Ali, my Saturday morning running buddy.
Buses, delivering the early morning workers.
A cat that owned the road.
Dogs, tails a wagging, noses sniffing.
Eco art bringing a dead tree back to beautiful life.
Fog, in all its autumn glory.
Gates to be vaulted.
Houses big and small.
Inclines to be beaten.
Joggers jogging.
Kettle, my first point of call upon my return.
Long Run Meadows, nearing the end.
Miles, 5.5 covered today.
Nike, my precious chip storing the stats.
Opportunities taken to extend the route.
Pavements travelled around the town.
Queues of traffic waiting at the lights.
Roads leading to achievement.
Stiles to be climbed.
Train track to be crossed.
Underground, overground, litter waiting for the wombles.
Very well done, running for longer.
Walking for less.
eXcited wedding talk.
Yesterday's exercise.
Today's rest zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Thursday, 13 September 2012
220
I've got my number...
Yesterday I ran with a running club for the first time. My long time friend and occasional running partner Tina suggested that I and our joint friend Fi joined her and her running club as they were going to do the Taunton 10k route. Great idea we thought and agreed to met her at 6.30 at the start of the route. Fi and me arrived at the same time and both declared how nervous we were. We found Tina and the group and soon set off. Almost immediately we were abandoned by the 3 males in the group who declared the pace was slow!
Slow, I was barely able to breath and already panicking and deciding that there was no way I was going to keep up with this lot. After a brief level start an incline had me almost gasping barely able to make polite conversation with the person next to me. Inclines are quite often followed by declines and during this short stretch I was able to take off my jacket and relax a little.
Running with a group brought quite a few differences to running solo or with a partner. We were now on a stretch of road without a pavement and we were on the left side of the road, the back marker shouts out when vehicles are approaching and single file is observed. I spent quite a lot of the route in my customary place at the back and every now and then those leading and widening the gap loop back and rejoin at the back for a while. I felt quite guilty about this, after all it was highly unlikely that I would ever have to loop!
A brief stop at Stoke for water kindly left by one of the boys by now far, far into the distance, was much appreciated although the stop really broke my albeit slow rhythm, plus an incline up to the church had me once again thinking I was not going to make it back. I didn't dare look at my ipod to check how far we had gone nor to check the pace, we were definitely moving more quickly than I am used to. I struggled for the next kilometer but then seemed to have a second wind, I was right up with the front runners, apart from the whippet leading the way, and as I knew a downhill was fast approaching I so dearly wanted to overtake them but thought that might not be polite etiquette and decided to stay where I was. I was enjoying following somebody, keeping in time with their rhythm.
Only a few minutes later and I was at the back again. Fi and I ran together for a while through my most hated section, the road through Haydon. It's long and I am always slow through here. Last year during the race I had serious concerns that I would have to walk, fortunately on this outing I managed to keep going, probably because the back runner, whose name I didn't manage to find out, kept me going. She assured me she didn't mind how slow we travelled and she kept reassuring me that I could keep going.
The last incline up and over the M5, oh my, so hard, I was so hot, so tired, more encouragement got me to the other side and I was able to relax into the downhill and make some headway towards the pack, the whippet in pink was long gone but I wasn't letting the rest disappear. The back runner and another girl, who I am sure isn't normally at the back but who was having problems getting her breathing right were behind me. I had to keep going I had to keep my pace up, I was not going to be last, they were not going to catch me.
Last turn to the end, they caught me, I could hear them, I thought they were going to overtake, but they shouted encouragement, they told me to not let them catch me, they told me to run, I found something from somewhere, it burned like hell, my legs hurt, there's nothing left, I must not stop, I must not stop.
I did it. At last I could stop. I had knocked 3 minutes off my most recent time for the route and 2 minutes off my previous fastest time. And now Fi and me have to do it all again on Sunday 30th September. Tina and Fi are going with Running Forever again next Wednesday, will I join them?
