So it was (eventually) sunny and dry today. And not too cold.
I still didn't go for a run. In fact, I took the day off altogether (remember our mantra - rest days are important).
This makes me a bad person, doesn't it?
*sigh*
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Apparently this will all change in January...!)
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Fake5x50: And the band played on
Tragically, the weather has continued to be wet and windy and so I have been unable to hit the streets for the oft-promised return to running... Not that I've been loafing (for once): gym activity has been recorded over at the other blog - http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/
As all activity is conducted to the same playlist, I have now remembered some more essential running tunes, as follows:
8) "Antidote" - Swedish House Mafia Vs. Knife Party
- Puff, puff, puff, pick up the pace, finish line is nearly in sight...
9) "Sweat" - Snoop Dogg Vs. David Guetta
- Oh, look, Musselburgh. Again...
10) "Born This Way" - Lady Gaga
- A happy running tune (I know! Who would have thought?!) - 24 miles done and only 2-ish to go! Woo-hoo! Easy peasy!
11) "Promises" - Nero
- Gah, 25 miles done, is that all?! God, will this never end????!!!
12) "Domino" - Jessie J
- Oh, look, a hill. How exciting. Time for a bit of walking, I think...
13) "Titanium" - David Guetta & Sia
- The start, middle and end of the Edinburgh 10k. Obviously the organisers were fans...
14) "Kickstarts" - Example
- Just keep going... Nearly far enough away from home to start heading back... Nearly...
Well, I think that that's enough bad moments relived.... Must try and think if there are any musically-induced happy moments... From my running experiences... Hmmm...
This may take some time.
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (It's cold! It's wet! It's windy! Give me a break, already!)
As all activity is conducted to the same playlist, I have now remembered some more essential running tunes, as follows:
8) "Antidote" - Swedish House Mafia Vs. Knife Party
- Puff, puff, puff, pick up the pace, finish line is nearly in sight...
9) "Sweat" - Snoop Dogg Vs. David Guetta
- Oh, look, Musselburgh. Again...
10) "Born This Way" - Lady Gaga
- A happy running tune (I know! Who would have thought?!) - 24 miles done and only 2-ish to go! Woo-hoo! Easy peasy!
11) "Promises" - Nero
- Gah, 25 miles done, is that all?! God, will this never end????!!!
12) "Domino" - Jessie J
- Oh, look, a hill. How exciting. Time for a bit of walking, I think...
13) "Titanium" - David Guetta & Sia
- The start, middle and end of the Edinburgh 10k. Obviously the organisers were fans...
14) "Kickstarts" - Example
- Just keep going... Nearly far enough away from home to start heading back... Nearly...
Well, I think that that's enough bad moments relived.... Must try and think if there are any musically-induced happy moments... From my running experiences... Hmmm...
This may take some time.
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (It's cold! It's wet! It's windy! Give me a break, already!)
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Fake5x50: The preparations begin...
The Smurf and Jinx have decided to plight their troth. Which is jolly good for them - well done.
Sadly, this appears to require some effort on my part (I have a role)... *sigh*
First up - join the Smurf in a first (!) lot of healthy activity (i.e. train to lose weight!)... Inspired by the recent 5x50 activity, we are apparently to start our very own 5x50. Tomorrow... Farewell Christmas, it's been great...
I did point out that I'm supposed to do the next official 5x50, and that this starts on 31st March... The Smurf thinks that this fake 5x50 will be jolly good training for the official one and I should get with the programme like everyone else....
*mumble, mumble, Forth Road Bridge, mumble*
Anyway, so, starting tomorrow back on the 35km per 7 days thingy that I did before (I refuse to commit to actually doing 5km per day yet). Which will be good training for the January 5km if nothing else... Yay!
New Years' resolutions happening early - aren't I lucky? More on that later....
(o_o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Soon...!)
Sadly, this appears to require some effort on my part (I have a role)... *sigh*
First up - join the Smurf in a first (!) lot of healthy activity (i.e. train to lose weight!)... Inspired by the recent 5x50 activity, we are apparently to start our very own 5x50. Tomorrow... Farewell Christmas, it's been great...
I did point out that I'm supposed to do the next official 5x50, and that this starts on 31st March... The Smurf thinks that this fake 5x50 will be jolly good training for the official one and I should get with the programme like everyone else....
*mumble, mumble, Forth Road Bridge, mumble*
Anyway, so, starting tomorrow back on the 35km per 7 days thingy that I did before (I refuse to commit to actually doing 5km per day yet). Which will be good training for the January 5km if nothing else... Yay!
New Years' resolutions happening early - aren't I lucky? More on that later....
(o_o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Soon...!)
Thursday, 20 December 2012
5K: Tunes to run from
I have promised in earlier posts (not that anyone will have noticed) to share my list of running songs with you, my devoted fans. Or, at least, to write them up in this blog (largely because I'm out of things to complain about running since I'm not doing any right at this moment...).
This will probably end up being a series of posts (keep 'em coming back for more!!), mostly because I'm bound to forget some tunes...
The rules are simple - the following tunes are not merely songs that I've listened to while running, but they are songs which bring on full-blown flashbacks of me running (usually mentally grabbing the back of my neck and propelling me along some long, long road which I see little point in running along). And, as I discovered at the weekend, I am not capable of dancing to most of them any more as all I can think of is making myself run (which would look very odd on the dancefloor, not to mention the Evil Podiatrist would not approve of my choice in footwear). I'm not saying that I like these songs (some of them I really don't), just that they say "running" to me...
So, first lot (in no particular order, really)...
1) "Evacuate the Dancefloor" - Cascada
2) "Club Can't Handle Me" - Flo Rida feat. David Guetta
3) "Sexy and I Know It" - LMFAO
4) "Higher" - Taio Cruz
5) "99 Problems" - Jay-Z [Well, what are they then? Eh? 1 to 99, list 'em!! Aggravating...]
6) "Louder" - DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans
7) "I Need Air" - Magnetic Man
Have to stop there - have gone all cold and shaky... Bringing back many memories of forcing myself along the Esplanade, deluding myself that the buildings that I can see ahead of me are the end when I know - I KNOW! - that that's just a kink in the "road" and there's much, much more to go after that...
*sob*
Off for some alcohol and maybe a wee bit of chocolate (it is Christmas, after all!)...
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Hmmm... Really ought to do some training soon...)
This will probably end up being a series of posts (keep 'em coming back for more!!), mostly because I'm bound to forget some tunes...
The rules are simple - the following tunes are not merely songs that I've listened to while running, but they are songs which bring on full-blown flashbacks of me running (usually mentally grabbing the back of my neck and propelling me along some long, long road which I see little point in running along). And, as I discovered at the weekend, I am not capable of dancing to most of them any more as all I can think of is making myself run (which would look very odd on the dancefloor, not to mention the Evil Podiatrist would not approve of my choice in footwear). I'm not saying that I like these songs (some of them I really don't), just that they say "running" to me...
So, first lot (in no particular order, really)...
1) "Evacuate the Dancefloor" - Cascada
2) "Club Can't Handle Me" - Flo Rida feat. David Guetta
3) "Sexy and I Know It" - LMFAO
4) "Higher" - Taio Cruz
5) "99 Problems" - Jay-Z [Well, what are they then? Eh? 1 to 99, list 'em!! Aggravating...]
6) "Louder" - DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans
7) "I Need Air" - Magnetic Man
Have to stop there - have gone all cold and shaky... Bringing back many memories of forcing myself along the Esplanade, deluding myself that the buildings that I can see ahead of me are the end when I know - I KNOW! - that that's just a kink in the "road" and there's much, much more to go after that...
*sob*
Off for some alcohol and maybe a wee bit of chocolate (it is Christmas, after all!)...
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Hmmm... Really ought to do some training soon...)
Sunday, 16 December 2012
5K: Fame at last!
I have always assumed that this blog was only read by friends whose arms were metaphorically being twisted into it, or who were lazily keeping up with what I was doing without actually keeping in touch with me (you know who you are!!).
But this weekend I discovered that there are people who actually read this blog for, you know fun. I have fans! Fans! Hello fans *waves*!! I am quite overcome by this (and embarrassed - must whine less in future)...
I don't intend to let this go to my head, though. The fact that all future inquiries as to my status should be directed to my agent in the first instance is merely a formality... ;oD
So the burning question that everyone (well, at least 2 people) want answered now is "what's next"? More runs planned for next year, or...? I have in fact been abused for procrastinating on next year's challenge (thanks for that, ZG!).
Well, the answer is - it's all in hand and you'll find out when I fell like tellin' ya! So there!! :oP
Or, alternatively, I have actually signed up for some runs next year (when I was ill and feeling a bit worried about my general lack of exercise - obviously running a fever and I should be able to claim a refund as a result...!). I don't know why - hate running - apart from they do provide a focus for training (and I do need to keep some sort of exercise thingy going next year). The aim for next year is to go faster (not, and I repeat, not further), I guess. And to be nicer to running - it can't be nice to be hated quite so deeply and at great length in print... Find the good things about running and celebrate them - a challenge indeed!
First up is a lovely 5k run on 5th January - nothing like running in the gloom and cold to really make you warm to the whole running lark... Anyway, this means that, now that I'm not on holiday or ill anymore (as far as I know) I really need to get back to regular exercise and *shudder* running....
But not today. Which is worth celebrating in and of itself!
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (ah, the joys of not running! Sadly, soon to be over...)
But this weekend I discovered that there are people who actually read this blog for, you know fun. I have fans! Fans! Hello fans *waves*!! I am quite overcome by this (and embarrassed - must whine less in future)...
I don't intend to let this go to my head, though. The fact that all future inquiries as to my status should be directed to my agent in the first instance is merely a formality... ;oD
So the burning question that everyone (well, at least 2 people) want answered now is "what's next"? More runs planned for next year, or...? I have in fact been abused for procrastinating on next year's challenge (thanks for that, ZG!).
Well, the answer is - it's all in hand and you'll find out when I fell like tellin' ya! So there!! :oP
Or, alternatively, I have actually signed up for some runs next year (when I was ill and feeling a bit worried about my general lack of exercise - obviously running a fever and I should be able to claim a refund as a result...!). I don't know why - hate running - apart from they do provide a focus for training (and I do need to keep some sort of exercise thingy going next year). The aim for next year is to go faster (not, and I repeat, not further), I guess. And to be nicer to running - it can't be nice to be hated quite so deeply and at great length in print... Find the good things about running and celebrate them - a challenge indeed!
First up is a lovely 5k run on 5th January - nothing like running in the gloom and cold to really make you warm to the whole running lark... Anyway, this means that, now that I'm not on holiday or ill anymore (as far as I know) I really need to get back to regular exercise and *shudder* running....
But not today. Which is worth celebrating in and of itself!
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (ah, the joys of not running! Sadly, soon to be over...)
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
1 Year Anniversary: A time for reflection...
One year ago today I started this blog... Suitably enough with an extended diatribe about footwear. I do love me some shoes...
And what has been learned in the past year (beyond the fact that I can write an awful lot of whining complaints on a single topic? [116 posts and counting!]
1) I really don't like running - huge amount of training miles completed has not yet turned me into a confirmed runner...
2) Despite appearances, running is not a cheap "sport". There's the shoes, the "tights", the "wicking" tops, the entry fees for races, the socks, the "support" services (Evil Podiatrist, I'm talking about you!)... It goes on and on. Still cheaper than skiing, but then, what isn't?! (Sailing maybe.. Anyway, I diverge...)
3) Notwithstanding the above, and my heartfelt desire, it would appear that I intend to continue to run for a bit (with a sort of improvement aim). At least until something I actually like comes along...
4) I know a lot of very generous people who have contributed to charity in support of my efforts... Or I know a lot of evil people who will pay good money to watch me torture myself in the name of charity.... Juries out on which it is as yet.
5) The only way is up! Or indeed backwards... With official times for a half-marathon, 10km, and 13,1km (darned Kilomathon) I now have targets to beat on time and not just distance. Which obviously means that the first official run that I'll be attempting in 2013 will be a 5km (if I can be bothered to get out of bed early on a January morning).
I'm sure that I've learned other things, but I've got to leave myself material for some more posts which do not actually record any running miles being completed...
Here's to year 2!
:o)
And what has been learned in the past year (beyond the fact that I can write an awful lot of whining complaints on a single topic? [116 posts and counting!]
1) I really don't like running - huge amount of training miles completed has not yet turned me into a confirmed runner...
2) Despite appearances, running is not a cheap "sport". There's the shoes, the "tights", the "wicking" tops, the entry fees for races, the socks, the "support" services (Evil Podiatrist, I'm talking about you!)... It goes on and on. Still cheaper than skiing, but then, what isn't?! (Sailing maybe.. Anyway, I diverge...)
3) Notwithstanding the above, and my heartfelt desire, it would appear that I intend to continue to run for a bit (with a sort of improvement aim). At least until something I actually like comes along...
4) I know a lot of very generous people who have contributed to charity in support of my efforts... Or I know a lot of evil people who will pay good money to watch me torture myself in the name of charity.... Juries out on which it is as yet.
5) The only way is up! Or indeed backwards... With official times for a half-marathon, 10km, and 13,1km (darned Kilomathon) I now have targets to beat on time and not just distance. Which obviously means that the first official run that I'll be attempting in 2013 will be a 5km (if I can be bothered to get out of bed early on a January morning).
I'm sure that I've learned other things, but I've got to leave myself material for some more posts which do not actually record any running miles being completed...
Here's to year 2!
:o)
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
??: Deformations
Went to visit the Evil Podiatrist today in an attempt to resolve the Traitor Toes situation.
She was in a bit of a better mood today as I presented myself with an actual problem... Although, we did pretty much end up in the same place: if only I could walk straight, all my problems would be solved! This time I walked away with pre-prepared insoles with bumps (rather than having bumps added to my trainers insoles) and that is supposed to help... As will many, many calf stretches during the day (due to my deformities, I need to make sure that I have really loose calf muscles and Achilles tendons...).
The problem is, you see, my congenital foot defect, otherwise known as "high arches". I've always thought that having high arches was a nice things, but the Evil Podiatrist set me straight: if only I didn't have this congenital problem, then no Traitor Toes. Oh, the shame of being born wrong... Anyway, it comes down to the old problem of when I walk/run I'm actually putting my feet down duck-footedly (although less than before - I got a pat on the back for that) and then twisting across the balls of my feet to get them back on the straight and narrow. But we learned more today: the reason that I am duck-footed is my congenital deformity - high arches make it difficult to properly roll one's foot heel to toe, hence I have to put it off to the side to achieve some traction. The bumps in the insoles are suppose to spread out the heads of my metatarsal toes so that... I really can't remember. Anyway, this is the only treatment (apart from calf stretches, Pilates/working on my core) and that's that. It is a good thing that I have trainers with built-up heels, apparently - if I ran on flat trainers then I'd end up breaking something (the old horror laid before me - broken feet!).
I remain somewhat confused as to why I keep paying this woman considerable sums of money to point out new ever-worsening defects in my person. But since I'm also confused as to why I'm still forcing myself to run (occasionally), there's obviously a considerable amount of deep and dark mystery here present. So exciting!
Undoubtedly, this will end up with me being in new and different pain in short order, but I did rather get the impression that I'd just have to learn to deal with it (hey - ran a marathon on louping Traitor Toes - I can deal, oh Evil one!). Whining about feet is therefore to be consigned to history. Probably...
Latest inspirational quoting from the Edinburgh Marathon people: "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far." - John Bingham. Oh, dear God, I'm a runner!?! I don't want to be a runner?!! Help! Help!!
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (ah, the joys of not running!)
She was in a bit of a better mood today as I presented myself with an actual problem... Although, we did pretty much end up in the same place: if only I could walk straight, all my problems would be solved! This time I walked away with pre-prepared insoles with bumps (rather than having bumps added to my trainers insoles) and that is supposed to help... As will many, many calf stretches during the day (due to my deformities, I need to make sure that I have really loose calf muscles and Achilles tendons...).
