So the cycling madness is over for this year...
For those intrigued, details are in the other blog (here: link) and pictures are here: link.
Another challenge successfully completed - whatever next?
Well, there is some more running scheduled for next year (why? I have no idea... I think I got a little carried away at some point...) and so doubtless I'll have to start training for that at some point soon.
Which means the relentless whining about running shall soon be back! Rejoice!
;oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (busy with Boris the bike... And then recovering...)
Friday, 9 August 2013
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Cross-training: Mileage review
So it's time (apparently) for a half-year review. Gah! Where did the first half of the year go?! Been busy, and a lot has happened, but still...
Anyway, the lovely MapMyRun people sent me a little run-down of what I'd achieved in the first half of the year, as follows:
Workouts: 147
Total miles: 563.8
Hours: 91.4
Which is... A lot? Impressive? Not that much, really? Hard to tell... At the very least, it is a sub-total. So there.
In other news, the cycling training is ramping up (better late than never!). For those lurking on the blog who have a need to give money to good causes, please feel free to give generously here: link!
Otherwise I'm embracing some imposed time off from the running lark (beyond me to run and cycle. Unless I have to...). I am enjoying the cycling more (despite the falling off. And the sheep...), although it's (a) much more expensive, and (b) a lot less clear on correct training methods. Plus there's this whole requirement to eat and cycle at the same time without dropping pace... Hmm... Running may be many things which are truly horrible, but it is at least simple. Comparatively...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (busy with Boris the bike...)
Anyway, the lovely MapMyRun people sent me a little run-down of what I'd achieved in the first half of the year, as follows:
Workouts: 147
Total miles: 563.8
Hours: 91.4
Which is... A lot? Impressive? Not that much, really? Hard to tell... At the very least, it is a sub-total. So there.
In other news, the cycling training is ramping up (better late than never!). For those lurking on the blog who have a need to give money to good causes, please feel free to give generously here: link!
Otherwise I'm embracing some imposed time off from the running lark (beyond me to run and cycle. Unless I have to...). I am enjoying the cycling more (despite the falling off. And the sheep...), although it's (a) much more expensive, and (b) a lot less clear on correct training methods. Plus there's this whole requirement to eat and cycle at the same time without dropping pace... Hmm... Running may be many things which are truly horrible, but it is at least simple. Comparatively...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (busy with Boris the bike...)
Monday, 1 July 2013
Cross-training: Puff the Magic Dragon
Off I went once more this weekend for a bit of travel (unusually not for work). But with Challenge 5 looming, training could not cease.
Actually took all my kit with me this time (joy) and headed out, in a swell of virtuousness, to go for a run on Saturday morning. Morning, no less... Toyed with the idea of a 5-mile run, but time did not allow, and so aimed for the standard 5k minimum.
Now, I've been doing this for a while (over 18 months now), and every time I start a run (jowalk if we're accurate) I keep hoping that this time - this time! - things will be easier. Better. Or just plain different. But no...
Runs go something like this:
- right, here we go, not going that far should be OK, gentle jog to start with
- (30 seconds later) Dear Lord this is dull
- (30 seconds later) bit hard this - maybe I'm too tired/hungry/a.n. other excuse and should just go home?
- (10 mins in) *gasp* I've been doing this for AGES. Must have gone miles (checks tracker - if I'm lucky I've hit 1 mile at this point). *sob* So much further to go...
- (20 mins in) Why? Why am I doing this? Why is it so blooming hard? Why am I not getting any better?!!? Why did I run so far from home?! MILES to get back - want to walk (but that would take even longer)
- (end) Ha-ha! I'm finished!! Thank God that's over. Not too shabby - see how far I can "run" when I put a little bit of effort in? Wasn't that hard really - should plan to go for a longer run tomorrow and work on the old endurance issue...
Me, my delusions and, most importantly, my rampant personality disorder(s) aren't planning to go for a run again any time soon (it is, Lance, all about the bike)... However, given the number of times that I didn't go running when I planned to, one might think that anything could yet happen...
;o)
Running time/distance: 42 mins, 3.64 miles (slogging my way round a new route - never quick! - Saturday)
Actually took all my kit with me this time (joy) and headed out, in a swell of virtuousness, to go for a run on Saturday morning. Morning, no less... Toyed with the idea of a 5-mile run, but time did not allow, and so aimed for the standard 5k minimum.
Now, I've been doing this for a while (over 18 months now), and every time I start a run (jowalk if we're accurate) I keep hoping that this time - this time! - things will be easier. Better. Or just plain different. But no...
Runs go something like this:
- right, here we go, not going that far should be OK, gentle jog to start with
- (30 seconds later) Dear Lord this is dull
- (30 seconds later) bit hard this - maybe I'm too tired/hungry/a.n. other excuse and should just go home?
- (10 mins in) *gasp* I've been doing this for AGES. Must have gone miles (checks tracker - if I'm lucky I've hit 1 mile at this point). *sob* So much further to go...
- (20 mins in) Why? Why am I doing this? Why is it so blooming hard? Why am I not getting any better?!!? Why did I run so far from home?! MILES to get back - want to walk (but that would take even longer)
- (end) Ha-ha! I'm finished!! Thank God that's over. Not too shabby - see how far I can "run" when I put a little bit of effort in? Wasn't that hard really - should plan to go for a longer run tomorrow and work on the old endurance issue...
Me, my delusions and, most importantly, my rampant personality disorder(s) aren't planning to go for a run again any time soon (it is, Lance, all about the bike)... However, given the number of times that I didn't go running when I planned to, one might think that anything could yet happen...
;o)
Running time/distance: 42 mins, 3.64 miles (slogging my way round a new route - never quick! - Saturday)
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Cross-training: Wrong foot forward
Went off travelling last week. As I couldn't take dear Boris with me, I decided that it was time for some cross-training. Specifically, time to take advantage of the "simplicity" of running and get my required dose of exercise that way.
Now, I normally like my hotels faceless and anonymous: I turn up, do what I want, no one knows my name, all is good. However, the hotel nearest to where I was going is a "House Hotel" - which seems to require a more personal touch from the staff. And I was staying there with a colleague, which cut me off from my normal route of saying little, and most particularly eating whenever I want.
Result of all this (and the point of this ramble) is that by the time I got to my room everyone knew that I was going for a run before dinner (because the table had to be booked around my running schedule). Everyone. My colleague, the hotel staff, quite probably the other guests... Oh, and all my other colleagues, because I'd left the office stating that I would be doing a run before dinner. Everyone.
I get to my room. Open my case. Am smug because - after previous disasters - I definitely have all my running kit this time. Open the bag with my trainers in them... And am confused. Hmm. I seem to have 2 non-matching trainers (one half a size bigger than the other, fact fans). Sigh to myself - well, that's just silly - and put them on the floor ready to put them on. Look at them again. Ah-hah. Not only are the trainers non-matching, they are also FOR THE SAME FOOT!!!!
I did actually consider trying to go for a run anyway, but reason prevailed. Of course, as noted above, I did not have the luxury of making such a jaw-droppingly stupid mistake and moving on (happily resigned to my non-running fate). Oh, no. This time I had to explain to every single person in the hotel ("How was your run?") and at work that I had been stupid enough to bring 2 trainers for the same foot with me and so had not been able to go for a run.
Running - the fun just continues... On, and on, and on...
Have another "can't cycle, must run" session coming up - will be double-checking the shoes, you can be assured!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 hrs 0 mins 0 secs, 0 miles (Yay! And at the same time - Boo!)
Now, I normally like my hotels faceless and anonymous: I turn up, do what I want, no one knows my name, all is good. However, the hotel nearest to where I was going is a "House Hotel" - which seems to require a more personal touch from the staff. And I was staying there with a colleague, which cut me off from my normal route of saying little, and most particularly eating whenever I want.
Result of all this (and the point of this ramble) is that by the time I got to my room everyone knew that I was going for a run before dinner (because the table had to be booked around my running schedule). Everyone. My colleague, the hotel staff, quite probably the other guests... Oh, and all my other colleagues, because I'd left the office stating that I would be doing a run before dinner. Everyone.
I get to my room. Open my case. Am smug because - after previous disasters - I definitely have all my running kit this time. Open the bag with my trainers in them... And am confused. Hmm. I seem to have 2 non-matching trainers (one half a size bigger than the other, fact fans). Sigh to myself - well, that's just silly - and put them on the floor ready to put them on. Look at them again. Ah-hah. Not only are the trainers non-matching, they are also FOR THE SAME FOOT!!!!
I did actually consider trying to go for a run anyway, but reason prevailed. Of course, as noted above, I did not have the luxury of making such a jaw-droppingly stupid mistake and moving on (happily resigned to my non-running fate). Oh, no. This time I had to explain to every single person in the hotel ("How was your run?") and at work that I had been stupid enough to bring 2 trainers for the same foot with me and so had not been able to go for a run.
Running - the fun just continues... On, and on, and on...
Have another "can't cycle, must run" session coming up - will be double-checking the shoes, you can be assured!
:o}
Running time/distance: 0 hrs 0 mins 0 secs, 0 miles (Yay! And at the same time - Boo!)
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Half-Marathon: Inspiring a generation
So I have recovered some slight sense of perspective since completing the half-marathon, largely due to an extended period of rest/recovery/doing nothing. And, of course, chocolate.
I mean the fact that I ran the half-marathon more slowly this year than I went through it last year while doing the full marathon.... What does it matter really? I mean, yes, after an entire year of endless exercise and self-denial and the tedium that is training, one might expect to maybe be running a bit faster than last year. One might even be somewhat fed-up with the whole business, in fact - but that's not exactly new, is it? And, hey, it was a good 8 minutes (!) faster than I completed my last official half-marathon. Which involved significant hills.... Pah!
I did say "slight sense of perspective"....
Anyway, I did get some new loot out of it, and said loot is quite cool and so I shouldn't really grumble. AND my legs only hurt for a couple of days afterwards - rather than the 3 weeks that it took post-marathon... So you see, the positives are piling up when you think about it... The chocolate really does help with that, as does the sitting on the sofa refusing to do any stupid blooming exercise... *sigh*
Can't continue with that, though. I noted at work the other day that there's been a sudden flurry of fitness activity - people throughout the office are running at lunchtime, walking to work, and so forth. Apparently it's my fault - I have inspired my colleagues...!
...By making them feel lazy and fat. That's right - I have tortured myself to the point where I have made all my work colleagues unhappy. This is a proud moment indeed! I now have 2 means of inspiring people - terrifying them or making them miserable.
I'm off to savour the proof of my triumphant inspirational style by looking for some more chocolate... There must be some more around here somewhere...
(*_*)
Running time/distance: 0 hrs 0 mins 0 secs, 0 miles (week of rest - woo-hoo!!!!)
I mean the fact that I ran the half-marathon more slowly this year than I went through it last year while doing the full marathon.... What does it matter really? I mean, yes, after an entire year of endless exercise and self-denial and the tedium that is training, one might expect to maybe be running a bit faster than last year. One might even be somewhat fed-up with the whole business, in fact - but that's not exactly new, is it? And, hey, it was a good 8 minutes (!) faster than I completed my last official half-marathon. Which involved significant hills.... Pah!
I did say "slight sense of perspective"....
Anyway, I did get some new loot out of it, and said loot is quite cool and so I shouldn't really grumble. AND my legs only hurt for a couple of days afterwards - rather than the 3 weeks that it took post-marathon... So you see, the positives are piling up when you think about it... The chocolate really does help with that, as does the sitting on the sofa refusing to do any stupid blooming exercise... *sigh*
Can't continue with that, though. I noted at work the other day that there's been a sudden flurry of fitness activity - people throughout the office are running at lunchtime, walking to work, and so forth. Apparently it's my fault - I have inspired my colleagues...!
...By making them feel lazy and fat. That's right - I have tortured myself to the point where I have made all my work colleagues unhappy. This is a proud moment indeed! I now have 2 means of inspiring people - terrifying them or making them miserable.
I'm off to savour the proof of my triumphant inspirational style by looking for some more chocolate... There must be some more around here somewhere...
(*_*)
Running time/distance: 0 hrs 0 mins 0 secs, 0 miles (week of rest - woo-hoo!!!!)
Monday, 27 May 2013
Half-marathon: Respect the distance
Well, that was blooming hard work. One year on from the Edinburgh Marathon I succeeded in dragging myself round the Edinburgh Half-Marathon course. Which wasn't bad, given the 8am start time (hello 06:30 hours on a Sunday morning!), but was definitely hard work.
Notes to self:
1) when deciding to complete a running event, do some training which involves actual running. And make sure that the long runs in particular are completed. Cross-training, no matter how extensive (see: <http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/>), is not enough...
2) dinner on the night before such an event should be nice and early. I'll say no more on that front, but definitely - early dinner the night before will probably make for a much less... Stressful "race" experience.
3) the Traitor Toes do not like exercise. Now, there's not much that can be done about them, but in future they should be padded, probably some Ibuprofen ingested and foot-soothing lotion applied before exercise. Because it really is quite debilitating to hit mile 3 of a 13.1 mile (allegedly!) run and to find oneself thinking "Ouch!" every time that one's foot hits the ground. Either that or just cut them off (which I was seriously considering at about mile 9).
