Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween...
...and I have been sitting here in the complete dark, with all the curtains drawn... trying to pretend I'm out... only typically enough, I thought I was safe to make a coffee, put the kitchen light on and a crowd of kids chose that moment to hammer on my door! I hid in the lounge and ignored them, so will probably find eggs all over the door or something.
Don't get me wrong, it's not cos I'm tight fisted (ok... I am!!) I wouldn't mind if the trick or treaters were young kids who had made a real effort, but no- the kids that come round are teenagers wearing masks if they've bothered at all. What's more, they are the same teenagers who hang around the shops incessantly, riding round and round on bikes, shouting, swearing, breaking glass or dropping litter. They are also the same teenagers who name call and intimidate when they see me out running. So I'll be b*ggered if they are getting anything from me! (or maybe I'm getting old and sad...)
Tonight's schedule calls for a 9 mile run. Going out there tonight is going to be such fun...
At least the cold's better, apart from an unfortunate coughing fit at work yesterday while on the phone. I did a 5 1/2 mile run Monday, and walked down to Syston and back today for my eyebrow wax (ouch!) and tint.
Still feeling really tired though! I don't think these dark nights are helping at all. Still, at least nobody sees me running!
Don't get me wrong, it's not cos I'm tight fisted (ok... I am!!) I wouldn't mind if the trick or treaters were young kids who had made a real effort, but no- the kids that come round are teenagers wearing masks if they've bothered at all. What's more, they are the same teenagers who hang around the shops incessantly, riding round and round on bikes, shouting, swearing, breaking glass or dropping litter. They are also the same teenagers who name call and intimidate when they see me out running. So I'll be b*ggered if they are getting anything from me! (or maybe I'm getting old and sad...)
Tonight's schedule calls for a 9 mile run. Going out there tonight is going to be such fun...
At least the cold's better, apart from an unfortunate coughing fit at work yesterday while on the phone. I did a 5 1/2 mile run Monday, and walked down to Syston and back today for my eyebrow wax (ouch!) and tint.
Still feeling really tired though! I don't think these dark nights are helping at all. Still, at least nobody sees me running!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Still Feeling Rough...
Well, I have had a bit of a non week this week... I still felt as though I was coming down with a cold on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and had taken the sensible precaution of doing no more than a 5 mile gentle walk...
....however, I couldn't just stick to that- oh, no... by Wednesday I was so fed up with not exercising that, despite having a sore throat, I went for an 8 1/2 mile run Wednesday night. In the drizzle.
The result- Thursday I woke up with a raging, full- on cold... snotty nose, head feeling like it's been put in a vice as all my sinuses were obviously blocked, feeling rough etc... so what did Einstein here do? Go to the gym Thursday night...
I knew it wasn't a good idea, but I think there is a tendency, if we're not careful, to become a little obsessed about keeping to our training schedules come what may- I feel really bad when I have to miss a gym session or a run or whatever as I think I will lose my fitness, but ut would make much more sense to rest and let my body recover from what it's obviously fighting...
Anyway, the upshot is that Friday, when I woke up, it took me about an hour to summon the strength to get out of bed and make a coffee. Going to work was not an option... I have taken it easy since (apart from a walk to the nearest town yesterday) I would have normally gone to the gym today but decided it may be a bad idea (that and the fact that my mate threatened to never speak to me again if I did) so I have just slobbed around and eaten far too much.
I am feeling quite a bit better though- just coughing a bit so hoping it's NOT going to my chest! I will hopefully be back on the training plan over the next few days.
Hope everybody else is managing to stay injury/ illness free!
....however, I couldn't just stick to that- oh, no... by Wednesday I was so fed up with not exercising that, despite having a sore throat, I went for an 8 1/2 mile run Wednesday night. In the drizzle.
The result- Thursday I woke up with a raging, full- on cold... snotty nose, head feeling like it's been put in a vice as all my sinuses were obviously blocked, feeling rough etc... so what did Einstein here do? Go to the gym Thursday night...
