Hard

I did that loop again and bloody hell it was hard work. Pre-breakfast, post a winy night out so there's an initial problem. Also I haven't got any running muscles. And I was at a yoga class on Thursday and the achiness is kicking in now - very tight hamstrings, me.
So there's the excuses - but I am so proud of myself for doing the full loop - I was only going to do 20 mins or so but there I was, 15 mins in and half way round.
I am so on it.

One inspiration is Jamie McDonald - he's running across Canada - 5000 miles with no back up. He is utterly barking but he's doing it. He's up against all sorts of problems like injuries, freezing cold, baking heat and loneliness.
His videos are well worth looking at:
http://www.jamiemcdonald.org/

Another thing - I rediscovered my robi plug-in radio for the ipod so I was very happy listening to beloved radio four all the way round - but by the time I finished, the battery was flat. It absolutely kills the battery life. Also it's previously killed the actual  ipod so perhaps it's not the best. But the radio feature on the ipod is utterly useless.

So that's it for me - very pleased with the fact I've done it - now I'm assessing my pains. My right foot, the one with the arthritic big toe, is a problem. My whole foot aches and I'm wondering if I should get to a podiatrist for some exercises to get round the problem. Also my freakishly long left second toe is rubbing against the show. I may have to get a larger size... That would be annoying cos mine are perfectly OK. I also need more running tights cos obviously now I'm going to be running every day.
Ha.

But honestly - support Jamie

getting there. possibly

I ran around a loop yesterday, rather than the 'round the houses' route - and I think I went a bit fruther than usual (I ought to measure it I guess) I ran for 35-40 mins I think which is good for me.
I have to walk a little at the end cos my left calf was tightening up and I felt it was about to pop. Which is a bad thing. It feels OK today though.

3.66 miles - possibly the furthest I've run in a loooong time

Well done me!

smug ish

Been on holiday for a week in France - beautiful, rural, flat France
Went for 3 runs of about 25 mins each. It was lovely.
I wore normal Merrell walking shoes - to run in! Kerrr-azy -  I know. I got a blister in a new place but that's about all.
I love barefoot (ish) running

3.2 miles, 30 mins

Not earth-shattering but I am very pleased with myself
Especially since I was in the minimal shoes - yay!!!

niggles: left hip, left second toe going wandering somehow, bit blistery
right foot a bit stiff, frankly.

but that's about the sum of my troubles which is good.
now I need to have the confidence to go further afield and try to build up to a 5 mile circuit which is the aim. I've read so much about too much aerobic activity does you no particular good. It's certainly not the best thing for losing weight - oh no - I have to cut down on calories to do that.

hot as June

Well, 21 mins later and I'm having a freezing cold fizzy water - lovely.
The run was very very hard - I am very unfit.
Still in my old shoes, and my calf is a little achy now. Perhaps it's time to use the flat ones again. I will run again this week sometime and have a go in them. Perhaps 10 mins. Perhaps I can't use the flat ones at all, I just feel like the padded ones are so huge and clumsy.
Hey ho.

good news, bad news

Mostly good news.

I ran for 20 mins this morning and it was fine. My calf was feeling tired but nothing scarier than that.
The bad news: I was running in my old trainers, the ones with loads of padding.
I was still trying not to heel-strike (other than going downhill...) and a bit of me thinks that the shoes only helped a tiny bit.
So perhaps the next outing will be in a minimal shoe and see how I get on.
But - yay!!!!

the 10-minute rule

The plan now is to run for about 10 mins at a time - ie to avoid the inevitable pain. Hopefully this will strengthen the bits that need it and I can build on that.

So I set off for 10 mins and managed 13 - but my wretched calf was aching from the get-go. It didn't get any worse, but I'm not happy about it.   :( (see, unhappy)

This is getting depressing now

I was excited about going for a run this lunchtime at work (I know that's a bit sad, but it's part of my rehabiliation into being a runner again)

But I only managed about 15mins before the calf muscle went again.

I thought I was doing everything right - running with the whole of my foot going onto the ground (not flicking off one side of my foot) I wasn't going too fast (no danger of that ever) and just enjoying the feeling of being out running on the downs in the sunshine

But I'm not allowed that little amount of pleasure; I'm not allowed to reclaim the feeling that 'I am a runner'...

I know I'm over-dramatising it all, but ffs give me a break. Am I just too old now? Is that it? Other people run into their 80s why can't I even get to my 50s without seriously wondering if my time is over?

At the risk of sounding like a stroppy toddler - it's not effing fair.*
I want to stop wanting this.


*a very sweary stroppy toddler

Missed one...

shin splints.
Not holding out for shin splints of course, just thought I'd cover all bases.

I'm back at the physio about the calf stuff - it's the old problem of being mightily twisted. And not in a good way.

But at least if that is the problem it can be cured :)

btw
I went for a cycle/run around the downs on Monday. I managed about 25 mins before the calves became unusable...

The full set

achilles trouble - check
stress fracture - check
industrial sized blisters - check
IT Band syndrome - check

I'm sure there's something else...

oh yes - pulled calf muscle - check

Bugger the thing.
There I was, happily running across Horfield Common, taking in the view of the enormous new hospital. I was working out if I had got to the furthest point away from home (and could therefore look forward to starting the return half) when my right calf muscle went  pop. It was horrible. My leg was suddenly unusable - heavy, weak.  Annoying.
So I had to get home.
It hurt just as much to walk as it did to run so I invented an embarrassing, flat-footed, limping shuffle home. Where I am now, sitting down and it's really aching.
I was going to walk into town but I think that's probably a no...
ffs
I so want to get back into running and yet it seems that every single bloody time I go for a run something starts to hurt.

The google doctors are saying it might take a minimum of 2 weeks.
I am so fed up of this.
I don't want to run faster each time, or beat other people. I simply want to keep fit and  lose some weight. I'm not competitive, I'm not trying to run a marathon. I just want to be able to run for an hour or so without fucking up my body.
What is wrong with me?

Blister

Top of right little toe.
It really hurts
But at least I did it on a run a couple of days ago

it's not ground-breaking, but...

at least it's only a week since my last run.
I did the same route and it was ok - apart from the cold. I should have worn gloves. And a warmer top. But I did get warmed up eventually.
5 sections
1. up to glos rd by sainsbury's
It was fine other than the chilly bits
2. up to Kellaway
getting into a stride a bit now but the hill at the end is challenging. The worst part was where my ipod ran out of juice and I was left alone with my thoughts until the end of the run...
3. kellaway to glos rd
getting breath back, nothing too bad but glad it's the 1/2 way point
4. down glos rd to Ashley Hill
I have to make sure I'm looking ok for this bit as there's always someone doing the walk of shame and they still look better than I do. By now on the previous outing there was a hip pain - not today. :)  This time it's my right foot aching and cos it's downhill slightly there is pressure on my feet. But it's livable with.
5. Ashley rd/sefton park and home
I need to make sure my right foot's not taking too much hammering - I think I'm running a bit too much on my toes and try to go more mid-foot strike and I think this is the future. It might also lessen the effect  on my calves which threaten to be agonising later on.

I'm very glad I did it - and before breakfast, too, which allegedly means more fat-burning which is No Bad Thing.

Now to up the frequency and distance. No pressure...

First time for a long time...

...not just running but running for more than 30 mins!
Get me.

33' 35"
3.55 miles/ 5.71km
567secs per mile
9 mins 27 secs per mile - not very impressive but there were hills and I am very fat.

I'm glad I did the route past the prison, along Kellaway and down Ashley Hill - at least it gets me away from schlepping round St Andrews which is a bit of a bore.

But now I know what I'm up against in terms of getting fitter and faster - and I have to up the mileage to 5 miles which I think is doable although I was struggling towards the end - but that of course is what this exercise thing is all about...

