Sunday 22 December 2013

Contender READY

If you remember the TV show Gladiators, you may recall one challenge involved 'running the gauntlet'. A timed event where the contenders had to get from A to B, while four burly individuals bearing ramrods tried to stop them. This was my run this morning. Only instead of ramrods, my nemeses were carrying Christmas trees. That's what you get for running on the pavements instead of the heath. Mind you, it was excellent fun and with all the leaping, dodging and commando-rolling, I got a great work-out. Just as well as I'm planning to run with my brother next Saturday and the gap in our fitness levels is becoming wider. Perhaps I can hamstring him with turkey. He is quite greedy.

(Stats:4.34 miles; 44 minutes; 10.08 minute/mile. Also, 41 tricep dips; 11 press-ups - yep, core strength regime is on day 14 and still going. I'm as surprised as anyone.)





Tuesday 17 December 2013

In its place...

It's cold. Which means every run is accompanied by a searing, spasming pain in my sinus regions. I'm not a fan of pain in any region, which means the running is currently off. In its place is a hard core upper body strength regime. And by hard core, I mean how many tricep dips and press-ups I can do before I get tired. The new regime was implemented by my coach (i.e my friend who's a physio) when I complained about resembling a flying squirrel. Every morning, I now do tricep dips and press-ups 'to fatigue'. 'To fatigue' presently means 35 tricep dips and eight (ladies) press-ups. I really hate press-ups but I can feel my stomach getting tighter so that's good. Actually, I haven't done them today as my flatmate was holed up in the gym (front room) early doors and I didn't feel this was something he'd like to witness. Especially not before breakfast. Consideration. That is the key to a harmonious household.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Productive procrastination

I'll go in five minutes. I'll go in ten minutes. I'll go when the washing machine finishes. I'll definitely go when the washing's out. I'm hungry. Best eat. I'll go when my food goes down. I'll go in an hour. I'll just put my contact lenses in. Then read this article. Then write a story. Then strip the bed. I'll just put my kit on and empty the dishwasher. And put the bin out. And clean it.

(Stats: 2.04 miles; 21.13 minutes; 10.24 minute/mile)

Sunday 17 November 2013

Flat rat

Today I ran to Regent's Park, did a circuit, then sat outside The Boathouse Cafe to stare at the lake. It was all very lovely till a small child pointed out a huge dead rat on the decking next to the pedalos. It was massive. And it was very flat. I can only assume it had been taken out in a freak pedalo accident. And, to add insult to injury, it was covered in bird poo. Thankfully, the child also pointed out some pretty green parakeets, which were much more pleasant on the eyes. We discussed whether it might have been them who defiled the unfortunate rodent. Poor old ratty. Nice run though.

(Stats: 5.45 miles; 55 minutes; 10.04 minute/mile.)

Monday 9 September 2013

Last week a magpie dropped a stick on my head

It was just before I went for a run and, as portents go, it was up there with Duncan's horses eating each other.

And so it was that I ran my second Regent's Park 10k of the summer - only to achieve a PERSONAL WORST.

The first lap I was flying. With two more to go, the announcer bellowed we were on for a 52-minute finish. Given my 10k PB is 54.33, this was a considerable improvement. I was feeling good. Fleet of foot. Forward landing. Hands clasped gently - as if they're holding a crisp or a butterfly.

And then I wasn't feeling good anymore.

With just three kilometres left, I remember thinking I might give up. The last time I'd felt this rotten was mile 23 of the Brighton marathon. I don't think I've ever felt this bad over a distance this short. I'm assuming it was due to my initial over-enthusiasm.

Suffice to say, I did not finish in 52 minutes, I finished in 56.01. Not a PB. And a week on, my shins still hurt. I tried a run yesterday, which turned into a shuffle, which turned into a walk to the pond. Ah... the pond. A cold dip makes everything better.

13 days to the Richmond half. 13 days.