I knew it wasn't a good idea, but I think there is a tendency, if we're not careful, to become a little obsessed about keeping to our training schedules come what may- I feel really bad when I have to miss a gym session or a run or whatever as I think I will lose my fitness, but ut would make much more sense to rest and let my body recover from what it's obviously fighting...
Anyway, the upshot is that Friday, when I woke up, it took me about an hour to summon the strength to get out of bed and make a coffee. Going to work was not an option... I have taken it easy since (apart from a walk to the nearest town yesterday) I would have normally gone to the gym today but decided it may be a bad idea (that and the fact that my mate threatened to never speak to me again if I did) so I have just slobbed around and eaten far too much.
I am feeling quite a bit better though- just coughing a bit so hoping it's NOT going to my chest! I will hopefully be back on the training plan over the next few days.
Hope everybody else is managing to stay injury/ illness free!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Feeling A Bit 'Bleurgh!'
Feeling rough today- I woke up with a sore throat, which has now gone off but have felt rough and 'achey' today so reckon I may be coming down with something.
Consequently I didn't go to the gym, and feel bad about doing no exercise today... but realistically, if I am coming down with a cold it's best to rest to try to ward it off... guess this training can be a bit obsessive!
I have mooched round Leicester with big sis and family, who were down for the weekend, but not felt like doing much else. We did go bowling yesterday, but it's not exactly on my training program!
Ah well, think I'll have a soak in the bath and call it a day!
Consequently I didn't go to the gym, and feel bad about doing no exercise today... but realistically, if I am coming down with a cold it's best to rest to try to ward it off... guess this training can be a bit obsessive!
I have mooched round Leicester with big sis and family, who were down for the weekend, but not felt like doing much else. We did go bowling yesterday, but it's not exactly on my training program!
Ah well, think I'll have a soak in the bath and call it a day!
Labels: illness
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Waltham Winder
A day later than promised, but still...
I found this event quite by chance as I thought it had died a death years ago.
There were three distances for the Waltham Winder; 10 miles, 14 miles and 26 miles. The start times were staggered, with 26 mile runners setting off at 8am and us mere mortals (walkers!) at 8.15 am. The shorter routes set off later still. This event only took 25 minutes to get to, so I had a bit of a lie in! I toyed with the idea of only taking my small pack, but thought, no, you wimp, you have got to start upping the weight, so reluctantly got my large pack out and set about filling it. Now, I usually put any old pair of shoes in to make up the weight, but for some reason I put my newer running shoes in, as I decided to walk in my old Air Structure Triax Nikes. I was later going to be very glad of this decision!
We were directed to park in a field and when I left the car, I wasn't sure where the Village Hall and registration point actually was so I followed a girl who looked like she knew where she was going. After a few hundred metres, she turned to me and said "Do you know where you're going I'm not sure!"
I had a coffee and a couple of biccies and met Sue, who I'd spoken to on the Ponton Plod. She was going to walk with a friend, but the friend had gone to the wrong Waltham and was some miles away! Me and Sue decided to walk together. There were about 12 people walking the 26 mile route and we gathered outside for a briefing on cows etc before setting off. There were no route descriptions as the long, middle and short routes were marked with red, blue and green arrows and tape respectively. We were given rubber bands to be handed in at each check point.
We set off and half the field took off at a really fast pace. It was very misty and remained so for most of the day, it was actually quite damp. I don't remember that much of the beginning of the route as me and Sue were chatting quite a bit! Being in Lincolnshire, it was fairly flat and also fairly muddy. We negotiated a lot of bridal ways and tracks, and had a few gentle jogs, before reaching a road. The other two routes met here so we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by throngs of walkers! I realised that the first check point couldn't be too far off, so we put a spurt on and managed to pass most folks.
We reached the first check point, grabbed a biscuit and stashed a mars bar for later, and set off before the throngs arrived. We found ourselves walking part of the Ponton Plod route, but in reverse; we walked through Buckminster, passed the water tower and jogged most of the lane to Saltby. I discovered that the route overview I had been given had completely disintegrated, so it was lucky it was so well signed!
