Day 16

Week 3, Day 2 - Tuesday 31st July

Today's run was 5 miles at a pace of 12 minutes to a mile.  We did the Fenton Manor run which is almost exactly 5 miles if you run down Cromer Road.  It was only me and Sam that did the run and as usual we struggled to get the pace right as naturally we would both run faster than that.  We eventually managed to get the pace from 10.50 to 11.44 but that includes any stoppages for lights and other traffic. It was hard work and at times it felt like we could walk faster than what we were running.  I'm so pleased that I'm running the half-marathon with Kath as she's very good at setting the pace.  I would never be able to finish if I started off at 10.50 speed.

Overall it wasn't a bad run.  It was raining on and off and felt very hot and humid. I felt a little light-headed at one time and wondered why.  It was only afterwards I realised that I had forgotten to take my anti-convulsant drugs, so in a way I was lucky that it wasn't worse.

Sam ran all the way to Northwood stadium but I must admit that the heat got to me and I walked the last few yards from the point where Endomondo told me I had done 5 miles.  I couldn't cope with the heat any longer than I needed.

Day 15

Week 3, day 1  Monday 30th July

No running today. Instead me and Alli did a 7 mile bike ride. From Stoke we went down to the river and all along to Hanford, then up Maine Street and New In Lane to Trentham, from there along Longton Road to Trentham Lakes and along Stanley Matthews Way to Britannia Stadium and back to Stoke.

The weather was kind to us so I really thoroughly enjoyed it as I don't get to go out for a ride very often.

Day 14

Week 2 - Day 7  Sunday 29th July

I can't believe it's the end of week 2 already.  Time seems to fly and the Congleton Half is getting loomingly closer.

Today is a 6 mile long run (ideally at an average speed of 13). The weather didn't seem to bad at first.  It was quite cool and breezy and there was some showers forecasted for later. Unfortunately, it didn't quite stay that way and the sun took it's hat off after the first mile.

We had planned to run the Milton 10K which is obviously a little more than 6 miles but nobody cared.  Unfortunately, Hazel who is the only one who knows the course, got an injury on Thursday and was unable to walk properly, let alone run.  We had to quickly change our plans and decided on a route that Kath and I did a few weeks ago.

It starts from Hamil Rd, downbank to Moorland Rd, then through Burslem and down to Davenport Rd and all along to Tunstall and past ASDA.  We turned right at the lights and ran up past Queens Park to Biddulph Rd and along High Lane to Smallthorne and then back to Hamil Road again.  The full route was 6.42 miles but I walked the last few yards even though Sam and Kath continued to run.  The heat just suddenly got to me. 

Still, it felt ever so good to have achieved this run even though it was hot because it includes two category 5 hills and several smaller ones too.  On Endomondo the elevation kind of resembles an upside down icicle. Yes we were proud of ourselves.

Day 13

Week 2 - Day 6  Saturday 28th July

It's Parkrun day.  I am supposed to walk a mile to the park, then run for 3 miles and walk the mile back again.  However, today I got mixed up with the time and thought I was going to be late, so I ended up running all the way to the park.  That's an extra 1.17 miles, which I ran for no reason what-so-ever as I was there half an hour too early.

I did the first mile fairly steady.  I could see a girl wearing a pink t-shirt, in front of me and was hoping she wouldn't get too far in front because I didn't want to make the same mistake as I did last week and run too fast at the beginning.  After the first mile I started increasing the speed but by then I had no chance of catching up miss pink t-shirt as I could see her well ahead in the distance.  All I could hope for now was that I could hold my position and not let anyone come past, which I managed. 

The last mile was the fastest.  I heard Endomondo say that I had done the lap in 8.59 minutes, so I thought that, if I was really lucky, I might just about have knocked a couple of seconds of my pb. In actual fact, I had somehow managed to knock off another 40 seconds.  Total time 29.08.

Day 12

Week 2 - Day 5  Friday 27th July

I knew today was going to be a busy day but I still did a 2 mile walk.  It was partly on tarmac and partly on dirt tracks and grass.

I didn't get the chance to my full set of strengthening and balancing exercises but I did do some of the ones that I need most.

Day 11

Week 2 - Day 4  Thursday 26th July

Todays run was a fairly fast 3 mile run.  Average speed should be around 11/m which is quite easy under normal circumstances.  However, tonight the temperature was 31.5 degrees and that makes it a lot harder than it sounds.

