Today's run: 4.9km, 39 mins 3 secs
First day back at school today. Man, it was hard. It's the kind of job where you really hit the ground running... there is no 'easing' back into things. All I seem to have done today is make an enormous list of things to do, not cross a single thing off, and get a big fat headache.
So after work today, I got out of there as soon as possible. I came home a crashed on the couch for an hour (I love a good nana nap), then got up, dressed and ran to Mum and Dad's for dinner. Whilst I didn't achieve anything work-wise, I really needed the sleep (I had to get up 4 hours earlier today than what I was at the end of the holidays!!!) and the run helped me clear my mind and de-stress (well, temporarily because I have now just gotten home again and seen the big fat pile of work!).
Oh well. Only an hour or so before my early term-time bedtime, so I won't get too much done tonight. I can't work just before bed otherwise I get worked up and can't sleep. Surely it can only get better!
Run wise the best thing was I have the first of my three-runs-for-the-week done, and it wasn't a bad run. (Sorry, for the moment there I forgot that this was a running blog and not an opportunity for me to just have a whinge!)
Hopefully the mood here will be better next time!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
No run, but a ride
Today's ride: 31km, 2hrs and 15 minutes
Last day of my holidays today. :-( It would have been a good opportunity to get a run in so that I didn't have to find time to run after work, but since it was a nice morning and a ride is hard to fit in too, I figured this was a good choice!
Since I'm not really big into cycling (yet?...) I just wore a long sleeve running top and some 3/4 leggins. But man, that wind was cold! I think lycra certainly offers more protection from the wind, although we have a running joke in my family about cyclists and lycra. Still, once Dad and I got going, we warmed up enough.
We are lucky that very near my place there are some reasonably new bike paths, and the route we took today was better than the one we took the other day - it is next to a freeway so far fewer roads to cross. And when I say next to a freeway, there is a wall between you and the cars and trucks, which is reassuring because I would never ride just on the shoulder of the road. I am such a woos when it comes to riding, I hate going fast down hills, I hate sharp turns, and actually I hate going up hills too for that matter.
Anyway a pleasant way to spend the morning, and to top it off, I'm off to look at lycra riding stuff this afternoon with my Dad!
Last day of my holidays today. :-( It would have been a good opportunity to get a run in so that I didn't have to find time to run after work, but since it was a nice morning and a ride is hard to fit in too, I figured this was a good choice!
Since I'm not really big into cycling (yet?...) I just wore a long sleeve running top and some 3/4 leggins. But man, that wind was cold! I think lycra certainly offers more protection from the wind, although we have a running joke in my family about cyclists and lycra. Still, once Dad and I got going, we warmed up enough.
We are lucky that very near my place there are some reasonably new bike paths, and the route we took today was better than the one we took the other day - it is next to a freeway so far fewer roads to cross. And when I say next to a freeway, there is a wall between you and the cars and trucks, which is reassuring because I would never ride just on the shoulder of the road. I am such a woos when it comes to riding, I hate going fast down hills, I hate sharp turns, and actually I hate going up hills too for that matter.
Anyway a pleasant way to spend the morning, and to top it off, I'm off to look at lycra riding stuff this afternoon with my Dad!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Holiday goal achieved!
Today's run: 4.9km in 38 mins 33 secs
As I have said in previous posts, these school holidays were all about getting back to some regular running. I had sort of done that towards the end of last term, but weeks 10 and 11 of the term I pretty much gave up and went into survival mode, so the running got ditched.
With that in mind I set myself the target of doing 10 runs these holidays. The idea behind that was that if I could run 5 times a week in the holidays and enjoy it, I would have more chance of being able to run 3 times a week during the term. With good reason I'm not following a training plan at the moment, I just want to be able to get out there and run. I want to MISS running when I don't do it. I want to WANT to go for a run.
Anyway, as the title suggests I did run number 10 today! And generally speaking my runs have all been quite enjoyable. Not every one of them has felt 'easy' or 'blisteringly fast', but they have mostly felt good. I think in the past I have been so bogged down about how many kms I SHOULD be running etc, then feeling guilty if I haven't made the distance.
So what's the next goal you ask? (You didn't ask? Tough. I'll tell you anyway).
My next mini-goal is to run at least 3 times a week for the first three weeks of term. (OK, three weeks is not long, but I need to break things up into manageable bits. If I think about having to do that for the WHOLE term, it just becomes too big of a goal to imagine accomplishing it).
