Keeping it together: Janathon day 15

Halfway (almost) through Janathon and I'm still holding myself together, just.

This morning I had my usual Pilates class. We did a lot of stretching, which felt really good at first until the stretches progressed into a hundred with out-turning knees and "STRAIGHT LEGS SARAH, I know you can do it". I definitely know about my glutes, inside thigh and knee muscles, and shoulders. Not so much core work today so I will do something ab-focused tomorrow.

This evening was run club. I was prepared to do a run-walk with the beginners and then a run alone later, but Pete said he would run with the beginners so I could do my planned 5 miler (thank you Pete!). I ran with Tracey, Ed, and John, who are all much faster than I am but slowed down tonight so we could have a social run (for me it was a tempo run!). It was really good and we chatted the whole way about challenges for this year and events people are doing. My shins were hurting before we even set off (I desperately need new trainers and as soon as I have written this blog I am going to browse Sweatshop online) and I thought my knees were going to give way at one point, but I managed the run without feeling exhausted. Which I'm really pleased about. Apart from the leg pain. I think I need a massage or to get my foam roller out. Both those ideas terrify me.

Not running, cycling

2 days before the end of Juneathon and I had to give in. SOMETHING (no idea what) has happened to my shin and it hurts to run on it. I don't want to injure myself unnecessarily. I have no races coming up until September so I've curtailed the running for the next few weeks.

Time to up the cross training (ie, anything other than running). Swimming will start again next week (still need to buy a new suit), but for this week I've dusted off my bike and bought a helmet. Let's go ride a bike.

I'm a nervous cyclist. I don't like cars behind me or passing me (I'm too polite and don't like to inconvenience people). I'm also prone to falling off. Plus, for the past 5 years I've had a small child attached to my rear. Doesn't make for confident cycling.

So, for my first ride, I stuck to quiet lanes near my house (no small child attached, the seat has gone forever). Of course, everyone decided to be out driving their car on Thursday, so after 10 minutes I was quite used to people passing me. I'd also got used to being on my bike again, solo, and getting faster with every minute. Instead of just going home after 4 miles I decided to push myself until I was tired. 10 miles, averaging 12 mph. I was very happy with that!

On Saturday I went out for a slower ride but a bit further distance. I decided to go off-road and cover the full Greenway around Letchworth (13+ miles). I've run it in 1 hour 46 minutes. I cycled it in 1 hour 22 minutes. Average 10 mph (14 miles total). Mo Farah could've run faster. In my defence, I was hindered by road crossings and kissing gates. Those things are tricky.

Today I had a very slow 3.5 mile bike ride with the family. Ice creams and the park were our reward. Well done us.

Juneathon day 28: broken

I'm definitely feeling the effects of Juneathon today. Which for day 28 is pretty good going I think (in Janathon I was knackered by the end of the second week).

Last night I had a bit of a niggle in my left shin when I got back from run club. I iced it, and again this morning. It seems fairly localised to one area, and it doesn't affect my ankle. By this evening it felt better and because I'd eaten so much dinner I decided I had to go for a run. 

I stuck to my route around town, it's usually 4 miles, but 2 miles in my leg started to REALLY hurt. To the point I had to slow right down because I could barely put my weight on it. Cut my run short. Ice pack straight on when I got home. Already feels better. I think the last 2 days of Juneathon will be core work and perhaps a bike ride.