....... 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 Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Sunday, 24 January 2016
No Braunton 10 miler for me today ....
Ok, I'm sorry I've been rather neglectful over the last month and not kept you up to date, but after my last post my health and running just went further down hill ........ and I haven't been able to use my Christmas present either!
On the Monday after Christmas I set off on a 30 minute 'easy' run and if you look at my time it all looks great .... 10 minute miles! However what it doesn't show is that I had to stop after 15 minutes to catch my breath and stopped the clock for a minute or so!
Me stopping???
Yes, I know ..... unheard of (the only other occasion being the day before I was diagnosed with shingles).
Two days later I tackled the hill training on my favourite hill ...... 10 minute warm up which coincided with a hail storm then 3 x 3 minute hill reps at hard pace ....... oh dear God, I couldn't get out of first gear, no matter how much I tried. What a struggle!
What to do?
I ran slowly uphill for another 10 minutes .....
Now you'd think that running back down hill for 20 minutes would be easy peasy ............
Wrong!
............ and so I came to a decision .......
As I passed the OB and woofers I managed to gasp 'I can't run it, there's no way I can run 10 miles .......'
Once we were all back in the truck the OB asked whether I was giving up on the Braunton 10 altogether or just the recce run four days later.
Well a few minutes previously I had meant the actual race but of course you know me, I started to wobble and decided it would be the recce but would run on the Friday to see if by some miracle I was a runner again!
I didn't run on the Friday nor the recce on the Sunday, nor for another 10 days ....... I really didn't feel well at all. At one stage I thought the shingles was back with itchy spots and feeling exhausted as I had in the summer.
I'm sure you're wondering why I hadn't been to the quacks, but I assumed it was a 'virus' and as I learnt many years ago you just have to let them take their course. Pills don't work!
I did however make a doctor's appointment after trying to run again and not even managing 3 miles and the real crunch was the next day walking with a friend for just 1.5 miles and finding I was breathless all the way back and being pressured by said friend and the OB.
After listening to all the above Dr. Fernandez said ' as I've been saying five times a day for weeks to people it's a virus and I can't prescribe anything for it' (yeah I know!) 'You have your goals even if you're disappointed .... mine is to walk up the hill out of Shebbear without getting breathless'. I did however have a blood test for everything imaginable and he'd be on the phone that evening if there was anything untoward with it. As I was on my way out he did mention that it could be cancer, lymes disease, vitamin D deficiency (as 'we don't get much sun in North Devon' ..... I think it's his Spanish sense of humour)
There was no phone call!!
Good news then!
Today ten days later and the day of the Braunton 10 mile I put my running clothes on and my new TomTom watch and ran 3 miles on the TT .......
My aim and of course pep talk to myself was 11 minute miles ..... no pressure ..... you're not training, just see if you can run 3 miles without stopping .........
So the first mile was my usual straight out the traps sub 10 minutes!
Slow down, slow down .............
Second mile 10.03 ......
You've guessed it ..... the third mile despite being the long slow hill I hate (or as I gasped on my way passed the OB and doggens 'I hate this fucking hill!!!) 10.58!!
I couldn't have run further but didn't need to stop to catch my breath along the way either so fingers crossed I'm on my way to recovery ........
 |
| My Christmas present |
On the Monday after Christmas I set off on a 30 minute 'easy' run and if you look at my time it all looks great .... 10 minute miles! However what it doesn't show is that I had to stop after 15 minutes to catch my breath and stopped the clock for a minute or so!
Me stopping???
Yes, I know ..... unheard of (the only other occasion being the day before I was diagnosed with shingles).
Two days later I tackled the hill training on my favourite hill ...... 10 minute warm up which coincided with a hail storm then 3 x 3 minute hill reps at hard pace ....... oh dear God, I couldn't get out of first gear, no matter how much I tried. What a struggle!
What to do?
I ran slowly uphill for another 10 minutes .....
Now you'd think that running back down hill for 20 minutes would be easy peasy ............
Wrong!
............ and so I came to a decision .......
As I passed the OB and woofers I managed to gasp 'I can't run it, there's no way I can run 10 miles .......'
Once we were all back in the truck the OB asked whether I was giving up on the Braunton 10 altogether or just the recce run four days later.
Well a few minutes previously I had meant the actual race but of course you know me, I started to wobble and decided it would be the recce but would run on the Friday to see if by some miracle I was a runner again!
I didn't run on the Friday nor the recce on the Sunday, nor for another 10 days ....... I really didn't feel well at all. At one stage I thought the shingles was back with itchy spots and feeling exhausted as I had in the summer.
I'm sure you're wondering why I hadn't been to the quacks, but I assumed it was a 'virus' and as I learnt many years ago you just have to let them take their course. Pills don't work!
I did however make a doctor's appointment after trying to run again and not even managing 3 miles and the real crunch was the next day walking with a friend for just 1.5 miles and finding I was breathless all the way back and being pressured by said friend and the OB.
After listening to all the above Dr. Fernandez said ' as I've been saying five times a day for weeks to people it's a virus and I can't prescribe anything for it' (yeah I know!) 'You have your goals even if you're disappointed .... mine is to walk up the hill out of Shebbear without getting breathless'. I did however have a blood test for everything imaginable and he'd be on the phone that evening if there was anything untoward with it. As I was on my way out he did mention that it could be cancer, lymes disease, vitamin D deficiency (as 'we don't get much sun in North Devon' ..... I think it's his Spanish sense of humour)
There was no phone call!!
Good news then!
Today ten days later and the day of the Braunton 10 mile I put my running clothes on and my new TomTom watch and ran 3 miles on the TT .......
My aim and of course pep talk to myself was 11 minute miles ..... no pressure ..... you're not training, just see if you can run 3 miles without stopping .........
So the first mile was my usual straight out the traps sub 10 minutes!
Slow down, slow down .............
Second mile 10.03 ......
You've guessed it ..... the third mile despite being the long slow hill I hate (or as I gasped on my way passed the OB and doggens 'I hate this fucking hill!!!) 10.58!!
I couldn't have run further but didn't need to stop to catch my breath along the way either so fingers crossed I'm on my way to recovery ........
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Of course I was due a fall .......
As I wrote about how well my training was going a few weeks ago and how much I was enjoying it I knew as I pressed send I was heading for a fall ....... the voice in my head was taunting me with it .......
So first the blisters .....
No problem I now have shares in Compeed plasters .......
Oh and new running shoes! Although I've only run in them once!
Apparently purple is the new pink!!!!
Then I struggled with my training sessions, not helped by this continuous wet and windy weather .... horizontal rain and gale force winds really don't do it for me .......
No problem, there's always tomorrow ......
....... except of course there isn't when the day job and business get in the way .....
So I'm a bit behind.
'Well how far behind?' I hear you ask ...... errr
ummm sort of 2x interval training and a 5k run.
'So it's only Saturday surely you can fit two in (including Parkrun) before coach Steph sends the next training plan'
Ok, in theory no problem, but ........
I'll just rewind a bit though
Since my last blog post and the hill training involving angry chainsaw man I've managed a 5k run down the lane and back with the doggens which should have been easy peasey, unfortunately the whole way I felt like I was going to break down like an old nag! Three days later a 6 mile session on the TT which should have involved a negative split but I just about managed to crawl around ........ my body seemed to be on a go slow! Not helped by the wind and horizontal rain or a dry/chesty cough that I've developed. (A contradiction I know)
On Wednesday it was windy but dry so when the OB asked my plans I announced that it was going to be an 8 miler from the Puffing Billy to the river bridge and back! I didn't mention that the tops of my legs ached and that really I wanted to stay at home, although he did say 'you're not looking forward to this'
'No I know it sounds silly but actually I'm getting nervous about it. I know I can do it but at the moment I feel like I'm going to break down like an old nag'
As I set off there was a shout of 'Hello Sarah' from the cycle hire place ....... so a lovely surprise and quick chat with Ali who was buying a bike there and off I went!
Of course I then wanted a wee ..... do you know I get so mad with this ......I always go (about 3 times before we leave the house) and still want to go at our destination. As you know this is the busy bit of the TT but in the end I nipped up some steps that lead to path alongside the river and had a squat! Relief ...
My legs ached, it was a struggle, the ache moved down my legs, more so in my left leg ..... by mile 6 (bearing in mind I should be running faster than at the start) I could hardly run. The worst pain ran down the front of my left leg and at the knee shot around the back and down it.
In the end I had to stop and tried stretching ......yay!
It worked .... briefly
So it was stop, stretch, hobble, stop, stretch hobble to the end! I wasn't going to walk even if it killed me and despite the little voice in my head ' with your third wake-up call you may not be so lucky'
Stubborn I know!
