Tuesday 5 August 2014
4th August 2014
Lovely little 3 mile run down by the river. On a running plan now towards first a half marathon.
Sunday 15 June 2014
Running past 8
The goal for this week was to clock 8 miles. The Kirkcudbright 7 mile run has given me a lot of confidence that I was back on track and so I have been doing regular exercise in order to keep up the pace. It's hard to fit long runs in but fitting smaller runs and cross training in the week and finding a protected time to get a long run in has become a priority.
The aim is to decide at the beginning of the week what the exercise plan is for the coming week and work out with Rick when we do our long runs. He is back in training now as well, thankfully having recovered from his injury, so there is a big of negotiating to do.
So last week I managed 2 miles of forest trail on Sunday mid day (the dog loves these kind of walks), a lovely woodland walk with 13yod on Monday evening - photos below don't do it justice.
The aim is to decide at the beginning of the week what the exercise plan is for the coming week and work out with Rick when we do our long runs. He is back in training now as well, thankfully having recovered from his injury, so there is a big of negotiating to do.
So last week I managed 2 miles of forest trail on Sunday mid day (the dog loves these kind of walks), a lovely woodland walk with 13yod on Monday evening - photos below don't do it justice.
Tuesday evening I had a little run down by the river and the rest of the week got really busy with on call etc so didn't get anything else done. However, Saturday morning was the time set aside for my long run and my running friend and I ran a lovely 8 mile route which took in road, trail, forest with plenty of hills. The plan is to do a lot of the training in the hilly forest trails as the marathon I plan on doing is quite flat and the hill training should make for good preparation. I have found a half marathon in November in the Highlands which is of course quite hilly so that would be a good training run as well.
I was really pleased to be able to tick off eight miles. It was definitely a case of miles in the legs and miles in the head. Was a hot day by Scottish standards and I really felt the heat. Glad I had taken my running belt with two wee bottles of water!!
Stay with me - it's hard!!
Monday 2 June 2014
It's all training!
The wheels are back on! Keeping focused on training is never easy for me but just now I am managing it really well. Extra hours at work still keep getting in the way but the light mornings and evenings are making it much easier to get the exercises in.
My plan at the moment is one longish run and two short runs each week plus 2 walks of around 2/3 miles and badminton. That gives me one day's rest which will mean on the days I am working 9 - 5 and on call in the evening I won't feel I need to squeeze anything in.
So far it is working fine. Since the 7 mile run of my last post I have hit all my targets for exercise and the low carb research and eating seems to be paying dividends.
My short runs are mostly in the forest and take in most of my favourite places and are usually with my running friend. They are most definitely run/walks but also most definitely work outs for me. I can feel progress already and once again am happy to call myself a runner.
The big exercise event of the last week was an 8 mile hike up one of the local hills - with my 8 year old son.
Everyone else was away doing various activities so we packed a picnic, and set off. We had a great time and it certainly isn't an easy climb even if it doesn't make it into the list of Scottish Munros. We both had to work hard nearer to the summit but it is definitely worth the climb.
The view from the top is wonderful. On the south side you have a view of a few scattered villages, woods (including my favourite running place) the River Cree meandering along into the estuary and out to sea. You catch a glimpse of the Isle of Man and then Ireland far off in the distance. Stunning. Then you turn around 360 degrees and it is almost as if you are entering another world. A panoramic view of the hills to the north makes you want to keep on walking until you reach them.
Nestled in the middle is Loch Trool which looks tiny from up there although the run around it is 5 miles. You just don't know where to look first.
So all in all a really good day out with a fabulous little boy (I'm allowed to say that) and a good work out all rolled into one. To top it off, I now have that healthy outdoors look from the lovely weather we caught on the way up.
This weeks' motto is "stick to the plan, the whole plan mind you" (Gandalf)
Stay with me - it's hard!!
My plan at the moment is one longish run and two short runs each week plus 2 walks of around 2/3 miles and badminton. That gives me one day's rest which will mean on the days I am working 9 - 5 and on call in the evening I won't feel I need to squeeze anything in.
So far it is working fine. Since the 7 mile run of my last post I have hit all my targets for exercise and the low carb research and eating seems to be paying dividends.
