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!

Juneathon. Off with a fizzle!

It's Day 1 in the HMC Juneathon house and as I work for a living, dealt with a Tesco delivery when I got home, designed a badge for my Ma's study week and am not currently sitting on my arse on a Greek island, I've only just got round to doing the whole exercise thing.

Apparently, I'm not very fit, toned or very strong and this has just been proven in big letters with my attempt at sit ups and press ups to start my 20o and 100 consecutive challenge.

Today was the 'initial test' to see how god damn awful I was going to be. Answer: I'm average. I've never felt so happy at being average... ever... It's a good starting point. If I actually keep this up, I may get rid of this beautiful beer belly that has been bought and paid for since I was 18 (ish).

Anyway. Test results:
Press Ups: 17 consecutive. Before the mocking starts, you try lifting 14 stone.
Sit Ups: 47 consecutive. My belly went inwards on one of them I'm sure!!

I will continue with these on Wed but luckily, I'm just going to do it the easy way tomorrow and run home from work which is a nice 3 miles. Sounds like a good opportunity for some speed work.

Well done to everyone who's made a start today. Good on you!

BEWARE: Ugly Mug in Runners World

If you pick up a copy of runners world this month (July edition), check out page 21 and you'll get to see my ugly mug giving advice about food. I doubt it's a co-incidence they asked me about food but I doubt they knew what I looked like when they did! Jogblog's also in there so go have a look!

The looniness of Juneathon plus a question

Well it's only 3 days to go until June and that can only mean one thing. JUNEATHON IS HERE!!!! I'm a Juneathon Virgin but I'm led to believe it has been wonderfully chiefed by JoggerBlogger for the last couple of years and I'm looking forward to taking part. The extremely complicated and strict rules are here. In a nutshell though, exercise everyday, blog about it, read other's blogs regarding it.

Now with a slightly ropey hip, I think running everyday is out of the question for me. However, after taking a few ideas from other blogs around (namely eatingtrees and The Red Bucket) I have decided what my Juneathon will entail.

Running:
3 times a week should be good with a few hills thrown in too.
100 Push Up Challenge:
Do 100 consecutive pushups in 6 weeks. I think my current record is about 7. That maybe over exaggerating as well
200 Sit Up Challenge:
You won't be surprised but this is the same concept as above. However, I don't think my stomach rolls inwards so this is going to be a tough one (lovely image for you all). I will do the Push Up and Sit Up Challenges on the same day I reckon which will be 3 sessions a week.
Touch Rugby:
Once a week, it's 30/40 mins of sprinting around a field chasing a person with a ball. The attempted catching and throwing of said ball are also included. Note the word 'attempted'.

It has become clear to me while writing this blog that I'm not quite an elite athlete. Or just an athlete for that matter. Even just an ath is pushing it to be honest therefore exercising every single day is not going to be easy for me.

My question though. I want to jump out of a plane on the 21st June. Nothing to do with Low Cost Airlines cutting their costs, more that I bought LG a jump for her birthday and I'll be doing it too. So, does this count as exercise or do I still need to do something else on this day. I reckon Iliketocount may well be the best person to advise me here!?

As a side note (which appear to be turning into a more regular thing), I think I've persuaded LG to do Juneathon too albeit a slightly less energetic one so her updates will more than likely appear alongside my usual blathering babble.

So have a good weekend. I'm off to go and sleep in a tent on the outskirts of Cambridge tonight... And to think eatingtrees thinks he has it good by being on a beautiful and sunny Greek Island. He doesn't know what luxury is!

London Wa HooPA 10k - Race Report

First things strangely enough, first. In the wonderfully overcast and slightly damp conditions, I set a new PB yesterday. 51:42. Happy Days! It's the first 10k I've done in a long time and my previous best was 53:4x so I'm delighted with the time that now at least gives me a proper PB to aim for next time.

This isn't the greatest event to take part in though to be honest. There's a few too many people, 9 wave starts so a lot waiting around and the constant repeated commentary while in Green Park but the course is flat and takes in a few tourist sights so definitely PB territory.

The hip was aching a bit (I forgot the painkillers) and the hamstring felt tight but overall I felt pretty good and like I could do OK if I put my mind to it and didn't start feeling sorry for myself. Myself and eatingtrees were setting off in Blue A which was the 4th wave to go but it was clear very early on that we wouldn't be running this one together. We both had our own times in our heads and we both already plugged in to our individual playlists to get us through the run. We stayed together in the crowds for the first 2k or so and a pace faster than I'd predicted. The first 2 were both 5:05 k's. Great, now I just had to keep it up! I didn't but stayed between 5:05 and 5:15 k's for the entire race which was better than where I needed to get my predicted time of less than 53 mins.

We had a bit of rain, a couple of tiny inclines and a few cobbles but the race was pretty painless. I just had to keep reminding myself that I was on for a good time and keep pushing which I did. I ran down the mall and completed it and was delighted with my time although I have to say, with all the marshals telling you to go elsewhere, the commentary team who only seemed interested in the elite athletes and the tidying beginning very early on, it was a bit of a damp squid ending. I think this is why I prefer the smaller events so roll on next month when I will be running with Lovely Girlfriend on her first ever 10k in Thame.

Oh and just to mention, eatingtrees has found us another great event for Sept. Rat Race. We're only doing Mean Streets London but it looks like a great laugh and a little more than just pounding the streets! Where else can you mix running, sudoku, ice climbing and kayaking in a city centre all on the same day!