Wednesday 31 March 2010

British Summertime.....


....my arse. As much as I appreciate the lighter evenings I would gladly swap them for some warm dry weather and no wind, or even just one of them.

Honestly, what was supposed to be an easy 10 today ended up being bloody hard work in the wind, was blown around like a rag doll, so badly in fact actually that I changed my route third of the way in and ended up only doing 9.2 miles. Still, on the bright side, am a session closer to my marathon grail and the knee was comfortable and have had confirmation that cho-pat will be here tomorrow.

"How many roads must a man run down
Before you call him a man?
The answer my friend...."

Monday 29 March 2010

Nothing to report


Knee feeling 70% on easy 4 tonight but much better now, been uncomfortable today.
Wont be doing tomorrows session because of OH's shifts and cho pat should be here by Wednesday's run. Fingers crossed it works until VLM everyone.

Still undecided between POSE and Chi running.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Cho-Pat


So looks like I have developed Runners Knee (patella tendonitis), not the best timing but didn't stop me doing 20 miles today and certainly wont stop me completing London. Seems short term am going to have to shell out for one of these cho-pat knee straps along with lots of quad strengthening exercises, long term change my runnning style completely, chi-running or pose anyone?

I just wonder if this problem suddenly occuring sporadically over last few weeks is due to new running shoes? They are the same style as last pair, as recommended by gait analysist, but a newer version?

Anyway onwards and upwards, apart from the tender knee felt strong today energy wise, do like a muffin on a long run (fnarr fnarr), one more week to go until taper....


Patella Tendonitis


Cho-Pat

Chi Running


Pose running

Saturday 27 March 2010

37740


So my number has come through for the race which has turned up the excitement another notch, don't know how I'm going to cope for 4 more weeks, just have to I suppose.

5 miles this morning, still really strong but if 5 miles aren't easy by this stage guess I'd be right up the proverbial creek?!

Another glass half full feeling is the clocks going forward an hour tonight, regardless of the fact it means an hours less sleep before 20 tomorrow morning, all I can think about is the warm light summer nights out running, Cannae wait. Why do we insist on changing the clocks for wintertime still anyway?

Starting to wonder what the come down will be like after London, has pretty much dictated my life since I found out I was running back in October what with the fundraising and the training.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Slacking off?


When I started training for VLM intention was to blog each run but have missed a few lately, there is only so much time in a day right?

Suppose could be said have been slacking off with my running too, have missed one timetabled session a week for last few weeks, for different reasons, but when I think about how I'm feeling at the moment in terms of strength and confidence think has been for the best. Take tonight's tempo run as an example, am so chuffed with how easy it was to do 3 miles at below 7mm pace that I realise that this close to the event is as much a case of getting myself through to the big day unscathed as it is continuing to build strength, fitness and endurance.

I must say I am proper excited tonight about the race having spoken to the lovely people at The Children's Trust. Was a little concerned that I had heard nothing from Virgin yet but I am now relaxed that nothing can go wrong and my pack will drop onto my mat any day now.

Roll on rest day tomorrow, 5 miles Saturday and 20 Sunday.

A month today....

Monday 22 March 2010

Bust

4 easy miles tonight, a little quicker than planned but feeling good. Was nice to be back on the roads of Llanelli and not fearing for my life every time I crossed a road.

Shame the central heating has bust. Cold shower here I come.....

Saturday 20 March 2010

Random happenings...


Felt really good today and wasn't sure goign out the door as still not 100% healthy, I think all the smoking in Teplice is getting to me (not me or students smoking, everybody else though).

Ran to Germany and back virtually which you dont get to say everyday. But if you think that is random something even more random, especially considering all other factors, happened too. My second longest standing friend, have known him 30 years, but very rarely speak or see him nowadays, in fact haven't seen or spoken to each other in over 6 months, ran past me in the opposite direction. Bizarre eh? Well at least it would be if I wasn't lying but he did phone me in mid run which in my books is still quite random, particularly as even though we did see each other last time I was in Southampton he hasn't phoned me in probably about 3 years. Always good to hear the ugly sods voice although I think he may have thought I was fobbing him off when I said I couldn't talk as I was running to Germany.

*Mental Note to Self* Phone him when back home....

Thursday 18 March 2010

Oops!


I don't know Teplice very well obviously, not surprising since have been here under 5 days I suppose. I don't think I would get lost if I was put down anywhere but is clear I don't know what the areas are like.




Had a 11 mile tempo to do today, of which I only did 7.5. Why? Well had a trip to local brewery this morning where it would have been rude not to have had the free pint of beer. Following this with a 12" pizza and 6 glasses of complimentary wine at a beer cellar this afternoon and you begin to get an idea as to why running wasn't the easiest. Taking a sore throat and slight cold into account and I believe I should be happy with 7.5, they were 20 seconds faster than planned too.




Anyway on way to brewery this morning I identified a long undulating road leading out of town which I thought would be good to run along. I was right on the way out running against the traffic as per the runners handbook. However half way back on the opposite side it became clear that I had entered the red light district, within half a mile I had been grabbed at and propositioned by about 7 ladies of the night and shouted at by what I can only presume were their pimps. A little hairy to say the least...So where am I to do my LSR on Saturday?

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Papa/Tata


Running round the lake in what I believe I was told are the Royal Gardens Teplice for the fartlek session. Now that was one frozen lake believe you me.


There was a young girl (6-7) with her mother who tried to run towards me the first time I passed her. Second time she started calling what sounded like Papa as I was running towards her although having looked into it think it must have been Tata, which means the same thing. Her mother was trying best to persuade her otherwise, I found it quite funny, was a little tempted to say 'Nicole'. Third time however she just started howling as soon as she saw me coming towards her, the mother glared at me and I for some reason felt quite guilty that I wasn't her Tata. I avoided her on all future laps.


