... a pair of earphones that stay in your ears for the entire run!
Have been up to London to do a bit of shopping. New trainers, Mizunas - a brand I haven't tried before, earphones with flexible earhooks that I can make small enough to stay on my ears, a pair of the most ugly running socks ever made (they will have to be stunningly amazing for me to wear them regularly) and a pair of Oakley sunglasses. (I also bought some pink FItflops and various other bits and pieces - but this is supposed to be a running blog!)
Lovely day, lunch with a good friend *and* lovely goodies to carry home. I was so keen to try out my new toys that I threw supper at the children and went out for a run. (7.1km in 38mins) to test them out. The trainers didn't give me any niggles, the earphones were fab - stayed put all the way, rather than me having to fiddle with them. I left the sunglasses at home as it was cloudy. Wish I'd taken them with me as there were so many bugs out and about. One flew into my eye and I had to try and fish it out, leaving my contact lens in place, while running up a hill! Don't know how many of the little critters I've eaten today.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Monday, 26 April 2010
London Marathon Day!
No, I wasn't running in the marathon, I didn't even catch any of the coverage on the TV, which is a first for me. It was a busy, busy day though! The two younger boys (5 and 8) had karate gradings that they needed taxiing too and from. The gradings are held in the most boring sports centre ever, no cafe, no play area, just some depressing chairs to sit and wait on. One child was grading at 11am and the other at 1pm, so with three other children to consider it was a logistical nightmare. Somehow it all went smoothly, and they now have a green stripe and a brown belt between them.
On our arrival home we found an old friend waiting for us - she'd popped in for coffee and a chat as she was home visiting her parents. She and Stephen took the children to the park and I went for a run. Weather was lovely, going was good until about mile 4 when the plaster on my blister (one of those expensive blister ones) started to rub as it curled up my instep, so I stopped to take off my shoe, my sock and the plaster, replace sock and shoe and carry on with a slight limp! At mile 5 the heavens opened! I'd taken a day off from my contacts so was wearing glasses, and had no cap on as I hadn't anticipated rain. At times I was practically blind and by the time I got home I looked like a drowned rat. Still, I managed 7.64 miles in 1hr 11mins, including my shoe stop, over an 'undulating' route. Only three people asked me if I had strayed from the Marathon route, but then again I only passed three pedestirans. I was very glad to have a hot shower when I got home. In the same way that you appreciate food much more when you are really hungry, a hot shower is so much better when you have been really cold and wet.
A consequence of running with a slight limp is that I have strained my ankle a bit. It is OK most of the time, but I decided to rest today, apply ice packs as and when I can, and will probably take it easy tomorrow.
In other news, oldest boy managed 3 hours back at school, before being in so much pain he had to come home. We'd seen the consultant this morning who is going to get him ultrasound scanned 'just in case.' But we think it is just going to be a long slow haul to get him well again after his operation. The consultant read his notes to us, impressing on us how seriously ill he had been before his operation, and how we are lucky to have him.
On our arrival home we found an old friend waiting for us - she'd popped in for coffee and a chat as she was home visiting her parents. She and Stephen took the children to the park and I went for a run. Weather was lovely, going was good until about mile 4 when the plaster on my blister (one of those expensive blister ones) started to rub as it curled up my instep, so I stopped to take off my shoe, my sock and the plaster, replace sock and shoe and carry on with a slight limp! At mile 5 the heavens opened! I'd taken a day off from my contacts so was wearing glasses, and had no cap on as I hadn't anticipated rain. At times I was practically blind and by the time I got home I looked like a drowned rat. Still, I managed 7.64 miles in 1hr 11mins, including my shoe stop, over an 'undulating' route. Only three people asked me if I had strayed from the Marathon route, but then again I only passed three pedestirans. I was very glad to have a hot shower when I got home. In the same way that you appreciate food much more when you are really hungry, a hot shower is so much better when you have been really cold and wet.
