Running for fun

I did it. I went out. I didn't want to. I had a stressy day and a lonnnnnger than usual drive home from work (never take a new route thinking it would be quicker. Stick to the plan!) and when I got home I was 99.1% tempted to put my jamas on and 0.9% tempted to go for a run. But I knew that the one thing I needed to do to get rid of my negative thoughts and feelings was to get out on the pavement. 

6.0km later, I finished strong and happy. I was supposed to stop at 5.5k but I felt so good that I thought another 0.5km wouldn't do any harm. It was a slow run, no way near my fastest but I needed to make the decision whether to concentrate on pace or distance, and my shins were saying long and slow. I muted my Runkeeper and just ran based on feeling. 

I said before how both the trail and running up to the next village are now off limits because neither have street lighting and DC (and me) is not comfortable with me running in places where I'm not 100% safe. So I had a mental challenge too knowing that I would be running laps around the village, which is not the most interesting running route and definitely proved hard when I started lap 2. But as soon as I was up our main village hill for the second time, the positivity returned knowing that it was all downhill and flat until the end. 

I love running in the chilly weather. Running in the heat makes me feel really overwhelmed, so a dry Autumn night is perfect for me and tonight's run reminded me exactly why I got into running in the first place. 

Advantages of running in the wind:

1. It cools you down

Disadvantages of running in the wind:

1. Must remember to Vaseline the lips thoroughly before I leave the house

2. The smell of the chippy drafts all the way up the village and it is torture running through it

So tonight was a fun run and I came home feeling on top of the world. This mix of running and swimming is really helping. I had a mega strong swim yesterday and came away feeling great. I know that I'm never going to be the best or fastest runner but I'm going to try my hardest to get fitter and enjoy it at the same time. 

Tuesday: 30 lengths swim

Wednesday: 6.0km / 39:09 / 6:31min per km av pace

DC got the call today to say Ofsted are in tomorrow so he didn't get home from school until 8pm, where of course his favourite meal was waiting for him. 

It's my turn for bake off tomorrow night so I'm going to get some recipes out and see what I can come up with to feed the girls tomorrow. 

I also found this year's Christmas crackers that I am going to buy for my annual Christmas bake off night, although it might be too early to tell you all that ;)

Dans x

A week of workouts

This week I am tackling my workouts. Next week it is the diet (I just can't stop eating). So I've made a promise with myself to do one 30 minute workout every day this week, up to a rest day on Sunday. I'm not car sharing this week and next so I've been able to swim after work. Swim = happy Dani even with all the kids in the pool. The only time I don't enjoy swim is lengths 27-30 when I seem to lose strength and knock a contact out at the same time as swallowing 2 litres of water. 

Monday: 30 min / 30 length swim

Tuesday: 30 min / 30 length swim

Wednesday: 30 min run

It has only taken me a zillion weeks to complete 8x 30min runs. 

30 minutes 

1/8 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/8 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/8 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/8 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

5/8 Saturday: 4.74km, 6:20min/km av pace

6/8 Tuesday: 4.64km, 6:28min/km av pace

7/8 Friday: 5.06km, 5:57min/km av pace

8/8 Wednesday: 4.61km, 6:31min/km av pace

Today's run was the slowest out of the bunch but at least I got out there for the first time in nearly a fortnight and completed it. My breathing and energy is definitely not back up to 100% but I feel so much better than I did at the weekend. 

I am going to try my hardest to wake up early tomorrow and run. I really really want to test how I feel throughout the day after a morning run and I need to remember to ignore the warm comfy feeling of my bed at 6am and drag myself out to the wind and rain. I have the girls round tomorrow night more or less straight after work so the morning is my only chance to keep to my target of a workout a day for a week. 

I will succeed!!!

Dans x

Run like there's someone chasing you, the best lunch hour & the big weekend

Today so far has been a mixed bag:

Woke up late (expected)

Still felt absolutely terrible (expected)

Great day at work (unexpected)

Fabulous lunch break (unexpected)

Didn't feel like running (expected)

Best run of my life (unexpected)

Let's start with the run. I love surprising myself by having an absolutely fantastic run. Today I was running like someone was chasing me, and I even tried to slow myself down after worrying that my chances of a heart attack were rapidly increasing but my legs had their own game plan that was different to my head. 

There's no better feeling for me than a <30 min 5km run. I wish I could pinpoint the exact time that I hit 5km but I was concentrating on finishing the last 20 seconds or so without either being sick or fainting and falling into the road. 

