Longest yet

Today was the longest training run I've ever done. I've never been one for running the distance before a race so I have never gone over 17km while training when I've done Half Marathons. Today's schedule says 19km. As I may have mentioned, I wasn't quite prepared for this marathon training and have struggled with most of the runs so far. Today though, was much better. I felt stronger and just plodded away to try and tried to keep the pace under the time set by the magic spreadsheet! I came in 2 mins and 40 secs under the required time over a distance on 19.47km. Much happier. 


I have a couple of sessions this week (6x800m on Monday and 11km on Wednesday) before I'm forfeiting next Saturday's 21km to do the Dunwich Dynamo. 193 ish km through the night from Hackney to Dunwich in Suffolk on a single speed. I did it and loved it last year (report is here) and quite frankly, I think cycling nearly 200km is a good substitute for a 21km run.


One thing I noticed on today's run though, I got bored. Is it time to start listening to music or audiobooks again...

No longer a virgin. Marlow Duathlon Race Report

Today was my first ever duathlon so let me say this, the legs are aching a LOT right now. So how was it?

Generally it was enjoyable but a lot harder than it should have been. My fault completely obviously as I did the 'not training enough' part again. I've cycled and run over the last couple of weeks but I have never done them both. In fact, I was thinking earlier that I don't think I've ever done them in the same day!!! Not a great start and I was pretty nervous.

The Marlow Duathlon consists of a 7km run, a 25km cycle and a 7km run. So 39km in total. Or not... Eatingtrees garmin read nearly 40.5km at the end which I have to say, didn't surprise me a bit as on the first run, I was 30:08km through 6km (pretty much bang on my 5 min/km pace) and then the 7th km took nearly 8 minutes???? How's that possible??? I'd love to know the actual distance of the 1st run as 7km it was not. Is it actually possible to run an 8 minute km. Surely that's slower than walking pace?

Anyway, first run out of the way and into my very first ever 'transition'. That's where you dump a load of your stuff before you start and then come back later and try to remember where you've put it all. It went OK. On went the helmet, buff, gloves and rucksack with the drink in it and off I ran (with the bike) until they let you get on it. I was expecting the run to cycle transition to be easy as I do a reasonable amount of cycling but ouch! The first 2km is at an incline which means you have to stand up and push when riding a single speed and wow my legs felt weird. I hadn't expected that at all! In fact, I was absolutely dreading the rest of the ride as it was just so strange and not enough speed either. Eventually I passed the 5km marker and realised that I was actually quite enjoying it and it felt a lot better than it had. Numerous comments from people on 'proper' bikes gave me some encouragement which I appreciated although was also aware some people were thinking 'mad/idiot/stupid/glutton for punishment' at the same time.

The cycle went well and I think I did pretty well  and overtook as much as I was overtaken. Now came the bit I really feared. The final run. The only experience I had of this is eatingtrees telling me that the first couple of km are very strange which they are... and not very quick but after that, km 3 to 5 felt OK if not particularly quick and then came the final 2 km over a muddy, slidey and narrow path and my legs had absolutely nothing left. They felt so, so heavy and I followed the same guy for the whole of the final 2km and he was only a couple of metres in front but I could not give myself a push to get past at any point. On the final half km I had a really bad stitch but refused to walk knowing I wasn't far away. Finally, I was at the last corner and it was time for the sprint finish. That wasn't going to happen at all.....

I shuffled over the line in somewhere in the region of 2hr 20min (time TBC) which I was extremely chuffed with and would definitely do it again although maybe with some training next time. Time to put my feet up and open a beer.....  

After the fizzle, here comes the pop

Well after Monday's blistering BUPA 10k, I was ill all night and lost pretty much most of the fluid in body. Not the best thing for muscle recovery and diluting the lactic acid in my legs. Tuesday, I couldn't physically move. Wednesday was only slightly better so day 1 of Juneathon was a mighty 1.43 mile bike ride around the block to check the creaking in my cranks. I'm pretty sure that if I was at school, the report card would have said 'can do better'.