Then came the analysis ...... we decided I must be dehydrated ..... this conclusion was from the fact that I'd done three milk recordings back to back and so don't drink too much due to not being able to go to the loo (other than in with the cows or behind a hedge when noone is looking.
To make up for it I've now been drinking gallons of water .........
The result?
Well apart from constantly having to wee, my legs don't ache so much but I still have a cough and this morning a sore throat and what felt like the beginnings of a cold .......
The thing is I don't suffer from colds!
OB - Old bloke
TT - Tarka Trail
Update ...... since the last post when the OB complained to DCC about angry chainsaw man, they completed their enquiries on 23rd December and apparently could find no record of contractors working on this part of the TT so closed the case! The OB has made a complaint about this so it's now going further up the line!
So first the blisters .....
No problem I now have shares in Compeed plasters .......
Oh and new running shoes! Although I've only run in them once!
Apparently purple is the new pink!!!!
Then I struggled with my training sessions, not helped by this continuous wet and windy weather .... horizontal rain and gale force winds really don't do it for me .......
No problem, there's always tomorrow ......
....... except of course there isn't when the day job and business get in the way .....
So I'm a bit behind.
'Well how far behind?' I hear you ask ...... errr
ummm sort of 2x interval training and a 5k run.
'So it's only Saturday surely you can fit two in (including Parkrun) before coach Steph sends the next training plan'
Ok, in theory no problem, but ........
I'll just rewind a bit though
Since my last blog post and the hill training involving angry chainsaw man I've managed a 5k run down the lane and back with the doggens which should have been easy peasey, unfortunately the whole way I felt like I was going to break down like an old nag! Three days later a 6 mile session on the TT which should have involved a negative split but I just about managed to crawl around ........ my body seemed to be on a go slow! Not helped by the wind and horizontal rain or a dry/chesty cough that I've developed. (A contradiction I know)
On Wednesday it was windy but dry so when the OB asked my plans I announced that it was going to be an 8 miler from the Puffing Billy to the river bridge and back! I didn't mention that the tops of my legs ached and that really I wanted to stay at home, although he did say 'you're not looking forward to this'
'No I know it sounds silly but actually I'm getting nervous about it. I know I can do it but at the moment I feel like I'm going to break down like an old nag'
As I set off there was a shout of 'Hello Sarah' from the cycle hire place ....... so a lovely surprise and quick chat with Ali who was buying a bike there and off I went!
Of course I then wanted a wee ..... do you know I get so mad with this ......I always go (about 3 times before we leave the house) and still want to go at our destination. As you know this is the busy bit of the TT but in the end I nipped up some steps that lead to path alongside the river and had a squat! Relief ...
My legs ached, it was a struggle, the ache moved down my legs, more so in my left leg ..... by mile 6 (bearing in mind I should be running faster than at the start) I could hardly run. The worst pain ran down the front of my left leg and at the knee shot around the back and down it.
In the end I had to stop and tried stretching ......yay!
It worked .... briefly
So it was stop, stretch, hobble, stop, stretch hobble to the end! I wasn't going to walk even if it killed me and despite the little voice in my head ' with your third wake-up call you may not be so lucky'
Stubborn I know!
Then came the analysis ...... we decided I must be dehydrated ..... this conclusion was from the fact that I'd done three milk recordings back to back and so don't drink too much due to not being able to go to the loo (other than in with the cows or behind a hedge when noone is looking.
To make up for it I've now been drinking gallons of water .........
The result?
Well apart from constantly having to wee, my legs don't ache so much but I still have a cough and this morning a sore throat and what felt like the beginnings of a cold .......
The thing is I don't suffer from colds!
OB - Old bloke
TT - Tarka Trail
Update ...... since the last post when the OB complained to DCC about angry chainsaw man, they completed their enquiries on 23rd December and apparently could find no record of contractors working on this part of the TT so closed the case! The OB has made a complaint about this so it's now going further up the line!
Sunday, 13 December 2015
I was verbally abused by a workman on the Tarka Trail!
As you know I love the Tarka Trail and am so pleased that we've finally ventured onto it after all the years we've been here. Different parts of it suit my training sessions and with the cycling group we've had some lovely days out and gone further afield!
On Monday I went to Petrockstowe to do the previous weeks interval training. (As mentioned in the previous post I only had time to do two training sessions last week)
It was one of those after 10 minutes warm up, bloody strides jobs again ......
The usual 5x 20 secs strides with 40 secs easy......
.....Ok no problem that's 5 minutes
Then 10x 30secs easy ..20secs medium ... 10secs full out ...
Simples you'd think!
Nope! this dozy mare who as some of you know is hopeless at maths calculated it as 50 minutes......
.......... look just don't ask ..... I was getting confused with the above 5 minutes and then multiplying! Just blame it on Miss. Young at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Primary School who put me in English classes when I couldn't grasp maths!
Anyway I set off, telling the OB, who was walking the dogs in the opposite direction that I'd be just over an hour! Ha ha what a silly arse I am?
On the 10 minute warm up I was reassured to hear the sound of chain sawing ..... my lumberjacks were on the trail!
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but at times the TT can be very busy and on others very isolated so on the latter occasions thats why I like to see these guys!
Actually there was only one of them but as usual we exchanged pleasantries and I felt safe!
I did the first set of strides and then as I started the 30 secs easy I realised my maths error...........
Doh!
Ten minutes then!
Much cursing followed but I kept running ....
On my way back I waved at the lumberjack, stopped at the car for some water and then ran to meet the OB and the woofers.
Wednesday was a 6 mile run so I did the Puffing Billy to the tunnel and back.
After 5 minutes it was to build to race pace and then steady miles 2-6.
Looks like mile one was totally beyond race pace ...... I've never run that fast and as usual I had a problem getting to steady Pace! I really wish I could run this fast at parkrun.
Friday was Yarde towards Watersmeet for hill training in the pouring rain with the OB and woofers coming the same way for a change.
After stretching I still hadn't got a gps signal which isn't unusual but as I was getting soaked and my run didn't need to rely on it I gave up and started on the 10 minute warm up, having to keep my head down due to the driving rain but I could see a red sign ahead. It crossed my mind that perhaps the Trail was closed but as I got closer saw that it was a Devon County Council keeping Devon safe emergency phone number. I assumed that it was due to the wet and windy weather and in case a tree came down as it's quite a regular occurrence.
Then I saw I was right ..... sawn up trees on either side.
A couple of minutes later there was a truck with a shredder blocking the path ....... there was no more than a foot of verge either side and logs to negotiate, as I walked past a truck in front that I hadn't seen started to pull away and then drove slower than I was running. I didn't know if the driver had seen me so I ran in view of his offside mirror. Whether he had or not it stopped and I walked past.
So back to the hill training ....... 5x 20 secs strides etc etc then before the 7x 2 min hard, I had to have a quick squat. ...... guess I'll just have to do a Paula on race day!!!
As soon as I started the first 2 mins hard I had the same feeling that I get at Parkrun on the hill to the finish, that of
wanting to be sick and losing my bowels simultaneously ...... so had to ease off ......
I also found I was running into the wind uphill and getting plastered in mud! (I know, I'm really selling this to you!!!!)
Anyway suffice to say I completed it, wishing that I'd got long sleeves as the cold rain stung my arms but knowing that I'd regret it if I had as I'd be too hot!
Hooray!
I could now run back easy ......
Ok, so the two trucks were still blocking the trail and I could hear the chipper working and a chain saw, sawing.
I edged past the vehicle's and then was faced with a bloke feeding the chipper and another bloke with his back to me chain sawing the upper branches of some ash spread across the trail.
The bloke on chipper duty shouted something, the bloke on the chain saw stopped it and I picked my way through the ash tree .......
'WAIT! YOU SHOULD WAIT TO BE LET THROUGH'
'Ok' and I raised my arm in acknowledgement as I continued to pick my way through the tree and thought blimey he sounds angry!
'STOP! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS, YOU WAIT'
So I turned round to face angry chainsaw man, who according to his jacket was called David, and said 'ok' again and at the same time saw his mate behind him gobbing on the ground and edging away ...... lovely!
'IF YOU DON'T, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?' He continued to shout
By this time I wanted to laugh and shout fuck you but just turned round and said 'you'll get sued!' and started running ....
'YOU'LL BE DEAD'
Yeah whatever .........
He continued to shout after me but I didn't hear what it was, as by now I was running hard, intent on putting some distance between us.
Back at the car park I told the OB about my encounter, who offered to go and speak to him but as I thought he might punch Mr. Angry or worse still, end up with a chain saw wrapped around his head it was best to leave it. Anyway I was already writing my email of complaint to DCC in my head as there were no signs telling the TT users to stop and wait to be let through. There were no signs about the dangers of the chipper and if we'd been cycling we'd have had to walk through the ditch of running water to get past the trucks. There weren't even any men at work signs which are always displayed at Petrockstowe.
