It's all very well hot footing it northwards and westwards at the weekends, but the travelling is definitely going to take it's toll. Today at work I've been at best a partial zombie which isn't really good enough. Note to self; try and get up early enough to at least get some brekkie down on a Monday morning.
What a weekend!
Arrive Yorkshire c 23:00 friday night, gobble down a generous portion of pre race apple crumble and custard then off to bed. Up at 6 a.m. for another pre race fix of crumble and custard yom yom!
It was ideal running conditions this weekend; overcast, cool, and not too windy. A bit of sunshine would've been welcome but a girl can't have it all!
The Hebden on Saturday went well, we took it steady and I was able to run the whole route, all but the steeper hills. My lasting memories of the day are the welcoming checkpoints, yummie race food and the vast number of gates and stiles I encountered, with at least three garden crossings including passing under washing lines!!! We even clocked a bit of extra mileage, as getting lost seems to be par for the course and we managed it twice.
My heart goes out to the partner and family of the gentleman walker who passed away en route. It saddened me greatly to hear of it, so much so that I couldn't eat the post race nosh. I hope they come to terms with this soon and are able to focus on the happy times.
Saturday night was a social one, with dinner in a micro brewery with friends and their gorgeous wee boy who is just learning the joys of eating and sneezing. I'll leave that to your imaginations! Anyway, I had some mini fish and chips and garlic mushrooms for starters and followed that up with local sausages, mash and gravy....mmmm.... I love gravy but they let me down; it had a wierd bitter taste :(
The Stanbury Splash was very different to Saturdays experience. Hilly heathery moorland with some steep ascents and descents, some water crossings and a little bog thrown in for good measure. I started off at the back of the pack and quickly regreted it as we set off at a walk jog pace. The field soon spread out though and by the second half my legs woke up and wanted to race. I don't know what Lara Croft feels like, but I felt like I was Lara Croft when running through the heather and down stony tracks and grassy slopes overtaking several people as I went. If only I could feel like that all the time!
The weekend was topped off with a session sorting out my training schedule followed by an indian meal, prior to hitting the road home.
Now it's back to the trudge until next time :)
Off Course Phalarope
Monday, 24 January 2011
Sunday, 16 January 2011
16th Jan 2011
Last night saw me running with Andrew from Lymington to Keyhaven and back along the Solent Way coastal path. We set of at dusk with headtorches but didn't need them for much of the way, as there was a reasonable amount of moonlight and the path is light in colour.
There was a strong head wind which made the going tough on the way out. The noises of the sea, the darkness and the eerie and lifting sounds of sea birds roosting on the mud flats made it an enjoyable run, taken at tempo pace.
This afternoon we set off on the Meon Valley Plod race route (which we shorten slightly to cut out the start loop which passes through private land). It was grey and windy but not cold so ideal for a long run, although the ground was saturated and several sections were muddy, weighing our shoes down with sticky clods. I struggled after last nights effort and never felt good, but I managed to keep going and finished reasonably strongly. We knocked off a few minutes from our previous best time for the route.
Andrew deserves a medal for ignoring my whinging but got a yummie hot dinner and a beer instead!!!
There was a strong head wind which made the going tough on the way out. The noises of the sea, the darkness and the eerie and lifting sounds of sea birds roosting on the mud flats made it an enjoyable run, taken at tempo pace.
This afternoon we set off on the Meon Valley Plod race route (which we shorten slightly to cut out the start loop which passes through private land). It was grey and windy but not cold so ideal for a long run, although the ground was saturated and several sections were muddy, weighing our shoes down with sticky clods. I struggled after last nights effort and never felt good, but I managed to keep going and finished reasonably strongly. We knocked off a few minutes from our previous best time for the route.
Andrew deserves a medal for ignoring my whinging but got a yummie hot dinner and a beer instead!!!
Monday, 10 January 2011
Off the starting blocks!
The stair climbing has commenced and is going well; ok it's not the same as climbing a big juicy hill and I get a few odd looks but it'll have to do for now.
The diet is underway and I've lost my first pound. Already I feel better for cutting out the junk and today I didn't hit the wall half way through the afternoon. Normally I'm struggling to keep my eyes open by 3!
Training is a little behind but the virus is still well and truly with me. The aim is to try another run tomorrow and see how it goes....fingers crossed and watch this space!
The diet is underway and I've lost my first pound. Already I feel better for cutting out the junk and today I didn't hit the wall half way through the afternoon. Normally I'm struggling to keep my eyes open by 3!
Training is a little behind but the virus is still well and truly with me. The aim is to try another run tomorrow and see how it goes....fingers crossed and watch this space!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
The beginning
Hi and welcome to my spanking brand new blog spot. As you can see it is still in it's infancy so please bear with me whilst I finish setting it up!
At the start of 2011 I find myself in a state of permanent anxiety and under the weather. I've had a cold since November that I can't seem to shake off. I've allowed my physical fitness to slip, have put on weight, have allowed clutter and dust to settle at home, am unhappy at work, and have somehow become isolated from friends and family. I desperately want to re-locate but despite a year of job seeking have failed to do so.
On the positive side, in no particular order, I have a challenging job that pays my way, a wonderful partner, a supportive family, many widespread friends, and two lovely sons who are growing up fast.
I cannot continue as I am, so I've set myself the challenge of establishing a stable routine and putting into place every reasonable measure necessary to establish a healthy and happy state for 2011. Given the positives above, this really shouldn't be that difficult should it?
At the start of 2011 I find myself in a state of permanent anxiety and under the weather. I've had a cold since November that I can't seem to shake off. I've allowed my physical fitness to slip, have put on weight, have allowed clutter and dust to settle at home, am unhappy at work, and have somehow become isolated from friends and family. I desperately want to re-locate but despite a year of job seeking have failed to do so.
On the positive side, in no particular order, I have a challenging job that pays my way, a wonderful partner, a supportive family, many widespread friends, and two lovely sons who are growing up fast.
I cannot continue as I am, so I've set myself the challenge of establishing a stable routine and putting into place every reasonable measure necessary to establish a healthy and happy state for 2011. Given the positives above, this really shouldn't be that difficult should it?
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