Last week I heard I got accepted for a gold bond place in the 2010 London Marathon.
Therefore, my journey does not end here switch over to my new blog to keep up to date.
http://www.virginlondonmarathon2010.blogspot.com
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Friday, 25 September 2009
Race Day: Newcastle to South Shields in 2:28:35
It has been a few days now since the Great North Run and about time I wrote what has to be my last blogs on the journey on the last 7 months from first post after I nearly died on a treadmill running just 1km.
Bee and I spent a nice weekend in Newcastle after a very long journey up the A1. We started early just after lunch and arrived just for dinner at 7pm as all the main roads seem to have been closed at one point it did feel like a very long ride. We got to the Travelodge just after 7 and we had booked the travel lodge as being a holiday a chain you knew what you would get – oh what a mistake, this was the most horrid holiday inn ever. Half of the furniture in the room was missing and the bed was like a cloud as you just fell through it rather than it offering you any support.
We got ourselves ready and went out for dinner. Our hotel was in an excellent location right on the river and it was a nice warm evening but instead of a nice romantic stroll we found the first restaurant we could and had a good feast of burgers and Mexican food in a chain pub. Newcastle on a Friday night does have a feel of groups of people out on the town and everywhere you look you seem to find groups of men trying to chat up groups of women. We were back in our room nice and early after falling asleep in strictly come dancing we had a surprising good night’s sleep considering the quality of the bed.
Next morning after a slow start we went out to get coffee and found the river side had been transformed into a race track for the mini and junior great north runs and the area was starting to fill up with children in their running outfits and numbers. Luckily, so there was no confusion adults were wearing running numbers with the word ‘adult’ on.
After breakfast we walked into town and browsed the shops before finding a Mark Toney’s restaurant for a pasta lunch as it was the day before the race I had to stuff myself with carbs. We then had a tub of ice cream to go (bit of a mistake as Bee ended up wearing most of hers) as we walked back towards the river and to see the city games and tented village set up for the weekends activities.
We sat on the bank of the river and watched some athletics before entering into the very very disappointing tents. As there was nothing to see inside other than the very long queue for the free pasta we went back to the hotel for a much deserved nap. As we slowly woke I was keeping an eye on the football scores as Southend scored the winner in stoppage time over Brighton. We had an early dinner planned in the local Italian restaurant as all the Italians were fully booked that night with all the runners eating one last big meal of pasta.
Race morning came very quickly and the realisation this was the big day after months of planning and training that was not as on plan as it should have been due to injury was very scary. I slowly got into my running gear and we packed up the room and set off into town that was starting to feel with all my runners – Bee did comment post people looked like they wanted to be sick so maybe I was not alone in my fear for the day.
I left Bee and started the walk with the growing number of runners towards the start line, this walk seemed to take an age until we finally see the line of yellow double decker busses headed into the distance. These busses were the luggage busses and quickly i found the green section towards the back, a quick change and setup of iPod and knee support and i was ready so dropped off my bag. I then had over an hour to kill so walked slowly towards my starting pen looking at the very very long toilet queues and wondering if I could last. just then I was thankful for being a man as in the trees there was a section of plastic urinals you just walked up to and did your business in public and with no queues. I walked to my start pen and sat on the grass verge just watching the proceedings and listening to the music and announcements.
Before too long I was standing in the pen eagerly awaiting the start and drinking lots of water. We then all took part in the mass warmup with almost all of the 54000 people taking park, a stark contrast to the Bluewater run when about 20 people took part. On the big screens we se the start of the wheelchair races, followed by the women and then we were off. OK, in reality we were starting to slowly walk forwards with the red arrows overhead it took another 25 minutes before we hit the start line and off we went. With all the excitement and water i had drunk due to the heat of the day, off i went for about 2 minutes until I noticed all the men climbing into bushes one last time and decided to take a break already. This was a very wise decision as running after that was much more comfortable.
Second start later and I was on my way, my first goal was to cover just under 2 miles to the Tyne bridge where I knew Bee would be waiting on the right hand side of the road. There was the usual race start issues of people sprinting past and everybody else looking at them knowing we would see all of them again in a few miles when they had all burnt out. I had picked up the company of a super hero and a loch ness monster. Nessy was actually 4 people running in a line each with a different part of nessy in a line and got a very good crowd reaction, even if I did feel a bit jealous of all the attention and encouragement he was getting. I made sure i stuck to the right hand side of the road and in no time I could spot Bee with the camera and gave her a wave as I sailed past thinking I must still look ok after only 15 minutes so the photos would be ok. I then had to settle into the run knowing I would see her again in about 11 more miles.
The next few miles up to the half way point seem to fly past with lots of runners and supporters to keep me entertained as we are running through housing estates and a good turn out. The worst bit of this is miles 2 - 5 are all up hill, not a steep hill but a gradual enough incline it starts to take a toll on your legs but I am good physically and mentally to press on, even though the number of walkers is starting to build up. I make a point of getting as much fluid as I can at the water and Poweraide stations. I also make sure to keep hold of the bottle until the next station and drink small amounts constantly. This is mainly due to the amount of people who tell me how many people die completing the great north run, and with the day getting hotter and hotter I did not want to be one of them. All the running guides to the day tell you to drink Poweraide before the event to make sure you like it, this was something I never did and apologies must go to the people near me the first time I tried the blue Poweraide and spat it back out and described the taste quiet loudly with swear words. Luckily, the taste encouraged my small mouthful and often approach and I am not sure if it was in my mind I did feel more energised.
I got to the half way point a little after my watch claimed I had (need to recalibrate slightly i think) and was really enjoying my time, I was full of energy and very happy. I promised myself after mile 9 I could have my energy gel and plodded on as a fire crew hosed us all down. I wonder if the work with the fire man who sprinted past me at mile 3 in full gear and oxygen tank never to be seen again. Miles 6 - 10 had been the ones i was looking forward too the least before the day, but with the attitude of just one more then I will see if i need to walk approach worked as before i knew it i was at mile 10. In these miles i passed supporters with tins of biscuits, a man on a bus stop with a hose and more high 5s than I could could and all still clapping after having seen 1000s of runners all looking the same.
Mile 10 -11 (ish) is all up hill and now i started to see more walkers than runners, and when these were 5 abreast all having a nice chat it made keeping a constant pace hard as there was a lot of zig-zagging needed to keep going. I must admit I did consider stopping but wanted to be running as I passed the Mind charity bus i was running for. I had now got into my mind I had 3 miles to go, this is only 5km and even on days when i feel tired or generally unfit i could run 5km, and at this stage I did not feel that bad even if my speed had slowed right down to 7min/km I was still running.
As i was getting towards mile 12 the Red Arrows started their display at the finish and provided entertainment and distraction for a while as i hit the seafront and the end was almost in sight and the crowds grew drastically in number, as did the number of people getting medical attention, so close to the finish must have been heart braking for all of them and i hope they all made a good recovery.
Running down the sea front was so nice and i was starting to feel the distance in my body as i could no longer get a full lung of air i was restricted to short shallow breaths but i was too close to stop now - this was probably the attitude that caused so many to need help at this stage. I was looking out for Bee and hoping she got there ok without any problems but also with the end in sight and knowing i wanted to be finished in under 2:30 i started a sprint for home with no idea where all this extra energy was coming from. I soon flew past Bee pulling funny faces trying to say her camera stopped working but i was not going back so she could try again. And there it was the finish and i crossed the line in 2 hours 28 minutes and 35 seconds, I had an overwhelming urge to burst into tears as a combination of relief for being at the end and the realisation i ran the whole distance something i never imagined i was capable of doing. This soon passed as it was just as busy and frantic here to get your chip off to return and then to fight your way to the area where you collect your goodie bag and all important medal.
After i exited the area back into the open world i hit a wall of people (i guess i had to hit a wall at some point, just glad it was now and not during the race) and had to fight my way over to the relative meeting area. I was glad Bee had seen me as she knew i must be finished and heading this way. After 5 minutes that seemed an age a friendly smiley face was coming my way, and a quick hug and photo later we were off. We had to fight our way through a field of resting people and the charity village tent to get back to the busses and get my bag back. Bee had got me a mars bar which was very welcomed. We got onto the bus back into town which was much easier than i expected as lot of extra buses had been put on. This was an easy journey with only thing of note being the two women on the bus being sick.
The bus dropped us off close to the hotel and followed by one of the most painful walks i ever did with legs seizing up whilst sat on the bus. A quick wash and change in the travelodge toilet and off we went saying goodbye to Newcastle, but hopefully not for the last time as i hope to get a place for next year to do it all over again.
It was an excellent weekend, good weather a very welcoming city and a great run. Even though i have another 1/2 marathon in 3 weeks time none will ever be a special as this weekend, the first time i completed the distance and in an event that was very well organised and well supported.
Bee and I spent a nice weekend in Newcastle after a very long journey up the A1. We started early just after lunch and arrived just for dinner at 7pm as all the main roads seem to have been closed at one point it did feel like a very long ride. We got to the Travelodge just after 7 and we had booked the travel lodge as being a holiday a chain you knew what you would get – oh what a mistake, this was the most horrid holiday inn ever. Half of the furniture in the room was missing and the bed was like a cloud as you just fell through it rather than it offering you any support.
We got ourselves ready and went out for dinner. Our hotel was in an excellent location right on the river and it was a nice warm evening but instead of a nice romantic stroll we found the first restaurant we could and had a good feast of burgers and Mexican food in a chain pub. Newcastle on a Friday night does have a feel of groups of people out on the town and everywhere you look you seem to find groups of men trying to chat up groups of women. We were back in our room nice and early after falling asleep in strictly come dancing we had a surprising good night’s sleep considering the quality of the bed.
Next morning after a slow start we went out to get coffee and found the river side had been transformed into a race track for the mini and junior great north runs and the area was starting to fill up with children in their running outfits and numbers. Luckily, so there was no confusion adults were wearing running numbers with the word ‘adult’ on.
After breakfast we walked into town and browsed the shops before finding a Mark Toney’s restaurant for a pasta lunch as it was the day before the race I had to stuff myself with carbs. We then had a tub of ice cream to go (bit of a mistake as Bee ended up wearing most of hers) as we walked back towards the river and to see the city games and tented village set up for the weekends activities.
We sat on the bank of the river and watched some athletics before entering into the very very disappointing tents. As there was nothing to see inside other than the very long queue for the free pasta we went back to the hotel for a much deserved nap. As we slowly woke I was keeping an eye on the football scores as Southend scored the winner in stoppage time over Brighton. We had an early dinner planned in the local Italian restaurant as all the Italians were fully booked that night with all the runners eating one last big meal of pasta.
Race morning came very quickly and the realisation this was the big day after months of planning and training that was not as on plan as it should have been due to injury was very scary. I slowly got into my running gear and we packed up the room and set off into town that was starting to feel with all my runners – Bee did comment post people looked like they wanted to be sick so maybe I was not alone in my fear for the day.
I left Bee and started the walk with the growing number of runners towards the start line, this walk seemed to take an age until we finally see the line of yellow double decker busses headed into the distance. These busses were the luggage busses and quickly i found the green section towards the back, a quick change and setup of iPod and knee support and i was ready so dropped off my bag. I then had over an hour to kill so walked slowly towards my starting pen looking at the very very long toilet queues and wondering if I could last. just then I was thankful for being a man as in the trees there was a section of plastic urinals you just walked up to and did your business in public and with no queues. I walked to my start pen and sat on the grass verge just watching the proceedings and listening to the music and announcements.
