My last run of February 2015 covered 12.7 km (7.9 miles.)
This year my average pace has steadily been increasing, today it was 6.57 minutes per km (11.11 minutes per mile.)
My park run average pace is faster and currently sits at 10.34 minutes per mile.
I was on my feet for almost an hour and a half today, the longest time so far this year. And, I did not walk, at all, not even on the hills.
This month I have run 105.4 km (65.49 miles) which means had I been able to do this all in one go I would have got to Plymouth!
Most importantly, today I burned 811 calories.
I encountered 2 rude horse riders and several ignorant drivers today. (I might not be quick but overall I was quicker than the horses, the riders just couldn't bear to accept that. I have read and understand the highway code, drivers should read it too.)
Friday 27 February 2015
Tuesday 17 February 2015
Really Really Good
I had a panic. The Taunton half marathon is not that far away and I have been struggling to get some distance under my belt. I counted the weeks and realised that as long as I increased my runs by a mile each week I would still reach the required distance by April.
I have this past week been doing two circuits of a close to home run. The route includes a sharp hill, not overly long but a long way up none the less. So far this year I have not managed to run all the way to the top, every meeting has resulted in my gasping for breath on the final third, giving up and giving in to walking the last lump.
Today I decided to attack the route in a different way. To start I jogged to the first junction, a very gentle incline all the way and then turned around and ran back home. I usually push as hard as I can on this home stretch and it felt so good to do it on fresh legs.
A quick turn and back to the junction and further on, this time to the next bend in the lane and just where the hill begins to really climb. Another about turn and back to the junction. Forward once more to make the climb to the midway plateau, not too fast, head down, small steps and then turn, oh how good my legs felt all the way back down.
I climbed again, just as before, my legs were burning this time but up onto the level and a brief respite before tackling the steep section. I was determined to get to the drain cover at the top without walking and I did, although, technically I'm not sure it could be called running! Oh the relief of the downward stretch, and then I had to do it again. Much harder this time but once more I was at the top.
No time to stop, a right turn and still climbing I headed to the woods. Now I was into the loop with a lovely gentle decline for at least a third of the section. Horses ahead, I slowed and called hello and passed carefully whilst chatting to the riders, one a celebrity no less! I warned I would be back round shortly but I didn't see them again, they were too quick for me!
It was during the second loop that I suddenly realised that I had stopped thinking about my legs, my breathing was steady and not laboured. I was thoroughly enjoying myself in the glorious sunshine and really felt that I could have gone even further. This was the first time this year that I hadn't been quietly moaning to myself that this running lark wasn't getting any easier.
I flew down over the conquered hill and tried really hard to keep up my pace all the way home. With not much fuel in the tank I even picked up my toes for a bit of a sprint finish.
You know when a run is REALLY REALLY good? Well that.
I have this past week been doing two circuits of a close to home run. The route includes a sharp hill, not overly long but a long way up none the less. So far this year I have not managed to run all the way to the top, every meeting has resulted in my gasping for breath on the final third, giving up and giving in to walking the last lump.
Today I decided to attack the route in a different way. To start I jogged to the first junction, a very gentle incline all the way and then turned around and ran back home. I usually push as hard as I can on this home stretch and it felt so good to do it on fresh legs.
A quick turn and back to the junction and further on, this time to the next bend in the lane and just where the hill begins to really climb. Another about turn and back to the junction. Forward once more to make the climb to the midway plateau, not too fast, head down, small steps and then turn, oh how good my legs felt all the way back down.
I climbed again, just as before, my legs were burning this time but up onto the level and a brief respite before tackling the steep section. I was determined to get to the drain cover at the top without walking and I did, although, technically I'm not sure it could be called running! Oh the relief of the downward stretch, and then I had to do it again. Much harder this time but once more I was at the top.
No time to stop, a right turn and still climbing I headed to the woods. Now I was into the loop with a lovely gentle decline for at least a third of the section. Horses ahead, I slowed and called hello and passed carefully whilst chatting to the riders, one a celebrity no less! I warned I would be back round shortly but I didn't see them again, they were too quick for me!
It was during the second loop that I suddenly realised that I had stopped thinking about my legs, my breathing was steady and not laboured. I was thoroughly enjoying myself in the glorious sunshine and really felt that I could have gone even further. This was the first time this year that I hadn't been quietly moaning to myself that this running lark wasn't getting any easier.
I flew down over the conquered hill and tried really hard to keep up my pace all the way home. With not much fuel in the tank I even picked up my toes for a bit of a sprint finish.
You know when a run is REALLY REALLY good? Well that.
Saturday 7 February 2015
Full of Beans
The Power of Exercise
Friday 6.30 p.m. - I retire to bed. I am exhausted after a full week of babysitting, shopping, cooking, running and socialising. I cannot do another thing. My body refuses to move and my head needs to sleep.
Friday 10.00 p.m. - Lights out, although I have not watched a whole program all evening. Nor have I played my word game or checked social media. All evening I have been dozing. Except for a quick dash downstairs for a piece of toast and a cup of tea.