Also the OB said he and the woofers clambered through the ash tree five minutes before me and neither bloke uttered a word. David must have a problem with women or runners or women runners, and whether he has or not he certainly needs to attend anger management classes! What a complete tosser!
At home I had a bath and when I got downstairs the OB was on the phone to DCC making a complaint! They've taken it seriously enough to send it up the line .......
Normally I shy away from confrontation and just put things down to experience but on this occasion I can't believe that a workman on the Tarka Trail verbally abused me. I don't want it to happen to any one else so hopefully DCC will make sure it doesn't.
*TT =Tarka trail
*OB = Old bloke
*DCC = Devon County Council
On Monday I went to Petrockstowe to do the previous weeks interval training. (As mentioned in the previous post I only had time to do two training sessions last week)
It was one of those after 10 minutes warm up, bloody strides jobs again ......
The usual 5x 20 secs strides with 40 secs easy......
.....Ok no problem that's 5 minutes
Then 10x 30secs easy ..20secs medium ... 10secs full out ...
Simples you'd think!
Nope! this dozy mare who as some of you know is hopeless at maths calculated it as 50 minutes......
.......... look just don't ask ..... I was getting confused with the above 5 minutes and then multiplying! Just blame it on Miss. Young at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Primary School who put me in English classes when I couldn't grasp maths!
Anyway I set off, telling the OB, who was walking the dogs in the opposite direction that I'd be just over an hour! Ha ha what a silly arse I am?
On the 10 minute warm up I was reassured to hear the sound of chain sawing ..... my lumberjacks were on the trail!
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but at times the TT can be very busy and on others very isolated so on the latter occasions thats why I like to see these guys!
Actually there was only one of them but as usual we exchanged pleasantries and I felt safe!
I did the first set of strides and then as I started the 30 secs easy I realised my maths error...........
Doh!
Ten minutes then!
Much cursing followed but I kept running ....
On my way back I waved at the lumberjack, stopped at the car for some water and then ran to meet the OB and the woofers.
Wednesday was a 6 mile run so I did the Puffing Billy to the tunnel and back.
After 5 minutes it was to build to race pace and then steady miles 2-6.
Looks like mile one was totally beyond race pace ...... I've never run that fast and as usual I had a problem getting to steady Pace! I really wish I could run this fast at parkrun.
Friday was Yarde towards Watersmeet for hill training in the pouring rain with the OB and woofers coming the same way for a change.
After stretching I still hadn't got a gps signal which isn't unusual but as I was getting soaked and my run didn't need to rely on it I gave up and started on the 10 minute warm up, having to keep my head down due to the driving rain but I could see a red sign ahead. It crossed my mind that perhaps the Trail was closed but as I got closer saw that it was a Devon County Council keeping Devon safe emergency phone number. I assumed that it was due to the wet and windy weather and in case a tree came down as it's quite a regular occurrence.
Then I saw I was right ..... sawn up trees on either side.
A couple of minutes later there was a truck with a shredder blocking the path ....... there was no more than a foot of verge either side and logs to negotiate, as I walked past a truck in front that I hadn't seen started to pull away and then drove slower than I was running. I didn't know if the driver had seen me so I ran in view of his offside mirror. Whether he had or not it stopped and I walked past.
So back to the hill training ....... 5x 20 secs strides etc etc then before the 7x 2 min hard, I had to have a quick squat. ...... guess I'll just have to do a Paula on race day!!!
As soon as I started the first 2 mins hard I had the same feeling that I get at Parkrun on the hill to the finish, that of
wanting to be sick and losing my bowels simultaneously ...... so had to ease off ......
I also found I was running into the wind uphill and getting plastered in mud! (I know, I'm really selling this to you!!!!)
Anyway suffice to say I completed it, wishing that I'd got long sleeves as the cold rain stung my arms but knowing that I'd regret it if I had as I'd be too hot!
Hooray!
I could now run back easy ......
Ok, so the two trucks were still blocking the trail and I could hear the chipper working and a chain saw, sawing.
I edged past the vehicle's and then was faced with a bloke feeding the chipper and another bloke with his back to me chain sawing the upper branches of some ash spread across the trail.
The bloke on chipper duty shouted something, the bloke on the chain saw stopped it and I picked my way through the ash tree .......
'WAIT! YOU SHOULD WAIT TO BE LET THROUGH'
'Ok' and I raised my arm in acknowledgement as I continued to pick my way through the tree and thought blimey he sounds angry!
'STOP! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS, YOU WAIT'
So I turned round to face angry chainsaw man, who according to his jacket was called David, and said 'ok' again and at the same time saw his mate behind him gobbing on the ground and edging away ...... lovely!
'IF YOU DON'T, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?' He continued to shout
By this time I wanted to laugh and shout fuck you but just turned round and said 'you'll get sued!' and started running ....
'YOU'LL BE DEAD'
Yeah whatever .........
He continued to shout after me but I didn't hear what it was, as by now I was running hard, intent on putting some distance between us.
Back at the car park I told the OB about my encounter, who offered to go and speak to him but as I thought he might punch Mr. Angry or worse still, end up with a chain saw wrapped around his head it was best to leave it. Anyway I was already writing my email of complaint to DCC in my head as there were no signs telling the TT users to stop and wait to be let through. There were no signs about the dangers of the chipper and if we'd been cycling we'd have had to walk through the ditch of running water to get past the trucks. There weren't even any men at work signs which are always displayed at Petrockstowe.
Also the OB said he and the woofers clambered through the ash tree five minutes before me and neither bloke uttered a word. David must have a problem with women or runners or women runners, and whether he has or not he certainly needs to attend anger management classes! What a complete tosser!
At home I had a bath and when I got downstairs the OB was on the phone to DCC making a complaint! They've taken it seriously enough to send it up the line .......
Normally I shy away from confrontation and just put things down to experience but on this occasion I can't believe that a workman on the Tarka Trail verbally abused me. I don't want it to happen to any one else so hopefully DCC will make sure it doesn't.
*TT =Tarka trail
*OB = Old bloke
*DCC = Devon County Council
Friday, 11 December 2015
Compeed plasters for blisters
Yes I know I've neglected you with my updates but I bet you're really rather secretly pleased that you haven't had to plough through my waffle!!!
This post was going to be two weeks worth of news but after an incident today I'm going to split it into two separate ones!
After my last blog post I was overwhelmed by the response to my blisters!
'Compeed' plasters for blisters was the message!
Ok, so I'd never heard of them but as you know I really need to get out more!
The OB was duly dispatched to Lloyds pharmacy clutching a £10 note and returned with 10 of these plasters and 42p change ......... this running lark really isn't cheap!!!!
On Monday I decided to go for the shorter, easier run, to test drive the plasters despite having a busy week and knowing that I would only be able to do two runs but I didn't want to aggravate the blisters either!
It took me a while to work out how to open the container and get them out though, despite having my contact lenses in ....... the arrow at the top was minute (and I'm quite thick at times!)
Whilst running I wasn't aware of two of the blisters but I could feel the one on my right foot niggling, which was a bit disappointing, but I was glad that I'd opted for the short run.
When I got home I found that the plaster on this foot was coming off despite the blurb in the box saying they would stay on for a few days! Perhaps trying to cover two blisters with one plaster was asking too much!
Wednesday was a nine miler so I covered the two blisters on my right foot with individual plasters this time, the one on the left was still sticking well!
It was only towards the end that I was aware of the worst blister on my my right foot but it was a mild niggle.
I'm not sure whether they are helping to heal my feet as on Monday when I changed the plasters the blisters were still there, however there were no niggles during the interval training ....... the final training session for last week!
......... and the conclusion on Compeed plasters for blisters?
I'm impressed!
*OB = Old bloke
Sunday, 29 November 2015
I have four blisters and a weak bladder this week!
Just as we were going to bed on Sunday night, this weeks training email arrived .......
Yes, I know I shouldn't be checking emails/social media/ the price of stuff in my Amazon shopping basket, let alone having my phone in the bedroom but unfortunately I can't help it.
At least I went to sleep knowing that there was hill training, a 9 miler and a 5k run in store.
Tuesday was a running day, but which session to do?
Normally I'd have gone for the 9 miler ....... but I had to collect something from Hatherleigh at 1pm and so time constraints ruled.
Hill training then on my favourite hill .....
......... of course I should have been champing at the bit, but actually I really didn't want to do it ...... it was cold and windy and my va va voom had deserted me but .......
I got on with it!
