The end of my sixth Janathon

Last night was the annual awards dinner for the running club. In Harrogate. I had booked a room in the hotel, and after a much later than usual night for me, I woke later than usual, but still went for a run. I ran through Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods to Harlow Carr, then down Otley Road back into Harrogate. I spotted this and went for a closer look. 

It would make an awesome house, look at the views 

Shame it wasn't nicer weather.

I ran around the stray looking at interesting plaques

I then ran down Skipton Road to the Gas tanks and on to the Hydo I was just over 7 miles, I ran up Jennyfields, with a hope of looping round to PennyPot Lane and back to the hotel, but I misjudged how far it was and started to look for a route to cut back, as time was getting on and I had to check out by 11 am

It was a nice run, and nice to see parts of Harrogate that I had never been to

That's it for another year, the month has flown, probably because I have been so busy, with work training and the rest of my life. Training has been quite tough lately with the storms so I have spent more time than I would like on the turbo.

Here are my totals.

I have run everyday of the month, which has continued my Runstreak which is now up to 396 days of running at least a mile a day.

But I have also walked, swum and done Pilates as well as the running and cycling, the miles have really added up.

Getting my plod back

Two hour turbo :-( it's a bit windy so I decided to do 2 hours on TrainerRoad today, oh boy that was hard work. I didn't notice that it had defaulted to 200 watts until I had started so I reduced the turbo trainer resistance, that was a bit better. I tried to keep my Heartrate low and my cadence low, but by 90 minutes I was losing the will to live, so I mucked about with different gears and cadence to distract me from watching the clock tick down.

Afterwards I went for a run, I wanted to do 6 miles but didn't know how that would be as my running has been pretty rubbish this week. It was not great to start with but I got to 3 miles and like someone flicking a switch, I got my plod back. It was not quick, just over 10 min miling but it was just easy, I didn't have to think about it, it was lovely, I could have gone a lot further but I have a lot to do today so called it a day, still feeling good at 10 km.

That Friday feeling

 Overnight the wind built up so when I went for a Dogjog at quarter to six this morning it blew us down the lane. It was a little scary at times with creaking dangling trees eithe side of us. Oh boy! We turned to come back up the lane and the battle to get home began, Jed seemed less bothered but that's maybe because he is lower to the ground. It was a right fight at times struggling against a headwind. But we got home safe and sound.

I gathered my work stuff and set off for Ripon for a swim. The wind was buffeting my little car all the way to Ripon. 

The swim was ok, I was trying to concentrate on technique rather than pace. I checked my watch when I thought I had don 72 lengths (just over a mile) I'd only done 62, another ten and I could get out.

, eventually 1800 yards completed in 37:22

The rest of the day has been a rest day.

Fast start, slow finish

Kept awake by the blister (raw patch) on my big toe, throbbing. Hope it's not infected, I got up early and decided to do a turbo session. I just did a 30 minute recovery session,I say recovery but it was a low watt high cadence session, I felt better in myself for doing it though. 

Afterwards I ran a mile and a bit, it felt such hard work.

I've also walked the dog twice today.

I finished the day with Pilates, I wore my Heartrate monitor out of interest. My hr got as low as 48 and didn't go above 84. We used foam rollers today, there were some sore stretches and my balance was well and truly tested.

Can't believe I still have not recovered

Woke this morning before the alarm, bonus, and a sign that I'm recovering from my tough weekend. Just a dog walk this morning then work. So not too active. I got home and had tea and did some tidying before Bedale and Aiskew running club. I felt OK, the weather was a bit wild.

We set off steady but I immediately felt that I was struggling to keep up and was relieved when we regrouped in town. We set off again and it was a much longer effort, I was really fighting to keep up, It felt like I was running 8 minute miles but when I looked at my watch I was struggling to run at 9:30 min miles. I wasn't on my own though, there were two of us finding it tough and Dave stopped back with us. It was even harder when we were running into the wind, I could hardly get a breath.

But I still managed 10 km in just over 1 hour including regroups.

Still recovering

Saturday's 20 mile run was mainly race pace for me, then a rare night out and the bike ride in the wind Sunday is still having an impact on me. I struggled to get up this morning and struggled at running club tonight, yet missing my turbo yesterday is still playing on my mind. 

I think I need to try to alter my mindset. I know I am fit, but I worry that I will lose it so quickly, but as it is deep down I know that rest is best, 

Addicted

I'm still tired today so I didn't do my turbo session. I ran this evening to maintain my Runstreak and then went swimming. To make up for skiving my turbo session I wore a large t shirt for the whole swim session, which was a sprint session. Tired still, so I'm calling it a day 

I'd have never thought a few years ago that I would get so hooked on exercise, I have spent all day thinking where I could fit that missing turbo session. But common sense prevailed and I did reduce my level of exercise today

It's hard work riding a bike when you're tired

So after yesterday's off road running antics, I went to the Tri club dinner, it started at 7 pm and finished at gone midnight. I am not used to late nights or dancing till late, there fore I awoke this morning not feeling refreshed just sore, particularly my left ankle which I had turned early into the run and the raw blister which I acquired on the side of my big toe, must have got grit in my shoe which did not only wear a hole in my sock but in my skin too.

