Influences on running
The obvious - physical well-being, the weather and the right shoes. But emotion?
I have had an awful weekend of feeling angry, disappointed, slightly fearful and miserable and today I am just plain exhausted. Too weary to even contemplate running. I know if I'd got up off my fat arse and just gone for a run it would have been fine, but no, I woke up 20 mins later than normal and that meant I would not be running.
It's no great deal this not running, I'm really not obsessed, it's not the be-all and end-all. I would be unhappy if I couldn't run cos of some injury or other but missing the odd day doesn't matter.
What does matter is that feeling highly emotional has meant that I didn't make the effort.
Perhaps I am just very weak willed and as such will never get round this flaming 1/2 marathon... I need some kind of inspiration which makes me ignore the tears and the anger inside and the aching muscles from overdoing the gardening and just get out pounding the pavement.
31 Jul 2006
28 Jul 2006
I feel really good!
Another early morning run and it seems to be getting easier and it seems to be more enjoyable and it seems to be making me feel quite, well, endorphin-like....
It's not life-changing, I haven't become a born-again runner but I might be beginning to see what people tell me about it making you feel better, more engergy, brighter etc etc.
It's OK, I do realise I sound like a moron (must be the effect of the class A endorphins...)
The weird foot bruise wasn't a problem which is good, but the left instep blister seems to be settling in for the long-term: it's not too bad, just there.
The other thing I noticed this morning is that I was listening to music rather than the radio and it's probably an obvious thing, but I run much faster to the Kaiser Chiefs than I do to the Today programme on R4.
Not that I'm getting competitive but the boyf was also running this morning - he set off 15 mins after me and finished 2 minutes after me. He's one of these natural runners who I try and avoid cos they make it look so easy.
I also realised, with a heavy heart, that if I was doing this 10 years ago I would be losing weight really fast (I need/want to lose 10lbs) - but the fact is I'm staying still. It might be a combination of eating out too much and too much dry white but I am slightly disappointed about the lack of flab reduction. Perhaps I'm bulking up with muscle instead? (attractive)
Current extent of aches and pains
right ankle - aching
left instep blister - deflating
weird foot bruise - kind of smudging around bottom of foot
Otherwise fine and dandy
Another early morning run and it seems to be getting easier and it seems to be more enjoyable and it seems to be making me feel quite, well, endorphin-like....
It's not life-changing, I haven't become a born-again runner but I might be beginning to see what people tell me about it making you feel better, more engergy, brighter etc etc.
It's OK, I do realise I sound like a moron (must be the effect of the class A endorphins...)
The weird foot bruise wasn't a problem which is good, but the left instep blister seems to be settling in for the long-term: it's not too bad, just there.
The other thing I noticed this morning is that I was listening to music rather than the radio and it's probably an obvious thing, but I run much faster to the Kaiser Chiefs than I do to the Today programme on R4.
Not that I'm getting competitive but the boyf was also running this morning - he set off 15 mins after me and finished 2 minutes after me. He's one of these natural runners who I try and avoid cos they make it look so easy.
I also realised, with a heavy heart, that if I was doing this 10 years ago I would be losing weight really fast (I need/want to lose 10lbs) - but the fact is I'm staying still. It might be a combination of eating out too much and too much dry white but I am slightly disappointed about the lack of flab reduction. Perhaps I'm bulking up with muscle instead? (attractive)
Current extent of aches and pains
right ankle - aching
left instep blister - deflating
weird foot bruise - kind of smudging around bottom of foot
Otherwise fine and dandy
27 Jul 2006
Footsore
Nothing to do with too much running - this is a weird thing.
It felt like I'd trodden on a wasp - a stab of pain and a lump the size of, well, a wasp sting on my foot - but this morning I have a bruise on the sole of my foot, near my big toe joint. How strange is that?
Oh and it still hurts a bit too.
I suppose I shouldn't run on it if it's still sore tomorrow - but I actually want to. It's come as quite a shock to me to feel that way - is this what they mean by the endorphins kicking in? Obviously I have become addicted to endorphins without even knowing I was making them, and now it looks like I might miss a fix I'm getting anxious...
It's a double-edged sword and no mistake.
Nothing to do with too much running - this is a weird thing.
It felt like I'd trodden on a wasp - a stab of pain and a lump the size of, well, a wasp sting on my foot - but this morning I have a bruise on the sole of my foot, near my big toe joint. How strange is that?
Oh and it still hurts a bit too.
I suppose I shouldn't run on it if it's still sore tomorrow - but I actually want to. It's come as quite a shock to me to feel that way - is this what they mean by the endorphins kicking in? Obviously I have become addicted to endorphins without even knowing I was making them, and now it looks like I might miss a fix I'm getting anxious...
It's a double-edged sword and no mistake.
26 Jul 2006
Peaked too early?
Another 630 run round the downs and another day of convincing myself it's getting easier and that I stand a chance of finishing this 1/2 marathon. Should I be worried or is this what happens?
