As it's been almost 2 months since my last confession, I will try and compress it all as much as possible. So, what's been happening then..
Went on holiday in August, had a lovely week in Woolacombe with the family. Had big plans for long runs and lots of hill training (it's very hilly there!) but somehow it just didn't happen. I have excuses though, and some of them are even legit. There are NO paths on them there country lanes. And they are very bendy lanes so I really did feel that it would be unsafe to go running down them. A couple of times me and mum walked down to the beach, once I even left her in a cafe and had a run along the aforementioned beach. It is very beautiful and I did enjoy it but I only managed just short of 3 miles. It was exhausting! And that lovely sister of mine had me on the red wine the night before so I was not exactly in tip-top condition for a run of any kind. The other excuses all revolve around my sister and wine so I won't bother offering them as, quite frankly, they are just crap.
Following holiday, I was so cross with myself for not sticking to my training plan that I went out for a great long run the very next day after we got home. It was tough but I just needed to prove to myself that I hadn't undone all my hard work in one week off. Then I got poorly and had another enforced rest. Then we went away for a weekend to Manchester in a very nice hotel that didn't have a gym (well, it did but it was a mile up the road. How inconvenient!) so it kind of went by the wayside that weekend too. And then something kind of weird happened to my brain. I got really scared. I was desperate to go out for a run but at the same time I was really worried that after being so slack I wouldn't be able to do it anymore. Silly really, now I look back on it. But I went in to panic mode. And every day that went by when I hadn't run I just felt worse and worse. I must admit I did find it difficult when all of a sudden it was dark at 6 in the morning and then by 6.30 at night. This did make a difference, I may have said that most people think I'm bonkers for running anyway, so trying to get someone to go out with me of an evening so I am not running alone in the dark is bloody impossible!
Anyway, I made a date with my trainers for a 3 mile run, just to get me back in to it. It did the job, I really enjoyed it. I have since managed to fit in most of what I was supposed to be doing. It's just a matter of adjusting things so that I can get out in daylight hours. This has been made easier by the fact that my littlest little darling has now started at nursery. Although I did have a bit of a tear the first time I left her there all day, she is loving it and I am starting to appreciate a bit of freedom in the daytime.
Last weekend I did a local 10k race. I didn't break any world records but certainly learned some valuable lessons. Like it really isn't necessary to wear a jacket. Warming up. There, the clue is in the wording isn't it?? I did it with a friend of mine who has recently started running too (she can't come with me of an evening, she lives too far away ok??!) we do have a fairly different pace though so I ended up running with a lady who offered me the benefits of her 11 years experience. She appeared to be quite impressed at my pace given that I have only just started and encouraged me to join a local running club.
The local running club then. Actually, there isn't one in our town. There are some in the surrounding areas but being realistic, I am unlikely to drive out for 25 mins on a dark and snowy Thursday night to go for a trot with some like-minded nutters. The only thing there is in Spalding is a Triathlon Club. So I'm thinking that's not for me. I hate swimming. I only ever go on my bike to obtain more alcohol when the car is 'not an option'. I looked on their website anyway. Apparently, they are happy to accept members that only want to train in one discipline. OK, so it's a possibility then. I contacted them and said I only wanted to run. They said that's fine, come along to a session and see how you like it! Well I haven't. Not yet anyway. Why?
I am a bit nervous going anywhere new by myself. Overcomable.
I am quite convinced they will all be elite athletes and I will be by far the slowest person they have ever seen. Not likely. I have lived in this town for 11 years and 2 months. The amount of people I have come accross in that time that could possibly be leading a double life as a world champion triathlete = very few.
I am positive then, that when the above turns out to be untrue, that they will all be large males and uber competitive. I know that this is not true. The lady that I conversed with from the club is, in fact, a lady and I have been assured that there is a good mix of ages and abilities. Hm.
I am not sure I want to get all serious about it. I am happy running by myself. I really enjoy it. But could I be better? Do I want to be better? I don't think it would take much to uncover the competitive streak that I could have sworn I did not have. Now, when I say competitive streak, I do only mean competing with myself. I have definitely decided that I am going to carry on running beyond next week. (Next week, by the way, is when my big run is. But I am not thinking about that right now!) I think that entering races is a good way to keep your motivation going. I am too much of a pushover to think that I am going to run at least 3 times a week without the fear of finishing last in a race to keep me going. So, if I am going to keep entering a few, I have to keep training. Given that there are only so many distances you can cover (unless you go in to Ultra Running, which I honestly can't see myself doing!) I would definitely want to keep beating my own times. So my best chance of doing that would mean joining a club and training with people who know what they are doing and how to be the best you can. Because I am incapable of pushing myself. If it gets a bit difficult, I just slow down. I need someone to push me. So I think maybe I might want to get a bit more serious about it. After all, if it stops being fun, I could always stop. Or maybe I could try my hand at a bit of biking or swimming. Cos lets face it, at my age my knees with only thank me! Which brings me back around to the Triathlon thing. Its been bugging me for a few weeks now. I think it's an itch that I may have to scratch. One day. When I am sniffing around for a new challenge. As I have no doubt that I will be.
So, the race is only a week away. I am fairly happy that I have done enough to stumble over the finish line. So what am I expecting? Shall I put my neck on the line and tell you what I am expecting to achieve? Ah why not.
If I had carried training at the rate I was pre-holiday, I would have been going for a 2hr finish. As it is, I will be fairly happy if I finish in less than 2 hours 30 min. If I can do less than 2 hours 15 I will be absolutely over the moon. I guess it all depends on how things are on the day. I've been lucky and not got injured, with the exception of a black toenail. I got that on the long run after returning from hols. I wasn't aware of it hurting at the time, but in bed the next night I could definitely feel a bit of discomfort. I took off the black polish I had on at the time but one of my toes remained black. I was almost a bit proud! Anyway, the end of that story is that I went back to the trainer shop to ask them if there was anything I could do about it. The nice man took my offending shoe and re-tied the laces in a fashion I have never seen before. There you go, he says, try that. I was slightly astounded to find that it seems to have done the trick. (If you are interested, he made some weird loops at the top hole of the shoe which holds my foot towards the back of the trainer instead of it sliding downwards and hitting the front.)
As for the fund raising, it's gone fantastically well. I have a justgiving text thingy set up, which is at about £30 quid so far. Lots of friends and family have been unbelievably generous and my webpage is now up to £477. Contributions through my WeightWatchers meetings and playground friends are now at £70. Think thats £577 and still going. So well done me and thanks to everyone for each and every penny!
So, wish me luck for Sunday and cross your fingers that this FREAKY weather has disappeared. If it is still this hot I would add on about 2 hours to my anticipated finish time. And I'm not kidding. Apparently though, it's really good for the pumpkins. Makes them nice and orange. Which is always good. If you are a pumpkin. Which I am not.
I say the weather is freaky, it is. Don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine and the warmth but I am completely spooked by the fact that they are selling mince pies in the supermarket whilst I am wearing shorts and flip flops. This is not Bondi people. It's just not right!!
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Monday, 8 August 2011
Shoe Shopping!
Been a mixed bag since my last post!
I attempted a 7 mile run with a planned halfway stop at home to have a drink. But I just stopped. In my defence, it was 2 o clock in the afternoon and it was a very hot day. I managed 3 miles, got home and just couldn't go back out. I was extremely red in the face, my head was pounding and I was, quite frankly, just not in the mood! Oh well, I will just strike that one down to experience.
