Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Aargh- Dentist!
Uurgh, I've just been to the dentist to have a filling replaced. I reckon he must have used a sizeable amount of anaesthetic as my mouth and tongue feel as though they belong to somebody else, and I can't stop drooling- nice!!
It's tippng down outside, windier than a windy thing and I have to go out and do a slow(ish) 6 mile run... maybe I should stop being an endurance athlete and start being a tiddlywinks athlete...
... no I'm going to quit moaning and get out there, and think of the lovely hot shower I will have when I get back! I have stopped aching after Sunday, funnily enough the ends of my toes still hurt though. I just can't seem to find a pair of shoes or boots that are comfy for a whole day's walking, and don't rub blisters. If I am going to attempt the Bullock Smithy Hike this year, I am not going to want blisters after 18 miles!
Any recommendations, anybody?
It's tippng down outside, windier than a windy thing and I have to go out and do a slow(ish) 6 mile run... maybe I should stop being an endurance athlete and start being a tiddlywinks athlete...
... no I'm going to quit moaning and get out there, and think of the lovely hot shower I will have when I get back! I have stopped aching after Sunday, funnily enough the ends of my toes still hurt though. I just can't seem to find a pair of shoes or boots that are comfy for a whole day's walking, and don't rub blisters. If I am going to attempt the Bullock Smithy Hike this year, I am not going to want blisters after 18 miles!
Any recommendations, anybody?
Labels: dentist, running, walking
Monday, February 26, 2007
Belvoir Challenge; Event Report
Whew! I am aching so-o-o much!! Guess it’s time for a report on the Belvoir Challenge…
… it was muddy! Three main types of mud… the glutinous, slippery slidey kind that causes you to slither all over the place, often with huge puddles for added effect, the kind that sucks you in so that you have to pull your feet out with a large squelch at every step, and the kind that clumps around your feet with each step until your feet get heavier and heavier and you feel like a cart horse.
It’s a big event… over 800 people were doing the 15 mile route, and around 200 doing the 26 mile. After a welcome cuppa, banana and toilet stop, I manage to get near to the front of the field at the starting line; the two routes followed the same path for 400 metres before splitting and I didn’t want to get stuck behind everybody. In hindsight I should have been further back, as as soon as the starting horn sounded I had runners practically climbing over me in their efforts to get by!
Threatening rain!
I am following a chap in a red jacket; he climbs a stile and then collapses on the ground clutching his leg! Luckily, he’s not injured, just suffering cramp, and quickly recovers and strides off into the distance. I keep passing and are then passed by a few ladies who are alternatively walking and jogging.
The next checkpoint is Croxton Kerrial, at 11 miles. I’m ready for a cuppa and stop for a coffee and sandwiches. The organisers wisely tape vast quantities of cardboard over the floor at all checkpoints! There are also yummy home made cakes and flap jacks, I pick a large piece which turns out to be two stuck together- but don’t complain!
As I leave, I catch up with one of the ladies walk/ jogging, and chat with her for a bit. She lives in London, and has come up just for the event. She is slightly slower than me, which always leaves me in a dilemma- is it rude to leave folk you’re talking with and push on? We overtake a group of lads who are training for a 60 mile event, and she drops back; We get our first view of Belvoir Castle perched on a hill top with a commanding view of the Vale, and walk up the ancient Sewstern Lane to reach the next checkpoint; Woolsthorpe at 15 miles.
Belvoir Castle
From the on it’s fairly open country, and I can see walkers spread out ahead and behind. It’s tough going walking through mud, I’ve heard several people say it’s a harder route than last year- it’s certainly muddier and hillier! My legs are just waking up to the fact that it’s a long one, and I can feel a couple of potential blister spots on my feet.
As we walk uphill and join the point were the 15 mile route joins, I catch up with a chap who turns out to be the organiser of the Ponton Plod- I congratulate him on this considerable achievement and promise to do it again this year! I feel myself getting quite tired now, and it seems ages to the last checkpoint. The route takes us straight down a very steep bank and through yet more mud. We walk through Branston, and I’m convinced we’ve actually missed the checkpoint!
But we haven’t- and after negotiating the Iron Staircase- which is, quite literally, an iron staircase, as the name suggests, guiding the way down a steep bank (an escalator would have been more welcome, but there you go!) we pass a yappy Jack Russell terrier not quite brave enough to attack, and reach the last checkpoint at Eaton- 21.6 miles. I decide to rest up for a few minutes and have a cuppa- it’s quite entertaining watching folks try to walk at this stage, and quite encouraging that there’s still quite a lot to come through (I’m not last!!!)
