Hello blog lovers.
Well today was a bit of a special day. Today I was doing a photo shoot and interview for a magazine, 'Womens Running'. I know, can you believe it! This Old Couch Potato being photographed for a running magazine! Just a few short years ago I would have thought that was the last magazine in the whole world that would have interviewed me, maybe 'Gut Bucket Extra' would have been more my style back then! So with a few other ladies and The Jogging Hippo, there we were, trying to look like belonged in front of the camera, looking at the sky hoping that it wasn't go to rain, and ruin the hair!
But after our photo shoot it was down to the serious business of running. Well my legs are still recovering after the hideous hill workout that I had put them through on Sunday! So I wasn't expecting to be flavour of the month with group 1 today. I was expecting to be at the back, moaning and groaning and apologising for keeping everyone waiting. So you can imagine my surprise when I gradually worked my way through the pack, and was running up at the front with our Illustrious Leader at the front!
Well, to be totally fair, (and honest) the new, mmm, what would you call it,....protocol now, as its getting quite dark, is to jog the first mile as a warm up. Apparently there are a few people that just rock up to the club runs without doing a proper warm up, ahemmm, [clears through] that will include and nagging sister as well! And probably, quite a few other people as well!
So the pace was so more sedate, yes, thats the word, sedate. I was jogging along, chatting away to people, and sounding as if this is almost a walk in the park! Well, I knew that we will be picking up the pace after about a mile, so I just eased my self through the pack until I was there, next to our Illustrious leader.
We were running through my manor again. So I really do need to look cool, and look as if I belong here, just in case anyone sees me that I know. Because its my manor I know the little inclines and the down hill sections. For instance, I know that Crescent Drive, coming from this side of it, has a slight incline, going up! There I was, though, jogging up it! In fact, I jogged all the way to the Harvesters!
We were going to take another little short break here. Our Illustrious Leader, who, by the way also ran the Chis Chase a couple of days ago, explained that for those that wanted to do the little loop around the corner can do, while those who didn't can just take a short stopping break, and wait just a couple of minutes. Well, you all know me, if there is a stopping break, a legitimate stopping break, then I normally take it, if there is an extra loop to do, to keep the legs moving, heart rate pumping along, then I avoid it. Today, I didn't do the normal thing. I chose to do the loop, the extra bit, the bit that I usually wave to all the others as they keep their legs moving!
I can only think its the coffee that I had about half hour before I started running (the photo shoot was wrapped up a lot quicker than expected) so we had about an hour to spare. So we all popped off to find a coffee shop and ended up at the pub instead! I was so tempted to ask for a lager but opted for the 'true runners' style or asking for a flat white instead.
The run back from The Harvester was the long, long road up to Pettswood. Up the hill. I will tell you this, I did walk a bit, up the hill, but then I just ran, and ran, and ran! No more stopping, just kept plodding away with the pace that we were at! Jogging along, chatting. I was at the back by now, the faster group had gone, and the more sedate group was sedately pulling away in front of me, but I was still jogging along!
Into crossways now, "Ok ladies, I shall see you up there" I said to my two fellow PWR's who were running along with me, and I took off for my sprint! I felt good, my legs felt good, the also felt like there were going along really fast! Today it really did seem as if I was having an out of body experience as this 'runner' person took over and ran along to the sign by the rec.
A very good run today, a happy run, no problems, well, apart from one lady did trip up and fell onto her knees, but she was ok and could carry on running. I love my running!
Geeky stats.
I am loving running. I can say that with almost true conviction. After all, if I didn't love it, then I wouldn't still be writing this blog, right? So dive in, enjoy the ramblings of my open diary.
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Sunday 23 September 2012
Chasing My P.B.!
Hello blog lovers.
Well today is the day that I run a 10k again. This time its an organised 10k, with marshals, May Queens and blocking the road off.
I met up with a few of my fellow running club members at Chislehurst commons, all proudly wearing our PWR vests and t-shirts. It is a chilly morning! I had my long jog pants on but a short sleeve top with my PWR vest over the top. I know I will warm up. Just people talking about the hills makes me warm! I put my coat in the baggage area and we walked the few yards to the start. Just before the klaxon went off I felt the first rain drop hit my cheek!
I heard some others mention the possibility of rain, but I just didn't want to believe it! Oh well. Whats an organised run without rain! The klaxon went off and there was a surge of runners heading for the woods. The only bit of road running that we will be doing is this bit that leads into the woods. Its about 200 yards long, if that! I am still no good at judging distances! But then the woods, oh, how I love running through the woods. I am not familiar with these woods, even though we have been through them with my running club, so I am hoping that the miles will just disappear behind me as I enjoy running through them.....in the rain.
Now this race I had done, it's an organised race, but unfortunately only the first 50 people back to the start will get a mention on the web site of the people organising it. Not only that, there is no medal, or even a goody bag, unlike our PWR superbly organised, well marshalled, fabulous medal and goody bag run! Am I a bit biased here?, but ours has been voted in the top 10 of best 10k's in England! Ooops, another digress there. Anyway, there I was running along, I was in the front at first, well the first 20 or 30 people, but that soon changed.
Through the woods runner upon runner passed me, chatting away to their mates, no one yet out of breath. behind me I can hear this booming deep voice, I turned around and see some guys in khaki green fatigues carry rucksack that could have been packed by Merchandiser of Prime Marks! They were huge rucksacks. "How heavy is that?" I said to the one that had caught up to me, (and had just bellowed in my ear at his sub-ordinates to keep going) "It's 2 stone" he said. Just then one of the other soldier looking guy was by my side! "Well, that will be more people passing me by." I thought to myself. Just then the chap that had caught up with me said "Sorry, I have to walk a bit" I was quite amazed that I, me, she who walks as soon as there is a tree root to step over, was still running and this guy wasn't! Ok, so they had two stone of rucksack hanging off them!