30 minutes 

1/8 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/8 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/8 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/8 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

5/8 Saturday: 4.74km, 6:20min/km av pace

6/8 Tuesday: 4.64km, 6:28min/km av pace

7/7 Friday: 5.06km, 5:57min/km av pace

Not bad at all for a run I could have easily slacked off until tomorrow morning. 

I went out into town at lunch with my friend and we had such a great lunch break. There is a strict criteria for a lunch break to officially be classed as great in my opinion:

1. It doesn't rain

2. It involves retail therapy

3. It involves food

4. It involves freebies

5. It involves friends (this should come first) 

Today's lunch hour hit the spot. 

1. It didn't rain. 

2. I bought this gorgeous dress from Henry Holland to get me through my Autumn nights out and it had 25% off. The cost per wear on this £26 frock is going to be excellent. And I feel GOOD in it. 

Apologies for the worst outfit photo ever but I don't have a great mirror or any friends to take my photo right now. 

3. This mysterious bag and cup contain the best things you can ever buy from Costa coffee - a tiffin cake and a Terry's chocolate orange mocca latte. 

No this did not help me on my run but it was an amazing idea at 1pm. 

4. For the next couple of weeks you can get a free hand cream from the Body Shop with a Voucher Codes code. No purchase necessary. 

Yes my work desk does need a good scrub. 

5. My friend C is actually the best. 

SO. TOMORROW. THE BIG DAY. 

it's our friend's wedding that we have been waiting for only since the beginning of time. I can't wait to see the bride and groom, can't wait to spend the day with my wedding date - the other best man's girlfriend, and I CAN'T WAIT to hear DC's speech. I know he is going to be fantastic. He has practised and practised and it's so funny so fingers crossed I'm not the only one that's laughing. I will secretly try and get a recording in so I can show everyone how fantastically great he is. 

I think this will be my outfit:

A second apology there for the rubbish photo. 

So DC is with the groom and best man tonight and I am home alone but do not fear, I have my favourite m&s dinner:

I also have this to tuck in to:

I promise the spoon was only put there for the photo opp and there's only a 99% chance that I may devour the whole lot. 

NOT TO MENTION I'm not even lonely tonight because I am spending the evening with my second boyfriend:

Watching Joaquin Phoenix in The Master. 

So I am sorted. After I do two loads of washing, the washing up, and a bit of a kitchen clean. There is a 110% chance I won't get round to this. 

Dans x

Another run and a fat lasagne

Today's Runkeeper motivation message really hit the mark:

It was raining tonight and I'm not feeling any better but I knew that if I held off a run until tomorrow, the circumstances would be exactly the same. I was hoping for a dry autumn but it doesn't look as though the rain is going to stop until at least August ;) so on went my cap and waterproof and out I went for a muddy trail run. 

30 minutes 

1/8 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/8 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/8 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/8 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

5/8 Saturday: 4.74km, 6:20min/km av pace

6/8 Tuesday: 4.64km, 6:28min/km av pace

It was my slowest run out of the lot but I'm happy with that. I went out with the thought that this was just going to be a good jog to get me out and about in the fresh air. A slow run is definitely better than no run at all and I would have only wasted the half hour on the sofa playing a dot to dot game on my iPad that I'm completely addicted to. 

The best thing about this run was the finish line. The even better thing about this run was the hot shower afterwards. I loved running in the rain and mud today. Two separate runners passed ,e and both said hi, I told you it was a great run. 

Perhaps my run was impeded slightly by this amazing breakfast

But the chocolatey goodness was worth it. 

I made up for it with a healthy lunch and some recipe inspiration 

This was after I got soaked in the rain running to get it. Wet two times in a day, this is coming from a girl who used to be paranoid about her appearance but really doesn't give a monkeys anymore :)

I've just demolished a huge lasagne courtesy of DC's mum and I'm going to spend the rest of the evening having cuddles with my bestest friend:

Dans x

My idea of cross training

I'm taking a different approach to running now that I've had a busy week; I'm going to continue to run 30 minutes for another 4 runs before moving up to 35 minutes. By keeping at the same timed runs for a bit longer, I think it'll stop my shin from hurting again now that it's finally calmed down, and the gradual incline will hopefully make me stronger. 

30 minutes 

1/8 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/8 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/8 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/8 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

5/8 Saturday: 4.74km, 6:20min/km av pace

Saturday's run was really strong and my second best run so far. It felt great and I didn't have any niggles. Sometimes I wonder whether leaving a bit longer between my runs makes my next one stronger, but then as soon as I accept this theory I go on another run with heavy legs, so it's still a mystery to me ;)

I didn't run on Sunday, I took my friend for a big nandos and we saw this brilliant film:

I actually had no idea what it was about before I saw it, but anything with Rachel McAdams is good by me (I conceded a couple of years ago that I will never be her and my chances with Ryan Gosling are seriously diminished but there's still chance yet ;) ) I didn't even realise it was a British film and I recommend you go and see it because it's an adorable love story but also hilariously funny. 