They say a lot of it is in the mind - well that's true. I have convinced myself that even when I feel like I'm about to keel over, I won't actually die and in fact I will feel better for completing the run. Plus there's the boredom of going over the same old route with the same little devil on my shoulder telling me to walk for a bit and drink lots of wine of an evening (although that devil is getting quieter)
I know it's time to try another (longer) route but for now, 7 miles three times a week seems to be quite enough. I didn't think I was ambitious but I was disproportionately pleased when I realised I'm getting faster.
Perhaps 2 hours 15 isn't such a long shot after all...
Another 630 run round the downs and another day of convincing myself it's getting easier and that I stand a chance of finishing this 1/2 marathon. Should I be worried or is this what happens?
They say a lot of it is in the mind - well that's true. I have convinced myself that even when I feel like I'm about to keel over, I won't actually die and in fact I will feel better for completing the run. Plus there's the boredom of going over the same old route with the same little devil on my shoulder telling me to walk for a bit and drink lots of wine of an evening (although that devil is getting quieter)
I know it's time to try another (longer) route but for now, 7 miles three times a week seems to be quite enough. I didn't think I was ambitious but I was disproportionately pleased when I realised I'm getting faster.
Perhaps 2 hours 15 isn't such a long shot after all...
24 Jul 2006
La la la Tweet (the song of the early bird)
Once again I have confounded my critics and gone for an early morning run - can I keep this up?
My feet were aching by the end of 7 miles and my left hip hurt and the blisters are blistering but apart from that and the sheer exhaustion, I'm feeling quite sprightly. Oh and the small matter of my right ankle aching now I've stopped for a couple of hours: don't like the feel of that much.
So all I have to do is keep up with the 3 early morning runs a week, plus longer ones at the weekend - I need to get up to 10 miles quite soon (sorry feet) - and I should be there by 17th Sept... Suddenly it's not funny any more. I get bored slogging round the same old route - even if I reverse the circuit it's not very interesting - but I know I can do the distance: if I start heading off-piste looking for adventures down unexplored tracks and side-roads I have a worry that I will get lost and will end up having to run for hours to find my way home . (Except wouldn't that be an ideal way of upping the distance run? And overcoming my control freakery?)
More importantly is what I'm going to wear on the day - I think I'll go with the traditional race tee-shirt but which shorts? Sunglasses or not?
Oh and the small matter of sponsorship - if I can get some people to promise me money then it might give me more of an incentive to keep going. That's the theory anyway. Otherwise I will always have the option of being injured on the day...
Once again I have confounded my critics and gone for an early morning run - can I keep this up?
My feet were aching by the end of 7 miles and my left hip hurt and the blisters are blistering but apart from that and the sheer exhaustion, I'm feeling quite sprightly. Oh and the small matter of my right ankle aching now I've stopped for a couple of hours: don't like the feel of that much.
So all I have to do is keep up with the 3 early morning runs a week, plus longer ones at the weekend - I need to get up to 10 miles quite soon (sorry feet) - and I should be there by 17th Sept... Suddenly it's not funny any more. I get bored slogging round the same old route - even if I reverse the circuit it's not very interesting - but I know I can do the distance: if I start heading off-piste looking for adventures down unexplored tracks and side-roads I have a worry that I will get lost and will end up having to run for hours to find my way home . (Except wouldn't that be an ideal way of upping the distance run? And overcoming my control freakery?)
More importantly is what I'm going to wear on the day - I think I'll go with the traditional race tee-shirt but which shorts? Sunglasses or not?
Oh and the small matter of sponsorship - if I can get some people to promise me money then it might give me more of an incentive to keep going. That's the theory anyway. Otherwise I will always have the option of being injured on the day...
20 Jul 2006
Deja Vu
I was out with the larks and the milk floats AGAIN this morning. It works: by being so early you don't go through the 'I've just got in from work, I need to unwind before I go running' nonsense. In fact the first coherent thought I had this morning was 'blimey I'm out running'...
Sock shock
My previous tip of applying vaseline to blisters didn't work this morning - large blister on my left instep is now refilled with blister-juice. Perhaps new socks are in order.
Wot no Endorphins
Still waiting for those endorphins to kick in... Perhaps it's when you finish a run you get the warm fuzzy glow? I was hoping it was when I got into my stride, I would suddenly feel my life has a meaning and it is running. Perhaps I expect too much.
NRG
I really hope that there is a feeding station or whatever they're called at about 6 miles cos that's when my legs decide they need breakfast. At which point there will only be 8 miles to go. Glad it's a flat course.
Wobble
Of course I wear a sensible regulation sports bra, but what about those other little bits which need some support? Bum for one (not such a little bit) - it bounces as I run which is no doubt hilarious. Also flabby belly - but a corset might be taking it a little too far.
But could there be a market in active ladies' foundation garments? I could make a fortune. Just think - being wobbly is enough to put loads of women off doing bouncy exercise - so why not develop a range of hi-tech, firm hold clothing for wannabe active ladies? I am going to be so rich.
Plans, promises
I need to keep going on this early morning running - twice a week plus one longer run at the weekend. By 17th Sept I'll be fit as a racing snake. But not as scaley.
I was out with the larks and the milk floats AGAIN this morning. It works: by being so early you don't go through the 'I've just got in from work, I need to unwind before I go running' nonsense. In fact the first coherent thought I had this morning was 'blimey I'm out running'...