A consequence of running with a slight limp is that I have strained my ankle a bit. It is OK most of the time, but I decided to rest today, apply ice packs as and when I can, and will probably take it easy tomorrow.
In other news, oldest boy managed 3 hours back at school, before being in so much pain he had to come home. We'd seen the consultant this morning who is going to get him ultrasound scanned 'just in case.' But we think it is just going to be a long slow haul to get him well again after his operation. The consultant read his notes to us, impressing on us how seriously ill he had been before his operation, and how we are lucky to have him.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Bath.
It has been a while since I posted here. I find myself having to grab a moment here and there to write, never getting enough time to say what I want and invariably I post the blog and thing 'Oh I forgot to mention x,y,z!'
So, I've been to Bath with my husband, who was exhibiting at the Bath Antiquarian Bookfair in the beautiful Assembly Rooms. We went down a day early (and when I say early I mean early - we were there by 9am), and enjoyed a lovely, child free day just mooching around, met a friend I last saw at school (over 20 years ago) for lunch and caught a film in the afternoon (The Ghost - don't bother - not a patch on the book it was based on) and in the evening (Date Night - very funny)!
Stephen was up early on Friday to set up the fair, I went for a run. I've been watching what I eat recently, just 1 carbohydrate meal a day (porridge for breakfast) then protein, vegetables and a little bit of fruit for the rest of the day - it is a way of eating that seems to work for me, but on Thursday I'd missed the carb meal and had a cooked breakfast instead. I had no energy for running at all on Friday morning! I felt like I was dragging lard legs along the floor. I struggled to do 6.5k! The first 5k were in and OK time (about 26mins - nothing spectacular!) but the last 1.5k were little faster than a walk. I can't blame the hills of Bath either, as I ran along the path by the river. Shame really as it was a beautiful morning in a lovely setting.
The bookfair was quiet - damn this recession! Edward Bayntum-Coward (of the famous bindery in Bath) gave Stephen and I a fabulous tour of the bindery. Book binding is a real art as well as a craft, fascinating to see it in action.
On Saturday we met up for lunch with another old friend of ours, we hadn't seen Belles since our youngest's Christening, and we got to meet her lovely baby for the first time. Lunch at The Circus was lovely - I can't recommend that place highly enough. Other foody delights were to be found at The Bertinet Kitchen a glorious bakery where the bread sells out by about 11am. I had a lovely chat with M. Bertinet about bread making and came away with a book, a proving basket, a bag full of bready treats that I am going to suffer for eating (I don't eat wheat) but which will be worth it. Gorgeous bread!
Back home now, in the thick of it all. Eldest child is back from Vermont, jet lagged, in quite a bit of post operative pain from the appendectomy in early March (thankfully he has a consultant's appointment tomorrow), and youngest son has to go to grading for his green stripe karate belt soon - so once again I have to dash off!
So, I've been to Bath with my husband, who was exhibiting at the Bath Antiquarian Bookfair in the beautiful Assembly Rooms. We went down a day early (and when I say early I mean early - we were there by 9am), and enjoyed a lovely, child free day just mooching around, met a friend I last saw at school (over 20 years ago) for lunch and caught a film in the afternoon (The Ghost - don't bother - not a patch on the book it was based on) and in the evening (Date Night - very funny)!
Stephen was up early on Friday to set up the fair, I went for a run. I've been watching what I eat recently, just 1 carbohydrate meal a day (porridge for breakfast) then protein, vegetables and a little bit of fruit for the rest of the day - it is a way of eating that seems to work for me, but on Thursday I'd missed the carb meal and had a cooked breakfast instead. I had no energy for running at all on Friday morning! I felt like I was dragging lard legs along the floor. I struggled to do 6.5k! The first 5k were in and OK time (about 26mins - nothing spectacular!) but the last 1.5k were little faster than a walk. I can't blame the hills of Bath either, as I ran along the path by the river. Shame really as it was a beautiful morning in a lovely setting.
