I run 4 Haddie!

I would like to introduce my new little running buddy who I have been matched with by "I run 4".

This is Haddie:

I am going to dedicate all my future runs to Haddie and I am sure she will give me the extra strength I need when times get tough! 

How could I not run my socks off for that adorable smile?

I struggle to believe in myself, but I don't want to let Haddie down so from now on I will Believe AND Achieve!

Just like her T Shirt says "Anything boys can do I can do better!"

Today is a rest day on my training plan which is a little unfortunate on Haddie's first day with me! 

Tomorrow I will run 4 her for the first time!

HAPPY FRIDAY AND HAPPY MATCH DAY!

I have had a very busy day today and now feel fit to drop!

I got up and finally decorated my Christmas cake!  

My only problem now is how do I store it?  I don't have a tall storage box! It look like I will have to get crafty with the cling film or foil!

Step 1

End result!

Next, after tidying the devastation that was the kitchen came a visit to the mad house Aka Asda,  to get as much of the Christmas shop as I could! Once home and it was all put away I was in definite need of a de-stress so got changed into my running gear and hit the streets.

My legs weren't as willing as my head or my heart!  I think they were still recovering from yesterdays long run, however I over-ruled them and persuaded them they could run despite the wind and cold and I managed to go 5.53 miles @ an average 9:29 minute mile pace. 

Not quite the 9 min mile pace I was aiming for but considering I had already taken part in "trolley wars" in Asda and I did do a long run yesterday so it wasn't too bad!


Coincidentally as soon as I got home I got a FB message through telling me I had finally been matched with a child from the "I run 4" site! 

The idea is a child or adult with additional needs (who cannot physically run themselves) gets matched with a runner and they encourage and support each other through the good and bad times! 

You can find out more about "I run 4"  here!

Anyhow, my match is with a gorgeous 3 year old little girl with huge brown eyes called Miss Haddie who lives in Wahiawa, Hawaii! 

This adds an interesting dimension as we are on completely different time zones, hence why I have posted the 2 clocks on my side bar to remind me what time it is for Haddie!

If anyone is going to encourage and motivate me to reach my sub 4 marathon goal and to complete a sprint triathlon it's going to be this little girl!

I run 4 Haddie - who do you run 4?

Ouch!

Today was the first day of the Christmas Holidays and before I got bogged down with Christmas chores I decided to go for a run!

My marathon training plan always has long runs on a Saturday or Sunday but as I have a busy weekend partying and I have done enough running with a hangover in recent weeks I decided to do my long run today instead! My plan stated a 10 miler.

The forecast said it was dry all morning until 12 midday, so by 9.30am I was heading out the door to beat the rain!

However, I was less than a mile in when the heavens opened and I was bombarded with golf ball size hailstones!  

They actually stung as they pelted my delicate little body and face - I wanted to run shouting OW! OW! OW! 

Thankfully it only lasted about 15 minutes but it left the ground white and rather slippery.  I ran cautiously to avoid falling! Once the hail went the wind arrived - gale force in my opinion!

All in all it was a hard run but I managed 10.46 miles at an average 9:51 minute mile pace!

Luckily for me no sooner had I got home when the forecasted rain arrived early and it was torrential!  I was so pleased to be inside looking out!

Then this afternoon I went for a Sports Massage! 

It is the first time that I have seen my Physio for a general maintenance massage! For the past year I have had so many injuries I have only seen him when I needed him to put me back together again (which has been on a monthly basis!).

It was a nice change not to be in agony in his hands, that was until he decided to treat my tight hip felxors!  I am sure legs are not supposed to go in such positions! However if it prevents injury I am willing to suffer a little!

Mulled wine and Yoga!

Today was the day we finished school at 2pm for the Christmas holidays!

After a day of super hyper kids we decided to celebrate by going to the pub!

After several glasses of warming mulled wine I walked home.  After arriving home I decided I couldn't let a little  lot of mulled wine stand between me and my usual Yoga class, especially since it was the last class until the New Year! 

I got changed and walked to yoga (wasn't being fit and healthy just couldn't drive due to mulled wine!).

