Runstreak Day #330 - long run treacle day

I am in a bit of a bleh place with my running at the moment.  For the past week almost all of my runs have been just sheer bloomin' hard work.  I think because I'm feeling pretty low in myself it's starting to rub off on my running.  Normally, that wouldn't happen because I'd have the physical energy spare to get my act together and run without thinking about it too much.  Unfortunately, I'm not sleeping at all well at the moment and it means that day after day of that is giving the net result of my feeling exhausted.  And therefore running is a struggle too.  Because I need that, right?!

So, today's run involved three bits.  Run to the Sweatshop Sunday long run.  Do the long run.  Run home.  Part one - that was okay.  Survived in one piece with no particular problem other than just generally feeling a bit tired.  Part two - ran with a running friend, which was good... you get to chat and survive it together... plus, she wanted to run at a fairly steady pace and that suited me fine.  What wasn't fine, however, was the bloomin' head wind we were running into for most of our run.  It was relentless.  Even swearing at it a bit didn't help (and that *always* helps!)... and it carried on battering us.  Head on.  Blowing across us.  Head on and swirly.  Urgh.  We did at least have the wind behind us on the way back, but after nearly 4 miles of battering, it was poor relief... and neither of us were really feeling the run at all.  Chatting or not chatting, a hard run is still a hard run.

Then... part three.  The bit we'll call 'I gave up after 1.5 miles, walked for half a mile, then ran the last half mile home.  And it was horrible.  A slow shuffle for most of it.  And after a mile or so of hill, I'd had enough and couldn't face running up the last bit of hill.  So, I stopped my Garmin and trudged.  Even running down the hill at the end wasn't the normal fun-fest.  I was frozen (wore the wrong clothes - again!).  And tired.  And my ankle was hurting a fair bit.

Okay, so I still did it.  But I think I've broken myself a fair bit!

Tomorrow will involve a VERY gentle run.  VERY gentle.  I am officially knackered.

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	11.56 mi
Time:	1:52:40
Avg Pace:	9:45 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	310 ft

Cool down

Distance:	0.55 mi
Time:	4:53
Avg Pace:	8:56 min/mi

Runstreak Day #323 - the awful long run!

Good grief I did not get on well with today's run.  I just was not feeling it at all.  Some runs you do.  Some you don't.  Today, I didn't.

For a start, it was a t-shirt and shorts day.  Which is weird in October.  And threw me slightly.  And then it was stupidly windy.  Which I always hate, especially when it comes to running into a headwind for nearly 6 miles along the river.  And then I had stomach ache which, had I not been running with a group would have had me stopping and bending double to try to provide some relief.  And my ankle / back weren't feeling great.

And the list could go on and on.  Moan, moan, moan!

To be honest, I wasn't in the best frame of mind to start my run.  The delights of the post-car accident crap continue to reverberate and I managed a teary panic (triggered by just the thought of driving again) right before joining the Sweatshop run.  I pulled myself together and did the run, but it does have an impact.  The first three miles were a struggle, even though I was running with someone else the whole time... then the next three, our group of two became four as we ran with another couple of runners - battling the battering from the headwind the whole time.  The last 5 I ran just about on my own, with the other three a little way behind.  I was so glad to get past 10 miles and know I'd got less than a mile left.  Even though I'd taken it steady, it really took its toll.  I wonder how it is that I could run a half marathon two weekends running and be okay... but not even manage 11 miles today and find each mile a struggle.

Felt so ill afterwards I had to go to bed.

Ah well.  Better than not doing it at all.

And it didn't put me off registering for the Tissington Trail Half Marathon next year!

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	10.76 mi
Time:	1:38:32
Avg Pace:	9:10 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	55 ft

Runstreak Day #281 - I am that annoying runner...

... who is stupidly chirpy when they're running.

Plus, it's kinda weird when your face aches more from smiling than your legs do from running, isn't it?

That's what happened today because I just really REALLY enjoyed my run.  I think I drive other people a bit mad sometimes when I'm running.  I think that after 20 months of running the novelty of actually being able to run hasn't worn off and I am so amazed and happy that I'm running a fair distance that I can't shake the smiling.  I say hello to just about everyone I pass (unless they're studiously not making eye contact!).  I talk to doggies as I run past and have been known to say 'morning' to the ducks that I pass on the canal.

And when I'm running at a slower pace than normal (as I was running with someone else), I got to completely relax while I was running and enjoyed just about everything about my run.  The weather was sparkly and lovely.  It was nice to chat as I ran.  I felt light and strong the whole time.  And when I finished at almost 11 miles, I felt like I had plenty more left in my legs.

When I was starting running I never thought there would be a time when running would ever feel like today.  It was always so hard.  Always such a struggle.  Aching legs.  Chest burning.  Hard flipping work.  I love that I get to smile when I run these days.  It's a brilliant feeling.

Even if it is annoying to everyone else!

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	10.70 mi
Time:	1:45:38
Avg Pace:	9:52 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	68 ft

Runstreak Day #274 - the crash after the long run

Day 274... and I had a really really fab run with a couple of lovely Notts Women Runners... and it totally reminded me about how fab running is.