Comparing my marathon stats with the half-marathon stats... I went through 10k in almost exactly the same time (slightly faster this time) but I got to half-marathon distance 6+ minutes faster when doing the marathon. And my pace-per-mile took a slow slide from about 7 to 8 miles in the half. Obvious conclusion is that I am slightly fitter/faster this year than that over a "short" distance (out to 8 miles or so) but don't have the same endurance as last year.
Terribly interesting... At least as it informs the on-going training. Where running becomes a cross-training activity (yay! And at the same time, more running?!) because this year I'm all about the cycling... Over ridiculously long distances... *sigh* Endurance work ahoy!
:o)
Running time/distance: 2 hrs 36 mins 26 secs, 13.48 miles (a half-marathon completed carelessly)
Notes to self:
1) when deciding to complete a running event, do some training which involves actual running. And make sure that the long runs in particular are completed. Cross-training, no matter how extensive (see: <http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/>), is not enough...
2) dinner on the night before such an event should be nice and early. I'll say no more on that front, but definitely - early dinner the night before will probably make for a much less... Stressful "race" experience.
3) the Traitor Toes do not like exercise. Now, there's not much that can be done about them, but in future they should be padded, probably some Ibuprofen ingested and foot-soothing lotion applied before exercise. Because it really is quite debilitating to hit mile 3 of a 13.1 mile (allegedly!) run and to find oneself thinking "Ouch!" every time that one's foot hits the ground. Either that or just cut them off (which I was seriously considering at about mile 9).
Comparing my marathon stats with the half-marathon stats... I went through 10k in almost exactly the same time (slightly faster this time) but I got to half-marathon distance 6+ minutes faster when doing the marathon. And my pace-per-mile took a slow slide from about 7 to 8 miles in the half. Obvious conclusion is that I am slightly fitter/faster this year than that over a "short" distance (out to 8 miles or so) but don't have the same endurance as last year.
Terribly interesting... At least as it informs the on-going training. Where running becomes a cross-training activity (yay! And at the same time, more running?!) because this year I'm all about the cycling... Over ridiculously long distances... *sigh* Endurance work ahoy!
:o)
Running time/distance: 2 hrs 36 mins 26 secs, 13.48 miles (a half-marathon completed carelessly)
Friday, 10 May 2013
5x50: Planning
I'm currently enjoying some 'Nam flashbacks. Ah, yes, I love the smell of Deep Heat in the morning...
Continuing to work on my Quasimodo - I think that it's almost perfect. Cricked shoulder got worse post run (which really shouldn't have come as a surprise) and meant that I got little to no sleep on Tuesday night, leading to a surprise day off from exercise on Wednesday night.
This sounds good (well, a day off from exercise sounds good, but it pretty much just involved whingeing about my shoulder and lots of Ibuprofen). But going "off-plan" is not at all a good idea at the moment. Mostly because I have several running concurrently. There's the half-marathon training plan (this involves running 4 times a week). Then there's the cycling training plan (which involves cycling 4 times a week). And then there's the 5x50 training (5km daily is the goal... Well, in theory, anyway.)
I suspect that this means that I will be deficient in training for something in short order. Well, I already am, really. Ooops...
Obviously, to make up for this, I planned to do exercise tonight - preferably a run (when the rain cleared). However, it's Friday night. An official day of rest, but also a night with form on the planning front. That is, Fridays normally go like this:
Plan to go for (catch-up) run in the evening. Eat accordingly all day (must have energy).
Go to supermarket on way home. Buy post-run treats.
Get home, have a seat for a bit, eat some of the post-run treats.
Eat the rest of the post-run treats, and re-plan run for the weekend (usually gets re-scheduled for first-thing Saturday morning).
Watch bad TV late. Go to bed eventually...
And indeed, this is how Friday night has gone this week... For the intrigued, Saturday morning normally goes like this:
Wake up to alarm. Re-set alarm for another hour's sleep.
Wake up again. Wonder how it can be that I'm doing all this exercise but not losing any weight.
Ponder things over breakfast.
Realise it's now noon and I haven't done anything yet. Re-schedule run for Sunday...
The question is, is it better to go with a tried-and-tested plan, or to wander off into uncharted territory by actually exercising on a Saturday morning...? I'm not a big fan of change...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (but I did practise some shambling to go with my lurching)
Continuing to work on my Quasimodo - I think that it's almost perfect. Cricked shoulder got worse post run (which really shouldn't have come as a surprise) and meant that I got little to no sleep on Tuesday night, leading to a surprise day off from exercise on Wednesday night.
This sounds good (well, a day off from exercise sounds good, but it pretty much just involved whingeing about my shoulder and lots of Ibuprofen). But going "off-plan" is not at all a good idea at the moment. Mostly because I have several running concurrently. There's the half-marathon training plan (this involves running 4 times a week). Then there's the cycling training plan (which involves cycling 4 times a week). And then there's the 5x50 training (5km daily is the goal... Well, in theory, anyway.)
I suspect that this means that I will be deficient in training for something in short order. Well, I already am, really. Ooops...
Obviously, to make up for this, I planned to do exercise tonight - preferably a run (when the rain cleared). However, it's Friday night. An official day of rest, but also a night with form on the planning front. That is, Fridays normally go like this:
Plan to go for (catch-up) run in the evening. Eat accordingly all day (must have energy).
Go to supermarket on way home. Buy post-run treats.
Get home, have a seat for a bit, eat some of the post-run treats.
Eat the rest of the post-run treats, and re-plan run for the weekend (usually gets re-scheduled for first-thing Saturday morning).
Watch bad TV late. Go to bed eventually...
And indeed, this is how Friday night has gone this week... For the intrigued, Saturday morning normally goes like this:
Wake up to alarm. Re-set alarm for another hour's sleep.
Wake up again. Wonder how it can be that I'm doing all this exercise but not losing any weight.
Ponder things over breakfast.
Realise it's now noon and I haven't done anything yet. Re-schedule run for Sunday...
The question is, is it better to go with a tried-and-tested plan, or to wander off into uncharted territory by actually exercising on a Saturday morning...? I'm not a big fan of change...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (but I did practise some shambling to go with my lurching)
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
5x50: The bells! The bells!
Actually went out for a "run" this evening. Rather unusually... Figured I ought to give it a go since there are less than 3 weeks to go to the half-marathon and, you know, it seems a little foolish to assume that some cycling and gym work will be sufficient to get from start to finish.
Have had a bit of an odd weekend. Weather was the usual bank holiday special - not particularly inspiring, followed by a return-to-work Tuesday full of warm spring sunshine. Bank holiday Monday was particularly enjoyable for me as I woke up with a sore and stiff shoulder.One of those situations where you go to bed fine and wake up crooked. Shoulder is still stiff and sore but much improved today, but still...
Between the stiff and sore shoulder, my bad leg, and the Traitor Toes (particularly sore today)... Let's face it - there's a film set out there crying out for my interpretation of Quasimodo. I am coming to terms with my new walking style, and in fact am rather proud of my lurching. Not as easy as it looks, you know, lurching.
Obviously, I've already got the low-level groaning down pat ("My feet! My feet!"). So now I just need to find a willing film-maker and a new career lies before me...
Never let it be said that I don't look at the bright side of life!
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 3 mins, 5.51 miles (sunny and warm... Didn't make it any more fun, sadly)
Have had a bit of an odd weekend. Weather was the usual bank holiday special - not particularly inspiring, followed by a return-to-work Tuesday full of warm spring sunshine. Bank holiday Monday was particularly enjoyable for me as I woke up with a sore and stiff shoulder.One of those situations where you go to bed fine and wake up crooked. Shoulder is still stiff and sore but much improved today, but still...
Between the stiff and sore shoulder, my bad leg, and the Traitor Toes (particularly sore today)... Let's face it - there's a film set out there crying out for my interpretation of Quasimodo. I am coming to terms with my new walking style, and in fact am rather proud of my lurching. Not as easy as it looks, you know, lurching.
Obviously, I've already got the low-level groaning down pat ("My feet! My feet!"). So now I just need to find a willing film-maker and a new career lies before me...
Never let it be said that I don't look at the bright side of life!
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 3 mins, 5.51 miles (sunny and warm... Didn't make it any more fun, sadly)
Friday, 26 April 2013
5x50: Weather warning
This morning started nice and sunny and spring-like. Then there was some torrential hail. No, really, torrential hail - rather interesting experience... And then there was more sun. All rather changeable and springlike, really. Not all that surprising...
Unless you're a newspaper, of course. Endless articles about how there is warmer and sunnier weather ahead, followed by rather shocked articles that there might be some colder and rainier days thereafter. Headlines abound about the "changeable spring weather continuing", with the inference that there should be a "strange" added in there somewhere. Uh, no. That's pretty much spring for you. It pretty much generally gets warmer and sunnier (as the days get longer) but not in a steady upwards climb. And, you know, it happens annually. Just like this. It's spring - look it up!
And since we're on the subject... A bit of sunshine and warm weather this week led to headlines along the lines of "summer's here at last!". Ah, no, it's not. Spring runs from the beginning of March to the end of May. What month are we in? That's right - April. So, still spring then, eh?! Every single year the same point has to be made... Particularly to really really annoying people who, when the weather turns cooler again after a bit of spring warmth, state "that'll be our summer, then". NO!!! It's yet to bloody well arrive! We get to 1st June and it's torrential rain and below freezing then, and only then, can you complain about the poor summer weather. And not a day before!!
In other news, after a week of just generally feeling tired, I attempted to overcome my apparent running phobia (currently managing one run every week and a half - not entirely sure that this is an approved training plan for a half-marathon...). Decided to take advantage of the spring evening sunshine and went out for a run as soon as I got home from work. After half a mile it started raining. After a further quarter of a mile the Traitor Toes started complaining. So here I sit: cold, wet, feet hurting, and generally a teensy bit grumpy. Oh, yes, running is the path to a healthier and happier lifestyle...
Pretty much my life all over, that.
:o}
Running time/distance: 37 mins, 3.39 miles (a rather soggy bit of jowalking)
Unless you're a newspaper, of course. Endless articles about how there is warmer and sunnier weather ahead, followed by rather shocked articles that there might be some colder and rainier days thereafter. Headlines abound about the "changeable spring weather continuing", with the inference that there should be a "strange" added in there somewhere. Uh, no. That's pretty much spring for you. It pretty much generally gets warmer and sunnier (as the days get longer) but not in a steady upwards climb. And, you know, it happens annually. Just like this. It's spring - look it up!
And since we're on the subject... A bit of sunshine and warm weather this week led to headlines along the lines of "summer's here at last!". Ah, no, it's not. Spring runs from the beginning of March to the end of May. What month are we in? That's right - April. So, still spring then, eh?! Every single year the same point has to be made... Particularly to really really annoying people who, when the weather turns cooler again after a bit of spring warmth, state "that'll be our summer, then". NO!!! It's yet to bloody well arrive! We get to 1st June and it's torrential rain and below freezing then, and only then, can you complain about the poor summer weather. And not a day before!!
In other news, after a week of just generally feeling tired, I attempted to overcome my apparent running phobia (currently managing one run every week and a half - not entirely sure that this is an approved training plan for a half-marathon...). Decided to take advantage of the spring evening sunshine and went out for a run as soon as I got home from work. After half a mile it started raining. After a further quarter of a mile the Traitor Toes started complaining. So here I sit: cold, wet, feet hurting, and generally a teensy bit grumpy. Oh, yes, running is the path to a healthier and happier lifestyle...
Pretty much my life all over, that.
:o}
Running time/distance: 37 mins, 3.39 miles (a rather soggy bit of jowalking)
Thursday, 18 April 2013
5x50: Out and about
Firstly I should say that the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line were both shocking and outrageously wrong, and my sympathies are with the injured, the families of the injured or dead, and everyone having to deal with the aftermath. And my thoughts also go out to the "stragglers" (ha!) who ran all that way and did not get to finish the marathon after all their hard work.
Apart from that, I've been out and about this week. Actually had to do a run (boo!) which was hard work (should probably do that more often...). And then there was the flying.
Man next to me on the plane home had his mobile 'phone on and was playing with it before the air steward had time to deliver the "you must keep your mobile 'phones off until inside the terminal building speech". I gave him a Paddington stare (which he ignored, because, you know, he was really busy with Facebook!) and contemplated making an example of him. But could not work out which example precisely to choose and so he escaped...
However, one of my work colleagues was on the same flight and made the mistake of playing with his 'phone as we were standing on the shuttle bus to go from 'plane to terminal. Cue a long lecture from me (including hand-waving) about his inability to follow simple instructions and his lack of qualifications for disregarding safety briefings from the air/cabin crew. Eventually he put his mobile in his pocket (as he tried to slide further away from me on the bus). And eventually I ran out of steam...