The problem is, you see, my congenital foot defect, otherwise known as "high arches". I've always thought that having high arches was a nice things, but the Evil Podiatrist set me straight: if only I didn't have this congenital problem, then no Traitor Toes. Oh, the shame of being born wrong... Anyway, it comes down to the old problem of when I walk/run I'm actually putting my feet down duck-footedly (although less than before - I got a pat on the back for that) and then twisting across the balls of my feet to get them back on the straight and narrow. But we learned more today: the reason that I am duck-footed is my congenital deformity - high arches make it difficult to properly roll one's foot heel to toe, hence I have to put it off to the side to achieve some traction. The bumps in the insoles are suppose to spread out the heads of my metatarsal toes so that... I really can't remember. Anyway, this is the only treatment (apart from calf stretches, Pilates/working on my core) and that's that. It is a good thing that I have trainers with built-up heels, apparently - if I ran on flat trainers then I'd end up breaking something (the old horror laid before me - broken feet!).
I remain somewhat confused as to why I keep paying this woman considerable sums of money to point out new ever-worsening defects in my person. But since I'm also confused as to why I'm still forcing myself to run (occasionally), there's obviously a considerable amount of deep and dark mystery here present. So exciting!
Undoubtedly, this will end up with me being in new and different pain in short order, but I did rather get the impression that I'd just have to learn to deal with it (hey - ran a marathon on louping Traitor Toes - I can deal, oh Evil one!). Whining about feet is therefore to be consigned to history. Probably...
Latest inspirational quoting from the Edinburgh Marathon people: "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far." - John Bingham. Oh, dear God, I'm a runner!?! I don't want to be a runner?!! Help! Help!!
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (ah, the joys of not running!)
Friday, 19 October 2012
5x50: Splish
You get all dressed up - customer meetings - good suit, good shoes.
Returning home. It's dark, and rainy (hello autumn!).
You're wandering around the long-stay carp park (because the airport randomly decided a while ago that it didn't need any bay markers or signs and so removed them... Terribly helpful...) looking for your car. You spot it relatively quickly....
... But there's a small problem. Route 1 to the car is across a small lake. Route 2 features a small pond. Route 3 involves wading across a stream. Route 4 involves walking round all the water flooding the car park (although where that route is you're not sure).
Tired, you go with Route 3 - stream doesn't look that deep really...
And this is why I squelched the whole drive home last night: I'm not sure that it's possible to adequately describe the sensation of cold water suddenly flooding into posh leather shoes. Or the weird way that your feet then feel for the rest of the evening as they try to recover all the heat that the cold water leached out of them....
And so let that be a lesson to you: should you see a woman, wearing a paid of flip-flops on her feet, getting off a plane in late autumn and trying to somehow pick her way between large and deep puddles in order to reach the terminal with dry feet... Don't sneer and roll your eyes at her. It will come back to haunt you in no time at all if you do...
:o}
Running time/distance (Tuesday): 29 mins /2.66 miles (poor effort!)
Returning home. It's dark, and rainy (hello autumn!).
You're wandering around the long-stay carp park (because the airport randomly decided a while ago that it didn't need any bay markers or signs and so removed them... Terribly helpful...) looking for your car. You spot it relatively quickly....
... But there's a small problem. Route 1 to the car is across a small lake. Route 2 features a small pond. Route 3 involves wading across a stream. Route 4 involves walking round all the water flooding the car park (although where that route is you're not sure).
Tired, you go with Route 3 - stream doesn't look that deep really...
And this is why I squelched the whole drive home last night: I'm not sure that it's possible to adequately describe the sensation of cold water suddenly flooding into posh leather shoes. Or the weird way that your feet then feel for the rest of the evening as they try to recover all the heat that the cold water leached out of them....
And so let that be a lesson to you: should you see a woman, wearing a paid of flip-flops on her feet, getting off a plane in late autumn and trying to somehow pick her way between large and deep puddles in order to reach the terminal with dry feet... Don't sneer and roll your eyes at her. It will come back to haunt you in no time at all if you do...
:o}
Running time/distance (Tuesday): 29 mins /2.66 miles (poor effort!)
Thursday, 11 October 2012
10K: In pictures
Still recovering from Sunday - sore feet are taking their own time to get over themselves. Running - it's good for you. Honest!
Have some thoughts on running soundtracks to share shortly, but first....
The comedy that is pictures from the 10K run! The best set yet - there are at least 2 which make it look like I'm actually running! Foot off the ground and everything! Think I was going downhill at the time (which always helps!) but still... Running!
Pictures are here: http://www4.marathon-photos.com/scripts/home.py.
Oh, and the one where I'm smiling? I was laughing at the fact hat (out of shot) a man in a Big Bird costume had already finished the run, and I still had 3 km left to complete... Out-paced by some distance by a man in a Big Bird costume.... Nobody claimed that I was good at this!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hours 0 mins /0 miles (recovering!)
Have some thoughts on running soundtracks to share shortly, but first....
The comedy that is pictures from the 10K run! The best set yet - there are at least 2 which make it look like I'm actually running! Foot off the ground and everything! Think I was going downhill at the time (which always helps!) but still... Running!
Pictures are here: http://www4.marathon-photos.com/scripts/home.py.
Oh, and the one where I'm smiling? I was laughing at the fact hat (out of shot) a man in a Big Bird costume had already finished the run, and I still had 3 km left to complete... Out-paced by some distance by a man in a Big Bird costume.... Nobody claimed that I was good at this!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hours 0 mins /0 miles (recovering!)
Sunday, 7 October 2012
10K: Done
Well, that was... hilly... But a lot easier with no driving rain and howling wind to contend with!
Once I had overcome the embarrassment of the start...
... I toddled off for the latest (and very, very last this year) "run". Full of perky enthusiasm to put in a bit of effort and get a reasonable time (to justify the latest sponsorship request).
Now, I am actually known for being a little unobservant at times. I prefer to think of it as me being very focused on important things, but what it means is that there are quite obvious things put before me which I just do not see. In this instance, that would be the elevation profile for this run. Oh, I looked at it, but it didn't mean much to me - my, how that has changed...
In the marathon, the elevation starts at around 40m and then drops in a hurry to hold fairly flat at about 10m. This 10k? Starts at about 40m, rises to 89m (!) drops to about 50m then rises to 89m again (!!) then drops to about 40m the rises to 89m AGAIN (!!!) and then steadily drops back to around 40m (gasp, wheeze, yay the finish!).
Pictorially that looks like this:
In "running terms" it's a bit more like "Aargh! Another hill! Oh, dear Lord, when will it end??!!". And quite a bit of walking uphill.
So, not the best route for setting a good 10k time... But. But... My 10k from the marathon was 01:09:48. My time from today's "run"?
1 hour, 7 minutes, and 58 seconds!! 01:07:58!
Officially faster than in May! Result!
Some other fun stats from today...
Finishing place: 3,967 (out of 4,712 finishers, apparently - not really getting any closer to the front!)
Finished 289 for my age and gender (out of 384)
Finished 659 for my age alone (out of 773)
Finished 1,619 for my gender (out of 2,180)
Off to ice my feet some more...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 7 mins 58 secs /6.214 miles (10km)
Once I had overcome the embarrassment of the start...
Now, I am actually known for being a little unobservant at times. I prefer to think of it as me being very focused on important things, but what it means is that there are quite obvious things put before me which I just do not see. In this instance, that would be the elevation profile for this run. Oh, I looked at it, but it didn't mean much to me - my, how that has changed...
In the marathon, the elevation starts at around 40m and then drops in a hurry to hold fairly flat at about 10m. This 10k? Starts at about 40m, rises to 89m (!) drops to about 50m then rises to 89m again (!!) then drops to about 40m the rises to 89m AGAIN (!!!) and then steadily drops back to around 40m (gasp, wheeze, yay the finish!).
Pictorially that looks like this:
So, not the best route for setting a good 10k time... But. But... My 10k from the marathon was 01:09:48. My time from today's "run"?
1 hour, 7 minutes, and 58 seconds!! 01:07:58!
Officially faster than in May! Result!
Some other fun stats from today...
Finishing place: 3,967 (out of 4,712 finishers, apparently - not really getting any closer to the front!)
Finished 289 for my age and gender (out of 384)
Finished 659 for my age alone (out of 773)
Finished 1,619 for my gender (out of 2,180)
Off to ice my feet some more...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 7 mins 58 secs /6.214 miles (10km)
Monday, 1 October 2012
10K: Oh, the ignominy...
When you are assigned an entrant number for an organised run, and if the run has enough people entered, you are assigned a coloured "pen". I've been purple, gold and blue before - all acceptable colours. My pen for the Edinburgh 10k on 7th October?
Pink.
That's right, I'm going to have to line up with others in the pink pen. And wear a pink-coloured number for the whole 10 km distance. And allow people to take pictures of me while attached to something pink.
I don't do pink. And I hate running. Why, why am I putting myself through this trauma...?!?!
It's all in aid of a good cause. Must keep repeating this to myself. All in aid of a good cause...
*sigh*
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins 0 secs /0 miles (having a bit of a rest today...)
Pink.
That's right, I'm going to have to line up with others in the pink pen. And wear a pink-coloured number for the whole 10 km distance. And allow people to take pictures of me while attached to something pink.
I don't do pink. And I hate running. Why, why am I putting myself through this trauma...?!?!
It's all in aid of a good cause. Must keep repeating this to myself. All in aid of a good cause...
*sigh*
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins 0 secs /0 miles (having a bit of a rest today...)
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Kilomathon: Done
Well, that was deeply unpleasant... I really, really hate running...
Day went as follows:
Woke up at 06:30 to the pitch black of pre-dawn and the sound of wind driving the rain into the windows. Quite inspiring really (yes, that is sarcasm). Bounced out of bed, filled with enthusiasm for the day ahead (and, yes, that's more sarcasm).
Left for the walk to Ocean Terminal and the start line. Rain has stopped, sun is coming out, I'm not late, things are looking up! At the start line realise that this is not the busiest of running events - but that just means less hanging around. Which is good as it was not all that warm (had to surrender my trusty ski jacket to the baggage truck by 08:15. Or else!). Run starts at 08:30 hours.
At 08:35 hours the sky clouds over again. And the wind picks up. And then it starts raining. Ugh.
Spend FOREVER running along the cycle track between Leith and Roseburn (well, that's what it felt like) through the driving rain (OK, rain was not that heavy, but still - unpleasant!).
Arrive at Murrayfield (yay!) only to discover that the last part of the run involves running past Murrayfield. Then beside Murrayfield. Then around Murrayfield and back again. Torture! Finally cross the finish line, squishing slightly, but gratified that it's all over. And it's only 10:00 (or so)!
Of course, the minute I entered the stadium the skies cleared. Turned all sunny and warm (for the time of year) as soon as I'd finished changing post-race (couldn't sit on the bus dripping water everywhere - they frown on that type of thing...). So the weather forecast wasn't completely wrong - it did say showers in the morning followed by clouds and sunshine... It just got the important bit wrong (i.e. when the showers would happen!). Although, I probably wouldn't have done anything differently (running with an umbrella wouldn't really work), and so I guess I'll just have to let that go... *sigh*
Well, I'm looking forward to never doing that again.... And using my new-found knowledge of the cycle paths when I actually take my bike out - not that that'll be anytime soon - too windy!
I'll say one thing for the Kilomathon, though - cool medal.
;oD
Running time/distance: 1 hour 30 mins 21 secs /13.1 km (8.14 miles)
Day went as follows:
Woke up at 06:30 to the pitch black of pre-dawn and the sound of wind driving the rain into the windows. Quite inspiring really (yes, that is sarcasm). Bounced out of bed, filled with enthusiasm for the day ahead (and, yes, that's more sarcasm).
Left for the walk to Ocean Terminal and the start line. Rain has stopped, sun is coming out, I'm not late, things are looking up! At the start line realise that this is not the busiest of running events - but that just means less hanging around. Which is good as it was not all that warm (had to surrender my trusty ski jacket to the baggage truck by 08:15. Or else!). Run starts at 08:30 hours.
At 08:35 hours the sky clouds over again. And the wind picks up. And then it starts raining. Ugh.
Spend FOREVER running along the cycle track between Leith and Roseburn (well, that's what it felt like) through the driving rain (OK, rain was not that heavy, but still - unpleasant!).
Arrive at Murrayfield (yay!) only to discover that the last part of the run involves running past Murrayfield. Then beside Murrayfield. Then around Murrayfield and back again. Torture! Finally cross the finish line, squishing slightly, but gratified that it's all over. And it's only 10:00 (or so)!
Of course, the minute I entered the stadium the skies cleared. Turned all sunny and warm (for the time of year) as soon as I'd finished changing post-race (couldn't sit on the bus dripping water everywhere - they frown on that type of thing...). So the weather forecast wasn't completely wrong - it did say showers in the morning followed by clouds and sunshine... It just got the important bit wrong (i.e. when the showers would happen!). Although, I probably wouldn't have done anything differently (running with an umbrella wouldn't really work), and so I guess I'll just have to let that go... *sigh*
Well, I'm looking forward to never doing that again.... And using my new-found knowledge of the cycle paths when I actually take my bike out - not that that'll be anytime soon - too windy!
I'll say one thing for the Kilomathon, though - cool medal.
;oD
Running time/distance: 1 hour 30 mins 21 secs /13.1 km (8.14 miles)
Sunday, 23 September 2012
10K: Starts here...
In the on-going attempts to torture myself into something resembling fitness and good health, I've also signed up for Edinburgh 10K at the start of October (see: http://www.greatrun.org/events/event.aspx?id=3).
According to the marathon time splits, I actually went through 10k in just over 1 hour and 6 minutes. Which I find very, very hard to believe - that's the sort of time I normally take to run 5 miles, let alone just over 6...
But we shall see - I don't think that I'm as fit as I was back in May, and I certainly have not been doing nearly as much running... And the 10k route takes in all of Edinburgh's "cultural attractions" (which just translates into running up and down hills a lot - watch out for that particular phrase)...
But this will at least give me a benchmark time for me to use next year when I take 10k running on the road... Yes, indeedy, there is a vague plan to have a "Traveling 10k" challenge going on next year to try to inject some fun into this running lark (it might be running, but it's in a new place which would at least be interesting - at least that's the thinking...). Also, if I can consistently run 10k in an hour or less then I will be happy.
Or at least not completely miserable...
;o)
Running time/distance: 37 mins /3.28 miles
According to the marathon time splits, I actually went through 10k in just over 1 hour and 6 minutes. Which I find very, very hard to believe - that's the sort of time I normally take to run 5 miles, let alone just over 6...
But we shall see - I don't think that I'm as fit as I was back in May, and I certainly have not been doing nearly as much running... And the 10k route takes in all of Edinburgh's "cultural attractions" (which just translates into running up and down hills a lot - watch out for that particular phrase)...
But this will at least give me a benchmark time for me to use next year when I take 10k running on the road... Yes, indeedy, there is a vague plan to have a "Traveling 10k" challenge going on next year to try to inject some fun into this running lark (it might be running, but it's in a new place which would at least be interesting - at least that's the thinking...). Also, if I can consistently run 10k in an hour or less then I will be happy.
Or at least not completely miserable...
;o)
Running time/distance: 37 mins /3.28 miles
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Kilomathon: The madness continues
I felt bad after not turning up for the Glasgow Half. In a way... After I'd spent several hours in bed enjoying the fact that I wasn't pounding my way around the streets of Glasgow (buses were invented for a reason!).
Therefore I decided that I should sign up for some other runs - preferably for distances much less than 13.1 miles.
First up - the Kilomathon Scotland 2012. 13.1 km (see what they did there?). 30th September 2012. Read all about it here: https://www.kilomathon.com/?scotland.
In order to try to avoid the non-attendance achieved at the last run, I have decided that this should again be a "for Charity" event... Anyone with spare change can therefore donate to a terribly worthy cause (SSAFA) and also inspire me to get out of bed in the morning - simples! - here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaRamsay.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the run has an 08:30am start time. I'm just saying...
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles
Therefore I decided that I should sign up for some other runs - preferably for distances much less than 13.1 miles.
First up - the Kilomathon Scotland 2012. 13.1 km (see what they did there?). 30th September 2012. Read all about it here: https://www.kilomathon.com/?scotland.
In order to try to avoid the non-attendance achieved at the last run, I have decided that this should again be a "for Charity" event... Anyone with spare change can therefore donate to a terribly worthy cause (SSAFA) and also inspire me to get out of bed in the morning - simples! - here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaRamsay.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the run has an 08:30am start time. I'm just saying...
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles
Friday, 21 September 2012
5x50: Civic obedience
At the start of every flight, the flight attendants stand up and give a safety brief. Preceded by the plea that even if you are a frequent flyer you should still pay attention (and stop talking).
