I won't lie... Since I injured myself 2 weeks ago, I've felt restless and grouchy. Sure, I've managed to walk the dog (hobbling!) and a few swims and bike rides, even a couple of weights sessions. But I've felt a gnawing anxiety at not being able to run, and the worry of the clock ticking. I'm not sure what made me think of it, but this week, on Wednesday, I decided to try yoga for the first time. YouTube was my friend here and I quickly discovered Yoga with Adriene. Adriene is a quirky and up-beat yoga instructor, from Austin, Texas (where my sister currently lives) and I am starting out with her "30 days of Yoga" programme. After only 5 days, I am feeling stronger, more peaceful and more flexible as well as noticing a rapid improvement in my injured ankle. I am hooked - I can see this as something I will do every day (or almost) from now on - it's gentle but powerful and just feels awesome! My muscles are already more defined and I am far less worried about what will happen when I am able to run again (hopefully in a week, if my improvement continues). THANK YOU ADRIENE!
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I have a niggly ankle all week which I have been trying to ignore, which was flipping stupid because 6.5 miles into my run this morning I couldn't run any more...my niggle is now an injury.
I ended up walking home 2.3 miles in the FREEZING cold, which was miserable. So...next week I will be cycling and swimming - no running until my ankle feels ok. Painkillers, icepacks, rest blah blah. I promise! But please sponsor me! It will make me feel better! Thanks. Last night I was babysitting, which was fine, except they said they'd be back at 11pm and they didn't get back until 12.20am! So by the time I got to bed it was around 1am. I woke up at 7am, so was really thinking I'd take it easy at PR today. That was my intention. Honestly. My mum says "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"... I started myself somewhere in the middle and LOADS of people passed me as well. But in the second mile I found my running stride and just kept going, and it was me doing the passing! It was a little muddy underfoot (but I was wearing my trail shoes) and the snow held off for the duration, which was nice of it. Really pleased with my time and a new ParkRun best for me... Distance: 3.11 miles
Time: 29m:02s Average pace: 9' 28" Fastest mile: 8' 59" Type of run: ParkRun (threshold) Cardio fitness score: 41
At the moment I have 2 guided interval sessions on my phone to choose from - Power Up 2012 (Pyramid Intervals) or Run Faster 1 with Chrissie Wellington, both from AudioFuel. I "found" AudioFuel after using the NHS "Couch to 5k" podcasts when I started running in 2014.
This week, it was Chrissie's turn to run with me (at least she says she's running with me - I don't believe it personally!). The session starts with a warm up, then has intervals of 2-4 minutes of either 175b.p.m. or 180b.p.m. I had set it up so that it would be followed by tracks at 170b.p.m. to keep me moving. I have started finding recently that actually 175-180b.p.m. isn't nearly as challenging as it used to be, so I think I will need to find something a bit faster quite soon. Once I am warmed up, I am coping pretty well with 170b.p.m. as a steady pace. I think this is good news as I am getting fitter. Aaaaanyhoo...the final interval took me up one of the hills that I had mentioned in Tuesday's blog, and that was a bit of a challenge at 180b.p.m.! I will be really glad when the weather improves - today was bitter and although I quickly warm up when I run, it's really not that tempting to get out when it feels like minus-something! On the bright side, I had a new snuggly top that I bought using a gift card that D's parents very kindly gave me for Christmas...
Distance: 3.58 miles
Time: 36m:21s Average pace: 10m:08s Fastest mile: 9m:50s Type of run: Intervals (AudioFuel Run faster 1) Cardio fitness score: 41
I know, I know, it seems impossible after my blog only a few short days ago, but yes! I actually did a run that felt "fun"!
Strangely enough, I almost had to drag myself out, but having had my Tuesday run interrupted, I decided to add an impromptu few miles in yesterday. My plan was simple: put on "Zombies, Run!" and have a gentle jog around a just-over-3-mile circuit.
The situation with the zombies (or actually in this case, mind control) is getting critical, and I (Runner 5) was trapped in New Canton where everyone except me was mind controlled. Luckily, I had Sam Yao on comms who led me to safety (for now)...
Perhaps it was because I put no pressure on myself for pace or distance - I had planned my route before I left and I was only doing this for the miles. It was chilly, but I soon warmed up. The storyline distracted me. And my cardio fitness score went up to 41 on my FitBit #proud In the evening, I went for a not-quite-so-successful swim. I usually swim on a Friday (which I can't do this week) and the pool tends to be pretty empty. Not so on a Wednesday, it would seem. One lane being used for a 1-2-1 swimming lesson, the other lane was full and I was swimming in laps with some rather leisurely swimmers! That said, I swam for half an hour and I'm glad I went (got to try out my new cozzie!).
Distance: 3.4 miles
Time: 34m:11s Average pace: 10m:02s Fastest mile: 9m:50s Type of run: Easy (Zombies) Cardio fitness score: 41 Last night saw a rare thing happen - date night!
