....... well, the virus lingered and I became disillusioned with ever running again.
Ok, so that may seem dramatic ......
but having three months out with shingles last summer and then taking an equal amount of time to get my fitness back, to only be ill again two months later and unable to run really pissed me off.
I know, I know, in the grand scheme of things it's nothing really and of course some of my fellow runners have injuries or had operations that have curtailed their running so they are in the same boat too but ........
Anyway this is just to let you know if you were wondering, I am running again and it has taken until this week to get my fitness back to how it was the week before Christmas.
So in other news, I'm planning to run the Bideford 10k again on 15th May but have decided not to blog about my training again so as
a) Not to bore you
And
b) Not to tempt fate ........ as it seems as soon as I crow about how well my training is going I come down to earth with a crashing fall and illness and if it's not going well its just plain depressing.
Anyway the plan is to run the race (that I haven't even entered yet) in an hour and knock one minute 20 seconds off last year's time .....
I'll let you know .......
Showing posts with label Bideford 10K. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bideford 10K. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Friday, 24 April 2015
A year ago today ........
Sooooooooo, a year ago today I pulled my ancient trainers out from under the stairs, hoovered the spiders and cobwebs off them, put them on and then tried running down the lane with the dogs, running to a tree and then walking to get my breath and then running to a bush and so on ........... I quite enjoyed it and so went out the following week a few times and increased the running bit .......
If you'd told me then that a year on I'd be training for the Bideford 10K I'd have had you admitted to the asylum ....... me? in lycra? run in a race? Noooooooooo ......... you're joking!!!!
Well, as you read this in the asylum I'll update you on this weeks training!
On Tuesday despite the previous days cycling I was still hobbling around ( like a hobbling around person) so just pottered around the garden doing vegetable gardening type things!
I was still dot and carry one on Wednesday and was seriously pissed off of Shebbear ......... I needed to run but ........... Well just but! I have no idea whether I'm buggering myself up forever by continuing to run or whether it's the thing to do.
Anyway after cheesemaking we had to deliver to The Commodore at Instow.
Instow is the half way point of the Bideford 10k and around two and half miles of the return race is on the Tarka Trail so the OBOAB suggested that he drop me off and I run back to East the Water on the Tarka Trail.
So after taking the obligatory photo I set off .........
Having never set foot on here before and only by doing a rough calculation driving alongside it on the way I was sort of running blind but assumed it was just under three miles. Not that it mattered as yet again I couldn't get out of first gear, not helped by my very stiff calf. The knee was well strapped so only dared to be slightly niggly. Anyway I ended up in the old station (complete with train) but forgot to take a photo as was trying to find my way out ...... I now know I'd run too far for the exit. However it was 2.78 miles and my split pace was 10.14 min/mile.
Now for some reason I wanted to beat myself up about the time but actually after giving myself a good talking to and getting the calculator out I'm pretty consistent with my timings especially as I'm hobbling!!! (I have also reminded myself that this time last year I was running 3 min/mile slower. ........ Yes I know, I know, you don't need to put your two penny worth in either.........
Once I stopped running my calf seized up and I was back to hobbling ...... not a good look going past the queue of commuters in their cars as I made my way back to the OBOAB in the car park. Once home I literally hopped across the yard my calf was so stiff.
Yesterday was a date that has been in the diary for some weeks.
Really?
What's that then? I hear you ask.
A trip to Bideford with Coach Steph and the Bradworthy running group to familiarise ourselves with the start and finish of the Bideford 10K.
How was the knee and calf I hear you ask?
The knee, still strapped hardly niggled but the calf was really stiff.
So we had a lovely trot out to the Tarka Trail which included one of the two hills.........
Well it was nothing to worry about ........ compared to the hills we all have to endure during our training it was easy!!
Once on the Tarka Trail the beasting started after a gentle jog and a few exercises which showed I'm completely uncoordinated we did sprints!!
Sprinting 300 metres at 75% seemed a breeze initially but clearly I was doing 90% instead so when Coach Steph upped the ante to 90% I was wrecked.
My knee held up but every time we stopped my calf seized, so it was an incentive to keep going!!.
We then trotted back and did some warming down exercises, one of which helped my calf enormously. So much so that when I got home I could actually walk, as it wasn't so stiff.