(Stats: 6.2 miles; 56.01; 9.02 minute/mile)

Pic: Do you think this swan cares about a PB?

Addendum: Having just worked out that a 56-minute 10k works out at a 9-minute mile, I feel less cross with myself and that magpie.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Nothing like a deadline...

Since the realization it's six weeks to Richmond, my exercise regime has moved up several gears. And last night, that meant track training at Paddington Recreation Ground.

As I'm told frequently by my physio friend, plodding is not going to get me anywhere fast. To increase fitness or speed, you need strength work (hence the Power Pump class on Sunday) and high intensity training (which I was hoping Paddington would provide).

Listening to the pre-session talk gave me the proper fear. In a nutshell, be aware of faster runners or end up track roadkill. However, once up and running (pun intended) it was fantastic. The session went like this:

6 x 500-metres (at 80% capacity) interspersed with 100-metre walk recovery

4 x 200-metre sprints with 200-metre jog/walk recovery

Warm-up and warm-downs.

I got a bit overexcited during the 200-metres and nearly popped a calf muscle. In fact, they were both like rocks when I got home. A bit of massage seems to have helped and I'll have a go on the foam roller later.

It's easy to see how doing this a couple of times a week could increase your fitness, but the main point being it's just really fun to run really fast - even if the latter is relative.

(Stats: 500 metres - 225 seconds; 200 metres - 45 seconds: Bolt need not fear just yet.)

(Pic: Muscles need protein. Hooray for the English summer.)

Sunday 11 August 2013

Book club

If you're looking for a great book to read on holiday (or on the tube), this one is brilliant:

Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn

(Stats: read it in about four days - couldn't put it down.)

6 weeks today...

In spite of running only three times in the past month, I am confident of achieving a personal best at the imminent Richmond half. Call it denial (or dementia) but I think if I spend the next six weeks immersed in fitness, I can beat my previous PB - and maybe even come in under two hours. Bulls horns were grasped yesterday when I not only did the parkrun 5k, but also booked in for a power pump exercise class. I need to get very strong, very quickly and a few tricep dips while the kettle boils is no longer enough. I'd hoped a recent trip to Crete would kick start the regime, but all it kick started was an all-inclusive binge-fest. On the plus side, I am carbo-loaded up for the next year.

(Stats: 3.1 miles; 29.09; 9.24 minute/mile - which would translate into a half-marathon time of approximately 122 minutes (which would be a PB?! Perhaps I've done my sums wrong.))

(Pic: Not running in Agia Pelagia.)

Monday 24 June 2013

Below average

My time for Saturday's parkrun turned out to be 27.40 So, slightly slower than last week, but I was reasonably pleased until I discovered the mean run time for the Hampstead Heath 5k is 27.01 - making me 39 seconds below average! That's annoying. In other news, I've been watching Mo Farah's 5000metres at the European Championships. He did it in 14.10 dead. I like to think one day my final 400metres will be just like his.

(Stats for Sat: 3.1 miles; 27.40; 8.55 minute/mile)


Good work Mo!

Saturday 22 June 2013

Nearly didn't go

Last Thursday I burnt my mouth on a hot aubergine. I now have ulcers all over my tongue and it nearly put me off doing parkrun this morning. The bleak grey sky didn't help, but the thought of a nice post-run swim and hot chocolate proved just motivating enough. I can't say it was my fastest run, but it was enjoyable. And the water on the heath has just begun to warm up enough that I could stay in for about 15 minutes. I particularly enjoyed being dive bombed by a heron. Afterwards, instead of hot chocolate, I headed to the local farmer's market and bought the world's most expensive goat's cheese and some beetroot. There are times when I wish I lived closer to Lidl.

(Stats: 3.1 miles; time - to be confirmed)

Sunday 16 June 2013

The art of running

Yesterday was parkrun day and I arrived to find we were sharing our start and finish area with the Affordable Art Fair. From my vantage point (peering through the fence) I could see a Gormley-esque sculpture of a man and a big oval metal thing. Both of which would have looked very nice in my back garden - had they not been larger than my back garden. Plus I suspect affordable in Hampstead might turn out to be a good example of 'relatively speaking'.

