Wednesday, February 27, 2008
...Did The Earth Move For You!
Well, that was a bit of a nocturnal adventure last night!
I remember waking up, hearing this awful rumbling noise and feeling like the whole bed was shaking. My first befuddled thought was that there was a lorry outside with the engine running, but as I came fully awake it got worse, and the door on my built in cupboard started to rattle in its frame. I realised it was an earth tremor; Lucky looked startled and jumped off the bed, then it was gone.
I can only describe the noise as being similar to the rumble you get when on the pavements in London and the Underground trains are passing beneath your feet, but much deeper and more intense... quite eerie. I can only imagine how terrifying it must be to live through a bad earthquake and I guess it's a reminder that no matter how important we think we are or how much control we have over the world, there are some things over which we are powerless.
Well, I always consider myself to be somebody who craves adventure and excitement in her life- so why was I cowering under the covers thinking "Go away- don't liiike it!!"
Anyway, I was pleased to see it was actually officially classed as an earthquake rather than a mere tremor- an impressive 5.3 on the Richter Scale!
I remember waking up, hearing this awful rumbling noise and feeling like the whole bed was shaking. My first befuddled thought was that there was a lorry outside with the engine running, but as I came fully awake it got worse, and the door on my built in cupboard started to rattle in its frame. I realised it was an earth tremor; Lucky looked startled and jumped off the bed, then it was gone.
I can only describe the noise as being similar to the rumble you get when on the pavements in London and the Underground trains are passing beneath your feet, but much deeper and more intense... quite eerie. I can only imagine how terrifying it must be to live through a bad earthquake and I guess it's a reminder that no matter how important we think we are or how much control we have over the world, there are some things over which we are powerless.
Well, I always consider myself to be somebody who craves adventure and excitement in her life- so why was I cowering under the covers thinking "Go away- don't liiike it!!"
Anyway, I was pleased to see it was actually officially classed as an earthquake rather than a mere tremor- an impressive 5.3 on the Richter Scale!
Labels: Earthquake
Monday, February 25, 2008
Weekend At The Seaside!
Riverdance At Low Tide
Riverdance And Cargo At High TideI've just had three days off training, visiting my eldest sister and her family in Blackpool. I took Katie with me so there wasn't really any opportunity to do any running or walking but I got in about 26 miles in the week before (3 1/2 miles at the gym Monday, 10 miles Tuesday, 5 miles with pack plus body toning Wednesday and 8 miles running/ walking Thursday). Guess a few days off won't hurt.
It was good to spend time with my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews. Saturday we went into Blackpool and did the shopping thing; everyone has probably heard about the ferry, Riverdance, which is currently stranded on Blackpool North Beach... it was battered by fierce storms on 1st Feb and the crew eventually had to abandon it when it started to list. They were all winched off by helicopter I believe, and the ship was left to wash up onto the beach.
It was full of cargo- trailers containing various goods, and there were apperently packets and packets of McVities chocolate biscuits washed up on the beach (what a waste!!) It was originally almost upright, but is now on its side; I think they are intending to refloat it. When we first saw it it was high tide, so it was half submerged but still an impressive sight. There were piles of waterlogged cargo near where we stood, and loads of onlookers.
Me and Katie went back to see it with my brother-in-law, at 8:30am Sunday morning when it was low tide; it was a wild morning, windy with driving drizzle. It was even more impressive; we went onto the beach and I got as close as I could to it before the one of the guards in yellow jackets started waving his arms at me. Not a sight you see everyday, anyway!!
We did more shopping in the afternoon (a hard life!) I have had a few hours off this morning but am going into work in a bit. My mum is unwell at the moment; she has had a very nasty chest infection and also appears to have picked up a stomach bug too, so will call in on tonight's run (and hopefully avoid catching anything!)
Labels: Blackpool, Riverdance shipwreck
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Bad Dreams!
