13th September 2016

Miles I was supposed to run: 5 X 800m sprints

Miles I actually ran: 5 X 800m sprints

Cars crashed in to: 1

This evening is crap. I managed to drive in to a parked car while on my way home. My choice was scratch a parked car, or drive head first in to a speeding van. I went with the car. As a good citizen I left a little note on their windscreen. Then I ran away.

5 X 800m sprints round the park. Never have I been so enthusiastic about speed training. I was even wondering if there was enough in my legs to do a few extra sprints! 

Eventually I realised I was going to have to slink home, and hope that there was not an angry man standing on my door step. 

I am now cowering in my living room, looking anxiously at my phone, hoping the car owner doesn't notice what I've done...

11th September 2016

Miles I was supposed to run: 13

Miles I actually ran: 14.2 (got a bit lost)

I am so broken. 

I think my legs may fall off at any moment.

In fact, I may never walk again. 

In all honesty the run wasn't that bad. In fact it was a very pleasant morning. The sun was out, it wasn't too hot, and there was a nice gentle breeze. I did end up going slightly further round Richmond park than I planned, and as a result have managed to set a new personal best for distance. All topped off with a delicious, well earned brunch. 

Now I'm home though, I haven't been able to move from the sofa. 

8th September 2016

Miles I was supposed to run: 9

Miles I actually ran: 7

Glasses of wine drunk: 3 very large ones and still going...

Crap day today. Everything imaginable seemed to be going wrong. By lunchtime I was practically cowering under my desk, rocking in a ball, refusing to function.

I need a new career, wine taster sounds like a pretty good one to me right now, or maybe chocolatier? Both together would be perfect in fact!

Then I got stuck in horrific traffic on the way home. Apparently every man and his dog wanted to go to south west london this evening. This did not help my mood.

I coaxed myself out for a long run though, even though all I wanted to do was rock in a ball on the sofa, drinking wine out of the bottle with a straw, in a blanket fort. 

I had to cut my run a bit short because I got home so late, but I'm glad I dragged myself out. By the time I got home I felt like I could do adulting. I could be a calm, rational, sensible human being, and not a snot covered, stressed out, hysterical over grown child. I can cope with the adult world. In fact I'm feeling so positive I might actually get up and go back to work tomorrow. Maybe. It will be Friday after all. 

6th September 2016

Miles I was supposed to run: 12 X 300m sprints

Miles I actually ran: 12 X 300m sprints

Speed training again this evening. I was one of only two girls to show up today, along with about 15 middle aged blokes. I don't think they noticed that my hair bobble, top, and trainers had all been carefully colour coordinated. 

On the plus side, with nobody to loiter at the back with during training, I actually completed what I was supposed to do! Might make a serious runner out of me yet! 

Time to lounge in the bath to soothe my very tired calves, with a nice, well earned, glass of red wine! 

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?