Juneathon Day 10 - Endurance Test

I think I must surely win the Juneaton Endurance Test!  What a busy, busy day!  I am forcing myself to stay awake so I can blog ....


This morning I ran a 10K race in Morecambe. The race started at 11am but I had to register at 10am. I was given my race number and timing chip that was to be strapped to my ankle.  After "People watching" I made my way to the start point which was on the Promenade opposite the registration point. Once I got on the promenade I realised that although it was nice weather, it was also very windy by the sea! Once the race got going the sun came out so it was both hot and windy AND the wind was blowing directly into my face!  One major complaint I would have with the organisers is that the only drinks station was at 2 miles and NOTHING further on!  By mile 5 I was gasping for a drink ... not very good at all especially on such a hot day! I survived (just) and managed to finish in 54 minutes 40 seconds although I am still waiting for the accurate chip time. Not a PB but was pleased  AND I GOT A MEDAL!!


Juneathon Day 10 Activity 1 Complete - 6.21 miles running!


I went home and had lunch then early afternoon I went to the gym with my husband.  We have just joined and he is planning a couch potato to beach god transformation in 6 weeks before our holidays!  I didn't want to discourage him and went along planning on "not doing very much!".  However, once in the gym I got second wind and ended up doing more than I wanted!




Juneathon Day 10 Activity 2 Complete - 6.21 miles Cycling on Stationary Bike


Juneathon Day 10 Activity 3 Complete - 3.13 miles Running on Treadmill


Juneathon Day 10 Activity 4 Complete - 1.24 miles Rowing on Rowing Machine


Juneathon Day 10 Activity 5 Complete - 0.74 Swimming


all topped off with relaxation in the steam room just to sweat the last bit of liquid out of my body!!


Once home the dog was sat looking at me with puppy dog eyes so I ended up taking him on a short trot around the block before settling down!




Juneathon Day 10 Activity 6 Complete - 0.74 walk




I have no energy left to do the Maths and work out my Juneathon totals so you will have to return tomorrow or do it yourself!!!


School Holidays are over and I'm back to work tomorrow so I'm heading to my pit in the hope that I feel a bit more human in the morning!

Over done it? More like INCINERATED!




View ALL today's activities here

Day 9 Juneathon WET! WET! WET!

I said I was having a day of rest today as I am doing a 10K Race tomorrow and I wanted fairly fresh legs!


However, before I tell you about today's Juneathon activity I have had a breakthrough!  After 20 years of nagging advising my hubby that he needs to move off the sofa once in a while and exercise - it has finally penetrated!  This morning (after a heavy drinking session last night so maybe he was still sozzled!) he announced that he thought we should join the gym at a local hotel - which has a gym, pool and steamroom (pity there is no jacuzzi).  I was up for this especially after my experience during the week with the local swimming pool ...  So whilst he was willing (before he could backtrack) I suggested we go and have a look around and get prices etc.  So before lunch that's exactly what we did! A very nice girl (VERY toned and muscular and skinny!) showed us around the facilities and explained the conditions etc. 

One condition I DID like is no children are allowed in the pool after 4pm!  This is FANTASTIC since I finish working WITH children at 3.30pm and really don't appreciate being bombed by them whilst swimming!  We were told about an introductory "fit in six" offer, which is a six week membership so you can "give it a go" and if you then sign up for the yearly membership after this you only pay 25% of the joining fee!  Hubby was amazingly keen (anything to save money!) and before I knew it we were signed up for the fit in six starting tomorrow! This is fantastic timing as we go on holiday to Turkey 6 weeks on Monday!  I think he has images of having a toned super muscly Baywatch body by then to strut along the beach with! I won't burst his bubble!


Back to todays contribution to Juneathon!  The plan was a short, flat country walk with the dog and husband.  Nothing too strenuous to save my legs for tomorrow.  However, we ended up doing a fairly hilly 4 miler and not only that the heavens opened at 2 miles and we got absolutely drenched! Hey-ho never mind another 4 miles to add to the total!  You can view our walk and photo's HERE!


So tomorrow it's Morecambe 10K in the morning followed by our Gym induction and swim in the afternoon! 

BUSY, BUSY!

It's Saturday night and I'm staying off the alcohol this evening - need to be in prime condition for tomorrow (Haha).

Now where's that Schloer?  

Juneathon mileage to date: 


30.80 miles running
7.50 miles cycling
11.62 miles walking
0.60 miles rowing      = 50.52 Juneathon Miles


Goal = 200+ miles!  I will need to do a minimum 7 miles a day to achieve - best get on my bike!!

Day 8 Juneathon

Day 8 of Juneathon dawned damp and dismal! I put off running by doing jobs around the house until I caught sight of the weather forecast and it was forecast heavy rain for this afternoon.  That was all the motivation I needed. Now to beat the rain!  I was changed into my running gear before you could say jack flash and was out the door!  I was aiming to do a 5 to 6 mile run and the weather was fairly warm but windy and ever so slightly drizzly.  I would compare it to the misting machines they have at Disney to cool holiday makers down! There seemed to be a lot of traffic around today making crossing of roads slow and frustrating!  I know its half term but they were slowing me down. It didn't feel a very comfortable run and I had to reduce my pace as I started to get pains in the front of my shins!  Is this due to wearing new trainers? I made it home just as the heavens opened and the predicted heavy rain poured down!  PHEW!  A close one and it hasn't stopped since!