This morning I did. At 5:30am, I headed out on the route that WAS Juneathon 2010. Last year, out of the 22 days I ran, 19 days were run on this route and the majority of those at 5:30am. The fastest I had ever run this route was 25:02 and I remember it being tough. Today, with VERY heavy legs and a head that only a 5:20am alarm can bring, I headed off again. The legs hurt but it didn't feel too tough so I fail to understand how I smashed my best time again. 24:36!!

That's 4.47 KM pace (or a frankly ridiculous for me, 7:43 m/mile). This is someone who struggled to creep under the 9 minute mile barrier 3 years ago.

And yet more news, for the first time in at least 6 years and probably more, my weight has dipped (just) below 13 stone! I've been 13 stone something and once or twice hit 14 for so long, I was resigned to being that weight forever. Now, my weight starts with a 12 and I'm a happy boy. This combined with the last year running in the Surrey Hills and the numerous miles on the bike are obviously paying off with my times.

A top run

I had to get myself out for a run today as the weather looked like it could be a good one and I have the little matter of the eatingtrees home town race next week, that being the Hertford 10k.

It was also a chance to test a couple of recent items I'd been sent to review. Today's was a new top. Without a doubt, one of the softest tops I've ever had. It's like running in a cuddle! The only problem is that it was a long sleeve cuddle and we're coming into spring so it was quite warm. It would have been great to try this one about a month ago but beggars can't be choosers. They can just merely comment.

The top is from the people at BAM who produce some quite lovely Bamboo clothing. It's not designed primarily as a running top but something for everything. Running, cycling, skiing and hiking etc which means I'm pretty sure, it's going to get a lot of use and in that way, I'm certainly going to put their 'Non Smelly' claim to the test.

It felt like it was going to absorb a lot of moisture and being dark blue, I suspected that come the end of my run, it would all be a slightly darker colour and soaked. I was wrong. At the end of 14.34km in 1:19:07 and in quite warm temperatures, this was the result!

LOOK AT THAT FINE SPECIMEN. NO, I MEAN THE TOP

So all in all, really happy with it and I'd even be tempted to get a short sleeve version for myself apart from one thing, the short sleeve don't seem to have the zipped neck which in keeping the wind out really helps but in letting the air in, would be even better.

The run was a non eventful and quite slow trot around my usual route while listening to an audiobook . There really is nothing else to add but I do love spring. I think it could quite possibly be, my favourite season . Not too warm. Generally dryer and you don't have to wear half your wardrobe to go outside. Bliss

Next week's trip to Hertford will be lovely with promises of 10k runs, bike post removal, shisha and Mrs Eatingtrees' home cooked food to look forward to, how could it not. Right, I have a lawn to mo and boy to entertain. Enjoy your weekend's people!

A bakers dozen plus a bit

The Hague Half Marathon is only 8 days away. This time next week, I'll be trying to remember that I should be driving on the wrong side as myself, Mrs HMC and eatingtrees hit the road.

I didn't get out last weekend as I was, along with the rest of the household, fighting a cold so it was an absolute must this weekend. With an audiobook in my ears I headed out on the normal route knowing that I would need to stop slightly short this weekend. Due to tiredness? aches? time taken? Nope. I needed to stop at the bakers to get an unbelievably good farmhouse loaf. It is bliss.

Cut it thick, add some bacon, spread and ketchup and a big mug of black coffee and you have the breakfast of kings! I was going to take a picture of the monster sandwich but I thought it would be a little cruel to all the people eating cereal this morning. However, exactly what I deserved after 13.96km in 1:13:25.

Right, I'm off to do some more planning for the trip. Have a good weekend all.

A long weekend

I decided to take Friday and Monday off work to spend some extra time with The Wife and The Boy and although we haven't particularly done much it's been lovely. It also gave me the chance to abandon my usual Saturday morning 'get it out of the way early' long run and instead, I decided to go out on both Friday and Monday morning.