Will I ever do another 1/2 marathon? It seems really unlikely right now - perhaps a 10k this year? I'm only just 1/2 way there though...

I'm not back...

IT Band problems again.
Can. Not. Believe. It


This was drafted about a week ago - it's got a bit better since then, I'm not having to hop downstairs for instance but it's definitely getting better.

Chilly

2.65 miles, 25 mins
9mins 26 secs per mile

Not exactly an earth-shattering pace, but I guess the fact I've done it is more important than impressing anyone...

aches and pains
slight blister on right instep - painful but hopefully it won't get any worse - bring on the scar tissue...
also, left hip - an old niggle. I wonder if it's worth going back to the physio at Moti to get some idea of stretches or exercises...

Well, I am having to bite the bullet and get going on the Summer fitness plan. How well it's going to go is open to speculation. I'd like to think I can crack it. I need to.
  

I'm back

2.93 miles, 27 mins
9mins 12secs a mile
I've still got the old magic...

ok my right foot is achy when I run but that's about the worst of it, so it's not too bad.
I'm unfit of course, 1/2 an hour is about as far as I want to go for now - but I will build up on it and go longer/further...

So I need to get a 3-mile route planned as I'm bored of heading off round the same old circuit, filling in the time to make it up to 20+ mins. It'd be a lot better to have a long circuit so I can't give up 1/2 way round and cut it short. Scary.
And yet I used to run 6 miles reasonably happily. Was I thinner then? A bit. Certainly fitter. Will I get back to that state - quite possibly

Perhaps it's time to treat myself to new running kit (and ditch some of the horrible old stuff...)

20 minutes

And that's all I can manage, really. It was hard work and 2 days later I'm still aching. Plus I have a stinking cold and a chest infection, probably not connected...
But at least I was glad to have done a short run. Now I have to build on that and eventually get up to 5 miles regular.
Might take some time.

Tis better to travel in hope...

...than arrive at a run in February??

or something

One run a month isn't exactly going to set the world on fire is it (not the world but perhaps my calves...)

Just can't seem to summon the energy/gumption to get back out there and start building up the miles again. 20 mins is pathetic, but I have to (re)start somewhere

Happy New Year

Well, I've done my first run of the new year. And it was a dazzling 20mins long.
20 hard minutes.
Out of breath and heavy legs
And, rather worryingly, today I have a slightly achy left foot. I only hope it's a under-use thing not a harbinger of something more breaky.

And I am going to have to buck up my ideas if I'm going to build up to a regular 5-miles...
Happy new year indeed...

end of 2012

Looks like I'm not going to get a run in before next year... it's 3pm on nye, so basically there is no chance. Plus it's foul weather (and has been for about the past 2 weeks) all of which adds up to me not having run for an awfully long time.

So I will have to find some motivation to get myself out there again next year.
Tomorrow...

Happy New Year!!
x

2 weeks

It's a bit of a long time between runs - even I can recover in less time than that... My excuse is that I had to work last weekend and so the running disappeared.
Yesterday's run was OK - the weather was fab - bright and cold - ideal for running.  Mind, I was struggling by the end of the 30 mins and I only did a shade over 3 miles so I have a long way to go if I will ever want to do another 1/2 marathon.
Getting up to 5 miles would feel like an achievement....

Injuries 24 hours later:
1. aching calfs but nothing too bad
2. an instep blister, right foot (haven't had one of those for 3 years. Perhaps socks would be in order...)
3. weird pain in left foot around the break, but I'm hoping this is a settling in / adaptation sort of pain. In yoga the other day I nticed my left toes were a bit higgledy piggledy compared with my right foot so I guess I still need to make some adjustments.

The best advice really would be to run more I guess...

Oh the pain...

...and the mud, sweat and almost tears...

I ran around the downs for the first time since I broke my foot. It was OK. It was also very muddy.

My calfs are now very sore but the rest of me os ok - achilles, feet, legs, knees... actually my knees are not good. Age and running.

30 minutes of hell

So, yeah I've done another 30 minute run - but it was truly hard work. And I have a feeling that tomorrow my calves are going to be burning.
But it's a start...

Cautiously Optimistic

Yesterday - after putting it off for an age* - I ran for over 30 minutes. Not much over 30 mins, but I had only plugged 20mins into the nike+

I am well pleased with myself.

Everything felt ok - after a small niggle of achilles heel at the start. I was trying to remember everything the physio had told me and it workd - arm-pumping was quite effective even if it means using up more energy. Also it helps prevents twisting which I am prone to.

So perhaps it's all coming together and I can pound the pavements once more with confidence.

*it's a confidence thing - I don't want to break my foot again, I don't want to hurt my achilles again.

Perhaps it's time to treat myself to more running kit!!!

Could today be a turning point?

Ran for 19'22" without collapsing in achilles-based agony.

It was ok. There was a bit of an ache there, but I was concentrating on trying to run on my left foot the same as on my right and also to not land too vertically on my toes, so I ended up a bit flat-footed, a bit heely, but I think it was OK.

And I covered 3.34 km which I have worked out very roughly as 9'16" a mile - pretty much the same as before. Not bad considering I'm so unfit.

Has the yoga helped? not entirely sure but it won't have done any harm.

So I'm back at the physio again tomorrow - wonder if I will finally be signed off. I kind of hope so. Much as I enjoy the attention, I think the £40 a pop is adding up and I'm aware of what I have to do in order to get me back on the road again

yoga

Well, I knew it would have to happen eventually - I've been back to yoga for the first time in months.
And it's good.

Painful, awkward, frustrating, but good.

It may be the key to getting back running as it focuses on stretching all kinds of large, deep muscles and joints, which have been my downfall.
Of course I have to commit to going every week (and doing some in between) and it's 90 minutes a session which gets a bit dull BUT it's a Good Thing to do.

I will be yogaing again this Thursday which is the day I'm supposed to be having a trial run to see how my achilles is faring, but that will have to wait til Friday.

Also I'm going to attempt the 5:2 diet lifestyle thing this week (and commit it to it until Christmas????) which is basically 2 days a week of extremely restricted fasting (500 cals) and normal eating for the rest of the time. For various reasons it's going to be extremely hard to carry this off, but I feel I need to do something to fight this middle-aged spread thing (I thought it was a myth - I was so terribly wrong)

Wish me luck...

the final stretch?

Well, I've been back to the physio and he's stretched my foot. Something to do with mobility in my foot I think, so he was manipulating the metatarsals, culminating with a 'hold onto the bed' followed by a fairly substantial yank.
No sniggering at the back.
My foot clicked and the slight lump under my 3rd metatarsal had gone.

This may be the final link in the chain of adjustments to get me back up and running. Fingers crossed.
10 days before the next run to ease my achilles (which is a little bit swollen) and then a final (?) trip to the physio.

My third toe now has a kink in it which I'm sure wasn't there before...

double dang

Went for a run in my old shoes - and the achilles problem started even earlier.

Something else for my lovely physio to sort out for me.

The knee pain he sorted out last time has been totally brilliant - I now don't have a knee problem

Just an achilles problem...

Resting and stretching until Monday's appointment methinks...

Dang

On Sunday I started out on a 20+ minuter - but after 15 mins I had to stop and walk.
Achilles and calves.
I was convinced my achilles were about to explode so walking felt like the right thing to do
Happily today (2 days later) they're not bad at all.

I will probably go for a run this evening - but in my old shoes. I'll be pleased if I can do 30 mins with just the feeling that I'm a bit out of breath rather than in agony of biomechanical proportions.
If I do feel OK I guess I'll continue to run in the old trainers (but toe-striking as such as possible) and go for diddly runs in the merrells to bring up my endurance. It feels like a step backwards to go back into the padded shoes frankly and I don't like it.

