It seems I am just running everywhere these days.
Friday's visit to the Podiatrist in the city eventually involved a run to and fro Westminster. A forced Fartlek along Fleet street on a sunny but cold lunchtime, dodging pedestrians. Why not, when I have to wear my orthotics and be filmed! Also an excuse not to pick up my favourite colombian (?) chicken rice. Ran back to the office via the Thames Path from St Pauls down near the Millenium Bridge, lots more pleasant.
All that work for 4.5 miles! It was a good way to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy day though I must admit! and friday im so glad to take the towel and all my kit home. First week of more outdoor running on weekdays have proved that I really dont like the backpack on my back. How else?
Saturday remained cold, but the long run must go on in the midst of a very busy day. started after 10:30 and managed to meander down the Thames to the busy Walton bridge. A little bit more than the 13 miles I had wanted to do, with a time of 2:30. Runkeeper - still questioning its accuracy but at least its giving me a good idea about pacing and minutes per mile behind target. I'm starting to worry about a new niggle that's popped up on my left leg, just below the knee, I had to stop and walk for a bit at <2 miles ...then I didnt want to speed things up after that and run/walk most of the way. Gels wise...tried to use up what I had at home thats not my favourite ...ie they didnt work for me apart from a minor caffeine perk on the way back on the last 4 miles. Had a few layers on and it wasnt too bad. Think I needed to be warm.
Tired...and a cold water bath was hard to bear!! I dont think I even stayed in more than 5 minutes.
Sunday was at the IoE for the VLM Meet the experts day. Must say its very well organised and I'm feeling that I can visualise the day, the start, the run and finish, and that gold medal. They keep on saying April's weather is unpredictable. and one needs to be well organised and consistently training. Keeping life in balance. Very good tips. I still havent started my fundraising yet...still trying to find the right moment for the launch. Such a lovely winters day with blue skies. I ran from the station to the venue...the backpack full of goodies wore me out. Conclusion - less Baggage is more.
Starting to plan the week out now, in my head and in my diary. Again, it will be another busy week with my running to fit around other things on my schedule. Not the easiest to make running the priority but I will have to give it my best!
Mileage tally (with all the junk = 26.7mi, almost twice as much as last week...steep curve!)
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Thursday, 27 January 2011
The morning commute and junk mileage
Have been busy all week since touching down into LHR on tuesday morning, the only way to get some runs is to be organised, and jump on the Tube to get closer to Hyde Park and run the rest of my way into my office in SW1.
The 2 days of experimentation has taught me to be very organised, with bringing all of my clothes in one day earlier (needs to be foldable, layered, skirts and stockings easier to manage!) and ditched the boots, the heavy coat and even my wallet!
Day 1 miscalculation of the speed of the District line saw me getting off at Victoria, shortening the run in. But only getting 2.48 miles in and having to queue for the shower rooms at 9am and not getting the logistics all right on the work side (this is no VA gym with towels, hairdryer and shower gels provided!) means a lot of hassle!
So this morning, I tried again.
slightly earlier start however the 10 minute wait for a district line train to take off was not the easiest...and there's always issues at Earl's court ! Managed to get to gloucester road and start my run through Hyde Park proper at 8:16..racing with all the bikes..
It was a nice run through the park but as I had all of my luggage with me today in a bigger backpack. i dont think i can lift my legs that much! I got my workside logistics right today and managed to even get a nice cereal to eat at my desk (counting coins as no wallet). feeling quite healthy!
and its really cold. 2 degrees. even under compression tights my thighs have turned all red. after mishaps with kinesiotape allergies during my last marathon, I am easily alarmed by my skin conditions or anything niggle that can lead to something bigger.
with no coat. I wore my running gear and ran home again. the district line and the train. 10 minutes on the platform...is it really worth it?
do i get up earlier to bank the 5 miles or so in the morning before other things get in the way, or try to made rush during lunchtime? or break it up into bits . morning and night? I am still undecided.
maybe, I am too tired. is the morning commute junk mileage if not done properly (cant really, with a backpack)?
The 2 days of experimentation has taught me to be very organised, with bringing all of my clothes in one day earlier (needs to be foldable, layered, skirts and stockings easier to manage!) and ditched the boots, the heavy coat and even my wallet!
