Long time no post, I know. I have been exceptionally busy with studying, work and training. I have also come down with a bit of a cold which is annoying considering I have 2 days to recover before Sunday. Add to that, my heel has been hurting quite persistantly so I have really cut back on the runs until Sunday.
On the plus side, I have managed to raise a good amount for SVR this year...though my sponsorship form is in work somewhere so I don't really know exactly how much I've raised. I have today off to try and recover, though woke up this morning worrying about work which saw me awake at 7.10am being unable to get back to sleep despite my best efforts. At the end of the day though, whatever is happening at work really shouldn't have me waking up early worried on a day off, it's not that big a part of my life.
Ok, self healing...this is good.
Today I plan to relax and try to recover. If I feel up to it I may try for a gentle cross train at the gym later, just to ensure I keep up to speed with my fitness.
Here's the last few week's runs.
Tuesday 18/5
Time: 40mins
Distance: ~4.5miles
Heel was sore so went a gentle run around mugdock off road after work. Lovely and sunny!
Saturday 15/5 - Run to Beech Tree
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.35miles
Pace: 9.05min/mile
My traditional "penultimate long run before marathon" route...I ran round the estate here and then headed out along the WHW to the Beech Tree. Was a good day and the route wasn't too busy which was nice, though it was a bit overcast.
Friday 14/5
Type: Staircase (a new term!)
Time: 35mins
Distance: 3.85miles
I rejoined the gym as I was off today, so took the chance of being on the treadmill to do some speed sessions.
I jogged for 1k, 1k @ 5.30min/km, 1k@5.05min/km, 1k@4.35min/km + 1min @ 4min/km, all with quick jog recoveries then 1k cool down.
Was a really good session.
Tuesday 11/5
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Not sure what pace I ran this at, as it was a negative split. I did finish really strongly...I think it was the rice I had for lunch!!
Friday, 21 May 2010
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Saturday 8/5 - Conic Hill-Beech Tree
Time: ~2hrs 30mins
Distance: 15.65miles
Pace: 9.35min/mile
I do realise that this run should have been a bit longer, but my heel has been giving me bother and to be honest I was knackered so was glad to finish when I did!!
Parents were doing another walk on WHW from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back so I hitched a ride with them to Balmaha and I headed the other way. Was really tired walking up Conic Hill but I did manage to keep a good solid walking pace and only stopped to blow my nose at the top before running onwards.
I met a boy pushing his bike up Conic hill and asked him how he was doing. He was doing the whole WHW (over several days I presume, this was 1pm after all!!) and had never done it before...I felt like giving him a tip for cycling it - don't cycle up or down Conic Hill!!! I don;t think it's even possible to cycle down the other side on a Saturday afternoon what with the steepness and all the walkers, but hey. I told him I'd cycled it before and good luck. He was dripping with sweat but still smiling!
A few mins later I saw the rest of his friends standing further down the hill debating continuing to push their bikes up!! I asked which way one was going so I could move to let him past and he replied, refreshingly honestly "either, they're both as hard as each other". Crazy.
I wonder how we'll feel at the end of our 1 day WHW cycle in July... !!
Felt good and stopped just before Drymen to chat to Derek on the phone and assess what exactly we were doing later. He has a chest infection and was going to cycle out to meet me but I advised him against it and he decided to just come and meet me at the Beech Tree.
The rest of the run was uneventful, despite the WHW being jam packed! So busy between Gartness and the Beech Tree, I was moving out the way so often for people I forgot to go into my usual "worst part of WHW" low as I normally do. I ran past the Beech Tree towards the cool part, and then turned left onto the main road and ran back towards the Beech Tree.
Derek drove along the main road and we had a coke/beer in the Inn. Sat outside which was lovely and chatted before driving home.
So, next week's run will be an 11-12miler and then it's the marathon. All in all I'm feeling good. Excited about the marathon but I'm REALLY going to start tapering now as my heel is sore and I want it ok for the 23rd. I am looking forward to lessening the long runs for a wee while too, as I can focus on my exams.
After 2nd June the exams will be done though, and what will I do then?!?! No exams, no Uni, no marathons...only work. It'll be the first time that's happened in AAaaaages!!
Distance: 15.65miles
Pace: 9.35min/mile
I do realise that this run should have been a bit longer, but my heel has been giving me bother and to be honest I was knackered so was glad to finish when I did!!
Parents were doing another walk on WHW from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back so I hitched a ride with them to Balmaha and I headed the other way. Was really tired walking up Conic Hill but I did manage to keep a good solid walking pace and only stopped to blow my nose at the top before running onwards.
I met a boy pushing his bike up Conic hill and asked him how he was doing. He was doing the whole WHW (over several days I presume, this was 1pm after all!!) and had never done it before...I felt like giving him a tip for cycling it - don't cycle up or down Conic Hill!!! I don;t think it's even possible to cycle down the other side on a Saturday afternoon what with the steepness and all the walkers, but hey. I told him I'd cycled it before and good luck. He was dripping with sweat but still smiling!
A few mins later I saw the rest of his friends standing further down the hill debating continuing to push their bikes up!! I asked which way one was going so I could move to let him past and he replied, refreshingly honestly "either, they're both as hard as each other". Crazy.
I wonder how we'll feel at the end of our 1 day WHW cycle in July... !!
Felt good and stopped just before Drymen to chat to Derek on the phone and assess what exactly we were doing later. He has a chest infection and was going to cycle out to meet me but I advised him against it and he decided to just come and meet me at the Beech Tree.
The rest of the run was uneventful, despite the WHW being jam packed! So busy between Gartness and the Beech Tree, I was moving out the way so often for people I forgot to go into my usual "worst part of WHW" low as I normally do. I ran past the Beech Tree towards the cool part, and then turned left onto the main road and ran back towards the Beech Tree.
Derek drove along the main road and we had a coke/beer in the Inn. Sat outside which was lovely and chatted before driving home.
So, next week's run will be an 11-12miler and then it's the marathon. All in all I'm feeling good. Excited about the marathon but I'm REALLY going to start tapering now as my heel is sore and I want it ok for the 23rd. I am looking forward to lessening the long runs for a wee while too, as I can focus on my exams.
After 2nd June the exams will be done though, and what will I do then?!?! No exams, no Uni, no marathons...only work. It'll be the first time that's happened in AAaaaages!!
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
5/5 - Midweek steady
Time: ~1hr
Distance: 6.9miles
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
A good after-work run through the woods and onto the path at the back of the training ground. I really like that path, it's fun to run along and really peaceful, despite being in the middle of 2 main roads. I really like the cows too! The reason I don't know my timing is that I stopped at one point to try and feed some cows which did take quite a while, though I don't really know how long.
Eating pasta or rice at lunch makes a big difference to how well I run after work, I'm sure of it. Don't get me wrong, getting up at 6.30am and sitting at a desk all day then running at 6pm is tiring, and I do sometimes worry how tired I'll be on the run. However, I notice that I have lots more energy if I eat well at lunch, especially towards the end of the run. Interesting...
Found some photos online of my dad and I from the half a few weeks ago:
I personally really like the one I have included in my layout (:
Distance: 6.9miles
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
A good after-work run through the woods and onto the path at the back of the training ground. I really like that path, it's fun to run along and really peaceful, despite being in the middle of 2 main roads. I really like the cows too! The reason I don't know my timing is that I stopped at one point to try and feed some cows which did take quite a while, though I don't really know how long.
Eating pasta or rice at lunch makes a big difference to how well I run after work, I'm sure of it. Don't get me wrong, getting up at 6.30am and sitting at a desk all day then running at 6pm is tiring, and I do sometimes worry how tired I'll be on the run. However, I notice that I have lots more energy if I eat well at lunch, especially towards the end of the run. Interesting...
Found some photos online of my dad and I from the half a few weeks ago:
I personally really like the one I have included in my layout (:
Monday, 3 May 2010
Monday 3/5
Type: Hill sprints
Time: ~55mins
Distance: ~5.5miles
1.4mile jog, 12x(20-30sec) hillsprints with jog recovery then 2.4mile jog.
Had a really relaxing day yesterday spending time with my mum and sister. Had a friend over last night and ended up staying up really late speaking to our other friends on the net, was great fun but I was tired today!
Got up late and did the work I needed to do before heading out this run. I ran towards the high school close by my house, hoping to get onto the track to do some sprints. It's being refurbished, however, and fencing meant I couldn't actually get onto the pitch or anything. So I ran to the field across the road and did some hill sprints on the grass.
It was quite good, really sunny which was lovely and far softer on the legs than hill sprints on pavement. Only problem, however, is that I really don't push myself on these hill sprints! I just kinda run until I'm tired and then jog back down! And by tired I mean REALLY tired though, so guess that's something!
Time: ~55mins
Distance: ~5.5miles
1.4mile jog, 12x(20-30sec) hillsprints with jog recovery then 2.4mile jog.
Had a really relaxing day yesterday spending time with my mum and sister. Had a friend over last night and ended up staying up really late speaking to our other friends on the net, was great fun but I was tired today!
Got up late and did the work I needed to do before heading out this run. I ran towards the high school close by my house, hoping to get onto the track to do some sprints. It's being refurbished, however, and fencing meant I couldn't actually get onto the pitch or anything. So I ran to the field across the road and did some hill sprints on the grass.
It was quite good, really sunny which was lovely and far softer on the legs than hill sprints on pavement. Only problem, however, is that I really don't push myself on these hill sprints! I just kinda run until I'm tired and then jog back down! And by tired I mean REALLY tired though, so guess that's something!
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Saturday 1/5 - An update
Well, got over my earlier negative thoughts and ended up running this afternoon. Got all my work done this morning and meandered around the village for a wee while. Then headed out early in the afternoon.
Time: 3hrs 05mins
Distance: 19.25miles
Pace: 9.35min/mile
Ran around the estate a bit and then headed out to Drymen. My parents had parked at Balmaha and walked to Drymen over Conic Hill. By the time I got to Drymen they were still on their way, so I ran to Balmaha and got the car and drove back.
All in all I had a good run, and finished really strong. Also felt good when I finished and was glad I went.
Time: 3hrs 05mins
Distance: 19.25miles
Pace: 9.35min/mile
Ran around the estate a bit and then headed out to Drymen. My parents had parked at Balmaha and walked to Drymen over Conic Hill. By the time I got to Drymen they were still on their way, so I ran to Balmaha and got the car and drove back.
All in all I had a good run, and finished really strong. Also felt good when I finished and was glad I went.
Saturday 1/5 - Some thoughts
Well, it's 9.30am and I'm sitting on my sofa after having purposely dragged myself out of bed to go a long run. The weather looks grim. It's not raining yet but it looks as though there's a 99% chance it will soon. Weather news says it will dry up this afternoon but remain cool.
Now, I'm sitting here debating whether to go or not. Point is, I am SO tired. I'm positively knackered even though i've had about 10 hours sleep. This past week has been such a blur. Been in work every day for the back of 7 and leaving at half four trying to build up some flexi. Had a dispute at work one day too, which took a lot out of me. Then an interview on Thursday which, between the interview itself and the drive to Edinburgh and back at rush hour, completely exhausted me. Then up again early yesterday to try and keep that flexi up so I could take yesterday afternoon off. Handed in a hard copy of my dissertation finally yesterday afternoon and managed to chat to some staff and friends at Strathclyde who I hadn't seen for ages. That was lovely. I then met another person at Strathclyde about a course I'm interested in studying...then literally bolted for the subway to the Doctors where I missed my appointment and had to wait until the end of the appointments to get one.
All in all it's been a fairly stressful week. In fact probably the most stressful in a while. Certainly a busy week. Last night I tried to relax but I have some write ups to do for my other job (they're staring at me menacingly as I sit here typing). I didn't get round to doing it and instead watched tv and had dinner with my dad. I ended up not going to sleep until about 11.30ish.
Now my previous post had said I was looking forward to being stress-free this weekend to do my final 20+ miler of the season. However, even just typing that is making me want to go back to bed. I still have 2 exams next month I'm sitting for my night classes. Eeek - scratch that, one is THIS month on the 27th. With the marathon on 23rd and the other exam on 2nd June, I feel like I should be focusing on the exams rather than the marathon right now. It's weird though, because throughout Uni I managed to strike an OK balance between training for the marathon and doing my exams. Now I am so tired I just don't want to run and would rather study. Plus I'm still getting pain in my Achilles tendon so this would be a good excuse to let it rest.
So I'm kinda stuck. I have only run once this week, a good 7.8 miler at a steady pace. But that's it. And this is supposed to be one of the "peak" training weeks. I fear if I don't run this weekend I will feel so guilty come Monday that I'll go out and do it anyway, but will feel guilty all weekend up to that point. So I won't sleep as well, and will just be tired. Plus I'd rather get the run done this morning so I can focus on study and play tomorrow and Monday.
Argh. If anyone else has ever felt this way please tell me. I feel I'm the only one. The few other people (ok, one other person) I know who run seem to want to do it all the time. He's joined a running club, Kilbarchan AAC and now he is really pushing himself to run well. I feel as though I'm stuck in a bit of a rut here. I am really looking forward to doing the marathon but have sort of lost enthusiasm for 20+ mile training runs, espeically in this weather. Perhaps it was "the fall" which uncovered that feeling in me, I don't know.
My running options really are to run out somewhere (which I like doing better than out and back) or to run out and back. My parents are walking Conic Hill today and Derek is away up to Ness for the weekend so I could work in my parent's plan to my own. Problem is they'd want me to pick them up from Balmaha, so I could only really run to Drymen to pick up the car. That means I'd need to do 8 miles min around about here first, and have that blo*dy the-most-boring-part-of-the-WHW between Beech tree and Gartness at about 16 miles. I'd be feeling a bit rubbish then anyway and that could be the end of the run if it's raining too.
Oh well, I feel better for having ranted about it. Guess I should get on with whatever I'm going to do so that I don't just sit here and waste time. Sigh.
Now, I'm sitting here debating whether to go or not. Point is, I am SO tired. I'm positively knackered even though i've had about 10 hours sleep. This past week has been such a blur. Been in work every day for the back of 7 and leaving at half four trying to build up some flexi. Had a dispute at work one day too, which took a lot out of me. Then an interview on Thursday which, between the interview itself and the drive to Edinburgh and back at rush hour, completely exhausted me. Then up again early yesterday to try and keep that flexi up so I could take yesterday afternoon off. Handed in a hard copy of my dissertation finally yesterday afternoon and managed to chat to some staff and friends at Strathclyde who I hadn't seen for ages. That was lovely. I then met another person at Strathclyde about a course I'm interested in studying...then literally bolted for the subway to the Doctors where I missed my appointment and had to wait until the end of the appointments to get one.
All in all it's been a fairly stressful week. In fact probably the most stressful in a while. Certainly a busy week. Last night I tried to relax but I have some write ups to do for my other job (they're staring at me menacingly as I sit here typing). I didn't get round to doing it and instead watched tv and had dinner with my dad. I ended up not going to sleep until about 11.30ish.
Now my previous post had said I was looking forward to being stress-free this weekend to do my final 20+ miler of the season. However, even just typing that is making me want to go back to bed. I still have 2 exams next month I'm sitting for my night classes. Eeek - scratch that, one is THIS month on the 27th. With the marathon on 23rd and the other exam on 2nd June, I feel like I should be focusing on the exams rather than the marathon right now. It's weird though, because throughout Uni I managed to strike an OK balance between training for the marathon and doing my exams. Now I am so tired I just don't want to run and would rather study. Plus I'm still getting pain in my Achilles tendon so this would be a good excuse to let it rest.
So I'm kinda stuck. I have only run once this week, a good 7.8 miler at a steady pace. But that's it. And this is supposed to be one of the "peak" training weeks. I fear if I don't run this weekend I will feel so guilty come Monday that I'll go out and do it anyway, but will feel guilty all weekend up to that point. So I won't sleep as well, and will just be tired. Plus I'd rather get the run done this morning so I can focus on study and play tomorrow and Monday.
Argh. If anyone else has ever felt this way please tell me. I feel I'm the only one. The few other people (ok, one other person) I know who run seem to want to do it all the time. He's joined a running club, Kilbarchan AAC and now he is really pushing himself to run well. I feel as though I'm stuck in a bit of a rut here. I am really looking forward to doing the marathon but have sort of lost enthusiasm for 20+ mile training runs, espeically in this weather. Perhaps it was "the fall" which uncovered that feeling in me, I don't know.
My running options really are to run out somewhere (which I like doing better than out and back) or to run out and back. My parents are walking Conic Hill today and Derek is away up to Ness for the weekend so I could work in my parent's plan to my own. Problem is they'd want me to pick them up from Balmaha, so I could only really run to Drymen to pick up the car. That means I'd need to do 8 miles min around about here first, and have that blo*dy the-most-boring-part-of-the-WHW between Beech tree and Gartness at about 16 miles. I'd be feeling a bit rubbish then anyway and that could be the end of the run if it's raining too.
Oh well, I feel better for having ranted about it. Guess I should get on with whatever I'm going to do so that I don't just sit here and waste time. Sigh.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Tuesday 27/4
Time: 1hr 5mins
Distance: 7.85miles
Pace: ~8.20min/mile
My legs took ages to heal, it's insane! Today was the first day I actually felt like impact didn't amount to pain...I was also incredibly tired so I downed a cup of coffee and went out this run after work.
Missed the rain shower and headed up towards the waterworks. I kept a consistent pace which I was so so pleased about!! And despite my tiredness I managed to keep the pace even on the big uphill at the end. It was a really good run and I'm pleased I went out.
Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to run much again this week, until Saturday probably. I'm really busy with work/interviews/dissertations and the like. BUT on Friday night that will be me done most of my endeavours (bar my night classes)...so will go a long run on Saturday morning - hopefully 20-23miles - and then I will relax for the holiday weekend!! Good times.
Distance: 7.85miles
Pace: ~8.20min/mile
My legs took ages to heal, it's insane! Today was the first day I actually felt like impact didn't amount to pain...I was also incredibly tired so I downed a cup of coffee and went out this run after work.
Missed the rain shower and headed up towards the waterworks. I kept a consistent pace which I was so so pleased about!! And despite my tiredness I managed to keep the pace even on the big uphill at the end. It was a really good run and I'm pleased I went out.
Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to run much again this week, until Saturday probably. I'm really busy with work/interviews/dissertations and the like. BUT on Friday night that will be me done most of my endeavours (bar my night classes)...so will go a long run on Saturday morning - hopefully 20-23miles - and then I will relax for the holiday weekend!! Good times.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Friday 23/4 - An eventful run on WHW! Home-(almost)Rowardennan
Time: ~3h45mins
Distance: ~22-23miles
Phew. All I can say to start off this post! I actually have no idea how far I went, but I have very roughly mapped it out and I reckon it's about 22miles...maybe 23 (since it's about a mile to the start of WHW from my house) but most likely no more.
Was off work on annual leave today (primarily to get my penultimate "long" long run before the marathon done) and had been having dreams of not being able to run cos it was raining really heavily. But it wasn't (when I started my run at least!). Headed out about 9.20am down onto WHW and off I went...
The hiccups started at the Mugdock turn off. I rubbed my eye as a fellow runner passed me and totally knocked my contact lens out. Spent ages checking for it on the ground until I realised it was just pushed further into my eyelid. Using the back of my ipod as a mirror (I looked great), I managed to get it out, clean it with water and put it back in again. However, it did take a while and quite a few ppl passed me in the process. Oh joy.
So, headed onwards as you do. It began to rain at the Beech Tree which was a bit offputting, but it was light so ok. Decided against going up Conic Hill as it equates to more walking than running for me, so went the road round to Balmaha. Shorter distance but I knew I could make it up. Plus, it is a road race I'm training for after all.
Queue incident 2. I'm running along and this sad looking dog apporached me just before Buchanan Smithy. Now the dog was walking towards oncoming traffic (a smart dog, perhaps?) but I called it over to the pavement I was on. It sort of looked at me sadly then trotted off, but I called it and it followed me into the little village. Someone there was also looking for its owner who seemed to be AWOL. The dog looked so sad and just kind of sat there, I didn't want to leave it but was assured that this other guy would take care of it. So I spent about 5-10 mins of my run looking after a lost dog.
Run after that was fairly uneventful into Balmaha. Getting wetter (annoyingly) but not too busy which I like. Was listening to some really funny podcasts which kept my mood high. The path through the forest past Balmaha was quite slippery so I was trying to be careful where I walked.
Queue incident 3. I must have been watching the view or something, but I suddenly tripped as my left foot hit an elevated branch and I came down quite hard on my right side. Luckily I was carrying a waterbottle round my wrist which seemed to take a lot of the impact off my hand. My left hand was really sore though, as was my right hip and shoulder. Plus I was flithy. I was kind of mortified, but no one saw so I just kept running. My shoulder began to get really sore, the tshirt was rubbing against the cut which wasn't pleasant.
I literally got a couple of feet and then incident 4 - down I went again. This time I have no idea what caused the fall, as the ground was levelling out. I went down on my left side this time and REALLY hurt my knee and right hand this time. I had scratches on my arms and shoulders but I just got up and kept running. My knee was sore but it felt more bruise sore than proper injury sore.
I actually felt like crying at this point, so text Derek and told him. Then text my mum who was getting me from Rowardennan. I kept going after that but I didn't feel so hot at all. I had arranged my mum to get me at 1.30pm, but I wouldn't make it to Rowardennan by then so I ran up the big hill just after the Glasgow Uni centre and crossed down the other side and continued up the road. She met me about half a mile further up the road and we sat in the car park and had some sarnies. I changed clothes and tried to clean up a little.
Lunch was great (my mum continually feeding the crow which sat next to the car and ended up having cheese mayo all over its beak) and we went in to see a few wedding venues (exciting...) on the way home in Drymen but I was glad to get home.
Now, assessing the damage I don't feel so great! My shoulder is cut and it hurts a lot but it's ok. My left knee, on the other hand, is pretty sore when I bend it. I don't think I'll be able to run for the next few days at least. There is a massive bruise appearing round the kneecap. Of course Derek came home from work after sliding to save a goal at football at lunch and he has grazed his right knee terribly...stealing my thunder!!
If there's any consolation, I did have a great run and did keep going for a while after my falls. Plus, my Achilles Tendon was fine...every cloud, and all that!!
Distance: ~22-23miles
Phew. All I can say to start off this post! I actually have no idea how far I went, but I have very roughly mapped it out and I reckon it's about 22miles...maybe 23 (since it's about a mile to the start of WHW from my house) but most likely no more.
Was off work on annual leave today (primarily to get my penultimate "long" long run before the marathon done) and had been having dreams of not being able to run cos it was raining really heavily. But it wasn't (when I started my run at least!). Headed out about 9.20am down onto WHW and off I went...
The hiccups started at the Mugdock turn off. I rubbed my eye as a fellow runner passed me and totally knocked my contact lens out. Spent ages checking for it on the ground until I realised it was just pushed further into my eyelid. Using the back of my ipod as a mirror (I looked great), I managed to get it out, clean it with water and put it back in again. However, it did take a while and quite a few ppl passed me in the process. Oh joy.
So, headed onwards as you do. It began to rain at the Beech Tree which was a bit offputting, but it was light so ok. Decided against going up Conic Hill as it equates to more walking than running for me, so went the road round to Balmaha. Shorter distance but I knew I could make it up. Plus, it is a road race I'm training for after all.
Queue incident 2. I'm running along and this sad looking dog apporached me just before Buchanan Smithy. Now the dog was walking towards oncoming traffic (a smart dog, perhaps?) but I called it over to the pavement I was on. It sort of looked at me sadly then trotted off, but I called it and it followed me into the little village. Someone there was also looking for its owner who seemed to be AWOL. The dog looked so sad and just kind of sat there, I didn't want to leave it but was assured that this other guy would take care of it. So I spent about 5-10 mins of my run looking after a lost dog.
Run after that was fairly uneventful into Balmaha. Getting wetter (annoyingly) but not too busy which I like. Was listening to some really funny podcasts which kept my mood high. The path through the forest past Balmaha was quite slippery so I was trying to be careful where I walked.
Queue incident 3. I must have been watching the view or something, but I suddenly tripped as my left foot hit an elevated branch and I came down quite hard on my right side. Luckily I was carrying a waterbottle round my wrist which seemed to take a lot of the impact off my hand. My left hand was really sore though, as was my right hip and shoulder. Plus I was flithy. I was kind of mortified, but no one saw so I just kept running. My shoulder began to get really sore, the tshirt was rubbing against the cut which wasn't pleasant.
I literally got a couple of feet and then incident 4 - down I went again. This time I have no idea what caused the fall, as the ground was levelling out. I went down on my left side this time and REALLY hurt my knee and right hand this time. I had scratches on my arms and shoulders but I just got up and kept running. My knee was sore but it felt more bruise sore than proper injury sore.
I actually felt like crying at this point, so text Derek and told him. Then text my mum who was getting me from Rowardennan. I kept going after that but I didn't feel so hot at all. I had arranged my mum to get me at 1.30pm, but I wouldn't make it to Rowardennan by then so I ran up the big hill just after the Glasgow Uni centre and crossed down the other side and continued up the road. She met me about half a mile further up the road and we sat in the car park and had some sarnies. I changed clothes and tried to clean up a little.
Lunch was great (my mum continually feeding the crow which sat next to the car and ended up having cheese mayo all over its beak) and we went in to see a few wedding venues (exciting...) on the way home in Drymen but I was glad to get home.
Now, assessing the damage I don't feel so great! My shoulder is cut and it hurts a lot but it's ok. My left knee, on the other hand, is pretty sore when I bend it. I don't think I'll be able to run for the next few days at least. There is a massive bruise appearing round the kneecap. Of course Derek came home from work after sliding to save a goal at football at lunch and he has grazed his right knee terribly...stealing my thunder!!
If there's any consolation, I did have a great run and did keep going for a while after my falls. Plus, my Achilles Tendon was fine...every cloud, and all that!!
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Wednesday 21/4
Time: 53mins
Distance: 6.4 miles
Pace: ~2.6miles easy, 1.4mile sprints, 2.4miles easy
Have been very tired of late, so decided to go into work a bit later today and do an early morning run after a bit of a lie in. Headed out about 7.45am (it's a massive lie in for me!!) and ran up to the waterworks. I know I'm meant to be doing some sprints and tempo runs to do well in the marathon but you know, I am just so tired some days I can't bring myself to do them.
Last night I got al l ready to go a run and then basically couldn't really keep my eyes open...so after a few reassuring words from my other half (don't run if you don't want to, one day won't make a difference, kind of thing) ... I decided to forget it. Today's run was good, I must say. The sprints were really easy and I didn't push myself as I should have, I just love the view from the waterworks, especially in the sunshine.
Plus, the physio told me I have an inflammed achilles tendon because of the change of running shoes, so I'm conscious that my heel gets sorer on hill sprints and when I run faster. I want to do a long run on Friday so will now just rest until then.
A friend at work's brother is running the Fling on Saturday. My friend has been talking about it a lot and I have been sorely tempted to give it a go but alas, I won't. Too much talk and not enough training I think. I love the idea, but the reality is a different ball game. Uch, maybe one day I will do something like that but I need more than 2 weeks notice before I do!!
Distance: 6.4 miles
Pace: ~2.6miles easy, 1.4mile sprints, 2.4miles easy
Have been very tired of late, so decided to go into work a bit later today and do an early morning run after a bit of a lie in. Headed out about 7.45am (it's a massive lie in for me!!) and ran up to the waterworks. I know I'm meant to be doing some sprints and tempo runs to do well in the marathon but you know, I am just so tired some days I can't bring myself to do them.
Last night I got al l ready to go a run and then basically couldn't really keep my eyes open...so after a few reassuring words from my other half (don't run if you don't want to, one day won't make a difference, kind of thing) ... I decided to forget it. Today's run was good, I must say. The sprints were really easy and I didn't push myself as I should have, I just love the view from the waterworks, especially in the sunshine.
Plus, the physio told me I have an inflammed achilles tendon because of the change of running shoes, so I'm conscious that my heel gets sorer on hill sprints and when I run faster. I want to do a long run on Friday so will now just rest until then.
A friend at work's brother is running the Fling on Saturday. My friend has been talking about it a lot and I have been sorely tempted to give it a go but alas, I won't. Too much talk and not enough training I think. I love the idea, but the reality is a different ball game. Uch, maybe one day I will do something like that but I need more than 2 weeks notice before I do!!
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Sunday 18/4 - Edinburgh Half Marathon
A nice photo to start off today's post! However, not quite such a good start to the race today. Wet, windy and sodding awful weather. Dad and I had gone through to Edinburgh yesterday to do some bits and bobs. We'd stayed in a really fantastic b&b last night and woken up to grey skies this morning.
There was quite a lot less people there and we thought it might have been because of the flight cancellations. Having said that, spirits were pretty good before the start. The above photo was taken in the stands before we started...looks like we're sharing a bin bag but we're really not!!
Anyway, the race itself was fine but to be honest I find it hard to get enthusiastic about half marathons now. I just can't seem to pace myself properly for them and generally end up getting a time round about 1hr50. My dad had had some really rocky training and hadn't run farther than 9.5 miles in about a year. He says this will be his last half, and since we had done some of his training together I wanted to run with him. There will always be time to race a half marathon in the future.
We stayed with the 2hr15 pacer until about 9 miles when my dad's arms began to go numb (it was fricking freezing!!) and he began to get sore hips. That seems to run in our family, and I am seeing the physio about it tomorrow. So yes, we lost the pacer about then (a nice lady from dunfermline) and kept to our own pace. Dad did slow down and stop to loosen his shoelaces at one point (something that took AGES considering both our hands were red raw numb) and towards the end we slowed a little but I think I did well with motivation and we finished in about 2hrs21mins.
I'm really proud, as he kept a good pace for the most part and picked it up well towards the end. I can't believe he's had a heart attack and just completed a half...it's great! I'm glad we ran together. I will enter the Bristol and/or Glasgow half and will be able to race those.
Something I did notice is that so many people disappear towards the end and don't watch the final runners come in. I know it's inevitable but it's sad really. Some of the people supporting though at the end are so great though, and it's fantastic that they are there. We got some good cheers as we came into Musselburgh!
Anyway, to finish here's a picture from my Balmaha-Milng run last week... Nice, huh?
Friday 16/4
Time: 53mins
Distance: 5.15miles
Pace: ~3.75miles @ 9.40min/mile, 1.4miles @8.30min/mile
Another run with dad in the sunshine. Was good. Dad came back after some time and I pushed on a little further myself. Couldn't stay out too long though as had an appointment in the afternoon so had to come back home and get ready for that.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Tuesday 13/4
Time: 1hr 35mins
Distance: ~9.65miles
Pace: ~9.45min/mile
When I got home from work today my dad was raring to go a run, and despite only wanting to do 5/6 steady miles I gave in and headed out the route I took on Sunday. It was a nice night but the sunshine quickly disappeared to leave a very cold wind in its place! My arms were flipping freezing as we climbed up towards the waterworks.
We did this at a fairly slow pace, as my dad was conscious of wanting to get in quite a few miles to prove he would be able to do it ok on Sunday. Plus, to be honest, by the end I was absolutely starving. I'd gone out straight from work with very little to eat at lunch, and nothing to eat when I got in. I was also REALLY tired. There is most definitely a correlation between increase in mileage over a stretch of time and no. hours sleep needed.
Anyway got in and stuffed my face with all sorts of delights...food is all I was thinking about for the last 2-3 miles!! All in all a good run and nice running with Dad. I think this week I will do a little speed session on Thursday if I have time and then a steady 5-6 miler on Friday. Have a half day, a woo hoo!!
Distance: ~9.65miles
Pace: ~9.45min/mile
When I got home from work today my dad was raring to go a run, and despite only wanting to do 5/6 steady miles I gave in and headed out the route I took on Sunday. It was a nice night but the sunshine quickly disappeared to leave a very cold wind in its place! My arms were flipping freezing as we climbed up towards the waterworks.
We did this at a fairly slow pace, as my dad was conscious of wanting to get in quite a few miles to prove he would be able to do it ok on Sunday. Plus, to be honest, by the end I was absolutely starving. I'd gone out straight from work with very little to eat at lunch, and nothing to eat when I got in. I was also REALLY tired. There is most definitely a correlation between increase in mileage over a stretch of time and no. hours sleep needed.
Anyway got in and stuffed my face with all sorts of delights...food is all I was thinking about for the last 2-3 miles!! All in all a good run and nice running with Dad. I think this week I will do a little speed session on Thursday if I have time and then a steady 5-6 miler on Friday. Have a half day, a woo hoo!!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Sunday 11/4
Time: 1hr 10 mins
Distance: ~8.2miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Headed out with dad about midday to make the most of the beautiful weather! It's so gorgeous I had such a fantastic run! My dad had already been out and done about 4.5 miles (he's putting in a last minute effort for the half a week today) and he joined me for about 4miles of this run. I then veered away from him back along the WHW up towards the Drumclog car park and then ran round the waterworks. There were loads of walkers out and the sky was blue as anything, views on the way up to the waterworks too were great.
Ran round there then the road home. Met Derek on the way back who was cycling into the West End to get his bike fixed. Was slightly jealous he was going to be out in the sunshine all day but my legs were a little sore when I stretched them...not so bad considering I've done a fair wee stint of running within 48 hours.
Going to sit out in the sunshine this afternoon and chillax with some friends. I have also had a notion to run the Bristol Half Marathon in September. My friend said he would do it with me, but it does mean that I'd either need to choose between Glasgow Half (the week before) and the Bristol Half...since I really should be doing a 20+ miler in prep for Loch Ness marathon one of those weeks...or should I run both? Advice very much appreciated as I'm really stuck with this!!
Distance: ~8.2miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Headed out with dad about midday to make the most of the beautiful weather! It's so gorgeous I had such a fantastic run! My dad had already been out and done about 4.5 miles (he's putting in a last minute effort for the half a week today) and he joined me for about 4miles of this run. I then veered away from him back along the WHW up towards the Drumclog car park and then ran round the waterworks. There were loads of walkers out and the sky was blue as anything, views on the way up to the waterworks too were great.
Ran round there then the road home. Met Derek on the way back who was cycling into the West End to get his bike fixed. Was slightly jealous he was going to be out in the sunshine all day but my legs were a little sore when I stretched them...not so bad considering I've done a fair wee stint of running within 48 hours.
Going to sit out in the sunshine this afternoon and chillax with some friends. I have also had a notion to run the Bristol Half Marathon in September. My friend said he would do it with me, but it does mean that I'd either need to choose between Glasgow Half (the week before) and the Bristol Half...since I really should be doing a 20+ miler in prep for Loch Ness marathon one of those weeks...or should I run both? Advice very much appreciated as I'm really stuck with this!!
Friday, 9 April 2010
Friday 9/4 - WHW Balmaha to Milngavie
Time: 3hrs 35mins
Distance: ~19.5 miles
Had a half day at work today and practically skipped out the door to get home and have some toast before I ran. My mum dropped me in Balmaha in the forest car park and I just headed back over Conic Hill. Didn't manage to run up the steep side, I must say, but I did walk up pretty fast.
