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.

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!!

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.

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.

Half way up and still smiling

Getting near to the tough point - the photo doesn't do the view justice really.

 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.

Max touching the trig point.  Again this photo doesn't do anything to show the stunning view beyond

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!!