Yep, despite all misgivings I once again am joining in the winter madness of Jananthon. I did a run today so thought I would do a wee pre-Jan blog to get me started. I have been preparing myself over the xmas hols - I even went out on Boxing day!
I haven't blogged for ages so will give a quick recap of recent stuff thats been happening. This last year has been a funny one. While I spent a good proportion of the year unemployed (7 months to be precise - and it was very sucky) it gave me some time to firstly go to Peru to do the Inca trail which was a highlight of my life and not just the year. I also completed my first ever mararthon which I was very proud of. Also on my time off I decided I fancied a career change so put myself on a course to get my basic Level 2 Exerise to Music qualification which I completed towards the end of December. All in time for the new year. It feels good to find something I seem to be pretty good at and totally enjoy...just need to get myself some classes and willing participants :)
Apart from returning to my old employers on a short term contract, that's pretty much all the big things that have been happening...apart from becoming an auntie...that was quiet exciting, oh and my best friend getting married and allowing me to be bridesmaid for the first time ever!
So a new year, hopefully the start of a new career and lots of running and exercise in general.
My running goal this year is to do the Rock 'n' Roll Edinburgh half marathon in just under 2 hours (my previous time has been 2h15.
well, here's to a fit 2012!
distance: 5.6miles
time: 52m48s
calories: 650 (or about 2 and a half mince pies!)
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Monday, 25 July 2011
parkruns and hill walks
After my chickening out of my first parkrun due to torrential rain last week, I am pleased to say this time the sun was shining and I made it down to Cramond in Edinburgh to take part. And I am so glad I did. It was weird not having my iPod with me (I never run without music) and I was a little apprehensive as I was on my own an when I arrived there were quite a few serious looking runners all warming up. But as more people arrived I realised how mixed it was and there did appear to be others running on their own.
Anyway. I started off well, though I thought I was going a little too fast to sustain for the full 5km but once I got into it and started overtaking people (turns out I have a bit of a competitive streak in me!) I found myself managed to average a pace of about 7mph. There were points when I felt I was about to flag but I kept going. I even managed to pass a teenager and a tall athletic looking girl with very long legs. I did miss my music at some points but it certainly didn't affect my speed - far from it. I used my breathing as a way of keeping a beat. Anyway managed to get a time of 24 mins 28seconds which was a 5km PB for me and according to the results I came 4th in my age category and 106th overall out of 195 parkruners and was the 20th 'lady'. So overall I was chuffed to bits.
I didn't run on Sunday but instead went on a very long 13 mile hill walk around the Pentland Hills taking in about 6 summits all in all. There were a few wrong turns and scrabbling through the heather but made back in time for a pint at the pub. It was a beautiful day and got some stunning views right across the firth of forth and beyond - you could see the proper mountains in the distance. Needless to say after all this activity I was in bed very early on Sunday night.
I shall definitely be going back to the parkrun though maybe not next weekend as it will be a pub-themed weekend and I have a wedding to attend.
Anyway. I started off well, though I thought I was going a little too fast to sustain for the full 5km but once I got into it and started overtaking people (turns out I have a bit of a competitive streak in me!) I found myself managed to average a pace of about 7mph. There were points when I felt I was about to flag but I kept going. I even managed to pass a teenager and a tall athletic looking girl with very long legs. I did miss my music at some points but it certainly didn't affect my speed - far from it. I used my breathing as a way of keeping a beat. Anyway managed to get a time of 24 mins 28seconds which was a 5km PB for me and according to the results I came 4th in my age category and 106th overall out of 195 parkruners and was the 20th 'lady'. So overall I was chuffed to bits.
I didn't run on Sunday but instead went on a very long 13 mile hill walk around the Pentland Hills taking in about 6 summits all in all. There were a few wrong turns and scrabbling through the heather but made back in time for a pint at the pub. It was a beautiful day and got some stunning views right across the firth of forth and beyond - you could see the proper mountains in the distance. Needless to say after all this activity I was in bed very early on Sunday night.
I shall definitely be going back to the parkrun though maybe not next weekend as it will be a pub-themed weekend and I have a wedding to attend.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Time for a change??
Sometimes I don't think about much when I'm running other times I think...a lot. I've had a lot on my mind at the moment. It's actually the 'keeping me awake' variety, though it could be worse if I didn't have my think-athons while pounding the streets/treadmill.
The main thing occupying me is employment (or lack thereof). I've been unemployed now since March and haven't really had much luck so far - a total of 5 interviews, 1 of which I got to the 2nd round and was very close and rather upsetting when I didn't get it. The other thing occupying me is my running and general exercise. As some fellow Juneathoners will know, it has really been helping me with being unemployed both my giving me something to do and staving of obesity and insanity through lack of activity.