We ran 11 miles together, chatting away just about the whole time, did a completely new route... managed a decent consistent pace and I definitely feel like a sub-2 half marathon is comfortably possible in a few weeks time provided I keep myself from panicking / doing something stupid / injuring myself!  Although obviously I have now massively tempted fate and it'll all go pear shaped in the next few weeks... *touches wood quickly*

However, about an hour or so after coming home... having a shower and a nice cuppa cha (naturally!), I crashed completely.  Terrible headache... stomach feeling awful... and it's never happened to me before.  How weird is that??  I guess I could probably have done to drunk water while I was running as it was pretty warm, but I absolutely hate carrying anything with me so didn't have anything.  I had a bottle of water and a banana as soon as I finished running, but I'm not sure how much it helped.

Whoops!

Ah well.  It was still a really nice run and I enjoyed it lots.  Pretty countryside.  Saw other friendly runners.  Good to have company on a longish run.  And finished not feeling too wrecked.  Just crashed later on.  Soooo... gotta get my head around fixing the last bit and all will be well!

Right... more headache tablets and another cuppa required! :D

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	11.02 mi
Time:	1:35:58
Avg Pace:	8:43 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	101 ft

Runstreak Day #267 - nice 'n' easy does it

You know what?  After a really rubbish run there is always a good run.  Or at least, your rubbish run was so rubbish that short of your feet falling off and someone pushing you in the canal while you attempted to rescue your trainers and then realised that you'd forgotten to stop your Garmin... well, compared to that, anything would be better.

So, today's run was better.  Felt grumpily unprepared for it.  And nearly didn't bother going as my brain was busy telling my legs that if they could scarcely manage 3 miles yesterday then there was no chance at all that they could manage 10.  But, I chose to ignore my stupid brain and went anyway.

And I'm glad I did.  My pacing was a bit all over the place as it was a Sweatshop Running Community run and I ran the first few miles with a runner I was chatting to last week.  We were in that weird territory of me slowing to her pace and her feeling that she needed to keep up with me.  In the end, she dropped back and slowed right down - which was fine, but I wouldn't honestly have minded running slower.  Then, another guy started chatting to me.  He was aiming for 9 - 9:30 minute miles, but didn't mind going at 8:45s.  Which wasn't what I was aiming for really, I just wanted to run at a nice gentle consistent pace!  So, he ran with me for the next few miles until he started to flag and then I realised that I was running behind another guy who was running at exactly my comfortable pace.  

I've never had that happen before.  He was running step for step the exact same pace as me.  To the extent where I was being a bit weirded out by the fact that I could only hear one set of footsteps between the two of us!  The next few miles pattered away quite happily, completely in sync, until he too dropped back.  By this point, I was starting to feel like the Duracell Bunny.  Keeping on keeping on whilst the other bunnies conked out!!  Then, I acquired my 4th running partner who started chatting to me... but embarrassingly I couldn't remember that I'd already run with him before.  And he'd done all of the Sunday runs, which I've done too.  But it just hadn't registered in my brain!  Whoops!

Anyway... all this boils down to the fact that it was a nice Sunday run.  Didn't feel like I was on the verge of stopping at any point (hooray!), and managed a nice even pace which, if I keep my act together should comfortably get me under the 2 hour mark for the Robin Hood half, which is my only goal for the rest of the year!

Just goes to show, doesn't it?  You can't judge today's run by yesterday's disaster!

Oh, and the other thing I discovered today was that the thirstier you get, the more likely you are to see other people drinking water.  That is a brand new fact that I've donated just for you.  Fact.  :o)

Tea?

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	9.83 mi
Time:	1:27:14
Avg Pace:	8:53 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	56 ft

Runstreak Day #246 - sweaty hot Sweatshop run

A 'very nearly 10 mile' run this morning.  My pedantic side won't allow me to round up the last 0.19 to make it 10 miles!  Anyway... I thought I'd share some of the thought processes which were wandering around my head as I ran with the Sweatshop Running Community group this morning...

Pre-run - 'Don't think I can manage this... don't be silly, you've run further than this before... but I don't think I can... but you can, stop being stupid... but what if I can't... you can... can't... can... damn it, I'll go...'

Mile 1 - 'Okay, this is survivable...legs working... knee not hurting too much... pace seems okay...'

Mile 1.5 - 'Damn... can't seem to find my rhythm... the faster ones have gone off ahead... and I can't keep up... don't know if I can do this... maybe I should aim for 7 miles instead'

Mile 2 - 'Right, right, I got this... maybe I could just do 5 miles though... yeah... I'll aim for 5... that means I'm nearly half-way...'

Mile 3 - 'Think... I... might... die...'

Mile 4 - 'okay, I can't keep up with the faster ones, I'm not with the slower ones, I'll be okay at running on my own, that's what I'll do...'

Mile 5 - 'why am I on my own?!??!! Why can't I find a pace that matches with someone... anyone... Ooooh look... I've done 5 miles! Okay... I'll aim for doing 8 miles, there's a bit where I can cut off a couple of miles and I'll head that way'

Mile 5.5 - 'sure that cut off must be soon...  weird... I don't recognise this bit...'

