My knee has been healed by the marvelous, Dutch(!), physio at the UCS Active gym in Hampstead. So now I can work up slowly to
FLORA LONDON MARATHON 2008!
Friday 30 November 2007
Ok Go!
Here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again. Oh here it goes again... Shouldda known, shouldda known, shouldda known that I'd never get a ballot place, so here we go again!
My knee has been healed by the marvelous, Dutch(!), physio at the UCS Active gym in Hampstead. So now I can work up slowly to
FLORA LONDON MARATHON 2008!
My knee has been healed by the marvelous, Dutch(!), physio at the UCS Active gym in Hampstead. So now I can work up slowly to
FLORA LONDON MARATHON 2008!
Monday 29 October 2007
I DID IT!
Yes I really did it. The whole marathon. And I didn't come last!
Oh where do I start? The week before the marathon was a strange mix of excitement, carb loading, sickness and more carbs! On Monday I could've run it right then, Tuesday I had a visit to the dentist with an abscess on my tooth (ouch!), Wednesday I woke in the middle of the night trying to reach the bathroom before I did a rainbow yawn, Thursday more carbs and a COMPLETE e-mail nightmare trying to organise our accomodation in Amsterdam. Friday morning we arrive in Amsterdam with no-one to meet us at our accomodation, eventually we get a phone-call about 3 minutes before we were going to check into the Ibis Hotel.
Finally we were settled in our apartment but the heating didn't work! Eeeeek! More stress. I remember pouting at one point and saying "...and I have to run a bloody marathon on Sunday!"
On Saturday night I layed out all my bits and pieces on the floor, making sure the important knee-supports, ibuprofen gels and fig rolls were in place!
I didn't feel much trepidation or excitement, it was just something I was going out to do. I slept ok the night before apart from our noisy neighbours banging around late on, but all in all, a good night. I think the reason I wasn't worried or excited was because of the knee. I can't plan to run the whole thing or a negative split, or run a mile and walk a mile when I don't know what Mr ITB is going to say about it! And I really couldn't know that until I'm out there on the course, running free, or limping along.
Before the start I bravely shed a layer so that I was running in my vest and long trousers. I remembered at the half last year I got pretty hot in a long-sleeved T-shirt and a short sleeved T-shirt over the top!
The first 5K went well, there were a couple who were walking it, but they were ahead of me all the flamin' way! I started off at the back, I'm not the speediest runner and because of knee considerations I decided to take it easy. By 10k I was still doing ok, but by this point I had to take little walk breaks because I felt the pain coming on.
It was around 18K where I gave up running because of the pain. I developed a stiff legged run but that was just too silly and I'd probably have ended up with some other injury after hobbling along like a loon for x number of miles! So from then on out I power-walked. It wasn't until I met up with the speedy half-marathon runners on the same course that I had to slow down because I was being pushed and shoved and couldn't swing my arms enough to get a brisk walk in.
After all the speedy people had legged it past, at around 35K I could walk fairly fast again, then I saw another marathoner. He was walking slowly, I was walking fast.... I overtook him to finish second to last!
I met Dom in the Vondelpark with about 4k to go and was talking to him at the end, he kept me going and I wasn't so bothered that I was frozen to the bone and my hands had swelled up so much that I couldn't make a fist!
At the last kilometer, a marshal grabbed my hand and ran with me until I got to the stadium! I managed to run around the track, and they read my name over the tannoy and the crowd (what little was left) went wild! I ran through a brass-band line-up and over the finish line into the medal-dude's arms! Eeek! Embarassing! Of course, the whole thing was projected onto the big screen and I think I could probably download my video finish too, if I wanted to go looking for it!
I still don't feel like I actually did a marathon, I didn't find it too physically taxing, but mentally it was tough. I was on my own for a lot of the race and Dom's voice kept telling me that "there's no shame dropping out because you're injured" was almost tempting me to jump in a broom-wagon should one pass, but at that point none did. Then I thought that finishing, however slowly, would be more gratifying that trying and dropping out. So that's just what I did. I kept on keeping on and the point just past the halfway mark was terrible, I think I looked at my watch about 15 times in 20 minutes! While I was running I was thinking, "There's no way I'm going to do this again." But even the day after I was thinking that I could do it again and do it better!
So fingers crossed that my ballot place comes through for London!
Oh where do I start? The week before the marathon was a strange mix of excitement, carb loading, sickness and more carbs! On Monday I could've run it right then, Tuesday I had a visit to the dentist with an abscess on my tooth (ouch!), Wednesday I woke in the middle of the night trying to reach the bathroom before I did a rainbow yawn, Thursday more carbs and a COMPLETE e-mail nightmare trying to organise our accomodation in Amsterdam. Friday morning we arrive in Amsterdam with no-one to meet us at our accomodation, eventually we get a phone-call about 3 minutes before we were going to check into the Ibis Hotel.
Finally we were settled in our apartment but the heating didn't work! Eeeeek! More stress. I remember pouting at one point and saying "...and I have to run a bloody marathon on Sunday!"
On Saturday night I layed out all my bits and pieces on the floor, making sure the important knee-supports, ibuprofen gels and fig rolls were in place!
I didn't feel much trepidation or excitement, it was just something I was going out to do. I slept ok the night before apart from our noisy neighbours banging around late on, but all in all, a good night. I think the reason I wasn't worried or excited was because of the knee. I can't plan to run the whole thing or a negative split, or run a mile and walk a mile when I don't know what Mr ITB is going to say about it! And I really couldn't know that until I'm out there on the course, running free, or limping along.
Before the start I bravely shed a layer so that I was running in my vest and long trousers. I remembered at the half last year I got pretty hot in a long-sleeved T-shirt and a short sleeved T-shirt over the top!
The first 5K went well, there were a couple who were walking it, but they were ahead of me all the flamin' way! I started off at the back, I'm not the speediest runner and because of knee considerations I decided to take it easy. By 10k I was still doing ok, but by this point I had to take little walk breaks because I felt the pain coming on.
It was around 18K where I gave up running because of the pain. I developed a stiff legged run but that was just too silly and I'd probably have ended up with some other injury after hobbling along like a loon for x number of miles! So from then on out I power-walked. It wasn't until I met up with the speedy half-marathon runners on the same course that I had to slow down because I was being pushed and shoved and couldn't swing my arms enough to get a brisk walk in.
After all the speedy people had legged it past, at around 35K I could walk fairly fast again, then I saw another marathoner. He was walking slowly, I was walking fast.... I overtook him to finish second to last!
I met Dom in the Vondelpark with about 4k to go and was talking to him at the end, he kept me going and I wasn't so bothered that I was frozen to the bone and my hands had swelled up so much that I couldn't make a fist!
At the last kilometer, a marshal grabbed my hand and ran with me until I got to the stadium! I managed to run around the track, and they read my name over the tannoy and the crowd (what little was left) went wild! I ran through a brass-band line-up and over the finish line into the medal-dude's arms! Eeek! Embarassing! Of course, the whole thing was projected onto the big screen and I think I could probably download my video finish too, if I wanted to go looking for it!
