Let It Rain, I Hydroplane

Friday: In contrast to yesterday's sunshine, it was raining hard today, much to my delight :o) I awoke this morning, wanting to sleep a little longer, but hearing the rain actually motivated me to get up. Had my Lucozade with me again, which I really feel gives me a fast and lasting energy boost. I was in a good mood, and pleased to be running in the morning again, the park was mine again. I covered 3.74km in 26mins 58secs, a little more distance than yesterday and at a slower pace. The anti inflammatory gel is making a difference, the right calf's aches were a lot easier to deal with today, and running in general felt better. A positive mental attitude (pma) can be hard to conjure up on its own but when the little things go well, it comes naturally. I felt stronger today and had more 'in the zone' periods, which led me to do part of the steep uphill slope which I will do in the Salford 5km Run. I think I also wanted to test how well the gel would cover the aches of doing uphill, which it did fine, and I feel that despite being at a slower pace, I had an enjoyable run. That is me having done 3 days of running in a row and I wonder if I should rest tomorrow. I saw only one other runner today, zooming past wearing a waterproof cagoule, which made me think, 'soft', hehe. I was soaked to the skin, competely, by the heavy rain, but I loved it. I did get some funny looks on my cool-down walk home, from people huddling under umbrellas, noticing my hat was in my hand. But it was a brilliant feeling to feel the cold rain when you're hot and sweaty; I'm actually hoping it rains for the Salford Run, I find it motivating and uplifting, I'm sure I can't be the only one :o)

Under Doctor's Orders

Thursday: I saw the doctor today about my right calf and knee, who explained my current level of obesity was the main reason for the aches and pains. The probem is 'mechanical', excess weight on my legs is going to hurt, but hopefully things will get better as I lose the weight. He prescribed some anti inflammatory gel to ease the aches, which I applied before today's run. For the first time, I ran in the afternoon, lucky to fit it in being so busy today. A good run, with Lucozade back in my hands and it made a difference, really giving me energy. It was warmer than usual, the park busier with the holidays, which I didn't like, but I enjoyed my run all the same. The right calf ached less, due in some part to the gel, I believe. I avoided uphill to give the leg a break, covering 3.6km in 25mins 03secs on a flatter route. No stich today and no limping, so a great end to the run. I enjoyed today, I got a great rhythm going and it feels great when the body doesn't complain so much. Pleased today, also, finding out I lost a whole stone in 3 months. Running is having such a positive effect, I feel fitter and more confident about my body, so feeling rather glad I gave this a go :o)

Running In Drizzle

Wednesday: A very drizzly day. I set off, wearing a new hat (having lost the old one), and with orange Powerade. It was really good to wear a hat after so long, I don't like attaching psychological values to objects for my running, but the hat improved my mood. Also, it helped me focus on keeping my eyes on the ground rather than to what was ahead, the thought of which can tire me. I repeated the route I did on last time, covering 3.8km in 28mins 15 secs, nearly 2 more mins than last time. The Powerade makes no real difference to my performance, having tried two different flavours for the last few runs. Today was still a good run, I got into my 'zone' very quickly, around 5mins into it. I was pleased not to have had a stich, like the last two times, but instead of that, the issue today was my right calf and knee aching around 6mins before the end of the session. Sometimes during a run, aches will begin and then they fade, and other times, the aches get stronger, turning into stiffness and heaviness. Today was a case of the latter. I put all my weight on the left leg, making it work harder to support me till the end of the run. Post-run, I was half limping for a while, the right leg felt like it had shut down. Irritating but hopefully temporary. It felt good to run in drizzle and a good feeling to be getting close to 30mins of running. I think I'll give up on Powerade though and go back to Lucozade.

Running Club - Pros and Cons

Tuesday: A good night's sleep and a good talk can make a world of difference. Rested today, the right leg is grateful. Gave thought to joining a running club, a thought that has crossed my mind a few times but moreso today. Stopping me is the fact I prefer to run alone and the knowledge I couldn't make meetings or socialise as much as I would want to due to babysitting issues. Also, it sounds rather formal for someone who takes running probably not as seriously as club runners do. My newbie level status is perhaps also a factor, the idea of being the new slowcoach is a little nerve-wracking. Reasons for joining are many, I admit: a small discount off every race entered, guaranteed entry for most races, meeting new people/social aspect, motivation and support etc. It's worth thinking about, there are clubs I have heard of around here but never inquired about. Tomorrow's a running day, hoping the right calf has been sufficiently rested. It is getting annoying that it is still so sensitive but I am hopeful this phase will pass as I get stronger.

