Lindsay's marathon training blog

Wellingborough 15K

2011-02-07T19:05:00.000Z

The Wellingborough 15K was a new event for NHRR and February's run of the month. Since my last post I suffered a little bit from a cold (but luckily not as bad as Mr C and Little Miss C) so I hadn't run so I suppose I should have been well rested!
It took us about an hour to get to Irchester Country Park. The race was 3 undulating laps of 5K (there were 5K and 10K versions of the race too), it was off road and pretty mild. The first couple of laps were quite busy but the last lap was a little lonely as the shorter distance runners had finished.
I finished in just under 1:35 which I was really pleased with, I walked a bit on the hills but felt stronger as the race went on and, most importantly, didn't come last. I even got cheers from Mr C and Little Miss C which was a nice way to finish!
All in all I'd recommend this race, nice atmosphere, nice course and nice cafe at the end!

February - has a corner been turned?

2011-02-03T19:20:00.000Z

At the beginning of January I did a 1500m reps session where I struggled to do 3 reps...well, on Tuesday I did a mile rep session where I sailed through 4 reps! Hurrah! And this was after having run the day before as well. Woooooooooooohoooooooooooooo! Maybe my running mojo is back after being on the longest holiday ever?
Hopefully I have turned a corner. I've noticed this before with running and getting fit, you slog away for ages with no sight of the corner ahead and wondering if it will ever appear...then it appears and you zoom round it and along the straight (I'm trying to say that getting fit is hard, but once you are fit and in the habit of running, keeping fit and getting fitter are much easier).
However, I shouldn't get too excited, I am currently cursed with a cold and about 1000 cold sores on my lip (very painful...) so I am resting and hoping I feel better soon...I blame germy children once again!

January training update

2011-02-03T19:13:00.002Z

As mentioned in my previous post, the start of my London marathon training wasn't the best but it was improving. I am pleased to say that the rest of January got better. Week 3 was OK (a 5.5 mile total 1500m reps session and another shorter run), Week 4 included a couple of hour-ish longer runs, a 2 mile trot with the beginners and the East Haddon XC race and Week 5 was mainly made up some 2 mile reps and the Southern XC @ Parliament Hill (very cold and muddy!). This isn't really as much as I had hoped to be doing. However, on reflection there are some good signs including a lot less walking at the 2 XC races, at last!

Where have the last few months gone?

2011-01-09T14:52:00.001Z

The last time I blogged I was trying to train for the Rutland Water marathon. Sadly, things didn't go as planned and a cold, a cough and a weird lump on my achilles meant I missed a load of training. I almost ran the marathon anyway but I had missed so much training I was worried about coming last so I decided not to. As it happened, I probably wouldn't have come last BUT I came down with a really evil cold the next day so it would probably have all ended badly...
Shortly after all this I discovered I had somehow managed to get a ballot place (one of the extra for those who bequeath to charity) for the London Marathon 2011. Eek, I didn't expect that to happen when I applied for a place in April! Oops.
Since then I have had one cold after another culminating in flu between Christmas and New Year so my training hasn't started well...still, onwards and upwards, I am sure things will improve! On the plus side, I've lost half a stone so I am starting to get a bit lighter which will hopefully help (what's the secret? Eat less and exercise more)

My first week of training can be summarised in 4 words, Pirton Boxing Day Run, my second week has been better, a 4 mile run and a 7.8 mile run:

Hitchin-Charlton-Gosmore-Preston-Charlton-Hitchin

Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

Training update

2010-09-05T22:16:00.000+01:00

Thought I had better post a quick training update...last week's training didn't include any running for a few reasons:

we were on holiday in France

I had had a nasty cold which left me with a bad cough :-(

Struggling to breathe due to my cough and with half an eye on the Duck n Dash I decided some swim training was probably in order. The pool at the campsite was pretty small so I ended up doing between 40 and 50 lengths in order to get the right distance in!

Drowning Squirrel?

2010-09-05T22:00:00.003+01:00

This week's sporting activity took a slight change of tack, I took part in the inaugural Duck n Dash aquathon, a 400m swim and a 5k run based at Letchworth outdoor pool. I have only ever done something like this once before and that was quite a number of years ago...I don't think I have been this nervous for a very long time indeed! Didn't help that we only got back from our holiday at 11pm the night before and I barely slept knowing I was going to have to get up at 5:15 (ouch, on a Sunday too).
I had been very careful with my swim time estimate which meant I was 4th in the pool...as it happened I didn't swim as slow as I feared but I was pretty slow on the run (a result of the cold mentioned in a previous post). However, all things considered I really enjoyed it and would definitely do it again!

Spoke too soon!

2010-08-27T22:08:00.001+01:00

Since I last posted I have had a cold...not impressed!

Getting there!

2010-08-25T16:50:00.001+01:00

I thought it was definitely time to give you an update on how my training is going. As I mentioned in my previous post I am following the Hal Higden Novice training schedule which is essentially 4 runs a week and one day of cross training. So far, so good although I did stub my toe quite badly just after I last posted which meant I had a slow start to my new training regime! I have been able to manage the frequency of runs although I am still a bit down on the distance of the long run. I've also done a couple of races, races 1 and 2 of the Stevenage 5k series. I finished the first race in just over 30 minutes and knocked a minute and half off the time in the second race 2 weeks later, hurrah!
As I have struggled with getting going with my training I have been pondering the following:

Getting fit is hard

Getting fit when you are overweight is hard

If I didn't already know I could get do it ('cos I've done it before) I would have stopped by now. Over the last few years I noticed that you get people coming to North Herts Road Runners to come and get fit. A lot of them come a long for a few weeks and then stop, I can now see why, getting fit is super hard work!
That said, I have noticed over the last week or two that running is starting to get a bit easier, I am getting there at last!

A new challenge

2010-08-01T11:02:00.000+01:00

Right, at the end of my last post I mentioned I needed a new challenge. I am not one to do things by halves so a few weeks ago I entered the Rutland Water Marathon at the beginning of November. Yes, this is madness but I feel like I need something big to get my teeth into! I looked at a few training plans online and decided that the Hal Higden Novice training schedule would be a good place to start. Although I've done 13 marathons (the 12 mentioned in that link plus New York, I haven't trained consistently for around a year now so I would consider myself as a novice. It's quite a simple schedule (essentially 4 runs a week and one day of cross training) which is a frequency I think is achievable.

So the plan for next week is a couple of 3 mile runs, a 5 mile and a 10 mile. The 10 mile could be a bit challenging but I just need to grit my teeth and see how it goes.

Watch this space!

New beginnings!

2010-08-01T10:53:00.001+01:00

As you can maybe guess from my lack of blogging, training has been somewhat intermittent of late (there is a positive correlation between frequency of training and frequency of blogging). Essentially, I am still struggling to get going although things are definitely improving, here's a summary:

For those of you know me, we've been homeless for 6 weeks and have been nomadically moving from place to place, I have been getting some training runs in, but nothing much more than a few 40ish minute runs

I've done a couple of Midweek League races, namely the 10k at Royston and the 9k mob match at Trent Park. I was particularly pleased with my trent park race as I managed to run a hilly off road course without having to stop for a walk :-) Of course, it goes without saying that the times for these 2 races are not worth reporting so I won't!

Mob Match @ Trent Park

I guess the important thing here is that although I am horrible unfit at the moment, I have been here before (many years ago!) and I know I can get fit again. But it's very hard and if I didn't already know I could do it I might have given up already.

So where next for this overweight, unfit, motivationless runner? What about a new challenge? Yep, I think that'll do the trick!

2 steps forwards and 1 step back

2010-04-25T10:53:00.003+01:00

Around Christmas time, I was able to do a bit of running and I started to feel I was able to get a little bit fit again. Sadly after Christmas a combination of poor sleeping by mini-cook and a nasty cold meant I never quite got going. A couple of weeks ago, we went on holiday on a canal boat (ll;">from Foulridge to Sowerby Bridge) which provided me with the perfect opportunity to get going again. That week I managed to run for 30 minutes 4 times and although it was hard, I started to feel I was getting back to some sort of fitness. Since then, I managed a few more 3-4 mile runs and I really started to think I might be turning a corner...
Sadly, I am currently sitting on the sofa watching the London Marathon with another nasty cold (I really think I have had more than my fair share of colds this winter, I suspect mini-cook is to blame!), I feel like I can hardly get up the stairs, let alone go for a run. However, I am plotting my next steps so watch this space!

Herts XC fun

2010-03-29T19:43:00.000+01:00

Yesterday saw the rerunning of the cancelled Herts XC (cancelled due to snow in January) in Cassiobury Park, Watford. The Herts XC championships are usually a low key affair and this year they were even lower key than usual. However, it was a lovely day for a run, the sun was shining and the daffodils were out, very spring-like indeed. I've not run that much recently, laziness and illness being the main reasons and as a result I had a bad day at the office...I did come 17th...out of 17 finishers. Oops.
The main issue of the day was how to co-ordinate looking after mini-cook. There were only 45 minutes between the start of the ladies race and the start of the men's race and it took me just under 55 minutes to complete the course. We had a couple of options, Gary could start the men's race when I finished or we could find someone to mini-cook-sit. Luckily we knew one of the timing people so when I finished, mini-cook was waiting for me at the finish line. (Looking at the results, Gary finished 16 minutes ahead of the last placed runner so if he had waited for me he would have caught 10 men, not bad eh?)

Impending veteran status

2010-03-22T09:35:00.001Z

I can hardly believe it but on Thursday I'll be a veteran! A few years ago I used to say I was looking forwards to this milestone so I could finally win some prizes but that didn't take into account 2 things: the fact that my fellow seniors age at the same rate I do and that often veteran road runners are faster than seniors! I suppose that if I keep going another 30 years I might win something as a V65...
There are some plus points to being a vet, mainly that I get to take part in the vet-specific events that I wasn't old enough to take part in before. It also gives me the opportunity to set myself some new running objectives, any ideas anyone?

Another cross country race (or should I say swim?)

2010-03-08T10:04:00.000Z

Last Sunday saw me take part in my second race of the cross country season. It has pained me not to take part in XCs 'cos I love 'em. IMHO if there isn't mud, hills, water, rain, snow etc then a race just isn't worth doing! The race was at Bedford and the day before we discovered that the race was under threat due to a flood warning on the River Great Ouse and the forecast of a lot of rain. Luckily the race wasn't cancelled but a river crossing did have to be removed. Not that you would have noticed!
For some context, the Bedford XC course runs along by the river so it isn't hilly (shame) but it is usually wet. Now, imagine the scene, rain, flood warning, race running along the banks of a river...yes, it was wet underfoot (and under ankle and under knee). This turned out to be OK as the course wasn't particularly heavy because it was so wet.
Now, on to the race. It was around 4 miles with a slight route change to avoid a river crossing. I liked the new route as it meant I could see most of our scoring men's team as they ran in the opposite direction (well run chaps!). I am still horribly unfit (but improving) and I got very wet but I very much enjoyed the race.
Random factoid: this was my first ever race for NHRR back in December 1999. So there you go.

My first race of the cross country season

2010-02-22T13:51:00.003Z

Valentine's Day saw me return to XC action. I love cross country, it is definitely my favourite part of the year and I've really missed taking part in this year's XC league. Luckily, my fellow NHRR member Rachel was kind enough to offer to Hannah-sit (she's training for the Brighton Marathon and had done a long run the day before). Even more luckily, Hannah is generally well behaved so as long as she has been fed and watered she is usually fine in her pram.
The race was 2 hilly laps round Ampthill Park so if the worst came to the worst I could always drop out halfway round. As it happened Hannah was absolutely fine and every time I ran past her I sighed a huge sigh of relief as all was silent.
Sadly, I am not in great shape (understatement of the year) and I did find it very hard indeed and looking at the pictures it's clear to see why...too much coffee and cake makes Lindsay a heavy girl...

Intelligent running shoes for women?

2010-02-11T20:16:00.000Z

I read this article with interest. Essentially, Asics use Soft Top Duomax in the midsole of this shoe to apparently accommodate for fluctuations in women's hormonal levels which cause the foot arches to be lowered, creating more pressure on the plantar fascia. Personally, I am a Nike Air Pegasus girl and I have been for over 10 years now. However, I had no idea that running shoes could be so clever!