I still don't feel like I actually did a marathon, I didn't find it too physically taxing, but mentally it was tough. I was on my own for a lot of the race and Dom's voice kept telling me that "there's no shame dropping out because you're injured" was almost tempting me to jump in a broom-wagon should one pass, but at that point none did. Then I thought that finishing, however slowly, would be more gratifying that trying and dropping out. So that's just what I did. I kept on keeping on and the point just past the halfway mark was terrible, I think I looked at my watch about 15 times in 20 minutes! While I was running I was thinking, "There's no way I'm going to do this again." But even the day after I was thinking that I could do it again and do it better!
So fingers crossed that my ballot place comes through for London!
Monday 1 October 2007
Great North Run 2007
First of all let me justify - I have ITBS at the moment and therefore I am running and walking events and getting there slowly without agravating my knee.
We started off the morning with an early train from Darlington after a hurried gigantic bowl of cereal and a pint of squash. We arrived into Newcastle with the early morning sun in our eyes and headed for McDonalds since it was the only place to sit down and sort through our running pack, pin our numbers on, pay numerous visits to the toilet, etc
Having loaded our pockets with Butterscotch and Fig Rolls we made our way up to the start area along with the other 49 998 runners to collect pace bands and load our baggage onto baggage buses. We made our way to the start and were raring to go!
After hanging around in our start pen for a while listening to the commentary and watching the big screen we warmed up with some dude. We watched the elite wheelchairs, women and men set off and we crossed the start line 20 minutes later. The start of the course was through underpasses and over bridges and the infamous "Oggy oggy oggy" was being yelled in the echoey bits! The Red Arrows followed us closely over the Tyne Bridge and shortly after that, the sun became too much for me and I had to strip!
There were bands playing all around the course, and lovely people cheering along every part of the way. People came out of their houses to watch and were handing out sweets, and oranges and biscuits and ice pops. How fabby!
The most gruelling bit that everyone hates seemed ok, we were well and truly walking by that point and Dom was tempted by my offer of a piggy back, but we were consoled with the fact that we were near the end. We descended down the final downhill stretch, turned the corner and were gutted to see there was another mile to go! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! By that point we were strolling along with our arms around each other, and my hopes of a sub-three hour walking half were out of the window! I think both of our brains had shut down and we were just making it to the finish! We waved to lots of cameras, so we will hopefully have some good publicity shots of me in the DEMAND running vest.
Finally we finished, and collected our goodie bags and celebrated with mince pies overlooking the sea!
After waiting for hours in the Metro queue without collapsing, we finally made it to Darlington on the train to see Mum, and she bought us life-saving Fish and Chips, which did not dissapoint!
We started off the morning with an early train from Darlington after a hurried gigantic bowl of cereal and a pint of squash. We arrived into Newcastle with the early morning sun in our eyes and headed for McDonalds since it was the only place to sit down and sort through our running pack, pin our numbers on, pay numerous visits to the toilet, etc
Having loaded our pockets with Butterscotch and Fig Rolls we made our way up to the start area along with the other 49 998 runners to collect pace bands and load our baggage onto baggage buses. We made our way to the start and were raring to go!
After hanging around in our start pen for a while listening to the commentary and watching the big screen we warmed up with some dude. We watched the elite wheelchairs, women and men set off and we crossed the start line 20 minutes later. The start of the course was through underpasses and over bridges and the infamous "Oggy oggy oggy" was being yelled in the echoey bits! The Red Arrows followed us closely over the Tyne Bridge and shortly after that, the sun became too much for me and I had to strip!
There were bands playing all around the course, and lovely people cheering along every part of the way. People came out of their houses to watch and were handing out sweets, and oranges and biscuits and ice pops. How fabby!
The most gruelling bit that everyone hates seemed ok, we were well and truly walking by that point and Dom was tempted by my offer of a piggy back, but we were consoled with the fact that we were near the end. We descended down the final downhill stretch, turned the corner and were gutted to see there was another mile to go! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! By that point we were strolling along with our arms around each other, and my hopes of a sub-three hour walking half were out of the window! I think both of our brains had shut down and we were just making it to the finish! We waved to lots of cameras, so we will hopefully have some good publicity shots of me in the DEMAND running vest.
Finally we finished, and collected our goodie bags and celebrated with mince pies overlooking the sea!
After waiting for hours in the Metro queue without collapsing, we finally made it to Darlington on the train to see Mum, and she bought us life-saving Fish and Chips, which did not dissapoint!
Wednesday 26 September 2007
It's been a while
And for good reason. I had a couple of changes to schedule. First off the BBQ was postponed, so I had an 18 mile run to do anywhere I chose. I was going to run on the Sunday, but I got an attack of nerves and didn't do it. I couldn't find a decent route and I didn't really want to go out.
Instead of running the 18 miles, we went out for a nice walk in some woods and I decided to take the day off work on Tuesday and run 18 miles to kickboxing.
The day set off well, I had all my things ready, took a nice big bottle of lucozade with me, a tin foil cape for afterwards, some sweets and some money for anything I might need, and my oyster card to get back home from kickboxing with.
I got to Little Venice when my knee started grumbling a little bit. I had knee supports on both knees and so I started running on the grassy bits. Then I just couldn't take it. I sat down on a bench and thought about what to do. I decided to get the bus home and rest the knee for a while. By the time I'd walked home from the bus stop I was in agony.
I iced and raised and rested for the rest of the day, and then went kickboxing!
I've spent the last week stretching and doing strengthening exercises for my ITBS. I've also ordered some new shoes, and hopefully they'll be here before the Great North Run this weekend.
Last night at kickboxing I got some more sponsorship money for my efforts, so if you're reading this and haven't yet sponsored me, get your guilt on and click on that there widget for justgiving and flex your credit card! Ta!
Instead of running the 18 miles, we went out for a nice walk in some woods and I decided to take the day off work on Tuesday and run 18 miles to kickboxing.
The day set off well, I had all my things ready, took a nice big bottle of lucozade with me, a tin foil cape for afterwards, some sweets and some money for anything I might need, and my oyster card to get back home from kickboxing with.
I got to Little Venice when my knee started grumbling a little bit. I had knee supports on both knees and so I started running on the grassy bits. Then I just couldn't take it. I sat down on a bench and thought about what to do. I decided to get the bus home and rest the knee for a while. By the time I'd walked home from the bus stop I was in agony.
I iced and raised and rested for the rest of the day, and then went kickboxing!
I've spent the last week stretching and doing strengthening exercises for my ITBS. I've also ordered some new shoes, and hopefully they'll be here before the Great North Run this weekend.
Last night at kickboxing I got some more sponsorship money for my efforts, so if you're reading this and haven't yet sponsored me, get your guilt on and click on that there widget for justgiving and flex your credit card! Ta!
Thursday 13 September 2007
Going Someplace?
This is starting to worry me!
I am due for an 18 miler on Sunday. Now yeah ok, I "ran" 16 miles the other week ending with 4 miles of knitting-needles-in-kneecaps but apart from that.... So technically my body can go the distance.
I am plotting out my route because I have been asked to a barbecue at a friend's house on Sunday afternoon. Said friend lives approximately 20 miles away, give or take. Now my plan is to run there, have LOTS of food and get the train back. It's mildly disconcerting how small London is becoming. To think that I am able to cover the distance between houses ON FOOT where it will usually take me over an hour on the motorbike is stupendously mind-boggling.
I am due for an 18 miler on Sunday. Now yeah ok, I "ran" 16 miles the other week ending with 4 miles of knitting-needles-in-kneecaps but apart from that.... So technically my body can go the distance.