My short runs are mostly in the forest and take in most of my favourite places and are usually with my running friend. They are most definitely run/walks but also most definitely work outs for me. I can feel progress already and once again am happy to call myself a runner.
The big exercise event of the last week was an 8 mile hike up one of the local hills - with my 8 year old son.
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| Max before we set off on the walk from the car. Cairnsmore is in the background - looks a long way and very small! |
Everyone else was away doing various activities so we packed a picnic, and set off. We had a great time and it certainly isn't an easy climb even if it doesn't make it into the list of Scottish Munros. We both had to work hard nearer to the summit but it is definitely worth the climb.
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| Half way up and still smiling |
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| Getting near to the tough point - the photo doesn't do the view justice really. |
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| Max touching the trig point. Again this photo doesn't do anything to show the stunning view beyond |
So all in all a really good day out with a fabulous little boy (I'm allowed to say that) and a good work out all rolled into one. To top it off, I now have that healthy outdoors look from the lovely weather we caught on the way up.
This weeks' motto is "stick to the plan, the whole plan mind you" (Gandalf)
Stay with me - it's hard!!
Saturday 24 May 2014
The legs remember
Today was one of our "local" races. The Kirkcudbright Academy half marathon and 11k Beaches run. Last year I ran the half marathon but I was 1 stone lighter and had kept on top of the running all the previous winter. This year I am in a different place due to life events pushing the running out. I decided to enter the 11k given than it is around 7 miles and I have been back to doing quite a lot of running in recent weeks.
Rick and 15yos were both running the same race.....needless to say in a different bit of the pack.
I felt quite nervous before the start and did wonder what on earth I was thinking of but it was too late to pull out in front of a lot of friends, and anyway, we had paid the entry fee.
The race starts from the High School Barnaby attends, runs through the streets for a while, which I really hate because I tuck myself in at the back and feel like everyone is watching me. Having said that, I do tell myself that at least I am running it and they are not!
After crossing the estuary by the harbour, the run starts a steady climb out of the town and this could easily be really off putting. I had already decided on a run/walk plan as my goal was to finish, not to even break my own record as I am carrying more weight. So the plan was to start a fast walk up the hill and then run walk the next undulating couple of miles. This worked well and I saw a good few other people in front having some walk breaks. The undulating bit is really pretty, along a tree lined country lane. A couple of very athletic people (not in the race) ran passed me and the chap said "get the jogging going again" just as I had started a walk break but I firmly told him I was on a run/walk plan and didn't allow myself to get discouraged.
The lane then meets another lane and there you meet the half marathon walkers who had set off at 11am and this is nice because you run passed people who have been walking for 9 miles and it's a good feeling. It's also the lovely down hill - again small country lane and by far the best part of the run. I passed quite a lot of the walkers. Right at the bottom of the hill the lane meets a larger road and it was here that the half marathon front runner overtook me. He was running an incredible pace but I had thought they would catch me up before that. I had forgotten my Garmin which at first I was really cross about but in the end I think it was good because I just kept pushing at the pace which was right for me.
The last 2 miles of this run are horrid. A long straight stretch passed houses, shops and right through the town centre. You are passing half marathon walkers and being passed by half marathon runners. That's the OK bit. The horrid bit is running past shoppers, feeling like you are dying and wanting to walk all the time. However, I wanted to run the most of this bit, mainly because it is the last few miles but also because I knew I could do it.
I love the last quarter of a mile of any race and this is not exception. It is back through houses and then comes into the school grounds. The beauty of doing the 7 mile run instead of the half marathon for a slow runner like me is that you are running in while there are still crowds there cheering everyone on. I felt quite emotional running up the finish line - and of course the family are so encouraging however slow I am. I was so tired at the end but had managed to run far more of it than I thought I would, so in the end it was a good thing not having my Garmin with me.
My time was 1 hr 34 min and my target time was under 1hr 45 min so I am really happy, proud and on my way back to running
The programme has started - first marathon here I come
Stay with me - it's hard!!!
I felt quite nervous before the start and did wonder what on earth I was thinking of but it was too late to pull out in front of a lot of friends, and anyway, we had paid the entry fee.
The race starts from the High School Barnaby attends, runs through the streets for a while, which I really hate because I tuck myself in at the back and feel like everyone is watching me. Having said that, I do tell myself that at least I am running it and they are not!
