Sunday 25/10

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 9mins
Distance: 8.36miles
Pace: 8.15min/mile

Not blogged for a while! I have been away in Porto visiting my friend from my undergrad course who moved there to do a PhD. It's a beautiful city - split by a river with some beautiful bridges over the river. One designed by "Mr Eiffel Tower" himself. Arrived home though feeling ready to start running again - despite not being able to walk properly one day on holiday after getting a horrid pain up my shin. think it was from walking around for miles in flip flops all day, but it only seemed to flare up that day and was fine the rest of the time! Weird...

Anyway, today's run was good, though wet! I just bit the bullet and went out because I really wanted to. I thought if I was going to wait for the rain to go off I'd be waiting a long time! (My cycling friend, however, got to the end of his street practically before turning back as he was "soaked" .... pfffft ;D ) Met a runner at about mile 5 and smiled at him, then just as I was finishing on a big downhill he was running up in the opposite direction. We gave one another a "yeah, we're both insane, aren't we?" smile as the rain pelted down around us. I also waved at him from close proximity which was a bit weird, but he laughed. That's runner fellowship!

Also, I'm not sure my Nike+ is really doing it's job properly. Here is the pace chart from today's run:


I walked up a hill at the end for about 100metres for goodness sake! Although I do feel I kept a consistent pace, I have no idea how this could have happened! Maybe I am becoming one with my internal pacer......or perhaps the battery on my Nike+ needs replaced. Either way, I like the straight line very much (:

Friday 23/10

Type: Short Fast
Time: 28mins
Distance: 3.42miles
Pace: 8.10min/mile

Tried to stay really quite quick throughout this run, despite being starving after leaving work and stuffing myself with bananas to compensate! I remember speaking to somebody in Cardiac Surgery during my work experience, about how they use Potassium injections to induce a temporary stop to the heart before bypass surgery. I wonder hiw many bananas I'd need to eat before that would happen... *ponders* ... Best not to find out, I think.


Thursday 22/10

Type: Steady
Distance: 4.62 miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile av (7.44, 8.33, 8.56, 8.40, 8.30 splits)

First run after coming back from Porto. A good one, though slightly erratic pacing.


Tuesday 13/10

Type: steady
Distance: 5.61miles
Pace: 8.20min/mile average (8.24, 8.09, 8.15, 8.25, 8.24)

A really good run the day before I went on holiday. Felt quite pleased I managed to keep a good pace, considering the profile was quite hilly. Also the darkness suddenly fell whilst I was out running! Left and it was quite light, got home and it was pitch black. Despite my complaints I do love the wintery nights!!

Saturday 10/9

Type: Short Steady
Time: 43min 30 secs
Distance: 5.11 miles
Av Pace: 8.30min/mile (7.50m/m, 8.45m/m, 8.44m/m, 9m/m, 8.30m/m + short sprint)

As may have already been seen from the post quite early this morning, my cycling friend and I had a little bit of a debate about what cycle to do today...in the end I didn't wake up until quite late and he was going into town so I decided to bite the bullet and do that always-unpredictable "first post marathon run". So here is a little speed chart along with an elevation profile.



Last year I remember my first post marathon run after Loch Ness was an 11 miler. It went well as I recall, but I think that I got back into the swing of things way too early. In retrospect, that may be why the Edinburgh marathons generally don't go so well - because I build up to my 17 mile runs around xmas time and by the time April comes around I'm knackered!!

I think, if anything, the marathon last week has shown that training really is quality over quantity. I only started training for Loch Ness properly mid-late August. I was doing a lot of swimming and x-training before that. It's the tactic I will be following again this year, but with a few twists.

Firstly, I will push the speed on my 8-13 miler runs, I think with the view of maybe beating my half marathon pb. I need to treat these as less of a training run and more of a race. My dad has recovered well from his mild heart atttack (which he had in August) and I think he may be up for doing the Edinburgh half again next year which is great! I would love so much to run with him again.