I am plotting out my route because I have been asked to a barbecue at a friend's house on Sunday afternoon. Said friend lives approximately 20 miles away, give or take. Now my plan is to run there, have LOTS of food and get the train back. It's mildly disconcerting how small London is becoming. To think that I am able to cover the distance between houses ON FOOT where it will usually take me over an hour on the motorbike is stupendously mind-boggling.
Monday 10 September 2007
"Get out of Jail Free"
After a mildly stressful Saturday organising London Summer of Sport with my Martial Arts Club I was left feeling 100% rotten. I'd started the day off with a headache and not feeling particularly bright. I got through the open day with Red Bull and Baklava and somehow managed to get home without falling off the bike. I spent the rest of Saturday in bed, and decided that I didn't have to force myself out for a long run on Sunday if I didn't want to.
Needless to say, in the end I slept until 3.30pm! I love Sundays!
We took a very short walk up to Hampstead High Street and I bought cake and pizza, the most healing of foods. We got back and had dinner, then dozed again and watched DVDs.
So now my training plan has a "Get out of jail free" sticker over Sunday's 18 miler.
Needless to say, in the end I slept until 3.30pm! I love Sundays!
We took a very short walk up to Hampstead High Street and I bought cake and pizza, the most healing of foods. We got back and had dinner, then dozed again and watched DVDs.
So now my training plan has a "Get out of jail free" sticker over Sunday's 18 miler.
Wednesday 5 September 2007
16 miles of agony!
My long run started off nicely. Then around mile 4 my running (walking) partner decided he was hungry and wanted pizza! So we stopped for lunch and quickly got going again. We ran west along the Regent's Canal and I managed to keep up a fairly constant running pace. Around Alperton we were looking for the Brent river crossing the canal but we must've missed it and we ended up at Alperton Sainsbury's! Looking at the map it was clear we'd missed the Brent by about a mile! So we decided to get off the canal and run back home along the north circular road!
I managed to run/walk until just after the bridge after Ikea at Neasden. Then my ITBS started howling and I limped the last 4 miles home. Strangely enough it was my left knee that started hurting, rather than my right. My right was injured before and I always wear a knee support on that knee when I'm out running but I thought my left knee was cool with all the running. Seemingly not. So I have been icing, compressing, elevating and popping ibuprofen like a good 'un in the hopes that it might actually be sorted for the next long slog on Sunday.
I missed the gym yesterday - partially because I was in a meeting over lunchtime and was too faint with hunger to even contemplate walking there, and partially because I thought it would be an ample chance to rest my knee. I'm off to the gym today though and will catch up with what I missed yesterday. I'm scrapping the idea of a tempo run tonight and will probably just stay in and rest it.
I managed to run/walk until just after the bridge after Ikea at Neasden. Then my ITBS started howling and I limped the last 4 miles home. Strangely enough it was my left knee that started hurting, rather than my right. My right was injured before and I always wear a knee support on that knee when I'm out running but I thought my left knee was cool with all the running. Seemingly not. So I have been icing, compressing, elevating and popping ibuprofen like a good 'un in the hopes that it might actually be sorted for the next long slog on Sunday.
I missed the gym yesterday - partially because I was in a meeting over lunchtime and was too faint with hunger to even contemplate walking there, and partially because I thought it would be an ample chance to rest my knee. I'm off to the gym today though and will catch up with what I missed yesterday. I'm scrapping the idea of a tempo run tonight and will probably just stay in and rest it.
Thursday 30 August 2007
Tempo Fuggit
Woooo! A tempo run last night. I really really enjoyed it! I can actually run faster than marathon plodding pace. Hooray!
Wednesday 29 August 2007
Horrid horrid nasty icky sicky run
I was aiming for 14 miles. Down to Hyde Park, round Green Park, round St James's Park and back home again. I got to the middle of Green Park and flopped under a nice shady tree with a Calippo and couldn't get going again!
First of all my brain wasn't really in it, I wanted to stay at home in bed and doze the day away. Then I started off feeling a bit sicky, but I had my sports drink and I stopped in at Tesco on Baker Street for a bottle of water. I was sweating profusely at the checkout! It was running down my cheeks like tears! My sports drink wasn't really quenching my thirst, so I had some water and was alternating water and SIS drink. Then SIS drink made me want to hurl. I tried to get over it, and reasoned that I needed the electrolytes and shiz that they put in those drinks. I tried diluting it at a water fountain in Hyde Park. I tried rinsing out the bottle and just drinking water, but the taste was still there and making me gag.
Then I stopped for some ice lolly goodness in the hot hot heat and watched the tourists take pictures of themselves in front of Buck house. I tried to make myself run again but my stomach was rebelling. I power walked to the top of Hyde Park and walked home from there. In the end I ran 8 miles and walked 4. A total of 12, but aiming for 14 and just getting a bit dehydrated and sun-strokey really bummed me out.
Next weekend I am away and I am planning to run the 16 miles into work. I am taking the morning off to do it! Unlike Helen who sneaks in 14 milers before work. There is so much wrong with that sentence!
Tonight I'm planning a tempo session. I hope I feel up to it because I had a disturbed night last night. I am disturbed. I was dreaming I had to flee the country and ended up living in France, but the ended up getting shot in the back! And then I met some strange guy who I lived next to in halls for a year... Oh the insanity! The reason I had to flee the country? My GCSE Biology teacher told me to... Oh and I had a hospital appointment and was meeting my Dad and was late and then ended up sobbing so hard it hurt. This was before escaping the country to be shot in a Parisian alleyway.
First of all my brain wasn't really in it, I wanted to stay at home in bed and doze the day away. Then I started off feeling a bit sicky, but I had my sports drink and I stopped in at Tesco on Baker Street for a bottle of water. I was sweating profusely at the checkout! It was running down my cheeks like tears! My sports drink wasn't really quenching my thirst, so I had some water and was alternating water and SIS drink. Then SIS drink made me want to hurl. I tried to get over it, and reasoned that I needed the electrolytes and shiz that they put in those drinks. I tried diluting it at a water fountain in Hyde Park. I tried rinsing out the bottle and just drinking water, but the taste was still there and making me gag.
Then I stopped for some ice lolly goodness in the hot hot heat and watched the tourists take pictures of themselves in front of Buck house. I tried to make myself run again but my stomach was rebelling. I power walked to the top of Hyde Park and walked home from there. In the end I ran 8 miles and walked 4. A total of 12, but aiming for 14 and just getting a bit dehydrated and sun-strokey really bummed me out.
Next weekend I am away and I am planning to run the 16 miles into work. I am taking the morning off to do it! Unlike Helen who sneaks in 14 milers before work. There is so much wrong with that sentence!
Tonight I'm planning a tempo session. I hope I feel up to it because I had a disturbed night last night. I am disturbed. I was dreaming I had to flee the country and ended up living in France, but the ended up getting shot in the back! And then I met some strange guy who I lived next to in halls for a year... Oh the insanity! The reason I had to flee the country? My GCSE Biology teacher told me to... Oh and I had a hospital appointment and was meeting my Dad and was late and then ended up sobbing so hard it hurt. This was before escaping the country to be shot in a Parisian alleyway.
Monday 20 August 2007
Ooooh ooooh ooooooooooooooooooh!
I did my first long run since I've been back to it!