The run down was really good, and I was listening to my Scott Mills Daily podcasts the whole way! They're hilarious. Been keeping me company on my runs for years! Check them out at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/mills/
Anyway the run was good, although my heel was terribly sore and did get to be a real pain come 2 hours into the run. I did walk up one or two of the hills outside Drymen and also the big uphill on the Carbeth part of the WHW. Also met my mum and dad out walking at the Khyber Pass which was a nice surprise.
When I got to that point the pain in my heel didn't really seem like such a big issue anymore and I really sped up. Finished my run just north of the village where my car was parked with some Rolos (mmmmm) and cold water, but I probably could have kept on going to be honest. I'm really pleased with the effort I put into this and I'm so happy. Was a great one!
Distance: ~19.5 miles
Had a half day at work today and practically skipped out the door to get home and have some toast before I ran. My mum dropped me in Balmaha in the forest car park and I just headed back over Conic Hill. Didn't manage to run up the steep side, I must say, but I did walk up pretty fast.
The run down was really good, and I was listening to my Scott Mills Daily podcasts the whole way! They're hilarious. Been keeping me company on my runs for years! Check them out at:
Anyway the run was good, although my heel was terribly sore and did get to be a real pain come 2 hours into the run. I did walk up one or two of the hills outside Drymen and also the big uphill on the Carbeth part of the WHW. Also met my mum and dad out walking at the Khyber Pass which was a nice surprise.
When I got to that point the pain in my heel didn't really seem like such a big issue anymore and I really sped up. Finished my run just north of the village where my car was parked with some Rolos (mmmmm) and cold water, but I probably could have kept on going to be honest. I'm really pleased with the effort I put into this and I'm so happy. Was a great one!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Wednesday 7/4
Type: Hill Sprints
Distance: ~4.7 miles
1.8 mile jog then 9x30 sec hill sprints then jog recovery with 1x30 sec hill sprint at end.
Good, solid sprints tonight. Some young boys congregated round about the bottom of the hill I sprint up, so I crossed the road. One of them then came across and asked me how far I'd run! It was quite funny, really. And I just explained that I was trying to run up the hill as hard as I could but wasn't doing that well. That was fairly true. I kept the recovery time down between the sprints which was great, but I don't think I went as fast as I could have. Was really tired though, and could feel my heel twinging.
In other news, my dad is swithering about running the half marathon next weekend. He doesn't think he's done enough training to run the whole thing, but I'm trying to convince him he'll be fine. He managed one year to hobble round with what was probably a hamstring strain (if not a tear!) so I think he'd manage it, even if he had to walk a little. We will see. I hope he does, we always have a great time going through to Edinburgh together!
Distance: ~4.7 miles
1.8 mile jog then 9x30 sec hill sprints then jog recovery with 1x30 sec hill sprint at end.
Good, solid sprints tonight. Some young boys congregated round about the bottom of the hill I sprint up, so I crossed the road. One of them then came across and asked me how far I'd run! It was quite funny, really. And I just explained that I was trying to run up the hill as hard as I could but wasn't doing that well. That was fairly true. I kept the recovery time down between the sprints which was great, but I don't think I went as fast as I could have. Was really tired though, and could feel my heel twinging.
In other news, my dad is swithering about running the half marathon next weekend. He doesn't think he's done enough training to run the whole thing, but I'm trying to convince him he'll be fine. He managed one year to hobble round with what was probably a hamstring strain (if not a tear!) so I think he'd manage it, even if he had to walk a little. We will see. I hope he does, we always have a great time going through to Edinburgh together!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Monday 5/4 - An unexpected run
Time: 2hrs
Distance: 13.2miles
Pace: ~9.05min/mile
What's with the rubbishy weather? Having been basking in glorious sunshine in Inverness (on Friday, at least), coming back to this wasn't so good! Had a great weekend in Ness, but forgot my running shoes (argh!) so couldn't run there. Thought I might if my heel was feeling better, but no such luck. My heel was still quite tight and also none of Derek or his brother's shoes fitted me properly.
On Saturday we played tennis for a while (quite tough with just the two of us in shoes which slipped up and down when I ran!) and went a walk in a forest. Was really nice. Had a good trip but was itching to get out a run when we came back down last night. Had a hearty dinner and got up early-ish this morning. Unfortunately procrastination meant I didn't actually get out until 10.30am...but when I was out it was fine.
I won't lie, my heel was hurting a lot at first and I thought that this was just going to be an easy 6 miler...however after the initial large uphill it really felt a lot better, and I felt like I was running quite strongly. I had a really consistent pace and felt great so just kept on going. Went out a back road past Baldernock and towards Strathblane which I've not done in ages. It certainly is hardest going in that direction - 3 times more uphills than downhills!!
Got in and had a big lunch which was great and just chilling for the rest of the day. Am thinking about my long run this week, which will be a 19/20 miler. I kind of want to do it in the morning as I find myselft running stornger in the mornings, but I don't think I can fit it in before work at 10am unless I get up really really early (5am, I'm guessing). But if it's a sunny day, who knows!...
On the shoe front, I am still having problems. When I'm out for over an hour my right arch is really sore. Got a physio appointment with the NHS for the day after the half marathon though, so that may hopefully explain one or two things!
Thursday 1/4
Distance: 13.6miles
Pace: ~9.20min/mile
Got into work this morning and just was not in the mood at all. I had loads to get sorted before driving up to Inverness tonight, and I felt guilty being in work when I needed to study etc! So I managed to get a half day, as did Derek, and we both left at 12pm sharp. Had a Docs appointment at 4.30pm so really needed to get out and do a good quality run before then.
Things, however, didn't go to plan. As soon as I started running my heel siezed up and it became quite sore to walk on, let along run on. Derek was cycling alongside, hwoever, so the chat made me stop thinking about it for a while. We were going at a slow pace and I knew there was no way I could get 18miles done as originally planned, and get back, changed and to the Docs on time. So we went off road, along WHW and through some tracks at Mugdock. It was really good! I love running across swamps and stuff! It really didn't feel like a run, more like just bounding through forests and marshes. I enjoyed myself and even though it wasn't really inkeeping with my training plan, well, it's not that big a deal.
Decided after that to go easy on the exercise this weekend and try to let my heel rest. It's sore to touch, as though it's bruised and I don't want to be doing my 20+ mile runs with an injury. So this weekend will be total relaxation! Though would take the running shoes, just in case...
Distance: 13.2miles
Pace: ~9.05min/mile
What's with the rubbishy weather? Having been basking in glorious sunshine in Inverness (on Friday, at least), coming back to this wasn't so good! Had a great weekend in Ness, but forgot my running shoes (argh!) so couldn't run there. Thought I might if my heel was feeling better, but no such luck. My heel was still quite tight and also none of Derek or his brother's shoes fitted me properly.
On Saturday we played tennis for a while (quite tough with just the two of us in shoes which slipped up and down when I ran!) and went a walk in a forest. Was really nice. Had a good trip but was itching to get out a run when we came back down last night. Had a hearty dinner and got up early-ish this morning. Unfortunately procrastination meant I didn't actually get out until 10.30am...but when I was out it was fine.
I won't lie, my heel was hurting a lot at first and I thought that this was just going to be an easy 6 miler...however after the initial large uphill it really felt a lot better, and I felt like I was running quite strongly. I had a really consistent pace and felt great so just kept on going. Went out a back road past Baldernock and towards Strathblane which I've not done in ages. It certainly is hardest going in that direction - 3 times more uphills than downhills!!
Got in and had a big lunch which was great and just chilling for the rest of the day. Am thinking about my long run this week, which will be a 19/20 miler. I kind of want to do it in the morning as I find myselft running stornger in the mornings, but I don't think I can fit it in before work at 10am unless I get up really really early (5am, I'm guessing). But if it's a sunny day, who knows!...
On the shoe front, I am still having problems. When I'm out for over an hour my right arch is really sore. Got a physio appointment with the NHS for the day after the half marathon though, so that may hopefully explain one or two things!
Thursday 1/4
Distance: 13.6miles
Pace: ~9.20min/mile
Got into work this morning and just was not in the mood at all. I had loads to get sorted before driving up to Inverness tonight, and I felt guilty being in work when I needed to study etc! So I managed to get a half day, as did Derek, and we both left at 12pm sharp. Had a Docs appointment at 4.30pm so really needed to get out and do a good quality run before then.
Things, however, didn't go to plan. As soon as I started running my heel siezed up and it became quite sore to walk on, let along run on. Derek was cycling alongside, hwoever, so the chat made me stop thinking about it for a while. We were going at a slow pace and I knew there was no way I could get 18miles done as originally planned, and get back, changed and to the Docs on time. So we went off road, along WHW and through some tracks at Mugdock. It was really good! I love running across swamps and stuff! It really didn't feel like a run, more like just bounding through forests and marshes. I enjoyed myself and even though it wasn't really inkeeping with my training plan, well, it's not that big a deal.
Decided after that to go easy on the exercise this weekend and try to let my heel rest. It's sore to touch, as though it's bruised and I don't want to be doing my 20+ mile runs with an injury. So this weekend will be total relaxation! Though would take the running shoes, just in case...
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Wednesday 31/3
Time: 42mins 30secs
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
The usual story - was incredibly tired tonight after getting in from work but decided to head out and get some fresh air. I was really pleased with this run, as the mid section is a long, winding uphill for almost a mile which I managed to keep roughly the same pace on.
My heel has been giving me some trouble over the past few runs - it's really sore on my right foot. I'm really busy this weekend so will probably have to do a long run on Friday morning...but I'm worried my heel will halt the distance on my long run. If it gets as sore as it was on the Drymen run I'm not sure I will be able to do it properly. Oh well, we'll see.
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
The usual story - was incredibly tired tonight after getting in from work but decided to head out and get some fresh air. I was really pleased with this run, as the mid section is a long, winding uphill for almost a mile which I managed to keep roughly the same pace on.
My heel has been giving me some trouble over the past few runs - it's really sore on my right foot. I'm really busy this weekend so will probably have to do a long run on Friday morning...but I'm worried my heel will halt the distance on my long run. If it gets as sore as it was on the Drymen run I'm not sure I will be able to do it properly. Oh well, we'll see.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Monday 29/3
Distance: 4.75miles
Pace: 1.85mile jog then 9x30sec hill sprints with jog recovery plus 1mile jog
Good, strong hs session today. Went out during the afternoon since I was off and was quite surpirsed at how busy my hilly road is! It kind of does spur you on though, because you don't want to look like a wimp who can't atually make it up the hill by standing at the foot of it for too long!
I hear hill sprints are great for building endurance and I feel they really helped me during the prep for my last few marathons...but I wonder if I'm gettin any use out of doing the same reps every 2 weeks, or if I should try the 1 min sprints again on a different hill. They were so tough and I know I didn't run as fast during them...maybe going a little slower but for longer is better...I just don't know!!
In other news my sponsorship page is now up and running! Check it out at:
http://www.justgiving.com/xtine-runs-edinburgh
Saturday 27/3
Time: 31mins
Distance: 3.5miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Just a quick easy one. Didn't want my heel to flare up again liek it did after the long run on Thursday, so kept it fairly short. I also am quite proud of the fact that I managed to get out during one of the only 35 minute periods when it wasn't raining!!
Pace: 1.85mile jog then 9x30sec hill sprints with jog recovery plus 1mile jog
Good, strong hs session today. Went out during the afternoon since I was off and was quite surpirsed at how busy my hilly road is! It kind of does spur you on though, because you don't want to look like a wimp who can't atually make it up the hill by standing at the foot of it for too long!
I hear hill sprints are great for building endurance and I feel they really helped me during the prep for my last few marathons...but I wonder if I'm gettin any use out of doing the same reps every 2 weeks, or if I should try the 1 min sprints again on a different hill. They were so tough and I know I didn't run as fast during them...maybe going a little slower but for longer is better...I just don't know!!
In other news my sponsorship page is now up and running! Check it out at:
Saturday 27/3
Time: 31mins
Distance: 3.5miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Just a quick easy one. Didn't want my heel to flare up again liek it did after the long run on Thursday, so kept it fairly short. I also am quite proud of the fact that I managed to get out during one of the only 35 minute periods when it wasn't raining!!
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Thursday 25/3 - Long Run on a Thursday??
Time: 2hrs 30mins
Distance: 16.15miles
Pace: ~9.20min/mile
Having had a half day from work today and being off until Tuesday (!!!) I decided to take full advantage of the holiday and kick it off with a nice long run. I only realised this morning that the marathon is a week earlier than I thought!! So I aimed to do around 15miles today. Pleasantly surprised myself too.
Ran around Milngavie for about 3.5miles, then headed onto the WHW towards Drymen. It was a pissy day, annoyingly. It started to rain at the Beech Tree and was pretty solid therein. Also, at one of the crossings with the stiles there were loads of cows in the way! I was so scared because they were all moo-ing and stuff, I ended up breaking off a large branch and shooing them....then bolting across the pathway. I didn't even risk stopping to open the fence, haha. I just squeezed through a tiny hole in the side....and got a horrible feeling a minute later that a cow may have done the same thing and followed me =|
Oh the joys. Was a lot further to Drymen than I remember from the Beech Tree, I must say. My new shoes were hurting my feet quite badly, and I was struggling on the hills approaching Drymen, despite my muscles feeling fine. Consequently, my pacing was a little out. I think I did those sections at more of a 10min/mile pace.
Anywho...off to kick start my holiday with a HUGE dinner =D Seems strange to not have to be running this weekend, too. Hopefully I will have time to cycle or walk a hill now.
Tuesday 23/3
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Have been incredibly tired this week, and legs were still tight from the run+hill climb last weekend, so kept it easy on this run. Did include a few hills, for kicks and giggles.
Distance: 16.15miles
Pace: ~9.20min/mile
Having had a half day from work today and being off until Tuesday (!!!) I decided to take full advantage of the holiday and kick it off with a nice long run. I only realised this morning that the marathon is a week earlier than I thought!! So I aimed to do around 15miles today. Pleasantly surprised myself too.
Ran around Milngavie for about 3.5miles, then headed onto the WHW towards Drymen. It was a pissy day, annoyingly. It started to rain at the Beech Tree and was pretty solid therein. Also, at one of the crossings with the stiles there were loads of cows in the way! I was so scared because they were all moo-ing and stuff, I ended up breaking off a large branch and shooing them....then bolting across the pathway. I didn't even risk stopping to open the fence, haha. I just squeezed through a tiny hole in the side....and got a horrible feeling a minute later that a cow may have done the same thing and followed me =|
Oh the joys. Was a lot further to Drymen than I remember from the Beech Tree, I must say. My new shoes were hurting my feet quite badly, and I was struggling on the hills approaching Drymen, despite my muscles feeling fine. Consequently, my pacing was a little out. I think I did those sections at more of a 10min/mile pace.
Anywho...off to kick start my holiday with a HUGE dinner =D Seems strange to not have to be running this weekend, too. Hopefully I will have time to cycle or walk a hill now.
Tuesday 23/3
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Have been incredibly tired this week, and legs were still tight from the run+hill climb last weekend, so kept it easy on this run. Did include a few hills, for kicks and giggles.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Saturday 20/3 - Walk up Conic Hill
Had a great walk up Conic Hill today with Derek! I'm not really one for walking, but this was great. Took some great pictures, although my legs were quite tight from yesterday...think that's the problem with not eating before I go out running.
Anyway, loads of walkers out today and plenty of sunshine! Photos to follow.
Friday 19/3
Time: 1hr 55mins
Distance: 12.55miles
Pace: ~8.50min/mile (faster at times)
Up and out the door by 6.35am this morning before work! Very keen, eh? Wanted to get a long run done this morning because I was planning on walking up Conic Hill on Saturday. Couldn't really go too far, as the latest I can go into work is 10am.
Did roughly the same route as last week which was really good. I did, however, add a big part on to the start which seemed not to make a great difference. A tad annoying, but hey. I think I started to peak in my marathon training too soon.
Not sure I could continue these early morning runs after next week though - doubt I could get out and run 20 miles before 9am! I could try though.... Oh, and I cancelled the physio appointment for tomorrow....I'll try my luck with the shoes...even though I wore the old ones out on this run.
These bleedin' shoes are causing me more time and effort than they're worth!!!
Anyway, loads of walkers out today and plenty of sunshine! Photos to follow.
Friday 19/3
Time: 1hr 55mins
Distance: 12.55miles
Pace: ~8.50min/mile (faster at times)
Up and out the door by 6.35am this morning before work! Very keen, eh? Wanted to get a long run done this morning because I was planning on walking up Conic Hill on Saturday. Couldn't really go too far, as the latest I can go into work is 10am.
Did roughly the same route as last week which was really good. I did, however, add a big part on to the start which seemed not to make a great difference. A tad annoying, but hey. I think I started to peak in my marathon training too soon.
Not sure I could continue these early morning runs after next week though - doubt I could get out and run 20 miles before 9am! I could try though.... Oh, and I cancelled the physio appointment for tomorrow....I'll try my luck with the shoes...even though I wore the old ones out on this run.
These bleedin' shoes are causing me more time and effort than they're worth!!!
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Wednesday 17/3
Time: 34mins
Distance: 4.05miles
Pace: All over the place
Braved the new shoes tonight and went a run in them. They definitely hurt my feet, and they slip up at the back of my right heel. The guy in Achilles Heel told me to tie my laces really tightly, so I did. But man, my foot went numb! Both my feet did! and the shoe was still slipping on the right foot. It's really annoying. I wonder what to do about it.