The bookfair was quiet - damn this recession! Edward Bayntum-Coward (of the famous bindery in Bath) gave Stephen and I a fabulous tour of the bindery. Book binding is a real art as well as a craft, fascinating to see it in action.
On Saturday we met up for lunch with another old friend of ours, we hadn't seen Belles since our youngest's Christening, and we got to meet her lovely baby for the first time. Lunch at The Circus was lovely - I can't recommend that place highly enough. Other foody delights were to be found at The Bertinet Kitchen a glorious bakery where the bread sells out by about 11am. I had a lovely chat with M. Bertinet about bread making and came away with a book, a proving basket, a bag full of bready treats that I am going to suffer for eating (I don't eat wheat) but which will be worth it. Gorgeous bread!
Back home now, in the thick of it all. Eldest child is back from Vermont, jet lagged, in quite a bit of post operative pain from the appendectomy in early March (thankfully he has a consultant's appointment tomorrow), and youngest son has to go to grading for his green stripe karate belt soon - so once again I have to dash off!
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Back to school, back to reality
So... back from Paris, but oldest son isn't back from ski-ing! Children are back at school - one has moved schools, so while I still have 2 schools involved on the school run at least the three who can't walk home on their own are all together so I don't have to try to be in two places at once at 3.30pm every day. After 2 days back (middle child has moved back to the school he went to for Nursery) I think we have made the right choice - he is so happy to go to school, loves being with his old friends, is still happy when I pick him up, and eager to do lots of work for Mrs J because 'she doesn't shout at us all the time!' Probably easier not to shout when you only have 10 in a class rather than 30!
Went for two walks on Sunday, over 7k delivering leaflets/flyers for husband's shop and then 5k with the children across the fields. No idea how long the first walk was as mapmyrun can't really take into account walking up to every single front door!
Yesterday I ran 6.5k. I have to say that eating sensibly again makes the running much easier. I don't feel as though I am trying to run through oil. I am going to take it easy and not run today as I am off to Bath on Thursday and have decided to set myself the challenge of running the half marathon route (I'll be the person running with a map in my hands looking lost) so need to conserve my strength! Psychologically I think I need to know I can run that far - even if it takes (and it will) a long time. Then I can train in the knowledge that I can actually do it! I've been leafleting yesterday and today too, so active even if I don't run!
Went for two walks on Sunday, over 7k delivering leaflets/flyers for husband's shop and then 5k with the children across the fields. No idea how long the first walk was as mapmyrun can't really take into account walking up to every single front door!
Yesterday I ran 6.5k. I have to say that eating sensibly again makes the running much easier. I don't feel as though I am trying to run through oil. I am going to take it easy and not run today as I am off to Bath on Thursday and have decided to set myself the challenge of running the half marathon route (I'll be the person running with a map in my hands looking lost) so need to conserve my strength! Psychologically I think I need to know I can run that far - even if it takes (and it will) a long time. Then I can train in the knowledge that I can actually do it! I've been leafleting yesterday and today too, so active even if I don't run!
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Too much food and too little running!
Got back late last night from a few days staying with friends in Maisons Laffitte, a lovely suburb of Paris. Weather was stunning, company fantastic, wine and food plentiful and good. I managed two 6k runs in the 4 days I was away, partly in La Forêt de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and partly around the streets of Maisons Laffitte. The forest is famous for its prostitutes, but I didn't see any, running on the streets was interesting as the architecture is so different to home. No rows of cloned houses, lots of variety and boulangeries on random corners.
In addition to running, we had a lovely day out in Paris, walking around the sites before a quick visit to the Paris Bookfair (at the Grand Palais - quite a change from the Royal National Hotel in London). Lunch at Au Petit Riche (foie gras, very non PC, but very lovely) with another friend who was in Paris for the day. Friday (our wedding anniversary) saw us at Disney. My husband had never been to Disney before and was only going to humour me, if I say that we both left with annual passes will that tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves? Brilliant fun - think I may have whiplash though.