Before too long I was standing in the pen eagerly awaiting the start and drinking lots of water. We then all took part in the mass warmup with almost all of the 54000 people taking park, a stark contrast to the Bluewater run when about 20 people took part. On the big screens we se the start of the wheelchair races, followed by the women and then we were off. OK, in reality we were starting to slowly walk forwards with the red arrows overhead it took another 25 minutes before we hit the start line and off we went. With all the excitement and water i had drunk due to the heat of the day, off i went for about 2 minutes until I noticed all the men climbing into bushes one last time and decided to take a break already. This was a very wise decision as running after that was much more comfortable.
Second start later and I was on my way, my first goal was to cover just under 2 miles to the Tyne bridge where I knew Bee would be waiting on the right hand side of the road. There was the usual race start issues of people sprinting past and everybody else looking at them knowing we would see all of them again in a few miles when they had all burnt out. I had picked up the company of a super hero and a loch ness monster. Nessy was actually 4 people running in a line each with a different part of nessy in a line and got a very good crowd reaction, even if I did feel a bit jealous of all the attention and encouragement he was getting. I made sure i stuck to the right hand side of the road and in no time I could spot Bee with the camera and gave her a wave as I sailed past thinking I must still look ok after only 15 minutes so the photos would be ok. I then had to settle into the run knowing I would see her again in about 11 more miles.
The next few miles up to the half way point seem to fly past with lots of runners and supporters to keep me entertained as we are running through housing estates and a good turn out. The worst bit of this is miles 2 - 5 are all up hill, not a steep hill but a gradual enough incline it starts to take a toll on your legs but I am good physically and mentally to press on, even though the number of walkers is starting to build up. I make a point of getting as much fluid as I can at the water and Poweraide stations. I also make sure to keep hold of the bottle until the next station and drink small amounts constantly. This is mainly due to the amount of people who tell me how many people die completing the great north run, and with the day getting hotter and hotter I did not want to be one of them. All the running guides to the day tell you to drink Poweraide before the event to make sure you like it, this was something I never did and apologies must go to the people near me the first time I tried the blue Poweraide and spat it back out and described the taste quiet loudly with swear words. Luckily, the taste encouraged my small mouthful and often approach and I am not sure if it was in my mind I did feel more energised.
I got to the half way point a little after my watch claimed I had (need to recalibrate slightly i think) and was really enjoying my time, I was full of energy and very happy. I promised myself after mile 9 I could have my energy gel and plodded on as a fire crew hosed us all down. I wonder if the work with the fire man who sprinted past me at mile 3 in full gear and oxygen tank never to be seen again. Miles 6 - 10 had been the ones i was looking forward too the least before the day, but with the attitude of just one more then I will see if i need to walk approach worked as before i knew it i was at mile 10. In these miles i passed supporters with tins of biscuits, a man on a bus stop with a hose and more high 5s than I could could and all still clapping after having seen 1000s of runners all looking the same.
Mile 10 -11 (ish) is all up hill and now i started to see more walkers than runners, and when these were 5 abreast all having a nice chat it made keeping a constant pace hard as there was a lot of zig-zagging needed to keep going. I must admit I did consider stopping but wanted to be running as I passed the Mind charity bus i was running for. I had now got into my mind I had 3 miles to go, this is only 5km and even on days when i feel tired or generally unfit i could run 5km, and at this stage I did not feel that bad even if my speed had slowed right down to 7min/km I was still running.
As i was getting towards mile 12 the Red Arrows started their display at the finish and provided entertainment and distraction for a while as i hit the seafront and the end was almost in sight and the crowds grew drastically in number, as did the number of people getting medical attention, so close to the finish must have been heart braking for all of them and i hope they all made a good recovery.
Running down the sea front was so nice and i was starting to feel the distance in my body as i could no longer get a full lung of air i was restricted to short shallow breaths but i was too close to stop now - this was probably the attitude that caused so many to need help at this stage. I was looking out for Bee and hoping she got there ok without any problems but also with the end in sight and knowing i wanted to be finished in under 2:30 i started a sprint for home with no idea where all this extra energy was coming from. I soon flew past Bee pulling funny faces trying to say her camera stopped working but i was not going back so she could try again. And there it was the finish and i crossed the line in 2 hours 28 minutes and 35 seconds, I had an overwhelming urge to burst into tears as a combination of relief for being at the end and the realisation i ran the whole distance something i never imagined i was capable of doing. This soon passed as it was just as busy and frantic here to get your chip off to return and then to fight your way to the area where you collect your goodie bag and all important medal.
After i exited the area back into the open world i hit a wall of people (i guess i had to hit a wall at some point, just glad it was now and not during the race) and had to fight my way over to the relative meeting area. I was glad Bee had seen me as she knew i must be finished and heading this way. After 5 minutes that seemed an age a friendly smiley face was coming my way, and a quick hug and photo later we were off. We had to fight our way through a field of resting people and the charity village tent to get back to the busses and get my bag back. Bee had got me a mars bar which was very welcomed. We got onto the bus back into town which was much easier than i expected as lot of extra buses had been put on. This was an easy journey with only thing of note being the two women on the bus being sick.
The bus dropped us off close to the hotel and followed by one of the most painful walks i ever did with legs seizing up whilst sat on the bus. A quick wash and change in the travelodge toilet and off we went saying goodbye to Newcastle, but hopefully not for the last time as i hope to get a place for next year to do it all over again.
It was an excellent weekend, good weather a very welcoming city and a great run. Even though i have another 1/2 marathon in 3 weeks time none will ever be a special as this weekend, the first time i completed the distance and in an event that was very well organised and well supported.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Leaving for Newcastle
All the training is over and I am starting to get full of pasta and doing my last morning in the office before starting teh long journey north.
My legs got a small stretch this morning as I had a 45 minute to work as Bee dropped me off and will be coming to collect me later.
Starting to feel both nervous and excited, it will hit home in a few hours time.
My legs got a small stretch this morning as I had a 45 minute to work as Bee dropped me off and will be coming to collect me later.
Starting to feel both nervous and excited, it will hit home in a few hours time.
Monday, 14 September 2009
6 days and 1 last run
After a very busy weekend with Lins wedding I never fitted in my last long run and I had spent all sunday and most of Monday feeling very guilty.
Therefore, after work I attempted the Bray loop, something I have tried a number of times and never completed. Today I did the whole run plus an extra bit to make a full 10km, and a PB of 1:04. I did have to sprint the lats km to get a good time but the fact I could leaves me with some confidence for next weekend.
After i stopped and stretched i realised I was not too tired and not sore, but my legs were feeling tired when running, but could have carried on. If I could have doubled the distance I do not know, we will find out in 6 days!!
So all that is left to do is rest until Sunday and manage my diet.
Therefore, after work I attempted the Bray loop, something I have tried a number of times and never completed. Today I did the whole run plus an extra bit to make a full 10km, and a PB of 1:04. I did have to sprint the lats km to get a good time but the fact I could leaves me with some confidence for next weekend.
After i stopped and stretched i realised I was not too tired and not sore, but my legs were feeling tired when running, but could have carried on. If I could have doubled the distance I do not know, we will find out in 6 days!!
So all that is left to do is rest until Sunday and manage my diet.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Hard work at the gym
With a busy week and early mornigns I am finding the first week back at work hard on my exercise routine, but with less than 2 weeks before the GNR I have to press on.
Yesterday morning, I was having a slow slog on the treadmill where my iPod decided to die (again!!) so I had to watch the BBC news. Not the most insiprign entertainment but it did stop me clock watching a bit.
After about 2.5 km I was really struggling to stay on my feet, and then I swolled water badly and started to choke forcing me to stop the treadmill to get my breath back. I was proud of myself to even start the treadmill again after that, and it seemed much better after that and i completed 7km.
As I started my stretching I remembered a 9am meetign so sprinted to the shower and the office to only discover I was about 24 hours early!
Yesterday morning, I was having a slow slog on the treadmill where my iPod decided to die (again!!) so I had to watch the BBC news. Not the most insiprign entertainment but it did stop me clock watching a bit.
After about 2.5 km I was really struggling to stay on my feet, and then I swolled water badly and started to choke forcing me to stop the treadmill to get my breath back. I was proud of myself to even start the treadmill again after that, and it seemed much better after that and i completed 7km.
As I started my stretching I remembered a 9am meetign so sprinted to the shower and the office to only discover I was about 24 hours early!
Monday, 7 September 2009
A hard day
A trip to gym after work was not such a happy one, I was doing very well at 7mph for 20 minutes. I then nudged the emergency stop button and this was my excuse to stop rather than restarting the machine.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Unlucky for some
With exactly 2 weeks to go, I thought i should try and push myself out on the road for the first time yesterday. All went quite well, i covered 13km in 1:25, mane person bests for distance and time on my feet; shame i feel like I am made of lead today and can hardly move - coupling that with feeling dizzy every time i move my head too fast I am spending teh day in bed.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Long time no write and another month
It is a whole month since I wrote my last blog and now only 2 weeks to the GNR - I really should be writing more not less. The good news is I have still been in training even if I have not written due to holidays and work travels.
Last month was my longest distance wise and highest average run - so I am heading in the right direction; I just doubt fast enough. 2 weeks back I got an email saying I should be able to comfortably run 8 miles, I could run 8km by that point. Whilst away last week I hit 11 km twice and a lot of shorter runs. Therefore I still have just managed to cover half the distance. I spent a lot of time troubling about deferring my entry to next year. This is something I may still do, I plan to run on the road this weekend as far as I can and after that asses the situation. If i am confident I can run 3/4 of the route and if I have to walk/jog to the finish then I will enter, this now gives me a target of 16km, much more manageable!!
Last month was my longest distance wise and highest average run - so I am heading in the right direction; I just doubt fast enough. 2 weeks back I got an email saying I should be able to comfortably run 8 miles, I could run 8km by that point. Whilst away last week I hit 11 km twice and a lot of shorter runs. Therefore I still have just managed to cover half the distance. I spent a lot of time troubling about deferring my entry to next year. This is something I may still do, I plan to run on the road this weekend as far as I can and after that asses the situation. If i am confident I can run 3/4 of the route and if I have to walk/jog to the finish then I will enter, this now gives me a target of 16km, much more manageable!!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Antoher month arrives
First running session of the month and to be on teh safe side it was done on the treadmill. It was an up the clock session so 21 minutes, of 1 fast 1 slow, 2 fast 2 slow, 3 fast 3 slow and 4 and 4 to complete the set. It was hard work and I have a sore right knee today - it is as if they all take it in turns. i am now really scared to try running on the road again so may stay with this routine for 1 more week but try a 5k at my parents at the weekend, far from teh 12k my plan has me doing this week and I am now falling behind fast. Luckily, I have been keeping myself fit and now do 1 hour on the x-trainer every few days and some cycling too.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
50 Days to go
Today marks the 50 day mark, and I am spending it in bed, maybe training would be a better idea!
Friday, 31 July 2009
Another month over
It is the end of July and even though I have nnot written for a couple of weeks I have been busy.
I tried sticking to my training plans only for my right knee to start going the same way teh left one did, luckilly i spotted the signs and stopped hopefully before doing any lasting damage, but it does mean that the furthest i have run all month is 7km. This is far from ideal in my training. To that end I have spent the last week in the gym and off the roads, and hopefully after another week of that all will be good.
Between the gym and the roads I travelled 61km by foot running (I logged 7km for the British 10k as that was how far I ran before walkign and jogging home), and that is the furthest of any single month. I only beat April by 1km, and looking back at the statistics I only ran for teh first 14 days of April, so in hindsight I think I know how I hurt my hip back then.
Tomorrow is the start of the last full month before the Great north Run, so time to start my sponsorship and hopefully get in some good training. I will be travelling a lot for work and holiday this month so it will take some effort to keep good.
I tried sticking to my training plans only for my right knee to start going the same way teh left one did, luckilly i spotted the signs and stopped hopefully before doing any lasting damage, but it does mean that the furthest i have run all month is 7km. This is far from ideal in my training. To that end I have spent the last week in the gym and off the roads, and hopefully after another week of that all will be good.