Day 1 miscalculation of the speed of the District line saw me getting off at Victoria, shortening the run in. But only getting 2.48 miles in and having to queue for the shower rooms at 9am and not getting the logistics all right on the work side (this is no VA gym with towels, hairdryer and shower gels provided!) means a lot of hassle!
So this morning, I tried again.
slightly earlier start however the 10 minute wait for a district line train to take off was not the easiest...and there's always issues at Earl's court ! Managed to get to gloucester road and start my run through Hyde Park proper at 8:16..racing with all the bikes..
It was a nice run through the park but as I had all of my luggage with me today in a bigger backpack. i dont think i can lift my legs that much! I got my workside logistics right today and managed to even get a nice cereal to eat at my desk (counting coins as no wallet). feeling quite healthy!
and its really cold. 2 degrees. even under compression tights my thighs have turned all red. after mishaps with kinesiotape allergies during my last marathon, I am easily alarmed by my skin conditions or anything niggle that can lead to something bigger.
with no coat. I wore my running gear and ran home again. the district line and the train. 10 minutes on the platform...is it really worth it?
do i get up earlier to bank the 5 miles or so in the morning before other things get in the way, or try to made rush during lunchtime? or break it up into bits . morning and night? I am still undecided.
maybe, I am too tired. is the morning commute junk mileage if not done properly (cant really, with a backpack)?
Monday, 24 January 2011
15 miles+ in the bag!
Hi from Houston, here for a weekend to celebrate our 1st anniversary!
Its the 3rd time I have visited this year (thanks to my hubby's posting here) and from where we left off last time, I completed the Houston Half Marathon on the day I was going to take the flight home.
Glad to report the mileage this time is comparable...2 loops around Memorial Park on Saturday (6 miles) and then a 9 miler around the lovely River Oaks area, a touch of Memorial Park with a reward of Crave Cupcakes before running another 0.5 mile home..
I am happy to be able to update my Marathon Talk Jantastic score as 4 out of 3 runs this week - more than 100%. yay!
The sunny and mild winter here makes a huge difference. I love running in temperatures around 10 degrees celsius!
Been trialling my new Nathan Hydration belt, with an extra attachment in front so I can fit the iPhone. I am still skeptical about Runkeeper or any GPS tracking device (still scarred by iPod Nike+ that told me my marathon is done 1/2 hour before it was supposed to be, and its failure half way through Reading Half!)
For fear of roaming charges, I turned the phone to airplane mode for the first run, and after reading about 'apparent GPS' (as in , the phone doesnt use data to get your position but instead use signalling tower positions to work out your location), on the 9 miler on sunday, I kept my Cellular Data off, but Runkeeper on.
Result: a rather consistent report on time every mile (around the 10:30 mark) but I am always behind my target pace. When I got home and got online it showed a rather nice map of the loop that I did.
I am not sure whether I would be surprised when I see my mobile phone bill when I get home.
Running wise...the old ITB pains are still there but as I try to adjust to the new method of running (forefoot strike and arms in pendulum motion), the pains in my left hamstring and ankle does go away. The issue is how long I am able to actually keep up with this pain free running pose.
Had another try on the Vibram FiveFingers Bikilas. More comfy than the other ones I tried in New York in the summer (where saleslady said 'it looks good on you') but I am yet to be convinced that I can run in them in uneven terrain and if my feet can stabilise itself. So back on the shelf they go.
Heading back to London for a manic week where I shall have to fit in any run whenever I can! and then 3 weekends to Wokingham Half. tick tock tick tock!
Its the 3rd time I have visited this year (thanks to my hubby's posting here) and from where we left off last time, I completed the Houston Half Marathon on the day I was going to take the flight home.
Glad to report the mileage this time is comparable...2 loops around Memorial Park on Saturday (6 miles) and then a 9 miler around the lovely River Oaks area, a touch of Memorial Park with a reward of Crave Cupcakes before running another 0.5 mile home..
I am happy to be able to update my Marathon Talk Jantastic score as 4 out of 3 runs this week - more than 100%. yay!
The sunny and mild winter here makes a huge difference. I love running in temperatures around 10 degrees celsius!
Been trialling my new Nathan Hydration belt, with an extra attachment in front so I can fit the iPhone. I am still skeptical about Runkeeper or any GPS tracking device (still scarred by iPod Nike+ that told me my marathon is done 1/2 hour before it was supposed to be, and its failure half way through Reading Half!)