I heave my aching bones up and leave the checkpoint just behind the Ponton Plod guy, as it’s just starting to get duskish, It will be nice to finish before dark, but if not, never mind… I can always use my head torch… except- damn! I have actually forgotten to bring the damn thing!! Guess that means I have to finish in daylight! Luckily the route follow a nice level track- going downhill!- and I manage to break into a gentle jog, overtake one of the other walk/ joggers and almost catch up with Mr Ponton Plod. We reach Stathern, with about 2 miles still to go, just as cars are switching their headlights on.
Great! I’m going to do this! Legs aching, feet hurting… but not too bad! This is ok… until we enter a field which is just literally a sea of the most glutinous, slippy mud! I am trying to hurry as by now the light is fading fast, but this has the unfortunate effect of wrenching my feet sufficiently to pull on my blister, and for a split second I can’t move for the sudden shock of pain. Luckily Mr PP is now too far away to hear my language!
I manage to hobble on- for some reason by toes are killing me too- and get to a track, which, to my dismay, turns out to be just as muddy as the field. I slosh and slide my way down it, desperately trying to take advantage of the last vestiges of day light. Finally, the route turns down the track we came up at the start of the day, and I see the lights of the village in the distance and gratefully stumble towards them.
As I walk/ hobble through the village I ring mum, who seems quite impressed. I stumble into the village hall and a young boy hands me my certificate- 9 hours and 10 minutes. That’s 11 minutes slower than last year… but I did stop for coffee at the last checkpoint… and it was a harder route, everybody said so… yep, I can justify with the best of ‘em!
I choose a bowl of bread and butter pudding, and pour custard liberally over it. As I eat, the London lady comes in, followed by the group of lads. I hear several people say their GPS clocked the route at 28 miles, so who knows…
It was a good day, though, as always! And a welcome, if muddy, first walk of the year. Wasn’t quite such fun cleaning my shoes though!! I ended up doing a walk yesterday with a friend too- we went round Watermead Country Park, which is close to me and flat. Still, we must have covered about 6 miles. Did a bit of fence traversing too, as the path was flooded. (fence traversing; the art of climbing onto a fence, and shuffling along it, until you are safely past the obstruction. Doesn’t do much for your street cred, however, especially if, like my mate, you are clutching a small handbag)
NO exercise today!!!
My shoes!!!
… it was muddy! Three main types of mud… the glutinous, slippery slidey kind that causes you to slither all over the place, often with huge puddles for added effect, the kind that sucks you in so that you have to pull your feet out with a large squelch at every step, and the kind that clumps around your feet with each step until your feet get heavier and heavier and you feel like a cart horse.
It’s a big event… over 800 people were doing the 15 mile route, and around 200 doing the 26 mile. After a welcome cuppa, banana and toilet stop, I manage to get near to the front of the field at the starting line; the two routes followed the same path for 400 metres before splitting and I didn’t want to get stuck behind everybody. In hindsight I should have been further back, as as soon as the starting horn sounded I had runners practically climbing over me in their efforts to get by!
The Start!
Luckily the routes split, and typically enough, ours goes down the boggiest, muddiest track. Luckily though this gave way to a decent track, it did give rain all day but we were jammy enough to get away with just the odd blustery splatter and even some sun.
The first checkpoint’s at Goadby Marwood, one of the many pretty villages in the Vale of Belvoir. The food is always good on this event- brown bread cheese and pickle sarnies, and my favourite; cold rice pudding! We pass quickly through, and then onwards- through the villages of Chadwell, Waltham and Bescaby, plus, of course, loads more muddy tracks, fields and hills. Any semblance of attempting to keep dry and clean quickly goes out of the window at this point!
Threatening rain!I am following a chap in a red jacket; he climbs a stile and then collapses on the ground clutching his leg! Luckily, he’s not injured, just suffering cramp, and quickly recovers and strides off into the distance. I keep passing and are then passed by a few ladies who are alternatively walking and jogging.
The next checkpoint is Croxton Kerrial, at 11 miles. I’m ready for a cuppa and stop for a coffee and sandwiches. The organisers wisely tape vast quantities of cardboard over the floor at all checkpoints! There are also yummy home made cakes and flap jacks, I pick a large piece which turns out to be two stuck together- but don’t complain!