Yesterday I ran with a running club for the first time. My long time friend and occasional running partner Tina suggested that I and our joint friend Fi joined her and her running club as they were going to do the Taunton 10k route. Great idea we thought and agreed to met her at 6.30 at the start of the route. Fi and me arrived at the same time and both declared how nervous we were. We found Tina and the group and soon set off. Almost immediately we were abandoned by the 3 males in the group who declared the pace was slow!
Slow, I was barely able to breath and already panicking and deciding that there was no way I was going to keep up with this lot. After a brief level start an incline had me almost gasping barely able to make polite conversation with the person next to me. Inclines are quite often followed by declines and during this short stretch I was able to take off my jacket and relax a little.
Running with a group brought quite a few differences to running solo or with a partner. We were now on a stretch of road without a pavement and we were on the left side of the road, the back marker shouts out when vehicles are approaching and single file is observed. I spent quite a lot of the route in my customary place at the back and every now and then those leading and widening the gap loop back and rejoin at the back for a while. I felt quite guilty about this, after all it was highly unlikely that I would ever have to loop!
A brief stop at Stoke for water kindly left by one of the boys by now far, far into the distance, was much appreciated although the stop really broke my albeit slow rhythm, plus an incline up to the church had me once again thinking I was not going to make it back. I didn't dare look at my ipod to check how far we had gone nor to check the pace, we were definitely moving more quickly than I am used to. I struggled for the next kilometer but then seemed to have a second wind, I was right up with the front runners, apart from the whippet leading the way, and as I knew a downhill was fast approaching I so dearly wanted to overtake them but thought that might not be polite etiquette and decided to stay where I was. I was enjoying following somebody, keeping in time with their rhythm.
Only a few minutes later and I was at the back again. Fi and I ran together for a while through my most hated section, the road through Haydon. It's long and I am always slow through here. Last year during the race I had serious concerns that I would have to walk, fortunately on this outing I managed to keep going, probably because the back runner, whose name I didn't manage to find out, kept me going. She assured me she didn't mind how slow we travelled and she kept reassuring me that I could keep going.
The last incline up and over the M5, oh my, so hard, I was so hot, so tired, more encouragement got me to the other side and I was able to relax into the downhill and make some headway towards the pack, the whippet in pink was long gone but I wasn't letting the rest disappear. The back runner and another girl, who I am sure isn't normally at the back but who was having problems getting her breathing right were behind me. I had to keep going I had to keep my pace up, I was not going to be last, they were not going to catch me.
Last turn to the end, they caught me, I could hear them, I thought they were going to overtake, but they shouted encouragement, they told me to not let them catch me, they told me to run, I found something from somewhere, it burned like hell, my legs hurt, there's nothing left, I must not stop, I must not stop.
I did it. At last I could stop. I had knocked 3 minutes off my most recent time for the route and 2 minutes off my previous fastest time. And now Fi and me have to do it all again on Sunday 30th September. Tina and Fi are going with Running Forever again next Wednesday, will I join them?
Sunday, 9 September 2012
A New PB For Pace
I don't follow a running plan as such but I do log all my runs and I like to run circuitous routes both clockwise and anti-clockwise and on more than one occasion to see if I can beat my times. Having done this on all the runs on my current run sheet I decided to look for runs I have recorded that I haven't done for a while. I was relieved when the first run on old chart was a 5.8 km out and back trip to the motorway bridge.
I spent a lovely day in glorious sunshine with my Mum at Tyntsfield on Saturday. Having spent most of the day taking photographs with my new camera and once I dropped Mum home I made a flying dash to Asda before spending just a few hours unsuccessfully trying to download/upload the pictures onto my Facebook page I was very pleased to be doing a short run. I had found getting out of bed very difficult.