Mile 6 - 'damn it! Missed the bloody cut off... now I have to run 10 miles.  Oooh, I can hear someone running behind me... don't look round... don't look... *looks*... he's matching my rhythm... okay, that's okay... it's kinda relaxing... one... two... three... four...'

Mile 7 - 'We've been running together for about a mile, is there a protocol about chatting?! I guess I should.  Right... it is officially about time we started to chat' *chats and does best 'I can keep this up for ages' face*

Mile 8 - 'Surely we must be there soon... must keep up pace... can't slow down... this is so tiring... my knee hurts... I'm a sweaty blob...' *keeps up perky chatting*

Mile 9 - 'YES!  Only a mile to go!  I AM AWESOME!!!  Stay cool... don't let other running bloke know that death was imminent a mile ago... YES!!!  GO ME!!'

Mile 9.5 - 'Oh good grief, I have to run up some steps right before the end... I don't know that my legs can do it' *carries on chatting and attempts to bound up steps enthusiastically whilst begging them not to give way*

Mile 10 - 'WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!  I did it!!  Jeez the sweat is going in my eyes... that stings... I stink... my hair is a frizzy mess... my sweat patches have sweat patches... Oh, what's that running bloke?  Same again next Sunday?  Ach... why the heck not'

*chats for a bit before collapsing into the car to glug down an entire bottle of water in less time than it takes to question sanity for inflicting another hot sweaty run on self*

Post-run - 'Shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea, shower, tea...'

And that is the delight of a long run!  Managed to maintain the pace I'd like to do for the half marathon I'm running next month.  Am not *checks self* dead.  And all is well!  Hooray!

*happy dances*

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	9.81 mi
Time:	1:27:41
Avg Pace:	8:56 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	76 ft

Runstreak Day #218 - sunny Sunday runday

Y'know, I had a bit of a realisation this morning.  Well, actually, I think it's been brewing a little while... I think it's more important to me to find ways to enjoy my running than get hung up over times.  I'm doing the Women's Running 10k in Nottingham in a couple of weeks' time, and the thought that I could, if I really really tried, get under 50 minutes has vaguely sloshed around in my head.  But... weirdly, I find that I'm not actually bothered to try.  My first 10k experience was a mess of panic and chaos.  My first half marathon was a delicious, happy experience.  And I'd rather have the latter every time.

Anyway, it came to me while I was on a long run with the Sweatshop Running Community this morning.  I'd run half my run with a friend, then she didn't feel well and ran slower with someone else and said for me to go on.  So I did.  And I ran at a nice comfortable pace... one that wouldn't have been anything special in terms of times... but which did leave me feeling fresh legged and happy at the end.  I was on my own for a fair bit of the time.  Caught up to a guy who'd not stopped to wait for the rest of the group at the halfway point and finished my run about 5 minutes ahead of him.  But while he was exhausted and unable to speak for a good few minutes after he'd stopped running, I realised that I preferred my version of feeling okay to that feeling you get when you've pushed yourself just a bit too far.

So... I'll never be Mrs Quick.  But I'll aim for Mrs Happy instead.  I'll run at a pace that doesn't exhaust me.  I'll say hello to the ducks as I run past them.  I'll smile at the cyclists.  And I'll enjoy the freedom of running.

And life will be the sweeter for it.

PS  Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to get faster times for my running - just means I'm not going to go killing myself to achieve them!

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	7.42 mi
Time:	1:03:56
Avg Pace:	8:37 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	46 ft

Runstreak Day #148 - 8.5 miles baby!!

Most people can't spot it, but today, if anyone sees me, I will have a little happy glow about me.  Like the Ready Brek kid.  Only not a kid.  And I haven't eaten any Ready Brek...

What I have done is run 8 and a half miles!!!  My furthest ever distance!  And it's all thanks to a running buddy who ran with me.  She can run a marathon, I can run a fair-paced 5k... she goes further and slower... I go shorter but faster.  Together we helped each other find a place in between which meant I went further than I've run before while she ran faster.  It was brilliant!  A 'conversational pace' - I now get what that means!!  A really nice route.  Company while I ran.  Nice.  I even felt like I could have carried on... which gives me hope for my first half marathon in September!

It's times like this that I really love running most.  When it proves to you yet again that you can do more than you ever thought you could.  When you get past mental blocks which threaten to constrain you.  When you realise that your body is this brilliant thing that has so much potential... but which is so often neglected / abused.  Running past Wollaton Hall and past the deer, realising I'd run for longer than 1 hour 10 minutes (my previous longest time on my running legs!) I felt completely and utterly happy.

And I may have just done some aeroplane arming down the hill.  :o)

I've earned my cuppa and a roast din dins!

Running is properly awesome.  YAY!!

Geeky stats stuff

Distance:	8.46 mi
Time:	1:22:20
Avg Pace:	9:44 min/mi

Time:	1:22:20
Moving Time:	1:22:11
Elapsed Time:	1:22:40

Avg Pace:	9:44 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace:	9:43 min/mi
Best Pace:	6:45 min/mi