Friday 30 September 2011

YES, it's been that long since I last posted - probably because I haven't actually been running! It took so long to get over my injury that I completely lost my enthusiasm and mojo - so, what am i doing here I hear you ask...

Well, several pounds heavier I have decided to give it another go...I've been going out regularly for the last month or so and can manage to run (plod) around Ferry Meadows - the short route (2 miles) in the morning on my own twice a week and the longer lake (3 miles) with Rhona on Saturday mornings.

I'm a long way from where I was two years ago but closer than I was when I initially started training for the marathon, so watch this space....

Well, I'm being very good this week and have met my target of 2 runs x 4 miles. I must admit, when I looked out the window and saw the rain this morning, it nearly put me off! Still, I would rather have rain than sun, so just got myself ready and got out there before I changed my mind. Not many people about, surprise, no?

For a change I went the other way round today and, my goodness, for some reason it seemed a heck of a lot longer - won't be doing that again!

Still got a slight niggle in the back of my right leg and buttock for for once it seemed to be slightly less today. I am stretching and doing situps when I get back and have been eating very healthy this week, so hopefully the scales will be kind to me tomorrow.....

Yet another Saturday morning run. How different can the weather be from last week. Actually, I love drizzle, of course, only when I'm running though. It keeps me nice and cool and I have a real problem with heating up when running. Even today, at the end of the run I was very red in the face but i guess that's down to being unfit!

Rhona and I did the 4 mile run that I did on Wednesday, bless her! I hope she's not afraid to say No.

And the best bit, on our way back we ran into our old running partners, Sheila and Laura. They ran back with us for a bit and we had a quick catch-up. Can't wait to be fit enough to be able to run with them again.

After lunch, Steve and I went for a walk - 9 miles. We are in training for the Coast to Coast Walk holiday we have booked for the summer.

Had a bit of sciatica which was very uncomfortable. I have done lots of stretching and just hope it doesn't cause me too many problems.

Think I may sleep well tonight, feeling exhausted!

Another run on a consecutive day - Yippee!!

Had a late start for work so made the most of it and went for a run this morning. The weather was so much kinder to me today, although I am guessing most people will have been unhappy that the sun has disappeared.

As I was feeling ok, I decided to go a bit further and ran round the lake and up the track into the woods. A little bit of hill work....and a mile or so extra, so feeling well chuffed.

Yet another Tuesday morning run, still running round the big lake and even thought about going through the Nature Reserve but decided to wait until saturday and do it with Rhona. It was very warm and I am so glad i did it first thing in the morning, I would surely find it very hard to go after work. I have even been cycling to work fairly regularly to and for the past couple of weeks I have been trying very hard on the diet front - hopefully I shall start seeing some results soon!

What an absolutely fantastic day it is today! I knew it was going to be hot so I arranged with Rhona to meet a 8 am before the sun came out too strong - thank goodness we did, because it was still very warm.

There were loads of people about, a few runners and lots of dog walkers. We did our run round the big lake and think next week we should extend it a bit more to take in the nature reserve. It still seems as hard as ever, my lungs just don't seem to be able to cope but I guess it will get easier....

Even though it's been some time since I last blogged I have been out running, honestly! Okay, may be not that regularly but this week started with a promise to myself to make sure I go out at least 3 times a week and I've stuck to it so far. Well, I've been out twice this week and plan to go out on Saturday with Rhona.

I even pushed the mileage for today's run, doing 3 miles....no big deal I know, but it's a start.

And I have been cycling to work fairly regularly too.

What a feeling...

Yes, what a wonderful feeling, getting up and running at the start of the day. Not saying it's a good feeling, though, haha! What's good is it's done, what's not good is, it's hard work getting out of my nice warm cozy bed!!!

Still really hard, legs not co-operating and taking tiny weeny little steps - come on legs, get that stride going. And as for the breathing, well, least said the better.

Would be oh so much easier if i wasn't carrying all this extra weight. Decided yesterday (once again) that I really really need to shift it so no wine this week until Saturday....watch this space.

Getting easier?

Saturday morning comes round again....very warm today and the wind has dropped from the past few days. I was really thirsty and wished I had taken a drink of water with me. After going out twice this week, I thought it was time to up the distance...lol. So, we went round the big lake! Haha adds on about 1/2 mile but psychologically it makes a big difference. Didn't feel any worse for it either so perhaps I ought to think about that being my mid-week run. Something to think about....

Early morning run again!

Well, I surprised myself by getting up and going for a run this morning. I really am trying to keep going now. The run itself was mega slow but what the heck, I did it.

It was lovely and peaceful, not many around and a good time to ponder over life.... and plan my next crafting project!

Early Morning Jog

Well, I've decided I really need to put in a bit more effort with my running and stop being so lazy, so alarm set and up I got this morning at 10 past 6 and out of the door by 6.30! It wasn't too bad, the weather was ok and don't remember seeing many people about, in fact, can't remember seeing anyone. It's a good time of day to get my thoughts in order - that is when I can stop thinking about how hard it is!