Secondly, I will do more distance runs mid week. It's always so hard to think I have to go out and do anything over 7 miles when I've been really busy all day, so I'll maybe try doing these in the morning again like I did for my first marathon.

Thirdly, I'll include a cross training day in my work out schedule. I love going to the gym and playing around on the machines. I have a teensy little non-manly "6 pack" making it's appearance and I'm very proud. I plan to cultivate it nicely with the view of it building my core strength =D

Forthly, (and this is still under debate) I have been thinking about starting to train for an ultra. Now, I know this requires a huge amount of commitment, and I think I have proven quite clearly to myself that I can do anything I want when I put my mind to it, but I just want to be sure that NOW would be the best time to do it. Obviously I have finished my MSc, and am currently at a little crossroads, with some free time whilst I look for what I'll be doing next. My worry is that training for an ultra would become such a huge change to my life...as marathon running sometimes is what with having to eat the right foods, get enough sleep etc. It's not a big deal, but being at the age I am at it can be a little struggle sometimes. I'm not a party animal by ANY means, far from it, in fact. I hardly drink (when I do I seem to get drunk prrreetty easily...) and I don't like going to clubs or whatever. But, that said, it is nice to hang out with friends and go with them to a restaurant/bar or whatever on a Friday/Saturday night, without having to worry that I get my protein/carb intake and enough sleep for the long run the next day. I want to commit to training and running an ultra 100%, but this could prove tricky right now considering it would be so much more of a commitment than a marathon. The idea of getting out there though - West Highland Way or wherever - and just running and running is one which is incredibly tempting!!!

Oh well, let's just see how it goes.

Something funny I've seen, though, is my official race photo's from the Loch Ness Marathon. I'm totally grimacing as I run up the home straight!! Not pretty. But this one is quite funny. It was taken at 25 miles and I spotted the guy and waved to him...but just kept on waving. HE eventually had to give me a "thumbs up" to get me to stop =| Oh well, at least I look happy!

A wee break...and a WHW cycle report!

Well, I haven't run since the marathon. My legs were pretty sore on Monday, Tuesday and only started to ease off on Wednesday. Feel much better now...like I could go running again but whilst I'm resting I'd like to get out on the old bike for a while. Trying to plan a route with my cycling friend but his back is sore so we can't do anything too strenuous. Both of us really wanna try and do the WHW in 2 days, just seeing how far we can get to on day 1.

Now, I can see both ups and downs of this idea. On a plus, it would be amazing to finish it intensively like that. Last time we cycled it we went over 3 days in April. Started off about 10am as a group of four, hitting rowardennan feeling good late afternoon. However, the rain then hit and my friend's bike broke (something to do with the cog which turns the pedals or something). Then my boyfriend's brother got cramp. We stood just outside Inversnaid for ages using what little phone signal we had to get my friend's parents to bring him a part to fix his bike. Our night's stay in the Bunkhouse was great! I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Getting back on the bikes, however, I would not recommend! Day 2 is always the worst for bum pain. Carrying the bikes on our shoulders up the side of Loch Lomond was hellish also. Bear in mind I am a girl and do not have any muscles in my upper body! So that part took us FOREVER. Literally about 2 hours to cover a couple of miles. Then on the way to Bienglas farm, too, there are all those little drainage ducts which you can't cycle over(as my boyfriend is only too aware of...3 bust tyres!) Then the chains started snapping. Seriously, I have never seen this happen before and get every single person's chain snapped at some point on that ride (apart from me - *smug* ) While day 2 was fun, we were approaching Tyndrum as it was getting dark, and still had to push on to Bridge of Orchy. We realised that if we did push on, we would miss dinner at the hotel. We thought about leaving the bikes in Tyndrum, getting a taxi to BoO and then just coming back for the bikes in the morning. It seemed like defeat though. These were all options we were mulling over whilst in the reception of the really nice hostel in Tyndrum. From somewhere behind us we suddenly heard a train, and it was as though all our dreams had come true. We could get the train to BofO! I know it was kind of cheating, but it was only 7 miles and we had carried our bloody bikes for miles that day!