I was aiming for 12 miles, but it ended up being about 10 or perhaps 11. DH came out to keep me company which is amusing because I jog at a pace that is only slightly faster than his walking pace, so he ends up walking, then running about 10 meters to catch up!
We started at home, then went down Finchley Road to the Regent's Canal and all along the canal to Limehouse Basin. It was a really lovely run and I felt fairly confident. It took us ages but we did have to stop to buy water at Camden, and then we got mildly lost in Islington where the canal goes under a really long tunnel and there are no signposts about how to get to the other side! Surprisingly it goes directly under the shopping centre on Upper Street!
My wierd knee/ITBS pain stuff is mildy playing up. I think it happened at about mile 7 or 8. I walked the last mile because I was tired and we ran out of cookies and water! I now have a lovely ice pack strapped to my knee with a bandana! LOL Fortunately I'm wearing pretty baggy jeans today.
Next week I just have to think of somewhere to go for 14 miles!
I was aiming for 12 miles, but it ended up being about 10 or perhaps 11. DH came out to keep me company which is amusing because I jog at a pace that is only slightly faster than his walking pace, so he ends up walking, then running about 10 meters to catch up!
We started at home, then went down Finchley Road to the Regent's Canal and all along the canal to Limehouse Basin. It was a really lovely run and I felt fairly confident. It took us ages but we did have to stop to buy water at Camden, and then we got mildly lost in Islington where the canal goes under a really long tunnel and there are no signposts about how to get to the other side! Surprisingly it goes directly under the shopping centre on Upper Street!
My wierd knee/ITBS pain stuff is mildy playing up. I think it happened at about mile 7 or 8. I walked the last mile because I was tired and we ran out of cookies and water! I now have a lovely ice pack strapped to my knee with a bandana! LOL Fortunately I'm wearing pretty baggy jeans today.
Next week I just have to think of somewhere to go for 14 miles!
Thursday 16 August 2007
Marathon training has resumed!
Last night I did 3 miles. In the MIDDLE OF THE WEEK PEOPLE!!!! I am aiming for a middle-week short run, a Friday morning Hill Sprint session and a Sunday long run.
Last night was fun because I was running to meet DH walking home from work, which he was lazy about because it was raining! As soon as I stepped out of the door the heavens opened! I'm glad it poured down while I was running rather than while I was biking. Bald tyres do not a good grip make!
Tonight I'm teaching the ladies class at MMA and part of me really doesn't want to, but I will go because there is no-one else and I don't have to participate, just shout!
Tomorrow is my first hill sprints since the broken ribness and then Sunday is a 12 miler. I'm marginally concerned that I might find 12 miles a bit long, but I will just do the distance whether I have to walk a bit or not. I hope to put myself in a more positive frame of mind by then and I shall try and run all the way.
Last night was fun because I was running to meet DH walking home from work, which he was lazy about because it was raining! As soon as I stepped out of the door the heavens opened! I'm glad it poured down while I was running rather than while I was biking. Bald tyres do not a good grip make!
Tonight I'm teaching the ladies class at MMA and part of me really doesn't want to, but I will go because there is no-one else and I don't have to participate, just shout!
Tomorrow is my first hill sprints since the broken ribness and then Sunday is a 12 miler. I'm marginally concerned that I might find 12 miles a bit long, but I will just do the distance whether I have to walk a bit or not. I hope to put myself in a more positive frame of mind by then and I shall try and run all the way.
Thursday 2 August 2007
FLM
I entered the online ballot for FLM yesterday.
I am concerned that a lot of people who don't really want a place will be entering the ballot online because they don't take any credit card details and it's so easy just to fill in a form with your name and address on.
This was demonstrated today when our fundraiser got an email from a potential "runner" with an email address that was info@anotherdisabledcharity.org who do suspiciously similar things to us. I am mad about this, because there are people applying for ballot places who DON'T REALLY WANT THEM. And that isn't fair on a million levels. What if that guy gets a place? Will he feel like he should start training and running even though he doesn't really want to? And if he gets a place and begrudgingly runs, then he's stealing it from someone who really does want a place and will probably be training for FLM anyway and will have to raise thousands of pounds for a random charity just so they CAN run.
Grrrr.
I am concerned that a lot of people who don't really want a place will be entering the ballot online because they don't take any credit card details and it's so easy just to fill in a form with your name and address on.
This was demonstrated today when our fundraiser got an email from a potential "runner" with an email address that was info@anotherdisabledcharity.org who do suspiciously similar things to us. I am mad about this, because there are people applying for ballot places who DON'T REALLY WANT THEM. And that isn't fair on a million levels. What if that guy gets a place? Will he feel like he should start training and running even though he doesn't really want to? And if he gets a place and begrudgingly runs, then he's stealing it from someone who really does want a place and will probably be training for FLM anyway and will have to raise thousands of pounds for a random charity just so they CAN run.
Grrrr.
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Marathon training is suspended!
Due to cracked ribs and an incomplete brown belt grading.
I am gutted. No activity for 2 weeks. I might die.
I am gutted. No activity for 2 weeks. I might die.
Tuesday 17 July 2007
BUPA Blooper
I got my official race time back and it was 1:17:07, which has me relieved since that's only 6 minutes over my usual/PB time. So there you go. Not bad at all considering the hot, the knee, the toe, the walking, the crowds.
Monday 16 July 2007
BUPA Great Capital Run
Well initially I was all set to go for a PB. I've been training over longer distances, I have stronger legs and I was well psyched up.
I finished in 1 hour 23 minutes. I am GUTTED. That's 12 minutes over my usual 10K time. I pushed really really hard in the second half, and when I saw the clock at the finish line I just wanted to walk because I'd blown it, but I kept on going because at least I can say I tried my hardest.
I think I set off a bit fast, then I was walking at 1.5k and took walking intervals up to about 5k. After that I was looking for Helen, which took my mind off my legs. Then I took some more walking breaks and it was all downhill from there.
Well at least I know what I am capable off at the moment.
My knee started whinging at about 8k, and it's still a bit funny this morning, but hopefully some ibuprofen gel and some nice icing tonight will sort it out.
I finished in 1 hour 23 minutes. I am GUTTED. That's 12 minutes over my usual 10K time. I pushed really really hard in the second half, and when I saw the clock at the finish line I just wanted to walk because I'd blown it, but I kept on going because at least I can say I tried my hardest.
I think I set off a bit fast, then I was walking at 1.5k and took walking intervals up to about 5k. After that I was looking for Helen, which took my mind off my legs. Then I took some more walking breaks and it was all downhill from there.
Well at least I know what I am capable off at the moment.
My knee started whinging at about 8k, and it's still a bit funny this morning, but hopefully some ibuprofen gel and some nice icing tonight will sort it out.
Monday 9 July 2007
10 miles of hard SLOG people!!!!!!!
Ok, so my workout regieme for the week goes like this:
Tuesday - kickboxing, 2 hours
Thursday - kickboxing, 2 hours, including sparring which wipes me out!
Friday - kickboxing, 1 hour, private lesson - hard work and grappling
So when I decided to go for a 10 mile run on Saturday, well, you can guess it wasn't the most positive of experiences!
After about 2 miles I was flaking out - I hadn't eaten enough before I left and I was getting dehydrated. I made it to about the 5 mile mark without much knee pain. Then because I was running into the Tour De France I had to stand around trying to get over the bridges - the QUEUES people!!!!!!!!!!!