Running with a pram

2010-02-03T21:44:00.002Z

Last night I went for a run with some fellow North Herts Road Runners. A year ago that wouldn't have been anything noteworthy, after all it was what I did twice a week and have done for 10 years now. However, post Hannah this isn't as straight forwards as it used to be. Here is how last night went:

Discuss with Mr C about our running plans for the evening. Decide on a plan which is for Mr C to do the mile reps and for me to go for a run (too cold to leave Hannah hanging around in between mile reps if we both do them)

Feed Hannah to ensure she doesn't get hungry en route

Change Hannah into her pjs so she can go straight to bed when she gets home

Change Hannah's nappy as she likes to wait for the most inconvenient moment before needing a clean nappy

Pack my running bag while Mr C entertains child

Mr C packs running bag while I entertain child, prepare her milk for later and ensure we have a supply of nappies to take with us

Put Hannah in her car seat, gather up our belongings (looks like we are going away for the weekend!) and off we go!

Arrive at tennis club and put Hannah in her pram

Do notices and finally set off for run...stop 2 seconds after leaving front door to put rain cover on pram

Finally go for a run!

Mr C returns from mile reps at 8:30, I go for a shower and he feeds Hannah

Mr C goes for a shower

Phew, we both have dinner!!!!

Put Hannah back in her car seat, gather up our belongings and go home

Arrive home and put all of us to bed

I managed 2 and a half miles through Letchworth town centre and it was pretty succesful, running with the pram makes your arms tired though!

Pram friendly Letchworth
Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

Buggyfit

2010-01-28T17:08:00.003Z

I mentioned in a recent post that I was going to try out a buggyfit class in an attempt to regain some fitness. So on Tuesday morning I dusted off my trainers, packaged Hannah up in her pram and with some trepidation power walked (because as usual I was late) off to Butts Close, Hitchin.

There were 8 of in the class, all of us new as none of the usuals were there which meant at least the class could be tailored to us a little bit better. We started by strolling round the park, did some stretching and then power walked around the park. We then did some reps of lunges (with the pram, an interesting test in co-ordination), some pelvic floor exercises and some cardio work (running or power walking) around part of the park and finished off with some exercises for triceps and abs.

I really enjoyed it and felt I was able to be quite energetic which was a nice surprise. That said, it was harder than I expected and I know that even at my most fit, that number of lunges would have made my legs hurt. Anyway, I paid for 10 classes up front so I will have to keep going now. Even better, Hannah loved being jostled around in her Nipper 360 and slept through the whole class, well worth it!

And now? Well, 2 days later I am suffering from the lunges and my legs are sore...but I am sure I will recover!

I'm watching you!

2010-01-26T04:57:00.005Z

For those of you that don't know, I work for (when I am not on maternity leave) a well known online travel company. One of things that is important to the team I work in is knowing how people find your site. given this professional interest, I thought it would be interesting to have a look at who was landing on my blog and how they were getting there.
First of all, don't worry, I can't tell who anyone is! But I can see what words they entered into google to find this blog.
Unsurprisingly, the most popular words in google which bring up my blog are "half marathon" and "half marathon training blog", I suppose that makes sense. But imagine my mortification when I discovered that someone recently typed "very unfit marathon training" into Google and ended up reading my blog as a result! Ouch!

From marathon to Buggyfit in 15 months!

2010-01-25T20:06:00.005Z

Regular readers to this blog will remember that in November 2008 I ran the New York Marathon. When I look back on the run up to New York, I realise how fit I was then with plenty of runs along with circuit training. Things are a little different now as I can count the number of runs I've done in the last 6 months on one hand!

I'll blog at a late date about my plan to get fit again (I do have one) but I thought I'd let you know about my newest fitness adventure, Buggyfit! I'm going to my first class tomorrow (my cold permitting) and I am not entirely sure about what to expect. According to their blurb, it's the "ultimate fitness class for mums and babies" although I don't think the babies really get a work out as they lie back and watch from their prams and snuggly and warm in their footmuffs! The class is an hour long and apparently will involve a 3-5 mile route in total...that's about my current speed so fingers crossed I should be ok!

I'll report back once I have been...

Racing again...but not training

2010-01-02T20:00:00.006Z

I've not blogged (or trained really!) in a while but I did a couple of races in December.
My post-Hannah debut was the third of the Stevenage 5k series on December 10th. I think my training for that race consisted of the run described below and one other (about 40 minutes in very wet conditions!) so I was slightly concerned about how I would get on. But, 5k is only 3 and a bit miles and I survived unscathed! I ran all the way round, even feeling comparatively strong in the last kilometre and finished in an unimpressive time of 31:19. How times have changed, I was very happy indeed with my unimpressive time!

My next race was the Pirton Boxing Day Run, a very friendly, relaxed local off road 3 and a bit mile race. I have to admit I didn't run at all between these 2 races (although in my defence I do a lot of walking with the pram). And yes, no training and a muddy slushy course is hard work. However, I did really enjoy it (but I did have to go to bed at 8:30 that night as I was so tired).

Running Mummy

2009-11-17T10:48:00.006Z

I've been sitting on the sofa and thinking about getting back into my training and in true Lindsay style I've been doing some research...

I wondered how soon other runners started back running after having a baby (Hannah is just over 10 weeks old at the moment). Turns out there are loads of running mummys out there just desperate to get their trainers back on. It certainly seems like there isn't a right or a wrong answer, just start back when you feel like it!

So, once I realised I could run whenever I felt like it, I decided to go for a run instead of just thinking about it. This was made easier by the fact that I have been spending the week in Preston with my parents so I had some day time babysitters just ready to be deployed. Yesterday, I fed Hannah, left her with Grandma and went for a run for the first time since the end of July and it was great, I loved it! I ran/walked for about 40 minutes and even dodged the rain (which in Preston is quite an achievement!)

Today I have sore legs and bending down to pick Hannah up or put something into the pram and crouching on the floor to do nappy changes was...er...interesting...I've got a long way to go.

Hopefully before long, I won't need a babysitter to go running, I'll be able to take Hannah with me in her pram:

Starting all over again

2009-11-16T09:55:00.006Z

I've not run since 23 July (and even then I wasn't running a lot) and I think it is about time I started running again. However, there are a couple of obstacles to overcome:

I am very unfit at the moment!

I am very lardy...

Although Hannah sleeps well, I am still a little lacking in sleep

Hannah makes it a bit tricky to find the time to fit running in
I've entered a 5k on 10 December, mmm, maybe not the most sensible thing I have ever done, I need to get from nothing to being able to run 5k in less than a month! I've also entered the Pirton Boxing Day fun run but I've got a bit more time to prepare for that one!
So, where to start? I think I'll sit on the sofa and think about it for a while!

Why I haven't run (or blogged) for a while...

2009-11-16T09:53:00.003Z

Hannah Louise Cook (12 September)

I reckon I have a good excuse...

Is running bad for you?

2009-07-28T17:10:00.002+01:00

This weekend, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy was reported to have collapsed while jogging prompting some debate on whether or not running is good for you or not.
Now, Mr Sarkozy and his wife are known for going running so it seemed surprising that he collapsed. According to the reports, he suffered a vasovagal episode brought on by exhaustion and dehydration. I've not heard of this before but I guess it makes sense that running in extreme heat is tough going.
Despite the fact these episodes are few and far between, I was intrigued by the bbc article which decided that the French president's collapse meant they had to summarise the good and bad of running. According to runners world, the benefits of running are:

increased fitness levels - pretty obvious really...

Good for weight control - as all exercise is, this isn't limited to running...

Heightens sense of well-being - again, not limited to running

Reduces long-term risk of cardiac problems - ditto

Good way to explore a city or enjoy the countryside - this for me is my main reason for running. I like to feel fit but I really like the fact that running can take you to see all sorts of places (whether you are in a place and decide to go for a run when you are there or whether you've gone somewhere specifically for a race).

So yes, I agree with the bbc article but I am not sure they needed to restate all this really...

Limbering up

2009-07-24T12:02:00.001+01:00

Fairlands Valley Relays
Originally uploaded by NHRR

This and other similar photos were taken at the Fairlands Valley 3K relays. I ended up somehow being on the 5th and final leg of a men's team. We were 5th from last when I took the baton and penultimate by the time I finished. I am good at penultimate these days!!!!

I think this is probably my last racing outing for a while (sob sob) as 3k without stopping was a challenge but I am sure I will still pootle around the fields for a while!

Fatty!

2009-07-24T11:59:00.003+01:00

Fairlands Valley Relays
Originally uploaded by NHRR

A slow start

2009-07-24T11:59:00.001+01:00

Fairlands Valley Relays
Originally uploaded by NHRR

Brilliant Support from NHRR

2009-07-24T11:58:00.001+01:00

Fairlands Valley Relays
Originally uploaded by NHRR

Cool cheering!

MWL Mob Match@Trent Park

2009-07-16T08:10:00.003+01:00

Sadly I wasn't able to complete all the MWL races this year after having to drop out of the Mob Match at Trent Park as I had a headache :-(. Actually, I think the thought of having to go to the end of the Picadilly line to get there was a major factor in the decision!
I am still managing to run a bit, not a lot though as I have definitely got less energy. On the plus side I am still able to ride my folding bike so at least i am getting some excercise!

Summer BBQ

2009-07-16T08:10:00.001+01:00

101_0839
Originally uploaded by NHRR

We're even competitive in a sack race...sadly I am being beaten :-(

MWL Race 4@St Albans

2009-07-02T07:56:00.001+01:00

So, on to the 4th Midweek League Race in St Albans. For the first time in a long time (maybe even ever) NHRR were safe in Division 1 before the race even started. The Ladies and the Vet Men still had a chance at overall glory but as a club we didn't need to stress too much about this race which certainly made a nice change!
The weather for the whole week was very hot and muggy which made me think twice about running. However, on the day itself I felt very perky and decided I would run carefully (as if my bod would let me do anything else!) and drop out if I was getting too hot and bothered. I set off on the 7 mile hilly course armed with my attractive yellow Paris marathon hat and some water looking forward to a nice run round a course which I find hard but enjoyable.
To be honest, I didn't even feel the heat that much (unlike Statto who really struggled) but I suspect that may be as there is virtually no chance I would be able to go fast enough to be able to get that hot and bothered. After a couple of miles I spotted a St Johns man on a bike and a bit later on he came back to me after having been told by some kind fellow NHRR of my 'condition'! He ended up not getting too far away from me for the next few miles which was nice of him and, although I was feeling fine, quite reassuring too!
I really enjoyed this run, I knew there was someone behind me so I was able to feel confident I wasn't going to come last so it didn't matter if I walked a bit.
Even Mr C must have been a bit concerned as he came back as far as the last mile to check I was still in one piece and then proceeded to encourage me up a hill by saying I could catch the girl in front of me!
It isn't very often in your running career where you get encouraged in the final few metres of a race by "well done, don't sprint, don't push it too hard"...I think I might adopt this mantra for future use!
All in all, a successful day, I enjoyed my run, didn't conk out halfway though and didn't finish last, what more can a girl ask for!

Mid-Summer Mulligatawny

2009-06-26T10:00:00.008+01:00

The perfect way to spend a summer's evening...

(the smiles are due to the fact we were hoping Martyn would be further down the huge hill)

(and this is what happened as soon as we got past Martyn)
NHRR Mulligatawny
Find more Runs in Lilley, United Kingdom

26 weeks gone, 14 to go...how's my running getting on?

2009-06-22T21:32:00.002+01:00

So, here I am 26 weeks pregnant and still trying to run...how's it going then?
At the moment Cuthbert (as mini-Cook is currently known) is apparently "on the large side" and has noteworthily long legs. For those who know Mr C this will come as no surprise! Sadly those extra long legs are no use for anything at all...I do feel Cuthbert should pull it's weight a bit more when it comes to excercise!
As you can see from my posts about races, I am definitely slowing down. I gave myself the aim of doing all the Midweek League races as they are all around 10K (a sensible distance) and all in the evening so not too hot. I'm pretty sure I'll achieve this aim (fingers crossed).
There are a few things making it tough going though:

I've not trained as much so I am not as fit as I was late last year (I ran the New York marathon at the beginning of November)

Added to that I am lugging around extra weight which makes life harder (by the end, I will be, on average, 24lb heavier than at the beginning)

I am also getting out of breath a lot more quickly than I was before

The increasing bump puts extra strain on abdominal and pelvic muscles which means they ache after running so running 2 days in a row is not possible

I'll gloss over this, but I do need to go to the loo a lot and I often feel I need to go to the loo which makes running an uncomfortable experience at times!
On the plus side for the last few months I've managed to:

Do a 10 mile, half marathon and numerous 10k races

Train once or twice a week on average

Continue my circuit training class (minus ab exercises) on average once a week

Continue cycling to work (in total about 4 miles a day) (that will stop when i can't life my folding bike on to the train!)