The second check point was on the air field near Saltby, at about 14 miles. We grabbed another mars bar to stash and I had the most gorgeous home made lemon cake. We set off and periodically picked off a few 14 mile walkers and overtook a couple who were doing the 26. The route was a bit more undulating here, and the 26 mile route branched off to complete a large loop.
We found ourselves on part of the Ponton Plod again, walking between two reservoirs before branching off to pass a third.
Reservoir 
Pump at Croxton Kerriel
I found this event quite by chance as I thought it had died a death years ago.
There were three distances for the Waltham Winder; 10 miles, 14 miles and 26 miles. The start times were staggered, with 26 mile runners setting off at 8am and us mere mortals (walkers!) at 8.15 am. The shorter routes set off later still. This event only took 25 minutes to get to, so I had a bit of a lie in! I toyed with the idea of only taking my small pack, but thought, no, you wimp, you have got to start upping the weight, so reluctantly got my large pack out and set about filling it. Now, I usually put any old pair of shoes in to make up the weight, but for some reason I put my newer running shoes in, as I decided to walk in my old Air Structure Triax Nikes. I was later going to be very glad of this decision!
We were directed to park in a field and when I left the car, I wasn't sure where the Village Hall and registration point actually was so I followed a girl who looked like she knew where she was going. After a few hundred metres, she turned to me and said "Do you know where you're going I'm not sure!"
I had a coffee and a couple of biccies and met Sue, who I'd spoken to on the Ponton Plod. She was going to walk with a friend, but the friend had gone to the wrong Waltham and was some miles away! Me and Sue decided to walk together. There were about 12 people walking the 26 mile route and we gathered outside for a briefing on cows etc before setting off. There were no route descriptions as the long, middle and short routes were marked with red, blue and green arrows and tape respectively. We were given rubber bands to be handed in at each check point.
We set off and half the field took off at a really fast pace. It was very misty and remained so for most of the day, it was actually quite damp. I don't remember that much of the beginning of the route as me and Sue were chatting quite a bit! Being in Lincolnshire, it was fairly flat and also fairly muddy. We negotiated a lot of bridal ways and tracks, and had a few gentle jogs, before reaching a road. The other two routes met here so we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by throngs of walkers! I realised that the first check point couldn't be too far off, so we put a spurt on and managed to pass most folks.
We reached the first check point, grabbed a biscuit and stashed a mars bar for later, and set off before the throngs arrived. We found ourselves walking part of the Ponton Plod route, but in reverse; we walked through Buckminster, passed the water tower and jogged most of the lane to Saltby. I discovered that the route overview I had been given had completely disintegrated, so it was lucky it was so well signed!
The second check point was on the air field near Saltby, at about 14 miles. We grabbed another mars bar to stash and I had the most gorgeous home made lemon cake. We set off and periodically picked off a few 14 mile walkers and overtook a couple who were doing the 26. The route was a bit more undulating here, and the 26 mile route branched off to complete a large loop.
We found ourselves on part of the Ponton Plod again, walking between two reservoirs before branching off to pass a third.
ReservoirWe were walking through very muddy fields now, and at about 18 miles I thought I had something stuck to my shoe. I looked down and to my surprise most of the heel was hanging off my left shoe! Sue said "What are you going to do?" "Put my spare pair on, I guess" I replied- thanking my lucky stars I had put them in my pack! Potential disaster avert and so not like me to be either (a) so organised, and (b) so lucky!!
We continued on, picking up the Ponton Plod route again and following it to Croxton Kerriel. We walked through the village with its perpetual pump;
Pump at Croxton KerrielWe walked down a lovely leafy lane, then an undulating track. The sun started to come out at this point, and we saw the third check point in the distance in front of a village I can't remember the name of.
Just Before The Third Check Point 
Scenery Towards The End
Just Before The Third Check PointA little lad in a multi coloured coat was very enthusiastically helping out here and waved us in, shouting with excitement. I had a very welcome cup of tea, flap jack, and the Sue found some shortbread. The couple we passed earlier came in, and we grabbed a mars bar as was our ritual for the day and set off again.
The route was fairly undulating from this point on, and we joined back up with the middle route. We had another little jog here, my legs were aching a little and I could feel a couple of hot spots on my feet- socks are something I'm going to have to sort out!