Between the gym and the roads I travelled 61km by foot running (I logged 7km for the British 10k as that was how far I ran before walkign and jogging home), and that is the furthest of any single month. I only beat April by 1km, and looking back at the statistics I only ran for teh first 14 days of April, so in hindsight I think I know how I hurt my hip back then.
Tomorrow is the start of the last full month before the Great north Run, so time to start my sponsorship and hopefully get in some good training. I will be travelling a lot for work and holiday this month so it will take some effort to keep good.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Still so far to go
Tonight after work, I went for a 45 minute easy run, well so the training plan says it should be. In the time I completed 6 km, monitoring my pace to 7 min/k. All was fine for about 4.5 km and then I fell to pieces, my pins and needles kicked it around 35 minutes as it always does and I was desperate for the end to come and when it did I could hardly stand upright.
I am now looking at the calendar and with only 9 weeks to go until the half marathon and wondering how if I cannot run 4 miles without dying how do i add another 9 to make the 13 I need to cover on the day.
I am now looking at the calendar and with only 9 weeks to go until the half marathon and wondering how if I cannot run 4 miles without dying how do i add another 9 to make the 13 I need to cover on the day.
Monday, 13 July 2009
British London 10k
It is the day after the ‘British London 10k’, the biggest non televised run in London, as proudly announced by the mayor of Westminster at the start.
We decided to make a weekend around this run so booked ourselves into the Charing Cross hotel and went to see Jersey Boys matinee and for dinner in the OXO tower on the Saturday. It was a very nice day after I had a stress about how we should get to London finally settling on the train which turned out to be the correct decision with the number of road closures over the weekend.
On Sunday morning I wake up nice and early but regretting agreeing to do the run as my bed seemed a much nicer place to stay. I eventually drag myself out of bed and get ready, attach my number to the front of my shirt and put timing chip on my shoe and left Bee tucked up in bed. When I leave the hotel I am greeted by 100s of people all wearing shorts and numbers and we all walk towards Trafalgar square and onto the bagging area. As I had no luggage to leave I carried on past the queue of at least 200 people for the toilet (later reports were of a wait of over 1 hour) I walk towards the start line. The start is at the top of the slip road from the round-a-bout by Hyde park corner down towards Piccadilly. To leave as much road open as possible the queue for the start goes down the road back along the route.
After about 1 hour wait things start to happen as a marching band go up the route and I take the opportunity to look back and realise I have about 3000 people in front of me and 25000 behind me, one side of the road was packed solid with people as far as the eye could see. It is a good job this event is not segregated into estimated time as I would have been punching well above my weight.
After a bit of an introduction by the Mayor of Westminster the event starts and the elite runners shoot off into the distance like rockets followed by the masses. This is where the organisation hits a snag with everybody having to go around the dog leg to the start via a gap 3 people wide; it reportedly takes over 1 hour to get all 2700+ over the start line, it took me about 10 minutes to do the 100 yards to the line. However, this did give me a good chance to watch the mixture of runners at the start from good athletes to people who were planning on walking such as 2 men carrying a banner (sorry could not read the message) both in jeans and one of the smoking as he crossed the start line which I must admit is something I never thought I would see in a race, and much to the amusement of people around me.
After a wait of over 1 hour I was finally off and running past a long deep queue of people all awaiting their turn, and it was very congested and with everybody at different paces it made ti very hard to run at my own steady pace but I got it going ok with a first km split of 5:50, which is good pace for 1 hour, but much faster than I have managed in training especially as all I have managed in training is 6km in 40 minutes, I needed to slow down a lot to even complete the distance (so easy to say now).
The route takes you past the Ritz and down towards Trafalgar square, a route i have driven many times and there are good but quiet crowds along the route, but this changes when we turn right towards the embankment. the crowds get very large and it is also the location for the charity cheering points and the noise is a real motivator even after 3 km. I am soon approaching my own cheering station manned by Bee who I hear above the crowds and spot her armed with the camera standing in the traffic island in the middle of the, a wave from me and so 'go on John's from her and I am on my way up the Thames.
The main reason I wanted to do this run was for the route and running down the Thames on a nice sunny morning did not disappoint. I had now found a constant pace and was overtaking more people than were going past me. Just after I see Bee I realised there were runners coming back towards me on the other side of the road which is a small knock to the confidence. I felt very good passing the 4km then the 5 as we had turned around to start the route back to Westminster having completed the 5km in 30 minutes, still much faster than I should be going but I was enjoying myself and felt good.
It was now my turn to be going against the masses of people and as much of a knock as it was 10 minutes earlier it was now a motivator. Heading towards 6.5 km I get my first glimpse of Westminster and it seemed so far away and my legs start to feel heavy and I realise the rest of the race is going to be a struggle. before the start I was talking to a man who was saying it is your head that stops you running not your legs, and despite not agreeing completely with him at this point my head did turn against me and all the good thought now turned to negative ones. I cleared my mind and focused on short goals the first was to see Bee again at the 7km mark, which came up quite quickly and there she was as full of energy as before, just a shame I did not look so good any more.
It was not long after this my legs packed up and I started walking. I could not have timed this worse being in a very well supported part of the course and as much as everybody meant the keep goings, you are almost there I was flat. After a short walk up to the 8km mark, I try to run again over Westminster bridge, but quickly get a stitch on top of legs and hips that are in agony with every bone feeling like it could pop out at any second.
I cover the next 2km in a mixture of walk and trot and save as much energy as possible to run the final 500m to the finish line. I complete the course in 1:07:34, in 1925 place, but with people taking 1 hour to get over the start line I think that position is more down to how early i got out of bed to get to the start than my abilities. My chip time said I came in 3840, but as not everybody had a chip i am not sure how good that is either.
This time was a full 6 minutes quicker than Bluewater, and I ran further than I have in the last year in one go having completed less than 5km in bluewater before walking, and what I did run was at a good pace, if I had the legs i was on for around the 1 hour mark. However, I am very sad and angry at myself for having to walk at all because I never forced myself to slow down at the start.
With a small amount of luck bee and I manage to meet just after the finish and we walk together to collect my goodie bag and medal before heading back to the hotel for a quick shower and then home, just stopping to get Sushi for the train journey. Once we get home I spent the day not moving much with a very sore right knee and aching hip having had a great weekend and looking forward to my next organised run.
We decided to make a weekend around this run so booked ourselves into the Charing Cross hotel and went to see Jersey Boys matinee and for dinner in the OXO tower on the Saturday. It was a very nice day after I had a stress about how we should get to London finally settling on the train which turned out to be the correct decision with the number of road closures over the weekend.
On Sunday morning I wake up nice and early but regretting agreeing to do the run as my bed seemed a much nicer place to stay. I eventually drag myself out of bed and get ready, attach my number to the front of my shirt and put timing chip on my shoe and left Bee tucked up in bed. When I leave the hotel I am greeted by 100s of people all wearing shorts and numbers and we all walk towards Trafalgar square and onto the bagging area. As I had no luggage to leave I carried on past the queue of at least 200 people for the toilet (later reports were of a wait of over 1 hour) I walk towards the start line. The start is at the top of the slip road from the round-a-bout by Hyde park corner down towards Piccadilly. To leave as much road open as possible the queue for the start goes down the road back along the route.
After about 1 hour wait things start to happen as a marching band go up the route and I take the opportunity to look back and realise I have about 3000 people in front of me and 25000 behind me, one side of the road was packed solid with people as far as the eye could see. It is a good job this event is not segregated into estimated time as I would have been punching well above my weight.
After a bit of an introduction by the Mayor of Westminster the event starts and the elite runners shoot off into the distance like rockets followed by the masses. This is where the organisation hits a snag with everybody having to go around the dog leg to the start via a gap 3 people wide; it reportedly takes over 1 hour to get all 2700+ over the start line, it took me about 10 minutes to do the 100 yards to the line. However, this did give me a good chance to watch the mixture of runners at the start from good athletes to people who were planning on walking such as 2 men carrying a banner (sorry could not read the message) both in jeans and one of the smoking as he crossed the start line which I must admit is something I never thought I would see in a race, and much to the amusement of people around me.
After a wait of over 1 hour I was finally off and running past a long deep queue of people all awaiting their turn, and it was very congested and with everybody at different paces it made ti very hard to run at my own steady pace but I got it going ok with a first km split of 5:50, which is good pace for 1 hour, but much faster than I have managed in training especially as all I have managed in training is 6km in 40 minutes, I needed to slow down a lot to even complete the distance (so easy to say now).
The route takes you past the Ritz and down towards Trafalgar square, a route i have driven many times and there are good but quiet crowds along the route, but this changes when we turn right towards the embankment. the crowds get very large and it is also the location for the charity cheering points and the noise is a real motivator even after 3 km. I am soon approaching my own cheering station manned by Bee who I hear above the crowds and spot her armed with the camera standing in the traffic island in the middle of the, a wave from me and so 'go on John's from her and I am on my way up the Thames.
The main reason I wanted to do this run was for the route and running down the Thames on a nice sunny morning did not disappoint. I had now found a constant pace and was overtaking more people than were going past me. Just after I see Bee I realised there were runners coming back towards me on the other side of the road which is a small knock to the confidence. I felt very good passing the 4km then the 5 as we had turned around to start the route back to Westminster having completed the 5km in 30 minutes, still much faster than I should be going but I was enjoying myself and felt good.
It was now my turn to be going against the masses of people and as much of a knock as it was 10 minutes earlier it was now a motivator. Heading towards 6.5 km I get my first glimpse of Westminster and it seemed so far away and my legs start to feel heavy and I realise the rest of the race is going to be a struggle. before the start I was talking to a man who was saying it is your head that stops you running not your legs, and despite not agreeing completely with him at this point my head did turn against me and all the good thought now turned to negative ones. I cleared my mind and focused on short goals the first was to see Bee again at the 7km mark, which came up quite quickly and there she was as full of energy as before, just a shame I did not look so good any more.
It was not long after this my legs packed up and I started walking. I could not have timed this worse being in a very well supported part of the course and as much as everybody meant the keep goings, you are almost there I was flat. After a short walk up to the 8km mark, I try to run again over Westminster bridge, but quickly get a stitch on top of legs and hips that are in agony with every bone feeling like it could pop out at any second.
I cover the next 2km in a mixture of walk and trot and save as much energy as possible to run the final 500m to the finish line. I complete the course in 1:07:34, in 1925 place, but with people taking 1 hour to get over the start line I think that position is more down to how early i got out of bed to get to the start than my abilities. My chip time said I came in 3840, but as not everybody had a chip i am not sure how good that is either.
This time was a full 6 minutes quicker than Bluewater, and I ran further than I have in the last year in one go having completed less than 5km in bluewater before walking, and what I did run was at a good pace, if I had the legs i was on for around the 1 hour mark. However, I am very sad and angry at myself for having to walk at all because I never forced myself to slow down at the start.
With a small amount of luck bee and I manage to meet just after the finish and we walk together to collect my goodie bag and medal before heading back to the hotel for a quick shower and then home, just stopping to get Sushi for the train journey. Once we get home I spent the day not moving much with a very sore right knee and aching hip having had a great weekend and looking forward to my next organised run.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Back on the roads
As day 2 of training come around I thought i should try running outdoors, the main worry was just how hot it was as England is in the middle of a heat wave. I met Christelle in the car park behind the maidenhead sports center and we set off north from Maidenhead on a route planned on MapMyRun.
The run was scheduled for 30 minutes, and I decided to cap my HR at 170bpm, the last time I did this was the week before the Bluewater 10k and completed only 3.9km in 30 minutes, so this was a good chance to see if the last few weeks in teh gym had got me any fitter.
