excuses

not enough time, snow and ice, rain, didn't feel like it, busy doing other things...

I've used most of the above excuses not to run and they've been 100% successful.

And now I'm regretting not having gone running for, what, about 6 weeks now? Regretting it cos it will hurt when I get myself going again and also cos I have so much christmassy carbohydrate to run off...

True, I have lost a bit of flab since September which I'm very pleased about - but having let myself off the hook carb-wise for the past week, I realise just how easy it will be for me to put every single ounce back on.
Don't want to do that - so I will run - perhaps not this year, but certainly next year.

And I am almost certain I will have another bash at the 1/2 marathon and aim to get under 2 hours - I can run at about that pace - but I need to up it slightly to get through the slow crowded bits.

I can do this...

Can't I???

Am I ever going to run again

Sounds fairly tragic put like that, but I had no excuse not to run this morning, but I didn't. Felt a bit tired and like I deserved to not run. How pathetic is that? Certainly not a keen runner's attitude.
Hmm
*kicks self up bum*

Have I given up?

I'm at the stage where it's so cold I really can't make myself go outside and run (am currently sat in lounge with central heating on, plus an electric fire cos the heating's not up to the job  and a lovely silk throw thing over my knees.) I am warm and toasty and the family's out running with the westbury harriers. They are troupers. I am a wimp.
A warm wimp.
The thought did cross my mind as I was cycling home that I would be OK to go out for a run when I got in - but a nice cup of tea won. And here I am now, ready to go to bed at a very early time. And tomorrow again I won't run - COS IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

*hangs head in shame*

OK I haven't been for a run for quite a while now. This week's excuse is that it is perishing cold outside and I was concerned about hitting an icy patch, plus - this is far more serious - my house is also perishing cold and the thought of getting into running kit with my breath hanging on the air just wasn't floating my boat.

Bring on the insulation

or the summer, whichever's soonest

oops

Didn't run this Sunday - I was working all day (rather hard I may say) and I couldn't fit a run in - especially as I'd overslept a bit... And it was terribly cold. But it would have done me good I know that.

So - do I go for the mid-week after-work style run?
Not tonight as I have to prepare for visitors tomorrow
Not tomorrow cos of visitors
Not weds cos of working til late
Not thursday cos of... Um. Cos of...
Not friday cos it's the end of the week

looks like thursday then
We shall see.

sunday running

OK so I was in medium condition this morning, medium weather, medium everything really. And the result - another fastest ever mile (according to Tiger Woods no less) which is quite nice, but I also probably did my slowest as well.
stats:
55mins 28secs
5.84 miles
9mins 29secs per mile
570 cals
And ipod on shuffle which threw up some weird stuff - not least of which is the spanish cd which has been on there for years waiting for me to start learning spanish. It will never happen, I know that.
I will at some point work out how fast a pace I have to run at to get under 2 hours for the 1/2 marathon - how about now...
distance: 13.1 miles, 120 minutes = 9.16 mins per mile. That is a tough call for me I think. Basically I haven't got a jot faster since I did the half in 2006... but I am 5 years older of course. And I am only running once a week. But I have been going to the gym for 14 months now so surely something should be paying off...
Hey ho.

morning after the night before

OK I've done it before, gone running after a late night which involved a fair bit of wine - but usually I feel I'm suffering terribly - and yet this morning I didn't feel that way too much...
The first couple of miles were pretty tragic but after that I felt good. Actually good. Like I had a bit of strength in my legs (must be the gym work) and a source of energy. Didn't last very long though - but enough to get me back to where we'd left the car at 130 last night...

Stats, then
48mins 35 secs
5.21 miles
9mins 18 secs per mile
509 calories

Not unhappy with all that. Wonder if I will keep improving. At this rate I may even consider another 1/2 marathon...

Officially a bad-ass

Apparently once you've run 100 miles with your nike+ you get a well-known skater (?) telling you you're a bad-ass. Phew


56'45"   6.1miles   9'17" per mile   596 cals

I think there is a lot to be said for not drowning in wine the night before and carbo-loading for 24 hours to make a run a lot more effective. There was a curry night at home on Friday which kind of means there was a lot of carbos to finish off (lots of poppadoms...) and frankly I wasn't going to turn down some lush home-made chocolate cake either. So the whole low carb thing was resting for the last couple of days. I miss them now...

So, on Mondays, should I cycle to work via the gym, and do an hour's yoga in the late afternoon - and then go running with the westbury harriers? It might just be a huge amount too much frankly. And I don't want to lose the yoga. Perhaps on the nights when yoga is cancelled I go running.

Or not. I don't fancy the idea of running with other people - I feel under too much pressure to go too fast and end up being knackered and useless. I would have to be in the bottom group as it is, and where's the motivation in that? Not selling it well am I?

aftermath

36 hours after the event is well-known to be the killer time for aches and pain. I am living proof of the truth of this observation.
Luckily my yoga class was cancelled yesterday otherwise I think I would have showed myself up to be totally rigid.

So the question is - was all that a result of my not stretching enough after running? Before running? Overdoing the running? I don't know. And it's just the sort of outcome which puts you off going running in the future.
Perhaps I need to buy myself some nice new running trousers to get me back in the mood.

Shallow? Uh huh.

achy breaky legs

Well, not breaky legs, happily.

