Today I'm on annual leave, which meant I didn't have to do my run before dawn. Given that my last 10 runs have been on routes which are completely flat I was keen to go to Richmond Park and run up a couple of inclines. Plus, the weather has finally changed and we're graced with clear blue skies and sunshine. Put all of that together and it made for a fabulous run.
Normally I only go to Richmond Park at the weekend with the hordes: the parents shouting at their kids, relieved to have escaped the confines of home but yet desperate that everyone has a good time; the cyclists who belt round in their pelotons, breaking the speed limit; the runners with faces twisted in grim determination at chasing a PB (ahem). Today, however, was a much more laid back affair. Mostly I saw dog walkers and couples in their later years, simply strolling and enjoying the park. One lady sympathised with me for getting mud on my new, pristine white trainers; another shouted words of encouragement as I made my way up the hill. The park itself was bathed in sunshine, the trees mostly reduced to their wintry bare branches, giving the park a more open and spacious feel.
My time today wasn't great - but I had a great time. :-)
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Sunday, 25 November 2012
A Day at the Seaside
Look where I did my run today:
Today was the day of the training workshop run by the Brighton Marathon organisers. Obviously it made sense to hold it in Brighton so once the workshop was over I took the opportunity to do today's 5 mile run there. I decided to run part of the actual marathon route:
As you can see, I ran the section from the Hilton hotel (officially the half way point of the marathon), west for two miles and then turned back and ran three miles to approximately where the finish will be. My theory is that I have now run the end of the route: on the day I can get to mile 23 knowing I've done the final miles previously, so I can do them again. I was trying to take in as many sights, sounds and physical sensations as possible, training my body and mind to know what it feels like to successfully run in Brighton, all the way to the finish line.
Today I felt the benefit of my new jacket as I contended with the weather - 25mph winds and rain (I'm hoping for better weather on the day!). Whilst the wind is a disadvantage of running along the seafront, the definite advantage is that it's dead flat!
I didn't notice the presence/absence of leaves on trees today (there aren't many trees along the seafront) but I did notice the colour of the sea: turbulent green-grey with lots of white horses. Apparently on marathon day there's a roar from the crowds in the city centre; today I listened to the roar of the sea.
The workshop itself was very useful. They showed a preview of a video which will be online in due course (I'll share the link when it's available), which definitely got the passions burning and the excitement bubbling! The rest of the day covered nutrition, kit, exercises and stretching and contained lots of handy hints (allow 30 minutes for queuing for the loos in the park before the start, apparently!).
All in all it was a great day by the seaside.
P.S. I asked a physio at the exhibition to look at the ankle I twisted a little yesterday; apparently there's still a little swelling, although there's no sign of tears or breaks (*phew*). It gave me no trouble in the run today; tomorrow it'll have a rest, hopefully this will help its recovery.
P.P.S Post edited on December 3rd - feedback said the original version was too detailed. :-)
Today was the day of the training workshop run by the Brighton Marathon organisers. Obviously it made sense to hold it in Brighton so once the workshop was over I took the opportunity to do today's 5 mile run there. I decided to run part of the actual marathon route:
As you can see, I ran the section from the Hilton hotel (officially the half way point of the marathon), west for two miles and then turned back and ran three miles to approximately where the finish will be. My theory is that I have now run the end of the route: on the day I can get to mile 23 knowing I've done the final miles previously, so I can do them again. I was trying to take in as many sights, sounds and physical sensations as possible, training my body and mind to know what it feels like to successfully run in Brighton, all the way to the finish line.
Today I felt the benefit of my new jacket as I contended with the weather - 25mph winds and rain (I'm hoping for better weather on the day!). Whilst the wind is a disadvantage of running along the seafront, the definite advantage is that it's dead flat!
I didn't notice the presence/absence of leaves on trees today (there aren't many trees along the seafront) but I did notice the colour of the sea: turbulent green-grey with lots of white horses. Apparently on marathon day there's a roar from the crowds in the city centre; today I listened to the roar of the sea.
The workshop itself was very useful. They showed a preview of a video which will be online in due course (I'll share the link when it's available), which definitely got the passions burning and the excitement bubbling! The rest of the day covered nutrition, kit, exercises and stretching and contained lots of handy hints (allow 30 minutes for queuing for the loos in the park before the start, apparently!).
All in all it was a great day by the seaside.
P.S. I asked a physio at the exhibition to look at the ankle I twisted a little yesterday; apparently there's still a little swelling, although there's no sign of tears or breaks (*phew*). It gave me no trouble in the run today; tomorrow it'll have a rest, hopefully this will help its recovery.
P.P.S Post edited on December 3rd - feedback said the original version was too detailed. :-)
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Chasing a PB is hard
For my birthday this year Chris gave me a fabulous Garmin 610, which has been absolutely brilliant in helping with my training. When I first received it I learned to use some of its basic functions but more recently I've "discovered" what else it's capable of, including its "virtual race" function. This allows you to select a previous workout and race against it.
