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My little break away to London and Bristol included lots of ice cream, a cheeky Nandos and some bum-sliding down the rock faces overlooking the Clifton suspension bridge...but no running. So, I've written a new plan for the next 4 weeks (if it's written down I will do it) to get back some consistency at around 25 miles a week + some cross training. I started off last night with a bit over 4 miles at HM pace. Feeling stiff this morning and hanging around waiting to start my new job...imminently, according to HR.
Have been taking my sister and husband out running while they stayed last week. They're doing 3 to 4 miles and no walking anymore. Enjoyed it and found I can pace at 12m/m. Managed to get in 50miles last week. God knows how with an endless stream of family and the mental whiplash of having to occupy a 9-year-old, early-20s and mid-70s. All of whom talk their own variety of bollocks.
10.7 offroad miles Sunday. Only bit on pavement terrified two very drunk women when I ran past from behind. One shouted, "I've shat myself". Very drunk. It was just a matter of time.
9.1miles tonight in over 1hr05. Turned out quick after the first couple of miles. Muscles aching after strength training session yesterday after two week gym rest due to a back strain. Saw a kestrel hovering, a proper running race going on at the Knavesmire, and had my own mile race with a kid on his scooter. Sprinted it out last little bit and won. Yay. I'm 43...
I should be asleep. Night
But, suddenly in the middle of the nowhere, I found my computer vividly looking at me and requesting to grasp the keyboard. You know what builds the discipline and makes you want to run? Programming.
Absolutely, I'm the developer of smart contract, and computer saves me from these blurred mornings.
So I programmed Solidity for free on Bitdegree.org for 4 hours learned some code and advanced functions, and during that time stored the inner power to go for jogging.
The run was fantastic, I went for 6 miles in 50 mins!
I had a nice visit up north - went to Blackpool, rode the new coaster (good, but I've still not forgiven them for ripping out the Wild Mouse). Ate fish and chips which I probably shouldn't have given I have gluten issues and batter is made with flour. I had a few more trips to the bathroom the next day, but at least I didn't emulate JT's drunk lady friend.
Managed 8 miles this morning. Lots of niggly bits at the moment, despite all the work I've been doing on glutes and core.
I've solved the mystery of the abandonned bikes, though - apparently you join some scheme using an app and then use the app to find and unlock your nearest bike, and you can leave it anywhere. So it's like a Boris Bike but without having to return it to a bike stand.
Good to hear you survived the family visit JT.
Those bike schemes are getting everywhere it seems Cal. I saw one in the middle of a (shallow) river in Zurich last time I was there - guess there won't be too many takers for that one.
6 miles for me yesterday evening with the group. Very humid (almost daily thunderstorms here at the moment) so lots of splashing around in the fountains at the regroup points.
I thought I hadn't seen Sam Mitchell on 'Enders for a while - she's obvs been out running. Welcome.
Consistency as ever from Cal and Hazelnut. Glad it's all functioning well and the coaster didn't fall off the tracks.
My plan is still in action. A 5 mile shuffle last night - a bit too soon after a bit too much dinner, but miles logged and a smile from Waynetta in a rather stretched crop top. This morning I popped into the cemetery for 30 mins with 6 sets of 20 sec sprint-bursts. Boy, was I moving! Lovely Ox-Eye Daisies in bloom en masse. Blackcaps, Goldcrests and GS Pecked in song. Planning a long 'Un tomorrow as still in work limbo and can't be arsed to do any more supply work.
Found out my new job starts on Monday so I made the most of a last day of leisure (childcare tomorrow - defo not leisure) and got my long run in this morning I started out at 8:30am but it was already very warm.