Sock shock
My previous tip of applying vaseline to blisters didn't work this morning - large blister on my left instep is now refilled with blister-juice. Perhaps new socks are in order.
Wot no Endorphins
Still waiting for those endorphins to kick in... Perhaps it's when you finish a run you get the warm fuzzy glow? I was hoping it was when I got into my stride, I would suddenly feel my life has a meaning and it is running. Perhaps I expect too much.
NRG
I really hope that there is a feeding station or whatever they're called at about 6 miles cos that's when my legs decide they need breakfast. At which point there will only be 8 miles to go. Glad it's a flat course.
Wobble
Of course I wear a sensible regulation sports bra, but what about those other little bits which need some support? Bum for one (not such a little bit) - it bounces as I run which is no doubt hilarious. Also flabby belly - but a corset might be taking it a little too far.
But could there be a market in active ladies' foundation garments? I could make a fortune. Just think - being wobbly is enough to put loads of women off doing bouncy exercise - so why not develop a range of hi-tech, firm hold clothing for wannabe active ladies? I am going to be so rich.
Plans, promises
I need to keep going on this early morning running - twice a week plus one longer run at the weekend. By 17th Sept I'll be fit as a racing snake. But not as scaley.
18 Jul 2006
Early Bird
Well, I have finally done something I should have started doing months ago, namely running in the morning before work.
We're in the middle of a heatwave and going out any time other than sunrise is sheer madness... In fact it was almost pleasant being out at 630 this morning and I even ran a little further than normal.
Crikey this is sounding like I might actually get through this thing.
Top Tip
If you get the occasional blister, then dab a bit of vaseline to the blister before you run. It seems to do the trick. There is no charge for using this tip.
So with just a couple of months to go I'm feeling quite bushy-tailed about running all those km.
Well, I have finally done something I should have started doing months ago, namely running in the morning before work.
We're in the middle of a heatwave and going out any time other than sunrise is sheer madness... In fact it was almost pleasant being out at 630 this morning and I even ran a little further than normal.
Crikey this is sounding like I might actually get through this thing.
Top Tip
If you get the occasional blister, then dab a bit of vaseline to the blister before you run. It seems to do the trick. There is no charge for using this tip.
So with just a couple of months to go I'm feeling quite bushy-tailed about running all those km.
8 Jul 2006
Well, I guess yesterday was a bit of a wobble, but I later got talking to someone who's done loads of the things and he gave me some words of great wisdom about doing the run.
He said - just do it.
Which seemed better than any of my reasons not to do it.
He reckons as long as I can run 10 miles I should be OK. Not 8, that's not enough, and 7 won't get me off the starting line.
But I didn't go running this morning as I was tired. I have heard that the best thing if you're feeling tired is to do some exercise cos it gives you energy - how does that work? Do you not use up all your energy when you take exercise? Isn't that the point, to prevent excess energy being stored as unsightly fat?
And another annoying thing/myth about running: there are all these inspirational stories of people who take up running, start with 5 mins, end up running the marathon des sables all because they get this endorphin high from exercise. I'd like some of that please.
He said - just do it.
Which seemed better than any of my reasons not to do it.
He reckons as long as I can run 10 miles I should be OK. Not 8, that's not enough, and 7 won't get me off the starting line.
But I didn't go running this morning as I was tired. I have heard that the best thing if you're feeling tired is to do some exercise cos it gives you energy - how does that work? Do you not use up all your energy when you take exercise? Isn't that the point, to prevent excess energy being stored as unsightly fat?
And another annoying thing/myth about running: there are all these inspirational stories of people who take up running, start with 5 mins, end up running the marathon des sables all because they get this endorphin high from exercise. I'd like some of that please.
7 Jul 2006
It's 7th July 2006 and just over 2 months from the Bristol 1/2 marathon.
I decided in a moment of madness a few months back that this was the year I went for it. Perhaps I'm due a mid-life crisis or something (I'm 41).
It's not like I don't run ever - I can run 7 miles in one go (pat self on back) - but anything more than that feels impossible. I don't even go fast - about 10 minutes per mile I reckon - so I'm looking at getting round the course in about 2 hours 20 mins. I won't be the slowest I'm sure, but dare I say not bad for my age? (I hate thinking like that but being over 40 means things become harder)(and therefore I have to put in more effort to get round, therefore I am more of a hero than those long-legged skinny people who flow over the ground like a stream...)
Last run I did was on Monday, 4 days ago, in the heatwave. I had to give up and walk for some of the way - and that was a killer. Once you've stopped running once, there is nothing to stop you stopping again and again and you can't work out whether you really need to walk or if you're just lazy. It was awful, couldn't breathe, was so hot I was getting goosebumps...
I also cycle to work, so it's not like running is my only exercise I ever get, but it's the main sort. I do yoga from time to time but feel I need to concentrate on the running to make sure I get round the whole 13 and a bit miles.
What do I wear? What should I eat and drink? What if I have to stop for the loo on the way round? Is there life afterwards?
Still am undecided whether to take part.
Can anyone out there help?
http://www.bristolhalfmarathon.com/index.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)