I'm wondering whether I should do some fun runs or races at the moment, or whether somehow feeling like I have to get faster will take the fun out of this again? What do you think?
As I have said in previous posts, these school holidays were all about getting back to some regular running. I had sort of done that towards the end of last term, but weeks 10 and 11 of the term I pretty much gave up and went into survival mode, so the running got ditched.
With that in mind I set myself the target of doing 10 runs these holidays. The idea behind that was that if I could run 5 times a week in the holidays and enjoy it, I would have more chance of being able to run 3 times a week during the term. With good reason I'm not following a training plan at the moment, I just want to be able to get out there and run. I want to MISS running when I don't do it. I want to WANT to go for a run.
Anyway, as the title suggests I did run number 10 today! And generally speaking my runs have all been quite enjoyable. Not every one of them has felt 'easy' or 'blisteringly fast', but they have mostly felt good. I think in the past I have been so bogged down about how many kms I SHOULD be running etc, then feeling guilty if I haven't made the distance.
So what's the next goal you ask? (You didn't ask? Tough. I'll tell you anyway).
My next mini-goal is to run at least 3 times a week for the first three weeks of term. (OK, three weeks is not long, but I need to break things up into manageable bits. If I think about having to do that for the WHOLE term, it just becomes too big of a goal to imagine accomplishing it).
I'm wondering whether I should do some fun runs or races at the moment, or whether somehow feeling like I have to get faster will take the fun out of this again? What do you think?
Friday, April 24, 2009
An ordinary run
Yesterday's run: 3.2km, 26 mins 4 seconds
Yesterday I went out for my normal 3.2km loop. It was my fourth day straight of running (I don't normally do that) and the day after my longest and fastest and bestest run in ages. So as expected, my legs felt like I was running through wet cement for most of the way.
I do think that there was some success in this run though.
a) I went yesterday knowing that it would be hard to fit runs in over the next few days, and I really want to achieve my '10 runs in the holidays' thing.
b) There were several times during my run yesterday when I really felt lazy and lethargic and I wanted to walk. A couple of weeks ago, I would have easily stopped running and started walking, and for the rest of the run it would be hard to convince myself to run again (walking is so much easier!). But yesterday it wasn't as hard as normal to give myself a talking to and decide not to walk, but to keep running.
However small, I'd call that a success!
Yesterday I went out for my normal 3.2km loop. It was my fourth day straight of running (I don't normally do that) and the day after my longest and fastest and bestest run in ages. So as expected, my legs felt like I was running through wet cement for most of the way.
I do think that there was some success in this run though.
a) I went yesterday knowing that it would be hard to fit runs in over the next few days, and I really want to achieve my '10 runs in the holidays' thing.
b) There were several times during my run yesterday when I really felt lazy and lethargic and I wanted to walk. A couple of weeks ago, I would have easily stopped running and started walking, and for the rest of the run it would be hard to convince myself to run again (walking is so much easier!). But yesterday it wasn't as hard as normal to give myself a talking to and decide not to walk, but to keep running.
However small, I'd call that a success!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A mad, mad run
Today's run: 6.4km in 49 mins 54 secs
Today I am really cranky about some things that have been said to me. I won't go into the detail of what that is here, but suffice to say I went out and did my best run in ages!
I left the Ipod at home so I could think over the issue, with a view to 'getting over it'. Well, I didn't get over it, I got even madder, but my form felt great, my legs were turning over faster than usual (well, ok, I'm still slow) and I kept going for longer than I have in a while!
I even got to the point today where I really wanted to run, and felt like I needed a run, a feeling I have been hoping for and trying to kindle as I build back to where I used to be. In the holidays I usually run when I get up (and I get up late in the holidays!), but today I had something being delivered this morning and had to be home. So I got showered and dressed for the rest of my day. On so many other days I would have not bothered with a run under those conditions (I hate running later in the day), but after my delivery came, I actually really felt like pounding some frustration out!
So I'm still mad, but it's nice to have a good run every now and then!
Today I am really cranky about some things that have been said to me. I won't go into the detail of what that is here, but suffice to say I went out and did my best run in ages!
I left the Ipod at home so I could think over the issue, with a view to 'getting over it'. Well, I didn't get over it, I got even madder, but my form felt great, my legs were turning over faster than usual (well, ok, I'm still slow) and I kept going for longer than I have in a while!