We quickly discovered how an aerial route planned on a website differs from reality and found ourselves runnign through the middle of a corn field as the path we were on ended at a quarry and could nto continue. So instead of the nice loop we had planned we looped back to home after about 15 minutes. All was going good it seemed a lot longer into teh run before my watch was beeping to say my HR was too high and it did feel like I was running faster.
We managed abotu 4.4km in teh 30 minutes so much better than just 3 weeks earlier, and we ended up runnign for 36 minutes which worked out as 5km. The last 6 minutes my HR beeped more than it did not, and i felt a little sick at the end.
The run was scheduled for 30 minutes, and I decided to cap my HR at 170bpm, the last time I did this was the week before the Bluewater 10k and completed only 3.9km in 30 minutes, so this was a good chance to see if the last few weeks in teh gym had got me any fitter.
We quickly discovered how an aerial route planned on a website differs from reality and found ourselves runnign through the middle of a corn field as the path we were on ended at a quarry and could nto continue. So instead of the nice loop we had planned we looped back to home after about 15 minutes. All was going good it seemed a lot longer into teh run before my watch was beeping to say my HR was too high and it did feel like I was running faster.
We managed abotu 4.4km in teh 30 minutes so much better than just 3 weeks earlier, and we ended up runnign for 36 minutes which worked out as 5km. The last 6 minutes my HR beeped more than it did not, and i felt a little sick at the end.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Training plan starts here
It has been a couple of weeks since I last updated my blog. I have been fairly active in the last two weeks but without doing any running until today. The first week after Bluewater I rested until Wednesday when I finally made it to the new gym, where id did a very painful 20 minutes on the x-trainer. You would not have thought I ran (ok trot and walk) for an hour just a few days before.
The next day I was back again and got in a good 30 minutes on the bike and about 2 on the x-trainer. But this time I had a problem, I had started to watch night rider on my iPhone and these last 42 minutes so this is how long I need to exercise for and became my goal for Friday. However, on Friday morning my legs were feeling the last couple of days and spent most of the time easily peddling in the reclining bike. But I had made it through 3 days fo actually doing something and could feel a benefit already.
After a weekend of rest I was back on Monday and this time feeling much fitter and became the start of a good week, I could now exercise for the 40 minutes required either on a bike or x-trainer and 4 visits later on Friday morning I completed a 50 minute x-train. One other addition to my routines is I have finally learnt the importance of stretching after all my injuries and spend a good 10-15 minutes stretching and cooling down at the end of each session.
So far so good, until today, it is Tuesday ad 3 days since I last exercised as today is day 1 of Great north Run training, and it starts with a 30 minute run. Feeling good after last week and starting to feel fit again I step onto the treadmill for what was not an uncomfortable 30 minutes, not at lightning speed (about 4.5km in the time) I even consider doing more than the 30 but think – no I have a plan for a reason. This turned out to be a smart decision as the second I step of the treadmill I feel so sick I have to go sit in the corner for 5 minutes before doing some half hearted stretches. I have no idea how I am meant to do double this in just 10 days for the London 10k! oh well, looking on the positive I could do 30 minutes which is actually some kind of record for me on the treadmill so the last few week must have helped and most importantly I had no problems from hip or knee.
The next day I was back again and got in a good 30 minutes on the bike and about 2 on the x-trainer. But this time I had a problem, I had started to watch night rider on my iPhone and these last 42 minutes so this is how long I need to exercise for and became my goal for Friday. However, on Friday morning my legs were feeling the last couple of days and spent most of the time easily peddling in the reclining bike. But I had made it through 3 days fo actually doing something and could feel a benefit already.
After a weekend of rest I was back on Monday and this time feeling much fitter and became the start of a good week, I could now exercise for the 40 minutes required either on a bike or x-trainer and 4 visits later on Friday morning I completed a 50 minute x-train. One other addition to my routines is I have finally learnt the importance of stretching after all my injuries and spend a good 10-15 minutes stretching and cooling down at the end of each session.
So far so good, until today, it is Tuesday ad 3 days since I last exercised as today is day 1 of Great north Run training, and it starts with a 30 minute run. Feeling good after last week and starting to feel fit again I step onto the treadmill for what was not an uncomfortable 30 minutes, not at lightning speed (about 4.5km in the time) I even consider doing more than the 30 but think – no I have a plan for a reason. This turned out to be a smart decision as the second I step of the treadmill I feel so sick I have to go sit in the corner for 5 minutes before doing some half hearted stretches. I have no idea how I am meant to do double this in just 10 days for the London 10k! oh well, looking on the positive I could do 30 minutes which is actually some kind of record for me on the treadmill so the last few week must have helped and most importantly I had no problems from hip or knee.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
First day in a new gym
This morning I made my first visit to my new gym. I arrived at work around 7:15 and walked completed the walk in about 2 minutes, so much better than the 15 it took to get to David Lloyd. When I got inside and finally found my way to the changing room it was empty so I took the opportunity to have a look around. First impression was quite smart but no sink and mirror combination to shave in.
I got changed and using my new padlock (which is a better option than trying to look after a key) to secure my belongings I went into the gym, again I managed to take one wrong turn. The gym itself is about 1/3 the size of David Lloyd and with only one water machine hidden behind some weights.
The cardio section is 4 long rows (1 for x-trainer, 1 for running machine and 1x for the two kinds of bike you get). When I arrived there were about 4 people in the place so picked my x-trainer and then had to spend 3 minutes untangling my earphones. By the time I managed to do this I was joined by another user of the x-trainers who picked the machine next to me with a choice of about 15 machines.
I planned to do 40 minutes, but after 20 I started to realise how little exercise I had done in last 7 weeks since I hurt my hip and had to admit defeat and spend 10 minutes doing my stretches.
The showers were very nice and with much better temperature control, I then stopped in the toilet to have a shave in the sink and left wondering if I need to buy an electric razor for future sessions.
It was hard but I really enjoyed exercising again and bet I will be back tomorrow.
I got changed and using my new padlock (which is a better option than trying to look after a key) to secure my belongings I went into the gym, again I managed to take one wrong turn. The gym itself is about 1/3 the size of David Lloyd and with only one water machine hidden behind some weights.
The cardio section is 4 long rows (1 for x-trainer, 1 for running machine and 1x for the two kinds of bike you get). When I arrived there were about 4 people in the place so picked my x-trainer and then had to spend 3 minutes untangling my earphones. By the time I managed to do this I was joined by another user of the x-trainers who picked the machine next to me with a choice of about 15 machines.
I planned to do 40 minutes, but after 20 I started to realise how little exercise I had done in last 7 weeks since I hurt my hip and had to admit defeat and spend 10 minutes doing my stretches.
The showers were very nice and with much better temperature control, I then stopped in the toilet to have a shave in the sink and left wondering if I need to buy an electric razor for future sessions.
It was hard but I really enjoyed exercising again and bet I will be back tomorrow.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
New Shoes
After getting very sore feet on Sunday and suffering from pins and needles a lot of research suggests my shoes may be too small, coupling that with experimenting with me insoles, I decided to get some advice on new trainers.
I got a recommendation for a shop called Apex about 15 minutes from work. After work tonight I went to visit the very knowledgeable staff who fitted me out with a pair of Asics 2140 trainers. I am now looking forward to giving them a try at the gym tomorrow. This will also be my first visit to the new gym by the office.
I got a recommendation for a shop called Apex about 15 minutes from work. After work tonight I went to visit the very knowledgeable staff who fitted me out with a pair of Asics 2140 trainers. I am now looking forward to giving them a try at the gym tomorrow. This will also be my first visit to the new gym by the office.
Monday, 15 June 2009
The Results Are In
The official results for the Bluewater 10k are now in and I am glad to see I did not come last, actually I managed 1919 out of 2115 with an official time of 1:14:21 and a chip time of 1:13:12. This was only 6 minutes slower than the best 10k I had managed in training for the event 1 year earlier.
The winner completed the course in 30:55 and the last person coming in at 1:49:02. All in all quite pleased with that considering I had almost no training leadin up to the event and was nursing a bad hip on what was the most hilly run I have ever completed (and one toilet break).
The winner completed the course in 30:55 and the last person coming in at 1:49:02. All in all quite pleased with that considering I had almost no training leadin up to the event and was nursing a bad hip on what was the most hilly run I have ever completed (and one toilet break).
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Bluewater 10k 2009
Race weekend finally arrived after about 8 weeks of dodgy hip and therefore little training it was now time to decide if i was going to enter the race or miss it for the second year running due to injury. Well if Bee with her poorly ankle could do it so could I as I convinced myself if I could at least do some of the run and some walking that would be better than nothing.
Saturday morning we drive to Essex where we plan to meet up with Lin who is also joining us and half way home Bee remembers she would need trainers to run in and what is the one thing she forgot (well actually 2, but the reason we never went to the sari shop today is another story). We spned the afternoon shopping in lakeside and a nice family dinner and soon it was bed time for our early start the next day.
6am rolls around and it is time to get up and get ready for the 45 minute drive to Bluewater and the literature says we have to be there for 7:30. We arrive almost on time and realize we are actually quite early. We have a little walk around the village and get some free Lucozade and sit in the sun as it was already very hot this early in the day. We also played the fun game of trying to spot other adults other than Bee and Lin who are doing the fun run without children - it was a tough game.
Just after 8 I leave the others and walk to the start making sure I am not too close to the front as I had no intention of keeping up with anybody vaguely fit. i finally position myself behind the 70 minute pace runner. Before long the gym instructors start the warm up. The way the race was organized is that the women start one side and the men the other, and this was most evident during the warm-up as all the women do the work out in perfect synchronisation with almost 100% participation, a quick glance over to the men side see 100s of people just standing still and looking blank at the instructors.
The race starts and within the first few hundred meters and before the men and women merge there is a long line of men in the bushes creating a temporary toilet, and I was nicely pacing myself behind the 70 min pace runner until i also stopped to use the amenities.
Once back on the road and settled into my stride i keep up a good pace of 6:30 - 7:15 per km, and all is going good for the first 5km and then I see the first big hill, which i just about drag myself up and feeling proud (and worn out) I turned the corner to see the road going up even more. At this point my legs just stopped running and I walked to the summit. I then started running again (now with first ache of the day in hip). This running did not last long because for the next few km for every welcome down hill was followed by a corresponding up hill. This lead to a series of walk and run sessions, as once you stop running for the first time it is almost impossible to run again for any length of time, couple this with the really bad pins and needles and loss of feeling I was experiencing in my right foot.
Eventually I find myself with 1km to go and forcing myself up the slip road towards home, finally cheered on by a very very small crowd and the sight of Bee and Lin and the finish allowed me to do a sprint finish, I also wanted to make sure i finished ahead of some people I had been following most of the run.
I collect medal and my welcome Mars bar and headed for home to see some people still running, it is now a few hours later and my right foot is still very sore and feels bruised, but no problems in any of my troubled joints but they are still not healed as I did get twinges all run and had to slow down to make them go away, but now i can focus on small runs over the coming months to build up my joints, and it could have been worse as I see one person being taken away in an ambulance, I would imagine the heat did not help anybody.
Saturday morning we drive to Essex where we plan to meet up with Lin who is also joining us and half way home Bee remembers she would need trainers to run in and what is the one thing she forgot (well actually 2, but the reason we never went to the sari shop today is another story). We spned the afternoon shopping in lakeside and a nice family dinner and soon it was bed time for our early start the next day.
6am rolls around and it is time to get up and get ready for the 45 minute drive to Bluewater and the literature says we have to be there for 7:30. We arrive almost on time and realize we are actually quite early. We have a little walk around the village and get some free Lucozade and sit in the sun as it was already very hot this early in the day. We also played the fun game of trying to spot other adults other than Bee and Lin who are doing the fun run without children - it was a tough game.