When this unexpected opportunity came up, D & I have no idea where to go or what to do! We did have a look around to see if there were any music events on, but Tuesday isn't exactly the most buzzing night of the week, so we thought - food. Off to town we went and into TGI Friday's which was surprisingly busy given the day of the week. I had totally forgotten that I'd had an email telling me that they had an offer on - Endless Appetisers! As with all of these things, T&Cs apply, but basically as many different appetisers as you can eat for £12.99. We both went for it, and managed 5 each, plus bottomless diet Pepsi... I tried: House salad (very virtuous!) Loaded fries (cheese and bacon) BBQ chicken wings (quite spicy!) BBQ hummus (IMO would have benefitted from losing the BBQ sauce) and pulled pork jacket skins (yummy, but killed me!) D had: BBQ hummus (he thought it only needed one pot of hummus) Boneless chicken wings Mozarella dippers (very gooey and cheesy) Taquito bites Pulled pork sundae (finished him off!) Apparently the "record" in one sitting at the Oracle Reading branch is 20 appetisers! I can't imagine eating that much, but it certainly made for a great value meal and added a little fun to our date deciding what we would try next. The staff were attentive (quick refills on our drinks) and polite without being intrusive. We had a lovely night out, which was much needed!!! Thanks TGI Friday's! Now that I'm a few weeks into my training programme for the RHM, I thought I'd try a high intensity hills session. Luckily for me (!!!) there is a nice hill about 3-4 minutes' jog from my front door. Usually, I get this out of the way at the start of my runs and try to forget about it, but having read about the benefits of hill training, I decided to make use of it... So off I went... After a 5 minute warm up, I decided to choose two points to run between, and ran 10 reps - fast uphill, jog downhill. It actually went OK, and by the time I was done with this I'd run about 1.7 miles, so thought I'd complete my normal 5k circuit (which this hill is usually at the start of). At this point, I received a rather lengthy (28 minutes to be precise) phone call from the school, so I had to cut short my run and start walking. I managed to run the final 0.4 miles home taking my total run today to 2.3 miles. At least I had done my hills, although I do think I'll choose a steeper gradient next time - I have a couple of choices each about a mile from home... I'm going to aim for a short extra run tomorrow to make up for today (if possible). Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 24m:27s Average pace: 10m:28s (on first leg) Fastest mile: 10m:21s Type of run: Hills Cardio fitness score: 40 (still!) After an hour with a tutor, what better way for the two youngest to spend some time but bouncing off some excess steam on multiple trampolines with friends?
And us mums, too! So off we rushed to Rush in High Wycombe (very punny)... With over 100 trampolines, plus foam pits, and assault course, basket ball, dodgeball...well it's impossible to get bored! Our hour was over way too quickly and we will definitely be back. Apparently it burns more calories than running for an hour. I think I'm a bit too tentative for that just yet, but it certainly worked my calf muscles which has to be a good thing for a runner, right? And the kids had a fab time too. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thanks Rush! OK, the bottom line. I find running HARD, I mean properly hard work, and pretty much every run I go on, within a few minutes I'm thinking "why am I even doing this?". Whilst I was running today I wondered to myself why it is that I find it so bloody difficult. I am not often in pain, I enjoy being outside, and I love the feeling of accomplishment afterwards (which probably explains why I don't just give up, go home and eat chocolate!)... I had quite a long time to contemplate this and to consider exactly how my body and mind were feeling during my 9 mile run today - whilst running from zombies, obviously (evaded). Question 1: Does anything hurt? Answer: No (except a little niggle in my right hip and my left foot swelled a bit and rubbed on the top for the last 2 miles) Question 2: Am I too tired to continue? Answer: Honestly? No. Question 3: What's my heart rate doing? Answer: This... Question 4: Do I want to stop? Answer: Oh my God YES!!! I think the overall answer must be that, with my heart rate rocketing pretty much from start to finish, my brain just wants me to stop, or at least slow down. Well, one part of my brain. Then there's the other part that tells me "the faster you do this, the sooner it will be over", which may explain my pacy run today, and is probably combined with my stubborn bloody-mindedness in keeping me running! I'm really proud of my run today, and looking forward to a run-free day tomorrow and an hour at the trampoline park! In the absence of my bluetooth connection, I plotted my run on Endomondo to get an accurate distance. Distance: 9.31 miles
Time: 1h:31m:15s Average pace: 9' 48" Fastest mile: Unknown (forgot to switch bluetooth on!) Type of run: Long Cardio fitness score: 40 In my capacity as "Runner 5" (Zombies, Run!), I pick up a lot of sports bras - just today I collected at least 3 during my missions (along with several pairs of underpants!). In my capacity as a runner on a budget, and back in reality, I was looking for something comfortable, functional and not bank breaking! I have 2 sports bras, which I have owned for around 10 months. They are both manufactured by La Isla (who I think have changed their name to Syrokan since I made my purchases). SYROKAN Women's Racerback Lift Comfort Support Underwire Padded Push Up Sports BraWhat they say:
My Review This is currently retailing at £16.49 on Amazon, including delivery. This is a very pretty sports bra, available in a range of colours. I have the light blue. I am a 34/36B and own this in 36B. It is a little on the large size cup-wise, although I'm not sure that the next size down might not be a little too small. It has a racer back and hook and eye fastening - it pulls on over the head. Through trial and error, I have learned not to wear this for running! Although the support is fine, and generally it is comfortable, it rubs my sternum, causing a small and very sore blister if I wear it to run. However, it's fine for weights, cycling etc. Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Fit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Control: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Appearance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Would I recommend: Not for running, but for non-running sports. SYROKAN Women's Med Impact Racerback Contour Padded Underwire Support Sports BraWhat they say:
My Review This is currently retailing at £14.99 on Amazon, including delivery. I have to say, I love this sports bra. It pulls on over the head (which I've seen other reviewers say is awkward to do, but I've never found that), then hooks and eyes on the back. Really comfortable, with plenty of padding and great coverage at the front. The (racer) back has nice wide straps and sits comfortably right across the middle of my back. Doesn't ride up or move around whilst running. Size wise, I'm a 34/36B. I have this in a 36B and it fits beautifully. I've washed this at 30 and 40 degrees and have tumble dried it multiple times and it's still in perfect condition. I will definitely repurchase this - in fact I expect I'll buy another fairly soon since I'm doing so much running. At this price, you couldn't do much better! Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Control: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Appearance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Would I recommend: DEFINITELY! |
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May 2018
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