Luckily the cold wind seemed to wake me up slightly and I felt a little more compos mentis by the time I got there!  I even managed the balance poses which surprised me!  

However, I think I was a little too relaxed during the relaxation as I hadn't heard it end and everyone else was up and at them and I was still sparkoed on the floor!

So a week today is Christmas Day - I had best get organised!

Playing it safe!

Tonight was the Tri Club "Interval /speed training" running session but I opted out and decided to go for a run on my own!

"LAZY!" "COWARD!" "PATHETIC" I hear you cry! 

I have a valid excuse ... or at least that's my story!  

I decided that since I ran the Langdale 10K race on Saturday at a faster pace than my usual training run I wouldn't push my luck by doing speed work on top just in case my Achilles or ankle or thigh decided to rebel!

So instead I went out for an easy paced run and managed 5.14 miles at an average pace of 9.19 minute miles! It was a cold but dry evening and I enjoyed my run and didn't feel any guilt at all about missing the speed session! 

Unfortunately it was the last tri running session until the 7th January so I will have to somehow force myself to do some speed intervals on my own in the meantime! Watch this space!

Week 5 Marathon Training

I can't believe I am up to week 5 already in my 20 week Marathon Training Plan!

The miles are slowly creeping up and I am pleased to report that my fitness seems to be returning nicely, I just need to work on getting my speed back up too!

I was worried that my Achilles might have started grumbling after Saturdays hilly race, but fingers crossed all seems to be well!

I have had a busy day at work today with finishing off all things Christmassy this morning followed by a Christmas Party and a visit from Santa this afternoon!  Kids are starting to get hyper - thankfully we have only 2 days to survive before we break up for Christmas!!

Monday Night is cross training night which is swimming with the Tri Club Night! 

This was the last Tri Club swimming session until the 6th January so I thought I had best try to make it a good one! 

I don't know whether I would describe it as good but it was hard work! 

We started off with 12 lengths as a warm up then we went into drills.  I HATE drills! I can't do them and I feel like I am drowning most of the time but I persevered! We did "catch-up", "Sculling" (my most hated!), "doggy" and "fist".

THEN as if this wasn't enough we went into doing 6 x100 metre sets, followed by 2 x 200 metre sets all whilst maintaining our CSS!

All in all I swam a total of 1750 metres or 1.09 miles or 70 lengths!

If my aching arms and incessant yawning is anything to go by I think its time for bed!  Another full-on day tomorrow!

Night Night!

A Birthday celebration then a LSR!

Last night once I had thawed out I went out on Julia's Birthday night out!  We had fabulous food at a Thai restaurant then went around the pubs!  The result being a slight hangover this morning.

However, there was a job to be done and that job was an 10 mile LSR! I looked at the forecast and realised with dismay that there was very heavy rain forecast for the afternoon!

After yesterdays wet experience I made the snap decision (despite the bad head) to go out and get it over with.

Stupidly I selected a very hilly route!  My legs felt heavy, my stomach queasy and my head ached!  I was very tempted to turn around and go home after a mile but gave myself a stern talking to and managed to keep running for 10.3 miles! I didn't look at my pace once during the run ... I just wasn't interested ... the only thing that interested me was getting home in one piece without throwing up!  I managed an average 10.08 minute miles. Considering I was race exhausted and hungover, it was a hilly route and a cold windy day it wasn't too shabby a pace!

I definitely experienced "running on tired legs" and tested my mental strength today!

I didn't do it!

I didn't get the PB that I was chasing but due to the horrendous conditions I'm just pleased to have finished and survived!

You can read about it here!

Feeling Scared!!!

I CAN do this I WILL do this!!  PB I'm coming after you!

It will need a big effort but I'm willing to go for it!!!

Friday the 13th!

Good job it's a rest day today as it's Friday 13th!  Best I stay firmly planted on the sofa!  I seem to have plenty near misses whilst running without tempting fate! 

