I really should update this more at these early stages. So much seems to be happening but I really have no excuse as to why I'm not logging it all.
Anyway! I've done 5K :D I didn't intend to. I wanted to run for 20mins then 12mins with a walk break in between. It was boiling hot with no breeze whatsoever. I went to the park after work and set off. I even managed to find my way around the 5k course for the first time! I just kept running. I got to 20mins and wanted to carry on, so I did. I was worried heading towards the hill of death near that I wouldn't be able to make it to the top, but as I trudged up it I thought about why I originally started running - to do the Race for Life and raise money for Cancer Research UK. I knew the pain I was feeling then was absolutely nothing in comparison to people undergoing cancer treatment, or the emotional pain of people who have lost friends and family to cancer. I had no reason to stop running up that hill. I made it to the top and I was elated! Seeing stars, but elated :) I made it round what I thought was 5k, but was actually a couple of hundred metres short, in 33m3s. I couldn't believe I'd actually managed it, a whole month before I expected to!
I tried it again later on that week to see if it was a fluke. I did the whole 5k this time and managed it in 33m28s, which I was very happy with. Last Friday I did the same run again and made it around in 31m26s - a whole 2mins off the previous time!! Felt great. Well, the final sprint didn't, I thought I was dying, but it was worth it to get the new PB.
Last night I decided I'd go on a gentle run, a lot of it downhill, and go for a 40min run - the longest yet. Ross was picking me up at the end so I'd be home in time for the Sainsburys order and I seriously underestimated the distance I can run in 40mins. I ended up going most of the way to Bury and having to turn around so I could make it back to the pickup point in time. This, of course, meant that the final km or so was all uphill. Surprisingly, that was fine! I really enjoyed it all and felt like I could've carried on. I suppose that's the good thing about all of my previous runs being on undulating ground - it makes flat/downhill running a doddle!
I did do one new run at the weekend (2x 5k runs in 24 hours, woo!), thinking it'd be a nice easy run. I was wrong. Pretty much the first 2.5k was uphill, along with the final 0.5k. It was very hot and sunny, I thought I wouldn't be able to make it to the end of the 5k. I did, just. I suppose I must be enjoying it really :)
So now I have 13 days until the Race for Life. I had a dream last night where it was the day of the race and everything was going wrong. I was late, I'd forgotten my number, I had to start hours after everyone else, nobody cared when I'd finished. Woke up knackered!! I am not worried about the race now, I know I'll be able to finish it. I've never run with anyone before so I'm a bit concerned about people getting in my way, but I'm sure I'll be able to get into a rhythm. I'm also hoping it will be the same as the official 5k course I've been following, just so I know where I'm going and what's coming up.
In my usual overly-enthusiastic way, I've been looking for 10k races in the autumn. I've seen a 10k in York that sounds great, all around the city centre taking in the sights, but it's on 4th August. That gives me pretty much a month from now to get from a gentle 6k to a decent 10k. I'm asking people in the know whether it is a realistic goal. I suppose even if I have to walk a little bit it won't be the end of the world - it's way ahead of my original plan. I'm thinking it'd be a shame to miss it, but I also don't want to push myself too far too soon and risk injury. Compression socks are my best friend at the moment! We all know what I'll end up doing don't we...
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Ramble Ramble Ramble
I'm loving the great outdoors at the moment! After a bit (literally a bit, was expecting loads!) of over-indulgence over my birthday weekend, we went off to Ambleside on Sunday to walk up a fell. It was a beautiful day and we went up Loughrigg, which was breathtaking. It was a difficult ascent, being 1100ft of direct climb, but I was thrilled to feel like I could manage it in one go! I definitely wouldn't have been able to do that a few weeks ago. We both agreed it'd be great to go on a walking holiday in the Lake District, so watch this space!