Last Saturday, I took my shoes back to Achilles Heel. The guy looked at the way I walk and said that is the problem, not my shoes. To be honest, now I'm thinking he was fobbing me off...because I ended up getting a physio appointment which is this Saturday and the shoes are still hurting me. I fail to see how having run the way I have for all these years without problems, that the minute I buy new shoes I get problems,...and it's my fault? Suspicious.
I'm still debating whether to pay £30 for the physio appointment or try to get one at Milngavie Health Centre. Will wait and see on that one...I'm not one who tolerates wasting money!!
Tuesday 16/3
Time: 55mins
Distance: ~6.4 miles
Did a 1.85mile jog to warm up, then 8 x 30 sec hill sprints...then 2 quite pathetic ones! Met my dad on my jog back and went with him on his route for a little while but he wanted to keep going, so I turned back. Tried to run quite fast up the final hill and quite enjoyed it....Mumford and Son's "Little Lion Man" blasting in my headphones.
What a great run!! And my dad went on to do a 9.5miler which has seriously boosted his confidence. I'm very proud of him!
Sunday 14/3 - run with Dad and Derek
Time: 55 mins
Distance: ~5.5miles
Pace: ~10min/mile
Went out with Dad and Derek a wee run round the woods. Was really nice, and we were all feeling quite strong. I'm glad I waited to run with my dad...even though I was complaining about wanting to run in the sun earlier on in the day!
Distance: 4.05miles
Pace: All over the place
Braved the new shoes tonight and went a run in them. They definitely hurt my feet, and they slip up at the back of my right heel. The guy in Achilles Heel told me to tie my laces really tightly, so I did. But man, my foot went numb! Both my feet did! and the shoe was still slipping on the right foot. It's really annoying. I wonder what to do about it.
Last Saturday, I took my shoes back to Achilles Heel. The guy looked at the way I walk and said that is the problem, not my shoes. To be honest, now I'm thinking he was fobbing me off...because I ended up getting a physio appointment which is this Saturday and the shoes are still hurting me. I fail to see how having run the way I have for all these years without problems, that the minute I buy new shoes I get problems,...and it's my fault? Suspicious.
I'm still debating whether to pay £30 for the physio appointment or try to get one at Milngavie Health Centre. Will wait and see on that one...I'm not one who tolerates wasting money!!
Tuesday 16/3
Time: 55mins
Distance: ~6.4 miles
Did a 1.85mile jog to warm up, then 8 x 30 sec hill sprints...then 2 quite pathetic ones! Met my dad on my jog back and went with him on his route for a little while but he wanted to keep going, so I turned back. Tried to run quite fast up the final hill and quite enjoyed it....Mumford and Son's "Little Lion Man" blasting in my headphones.
What a great run!! And my dad went on to do a 9.5miler which has seriously boosted his confidence. I'm very proud of him!
Sunday 14/3 - run with Dad and Derek
Time: 55 mins
Distance: ~5.5miles
Pace: ~10min/mile
Went out with Dad and Derek a wee run round the woods. Was really nice, and we were all feeling quite strong. I'm glad I waited to run with my dad...even though I was complaining about wanting to run in the sun earlier on in the day!
Friday, 12 March 2010
Friday 12/3 - A long run in old shoes
Time: 1hr 52mins
Distance: 12.45 miles
Pace: ~9 min/mile
Whaw, I impressed myself this morning! Having the day off work to do my dissertation and debating whether to get up or not, I lay until just after 7 then got up, put some cream on the cat's wound (poor thing), had a banana (& a little cereal), and headed onto WHW.
Wasn't really too sure where I was going to go...so just let the wind (or sun, rather - glorious day!!) carry me. Went up the Khyber Pass and towards Mugdock. Got strangely attracted to the fields towards Strathblane...so just climbed a fence and went! I wasn't really very sure where the path would take me....because there wasn't really one! I ended up doing a bit of a loop round a loch then onto another field where I found myself surrounded by deer!! It was pretty unreal.
The deer in question...
and the view from the field.
All in all this was a great run, and I had no hassle with my old shoes. Of course I can feel wee aches and pains here and there, but nothing like the pain I'm feeling with the new ones - they definitely need to go back. I'm also incredibly proud I ran almost a half marathon without eating breakfast or drinking water enroute =D I think you feel fresher when you're not bogged down with waterbottles and the like.
Oh! And as promised, Spiderman from last Friday's run... oooh and an ahh!
Distance: 12.45 miles
Pace: ~9 min/mile
Whaw, I impressed myself this morning! Having the day off work to do my dissertation and debating whether to get up or not, I lay until just after 7 then got up, put some cream on the cat's wound (poor thing), had a banana (& a little cereal), and headed onto WHW.
Wasn't really too sure where I was going to go...so just let the wind (or sun, rather - glorious day!!) carry me. Went up the Khyber Pass and towards Mugdock. Got strangely attracted to the fields towards Strathblane...so just climbed a fence and went! I wasn't really very sure where the path would take me....because there wasn't really one! I ended up doing a bit of a loop round a loch then onto another field where I found myself surrounded by deer!! It was pretty unreal.
The deer in question...
and the view from the field.
All in all this was a great run, and I had no hassle with my old shoes. Of course I can feel wee aches and pains here and there, but nothing like the pain I'm feeling with the new ones - they definitely need to go back. I'm also incredibly proud I ran almost a half marathon without eating breakfast or drinking water enroute =D I think you feel fresher when you're not bogged down with waterbottles and the like.
Oh! And as promised, Spiderman from last Friday's run... oooh and an ahh!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Tuesday 9/3 - New frelling shoes
Distance: 3.55 miles
Pace: 8.45 (warm up) 8.15 for rest
So soooo tired....could barely keep my eyes open but just KNEW if I ran I'd feel better...so I did. Am trying this new 1 hard 1 easy week strategy before the marathon...that is I have one week of "hard" training including a >average midweek long run and hill sprints, then one "easy" week...i.e. just doing really whatever the h*ll I feel like. This is, most definitely, an easy week!!!!
Ok onto the pressing thing. Frell my new shoes (been watching a loooot of Farscape of late). The guy in the shop said that the ones he sold me would give me adequate arch support, as I sometimes (and I mean RARELY) get a wee pain in the arch of my foot, as though that muscle is stretching really tight.
So, I go out a run in my new shoes. Not a member of the gym any more, so had to just go on a non-muddy path to try them. I did notice that they slipped, remember. Ok, so fine, I thought. Next run I did (details to follow), I feel this agony pain in my arch of the foot where the shoe was slipping. It's so sore, worse than it ever has been...and all I've been doing is running slowly on a flat path!
And again on this run, my arch was acheing with every footstep. It's fine to start, and only happens after I've been running for about 2 miles. But then it's recurrent and pretty damn annoying. I was in 2 minds - the shoes are filthy, as the runs have been on WHW, and they really probably couldn't be sold again. BUT, I've paid £85 quid for them (actually less with student discount) and the guy told me they would be fine for me. And they're not. So really, who is in the wrong here?
Either way, I phoned Achilles Heel and they've told me to bring my old shoes and my new shoes in on Saturday and they'd see what they can do. Oh the joys.
Anyway, moving swiftly on, other runs:
Sunday 6/3
Distance: ~6.5miles
Did a run/walk combo on the pipetrack between Stockiemuir Road and Dumbarton with dad. Covered in snow...so we had to walk at some parts. Ended up running the last 3.5miles solid though.
Friday 5/3
Distance: 9.1miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Run on WHW, quite early and really good! Photos to follow....saw Spiderman on a tree! (Not the real one, obviously)
In other news...Wedding planning is BORING. I am against any kind of "wedding package" and think those who endorse "wedding packages" are scum and should respect the individuals involved by NOT extorting ridiculous amounts of money out of them for stupid food/drink that would otherwise cost a fraction of the price. ARGH.
Ok, rant over. I'd have a BYOB Garden wedding if I could. If only...
Pace: 8.45 (warm up) 8.15 for rest
So soooo tired....could barely keep my eyes open but just KNEW if I ran I'd feel better...so I did. Am trying this new 1 hard 1 easy week strategy before the marathon...that is I have one week of "hard" training including a >average midweek long run and hill sprints, then one "easy" week...i.e. just doing really whatever the h*ll I feel like. This is, most definitely, an easy week!!!!
Ok onto the pressing thing. Frell my new shoes (been watching a loooot of Farscape of late). The guy in the shop said that the ones he sold me would give me adequate arch support, as I sometimes (and I mean RARELY) get a wee pain in the arch of my foot, as though that muscle is stretching really tight.
So, I go out a run in my new shoes. Not a member of the gym any more, so had to just go on a non-muddy path to try them. I did notice that they slipped, remember. Ok, so fine, I thought. Next run I did (details to follow), I feel this agony pain in my arch of the foot where the shoe was slipping. It's so sore, worse than it ever has been...and all I've been doing is running slowly on a flat path!
And again on this run, my arch was acheing with every footstep. It's fine to start, and only happens after I've been running for about 2 miles. But then it's recurrent and pretty damn annoying. I was in 2 minds - the shoes are filthy, as the runs have been on WHW, and they really probably couldn't be sold again. BUT, I've paid £85 quid for them (actually less with student discount) and the guy told me they would be fine for me. And they're not. So really, who is in the wrong here?
Either way, I phoned Achilles Heel and they've told me to bring my old shoes and my new shoes in on Saturday and they'd see what they can do. Oh the joys.
Anyway, moving swiftly on, other runs:
Sunday 6/3
Distance: ~6.5miles
Did a run/walk combo on the pipetrack between Stockiemuir Road and Dumbarton with dad. Covered in snow...so we had to walk at some parts. Ended up running the last 3.5miles solid though.
Friday 5/3
Distance: 9.1miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Run on WHW, quite early and really good! Photos to follow....saw Spiderman on a tree! (Not the real one, obviously)
In other news...Wedding planning is BORING. I am against any kind of "wedding package" and think those who endorse "wedding packages" are scum and should respect the individuals involved by NOT extorting ridiculous amounts of money out of them for stupid food/drink that would otherwise cost a fraction of the price. ARGH.
Ok, rant over. I'd have a BYOB Garden wedding if I could. If only...
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Wednesday 3/3 - A Twilight Run
Distance: 6miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile (4m@8.40m/m, 2m@8.15m/m)
Time: 50mins
Had sort of psyched myself up for this run, so by the time I shot off from work (and I mean SHOT out of there at 4.01pm) I was raring to go. Had some cereal when I got in and sat on the bed to let it digest (I'm very tired these days)...I almost lay down but I thought that if I lay down, I'd just go to sleep and there would be no running for me.
Headed out just as it was getting dark in my new shoes. The sun was setting and it was really, really nice. Now, my new shoes are goregous. Finally got around to uploading my phone photos:
ooooohhh
aaahhhh....
Yes, they are nice. But you know what I didn't realise until about 3 miles into the (muddy) run? They slip up and down at the heel of my right foot =| Is this ok? I don't know. I vaguely remember my (now old) shoes doing it when they were new (on their first run which was incidentally on the same path as tonight)...but idk. I will have to keep an eye on the situation, as it's too late to return them now. I guess walking around the house to wear them in isn't at all like running in them!
In other news here's a photo last time I was on WHW early on saturday morning:
Nice, isn't it? The loch was frozen solid and all glittery (: Oh, and while we're on the photo story here's a funny one which I looked up from my book to the other night:
Honestly, my cat thinks he is a man. It's unbelievable! Not to mention undignified!
Oh! and whilst I remember...did anybody see Kelvinbridge subway station when it had the paintings all over the walls? (Not sure if it still does!)
Stunning, huh?
Pace: ~8.30min/mile (4m@8.40m/m, 2m@8.15m/m)
Time: 50mins
Had sort of psyched myself up for this run, so by the time I shot off from work (and I mean SHOT out of there at 4.01pm) I was raring to go. Had some cereal when I got in and sat on the bed to let it digest (I'm very tired these days)...I almost lay down but I thought that if I lay down, I'd just go to sleep and there would be no running for me.
Headed out just as it was getting dark in my new shoes. The sun was setting and it was really, really nice. Now, my new shoes are goregous. Finally got around to uploading my phone photos:
ooooohhh
aaahhhh....
Yes, they are nice. But you know what I didn't realise until about 3 miles into the (muddy) run? They slip up and down at the heel of my right foot =| Is this ok? I don't know. I vaguely remember my (now old) shoes doing it when they were new (on their first run which was incidentally on the same path as tonight)...but idk. I will have to keep an eye on the situation, as it's too late to return them now. I guess walking around the house to wear them in isn't at all like running in them!
In other news here's a photo last time I was on WHW early on saturday morning:
Nice, isn't it? The loch was frozen solid and all glittery (: Oh, and while we're on the photo story here's a funny one which I looked up from my book to the other night:
Honestly, my cat thinks he is a man. It's unbelievable! Not to mention undignified!
Oh! and whilst I remember...did anybody see Kelvinbridge subway station when it had the paintings all over the walls? (Not sure if it still does!)
Stunning, huh?
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Monday 1/3 - hill sprints
Time: ~50mins
Distance: 4.8miles
With a hop and a skip I was out tonight...after deciding to just bite the bullet and do my hill sprints.
Ran warm up for 1.85miles then did 9 x 25sec hill sprints with jog recoveries. Then ran about 1.4miles cool down and did another hill sprint for about 1 min. It was tough and to be honest I really couldn't make it to the 30second mark any of the first 9 times! Maybe it's because I was doing it on the tough pavement or something, but I found it incredibly mentally challenging to keep going for the whole time. Was pleased when my legs hurt a little today though.
Oh, but I did hurt the top of my foot just onto my shin. Think my shoes are completely worn out. I tried to wear my new shoes but I just don't want to wreck them, I know that sounds awful. Will just have to bite the buller next time I go out I reckon.
Sunday 28/2
Time: ~35mins
Distane: 4.5miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
After a days rest yesterday I was feeling good so headed out onto some hills for this run. I really like running hills - feels like a real challenge now. Not sure that incorporating too many of them into my Edinburgh Marathon training would be good though. We'll see.
Distance: 4.8miles
With a hop and a skip I was out tonight...after deciding to just bite the bullet and do my hill sprints.
Ran warm up for 1.85miles then did 9 x 25sec hill sprints with jog recoveries. Then ran about 1.4miles cool down and did another hill sprint for about 1 min. It was tough and to be honest I really couldn't make it to the 30second mark any of the first 9 times! Maybe it's because I was doing it on the tough pavement or something, but I found it incredibly mentally challenging to keep going for the whole time. Was pleased when my legs hurt a little today though.
Oh, but I did hurt the top of my foot just onto my shin. Think my shoes are completely worn out. I tried to wear my new shoes but I just don't want to wreck them, I know that sounds awful. Will just have to bite the buller next time I go out I reckon.
Sunday 28/2
Time: ~35mins
Distane: 4.5miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
After a days rest yesterday I was feeling good so headed out onto some hills for this run. I really like running hills - feels like a real challenge now. Not sure that incorporating too many of them into my Edinburgh Marathon training would be good though. We'll see.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Friday 26/2 - a "non-so-long" long run
Time: 1hr 7 mins
Distance: ~8 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Got up early and headed out this run before work on Friday morning. Wasn't a very nice day - sleet galore! I also met another runner coming out the street one up from mine who crossed the road and sprinted ahead of me. He stayed in front of me for about a mile but never got any further ahead...is it just me who gets a little "freaked" by this?? I don't want to sound competitive, because when running I'm really not. But I'm not keen on people who move ahead of you kind of purposely and then don't actually get ahead any further...it's obvious we were running at about the same pace! I think it's a man thing - women just smile at you and get on with it!!
Anyway, run was uneventful - very wet. I didn't have enough time to really do a long run so I was quite pleased with this 8 miler. I had also been feeling a little sluggish over the past few days and decided that this week can just be an easy week. Might cycle this weekend - will see how I feel!
Oh, and la piece de la resistence - got new running shoes!! More brooks, 2/3 models up from my ones. They're so nice and shiney!!! I took pics of them compared to my old shoes (which are wrecked in comparison), which I will post as soon as I figure out how to get them from my phone to the computer (!) I spent a good hour in Achilles Heel trying on different types. The guy says because my foot tilts inward I should have more arch support...so he brought out these Brooks shoes which looked like fashion shoes! I couldn't believe it! they were really comfy but I think I'd get a slagging from my dad if I wore them, as they do look like cat-walk style shoes. So I tried on about 5 more pairs, hummed and hawed, and ended up going with the first pair I'd tried on...which were essentially the same as my old ones...
Don't be afraid of change, they say!!
Tuesday 23/2
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Wasn't feeling up to this run but decided to go out anyway - bad move! Did a "hill" run, i.e. 2 big hills which I tried to keep the same pace on. When I got back I felt really bad. Ended up lying on the sofa for the rest of the evening with a chinese meal!!
Not sure, maybe it was a cold or something, but I didn't end up running for the next few days.
Distance: ~8 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Got up early and headed out this run before work on Friday morning. Wasn't a very nice day - sleet galore! I also met another runner coming out the street one up from mine who crossed the road and sprinted ahead of me. He stayed in front of me for about a mile but never got any further ahead...is it just me who gets a little "freaked" by this?? I don't want to sound competitive, because when running I'm really not. But I'm not keen on people who move ahead of you kind of purposely and then don't actually get ahead any further...it's obvious we were running at about the same pace! I think it's a man thing - women just smile at you and get on with it!!
Anyway, run was uneventful - very wet. I didn't have enough time to really do a long run so I was quite pleased with this 8 miler. I had also been feeling a little sluggish over the past few days and decided that this week can just be an easy week. Might cycle this weekend - will see how I feel!