As I leave, I catch up with one of the ladies walk/ jogging, and chat with her for a bit. She lives in London, and has come up just for the event. She is slightly slower than me, which always leaves me in a dilemma- is it rude to leave folk you’re talking with and push on? We overtake a group of lads who are training for a 60 mile event, and she drops back; We get our first view of Belvoir Castle perched on a hill top with a commanding view of the Vale, and walk up the ancient Sewstern Lane to reach the next checkpoint; Woolsthorpe at 15 miles.
Belvoir CastleFrom the on it’s fairly open country, and I can see walkers spread out ahead and behind. It’s tough going walking through mud, I’ve heard several people say it’s a harder route than last year- it’s certainly muddier and hillier! My legs are just waking up to the fact that it’s a long one, and I can feel a couple of potential blister spots on my feet.
As we walk uphill and join the point were the 15 mile route joins, I catch up with a chap who turns out to be the organiser of the Ponton Plod- I congratulate him on this considerable achievement and promise to do it again this year! I feel myself getting quite tired now, and it seems ages to the last checkpoint. The route takes us straight down a very steep bank and through yet more mud. We walk through Branston, and I’m convinced we’ve actually missed the checkpoint!
But we haven’t- and after negotiating the Iron Staircase- which is, quite literally, an iron staircase, as the name suggests, guiding the way down a steep bank (an escalator would have been more welcome, but there you go!) we pass a yappy Jack Russell terrier not quite brave enough to attack, and reach the last checkpoint at Eaton- 21.6 miles. I decide to rest up for a few minutes and have a cuppa- it’s quite entertaining watching folks try to walk at this stage, and quite encouraging that there’s still quite a lot to come through (I’m not last!!!)
I heave my aching bones up and leave the checkpoint just behind the Ponton Plod guy, as it’s just starting to get duskish, It will be nice to finish before dark, but if not, never mind… I can always use my head torch… except- damn! I have actually forgotten to bring the damn thing!! Guess that means I have to finish in daylight! Luckily the route follow a nice level track- going downhill!- and I manage to break into a gentle jog, overtake one of the other walk/ joggers and almost catch up with Mr Ponton Plod. We reach Stathern, with about 2 miles still to go, just as cars are switching their headlights on.
Great! I’m going to do this! Legs aching, feet hurting… but not too bad! This is ok… until we enter a field which is just literally a sea of the most glutinous, slippy mud! I am trying to hurry as by now the light is fading fast, but this has the unfortunate effect of wrenching my feet sufficiently to pull on my blister, and for a split second I can’t move for the sudden shock of pain. Luckily Mr PP is now too far away to hear my language!
I manage to hobble on- for some reason by toes are killing me too- and get to a track, which, to my dismay, turns out to be just as muddy as the field. I slosh and slide my way down it, desperately trying to take advantage of the last vestiges of day light. Finally, the route turns down the track we came up at the start of the day, and I see the lights of the village in the distance and gratefully stumble towards them.
As I walk/ hobble through the village I ring mum, who seems quite impressed. I stumble into the village hall and a young boy hands me my certificate- 9 hours and 10 minutes. That’s 11 minutes slower than last year… but I did stop for coffee at the last checkpoint… and it was a harder route, everybody said so… yep, I can justify with the best of ‘em!
I choose a bowl of bread and butter pudding, and pour custard liberally over it. As I eat, the London lady comes in, followed by the group of lads. I hear several people say their GPS clocked the route at 28 miles, so who knows…
It was a good day, though, as always! And a welcome, if muddy, first walk of the year. Wasn’t quite such fun cleaning my shoes though!! I ended up doing a walk yesterday with a friend too- we went round Watermead Country Park, which is close to me and flat. Still, we must have covered about 6 miles. Did a bit of fence traversing too, as the path was flooded. (fence traversing; the art of climbing onto a fence, and shuffling along it, until you are safely past the obstruction. Doesn’t do much for your street cred, however, especially if, like my mate, you are clutching a small handbag)
NO exercise today!!!
My shoes!!!
Labels: Challenge walks, running
Friday, February 23, 2007
Ready To Go...
...right, it's the Belvoir Challenge tomorrow! Feeling a bit knackered but otherwise ok. I did go out for a long, slow run (complete with loo stop in a handy field) I did about 8 1/2 miles in the end, wasn't going to go that far, but felt strong... so went for it! No pain in achilles- nor from last Sunday's run- which is good!
Katie is home, so we went to the gym last night- again pushed myself a little as I felt strong- I got up to 8 mph on the treadmill, for, oh all of 15 seconds!! Did a bit of inclination work too (where the treadmill will incline to give the impression of running uphill- without the mud, rocks and grass tussocks!
It gives rain in the morning, but supposed to be clearing up later... means we will probably all be completely caked on mud... bleurgh!