Back to the run and it was nice to listen to the pre-race briefing without the residual guilt of not volunteering (having done a stint last week). I was also quite excited to see how quick I could cover the course as I'm now slightly fitter then when I last took part (which I'm shocked to discover was December 2012). My time then was 29.06 (far from the glory days of 26.26 - my parkrun PB - last April).

I did the first lap in 13.41. It hurt quite a lot. However, I still decided to go all out on the second lap. It was quite tricky to fight my natural urge to slow down, but I got a helping hand for the last 100 yards when the man behind me sprinted past. Some strange long-dead competitive instinct forced me to try to keep up and, while he won, I think this knocked at least ten seconds off my total time. So thank you faster man.

(Stats: 5k (3.1 miles); 27.25; 8.50 minute/mile.)

(Pic: If you press your nose up against it, this is the view through the fence at the Affordable Art Fair. I thought the fence itself had a certain Monet quality.)




Monday 10 June 2013

Honk if you want to go faster

Today I accidentally annoyed an ostrich. There's a small open zoo in Golders Hill Park; I'd gone there for a post-work run and stopped at the deer enclosure to look at fawns. That's when an ostrich wandered over. He stared at me. I stared at him. He stared more. I think it was a show-down. He'd seen me running and clearly wanted to throw down the gauntlet. I wondered if I could beat him in a race. Then he honked again and I ran off. I think we both know who won there.

(Stats: 5k; 30 minutes; 10 minute/mile - that includes a good minute staring at an ostrich and some fawns.)

Saturday 8 June 2013

There's a new marshal in town



Some people run really fast. I marshalled at today's Hampstead Heath parkrun and some people were actually sprinting all the way round. I was at the halfway point, tasked with telling the runners their split times. When the first guy arrived, I thought my stopwatch had broken. He was so quick. I think he must've been doing a 5-minute mile. And these are amateurs. As a rule, I don't get to see the faster runners up close. It was inspiring. As were the runners who followed: children, people pushing prams, lots of dogs. I usually cry when I watch races, but I didn't today as it might have impaired my ability to clock watch and shout. I do hope I did a good job.

(Pic: After the race I went for a swim in the mixed pond. It was 17 degrees Celsius and it took a good hour for the feeling to return to my feet. I think I've gone soft.)

Thursday 6 June 2013

Busy doing very little indeed



Yesterday I fell asleep under a tree. Like Huckleberry Finn. Only when I woke up, I didn't paint a white picket fence or terrorize Becky Thatcher: I went for a run. Just a quick one, around the heath. Then I went for a swim in the pond. I say swim; I went in just far enough to shock my sore knee, then I got out. And fell asleep under the tree, again.

(Stats: About 5k, but I got lost so could be a little more, could be a little less; 29 minutes; 9.21 minute/mile.)

(Pic: What I was doing when I was neither running, nor sleeping.)

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Cryotherapy



Not sure whether it was the sprint finish, the gentle undulations or falling into the bath after the race on Sunday, but I have a very sore knee. Thankfully, I found a bottle of Biofreeze and have been applying it liberally ever since. It's quite addictive. You're only supposed to use it three or four times a day, but working on the premise that cold air and arnica can't possibly be bad, I'm doing it pretty much continually. I'm also planning an early swim on the heath tomorrow. I'm hoping that the shock of the nippy water kicks the ache into touch. Need to get back to training quickly before the post-holiday motivation fades with my tan.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

109 days and counting

In a post-PB fit of enthusiasm, I have signed up for another half-marathon. In Richmond. On September 22nd. I figure, if I can do 10k in 54.33, then I can do a half in under 2 hours. Surely.

http://www.richmondrunningfestival.com/

Sunday 2 June 2013

Stop press: PB


Results just in. Gun time: 55.14. Chip time (or net time, as they call it) 54.33. A HUGE six seconds off my previous 10k pb. That was set two years ago at Sudbury Court, an auspicious day. Now I need to get training so I can beat it again in a month's time. Hoorah!