What I thought was a rat turned out to be a baby squirrel without yet a bushy tail, which scurried up a tree as I started off in the cemetery. Up out towards the hospital I spotted a Cockchafer (deceased). Thankfully that was the first and last cock-chafing. Legs were a bit heavy as I am now on a 4 day streak, but my boost juice in my camelbak sorted me out. Also, a burning pain in my groin (more Uni memories) subsided once I got a couple of miles in. I think that was residue from yesterday's sprints. The wild flowers are looking superb this year. Red and White Campion, deep purple Thistles and more lovely Ox-Eye Daisies brightened the route beautifully. Miles 4 and 7 were, as usual, testing and it all turned into a progressively slower run. A couple of laps of the UEA lake was a very nice finish - juvenile Great Crested Grebes learning to fish.
So, 9.5 miles in 1:34. No prizes for speed but overall fitness is getting there again. Happy running all!
I've never run at night, Hazelnut...I'm an early bird so I'm usually wasted by evening time. Having said that, I've just signed up for an evening 10K in July, which is very local to me.
13miles in 1hr40:30. Off and on road and pace was up and down negotiating some niggly little paths. Garmin seems to have straightlined very winding bits which doesn't help. Bunch of trainspotters with expensive cameras on a bridge over the tracks. Must have been something rare expected.
Saw a kestrel again today. Looked like it had some tether around its leg so maybe a breakout from a falconry centre. Or maybe it was holding a stringy mouse. Not the run I planned today. Meant to be long, but after a quick first mile (by my standards) sped up and stayed there. So 8.3miles in just over 57mins - 6:55 average. Felt surprisingly energised the rest of the day. Can sometimes happen with a quicker run it kicks your body out of its normal fug.
Think the accidental fast run was borne out of on Strava flybys my path twice crossing recently with a club runner with 17min 5ks and eye watering HM times. Insecurity is the only thing that keeps me alive.
I appear to have entered another marathon. Not content with Chester in the Autumn, I'm also in for Valencia. I discovered quite a lot of peeps from my club are doing it so I thought, what the hell. So I've gone from one marathon in 2016 to 2 in 2017 to 4 this year. Does that mean I'll be doing 8 next year?
I've not been around this week, it's been another tricky one.
But running / swimming keeping me together (ish). Highlights include a track speed session *on my own*!! on Tuesday. And today's Forest 5 (miles) race with my club, which is one of my all time favourites. Pretty pleased with my time of 42 minutes (it's a fairly hilly, XC route)
I hope all MLRers are well, I'll catch up now on everyone's news
I wanted to do the NHS Parkrun yesterday, but my boy, Aneurin (named after Aneurin Bevan), had his first proper footy match. His under-6s versus the under-7s was an absolute cracker of a game, worth missing Parkrun for.
So, I was up and out at 6am today for some early Intervals. I did 4+ miles with 4 sets of 1:30 min efforts with 2:30min recoveries. Tough, but it set me up for the day and Junior Parkrun with Aneurin - his 31st and 2nd best time
16.2miles in 2hrs07. Warm sunny day. Took in a new path I'd never been on before. Saw a Canada goose dead on the road. It's innards were outards. Middle aged man with his top off entirely tattooed front and back. High fived by another runner near the university.
And good longer runs by Cal and JT.
I met this guy this morning on a 3 mile beach run...
In the UK for almost 2 weeks, spent 1.5 days in Liverpool, now in Wales. Will hopefully get in a bit of running alongside of some cross training and some touristy stuff.
Nice long run, JT. Unfortunate for the goose, though.
Rest day and massage yesterday, so I felt rejuvenated enough to run 12 miles at a steady pace today. A few niggles including my achilles, but nothing that will slow me down.
Hope you're enjoying Cymru, Hazlenut.
Nice 12er, Cal - unstoppable!
I was supposed to be in Walsall for my induction this week, but got rerouted to Stevenage and a Premier Inn in the heart of an industrial estate. As nice as the room and free grub is, it's deathly quiet and dull compared to the normal chaos chez moi. So, I popped out for a run yesterday and managed to stumble upon a delightful little trail past fields and into a pretty little Beech wood, just minutes away from the hotel. I've done the same 5 km route twice at about 9min/mi and so am keeping the miles ticking over. Not much else to do except read, sleep and watch Neighbours and Home and Away.
Rather warm but pleasant out. Saw a pancake-flat squirrel on the road.