My typing is going to pot, time for bed methinks...
Katie is home, so we went to the gym last night- again pushed myself a little as I felt strong- I got up to 8 mph on the treadmill, for, oh all of 15 seconds!! Did a bit of inclination work too (where the treadmill will incline to give the impression of running uphill- without the mud, rocks and grass tussocks!
It gives rain in the morning, but supposed to be clearing up later... means we will probably all be completely caked on mud... bleurgh!
My typing is going to pot, time for bed methinks...
Labels: challenge, running, walk
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Mid Week Blues
Can't seem to motivate myself at all this week. I have had two days rest after the Tamworth 10K and can't be bothered to do anything apart from eat vast quantities of food, which is NOT a good ides!
They have finally started to replace the back windows in the flats, unfortunately I think mine is going to be one of the last... still, my neighbour has managed to persuade them to install our cat flaps back in! I have just been and bought a shiny new one! Exciting!!!
I think I will go out on a long, slow run tonight, at least 7 miles. I will try one of those energy drink sachets I got free. I have the 9 mile Norton run a week on Sunday so got to get my distance up!
I have had a look at the route for the Belvoir Challenge, it is identical to the 2004 route- in reverse! There is also a 15 mile route, they used to have the two distances sharing the same route for so long, but there are so many people doing it (more do the 15 mile) it was a nightmare- there were queues at stiles resembling the New Year sales at Harrods and the route just became a swamp!
I didn't finish in 2004, partly because of this reason. I ended up losing about 40 minutes at just one stile, and when the route split I was the only person in sight carrying on along the 26 mile route. I was unfit, and fell further and further behind everybody else. Approaching the last check point at 21 miles, it started to snow and night fell suddenly. A runner came up behind me and I thought 'Yay I'm not last! ' before realising he was the sweeper. I'd had enough, so stumbeled into the checkpoint and retired.
It was so demoralising. I never want to experience that again. The agonies of being transported back to the start in a car, walking through the door to a series of 'congratulations!', having to confess I'd quit and being told 'never mind, have something to eat anyway.' Of course, it is smart to know when you've had enough, and quit to lick your wounds and fight another day, but oh, it doesn't come easy!
I've completed it the two years since, it will be interesting this year doing that same route but in reverse...
They have finally started to replace the back windows in the flats, unfortunately I think mine is going to be one of the last... still, my neighbour has managed to persuade them to install our cat flaps back in! I have just been and bought a shiny new one! Exciting!!!
I think I will go out on a long, slow run tonight, at least 7 miles. I will try one of those energy drink sachets I got free. I have the 9 mile Norton run a week on Sunday so got to get my distance up!
I have had a look at the route for the Belvoir Challenge, it is identical to the 2004 route- in reverse! There is also a 15 mile route, they used to have the two distances sharing the same route for so long, but there are so many people doing it (more do the 15 mile) it was a nightmare- there were queues at stiles resembling the New Year sales at Harrods and the route just became a swamp!
I didn't finish in 2004, partly because of this reason. I ended up losing about 40 minutes at just one stile, and when the route split I was the only person in sight carrying on along the 26 mile route. I was unfit, and fell further and further behind everybody else. Approaching the last check point at 21 miles, it started to snow and night fell suddenly. A runner came up behind me and I thought 'Yay I'm not last! ' before realising he was the sweeper. I'd had enough, so stumbeled into the checkpoint and retired.
It was so demoralising. I never want to experience that again. The agonies of being transported back to the start in a car, walking through the door to a series of 'congratulations!', having to confess I'd quit and being told 'never mind, have something to eat anyway.' Of course, it is smart to know when you've had enough, and quit to lick your wounds and fight another day, but oh, it doesn't come easy!
I've completed it the two years since, it will be interesting this year doing that same route but in reverse...
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Tamworth Heart 10K! Race Report
Well, yesterday was the first event of 2007- the Tamworth Heart 10K! Actually, it was the first 10k I’d done for ages, apart from in training… I did this one last year, in about 1 hour 7 mins, but this year they changed the route slightly.
Tamworth is a little drive away from where I live, so as usual I completely overestimated how long it would take me to get there and arrived 1 ½ hours before the race.
There were already some runners milling around, and a stage for the radio station who were presenting live. I got a hot chocolate, ate a banana (carbs) and mooched around, looking at Tamworth castle rising up out of the mist. The field gradually filled up, and I went the loo loads of times (usual for me!) and left my bag in the baggage tent.
