2012 in numbers

Some of the GRW-ers have been doing the running version of the 'year round-ups' that seem to be filling my Facebook feed, so I thought I'd join in (and with a more extended version here on la blog!)

2012 has really been a year of two halves running wise: build up to Manchester (Marathon fail) and now the build up to VLM (111 days to go).

Not really sure what went so wrong with the Manchester training: OK I now have my fab JogScotland group to go to once a week, but that's only one run out of the four.  I think also the extra weight I was carrying made it difficult to keep going but then that's a bit of a rubbish excuse.  Perhaps giving myself the get-out of not telling Grandad made the mental fight so much more difficult ... and therefore it was far too easy to give up.  When I read/share the stories of the other Good Run Wallers who have FAR more reason to give up, and yet keep positive and keep going through injury and disasters it makes me rather humble (and just a little bit ashamed that I gave up so easily)

Not now though! 

Since starting running again (post my VLM letter being delivered) I have: 

* Lost 2 1/2 stone through diet first and then running second.

* Knocked 4 minutes and 36 seconds off my parkrun PB 

* Stuck to my marathon plan through 3 months - even if I've been running less in the last couple of weeks due to flu/chest infection

I have also run my first half marathon this year (even if it did then knock me out for months), having previously been of the 'wouldn't run for a bus' brigade. And I've noticed a general improvement in fitness when having to run for buses - would never have been able to run between stops before.

Over the whole year (including the aborted marathon training for Manchester) I have: 

* Run 338 miles in 72 runs taking 49 hours 9 mins and 4 seconds to do so. 

* Burned off 27,434 calories (and managed to stop eating twice as many back)

* Improved my average pace from 13:30 m/m in 2011 to 12:23 m/m (and presumably in the last 3 months that has improved even more)

* Improved my average age grade from 34.95% (2011) to 39.8 (2012) but now pretty much always hitting the 40%s and with a best age grade of 48.25% on my last run of the year

I couldn't have done any of this improving without the support of my friends on the GRW who are always there with congratulations even if I only run as far as they warm up, and who are very willing to send me messages until I get my butt out of the door.  Discovering the lovely JogScotland group has also made a huge difference - especially as they really push what I think are my boundaries in speed and distance. Long may this continue! Am already signed up for Marathon Talk's Jantastic with the GRW-ers so that will be even more motivation for the challenges ahead.

Roll on 2013 - I'm ready for you now :-D

Congleton Parkrun

Those on the Good Run Wall know that I've been laid low with flu for the last couple of weeks - I did manage to get out a few times (including my birthday with the Jog Scotland lot) but not been blogging or seriously training.  

Now down south in Englandshire (well North Englandshire) with Parentals for New Year and doing the parkrun challenge with my Dad: I can't say I particularly wanted to go out into the pouring rain at 8am this morning (especially as my throat had a massive lump in making it a tad sore to swallow), however I said to Grandad that I would go in the car and see what the weather was like when we reached Congleton.

Actually, when we arrived the rain had gone off a bit, and we jogged from the carpark (typical Grandad chose the one that was further away) to the start just to see if my lungs were up to it, and as they weren't exploding I decided to potter my way round and just try and get round without having to walk.

Was a little dubious about the idea of a 3 lap run, but the locals were very friendly (I have to say more friendly than the Edinburgh lot!) and we were all chatting at the start line. Headed off nice and slowly (at least I felt I was going nice and slowly) and plodded my way round. It was actually quite nice having the three laps as it seemed to be a lot shorter back to the beginning each time. I'd covered my Garmin up with my coat/shirt sleeve but took a sneaky look at my pace at the end of the first mile, only to see my 'nice slow pootle' was actually about a 10 min/mile.  

Kept on plodding onward - knew my second mile had been a wee bit faster, but I thought that I was slowing down for the last lap (not according to the stats!).  Watch time says 10:59 - but I do know I started it early and stopped it late (someone behind me was told they got 10:54). But whichever way it's still a PB! (Previous best was 32:24).  Also got best paced run (average 9:45) AND my best age grade (48.2%). TRIPLE PB :D Hopefully on Tuesday when my chest is a couple more days better, I MIGHT be able to break the 30 minutes ... fingers crossed. Will update when the text comes through with confirmed time.

[Update 1: Stats from Garmin site ... oops]

[Update 2: Final PR text time - 30:50 :-D]

Mousie vs. Mousie

Well I'm nearly back to normal after a week of weird lethargy that turned into a streppy throat and nasty head cold - still a bit full in the nose and wanting in the voice department (gone from a soprano to a bass in the space of 24 hours) - but I decided it was time to stop prevaricating and get my trainers back one. After catching up on an ITV drama from yesterday. Oh and watching a couple of episodes of Elementary. And lunch.

Having a birthday meal today at my favourite local Italian (I do love living in a city where I can have so many choices) so as I was being indecisive on where/how far to run, I decided to get my butt out the door, confirm the table booking, and go from there. 