Just after 8 I leave the others and walk to the start making sure I am not too close to the front as I had no intention of keeping up with anybody vaguely fit. i finally position myself behind the 70 minute pace runner. Before long the gym instructors start the warm up. The way the race was organized is that the women start one side and the men the other, and this was most evident during the warm-up as all the women do the work out in perfect synchronisation with almost 100% participation, a quick glance over to the men side see 100s of people just standing still and looking blank at the instructors.
The race starts and within the first few hundred meters and before the men and women merge there is a long line of men in the bushes creating a temporary toilet, and I was nicely pacing myself behind the 70 min pace runner until i also stopped to use the amenities.
Once back on the road and settled into my stride i keep up a good pace of 6:30 - 7:15 per km, and all is going good for the first 5km and then I see the first big hill, which i just about drag myself up and feeling proud (and worn out) I turned the corner to see the road going up even more. At this point my legs just stopped running and I walked to the summit. I then started running again (now with first ache of the day in hip). This running did not last long because for the next few km for every welcome down hill was followed by a corresponding up hill. This lead to a series of walk and run sessions, as once you stop running for the first time it is almost impossible to run again for any length of time, couple this with the really bad pins and needles and loss of feeling I was experiencing in my right foot.
Eventually I find myself with 1km to go and forcing myself up the slip road towards home, finally cheered on by a very very small crowd and the sight of Bee and Lin and the finish allowed me to do a sprint finish, I also wanted to make sure i finished ahead of some people I had been following most of the run.
I collect medal and my welcome Mars bar and headed for home to see some people still running, it is now a few hours later and my right foot is still very sore and feels bruised, but no problems in any of my troubled joints but they are still not healed as I did get twinges all run and had to slow down to make them go away, but now i can focus on small runs over the coming months to build up my joints, and it could have been worse as I see one person being taken away in an ambulance, I would imagine the heat did not help anybody.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Long Time no Write
it has been a long time since i lat made a blog post. Mainly due to my sore hip and not being able to do regular exercise.
May finished and June started and looking back at the numbers for May I only ran for 22km which is my second lowest month since i started to run again in February.
It is now 1 week before the Bluewater 10k which was the first event I was meant to do last year and missed with a bad knee so I am keen to be fit again for this to be my first ever even this year, so much so I have managed to get Lin and Bee to come too (only for a 2k fun run). Therefore, I am writing off last month and pressing onwards, after spending a good 2 weeks resting with just one small run in the middle I set off on a wet Saturday morning to attempt the Bray loop. I dragged Christelle along with me to keep me company and motivated and also to be able to get the car if I suffer badly from hip and find myself stranded far from home.
Using technology I had my heart rate monitor set to beep when my HR goes over 170, to manage to keep heart at this rate we ran at an average of about 8min/km which is very very slow but I managed the 8.75 km loop which was a massive achievement in its own right even if it did take an age!
Two days on and hip seems to have survived well and feels the best it has in a long time, so another day rest and one more practise run on Wednesday and hopefully i am ready to come last in Bluewater.
May finished and June started and looking back at the numbers for May I only ran for 22km which is my second lowest month since i started to run again in February.
It is now 1 week before the Bluewater 10k which was the first event I was meant to do last year and missed with a bad knee so I am keen to be fit again for this to be my first ever even this year, so much so I have managed to get Lin and Bee to come too (only for a 2k fun run). Therefore, I am writing off last month and pressing onwards, after spending a good 2 weeks resting with just one small run in the middle I set off on a wet Saturday morning to attempt the Bray loop. I dragged Christelle along with me to keep me company and motivated and also to be able to get the car if I suffer badly from hip and find myself stranded far from home.
Using technology I had my heart rate monitor set to beep when my HR goes over 170, to manage to keep heart at this rate we ran at an average of about 8min/km which is very very slow but I managed the 8.75 km loop which was a massive achievement in its own right even if it did take an age!
Two days on and hip seems to have survived well and feels the best it has in a long time, so another day rest and one more practise run on Wednesday and hopefully i am ready to come last in Bluewater.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
It was all going so well
Yesterday I was let out alone to run as Bee has a sore ankle. I think I may have gone a bit mad as I completed the first km in 5:45 and i felt like I was jogging at the same speed I do with bee and not over 1min per km quicker. I was just over 2km when I was consdering adding a detour to the route to double the distance and then I got a stabbing pain in my hip again and had to walk home.
1 day later and after a night of pain when I shouted and Bee and Lin at the Jersey Boys stage door as I so desperatly wanted to get home and rest it still hurts and I have to take the rest of the week to rest.
1 day later and after a night of pain when I shouted and Bee and Lin at the Jersey Boys stage door as I so desperatly wanted to get home and rest it still hurts and I have to take the rest of the week to rest.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
The Roads to Myself
For once it looks like we have good weather for a bank holiday weekend. I wake nice and early on Saturday morning and at 8am jump onto the bike.
The roads are very empty this time of day and the sun is up and starting to warm the day, it is so nice that the 30 minutes I planed turn into 1 hour and 20km.
I have now spent the last few hours with a sore bottom after sitting on a razor like saddle.
The roads are very empty this time of day and the sun is up and starting to warm the day, it is so nice that the 30 minutes I planed turn into 1 hour and 20km.
I have now spent the last few hours with a sore bottom after sitting on a razor like saddle.
Friday, 22 May 2009
Friday Fun Run
It was the end of another week and time for Bee and I to hit the road one more time before our long lazy weekend.
We both get home from work around the same time and before we know it changed and outside. It was another 12-1-8 session for Bee where I run in circles whilst she does her 1 minute walk.
In total we cover just over 3km and I survive without any hip trouble, the only moments of note were mainly from Bee having a tantrum at a hill and again when I said she had 1 minute left to do, and she thought it was 3 more minutes. She promptly stopped and shouted at me for lying to her. But feeling good we can do runs together and my hip seems to be on the mend but will not be able to do the BUPA 10000 on Monday as I do not want to push myself and do more damage.
We both get home from work around the same time and before we know it changed and outside. It was another 12-1-8 session for Bee where I run in circles whilst she does her 1 minute walk.
In total we cover just over 3km and I survive without any hip trouble, the only moments of note were mainly from Bee having a tantrum at a hill and again when I said she had 1 minute left to do, and she thought it was 3 more minutes. She promptly stopped and shouted at me for lying to her. But feeling good we can do runs together and my hip seems to be on the mend but will not be able to do the BUPA 10000 on Monday as I do not want to push myself and do more damage.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Taking it Easy
After a good run 2 days ago, I thought I should try going to the gym on my way to work for what could be my last time before I switch my gym membership to one closer to work.
I completed a very good 30 minutes on the x-trainer without taking it too easy, but I never pushed myself too hard either. During that time i never felt any pain in my hip but it did feel a bit stiff, it sort of feels like it is not quite in its socket correctly.
I am now at work a couple of hours later and felt a twinge of pain on my way back from the kitchen with my fingers crossed it does not hurt again as I really want to be on the mend.
I completed a very good 30 minutes on the x-trainer without taking it too easy, but I never pushed myself too hard either. During that time i never felt any pain in my hip but it did feel a bit stiff, it sort of feels like it is not quite in its socket correctly.
I am now at work a couple of hours later and felt a twinge of pain on my way back from the kitchen with my fingers crossed it does not hurt again as I really want to be on the mend.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
A Pain Free Run
After a couple of days rest following a run on Sunday that had some aching towards the end of the run followed by an afternoon of agony it was time to try again. This time I managed a full 20 minutes and 3 km without any pain. So right now I am feeling very happy and waiting to see what happens when leg has rested.
The other good part of the run was that I had Bee keeping me company for the next step of her training, 12 run, 1 walk, 8 run. She breezed through the 12 minute session and then the rest of the run without any trouble, but thanks to my miscalculation I made her stop after 20 minutes! silly me.
The other good part of the run was that I had Bee keeping me company for the next step of her training, 12 run, 1 walk, 8 run. She breezed through the 12 minute session and then the rest of the run without any trouble, but thanks to my miscalculation I made her stop after 20 minutes! silly me.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Slowly on the mend
After work Bee and I went out for our run, we planned on doing a loop that would take about 10 minutes so I could stop off at home after the first one and Bee could keep going. However, part way into the first loop my hip was feeling fine so I decided to change the route slightly. I did not realise the new route had such a steep incline as we have only done it in reverse. At the end of teh first 10 minute session and during our 1.5 minute walk I got the first tingle of pain in hip, which is much better than it was 1 week earlier.
We then turned around to retrace our steps but by the end I was really starting to feel it and walked the last bit.
I then spent a lazy evening resting legs and feeling sad that it is not fully better, but looking at the run it was better than it had been, so fingers crossed I am slowly on the mend, but doubting I will be ready for the run in London on the 25th.
We then turned around to retrace our steps but by the end I was really starting to feel it and walked the last bit.
I then spent a lazy evening resting legs and feeling sad that it is not fully better, but looking at the run it was better than it had been, so fingers crossed I am slowly on the mend, but doubting I will be ready for the run in London on the 25th.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Back to the Gym I Go
Armed with my trainers this time it was the long walk across town to the gym. Roll on the end of the month when my gym membership starts at the gym right next to the office.
I wanted to do 40 minutes on the x-trainer to get my body used to doing the same exercise for a longer period of time and not learning it is acceptable to stop after 20 minutes. Therefore, with the machine on level 11 and random off I went watching ‘cash in the attic’. Last night I made a big effort to put the latest ‘How I Met Your Mother’ onto my iPhone to watch and then left it in the office (that is 2 things forgotten today; I wonder what the third will be) so had to watch mid day television (how do people watch this all day).
All was going well in the legs and I was not feeling too bad until the 30 minute mark when I started to get some muscle ache in my thigh after 30 minutes. So not wanting to do any damage and thinking this was good progress I stopped just under 35 minutes and headed off to the shower. I am now trying to decide if I should try a small run tomorrow.
I wanted to do 40 minutes on the x-trainer to get my body used to doing the same exercise for a longer period of time and not learning it is acceptable to stop after 20 minutes. Therefore, with the machine on level 11 and random off I went watching ‘cash in the attic’. Last night I made a big effort to put the latest ‘How I Met Your Mother’ onto my iPhone to watch and then left it in the office (that is 2 things forgotten today; I wonder what the third will be) so had to watch mid day television (how do people watch this all day).
All was going well in the legs and I was not feeling too bad until the 30 minute mark when I started to get some muscle ache in my thigh after 30 minutes. So not wanting to do any damage and thinking this was good progress I stopped just under 35 minutes and headed off to the shower. I am now trying to decide if I should try a small run tomorrow.
Nearly made it to the gym
I managed to get up and leave home at 6:30 on a Monday morning which was quite an achievement in its own right. When I got to the gym car park I pulled a very light bag out of the car and quickly noticed I had no shoes.
So back into the car and back home, I am now back at work with a complete gym kit and hoping to get some inspiration to go at lunch.
So back into the car and back home, I am now back at work with a complete gym kit and hoping to get some inspiration to go at lunch.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Ok for 2 days
It has now been 2 days without any pain in hip, except a small twinge across Tesco car park, but once I had the trolley to rest on all was fine. It is as if I have forgotten how to walk properly.
I have fingers crossed it is ok tomorrow as I think I will try the gym in the morning for some x-training and cycling as I am inspired after seeing the Bracknell half marathon. The route went past the end of our road and I went to Tesco when it was in full swing so took me a few minutes to find a big enough gap in the runners to get out. By the time I had finished shoppers all that was going past were walkers. Seeing as this was not even the half way point the walkers had a long way to go still.