Well that was my goal for todays run, stay in front of the army types! Yeah go Old Girl. So from then on, I kept an eye at the back of my head, my ears focused in on the constant encouraging of the army types leader to keep them all going.
We got to the 2 Km marker board and underneath it, it said 'First lap' I was a tad confused. Are we doing two laps of Scadbury Park. Surely they can find a 10k route without going over the same ground! Lets just see how big a loop it is! The route is well marked out, some bits are gravelly, some are tarmac and some are full of tree roots! It really is multi terrain. The next marker board came up, literally! It was on a hill!
And so it begins! So far it had been down hill, which is quite difficult to run anyway, as its gravel and now the rain is making it even more slippy!, I just looked up at the hill. Hopefully it finishes just as it disappears, from view. I carried on running, as best as I could, and then I noticed more hills! Yes, indeed, this is a very hilly route. And not only that, but it looks as if we have to do the whole thing twice!
The rain came down even more. But I didn't care, the hills were more demoralising than then rain. And besides, I really had warmed up, the rain was helping me to stop over heating! But what did keep me going was that the army types were still behind me, and whats more, I couldn't hear them anymore.
The next part of the route was a field. Beautiful and golden in colour, truly autumn colours making me smile. I had to concentrate on the fantastic colour of the grass here as again, this section is on a hill! I saw another sign saying 7k, well I knew this has to be for the second lap! I was hoping that the golden colour of the field would keep me in the same frame of mind, as I am now, on the second lap.
The marshals at the top of the hill, encouraged me saying its nearly the top of the hill. I smiled, as best as I could. I went past them, through the gap of the bushes either side and saw.... the hill continue up! "Oh my word. Keep going Old Girl" I said, but my legs refused to go any faster. I kept a runner in my site, she had passed me by on the golden field, I will choose her to be my race! That was my thought! Just then I heard "Come on Old Girl, you can do it, Yeah!! keep going, nearly at the top of this bit" She said. It was one of our very own PWR's who volunteered to marshal for this race. Well that was nice. There she was, our Jo, at the top of the hill, encouraging everyone, just when you thought you would flake out!
I passed her by and headed across the path to the next part of the woods, to yet more hills! For someone who is a complete hill dodger, this race is really working on me, to learn to embrace hills! Surely there cant be many more hills, I don't remember going down this many, or did I?
The 'learning experience' continued. The hills were mocking me now. There were ordinary people waiting at places for their friends and family, but they were very encouraging to all, as they clapped and shouted 'well done' to us all! Just when we needed it. I saw a sign next, water just up ahead! Oh fantastic, great excuse to have a complete stop! I don't do that whole running along with the cup thing, Saves the marshals having to pick up after us!
At the water station it said 'Second lap straight ahead, finish turn right! Oh how bad planning was that! The water station just there, where all the fast runners are passing by, (well I believe there were only a few that actually passed me by), and the way to go for the second lap, to do all that hill running again, in the same spot! A quick drink down, place cup in bin, and head off for the second lap!
At least now all those signs will have a much more positive effect on me. I shall laugh in the face of the 2km board, the 3km board, Ha, I don't think so! The hills seem to be a little easier! Can you believe that. I seem to be able to run up them this time more that I did the first time around! How strange is that! Or it could be that I quite delirious now and think that I am Jessica Ennis and can run, run and run!
Up over the tree routes, the marshal there now holding the arrow that points the way. "I tried to iron out the hills" she said jokingly, as I looked up towards the summit! I popped out at the golden field, I am sure it looks even more glorious than it did the first time round. Maybe that is what those endorphins thinga-ma-bobs do to your brain. But I just kept on running, to the 7km board, and then walked up to the marshals. I am sure I said something to them, but I can't remember, I do know that they said something along the lines of 'Thats what all the other runners have done for you, ironed out the hill'
What had actually happened was that the runners feet had made the path even more slippery and muddy! I saw the girl in blue, she was way ahead of me now. I will never catch her. So my next challenge was to run to Jo, Jo being our very own PWR marshal, at the top of the hill! So that is what I did, I could see her, she could see me, I could see her clapping, and jumping, it could have been to keep warm, on this glorious September day!, but I liked to think it was for me, to keep me going, I kept on running up the hill. "Run to Jo, run to Jo" I chanted in my head, there was a little yellow arrow just before I got to Jo, I saw it, my body took over my brain and changed the chant to 'Run to the yellow sign, run to the yellow sign" I stopped just at the yellow sign and walked up to Jo,
High fived done, although I was hoping that we could do a bit of a tag team here, and she carry on my run for me, I jogged on, knowing the hills that are in front of me. I just listened to what Jo had said as I ran past her "Just run/walk, if you cant run it all" she said. I was wondering if she realised that is exactly what I had intended, and indeed, had been doing anyway. Yes, of course she does, she runs in my group!
The next section now, the next section that confused me and bought me down slightly before, lap2, straight up, finish, turn right! Yes, this is what I was waiting for. There can't be anymore up hills to go now, I am sure I have already climbed up further than where we started before hand! Yes, this is the last of it. And what was even better, the Army types, were no where to be seen....or heard. I was way in front of them. Yes they are carrying 2 stone on their backs, but I am carrying....extra weight on the inside! Phew, nearly told you all how much extra Old Girl there is!
