Monday 31 October 2011
Thursday training and FIRST ever cross country race on Saturday
Thursday Training (27.10.11)
After Tuesday's disastrous run, I was determined to go out and have a better training session Thurs evening. We ran to the Leas and did 1,2,3,4,3,2,1 minute reps with half recovery. I fully enjoyed the session and ran well. I managed to keep just behind Fay and co today which was a bit of a boost after Tues.
Cross Country - first race! (29.10.11)
Woke up for the Cross Country feeling sniffly and nervous - luckily I had to work on a presentation for work all morning which kept me entertained and my mind off of the looming race!?!
I can honestly say that I didn't enjoy any part of the race - I would probably go as far as to say, I found the half marathon and climbing Mount Kenya easier! I had really bad stomach cramps from the start and it got to the point where I nearly gave up. All members of the club overtook me and I was one of the last which also left me feeling disheartened. I got to the steep hill at the end of the first lap thinking that I might give up for the first time ever. I am not a defeatist! If anything, I am usually so stubborn, that I would continue even if my leg was falling off - as was the case in a ski race years ago when I broke my arm but finished the race first! I am waffling, back to the point... I owe my completion of the race to Mick - who ran with me down the slope of the second lap. He gave me some good advice, some tough love and some encouragement to catch the lady in front. Standing up straight and having a focus definitely helped. I managed to overtake at least 9 people on the last half lap around and had a sprint finish. My time was 31: 29 which I was a little disappointed in, particularly when I look at some of the other times but I was aiming to beat Mum's time of 31:35 last year, so in perspective and considering my shaky start where I could have walked faster than my run, I suppose it wasn't too bad!
I must, must keep up these training sessions with Fay at the weekend!
I would also be interested to know if anyone else has had these pains. It's like a deep, intense throbbing that makes me want to bend in half and lay on the floor. Any ideas?
To end on a positive, the club really is supportive, I love being a part of such an enthusiastic, encouraging team!
After Tuesday's disastrous run, I was determined to go out and have a better training session Thurs evening. We ran to the Leas and did 1,2,3,4,3,2,1 minute reps with half recovery. I fully enjoyed the session and ran well. I managed to keep just behind Fay and co today which was a bit of a boost after Tues.
Cross Country - first race! (29.10.11)
Woke up for the Cross Country feeling sniffly and nervous - luckily I had to work on a presentation for work all morning which kept me entertained and my mind off of the looming race!?!
I can honestly say that I didn't enjoy any part of the race - I would probably go as far as to say, I found the half marathon and climbing Mount Kenya easier! I had really bad stomach cramps from the start and it got to the point where I nearly gave up. All members of the club overtook me and I was one of the last which also left me feeling disheartened. I got to the steep hill at the end of the first lap thinking that I might give up for the first time ever. I am not a defeatist! If anything, I am usually so stubborn, that I would continue even if my leg was falling off - as was the case in a ski race years ago when I broke my arm but finished the race first! I am waffling, back to the point... I owe my completion of the race to Mick - who ran with me down the slope of the second lap. He gave me some good advice, some tough love and some encouragement to catch the lady in front. Standing up straight and having a focus definitely helped. I managed to overtake at least 9 people on the last half lap around and had a sprint finish. My time was 31: 29 which I was a little disappointed in, particularly when I look at some of the other times but I was aiming to beat Mum's time of 31:35 last year, so in perspective and considering my shaky start where I could have walked faster than my run, I suppose it wasn't too bad!
I must, must keep up these training sessions with Fay at the weekend!
I would also be interested to know if anyone else has had these pains. It's like a deep, intense throbbing that makes me want to bend in half and lay on the floor. Any ideas?
To end on a positive, the club really is supportive, I love being a part of such an enthusiastic, encouraging team!
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Training this week, including the first club handicap
Went out yesterday morning for a short run on my own seeing as it is half term!