Been more or less my usual active self the rest of the time

And even better, running keeps Cuthbert quiet as it is very wriggly and squirmy the rest of the time!

In summary, it's tough but I am enjoying it...let's see how long I can continue for!

MWL Race 3@Chingford

2009-06-17T21:13:00.001+01:00

For a North Hertfordshire resident, the Midweek League race at Chingford is a nightmare, a complete pain to get to, especially during the week. However, given our position in the league, we still needed as many people as possible to be out there and running...and I am pleased to say that NHRR really turned out in force with over 50 runners, wow!
I went straight from work on the most frustrating train ever which barely got going before stopping at another station...after half an hour of this we made it to Chingford and luckily the race HQ wasn't far from the station.
I have been a member of NHRR since 1999 and I've never run this course before (amazing after all these years) so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It turned out to be a very pleasant run indeed through Epping Forest (Formed in approximately 8000 BC after the last ice age, it covers nearly 6,000 acres (24 km²)and contains areas of grassland, heath, rivers, bogs and ponds.). There were some large hills which I had to walk up but otherwise it was very pleasant.
Now, I've started to realise there is a chance I may come in last in one of these races and if I ever do, I will retire from running for a few months. Whilst pottering happily along, I heard the girl behind me tell someone she was last. Well that was it, I was like a hunted fox, or the thing greyhounds chase after in greyhound racing (apparently it is called a lure) and I ran/waddled as fast I could to make sure she didn't catch me...and I was successful finishing in 1:13:24 (6.69 miles) and one place in front of the last placed runner, phew!

MWL Race 2@Welwyn Garden City

2009-06-04T21:06:00.002+01:00

A week's holiday on a canal boat where you are banned from any sort of physical activity is not great preparation for a race. Neither is a day at work and I always find the Midweek League races hard for this reason. If you are like me, you rush into work in the morning, rush off again later on, rush onto a train, rush into a taxi and take a breather once you are reunited with your kit and ready to set off (still, this is still less stressful than last year's equivalent fixture!).
For the second race in a row, I adopted a fellow MWL runner on the train (last race it was a St Albans strider adopted by our faithful lift giver (Karen) while waiting for us to get off the train, this year it was a FVS runner who was wearing trainers with her suit and looked vaguely familiar. She thought I looked familiar too and we ended up sharing a tax, it's like international co-operation but on much smaller scale...
The WGC course is now a measured 10K, but still involves 2 irritating laps of WGC which I now feel I have done a 100 times before (I wonder just how many times I have run these laps, must be 10-15 times...).
The race itself was uneventful, I trotted round in my usual slow and getting slower style, it was a nice evening though and we had some great support en route so I enjoyed my run. Despite someone outsprinting me (I am not really worth sprinting against these days as I don't try) I finished in 1:04:45, quicker than the Hatfield Broad Oak 10K but I have really started to slow now and in 380th place, I was only 5 runners from being last.

The major downside to being slow (or being a devoted NHRR supporter waiting for people like me to crawl in) this was the complete lack of food at the end. It was a tad frustrating as I could see food in the kitchen but it was for the helpers and I ended up having a nutritious dinner of a jam tart and a mini roll.

Hatfield Broad Oak 10K

2009-05-25T20:59:00.001+01:00

I entered the Hatfield Broad Oak 10K with some trepidation. Although this race is based in a nice village with a great atmosphere, loads of locals running and everyone in a festival mood, the last couple of times I have run this race I have got soaked. Last time we were seriously worried that the car would not make it back out of the field (our little red Yaris is not really designed to be an off-roader!) and I recall getting soaked as far as my underwear.
Anyway, this year it seemed we would be ok as we set off on a dull but dry day. On balance, I've enjoyed this race in the past. On the plus side it has a nice atmosphere and there is a fair mix of runners meaning you don't get too lonely at the back. However, I have always found this race hard, not really appreciating the downhill finish as I have always been too tired plus I've never had 100% confidence in the results and large amounts of PBs this course always seems to produce (maybe I am just jealous, it's over 10 years since I set my 10K PB!!!).
Of course, given my current "condition" I had no plans or aims as usual for this so I set off at a leisurely pace, watchless and determined to enjoy the view en route. The course runs through country lanes before coming back through the village (where there is loads of cheering and encouragement) before looping back round some lanes again and finishing a bit lower than you started. I enjoyed the part of the course where I got to see some of our faster runners and cheer them on up the incline out of the village although I have to admit by the time I got to the aformentioned incline I had to walk to make it to the top in one piece...that was where Sibbo caught me walking but at least I do have an excuse these days!!
So, how did I fare? This is the first race in a while I had to walk and I did find it hard going, especially in the second half of the race when having to slog up hills. My time (01:06:32, 1051/1120) was a good few minutes slower than previous efforts (mainly due to walking) but I did enjoy it and I didn't get soaked!

MWL Race 1@Stevenage

2009-05-14T12:40:00.002+01:00

The first race of our annual summer midweek league took place in sunny Stevenage on 14 May. We're in division 1 again this year and we're desperately hoping to avoid relegation (as we are the West Brom of the MWL). The best way to avoid this is to get as many people to run as possible (increases the odds of the super speedies being there) and we got over 50 people out, what a success!
I went there straight from work with Karen kindly offering to pick James and I up from the station (plus a lost St Albans strider, running is a very friendly sport!) and my kit being transported by Gazza and Christine.
The course was a measured 10k and a new route. Statto had done some research and warned of a tough second half to the race...I took heed of this (unlike the man himself!) and set off nice and steadily (something I am getting better at).
All sorts of people seemed to be overtaking me in the first few km which worried me but as I couldn't go any faster it wasn't an issue! I actually found the first few km much harder than I expected and I didn't much enjoy slogging along next to busy roads. Just after halfway, the course turned into Fairlands Valley park and it got a lot more enjoyable. I was able to catch up a few people (but I was still being overtaken by hoards of others) and I was getting into a nice rhythm. It did start to get tougher as it dragged uphill but soon the dependable NHRR supported started to pop up en route which was well timed as I needed it.
A quick plug for Julia Stroud here, she stormed past me a couple of km from the finish and got miles ahead of me, what a good finish! I was struggling to keep myself going (I even had to content with a quick football dribble as one was kicked into my way in the last 500m) and eventually I cruised over the finish line in 1:01:18 (which I was pretty pleased with). Hardly an amazing time (and certainly not one where you would expect the person running behind you to be encouraged by a loud, repeated shout of "Take her out" (her referring to me I suppose and for the record she didn't) but not a bad time all things considered.
Sadly the water ran out at the end and the evil Fairlands Valley park gnats struck again but otherwise it was a successful run. The results worked out really well too, 3rd for the men, 2nd for the ladies and 3rd overall on the night. Our vet men also came first which I am sure they are very proud of. All in all a top night for NHRR!

Running with a bump

2009-05-13T21:56:00.005+01:00

As I mentioned a couple of posts ago I am pleased to announce I'm having a baby at the end of September. In true Lindsay style, I thought I had better investigate if this running business was a good idea in my current state!

To start with, the standard advice to pregnant women re exercise is to continue with whatever you are doing, don't change anything and certainly don't embark on a new fitness regime! That said, when you tell people you are going running they do look at you with a certain amount of shock, running, in your condition?

As far as running is concerned, as it is a good workout then it seems a good idea although running can be tough on joints and with the hormone relaxin loosening joints there is a greater chance of injury. OK, so I think that souonds like it is probably OK. It is important to remain well hydrated and not to over-exert yourself (no worries there then...)

There are some well known elite athletes (cos I am obviously one of them) who continued running while expecting, Liz McColgan said "...I trained all through my pregnancy. I was three and half months pregnant before I knew that I was pregnant and I was training 100 odd miles a week... I trained right up until I had her. I think it was about the week before I had her I was out for a run and I took a really sore stomach and I said 'Well, that's nature telling you stop running,' so I stopped running then... But I just love running. I think if I'd stopped I just wouldn't know what to do with myself." As for Paula Radcliffe, she trained a lot but her husband admitted "People were looking at her as if she was crazy". Apparently she only went for one run a day whilst pregnant instead of two!

A bit further back, Ingrid Krisitiansen trained throughout her pregnancy and Fanny Blankers Koen won the 4 gold medals in the 1948 Olympic games whilst 3 months pregnant.

I've even found a training plan for pregnant ladies!

So, that's all very well in theory and I am hardly as fit as my examples were so what about the practice. Well, luckily I've been feeling really healthy and well so I've been pottering on at 2-3 runs per week. I am definitely feeling more tired (in general not just in running) and more recently I have started to get out of breath more quickly (apparently that is due to high levels of progesterone supposedly cause a heightened sensitivity to C02). I am also suffering from having to carry some excess ballast and more frequent trips to the loo which will only get worse!

The next thing is where do I find suitable running kit and does the NHRR kit secretary do (even) larger vests than the one I own! Answers on a postcard please...

Flitwick 10k

2009-04-19T21:45:00.003+01:00

So the next challenge was the shorter (yay) Flitwick 10k. Hurrah for shorter races...

Once again, Statto had done his research to undercover a somewhat hilly 10k. This is another race I've done a couple of times before and I have always really enjoyed it so I was looking forwards to it.

Once again I set off with no aim and again I benefited from that approach, there is something to be said for not putting yourself under pressure, I am not sure the end result would have been any different if I had targeted a particular time but I am hardly an expert in sports psychology!

I had a couple of other NHRRs to keep me honest though! Geoff P (again!) and Christine Sharp were both in viewing distance in front of me. Not long after the water station at halfway (which was next to a field where they had been muck spreading and I almost threw up all over the road, it's hard to breathe, not breathe and retch all at the same time) I managed to get closer to both of them and finally managed to catch them on the penultimate hill. As in the Sandy 10, I got stronger as the race went on and finished with a flourish in a time of 60:38.

Again, another photo, less flattering this time though!

Sandy 10

2009-03-29T19:42:00.006+01:00

It was a nice day for the short trip north up the A1 to Sandy for the Sandy 10. It's a while since I last did this race plus I haven't done it many times but I did remember it had a hill in the first couple of miles that you run down again near the end of the race. Other than that it's all a bit of a blur of not running well!

Gazza (aka him indoors or my worse other half) had had a bit of a knee injury and I wasn't expecting too much of my race...mainly because I am due to have a baby at the end of September (but more of that in another post at a later stage) so we weren't too stressed out.

So we set off, out of Sandy in the sun and towards the hill. About half way up the hill I came across a running friend, Malc from Bedford Harriers so we had a nice chat before Malc had a little walk not long before the top of the hill. Luckily the hill wasn't as bad as I had remembered (btw, see Statto's blog for more undulation information). Needless to say, Malc caught me up again before long, then I caught him, he caught me etc all the way until the downhill finish where he stormed past me...I'll get him next time!

All in all, I had a nice run, ran all the way, finished strongly (even catching Geoff P a couple of miles before the end), I paced it well and really enjoyed it. Maybe there is something to be said for starting a race with no real aim and I was happy with my time of 1:38:53?

I even had a half decent photo taken of me (look at the top right of the screen!)

Milton Keynes Half Marathon

2009-03-09T19:55:00.002Z

My blog frequency and training frequency are very tied together. Therefore no blogging equals precious little training. So entering the Milton Keynes Half Marathon maybe wasn't the wisest thing to do? Well, both Gazza and I entered, I've not run this race before so it was a nice change.
Getting to the race was ok (apart from the queue to turn right into the Open University). The race itself seemed quite big with loads of non club runners (I'll talk more about that later) with fairly average organisation and long toilet queues! (more queuing). There were 3 main downsides, first, it took us an hour to get from the Open University to M1 junction 13 (ouch), second it was very windy in the second half of the race (as Statto had predicted) and it made conditions very tough indeed and third, it poured down in the last couple of miles. Serves me right for being so slow as I finished in a pathetic 2:20 and I don't care about the seconds.

As I was running, I made some observations about my fellow runners. I don't want to sound up myself or superior here so if I do I apologies. But most of these observations were made about the non club runners around me...

Why do some runners pin their number on their back?

How many gels do you really need for a half marathon?

So many runners were carrying large water bottles when there were water stations every 3 miles. And even worse, quite a number were wearing camel back rucksacks which didn't look that comfy

A lot of people were wearing way too many clothes, waterproofs, fleeces, hats, gloves, long leggings, jogging bottoms, all of the above

Why do people wear baggy shorts over leggings?