Scenery Towards The EndThe last three miles were counted down by green marker boards, which was a novel idea. We picked up a track, which became a road to lead us to the last check point, only 1 1/2 miles from the end. I had a coffee here, which was heaven! I thought I spotted a bag of chocolate biscuits which turned out, on closer inspection, to be dog biscuits!
The couple behind us came in and we left; we both felt that after staying ahead of them nearly all the way, we weren't prepared to let them pass us now! Luckily the last bit of the walk was easy road walking and we kept them at bay. I had been having fantasies about apple pie and custard and Sue confessed to having similar fantasies about soup, so we were ecstatic when we finished and were offered soup and apple pie! We even managed to stash more mars bars- I ended up with five (all gone now though!!)
We finished in 8 hours 18 minutes, which I'm quite pleased with. There were five people behind us, including a paramedic in full uniform.
We had to laugh when we got back to the field we parked in- it was a massive field, there had been loads there, Sue had arrived well after me but we had managed to park next to each other! Definately one to do again next year; it made a change having somebody to walk (and talk) with too!
Labels: Waltham Winder
Monday, October 15, 2007
Catch Up...
... I was going to write about the Waltham Winder tonight but a mate dropped by, another mate called and now I am too knackered, so will have to wait for tomorrow...
Had a good workout at the gym last Thursday, I was back up to 30 minutes running on the treadmill and over 3 miles, I did speed bursts of up to 8 mph. Also cranked the steppers up a notch, and did resistance work on the ellipticals.
I ran 8 miles on Tuesday, used my stepper Monday and yesterday I walked about 6-7 miles with a friend, and didn't feel too stiff from Saturday's challenge walk, which is a bonus.
Off to bed now, will write more tomorrow. With photos!
Had a good workout at the gym last Thursday, I was back up to 30 minutes running on the treadmill and over 3 miles, I did speed bursts of up to 8 mph. Also cranked the steppers up a notch, and did resistance work on the ellipticals.
I ran 8 miles on Tuesday, used my stepper Monday and yesterday I walked about 6-7 miles with a friend, and didn't feel too stiff from Saturday's challenge walk, which is a bonus.
Off to bed now, will write more tomorrow. With photos!
Labels: gym, Waltham Winder
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Quick Update...
I've had quite a quiet week this week... mainly due to the fact that I've been finding it difficult to walk! Who would have thought horse riding would be so incapacitating...
I haven't done much running, just two brisk walks of 5 miles and 4 1/2 miles which isn't great. I did go to the gym as usual Thursday and today- Thursday I ran on the treadmill for about 25 minutes but kept to speeds below 6.7mph. I did some resistance work on the ellipticals as part of the warm up, and the stepper, weights etc more or less as usual (except I couldn't manage a couple of the leg weights- too painful!)
I was back up to my usual 3 miles on the treadmill today, concentrating on 6.3mph, 6.5mph with some 6.7mph thrown in for good measure. I had a separate resistance session on the ellipticals, rest of the workout as usual. There was an older lady there who must have been running on the treadmill for an hour! I think boredom would set in... I'd rather run outside for that length of time and see fields and trees rather than stare at sweaty folks puffing and panting (oh, hang on- I think I was looking in the mirror!)
Poor mum thinks that the riding last weekend has given her cystitis!
The cheque I wrote for the Turkey Trot has been cashed so it looks like I may be in! Gives me plenty of time to build back up to half marathon distance by then. I have the Waltham Winder on Saturday; a 26 mile challenge walk fairly close by which I thought had finished as it doesn't appear in Strider (magazine for the LDWA).
That's it really... looking forward to a soak in the bath later!
I haven't done much running, just two brisk walks of 5 miles and 4 1/2 miles which isn't great. I did go to the gym as usual Thursday and today- Thursday I ran on the treadmill for about 25 minutes but kept to speeds below 6.7mph. I did some resistance work on the ellipticals as part of the warm up, and the stepper, weights etc more or less as usual (except I couldn't manage a couple of the leg weights- too painful!)
