Workout Wednesday: A wet one!

Its hard for me to believe sometimes how much I miss running when I can't do it! Having to take of my children more nights this week plus being unwell meant that I went a whole week between runs. My body missed the kick of endorphins and I was definitely feeling a bit down and struggling with sleep. So tonight even though it was starting to drizzle I headed out of the door...

As I followed the next step of the 10 k training programme I really felt energised and ran the fastest I have this side of the summer holidays. I was getting wetter and wetter as the rain got heavier but this seemed to boost my running instead of slowing me down! The schedule was for 25 minutes of running then a 3 minute walk and a further 15 minute run. I wasn't sure that I would achieve this but in fact I managed to cover a slightly longer distance than the week before when I had a 4.5 minute walk in between.

I think you can tell I was pleased with myself:

Onwards and upwards and I just hope I don't have to wait a week for the next one..

Running Around

My course seems to be speeding up fast now and we have essays to write and planning to do which means I am finding little time for much else! One thing I am determined to keep up though is running. I am having to invest in 2 nights of quality long runs as they are the only 2 I get, I am getting my son some new running shoes so that we can do some shorter runs at the weekends too. 

I have restarted the 10km runner programme at week 10 level as I was able to run for a max 10 minutes at a time after once again losing fitness. Last Wednesday I managed 5x 10 minutes with decreasing intervals which was the furthest I had run in one session since June! Last night I intended to do the day 2 of the programme which would have repeated the same kind of run which takes around 70 minutes.. 

Instead I had to drop my son's forgotten book bag to him at my parents' house. I knew from a previous run that it takes me just over 30 minutes to get to my parents' house if I run there. So I decided to ditch the scheduled running plan and instead do a double run to drop off the bag. I was still going to do 10 minute intervals but just using my watch and not the app.

It must have looked a stranger than normal sight as I jogged across Kendal holding a primary school book bag in one hand (I have to say its not easy to run carrying one!). That may have been part of the reason why I wasn't finding the run as fun as normal.. then part way along the canal path I was over taken by a lady of a similar age to me. She then eased off and ran alongside me and we chatted as we went. It was really nice to have company for a change as I normally run on my own but her pace was a bit faster than mine so I was relieved when she diverted at the Leisure Centre (not surprisingly the bit I ran with her broke my records for that stretch!). 

Reasons to be Cheerful: Back to me for July! #R2BC

My first week a host back from the lovely Jo for June. Hope you will stick with me for July! Here are the things that made me cheerful this week:

1) An hour of non-stop running

I finally completed the 10 km runner training programme on Friday by running for an hour non-stop! So I may not be super speedy but I can do it! Just hope it stands me in good stead on Saturday..

2) Baby teeth

Its been a long wait but my son finally had is first baby tooth fall out this weekend:

#Juneathon Day 27 - An hour non stop run!

Well I surprised myself by finding running for an hour pretty easy (well except for the bit back up the hill to my estate!). I even ran it a bit quicker than on Wednesday as I had more confidence in my ability to go the distance. To complete the run I had to take the path round the back of the hill and then finished in the field behind my house:

I then had a cool down walk which I extended to over 5 minutes just so that my final workout total scraped in to the 10 k zone:

#Juneathon Day 25: My longest non stop run ever

Today the weather was a lot cooler and looked much better for re-attempting my 55 minute non-stop run:

It was quite scary thinking about how long I would have to keep going which was 5 minutes longer than my Friday run:

#Juneathon Day 13: Another good run

Today was one of my 10 km training run days. I am now up to day 2 of week 13 of the training programme. This meant another 40 minute non stop run but only a 3 minute recovery before a final 10 minute run. I am pleased to say it felt a little bit easier than on Wednesday though I covered the same amount of ground in the 40 minutes:

My ground speed wasn't very fast compared to my best times but I am concentrating on the stamina side of running at the moment. Just hope that I have time to improve the speed side before the race on July 5th... Hopefully I will get out with my son for a short run on one day this weekend to help him learn to pace himself..

#Juneathon Day 9 Some running and a wet walk

Can't believe its day 9 of Juneathon and I am still managing a daily exercise blogpost! Today I went on a 10 km runner training run. It felt quite hard after Saturday's race but I completed the session at a slightly slower speed than last week...

Hopefully I will pick up some speed on Wednesday for my next session as I have signed up for the Herdwick 10 km race in Langdale on the 5th of July and I want to beat my April result:


191st overall, 65th female, F40 category 15th 06.48 min/km 10.57 min/mile total 01:08:04

I then walked to work and got soaked in a monsoon! School run was via walking and train so another respectable Juneathon total:

I may struggle a bit tomorrow as need to drive to work... but I will exercise somehow and keep up my record!

Workout Wednesday Week 3

It's been a real mix running wise this week. Friday I was on a tight time frame so nipped out for a quick 5 km run. Turned out to be my fastest run yet from Parkside Rd to the tip and at that point my 3rd fastest 5km. Really good for boosting my confidence and I was better at keeping a steady pace.

I then went out on Monday and wasn't as happy on my run and eased off a few times when I had a few niggles. I still managed a good section along the old canal path but wasn't too happy overall..

So day was my last training run before Saturday. It was a beautiful if cold day and perfect for running. It felt good being out there (even if I got overtaken by a much younger runner..). I managed to complete the 40 minute non stop run from the programme though the second 10 minute section after a 2 minute walk was tougher - hoping on the race day the adrenaline can override the lactic acid! It was good to have my 3rd ever 5 km under 32 minutes - just need to work on getting under 30.



So here are my Strava achievements this week:

Let's just hope it all translates into a credible performance on Saturday...