I was going to miss out the fact that I also had a Chinese takeaway in the evening but I'm not a good liar so shoot me :)

I was back on the healthy wagon today ready for our friends' wedding at the weekend. DC's best man speech is sounding amazing and I can't wait to hear it and secretly record it but don't tell him that. I was so crazy busy at work today that I skipped breakfast, had a banana at 12.30pm for breakfast and then a ham salad and packet of crisps saw me though to starvation at 6pm where a 9 Bar saved my life. I had a swim date with my sister at 8pm and dinner wasn't ready quite in time, I figured today wasn't my day to sink in the deep end with a stomach full of chicken so I saved my dinner until afterwards and called my sister at 8pm from the gym car park to hear the words "oh s*** I fell asleep". I was actually tempted to drive home and took three steps towards my car before sucking it up and turning around. 

I had an AMAZING swim. Just 30 lengths as I was sooo hungry but I parked up at 8pm and drove out at 8.30pm so I reckon I did 30 in 26 minutes. I'm sure that running has made my swimming SO much stronger. I wasn't out of breath and even though my arms were aching by length 6 it wasn't hard to forget about it and push through. Not bad for someone who couldn't swim until she was 16!

I wonder if I will get up to run in the morning? Will this be my morning? The cold mornings say no but I may try my best ;)

Dans x

A weekend of sleeping & eating

I didn't get around to finishing my weekly run this week. I think Friday's amazing run completely ruined me, not that it wasn't worth it. So today I ended off my week with an easy run that turned out pretty hard. 

Week 3 - 30 minutes 

1/4 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/4 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/4 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

It actually wasn't a pretty bad run for the start of the week.

I took a different route than usual to the next village. It's a straight road down but it looks pretty flat and this is where it's deceiving. It seems flat when you're driving but running down you realise you're gradually going downhill, and the dreaded feeling arrives when you turn around when you figure it's now a constant slight uphill for the rest of the way home. It was TOUGH. I kept my eye on a runner in the distance and before I knew it I was up the hill and finally back on a downwards path towards my village. 

I had the strongest craving for this meal all through the day so I made the genius decision to end my run close to the co-op to buy some cheese, and the even more genius decision to put the jacket potatoes in the oven before I left for my run so that they were amazingly crispy by the time I got home. 

Perfect comfort food for how I was feeling today. 

Friday was spent watching Picture Perfect and waiting up to pick up DC and his friends at 1am. I got into bed around 2am and we ended up sleeping in on Saturday. We spent all day watching Boardwalk Empire and I fell asleep for a nap 3-6pm which is something I have never ever done in my life but definitely a new habit that I could easily pick up as it's the best idea in the world. 

We went to our friend's house for a dinner party in the evening and she cooked an amazing risotto for 8 people, she's a super-friend. The best bit is yet to come. Risotto was followed by HOMEMADE BANOFFEE PIE. I wish I had taken a pic, and the recipe. We didn't get home until 12.30am so Sunday was also a bit of a sleep in before we dragged ourselves food shopping, visited my Gramps in hospital and went to DC's mum's for a yum roast. We left earlier than planned because we are so tired from our weekend of sleeping and eating, which I can promise you was much more interesting than cleaning my house. These weekends are the best. 

Dans x

The perfect run & other stories

I just ran the perfect run. I thought it would take me WEEKS to get back to a 30 minute 5km. I wasn't even feeling this run today. I have no idea what got into me but whatever it is I want to keep it! 

I can't believe I went below a 6min average km. I must have really gone for it! I was actually groaning out loud by the end. And praying for the last 3 minutes to go quickly. I was so surprised because my shin didn't give me any bother at all (it's hurting now though). I ran up to the next village and round the block, did another half block before coming back but I estimated it short so had to do 30 seconds on the trail too. I was tempted to follow my running idol and lay down on the floor afterwards but I wasn't quite brave enough; I limped home instead. 

I think this is what is called negative splits ;) FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. 