Went for a run yesterday (after another 2 weeks off) and did the 6 and a bit miles around the downs from home. And man did my legs ache. My right foot feels wrong, like I'm curling my toes in or something and no matter how much I try and relax my foot, it's not right. More new shoes?? I hope not. And my left hip seized up a bit as well - quite painful but I will work on the assumption that it's just a bit rusty, and I ought to do more than an hour of yoga each week.

But at least I went running and apart from the achy bits I didn't mind it at all - it was a nice morning - cold and crisp and I listened to Broadcasting House with my finger on the trigger in case they revealed the result of the Korean Grand Prix. They didn't. But it didn't matter as it was so delayed it hadn't finished by the time I got back home.

So now I know I need to run more than twice a month and I know damn well that the more you do it the more you get out of it. Family are running with the Westbury Harriers now - I could join them but on Mondays I already go to the gym and do yoga. I guess an hour's hard run of an evening would round the day off nicely...

Question

Having read lots about it in the paper recently - should I come to the conclusion that there's nothing to be gained by doing exercise?
Apparantly it does nothing for you if you want to lose weight, which, frankly, is why most people take up running in the first place.
I have evidence, if not proof, that this is right: a friend trained for and completed the London marathon and compained that she didn't become the sleek gazelle-like athlete she'd imagined was her due after all that effort. She certainly isn't - and wasn't - overweight but there was no danger of stick-insectyness either.
So, am I right to settle back safe in the knowledge that I haven't wasted a moment of my life by doing just 30 mins of running in the past 3 weeks - or should I seek out inspirational stories to get me back pounding the streets again?
WHY DOES ANYONE RUN?? PLEASE TELL ME.

First run of the month

And it was in London - and very short.
There was a curry night at a mate's last night which was great - quite late, quite red winey, quite marvellous.
And then this morning I went for a run to the bunny park, seeing parakeets along the way. Quite surreal. And quite hard work cos of the curry night...

But I did manage about 1/2 an hour which is far far far better than nothing - especially as itr was touch and go whether I was going to go at all so I do feel I deserve, if not a pat on the back, then a light graze.

back on the downs

A very pleasant Sunday run.
Apart from feeling sick (too much dry white last night)...
I ran up to the observatory - which was hard work - but afterwards I felt great... perhaps generally I need to try a bit harder rather than keep something in reserve. Although it's a few hours later now and I'm feeling quite knackered.

OK so guilty pleasure of the day - I downloaded a song from way back in my slightly goth influenced teenage years - and possibly the least motivational song ever to have on your ipod... It was 'last exit for the lost' by the fields of the nephilim. Can't believe it, but a few weeks ago we had a cull of cds and that was one which went out - and then I go and put them on spotify and want to get them all back. Hey ho. There is a reason for this - more than just a trip down a black-clad memory lane - I want to write a play in which a middle-aged woman meets up with an old flame who happens to be a goth-rocker who's kept his dream alive and is now rich and famous - but not in the uk. Write about what your heart knows.

So, yeah, the run - haven't been for a bit and was putting it off frankly. But it was really fine.
Stats: 53' 30"  5.29 miles   10' 06" per mile (shockingly slow, I blame the wine) 517 cals
So there is no excuse to slacken off - I need to go at least once a week - and before work if I can bear it.
There was some drunken talk about the Bath Half marathon last night - hmmm. Training over the winter??? Not sure about that

Taking no chances

I've put my doubts about early morning runs to one side by not doing them - or any running at all - for the time being. No particular reason other than laziness and disillusionment.

I am fed up of feeling mediocre after doing all this exercise - I don't seem to have any more vavavoom than the rest of the couch potaotes I mix with and as for the gym bunnies I know - I just feel like a sack of spuds.

I guess it's a form of depression and one of the best ways of combating depression is to exercise...

I know I feel better for my gym sessions but I know deep down I'm not putting in the effort requred - I need the guys at the gym to force me onwards. But then the point of the gym sessions is to work until muscle failure which I read as 'failure' - not very motviationals.

So - please - I need to get my mojo back and get back on the road - perhaps all it will take is some new kit - or is that just kidding myself... (the 2nd one)

Sorry.
I hate feeling like this.
Sometimes it's good to look back on the bad times, sometimes it's better to put on a brave face.  (Like adam ant)

x

Tuesday morning

I am beginning to seriously doubt the value of these early morning 10k runs.
For a start I have to get up at 6am which is really very early in anyone's book and then I'm running on empty for over an hour. I feel exhausted after a couple of miles and there are still 4 to go.
I do feel quite good once I've stopped though.
But for the rest of the day I feel weary.
I know it's good exercise - but would it be better to run after work when I've had something to eat during the day? Or is running on empty a good thing in terms of getting round to burning fat for energy which is what I'm aiming for? The low-carb thing obviously won't help even an evening run - slow-release carbs might but I don't know the rules about them. And should I really be bothered about rules? It's not like I'm following the plan strictly, just cutting out bread, pasta, spuds, rice and sugar. I think it's working - put it this way: I'm going to 2 parties this weekend and am wearing clothes I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing just a few weeks ago - so I guess I feel more confident if nothing else.
Keep on runninggggg......