I've been having some peculiar dreams lately... take the night before last; I dreamt that I was in the hotel at Ouzazate, ready for the start of the MdS... the hotel was quite luxurious and bizarrely enough, some of my work colleagues were there too...
I suddenly realised that I had forgotten my passport- for some reason it hadn't been checked on the way out, but I knew I would need it to get back into Britain! Then it dawned on me I hadn't got my ECG done either... I went to check my kit, and realised I had completely forgotten to buy a sleeping bag!
Then last night I dreamt I was actually running in the MdS, over rough, rocky terrain. The entire field had taken off and left me behind, and there was absolutely nobody else around for miles!! I came to a kind of cleft, and had to scramble upwards through rocks- the gap at the top gpt narrower and narrower and I had to practically force my way through. The funny thing was, when I tried to run, I couldn't- it was just like running through treacle, and I was moving in slow motion!
Then I saw an advert on telly saying how good it would be to make last night's dreams come true... No thanks!!
I suddenly realised that I had forgotten my passport- for some reason it hadn't been checked on the way out, but I knew I would need it to get back into Britain! Then it dawned on me I hadn't got my ECG done either... I went to check my kit, and realised I had completely forgotten to buy a sleeping bag!
Then last night I dreamt I was actually running in the MdS, over rough, rocky terrain. The entire field had taken off and left me behind, and there was absolutely nobody else around for miles!! I came to a kind of cleft, and had to scramble upwards through rocks- the gap at the top gpt narrower and narrower and I had to practically force my way through. The funny thing was, when I tried to run, I couldn't- it was just like running through treacle, and I was moving in slow motion!
Then I saw an advert on telly saying how good it would be to make last night's dreams come true... No thanks!!
Labels: Nightmares
Monday, February 18, 2008
Another 30 Mile Week...
Can't believe how quickly this week's gone!! It's just passed by in a blur of housework, cleaning, selling old stuff on eBay, and training...
Tuesday's run was a steady 8 1/2 miler (makes it so-o much easier no I can chart my mileage with accuracy!) Wednesday I did my usual body toning class- she is making it harder each week and it actually made my legs ache! Still, good for muscle strengthening I guess, and I need as much of that as I can get... I wore my small rucksack with full 1 litre water bottles and went for a short run after, 6 miles in all.
Thursday I was feeling lazy, so walked to Syston and back with a few bags of shopping- 3 miles roughly.
Friday was a gym session; 25 minutes on the ellipticals, increasing resistance, strength training and 4 miles on the treadmill- speed and inclination work. I'm a bit reluctant to do much on the stepper at the minute, particularly as I could feel my knee a little after the elliptical.
Saturday was a no- train day, as one of my oldest friends from school was having a party to celebrate her and her fella's 10th anniversary of being together. She lives in Stockport, so I picked up our other school chum, who lives near me, and went for the day. We realised we should have maybe got them a card or something, so picked them up a dog mask each from McDonalds instead!
Yesterday was another gorgeous day, so I went for a run... I did a route I thought was about 9 miles, which turned out to be 8 1/2, but did run to my mum's house and back to feed their cat, which is a mile. It was perfect for running- crisp and clear, with the remains of the night's frost crunching underfoot and the morning sun throwing everything into a golden light. I regretted not bringing my camera. I had my rucksack on and had increased the weight a little.
I will be going to the gym again today, probably, but this week will be a lower mileage week as I am off to Blackpool at the weekend with Katie, to see our older sis so won't get much opportunity to train. It will mean missing the Belvoir Challenge which is a shame but I am entering the Grindleford Gallop and probably the Norton 9. So I will just have an easier week, and may start to increase to 35 miles per week from the week after next.
Back to work tomorrow- will be a shock to the system getting up at 6am!
Tuesday's run was a steady 8 1/2 miler (makes it so-o much easier no I can chart my mileage with accuracy!) Wednesday I did my usual body toning class- she is making it harder each week and it actually made my legs ache! Still, good for muscle strengthening I guess, and I need as much of that as I can get... I wore my small rucksack with full 1 litre water bottles and went for a short run after, 6 miles in all.