Adidas leggings are often see through in the wrong light!

And how do I know (as a seasoned runner) that some of these things are daft? Experience I guess...

Post New York Marathon reflection

2009-03-06T19:53:00.002Z

I know, I know, I went underground blog-wise after the New York Marathon, what happened? Well, I was pleased...and tired...and jet lagged...and went on holiday...and then it was Christmas, just like that. I did all Stevenage 5ks (the first one of them in my fastest time for around 5 or 6 years), the NHRR cross country and the Bungtingford 10 but for the rest of 2008 that was it.
And it appears I was missed. A few club members commented that I hadn't posted for a while plus a Stopsley Strider (hello!) mentioned it in passing during the NHRR XC!
2009 started a bit better with the Herts XC (tiring!), Fred Hughes 10 (disappointing) and then the blog is up to date.

What happened? Well, 2 marathons in a year was tough going both physically and mentally and I needed a break. But I am back now (unluckily for you but you don't have to read this do you?).

East Haddon XC

2009-03-01T19:50:00.000Z

East Haddon XC
I've said it before and I will say it again, I love cross country. OK, so Easy Haddon is 60 miles away but the course is fairly scenic, there's mud and hills, what more could a girl ask for? Added to that it was a lovely day, very spring like! Sadly, only 19 squirrels could make it but those that did had a very special experience and (as far as I know) enjoyed it a lot!
I ran ok, pootled along really. That is until the penultimate field where i came across Neil Miller and Luke Humphries who encouraged me to catch the 2 people in front of me (they had just overtaken me on the hill going into the field). Anyway, I did. And then I decided the next 2 were in my sights. I charged along with all sorts of people cheering me on and I had one of those moments where I seemed to be catching them with every step. I caught them and then still had to charge into the finishing straight hoping I would stay away from them and I did, hurrah!

In the process, the most unflattering photo of me ever got taken but at least I know I was running fast at the same time!

NHRR Photos
Originally uploaded by NHRR

Lovely day for a run!

2009-02-22T21:16:00.003Z

Saturday 21 February, National XC, Parliament Hill Fields, London. Not usually a course where I can say I had a lovely day, usually it is hellishly muddy, hilly and hard. But this year it was the most gorgeous and uplifting day. And I didn't come last. And, although the mud and hills were bad, I was pleasantly surprised at the unexpectedly lower levels of mud, especially given the large amount of precipitation we've had recently.

Weirdly, Gary and I both came 524th in our races, what are the chances of that happening?

Official Photos

2008-11-07T01:33:00.006Z

Tired and jetlagged but chuffed to bits!

2008-11-06T19:06:00.005Z

So, as the millions of real-time updates told you, I finished! Here’s the story of my New York experience…

We arrived late on Thursday night. Sadly, the first thing that happened was the immigration computer system crashing and we had to spend an hour and a half just sitting in immigration. Luckily we got through eventually and jumped straight in a taxi from JFK airport to our hotel in Manhattan. I’d chosen our hotel based on the tripadvisor hotel reviews which said the beds were comfortable. And yes, that was true, thank goodness.

We woke the next morning at a sensible time and by lunchtime we were up and about and enjoying the New York experience. First on the list was the free shuttle bus to the marathon expo to pick up our numbers and obtain some marathon themed merchandise (I invested in a lovely pair of gloves with the names of the 5 NY boroughs on each finger) and then we got a free bus to a sports shop after we were lured by the offer of free lunch. There was indeed free lunch plus Deena Castor and the same marathon merchandise with 20% off (boo). Next up we decided to walk around a bit to see the sites of Lower Manhattan including the statue of liberty at sunset on the Staten Island Ferry…lovely. In true Gary and Lindsay style we did walk around a lot and we were pretty tired by the end of it…maybe not the best marathon preparation! Later on we took in the Greenwich Village Halloween parade which gave us the opportunity to observe our American friends' love of getting dressed up at Halloween, has to be seen to be believed.

We decided to take it a bit easier on Saturday. Well, after the International friendship run which was 4k from the UN to just before the marathon finish line in Central Park. The highlight of this was the large French flag carried by some frogs singing La Marseillaise, very entertaining! We also discovered that out of 35,000ish runners in the marathon the were 3,800 brits, 3,500 French and 3,000 Italians. I was truly amazed by how international the marathon is as well as the way it takes over the city. On the plane, in immigration, in the hotel and walking around the streets there are so many marathon runners. I wonder if is the same in London, I am not sure you notice it when you live in or near a city as opposed to visiting.

We spent the rest of the day at the “Top of the rock”, an excellent viewpoint at the top of the Rockefeller Centre which was lovely and warm and mild and had loads of good benches to rest on! On Saturday evening we took in the marathon pasta party and the marathon fireworks in Central Park, very exciting! By this point I was a little bit nervous and young Gary was suffering from a random paranoid injury moment when he was unable to walk without a limp on the way back to the hotel, most worrying.

We were on the latest possible Midtown bus option on Sunday morning to the start at Staten Island which left at 6am. We arrived at the start at around 6:45am, a good 3 and a half hours before my race started, way too early. I am not sure why they get you there so early, probably something to do with the bridge you run over in the first mile and getting there but 3 and a half hours is too early. Especially when the mild weather from the rest of the weekend disappears just when you need it to be replaced by a rather cold and bitter wind. It was sooo cold. Some people were well prepared with sleeping bags and duvets. Other, such as Gazza and I, just sat cold in a heap and huddled together for warmth. We were a very sad and sorry sight indeed.

I said goodbye to Gary at around 8am as he went off to the blue start, and I went off to the green start. It is hard to keep yourself occupied for that length of time, there was coffee and bagels and loads of toilets but nothing else really. I managed to amuse my self by translating all the announcements into English (the language geek in me came out while I was bored!).

I was on the Green wave 3 start in the first pen and 10:20. We seemed to hang around for ages waiting to get into our pen as the 10am start got out of the way, after a quick trip to the loo (again!!!) I realised that I would be able to start more or less on the start line as pen A was the first pen in the Green start. How exciting and what unchartered territory! We walked up to the start and after a false start from a fellow inexperienced 4 and a half hour marathoner (we don’t usually make it so close to the start line) we were off to the tune of “New York, New York”. Now, I have seen the start of the New York marathon before and I was expecting to be one of many people crossing a bridge with not a lot of room. As it happened, the Green start was on the underside of the bridge and there was no-one in front of me! It was a very strange and eerie experience and not at all what I expected. This also contributed to me going a bit too quick at the beginning (plus I missed the mile markers for 3 miles so it was only then I realised) but never mind!

We started to catch the first tail enders form the previous start as we came off the bridge after about a mile and a half and by 3 miles we were well and truly integrated back into the field. We’d started in Staten Island but fairly soon we were in Brooklyn. The support was simply amazing, loads of enthusiastic yanks shouting “good job (or should I say jarb), great job, nice job). I am not sure I have seen this level of enthusiasm before! I was feeling great and trotting along nicely. I knew I was going too quick so slowly I decided to slow down the pace a bit until I settled into something a bit more sensible. Soon we passed over another bridge and into Queens which was a bit less noisy but still enthusiastic. Around 13 -16 miles I had a really strange patch where I slowed a lot. Not sure what happened but I had to have a strict word with myself and get sorted out.

At 16 miles we crossed another bridge to Manhattan and the crowd was amazing again and I had sorted myself out so I trotted along first avenue very nicely thank you. At around 19 miles it started to become more of a struggle, some gradual uphills were taking their toll on tired legs and I really started to tire as we crossed into The Bronx for a couple of miles before crossing back into Manhattan. I was tired by this point, but not so tired I had to walk (apart from drinks stations, the drinks were in cups and I kept splashing my face!!!) so I kept going.

I was slowing and as we ran alongside Central Park the support was amazing but it was starting to become a struggle. But not as much of a struggle as in the past. I was able to keep running without having to battle with myself about walking, I just wasn’t running as fast as I had done at the start! In fact, I think I ran almost all of the way from 23 miles to the end and this was probably the brightest last few miles in a marathon I had ever had.

Just before the finish we went a bit uphill which was tough but eventually I was finished, 4:26:01, my 4th fastest of 13 marathons and I was very happy. And very cold, shivering in fact. It seemed to take an age to get through the finish and back to the hotel. I encountered Gary en route who was disappointed with his new 2:55 PB but had just bought tickets to a show so was OK!

Post race we ate a Macdonalds, I know this is a bad thing to do…then we took in a show and then fell into a deep (and rather chuffed with myself) sleep, yay!!!

2008 ING New York City Marathon Alert Notification

2008-11-02T19:46:00.000Z

Event Information:

Event:

The ING New York City Marathon

Runner:

Lindsay Cook

Be careful where you urinate!

2008-10-29T23:19:00.001Z

NYRR strongly suggests that runners use the portable toilets prior to walking onto the bridge. The bridge will house electrical equipment, and urinating on the bridge is extremely dangerous to you and your fellow runners.

Now this is a danger I have never even thought of!

New York, New York...

2008-10-29T21:14:00.005Z

We're going tomorrow evening, I think I am excited but also a little nervous. We've got all our documentation through and we know what we are doing (well for the marathon stuff at least, haven't formulated the tourist plan yet!).

We arrive at around midnight on Thursday evening, I am hoping that travelling in the evening and then arriving at night when tired means we'll sleep brilliantly and have no jetlag. I'll be ok, I sleep anywhere (I often miss take off and/or landing as I am snoozing) and after a few trips to Seattle with work I think I have more or less cracked jet lag!

We'll probably go and get our numbers on Friday, there are even free shuttle buses to get there, our American friends like to make life easy for us! On Saturday morning we're going to do a gentle friendship run and on Saturday night there is a pasta party (complete with recipes). Oh, and we need to pop into the Empire State building as apparently: "The Empire State Building, the most recognizable building in New York City, will show its marathon colors from November 1 to 2. The building’s tower lights will radiate orange, blue, and white in honor of the marathon. This beacon will signal all marathoners to go to the Empire State Building to receive a free pin while supplies last. Runners need to present their bib, or a copy of their registration card, at the cashier's office to collect the pin."

Then on Sunday we get a bus at 6am (ouch) remembering that daylight savings kicks in (again) on Sunday. The start is quite a long way from Manhattan, the route goes through all 5 New York boroughs, finishing in Central Park.

Gary is in the 9:40 start and I am starting at 10:20 (number 49378, Green start, Wave 3, Corral A to be exact). Apparently you can track me online if you want or fingers crossed my "e-mail to blog" experiment will keep you up to date...

And what I am aiming for? Better than this year's London Marathon, better than 4:30 and in an ideal world around 4:20 (I'd love to get my third best time).

Fingers crossed, and important to know, the official ending time of the race is 6:40 p.m.

Testing, testing 123...

2008-10-24T16:38:00.002+01:00

I am just testing a new way of posting...if it works, I will be able to set up the New York Marathon website to send Athlete Alerts during the race...what a great use of technology!

Is someone out to get me?

2008-10-22T09:52:00.003+01:00

First, the fat foot saga, then the fat ankle debacle, now I have a weird blister issue!

My shoes rubbed my heel a bit on Monday lunchtime, must have been an incorrect sock/show combo. It wasn't major rubbing, just a slightly pink heel (I did amuse my colleagues by wandering around shoeless for the afternoon though). Then, at 3am this morning (Wednesday!) I woke up with the most painful heel in history. Not sure what happened but my pink heel must have got infected, it was bright red, seeping and painful enough to stop me sleeping.

It's still sore now, I smell like I have bathed in TCP and I am not impressed...

Holiday Running

2008-10-21T21:35:00.002+01:00

Gazza and I have just come back from a lovely relaxing canal boat holiday touring around the black country (The Black Country Cruising Ring comprises a combination of canals each memorable for different reasons. Leaving the much-revamped water frontages of Birmingham via the New Main Line and negotiating parts of the elegant Staffordshire & Worcestershire and the Trent & Mersey before returning along the Coventry and the Birmingham & Fazeley the voyage offers vivid contrasts between heritage and contemporary life.) So there.
We timed the holiday to coincide with tapering but I started the holiday with wrecked legs after a 19ish mile run on Saturday morning before we even set off. Now, compared to lots of other holiday locations, canals are good ones for running, all you have to do is jump off the boat, run for xx minutes in one direction and then turn around and run back. That also means you can play the game of trying to get back to where you started in less time than it took you to get there in the first place.
I managed to fit in 3 runs, all of an hour or more (70 minutes, 60 minutes and an hour and a half at Fradley junction where we were even brave enough to leave the safety of the canal) so all in all a good week!