Oh, and la piece de la resistence - got new running shoes!! More brooks, 2/3 models up from my ones. They're so nice and shiney!!! I took pics of them compared to my old shoes (which are wrecked in comparison), which I will post as soon as I figure out how to get them from my phone to the computer (!) I spent a good hour in Achilles Heel trying on different types. The guy says because my foot tilts inward I should have more arch support...so he brought out these Brooks shoes which looked like fashion shoes! I couldn't believe it! they were really comfy but I think I'd get a slagging from my dad if I wore them, as they do look like cat-walk style shoes. So I tried on about 5 more pairs, hummed and hawed, and ended up going with the first pair I'd tried on...which were essentially the same as my old ones...
Don't be afraid of change, they say!!
Tuesday 23/2
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Wasn't feeling up to this run but decided to go out anyway - bad move! Did a "hill" run, i.e. 2 big hills which I tried to keep the same pace on. When I got back I felt really bad. Ended up lying on the sofa for the rest of the evening with a chinese meal!!
Not sure, maybe it was a cold or something, but I didn't end up running for the next few days.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Sunday 21/2 - a little jaunt through the woods
Time: 41mins
Distance: 4.8 miles
Pace: 8.30min/mile
After studying for most of the morning and early into the afternoon I decided to head out a little run into the woods to Bearsden and back. My legs weren't sore after yesterday's run, and I'm thinking what I will actually have to do to make my legs feel as though I've worked them!!? The sorest they have been (in order of my cringing whilst doing things such as sitting down & going downstairs) are:
1. After my first (Edinburgh) marathon in 2007
2. After the Loch Ness marathon in 2009 when I REALLY pushed it
3. After one of my 23mile training runs for the first marathon
(Now they are starting to merge into one giant pain-fest)
4. After the (stupidly timed) run I did 5 days after the first marathon...though that was probably residual from point 1.
5. The day after those hill sprints I did when I got caught up in the running group at Kelvingrove Park
My legs weren't even that sore after the Balmaha-home run I did in 2008 with my cycling buddy. Maybe I have trained better or my muscles have resigned themselves to living with pain or something, idk. Any advice would be appreciated!
But anyway, today's run was great. It's SUCH beautiful weather, I love it. I just kept going as far as I wanted to. Only problem was that I was wearing old 3/4 length running trews and they have gone pretty much see-through =/ I had to wrap a high-viz vest around my backside to hide the flowery pants I had on which were perfectly visible through the trousers. And of course, when I run, nothing stays put. I mean that in the most outerly-layer-way possible. I mean that if I tie something round my waist, or tuck something into my trousers, it ALWAYS pops back out of place. So the vest kept riding up. I'm sure walkers got a good laugh out of it. As I'm sure marathon onlookers do when they see something decidedly pointy sticking out the front of my shorts when I tuck my water bottle down there come 22 miles.
Oh the joys. At least a hat does hide your identity somewhat...
Distance: 4.8 miles
Pace: 8.30min/mile
After studying for most of the morning and early into the afternoon I decided to head out a little run into the woods to Bearsden and back. My legs weren't sore after yesterday's run, and I'm thinking what I will actually have to do to make my legs feel as though I've worked them!!? The sorest they have been (in order of my cringing whilst doing things such as sitting down & going downstairs) are:
1. After my first (Edinburgh) marathon in 2007
2. After the Loch Ness marathon in 2009 when I REALLY pushed it
3. After one of my 23mile training runs for the first marathon
(Now they are starting to merge into one giant pain-fest)
4. After the (stupidly timed) run I did 5 days after the first marathon...though that was probably residual from point 1.
5. The day after those hill sprints I did when I got caught up in the running group at Kelvingrove Park
My legs weren't even that sore after the Balmaha-home run I did in 2008 with my cycling buddy. Maybe I have trained better or my muscles have resigned themselves to living with pain or something, idk. Any advice would be appreciated!
But anyway, today's run was great. It's SUCH beautiful weather, I love it. I just kept going as far as I wanted to. Only problem was that I was wearing old 3/4 length running trews and they have gone pretty much see-through =/ I had to wrap a high-viz vest around my backside to hide the flowery pants I had on which were perfectly visible through the trousers. And of course, when I run, nothing stays put. I mean that in the most outerly-layer-way possible. I mean that if I tie something round my waist, or tuck something into my trousers, it ALWAYS pops back out of place. So the vest kept riding up. I'm sure walkers got a good laugh out of it. As I'm sure marathon onlookers do when they see something decidedly pointy sticking out the front of my shorts when I tuck my water bottle down there come 22 miles.
Oh the joys. At least a hat does hide your identity somewhat...
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Saturday 19/2 - run on whw
Time: 1hr 27mins
Distance: 10.4miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Got up early this morning and headed out to the forest at my house. Did a little run there then went onto the WHW and out towards the Beech tree. It was a beautiful morning and honestly, that section of the WHW just after Carbeth before you meet the flat on the way to the Beech Tree I think is just fantastic. Not only is it completely downhill ( =D )but you are completely in the wilderness, with usually not another person in sight. I think it's great. Imagine running down there with "Disarm" by the Smashing Pumpkins playing on your ipod - fantastic. I normally like to run those open parts of WHW with no music on (to appreciate the surroundings and all that jazz) but I had some new music on my ipod which I wanted to listen to, and thought heading out in the morning would be a good chance.
I absolutely love this song by Chase & Status which my little sister actually introduced me to. It's maybe been a bit overused, but I still think it's a really nice song, and a good one to run to. Maybe not for those who don't really like dance music (and this video has some swears in it), but my little sister says that the film the song is from - Harry Brown - is really good too.
In addition, now I'm on a roll and once you start me talking about music...that's it... for those who haven't heard of the WONDERFUL Mumford & Sons, I would THOROUGHLY recommend some of their songs for running. One in particular - Little Lion Man - is very very good. It's kind of new-country/indie, and really (you know I love lyrics) who can dispute the words
"It was not your fault but mine
and it was your heart on the line,
I really f*cked it up this time -
didn't I, my dear?"
Epic. (: Oh, and the run itself ended up being very srong throughout =D
Anyways, back to the rest of this weeks runs.
Thursday 17/2
Distance: 5.15miles
Time: ~45mins
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
I had been in Aberdeen yesterday for what ended up being quite a busy day's trip to the ARI, so when I got home from work today I wanted to get out. Run was good, 3 major hills of note which I kept the same pace on as everywhere else. I'm trying to keep up with the hills this year, trying to either sprint them or keep the same pace on them. Only exception would be my long runs (15 miles+) but even then I am trying to run them as best I can. I actually saw my dad out running at the top of the final big hill (when I say big I mean takes 2-4mins to run up). I ran faster to catch up with him but he was keeping a fairly steady pace...and when I did reach him just before we cut off to my house I couldn't even speak I was so tired!!
There's something to be said for keeping an "even pace" throughout a longer run after all, I think!!
Tuesday 15/2
Type: Hill Sprints
Time: 50mins
Distance: ~5.10miles
Ran about 2.5miles to warm up then stopped on this big hill I normally include in my hill runs, and i sprinted up it 8 times for 30 seconds. I then jogged back down. My last run up was right to the top, which took 40 secs, and just about floored me! I jogged back to the house but overall I was very pleased at getting the 9 hill sprints done. My legs actually felt quite stiff afterwards too!! I reckon this can only be a good thing since I haven't actually done a run which made my legs hurt since some of my long training runs last year.
Distance: 10.4miles
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
Got up early this morning and headed out to the forest at my house. Did a little run there then went onto the WHW and out towards the Beech tree. It was a beautiful morning and honestly, that section of the WHW just after Carbeth before you meet the flat on the way to the Beech Tree I think is just fantastic. Not only is it completely downhill ( =D )but you are completely in the wilderness, with usually not another person in sight. I think it's great. Imagine running down there with "Disarm" by the Smashing Pumpkins playing on your ipod - fantastic. I normally like to run those open parts of WHW with no music on (to appreciate the surroundings and all that jazz) but I had some new music on my ipod which I wanted to listen to, and thought heading out in the morning would be a good chance.
I absolutely love this song by Chase & Status which my little sister actually introduced me to. It's maybe been a bit overused, but I still think it's a really nice song, and a good one to run to. Maybe not for those who don't really like dance music (and this video has some swears in it), but my little sister says that the film the song is from - Harry Brown - is really good too.
In addition, now I'm on a roll and once you start me talking about music...that's it... for those who haven't heard of the WONDERFUL Mumford & Sons, I would THOROUGHLY recommend some of their songs for running. One in particular - Little Lion Man - is very very good. It's kind of new-country/indie, and really (you know I love lyrics) who can dispute the words
"It was not your fault but mine
and it was your heart on the line,
I really f*cked it up this time -
didn't I, my dear?"
Epic. (: Oh, and the run itself ended up being very srong throughout =D
Anyways, back to the rest of this weeks runs.
Thursday 17/2
Distance: 5.15miles
Time: ~45mins
Pace: ~8.45min/mile
I had been in Aberdeen yesterday for what ended up being quite a busy day's trip to the ARI, so when I got home from work today I wanted to get out. Run was good, 3 major hills of note which I kept the same pace on as everywhere else. I'm trying to keep up with the hills this year, trying to either sprint them or keep the same pace on them. Only exception would be my long runs (15 miles+) but even then I am trying to run them as best I can. I actually saw my dad out running at the top of the final big hill (when I say big I mean takes 2-4mins to run up). I ran faster to catch up with him but he was keeping a fairly steady pace...and when I did reach him just before we cut off to my house I couldn't even speak I was so tired!!
There's something to be said for keeping an "even pace" throughout a longer run after all, I think!!
Tuesday 15/2
Type: Hill Sprints
Time: 50mins
Distance: ~5.10miles
Ran about 2.5miles to warm up then stopped on this big hill I normally include in my hill runs, and i sprinted up it 8 times for 30 seconds. I then jogged back down. My last run up was right to the top, which took 40 secs, and just about floored me! I jogged back to the house but overall I was very pleased at getting the 9 hill sprints done. My legs actually felt quite stiff afterwards too!! I reckon this can only be a good thing since I haven't actually done a run which made my legs hurt since some of my long training runs last year.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Saturday 13/2
Distance: 3.9miles
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
Today's run was a really gentle, go-as-far-as-I-feel-like run. My legs were a little bit tight from yesterday's run, even though they feel ok when I'm walking. I also didn't have a lot of time so just went slowly through the woods and up and down some nice hills.
The house was a little bit chaotic getting things ready for tonight's par-tay so I stayed out this morning doing errands in the village. Got the bus out to pick up my car which was in getting fixed. I really miss getting the bus! Used to get it almost every day and I loved it. It's so nice not having to worry about traffic and petrol consumption (like I do a lot!). Going to do some work now before getting ready for tonight. I'm already feeling knackered...this will be interesting... =D
Friday 12/2
Time: 1hr 15mins (ish)
Distance: 9.1miles
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
Since we will be having a Valetine's/engagement party at our house on Saturday night and I was likely to NOT want to run after it on Sunday, I figured I would do my long run on Friday morning and just go in to work a bit later.
What a good idea! Got up at usual time, about 6.30am and had a quick breakfast, then headed out by 7.20am. I ran through the woods then on west highland way, out to the Khyber pass and up round Mugdock village. I love that route, though the elevation at the beginning leaves little to the imagination (it practically bends back on itself).
Here is the hell-ish hill to which I refer:
(n.b. the seriousness of the incline - highlighted bright red!!)
Anyway, besides the big hill (about which I have probably written far too much) the run was great. The sun was pretty strong and was beaming, it really was beautiful running on that road surrounded by countryside. Plus being in work by 9.45am knowing you've run over 9 miles and can rightfully eat whatever you want for the rest of the day is a great feeling too!
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
Today's run was a really gentle, go-as-far-as-I-feel-like run. My legs were a little bit tight from yesterday's run, even though they feel ok when I'm walking. I also didn't have a lot of time so just went slowly through the woods and up and down some nice hills.
The house was a little bit chaotic getting things ready for tonight's par-tay so I stayed out this morning doing errands in the village. Got the bus out to pick up my car which was in getting fixed. I really miss getting the bus! Used to get it almost every day and I loved it. It's so nice not having to worry about traffic and petrol consumption (like I do a lot!). Going to do some work now before getting ready for tonight. I'm already feeling knackered...this will be interesting... =D
Friday 12/2
Time: 1hr 15mins (ish)
Distance: 9.1miles
Pace: ~8.40min/mile
Since we will be having a Valetine's/engagement party at our house on Saturday night and I was likely to NOT want to run after it on Sunday, I figured I would do my long run on Friday morning and just go in to work a bit later.
What a good idea! Got up at usual time, about 6.30am and had a quick breakfast, then headed out by 7.20am. I ran through the woods then on west highland way, out to the Khyber pass and up round Mugdock village. I love that route, though the elevation at the beginning leaves little to the imagination (it practically bends back on itself).
Here is the hell-ish hill to which I refer:
(n.b. the seriousness of the incline - highlighted bright red!!)
Anyway, besides the big hill (about which I have probably written far too much) the run was great. The sun was pretty strong and was beaming, it really was beautiful running on that road surrounded by countryside. Plus being in work by 9.45am knowing you've run over 9 miles and can rightfully eat whatever you want for the rest of the day is a great feeling too!
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Wednesday 10/2 - A mixed up session
Time: ~38mins
Distance: 4.9 miles
Something a little different tonight. I had got in from work quite late and thus had (sadly) missed the gorgeous sunlight. Was in work watching it fade to darkness and could almost hear "Adagio for Strings" playing in the background...
So anyway when I got in I went out and did a kind of mixed up session, which went something like:
800m jog
~1mile @ 7.45min/mile pace
400m jog
8.30min/mile run uphill for approx 2mins
~800m @ 8min/mile pace
8.10min/mile run uphill for approx 2.5-3mins
~1m @ 8min/mile pace + 2-3min uphill @ 7.50min/mile
800m jog
Ok, so the distances there might be a little messed up, but the general idea was jog-brisk-uphill brisk-brisk-uphill brisk etc etc. I was quite tired at the end though so that's a good thing...and when I sat down on the sofa about 5 mins ago for the first time today it felt as though a great weight had come off of my legs. Good stuff.
I sometimes look at the runnersworld training schedules and imagine how I could factor those kinds of runs into my schedule. To be honest I don't think I can. Some of the training plans (for a marathon) involve about 5 runs per week, incl one on Sat and one long run on Sunday. I wouldn't do a short easy run the day before a long run - especially a long run over about 10 miles. Is that weird? I just don't think it's good for the legs or the mind, really. Plus my weekends are usually jam packed - between studying and doing errands and trying to relax I barely have time for the long runs!!
Something else I don't do is I never get my midweek long runs up to the ten miles they suggest. Somehow I never have the time when I get in, and when I do have the time to run ten miles I'd rather keep going and make it a longer run. Maybe it doesn't make sense, but I consider myself a kind of "flexible runner". I have a rough plan of what I want to do in my head but rarely stick to any of it besides the length of the long run.
Ah well, guess that's the most important aspect of the marathon training anyway...
Distance: 4.9 miles
Something a little different tonight. I had got in from work quite late and thus had (sadly) missed the gorgeous sunlight. Was in work watching it fade to darkness and could almost hear "Adagio for Strings" playing in the background...
So anyway when I got in I went out and did a kind of mixed up session, which went something like:
800m jog
~1mile @ 7.45min/mile pace
400m jog
8.30min/mile run uphill for approx 2mins
~800m @ 8min/mile pace
8.10min/mile run uphill for approx 2.5-3mins
~1m @ 8min/mile pace + 2-3min uphill @ 7.50min/mile
800m jog
Ok, so the distances there might be a little messed up, but the general idea was jog-brisk-uphill brisk-brisk-uphill brisk etc etc. I was quite tired at the end though so that's a good thing...and when I sat down on the sofa about 5 mins ago for the first time today it felt as though a great weight had come off of my legs. Good stuff.
I sometimes look at the runnersworld training schedules and imagine how I could factor those kinds of runs into my schedule. To be honest I don't think I can. Some of the training plans (for a marathon) involve about 5 runs per week, incl one on Sat and one long run on Sunday. I wouldn't do a short easy run the day before a long run - especially a long run over about 10 miles. Is that weird? I just don't think it's good for the legs or the mind, really. Plus my weekends are usually jam packed - between studying and doing errands and trying to relax I barely have time for the long runs!!
Something else I don't do is I never get my midweek long runs up to the ten miles they suggest. Somehow I never have the time when I get in, and when I do have the time to run ten miles I'd rather keep going and make it a longer run. Maybe it doesn't make sense, but I consider myself a kind of "flexible runner". I have a rough plan of what I want to do in my head but rarely stick to any of it besides the length of the long run.
Ah well, guess that's the most important aspect of the marathon training anyway...
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Saturday 6/2 - Run in Inverness
Time: ~ 1hr 5 mins
Distance: 7 miles
Pace: ~9.15min/mile
This run was in Inverness with Derek out at Nairnside. It's a beautiful part of the countryside and I always love running there!! It is quite tough, as it is a rather big uphill to begin with, followed by a quick downhill then level. We went out and back (D on bike), so the big downhill at the end was much appreciated.
I think we went pretty slowly up the hill to begin with - roughly 9.45min/mile pacing. And on the flats and downhill it must've increased to about 8.30min/mile I'd say. Overall a good run.