More marshals pointing the way, These ones I have not seen, these ones are not on part of the route that I have already done. This is definitely the home stretch. I noticed that it was all mainly on the level now, I shall have to try and push myself, or at least make sure I have enough energy to do my sprint. I usually don't have enough energy to do a sprint after a 6 mile run! I paced my self, my legs hurting, my hips hurting, but I was feeling good! Yup, I could get a better time that what I had predicted on this route!
My own predicted time for this particular route was withing 1;30 hours, maybe 1:25, like my very first ever 10k run. But if I push myself I can get even quicker than my very first run back from Knockholt station, which is mainly down hill!
With that in mind I thundered (well, jogged) on through the woods, the road is now on my left as I running along. It's close now, the end. The boards have 'big numbers on' 200 m! Oh yes, the marshal telling me not far now, keep going. I ran out of the woods along the side of the common, I realise that this is the end, especially when I saw the big finish sign up ahead.
Right Old Girl, keep going now, sprint, woman, sprint! I picked up my pace, I passed by the chap who was just walking through the woods, and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. My fellow PWR's all cheering me in! Fan-blooming-tastic!
1 hour 18 minutes and 20 seconds!!! Now to me, on a hilly route, that is Usain Bolt quality!
My geeky stats for you.
Well today is the day that I run a 10k again. This time its an organised 10k, with marshals, May Queens and blocking the road off.
I met up with a few of my fellow running club members at Chislehurst commons, all proudly wearing our PWR vests and t-shirts. It is a chilly morning! I had my long jog pants on but a short sleeve top with my PWR vest over the top. I know I will warm up. Just people talking about the hills makes me warm! I put my coat in the baggage area and we walked the few yards to the start. Just before the klaxon went off I felt the first rain drop hit my cheek!
I heard some others mention the possibility of rain, but I just didn't want to believe it! Oh well. Whats an organised run without rain! The klaxon went off and there was a surge of runners heading for the woods. The only bit of road running that we will be doing is this bit that leads into the woods. Its about 200 yards long, if that! I am still no good at judging distances! But then the woods, oh, how I love running through the woods. I am not familiar with these woods, even though we have been through them with my running club, so I am hoping that the miles will just disappear behind me as I enjoy running through them.....in the rain.
Now this race I had done, it's an organised race, but unfortunately only the first 50 people back to the start will get a mention on the web site of the people organising it. Not only that, there is no medal, or even a goody bag, unlike our PWR superbly organised, well marshalled, fabulous medal and goody bag run! Am I a bit biased here?, but ours has been voted in the top 10 of best 10k's in England! Ooops, another digress there. Anyway, there I was running along, I was in the front at first, well the first 20 or 30 people, but that soon changed.
Through the woods runner upon runner passed me, chatting away to their mates, no one yet out of breath. behind me I can hear this booming deep voice, I turned around and see some guys in khaki green fatigues carry rucksack that could have been packed by Merchandiser of Prime Marks! They were huge rucksacks. "How heavy is that?" I said to the one that had caught up to me, (and had just bellowed in my ear at his sub-ordinates to keep going) "It's 2 stone" he said. Just then one of the other soldier looking guy was by my side! "Well, that will be more people passing me by." I thought to myself. Just then the chap that had caught up with me said "Sorry, I have to walk a bit" I was quite amazed that I, me, she who walks as soon as there is a tree root to step over, was still running and this guy wasn't! Ok, so they had two stone of rucksack hanging off them!
Well that was my goal for todays run, stay in front of the army types! Yeah go Old Girl. So from then on, I kept an eye at the back of my head, my ears focused in on the constant encouraging of the army types leader to keep them all going.
We got to the 2 Km marker board and underneath it, it said 'First lap' I was a tad confused. Are we doing two laps of Scadbury Park. Surely they can find a 10k route without going over the same ground! Lets just see how big a loop it is! The route is well marked out, some bits are gravelly, some are tarmac and some are full of tree roots! It really is multi terrain. The next marker board came up, literally! It was on a hill!
And so it begins! So far it had been down hill, which is quite difficult to run anyway, as its gravel and now the rain is making it even more slippy!, I just looked up at the hill. Hopefully it finishes just as it disappears, from view. I carried on running, as best as I could, and then I noticed more hills! Yes, indeed, this is a very hilly route. And not only that, but it looks as if we have to do the whole thing twice!
The rain came down even more. But I didn't care, the hills were more demoralising than then rain. And besides, I really had warmed up, the rain was helping me to stop over heating! But what did keep me going was that the army types were still behind me, and whats more, I couldn't hear them anymore.
The next part of the route was a field. Beautiful and golden in colour, truly autumn colours making me smile. I had to concentrate on the fantastic colour of the grass here as again, this section is on a hill! I saw another sign saying 7k, well I knew this has to be for the second lap! I was hoping that the golden colour of the field would keep me in the same frame of mind, as I am now, on the second lap.
The marshals at the top of the hill, encouraged me saying its nearly the top of the hill. I smiled, as best as I could. I went past them, through the gap of the bushes either side and saw.... the hill continue up! "Oh my word. Keep going Old Girl" I said, but my legs refused to go any faster. I kept a runner in my site, she had passed me by on the golden field, I will choose her to be my race! That was my thought! Just then I heard "Come on Old Girl, you can do it, Yeah!! keep going, nearly at the top of this bit" She said. It was one of our very own PWR's who volunteered to marshal for this race. Well that was nice. There she was, our Jo, at the top of the hill, encouraging everyone, just when you thought you would flake out!
I passed her by and headed across the path to the next part of the woods, to yet more hills! For someone who is a complete hill dodger, this race is really working on me, to learn to embrace hills! Surely there cant be many more hills, I don't remember going down this many, or did I?