The proof of the benefits of all my hard work to improve compliance with safety instructions and thus safety for us all was provided in the 2 gentlemen standing directly behind me. Who rather ostentatiously (if you ask me) were fiddling about with their mobiles (doubtless posting witty comments on Facebook) before during and after my lecture. *sigh*
Oh, the futility of it all!
:o}
Running time/distance: 37 mins, 3.31 miles (Tuesday night)
Apart from that, I've been out and about this week. Actually had to do a run (boo!) which was hard work (should probably do that more often...). And then there was the flying.
Man next to me on the plane home had his mobile 'phone on and was playing with it before the air steward had time to deliver the "you must keep your mobile 'phones off until inside the terminal building speech". I gave him a Paddington stare (which he ignored, because, you know, he was really busy with Facebook!) and contemplated making an example of him. But could not work out which example precisely to choose and so he escaped...
However, one of my work colleagues was on the same flight and made the mistake of playing with his 'phone as we were standing on the shuttle bus to go from 'plane to terminal. Cue a long lecture from me (including hand-waving) about his inability to follow simple instructions and his lack of qualifications for disregarding safety briefings from the air/cabin crew. Eventually he put his mobile in his pocket (as he tried to slide further away from me on the bus). And eventually I ran out of steam...
The proof of the benefits of all my hard work to improve compliance with safety instructions and thus safety for us all was provided in the 2 gentlemen standing directly behind me. Who rather ostentatiously (if you ask me) were fiddling about with their mobiles (doubtless posting witty comments on Facebook) before during and after my lecture. *sigh*
Oh, the futility of it all!
:o}
Running time/distance: 37 mins, 3.31 miles (Tuesday night)
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Half-marathon: Well, that didn't work out quite as expected...
So, all was prepared and in place for running a half-marathon this morning. Well, apart from having done any running recently... But still, training had been done, race number pinned to top, bag packed, feet pampered, the works.
Woke up at 7am to find that it was raining heavily, and horizontally. Because it was (and is) quite windy. Gave it some thought - 40 min walk to start line, hang around there for up to an hour, "run" for 2.5 hours, then 40 min walk home - all in heavy rain and driving wind? Erm... No. Returned to bed, and frankly had a much better morning for it.
Of course, it was all sunny and warm (if still windy) by the time lunchtime arrived, but still... I'd probably have caught pneumonia by then (plague still not entirely shifted, after all).
For those who think I'm exaggerating the conditions, I offer you the following round-up of some of this morning's events by the organisers/sponsors: "Due to the 37mph (60 kph) winds, both of our t-shirt marquees blew over 10 minutes before the start of the race. To quickly find a new solution we moved the t-shirt pick-up inside of the admin marquee. With health and safety officials opening and closing the baggage check marquee due to the possibility of that marquee blowing away as well, we had to halt baggage check distribution at multiple times throughout the day, thus causing long queues. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding."
Running a half-marathon - not only long, dull, and hard, but quite dangerous too! Who knew??!
Oh, and much respect to ZG who actually went out and ran the race, finishing with a PB. I am, quite frankly, not worthy...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (heavy horizontal driving rain, people - not for me!)
Woke up at 7am to find that it was raining heavily, and horizontally. Because it was (and is) quite windy. Gave it some thought - 40 min walk to start line, hang around there for up to an hour, "run" for 2.5 hours, then 40 min walk home - all in heavy rain and driving wind? Erm... No. Returned to bed, and frankly had a much better morning for it.
Of course, it was all sunny and warm (if still windy) by the time lunchtime arrived, but still... I'd probably have caught pneumonia by then (plague still not entirely shifted, after all).
For those who think I'm exaggerating the conditions, I offer you the following round-up of some of this morning's events by the organisers/sponsors: "Due to the 37mph (60 kph) winds, both of our t-shirt marquees blew over 10 minutes before the start of the race. To quickly find a new solution we moved the t-shirt pick-up inside of the admin marquee. With health and safety officials opening and closing the baggage check marquee due to the possibility of that marquee blowing away as well, we had to halt baggage check distribution at multiple times throughout the day, thus causing long queues. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding."
Running a half-marathon - not only long, dull, and hard, but quite dangerous too! Who knew??!
Oh, and much respect to ZG who actually went out and ran the race, finishing with a PB. I am, quite frankly, not worthy...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (heavy horizontal driving rain, people - not for me!)
Thursday, 11 April 2013
5x50: Good news and bad news
So there's good news and bad news. I generally like to go with bad news first (after all, there's no point getting excited about good news if the bad news is worse...). So that's how we'll play it.
Bad news: my "race packet" for Sunday's half-marathon has not arrived in the post as promised.
Bad news: I haven't done any running in a while, which is unlikely to appear anywhere as ideal race preparation.
Bad news: the half-marathon has a 09:10 start (and I'm out the night before!), the plague is still refusing to fully go away (great cough, continuing sniffles), and lots of other excuses for not doing the run (as ZG kindly pointed out).
Bad news: weather-watch has started, and as is traditional, the current forecast for Sunday has changed from rain in the afternoon to rain all day.
Good news: I went to pick up a replacement "race packet" and I've been moved forward 2 pens! Which won't change much, but will cut down the amount of time that I have to hang around at the start.
Good news: I haven't been sitting around doing nothing (see: http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/) and so hopefully that will carry me through...
Good news: I pretty much have to do the half-marathon - good comparison with last year, and counts as part of my prep fro the great cycling challenge. In a way that probably makes very little sense...
Good news: the forecasts have rarely been correct before - fingers crossed that track record continues!
All in all, it's a bit up and down. And at the same time up in the air. And, let's face it, utter madness.
Hey, ho...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (uh... Tapering?)
Bad news: my "race packet" for Sunday's half-marathon has not arrived in the post as promised.
Bad news: I haven't done any running in a while, which is unlikely to appear anywhere as ideal race preparation.
Bad news: the half-marathon has a 09:10 start (and I'm out the night before!), the plague is still refusing to fully go away (great cough, continuing sniffles), and lots of other excuses for not doing the run (as ZG kindly pointed out).
Bad news: weather-watch has started, and as is traditional, the current forecast for Sunday has changed from rain in the afternoon to rain all day.
Good news: I went to pick up a replacement "race packet" and I've been moved forward 2 pens! Which won't change much, but will cut down the amount of time that I have to hang around at the start.
Good news: I haven't been sitting around doing nothing (see: http://fouterandskive.blogspot.co.uk/) and so hopefully that will carry me through...
Good news: I pretty much have to do the half-marathon - good comparison with last year, and counts as part of my prep fro the great cycling challenge. In a way that probably makes very little sense...
Good news: the forecasts have rarely been correct before - fingers crossed that track record continues!
All in all, it's a bit up and down. And at the same time up in the air. And, let's face it, utter madness.
Hey, ho...
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins, 0 miles (uh... Tapering?)
Friday, 5 April 2013
5x50: From the beyond...
I'm still wrestling with the plague, and thus am weak before any option which involves me exercising but not actually not going for a run (outside or otherwise). Week 2 of the plague involves a bit of a stuffy nose and a truly impressive hacking cough. I take pride in the fact that I have not stinted in sharing this joy around: at least 2 other people at work are similarly afflicted. We have compared bottles of cough medicine and everything (Covonia is a hot favourite.).
Worryingly it is only just over a week to the April half-marathon... And I have just been kindly provided with an e-mail reminding me that it's only 7 weeks until the May half-marathon. Too kind. Phooey. Must go for a decent run on Sunday... Must, must, must...
But the kind e-mail did include some words of comfort/justification. As well as moments of pure comedy. And I quote:
"Runners seem to live by a creed that's stricter than the postman's: "Neither rain, nor snow, nor sniffle, nor fever shall keep me from my training schedule.""
Oh, how I laughed (until the coughing started up again).
"Symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off, while symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don't pose a risk to runners continuing workouts."
Ah-ha! See - I'm right not to do any of this running stuff! Scientific proof! If slightly disconcertingly put (I'm afraid "the neck" rule makes me automatically think of guillotines and the like - it's not right, but I feel it is an obvious connection). And, after 4 days straight of machine-based training in the gym, I have body aches to add to the chest cold...
Frankly, were I a doctor, I'd sentence myself to immediate and extended bed rest. Immediately!
:o}
Running time/distance: *cough* *cough* *cough*
Worryingly it is only just over a week to the April half-marathon... And I have just been kindly provided with an e-mail reminding me that it's only 7 weeks until the May half-marathon. Too kind. Phooey. Must go for a decent run on Sunday... Must, must, must...
But the kind e-mail did include some words of comfort/justification. As well as moments of pure comedy. And I quote:
"Runners seem to live by a creed that's stricter than the postman's: "Neither rain, nor snow, nor sniffle, nor fever shall keep me from my training schedule.""
Oh, how I laughed (until the coughing started up again).
"Symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off, while symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don't pose a risk to runners continuing workouts."
Ah-ha! See - I'm right not to do any of this running stuff! Scientific proof! If slightly disconcertingly put (I'm afraid "the neck" rule makes me automatically think of guillotines and the like - it's not right, but I feel it is an obvious connection). And, after 4 days straight of machine-based training in the gym, I have body aches to add to the chest cold...
Frankly, were I a doctor, I'd sentence myself to immediate and extended bed rest. Immediately!
:o}
Running time/distance: *cough* *cough* *cough*
Monday, 1 April 2013
Marchvellous: The end...
So the time has come... March is at an end, and the 3-month trauma of Marchvellous is at an end.
Thank the good Lord for that! I have achieved the embarrassingly weak overall Jantastic score of 59%... And did nothing at all in the final week (despite much hopefulness of a miraculous recovery at the end of the week). A weak and feeble attempt, particularly when compared to the triumphant 100% achieved by ZG (show-off!). Obviously, this is a report card with "must try harder" written all over it. Which I've never had before, and so intend to savour. My PE report cards came close, but said something along the lines of "always turns up and tries hard", merely indicating that the PE teacher had no earthly idea who I was... Not my forte, this exercise nonsense...
Still, I achieved a better score than G&T. If you remember, Jantastic was in fact G&T's idea. As part of the whole "I'm getting married and this means that you are now my slave and therefore must do everything that I say in order to be properly supportive" thing. Well, I was still Janastic-ing in March, while G&T abandoned ship some time in February (without a 100% week on record)...
This has blackmail material written all over it. Oh, yes, indeedy, this will not be forgotten. Much mileage will be made of this, you can be assured: I shall weak my wevenge in new and interesting ways. Once I think of something worthy of the effort... This is nearly as good as the blackmail material offered to me when I was forced to watch "Mama Mia" the film (loathe, loathe, loathe everything about it). Happy days...
Of course, my failure to finish Jantastic on a high (due to spending the day in bed) means that I also have already failed in my attempts to do 5x50 properly. Because, for those not paying attention, 5x50 started today! Joy... Still time to sign up if you haven't already: <http://5x50.co.uk/>. It's way more fun than stupid Jantastic - fact!
:o)
Running time/distance: oh, phooey. *cough*
Thank the good Lord for that! I have achieved the embarrassingly weak overall Jantastic score of 59%... And did nothing at all in the final week (despite much hopefulness of a miraculous recovery at the end of the week). A weak and feeble attempt, particularly when compared to the triumphant 100% achieved by ZG (show-off!). Obviously, this is a report card with "must try harder" written all over it. Which I've never had before, and so intend to savour. My PE report cards came close, but said something along the lines of "always turns up and tries hard", merely indicating that the PE teacher had no earthly idea who I was... Not my forte, this exercise nonsense...
Still, I achieved a better score than G&T. If you remember, Jantastic was in fact G&T's idea. As part of the whole "I'm getting married and this means that you are now my slave and therefore must do everything that I say in order to be properly supportive" thing. Well, I was still Janastic-ing in March, while G&T abandoned ship some time in February (without a 100% week on record)...
This has blackmail material written all over it. Oh, yes, indeedy, this will not be forgotten. Much mileage will be made of this, you can be assured: I shall weak my wevenge in new and interesting ways. Once I think of something worthy of the effort... This is nearly as good as the blackmail material offered to me when I was forced to watch "Mama Mia" the film (loathe, loathe, loathe everything about it). Happy days...
Of course, my failure to finish Jantastic on a high (due to spending the day in bed) means that I also have already failed in my attempts to do 5x50 properly. Because, for those not paying attention, 5x50 started today! Joy... Still time to sign up if you haven't already: <http://5x50.co.uk/>. It's way more fun than stupid Jantastic - fact!
:o)
Running time/distance: oh, phooey. *cough*
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Marchvellous: Medical advice
Dragged myself from my sick bed (coughing and spluttering and wheezing) to go up town and have a very nice lunch with The Doctor. Most convivial, despite my whining about STILL being ill.
Those who do not know members of the medical profession socially might have expected some sympathy to be forthcoming, some king words of concern, some advice on more effective self-medicating techniques....
Fools!
Apparently, I seem to find an awful lot of excuses to not go running (well, duh!). My assertion that training wisdom is that you shouldn't train while ill was called into question (it is! It's in the books that I read as part of my running training! Not that I can remember what any of them were, but still... Research being vital before starting anything, obviously... And, yes, I have cycling books now - how can you know what to do if you don't spend time in the library?!). It being cold was derided as a good reason for not doing anything (well, but...).