About five minutes into my ten minute warm up I really needed a wee, but the trouble with the TT is there aren't any hedges to nip behind and all the gateway's were quagmires. Ok Sarah ..... think about something else, take your mind off it ..... and so into the 5 x 20 strides...... not my best effort as I didn't seem to be able to get out of first gear but don't dwell on it ..... get on with the hill reps!
After running hard uphill for 1 minutes and then trotting back to the start I decided that I'd just have to squat and hope for the best, however it was a bit breezy and I didn't really want wet legs so I ran hard up hill for 2 minutes and then went to drop my drawers ..... but a bloody lycra lout hovered into view. Oh bugger ...... just keep running .....
Once we'd exchanged plesantries and he was out of sight I did it ....... phew! What a relief!
I'd be lying if I said I then ran better because actually I still couldn't seem to get out of first gear BUT ....... I did the hill training! One down two to go!
Now my plan for the 9 miler was to go to Petrockstowe and run to half a mile past Yarde and then back incorporating the long drawn out hill I hate. However the OB had to stay behind as the boiler was being serviced and the Puffing Billy to Bideford route is slightly more populated which I prefer when I'm on my own but infact in hindsight it worked against me!
The instructions were vary the pace so one mile hard, the next easy .....
I set off and would you believe almost immediately I needed a bloody wee ..... well absolutely no chance to squat on this highly populated bit of the TT so I just had to cross my legs!!! (Makes it difficult to run!)
I was also back to feeling like I couldn't get out of first gear again ... but the first mile was race pace so what do I know?
I wasn't going to show you the workout details but rather than bore you with a step by step narrative you can see for yourself that I didn't manage the race pace/easy thing...... one gear and one speed Sarah it seems!!!
Going into mile six the plantar facilities in my left foot decided to make itself known .........
It got short shrift ... I wasn't going to walk the four miles back. Luckily it got the message after a mile of niggling!
Then two miles from home I could feel the blister on my right foot rubbing, despite the Vaseline and padding......
All I could think was 'bollocks, bollocks, bollocks .........
I don't want any set backs!'
The result was I ran 9 miles and gained four blisters, one of which burst.
So no Parkrun for me yesterday, which was going to be the 5k session.
The question ' is it socks, shoes or trench foot?' and 'how many miles have your shoes done?'
Now back in January when we all signed up to the Bideford 10k Coach Steph mentioned that our running shoes should be changed every 300-500 miles. I felt smug because of course I'd only just got mine and the OB worked out that I'd need to change them in September and of course not taking into account that they'd be redundant for 3 months whilst I was ill.
Initially I've put it down to socks but after Belinda's prompt I got the calculator out and went through my runs
The answer is 387 miles.
Looks like a trip to HTP Sport is on the cards for new running shoes!
Sunday, 22 November 2015
What ever the weather ....... I had to run!
As you know I was having a rare Monday off from training this week as I was working away in South Devon.
This wasn't a problem as it meant I would have a day off before going out on Tuesday!!
Ha ha ...... Barney had other ideas!!!
Barney???.
Yes, the Met. Office in their wisdom have decided to name the weather, so the latest storm was called Barney!
Yes, really!
On Tuesday we battened down the hatches and training was put on hold and cycling group was cancelled.
Apparently the wind was meant to drop over night, and then we would have a calm spell before the wind and rain returned at midday, so the plan was for a run fairly early on, on Wednesday morning, then a session on Friday and as I can't make parkrun on Saturday, a run on Sunday!
Well! The Met office got it wrong ..... it was still very windy on Wednesday morning, but ......... I had to run.
Now I don't mean that I was champing at the bit, the opposite really ....... it was windy and not appealing but I had to run.
Oh! I've just realised that I haven't told you what this weeks training plan is .....
Sooooooooo ..........
1) 8 miles at steady pace
2) 10 minute warm up then an up and down the scale hard and easy five minute segments for 20 minutes, some strides and a five minute cool down
3) 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes strong, 10 minutes harder pace
I decided to do the 8 miler ....... reasoning that on the day of the race the weather may be similar and I'd have to just get on with it! No wimping out on the day is an option!
Back to the Puffing Billy then! It was like rush hour though as I set off ....... I think everyone like us felt the need to get out ........walkers, lots of dog walkers, a tandem, cyclists (with no bells .... grrrrrrr!! The old blokes in lycra are the worst!)
Well, it wasn't as sheltered as I'd thought and immediately
I was being buffeted by the wind. My immediate thoughts were ' Oh bugger, I better get my excuses in early with this wind so my time doesn't look too bad' bearing in mind this was to be at a steady pace! There was no way I could repeat last weeks seven mile time ......
Anyway you know me by now, after my initial wingeing and swearing I get on with it ....
........... so I got on with it!
Running over the riverbridge at Landcross before turning round (when the bird on the phone told me I'd done four miles) to run back ........
I've since found out that this wind and running thing is called resistance training!!!
....... and yes I'm as surprised as you at my time!!!
The only downside was that despite smearing on the Vaseline I got a blister on each foot.
On Thursday evening I found out the date for the Braunton 10 miler .... 24th January 2016.
When Coach Steph sold this race to me she said there were a couple of hills.
Eerrrrrrr just wondering how '2 infamous climbs designed to test the legs and spirit' escaped the conversation!!!
Petrockstowe on Friday was my next date to do the hard and easy up and down the scale run (not necessarily in that order!)
There was a bit of faffing/fannying on my part before we left as, as soon as I walked out to the truck I could feel the blister on my right foot rubbing despite having plastered both feet in Vaseline ..........
Sooooooooo, back indoors to tape on a wapping great big pad ....... and then we were off!
There's a new sign there, which is brilliant because it gives the miles between 'Stations'
Eh voila!
I digress ....... mainly because I hate interval training .......
but ........ I have to say it does what it says on the tin and I have to admit (grudgingly) that because of it my running has improved as you can see!
I won't bore you ..... I did it, the stopwatch was being tempermental, it was hard but I felt good afterwards (Sssshhhh don't tell anyone I said that especially Coach Steph!) and my blisters held up!
Today it seemed very strange to be running for just 30 minutes and strange to think that this is what I did day in and day out before I discovered the Bideford 10k earlier this year.
There was no specification as to what terrain it should be done on and as I was missing my hill I decided to go and pay it a visit and make the run a bit harder!
I loved it!
This wasn't a problem as it meant I would have a day off before going out on Tuesday!!
Ha ha ...... Barney had other ideas!!!
Barney???.
Yes, the Met. Office in their wisdom have decided to name the weather, so the latest storm was called Barney!
Yes, really!
On Tuesday we battened down the hatches and training was put on hold and cycling group was cancelled.
Apparently the wind was meant to drop over night, and then we would have a calm spell before the wind and rain returned at midday, so the plan was for a run fairly early on, on Wednesday morning, then a session on Friday and as I can't make parkrun on Saturday, a run on Sunday!
Well! The Met office got it wrong ..... it was still very windy on Wednesday morning, but ......... I had to run.
Now I don't mean that I was champing at the bit, the opposite really ....... it was windy and not appealing but I had to run.
Oh! I've just realised that I haven't told you what this weeks training plan is .....
Sooooooooo ..........
1) 8 miles at steady pace
2) 10 minute warm up then an up and down the scale hard and easy five minute segments for 20 minutes, some strides and a five minute cool down
3) 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes strong, 10 minutes harder pace
I decided to do the 8 miler ....... reasoning that on the day of the race the weather may be similar and I'd have to just get on with it! No wimping out on the day is an option!
Back to the Puffing Billy then! It was like rush hour though as I set off ....... I think everyone like us felt the need to get out ........walkers, lots of dog walkers, a tandem, cyclists (with no bells .... grrrrrrr!! The old blokes in lycra are the worst!)
Well, it wasn't as sheltered as I'd thought and immediately
I was being buffeted by the wind. My immediate thoughts were ' Oh bugger, I better get my excuses in early with this wind so my time doesn't look too bad' bearing in mind this was to be at a steady pace! There was no way I could repeat last weeks seven mile time ......
Anyway you know me by now, after my initial wingeing and swearing I get on with it ....
........... so I got on with it!
Running over the riverbridge at Landcross before turning round (when the bird on the phone told me I'd done four miles) to run back ........
I've since found out that this wind and running thing is called resistance training!!!
....... and yes I'm as surprised as you at my time!!!
The only downside was that despite smearing on the Vaseline I got a blister on each foot.
On Thursday evening I found out the date for the Braunton 10 miler .... 24th January 2016.
When Coach Steph sold this race to me she said there were a couple of hills.
Eerrrrrrr just wondering how '2 infamous climbs designed to test the legs and spirit' escaped the conversation!!!
Petrockstowe on Friday was my next date to do the hard and easy up and down the scale run (not necessarily in that order!)