(Stats: 10k (6.2 miles); 54.33; 8.47 minute/mile. Hooray. I'm so happy.)

(Pic: Runners in Regent's Park.)

"I think you're second."



Really. I think that's highly unlikely. Especially as I can see hundreds of runners in front of me and still have a lap and a half to go. Ah.. turned out the marshal was talking to the superhuman zooming up my inside at 100mph. Hey ho, I was still having a good run. Given today's Regent's Park 10k was my first race (and I use that term loosely) since the Brighton marathon a year ago, I felt it went very well. The first two laps were lovely, the final lap was a bit more painful. That said, with the encouragement of a man with a loudspeaker, I was pleased to end with a sprint finish. I noticed my gun time was around 55 and a half minutes. However, I'm secretly hoping my chip time will be quicker as it took a while to cross the start line - possibly not the ten minutes I'm hoping for, but 30 seconds, at least. Highly recommend the course. Fairly flat, a few gentle undulations. And you get to run past London Zoo at breakfast time, which means, for once, I wasn't the only one making funny noises.

(Pic: London Zoo monkey island: I thought it was a monkey perched atop this rock but now, having zoomed in, I'm not so sure.)

Friday 31 May 2013

Working lunch

Managed a lunchtime run around Hyde Park and Kensington Palace Gardens on Wednesday. Didn't see Kate or William, but did encounter several very noisy squirrels. Given their location, I imagine they were of royal descent. What was a little strange is they seemed to congregate together in little groups, clicking at each other. I presumed it was some sort of mating ritual as opposed to busking. Turned out to be a nice little run and has given me hope this Sunday's Regent's Park 10k will go smoothly.

(Stats: 4.34 miles; 43 minutes; 9.54 minute/mile)

Tuesday 28 May 2013

A brief trip



After a bank holiday weekend away I resolved to run as soon as I got home. And I did. It was only three miles, but it was preferable to watching telly and eating Kettle Chips (which is what I did immediately afterwards).

Stats: 3 miles; 30 minutes; 10 minute/mile.

Pic: Yesterday I met the 'Warmley Giant'. If you find yourself near Bristol and fancy a delightfully eccentric afternoon out, you could do worse than visit Kingswood Heritage Museum and Gardens. A testament to the inventiveness and ingenuity of one of the UK's most interesting, albeit least known, industrialists - William Champion.

Wednesday 22 May 2013

The uncertainty principle

Tonight I was reminded that the more I know, the more I know nothing. Starting with the way to the heath. All these years, I've been going the long way round when I could've just run to the top of my road. Instead of 20 minutes, I was there in less than eight.

Turns out my geography is terrible on a microcosmic level - and on a macro one, too. I got home from my shorter-than-anticipated run and, via a brief chat with my housemate, discovered I hold some highly inaccurate views on which countries belong to which continents. I blame 'World Studies'. It wasn't a proper GCSE. Suffice to say, I will be spending the evening with Wikipedia.

(Stats: 3 miles; 30 minutes; 10 minute/mile.)

Monday 20 May 2013

Toto, we're not in Turkey anymore



Ah... the heady aroma of cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes. Nothing like running down Finchley Road at rush hour to rid your lungs of that nasty fresh sea air.

Still, I went out this morning keen to capitalize on the post-holiday fitness. Always good to strike while the iron is, if not hot, then certainly tepid.

As it was raining, I put on my Montane lightweight jacket. Highly recommend it. Very comfortable and can be tied round your waist when you're struggling up Primrose Hill, can't breathe and think your face is going to explode. Speaking hypothetically, of course.