Week 3 - 30 minutes 

1/4 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/4 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

I can't wait to see how tomorrow's run is going to go, as right now my legs do not want to move one single bit :)

In other news:

Grandad's doing much better after overloading on oxygen at the hospital, which has made him look and feel a million times better. The docs wanted to keep an eye on him today though and the hospital doesn't discharge at the weekend, which means he will be there until Monday at least. I was a bit concerned about nana being at home by herself (she has early onset dementia) but she says she is absolutely fine and says the best thing is wrapping herself in bedcovers and not having grandad steal them ;) 

I am clearly the favourite grandchild as I turn up to the hospital with cake ;) well my colleague and I demolished the coconut raspberry slices on the right but I took the lemon tarts along for nana and grandad and it made them very happy. Although my absolute favourite is lemon curd tarts so they were lucky to get their hands on them! The best thing about the cakes is that they are homemade from a stall from a farmers market that comes into town every month. My friend Luke & I try and get a lunch break together each month to go together, and I love our catch up as even though we don't see each other enough (and we are even in the same building every day) he is a very dear friend to me. 

I found a new favourite drink today. This elderflower and lime spring water is yum and only 7 calories. I love elderflower drinks lately, I need to get my hands on some for my friend's dinner party tomorrow as I'm going to drive instead of drink. 

I bought this jacket today with my birthday vouchers. I have had my eye on it for so long, I have no idea why I didn't buy it before as I love it. My friend Laura has it but I'm sure she won't mind as we along with DC's sister always seem to get our hands on the same Topshop clothes, even with all of the million items that are available. We must be both a) telepathic and b) obviously have excellent taste. 

I was going to buy it in store but the queue was too long so I bought it online, using a 10% off code, free delivery, and my gift cards which means this £58 jacket cost me £7. This made my day. Although I do have to wait for it to be delivered, as I've promised myself I will stop paying £7.50 for next day delivery. 

Today was apparently the end of summer (the rain proved it) and Autumn is my favourite time of year, mainly because of the weather (I think Autumn is romantic and DC laughs in my face) but mostly because of creating a new Autumn Topshop wardrobe of course!

I tried this on too and it looks great in the photo but less flattering in real life. I couldn't justify paying £48 (!!) for it so it went back on the rail. 

DC's jeans were a bit tight today when they came out of the wash so he did a lunge in them and this is what happened. I sooooo wish I was there to see this but I was running, he is really upset because they're his favourite jeans and jeans are sooo expensive these days, but the thought of lunge + rip made me laugh for ages. 

He has gone out with work tonight and I think I drew the short straw because his friend's gf has picked them all up to take them into town, but I am doing the pick up run.... At 1am. I've done this quite a few times but the last 2 times I picked DC up from town he really messed me around so I've told him in no uncertain terms that if he doesn't turn up where he says he will at 1am then we will fall out forever and ever. 

So I'm just about to cook some marinated chicken and roasted veg, then I'm going to put something on from Lovefilm and settle down with my favourite popcorn. A nice quiet night all to myself to end a busy week... Perfect. 

Dans x

Oh, to be a cow...

Tonight's run was a bit of a naughty run. I was hoping to take it easy but at the same time, beat my time from 1/4. I spent the first half of the run texting my friend. I wouldn't really recommend it, because although it makes the time go fast, it made me slow down and probably look like I was running Phoebe style too. 

Although as you can see, she had some wise words of encouragement for me. 

Half way just as I was about to turn around, I had to pause to let a couple of cyclists past so it was the perfect opportunity to grab this lovely photo. 

I wish I could graze all day, drink crap loads of water and lay down whenever and wherever I felt like it. Oh, the life of a cow. I'm sure they never think "hey maybe I should run to that fence and back to run off the packet of minstrels I demolished on my 3pm energy slump". I also bet they never worry about how big their bum is or how frizzy their hair gets in the rain. Although I wouldn't be too excited about a grass based diet, just think about how many stomachs you have to hide all of that bad food in.

Week 3 - 30 minutes 

1/4 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

I beat my distance by 0.01km. Any improvement is a plus, no matter how small, that's what I say. But I  called it a naughty run because I spent the last 10 minutes attempting to make up for my slow half. It wasn't a wise idea because now my shin is playing up big time and I'm getting to the point where I know that either a) resting or b) a 7.00min/km average run are the only two options that I have for the rest of the week. It's much worse than I can remember it ever being before - it was always just a niggle on my shin bone but now it's moved to the side and my muscle is so tender arghh. 

I got in from my run to 3 mobile and 1 house phone missed calls from my mum, and when I called back I got the news that my Gramps has been nee-nar'd into the hospital. His health has deteriorated a lot recently and he has trouble breathing. My parents are on their way to the hospital now so while I wait for news I'm going to run a hot shower and put on the weekend's XFactor to keep my mind off of it. 