Just where do you find the time? (Part 2)

2008-10-10T21:22:00.001+01:00

This week continued in much the same form as the previous week, but with more varied reasons for not being able to run.
I don't usually run on Mondays so I didn't even consider that as an option, plus, as our current news hack is climbing Kilimanjaro) I had to compose a Comet report for Standalone (it only got edited a little bit, I am pleased with the outcome!). Tuesday is the club night, but a miscommunication between me and my better (not this time) half meant that he brought my running bag as usual to the club but minus my smelly trainers so no running for me! He was away for the latter half of the week so, despite my good intentions, I ended up going out for a drink or two with my new boss and colleague so was in no fit state to run that night or the following morning. I really should no better than to drink on a school night with no dinner, will I ever learn?
So, but the time Thursday came along I was in a right old panic...I was due to visit a friend that evening so no running could be done that day either, then I came up with my ingenious plan. I would run at lunchtime! We have a shower and our office is in Covent Garden so within easy reach of pretty places to run. The only downside is the risk of my colleagues seeing me in lycra. Luckily, I have just invested in some new smart running tops (which were free when buying some trainers) so I at least looked, well, less luminous? I invented a lovely route down to the river, back through St James Park and Green Park, all of which took an hour. Just to feel extra virtuous I had a healthy fruit smoothie from the stall on Earlam street and my halo was back, if a little wonky and tarnished!
Lunchtime London Sights
Find more Runs in London, United Kingdom
This gave me renewed enthusiasm and I even went for a run on Friday night after my Japanese class, 8pm on a Friday night and running round Hitchin, this is the girl who refuses to go supermarket shopping on a Friday night as she thinks it is too sad and now she is running instead?

Just where do you find the time? (Part 1)

2008-10-06T21:15:00.003+01:00

Being a slow runner means that long runs take a long time and thus a larger percentage of your day. It's pretty obvious really but think about it a bit more.

Using Mr Cook as an example, he would budget around two and a half hours for a 20 miler. In my case, you are looking at more like three and a half to three and a quarter (and the rest!) And this works for every run, from your 5-6 miles (45 minutes v 1 hour) to your second long run of the week (10 miles in 70 minutes versus 1 hour 40). This does mean that sometimes it is hard to fit runs in, especially during the week, simply because to do a run of a certain length takes a while. But this weekend really showed how hard it can be and how other factors are also at play.

On Saturday I attended a road race organiser’s seminar which involved a 10am start in Huntingdon returning home at 5ish. (definitely worth attending by the way). Now, yes, I should and probably could have gone for a run when getting back but I was tired and it was wet, cold and windy (yes, I am human!) On Sunday, I arrived at Standalone Farm at 6am. My original plan was to run home, but I mislaid my food and drink so by the time 1pm came along I had hardly drunk or eaten all day long plus I was super tired...and it was wet, cold and windy so I went home and curled up on the sofa instead (complete wuss).

So, now I am stricken with guilt, cannot believe I missed a load of training last week due to the fat ankle and now I have missed my long run too...

From start, continue ahead up steep hill to gate...

2008-09-28T21:06:00.003+01:00

So, the last you heard from me was that I had a fat ankle. Well, probably against all sensible people's best advice I decided to still do the Dunstable Downs 20. In my defence, despite having to work from home as I couldn't walk on Wednesday, my fat ankle recovered quickly. I was back at work on Thursday (albeit with an impressive limp much to the amusement of my colleagues) and moving a lot more smoothly on Friday. By Sunday, although the ankle was still quite puffy the pain and the limp had more or less gone. However, this race was still going to be a challenge. Tash and Gary gave me a good talking to at the start, telling me to turn back at the point where the 10 mile turned back, my marathon was more important than a silly old trail race, blah, blah, blah. I did listen to them and I was very aware that doing something daft now would really screw things up impressively. I am also a very determined person and I don't like to give up so I was hoping my head would persuade me to be sensible. The trail race was not marshalled or marked but had fairly detailed instructions and, as instructed, from the start we followed the grassy path straight up the steep hill on to the downs, through the gate and into the mist. It took a good half hour for the mist to clear and we then went through fields, up and down hills, past farms and generally meandered along a very pleasant route through the countryside. I would highly recommend this run, it was extremely enjoyable. At the turn off point for 10 miles, the ankle was holding up well and I decided to continue. As the next few miles went on, some through a pretty rutted ploughed field, treacherous for ankles at the best of times, I lost sight of the few people I had been running with and I was on my own (I blame my slow time on the fact I was having to do all the navigating myself) and the instructions were good but with no real sense of perspective, at one point I spent quite some time looking for a turn on the right which turned out to be quite some distance from where it sounded like it would be! It was a hot day, so the water and jelly bean stops were very welcome indeed, they also had little pieces of Mars bars too...mom... Anyway, there are a lot of excuses here and I was slow and, especially near the end, I found it very hard indeed. As I finished, not last may I add, Gary was sat a few metres from the finish funnel, on a deckchair, wearing his sunglasses and reading a newspaper. It was nice and quiet and he looked very relaxed indeed! So, how is the ankle then? Fine actually and, despite my very slow time (4:14:39), I am happy with this in a "time on your feet" kind of way!

Fat Ankle

2008-09-25T19:47:00.000+01:00

I posted a few weeks ago about my fat foot (due to a hungry northern mozzie). Well this time I have a fat ankle. Here's the sorry tale. Actually, not much to tell, I was running with Christine on Tuesday night and we had promised ourselves a nice easy run as she had done the Quicksand 15 on Sunday. It's that time of the year right now where it is dark in the evenings, the street lights are on but the leaves are still on the trees so it is pretty treacherous. We've already had one nasty injury to the head caused by tripping on the uneven Letchworth pavements. Just as we got to Baldock all of a sudden a bike was coming towards us to I moved to one side...and slipped down the little kerby bit at the edge of the path. I went right over on my right ankle and immediately knew I had done some damage. Nowhere near as bad as 5 or 6 years ago where I did something similar and had to get a life back to the club in a police car but certainly not great. Christine and I ended up walking/jogging slowly back to the club (I think Chris was secretly relieved to have an easy run!) and I iced my ankle thanks to help from 'el presidente'. Also in the wars was Oliver who had grazed his knee by tumbling over. By the time I got home my ankle was quite swollen and painful, I ended up not sleeping well at all and spending the next day "working from home" with my feet up on the sofa and my laptop on my knee.

I struggled into work this morning (no bike today as although I think I could have ridden it, scaling the stairs at Hitchin station with a dodgy ankle and a bike in one hand would not have been good) but the ankle isn't much better. I have to admit that although I am normally a positive person, this is definitely worrying.

On a slightly related note, getting the tube for the first time in ages today reminded me how rude Londoners can be on the tube. I was slightly hampered by the dodgy ankle and I got pushed all over the place, thank god I wasn't more injured (for so many reasons). Fingers crossed I can get back on the bike asap!

Training progress

2008-09-24T14:24:00.000+01:00

The blue line is Gary and the red line is me. From this scientific image you can see that we don't both have good weeks training at the same time.

More training...

2008-09-24T13:52:00.000+01:00

So, after last week's excellent training week how was this week's training. First, my intention at the start of the week was to make this week a bit easier, especially as it started with a Half Marathon near Ely. Given I had accidentally run 9.5 miles the day before and also attended a bootcamp class so I wasn't as fresh as I could be. As it happened, all went really well and I finished in just under 2:05 which is probably faster than I have run for ages!

There isn't too much to say about this week's training really, a late night at work on Thursday meant no training and then I went to Edinburgh for the weekend so I managed a lovely run in Edinburgh on Saturday morning. I used to live in Edinburgh so it was nice to be back, it's a very attractive city with loads of nice places to run, I wonder if there are any jobs for me in Edinburgh? :-)

Week Seven
Sunday: 13.1 Grunty Fen Half Marathon
Monday: 0
Tuesday: Circuits (am), 5 miles (pm)
Wednesday: 5 miles
Thursday: Circuits (am
Friday: 0
Saturday: 6 miles in Edburgh

Total: 29.1 miles, 2 circuit classes
Verdict: Hmmm

You can't have it all...

2008-09-19T19:27:00.001+01:00

While you have been reading of my improving fortunes as far as training is concerned, my running hubby has been having a rough time. His training had been going supremely well, he was looking fit, running well and generally all was good. However, 10 days ago he got some weirdness in his calf and has been quite down in the dumps with it all.
We've come to the conclusion that the running gods can't let us both be running well at the same time (how cruel of them) so they pick on one or the other of us. I am feeling a little responsible (well, a lot actually) as I put Gary's schedule together so maybe I over-trained him a bit? Fingers crossed he perks up in the next day or two, I don't think he will have lost too much (mainly confidence I think)...

On the up

2008-09-19T19:27:00.000+01:00

Things are definitely on the up :-) In my previous post I told you about my Sunday run 20 mile antics which was followed by a Dunhams Lane hill session on Tuesday. For the first time in absolutely ages I did the whole session (3 reps of a lot of running up and down, comes to 7.5 miles in total). I gave myself Wednesday off and then did another fartlek on Thursday. On Saturday I set off with the aim of 8 miles but due to a catastrophic wrong turn on Deadwoman's Lane, I actually ran 9.5 miles and almost missed the bootcamp class at the gym!

Week Six
Sunday: 20 (10 plus 10 miles race@Swineshead)
Monday: 0
Tuesday: 7.5 miles hills
Wednesday: 0
Thursday: Circuits in the morning, 6.5 miles fartlek
Friday: 0
Saturday: Accidental 9.5 miles bootcamp

Total: 43.5 miles, 1 crcuit class, 1 bootcamp
Verdict: Yahoooo!

Mad Sunday

2008-09-09T23:40:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd tell you about my Sunday this week...it started with the idea of running Swineshead 10, the NHRR Run of the Month for September. Being a good club member, I entered, looking forwards to doing a new race.
Given I am marathon training I had to work out a way of getting my mileage in. My first idea was a long run on Saturday but then Gary had a sore calf and fancied going to the bootcamp class (and we were 2/3 of the way through a bottle of wine on a Friday night) so I decided some sort of add on post Swineshead 10 was the way forwards. Then I realised the race started at 11:30 am so came up with the plan of running 10 miles before the 10 mile race. Almost sounds sensible when you write it downs like that.
I set off at 7am on Sunday morning towards Preston. As usual, I toiled up the hill and ended up walking just past Offleyholes Farm. not long after that, a lady came running past me like a train!
At the top of the hill there is a regular flood which, given the amount of rain we've had recently, was rather deep and I caught the lady up as she was trying to navigate the puddle (we concluded straight through the middle was the best option!). I turned out she was a member of Garden City Runners (I am embarassed to admit I didn't find out her name) and we had a lovely run back into Hitchin. It was only when I got back I realised we had gone pretty quick (just under 10 miles in 1:40), certainly quick than I probably should have done so I had an extra bowl of porridge to make up for it!
So, on to the race. Given my exertions that day, it went pretty well with me managing to keep going and finish in 1:43 (wow!). I devoured a burger and ice cream at the end, mmm.

I wonder if this kind of training is any good for you, I certainly ran the second 10 miles more strongly and faster than I would have done if I had done them without the 2 hour break? Anyway, it made me feel confident again which is a good thing!
The only problem was that this killed me for the rest of the day. When we got home we had to finish some bathroom painting so I couldn't have a shower for a while and by the time I did I was starting to feel rough. I get this sometimes after a hard run or gym session, I think it is a combination of dehydration and an exertion induced headache caused by the increased speed at which the blood is circulating after running. Whatever it is and whatever it is caused by it's not nice, it's the kind of headache where you can't move and ultimately you are sick (sorry Gary, I do appreciate you made me dinner).

Mmmm, maybe I'll be nicer to myself next weekend!

Slight Improvement

2008-09-09T23:15:00.000+01:00

This week has been more encouraging training wise (about time too!)

Over the past couple of weeks, I've really got back into fartleks. At the club at the moment we are doing 6 weeks of hills and fartleks, the latter being very helpful for marathon training too. There are many good things about fartlek training:

it makes you fitter :-)

depending on the lengths of the reps and the recoveries, you can run in groups with people you don't normally run with

you can run as hard as you want (or don't want as the case may be) although obviously you get less effect if you don't do it quite right

it's a good way to do 6-8 miles without really realising it!

Anyway, it's all good. On Wednesday I actually managed a midweek run and on Thursday I did a nasty hill session at Hollow Lane/Windmill Hill in Hitchin.