On Wednesday evening I went for a 6 mile run as soon as I got in from work and then went to Yoga to have a good stretch and a bit of relaxation! The focus was on shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers this week!  I'm obviously more flexible in my upper body than my lower body as I could do these positions far easier than usual!

Last night I went for a 4.5 mile run which I really enjoyed even though it was raining!  It was that really horrid fine but very wet rain, if you know what I mean!

Both these runs are probably classified as "junk miles" as they had no purpose other than to get the miles in! 

I promised myself I wouldn't fall into this trap during this marathon cycle and every time I go for a run I ask myself what the purpose of the run is - speed intervals, fartlek, progression, hills, endurance, recovery!  

I suppose I could hide behind the "recovery" card, as I am running Langdale Christmas Pudding 10K tomorrow so just ran at an easy pace so that I wasn't exhausted tomorrow. Both runs were at an average pace of around 9:40 minute miles!

I won't go as far as to say I have fresh legs but I won't get those back until after April!

I have done this race twice before and it's a hilly one! I'm looking for a course PB tomorrow to finish off 2013 better than it started! It's my last race of the year so I want to make it a good one!

So if I get anything better than 53:14 I will be a happy bunny, if I'm slower I will be grumpy knickers!

Watch this space!

Technique Training!

As I mentioned last night there were 2 running groups going on tonight.  One was the usual speed interval session and the other a technique session.

I pondered over which one to do and decided to try the technique session since it was a one off one!

We met at 7 O Clock and just 4 people turned up for it.  We set off at a comfortable pace to warm up, and ended up in a flood lit factory car park (which was empty!) where we started doing some drills to encourage forefoot running and the forward lean motion associated with the pose method of running. We then went on to practise changing speed quickly from slow to sprinting just be leaning forward more!  She likened the action to being on a segway - since I struggled to master this I suppose I have no hope!

Anyhow, the session lasted an hour and a half but I am not sure I am any the wiser, or that I worked very hard!  I didn't so much as break a sweat!

I much prefer the gut busting challenging speed session - at least I feel I have worked hard then!

Next week back to it!

Week 4!

Week 4 of my Marathon training plan started today with the usual cross training option!

Tonight I went to my regular Tri Club Training Session.  The focus was on Open Water Swim Skills which I found strangely enjoyable but extremely hard work.  It highlighted the fact that if I was ever let loose (or is it lose?!) in open water I would probably drown!

We started the session with the usual warm-up, followed by technique drills and a little bit of speed work before moving on to "no touch turns".  This is the first time I have ever done this!  Basically the idea is to get as close to the wall before turning without touching it or using it to kick off from.  

On my first attempt I got too close and nearly broke my big toe when I accidentally kicked the wall!    

However, I continued and I think I got better - I didn't kick the wall again anyhow, I had already learnt THAT lesson! It was very strange trying to do a tight turn whilst still swimming! Once we had done 12 lengths we moved on to do "Deep Water Starts", another first for me!  Basically we had to tread water in the deep end facing the side and on the signal we had to turn round and swim 50 metres before coming back to the deep end and repeating!  The treading water part got harder each time too as we had to do it with one arm in the air, then 2 arms in the air!  

I didn't really succeed in staying afloat on the 2 arms in the air one and I probably looked like I was in trouble and I was trying to attract the lifeguard!

Anyhow by the end of the session I had swum 1500 metres or 0.93 miles!

The report from my swim mate looks like this:

Tomorrow is the Tri Club Running Session and I have a decision to make as there are 2 groups running this week.  There is my usual Speed Session or a Technique Session!

I am thinking that I might attempt the Technique one on the basis that if I get a good technique I might be able to keep up with the others in the speed session!!  

Just a thought!

Festive but exhausted!

On Friday I had a much needed rest day although I didn't really feel the benefit of it as I had a manic day at school with the first "proper" performance of the Christmas play followed in the evening by our works Christmas Party Night ... and what a fabulous time we had!  Lots of eating, dancing, drinking, hilarity and good old fashioned fun!
On Saturday I was amazed to find that I woke up feeling fine and dandy and we went to pick our Christmas trees! This is a very time consuming experience when hunting for not just one but two perfect trees! After much deliberating and looking at every tree from every possible angle I made my choices and after strapping them to the car roof we took them home!  However, I couldn't decorate them as my daughter was at work and I was under strict instructions not to dare do it without her!