I even got to the point today where I really wanted to run, and felt like I needed a run, a feeling I have been hoping for and trying to kindle as I build back to where I used to be. In the holidays I usually run when I get up (and I get up late in the holidays!), but today I had something being delivered this morning and had to be home. So I got showered and dressed for the rest of my day. On so many other days I would have not bothered with a run under those conditions (I hate running later in the day), but after my delivery came, I actually really felt like pounding some frustration out!
So I'm still mad, but it's nice to have a good run every now and then!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"Kaizen"
Today's run: 3.2km, 25 mins 4 secs
Nothing much exciting to report about my run today. I had planned on doing my 4.8km loop, but about halfway there were a few spots of rain. For the record, I didn't wimp out because of the rain, but I did call it quits early and make the loop shorter because I had my Ipod on. It's still relatively new and I'm not sure that my arm band will really protect it from rain... I would hate for it to die already!
Mentally I'm still struggling a little with not pushing myself to go too far or too fast, but as I have said before, I think slow and comfy is the way to KEEP me running longer term. There is a Japanese term 'kaizen' that means something like 'slowly, slowly' that captures it for me. The analogy that I had was someone starting running. The first day you go for a 10 minute walk. Then a 10 minute walk and somewhere in there you do a 10 second jog. The following day the jog is 11 seconds, then 12 seconds etc. Whilst the progress is super slow it's obviously well within what you are capable of. I'm not quite taking it to such extremes, but I it's certainly a principle I think as I go out and do my measly 3.2km runs at such a slow pace!
Nothing much exciting to report about my run today. I had planned on doing my 4.8km loop, but about halfway there were a few spots of rain. For the record, I didn't wimp out because of the rain, but I did call it quits early and make the loop shorter because I had my Ipod on. It's still relatively new and I'm not sure that my arm band will really protect it from rain... I would hate for it to die already!
Mentally I'm still struggling a little with not pushing myself to go too far or too fast, but as I have said before, I think slow and comfy is the way to KEEP me running longer term. There is a Japanese term 'kaizen' that means something like 'slowly, slowly' that captures it for me. The analogy that I had was someone starting running. The first day you go for a 10 minute walk. Then a 10 minute walk and somewhere in there you do a 10 second jog. The following day the jog is 11 seconds, then 12 seconds etc. Whilst the progress is super slow it's obviously well within what you are capable of. I'm not quite taking it to such extremes, but I it's certainly a principle I think as I go out and do my measly 3.2km runs at such a slow pace!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Inspiration
Today's run: 5 km in I-have-no-idea-how-long
I love the school holidays, for a great many reasons, but one of them is that I can pack up and go away for the weekend without having to think about when I'll get my marking done, or how I'll fit things in. So on Saturday morning, it occured to me that the Canberra Marathon was on on the Sunday morning, and why not drive down there to watch a bit of it? Since my sister and her husband lives in Canberra I have free accommodation, and I thought it might give me a little inspiration to keep running!
So on Saturday afternoon I headed down, singing along to Dire Straights in the car! Sunday morning I got up relatively early (considering it was the holidays!)... I had missed the first lap or so of the race but positioned myself at a point in the course where the runners pass by 4 times. One of the things that struck me as the competitors ran past was that runners really do come in every shape and size. There was every age of competitor, some rake thin, some with a few kilos to lose. Some had the most awkward looking gaits, I wondered how they could keep it up for so long. Some were obviously struggling, some were doing it easy (well, it looked that way anyway). Some looked pretty 'normal', and there were definately a few odd-ball looking characters!
Whils tthe thought of getting out there and running for that many consecutive kilometres and hours is an obcene thought at this stage of my "running comeback", I did get a sense of "Well if they can do it, so can I".
I do have no doubt that if I put my mind to it, I could run a marathon. After all, that's what I did when I trained for and ran a half. Aside from my distinct lack of endurance at this stage, one of the biggest hurdles I think I would have is how many HOURS and HOURS it would take each week to invest in training. It was one of my most dominant thoughts as I watched the runners... especially for the back-of-the-packers, it involves such a big chunk of time (already a precious commodity) being invested in training. And for me, at least, it's not only the time on your feet, but time recovering afterwards. I know when I was doing my long runs last year in the morning, I would be absolutely pooped during the rest of the day!
Anyway, strong respect to all competitors!