Half marathon 2010

Not that I did it, of course, but I did wave over the seawall viewing point as the runners went up the portway (before the leaders came back down) - and - apart from the rain - I kind of wished I was doing it too. All my chums did it and were really happy with themselves - boyf did it in about 1hr 36 which isn't bad for not doing much training...
I dropped them off in town for the start and I did envy them their excitement - it's what makes it an event rather than a really, really long run.
I did go for a run round the downs and managed the usual 4 and half miles - and I had to walk again for a few seconds after a mile or so - whether that's cos of the low carb thing or cos I never warm up properly and this was a way of allowing my blood to redistribute properly I don't know, but it did help...
And the low-carb is working quite well as I've lost about 4lbs (but this is weighing myself 1st thing in the morning and after a few lagers last night... but hey 4lbs is 4lbs - another 3 weeks and I might have hit my target. But will it make me happy? And will I skeep it off??)

A good run following a bad day

You know how some days are just rubbish, that you just want to fast forward through them and move on? Yesterday was like that so I had some wine before I went to bed. Daft really. Really daft, as I'd promised I wouldn't. But it was a treat to get over the bad day.

So when the alarm went off at 6am I wasn't best pleased and actually spent a few minutes arguing why I should run, that I could run after work instead. (I haven't done that for a long time, years perhaps) But as usual there wasn't a particularly good reason why I should turn over and go back to sleep and so I went for a run.

Incidentally, so did the boyf who is running the Bristol 1/2 marathon this weekend (he has done v little training as usual but will get round in 1 hour 43 mins, my prediction)

But back to me - my run was ok - it was hard to begin with, as I was going the opposite way round my normal route which means the steeper hills are first, but I got round ok.

There is a huge amount of mind over matter in these things - there are the aching buns, the boredom (even Evan Davies and Jim Naughtie aren't totally engrossing) but if you just keep going (as long as there isn't anything terminal going on with your knees etc) then you get round. It's very simple. And there is the added incentive of wanting to get back as soon as possible for a nice cup of tea. Very motivational.

PS - I'm still unsure as to the success of the (not very) low-carb diet. I've lost about 2lbs I think but surely it's only a matter of time before I am a size zero. (Although that's fairly unlikely as I'm protecting myself against that by drinking wine and eating carby fruits)

Early one morning just as the sun was riiiiiising

Yup - there I was, pounding the streets, even as the sun poked its nose over the horizon. It was nice - quite chilly but clear and fresh. Lovely.
Well, once I got over the initial thing of having no energy it was ok - I wonder if this is a sign of the low-carb diet working - I certainly don't get the highs and lows from having too much sugar, but whether or not this is the path to racing snakiness I have no idea.
Unlikely, frankly, as I still pack in loads of sugar in the form of fruit and alcohol.

But at least I've been for a run.

Next time (Thursday) (probably) I will do the same route (about 10k) but in reverse. As in going round the loop in the opposite direction, not running backwards. Just to shake things up, make them a little bit more exciting and unpredictable. That is how sad and dull my life has become.

44' 40", 4.67miles, 9'33" per mile, 530 cals

Something's not right - surely it's fewer calories than that?
aha - my weight was in settings as 100kg. Not quite that fat.

It's good news though - the settings were wrong cos I have a new ipod (hurrah). Hopefully I won't have to recalibrate the thing...

And, note to self - am far too old to run off a hangover. I had to curtail the run (missing out to loop by the observatory) and I had to walk for a few mins to catch up with myself. Glad I went though, it's never a waste of time. (convince yourself)

Niggles - left heel is aching, I think it's an achilles problem and I don't know what to do about it. New shoes? New tendon? Don't know. I don't think it's rest as I hadn't run for a week thanks to the dead ipod situation, so I think that would qualify as a rest, wouldn't it?
I felt quite strong today which was nice - well, strong but sick (cos of the hangover no doubt) but I'm still not all that fit - I would not finish the 1/2 marathon next weekend if I had gone in for it. Quite glad I didn't although I would like to think there is another 1/2 marathon in me before I croak. Perhaps next year? The plan is to go on holiday earlier next year which would mean a better run up to it in terms of training. (As if that's a consideration...)

So, done, dusted, showered, fed and ready to enjoy the bank holiday weekend. My cup overfloweth.

The dead ipod story continues

It was the lesser outcome - a replacement for the dead one. I know I should be grateful they're exchanging it and all that but I would have at least liked to get a different colour. Plus there was the added annoyance of not being able to get it exchanged on my first visit - apparantly you have to book a genius to get anything done there (Don't they trust their non-geniuses to make decisions?) AND they didn't have the right one in stock so I have to wait for it to come in and then go back again (third visit) and collect it. Meh.

And, no, I can't get going for a run when there is no ipod to listen to. Although, if they don't let me have a new one today/tomorrow, I will have to force myself out and run with only the sound of my own internal voices to amuse me.
Scary.

RIP ipod #2

I've killed another ipod.

The screen had the white horizontal lines at the weekend (see previous post) - but at least the thing was working.
But by yesterday the screen was covered in white lines. So I did the reset thing when you hold the menu and centre buttons down together - and the screen went totally blank white.
So I plugged it into the laptop - AND THE THING SQUEAKED - I kid you not. Ipods shouldn't make a noise.
I tried the restore option but it wouldn't have it.
Result - one utterly dead ipod.

So I'm taking it back to the Apple store this evening and the result I want is an upgrade replacement - one with the built-in radio and video camera - as a goodwill thing. We'll see how much Steve Jobs loves his customers...
What I will probably get is this one repaired or replaced with another identical one. I will have to steel myself for the confrontation.
Wish me well...

(ahh - what if they say it's my fault and won't do anything????)