Finally went trainer shopping last week. I had been very much looking forward to going to get my gait analysed. Went to a fantastic shop in Peterborough called Advance Performance. Ended up going on a Saturday afternoon, so it was mega busy. You have to put your name down on a list to get seen but it wasn't too long a wait as they had lots of staff on. We (my friend and fellow new runner Emma came with me) were seen to by a very nice and knowledgeable chap called Dave. It was a complex and fairly lengthy process but it really did make me realise the importance of getting the right shoe.
Firstly some details were taken about weekly mileage and whether we had any injuries or niggles we needed sorting. Then he has you in your socks (by that I mean shoeless, as opposed to being only in socks without any other clothes on. Obviously.) and you have to march on the spot a few times then come to a standstill. He then has a feel of your feet, like they do in Clarks shops to little kiddies getting their first ever pair of shoes. Then he looks at the soles of your existing trainers. This bit was a little like getting your gas boiler looked at, with much head shaking and sharp intaking of breath. He furrowed his brow a bit, looked at me and asked if I had been experiencing any lower back pain as it looked very much as though I was doing something with my wotsits causing me to twist my melons which, in his opinion could cause aforementioned lower back troubles. Those weren't his exact words I might add, but I hadn't a clue what he was talking about so they may as well have been. Anyway, he said never mind and that he would have me sorted in no time. Phew!
Next step - Dave disappeared in to the stock room and returned shortly with a pair of 'neutral' trainers for us to wear so he could stick us on the treadmill and have a look at our running style. This was the bit I was scared of, just in case I fell off. (I am sure I have mentioned previously that the funniest thing I have ever seen in all my life was my friend Claire falling off the treadmill in spectacular style (think Miranda Hart) at the posh gym at Ragdale Hall) Anyway, I didn't fall off, it was fine. I just had a very quick run and then got off. You turn around and watch your ankles and feet on the screen behind the treadmill. He showed me that I was fairly ok but had a pronation on my left. I did do my homework before I went and knew that that meant I was leaning inwards quite a bit. I was very surprised to see that my previously butchered right foot was fine. Anyway, off disappeared Dave to the stock room to find some suitable shoes to correct my style. He returns with some, plonks me on the treadmill again and then has another look at the vid. Not enough correction so he gets another pair. Treadmill again, happy with those. Good. Job done? Not quite. They like to find you two different pairs that do the job so you can choose which you feel better in. Another trip to the stock room, another go on the treadmill. Right, I now have 2 pairs to pick from. The way they do this is to send you out in to the car park for a trot round on the concrete in each pair. I did as instructed and decided on the Nike Lunarglide + 2. You can imagine my relief when the prettiest pair were also the most comfortable!! I was also relieved to find that they were £70 when the others were £105. Happy bunny all round. And if you buy your trainers they don't charge you for the gait analysis. Whilst we weren't overcomplicated and we did spend more money in the shop - I bought a pair of blister resisting socks for 9 quid and a new cap (lost my old one in the Isle of Wight mud whilst watching Kasabian) the service we received was really outstanding. I will definitely go back there for my next pair, which, I have been told should be in about 30 weeks!
I have well and truly broken them in now, was a bit odd at first as I had pain down side of pronating foot as a result of correction but that's gone. And I managed a really good 7 miles on Saturday morning, felt that I could have done loads more. But, my plan is to stick to my plan. So I did.
Can I just tell you that on the night of my birthday last week, I went to work and then went for a run. I am getting really good at not making excuses. Instead I waited until Sonias birthday to enjoy myself. It was so nice to see everyone and also enjoy a guilt free glass (bottle?) of wine, a lovely meal out, 2 macdonalds (oops!) a humungus hotel breakfast and a theme park donut. I am now firmly back on the Weight Watchers wagon and have done my Gillian Michaels 30 day shred dvd this morning as punishment. Ah, there's nothing like a few sets of evil squats and lunges to get you back on track!
I attempted a 7 mile run with a planned halfway stop at home to have a drink. But I just stopped. In my defence, it was 2 o clock in the afternoon and it was a very hot day. I managed 3 miles, got home and just couldn't go back out. I was extremely red in the face, my head was pounding and I was, quite frankly, just not in the mood! Oh well, I will just strike that one down to experience.
Finally went trainer shopping last week. I had been very much looking forward to going to get my gait analysed. Went to a fantastic shop in Peterborough called Advance Performance. Ended up going on a Saturday afternoon, so it was mega busy. You have to put your name down on a list to get seen but it wasn't too long a wait as they had lots of staff on. We (my friend and fellow new runner Emma came with me) were seen to by a very nice and knowledgeable chap called Dave. It was a complex and fairly lengthy process but it really did make me realise the importance of getting the right shoe.
Firstly some details were taken about weekly mileage and whether we had any injuries or niggles we needed sorting. Then he has you in your socks (by that I mean shoeless, as opposed to being only in socks without any other clothes on. Obviously.) and you have to march on the spot a few times then come to a standstill. He then has a feel of your feet, like they do in Clarks shops to little kiddies getting their first ever pair of shoes. Then he looks at the soles of your existing trainers. This bit was a little like getting your gas boiler looked at, with much head shaking and sharp intaking of breath. He furrowed his brow a bit, looked at me and asked if I had been experiencing any lower back pain as it looked very much as though I was doing something with my wotsits causing me to twist my melons which, in his opinion could cause aforementioned lower back troubles. Those weren't his exact words I might add, but I hadn't a clue what he was talking about so they may as well have been. Anyway, he said never mind and that he would have me sorted in no time. Phew!
Next step - Dave disappeared in to the stock room and returned shortly with a pair of 'neutral' trainers for us to wear so he could stick us on the treadmill and have a look at our running style. This was the bit I was scared of, just in case I fell off. (I am sure I have mentioned previously that the funniest thing I have ever seen in all my life was my friend Claire falling off the treadmill in spectacular style (think Miranda Hart) at the posh gym at Ragdale Hall) Anyway, I didn't fall off, it was fine. I just had a very quick run and then got off. You turn around and watch your ankles and feet on the screen behind the treadmill. He showed me that I was fairly ok but had a pronation on my left. I did do my homework before I went and knew that that meant I was leaning inwards quite a bit. I was very surprised to see that my previously butchered right foot was fine. Anyway, off disappeared Dave to the stock room to find some suitable shoes to correct my style. He returns with some, plonks me on the treadmill again and then has another look at the vid. Not enough correction so he gets another pair. Treadmill again, happy with those. Good. Job done? Not quite. They like to find you two different pairs that do the job so you can choose which you feel better in. Another trip to the stock room, another go on the treadmill. Right, I now have 2 pairs to pick from. The way they do this is to send you out in to the car park for a trot round on the concrete in each pair. I did as instructed and decided on the Nike Lunarglide + 2. You can imagine my relief when the prettiest pair were also the most comfortable!! I was also relieved to find that they were £70 when the others were £105. Happy bunny all round. And if you buy your trainers they don't charge you for the gait analysis. Whilst we weren't overcomplicated and we did spend more money in the shop - I bought a pair of blister resisting socks for 9 quid and a new cap (lost my old one in the Isle of Wight mud whilst watching Kasabian) the service we received was really outstanding. I will definitely go back there for my next pair, which, I have been told should be in about 30 weeks!
I have well and truly broken them in now, was a bit odd at first as I had pain down side of pronating foot as a result of correction but that's gone. And I managed a really good 7 miles on Saturday morning, felt that I could have done loads more. But, my plan is to stick to my plan. So I did.