I set out nice and steady, and tried to speed up for every other ipod track which I mostly succeeded in doing. The lane was busy today, lots of dog walkers, cyclists and runners but noticeably no horses. I would just like to pick up on a point recently made by my running partner Ali, a brief nod of the head, a raise of the hand and best of all a smile and or a greeting would be much appreciated, especially if you're moving more quickly than me!
I was pleasantly surprised to find my homeward journey was happening quite nicely and I was still managing to push forward with extra effort on the alternative song. I even managed a longer than usual sprint finish. Sitting on my garden wall I was gasping for breath whilst my Nike chip commentator congratulated me on clocking up another 250 miles. I listened to my 37 minute achievement stats but it wasn't until I filled in my log sheet that I realised I had beaten my best pace speed.
One delighted runner!
Now, how do i get those photos off my camera...
I spent a lovely day in glorious sunshine with my Mum at Tyntsfield on Saturday. Having spent most of the day taking photographs with my new camera and once I dropped Mum home I made a flying dash to Asda before spending just a few hours unsuccessfully trying to download/upload the pictures onto my Facebook page I was very pleased to be doing a short run. I had found getting out of bed very difficult.
I set out nice and steady, and tried to speed up for every other ipod track which I mostly succeeded in doing. The lane was busy today, lots of dog walkers, cyclists and runners but noticeably no horses. I would just like to pick up on a point recently made by my running partner Ali, a brief nod of the head, a raise of the hand and best of all a smile and or a greeting would be much appreciated, especially if you're moving more quickly than me!
I was pleasantly surprised to find my homeward journey was happening quite nicely and I was still managing to push forward with extra effort on the alternative song. I even managed a longer than usual sprint finish. Sitting on my garden wall I was gasping for breath whilst my Nike chip commentator congratulated me on clocking up another 250 miles. I listened to my 37 minute achievement stats but it wasn't until I filled in my log sheet that I realised I had beaten my best pace speed.
One delighted runner!
Now, how do i get those photos off my camera...
Friday, 7 September 2012
Once, Twice, Three Times A...
Lady?
No I don't think so!
I ran 8.5 km on Wednesday. I ran 5.5 km on Thursday. I ran 11.5 km today. 25 km in one week and I haven't done my Sunday run yet.
Three days in a row and I'm well happy. Apart from running into a lamp post on today's run with my new running buddy Fi!
Fi has entered the Taunton 10k on September 30th as have I so we thought we had best run together before the big day. I hope I didn't slow her down too much, she certainly put me through my paces but I thoroughly enjoyed our outing, apart from the huffing and puffing and the uphills.
Next Wednesday we are running the Taunton 10k route with Tina, a friend of ours and her running club Running Forever. I'm sure I shall keep you posted. I am quietly terrified, I know I shall be at the back.
But now I need to put the kettle on and my feet up.
Goodnight x
No I don't think so!
I ran 8.5 km on Wednesday. I ran 5.5 km on Thursday. I ran 11.5 km today. 25 km in one week and I haven't done my Sunday run yet.
Three days in a row and I'm well happy. Apart from running into a lamp post on today's run with my new running buddy Fi!
Fi has entered the Taunton 10k on September 30th as have I so we thought we had best run together before the big day. I hope I didn't slow her down too much, she certainly put me through my paces but I thoroughly enjoyed our outing, apart from the huffing and puffing and the uphills.
Next Wednesday we are running the Taunton 10k route with Tina, a friend of ours and her running club Running Forever. I'm sure I shall keep you posted. I am quietly terrified, I know I shall be at the back.
But now I need to put the kettle on and my feet up.
Goodnight x
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
My Waistband's Too Tight!
Orange linen Boden skirt - not a chance.
Red linen cropped trousers - OK 'til lunchtime.
Blue Boden skirt - Too tight right from the morning.
Green cropped trousers - bearable and I only undid the button to eat my lunch and then to drive home!
Goodness knows what I'm going to try and wear tomorrow.
Can I wear my PJs?