I managed an unhappy 5.69 miles which can be viewed here!


Tomorrow I am going to have a well deserved rest from running, maybe just have a short walk instead - on Sunday I am running a 10K event in Morecambe and I want fresh running legs!  My initial goal was a sub 50 minute 10K but I can't see that happening!

Juneathon mileage to date: 


30.80 miles running
7.50 miles cycling
7.60 miles walking
0.60 miles rowing      = 46.50 Juneathon Miles

How does this compare with Day 8 Janathon? I'm ever so slightly up on my Janathon miles where I had a total mileage of 44.72 at this point!


And how am I doing with the challenge 2012 miles in 2012? 


If you count ALL miles I have done 1005 miles to date -  nearly half way with 1007 miles remaining!
If you count Running  and Walking  I have done 841 miles with 1171 remaining!
If you count just running I have done 475 miles with 1537 remaining! 


Just over 6 months to go - I need to get ahead!


BRING IT ON!

Day 7 Juneathon

Day 7 started bright and early for me at 7.15am (in the holidays too!) with a hill training run! I usually do my utmost to avoid hills whilst running (very difficult living in the very hilly Lake District!), however my Marathon Training Plan stated for today a 3 mile hill training run consisting of a 400m hill climb before turning round to go back down ... to repeat ... and repeat! Apparently this helps lactate tolerance! I think I cheated slightly today with my first hill training session but my excuse is I was very short of time as I was getting the 9.11am train to Manchester for a girlie shopping/drinking day!. 


Anyhow I ran a mile to the nearest appropriate sized hill, ran up and down it three times before running the mile back home again, equalling 3 miles in total!  I'm sure when it states a 3 mile hill run that I should be actually doing 3 miles on the hill plus extra mileage to get there and back but hey-ho first time doing hill repeats and 3 times up was more than enough! However, I have got to say in a perverse sort of way I actually enjoyed the challenge and because I knew it was my workout I didn't have to worry about pacing myself to enable me to complete an entire route afterwards!

The hills are my friends and they will make me stronger ...

View my efforts here!


Today's contribution to Juneathon:


Running 3.19 miles
Walking (to the train station!) 0.86 miles (every little counts!) plus many many miles traipsing around the shops of Manchester - I should have set my Garmin to see how many miles we actually did before falling into the pub for sustenance!!

One week done, three more to survive!

Day 6 Juneathon

With having the Bank Holidays it feels like the first official day of the school holidays today! First day of peace and quiet and the day to fill how I please ... except it has rained!!

I did the ironing in the hope the rain would blow over and I could get out on my bike but unfortunately it was pisssss ....istent!  I decided to head to the gym and then go for a swim instead.

At the Gym I did 1000m on the rowing machine (not far - just to warm up!), then 3.11 miles on the dreadmill  treadmill, then 7.46 miles on the stationary Bike. It all felt hard work, and although the gym is air-conditioned it still felt hot!! You can view these activities here!  I was hoping to get a PB on Sunday when I'm running a 10K race but the way my running and times are going at the moment I can't see it happening!!

Anyhow, I left the gym, and headed to the pool and ended up having a confrontation with the Receptionist!  I know stupid rules aren't her fault but she was the one standing there telling me that's the way it is! To cut a long story short I didn't get to swim because some idiot has changed the rules!  Previously you could turn up whenever the pool was open and ... swim!! That is obviously too accommodating - now you can only swim on the hour!  It was 1.40pm when I tried to buy a ticket to swim and I got told that if I went in the pool at this time I would have to get out at 2pm, OR wait until 2pm to buy my ticket and then I could swim until 3pm!! I said to the girl that by the time I got changed I would have only 10 minutes to swim making it a very expensive and pointless exercise! Then I asked to buy my ticket so I could shower and be changed and ready for 2pm and then get my full hour but that wasn't allowed either.  Tickets had to be purchased at 2pm!

So it appeared my choices were:
 a) a 10 minute expensive swim
b) hang around in sweaty gym gear getting cold for 20 minutes then go and swim
c) not bother!

I didn't bother in the end, telling the jobs-worth Receptionist that I remember swimming pools in the 70's having daft rules like this NOT in the modern world!  No wonder Kendal Leisure Centre is struggling and is never busy! I think they are trying to commit financial suicide - I certainly won't be back in a hurry!  I can imagine that on the hour, every hour there will be a queue of swimmers waiting to buy tickets and you still wont get your full hour by the time you have paid and got changed etc!

GRRRRRRRR stupid bloody pointless Rules!

So after NOT getting my swim, I went home for a shower and by this time it had stopped raining so I took the dog for a 2 mile walk!

I now have a headache - dehydration? stress? annoyance? All three?

Today's contribution to Juneathon is

Running: 3.11 miles
Walking 2.03 miles
Cycling 7.46 miles
Rowing 0.62 miles
Arguments 1
Headaches 1

Then my husband announced that he thought it had to be outside exercise to count towards Juneathon - he nearly got a slap and I also had great delight in telling him even if that was the case I had walked - outdoors - in the fresh air!!!

Tomorrow is another day and I am hoping for NO RAIN!!

