Tonight was running club. I don't really get to intermediate running club anymore, because my husband has started running and he's faster than me so he can't really attend beginners club. I go to beginners at 7pm on Thursday and my husband comes along at 7:30pm with the children and we do a relay handover, with two children as the baton.
Tonight's club run was really good. Pete took the run-walk group (who are now running for 7 minutes and walking for 2 minutes, after starting at 1 minute running a month or two ago), and Ed and I took the remaining four runners out. We did a race: Ed and two girls ran one way around the village and me and two other girls ran the opposite direction, the aim being to stay together as a group and beat the other team back. One of my group was really struggling to keep pace, and we had to loop back every 5 minutes to keep her motivated. We passed Ed's team sooner than expected, and that demotivated us for a while. But then my team caught up with the run-walkers so we had people to aim at. Lots of shouting happened, and finally we were on the High St and I was trying to encourage my team and some run-walkers to sprint for home. The best thing was seeing the other team sprinting down the High St too! So we weren't all that far behind, a few seconds was all in the end. A great run, 2.5 miles at 9:50 min/mile pace.
Before anyone starts feeling affronted on my behalf at my being prevented from going to running club because my husband is faster than me, we've organised a schedule from July (when my current Pilates class term ends). He's going to attend Tuesday club nights and I'll attend on Thursdays. I do miss my Tuesday beginners but I have family commitments that make 7pm an awkward time to run.
This might be my last Juneathon blog, 5 days in! I have a busy busy weekend looming. It's my son's birthday party Saturday afternoon, but also the Scout Group sponsored walk is in the morning (you can sponsor us at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TeamPassey) and my daughter's football presentation is after lunch. Blogging will be minimal and include lots of walking (Saturday), and possibly tent-pitching (vigorously so it counts for Juneathon, on Friday).
Thursday, 5 June 2014
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Finding my inner knee
Today's Juneathon post is all about Pilates. I went to a different class than my usual Tuesday one, although this will become my new permanent class in 5 weeks' time. I always feel awkward at the Wednesday class, even though I'm more advanced than the people who go to it. I make myself try harder so I don't need the instructor to correct me during exercises. And I usually forget to breathe as a result.
We did exercises with the Pilates ring tonight: leg squeezes and arm raises and stretches. I like the ring thing, although I'm always a bit nervous it's going to snap on me (because of my mighty thigh strength). We also tried to locate our inner knee muscles, working these should strengthen our knees and straighten the knee cap (I am known for my dodgy knees so I paid a lot of attention at this point). We located them while sat down and then attempted to fire them while stood up. This exercise should apparently also entail gluteal muscles, so we had to stand there holding our arses to check they were working too. I was trying not to laugh, so I couldn't do this at all.
After Pilates I walked home, put my kids to bed, then went back out for a fast 5K as practice for a race in a few weeks. The aim was to hit 7:30 min/mile but I failed at that and only managed 7:50 average. My husband (who is now an expert at running 5K, or so you'd think) told me my pacing was hideous and I should try to stay consistent throughout the run rather than slowing on the hills. (I think I forgot what I was doing about halfway round because I slowed right down to 11 min/mile.) I've been told now, consistency is the key! I'll try again next week.
We did exercises with the Pilates ring tonight: leg squeezes and arm raises and stretches. I like the ring thing, although I'm always a bit nervous it's going to snap on me (because of my mighty thigh strength). We also tried to locate our inner knee muscles, working these should strengthen our knees and straighten the knee cap (I am known for my dodgy knees so I paid a lot of attention at this point). We located them while sat down and then attempted to fire them while stood up. This exercise should apparently also entail gluteal muscles, so we had to stand there holding our arses to check they were working too. I was trying not to laugh, so I couldn't do this at all.