Anyways, I feel quite good that I've done 3 fairly good longer runs (for the level of training I'm at!!) in the space of a week. I'm just building it up slowly, a little bit at a time. Played about an hour and a half of tennis yesterday which was some feat for me - I was actually doing quite well overall! Was hitting the balls in the right direction (always a positive), lobbing them with rather a lot of strength (that's how they win something called an "ace", apparently...) and I was putting a spin on the ball too! (rather good as when the ball approaches the other player and hits the ground it sort of rebounds and bounces away from them rather than continuing in it's current trajectory!)
Sorry if people are familiar with these tennis terms but I didn't know much about tennis up until now! Hopefully I'll get to play some more. I want to include a day of cross training in my schedule. Since I am no longer a member of the gym and wouldn't really cycle at anytime other than weekends (when I'd normally be doing my long runs), I think squash or tennis is the way forward. But I'll need to mull that one over, I think...
Distance: 7 miles
Pace: ~9.15min/mile
This run was in Inverness with Derek out at Nairnside. It's a beautiful part of the countryside and I always love running there!! It is quite tough, as it is a rather big uphill to begin with, followed by a quick downhill then level. We went out and back (D on bike), so the big downhill at the end was much appreciated.
I think we went pretty slowly up the hill to begin with - roughly 9.45min/mile pacing. And on the flats and downhill it must've increased to about 8.30min/mile I'd say. Overall a good run.
Anyways, I feel quite good that I've done 3 fairly good longer runs (for the level of training I'm at!!) in the space of a week. I'm just building it up slowly, a little bit at a time. Played about an hour and a half of tennis yesterday which was some feat for me - I was actually doing quite well overall! Was hitting the balls in the right direction (always a positive), lobbing them with rather a lot of strength (that's how they win something called an "ace", apparently...) and I was putting a spin on the ball too! (rather good as when the ball approaches the other player and hits the ground it sort of rebounds and bounces away from them rather than continuing in it's current trajectory!)
Sorry if people are familiar with these tennis terms but I didn't know much about tennis up until now! Hopefully I'll get to play some more. I want to include a day of cross training in my schedule. Since I am no longer a member of the gym and wouldn't really cycle at anytime other than weekends (when I'd normally be doing my long runs), I think squash or tennis is the way forward. But I'll need to mull that one over, I think...
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Thursday 4/2 - A wonderful run in the snow
Time: ~50mins
Distance: 6.45 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Was off work today for a study day so took the opportunity of waking up early to head out a run before working. I'm so glad I did - it was so quiet (well, busy with cars) but I went out onto the little woodlands path at the back of the Rangers training ground and it was so beautiful! The snow was all over the path and I met a nice guy walking his dog on the way. He warned me about the ice under the snow so I was quite aware of that when running at the more narrow sections of the path.
Going to Inverness for a few days so hopefully will get a run in while I'm up there. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing time, as I spent 7+ hours solid today working on my frigging dissertation. ARGH.
Distance: 6.45 miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
Was off work today for a study day so took the opportunity of waking up early to head out a run before working. I'm so glad I did - it was so quiet (well, busy with cars) but I went out onto the little woodlands path at the back of the Rangers training ground and it was so beautiful! The snow was all over the path and I met a nice guy walking his dog on the way. He warned me about the ice under the snow so I was quite aware of that when running at the more narrow sections of the path.
Going to Inverness for a few days so hopefully will get a run in while I'm up there. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing time, as I spent 7+ hours solid today working on my frigging dissertation. ARGH.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Monday 1/2 - Run with Dad
Time: ~33mins
Distance: ~3.15miles
Pace: 10min/mile
Wasn't planning on running tonight but my dad is just back a cruise and insists that since he's put on a stone in weight, he needs to get running again. My legs were actually a little sore after the run then walk yesterday (guess we did go further than I thought!) but I felt like getting out after sitting in work all day so we went out. Had a good chat and ran through a pitch black pathway which was something I wouldn't do if I was by myself!
Felt tired at the end of this run but that must've been something to do with a - the 6pm run straight after work without eating first and b - the tired legs from yesterday. So decided I will take tonight (Tuesday) off. Something I did notice is that I'm SO hungry today! I ate a bowl of soup and bread along with a yoghurt for lunch and snacked heathily throughout the day and was starving by the time I got in! It's really weird how quickly my appetite builds up once I get back into the training. Kinda like having an excuse to eat loads =D
Something I also did all last week is check my resting heart rate while I was sitting at my desk. Here are the results:
Monday: 74 bpm
Tuesday: 74 bpm
Wednesday: -
Thursday: 73 bpm
Friday: 68 bpm
I did take Friday's twice and so it definitely wasn't a fluke. I remember when I was in heavy training my rhr was actually pretty low, so hopefully that's it going back down. Incidentally today (Tuesday) it was around 69/70. Crazy...
Sunday 31/1 - the afternoon
So I was debating what to do yesterday after my run, Derek and I ended up going to Drymen and walking on the WHW. Walked from Drymen to Conic Hill then back, which turned out to be a nice wee jaunt. Kept a brisk pace and it was great just being able to chat about stuff without any interuptions like tv or studying etc. Saw a few runners - will definitely be heading back out there on training runs this year. Think I will sit down and plan them in advance so that I actually do stick to them.
Distance: ~3.15miles
Pace: 10min/mile
Wasn't planning on running tonight but my dad is just back a cruise and insists that since he's put on a stone in weight, he needs to get running again. My legs were actually a little sore after the run then walk yesterday (guess we did go further than I thought!) but I felt like getting out after sitting in work all day so we went out. Had a good chat and ran through a pitch black pathway which was something I wouldn't do if I was by myself!
Felt tired at the end of this run but that must've been something to do with a - the 6pm run straight after work without eating first and b - the tired legs from yesterday. So decided I will take tonight (Tuesday) off. Something I did notice is that I'm SO hungry today! I ate a bowl of soup and bread along with a yoghurt for lunch and snacked heathily throughout the day and was starving by the time I got in! It's really weird how quickly my appetite builds up once I get back into the training. Kinda like having an excuse to eat loads =D
Something I also did all last week is check my resting heart rate while I was sitting at my desk. Here are the results:
Monday: 74 bpm
Tuesday: 74 bpm
Wednesday: -
Thursday: 73 bpm
Friday: 68 bpm
I did take Friday's twice and so it definitely wasn't a fluke. I remember when I was in heavy training my rhr was actually pretty low, so hopefully that's it going back down. Incidentally today (Tuesday) it was around 69/70. Crazy...
Sunday 31/1 - the afternoon
So I was debating what to do yesterday after my run, Derek and I ended up going to Drymen and walking on the WHW. Walked from Drymen to Conic Hill then back, which turned out to be a nice wee jaunt. Kept a brisk pace and it was great just being able to chat about stuff without any interuptions like tv or studying etc. Saw a few runners - will definitely be heading back out there on training runs this year. Think I will sit down and plan them in advance so that I actually do stick to them.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Sunday 31/1 - Out and About
Time: 47mins 30secs
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: ~8.25min/mile (slower on hills, plus faster last mile)
As the tennis was on this morning (I don't follow tennis, but know a few people who do - avidly - though I feel sorry for Andy Murray! Poor guy - he's just a kid in the scheme of things don't pressure him so much!!) I realised that I needed to get out early otherwise I'd sit on my own doing studying while tennis was on. I decided I would just go as far as I wanted (using the too-common-these-days excuse that I'm not really training for anything so I am allowed to do that!) I felt as though the run was going so quickly, even though I wasn't running much faster than usual. That said, I just kept going and ended up quite pleased at my distance and pace.
Only problem is though that my running shoes are wrecked. I've had them since September 2008 and they have seen quite a few miles. I'm starting to get pains where there were no pains before, so will have to head to Achilles Heel to get a new pair I think. Was also thinking about my training strategy while out running - think I will aim to do less runs but at a better quality i.e. not just going out 4mile runs at 8.20 pace (my usual!) for no reason.
Just debating what to do with the rest of the day, be it a walk or going to buy new running shoes.... ;D
Thursday 28/1
Type: Treadmill
Time: 25mins
Distance: ~4k
Pace: started at ~6min/km up to 5min/km
Was away at a training day down south and couldn't sleep well so got up early to use the gym. Did a good warm up on a kind of walking machine and then ran for a bit on the treadmill. Don't really know what pace I was going at but I increased it every couple of minutes. Felt quite fast towards the end, but it's probably just the pace I normally run at!!
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: ~8.25min/mile (slower on hills, plus faster last mile)
As the tennis was on this morning (I don't follow tennis, but know a few people who do - avidly - though I feel sorry for Andy Murray! Poor guy - he's just a kid in the scheme of things don't pressure him so much!!) I realised that I needed to get out early otherwise I'd sit on my own doing studying while tennis was on. I decided I would just go as far as I wanted (using the too-common-these-days excuse that I'm not really training for anything so I am allowed to do that!) I felt as though the run was going so quickly, even though I wasn't running much faster than usual. That said, I just kept going and ended up quite pleased at my distance and pace.
Only problem is though that my running shoes are wrecked. I've had them since September 2008 and they have seen quite a few miles. I'm starting to get pains where there were no pains before, so will have to head to Achilles Heel to get a new pair I think. Was also thinking about my training strategy while out running - think I will aim to do less runs but at a better quality i.e. not just going out 4mile runs at 8.20 pace (my usual!) for no reason.
Just debating what to do with the rest of the day, be it a walk or going to buy new running shoes.... ;D
Thursday 28/1
Type: Treadmill
Time: 25mins
Distance: ~4k
Pace: started at ~6min/km up to 5min/km
Was away at a training day down south and couldn't sleep well so got up early to use the gym. Did a good warm up on a kind of walking machine and then ran for a bit on the treadmill. Don't really know what pace I was going at but I increased it every couple of minutes. Felt quite fast towards the end, but it's probably just the pace I normally run at!!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Tuesday 26/1
Time: 33mins 30 secs
Distance: 4.35miles
Pace: somewhere in the region of 7.50min/mile - 8.15 min/mile
A great, energetic run tonight before dinner. I have a lot of stuff going on in my head right now and it's nice to be able to get out and just forget some stuff for a while. I am in AWE of how a simple 30 min run can completely destress me. Only time it stresses me out is if I'm rushing to do something afterwards!
The run itself didn't give the correct distance on my Nike+ and it said I was doing 8.20min/mile. I mapped the run out on mapmyrun though, and it was longer and faster than the Nike+ said. Apparently I ran at 7.50 pace, but I really don't think I did. Having said that, I'm not sure that I have a very realistic view of just how fast/slow I run each time I go out. To me, less than 8 min/mile seems like a pretty fast pace, but several times now I've used mapmyrun to get my pace, and it has came up with a speed <8m/m. Maybe I am, in fact running faster than I think!
On a completely unrelated note my cat has been a lot friendlier these days, it even lay with me in bed (under the covers) the other day which it never used to do. Maybe it is gettnig older and wiser, oh how sweet I thought. Then I remembered this picture and suddenly it clicked that I'm generally the only one who feeds him these days...
Distance: 4.35miles
Pace: somewhere in the region of 7.50min/mile - 8.15 min/mile
A great, energetic run tonight before dinner. I have a lot of stuff going on in my head right now and it's nice to be able to get out and just forget some stuff for a while. I am in AWE of how a simple 30 min run can completely destress me. Only time it stresses me out is if I'm rushing to do something afterwards!
The run itself didn't give the correct distance on my Nike+ and it said I was doing 8.20min/mile. I mapped the run out on mapmyrun though, and it was longer and faster than the Nike+ said. Apparently I ran at 7.50 pace, but I really don't think I did. Having said that, I'm not sure that I have a very realistic view of just how fast/slow I run each time I go out. To me, less than 8 min/mile seems like a pretty fast pace, but several times now I've used mapmyrun to get my pace, and it has came up with a speed <8m/m. Maybe I am, in fact running faster than I think!
On a completely unrelated note my cat has been a lot friendlier these days, it even lay with me in bed (under the covers) the other day which it never used to do. Maybe it is gettnig older and wiser, oh how sweet I thought. Then I remembered this picture and suddenly it clicked that I'm generally the only one who feeds him these days...
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Sunday 24/1
Time: 41mins
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.20min/mile
Had been telling myself I would go out a run all day, and when it came to 1.30pm and I was still doing work I decided enough was enough. Granted, this wasn't the longest run in the book but I'm not training for anything (yet) so I figured "what the hey" and just went anywhere I felt like.
Was good, and being quite hyped up afterwards I consequently washed my new car =O Thinking back the only two times I washed my old car was 1) A few weeks after I got it and 2) the day before I sold it. Luckily I have my fairly on the ball father, who enjoys making the cars in the driveway sparkle, and my happy-to-help (after you ask two or three/seven or eight times) fiancee. Although, to be fair, using an abrasive sponge on the car maybe isn't the wisest thing...despite the "it was only for the tyres!"
Something I have noticed recently is something that hasd been increasingly annoying, and I don't know if it's just me or if others notice it. Whe I'm running on the roads I really feel that I'm taking in a lot of exhaust fumes when I'm breathing through my mouth. It's pretty horrible, not least because when I did some work experience in thoracic surgery and saw the lungs of a (non-smoker) Glasweigian there were BIG black marks all over the place. Carbon deposits, apparently, and nothing to worry about but still. No wonder people up North in the countryside tend to have longer life expectancies. Has anyone else epxerienced this? Please do tell if there's any way around breathing in these horrible fumes! A buff, maybe?
Friday 22/1
Distance: 4.2 miles
Pace: ~8.25min/mile
After having put off a run mid-week I decided that I should redeem myself. Quite a hilly run, where I did try to keep the pace so I do think this was a fairly even reflection of my pace throughout.
Distance: 5.10miles
Pace: ~8.20min/mile
Had been telling myself I would go out a run all day, and when it came to 1.30pm and I was still doing work I decided enough was enough. Granted, this wasn't the longest run in the book but I'm not training for anything (yet) so I figured "what the hey" and just went anywhere I felt like.
Was good, and being quite hyped up afterwards I consequently washed my new car =O Thinking back the only two times I washed my old car was 1) A few weeks after I got it and 2) the day before I sold it. Luckily I have my fairly on the ball father, who enjoys making the cars in the driveway sparkle, and my happy-to-help (after you ask two or three/seven or eight times) fiancee. Although, to be fair, using an abrasive sponge on the car maybe isn't the wisest thing...despite the "it was only for the tyres!"
Something I have noticed recently is something that hasd been increasingly annoying, and I don't know if it's just me or if others notice it. Whe I'm running on the roads I really feel that I'm taking in a lot of exhaust fumes when I'm breathing through my mouth. It's pretty horrible, not least because when I did some work experience in thoracic surgery and saw the lungs of a (non-smoker) Glasweigian there were BIG black marks all over the place. Carbon deposits, apparently, and nothing to worry about but still. No wonder people up North in the countryside tend to have longer life expectancies. Has anyone else epxerienced this? Please do tell if there's any way around breathing in these horrible fumes! A buff, maybe?
Friday 22/1
Distance: 4.2 miles
Pace: ~8.25min/mile
After having put off a run mid-week I decided that I should redeem myself. Quite a hilly run, where I did try to keep the pace so I do think this was a fairly even reflection of my pace throughout.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Tuesday 19/1 - Getting back into the swing of things!
Time: 30mins
Distance: 3.7 miles
Pace: ~ 8 min/mile (slower 8.15 on hills)
Ok, so my upper body is still aching from the squash game on Saturday. I can't believe it! It's been so long since I actually did any upper body work, the fairly intensive game is actually taking its toll. In addition, my bum still hurts so much! I must've really been working the old glutes the other day! This run was done after I got home from work and I was surprised as I actually felt I had loads of energy. I kept up a good pace on the flats and went a little bit slower on the hills.
I feel my training is getting back on track now. I obviously don't want to get TOO into the training just yet - in the past I have found that when I start training for a marathon too early I sort of burn out towards the end and just can't bring myself to repeat 17 mile after 17 mile run in the intermediate stage between <15 mile runs and >20 mile ones.
So I guess I'll just continue heading out "fun runs" and leisurely cycles....at least until my bum heals ;D
Sunday 17/1
Distance: ~4.7 miles
Pace: ~8.45 min/mile
Just wanted to get out after deciding to play squash instead yesterday. The sun was shining in the sky and it was gorgeous! I'm glad all the ice has melted from the pavement as it's a LOT easier to run on now.
Saturday 16/1
Played a game of squash today for the first time in ages. It was good! Forgot how much I love darting around (: Was quite intensive but we played for over an hour and burned out towards the end. I could also feel my wrist hurting while playing - that's an issue I always have while playing racket sports - how to hold the racket properly!? I hold it right at the tip, whilst pointing my finger up towards the top of the racket (if anybody can actually visualise that!). I think this pulls on the muscle on top of my elbow and makes it pretty sore to the touch afterwards. Ah well. Like Derek keeps saying "no pain, no gain". I think I will start calling him Yoda. ^_^
Distance: 3.7 miles
Pace: ~ 8 min/mile (slower 8.15 on hills)
Ok, so my upper body is still aching from the squash game on Saturday. I can't believe it! It's been so long since I actually did any upper body work, the fairly intensive game is actually taking its toll. In addition, my bum still hurts so much! I must've really been working the old glutes the other day! This run was done after I got home from work and I was surprised as I actually felt I had loads of energy. I kept up a good pace on the flats and went a little bit slower on the hills.
I feel my training is getting back on track now. I obviously don't want to get TOO into the training just yet - in the past I have found that when I start training for a marathon too early I sort of burn out towards the end and just can't bring myself to repeat 17 mile after 17 mile run in the intermediate stage between <15 mile runs and >20 mile ones.