This was where the fun began. Ok, so the hostel owner says to me "that's the train at lower tyndrum station" and we hear over the tannoy that some people coming off the train there had gotten on the wrong train, and needed to get across to upper tyndrum station to cacth the train that was just arriving there. This was our chance. We all jumped on our bikes. In our haste, however, the hostel owner said something which I completely misunderstood. He said "do you know where you are going?" and I seemed to think he meant "do you know what you are doing?" so I shouted "yes" and the 3 boys followed me on their bikes. So I shoot out at the end of the street onto the A82, battering furiously towards the Green Welly stop. It was then it hit me, I really had no idea where the hell Upper tyndrum station was.

They were all a bit pissed off (and exhausted), but noone more than the 4 japanese tourists (the ones who had been on the wrong train and had gotten off at lower tyndrum) running behind us knowing we were also heading to catch the train at upper tyndrum. So we did an about turn and battered furiously back down the A82 out of the little village. Then we saw a sign for the station....up this mother of a hill! (hence the "upper" tyndrum, I guess) Needless to say the tourists surely caught up with us at this point. Knackered as they were, they managed to run quite quickly up the windy road to the station. As soon as we started cycling up it, yes, my friend's chain broke! It was wonderful. So here we were; me, 3 boys, and 4 japanese tourists making our way up the almighty hill through the means of running, cycling (slowly) or running whilst pushing a bike.

We made the train, though it did have to wait for us and we got some awful glares as we sat down. But, we arrived at BofO safe and sound, enjoying a large meal and a nice Gin and Tonic for our efforts. The hostel wasn't the nicest, and my boyfriend's brother was put off by being initially assigned to stay in a room where 2 people were sharing one bed (hmmm). A team meeting at dinner brought to light the fact that we probably wouldn't make it to Fort William by 5pm the next day...since that would be over 35 odd miles, including the Devil's staircase and that almighty b*tch of a hill out of Kinlochleven. A consensus was decided. My boyfriend's brother would get train back home to Inverness in the morning, and us 3 would go for a wee day cycle then come back and get train home at night. I was sad, but it seemed like all hope was gone.

All hope was gone until the morning, however. 4 fry ups, £40 for those 4 fry ups (!), and 10am came around. We said goodbye to Invernesian David and went on our way, cycling towards the next part of the WHW. Lunchtime rolled around and we arrived at Kingshouse unscathed. Soaked, but unscathed. Everytime (all both of them) I have been at Kingshouse I have been soaked to the bone. It's not good! We realised then, though, that we were making good time and really, we could probably get it finished. So we did. Without much going wrong, we finished it and arrived in Fort William about half 4. Of course, the hill out of Kinlochleven was awful. And I did feel like a prize a fanny overtaking some young boys just before the Devil's staircase where they swiftly overtook me as I came right off my bike. Also wasn't so great when I cried and threw my (boyfriend's) bike down in frustration half way up the Devil's staircase. He consequently broke his back running up to the top carrying his bike so he could come back and carry the one I was carrying up for me. But....I found some strength and took mine the whole way! Oh yes.

Overall, it was a very good cycle. I don't think I could do it mid-marathon training again, as it didn't really do me any good fitness-wise. But it was a good trip and I'm glad we stuck it out right to the end =D

A photo journal:


At the start


When we found the Stargate...all we needed was the address to engage the chevrons...


My bike at the end of day 1 (not really)


look at this manual labour!


Yes, there were many obstacles in our path...(this was NOT as fun as it looked, the mud was pretty damn deep)


My boyfriend (in the stupid hat he found and insisted on wearing over his cycling helmet, ignoring how it did NOT make him look like a "gangsta") at the place we all camped when we walked the WHW in 2008


Me having a tantrum half way up the devil's staircase (yes, I was actually sitting in a huff...in retrospect it was a bit childlike)


And we were all happy to finish, pleased at our magnificent biking skills (but incidentally not our self-timer camera ones)

A fun trip had by all!