Following the marathon, I of course went for a run today before I came home. Just a 5km loop around the middle of the lake in Canberra. Normally, it's a beautiful and very scenic spot to run. Well, I suppose it was still scenic today with the autumn colours all around (we don't really get autumn here), but there was quite a cold wind and it was incredibly overcast. I forgot to set my stopwatch too, so I have no idea how long I took, but I can say I did enjoy the run and it wasn't too strenuous. I suppose that means I could have pushed it harder, but like I've said, I'm all about getting back to the consistent and enjoyable training.
I have now done 6 runs in my 10-runs-in-the-holidays goal. Go me!
I love the school holidays, for a great many reasons, but one of them is that I can pack up and go away for the weekend without having to think about when I'll get my marking done, or how I'll fit things in. So on Saturday morning, it occured to me that the Canberra Marathon was on on the Sunday morning, and why not drive down there to watch a bit of it? Since my sister and her husband lives in Canberra I have free accommodation, and I thought it might give me a little inspiration to keep running!
So on Saturday afternoon I headed down, singing along to Dire Straights in the car! Sunday morning I got up relatively early (considering it was the holidays!)... I had missed the first lap or so of the race but positioned myself at a point in the course where the runners pass by 4 times. One of the things that struck me as the competitors ran past was that runners really do come in every shape and size. There was every age of competitor, some rake thin, some with a few kilos to lose. Some had the most awkward looking gaits, I wondered how they could keep it up for so long. Some were obviously struggling, some were doing it easy (well, it looked that way anyway). Some looked pretty 'normal', and there were definately a few odd-ball looking characters!
Whils tthe thought of getting out there and running for that many consecutive kilometres and hours is an obcene thought at this stage of my "running comeback", I did get a sense of "Well if they can do it, so can I".
I do have no doubt that if I put my mind to it, I could run a marathon. After all, that's what I did when I trained for and ran a half. Aside from my distinct lack of endurance at this stage, one of the biggest hurdles I think I would have is how many HOURS and HOURS it would take each week to invest in training. It was one of my most dominant thoughts as I watched the runners... especially for the back-of-the-packers, it involves such a big chunk of time (already a precious commodity) being invested in training. And for me, at least, it's not only the time on your feet, but time recovering afterwards. I know when I was doing my long runs last year in the morning, I would be absolutely pooped during the rest of the day!
Anyway, strong respect to all competitors!
Following the marathon, I of course went for a run today before I came home. Just a 5km loop around the middle of the lake in Canberra. Normally, it's a beautiful and very scenic spot to run. Well, I suppose it was still scenic today with the autumn colours all around (we don't really get autumn here), but there was quite a cold wind and it was incredibly overcast. I forgot to set my stopwatch too, so I have no idea how long I took, but I can say I did enjoy the run and it wasn't too strenuous. I suppose that means I could have pushed it harder, but like I've said, I'm all about getting back to the consistent and enjoyable training.
I have now done 6 runs in my 10-runs-in-the-holidays goal. Go me!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Take your own advice
Today's run: 4.8km in the blistering time of 45 mins 43 secs
I post on a running forum, and just yesterday there was someone who posted a question saying that they had completed the Couch to 5km program, but seemed to be stuck running 5km and couldn't get past that point. It's not often there are questions posted that I feel I am qualified to answer, but this one was different. So I replied that I thought the runner should slow down, even if they felt they were going at a snails pace. Anytime I have wanted to increase my distance, I have found that if I slow down even more I have the longevity in my legs to keep going further.
It occurred to me today as I ran that I have had some difficulty in getting past 3.2km without stopping to walk a few times and running out of energy. Duh! Slow down, Slow Poke! And whilst I struggled to overtake some people who were WALKING around my regular loop, I did slow down, and I did manage to do 4.8km without having to take any walk breaks. My time was embarassing, but I guess you have to start somewhere.
I wore my new shoes for the first time. They felt pretty comfy, although I think I tied them too tight, particularly around the toe box. On my right foot, I got a little pins and needles in my toes! I'll have to adjust them and give them another burl.
Also I ran with my Ipod again... and I wore it on the other arm to normal. Now this is going to sound really OCD, but I am very much a creature of habit. As silly as it sounds, that threw me off completely. My earphone cord tangled the wrong way and I managed to get my arm caught and nearly rip my ear buds out of my ears. To anyone behind me I think it would have looked like someone swinging wildly as they went through a spider's web!