Juneathon Day 4 & Day 5

Jog, log, blog!  Well I've failed on the last one, but I'm blaming the Queen! 


Yesterday was Day 4 of Juneathon, but also the day of our Jubilee BBQ! Thinking I would struggle to fit a run in yesterday I went out as soon as I got up.  It was also a sunny day so I thought it would be a good idea to run early just in case (fingers crossed) the sun got really hot later in the day! Anyhow, I decided to run a route I hadn't done for over a year to see any improvement, after a silly family asking for directions to the park scuppered my attempts at running a fast time the day before on another route! All was going well, until ... would you believe an old woman purposely crossed the road to stop me to ask where the Car Boot sale was!  What am I... the running Oracle?!  How would I know where it was?! I smiled politely whilst swearing at her under my breath! I struggled to get back into my pace after this but I still managed a good improvement on the year before's run! 8.40 min/miles compared to 9.48 min/miles!  I AM getting faster! View this run here! Once home I showered and then got into party organising mode - bunting erected in the garden, extra chairs and extra BBQ collected from neighbours, glasses and plates organised, food sorted, drink chilled etc etc etc. Eventually everything was ready and there was still time to go for a walk with the dog before changing into my patriotic clothes and welcome guests AND ... thankfully the sun was still shining! Whoo Hoooo! A fun time was had by all and the sun stayed out for us most of the evening so all was good!

My new trainers!  Pity they aren't pink!

Today was Day 5 Juneathon!  I started the day off trying to make some headway with the washing of glasses/plates and collecting beer cans  from every crevice in the garden! After which I took the dog for a walk to try and clear my slightly hungover head.  By the time I got home it was raining, so I went into town and bought myself some new trainers! I'm starting Marathon training and decided I needed some trainers which had good (better than my old ones) cushioning and ended up with some Asics, after trying on many, many others! They aren't very pretty but seem very comfortable! Coffee and cake followed in Costa before heading home and guess what?  I just had to try out my new trainers!  It had stopped raining so off I went!  My shoes were very comfortable but felt much heavier than my old minimalistic trainers, but I suppose that's what you get for more cushioning!  I'm sure I will get used to it in time! View this run here!


So I have run 18.8 miles and walked 4.70 miles so far in Juneathon!

Day 3 Juneathon!

Day 3 achieved!  Its amazing how the weather can change so much in a week, its gone from being unbearably hot (sunburnt knees!) to being freezing cold (numb fingers!).  Here's hoping it warms up abit and the wind drops for our Jubilee barbecue tomorrow!  Which brings me nicely to what I have been doing today!  Thankfully the weather has been naff as I have been stuck indoors shopping (lots of alcoholic beverages), cleaning (don't want people to realise I really am a slob as I prefer running to cleaning!) and making desserts (Domestic Goddess!).  


Eventually at around 4pm I decided I had done enough and it was time to reward (punish further!) myself with a run!  It was cold and windy and I felt extremely slow, fat and unfit!  Perhaps the junk food and alcohol diet needs to go!  Anyhow I did it - with gritted teeth!

Day 3 RUN!






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Am I the only person who looks at the plotted map after a run and tries to make the shape into something?  Today's run (in my opinion!) looks like a Great White Shark! Can anyone else see the resemblance or have I worked with kids too long? My family just shake their heads whenever I start the sentence "Today's map looks like a ....!".  I get a very strange sense of satisfaction if my run produces a good image - weird I know!!


Juneathon Mileage = 13 miles!

Day 2 Juneathon

I'm finally getting around to blogging about yesterdays run (just within the 24 hours timescale!!).

I was going to Carlisle yesterday on the train to meet friends for lunch so I decided to only option would be to go for my run beforehand!  I decided I would do a circuit I have done a couple of times before and see if I could work on my speed rather than distance.  Going earlier in the day meant the weather was less humid than it has been!  To make the run slightly more interesting I did the route in reverse - I didn't think this would effect me comparing times - but in hindsight I think it will as the hills are different types of hills at each end of the route!  Yes I know all hills go up but one hill goes up slightly for a longer distance and the other hill goes up steeply but for a short distance.  Stupidly I ended up going in the direction so that I was going up the short steep hill!!  Anyhow, all was going well and I was on target with my pace until ... the fat family (consisting of Mum, Dad, surly Teenage daughter and 2 twining under 5's all bordering on obese) decided to block my path (There was no going round and I certainly wasn't risking going through!!), I stopped with a fake smile (grimace) on my face and all they wanted were directions to the local park.

I tried to quickly give directions so I could be on my way, but they were having none of it! They repeated my directions S-L-O-W-L-Y  back to me to confirm they were correct before parting the way for me to continue!  I noticed at this point that Mr Fat was carrying a huge picnic hamper, and since it was only 9am at this point I assume they were going to find the park, sit in the sun and munch there way through the contents of the hamper to keep them going until lunchtime ...  Anyway who am I to judge other people lifestyles, each to their own!  I set back on my journey trying to make up for lost time, but felt despondent knowing I now wouldn't get a good time (yes I know - call me competitive!). I made it home with no further mishaps to discover I was a minute slower than last time ... gggrrrrr annoying!! In hindsight I should have said "Yes no problem ... I'll take you ... follow me!!!"  The run would have done them all good!!