Darned over-achievers, always wanting more!
Fuelled by a sense of outrage (and an intriguing venison and blueberry burger which I couldn't taste. Because I'm ILL!) I walked home, working out ways to still fit in my 3 Jantastic runs despite there only being 2 days of Jantastic left and, you know, my general ill health. By the time I got home I had a plan all worked out.
Then I sat down to catch my breath, broke out a cake and turned on the TV. Ah, just like old times! Exercise, shmexercise!
:o)
Running time/distance: nothing to see here, move along. Move along...
Those who do not know members of the medical profession socially might have expected some sympathy to be forthcoming, some king words of concern, some advice on more effective self-medicating techniques....
Fools!
Apparently, I seem to find an awful lot of excuses to not go running (well, duh!). My assertion that training wisdom is that you shouldn't train while ill was called into question (it is! It's in the books that I read as part of my running training! Not that I can remember what any of them were, but still... Research being vital before starting anything, obviously... And, yes, I have cycling books now - how can you know what to do if you don't spend time in the library?!). It being cold was derided as a good reason for not doing anything (well, but...).
Darned over-achievers, always wanting more!
Fuelled by a sense of outrage (and an intriguing venison and blueberry burger which I couldn't taste. Because I'm ILL!) I walked home, working out ways to still fit in my 3 Jantastic runs despite there only being 2 days of Jantastic left and, you know, my general ill health. By the time I got home I had a plan all worked out.
Then I sat down to catch my breath, broke out a cake and turned on the TV. Ah, just like old times! Exercise, shmexercise!
:o)
Running time/distance: nothing to see here, move along. Move along...
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Marchvellous: Bit parky out
My stars but it is COLD. Not just cold, but very windy, with a nice chilly easterly wind adding to the overall COLD. And there are little flurries of snow in the wind every so often just to underline the fact that it is C. O. L. D.
As I sit here, with the heating turned up full (and thank the stars that the living room radiator is still of a mind to work), wrapped in a blanket, I'm thinking positive warm thoughts about summer. Summer, when it comes, must be warm this year. Surely...
The above weather commentary is the reason (note reason, not excuse) for me not doing my scheduled 10-mile run today. I have run in windy conditions before, and it is an interesting experience to have to run at an angle to keep yourself from being flung in front of traffic... But it wasn't this cold then. I'm hoping that the wind drops off for the rest of the week, as I really do have to stop mucking about and get some miles in...
Still, now that I have finished my runs for the day (had to do 2 to at least try to keep up with the Marchvellous tosh), I can now eat dinner (yay!) and have a few hot cross buns (toasted, of course - and chocolate-free as so few other Easter treats are). Yes, this will totally undermine any benefits from slogging through 2 3-miles runs...
But it's cold, and I need to ensure that I am adequately insulated against said cold. No arguing with mother nature, I'm afraid...
;oD
Running time/distance: 36 mins / 3 miles (dancing with Darth again, Interval, Level 1)
As I sit here, with the heating turned up full (and thank the stars that the living room radiator is still of a mind to work), wrapped in a blanket, I'm thinking positive warm thoughts about summer. Summer, when it comes, must be warm this year. Surely...
The above weather commentary is the reason (note reason, not excuse) for me not doing my scheduled 10-mile run today. I have run in windy conditions before, and it is an interesting experience to have to run at an angle to keep yourself from being flung in front of traffic... But it wasn't this cold then. I'm hoping that the wind drops off for the rest of the week, as I really do have to stop mucking about and get some miles in...
Still, now that I have finished my runs for the day (had to do 2 to at least try to keep up with the Marchvellous tosh), I can now eat dinner (yay!) and have a few hot cross buns (toasted, of course - and chocolate-free as so few other Easter treats are). Yes, this will totally undermine any benefits from slogging through 2 3-miles runs...
But it's cold, and I need to ensure that I am adequately insulated against said cold. No arguing with mother nature, I'm afraid...
;oD
Running time/distance: 36 mins / 3 miles (dancing with Darth again, Interval, Level 1)
Marchvellous: Not for me
Well, it might be the sudden on-set of middle-age, but I have to admit - I hate Jantastic.
I hate the names - Jantastic! Febulous! Marchvellous! I hate the fact that when you run your race in March (faster than before, but slower than hoped) then you lose points for not getting your time precisely correct. I hate the fact that it forces you to do 3 runs per week - which has had the result that I've actually been doing less training than I should rather than more.
Last year, if I didn't feel like doing a run, I'd do the required distance on the cross-trainer. This year, because of Jantastic, if I don't do the run I end up doing nothing. Which I have enjoyed - oh, how I have enjoyed that! - but it's not good with a half-marathon to complete (faster than last year!) in April....
Bother. Bother and drat. Must stop mucking about and just get some miles in. And never, ever, do this Jantastic tosh again...
(~_~)
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3 miles (dancing with Darth, Interval, Level 1)
I hate the names - Jantastic! Febulous! Marchvellous! I hate the fact that when you run your race in March (faster than before, but slower than hoped) then you lose points for not getting your time precisely correct. I hate the fact that it forces you to do 3 runs per week - which has had the result that I've actually been doing less training than I should rather than more.
Last year, if I didn't feel like doing a run, I'd do the required distance on the cross-trainer. This year, because of Jantastic, if I don't do the run I end up doing nothing. Which I have enjoyed - oh, how I have enjoyed that! - but it's not good with a half-marathon to complete (faster than last year!) in April....
Bother. Bother and drat. Must stop mucking about and just get some miles in. And never, ever, do this Jantastic tosh again...
(~_~)
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3 miles (dancing with Darth, Interval, Level 1)
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Marchvellous: The arrival of middle-age
Conversation at work today - my colleagues showing an interest in the things that I do outside work (this is not a hobby), aka the running.
"Most of the people that I see running in the morning are people like you," says one.
I'm nodding, thinking "Yes, well I can see why that would be the case." Then:
"... you know, middle-aged people..."
So I'm sitting there, frozen mid-nod, thinking "What?"
I mean, intellectually (there's that word again), I know that if you doubled my age then you'd get to a respectable old age (although I'm sure there's some sort of guarantee associated with this exercise lark that says I should now live well past my 100th birthday. I shall look that out...). I know that, when you're about 10 years old, my current age appears to be near-death. I know that the older you get the less you feel like the age you actually are.
But still...
Middle-aged? Middle. Aged??!!!! That's a bit sudden! Middle-aged???????? I blame the running - it's obviously aged me before my time (all the stress and such like) and must be stopped now!
Details of rejuvenation techniques/clinics most gratefully received. Like, tomorrow.
Am off for a nap - at my age one does that sort of thing...
(*_*)
Running time/distance: 36 mins / 3.01 miles (Monday night - slog, slog, slog)
"Most of the people that I see running in the morning are people like you," says one.
I'm nodding, thinking "Yes, well I can see why that would be the case." Then:
"... you know, middle-aged people..."
So I'm sitting there, frozen mid-nod, thinking "What?"
I mean, intellectually (there's that word again), I know that if you doubled my age then you'd get to a respectable old age (although I'm sure there's some sort of guarantee associated with this exercise lark that says I should now live well past my 100th birthday. I shall look that out...). I know that, when you're about 10 years old, my current age appears to be near-death. I know that the older you get the less you feel like the age you actually are.
But still...
Middle-aged? Middle. Aged??!!!! That's a bit sudden! Middle-aged???????? I blame the running - it's obviously aged me before my time (all the stress and such like) and must be stopped now!
Details of rejuvenation techniques/clinics most gratefully received. Like, tomorrow.
Am off for a nap - at my age one does that sort of thing...
(*_*)
Running time/distance: 36 mins / 3.01 miles (Monday night - slog, slog, slog)
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Kilomathon: Done! [Again...]
The forecast for today was "sleet" for most of this week. And when not sleet "heavy rain". This did not fill my heart with joy, to say the least...
Luckily, forecasts are tricky things, and although it was overcast this morning, the weather was relatively warm and dry - there was only a little drizzle half-way through the lovely Kilomathon. I do think that the Kilomathon is somewhat blighted by less-than-ideal weather (a bit like the Edinburgh Marathon attracting the hottest weather in the year...), which is unfortunate. And I don't find running along cycle paths (with nothing to see but old railway bankings and trees) all that interesting ("oh, look, more green things... I'm glad I ran all this way just to get sight of some more grass...").
Still, there are worse runs out there (with hills, lots and lots of hills), and I did at least run this one a bit faster. Intellectually I know that running 2 minutes faster than last time is a good result: the rest of me isn't really that impressed. Particularly since I finished 724 out of 800 runners...
It did feel like I was doing much better this time - there was much jogging (let's not pretend it was running) and very little walking - for example, I jogged the first 5.5km without stopping for a walk. Which is not at all usual. And I was running with a group of other people (until towards the end when they scooted off, damn them!) rather than desperately trying to run away from the sweeper vehicle at the rear...
An added highlight was that the Doctor (and the boy) were in Murrayfield waiting for me to finish. A rare treat to have someone to talk to at the end! Of course, it would have been even better if I could count/tell the time and had told them my correct likely finish time.... But they only missed my finish by a minute or so and so it was almost like someone watched me finish the race!
I'm just not very fast... And probably should have done the training runs that I skipped for a large part of February...
Got home - freezing (temperature dropped after run) and unable to feel my fingers and toes (there were big puddles to run through and so my feet were soaked). Sat down to watch the Grand Prix (yay Kimi!). And then, because I was a Marchvellous run short this week, I went to the gym and rather sullenly thumped at Darth Treadmill for a while (it was raining).
Am now eating cake because ZG told me that I had to.
:oD
Running time/distance: 1 hr 28 mins 18 secs / 8.14 miles (faster than last time... Just!)
Running time/distance: 24 mins / 2 miles (bloody Marchvellous...)
Luckily, forecasts are tricky things, and although it was overcast this morning, the weather was relatively warm and dry - there was only a little drizzle half-way through the lovely Kilomathon. I do think that the Kilomathon is somewhat blighted by less-than-ideal weather (a bit like the Edinburgh Marathon attracting the hottest weather in the year...), which is unfortunate. And I don't find running along cycle paths (with nothing to see but old railway bankings and trees) all that interesting ("oh, look, more green things... I'm glad I ran all this way just to get sight of some more grass...").
Still, there are worse runs out there (with hills, lots and lots of hills), and I did at least run this one a bit faster. Intellectually I know that running 2 minutes faster than last time is a good result: the rest of me isn't really that impressed. Particularly since I finished 724 out of 800 runners...
It did feel like I was doing much better this time - there was much jogging (let's not pretend it was running) and very little walking - for example, I jogged the first 5.5km without stopping for a walk. Which is not at all usual. And I was running with a group of other people (until towards the end when they scooted off, damn them!) rather than desperately trying to run away from the sweeper vehicle at the rear...
An added highlight was that the Doctor (and the boy) were in Murrayfield waiting for me to finish. A rare treat to have someone to talk to at the end! Of course, it would have been even better if I could count/tell the time and had told them my correct likely finish time.... But they only missed my finish by a minute or so and so it was almost like someone watched me finish the race!
I'm just not very fast... And probably should have done the training runs that I skipped for a large part of February...
Got home - freezing (temperature dropped after run) and unable to feel my fingers and toes (there were big puddles to run through and so my feet were soaked). Sat down to watch the Grand Prix (yay Kimi!). And then, because I was a Marchvellous run short this week, I went to the gym and rather sullenly thumped at Darth Treadmill for a while (it was raining).
Am now eating cake because ZG told me that I had to.
Running time/distance: 1 hr 28 mins 18 secs / 8.14 miles (faster than last time... Just!)
Running time/distance: 24 mins / 2 miles (bloody Marchvellous...)
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Marchvellous: Melting, melting, ice
Snow today, gone tomorrow... After a day of snow-related nonsense, it's all gone bar the last few bits of slush and icy patches.
The good news is that I completed a "run" without falling as a result of said slush/ice.
The bad news? That was a deeply unpleasant "run". The traitor toes are louping (been a while since that happened). My stomach hurts (running gets to be hard work and I pull in my stomach - what else is all this work on my core for?!). My legs are feeble.
Basically, it's not looking great for finishing the Kilomathon on Sunday, let alone going faster while doing so.
Bah. And bah once more, just for good measure.
Hate running...
(^_^)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 4 mins / 5.38 miles (ouch!)
The good news is that I completed a "run" without falling as a result of said slush/ice.
The bad news? That was a deeply unpleasant "run". The traitor toes are louping (been a while since that happened). My stomach hurts (running gets to be hard work and I pull in my stomach - what else is all this work on my core for?!). My legs are feeble.
Basically, it's not looking great for finishing the Kilomathon on Sunday, let alone going faster while doing so.
Bah. And bah once more, just for good measure.
Hate running...
(^_^)
Running time/distance: 1 hr 4 mins / 5.38 miles (ouch!)
