Splish Splosh Splash

30 minutes of swimming (slowly)

7 days without caffeine of alcohol (smug)

Mr Runner is a member of Fancy Pants Gym. This morning I snuck in to Fancy Pants Gym with him on a 1 day trial pass and did a bit of swimming to mix up the running, followed by 15 minutes in the sauna to help my achy legs.

I have always been pretty rubbish at swimming, but I enjoyed my slow paddle this morning. It was made more entertaining by watching a middle aged mad, who looked very like Mr Fawlty, complete with tiny moustache, doing tai-chi at the poolside in teeny tiny swimming trunks. 

So I actually made it out for my long run today!

Miles I was supposed to run: 12

Miles I actually ran: 11ish

Days without caffeine or alcohol: 6

Went for a long run this morning. I joined a few people from my running club who were also training for races and needed to go for longer runs. We all split off after a few miles as everyone was going at different paces, and I found a couple of blokes who were going at the same distance and pace as me. 

It was all going fine until the last 1/2 a mile, when I was pretty sure my legs were going to fall off. I told the guys to go ahead, I knew where I was going and I would meet them at the end. When they noticed I was no longer behind them as they reached the top of a hill and turned around a corned, they stopped, turned back to find me, and stood at the top of the hill calling my name. I, however, was crawling up the hill, wondering if I could just stop for a nap under a bush for a bit, and slightly embarrassed that they had had to come look for me. It was very sweet though, and nice to know they weren't going to let me get lost in the depths of the common by myself :). 

Rio here I come...

Miles I was supposed to run: 8 

Miles I actually ran: 8

Days without caffeine or alcohol: 4 (super smug)

Yesterday I caught up with the men's Olympic Marathon, and so inspired by this I went out in 28 degrees to run today's designated 8 miles. I figured if they could run in Rio, I could run in London. 

I did not realise it was possible to sweat that much. 

I think all the liquid I consumed throughout the day, came back out my pores. 

On the plus side, if I can manage in these conditions. Amsterdam in October should be a breeze? 

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

I walked to the post office this evening and nearly melted, so decided running was not an option. I am currently writing this while enjoying a cooling ice cream. Here are yesterday's efforts though. I was too grumpy to write anything last night. 

Miles I was supposed to run: 10 x 800m sprints

Miles I actually ran: 7 x 800m sprints

Days without caffeine or alcohol: 2

I hate everyone. My head hurts. 

I did wonder whether I should send a mass warning email around work so everyone knew to STAY AWAY. 

I then fell asleep on the sofa for half an hour when I got in. Starting to feel that actually I NEED all of this caffeine and trying to stop was a stupid idea. 

I felt slightly chirpier after my nap and dragged myself out to hill training. This was definitely a clever idea. As soon as I started running, my head cleared and I felt a lot better.

Until I got home. When my head started pounding again. 

Onwards and upwards. I hope things can only get better from here! 

Back on the waggon

Miles I was supposed to run: 3

Miles I actually ran: 3

Days with no caffeine or alcohol: 1

Ok. Been a bit crap at training. Missed my long run on Sunday because I managed to get really drunk at the Lion King, and couldn't get up on Sunday morning. 

Whilst feeling a little bit hungover and guilty on Sunday afternoon I noticed an advert in the tube suggesting people give up caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks for 10 days to raise money for the RNLI. This looked like a challenge, and one a guilty, hungover, me felt I should participate in. I'm not raising money, I just want to see if I can do it...without murdering anyone. 

So 3 miles and 1 day in, I'm feeling surprisingly fine. 

This might be because I chugged as much caffeine as possible yesterday to saturate my system. 

I may also be replacing caffeine with sugar. That's not against the rules though...

Roll on tomorrow! 

Don't go speed training on a full stomach

Miles I was supposed to run: 12 x 400m sprints

Miles I actually ran: 10 x 400m sprints

It was a lovely evening this evening for a run, not too hot, not too cold, sunny with a gentle cool breeze. Plus I had enjoyed a rather tasty pre-run dinner of lamb meatballs in a pasta bake. Carb loading!

My enthusiasm started to wane after I parked my car at the rugby club, where a large dog was supposed to be getting in to the car next to me. However, awkwardly, he seemed more interested in sniffing me. Probably a sign that my running top really does need to be washed after each run I realised. So I was feeling rather flustered and embarrassed by the time I met up with my fellow runners. 

It was explained that todays training session would be 400m sprints. While I had been eating my dinner earlier, I had been catching up on the mens 100m Olympic race on iPlayer. Inspired by this, I channeled my inner Usain Bolt, and literally bolted off, racing the fastest members of the club down the field. 

