It's been a while ...

... since I blogged at least - I have in fact been running! I've just been so busy around it that I've not had time to blog.

Whilst down at my parents' I didn't have the greatest of runs yet again - my leg was still hurting and I don't think spending 5 hours on trains/cars with luggage and two small but significant rabbits! Had more of a gentle run when I was in Brighton at the conference, but didn't push myself too far.

I did get my gait checked at Running Bear when I was down: Tony was great, he didn't try to sell me new trainers (as the ones I'm wearing are fine) but he HAS given me some stretches to do to try and loosen my calves enough to heel strike - as apparently my toe leading was actually causing all my problems. I have to admit that since concentrating very much on making sure I was heel striking, I've have no pain at all in my left leg or ankle.

Had another couple of goodish/fine runs since getting back up to Edinburgh. Have kindof ditched the c25k programme for now until I get my confidence back a bit, but actually think that by pulling my pace back a bit, and running for as far as I can then resting till I feel I can run again, I am doing a lot more running per outing than I was before.

Today I decided to be brave (or stupid) and do the Edinburgh parkrun: 5k being FAR more than I've ever run before, but as I have the Scottish Gas one next week, I thought a practise at it might well be needed. Actually turned out to be a great experience - everyone is really supportive and despite being slow I wasn't the last to finish - so I was pretty pleased with myself.  Hopefully can go again in a fortnight (as I figure two 5ks in one weekend might be a bit much). Will put up results when they come through on the parkrun website.

Also bought myself a new gadget now I've been paid for the Summer graduations. I'm now the proud owner of a Garmin Forerunner 110w, which is currently sat on my desk charging up ... look forward to trying it on Monday!

Update: Official time from parkrun is 38:22!

Strength training

Decided that I'd do some hill running/strength training today rather than a C25k run, using part of one of the roads up Arthur's Seat. It wasn't a fast run, nor was it particularly long (1.51 miles) but it was definitely much tougher trying to push up the hill rather than running on a flattish route. Will have to see if it's made any difference on Monday, but it definitely felt worth it. Might have to work this into my regular routine if I can.

Will try a week 4 run on Monday and hopefully not cop out! Going to be away from home for a week and a bit so will be interesting how well I keep up with the whole plan. Also getting my gait checked of course so who knows what that will throw up.

Back on the Wagon (fingers crossed)

It's been a while since I blogged, although not quite so long since I went running ... I had another mega-run-fail on the 25th June when I practically ended up in tears hobbling down to Portobello (again with the seaside). I felt utterly miserable and ready to give up on the whole venture. Had a week of singing at graduations and choir social events, followed by a weekend of running a conference, and then more graduations. So it was rather too easy to just not go out at all (and therefore not fail again).

Eventually gave myself a kick up the arse on this Monday just gone as I needed to go out for some cheese, I put on my kit and decided to do some short fast runs on the way there and back. Was a case of trying to make myself run for 60-90s at a time, but more to get myself back into it in a way that didn't involve failure.

So today I decided to go back to the C25k programme: I went back to week 3 to get back into the saddle and go for something where I'd not had any failures ... and it definitely paid off. The repetitions didn't feel like too much (not saying they were easy), but I wasn't tempted to clock watch at all. Probably just as well as I've mislaid my ipod armband and had to have it in a pocket instead.

It felt so good to actually get round a workout for a change, rather than giving up in pain. I'm going into Grandad's favourite running shop (Running Bear) on Monday to get my gait checked - and thanks to a nice bit tax rebate, I can actually afford to buy new trainers if Tony says they're necessary.

Hoping to go out tomorrow morning for another week 3 run, and then rest (ha ha) for Sunday, before trying a week 4 on Monday down at my parentals. I don't want to get too far behind with less than a month to go before my first 5k race!

STATS
Distance:              2.1 miles [3.4 km]
Walk pace:           17:17 /mile [3.5 mph]
Run pace:             10:23 /mile [5.7mph]
Calories burned:  190