fairweatherrunner

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Tag Archives: Janathon


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Recovery run

I felt much better today and decided I needed to get some fresh air after 2 days indoors. Having slept over 12 hours last night, and missed parkrun, a little exercise would also be a good idea if I felt up to it.  I’d already missed 2 days of Janathon activity. It was windy so I discounted cycling,  being a bit woozy and cycling in strong winds was maybe not the best idea.  So  got my kit on and went off for a brief run or walk, or whatever my legs felt like.

I felt good and it became a run.  I  had to ease off reminding myself it was all about recovery, getting some fresh air and some blood pumping around my legs.  I think the wind pushing me uphill helped my pace and good feeling.  While running I was trying to remember when I last ran by myself. I have been to BMF and parkrun in the past few months and joined in with my local Sweatshop running group less recently, but when did I last get out the door and run alone?

I got home to research and discover that my last totally solo run was on 10th June and titled ‘first run since VLM! Today’s run was maybe a recovery in more ways than I thought.

Janathon day 10.   3 miles run

First solo run since Juneathon, first solo run of Janathon..

My  next goal for Janathon, a first run back at BMF run club or with sweatshop running group.


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Starting Over

Dusting down my long neglected blog for Janathon.

I lost my way with running after the London Marathon this year. To be honest I found I didn’t enjoy my runs anymore so didn’t want to get out there. I didn’t turn up for my favourite 10K race, I half heartedly participated in Juneathon trying to find my mojo and walked myself round the Ealing Half Marathon in record slow time because I just didn’t have the motivation for mind over matter to keep running when my legs ached a little. And not feeling like running meant not feeling like blogging or particularly having anything worthwhile to say.

But deep down I missed running.  And missed it not only because of the green eyed envy reading others’ success and joy with running but for something else. Something that’s hard to describe. I was cycling loads and getting my fix of fresh air and of course still going to British Military Fitness ((where a fair bit of running happens) albeit many times hiding in the slower group) but every so often at a good session where I was on form, did lots of running or had a really good hard sprint I got a bit of that old feeling back and thought about running some more.

So in November I quietly decided to start again from the beginning. I thought about the sort of runs that I had enjoyed before and decided to concentrate on those. I would start with shorter distances and ignite my love of a bit of speed, I would dust off my barcode and get back to parkrun, get social, meet a few buddies and chase a few PBs. I would concentrate first on just adding 5K a week to my BMF classes and cycling by going to parkrun every Saturday that month.

That’s where I’m at. I ran 5 parkruns in November (and one in Dec) to reach 25 at 12 venues. My goal is to earn my 50 shirt, get around more venues in 2015 and maybe grab a 5K PB. Slowly I will add an occasional 10K race and get myself back to running club. I might even get out on my own for a Long Slow Run one day. But one day at a time.

So Janathon is the start of my journey to get back my love of running in 2015.


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Just another day…

Yesterday was the last day of Janathon.

Time to round up my running mileage from 99 to 100? Or  110 as suggested by @abradypus!  And what do I round up my 61 miles cycled to?

But this isn’t the end for me. Far from it. I’ve got 2 more months of marathon training so will be carrying on exactly the same.  Plus some, as I get into the peak of my training and on to very long runs .

I will still blog on a regular basis but won’t be blogging everyday, which is the hardest bit of Janathon.   It will actually be good to spend less time trying to think of something to write, getting it down on screen, corrected, re written and have more time to read other people’s blogs.  I have a big backlog of Janathon blogs to start with.

So yesterday, it not really being the end,  but just another Friday I did the same as I usually do on Fridays.  I pedalled to Hyde Park where I did a BMF class.  It was a normal BMF class (as far as any BMF class can be normal)  with rather too many burpees, a lot of squats and many laps running around a triangle (a big one, it was about 400m,), all finished off with a couple of sprint races  My team won both,  I’m good a chosing fast team mates! Then I cycled home with a very cold wet bottom (blooming V sits) and freezing hands (press-ups and planks in a puddle which soaked my gloves).

It was also another typical Friday because I failed to blog. Last week I was feeling blah and fell asleep.  Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon visiting a friend in hospital with two other friends but by the time I got home (horrible dark cold wet evening and slooooow tube trains), cooked and ate dinner and sat down with a film and glass of wine it was already late and my mind was even blanker than usual.