Instead I tackled my ironing mountain, then as it approached 3 O'clock I decided I couldn't put off going for my run for much longer. 

It was a fine but cold afternoon and I wanted to do a 9 minute mile pace run. I set my Garmin and set off keeping a fairly consistent pace of around 9m/m for the first 3 miles before my body started to rebel and I began to feel ever so slightly queasy.  I tried not to slow down too much and focused on reaching home without puking or collapsing in an unconscious heap!

I was delighted to arrive home after a hard 6.2 miles and was equally delighted that my average pace was 9.13 minute miles. Not bad considering how bad I felt and the huge number of toxins that were bombarding my body at the time!

However, in hindsight this detox run was probably not one of my best ideas as I felt dreadful for the rest of the day.  Perhaps it was a delayed hangover and in the morning I was fine because the alcohol level in my blood was still higher than my blood level!

Anyhow, at 10 O'clock I admitted defeat and went to bed!  It is unheard of for me to go to bed early on a Saturday night and even more unheard of that I was stone cold sober!

My body must have been telling me I was too old to party as I slept a full 12 hours and didn't rise from my pit until 10am this morning!

When I started to gain consciousness this morning the first thing to enter my bleary head was the fact I had a 9 mile LSR to fit in today.  The thought alone filled me feel sheer dread. Once I dragged myself downstairs I pondered "to run or not to run" over a cup of coffee and a bowl of Weetabix laced with sugar as I felt I needed the energy!

The sugar rush must have hit the spot because before I knew it I was back upstairs changing into my running gear!  I decided to do a 3 mile circuit and to see how I felt ...  if I felt OK I could run it a second time ... then a third time if I was still in the land of the living.

However, my legs had a very different plan! For some baffling and peculiar reason I turned off the road onto a muddy track!  This may be normal behaviour for some but I have a big phobia to running off-road as I fear injury and so NEVER do it!  

So why was I happily slip sliding my way through the mud feeling privileged to be running in the fresh air surrounded by fantastic scenery in total peace and quiet!!!  I felt happy and alive and had no inclination to look at my Garmin to check my pace or distance! I felt FREE and I wasn't even perturbed by the fact that I had to climb over about 6 stiles en route! I think I have just discovered a new love in my life!

Anyhow, after concentrating hard whilst running for 5 miles so as not to slip I was back on the hard tarmac!

I ran 8.73 miles just short of my 9 mile target. It was a slow pace at just 10.43 minute miles but because it was a very different run to my norm I am not at all bothered.  I am still amazed how much I enjoyed it!

After a shower and lunch it was time to get festive and decorate the Christmas trees! We didn't have the correct colour tinsel to finish the second tree ... so watch this space!!!

Week 4 starts tomorrow! 17 weeks to go!

Stormy Day!

Today has been a really bad day weather wise.  We have had a mix of heavy rain and gale force winds! When I got home from work we had 4 fence panels missing from our back garden!

I was supposed to be going for a run this evening with my running buddy Gina but at 4 O Clock I received a text saying she wasn't going!

Being determined and not wanting to deviate from my plan I ventured out into the cold and wind alone!

I decided to give the app "Zombie Run!" a go again!  I haven't used it since a Zombie sneakily nipped my ankles way back in January when I damaged my ligaments! 

I layered up and wore my fleece lined running tights, fleece lined compression top and my Gore Hoodie along with gloves and hat!

However, when I stepped out the back door the cold took my breath away and I felt like I wasn't wearing any clothes!!! BBBRRRRR!  

Waiting for my garmin to find satellite was a frustrating experience! If I wasn't so anal about clocking every millimetre I run I would have just gone without it!  But even with the wind whipping around (and through) me I couldn't quite make myself go!

Eventually the satellite was located, Zombie run started and I was off!

