Garmin fail ...

Not sure what was up with my Garmin today: really didn't want to pick up satellites even at the McEwan hall (which is usually not a problem); and the map produced was pretty off the mark! 

Was nice seeing so many in the new beginners group for JogScotland today - and they seem to be getting on really well already! The rest of us set off for a run around Holyrood/Queen's Walk. I wanted to try pushing myself a bit more today, as the chest infection is slowly starting to sort itself out (although I've been using my inhaler for the first time in years).  The weather wasn't so cold today, so deep breathing wasn't as painful as it has been in recent weeks. 

At the top of Queen's walk we split into two groups: one went back to the McEwan up the short but steep route via the Commie pool; and the front group went off to the Innocent Railway tunnel and back.  We did a fast push up the tunnel itself (with the leader being pseudo-grandad and making me keep my speed up) before heading back to the start.  I have to say that the faster bits really did hurt - my lungs and arms (bizarrely) rather than my legs in particular - but I'm glad I managed them and didn't give up, even if my chest was trying to explode after.  Just a shame that there is no signal in the railway tunnel so I don't know what pace we were going at - but I guess it must have been 9 min/mile or slightly under from the effort level.

I do have to confess that I didn't manage to get out yesterday: planning to do a short run tomorrow morning before I head out towards Glasgow to get my Jantastic runs in, and then long run on Cumbrae on Saturday morning.  I guess if it weren't for Jantastic I wouldn't be quite so bothered about dropping a run, but I figure if I can get at least a mile in tomorrow, it will count and not wear me out too much for my long island-based run.  Do have to squeeze in a little time for actually learning the music too ...

Altered stats from GRG here ...

Snow-Mousie ...

Not a testament to my snow-sculpting skills (although I do a good line in Snow Cat), but more a comment on my run ...

Nearly left the run until tomorrow, as I have lectures etc to prepare, but after working on Romantic Symphony for rather longer than I intended I needed a break! Managed to find a gap in the snow so got my togs on (practically all the ones I own) and got myself out of the door. I don't think my garmin wanted to go, as it was being a TOTAL pest finding satellites: nearly gave up and used RunKeeper but a change of window seemed to work. 

My aim had been to get out and do more than a mile today: I had a few possible ways to go off the start of the route depending on how my chest felt and how the weather was doing. In the end I did the second longest - the route I'd planned last week before I got a bit lost - and did 4 miles.  It was nice and slow, practically glacial in fact as the ground underfoot was slushy snow, but that must have done the world of good for my heart etc. I have to admit that I classed it as 'cross country' in GRG (stats here too) - but that was partly because I would have been better off on skis. My knees are definitely feeling the slightly slidey underfootness now! On the run however they were just a TINY bit niggly - and I felt like I could have easily run twice as far being nice and cosy warm in my many layers (have to wear more now I've lost weight). Mojo seems to have reappeared, so rock on!

One particularly comic moment was after about a mile when the blizzard renewed and I found myself snowed into my own glasses ... if the abominable snowman was training for a marathon he probably would have looked something like me in a snow storm (although probably taller if he needs to scare anyone).  Thankfully when I changed direction soon after the snow got blown out again, or I might have had to try running sans goggles ... and given that I find my feet difficult to spot without them, I'm not sure curbs would have been too easy.

I have to say, I was getting a tad annoyed with other runners tonight ... I must have passed 6 or 7 other people AT LEAST on my way round and not a SINGLE one returned my nod (or wave in one blizzardy case).  Cyclists however (mostly on their feet pushing bikes) mostly smiled or said hi.   On our run in Cheshire on Sunday,  every single runner, cyclist and dog walker managed a hello (including 2 separate clubs in about 4 groups) ... admittedly some of them were Grandad's club, but most weren't and the difference between there and Edinburgh is frankly shocking. I can forgive the man who nearly brained me with an umbrella (as he wasn't looking) but do come on Edinburgh runners - smile at people occasionally! Especially if they are bright orange and covered in snow ...

Four Villages - Cancelled

(c) Run Helsby

Thanks to the rather inclement weather, the organisers of the Four Villages Half sadly had to cancel the race yesterday - which was a shame (if understandable given the amount of snow on the course) and in some ways a relief as I didn't have to make a decision about whether to run it with my chest in a bit of a state.  