I knew that I didn't want to do anything too hilly or flat and I definitely didn't want to go on the canal for several reasons. First of all because there would be no breeze down there which makes it unbearably hot and the water would be smelly. Also, due to the time of day, there would be a lot of midges and other biting insects and the last thing I need is an allergic reaction in the middle of nowhere. Of course one of the main reasons would be that it is just plain boring because nothing looks any different and we all prefer to run a round trip.

The route I chose in the end was running up Keelings Rd to Town Road, then down Union Street; across Potters Way and along the side of Dudson Centre and Go Outdoors, then along Marsh St to Broad St and up Potters Way to Bucknall New Road. I did it with Sam, Kath and Hazel.

When we got back to Northwood, it turned out that we were slightly short of the 3 miles that we needed, so we had to continue on Bucknall Old Road up to Cromer Rd and back down again.

I think we were all happy to see the end because it really was the most uncomfortable run even though by then, it had cooled down to 24 degrees.  That was not really noticeable though.  I only knew because the temperature gauge in my car told me so.

Day 10

Week 2 - Day 3 Wednesday 25th of July

No running today and I am ashamed to admit that no I have done no exercises again today.  However, after a really physical job all day and then immediately sitting down and catching up with millions of things, I don't feel terribly guilty. 

The lack of sleep is really getting to me now.  I'm so tired that my eyes keep shutting by themselves.  I know how important them exercises are but they are just going to have to wait until it is a bit cooler.  From what I heard on the news it won't be very long wait at all.

Day 9

Week 2 - Day 2 Tuesday 24th of July

Today's run was 4 miles according to the training plan.  We were all aware that it was going to be a very tough one because of the weather.  It was 27.5 degrees hot and there were hardly any visible shadows or clouds or anything to protect us from the sun.  I hadn't even put suncream on as I can still vividly remember last time I did it run into my eyes and made them sting like hell.

It was left to me to pick a run again so I decided I didn't want to start off running upbank.  That ruled out all the ones that were going up to Hanley or Sneyd Green.  None of us fancied doing the Stoke station run again for the umpteenth time nor did we want to run to Milton and back.  That only left us with one more run - the Bucknall Hospital run.

I have already done that one once before but in the opposite direction.  I remember it being quite a nice and straight forward run without any really bad hills so off we went.

Oh my God. It was soon apparent that we had underestimated the effects of the heat and sun.  It was really unbearably hot.  Sam and Sharon felt ill and wanted to walk for a bit but Kath and I weren't going to give up because we both knew that there could be a strong possibility that it will be hot when we run Burton 10K, so we may as well get used to it.  Once we made our minds up, it somehow seemed easier to get on with it, stay focused and concentrate on what we got to do.  We even ran up Limekiln Bank up to the highest point where it starts flattening out.  We were pleased what we had achieved when neither of us has had any chance to get used to this kind of weather.

Day 8

Week 2 - Day 1, Monday 23rd July

No running today.  I don't feel any ill effects from last night's run but I have had a niggly back ache all day which I am blaming our mattress for.  Can't say that I missed that :-(

I was too busy and tired to do any exercises today and hope that it doesn't become a bad habit to skip them as I desperately need them particulalry the balancing ones.

The day was mainly spent with work stuff and catching up with laundry and other jobs at home.

Day 7

Week 1 Day 7 Sunday 22nd July

It was so nice to get home after being away for 10 days (dogsitting and camping).  Me, Sam and Sharon had planned to do our 6 Mile run tonight.  We followed one of the routes that is in Sue's book and I had done previously with Kath and Hazel.  We ran down Cromer Rd, then along to Dividy Rd and all the way up to the Lidl roundabaout in Bentilee.  Then a climb up to top of Beverley Drive and back down again.  Sharon changed the course slightly by taking us through the fields to avoid a second bank.  Then Across Werrington Rd, down Fellbrook and back onto Leek Rd.

None of us were in the mood for anymore banks as it was 22.5 degrees hot and sunny and we were all sweltering.  Because of the slight detour, we had to run along Leek Rd up to the railway bridge and back to Limekiln Bank to make up thr mileage.  We stopped at the bottom and walked up the bank.  It was only just starting to feel a little more comfortable as there were beginning to be shadows forming so we weren't in direct sunlight anymore.

Day 6

Week 1 - Day 6 Saturday 21st July

My reward for staying in town when my wife was camping was to be able to do the park run this morning :-)  I was well happy about that as I managed to beat my pb again (but only just, this time) and also get my time below 30 minutes.  I think I started off too fast because later during the run and afterwards it felt like I had strained my lungs (if that's possible) as it really hurt to breathe and to talk.  I made a mental note of doing the first lap slower next week and see how I go on with that.