Today my knee has felt almost normal and initially my calf was its usual stiff self but then, almost by magic after lunch I stood up from the table and realised that I was walking around pain free!
Long may it last .............
OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
If you'd told me then that a year on I'd be training for the Bideford 10K I'd have had you admitted to the asylum ....... me? in lycra? run in a race? Noooooooooo ......... you're joking!!!!
Well, as you read this in the asylum I'll update you on this weeks training!
On Tuesday despite the previous days cycling I was still hobbling around ( like a hobbling around person) so just pottered around the garden doing vegetable gardening type things!
I was still dot and carry one on Wednesday and was seriously pissed off of Shebbear ......... I needed to run but ........... Well just but! I have no idea whether I'm buggering myself up forever by continuing to run or whether it's the thing to do.
Anyway after cheesemaking we had to deliver to The Commodore at Instow.
Instow is the half way point of the Bideford 10k and around two and half miles of the return race is on the Tarka Trail so the OBOAB suggested that he drop me off and I run back to East the Water on the Tarka Trail.
So after taking the obligatory photo I set off .........
Having never set foot on here before and only by doing a rough calculation driving alongside it on the way I was sort of running blind but assumed it was just under three miles. Not that it mattered as yet again I couldn't get out of first gear, not helped by my very stiff calf. The knee was well strapped so only dared to be slightly niggly. Anyway I ended up in the old station (complete with train) but forgot to take a photo as was trying to find my way out ...... I now know I'd run too far for the exit. However it was 2.78 miles and my split pace was 10.14 min/mile.
Now for some reason I wanted to beat myself up about the time but actually after giving myself a good talking to and getting the calculator out I'm pretty consistent with my timings especially as I'm hobbling!!! (I have also reminded myself that this time last year I was running 3 min/mile slower. ........ Yes I know, I know, you don't need to put your two penny worth in either.........
Once I stopped running my calf seized up and I was back to hobbling ...... not a good look going past the queue of commuters in their cars as I made my way back to the OBOAB in the car park. Once home I literally hopped across the yard my calf was so stiff.
Yesterday was a date that has been in the diary for some weeks.
Really?
What's that then? I hear you ask.
A trip to Bideford with Coach Steph and the Bradworthy running group to familiarise ourselves with the start and finish of the Bideford 10K.
How was the knee and calf I hear you ask?
The knee, still strapped hardly niggled but the calf was really stiff.
So we had a lovely trot out to the Tarka Trail which included one of the two hills.........
Well it was nothing to worry about ........ compared to the hills we all have to endure during our training it was easy!!
Once on the Tarka Trail the beasting started after a gentle jog and a few exercises which showed I'm completely uncoordinated we did sprints!!
Sprinting 300 metres at 75% seemed a breeze initially but clearly I was doing 90% instead so when Coach Steph upped the ante to 90% I was wrecked.
My knee held up but every time we stopped my calf seized, so it was an incentive to keep going!!.
We then trotted back and did some warming down exercises, one of which helped my calf enormously. So much so that when I got home I could actually walk, as it wasn't so stiff.
Today my knee has felt almost normal and initially my calf was its usual stiff self but then, almost by magic after lunch I stood up from the table and realised that I was walking around pain free!
Long may it last .............
OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
Saturday, 11 April 2015
All strapped up for Tamar Lakes Parkrun
After my last blog post several people suggested that I needed a knee support or strapping and as I have no intention of seeking medical advice until after the Bideford 10k (in case I'm told to stop running!) I looked online at the array of things listed under knee strapping and then decided that it would be better to go and see Sean at HPT sport in Bude as he would be able to advise me, being an experienced runner himself.
So yesterday afternoon we popped to Bude to see Sean.
The shop was busy so I looked at the display of knee supports first thinking that I could sort myself out but had no idea really what I needed. At the same time there was another girl looking at them who made a choice but ended up behind me in the queue at the counter.
When it was my turn I explained the problem and he immediately suggested K tape, showed me what it was and how to apply it. He also advised a knee support. Now as I followed him to the knee support hooks I saw the girl behind looking less than impressed. He must have noticed too because on the way back asked her if she was ok.