I have fingers crossed it is ok tomorrow as I think I will try the gym in the morning for some x-training and cycling as I am inspired after seeing the Bracknell half marathon. The route went past the end of our road and I went to Tesco when it was in full swing so took me a few minutes to find a big enough gap in the runners to get out. By the time I had finished shoppers all that was going past were walkers. Seeing as this was not even the half way point the walkers had a long way to go still.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Another run less week
Another week with a hip sometimes feeling ok and sometimes bad. I am now rapidly coming to the conclusion I will not be pounding the streets of London on the 25th. Oh well, but then if i do get back to running again for teh Bluewater in June the first run I do would be the first one I had planned to do 12 months earlier - maybe that is the way it is meant to be.
Even though I have not been running this week I have been planning future runs and entered my application to Mind for the Virgin London Marathon 2010 - so fingres crossed they want me (and I can get and stay fit long enough).
Even though I have not been running this week I have been planning future runs and entered my application to Mind for the Virgin London Marathon 2010 - so fingres crossed they want me (and I can get and stay fit long enough).
Friday, 1 May 2009
First of the Month
On a nice sunny evening with Bee home from work i was out for the first run after a week of R&R, and i managed the route with a small ache in my hip and muscle for the last 100m. So things are getting better but not perfect.
It was good to run again, especially after getting back into being lazy this week, highlighted by a day of eating crisps and McDonalds (I did try to order salad but they had none).
It was good to run again, especially after getting back into being lazy this week, highlighted by a day of eating crisps and McDonalds (I did try to order salad but they had none).
End of April Summary
April was a month that was going so well with my average run length increasing and spending more time on my feet with constant 5km times under 30 minutes and slowly building up to 10k runs.
All until 1 round of golf and a shore knee/hip later slowed me right down for the last week or so of the month. But for the last couple of days I have managed some good time at the gym so fingers crossed it is not serious - especially with the first run being only 24 days away, and starting to worry I will not be up to it.
Last weekend was the London marathon which has at least given me some new inspiration going forward, so much so on Monday morning I spent 3 hours struggling with the website to get my name in the ballot for next year, which was longer than it took some people to run the race the day before.
So it is onwards an upwards for May with hopefully my first organised event and a lot of work to do to get ready for it, and with a lot of travel planned for the next week will be even harder to do.
All until 1 round of golf and a shore knee/hip later slowed me right down for the last week or so of the month. But for the last couple of days I have managed some good time at the gym so fingers crossed it is not serious - especially with the first run being only 24 days away, and starting to worry I will not be up to it.
Last weekend was the London marathon which has at least given me some new inspiration going forward, so much so on Monday morning I spent 3 hours struggling with the website to get my name in the ballot for next year, which was longer than it took some people to run the race the day before.
So it is onwards an upwards for May with hopefully my first organised event and a lot of work to do to get ready for it, and with a lot of travel planned for the next week will be even harder to do.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
All in the Hips
After 1 week of rest it is time to try running again. All goes well for 10 minutes or so and then my left hip starts to hurt and soon I get shooting pain down my leg and into the knee, almost the same as a week ago. I therefore think it is not my knee this time but more my hip that is the route cause of my issues.
I have studied some strengthening exercises for the hip that I will do during the week and may swim or cycle a bit for a few days.
I have studied some strengthening exercises for the hip that I will do during the week and may swim or cycle a bit for a few days.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
A Busy Week of Rest and Pain
After a very busy morning in the Gym at the spa where I ran for 30 minutes and cycled for 20 i had aching legs so decided to rest for a few days.
This went well and on Friday I even played a round of golf. Last year i suspected that golf may have played some part in my knee injury, I think I can now confirm that it does. I had tired legs after golf but next morning I felt well enough to go for a little run with Bee to get legs going before a long run on Sunday.
Well that was the plan, Bee and I got about 100 yards as I was thinking my hip felt a bit odd and worried I had an uncomfortable running stile I got a sharp pain in my knee and it reminded me just how much my knee hurt 1 year back. I stopped instantly and hobbled home as Bee carried on.
I have now spent the whole weekend with a knee in ice and taking lots of tablets, and fingers crossed I stopped quick enough this time with only having done a small amount of damage as I would be so sad to have done long term damage again just as I was getting back into running and enjoying it so much.
I am away this week so plan to do no running for teh week and will try the treadmill next weekend.
This went well and on Friday I even played a round of golf. Last year i suspected that golf may have played some part in my knee injury, I think I can now confirm that it does. I had tired legs after golf but next morning I felt well enough to go for a little run with Bee to get legs going before a long run on Sunday.
Well that was the plan, Bee and I got about 100 yards as I was thinking my hip felt a bit odd and worried I had an uncomfortable running stile I got a sharp pain in my knee and it reminded me just how much my knee hurt 1 year back. I stopped instantly and hobbled home as Bee carried on.
I have now spent the whole weekend with a knee in ice and taking lots of tablets, and fingers crossed I stopped quick enough this time with only having done a small amount of damage as I would be so sad to have done long term damage again just as I was getting back into running and enjoying it so much.
I am away this week so plan to do no running for teh week and will try the treadmill next weekend.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
To Basildon and Back
A long easter weekend and we were down to my parents in Essex for 2 days and I was very disciplined and ran both mornings on the way to get the paper.
The first morning was a good pace 7km with a record 5km of 29:11. The second day was a bad weather morning but a solid 5km was completed before meeting up with Bee to do another 2.5 as she is improving every time we go out. But I must admit to being a bit tired so not too encouraging with her run.
Now we are back home on Easter Sunday and a partial rest day but I did accompany Bee on the start of a new week, 5 minute run and 2 minute walk.
The first morning was a good pace 7km with a record 5km of 29:11. The second day was a bad weather morning but a solid 5km was completed before meeting up with Bee to do another 2.5 as she is improving every time we go out. But I must admit to being a bit tired so not too encouraging with her run.
Now we are back home on Easter Sunday and a partial rest day but I did accompany Bee on the start of a new week, 5 minute run and 2 minute walk.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Run to the Pub
between work and going for a night out with a bunch of old colleagues I thought I should squeeze in a run. As Christelle was also going to be out for the evening we met up by the river in Maidenhead just after 5 and set off down the footpath. It was a nice sunny but cool evening and the first time I had run off tarmac. We set off at a nice leisurely pace that we kept up for the whole run.
At one stage the path becomes single file and so I took the lead with Christelle close behind or so I thought. After a short while i was wondering why she was no longer answering me so I looked back to see an empty path going into the distance. Turning round and making my way back to check she had not fallen into the river i found her coming along after having to take a quick rest - she blames the big lunch she had not to many hours earlier.
We then headed back to the car doing an extra lap of the housing estate for luck and come to a stop after 40 minutes and just over 6.2km. Not too far in the time but doing at a constant speed and without any complaints, maybe my body is starting to get used to this.
At one stage the path becomes single file and so I took the lead with Christelle close behind or so I thought. After a short while i was wondering why she was no longer answering me so I looked back to see an empty path going into the distance. Turning round and making my way back to check she had not fallen into the river i found her coming along after having to take a quick rest - she blames the big lunch she had not to many hours earlier.
We then headed back to the car doing an extra lap of the housing estate for luck and come to a stop after 40 minutes and just over 6.2km. Not too far in the time but doing at a constant speed and without any complaints, maybe my body is starting to get used to this.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Two Laps Two Runners
Tonight was the first night of Bees structured training plan as taken from the Bob Glover book aimed at the beginner runner. The plan is a 10 week plan with the single aim of getting her to be able to run for a solid 20 minutes. last weekend we did 15 together but it nearly killed her so something more structured and gradual seemed good. After reviewing the plan we decided to skip the first two weeks that a routine of run 1min walk 1min and repeat 7 times as she is fitter than that. So we ere going to start at week 3, run 3minutes, walk 2minutes and repeat 4 times.
Whilst Bee was getting home and ready I went for another quick 2km to warm myself up and get back home in time to go out with Bee (almost under the 11 minute mark at 11:01). The first 3 minute run was quite tough as it was all uphill, and the walking time in between does seem to go much quicker than the running time. Luckily the next two repetitions were easier and down hill. the plan says starting easy you will get no injuries, I am not so sure I found the constant stopping and starting hard on the legs with a sore shin and a knee that felt it on the front.
So after 4 repetitions and the last one being up the hill back to home we completed day 1 of Bees training, as my watch did not show pace for this exercise I can only guess we were running much faster than her usual 8.1 km/h and covered 2.45 km in total - not bad and roll on the two of us going out again on Saturday.
Whilst Bee was getting home and ready I went for another quick 2km to warm myself up and get back home in time to go out with Bee (almost under the 11 minute mark at 11:01). The first 3 minute run was quite tough as it was all uphill, and the walking time in between does seem to go much quicker than the running time. Luckily the next two repetitions were easier and down hill. the plan says starting easy you will get no injuries, I am not so sure I found the constant stopping and starting hard on the legs with a sore shin and a knee that felt it on the front.
So after 4 repetitions and the last one being up the hill back to home we completed day 1 of Bees training, as my watch did not show pace for this exercise I can only guess we were running much faster than her usual 8.1 km/h and covered 2.45 km in total - not bad and roll on the two of us going out again on Saturday.
Monday, 6 April 2009
If at First
So after the bad run at lunch time I spent the afternoon feeling a bit angry at myself for being rubbish so went for a quick morale boosting run when I got home. As I thought resting should be what I was really doing I just went for a 2km lap at an OK pace, completing in just under 12 minutes.
I got home feeling tired and much happier in myself.
I got home feeling tired and much happier in myself.
Not the Best of Runs
After a great week last week it all had to go wrong at some point, and that was today. I went for my first run from work at a lunch time, after getting changed in the vacant ground floor I headed off to the river. I was not gone far before i realised I never drank very much before leaving and had no water with me. I also think my mind was not as focused as it could be and was trying to convince myself to run a shorter and shorter distance than that I had planned on setting out.
Within 1km I was at the river and by 2 I had reached Boulters lock with the plan to turn back after 3km, at just over 2.5 I found a road running away from the river and took that as my loop back towards work. Then by 3km my calves were so tight and in agony I had to stop. I spent 2 or 3 minutes stretching out my legs until I could walk again and then slowly jogged my way back. At the 5km mark I walked back to cool down a bit.
I am now feeling quite low as the run had been hard and not very enjoyable, but to look on the positive I did run for 30+ minutes even if in 2 chunks and did give myself a workout and if I look back just 1 month none of my runs were over 3km. lets hope for better tomorrow.
Within 1km I was at the river and by 2 I had reached Boulters lock with the plan to turn back after 3km, at just over 2.5 I found a road running away from the river and took that as my loop back towards work. Then by 3km my calves were so tight and in agony I had to stop. I spent 2 or 3 minutes stretching out my legs until I could walk again and then slowly jogged my way back. At the 5km mark I walked back to cool down a bit.
I am now feeling quite low as the run had been hard and not very enjoyable, but to look on the positive I did run for 30+ minutes even if in 2 chunks and did give myself a workout and if I look back just 1 month none of my runs were over 3km. lets hope for better tomorrow.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
The Running Robins
Today, was a firs as I found myself with the company of Bee this morning for her first road run of 2km. We found a nice lap starting from our house of exactly 2km, but I am sure Bee did not thank me when we see a nice steep hill round the first corner that had us both breathing hard at the top.
We completed the 2km without a need to walk for Bee that is a great achievement as she has only run on the treadmill in the last few months. I had planned on doing an extra lap after we completed one lap but my legs were a bit tight as I think they have not forgiven me for the extra run I did on Friday or the bike ride I took yesterday as the weather was so nice.
Since we got home I studied the excellent Bob Glover to get Bee a beginner training program which should be 3 days a week alternating walking and running with the goal of a solid 20minute run.