I had breakfast and walked the dog, before going out on the bike.It was hard work from the start and the wind with occasional strong gusts did not help. I soon realised that I did have time todo. My planned 55 miles at his pace. 

It was unusually warm today, I was actually too hot. When the wind was in my favour it was quite pleasing tobe out on a bike, but every change of direction back heading into the wind just drained all the effort from me.

I cut the ride short to 36 miles.

I also knew there was little point trying to run my planned 5 miles with a sore ankle and feeling tired, so I took the dog for a steady jog, maintaining my Runstreak.

Osmotherly to Kildale

Today I ran with friends for a recce of the Hardmoors 55 route, we ran the middle section, 20 miles with over 4000ft of ascent, with lots of snow and slush. We had a gorgeous sunrise

We soon came across snow

And a few miles later on it became very difficult to run in the deep 

We still ran 20.77 miles even if it did take 5:36:32

Fit it in Friday

Friday is always a bit of a rush,

Get up at 5

Have breakfast

Go for a Dogjog

Make sure I have everything for work

Drive to Ripon

Go to the pool

Swim a mile 

Start my rest day (24 hours rest starts here)

Then normal work.

After work I went to the dentist 

Eat tea

Prepare for tomorrow's run, which I am really looking forward to. A recce for March's challenge, the Hardmoors 55

And now a sit down watching telly, bed in an hour or so and it all starts again

I have maintained my Runstreak too 

Thursday Bbrr! Day

After another poor nights sleep I got up at 4:45 to get on the Turbo. I did a 45 min set, but warmed up an extra 5 mins. I like TrainerRoad, it give my training structure and me something to focus on, it's just I never seem to set it up quickly. Anyway I picked a high cadence session. I found it tough today, my legs were tired from last nights run. I soon worked up a sweat. That didn't last long. I cooled pretty quickly as soon as I stopped.

I put a couple of extra layers on and set off in the fog to do a short run. It was not just foggy, it was freezing fog nd the pavements and roads of the estate were really slippy. So I ended up gentle jogging, 

But it was done, slow and steady, glad I put extra layers on though.

This evening was Pilates, a nice relaxing stretch for an hour, I say relaxing, but it's tough keeping balanced for so long.

If you want to run faster, you have to need to run faster

This year's goals are mainly distance based, but I live a life of time constraints juggling training, work and family, to help me to have the opportunity to run further, I need to pick up my pace.

It's not that I am particularly slow, I typically run around 10 min miles, quicker on road and slower on trail, but I do need to be faster, So Sunday I pushed myself on my own for 10 miles, yesterday I ran as hard as I could for nearly 7 miles with Ripon Riunners, that was after nearly 3 miles with the juniors. Tonight I ran with Bedale and Aiskew, and I ran my tired legs off. I was struggling for air at times on this bright clear frosty night, but I'm pleased with it.

Run day

Tuesday is run day, running fitness at school, running with Ripon Runners Juniors, and another run with the adults.

Chilly and damp, but good running tonight, tired now though.

Mad Monday (what's new)

Well, we're 3 weeks into the year and the training habits are forming. Even though I dread the 5 am alarm on a Monday and Thursday, as soon as the training is over I feel good about myself.

This morning I did an endurance session on Trainer road when I turbo'd 45 minutes trying to keep a consistently high cadence. Then I went for a short run, had breakfast and walked the dog. 

All before going to work. 

After tea it's swim class at Bedale pool, it starts a bit late really, 20:15, and working hard so close to bed time makes it difficult to wind down. Tonight I felt I worked really hard, but I still can't get under 2 minutes for 100 m. Oh well, I'll keep trying

So that's it for today, the training regime and work don't leave much time for anything else.

Chilling on a Sunday morning

Longest none stop run in ages today, still playing granddaughter tag, so hubby walked the dog and I went out as he came back in. I picked a route with a hill, about 8 miles I thought.

I set off in fog with icy patches on the paths and road. I set off steady and picked the pace up as I went. It felt very cold after the unseasonable start to winter so I was well wrapped up.

I saw a kestral by the golf course, I love seeing the raptors whilst Aim out and about. As the run went on the temperature did not rise, there were a few really slippery patches but I pushed myself on the up hill sections. I soon realised that I was running well so decided to go for 10 miles, this meant that I needed to keep pushing myself so that I was not late home.

I ran past a field full of metal detectors, the recent finds locally may have drawn them in. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/monumental-archaeology-unearthed-along-the-a1

Then as I ran around the park, I could have sworn I heard a woodpecker. 

Today's run was lovely and peacefull, even if it was a bit chilly, and I worked hard and achieved 10 mikes at sub 10 min mile pace

Squeezing it in Saturday

This weekend we have our granddaughter, that means we have to juggle training around looking after a 2 1/2year. So it went like this,

I got up with her then jogged with the dog when hubby got up, there was a lovely sunrise offer God snowy Cleveland hills.

I then did my turbo and run, and we all went to a local shop that was closing and got some triathlon bargains like run shorts 50p and Tri shorts £5. We then walked around the shops in Richmond and got some groceries. We had lunch out before coming home. 