The 'learning experience' continued. The hills were mocking me now. There were ordinary people waiting at places for their friends and family, but they were very encouraging to all, as they clapped and shouted 'well done' to us all! Just when we needed it. I saw a sign next, water just up ahead! Oh fantastic, great excuse to have a complete stop! I don't do that whole running along with the cup thing, Saves the marshals having to pick up after us!
At the water station it said 'Second lap straight ahead, finish turn right! Oh how bad planning was that! The water station just there, where all the fast runners are passing by, (well I believe there were only a few that actually passed me by), and the way to go for the second lap, to do all that hill running again, in the same spot! A quick drink down, place cup in bin, and head off for the second lap!
At least now all those signs will have a much more positive effect on me. I shall laugh in the face of the 2km board, the 3km board, Ha, I don't think so! The hills seem to be a little easier! Can you believe that. I seem to be able to run up them this time more that I did the first time around! How strange is that! Or it could be that I quite delirious now and think that I am Jessica Ennis and can run, run and run!
Up over the tree routes, the marshal there now holding the arrow that points the way. "I tried to iron out the hills" she said jokingly, as I looked up towards the summit! I popped out at the golden field, I am sure it looks even more glorious than it did the first time round. Maybe that is what those endorphins thinga-ma-bobs do to your brain. But I just kept on running, to the 7km board, and then walked up to the marshals. I am sure I said something to them, but I can't remember, I do know that they said something along the lines of 'Thats what all the other runners have done for you, ironed out the hill'
What had actually happened was that the runners feet had made the path even more slippery and muddy! I saw the girl in blue, she was way ahead of me now. I will never catch her. So my next challenge was to run to Jo, Jo being our very own PWR marshal, at the top of the hill! So that is what I did, I could see her, she could see me, I could see her clapping, and jumping, it could have been to keep warm, on this glorious September day!, but I liked to think it was for me, to keep me going, I kept on running up the hill. "Run to Jo, run to Jo" I chanted in my head, there was a little yellow arrow just before I got to Jo, I saw it, my body took over my brain and changed the chant to 'Run to the yellow sign, run to the yellow sign" I stopped just at the yellow sign and walked up to Jo,
High fived done, although I was hoping that we could do a bit of a tag team here, and she carry on my run for me, I jogged on, knowing the hills that are in front of me. I just listened to what Jo had said as I ran past her "Just run/walk, if you cant run it all" she said. I was wondering if she realised that is exactly what I had intended, and indeed, had been doing anyway. Yes, of course she does, she runs in my group!
The next section now, the next section that confused me and bought me down slightly before, lap2, straight up, finish, turn right! Yes, this is what I was waiting for. There can't be anymore up hills to go now, I am sure I have already climbed up further than where we started before hand! Yes, this is the last of it. And what was even better, the Army types, were no where to be seen....or heard. I was way in front of them. Yes they are carrying 2 stone on their backs, but I am carrying....extra weight on the inside! Phew, nearly told you all how much extra Old Girl there is!
More marshals pointing the way, These ones I have not seen, these ones are not on part of the route that I have already done. This is definitely the home stretch. I noticed that it was all mainly on the level now, I shall have to try and push myself, or at least make sure I have enough energy to do my sprint. I usually don't have enough energy to do a sprint after a 6 mile run! I paced my self, my legs hurting, my hips hurting, but I was feeling good! Yup, I could get a better time that what I had predicted on this route!
My own predicted time for this particular route was withing 1;30 hours, maybe 1:25, like my very first ever 10k run. But if I push myself I can get even quicker than my very first run back from Knockholt station, which is mainly down hill!
With that in mind I thundered (well, jogged) on through the woods, the road is now on my left as I running along. It's close now, the end. The boards have 'big numbers on' 200 m! Oh yes, the marshal telling me not far now, keep going. I ran out of the woods along the side of the common, I realise that this is the end, especially when I saw the big finish sign up ahead.
Right Old Girl, keep going now, sprint, woman, sprint! I picked up my pace, I passed by the chap who was just walking through the woods, and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. My fellow PWR's all cheering me in! Fan-blooming-tastic!
1 hour 18 minutes and 20 seconds!!! Now to me, on a hilly route, that is Usain Bolt quality!
My geeky stats for you.
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Pettswood Runners Gets Bigger!
Hello blog lovers.
Our running group is become very popular! We now have quite a few of the beginners in group 1, and even some of the beginners in group 2, who are already, possibly ready to go up to group 3. A fantastic response from our beginners group, and to all who helped out with them! Well done. And now, we have to keep them motivated and keep it fun!
Last week there were about 40 people in group 1, this week about 30 people. Group 0 (as the newbies from the beginners are called) will be running along with Group 1. I volunteered to be sweeper, while and a couple of the other ladies also offered their assistance to keep the big group together by running in the middle of the pack and keeping it 'well gelled' together.
It worked out perfectly. As for me I had a valid reason for being right at the back, it's wonderful to be a useful member of our club, and encouraging all our newcomers. I know how it felt to be the newbie. It's a nerve wrecking thing, you are not sure if you can keep up, then you're very apologetic for being the last one behind......oh.....erm that was just me actually. Because the newcomers today were just fantastic! There were some that just came along for the first time, and then there were the ones that were in the beginners glass that Mike and Liz and others were doing!
Any way, the long and short of it was that I was at the back, legitimately this time, in a very important role of sweeper. Our group started off, we were running through to the Palace estates, and up to Crofton, then along the top till will have the enjoyable down hill section!