Monday, 11 March 2013
Marchvellous: Snowed off
Was meant to do a 7-mile run today.
Spent all day looking outside at the sunny sky thinking, "Right, snow's definitely stopped now, will get changed and go for a run.". Pottered around for 10 minutes, looked outside again, and it was snowing.
This did not happen once, or even twice. All. Day.
I refuse to run in snow - even if it's not lying - as it would frankly turn an unpleasant experience into a truly awful experience.
Finally, annoyed at having spent all day pottering about waiting for the weather to clear (and freezing, because for some reason I decided that I wouldn't turn the heating on and it has been COLD all day), I decided that I would just go for the long-awaited run. Looked outside - it had snowed again, and was now lying.
Aaaaargh!
Running on snow-covered pavements just screams "oops, I slipped and broke *something* and now I can't run for weeks and weeks" to me. There goes running outside, then...
I could have gone to the gym - but I did have other things to do (which I was going to do after my run, but by 8pm there wasn't a lot of "after" time..). So I did them instead.
Slightly worrying - haven't really done enough training runs of late - and the Kilomathon looms large before me!
*sigh*
:o(
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (snow, snow, snow)
Spent all day looking outside at the sunny sky thinking, "Right, snow's definitely stopped now, will get changed and go for a run.". Pottered around for 10 minutes, looked outside again, and it was snowing.
This did not happen once, or even twice. All. Day.
I refuse to run in snow - even if it's not lying - as it would frankly turn an unpleasant experience into a truly awful experience.
Finally, annoyed at having spent all day pottering about waiting for the weather to clear (and freezing, because for some reason I decided that I wouldn't turn the heating on and it has been COLD all day), I decided that I would just go for the long-awaited run. Looked outside - it had snowed again, and was now lying.
Aaaaargh!
Running on snow-covered pavements just screams "oops, I slipped and broke *something* and now I can't run for weeks and weeks" to me. There goes running outside, then...
I could have gone to the gym - but I did have other things to do (which I was going to do after my run, but by 8pm there wasn't a lot of "after" time..). So I did them instead.
Slightly worrying - haven't really done enough training runs of late - and the Kilomathon looms large before me!
*sigh*
:o(
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (snow, snow, snow)
Friday, 8 March 2013
Marchvellous: Travel broadens the mind
Or at least broadens the council's scope to ruin my life. There are now 3 - 3! - separate sections of "sorry for any delay" roadworks on my normal route to work (and a total of 3 sections on my alternative route to work too). 3! This is reaching vendetta level!! For those who think that this is not some sort of personal attack on me by the council - wake up and smell the coffee!! I shall have to think of some way to strike back... Suggestions on a postcard!
Anyway, moving on... We're now in Marchvellous. Yes, Marchvellous. And I thought that Febulous was a misleading/ridiculous name... Thankfully, this is the final month of indignity - after this I can return to not doing runs that only I knew that I was supposed to be doing...
And how did Febulous go? Not so well - only did one run in both of the last 2 weeks of Febulous - oops! And then it was pointed out to me that there are only 2 weeks to go until the Kilomathon.... Thus inspired, I've already done 2 runs this week. Which I'd feel better about if they were slightly longer, but anyway...
Travelling with running kit (with the apparent intention to actually go running at some point -although mostly I suspect I'm just taking it to use up my baggage allowance...) has pointed out a bit of an issue... Quite easy to forget key elements of kit when packing in a hurry... I suspect that this means that I will have to invest in a travel-specific running kit: lessons must be learned, after all...! Although I was worried enough about the Kilomathon that it didn't stop me this time.
Speaking of which, I have to put to bed a myth about morning running. It's supposed to be the best time of day to go running. It's supposed to energise and inspire you for the day ahead. Au contraire! You have to get up ridiculously early (6am!!) to allow yourself time to go running before breakfast and then work. And then you realise that you've only allowed yourself enough time to do the run - getting dressed for the run, and stretching after it (which. Takes. Ages!) were apparently zero-time activities. And by the time you've finished all that, and had a shower and got dressed (again!) you're running late (how?! How?!) and have to skip breakfast to get to work nearly on time.
That's not my definition of setting myself up for the day! My definition involves coffee and chocolate, just for a start...
:o)
Running time/distance: 34 mins / 3 miles (Monday)
Running time/distance: 34 mins / 3.06 miles (Tuesday - 6am start time!)
Anyway, moving on... We're now in Marchvellous. Yes, Marchvellous. And I thought that Febulous was a misleading/ridiculous name... Thankfully, this is the final month of indignity - after this I can return to not doing runs that only I knew that I was supposed to be doing...
And how did Febulous go? Not so well - only did one run in both of the last 2 weeks of Febulous - oops! And then it was pointed out to me that there are only 2 weeks to go until the Kilomathon.... Thus inspired, I've already done 2 runs this week. Which I'd feel better about if they were slightly longer, but anyway...
Travelling with running kit (with the apparent intention to actually go running at some point -although mostly I suspect I'm just taking it to use up my baggage allowance...) has pointed out a bit of an issue... Quite easy to forget key elements of kit when packing in a hurry... I suspect that this means that I will have to invest in a travel-specific running kit: lessons must be learned, after all...! Although I was worried enough about the Kilomathon that it didn't stop me this time.
Speaking of which, I have to put to bed a myth about morning running. It's supposed to be the best time of day to go running. It's supposed to energise and inspire you for the day ahead. Au contraire! You have to get up ridiculously early (6am!!) to allow yourself time to go running before breakfast and then work. And then you realise that you've only allowed yourself enough time to do the run - getting dressed for the run, and stretching after it (which. Takes. Ages!) were apparently zero-time activities. And by the time you've finished all that, and had a shower and got dressed (again!) you're running late (how?! How?!) and have to skip breakfast to get to work nearly on time.
That's not my definition of setting myself up for the day! My definition involves coffee and chocolate, just for a start...
:o)
Running time/distance: 34 mins / 3 miles (Monday)
Running time/distance: 34 mins / 3.06 miles (Tuesday - 6am start time!)
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Febulous: Fitness lost
Any idea where I can find some fitness in a hurry? Reaping the benefits of not really doing any exercise for a couple of weeks, and at the same time celebrating giving up chocolate for Lent by eating every sort of bad-for-you food that isn't chocolate...
Work is busy, busy, busy at the moment, and so there was a serious debate when I got home this evening. Failing on 2 out of the 3 Febulous weeks to date (and yet to log a run in week 4), the pragmatic achiever in me (yes, there is one) decided that I should try to get the long run (7 miles) done this evening and out of the way. This was negotiated down to doing a shorter run - 5 miles - due to time available and not wanting to over-tax myself too quickly... By the time I actually dragged myself out of the house for the run ("No! No! I don't want to! I have work to do - and a sofa to sit on!") this has been negotiated down to a 3 mile run tonight, 5 tomorrow and 7 on Saturday or Sunday... Oh, and there should be some cycling in there too...
I'm not sure whether that makes me a good negotiator or not... Certainly it does nothing to disprove my inherent laziness!
So, dragged myself round 3 miles. Came back, did stretches. Fiddled about a bit. Am now sort of collapsed on the sofa trying to eat the dinner that I've finally got around to making for myself. And also trying to convince myself that tomorrow night's 5 mile run will be sooooo much easier.
Dear Lord, why do I do this to myself - why?!
(^_^)
Running time/distance: 33 mins / 3 miles (gasp!)
Work is busy, busy, busy at the moment, and so there was a serious debate when I got home this evening. Failing on 2 out of the 3 Febulous weeks to date (and yet to log a run in week 4), the pragmatic achiever in me (yes, there is one) decided that I should try to get the long run (7 miles) done this evening and out of the way. This was negotiated down to doing a shorter run - 5 miles - due to time available and not wanting to over-tax myself too quickly... By the time I actually dragged myself out of the house for the run ("No! No! I don't want to! I have work to do - and a sofa to sit on!") this has been negotiated down to a 3 mile run tonight, 5 tomorrow and 7 on Saturday or Sunday... Oh, and there should be some cycling in there too...
I'm not sure whether that makes me a good negotiator or not... Certainly it does nothing to disprove my inherent laziness!
So, dragged myself round 3 miles. Came back, did stretches. Fiddled about a bit. Am now sort of collapsed on the sofa trying to eat the dinner that I've finally got around to making for myself. And also trying to convince myself that tomorrow night's 5 mile run will be sooooo much easier.
Dear Lord, why do I do this to myself - why?!
(^_^)
Running time/distance: 33 mins / 3 miles (gasp!)
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Febulous: It's a hard-knock life
Well, when I said "tomorrow" I obviously meant Thursday. Obviously...
Still, patting myself on the back for actually doing a run (it's been over a week, people.... Can't say I've really missed it, but anyway....). And also for taking new trainers out for the ride.
I have to be happy about using the new trainers as I spent a great deal of time fiddling with them. Leave home; run for a bit; stop, re-tire trainers; run for a bit; re-tie laces; run for a bit... You get the message. I'm hoping that this will stop being an issue fairly soon, as it really just delays the end to the run and thus increases the torture.
Plus it leads to situations like starting off again running, forgetting that you've left your pocket unzipped, and then watching as your mobile 'phone exits your pocket at an impressive velocity to land underneath the car that you're attempting to run past. Which in turn leads to crawling on your knees - in the incredibly attractive running tights - stretching your hand under said car to retrieve said escaped mobile as subtly as possible (clue: not very subtle). It's the style and grace that running gives me that really attracts me to it...
And THEN you discover that you've run the 4 mile-ish route and not the 5mile-ish route, which means when you think you're triumphantly concluding your run, you're actually reaching the point where you desperately force yourself to keep running while checking your running app every 10 seconds to see if you've got to 5 miles yet.
All in all, not the fastest, or indeed most dignified of runs, but did the required 5 miles and so mustn't grumble. Any more than usual, at least...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 0 mins / 5 miles (should try to run the actual 5 mile route next time!)
Still, patting myself on the back for actually doing a run (it's been over a week, people.... Can't say I've really missed it, but anyway....). And also for taking new trainers out for the ride.
I have to be happy about using the new trainers as I spent a great deal of time fiddling with them. Leave home; run for a bit; stop, re-tire trainers; run for a bit; re-tie laces; run for a bit... You get the message. I'm hoping that this will stop being an issue fairly soon, as it really just delays the end to the run and thus increases the torture.
Plus it leads to situations like starting off again running, forgetting that you've left your pocket unzipped, and then watching as your mobile 'phone exits your pocket at an impressive velocity to land underneath the car that you're attempting to run past. Which in turn leads to crawling on your knees - in the incredibly attractive running tights - stretching your hand under said car to retrieve said escaped mobile as subtly as possible (clue: not very subtle). It's the style and grace that running gives me that really attracts me to it...
And THEN you discover that you've run the 4 mile-ish route and not the 5mile-ish route, which means when you think you're triumphantly concluding your run, you're actually reaching the point where you desperately force yourself to keep running while checking your running app every 10 seconds to see if you've got to 5 miles yet.
All in all, not the fastest, or indeed most dignified of runs, but did the required 5 miles and so mustn't grumble. Any more than usual, at least...
:o)
Running time/distance: 1 hour 0 mins / 5 miles (should try to run the actual 5 mile route next time!)
Monday, 18 February 2013
Febulous: What am I forgetting...?
Hmmm.... Was supposed to do something last week... Can't quite remember....
Oh, yes, 3 runs, one of them 5-miles long, for week 2 of Febulous. Ah. Yes. Ooops. Well, you see...
There was travel (tried to run, foiled by lack of light. And failing to take up on offers of a head torch - but, really, a glowing yellow thing comes at you out of the dark with a light flying above it... You're going to actively aim at it with your car, aren't you?! Not safe!!).
There was cleaning and tidying (aaargh! Visitors coming! Why did I give the maid the year off??!! Need house elves - please apply below).
Then there was the home invasion (by members of my family, I hasten to add, before people rush to bring Her Majesty's Finest to my door once more... Would be really nice if we could ensure that that didn't happen, by the way).
And then there was the peace and quiet of Sunday mid-afternoon, when the sofa looked very lonely and the front door was very, very far away...
Anyway, this week, a new me! Or, at least, a return to the old me who takes this challenge stuff seriously and, you know, actually goes running every so often.
Starting tomorrow, of course...
;oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (knew I forgot something!)
Oh, yes, 3 runs, one of them 5-miles long, for week 2 of Febulous. Ah. Yes. Ooops. Well, you see...
There was travel (tried to run, foiled by lack of light. And failing to take up on offers of a head torch - but, really, a glowing yellow thing comes at you out of the dark with a light flying above it... You're going to actively aim at it with your car, aren't you?! Not safe!!).
There was cleaning and tidying (aaargh! Visitors coming! Why did I give the maid the year off??!! Need house elves - please apply below).
Then there was the home invasion (by members of my family, I hasten to add, before people rush to bring Her Majesty's Finest to my door once more... Would be really nice if we could ensure that that didn't happen, by the way).