Then after making my way out of the park again I sat down with a banana and some Pepsi and rested my knee and throbbing toe.
I just about made it home again by running one block and walking one block. It was a good compromise.
Oh and funny thing - I was running north of Oxford Street to avoid the crowds and was passing Marylebone Police Station when I see two rich laydees coming towards me, they are both filling the pavement and I am running right next to the railings. There is no-where for me to go, so I eye-ball them. And keep staring at them until I SMASH into the nearest lady (who was wearing big fuck-off shades) with my shoulder. She gasped the indignant gasp of the rich and non-sweaty. So I just shouted "Sorry..." over my shoulder.... and to myself, "bitch!". Heh! The amusement kept me going for a little while. Hah!
Tuesday - kickboxing, 2 hours
Thursday - kickboxing, 2 hours, including sparring which wipes me out!
Friday - kickboxing, 1 hour, private lesson - hard work and grappling
So when I decided to go for a 10 mile run on Saturday, well, you can guess it wasn't the most positive of experiences!
After about 2 miles I was flaking out - I hadn't eaten enough before I left and I was getting dehydrated. I made it to about the 5 mile mark without much knee pain. Then because I was running into the Tour De France I had to stand around trying to get over the bridges - the QUEUES people!!!!!!!!!!!
Then after making my way out of the park again I sat down with a banana and some Pepsi and rested my knee and throbbing toe.
I just about made it home again by running one block and walking one block. It was a good compromise.
Oh and funny thing - I was running north of Oxford Street to avoid the crowds and was passing Marylebone Police Station when I see two rich laydees coming towards me, they are both filling the pavement and I am running right next to the railings. There is no-where for me to go, so I eye-ball them. And keep staring at them until I SMASH into the nearest lady (who was wearing big fuck-off shades) with my shoulder. She gasped the indignant gasp of the rich and non-sweaty. So I just shouted "Sorry..." over my shoulder.... and to myself, "bitch!". Heh! The amusement kept me going for a little while. Hah!
Monday 2 July 2007
Watford Race for Life - 5K
In around 40 minutes, which is fabby considering that 1)It was RAMMED with people and you couldn't run for the first kilometer, even if you'd wanted to! 2) It was MUDDY, so muddy people were being all girlie and squeamish. We even saw a frog, which of course made the majority of people scream! Oh dear! And 3) I was encouraging my baby runner along the course. She did really well! I'm proud!
In injury news, my knee was pain-free all yesterday. I ran with my support on but the majority of the running was on grass, so perhaps that helped. My toe not so much, but it is getting better. I was grumbling that it was all sore and swollen last night, but then DH reminded me that I had just run 5k on it, so I suppose it was allowed to be swollen and grumpy! Just like me!
DH took pictures of us. In all but 1 picture I look like Flabby Mc Lardarse. Blah! Methinks living on cakes is not a good thing!
I'm going to start taking this Intuitive Eating thing a little more seriously, now that "naughty" things are JUST FOOD. I think I will live without eating cake for a little while!
In injury news, my knee was pain-free all yesterday. I ran with my support on but the majority of the running was on grass, so perhaps that helped. My toe not so much, but it is getting better. I was grumbling that it was all sore and swollen last night, but then DH reminded me that I had just run 5k on it, so I suppose it was allowed to be swollen and grumpy! Just like me!
DH took pictures of us. In all but 1 picture I look like Flabby Mc Lardarse. Blah! Methinks living on cakes is not a good thing!
I'm going to start taking this Intuitive Eating thing a little more seriously, now that "naughty" things are JUST FOOD. I think I will live without eating cake for a little while!
Friday 29 June 2007
Well THAT was unexpected!
The day before we were due to move house, I dislocated my middle toe. Ouchy! Walking was a pain, never mind flamin running!
However, that was 2 weeks ago, and last night I was driving the transit van. Then I forgot something, and rather than turn the van round in the road, I drove to the next place I was going, parked the van and ran back to do the stuff I should've done in the first place.
All told it was a little over 2 miles and I managed about 1.5 miles jogging. Silly me forgot my knee support though, so it was fairly grouchy after those 1.5 miles. I wore it for training and drove home with it on. Walking (downhill) to our flat was painful, but it seems that the worst of the pain has completely vanished this morning.
I am positive about my "race" on Sunday. Which will be walk/run since I am doing it with a baby runner!
However, that was 2 weeks ago, and last night I was driving the transit van. Then I forgot something, and rather than turn the van round in the road, I drove to the next place I was going, parked the van and ran back to do the stuff I should've done in the first place.
All told it was a little over 2 miles and I managed about 1.5 miles jogging. Silly me forgot my knee support though, so it was fairly grouchy after those 1.5 miles. I wore it for training and drove home with it on. Walking (downhill) to our flat was painful, but it seems that the worst of the pain has completely vanished this morning.
I am positive about my "race" on Sunday. Which will be walk/run since I am doing it with a baby runner!
Monday 4 June 2007
7 and a bit miles and a dodgy knee :-(
Well I set off for my 7 miler - note last time was 4 miles. I'm not particularly good at this regular running thing!!! LOL But to be fair, one week the 'rents were here and the whole of Sunday was taken up with packing shiz out of our flat and then the Sunday after we were in Barcelona and we probably walked the 5 or 6 miles I should've run, so there you have it.
Anyway, I took a route I've not done before and it was wildly exciting. Hem. I got to 2 ish miles and my knee started grumbling. I wasn't sure whether it was my knee being a pain or the fact that I'd just started a downhill section. So I walked all the downhills and ran the uphills (shouldn't that be the other way round?). Bizzarely my knee was ok while I was running, even up hill. However right now it's so ouchy that I've put a knee support on just to sit at my desk! The run itself actually felt quite easy. I had a dream about it the night before and I dreamt that it was easy and I was flying and everything was good! So once I got out there and discovered that it really was easy, it was a lovely feeling. Granted I took many knee-induced walking breaks and it was hotter than a whore's armpit in hell but it was still a nice easy run.
I have many knee theories. One is that while doing a LOT of walking last Sunday in Barcelona I somehow hurt it wearing my Birko's. For the rest of the holiday I wore my trainers and it was fine. THEN because it felt so fine I trained Thursday and Friday without my knee support. On Friday I was doing high, fast, roundhouse kicks spinning on my dodgy knee. I got home and my knee wasn't particularly happy. So perhaps it's just a bit inflamed from all that exercise?
Anyway, I iced and rested it yesterday, today it's in a support with Ibuprofen gel on it and I won't be sparring or training for no-body without my knee support for a good week. We'll see how it feels for my 8 miler next week. :-)
Anyway, I took a route I've not done before and it was wildly exciting. Hem. I got to 2 ish miles and my knee started grumbling. I wasn't sure whether it was my knee being a pain or the fact that I'd just started a downhill section. So I walked all the downhills and ran the uphills (shouldn't that be the other way round?). Bizzarely my knee was ok while I was running, even up hill. However right now it's so ouchy that I've put a knee support on just to sit at my desk! The run itself actually felt quite easy. I had a dream about it the night before and I dreamt that it was easy and I was flying and everything was good! So once I got out there and discovered that it really was easy, it was a lovely feeling. Granted I took many knee-induced walking breaks and it was hotter than a whore's armpit in hell but it was still a nice easy run.