Lately it has been occurring to me that running and exercise is becoming more important to me. Since I started my marathon training, my interest in running has definitely developed into something far more than just something to keep me fit. Then just the other week, after another fruitless job search I started to wonder if I needed a change...while I've enjoyed working in communications, I kind of fell into it and I do always envy people who do something that they are truly passionate about. I also started to think if I am going to, maybe, possibly have a career change I'd better get on with it as I feel I've wasted enough time looking for jobs that don't seem to be there. I ask myself - why can't I combine all the time I spend exercising with earning money?
So anyway, while bobbing along on the ski machine today I came to a decision - I'm going to look into fitness instructor courses. At least do some research into what's involved, how much it could cost etc etc.
I know I have rambled on here (though, not much on today's gym session, which was good and sweaty), but I feel that typing it out and sharing with the blogsphere (whether or not it is actually read by anyone) will encourage me to act on my decisions rather than wimp out. Its time for a change.
Stats for today:
Run (intervals):
4.7miles,
40mins
Ski machine:
3.2miles
30mins
The main thing occupying me is employment (or lack thereof). I've been unemployed now since March and haven't really had much luck so far - a total of 5 interviews, 1 of which I got to the 2nd round and was very close and rather upsetting when I didn't get it. The other thing occupying me is my running and general exercise. As some fellow Juneathoners will know, it has really been helping me with being unemployed both my giving me something to do and staving of obesity and insanity through lack of activity.
Lately it has been occurring to me that running and exercise is becoming more important to me. Since I started my marathon training, my interest in running has definitely developed into something far more than just something to keep me fit. Then just the other week, after another fruitless job search I started to wonder if I needed a change...while I've enjoyed working in communications, I kind of fell into it and I do always envy people who do something that they are truly passionate about. I also started to think if I am going to, maybe, possibly have a career change I'd better get on with it as I feel I've wasted enough time looking for jobs that don't seem to be there. I ask myself - why can't I combine all the time I spend exercising with earning money?
So anyway, while bobbing along on the ski machine today I came to a decision - I'm going to look into fitness instructor courses. At least do some research into what's involved, how much it could cost etc etc.
I know I have rambled on here (though, not much on today's gym session, which was good and sweaty), but I feel that typing it out and sharing with the blogsphere (whether or not it is actually read by anyone) will encourage me to act on my decisions rather than wimp out. Its time for a change.
Stats for today:
Run (intervals):
4.7miles,
40mins
Ski machine:
3.2miles
30mins
Friday, 15 July 2011
featuring a guy with a Hitler moustache
I should be writing this on my new wordpress blog but I haven't quite got round to setting it up. While I'm assured by Bad Wabbitt that it is all very easy to do but reading the introduction with all its techie talk I thought I would leave it until I was feeling a bit more web-geeky (I did do a multimedia masters but have forgotten a lot over the years).
Summer has actually decided to visit north of the border at last so I have managed to get in a few really good runs recently. Today I actually managed 9.7 miles which I was very proud of. Of these 9 or so miles, 4 or them were under 9 minutes, my fastest mile being done in 08:36 and only one taking over 10 minutes (this was one up a very steep hill).
Although I promised myself I would keep up a pretty intense running schedule while still out of work I don't really think I believed my own posturing but I have actually done really well, with only 2 proper days off since the beginning of July. On those days I went for a walk in the sunshine.
I do realise that exercise is rather addictive and I do find myself getting a little anxious when I haven't done anything. However, I do listen to my body and always take it easy if I'm feeling tired or achy. Anyway, am also loving that all this activity is allowing me to eat what I want and still keep the weight that I have lost recently off.
A long run today meant doing the Portobello seaside route. Always cheers me up on a sunny day. In the summer time its always good for people watching too. There are some strange people around. I have recently been attracting some weirdos who seem to feel the need to impart some very important gibberish whilst gesturing at me with intent...Funnily enough they never seem to notice or care that I have my ipod on, doing my best to ignore them. Anyway, my weirdo moment of the day was seeing a man with a perfect Hitler moustache, with hairstyle to match, walking along hand-in-hand with his lady friend. I'm sure he was a perfectly nice bloke but I do think someone should maybe advise him on the facial fuzz.
My other fav moment of my run was overtaking a very fit looking guy while running up a very steep hill *smug grin*.