Janathon day 31.  5 miles cycled, 1 BMF class (3 miles running)

Janathon 2014.  102 miles run, 67 miles cycled.


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Coldest Wettest

Run yet…

Plan A was to run first thing and then get on with work all invigorated and smug having got my run over with.  But it was raining and cold this morning so I moved on to Plan B.  According to my iPhone weather app the rain would clear or ease by mid day so I would work until then and have a lunchtime run.  It continued to rain and I did get some work done but started to get  thoughts about plan C, to run this evening. However the thought of dark and wet run didn’t appeal one bit so I ended up with plan D.  I went out when there was just enough daylight left for my planned 8 miles.

It was raining when I got out the door, it rained all through my run and it was still raining when I got home.  It was cold, the rain stung.  Any target pace or need to do a couple of intervals in the middle of my run fell by the wayside.  I pressed go on my Garmin, put my head down and just got on with it at whatever pace my legs would do (give or take up hills. slow pedestrians and down hills).  It wasn’t one of those nice “I didn’t look at my pace but it turned out pretty good” runs but it wasn’t too shoddy either.

I followed the same route as a previous run (8.21 miles) but must have cut a half mile corner somewhere or other because I got home at 7.73 miles. Today was not a round-up sort day. Once in sight of my door I was heading straight in for a hot drink and to get warm and dry!  Unfortunately that shortcut was at a price –  I assumed today I would reach 100 miles for the month but once logged it for Janathon I have had to settle on a nice round 99!

Janathon day 29   7.73 miles run

Janathon totals; 99 miles run, 61 miles cycled.


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Not a rest day

After a long run yesterday I, not for the first time, rather madly went to BMF for my recovery work out. I did however take the car because although my legs felt fine they drew the line at cycling in the cold. I thought it would be good to give them a chance of trying BMF without the warm up cycle to see if they fared any better. They didn’t. But I really think that a BMF class after a long run is very good experience of what it feels like to try and run on absolute empty. And when we were having that final sprint to the end I told myself it was like the last 6 miles of a marathon as my eyes went blurred and I came over dizzy. Fortunately today it was only a few hundred yards dash to a lamppost. I did get there first, but then all the faster runners had a handicap of having to do twice as many burpees than me before the dash to the line!

The good bit, as well as the hot chocolate afterwards, is that tomorrow is a rest day (from running) to look forward to.

Janathon day 27. 1 BMF class (3 miles run plus a few other forms of overexertion)


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A good long run

I was rather late getting out for my long run today.  It probably had something to do with the box of empties which I put out for recycling this morning!

When I did get out I had a really good enjoyable run and was thankful for many things today…

  • My delayed run meant the rain was easing when I left home
  • The cool light drizzle during the first half hour washed away the last of my thick head
  • A group of youths cycling on the pavement actually apologised that I had to detour to avoid them!
  • The peace and quiet of 4 (more empty than normal) London Parks on a wet Sunday
  • Only being asked directions by 2 sets of tourists
  • The loo attendant letting me in at 2 mins past 4pm when she was about to lock up
  • A good feeling run on what ended up being a beautiful afternoon when the rain cleared.
  • Getting to my door and my Garmin reading 12.01 miles!  Job done.

Janathon day 26.  12 miles run

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Dogs…

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I love dogs and one day, when I spend less time in London and/or we retire I hope to have one of my own.

However. I hate dog owners (probably a paid dog walker who doesn’t care less) who do not pick up after their dogs in Hyde Park. I wonder if a loving dog owner would like to drop down and give me 5 (press-ups) and find their hand in their darling pooches business? And then be unlucky enough on the same morning to get a knee full?

Enough said. I got unlucky while doing too many burpees this morning! Fortunately there were lots of puddles to wash hands and knees in and wet grass to roll/wipe my knees on. I was also sensible not to touch my face for the rest of the class, and even after a hand wipe not to touch any food until I’d scrubbed and soaked in the bath!

So please think when you are out walking a dog.  It might be you, or even your children, sitting in, rolling in or getting a handful of poo if you don’t pick it up.

Rant over.

Janathon day 22.  1 BMF class (3 miles run) 5 miles cycled.


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A dark one

Today’s run was a dark one.  I couldn’t run first(ish) thing (after waking up, drinking tea, chaffering pampered teenagers to school) because I had some deliveries scheduled for today.