Friday's was quite tough and I had to stop after an hour to stretch my calves as they were so tight. A hangover from the Wokingham Half I suspect but this morning's was a little easier although hardly any quicker. The 15:36km route was done in 1:22:31 and 1:21:49 respectively.

Nothing happened of interest around the route but after really enjoying it the previous few times I've run it, I'm getting the know the hills etc now so it's a bit dull. I think I'm going to have to get the audiobooks out for next weekend's run just to take my mind off it. Well unless anybody in the Surrey area wants to run between 17-19km next weekend at a pace of around 5:20 min KM's or 8:40 min miles? Nice and early on Saturday morning? About 8am? Excellent. See you there.

Both Mrs HMC and the Boy are suffering badly with colds at the moment as as I type this at 11am, both are in bed and I will be nominated cuddler for the day. Excellent!

Non Grim based title

It's been a while and I haven't run but I was still really looking forward to Grim today. Don't get me wrong, I knew it was going to hurt but it was so good last year that i felt that eatingtrees could just kind of drag me through the puddles backwards if it got that point. Never mind. It gives me a chance to go for a run in the meantime and do at least an ounce of training prior to the new date.

There is one lucky point through, while clearing the snow with my foot last night, I jarred it into a piece of ice and was in pain all night with it. How do I get these stupid injuries??? It certainly would have made it even slower and painful. Actually, I guess the puddles would have numbed it so probably wouldn't have made a difference.

A few updates from me, we've got married a few weeks ago, it was a wonderful day and now LG (lovely girlfriend) will become Mrs HMC. We had a week in Egypt (no not a honeymoon) with George and learnt both how much fun and how much hard work, taking a 3 and a half month old boy on holiday can be. (For the record, don't be scared of flying, he was a star on both flights).

I also have a fantastic pair of sunglasses to try out from those lovely people at Polaroid but due to lack of motivation and absolutely no sunshine, I haven't been able to go running in them yet. I can say though, while lying by a pool or walking along a beach in a different country's sunshine, they performed wonderfully. Obviously a full review will follow when the sun comes out and I strap on a pair of trainers.

An Ashtead Running Group virgin

Well last night I went for my first run with the Ashtead Running Group. Very nice people but mother-of-crap that hurt!! I think I've realised just how much of a slacker I can be when I run (or not) on my own.

Typically, the night I want to go out is the day I get held up at work and by the time i got home, I had approximately 4 minutes to get changed and out of the house to get to the pub where everyone meets. I made it. Just. Only after I ran. Which just caused more pain later I reckon.

After standing around in the cold for a few minutes with the others, someone stated that the medium group would be doing a particular route. I saw it. 10.77km. That was pushing the boundaries of my max distance over the last few months but after finding out my Ashtead 10k time, they all said the medium group was best so off I went, part of a group of 4.

The starting pace was pretty quick and I really had to concentrate on not falling behind but eventually, I settled in to it OK. Someone then mentioned that if we headed in to Epsom first and then continued, we could make it a little longer. OK I said while I silently wept inside.

Then came Chalk Lane hill.... That would be the bit between 3-5km on the elevation chart below then. There are a couple of things in my favour here. Firstly, I'd never seen this hill before so was only going on reputation and secondly, it was pitch black with tree cover, no street lighting and everything was done by the light of 2 head torches. That meant I couldn't see the top, the incline or my own feet. I think this helped a lot! We all made it up without walking although it was touch-and-go near the top for me but once there, we walked a little bit to get our breathe back. I'm not sure if they usually stop or whether they were just being kind but thank you anyway!

Some further decline and inclines followed and the pace was generally dependant on the the terrain but I pushed on and eventually finished the 10.92km route in 1:02:38. Hang on! This really doesn't do it justice. It works out at 5:45 min/km which is a lot slower than the 10k I did on Saturday! That was 5:15 min/km but without doubt, last night's run was the better and harder workout and much better for my long-term training. For the first time in a long time, my muscles were screaming at me by the time I got home and still ache a little this morning. I think that means I've pushed a little!