The rest of the day was not very trainig orientated, I'm afraid.  I went back to the campsite and got joined by my brother-in-law who was also staying the night in his own little tent we had put up for him.  His first ever experience of camping.

Later we went into Leek town and met up with my sister-in-law and her hubby from the Wirrall and my sister-in-law and her partner from Biddulph.  First we went out for a meal and then we all went on a pub crawl.  We visited five pubs but I was good sticking to my trainin g plan, so I didn't have a single alcoholic drink.  It was quite easy anyway but even easier since I was driving.  I still had a thoroughly good night and happy that I didn't have to feel guilty since I had already done my running for today.

Day 5

Week 1 - Day 5 Friday 20th July

No running today.  We had planned to go camping this weekend and also meet up with family but found ourselves double booked.  I was still dog sitting until tomorrow and we no longer have staff to help out with work.  We decided that we would go anyway, rather than let everyone down and having to re-arrange for another time so we started work at 7.30am and managed to cram in all day's work in by lunch time and take the dog out.  Not bad??!

We were at the campsite by 4pm and set tent and everything else up asap before going shopping for food and drink.  Al stayed at the site with our oldest cat, Lucy, who is on a special diet and daily medication and I went back to the dog.

It was the quickest exercise programme I've ever done that night.  By 11pm I was very tired so I sped through the balancing exercises and skipped the strengthening ones alltogether.  Not proud of myself but really wasn't in the mood for them tonight.

Day 4

Week 1 - Day 4 Thursday 19th July

Since we are following the Training Schedule for beginners, it is rather easy the first week - probably too easy for us.  Today was supposed to be 2 miles run but in my mind a 2 mile run isn't worth getting out of the house for.  Therefore we decided (or should I say that I decided and Kath agreed) that we should use the 2 miles doing Hill Reps instead.

I've only ever done them once before and that was when I had just finished the beginners course and was still rather new to running.  Sue did it with us that time and showed us what to do.  We ran down Limekiln Bank to the canal and then along there to Cromer and then all the way up Cromer to the top and walk down to the Northwood entrance, then repeat 8 times.  It was really a struggle from about the fourth time onwards, that first time I did it.

Today we did exactly the same apart from the last walk down we went a little further down.  Kath has never done them before because she hadn't joined Potters Trotters when I first did it and we both missed it when they did it last time.  Anyway, Kath made the hill reps look really easy despite it being quite warm as she was barely even out of breath.  On top of that, she wore her jacket throughout all 8 reps but I removed mine after 3.

We both agreed that we will do them again the first Thursday after Burton 10K but we would do 10 of them and possibly go a bit further down. We didn't feel like we had done enough, this time, as it should have been more of a struggle to do the last one.

Day 3

Week 1 - Day 3 Wednesday 18th July

No running today, which is just as well as I have been ever so tired.  Woke up with a sore throat and fuzzy head but that got better after a Lemsip Max and an Echinacea capsule. It's marvellous how those things can stop or delay a cold so effectively.

Wednesdays is a tough day at work so I had to have a rest before I could do my exercises.  I did mainly balancing exercises as it is what I seem to be struggling with most.  Then again, has anyone else ever done an one-legged squat successfully without holding on anywhere? I can't see me ever being able to do that, no matter how much I exercise.

It's two miles tomorrow so the plan is to do hill reps.  Looking forward to it :-)

Day 2

Week 1 - Day 2 Tuesday 17th July

I woke up this morning and discovered that the pain in my hip had completely gone. I guess it wasn't what I thought it was then :-)

Today's run was a "easy run" for 3 miles so I decided to do the flowershop run , originally just along Leek Rd to Birches Head Rd and back again. Sue suggested we vary it by going up Keelings Rd and then down Birches Head Rd and back along Leek Rd. That way we could get some hills in too, so we agreed.

It was 19 degrees and humid, so it felt hard going. I never get the chance to get used to the heat as it's so rare here. I thought maybe I should book some Sauna sessions but really know where they have them these days. I know years ago I used to go to Cheadle leisure centre and they had them there. they also used to have them at Morville Hall but you have to be a member there so not much use for me.

I was under the impression that we were having Q&A session after the run but apparently nobody else knew anything about it. I've no idea why I thought that; must have dreamt it LOL

Official Start Date

Week 1 - Day 1  Monday16th July

Well it has finally come around; the official start date for the Training Schedule for Congleton Half-Marathon.  Although I haven't actually been running today, I have still been doing Strengthening and balance exercises as well as 3 walks.  I also have been sticking to the Runners World suggested training diet for Half-Marathonians. 

