Running & Aqua

Wednesday (Happy Birthday Tim) was another warm day - did a 45 minute run around the lakes after work at a steady pace, will work on speed once I feel really well again. My sister and brother-in-law came to visit and told me they are going to have a weekend in London in April to watch me do the marathon - thanks for the support!
On Thursday I did an assembly at school for 240 year 7 students on reading and choosing their free 'Booked Up' book - went really well. Aquarobics in the evening - always good fun and a good workout, followed by a sauna.

Irchester hills

Went round Irchester Country Park after work for 33 minutes. Cold is much improved and found myself up hills without realising I'd done them. I'm doing an assembly at school on Thursday so I was busy thinking about what I want to say. When you run your mind is free to wander and plan, with only birdsong in the background - I thoroughly recommend it! Beautiful day too.....and set to continue tomorrow

I'm back!

After a week's enforced rest I've been (slowly) pounding the paths aroud the lakes again this morning. After last weekend's mammoth action with Muse & a ten mile run after little sleep, my body said enough was enough and the cold that had been threatening for a couple of weeks attacked!
But today I'm back.....managed a gentle run of just over a hour. The legs still feel good - a gentle run is no more strenuous than a walk - amazing what a bit of training will do! If only my head and nose would sort themselves out!

Busy weekend

Very busy weekend! History talk on Friday night - I now know all about the Lady Workhouse Visitor! Wembley on Saturday for Muse concert - Fantastic! Great music (Biffy very good too), flying saucer with alien, moving stage, illuminated drums and suit (Matt), giant bouncing eyeballs! Amazing!!!
Got to bed at 2.30am Sunday and was running the Swineshead 10mile race at 11.30am. Didn't feel at all like running, but legs kept going even up the undulations! Was warm and sunny, but regular water and sponges really helped and I crossed the finish line 1 hour and 45 minutes later - which I was happy very with.
Chatted to a Wellingborough Running Club member, will probably try joining their sessions to help with marathon preparation.

running & aqua

Wednesday after work I ran around Irchester Country Park. I did 38 minutes - up from my usual 31 or 32mins. The park was full of squirrels! I think they were pleased that children were back at school and the park was quieter again. Lots of birds, some dragonflies and sunshine too so much better than a gym!
Today I've been to aquarobics, followed by ten lengths of the pool and a sauna and steam - lovely!
I'm building up the exercise gradually and feel pretty good - just need to shift this slight cold before the 10 mile run on Sunday.

First Fartlek!

I had a go at fartlek today! 4 ten minute steady runs with faster bursts between. It's hard but I kept going and it should help me improve. Saw a couple of friends around the lakes too - 'Harry' the heron and 'Woody' the green woodpecker - always gives me a lift when I see some of the birds about. I seem to be going faster than other runners too - howzat!!!

Round the Lakes again!

I'd got a bit of a cold and wasn't sure I'd manage running too far - but found it pretty easy and ran for 1hour 30 minutes again. It's great to think I can run that far without feeling worn out - just like a walk, but a bit faster! That's what I need to work on now, getting a bit faster. Provided my cold is ok I want to do a hilly run as usual this week, but also try a fartlek. I'll try that round the lakes, making myself run a faster speed for a while, then slower to recover and repeat. That should hopefully build up my ability to run faster for longer.
Robert suggested I should join him in the 'Swineshead 10' at the weekend. Was surprised to find it's a 10 mile not 10k as I presumed, but it won't be much farther than my recent long runs, so it should be a good test.
Last week running around Stanwick I was cross at the fast food containers being dumped - this week there was 2 matresses and other junk!!! Why do people ruin the countryside like this? We have a fantastic area open for everyone to enjoy and they use it as a tip...why? Lots of coots and swans around again this week, including a family with 3 cygnets. I have also seen red kites quite frequently in the past, a wonderful sight, I thought I saw one on Sunday, but it was flown by a human on Crow Hill.

School, Irchester & Aquarobics

Training day at school yesterday, before reopens to students today. Did another Irchester run and top-up at Tesco. Robert cooked the dinner and I dashed out to a committee meeting after eating. Tonight is my aquarobics night at Splash, followed by a sauna & steam - looking forward to it! I'm sure working out in the water is very good for me as well as being a change from the running. Barbara, the instructor is brilliant and we all enjoy her sessions - even when she makes us work really hard (most of the time!)