Sunday 4/10 Loch Ness Marathon

What a beautiful way to start the post! This was the Loch Ness marathon - which I claim I finished in 3 hours 51 mins, despite the championchip saying 3hrs 52. My Nike+ hasn't failed me on timings, and even then if it was slightly out, it still said 3hr51min20secs. I don't see how it could be out a whole minute!

Anyway, let me begin. I had an awful night sleep the nigh before the marathon, and only managed to eat a small amount of porridge in the morning. I felt so nervous, more so than any other marathon! Speeding down the A82 towards Ft Augustus we got stuck behind 3 identical minivans - they must've been tourists, as I don't think anyone in Scotland would do under 40mph the WHOLE way down the side of Loch Ness! I was panicking badly, as we then got caught behind the swing-bridge thing at Ft Augustus! Had to wait there for ten mins. I arrived at 9.55am, parked and ran to the start line, only to see a handful of people. I nearly wet myself.

Then, however, one of the marshalls told me that the buses had been delayed leaving Inverness and had technical problems. When I thought back, I remembered seeing them all going the opposite way (towards Dores) as we were driving through Ness at around 8.50am! Apparently one bus from Ft Aug had broken down and the runners had to walk 3 miles uphill to the start! Oh dear. Needless to say, I was relieved but we actually didn't start until 10.55am. It worried me slightly, as I was freezing and had only had a little meal for brekkie.

Started off strong - kept the pace up on all the uphills and belted the downhills - figured I may as well make up some time on those! At about ten miles I started to feel a little low...simply because Dores was my point where I knew I could start pushing the pace and that was 7 miles away! What kept me going tho was the magnificent podcasts I was listening to on my ipod. Scott Mills from radio 1 - I was actually laughing out loud at some of the stuff. It is a fantastic way to while away the hours whilst you plod along.

At Dores Derek was waiting for me (almost missed me as he didn't have his glasses on!) He took a pic and I kept going. The hill out of Dores was a toughie but I kept going. Stopped momentarily at the top but had a few people in my sight who had slipped ahead of me at the start, so was a good incentive to push it and catch up with them. The hill at 20 odd miles though, ouch. That was a tough one. Nonetheless I kept some people in my sites and at 22 miles the people from the Scottish veterans' Residencies were there - providing some isotonic drinks and a great energy boost! I really picked up the pace from that point, without having looked at my timer the whole way. I figured that I would regret it if I didn't.

The last mile was TOUGH. In every sense of the word (I was using it loosely before ;D ). I really struggled to keep the pace and the loop round the park to the stadium seemed to go on forever. Looking over however, about 400m from the finish I saw the timer above the finish line. 3 hours 52 mins, it said. I was overjoyed! Just pushed it and gave it my all...grimacing as I crossed the finish line and completely missing those cheering for me (sorry!!!) but crossing the finish line feeling like I wanted to cry. I had done it. Pushed it and got a great time. Still makes me smile (:

Thank you to all who came to see me finish, and thanks to Derek, for being my designated driver. Also thanks to the guys from SVR who gave me great words of praise at the end. What a fantastic day!

Loch Ness Marathon

What a great day! Despite a 50min delayed start (buses from Inverness were late!) still managed to get a good time - 3 hours 51 mins!! I am chuffed to pieces - one min over my pb and a staggering 20 mins faster than my last marathon in May! I'm a happy bunny though my legs do ache a bit today....

Am still in Inverness so will have more time to write up a full report later (:

Relaxation

As I type this I am chilling out in Inverness before the marathon tomorrow. Planning on going to pick up my race number later, have a nice coffee and chillax some more. I think it's really going to be a case of playing it by ear. I built my mileage up quite nicely but after the 20.95mile run a few weeks ago I kind of let my long runs slide, so will just have to wait and see what kind of effect that has. Will be meeting the guys from the Scottish Veterans Residencies at the end and my boyfriend will be en-route hopefully, taking photos, providing general cheer etc. I hear there are over 7000 people running this year so should be good!