We completed the 2km without a need to walk for Bee that is a great achievement as she has only run on the treadmill in the last few months. I had planned on doing an extra lap after we completed one lap but my legs were a bit tight as I think they have not forgiven me for the extra run I did on Friday or the bike ride I took yesterday as the weather was so nice.
Since we got home I studied the excellent Bob Glover to get Bee a beginner training program which should be 3 days a week alternating walking and running with the goal of a solid 20minute run.
Friday, 3 April 2009
No Stopping Me
After 1 day rest Friday rolls around and I had booked to be doing body pump at 6pm, but after my first week back at work I could not stay at work that late, combining that with a sore knee when walking into town I decided to go home at 4 and take a second rest day.
But, this is were I got naughty after a small rest at home I fancied a run so tried the same route as Wednesday but at a slower pace. Oh bad me not only did I complete the run quicker than Wednesday I also added an extra km to get me up to 7km in 42 minutes. And spent the night with sore legs as punishment.
But, this is were I got naughty after a small rest at home I fancied a run so tried the same route as Wednesday but at a slower pace. Oh bad me not only did I complete the run quicker than Wednesday I also added an extra km to get me up to 7km in 42 minutes. And spent the night with sore legs as punishment.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
April Fool
Today is the first of the new month and I finished march with a good pace 3.5 run around the block to keep my legs going only taking 20 minutes, and bringing my march total to 48.2 km, not bad considering the 12 i managed just the month before in about 10 more runs so Feb had an average distance of 1.73km and march 2.8km per run. So it is starting to go in the right direction.
The new month came in with another after work run with Christelle that due to one small wrong turn lasted 6km rather than the 5 we had planned, but it was a record for both distance and time on my feet - and in one run 50% of the total distance of February.
I am now starting to think that I will be able to complete the 10km run at the end of May, but I must not try to run before I can walk and slowly increase the distance.
One other thing of note was that in March I signed up for the royals park half marathon just 3 weeks after the Great North Run so it looks like my initial goal will not be the end of my running. I also helped out the birthday fairy today by ordering my gift from him that should help me reach my goal but as it will be a surprise next week i will talk More about that then.
The new month came in with another after work run with Christelle that due to one small wrong turn lasted 6km rather than the 5 we had planned, but it was a record for both distance and time on my feet - and in one run 50% of the total distance of February.
I am now starting to think that I will be able to complete the 10km run at the end of May, but I must not try to run before I can walk and slowly increase the distance.
One other thing of note was that in March I signed up for the royals park half marathon just 3 weeks after the Great North Run so it looks like my initial goal will not be the end of my running. I also helped out the birthday fairy today by ordering my gift from him that should help me reach my goal but as it will be a surprise next week i will talk More about that then.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Lazy in Rio an Niteroi
Well I am back in the UK now and I was quite lazy after I left Buzios, not when it comes to exercise but when it comes to writing my blog. The more eagle eyed would have noticed my total running numbers updating but no text.
Our hotel in Rio was right on the Ipanema beach with a nice long flat road out front that I ran on twice, once in late afternoon for 5km and once at 7:30 am when it was 26C and I was a ball of sweat even before I crossed the road. Needless to say this run was slow and painful.
I never ran on the road in Niteroi but they did have a very nice gym where i ran just over 4km and cycled for 20 minutes whilst Bee swam followed by nice long sit by the pool.
Sorry this is short and to teh poitn but I am writing it a few days after our return.
Our hotel in Rio was right on the Ipanema beach with a nice long flat road out front that I ran on twice, once in late afternoon for 5km and once at 7:30 am when it was 26C and I was a ball of sweat even before I crossed the road. Needless to say this run was slow and painful.
I never ran on the road in Niteroi but they did have a very nice gym where i ran just over 4km and cycled for 20 minutes whilst Bee swam followed by nice long sit by the pool.
Sorry this is short and to teh poitn but I am writing it a few days after our return.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Goodbye to Buzios
On our last evening in Buzios I went for one more run, the plan to be quite a long one but this did not turn out to be the case. During the day we went for a walk into town and found the correct way I should have gone the day before so started off down this path. Small issue was it was quite steep downhill and by the bottom i could feel something wrong with back of my knee.
I therefore just went for a simple run round town and stopped 3.5km later back at the hotel. Luckily i do not seem to have done any damage but better safe than sorry on what is probably my last run for a few days.
I therefore just went for a simple run round town and stopped 3.5km later back at the hotel. Luckily i do not seem to have done any damage but better safe than sorry on what is probably my last run for a few days.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Fighting the Holiday Laziness
It is only the second day and I started to find excuses not to exercise, today's was due to rain all day the very uneven roads would be slippery and dangerous, this on top of spending all day laying down either by the pool or in the room meant no run for me.
But then in a sudden moment of madness I jumped up got changed and left the front of the hotel with a plan of going the long way into town and back just for 1kmn to get the legs going. Well one wrong turn in first 100m took me back to the sea front where I was yesterday. Obviously not too keen to face the hills again I went the other way towards the Pier and the town. This way was much easier and after zig zagging myself through the streets i finally found myself back at the hotel a full 3km later and feeling good for it and nowhere near as tired as the day before. Not sure if this was because the roads were flatter or because it was two days out of two.
But then in a sudden moment of madness I jumped up got changed and left the front of the hotel with a plan of going the long way into town and back just for 1kmn to get the legs going. Well one wrong turn in first 100m took me back to the sea front where I was yesterday. Obviously not too keen to face the hills again I went the other way towards the Pier and the town. This way was much easier and after zig zagging myself through the streets i finally found myself back at the hotel a full 3km later and feeling good for it and nowhere near as tired as the day before. Not sure if this was because the roads were flatter or because it was two days out of two.
Greetings from Brazil
After a very long journey including a 3 hour stop in Paris we arrived in Brazil where we waited what seemed an eternity for our luggage to turn up, not helped by someone removing one of our bags and leaving to one side. The flight was quite uneventful except I managed to eat something either on the plane or in the very very bad food court in Paris that disagreed with my stomach and caused me to spend more time than usual in the little room, and I do not mean the cockpit flying the plane.
At the risk of turning my exercise blog into a holiday blog we have started our own holiday blog which can be found here . Therefore, as I am writing here I must have done some exercise; on our first day after our walk into town the clouds came over a bit and I felt all energetic so after dropping Bee off by the pool I went for a little run. First thing to note; Buzios is not flat and still quite hot, so I managed about 1.25 km and decided to stop half way up a hill and return. The roads and pavements are not very even and quite hard so I was please to have done what I did followed by a dunk in the pool and Bee laughing at my red face. I think I will try and do a number of little runs to get my legs used to running n the road and to keep some level of fitness until I return, but let’s see how successful that is once I get into the routine of being lazy and eating too much.
At the risk of turning my exercise blog into a holiday blog we have started our own holiday blog which can be found here . Therefore, as I am writing here I must have done some exercise; on our first day after our walk into town the clouds came over a bit and I felt all energetic so after dropping Bee off by the pool I went for a little run. First thing to note; Buzios is not flat and still quite hot, so I managed about 1.25 km and decided to stop half way up a hill and return. The roads and pavements are not very even and quite hard so I was please to have done what I did followed by a dunk in the pool and Bee laughing at my red face. I think I will try and do a number of little runs to get my legs used to running n the road and to keep some level of fitness until I return, but let’s see how successful that is once I get into the routine of being lazy and eating too much.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
First Real Road Run
On a very nice spring evening after work I stopped on my way home at a park near the office scaring the wildlife in my shorts. This was the start of what has been my longest run in terms of distance and time.
The path was very uneven and after 1km my legs started to tighten up but kept on pushing at an average pace of 9km/h for just a little over 4km in 27 minutes.
At the end of the end of the run i was not going to be ill and from a fitness point of view could have carried on. However, I did stop when i did as I had a small pain in my knee and all my leg muscles had become very tight. So thinking it was a good first step and that i should stop. The morning after is now interesting as i have very achy legs as if it was the first time they ever exercised, so just goes to show the difference between a gym and the road.
The path was very uneven and after 1km my legs started to tighten up but kept on pushing at an average pace of 9km/h for just a little over 4km in 27 minutes.
At the end of the end of the run i was not going to be ill and from a fitness point of view could have carried on. However, I did stop when i did as I had a small pain in my knee and all my leg muscles had become very tight. So thinking it was a good first step and that i should stop. The morning after is now interesting as i have very achy legs as if it was the first time they ever exercised, so just goes to show the difference between a gym and the road.
Monday, 16 March 2009
First to Four
On a nice warm summers day I chose to spend my lunch time in the gym again. Nothing too out of the ordinary except I did go past the 3km mark to get to 4km, in a few seconds under 24.5 minutes.
I completed the first 3km in 18 minutes but then had to slow down slightly from the 24minute pace I was on for the 4k. I did require a small rest after the run but i have been in a much worse state in the past - the proof of the pudding will be if I can do it again in the morning.
I completed the first 3km in 18 minutes but then had to slow down slightly from the 24minute pace I was on for the 4k. I did require a small rest after the run but i have been in a much worse state in the past - the proof of the pudding will be if I can do it again in the morning.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
If at First ......
Today was a tale of two gyms. My day started off by dragging myself to the gym in half a mind to just go at lunch but no I should go this morning as I was up and sort of awake. All I did was the worst 2km run I had ever done. It was painful and very not enjoyable, I had planned to do 3km+ but it was just not happening. When I did get off the treadmill I had to sit on the weight machine behind me a fight not to be ill.
I then spent all morning feeling really angry at myself and in a grumpy mood because the morning had been so bad, so at lunch time I went back to try again. Much much better the second time. I only did another 2km as I am still unsure of the knee but this time I could walk off the treadmill and stretch and change.
Not sure if I am just bad at mornings or if it was due to not exercising since the weekend. Whilst running I tried watching 'The Big Bang Theory' on my iPod, again another disaster as the shelf is quite low and running with my head down gave me a sore neck very quickly - not sure how I will resolve this.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Pounding the Streets
It is the weekend and we are in Basildon for the football (a fantastic 2-0 win over Walsall), and I cannot use the gym in Basildon as it is not affiliated with the one I am a member of so I had to use the free gym on my doorstep.
Putting on my clothes and new gloves i was out to a nice clear but cold spring morning. As this was the first time I had been on the road for months I was keen to take it nice and slow and easy and see how my knee held up. In total i did 2km to the paper shop in 12 minutes so at a much better pace than I used to do. I found running on the road easier than the treadmill as I could vary my pace to take account of incline and when i got a bit tired but on the treadmill it is so much harder to vary speed.
After a brief stop to get the morning paper with everybody in the shop sniggering at me in my tights and a cool down walk back to home I survived pounding the streets for the first time with no obvious damage.
Friday, 6 March 2009
More Fun at the Gym
This morning I was awake with the larks so instead of going to the gym at lunch as planned I jumped in the car when Bee left at 6:30 to go first thing.
Nothing new in the routine today of note, I did 1km on the treadmill at a mix of 12 and 14 km/h just enough to get the heart racing then onto the X-trainer for another 20 minutes. Again, without too much to report, maybe I should have used a higher level or a hills programme.
After about 8 or 9 minutes on the trainer I could feel the back of my knee slightly so after I had finished my time I called it a day and off to work.
Nothing new in the routine today of note, I did 1km on the treadmill at a mix of 12 and 14 km/h just enough to get the heart racing then onto the X-trainer for another 20 minutes. Again, without too much to report, maybe I should have used a higher level or a hills programme.
After about 8 or 9 minutes on the trainer I could feel the back of my knee slightly so after I had finished my time I called it a day and off to work.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Less than 200 days to go
With less than 200 days until the Great North Run I dragged myself to the gym for the first time in a few days due to travelling.
