Archives for Regular Runs category
Posted on Feb 03, 2012 under 5 miles, 5-10k, Milestones, Regular Runs |
4 days since my last odd little run, and seeing as it was a bright day decided to do my first day time run in ages. With race season approaching I need to start getting used to running earlier, and while evening runs in the dark have had their own appeal during the winter, it was good to get out and have the sun in my eyes today!
This run saw me setting off in appropriate running kit, ie jogging pants and hoody top, thermal hat, and shades. It was at least half way and a big hill before I even started sweating it was that cold! Decided it would be nice to run through the woods so set off in that direction, enjoying the contrast between the glorious sunshine and the freezing air. The pavements were thankfully clear of ice but there were lots of water filled ruts and pockmarks in the woods that were filled with frozen solid water showing how cold it was.
Kept a steady pace not pushing too hard as all I really wanted to do was run 5 miles and enjoy it, not really too bothered about a time. At about 5k the massive Stockport Road incline loomed and I took the opportunity to pause for a second to remove my Nike running beanie hat! Then it was up the hill with just a little pause for breath as I crossed – it’s a tough hill that one!
Once the hill was negotiated I kept going, noticing my pace was a little quicker without more effort, which usually happens with hills! I was starting to feel the pinch a little, and so slowed and just concentrated on getting to 7k, so I could decide how to run the last KM. I put in some pace towards the end, nearly collided with a pair of pensioners coming round a corner to a chorus of “Good god he nearly frightened me to death” for which I dutifully apologised, and then it was a stagger to make the last half km.
Stopped my trust Garmin in a time of 51:56, one of my fastest 5 milers since November last year, and since it included the hill I am very pleased with it. Can’t recall a sub 50 five mile run for some time, and of course the heady days of almost running sub 40 are way back in 2010 – maybe 2012 will be the year I get some pace and speed endurance back 
Posted on Jan 18, 2012 under 5-10k, nutrition, Regular Runs, Slow Runs |
As the deadline looms for my latest Uni assignment I have been putting the finishing touches to it and have developed a sort of tunnel vision, in order to fully concentrate on getting it done. Unfortunately this means I have not been eating quite as well as I might normally – been snacking quite a bit today and having forgotten to eat something in between frantic research, ended up eating a chocolate bar…
All of which was not good for my run, I knew I wanted to get a run in to clear my head after a day handcuffed to the laptop, and felt OK as I got out into the cold and set off. Felt fine for a couple of kilometres and then started to just sense that something wasn’t quite right. I had a plan of doing 7k in my head, but by the time I got to 4k I was starting to get really puffy and feel very hungry. I had to stop and walk a few times, and did consider trying to get through to 7k by hook or by crook. I revised this down to 4 miles but as I was going to pass my house on reaching 6k, with cupboards full of food, I decided to call it a day and settle for the 6k.
Felt fairly puffed out and tired from the run, but knew it was down to not having eaten properly, so will try not to make that mistake again!
Posted on Jan 13, 2012 under 5-10k, Regular Runs |
A day cooped up with an assignment had made me feel quite irritable, and although I slept a bit better last night, by early evening I thought I was going a little bit crazy! Rather then throw the laptop and notes out of the window, I thought a run would help blow away the cobwebs so I put the laptop to sleep for a bit, and got my running kit on.
Planned to do 6k and if feeling good make it up to 4 miles. Felt pretty cold outside and my breath was pluming, willed the Garmin to find a signal so I could get going. Had been feeling a non specific tenderness in right hamstring area so wondered if it would affect the running, as it didn’t seem related to it.
Set off at relaxed pace and felt no problems with leg, was feeling quite pleased about getting more use out of my old Glide 2s, as I think I’ve been erring on the side of caution a bit too much when swapping to new pairs and think there is life in these yet – as was to be proved a little later in the run!
Planned a route in my head once I got going and settled into what would be my longest run for a while. Ran past my old school and some familiar places, and decided to head down Egerton street past another school. In the distance I could see a couple of runners, who seemed to be going quite sedately, and wondered if I could catch them, and since I felt good I turned on the speed (such as it is for me!) a bit, and was soon level with them, at which point I noticed they were walking rather than jogging! Even so, I flew past them and it was then, for about 100 metres or so, that the Adidas Supernova Glides lived up to their name, as it felt like I was gliding along, and motoring too… Probably a bit of an endorphin rush at that point! I knew I couldn’t maintain that pace so slowed again, wanting to make the 4 miles, but I didn’t feel any ill effects from it and it’s good to know I can still switch gears like that, will be good preparation for the race season.
I managed the last few kms more sedately and the loop was perfect as I finished the 4 miles right at my front door.
Now I feel ready to take another look at the mental rubik’s cube this assignment is turning into
Posted on Jan 11, 2012 under 5-10k, 5k, Regular Runs |
Still not sleeping well lately, but I heard magnesium and calcium can be good for insomnia so I got my Boots double points and threshold tokens and stocked up on my vitamins and minerals, including some iron, and will see if this helps!