Stats:
Distance: 9.75mi
Time taken: 01:31:23
Average/Max Speed : 6.48
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:16
Calories: 1159
men with Hitler moustaches: 1
Summer has actually decided to visit north of the border at last so I have managed to get in a few really good runs recently. Today I actually managed 9.7 miles which I was very proud of. Of these 9 or so miles, 4 or them were under 9 minutes, my fastest mile being done in 08:36 and only one taking over 10 minutes (this was one up a very steep hill).
Although I promised myself I would keep up a pretty intense running schedule while still out of work I don't really think I believed my own posturing but I have actually done really well, with only 2 proper days off since the beginning of July. On those days I went for a walk in the sunshine.
I do realise that exercise is rather addictive and I do find myself getting a little anxious when I haven't done anything. However, I do listen to my body and always take it easy if I'm feeling tired or achy. Anyway, am also loving that all this activity is allowing me to eat what I want and still keep the weight that I have lost recently off.
A long run today meant doing the Portobello seaside route. Always cheers me up on a sunny day. In the summer time its always good for people watching too. There are some strange people around. I have recently been attracting some weirdos who seem to feel the need to impart some very important gibberish whilst gesturing at me with intent...Funnily enough they never seem to notice or care that I have my ipod on, doing my best to ignore them. Anyway, my weirdo moment of the day was seeing a man with a perfect Hitler moustache, with hairstyle to match, walking along hand-in-hand with his lady friend. I'm sure he was a perfectly nice bloke but I do think someone should maybe advise him on the facial fuzz.
My other fav moment of my run was overtaking a very fit looking guy while running up a very steep hill *smug grin*.
Stats:
Distance: 9.75mi
Time taken: 01:31:23
Average/Max Speed : 6.48
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:16
Calories: 1159
men with Hitler moustaches: 1
Friday, 8 July 2011
post Juneathon blues
Its been a week since the end of Juneathon and I have to say I miss it. I miss having to think of something new to write about every day and looking forward to reading how others are getting on and looking at the comments. I know people out there are continuing to pound the pavements, especially those who are diligently raising money for charity and there are those who are keeping their blogs going and I will continue to read them.
As I said I would, I have also tried to keep up my running (I think I said I was aiming for 6 days a week), I have on the whole been doing this, though I have to say I'm finding it difficult to stay motivated now that I no longer have a target/challenge to work to. I find myself having long debates with myself in bed in the morning on whether or not to go - so far, thankfully my will power has won the argument).I have also had to go to the gym thanks to the crappy weather and I never like the idea of the gym. However, I have so far prevailed this week and even managed a 4mile outdoor run today before the thunderstorms came along. Even though I felt heavy-legged and slow I was surprised to find that I was managing to average a 9 minute mile pace so can't have been too bad. I may have a day off tomorrow, though I had hoped to start attending a park run out at cramond but the rain looks set to stay so will put it off another week.
As I said I would, I have also tried to keep up my running (I think I said I was aiming for 6 days a week), I have on the whole been doing this, though I have to say I'm finding it difficult to stay motivated now that I no longer have a target/challenge to work to. I find myself having long debates with myself in bed in the morning on whether or not to go - so far, thankfully my will power has won the argument).I have also had to go to the gym thanks to the crappy weather and I never like the idea of the gym. However, I have so far prevailed this week and even managed a 4mile outdoor run today before the thunderstorms came along. Even though I felt heavy-legged and slow I was surprised to find that I was managing to average a 9 minute mile pace so can't have been too bad. I may have a day off tomorrow, though I had hoped to start attending a park run out at cramond but the rain looks set to stay so will put it off another week.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
day 30 - early and late risings
It would have been nice to have had a spectacular finish run. However, I did not get to bed until something like 6am so I only did a short run round Holyrood Park - a bit rubbish really. I did do a bit extra earlier when I decided to walk up the crags - a smaller hill in front of Arthur Seat. I managed to watch a particularly lovely sunrise - pics below. So it was certainly worth the effort and the fact that I didn't get up till this afternoon.
So, my total Juneathon miles (for running anyway)is a pretty respectable 107 which has put me in 20th place. I know its not officially the end of until midnight, but as I have jogged, logged and am just about to finish blogging it is the end for me so am taking the stats as of this moment in time. It is also an improvement on my Janathon efforts where I had a total of 83 running miles but then it was cold, dark and often snowy so Juneathon had to be better really!
I did miss one day where I literally couldn't walk let alone run but overall I'm pretty pleased with my efforts.
Thanks to everyone who has read and commented, the support in what has been a pretty tough month has meant a lot to me. I have also really enjoyed reading others posts and have been inspired by everyone's efforts.
As I said in my last post, I do plan to continue with my more ambitious running plan and will be blogging too, though not every day as I think I would eventually run out of things to say.