As I sat watching tonight's safety brief (I even read the little card which shows you the entire brief in pictures - EVERY TIME), it occurred to me... It's just me, isn't it?
I mean, the passengers on either side of me didn't even look up from their magazines when the safety brief started (let alone reach for the card). Some people didn't stop talking. And we won't even get started again on the inability of certain people to leave their mobile 'phones turned off long enough for the flight attendants to tell them to leave them turned off...
It's just me that follows the instructions to the letter as presented, then. It's just me that could recite the safety briefings for each different airline word for word (noting the variations between the airlines). It's just me that actually looks behind me when they tell you to in order to check the location of the nearest emergency exit.
Isn't it???!!!!
No man may be an island, but I appear to be a little travelling cloud of solitude, at the very least...
*sigh*
:o}
Running time/distance: 40 mins /3.22 miles (Tuesday)
As I sat watching tonight's safety brief (I even read the little card which shows you the entire brief in pictures - EVERY TIME), it occurred to me... It's just me, isn't it?
I mean, the passengers on either side of me didn't even look up from their magazines when the safety brief started (let alone reach for the card). Some people didn't stop talking. And we won't even get started again on the inability of certain people to leave their mobile 'phones turned off long enough for the flight attendants to tell them to leave them turned off...
It's just me that follows the instructions to the letter as presented, then. It's just me that could recite the safety briefings for each different airline word for word (noting the variations between the airlines). It's just me that actually looks behind me when they tell you to in order to check the location of the nearest emergency exit.
Isn't it???!!!!
No man may be an island, but I appear to be a little travelling cloud of solitude, at the very least...
*sigh*
:o}
Running time/distance: 40 mins /3.22 miles (Tuesday)
Sunday, 16 September 2012
5x50: Day 8
So, after a rocky start (one brief contest with Darth Treadmill = 2 days doing nothing), I have managed to catch up with at least my weekly total.
Week 1 = 36km achieved! The majority of which were cycling or walking, it has to be said... But running will have to make a triumphant return soon, as I'm short of opportunities (and time) this week...
Other than that I've been reading too much (still) and thinking on where to go for my summer holiday... In November... As you do...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 km (0 miles)
Week 1 = 36km achieved! The majority of which were cycling or walking, it has to be said... But running will have to make a triumphant return soon, as I'm short of opportunities (and time) this week...
Other than that I've been reading too much (still) and thinking on where to go for my summer holiday... In November... As you do...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 km (0 miles)
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
5x50: Day 1
So I signed up to the 5x50 Challenge - run/walk/jog/cycle 5km every day for 50 days, starting 9th September.
Day 1 dawned, and I managed to drag myself to the gym for another round of combat with Darth Treadmill. Which was pretty much as fun as I remembered...
Still, actually did 5km on day 1, and so shouldn't complain. Leg hurts now, though... Hmmm...
One day I will actually be good at this "running" lark and/or will enjoy it... But that day has yet to have a morning!
:o)
Running time/distance: 41 mins /5 km (3.1 miles)
Day 1 dawned, and I managed to drag myself to the gym for another round of combat with Darth Treadmill. Which was pretty much as fun as I remembered...
Still, actually did 5km on day 1, and so shouldn't complain. Leg hurts now, though... Hmmm...
One day I will actually be good at this "running" lark and/or will enjoy it... But that day has yet to have a morning!
:o)
Running time/distance: 41 mins /5 km (3.1 miles)
Half: Oops!
So, woke up bright and early on 2nd September, ready for the Glasgow Half...
Or not, as it turns out. Was tired and grumpy and decided that I would much rather return to bed. So that's what I did...
Hey, ho. There will doubtless be many other opportunities for me to torture myself in the future...
Since it amused my entire family, I shall share with you my wisdom from this event: "fun" and "run" are words which should never appear in the same sentence...
:o)
Or not, as it turns out. Was tired and grumpy and decided that I would much rather return to bed. So that's what I did...
Hey, ho. There will doubtless be many other opportunities for me to torture myself in the future...
Since it amused my entire family, I shall share with you my wisdom from this event: "fun" and "run" are words which should never appear in the same sentence...
:o)
Monday, 27 August 2012
Half: Timing procrastination
The thing is, the best thing about running is it being over. And when I say "running", I include jowalking... And it does strange things to the memory - like now, I think covering 7 miles isn't that hard, and that I was going faster than before. In reality, I dragged myself through each and every mile - forcing myself not to take the 3, 4 or 5-mile route instead of the 7-mile route - and was no faster than any previous "run"... Progress this was not!
Still, at least I actually did the run. It only took me over 36 hours to talk myself into it, and I'm carefully ignoring the fact that I was supposed to do a 10-mile run yesterday too... However, my procrastination skills are very advanced, and smote this ridiculous intention to go "running" with a vengeance! And there was cake... Oops...
Latest issue of "Women's Running" turned up today - am amused to note that I seem to break all of their rules for being any good at running (e.g. don't be a fair-weather runner) - perhaps I should pay more attention to this... Well, anything could happen, I suppose...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 27 mins /7 miles
Still, at least I actually did the run. It only took me over 36 hours to talk myself into it, and I'm carefully ignoring the fact that I was supposed to do a 10-mile run yesterday too... However, my procrastination skills are very advanced, and smote this ridiculous intention to go "running" with a vengeance! And there was cake... Oops...
Latest issue of "Women's Running" turned up today - am amused to note that I seem to break all of their rules for being any good at running (e.g. don't be a fair-weather runner) - perhaps I should pay more attention to this... Well, anything could happen, I suppose...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 27 mins /7 miles
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Half: The curse has come upon me, cried...
Should have "quickly" slotted in a 7 mile run today, but after TBT last night my leg seems to have discovered some new muscles. And it's not happy about it.. So, rather than become an exercise statistic ("I injured myself by...") I decided to take a rest day today. Admittedly, originally I decided to do some Pilates today instead, but then I was busy working, and eating, and surfing the net... It's all go here!
Speaking of exercise-related injuries... As a quick warning to you all, it would appear that encouraging /blackmailing me into taking part in a sporting activity in which you are already entered is the kiss of doom for your health and well-being. Was encouraged to run the marathon with my best friend: she then had to pull out due to on-going/recurring foot/back problems. Was blackmailed into signing up to run the Glasgow half-marathon by my little sister: she has now been advised not to do any running for 4 weeks in order to cure her torn calf problem... So, once more, I enter unto the breach alone... And beware the rest of you, that's all I have to say - the curse may yet fall upon you...
Speaking of the Glasgow half - or as it is officially known, the "Great Scottish Run" - my runner's pack turned up today. I am struggling to contain my excitement... And am deliberately ignoring the general lack of, erm, running (or even jowalking, since we all know I don't really run) that I have been doing in preparation for a half-marathon which takes place in, well, a week and a half's time... *Ahem* I am also somewhat disappointed that despite giving myself an as yet unachieved anticipated finish time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, I appear to once more be starting from the back. With the walkers, no less. Natural-born running talent, that's me...!
;oD
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 mins /0 miles (oooh, me leg, me leg!)
Speaking of exercise-related injuries... As a quick warning to you all, it would appear that encouraging /blackmailing me into taking part in a sporting activity in which you are already entered is the kiss of doom for your health and well-being. Was encouraged to run the marathon with my best friend: she then had to pull out due to on-going/recurring foot/back problems. Was blackmailed into signing up to run the Glasgow half-marathon by my little sister: she has now been advised not to do any running for 4 weeks in order to cure her torn calf problem... So, once more, I enter unto the breach alone... And beware the rest of you, that's all I have to say - the curse may yet fall upon you...
Speaking of the Glasgow half - or as it is officially known, the "Great Scottish Run" - my runner's pack turned up today. I am struggling to contain my excitement... And am deliberately ignoring the general lack of, erm, running (or even jowalking, since we all know I don't really run) that I have been doing in preparation for a half-marathon which takes place in, well, a week and a half's time... *Ahem* I am also somewhat disappointed that despite giving myself an as yet unachieved anticipated finish time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, I appear to once more be starting from the back. With the walkers, no less. Natural-born running talent, that's me...!
;oD
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 mins /0 miles (oooh, me leg, me leg!)
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Half: And we're back...
So, after much foutering and skiving (see http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/) I returned to the running thing today.
A few caveats: I sort of cheated (used the gel thingies); I should have done many more runs by now; I should have put in an 11 mile run today... Etc... But, bearing all of that in mind, it was quite an encouraging run. Ran the route/distance faster than before, felt OK doing so, feet hurt (natch) but not too bad (probably due to the general lack of running to date, didn't hate the whole thing (just the start, first 3 miles, and bits and pieces as I went along).
For me, that was very nearly a fun run! Wasn't even (very) put off by returning home and watching the men run half the Olympic marathon faster than I managed approx half that distance. Although it did keep things in perspective...
It appears that the fitness maintenance efforts are working, and if I actually get myself out the door then I can probably handle a 5 mile run fairly regularly... Why I'd want to I know not, but there you go.
Should do at least one more run this week (been saying that for a while, though) and then slog through a 10 mile run next weekend... If I'm lucky it'll be raining next weekend...
Or is that off-message?
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 22 mins /7 miles
A few caveats: I sort of cheated (used the gel thingies); I should have done many more runs by now; I should have put in an 11 mile run today... Etc... But, bearing all of that in mind, it was quite an encouraging run. Ran the route/distance faster than before, felt OK doing so, feet hurt (natch) but not too bad (probably due to the general lack of running to date, didn't hate the whole thing (just the start, first 3 miles, and bits and pieces as I went along).
For me, that was very nearly a fun run! Wasn't even (very) put off by returning home and watching the men run half the Olympic marathon faster than I managed approx half that distance. Although it did keep things in perspective...
It appears that the fitness maintenance efforts are working, and if I actually get myself out the door then I can probably handle a 5 mile run fairly regularly... Why I'd want to I know not, but there you go.
Should do at least one more run this week (been saying that for a while, though) and then slog through a 10 mile run next weekend... If I'm lucky it'll be raining next weekend...
Or is that off-message?
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 22 mins /7 miles
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Half: Bother...
Have not done any running since May (you know, the marathon thingy). Which has been great!
But... Back-sliding on the exercise front and don't have a new challenge set up yet and so...
Have caved to my sister's pleading to join her in attempting the Glasgow Half-Marathon on 2nd September 2012... *sigh* And so the trauma is about to resume (late, as ever)...
More to follow - much, much more, and possibly some whinging... Lots of whinging....
(@_@)
But... Back-sliding on the exercise front and don't have a new challenge set up yet and so...
Have caved to my sister's pleading to join her in attempting the Glasgow Half-Marathon on 2nd September 2012... *sigh* And so the trauma is about to resume (late, as ever)...
More to follow - much, much more, and possibly some whinging... Lots of whinging....
(@_@)
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Zero: Shiny, precious things...
I'll say one thing about running, it allows one to hoard a ridiculous amount of swag. I have a whole collection of shiny, pretty things now... Although I've no idea what to do with them, apart from shine them and force people to look at them whenever they visit...
Sorta makes you want to collect more... Sorta...
On slightly less disconcerting news... I have added some other shiny pretty things to my existing collection... This will surprise people somewhat less than the whole running lark!
:o)
On slightly less disconcerting news... I have added some other shiny pretty things to my existing collection... This will surprise people somewhat less than the whole running lark!
:o)
Thursday, 28 June 2012
+ 32 Days: Things I've learned 3
7) It's not normal to buy running kit if you haven't done any running, and also if you don't like running.
8) It's not normal to repeatedly do exercise that causes you pain.
9) It's not normal to repeatedly go to exercise classes that you don't really enjoy and want to end before they've begun. In fact, health advice notwithstanding, it's apparently not normal to do exercise if you don't enjoy it.
10) It's not normal to try to run a marathon if you don't like running.
So, in summary, I'm just not normal. But I've learned a whole lot now about what is normal.
:o)
8) It's not normal to repeatedly do exercise that causes you pain.
9) It's not normal to repeatedly go to exercise classes that you don't really enjoy and want to end before they've begun. In fact, health advice notwithstanding, it's apparently not normal to do exercise if you don't enjoy it.
10) It's not normal to try to run a marathon if you don't like running.
So, in summary, I'm just not normal. But I've learned a whole lot now about what is normal.
:o)
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
+ 30 Days: Things I've learned 2
4) Pilates is great. But really difficult to do (correctly or even incorrectly!). And it appears to be really irritating to teach, as I've yet to find a Pilates instructor that didn't sound really annoyed with my inability to follow their (really complicated) instructions... Apart from the (first) DVD lady - admittedly, she can't see everything I'm doing wrongly, but still... So, when in need of some inspiring instruction, if all else fails get a DVD!
5) It is best not to consult medical professionals (including podiatrists) unless there's something wrong with you. Oh, they talk a good game about prevention being better than cure, but... If there's nothing actively wrong with you then they start looking for stuff - like you're not getting your money's worth otherwise. And he diagnosis can be quite alarming: it has to be said, I am amazed that, given my defects (stiff hips, knock-kneed, duck-footed, collapsed metatarsal arch, abnormally short calves and all) , I manage to walk at all, let alone do so over any distance. Still, at least I know why I had to jog approx 21 miles of the marathon with sore feet, even if there doesn't seem to be any real way to cure this (apart from maybe lengthening my calves...). Knowledge is power, and all that...
6) I know an amazing number of exceedingly generous people. Final fundraising total is £1,507.15 (£1,863.94 including Gift Aid)! And my employer will add "match fund" £250 of the money for "Help For Heroes" which means, including Gift Aid, the amazing totals are as follows:
Help for Heroes: £809.18
SSAFA: £559.18
British Lung Foundation: £745.58
Quite outstanding stuff - my thanks to one and all who contributed! But I'm still not running a marathon again!
And remember to check out the further adventures, at http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/.
:o)
5) It is best not to consult medical professionals (including podiatrists) unless there's something wrong with you. Oh, they talk a good game about prevention being better than cure, but... If there's nothing actively wrong with you then they start looking for stuff - like you're not getting your money's worth otherwise. And he diagnosis can be quite alarming: it has to be said, I am amazed that, given my defects (stiff hips, knock-kneed, duck-footed, collapsed metatarsal arch, abnormally short calves and all) , I manage to walk at all, let alone do so over any distance. Still, at least I know why I had to jog approx 21 miles of the marathon with sore feet, even if there doesn't seem to be any real way to cure this (apart from maybe lengthening my calves...). Knowledge is power, and all that...
6) I know an amazing number of exceedingly generous people. Final fundraising total is £1,507.15 (£1,863.94 including Gift Aid)! And my employer will add "match fund" £250 of the money for "Help For Heroes" which means, including Gift Aid, the amazing totals are as follows:
Help for Heroes: £809.18
SSAFA: £559.18
British Lung Foundation: £745.58
Quite outstanding stuff - my thanks to one and all who contributed! But I'm still not running a marathon again!
And remember to check out the further adventures, at http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/.
:o)
Thursday, 14 June 2012
+ 18 Days: Things I've learned 1
Things I've learned through the marathon-training experience.
1) At least a basic understanding of anatomy is helpful. Don't know your glutes from your quads? Your abs from your hip-flexors? Your triceps from your biceps? You'll be lost the minute you go anywhere near a qualified fitness professional. Not to mention the fact that when you have instructions shouted at you like "You're really going to feel this in your glutes! Sqeeeeeeze your glutes" - does help to know at least vaguely which muscle you should be trying to work...
2) Working specific muscles is a lot harder than fitness instructors imply. And I appear to have an inborn skill of not actually using the muscle of choice whenever I should be doing so - I obviously have a differently-constructed body to everyone else. Only excuse I can think of...
3) Not all fitness classes are equal. Some are good but not fun. Some are probably less good but more fun. And some fitness instructors suffer from an unwillingness or inability to teach... I don't know why this surprised me, but it did. Sadly mostly during and after the given class... So it is necessary, when training for anything by means of fitness classes, to prepare yourself to pay for large doses of disappointment.
So much knowledge, so little time... More later...
And remember to check out the further adventures, at http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (don't want to over-do things..)
Fitness class: 1 (Hmph!)