After Pilates I walked home, put my kids to bed, then went back out for a fast 5K as practice for a race in a few weeks. The aim was to hit 7:30 min/mile but I failed at that and only managed 7:50 average. My husband (who is now an expert at running 5K, or so you'd think) told me my pacing was hideous and I should try to stay consistent throughout the run rather than slowing on the hills. (I think I forgot what I was doing about halfway round because I slowed right down to 11 min/mile.) I've been told now, consistency is the key! I'll try again next week.
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
Exercise is not a chore
I was supposed to be at Pilates this evening, an easy Juneathon activity. But this afternoon my son was taken ill and I find myself at home and unable to go to Pilates (I've moved myself to Wednesday's class, that's tomorrow sorted).
So for today, I've had to shoe-horn in a 1.3 mile walk while my husband was briefly around to catch potential vomit. Half an hour of dropping the well child at beavers, walking to the shop, and walking home. Chores AND exercise completed in one go. Marvellous.
Monday, 2 June 2014
Ditching the ab plan, day 2
Today's Juneathon activity was circuit training, I made a last-minute decision to go to the class based on a lack of work to do and a need to tone ab muscles etc. Ran to class (that must also count for something). Today's circuit featured 16 stations of core/leg/arm/cardio exercises, each done twice.
Had to amend squats and lunges because my knees are playing up, focused on technique. Managed some full press ups with feet on a medicine ball, and again moving the ball hand-to-hand between press ups. Seem to have cracked the "sideways jog things with standing ab curl".
I've decided to ditch the 30-day ab challenge, on day 2. I studied the challenge in detail and I think it just increases in difficulty too quickly, it will only lead to injury! I shall persevere at the leg raises though, we do those in Pilates class and I find them really hard. I did just under 100 ab crunches today during circuits, which counts for something.
Weighed myself too. Need to lose 14 lb before my cousin-by-marriage's wedding in July. This is what happens when you lose focus and think you can eat what you like because you're running loads.
Had to amend squats and lunges because my knees are playing up, focused on technique. Managed some full press ups with feet on a medicine ball, and again moving the ball hand-to-hand between press ups. Seem to have cracked the "sideways jog things with standing ab curl".
I've decided to ditch the 30-day ab challenge, on day 2. I studied the challenge in detail and I think it just increases in difficulty too quickly, it will only lead to injury! I shall persevere at the leg raises though, we do those in Pilates class and I find them really hard. I did just under 100 ab crunches today during circuits, which counts for something.
Weighed myself too. Need to lose 14 lb before my cousin-by-marriage's wedding in July. This is what happens when you lose focus and think you can eat what you like because you're running loads.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Kick up the ass needed
Since MK Marathon I've felt my running hasn't been easy. Post-marathon-lack-of mojo-itis. I ran Stotfold 5K 2 weeks after the marathon (and was 2nd woman) but my time of 23:07 wasn't spectacular (albeit my best 5K time for more than a year).
Anyway, time to look forward not back. I've decided to do Juneathon as a way to kickstart my mojo again, or at least make me do exercise every day. I'm also doing this 30 day ab challenge that seems to have taken over social media. Although if I can do 125 sit ups, 200 crunches, 65 leg raises, and hold a plank for 2 minutes by June 30th I will eat my own hat (made from rice paper...).
Today I did a 10K interval workout, to heart rate zones. I ran for 10 minutes to warm up, then aimed at 162-170 HR for 7 minutes followed by a 3 minute recovery at 139-145, and repeated that 3 times. I ran the remaining distance as a cool down. Felt very unfit, and struggled to get my heart rate into either the threshold or the recovery zone, it preferred to hang around in the no-man's training land of 150 bpm.
Stats
Distance: 6.3 miles
Time: 56:12
Av HR: 154 bpm
30 day ab challenge
15 sit ups
5 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec plank
Anyway, time to look forward not back. I've decided to do Juneathon as a way to kickstart my mojo again, or at least make me do exercise every day. I'm also doing this 30 day ab challenge that seems to have taken over social media. Although if I can do 125 sit ups, 200 crunches, 65 leg raises, and hold a plank for 2 minutes by June 30th I will eat my own hat (made from rice paper...).