Meanwhile, back to the running, it had been raining earlier and not having slept was in two minds about a run, but knowing that this weekend I have some things on where I can’t run, I thought I’d better get at least a short sharp run in, so got my jogging pants and top on and ventured out.
It felt quite mild, and had stopped raining, so as soon as the Garmin found a signal I set off at what felt like a fairly brisk pace – however the first km ticked over in 6:40 so it seemed to be my usual pattern of thinking I am running slower or faster than I really am continues! I felt good and seemed to speed up in reality after that, posting two sub 6 min kms as part of the run, including the last one which was 5:47. I had hoped to get under 31 minutes once I got going and felt ok, but had to motor hard in that last km to make it with just 10 seconds to spare.
Next target is to break 30 minutes again, and will factor in a few longer runs now I seem to be back from the colds and distractions of Christmas.
Meanwhile, I have assignments to do for my Uni Course too!
Posted on Jan 08, 2012 under 5k, Regular Runs |
Just a quiet Sunday 5k – was dark but didn’t feel all that cold. Had sleeping pill last night as been sleeping atrociously, so may have been a bit of hangover from that, but managed to trot round, no fireworks but a run’s a run!
Posted on Dec 01, 2011 under 5-10k, 5k, Regular Runs, Tempo Runs |
Not run since my 4 miler on Sunday, and had a quiet slot this afternoon, so went out for first daytime run in a while.
Seemed pretty cold as I set off, having had to fiddle with Garmin as had somehow got it set on bike/kmph mode without having touched the settings!
Felt I was going a bit quick and the first k ticket over in 6:01 – not far off my fastest pace of late, and I tried to slow it down but ended up putting in consistently under 6 minutes for the next 4k, including a couple of 5:36 kms which is pretty fast for me at this stage so it can be called a tempo run I think! Slowed in the final km as this pace took its tool and it took me a while to recover, but I do seem to be picking up with every run, and hopefully th 2 month layoff won’t have taken off too much fitness, and I definitely feel I am running more comfortably than I was over the summer!
Posted on Nov 20, 2011 under 5-10k, 5k, Regular Runs |
A dark, cold, rainy 5k, which was quite enjoyable. Ran around the local estate, had a few stops to tie pants and for traffic, but still broke the 32 minute barrier, with a more consistent split, was pretty pooped by the end!
Posted on Nov 16, 2011 under 5-10k, 5k, Regular Runs |
Another late run after an afternoon spent lunching and looking a Mummies in the Manchester Museum (not talking yummy mummies of course!) with a dear friend.
So wanted to get a run in so got he kit on and headed out into the cold dark November evening. Garmin took a while to find a signal, then I set off, scaring a youth eating his chips and gravy by flying past him. Realised I might be going a tad too quick so slowed to an easier pace and kept going, as 3k came up felt good and upped the pace, until an uphill stretch slowed me somewhat but managed a final km in 5:59 which is not a bad pace at this stage!
All in all felt good and almost 2 minutes off Sunday’s 5k outing – hard to believe this is only my 4th run back! The swimming must have helped keep up my base fitness 
Posted on Nov 14, 2011 under 5-10k, 5k, Jogs, Milestones, Regular Runs |
Seem to be running about once a week at the moment, with some swimming thrown in. Don’t generally run in the dark but today had some stuff on and it got to evening, but wanted to squeeze a run in. Was quite cold. Set off slowly and cautiously but after 2-3k was feeling OK and managed to speed up in the last km.
Running at night was an interesting experience, especially through the local estates. Of particular interest was waiting for the oases of street lamps so I could see the Garmin readout without trying to fiddle to put the light on.
First run I have managed since starting again without having to stop for walk breaks, and managed 5k as a bonus, am definitely on the comeback trail and the first 2 short comeback runs have paid off, and the swimming has been helping too!
Am planning a 10k run in Tatton Park week before Christmas with a very good friend, looks like I could be on schedule to make it!
Posted on Nov 06, 2011 under Easy Runs, Regular Runs, Slow Runs, Swimming |
Well I am slowly on the comeback trail at a rate of 2.5 miles a week at the moment! Have been swimming during the week, as after last week’s run, gosh, did I know I had legs – talk about aches! Took several days to walk easy again! A 50 length swim session helped, and doing front crawl is helping with the cardiovascular fitness I think, or at least maintaining what the runs do without further impact on the legs.
Today it seemed pretty cold albeit sunny so put on the jogging pants for the first time with my long sleeve technical top. There was certainly a nip in the air and I could smell smoke from the fireworks of the night before! Once the Garmin picked up a signal I set off and maintained a steady pace, oddly enough running past the same lady and dog as last week, in the same place, though this time it left me alone!
Was breathing hard at 1k and rather than go out of my comfort area I kept a slow pace and also circled through streets to keep close to home. At 2k I was still going, and after deciding to do 2 miles and see how I felt, I started to envisage doing 4k. At 2.6k I took a bit of a walk break to cross a road, and then another when a car blocked the pavement, but apart from that there was much less walking than last week, and I didn’t feel quite as dead when I finished. I pretty much ran the last KM, and clocked the 4k in 26:09, so a minute quicker than last week.
I hope the aches and pains go away more quickly this time too!!!!!