I have many knee theories. One is that while doing a LOT of walking last Sunday in Barcelona I somehow hurt it wearing my Birko's. For the rest of the holiday I wore my trainers and it was fine. THEN because it felt so fine I trained Thursday and Friday without my knee support. On Friday I was doing high, fast, roundhouse kicks spinning on my dodgy knee. I got home and my knee wasn't particularly happy. So perhaps it's just a bit inflamed from all that exercise?
Anyway, I iced and rested it yesterday, today it's in a support with Ibuprofen gel on it and I won't be sparring or training for no-body without my knee support for a good week. We'll see how it feels for my 8 miler next week. :-)
Wednesday 16 May 2007
4 miles and counting!
Today I ran 4 miles, I should've "officially" run it on Sunday, but meh - wotcha gonna do?
I started off cursed with bad luck, my Ipod shuffle has finally conked its battery! Which is great considering I bought it in January and haven't charged it since! So strike one - no music. Never mind I went out anyway. Took a wrong turn at a roundabout - never mind I'll keep going until I recognise somewhere. EEEEURRRRRRRRRGH! I didn't stop until I got to Watford Junction station... LOL Strike two, getting lost. So what's the 3rd thing.....?
I started off cursed with bad luck, my Ipod shuffle has finally conked its battery! Which is great considering I bought it in January and haven't charged it since! So strike one - no music. Never mind I went out anyway. Took a wrong turn at a roundabout - never mind I'll keep going until I recognise somewhere. EEEEURRRRRRRRRGH! I didn't stop until I got to Watford Junction station... LOL Strike two, getting lost. So what's the 3rd thing.....?
Friday 11 May 2007
Wednesday 9 May 2007
More training in new trainers!
Well I picked up the garish footwear on Saturday! They are fabby! I meant to go for a run in them over the bank holiday but I just didn't get round to it. I tried them out at kickboxing last night and they felt really good.
Today I went to the gym and attempted 3 miles. I crashed and burned BIG TIME! I think treadmill running has lost the appeal. I was so bored, although the best time for me running seamed to be when I was zoning out and not thinking about anything, then my legs didn't hurt. But of course that's when I feel dizzy and the room spins and the treadmill becomes a dangerous place! I did manage 2.5 miles with lots of walking breaks. I am going to do my 4 miles on Sunday out in The World.
I think it was best to take it easy today. On Sunday I had a really really odd dizzy spell which could've perhaps been concussion. Either that or 3 hour flu! Although does concussion really take 48 to set in??? Who knows?
Today I went to the gym and attempted 3 miles. I crashed and burned BIG TIME! I think treadmill running has lost the appeal. I was so bored, although the best time for me running seamed to be when I was zoning out and not thinking about anything, then my legs didn't hurt. But of course that's when I feel dizzy and the room spins and the treadmill becomes a dangerous place! I did manage 2.5 miles with lots of walking breaks. I am going to do my 4 miles on Sunday out in The World.
I think it was best to take it easy today. On Sunday I had a really really odd dizzy spell which could've perhaps been concussion. Either that or 3 hour flu! Although does concussion really take 48 to set in??? Who knows?
Monday 30 April 2007
NEW SHOES!
My new shoes are here!
My garish pink, black and lime green miadidas trainers have arrived at Harrods! WOOOOOOOT! Ooh if they're open late on Wednesday I can pick them up then *g* but most probably it'll be Sunday before I get my sticky mitts on them. :-)
My garish pink, black and lime green miadidas trainers have arrived at Harrods! WOOOOOOOT! Ooh if they're open late on Wednesday I can pick them up then *g* but most probably it'll be Sunday before I get my sticky mitts on them. :-)
Monday 23 April 2007
I ran! I RAN!
WOOHOO!
I am one day into marathon training and I feel great! Yay!
I ran a WHOLE MILE on the treadmill at lunch. Heh. I am on fire! :-P
I am one day into marathon training and I feel great! Yay!
I ran a WHOLE MILE on the treadmill at lunch. Heh. I am on fire! :-P
Friday 20 April 2007
They're HERE! And plan for knee-injury free running.
Wooohoooo!
The shoes are here! Well they came on Tuesday but I have been so blah since then that I couldn't care less! But now I've had a bit more than the regular 8 hours a night and I'm feeling like I might actually GO for a run, then I'm pleased to announce that they have arrived! :D However my Race For Life pack still has not appeared, even after I called them and told them that it hadn't come and they'd said they'd resend it. Well no sponsorship for THEM!
Ok, so on Monday it will be 26 weeks until Amsterdam Marathon. 26 weeks, 26 miles. I conincidence I Think Not!!! So on Sunday my "long run" will be a WHOLE MILE! I know, please don't gasp and faint because of the huge insurmountable task that I have before me! I will slowly, cautiously jog a whole mile to the park, round and back again in my lovely pink trainers. I'm so happy!
A small part of me is thinking about giving up my gym membership. With 6.5 hours of kickboxing training a week at the moment and this event coming up that I have to train for... Well who has THAT much energy for chrissakes! I am going to make enquiries and see if I can suspend my membership, but only in a month or two because I still have my gym buddy here for another month or two and I will go if she goes (hello girlieness). Instead of weight-lifting I was thinking about getting my butt into the fresh air on my lunch times, even just quickly. Then I think I will make some sort of effort on a weekend day to get in some heavy-ish weights at home. Squats will be entertaining, but maybe I can substitute with overhead squats with a lighter weight. After all, I will have to be able to PRESS that weight over my head first! EEEKS!
So yes, running, this Sunday (FLM Sunday) will be a mile. Then next Sunday will be 2 miles, then the Sunday after that will be 3 etc etc. Joy joy joy! I might stand a chance of not getting injured if I build up this slowly. Hurrah for 26 weeks to go :D
The shoes are here! Well they came on Tuesday but I have been so blah since then that I couldn't care less! But now I've had a bit more than the regular 8 hours a night and I'm feeling like I might actually GO for a run, then I'm pleased to announce that they have arrived! :D However my Race For Life pack still has not appeared, even after I called them and told them that it hadn't come and they'd said they'd resend it. Well no sponsorship for THEM!
Ok, so on Monday it will be 26 weeks until Amsterdam Marathon. 26 weeks, 26 miles. I conincidence I Think Not!!! So on Sunday my "long run" will be a WHOLE MILE! I know, please don't gasp and faint because of the huge insurmountable task that I have before me! I will slowly, cautiously jog a whole mile to the park, round and back again in my lovely pink trainers. I'm so happy!
A small part of me is thinking about giving up my gym membership. With 6.5 hours of kickboxing training a week at the moment and this event coming up that I have to train for... Well who has THAT much energy for chrissakes! I am going to make enquiries and see if I can suspend my membership, but only in a month or two because I still have my gym buddy here for another month or two and I will go if she goes (hello girlieness). Instead of weight-lifting I was thinking about getting my butt into the fresh air on my lunch times, even just quickly. Then I think I will make some sort of effort on a weekend day to get in some heavy-ish weights at home. Squats will be entertaining, but maybe I can substitute with overhead squats with a lighter weight. After all, I will have to be able to PRESS that weight over my head first! EEEKS!
So yes, running, this Sunday (FLM Sunday) will be a mile. Then next Sunday will be 2 miles, then the Sunday after that will be 3 etc etc. Joy joy joy! I might stand a chance of not getting injured if I build up this slowly. Hurrah for 26 weeks to go :D
Thursday 12 April 2007
The Great Running Conspiracy
I am not running until I get my new shoes.