However, Grandad and I decided to go out for a run anyway, and did one of his regular running club loops around Manchester airport - we did actually bump into a good number of runners from his club (and another local club) who were out having also missed out on the Half Marathon.  It's quite a nice route taking in some bridle paths and footpaths, but mostly on nicely maintained ones (and with the ice it wasn't too muddy).  Couple of the hills made me a little wary of the cough - but that was more because I was taking them at Grandad speed and not my own! Stats from GRG here.

Despite the weather, the ground underfoot wasn't too bad: there was the odd icy patch/wobbly bit but mostly it was easier to keep running rather than walk.  I can't say it would have been much fun had a thousand other runners been over the snow before me though.  My chest is definitely improving although I did have a bit of a shock getting into the (relatively) warm car and wheezed a few times - but a nice cup of horlicks is calming it down quite nicely and sugar was replenished by sharing my emergency fun-sized mars bar before we drove back to the house.

I think my legs would have been up to the Half Marathon; they certainly don't feel too worn out after a 5 1/2 mile run. But I'm not CERTAIN my chest would have lasted another couple of hours out in the cold - although I do have to admit that the breeze was almost warm this morning as opposed to the icy blast you normally get in Edinburgh.

Grandad is on the organising committee for the Wilmslow Half - so is trying to get me a sneaky place on that for my training purposes for VLM - if not I'll try and get in to the Inverness (although that of course doesn't come with the free accommodation).

Grandad looking at planes

Two minds ...

Today was a day of two minds: two minds about doing my run because I have a stupid rotten cough (again!); two minds about half marathon at the weekend - partly because of cough but also partly because I've not been able to run a decent distance for a while; two minds about whether I've chosen the right career given the rather depressing pile of marking I've been doing; and two minds about whether I can make it to VLM at all.  

Not sure why I've been feeling so blue recently - the bad sleeping habits I've got into don't seem to be helping much (nor is the cold weather that seems to be setting off my asthma).  I also seem to get cold very easily at the moment  - although that could be the lack of the padding I've had for the last few years.  Having said that, the diet isn't going brilliantly at the moment either - or at least I've hit a bit of a plateau weight wise. Now this may be because I'm building muscle mass (I certainly still seem to be fitting into clothes better) but it would also be nice if it were reflected in pounds and ounces.

Despite all my blue thoughts, I did manage to get out for a run, and even managed my planned four miles with a bit of an unplanned hill session. I meant to try out the Marathon Talk suggested training for the week (with a 1 mile warmup, 1 mile gentle, 1 mile steady, 1 mile fast) but I saw Arthur's Seat and thought I might as well try to circumvent it! Having said that, a hill session with the state my chest appears to be in wasn't the best of ideas - especially given that I'm supposed to be singing for Princess Anne at a University official do tomorrow. 

However, stats from GRG here - and JogScotland tomorrow (possibly with inhaler in tow!) Need a mojo transplant pretty urgently if I'm to get round the Four Villages on Sunday ...

Mojo absent ... run done

What with the recurrence of this stupid stomach muscle pain, I can't say my runs this week have really been ones where I've wanted to bounce out the door.  I've also been feeling really run down and tired which hasn't helped - I suspect I've been eating far too much rubbish since returning from the parentals. 

However, Jantastic must go on and with some encouragement from the Wallers I re-jigged my route to be safer in the dark, and tried to get myself into the mood.  I also made a point of making sure that I hydrated properly (as this is one of the things I'm probably guilty of not doing properly).

Run was pretty slow, but then it was an LSR, and ended up as a bit of a shopping centre tour - had a quick detour/comfort break at Cameron Toll and then passed another two before I got to Musselburgh! Not sure why mile 4 was SO comparably slow - although it might have been because there were a lot of major roads to cross and I had a slight detour to map read (a few more signs might be nice at roundabouts Edinburgh Council).   My Garmin was also being a bit of a pain and not stopping/starting properly (perhaps because of the cold or similar) - GRG took another minute off the time ...

I had my gel at the halfway/five mile mark - which was slightly easier to eat than the normal packet ones and didn't taste too horrible - I then sipped water occasionally and had my almond cube at 9 miles - none of which seemed to cause any stomach problems so I'm rather pleased with Decathlon! If nothing else, the almond cubes taste scrummy!