Dans x

It's a numbers game

I'm so tired this week and have no idea why! I met with my friend last night for a yummy Italian and I had my favourite pepperoni and chili pizza. I'm still not used to taking photos of all of my food so no pics from last night I'm afraid! So I didn't get a chance to run as we met early. Tonight I will get home from work just before 6pm and have to leave at half past to pick my dad up for our hospital visit so no time to run again although I'm hoping to get out once I get home and if it's dark just keep to my village roads. 

So I finally got around to changing my age on my main page --------->

I think I was delaying as an attempt to desperately hold on to my youth. 

I can't believe it has been 9 years since I finished school, 7 years since I started uni, and 7 years since my mum & I had a huge argument because she wanted to throw me an 18th birthday party and I refused because I hate the spotlight being on me. 

I met DC almost 5 years ago, left home for the first time 6 years ago, and have been a homeowner for over a year. My BABY brother is now 21. 

Where does the time go?

Dans x

How many days until the weekend

Today summed up In one word is HECTIC. Work was so crazy busy but I liked it. Everyone in the business, we are talking 24,000 people here, moved over to a new email platform today and me being one of the trained 'Champions' was inundated with calls all day. 

I didn't eat my ham salad until 3pm, had no fruit, and only had one glass of water all day and I think this really impacted on my first run of the week. 

Week 3 - 30 minutes 

1/4 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

It was tough, but I enjoyed it. My shin was playing up towards the end of my run but it tends to clear up between runs so I'm hoping I can shake it off. There were a lot of runners out on the trail today and it was really motivating. I knew a run would be a good idea today to clear my mind from a busy day at work so I'm glad I went. 

I prepared this harissa chicken meal before I left and just left it to cook with DC in charge of stirring it every 5 mins.

It looks a bit mushy but it's actually delicious. It's originally from the weightwatchers Sept mag. It's just chicken thighs, butternut squash, harissa pasta, green beans, chicken stock and bulgar wheat. You cook the chicken off first before adding everything to the pan before simmering it until the juice is absorbed and the squash is cooked. It's DELICIOUS. 

All topped off with one of my favourite naughty desserts ever. 

The plan for the rest of the evening is to lay on the sofa and watch Broadwalk Empire. Perfect plan for a Monday night!

Dans x

I have to tell you about the most amazing run ever

Do you remember how I thought Tuesday's run was the best run ever? I was pretty wrong about that. I got home from the hospital tonight just after 7 and knew I didn't really have time to run but I also knew that I had made a promise to myself to run 4x25 mins this week, with today and tomorrow having to include a run. I already had it in my mind that today wouldn't be a fast run because Tuesday's was so great, plus my shin had started niggling again. 

So I got out there and beat Tuesday's best run ever with the actual best best run ever ever. 

Week 2 - 25 minutes 

1/4 Tuesday: 3.79km, 6:36min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 3.95km, 6:20min/km av pace

3/4 Thursday: 4.08km, 6:08min/km av pace

I really smashed it today! I don't know whether it was a thought of 'life's too short' coming from the hospital today, but I completely went for it and exceeded myself more than I thought I could. 

One thing I think really helped me was my boss. He's a triathlete. He asked me how my running was going and I explained that I wasn't racing the Leicester Half Marathon in October any more because I hurt my knee and shin on my 10k race and it kind of put me off. So he got up out of his big MD's chair and proceeded to demonstrate how he thinks I am running (foot out first instead of knee) and how maybe I can change to improve (run from the bum and use the knees more to avoid heel strike). 

I have to admit I wasn't really listening to my boss. 

1) I didn't really want to talk about bums with my MD

2) he is, his words not mine, a bad runner

3) all I could think about was the gazillion things on my to-do list to complete before 5pm

But then I thought back to the lorry driver on my run the other day who assumed he was qualified in running enough to tell me to lift my knees up. So I thought I had nothing to lose by doing it. IT WORKED. I ran amazingly. It improved my pace and distance. I may make more of an effort to listen to strangers (and my boss) in future. 

And I'm so happy with my run that I'm even willing to show you a post run sweat-fest photo 

I had to hurry up and take this photo as the sweat was literally running and stinging my poor eyes. I don't think I will ever learn to take my face off before running, because for the 5 mins it takes to cleanse, tone and moisturise I am certain I will lose the motivation to run. 

Dans x

The best run and a pause in eating well

Isn't it funny how the best runs are always the ones you don't look forward to? I was so uninspired yesterday afternoon that my mentality had shifted and the last thing I wanted to do was run. As soon as I stepped through the door at home, this conversation happened:

Me: "I really don't want to run. How was your day?"

