I wanted to close the year out with a good strong run.
[dear diary, must lower the dosage]
Christmas was navigated pretty well but I wanted to build on it so I decided a short sharp burst of speed would be just the thing. I donned the ridiculous looking winter running gear (think black condom or thorpedo) and headed off to my local park for my first ever "speed session".
[for anyone interested, I'm not sure they are supposed to be like this, most likely the opposite of what I will describe here]
I ran for the first few minutes at my regular pace and once I hit the park lengthened my stride to some god awful shape and pushed on. I managed a full circuit (~2k / 14 minutes) before collapsing into an unsuspecting granny who was hidden under her plastic mack.
Once I got my breath back, I started jogging again and managed another few k's in slow pace before I felt I would vomit the ends of 2006 out of my system. Walking back it really hit me how far I have come this year. The evenings of pushing myself haven't gone away (I fear they never will) but I do see a pattern and have learned to read and recognise how they make me feel good.
In a quiet voice, I am grateful for my 2006 sporting journey and pretty chuffed with myself for sticking with it. I'm ready to close the year now and face into 2007 with a stronger body and a mind that is an inch more able to deal with life's challenges.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Survivng Christmas
I'm back in London having spent Christmas away. It's good to be back and the return was even sweeter when I stepped onto the weighing scales to discover I had actually lost body fat over the festive season. Woo hoo.
One of the things I had hoped for this Christmas was to get out and about for a run or two. I had brought my gear just in case and it was pleasing that I got out a few times - one being quite the distance. I was quite sore for a few days afterwards, especially my hips which was slightly worrying (not to mention sore) but I put that down to the bed in my parents house instead of anything more sinister.
Having gotten back late on Thursday evening I decided to go for a run yesterday and thankfully all the bits are back in working order. I'm running a reasonable steady 30 minutes each time now. Some days are better than others and I can push myself faster and longer in the same distance. Other days it's a total struggle to limp through 20 hard minutes. I guess that is the constant battle eh.
The next thing I need to start thinking about is getting back into the pool and rekindling my love of the water. I'm sure it will do me the world of good to get back and to feel everything stretch out. I plan on organising some proper swimming lessons this January so I can make sure I'm doing the right things before I realy start clocking up the mileage in the pool.
My thinking at this stage is to spend a few months working on technique and making sure I'm proper fit. Then, probably around March really start cranking out the training routine. God help me but I reckon the LT Sprint training will come upon me sooner than I can imagine.
One of the things I had hoped for this Christmas was to get out and about for a run or two. I had brought my gear just in case and it was pleasing that I got out a few times - one being quite the distance. I was quite sore for a few days afterwards, especially my hips which was slightly worrying (not to mention sore) but I put that down to the bed in my parents house instead of anything more sinister.
Having gotten back late on Thursday evening I decided to go for a run yesterday and thankfully all the bits are back in working order. I'm running a reasonable steady 30 minutes each time now. Some days are better than others and I can push myself faster and longer in the same distance. Other days it's a total struggle to limp through 20 hard minutes. I guess that is the constant battle eh.
The next thing I need to start thinking about is getting back into the pool and rekindling my love of the water. I'm sure it will do me the world of good to get back and to feel everything stretch out. I plan on organising some proper swimming lessons this January so I can make sure I'm doing the right things before I realy start clocking up the mileage in the pool.
My thinking at this stage is to spend a few months working on technique and making sure I'm proper fit. Then, probably around March really start cranking out the training routine. God help me but I reckon the LT Sprint training will come upon me sooner than I can imagine.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Santa, Battersea and more of the same
I'm ashamed to see how long it's been since I've posted. Accept my apologies (for those that actually check in).
The last post I made was around the time of the Brighton 10k disaster. While I am still bitter and it will take me a while to use a train for important appointments again, I have since participated in a race by entering the first London Santa Run. It was "only" 6k so for all you die hards out there I continue my baby outings but for me personally it was perfect.
The race took place in Battersea Park (London) last Saturday morning. I don't live too far away from it but as it was a 9.30 off it still means an early start for everyone. The weather was glorious, one of those sunrises that remind you why (one has to assume) morning people do what they do. It was crisp, clear, blue skied and full of potential.
I walked (more or less) to the venue and a bit like Forest Gump acquired runners with every twist and traffic light along the way. By the time I made it to the Battersea Park track I was getting Santa claustrophobia (something my inner child never expected me to say) but everywhere I turned there were people dressed or dressing themselves in vibrant red felt suits.
Before I go any further I need to say this was a wonderful event. It was well organised, the venue is traffic free, flat and with an atmosphere of fun that reminds people like me why I run in the first place. Bottom line, it was one of those events that makes achievement in public accessible and I say bring it on.
Anyway, back off my high horse. My run itself was tough. I did it in 40:03 without stopping once and was pleased from that perspective but there were many moments on the trip round where I caught myself thinking I'm not having fun. From a bigger picture perspective I need to be losing that attitude and pushing myself further without the drama and effort required.
Oh well.
Seperately ... I feel I need to confess ... publically ... that I have signed up for next years London Triathlon. This time I decided to step up a level and attempt the Sprint distance. That means 750m swim, 20k cycle and a 5k run - essentially double the distance we did last year. Not surprisingly I found myself running around a park in South London last Saturday morning with a similar sense of dread to that of last April's swimming pool triathlon induction fiasco. Not good. Thing is, I've entered and I've got 8 months to get used to the idea and, hopefully, train and do enough to finish.
God help me but I think even my alien has disowned me this time.
The last post I made was around the time of the Brighton 10k disaster. While I am still bitter and it will take me a while to use a train for important appointments again, I have since participated in a race by entering the first London Santa Run. It was "only" 6k so for all you die hards out there I continue my baby outings but for me personally it was perfect.
The race took place in Battersea Park (London) last Saturday morning. I don't live too far away from it but as it was a 9.30 off it still means an early start for everyone. The weather was glorious, one of those sunrises that remind you why (one has to assume) morning people do what they do. It was crisp, clear, blue skied and full of potential.
I walked (more or less) to the venue and a bit like Forest Gump acquired runners with every twist and traffic light along the way. By the time I made it to the Battersea Park track I was getting Santa claustrophobia (something my inner child never expected me to say) but everywhere I turned there were people dressed or dressing themselves in vibrant red felt suits.
Before I go any further I need to say this was a wonderful event. It was well organised, the venue is traffic free, flat and with an atmosphere of fun that reminds people like me why I run in the first place. Bottom line, it was one of those events that makes achievement in public accessible and I say bring it on.
Anyway, back off my high horse. My run itself was tough. I did it in 40:03 without stopping once and was pleased from that perspective but there were many moments on the trip round where I caught myself thinking I'm not having fun. From a bigger picture perspective I need to be losing that attitude and pushing myself further without the drama and effort required.
Oh well.
Seperately ... I feel I need to confess ... publically ... that I have signed up for next years London Triathlon. This time I decided to step up a level and attempt the Sprint distance. That means 750m swim, 20k cycle and a 5k run - essentially double the distance we did last year. Not surprisingly I found myself running around a park in South London last Saturday morning with a similar sense of dread to that of last April's swimming pool triathlon induction fiasco. Not good. Thing is, I've entered and I've got 8 months to get used to the idea and, hopefully, train and do enough to finish.
God help me but I think even my alien has disowned me this time.
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