After crossing the estuary by the harbour, the run starts a steady climb out of the town and this could easily be really off putting. I had already decided on a run/walk plan as my goal was to finish, not to even break my own record as I am carrying more weight. So the plan was to start a fast walk up the hill and then run walk the next undulating couple of miles. This worked well and I saw a good few other people in front having some walk breaks. The undulating bit is really pretty, along a tree lined country lane. A couple of very athletic people (not in the race) ran passed me and the chap said "get the jogging going again" just as I had started a walk break but I firmly told him I was on a run/walk plan and didn't allow myself to get discouraged.
The lane then meets another lane and there you meet the half marathon walkers who had set off at 11am and this is nice because you run passed people who have been walking for 9 miles and it's a good feeling. It's also the lovely down hill - again small country lane and by far the best part of the run. I passed quite a lot of the walkers. Right at the bottom of the hill the lane meets a larger road and it was here that the half marathon front runner overtook me. He was running an incredible pace but I had thought they would catch me up before that. I had forgotten my Garmin which at first I was really cross about but in the end I think it was good because I just kept pushing at the pace which was right for me.
The last 2 miles of this run are horrid. A long straight stretch passed houses, shops and right through the town centre. You are passing half marathon walkers and being passed by half marathon runners. That's the OK bit. The horrid bit is running past shoppers, feeling like you are dying and wanting to walk all the time. However, I wanted to run the most of this bit, mainly because it is the last few miles but also because I knew I could do it.
I love the last quarter of a mile of any race and this is not exception. It is back through houses and then comes into the school grounds. The beauty of doing the 7 mile run instead of the half marathon for a slow runner like me is that you are running in while there are still crowds there cheering everyone on. I felt quite emotional running up the finish line - and of course the family are so encouraging however slow I am. I was so tired at the end but had managed to run far more of it than I thought I would, so in the end it was a good thing not having my Garmin with me.
My time was 1 hr 34 min and my target time was under 1hr 45 min so I am really happy, proud and on my way back to running
Stay with me - it's hard!!!
Tuesday 20 May 2014
50/50 7 miler
This evening it is glorious Scottish spring weather. Marie and I had planned a 7 mile run/walk and couldn't have asked for better weather. We chose a country lane route out from my house, 1.25 mile through the village and then a steady 2 mile climb up past fields and farms. The bluebells were out in force and the wild garlic smelled wonderful. We mostly fast walked that hill and at first I felt a little discouraged about that but I really have to remember where I am coming from. There were growing lambs with their mums in the fields all around. The next 3 miles are mostly down hill and that was so encouraging as I ran most of that. It is so good to be out again.
A short way down the downhill section is the lovely small loch above. The photo above is massively unflattering (excuse the pun) but shows that I mean business on my return to running. My running buddy is so encouraging and we talk through a lot of my feelings about running. She made me be more fair on myself, accept all the massive life changes we have had recently and start to enjoy the journey again. So many things in life can push out looking after myself and I do need to make that a priority.
Anyway - it took me a long time to run/walk those 7 miles but I feel a massive sense of achievement. On Saturday there is a local half marathon with a 7 mile run as well and I intend to do it as part of my "return" programme. I will be slow and I will be last but I will get round the 7 mile course with a smile on my face.
The journey goes on....................
Anyway - it took me a long time to run/walk those 7 miles but I feel a massive sense of achievement. On Saturday there is a local half marathon with a 7 mile run as well and I intend to do it as part of my "return" programme. I will be slow and I will be last but I will get round the 7 mile course with a smile on my face.
The journey goes on....................
Monday 19 May 2014
plodding on
I think my Garmin is feeling quite dizzy. Since my last post I have consistently run a longish (4-5 miles) run each week and 2 long ones plus a walk. In some ways it feels like the beginning again but in other ways I know that, even with the extra weight, it isn't the beginning because my body does actually know how to run.
Marie and I have had some great runs in the forest and fast walking the hills has done wonders for the legs already. I look out over the next year and I know that there is a long journey ahead but then I read other people's journeys (Astrid, Fiona!) and the hard work they have had to put in, and I know deep down inside I can make it.
It is of course easier to run in Scotland in the spring and summer with the lighter nights and mornings but sometimes it is just an excuse if the weather isn't perfect.