Is this right?

22 min run last night
4.22km
which means 8.4 mins/mile which is faster than I used to run before my foot broke and before I got into this minimal running thing.

Can this possibly be correct?

I guess I will have to do more runs to find out

I do feel good for having done it and - apart from feeling a bit tired in the muscle dept - it felt good to be running. Although 20 mins or so is about as much as I want to be doing for now.
Building up to 5 miles is my next challenge. Beyond that, who knows...

I am back with the physio on Thursday which might help sort out my runner's knee...

20 minutes

not too unhappy with a 20 minute run - did 2.32 miles which I'm quite happy about.

But today I have aching calves/calfs (carves?)
Hopefully it'll wear off and I can do another 20+ minutes tomorrow

Tailing off...

I have been on a run or 2 since that last one, but nothing recently. Perhaps my love of running was all in my head and I only missed it when I couldn't do it and now I can, it's lost its charm...

Whatevs, I think I ought to keep it up and get back into the habit.

Actually my knees have been giving me that 'runner's knee' twinge for the past few days so perhaps it's a good thing I'm not running. And that is a good excuse.

righteous glow

Have just pounded the mean streets of St Andrews for 11mins 36"
The weird thing is - it's my right foot which feels worse... not sure if that's to do with having weak and inflexible arches or what - but there is a definite difference and it's my right foot which is worse.

Hey ho - will try and go for a 15-min run tomorrow morning and from then aim for 3 runs a week building up to 30 mins. This week will be 15 mins, 20 the week after etc. I think that 30 mins will be good to aim for - after that I imagine that getting up to an hour will be will power rather than nurturing my feet and calfs. Calves.

Shhhhhhh...

... don't tell anyone but I went for a run this morning.

I know, I know: get me.

Well I consider it a 'run' but it consisted of less than a mile.
But it was OK.

Foot news: it's weird having to concentrate quite so hard on running properly but I think I got away with it. My foot does ache a little but in a different place - up near the ankle area - perhaps it's just the bone rejigging itself within my foot and it may take a while to settle. I will have to ask on Monday when I see the physio again

So, I shall await tomorrow with interest to see how hurty my calfs and achilles are but so far, so good.

Hurrah!

8 weeks

2 months since it was broken.

Most of the pain has gone but it's still not right: it feels like my bone is too stiff. I know they're supposed to be stiff. It just feels too long or something and it's in the wrong place.
Whatever, it's a bit hurty when I walk.

I go back to the physio next Monday and hopefully he'll put me back on track. You see what I did there. I'll get my coat.

Thing is, running's gone from my mind. I no longer think about it other than as a panacea to all the fat issues I have. There are other reasons for having fat issues but they're too complex to go into here. Suffice it to say, I'm relying on running to drop me a couple of dress sizes. 1 would be enough. And if I go hell for leather, there is a danger that I will end up doing myself another injury.
So I don't do anything, just to be on the safe side...

Broken

I went back to the GP last Friday as my foot was still giving me grief: right back at the start of all this the A&E doctor had told me to go back to my GP if it wasn't better in 3 weeks. That was nearly 5 weeks before.
So I had a second x-ray which showed it was indeed a stress fracture.

Which has reassured me in several ways:
1. it explains why it was so painful for so long (but not how something too tiny to show up on the first x-ray could cause so much pain for so long...)
2. it means there is a more predictable prognosis (I think) as in it'll take 6 weeks to feel much better (that's be Monday, can't wait) and probably 6-8 before running again
3. it is healing very well

It's still a bit swollen and isn't terribly comfortable when I walk (unless I wear the trainery shoes with insoles - how elegant...) but now I can visualise what's going on in there it makes sense and it is healing OK so it's not the end of the world.

Now I have to summon up the patience to return to running gradually, and the determination not to just give up and sit on the sofa for the rest of my life...

Perhaps, as motivation, I should promise myself some (more) lovely running kit!!!

:D

never has a blog been more aptly titled...

I am going to suffer when I get back running: I will want to just get out there straight back into the 5-miler runs.
But it won't be like that.
For a start I will be very unfit as I've done nothing to keep up my fitness. I had considered rowing machines, cross-trainers that sort of thing, but just haven't got any further than thinking about it.
And I know I will be very hesitant and won't want to risk this all happening again - perhaps that's wise. Perhaps I need to be cautious and take it very easy in getting back into it.
Perhaps I need to join a club for *shudders* beginners...
Perhsp perhaps perhaps.

Truth is I'm heading into the unknown: I have never been injured like this before. Twisted ankles seem logical and it's easy to know in your mind when it's ok to run again.
This is something else: because it wasn't an injury like going over on your ankle or falling and hurting your knee, there is the worry that I'm just going to end up in exactly the same place as I have been for the past month.
And it's one place I never want to come back to.

Getting better

I truly feel my foot is getting better.
But it's not there yet.
And I'm dreading how it's going to be when I start running again - will I be able to build up slowly (like about 5 mins at a time)? Will I be so fearful of it happening again I kind of make it happen again? Or perhaps it will be fine and I will just get on and become one of these heroically aged runners you see doing middling well in the road races...

recovery

If it is a stress fracture, it'll be 4 - 6 weeks before I can even think about running.

The latest thought was it might be something to do with ligaments or tendons. It's definitely not the joint, it's defintitely my middle toe. I guess it's nice to narrow it down

But I'm still hacked off about it. Yesterday I walked less than 1/4 mile and I was in pain every step of the way, and quite knackered with having to compensate for limping so much. It's made me feel pathetic and useless and I don't like that one bit.

But there is a definite improvement. One good thing to come of the terrible weather is that I can wear my winter boots which are supportive and probably help my foot quite a lot.

So I'm happy that it's improving, quite frustrated that it's taking (in my mind) so long and very concerned about when I do start running again, what's going to stop it happening again? I think I'm clued up as to how to avoid it, but it went so suddenly last time I don't believe I will never be 100% confident...

First physio session

I think it's getting better. It's a lot less hurty apart from first thing in the morning when I believe it's utterly shot and I will never walk again. But then I get over it and generally it only hurts if I walk too far on it or plain old forget and try to bound upstairs or something foolish.
The anticipation of pain is stopping me from using it normally, which makes everythng else tight and achy. Not helping.
I've had my physio session and have been straightened out quite a bit, so hopefully my feet will hit the ground flat in future rather than all curled up to one side (squashing the bones, causing the problem: see, it all adds up)  and I have a strapping on my foot to help my big toe joint hit the floor alongside the other toes, not 1/2 an hour later as it has been.
So, all in all, I'm feeling quite positive: when I will be running again I really don't know. I guess once I can walk without pain, I can build up to running on the spot etc. Oh, can't wait...

Alternative diagnosis

It could be 'metatarsalgia' Pain in the metatarsals. Descriptive enough to be plausible.
It explains why my foot doesn't ache a lot of the time, but not why it should come on so suddenly.
Then I think to myself that there have been times, mornings especially, when my foot's been really painful. So perhaps it's the 'algia...
Whatevers - it's getting a bit better now although walking is a pain, and I'd hoped to walk a bit this weekend. Might just have to put feet up and laze around instead.
I've booked in with the Physiotherapist at Moti cos he promised me he could mend me and get me back 'barefoot' running. So he is my new best friend.

Fractious and stressed

It's a stress fracture. Not the best news in the world frankly, but I will just have to live with it.
It hurts, but not excessively (unless I try running of course)
I have anti-inflammatories and painkillers which should do the trick of calming it down and all I have to do is wait for the healing process.
I am amazed at the way our bodies heal themselves - Ok there is a little bit of scar tissue here and there but if we never healed we'd all be dead by the age of about 3.
I just wish it was a little bit quicker. Like instant. Instant's good for me.