Red linen cropped trousers - OK 'til lunchtime.
Blue Boden skirt - Too tight right from the morning.
Green cropped trousers - bearable and I only undid the button to eat my lunch and then to drive home!
Goodness knows what I'm going to try and wear tomorrow.
Can I wear my PJs?
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Half of a Half
Hurrah - we did it!
Today Ali and I ran from Bridgwater Docks to Maunsel Lock. In my mind, completing this canal from Bridgwater to Taunton in one go will mean that I am able to complete a half marathon. Today we completed about half of the canal (give or take a km or two) therefore at this point in time I can complete half of a half marathon (give or take a km or two.) Taunton half marathon look out, we're coming...
Ali's lovely husband Chris picked me up and delivered us to Bridgwater Docks at just gone 10 this morning. Two heavy downpours earlier this morning had us both in our jackets but determined to complete this half of the Taunton to Bridgwater canal and we set off in beautiful sunshine with a gentle breeze pushing us onwards.
Once we had sorted our clothing issues we settled down to the job in hand. Heavy rain the previous day and night meant the path was quite muddy in places and the canal was very high but the water was crystal clear. Today we met several walkers both with and without four legged furry friends, cyclists - one even with a working bell - and workmen. Just past The Boat & Anchor pub the men were laying a new hardcore path, a short stretch of red carpet gravel both pleasing to the eye and gentle to the foot.
The second third seemed interminably long with me declaring on numerous occasions that we were getting near to North Newton, eventually we did get to North Newton and we were both very glad we had decided against tackling the whole route in one go. This really is a most beautiful part of the country and if you have never had the chance to walk/run/cycle the path I sincerely suggest you do. There are car parks at various points along the way and if you time your exploration well you can find tea & cake or a pint and a sandwich or more at several hostelries along the way.
Both Ali and myself are keen photographers and at several spots we both declared a good view or doe eyed creature just waiting to be captured. We are now both keen to retrace our steps laden down with walking boots, cameras and lenses various. At last Ali spied the Union Flag fluttering in the now strong headwind signaling our almost arrival at Maunsel Lock. Steely determination and the fear that Chris may be stationed on the bridge with his camera led us to complete our morning's exercise with a final burst of running up and over the final bridge into the cafe.
A very nice young man gladly gave us a glass of water each whilst we decided which toasted sandwiches we were going to eat to celebrate our success, it was lunchtime after all! He congratulated us on our achievement and he did seem very sincere in his admiration for what we had done. He then told us that later today he was taking part in a fifty mile cycle ride! Our deflation only lasted momentarily before we returned the admiration for his forthcoming endeavour.
According to the markers along the way we had completed 10.2 km, Ali's Nike chip said about 12 km and mine said 14 km. Sadly, I suspect the former distance is the correct one, but we are taking Ali's reading as the truer reading, being the middle one, but I have logged my distance into my stats as it is relevant to all the other distances I have logged.
This is the furthest I have ever run and is the longest time I have been running for.
Today is a good day 8)
Today Ali and I ran from Bridgwater Docks to Maunsel Lock. In my mind, completing this canal from Bridgwater to Taunton in one go will mean that I am able to complete a half marathon. Today we completed about half of the canal (give or take a km or two) therefore at this point in time I can complete half of a half marathon (give or take a km or two.) Taunton half marathon look out, we're coming...
Once we had sorted our clothing issues we settled down to the job in hand. Heavy rain the previous day and night meant the path was quite muddy in places and the canal was very high but the water was crystal clear. Today we met several walkers both with and without four legged furry friends, cyclists - one even with a working bell - and workmen. Just past The Boat & Anchor pub the men were laying a new hardcore path, a short stretch of red carpet gravel both pleasing to the eye and gentle to the foot.