Feelings at the moment: a little nervous, excited and craving some caffeine =D

Anyway, my runs for last week are as follows:

Friday 2/10

Type: Short
Distance: 2.65miles
Pace: 8.20min/mile

A really good run in the west end just before I went to get the bus to inverness. When I did get to bus station (around 4pm) the 4pm bus hadn't showed,so when 4.30pm came around and our bus arrived there were about over 100 people waiting at our stance! When the bus did show up though she called the people only going to Inverness and Perth - oh yes! We were one of the first on! What luck.

Wednesday 30/9

Type: Short fast
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.15min/mile

Felt good on this run, but didn't want to go too far. A lot of people I come in close proximity to every day (inlcuding the 2 girls I work with and my little sister) have developed a flu (of the swine nature?) of late and I'm trying hard not to try my immune system too much this next week. Taking zinc tablets regularly and lots of vitamin C!

Tuesday 29/9

Type: Short
Distance: 2.8miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile

Just loosening my legs up on this one really, though felt I could have ran fine after the long run on Sunday.

Sunday 27/9

Type: Long
Time: 1hr 40mins
Distance: 11.4miles
Pace: approx 8.55min/mile

I really enjoyed this run today. I was dreading it a little since the weather was throughly miserable when I woke up. Had loads of cereal and a huge bowl of porridge then headed out early afternoon. I did a few laps of the estate then went onto the WHW towards the Beech Tree. Luckily it didn't rain at all, and I managed to keep up a good pace the whole way, even increasing towards the end.

My boyfriend and cycling buddy had decided to meet me on their bikes, but left a bit of time after I started so that they could cycle fast and catch up with me at some point along the WHW. Well...fool to them for leaving so much time! I reached the Beech Tree about 40mins before them! Ok, so one of them did get a flat tyre, but even then when he text I would have still been at the Beech Tree just as they were reaching me. And the superior sport is....

Also would like to say a massive congrats to John Kynaston who finished what sounded like a pretty difficult race on Sunday!

A nice picture

I just synced my run from itunes and saw this picture...how pretty! (:

Friday 25/9

Type: Speedy
Distance: 3.93miles
Pace: 8.09min/mile

That's it! The dissertation was handed in yesterday at about 4.25pm (deadline 4.30pm!!) After weeks of doing it, including some intensive typing sessions over the past week it is in. I'm glad, but already beginning to feel the anti-climax of the course being (pretty much) over! After I handed it in I chatted to a professor for a while, bought some food for a nice celebratory dinner, had a nutty cereal bar and headed out this run. I was very tired, and hadn't eaten much, so had psyched myself for a hard run, but this was brilliant! Kept a good pace as seen in my chart:



Other runs this week:

Wednesday 24/9

Type: Longsh steady
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: splits roughly 8.25min/mile, 8.40min/mile

This run was really hard. I was really tired after and had to stop twice during it. Kind of annoying, but I'm sure it was just due to the stress of my project. It was all I thought about during the run, and mostly what I thought about after too. It's so strange how having a lot on your mind really drains you physically as well as mentally. Seriously, I thought I was losing my mind and actually considered whether or not I would be able to complete the marathon during this run! Of course, I know I can do it...it's just a case of playing it by ear as to what time I get.

Tuesday 22/9

Type: Easy
Distance: 4.10miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile

This was the run I was dreading doing, but it was actually ok. Good pace and felt ok afterwards, kind of refreshed actually!

Monday 21/9 and strangeness...

I still wasn't feeling great yesterday, and was working during the day (taking a day off from doing my project...still doing it all night!) so decided to go to the gym for a little gentle work out in the morning. I did the ellicptical cross trainer for twenty mins or so then played about on the weight machines. I really enjoy those machines! It's crazy how much more strength I get out of my legs than my scronny wee arms though...anyone watching my whole body work out must think I'm seriously out of proportion! So it was a good work out anyway....even if I did eat roughly 1/4 tub of minature heroes when I got into work (curse free sweets!).