It turns out the advice he was giving me was helping her and she ended up getting the same knee support.
This running lark isn't cheap you know!!
At least I have a loyalty card and got £2.50 off!
Although Sean explained how to apply the K tape, I am Mrs. Thickey when it comes to most things so checked out Youtube.
Well, I could have spent all evening watching how to apply K tape to knees there were so many of them!!
The OBOAB suggested that I taped up after my bath and before going to bed so that I didn't make myself late for Parkrun in the morning.
Eh voila.........
(I did add another strip in the morning but don't tell him)
With the knee support over the top I was ready for Parkrun at Tamar Lakes.
Everything felt fine as I set off and I seemed to be running at a good pace, however at the first mile the bird on my phone didn't tell me, nor at the second mile either. Clearly operator error ..... I hadn't swiped it properly at the start, doh!!!
Last night we had curry and I usually have the constitution of an ox but suddenly my stomach felt decidedly dodgy into mile three.
As you can imagine trying to clench your buttocks at the same time as running is difficult so of course I ended up slowing down.
How was the knee?
Bloody marvellous thanks! A bit stiff now as I've been sitting around but the tape and support seemed to help!
Oh and I got a time of 30.27!
Yay, there's hope for me yet!!
OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
So yesterday afternoon we popped to Bude to see Sean.
The shop was busy so I looked at the display of knee supports first thinking that I could sort myself out but had no idea really what I needed. At the same time there was another girl looking at them who made a choice but ended up behind me in the queue at the counter.
When it was my turn I explained the problem and he immediately suggested K tape, showed me what it was and how to apply it. He also advised a knee support. Now as I followed him to the knee support hooks I saw the girl behind looking less than impressed. He must have noticed too because on the way back asked her if she was ok.
It turns out the advice he was giving me was helping her and she ended up getting the same knee support.
This running lark isn't cheap you know!!
At least I have a loyalty card and got £2.50 off!
Although Sean explained how to apply the K tape, I am Mrs. Thickey when it comes to most things so checked out Youtube.
Well, I could have spent all evening watching how to apply K tape to knees there were so many of them!!
The OBOAB suggested that I taped up after my bath and before going to bed so that I didn't make myself late for Parkrun in the morning.
Eh voila.........
(I did add another strip in the morning but don't tell him)
With the knee support over the top I was ready for Parkrun at Tamar Lakes.
Everything felt fine as I set off and I seemed to be running at a good pace, however at the first mile the bird on my phone didn't tell me, nor at the second mile either. Clearly operator error ..... I hadn't swiped it properly at the start, doh!!!
Last night we had curry and I usually have the constitution of an ox but suddenly my stomach felt decidedly dodgy into mile three.
As you can imagine trying to clench your buttocks at the same time as running is difficult so of course I ended up slowing down.
How was the knee?
Bloody marvellous thanks! A bit stiff now as I've been sitting around but the tape and support seemed to help!
Oh and I got a time of 30.27!
Yay, there's hope for me yet!!
OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
Saturday, 21 March 2015
A bit up and down this week
So here we are again ........
Time is flying and the frightening thought is that before we know it, it'll be the Bideford 10k.
I'm really beginning to wonder what possessed me to sign up for it ...... all this training is making me feel like I'm going backwards and running slower. The only thing for it is to do my usual thing of just getting on with it and pretending it's not happening.
This weeks menu ....
Interval training
30 minutes easy run
35 minutes with fun in the middle working hard
Due to work I couldn't run over the weekend and so Monday was my first training day of the week. Now you would have thought that at the start of the training week I would choose to do one of the harder runs ........ ha ha nope, after a full on eight days of work and copious amounts of wine the night before plus other commitments in the morning the easy run was my choice (when you see what's involved in the hard runs you'll see why) especially as it had to be fitted in before a late lunch.
So the usual OBOAB* attended along with the two dogs. We had to leap into the hedge three times for Parcelforce (nice man who often delivers wine!) then the Postman (Muppet) and then ....... drum roll, the old bill ....... the first time in nearly eighteen years that we have ever seen a police car in the lane ......since found out one of the neighbours had their car nicked the night before.
Anyway despite all this I ran for just over 30 minutes on the steep hill route before lunch.