And then there was the peace and quiet of Sunday mid-afternoon, when the sofa looked very lonely and the front door was very, very far away...
Anyway, this week, a new me! Or, at least, a return to the old me who takes this challenge stuff seriously and, you know, actually goes running every so often.
Starting tomorrow, of course...
;oD
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (knew I forgot something!)
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Febulous: Dr Foster went to Gloucester
There comes a point when running in the rain that you believe that you cannot get much wetter and you might as well keep going.This is (a) not true; (b) a sign that you have descended into delusional behaviour; and (c) never as good an idea as it sounds.
Dragged myself out of bed this morning to do my obligatory 5 miles. It was raining. I still started the run, but mentally revised it downward to 3 miles or so. At the approx 2 mile distance, I decided that I was already pretty wet, it was drizzling, and I should therefore just go for the 5 mile distance. Obviously, this meant that at about the 4 mile distance the rain moved up a gear and we discovered ever increasing levels of sogginess.
Only high point of running today was that while I was slogging through my 5 miles lots of other runners passed me (yes, not the quickest, but distinctly bloody-minded). One woman (slower than me!) smiled at me and asked if I was running as part of I-forget-the-name group. "No," says I. "I'm just running out of madness." She found this amusing, which is rather sad, as let's face it, it was the truth.
As I had a target of 3 runs to hit this week, I dragged myself out mid-afternoon (still raining) and "whizzed" through a little 2-mile run. Am now nearly dry, but would be very grateful for a change of weather in the very near future...
Still, hit 100% of my Febulous targets this week.
*smug*
;o)
Running time/distance: 55 mins / 5.01 miles (in the rain! Quite, quite mad.)
Running time/distance: 23 mins / 2.1 miles (in more rain! Quite enough exercise for one day...)
Dragged myself out of bed this morning to do my obligatory 5 miles. It was raining. I still started the run, but mentally revised it downward to 3 miles or so. At the approx 2 mile distance, I decided that I was already pretty wet, it was drizzling, and I should therefore just go for the 5 mile distance. Obviously, this meant that at about the 4 mile distance the rain moved up a gear and we discovered ever increasing levels of sogginess.
Only high point of running today was that while I was slogging through my 5 miles lots of other runners passed me (yes, not the quickest, but distinctly bloody-minded). One woman (slower than me!) smiled at me and asked if I was running as part of I-forget-the-name group. "No," says I. "I'm just running out of madness." She found this amusing, which is rather sad, as let's face it, it was the truth.
As I had a target of 3 runs to hit this week, I dragged myself out mid-afternoon (still raining) and "whizzed" through a little 2-mile run. Am now nearly dry, but would be very grateful for a change of weather in the very near future...
Still, hit 100% of my Febulous targets this week.
*smug*
;o)
Running time/distance: 55 mins / 5.01 miles (in the rain! Quite, quite mad.)
Running time/distance: 23 mins / 2.1 miles (in more rain! Quite enough exercise for one day...)
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Febulous: Getting there...
So... Getting up early (6am!) and heading out for a 5 mile run... Top plan... Didn't happen.
I was awake at 6am (briefly), but then there was a whole snooze period. and then I had to get up and go to my meeting.
However, I remained determined to at least go for a run today. To that end I insisted to G&T that I wanted to go for a run. G&T decided to join me, got changed, was raring to go... Then I noticed that it was raining... G&T would not allow last-minute cancellations, and so off we headed into the early evening gloom and shmirr.
In the end, even though it was dreach, and involved running round in circles (aaargh!), it was a jolly good run, as such things go. Unusually, there was no jowalking - a fairly consistent jog instead. G&T is obviously an inspiration to me!
Am now munching crisps and dips and quaffing champagne... Celebrating a 3-mile run when I should have completed 3 runs by now and one of them should have been a 5-miler may seem at best premature. But I'm far too Febulous to care!
;oD
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3.2 miles (in the rain! Now that's dedication...)
I was awake at 6am (briefly), but then there was a whole snooze period. and then I had to get up and go to my meeting.
However, I remained determined to at least go for a run today. To that end I insisted to G&T that I wanted to go for a run. G&T decided to join me, got changed, was raring to go... Then I noticed that it was raining... G&T would not allow last-minute cancellations, and so off we headed into the early evening gloom and shmirr.
In the end, even though it was dreach, and involved running round in circles (aaargh!), it was a jolly good run, as such things go. Unusually, there was no jowalking - a fairly consistent jog instead. G&T is obviously an inspiration to me!
Am now munching crisps and dips and quaffing champagne... Celebrating a 3-mile run when I should have completed 3 runs by now and one of them should have been a 5-miler may seem at best premature. But I'm far too Febulous to care!
;oD
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3.2 miles (in the rain! Now that's dedication...)
Febulous: *hic*
Tee-hee!
Din't do run this morning - tired!
Busy this evening - off for dinner and drinks with La C. Whole bottle of wine just for me!! Wheee!!
Have route planned for tomorrow morning - 5 miles in big circle - get up at 6am and go out and run! Will be fab! Only time to do run so will be fine - bound to work!
*hic*
Great plan... Jusht great! Unless it rains... That would be bad... Boo to rain!!
Not sure how to fit in 3 runs in 2 days... but am sure will manage it!
All is good!
(^_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (tomorrow...!!)
Din't do run this morning - tired!
Busy this evening - off for dinner and drinks with La C. Whole bottle of wine just for me!! Wheee!!
Have route planned for tomorrow morning - 5 miles in big circle - get up at 6am and go out and run! Will be fab! Only time to do run so will be fine - bound to work!
*hic*
Great plan... Jusht great! Unless it rains... That would be bad... Boo to rain!!
Not sure how to fit in 3 runs in 2 days... but am sure will manage it!
All is good!
(^_@)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (tomorrow...!!)
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Febulous: Limitations
It would appear that I have more limitations than I previously knew... I appear to be unable to run in temperatures below 4 degrees C. I become quite overcome by the cold and have to retreat into the warmth, sit before the TV and eat chocolate and, erm, ice cream...
Weird, huh?
This means, obviously, that I am now quite behind with my runs this week (as in, I've not done any); and, additionally, I'm nowhere near completing my specified "long run". Still, tomorrow's another day. I'm told...
Although the signs do not bode well. My, um, reasons for not running so far this week are as follows:
Monday - sleet;
Tuesday - apathy;
Wednesday - exhausted apathy;
Thursday - sleet-like rain.
One must therefore hope for a sudden up-turn in the local weather (that happens often) and a sudden surge in inspiration. Or Febulous will descend into disarray in week 1! Which would be embarrassing at least (although I find myself struggling to care... Perhaps more ice cream would help?).
(O_O)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (tomorrow...)
Weird, huh?
This means, obviously, that I am now quite behind with my runs this week (as in, I've not done any); and, additionally, I'm nowhere near completing my specified "long run". Still, tomorrow's another day. I'm told...
Although the signs do not bode well. My, um, reasons for not running so far this week are as follows:
Monday - sleet;
Tuesday - apathy;
Wednesday - exhausted apathy;
Thursday - sleet-like rain.
One must therefore hope for a sudden up-turn in the local weather (that happens often) and a sudden surge in inspiration. Or Febulous will descend into disarray in week 1! Which would be embarrassing at least (although I find myself struggling to care... Perhaps more ice cream would help?).
(O_O)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (tomorrow...)
Monday, 4 February 2013
Febulous: Start as you mean to continue?
So, January turned out to be not so fantastic. February has already proved to be not so fabulous (and yes, I am aware that it is only the 4th thereof). Frankly, I don't hold out much hope for March being marvellous (it would be a break with tradition at the very least), but we shall see...
I do have to say that the Jantastic people seem to have misunderstood the lack of fun in slogging through months doing a set amount of runs every week... Or perhaps I'm just not on message? That does seem to happen a lot...
Today has been dreach and dreary - cold, rain, wind, and, erm, sunshine: a bit of a mixed bag, really. I remained hopeful all day of going out for my long run today - must complete at least one 5 mile run this week. This was best evidenced by my consumption of a Snickers (doesn't matter, will be going out for a run later) and 2 Kit-Kats (again, doesn't matter, etc). Then I get home and there's sleet - sleet! I draw the line at running when at risk of sleet!
This has nothing to do with the fact that I am slogging my way through the final book in the Wheel of Time series (700 pages down, fewer left to go!). I am enjoying the speed with which Brandon Sanderson is getting to the conclusion (was supposed to happen in one book - ha! - and has only taken 3), but I have to admit a twinge or 2 of sadness. Robert Jordan, as I'm sure we are all aware, would have taken at least another 2 full books to get around to finishing things - he did after all write at least one book which simply had the main characters going round in circles while randomly introducing yet more side characters. But it also has to be said that it might have been better to write a series that finished in 10 books and then write some of the side stories thereafter: at the very least he would then have been able to complete his own work.
But then, the Wheel of Time is no longer a series of books. When a series reaches the point that its books, stacked on top of each other, would reach human head-height, then it's really a lifetime commitment: each time a new book is released, it is necessary to re-read the entire series from the beginning in order to work out who half the people are... Which I cannot be bothered to do just now, and so am just skipping through things, hoping that it will all still make enough sense to be worthwhile.
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (sleet, people, sleet!)
I do have to say that the Jantastic people seem to have misunderstood the lack of fun in slogging through months doing a set amount of runs every week... Or perhaps I'm just not on message? That does seem to happen a lot...
Today has been dreach and dreary - cold, rain, wind, and, erm, sunshine: a bit of a mixed bag, really. I remained hopeful all day of going out for my long run today - must complete at least one 5 mile run this week. This was best evidenced by my consumption of a Snickers (doesn't matter, will be going out for a run later) and 2 Kit-Kats (again, doesn't matter, etc). Then I get home and there's sleet - sleet! I draw the line at running when at risk of sleet!
This has nothing to do with the fact that I am slogging my way through the final book in the Wheel of Time series (700 pages down, fewer left to go!). I am enjoying the speed with which Brandon Sanderson is getting to the conclusion (was supposed to happen in one book - ha! - and has only taken 3), but I have to admit a twinge or 2 of sadness. Robert Jordan, as I'm sure we are all aware, would have taken at least another 2 full books to get around to finishing things - he did after all write at least one book which simply had the main characters going round in circles while randomly introducing yet more side characters. But it also has to be said that it might have been better to write a series that finished in 10 books and then write some of the side stories thereafter: at the very least he would then have been able to complete his own work.
But then, the Wheel of Time is no longer a series of books. When a series reaches the point that its books, stacked on top of each other, would reach human head-height, then it's really a lifetime commitment: each time a new book is released, it is necessary to re-read the entire series from the beginning in order to work out who half the people are... Which I cannot be bothered to do just now, and so am just skipping through things, hoping that it will all still make enough sense to be worthwhile.
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (sleet, people, sleet!)
Friday, 1 February 2013
Jantastic: Final flourish
Well, 1st of Feb it may be, but we're still in the final week of Jantastic... And I'm feeling particularly pleased with myself because I have now completed my weekly target of 3 runs with 2 days to spare!
Yes, OK, so last week was a couple of runs shy of target... But, really, if I do the run tomorrow that I am supposed to do then I will have done 4 runs in weeks 1 and 4... Which would mean that on average I had done 3 runs per week.... Which would mean that my score for January would be a Jantastic 100%. And that's going to be my memory of the Jantastic experience.
The Jantastic purists have a slightly different view - something about you have to do all 3 runs in a given week and you don't get any extra points for doing more runs than target in a week - but what do they know? They merely organise and officiate the event - amateurs really....
Other than that, little to report. I have been running on the old black trainers to date, but as of tomorrow I may switch to the new trainers... Or maybe Sunday... Like to keep my options open!
:o)
Running time/distance: 40 mins / 3.55 miles (*smug*)
Yes, OK, so last week was a couple of runs shy of target... But, really, if I do the run tomorrow that I am supposed to do then I will have done 4 runs in weeks 1 and 4... Which would mean that on average I had done 3 runs per week.... Which would mean that my score for January would be a Jantastic 100%. And that's going to be my memory of the Jantastic experience.
The Jantastic purists have a slightly different view - something about you have to do all 3 runs in a given week and you don't get any extra points for doing more runs than target in a week - but what do they know? They merely organise and officiate the event - amateurs really....
Other than that, little to report. I have been running on the old black trainers to date, but as of tomorrow I may switch to the new trainers... Or maybe Sunday... Like to keep my options open!
:o)
Running time/distance: 40 mins / 3.55 miles (*smug*)
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Jantastic: Glom of nit
The problem with running in the "lovely" countryside is that quite often pavements are a luxury, and lights even more so.
I was bimbling along (in the pitch dark) in my new running jacket when it occurred to me that while it was fluorescent yellow, everything else I was wearing was once again black. Which pretty much must have meant that I appeared to be a headless and legless body slowly jogging towards the light... Which could be fun to watch, I think - significantly less fun to be the headless/legless torso.