There was a bit of faffing/fannying on my part before we left as, as soon as I walked out to the truck I could feel the blister on my right foot rubbing despite having plastered both feet in Vaseline ..........
Sooooooooo, back indoors to tape on a wapping great big pad ....... and then we were off!
There's a new sign there, which is brilliant because it gives the miles between 'Stations'
Eh voila!
I digress ....... mainly because I hate interval training .......
but ........ I have to say it does what it says on the tin and I have to admit (grudgingly) that because of it my running has improved as you can see!
I won't bore you ..... I did it, the stopwatch was being tempermental, it was hard but I felt good afterwards (Sssshhhh don't tell anyone I said that especially Coach Steph!) and my blisters held up!
Today it seemed very strange to be running for just 30 minutes and strange to think that this is what I did day in and day out before I discovered the Bideford 10k earlier this year.
There was no specification as to what terrain it should be done on and as I was missing my hill I decided to go and pay it a visit and make the run a bit harder!
I loved it!
Monday, 16 November 2015
Under the weather this week ..... both physically and metaphorically!
In bed on Sunday night the OB and I had the following conversation .....
The OB 'Are you training tomorrow?'
Me 'Yes'
The OB 'Have you had your training email yet?'
Me ' No, but I reckon there'll be a seven miler on it so I'll do seven miles tomorrow. Probably Petrockstowe to Meeth, which must be about seven miles'
How romantic is that ....... We have such exciting pillow talk?!
Now bearing in mind that the wet and windy weather was with us
....... storm Abigail and hurricane Kate, both of which have been with us all week meant that running could prove to be dodgy!
I also need to add that I woke up with a bit of a sore throat but as I don't suffer from colds just put it down to sleeping with the window shut due to the wind! (Outside I hasten to add)
Sooooooooo ......... after doing all my day job prep for the afternoon we (the woofers who make out they haven't been for a run in months) and the OB and I went to Petrockstowe .......
We went in opposite directions ....... Jess doesn't like my chosen route ..... and is quite diva ish so I do wonder by her reaction what danger I'm running into!
Almost at mile one, I jumped out of my skin as a cyclist behind me dinged his bell ....... I was so far in La La land and with the wind hadn't heard him approach so leapt in the air and shrieked, making him assure me it was ok ......... think he was more scared than me!!
Into mile two and my chest started to feel really tight, and my nose started to run .......
.......... no tissue and no sleeves either!!!
Then my legs felt like lead and I just got slower and slower ......
I ran 5.87 miles ...... thank goodness it wasn't 7 miles because it was an awful time ....
The OB and doggens came to meet me as I struggled back ....... unheard off as I'm as always back before them.
The OB 'Are you training tomorrow?'
Me 'Yes'
The OB 'Have you had your training email yet?'
Me ' No, but I reckon there'll be a seven miler on it so I'll do seven miles tomorrow. Probably Petrockstowe to Meeth, which must be about seven miles'
How romantic is that ....... We have such exciting pillow talk?!
Now bearing in mind that the wet and windy weather was with us
....... storm Abigail and hurricane Kate, both of which have been with us all week meant that running could prove to be dodgy!
I also need to add that I woke up with a bit of a sore throat but as I don't suffer from colds just put it down to sleeping with the window shut due to the wind! (Outside I hasten to add)
Sooooooooo ......... after doing all my day job prep for the afternoon we (the woofers who make out they haven't been for a run in months) and the OB and I went to Petrockstowe .......
We went in opposite directions ....... Jess doesn't like my chosen route ..... and is quite diva ish so I do wonder by her reaction what danger I'm running into!
Almost at mile one, I jumped out of my skin as a cyclist behind me dinged his bell ....... I was so far in La La land and with the wind hadn't heard him approach so leapt in the air and shrieked, making him assure me it was ok ......... think he was more scared than me!!
Into mile two and my chest started to feel really tight, and my nose started to run .......
.......... no tissue and no sleeves either!!!
Then my legs felt like lead and I just got slower and slower ......
I ran 5.87 miles ...... thank goodness it wasn't 7 miles because it was an awful time ....
On the way home I felt really ill, although didn't let on to the OB because I'd never felt like this before and didn't want to frighten him but bloody hell, I thought I might be on my third wake up call ( you know the 'your time is up one'!!)
Once home I was so cold but the water wasn't hot enough for me to have a bath so I had to sit in my puffa jacket to try to get warm whilst we ate scrambled egg ...........
I had a bath and went to work ....... where my legs ached, ill ache, not exercise ache for the next four hours.
Whilst I was at work the training email arrived ........ and yay ........ There was a seven mile run,,, plus a 30 minute enjoy yourself job plus 45 minutes of strides and running to oblivion run .....
.........well to be fair, 10 mins warm up ... the usual 5 mins strides including recovery and then five minutes of easy, medium, hard and very hard and 10 mins warm down!
And still my legs ached ....... all night and again in the morning during my four hour milk recording stint.
I decided to join the cycling group and we cycled 23 miles and I felt absolutely fine, so it must have been a blip then?
On Wednesday I felt absolutely awful and training went on hold ..........
Obviously not a blip then!
Now I'm sure you're thinking by now that I should just put training on the back burner ...............
Of course I should, however on Thursday I felt fine and so we went to Puffing Billy as the doggens needed their run and so did I .........
......... the agreement was (with no one in particular) that if I felt fine at mile two I'd carry on and do seven miles and if not I'd do the thirty minute run or definitely stop if I felt ill. Yes honestly, no messing.
I was also hoping to get a photo of the landslip which had occurred overnight on the A386 which runs along side the TT.
The bad news is that the landslip was on the bit of Road that doesn't run alongside the TT, however the good news is ............ I ran seven miles .......
I've never run seven miles before .........
......and I was amazed to see that I'd done it at race pace, although that wasn't in the training plan, but I'm now going to blow my own trumpet and announce how chuffed I am at running this pace and time .......
Of course I was due a fall ......
My plan for the 30 minute run was do it at Parkrun and then do the stride/hard run one on Sunday as I was away teaching on Monday so would have the day off.
Best laid plans and all that ......
On Saturday morning I woke up to the back door trots ....
Not a good idea to go to Parkrun then! The OB was time keeper so had to go but my frequent trots to the loo meant I had to stay behind. ( No! no idea what caused it)
Yesterday morning the OB and I had the following conversation in bed ...... bearing in mind the wet and blustery weather ...
The OB ' Are you running today, it doesn't sound very good out there'
Me 'I'll see what it's like later, but I'm hoping to. I don't know which one I'll do though, depends how I feel and where we go'
That was the dilemma ...... which part of the TT was least likely to chuck bits of tree at me?
Off to Watersmeet then!
Oh dear God ..... why the road closures? After driving half way round the county and introducing the OB to a new road we arrived......
The warm up was fine, the TT at this point is down in the valley and so very sheltered The first four strides/recovery were text book but then into my fifth stride I had to plough through a load of shit/piss/mud where the cows cross the TT. Well actually I pussy footed through it.......
Oh come on I've managed to keep my lovely running shoes clean for the last eleven months, why would I want them covered in shit now?
So after prancing through this quagmire and feeling the shit seeping into my socks I redid the fifth stride/recovery. This took me to the Puffing Billy where I started the five minute bits and the gusty wind came for me, I turned back half way through the medium five minutes and found it hard battling the wind. I kept at it but doubting that I was really doing it properly. So into the 'very hard' five minutes where we needed to 'dig in' and would you believe I managed to swallow a fly which made me cough, retch, spit and swear ...... but not necessarily in that order, and then I had to negotiate the shit pit again.......... Miss Pussyfoot did her stuff and then ran very slowly for the ten minute warm down wondering how Thursday's run had been so brilliant!
*OB - Old bloke
*TT - Tarka Trail
Me 'I'll see what it's like later, but I'm hoping to. I don't know which one I'll do though, depends how I feel and where we go'
That was the dilemma ...... which part of the TT was least likely to chuck bits of tree at me?
Off to Watersmeet then!
Oh dear God ..... why the road closures? After driving half way round the county and introducing the OB to a new road we arrived......
The warm up was fine, the TT at this point is down in the valley and so very sheltered The first four strides/recovery were text book but then into my fifth stride I had to plough through a load of shit/piss/mud where the cows cross the TT. Well actually I pussy footed through it.......
Oh come on I've managed to keep my lovely running shoes clean for the last eleven months, why would I want them covered in shit now?