In the afternoon I planted some seeds and as I bought the propagator into the dining room to plug in I managed to catch my foot on a chair leg and twist my knee ...... yes again!!!!! Ouch, ouch, ouch!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing ....... of course I should have done one of the harder training sessions instead of wimping out because on Wednesday when I should have been doing an Interval pacing session ....... Now get this ........
10 minute warm up
3 min hard, 2 min steady, 2 min hard, 3 min steady, 1 min hard, 4 min steady, 2 min hard, 3 min steady, 3 min hard and 2 min steady before 10 minute cool down.
All I managed was a gentle jog ...... the only time my knee didn't hurt was running up hill....... So basically all the way home!!!
Despite this I found that I had run faster than I have for some weeks and my second mile was only 11 seconds slower than when I had to run like the clappers on the same route a couple of weeks before.
I realised that before all this training started the OBOAB used to cycle ahead of me, however in recent weeks he has been wobbling along beside me and I seem to be pacing myself with him which is maybe why I have got slower. Just a thought!
Thursday was a gentle jog day again as my knee still didn't feel right. OBOAB was given strict instructions to stay infront. Despite having to stop for three vehicles and not being able to pause the bird on my phone in time I was on a par with the previous day.
So today was Tamar Lakes Parkrun.
My plan was to run without the orthotics, wear the capris I had for my Birthday and ditch the jacket, hat and gloves, oh and to stick with Sarah D like glue!!!
I did all of the above except that during the briefing it was announced that Sarah D was a tail runner. Oh bugger ......
We lined up at the start and then Steph pointed out that Hayley was doing a 30 minute pacing group. On your marks get set go.......
Split decision then........ well no brainer really......
I joined the pacing group!!!!!
I won't bore you but suffice to say it was hard, bloody hard and I still don't know how I managed my previous PB of 30.10 but Hayley was brilliant in her encouragement, advice and cajoling...... especially as towards the end my petulant child surfaced .... 'I'm fucking knackered', 'aaaarrrggghhh' then we started up the bastard hill to the finish with OBOAB (only he wasn't on his bike) cheering me on and then running beside me as I uttered 'I feel sick' , 'I knew we should have bought water' and thinking I can't do it.
After all that negative shit ..... and giving myself a quick talking to I sprinted to the finish!!!
The result ..... a PB of 29.54!!!
Hayley you are a star! Thank you!
*OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
Time is flying and the frightening thought is that before we know it, it'll be the Bideford 10k.
I'm really beginning to wonder what possessed me to sign up for it ...... all this training is making me feel like I'm going backwards and running slower. The only thing for it is to do my usual thing of just getting on with it and pretending it's not happening.
This weeks menu ....
Interval training
30 minutes easy run
35 minutes with fun in the middle working hard
Due to work I couldn't run over the weekend and so Monday was my first training day of the week. Now you would have thought that at the start of the training week I would choose to do one of the harder runs ........ ha ha nope, after a full on eight days of work and copious amounts of wine the night before plus other commitments in the morning the easy run was my choice (when you see what's involved in the hard runs you'll see why) especially as it had to be fitted in before a late lunch.
So the usual OBOAB* attended along with the two dogs. We had to leap into the hedge three times for Parcelforce (nice man who often delivers wine!) then the Postman (Muppet) and then ....... drum roll, the old bill ....... the first time in nearly eighteen years that we have ever seen a police car in the lane ......since found out one of the neighbours had their car nicked the night before.
Anyway despite all this I ran for just over 30 minutes on the steep hill route before lunch.
In the afternoon I planted some seeds and as I bought the propagator into the dining room to plug in I managed to catch my foot on a chair leg and twist my knee ...... yes again!!!!! Ouch, ouch, ouch!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing ....... of course I should have done one of the harder training sessions instead of wimping out because on Wednesday when I should have been doing an Interval pacing session ....... Now get this ........
10 minute warm up
3 min hard, 2 min steady, 2 min hard, 3 min steady, 1 min hard, 4 min steady, 2 min hard, 3 min steady, 3 min hard and 2 min steady before 10 minute cool down.
All I managed was a gentle jog ...... the only time my knee didn't hurt was running up hill....... So basically all the way home!!!