My new shoes were sent out on 30th March. Parcel Force cannot find my address. Lazy f*ckers.
My Race For Life Pack has been sent out on 20th February. I have not received it yet. Royal Mail. Lazy f*ckers.
Perhaps I should take the hint?
My new shoes were sent out on 30th March. Parcel Force cannot find my address. Lazy f*ckers.
My Race For Life Pack has been sent out on 20th February. I have not received it yet. Royal Mail. Lazy f*ckers.
Perhaps I should take the hint?
Monday 2 April 2007
I REALLY want to RUN forchrissakes!!!!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Hurry up and Get Better already!
It's SUNNY and warmish and PERFECT running weather. I'm going to issue my knee an ultimatum. Either heal or fall off. Kneecaps these days. Gah!
It is getting better slowly, but since it was better yesterday I was prancing around a little and it seems to have not taken well to this new bouncy Jen. Unfortunately I will not be bouncing today since I am still wearing my knee support and it kinda hurts still.
Poohsticks.
It's SUNNY and warmish and PERFECT running weather. I'm going to issue my knee an ultimatum. Either heal or fall off. Kneecaps these days. Gah!
It is getting better slowly, but since it was better yesterday I was prancing around a little and it seems to have not taken well to this new bouncy Jen. Unfortunately I will not be bouncing today since I am still wearing my knee support and it kinda hurts still.
Poohsticks.
Wednesday 28 March 2007
Kneerly there!
Groan.
Ok my knee now feels ok to walk. I have been icing it for the past 2 days. I went kickboxing yesterday with my knee support on (*shouldda done that on Sunday*) and it's pretty sweet today. I got to the gym ok - did some weights and one legged squats gently. Then decided to see what it was like on the treadmill. Did some walking, did some faster walking. Did some slow jogging, felt a slight ache, so stopped and did some rowing. Bah! No Wednesday training run for me this week.
I have also ordered some more Asics 2120 trainers today. That means that I have new trainers to run in before the miadidas ones come and I have alternatives that aren't worn out. Wish I could buy a new kneecap! LOL
Ok my knee now feels ok to walk. I have been icing it for the past 2 days. I went kickboxing yesterday with my knee support on (*shouldda done that on Sunday*) and it's pretty sweet today. I got to the gym ok - did some weights and one legged squats gently. Then decided to see what it was like on the treadmill. Did some walking, did some faster walking. Did some slow jogging, felt a slight ache, so stopped and did some rowing. Bah! No Wednesday training run for me this week.
I have also ordered some more Asics 2120 trainers today. That means that I have new trainers to run in before the miadidas ones come and I have alternatives that aren't worn out. Wish I could buy a new kneecap! LOL
Monday 26 March 2007
The return of the grumpy knee!
Ack! Well I managed to run almost to Brent Cross. Then someone tried to prise my kneecap off with a screwdriver. Or at least that's what it felt like anyway. Gah!
We have a combination of factors that might have caused it.
1) Unsupportive Cat boots that I was wearing yesterday.
2) Worn-out trainers - I've had them over a year and I trained for my half-marathon in them, so it's probably time they went in the bin.
3) Downhill running. I'm not particularly good at this and I felt like I might've put more pressure on my knee than it could've coped with.
4) I started off rather fast...
But apart from that, it was quite a nice run! I had my shuffle with me - I had Hanson singing MmmBop! to start off with! Makes me smile. Also made me run fast. Then we had the Spice Girls doing Spice Up Your Life for a little while and eventually when I wanted to slow down the pace I got Tina Turner doing Simply the Best! Simply the Best always reminds me of some stupid radio advert they used to play on my local radio station when I was 7... Simply the best, South Cleveland Garages, better than all the rest, South Cleveland Garages.... I think they'd probably get done for that now! South Cleveland Garages, off the trunk road, the difference is we care! Oh the susceptible fragile mind!
So I ran 2 miles before my knee conked out on me. Then I got LOST and had to walk back the way I'd come, but I made it to Brent Cross ok.
I got home and iced my knee and ate brownie. Well half a brownie. It didn't taste as good as I expected... I think I'm going off chocolate! Madness!
We have a combination of factors that might have caused it.
1) Unsupportive Cat boots that I was wearing yesterday.
2) Worn-out trainers - I've had them over a year and I trained for my half-marathon in them, so it's probably time they went in the bin.
3) Downhill running. I'm not particularly good at this and I felt like I might've put more pressure on my knee than it could've coped with.
4) I started off rather fast...
But apart from that, it was quite a nice run! I had my shuffle with me - I had Hanson singing MmmBop! to start off with! Makes me smile. Also made me run fast. Then we had the Spice Girls doing Spice Up Your Life for a little while and eventually when I wanted to slow down the pace I got Tina Turner doing Simply the Best! Simply the Best always reminds me of some stupid radio advert they used to play on my local radio station when I was 7... Simply the best, South Cleveland Garages, better than all the rest, South Cleveland Garages.... I think they'd probably get done for that now! South Cleveland Garages, off the trunk road, the difference is we care! Oh the susceptible fragile mind!
So I ran 2 miles before my knee conked out on me. Then I got LOST and had to walk back the way I'd come, but I made it to Brent Cross ok.
I got home and iced my knee and ate brownie. Well half a brownie. It didn't taste as good as I expected... I think I'm going off chocolate! Madness!
Saturday 24 March 2007
A Harrod's shoe dahling!
On Saturday I dragged DH to Harrods to get me fitted for some made-to measure miadidas running shoes. It took AGES!
The first thing they do is measure your feet. To the 0.1mm!!! Which is all well and good, but they still only make "standard" sizes. Then you get to choose the colour. JOY! And what you'd like embroidered on them... I am getting "Lightning" done on my pair. Fortunately I spotted the spelling mistake before the shop assistant finalised it. I would've looked a right numpty with Lightining written on my shoes. So I have very garish shoes now. Or at least I will have them in about 4-6 weeks.
I have one foot longer than the other and it would've been really nice to be able to get my right shoe half a size bigger than my left - I think sometimes I get toe pain in my right foot from this problemo. However the size 9.5 shoe had the arch in a funny place and wasn't at all comfortable, so I have settled for a shorter shoe. I think it might be ok.
I tried the trial shoes out on the treadmill they had instore. Did I remember to wear a sports bra? NO! Did I wear clothes that would support and cover my chest area whilst running? NO! So here's me running on a treadmill with the girls trying to break free and all the posh people watching... Humph! I'm sure one couple just stood and watched me for the sheer amusement value.
I walked round town for the rest of the day in my Caterpillar boots, which have no arch support to speak of and aren't very flexible. I sat in the cinema and by the end of the film my right knee was grumping at me. Hopefully it will be ok for my run tomorrow.
The first thing they do is measure your feet. To the 0.1mm!!! Which is all well and good, but they still only make "standard" sizes. Then you get to choose the colour. JOY! And what you'd like embroidered on them... I am getting "Lightning" done on my pair. Fortunately I spotted the spelling mistake before the shop assistant finalised it. I would've looked a right numpty with Lightining written on my shoes. So I have very garish shoes now. Or at least I will have them in about 4-6 weeks.