I soon warmed up but was still pleased I had my layers!  It was a very uneventful run.  No Zombies appeared and the stupid app paused itself at mile 3 - I think the auto pause must have got stuck on! Very disappointing!

Anyhow I managed a fairly slow 5.65 miles at an average 9.44 minute mile pace! Although I am sure with the wind it will be equivalent to 12 miles!!

Feeling good that I braved the elements!

Relaxation!

After an extremely hectic day at work I managed to fit a 4 mile run in before heading out to Yoga!

The run turned out to be a hilly little number so was at a slow pace!

Then a quick shower before Yoga at 6pm. The focus tonight was on the spine so I experienced some great stretches and feel very tired and relaxed now!

There was one moment that I did feel like I was being told I was fat and felt slightly self conscious about it!  

I was trying (and failing) to do a twisting pose where I was somehow supposed to grasp my hands together by twisting them one round my back and one round my front!  I would like to think my arms just weren't long enough but then the words "you need to be slim to succeed with this one" penetrated my ears - hhhhhhmmmmm!

Despite this insult I enjoyed the session and feel very relaxed now!

I'm fit and ready for my run tomorrow night with running buddy Gina! 

Survived another!

Tonight I survived another Fartlek session with the Tri Club!  

It wasn't quite as traumatic as last week's experience, perhaps because I wasn't entering it blind and I knew what to expect this week and braced myself!

I wasn't looking forward to it and felt very nervous before I went but I was determined not to wuss out!  

Once again there was only 6 of us and my plea for some slow friends to come along fell on deaf ears!

We did a short run as a warm up before doing some running drills which apparently improve form and speed!

Unfortunately the speed drills were not a magic formula as I still couldn't keep up, and they still had to loop back to keep me with the pack but I didn't feel quite as self-conscious this week! 

We only ran 3.4 miles but it felt like 10 miles! 

The good news is I didn't puke, faint or die so it's not all bad!

I am actually looking forward to the challenge of next weeks run!

Week 3 Marathon Training!

Being a Monday tonight's activity of choice was swimming with the local Tri Club.  The focus tonight was on pace and timing, which meant trying to keep equal pace for every length with measured rest periods. Apparently it's important to pace things well. If you start too fast and then slow down you won't get the same training benefit. 

Although my pool mate watch counts strokes I counted my own strokes tonight to make sure I had equal number for each length! I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't too far off!

I did 1500 Metres or 0.93 Miles and finally feel I am slowly getting my pre injury fitness back!

Fantastic Achievement!

My daughter ran her first ever race today - the 10K pudding race at Ulverston and I went to cheer her on!

I think I was probably more nervous being a spectator than I am actually running!  It was mainly because I didn't have a clue how she was doing and just had to wait...!

I offered her the loan of one of my running tops but she said she didn't want to look like she was a serious runner in case she was rubbish and just went in a normal non-wicking leisure top!

After seeing them off at the start we went for a short walk and we were in situ at the finish line in time to cheer and clap embarrassingly!

I found it fascinating watching all the fast runners finishing and the array of running styles and breathing techniques was amazing! 

I'm sure I could learn alot studying their form!

Jessica crossed the finish line in an amazing 53 minutes although we are still waiting for the official results!  Fab achievement since she only started running 6 weeks ago and had to have major back surgery 2 years ago!  I am such a proud Mummy!  

She was slightly annoyed by a bloke she passed at mile 2 who said "You've got another 4 miles to go yet love, you will never make it running at that pace!".  Obviously wearing the wrong type of gear gave the impression she wanted!  She said that his comment made her all the more determined not to slow down!  

That's my girl!

There was no bling to mark her achievement just a teeny tiny Christmas Pudding which she doesn't even like!













She says she hasn't been bitten by the bug - but I think she has!

After the race was finished and Jess and her friend were safely on their way home we went for a walk nearby!  We have often seen a monument on top of a hill whilst passing and wondered what it was, so today as we were close by we went to investigate! 