Thursday I was feeling lazy, so walked to Syston and back with a few bags of shopping- 3 miles roughly.
Friday was a gym session; 25 minutes on the ellipticals, increasing resistance, strength training and 4 miles on the treadmill- speed and inclination work. I'm a bit reluctant to do much on the stepper at the minute, particularly as I could feel my knee a little after the elliptical.
Saturday was a no- train day, as one of my oldest friends from school was having a party to celebrate her and her fella's 10th anniversary of being together. She lives in Stockport, so I picked up our other school chum, who lives near me, and went for the day. We realised we should have maybe got them a card or something, so picked them up a dog mask each from McDonalds instead!
Yesterday was another gorgeous day, so I went for a run... I did a route I thought was about 9 miles, which turned out to be 8 1/2, but did run to my mum's house and back to feed their cat, which is a mile. It was perfect for running- crisp and clear, with the remains of the night's frost crunching underfoot and the morning sun throwing everything into a golden light. I regretted not bringing my camera. I had my rucksack on and had increased the weight a little.
I will be going to the gym again today, probably, but this week will be a lower mileage week as I am off to Blackpool at the weekend with Katie, to see our older sis so won't get much opportunity to train. It will mean missing the Belvoir Challenge which is a shame but I am entering the Grindleford Gallop and probably the Norton 9. So I will just have an easier week, and may start to increase to 35 miles per week from the week after next.
Back to work tomorrow- will be a shock to the system getting up at 6am!
Labels: training
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A Week Off... (Work That Is, Not Training!!)
I have the week off work and so have made the usual to- do list which as usual isn't having much effect! One of my chores was to update the blog, so at least I can cross this off!
Had quite a busy week training wise... Tuesday I had planned a run, but Katie came round and wanted to go out with me. She tends to exercise sporadically at best, so we managed a 3 mile walk/ run. She was impressed with the Garmin, but asked if it had a light (no she doesn't smoke- it was dark!!) I told her it hadn't, then pressed a button on it the other day and the screen lit up, so guess it has...
Due to working later I didn't go to Body Toning class Wednesday but ran a steady 10 miles round my village and the next. It's quite a good circuit, quite a few runners use it. Thursday was the usual gym session, with elliptical work and treadmill; 3 miles faster running and 1 mile jogging on increasing incline. Plus the weights.
Friday was a rest (and pizza!) Saturday I did a cross country route I'd done before, and guesstimated to be 7 miles. Well, as I had the Garmin with me, I can confirm that it was... 7.02 miles!
I decided on a walk Sunday with a heavier pack. Realistically I am going to end up walking much (if not most) of the MdS so want to keep up my walking muscles as well as the running ones... I also haven't done a challenge walk lately so thought a 16 miler would just ease me in nicely. I even wore my walking boots to make sure it was a walk!
The route I chose was one in my 'Long Circular Walks in Charnwood Forest' book by John Merrill. The only drawback is that he appears to have written his guides some time ago and things tend to change...
I set of from the small village of Radcliffe-on-Soar, a non descript but pretty village famous for the hulking great power station looming over it.
Power Station
The first part of the route was lovely- following the River Soar and passing through several marinas and locks. The weather was perfect- crisp, clear and sunny.
Redhill Marina
There's something quite peaceful about walking near water.
Near Kegworth Shallow Lock
Had quite a busy week training wise... Tuesday I had planned a run, but Katie came round and wanted to go out with me. She tends to exercise sporadically at best, so we managed a 3 mile walk/ run. She was impressed with the Garmin, but asked if it had a light (no she doesn't smoke- it was dark!!) I told her it hadn't, then pressed a button on it the other day and the screen lit up, so guess it has...
Due to working later I didn't go to Body Toning class Wednesday but ran a steady 10 miles round my village and the next. It's quite a good circuit, quite a few runners use it. Thursday was the usual gym session, with elliptical work and treadmill; 3 miles faster running and 1 mile jogging on increasing incline. Plus the weights.