In an bizarre move I was later to regret, I came home and did an exercise DVD - the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout. She promises long lean limbs and sculpted small muscles. I want that. However, after an hour and a half run, I found it a small bridge too far. I only managed three sections and had to stop for a lie-down. I'm still in pain now, which means it's definitely doing some good. Long leanness here I come.

Pic: My superhealthy breakfast: sardines, tomatoes, onions and scrambled eggs on toast with spinach. And a green tea. Yep. Day 2 and holiday motivation still there.

(Stats: 8.37 miles; 1 hour 25 minutes; 10.09 minute/mile. Legs, arms and abs section of the Mat Method.)



Sunday 19 May 2013

One week in Foca



Five. That's how many times I've been running in the past week. Unprecedented. And thanks to the hotel fitness team (and a couple of energetic fellow guests) I was much faster than usual. That's to say, I didn't stop and have a cup of tea en route.

The aim of my holiday was to revive my mojo, crushed under the weight of Domino's and hours of CSI. The sporty Hotel Phokaia proved the perfect place to do it.

Along with my 'morning jog', I windsurfed (moderately successful, stayed on the board 80% of the time), wakeboarded (also moderately successful), paddle boarded (afloat 100% of the time) and had many, many treatments at the spa (extremely successful, did not fall off the therapy bed once).

And the best bit was wandering around Foca, a lovely little Aegean fishing village where I ate a lot of calamari and practised my Turkish. The latter was surprisingly successful. There was one memorable occasion when I thought I'd asked for the bill and discovered I'd ordered an extra portion of pide (Turkish bread with various toppings). It tasted lovely so I didn't consider this a failure.

So, if you're feeling battered after the winter, I highly recommend a trip to Foca. Lovely weather (even with the storms) and very lovely people.

Pic: Fishermen playing catch with the seagulls. Apparently this happens once a week.

(Stats: boiling hot; two big storms; chased by wild dogs; trod on a sea urchin; learned to tack; failed to jibe; progressed to the rope; mojo revived.)


Friday 10 May 2013

Total immersion

Many years ago I had a Peugeot 307. It looked shit hot. Unfortunately, it was only half those things. Most days it would refuse to start. I'd take it to the garage. They'd get it going. Next day, it would give up again. And again. And again.

I was reminded of my poor little Peugeot in light of recent attempts to get 'back into exercise'. The odd run here and there has not resulted in a renewed commitment. Half-hearted is a half-overstatement. Hence, I've decided to take more drastic action...

I've booked a holiday to Turkey.

I won't, however, be lying prostrate on a sun lounger, scoffing calamari and bellowing at frightened waiters. No, this time I will be getting fit.

Windsurfing. Wakeboarding. Mountain biking. It's an activities holiday and I intend to leave no activity un-activated. Furthermore, in between press-ups and star jumps, I'm going to visit the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. She was the Greek Goddess of Hunting. I suspect her job kept her in shape so feel she is the perfect role model. Though, to clarify, I won't be hunting anything. I love animals and if I caught a fox, I'd just want to give him a cuddle. (Providing he wasn't too mangy. I feel the same about men.)

Stats: one week in Foca; sea view with balcony; forecast for storms and rain - dammit!

(Pic: Apropos of nothing, here is a pic of the beautiful holiday cottage I stayed in last weekend in Beer, Devon, and the greedy seagull who tried to steal our sausage rolls. He was unsuccessful.)



Monday 15 April 2013

I think spring has finally sprung

Which leaves me with no excuse not to run. I didn't intend that to rhyme. It's left me slightly discombobulated. Is that an excuse not run?

Sunday 24 February 2013

Fighting talk

Delighted to report that my domination of the squash league continues apace. Sadly I'm dominating the bottom spot. On the upside, this leaves lots of room for improvement. If I'm honest, I just don't think I have the killer instinct needed to win. When I watch the better players, they shoulder barge each other around the court. I don't think shoulder barging at squash is cricket. That's probably why I'm at the bottom of the bottom league. That and because I'm a little bit rubbish. Fun though.