The other funny thing I saw was a crow with a golf ball in its mouth. It just sat there for ages... didn't drop the ball, just staring at me with the giant golf ball. There is another crow I often see on my runs. It has had a broken wing for years now and can't fly, but seems to make a living just scavenging on the ground.
OK well I've now had breakfast and typed all of this, I think at 11am it's now time for a shower and to start my day!
I post on a running forum, and just yesterday there was someone who posted a question saying that they had completed the Couch to 5km program, but seemed to be stuck running 5km and couldn't get past that point. It's not often there are questions posted that I feel I am qualified to answer, but this one was different. So I replied that I thought the runner should slow down, even if they felt they were going at a snails pace. Anytime I have wanted to increase my distance, I have found that if I slow down even more I have the longevity in my legs to keep going further.
It occurred to me today as I ran that I have had some difficulty in getting past 3.2km without stopping to walk a few times and running out of energy. Duh! Slow down, Slow Poke! And whilst I struggled to overtake some people who were WALKING around my regular loop, I did slow down, and I did manage to do 4.8km without having to take any walk breaks. My time was embarassing, but I guess you have to start somewhere.
I wore my new shoes for the first time. They felt pretty comfy, although I think I tied them too tight, particularly around the toe box. On my right foot, I got a little pins and needles in my toes! I'll have to adjust them and give them another burl.
Also I ran with my Ipod again... and I wore it on the other arm to normal. Now this is going to sound really OCD, but I am very much a creature of habit. As silly as it sounds, that threw me off completely. My earphone cord tangled the wrong way and I managed to get my arm caught and nearly rip my ear buds out of my ears. To anyone behind me I think it would have looked like someone swinging wildly as they went through a spider's web!
The other funny thing I saw was a crow with a golf ball in its mouth. It just sat there for ages... didn't drop the ball, just staring at me with the giant golf ball. There is another crow I often see on my runs. It has had a broken wing for years now and can't fly, but seems to make a living just scavenging on the ground.
OK well I've now had breakfast and typed all of this, I think at 11am it's now time for a shower and to start my day!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
One more thing...
I also meant to wish myself a happy 100 posts and 900 visitors! Such lovely, round numbers. As a maths teacher, I have a thing for nice, round numbers.
Wow... I actually have lots to post about!
I suppose, since I actually have a bit to say, that I should do this chronologically.
Let's start with yesterday. I ran over to my parent's place for lunch (I love school holidays... running whenever I want without struggling to fit it in!) by a new longer route. The route itself was nice, but I had trouble with my back. After the first 30 minutes or so, I just found that with every step I took I had a jarring sensation in my lower back (and by lower back, I almost mean the top of my bum). It got so that it mostly turned into a walk over to Mum and Dad's. But it was a lovely walk... the sun was shining, I was on holidays, it was warmer than it has been in a while... one of those days when it's glorious to be alive!
I think part of the reason for my back ache was my shoes. They are really old. No, even older than whatever you're thinking. Not only have I had them for years, but they have about 650km on them, and that's since I started keeping a log of my running. They have just about NO tread under the ball of the foot and the lining inside is torn in a few places. Now I have read all the information out there that says you should change your shoes much more frequently than that. But because my running has been so stop / start, each time I start again, I think I should buy some new shoes. But then I questions whether its worth the money if I'm going to lose interest in running again. Now that I have a mortgage hanging round my neck finding $150-$200 for a pair of shoes is no easy feat (or "feet"... get it?!).
But after yesterday's effort I decided I had to bite the bullet. I had been to the Athlete's Foot a couple of weeks ago, and had asked to try some runners on that were the current model of my old ones (Mizuno Wave Maverick, to be exact). So I tried some on, and the lady there tried to sell me some orthotics, for my perfectly evenly balanced, not-rolling-in and not-rolling-out feet. If MY feet need orthotics, then there is NO help for anyone else! I felt so pressured by the sales person I ended up not buying anything. Yesterday though, I went back and was very insistent on the model I wanted, which were $159. They wanted me to try on a pair that were $199, and supposedly the "model up" from mine. However the sole under the heel and under the ball of the foot was soooo cushioned I felt like Neil Armstrong bouncing up and down in them! So I went with my gut, which was the $159 ones that felt exaclty like my oldies, only new!
Here's a picture of the pretty things........
Nice and shiny and new!