Thursday I changed my routine and went to the gym at lunch time that had a number of benefits, firstly I was much more enthusiastic than first thing in the morning. Also, the televisions show football matches from the night before and not just the morning news. However, it was the football that I blame for me becoming the entertainment to the gym.
The gym is split into two halves facing each other, and I was happily running away minding my own business watching the Newcastle vs Manchester United highlights. The treadmill I was using was at a slight angle to the television and without realising I was running towards the game. It did not take long until I had drifted off the sides of the treadmill where my legs got pulled from under me and I collapsed. I did have the presence of mind to grab the rails and pull myself up and carry on running. Thinking I had got away with it i look up and find all the people in the gym facing me trying not to laugh too hard!
This small hiccup aside I did a good 3km without thinking I was going to die like last and first time I managed that distance.
Thursday I changed my routine and went to the gym at lunch time that had a number of benefits, firstly I was much more enthusiastic than first thing in the morning. Also, the televisions show football matches from the night before and not just the morning news. However, it was the football that I blame for me becoming the entertainment to the gym.
The gym is split into two halves facing each other, and I was happily running away minding my own business watching the Newcastle vs Manchester United highlights. The treadmill I was using was at a slight angle to the television and without realising I was running towards the game. It did not take long until I had drifted off the sides of the treadmill where my legs got pulled from under me and I collapsed. I did have the presence of mind to grab the rails and pull myself up and carry on running. Thinking I had got away with it i look up and find all the people in the gym facing me trying not to laugh too hard!
This small hiccup aside I did a good 3km without thinking I was going to die like last and first time I managed that distance.
Monday, 2 March 2009
A Bad Day
Monday morning rolls round and all I want to do is roll around in my bed and not get out. So running very late I make it to the gym and take to the treadmill. It becomes instantly obvious I am not going to go far, one shin hurting and the other knee feeling a bit tender still, so I crack up the speed to 13 and run just the 1km.
I then followed this up on a bike mainly using left leg to try and builder up my weaker side muscles that then left me limping to the changing room and putting what can only be described as a lazy and badly motivated session behind me.
I then followed this up on a bike mainly using left leg to try and builder up my weaker side muscles that then left me limping to the changing room and putting what can only be described as a lazy and badly motivated session behind me.
Friday, 27 February 2009
A Week of Twos and Threes
A week of more exercise comes to an end, actually all i managed to do at the gym was running and only 3 times this week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Monday I pushed past my 1 mile best to 2km and without too much of note to mention except a few aching muscles when I got off the treadmill. I then spent Monday night and Tuesday in Cambridge in a hotel that had a gym so small people were queuing for the machines and this was more than enough excuse for me to do nothing but go back to my room.
Wednesday in the gym was another 2km followed by some stretching as i knew i had a physio appointment on Thursday and i knew they tell me how I should stretch more as my muscles are all very tight. I did regret not pushing myself more during the session.
Friday morning and fully motivated, and after being prodded with needles and electricity the night before at the physio i am not so sure I should have been going to the gym as knee was a bit tender but it is hard enough to get motivated i should go when i am. After the disappointment of nto pushing myself on Wednesday i went right pask 2km with the intention of only doing 2.5 but ended up getting off the machine at 3km. The world was a very wobbly place and all i wanted to do was be sick, some water later and collapsing onto the seat of a machine behind me i walked carefully to the shower.
I spoent the rest of the day at work feeling very pleased withmyself but so tired and the sun coming through the window made it all very hard to get to the end of the dy. Worryingly i did spend teh day feeling my knee was a bit more sore than it had been for a few weeks - fingers crossed it was teh fault of the physio and not the gym.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Taking to the Roads
The weekend arrives and Saturday is very sunny and a nice warm spring morning and after thinking should I all day I finally get my bike out of the shed where it has lived since i last used it many months ago when Lin was visiting and we went out.
After discovering about the different kind of valves bike tyres can i have i finally get some air into the wheels and I am ready to go. It takes me all of about 10 yards before I realise the gears will not change again - I have had no end of issues with the gears on this bike since day one. So a small tantrum later and threatening to buy a new bike i am taking it to the Bracknell Cycles shop who for £44 give it a once over, change the cables and it works perfectly now, why could Bike Hut in Halfords not have done this.
Sunday morning and I am up bright and early on a much less sunny and colder morning and off for a quick ride, 38 minutes in total and never too energetic on a route that took me about 11km and over a hill or two, mainly on back roads. Having not use my road bike much since owning it I am still a bit unsure of it so never tempted to go too fast, but that will come with time.
The only time I noticed I was putting any energy in was a steep incline right at the end of the route that flattened out just as i was about to have to stop. But just at that moment i was passed by 3 other cyclists out for a nice easy ride who went past as if i was standing still !!! This gave me some motivation to try and keep up with them which was going great until they managed to get through a green set of lights that had turned red by my arrival.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Metric to Imperial
After becoming an expert at the 1km run I found myself breezing past this milestone this morning, sorry I meant wheezing past and on my way to the 1 mile marker at which point I turned to jelly. Part of the problem i find is i keep glancing down at the machine to see how far I have completed and seeing the numbers going round so slowly. Even with my iPod going and reading the subtitles for the news on the television screens all that is in my mind is "I must have gone x by now" to glance down and find I have hardly moved. So not only is this going to be a battle with my body but with my mind too, I need to find something else with my mind to do, maybe try doing long division in my head.
I then spent the next 10 minutes having a nice bike ride, again promising myself I could stop after 5 minutes as I was a bit tired.
I then spent the next 10 minutes having a nice bike ride, again promising myself I could stop after 5 minutes as I was a bit tired.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Another one down
Another gym session today, not intending to be a long session and when Bee and I were both running a bit late this morning not helped when I dropped all the paper for recycling on the floor it became even shorter.
Firstly a good solid km on the treadmill at 10km, starting to feel OK whilst running but still thought the world was ending when it stopped. Followed by a session on the bikes at a fairly high level to get the leg muscles working which I could still feel once I got into the office.
Firstly a good solid km on the treadmill at 10km, starting to feel OK whilst running but still thought the world was ending when it stopped. Followed by a session on the bikes at a fairly high level to get the leg muscles working which I could still feel once I got into the office.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Baby Steps
After failing to exercise yesterday I made the early start to get to the gym. This was made all the harder as I had to get off the new mattress that we received yesterday and meant I had a very good nights sleep.
So, all refreshed and raring to go I went up the stairs to the gym with enthusiasm and vigor, OK more like i dragged myself up wondering why. After some stretching I was back on my old friend the running machine who was kinder to me today, I managed a solid 1km, at a speed of 12km/h and then tiredness hit (or boredom as iPod had run out of battery) and i stumbled around the gym a bit. I did notice a big improvement in my recovery time and went onto the X-Trainer. Again just a short session but 3 levels higher than normal on level 11.
Then off to shower and work, where i must admit all the aches and pains i had after Saturday are not here today, maybe I will try a much longer session on Thursday now the muscles are getting used to the idea of being used again.
So, all refreshed and raring to go I went up the stairs to the gym with enthusiasm and vigor, OK more like i dragged myself up wondering why. After some stretching I was back on my old friend the running machine who was kinder to me today, I managed a solid 1km, at a speed of 12km/h and then tiredness hit (or boredom as iPod had run out of battery) and i stumbled around the gym a bit. I did notice a big improvement in my recovery time and went onto the X-Trainer. Again just a short session but 3 levels higher than normal on level 11.
Then off to shower and work, where i must admit all the aches and pains i had after Saturday are not here today, maybe I will try a much longer session on Thursday now the muscles are getting used to the idea of being used again.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
How will I ever be able to run 13 miles, 1.5km nearly killed me!
It is now the morning after, not a fun night out on the town but the first morning after I re-introduced myself to a treadmill.
It had been a number of days since I cycled in the gym in Cambridge, mainly due to travelling to Ireland for work and then just being too lazy to get out of bed for a couple of days. Until Saturday morning and Bee was at the hairdressers and i had 30 minutes to myself before we go Essex to watch the football (last minute winner against Tranmere!!).
The gym was fairly empty and not full of children as it was the last time we came on a Saturday, and I headed straight for the treadmill. After a quick warm up, I was plodding along at 10km/h and all going well until i glance down at the dials to see i have gone 0.3km and I was starting to get a bit tired. BY 1km I was in agony, not my knee or anything like that, i just had no energy left in me. After 1.5km I had to walk out the rest of 2km at 6.5km/h.
I then wobbled my way off the back of the treadmill and gave up the idea of doing anything else and went for a shower, coughing and wheezing all the way there.
Leaving the gym i slowly walked to meet Bee with her new short hair, with an ache in the back of my knee that seems to have gone today which is good, mind you my thighs are killing me!!
I realised this weekend how far i have to go from this to doing 13 miles!! Luckily i know i was at this point a year ago and just about able to run 10km in a few months but very slowly. Last year I started running on the treadmill at about 8.5km/h and then found it hard to go much faster so this time I will start at at least 10km/h on the treadmill but my legs might not thank me.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Snow excuse not to exercise today
This week has seen the worst snow for 18 years and the best excuse not to leave the house of a morning, which is not the best way to start a new regime. Thursday was too icy and my back was still sore so had to stay home. Friday, the snow had returned so could not leave early to go to gym, also with a late night planned seeing spring awakening in London I could not have a long day.
Excuses aside it is now Saturday and I have finally convinced Bee to use the David Lloyd valentine offer to bring your partner for any weekend in February.
We arrived at the gym after disagreeing which car park is closer and I think I may be wrong on that one, we signed Bee up for two days and went in. Weekends are very different to week days as parents bring their families out on a Saturday and the pool was full of little ones, luckily Bee managed to get a lane to herself to do lengths, and with her waterproof iPod on she could blank out the noise and swim.
Whilst Bee was swimming I went to the gym and set myself up for another hard 10 minutes on the x-trainer and much to my surprise when i sailed through 10, then 15 and stopped at 20 minutes - wow twice as far in only two sessions! I then spent 16:07 on the bicycle, it was meant to be 15 but i wanted to hear the end of 'who loves you' from the Jersey Boys soundtrack. I am very pleased to see improvement already, I now believe if my knee hold up I may actually be able to do all the run; I just hope this is not a false dawn right at the start.
I then met Bee in the pool where we spent some time in the Jacuzzi and then the steam room before going about our day and getting home in time for our new washing machine to be delivered and gave us plenty of exercise trying to lift to unpack and move over the kitchen into its home.
The big question is do we go back again tomorrow as we do have a weekend guest pass for Bee!! Next week will be a challenging week for me as I am likely to be travelling for most of it so will see how i can fit exercise in with work, this is hopefully something that will improve once i can run again as then i do not need a gym to exercise just a pair of trainers.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Day 1 - Back to the Gym
Welcome to my blog for my training for the Great North Run on September 2009.
Today was the first time i had been to the gym after an injury to my knee last June had stopped me from running or doing any regular exercise for the last 8 months.
After months of physio and resting and pain i went back to the gym with the intention of it being step one of training for the Great North Run. I have to admit it was not how i remember the gym being last time i was there, it did however remind me of the pain i went through when i first started exercising about a year ago for the first time in my adult life. It was hell, i managed 10 minutes on the x-trainer before i thought i was going to die. After resting on the sofas for a bit to get my breath back i managed another 10 minutes on the bikes before i called it a day.
So far my knee has not objected to being used again, but it will be a while before i try running again. This is much better than i can say for my back, i woke up with a very sore back so going to the gym in the first place may have been a bit silly but have been a cripple for the rest of the day and had to come home early from work !!
As the day draws to a close I am feeling pleased i have started to exercise again but unsure how my back will be tomorrow and if i can go to gym again, also wondering and praying my knee is finally fixed and will not give way a week in.
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