It's funny how running with someone else can break you out of the fug of a few duff runs, isn't it? I usually run with the Sweatshop Running Community on a Wednesday evening and tonight's run was the normal hilly one. I ended up running with someone who I ran with on Sunday's struggle-a-thon and chatted with her the whole way round.
Bingo! Relaxed pace... run that felt easy. And I got to go from 'I can't run at all' to 'oh yeah... that's how it happens'. When you run on your own regularly and end up doing the same / similar routes all the time, you can really get stuck in a rut. You don't run at a conversational pace because there's no-one to have a conversation with. There's no-one to distract you if you're struggling a bit... or encourage you if that's what you need. And runs just feel, well, different when you're running with someone else.
All of which helps when you're running up a jolly big hill and you appreciate being distracted from its big scariness!
I also appreciated talking about normal stuff. I'd had a bit of a rough day of it after lots of horrible nightmares and a bad night's sleep. Running with someone else, chatting about things like kids and work and school... and generally getting to feel like a human being again... well, that was definitely a result. Plus, since she's also doing the Liverpool marathon... fingers crossed I have a scarily-long-run-buddy sorted too!
Not bad for a dark and cold Wednesday evening in October. Especially considering I didn't even fancy going for a run at all!
Geeky stats stuff
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Runstreak Day #325 - avoiding the crazy weather
Today I get to feel virtuous. I got my run done before 10am... and before the really crazy windy and rainy weather was due to hit. After my last couple of really duff runs, I decided to take the easiest route that I can get to without driving. Which is kinda dull, but dull is okay sometimes!
The first part of it was okay. Nearly had someone pull out of the petrol station without looking and straight into me... nice. But other than that, it was okay. Dodging some big puddles from the heavy rain overnight, trying to deal with the glare of the sunshine (an unusual sight at this time of year!), avoiding the trio of dog-walkers and their skittery dogs... and generally trying to keep to a nice steady pace.
About halfway through though, my legs gave up the ghost. Well, not completely otherwise I'd be stuck someone on the path that runs by the railway line, unable to move! But my knee was feeling sore. Then my ankle. Then everything just felt heavy and tired. I stopped and stretched a bit. And carried on. But the 'You Must Stop' Fairy had me in her sights. I carried on a bit. Then ended up stopping and stretching. Then carried on a bit more. And a bit more. Then the You Must Stop Fairy waved her wand again. So I stopped. Got my breath. Ran up a hill... couldn't stop because there was someone walking up it (and there's a law that says you can never stop if you're running up a hill and someone might see you stopping!)... got almost all the way home. Then stopped again!
Ridiculous stuff. I think I've got a lot going on in my head at the moment which is just making me feel a bit tired and run down generally. Like it's not enough to have a head full of accident-nonsense... I get to feel exhausted and faint a lot of the time too. Isn't that just dandy!?!?!
Anyway... I'm keeping on keeping on. These hard work runs won't last forever. Just gotta treat myself a bit gentle and ride it out and it'll be fine.
I definitely earned my cuppa though!!
Geeky stats stuff
The first part of it was okay. Nearly had someone pull out of the petrol station without looking and straight into me... nice. But other than that, it was okay. Dodging some big puddles from the heavy rain overnight, trying to deal with the glare of the sunshine (an unusual sight at this time of year!), avoiding the trio of dog-walkers and their skittery dogs... and generally trying to keep to a nice steady pace.
About halfway through though, my legs gave up the ghost. Well, not completely otherwise I'd be stuck someone on the path that runs by the railway line, unable to move! But my knee was feeling sore. Then my ankle. Then everything just felt heavy and tired. I stopped and stretched a bit. And carried on. But the 'You Must Stop' Fairy had me in her sights. I carried on a bit. Then ended up stopping and stretching. Then carried on a bit more. And a bit more. Then the You Must Stop Fairy waved her wand again. So I stopped. Got my breath. Ran up a hill... couldn't stop because there was someone walking up it (and there's a law that says you can never stop if you're running up a hill and someone might see you stopping!)... got almost all the way home. Then stopped again!
Ridiculous stuff. I think I've got a lot going on in my head at the moment which is just making me feel a bit tired and run down generally. Like it's not enough to have a head full of accident-nonsense... I get to feel exhausted and faint a lot of the time too. Isn't that just dandy!?!?!
Anyway... I'm keeping on keeping on. These hard work runs won't last forever. Just gotta treat myself a bit gentle and ride it out and it'll be fine.
I definitely earned my cuppa though!!
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 3.30 mi |
| Time: | 27:49 |
| Avg Pace: | 8:26 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 150 ft |
Runstreak Day #324 - bad runs are like buses
... you wait for a while and then several come along at once.
