Summertime

Lots of driving today, so great to get home and be able to run in the warm evening sun.  It is the best thing about that brief phenomena known as the English summer!

Andy helps break in my new shoes!

After a bit of pain in my left knee I decided to wear my new running shoes, (Asics Kayano 14, for the nerd in me);  after letting them sit in my cupboard unsullied for two months.   I figure that I must have run six to seven hundred miles in my previous pair, a good return I think?  I guess that must very roughly estimate to ten pence a mile.  

We ran from Market Overton in the north of Rutland, which required a snack and flask to be packed, just in case!  Really lovely run over fields, tracks and on road.  At a key junction, Andy gamely announced that it would be nice to run through a Wood, what I failed to hear was the reference to the boggy ground.  So, my new shoes are duly christened with mud, sweat and tears!  I shall remember this moment in Berlin!

A little bit of Americana

Last weekend wherever I went there seemed to be a plethora of Rolls Royce cars, either on the road in in car parks and from every era, 1920's onward.  For this morning's run from home I ran out of my village toward Wing and lo and behold what should I see, not not more RR's, but four Cadillac's in convoy or would that be a posse?  Club triathlon this afternoon, should be fun!

Runs and hair cuts

After our somewhat damp Rutland Round run from Ketton to Empingham, we retired for a drink.  Other than the fact that I found that my fellow drinkers are more adept at emptying their glasses than me, the conversation turned to the trauma of getting your hair cut in Rutland - apparently more to it than meets the eye!

Canal running

Ran this morning along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bradford on Avon to Trwobridge in Wiltshire. A lovely morning and a kingfisher as a bonus. Running after a late night is always a bit harder, but having made the effort it always makes you feel better. One of my colleagues suggested that I would have been better running toward Bath, but that might have been a reflection on the effectiveness of my post-run shower!

Hmmm and White Van Man

So after a mediocre day,  I decided that I would commence my formal training programme with a tempo run.  As you might have gathered my favourite run is probably Eyebrook reservoir, ('The Eyebrook') on the border of Rutland and Leicestershire, in part, because it is quite flat for Rutland, I guess because part of it is not in Rutland!

Anyways, I set off with a plan to run 'The Eyebrook Plus' (which is the reservoir plus the village of Great Easton), a route of about seven and a half miles, and time myself in the process.  Great plan, stymied by the flat battery on my Garmin.  So, I think I did it in about 65  minutes?  

As I ran through Great Easton a wizened old man, driving a white van, shouted out the window at me.  I  have no idea what he said on account of his accent, but it included the phrase, ' you can take it off your back when you get home.'  I have no idea.  Strange day.......

Figure of eight

A route specially designed for those with an oriental background as we ran a figure of eight from Wing today.  It was pleasant and most noteworthy was the after run treat of raspberry muffin.  Very healthy especially for vegetarians, most delicious!

Running challenges - Part 1

An observation accredited to my fellow runner this morning as we ran around Eyebrook reservoir this morning, in light rain; 'its difficult pulling up your spandex when its damp!'  This picture is entitled 'spandex violation' ; seems apt!

Like Paula Radcliffe runs.

Just as Olympic atheletes train twice a day and rest between, so yesterday I ran morning and evening and worked in between. Eleven miles a good return for a weekday. Unlike Paula though I can feel the odd twinge this morning!

Runners everywhere...... and sheer determination

After a bit of a rest, I joined the running club for the gentle run around the peninsula at Rutland Water this evening.  Our new initiative to attract new, or returning runners, is paying dividends with at least ten 'new runners' out this evening.  Well done to everyone, especially Wendy who is struggling with asthma at the moment yet still led with fortitude. 

The need for speed

My training schedule starts next Monday and I am going to adapt my usual training schedule to introduce more speed training, which hopefully will give me a better chance of achieving my goal.  So, that means longer runs earlier in the program and then concentrating on speed and strength in the last five weeks.  It also means that I will have to do  a two hour forty minute run around DC, whilst on holiday.  In the words of one of my colleagues, "bring it on!"

Lies, damn lies and statistics

Yesterday I reported our run around Rutland Water, a body of water with an path roughly following the outer circumference, of about 15 and a half miles, though official guides suggest longer, perhaps up to 17.  However, through the use of satellite navigation, we know different!

Last week,  I also found out that the population of Rutland is about 35,000, this comes after 8 years of telling people, with confidence, that it is 80,000.  I was asked as to where the extra 40,000 or so might be?  I suggested there are a lot of holes in the county!

The golden one

Just got back from running around Rutland Water, a 15 mile plus route, on a mixture of path and track.  An early start is required, at this time of year, as it is very popular with  cyclists.  So we set off just after seven thirty this morning, aiming to run to the best of our abilities and post good times.  I managed to complete in a shade over two hours and six minutes, but Peter, splendidly attired as usual, completed in 2:03.  I am suitably impressed Peter, both with your time and the apparent bio-mechanical benefits of Spandex, as it appears, was the female police officer!