 Day 2 Juneathon

Run done and I jumped in the shower and got ready to catch the train to Carlisle ... now what a fiasco that was!  Good old British Rail!  When I got to the station the arrivals board said "on time", with 6 minutes to go.  I heaved a sigh of relief as you never know with BR and found a nice seat in the sun.  A couple minutes later I looked again at the board ... this time 10 minutes delayed, then 20 minutes delayed, then 45 minutes delayed, then an hour delayed ... It got to the point that I didn't dare look at the board and was deciding if there was any point still going as I was meeting friends for lunch and by the time I got there it would be teatime!  I was busy texting my friends to keep them posted when a train suddenly arrived in the station with the announcement "This is the delayed Glasgow train!" (MY train!) so with a smile on my face I jumped on to be greeted with no seats and blocked aisles with 100's of people standing and suitcases. I found a standing place and waiting for the train to move ... 2 minutes ... 4 minutes ... 6 minutes (bearing in mind it was a hot sunny day for once in the Lake District and we were packed in like sardines!) eventually an announcement HURRAY!  "This is NOT the delayed Glasgow train but the 3 hour delayed Edinburgh train!", talk about panic in the troops, everyone who had struggled to get on with suitcases were fighting to get off again!  I was muttering under my breath whilst getting off the train until the announcement continued "This train will be stopping in Carlisle!" phew back on again!!

I managed to make it to Carlisle in perfect time to meet my friends although I did have to stand the entire journey! Annoying when you pay for a seat - and it isn't a cheap way to travel!   Anyhow a fab afternoon was had by all and I somehow managed to make it back to the station (after several bottles of wine!) to be greeted on the arrivals board with "By BUS!". If I wanted to travel by bus I would book a bus!  Deep breath - at least it was on time and the journey was only an hour longer than on the train!!!!  Hey Ho no wonder people don't like BR!!



So plan of action today?  Day 3!  Its not such a pleasant day today and I've got loads to do (shopping, cleaning, baking ...) for our Jubilee BBQ tomorrow!  Fingers crossed this rain dries up and the sun shines!  I will do my chores and will run later today when the rain has stopped (here's hoping!!).

Catch you later ...

DAY ONE Juneathon

1st June 2012 - where did May go?

Today at school we had a jubilee celebration party and we all dressed up in red, white and blue and had a street party type event!  It was a fabulous day and I'm sure the kids will remember it for years to come!  So after such a fun and busy day I still had running to do!  I actually felt quite up for it before I went but found it exceptionally hard again! Another hot and humid evening to contend with!  I must be taller than I think I am as whilst I was running I saw a branch from a tree hanging low and ducked slightly to go under it - obviously not enough as I still got clonked on the head for my trouble!!  I'm sure the passing cars all thought it hilarious but I DID NOT!!

View day One's run here!

End of the month ...

Well it's got to the end of the month again so how is 2012 miles in 2012 going?  


I haven't been very motivated with running this month - the Keswick to Barrow walking event seemed to take over, and then since completing that I have been using the excuses that I am recovering/resting aka slobbing!


This became apparent last night when I ran a 10K race I had entered whilst full of enthusiasm and found it excruciatingly hard!!! It proved that I need to commit to running more to succeed as I ran just this race slower than my last 10K, and didn't achieve my goal time of a sub 0.54 minut  Times are supposed to come down not go up!


Anyhow I have Juneathon to inspire me starting tomorrow and two 10K races booked in June to train for so here's hoping I get back into full training mode!


May Running Total: 41.48 miles
May Walking Total: 104.02 miles
May Cycling Total: 67.73 miles


To be on Target= 838 miles for the year so far!

Actual Mileage Achieved to date:

         3 sports (Run, Walk & Cycle) =  946.23 miles    =  1065.77 Miles Remaining

                            2 sports (Run & Walk)  =   792.70 miles     = 1219.30  Miles Remaining

                            Just Running =  438.08 miles  =  1573.92 Miles Remaining    

As you can see from my totals I haven't a hope of achieving running alone, but I may just scrape through if I try harder running and walking!!!

So I will set myself a running/walking/cycling target of 280 miles!  Did I really say that many?  Not sure whether this is realistic or not but hey-ho I will give it a go!

I will be blogging (hopefully) every day in June to successfully complete Juneathon so keep tuned!

K2B 2012 Photo's

https://picasaweb.google.com/116171786732551603487/K2B2012

Cycling to suss out a run route!

I am doing a 10K run next week and decided that I would cycle the route to suss out the hills etc so I knew what to expect!


I cycled to the village where the run is starting and found the starting point no problem at all! I thought I followed the instructions but before I knew it I was back to the start line after doing a small circuit of the village!  I had a little chuckle to myself and set off again ... I thought I knew where I had gone wrong and went a different way! However, before long things started to look familiar and yet again I was back at the start! One last chance to get it right and then I was giving up! Thankfully I was third time lucky (I think!) and rode the 10K route before arriving back at the start!  I hope none of the villagers were watching me as I had a very distinctive Union Jack cycling top on and there would be no missing the fact I'd ridden around the village 3 times in a fairly short time!  One positive came out of it - the run didn't go up a huge hill I thought was included in the route (I don't think!), I will  be dismayed next week if I'm wrong and I do HAVE to get up the big hill!