By the 3rd 400m sprint I realised this was a mistake. My legs were starting to feel like lead, and protest at my request for them to move so quickly. 

By the 5th sprint my dinner was starting to gurgle in my stomach, threatening to make a reappearance on the field. 

I had flashes of higher biology going through my head. Something to do with lactic acid, pain and vomiting.

Uh oh.

I walked the 6th sprint.

And gently jogged the following 4, finally giving up and admitting defeat along with acknowledging my own stupidity after 10. 

I'm off for a long soak in the bath now. Probably won't be able to walk tomorrow. May never walk again. Wish I was Usain Bolt, bet these things never happened to him! 

Don't wolf whistle at me!

Miles I was supposed to run: 7

Miles I actually ran: 5

Feeling a bit tired today, as it's getting towards the end of the week, only managed to persuade myself to go out of the house for 5 miles, nothing more.

When I was nearly home a pair of "youths" in a blacked out Polo with lowered suspension started having out the car window to wolf whistle at me.

I carried on listening to my music, and ignored them, but in my head I imagined that I turned round and shouted; 

"I know I look awesome, you don't need to tell me. I am also a person, not a piece of meat. I don't need, nor am I seeking your approval. Grow up and go away.

I could totally out run you, and probably your stupid car as well."

I imagined that they would apologise and shuffle off, while I was completely vindicated. 

I then carried on planning my outfit for my fancy meal out on Saturday in my head. 

Stupid boys. 

Speed Training

Miles I was supposed to run: 5

Miles I actually ran: 5

Speed training tonight. Tired now. Bumming on the sofa watching the Olympics. Maybe one day...

Mindful Running

Miles I was supposed to run: 10

Miles I actually ran: 10

Yesterday I was reading "The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances" by the Oatmeal. One of the things that really struck me was the importance of being in the moment when you are running, and not focussing on when the run is over, among other more entertaining and silly things. I realised that I am incredibly guilty of this, and one of the reasons why I was able to enjoy the Edinburgh Half Marathon so much, was because I was able to just focus on being in that moment, rather than wishing the whole bloody thing was just over. So I took that idea on board today, and literally ran with it. I feel that it made a big difference, and I was able to enjoy my long run, rather than looking forward to it all being over so I can bask in the warm fuzzy glow of runners high. 


I was visiting my future in-laws this weekend, so went for a bit of running tourism, and enjoyed a beautiful 10 mile run in the South Downs. 

I switched off my running watch, stopped worrying about my pace and just enjoyed the calm and my surroundings. It was nice to run somewhere much quieter than my usual haunt of the Thames path. Even the people seemed much friendlier and calmer! 

Except for the man at the back of a group of walkers who announced "runner coming through. Slowly!"

"Screw you" I thought. "You're not running, you're out for a leisurely stroll, so what gives you the right to call me slow!"

However, I quietly apologised and thanked everyone in a polite British fashion, and ran on. Using my silent irritation to push me on faster...and in to a bush. A spiky, thorny bush, which left me with a big cut on my shoulder. 

So I returned to my in-laws covered in sweat, mud, blood, and protein powder (which I had managed to spill on myself in the car). They looked rather confused when they answered the door to me, and politely suggested that I may want to get myself cleaned up...

Warning! Warning! Smelly runner approaching!

Miles I was supposed to run: 3

Miles I actually ran: 3

I think this is the first summer I have tried to consistently run through. Usually I give up about May, convinced it's too hot, and then don't start up again until October. With the odd exception, on what I assume are cooler, less humid days, I'm finding my runs more of a struggle and a lot slower than they usually are in the winter when it's much cooler. Why most people prefer to run in the summer is beyond me! It's hot, it's sticky, and it makes you really dehydrated. At least in the winter you warm up pretty quickly once you get going, and it's easy to cool back down again! 

However, I am enjoying the weather today. It's too hot to do much, so after running my prescribed 3 miles today, I went down to my local park to enjoy the sunshine. 

As I have been having a lazy Saturday, I couldn't be bothered to have a shower after my run, and just headed straight out. I made the decision that I was only going to get more sweaty in this weather so what's the point. I probably disgusted anyone near me. Particularly the other Waitrose shoppers when I popped in to pick up some lunch. I feel a sweaty, sticky, smelly runner is not the sort of clientele they like to encourage! I'll get over it though, even if they don't. 


As a result I have had a nice relaxing afternoon in the park with my not quite so nutritious, but very delicious, picnic. Interestingly, I had a lot of space to myself...