BTW the upshot of the ipod tragedy is that I didn't go for a run this morning as I didn't have anything to listen to: can I force myself out on the pavements with no aural stimulation in future?
Watch this space.

Not literally.

Sunday Morning

It was a good run. Didn't have a lot of energy - obviously the low-carb thing is kicking in... - but I did the downs including the observatory without passing out or vomiting so I guess that's a good sign...
My ipod has broken again. Not sure if it's cos I carry in in my hand when I'm running and it might get sweaty. I put it in a bag if rice overnight but it hasn't helped: if anything after the run this morning it was worse. I will take the bloody thing back and see if they can mend it, but I am so out of love with ipods. I don't like the thumbwheel thing as I don't think it works very well. Perhaps I'm just too familiar with them. Either way if I didn't have the macbook I would think about getting a mp3 player which works.

Just Not Fair

I run - at the moment I run 3 times a week (well, in a good week) more than 15 miles a week in fact.
I go to the gym 3 times a week
I do yoga on Mondays
I cycle to work usually 5 days a week, about 6 miles a day
Why then am I so fat and getting fatter????

OK I do accept I drink too much wine and I don't consider my calorie intake particularly carefully (loving buttery toast), and I know that's got to change, but I did believe when I joined the gym almost a year ago, that I would at least get thinner if not lighter. Well I've put on a few pounds since joining and I think I might have lost an ounce or 2 of actual fat, but I am still carrying 10lbs too much disgusting fat.

I actually thought when I went on holiday that I looked ok in a bikini - well I didn't. Self-delusion is a terrible thing.
For example - running up the slope from the holiday house (an unmade-up track, steep) I was putting a lot of effort into the run, and I was OK with taking 5mins 40" over it. But when niece did it in under 3 and a half mins I completely lost heart and started hating myself for being so utterly crap. I embarrass myself.

So this is the time to end the self-delusion.

I'm not a good runner - I'm an adequate jogger and would never break the 2 hours for the 1/2 marathon even if I dragged myself off the couch to train for it.
I can't just eat crap and think it doesn't count - everything counts. A hangover fried breakfast DOES count even though it feels like medicine. The answer - don't have hangovers.
I am getting older and this makes a difference - hormonally fat gets laid down a lot more easily and is harder to shift therefore I have to consume fewer calories and keep up with the same (or more) level of exercise

Life is not fair - some people don't have an issue with putting on fat, they just don't get hung up on eating, or their metabolism is different. Other people don't seem to care one way or another what they look like and they seem quite happy to live with that. I don't have that kind of confidence. It's the same kind of fairness which means that no matter how much effort I put into running, someone with longer legs will run right past me with no effort at all. I can't get hung up on that - I am a shortarse and that will never change. So I have to live with it.

So, Atkins or f-plan or what? Am cutting down on bread and especially sugar, will cut down on the wine. And generally eat less that I have been. It can't be that bad can it, considering I think I comfort-eat a lot, so all I have to do is think happy thoughts and the flab will melt away.

Or I could get a tape-worm...

omg a nice run - apart from the toe issue

So it was a 6am start, weather fairly perfect really. And it was fine. Really, pretty much fine. In terms of leg aching and lungs bursting, it was one of my better runs.
But I have this toe thing. My little right hand toe (right foor toe?) kind of curls under the rest of them and gets squashed. This results in a massive 1/2-toe blister. Which has been ok - the last one's been and gone but left an edge where it rubs even more. So ater 1/2 an hour or so into the run I can feel the squashedness coming back and my toe starting to hurt.
It's not nice and I don't know what to do about it.
I have thought of surgery - possibly a bit extreme.
A splint to straighten the toe out but that would probably make it worse.
Amputation - again a little on the extreme side of things.
So what can I do??
Vaseline to make it slip around rather than squish? (messy)
Plaster to corset the thing a bit - have tried that  - am worried it's going to make the next toe in get blisters.
Different shoes - another £100 on trainers - would be worth it is there was some kind of guarantee with the things.
It may go away.

blighty

Well, I'm straight back into the old routine of Sunday morning runs - and it was ok. Nothing like as hot as I've been used to, but that's probably not a bad thing.
Just did a trip around the downs, without the loop by the observatory, so it was pretty easy - but I still had to walk for a few minutes as I felt faint. No idea where that came from, but there you go. Useless!

no more bestest miles

I did run as hard as I could for a while this morning but didn't get another fastest mile thing from some american sportsperson. hey ho

Also, I got lost on the way back - there I was coming down the evil track towards the house, thinking about angels' wings (don't ask, but I've been reading 'angelology' this week) and when I came to my sense I realised I didn't recognise the bit of road I was going down. In fact I was about to get to the neighbours' house. So I had to about-turn and go back up the 100m or so of hill I'd just come down and take the right fork in the road which took me back to the safety of the holiday home... What a nit.

encore une fois

Yeah yeah yeah another run in the baking heat, aren't I just a marvel? Surely a medal is all but in the post right now.
Funny how once you get over yourself things like going for a run become very mundane events.