Despite this I found that I had run faster than I have for some weeks and my second mile was only 11 seconds slower than when I had to run like the clappers on the same route a couple of weeks before.
I realised that before all this training started the OBOAB used to cycle ahead of me, however in recent weeks he has been wobbling along beside me and I seem to be pacing myself with him which is maybe why I have got slower. Just a thought!
Thursday was a gentle jog day again as my knee still didn't feel right. OBOAB was given strict instructions to stay infront. Despite having to stop for three vehicles and not being able to pause the bird on my phone in time I was on a par with the previous day.
So today was Tamar Lakes Parkrun.
My plan was to run without the orthotics, wear the capris I had for my Birthday and ditch the jacket, hat and gloves, oh and to stick with Sarah D like glue!!!
I did all of the above except that during the briefing it was announced that Sarah D was a tail runner. Oh bugger ......
We lined up at the start and then Steph pointed out that Hayley was doing a 30 minute pacing group. On your marks get set go.......
Split decision then........ well no brainer really......
I joined the pacing group!!!!!
I won't bore you but suffice to say it was hard, bloody hard and I still don't know how I managed my previous PB of 30.10 but Hayley was brilliant in her encouragement, advice and cajoling...... especially as towards the end my petulant child surfaced .... 'I'm fucking knackered', 'aaaarrrggghhh' then we started up the bastard hill to the finish with OBOAB (only he wasn't on his bike) cheering me on and then running beside me as I uttered 'I feel sick' , 'I knew we should have bought water' and thinking I can't do it.
After all that negative shit ..... and giving myself a quick talking to I sprinted to the finish!!!
The result ..... a PB of 29.54!!!
Hayley you are a star! Thank you!
*OBOAB = Old bloke on a bike
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Serious sense of humour bypass
Whoops! It's nearly two weeks since I last reported in, a bit shoddy I know but I sort of fell out of love with this running lark!
Yes I know, I know it's only 10k but when I signed up for it I didn't realise the training was going to be so hard ........ they didn't mention strides, sprints, running like the clappers until you think you're going to expire in the small print! Bastards!
So last week was a recovery week. Images of lounging around on the sofa eating crisps and mini eggs popped into my head but it seems that, that wasn't what Coach Steph had in mind!!!
On the menu was...........
4 miles easy run
30 minute or 3 mile tempo run
30 minute easy run
By now my feet seemed to have adapted to the orthotics but then my legs and knees decided that it was their turn to ache so I was pleased that it looked like an easy week.
On Monday I did the 30 minute tempo run, well that's what I set out to do however due to my stiff knees it turned into an easy run. Afterwards I realised that because I should have run the day before but wimped out due to the torrential rain and was going to Parkrun on Saturday I was going to have to run two days on the trot, so Tuesday was the 4 miles easy run. It took a mile and a half or so for my legs to loosen up but after that it went well and I did 4.19 miles in 48.49 minutes.
During Tuesday night in bed I managed to twist my left knee, turning over (No, I have no idea how I managed it either) so not only did I have stiff knees but also other knee pain...... if I was a horse they'd put me down!
Thursday was 30 minute easy run day and it definitely was, not only because of the aches and pains but because I was conserving my energy for a PB at Parkrun.
I was really looking forward to being back at Tamar Lakes Parkrun for the first time in a month and was aiming for a PB!!! Well, if Belinda could get one a day before her fifty second Birthday the week before, then I could get one two days before mine, surely?
God, did I struggle. My legs felt like lead and my knees were so stiff that I very nearly gave up. Sarah D left me in her wake and I couldn't find any energy to stick with her. It was only the little voice in my head saying 'you've done it before, you know you can do it, you're running the 10k for sponsorship, just get on with it' that made me drag myself along. Oh and along with the thought of copious amounts of food and wine during my Birthday week!!!!
33.15 didn't make me very happy though!
For my Birthday we spent a couple of nights away at the lovely Ring of Bells on Dartmoor. On the day itself I went for a run before breakfast, this was just so I got a run in due to a busy week and couldn't remember exactly what was on the running menu for the week but also because I wouldn't feel so bad about eating and drinking too much!!
I thought we had hills here but boy do they have them on Dartmoor!! It was beautiful though and despite intermittent GPS I ran for 30 minutes up and down hills and really enjoyed it.