Once we got up close we discovered it was the John Barrow Monument.  The monument was erected in 1850 in memory of Sir John Barrow, a native of Ulverston. This highly visible memorial - which looks like a huge lighthouse - stands on the summit of Hoad Hill, overlooking the town of Ulverston,The likeness to a lighthouse is intentional; the monument was built to look like the Eddystone Lighthouse. 

There is a staircase of 112 steps up the inside of the monument, leading to lantern chamber, apparently giving wonderful views over Morecambe Bay. Unfortunately due to health and safety issues the monument is currently closed!

The total height of the monument is exactly 100 feet.

We walked about 5 miles in total today with a slight detour as we got lost!

Once home it was time for my 8 mile run as specified on the plan.  I didn't really have the energy to go but decided that since the option was football on the Telly I might as well!

I did 8 miles exactly and I actually enjoyed it and felt better running than I have for quite some time - perhaps the super fast runners inspired me, or maybe the thought of my daughter being faster than me did the trick!

You can view my run here! 

LOOK at those hills!

Busy day tomorrow!

I am very excited at being a spectator at Ulverston 10K Christmas Pudding run tomorrow! 

I will be cheering on my 17 year old daughter and her friend in their first ever race! 

GO GIRLS!!!!

They only started running 6 weeks ago!  They made the decision, downloaded a training plan and have stuck to it!  I am very proud of them! 

They won't let me run the race with them and I wouldn't want to spoil their glory!  

I know how demotivating it is when you run a fab time in a race but someone you know does better!  Makes your time seem inconsequential! 

It should be about a PB and being proud of that but its hard to convince my inner self that this is the case! 

Anyhow along with cheering my daughter on I have to somehow fit a 8 mile run in to comply with my marathon training plan! Would be so much easier to run the 10K plus a cool down!

Thankfully today has been a rest day to recharge my batteries! As well as a little bit of Christmas shopping I have updated my race scrapbooks which can be viewed here. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the new ones!)

No aches or pains!

I'm not quite sure how but I survived the Fartlek training session on Tuesday night with no ill effects! I gingerly got out of bed on Wednesday morning expecting to be greeted with severe pain but was pleasantly surprised when I managed to skip stagger to the loo enthusiastically! I didn't get too cocky as I fully expected my body to have a delayed reaction and waited for the DOM'S (delayed-onset muscle soreness) to set in!

However, I seem to have got away with it this time!  Perhaps my body was prepared as we did a lot of "drills" before subjecting my legs to the horror of sprinting!

Wednesday night was Yoga night and the focus this week was the

hips!  I initially groaned at this as my hips aren't very flexible and had an an image of pain but after an hour of working gently on several different poses I felt like I had 2 new hips and felt great! I'm rapidly becoming a yoga convert and can't believe how much I am enjoying it! After opening our hips it was time for my favourite part of the class - the relaxation!  Lights dimmed, music low, the teacher's hypnotic voice working with my body and relaxing my mind ... arhhhhhhh BLISS! The only downside is actually having to return to the here and now to go home! If only I could be transported back to my bed in that state....!

Last night I decided to do a little bit of treadmill speed intervals before going to Pilate's for another stretching and core work session.

I managed 30 minutes consisting of a warm up and cool down with 10 intervals of 1 minute high intensity running followed by 1 minute walking in between.

A quick shower followed before heading off to Pilate's where the emphasis was very much on core work!  I should have a very strong core if the pain is anything to go by!

Tonight I went for another run with my running pal Gina!  When I arrived at her house she announced she had had a very stressful day and was looking for a gentle run!  If she ever announces she wants a hard run I am legging it home again!  The "gentle" run was hard work - I don't know why because it wasn't fast, we only did an average 9.30 min mile pace! Perhaps because it was a Friday night my body was screaming "What you doing Woman - its wine O'clock NOT run O'clock!"

Anyhow I managed to keep up (just!) and we did 4.86 miles which can be viewed here!

I would pull the age card and say Gina is a lot younger than me which is why she is faster but that doesn't work when I was beaten by a 60 year old on Tuesday night! I just need to accept I've become very unfit and this "competition" is good because it is pushing me harder than I would on my own!

I am delighted to announce it is now Wine O' clock!