It’s a huge event, well over 2000 people were running. The oldest runner was number 77, and he was 77 years old! The radio station gave us a mass warm up (think loads of bods crashing into each other as we couldn’t hear them properly) then we lined up at the start and were on our way!
It took a while to cross the start line, but once we did I started running and was surprised at how good I felt. I started to overtake people, and kept trying to tell myself not to go too fast too soon. The first 1k marker came fairly quickly, and we turned off the main road and through a housing estate.
After this, the course was fairly undulating, and I managed to overtake more people who slowed to a walk going uphill. At around 3k, amazingly, the lead runners started to go past headed for home! Those guys are amazing!!
It was a sunny day and I felt quite hot at this point. At around 4k we were faced with a long, slow climb, I passed quite a lot of people who slowed up, including number 77. I wasn’t sure whether to clap or cheer at him, but wimped out and just smiled!
I grabbed a bottle of water from the water station and held it for the rest of the race, taking sips every now and again. We passed the 5k marker and I still felt good, my pace felt fairly fast but I felt I could cope with it. At around 6k, I found myself running alongside a lady who told me that although she has completed a 10 mile race, this was her first 10k. We had a kind of conversation, but the only way I could talk was to take a deep breath and kind of blurt the sentence out in one go- if she said 'pardon?' I was stuck!!
I passed a group of people and she fell behind. I was looking for the 7k marker, and it seemed such a long time in coming I started to doubt my ability to continue at the fairly fast pace I felt I was setting. Finally, to my utter relief, I saw the 8k marker- must have completely missed the 7k!
It was downhill now, which provided a welcome relief; trying to ignore the slight fluttery feelings which I was convinced was the onset of a heart attack, I ploughed on and passed the 9k mark- and kept telling myself only about half a mile to go!!
We ran through Tamworth town centre, there was a smattering of people cheering us on- I tried to pretend I was just competing a marathon and it felt quite good! I overtook a young couple and the girl seemed to be really struggling- every breath she took, she gave a kind of strangled little cough. I really felt I should try for a sprint finish, but didn’t fancy the thoughts of crossing the finishing line and spewing my guts!
Down the hill, round the corner… and there’s the finish line! As I crossed over, I noticed the time… 1 hour, 1 minute and 41 seconds. Nearly a PB… We are given a medal, and goodie bags containing, amongst other goodies, a mars bar and packet of crisps (lunch!!)
And… I checked the website and the results are on there already! My clock time was 1 hour 1 minute and 41 seconds… but, we each were given a timing chip to wear which was activated on crossing the start… and my chip time was… tadaaa...59 minutes and 54 seconds!!! That is a PB AND a sub- 1 hour!!! Woohooo- one of my New Year’s Resolutions gone already!! (well, two actually… as another one was to run it faster than last year…)
I really think that the new treadmill work is paying off!! There is a photo site, but with nearly 400 photos on there, I am going to have a real good trawl through... hell, I may even buy one, as long as it's not too ghastly!
Right, what's next? The Belvoir Challenge... bring it on!!!
Tamworth is a little drive away from where I live, so as usual I completely overestimated how long it would take me to get there and arrived 1 ½ hours before the race.
There were already some runners milling around, and a stage for the radio station who were presenting live. I got a hot chocolate, ate a banana (carbs) and mooched around, looking at Tamworth castle rising up out of the mist. The field gradually filled up, and I went the loo loads of times (usual for me!) and left my bag in the baggage tent.
It’s a huge event, well over 2000 people were running. The oldest runner was number 77, and he was 77 years old! The radio station gave us a mass warm up (think loads of bods crashing into each other as we couldn’t hear them properly) then we lined up at the start and were on our way!
It took a while to cross the start line, but once we did I started running and was surprised at how good I felt. I started to overtake people, and kept trying to tell myself not to go too fast too soon. The first 1k marker came fairly quickly, and we turned off the main road and through a housing estate.
After this, the course was fairly undulating, and I managed to overtake more people who slowed to a walk going uphill. At around 3k, amazingly, the lead runners started to go past headed for home! Those guys are amazing!!
It was a sunny day and I felt quite hot at this point. At around 4k we were faced with a long, slow climb, I passed quite a lot of people who slowed up, including number 77. I wasn’t sure whether to clap or cheer at him, but wimped out and just smiled!
I grabbed a bottle of water from the water station and held it for the rest of the race, taking sips every now and again. We passed the 5k marker and I still felt good, my pace felt fairly fast but I felt I could cope with it. At around 6k, I found myself running alongside a lady who told me that although she has completed a 10 mile race, this was her first 10k. We had a kind of conversation, but the only way I could talk was to take a deep breath and kind of blurt the sentence out in one go- if she said 'pardon?' I was stuck!!