What have I done...

I will find out when I get to casualty I suppose.

What happened was, I went for a run on the downs yesterday, in the merrell shoes, and was going very well. It's a lot harder running off-road in those things but I honestly thought it would be good for building core strength, foot strength, everything really.
And for a while I guess it was working fine.

But, after about 1/2 an hour I felt a sharp pain in my left foot. A bit like cramp, so stretching the thing out should have done the trick, right?
But it didn't. And it's no better 24 hours later.

I have a feeling it's a stress fracture: it all adds up. (well google can make you believe anything can't it)

So this morning I"m off to A and E to see what's what. It does hurt although I can bend my toes. Stairs are a challenge.

And the ramifications? Well, if it is a stress fracture, then it's 6-8 weeks off the running. Not a problem in the depths of winter, but now???  I will have to replace it with something else - the upstairs at the gym has aerobic machines - rowers, stair climbers and the like, so I guess I will have to take up statics again. Work? Fuck knows. 'Scuse me, but it couldn't really come at a worse time.

Hacked off.

Still here...

...just not out running

It's only a matter of time.

My current excuse is the heat - spring has finnaly sprung and it's jolly warm out there

Felt like I was missing out on the Bristol 10k last Sunday but I don't think I would have been able to do it.

I really need to get back into this running thing to counteract the middle-age spread threatening to overwhelm me...

36 hours...

...is how long it takes for muscles to really kick in with their aching after a session.

I went for a run on Tuesday evening (in the Merrells, so I was asking for trouble...) and this morning my calves were stiff and aching.

But my achilles were - are - fine.

Does this mean I've made the swap? I can't run heel-striking any more, it feels too wrong (although going downhill is still an issue - I feel like I'm running like a fairy, taking dainty tippy-toe steps...)
So perhaps it's time to start upping the distance and duration until I'm regularly doing 5 miles. And then even thinking about a 1/2 marathon.

Argh!

It's like this...

It being Sunday I did drag my carcass round the downs - I actually cycled up there which is quite environmentally friendly of me, (the alternative being driving rather than running...)

It took 34' 37" and it was the vanilla version, no extra loops or anything...

So I'm glad I've been and I feel better for having done it - but it's not easy anymore. Not that it ever truly was, but I'm struggling to keep going for 1/2 an hour these days. Of course I know what the answer is to that, and I know I will have to force myself out more - especially as I'm being lured by the thought of another 1/2 marathon later this year and that will take over 2 hours...  *shudders*

Distance - about the same as last week - 6km 3.77 miles.
which is I think 9 mins 10" per miles. That. Cannot. Be. Right.
34'37  is 2077 seconds
2077/3.77 is 551 secs/mile
or 9 mins and 10 secs give or take.
I surprise myself at times...

(If that's true - I may be terribly terribly wrong there but if I'm right then I am chuffed into little minty pieces and it explains why I was so knackered... )
(Something tells me I've got a sum wrong and it's miles out...)

I know people who are doing the 10k next weekend - and that makes me sad and angry at myself for having let myself slip so deeply into a pit of gluttony and sloth. And there are several far more appealing deadly sins than gluttony and sloth. 

Ooh the effort...

34 mins and 3.37miles which is more than 10 mins a mile. There was a large hill involved as I was going round the downs. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed. I'm never going to relive the giddy heights of doing the Bristol 10k in under an hour... 
Not unhappy with the fact I've been for a run. Slightly miffed about the knackeredness I'm now feeling. That was made considerably worse by spending 2 1/2 hours this afternoon digging the garden, but hey ho...
I did a yoga session yesterday which might account for the ache in my left hip. I hope that was the reason for it...
And now I feel like I need a long lie down.
Before running another twice this week of course. And 3 times a week for the forseeable...
 

How long????

I haven't set foot on the long road to running for an awfully long time now.
And the longer I leave it the worse it gets.
But I know the worst part is the getting going: put on the shoes, plug in the ipod and open the front door - after that it's easy
(If I can convince myself that's true I might stand a chance of going for a run at some point in the near future...)

Justified

After yesterday's enormous effort in running for 31 mins, I actually feel ok today. Legs not hurting, achilles quite benign.
Perhaps I can run further, longer etc etc and perhaps - just perhaps - I will get to use my smashing Merrell minimalist running shoes for something other than cycling to work in...

Oh, I must get a loose top to disguise the wobbly bits. More shopping-related incentives to run more!

puff pant wheeze

3.27 miles
30mins 58 secs
9.48 mins per mile which is about 9 mins 30 a mile - not too bad considering:
1. I'm still doing funny running
2. I haven't really run any distance for about 6 months
so really, I'm not too downhearted, except that I was so knackered and I felt like I'd eaten a huge sandwich just before setting off, but the fact is I hadn't.
I think I'm just very very very unfit compared with how I was running before
Also - I whacked my kneecap over the weekend and it is now excrutiating to go upstairs - I'm hoping it's only to do with the kneecap-whacking rather than any lingering problem with running

So - after a mere 2 and a bit weeks, I've done a run. Hurrah!!!

hot and sweaty

It's been very warm these last few days - for the end of March it's been positively balmy. So going for a run was only going to be a good idea in the early hours.
Like 9am...

I did nearly 35 mins this morning and it was hard work - hence the title of this post. And my right achilles is aching which is a bit of a worry, but I think it's a grumble rather than an injury, so I'm going to rest it until Sunday or possibly Tuesday

(this is horrible - I have drops of sweat running down my face and they're as irritating as te cat's whiskers when she gets too close...)

3 things I have learned from this morning's run:
1. my feet are bicycle wheels - they're only in contact with the ground at the very bottom, directly underneath - so the movement is to push back from that point and that brings my knees up like they're supposed to be.
2. my right leg is wrong: it's doing the old thing of trying to reach out in front of me with and that's what's causing the problem, I think. When I'm concentrating I can make it do it properly, and it makes it ache a bit which suggests I had been doing it wrong - perhaps I need to go back to the osteopath and get balanced out again. Or just do all those stretches I'm supposed to do...
3. Don't eat before a run. I had 2 veggie sausages and 2 poached eggs about an hour before I went out and it was too much too soon: about 15 mins in I could feel this food just sitting in my stomach waiting to be digested and being disappointed.

So I have an idea - this Tuesday I'm going to the dentist at 930 - so I'll go for a run first - I can get out of the house about 7am for 30 mins and be back in time for a shower and breakkie and then walk to work via the dentist. And I can do this twice a week - Tues and Thurs and walk to work those days cos I can leave later than when I'm cycling and stopping off at the gym. And I will run before I've had anything to eat.

And by the end of the week I will have lost 10lbs and will be a happy bunny.

Yay 
   

Run like the wind

Or a gentle breeze at any rate...

So I did another 1/2 an hour this morning - and I know it was that long cos I used the nike+ thing. It's far from being calibrated properly (8min 15 per mile - hello???) but at least it gives me a countdown for 30mins.

But I don't like running and waiting for the mins to be counted down - I am going to use the treadmill at the gym tomorrow and get it right. I do fairy steps now obviously.

But the run was ok. And I am going to keep it up and try to move up to an hour at a time and hopefully get the 10km feeling I used to have. If I can get there I think I should be able to lose weight and keep it off. And not knacker my knees along the way...

sometimes I surprise myself

Not often, it's true.

But I did run today - about 1/2 an hour - and it was OK. My right heel/calf is aching a bit but in an ok way, not feeling like it's about to pop.

And I am so unfit - there were a few hills in there and I was struggling. A lot.

Going between the toe-strike and heel-strike seems to be OK - I know the going downhill thing will be tough to get working once I'm converted. I had a thought that I might perhaps use the treadmill at the gym to get me going in the barefoot shoes - start with 5 mins perhaps and build up from there.