So after prancing through this quagmire and feeling the shit seeping into my socks I redid the fifth stride/recovery. This took me to the Puffing Billy where I started the five minute bits and the gusty wind came for me, I turned back half way through the medium five minutes and found it hard battling the wind. I kept at it but doubting that I was really doing it properly. So into the 'very hard' five minutes where we needed to 'dig in' and would you believe I managed to swallow a fly which made me cough, retch, spit and swear ...... but not necessarily in that order, and then I had to negotiate the shit pit again.......... Miss Pussyfoot did her stuff and then ran very slowly for the ten minute warm down wondering how Thursday's run had been so brilliant!
*OB - Old bloke
*TT - Tarka Trail
Sunday, 8 November 2015
I did this weeks training but not necessarily in the right order!!!
Monday was a gloriously sunny day and unseasonal 17C, so I just had to take advantage of it and run, especially as the forecast for the rest of the week was for wall to wall rain!
I hadn't had a training email from Coach Steph for the week so decided to do 5 miles and just run for the love of being able to run and hoping that when it arrived there was something similar I could match it up with and tick off!
Yarde towards Petrockstowe then ............. turning at the second white post in the middle of the track and hoping it would be the halfway mark!
Of course most of you reading this will have absolutely no idea what white post I'm talking about but just indulge me!
It was blooming hot, but lovely to be just running and taking in the sights and sounds of autumn, although the last mile is uphill and I hate it ......
Yes, yes, I know I've declared my love for running up hills and I do, but just not this one! It's a gentle incline and seems to go on for ever ........ give me a steep hill any day!
I finally got to the top and and the car park to find I'd only run 4.8 miles ..... well what's 0.2 of a mile anyway? Oh, and to find Coach Stephs training email in my inbox!
Guess what?
There was a 5 mile run on it!
The only snag was that miles 2,3 and 4 should be as close to race pace as possible.
Do you think miles 1 and 2 at race pace would count instead??
I bet you're dying to know what the other two runs are aren't you?
First up hill reps and the other a 30 minute easy run, focusing on form, foot placement and stride.
I was dying to get stuck into the hill reps but due to time constraints on Wednesday I opted for the 30 minute easy run, taking the opportunity to stop off at Petrockstowe on my way back from one of my farms.
It was pouring with raining when I set off but eased a bit and under the tree canopy I stayed fairly dry.
My first mile was 9.57 ......whoops! Better slow down then, this is meant to be an easy run!
As I was about to turn on a bend at roughly halfway I met a lady running towards me with her dogs so we stopped for a quick discussion as to who was running the fastest and needed to go in front....... It seemed this was me!
Despite all this I clearly hadn't slowed down as my second mile was 9.59 .......
I knew that I was still running quite fast as I went into my third mile, spurred on mainly by the thought that I might be holding up the other lady and her training, however I was amazed that my time was 9.28!!!!
And yes, the bird on my phone was actually being reliable for a change!
I might not have done three miles at race pace during my run on Monday but I sure made up for it here!!
Back at the car park I had a lovely chat with the other lady who it turns out wasn't training but runs with Okehampton running club.
The rain continued ........
On Friday morning I had a rather frustrating time with gridlocked traffic on single track roads on my way to and from a farm due to road closures and an accident so it was almost lunchtime when I got home BUT I had hill reps to do and as I don't run well in the afternoon .... we set off to Yarde and my favourite hill (the opposite direction to Monday)
It was pouring with rain and I couldn't get GPS , no matter as the run was by time not miles and I had the stop watch for time ..... so off I went.
Apart from the OB and the woofers the only other mad people I met were a lady with a bog brush on a lead and a bloke who seemed to be lurking and taking photos of the ground ..... presumably the leaves but who knows. ( which reminds me I really must take some photo's for this blog!) I don't think he really knew what to make of me running backwards and forwards ....... however if you're reading this Mr. Lurker, this is what I was doing ....
10 minute warm up ( the first time I past you!)
5 x 20 sec strides with 40 sec recovery (you hadn't caught up)
5 x 3 minute hill reps with easy jog back (that's why I was running hard up hill and then jogging back past you!)
5 minute cool down.
I loved the whole session and didn't even notice that I'd got drenched until I dripped all over the OB's truck!!!!
*OB - Old bloke
I hadn't had a training email from Coach Steph for the week so decided to do 5 miles and just run for the love of being able to run and hoping that when it arrived there was something similar I could match it up with and tick off!
Yarde towards Petrockstowe then ............. turning at the second white post in the middle of the track and hoping it would be the halfway mark!
Of course most of you reading this will have absolutely no idea what white post I'm talking about but just indulge me!
It was blooming hot, but lovely to be just running and taking in the sights and sounds of autumn, although the last mile is uphill and I hate it ......
Yes, yes, I know I've declared my love for running up hills and I do, but just not this one! It's a gentle incline and seems to go on for ever ........ give me a steep hill any day!
I finally got to the top and and the car park to find I'd only run 4.8 miles ..... well what's 0.2 of a mile anyway? Oh, and to find Coach Stephs training email in my inbox!
Guess what?
There was a 5 mile run on it!
The only snag was that miles 2,3 and 4 should be as close to race pace as possible.
Do you think miles 1 and 2 at race pace would count instead??
I bet you're dying to know what the other two runs are aren't you?
First up hill reps and the other a 30 minute easy run, focusing on form, foot placement and stride.
I was dying to get stuck into the hill reps but due to time constraints on Wednesday I opted for the 30 minute easy run, taking the opportunity to stop off at Petrockstowe on my way back from one of my farms.
It was pouring with raining when I set off but eased a bit and under the tree canopy I stayed fairly dry.
My first mile was 9.57 ......whoops! Better slow down then, this is meant to be an easy run!
As I was about to turn on a bend at roughly halfway I met a lady running towards me with her dogs so we stopped for a quick discussion as to who was running the fastest and needed to go in front....... It seemed this was me!
Despite all this I clearly hadn't slowed down as my second mile was 9.59 .......
I knew that I was still running quite fast as I went into my third mile, spurred on mainly by the thought that I might be holding up the other lady and her training, however I was amazed that my time was 9.28!!!!
And yes, the bird on my phone was actually being reliable for a change!
I might not have done three miles at race pace during my run on Monday but I sure made up for it here!!
Back at the car park I had a lovely chat with the other lady who it turns out wasn't training but runs with Okehampton running club.
The rain continued ........
On Friday morning I had a rather frustrating time with gridlocked traffic on single track roads on my way to and from a farm due to road closures and an accident so it was almost lunchtime when I got home BUT I had hill reps to do and as I don't run well in the afternoon .... we set off to Yarde and my favourite hill (the opposite direction to Monday)
It was pouring with rain and I couldn't get GPS , no matter as the run was by time not miles and I had the stop watch for time ..... so off I went.
Apart from the OB and the woofers the only other mad people I met were a lady with a bog brush on a lead and a bloke who seemed to be lurking and taking photos of the ground ..... presumably the leaves but who knows. ( which reminds me I really must take some photo's for this blog!) I don't think he really knew what to make of me running backwards and forwards ....... however if you're reading this Mr. Lurker, this is what I was doing ....
10 minute warm up ( the first time I past you!)
5 x 20 sec strides with 40 sec recovery (you hadn't caught up)
5 x 3 minute hill reps with easy jog back (that's why I was running hard up hill and then jogging back past you!)
5 minute cool down.
I loved the whole session and didn't even notice that I'd got drenched until I dripped all over the OB's truck!!!!
*OB - Old bloke
Monday, 2 November 2015
NAKED RUN
Sooooooooo, having run six miles on Sunday and ticked it off this week's training plan I had two more runs to do but which one should I choose to do on Wednesday?
Ok, so you're sitting there saying 'yeah there's only two, just get on with it!'
Yup, fair comment!
But .............
Well here they are, and both aren't that appealing!
First up 10 mins easy warm up then 2 x 20 sec strides (full on) with 40 secs easy
then 4 mins hard, 1 min easy, 3 min hard. 2 easy, 2 hard, 3 easy, 1 hard, 4 easy, then back up the scale before finishing with 5 mins cool down.
That'll be 52 minutes of hell then!
Second run, run on feel ........ NAKED RUN
Whaaaaaaaaaat?
My initial thoughts were well, firstly I'll get black eyes and secondly there's nothing like doing something to get arrested on the Tarka Trail during half term!!!
I read on ........
Start off easy for 10 minutes then do 1 mile on feel at what you think is race pace ....... time this but DO NOT look at the time whilst doing so ... cool down for the rest.
Ah so it was to see if running on feel was the same as running with a watch .......
Phew ...... I can run with clothes on then!!
As you know I don't run with a watch and rely on the app on my phone which is the bird in my back pocket when I run so I always have to wait for her to pipe up with my time at each mile, and as we both know by now she can be quite unreliable.
Anyway I went for option one on Wednesday .......
The bird on my phone lived up to her reputation .......... according to her I ran 16 seconds slower on my race pace mile than the warm up mile and then 15 seconds slower than that on my cool down mile ...... she definitely got it wrong!