The moral victory

Miles I was supposed to run: 4

Miles I actually ran: 4

Yesterday I opted to have a post work nap rather than run 7 miles...so I figured I had run out of excuses today.

I think I'm still tired from Tuesday so it was 4 slow plodding miles.

Plodding past people enjoying a Friday night drink in the pub.

Past people getting ready for a Friday night on the town.

Past people rushing home from work to enjoy a takeaway and trashy tv.

On days like today, when I have dragged myself out, and battled through the miles, I feel like I have won a moral victory. 

I can go to the pub safe in the knowledge that all those wine calories aren't going to touch me. Nor are those tasty looking chips. I am smug and superior because I have been for a run.

On days like today, when my usual joy of running decided not to bother showing up, so I'm not sure why I did, I will just bask in moral superiority, in the knowledge that I've done exercise today.

Go on. Hate me. I dare you! 

We all learn from our mistakes

Miles I was supposed to run: 4

Miles I actually ran: 4

After yesterday's race, I took it easy this evening. Just a slow 4 miles...playing Pokemon! I know all the cool kids caught them all weeks ago, but it still keeps me out of trouble on my runs! 

Yesterday I decided to have a protein shake with my very small dinner before I toddled off to my race. I felt this would be a smart move, as I hoped it would stop me from feeling hungry half way through, and then getting grumpy and deciding not to bother carrying on. 

I think I will add this to my list of stupid mistakes.

While I was running, it seemed to expand in my stomach. I bloated up like a balloon! I had some serious concerns that I may vomit, and belched my way through most of the race. Perhaps it helped speed me up?

After the race, there was a big spread put on with loads of cake, sandwiches  and healthy things like fruit. Sadly, I still felt so bloated and awful I wasn't able to eat anything. As I am not one to turn down food, I did try. I nibbled on a small piece of cake, but that gave me horrible indigestion. So I miserably gave up, went home, and went to bed.

Then in the middle of the night, I woke up absolutely starving and raided the fridge. Mr Runner was not pleased. Apparently he wanted the left over beef for his lunch today...

Moral of the story, don't protein shake and run! 

What to do when you end up ankle deep in horse shit and other stories

Wimbledon MABAC

My club is part of a local cross country league called MABAC. The races are just a bit of fun, and anyone can take part. Usually they are held on Sunday mornings, and I am too busy being social on the social runs to take part. As I had no exciting social plans for this evening, I thought I'd have a crack at the Wimbledon race.

It doesn't seem to matter how many training runs I do, or how many races I compete in, they all seem to go the same for the first few miles. 

Mile 1: Wow this is easy, I'm totally fit. 

Start of mile 2: Crap. I've only done a mile so far. This is hard. I'm screwed. 

Today's race had some more interesting additions as well.

Around 2.5 miles in there was a sharp bend, and a huuuuuuuge pile of horse poo. I was so busy speeding round the bend, wondering why on earth I had agreed to spend my Tuesday evening running around Wimbledon Common, when I went foot first, ankle deep, in to this huge pile of horse shit. 

Fantastic.

I figured there wasn't much for it other than to just keep going at this point. The damage was done. So I went with my usual strategy when in difficult situations, if I ignore it, it might go away. The worst of it fell off as I continued the other half of the race, and I had a rather smelly car ride home. They are now safely in the washing machine. 

It did distract me from my tired legs and lungs for a good mile though. 

Luckily as it had been raining and I was expecting mud I didn't wear my nice new blue trainers, but an older, muddier pair. 

On a brighter note, I also noticed that I was running with the boys for the best part of the race, there did not seem to be any other women in sight until I reached the finish line. In fact I managed to over take a lot of the boys. There is nothing quite as empowering as a female runner as knowing that you are just as good as the boys, if not better. I will never beat Mo Farah, but I will also never beat Paula Radcliffe. Girl Power! 

Rest day is the best day!

Rest Day

I decided to take a rest day today, I have a club race tomorrow, so I wanted to save my strength for that...if I make it...

So instead I spent a lovely evening getting my nails done in time for my ring bling being returned from the jewellers. :) (It turns out I have abnormally skinny fingers, so we had to send it back to get it shrunk) I opted for a sparkly colour on my ring finger, and decided to share a picture of my evening's accomplishments to my parents. 

My mother declined to comment.

My father wanted to know what was wrong with normal nails. 

Le sigh. 

I can see wedding planning is going to be interesting. Somehow I feel that they won't be up for a wedding on a beach, in deepest darkest Polynesia.