We were all running quite well together, not too spread out and we are are all chatting away. A very comfortable pace. Getting on to the Palace estate, however, soon saw a bit of a gap opening up. But I knew that Richard would be having a little stop just as we pop out of the the estate. Oh, Richard was taking our group 1 run today. We had a short break there, and then Richard, (our Illustrious leaders significant other) said that would will split into two groups now, a faster group, for those that want to push it a little bit more, and then there's group 0, for those who want to carry on with the genteel run.
Jo was to be leader of this nice genteel run back to the rec and I will remain as sweeper, Richard will be leading back the others while Sherry sweeps. We gave the first group a few seconds for the off and then we followed them. It was a very nice conversational pace that we were running, at 12 m/mi. I though that Jo would be stopping at the roundabout by the off license so that we could catch our breath and carry on, but everyone was keen to keep going. We were still all together, still all chatting and so there for no need to a stop!
Fantastic! Along Beaumont road we kept on running. This is a long road, or it seems long after you have done a mile or two. We soon got to St Johns road though, which means it's nearly back at the rec. I told the new girl that I was running next to that I usually push it a for a little bit of sprint when we get on to Crossways! "Do you think that you can give it that little bit extra to get to the sign" I said as encouragingly as I could. "I think so" she said So when we crossed over the road, after letting a few cars by first, we started our sprint. "Lets try and catch the others up" I said,"Come on, just a little bit extra" I started to sound like the Old Boy!
But she gave it all she had "Only to the sign" she said, I could tell that she had her eyes fixed on the sign that pointed to the park. She was doing so well, she was one of the newcomers that had just rocked up this evening. Never ran for this long before, and had only ran very short distances for 15 minutes at a time! Well, I think she done really well!
Todays geeky stats!
Our running group is become very popular! We now have quite a few of the beginners in group 1, and even some of the beginners in group 2, who are already, possibly ready to go up to group 3. A fantastic response from our beginners group, and to all who helped out with them! Well done. And now, we have to keep them motivated and keep it fun!
Last week there were about 40 people in group 1, this week about 30 people. Group 0 (as the newbies from the beginners are called) will be running along with Group 1. I volunteered to be sweeper, while and a couple of the other ladies also offered their assistance to keep the big group together by running in the middle of the pack and keeping it 'well gelled' together.
It worked out perfectly. As for me I had a valid reason for being right at the back, it's wonderful to be a useful member of our club, and encouraging all our newcomers. I know how it felt to be the newbie. It's a nerve wrecking thing, you are not sure if you can keep up, then you're very apologetic for being the last one behind......oh.....erm that was just me actually. Because the newcomers today were just fantastic! There were some that just came along for the first time, and then there were the ones that were in the beginners glass that Mike and Liz and others were doing!
Any way, the long and short of it was that I was at the back, legitimately this time, in a very important role of sweeper. Our group started off, we were running through to the Palace estates, and up to Crofton, then along the top till will have the enjoyable down hill section!
We were all running quite well together, not too spread out and we are are all chatting away. A very comfortable pace. Getting on to the Palace estate, however, soon saw a bit of a gap opening up. But I knew that Richard would be having a little stop just as we pop out of the the estate. Oh, Richard was taking our group 1 run today. We had a short break there, and then Richard, (our Illustrious leaders significant other) said that would will split into two groups now, a faster group, for those that want to push it a little bit more, and then there's group 0, for those who want to carry on with the genteel run.
Jo was to be leader of this nice genteel run back to the rec and I will remain as sweeper, Richard will be leading back the others while Sherry sweeps. We gave the first group a few seconds for the off and then we followed them. It was a very nice conversational pace that we were running, at 12 m/mi. I though that Jo would be stopping at the roundabout by the off license so that we could catch our breath and carry on, but everyone was keen to keep going. We were still all together, still all chatting and so there for no need to a stop!
Fantastic! Along Beaumont road we kept on running. This is a long road, or it seems long after you have done a mile or two. We soon got to St Johns road though, which means it's nearly back at the rec. I told the new girl that I was running next to that I usually push it a for a little bit of sprint when we get on to Crossways! "Do you think that you can give it that little bit extra to get to the sign" I said as encouragingly as I could. "I think so" she said So when we crossed over the road, after letting a few cars by first, we started our sprint. "Lets try and catch the others up" I said,"Come on, just a little bit extra" I started to sound like the Old Boy!
But she gave it all she had "Only to the sign" she said, I could tell that she had her eyes fixed on the sign that pointed to the park. She was doing so well, she was one of the newcomers that had just rocked up this evening. Never ran for this long before, and had only ran very short distances for 15 minutes at a time! Well, I think she done really well!
Todays geeky stats!
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Get Out While I Still Can!
Hello blog
As I am no longer needed in the courts this week, and no-one else needs me, I thought I may as well get a few extra runs in during the day. And today it's not really an extra run but my only run! No club run for me later on, as today, 18 years ago, my last baby was born! Big son, as he is know in Blog Land. So we are going to celebrate by all eating at least a two whole pigs between us! Rack of ribs! you just cant beat it!
So after doing all my chores, I put on running gear and out I went. I was only planning on doing as much as what we normally do on Tuesdays anyway, so I chose an old favourite route, up to Turpington, around and down green way, and back again!
Well all I could say is, thank goodness I am not being watched by the club members!! They would take one look at me and think that I have never ran before! I was looking pathetic! Just a few days of inactivity and I am all out of whack!
My breathing, my gait, my stamina, all hidden under a ton of meat and bear! But I persevered, tried to get in the groove listening to some tunes on my IPhone, and just thinking about all sorts as I ran the route.