Monday saw my return to work after half term, which was made even less bearable due to the glorious weather! I was supposed to be going to a military fitness class after work, but really felt no inclination to go as I wanted to be out on my own in the sunshine, not being shouted at by someone with an overactive power complex. I set out for a run, aiming to try a new route, and ended up being out in the evening sun for around an hour and a half! Of course, not all was running, but it was great. I ran for 20mins first, exploring somewhere new (and getting lost, of course!), then I walked up our local hill, another 1100ft ascent! It was hard work, but feels so much more do-able than the first time I did it. On the descent the path was littered with stones and rocks, so to avoid certain ankle-breakage I sprung, gazelle-like, onto a flatter path to the side. Well, that was the plan. In reality, my brain said 'legs, go there' and my legs said 'party time!!', which resulted in me hitting the ground quite hard. I'm now sporting a nice big bruise on my arm and a grazed knee - just as the weather gets good enough to wear skirts! Typical. Anyway the rest of the walk/run was uneventful and was lovely and relaxing.
Tuesday was spinning day. This time I booked in for a class that wasn't aimed at beginners, seeing as I didn't really feel challenged at the last one. This one had much better music and did push me more, but I still haven't experienced this sheer hell that people talk about when they say they go spinning. It was a good workout, but at no point did I feel like I couldn't do it. Going to sack that off for a bit now, it's expensive for what it is. I'd do it if it was included in a gym membership or something, but not at £6 a go. Besides, my actual bike should be ready soon so I can go spinning outside :) Or cycling, as it's more commonly referred to as.
When I got home I thought it'd be a good idea to start my 30 Day Shred dvd. How hard can a 20min home workout be? Well, very bloody hard! It was a lot harder than the spinning class and I was pouring with sweat afterwards. My arms and legs couldn't really take much more in terms of strength training. Definitely an efficient workout! I'm going to work through the whole 30 day program, although may end up missing a day or 2 here and there because of, well, having a life. I will probably also end up doing it with the sound down, not sure how much of her voice I can take!
I got on the scales this morning, interested to see what I'd lost after 6 weeks of running and healthy eating. I've put on 3lbs. Fantastic.
Anyway, off to Heaton Park for a run this evening. I've finally sussed out the official 5km course, so will follow that and aim to do my 2x12min runs.
Monday saw my return to work after half term, which was made even less bearable due to the glorious weather! I was supposed to be going to a military fitness class after work, but really felt no inclination to go as I wanted to be out on my own in the sunshine, not being shouted at by someone with an overactive power complex. I set out for a run, aiming to try a new route, and ended up being out in the evening sun for around an hour and a half! Of course, not all was running, but it was great. I ran for 20mins first, exploring somewhere new (and getting lost, of course!), then I walked up our local hill, another 1100ft ascent! It was hard work, but feels so much more do-able than the first time I did it. On the descent the path was littered with stones and rocks, so to avoid certain ankle-breakage I sprung, gazelle-like, onto a flatter path to the side. Well, that was the plan. In reality, my brain said 'legs, go there' and my legs said 'party time!!', which resulted in me hitting the ground quite hard. I'm now sporting a nice big bruise on my arm and a grazed knee - just as the weather gets good enough to wear skirts! Typical. Anyway the rest of the walk/run was uneventful and was lovely and relaxing.
Tuesday was spinning day. This time I booked in for a class that wasn't aimed at beginners, seeing as I didn't really feel challenged at the last one. This one had much better music and did push me more, but I still haven't experienced this sheer hell that people talk about when they say they go spinning. It was a good workout, but at no point did I feel like I couldn't do it. Going to sack that off for a bit now, it's expensive for what it is. I'd do it if it was included in a gym membership or something, but not at £6 a go. Besides, my actual bike should be ready soon so I can go spinning outside :) Or cycling, as it's more commonly referred to as.
When I got home I thought it'd be a good idea to start my 30 Day Shred dvd. How hard can a 20min home workout be? Well, very bloody hard! It was a lot harder than the spinning class and I was pouring with sweat afterwards. My arms and legs couldn't really take much more in terms of strength training. Definitely an efficient workout! I'm going to work through the whole 30 day program, although may end up missing a day or 2 here and there because of, well, having a life. I will probably also end up doing it with the sound down, not sure how much of her voice I can take!
I got on the scales this morning, interested to see what I'd lost after 6 weeks of running and healthy eating. I've put on 3lbs. Fantastic.
Anyway, off to Heaton Park for a run this evening. I've finally sussed out the official 5km course, so will follow that and aim to do my 2x12min runs.
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