1) At least a basic understanding of anatomy is helpful. Don't know your glutes from your quads? Your abs from your hip-flexors? Your triceps from your biceps? You'll be lost the minute you go anywhere near a qualified fitness professional. Not to mention the fact that when you have instructions shouted at you like "You're really going to feel this in your glutes! Sqeeeeeeze your glutes" - does help to know at least vaguely which muscle you should be trying to work...
2) Working specific muscles is a lot harder than fitness instructors imply. And I appear to have an inborn skill of not actually using the muscle of choice whenever I should be doing so - I obviously have a differently-constructed body to everyone else. Only excuse I can think of...
3) Not all fitness classes are equal. Some are good but not fun. Some are probably less good but more fun. And some fitness instructors suffer from an unwillingness or inability to teach... I don't know why this surprised me, but it did. Sadly mostly during and after the given class... So it is necessary, when training for anything by means of fitness classes, to prepare yourself to pay for large doses of disappointment.
So much knowledge, so little time... More later...
And remember to check out the further adventures, at http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (don't want to over-do things..)
Fitness class: 1 (Hmph!)
+ 17 Days: Stretch and brush
For those of an inquiring mind, I can confirm that brushing one's teeth while stretching one's calves is a tricky endeavour. Much frantic arm-waving and desperate grasping of sink ensues... Also, despite the fact that you're supposed to spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth (who knew?), I apparently routinely only spent about 30 to 45 seconds. With the calf-stretching, this has now increased to a full minute at least.
I have no idea whether my calf muscles are lengthening back to normal levels, but my teeth are starting to squeak due to their new level of cleanliness, and I don't think that my toothbrush is much longer for this world....
Decided to test legs today with a bit of cardio - a welcome return for the cross-trainer. [Legs survived despite malingering.] However, this was preceded by a frantic search through the house for the tag thingy which allows access to the local gym (only for local people). After 10 minutes of fruitless searching I was cursing the house and promising it a thorough tidying: long overdue, I must admit. 10 further minutes later I located the tag (in the 1st, 3rd and 5th place that I had looked.... Hmmm....). Urge to start frenetically tidying has mysteriously abated...
Nearly completed fund-raising - reaching ever more incredible amounts - and so (unless I do any more running) this blog will soon be sliding into abeyance, replaced by the shiny new blog! See, I can handle change... In small doses...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 30 mins/4 miles (needed some cardio)
Fitness class: 0.5 (New Pilates DVD!)
I have no idea whether my calf muscles are lengthening back to normal levels, but my teeth are starting to squeak due to their new level of cleanliness, and I don't think that my toothbrush is much longer for this world....
Decided to test legs today with a bit of cardio - a welcome return for the cross-trainer. [Legs survived despite malingering.] However, this was preceded by a frantic search through the house for the tag thingy which allows access to the local gym (only for local people). After 10 minutes of fruitless searching I was cursing the house and promising it a thorough tidying: long overdue, I must admit. 10 further minutes later I located the tag (in the 1st, 3rd and 5th place that I had looked.... Hmmm....). Urge to start frenetically tidying has mysteriously abated...
Nearly completed fund-raising - reaching ever more incredible amounts - and so (unless I do any more running) this blog will soon be sliding into abeyance, replaced by the shiny new blog! See, I can handle change... In small doses...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 30 mins/4 miles (needed some cardio)
Fitness class: 0.5 (New Pilates DVD!)
Sunday, 10 June 2012
+ 14 Days: Whatever next...
So now that I've run a marathon, what's next?
A good question, and not one that I have an answer for yet... Although I'm giving it some thought. Have been trying to maintain - or even increase - my attendance at fitness classes during this nice period of rest. I tried out a new class - CX Worx - on Wednesday night. It's only half an hour long, but it was a long half-hour of confusion for me. No idea what the class was supposed to achieve, but I reckon I need to do another 6 months of work before I am fit enough to understand... A class happily ticked off and left off the list...
In terms of what the future might bring... I will probably consign this blog to the past once I've squeezed as much money as possible out of people (it's for charity, folks!). Unless I lose my mind and do some more running...
However, due to (quite inconceivable popular demand) the blogging shall continue! I have spent some (rather too much) time designing a new blog, one in which I can expound at length at the new ridiculous challenges which I use to torture myself... It's a little empty at the moment, but hopefully it will start filling up soon...
New blog is here: http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/ I decided against going with some of the helpful suggestions provided to me - "Master of Procrastination" a personal favourite - although all were most gratefully received.
Am eating ice cream with a will - tomorrow I have to return to the cake-free existence that will stop the weight from piling back on... 2 weeks of holidaying is quite enough, methinks. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
A good question, and not one that I have an answer for yet... Although I'm giving it some thought. Have been trying to maintain - or even increase - my attendance at fitness classes during this nice period of rest. I tried out a new class - CX Worx - on Wednesday night. It's only half an hour long, but it was a long half-hour of confusion for me. No idea what the class was supposed to achieve, but I reckon I need to do another 6 months of work before I am fit enough to understand... A class happily ticked off and left off the list...
In terms of what the future might bring... I will probably consign this blog to the past once I've squeezed as much money as possible out of people (it's for charity, folks!). Unless I lose my mind and do some more running...
However, due to (quite inconceivable popular demand) the blogging shall continue! I have spent some (rather too much) time designing a new blog, one in which I can expound at length at the new ridiculous challenges which I use to torture myself... It's a little empty at the moment, but hopefully it will start filling up soon...
New blog is here: http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/ I decided against going with some of the helpful suggestions provided to me - "Master of Procrastination" a personal favourite - although all were most gratefully received.
Am eating ice cream with a will - tomorrow I have to return to the cake-free existence that will stop the weight from piling back on... 2 weeks of holidaying is quite enough, methinks. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (don't miss it)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
+ 9 Days: Second opinion
ZG very kindly gave me a trip to the podiatrist and a foot/calf/hamstring massage as a marathon-finishing gift. So off I toddled today for a second go at the podiatry lark (post meh Pilates class - need to find an instructor who is as good as the woman in the DVD).
The good news is that, despite the vagueness of direction, the Evil Podiatrist's plan seems to be sort of working - left foot is pretty much straight when I walk with the right foot less obviously duck-like. So there exists the possibility that one day I might yet walk straight like a normal person!
The bad news is that we went through another round of shock at the callouses on the soles of my feet (I now feel like a horn-toed frog) despite the fact that they've never really bothered me. Oh, and as well as my (it's official) high arches, I'm apparently supposed to have secondary little arches which encourage the toes to curl down. I don't seem to have these arches any more, contributing to the whole "spending too much time on the balls of my feet" issue. The suggestion was that I might benefit from some orthotics (sounds way cooler than insoles) at the cost of only 40 quid for the appointment to work out which type and size. Oh, and to work out if one of my legs is slightly longer than the other (leading to the fact that my left leg has obviously become stronger than my right). Am considering the orthotics issue - I see little point in it if it won't fix anything but just treat an issue that I only have if I run repeatedly over relatively long distances (far cheaper cure to that, methinks!).
More interesting news from the physiotherapist that did the massage - apparently I have abnormally short calves. I assume that she means that I have abnormally short calf muscles - otherwise surely someone would have mentioned such obvious physical deformity before now..? Apparently this means that I'll have a rather strange stride when I run (ah-ha) and will be overly inclined to running/walking on the balls of my feet (hmmm), which is, as we all recall, the source of the Traitor Toes pain... This particular abnormality can be fixed (yay!) with lots and lots of calf stretches, apparently. Particularly daily while brushing my teeth (there's not actually a link there beyond time and opportunity, in case you were wondering).
Assessment didn't involve videoing my feet this time, which I think is a shame, but was otherwise fairly similar to the previous assessment. I would say that the first assessment was longer, much more detailed and technical (and probably designed to address injuries to sports-mad people who want to do even more sports) and the second much more reassuringly expensive (bit more focused on on-going treatment and spa-like well-being). Oh, and I really have to remember that massages involve far fewer clothes than I expect, and are blooming painful (for some reason I always assume that they are enjoyable and relaxing)...
Onwards (as much as one can manage with abnormally short calves....)!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (going for at least 2 weeks off...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (Pilates class)
The good news is that, despite the vagueness of direction, the Evil Podiatrist's plan seems to be sort of working - left foot is pretty much straight when I walk with the right foot less obviously duck-like. So there exists the possibility that one day I might yet walk straight like a normal person!
The bad news is that we went through another round of shock at the callouses on the soles of my feet (I now feel like a horn-toed frog) despite the fact that they've never really bothered me. Oh, and as well as my (it's official) high arches, I'm apparently supposed to have secondary little arches which encourage the toes to curl down. I don't seem to have these arches any more, contributing to the whole "spending too much time on the balls of my feet" issue. The suggestion was that I might benefit from some orthotics (sounds way cooler than insoles) at the cost of only 40 quid for the appointment to work out which type and size. Oh, and to work out if one of my legs is slightly longer than the other (leading to the fact that my left leg has obviously become stronger than my right). Am considering the orthotics issue - I see little point in it if it won't fix anything but just treat an issue that I only have if I run repeatedly over relatively long distances (far cheaper cure to that, methinks!).
More interesting news from the physiotherapist that did the massage - apparently I have abnormally short calves. I assume that she means that I have abnormally short calf muscles - otherwise surely someone would have mentioned such obvious physical deformity before now..? Apparently this means that I'll have a rather strange stride when I run (ah-ha) and will be overly inclined to running/walking on the balls of my feet (hmmm), which is, as we all recall, the source of the Traitor Toes pain... This particular abnormality can be fixed (yay!) with lots and lots of calf stretches, apparently. Particularly daily while brushing my teeth (there's not actually a link there beyond time and opportunity, in case you were wondering).
Assessment didn't involve videoing my feet this time, which I think is a shame, but was otherwise fairly similar to the previous assessment. I would say that the first assessment was longer, much more detailed and technical (and probably designed to address injuries to sports-mad people who want to do even more sports) and the second much more reassuringly expensive (bit more focused on on-going treatment and spa-like well-being). Oh, and I really have to remember that massages involve far fewer clothes than I expect, and are blooming painful (for some reason I always assume that they are enjoyable and relaxing)...
Onwards (as much as one can manage with abnormally short calves....)!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (going for at least 2 weeks off...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (Pilates class)
+ 8 Days: Equal opportunities exercise
Finally gave Bodypump a try today - not too bad, although I probably need to increase the weights on the bar in order to get sufficient benefit from the class (was particularly girly today and focusing on my technique).
Instructor was very nice today, noted my marathon-finisher's t-shirt (which I am now wearing to every exercise class), chatted about the prep etc. She also seemed to think that I was doing the right thing by attending the class as runners, apparently, definitely do weights. Having learned some normal responses in the last 6 months I didn't rain on her parade and scoff at length about my being referred to as a runner... Although only because she was being so nice (all went much better than last time I tried out for Bodypump)... Normal remains far from my forte. *sigh*
For those who don't know, Bodypump is essentially an hour-long weight-lifting session to music. As a result there are many more men in the class than in any other class I've attended to date. As far as exercise classes go, it would seem that Bodypump is positively butch... In practice, beyond lifting and lowering the weight bar, Bodypump involves an awful lot of sticking your bum out (to protect your back, of course). Just my luck that I ended up at the front in the corner of the room most popular with the male class members. So that was an hour of me basically carefully (and in a very controlled manner) sticking my bum out towards various men that I don't know. And I paid for the privilege! Am fairly sure that there are better economics associated with that particular equation...
Otherwise, am mostly nearly back to normal. Only remaining issue seems to be my left thigh muscle which still isn't fond of stairs etc: but I'm getting tired of that and am now just going to ignore it. Have been watching my feet for a whole week now (oftentimes a dangerous occupation, particularly when driving) and it does appear as if I am not going to lose any toenails. This seems to be a rather traditional result of running a marathon, and so on one level I am rather disappointed... On all other levels I am not, however.
I am still being tortured monthly by the tome that is "Women's Running" magazine. This month, I was very nearly inspired by one of their scientific little words of wisdom: " Running could change your DNA, helping you burn more fat, according to research in the journal Cell Metabolism. When men and women exercise for just 20 minutes, the DNA molecules within muscles are chemically and structurally altered." Well, thinks I, maybe I should continue with this running lark after all? Next sentence: "Swedish scientists found that caffeine in the morning seems to have the same effect." Uh-huh. Game over - helloooo morning coffee!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (far too soon...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1.5 (Bodypump and the old faithful Pilates DVD)
Instructor was very nice today, noted my marathon-finisher's t-shirt (which I am now wearing to every exercise class), chatted about the prep etc. She also seemed to think that I was doing the right thing by attending the class as runners, apparently, definitely do weights. Having learned some normal responses in the last 6 months I didn't rain on her parade and scoff at length about my being referred to as a runner... Although only because she was being so nice (all went much better than last time I tried out for Bodypump)... Normal remains far from my forte. *sigh*
For those who don't know, Bodypump is essentially an hour-long weight-lifting session to music. As a result there are many more men in the class than in any other class I've attended to date. As far as exercise classes go, it would seem that Bodypump is positively butch... In practice, beyond lifting and lowering the weight bar, Bodypump involves an awful lot of sticking your bum out (to protect your back, of course). Just my luck that I ended up at the front in the corner of the room most popular with the male class members. So that was an hour of me basically carefully (and in a very controlled manner) sticking my bum out towards various men that I don't know. And I paid for the privilege! Am fairly sure that there are better economics associated with that particular equation...
Otherwise, am mostly nearly back to normal. Only remaining issue seems to be my left thigh muscle which still isn't fond of stairs etc: but I'm getting tired of that and am now just going to ignore it. Have been watching my feet for a whole week now (oftentimes a dangerous occupation, particularly when driving) and it does appear as if I am not going to lose any toenails. This seems to be a rather traditional result of running a marathon, and so on one level I am rather disappointed... On all other levels I am not, however.
I am still being tortured monthly by the tome that is "Women's Running" magazine. This month, I was very nearly inspired by one of their scientific little words of wisdom: " Running could change your DNA, helping you burn more fat, according to research in the journal Cell Metabolism. When men and women exercise for just 20 minutes, the DNA molecules within muscles are chemically and structurally altered." Well, thinks I, maybe I should continue with this running lark after all? Next sentence: "Swedish scientists found that caffeine in the morning seems to have the same effect." Uh-huh. Game over - helloooo morning coffee!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (far too soon...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1.5 (Bodypump and the old faithful Pilates DVD)
Sunday, 3 June 2012
+ 6 Days: The dangers of modern technology...
So yesterday I'm in work, trying to carry on as normal despite the sitting/standing difficulty. Actually feeling quite perky as aerobics Thurs night seems to have helped the old quads somewhat. I'm in a meeting room preparing for a telecon (the endless joy), on my hands and knees plugging in my laptop (every meeting starts this way - always fun in one's best suit). Go to stand up, forget my frailty and don't brace myself - try to raise myself to standing using only my legs - feel my quads complain (nice tearing sensation) as I do so. Cue some short, sharp agony, and 30 minutes of trying to pretend like I'm paying attention while I very carefully don't move in the chair into which I have collapsed... Not the best of moves, that one...
Today, back to square 1... Nonetheless I drag myself out the house for the nice, calming hour that is Bodybalance. Nothing like a bit of stretching and balancing to sort out those troublesome muscles... Seemed to go OK... Also walked to the library and back, and back from the cinema, and so that's a good few miles of walking to add to the exercise tally. Quads OK, but feet not fond of all this verticality...
Stepped on the scales this morning and was appalled to note that the weight I put on before the marathon (which was part of the whole carb-loading stuff) was still there. Really? I thought that it was all supposed to magically go away during the whole 26.2 mile trauma? Hmmm, maybe the cakes haven't helped... Resolved to return to my attempted healthy-eating ways, abandoning the cakes to their own devices... And followed up this resolution by consuming an entire bag of toffee popcorn, followed by a rather large Pizza Hut pizza. Ah, the healthiness of it all... But no cake, mind...
Speaking of the cinema - finally saw The Avengers (or rather, "Avengers Assemble") at the cinema. Loved it! All the prep was worthwhile (although "Captain America" remains as yet unwatched) and was impressed by how everything tied together... Must get around to actually watching "Captain America" soon - how bad can it be? Has Chris Evans in it, so I could at least turn off the sound if all else fails...