Eatingtrees recently mentioned that he had a goal of running the 10k in under 55 mins. I think he could do a lot worse than meet up with a running group, run with people who are all fitter and faster, along a route he doesn't know and therefore could get lost and left on his own. It certainly ups the motivation to keep the pace up! I'm looking forward to returning next week but this time with a head torch and something to eat! I've seriously over-estimated my own fitness level and now I need to up my game!

It has it's ups and downs

I really do have to lose some weight at the moment and as LG is putting me to shame with her running group, I yesterday, vowed to do a 10k this morning to blow some cobwebs away and get back into it.

I knew the course I had to run. Well when I say I knew the course, I knew the roads I had to run on but couldn't decide on the order in which to run them. Do I do this one with a fast downhill start and a punishing second half...

or do I do this one which is more undulating throughout?

I went for option 2 in the end. I decided there was no point in having a fast start if i was just going to be in a world of pain later on.

It was however, a thoroughly enjoyable run. 10.04km around the streets of Ashtead and Leatherhead in 52:44. I could feel my stress levels drop the more i ran. I just need to do it more often now.

Going forward, Ashtead has a running group that meet every Tuesday night which is meant to be very social and also my favourite price... free, so it looks like my Tuesday nights will now be spent running around in the dark with some other local people which suits me just fine and may be just the thing i need to increase my mileage. This is something i certainly need to do pre Grim as the less time i have to spend running around in the puddles and mud, the better!

This is what a runner is

You go to a brand new city that you've never seen before, eat some wonderful food, drink a little lot more than you should, see the sights and have a thoroughly wonderful time but then upon your return, your thoughts turn to how flat it was and 'I bet I could do a good Half Marathon time round here'. That's what Rotterdam was to me this weekend. A great industrial city which I reckon would be pretty quick if you can avoid the tram tracks! Maybe 2011. I already have Lisbon lined up for next year.

The trip was to celebrate me arriving and surviving into my 30's. Who would have thought! Anyway, myself and LG booked a lovely hotel that had all the good things that makes you enjoy a trip more and also a gym... that we used.... and in LG's case, on 3 consecutive days!!! (I think it was the guilt about the amount of great food and drink consumed). Just 2 days for me though, the final morning hangover told me to stay in bed as I'm not as young as I used to be. Who was I to overturn that decision?

Quick point, is there anything as painfully dull as running on a treadmill??? OK, I assumed it wouldn't be great but it's mind numbing. Your brain doesn't have to work at all! Not to push harder, not to skip the puddles, not to jump the cracks, not to trip on the kerbs. Where's the fun if there's no chance or getting wet, dirty or injured? Fitness??? I think not!!

Anyway, because I have lovely parents who still buy their elderly son presents, I now have a fantastic long sleeve Adidas top plus with some cash, I've been on a bit of a sock spending spree. New running socks ordered today (including a set of compression ones to help the shin splint thing) and now I just have to decide what to spend the rest on and no I don't want/need/desire a Garmin!

So overall a fantastic birthday weekend all round of which there are some photo's on Facebook for anyone who knows me there.

Update on the running club... Not a sausage. 2 weeks, they haven't even managed to tell me if the money has even gone over. I'm hoping this is just a blip and the general organisation is better but the plan is still there. I need all the help I can get after being pulled into doing some training runs with a mate for his marathon. A 12, 15 and 18 miler await next year all pre Lisbon with the possibility I might sign up for the Wokingham Half too slap bang in the middle of it all! Joy.

Only 2 weeks til Grim and the longest I've run his Oct is 4.1 miles. This is going to hurt!!!