Emotions And Speed

Monday: I had 90mins sleep then I dropped my brother off at the train station. Having had a god-awful night, I came home and got changed to run, otherwise I risked taking out a lot of anger and frustration on the kids. The snow had defrosted completely, annoyingly sunny today (still hatless), and I set off with orange-flavoured Powerade and a playlist of fast music reflecting my emotions. I did some uphill, such was my desire to run till I dropped, and it was a good run. Very irritatingly, I got a stich again less than two minutes away from my end point, and it really is agonising trying to finish with that pain pulling away at your insides. But finish I did, my second fastest time to date, 3.8km in 26mins 25secs. I kept trying to slow down but found it tough today, I am sure I could have run for longer if I hadn't run so fast. However, achieving speed is a positive step and it was pleasing to check on my fetch training log that I was really fast today. A good and productive run, it helped me work off some steam, through the pains of running. The cool down walk home was difficult, my right leg was stiff and heavy, and the pain of the stich seemed to echo to my back and all around my insides. The right leg is feeling sensitive and sore at home, which I made worse by falling asleep on the sofa for my 90min sleep last night. Feeling very tired and emotional now, glad I got a good run in early, so will try to rest when able to. I may rest tomorrow, having run two consecutive days, and going to watch how the right calf and knee feel. Also, though Powerade tasted better in the orange flavour, I don't think it gives me the energy boost Lucozade used to. I am trying to settle on which drink helps most and will be trying out blueberry Ribena soon too. Though I'd prefer not to have a drink with me, I am coming round to the idea of sipping drinks as I run, since I recall performing so well with Lucozade. As long as it's beneficial to my performance, I am willing to give it a go.

Week End On A High

Sunday: My brother asked to accompany me on this morning's run, which I didn't mind, though I warned him I wouldn't stop once I started, as this was a proper session for me. Cue jokes and me being called Paula Radcliffe (by him) and Kelly Holmes (by the other half) :o) I awoke to thick snow outside and wondered if I would get any safe running done. With Powerade in hand and rules explained to my brother that I don't talk while I run, we set off, walking as a warm-up. It was actually a good laugh having him walk with me, I was already in a good mood when I woke up, and some light banter was a lovely change to being on my own. When we got to my starting point, I had to wait a few minutes while he did some stretches. We set off laughing as our earphones flew about madly but I quickly concentrated back on the run. There was a lot of thick snow on the ground and it took a lot of concentration to avoid icy patches, slowing down on worrying terrain. My brother kept alongside, running ahead at times, other times falling behind. This lasted around 6mins, he slowed down to walk and I carried on, waving my arm in the direction I was going. I timed I did 23mins, covering 3.28km. It was a good run, I felt good throughout it, except for the last 2mins, I got a stich and really struggled to make it to my planned finishing point. The Powerade was handy, the harder I run, the better it tastes. My brother was surprised by my endurance levels and pleased I have found something I enjoy and is obviously beneficial to my health. A really good run today, in terms of how I felt throughout it, feeling fit and relaxed, and even the struggling bits felt good. The right leg is slightly stiff but nothing major. The week began with me feeling panicked and under-confident, so it's good to have moved on from that, feeling more positive.

Rest And The Right Leg

Saturday: Up too late today to make it out for a run. A busy day nonetheless, preparing for my brother's visit. Managed a short nap in the afternoon, feeling very tired lately; I need to drink more coffee and not give in to sleep so much. I didn't mind not running so much today, so much else on my mind. I think I am mentally a lot better about rest days now. The right leg feels a lot more like it used to be, which is niggle-free, and that is obviously due to rest and always raising it on the table when I sit down. I plan to get out for a run tomorrow, though, too much rest doesn't help me. Had to eat very late tonight and so avoided meat and rice, eating only the roasted chicken. It was a nice boost to hear from my brother that I had definitely lost some weight and looked fitter (he saw me two months ago). A busy day today but the right leg feels sufficiently rested, looking forward to getting out tomorrow, despite the weather predictions of snow.