Also picked up a lovely present while at the cinema - almost better than the official Edinburgh Marathon medal (even if it is rather phallicly shaped). Almost...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (far too soon...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (the Zen-like Bodybalance)
Today, back to square 1... Nonetheless I drag myself out the house for the nice, calming hour that is Bodybalance. Nothing like a bit of stretching and balancing to sort out those troublesome muscles... Seemed to go OK... Also walked to the library and back, and back from the cinema, and so that's a good few miles of walking to add to the exercise tally. Quads OK, but feet not fond of all this verticality...
Stepped on the scales this morning and was appalled to note that the weight I put on before the marathon (which was part of the whole carb-loading stuff) was still there. Really? I thought that it was all supposed to magically go away during the whole 26.2 mile trauma? Hmmm, maybe the cakes haven't helped... Resolved to return to my attempted healthy-eating ways, abandoning the cakes to their own devices... And followed up this resolution by consuming an entire bag of toffee popcorn, followed by a rather large Pizza Hut pizza. Ah, the healthiness of it all... But no cake, mind...
Speaking of the cinema - finally saw The Avengers (or rather, "Avengers Assemble") at the cinema. Loved it! All the prep was worthwhile (although "Captain America" remains as yet unwatched) and was impressed by how everything tied together... Must get around to actually watching "Captain America" soon - how bad can it be? Has Chris Evans in it, so I could at least turn off the sound if all else fails...
Also picked up a lovely present while at the cinema - almost better than the official Edinburgh Marathon medal (even if it is rather phallicly shaped). Almost...
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (far too soon...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (the Zen-like Bodybalance)
Thursday, 31 May 2012
+ 4 Days: Cakeathon
There was lots of cake today. Something to do with the jubilee, I think, and raising money for the RNLI definitely... Either way, I got a little carried away with the tasting and so it is just as well that I had an aerobics class to get to tonight...
Quads are still complaining - standing and sitting are both OK, but moving between the 2 states is tricky, including climbing stairs. So aerobics was interesting: I took it easy, to say the least. Still, did some exercise, gave my other muscles a bit of a test, things can only get better...
Otherwise, I seem to have forgotten to renew my car tax, which is going to be an issue from tomorrow, particularly since I seem to be a few documents short of a renewal application. Tomorrow is going to be a tricky day...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (joy!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics)
Quads are still complaining - standing and sitting are both OK, but moving between the 2 states is tricky, including climbing stairs. So aerobics was interesting: I took it easy, to say the least. Still, did some exercise, gave my other muscles a bit of a test, things can only get better...
Otherwise, I seem to have forgotten to renew my car tax, which is going to be an issue from tomorrow, particularly since I seem to be a few documents short of a renewal application. Tomorrow is going to be a tricky day...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (joy!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (resting)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics)
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
+ 2 Days: Pictures worth a thousand words
As the recovery continues (cake helps a lot, I've discovered...), I am slowly amassing pictures of the grand day out.
While I look distinctly less miserable this time, I do still seem to be labouring along with the gazelle-like grace of setting concrete. Still, it could be worse - I am at least vertical and forward-moving in most pictures... An increasing set of photos are being placed on my fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaRamsay.
For those who wish a good laugh, there is even a short series of videos of me bimbling along - my personal favourite is where I'm walking but suddenly realise that the timing line for 10k is just ahead and break into a shambling jog. The picture of health and fitness, that's me! Also, there is a video of me actually corssing hte finish line for those who missed it - which, erm, would be everyone!
Photos and videos from during the marathon are here: http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Edinburgh%20Marathon%20Festival&match=13235
Must stop with the sofa-sitting-and-cake-eating recovery method soon: have indeed booked some fitness classes for the week ahead... By which time I will hopefully be able to stand without flinching (quads) and walk without limping (rather impressive blister randomly formed on the sole of one foot)...
:o)
While I look distinctly less miserable this time, I do still seem to be labouring along with the gazelle-like grace of setting concrete. Still, it could be worse - I am at least vertical and forward-moving in most pictures... An increasing set of photos are being placed on my fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaRamsay.
For those who wish a good laugh, there is even a short series of videos of me bimbling along - my personal favourite is where I'm walking but suddenly realise that the timing line for 10k is just ahead and break into a shambling jog. The picture of health and fitness, that's me! Also, there is a video of me actually corssing hte finish line for those who missed it - which, erm, would be everyone!
Photos and videos from during the marathon are here: http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Edinburgh%20Marathon%20Festival&match=13235
Must stop with the sofa-sitting-and-cake-eating recovery method soon: have indeed booked some fitness classes for the week ahead... By which time I will hopefully be able to stand without flinching (quads) and walk without limping (rather impressive blister randomly formed on the sole of one foot)...
:o)
Monday, 28 May 2012
+ 1 Day: Ouch
Ooooh, that hurts....
Legs did a lot of work yesterday - and they are trying to go on strike today as a result. Uncalled for... Everything else is pretty much OK, although the Traitor Toes were a problem yesterday and I'm actually still waiting for feeling to return to my right foot.... Terribly good for you, all this exercise!
Have also only managed to catch a little bit of sun yesterday - which is not bad for 5 hours of exposure to the strange yellow thing that suddenly appeared in the sky. Factor 50 sunscreen - it works, and it probably is quite waterproof too!
Official (chip) time has come through... Wait for it... I completed the Edinburgh Marathon in 5 hours 14 minutes and 45 seconds!!! Madness!!!
Off to actually enjoy the sunny day today... Without walking too far as that's not actually too easy...
:o)
Full Time: 05:14:45
Race Number: 13235
10k split: 01:09:48
Half marathon: 02:30:47
30k split: 03:38:16
Overall finish position: 6870
Category finish position: 693
Sunday, 27 May 2012
D-Day: Done
Edinburgh Marathon completed. Despite the heat and sunshine.
Unofficial (clock) time of 5 hours and 32 mins - Unofficial chip time of 5 hours and 22 mins...
Never again...!
:o)
Running time/distance: 5 hr 22 min /26.2 miles (ooof!)
Unofficial (clock) time of 5 hours and 32 mins - Unofficial chip time of 5 hours and 22 mins...
Never again...!
:o)
Running time/distance: 5 hr 22 min /26.2 miles (ooof!)
Saturday, 26 May 2012
0.5 Days To Go: Heralding the apocalypse
The unexpected is ever around the corner, waiting to pounce upon us with an evil cackle and forcible attempts to separate us from our hard-earned cash....
For example - the weather has taken a firmer turn towards sunny and warm (damnit!) - and this was obviously the cue for my central heating to only have one setting - on. After several days of turning it off and on again in hope, it appears to have reluctantly re-set itself finally (turn off at wall, at control console, and actually on the boiler; then turn on again at wall and boiler only)... Although I no longer trust it and so have turned it off altogether at the moment as it's too hot for any rogue heating to be borne.
For example 2 - came home on Thursday night to discover that I had been visited by someone who desperately wanted to search through all my drawers... Sadly, to avoid confusion, I mean that I had been burgled. Highly portable items of value gone. 'Phone police. Wait quietly in a bit of a fuddle. After a few hours, they call me back - burglar has been caught (God, they're good!) and they think they have my stuff. After a few more hours the police turn up - it is indeed my stuff!! - and the filling out of paperwork begins. Bit of a roller-coaster, and am very lucky to get my stuff back, but the net end result is that additional security is required and my house is even more of a mess than usual.... Plus I have not been terribly productive, indeed am still a bit befuddled, and, worst of all, I missed aerobics on Thursday!! Training plan lurched off the rails at the very last minute (*ahem*)!!
So, if tomorrow goes badly, it's all the fault of the harbinger of the apocalypse who decided to visit me while I was out and then was nicked trying the same trick up the road where the homeowner was not so obliging...
Ah, yes, tomorrow - not feeling terribly prepared, horrified at the heat and light thing that's going on, prayer likely required and yet possibly not sufficient...
Good luck to ZG and G&T in the half-marathon - and EG and KT in the full thing... I would say nice things about thinking about you, but this would be a blatant lie as I will be entirely consumed by my own misery until it's all over... Assuming that I get there...
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (resting - although did wander up to town and back)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (no more cross-training until after the big day)
Fitness class: 0 (meant to do more Pilates, but...)
For example - the weather has taken a firmer turn towards sunny and warm (damnit!) - and this was obviously the cue for my central heating to only have one setting - on. After several days of turning it off and on again in hope, it appears to have reluctantly re-set itself finally (turn off at wall, at control console, and actually on the boiler; then turn on again at wall and boiler only)... Although I no longer trust it and so have turned it off altogether at the moment as it's too hot for any rogue heating to be borne.
For example 2 - came home on Thursday night to discover that I had been visited by someone who desperately wanted to search through all my drawers... Sadly, to avoid confusion, I mean that I had been burgled. Highly portable items of value gone. 'Phone police. Wait quietly in a bit of a fuddle. After a few hours, they call me back - burglar has been caught (God, they're good!) and they think they have my stuff. After a few more hours the police turn up - it is indeed my stuff!! - and the filling out of paperwork begins. Bit of a roller-coaster, and am very lucky to get my stuff back, but the net end result is that additional security is required and my house is even more of a mess than usual.... Plus I have not been terribly productive, indeed am still a bit befuddled, and, worst of all, I missed aerobics on Thursday!! Training plan lurched off the rails at the very last minute (*ahem*)!!
So, if tomorrow goes badly, it's all the fault of the harbinger of the apocalypse who decided to visit me while I was out and then was nicked trying the same trick up the road where the homeowner was not so obliging...
Ah, yes, tomorrow - not feeling terribly prepared, horrified at the heat and light thing that's going on, prayer likely required and yet possibly not sufficient...
Good luck to ZG and G&T in the half-marathon - and EG and KT in the full thing... I would say nice things about thinking about you, but this would be a blatant lie as I will be entirely consumed by my own misery until it's all over... Assuming that I get there...
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 hr 0 min /0 miles (resting - although did wander up to town and back)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (no more cross-training until after the big day)
Fitness class: 0 (meant to do more Pilates, but...)
Thursday, 24 May 2012
3 Days To Go: The sun has got his hat on...
... and I really wish he'd go away!
OK, so I am officially the only person in the country who feels this way, but... I want to sunbathe in warm sunny weather, not slog my way round 26.2 miles on (sore) foot... Have decided to ignore the forecasts until the day itself - this is Scotland after all, and a Sunday forecast as sunny on a Wednesday will quite probably be overcast and cold by the time it comes around...
Did try out my warmer weather gear on tonight's run, just to be on the safe side. Think definitely the shorter running trousers are the way to go (plus cool red stripes!) and the short-sleeve top... Regardless of how dee0ply unflattering they may be... If it's actually warm/hot and sunny on the day then it'll have to be the running shorts - and I apologise in advance to my fellow marathon "runners" and all associated spectators. Sadly, the "lovely long, lean legs" promised by the Pilates woman have yet to turn up, and so I'll just have to use the ones I already have. Hey, ho.
It has occurred to me that I might have to tidy up the house, what with guests expected this weekend. Not sure where that fits into the training schedule... However, since I seem to have decided that a house that doubles as a rather tricky assault course is a good idea, but I doubt guests would agree, tidying must be done. Particularly of the furniture plied at the bottom of the staircase - subliminal plan there to properly hurt myself if I fall down them again, I suspect...
Sleep is apparently very important preparation for a marathon (yay!) and so now off to get some.
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 1 min /5.3 miles (best time yet... Hmmm...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (no more cross-training until after the big day)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
OK, so I am officially the only person in the country who feels this way, but... I want to sunbathe in warm sunny weather, not slog my way round 26.2 miles on (sore) foot... Have decided to ignore the forecasts until the day itself - this is Scotland after all, and a Sunday forecast as sunny on a Wednesday will quite probably be overcast and cold by the time it comes around...
Did try out my warmer weather gear on tonight's run, just to be on the safe side. Think definitely the shorter running trousers are the way to go (plus cool red stripes!) and the short-sleeve top... Regardless of how dee0ply unflattering they may be... If it's actually warm/hot and sunny on the day then it'll have to be the running shorts - and I apologise in advance to my fellow marathon "runners" and all associated spectators. Sadly, the "lovely long, lean legs" promised by the Pilates woman have yet to turn up, and so I'll just have to use the ones I already have. Hey, ho.
It has occurred to me that I might have to tidy up the house, what with guests expected this weekend. Not sure where that fits into the training schedule... However, since I seem to have decided that a house that doubles as a rather tricky assault course is a good idea, but I doubt guests would agree, tidying must be done. Particularly of the furniture plied at the bottom of the staircase - subliminal plan there to properly hurt myself if I fall down them again, I suspect...
Sleep is apparently very important preparation for a marathon (yay!) and so now off to get some.
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 1 min /5.3 miles (best time yet... Hmmm...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (no more cross-training until after the big day)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
Thursday, 17 May 2012
9 Days To Go: Another day down...
So, returned home today - toiling through the endless roadworks that exist on all major routes to and from my house - which should have been relatively relaxed (flight was early leaving and arriving - possibly the first time I have ever experienced this)... But the traffic was gruesome, one of my tyres was suspiciously flat-looking (and so required me to stop and re-inflate in, and while I was there got some petrol), and by the time I got home it was time to go to aerobics...
Deep breath... So, feeling very virtuous now, having fitted in aerobics and gym on top of everything else today... And, yet, still behind... Must work harder - must clear desk before I go on leave.... A little bit, anyway...
Other than that, all relatively quiet on the home front. Desperately need to clean and tidy the house - visitors soon - and am away again from Sunday for a bit... Tedious, all just tedious...
Onward!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (have a heart...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 24 mins/3 miles (quick, quick, quick)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics)
Deep breath... So, feeling very virtuous now, having fitted in aerobics and gym on top of everything else today... And, yet, still behind... Must work harder - must clear desk before I go on leave.... A little bit, anyway...
Other than that, all relatively quiet on the home front. Desperately need to clean and tidy the house - visitors soon - and am away again from Sunday for a bit... Tedious, all just tedious...
Onward!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (have a heart...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 24 mins/3 miles (quick, quick, quick)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics)
10 Days To Go: Hitting the highlights
Away from home again (not just running now, but touring the country to do so! Will the torture never end...!!). Last flight south, drive to hotel, check in, give serious thought to just going to the pub...
But, no! Must do some running (having rested the stupid bruised foot Monday and Tuesday)... And so set out to tour the local cultural highlights. Hotel - train station - ABW - our office - hotel. A jolly 5-mile gander round some stunning dual carriageways in the dark... The fun never quite ends with this running lark.
Other than that, thoughts have turned to preparing for the big day. What to pack, what to wear, etc... So many decisions, so little time! Must get a bit more definitive this weekend - stress levels will be climbing steadily from Monday.
Also need to sort my post-marathon holiday - need some sun, I think. A lot to pack in this weekend (and here I was looking forward to some R&R...).
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 2 mins /5.01 miles (round and round and round we go)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (none in sight...)
Fitness class: 0 (tomorrow!)
But, no! Must do some running (having rested the stupid bruised foot Monday and Tuesday)... And so set out to tour the local cultural highlights. Hotel - train station - ABW - our office - hotel. A jolly 5-mile gander round some stunning dual carriageways in the dark... The fun never quite ends with this running lark.
Other than that, thoughts have turned to preparing for the big day. What to pack, what to wear, etc... So many decisions, so little time! Must get a bit more definitive this weekend - stress levels will be climbing steadily from Monday.
Also need to sort my post-marathon holiday - need some sun, I think. A lot to pack in this weekend (and here I was looking forward to some R&R...).
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 2 mins /5.01 miles (round and round and round we go)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (none in sight...)
Fitness class: 0 (tomorrow!)
Sunday, 13 May 2012
13 Days To Go: Karate kicking
Note to the wise: attacking shoe racks with bare feet is not an approved marathon-training technique...
Long story short: Got up this morning. Ate healthy sawdust-like breakfast. Started to get ready for run through fog of morning. Coming down stairs, I slipped on the second-to-last stair. Ended up sitting flat on my backside on the (concrete) floor at the bottom of the stairs in a rather surprised posable doll style. After a moment's reflection, I realised that en route to the floor I had kicked my wooden shoe rack with the sole of my left foot. Hi-yah! So, shoe rack now broken (don't know my own strength!) and foot at the very least bruised from heel to toe. Genius!