It was a rubbish Plan anyway

No honestly, rubbish! OK it wasn't really. Pace wise it seemed to be working but picking up a brand new limited edition twinge or pain every time I did a speed session was becoming extremely annoying and I was starting to think that I'd end up pulling, breaking or maiming something the week before the Royal Parks and considering everything I'm doing is building up to that race, it seems a bit silly to keep pushing in the same vain.

I think (fingers crossed, touch wood and all that) that if I stay injury free from now, I can get a PB at the Royal Parks. Now there's a statement!! But it's true. It'll be hard work but I don't see why I can't do it. I believe it to the point that if I don't succeed, I'm going to be devastated! It won't reach my main goal of going under 1:50 but I think something around the 1:54/1:55 is possible if I'm prepared to push myself.

So training is now as follows. Either: a)Distance runs at relaxed?!?! pace or b)Shorter runs at a quicker pace. Easy, simple and no sprint sessions that make my shins hurt like hell.

Based on this new theory and following last Sunday's successful Garden City 10, I got myself out of bed a 7am Saturday morning, had a banana, a bit of lucozade sport and some water and then around 7.30, headed out for 10.07 miles. Managed it in 1:31:06 so about 4 mins slower than last week but with no cheering crowds or race adrenalin, I wasn't too disappointed. Even more so when you add in the fact I had absolutely no mile markers all the way round. Everything was just on the basis of 'just run'. No picking up the pace or anything so if that's my standard race pace I'm OK with that. Also, the last mile and a bit is all uphill. Not the greatest end but good training. That means in 7 days, I've run 23 miles and cycled 16 miles!! Result!

So another week and I reckon a couple of short and quick runs during the week plus going to see Mumford and Sons and JET on Wednesday and Thursday means that it's looking like a good one. Add another 10 miler next weekend and I'll be in good shape.

Final, final, final minor thing... I'm doing a Fire Walk for a great charity called Rainbow Trust. I would be absolutely delighted if you could give something to the cause. I'm only asking for £1 from anyone who wants to give something. It's nothing really and will really, really help. If you do, click on this link. Thanks so much! Oh and I've made sure it's 10 days after the Royal Parks Half. I don't fancy it with burnt feet!!

Another day, another run

The speed work was put on hold as there's no doubt about it, I'm just injurying myself so I thought a gentle run home would be OK. I have just ordered one of these though so hopefully it'll do be some good in the future!

2.91 miles according to runningahead but time wise? Absolutely no idea. See since moving, I still haven't been able to find my running watch which is really starting to get on my nerves now! If I had to guess and knowing my pace, probably around 25mins. How's that for scientific!!!

So the Surrey Badger Half Marathon. It's not going to happen for me as I'm not alive enough I'm afraid but instead, I'm going to join eatingtrees in his Garden City 10. Firstly getting to run with someone will be a lot more enjoyable plus running 3 miles less is as good an incentive as I could ever want. To be honest, fits in better with the training schedule too. So many benefits and not many downsides so seemed like the sensible option.

Lastly, I'm going to ask a favour if I may. Today (Friday) I'm hoping for something to happen. Please can you keep all your fingers crossed all day. If you do I'd be very grateful. I'll let you know why later on. Pretty please?? Ta Muchly.

That's another ruined plan then

It's written in the stars. I'm sure of it. Well I would be if I believed in any of that stuff but seriously, why when I get into a more structured training schedule, do I always come down with a cold! I'm only a week into it and had to cancel yesterday's 8 miler as I couldn't stop the nose running and make the sneezing stop. There are also the constant headache's but I'm kind of used to them now. I'm dosing myself on Redoxon and Echinacea in order to beat it and apart from a slight pain in my chest on 2 minor occasions (not constant), it's all in my head so I should be OK to carry on with intervals on Tuesday ahead of Hard As Snails on Saturday morning with eatingtrees.

