Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Back From The Beach...
Had a nice little break in Wells-Next-The Sea. I was going to take some photos, but the camera did it's usual trick of deciding that the battery had run out when I went to switch it on, so I took it all the way down there for nothing. I used mum's but she needs to get around to emailing them to me before I can share them!
I dog-sat Friday night and Saturday, which went fairly well. I had a little disagreement with Jake- I thought if I let him sleep on the bed, he would just lie down next to me but clearly his intentions were to lie on top of me!
The journey down to Wells was a nightmare- the worst I've known! It usually takes 2 1/2 hours to get there... Sunday it took me 4 1/2 hours!! Definately a combination of Bank Holiday and the fact that it was actually hot and sunny- lethal! I gave up queuing in King's Lynn and cut across country instead- I wish I could be laid back, chilled and patient, but that's not me... I'm the one fussing, fuming, swearing and chuntering to myself...
I haven't really ran yet (shocking!!) but we did get in some nice long walks around the woods and down into Wells. My step dad is a keen 'twitcher' so kept diving off ahead when he thought he spotted a marsh harrier or lesser spotted something- he's really serious, the lens on his camera is taller than me!
We did go bird watching yesterday, and I saw some Avocets, swifts and a pair of shoveller ducks, which was scarily addictive!!
I really must get back into running soon though...
On a news breaking note, fellow endurance adventurer Rich has developed a new site detailing ultra marathons and races around the world, with details and accounts from each; it's going to be a fantastic resource for the Ultra world, so check it out at http://www.beyondmarathon.com/
I dog-sat Friday night and Saturday, which went fairly well. I had a little disagreement with Jake- I thought if I let him sleep on the bed, he would just lie down next to me but clearly his intentions were to lie on top of me!
The journey down to Wells was a nightmare- the worst I've known! It usually takes 2 1/2 hours to get there... Sunday it took me 4 1/2 hours!! Definately a combination of Bank Holiday and the fact that it was actually hot and sunny- lethal! I gave up queuing in King's Lynn and cut across country instead- I wish I could be laid back, chilled and patient, but that's not me... I'm the one fussing, fuming, swearing and chuntering to myself...
I haven't really ran yet (shocking!!) but we did get in some nice long walks around the woods and down into Wells. My step dad is a keen 'twitcher' so kept diving off ahead when he thought he spotted a marsh harrier or lesser spotted something- he's really serious, the lens on his camera is taller than me!
We did go bird watching yesterday, and I saw some Avocets, swifts and a pair of shoveller ducks, which was scarily addictive!!
I really must get back into running soon though...
On a news breaking note, fellow endurance adventurer Rich has developed a new site detailing ultra marathons and races around the world, with details and accounts from each; it's going to be a fantastic resource for the Ultra world, so check it out at http://www.beyondmarathon.com/
Labels: beyond marathon, Ultra racing
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Another Bank Holiday Weekend...
I must admit I've been a bit lazy this week... haven't done that much really, I had intended going to the gym tonight but just kind of 'goofed off', although I did end up going for a short 4 mile walk as it was a surprisingly nice evening.
I am dog sitting tomorrow night- looking after mum's dogs Jake and Gemma whilst mum and step dad go to a wedding. I have a sneaky feeling I will end up sharing a bed with a cocker spaniel and a rat, sorry, miniature Yorkshire Terrier. Oh yes, and don't forget the cat- 18 year old Rosie who has been on her last legs for the past two years!!
I am following them down to the caravan at Wells-Next-The-Sea Sunday though til Tuesday. I guess I will do some walking down there, there's a nice walk by the woods to Holkham Hall we usually do.
I really do have to get back into running next week, and not just on the treadmill. I have been eating lots of crap and feel really flabby and unfit- it's amazing how difficult it can be to motivate yourself when there's nothing immediate to train for!
I am dog sitting tomorrow night- looking after mum's dogs Jake and Gemma whilst mum and step dad go to a wedding. I have a sneaky feeling I will end up sharing a bed with a cocker spaniel and a rat, sorry, miniature Yorkshire Terrier. Oh yes, and don't forget the cat- 18 year old Rosie who has been on her last legs for the past two years!!
I am following them down to the caravan at Wells-Next-The-Sea Sunday though til Tuesday. I guess I will do some walking down there, there's a nice walk by the woods to Holkham Hall we usually do.
I really do have to get back into running next week, and not just on the treadmill. I have been eating lots of crap and feel really flabby and unfit- it's amazing how difficult it can be to motivate yourself when there's nothing immediate to train for!
Labels: Wells-Next-The-Sea
Friday, May 15, 2009
Life (And Training!) Goes On...
I seem to be getting over the virus now or whatever it was! I went back to work this week with no ill effects- just a little tired. I have been building up a bit of training- but not going mad! The thing is, I'm having trouble thinking what exercise regime 'mere mortals' do... if you think in terms of the population in general- then not always an awful lot!
