Practice Run

Friday: A bad night, slept very little due to painful stomach cramps and woke up feeling physically very under par. You know you're addicted to running when you don't let pain like that stop you getting out for a run... Lots of paracetamol and a self-pep talk or two, I was in the park, doing a longer than usual warm-up. I intended to do a practice run of next Saturday's race route, hence a long pre-run walk to stretch and prepare the legs. Having lost both of my hats now (the finger of suspicion points towards one of the kids), I reluctantly wore the other half's hat, because the sun was out. I say 'reluctant', as it has Manchester United FC on it, and as a Liverpool FC supporter, it sat uncomfortably on my head. But it began to rain heavily, much to my delight, and I left the hat in a sheltered bit where I would end my run. The rain lightened as I began my run. I was glad I had a drink with me (original Ribena today), I was gulping it at regular intervals. The run began well and the uphill was tough but the drink helped. I felt fine quite quickly after the uphill and I had to restrain myself from speeding up on the flat ground, as I was barely halfway through and needed to pace myself. The downhill was quite difficult, I didn't expect that. Towards the end, I was really struggling for breath and had to slow down, but with an eye on the time, I tried desperately to sprint the last bit, to make it under 30mins. So close - I did 4.48km in 30mins 01secs (the best guess I can do for the 5km route). I was pleased with my performance, or rather the result. Despite applying calf gel, the calf had been twinging strongly, and my right foot also ached, around the ankle and base of the leg. Later in the evening, both knees felt rather achey, due to excess weight obviously. After the run, I went to pick up my hat but it was gone, oh dear, just as well the other half didn't know I borrowed it... My breathing was very asthmatic-like after the run, very noisy and wheezy, and took a while to get back to normal. Apart from that, I felt very good later in the day, the endorphins really lifted me. Today was a great run, it really boosted my confidence, but realistically. Only a week to go now and I am confident that I will be able to run the whole route without needing to stop (touch wood). I do think I will need a drink and am wondering if I should stock up on Lucozade, or maybe I should try depending on me for my first race. Feeling focused about the race, focused and serious.

9 Days To Go

Thursday: The sun was out this morning, on a morning I couldn't find my hat. Still quite cold though, which is a good thing, as running makes me hot and sweaty anyway. I had blueberry Ribena in hand today, having felt so thirsty during previous runs, and it tasted rather good. The run began well enough, the body put in a strong effort as some tough uphill was tackled. However, despite the drink helping a lot, the body let me down towards the end, as I got a stich and started to feel faint. I covered 3.41km in 23mins 54secs, a better speed than yesterday's blip performance. I rested on a bench for a while and I was fine, the faintness was possibly just the blood pressure feeling a bit low again, and I topped up my salt levels once I got home. The official training programme requires me to do at least 15mins, I try to aim for 20mins, but I am keen to try and do at least 30mins tomorrow. I am thinking about trying a practice run of the race route tomorrow, I shall see how I feel when I get up. I remembered to apply the calf gel today but I didn't notice how the calf as I was preoccupied with the stich pain and trying to keep my eyes open long enough to finish the run. It was strange carrying a bottle again after a while but it definitely made a positive difference. 9 days to go... no nails bitten (yet).

Back In The Park

Wednesday: Glad to be back in the park after a two day rest. It was cold and cloudy, running conditions that suit me. I enjoyed today's run, I felt I got into a good rhythm for a lot of it. However, I again felt dehydrated quickly; I am sure I could have run more if I had had a drink with me. I did 2.83km in 20mins 31secs, a lot slower than I thought I was, but I did include some uphill work. Towards the end, my right calf was beginning to stiffen, and I began to curse not applying any calf gel, but the run came to an end without it developing into a bigger pain. The right calf has been pretty problem-free lately, despite not applying the calf gel. As today was my daughter's birthday, healthy eating went by the side as we celebrated with junk food and chocolate birthday cake, much to the kids' pleasure. With 10 days to go, I won't be indulging myself like this again, if I want to do well in the Salford 5km. I've had an upset stomach and pains for the last couple of days despite lots of paracetamol, hopefully these running niggles will go away of their own accord. I need to focus on drinking more water and keeping my initial pace slow, reserving my energy to last the race. The plan for tomorrow is to be out running and I will see how the mood takes me, as I am keen to get a practice run of the route this week. I will be needing a drink with me though, my body seems to be keen on it right now. I guess if it helps my performance, that's the main thing, I am sure I can cope with holding a bottle if it makes an essential difference to my times and enjoyment.