Can I just tell you that on the night of my birthday last week, I went to work and then went for a run. I am getting really good at not making excuses. Instead I waited until Sonias birthday to enjoy myself. It was so nice to see everyone and also enjoy a guilt free glass (bottle?) of wine, a lovely meal out, 2 macdonalds (oops!) a humungus hotel breakfast and a theme park donut. I am now firmly back on the Weight Watchers wagon and have done my Gillian Michaels 30 day shred dvd this morning as punishment. Ah, there's nothing like a few sets of evil squats and lunges to get you back on track!
Sunday, 17 July 2011
I Just Ran 8.55 Miles And My Legs Hurt.
I just ran 8.55 miles and my legs hurt. As the title suggests. I did enjoy it though, in the sort of way I guess someone might enjoy a horror film.
And it rained. All the times I have been out I have never, until today, been caught in the rain. It was lovely! I was about 5 miles in and if I could have ordered a cold shower I would have done. It was quite small rain, if you know what I mean. It was just enough to cool me down and then the sun came out.
I went fairly slowly, it took me 1 hour 23 mins. It only hurt me when I stopped so I think I could have gone a bit further. I think it's all relative to how far from home I am really. I am getting to the point now where I need to drink more than my poncey little carry bottle will hold. The only way I think I can get round this is to stop off at home some way in to the run. Now can you just imagine that?? You've just gone, lets say, 6 miles then you grab a drink from home and keep on running. Quite possibly the same route you have just done. YOU GET HOME THEN YOU'VE GOT TO DO THE WHOLE BLOODY THING AGAIN! I can't help but think that would cause me some issues. Particularly if the kids see me, I don't think I have the resolve to keep going if they come and throw themselves at me. Having said that, they are unlikely to come and give me big cuddles and beg me to come home. It would be more like one child complaining that he had been hit on the head by his small sister with the wii remote and the other complaining that large brother had kicked her in her (none existent) nuts. Then Mr Lawson would have a face on because they were arguing so loud he can't hear the telly. Maybe that would make me run away after all......
Anyway, the only other alternatives are leaving a bottle of lucozade in a bush somewhere near to home but not near enough for me to bolt through the front door. Trouble with that is the thought of what might happen to it in the intervening hour. Unlikely that anything would pee/poo/crawl on it but the thought is enough to put me off.
I could arrange for the other Lawsons to meet me somewhere at a suggested time and hand me over the bottle. Yup. One of us would definitely be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go to local shop and buy one en route. Possible. But what if there is a queue? I don't mind stopping for a very short time but there's nothing worse than going to a local shop and some eejit in front is doing their weekly shop in there. That's really not what they are for is it??!
Ah well, problem not exactly solved but I've got a week to think about it some more. I don't really like the idea of doing 2 circuits of the same route. I would rather run half way and then run back again. After all, if I am 6 miles away from home I don't have a lot of choice but to run home. I suppose I could walk but it would take longer. Just need to sort out this re-fuelling issue!
On another subject, I have made a date with the trainer shop to go and get my gait analysed. Not without trepidation I might add. You have to get on their treadmill and have a little run. And you have to take your shorts because they like to be able to see your knees while you are running. Both of those things scare me a little. I have been on many different treadmills and I have never fallen off one (my friend did it in the gym at Ragdale Hall. It was the funniest thing I have EVER seen). Why I am quite convinced that it will happen to me in a shop full of people I have no idea. But I am. And there's nothing like knowing that one of your body parts is going to be getting particular attention to make you completely paranoid that your *insert body part* are going to be the weirdest ones they have ever seen. I will let you know how that goes. I am going on 4th August in the hope that my kind family will give me birthday money to spend :0)
Have a happy week,
J xx
And it rained. All the times I have been out I have never, until today, been caught in the rain. It was lovely! I was about 5 miles in and if I could have ordered a cold shower I would have done. It was quite small rain, if you know what I mean. It was just enough to cool me down and then the sun came out.
I went fairly slowly, it took me 1 hour 23 mins. It only hurt me when I stopped so I think I could have gone a bit further. I think it's all relative to how far from home I am really. I am getting to the point now where I need to drink more than my poncey little carry bottle will hold. The only way I think I can get round this is to stop off at home some way in to the run. Now can you just imagine that?? You've just gone, lets say, 6 miles then you grab a drink from home and keep on running. Quite possibly the same route you have just done. YOU GET HOME THEN YOU'VE GOT TO DO THE WHOLE BLOODY THING AGAIN! I can't help but think that would cause me some issues. Particularly if the kids see me, I don't think I have the resolve to keep going if they come and throw themselves at me. Having said that, they are unlikely to come and give me big cuddles and beg me to come home. It would be more like one child complaining that he had been hit on the head by his small sister with the wii remote and the other complaining that large brother had kicked her in her (none existent) nuts. Then Mr Lawson would have a face on because they were arguing so loud he can't hear the telly. Maybe that would make me run away after all......
Anyway, the only other alternatives are leaving a bottle of lucozade in a bush somewhere near to home but not near enough for me to bolt through the front door. Trouble with that is the thought of what might happen to it in the intervening hour. Unlikely that anything would pee/poo/crawl on it but the thought is enough to put me off.
I could arrange for the other Lawsons to meet me somewhere at a suggested time and hand me over the bottle. Yup. One of us would definitely be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go to local shop and buy one en route. Possible. But what if there is a queue? I don't mind stopping for a very short time but there's nothing worse than going to a local shop and some eejit in front is doing their weekly shop in there. That's really not what they are for is it??!
Ah well, problem not exactly solved but I've got a week to think about it some more. I don't really like the idea of doing 2 circuits of the same route. I would rather run half way and then run back again. After all, if I am 6 miles away from home I don't have a lot of choice but to run home. I suppose I could walk but it would take longer. Just need to sort out this re-fuelling issue!
On another subject, I have made a date with the trainer shop to go and get my gait analysed. Not without trepidation I might add. You have to get on their treadmill and have a little run. And you have to take your shorts because they like to be able to see your knees while you are running. Both of those things scare me a little. I have been on many different treadmills and I have never fallen off one (my friend did it in the gym at Ragdale Hall. It was the funniest thing I have EVER seen). Why I am quite convinced that it will happen to me in a shop full of people I have no idea. But I am. And there's nothing like knowing that one of your body parts is going to be getting particular attention to make you completely paranoid that your *insert body part* are going to be the weirdest ones they have ever seen. I will let you know how that goes. I am going on 4th August in the hope that my kind family will give me birthday money to spend :0)
Have a happy week,
J xx
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Better at running than writing!
Erm, it's been a while hasn't it?? I've not forgotten, just not got around to it. Must get myself one of those, a round tuit. Be quite useful I think.
Anyway, the good news is, whilst I haven't exactly been writing about it, I have been actually doing it. Running, that is. Out of all my scheduled training sessions in the last couple of months I have only missed 2. Which given the ramblings in my last post is quite remarkable really.
First thing I would like to crow about is that I did take my running stuff to Isle of Wight Festival. And I did use it. And not just because I'd run out of clean clothes either! I took to the streets early on the Friday morning. It wasn't the greatest run I have ever tackled as I did have a few scoops on Thursday night and I was rather tired. I did manage 3 miles though and once I'd had a drink of water I felt quite good. There was only one outing. It's just not good running after a skinful. Or in mud that would have gone up past my ankles. But at least I managed one. It was rather amusing though, being out on the streets of Newport at 7 o clock that morning. I was having to dodge past people staggering up the street from the night before. Quite a few of them. And they all looked at me like I was the nutter!