I passed a group of people and she fell behind. I was looking for the 7k marker, and it seemed such a long time in coming I started to doubt my ability to continue at the fairly fast pace I felt I was setting. Finally, to my utter relief, I saw the 8k marker- must have completely missed the 7k!
It was downhill now, which provided a welcome relief; trying to ignore the slight fluttery feelings which I was convinced was the onset of a heart attack, I ploughed on and passed the 9k mark- and kept telling myself only about half a mile to go!!
We ran through Tamworth town centre, there was a smattering of people cheering us on- I tried to pretend I was just competing a marathon and it felt quite good! I overtook a young couple and the girl seemed to be really struggling- every breath she took, she gave a kind of strangled little cough. I really felt I should try for a sprint finish, but didn’t fancy the thoughts of crossing the finishing line and spewing my guts!
Down the hill, round the corner… and there’s the finish line! As I crossed over, I noticed the time… 1 hour, 1 minute and 41 seconds. Nearly a PB… We are given a medal, and goodie bags containing, amongst other goodies, a mars bar and packet of crisps (lunch!!)
And… I checked the website and the results are on there already! My clock time was 1 hour 1 minute and 41 seconds… but, we each were given a timing chip to wear which was activated on crossing the start… and my chip time was… tadaaa...59 minutes and 54 seconds!!! That is a PB AND a sub- 1 hour!!! Woohooo- one of my New Year’s Resolutions gone already!! (well, two actually… as another one was to run it faster than last year…)
I really think that the new treadmill work is paying off!! There is a photo site, but with nearly 400 photos on there, I am going to have a real good trawl through... hell, I may even buy one, as long as it's not too ghastly!
Right, what's next? The Belvoir Challenge... bring it on!!!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
A Change...
Right, I've made the change to the new Google account so lessee how easy this will be...
I am very premenstrual and for some unknown reason 4 cadburys cream eggs just jumped into my arms and whispered that they are 4 for 99p... so I had to bring them home really, it was the kindest thing to do...
Right, I haven't written my exercise account for last week, partially as this was my first week of working in the new team and has been rather stressful.
Running
5 miles on treadmill over two sessions, top speed 7mph.
6 miles slow (due to ice!)
Walking
Approx 5 miles
Uphill on treadmill, for 10 minutes
Other
40 minutes on elliptical trainer (fairly fast)
20 minutes on bike
40 minutes on stepper fairly hard
10 minutes on rower
All over 2 sessions.
So, not great, but getting back on track after my illness.
I have the Tamworth Heart 10k tomorrow (also stepdad's birthday and the present I ordered for him hasn't arrived... bummer) and have received my race number for a 9 mile race in Doncaster.
I am going to try to list my future events in the left hand column... you will know if I've succeeded as they will be there... if I've cocked it up they won't be...
I am very premenstrual and for some unknown reason 4 cadburys cream eggs just jumped into my arms and whispered that they are 4 for 99p... so I had to bring them home really, it was the kindest thing to do...
Right, I haven't written my exercise account for last week, partially as this was my first week of working in the new team and has been rather stressful.
Running
5 miles on treadmill over two sessions, top speed 7mph.
6 miles slow (due to ice!)
Walking
Approx 5 miles
Uphill on treadmill, for 10 minutes
Other
40 minutes on elliptical trainer (fairly fast)
20 minutes on bike
40 minutes on stepper fairly hard
10 minutes on rower
All over 2 sessions.
So, not great, but getting back on track after my illness.
I have the Tamworth Heart 10k tomorrow (also stepdad's birthday and the present I ordered for him hasn't arrived... bummer) and have received my race number for a 9 mile race in Doncaster.
I am going to try to list my future events in the left hand column... you will know if I've succeeded as they will be there... if I've cocked it up they won't be...
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
NOT Going So Swimmingly!
Oooh, I had my first swimming lesson from Katie tonight. Let;s just say I have been doing front crawl totally wrong. So wrong, in fact, that it can't even have been called front crawl...
God, I was rubbish, so much to remember; getting my arms well out of the water, breathing AND kicking! God, the breathing... I can't do it! My brain rationalises that my face is under water and I panic then turn my face to the side and manage to gulp in a mouthful of water!
I will NEVER manage to swim a mile like this... although Katie told me that there was a definate improvement and she said that it will come...
Maybe I ought to become a dualathlete instead...