After some consideration (and more coffee), I tried icing the afflicted foot. Then some Ibuprofen. But foot stubbornly insisted on its 5 minutes of fame and kept hurting. Decided further impact was not a good idea, and retired to the gym and the cross-trainer for a rather tediously long session... Although, as The Terminator has already installed himself on the cross-trainer that I usually use, I did get to watch lots of tiger-related fun on the TV as I "pounded" away... Followed, unfortunately, by Football Focus (I think) which was all very gripping stuff: apologies if I'm spoiling the surprise for you, but Manchester City won the (English) league - eventually. Oh, and Celtic won the Scottish league, but the more worrying thing about that is that, despite their problems, Rangers still came second!
Odd day... Not solely because I am now ranting about football...
Oh, and nothing says "The Olymipcs" to me quite like half-price Oral B toothbrushes... Really, the Olympics-related advertising is reaching quite dizzying heights of silliness...!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (derailed by accident)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 37 mins/12 miles (ouch!)
Fitness class: 0 (tomorrow...)
Long story short: Got up this morning. Ate healthy sawdust-like breakfast. Started to get ready for run through fog of morning. Coming down stairs, I slipped on the second-to-last stair. Ended up sitting flat on my backside on the (concrete) floor at the bottom of the stairs in a rather surprised posable doll style. After a moment's reflection, I realised that en route to the floor I had kicked my wooden shoe rack with the sole of my left foot. Hi-yah! So, shoe rack now broken (don't know my own strength!) and foot at the very least bruised from heel to toe. Genius!
After some consideration (and more coffee), I tried icing the afflicted foot. Then some Ibuprofen. But foot stubbornly insisted on its 5 minutes of fame and kept hurting. Decided further impact was not a good idea, and retired to the gym and the cross-trainer for a rather tediously long session... Although, as The Terminator has already installed himself on the cross-trainer that I usually use, I did get to watch lots of tiger-related fun on the TV as I "pounded" away... Followed, unfortunately, by Football Focus (I think) which was all very gripping stuff: apologies if I'm spoiling the surprise for you, but Manchester City won the (English) league - eventually. Oh, and Celtic won the Scottish league, but the more worrying thing about that is that, despite their problems, Rangers still came second!
Odd day... Not solely because I am now ranting about football...
Oh, and nothing says "The Olymipcs" to me quite like half-price Oral B toothbrushes... Really, the Olympics-related advertising is reaching quite dizzying heights of silliness...!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (derailed by accident)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 37 mins/12 miles (ouch!)
Fitness class: 0 (tomorrow...)
14 Days To Go: Tapering troubles
Randomly woke up at 5:43am pretty much every morning this week (at home). I know this because I woke in a panic thinking that I was late, checked clock, discovered that it was still deepest night, and then went back to sleep. I suspect that the flying vermin (pigeons and seagulls) have teamed up to all take a rest stop on my roof at the same time - the problem with a metal roof is that when birds land on it there's a bit of a bang. Multiple birds landing at similar times would sort of be a hammering cacophony loud enough to wake even me... That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it. Must remember to check with the Council and see if it is legal to hunt flying vermin within the city confines...
So was thinking of doing last week's long run (which I didn't do - oops!) today. But had plans for early afternoon onwards (family frolics) and in the end did not wake up early enough to get the run done (in my defence, my flight home was delayed last night and so it's all really Easyjet's fault...). Decided to do tomorrow's cross-training today (but without the RPM - didn't really miss it, has to be said).
As it turns out, apparently it would be very much the wrong thing to do to fit in last week's long run this weekend - optimal preparation is to wind down the distances from the peak running period (ahem). I'm going to have to pretend that my training reached a peak (am not sure that I actually reached a peak, but whatever)... So a piddling 12 mile run tomorrow it is - "piddling", must remember that as I start dreaming of deliverance after 5 miles or so...
Other than that, more books have arrived and so I will soon have read my way through the whole Stacia Kane back catalogue. Yay! Although, what am I going to do when that's over...? Must silver linings come with their own cloud?!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (tomorrow... Honest!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 21 mins/3 miles (quick, quick, quick)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
So was thinking of doing last week's long run (which I didn't do - oops!) today. But had plans for early afternoon onwards (family frolics) and in the end did not wake up early enough to get the run done (in my defence, my flight home was delayed last night and so it's all really Easyjet's fault...). Decided to do tomorrow's cross-training today (but without the RPM - didn't really miss it, has to be said).
As it turns out, apparently it would be very much the wrong thing to do to fit in last week's long run this weekend - optimal preparation is to wind down the distances from the peak running period (ahem). I'm going to have to pretend that my training reached a peak (am not sure that I actually reached a peak, but whatever)... So a piddling 12 mile run tomorrow it is - "piddling", must remember that as I start dreaming of deliverance after 5 miles or so...
Other than that, more books have arrived and so I will soon have read my way through the whole Stacia Kane back catalogue. Yay! Although, what am I going to do when that's over...? Must silver linings come with their own cloud?!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (tomorrow... Honest!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 21 mins/3 miles (quick, quick, quick)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
Thursday, 10 May 2012
16 Days To Go: Out and about
Out and about since Wednesday, but still attempting to follow the schedule (allegedly). Should have done a run last night but arrived just a bit late at the hotel to be attempting a run through unfamiliar streets. This proved to be a good call, as I remain completely confused by the street layout here, and get lost very easily - who knows where I might have ended up?!
Haven't actually run for a while (versus time spent on cross-trainer) but little has changed. It's still dull; my feet still hurt (really, I wish that they'd get with the programme), I still jowalk around the place rather than actually run... Shall soon all be over... Which is something I am looking forward to greatly, even if it will be the most ridiculous day of my entire life!
As an aside, I have to comment on cobbles. That is, cobbles look quaint, but are horrid to drive on, tricky to walk on and downright dangerous to run on (especially when wet). That being the case, who in their right mind covers pavements with - effectively - little cobblestones? Big, wide pavements that it is impossible to walk over without turning your ankle, never mind jog over... AND they are darned uncomfortable to those afflicted with pain in the soles of their feet... City planners take note: paving stones are also a classic design and also are ideally suited to, you know, paving!
Down with cobbles!!
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 5 mins /5 miles (randomly lost = time spent consulting Google maps!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (maybe Sunday)
Fitness class: 0 (far from home)
Haven't actually run for a while (versus time spent on cross-trainer) but little has changed. It's still dull; my feet still hurt (really, I wish that they'd get with the programme), I still jowalk around the place rather than actually run... Shall soon all be over... Which is something I am looking forward to greatly, even if it will be the most ridiculous day of my entire life!
As an aside, I have to comment on cobbles. That is, cobbles look quaint, but are horrid to drive on, tricky to walk on and downright dangerous to run on (especially when wet). That being the case, who in their right mind covers pavements with - effectively - little cobblestones? Big, wide pavements that it is impossible to walk over without turning your ankle, never mind jog over... AND they are darned uncomfortable to those afflicted with pain in the soles of their feet... City planners take note: paving stones are also a classic design and also are ideally suited to, you know, paving!
Down with cobbles!!
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 5 mins /5 miles (randomly lost = time spent consulting Google maps!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (maybe Sunday)
Fitness class: 0 (far from home)
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
18 Days To Go: And it continues...
Managed to not do any exercise at the weekend - genius. Was supposed to be the weekend of my longest pre-marathon run... But, no, I decided to do absolutely nothing at all....
Feeling terribly upbeat and positive about both training and the marathon at the moment (yes, that is sarcasm). Have lots of other things that I would like to be doing at the moment (none of which involve running), but didn't do any of them at the weekend either (as I was trying to force myself to do the run first)...
Off on a whirlwind tour of the country for the next few days (which is so conducive to fitting in some miles) and then have to decide what to do on Saturday: run the scheduled 12 miles, or try for longer, or...? Pretty much have to at least leave the house (which will be a big step forward from last weekend.
:o(
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (oops...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 43 mins/5.5 miles (should have been 8...)
Fitness class: 0 (ooops)
Feeling terribly upbeat and positive about both training and the marathon at the moment (yes, that is sarcasm). Have lots of other things that I would like to be doing at the moment (none of which involve running), but didn't do any of them at the weekend either (as I was trying to force myself to do the run first)...
Off on a whirlwind tour of the country for the next few days (which is so conducive to fitting in some miles) and then have to decide what to do on Saturday: run the scheduled 12 miles, or try for longer, or...? Pretty much have to at least leave the house (which will be a big step forward from last weekend.
:o(
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (oops...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 43 mins/5.5 miles (should have been 8...)
Fitness class: 0 (ooops)
Friday, 4 May 2012
22 Days To Go: Wondering while shopping
Feeling the affects of aerobics today - smiley, smiley lady got rather carried away last night, methinks.
Went to the supermarket this evening (livin' the high life, me!) and while drifting around not buying ice cream (which was on my mental list of things to buy but I didn't get around to actually putting it in my shopping basket - dammit!) I was wondering:
- how do normal people buy petrol for their cars? It was on the news that people were definitely feeling the effects of increased petrol prices because they were buying petrol in set amounts (e..g putting 5 pounds-worth or 10 pounds-worth in their tank at a time). Erm, that's how I've always bought petrol! Does this make me a trend-setter? Ahead of my time? A visionary who should gather followers and start preaching my wisdom to the masses? Or is that me coming over all "Life of Brian"?
- what do Proctor and Gamble do when the Olympic Games aren't on? I mean, every second advert is some Proctor and Gamble product (I know this because they stress it, and not due to my encyclopedic knowledge of P&G products): I'm glad that they're "proud sponsors" etc, and this must have cost a pretty penny, but there are 3 months to go and it's getting old...
- the "long, lean legs" that the Pilates DVD woman keeps promising me: exactly how long am I supposed to wait for them to turn up? I was assuming she meant my legs (please?!) but maybe they're like replacement legs and they're coming in the post? Or is this just me lacking patience, again?
- does cake count as carbohydrate? I seem to have eaten an awful lot of cake this week - which is not really part of the plan - but, you know, that could maybe be a good thing? Maybe? Over a year on from the attempt to love fruit not chocolate and I am still feeble in the face of cake. Sad, and quite possibly hopeless... And there was coffee cake on offer in the supermarket tonight... Love coffee cake (with coffee icing)... Just as well it wasn't BOGOF, really, or my fridge would be bulging (what, you don't put cake in the fridge?!)...
Anyway, all that mental exercise was quite draining and I have a truly ridiculous long run to prepare for tomorrow... So, off to bed, then... Without taste-testing the cake first...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (official day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
Went to the supermarket this evening (livin' the high life, me!) and while drifting around not buying ice cream (which was on my mental list of things to buy but I didn't get around to actually putting it in my shopping basket - dammit!) I was wondering:
- how do normal people buy petrol for their cars? It was on the news that people were definitely feeling the effects of increased petrol prices because they were buying petrol in set amounts (e..g putting 5 pounds-worth or 10 pounds-worth in their tank at a time). Erm, that's how I've always bought petrol! Does this make me a trend-setter? Ahead of my time? A visionary who should gather followers and start preaching my wisdom to the masses? Or is that me coming over all "Life of Brian"?
- what do Proctor and Gamble do when the Olympic Games aren't on? I mean, every second advert is some Proctor and Gamble product (I know this because they stress it, and not due to my encyclopedic knowledge of P&G products): I'm glad that they're "proud sponsors" etc, and this must have cost a pretty penny, but there are 3 months to go and it's getting old...
- the "long, lean legs" that the Pilates DVD woman keeps promising me: exactly how long am I supposed to wait for them to turn up? I was assuming she meant my legs (please?!) but maybe they're like replacement legs and they're coming in the post? Or is this just me lacking patience, again?
- does cake count as carbohydrate? I seem to have eaten an awful lot of cake this week - which is not really part of the plan - but, you know, that could maybe be a good thing? Maybe? Over a year on from the attempt to love fruit not chocolate and I am still feeble in the face of cake. Sad, and quite possibly hopeless... And there was coffee cake on offer in the supermarket tonight... Love coffee cake (with coffee icing)... Just as well it wasn't BOGOF, really, or my fridge would be bulging (what, you don't put cake in the fridge?!)...
Anyway, all that mental exercise was quite draining and I have a truly ridiculous long run to prepare for tomorrow... So, off to bed, then... Without taste-testing the cake first...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (official day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD)
23 Days To Go: Zip, zoom, suffrage, snooze
Zipped to work.
Zoomed to aerobics (oof).
Walked to polling station to vote (a 1 mile round trip. Yes, I am now recording all my walks too in a desperate attempt to get my weekly mileage looking more impressive. It'll be a pedometer while I'm doing the housework next... Assuming I decide to do some housework, that is...).
Went to gym to use the cross-trainer. The Terminator - after a few nights now of wandering in after I was already on the cross-trainer - got there first and snagged the better of the 2 cross-trainers. Damn him! He pulled his usual trick of being there both before and after me, but I cared not tonight as I'd already done an hour of aerobics and was puggled.
Returned home, conducted obligatory stretches, and then collapsed on the sofa. Have now watched the news twice, which leads to some rather odd musings. Was vastly amused to see GBAD being set up in Blackheath - good old Rapier, eh?! And HMS Ocean is going to defend the Thames, er, London too. It's all go for the military... I wonder what everyone will be doing next year when we can no longer (over-) use the phrase "because of the Olympics"...?
Found myself thinking "I should clean the oven this weekend" earlier this evening. This is a symptom know as avoidance, a close cousin to procrastination. It is highly unlikely that I will clean the oven this weekend (and, really, I can't remember ever having previously tried to pre-plan such an event); it is, however, highly likely that if I plan to clean the oven this weekend then I will focus on that and ultimately use it as an excuse for why I did not do my long "run". So, in the interests of training properly, I am afraid that I shall have to ban oven-cleaning, for this weekend and possibly much longer... Shame, that...
Am tempted now to assist the vodka and coke to escape from the fridge and ease myself into tomorrow with a celebratory drink...
;o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (other things going on...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 24 mins/3 miles (Traitor Toes still complaining - do they not understand the concept of "no impact"?!)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics class)
Zoomed to aerobics (oof).
Walked to polling station to vote (a 1 mile round trip. Yes, I am now recording all my walks too in a desperate attempt to get my weekly mileage looking more impressive. It'll be a pedometer while I'm doing the housework next... Assuming I decide to do some housework, that is...).
Went to gym to use the cross-trainer. The Terminator - after a few nights now of wandering in after I was already on the cross-trainer - got there first and snagged the better of the 2 cross-trainers. Damn him! He pulled his usual trick of being there both before and after me, but I cared not tonight as I'd already done an hour of aerobics and was puggled.
Returned home, conducted obligatory stretches, and then collapsed on the sofa. Have now watched the news twice, which leads to some rather odd musings. Was vastly amused to see GBAD being set up in Blackheath - good old Rapier, eh?! And HMS Ocean is going to defend the Thames, er, London too. It's all go for the military... I wonder what everyone will be doing next year when we can no longer (over-) use the phrase "because of the Olympics"...?
Found myself thinking "I should clean the oven this weekend" earlier this evening. This is a symptom know as avoidance, a close cousin to procrastination. It is highly unlikely that I will clean the oven this weekend (and, really, I can't remember ever having previously tried to pre-plan such an event); it is, however, highly likely that if I plan to clean the oven this weekend then I will focus on that and ultimately use it as an excuse for why I did not do my long "run". So, in the interests of training properly, I am afraid that I shall have to ban oven-cleaning, for this weekend and possibly much longer... Shame, that...
Am tempted now to assist the vodka and coke to escape from the fridge and ease myself into tomorrow with a celebratory drink...
;o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (other things going on...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 24 mins/3 miles (Traitor Toes still complaining - do they not understand the concept of "no impact"?!)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics class)
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
24 Days To Go: The benefits of reading
It's apparently 1.3 miles to the library and back - the benefits of reading are legion!
Again retired to the gym and cross-trainer for tonight's exercise - mostly because it's faster than jowalking the 5 miles I was supposed to do today. So felt a bit guilty and did 6 miles on the cross-trainer. But didn't do the Pilates DVD... Decided to wash some dishes instead (sort of running out!)...
The excitement is quite beyond me to express...
It will be nice - in June - to not have to spend quite so much time on training activities - the house might well look a little tidier too!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 45 mins/6 miles (Traitor Toes did not enjoy this - damn them!)
Fitness class: 0 (hmmm, should really have done Pilates DVD...)