I have one foot longer than the other and it would've been really nice to be able to get my right shoe half a size bigger than my left - I think sometimes I get toe pain in my right foot from this problemo. However the size 9.5 shoe had the arch in a funny place and wasn't at all comfortable, so I have settled for a shorter shoe. I think it might be ok.
I tried the trial shoes out on the treadmill they had instore. Did I remember to wear a sports bra? NO! Did I wear clothes that would support and cover my chest area whilst running? NO! So here's me running on a treadmill with the girls trying to break free and all the posh people watching... Humph! I'm sure one couple just stood and watched me for the sheer amusement value.
I walked round town for the rest of the day in my Caterpillar boots, which have no arch support to speak of and aren't very flexible. I sat in the cinema and by the end of the film my right knee was grumping at me. Hopefully it will be ok for my run tomorrow.
Thursday 22 March 2007
Marathons are fun... Marathons are fun...
Helen said so!
Soooo last night was interesting. I joined the casual running group at Sweatshop North Finchley. I decided on the 6K run, since I thought 10k was a bit ambitious after only 1 mile of running! So there were 5 of us, 2 ladies who knew each other, one of whom was a group leader, then me and DH and this really tall athletic looking lad who just scared the bejesus outta me right away because he looked so buff and scary and athletic. Then another of the running staff was telling about his Welsh half marathon and said he completed it in 1 hour 20minutes. I could've walked out of the door right there! My half marathon time is TWICE that. Heh!
So we set off together and soon the 2 ladies left us, and DH decided to run off at his own pace and was running with them the whole way. I was at the back with Mr Long Legs, which was cool because he was just having a really easy jog and I was feeling well out of condition. He was trying to talk to me and I hate talking and running, it really messes up my breathing. But he did say that I'll be surprised how quickly the running skills come back. I feel like I did ok with the run, I completed it in 45 minutes, which is probably about right, if not a little slower than usual. There were HILLS! I didn't really realise how hilly our place is - I usually run on the flat bits! I took a few walking breaks but by the end my brain was together and I ran from the bottom of a short steep hill all the way back to the shop.
I got back and was sweating like a pig and was bright red, but it was all good. I felt like I pushed myself enough. I feel like I pushed harder than if I'd been out running alone. I did also have quite a problem with acid reflux for most of the run - I think ricotta cheesefake was a bad idea. I'll remember for next time!
I made apple and brie calzone when we got back and I'm still feeling a little queasy this morning. Blah! No breakfast for me!
Oh and by DH's reaction last night and this morning, you'd think we ran a marathon! LOL He said that when he got to the last few hundred meters he simply couldn't run any more and had to walk, even though they'd taken walk breaks all the way through the run. I must have more slow-twitch than him! This morning he looks pale and stayed in bed while I fed him breakfast, I literally had to prise him out of bed so that we could get to work!
Soooo last night was interesting. I joined the casual running group at Sweatshop North Finchley. I decided on the 6K run, since I thought 10k was a bit ambitious after only 1 mile of running! So there were 5 of us, 2 ladies who knew each other, one of whom was a group leader, then me and DH and this really tall athletic looking lad who just scared the bejesus outta me right away because he looked so buff and scary and athletic. Then another of the running staff was telling about his Welsh half marathon and said he completed it in 1 hour 20minutes. I could've walked out of the door right there! My half marathon time is TWICE that. Heh!
So we set off together and soon the 2 ladies left us, and DH decided to run off at his own pace and was running with them the whole way. I was at the back with Mr Long Legs, which was cool because he was just having a really easy jog and I was feeling well out of condition. He was trying to talk to me and I hate talking and running, it really messes up my breathing. But he did say that I'll be surprised how quickly the running skills come back. I feel like I did ok with the run, I completed it in 45 minutes, which is probably about right, if not a little slower than usual. There were HILLS! I didn't really realise how hilly our place is - I usually run on the flat bits! I took a few walking breaks but by the end my brain was together and I ran from the bottom of a short steep hill all the way back to the shop.
I got back and was sweating like a pig and was bright red, but it was all good. I felt like I pushed myself enough. I feel like I pushed harder than if I'd been out running alone. I did also have quite a problem with acid reflux for most of the run - I think ricotta cheesefake was a bad idea. I'll remember for next time!
I made apple and brie calzone when we got back and I'm still feeling a little queasy this morning. Blah! No breakfast for me!
Oh and by DH's reaction last night and this morning, you'd think we ran a marathon! LOL He said that when he got to the last few hundred meters he simply couldn't run any more and had to walk, even though they'd taken walk breaks all the way through the run. I must have more slow-twitch than him! This morning he looks pale and stayed in bed while I fed him breakfast, I literally had to prise him out of bed so that we could get to work!
Monday 19 March 2007
Well better than nothing!
I ran/walked a 12 minute mile in the gym on the treadmill!
I laugh at my pathetic attempt, but I didn't have anything good to watch on the telly! I used to run in the gym while The Darling Buds of May was on, and Heartbeat in the late afternoon, but today I had to put up with Loose Women. Bah!
I laugh at my pathetic attempt, but I didn't have anything good to watch on the telly! I used to run in the gym while The Darling Buds of May was on, and Heartbeat in the late afternoon, but today I had to put up with Loose Women. Bah!
The first step out of the door is the hardest
Yesterday I ran again.
After a half marathon in October 2006 I hung up my trainers for a little while. I got married, I went on honeymoon and ate Scotland! Then Christmas happened, and I think I ate Christmas too! I did manage a small run with DH over the Christmas break.
I entered, and ran, a 10K in Battersea park in February. I ran it in my usual time. I was perplexed. At the end of the Battersea run, some irresponsible park users decided to let their dog wander in front of me, and I sprained my right knee in the process of trying to avoid it. I rested completely for a good week and it managed to heal ok. It still grumbles occasionally and for that reason I have been putting off the next run.
Yesterday was the day I took to the pavements again. I ran/walked a mighty 2 miles and it felt good. My knee managed it without support and my lungs managed ok when I remembered my odd/even footfall breaths.
So with that exceedingly small victory, today I have signed up for the ING Amsterdam marathon on the 21st October. Only 215 days, 21 hours and 37 minutes and counting.
Next thing is to join the running club type thing at Sweatshop on Wednesday. Thing after that is to buy some miadidas running shoes, specially fitted at Harrods Sweatshop. Thing after that is to go and run!
After a half marathon in October 2006 I hung up my trainers for a little while. I got married, I went on honeymoon and ate Scotland! Then Christmas happened, and I think I ate Christmas too! I did manage a small run with DH over the Christmas break.
I entered, and ran, a 10K in Battersea park in February. I ran it in my usual time. I was perplexed. At the end of the Battersea run, some irresponsible park users decided to let their dog wander in front of me, and I sprained my right knee in the process of trying to avoid it. I rested completely for a good week and it managed to heal ok. It still grumbles occasionally and for that reason I have been putting off the next run.
Yesterday was the day I took to the pavements again. I ran/walked a mighty 2 miles and it felt good. My knee managed it without support and my lungs managed ok when I remembered my odd/even footfall breaths.
So with that exceedingly small victory, today I have signed up for the ING Amsterdam marathon on the 21st October. Only 215 days, 21 hours and 37 minutes and counting.
Next thing is to join the running club type thing at Sweatshop on Wednesday. Thing after that is to buy some miadidas running shoes, specially fitted at Harrods Sweatshop. Thing after that is to go and run!
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