I was pleased I was running when I saw people that I knew! Middle daughter for one! She tooted and shouted out "Looking good ma!" At least that is what I hear, or maybe just wanted to hear! Even as I was running along Southborough I kept thinking that really if I didn't fancy doing the whole run I could cut it short by turning off into one of the roads! Can you believe that! All this time that I have been running, and yet I still let Couchie and her nasty thoughts creep in and try to tempt me to cut short my planned runs. And this was a short one anyway!
I pushed such thoughts from my mind, and just tried to keep in the groove, sweat out all the poisons of the weekend, use up all the energy that I had stored from eating the entire stock of Old Macdonalds farm! (with yet more to eat later).
I managed to keep on track, ran on past all the roads that would make it a short run, and turned down Turp! "Well that's that bit done" I said to my self. "Now just do that back again and then you can pat your own back" I said sternly to myself. I have been taking notes from everyone of how to be nagging!
The sun seemed to be shining even hotter as I was running down Greenway, I had forgotten my hat, the sweat was dripping into my eyes, making them sting and leak yet more moisture down my face! It's a good job I don't do what Nagging Sister does, and put makeup on to go running!
The hill that used to look huge to me as I turned left onto Magpiehall lane, soon came into view. It's a very do-able hill for me these days! I took a deep breath and started to run up it. Needless to say, I did stop on this slight incline. Such a lazy mare, I really had to tell me self off!
Going back down Southborough I was quite pleased that I hadn't used any of the short cuts to make this even shorter, and I was glad I was out here running! Now it's back for more housework, clean up and getting ready to kill the fatted pig.....again..... although I am not actually going to do that, hopefully ribs should all be nicely marinated, cooked and stuck on a plate later!
geeky stats for you.
As I am no longer needed in the courts this week, and no-one else needs me, I thought I may as well get a few extra runs in during the day. And today it's not really an extra run but my only run! No club run for me later on, as today, 18 years ago, my last baby was born! Big son, as he is know in Blog Land. So we are going to celebrate by all eating at least a two whole pigs between us! Rack of ribs! you just cant beat it!
So after doing all my chores, I put on running gear and out I went. I was only planning on doing as much as what we normally do on Tuesdays anyway, so I chose an old favourite route, up to Turpington, around and down green way, and back again!
Well all I could say is, thank goodness I am not being watched by the club members!! They would take one look at me and think that I have never ran before! I was looking pathetic! Just a few days of inactivity and I am all out of whack!
My breathing, my gait, my stamina, all hidden under a ton of meat and bear! But I persevered, tried to get in the groove listening to some tunes on my IPhone, and just thinking about all sorts as I ran the route.
I was pleased I was running when I saw people that I knew! Middle daughter for one! She tooted and shouted out "Looking good ma!" At least that is what I hear, or maybe just wanted to hear! Even as I was running along Southborough I kept thinking that really if I didn't fancy doing the whole run I could cut it short by turning off into one of the roads! Can you believe that! All this time that I have been running, and yet I still let Couchie and her nasty thoughts creep in and try to tempt me to cut short my planned runs. And this was a short one anyway!
I pushed such thoughts from my mind, and just tried to keep in the groove, sweat out all the poisons of the weekend, use up all the energy that I had stored from eating the entire stock of Old Macdonalds farm! (with yet more to eat later).
I managed to keep on track, ran on past all the roads that would make it a short run, and turned down Turp! "Well that's that bit done" I said to my self. "Now just do that back again and then you can pat your own back" I said sternly to myself. I have been taking notes from everyone of how to be nagging!
The sun seemed to be shining even hotter as I was running down Greenway, I had forgotten my hat, the sweat was dripping into my eyes, making them sting and leak yet more moisture down my face! It's a good job I don't do what Nagging Sister does, and put makeup on to go running!
The hill that used to look huge to me as I turned left onto Magpiehall lane, soon came into view. It's a very do-able hill for me these days! I took a deep breath and started to run up it. Needless to say, I did stop on this slight incline. Such a lazy mare, I really had to tell me self off!
Going back down Southborough I was quite pleased that I hadn't used any of the short cuts to make this even shorter, and I was glad I was out here running! Now it's back for more housework, clean up and getting ready to kill the fatted pig.....again..... although I am not actually going to do that, hopefully ribs should all be nicely marinated, cooked and stuck on a plate later!
geeky stats for you.
Tuesday 4 September 2012
An Energized Club Run
Hello Blog lovers.
After an extremely long boring, inactive day, of which I will divulge more details in a couple of weeks, I was not really in the right frame of mind for club run today. Couch Potato head was really loving sitting around, eating and drinking coffee! But my wanna be athlete was screaming inside for some activity!
After shaking of the tiredness Nagging sister came to pick me up and sitting in the back was WooWoo, her daughter. NS had persuaded Woo that running was fun and to come and see if she enjoyes it. We drove around to pick up Hitchy, she is still hanging on to her Mojo, enjoying running with the club, and she is still quite happy running in group 2.
When we got to the club the Jogging Hippo was still dishing out stuff to test, this time is was a cup of pre race energy drink, and we also had to wait for the post race drink after as well! Lets hope that this energy drink will help me get rid of the todays lethargy.
Our Illustrious leader lead us out of the opposite gate, and, in a gentle whisper told us that we would be running UP Birchwood! Well, I have had the energy, I should fly up there. Funnily enough, I did get up there in one go, and I did feel as if it wasn't as hard as usual, but then again, it is just the beginning of tonights run. Woowoo seemed to be keeping up quite well too, coping with the small incline quite well.