Tuesday was a lovely day- one of those gorgeous sunny May days, if a little windy, so after I collected the car from the garage after its service (leaving my wallet considerably lighter- ouch!) I took advantage and walked/ jogged my 7 mile route around Stoke Bardolph.
Not having been out for a while, it was amazing how green and fresh everything looked; that lovely light spring green, with a smattering of white lady lace. If it hadn't been quite windy, it would have been quite hot. I took my camera and got a few shots;
I managed to jog a fair bit, quite slowly. I ran most of the route by the River Trent;
The River Trent Near Stoke Bardolph
Railway Arches
Happy to report no knee pain afterwards- not even a sensation!
Wednesday I had my training plan update at the gym with Helena. I thanked her for her program which I believed helped me a lot for the MdS, and she has drawn me up another one geared towards the Robin Hood Marathon; lighter weights, still some core work and speed work on the treadmill, starting off at 3 miles at 6mph and building up to 4 before our first review of the plan in June...
I didn't have much time Wednesday, so used the elliptical trainer for 15 minutes and went back Thursday to start the plan. The hardest thing about doing the weights is going to be getting on the machines! They seem to be quite popular with the body building clientele... I started running at 6mph but found it bloody hard work- come on, I haven't actually been running properly for bloody ages!! With the doctor's words about exercising like a 'mere mortal' ringing in my ears, plus the fact that I had that virus last week and maybe still recovering a little, I decided that discretion is the best part of valour and all that jazz, so better to build up slowly...
I ran half a mile at 6mph, half a mile at 5.5mph and 5.7 mph then another half a mile at 6mph, followed up with 5 minutes walking on the incline. Baby steps!
Today was a rest (and chinese!) day- but I did follow it up with some nice, fresh healthy berries...
Tuesday was a lovely day- one of those gorgeous sunny May days, if a little windy, so after I collected the car from the garage after its service (leaving my wallet considerably lighter- ouch!) I took advantage and walked/ jogged my 7 mile route around Stoke Bardolph.
Not having been out for a while, it was amazing how green and fresh everything looked; that lovely light spring green, with a smattering of white lady lace. If it hadn't been quite windy, it would have been quite hot. I took my camera and got a few shots;
I managed to jog a fair bit, quite slowly. I ran most of the route by the River Trent;
The River Trent Near Stoke Bardolph
Railway Arches
Happy to report no knee pain afterwards- not even a sensation!
Wednesday I had my training plan update at the gym with Helena. I thanked her for her program which I believed helped me a lot for the MdS, and she has drawn me up another one geared towards the Robin Hood Marathon; lighter weights, still some core work and speed work on the treadmill, starting off at 3 miles at 6mph and building up to 4 before our first review of the plan in June...
I didn't have much time Wednesday, so used the elliptical trainer for 15 minutes and went back Thursday to start the plan. The hardest thing about doing the weights is going to be getting on the machines! They seem to be quite popular with the body building clientele... I started running at 6mph but found it bloody hard work- come on, I haven't actually been running properly for bloody ages!! With the doctor's words about exercising like a 'mere mortal' ringing in my ears, plus the fact that I had that virus last week and maybe still recovering a little, I decided that discretion is the best part of valour and all that jazz, so better to build up slowly...
I ran half a mile at 6mph, half a mile at 5.5mph and 5.7 mph then another half a mile at 6mph, followed up with 5 minutes walking on the incline. Baby steps!
Today was a rest (and chinese!) day- but I did follow it up with some nice, fresh healthy berries...
Labels: gym, Robin Hood Marathon, Stoke Bardolph
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Back Into The Saddle...
Well, it's high time I stopped malingering and got back into the saddle as it were...
I have been taking it fairly easy- I stopped off at Ruddington Country Park yesterday and walked around there for an hour. It was lovely- the trees had a full set of lovely spring green leaves, and the May blossom was out everywhere. I saw lots of baby moorhen, plus a big water rat that ran away as I approached.
I decided to go back to the gfym today and do a fairly gentle work out- some weights, plus 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer and 10 minutes gentle running. I could tell I hadn't ran for some time, plus obviously am still getting over the virus as I felt pretty tired afterwards.
Then, in a nod towards healthier eating, I made a pasta and pesto salad, and followed it up with a bowl of strawberries, respberries and blueberries. I felt quite virtuous- until I remembered that I ate a load of chocolate for lunch! Ah well... baby steps...
I have been taking it fairly easy- I stopped off at Ruddington Country Park yesterday and walked around there for an hour. It was lovely- the trees had a full set of lovely spring green leaves, and the May blossom was out everywhere. I saw lots of baby moorhen, plus a big water rat that ran away as I approached.
I decided to go back to the gfym today and do a fairly gentle work out- some weights, plus 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer and 10 minutes gentle running. I could tell I hadn't ran for some time, plus obviously am still getting over the virus as I felt pretty tired afterwards.