Again retired to the gym and cross-trainer for tonight's exercise - mostly because it's faster than jowalking the 5 miles I was supposed to do today. So felt a bit guilty and did 6 miles on the cross-trainer. But didn't do the Pilates DVD... Decided to wash some dishes instead (sort of running out!)...
The excitement is quite beyond me to express...
It will be nice - in June - to not have to spend quite so much time on training activities - the house might well look a little tidier too!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 45 mins/6 miles (Traitor Toes did not enjoy this - damn them!)
Fitness class: 0 (hmmm, should really have done Pilates DVD...)
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
25 Days To Go: Important things
Any interest in training (let's face it, never high) that I have was de-railed this week by the long-awaited (hey, 4 days is a long time. It is!) of Book 4. Which sadly has now been read cover-to-cover, and so I have to return to more boring matters... It's very good, by the way - Book 4. And only 3 months or so until Book 5 comes out... Dammit!
Have decided that since it looks like I'll actually be doing this marathon thing (rather than just endlessly training for it until I admit defeat and stop the ridiculousness), I ought to get a bit more serious about the raising money for charity aspect. I am most grateful to all those who have so generously sponsored me to date, but more is sought... There is no escape... If you're wondering how to sponsor me (as I'm sure you were), look to the right: there's a link there saying "Sponsor Me NOW!"; us it. Simples!
Have become obsessed by the song over the Microsoft IE9 advert ("Too Close" by Alex Clare) - tempted to buy the album, but thought that I might wait until I actually have some money... So just bought the song itself... *sigh*
Have now purchased an ice pack for the Traitor Toes (was a bit worried that the frozen vegetables were not enjoying their repeated partial de-frosting. It's very cold. Not much more you can really say about an ice pack... The amount of investment in this marathon thingy is vast and ever-increasing - I am sure that someone should really have warned me about this months ago (thinking of you, G&T!)... Still, nearly there...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 21 mins/10 miles (Traitor Toes did not enjoy this - damn them!)
Fitness class: 0 (just not enough hours in the day...)
Have decided that since it looks like I'll actually be doing this marathon thing (rather than just endlessly training for it until I admit defeat and stop the ridiculousness), I ought to get a bit more serious about the raising money for charity aspect. I am most grateful to all those who have so generously sponsored me to date, but more is sought... There is no escape... If you're wondering how to sponsor me (as I'm sure you were), look to the right: there's a link there saying "Sponsor Me NOW!"; us it. Simples!
Have become obsessed by the song over the Microsoft IE9 advert ("Too Close" by Alex Clare) - tempted to buy the album, but thought that I might wait until I actually have some money... So just bought the song itself... *sigh*
Have now purchased an ice pack for the Traitor Toes (was a bit worried that the frozen vegetables were not enjoying their repeated partial de-frosting. It's very cold. Not much more you can really say about an ice pack... The amount of investment in this marathon thingy is vast and ever-increasing - I am sure that someone should really have warned me about this months ago (thinking of you, G&T!)... Still, nearly there...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 21 mins/10 miles (Traitor Toes did not enjoy this - damn them!)
Fitness class: 0 (just not enough hours in the day...)
Sunday, 29 April 2012
27 Days To Go: Pushing on through
Only 4 weeks to go: 50% panic; 50% relief. Hopping between the two like a delirious and demented frog.
One of the good things about RPM is that it does end the stiffness of my poor feeble frame of a Sunday morning. Although it does seem to be rather pointless in that I never quite manage to cycle as fast as your supposed to; and it's a bizarre way to spend an otherwise perfectly pleasant Sunday morning.
Cross-training leaves plenty of time to consider weighty matters, such as:
- "Berry and Tropical", does this say "electric blue" to you? No? The why is Powerade "Berry and Tropical" electric blue? And what sort of flavour is "Tropical" anyway? I'd like to know - want to avoid the berries that turn things electric blue for certain (not sure it's my colour).
- is getting a bus back from the marathon finish line a good idea or not? The traffic will be horrendous, and so there aren't really many options (train, I guess, but bus stops closer to my house), but it's a 40-minute journey... Post-marathon is all starting to look like a bit of a slog (given I will be, as the officials term it, knackered)...
- why are the Edinburgh Marathon people asking if yesterday was my last long run when their training plan has me doing at least another 2 (assuming that 8 miles isn't considered to be a long run)...? Fools!
- why is my stuff still in Droitwich? Why?! 1-day delivery this is not!
- are crisps and humus carbohydrate-, or even protein-, rich or not...? Just, you know, out of interest, and not because I intend to eat a lot of such things... Honest!
Otherwise, I have a "Thor" DVD and a tub of "Ben and Jerry's" ice cream and I know how to use them...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 26 mins/3 miles (must improve cardio fitness)
Fitness class: 1 (RPM)
One of the good things about RPM is that it does end the stiffness of my poor feeble frame of a Sunday morning. Although it does seem to be rather pointless in that I never quite manage to cycle as fast as your supposed to; and it's a bizarre way to spend an otherwise perfectly pleasant Sunday morning.
Cross-training leaves plenty of time to consider weighty matters, such as:
- "Berry and Tropical", does this say "electric blue" to you? No? The why is Powerade "Berry and Tropical" electric blue? And what sort of flavour is "Tropical" anyway? I'd like to know - want to avoid the berries that turn things electric blue for certain (not sure it's my colour).
- is getting a bus back from the marathon finish line a good idea or not? The traffic will be horrendous, and so there aren't really many options (train, I guess, but bus stops closer to my house), but it's a 40-minute journey... Post-marathon is all starting to look like a bit of a slog (given I will be, as the officials term it, knackered)...
- why are the Edinburgh Marathon people asking if yesterday was my last long run when their training plan has me doing at least another 2 (assuming that 8 miles isn't considered to be a long run)...? Fools!
- why is my stuff still in Droitwich? Why?! 1-day delivery this is not!
- are crisps and humus carbohydrate-, or even protein-, rich or not...? Just, you know, out of interest, and not because I intend to eat a lot of such things... Honest!
Otherwise, I have a "Thor" DVD and a tub of "Ben and Jerry's" ice cream and I know how to use them...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 26 mins/3 miles (must improve cardio fitness)
Fitness class: 1 (RPM)
Saturday, 28 April 2012
28 Days To Go: I had a cunning plan
So, cunning plan was to get up relatively early, pay in cheques, go to delivery office and get gels (more on that later), take out new water bottle for a trial on today's long run, run 17 miles instead of the 14 scheduled (trying to make up for not running 18 miles last weekend) and then post run sit down to enjoy Book 4 ("Sacrificial Magic", don't you know).
Plan was going OK (although started a little late as ever - one week I'll actually leave the house when I intend to on at least one morning...) except that Book 4 did not arrive yesterday or today. No Book 4 until Monday earliest! And then the new water bottle (and the battery thingy for my 'phone) did not arrive as scheduled (still in Droitwich, apparently...). So, not the best start to the first long run for a while...
Was pretty fed up after about 6 miles, seriously considered getting the bus home at 8 miles (note to self - don't run along bus routes where the bus goes straight pass my house!). But kept going... Figures I'd try to do at least 14 miles... Route back (much checking of 'phone) cut down, and with some effort did exactly 14 miles. Quite grumpy - slow time and I thought I'd been doing OK. Checked 'phone (which was still working - small high-point to the day): oooh, bit of a blip, apparently I was running cross-country for quite a bit there... Fixed route - 15.3 miles! Woop! That's more like it!!
Gel thingies - apparently the beautiful, natural exercise that is running requires lots of supplements in order to do it properly... Deeply suspicious of this, but having tried the gels out today, they do seem to help keep one's energy levels up (which is what they're for), and so will work my way through my little stockpile over the next few weeks as I can't be turning away assistance at this stage of the game... Shame they don't help with the traitor toes (currently in disgrace and on ice).
Must remember to find cycling shorts for tomorrow - RPM again. Something to look forward to early on a Sunday morning... [Yes, that was sarcasm...]
:o}
Running time/distance: 3 hrs 15 mins /15.3 miles (approx - IT failure!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD once...)
Plan was going OK (although started a little late as ever - one week I'll actually leave the house when I intend to on at least one morning...) except that Book 4 did not arrive yesterday or today. No Book 4 until Monday earliest! And then the new water bottle (and the battery thingy for my 'phone) did not arrive as scheduled (still in Droitwich, apparently...). So, not the best start to the first long run for a while...
Was pretty fed up after about 6 miles, seriously considered getting the bus home at 8 miles (note to self - don't run along bus routes where the bus goes straight pass my house!). But kept going... Figures I'd try to do at least 14 miles... Route back (much checking of 'phone) cut down, and with some effort did exactly 14 miles. Quite grumpy - slow time and I thought I'd been doing OK. Checked 'phone (which was still working - small high-point to the day): oooh, bit of a blip, apparently I was running cross-country for quite a bit there... Fixed route - 15.3 miles! Woop! That's more like it!!
Gel thingies - apparently the beautiful, natural exercise that is running requires lots of supplements in order to do it properly... Deeply suspicious of this, but having tried the gels out today, they do seem to help keep one's energy levels up (which is what they're for), and so will work my way through my little stockpile over the next few weeks as I can't be turning away assistance at this stage of the game... Shame they don't help with the traitor toes (currently in disgrace and on ice).
Must remember to find cycling shorts for tomorrow - RPM again. Something to look forward to early on a Sunday morning... [Yes, that was sarcasm...]
:o}
Running time/distance: 3 hrs 15 mins /15.3 miles (approx - IT failure!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD once...)
29 Days To Go: Onward to the breach
Is getting quite confusing now which post relates to which day - for clarity, regardless of what it says at the top, this is Friday's post...
A nice restful full day of work followed by Pilates DVD today... Not sure that I feel all that rested, but let's hope that I do by tomorrow - return to the long run. Was worried *cough* that it might rain tomorrow, but the forecast says sunny all day and so there should be nothing to stop me going out for a (very0 extended jowalk... Joy....
But before then, there has to be a trip to the bank (cheques to pay in), the delivery office (a package arrived today - exciting) and various preparatory activities as usual... So unlikely to be starting early tomorrow (not even going to try to plan as such this week).
Am waiting for various bits to arrive in the post... In the expense-free world of running, I've ordered some gels to test out when running (apparently they keep your energy levels up - hmmm), a new water bottle (must not be dehydrated) and an additional battery pack for my 'phone. The app on my 'phone is what i use to time/track my jowalks, but the battery is failing and barely lasted the half-marathon distance. So, additional power, or a new plan is required - would quite like a functioning 'phone at the finish line. Anyone would think that I had money at the rate I'm spending it...
Should toddle off and get some sleep now - apparently lots of sleep is also essential marathon prep: my favourite parts of training are the sleep and the rest days. Just a shame about the running, really...!
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (official day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD once...)
A nice restful full day of work followed by Pilates DVD today... Not sure that I feel all that rested, but let's hope that I do by tomorrow - return to the long run. Was worried *cough* that it might rain tomorrow, but the forecast says sunny all day and so there should be nothing to stop me going out for a (very0 extended jowalk... Joy....
But before then, there has to be a trip to the bank (cheques to pay in), the delivery office (a package arrived today - exciting) and various preparatory activities as usual... So unlikely to be starting early tomorrow (not even going to try to plan as such this week).
Am waiting for various bits to arrive in the post... In the expense-free world of running, I've ordered some gels to test out when running (apparently they keep your energy levels up - hmmm), a new water bottle (must not be dehydrated) and an additional battery pack for my 'phone. The app on my 'phone is what i use to time/track my jowalks, but the battery is failing and barely lasted the half-marathon distance. So, additional power, or a new plan is required - would quite like a functioning 'phone at the finish line. Anyone would think that I had money at the rate I'm spending it...
Should toddle off and get some sleep now - apparently lots of sleep is also essential marathon prep: my favourite parts of training are the sleep and the rest days. Just a shame about the running, really...!
:oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (official day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (official day of rest)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD once...)
Friday, 27 April 2012
30 Days To Go: Reasons to run
Feeling rather virtuous at the moment - actually did additional cross-training on top of my usual aerobics class today. Maximising my cardio wherever possible this week... As long as no one looks too closely and notes that I haven't actually done any running since Sunday, then job's a good 'un. Has to be said, this week has been much more fun than weeks involving running - shocker!
That bastion of good advice - Women's Running Magazine - has produced a list of the top 15 reasons to run; the overly enthusiastic people at Edinburgh Marathon then duly shared this info with the world (or at least, those signed up to run in this year's "Festival"). A few comedy highlights:
- "Expensive equipment isn't required" - really? Tell that to my bank balance... It's not exactly cheap, starting with the "properly fitted" trainers and moving ever onwards.
- "It's awesome for your social life" - yes, because entirely solitary experiences are renowned for helping you to meet new people. And devoting endless hours per week slogging through ever-increasing miles leaves a lot of free time for social activities. I'm not even entirely sure where they're going with this one...
- "It provides an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature" - I've never been a fan of ye olde nature (hayfever tends to put one off wandering around green places) and frankly could do without this lovely opportunity. Thanks, though...
I'll stop there or this will turn into a really long whinge about how much I hate running.
On this plus side, I spoke to the woman at aerobics (remembered what she looks like!) and her name is L. I'm meeting people! And, apparently, holding providing advice on the appropriate size and purchasing method for trainers... I really need to get this phase of my life done and move on - I'm now boring myself as well as the poor random people who are forced to speak to me...
Oh, and Book 4 has not turned up yet. But wasn't expecting it until tomorrow, and so that's OK. It had better turn up tomorrow - want to enjoy my day of rest!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (wasn't actually planning to run today...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 26 mins/3 miles (Level 4 - impact-free is the way to go!)
Fitness class: 1 (return to usual aerobics class - woo-hoo!)
That bastion of good advice - Women's Running Magazine - has produced a list of the top 15 reasons to run; the overly enthusiastic people at Edinburgh Marathon then duly shared this info with the world (or at least, those signed up to run in this year's "Festival"). A few comedy highlights:
- "Expensive equipment isn't required" - really? Tell that to my bank balance... It's not exactly cheap, starting with the "properly fitted" trainers and moving ever onwards.
- "It's awesome for your social life" - yes, because entirely solitary experiences are renowned for helping you to meet new people. And devoting endless hours per week slogging through ever-increasing miles leaves a lot of free time for social activities. I'm not even entirely sure where they're going with this one...
- "It provides an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature" - I've never been a fan of ye olde nature (hayfever tends to put one off wandering around green places) and frankly could do without this lovely opportunity. Thanks, though...
I'll stop there or this will turn into a really long whinge about how much I hate running.
On this plus side, I spoke to the woman at aerobics (remembered what she looks like!) and her name is L. I'm meeting people! And, apparently, holding providing advice on the appropriate size and purchasing method for trainers... I really need to get this phase of my life done and move on - I'm now boring myself as well as the poor random people who are forced to speak to me...
Oh, and Book 4 has not turned up yet. But wasn't expecting it until tomorrow, and so that's OK. It had better turn up tomorrow - want to enjoy my day of rest!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (wasn't actually planning to run today...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 26 mins/3 miles (Level 4 - impact-free is the way to go!)
Fitness class: 1 (return to usual aerobics class - woo-hoo!)
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
31 Days To Go: Random bits and bobs
So it was cold and raining tonight and I therefore went to hide in the gym. I suspect that it then did not rain a drop while I was inside, but I have to admit that the fact that I cross-trained 9 miles far faster than I could have jowalked it really worked for me. As it is, I'm updating this blog, eating my dinner, soaking my feet, and possibly giving my mother a quick call - multi-tasking might maximise what you do with your time, but it cannot add extra hours to the day (damnit!).
Pounding one's way through 9 miles (even super-fast) leaves a lot of room for random thoughts. Like, if Jay Z has 99 problems, what are they? Does he cover all 99 in the song (I think not!)? And, is the fact that I am now drinking an additional 2 litres or so every day actually responsible for the drought problems in the south?
Love the BT "It Helpdesk?" advert - couldn't possibly say why... Have been trying to follow "Justified" on 5USA (ignoring the fact that I'm starting at series 3) if only because I love the accents - but it's on at 9pm on Wednesdays and I'm off running/exercising at that time... So I'm pretty much just watching the trailer! Have resolved (again) my LoveFilm problem by returning the DVD I couldn't be bothered to watch (even though it's a really good film) - I now have "Thor" awaiting my delectation. Yay! Although when I'm going to fit that in...