This morning I selected the Garmin file created a few weeks ago when I set my personal best (PB) time at the Crane Park Time Trial and I raced against it. After about 0.5km my Garmin beeped at me and announced I was ahead - woo! As you know, deep down I have a faint competitive streak ( ;-) ), so I became determined not to let my early lead slip away. It was hard work (my average heart rate was 97% of its theoretical maximum!) but I tried not to let up for the next 4.5km. As I crossed the finish line my Garmin again beeped and showed the message "you win!". Double woo! It turns out I wiped 32 seconds off my previous PB - a 2% difference! I was really pleased.
However, whilst on the far side of the park I landed awkwardly and *slightly* twisted my ankle. Thankfully I didn't go fully over and so I was able to carry on. I've had a bag of frozen peas on it for most of the day; let's see what it's like tomorrow...
This morning the trees were mostly bare - after the wind and rain during the week only a few leaves remained. The water level in the river Crane was higher than usual too.
This morning I selected the Garmin file created a few weeks ago when I set my personal best (PB) time at the Crane Park Time Trial and I raced against it. After about 0.5km my Garmin beeped at me and announced I was ahead - woo! As you know, deep down I have a faint competitive streak ( ;-) ), so I became determined not to let my early lead slip away. It was hard work (my average heart rate was 97% of its theoretical maximum!) but I tried not to let up for the next 4.5km. As I crossed the finish line my Garmin again beeped and showed the message "you win!". Double woo! It turns out I wiped 32 seconds off my previous PB - a 2% difference! I was really pleased.
However, whilst on the far side of the park I landed awkwardly and *slightly* twisted my ankle. Thankfully I didn't go fully over and so I was able to carry on. I've had a bag of frozen peas on it for most of the day; let's see what it's like tomorrow...
This morning the trees were mostly bare - after the wind and rain during the week only a few leaves remained. The water level in the river Crane was higher than usual too.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Company!
A couple of weeks ago I commented on my appreciation of joining the group of runners who complete the Crane Park Time Trial on Saturday mornings, given that I do most of my runs alone. This morning we had some decent downpours and so Chris abandoned his plans to go out on the bike. Instead he came with me to the time trial. Not only that, he ran with me too! It was fabulous to have company today - thank you for coming.
Given this morning's downpours I thought today would be the day when my new jacket would be put through its paces. Although it was raining whilst we warmed up en route to the park, the rain stopped by the time the time trial began - so I'm still patiently waiting to test the jacket properly. And I'm certainly not complaining about that!
Autumn is finally here. This morning I noticed the trees in the park had finally turned various shades of red, gold and brown. Another sign that winter is really approaching was the appearance of Christmas decorations on the flats next to the park. There's still more than 5 weeks to go, people!
Given this morning's downpours I thought today would be the day when my new jacket would be put through its paces. Although it was raining whilst we warmed up en route to the park, the rain stopped by the time the time trial began - so I'm still patiently waiting to test the jacket properly. And I'm certainly not complaining about that!
Autumn is finally here. This morning I noticed the trees in the park had finally turned various shades of red, gold and brown. Another sign that winter is really approaching was the appearance of Christmas decorations on the flats next to the park. There's still more than 5 weeks to go, people!
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Extracurricular Activity
Last weekend I went up to Manchester to do some Christmas shopping with my brother (already!). Not ones to miss out on an opportunity to go hill walking, we went up to the Lake District on Saturday and had a fabulous day in the hills. Despite the grim weather forecast during the week we had only one rain shower and one snow shower - the rest of the day was lovely! Here's where we went:
For those in the know, that's five Wainrights: Ullock Pike, Longside, Carl Side, Skiddaw and Bakestall (we avoided Great Cockup - really, there's a hill with that name!). Evidently iPhone and Garmin have different ways of calculating distance: my Garmin said it was 8.91 miles.
Talking of miles, I didn't neglect the running whilst away: I went to my brother's gym and did two 5km runs (as per my training schedule). Whilst grateful for the opportunity to use his gym, I must say that I have a new-found respect for anyone who runs on treadmills!
Talking of miles, I didn't neglect the running whilst away: I went to my brother's gym and did two 5km runs (as per my training schedule). Whilst grateful for the opportunity to use his gym, I must say that I have a new-found respect for anyone who runs on treadmills!
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Frosty Morning
It's just as well I'd planned to run around local roads this morning. Last night was evidently cold and there was a thick frost on the car, which would have needed removing before driving to the park.
With clear blue skies, sunny sunshine and a crisp frost on the ground it really was beautiful out there - well worth the effort of crawling out of my nice warm bed at 6 this morning! I only saw one other runner though, who I greeted with a cheery "Good morning!" (I'm on a one woman mission to make the local morning running community a cheerier place!).