Today I did a 10K interval workout, to heart rate zones. I ran for 10 minutes to warm up, then aimed at 162-170 HR for 7 minutes followed by a 3 minute recovery at 139-145, and repeated that 3 times. I ran the remaining distance as a cool down. Felt very unfit, and struggled to get my heart rate into either the threshold or the recovery zone, it preferred to hang around in the no-man's training land of 150 bpm.
Stats
Distance: 6.3 miles
Time: 56:12
Av HR: 154 bpm
30 day ab challenge
15 sit ups
5 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec plank
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Roger Bannister 60th anniversary mile
Bannister anniversary
Tuesday May 6th was the 60th anniversary of Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile barrier. To mark the occasion, Dan Wymer (@running_dan_w) asked 60 people to run a mile and blog or tweet about the run. Read his blog post about the day.
I signed up to run a mile knowing it would be the day after MK Marathon, so I wasn't expecting to run a fast time. My physio Kieran had advised me to go for a walk on the Tuesday to flush out lactic acid, so a mile jog seemed a good alternative. I went straight after I'd dropped my children at school, and managed a fairly respectable 10:33 minutes for the mile.
Post-marathon recovery
It was a good idea to jog on Tuesday, because my legs felt much less stiff when I got home. I had another cold bath for 10 minutes, then donned a fetching pair of compression tights to wear for the rest of the day. I went for another couple of short walks in the afternoon too (1.5 miles in total), followed by my regular Pilates class in the evening. Drank plenty of water throughout the day, to rehydrate properly from Monday (not a chore though, I was really thirsty), and logged my food on myfitnesspal to make sure I didn't go mad and eat a bucket of pasta.
On Wednesday my legs felt fully recovered, apart from my sore knee, which will take a while to heal. I took my physio's advice to rest fully on Wednesday. I drank lots of water and ate sensibly, logging everything on myfitnesspal so I didn't gorge on chocolate!
I'm feeling ready to brave running club this evening, will be good to have an easy jog with the beginners to test my knee. The intermediates are planning their own Roger Bannister anniversary mile, a series of 100m sprint intervals as a relay, to see if we can beat 4 minutes! I might hold the stopwatch...
Tuesday May 6th was the 60th anniversary of Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile barrier. To mark the occasion, Dan Wymer (@running_dan_w) asked 60 people to run a mile and blog or tweet about the run. Read his blog post about the day.
I signed up to run a mile knowing it would be the day after MK Marathon, so I wasn't expecting to run a fast time. My physio Kieran had advised me to go for a walk on the Tuesday to flush out lactic acid, so a mile jog seemed a good alternative. I went straight after I'd dropped my children at school, and managed a fairly respectable 10:33 minutes for the mile.
Post-marathon recovery
It was a good idea to jog on Tuesday, because my legs felt much less stiff when I got home. I had another cold bath for 10 minutes, then donned a fetching pair of compression tights to wear for the rest of the day. I went for another couple of short walks in the afternoon too (1.5 miles in total), followed by my regular Pilates class in the evening. Drank plenty of water throughout the day, to rehydrate properly from Monday (not a chore though, I was really thirsty), and logged my food on myfitnesspal to make sure I didn't go mad and eat a bucket of pasta.
On Wednesday my legs felt fully recovered, apart from my sore knee, which will take a while to heal. I took my physio's advice to rest fully on Wednesday. I drank lots of water and ate sensibly, logging everything on myfitnesspal so I didn't gorge on chocolate!
I'm feeling ready to brave running club this evening, will be good to have an easy jog with the beginners to test my knee. The intermediates are planning their own Roger Bannister anniversary mile, a series of 100m sprint intervals as a relay, to see if we can beat 4 minutes! I might hold the stopwatch...