More time to spend trying to stop the march of time...

And I was trying to make sure I didn't run too long (or, more accurately, too short) a time and had to keep looking at the clock on my ipod. Of course once I got back I discovered there was a stopwatch and a time in the thing. Should have known that really.

28 minutes!!!

I possibly went about 3 miles - very slowly.

And I was in my old running shoes so I could change from one running style to the other - which was great on the downhill bits as I could land on my heels and not feel too slippery underfoot.

But it was bloody hard work.

I think I've lost fitness - running fitness at least - from not running. (Kind of obvious...) and 1/2 an hour was a killer.

But I think it was the right thing to do. I need to get running fit again and I know I'm barefoot running for about 1/2 the time - although the shorter extension for my calfs in those shoes is protecting my achilles, if not really improving my technique. I guess the thing to do is to put in the occasional 5-minutes on the merrell shoes every week or so and build up on that.

I called in at Moti in Bristol and they basically told me what I already knew but didn't want to face up to - that it's going to take a long time to get back to where I was before, running 10k on a Sunday morning.

But I will get there as the alternative is descending into fat-lassedness. Well, fatter-lassedness anyway...

Feeling braver

Well, the acute pain seems to have gone but I;m very nervous about going for a run. Even in the old, padded shoes.
But if I don't go, it will take longer and longer to get back into the running and any half-baked plans I might have for 10k runs this year will just wither and die...
So, the plan is... there is no plan actually, but one day very soon I will haul myself out there and see how I get on.
I really really hope I can turn into a barefoot runner, wearing my nice, minimalist shoes, loping gracefully round the roads of Bristol... (that last bit - probably a bit too much to hope for...)

Still hurts

It's not good. The only cure is rest. I did the calf exercise at the gym this morning and it made my achilles hurt so I stopped it.
So what happens next? I'm going to pop into Moti to see if they have any advice - I haven't run since last time cos that seemed to be a bad idea. But I don't want to stop altogether and I don't want to go back to the old style. Perhaps that's not the worst thing that can happen.
Bit down, in truth. It's a kind of wake-up thing telling me I'm getting old and it'll take a long time to heal and then a long time again to get back to the level I was at before. (which wasn't very impressive frankly...)

Poxy new running shoes

OK it's not the fault of the shoes but I am hurting in the achilles dept and it's cos of the shoes. I think the only way to progress here is to run in my old shoes (but barefoot stylee) and hope to build up some sort of stamina like that.
I've heard it can take 6 months to get as runny as you were in old shoes doing this - and I'm beginning to believe it. I'd thought initially that it was the calf muscles that were the deciding factor, but I guess it's more about Achilles - it certainly is for me.
It's very annoying cos I know this is the better way to run, and I've spent a shed load of money getting the right shoes for the job. It feels harsh to think that I'm still gong to have to go through all this pain when I was hoping for a fast change.
So, at some point this week I will drag out my newish old shoes and go for a longer barefoot run in them. Seems a bit arse about face but there you go...

running backwards

Well, not exactly running backwards, just a feeling of going backwards...

My right achilles seems to be aching and I think it's a good idea not to run until it's better. But I don't know how that's going to take.
I ran on Sunday morning (not very far but a bit faster cos I was running late) (Running late... I'll get my coat) and it's now Tuesday morning. Admittedly it is easing quite a bit and I guess I'm just making excuses not to run.

Which is a bad state of mind really.

Is it getting easier?

Well, I'm going a little bit further every time (up to about 20 mins now - woohoo) - but what I've found is I prefer running uphill - not sure why. I expect there is some mechanical reason for it.
And my feet ache  - they're quite painful first thing in the morning, but they do calm down a bit. Perhaps I tie my laces too tight and should allow my footsies to move around a bit more...
The other thing is niggly knees - they're quite hurty going upstairs but once they've been warmed up a bit they're fine...
And I must - must - keep up with the back stretches as my back is getting achy again

These are the ramblings of an ageing person who is in denial, no???

slowly

Well, I've run every day apart from yesterday and Thursday this week.
Is it getting any easier? Hard to say really. No harder, certainly.
There's still a lot of stress going on on my feet, especially the right one (I am generally wonky) which I guess will work its way out eventually.
But I'm still finding it really tough - much harder than I would have hoped. I think I'm not terribly fit at the moment but this is taking the mick.
So the plan is to keep on going for it and I guess eventually I will be back up to my old distance, if not the speed, and hopefully without the various knee and hip niggles which were troubling me before.
Fingers crossed.

run#1

New shoes, new running style - what could possibly go wrong?

Well, nothing really. I went for 1.1 miles or so to get used to the new shoes and it was OK. Until about 0.1 miles in and it became clear that these shoes weren't going to make this easy.
The old shoes really support your feet - these don't. There is a lot of effort to come out of your feet with these, which makes your feet very tired very quickly. I could feel the ache starting in the back of my calves as well, so after this miniscule run I was quite glad to be stopping.

But I know I will have to keep it up to get over this teething problem.

I know of other people who're switching over - people who are far fitter than I am - and they are also finding it a bit painful. It's a matter of perseverance I think, and not going too far too fast.
I think I can manage that side of it - it's the keeping going for weeks on end which will be the struggle...

New Era

Have taken the plunge and gone for some merrell barefooty sort of running shoes.
So much for this being the cheap option, however...
Anyway - they put me on the treadmill and they felt amazing. In fact it makes you wonder how much the big shoe companies are playing down such things as they want to continue making a fortune from the anti-pronation, complex supporting shoes they've been flogging us for the past generation.
I hope I'm going to use them...
The chap in the shop said it can takes ages to get used to the style, but my treadmill work looked good, like it was coming naturally (that's how it feels) but I know I have to build it up slowly. In truth I'm so out of shape at the mo it'll probably work better for me to build up to the hour-long run over the next couple of months and then perhaps the calfs won't be quite so whingy...

ow

my calfs hurt

At long last

Well, I have been for a run - bully for me, eh!
I went almost the whole of the long route, but it was about an hour or so, bit longer maybe. And I ran very slowly. At the end, very, very slowly... 
Calf-news and they seemed ok. I stretched a bit before and after and although my legs got very tired the calf-things didn't feel like they were being murdered. I'm certain they'll hurt tomorrow but perhaps my fears of the pain are overwrought.
So I felt very pleased with myself when I got in and have fought the urge to replace all the calories I used on the run by stuffing myself.
And now I have to continue with this marvellous effort and repeat it 2 or 3 times a week for the rest of my life...

Oh dear...

Went for a deliberately short run this morning - about 1/2 an hour - but my calfs/calves are hurting. They started hurting right from the off, in truth, which is a bit of a worry.
and now, an hour or so later, they're aching.
I don't think it's my achilles as it's too high up, and deep in the muscles.
So what's to do???
I really don't want to stop running - and I don't think I could go back to the old way of running either.
So I have a modest plan to stretch my calfs (I'm going to stick with 'calfs' as 'calves' feels a bit bovine) everyday. Not sure how long this plan will continue, mind.
And the gym calf exercise, I guess, will have to be my friend. And I could do the bunnyhops as well.
How long is this going to take? I just don;t know - I guess I will have to run again next week and see how it feels and if it's getting better, continue with the modest plan and build up the running time?
hmm
Not a very happy bunny, tbh

A note of caution here...

...my calves/calfs have only just stopped hurting and it's Friday. It's really hard to walk when your calf muscles are screaming at you to sit down and never contemplate running ever again (very eloquent, my calf muscles)
And then at the gym the following day there was the seated calf exercise - well, that was just taking the mick frankly.
Anyway - although in many ways I did enjoy the run, I think I would be better off running less distance, more often. Perhaps starting this weekend...