I know lots of advice is to go to a proper running store to get fitted for shoes, but in all honesty, there isn't one within a 50 minute drive of me. So as long as these are as comfy and good as my ol' faithfuls, then I'll be very happy.
I'll have to give them a test run tomorrow.
The other thing that I did isn't really running related, but exercise related, so I guess it counts enough to post on here. It's my blog anyway, and I'll do what I want to!
I went for a bike ride this morning with my Dad. He rides regularly, about an hour or so every day, now that he is retired. I haven't ridden in months and months, but the weather has been so nice I figured a ride would be a good way of getting some extra exercise, but would be a change from running. So this morning we did a 35km ride over about 3 and a half hours. Now that may sound pathetically slow to anyone who cycled, but it was just a lovely leisurely ride... we didn't want to break any records (don't worry... we didn't!), just enjoy the ride. There were some painful hills at the beginning and end, and lots of traffic lights to cross at at the beginning and end, but aside from that the middle part of the ride was great. Long, uninterrupted stretches of bike paths and gentle undulations. We even stopped for a coffee at Mc Donalds on teh way home to get some extra energy!
Of course the only down side to the bike ride is that I now have a case of what I termed "bicyle butt". You know, the bruises that develop on your sensitive tail bone from too many hours in the saddle! Hopefully my butt recovers so I can try out my new kicks tomorrow!
Phew.... I'm now exhausted from writing so much.... I don't think I've ever had a post this long!
Let's start with yesterday. I ran over to my parent's place for lunch (I love school holidays... running whenever I want without struggling to fit it in!) by a new longer route. The route itself was nice, but I had trouble with my back. After the first 30 minutes or so, I just found that with every step I took I had a jarring sensation in my lower back (and by lower back, I almost mean the top of my bum). It got so that it mostly turned into a walk over to Mum and Dad's. But it was a lovely walk... the sun was shining, I was on holidays, it was warmer than it has been in a while... one of those days when it's glorious to be alive!
I think part of the reason for my back ache was my shoes. They are really old. No, even older than whatever you're thinking. Not only have I had them for years, but they have about 650km on them, and that's since I started keeping a log of my running. They have just about NO tread under the ball of the foot and the lining inside is torn in a few places. Now I have read all the information out there that says you should change your shoes much more frequently than that. But because my running has been so stop / start, each time I start again, I think I should buy some new shoes. But then I questions whether its worth the money if I'm going to lose interest in running again. Now that I have a mortgage hanging round my neck finding $150-$200 for a pair of shoes is no easy feat (or "feet"... get it?!).
But after yesterday's effort I decided I had to bite the bullet. I had been to the Athlete's Foot a couple of weeks ago, and had asked to try some runners on that were the current model of my old ones (Mizuno Wave Maverick, to be exact). So I tried some on, and the lady there tried to sell me some orthotics, for my perfectly evenly balanced, not-rolling-in and not-rolling-out feet. If MY feet need orthotics, then there is NO help for anyone else! I felt so pressured by the sales person I ended up not buying anything. Yesterday though, I went back and was very insistent on the model I wanted, which were $159. They wanted me to try on a pair that were $199, and supposedly the "model up" from mine. However the sole under the heel and under the ball of the foot was soooo cushioned I felt like Neil Armstrong bouncing up and down in them! So I went with my gut, which was the $159 ones that felt exaclty like my oldies, only new!
Here's a picture of the pretty things........
Nice and shiny and new!
I know lots of advice is to go to a proper running store to get fitted for shoes, but in all honesty, there isn't one within a 50 minute drive of me. So as long as these are as comfy and good as my ol' faithfuls, then I'll be very happy.
I'll have to give them a test run tomorrow.
The other thing that I did isn't really running related, but exercise related, so I guess it counts enough to post on here. It's my blog anyway, and I'll do what I want to!
I went for a bike ride this morning with my Dad. He rides regularly, about an hour or so every day, now that he is retired. I haven't ridden in months and months, but the weather has been so nice I figured a ride would be a good way of getting some extra exercise, but would be a change from running. So this morning we did a 35km ride over about 3 and a half hours. Now that may sound pathetically slow to anyone who cycled, but it was just a lovely leisurely ride... we didn't want to break any records (don't worry... we didn't!), just enjoy the ride. There were some painful hills at the beginning and end, and lots of traffic lights to cross at at the beginning and end, but aside from that the middle part of the ride was great. Long, uninterrupted stretches of bike paths and gentle undulations. We even stopped for a coffee at Mc Donalds on teh way home to get some extra energy!