The greatest thing is that it's done and out of the way - next run, Thursday morning.

Saturday morning slog - er, I mean JOG

The first run in a couple of weeks - wow, where is the time going to, 2 May already! Not been feeling great this last week with a bit of a cold so got a good excuse, but really, I just need to get back into the routine. Must get up in the mornings and go for a run then as when I get home from work it is the last thing I feel like doing.

Today's run was pretty hard, I am still feeling a bit chesty but thought I must get out there. It was quite warm, the sun was out and it really held some warmth in it. So, it's done for today, and I promise myself to get out at least twice during the week.

At Last...

Met with Rhona and we did out usual little run and I can at last say that I feel there is an improvement - we certainly seemed to be running a little bit faster. Breathing still a problem but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It was a glorious morning, probably the nicest it will be over this Easter Weekend, well worth getting up early for.

I met up with Rhona on Tuesday and we did our usual 2 mile run - we both agreed that we really ought to be thinking about lengthening the run..... maybe next time!

It just doesn't seem to be getting any easier but I guess it is still early days. The good news is no hip/thigh pain - if only I could get my breathing under control.

We are booked for our next run Friday morning.

Out - Again!

Oh dear, I really lost my mojo last week - for some reason I just didn't feel like running even though for the most part the weather was lovely. It's probably because it is still very hard work - the good news is that my leg/thigh/hip seems to have recovered.

Although I didn't run, I did cycle to work which is a 6 mile round trip. I did this 4 days out of the 5, so at least I did something.

I did go out for a run this morning with Rhona and it was again a glorious morning. It was hard work but we made a date for Tuesday so it can only mean progress....

I had to give Thursday evening's run a miss - my hamstring was oh so sore. In fact, I began to wonder if I had actually pulled something. By Saturday morning, it wasn't feeling too bad so decided to go out with Rhona and see how I got on. It wasn't great, in fact it felt like it was spreading into my buttock but when I got home I did some stretching and now, a couple of days later, it seems like it might be okay. Not really sure what's going on - probably my poor old body saying, come on old gal, whatcha think you are doing!

Out Again!

Well, my hamstrings didn't know what had hit them! They ached and ached and didn't seem to be easing at all but Tuesday was my next scheduled run and I couldn't back out already. I must admit not looking forward to it as I remember what it is like being so unfit and finding running such a struggle. Anyway, I got home from work, got changed and got out there.

And yes, it was as hard as I expected, if not harder! My hamstrings and groin were really sore. I guess about half way round my groin eased but my hamstrings felt tight all the way round. I managed to keep going and tried very hard to think about other things, anything else rather than my hamstrings!!

I did some good stretching afterwards, had a hot shower and felt a bit stiff all night.

The good news is that my legs feel a heck of a lot better today, much better than before the run so may be that was all I needed - another run.

I'm trying to cycle into work every other day as well, to bolster up my fitness and keep it a bit more rounded. The rain nearly put me off this morning but luckily I managed to avoid the showers.

Well, it seems Spring is here so decided to give running another go. I had been thinking about it for a few weeks now to be truthful but managed to talk myself out of it every time. This time, I made a date with Rhona so I couldn't back out.

We met at 9 am and thought it best to be cautious and not go too mad! We ran (?!) round the small lake of Ferry Meadows - I think from memory it is around 2 miles. I decided not to take my watch and just enjoy it for what it is! It was great meeting up with Rhona again and we had loads to catch up on, so the run itself wasn't too excruciating.

I made sure I did loads of stretching afterwards and at this moment in time, I feel OK!

Giving up - again!

Here I go again - having to give up running! Right leg and thigh and hip area been sore all week so I've decided that it's just not time to go back to running yet. It's feels like the sciatic nerve in the hamstring so maybe it's a problem that will stay with me. So, I said to hubby that I was going to give up until Spring and he asked whether that meant I was hibernating? I laughed, but on reflection that's just what I feel like doing.

Up-date

Well, I've had a bit of a mixed week. Last Saturday I pushed the distance a bit and did 4 miles without too much trouble. I even went for a bike ride in the afternoon round part of the Green Wheel covering a distance of 20 miles.

The Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel is a continuous network of cycleways, footpaths and bridleways that provide safe, continuous routes around the city, through picturesque stone villages, the Fens and the scenic Nene valley.

Not only does the Green Wheel contribute to a sustainable transport system, it also celebrates over 3000 years of social, cultural and economic history through colourful interpretation boards and a series of sculptures. This is the Millenium Bridge and you can see more images from the Green Wheel here!


I then went out for a run on Tuesday morning. It was very dark so I decided to go on a route that was mostly lit up by street lights. It was OK and I ran for 1 1/2 miles there and back so 3 miles in total. I was really keen to try and start building up my mileage.

However, during the day I could feel my lower back and top of my right leg (quads) really starting to seize up and become very sore. It wasn't until Friday that I felt ok again. This is really getting me down - I feel I'm just not meant to run!

I'm going for a run tomorrow morning with Rhona and will see how I get on then.