Week Five
Sunday: 0 (fat foot)
Monday: 0 (trip to Alton Towers and slightly less fat foot)
Tuesday: 6.5 miles fartlek
Wednesday: 8 miles
Thursday: Circuits in the morning, 3.5 miles hills
Friday: 0
Saturday: 8 miles to Preston and bootcamp

Total: 2.5, one circuits class, once bootcamp class
Verdict: Starting to feel fitter...

P.S. While trying to find a link to Windmill i found that in 1697, Hitchin (and the nearby village of Offley) were subject to what is thought to have been the most severe hailstorm in recorded UK history. Hailstones over 4 inches in diameter were reported.

Fat Foot

2008-09-02T22:38:00.000+01:00

This week's training didn't start as well as it could have done (given the non-long running last week) so I had high hopes I could bring it round and start to feel a little more confident about my mileage.
I had already promised to go to the cinema with Gary on Wednesday to see The Dark Knight and he had rearranged his training to fit round that so I thought I had better not risk a divorce so I didn't have too many options for fitting in my training. We were also invited to another wedding in the North of England which as already noted makes life tricky when it comes to marathon training.
However, as it happened, it was a Northern mozzie that ruined my training this week! It turned out I was very tasty for Bury-based mosquitos. While getting fresh air at the wedding I got bitten like crazy by these pesky insects including a couple of badly placed bites on my right foot. Of course it swelled up like mad and I was unable to fit my trainer on on Sunday, let alone run!. Luckily for me and my marriage it was a lot better on Monday and I was able to spend the day at Alton Towers to celebrate Gary's birthday!

Week Four
Sunday: 0
Monday: 0
Tuesday: 4.5 miles including 4*5 min hill efforts
Wednesday: 0
Thursday: Circuits in the morning, 6 miles fartlek
Friday: 0
Saturday: 8 miles to Preston

Total: 18.5 plus one circuits class
Verdict: Even worse than last week

BTW I am blogging in bed right now and Gary is snoring, this is such a rare occurrence I felt I needed to share this with you....

The "Light at the end of the tunnel marathon", Seattle, WA

2008-08-26T23:49:00.000+01:00

I don't know if you have ever noticed, but at the bottom right had corner of my blog there is a little app called feedjit which maps where visitors to my blog come from. I am a bit of a web geek after all so I find this kind of thing interesting.

Last week I noticed quite a few visitors from Seattle, WA, USA appeared which is a bit of a coincidence as I often go to Seattle with work. On further investigation, it appeared they found my blog in google when searching for "light at the end of the tunnel marathon". (My blog turned up as that was one of my postings earlier on this year.

So, what were they searching for? Well, there is a marathon in Seattle called The light at the end of the tunnel marathon which takes place in August. It's ao off road trail marathon which decends 2050 feet in 26.2 miles and is possibly the fatest Boston qualifier marathon. Sounds good doesn't it? Apparently there are 2 1/4 miles in a tunnel (15' wide and 30 ' tall) though, not sure I really like the sound of that! Have a look at it, it looks lovely!

All dressed up and nowhere to go

2008-08-25T10:14:00.000+01:00

I am currently sitting here in my running kit after haivng to abort my efforts at a long run this morning after approximately 400m. I felt a bit sick, my head is all a bit woolly and my legs were completely empty. Not good.

It all started on Friday evening. Gary and I lounged at home, ate the leftovers from the Olympic themed handicap we had at the club on Thursday night and had a wee glass of wine (or 3 in my case...). I spent the rest of the night feeling very ill indeed and being sick and despite the fact I had some wine I am pretty sure that this was not alchohol related, I am currently blaming either dodgy chicken at Nandos, dodgy gelato at the local ice cream shop or my morning coffee (and Friday almond croissant treat bought for me by a colleague at Monmouth coffee (this all says very bad things about my daily food intake, this isn't usual but point taken).
Anyway, I woke up on Saturday morning feeling terible and spent all day in a heap on the sofa not moving and watching the penultimate day of the Olympics. To illustrate my bleughness I even chose not to go for lunch at my favorite restaurant, Just 32. I also didn't do the tidying up that Gary is so keen that I do! Given I had hardly eaten all day I thought running on Sunday would not be a good idea (although I felt loads better) so I decided today was the day. But it turned out not to be the case, ho hum.

It's worrying when you miss out on a few days training in a row. You start to become a bit manic and neurotic, worrying about how this will affect your big race in a couple of months time. I am trying not to worry and attempting not to fall into the trap of forcing yourself to run when you really don't feel up to it.

Apart from this recent disaster, how's has the rest of my training been going then? Well, not too bad really, a bit up and down but generally ok.

Week two
Sunday: post wedding recovery...
Monday: 11.5 miles in total (see also my comments on this)
Tuesday: 0 (cooking at the club!)
Wednesday: 7.5 miles
Thursday: Circuits in the morning, 0 miles running, travelling to my sister's wedding
Friday: 0, having my hair done for my sister's wedding
Saturday: 0, post wedding recovery

Total: 19 plus one circuits class
Verdict: erm, not good

Week three
Sunday: 15 miles in Preston
Monday: 0
Tuesday: Circuits in the morning, 6 miles at the club in the evening
Wednesday: 0 (went to Dublin for the day and had to cook on thursday so no time for running :-()
Thursday: 3.5 miles Olympic handicap race
Friday: 0
Saturday: 0

Total: 24.5
Verdict: Good long run but generally disappointing

Week two, how are you?

2008-08-13T23:50:00.000+01:00

Not too bad thank you!
First update of week two (NYCM - 12 weeks) is that Gary and I spent the weekend in France at a wedding. We were in the south of France inland from Cannes near Grasse in a village called Mouans Sartoux which given the weather (hot), the terrain (hilly) and the amount of alcohol (loads) was not conducive to a long run. We did manage a mini run on the Saturday with some plan or not of some more running.
Sunday was out (wedding recovery!) and Monday was the day we were coming back. Was it better to do a long run in France or a long run in England on our return. In the end we decided to do a bit of both. We started with around 5 miles in the morning. Look at the elevation, it was hilly! Then we trekked home and both finished off (in a very tired fashion!) in the evening. I managed 11.5 miles in total, Gary went a bit further.

So, what training benefit is there from running twice a day? Is it worth it? Is it a waste of time? Unsurprisingly I decided to google this.

So, according to google, this is called doing "doubles" and is not usually for the faint hearted. Pete Pfitzinger has written an interesting article on this. He writes "Staying with longer single runs builds endurance, while shorter doubles allow you to train at a faster pace". He also writes "if you are preparing for a marathon and are running less than 75 miles per week, then you should not be running doubles.". Oops, well, this wasn't exactly why we doubled up actually...Finally he states that "an easy 30 minute run on the same day as your medium long run will provide an incremental training stimulus by depleting your carbohydrate stores and training your muscles to rely more on fat at a given speed. It is preferable to add 30 minutes in the evening after a medium long run in the morning. Only do a morning run before an evening medium long run if it will not tire you out for the evening run. A better quality medium long run is preferable to a double in which your medium long run is a slog."
Ah, maybe it wasn't such a silly idea after all?

Of course, Runners World forum members have debated this (and everything else it appears...).

It does sound like convenience sometimes dictates one run or two in a day. I tend to think that something is better than nothing and that was why we ended up doing what we did (and debating it at great length too!).

Week one training update

2008-08-13T13:26:00.000+01:00

So, how was week 1 then? Week one was NYCM - 13 weeks and was the first week where I really started to concentrate on training for this darn marathon.

One of my main aims of training this time round is to get regular long runs (half the distance of the longest run) in on a Wednesday and sadly I didn't make that in week one. Instead I went to see Mamma Mia with some work colleagues (the stage show, not the film)...not a bad excuse really.

I am keeping track of my training (and Gary's) in an excel spreadsheet on my work laptop so if you ever see me on the train tapping away I an probably trying to find ways to make my mileage look like more than it actually is!

Anyway, back to week one:
Sunday: 12.5 miles long run(ish), tool me ages (I think around 2 and a half hours) and there was loads of walking
Tuesday: Circuits (am), 6 miles off road at the running club (pm)
Saturday: 3 miles in Mouans Sartoux, France
Total: 1 gym session, 21.5 miles.
Verdict: OK start but could do better

Oh, and as i am using a american book for guidance this time round, all the weeks start on Sundays not Mondays, they do say a change is as good as a rest!

And so it begins...

2008-08-03T18:27:00.000+01:00

Today was my first official run (or in my current state of fitness run/walk) in my New York Marathon training...12.2 miles...
Hitchin-Gosmore-Preston-Lilley Bottom-Kings Walden-Preston-Hitchin
Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

Long time no blog...

2008-08-03T16:53:00.000+01:00

Too many hen dos, trips to Seattle, coughs, colds, work and holidays have meant I haven't blogged for ages. And the lack of blogging is reflected in the amount of running I've been doing. Anyway, I'm back now with renewed enthusiasm (if not fitness)...
So, what's been happening recently? Well, we did brilliantly at our fourth midweek league race and almost (but not quite) won the league and got promoted (that was quite exciting). Sadly I missed the Mob Match due to hot date with Christine Sharp at the exciting AGM at the Letchworth Corner Sports and Social Club. Probably the less said about this the better but I've had more interesting evenings!
I spent a week in Seattle with work, the expedia website was had a succesful (more or less) upgrade and I had a week on holiday in Somerset which was fun despite the nasty cough I took with me.
All in all, this does add up to not a lot of training. So, in true Lindsay style I decided to find out how quickly you loose your fitness.

According to this Runners World Article "Most runners can be completely sedentary for a week without losing much fitness. After two weeks, you’ll notice a change, and after three weeks of complete rest, you’ll experience a significant loss of fitness, leaving you feeling ‘untrained’. Five weeks with no training will cause a loss of race-readiness."

Time to run state that "After a long layoff you're bound to lose at least some fitness. A general rule of thumb is that it takes about two weeks of "retraining" to come back from every week in which you do no exercise."

Brian Mac confirm that "When training ceases the training effect will also stop. It gradually reduces at approximately one third of the rate of acquisition."

Eek, this doesn't look good for me does it? So why is this and what is it called?

I found an interesting post on another blog (I must try harder) where the blogger talks in more detail about this:
Reversibility
One of the core concepts of training is reversibility, which simply details that when a training stimulus is inadequate or absent then the physiological aspect it relates to begins to decline. Or even more simply, use it or lose it. As a rule of thumb it is thought to take between 2 and 6 weeks to lose a "significant level of conditioning".

Maximal oxygen uptake (V02 max) declines by 4-20% in 2 weeks

Endurance athletes have a 5-12% decline in blood volume in 2 DAYS.

In eight weeks the dimensions of the heart decrease in parallel with stroke volume. The left ventricle can decrease by up to 20% in 3 weeks

Maximal voluntary ventilation (breathing rate) can decrease by 10-14% within a month.

Oxygen uptake by muscles can decrease by 8-12% in 3 weeks

There are other stats from a variety of studies, but the main point is that 3-8 weeks of complete inactivity can have an immense affect on your level of conditioning. Even 2 weeks complete rest can diminish your hard earned conditioning by a significant degree.

Oh, and before I forget, here's a running and beer article from
Runners world which is somewhat related to my last blog post about beer and running.

Too busy to train?

2008-06-29T20:57:00.000+01:00

I've had a manic couple of weeks so I've done very little training (which is not a good thing!).
2 weekends in a row were taken up with hen nights. Most girls reading this blog will have been on a hen night (or more often weekend these days) or two and they nearly always involve lots of drinking...so this got me to thinking, what does alchohol do to your running performance?

Running immediately after a drink or two: have you ever done that? I have tried once or twice in my younger days and discovered I got very out of breath very quickly. I don't know if this is a medical fact or not, just my own observation but looking on the internet it seems like everyone is in agreement, beer immediately before running is not generally considered to be a sensible thing to do.

Running the morning after a heavy night: now we've probably all done this however we all know this is bad. But why? Alcohol is a diuretic, which means drinking too much the night tends to leave you dehydrated. The effects of poor hydration are lack of coordination, decreased blood volume so less blood returns to your heart, your heart pumps less with each heartbeat, you muscles get blood which isn't as rich in oxygen, your muscles have less oxygen to produce energy and you then run slower. Now if you have had a really heavy night you'll probably be feeling very rough before you even start!