Running one way down the light-free road I was a floating yellow jacket. Running the other way I was a staggering light-blinded fool... Note to self - night vision is significantly reduced by headlights shining in one's face; plus when I can't see my feet or the pavement I start to drift, tricky when surrounded by mud and embankments. Luckily, civilisation was not a million miles away and thankfully streetlights were re-introduced to the run at a timely point...
Other than that, I spent most of today waiting for a weather window to allow me to venture out and dutifully get my run in. I suppose that I should be grateful that I actually succeeded in both finding window and completing run... But for some reason I'm gratitude-lite at the moment!
Shan't be blogging or running tomorrow - roll on Friday!
:o)
Running time/distance: 56 mins / 4.89 miles (I'm blind! Blind!)
I was bimbling along (in the pitch dark) in my new running jacket when it occurred to me that while it was fluorescent yellow, everything else I was wearing was once again black. Which pretty much must have meant that I appeared to be a headless and legless body slowly jogging towards the light... Which could be fun to watch, I think - significantly less fun to be the headless/legless torso.
Running one way down the light-free road I was a floating yellow jacket. Running the other way I was a staggering light-blinded fool... Note to self - night vision is significantly reduced by headlights shining in one's face; plus when I can't see my feet or the pavement I start to drift, tricky when surrounded by mud and embankments. Luckily, civilisation was not a million miles away and thankfully streetlights were re-introduced to the run at a timely point...
Other than that, I spent most of today waiting for a weather window to allow me to venture out and dutifully get my run in. I suppose that I should be grateful that I actually succeeded in both finding window and completing run... But for some reason I'm gratitude-lite at the moment!
Shan't be blogging or running tomorrow - roll on Friday!
:o)
Running time/distance: 56 mins / 4.89 miles (I'm blind! Blind!)
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Jantastic: Cunning plans
January has never been my favourite month - where did Christmas go?! Where?!?! - but this January seems to be going out of its way to plumb ever deeper depths of horribleness. Where it not a calendar month then I would hand it a spade to assist it with the digging... But since it is a calendar month I shan't bother being so ridiculous...
What with one thing and another, I am now a full week behind on the Fake 5x50 thingamabob, and last week did not complete my Jantastic-required 3 runs (I still get points for completing one... And I remain convinced that I should get an extra point for doing 4 runs in week one... Anyway...). I'm in trouble with the team...
So there's a lot of ground to make up this week... Which was already a bit busy... But has also been blighted with weather of the "windy" and "wet" variety... Once again the hand of a superior being is seen at work - and at the very least he has a somewhat mischievous sense of humour...
Anyway, foiled the problem caused by today's bad weather by getting up early and going out for a run before it hit. All these people who like to go running first thing in the morning; all those people who say that the best time to go for a run is first thing in the morning: mentalists. Evey one.
:o)
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.24 miles (cold, but rain-free!)
What with one thing and another, I am now a full week behind on the Fake 5x50 thingamabob, and last week did not complete my Jantastic-required 3 runs (I still get points for completing one... And I remain convinced that I should get an extra point for doing 4 runs in week one... Anyway...). I'm in trouble with the team...
So there's a lot of ground to make up this week... Which was already a bit busy... But has also been blighted with weather of the "windy" and "wet" variety... Once again the hand of a superior being is seen at work - and at the very least he has a somewhat mischievous sense of humour...
Anyway, foiled the problem caused by today's bad weather by getting up early and going out for a run before it hit. All these people who like to go running first thing in the morning; all those people who say that the best time to go for a run is first thing in the morning: mentalists. Evey one.
:o)
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.24 miles (cold, but rain-free!)
Friday, 25 January 2013
Jantastic: Crimes and misdemeanours
Had the marvellous experience tonight of trying to drive home with both feet cramping at the same time. Don't try this at home, kids! [This blog is non-discriminatory -we pass no judgement on those who live in cars... Or indeed other motorised vehicles. Anyway, I digress...] It was unpleasant - and apart from the comedy moment of trying to put petrol in the car whilst hopping from foot to foot and gasping like a fish out of water - generally a humour-free event. The only bright side was the suspicion that this would mean that I would not be able to do my run this evening. As ever, that would have been too good to be true. *sigh*
So I'm running along, bundled up for the cold, and I see flashing blue lights in the distance. "Oooh, the Police", thinks I (actually, it was an ambulance, but this story really makes more sense if we ignore that jaw-achingly truthful point... For once...). "I wonder who they're after? Maybe one of those dastardly house-breaker types (whom we are very against) who steal things from people's houses?".
And then I thought... Here I am, running along this largely deserted road. In black trousers, a black knit cap, black gloves, black top, black trainers (for God's sake!)... Not at all dodgy looking. Thank goodness for the red and white running jacket or I'd be my own prime suspect for whatever crime had been committed!
Luckily, the new running jacket (which has arrived!) is fluorescent yellow (hmmm) and the new trainers are not black. And so that problem should hopefully not recur... Although I might also look out some non-black gloves and hat just to be on the safe side.
:o)
Running time/distance: 37 mins / 3.18 miles (cold, still snow-free)
So I'm running along, bundled up for the cold, and I see flashing blue lights in the distance. "Oooh, the Police", thinks I (actually, it was an ambulance, but this story really makes more sense if we ignore that jaw-achingly truthful point... For once...). "I wonder who they're after? Maybe one of those dastardly house-breaker types (whom we are very against) who steal things from people's houses?".
And then I thought... Here I am, running along this largely deserted road. In black trousers, a black knit cap, black gloves, black top, black trainers (for God's sake!)... Not at all dodgy looking. Thank goodness for the red and white running jacket or I'd be my own prime suspect for whatever crime had been committed!
Luckily, the new running jacket (which has arrived!) is fluorescent yellow (hmmm) and the new trainers are not black. And so that problem should hopefully not recur... Although I might also look out some non-black gloves and hat just to be on the safe side.
:o)
Running time/distance: 37 mins / 3.18 miles (cold, still snow-free)
Saturday, 19 January 2013
Jantastic: Kit crisis
Am feeling rather smug at the moment as have managed to complete all my Jantastic penance for this week. This was despite the cold, snow, ice and machine-made hills that were sent to blight me this week. Luckily, I am visiting my parents at the moment and they live in a currently snow-free zone - therefore nothing could stop me from completing my third run this week.
Lucky, lucky me. Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me!
Anyway, all this running (again. *sigh*), combined with the cold weather and travelling, has identified a few gaps in my running-specific wardrobe. Specifically, I only have one running jacket, and this caused a problem last week when unpacking (putting jacket in wash) and re-packing (jacket still not dry yet!). So I did some online shopping and bought a new running jacket (in a flattering flourescent yellow this time). And some new trainers (they're exactly the same as the ones that I already have except a different colour and a year younger). And 2 long-sleeved tops (it's cold!). Gaps duly filled, bank balance duly lowered, running enabled for multiple more weeks in multiple locations.
Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me!!
:o)
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.23 miles (cold, but largely snow-free)
Lucky, lucky me. Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me!
Anyway, all this running (again. *sigh*), combined with the cold weather and travelling, has identified a few gaps in my running-specific wardrobe. Specifically, I only have one running jacket, and this caused a problem last week when unpacking (putting jacket in wash) and re-packing (jacket still not dry yet!). So I did some online shopping and bought a new running jacket (in a flattering flourescent yellow this time). And some new trainers (they're exactly the same as the ones that I already have except a different colour and a year younger). And 2 long-sleeved tops (it's cold!). Gaps duly filled, bank balance duly lowered, running enabled for multiple more weeks in multiple locations.
Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me!!
:o)
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.23 miles (cold, but largely snow-free)
Friday, 18 January 2013
Jantastic: Targeted
So Plan A was to get outside and run my 5k on the city streets.
Spent all day today sat in my office bathed in sunshine looking out on a frigid but snow-free view. As I'm driving home, flurries of light snow appeared. OK, thinks I, that could be all right, it's cold but how wet can you get in a light snow shower? I arrive home. Suddenly the sky starts unloading large puffy snowflakes and the ground is covered in white slipperiness. Hmmm..... On a health and safety basis if no other, no one would go out running in such conditions.
Well, ZG would. But she only does that to make the rest of us look bad. I'll re-phrase.
No one sane would go out running in such conditions - the probability of ending up wet, cold and flat on one's back on a pavement somewhere was very high.
So on to Plan B. A return to gym and duelling with Darth. Now, I mostly go to the little gym closest to me for such machine-based exercise as it's quiet and no one really minds if you spend hours on the cross-trainer. Said gym is a 5 minute walk away at most. Tonight this walk turned into an arctic expedition: woolly hat, check; gloves, check; fleece, check; waterproof jacket with hood up, check. For some reason it took me ages to get around to leaving the house... And I was still chilled when I arrived at the gym.
Paying the respect due to a Lord of the Sith, I decided to try to "Interval" programme again, but this time at Level 1 (start off nice and easy) which at least meant that I could do all the required distance. Highest incline was 3.5 this time, which was a great relief. Darth T and I parted on a draw this time, I think.
I have to say that the fact that the snow only started when I wanted to go out running has given me pause for thought. A sign from above that I need to finish what I started yesterday, or something more sinister? This is on top of the fact that the Council have yet again started to tighten a roadworks-based noose around my daily travel to work. Now, I've been told not to take this personally, but really - as of Monday I will no longer be able to get to work without driving through 2 separate sets of roadworks.... I feel that the "Delays Expected - Use Alternative Route" signs are a deliberate attempt to mock me, frankly.
Ach, well, who wants to hurry to work anyway?
;oD
Running time/distance: 42 mins / 3.2 miles (indoors, slightly uphill, Level 1)
Spent all day today sat in my office bathed in sunshine looking out on a frigid but snow-free view. As I'm driving home, flurries of light snow appeared. OK, thinks I, that could be all right, it's cold but how wet can you get in a light snow shower? I arrive home. Suddenly the sky starts unloading large puffy snowflakes and the ground is covered in white slipperiness. Hmmm..... On a health and safety basis if no other, no one would go out running in such conditions.
Well, ZG would. But she only does that to make the rest of us look bad. I'll re-phrase.
No one sane would go out running in such conditions - the probability of ending up wet, cold and flat on one's back on a pavement somewhere was very high.
So on to Plan B. A return to gym and duelling with Darth. Now, I mostly go to the little gym closest to me for such machine-based exercise as it's quiet and no one really minds if you spend hours on the cross-trainer. Said gym is a 5 minute walk away at most. Tonight this walk turned into an arctic expedition: woolly hat, check; gloves, check; fleece, check; waterproof jacket with hood up, check. For some reason it took me ages to get around to leaving the house... And I was still chilled when I arrived at the gym.
Paying the respect due to a Lord of the Sith, I decided to try to "Interval" programme again, but this time at Level 1 (start off nice and easy) which at least meant that I could do all the required distance. Highest incline was 3.5 this time, which was a great relief. Darth T and I parted on a draw this time, I think.
I have to say that the fact that the snow only started when I wanted to go out running has given me pause for thought. A sign from above that I need to finish what I started yesterday, or something more sinister? This is on top of the fact that the Council have yet again started to tighten a roadworks-based noose around my daily travel to work. Now, I've been told not to take this personally, but really - as of Monday I will no longer be able to get to work without driving through 2 separate sets of roadworks.... I feel that the "Delays Expected - Use Alternative Route" signs are a deliberate attempt to mock me, frankly.
Ach, well, who wants to hurry to work anyway?
;oD
Running time/distance: 42 mins / 3.2 miles (indoors, slightly uphill, Level 1)
Jantastic: Together we can rule the galaxy...
It is bitterly cold. Bitterly cold. And windy. But I had a run to do today... And so I decided that it was time once more to dance with Darth.
Actually, I spent 40 minutes sitting in my front room - with the central heating on - in my coat trying to force myself to go out for a run. Sadly the best counter-offer was to go to the gym and deal with Darth Treadmill (there were other counter-offers... None of them involved running...).
The thing about January is that all sorts of people suddenly appear in the gym. I shan't be giving any of them them names unless they appear regularly. Also, unless they wear the same clothes all the time, I'm likely to think that they're different people every time I see them... I'm not what you might call a people person. Anyway...
This was not only a reunion with Darth Treadmill, but with the Terminator! Yes indeedy, he's back! And, hot news, he brought a friend! Friend was obviously not a T model - I mustn't cast aspersions, but he was walking on the treadmill and obviously hit the speed button a little too hard... Cue comedy flying off the back of the treadmill and banging his head off the treadmill controls. And no one laughed! We're serious athletes at our gym - no humour here, thank you!
So I got a bit cocky - I've been doing this running stuff for over a year - and decided that I'd try out Darth's "Interval" programme. Oooooh, dear. I rather fear that I somewhat underestimated the power of the Dark Side of the Force... The "Interval" programme seems to involve running on a flat surface and then on a steep incline and then back to a flat surface. Repeat for whatever time you've foolishly entered in at the start of the programme. I'm sure that this will all be terribly good for me in the longer term, but I could have lived quite a bit longer without learning that Darth Treadmill had a 6.5 incline, let alone trying to run "up" it at 5mph.