There were definitely a few chunks of the run (would be a bit unfair/pessimistic to say moments) that I was feeling pretty much in the zone and the running was relatively easy.  There were others (particularly the last mile) where I could have given up and cut the run short in a heart beat. The detour in Musselburgh off my planned route meant that I actually made the 10 mile mark in Portobello rather than having to face the hill up to Morrisons.

However, for once the run was only the START of my problems! Hopped on a bus to take me to the Morrisons cafe (feeling a tad wobbly! although with some chocolate) - only to discover that the cafe was closed.  Even though I put my dry clothes on that I'd carried in my rucksack, it was still blinking cold - the temperature must have dropped about 10 or 15 degrees subsequent to me leaving the house! Mostly I was ok but my hands were pretty cold.

Eventually got on another bus that was going to take me to a chip shop (I was getting desperate by this point) from where I could theoretically walk home - but after barely managing half my chips (probably more like 1/3 - which at least is good for the diet) I was still freezing and rather too tempted by the line of taxis waiting outside the nearby theatre and hopped in one for the journey home.

Rather cold and damp I then buried myself under my duvet with dressing gown and extra blankets - but it did take a few hours for my feet to warm up (should have gone for a hot water bottle/micro-clanger). 

I can't say it was the most pleasant/easy long run I've ever done, but it was definitely an improvement on the last time I did 10 miles and it was rather a mental victory over myself - particularly that last mile! Now just got to do another 3 miles next week (although I do have 2 rest days before and the opportunity to carb load!)

Stats for comparison from the equivalent run last year below ....                                                         

                                            W7 D2 Marathon training          MT W14 R4 LSR

                                                 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:56                Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:12

Distance	10.51 mi	10.00 mi
Time	2:21:11	2:01:40
Avg Speed	4.5 mph	4.9 mph
Avg Pace	13:26 min/mi	12:15 min/mi
Calories	1,262 C

Jantastic 2013

Marathon Talk's Jantastic Challenge 2013 started today, a challenge I rather bombed out of last year.  I've kept my planned runs to 4 runs a week to fit in with my marathon plan, although I'll be reconsidering that of course in two weeks after the Essar Four Villages.

Today I also had to finish a cover letter for a job application which a friend is going to proof read for me, as well as emailing my referees to check they were happy to write nice things about me.  This took up most of the morning, after which I braved the drizzle to meet up for lunch/window shopping with a Uni friend who lives across in Glasgow.  My final hurdle of the day was a rather tedious committee meeting which went on FAR too long, and after which I had to lock the building.

I can't say I was particularly in the mood for running after all that!

However... I got home, got changed, set the watch off and figured that I'd get a run in even if it was shorter than my planned 4 miles just so I could tick off the run on Jantastic.  In the end I meandered around the roads a bit and so managed to get my 4 miles in after all and felt pretty good for it although that stupid muscle is still twingeing a bit.  Glad to get the first run under my belt, and going to do JogScotland tomorrow as I've had to rejig my week quite a bit to fit in a recording all day Saturday. 

Stats from GRG.  And got a 10 miler to plan for Friday ... yerk!

Long Run

No parkrun for me this morning because a) I had a 7 miler planned and b) I had a rather long day travelling back up to Scotland on the train yesterday (have ended up going via Glasgow).  After a bit of a long lie and a rather scrummy bacon sandwich I set out with a rather vague plan in my mind for what route I was going to take.  

My weird stomach niggle was playing up again after about a mile, but seemed to be better than the other day along the canal.  Pausing for a few seconds each time it hurt badly seemed to work - and someone on the GRW also suggested a way of breathing through it which also seemed to help.  What is really odd is that after about 4 miles it completely stopped hurting.  Glad I therefore didn't give up and rest it after a mile!

Had a comfort break just before the 5 mile/1 hour mark, and had one of the new almondy squares that I got from Decathlon while at the parentals.  It was lovely and didn't give me a proper stitch or anything. Think it was doing the trick (or the comfort break did) as I got a bit of a second wind over the next mile or so before starting to flag a touch.  Didn't give up, but allowed myself to walk for a few metres before running again.  

After 7 miles I was coming back through the park where the Bupa Great Winter Run was being held, and as I'd made my target I allowed myself a few more walk breaks and to slow down a tad.  Stretched out and then toddled home for some pasta with mixed seeds and pesto for lunch.  Good start to the day and hopefully this is starting to deal with my silly niggle.