According to this running times article, in a study investigating the effects of alcohol consumption on running performance, five sprinters and five middle distance runners raced over 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 meters while sober and while intoxicated. Running performances were negatively affected at all distances except for the 100 meters. Sounds like a fun study to observe!

Beer during a run/race: During The Grizzly a couple years ago, nearer the end the course took us through a brewery where beer was on offer. I really fancied it so downed a cup full and that combined with the jelly baby I had just eaten had an amazing effect on me and I overtook loads of people in the next few miles. Why was that? I don't really know but after some research I have concluded a couple of sips during a run are probably ok but a large amount of beer while running is probably a bad thing due to the reasons already stated!

How about this for a run though? The Beer Mile is a drinking game that combines beer-drinking with elements of track and field. Participants complete a mile, consuming four beers at the same time. There are even rules to this, participants must consume one full beer, then run one quarter mile. This process is repeated three times, resulting in running one full mile, and consuming four beers. Hmm, not sure NHRR should adopt this type of event, or should we?

Post run/race beer: now, again, beer is bad post-run despite the carbs it contains. However, personally I reckon if you have run then you should enjoy yourself...bearing in mind that that beer will slow down your recovery...

I think this RW article sums it all up, moderation!

Midweek League Race 3@Welwyn Garden City

2008-06-15T23:19:00.005+01:00

Wednesday 11 June saw race 3 in our midweek road race league hosted by Herts Phoenix in Welwyn Garden City.
When reviewing the fixtures for this year's league, I realised I was due to be at a conference in Berlin on Tuesday/Wednesday (Localisation World, I am a linguistic geek). So, what would any sane person do? They would apologise profusely for not being able to make the race. Of course, that was not the option I chose. I decided it would be far more fun to leave the conference early and try to make the race.
My flight left Berlin at 16:35 (I had to miss the last session of the conference intriguingly entitled "The Intergalatic Impact of Language") so I jumped in a taxi at 3pm making it to the airport in enough time to remember I needed to eat and drink more water. Luckily the flight took off on time, I'd checked in online so I'd chosen a seat near the front of the plane and I only had hand luggage (I was flying to Terminal 5 so there was more than one reason to not check in luggage, after all I wanted to see it again (Did you know unclaimed luggage gets auctioned?)).
We landed at Heathrow early! This was good news as looking at the train times it was going to be tight getting to the race on time. But sadly we were too early for our stand and had to wait 10 minutes until another plane left. By this point, I'd taken the precaution of putting my trainers on and I legged it through Terminal 5 (it's big!), accidentally jumped the passport queue and threw myself onto a tube train that left 30 seconds later (what luck!).
Then I spent an hour on a tube train. I knew there was a train at 18:36 and 19:06 and there was no way I'd be there in time for the 36 so I just sat with my fingers crossed hoping there was no delays on the tube. Luckily there weren't and I made it to Kings Cross (after running up the escalators) with a few minutes to spare.
At this point, I deployed the next part of my plan which was to change into my running kit on the train (I did feel like a wally sitting on the train in my kit) and then I sat on the train. Sadly, I hadn't spotted that the train was goiong to spot at Potters Bar AND Hatfield on the way to WGC which added crucial minutes onto the journey time. My heart was beating like crazy and I was all clammy...at this point I decided that if I missed the start I'd do the race anyway...
The train got into WGC at about 19:35, by some fluke I had managed to get on a carriage that was opposite the ticket barriers so I jumped off the train, flung myself at the barriers, legged it down some escalators and into a taxi.
I decided that I would get the taxi driver to drop me off on the start line (to hold the race up if needed), I arrived with 3 minutes to spare (best £3 I have spent in ages) and I even had time to find a safe place for my bag and have a wild wee under a tree.
Oh yes, and there was a race too. I ran surprisingly well finishing the (was it wasn't it?) 5 mile course in 42:41. Must have been all the adrenalin pumping round my body!

(Oh, and thanks to Tash for the use of her Wimbledon towel!)

Running...and cycling too!

2008-06-15T23:08:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday (8 June), Gary and I decided to do the Barton 10k. Initially, Gary hadn't been too keen on doing this as we had a Midweek League Race the following week. But I was always keen (and he came round to my way of thinking eventually). We did this race last year and it was very enjoyable (if a bit warm and polleny) and I was keen to do it again.
In true Lindsay-style, I decided a good plan was to cycle to the race (only 6 miles from Hitchin), do the race, and then go on a bike ride. The 6 miles there was a nice loosener and I don't think it affected my run although I am glad it wasn't any further.
The race starts by running (off road) up a nice bug hill. It's one of those hills where your legs are like jelly at the top (I also get this feeling when I walk up the stairs at work!) and you heart is beating so hard it is painful. SO yes, of course I had to walk the last little bit of the hill (and another little one at 7k) but otherwise I really enjoyed this run and I fely nice and strong, especially near the end where I overtook 5 or 6 people. My time was nothing special (62 mins) but that wasn't the point today!
After the race, we set off on our bikes again, it was a gorgeous day, not a day for housework (in our house it never is unfortunately). We decided it was the perfect day to use our National Trust membership and visit the nearest NT place to Hitchin which was Shaw's Corner in Ayot St Lawrence. The cycle there (and back again!) was really lovely, the sun was shining and all was good with the world.
We crawled back home at about 6pm (we'd left at 10), tired and somewhat flushed from having been in the sun all day. A mad day, but a lovely one!

Can't sleep

2008-06-06T00:26:00.001+01:00

After a hard raining session, do you ever find that you can't sleep? It's 12:30 and I can't sleep!
Tonight's session was fun, I really enjoyed it (there has been some good stuff recently, thanks Karen!). After Tuesday's 1500m reps (which went well for me, I averaged around 7:25/7:30 for the 4 reps), it was refreshing to do some 200m reps. The session was 200m reps with reducing recovery time (90s/75s/60s/45s/30s/15s). I missed the Balke test when we did it the week after the marathon (if I remember rightly I could barely walk that day) so I've been "borrowing" Linda Aird's times/distance. My aim was 54 seconds per 200m and if at any point you went beyond your target then it was time to bow out gracefully, it was all about quality not quantity! I managed the whole set 4 times, mainly at 52/53s with the final set more like 50/51s.
So a combination of pushing myself hard and a late dinner means here I am, blogging when I should be sleeping!!!

Midweek League Race 2@Stevenage

2008-05-31T09:10:00.000+01:00

So, on to the second race in our Summer Midweek League. After the first race we were winning, but only just so we needed another superhuman performace in the second race. The race was in Stevenage and was a measured 10k. I've done this course a number of times before and it isn't the easiest course around, basically you have to slog up a longish hill before cruising back down to the finish. This time, the weather wasn't great either and it was a soggy, miserable evening.
I started off ok, I really wanted to do as well as last time to proove it wasn't a fluke but I was also worried about getting too over excited and setting off too quick. I felt a little heavy legged and my left foot (which has been a bit achey for the last week or so - you should see me getting up from my desk at work, very amusing) gave me a little bit of annoyance but otherwise I didn't feel too bad. The uphill was even longer than I remembered and the downhill wasn't as much of a respite as I had hoped! Depsite my grumbles, I finished in 54:10 which I was pretty pleased with although not quite as fast as last time.
And as a club we did really well, but not quite as well as last time and we were a close second place to FVS. They had a huge number of runners out and did better in both the men's and ladies races. Our ladies were there usual brilliant selves and I think our men did slightly worse than last time and we ended up in second place.
So 2 races to go (one of them is ours) and it's all to play for!

Marathon marathon history

2008-05-29T13:47:00.001+01:00

After running my 11th marathon this year I asked our club statto to remind me of my other performances...

13/04/08 33 Marathon London Marathon 04:43:46
22/04/07 32 Marathon London Marathon 05:28:46
18/03/07 31 Marathon Rome Marathon 04:55:05
09/04/06 31 Marathon Paris Marathon 04:29:13
10/04/05 30 Marathon Paris Marathon 04:11:16
18/04/04 29 Marathon London Marathon 04:36:45
04/04/04 29 Marathon Zurich Marthon 04:23:00
06/04/03 28 Marathon Paris Marathon 04:12:00
14/04/02 27 Marathon London Marathon 04:29:51
30/09/01 26 Marathon Berlin Marathon 04:51:24
22/04/01 26 Marathon London Marathon 04:41:52

certainly quite a range!

Next Midweek League

2008-05-28T14:16:00.000+01:00

For any NHRR who are reading this, don't forget the next MWL race is at Stevenage on Thursday. I am very excited, we won the last MWL by the smallest of margins and over 50 runners from NHRR took part so it felt like a double success to me.

I wonder how I will get on tomorrow? I asked Statto to find out how my MWL BS time looked compared to my other recent 10k times. Well, good news. It's the fatest 10k I have done in the last 3 years! According to the stats, my fastest 10k in a NHRR vest was 52:57 in October 2004. My top 5 10ks were between 2001 and 2005 so I am pretty impressed with my most recent performance! To be honest, I think it was the yellow socks that did it!!!!

Training week ending 25 May

2008-05-25T15:41:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy week this week so my main focus hasn't been running (sadly) but here's my training this week:

Tuesday: am - circuits, pm - 10x300m parlauf/100m recovery
Thursday: am - circuits
Saturday: bootcamp
Sunday: 5 miles

Not a great week running-wise but I have just come back from yet another lovely Sunday run.
Most people reading this blog probably know I am not from Hitchin originally. I'm an exiled northener whose work meant I ended up living and working in Hertfordshire (initially on a 3 month contract - I was going to go back home!), joining NHRR, meeting Gary and unexpectedly deciding to live in Hitchin.
But I was lucky, I love living in Hitchin, it's a great mix of convenient location and loads of nice countryside nearby. Today, was a perfect example. From home, I ran 5 minutes out towards Charlton and then into the countryside. It was raining...I love running in the rain, and everywhere was all green and fresh. OK, so I was off road and there are some heavy muddy paths but they didn't last too long (luckily!). I guess the downside is by the end of the run I was soaked (especially my feet), and my legs were covered in nettle stings (still stinging now I am back!). This kind of run is precisely why I love running.

Hitchin-Charlton-Maydencroft-Hitchin off road
Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

Training week ending 16 May

2008-05-23T18:18:00.000+01:00

Slightly belated but here goes!
This was a week of not that much really...
Tuesday: circuits
Wednesday: MWL@BS (10k)
Thursday: circuits
Saturday: 4 * 7.5 mins@ balke test rate. I managed average 1400m I think)
Sunday: 7.5 miles (this is a top run on a nice sunny day!)

Hitchin -> Preston and back off road
Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

Ran too hard?

2008-05-16T17:30:00.000+01:00

I have really sore legs today, maybe I pushed it too hard on Wednesday?
New objective: run sub 54 minutes for 10k and still be able to walk 2 days later!

Midweek League Race 1@Bishops Stortford

2008-05-14T23:52:00.000+01:00

Well, tonight we started our summer midweek league. That means the start of me skipping out of meetings early, rearranging meetings (or missing cocktails as happened this week) and getting the train to far flung places around and about. Well, actually, this year we aren't going to too many far flung places thanks goodness!

I managed to get there in plenty of time tonight thanks to the tube, a nice fast train and a taxi ride from the station. On my arrival, Derek had just got the numbers and Lissa was surfing in the car park... It was a little stressful trying to sort out the numbers when it was a bit breezy but we managed it ok and it was on to the race.

It was a lovely evening with a fantastic sunset, I just wish I had had my camera with me! The course was 10k according to the BSRR GPS measurement and was the same course as the last couple of times which looks a bit like a hilly lollipop!

So, on to the run itself. It went really well...I caugh Linda and Gill up which is very unlike me and although Linda strolled off in the last km (her legs are longer than mine) I put up a good showing. This was probably due to having Linda and Karen on my back for most of the race so I had to push quite hard. Lorraine informs me I did this in 55 minutes last year and I did Flitwick in 58 minutes but it looks like I finished this one in around 53:30 (I didn't have my watch on) which...wait for it...means I have met one of my SMART objectives already which was to run under 54 minutes for 10k. I am not going to settle with that, I now want to run under 54 minutes again! I do have a feeling it was a fluke but a repeatable fluke is less flukey somehow...

So, what happened? Where did that come from? Seemingly I have been doing very little training and I also find it hard to run the Midweek League races as I always feel like I have had a herculean journey to get to the races. The simple answer is I don't know but I will take it and enjoy it for a day or 2.

Splogging...