Saturday's run was a 4 miler which I faltered badly towards the end but was quite happy with my 33:56 (8.29 m/m) overall. My first mile was an 8:04 though so it really does show the current inconsistencies in my pace. I then snotted, sneezed and sniffed my way through packing the flat up. There really is something monumentally wrong in the world when you have to pack a rucksack or suitcase and don't even get to go on holiday!!

As for next weekend, with the race on Saturday am and moving for the rest of it, I really have no idea when I'm going to be able to fit my long run in. The Plan seems to have gone out the window on day 6. Well that's 2 days longer than Juneathon lasted then! I'm just going to have to accept that my 9 week plan is now closer to a 7 week plan and I'm just going to have to work a hell of a lot harder!

Proper Day 1 now. The actual exercise one.

D-day. The beginning (of the end?). The countdown to the 2009 goal has begun. Here we go with The Plan.

Oh Bloody typical!! HMC goes for a training run and the bloody sun's out which just makes it harder. Hey ho, can't blame the weather come race day so off I trundled to the park for some interval sessions.

It's week one. The Plan will bring me in gently so this should be a walk (or run) in the park. Was it? Christ no. This has continued from what has to be my second worst* ever run that happened on Saturday morning when I didn't even get to my turning point before stopping and run/walking back. Wow, that must have been a tough run you set yourself I here you cry. Was it? Was it fcuk! I didn't even make it to the 2 mile mark before I turned round! Rubbish. Anyway, back to today and the intervals.

The Plan reads that I have to run 1200m (at my target HM pace) so 6 minutes then, walk 400m to rest, then run 2 lots of 800m at a 10k pace (which is 3.48 for me on The Plan) with a 200m rest and then 4 x 200m sprints (with 200m rests in between) just as fast as I can without collapsing on the floor in a puddle of my own sweat and vomit. The results:

1200m. Target time: 6:00. Actual time: 5:42
800m. Target time: 3:48. Actual time: 3:42
800m. Target time: 3:48. Actual time: 3:39
200m. Target: as fast as possible. Actual Time: 36 secs
200m. Target: without vomiting. Actual Time: 35 secs
200m. Target: stay on my feet a little longer. Actual Time: 35 secs
200m. Target: stay alive. Actual Time: 35 secs

I'm not unhappy with that. Timing wise it was OK but I'm sure it shouldn't hurt that much!

I was in new trainers though. My trusted New Balance 1063 (UK 9, Width 2E in case anyone has some they want to send me some in exchange for a shameless plug) turned up which is nice. One thing I've noticed is not a massive difference between old and new though so I can this with confidence. If you're a 14 stone bald bloke with a heavy tread, an extremely high arch and around a 9min mile HM pace then these could be for you. They seem to last quite a while anyway.

'The new dirt and white colour scheme'

Something else I noticed today is the e-mail from the team at the Royal Parks Half. I'm guessing it's fake and a bit of spam though because surely no one in their right mind would think that 'violet and raspberry' are particularly good colours for a fat bloke to be seen in!! Although the clincher for me is the design on the back. They say 'an uplifting message for all those people behind you!'. I think 'will make you an instant hate figure for all those people behind you!' is slightly closer to the truth.

'The picture from the spam e-mail'

*My worst run was just before I started this blog while running home from work at a time my training was going very well indeed. On a 3 mile run, I wanted to stop after a mile. Did stop before a mile and a half and was on a bus before the 2 mile marker. Truly pathetic!!

Royal Parks Half. 9 Week plan. Day 1

Rest!!

Sometimes, things just work out better than you can imagine!

I've tried to make this post more interesting than it is

Hullo there. Sorry it's been a while. There is a valid reason though. I would have bored you all to death and then been charged with manslaughter. This would have been a little harsh considering a)you wouldn't have known about your imminent death before you started to read and b)being charged just for babbling the inane thoughts that come into my head on a weekly-ish basis would just be plain wrong!