Next thing - I am now running 10k fairly comfortably and in reasonable time too. My first outing I managed it in 57min 51 sec. This week I cut that down to 56 min 5 sec. I am starting to think that I might actually manage to pull this off! Even though the half marathon is more than double this distance, to think that I was panting like an asthmatic, chain-smoking ant just running to the post box round the corner a few months back is quite encouraging when I look at what I can achieve today.
I have to confess that I have succumbed to another gadget though. I got myself (or rather Mr Lawson got me) a Garmin Forerunner watch with heart rate monitor and GPS. It's fecking amazing! Most crucially, it tells me how far I've gone and how fast. I was previously guessing my distances based on my time, assuming I was clocking up roughly a mile every 10 mins. I was fairly pleased to find that although my distances were fairly close to what I thought (I tested them out in the car too) but my speed was a little faster. I am now getting close to 9 minute miles. Whilst it did cost a few quid it really is a brilliant piece of kit. When you get back you plug it in to the computer and it shows you a map of where you have been and a breakdown of your heart rate and your timings (also elevation but that's pretty useless given that I live in the Fens. It's a flat line!) so you can really easily compare your times and work out your strategies.
Yes, I really said work out strategies. If you thought, as I did, that you just train a lot, shove your trainers on, have a gulp of lucozade and cross your fingers that you can last for 13.2 miles then you are, as I was, mistaken. I am sure that some people do do that but this whole thing has completely taken over my life. If I am not out running (and lets face it, it feels like I'm doing a lot but in terms of time spent, it works out at the moment to be about 2.5 hours a week actual running activity) then I am reading about it - I bought Paula Radcliffe's book 'How To Run' (I figured she knows her onions) and I also subscribe to Women's Running magazine. Is there any need for a separate mag for women? Given that they discuss such burning issues as how to make your bum smaller and which sports bras are best for the larger of knocker then I would say definitely there is a need. And it's really informative. If I'm not reading about running then I am looking up my stats on my Garmin page, working out how much time I might be able shave off my next 10k. If I'm not doing that then I'm looking for the best 10k to half marathon plan to suit me when my current training plan ends in 10 days. Trouble is, they are starting to look far more serious now, '15 minute easy run' is being replaced by '50 mins steady run' or '40 mins fartlek'. And what has happened to my 3 rest days?? Looks like I'm only going to get one from now on. Still, looking on the bright side, the side effects of all this are AWESOME! I could have sworn I saw a bit of muscle definition in my midriff area (when did it become a core??) the other day. Whilst I don't weigh much less than when I started I am most definitely smaller. Result!
Anyway, I am resolving to keep more up to date with my blogs from now. I think about what I am going to write when I'm running, it just rarely gets transferred on to virtual paper. If only there were an app for that! Second thoughts, I'm not sure I would like my thoughts directly downloaded.....
Until next week then!
J xx
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Anyway, the good news is, whilst I haven't exactly been writing about it, I have been actually doing it. Running, that is. Out of all my scheduled training sessions in the last couple of months I have only missed 2. Which given the ramblings in my last post is quite remarkable really.
First thing I would like to crow about is that I did take my running stuff to Isle of Wight Festival. And I did use it. And not just because I'd run out of clean clothes either! I took to the streets early on the Friday morning. It wasn't the greatest run I have ever tackled as I did have a few scoops on Thursday night and I was rather tired. I did manage 3 miles though and once I'd had a drink of water I felt quite good. There was only one outing. It's just not good running after a skinful. Or in mud that would have gone up past my ankles. But at least I managed one. It was rather amusing though, being out on the streets of Newport at 7 o clock that morning. I was having to dodge past people staggering up the street from the night before. Quite a few of them. And they all looked at me like I was the nutter!
Next thing - I am now running 10k fairly comfortably and in reasonable time too. My first outing I managed it in 57min 51 sec. This week I cut that down to 56 min 5 sec. I am starting to think that I might actually manage to pull this off! Even though the half marathon is more than double this distance, to think that I was panting like an asthmatic, chain-smoking ant just running to the post box round the corner a few months back is quite encouraging when I look at what I can achieve today.
I have to confess that I have succumbed to another gadget though. I got myself (or rather Mr Lawson got me) a Garmin Forerunner watch with heart rate monitor and GPS. It's fecking amazing! Most crucially, it tells me how far I've gone and how fast. I was previously guessing my distances based on my time, assuming I was clocking up roughly a mile every 10 mins. I was fairly pleased to find that although my distances were fairly close to what I thought (I tested them out in the car too) but my speed was a little faster. I am now getting close to 9 minute miles. Whilst it did cost a few quid it really is a brilliant piece of kit. When you get back you plug it in to the computer and it shows you a map of where you have been and a breakdown of your heart rate and your timings (also elevation but that's pretty useless given that I live in the Fens. It's a flat line!) so you can really easily compare your times and work out your strategies.
Yes, I really said work out strategies. If you thought, as I did, that you just train a lot, shove your trainers on, have a gulp of lucozade and cross your fingers that you can last for 13.2 miles then you are, as I was, mistaken. I am sure that some people do do that but this whole thing has completely taken over my life. If I am not out running (and lets face it, it feels like I'm doing a lot but in terms of time spent, it works out at the moment to be about 2.5 hours a week actual running activity) then I am reading about it - I bought Paula Radcliffe's book 'How To Run' (I figured she knows her onions) and I also subscribe to Women's Running magazine. Is there any need for a separate mag for women? Given that they discuss such burning issues as how to make your bum smaller and which sports bras are best for the larger of knocker then I would say definitely there is a need. And it's really informative. If I'm not reading about running then I am looking up my stats on my Garmin page, working out how much time I might be able shave off my next 10k. If I'm not doing that then I'm looking for the best 10k to half marathon plan to suit me when my current training plan ends in 10 days. Trouble is, they are starting to look far more serious now, '15 minute easy run' is being replaced by '50 mins steady run' or '40 mins fartlek'. And what has happened to my 3 rest days?? Looks like I'm only going to get one from now on. Still, looking on the bright side, the side effects of all this are AWESOME! I could have sworn I saw a bit of muscle definition in my midriff area (when did it become a core??) the other day. Whilst I don't weigh much less than when I started I am most definitely smaller. Result!
Anyway, I am resolving to keep more up to date with my blogs from now. I think about what I am going to write when I'm running, it just rarely gets transferred on to virtual paper. If only there were an app for that! Second thoughts, I'm not sure I would like my thoughts directly downloaded.....
Until next week then!
J xx
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Sunday, 8 May 2011
Busy Doing Nothing.
Happy Sunday! Done 4.5 miles this morning. Thought I was going to die. Honestly. I really must try and train more during the week. I am the absolute QUEEN of excuses though. Seriously, sometimes I think I should write them all down. I even believe myself.
OK, I'm 'busy'. I have 2 kids, I must be busy. I have a job, even though mostly it consists of 'working from home'. Therefore, every time I swich on the computer, I am WORKING. Even if i am on facebook. Or Ebay. Or just looking at things I can't afford in John Lewis. (Latest thing is a £439 Vitamix Blender. GOT to have one. They make soup and icecream.) Working. That's what I say to the kids if they want to play on Cbeebies or Playhouse Disney. Sorry, mummy's working. Come back later. Actually, I don't think I spend all that much time on the computer (I'm too busy). I mean, it's not like I play games or anything. And if I'm not playing, well, I must be working mustn't I? But the excuse I use for possibly not doing as much housework as I could/should is that I'm too 'busy' (work, kids, ect.). The excuse that I use for not getting as much work done as I should is that I'm too 'busy' (housework, kids etc.) The excuse I use for not getting in as much exercise as I should is that I'm too 'busy' (work, housework, kids bla bla bla, you get the picture) So what am I actually doing?? Think I will start to fill in a timesheet. In my head, it would be
0630 - 0830 Make lunch x 2, breakfast x 3. Glance at coffee made for me by kind husband. Dress children x 2 and self. Put face on self. Wash up breakfast things, shout at children x 2, get on coats x 3 and shoes x 6. Leave house for school.
