, that's where my heel hurts.
Here's a closer up image: http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/foot/foot_achilles/foot_achilles_tendon_anatomy03.jpg

Now, my heel isn't particularly bad - I'd say in fact that it has gotten better since I first felt the pain. However, I'm happy I know what it is. Honestly, the number of times I've done internet self-diagnosis, found out that I "have" horrific injuries which will prevent me running for weeks, and then consequently put the laptop away and head out for a run to mull over my options from the sheer stress of the situation...I've lost count.

So really, I'm not planning to stop running because of this, but I will try and do less hills. I think the hills are the things which cause the pain to flare up. I often wonder what it'd be like if I spoke to a sports physio...told them about all the injuries I've had and how I could have prevented them. The worst injury I've ever had was in February this year - doing speeds on the treadmill (of all places) - about 30mins into it I remember this horrible, horrible pain in my forefoot making itself known. Normally, I just run through pain and hope it goes away, but this - this was terrible. I stopped running and hobbled to the changing room, got changed for my lecture and the walk there was horrific! I even put off leaving there at the end of the day because it hurt so much to walk. When I self-diagnosed that time, I found out that I had second/third metatarsal problems, so I rested and the pain did go...though not entirely. And I felt so guilty about not running, I got back into it within 2 weeks.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I know what the problem is now. Rockin.

Thursday 6/09

Type: Steady/Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.9miles
Rating: 7

10mins50 - 1.23miles - 8.48m/m warm up
9mins - 1.2miles - 8.10m/m (plus a few short bursts)
8.36mins - 1mile - 8.36m/m (then 5 min stretch)
17mins - 2miles - 8.54m/m (hilly)
2mins30 - 0.28miles - 8.55m/m

This was pretty much a run including everything, I'm not sure what made me do that...maybe the fact that I like to decide what kind of run I'm going to do before I leave the house, and today I hadn't done that. The first part was largely downhill, hence the speed. Mind you, part of that speed was racing to make the pedestrian crossings - always a good excuse for some long strides. The stretch in the middle was good too - I stopped on the main road by a wee path leading into my sister's friend's house (or mansion, should I say?) and did some quad stretches there. My achilles tendon has been very tense so when I stop I lift myself up and down onto my tiptoes for a few minutes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing to do, but it does seem to loosen things up. Having said that, I remember about 6 months ago I went to the waterworks (a completely flat route) and , after warming up, ran on my tiptoes for a while...and consequently did my ankle in.
It's always good when you learn from your mistakes....

The last part of this run was recorded for no purpose other than to see what my average pace is on going up the dreaded final hill of my runs. And, as shown, it's pretty much the same as my pace before that. Rock on. Maybe a good session would be speeding up the hill and then walking back down it over and over again? We'll see.
I plan to leave a rest day tomorrow so I can have a wee long lie in the morning. I might do an easy run in the west end before the gym closes, I don't know. This weekend I'll most likely be out of Glasgow, so I'm going to get up early on Saturday morning and find a flat place - either the school's running track or the waterworks - and I'm going to do laps. I think the waterworks is about a mile around, but you can cut parts out of that, or do figure of 8's. Anyway, we'll see.

On another note (and one completely unrelated), I bought some shoes yesterday which were reduced to £10. When I took them to the till I chanced my arm asking if I could get a student discount on top of that....and the cashier said yes! Wooo hoo! Okay, so the discount was £1, but still! Shoes for £9...there isn't much sweeter in this overpriced universe. So there, head down to Topshop for great savings, that's my advice for the day. My second piece of advice is go to Uni and get a student discount on EVERYTHING. I get money off apples man, it's absolutely insane. Of course, the downside is that it is then tempting to buy things just so you can get a student discount, kinda counterproductive I know, but it's like a disease...some kind of awesome, poverty inducing yet oh-so-feel-good disease which makes life just that bit more interesting.

