Having taken the last two weeks off running I headed out yesterday with renewed vigour and ... well .. delusion. I managed a whole 20 minutes before falling, collapsed to the ground in a heap of heavy breathing and general killmenow-ness.
I shouldn't really be surprised as it was a tough week on the booze & energy levels front. That being said I felt better for having done it and the weather was definitely milder than it's been for ages so it was nice just wearing shorts instead of tights.
I hope to get back into a regular routine now that I've taken the break and rebooted my interest levels.
In other news, I'm going to get my eyes lasered next week so that will mean an excuse not to swim over the coming month. While I can't really say I'm looking forward to the operation itself I am looking forward to the results afterwards and certainly swimming will be one of the beneficiaries.
Never a dull moment.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
time to swap the runners for the googles
Went out running tonight and I have to say it was a struggle. The rain didn't bother me, it never does. I was just sluggish and had to push hard to keep going. I managed just 25 minutes which doesn't sound like a lot really but I guess given how I was feeling it will do ok.
I'm wondering if it's time to give the running a rest for a while and start clocking up those pool laps instead. Running has been great to keep my weight down but if I'm not enjoying it then I don't really see the point.
It's still such a weird feeling this whole athlete, fit mullarkey. Not sure I'll ever get fully comfortable with it.
I'm wondering if it's time to give the running a rest for a while and start clocking up those pool laps instead. Running has been great to keep my weight down but if I'm not enjoying it then I don't really see the point.
It's still such a weird feeling this whole athlete, fit mullarkey. Not sure I'll ever get fully comfortable with it.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Valentine Run done but wasn't feeling the love
This morning I made my way to Battersea Park, umbrella and tissues in tow to take part in the Valentine Love Run. Last time I was there was for the Santa Run in December so I had an idea of what to expect, without the Santa suits that is.
Anyway, turns out there were (very athletic looking) runners, a start and finish line and lots of paces in between each. Same old same old. Definitely less participants than December though and thankfully this time no TV crews.
After a pretty broken nights sleep last night I decided I would "only" do the 5k but would try to do it at a fast pace, if I could. That was the theory anyway. It worked for me to do the 5k for another reason too - I had agreed to babysit for friends this afternoon so cutting back from 10 to 5k took some of the pressure off between my two energy zapping appointments.
Couple of observations on the race front:
1) the lady with the only loudspeaker had a rather shrill voice and I'm guessing must be a teacher. We weren't two years olds and didn't really need to be spoken to as if we were (imho)
2) there was only one distance marker the whole way round so for the likes of me that's not great. I started way too fast but was well into the race before realising. Oops
3) the way the route works you pass the starting point at least twice (depending on which race you do). For me, the smell of cooking chips and burgers was particularly noxious as I went passed. It would be great if they could be moved somewhere else during for next year
4) the people who were managing the bag area were very nice and helpful
5) I'm not sure about the course marshals - I didn't once hear or see them open their mouths - especially in support of the runners which was a shame 'cos there was one five year old girl who was cheering everyone on and she totally deserves a medal
6) the race is heavily (understandably) stacked in the 10k favour, there were no marshals or officials or water people standing anywhere near the 5k finish mark. It was the only distance marker in the Park and felt a bit of an anti climax when finishing. The 5k was supposed to be the Fun Run but unfortunatley it felt more like the annonymous, underachiever run
All of that being said, I participated in an event 24 hours earlier I was pretty unsure about. I managed it in 33 minutes which isn't particularly fast - I think my first 2k in 12 minutes sorta killed me cos I'm a reasonably steady 7 m/k girl. I would also like to know the exact distance 'cos it didn't feel like 5k.
Would I run it next year ... ? Being honest, no. It's the first race I've done where I don't feel like I would miss anything by missing it. Sorry.
Anyway, turns out there were (very athletic looking) runners, a start and finish line and lots of paces in between each. Same old same old. Definitely less participants than December though and thankfully this time no TV crews.
After a pretty broken nights sleep last night I decided I would "only" do the 5k but would try to do it at a fast pace, if I could. That was the theory anyway. It worked for me to do the 5k for another reason too - I had agreed to babysit for friends this afternoon so cutting back from 10 to 5k took some of the pressure off between my two energy zapping appointments.