Friday was a rest (and pizza!) Saturday I did a cross country route I'd done before, and guesstimated to be 7 miles. Well, as I had the Garmin with me, I can confirm that it was... 7.02 miles!
I decided on a walk Sunday with a heavier pack. Realistically I am going to end up walking much (if not most) of the MdS so want to keep up my walking muscles as well as the running ones... I also haven't done a challenge walk lately so thought a 16 miler would just ease me in nicely. I even wore my walking boots to make sure it was a walk!
The route I chose was one in my 'Long Circular Walks in Charnwood Forest' book by John Merrill. The only drawback is that he appears to have written his guides some time ago and things tend to change...
I set of from the small village of Radcliffe-on-Soar, a non descript but pretty village famous for the hulking great power station looming over it.
Power StationThe first part of the route was lovely- following the River Soar and passing through several marinas and locks. The weather was perfect- crisp, clear and sunny.
Redhill MarinaThere's something quite peaceful about walking near water.
Near Kegworth Shallow LockI even managed to overtake a narrow boat after I took this photo!
Zouch Locks
Zouch LocksThis was Zouch Cut, branching off the main river. I turned away from the water at Zouch and crossed soggy, flooded field to Sutton Bonington before headeing uphill to West Leake. I was quite warm by this point! After West Leake, the route climbed quite steeply uphill, following a bridleway. I walked along the escarpment with really clear views over East Leake, the area is very close to East Midlands airport so the planes pass over quite low.
The last part of the route was where it got quite interesting... the last footpath went through the grounds of the power station and just disappeared at the gates. I thought if I walk right through, I should at least find a road back to Radcliffe Village as I knew I couldn't be that far away. I found myself right near the base of one of the great cooling towers, and so Einstein here decides it would make a great photo. gets her camera out and snaps away... never considering the amount of surveillance hardware surrounding the area...
I kept on walking through the seemingly endless power station complex, and finally was a young guy driving towards me in a jeep marked 'security'. I flagged him down and told him where I was heading for. He said he knew the general direction of the village but would radio through for directions. He then said "You haven't got a camera, have you?"
Before I had chance to think, my mouth had said, in the most innocent terms possible, "Camera? No!"
"Oh", he said, "Only we've had reports of somebody taking photographs". "Ah no" I gabbled, pointing at my now battered and grubby guide book and assuming a innocent-lost-rambler expression, "I'm just trying to follow this walk and got a bit lost".
Just then his colleague radio'd through the directions, and he offered me a lift back to where I came in- where, if I'd just taken the road to the left, I'd have been back at the car in 5 minutes! It was very nice of him, especially as I was rather muddy, but I was on tenterhooks in case he was radio'd through a description of the rogue photographer!!
Anyway, total walking, running and narrowly avoiding being arrested as a suspected terrorist has brought my weekly total to 40- a new high!!
I will perhaps aim for a slightly more modest total this week, I'm going out for the day Saturday anyway so will lose that day. Right, I'm off for a quick 7 or 8 miler before Shameless!!
Ps. I daren't post the offending photo although it did come out rather well!
Labels: John Merrill, walking
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Accurate Mileage!!
The Garmin is going to revolutionise my training! Never again will I have to go with a rough guestimate of my weekly mileage!! I can't get over being able to glance down at the little watch like gadget on my wrist and seeing exactly how far I have ran and how fast I am running at that moment!
Been back up to 30 miles this week, nearly all running. Tuesday, the Forerunner try out night, I covered 7 1/2 miles, after a stop off at mum's and a bit of stop starting trying to get it to work.
Wednesday I ran to the body toning class, did the class and went for a bit of a run after, covering 6 miles, with a pack. Of course, with the Garmin, you have to hang around for a few minutes looking busy whilst it picks up signals from various satellites hovering around in space somewhere... I was feeling particularly energetic when I got home so used my mini stepper whilst watching 'Shameless'.