Lie in, what lie in?

So much for my lazy morning! Made the mistake of checking my phone before bed. So I was out around Eyebrook at 6:30 - but I guess its good for me? Around in 41 minutes, which is good.  The All Blacks had an awesome 40 minutes too!

Big weekend

One more week to go before training actually begins. So a gentle one after the England v All Blacks game in the morning, then a chase around Rutland Water with the 'fast boys' on Sunday morning aiming to do 2:05 - i am sure I can slow them down!

Carpe diem

My thought of the day........

'She's a really good runner!'

Admiration is cast in Steph's direction by her newest 12 year old fan!

Heavyweight runner

Even my strongest advocate would not try to suggest I am anything like a 'svelte' runner.  But tonight I really did feel like a heavyweight as I tramped around six and half miles.  The lethargy resulting, I think, from an internally generated sense of unease arising from a couple of  incidents in my day.    That heavy-legged feeling is exactly how I felt during my last marathon. 

So, whilst running is good at dealing with day-to-day stresses, clearly issues which bemuse me and leave me confused, must impede my ability to be fleet of foot.  Note to self; must deal with this otherwise the next few weeks could be a struggle.

False start

Having returned from yesterday's run and looking to start my training 'proper', I decided that I needed to plan my long runs for whilst I was away on holiday,  in the summer.  Good plan, because I then calculated my formal training plan does not start for a whole two weeks.  In the words of Mr Homer Simpson 'doh!'

A47 heaven?

Today,  I have decided on my training schedule for Berlin, which I will reveal shortly, but it required me to run for 75 minutes.  So,  I decided that I would try and reference the run by seeing how far I could do in the time.  I chose the flattest route available to me from home, along the A47 to Uppingham.  This is a route only sensible to do early on a Sunday morning, owing to the light traffic flows and the absence of trucks.  Not the prettiest run in Rutland,  but I was pleased to have completed 9 miles in the allotted time, though with plenty of room for improvement! 

Not showing metal?

This morning's club run from Langham, organised by Judith, was a seven mile largely nettle-free route across fields, around a wood and on the roads, lovely.  I continued to excersise my views on nettles and their place in the general order of things.  I have to say I seem to be losing sympathy and my audience,  so I have decided that I am going to have to desist in future, otherwise I might be on the wrong end of a 'full nettled jacket!'  Happy weekend running all.  

Showing your nettle

Great but painful run last night, over seven miles but some humungous nettles meant that it was a touch painful.  Still a rest day today with the aim of getting a long run in tomorrow.  Carbo-loading tonight.

Quick and fit?

Pretty steaming this morning with the service from one of our leading tire providers, who most definitely do not live up to their billing!  Still it is sunny, warm and I am working from my home, so there are compensations after all.  Third leg of the Rutland Round this evening,  from Uppingham to Lyddington,  should be great, especially if the nettles aren't too high! 

Blow out!

You are traveling home at say 70 or 80 mph and you begin to wonder why you car isn't smoothly, serenely eating up the highway, as the ride becomes a little jumpy.   Then, there is the flashing from your fellow drivers and you begin to slow.  A glance out of the rear view mirror at the smoke and the smell of rubber permeating the cabin, then it suddenly all makes sense, a puncture in the left rear tyre!  Shredded is the phrase that comes to mind, and we aren't talking wheat!  Still, six slow miles run tonight, after having put on the spare, and made it home safely.

Just a second!

Tonight, I decided I wanted to see if I could drive myself to run around the summer loop in less than 27 minutes for three and a half miles.  So I pitched up early and ran, and did it in 27 and one second!!  A combination of weather probably dissuaded a lot of runners from showing up this evening,  so we decided to go for a longer run, which I was asked to lead!  So we drifted up to Ridlington Ridge completing six miles up three long climbs.   What a great run!

Answers on a postcard

Today is the official start of marathon training and I decided to start with a good run!  Just over eight miles with the final four and a half in 33 minutes which is very pleasing.  I am not sure quite what approach to take with my training, either the traditional build-up to the longest run about three weeks before the 'big day', or to get the long runs accomplished early and then concentrate on speed in the latter weeks.  Your thoughts would be welcome.

The 'boys' are back in town!

This morning I did a cool thirteen and half miles on and off road, starting from home taking in Uppingham, Stockerston, Stoke Dry and Lyddington.  Great run, but a bit painful now that many of the crops are fully grown and as the nettles get bigger and bigger!  The highlight however, was to see that the family of pigs have returned to Uppingham, must have been a long winter break, perhaps they went south for the winter?