Couple of observations on the race front:
1) the lady with the only loudspeaker had a rather shrill voice and I'm guessing must be a teacher. We weren't two years olds and didn't really need to be spoken to as if we were (imho)
2) there was only one distance marker the whole way round so for the likes of me that's not great. I started way too fast but was well into the race before realising. Oops
3) the way the route works you pass the starting point at least twice (depending on which race you do). For me, the smell of cooking chips and burgers was particularly noxious as I went passed. It would be great if they could be moved somewhere else during for next year
4) the people who were managing the bag area were very nice and helpful
5) I'm not sure about the course marshals - I didn't once hear or see them open their mouths - especially in support of the runners which was a shame 'cos there was one five year old girl who was cheering everyone on and she totally deserves a medal
6) the race is heavily (understandably) stacked in the 10k favour, there were no marshals or officials or water people standing anywhere near the 5k finish mark. It was the only distance marker in the Park and felt a bit of an anti climax when finishing. The 5k was supposed to be the Fun Run but unfortunatley it felt more like the annonymous, underachiever run
All of that being said, I participated in an event 24 hours earlier I was pretty unsure about. I managed it in 33 minutes which isn't particularly fast - I think my first 2k in 12 minutes sorta killed me cos I'm a reasonably steady 7 m/k girl. I would also like to know the exact distance 'cos it didn't feel like 5k.
Would I run it next year ... ? Being honest, no. It's the first race I've done where I don't feel like I would miss anything by missing it. Sorry.
Friday, February 09, 2007
coughing up a lung the night before I run
It's the night before the 10k Valentine race. I am coughing up a lung about every ten seconds (yes, if you do your maths right, that's alot of lungs). My cold however has more or less abated.
My plan at this stage is to race but I am thinking I may need to reduce my trip to the 5k rather than the full 10. I won't decide until the morning though depending on how I feel. The weather is due to be pants too (i.e. raining cats and dogs) so that's not great either but hey.
For now, I will go to (hopefully) sleep and visualise a dry day with no coughing and carefree strong running.
My plan at this stage is to race but I am thinking I may need to reduce my trip to the 5k rather than the full 10. I won't decide until the morning though depending on how I feel. The weather is due to be pants too (i.e. raining cats and dogs) so that's not great either but hey.
For now, I will go to (hopefully) sleep and visualise a dry day with no coughing and carefree strong running.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
early stages of that sinking feeling
I'm half way into pulling out of the race on Saturday, mainly although not entirely due to illness. The cold I developed a few days into 2007 just doesn't appear to be shifting - it just disappears fro a few days or a week and then when you least want it it comes back with a bang i.e. now.
That's the main reason but I also have to confess a certain unpreparedness too. I have been running but not strongly or with conviction over the last 10 days or so. It's been a real effort and I've not enjoyed it at all.
Perhaps it's the weather, perhaps it's the cold, perhaps it's the need for new runners. Whatever it is, the combination has left me decidedly run shy. Oh well, I still have a few days to go, hopefully all the vitamins and hot drinks will make a difference and I won't need to run with the worlds biggest box of tissues beside me.
That's the main reason but I also have to confess a certain unpreparedness too. I have been running but not strongly or with conviction over the last 10 days or so. It's been a real effort and I've not enjoyed it at all.
Perhaps it's the weather, perhaps it's the cold, perhaps it's the need for new runners. Whatever it is, the combination has left me decidedly run shy. Oh well, I still have a few days to go, hopefully all the vitamins and hot drinks will make a difference and I won't need to run with the worlds biggest box of tissues beside me.
Monday, February 05, 2007
time to commit time
It's that time of year when entry closing dates start to loom large so decisions need to be made on what to enter, when and determine how close the hospitals are.
A friend suggested doing a Sprint Triathlon before the main one in London in August. The idea is sound but having looked at the viable options for tri miscreants like me there's really only one option thanks to timing - the Women's Only Timex in Eton at the end of June.
One advantage of doing this one over the Eton Super Sprints is it's proximity to the London Tri. With 6 weeks between them it's long enough to get over the first one and address any major issues. It also means I won't have to start training this week for a Sprint in May. Six straight months of training isn't what I had in mind. As anyone who was with me this time last year will remember, I'm a slow starter and the thought of that much swimming or cycling or running would have me running for cover and the couch.
Anyway, I think the Timex run could be fun. I like the idea of "competing" (I use the word under advisement) at an London 2012 Olympic Venue. I could give master classes to the worlds elite in advance of their Olympic events?
No, ok, maybe not.
A friend suggested doing a Sprint Triathlon before the main one in London in August. The idea is sound but having looked at the viable options for tri miscreants like me there's really only one option thanks to timing - the Women's Only Timex in Eton at the end of June.
One advantage of doing this one over the Eton Super Sprints is it's proximity to the London Tri. With 6 weeks between them it's long enough to get over the first one and address any major issues. It also means I won't have to start training this week for a Sprint in May. Six straight months of training isn't what I had in mind. As anyone who was with me this time last year will remember, I'm a slow starter and the thought of that much swimming or cycling or running would have me running for cover and the couch.
Anyway, I think the Timex run could be fun. I like the idea of "competing" (I use the word under advisement) at an London 2012 Olympic Venue. I could give master classes to the worlds elite in advance of their Olympic events?
No, ok, maybe not.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
new runners
I'm off to get some new runners. Have that lovely excited feeling in my tummy. Sad I know but there you go.
New runners = new running = possibly new better times?
New runners = new running = possibly new better times?
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