Fastest. Mile. Ever

Have now done 3 runs here in the s of f. None of them has been particularly pleasant, what with the heat and the danger etc etc, but this morning's went quite well.
I got to the top of the track from the house and pootled around the local hamlet and failed to find the door with all the feet tacked onto it.
Then I headed off down the road towards La Guard-Freinet and turned back at the junction. When I got back home, I turned off the nike+ thing and whaddyaknow, but here comes Tiger Woods no less to tell me 'congratulations, you've recorded your fastest ever time for a mile.' Whayhay, really.

foreign running

Shortest. Run. Ever.
Well, it was very uphill, unmade roads, traffic dangers etc etc and I actually felt proud of the fact I ran for 3 miles. It was also hot as we're in the south of France at the mo on holiday. So I think I'm allowed to lay off the running a little. But I will go again another morning I think as it will help counteract the copious amounts of wine and beer and cheese I seem to be consuming...

Last British Run

Before going to France tomorrow that is.
I wasn't going to run this morning but frankly there was no reason not to. And I'm glad I did, now that it's over.  I didn't feel particularly energetic so it was a struggle but I"m pleased to say I did the full run round the water tower, about 6 and a bit miles. More than enough in anyone's book.

one of the last runs...

..before going on holiday.
I think I will take my trainers even though it's likely to be so hot I'll have to run at 5 am... Seeing that written down makes it feel less and less likely it's going to happen...
This morning's was OK - was disappointed that I didn't get that brief feeling that I was enjoying it. And then afterwards I got the distinct impression that my old knee problem was beginning to recur. Age, it's not for the faint-hearted.

Early one morning just as the sun was rising...

There was a moment this morning when I realised I was actually enjoying my run. I was about 1/2 way through, 3 miles or so in, the sun was shining, I was on a very (very) slight downhill bit and there was nothing wrong with my knees, my feet, my head, my ipod... Will this moment ever come again? It didn't last all that long, but it was truly very nice.

2 run update

I did do a run on Sunday but for some reason I just didn't blog about it. Possibly cos it really wasn't all that interesting - no aliens, no freak hailstorms, no eureka genius moments. Nothing. Nada. Just 5.9 miles in 56'05" which is 9'29" a mile and naturally 590 calories.

And of course there is this morning's run as well - another 6am ish start which is OK but now the days are getting shorter I just know my huge enthusiasm for early morning runs will undoubtedly fade... But for now I'm getting out there, soaking up the business news on Today and hating the first mile or so.

But my new passion is the Tour de France - I am loving the lads in lycra and their weird sense of fair play (that's aimed at you, Bertie Contador) - I mean, isn't it supposed to be a race, fcs? Can't wait for today's stage - another pyreneean palaver. Bring it on.

why?

It was raining again this morning - not great, but it didn't rain the whole time.

I had to walk for a short while which was annoying but perhaps just got me enough energy to keep going. I missed out some of the route to get back home - but I guess it was still about 5 miles.
It just all felt a bit rubbish, frankly.

And then when I got home I weighed myself for the first time in a while and I found out I've put ON weight. This is despite the new regime of 3 runs a week, 3 gyms a week, cycling to work every day and yoga on mondays. I know I haven't cut back on calories but if 'they' are to be believed then upping your exercise is enough to make you lose weight. What's going wrong here?

Now I feel there is no point to any of this - I might as well eat and drink what I like and give up the exercise cos it seems to make no difference. I know this isn't true but some days you just have to wonder - 'is it all worth it?'

early morning in the rain

It seems Summer is on a break and we're back to winter weather. Except it's not cold, just rainy and dark. But in truth, once you're out there a bit of drizzle doesn't hurt - it's the darkness that gets you. Waking up with the sun streaming in through the curtains is great - when you can't tell if you've opened your eyes or not - not so super.

But the run was fine, usual things, usual radio stuff - except I mistakenly tuned to 1xtra just before 7am and got very confused. Quickly found R1 once more and relaxed. Sad, I know, but I do find R1 quite amusing and takes my mind off the pavement-pounding in a way R4 just doesn't.

And then I cycle 5 miles or so to work. And go to the gym 3 times a week. If there was any justice in the world I would be super-model skinny by now. I mean, just cos I eat too much and like wine by the bottle rather than the glass (oh, and the small matter of being middle-aged) I am still the shape of a weeble. But with legs. And I do wobble quite a bit, but also fall down.

greugh 47'20" 9'35"/mile 4.93miles 493 cals

Of course I already knew that a bottle of wine the night before won't make for a good run in the morning, but I did it anyway. And had a rotten run.
I could learn from this experience
Even leaving it til 1030 didn't make it any better.
greugh, indeed 

btw do you think they work on 1mile = 100 cals??? I have my suspicions

routine

Well, it's almost becoming a routine this early morning running thing. I see the sainsbury's delivery van as I cross Gloucester Rd, I see the prison staff arriving for work with their carrier bags (presumably with their lunches inside) and I listen to the business news on Radio 4 then change to the nonsense of Radio 1 and lighten up for the journey back home.

It takes about an hour, and I think it's over 6 miles which I find quite amazing. Not sure if this link will work...
http://gb.mapometer.com/en/running/route_689625.html

And then I walked to work which seemed far harder work than cycling the 6 miles... I can only hope that it's doing me some good and I'm not just piddling in the wind.

And by doing good I mean making me lose the flab as well as being fitter and healthier. I don't feel healthy right now I feel knackered. And in need of a veggie sausage sandwich...

another morning another run

It all feels a bit routine now - is that a good thing? Or should I still be in the mega-congratulatory stage and think I'm being wonderful???

So, yeah, another pre-breakfast run. And it was ok really. Feel good for having done it and not dreading the next one.