See nothing much has happened on the exercise front recently. I mean I've been doing the whole running thing and stuff with a couple of interval sessions that hurt my hip for 2 days afterwards and a couple of 4-6 milers at a slower pace just to stretch my legs out but apart from that, nothing. No revelations, no interesting sights, no funny incidents. Just general running stuff and lets be honest, we all see that every time we go out.

My hip/back/hamstring is still causing me problems but seeing as I've tried stretching, resting, icing, and running slightly differently and absolutely none of it works, I've now decided that ibuprofen and caffeine are the way forward with maybe a little freezing gel once I've finished. HOWEVER... there's another issue. Do I put the gel on the bit the feels like it hurts or the bit that may be causing the bit that hurts to hurt and if it's the second one, which one do I pick before I end up plastering the stuff all over the left hand side of my body and going numb on one side?!?!?!

I've have found myself reading a triathlon magazine the other day though. I wouldn't say inspired but certainly interest has come from a few friends of mine. A couple of them doing really well in the Sprint triathlon in London and another very disturbed man who completed the UK Ironman on Sunday in 11h 30mins and finished joint 165th!! That's 140.6 miles in total!!! That's a 2.4mile swim, 112miles on the bike and then a full marathon! I'm never going to be that insane but the Sprint or Olympic distance next year??? it's definitely a possibility!

There are other reasons for the non blog too. Firstly the moving house is still ongoing and looks like it will be fine but honestly, is there anything more painful in life than dealing with an estate agent who appears to have got his organisation skills from a Christmas cracker? Also, the people who I was planning on buying my beautifully crafted bike from decided that, after I'd ordered my cycle-to-work scheme voucher would be the best time to change it to out of stock and very helpfully answer 'I'm not sure but probably not' when asked if it was coming back into stock. Insert mad panic trying to find the bike in stock somewhere else. Hopefully, it looks like I've found somewhere. A small independent shop rather than the big corporate green and yellow bike place that employs the drones like the first time so that's good.

Anyway, fingers crossed that come 3 weeks, myself and LG shall be in the new place, with the bike, chilling out and deciding what evening to risk our mental state and well being by heading to Ikea. Ikea... Oh crap.... I'm off to cry in a corner. Actually, maybe a run would help ease the anger build up of a trip there!!

If the aching's anything to go by

So along with a few others, I've done myself a training plan for the Royal Parks Half in Oct. I found one on a website, then destroyed it and rebuilt it taking into account things such as Hard as Snails, Surrey Badger and Rat Race as well as moving house and going for a long weekend in Devon. You can see why I couldn't follow it to the letter.

It gives me 2 full rest days a week and one 3 mile easy run day so in essence, 4 days of hard work a week which I think I can do. It's only a 9 week plan so I don't actually have to start yet but I thought I'd give one of these 'interval' sessions a go and therefore copied the plan of what will be my first day of training come 11th Aug. The entire thing only involves 2.2 miles of running and a mile of walking. How that's going to help run 13.1 miles in under 1:50:00 come October, I have no idea.

I know that there's some logic to it but I have to see it doing some good first I think. Now, if doing some good means more aching in the calves than I've had since starting to run last year, then it's definitely doing some good!! Following my schedule I ran at a pace of just under 8 min/miles which was OK. The pain arrived after the 4 x 200m sprints at the end.

I'm going to do a few more of these sessions leading up to my training start date in the hope that I'll still be able to use stairs come August 11th! Wish me luck.

By the way, for the coolest thing I've seen today, check out the link above for Hard as Snails. It's a 3D fly through of the route. Oh dear. They could have made it a bit flatter!!!

A good weekend all round!

My weekend was goooood!! 2 runs, some partying, seeing a flat we love and not crying in pain through injury! Rock on!!!

I headed out for my 4.6 mile Putney/Hammersmith bridge loop with eatingtrees on Saturday as he was in the neighbourhood and despite a couple of stop and stretch sessions due to him having been on the bike too long and us both nearly dying after the 200m sprint across Hammersmith bridge, it was all good. I have to stretch before and after sessions now because of the back/hip thing but it appears to work with only slight aching now rather than actual pain. It was way off a good time but we purposely didn't even take a watch. Mostly just chatted (not proper, more like word, breath, word, breath, word, breath) and dawdled along. Then we headed off to a leaving party for a friend who's heading back to NZ. Jealous. Hell yeah!