For fear of roaming charges, I turned the phone to airplane mode for the first run, and after reading about 'apparent GPS' (as in , the phone doesnt use data to get your position but instead use signalling tower positions to work out your location), on the 9 miler on sunday, I kept my Cellular Data off, but Runkeeper on.
Result: a rather consistent report on time every mile (around the 10:30 mark) but I am always behind my target pace. When I got home and got online it showed a rather nice map of the loop that I did.
I am not sure whether I would be surprised when I see my mobile phone bill when I get home.
Running wise...the old ITB pains are still there but as I try to adjust to the new method of running (forefoot strike and arms in pendulum motion), the pains in my left hamstring and ankle does go away. The issue is how long I am able to actually keep up with this pain free running pose.
Had another try on the Vibram FiveFingers Bikilas. More comfy than the other ones I tried in New York in the summer (where saleslady said 'it looks good on you') but I am yet to be convinced that I can run in them in uneven terrain and if my feet can stabilise itself. So back on the shelf they go.
Heading back to London for a manic week where I shall have to fit in any run whenever I can! and then 3 weekends to Wokingham Half. tick tock tick tock!
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Back on the road!
Time flies and its already the 20th. and can you believe it, 2 weeks down with the flu (incl xmas and new year) and finally, last week I struggled back to work.
Early morning starts (when sun barely risen at 7), fighting for a seat on the train, fighting for a seat at work (we have smart working and on a busy week with visitors, thats always taken), battling the flu that was still ongoing. Attempting early bedtimes.
Finally, an early train on friday, with a seat, a easy coffee and bun to relax before a full day of meetings, an impromptu massage and cupping, and walking to and from the train station (instead of the tube). Doing nothing on saturday, a long sleep-in.
On sunday, after the 'stern talk' from my coach across the pond: You need to get your mileage up, you have only got 12 weeks to go for the marathon...the skies were blue, I made my blueberry smoothie, dressed up and warm, repositioned my new Nathan hydration belt. and off I go!
New GPS Runkeeper app installed on iPhone, I went, slowly, slowly, remembering what had happened only a week ago (coughing fit almost every 400 metres for the first 15 mins), harder when the wind blows, when it wasn't, it was ok. I managed '5 miles' according to Runkeeper, walked home, felt sore and pain in the sinuses. I then proceeded to blow everything out of my nose for a long while.
From that point on, Sunday afternoon, there was minimal yellow mucus...I felt 'cured' by this 'long run'.
****
The rest is 'history'...I have since clocked 2 runs this week, only a breather at lunchtime, one on the treadmill in the gym, and one today, outside. A very small step (only 20 minutes), but not wanting to stretch my lunchtimes too much in this busy planning period, I was left quite tired afterwards.
I am back! The 3rd run this week, I suspect, will be done across the pond. After that, the next weeks are all go-go-go! I am slightly apprenhensive about having functions to attend almost every weeknight, and a busy workload, wondering when I can fit the running in at all. 20 minutes is not a real run.
4 weeks till Wokingham, my first half marathon this year to the test. I need to build up, but time is not on my side. I hope that good health and immunity from other infectious germs around would be!
Early morning starts (when sun barely risen at 7), fighting for a seat on the train, fighting for a seat at work (we have smart working and on a busy week with visitors, thats always taken), battling the flu that was still ongoing. Attempting early bedtimes.
Finally, an early train on friday, with a seat, a easy coffee and bun to relax before a full day of meetings, an impromptu massage and cupping, and walking to and from the train station (instead of the tube). Doing nothing on saturday, a long sleep-in.
On sunday, after the 'stern talk' from my coach across the pond: You need to get your mileage up, you have only got 12 weeks to go for the marathon...the skies were blue, I made my blueberry smoothie, dressed up and warm, repositioned my new Nathan hydration belt. and off I go!
New GPS Runkeeper app installed on iPhone, I went, slowly, slowly, remembering what had happened only a week ago (coughing fit almost every 400 metres for the first 15 mins), harder when the wind blows, when it wasn't, it was ok. I managed '5 miles' according to Runkeeper, walked home, felt sore and pain in the sinuses. I then proceeded to blow everything out of my nose for a long while.
From that point on, Sunday afternoon, there was minimal yellow mucus...I felt 'cured' by this 'long run'.