The menu for the week
35 ish minute run with strides and run a mile as fast as you can
40 minute hilly run
4 mile easy pace
Ok so it was only a 30 minute hilly run but definitely equivalent to a 40 minute one here (honestly Steph)! So thats ticked off.
Now Thursday was the next time I could run and my plan was to go training with the Bradworthy running group in the evening, however Cheesemaking didn't go according to plan and meant I wouldn't be finished in time so I had to nip out late afternoon along with the old bloke on a bike and the dogs.
There was the dilemma though of which run to do ..... 4 miles would probably be a bit tight to fit in and get back to deal with the curds and whey and the 35 ish one wasn't that appealing......... The 35 ish won and was the worst choice everrrrrrr!!
Serious sense of humour bypass coming up ......
The warm up was fine but then the strides were going to be on a hill ....... Ok let's forget them and do the mile as fast as I can ......... it involved hills, it made be feel sick, It made me have a terrible attack of tourettes, it made me shout at the dogs who tried to trip me up and it made shout at the old bloke on a bike ( who didn't deserve it. ) and it made me chuck my teddy in the corner when I saw I only did it in 10.22.
At this point I was ready to kick it all into touch ....... I was so pissed off.
Yes, I know I should know where the hills are on my routes and yes with hind sight I chose the wrong run but in my defence it was all a bit last minute and rushed AND I needed to get a run in!!
Thank goodness for the little support group we've got on Facebook for this 10k training. It helps so much knowing how everyone else is getting on and thank goodness for Tamar Lakes Parkrun ...... no PB again today but the camaraderie is fantastic!
I've retrieved my teddy from the corner!!
Yes I know, I know it's only 10k but when I signed up for it I didn't realise the training was going to be so hard ........ they didn't mention strides, sprints, running like the clappers until you think you're going to expire in the small print! Bastards!
So last week was a recovery week. Images of lounging around on the sofa eating crisps and mini eggs popped into my head but it seems that, that wasn't what Coach Steph had in mind!!!
On the menu was...........
4 miles easy run
30 minute or 3 mile tempo run
30 minute easy run
By now my feet seemed to have adapted to the orthotics but then my legs and knees decided that it was their turn to ache so I was pleased that it looked like an easy week.
On Monday I did the 30 minute tempo run, well that's what I set out to do however due to my stiff knees it turned into an easy run. Afterwards I realised that because I should have run the day before but wimped out due to the torrential rain and was going to Parkrun on Saturday I was going to have to run two days on the trot, so Tuesday was the 4 miles easy run. It took a mile and a half or so for my legs to loosen up but after that it went well and I did 4.19 miles in 48.49 minutes.
During Tuesday night in bed I managed to twist my left knee, turning over (No, I have no idea how I managed it either) so not only did I have stiff knees but also other knee pain...... if I was a horse they'd put me down!
Thursday was 30 minute easy run day and it definitely was, not only because of the aches and pains but because I was conserving my energy for a PB at Parkrun.
I was really looking forward to being back at Tamar Lakes Parkrun for the first time in a month and was aiming for a PB!!! Well, if Belinda could get one a day before her fifty second Birthday the week before, then I could get one two days before mine, surely?
God, did I struggle. My legs felt like lead and my knees were so stiff that I very nearly gave up. Sarah D left me in her wake and I couldn't find any energy to stick with her. It was only the little voice in my head saying 'you've done it before, you know you can do it, you're running the 10k for sponsorship, just get on with it' that made me drag myself along. Oh and along with the thought of copious amounts of food and wine during my Birthday week!!!!
33.15 didn't make me very happy though!
For my Birthday we spent a couple of nights away at the lovely Ring of Bells on Dartmoor. On the day itself I went for a run before breakfast, this was just so I got a run in due to a busy week and couldn't remember exactly what was on the running menu for the week but also because I wouldn't feel so bad about eating and drinking too much!!
I thought we had hills here but boy do they have them on Dartmoor!! It was beautiful though and despite intermittent GPS I ran for 30 minutes up and down hills and really enjoyed it.