I was back up to my usual 3 miles on the treadmill today, concentrating on 6.3mph, 6.5mph with some 6.7mph thrown in for good measure. I had a separate resistance session on the ellipticals, rest of the workout as usual. There was an older lady there who must have been running on the treadmill for an hour! I think boredom would set in... I'd rather run outside for that length of time and see fields and trees rather than stare at sweaty folks puffing and panting (oh, hang on- I think I was looking in the mirror!)
Poor mum thinks that the riding last weekend has given her cystitis!
The cheque I wrote for the Turkey Trot has been cashed so it looks like I may be in! Gives me plenty of time to build back up to half marathon distance by then. I have the Waltham Winder on Saturday; a 26 mile challenge walk fairly close by which I thought had finished as it doesn't appear in Strider (magazine for the LDWA).
That's it really... looking forward to a soak in the bath later!
Labels: gym, Turkey Trot
Monday, October 01, 2007
Aching...
Yorkshire Scenery
Boltby
Mum, Nicki and our B & B
Nico- My Mount For The DayI have had a really busy but nice weekend! It didn't take long to get to North Yorkshire, in fact it probably took us longer to find the B & B and I had to admit defeat and ring them in the end. It was in the lovely village of Boltby, nestling in the shadow of the vast sheer cliffs of Sutton Bank. Boltby is only about 5 miles away from Thirsk, right in the heart of the National Park and James Herriot country.
The B & B was lovely, really comfy. We had a family room, with ensuite facilities. My sis, Nicki, arrived and we had a walk through the village before heading out for dinner. It was a lovely evening, and the view over the moors was spectacular as we drove to nearby Hawnby. The roads are a bit hairy though- very narrow and twisty, and quite hair raising if you meet somebody coming the other way, especially as the locals tend to be very complacent!
We dined at the Inn at Hawnby- lovely food and we all ate far too much. The area is full of tiny villages and hamlets, without many facilities such as pubs. There were no streetlights in the village and I had to keep locking and unlocking the car with the remote function so that we could find it in the dark!
We made friends with the other occupants of the B & B- a mother and daughter, plus their labrador, who had holidayed in Scotland and were breaking up their journey home to Suffolk. We swapped horsy stories with the owner of the B & B, who was a keen rider, before gathering our stuff and driving the few hundred yards down the road to the trekking centre.
Mum has only been riding since Christmas, so elected to go a different route with the owner of the centre, whilst us more 'experienced' types (ha ha!) went a different way. There were about 8 of us, including me and Nicki, plus 2 helpers. The riding was stunning. The scenery was so varied; we rode over the vast purple plateaus of the moors, through forests, and through rich arable land. There were endless green bridleway tracks over the moors, and we had quite a few fast canters; it was terrific! We were so lucky with the weather, it was a perfect day.
By a quirk of fate, we ended up back at the Inn at Hawnby for lunch, and turned the ponies put into a nearby field. My mount was a bay pony called Nico. Mum met up with us for lunch; she had been chatting with Sheila the owner, who had pointed out features of interest.
The afternoon brought even moor riding, and canters/ gallops over the moors. We must have looked quite impressive! Nico stayed at the back, which suited me fine! Some of the paths were steep ascents and descents, the best method was to let your pony pick his way up or down, but they blew pretty alarmingly on the steep ascents (guess I would too if I had a person on my back... oh hang on, I puff and pant alarmingly anyway!!)
We were in the saddle for about 5 hours in all, which was quite a long time when you are not really used to it- it's amazing how much it can hurt; the last couple of miles through the forest seemed a bit endless as my thighs were killing me! Mum was even worser for wear, and we must have looked a sight trying to walk into the Little Chef! Funnily enough, there were lots of folk in their who had done the Great North Run, so we were congratulating them but we must have looked a lot worse than they did!
My back and leg muscles are aching, it seems to affect completely different muscles than those used for running/ walking, although I can't even think about training today. But it was a fantastic day and great weekend! The centre does 2 day trail rides, which would be fun, but I will have to build up to- the thought of doing it all again today is very painful, and mum reckons she doesn't even want to see a horse for a couple of weeks!
Labels: North York Moors, Pony Trekking
