Day 7: Grocery shopping and running don't really mix

Urrrgh. First day back at work - Yuck. But first full week of Janathon successfully completed - YAY!
As I was back at work today, it was the first run to be done in the dark (and cold and wet). There was no danger in me running before work as just getting to make the half mile walk to the office was struggle enough. So a post work jaunt was on the books.
When I got home, I was in a dilemma - I also needed to go to the supermarket for a few things, I was also hungry. My first inclination was to do a short run then drive to Morrison. But this would have meant running, showering, then going out again. Idea!! I could run TO the shops with backpack and run back with groceries. Two birds, one stone and no rush hour traffic. It would mean running a tiny bit further than I had planned and running with a backpack of groceries which didn't appeal, and I would have to do my shopping slightly sweaty and red faced... BUT it meant it would be quicker in the end and being lazy by nature, the quicker I could get back to sitting on the sofa is always good.

Getting there was fine - the tricky bit was the return journey. I probably got more than I envisaged so my backpack was rather heavy and once I started upping the pace, discovered my bag sounded like an over-sized maraca. Think it was the big bag of crisps (healthy eating plan starts tomorrow, honest!!), so felt ridiculous every time I passed another pedestrian. Didn't stop a tourist asking me for directions and despite growing up in the area I still wasn't 100% sure, so there might be a random Chinese person wandering the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Anyway, made it home without collapsing under the weight of not entirely unhealthy groceries.
Bring on Week 2!!

Stats!
Distance: 2.6miles
time: 26mins
Lost Chinese tourists: 1

Day 6: dysfunctional water bottles and excuses for mid-run rests

Had to go out for my run without my water bottle today - don't what it is with me and dysfunctional bottles but they always seem to end up dripping or leaking. Cheap or expensive ones, makes no difference.

As I went back to leave it at home, it occurred to me that I don't really need a water bottle on a short-ish run. Anything over 5miles I would say take one but anything under that I should manage ok. But I like having one as it gives me an excuse to slow down/walk or stop during my run. That lead me on a line of thought that results in the 'theme' of this blog. I actually have a kind of collection of excuses I use to have short breathers on my runs, both long and short, and I figured - excellent a 'lets make a list' blog. nice and easy and I like to have one for every Janathon. so here it is! :)

1. Stopping to take a sip of water (see above)
2. Re-tying of laces - if you really need a break, just pretend they need re-tied
3. Stopping to look at scenery - doesn't really work on a 'route round the crappy estate' run but great if you are near the country side or other 'nice place'
4. Mid-run stretches - one of my favs and it's probably good for you
5. Changing iTunes playlist. Fiddling with garmin/other electronic devices also works
6. Navigating over muddy bits - not a very good one but I'm running out of ideas. Kind of works on off-road runs though, I think

Ok, I've run out of ideas here. But the above can be repeated throughout your run so that's really plenty.  Also, for a bit of balance thought I would include a good reason to not take a break an KEEP ON GOING: Spotting a hot, fit fellow runner and not wanting to feel like a overweight, unfit heifer - pick up the pace and look nonchalant.

Oh, and my run - not very interesting. a bit off-road muddiness and of course - bloody steep hills.

Stats:
distance: 2.7
time: 27mins55secs
dysfunctional water bottles: 1
mid-run breaks: oh, a few

day 5: the holidays are over

I don't like when things go back to normal this time of year. All the decorations are coming down, people are realising the shadow of doom looming as they ready to go back to work. But one of the saddest reminders that we are returning to normality is the discarded Xmas trees lying out ready to be taken by the bin men. I saw about 6 on my run today. They look all forlorn without their lights and baubles and with half their pine needles gone :(

It was a slow 2.5miles today as I went through Blackford park and the Hermitage where the paths were now reassembling muddy rivers with all the recent rain. Its a hilly route so had to walk it parts. I could have extended it by a mile or so but really don't want to push my luck with my ankle so kept to a short circle. After all the activity yesterday and a fairly late night (still very much a party atmosphere in the pubs - good to see not everyone is having a fun-free January!) this was plenty. I'm now spending the rest of the weekend tempting to read some more of Anna Karenina which I have been plodding slowly through for months.