Deliveries received, big piece of work finally completed, I had a pretty productive day. But then it was dark and I was feeling cold from sitting still all day. I have to admit all I wanted to do was collapse on the sofa with a glass of wine. But I rested yesterday, I knew I had to run for marathon training, Jantastic and Janathon so I pulled on a second layer and my long skins tights and forced myself out the door.

I went out thinking I’d dash off a ‘minimum’ 3 miler but as I started it wasn’t too bad although I had limited time. I knew I should really be running more like 5 or 6 miles with some intervals at 5K pace so compromised on 4 miles at HM pace (ish) in my (by then) over heated state.  To extend my loop I headed to the park but realised only when I got there that it was closed because it was dark and I would not be able to use that route for my turning right loop.  I carried on and then turned left for a different loop.  It was good to run new streets.  A few were a bit quiet and dark which sped me up but some were over busy and slowed me down with groups of people standing outside restaurants, bus queues and idiots walking along looking at their mobile phones.  At one stage I even had to hurdle a couple of rubbish bags!

Janathon day 21.  4.01  miles run.

I saw this on twitter today and laughed.  Tonight I got home at 3.94 miles, and yes, I ran past my door 3 times and got funny looks from passers-by running past them 3 times!

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A duathlon of sorts

 

I was up and out early again this morning (wah! I want my lie in!) to cycle to Hyde Park to meet Alma (@plustenner)  (but unfortunately not Carla (@-fit-flo), we missed you!) for the Hyde Park 10K.

 

HP10K

 

With no train or parking issues (which we had at Regents Park last month), we collected our race numbers and negotiated the loo queue well before the start.  A two lapped course on very familiar paths around the Serpentine.  I started well on target pace but struggled to get into it today and enjoy it.  There was a cold wind and I’d taken off my second layer to avoid over heating so I felt the cold for the first mile or so. I warmed up, but was then wishing it was only a 5K because my stomach was growling with hunger, bits of my legs ached and my mind was weakening.

My marathon plan gives me targets for each 4 week period.  This month it was to complete a sub 54 minute 10K.  No problem I thought, I ran 52.49 at Regents Park in December.  But finding it tough going between 4 and 6K today I was doubting being able to run under 55 minutes and had to grit my teeth and battle on.

I was eventually very happy to cross the line in 53.00. Job done, target achieved. It obviously wasn’t so bad a run as it felt at the time!

Alma and I were then met my Louise (@abradypus), after another long run for her, and we all went off for an essential part of marathon/ultra training…  Brunch.  Eggs, coffee etc and a catch up before I cycled home.  In fact as brunch was such an important part of the morning I think it should be seen as a training discipline in its own right and therefore my Janathon effort today was probably a triathlon not a duathlon!

Janathon day 19.   3.25 miles cycled, 10K run,  Brunch eaten, 3 miles cycled.


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New shoes

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The nice thing about marathon training is ‘having’ to get another pair of shoes so that I have two pairs to alternate and don’t get to marathon day and find my only wearable pair of running shoes are worn out.  When I noticed one of my current pairs, which I rotate for road running, was falling apart I took the opportunity of the Sales to get some new ones. (Yes, I know I’ve got many other pairs in the hallway – but only this model is right at the moment. As many of you will understand!)

I’ve worn them for short walks and cycling to wear them in this week but needed a suitable opportunity to run in them for the first time.  My midweek runs are beginning to increase in distance to make sure I get the miles in because I’m using BMF classes for 2 or 3 of my ‘runs’ each week. BMF is great for leg  strength (with all those squats lunges and burpees etc)  and for getting in some  flat-out sprints and fast paced short runs but the overall miles covered (about 3 miles a class on average) doesn’t give me excessive time on my feet in the marathon bank.

So today I bravely  went for an 8 mile run in my new shoes,  They were absolutely fine. They just felt a bit more cushioned and springy (can’t be a bad thing) but otherwise similar to my old pair which are pretty much the same model.

What I was worried about was forgetting to pick up my water bottle on the way out.  I needn’t have worried because plenty fell from the sky! (and the water fountains worked.)  At least running in the rain made me run at a good constant pace without really noticing.  I am now asking very nicely of the weather gods,  if they have any significant weather in mind for marathon day please can it be rain and not a heat wave!

Janathon day 16  8.21 miles run.