I was enjoying the ride so much in the beautiful warm sun I decided not to go straight home after sussing out the route but extended my ride!   I am falling back in love with my bike!


I did just under 30 miles tonight and it can be viewed here!

My first Runniversary!!

A year ago today I started running ...


I was bored with life after accomplishing the Keswick to Barrow walk and wanted a new challenge. I don't know why but I came up with running a half marathon!  I have never been a runner, have always hated running and have never understood those who enjoyed running.  So... why did I start? Well, I think primarily it was to prove those around me wrong!  When I was batting ideas around for my next challenge I was greeted with "you can't even run a mile, never mind 13!" so this made me all the more determined and before I could come to my senses I  managed to confirm a charity place for the Great North Run in September!  I downloaded a beginners half Marathon training plan and I was on my way ...


My first run was a fairly flat 3 mile circuit which nearly killed me!!  I plodded around cursing under my breath and regretting booking a half marathon so hastily.  It was a windy day and I was not a happy bunny!  I'm convinced if I hadn't booked the GNR that would have been the end to my running career!  However, determined not to fail I continued on my journey and in a remarkably short time I started to enjoy myself and actually started to look forward to going out for a run!  I followed my training plan religiously and before I knew it I was nervously standing on the start line of the GNR!  I found this run extremely difficult and challenging but was delighted to have finished it! My immediate words were "That's it, I've done it, never again!".  However ... a few days later once my legs had forgiven me I was biting at the bit to hit the road again! 


And one year later I am still running!  Tonight I did the same 3 mile route I did the very first day I ran, exactly a year ago today,  to see how much I have improved!  I am delighted to report that I have gone from a 11.14 min/mile pace to 8.20 min/mile pace! Dead chuffed with that especially since it was boiling hot!! (and no I'm not complaining!!!).


You can view my run here and compare the statistics! 




Over the past year, I have:


worn through 2 pairs of running shoes.
spent a small fortune on running gear.
enrolled with a monthly running magazine.
run in snow, rain, sun, wind and cold.
run off-road and on-road.
improved my pace from 11.14 to 8.20.
logged 826 RUNNING miles.
made best friends with forefoot running.
discovered the joys of owning a Garmin watch.
finished 2 half marathons and a 10K race.
improved my half marathon time by 23 minutes 56 seconds!
entered a full marathon.
completed the Janathon challenge (Running every day in January!).
blogged about running - OFTEN and had 3717 page views!
laughed, cried, sung and shouted -  sometimes all in the same run.
sweat more than in all the other years of my life combined!
made lots of new running friends.
become very determined to succeed.
and finally 
amazed myself and my family.


I now RUN FOR FUN!

Run, eat, sleep & repeat!

The sun came out to play...!

At long last the sun decided to shine down on us, and after another long day doing "home visits" I decided to go for a spin on my bike in the sun!  What a lovely ride it was too - although a lot of it was spent avoiding many 100's of pot-holes, hens and rabbits with death wishes and idiotic car drivers!  Car drivers fit into two categories from a cyclists point of view, they either a) fly past you so close to you your elbow brushes the side of the car OR b) they follow behind you at a ridiculously slow pace waiting for a personal invitation to overtake!  I experienced both of these tonight - several times! Not wanting to generalize but young people and men usually fit nicely into category A, whilst old people and women fir into category B!! What's wrong with being NORMAL - overtaking at a reasonable speed giving adequate space to the cyclist!!!  I'm a very considerate car driver when I see cyclists and give them space so why can't people give me the same honour? Anyway, sorry rant over ...

I have heard about sheep jumping walls but I have never seen a sheep walking along a wall like I did tonight!!  It was such an unusual sight it made me do a double take!  Perhaps he was practising his balancing skills so he could run away and join the circus before he ended up in the oven...!


I managed 20.75 miles and you can view my ride here,


I expected to see zillons of cyclists out tonight as the weather was so nice but the roads were surprisingly quiet (except for hens, rabbits and idiotic drivers that is!!!) - perhaps after all the rain and cold weather its now too hot for "most" cyclists!!  Hey ho there's no pleasing some folk!

Oh I do hope the summer continues, it makes me feel so much better! 

87.40/71 walking miles, 28.34/100 running miles, 55.26 MILES REMAINING

Another cold and windy day, and another busy day at work with home visits for the new September intake!


However, my running buddy Vicky was home for the weekend and asked me out for a run - it would be rude not to, so I did!


We caught up with all the gossip and even managed 6.50 miles whilst doing it! Our run can be viewed here!


Here's hoping the weather improves sometime soon!

Back in the saddle ...

I didn't run tonight, I went for a teeny tiny walk and then got on my bike and went for a ride.   Brrrrrrrrr, it was chilly!  Even though the sun was shining there was a sharp wind that made it extremely cold AND I was kitted out with over shoes, thermal base layer and Gloves, will someone please tell him up there it's May and its supposed to be warm!!  Apart from the cold I really enjoyed the ride and managed 17 miles which can be viewed here. My Teeny walk was only 0.48 miles which takes my mileage for May up to: 87.40 walking miles, 21.84 running miles and 17 cycling miles!

I got the overall results today for the K2B walk and was chuffed to be 362nd out of 2303 finishers.

86.92/71 walking miles. 21.84/100 running miles. 62.24 remaining.