DC: "good thanks I-"

Me: "actually can you hold that thought because I need to run and if I sit down it just won't happen"

So off I went on run 2/4 before I had a chance to change my mind. And I actually did the best run ever. Not as good or fast as I was pre-running break, but it made me feel good all the same. 

Week 2 - 25 minutes 

1/4 Tuesday: 3.79km, 6:36min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 3.95km, 6:20min/km av pace

There's some improvement right there! I have a day off running today but I'll see how the rest of the week goes. Needless to say I came in from the run feeling great and glad that I went. It's always the way. 

DC made sausage pasta and we chilled for the rest of the night watching Boardwalk Empire #3 which has just arrived from Lovefilm. We are addicted. 

BTW I just took a temporary pause from my healthy eating plan for 4 hours. I was too busy at work to eat breakfast so I made up for it with a crunchie. It was actually amazing. 

Dans x

A new goal and some amazing news

My new goal for this week is 4x 25min runs, and I need to get them in before Saturday evening. I didn't run on my birthday, and I completely bypassed Monday, so I thought I'd better get on with it today and  got my first run out of the way. I felt good breaking through the 20 min barrier, but running is still tough for me and I'm going much slower. 

I only took a month off and I can't believe I used to run over 25km a week! I'm hoping to keep building it up again week by week, and then I can work on my pace. I might even switch to miles and try to start racking up one long run a week. 

DC told me to leave dinner up to him today. I got home and fancied putting the potatoes in the oven for an hour to get them really crispy. Usually we cheat and microwave them before putting them in the oven for 10 mins. DC then realised that he had bought everything for a jacket potato meal... Except the potatoes. Men! Must be the return to school. But I can't feel too bad for him on his first day back when he has had six weeks off!

So tonight we got the amazing news that DC's cousin and her partner are expecting their first baby. HOW AMAZING! It will be the first baby of our generation so that's super exciting. I couldn't be happier for them. Eeeeee!!!

Dans x

Lacing up the trainers

Well I finally did it! Only a 20 minute run but at least I did it. I would say it was an easy run but that would be lying, it was way hard. But it also really hot. 

It took some tough love from DC. I've been feeling a bit emotional lately and was feeling sorry for myself, and he told me to stop wallowing and do something that I know would make me feel better such as go running. He told me that I was undoing all the hard work and effort I put into getting my fitness up to a great level, and I know he was right but I didn't want to hear it (and I hate it when he's right).

I went without music, down the trail and there were lots of families picking berries from the bushes, maybe I need to get down and do that!

Even though it was tough, DC was right (dammit) because I felt great afterwards. 

So my goal for this week is to complete 3 more 20 min runs before the end of Saturday. I'm determined to do it, e cause I know I can do it. 

However I may need some luck so if you could wish me that, that'd be great!

Dans x

Minute by minute: the first run after a month off

So I've been putting off running for a while, using the excuse that I was 'having a rest'. I knew that I just had to get the first run out of the way, but I also knew how hard it was going to be after a month off, so I've been chickening out. And I've definitely not been getting up to my 5.30am alarm to try and run in the mornings.

So today after work I bit the bullet and went for it. I was aiming for 20 mins, and I managed 25 mins down the trail near to my house. Here's how it went.

Minute 1: Wow, I forgot how good it feels to run
Minute 2: Ok, I forgot how hard it is to get into a good rhythm
Minute 4: Boy, running in the heat is really lame compared to running in the winter
Minute 5: Must remember to buy some running shorts, these leggings are no good in the sun
Minute 6: I wish I had bought some music on my run
Minute 7: Was I struggling this much by minute 7 before?
Minute 9: Almost half way there, but jesus am I going slow!
Minute 10: Maybe it's easier if I remember to breathe
Minute 11 (going across an industrial estate zebra crossing): "Lift your knees up!" said the car letting me cross
Minute 11.20: Who the hell is that trying to tell me how to run?
Minute 11.40: Ok maybe I'm doing a Phoebe run and everyone's watching me thinking how bad my form is
Minute 12: Why do I care how my running form is and what other people think of me? I'm running for fun now, remember
Minute 13: OK maybe I should just lift my knees up a bit and see what happens...
Minute 13:30: Wow, this really makes you go faster!
Minute 14: Forget this, it's far too much hard work, I'll just run how I want to run
Minute 15: I need to thank that man for these last 4 minutes passing so quickly
Minute 16: Here comes the sweat
Minute 18: OK, I can do this, it's not so bad
Minute 19: I'm sure my legs just.won't.move.any.faster
Minute 20: 6 minute 45 average km? Wow I've really lost all of my fitness in the last month and all that hard work has gone down the drain
Minute 21: Maybe I should have drank more water
Minute 22: I am so close to the end now but I just.can't.run.any.more
Minute 23: How the hell did I used to run for an hour?
Minute 24: Ouch, ouch, pain in my chest, but can't stop, can't stop, so close to the end...
Minute 25: THANK GOD FOR THAT

Dans x

I did it! 10k race report...