And a happy new year to everyone

Well, yesterday I went for a run - hurrah, etc!
It started off OK but I was struggling to remember how to run the 'art of running' method. But I got it and it really does make it easier to run, if you don't go very fast.

I headed off round the normal 6 and a bit mile route but cut some corners - and it felt fine. Until about 4 miles or so and my left hip began aching. then it began hurting. And then aching and hurting at the same time. Not very pleasant. And I ran out of puff, taking minute steps (which is part of the running style but they were getting ridiculously short as the pain increased) I did have to walk for a short while but I got home ok.

And once I'd stopped it felt absoloutely fine

It's the IT band, I am convinced - the pain goes from my hip down the outside of my leg and ends up in my knee. So once it's had a day's rest I'm going to get on with stretching it. I seem to spend most of my days at work sat at a desk, so it's no wonder I'm seizing up. Perhaps this is the kick I need to sort myself out. After all the thought of getting old does worry me and keeping flexible (and fit, strong, slim) are important ways of fighting it. But running is also a classic way of injuring yourself so you can't do any exercise...

The Shame...

I just can't seem to get myself out there any more. Something to do no doubt with this perishingly cold, dark time of year, but surely I would feel better for having a dawdle round the downs???

wishful thinking...

I so wish I could be blogging about my latest run, about how I've missed sharing my running experiences for the last few weeks.
But the truth is, I haven't been running since the last blog which is over 2 weeks ago. And it's turning chilly now and I can't seem to find the wherewithall to haul myself out there. (if wherewithall's what I need, perhaps I'm more in need of  'gumption' . Or 'a backbone')
Anyway- Christmas is coming which means all exercise goes out the window (rather than the front door ha ha ha ha ha ha ha) and I will survive on promises of 'getting into shape' in the new year. Which lets me off the hook as far as eating like a gutbucket for the next month is concerned. And early next year I will berate myself for having to go through the hell of dieting to lose the pounds I've put on between now and then rather than upping the exercise NOW and heading into Christmas/new year feeling good and not dreading the jan/feb starvation/denial...
Or is that just me.

pooped

I know it's been ages since I last ran - and I did have a couple of gin and tonics last night - but my god I suffered this morning. I amazed myself by going for the full run but by the last couple of miles I was knackered. This new running style is OK but I think I'm still getting used to it. And my calves/calfs were aching again. But I have to hold onto the fact that running is better for me than not running. So I should do more of it!

Killer calves. Calfs?

My lower legs are still killing me to the extent that it's hard to stand up without looking like an ancient.
I know the cure for this is to do more of it and keep doing it until it stops hurting - but that kind of goes against the grain for someone only interested in fast results.

Lost runs

I have run since the last post - the one about the art of running - and I thought I'd blogged them, but apparantly not.

So, the week after, I did a run with my new-found skills and it's true - you can run with less effort which is nice. But it's a bit slower. And the nike+ will have to be re-calibrated as I think my stride length is a lot less.
So, it makes my feet ache and my calves tired cos this is where all the bounce is coming from. It make sense though. And my left hip didn't hurt anything like as much. Result...

And today's run - which was in lovely sunshine over the downs and across the bridge - was fine. I thought I might have forgotten how to do this technique - and there were times I felt I was losing it, but remembering to keep all the action under your body (rather than striding out ahead) seems to work. And I think I was using my glutes a bit better as well.
So I shall just wait for the aching lower legs to begin, tomorrow morning I imagine - just as I get on my bike to cycle to the gym...

So at least I've broken my duck of not running for 3 weeks which is the longest I've left it for quite a white. Whether I will go for evening runs this week or not remains to be seen. Frankly going out into the cold of a November evening is not my idea of fun. But think of all the mince pies which I can snaffle with no regret...

hmm

*thinks about mince pies*

tippy toes

Not a blog about a run as such - more about running.
I did the 'art of running' workshop with Malcolm Balk

http://www.theartofrunning.com/

and it's really good.
I'm hoping that by following this technique I'll stop getting the aches and pains and will be happier to run more often.
You feel very light doing this - the idea is to put in far less effort than you normally would. Having my running style videoed and analysed is a little disconcerting but it was amazing how much of a difference it made just after a couple of hours of practice. 

So all I have to do now is to put it into practice - which might involve running without the ipod for a bit to concentrate. not to very happy about that!

Hottest 30th Sept since 1908

It was baking hot today - and tomorrow might be the hottest October day on record. It's very weird - being very warm, windows open and in the pitch dark at 8 o clock.
So I had a choice - to go for a run tonight and have a couple of ice-cold beers - or have a couple of ice-cold beers this evening and then have to get up about 7am and run in the morning. Very glad this one is over
And I've used the nike+ again - I will have to check if it's calibrated properly...
stats - just in case they're accurate -
67mins 15 secs
7.37 miles
9 mins 7secs per mile
695 calories

am very pleased if it is accurate cos it's a lot faster than I've been running recently.

(Perhaps I will be disappointed if I do check it out and it's all calibrated wrong... )

later
have checked the distance on map my run and it turns out I ran....
.
.
.
.
..
7.36 miles
Result!!! In both senses - 1. that I calibrated the thing correctly and 2. I am running faster than I ever dreamed possible.
Well, it's nice to think I'm not as decrepit as I think...

Phew

Just got in from my Sunday morning run-fest and it's pouring down. For once I missed it - hooray.
And I actually felt OK on the run (the usual 11km thingy) except for:
1. left hip, well, back of hip and a bit higher up than hip - it took a nasty turn at one point.
2. Left outside of knee where I think there is a tendon or something
3. Left calf - very tight. I think it's cos I'm trying to run on my toes a bit more to save my knees. Unforseen consequences...
4. right outside of knee pretty much the same as no. 2

but all in all satisfactory.

There is still an outside chance of doing the stroud 1/2 marathon - I know I will have to run twice as far as today pretty much but I think I'm fit enough.Whether the joints and tendons etc would hold out for another 6 miles is another matter. I will have to up the mileage during the week - but there are 5 weeks I think until it starts.

hmm

not sure about this

Grunt

Don't like this evening running - I seem to have no energy to begin with. And my knees ache.
Weirdly towards the end if I pushed myself a bit harder, it seemed I did have the energy after all. Odd.

Cobblers

The nike + thing - I had to get a new one and I guess it was wishful thinking that I wouldn't have to calibrate it. How wrong I was. According to the thing I'm running just over 7 minute miles. It's cobblers. What's really irritating though is that the blurb says that it's pretty accurate for most people. So I'm obviously some kind of freak.
Annoying.
I even splurged and a really good neoprene sock thingy for it.
But at least I went on another midweek run. And what a struggle it was... Until about 3 miles in I had no energy at all and had to walk for 30 seconds and it was very hard to get going again. But I did. Hurrah for me

weekday running

OK this is it - I went for a run on a Monday evening after work and it wasn't too bad. OK it wasn't brilliant but it was OK.
And there is a chance, I think, that I could possiby think about maybe going for the Stroud 1/2 marathon.
Just a thought

Stroud

There's a 1/2 marathon in Stroud next month. I could do it - do a lot more running between now and then and lose a load of weight to boot.
It's tempting.
Dropping people off for the Bristol half this morning I did feel a bit left out. I know I did a fairly long run yesterday - could I manage another 5 miles on top of that? I have 6 weeks to get up to speed.
It's doable...
Is there any reason why I shouldn't?
I can think of 100s frankly, but if I am serious about keeping up with the running and also with trying to shift a bit of flab before another birthday drags around, then it seems (at the moment, full of cake) like a good idea...