After a couple of days rest I had planned to go to my usual steps class this evening but unfortunately I had a meeting at work which clashed so I couldn't go.  I was busy convincing myself that another rest day would be good for me and was planning on doing nothing!  Then at lunchtime I was checking my emails and I had a email about participating in Juneathon, which is basically the same concept as Janathon except its exercising everyday in June instead of January!  Anyway, I signed up for it and then felt motivated to actually do some exercise!  So once I finished work, I went home, quickly got changed into my running gear and hit the streets! My body was NOT impressed!  My legs were shouting "What do you think your doing, we ran/walked 40 miles for you and now we deserve a rest!",  My stomach was making some horrendous sloshing sounds (rather like I had a hot water bottle up my T shirt!) and my heart felt like it was trying to escape out my chest!  Luckily I had planned just a short run and managed to get home without any problems!  I ran 3.65 miles in 33 minutes. The run can be viewed here!.  I then had to have a quick shower and be back at work for my meeting, but I felt better for it!

I mentioned entering Juneathon earlier, and whereas I ran everyday in January during Janathon, my plan for Juneathon is to do both cycling and running on alternate days since I am training for both running events and cycling sportives!


I ran 158 miles during Janathon, so based on that total I am setting my Juneathon goals as being 80 running miles and 200 cycling miles.


Why don't you join me in this next challenge?  Enter here! You know you want to!!

Another Day of REST...!

I have decided to give my body a well earned rest ... I don't want to jeopardise my fitness by overdoing things and then have to pull out of  future events, so for the sake of a couple of days I am taking things easy!


I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the K2B at the weekend, but I can honestly say it is the most tired I have EVER felt.  I was fine whilst I was doing it, and even immediately after (I think the adrenaline must have kicked in!) but about 6 hours later I was absolutely, frighteningly exhausted!  I was thinking I would never recover enough to exercise again!  


However, little old me has bounced back and after feeling extremely fatigued yesterday I have felt fine today!!  There's life in me yet! Now onto the next challenges! A sub 50 minute 10K run in June and a cycling sportive in July! Need to get back on my bike!

Whatever happened to Mayathon...?

Oh Dear, I promised to walk or jog and blog every day in May but I've failed big time! 


I was successful up to Day 7 then I started to feel ill and a little stressed about the Keswick 2 Barrow Challenge, so I decided to give myself  some recuperation time ... 


However, here's a quick update and its not all bad - I have done the following mileage:


Day 8 Mayathon -    Rest Day
Day 9 Mayathon -     0.77 Mile Walk (every little helps!)
Day 10 Mayathon -   Rest Day
Day 11 Mayathon -   Rest Day
Day 12 Mayathon -   40 Miles Walk (although part run for this challenge I will says its a walk!)
Day 13 Mayathon -   4.52 Miles Walk


Total Mileage to add to my previous total = 45.29 Walking, 0 miles Running!


So May totals are currently: 


86.92/71 Walking miles - smashed my monthly target on this one!
18.19/100 Running Miles - a way to go!


105.11 miles total - 65.89 Remaining!


Today's walk was primarily to view the cyclists taking part in the Fred Whitton Challenge -  a gruelling 112 mile sportive challenge cycle ride! I wanted to see what the riders looked like as I am considering it for a future challenge!   Hummmmmmm, they all looked rather professional, and first person home was in 5 hours 59 minutes, incredible achievement when you consider the elevation's involved too! I would definitely be one of the last if I did participate next year - but does it matter if I do my best and FINISH?!


I will consider it further, and decide when the entry for 2013 opens!

K2B 40 Mile Challenge

I DID IT!!!

Click this link here to read all about it!

K2B 2012 - IT'S TOMORROW!!!

Well the training is over and the event is nearly here.

Timing tags have been collected and distributed.to other team members!

Small waist bag packed with energy bars and drinks etc.

Clothes selected and laid out!

Garmin fully charged!

I'm carbo-loaded with Spaghetti Bolognese!

Alcohol is off the menu!

Wish me luck folks and look back tomorrow for how I got on!

Time to test my Determination and Endurance!

41.63/71 walking miles. 18.19/100 running miles. 122.17 go!

I have a problem ... my marathon training is supposed to have started today BUT I'm also supposed to be tapering for the Keswick to Barrow Walk AND it is Bank Holiday Monday!  So now I have listed all my excuses I must admit to not running today but I did go for a walk with the dog! I didn't want to fatigue my body by doing too much so I decided to just swap days and  take today as a rest day and start tomorrow with the 2 mile run (tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day!) and then I will be back on track! 


Fingers crossed I will be totally into the programme next week when I don't have anything else to consider!  On a positive note I have just checked the forecast for Saturday and so far all looks good - fingers crossed it stays that way as last year was a bit of a soggy affair!! 


As already mentioned I went for a 4.13 mile walk with the dog and even managed to avoid the heavy rain!


Day One Marathon Training - Rest Day - Achieved!

Day 7 Mayathon Achieved!

37.50/71 walking miles. 18.19/100 running miles. 126.30 go!