Conceded that run to Darth (I was on a clock, dammit, and had to get 5km completed before the gym shut!) and switched to the cross-trainer for a far more pleasant little jaunt.
I suspect that this means that I shall have to actually brave the freezing cold tomorrow night... Luckily we seem to be the only place in the country not expecting snow tomorrow. Lucky, lucky us...
*sigh*
:o)
Running time/distance: 20 mins / 1.5 miles (uphill! Only 50% of the time, but still - uphill!!)
Cross-trainer: 16 mins / 2 miles (quite done in by all the uphill running)
Actually, I spent 40 minutes sitting in my front room - with the central heating on - in my coat trying to force myself to go out for a run. Sadly the best counter-offer was to go to the gym and deal with Darth Treadmill (there were other counter-offers... None of them involved running...).
The thing about January is that all sorts of people suddenly appear in the gym. I shan't be giving any of them them names unless they appear regularly. Also, unless they wear the same clothes all the time, I'm likely to think that they're different people every time I see them... I'm not what you might call a people person. Anyway...
This was not only a reunion with Darth Treadmill, but with the Terminator! Yes indeedy, he's back! And, hot news, he brought a friend! Friend was obviously not a T model - I mustn't cast aspersions, but he was walking on the treadmill and obviously hit the speed button a little too hard... Cue comedy flying off the back of the treadmill and banging his head off the treadmill controls. And no one laughed! We're serious athletes at our gym - no humour here, thank you!
So I got a bit cocky - I've been doing this running stuff for over a year - and decided that I'd try out Darth's "Interval" programme. Oooooh, dear. I rather fear that I somewhat underestimated the power of the Dark Side of the Force... The "Interval" programme seems to involve running on a flat surface and then on a steep incline and then back to a flat surface. Repeat for whatever time you've foolishly entered in at the start of the programme. I'm sure that this will all be terribly good for me in the longer term, but I could have lived quite a bit longer without learning that Darth Treadmill had a 6.5 incline, let alone trying to run "up" it at 5mph.
Conceded that run to Darth (I was on a clock, dammit, and had to get 5km completed before the gym shut!) and switched to the cross-trainer for a far more pleasant little jaunt.
I suspect that this means that I shall have to actually brave the freezing cold tomorrow night... Luckily we seem to be the only place in the country not expecting snow tomorrow. Lucky, lucky us...
*sigh*
:o)
Running time/distance: 20 mins / 1.5 miles (uphill! Only 50% of the time, but still - uphill!!)
Cross-trainer: 16 mins / 2 miles (quite done in by all the uphill running)
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Jantastic: Back in the saddle
So off I trotted on Tuesday for a week (ish) on the road. And a Jantastic target to hit... Not to mention a Fake 5x50 target to keep up with... Busy, busy, busy...
All these targets and challenges led to some rather strange situations:
1) Walk off a plane, dump baggage in wherever I'm staying, get changed, go for a run - twice!
2) Start a run in the dry, finish it dripping wet (uncooperative weather conditions without a gym in sight - damn it!) and desperately checking the run app to see if I've run far enough yet...
3) Going out of an evening after a full day of work, and so get up at 6am (6am!!!) to get in a "quick" run before breakfast (I cannot stress enough how much I do not recommend this).
All in all, I'm trying to feel rather virtuous and pleased with myself at all my hard work this week. But I mostly just feel knackered. And cold. And this appears to be yet another situation where all the rewards will be forthcoming in heaven (possibly due to the amount of cake I eat to reward myself for getting myself out the door for a "run"). Now this would be fine if I had any expectation of seeing the shiny pearly gates at some point. But, let's face it - it's not looking likely. It'll be purgatory or life as an ant for me, and plenty of time to look back at all this running lark and wonder what on earth I though I was doing...
Not that I have anything against ants. Quite cute little things (in small numbers), really. In fact, now that I think of it, it might behoove me to start actively being kind to the little darlings. Just, you know, in case...
(@_@)
Tuesday
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.15 miles (started run on a dry day, and then the rain came...)
Wednesday
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.18 miles (chilly, misty, bit less lost than yesterday)
Friday
Running time/distance: 40 mins / 3.15 miles (a run that start at 06:30 hours. That is 6.30am. Such fun...)
Saturday
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3.11 miles (very cold, straight off the plane, feel my dedication!)
All these targets and challenges led to some rather strange situations:
1) Walk off a plane, dump baggage in wherever I'm staying, get changed, go for a run - twice!
2) Start a run in the dry, finish it dripping wet (uncooperative weather conditions without a gym in sight - damn it!) and desperately checking the run app to see if I've run far enough yet...
3) Going out of an evening after a full day of work, and so get up at 6am (6am!!!) to get in a "quick" run before breakfast (I cannot stress enough how much I do not recommend this).
All in all, I'm trying to feel rather virtuous and pleased with myself at all my hard work this week. But I mostly just feel knackered. And cold. And this appears to be yet another situation where all the rewards will be forthcoming in heaven (possibly due to the amount of cake I eat to reward myself for getting myself out the door for a "run"). Now this would be fine if I had any expectation of seeing the shiny pearly gates at some point. But, let's face it - it's not looking likely. It'll be purgatory or life as an ant for me, and plenty of time to look back at all this running lark and wonder what on earth I though I was doing...
Not that I have anything against ants. Quite cute little things (in small numbers), really. In fact, now that I think of it, it might behoove me to start actively being kind to the little darlings. Just, you know, in case...
(@_@)
Tuesday
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.15 miles (started run on a dry day, and then the rain came...)
Wednesday
Running time/distance: 38 mins / 3.18 miles (chilly, misty, bit less lost than yesterday)
Friday
Running time/distance: 40 mins / 3.15 miles (a run that start at 06:30 hours. That is 6.30am. Such fun...)
Saturday
Running time/distance: 35 mins / 3.11 miles (very cold, straight off the plane, feel my dedication!)
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Jantastic: Curses
Awoke this morning with a sore throat. Which wasn't altogether surprising, as it was sore yesterday, pretty much as soon as I stepped into the office (I'm apparently allergic to work. Who knew?)
As we all know, the rules state quite clearly that one should not train/run when one is feeling ill. I decided that having a throat so sore that swallowing was difficult counted as being ill, and thus my little 5k run today was cancelled.
Which was annoying because I've never done a 5k before, and was kind of looking forward to starting short and then increasing running distances (rather than, say, deciding to run a marathon and then wondering where one might buy proper running trainers).
And then I mooched around the house all day feeling icky and sorry for myself. Planned trip to the cinema cancelled - no comedy Tom-Cruise-acting-tall fun for me! But that was OK - I've seen "Outbreak" (oddly fun), and "Contagion" (deeply depressing) for that matter - I couldn't possibly risk the spread of that much disease and misery to complete strangers. Now, a carefully hand-picked audience... That would be a different matter.
And so I have retired to the sofa and reached for the only thing that could possibly help in my hour(s) of need... That's right, I've broken out the ice cream. Again...
'Tis true enough, every cloud has a silver lining!
*cough*
(^_o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Plague-ridden and confined to bed)
As we all know, the rules state quite clearly that one should not train/run when one is feeling ill. I decided that having a throat so sore that swallowing was difficult counted as being ill, and thus my little 5k run today was cancelled.
Which was annoying because I've never done a 5k before, and was kind of looking forward to starting short and then increasing running distances (rather than, say, deciding to run a marathon and then wondering where one might buy proper running trainers).
And then I mooched around the house all day feeling icky and sorry for myself. Planned trip to the cinema cancelled - no comedy Tom-Cruise-acting-tall fun for me! But that was OK - I've seen "Outbreak" (oddly fun), and "Contagion" (deeply depressing) for that matter - I couldn't possibly risk the spread of that much disease and misery to complete strangers. Now, a carefully hand-picked audience... That would be a different matter.
And so I have retired to the sofa and reached for the only thing that could possibly help in my hour(s) of need... That's right, I've broken out the ice cream. Again...
'Tis true enough, every cloud has a silver lining!
*cough*
(^_o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Plague-ridden and confined to bed)
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Jantastic: The importance of paying attention
Made a break for it today between rain showers. Off for a 3.1 mile "run". At least that was the plan.
The problem with running (or jowalking really, as we're still there) is that it takes all my concentration to just keep going. I can't have complicated runs (or I get lost) and I can't just run randomly until I feel like stopping (as that would be very, very short and a complete waste of very little time). I have to have a simple route which I've worked out in advance and then force myself to follow it end-to-end without deviation.
Which is great.... As long as I remember which route I'm running. The 3.1 mile route is nice and short, and involves turning off from the 5 mile and 7 mile routes at a particular point. Which I neglected to do today...
So my nice quick 3.1 mile run morphed into a 5 mile slog, complete with an entire section of rather sulky leaf-kicking "What is wrong with you? How could you have been so stupid?!?!?" self-inflicted ranting.
Ultimately, not the most fun run (ha-ha) that I have ever done: I was bored after a mile; tired and fed up after 2; somewhat tearfully depressed through the 3 and 4 mile points; and desperately relieved at the 5 mile point (I could see my house!).
And then, and THEN, I discover that I can't record any Jantastic runs until next Monday earliest. And here was me thinking that I could get an early start to off-set the undoubted sloth which will appear in a week or so... Just can't catch a break...
:o}
Running time/distance: 59 mins / 5 miles (Not too bad... For me... Even though it was a slog all the way.)
The problem with running (or jowalking really, as we're still there) is that it takes all my concentration to just keep going. I can't have complicated runs (or I get lost) and I can't just run randomly until I feel like stopping (as that would be very, very short and a complete waste of very little time). I have to have a simple route which I've worked out in advance and then force myself to follow it end-to-end without deviation.
Which is great.... As long as I remember which route I'm running. The 3.1 mile route is nice and short, and involves turning off from the 5 mile and 7 mile routes at a particular point. Which I neglected to do today...
So my nice quick 3.1 mile run morphed into a 5 mile slog, complete with an entire section of rather sulky leaf-kicking "What is wrong with you? How could you have been so stupid?!?!?" self-inflicted ranting.
Ultimately, not the most fun run (ha-ha) that I have ever done: I was bored after a mile; tired and fed up after 2; somewhat tearfully depressed through the 3 and 4 mile points; and desperately relieved at the 5 mile point (I could see my house!).
And then, and THEN, I discover that I can't record any Jantastic runs until next Monday earliest. And here was me thinking that I could get an early start to off-set the undoubted sloth which will appear in a week or so... Just can't catch a break...
:o}
Running time/distance: 59 mins / 5 miles (Not too bad... For me... Even though it was a slog all the way.)
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Jantastic: "Spring" training
Well, and so it's now 2013 and I'm deep into preparing for the weddings ahead. Wedding preparation appears to be quite lengthy and laborious: and it's only just started!
Having been honoured to be asked to undertake a role in 2 weddings in the year ahead, I appear to have signed away my life. No longer is my time my own; no longer can I make random plans without consulting others. Hmmm....
First thing that the Smurf decided was that we should all undertake a (fake) 5x50 challenge - that's do 5km per day from 27th December 2012 to 14th February 2013. OK, then.
First thing that G&T decided was that we should take part in "Jantastic" (http://www.marathontalk.com/challenges/spring_motivation.php), which involves committing to undertake a set number of runs per week from 1st January to 31st March 2013. I'm not sure why this is described as "spring training" as it's patently taking place during winter, but there you go. The minimum (!) number of runs per week that you can sign up to do is 3, and so that's my goal (on current form, I would have been challenge enough!). We've set up a team and everything - although it doesn't quite have enough members yet to be allowed as a team (but I have hope!).
Luckily these 2 challenges dovetail (just about) although it remains to be seen if I can actually keep up once I return to work and the joys of travelling. Or indeed whether, at this rate, there were be anything left of me by the end of March.
Well, it'll keep me out of trouble, at least.
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Maybe tomorrow... Maybe not.... Ah, the excitement!)
Having been honoured to be asked to undertake a role in 2 weddings in the year ahead, I appear to have signed away my life. No longer is my time my own; no longer can I make random plans without consulting others. Hmmm....
First thing that the Smurf decided was that we should all undertake a (fake) 5x50 challenge - that's do 5km per day from 27th December 2012 to 14th February 2013. OK, then.
First thing that G&T decided was that we should take part in "Jantastic" (http://www.marathontalk.com/challenges/spring_motivation.php), which involves committing to undertake a set number of runs per week from 1st January to 31st March 2013. I'm not sure why this is described as "spring training" as it's patently taking place during winter, but there you go. The minimum (!) number of runs per week that you can sign up to do is 3, and so that's my goal (on current form, I would have been challenge enough!). We've set up a team and everything - although it doesn't quite have enough members yet to be allowed as a team (but I have hope!).
Luckily these 2 challenges dovetail (just about) although it remains to be seen if I can actually keep up once I return to work and the joys of travelling. Or indeed whether, at this rate, there were be anything left of me by the end of March.
Well, it'll keep me out of trouble, at least.
:o)
Running time/distance: 0 mins / 0 miles (Maybe tomorrow... Maybe not.... Ah, the excitement!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)