Obviously drank too much and had a hangover come Sunday morning but nothing a sausage sarnie and espresso doesn't sort. Really good to chat to someone who's doing her first ever Sprint triathlon in a couple of weeks though and seeing how she was getting on with training. There was a definite group split with the people talking about exercise and then the rest of the normal people and our group was a lot smaller. We know our place in the grand scheme of things!

Then Sunday myself and LG continued our flat searching, for a place that will be good for us. I got a call in the afternoon to say we could go for a viewing if we fancied. I'd seen the pics and wanted to see it but wasn't that excited. Anyway, we'd decided to run on Sunday anyway so by killing 2 birds with 1 stone and thus ensuring that after, the rest of my afternoon could be spent sitting on my arse watching The Open on BBC and listening to the cricket commentary on TMS, we chose to run to and from the viewing. Only a mile and a bit away but going there, it's ALL uphill!! Plus we ran back on a longer loop ensuring we weren't too lazy and I think completed around 3.5miles in total. I think we had extra adrenalin because despite the photos, the place was lovely!! High ceilings, LOADS of natural light, large balcony plus a communal garden and most importantly, space for this!

This will be my new toy. YAY!!! Doing it through the Ride 2 Work scheme which means I'll be able to cycle 6 miles every day which will keep my joints loose and only pay about 50% of the cost due to the government tax break and I'll have a gorgeous bike!

This morning (after looking at the flat again last night), we've agreed to take it which means it's all good and LG can start planning the entire layout including beds, new furniture, bookcases, TV, cooking stuff and all manner of bits and pieces while I drool over a picture of a bike and organise a van! Nice!

Back in to the training

Realising I have Thames Towpath HM 3 weeks on Sunday and have only run once in the last 4 weeks, I thought I better go for a bit of a run last night. As a bit of a non scientific experiment (and because it was too bloody hot to run any further), I thought I'd run exactly the same route as I'd run exactly one month a go when Juneathon went so well and compare where I am now, to where I was then........ Oh. The stats speak for themselves..

2nd June 2009

Distance: 4.57 miles
Time: 36:05
Pace: 7.54 m/m

2nd July 2009
Distance: 4.57 miles
Time: 39:52
Pace: 8.43 m/m

So that's 49 secs per mile longer then. Not quite the progression I was after really. Plus I looked even more of a state than I usually do after a run. I found it really, really tough. I think I'd deluded myself into thinking that having to take that injury time off, wouldn't affect me too much but I was wrong, wrong, wrong!

I can certainly argue that some of it was down to the heat but the Thames Towpath might be in this heat so I can't use that as an excuse. I can hardly stand up with my head held high and then make excuses about things that everyone else has to deal with too. Nope, I'm just going to have to suck it up, do my trainers back up and head out on Sunday and try for an 8 miler with the emphasis on completion rather than time!

Juneathon. And there's the bang I wanted

There's the bang I wanted. Let me explain.

I was planning on running home from work today on a little 3 mile route but due to a change of plan, I wasn't at work a the end of the day and I must say, I was effing delighted. It was ridiculously hot out there!! So instead, I made some pasta for lunch tomorrow and then at 8.15, I put on my trainers and headed out.

Pretty quickly for me I may add. I didn't know my mile markers but it felt quick so I just carried on. It bloody hurt though!

Anyway, I'm back with the following....

Time: 36:05
Distance: 4.57 miles (7.35km)
Pace: 7:54 p/m (4:54 p/k)

Hold Up!!! Does that say 7:54 p/m pace. That is the fastest timed run I've ever done and the first time EVER below 8 minute pace. Now that's a better Juneathon day!