Then, in a nod towards healthier eating, I made a pasta and pesto salad, and followed it up with a bowl of strawberries, respberries and blueberries. I felt quite virtuous- until I remembered that I ate a load of chocolate for lunch! Ah well... baby steps...
Labels: gym, Ruddington Country Park, Salad
Friday, May 08, 2009
Laying Low...
This is what I've been doing this week. Just laying low and doing nothing much at all to try to give the body a chance to recover. I really wasn't well over the weekend and haven't been to work this week- I have just felt wiped out, and have had loads of headaches- in fact this is the first morning I haven't woken up feeling as though I took a load of sleeping pills the night before.
Naturally any thoughts of training have taken a nose dive lately, although I have managed to walk to the local co-op once or twice! Unfortunately, my appetite deserted me temporarily at the weekend but soon made a reappearance- still at least the Easter chocolate is now gone, so no more temptation!!
I aim to try to start gently at the weekend-I feel flabby and out of condition, and after all those months of intensive training it's not a good feeling! Still- I guess I need to be patient as the last thing I want is to try to push myself and do a mischief!
So I think I will start with a little walk tomorrow- maybe around Ruddington Country Park as I am off to Loughborough to see a friend and it's on the way. But nothing too strenuous...
Naturally any thoughts of training have taken a nose dive lately, although I have managed to walk to the local co-op once or twice! Unfortunately, my appetite deserted me temporarily at the weekend but soon made a reappearance- still at least the Easter chocolate is now gone, so no more temptation!!
I aim to try to start gently at the weekend-I feel flabby and out of condition, and after all those months of intensive training it's not a good feeling! Still- I guess I need to be patient as the last thing I want is to try to push myself and do a mischief!
So I think I will start with a little walk tomorrow- maybe around Ruddington Country Park as I am off to Loughborough to see a friend and it's on the way. But nothing too strenuous...
Labels: illness, Ruddington Country Park
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Rough Week!
This week really hasn't gone too well. The pulled muscle injury is a little better but is taking an age to heal. The only way I've been able to sleep is propped up on pillows, and it still wakes me during the night. I really sympathise with anybody who's ever broken a rib, that must be far worse!!
I also developed a cough- which made things difficult as coughing was extremely painful! I still struggled into work everyday, and it has been a struggle as since Wednesday I have also felt like crap whole body aching, really tired, absolutely no energy... funnily enough I've been better in the morning than in the evenings, and have had no energy to do anything other than lie on my bed after work.
I went to my GP yesterday and he said almosr exactly what I expected him to say... yes I pulled an underam muscle- it's got to get better on its own- take painkillers and see him again if it's no better in two weeks, the cough and feeling crap he attributed to a virus ('virus' in GP speak I think means 'Well, we haven't really got a clue what it is and certainly aren't going to give you anything for it!)
It was the same GP who signed off my medical certificate, and he did then say that I had put my body under enormous strain during the MdS and it needs a good rest! He advised me to take it easy for the next month, and gently ease back into training, maybe doing stuff that 'mere mortals' (his words!) would do...
I know that makes sense! I saw the practice nurse who does ironmen when I came out his room and I was telling her about the MdS- she did say that the usual advice for resting after a marathon is one day for every mile- which makes for nearly a month (although experienced runners can get away with less) So- let's see... my first ultra... so that would mean no exercise until the first week in August!!
Seriously- I will give my body an easier ride this month, and then start to build up to the Robin Hood marathon from the beginning of June- got to be a bit sensible I guess, even though I do still have easter eggs left...
I also developed a cough- which made things difficult as coughing was extremely painful! I still struggled into work everyday, and it has been a struggle as since Wednesday I have also felt like crap whole body aching, really tired, absolutely no energy... funnily enough I've been better in the morning than in the evenings, and have had no energy to do anything other than lie on my bed after work.
I went to my GP yesterday and he said almosr exactly what I expected him to say... yes I pulled an underam muscle- it's got to get better on its own- take painkillers and see him again if it's no better in two weeks, the cough and feeling crap he attributed to a virus ('virus' in GP speak I think means 'Well, we haven't really got a clue what it is and certainly aren't going to give you anything for it!)
It was the same GP who signed off my medical certificate, and he did then say that I had put my body under enormous strain during the MdS and it needs a good rest! He advised me to take it easy for the next month, and gently ease back into training, maybe doing stuff that 'mere mortals' (his words!) would do...
I know that makes sense! I saw the practice nurse who does ironmen when I came out his room and I was telling her about the MdS- she did say that the usual advice for resting after a marathon is one day for every mile- which makes for nearly a month (although experienced runners can get away with less) So- let's see... my first ultra... so that would mean no exercise until the first week in August!!
Seriously- I will give my body an easier ride this month, and then start to build up to the Robin Hood marathon from the beginning of June- got to be a bit sensible I guess, even though I do still have easter eggs left...
Labels: illness, Injury, Robin Hood Marathon