My quote for the next week is this -
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." by Fred Lebow
So this evening I am going to take my 13yo daughter for a walk in the forest for 40 minutes. Tomorrow Marie and I have a 7 mile training run. On Wednesday I will run about 3 miles in the evening. Thursday I am working 9 - 5 and on call from 5 - 11.30pm so rest day. On Friday evening I will play badminton if my on call is quiet and on Saturday I will run the 7 mile local run - will be slow, much slower than last year. But the above quote will keep me round the course.................Sunday rest day again!
Stay with me - it's hard!!
Marie and I have had some great runs in the forest and fast walking the hills has done wonders for the legs already. I look out over the next year and I know that there is a long journey ahead but then I read other people's journeys (Astrid, Fiona!) and the hard work they have had to put in, and I know deep down inside I can make it.
It is of course easier to run in Scotland in the spring and summer with the lighter nights and mornings but sometimes it is just an excuse if the weather isn't perfect.
My quote for the next week is this -
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." by Fred Lebow
So this evening I am going to take my 13yo daughter for a walk in the forest for 40 minutes. Tomorrow Marie and I have a 7 mile training run. On Wednesday I will run about 3 miles in the evening. Thursday I am working 9 - 5 and on call from 5 - 11.30pm so rest day. On Friday evening I will play badminton if my on call is quiet and on Saturday I will run the 7 mile local run - will be slow, much slower than last year. But the above quote will keep me round the course.................Sunday rest day again!
Stay with me - it's hard!!
Tuesday 29 April 2014
back to the beginning
I haven't used this blog for ages. The main reason has been time pressure but also because I haven't really been committed to my running and fitness. Therefore the weight has gone back on again and I feel so unfit.
I have decided to take this blog back to being about my running journey. It isn't something that most people would be interested in but it is important to me to write about it and review how it has been going.
I have been out a few times over the last few weeks, both on my own and with my running friend. After not being able to run for various reasons over the winter and also not really watching what I was eating, I feel as though I am back to square one and that is how I have to treat it. I need to start again.
Having said that, I feel as though the come back is going well. I am run walking and am slower that I was this time last year but I am loving being out.
Last weekend I joined some others in the running club as they ran a 5 mile run round a castle grounds about an hour away from here. 13yod and 8 yos and I ran 3 miles which was our goal and for all of us that was a good thing. We felt we had achieved our goal.
This evening my friend and I went into the forest to do a four mile hilly run and we ran 4.5 miles. We walked the hills and could really feel the back of our legs pulling. Felt great to be out again and the weather was glorious. The journey commences again.
What do I want to achieve? Back to at least the level of fitness I was at last year. A few 5 or 6 milers over the summer and a half marathon in the autumn...................................then a marathon in the spring of 2015. I am 50 in November and that would be a great way to celebrate reaching half a century!!
I have decided to take this blog back to being about my running journey. It isn't something that most people would be interested in but it is important to me to write about it and review how it has been going.
I have been out a few times over the last few weeks, both on my own and with my running friend. After not being able to run for various reasons over the winter and also not really watching what I was eating, I feel as though I am back to square one and that is how I have to treat it. I need to start again.
Having said that, I feel as though the come back is going well. I am run walking and am slower that I was this time last year but I am loving being out.
Last weekend I joined some others in the running club as they ran a 5 mile run round a castle grounds about an hour away from here. 13yod and 8 yos and I ran 3 miles which was our goal and for all of us that was a good thing. We felt we had achieved our goal.
What do I want to achieve? Back to at least the level of fitness I was at last year. A few 5 or 6 milers over the summer and a half marathon in the autumn...................................then a marathon in the spring of 2015. I am 50 in November and that would be a great way to celebrate reaching half a century!!
Saturday 15 March 2014
There is nothing like a trail run to recharge the batteries!