Last night we went out for a meal with friends to a restaurant in a nearby town.  We drove there but to enable us all to have a few drinks we left the car overnight and got a taxi home.  In fact we had a few too many, and I didn't feel my best when I woke up this morning.  My legs felt heavy after the long walk yesterday, my stomach was churning from too much rich food, and my head was throbbing from the vast assortment of alcoholic beverages consumed! However ... I still decided it would be a good idea to run the 7 miles to get the car! So off I went thinking I can always walk if it gets too bad! Talk about hard work!  It was made harder by the fact there was hills to negotiate too!  But did I walk?  NOOOO! I was running and in my head when I'm running walking is out the question so I soldiered on in the beautiful morning sunshine, although there was still a nip in the air!

Once I got to Milnthorpe I had the added complication of not actually knowing where the car was parked!  (When we got to the restaurant last night the car park was full, so us ladies went into the bar area whilst the men went to find a parking space!).  I had been given fairly woolly directions about where I would find the car, but was apprehensive about actually locating it!  (I wouldn't know if it had been stolen or I was looking in the wrong place!).  I found it without any problem and had even remembered the key!


However, on opening the car door I looked down at my legs to tie my shoe lace and was greeted with a not very pleasant site!  Last night (as I was wearing a dress) I had used fake bake tanning lotion and with me sweating profusely whilst running all the tan had slid off down my legs leaving a nice streaky pattern pooling nicely at the top of my nice white socks - which now looked like they had been tangoed! I inspected my arms and was greeted with the same sight but luckily I had a fluorescent orange T shirt on so it wasn't obvious!  Note to self - DO NOT RUN WITH FAKE BAKE ON!!

I managed to run the 7.48 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes and I can honestly say that once I'd had a shower and something to eat and drink I felt like a new woman!  Obviously as well as sweating the tan off I sweated the toxins out too!


So after suffering more football on the telly we went for a walk with the dog (the sun was still shining surprisingly!) clocking up more walking miles for the month too!


So how does Mayathon look now?


I ran 7.48 miles today and walked 3.51 miles, so the miles are creeping up!


Day 6 Mayathon ACHIEVED!

Well readers, my Marathon training commences tomorrow! 

 I trawled the internet looking at various training plans before finally settling on one from the "Thrive Advice" website. What did I like about this one? It attracted my attention because firstly it includes cycling in its regime (I love cycling and was worried with running so much I wouldn't fit it in, so this is perfect!)  and secondly it doesn't just have you aiming for your main goal "To run a Marathon" but the plan is made up of mini interim goals to keep you on track!  I thought this would be beneficial to me as I like to have things to aim for but October is such a long way off!    So as well as my marathon goal I have the goals "To run a sub 50 min 10K" , "Complete a 3 hour run", "Run a sub 1 hour 50 minutes Half Marathon" before the final "Run a sub 4 hour 30 minute Marathon". 


Kick off is tomorrow with a very short run to build on base fitness and a monthly goal of  "to work on running form and to become accustomed to the plan!".  I think I can manage that!

Follow me on my journey to my first marathon!

33.99/71 walking miles. 10.71/100 running miles. 126.30 go!

After quite a few drinks last night I got up with the aim of going on a 20 mile walk, being my last long walk before the tapering commences for the K2B next Saturday!


The sun was back out again so I seized the opportunity, organised my bag with snacks and drinks and thought about what I would wear!  I decided that I would wear the clothes (socks, bra, knickers etc!) that I planned to wear for the real thing just to make sure that everything was comfortable, worked together and didn't chaff! 


It was very chilly albeit sunny when I set off at just after 9.30am, however by 10.30am the chill went and the sun shone brighter leaving me rather warm!  Perhaps I had too many layers on - this is a problem I will have to contend with next week as setting off at 5.30am it IS going to be chilly but then later on it could warm up!  Oh problems, problems!!  


I set off with the aim of doing 20 miles in under 4 and a half hours, since my goal for the full 40 miles is under 9 hours! This equates to a fairly fast walking pace of just under 5MPH.  However, I soon realised that this just wasn't happening - once my legs got to a certain pace they wanted to run!  SO ... I started running whenever there was a downhill section initially, and noticed my Garmin was registering around 6MPH on these sections so I thought up a new strategy instead of just running downhill's!  I decided that I would walk until the Garmin registered an average pace of 5MPH and then run again for half a mile or so to increase my average pace, then walk until the pace dropped to 5MPH again and then run ...!  I kept this going for the entire 20 miles and it appeared to work - it kept me entertained and gave me something to think about!  At around 16 miles I was walking happily along when I came across a swarm of horrible big fly type insects (Hover Flies?!) which I had no alternative but to walk through!  

At this point with arms flaring I decided it would be a good idea to get the hell out of there and run! I managed to shake off the majority of them but a few insistent buggers decided to follow me!  Eventually I managed to outrun them - horrible things they were - I was expecting to be covered in bites or something similar but I appear to have escaped unscathed! 


I managed 20.40 miles in 4 hours 11 minutes, now its whether I can continue the same pace for an additional 20 miles as well as building toilet stops and food/refreshments in too to enable me to achieve my sub 9 goal! Hey Ho I have done all I can and will just have to do my best next Saturday and see what happens on the day but I will definitely be using my new run/walk strategy! Apart from being slightly too hot I had no other problems with my attire so at least I have my wardrobe sorted now too!


After having a shower and some food I took the dog out for a little 1.27 mile walk to aid my recovery!!