So I guess I'll just continue heading out "fun runs" and leisurely cycles....at least until my bum heals ;D
Sunday 17/1
Distance: ~4.7 miles
Pace: ~8.45 min/mile
Just wanted to get out after deciding to play squash instead yesterday. The sun was shining in the sky and it was gorgeous! I'm glad all the ice has melted from the pavement as it's a LOT easier to run on now.
Saturday 16/1
Played a game of squash today for the first time in ages. It was good! Forgot how much I love darting around (: Was quite intensive but we played for over an hour and burned out towards the end. I could also feel my wrist hurting while playing - that's an issue I always have while playing racket sports - how to hold the racket properly!? I hold it right at the tip, whilst pointing my finger up towards the top of the racket (if anybody can actually visualise that!). I think this pulls on the muscle on top of my elbow and makes it pretty sore to the touch afterwards. Ah well. Like Derek keeps saying "no pain, no gain". I think I will start calling him Yoda. ^_^
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Wednesday 13/1 - A Day Off
Well, another day off being off work due to a burst water main. Didn't get up to too much as had to be near the emails all day waiting for updates. It was maybe just as well though, as I'm starting to feel a bit of a cold coming on. My throat was acheing after my run yesterday and I'd a sore stomach last night, so today I just relaxed, watched some rubbish daytime tv (a nice thing to do once in a while!!) and did some bits n bobs around the house.
Don't really have any more running plans for the weekend or for the end of the week, just going to see how tings go.
Tuesday 12/1
Distance: 4.5miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
A very uphill run today. Went out early in the afternoon as ended up having the day off work. The pavements were still quite slippy so had to be careful descending back down, but ran on the roads the best I could. I really don't like doing that, but really didn't have much other option. It's very unsafe. I saw 2 guys out running the other day, running 2 abreast on a main road. It was really silly, in my opinion, as it was dark and between them were taking up half of one lane of the dual carriageway. I draw the line at running on the road on busy roads!
Sunday 10/1 - run with Dad and Derek
Distance: ~4.7miles
Pace: ~9.45min/mile
Went through the woods today, which was still really slippery. Hit a big icey downhill which we had to slide down on our bums! It's strange how you can run as fast as at some points on the ice and feel incredibly safe, but then you suddenly lose your footing and just KNOW you're going to slide. Had to stop a few times but went quite slowly and kept it easy anyway. I pushed ahead towards the end and felt quite good afterwards.
Prior to this, had done 2 previous runs this week of about 4-5 miles. I don't really feel like going out in the cold weather, and am really tired for some reason. Probably the weather, who knows.
Don't really have any more running plans for the weekend or for the end of the week, just going to see how tings go.
Tuesday 12/1
Distance: 4.5miles
Pace: ~8.30min/mile
A very uphill run today. Went out early in the afternoon as ended up having the day off work. The pavements were still quite slippy so had to be careful descending back down, but ran on the roads the best I could. I really don't like doing that, but really didn't have much other option. It's very unsafe. I saw 2 guys out running the other day, running 2 abreast on a main road. It was really silly, in my opinion, as it was dark and between them were taking up half of one lane of the dual carriageway. I draw the line at running on the road on busy roads!
Sunday 10/1 - run with Dad and Derek
Distance: ~4.7miles
Pace: ~9.45min/mile
Went through the woods today, which was still really slippery. Hit a big icey downhill which we had to slide down on our bums! It's strange how you can run as fast as at some points on the ice and feel incredibly safe, but then you suddenly lose your footing and just KNOW you're going to slide. Had to stop a few times but went quite slowly and kept it easy anyway. I pushed ahead towards the end and felt quite good afterwards.
Prior to this, had done 2 previous runs this week of about 4-5 miles. I don't really feel like going out in the cold weather, and am really tired for some reason. Probably the weather, who knows.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Tuesday 5/1
Time: who knows
Distance: maybe 4 miles?
Pace: ~9.45min/mile...ish
Back to the grind today. Up at the crack of dawn and out in the snow to work. My car is in getting repaired but luckily enough I was able to nab a lift in to work, otherwise public transport would have been a nightmare. When I got home, realising my car wouldn't be ready till tomorrow, I felt tired and really debated going a run. In the end I thought "What the hey", though, and my dad joined me.
I didn't time this run or try to keep any fast pace, I ran at my dad's most comfortable pace. I must say I did find myself pushing ahead quite a lot but I always waited for him. The pavements weren't too slippy and in the end this was a good run. I'm glad I didn't time or measure it. Because my running "mojo" has gone recently I quite like the idea of just heading out without music or a timer and doing whatever I feel like. Obviously as prep for the marathon in May I will be doing some more organised runs, but until then I might just take things as they are. We'll see.
One thing is that I definitely need new shoes. Mine have seen over 1000 miles; 3 marathons and 3 halfs, plus all the training. They've held up well. Despite this, the acheing in my body I really can't see as being attributed to the trainers (snce I've not run in weeks, that's a dead give-away!). My back aches between my shoulder blades, almost as if I've been punched and it's bruised. My legs, too, hurt along my quads despite them having been practically unused in weeks. If anyone has any great insight into this, please let me know! I'm beginning to think it's the position I sleep in. I lie on my stomach with my hands above my head underneath my pillow and my legs stretched right out. When I step out of bed each morning I feel as though I've run a marathon...argh! What will it be like when I really DO run a marathon next?!?
The human body eh? Wonders never cease...
Distance: maybe 4 miles?
Pace: ~9.45min/mile...ish
Back to the grind today. Up at the crack of dawn and out in the snow to work. My car is in getting repaired but luckily enough I was able to nab a lift in to work, otherwise public transport would have been a nightmare. When I got home, realising my car wouldn't be ready till tomorrow, I felt tired and really debated going a run. In the end I thought "What the hey", though, and my dad joined me.
I didn't time this run or try to keep any fast pace, I ran at my dad's most comfortable pace. I must say I did find myself pushing ahead quite a lot but I always waited for him. The pavements weren't too slippy and in the end this was a good run. I'm glad I didn't time or measure it. Because my running "mojo" has gone recently I quite like the idea of just heading out without music or a timer and doing whatever I feel like. Obviously as prep for the marathon in May I will be doing some more organised runs, but until then I might just take things as they are. We'll see.
One thing is that I definitely need new shoes. Mine have seen over 1000 miles; 3 marathons and 3 halfs, plus all the training. They've held up well. Despite this, the acheing in my body I really can't see as being attributed to the trainers (snce I've not run in weeks, that's a dead give-away!). My back aches between my shoulder blades, almost as if I've been punched and it's bruised. My legs, too, hurt along my quads despite them having been practically unused in weeks. If anyone has any great insight into this, please let me know! I'm beginning to think it's the position I sleep in. I lie on my stomach with my hands above my head underneath my pillow and my legs stretched right out. When I step out of bed each morning I feel as though I've run a marathon...argh! What will it be like when I really DO run a marathon next?!?
The human body eh? Wonders never cease...
Monday, 4 January 2010
Monday 4/1 - Some end of holiday thoughts
Haven't run in about 10 days, and my whole body is acheing - why on Earth, is this?? It's either attributed to the snow shovelling I did in Inverness, or the cycling yesterday. OR, my new theory is that I stretch all my muscles quite a lot in my sleep. Either way, it hurts a fair bit!
Yesterday, Sunday 3/1 I set off on a cycle with my cycling buddy and Derek. We got to the "circle", as we call it, and realised that there was very little chance we would actually be able to cycle along the WHW at all. After some quite dramatic warnings from dog walkers about the dangers of the ice along the way, we decided that sledging was a better alternative. I say "we decided", I was somewhat coersed by the two males in my company.
So we cycled back to Kilmardinny Loch where there were quite a few kids out on sledges. I couldn't BELIEVE the state of the hill there! Through the woods where there is usually a path, was just a sheet of ice - it went the whole way down the hill and actualy ressembled a purpose-built ice slope! The boys went crazy, going right from the top and crashing into the trees at the bottom, but I just sat in a sledge up the top of the hill watching! I did slide down on my bum at one point which was great fun. I also had a right laugh watching a man walking across the slippy slope - he began to slide sideways down the hill and almost dragged the dog with him! He stayed on his feet for a respectable period though before falling squarely on his backside! Oh how I chortled (from my safe spot in the non-icey ground surrounded by trees). I wasn't chortling though when the bike slipped from underneath me on the ice on the way home and I fell off it! I was fine but the pedal hit my calf and I have a bruise there which hurts a little when I walk.
Ok, so onward and upward. I haven't run much at all these past few weeks over Christmas and New Year, which puts my mileage total for the year at about 1035 miles...only about 30 miles more than last year! I did cycle more this year, mind you - doing 2 rather difficult cycles in April and August. I have been thinking about 2010 today. What will my running targets be this year? So far I have I race planned:
Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sun 18th April 2010
Am on the reserve list for:
Devil of the Highlands on Sat 7th August 2010
Might have a charity place for:
Edinburgh Marathon on Sun 23rd May 2010 (waiting to hear back)
and plan to enter:
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon on Sun 3rd October 2010
Great Scottish Run on Sun 5th September 2010
Not sure what my chances of getting onto the runners list for DoH is, but will wait and see. If it comes around to maybe May time and I'm not further up the list I may pull out of it. I would enjoy running an ultra I think, because I think I'd enjoy the training runs a bit more than pounding the pavements for hours at a time. I realise I tend to repeat the same marathons each year, but I do enjoy them. Maybe not so much Edinburgh since it has grown so vastly in size, but Loch Ness. I love that race. If it came to a choice between DoH and Loch Ness, I think I'd chose the latter. I don't know how viable it is to run 42 miles then a half marathon 4 weeks later and a full one 7 weeks later (Viable for me, I mean!).
I am running the Edinburgh Half with my dad too, so will be training with him. Since he had his heart attack he has lost his passion for running, and tends to stick to the same 4 mile route when he goes out. I don't know how he will begin to train, as he had lost his confidence a bit too. I don't know if that's because of the circumstances or not. I guess only time will tell, as he begins his training.
Ok, more on the plans later once I know what marathons I'm going to enter. I will aim to enter everything I want to do by the end of January.
Yesterday, Sunday 3/1 I set off on a cycle with my cycling buddy and Derek. We got to the "circle", as we call it, and realised that there was very little chance we would actually be able to cycle along the WHW at all. After some quite dramatic warnings from dog walkers about the dangers of the ice along the way, we decided that sledging was a better alternative. I say "we decided", I was somewhat coersed by the two males in my company.
So we cycled back to Kilmardinny Loch where there were quite a few kids out on sledges. I couldn't BELIEVE the state of the hill there! Through the woods where there is usually a path, was just a sheet of ice - it went the whole way down the hill and actualy ressembled a purpose-built ice slope! The boys went crazy, going right from the top and crashing into the trees at the bottom, but I just sat in a sledge up the top of the hill watching! I did slide down on my bum at one point which was great fun. I also had a right laugh watching a man walking across the slippy slope - he began to slide sideways down the hill and almost dragged the dog with him! He stayed on his feet for a respectable period though before falling squarely on his backside! Oh how I chortled (from my safe spot in the non-icey ground surrounded by trees). I wasn't chortling though when the bike slipped from underneath me on the ice on the way home and I fell off it! I was fine but the pedal hit my calf and I have a bruise there which hurts a little when I walk.
Ok, so onward and upward. I haven't run much at all these past few weeks over Christmas and New Year, which puts my mileage total for the year at about 1035 miles...only about 30 miles more than last year! I did cycle more this year, mind you - doing 2 rather difficult cycles in April and August. I have been thinking about 2010 today. What will my running targets be this year? So far I have I race planned:
Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sun 18th April 2010
Am on the reserve list for:
Devil of the Highlands on Sat 7th August 2010
Might have a charity place for:
Edinburgh Marathon on Sun 23rd May 2010 (waiting to hear back)
and plan to enter:
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon on Sun 3rd October 2010
Great Scottish Run on Sun 5th September 2010
Not sure what my chances of getting onto the runners list for DoH is, but will wait and see. If it comes around to maybe May time and I'm not further up the list I may pull out of it. I would enjoy running an ultra I think, because I think I'd enjoy the training runs a bit more than pounding the pavements for hours at a time. I realise I tend to repeat the same marathons each year, but I do enjoy them. Maybe not so much Edinburgh since it has grown so vastly in size, but Loch Ness. I love that race. If it came to a choice between DoH and Loch Ness, I think I'd chose the latter. I don't know how viable it is to run 42 miles then a half marathon 4 weeks later and a full one 7 weeks later (Viable for me, I mean!).
I am running the Edinburgh Half with my dad too, so will be training with him. Since he had his heart attack he has lost his passion for running, and tends to stick to the same 4 mile route when he goes out. I don't know how he will begin to train, as he had lost his confidence a bit too. I don't know if that's because of the circumstances or not. I guess only time will tell, as he begins his training.
Ok, more on the plans later once I know what marathons I'm going to enter. I will aim to enter everything I want to do by the end of January.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Saturday 2/1/10 - a WALK (for a change)
I never used to be one of those people who enjoy walking for hours at a time. In fact, I thought they were crazy. How could you enjoy WALKING (walking?!) when you could be running, or jogging ay least. But, I think maybe I am getting older and wiser. Walking actually isn't so bad.
Today Derek and I went a walk along the path from Stockiemuir Road (at the Kilearn turn-ofF) towards Dumbarton. It was very cold and my heels are in tatters after breaking in the ol' Cat boots I haven't worn in years but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We walked about 4 miles I'd say, quite slowly but still I felt good after having not run at all for about a week. I can see now why people do that, just take to the paths and walk for hours. Took a nice photo with my phone but, not being a tech whizz, I can't really get it onto the computer. It is nice though (:
I cycled on Monday 28/12 about 9/10 miles with my cycling buddy. The paths at Mugdock were pretty appalling, and we did have to push our bikes up most of the hills for fear of sliding right back down them. It was also quite fun to slide down hills holding onto the bike for dear life!
I have been in Inverness from 28th of December to 1st January, and it has been fanastic weather! It snowed 90% of the time I was there and was building up and up. Went a walk on the deep snow on Hogmany, which was a good laugh, especially watching all the cars failing to get up the snowy roads! La piece de la resistence was the 11+ foot snowman which Derek and his brother built.
A budding success if ever I saw one!
Today Derek and I went a walk along the path from Stockiemuir Road (at the Kilearn turn-ofF) towards Dumbarton. It was very cold and my heels are in tatters after breaking in the ol' Cat boots I haven't worn in years but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We walked about 4 miles I'd say, quite slowly but still I felt good after having not run at all for about a week. I can see now why people do that, just take to the paths and walk for hours. Took a nice photo with my phone but, not being a tech whizz, I can't really get it onto the computer. It is nice though (:
I cycled on Monday 28/12 about 9/10 miles with my cycling buddy. The paths at Mugdock were pretty appalling, and we did have to push our bikes up most of the hills for fear of sliding right back down them. It was also quite fun to slide down hills holding onto the bike for dear life!
I have been in Inverness from 28th of December to 1st January, and it has been fanastic weather! It snowed 90% of the time I was there and was building up and up. Went a walk on the deep snow on Hogmany, which was a good laugh, especially watching all the cars failing to get up the snowy roads! La piece de la resistence was the 11+ foot snowman which Derek and his brother built.
A budding success if ever I saw one!
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Sunday 27/12 - First post xmas run
Time: 22mins
Distance: 2.8miles
Phew, this was a pretty hard run. Running in the snow is not something which requires minimal effort! I was really tired this morning, despite having a great lazy Boxing Day yesterday, but I got up and went out a run in the woods behind the house. Man it was tough! I thought it was maybe my stamina or something but pushing off the ground on slushy bark is really not the funnest thing to do. I also got a hair in my contact lens halfway through my run so had to stop for ages taking the lens out and then putting it back in. I contemplated washing it on the snow (for about a millisecond) but then was deterred by the dubious looking yellow snow further along the path. Beautiful.
As well, I'm not sure if this is a common complaint at this time of year but I seem to have lost my enthusiasm a little bit. I would love to have gone out on whw to balmaha or something, but see the thought of doing it myself, it puts me off 100%...and the thought of actually being out in the cold for hours at a time is putting me off doing my long runs.
I feel I've had a pretty good year, running wise. I also have nice plans for next year, but maybe I need a little bit of time off to re-jeuvenate, I don't know. The 2 weeks I had off affter Loch Ness I feel did me the world of good, but maybe in the winter months it's better to take more time off before training for a spring marathon. I don't want to push and push and then end up being put off running all-together.
We'll see.
Anyway, other runs this week were few but good. I was at the Frightened Rabbit gig on Tuesday night and a work lunch. Also was busy on Wed night as I got some bad news and didn't really feel like running. The runs I did do are:
Thursday 24/12
Distance: 4.5miles
Time: ~35mins
On this run I learned that walking shoes, though they may have more grip, are NOT very good at cushioning your foot on the tarmac! My godness my feet hurt afterwards! Also was very hilly on this run so my legs were quite tight afterwards.
Monday 21/12
Distance: 4.5miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
This run included a big downhill which is normally fun but was perfectly terrifying in the snow!
Distance: 2.8miles
Phew, this was a pretty hard run. Running in the snow is not something which requires minimal effort! I was really tired this morning, despite having a great lazy Boxing Day yesterday, but I got up and went out a run in the woods behind the house. Man it was tough! I thought it was maybe my stamina or something but pushing off the ground on slushy bark is really not the funnest thing to do. I also got a hair in my contact lens halfway through my run so had to stop for ages taking the lens out and then putting it back in. I contemplated washing it on the snow (for about a millisecond) but then was deterred by the dubious looking yellow snow further along the path. Beautiful.