I trained for 16 weeks, I ran through wind and rain and shin splints, jumped over dog leads and followed my blown off cap a few times down the road, and this is what I have to show for it...

10k in 45:52!!

I was so proud of myself, I actually had a tear or two as soon as I crossed the finishing line. It was the hardest run of my life.

We got there pretty early yesterday and saw a lot of the 5k-ers leaving and walking through town, everyone seemed in really good spirits. I had heard it was supposed to be the hottest day of the year, but whilst we were waiting around it was cloudy and breezy, and I thought 'brilliant, perfect running conditions'. But then the sun came, and it was HOT. The Race for Life team don't release the route until the day, and when we got there we realised we'd be racing on grass. I completely missed the boat when it came to training on different surfaces, and I'd never ran on grass before. This was the first lesson I learnt!

We did a brilliant cancer slam dance beforehand and had a couple of PTs on the stage taking us through a warm up (I only managed about 7 squats before I thought hmm my legs are not going to actually make the run, and giving up) and then we were split into runners and walkers and were ready to go. I was only about 3 rows back from the front of the race so it only took a couple of seconds out of the time.

I ran the first couple of kms really well I thought, but I couldn't believe how tough it was running on the grass. I tried to keep up with a couple of people at the start but then thought it was best not to as I knew I was running much faster than usual. So I went at my own pace however come km 3 the sun was starting to become a bit overpowering. I saw my parents on km 3, and my dad passed over my water bottle although I couldn't get anything out of it which was really annoying. I saw them again at 4, but the same happened again so I grabbed a cup whilst running past the water station, and ended up chucking it all down me - how hard is it to run and drink from a cup!!

I remember the middle of the race being really, really tough. I was so happy for the shaded areas but we weren't in them for long before we were back out running in the heat. It was SO HOT, I have never ran in anything like it before and it was really taking it out of me. But looking back at my splits, I realised after the race that at the times I thought I was going at a snail's pace, I was actually hitting 06:02/km which was an amazing pace for me seems as a 06:00/km average was my aim to complete the 10km in an hour. But when there's so many people passing you, it feels like you're the slowest one!

The next kms came around really fast and I saw my parents again at 7km and 8km. I tried to look around me to keep my mind off of the running and it was great to have so many people clapping and cheering you on, obviously waiting for their loved ones to come around the route but nevertheless they gave their energy to everyone and it was great.

I was a bit happier after 9km as I knew it was the final one, and I had someone running beside me, so we were encouraging each other over the last km. The BEST THING about the race was the final 0.5km was that the barriers were up leading to the finish line and it was packed full of people clapping and cheering you on. I remember running past them all with a huge smile on my face thinking WOW, I have done this!!! It was honestly the best feeling in the world, made better when I saw my Dad right next to the finish line.

And then I saw 45:52 and thought wowwweeeeee! I was really proud of myself to have completed it.

My sis walked the race, we were both planning to run it but due to her hernia she was advised against running it by her doctor, so she walked the race in 1:27:00 which was also a brilliant time!

Now here's the bad part. My runkeeper registered the race at 8.00km. So yep, the race apparently was 2km short. I don't understand how this could happen? I knew my time was mega fast and then it all made sense. But I am taking my time, just like everyone else took their time away on the day feeling happy with themselves, but I am disappointed that the race was so short and that if I was to ever compete again in another 10k, I would obviously never ever in a million years beat my time. If I had carried on at the same pace I would have finished in 57mins, which shot my 60min aim out of the water, and I wish I hadn't have set my Runkeeper, but knowing this kind of made me feel as though I cheated myself a little bit by telling everyone I did 45:52.

Photos from the day:

 Sis and I pre race

 

 Katie mid walk!

 Sneaky pic of me mid-run!

 

 Post race happiness!

 

 

 Dans x

Week 15 training roundup...

Week 15

Activities: 3

Distance covered: 23.8 km

Average pace: 6.35 min/km

Calories burned: 1,537

Time spent 2:36:44

A good week back on track!
 