The second third seemed interminably long with me declaring on numerous occasions that we were getting near to North Newton, eventually we did get to North Newton and we were both very glad we had decided against tackling the whole route in one go. This really is a most beautiful part of the country and if you have never had the chance to walk/run/cycle the path I sincerely suggest you do. There are car parks at various points along the way and if you time your exploration well you can find tea & cake or a pint and a sandwich or more at several hostelries along the way.
Both Ali and myself are keen photographers and at several spots we both declared a good view or doe eyed creature just waiting to be captured. We are now both keen to retrace our steps laden down with walking boots, cameras and lenses various. At last Ali spied the Union Flag fluttering in the now strong headwind signaling our almost arrival at Maunsel Lock. Steely determination and the fear that Chris may be stationed on the bridge with his camera led us to complete our morning's exercise with a final burst of running up and over the final bridge into the cafe.
A very nice young man gladly gave us a glass of water each whilst we decided which toasted sandwiches we were going to eat to celebrate our success, it was lunchtime after all! He congratulated us on our achievement and he did seem very sincere in his admiration for what we had done. He then told us that later today he was taking part in a fifty mile cycle ride! Our deflation only lasted momentarily before we returned the admiration for his forthcoming endeavour.
According to the markers along the way we had completed 10.2 km, Ali's Nike chip said about 12 km and mine said 14 km. Sadly, I suspect the former distance is the correct one, but we are taking Ali's reading as the truer reading, being the middle one, but I have logged my distance into my stats as it is relevant to all the other distances I have logged.
This is the furthest I have ever run and is the longest time I have been running for.
Today is a good day 8)
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Running All The Way
It probably wasn't real running but I didn't walk and only had to pause once to cross a road so I'm really pleased.
A fairly flat almost figure of 8 route has got my motivation back. Just like on the last run I set out nice and slowly but my legs were really stiff and not really in the mood for moving. I passed a neighbour walking her dogs and commented on the glorious weather. I had dressed for what looked to be a chilly morning but was pleasantly warm. Our 70+ paper delivery boy received my next greeting but I didn't catch his reply, see I was running!
A little ahead of me along the lane out of the village I spied two lady residents out on their morning ramble. Seeing people ahead of me is always a great incentive and I was soon passing them and of course keeping at my pace until I was sure I had disappeared from their sight.
Soon I was turning back towards home and now had the sun on my face. After crossing the M5 I enjoyed a downhill broad sweep which is always followed by a difficult long slow slightly uphill climb and with the full force of the sun beating down on my face I gritted my teeth, today I was determined to get the whole way out and back without walking.
Back into the village and I'm nearing the end of my 8K trek. Can I manage a sprint finish? One minute I'm thinking yes and the next no. I convince myself to give it a try and I'm soon reaching for my ipod as I turn into our steep drive and await to here my stats for the past 53 and a half minutes.
I ran all the way - I'm happy.
A fairly flat almost figure of 8 route has got my motivation back. Just like on the last run I set out nice and slowly but my legs were really stiff and not really in the mood for moving. I passed a neighbour walking her dogs and commented on the glorious weather. I had dressed for what looked to be a chilly morning but was pleasantly warm. Our 70+ paper delivery boy received my next greeting but I didn't catch his reply, see I was running!
A little ahead of me along the lane out of the village I spied two lady residents out on their morning ramble. Seeing people ahead of me is always a great incentive and I was soon passing them and of course keeping at my pace until I was sure I had disappeared from their sight.
Soon I was turning back towards home and now had the sun on my face. After crossing the M5 I enjoyed a downhill broad sweep which is always followed by a difficult long slow slightly uphill climb and with the full force of the sun beating down on my face I gritted my teeth, today I was determined to get the whole way out and back without walking.
Back into the village and I'm nearing the end of my 8K trek. Can I manage a sprint finish? One minute I'm thinking yes and the next no. I convince myself to give it a try and I'm soon reaching for my ipod as I turn into our steep drive and await to here my stats for the past 53 and a half minutes.
I ran all the way - I'm happy.
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