13... km

Well that was a long run.
Also it's nearly 2 weeks since I last ran it seems like it was a big deal.
Boyf dropped me off near the water tower and I did a lap of the downs, up to the camera obscura which always puts a bit of energy my way and then over the suspension brudge (very sorry the Brunel gorilla has gone...) and then back the usual way.
At times I thought I was going to die through lack of energy and then at others I was whizzing along thinking I would have been happy to do the 1/2 marathon again.
But it's tomorrow and now I'm back home in a puddle of sweat and achyness I think I'm wise not to do and do it. Not that I was planning to or anything.

an ok run

Do you ever get those dreams where you're running as fast as you can, but in fact you're barely moving? It's like the 'running through treacle' idea where no matter how much effort you put in there, you still can't move.
I felt a bit like that this morning - I think it's cos I have the strength from going to the gym, but no energy. And I see my legs moving like they should do, but I'm still hardly moving.
Hey ho.

My biggest concern is tinnitus. After a run it's usually louder and sometimes feel like there is pressure inside my head. Today it was the wort it's ever been. I'm wearing in-ear buds to listen to the radio as I run, so I wonder if there is a connection there. Should I get some phones that sit outside the ear?  Will there ever be a cure for it? It's depressing and frustrating and it's diving me nuts.

New shoes

They are good.
Not in the sense that I can now run like a gazelle and never go red in the face.

But they don't rub and my knees didn't explode.

And they have dark grey laces which look quite cool :)

oo get me!

I have new running shoes.
Mizuno nirvanas
I'm wearing them in the house.
I will wear them outside, and possibly run in them soon.
Hope they're OK - there is always that feeling with new (really rather pricey) running shoes that you're going to get a mile down the road and you'll be blistered and have exploding shin splints (or whatever shin splints do, I'm not sure on that one)
Will keep you posted.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I nearly died this morning - I know part of the problem was a little too much dry white the night before, I accept that, but it really hurt... Left hip aching, right foot just being, well, flat I guess. Plus bruised toes.
I think I might need new trainers as I felt extremely un-bouncy in those. Not sure if that's the problem though. Although at the back of my mind I think I got an email from moti to tell me it was so long since I bought the things I should think about changing them. Well they would say that wouldn't they. But it might have been about a year ago so perhaps they were onto something. Hey - shopping for shoes - ugly, practical shoes....

stats: well, bit of a problem there...
0.34 miles, 4 min 53 seconds
Thing is, the thing fell off my shoe and I didn't notice it, so now I don't have a nike+ thing any more. I feel quite sad about that...

The other amazing thing about today's run (I lead a very dull life...) is I went The Wrong Way Round - as in going up Ashley Hill first, then Glos Rd, then down past Tescoe and along to the water tower and back through Henleaze and Bishopston. It made it a fraction more interesting, but it felt a lot harder - perhaps there's more uphill going that way round - I know it has to be the same amount but the severity of the hills might just mean it feels worse this way round.
Anyway, it's done and I need to keep going at least 3 times a week for it to do me any lasting good, don't I....

running in the rain

Torrential at times - and then the sun came out and it all went gin-clear and sparkly again. British summer for you...

Here are some stats which I find interesting but doubt if they're very riveting for anyone else
1h 1m 42s
6.28 miles
9m 49s /mile
592 calories

It was hard work - despite not having any wine last night and having a breakfast an hour before setting off - but still it took a couple of miles to get going properly. Perhaps that's not unusual, perhaps it's evidence of getting old. Having said that, there was less pain than usual: feet and knees were OK, the only twinge was coming from my left lower back, but I know that works better when I've stretched properly (if only my yoga teacher wasn't on holiday for the next few weeks...)
Again when I'd gone up to the observatory and done that intense hill, it seemed to unlock some energy reserves - is this how bodies work?
I did a different route - driving up to the downs then doing a circuit taking in the camera obscura and then across the bridge which was really nice - I had ambitious plans to go into Ashton Court but I think I did the right thing not to go that far. I'm sure I would have made it though - perhaps if I was in proper training, for a 1/2 marathon say, then I would have pushed myself, but just going to lose a few lbs then meh, it's probably better to do more shorter runs during the week rather than concentrate on the marathon at the weekend. Sort of...

tuesday morning

I missed running on Sunday cos I was working in Weymouth and despite the lure of running along a lovely sandy beach first thing in the morning, I really couldn't be arsed. Well, I did have to start work at 9am so blah excuses

So I took today off and went for a run at about 11am which is an odd time for me but it was ok. Felt lacking in energy but I guess there's nothing new there, being not very fit. But it was good to run a different route - I dropped the car off in Clifton and ran up Pembroke rd and across the downs from there. Don't know about a change being as good as a rest though..
stats
oh - forgot major running news - orange ipod 'it's alive' has died - the centre button stopped working.
So I went down to the apple store and they told me it'd be £70 to mend (as in get another one exactly the same and they didn't have any in stock) so I said I'd treat myself to one of the new nanos, with the touchscreen. I think I made a mistake getting the £50 cheaper 8GB one, rather than the 16GB but hey ho, it just means I shall have to manage it a bit better.
But as a thing, it's great - it runs the nike+ thing and I can listen to the radio at the same time - good times.

anyway, stats:
6.4 miles,  1hour 2mins 43s, 9m 46/mile (very slow) 604 calories
(this assumes I don't have to recalibrate the thing for the new ipod, but I would guess not)

So that's it. I was a very sweaty betty when I got back cos it's quite warm and I am a sweaty betty these days. Not a good look.

Motivation

Well, this morning's run was tough. Mostly cos of the wine last night - note to self, although alcohol has many calories they don't count as carbo-loading. I felt terrible, really slow and sluggish. Kept getting over taken by other runners (no one older or fatter than me though)
And the motivation thing is - to lose weight and fight ageing. Nothing too trivial then.

I did run last Sunday as well but I think it was a lot better...

Och Aye x 3

Been running on Bute. Ascog, near Rothsay, to be precise.
It was bute-iful (no-one's ever made that joke before) The weather was perfect - despite packing for rain and cold it was shorts and tees all week.
The route was from our landmark trust place down to the main road then along the sea shore in either direction. There weren't many roads.
First run I went right towards Mount Stuart (a fantastic castly, gardeny place) which was OK but the pavement ran out and there was a lot of running along the edge of the road with cars coming at you round blind corners. Didn't do that one twice.
Then I did 2 runs the other way into Rothsay (as far as the small co-op to be precise) then running back - about 5.4 miles so not too shabby.
It's brilliant running alongside the sea - the air is just so clean and fresh and there's scenery to look at - just perfect really.
I'm sure it would be a different matter in the winter when you're fighting a gale and hail, but for that one week it was as near perfect as you can get...

weighty bum

When I run, my bum feels really heavy. I guess it's because it's quite large. I know if I lose a bit of weight some will eventually go from my arse (tbh I mean haunches. Awful, awful word but descriptive and accurate)  But in the meantime I will continue to run with a slab of flab bringing up my rear.
Mmm, nice mental picture...

But the run was fine. Little bit too much dry white last night for it to feel comfy, and the weather was too hot so I had to keep crossing the road to get into the shade.
But it's done - 70 mins so probably 7 miles. And it was ok. There was a lot of mental argument going on - I really wanted to walk for a while but I just had a stern word with myself and got over it. My feet were a bit achy towards the end which wasn't very pleasant but I don't think there's an easy way around that - other than perhaps to run quite a bit more often.
Then perhaps I will achieve the lightweight bum I crave...