The Resting Body Thinks Ahead

Tuesday: Second rest day, and the feet itch (figuratively speaking). The cold has pretty much gone, leaving the usual fatigue and sensitive nose, so I hope to be back out there tomorrow. My son is back at nursery now which allows me the time to run without worrying about the kids. Today has been a slow day, I was up all night due to stomach cramps and a generally upset stomach, and so the lack of sleep added to the tired state I was in. As the guest has gone, I was able to rest more than I was able to yesterday, and I hope this is helping my body. Resting sometimes feels like laziness and whilst sitting with legs raised, one wonders if it will have any positive effects on performance. But in practice, I am getting used to accepting resting is part of training. Tomorrow is a busy day for me: after the school run, I will be running in the park; I then have a parents' forum meeting to attend; later in the evening, we are going out for dinner to celebrate my daughter's 6th birthday :o) My daughter recently said to me she wished she could run with me, aww! The kids are used to seeing me in my training gear every other day and are especially pleased that mum's running means they get to visit the grandparents and uncles in Edinburgh (for the Great Edinburgh Run in May). I have yet to sign up for the Glasgow Half in September, the mention of which received hostility last week, but as the cut-off is a while away, I am not too worried. I am determined to do it, how fantastic if I could do a Half Marathon before the end of the year... actually, my mind wanders and ponders over the idea of doing a full marathon before the end of the year... but I am trying to stay focused on the first race! Thinking ahead is quite exciting! But first things first, 11 days to go till the Salford 5kn Run ... deep breaths... cue Rocky music... :o)

Rest With Guest

Monday: The guest was due to leave in the evening and I chose not to run, out of good manners. Just as well, though, as my sniffles deteriorated rapidly into sneezing and coughing fits. Though Sunday's run wasn't under actual snowfall, I later took the kids to the park and got caught up in heavy snowfall, which left me shivering all day today. Lots of paracetamol and, once the guest left, putting my feet up and sticking the duvet on my head helped. Deep in thought about the first race as it gets closer, I keep visualising the route in my head (the approximate one I know of) and thinking about how to run it. I'm disappointed not to have bought my training gear yet, it's proving awkward trying to find the time for it, but I am feeling fine about my training progress so far.

Chest Pains But Positive

Sunday: I was able to get out for a run this morning, despite the snow covered streets. Again, I forgot to apply the calf gel, but that wasn't the main problem today. I began well, I think I am finally finding a rhythm to follow and am learning to switch on my 'running head', to help me focus. However, after only 12mins, I started to feel chest pains which got slightly tighter as time went on, so I stopped at 14mins 35secs, having covered 2.17km. The pains eased off slowly as I walked back home, first time I have had them in ages, hopefully just a one-off bad day. Still, I was pleased when fetch informed me I had run rather faster than I had realised. With the first race looming, I did some uphill today, and maybe I ought to do uphill more, I shouldn't get used to flat routes. I felt dehydrated today, though it still felt like a good run. Tomorrow is a rest day; we still have the guest staying, so I ought to stay home for that reason, plus sleep deprivation is catching up with me as I run more. My body is craving sleep more and more, so definitely an early night tomorrow night for Tuesday's run. Doing just under 15mins of running would have annoyed me a great deal a few weeks ago but I have a lot on at the moment, and it isn't bothering me right now because I'm trying to focus on the positives more, there are enough negatives in life without spending valuable time obsessing over them (I say that now...). I'm getting faster, slowly but surely, and running is feeling better. Also, feeling fitter and looking better makes such a difference. I am keen to get my training gear before my first race, it's a logistical operation like so much else in a busy person's life, but even if I'm not able to, I'm still looking forward to the Salford 5km. Again, I say that now... :o)