0830 - 0930 Walk to school, discuss following with other mothers: weather/too many school holidays/other mothers bad hair or clothing choice/not enough school holidays. Walk back from school.
0930 - 1030 Make coffee x 1. Find more food for remaining child. Pick up mess from lounge and re-distribute upstairs. Find upstairs already has enough mess and therefore cannot accommodate extra mess. Find a temporary home for mess I am carrying in order to tidy up mess already upstairs. Decide some of the mess lives downstairs, so return downstairs. See cold coffee and slurp. Take cup in to kitchen and re-boil kettle. Coffees made = 2, coffees drank x 0 Put load 1 of 5 into washing machine. Return upstairs. Pick up some mess and re-distribute. Realise need to switch on printer so can work. Begin tidying room where printer lives. Return downstairs at behest of child needing weewee.
1030 - 1230 Go back to kitchen and re-boil kettle. Wash cup and put coffee and sugar in. Return upstairs but know not what I was originally doing up there. Remember printer and plug in. Realise I need to 'work' so return downstairs and retrieve laptop from under sofa. See crumbs/toys/raisins under sofa and return to kitchen to obtain dustpan & brush. Enter kitchen and see cup. Remembering coffee plans, re-boil kettle. Note to self - clean kitchen floor. Empty washing machine, take washing outside begin search for pegs. Return inside and make drink of juice at behest of small (screaming) child, administer a cuddle and watch Peppa Pig. Return to kitchen, finally poor hot water in to cup. Return to lounge with coffee, see pegs in toy box and return to garden to hang out washing. Begin hanging out washing.
1230 - 1445 Return to kitchen to find more food for yelling child. Wonder what everyone might want for tea. Re-boil kettle. Realise am hungry, eat whatever food child left on plate. Slurp more cold coffee. Return to kitchen to find kettle just boiled, chuck cold coffee down sink and re-fill cup with fresh coffee and sugar. Open fridge to get milk. Foul smell assaults nostrils. Clear out fridge. Re-boil kettle. Look out of window and see basket of half hung washing. Return outside to finish job. See laptop unswitched on. (Off?) Switch on laptop. Find dvd for yelling child. Tidy lounge whilst looking for dvd remote. Hear washing machine beep to signal end of cycle. Spend next 5 mins looking for washing basket. Give up. Carry wet washing to garden in arms. Trip over half full washing basket. Chuck new wet washing on top of old wet washing and begin to hang. Realise time to fetch child #1 from school. Wake up child #2 from slumber and insert in to pushchair. Slurp cold coffee on way out of door. Pour excess down sink. Coffees made x 5 coffees drank = 0.
1445 - 1645 Walk to school. Retrieve child #1. Attempt to walk back from school whilst child #1 picks up sticks/balls/feathers/unidentifiable articles from pavement and uses them as weapons agains child #2. Return from school, find food for ravenous children x 2. Re-boil kettle. 3 minutes on phone to Mr Lawson to field enquiries as to what is on the menu for tea. B***s. Pick up mess made by children x 2. Ransack cupboards in order to find food for hardworking husband that doesn't end in 'on toast'. Take random objects cleared off lounge floor upstairs only to re-discover unholy mess. Panic. Gather up another load of washing from floor and take downstairs. Load #3 enters machine. Remember half put out 2 loads of washing in garden. Not cluttering house so can be put on hold. Go to put away computer and realise have not actually done any work. Or drank coffee. Return to kitchen to put on kettle. Realise have not cleaned kitchen floor or washed up child related eating paraphernalia. Quickly wash up and wipe floor with baby wipe (recycled in order to reduce carbon footprint created by too much unnecessary kettle boiling - had been previously utilised to wipe away evidence of pre-meal chocolate consumption by children x 2). Have to be out at work in one hour and have done no preparation. Re-boil kettle, make coffee, put computer on lap. Just about enough time to have a quick drink and do my meeting preparation. Coffees made x 6 coffees drank = 1. Hurrah, am going to sit down and have a drink for the first time today!
1645 Mr Lawson returns from work to find 1 x tracksuited bottom adhered to sofa, coffee in hand, computer on lap with barely a trace of this mornings makeup lingering on face. Suddenly flashing before my eyes are: 1 x basket of wet washing in garden. 100 x crumbs/toys/raisins very visible under sofa, gathered around slippered feet. 0 x smell of delicious, homebaked food eminating from kitchen. 1 x gargantuan mess upstairs. 2 x children asking for food as though they had never been fed.
Mr Lawson thinks my time sheet would read 0830 - 1645 Watch Jeremy Kyle. Drink coffee, eat biscuits. Watch Neighbours & Home and Away. Drink coffee, eat biscuits. Watch Corrie & Enders off Sky+. Drink coffee and have some more biscuits. Put on computer and have a coffee, go on Facebook and pretend to be working when he comes home.
Ha, if only. When does he think I would get the time to make all that mess?!
Oh the joys!
Have a lovely week LLA. (Lazy Lard Arse)
OK, I'm 'busy'. I have 2 kids, I must be busy. I have a job, even though mostly it consists of 'working from home'. Therefore, every time I swich on the computer, I am WORKING. Even if i am on facebook. Or Ebay. Or just looking at things I can't afford in John Lewis. (Latest thing is a £439 Vitamix Blender. GOT to have one. They make soup and icecream.) Working. That's what I say to the kids if they want to play on Cbeebies or Playhouse Disney. Sorry, mummy's working. Come back later. Actually, I don't think I spend all that much time on the computer (I'm too busy). I mean, it's not like I play games or anything. And if I'm not playing, well, I must be working mustn't I? But the excuse I use for possibly not doing as much housework as I could/should is that I'm too 'busy' (work, kids, ect.). The excuse that I use for not getting as much work done as I should is that I'm too 'busy' (housework, kids etc.) The excuse I use for not getting in as much exercise as I should is that I'm too 'busy' (work, housework, kids bla bla bla, you get the picture) So what am I actually doing?? Think I will start to fill in a timesheet. In my head, it would be
0630 - 0830 Make lunch x 2, breakfast x 3. Glance at coffee made for me by kind husband. Dress children x 2 and self. Put face on self. Wash up breakfast things, shout at children x 2, get on coats x 3 and shoes x 6. Leave house for school.
0830 - 0930 Walk to school, discuss following with other mothers: weather/too many school holidays/other mothers bad hair or clothing choice/not enough school holidays. Walk back from school.
0930 - 1030 Make coffee x 1. Find more food for remaining child. Pick up mess from lounge and re-distribute upstairs. Find upstairs already has enough mess and therefore cannot accommodate extra mess. Find a temporary home for mess I am carrying in order to tidy up mess already upstairs. Decide some of the mess lives downstairs, so return downstairs. See cold coffee and slurp. Take cup in to kitchen and re-boil kettle. Coffees made = 2, coffees drank x 0 Put load 1 of 5 into washing machine. Return upstairs. Pick up some mess and re-distribute. Realise need to switch on printer so can work. Begin tidying room where printer lives. Return downstairs at behest of child needing weewee.