......... Anyway I've started my letter to Father Christmas and first on the list is a reliable timing gadget for running!!
On Thursday I really didn't feel like running, my legs still ached from Sunday's hills, and I wasn't looking forward to all the running hard bits ....... I couldn't find an excuse to give it a miss though, especially as the OB and woofers were sitting in the truck waiting ...... soooooooo
Back to Petrockstowe then, via two diversions as SW Highways in their wisdom had decided to close most of the roads round here ........ Ah yes, it must be half term, not just road closures but hoards of people on the TT too. The trouble with other people wanting to use the TT at the same time as me when I'm trying to follow coach Stephs training plan is that I always seem to be on a run easy bit when I pass them.
'Speed up, speed up, do some more strides, look like you're a proper runner' says competitive Sarah, as I gasp 'hello' on passing them!
Oh and then there are the lumberjacks ........ Well the two blokes chopping down trees. They're currently half a mile or around five minutes run from Petrockstowe station so I run past them on my warm up, looking all fresh and like a proper runner and then on my way back I pass them on my warm down but gasping and huffing and puffing like a huffing and puffing type person, with a face the colour of my shirt ....... trying to look cool but failing miserably!!
I think we'll be seeing quite a lot of each other over the coming months as they have another three miles or so of trees to deal with!
Anyway back to Thursday's run. It was a struggle ....... the warm up and strides were fine but the running hard bits were difficult and I wanted to give up ...... of course I didn't I just cursed coach Steph then cursed myself for signing up to this running lark, but I did it, even if it was 52 minutes of hell!
Ok, so you're sitting there saying 'yeah there's only two, just get on with it!'
Yup, fair comment!
But .............
Well here they are, and both aren't that appealing!
First up 10 mins easy warm up then 2 x 20 sec strides (full on) with 40 secs easy
then 4 mins hard, 1 min easy, 3 min hard. 2 easy, 2 hard, 3 easy, 1 hard, 4 easy, then back up the scale before finishing with 5 mins cool down.
That'll be 52 minutes of hell then!
Second run, run on feel ........ NAKED RUN
Whaaaaaaaaaat?
My initial thoughts were well, firstly I'll get black eyes and secondly there's nothing like doing something to get arrested on the Tarka Trail during half term!!!
I read on ........
Start off easy for 10 minutes then do 1 mile on feel at what you think is race pace ....... time this but DO NOT look at the time whilst doing so ... cool down for the rest.
Ah so it was to see if running on feel was the same as running with a watch .......
Phew ...... I can run with clothes on then!!
As you know I don't run with a watch and rely on the app on my phone which is the bird in my back pocket when I run so I always have to wait for her to pipe up with my time at each mile, and as we both know by now she can be quite unreliable.
Anyway I went for option one on Wednesday .......
The bird on my phone lived up to her reputation .......... according to her I ran 16 seconds slower on my race pace mile than the warm up mile and then 15 seconds slower than that on my cool down mile ...... she definitely got it wrong!
......... Anyway I've started my letter to Father Christmas and first on the list is a reliable timing gadget for running!!
On Thursday I really didn't feel like running, my legs still ached from Sunday's hills, and I wasn't looking forward to all the running hard bits ....... I couldn't find an excuse to give it a miss though, especially as the OB and woofers were sitting in the truck waiting ...... soooooooo
Back to Petrockstowe then, via two diversions as SW Highways in their wisdom had decided to close most of the roads round here ........ Ah yes, it must be half term, not just road closures but hoards of people on the TT too. The trouble with other people wanting to use the TT at the same time as me when I'm trying to follow coach Stephs training plan is that I always seem to be on a run easy bit when I pass them.
'Speed up, speed up, do some more strides, look like you're a proper runner' says competitive Sarah, as I gasp 'hello' on passing them!
Oh and then there are the lumberjacks ........ Well the two blokes chopping down trees. They're currently half a mile or around five minutes run from Petrockstowe station so I run past them on my warm up, looking all fresh and like a proper runner and then on my way back I pass them on my warm down but gasping and huffing and puffing like a huffing and puffing type person, with a face the colour of my shirt ....... trying to look cool but failing miserably!!
I think we'll be seeing quite a lot of each other over the coming months as they have another three miles or so of trees to deal with!
Anyway back to Thursday's run. It was a struggle ....... the warm up and strides were fine but the running hard bits were difficult and I wanted to give up ...... of course I didn't I just cursed coach Steph then cursed myself for signing up to this running lark, but I did it, even if it was 52 minutes of hell!
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
Friday, 27 March 2015
Nothing ever goes according to plan .......
Today was scheduled as the 40 minute run involving strides as detailed in my previous post.
This meant that I had to find somewhere flat ......... Tamar Lakes then!
Ahhh but apparently they have a 3 day fishing competition going on .......
Mmmmmmm I understand that fishermen don't like being disturbed ........ could mean that we seriously piss them off with the OBOAB blowing a whistle every 30 seconds and what with my involuntary heavy breathing and tourettes, perhaps not a good idea!
Plan B then.
The fruit bowl was empty and the only veg in the fridge was a leek and a third of a celariac so a trip to the fruit and veg shop in Torrington was on the cards.
Yes, I know you think I've lost the plot discussing my shopping requirements but actually the route to Torrington involves passing the Tarka trail so we'd put the OBOAB bike in the back and on our return stop off and do the training. Simples!
Ha ha, not so!
It was chuffing it down with rain when we left so plan B was abandoned, well its pointless both of us getting soaked!
When we got home it had stopped raining so I donned my running gear and set off alone ....... the OBOAB bunked off training to drink beer!!
I chose a route that I thought would be around 40 minutes and have a suitable flat section for the strides (even if the first mile involved two hills and the last mile and a half home involved the usual hill all the way back).
It all went according to plan and I started my strides on the flat ........
.............. however I hadn't banked on the potholes or the mud plastered across the road made more slippery by the recent rain!
After a quick risk assessment I decided that it would be stupid to train on this surface (I don't want any more injuries) so just took it steady and increased my pace when I could.
Oh and the cars ........ six no less who made me leap onto the verge....
Anyway I didn't quite get the strides done but ran 3.61 in 38.43 minutes.
Sadly no Parkrun for me tomorrow but this week has been a good running week!
This meant that I had to find somewhere flat ......... Tamar Lakes then!
Ahhh but apparently they have a 3 day fishing competition going on .......
Mmmmmmm I understand that fishermen don't like being disturbed ........ could mean that we seriously piss them off with the OBOAB blowing a whistle every 30 seconds and what with my involuntary heavy breathing and tourettes, perhaps not a good idea!
Plan B then.
The fruit bowl was empty and the only veg in the fridge was a leek and a third of a celariac so a trip to the fruit and veg shop in Torrington was on the cards.
Yes, I know you think I've lost the plot discussing my shopping requirements but actually the route to Torrington involves passing the Tarka trail so we'd put the OBOAB bike in the back and on our return stop off and do the training. Simples!
Ha ha, not so!
It was chuffing it down with rain when we left so plan B was abandoned, well its pointless both of us getting soaked!
When we got home it had stopped raining so I donned my running gear and set off alone ....... the OBOAB bunked off training to drink beer!!
I chose a route that I thought would be around 40 minutes and have a suitable flat section for the strides (even if the first mile involved two hills and the last mile and a half home involved the usual hill all the way back).
It all went according to plan and I started my strides on the flat ........
.............. however I hadn't banked on the potholes or the mud plastered across the road made more slippery by the recent rain!
After a quick risk assessment I decided that it would be stupid to train on this surface (I don't want any more injuries) so just took it steady and increased my pace when I could.
Oh and the cars ........ six no less who made me leap onto the verge....
Anyway I didn't quite get the strides done but ran 3.61 in 38.43 minutes.
Sadly no Parkrun for me tomorrow but this week has been a good running week!
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
I felt like I was a proper runner .......
On Monday morning still feeling buoyed by my PB on Saturday at Tamar Lakes Parkrun I looked at this weeks menu.
5 mile easy run
35 minutes run .... 10 min easy warm up ..... 10 min hard/race pace..... 10 min steady ..... 5 min cool down
40 minute run ..... 10 min easy ..... 5 strides at 30 seconds harder pace with good form ...... 30 seconds easy .... 5 x 2 mins at easy pace with 2 mins easy after each.
Oh and this is a recovery/adaptation week!!!!!
So which one to do?
Well it was 12.30pm by the time I'd done the day job and other tasks, the OBOAB wanted to come too and the dogs needed a run. My initial thoughts were to go with the 5 mile easy run but it was nearly lunchtime and I was already feeling hungry plus last week taking the easy option proved to be the wrong one! If I did the 40 minute run it would mean leaving the woofers behind so this left the 35 minute one.