(Stats: 3:2 to the other person.)

Saturday 16 February 2013

Keep it local

Lots of happy runners out today. None happier than me. For the past fortnight, I've done nothing more vigorous than wrestle the lid off the Night Nurse. Today I went for a very very gentle run to the local farmers' market. Eight minutes there, eight minutes back. With a five minute break to peruse the goods. I'm glad I went. Lots of lovely fare, including a cheese based on a recipe from the 1790s. Think I'll run down and fill my rucksack next week. At least if you're buying direct, there's less chance of a horse in your cheddar.

(Stats: Sixteen minutes; maybe a mile in total; with a comfort break.)



Friday 1 February 2013

Up with the lark

For reasons unknown, I got up at 6.30 this morning and went for a run. I think I was sleep running for the first 10 minutes. I did my usual route, which was much nicer for the lack of pedestrians and traffic. It was pouring with rain and very dark, though I discovered that what looks torrential from indoors is much less so when you're moving - even in slow motion. It's not often I roll out of bed and run. The trick is not to leave any room for sentient thought. An approach I'm considering applying to absolutely everything.

(Stats: 4.34 miles; 42.35 minutes; 9.48 minute/mile. And ready in plenty of time for work too. Result.)

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Naked in central London

To celebrate leaving work early yesterday, I went for a swim at the Oasis Leisure Centre. It's near Covent Garden and has an outdoor pool. It's also the only area (as far as I know) in central London where you're allowed to sunbathe topless.

Not that I have. I used to work in an office overlooking the leisure centre's sun terrace. I felt my image as a professional would be somewhat undermined should my colleagues catch sight of me in just a pair of pants. Especially over lunch.

Anyway, I went there last night and had a swim in the rain. Apart from a nippy sprint out to the pool, it was great. I also managed to squeeze in a quick sauna.

Squeeze being the operative. There were already three guys crammed into a very tiny space; picture a small heated shed with a bench. On entering, I found myself loitering next to the coals while the guys rearranged themselves to fit me in. I thought about leaving, but felt that would be socially awkward. The less socially awkward option was to remain, squashed in between the sweaty men. So, a typical Tuesday, then.


(Stats: 30 mins' swimming - no idea of lengths, but not many. 10 minutes in the sauna before awkwardness and heat got the better of me.)







Sunday 27 January 2013

Mr blue sky



Hoorah! The sun has finally got his hat on. An excellent excuse for a run.

As one of the first of the new year, and in the spirit of investigation, I decided to try out the 'sprint for 30 seconds, jog for four minutes technique'. Good interval training, apparently. And brilliant - if you live where people do not.

I'm not exactly Usain Bolt but I didn't feel comfortable careering at speed towards the many pedestrians on the busy London pavements. I tried running in the road, but after having to commando roll to evade a speeding Mini, a gentle pace back on the pavement was infinitely preferable.

Fortunately, part two of my exercise weekend more than compensated for the abandoned sprint training. I'm still dipping my toe into the squash world and today involved the Sunday social. Basically, you rock up and play everyone else, irrespective of experience. One of the guys I encountered had me running around like a dog chasing a stick. It was great. And by far the best interval training I've had in ages. It also more than justified the gargantuan Sunday roast I consumed this afternoon. And the chocolates. And the wine.

(Stats: 4.34 miles; 43.14 minutes; 9.57 minute/mile.)


Pic: January sunshine over Brondesbury cricket, tennis and squash club.




Tuesday 22 January 2013

Running into the new year

The last time I did an Endurance Life coastal race I took so long my brother came looking for me. I've just signed up for another. On Exmoor. I vaguely know the area so at least there won't be any fears I've got lost. I've also signed up for the Regent's Park summer series: a season of 10k races on the first Sunday of every month, starting in April. After last year's marathon effort, the emphasis this year is on short and sweet with enough energy left for a nice glass of red. Drink more red wine. I feel this is one new year's resolution I may be able to keep.