Of course boyf decided he was going to do one as well and probably ran as far as I did but managed to do it 20minutes faster... Such is life

5.92 miles, 56' 09", 9' 28"/mile, 592 cals

Hurrah - a feel-good run.
Apart from being exceptionally out of breath heading up to the observatory.
On the last mile or so I really went for it and got my speed up to 8 1/2 mins a mile which is quite impressive for me. (There is an element of endorphin still knocking around me I reckon)
So I feel quite pleased with myself - but there is a downside - by putting in this extra effort and getting some sort of result from it - will I have to continue doing this and try harder and harder each time? Most of me wants this to get easier and easier, not harder. There might even be a danger that if I did do the 1/2 marathon again I might really try and beat 2 1/2 hours. And that would mean dedication and commitment. Hmmm.

Sometimes I amaze myself, you know

Yes, it's true - I went for another pre-work run this morning, about 5 miles I reckon.
If life was fair I would now have the physique of a racing snake but the truth is somewhat different, more blistery and sweaty than supermodelish. Hey ho.
So I just have to keep this going a lot and I will reap the benefits one day. Or I will simply stave off the effects of old age a little longer. Or, in the case of my knees, accelerate them.
Have to work out why I'm doing it really. I do feel fitter and stronger than I have for a while which is nice, but I'm still the size and shape of a middle-aged woman and I have no idea how that happened...

Get me

Look at this will you - I've only been on a run today - BEFORE work - only 2 days after the last one.
Am getting rsi from patting myself on the back.
In truth it was to make up for a day of sloth on Monday where I did nothing other than watch tennis and eat toast, 2 of my favourite activities.
So there I was, 0615, running up the road wondering where the sun had gone and why it was raining. But I kept going, all the way up to the downs then chickened out a bit as I was getting tired, and didn't put the loop in round the water tower, but headed home. And I felt good for going. Perhaps I could learn from this?
Didn't use the nike+ thing cos I wanted to listen to the radio which I find more distracting from the little voices in my head telling me to walk for a bit (is that just me?)
And now I am resting on my laurels having also cycled 5 miles or so into town - can I stay awake all day though - might need to catch some zeds at lunchtime...

55m 23s, 5.65miles, 9m 48s/mile, 565cals

It's incredibly hot right now - getting up to 30c today they reckon. So it had to be an early run or nothing - 9am is quite early isn't it?
I did the run round the downs with the trip up to the observatory - which is a hell of a hill climb. At the top I remember thinking 'I am a long way from home'...

But I got back all right and felt I've done myself some good. Still old and fat of course but at least I've done a run today...

1h 13mins 42s, 7.48 miles, 9m 51s/mile. 0 cals again

Feet aching, small blister on toe, feeling of invincibility - I must have been for a longish run. Actually forget the last bit, I feel like I'm about to fall to pieces.

Success!

1hr 9mins 51sec - 7.19 miles - 9'42" per mile - 0 calories again

So this was success in the sense that i managed to get out of the house to run and managed to go a long way. Now of course my bum aches and the sides of my calves ache and I feel like all I want to do for the rest of the day is collapse on sofa and watch the grand prix and perhaps some gentle internet surfing.
But isn't that what Sundays are all about!!!

So, should I go in for the 1/2 marathon? Seeing as how doing 1/2 that distance has just about wiped me out I'm not sure how good an idea that would be - but there are still 3 months to go and it's a matter of building up to it now rather than beginning from scratch... But it still remains a hell of a long way to run and my legs are aching.

3 weeks later...

...and I have been for a run. It was jolly hard work, but because I was dropped off at the water tower, it was mainly downhill which made it a lot easier. But less challenging.
Wish I could suddenly be as fit as I have been in the past without all this training malarky.

4.21 miles, 40 mins, 9.29/mile, and 0 calories for some reason. Can't be right.

Getting better

Well, I did run again after that last disastrous one and it wasn't so bad

Then last weekend I went for a run along the seafront at Whitstable - it's the nearest I'll ever get to running for sheer pleasure... I love the sea air and the flatness of the course... It was only 35 mins or so and I'd forgotten the nike+ thingy, but I felt a lot better for going and it made the day of eating and drinking seem a little less reprehensible.

43'19", 4.45 miles, 9'43"/mile, 435 cals

Had to walk. 3 times. Felt rubbish.
Possibly something to do with the wine last night and the lack of breakfast. But still crap.

46'17", 9.31 min/mile, 4.86 miles, 474 calories

OK - how do you get ipods to put a podcast into a playlist? There I was a-running, wanting to listen to the Friday night comedy thing from radio 4 - and nothing. The music was there, but no podcast. Very, very annoying

The run was good though - fantastic weather for once, and I actually felt good. Towards the end, I even put more effort in and went faster, but I'm not sure how long I could keep that up. Does that even matter? The important thing was I felt good - hips aching just a little, the  slightest of twinges in my achilles, but really, nothing to worry about at all. Now I am just waiting for the weight to fall off me...