Was having horrible problems with a stitch from the very beginning of my run (I should have known lunch was a bad idea)  ... but I was determined to get a semi decent mileage in even though I had taken an emergency bus fare with me just in case.  Had to stop, stand, and deep breathe a few times, but it did actually seem to sort itself out after about 20 mins.  

Then had another wobble around about the 3-3.5 mile mark after having got a little lost (smart phones are wonderful, except when they decide to play up!) and then stopped off in a public loo.  Nearly gave up there and then, but decided I wanted to get to 4 miles if I could. 

By the time I found a useful bus stop, it was still reading 11 mins to the next bus, so I thought I'd run a stop along ... but for some reason unbeknown even to myself I then took a total detour through the Cowgate and decided I was going to run home.  The last mile or so was pretty tough: I stopped and immediately restarted a couple of times (whilst also giving myself a pretty stern mental ticking off). 

So from having to push myself quite hard to even get up to 20 mins, I ended up doing an hour of actual running and 5.3 miles ... link here to Garmin stats.  I also found the way to the Union Canal which I think may end up being a route for a long run one of these days.  Oh and I'm now on negative calories for the day, so looking forward to my meal out tonight.  Most importantly I won a bit of a mental battle with myself - bodes well I hope for future training!

The end is nigh ...

... at least in terms of concerts anyway! Last big concert was yesterday (and now I only have to get through Christmas services).

Managed to get back in the saddle yesterday as planned - and extended my planned route very slightly to include a bit of the prom at Portobello (I've mentioned how much I like the sea!) Was just over five miles again in just under an hour, which hopefully bodes well for my sub-30 parkrun challenge for the end of the year.  Explored a park on the route that I hadn't realised was as extensive as it actually is - looks like a great place to pause/paddle/play pooh sticks in the summer. Also wanted to experiment a bit and tried boosting myself with a bit of mars bar (which was supposed to be my post-run treat) in the last half mile which wasn't the easiest way to get sugar on the hoof ... rather hard to breathe whilst chewing chocolatey nougat.  Think I'll stick to proper stuff in the future! 

Also had a bit of a Garmin fail after forgetting to restart for a short while after a traffic light - but think I've managed to sort it out in GRG at least. Stats here.

Also trying to get the diet back on track having had a few too many days of treating myself to stuff: got a rather handy pack of pre-cooked lentils from Morrisons and various bits of anti-pasta to help turn it into salads. I had made myself one for lunch today, which was indeed rather scrummy, but ended up snacking rather too much on the lovely stuff provided for our Church AGM.

Have to get back up to my four runs again in the coming week (which is slightly easier when I don't have a concert every day): can't rest on my laurels too long! Got our staff christmas lunch tomorrow so will have to run that off at some point too ... might try and get my backside out of bed for an early one (whether that will happen I have no idea).

Resting and Races

Sleepiness finally caught up on me: the last few weeks I've been quite tired, but this week I've barely been able to drag myself out of bed at all. After managing a run (but little else) on Monday, and a few days of running around for concerts, I've had to accept that running hasn't happened mid-week this week.  I'm planning to go out for a nice slow/longish run tomorrow (perhaps down to Portobello and then up to Morrisons for breakfast/shopping).  It's not even been a lack of mojo really, just an overwhelming desire to sleep - my glands have also been up for a few days so I think it might be partly down to a bit of a virus.

I have been using my down-time to search for possible races for next year: I'm still considering the possibility of trying to fit in a 20-miler but they are so few and far between and as a church musician races on Sundays are a little awkward to fit in.  I have booked in for a local, hilly-ish 10 miler in early March just to keep the legs ticking over (and being local means I can get back for Evensong!).  It looks quite a nice course as all the uphill (and some downhill stretches) are in the first 6 miles, and then the last 4 are downhill all the way! 

So this is how my race diary is looking for the next few months: not particularly impressive/populated compare to many of the amazing peeps on GRW, but of course the big on is VLM! Will be nice to get some bling going on next year though :D

Skating!

Last night I was all hopeful for a nice easy run (if cold) as the temperature had finally dragged itself over the 0 degrees mark, and it was chucking down with rain.  Unfortunately, this morning the temp had dropped again and much of last night's rain had frozen making some of the pavements on my run rather lethal! Even the dog walkers in the park were skiting around all over the place - certainly a good way of keeping my pace down.

Did a pretty easy 2 miler to the shop to keep my hand in (or should that be my feet in) but without wearing myself out - quite pleased that 11 min/mileing is beginning to feel nice and easy as if I can keep that up I should break the 5 hour mark on the marathon (141 days to go).  My aim for the half in January is primarily to break 2:30, but 2:15 if I am feeling brave and fit by the time I get there!  Finally bitten the bullet and purchased train tickets for the trip, so there's no backing out now, especially as Grandad paid for the race entry.

Was just as well I took it easy on the run really: after lugging the tree home last night, and then carrying my shopping back, I'm beginning to feel a tad on the creaky side. Nothing a nice hot bath won't fix once I've got all my furniture re-arranged and the tree up.  Beginning to feel a bit more like Christmas is on the way ...