Sunday: 9.13km run

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 5.56km run

Wednesday: rest day

Thursday: rest day

Friday: rest day

Saturday: 9.10km run

 

So even though I've been slacking off on my reporting, I have been running promise!!! I wrote about my disappointment in How to get back into running when you've been a lazy slob for 10 days after I had given up on a run and stopped half way through for the first time since I started training all of those weeks ago.

But then I was determined to start afresh this week and I've succeeded ever since. I am now on week 15 and it is less than 2 weeks until race day!!! I can't believe it's coming around so fast.

So last week I realised I have been running less, only 3 times a week, but the distances I've covered have more than made up for that. Because I want to complete my 10k race in 60 minutes, I did a couple of 1 hour runs throughout the week to see how far I could cover during that time. I was hoping to improve each time but as you can see, Saturday was only 0.04km off beating my distance on Sunday! I've been running at quite an easy, good pace and I know I can push myself further but I'm so worried about burning out that I've been running quite slowly and then trying to make up for it in the last 5 minutes!

I'm hoping for a couple more long runs this week to hopefully try and get closer to my race day pace. Fingers crossed!

Dans x

Pick of the week #13

 

1. Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1 Make Up - £4.99 Boots
I found a tester of this in my make up drawer so I must have pulled it out of a magazine at one point. I was surprised that the tester was a 'light' shade as usually

2. Floral Bandeau Playsuit - £25.00 Topshop
The photo of this doesn't do it justice. It looks great and is the perfect look and fabric for a beach holiday. It's one of those playsuits that you can throw on every day on holiday and you'd look great.

3. Knitted mint jumper - £38.00 Topshop
The colour of this jumper in the flesh is gorgeous; perfect for spring and you can wear it with shorts, throw it over a dress, or wear it with jeans. It's versatile and I love it.

4. Garmin Forerunner 10 - £99.00 Tesco
I'm still at the stage where I'm running holding my iPhone (bad I know), so on my wishlist is this pink GPS watch, which will track all of my activity without the heavy load. And even better, if you buy this pink version from Tesco they will donate £5 of every purchase to Breast Cancer Care.

5. Sleeveless smock dress - £25.00 River Island
This dress also looks much better in the flesh. I love the loose fitting smock dresses, but I have to be careful that they don't make me look bigger than I am although I love the fit of this one. I bought it on Friday and it's perfect for the summer weather at the minute.

Dans x

A break in training

There is no update for last week's training... because there was no training! On Bank Holiday Monday I came down with an awful headache and thought I'd feel better getting out in the sun but come Tuesday I woke up with a full blown cold... blocked head, aching jaw, hurting teeth (weird right?), chesty cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, stuffy nose... running nose... this pattern continued for a whole SEVEN days. Well today is Monday and I'm still sat here with a whacking headache, blocked ears and stuffy nose. When will this end?!?!?

So I have been feeling terrible all week and there wasn't a chance of me going for a run, my chest just wouldn't allow it. So I've stayed in all week, wishing I could muster the energy to get out but knowing that it wouldn't do me any good what so ever.

I got home from work today and although I still feel rubbish, I'm much better than I was so I got changed into my running clothes and made it outside in between a few windy showers. I only lasted for 2.5km until my chest completely gave up on me and I coughed all the walk home. But I'm so glad I got out after 8 days - I found that not running and the lack of fresh air made me really grouchy. I'm going to try 3.0km tomorrow and then build it up gradually as I don't want to make myself poorly again or do too much too soon.

I'm hoping to cover 15km by the end of the week so here goes, back to it!

Dans x

Week 12 training roundup...

Week 12

Activities: 2

Distance covered: 13.0 km

Average pace: 6.23 min/km

Calories burned: 825

Time spent 1:23:10

Eeeek.
 

Sunday: rest day

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 5.00km run

Wednesday: rest day

Thursday: rest day

Friday: 8.00km run

Saturday: rest day

 

Oops. Not a good week this week with running. I have been soooo busy, I had planned runs but just didn't get the chance. I was feeling pretty low on energy all week, and had a really bad run on Tuesday where I don't think I ate the right food at work beforehand, and I changed my route which was really flat, so I completely burned out on the very first km and had to try really hard to not be sick, and ended up jog / walking the last 4km out and home. It was the first bad run I've had for my whole training period and I felt ill for the whole night so it really shook me up.

Wednesday I collected my new car and Thursday is my usual day off for weightwatchers. Friday I knocked out an 8km run, my longest so far, and it was tough but I'm really pleased I achieved it. Saturday morning I was supposed to run 5km but we had our friend's wedding that day and DC's new shirt didn't fit so we had to run into town that morning to go and get it changed.

These are my excuses this week... I need to try harder! My laziest training week so far since I started running.

Dans x