Meanwhile, oldest son is stuck in Vermont. He was supposed to be home this morning, but thanks to the ash cloud he is not expected home until 'Friday at the earliest.' The resort was supposed to have closed this week, but has stayed open as the children are back there and they are getting another week of ski-ing! Three days of snow are forecast too - so that should be lovely.
We were on Eurostar - so although it was very busy on the train we got home safely. Bit of a shame really, as it would have been nice to be stuck in Paris!
In addition to running, we had a lovely day out in Paris, walking around the sites before a quick visit to the Paris Bookfair (at the Grand Palais - quite a change from the Royal National Hotel in London). Lunch at Au Petit Riche (foie gras, very non PC, but very lovely) with another friend who was in Paris for the day. Friday (our wedding anniversary) saw us at Disney. My husband had never been to Disney before and was only going to humour me, if I say that we both left with annual passes will that tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves? Brilliant fun - think I may have whiplash though.
Meanwhile, oldest son is stuck in Vermont. He was supposed to be home this morning, but thanks to the ash cloud he is not expected home until 'Friday at the earliest.' The resort was supposed to have closed this week, but has stayed open as the children are back there and they are getting another week of ski-ing! Three days of snow are forecast too - so that should be lovely.
We were on Eurostar - so although it was very busy on the train we got home safely. Bit of a shame really, as it would have been nice to be stuck in Paris!
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Feel like a cart horse!
Today I feel like a cart horse. My legs feel like lead, and even on today's fairly flat route I really felt I was struggling. Weather was warm and sunny, so it should have been a real pleasure to be out, but I felt as though I was plodding along. I guess I must start doing some speed work.
The rest of today has been spent getting number one son ready for his ski trip tomorrow. How many times does one have to prod a 13 year old to get him to pack everything he needs? Have to be up early tomorrow to get him to the bus.
The rest of today has been spent getting number one son ready for his ski trip tomorrow. How many times does one have to prod a 13 year old to get him to pack everything he needs? Have to be up early tomorrow to get him to the bus.
Friday, 9 April 2010
My planned route didn't work out! If a pathway is known as 'Water Lane' in local mythology there is normally a reason. The path was a river! 4" bank down one side - but I didn't want to risk it so turned around went up Windmill Hill and had a loop around King's Pond instead.
I did a few fast intervals in today's run, and in general felt good about the run, although a bit peeved that I couldn't go where I wanted, and had to go across a dual carriageway and up a steep hill instead! Still slower than I'd like, but running on the roads is not like running in a race is it? I have to stop for traffic, avoid cyclists, jump into the verge to avert a collision with oncoming 4x4s and spend a wee bit of time scratching my head wondering which way leads home!
I ordered some Moo.com cards with the url for my justgiving page for the Bupa 10,000m - they arrived today and I have to say the cards are lovely. Will be handing them out to all and sundry in the hope of attracting a bit of sponsorship! Also got postcard invitations for my youngest son's birthday party - each postcard has a different photo of him on it, so I've been able to do postcards with pictures of the recipient on them - very cool!
I did a few fast intervals in today's run, and in general felt good about the run, although a bit peeved that I couldn't go where I wanted, and had to go across a dual carriageway and up a steep hill instead! Still slower than I'd like, but running on the roads is not like running in a race is it? I have to stop for traffic, avoid cyclists, jump into the verge to avert a collision with oncoming 4x4s and spend a wee bit of time scratching my head wondering which way leads home!
I ordered some Moo.com cards with the url for my justgiving page for the Bupa 10,000m - they arrived today and I have to say the cards are lovely. Will be handing them out to all and sundry in the hope of attracting a bit of sponsorship! Also got postcard invitations for my youngest son's birthday party - each postcard has a different photo of him on it, so I've been able to do postcards with pictures of the recipient on them - very cool!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