The menu for the week
35 ish minute run with strides and run a mile as fast as you can
40 minute hilly run
4 mile easy pace
Ok so it was only a 30 minute hilly run but definitely equivalent to a 40 minute one here (honestly Steph)! So thats ticked off.
Now Thursday was the next time I could run and my plan was to go training with the Bradworthy running group in the evening, however Cheesemaking didn't go according to plan and meant I wouldn't be finished in time so I had to nip out late afternoon along with the old bloke on a bike and the dogs.
There was the dilemma though of which run to do ..... 4 miles would probably be a bit tight to fit in and get back to deal with the curds and whey and the 35 ish one wasn't that appealing......... The 35 ish won and was the worst choice everrrrrrr!!
Serious sense of humour bypass coming up ......
The warm up was fine but then the strides were going to be on a hill ....... Ok let's forget them and do the mile as fast as I can ......... it involved hills, it made be feel sick, It made me have a terrible attack of tourettes, it made me shout at the dogs who tried to trip me up and it made shout at the old bloke on a bike ( who didn't deserve it. ) and it made me chuck my teddy in the corner when I saw I only did it in 10.22.
At this point I was ready to kick it all into touch ....... I was so pissed off.
Yes, I know I should know where the hills are on my routes and yes with hind sight I chose the wrong run but in my defence it was all a bit last minute and rushed AND I needed to get a run in!!
Thank goodness for the little support group we've got on Facebook for this 10k training. It helps so much knowing how everyone else is getting on and thank goodness for Tamar Lakes Parkrun ...... no PB again today but the camaraderie is fantastic!
I've retrieved my teddy from the corner!!
Friday, 6 February 2015
My feet!
So why am I talking feet?
Well my left foot and in particular the heel is very painful especially when I've been sitting for a while or sleeping and getting up in the night for a pee or first thing in the morning I can't bear any weight on it.
Not really what I need now that I've signed up for the Bideford 10K
And before you ask no I haven't been to see the Doctor.
Why?
Well because I don't do Doctors and also because last year I had a similar thing with my right foot.
So from the beginning ....... it all started with me having to buy a new pair of wellies for the day job last year. Now unbelievably wellies have become a fashion item and my usual Argyll ones are no longer stocked at Mole Valley Farmers because they are made by Hunter who won't give a suitable discount (don't quote me on this ..... its what the sales assistant told me). Consequently I had to buy a different make for sixty something quid. Yes that's right over sixty pounds! The same price as my leather market boots (purchased around the same time) which actually make me walk like a cripple after sitting in the van for the trip home after a market.
And boy, have I paid for them in more ways than one?
Oh yes .......they have buggered up my feet ......firstly my right foot and now the left.
Of course I googled it as you do and came up with plantar fasciitis ....... could be right, could be wrong!
Then I did everything contrary to the advice.
Rest, pain killers, Doctor ........ no thanks.
I continued running and walking five times a week and ignored the pain although I did wear clogs and some heeled sandals (heels are good) when not running.
Anyway it eventually got better and is now back to normal but took a long time.
I know I'm stupid so now that my left foot is causing me gip I've decided I'd better do something about it as I'm signed up to run a 10k in May.
No, not got as far as the Surgery yet, however I haven't walked or run for six days and have worn my running shoes for driving and popping out ........ yes I know coach Steph, sorry I shouldn't be doing this but once I've paid the vets bill off I can save for a new pair of running shoes!
Today it definitely feels less painful despite having to wear wellies for two and a half hours.
Chris has seriously bad feet (would you believe the Navy amputated his little toes because they couldn't be arsed to straighten them as they were clawed.......... BASTARDS ) and today had his regular appointment with the podiatrist in Holsworthy...................
I now have a list of foot exercises to do.......
......................and an appointment on Wednesday for her to check my foot out
Hopefully normal running service will be resumed very soon!
Thursday, 29 January 2015
I'm fundraising for Children's Hospice South West
When I shared my first post from this blog on Twitter and Facebook several friends asked if I was doing it for sponsorship. The immediate answer was 'No'.
Actually I hadn't even considered it.
However the Bideford 10k www.bidefordaac.co.uk/bideford-10k is raising funds for Childrens Hospice South West www.chsw.org.uk and guess what???
SO AM I!!!
