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...