6.21 miles - 59'21" - 607 cals - 9'33" / mile

The one thing I've discovered about the whole running around to get fit lark is - it's bloody time-consuming.
In order to get going, I now have to stretch - a lot - 6 stretches, each held for 4 mins or thereabouts (sometimes I wimp out cos it hurts too much)
Then I have to decide what to wear which takes ages because now it's getting hotter, I don't want to cover up so much but I do want to conceal my wobbly bits with something tied around my middle. And my long trousers are in the wash, my tight cropped ones are ugly and my baggy cropped ones are ugly and a bit too small, but I have to go with those.
So now I'm up and running - and I go further than I have for a long time - over 6 miles according to the nike+ and when I finish a nice American lady who's probably very famous in America - pops into my ear and tells me I've done very well. I don't feel patronised at all...
But I haven't had the ache in my hip joints which I've had for a long time now. As long as I remember to lift up my knees and make sure my core bits are busy. There is also an element of that chi running - trying to lean forward in order to keep going and that seems to make some daft kind of sense.
So that's all lovely.
Then I see myself - bright red face, quite alarmingly so.
The shower seems to have a blockage, but I need a shower so badly I get in and just paddle. But when I get out, I'm still bright red, so there then comes the make up challenge of piling it on to cover up the red without looking like I'm wearing make-up...
And at last I'm ready to face the world - it's a lovely world today, all sunny and a weekend... but I'm having to spend most of the day getting prepared to be seen out in it. I know I'm probably a bit over-sensitive about such things, but the reality is, as you get older it takes longer and longer to look like you haven't spent hours on getting ready to face the world. Sometimes I do wish I was one of those people who genuinely don't care what people think, but then I look at them and feel they ought to make a little bit of an effort. Am I very shallow?
Possibly.
It's now been an hour or so since I finished and my arse is aching, but in a way suggesting it's been exercising, rather than anything injurious. Slightly worrying achilles heel twinge... So getting old also includes loads of extra aches and pains, but I think I knew that already.

Calibration news

mapometer - 3.62 miles
nike+ - 3.6 miles
I think the nike+ might be calibrated - yay! About time too and all that. There is still the issue with my crap ipod not working very well and it takes several goes to get anything through to the thing. Not happy with it, but at least it's something to listen to while struggling with the terrible realisation that I'm out on a run and suffering from being old and decrepit. Either that or a bit unfit.

For some reason my return button's not working. Hmmm








 - well it it - cos look, I'm way down here now, but it didn't show on the screen.
hey ho - now it's working again
life's rich tapestry and all that 

Double done it

1. I have been for a run - hurrah. Not the most elegant as I am feeling very fat and unfit, but it's done. I just did the short run - about 3.5 miles - but it's a start.
2. I have calibrated the nike+ - amazing, I know. I used Sefton Park rd as a measured distance (0.3 miles) and ran down it first, managed to mess up the calibration, so did the run and came back the same way and the lady in the nike+ said it was successful. So next time I drag myself out, there should be some kind of accurate measurement.
We shall see.
My aim for the next few weeks is to do 5 miles twice a week, plus the gym and cycling. That should shift some pounds. Oh, and cut out the over eating. I would like to think I could lose half a stone by May (about 6 weeks)
Again, we shall see.

I NEED MOTIVATION

I'm feeling overweight, depressed, under the weather, unfit - and a whole heap of other negatives, so I ought to be throbbing with motivation to get out and run.
But I'm just not.
It's grey and cold and miserable outside. And I'm scared of not being able to run. I don't like the thought of the 'out of breath feeling' and the aching legs. Even though all that is temporary and unimportant.
And I know I will feel better once I've been. And it will do me good even though I have serious doubts about that. 
So why the hell can't I just get out there and go for a little run?

A level playing field

Well, if not a level playing field, then level hips and shoulders...
The osteopath discovered my left hip is way higher than my right and my left shoulder is way lower than my right. It was quite a marked difference - and a little unnerving and embarrassing really.
But, after a session of manipulation which was curiously enjoyable despite the pain, I seem to be well on the way to being far more level headed. (See what I did there)
It explains why I've liked running on a camber which drops off to the left - it was my body crying out for levelisation
So, with all that sorted there are no excuses for not running like the wind and becoming one of those irritiating people who live to run and get all twitchy when they can't. Are there?

More spending

Spending, this time, is on an osteopath to get rid of the niggles - the niggling lower back pain, the niggling shoulder pain.
If it works, it's money well spent.
I know there'll be an element of me having to do stretches and exercises at home, ones which I expect I would get from going to yoga more often, but sometimes by simply paying someone to tell you to do something, it makes it a gazillion times more likely that you'll do it.
That is the theory...

day off work...

...and I went out for a run - how very.

Really hard work but, like going to the gym, never something to regret.
Except when I go for a long run and mash my feet and toenails.

So now I have to up the distance, up the frequency and up the nike+ calibration efforts.

I have run!

...and it was horrid - hard work and painful - but at least I was out there in the glorious spring sunshine pounding the Downs with a load of other people. I think it's cos it was sunny and it really feels like spring is round the corner - at loooong last.

I think was the Bath 1/2 marathon today - how I ever dragged myself round the Bristol 1/2 all that time ago I have no idea.

I still haven't calibrated the Nike+ but it's ok I will get round to it sometime soon. I wanted to listen to the radio today anyway - the Archers omnibus, how very middle-aged...

Spring is sprung...

...and that means it really is time to get the nike+ calibrated and get some serious running under my belt. And it's going to happen very soon. Honestly, it really is.
For instance, this weekend I may very well calibrate the thing and take it for a run.
Or I might just calibrate it.
No point in ploughing in there all guns balzing and risking an injury is there.

Pigging nike+

I think I have it sussed at last.

The instructions for calibrating the nike+ left out a whole step. Now that I've worked it out, I really truly believe I'll be able to calibrate the thing.

Hooray  :)

I'm sure it must be doing me some kind of good...