So that was all fair and well, and after work I went home, had dinner and worked on my project until about midnight. I slept well last night, in fact I was in a very deep sleep with some seriously weird dreams. When I woke up this morning, however, I felt very strange. I'm still really tired (despite having a sneaky 9 hours sleep), and I seem to be in a bit of a daze. I really have to focus on my dissertation, which I'm ok with....but the thought of going out a run later is really worrying me. I don't know why! I don't know whether it's because I'm frightened I'll have another bad one like on Saturday, or because I feel I might have stuffed up my marathon training (having done only a few 17+ mile runs)...or maybe I feel guilty about taking time off work, I don't know.

If anyone can advise I would be seriously appreciative, because it's kind of depressing. I was planning on going out a fairly steady 4 miler, nothing too tough at all! But I just can't motivate myself to do it. And then when I think to the weekend, and doing a long run then I think "oh man..." but when I remember the project will be handed in by then and I'll be free as a bird, it's not so bad. Maybe that's the issue then, I don't know.

For now, anyway, I'm back to visit my old friend Word and our mutual friend Excel. Come to think of it maybe I am dehydrated...how else could I have just said that?

Saturday 19/9

Type: I shall entitle it "A long run destined to fail"
Distance: 13.5miles
Pace: ~8.50min/mile

Ok so I should explain. At a night class the other night the guy next to me sat coughing, spluttering, breathing incredibly loud and just being generally gross the whole time. He must've had a cold, and I immediately regretted sitting next to him...but he had asked to share my book so it was too late to move. Now in a vain attempt to try and stop myself getting a cold I was popping zinc tablets, drinking tea and generally keeping my back to him. Felt ok for a day or two but last night I picked at my pasta and this morning I was up early and cleaning the house, feeling ok, but by the time I headed out my long run (which was meant to be an 18miler) at 11am I was feeling drained. I had achey muscles and was coughing. Got to about 5miles (hence the dip)and had to go sit down on some grass to debate whetehr I should keep doing or not.

I don't know if anyone has ever been in this position, but I felt like if I stopped, I'd regret it for the res tof the week...because I wouldn't have another chance to do a long run again (my dissertation is due in on Friday and I am *insert some word mixing nervous, worried, terrified and can't be bothered here* Nonetheless, I kept going. Thought if I could at least do ten miles I'd feel ok. I ended up doing 13.5 and kept a good pace, so was quite happy about that. I did sort of collapse and have to go for a nap when I got in, but I'm glad I kept going. Here's my chart.


I feel that this marathon 2 weeks tomorrow is going to be a bit of a "blag your way through" kind of thing. The only good thing is that sponsorships have increased exponentially this week so I'm REALLY pleased about that. I will try my best but my MSc project is really my priority so will just have to resign myself to that. I look forward to the day I might be able to run a marathon without having finished an intensive Uni course involving heavy exams and/or a dissertation a week prior to it....I'd take bets from people on how that would pan out (:

Anyway - here's my runs from the week prior.


Thursday 17/9

Type: Longish
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: 8.14min/mile

This was a good run just before I started doing my dissertation for the day. My pace was quite consistently between about 8.25min/mile and 7.55min/mile which Iw as pretty pleased about. I'm not going to continually post my speed charts that the Nike+ guru shows me...but needless to say there was a big dip midway through my run...why does that always happen?? I don't feel like I slow down THAT much! Mysteries...

Tuesday 15/9

Type: Hill Sprints
Time: ~40mins
Distance: ~4miles (incl. recoveries)

I did a 1.2mile jog warm up, then 7 x 1min hill sprints (roughly 0.15miles with jog recoveries) then I did one more hill sprint with my boyfriend (who had his pacing allll wrong ;D ) then I had roughly 1mile recovery with a nice sprint at the end.
Here's the Nike+ breakdown:

(I do love these diagrams!!)


Monday 14/9

Type: Easy
Distance: 2.67miles
Pace: roughly 8.30min/mile (but did speed up quite a lot then slow down)

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.