It was hard work to get out at all this evening. I really didn't fancy it. It's always like that on the day I've had a counselling session. It's such a draining process that it leaves me feeling exhausted. That realisation that I'm still a mess after the accident is front and centre for part of the day... and the after effects ripple throughout the rest of the day. The lack of decent sleep also takes its toll - nightmares about being trapped are the current flavour of the moment - and it adds up to a rubbish Monday run!
So, my plan, after I forced myself out, was to just to loops from my house to the bottom of the hill, back up to my house and out again... about a mile and a bit... and to run that 3 times to get to 3 miles worth of run. Never too far from home in case I really wanted to give up... but doing enough that it was worth doing. Up and down, up and down. Slogging my way through my run.
And hoping that tomorrow will be better. I wish I felt able to drive to go to some different routes... but for now, I'm just doing what I can do to keep on getting out there and grabbing back a bit of me. Even if the version of me is the sulky tired version who's not keen on hauling herself outside for a run!
Geeky stats stuff
It was hard work to get out at all this evening. I really didn't fancy it. It's always like that on the day I've had a counselling session. It's such a draining process that it leaves me feeling exhausted. That realisation that I'm still a mess after the accident is front and centre for part of the day... and the after effects ripple throughout the rest of the day. The lack of decent sleep also takes its toll - nightmares about being trapped are the current flavour of the moment - and it adds up to a rubbish Monday run!
So, my plan, after I forced myself out, was to just to loops from my house to the bottom of the hill, back up to my house and out again... about a mile and a bit... and to run that 3 times to get to 3 miles worth of run. Never too far from home in case I really wanted to give up... but doing enough that it was worth doing. Up and down, up and down. Slogging my way through my run.
And hoping that tomorrow will be better. I wish I felt able to drive to go to some different routes... but for now, I'm just doing what I can do to keep on getting out there and grabbing back a bit of me. Even if the version of me is the sulky tired version who's not keen on hauling herself outside for a run!
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 3.02 mi |
| Time: | 26:06 |
| Avg Pace: | 8:39 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 220 ft |
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
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 #322 - zombie running
Day
322 and I couldn't really face a run on my own today. It was dark by
the time I had chance to go and after physio yesterday it's been a
pretty sore day generally. So... I persuaded my littlest to come with
me on a spooky run! Genius!
I get company... I get to run slowly... he gets to wave a torch about enthusiastically (apparently it was a lightsaber)... he manages to keep a hi-vis vest on for most of the run before declaring that he's boiling and MUST take it off... and together, including one pitstop at Tesco for a pee (why can't boys just hold it in for a bit, huh?!), we ran 3 miles. It was good. Completely no pressure on me in terms of my running, but having his company and chit chat instead.
We discussed the intricacies of zombies, zombies eating brains, how you could tell it was a zombie (answer: it would be eating brains, obvs!) and so on. Every so often we stopped for him to catch his breath and stretch. But his idea of stretching involved lying on the pavement doing a bridge or some other kind of crazy yoga position. Can you imagine if us grown ups were that uninhibited? No more mimsy stretching, full on sprawling instead. Quality.
By the time we got home he said he was absolutely boiling and ran his arms under cold water to cool down. 8 year olds are weird!
Fingers crossed my ankle doesn't hate me after that run too much... and that I get more sleep than last night. Damn painful bits and bobs keeping me awake! Grrr to them!
Might just have another quick cuppa...
Geeky stats stuff
I get company... I get to run slowly... he gets to wave a torch about enthusiastically (apparently it was a lightsaber)... he manages to keep a hi-vis vest on for most of the run before declaring that he's boiling and MUST take it off... and together, including one pitstop at Tesco for a pee (why can't boys just hold it in for a bit, huh?!), we ran 3 miles. It was good. Completely no pressure on me in terms of my running, but having his company and chit chat instead.
We discussed the intricacies of zombies, zombies eating brains, how you could tell it was a zombie (answer: it would be eating brains, obvs!) and so on. Every so often we stopped for him to catch his breath and stretch. But his idea of stretching involved lying on the pavement doing a bridge or some other kind of crazy yoga position. Can you imagine if us grown ups were that uninhibited? No more mimsy stretching, full on sprawling instead. Quality.
By the time we got home he said he was absolutely boiling and ran his arms under cold water to cool down. 8 year olds are weird!
Fingers crossed my ankle doesn't hate me after that run too much... and that I get more sleep than last night. Damn painful bits and bobs keeping me awake! Grrr to them!
Might just have another quick cuppa...
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 3.08 mi |
| Time: | 31:23 |
| Avg Pace: | 10:11 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 ft |
Runstreak Day #321 - post-physio painful run
So... after a hilly (but fun) run with some lovely running friends last night... today... I had the opposite. A flatter, less fun run on my own for day 321... and a post-physio painful run at that.