Anyway, here are today's and my final stats:
Distance: 3.30mi
Time taken: 00:31:42
Average/Max Speed : 6.24/8.17 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:37/00:07:20
Calories: 395
Juneathon Total:
◦Run - 24 - 106.6 mi - 16.8 hrs
◦Bike - 2 - 14.5 mi - 0.8 hrs
◦Walk - 1 - 10.0 mi - 6.0 hrs
◦Cross - 4 - 10.9 mi - 1.8 hrs
◦Total - 31 - 142.0 mi - 25.4 hrs
I did miss one day where I literally couldn't walk let alone run but overall I'm pretty pleased with my efforts.
Thanks to everyone who has read and commented, the support in what has been a pretty tough month has meant a lot to me. I have also really enjoyed reading others posts and have been inspired by everyone's efforts.As I said in my last post, I do plan to continue with my more ambitious running plan and will be blogging too, though not every day as I think I would eventually run out of things to say.
Anyway, here are today's and my final stats:
Distance: 3.30miTime taken: 00:31:42
Average/Max Speed : 6.24/8.17 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:37/00:07:20
Calories: 395
Juneathon Total:
◦Run - 24 - 106.6 mi - 16.8 hrs
◦Bike - 2 - 14.5 mi - 0.8 hrs
◦Walk - 1 - 10.0 mi - 6.0 hrs
◦Cross - 4 - 10.9 mi - 1.8 hrs
◦Total - 31 - 142.0 mi - 25.4 hrs
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
day 29 - on writing and running
My run wasn't too exciting today - though I did pass my 100 mile mark!! I am well and truly knackered as well, but happy with surpassing my target (by 3 miles).
Today I wanted to say something about a book I'm reading. I've only been really getting more into my running since my marathon (and Juneathon has also helped a lot!) and this has meant I am starting to look at running related literature. My mum bought me Paula Radcliffe's 'How to Run' which was more a help with training rather than a proper read from cover to cover type book. Yesterday I bought Haruki Murakami's 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' and I'm already almost finished. I haven't read anything else of his but as a runner, with a great interest in writing and reading (I'm a English Literature graduate), I am really enjoying this and am finding it very inspiring. For all you Juneathoners - this guy runs EVERY DAY, ALL YEAR ROUND. And he averages 6 miles a day - I know, impressive! I share many of his sentiments and approach to running (though I will never be has hardcore as him)- I like doing it as a solo activity and am more interested personal goals than in competing with others. He also talks about writing and though the closest I will get to being a writer will be this blog - Like many English Literature students I have always like the idea that I have a novel in me (though I very much doubt this will ever happen).
Cant' believe its the last day of Juneathon tomorrow. Will miss all the banter and the routine of blogging every day and reading everyone elses. Having seen that others can run every day on a yearly basis I am going to try and go for 6 days a week, maybe not doing as much mileage but I am enjoying the routine of going out every day and, certainly as long as I'm still unemployed I will keep running to keep my spirits up and giving me something to get out of bed for.
Onto today's Stats:
Distance: 6.62mi
Time taken: 01:02:09
Average/Max Speed : 6.39/11.72 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:24/00:05:07
Calories: 804
Today I wanted to say something about a book I'm reading. I've only been really getting more into my running since my marathon (and Juneathon has also helped a lot!) and this has meant I am starting to look at running related literature. My mum bought me Paula Radcliffe's 'How to Run' which was more a help with training rather than a proper read from cover to cover type book. Yesterday I bought Haruki Murakami's 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' and I'm already almost finished. I haven't read anything else of his but as a runner, with a great interest in writing and reading (I'm a English Literature graduate), I am really enjoying this and am finding it very inspiring. For all you Juneathoners - this guy runs EVERY DAY, ALL YEAR ROUND. And he averages 6 miles a day - I know, impressive! I share many of his sentiments and approach to running (though I will never be has hardcore as him)- I like doing it as a solo activity and am more interested personal goals than in competing with others. He also talks about writing and though the closest I will get to being a writer will be this blog - Like many English Literature students I have always like the idea that I have a novel in me (though I very much doubt this will ever happen).
Cant' believe its the last day of Juneathon tomorrow. Will miss all the banter and the routine of blogging every day and reading everyone elses. Having seen that others can run every day on a yearly basis I am going to try and go for 6 days a week, maybe not doing as much mileage but I am enjoying the routine of going out every day and, certainly as long as I'm still unemployed I will keep running to keep my spirits up and giving me something to get out of bed for.
Onto today's Stats:
Distance: 6.62mi
Time taken: 01:02:09
Average/Max Speed : 6.39/11.72 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:09:24/00:05:07
Calories: 804
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