Thursday was a gym session, with 3 1/2 miles running/ walking on incline on the treadmill along with the usual strength training and elliptical work. I have eased off the stepper a bit due to the dodgy knee but this seems to be a lot better now so I am gradually introducing it back into my work out.
Saturday I had the idea of combining a couple of my cross country routes to make a large circuit of what I imagined might be 10 miles, but I can now reliably inform you all it's exactly 11 1/2 miles! I took my pack, not too heavy as yet, and expected conditions underfoot to be quite dire, but it wasn't too bad at all.
I headed to Rearsby and then out along the river along a permissive path, before crossing a huge field and bridge towards Hoby.
Near Hoby
More running by the river before making a right turn towards the village of Rotherby. You can see the fairly typical scenery for this part of the world in the next photo- gently undulating and the traces of the old 'ridge and furrow' farming system can still be seenin the field just below the line of trees.
Approaching Rotherby
I had to dash over the main A606 Leicester to Melton Road after Rotherby and took a bridleway through a farm, apparently part of the 'Midshires Way'. The route was rather undulating here, with a few climbs, before turning left and meeting the road to Gaddesby. I had a little undulating road running before picking up the footpath back to Rearsby. I had a little walk whilst I ate my hobnobs flapjack, before more field running. I can also inform everybody that my pace officially stayed between 4.5 mph and 6 mph!
Ruined Farmhouse On Footpath
Been back up to 30 miles this week, nearly all running. Tuesday, the Forerunner try out night, I covered 7 1/2 miles, after a stop off at mum's and a bit of stop starting trying to get it to work.
Wednesday I ran to the body toning class, did the class and went for a bit of a run after, covering 6 miles, with a pack. Of course, with the Garmin, you have to hang around for a few minutes looking busy whilst it picks up signals from various satellites hovering around in space somewhere... I was feeling particularly energetic when I got home so used my mini stepper whilst watching 'Shameless'.
Thursday was a gym session, with 3 1/2 miles running/ walking on incline on the treadmill along with the usual strength training and elliptical work. I have eased off the stepper a bit due to the dodgy knee but this seems to be a lot better now so I am gradually introducing it back into my work out.
Saturday I had the idea of combining a couple of my cross country routes to make a large circuit of what I imagined might be 10 miles, but I can now reliably inform you all it's exactly 11 1/2 miles! I took my pack, not too heavy as yet, and expected conditions underfoot to be quite dire, but it wasn't too bad at all.
I headed to Rearsby and then out along the river along a permissive path, before crossing a huge field and bridge towards Hoby.
Near HobyMore running by the river before making a right turn towards the village of Rotherby. You can see the fairly typical scenery for this part of the world in the next photo- gently undulating and the traces of the old 'ridge and furrow' farming system can still be seenin the field just below the line of trees.
Approaching RotherbyI had to dash over the main A606 Leicester to Melton Road after Rotherby and took a bridleway through a farm, apparently part of the 'Midshires Way'. The route was rather undulating here, with a few climbs, before turning left and meeting the road to Gaddesby. I had a little undulating road running before picking up the footpath back to Rearsby. I had a little walk whilst I ate my hobnobs flapjack, before more field running. I can also inform everybody that my pace officially stayed between 4.5 mph and 6 mph!
Ruined Farmhouse On FootpathI am very intrigued by this old ruined farmhouse and would love to find out more about it. According to the map, it is known as 'Spurrs Lodge'. I just find myself wondering again what life was like for the inhabitants back then... it is quite an isolated, exposed spot.
After passing through a rather more modern and inhabited farm a couple of fields further on, warily watched by two elderly border collies, it was a gentle downhill back to Rearsby apart from a sprint back across the A606 bypass.
I went to the gym again this morning, with another 3 1/2 treadmill miles plus the other usual stuff, so total weekly mileage is... 32 miles, nearly all running.
I have also booked my flights to Spain- 16th July to the 23rd July- hopefully it will be seriously hot!
Labels: cross country running, Garmin Forerunner