It's like this: I've started down the road to middle-agedness by developing sciatica. At least I think that's what it is. It's pain in the right place and I don't like it, makes me feel OLD. Harumph.

The gym doesn't do it any harm, ibuprofen helps a lot, but I think the key to curing/alleviating it is actually yoga. After my first session for about 6 months last Monday, my back felt fine. It's come back since then so I've been trying out some stretches to see which ones unlock the pain. I think I'm getting there. I blame it partly on sitting at a computer for hours at a time at work, and also cycling as I'm not sure my bike's the right size for me, I could do with further away handlebars I think.

But despite the agony, it hasn't deterred me from going for a run. Amazing, a mere 3 weeks after the last one.

Only 3 1/2 miles, but according to the pigging nike+ thing, over 4 miles run at a very respectable pace. Much as I'd like to think that was all down to me, I know it's cos I still haven't calibrated the thing yet. And only today I have found out that the instructions were missing a step - no flaming wonder I was getting cross with it. But you have to calibrate it over less than 1.25 miles which is hardly a run, is it?

Still, it was horrible, I am getting increasingly unfit and despite what the lovely people at the gym say, it's not just me being out of practice, it's cos I is a fattie. I have less back flab wobbling around than I used to, but my arse is still astonishingly large. I am going to have to bite the (chocolate) bullet and cut down on calories as well as pile on the miles...

Oh happy day

Annoying

Well I dragged myself out for a short run this morning - the first one in a couple of weeks - mainly to calibrate the nike+. Except I messed up somehow. I blame the sodding ipod - the thing is useless - it's impossible to do anything with the wheely thing in the middle as it just goes backwards and forwards rather than staying where you put it. Plus I did press the wrong thing to calibrate the run.

I've since worked out (by looking in the instructions...) that you put in the distance you're going to run BEFORE you set off rather than try and mess around with it when you finish and are all sweaty and shakey.

And this was after 3.57 miles, hardly a marathon.

I do feel stronger than before I started going to the gym, but there is still the issue of not having the puff to keep going with any sense of ease. I know it's from not running very much and I also know it will get better. But not that much better as I am getting older and it'll be increasingly hard to make a difference. I would just like to lose some flab through running and to feel the benefits of being a fit and middle-aged person...

Up on the Downs

Well, I have been for a run with the nike+ runny thing which works - but needs calibrating for me - I can assure you I did not run over 5 miles at just over 8mins per mile yesterday. Quite a lot out really - 4.8 miles in fact.
But it's very good - tells you how fast and far you've gone when you stop your 'work out' and then you plug it into the computer and it gives you a picture of your run - though sadly not on a map, it's a read out of the speeds you've gone over the distance.

But it's a nice nerdy thing to have.

And it was very hard work and I felt like a middle-aged desperate housewife trying to get fit - not far off the truth. And I sadly thought that the reason my fat wobbles less now is cos my new top is one of those compression things (not a proper one, but it's very snug) so perhaps my efforts in the gym aren't really worth it - but I can't believe that as I now have biceps.

But I will continue with the wobbling round the downs - it's getting harder the less I do (obviously) and I have to remind myself to keep my knees up and not slump into energy-saving mode.

Please tell me it's worth it!!!

Shoe thingy

I have now got the nike+ thingy which the thing goes in and you attach the thingy to your shoelaces.

But it's big - way too big for what it's used for really - you could put a key or something in it but most trousers or tops have a zip-up pocket something for that kind of thing.

Of course Nike want you to go out and buy their special shoes with the thingy built in but even £5 for the separate thingy is better than £???? for even more new shoes.

So now I need warm runny clothes and I can head off towards the running horizon (or am I simply making excuses not to go when the weather is SOOO COLD???

The Big Plan

Today's Big Plan is to go for a run.

But - it's very cold (there is black ice on the road which means I don't want to run locally and might drive up to the downs for a grassy run - but I have to drive on black ice as opposed to run on it - what's better???)

Also I had a curry last night and you don't want to know the rest...

But there's another but - I feel sluggish and crap and would like to think I have done a run already today. It's just that getting to that particular stage requires that I go for a run...

Later...
I have been for a run - hurrah and huzzah and everything. It was really hard work though - I have got quite unfit through being sat at home/at work and although I do go gymming I don't do the aerobic stuff so much. And afterwards I reckoned I was completely free to eat whatever I wanted all day.
So many new year resolutions to take up over the next few days...
Still, I am mighty pleased with myself and am happy to have kicked off the new year's running. Wonder how many miles I'll manage this year - if only there was a gadget which told you how you were doing.. oh, wait ;) - as soon as I get plumbed into the world of nike+ I can bore anyone who cares to listen about my progress.

New Year, New Gadget

I still have the Nike+ thingy to help me play at running and I promise I'll get it working as soon as I get a thingy to attach it to my shoe. Looking forward to hearing the motivational comments as I run and then letting it work out how far I've been and all that.
And perhaps work up to some sort of a goal (might that be the 1/2 marathon goal again???)

So, no, I haven't been for a run for a while - too flipping slippy on the ice if you ask me... But tomorrow I might venture out - any advice to stop slipping on the ice?? Socks over shoes??

I am slightly looking forward to running again - I am now a regular gym-bunny but nothing quite beats the freedom of running the dark cold mean streets... apart from a nice hot bath and a cheese toastie maybe... Reminds me - it's time to run off the Christmas excess...