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Milton Keynes Marathon
It's 2 days since I ran MK Marathon so I've had a bit of time to reflect on the race. I've been training for this since I PB'd at the Stevenage half marathon in November, 2013.
Got all my stuff ready the night before, so I wouldn't be panicking on Monday for safety pins and my running belt. I woke up at 6am and made myself porridge and had a glass of water. I wasn't really sure what else to eat, normally I don't eat much more than that before a race, but I knew I'd need a bit more sustenance. Opted for a homemade banana and chocolate milkshake, which was a successful breakfast choice the morning I ran the Baldock Beast half marathon.
Got dressed, packed my bag (with some lunch, water, Clif bars, vaseline, spare clothes), and jogged up to the High St for 7:30am to meet Barry, Lewis, and Simon and his wife, who were driving us to MK. Made the trip to MK in super-fast time, and we were in the MK Dons stadium for 8:30am.
Had a lot of hanging around to do before we had to make our way to the start for 9:30am. Ate a Clif bar to stop any possibly energy deficit, after being reminded about hydration and energy needs by a Pete Luxford text! Was good to relax and have a chat too. Met my friends Jay and Kayleigh in the baggage area just as we were walking to the start, Jay was running the marathon and Kayleigh the half.
I was looking out for the sub 4:00 pacer, who was carrying a helium balloon. As soon as I spotted him I said bye to everyone else (who would be running much faster than me) and stuck close. The start area was so crowded, 5000 runners in total, I've never run in such a big race.
When the race started we walked to the start line so that we'd have a nice gap in front of us. Couldn't believe that there were people starting at the front who were running really slowly, or walking. Made the first mile or two quite irritating having to weave in and out. We managed to keep to the intended pace though (9 min/mile). At mile 3 we passed the first water station and I immediately decided I needed a wee. Had to ignore it because if I stopped I knew I'd be in trouble.
I spotted my friend Duncan from running club and his family; I shouted loudly to get his attention! So exciting to see people I knew. The first 6 miles twisted around Center MK, and it was good to spot Simon and Barry running together on the opposite side of the road (although about half a mile in front of me). I stopped to yell at them! As I headed back towards MK Dons stadium I saw some runners in a group carrying a boat, raising money for their rowing club. Crazy!
At mile 8 I suddenly spotted my children and husband at the side of the road. I couldn't believe it, because they'd told me they weren't coming to support (apparently they were at the start but I missed them). I tried not to cry as I ran to them for hugs and kisses, but gave in to the emotion as I set off again down the road.
My stomach gave me the first hint of trouble at this point. I was taking on water regularly, both internally and externally. Also eating Clif shot bloks every few miles. Gatorade when it was available (I'm not a fan of energy drinks though, although Gatorade is the only one I can stomach). But I carried no gels (because of previous stomach woe on long training runs).
At mile 10 the half marathoners split off and headed back to the stadium, whereas we turned off into a housing estate and onto the Redway. I had a chat with a fellow sub 4:00 runner at this point, and admitted that my leg was hurting a lot (my right hamstring had been aching from mile 3 but I'd hoped it would just ache and not get worse). I was full of doubt that I could carry on to be honest, but managed to maintain the sub 4:00 pace for another 8 miles.
Missed the gel station at mile 12 (not worried though because I still had some Clif shot bloks and hadn't planned on taking a gel). We ran around the east side of Willen Lake, and here I was a bit sad to see many runners laid on the grass receiving medical attention. The heat was quite intense at this point because it was very open aspect; luckily I'd been taking on plenty of fluid so wasn't feeling affected by the heat.
At mile 18 we hit a steep hill at the top of Willen Lake and my hamstring finally stiffened in my hips so much that I could hardly move my legs. I decided to stride up the hill to try to loosen everything. The 4 hour pacer was in the distance at this point, but I knew from my pace band that I still had a few minutes in hand, plus he was aiming at 3:56 and I was aiming at 3:59:50. However, as I started to run again I realised my legs had stiffened too much and I was going to be in a lot of pain for the next 8 miles. I made a tearful phone call to my husband to tell him "I might be a bit longer than 4 hours". He offered to come and pick me up but I was determined to carry on and aim at 4:10.