God, I was rubbish, so much to remember; getting my arms well out of the water, breathing AND kicking! God, the breathing... I can't do it! My brain rationalises that my face is under water and I panic then turn my face to the side and manage to gulp in a mouthful of water!
I will NEVER manage to swim a mile like this... although Katie told me that there was a definate improvement and she said that it will come...
Maybe I ought to become a dualathlete instead...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Curse Of The Chocolate Homer Simpson Santas...
I have a big problem. My name is Steph and I'm a chocoholic. I admit it... I also live above the village shops, and out newsagent is selling off these gorgeous chocolate Homer Simpson santas for 10p each... what's a girl to do??
On the plus side, I have just scoffed one and feel decidedly sick...
On the plus side, I have just scoffed one and feel decidedly sick...The Big Wet!
Ok, after the big freeze, we now appear to have the big wet! It's just poured for the last two days...
...I was slightly wrong about us having no snow at all on Thursday. I went out for a run Thursday night, and there were patches of a very thin, pathetic snow covering on the pavements. Unfortunately, this had frozen, which made for an interesting run...
I did a slow 6 miles (Necessary, as I figured that a broken ankle may not have the most positive effect on my training regimen).
That, plus going to the gym last night with Katie (who is currently very keen!) and I feel that I am back on track after being poorly!
I have identified some new events, so when I remember how I will try to list them!
...I was slightly wrong about us having no snow at all on Thursday. I went out for a run Thursday night, and there were patches of a very thin, pathetic snow covering on the pavements. Unfortunately, this had frozen, which made for an interesting run...
I did a slow 6 miles (Necessary, as I figured that a broken ankle may not have the most positive effect on my training regimen).
That, plus going to the gym last night with Katie (who is currently very keen!) and I feel that I am back on track after being poorly!
I have identified some new events, so when I remember how I will try to list them!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The Big Freeze...NOT!
Well, all we have heard on the news this week is the promise of snow. Lots and lots of it. Enough to bring everything to a standstill.
Now, I admit, I am a big kid at heart. I love snow. LOVE it. The deeper the better. The fact is, we just don't get snow like we used to here; when I was a kid, we used to get two or three real good snowfalls every winter. I have photos of my Dad digging his car out. We used to go sledging lots, I even remember a proper blizzard once. (we had a pony in the field at the bottom of the garden so put him in the garage for the night, much to the postman's surprise when he put a parcel in there next day!)
We just don't get that now, the most we ever seem to get is a slushy centimetre or so that's gone by lunchtime.
So- I was really excited this morning!! Proper snow at last (plus the suggestion from my boss that I don't try to get to work if it's bad.) I woke up, rummaged for my glasses and threw back the curtains, to be greeted by... nothing. Zilch. Nada.
It did actually start snowing and settling as I drove to work, but quickly turned into the kind of sleety stuff and disappeared. As usual, the rest of the country seems to have loads and we have... nothing.
I am gutted. Still, on the other hand I may be able to go out tonight and run without falling over (unless it freezes.)
Now, I admit, I am a big kid at heart. I love snow. LOVE it. The deeper the better. The fact is, we just don't get snow like we used to here; when I was a kid, we used to get two or three real good snowfalls every winter. I have photos of my Dad digging his car out. We used to go sledging lots, I even remember a proper blizzard once. (we had a pony in the field at the bottom of the garden so put him in the garage for the night, much to the postman's surprise when he put a parcel in there next day!)
We just don't get that now, the most we ever seem to get is a slushy centimetre or so that's gone by lunchtime.
So- I was really excited this morning!! Proper snow at last (plus the suggestion from my boss that I don't try to get to work if it's bad.) I woke up, rummaged for my glasses and threw back the curtains, to be greeted by... nothing. Zilch. Nada.
It did actually start snowing and settling as I drove to work, but quickly turned into the kind of sleety stuff and disappeared. As usual, the rest of the country seems to have loads and we have... nothing.
I am gutted. Still, on the other hand I may be able to go out tonight and run without falling over (unless it freezes.)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Back On Top Of Things...
Feel like I'm getting back on top of things! I went to the gym Sunday just for an hour, and back again last night as my sis wanted to join. She was quite keen, (got to exercise to boost her swimming training) so I did quite a good workout, it's actually nice having somebody to work with!
Had to laugh- I mean, I have been going to that gym, on and off, for oh, about 10 years, and I don't know anybody. I tend to keep my head down and get on with it, and am only on vague nodding terms with folk. Katie goes and immediately knows half the people in the gym!!