****
The rest is 'history'...I have since clocked 2 runs this week, only a breather at lunchtime, one on the treadmill in the gym, and one today, outside. A very small step (only 20 minutes), but not wanting to stretch my lunchtimes too much in this busy planning period, I was left quite tired afterwards.
I am back! The 3rd run this week, I suspect, will be done across the pond. After that, the next weeks are all go-go-go! I am slightly apprenhensive about having functions to attend almost every weeknight, and a busy workload, wondering when I can fit the running in at all. 20 minutes is not a real run.
4 weeks till Wokingham, my first half marathon this year to the test. I need to build up, but time is not on my side. I hope that good health and immunity from other infectious germs around would be!
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Goodbye 2010...and when big fat zero becomes 1!
Last day of 2010...glad to have gone through this year of lots of running, but sad to report the last week of the year with a BIG FAT ZERO!!
(and now, going to have a zero for the first week too!)
Being struck down by the flu since the day before Xmas Eve, its been a difficult 2 weeks. When everyone is back at work and saying 'Happy New Year'. I dread the train...or even having the strength to commute.
But...theres only 14 weeks to go!! which will very soon become 13... it is very depressing indeed.
The snow has melted, become ice, gone...temperature back into the positives, rain.
there has been a few sunny days, the mind says, yes...maybe? but the rule below the neck...means No, No, NOOO!!!!
The only motivation I have at the moment is what I can do online...
1.joined MarathonTalk's Jantastic and I know week 1 I'm putting shame to the Australian flag (what's new) with that Big fat zero.
2. signed up for 2 half marathons in february - Wokingham on 13th Feb and Race your Pace on 20th Feb round Dorney Lake, Eton. Hope this is far enough to build up to the 13.1 mileage with a finish that starts with 1!
But I just need to get better. How? Much sleeping I have done, I'm sick of being sick. When I'm 100% cleared...how do I not catch it again?
I might have to lead a very clean lifestyle, no parties, early sleeping and rise, up till April. with many travelling plans in the bag it will be a big, big challenge. Boring Bonnie, for real (maybe a lot of my friends are thinking that).
Ok, quick stat count for 2010 as an upbeat end to this posting:
Number of Marathons completed: 1
Number of timed Half Marathons completed: 4
Number of other official timed races completed (excl parkrun): 2
Number of countries competed: 4 (in 3 continents!!)
Number of running paraphernalia collected: 10 I think (medals: 1 full, 3 half,1 12k, 1 volunteer, tshirts: 2* half marathons 1 corp challenge, 1 mug)
Number of running paraphernalia bought: too much!!
(and now, going to have a zero for the first week too!)
Being struck down by the flu since the day before Xmas Eve, its been a difficult 2 weeks. When everyone is back at work and saying 'Happy New Year'. I dread the train...or even having the strength to commute.
But...theres only 14 weeks to go!! which will very soon become 13... it is very depressing indeed.
The snow has melted, become ice, gone...temperature back into the positives, rain.
there has been a few sunny days, the mind says, yes...maybe? but the rule below the neck...means No, No, NOOO!!!!
The only motivation I have at the moment is what I can do online...
1.joined MarathonTalk's Jantastic and I know week 1 I'm putting shame to the Australian flag (what's new) with that Big fat zero.
2. signed up for 2 half marathons in february - Wokingham on 13th Feb and Race your Pace on 20th Feb round Dorney Lake, Eton. Hope this is far enough to build up to the 13.1 mileage with a finish that starts with 1!
But I just need to get better. How? Much sleeping I have done, I'm sick of being sick. When I'm 100% cleared...how do I not catch it again?
I might have to lead a very clean lifestyle, no parties, early sleeping and rise, up till April. with many travelling plans in the bag it will be a big, big challenge. Boring Bonnie, for real (maybe a lot of my friends are thinking that).
Ok, quick stat count for 2010 as an upbeat end to this posting:
Number of Marathons completed: 1
Number of timed Half Marathons completed: 4
Number of other official timed races completed (excl parkrun): 2
Number of countries competed: 4 (in 3 continents!!)
Number of running paraphernalia collected: 10 I think (medals: 1 full, 3 half,1 12k, 1 volunteer, tshirts: 2* half marathons 1 corp challenge, 1 mug)
Number of running paraphernalia bought: too much!!
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