On the reading front, I have become obsessed by Stacia Kane's Downside Ghost series - book 4 is now wending its way through the postal system to me. I am tempted to now stand by my front door and wait for the book to appear through the letterbox... Patience - not one of my virtues. Assuming that I have any to begin with...
Off to try to fit some sleep into my very busy schedule...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cold and wet outside...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 13 mins/9.2 miles (Level 4 - impact-free is the way to go!)
Fitness class: 0 (no time!)
Pounding one's way through 9 miles (even super-fast) leaves a lot of room for random thoughts. Like, if Jay Z has 99 problems, what are they? Does he cover all 99 in the song (I think not!)? And, is the fact that I am now drinking an additional 2 litres or so every day actually responsible for the drought problems in the south?
Love the BT "It Helpdesk?" advert - couldn't possibly say why... Have been trying to follow "Justified" on 5USA (ignoring the fact that I'm starting at series 3) if only because I love the accents - but it's on at 9pm on Wednesdays and I'm off running/exercising at that time... So I'm pretty much just watching the trailer! Have resolved (again) my LoveFilm problem by returning the DVD I couldn't be bothered to watch (even though it's a really good film) - I now have "Thor" awaiting my delectation. Yay! Although when I'm going to fit that in...
On the reading front, I have become obsessed by Stacia Kane's Downside Ghost series - book 4 is now wending its way through the postal system to me. I am tempted to now stand by my front door and wait for the book to appear through the letterbox... Patience - not one of my virtues. Assuming that I have any to begin with...
Off to try to fit some sleep into my very busy schedule...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (cold and wet outside...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 1 hr 13 mins/9.2 miles (Level 4 - impact-free is the way to go!)
Fitness class: 0 (no time!)
32 Days To Go: Become The Terminator...
Decided to go with cross-training today rather than the scheduled 5 mile run (it was raining). Love the cross-trainer - maybe should have gone with higher level, but still - consistent cross-training for 50 mins (no walking!) and achieved a distance that would take me at least 30 mins longer to "run"! Result! Love the cross-trainer... The Terminator was in the gym today, but I feel that I have learned from his example - I wonder if he's open to accepting disciples?
And also did my Pilates DVD... The lovely woman on it is just so encouraging (although this is frankly silly as she patently can't see me and so her encouragement is empty and meaningless... Is it wrong that that works better for me than face-to-face encouragement?). Filled with a sense of achievement - which almost makes up for achieving virtually nothing for the rest of the day... Hey, ho... Slightly worried that there is just over a month to go (!) - apart from the fact that I'm still doing some training, I'm not entirely convinced that I'm ready... *gulp*
Other than that, not a lot going on at the moment. Keeping my head down and trying to live quite quietly - to be honest, it's tricky to fit all this running in around work, and a social life on top of that would probably be a step too far!
In some ways, it's a comfort that there are only 32 days to go... Eek!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (pampering the feet...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 50 mins/6.3 miles (Level 3 - rocket-fuelled!)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD - once)
And also did my Pilates DVD... The lovely woman on it is just so encouraging (although this is frankly silly as she patently can't see me and so her encouragement is empty and meaningless... Is it wrong that that works better for me than face-to-face encouragement?). Filled with a sense of achievement - which almost makes up for achieving virtually nothing for the rest of the day... Hey, ho... Slightly worried that there is just over a month to go (!) - apart from the fact that I'm still doing some training, I'm not entirely convinced that I'm ready... *gulp*
Other than that, not a lot going on at the moment. Keeping my head down and trying to live quite quietly - to be honest, it's tricky to fit all this running in around work, and a social life on top of that would probably be a step too far!
In some ways, it's a comfort that there are only 32 days to go... Eek!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (pampering the feet...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 50 mins/6.3 miles (Level 3 - rocket-fuelled!)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD - once)
Monday, 23 April 2012
34 Days To Go: Beware the deer
Lovely sunny morning, wonderful company (far in the distance - La C running rather than joining me in a glorified stroll), running off-pavement (not quite grass, but still a change is good) through Richmond Park... Dull. Very dull. Trees everywhere - once you've seen one... Apparently, it's at best impolite to imply that you find a run through the park boring, but it really was. Despite being sunnily pleasant...
On the other hand, it was all over well before 11am - must try to actually start my weekend runs earlier as it does leave rather more of the weekend for enjoyable stuff.
Oh, and despite frequent interesting signs ("Beware the deer"), no wildlife spotted amongst the trees...
Have dropped a lot of runs this week - must get back on plan next week. Only 5 weeks to go!
Running time/distance: 1 hr 32 mins /7.24 miles (back on track-ish...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (maybe tomorrow...)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD - once)
On the other hand, it was all over well before 11am - must try to actually start my weekend runs earlier as it does leave rather more of the weekend for enjoyable stuff.
Oh, and despite frequent interesting signs ("Beware the deer"), no wildlife spotted amongst the trees...
Have dropped a lot of runs this week - must get back on plan next week. Only 5 weeks to go!
Running time/distance: 1 hr 32 mins /7.24 miles (back on track-ish...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (maybe tomorrow...)
Fitness class: 0.5 (Pilates DVD - once)
Friday, 20 April 2012
37 Days To Go: Voodoo, who do, you do?
As I left the house this evening to spring my car from its latest penury-inducing visit to a garage (this time it was the car equivalent of a spa retreat - car had better start showing some gratitude!), I noticed a headless pigeon outside my door. Now, not a great lover of pigeons (flying vermin!), I wasn't too bothered by this, or even the crow tucking in to its feathered delicacy (ah, the great circle of life).... But perhaps I should have been - perhaps there is a voodoo-based campaign now in operation designed to stop me actually attempting this blooming marathon...
That's my new excuse for not doing the vaguely-planned 5 miles on the cross-trainer today...
And the only reason that I can think of for my lovely aerobics class being replaced at no notice with a "Willpower and Grace" class which is based around - wait for it - barefoot cardio. Yes, what I want to be doing right now, as I pamper my feet into a new pain-free existence, is an hour-long class in bare feet. Involving a good 15 minutes of warming up one's feet by rolling from side to side across the ball of the foot, for example... Extremely grumpy about this - smiley, smiley trainer had better be back next week or there'll be trouble!
Have all sorts of new, emergency plans for how I'm going to fit in some running over the weekend - but, frankly, while I'm great at planning and re-planning, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy. The enemy being me, in this instance, rather than the lurking voodoo priest/ess... Although they appear to be a growing concern, right enough...
On the plus side, a nice lady in the class offered me a lift home, as she apparently sees me walk home every week... Must try to remember what she looks like so that I can speak to her again next week and pretend that I have social skills. See me, see silver linings - sorted!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (feet sore, erm, tired, erm...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (maybe tomorrow...)
Fitness class: 1.5 (random class and did Pilates DVD - once)
That's my new excuse for not doing the vaguely-planned 5 miles on the cross-trainer today...
And the only reason that I can think of for my lovely aerobics class being replaced at no notice with a "Willpower and Grace" class which is based around - wait for it - barefoot cardio. Yes, what I want to be doing right now, as I pamper my feet into a new pain-free existence, is an hour-long class in bare feet. Involving a good 15 minutes of warming up one's feet by rolling from side to side across the ball of the foot, for example... Extremely grumpy about this - smiley, smiley trainer had better be back next week or there'll be trouble!
Have all sorts of new, emergency plans for how I'm going to fit in some running over the weekend - but, frankly, while I'm great at planning and re-planning, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy. The enemy being me, in this instance, rather than the lurking voodoo priest/ess... Although they appear to be a growing concern, right enough...
On the plus side, a nice lady in the class offered me a lift home, as she apparently sees me walk home every week... Must try to remember what she looks like so that I can speak to her again next week and pretend that I have social skills. See me, see silver linings - sorted!
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (feet sore, erm, tired, erm...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (maybe tomorrow...)
Fitness class: 1.5 (random class and did Pilates DVD - once)
Thursday, 19 April 2012
38 Days To Go: Coming over all Scarlet O'Hara
No, I'm not watching anything burn, and I have no feelings one way or the other for Tara... But tomorrow is another day...
Obviously, "no excuses" only applies to days in April which aren't Tuesdays... Or something... Did nothing at all yesterday (oops) when I should have done 5 miles on the cross-trainer... And only achieved one tour through the Pilates DVD today when I should have hiked my way round an 8 mile run... At some point I should be worried about my running in-week fluctuating madly (rather than slowly increasing)... But tomorrow is another day... And if it's better tomorrow, I guess I'll be coming over all Annie (now won't that be a sight to see....!!).
Otherwise, car is taking an extended stay in car hospital (should have escaped today, might escape tomorrow) which means I shall have to embrace working from home tomorrow (yikes!). It also means that penury approaches ever faster, but I am clinging to my plastic and waving it in the faces of all who bother me about money at the moment. La-la-la, can't hear you....
At the end of this, my first day back in the office in over a week, I can safely say that I am in dire need of a holiday!
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (ah, well, you see...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (ah, well, you see...)
Fitness class: 0.5 (did Pilates DVD - once)
Obviously, "no excuses" only applies to days in April which aren't Tuesdays... Or something... Did nothing at all yesterday (oops) when I should have done 5 miles on the cross-trainer... And only achieved one tour through the Pilates DVD today when I should have hiked my way round an 8 mile run... At some point I should be worried about my running in-week fluctuating madly (rather than slowly increasing)... But tomorrow is another day... And if it's better tomorrow, I guess I'll be coming over all Annie (now won't that be a sight to see....!!).
Otherwise, car is taking an extended stay in car hospital (should have escaped today, might escape tomorrow) which means I shall have to embrace working from home tomorrow (yikes!). It also means that penury approaches ever faster, but I am clinging to my plastic and waving it in the faces of all who bother me about money at the moment. La-la-la, can't hear you....
At the end of this, my first day back in the office in over a week, I can safely say that I am in dire need of a holiday!
(@_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (ah, well, you see...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (ah, well, you see...)
Fitness class: 0.5 (did Pilates DVD - once)
Monday, 16 April 2012
40 Days To Go: Fantastic frozen vegetables
After much application of ice, and some pampering, the Traitor Toes have accepted a truce and settled down. Took a nice long walk to denude Boots of any and all helpful tools to combat the foot pain, and then returned home - am still capable of walking without pain at least.
Was thinking of doing this week's long run - 18 miles! - tomorrow, but the foot issue has resolved that. Shall do my 5 mile "run" on the cross-trainer instead (triumphant return!) - I'm all about the "no impact" at the moment. New training regime (in my head) now involves doing Pilates every day (no excuses!) and following the classes on Thursdays and Sundays with additional exercise (cross-training or swimming, I think). So, not more running (yeesh) but more cardio. We'll see how that goes...
Comedy moment of the day was finding the official pictures taken during the half-marathon (here: http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?action=site.homepage) - apparently running slowly and towards the back makes you more photograph-worthy, 19 photos in all! Of which, the only ones even half-way decent are the 2 taken after I finished the trauma. It is glaringly apparent from the photos that I "run" with all the gazelle-like grace of a lump of concrete: also, my right foot at least is still duck-walking with a vengeance. Oh, and I desperately need to lose (a lot more) weight from my legs. *sigh* Still, they made me laugh: although not as much as the amount of money that they want me to pay for copies of said photos. I'd rather pay for them to be ritually burned from both existence and memory, but that isn't one of the buying options...
Other things that I learned from Sunday's "race": I actually ran the second half faster than the first. Which is what you're supposed to do, but... This means that (a) my 10k pace was slower than I've achieved to date, and (b) I "ran" faster and for longer on sore feet than I did on not-sore feet... There are times when my strangeness confuses even me. I am rather hopeful that pain is not my only motivator for "running" at a decent pace, as I simply can't maintain that level of focus for 26 miles. Have bought much Ibuprofen, just in case.
Otherwise I've spent today remembering all the things that I meant to do while on leave that I haven't done yet... It's a long list. Lot to do tomorrow!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (tomorrow!)
Fitness class: 1 (did Pilates DVD - twice)
Was thinking of doing this week's long run - 18 miles! - tomorrow, but the foot issue has resolved that. Shall do my 5 mile "run" on the cross-trainer instead (triumphant return!) - I'm all about the "no impact" at the moment. New training regime (in my head) now involves doing Pilates every day (no excuses!) and following the classes on Thursdays and Sundays with additional exercise (cross-training or swimming, I think). So, not more running (yeesh) but more cardio. We'll see how that goes...
Comedy moment of the day was finding the official pictures taken during the half-marathon (here: http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?action=site.homepage) - apparently running slowly and towards the back makes you more photograph-worthy, 19 photos in all! Of which, the only ones even half-way decent are the 2 taken after I finished the trauma. It is glaringly apparent from the photos that I "run" with all the gazelle-like grace of a lump of concrete: also, my right foot at least is still duck-walking with a vengeance. Oh, and I desperately need to lose (a lot more) weight from my legs. *sigh* Still, they made me laugh: although not as much as the amount of money that they want me to pay for copies of said photos. I'd rather pay for them to be ritually burned from both existence and memory, but that isn't one of the buying options...
Other things that I learned from Sunday's "race": I actually ran the second half faster than the first. Which is what you're supposed to do, but... This means that (a) my 10k pace was slower than I've achieved to date, and (b) I "ran" faster and for longer on sore feet than I did on not-sore feet... There are times when my strangeness confuses even me. I am rather hopeful that pain is not my only motivator for "running" at a decent pace, as I simply can't maintain that level of focus for 26 miles. Have bought much Ibuprofen, just in case.
Otherwise I've spent today remembering all the things that I meant to do while on leave that I haven't done yet... It's a long list. Lot to do tomorrow!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 mins /0 miles (day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (tomorrow!)
Fitness class: 1 (did Pilates DVD - twice)
Sunday, 15 April 2012
41 Days To Go: Half the marathon madness
My favourite moments of today:
- One of my fellow back-markers running past me muttering "Pace!" at me as I slowed from a jog to a walk - amusing as I have only one pace: forward.
- One of the stewards, standing at a road where traffic was being queued and let through at intervals, holding his hand up as I approached. I stopped, quizzically, assuming that this is what he wanted. "High five?" he said rather cautiously. I gave him the very firm Paddington stare (ruined by my sunglasses, but still). Even more cautiously he continued, "um. High... Five...?" I swept past him without a word, but did thank the (laughing) policeman standing along from him who was carefully making rather obvious "keep going" hand motions.
- Super perky American lady ("It doesn't matter where you finish as long as you do so with a smile on your face to show how much fun you had!") who came free with the event was standing in the middle of the finishing straight between me and the finishing line. Being perky. Giving people high fives. She tried to wander over to me, I looked at her, she wandered away again to encourage those finishing behind me. Serves her right - she could at least have learned how to say "Edinburgh" before she got there (clue: it's not "Edinboro").
Apart from that the jowalk proceeded much as usual. After about a mile I'd had enough and couldn't see the point of continuing. Mile 2 was better. Mile 3 I really wanted to just stop and go home. Mile 5 and the Traitor Toes kicked off - both feet this time - it's a bit like trying to jog/walk when you've already spent an entire evening in really high heels. Continue for the rest of the "race". Get to 2 miles to go (would like to say 3, but I was still thinking "I can't go on" at that point) and I become determined to finish, as quickly as possible. Crossing the finish line, foot pain diminishes (a bit), and everything but the last 2 miles vanishes from my memory - 13.1 miles isn't really that hard to, erm, travel on foot.
Once more, as I write this, my feet are resting on towel-wrapped frozen vegetables (mixed special vegetables this time - the bag of frozen peas was too small for 2 feet).
Ultimately, today was something I had to do (about a month before the marathon) to make sure that I was physically capable of attempting the marathon. Given I finished the "race" and then walked 1.5 miles home... Think the answer's yes. As long as I can do something about the Traitor Toes, and possibly also take my cardio training a little more seriously (bit more effort required, I think)... Which is really quite a positive outcome since I spent nearly all of the 2.75 hours jowalking today thinking "I can't possibly do a marathon, it's just not possible"... When I wasn't thinking "These random bands playing along the route are really annoying", that is...
:oD
Running time/distance: 2 hrs 44 mins /13.1 miles (Official timing)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (but soon)
Fitness class: 0 (might have to increase this, though)
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