The slower pace was a bit easier, but I still had to walk every so often. Saw Scott and Julie from running club at mile 21, what a fab surprise! I nearly cried on them both too. Scott cheerfully informed me I "only had to run to the roundabouts and back"! I managed to push myself onward by run-walking, before I started to feel my knee seizing up at mile 23. It was the familiar ITB problem I had last time I trained for a marathon. I panicked! At this point the 4:15 pacer passed me and I felt defeated. Texted my husband to tell him where I was (I couldn't bear to ring him), and he said they were all at mile 25 waiting for me. I set my Garmin to a run-walk strategy for some bleepy reassurance and just pushed on.
The marshals were screaming at us to run, use our "energy", "don't walk", "come on you can do it", "this is the last hill" (LIARS!). I walked on the hills; there were a lot of underpasses at this point in the race, steep hills up and down that were painful to run on, even going down. At mile 25 I saw my children and tried not to walk anymore for them. Managed a slow shuffle along the road, then spotted Simon and his wife, and Lewis, at the side of the road. And KFC! Yay, nearly there. Kept on running even though I really wanted to walk for a bit.
Entered the stadium to a massive cheer, and I could hear people calling my name, which was a bit weird! As I crossed the chip mat the announcer said my name and that I'd be the next person to cross the line (at this point an unsporting woman passed me and said "oh no you won't", BITCH!) Heard people cheering for me, and spotted Jess, Ann, and Lynn from running club at the finish line! It was them making all the noise! Brilliant. Crossed the line (4:22:01 chip time, a 37 minute PB) and immediately sobbed all over them, sorry ladies. Barry was there too with his wife, he looked a bit shell-shocked! Collected my medal from an adorable little boy who put it round my neck and said "You've done really well".
 |
| Prepared, sort of |
Got dressed, packed my bag (with some lunch, water, Clif bars, vaseline, spare clothes), and jogged up to the High St for 7:30am to meet Barry, Lewis, and Simon and his wife, who were driving us to MK. Made the trip to MK in super-fast time, and we were in the MK Dons stadium for 8:30am.
 |
| MK Dons stadium, finish line |
Had a lot of hanging around to do before we had to make our way to the start for 9:30am. Ate a Clif bar to stop any possibly energy deficit, after being reminded about hydration and energy needs by a Pete Luxford text! Was good to relax and have a chat too. Met my friends Jay and Kayleigh in the baggage area just as we were walking to the start, Jay was running the marathon and Kayleigh the half.
 |
| Barry, Simon, and me, trying not to look nervous |
 |
| Waiting |
I spotted my friend Duncan from running club and his family; I shouted loudly to get his attention! So exciting to see people I knew. The first 6 miles twisted around Center MK, and it was good to spot Simon and Barry running together on the opposite side of the road (although about half a mile in front of me). I stopped to yell at them! As I headed back towards MK Dons stadium I saw some runners in a group carrying a boat, raising money for their rowing club. Crazy!
At mile 8 I suddenly spotted my children and husband at the side of the road. I couldn't believe it, because they'd told me they weren't coming to support (apparently they were at the start but I missed them). I tried not to cry as I ran to them for hugs and kisses, but gave in to the emotion as I set off again down the road.
My stomach gave me the first hint of trouble at this point. I was taking on water regularly, both internally and externally. Also eating Clif shot bloks every few miles. Gatorade when it was available (I'm not a fan of energy drinks though, although Gatorade is the only one I can stomach). But I carried no gels (because of previous stomach woe on long training runs).