Stats from GRG this time: I think it was able to cope with the innocent railway tunnel better than the Garmin site.  Roll on Jantastic on Monday.

Canal Run

Today's run with Grandad was TOUGH.  We had planned to do it yesterday, and I'm not entirely sure why Grandad decided to switch (possibly hoping the weather would improve) - although we did discover my train tickets back up to Scotland were for tomorrow not today.

We'd done a bit of shopping in Macclesfield, and planned to run down the canal tow path and then back, a route that should have been about 6 miles ish.  Started off OK, although the two path was MUCH muddier than I had anticipated (the Edinburgh canal path has been turned into a cycle path) and I was slipping and sliding around a lot.  It wasn't raining so much as that heavy mist that permeates everything: staying-warm-wise this might have been a good thing (although I did get a nice light waterproof from Decathlon yesterday). But glasses-wise it was an utter nightmare!

My stupid stomach muscle decided to play up today too - I wish I could work out why! It starts out feeling like a stitch but then sorts itself out usually. Today it was being really annoying and kept twingeing back after a few hundred yards. Kept having to stop and walk a bit - very frustrating after such a good run on Tuesday.  We kept going though, walking when it was bad and then running for a bit, and ended up doing 4.5 miles (cut the planned route a bit short because of muscle pain). 

No idea what was up with me but hopefully a rest day tomorrow will sort me out! Grrr.

South Manchester Parkrun - Happy 2013!

After staying out last night rather later than I intended (although tee-total as I was driving) and having only had about 5 hours sleep, I woke up this morning coughing and choking so much that Grandad wondered if I wanted to run at all.  However, I was actually feeling relatively fine, and we got ourselves out to the Platt Fields Park for the New Year Parkrun.

The course loops around the park several times, so although you cover a lot of the same ground twice, it's not actually a lapping course: I'm sure this suits many, but I found I was looking at my watch a lot more than I'd have liked to, just to check how far into the race I was.

I warmed up with Grandad - one lap of the lake and a bit - and managed to keep up with his rather faster pace (his jog is about my race pace). So I hatched a cunning plan ... I asked him to run with me for the first few hundred yards at his jog pace, to get it into my legs, and then told him to bugger off and do his own run afterwards (so as not to slow him down too much).  My plan was to try and keep up the faster pace for the first mile, and hopefully not drop too far back in the second two (although of course I only had my watch to help me).

I knew that I needed to keep around 9:38 min/mile to get my sub-30 target, and my first mile (which was quite hard going) turned out to be 8:45! I knew there was no way I could keep that up the whole way round but hoped I could at least give myself a couple of good miles to allow me to drop back a bit at the end if I needed to. The loopy course was a tad depressing but the volunteers were amazing -especially as they'd come out on NYD.

We had been warned that there were some 'deepish puddles' on the route, but not to try and run around them because of some rather deep drainage ditch. Deepish was an understatement.  There was one puddle at about 2.5 miles that was shin deep on me! Now I know how Jesus felt ...

Was also nice that a lot of runners had hung around the finish to cheer the last people through on (although for once I was about 1/3 way down the field).  Grandad was also there with his camera (hence pic already) to snap me as I crossed the line - but there were also two official photographers.

Of course the BIG question is ... did I break 30 mins? Well ...

Grandad's Pic

I did it! I did it!! I did it!!!

Not only did I do it but I frelling SMASHED it! Official time (well impressed they're out already ... kudos to the parkrun team) is 29:12 :D Grandad even said he thought it was a rather slow course, and he was 15 seconds slower than Saturday even though he had to re-do his shoe-lace at Congleton.  That's another 98 seconds off from Congleton and a total of 192 seconds off my PB over our parkrun challenge.  Ratherproud.com.

[Update: forgot the stats from Garmin site: split 8.45, 9.36, 9.34, 8.22 (for the last few yards)]

Yesterday I also set my goals for 2013:

* Reduce weight to 8 st 13 lb (in the next 3 months)

* Get down to a 28 min parkrun - 9 min miles

* Get a 50% age grade or more (a)

* Run 500 miles over the year (I may up this ...)

* VLM time breaking 5 hours - GRG at the moment predicts 5:08

(a) As I've already got my age grade over 50% (nearly 51 this morning) I think I might revise that to 55% ...