1030 - 1230 Go back to kitchen and re-boil kettle. Wash cup and put coffee and sugar in. Return upstairs but know not what I was originally doing up there. Remember printer and plug in. Realise I need to 'work' so return downstairs and retrieve laptop from under sofa. See crumbs/toys/raisins under sofa and return to kitchen to obtain dustpan & brush. Enter kitchen and see cup. Remembering coffee plans, re-boil kettle. Note to self - clean kitchen floor. Empty washing machine, take washing outside begin search for pegs. Return inside and make drink of juice at behest of small (screaming) child, administer a cuddle and watch Peppa Pig. Return to kitchen, finally poor hot water in to cup. Return to lounge with coffee, see pegs in toy box and return to garden to hang out washing. Begin hanging out washing.
1230 - 1445 Return to kitchen to find more food for yelling child. Wonder what everyone might want for tea. Re-boil kettle. Realise am hungry, eat whatever food child left on plate. Slurp more cold coffee. Return to kitchen to find kettle just boiled, chuck cold coffee down sink and re-fill cup with fresh coffee and sugar. Open fridge to get milk. Foul smell assaults nostrils. Clear out fridge. Re-boil kettle. Look out of window and see basket of half hung washing. Return outside to finish job. See laptop unswitched on. (Off?) Switch on laptop. Find dvd for yelling child. Tidy lounge whilst looking for dvd remote. Hear washing machine beep to signal end of cycle. Spend next 5 mins looking for washing basket. Give up. Carry wet washing to garden in arms. Trip over half full washing basket. Chuck new wet washing on top of old wet washing and begin to hang. Realise time to fetch child #1 from school. Wake up child #2 from slumber and insert in to pushchair. Slurp cold coffee on way out of door. Pour excess down sink. Coffees made x 5 coffees drank = 0.
1445 - 1645 Walk to school. Retrieve child #1. Attempt to walk back from school whilst child #1 picks up sticks/balls/feathers/unidentifiable articles from pavement and uses them as weapons agains child #2. Return from school, find food for ravenous children x 2. Re-boil kettle. 3 minutes on phone to Mr Lawson to field enquiries as to what is on the menu for tea. B***s. Pick up mess made by children x 2. Ransack cupboards in order to find food for hardworking husband that doesn't end in 'on toast'. Take random objects cleared off lounge floor upstairs only to re-discover unholy mess. Panic. Gather up another load of washing from floor and take downstairs. Load #3 enters machine. Remember half put out 2 loads of washing in garden. Not cluttering house so can be put on hold. Go to put away computer and realise have not actually done any work. Or drank coffee. Return to kitchen to put on kettle. Realise have not cleaned kitchen floor or washed up child related eating paraphernalia. Quickly wash up and wipe floor with baby wipe (recycled in order to reduce carbon footprint created by too much unnecessary kettle boiling - had been previously utilised to wipe away evidence of pre-meal chocolate consumption by children x 2). Have to be out at work in one hour and have done no preparation. Re-boil kettle, make coffee, put computer on lap. Just about enough time to have a quick drink and do my meeting preparation. Coffees made x 6 coffees drank = 1. Hurrah, am going to sit down and have a drink for the first time today!
1645 Mr Lawson returns from work to find 1 x tracksuited bottom adhered to sofa, coffee in hand, computer on lap with barely a trace of this mornings makeup lingering on face. Suddenly flashing before my eyes are: 1 x basket of wet washing in garden. 100 x crumbs/toys/raisins very visible under sofa, gathered around slippered feet. 0 x smell of delicious, homebaked food eminating from kitchen. 1 x gargantuan mess upstairs. 2 x children asking for food as though they had never been fed.
Mr Lawson thinks my time sheet would read 0830 - 1645 Watch Jeremy Kyle. Drink coffee, eat biscuits. Watch Neighbours & Home and Away. Drink coffee, eat biscuits. Watch Corrie & Enders off Sky+. Drink coffee and have some more biscuits. Put on computer and have a coffee, go on Facebook and pretend to be working when he comes home.
Ha, if only. When does he think I would get the time to make all that mess?!
Oh the joys!
Have a lovely week LLA. (Lazy Lard Arse)
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Music to My Ears. And Feet.
Ooh, been 2 weeks again. I am going to blame all these holidays. Will get the Royal Wedding bit over first, didn't she look gorgeous? William also of course but I am a bit more partial to Harry myself, although he did look like he had been rumaging around in a (rather posh) dressing up box. Last word on the subject has to go to Pippa Middleton, I heard her bum now has it's own Facebook page. Quite right too!
Went camping over the Easter weekend (wasn't the weather glorious??!) and had a lovely time. I debated long and hard with myself as to whether I should take my running gear (I say long and hard, I mean 5 minutes). Decision was made by the look on Mr Lawson's face when he got in from work on the Friday and saw all the bags I had packed. He did the typical man face when confronted with a woman's packing. The ensuing conversation was conducted without words. The man face said 'Do we really need to take all this crap?' I arranged my features to reply: 'You don't like it? Do it yourself then.' Apparently the message was received and understood, as he then started Man's Job #1 of loading the car. When I realised that there really was not any room left in the Focus, I thought better of trying to sneak in an extra bag.
Now, I said the weather was glorious. To a point, it was. As in, it's April, it's Easter Weekend, we are in North Norfolk. Therefore it should have been cold and rainy. It wasn't, it was pleasantly warm and nicely sunny, so in typical Brit fashion, we donned our shorts and flip flops and took to the beach. At 8.45 in the morning! Kids had a lovely time chucking pebbles in to the sea while I regarded those out running along the seafront with envy. Had I actually taken my trainers, chances are it would have been guilt instead, but I was happy to kid myslef that I would have churned out several miles with lungs full of sea air. I have promised myself that on my next camping trip, I will definitely take my gear. Next camping trip is looking likely to be the Isle of Wight Festival.
6 weeks ago, the prospect of my planning to get up early at a music festival and go for a run would have been, at best, unrealistic. At worst it would be laughable. After Mr Lawson's recent illness though, it may now be a distinct possibility. We have all but given up alcohol for 8 weeks (doctors orders). 5 weeks in and I am really starting to feel that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't have a drink again! Waking up with a clear head on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning (yes really) has been something of a revelation. I would imagine too that by the time mid June swings round training will have become a bit more intense and I won't be wanting to go 4 days without a run. Hmm. We will see. Will probably start first blog after festival with the words 'Did I go for a run? Did I heck.'
Anyway, on to training. In order to whip myself in to some kind of reasonable shape, I have been using a training plan from a website called Take To The Streets. You give it a bit of info and tell it the date and distance of your event and it will devise a training plan. Most of the plans are for about 12 weeks. First off, it is very surprising how much progress you can make in that short space of time. At present I am following a plan which will get me to 10k fitness by end of June. When that is completed, I will go from 10k to half marathon in good time before 9.10.11 arrives. The site kindly send you an email the night before your training day telling you what you should be doing the next day, so Tuesday night you might receive an email telling you that your training plan for Weds 4 May is a 20 minute steady run. It really is a godsend for a complete amateur such as myself. There is so much conflicting advice to be found - especially on t'internet so just to have a focus is great. And at this level, it is fairly easy to fit it in as runs are still around 15 - 20 mins so I can fit them in nice and early before the rugrats are even up, let alone demanding breakfast! That said, I tend to completely ignore what it tells me to do on a Sunday and go for a longer run of around 45 mins.