So all in all a good day for Mayathon - 21.67 walking miles in the bag!

Day 5 Mayathon Achieved!

12.32/71 walking miles. 10.71/100 running miles. 147.97 go!

The sun didn't shine for long - it has retreated again and we were left with a very cold windy day!  However, I was meeting my running buddy Vicky for the last time (for the time being!) as she is moving to Brighton on Sunday, so it was a quick in from work, change and out again!  No time to deliberate on whether I could be bothered in the cold!  I soon warmed up and enjoyed the run and the company!  We managed 6.37 uneventful miles whilst putting the world to rights and then said our sad farewells.  We will have to keep in touch and motivate each other via cyberspace with Facebook and Runkeeper!

Day 4 Mayathon  ACHIEVED!

After feeling proud of myself for completing Day 4 I got thinking to the week ahead and any plans which might try and trip me up in my goal ....OMG there on the calendar for Monday in big red letters are the words "MARATHON TRAINING BEGINS!"  and then just to add insult to injury on Saturday it states "K2B WALK!" - I'm double stressing now!! EEEKKKK!  Did I really enter or did a pseudonym take over my name?!!  Too late now - I just need to get a grip!  I am going to take my marathon training really seriously as I truly want to be able to say "I did my best!" even if I hit the wall at 20 miles or end up collapsing!  Luckily for me (with the K2B walk coming up) the marathon plan starts off very, very gently with just 2 or 3 mile runs next week which I can easily integrate into my tapering plan!  So... that's my summer sorted!

My Husband got me this mug for my Birthday - it shows what he thinks of me!!

12.32/71 walking miles. 4.34/100 running miles. 154.34 go!

Well today is my Birthday and I am pleased to report I felt quite human for the first time in a week!  I didn't walk to work today as I has birthday cakes to take in (Strange tradition at our work is that when its your birthday you provide the cake!!) but when I got home I felt fairly energetic and the sun was shining so I decided to go for a early run as we were off out for a family birthday meal later and  it would work up a good appetite!  


As I said the sun was shining but I am so used to cold weather I didn't even think about a drink - BIG mistake, and I'm not talking wine here just boring old water!!  I set off and after a very short distance I was gagging for a drink!  Anyhow, I persevered and not long after a car pulled up alongside me and an old dear had her head out the window so I stopped thinking she wanted directions, but then she turned away from me and I said "Oh sorry thought you were wanting to ask me something!" to which the old dear replied " I am, just wait your turn and don't be impatient!"  If I wasn't such a polite good little girl I might have told her where to go and continued on my way but instead I did as I was told and waited!   When she had finished her conversation with her husband/lover/brother she granted me her attention and I nearly laughed when she asked for directions to Grange, locally known as God's waiting room!!!  They definitely needed to be there but I'm not so sure they should have been driving!   I gave short sharp directions and continued on my way!  The rest of the run was uneventful and I did 4.34 miles, just enough to get me back home in time for a shower and be ready for the off again!!

Day 3 Mayathon  ACHIEVED!

12.32/71 walking miles. 0/100 running miles. 158.68 to go!

I don't know why I'm bothering to blog cos I haven't jogged and I have only done a little walk BUT I did say I was going to blog everyday in May so I'm keeping my promise!

I walked to work and I had planned to extend my return walk home to get some extra miles in, but after feeling not so good all day and then enduring a meeting until 6pm my only goal was to make it home without collapsing from exhaustion!


A slightly disappointing day 2 with only 2.89 miles in the bag!

Day 2 Mayathon Achieved!

9.43 / 71 walking miles. 0/100 running miles - 161.57 miles to go!

I am trying a new motivational tool to see if it helps me keep on track better than I have been doing for my challenge 2012 miles in 2012!  Instead of waiting until the end of the month to see how I'm doing I will keep track on here by posting mileages achieved as I do them!!! My May goal is 100 running miles and 71 walking miles so lets see if this works.  Since jogging and blogging worked for me in January - Mayathon here we come!! I will jog or walk and blog everyday in May!


I set the ball rolling tonight with a walk (well half walk, half run!).  I have had really bad tummy pains for a couple of days and wasn't really in the mood to go out especially since it was cold and very windy, but the thought of the K2B being 11 days away and I didn't want to fail on Day one of Mayathon so off I went! Once I got going the weather wasn't the only windy thing but god did I feel better for it!! 


I walked for the first 5 miles, but then it started to get dark and the clouds looked like they were hiding alot of rain so I started to jog to try and avoid getting wet! I was pleased I did as I came across a man lurking by the side of the road which I was slightly nervous about and when I passed him he was actually having a wee on the grass verge!  NOT behind a tree, hedge or wall but in my full view. I'm glad I was running so I didn't have to stay around long!  I wondered if he was a flasher and picked up my pace just in case he turned out to be a nutter.  I had just started to relax again and had my heart rate back under control when I came across ANOTHER man doing exactly the same!  Why can't men keep it in their pants?  Why do they feel the need to flash it to the world! I wondered whether they were together and the first man had text ahead to his mate to give me a second thrill - NOT!!!  From this point onwards I ran all the way home - I didn't want any more sightings!!! I walked/ran 9.43 miles in 2 hours 4 minutes!

Day One Mayathon  Achieved!