Our route on this rather warm and muggy evening was taking us through to Chislehurst, doing, as our Illustrious Leader says, twiddly bits at the top and then running back down towards Willet Way and then back to the rec. Woowoo was still doing really well, I was not quite at the back but still beginning to feel tired again, and the sweat was dripping into my eyes, I had forgotten to put my cap on!
The streets are quite dark now, and watching where I am running is making me forget to keep my head up. I know I should only be looking down using my eyes not my whole head and my shoulders! I kept reminding myself, "Head up Old Girl" NS and Woo were ahead of me, chatting away. Well, it seems as if Woowoo is going to make it all the way round, well she is young. In fact she is a little too young, and needs to be just another year older before she can officially join the club. But as she was here, our Illustrious Leader said it was fine for her to come along as she was here with her mum.
We did the little loop back to the new bridge, and headed off towards the roundabout, then it was running past that and on to the next road. This is where Woo got a bit tired, of course I was tired as well. I had volunteered to be sweeper along with another young lady, Jo. She kept me company as we made sure there were no runners left behind. It was about then the Old Boy rang me. there I was taking a phone call, half way through my run. What an athlete I am!
We got to Grosvenor road, and Woo was getting very 'Teenagery' "I can't do it, go get the car mum, I shall wait here" were the words that came forth from her lips. Well to me she said them so well, not even out of breath, even when she said that was going to throw up. She sounded too good! So I took her in hand. "Run to the lamppost, then walk to then next" were the words that I gave her.
As so she did. She managed to run all the way down Willet way using this method. Even after I gave her 2 lampposts to run between, she managed it. Then NS took over, well it is what she does best, eve though I really enjoyed being Auntie Nag! I crossed over the road and then sprinted up Crossways, passing Illustrious leader, who swapped roles and became sweeper, and the newbie chap and another runner before I got to the rec! Well I was pleased with that! NS and Woo turned up not that long after, a good first run from Woo.
Then it was time to tasted some more flavoured, energised water! Quite tasty, lets see if this helps me to get stronger and fast!! Yeah, right!!!
A good run today, and so nice to be chatting with Hitch, Nagging Sister and Woowoo.
Geeky stats.http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218952343
After an extremely long boring, inactive day, of which I will divulge more details in a couple of weeks, I was not really in the right frame of mind for club run today. Couch Potato head was really loving sitting around, eating and drinking coffee! But my wanna be athlete was screaming inside for some activity!
After shaking of the tiredness Nagging sister came to pick me up and sitting in the back was WooWoo, her daughter. NS had persuaded Woo that running was fun and to come and see if she enjoyes it. We drove around to pick up Hitchy, she is still hanging on to her Mojo, enjoying running with the club, and she is still quite happy running in group 2.
When we got to the club the Jogging Hippo was still dishing out stuff to test, this time is was a cup of pre race energy drink, and we also had to wait for the post race drink after as well! Lets hope that this energy drink will help me get rid of the todays lethargy.
Our Illustrious leader lead us out of the opposite gate, and, in a gentle whisper told us that we would be running UP Birchwood! Well, I have had the energy, I should fly up there. Funnily enough, I did get up there in one go, and I did feel as if it wasn't as hard as usual, but then again, it is just the beginning of tonights run. Woowoo seemed to be keeping up quite well too, coping with the small incline quite well.
Our route on this rather warm and muggy evening was taking us through to Chislehurst, doing, as our Illustrious Leader says, twiddly bits at the top and then running back down towards Willet Way and then back to the rec. Woowoo was still doing really well, I was not quite at the back but still beginning to feel tired again, and the sweat was dripping into my eyes, I had forgotten to put my cap on!
The streets are quite dark now, and watching where I am running is making me forget to keep my head up. I know I should only be looking down using my eyes not my whole head and my shoulders! I kept reminding myself, "Head up Old Girl" NS and Woo were ahead of me, chatting away. Well, it seems as if Woowoo is going to make it all the way round, well she is young. In fact she is a little too young, and needs to be just another year older before she can officially join the club. But as she was here, our Illustrious Leader said it was fine for her to come along as she was here with her mum.
We did the little loop back to the new bridge, and headed off towards the roundabout, then it was running past that and on to the next road. This is where Woo got a bit tired, of course I was tired as well. I had volunteered to be sweeper along with another young lady, Jo. She kept me company as we made sure there were no runners left behind. It was about then the Old Boy rang me. there I was taking a phone call, half way through my run. What an athlete I am!
We got to Grosvenor road, and Woo was getting very 'Teenagery' "I can't do it, go get the car mum, I shall wait here" were the words that came forth from her lips. Well to me she said them so well, not even out of breath, even when she said that was going to throw up. She sounded too good! So I took her in hand. "Run to the lamppost, then walk to then next" were the words that I gave her.
As so she did. She managed to run all the way down Willet way using this method. Even after I gave her 2 lampposts to run between, she managed it. Then NS took over, well it is what she does best, eve though I really enjoyed being Auntie Nag! I crossed over the road and then sprinted up Crossways, passing Illustrious leader, who swapped roles and became sweeper, and the newbie chap and another runner before I got to the rec! Well I was pleased with that! NS and Woo turned up not that long after, a good first run from Woo.
Then it was time to tasted some more flavoured, energised water! Quite tasty, lets see if this helps me to get stronger and fast!! Yeah, right!!!
A good run today, and so nice to be chatting with Hitch, Nagging Sister and Woowoo.
Geeky stats.http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218952343
Saturday 1 September 2012
Searching For The Mojo!
Hello blog lovers.
Nagging sister persuaded me again to run the Park Run. I don't know why I agreed, especially as I had ran 6 and half miles yesterday! So I set the alarm, and duly woke up this morning, feeling stiff, and achy. Funnily enough, just like I had ran 6 miles the dage before!