2008-05-13T22:08:00.001+01:00

I am not sure if anyone noticed, but for a couple of days, my blog was no longer...
Your blog is disabled. Blogger's spam-prevention robots have detected that your blog has characteristics of a spam blog.
I don't know what I did, but apparently I made my blog look like a spam blog. What's a spam blog anyway?
Well, here's a definition from wikipedia...a spam blog is also known as a splog. So there.

Short training update - 11 May

2008-05-11T23:25:00.000+01:00

Well, I've been getting back into training...a little bit at least. I've been able to keep up my gym work with my twice weekly circuits and occasional bootcamp classes (and only today noticed I had a new muscle in my arm).
As far as running is concerned, last week was a little tricky what with watching radio shows being recorded, committee meetings and Japanese classes but I did make it out on a lovely run on Saturday morning with CMJ, Chris and Sally. Here's the route:
Hitchin - Tatmorehills lane - hitchin
Find more Runs in Hitchin, United Kingdom

The weather is lovely right now but I am not a good runner in the heat...too much extra ballast to carry...

So, here's this week's training log:
Mon: Impington 5k approx 27 mins
Tues: circuits
Thurs: circuits
Sat: 6 mile run and bootcamp

OK, so not exactly Olympic material but I'll get there!

Not tired, just not entirely bovvered...

2008-05-07T23:31:00.000+01:00

I am not currently entirely enthused about running just now which is unlike me!
Over the bank holiday weekend, I didn't really feel like running (or the Thursday before) so I didn't really. I am not too worried about this, there will be enough running going on in the next few weeks with all the Midweek league races!
However, I did do a 5k on Monday in a village called Impington, near Cambridge.

View Larger Map
It was a village fun run and jolly nice it was too! I finished in 27:17 and really enjoyed it. My main fun was provided by watching the kids around me as they struggled to pace themselves round. They sprinted, walked, sprinted, walked and wily old Cook just kept plodding along and beat them in the end!

Charity pub crawl

2008-05-04T10:31:00.000+01:00

I broke the rules and took some photos...this is the only one I will publish though!
And, I sent it from my phone, how clever is that!

Grown up press ups

2008-05-02T12:09:00.000+01:00

I just had to share with you my latest achievement...I did 3 proper, real, grown up press ups yesterday at the gym! It's taken me 18 months of circuit training to train myself how to do this, I am rather pleased with myself.
Stupidly, I decided to show off to Gary last night by trying to demonstrate how I can do a grown up press up. This might be the cause of my sore arms and shoulders today, will I ever learn?

Next blog...

2008-04-29T22:36:00.000+01:00

Have you ever clicked on the next blog link at the top of the page? I have and it's addictive, it's amazing what people blog about...go on, you know you want to!

Marathon marathon history

2008-04-29T22:29:00.001+01:00

After running my 11th marathon this year I asked our club statto to remind me of my other performances...

13/04/08 33 London Marathon 04:43:46
22/04/07 32 London Marathon 05:28:46
18/03/07 31 Rome Marathon 04:55:05
09/04/06 31 Paris Marathon 04:29:13
10/04/05 30 Paris Marathon 04:11:16
18/04/04 29 London Marathon 04:36:45
04/04/04 29 Zurich Marthon 04:23:00
06/04/03 28 Paris Marathon 04:12:00
14/04/02 27 London Marathon 04:29:51
30/09/01 26 Berlin Marathon 04:51:24
22/04/01 26 London Marathon 04:41:52

certainly quite a range of times...wonder if I could ever do sub 4?

Lazy blogger

2008-04-29T22:21:00.000+01:00

Yes, I am a lazy blogger...tee hee.
So, how's it going post marathon then? Well, amazingly enough I am not feeling too tired and heavy legged (one week after the marathon I even managed the Flitwick 10k and a 13 mile cycle with fellow marathon blogger CMJ) and I've been training a couple of times. Probably time to get properly back into it though.
I had loads of good and virtuous plans for running at the weekend, I managed a lovely run on Saturday morning around the Mulligatawny course with my fellow NHRR-ites but sadly that was the end of my good running plans at the weekend as I joined the aforementioned NHRR-ites for a charity pub crawl on Saturday night. On the plus side we raised £100 for Roger's charity, I CAN. Also on the plus side I had a lovely evening. On the minus side I felt somewhat rough for a large part of Sunday. Silly girl, at my age I really should know better!

SMARTer goals

2008-04-21T12:54:00.001+01:00

In my previous post, I alluded to my goals for the next few months. Well, in order to acheive them they need to be more SMART. So, here goes:

1. Improve my 10k time by 5 minutes before the end of the summer season (let's say end of July). So let's start from my Flitwick 10k time of 58:57 and get it down to under 54 minutes. %-wise that means going from 50.74% to 55.45% (according to this age grading website)

2. In the New York marathon, (November 2nd) run sub 4:30. Ideally I'd be sub 4:20 but let's see how it goes and amend nearer the time!

3. By my sister's wedding (15 August) be more slim :-). I'm not going to reveal where I am starting from but:
3a x-10% by 22 June (that's 10 weeks after London marathon)
3b x-20% by 15 August

So, what next?

2008-04-20T18:37:00.000+01:00

It's one week since the London Marathon and I've already moved on! It's amazing how you can spend all that time training for something and then just leave it behind like a peice of rubbish...
My legs were super sore until Thursday but otherwise I felt fine, not too tired at all which was a relief. On Thursday I started back at the gym and went for a 5 mile run and I felt fine and today I ran the Flitwick 10k. Not a great time (58:57) but I was very pleased with how I felt on the way round which is good.
So, what next? Well, this blog was ambiguously named so it can be a blog about training for a marathon or just a blog of marathon proportions. I think I will choose the latter, writing the blog does appear to have shamed me into some training...
And as far as running is concerned, Chris P hit the nail on the head with his comment about my training:
"Having followed your blog that was an amazing time of the back of that training. There is natural talent in there somewhere. Time you set yourself a single aim and targeted it and tried to stick with it.
It could be just to increase your age graded 10K result by a certain amount. Are you doing New York ?"

So that's it, to improve on my 10k % (well, basically my time) until July/August when I will start thinking about New York Marathon. Also, my sister is getting married in August and I'd like to be...erm...more slim by then. More over, more slim usually means more fast so let's give it a go!

The day after...

2008-04-14T11:39:00.000+01:00

So, how does it feel the day after running a marathon?
First, I find I don't sleep that well despite being really tired! I think it is a combination of adrenalin and my body complaining a lot at being pushed so hard. So today I feel a bit out of it.
The next thing is the legs. My quads are very sore, in fact they are painful to touch. I'm also pretty sore around my knees. I am staggering around the office like an old woman and walking downstairs is tricky. I feel a little like my legs will give in and collapse so I have been clinging to the handrail to make sure I don't tumble head first down the stairs. The biggest challenge I have had so far today is the stairs at Hitchin station when tryng to carry my folding bike...it was almost very nasty!
Finally, the chaffing. Yes, not a nice subject but 26.2 miles of running after being very drenched/attached by hailstones does have some unfortunate side effects. I found that my running top rubbed badly on my shoulders (that's never happened before) which was very painful as I got in the shower yesterday. Today these areas are very tender (aw, poor me!)

Otherwise, I feel fine! I managed my usual cycle to work with nowhere to sit on the train and I am currently wasting time writing this instead of working...my colleagues aren't very taken by all things marathon which is a bit disappointing but never mind!

I did it!

2008-04-13T17:14:00.000+01:00

I finished in 4:43:46, here are my splits.
Initial thoughts:

I did what I wanted to which was to beat last year's Rome time of somewhere in the region of 4:55ish (I can't find out the exact time as I didn't write it down and the Rome Marathon website won't tell me)!

I did walk a little bit, mainly around water stations but nothing like the way I've had to walk in past marathons. I actually felt like I could keep running which is pretty rare for me

I slowed down in the second half of the race but it wasn't as bad as other races

I very much enjoyed it despite the driving rain and hailstones at times!

NHRR are good at supporting (so far I think NHRR are good at running, making food, eating and supporting!)

So basically I am pretty chuffed...and tired so I am off to clean up and rest now!

Update on this week's tasks

2008-04-11T23:17:00.002+01:00

Pick up my marathon number Done! (very speedily too, I was only in there for about 15 minutes and most of that was trying to find the exit!)

Drink loads of water debatable...

Go to bed nice and early also debatable, mind you it's only 23:20 now

Don't get too stressed and busy at work Yay, managed this and long may it continue!

Don't get sick! I am a bit bunged up...fingers crossed

Check what time the race starts (yes, at the moment I don't actually know!) 9:45

Buy some Percy Pigs done

Obsessively check the weather forecast but of course...

Pre marathon dream

2008-04-11T17:22:00.000+01:00

I thought I wasn't too nervous but maybe I am more nervous that I thought. Last night I dreamt that Gary and I stayed over in a hotel before the marathon (which is what we are doing!) and when I got my kitout in the morning I had Gary's running socks with me. Except in my dream his socks were enormous! Needless to say it was all very stressful sorting out the large sock problem, I ended up cutting them in half or something daft like that!

I'm loosing it...

Things I need to remember to do this week

2008-04-09T12:55:00.000+01:00

Pick up my marathon number :-)

Drink loads of water

Go to bed nice and early

Don't get too stressed and busy at work

Don't get sick!

Check what time the race starts (yes, at the moment I don't actually know!)

Buy some Percy Pigs

Obsessively check the weather forecast (so far so good)

Marathon in the snow anyone?

2008-04-08T16:48:00.000+01:00

After the weather of the past few weeks I am now pondering what running a marathon in the snow would be like? I've come to the conclusion it would suit me a lot more than any other kind of weather. I found the very hot weather from last year's marathon really unbearable and I've done 3 or 4 races where it's been very cold or snowy. The BBC weather forecast doesn't go as far as sunday yet but so far no sign of snow.

So, if it did snow, what would I do differently? I'd still wear my 3/4 length leggings, they are my kit of choice at the moment and I'd probably wear a long sleeve t shirt instead of a short sleeve one. My main worry would be that I'd be out there for a long time and I find I get cold the longer I am out there. A 3 hour marathon is 2 hours shorter than a 5 hour marathon after all. And if it was extreme I'd wear my gloves and my fleecy ear warmer.

So, I have a plan now, bring it on!

Getting a cold?

2008-04-07T15:02:00.001+01:00

It's less than a week now until London (thank goodness it is almost here!). Unfortunatly I am not feeling great today which is a worry. I ran the XC yesterday but my legs didn't really fancy it. I put it down to a late night working on Wednesday, late night out on thursday and very early start on Saturday morning as I had to go to work then too. However, when I woke up this morning I still felt tired and pretty bunged up...looks like I need to remember to look after myself this week!

Last Sunday's long run

2008-04-05T14:14:00.000+01:00

I promised I'd tell you about last week's run. Well, here goes. After being cut short at the double Bypass I felt like another long one...I know, I know, I know, 2 weeks before London and I run 22 miles...maybe not the best idea but none of my training has been 'the best idea'!
So my main plan was to set off and see how I felt and then see where I ended up...and I ended up doing 22 miles as documented in multiple posts below! It took me a very long time (4 and a quarter hours) but I was super chuffed with my efforts when I got home...and I feel OK now (apart from the fact I got up at 4:45 this morning to go to work).
So, what next? Well, off home soon, ceilidh tonight and XC tomorrow. And yes, none ofthof this is ideal marathon run up but hey ho, it'll all be ok!

Countdown

2008-04-03T10:20:00.001+01:00

I was reading a couple of the other blogs yesterday and both of them mentioned the countdown to London and the feelings and rituals of the penultimate couple of weeks. I have to admit I am feeling none of that, in fact, it's only in the last few days where it has really hit me that it is less than 2 weeks to the marathon now. On the train into work this morning I was wondering why I am not feeling like the others and why I am feeling so blasé about the whole thing. I've come to a few conclusions which I'd like to share with you.
First, I am definitely not performing at the same level as Secret Squirrel or Lissa. Does that really make a difference? Well, yes I think it does, especially for Lissa startinig at the elite start (scary biscuits!). Of course I want to do the best I can but the best I can do is distictly average (I am usally in the 50s when it comes to age grading %). Second, I think my expectations of myself are lower. I know I am not as fit as I could be and I am bit too lardy to be quick so that really does take the pressure off. Third, whatever I do I'll be ok with it. That's the key. I do care how fast I run but if I don't run as fast as I hope I'll still have enjoyed myself and there will always be another time! And finally, this is marathon number 11! I've done this before, I know I can finish and I know I'll do more marathons and I know one day I'll get somewhere near my PB so it'll all be OK!