When the physio (who is super dooper nice and enthusiastic even when he's inflicting pain!) says 'this will be sore for the next couple of days', you know that your run is going to be... ermmm... interesting. I managed just over a mile when the pain in my ankle made me stop for a moment. Swear a bit. Then carry on. And then another mile before the shoulder and back pain needed a bit of a stretch and a breather to try to lessen it hurting. And now I'm home, I'm still feeling sore. 'Sore for the next couple of days'... you say? Well, isn't that something to look forward to, Mr Physio. *winces*
In my brain, regardless of boring 'recovering from accident stuff' (still haven't managed walking by the road without blubbing in frustrated panic yet, and can't bring myself to drive - how pathetic am I!)... there is other good stuff to look forward to. I'm doing the Leadership in Running Fitness course a week on Saturday. We're going to register our Notts Women Runners group with Run England in the next few weeks. And I've entered another half marathon for next month (Beacon Trail Half Marathon - a half marathon for fun, what am I thinking?!?!).
Life may be temporarily derailed, but good ol' running is giving me stuff to focus on which is helping drag my head out of the sludge-fest it currently finds itself in. That's not bad going really. Thank you, running!
And tea. Thank you tea for being all tea-ish and delicious.
And painkillers. Those are awesome too. :o)
Geeky stats stuff
When the physio (who is super dooper nice and enthusiastic even when he's inflicting pain!) says 'this will be sore for the next couple of days', you know that your run is going to be... ermmm... interesting. I managed just over a mile when the pain in my ankle made me stop for a moment. Swear a bit. Then carry on. And then another mile before the shoulder and back pain needed a bit of a stretch and a breather to try to lessen it hurting. And now I'm home, I'm still feeling sore. 'Sore for the next couple of days'... you say? Well, isn't that something to look forward to, Mr Physio. *winces*
In my brain, regardless of boring 'recovering from accident stuff' (still haven't managed walking by the road without blubbing in frustrated panic yet, and can't bring myself to drive - how pathetic am I!)... there is other good stuff to look forward to. I'm doing the Leadership in Running Fitness course a week on Saturday. We're going to register our Notts Women Runners group with Run England in the next few weeks. And I've entered another half marathon for next month (Beacon Trail Half Marathon - a half marathon for fun, what am I thinking?!?!).
Life may be temporarily derailed, but good ol' running is giving me stuff to focus on which is helping drag my head out of the sludge-fest it currently finds itself in. That's not bad going really. Thank you, running!
And tea. Thank you tea for being all tea-ish and delicious.
And painkillers. Those are awesome too. :o)
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 3.17 mi |
| Time: | 27:25 |
| Avg Pace: | 8:39 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 126 ft |
Friday, 24 October 2014
Runstreak Day #320 - hilly runs with friends...
... inflicting hills on runners who don't normally do hills is kinda mean. Ish. Only you just can't be afraid of hills. Once you get your head around how to run them, it's then just a case of watching them help your legs get stronger. And yet, no-one really seems to like doing hills because they're kind of hard work.
Still, it's nicer running them with friends. Which is what I did tonight. Although because I was leading the run with a route I'd made up, I always worry ever so slightly that everyone's going to hate me afterwards. After all, you have inflicted hills on them! I did enjoy the run though. It's exciting that it's the first of our Notts Women Runners runs. And fingers crossed in the next couple of weeks we can get it registered as a Run England group before heading towards affiliated club status next year.
In fact, as we were running, a woman came up to one of our group and asked about who we were running with. I love the fact that we can say we're a new running group - and we passed on the details of our Facebook group and hopefully we'll have another new member. I love that a group of 8 women got together this evening and tackled hills. I love that I get to be part of that too.
And yet again, I'm grateful of the chance to feel 'normal' without the anxiety that plagues so many other things that I attempt at the moment. Normal with added hills and running friends. That's pretty good for a Thursday evening.
Geeky stats stuff
Still, it's nicer running them with friends. Which is what I did tonight. Although because I was leading the run with a route I'd made up, I always worry ever so slightly that everyone's going to hate me afterwards. After all, you have inflicted hills on them! I did enjoy the run though. It's exciting that it's the first of our Notts Women Runners runs. And fingers crossed in the next couple of weeks we can get it registered as a Run England group before heading towards affiliated club status next year.
In fact, as we were running, a woman came up to one of our group and asked about who we were running with. I love the fact that we can say we're a new running group - and we passed on the details of our Facebook group and hopefully we'll have another new member. I love that a group of 8 women got together this evening and tackled hills. I love that I get to be part of that too.
And yet again, I'm grateful of the chance to feel 'normal' without the anxiety that plagues so many other things that I attempt at the moment. Normal with added hills and running friends. That's pretty good for a Thursday evening.
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 4.40 mi |
| Time: | 39:51 |
| Avg Pace: | 9:04 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 282 ft |
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