Of course the only down side to the bike ride is that I now have a case of what I termed "bicyle butt". You know, the bruises that develop on your sensitive tail bone from too many hours in the saddle! Hopefully my butt recovers so I can try out my new kicks tomorrow!
Phew.... I'm now exhausted from writing so much.... I don't think I've ever had a post this long!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Ran out of steam
Today's run: 5.8km, 49 mins 15 secs
The first 30 minutes of today's run went a-ok. I did my usual, slow shuffle. However I got to the 30 minute mark and just ran out of steam. I think switched between walking and running, and even walking was something that seemed to suck the energy out of me.
I suppose it shouldn't be too much of a surprise really. For one, there are the easter eggs I have been eating the last couple of days. Then yesterday's great, fast run took it out of me too. Add to that this is my third run in a row (something I haven't done for months and months) and I suppose that's a recipe for not a great run.
3 days down on my run-10-times-in-the-school-holidays goal!
The first 30 minutes of today's run went a-ok. I did my usual, slow shuffle. However I got to the 30 minute mark and just ran out of steam. I think switched between walking and running, and even walking was something that seemed to suck the energy out of me.
I suppose it shouldn't be too much of a surprise really. For one, there are the easter eggs I have been eating the last couple of days. Then yesterday's great, fast run took it out of me too. Add to that this is my third run in a row (something I haven't done for months and months) and I suppose that's a recipe for not a great run.
3 days down on my run-10-times-in-the-school-holidays goal!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
A quick game is a good game
Today's run: 3.2km, 22 mins, 19 secs
Today I ran in the afternoon instead of the morning. I hate running in the afternoon - by the time the day is half over, I have much less energy and motivation. Plus I get so sweaty after a run I really need to shower again and wash my hair!
I ran with my Ipod today, which I had left at home yesterday, and I think it helped. The songs I have on my running playlist keep my fairly pumped, and were responsible for me running much, much quicker than normal. After I realised I was running much quicker than normal, I decided to do a short, quick run rather than a longer, slower run. My pace turned out to be less than 7 minutes for a kilometre, something of a miracle for me in any situation other than a race!
My goal these school holidays is to run 10 times. I don't care how long or how far, but I just want to establish the habit of running again pretty solidly so that when school goes back I have half a chance of keeping it up!
Today I ran in the afternoon instead of the morning. I hate running in the afternoon - by the time the day is half over, I have much less energy and motivation. Plus I get so sweaty after a run I really need to shower again and wash my hair!
I ran with my Ipod today, which I had left at home yesterday, and I think it helped. The songs I have on my running playlist keep my fairly pumped, and were responsible for me running much, much quicker than normal. After I realised I was running much quicker than normal, I decided to do a short, quick run rather than a longer, slower run. My pace turned out to be less than 7 minutes for a kilometre, something of a miracle for me in any situation other than a race!
My goal these school holidays is to run 10 times. I don't care how long or how far, but I just want to establish the habit of running again pretty solidly so that when school goes back I have half a chance of keeping it up!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Back to square one
Today's run: 3.2km, 26 mins 11 secs
Well for the last two weeks I have been bad and have not run. Two weeks ago we were having torrential rain everyday. I might have had some chance of convincing myself to run if it were only showering, or if there were breaks between the downpours, but not in the weather. Then last week was the last week of school. Which meant that I was in pure survival get-to-the-end-of-term mode. It was all I could do to get myself to work each day and home without falling asleep.
So there's my excuses. Sad isn't it?
Today's run, therefore, was rubbish. I had jelly legs, no energy and couldn't even run the whole way. I also had no mental fortitude to make myself keep running when it got hard.
Onwards and upwards then eh?
Well for the last two weeks I have been bad and have not run. Two weeks ago we were having torrential rain everyday. I might have had some chance of convincing myself to run if it were only showering, or if there were breaks between the downpours, but not in the weather. Then last week was the last week of school. Which meant that I was in pure survival get-to-the-end-of-term mode. It was all I could do to get myself to work each day and home without falling asleep.
So there's my excuses. Sad isn't it?
Today's run, therefore, was rubbish. I had jelly legs, no energy and couldn't even run the whole way. I also had no mental fortitude to make myself keep running when it got hard.
Onwards and upwards then eh?
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