Not wishing for the neighbours at the other end of the lane to miss out on the vision that is old bird in pink lycra and OBOAB wobbling along In front of her we went up the lane before turning round and then doing one of the usual routes. This actually helped because the 10 min hard/race pace then didn't involve running up hill ........ result!
Unfortunately the 10 min steady pace on the way back did.
I tried to put into practise things that Hayley had mentioned on Saturday like a more upright posture and moving my arms backwards and forwards more. Despite having to stop for a car and retie my shoe lace my second mile came in at 8.45 ....... woohoo!!!!!!
If you're a Podiatrist then look away now ...........
I also ran without the orthotics again. Sssshhhh
Yes, yes I know, they have helped the plantar fasciitis no end but I've also come to the conclusion that they are hindering my performance too.
Now, don't tell Coach Steph but yesterday I did actually have a little trot out (on my rest day) with the orthotics and found that I definitely don't move so freely, they feel very hard on my feet and slow me down.
Sooooooooo I'll continue to wear them in all my other footwear but will be selective as to when I run in them.
Today we had a day off from Cheesemaking so I decided to do the 5 mile easy run. I also decided that I needed to do a circular route of around 5 miles as I'm bored of repeating the same two routes or part thereof to make up more than 3 miles. The OBOAB said he'd come too but no dogs though.
Before setting off I put my Children's Hospice South West vest on as they need a photo of moi in it for publicity purposes. Luckily Chris managed to take one without turning off my phone/turning off the camera/ turning on the video etc ...... you get the picture, he's not very good with smart phones!
We set off ...... and I immediately realised that I was still wearing the vest, oh well too late to take it off and really it wasn't going to make too much difference was it?
Once out of the lane there was the first hill ....... flipping hills on this route too! It didn't seem too bad to me but I could hear the OBOAB's heavy breathing and cursing behind me. Then the bloody motorists without brakes started to hurtle towards us, aiming first for me and then The OBOAB. I yelled a few obscenities at the first couple of cars and then realised what vest I was wearing. After that I decided to ignore the Highway code and instead of running towards the oncoming traffic I crossed sides. It seemed safer.
Although there were hills to endure it meant that once at the top we had fantastic views!
The instructions from Coach Steph were to enjoy the run, take in the scenery, be able to hold a conversation and not worry about the time.
Tick, tick, tick and tick!
I really enjoyed it, seemed to run a good pace and felt like I was a proper runner (in my dreams I know!)
The fifth mile was a struggle as it involved one of my usual return routes which is ALL up hill however I was amazed to find that my time was faster than usual here. Time wasn't part of this training run today but of course I still had to use the bird on my phone and was chuffed to see what I did. I could almost be a proper runner!!!!
5 mile easy run
35 minutes run .... 10 min easy warm up ..... 10 min hard/race pace..... 10 min steady ..... 5 min cool down
40 minute run ..... 10 min easy ..... 5 strides at 30 seconds harder pace with good form ...... 30 seconds easy .... 5 x 2 mins at easy pace with 2 mins easy after each.
Oh and this is a recovery/adaptation week!!!!!
So which one to do?
Well it was 12.30pm by the time I'd done the day job and other tasks, the OBOAB wanted to come too and the dogs needed a run. My initial thoughts were to go with the 5 mile easy run but it was nearly lunchtime and I was already feeling hungry plus last week taking the easy option proved to be the wrong one! If I did the 40 minute run it would mean leaving the woofers behind so this left the 35 minute one.
Not wishing for the neighbours at the other end of the lane to miss out on the vision that is old bird in pink lycra and OBOAB wobbling along In front of her we went up the lane before turning round and then doing one of the usual routes. This actually helped because the 10 min hard/race pace then didn't involve running up hill ........ result!
Unfortunately the 10 min steady pace on the way back did.
I tried to put into practise things that Hayley had mentioned on Saturday like a more upright posture and moving my arms backwards and forwards more. Despite having to stop for a car and retie my shoe lace my second mile came in at 8.45 ....... woohoo!!!!!!
If you're a Podiatrist then look away now ...........
I also ran without the orthotics again. Sssshhhh
Yes, yes I know, they have helped the plantar fasciitis no end but I've also come to the conclusion that they are hindering my performance too.
Now, don't tell Coach Steph but yesterday I did actually have a little trot out (on my rest day) with the orthotics and found that I definitely don't move so freely, they feel very hard on my feet and slow me down.
Sooooooooo I'll continue to wear them in all my other footwear but will be selective as to when I run in them.
Today we had a day off from Cheesemaking so I decided to do the 5 mile easy run. I also decided that I needed to do a circular route of around 5 miles as I'm bored of repeating the same two routes or part thereof to make up more than 3 miles. The OBOAB said he'd come too but no dogs though.
Before setting off I put my Children's Hospice South West vest on as they need a photo of moi in it for publicity purposes. Luckily Chris managed to take one without turning off my phone/turning off the camera/ turning on the video etc ...... you get the picture, he's not very good with smart phones!
We set off ...... and I immediately realised that I was still wearing the vest, oh well too late to take it off and really it wasn't going to make too much difference was it?
Once out of the lane there was the first hill ....... flipping hills on this route too! It didn't seem too bad to me but I could hear the OBOAB's heavy breathing and cursing behind me. Then the bloody motorists without brakes started to hurtle towards us, aiming first for me and then The OBOAB. I yelled a few obscenities at the first couple of cars and then realised what vest I was wearing. After that I decided to ignore the Highway code and instead of running towards the oncoming traffic I crossed sides. It seemed safer.
Although there were hills to endure it meant that once at the top we had fantastic views!
The instructions from Coach Steph were to enjoy the run, take in the scenery, be able to hold a conversation and not worry about the time.
Tick, tick, tick and tick!
I really enjoyed it, seemed to run a good pace and felt like I was a proper runner (in my dreams I know!)
The fifth mile was a struggle as it involved one of my usual return routes which is ALL up hill however I was amazed to find that my time was faster than usual here. Time wasn't part of this training run today but of course I still had to use the bird on my phone and was chuffed to see what I did. I could almost be a proper runner!!!!
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!!
Sunday, 22 February 2015
One step forward and two steps back .......
Oh yes I was going to run in the orthotics .....
On Friday Chris had to take his truck for it's MOT so I decided to do a 4 mile run a) To see how I got on with the orthotics b) because I'm a week behind the training plan and c) because the old bloke was out and so couldn't raise objections!!! Anyway I did it in 47minutes which included grabbing the dogs for a couple of vehicles to pass. So quite pleased.
The orthotics definitely helped.
Now I have read the training emails from Steph and the training reports from my fellow Biddy 10kers and added it all up and decided that I needed to run 6 miles.
Tuesday was a glorious day and so we decided that I'd run round Tamar Lakes twice whilst Chris and the Collies walked round once.
So I ran two miles at a slow pace (actually not as slow as prescribed by Steph ...... although I thought I was) Then two miles at Parkrun pace where I imagined that I was keeping up with Sarah D and then two miles of a slow pace which actually still wasn't slow enough but the fifth mile seemed to go on for ever and I thought that the bird on my phone had rocked off to sleep. BUT I did it!!! And did it in 1.09
When I looked at the training emails again to see what was next I realised that I'd read the wrong one and confused it with the previous one and actually should have run it at a slow pace to get round.
I blame gmail entirely for not showing emails in order!
Note to self, print the emails in future to avoid confusion!
However I did it, enjoyed it and it was only towards the end that my foot started to hurt.
My feet and legs did ache afterwards but I guess that's old age for you!
Good news then?
Well no .......
I then decided on Thursday to do a hill session as per schedule........
I really should have taken notice that my foot hurt (this I think was from wearing my wellies for five hours doing the day job earlier) and didn't ease up on my 10 minute warm up run but .........stubborn Sarah decided otherwise and so with the old bloke on a bike with a kitchen timer I tried to do five 20 second strides. I did them but my foot complained.
I know, I know I should have stopped.
Next was 3 minute hill runs......
Now there had been a lot of bickering between us about which hill was suitable and basically none seemed to fit the bill. As it was my foot hurt so much that I just jogged home (with Chris timing hills on the kitchen timer for future reference) the result, there aren't any on my routes.
Ok, ok I've learnt my lesson ...... by running and continuing to run when my foot hurt means that I've been hobbling around like an old woman for a couple of days.
Today I'd planned to run round Tamar Lakes ...... just once as I had to miss Parkrun again yesterday, however it's raining cats and dogs and definitely isn't running weather, not even down the lane either. Probably a blessing in disguise as although my foot feels better another day of no running can only help the healing process I guess!!
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!
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.
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