Short recovery run today, then x training at Tesco's and round Southend.
That's enough for today, my legs are aching.
I think its not just the last couple of runs that are causing the tiredness but generally having to do all my stuff and all the things that Hubby normally does too. I hope he can get this cast off his leg in a fortnight when he goes back to the hospital.
But there, I am being selfish, it must be hell to have to sit around all the time and watch tv. Actually, I would hate it and I know he does too.
Roll on 13 September!!

2 miles
11.50 pace

I am tired today. I did 11 miles yesterday which is my longest run since June. I still had the club run in my legs though and it was the hardest one I've done for a bliddy long time. Good mentally as I could have given up at 4 miles but wanted to do the distance so kept on going, even though it turned into run/walk, helped by plenty of water and sports drink and now Windsor holds no terrors for me, after this run I know I can keep going, no matter what. My legs feel like jelly now and I think a couple of days rest are in order.
I forgot to take my watch with me so HRM/stats didn't happen, which is probably the best thing I could have done as I couldn't watch the minutes ticking by or see how much my HR was soaring in the hard bits. I don't think I have taken so long over a run since I started 8 years ago even though speed has never been my thing!

11 miles
approx 2.5 hours

Last night was my first club run and I really enjoyed it. I was part of a small group of mixed ages and we ran mainly cross country taking in some hills on the way. One of the things I liked about running with them was that I got to run in places I wouldn't normally be able to go on my own as I am nervous by myself in woods or in some different surroundings.
We ran through woods, through a cow field, past a ruined castle, across the Hadleigh downs and through a churchyard. Most of these was a first for me! It got dark quickly and half of the x country part was in the dark, quite how I didn't fall over is a mystery but I didn't and I got to the end ok. I kept up with the pace although I coulnd't have comfortably gone any quicker for that distance. The people were friendly and encouraging.
All in all a good run and I am looking forward to going back next Thursday.

approx 7.5 miles
time and pace didn't really matter because of the terrain but I was pleased with the time all the same
1 hour 19 minutes
approx pace 10.53
HR up and down!!

Just a couple of minutes here to catch up on my blog.

Tuesday 22nd August.

I did a nice hilly run today. The sun shone and it got very hot which was quite unexpected as the weather has really cooled off lately. I managed the hills well and again everything felt good. I was tired out at the end. I really must do this more often.

5 miles
57.54 minutes
Average pace 11.50
Average HR 160
Peak HR 183


I am off to Benfleet Running Club later today to see if I want to join them. They do quite a lot of off road running, longer races and marathons, ultras and also have a Tri section.
Sounds like it could be fun.

I woke feeling still tired and bloated and not like running at all. I decided to ingnore this and go anyway, even if two miles was all I could manage.
I headed off in the car for Shoeburyness and parked in the Asda car park. Then off I toddled towards the seafront, being blown around by the blustery cool wind which was actually nice and refreshing after running the heat of the past couple of months.
As soon as I started running I felt better. Everything just felt right, and yes OSN it is the ChiRunning that I have been practising lately. I decided not to focus on so many things today and just concentrated on keeping my lower legs loose, leaving the other things for today as I think I have been trying too hard to get it all right at once.
The run was great, smooth, easy and even though I haven't run much in the way of distance since June I was able to keep going with minimal effort. I finished the run feeling like I could have gone on and done more, but wearing my sensible head for a change called it a day while I was still feeling good.

9.2 miles
1 hour 46 minutes
Average pace 11.82
Average HR 150
Peak HR 165

No running ro cycling for me today. Its very windy and I really CBA at the moment. I intend to go for a slightly longer run tomorrow so will kick myself up the backside and enjoy a run along the seafront for a change.

Friday.

Feeling better today but still tired and can't be bothered to do much.



Thursday.

Didn't feel well today. Holly has tonsilitis and maybe I've picked up the viris even though I have no tonsils. I feel incredibly hot and very tired


Wednesday.

I didn't feel right on the run today. I tired quickly and it felt just too much effort. I was getting a soreness in the left achilles which is strange as I have rested so much lately. Maybe it needs more running on instead of less???

5.25 miles
58.18 minutes
Average pace 11.08
Average HR 150
Peak HR 173


Tuesday.

Had a good cycle even though it was quite windy. My legs were aching at the end of the ride and felt quite wobbly when I got off.


Monday 14th August.

A good run. I forgot to set the watch after stopping it for a minute so haven't got a time etc but it felt good and I did half of it x country which made a change.

5.25 miles approx

A run today. Warm and humid and about half an hour from the end the sun came out and it was hot. I concentrated on picking my heels up and keeping my core engaged with loose lower legs and ankles and it really worked because afterwards my calves felt soft still with no aches or pains, so different from when I was heel striking. I did have to keep reminding myself to have a body check, going through the things I wanted to focus on and its harder to keep it all together when I am getting tired but it felt good most of the time and when I really got it all together (the lean, the heel lift, the core, the lightness of the feet, arm swing, cadence) it felt great.
HR was high most of the time but I think that is down to the heat and will get better when its cooler.

7 miles
1 hour 18.35
Average pace 11.19
Average HR 157
Peak HR 176

Friday.

I collected my new bike today. Oh, so nice to ride, so smooth and quicker than the mountain bike. Its an Orbea Larrau in blue and silver and I can pick it up with one hand.
I went for a ride for about half an hour but will have to get the saddle adjusted or replaced because I can't get on with that one.
I really enjoyed it though and can't wait to go out again.

The day started off with steady rain. I hung around waiting to see if it would stop but then by lunchtime I decided that if I didn't go then, I wouldn't go at all. So I drove to Westcliff seafront and parked the car and ran from there into Leigh-on-Sea. A hilly route which I really enjoyed but my legs were complaining by the end. I've not run hills for months and I showed. The rain stopped just before I started running and the breeze was cool for a change.
A good run.

5 miles
57.30 minutes
Average pace 11.46
Average HR 155
Peak HR 186

What a windy afternoon. I got blown along and stopped dead in my tracks both during the run. But it was a joy to be out running again and the wind is warm so I'm not complaining at all.
The foot is getting better so it will soon be all systems go again, but building up slowly.
I practiced the ChiRunning method again today. I have borrowed the DVD from Chuggy and it makes the book more understandable once you have seen someone using the method. It felt good in my legs and arms for most of the time but towards the end I must have been doing something wrong as I finished the run with lower back ache. I am not expecting to get it all right at once and I think I was probably trying too hard to try everythng at once so I will make more effort to stay relaxed next time and concentrate more on one thing at a time. Coming back from 4 weeks of not running seems to have made me forget everything I had learned about it.
I have a sports massage tonight, courtesy of my Pilates teacher which I am looking forward to.
Pilates last night was good, some difficult moves and I couldn't do them all, but I can feel it helping my core already.

5 miles
56.31 minutes
Average pace 11.26
Average HR 151
Peak HR 170