Apart from that was a good run, be it with a niggle or 16.

Sunday 14 March 2010

Running in a foreign country..


Namely Czech Republic, doesn't come without it's hazards although the old maxim of a change being as good as a rest I am sure rings true also.


Not blogged in a week for a couple of reasons, main one being that my internet at home has died until Sky supply a new power supply. Also had a little rest as was feeling a little pulling in my thigh which had been getting worse. Hopefully this mornings easy 3 miler signifies that the break has cured the problem, certainly didn't feel it.


Anyway woke up bright and early this morning in Teplice, must say the students were exceptionally well behaved yesterday, and opened the curtains to be confronted with a blanket of snow. The roads were clear so I thought I would do my running there, not on a potentially treacherous path. However trying to navigate my first big junction with the cars (Skodas) driving on the wrong side of the road forced a swift rethink, way too confusing, I chanced my arm on the paths after all.


So slippery pavements and dangerous Skodas were actually the only two hazards although I think I shall have to learn the Czech for Good Morning today if I expect any replies tomorrow morning. I am imagining a number of people sat at the breakfast table or in their office now telling their family and friends about the crazy man who ran past yelling strange things at them. What can I say I'm a cheery runner.

Monday 8 March 2010

Roast Dinner


Lovely jubbly...


Returned home from work, a nice easy recovery run of 4 miles @ 8.44 pace and then lovely chicken roast dinner that I had postponed from yesterday.


'Nuff said!

Sunday 7 March 2010

Lessons learnt for VLM


Ran Llanelli Half today in beautiful surroundings and near perfect weather. Was hoping to come in under 1hr 45 but sadly wasn't to be. Thinking about it I can attribute this to a few things and can certainly learn a few lessons with VLM round the corner. By the way, according to my garmin, actual time was 1hr 47.19.


So why do I think I struggled? Particularly from mile 8 onwards? Well in fact only from mile 8 onwards.


1. A mild dose of the squits last night emptied the system and probably didn't help with fuelling today?

2. Last few LSR have been fuelled by lucozade and flapjacks, just a few gulps of water at each of the 4/5 stations today.

3. At the 8ish mile mark when I started to struggle I thought to myself 'Bloody hell this is only a third of the way through VLM'. Didn't help.

4. To break 1.45 should have done 8mm pace so why I averaged 7.30-7.40 pace from mile 2-8 is a bit of a mystery.


So lessons learnt:


1. Make sure is only bland food leading up to VLM, need to keep the fuel in the system.

2. Consistent fueling strategy is needed, water is obviously not enough for me.

3. Positive Mental Attitude

4. DO NOT GO OFF TO FAST!!!

5. No more missed sessions from training plan unless for injury or illness. Haven't missed more than 5 altogether but that has included some PMP runs and speed sessions. CBA is no longer in my vocabulary though.


Don't get me wrong am not too disheartened, took me 2hrs 10 mins to do same race last year....

Saturday 6 March 2010

Humour Bypass


Looking back over my blogs since beginning VLM training I have realised that the humour has slowly been eroded in direct correlation to the increase in mileage. No that I don't think people are laughing at them still, but more at me than with me possibly.


So when I set out for my very easy run this morning I was determined to see something that I could make some funny observations about but nothing doing, although I did pass an old man sitting in his wheelchair outside his front gate soaking up the lovely morning sun who had a delayed reaction in responding to my cheery 'Good Morning' not replying until I was about 10 metres past him. Well it was either delayed reaction or I was running faster than I thought.


Anyway Llanelli Half Marathon tomorrow and I still haven't decided on my race strategy but think will probably be aiming for 7.40 to 8mm pace. Sure I will see some funny sights to talk about though for sure.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

A sore point...


To be honest with you I have always had a problem with rubbing as a runner, am not sure why. I am not a fat bloater or anything but, more often than not, nipples and thighs are like a blood orange by the time I finish my longer runs . Yes I have tried vaseline and been recommended other like products but none of them have ever lasted long enough, however much I apply, and leave them horrible greasy stains on your running gear. Not that I'm vain or anything. I have though, I believe, found the product for me, BodyGlide Anti Chafe stick. Had mine delivered today and did tonights 11 miles, with my most sandpaper like clothing, without a problem, plus it doesn't stain. Jobs a good one.



Was a long day today with the youngest poorly and having to accompany me on a sponsored walk with 70 students along the Mumbles. So not only have I run 11 miles I also walked 6, for 3 of which I had to carry my 5 year old daughter. Not that I'm one to moan.




So have we got that all straight now?




1. I'm not a fat bloater!


2. I'm not vain!


3. I'm not one to moan!

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Second half...

So I have entered the 2nd half of my VLM plan and am, without doubt, feeling stronger than I have done since I began running.

Interval session tonight was almost enjoyable, 1.5 miles are long intervals but relatively pleased with an average of 7.14 minute mile pace over 4 splits. Certainly gives me the confidence to say can definitely do 8mm pace in Llanelli Half at the weekend which would knock 25 minutes off last years time, my first ever Half. Whether I will beat my PB from Torfaen of 1.41.22 remains to be seen but this will be more like a PB to me anyway as, lets be honest, the first 6 miles of Torfaen are nearly all downhill.

Have got a sponsored walk with 70 of my students tomorrow to raise money for my VLM charity, Link (roll over me to see where I go), followed by a 11 mile slow run. Should be looking forward to it but a youngest child with an upset stomach is threatening to put a large spanner in the works at the moment, anyone for babysitting?