As well, I'm not sure if this is a common complaint at this time of year but I seem to have lost my enthusiasm a little bit. I would love to have gone out on whw to balmaha or something, but see the thought of doing it myself, it puts me off 100%...and the thought of actually being out in the cold for hours at a time is putting me off doing my long runs.
I feel I've had a pretty good year, running wise. I also have nice plans for next year, but maybe I need a little bit of time off to re-jeuvenate, I don't know. The 2 weeks I had off affter Loch Ness I feel did me the world of good, but maybe in the winter months it's better to take more time off before training for a spring marathon. I don't want to push and push and then end up being put off running all-together.
We'll see.
Anyway, other runs this week were few but good. I was at the Frightened Rabbit gig on Tuesday night and a work lunch. Also was busy on Wed night as I got some bad news and didn't really feel like running. The runs I did do are:
Thursday 24/12
Distance: 4.5miles
Time: ~35mins
On this run I learned that walking shoes, though they may have more grip, are NOT very good at cushioning your foot on the tarmac! My godness my feet hurt afterwards! Also was very hilly on this run so my legs were quite tight afterwards.
Monday 21/12
Distance: 4.5miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
This run included a big downhill which is normally fun but was perfectly terrifying in the snow!
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Sunday 20/12
Time: 40mins 40secs
Distance: 3.9miles (+hill sprints)
The snow, whaw! I love it! I had thought about going a cycle today with Derek and my cycling friend but my dad wanted to go for a run so I thought it would be nice to go out with him. I love the sound of the snow crunching underfoot. Dad and I had a good chat and then he went back to the house while I went on. I did 4 30 second hill sprints but it was so slippery, I almost slipped onto my bum a few times so decided to head back through the woods. It was a great run! Think I did the first part at about 9.45min/mile pace then the latter part about 8.45min/mile after the hill sprints.
Have been deliberating over whether the snow will get worse tomorrow, and how getting to work will be! They don't normally grit our street as we're in a wee cul-de-sac, so we'll see how this might pan out! I'm looking forward to this week and enjoying the Christmas run up as much as I can. Finish work on Wednesday - very excited about that!
Distance: 3.9miles (+hill sprints)
The snow, whaw! I love it! I had thought about going a cycle today with Derek and my cycling friend but my dad wanted to go for a run so I thought it would be nice to go out with him. I love the sound of the snow crunching underfoot. Dad and I had a good chat and then he went back to the house while I went on. I did 4 30 second hill sprints but it was so slippery, I almost slipped onto my bum a few times so decided to head back through the woods. It was a great run! Think I did the first part at about 9.45min/mile pace then the latter part about 8.45min/mile after the hill sprints.
Have been deliberating over whether the snow will get worse tomorrow, and how getting to work will be! They don't normally grit our street as we're in a wee cul-de-sac, so we'll see how this might pan out! I'm looking forward to this week and enjoying the Christmas run up as much as I can. Finish work on Wednesday - very excited about that!
Friday, 18 December 2009
Friday 18/12 - my first run as an engaged lady!!
Time: 48mins
Distance: 6.08miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
Well, the title may have given it away but as a wonderful birthday pressie yesterday I was given the most beautiful ring (plus a very lovely proposal), and I cordially accepted (: The ring is unfortunately too big so away getting fixed, which I went in early to do this morning. I'm off work today on annual leave so I also did some errands and cleaned up the house then went out this run. It was so cold, and to be honest I wasn't really feeling up to going far. My shoes are wrecked, and I know I'm going to have to replace them as I've started to get pains in my ankles and knees. I'll be holding out for the January sale though!!
Wednesday 16/12
Time: 27mins
Distance: 3.35miles
Pace: 8.05min/mile
I think my Nike+ is truly screwed. It tells me ALL my runs are done at a pace of 8.11min/mile, no matter how fast or slow I go throughout. I fail to believe that it all balances out wonderfully every single time to this pace of 8.11min/mile. Think I will really need to be replacing it soon (I know I've been saying that for months!!)
Tuesday 15/12
Distance: 4.18miles
This run was great and included 3 fairly big, long hills. I tried to keep the pace up or push it on the hills and actually think it worked really well. I felt it the next day, so that was good! Though it does mean I don't really have an average pace for this run.
Distance: 6.08miles
Pace: ~8.15min/mile
Well, the title may have given it away but as a wonderful birthday pressie yesterday I was given the most beautiful ring (plus a very lovely proposal), and I cordially accepted (: The ring is unfortunately too big so away getting fixed, which I went in early to do this morning. I'm off work today on annual leave so I also did some errands and cleaned up the house then went out this run. It was so cold, and to be honest I wasn't really feeling up to going far. My shoes are wrecked, and I know I'm going to have to replace them as I've started to get pains in my ankles and knees. I'll be holding out for the January sale though!!
Wednesday 16/12
Time: 27mins
Distance: 3.35miles
Pace: 8.05min/mile
I think my Nike+ is truly screwed. It tells me ALL my runs are done at a pace of 8.11min/mile, no matter how fast or slow I go throughout. I fail to believe that it all balances out wonderfully every single time to this pace of 8.11min/mile. Think I will really need to be replacing it soon (I know I've been saying that for months!!)
Tuesday 15/12
Distance: 4.18miles
This run was great and included 3 fairly big, long hills. I tried to keep the pace up or push it on the hills and actually think it worked really well. I felt it the next day, so that was good! Though it does mean I don't really have an average pace for this run.
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Saturday 12/12
Time: 1hr 5mins
Distance: 7.8miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile
Got up fairly early this morning (I'm in my 6am start routine now!) and did some bits and bobs before heading out. It's so misty and xmassy, I love it. Ran round the waterworks and along part of WHW, it was really nice. Also think I started off a bit slower but sped up towards the end. My little bowl of porridge was fairly insubstantial though - was starving by the time I got home!
Was thinking about some plans for next year while I was out running...incl. my running plans. More to come later...
Thursday 10/12
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.56miles
Pace: 8.10min/mile
Despite doing this after coming in from work had quite a lot of energy, I think it's the bowl of wheetos I ate before I ran! There must be an experiment in there somewhere...
Tuesday 8/10
Distance: 3.70miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile
Yet again another great late night run. I'm wearing this flourescent vest out on the misty nights - it's really cool! A bit too big though, it kind of flaps around. Hopefully this helps the cars see me.
Here's the Nike+ output for the run just before the battery in my ipod died:
I thought the shape is rather amusing!
Sunday 6/12
Time: 1hr 12mins
Distance: 8.42miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Did a little lap of the estate and then ran out along the WHW to the Beech Tree. Was a really nice day for a run - not too cold and not raining, though there was a little downpour just before I got to the muddy part, and boy - was the muddy part bad! I had to leap over quite a few mud divets (silently laughing as I remnisced about the times both Derek and my cycling friend have gone over their handlebars!). Got to the Beech Tree feeling good though and will hopeully attempt conic hill at some point during the festive period.
Friday 4/12
Time: 34 mins 30 secs
Distance: 4.22miles
Pace: 8.10min/mile
Was meeting up with my MSc class for some dinner tonight and got away from work fairly sharp today so managed to get out while it wasn't too dark.
I had a cold for the start of this week, from about Monday 1st - Thursday so was itching to get out today. Throat was still a little dry while out though and could feel a slight cough coming on.
Distance: 7.8miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile
Got up fairly early this morning (I'm in my 6am start routine now!) and did some bits and bobs before heading out. It's so misty and xmassy, I love it. Ran round the waterworks and along part of WHW, it was really nice. Also think I started off a bit slower but sped up towards the end. My little bowl of porridge was fairly insubstantial though - was starving by the time I got home!
Was thinking about some plans for next year while I was out running...incl. my running plans. More to come later...
Thursday 10/12
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.56miles
Pace: 8.10min/mile
Despite doing this after coming in from work had quite a lot of energy, I think it's the bowl of wheetos I ate before I ran! There must be an experiment in there somewhere...
Tuesday 8/10
Distance: 3.70miles
Pace: 8.25min/mile
Yet again another great late night run. I'm wearing this flourescent vest out on the misty nights - it's really cool! A bit too big though, it kind of flaps around. Hopefully this helps the cars see me.
Here's the Nike+ output for the run just before the battery in my ipod died:
I thought the shape is rather amusing!
Sunday 6/12
Time: 1hr 12mins
Distance: 8.42miles
Pace: 8.40min/mile
Did a little lap of the estate and then ran out along the WHW to the Beech Tree. Was a really nice day for a run - not too cold and not raining, though there was a little downpour just before I got to the muddy part, and boy - was the muddy part bad! I had to leap over quite a few mud divets (silently laughing as I remnisced about the times both Derek and my cycling friend have gone over their handlebars!). Got to the Beech Tree feeling good though and will hopeully attempt conic hill at some point during the festive period.
Friday 4/12
Time: 34 mins 30 secs
Distance: 4.22miles
Pace: 8.10min/mile
Was meeting up with my MSc class for some dinner tonight and got away from work fairly sharp today so managed to get out while it wasn't too dark.
I had a cold for the start of this week, from about Monday 1st - Thursday so was itching to get out today. Throat was still a little dry while out though and could feel a slight cough coming on.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Sunday 29/11
Time: 35mins
Distance: 4.30miles
Pace: 8.05min/mile
Didn't have too much time to do this run today, as I got up early and was busy working, then needed to be somewhere by 12. Was planning on doing a long run but just didn't have enough time! As a compromise I did try to make this a fairly quick run. Felt tried at the start so it's probably a negative split, but did find some energy towards the end and really did pick it up afterwards.
Couldn't believe how cold it is today! Feels really xmassy though. Was wandering through the village last night and with the fog and all the xmas lights on it just looked so nice!
Saturday 28/11
Time: ~19mins
Distance: ~2miles
Did this run with my dad this morning, he's just getting back into running and felt it on this run as we did a route with a hilly start. Cut it a bit short towards the end but he went out on Sunday and ended up doing a fairly good run farther than me! Was good to get a wee chat in.
I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out my car before meeting a friend for a late lunch. Was so cold my fingers almost froze!!
Distance: 4.30miles
Pace: 8.05min/mile
Didn't have too much time to do this run today, as I got up early and was busy working, then needed to be somewhere by 12. Was planning on doing a long run but just didn't have enough time! As a compromise I did try to make this a fairly quick run. Felt tried at the start so it's probably a negative split, but did find some energy towards the end and really did pick it up afterwards.
Couldn't believe how cold it is today! Feels really xmassy though. Was wandering through the village last night and with the fog and all the xmas lights on it just looked so nice!
Saturday 28/11
Time: ~19mins
Distance: ~2miles
Did this run with my dad this morning, he's just getting back into running and felt it on this run as we did a route with a hilly start. Cut it a bit short towards the end but he went out on Sunday and ended up doing a fairly good run farther than me! Was good to get a wee chat in.
I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out my car before meeting a friend for a late lunch. Was so cold my fingers almost froze!!
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Thursday 26/11
Distance: 2.45miles
Pace: 8.05min/mile
Have been in Inverness for the past few days for a wee holiday. Think I'm getting over a slight cold so was just taking it easy. Had a great time - the weather wasn't nearly as bad up there. It's insane here!
This was just a wee run I did when I got back from the train station today. Wanted to go through the woods but it was getting dark really quickly so couldn't really go too far. Tried to keep as fast a pace as possible.
Also ran into the school kids coming out. Was bashed in the shoulder by some walking towards me. Seriously - are teenagers inherently rude? I don't want to make sweeping generalisations but I'm fairly sure at 16/17/18 years old if I was walking 4 abreast on a narrow pavement I would have moved to let someone past who was walking towards me. Any trouble I have had while running (besides some stupid dogs and their owners) has been with teenage children. And I call them children because I think only a child would lack the common courtesy I witnessed today. Doesn't help that I get so angered by it that I generally say something which always surprises them...shouldn't let them get to me I s'pose. Is it just me or does this happen to many runners? I'd hate to think I look that vulnerable! (:
Pace: 8.05min/mile
Have been in Inverness for the past few days for a wee holiday. Think I'm getting over a slight cold so was just taking it easy. Had a great time - the weather wasn't nearly as bad up there. It's insane here!
This was just a wee run I did when I got back from the train station today. Wanted to go through the woods but it was getting dark really quickly so couldn't really go too far. Tried to keep as fast a pace as possible.
Also ran into the school kids coming out. Was bashed in the shoulder by some walking towards me. Seriously - are teenagers inherently rude? I don't want to make sweeping generalisations but I'm fairly sure at 16/17/18 years old if I was walking 4 abreast on a narrow pavement I would have moved to let someone past who was walking towards me. Any trouble I have had while running (besides some stupid dogs and their owners) has been with teenage children. And I call them children because I think only a child would lack the common courtesy I witnessed today. Doesn't help that I get so angered by it that I generally say something which always surprises them...shouldn't let them get to me I s'pose. Is it just me or does this happen to many runners? I'd hate to think I look that vulnerable! (:
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Sunday 22/11
Time: 1hr 6mins 30secs
Distance: 8.1miles
Pace: 8.11min/mile (~8.20/8.00 split)
What a fantastic run! Woke up really late (I hate doing that) and did some work then headed out mid afternoon and just went as far as I felt. Ran through the woods around my estate then onto WHW and up to waterworks and back via the village. Saw lots of walkers and cyclists out which was nice. Got back just in time though as it got REALLY dark suddenly and did begin raining quite badly.
Adding to my "list of top-class songs" I have another which would be in top 10 probably, at least top 20.
This song is so incredibly sad, if you actually listen to the lyrics they cry out solitude and a broken heart. Despite that, I think the song is quite uplifting in a way - each of the instruments adds something and I think violins will make any song stand out. Enjoy!!
Friday 20/11
Time: 56mins
Distance: 6.35miles
Pace: 8.45min/mile
This turned out to be very exciting. I ran along the path at the back of Murray Park - the Rangers training ground. Normally there is a little stream which runs alongside the path but due to the presistant rain over the past few days, the river had completely burst its banks! Add to that, the field on the other side of the little path is at the bottom of a huge grassy hill with a road at the top. The water had built up so high in the field that the little path was no more than about 2m gap along the middle of the two floods.
To be honest, it was quite dangerous in retrospect as they were both pretty deep. They did, however, cross at one point and I had to take of my shoes and socks and wade across a fairly deep puddle. I warned some walkers I met at the other end but they seemed to be having none of it. Perhaps they thought I was exaggerating but there's no way you could get past without being almost knee-deep in muddy water. Oh the excitement.
Add to that, on Wednesday I was driving on Maryhill Road. Oh my - did anybody else see that flood past Garscube roundabout?? I drove into it and had to completely re-think my actions. The broken down car at the other end did nothing for my confidence, and I can rememeber a mechanic once telling me that his sister wrote off the engine of a brand new Merc by speeding through a deep puddle.
So, of course, me being the spoon I am put on my reverse light and hoped those behind me (everyone was in the outer lane of the carriageway) would accomodate. Luckily a white van man had stopped quite far back and I reversed back onto the other side. I couldn't belive all the people driving through the puddle! If they'd stopped in the middle and opened their doors the car would have been flooded with water, that's how bad it was. I sat there for a while and then merged back into the flow.
Whether it's legal or not I bumped up onto the central reservation and drove past it. All the cars behind me did likewise which i felt quite proud of =D What a nightmare! Though it was pretty fun, I must admit!
Distance: 8.1miles
Pace: 8.11min/mile (~8.20/8.00 split)
What a fantastic run! Woke up really late (I hate doing that) and did some work then headed out mid afternoon and just went as far as I felt. Ran through the woods around my estate then onto WHW and up to waterworks and back via the village. Saw lots of walkers and cyclists out which was nice. Got back just in time though as it got REALLY dark suddenly and did begin raining quite badly.
Adding to my "list of top-class songs" I have another which would be in top 10 probably, at least top 20.
This song is so incredibly sad, if you actually listen to the lyrics they cry out solitude and a broken heart. Despite that, I think the song is quite uplifting in a way - each of the instruments adds something and I think violins will make any song stand out. Enjoy!!
Friday 20/11
Time: 56mins
Distance: 6.35miles
Pace: 8.45min/mile
This turned out to be very exciting. I ran along the path at the back of Murray Park - the Rangers training ground. Normally there is a little stream which runs alongside the path but due to the presistant rain over the past few days, the river had completely burst its banks! Add to that, the field on the other side of the little path is at the bottom of a huge grassy hill with a road at the top. The water had built up so high in the field that the little path was no more than about 2m gap along the middle of the two floods.
To be honest, it was quite dangerous in retrospect as they were both pretty deep. They did, however, cross at one point and I had to take of my shoes and socks and wade across a fairly deep puddle. I warned some walkers I met at the other end but they seemed to be having none of it. Perhaps they thought I was exaggerating but there's no way you could get past without being almost knee-deep in muddy water. Oh the excitement.
Add to that, on Wednesday I was driving on Maryhill Road. Oh my - did anybody else see that flood past Garscube roundabout?? I drove into it and had to completely re-think my actions. The broken down car at the other end did nothing for my confidence, and I can rememeber a mechanic once telling me that his sister wrote off the engine of a brand new Merc by speeding through a deep puddle.
So, of course, me being the spoon I am put on my reverse light and hoped those behind me (everyone was in the outer lane of the carriageway) would accomodate. Luckily a white van man had stopped quite far back and I reversed back onto the other side. I couldn't belive all the people driving through the puddle! If they'd stopped in the middle and opened their doors the car would have been flooded with water, that's how bad it was. I sat there for a while and then merged back into the flow.
Whether it's legal or not I bumped up onto the central reservation and drove past it. All the cars behind me did likewise which i felt quite proud of =D What a nightmare! Though it was pretty fun, I must admit!
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