Stats:

distance: 2.55miles
time: 29mins6secs
push ups: 10 (slowing coming less weakling-like but still rather pathetic
discarded xmas trees:6

day 4: where I clean the flat

I felt like I'd done my Janathon effort without even leaving my flat today. I chose my last day of real holiday to do a winter clean of my flat.

I don't like housework. Hate would be more appropriate so I really do as little as possible, mainly to stave off rats (may not be that bad but you get the idea).  Anyway, I thought enough is enough, and as I have a friend coming over, who hasn't seen my flat I figured I'd better give it a good going over.

Anyway, got to lunchtime and as I put out the recycling and took in the fresh air and hint of sunshine I got an overwhelming need to stop the cleaning and go for a run. I'm already feeling a slight improvement and didn't need to stop and walk so much and even inched up the distance. Though I was tired the fresh air actually readied me for tackling the last hours' worth of cleaning.

Absolutely knackered doesn't cover how I felt after all that. If I made new year's resolutions, I should probably make one about cleaning more regularly so I don't have to have these mammoth sessions but it would no doubt last about 2 weeks before I reverted to my old untidy lazy ways.

Anyway, am blogging from my sparkly living room with a well deserved beer, feeling rather pleased with myself...wonder how long that will last?

Stats:

distance: 4.1miles
time: 43mins
weakling-style press-ups: 10
flats all clean and tidy: 1

Day 3: Feeling like a newbie

Oh dear, what a struggle it was to get myself out and running today. Another unintended late night meant I really wanted to stay in bed rather than donning my running gear.  At least I wasn't as hungover as I was on day 1!  However, thanks to @BadWabbitTales and @runningman856 giving me a well-needed kick up the backside, I managed to roll out of bed and do a circuit of Holyrood Park.

I am still only managing to do run/walking, especially considering the steep hills in the park but happy with getting to the 5km marker. I do feel like a newbie all over again, especially seeing all the other seasoned runners out being all fast and impressive. My muscles are all starting to hurt after doing nothing other than raising a wine glass and watching TV but that means they are starting on their journey to being strong and toned again :)

So here's to it all getting that bit easier!

Stats:
distance: 3.2miles
time: 38mins
impressive other runners that weren't me: LOADS

Day 2: from a walk to a jog...

...with a few pathetic attempts at some press ups thrown in. All in all though, I shouldn't have expected much today, this is my first venture out jogging for about a month and I think I may still be feeling the after effects of new years! It was a bit of a struggle to do my 2.3 route around the estate and I needed to walk in places (up any sort of hilly bits). Really felt it in my chest which is still recovering from illness. I knew I was not going to be contending for any kind of record for mileage for this year's Janathon, just want to give my running the kick start it badly needs!

It is going to be a hard journey to my half marathon in April but I am pretty determined to at least try to get my goal of a 2hour half marathon PB. I had meant to reach that goal last year but injury thwarted that...3rd time lucky I hope!

Onward and upwards!

Stats:
distance: 2.3miles
time: 21mins
pathetic press ups: 10 (if half ones count?!)

Janathon Day 1: Starting as I don't mean to carry on

So, not the best start to the Janathon year...as usual, after waaaay to much fun (and wine) at hogmanay I'm starting Janathon with a horrendous hangover. All possibilities of actually running properly were non-existent by 3pm but I did manage to go for a very muddy walk with my mum through the woods at the back of the house - I even did a concessionary 400m run on the downhill bit. Even that was a struggle.

Trying to look non-hungovery and energetic

I do plan to do lots more proper running this month though. After a 2012 plagued with injury and illness (tendonitis, whooping cough, pleurisy and a variety of colds) I am determined to get back to proper fitness. My goals for this are the Rock 'n Roll Edinburgh half marathon in April, which last year I crossed, or rather limped, the finish line then spent the next month on crutches and the Tough Mudder in August, which will most definitely need some major training for.

Anyway, hope everyone has a fantastic Janathon. Look forward to readying as many blogs as I can and hope to chat with some of you on twitter :)


Stats:
distance: 1.2 (ish) (with about 400m of jogging)
time: 40 mins
horrendous hangovers: 1