Wednesday 5/09

Type: Steady/Easy
Time: 43mins
Distance: 4.85miles
Rating: 6.5

29mins40 - 3.33miles - 8.54m/m (then a 3minute stop to stretch)
5mins50 - 0.70miles - 8.20m/m
7mins20 - 0.85miles - 8.37m/m
Wanted to keep this an easy run, though my speed did creep up in the middle. Felt a little tight after 2 days rest so really think the stretch helped, and I managed to do it in the middle of a wooded area where little rabbits were bobbing about and stuff. It was cool. The start of this run also included the woodlands where I used to finish all my long runs, except I ran it backwards (not physically, obviously). Also passed a few dogs which I kept my eye on constantly! Luckily though, their owners called them all back to them...apart from the one dog which wouldn't be called back because it was so interested in eating the dirt at the side of the river...I really, really want a kitten for my 21st birthday but I've been warned I'm not allowed one until I move out. That's not so good at all.

Anyway, I've been looking for my next race, I think I've been bitten by the bug! I'd love to do another half marathon in a couple of months and really push myself to beat 1hr45. And I've been thinking about my next marathon. I want to apply for London, but truthfully, I'm not sure it's at the right time. It would be at the very start of my exams, so I don't know if that would be better than doing the Edinburgh marathon during my exams...I know that the running would give me a bit of time to myself from the studying, but I'm not sure if I could get the balance quite right. I'd love to do another big marathon somewhere where there's amazing scenery - both town and country, but I'll need to look into that a bit more.

Sunday 2/09

Great Scottish Run Half Marathon

Time: 1hr47mins
Distance: 13.1miles
Pace: 8.18m/m
Rating:8

I don't know where to begin! First off, I need to point out that while I did have my heart set on beating my half marathon pb, somewhere deeper down I know I wasn't going to beat it. Since the marathon I've been concentrating mainly on speed rather than distance, which makes me think that if I'd done the 10k I could have probably gotten a rather good time. But, what's a 10k when you've the chance to do a half marathon.

The route was absolutely fantastic, across the Kingston Bridge (always excellent!), through Bellahouston Park, Pollock Park (which is actually superb! They have Heelan' Coos roaming about in there!!) and the run up to and through Glasgow Green is great too. I must admit that there were a couple of points which lessened the enjoyment of the run a little though.

Firstly, the congestion at the start. Now I know that it's a given on a race of this size, but being stuck behind people unable to scoot ahead for the first mile or so was a bit frustrating. I was going to actually start at the back of the "white" runner's assembly, but I decided against it. That may have helped me out a little in retrospect.
Another thing was that there were a few gradual slopes upward which did get the better of me. Especially entering Pollock Park. My pace slowed considerably there, and I caught sight of a few people stopping and walking too. Despite this, the second half of the race was very much downhill, so I felt I managed to creep back into a good pace there.

Having said that, there were also a few things which really made the run fantastic. At about 7miles there were people outside their houses handing out water and orange segments and giving runners a gentle sprinkle with the hose. That was awesome! So kind of those people. I doubt theyll ever read this but that really was an act of total kindness and I'd love to have the chance to thank them. Also, at the end of the run we were given space blankets! They are the cosiest things, I have to say. That was an excellent idea, it made the drive home a lot less uncomfortable - there's nothing worse than being freezing cold after you stop running.

All in all, a great morning. I was out pretty late at a party last night and I'm absoultely shattered now, however. At the party I was chatting to a girl who'd run the GSR 10k last year too - she told me that she'd taken up running to help her asthma and it had. She now has less attacks than she used to and feels she can breathe more easily. I thought that was a really encouraging story.

Anyway, I'm off for a nice cup of tea and perhaps a well-earned empire biscuit now. I think I'm still on the adrenaline high from crossing the finish line - if there is a better high out there, I've yet to experience it.

Saturday 1/09

Type: Easy
Time: 30mins23secs
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.56m/m
Rating: 3.5

This was just an easy run because I was travelling on Friday, so didn't get a chance to run. I wanted to loosen up my legs so I headed out after having had a little nap after shopping with my mum. We got a flat tyre and my mum was so awesome in changing it! We had it done in next to no time at all, despite my dad's telephone instructions including the words "see if there are any men around who can help you"...tskkkk. I was so proud of my mum, though a bit disappointed because the only people who stopped and offered to help were a woman and her kids. It was really funny actually because my mum and I were stamping on the spanner thing to unscrew the nuts, and the woman who came up to us said "let me have a go, I can add another stone onto that weight!" It was really funny, and she actually did get them all unscrewed.
So that as a little traumatic and I needed a little nap before I ran, naturally. When I got out I went as slow as possible, though this pace was actually faster than I thought.