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...