I run on my own. I do this for 2 reasons. #1 - I like it. #2 - I can't find anyone else bonkers enough to get up at stupid o'clock on a Sunday morning.
I am not entirely sure that, even if I could find a buddy, that I would want to run with anyone else anyway. Even more crucial piece of kit than my trainers and running bra is my nokia 'comes with music' phone. I have a really random selection of tunes on my running playlist. I started it off with some up-beat ditties that I thought had a decent beat to run to. Over the few months I have been doing this, it has evolved in to something completely different. It is hard to put in to words how absolutely crucial it is for me to have some good music to accompany me. Music has the power to either put a spring in your step or lead in your soles. Quite literally. The right song at the right time can give me wings. I have artists on my running playlist that I wouldn't consider listening to in my every day life - Taio Cruz, Beyonce, Tinie Tempah (Pass Out - GENIUS!), David Guetta and my current favorite - 'C'mon' by Tiesto vs Diplo featuring Busta Rhymes. Honest, it's brilliant!
I do like to 'mix it up' a bit though. I downloaded a 'Running Trax' album (do we still call then albums or am I sounding like somebody's mum? I did say 'downloaded' though, so that must count for something? incidentally, I was out for a walk yesterday and saw an ACTUAL RECORD on the floor. A 7". For some reason I didn't look to see what it was, might have to go back later.) Anyway, after a couple of runs I soon developed what I call a 'Ministry' headache. A bit like an icecream headache but bought on by too much dance music.
Now my playlist is a marvellous melting pot of different genres (I hate that word but it fits). It is particularly uplifting when you are starting to flag and you get the first few bars of a classic. It's all well and good having current music to listen to but it's great to have tunes that you don't hear every day. Not much puts a smile on my face like hearing 'Waterfall' or 'Love Spreads' by The Stone Roses, 'Won't Get Fooled Again' by The Who or (and this one's a real blast from my past) 'Its Yer Money I'm After Baby' by The Wunder Stuff. It can turn your run around from being hard flippin work in to an absolute pleasure. You can't have just anything though, it really needs to fit in with my footfall. But I don't think I will ever be one of those super-organised folk that has their play list in the right order for various different parts of their run. I am a shuffler. I like surprises!
Happy yet another Bank Holiday, JLxx
Went camping over the Easter weekend (wasn't the weather glorious??!) and had a lovely time. I debated long and hard with myself as to whether I should take my running gear (I say long and hard, I mean 5 minutes). Decision was made by the look on Mr Lawson's face when he got in from work on the Friday and saw all the bags I had packed. He did the typical man face when confronted with a woman's packing. The ensuing conversation was conducted without words. The man face said 'Do we really need to take all this crap?' I arranged my features to reply: 'You don't like it? Do it yourself then.' Apparently the message was received and understood, as he then started Man's Job #1 of loading the car. When I realised that there really was not any room left in the Focus, I thought better of trying to sneak in an extra bag.
Now, I said the weather was glorious. To a point, it was. As in, it's April, it's Easter Weekend, we are in North Norfolk. Therefore it should have been cold and rainy. It wasn't, it was pleasantly warm and nicely sunny, so in typical Brit fashion, we donned our shorts and flip flops and took to the beach. At 8.45 in the morning! Kids had a lovely time chucking pebbles in to the sea while I regarded those out running along the seafront with envy. Had I actually taken my trainers, chances are it would have been guilt instead, but I was happy to kid myslef that I would have churned out several miles with lungs full of sea air. I have promised myself that on my next camping trip, I will definitely take my gear. Next camping trip is looking likely to be the Isle of Wight Festival.
6 weeks ago, the prospect of my planning to get up early at a music festival and go for a run would have been, at best, unrealistic. At worst it would be laughable. After Mr Lawson's recent illness though, it may now be a distinct possibility. We have all but given up alcohol for 8 weeks (doctors orders). 5 weeks in and I am really starting to feel that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't have a drink again! Waking up with a clear head on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning (yes really) has been something of a revelation. I would imagine too that by the time mid June swings round training will have become a bit more intense and I won't be wanting to go 4 days without a run. Hmm. We will see. Will probably start first blog after festival with the words 'Did I go for a run? Did I heck.'
Anyway, on to training. In order to whip myself in to some kind of reasonable shape, I have been using a training plan from a website called Take To The Streets. You give it a bit of info and tell it the date and distance of your event and it will devise a training plan. Most of the plans are for about 12 weeks. First off, it is very surprising how much progress you can make in that short space of time. At present I am following a plan which will get me to 10k fitness by end of June. When that is completed, I will go from 10k to half marathon in good time before 9.10.11 arrives. The site kindly send you an email the night before your training day telling you what you should be doing the next day, so Tuesday night you might receive an email telling you that your training plan for Weds 4 May is a 20 minute steady run. It really is a godsend for a complete amateur such as myself. There is so much conflicting advice to be found - especially on t'internet so just to have a focus is great. And at this level, it is fairly easy to fit it in as runs are still around 15 - 20 mins so I can fit them in nice and early before the rugrats are even up, let alone demanding breakfast! That said, I tend to completely ignore what it tells me to do on a Sunday and go for a longer run of around 45 mins.
I run on my own. I do this for 2 reasons. #1 - I like it. #2 - I can't find anyone else bonkers enough to get up at stupid o'clock on a Sunday morning.
I am not entirely sure that, even if I could find a buddy, that I would want to run with anyone else anyway. Even more crucial piece of kit than my trainers and running bra is my nokia 'comes with music' phone. I have a really random selection of tunes on my running playlist. I started it off with some up-beat ditties that I thought had a decent beat to run to. Over the few months I have been doing this, it has evolved in to something completely different. It is hard to put in to words how absolutely crucial it is for me to have some good music to accompany me. Music has the power to either put a spring in your step or lead in your soles. Quite literally. The right song at the right time can give me wings. I have artists on my running playlist that I wouldn't consider listening to in my every day life - Taio Cruz, Beyonce, Tinie Tempah (Pass Out - GENIUS!), David Guetta and my current favorite - 'C'mon' by Tiesto vs Diplo featuring Busta Rhymes. Honest, it's brilliant!
I do like to 'mix it up' a bit though. I downloaded a 'Running Trax' album (do we still call then albums or am I sounding like somebody's mum? I did say 'downloaded' though, so that must count for something? incidentally, I was out for a walk yesterday and saw an ACTUAL RECORD on the floor. A 7". For some reason I didn't look to see what it was, might have to go back later.) Anyway, after a couple of runs I soon developed what I call a 'Ministry' headache. A bit like an icecream headache but bought on by too much dance music.
Now my playlist is a marvellous melting pot of different genres (I hate that word but it fits). It is particularly uplifting when you are starting to flag and you get the first few bars of a classic. It's all well and good having current music to listen to but it's great to have tunes that you don't hear every day. Not much puts a smile on my face like hearing 'Waterfall' or 'Love Spreads' by The Stone Roses, 'Won't Get Fooled Again' by The Who or (and this one's a real blast from my past) 'Its Yer Money I'm After Baby' by The Wunder Stuff. It can turn your run around from being hard flippin work in to an absolute pleasure. You can't have just anything though, it really needs to fit in with my footfall. But I don't think I will ever be one of those super-organised folk that has their play list in the right order for various different parts of their run. I am a shuffler. I like surprises!