I now have a huge bucket to collect cash in so when you pop by our stall www.shebbearcheese.co.uk whether you buy cheese or not you can chuck your money in! Thank you!
I have a sponsorship form so you can cough up in the old fashioned way. Thank you!
Covering all bases I have an online donating thingy www.virginmoneygiving.com/sarahstylespower
Thank you!
AND ...............
I have a running vest to wear on the day ( I will model it at some point but snow stopped play today)
P.S. Yes I know my photo is horizontal ...... bit of a technophobe thing going on!!!
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Today I tried to run 10k
The plan is to run three times a week with a day off in between. So a Park run, a longer run and the other run with a running group if I can get to it otherwise it'll be my usual down the lane and back nearly 5k run!
Since I started running last year I've tried to run at least five times a week so this regime is going to be slightly alien to me to start with and of course I have broken the rules already! In theory as I'd Parkrun on Saturday, Sunday should have been a day off ......... fat chance .........I ran!
However I did have yesterday off and just went out on my bike.
Today I decided that I might as well go for it and see if I could run 10k. No point in fannying around! I'd use the woman on my phone to log the distance but try and ignore her when she broadcast my split pace times. Normally if I think she's lying we argue and she learns a few more swear words. That'll be competitive Sarah again then!!
So I set off with my 'trainer' and two 'pacers' well Chris on his bike and the two collies!
I deliberately kept my pace slow and was pleasantly surprised at the one mile mark to have done it in 11.29. It does help that the first mile and a half is down hill, on the downside it's all uphill on the way back!! At four and a half miles my right leg felt like it had come unscrewed and I was waiting for it to fall off, luckily it hung on for the rest of the run and seems ok now.
The result is I can run 10k without stopping albeit slowly and I now have a time to work on.
By the way 6.2 miles is 10k.
Saturday, 24 January 2015
Tamar Lakes Parkrun
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| Upper Tamar Lake |
Today was my fifth Parkrun www.parkrun.org.uk at Tamar Lakes. If it wasn't for volunteers this event wouldn't happen so a big thank you to them. It was a lovely sunny morning with no wind, if a bit on the chilly side. Fifty two of us set off at 9am to run round the lake, all 5k of it! Initially I ran alongside Sarah, another Bideford 10k participant, thinking that we should be making conversation but I can't run and talk so we ran in what I think is termed companionable silence.
At the one mile point (I have a woman on my phone telling me this) I was slightly ahead of her and was waiting for another Sarah to overtake me as she has done on the previous weeks. Although someone did overtake it wasn't her! It was nearer two miles before she did. We exchanged hello's and then she had passed me.
With no warning 'competitive Sarah' was in my head saying 'stick with her, you'll get another PB if you do, don't let her get too far ahead'
'What?' said my legs 'you're joking, she's too fast'
I stuck to her like glue!
Luckly she had her earphones in so was spared my heavy breathing which sounded like an audition for the soundtrack on a low budget porn movie as we climbed the hill to the finish! I thought I was going to die ...................
So I was two seconds behind her and got a time of 30.10 and ..................................we both got PB's!!
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| Before I got hot and sweaty |
As a treat and to put all the calories back on we had toasted crumpets for elevenses!
Friday, 23 January 2015
What have I done?
I'm so easily led .......
All it took was a post by Belinda on the Bradworthy running group page advertising the Bideford 10k on 10th May and I was there with a credit card and podgy fingers on my phone key pad!
Ok so why was I so eager to part with my money?
Well if she was going to do it then so was I!
Competitive or what?
Actually until recently I thought I was the most uncompetitive person in the world but then I went to my first parkrun www.parkrun.org.uk and although its non competitive ...... I've found that I can run reasonable well (especially when the proper running club people don't turn up!!!) there are people of all ages and abilities who are there to have fun, including me. I now know who to try and keep pace with and overtaking people gives me a sense of satisfaction. Not many mind you but enough for a buzz and then of course there's the PB (personal best) ........ each time I've been, well four times (one was cancelled) I've got a PB. Yes the competitiveness has kicked in and I've been pushing myself.
Who'd have thought it??
I now have the gear too ...... proper running shoes and lycra!!!
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo Bideford 10K ............
Three months to prepare .........
What have I done?
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