Saturday 8.00 a.m. - I wake late. I'm dizzy. My head is fuzzy. It looks cold outside. I could skip park run, Vicki has gone on a long run so nobody will know if I don't go. Don't think I can go. I feel terrible. If I don't go Vicki will shoot ahead of me on our Nike Leader Table. I stumble out of bed and dress in the appropriate cold weather running kit. Actually it was the first kit that came to hand and my bottoms don't meet my ankles, brrrr. I grab gloves, hat and a few gulps of water. No breakfast, no second cuppa. This might not be good but I'm going to give it a go.
Saturday 9.00 a.m. I'm lined up alongside all the others. I'm waiting in the correct place, the finish after 30 minutes place. I wonder if I will ever move in front of that sign. It's bitter cold, my bare legs are fine but I'm now wishing I was wearing the gloves instead of leaving them in the car. I'm joined by the lovely Jan and Lolly, a quick hello to Kath and at last the hooter sounds and off we go. The usual leg aches begin and I hope that it will soon pass and that I move into the actually this feels OK phase. Loose lace, almost every run, I must tie doubles, I must tie doubles. Jan and Lolly creep ahead and I spend the next 1/4 of the run trying hard to catch them, every person they pass I manage to also. I'm nearly there but once onto the second lap I just can't and they steadily pull away from me. Today I have my ear phones with me and I decide to listen in and hope that it will help me relax. It does. The second lap is always hard but I plough on, determined to not walk, I don't. A small burst towards the end, I will not be overtaken on the line and I manage to pass three more runners. And breathe. And, I manage to remember to turn my iPod off, this usually happens several minutes after stopping, so today my time might be somewhat nearer the official time. I am delighted to see I might be as much as three minutes quicker than a fortnight ago, which was my first park run for months.
Saturday 10.10 a.m. - I do usually shower and change before having breakfast after running but today my bread is toasting on the Aga and the beans are in the microwave before I've even taken my trainers off or plugged my Nike chip into the computer. I am starving and my first mug of tea doesn't touch the sides. On checking my stats I am so happy to see I've recorded my fastest pace since my new year day run and it's an OK one. I'm getting back, slowly, slowly but surely.
Saturday 1.30 - I am feeling great, my fuggy head and aching body has gone. I feel bright eyed and I am literally full of beans. The chores are done, I've spent some time taking photographs and caught up with emails. I've loads to do this afternoon and I'm also wondering if running every day is a sensible option, I can't wait to get my trainers on again. The power of exercise never ceases to amaze me.
Friday 6.30 p.m. - I retire to bed. I am exhausted after a full week of babysitting, shopping, cooking, running and socialising. I cannot do another thing. My body refuses to move and my head needs to sleep.
Friday 10.00 p.m. - Lights out, although I have not watched a whole program all evening. Nor have I played my word game or checked social media. All evening I have been dozing. Except for a quick dash downstairs for a piece of toast and a cup of tea.
Saturday 8.00 a.m. - I wake late. I'm dizzy. My head is fuzzy. It looks cold outside. I could skip park run, Vicki has gone on a long run so nobody will know if I don't go. Don't think I can go. I feel terrible. If I don't go Vicki will shoot ahead of me on our Nike Leader Table. I stumble out of bed and dress in the appropriate cold weather running kit. Actually it was the first kit that came to hand and my bottoms don't meet my ankles, brrrr. I grab gloves, hat and a few gulps of water. No breakfast, no second cuppa. This might not be good but I'm going to give it a go.
Saturday 9.00 a.m. I'm lined up alongside all the others. I'm waiting in the correct place, the finish after 30 minutes place. I wonder if I will ever move in front of that sign. It's bitter cold, my bare legs are fine but I'm now wishing I was wearing the gloves instead of leaving them in the car. I'm joined by the lovely Jan and Lolly, a quick hello to Kath and at last the hooter sounds and off we go. The usual leg aches begin and I hope that it will soon pass and that I move into the actually this feels OK phase. Loose lace, almost every run, I must tie doubles, I must tie doubles. Jan and Lolly creep ahead and I spend the next 1/4 of the run trying hard to catch them, every person they pass I manage to also. I'm nearly there but once onto the second lap I just can't and they steadily pull away from me. Today I have my ear phones with me and I decide to listen in and hope that it will help me relax. It does. The second lap is always hard but I plough on, determined to not walk, I don't. A small burst towards the end, I will not be overtaken on the line and I manage to pass three more runners. And breathe. And, I manage to remember to turn my iPod off, this usually happens several minutes after stopping, so today my time might be somewhat nearer the official time. I am delighted to see I might be as much as three minutes quicker than a fortnight ago, which was my first park run for months.
Saturday 10.10 a.m. - I do usually shower and change before having breakfast after running but today my bread is toasting on the Aga and the beans are in the microwave before I've even taken my trainers off or plugged my Nike chip into the computer. I am starving and my first mug of tea doesn't touch the sides. On checking my stats I am so happy to see I've recorded my fastest pace since my new year day run and it's an OK one. I'm getting back, slowly, slowly but surely.
Saturday 1.30 - I am feeling great, my fuggy head and aching body has gone. I feel bright eyed and I am literally full of beans. The chores are done, I've spent some time taking photographs and caught up with emails. I've loads to do this afternoon and I'm also wondering if running every day is a sensible option, I can't wait to get my trainers on again. The power of exercise never ceases to amaze me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)