I seem to have picked up a mild injury on Saturday at the Park run.  After some research, I have come to the conclusion that it is probably Bursitis so I'm going to alternate between specific exercises, Ibuprofen gel and Ice-packs to start with.  The funny thing is that it hurts more to walk than it does to run so I could perhaps be wrong about my diagnosis.  However, I'm going to stick to it anyway.

The first few weeks of the Schedule seem so boring because I have picked the beginners version to do for my first Half Marathon.  According to Runners World I should have been running for a year before attempting a half-marathon so I'd better be careful.  It would be terrible to pick up some bad injury before Barcelona.  Boring or not; I'm still looking forward to do the best part of the training - the actual running part.  That starts tomorrow with a short easy run.

What could be more fitting than Potters Trotters also having their first Q&A Session after the run tomorrow ,which will be specifically about all aspects of racing? Great!

New Shoes

 

Sue noticed the other day that my shoes were getting worn and suggested that I should think of getting some new running shoes.  I must admit I was surprised because I had only bought them in January and I thought they would last longer than 6 months.  Although I had already had a gait analysis done back then at Go Outdoors, I decided to have another on done, this time at Bournes.  I was yet again told that I could wear any standard running shoes because my gait is good but they still gave me shoes to try at around £100.  As nice as they were; I knew that, unless I win the lottery or come in to money some other way, I could never afford to buy them. Since I'm expecting to be running a lot more miles in the next 6 months than I did in the previous 6, so I prefer to spend less and replace more often.

These Karrimor shoes were originally £69 but, because a newer model has come out, they were selling them at half price. They are just as comfortable as the more expensive ones but they are not as light as the Mizuno shoes that I liked but my old Asics weren't light either so I won't know the difference.  An added bonus is that they will look good with my pink Potters Trotters vest.  Can't wait to try them out at training tonight.

Cheadle 4

I had been thinking of joining this event for a while, but couldn't make my mind up.  Then I saw Charlotte's post on facebook, asking someone to take her place due to her injury, so I asked and got the place.

It was a cool but dry morning when Kath and I arrived.  We had to come early because we had to collect our numbers from registration.  We met up with Sue and several of the Trotters who were also running and managed to have a little chat. Kath and I were a bit apprehensive as we had been told that, although the course was short, it was also quite tough and we should "save ourselves for the big hill at the end". We didn't really know what to expect so we both agreed to start at the end and take it easy so that we can complete without any injuries.

It wasn't long before we were called to go to the start and got on our way.  I had been a bit cool without my coat but soon got warmed up and grateful that Sue had insisted to take it off me. It was lovely to run through the town with lots of people cheering us on. It was flat and easy to start with but we stuck to our agreement and kept the pace steady.  

Soon we noticed it has started going up and every time we looked up, the course ahead was going up even further and after a bend . . .even further. . . and so on.  In total the climb was 279 feet and oh, boy, we knew it when we got on top.  Having said that, we were no longer last at the end as we had started to overtake some stragglers along the way.  I remember passing Anne and when I caught up Liz, I found out there were no more hills, so I decided to go for it.  I passed quite a few people on my way downhill.  I was going fast enough not to dare look behind to see if Kath was with me in case I stumbled and fell over.

The race went so quick that before I knew it we were back at the start again.  For some strange reason it seemed really hard to do the last few hundred metres.  I ran past some walkers and had to really restrain myself from joining them but it was worthwhile when I heard the cheers and clapping as I ran through the finish line and collected my beautiful medal.  Kath came in shortly after and we rewarded ourselves with a very tasty, sherbet covered, whippy ice-cream.

Then came the realisation that this was just the kind of run that suits me well.  Challenging enough to make it interesting but short enough to make it quick and easy.  We are hoping to use the route for a club run sometime.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable and very well organised event. I'm hoping that it was my first of many more over the years to come. :-)

Pre training

It has gone years since I last wrote in blog so I decided to start a new one. I'm going to use this blog for my Training Diary for the Half Marathon.  The intension is that it should (hopefully) have a daily record of all aspects of the training.

My first Half Marathon will be in August at Congleton and the official training for that commences week beginning 16th of July.  I have, however, already started doing some training towards it but on a very casual basis. 

I started running in January 2012 by joining Potters Trotters 10 week beginners' course.  Since then I have been running about 4 times per week for around 15-16 miles but recently I have been extending the Sunday runs a little. 

This week I run 3 miles on Saturday, then 8 miles on Sunday.  Today I have been doing stretches and strengthening exercises and tomorrow I am running.