Music festival week is always one of the busiest of the year for our family with children performing every day and sometimes up to 3 times a day. Throw into the mix me starting a new job and you'll see why I needed some time out! Great week though. New job good and the three youngest children performing in the festival brought home various trophies, 1sts, 2nds and 3rds. We are just as proud of them at the times they didn't get placed though. All part of life's lessons! Well done to them all
Music festival week is always one of the busiest of the year for our family with children performing every day and sometimes up to 3 times a day. Throw into the mix me starting a new job and you'll see why I needed some time out! Great week though. New job good and the three youngest children performing in the festival brought home various trophies, 1sts, 2nds and 3rds. We are just as proud of them at the times they didn't get placed though. All part of life's lessons! Well done to them all
Saturday 8 March 2014
Back to running
Today for the first time I think I can say I am really back to running. I had to get up early to see 15yos of on a 4 hour journey further North in Scotland with the brass band he plays with where they were entering a competition. Their coach left the village at 0630. As he wasn't around to do his paper round I did it straight away then and then came back to bed for an hour. It was lovely to be out in the early morning as the sun rose though. Then I went for a 3 mile run in the forest with a running buddy - so that's 3 times this week which was my target. It was a lovely hilly run and the weather wasn't too bad. The dog thought it was wonderful as usual.
So target time!! Troon 10k is in May so I'll aim for that first and then onwards!
So target time!! Troon 10k is in May so I'll aim for that first and then onwards!
Friday 7 March 2014
Time Flies
It seems like just a blink and it is March already. Where has the time gone? So much has happened and here is a little rundown.
First of all running. I haven't done an awful lot but have had some nice runs when I have managed it. Rick and I went up to the West Highland Way at the end of January for him to do a 30 mile training run. I did an 8 mile section and had a great time. The weather was appallingly wet and cold which did encourage me to keep moving.
It was a fabulous run and a great day. Would love to do it again.
Also had a really good run with a couple of friends around the Glentrool area which was a great run albeit in the pouring rain!
Also had two birthdays at the beginning of the year -
The annual Candlemass Ball came and went again at the beginning of February. We had a great evening as usual and great to have chance to dress up again. Nothing like a good ceilidh
February 15th we had a great time of celebration when Josh married his fiance Bethan. We travelled down from Scotland to Hampshire and spent a few days down there staying in a hotel. We had to chance to visit some friends and help with the wedding preparations and then the wedding itself was fabulous. It was such a wonderful occasion and won't be easily forgotten. Great to have all my children around me and Bethan looked simply stunning in my mum's wedding dress, which mum wore 60 years ago last December. An amazing day for two wonderful people.
Josh and Bethan have kitted out an old camper van and gone off to find adventure.
Last Saturday was a local half marathon and fun run and 15yos and 8yos did us proud in their races.
First of all running. I haven't done an awful lot but have had some nice runs when I have managed it. Rick and I went up to the West Highland Way at the end of January for him to do a 30 mile training run. I did an 8 mile section and had a great time. The weather was appallingly wet and cold which did encourage me to keep moving.
Also had a really good run with a couple of friends around the Glentrool area which was a great run albeit in the pouring rain!
Saturday 18 January 2014
Remembering the love of running
When I look back over the last few months I can hardly believe some of the things which have happened. I guess in reality, it is only possible to have one very intense new thing in the middle of an already crazily busy life and working a very lot, some 40 hour weeks, after completing the challenge of my return to practice course had to become a priority. With thee children still at home, sewing projects for an up coming wedding and elderly parents to cherish and help, plus all the other balls I have in the air I guess it is no wonder that running tailed off a bit in the autumn. However, it seems just a blink has passed and my running has slowed down and I have put back on some of the weight I lost.
Today though, I remembered my love of running and what it was about it that is so freeing and relaxing and personal. Rick had arranged a long hilly run with some of the rest of the running club and it was more that I could keep up with. My running pal though, was happy to come with me doing a route which had some hills but which I am sure she knew would do the trick of inspiring me again. And it sure did. Pouring rain, good company plus being in one of my favourite places in the world..............I am back on the journey I was on before of personal challenges and a love of running (even if I never move from the back of the pack!)
We had a lovely New Year. I only had New Year's Day off work so it had to be good We spent New Year's Eve with good friends. We spent New Year's Day with family and good friends. The photo below is Rick and a good friend relaxing on New Year's Day.
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| Above is Rick's parents with us on New Year's Day for a lovely meal made by 19yos |
It's hard to believe that it is more than half way through January already. Josh's wedding plans are going well and he and Bethan are working hard on their camper van. Most of us have our outfits sorted and Tali is very excited to be able to be a bridesmaid and has enjoyed her dress fittings. This year promises to be just as busy as the rest but also full of new and exciting challenges.
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