Happy yet another Bank Holiday, JLxx
Monday, 18 April 2011
It's been a while!
I was planning on updating my blog every Sunday, as that's when I have been doing my longest run of the week. Well, a lot has happened since my last (and first!) entry.
It started on 26th March. Myself, Mr Lawson and our charming off spring were excitedly packing for a night away at Barnsdale Hall Hotel in Rutland. It was a surprise celebration for Mr Lawson Senior's 60th birthday. His lovely wife Vanessa had arranged for us to meet up at the hotel, have a nice lunch and a relaxing evening in a lovely 3 bedroom apartment set inside the hotel. Alongside the beatiful surroundings of Rutland Water, we had use of the swimming pool, gym and spa facilities. I was really looking forward to perhaps having a leisurely jog around the water ( not all the way round, I believe it is 27 miles and I'm so not ready for that yet) followed by a gentle swim, maybe a bit of spa time, catching up with the family over a bit of - hard earned - birthday cake and a glass of wine.
Instead, I spent the evening sat on a plastic chair with a plastic cup of coffee listening to Mr Lawson jnr's morphine induced ramblings in the emergency short stay ward of Peterborough City hospital. Whilst I have to confess to feeling a little sorry for myself for missing out on the much anticipated treats, my poor hubby was in agony following the onset of acute pancreatitis, so I wouldn't have traded places with him in a hurry! A thought should also be spared for the birthday boy and his wife, whose day will forever be associated with ambulances, hospitals and anxiety. Fortunately they were on hand to look after the children, who seemed to have a good time, in spite of the disappearing act perfomed by their father early on in the proceedings. The ambulance was summoned just afer my unsuspecting father in law had entered the room where we were waiting with some other family members to begin the celebrations. There was just enough time to yell 'Surprise!' to have a quick slug of bubbly and a tasy little canape before the green jumpsuited duo arrived to cart poor Mark away.
Following a 5 day stay in hospital and further recovery time at home, I am pleased to report that Mr Lawson Jnr is feeling much better. And can I be permitted to say that if you are planning on being taken ill on a weekend break any time soon, I can highly reccommend that you do it at Barnsdale Hall. Not only is the location beautiful, but the staff were fabulous too!
Anyway, as you can imagine, all that tooing and froing to hospital put a bit of a dent in my training schedule for a while. I didn't get back out until Mothers Day, when I dropped back a little to 3 miles. I was apprehensive about going backwards but over the last 2 weeks have got back to where I was before the incident.
Things I have learned: The importance of hydration.
I usually run in the morning, after I have had a cup of coffe and a glass of water. A couple of weeks ago, I ran at 2 in the afternoon on my 3 mile route. About 3/4 of a mile from home, I had to stop and walk. I was sweating, my head was banging and I just couldn't make another step. I staggered home feeling completely gutted. I sat down to figure out what I had done differently.
My conclusion was that I had gone through the day having had nothing more to drink than my morning glass of water and coffee, therefore dehydration was to blame. I felt much better having a reason for my 'failure'.
I have since struggled to get the balance quite right. It is quite difficult to ensure that you have taken on enough liquid before you go without guzzling so much that you need a wee 5 minutes in! I am getting the hang of it now, but have bought myself one of those bottles with the hand grip through the middle so I can slurp on the go. Strangely enough it was one purchase I was a little reluctant to make as I always thought the types that you see running with one of those were all show and no substance. I stand corrected!
I saw Bear Grylls on telly the other day. He ripped the head off a humungous, deadly snake and took a bite out of its body which bizzarely didn't put me off him, quite the opposite if I'm being honest. Anyway, he was saying that even just 2% dehydration can impair body performance by up to 20% so there you go. Lesson learned!
I haven't done much on the fundraising front for a few weeks, I am waiting for August and then I will begin in earnest. So my total still stands at a very respectable £120. Just in case you are feeling flush, link to page below! Until next week folks JL x
http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/runningforsparkles
It started on 26th March. Myself, Mr Lawson and our charming off spring were excitedly packing for a night away at Barnsdale Hall Hotel in Rutland. It was a surprise celebration for Mr Lawson Senior's 60th birthday. His lovely wife Vanessa had arranged for us to meet up at the hotel, have a nice lunch and a relaxing evening in a lovely 3 bedroom apartment set inside the hotel. Alongside the beatiful surroundings of Rutland Water, we had use of the swimming pool, gym and spa facilities. I was really looking forward to perhaps having a leisurely jog around the water ( not all the way round, I believe it is 27 miles and I'm so not ready for that yet) followed by a gentle swim, maybe a bit of spa time, catching up with the family over a bit of - hard earned - birthday cake and a glass of wine.
Instead, I spent the evening sat on a plastic chair with a plastic cup of coffee listening to Mr Lawson jnr's morphine induced ramblings in the emergency short stay ward of Peterborough City hospital. Whilst I have to confess to feeling a little sorry for myself for missing out on the much anticipated treats, my poor hubby was in agony following the onset of acute pancreatitis, so I wouldn't have traded places with him in a hurry! A thought should also be spared for the birthday boy and his wife, whose day will forever be associated with ambulances, hospitals and anxiety. Fortunately they were on hand to look after the children, who seemed to have a good time, in spite of the disappearing act perfomed by their father early on in the proceedings. The ambulance was summoned just afer my unsuspecting father in law had entered the room where we were waiting with some other family members to begin the celebrations. There was just enough time to yell 'Surprise!' to have a quick slug of bubbly and a tasy little canape before the green jumpsuited duo arrived to cart poor Mark away.
Following a 5 day stay in hospital and further recovery time at home, I am pleased to report that Mr Lawson Jnr is feeling much better. And can I be permitted to say that if you are planning on being taken ill on a weekend break any time soon, I can highly reccommend that you do it at Barnsdale Hall. Not only is the location beautiful, but the staff were fabulous too!
Anyway, as you can imagine, all that tooing and froing to hospital put a bit of a dent in my training schedule for a while. I didn't get back out until Mothers Day, when I dropped back a little to 3 miles. I was apprehensive about going backwards but over the last 2 weeks have got back to where I was before the incident.
Things I have learned: The importance of hydration.
I usually run in the morning, after I have had a cup of coffe and a glass of water. A couple of weeks ago, I ran at 2 in the afternoon on my 3 mile route. About 3/4 of a mile from home, I had to stop and walk. I was sweating, my head was banging and I just couldn't make another step. I staggered home feeling completely gutted. I sat down to figure out what I had done differently.
My conclusion was that I had gone through the day having had nothing more to drink than my morning glass of water and coffee, therefore dehydration was to blame. I felt much better having a reason for my 'failure'.
I have since struggled to get the balance quite right. It is quite difficult to ensure that you have taken on enough liquid before you go without guzzling so much that you need a wee 5 minutes in! I am getting the hang of it now, but have bought myself one of those bottles with the hand grip through the middle so I can slurp on the go. Strangely enough it was one purchase I was a little reluctant to make as I always thought the types that you see running with one of those were all show and no substance. I stand corrected!
I saw Bear Grylls on telly the other day. He ripped the head off a humungous, deadly snake and took a bite out of its body which bizzarely didn't put me off him, quite the opposite if I'm being honest. Anyway, he was saying that even just 2% dehydration can impair body performance by up to 20% so there you go. Lesson learned!
I haven't done much on the fundraising front for a few weeks, I am waiting for August and then I will begin in earnest. So my total still stands at a very respectable £120. Just in case you are feeling flush, link to page below! Until next week folks JL x
http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/runningforsparkles
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