At mile 10 the half marathoners split off and headed back to the stadium, whereas we turned off into a housing estate and onto the Redway. I had a chat with a fellow sub 4:00 runner at this point, and admitted that my leg was hurting a lot (my right hamstring had been aching from mile 3 but I'd hoped it would just ache and not get worse). I was full of doubt that I could carry on to be honest, but managed to maintain the sub 4:00 pace for another 8 miles.
Missed the gel station at mile 12 (not worried though because I still had some Clif shot bloks and hadn't planned on taking a gel). We ran around the east side of Willen Lake, and here I was a bit sad to see many runners laid on the grass receiving medical attention. The heat was quite intense at this point because it was very open aspect; luckily I'd been taking on plenty of fluid so wasn't feeling affected by the heat.
At mile 18 we hit a steep hill at the top of Willen Lake and my hamstring finally stiffened in my hips so much that I could hardly move my legs. I decided to stride up the hill to try to loosen everything. The 4 hour pacer was in the distance at this point, but I knew from my pace band that I still had a few minutes in hand, plus he was aiming at 3:56 and I was aiming at 3:59:50. However, as I started to run again I realised my legs had stiffened too much and I was going to be in a lot of pain for the next 8 miles. I made a tearful phone call to my husband to tell him "I might be a bit longer than 4 hours". He offered to come and pick me up but I was determined to carry on and aim at 4:10.
The slower pace was a bit easier, but I still had to walk every so often. Saw Scott and Julie from running club at mile 21, what a fab surprise! I nearly cried on them both too. Scott cheerfully informed me I "only had to run to the roundabouts and back"! I managed to push myself onward by run-walking, before I started to feel my knee seizing up at mile 23. It was the familiar ITB problem I had last time I trained for a marathon. I panicked! At this point the 4:15 pacer passed me and I felt defeated. Texted my husband to tell him where I was (I couldn't bear to ring him), and he said they were all at mile 25 waiting for me. I set my Garmin to a run-walk strategy for some bleepy reassurance and just pushed on.
The marshals were screaming at us to run, use our "energy", "don't walk", "come on you can do it", "this is the last hill" (LIARS!). I walked on the hills; there were a lot of underpasses at this point in the race, steep hills up and down that were painful to run on, even going down. At mile 25 I saw my children and tried not to walk anymore for them. Managed a slow shuffle along the road, then spotted Simon and his wife, and Lewis, at the side of the road. And KFC! Yay, nearly there. Kept on running even though I really wanted to walk for a bit.
Entered the stadium to a massive cheer, and I could hear people calling my name, which was a bit weird! As I crossed the chip mat the announcer said my name and that I'd be the next person to cross the line (at this point an unsporting woman passed me and said "oh no you won't", BITCH!) Heard people cheering for me, and spotted Jess, Ann, and Lynn from running club at the finish line! It was them making all the noise! Brilliant. Crossed the line (4:22:01 chip time, a 37 minute PB) and immediately sobbed all over them, sorry ladies. Barry was there too with his wife, he looked a bit shell-shocked! Collected my medal from an adorable little boy who put it round my neck and said "You've done really well".
 |
| Super! |
Reflecting on what went wrong for me in the race. I paced it fine I think, the problem was my hamstring and knee. Possibly not enough strength work. Possibly I overtrained (peaked too soon and then was tired); I'd been feeling rubbish and unfit throughout April. The Florida holiday perhaps contributed (nothing I could do about that). Perhaps I just overestimated my ability, and should've aimed at 4:15 this time. Maybe I'm just not cut out for the marathon distance, full stop.
Whatever the reason, I know I don't want to run another marathon until I'm much fitter and stronger, until I've finally figured out my diet and got my weight at a steady level. The plan is to get quicker over half marathon distance (which is my favourite distance), and try to PB at 10K distance later this year.
What's up next? Stotfold 5K on May 18th, Marston 5K on June 20th (possibly only as a spectator), then Herts Hobble off-road marathon on June 29th. D'oh! (LOL) I'm taking that one easy, 5:30 at least, and lots of tea and cake en route.
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