Sizzling

Looks like summer decided to show its face this morning - it was very warm. Warm enough for a 2-hour red face.
Run was ok - did about 75 mins and was OK til the last bit when I ran out of energy - I guess one sugar-free red bull substitute was never going to get me round 7 miles or so...
Also my left hip didn't hurt too much - I've done a few stretches and they seemed to have worked. I'm just going to have to continue. Simples.

evening run

OK, cos I missed the run on Sunday I decided to go this evening for a change. Don't like running in the evening for some reason - and the reason is, cos I'm not so good in the evenings. I find it far harder work both physically and mentally.

But hey ho - I went the full 10k+ route and it really really hurt. My left hip and knee were really painful and towards the end my left hip was aching too. But as soon as I stop, it goes away. I know I should be doing the stretches - and if I'm going to go for the 1/2 marathon again I'm going to have to do them. Bah humbug.

I should just be grateful that at my enormous age I can still drag myself round a 10k course...

8 days without a run...

Can't say I really miss it. Is that wrong?

I had a migrainey thing yesterday (brought on by Pirates of the Carribean - I think it was the 3d aspect of it rather than an overdose of Mr Depp...) so I stayed in bed til 3pm (apart from the odd rush to the lav for vomming - lush) and decided a run wasn't the best plan...

But now I have the annual dilemma of whether I should enter the 1/2 marathon. It's 12 weeks til the event which is more than long enough to get into shape for it - but can I get into mental shape for it and not chicken out again? I know it's a great motivation for upping the running and losing weight (10 lbs between now and then would be good...) so what's not to like?

Just do it???

Bad run

Was dropped off at the water tower.

Then the radio thingy for the ipod wasn't working - it would only play absolute radio and bfpo that sort of thing.

And even though it was a lovely day, I was unhappy and kept stopping to question what the hell I was doing.

So I ran home as hard and fast as I could just to get it over with.

Not a happy experience frankly.

Bit of a first for me...

Went for an hour's run - IN THE RAIN.

It was quite vile - but the rain was set in for the day so it was a no-brainer really. (Well, I could have just not gone of course) and actually once you get out there and have got wet, it kind of doesn't get any worse. I had slight misgivings about running in a wet tee-shirt of course but more worried about my wobbly belly than boobie delights...

And today (Monday) I have a hurty knee. I hope it's not the old IT band problem coming back to haunt me although I can't see what else it might be. I will have to knuckle down and get doing those awful stretches which really hurt but seem to go right to the problem.

Run of the mill run

Well it was the 10km+ route, I felt a bit tired but nothing too bad. Weather was OK. Listened to the radio - Broadcasting House was interesting as usual. And then a little of the Archers.

So, all in all pretty pedestrian.

I lost my headband which is a bit annoying but frankly I looked terrible in it, don't know what I was thinking. I have hair and fringe issues, never quite sure what's the best look. But then when there is a saggy middle-aged face to flatter, there are very few options. A balaclava maybe...

But at least I went for a run. I had a shock on the bathroom scales this morning which is making me more determined to up the mileage a little. And eat less. Etc.

the stats, Igor, the stats

Time: 53' 16"
PB I'll have you know. Again.

Overall placing (of 9000 runners): 3593rd (sadly the podium didn't extend beyond the first 3 places otherwise I'd have been up there...)

I'm quite pleased with myself tbh - when finishing in the middle of 1000s of others (and being overtaken by a couple of blokes literally sprinting to the line) it's easy to forget the amount of effort I put into getting there.
Pat on back.

PB

Hurray!!! I've done a PB in the 10k!!!
Not entirely sure what the actual timing will be but I crossed the line at 53 25 ish and that was after crossing the startline a few seconds after the start so I guess it's about that long.
It felt OK mostly. It's pretty flat so there's no breathlessness issues in the 1st 100m and the usual aches and pains didn't seem to materialise much either.
The hardest bit was km7 and 8 which was off the bottom of the portway and over the cumberland basin (a longer hill than you're expecting) and then the drag down past Spike Island to the Louisiana. It seems to go on and on and there is a very slight uphill slope but by then even a slight slope seems like a massive insult.
I was passing people there and was getting my breath back from the hill over the cumberland basin and it was all good.
Soooo good to get into the centre and towards the finish though... I'd missed the 9km marker but I knew exactly where the finish was and it was getting closer with every step and when I saw the clock I was delighted! I felt I'd pushed reasonably hard all the way round and so it was great to see there was a decent outcome. I guess it was cos there weren't any massive hills like there have been on the past couple of runs - plus the crowd helps (even thought it was quite sparse in places...)

so then began the job of finding boyf. We'd got separated before the start and it's a nightmare trying to find anyone in that sort of a crowd. but we got back together at the car and then off for a slap up shower and a feast at the cowshed.
So why is it that I've done that distance many times before but doing it with 9,000 other people makes it so much more knackering?

all in the mind #2

Suddenly 10k seems like a very long way.

I know I've run far further even quite recently - but once there is a label on the run it seems like that is the target which makes it the hardest part of the run. Does this make any sense?
I think what I mean is I can go for a long run and be surprised at the distance when I get back. When it's a measured distance, that is the peak point of the run, the point where you have used up all your energy and you can then stop.
Plus the fact it's done in front of other people makes it more of a challenge, it makes it an event, something which can be failed. If it wasn't an event there would be ne shame in cutting a corner and going home early.

hmmm.

Am less optimistic about Sunday now. But that way lies ruin: I must maintain a slightly manic yet realistic positivity.

And is will all be over by 11am on Sunday. And we've already booked a Sunday lunch somewhere excellent. :)

it's all in the mind

Well, some of it is foot and leg related obviously, but it's amazing how much your head is in control.
For instance, when my lovely ipod told me I'd done 10k this morning, it seemed like the hardest thing in the world to keep going let alone to keep the energy going.

But I did. What a trouper, etc.
statto - the stats:

1 hour 4 mins 39secs
6.94 miles
9'18" per mile
644 cals

Things to remember for next Sunday
the first 3 km or so are hard work - feet hurt and so on. After that the left hip begins tightening up but feet are getting better.
after that it's mind over matter.
I have to keep up the pace if I'm going to get under the hour. And that's hard work.

I've realised this morning that if I feel I'm pushing quite hard then I will equal what I did in the last 10 when I was feeling rough. But also thinner and younger. It's just the ravages of age. Perhaps I could get a lot quicker but I would have to lose about 15lbs and do a lot more training. And I don't want to do that. Perhaps I'm just not motivated enough.

Last week's run stats were:

bah - they're not kept. Today's lesson - if you want to keep your stats you have to download them otherwise the next one will overwrite the previous one...

Virtuous holiday running

I primed the nike+ to do a 10k run rather than just a basic workout and set off along the treacherous road out of our holiday let in Kingsbridge. It's one of those roads where there's no footpath and the traffic's pretty racy. In one direction there's a sign to pedestrians to go through the cemetery rather than risk the side of the road. Pretty sobering when they're turning away potential customers in the interest of safety...

So, anyway, had a jog around the town, found a leisure centre then failed to get very far around the estuary. Too many private roads. Turned back and found myself running up a hill steep enough to remind me of the cheese-rolling one in Gloucestershire - I had to walk the last bit. But surprisingly (well, actually this happens every time I go up a steep hill) after I got my breath back I felt really good.
I wonder if for the 10k I'm going to have to do a quick sprint at some point as a boost... (perhaps I won't risk that...)

So then I find myself going through a rather dull housing estate before continuing along the estuary, past the cemetery and up to the bridge, as in 'Kingsbridge', that one.

By this time the nice chap on the nike+ was telling me there were 4km to go and so I reckoned I would just go for the full 10. Which was quite challenging in itself - but there was the added thing of wanting to get it done in under an hour. I know the poxy hill slowed me down rather a lot, but there is no way I'm going to beat the previous time of 57 mins something especially as I felt I ran quite well.

So perhaps this 10k race will simply be a case of trying to keep up with my younger self...