With clear blue skies, sunny sunshine and a crisp frost on the ground it really was beautiful out there - well worth the effort of crawling out of my nice warm bed at 6 this morning! I only saw one other runner though, who I greeted with a cheery "Good morning!" (I'm on a one woman mission to make the local morning running community a cheerier place!).
Monday, 5 November 2012
A Package in the Post
This morning I received a package in the post - my marathon pack from Cancer Research UK. It contained my t-shirt (maybe a photo will follow...), iron-on transfers so I can have my name on my top, and a couple of leaflets containing advice on fundraising and training for events.
Last week I received my "I'm training for the Brighton Marathon" t-shirt (again, maybe a photo will follow...).
I guess it's really true - I am training to run the Brighton Marathon in the new year!
Gotta head to bed soon as I have a 5km run to do in the morning. (Mum, worry not - it's round the local roads, not in the park tomorrow. I haven't got time to get to the park and back and still make my 10AM meeting.)
Last week I received my "I'm training for the Brighton Marathon" t-shirt (again, maybe a photo will follow...).
I guess it's really true - I am training to run the Brighton Marathon in the new year!
Gotta head to bed soon as I have a 5km run to do in the morning. (Mum, worry not - it's round the local roads, not in the park tomorrow. I haven't got time to get to the park and back and still make my 10AM meeting.)
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Rain - or not
There was rain forecast for today, so yesterday I went out and bought a waterproof jacket suitable for running in.
I woke up this morning and sure enough the rain was lashing down, which put an end to any hopes of going out cycling with Chris (I was hugely disappointed to not go out cycling). I had breakfast and a couple of hours later the sky looked less murky so I decided to head to the park.
At which point the rain stopped for just long enough for me to do my warm up, run, cool down & stretch - so I didn't get to put the jacket through its paces. I'm sure it'll rain at some point in the next 6 months though, so I'm certain it wasn't a wasted purchse.
The park was beautiful today: the trees are turning various shades of golden brown and the park sparkled in the post-frontal sunshine. I even saw a rainbow!
I woke up this morning and sure enough the rain was lashing down, which put an end to any hopes of going out cycling with Chris (I was hugely disappointed to not go out cycling). I had breakfast and a couple of hours later the sky looked less murky so I decided to head to the park.
At which point the rain stopped for just long enough for me to do my warm up, run, cool down & stretch - so I didn't get to put the jacket through its paces. I'm sure it'll rain at some point in the next 6 months though, so I'm certain it wasn't a wasted purchse.
The park was beautiful today: the trees are turning various shades of golden brown and the park sparkled in the post-frontal sunshine. I even saw a rainbow!
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Loneliness of a Runner*
So far for my marathon training I've run 25.59 miles in 9 runs, 6 of which I've run totally alone. Until very recently I'd done all of my running with Chris so, to start with, it was a shock to the system to run alone. I'm getting used to the solitude now so it was particularly striking this morning to have company!
This morning I ran the Crane Park Time Trial. It's a run I've done 5 times now (I forgot my barcode one morning, so that one didn't get logged). I'm really enjoying turning up at my local park for 9AM on a Saturday morning, joining a steady stream of people all going there for the same purpose. The ParkRun time trials are great - friendly, informal, free 5km runs. The atmosphere at the start line is always uplifting with lots of chatter and cheery "good morning!" greetings. The course is marshalled by some enthusiastic volunteers, who always cheer and clap as you run past them. It makes a wonderful contrast to my solo runs!
During the week I had an email from my parents: they've booked a cottage just outside Brighton for a few days in April so they can cheer me on during the marathon! It means so much to me to know they'll be there on the big day. Although most of my running is done alone, it really helps to feel their support. Thanks Mum & Dad!
*the full title of the book by Alan Sillitoe is "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner". However, my runs are still short so I thought I'd change it a little for this post. The long runs don't start until the new year, when my official 16 week training programme begins.
This morning I ran the Crane Park Time Trial. It's a run I've done 5 times now (I forgot my barcode one morning, so that one didn't get logged). I'm really enjoying turning up at my local park for 9AM on a Saturday morning, joining a steady stream of people all going there for the same purpose. The ParkRun time trials are great - friendly, informal, free 5km runs. The atmosphere at the start line is always uplifting with lots of chatter and cheery "good morning!" greetings. The course is marshalled by some enthusiastic volunteers, who always cheer and clap as you run past them. It makes a wonderful contrast to my solo runs!
During the week I had an email from my parents: they've booked a cottage just outside Brighton for a few days in April so they can cheer me on during the marathon! It means so much to me to know they'll be there on the big day. Although most of my running is done alone, it really helps to feel their support. Thanks Mum & Dad!
*the full title of the book by Alan Sillitoe is "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner". However, my runs are still short so I thought I'd change it a little for this post. The long runs don't start until the new year, when my official 16 week training programme begins.
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