Note to self: Do NOT eat take away curry the night before a run! I felt so heavy and lethargic, it took me at least 3 miles to get going!
Attacked remembrance hill after the disasterous half marathon attempt where I had to walk a third of it! I quite enjoyed it. I think I may prefer it to Sandgate hill? Ran 6.6 miles, need to organise my music, Celine Dion was not motivating me! Wham on the other hand...
Today, was the first club handicap. I was determined to set a P.B today and start the winter series as I meant to carry on. Unfortunately, I felt rather rough this afternoon and had a nap - I never nap! Started way too slow this evening and it wasn't until Catherine over took that I realised my pace was too slow. Not pleased with my time: 38:40 but at least I've got room to improve next month :-)
I am absolutely loving the support of the Folkestone Running Club - looking this evening at the number of faces there for dinner, plus the number of fast runners that passed and gave encouragement made me realise what a great bunch of people attend the club!
Note to self: Do NOT eat take away curry the night before a run! I felt so heavy and lethargic, it took me at least 3 miles to get going!
Attacked remembrance hill after the disasterous half marathon attempt where I had to walk a third of it! I quite enjoyed it. I think I may prefer it to Sandgate hill? Ran 6.6 miles, need to organise my music, Celine Dion was not motivating me! Wham on the other hand...
Today, was the first club handicap. I was determined to set a P.B today and start the winter series as I meant to carry on. Unfortunately, I felt rather rough this afternoon and had a nap - I never nap! Started way too slow this evening and it wasn't until Catherine over took that I realised my pace was too slow. Not pleased with my time: 38:40 but at least I've got room to improve next month :-)
I am absolutely loving the support of the Folkestone Running Club - looking this evening at the number of faces there for dinner, plus the number of fast runners that passed and gave encouragement made me realise what a great bunch of people attend the club!
Second Cross Country Session (22.10.11) The question is why?
O.K the question today is why do I do it? I spent the whole session cursing the hills, cursing the spikes, cursing the running, only to find that the minute I finished, I was telling everyone what a great session it was. The only reason I can come up with is that buzz afterwards! I am so much more productive after a good run! I even walked up the zig zag path with a pushchair an hour later. Where does that energy come from?
Today, we had lots of longer hill reps which were so much tougher than the first week but I think they will benefit me in my first race as it is more similar to an actual race. Total mileage today was just under 7 miles - not bad for a morning's work - headed off for a brekkie with friends after - not so sure that should be part of the training plan :-)
Today, we had lots of longer hill reps which were so much tougher than the first week but I think they will benefit me in my first race as it is more similar to an actual race. Total mileage today was just under 7 miles - not bad for a morning's work - headed off for a brekkie with friends after - not so sure that should be part of the training plan :-)
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Tough run on the Leas
A tough session today - very long but also surprisingly enjoyable! 2,4,6,8,6,4,2 minute pyramid with half length recovery. It is getting cold out there, not looking forward to the cold, winter nights that are on their way! Now planning to recover with a cup of tea and some chocolates (perhaps I shouldn't admit to that?!?)
Sunday 16 October 2011
First post of the blog!
O.K - so the blogging begins!
I had my first cross-country training of the year yesterday wearing spikes for the very first time. Getting up yesterday morning after a hard week at work was tough! I am glad that I was picking Zoe up as I couldn't back out. We ran 6.7 miles up and down a number of different hills (4) and alternated between sprinting and recovering. Not quite trusting my spikes yet. Fay was encouraging me to sprint faster down hill but anyone who knows me, knows how accident prone I am and how many times I have broken my wrists! I am the girl who has fallen down Coolinge Lane twice and Sugar Loaf hill once :-)
Hoping that with time, I'll become more confident and pick up speed. It was a tough session but thoroughly worth it when we got to the end and had coffee and cake. Folkestone running club is such a sociable club! Now have blisters on the balls of my feet and my toes - I am putting this down to running on my toes for the first time! Now I have to get ready for a second session next Saturday - watch this space!
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