I decided to take the car to the park, rather that ride my bike. I shall be doing some bike riding later, when I find out where abouts the Old Boy has headed out to.
I wasn't expecting to beat my PB, but I was still going to try! Daft old mare, I know, but you always got to chase the PB's.
We set off, again a little too fast, just following the crowd so I had to slow myself down. I knew It was going to be a tough park run today. My legs felt like lead as I tried to keep on target for at least a sub 35. I really didn't think that was going to be possible! As we were going through the middle of the park for the first time Nagging Sister had obviously seen where her mojo was as she took off from me. Maybe I should just run up to the tea stand now, have a nice cuppa, eat a bit of cake, and wait for Nagging Sister.
But I have started, and I will finish! No good starting something if you can't finish! So the second lap started. I had Dolly Long socks in my sight, is she going to pull away from me again.........yup she is. So lets find my next race. I saw a couple of chaps in front of me. They were going to be my race. These chaps were going great guns. Park run is a great leveller, for me. Yes, you get your fast, 'Got to get that No.1 token' types but you also get the running cos I can types, I just love those people. No matter what time they get in, as long as they are running then its all good. But you also get the 'I want to be fitter and slimmer' types. And this chap that I was following was one of those. He was a quite a big chap, but he had a good pace going, (he was in front of me for a start!) I kept over taking him then walking and he over took me, and it was like this for last half of the second lap. I could hear him as he cleared is throat behind me, which made me push myself harder.
Of course I slowed down again and he took over. I said to him 'Your doing great" and then he told me what his target was, he was to get in at 35 minutes. 'Oh blimey' I thought! I need to get in way before that to beat my PB. Obviously I tried to push it a little bit more! There is just no way my legs were going to co-operate! I think I will have to be satisfied with a time of 35 minutes of less! I definitely don't want any slower that that!
I kept Big Man in ear shot or in my sight. He is going to have to be my pacer! Like I say, Park Run is a great leveller! He was in front of me as we ran down that last straight, towards the tunnel, I tried as hard as I could to get ahead of him, but lead legs seemed to be digging deeper into the ground with each footstep, making it even harder to yank them up for the next step!
Big man beat me! He was well pleased as he came in under his 35 minutes target, and thank goodness, so did I. it would have put me in a bad mood if I didn't.
But.......but........ I did beat last weeks time! Official park run time is 34.31 a whole 10 seconds quicker!
Here is my geeky stats for todays run, also showing that I am about 10 seconds fast for last weeks Garmin stats.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217551623
And now if you want, you can read my other blog about todays exercise, its here
http://moosh-ridinghigh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/get-up-get-out-stop-feeling-sorry.html?spref=fb
Nagging sister persuaded me again to run the Park Run. I don't know why I agreed, especially as I had ran 6 and half miles yesterday! So I set the alarm, and duly woke up this morning, feeling stiff, and achy. Funnily enough, just like I had ran 6 miles the dage before!
I decided to take the car to the park, rather that ride my bike. I shall be doing some bike riding later, when I find out where abouts the Old Boy has headed out to.
I wasn't expecting to beat my PB, but I was still going to try! Daft old mare, I know, but you always got to chase the PB's.
We set off, again a little too fast, just following the crowd so I had to slow myself down. I knew It was going to be a tough park run today. My legs felt like lead as I tried to keep on target for at least a sub 35. I really didn't think that was going to be possible! As we were going through the middle of the park for the first time Nagging Sister had obviously seen where her mojo was as she took off from me. Maybe I should just run up to the tea stand now, have a nice cuppa, eat a bit of cake, and wait for Nagging Sister.
But I have started, and I will finish! No good starting something if you can't finish! So the second lap started. I had Dolly Long socks in my sight, is she going to pull away from me again.........yup she is. So lets find my next race. I saw a couple of chaps in front of me. They were going to be my race. These chaps were going great guns. Park run is a great leveller, for me. Yes, you get your fast, 'Got to get that No.1 token' types but you also get the running cos I can types, I just love those people. No matter what time they get in, as long as they are running then its all good. But you also get the 'I want to be fitter and slimmer' types. And this chap that I was following was one of those. He was a quite a big chap, but he had a good pace going, (he was in front of me for a start!) I kept over taking him then walking and he over took me, and it was like this for last half of the second lap. I could hear him as he cleared is throat behind me, which made me push myself harder.
Of course I slowed down again and he took over. I said to him 'Your doing great" and then he told me what his target was, he was to get in at 35 minutes. 'Oh blimey' I thought! I need to get in way before that to beat my PB. Obviously I tried to push it a little bit more! There is just no way my legs were going to co-operate! I think I will have to be satisfied with a time of 35 minutes of less! I definitely don't want any slower that that!
I kept Big Man in ear shot or in my sight. He is going to have to be my pacer! Like I say, Park Run is a great leveller! He was in front of me as we ran down that last straight, towards the tunnel, I tried as hard as I could to get ahead of him, but lead legs seemed to be digging deeper into the ground with each footstep, making it even harder to yank them up for the next step!
Big man beat me! He was well pleased as he came in under his 35 minutes target, and thank goodness, so did I. it would have put me in a bad mood if I didn't.
But.......but........ I did beat last weeks time! Official park run time is 34.31 a whole 10 seconds quicker!
Here is my geeky stats for todays run, also showing that I am about 10 seconds fast for last weeks Garmin stats.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217551623
And now if you want, you can read my other blog about todays exercise, its here
http://moosh-ridinghigh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/get-up-get-out-stop-feeling-sorry.html?spref=fb
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