Had to laugh- I mean, I have been going to that gym, on and off, for oh, about 10 years, and I don't know anybody. I tend to keep my head down and get on with it, and am only on vague nodding terms with folk. Katie goes and immediately knows half the people in the gym!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Back On Track!
Woohoo I am actually feeling loads better! Cough just about gone and no more dizzy spells... guess this means I'll have to go back to work Monday, damn!
This week's exercise totals just won't really be worth mentioning, as far as I can remember they consist of one 3 1/2 mile walk, one 4 1/2 mile walk, two 4 mile walks (ish) and today I decided to walk my favourite 5 1/2 mile cross country route- but actually managed to jog half of it.
It was a lovely day- clear, crisp blue skies, sunshine and the remains of a frost underfoot. One of those winter mornings which make all the rain and grey skies worthwhile. I have been out for a meal with a friend and had a huge toffee pecan sundae thingy so kind of undid the good but ah well! It was a belated birthday present so would have been rude not to.
I am going to go to the gym tomorrow to ease myself back into it, so do feel as though I am getting back on track!
This week's exercise totals just won't really be worth mentioning, as far as I can remember they consist of one 3 1/2 mile walk, one 4 1/2 mile walk, two 4 mile walks (ish) and today I decided to walk my favourite 5 1/2 mile cross country route- but actually managed to jog half of it.
It was a lovely day- clear, crisp blue skies, sunshine and the remains of a frost underfoot. One of those winter mornings which make all the rain and grey skies worthwhile. I have been out for a meal with a friend and had a huge toffee pecan sundae thingy so kind of undid the good but ah well! It was a belated birthday present so would have been rude not to.
I am going to go to the gym tomorrow to ease myself back into it, so do feel as though I am getting back on track!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Take The Adventure...
I was chatting to my mate on the phone last night, and she was telling me about this email quiz she'd filled in. One answer suggested that she is adventurous, and she was questioning that, and then said that she would be adventurous if she had the money to go to far flung places.
That got me thinking (ouch!) and I told her that the way I see it, adventure isn't just about the grand, epic, expensive things you do in life, but rather about doing anything out of the ordinary or putting yourself in any new situation. For example, yes, when I go to Morocco it will be an adventure- but so will the Belvoir Challenge, the Tamworth Heart 10K and my first ever sprint Triathlon (as yet unknown).
She then started to come up with her own examples, such as the times she heads off on bike rides with friends (and falls off!), the dates she's been on, the shopping trips to unfamiliar cities on the train...
... Adventure doesn't have to be about doing something amazing, grand and epic (although it can be, of course) but adventure is about doing the things which move you out of your comfort zone, challenge you a little and put you in unfamiliar territory.
Here's to always taking the Adventure- however we do it!!
That got me thinking (ouch!) and I told her that the way I see it, adventure isn't just about the grand, epic, expensive things you do in life, but rather about doing anything out of the ordinary or putting yourself in any new situation. For example, yes, when I go to Morocco it will be an adventure- but so will the Belvoir Challenge, the Tamworth Heart 10K and my first ever sprint Triathlon (as yet unknown).
She then started to come up with her own examples, such as the times she heads off on bike rides with friends (and falls off!), the dates she's been on, the shopping trips to unfamiliar cities on the train...
... Adventure doesn't have to be about doing something amazing, grand and epic (although it can be, of course) but adventure is about doing the things which move you out of your comfort zone, challenge you a little and put you in unfamiliar territory.
Here's to always taking the Adventure- however we do it!!
STILL Feeling Rough...
I'm getting fed up with this now! I've been off work all week and and coughing, erm, let's just say rather productively, so it appears to be a bit of an infection. Mum is still convinced it's my lifestyle and that I do too much!
Not that I've done much of anything the last two weeks. I did go for a little walk last night but felt a bit dizzy (nothing new there then!!)
Ooh I hate not being able to be active! Even though common sense tells me that trying to do too much before I've recovered could set me back even further.
I shall just withdraw into my little shell of self pity and phlegm and concentrate on recovering and then building up slo-o-o-wly for my first event of the year- the Tamworth Heart 10K on the 18th... for lo and behold, we are in February already so where the hell did January go???
Not that I've done much of anything the last two weeks. I did go for a little walk last night but felt a bit dizzy (nothing new there then!!)
Ooh I hate not being able to be active! Even though common sense tells me that trying to do too much before I've recovered could set me back even further.
I shall just withdraw into my little shell of self pity and phlegm and concentrate on recovering and then building up slo-o-o-wly for my first event of the year- the Tamworth Heart 10K on the 18th... for lo and behold, we are in February already so where the hell did January go???