Hubby then went on the turb whilst I I ironed and prepped tea as granddaughter slept., When hubby finished his turbo and brick run, I walked the dog. 

I've also been stripping the living room out, ready to be decorated next week.

Then it was teatime, phew! An extra tiring day. You triathletes out there with young children really have your work cut out.

A nICE start to a rest day

Rest day, or rather recovery day. Today was a cycle recovery day, I did however do my 380 th Runstreak 

. The alarm went off at 5 am and after breakfast I combined walking the dog with a run, Dogjog, we ran down the lane, which glittered under its layer of frost, glinting under the starry skies. The puddles were like glass. It was a stop start run, a bit of an interval session really, run hard, recover whilst dog sniffs, run hard, over and again for 1.77 miles.

I then drove to Ripon to do a swim before work. I got in the pool at 7:15 and set off to do a mile, keeping my eye on the clock. I felt like I was swimming strongly as the tiles passed quickly by.

After 35 minutes I got out and realised that I had not started my Garmin, very annoying when I had such a good session.

So from the pool to work and the start of my rest day.

There are always days like this

Last night I ran hard, when I woke up this morning my legs were tired and I could not be bothered to run, so I didn't. I walked the dog and went to work.

When I got home there was a little time before tea, so I ran down the lane and back. I didn't go to running club tonight, instead I went To the Ripon Charity Panto.

The panto was at the Leisure Centre and was Babes in the Wood. It opened tonight and is running nightly until Saturday, there is also a matinee on Saturday.

The Panto was great fun, the seats were full of children and adults and all joined in and had a great time. It was great seeing students from work and a colleague. All the performers were amazing and it was apparent that a lot of time and dedication from everyone had gone into the production.

Hitting the road early

Another early start to get on the turbo, I used TrainerRoad again, I picked a 30 minute interval session, it was hard this morning, my legs were heavy and I couldn't maintain the target wattage, but I didn't give up, I just did my best.

Afterwards I went for a steady run, just a short one, but my Runstreak is now 379, I am quite pleased with that.

So then, in, breakfast of Banaba and yogurt, shower, and back out to walk the dog.

After work, things at home are a bit manic as we are getting home improvements done, I put our 3 piece suite on a buy and sell site on Facebook and before I knew it 3 people were after it, so after several messages, our old faithful sofa has a new home as of Sunday.

We then went to Pilates. We worked with flat footballs, odd, but hard work balencing on them. After an hour we rushed home for a meeting with a workman.

Phew! Busy again. A few moments peace now before another busy day tomorrow.

Terrific Tuesday

Ah! A lie in, well 6 am anyway,  I just walked the dog before work today, so a gentle start.

Tuesday is running club day, running club at school, I now have a few more members drawn in by being able to use running machines.

I walked into town for tea as I don't get time to go home on a  Tuesday. Then it was Junior running club, we had loads of youngsters running the streets tonight, my group did 3.6 miles. They're great our juniors, they come rain or shine and are so keen.

After sending them home it was adult running club, our group was big tonight so we split after a couple of miles, 6 went on ahead I then had 14 runners. We have a good system where everyone runs their own pace and the front runners run to the back once they've reached the regroup point. This is good because the front runners don't get cold and the back runners hopefully don't feel dragged. It works well, We did 7.1 miles

So that's it for today a walk and 10 miles of running 

Busy busy busy

This morning was another early start. I got up at 05:15 and was on the turbo by 05:30. I used TrainerRoad again, I did a 45 minute interval session, it got my heart rate up to start the day.

Afterwards I ran a mile in the chilly fog, keeping the Runstreak going, kinda don't want to stop.

After work I went out for tea with my work mates. It was nice to do something none training related, but the respite was temporary as I had to get back for my swim class at 20:15.

Swim clas was brutal tonight 

Warm up 1200 m

100m kick

100m hand paddles

100m catch up

100m Zip

Repeat

6 X 50m on 1 minute 

200 m cool down. 

Then I finished off with 100 breast stroke.

Tired now, just a few moments to blog then bed before another busy day.

Recovery day

I awoke early and felt OK after yesterday's night race and late night, but I decided to go back to bed for an hour or so. When I did get up O my Goodness, I felt as If I'd been chewed up and spat out, I was so sore, still a dog walk soon eased the aches and I went for my run.

I just did 5 miles steady today, it was nice running in daylight and I could see how all the fields were getting more and more flooded with all thus rain we've been having,

The run was pretty event less drizzly and breezy but that's nothing new. I came home and stretched well and feel fine now.

This afternoon I took the dog out again, the rain had stopped but the lane was still muddy and puddly. The skit was bright and the Cleveland hills were lovely in the late afternoon light. 

the sky was very different If I looked the opposite direction.

It was a nice walk, cold but nice and peaceful. The rest of the day I have done very little

Foggy bike ride, Hilly Night Race

This morning I went out on the bike for 27 miles, it was tough, the weather was wet, windy and cold. It was also very foggy. I felt the bike ride was hard, I was soaked through and I need new waterproof gloves, my hands were so cold, particularly my thumbs.

Took me a while to warmup.

Challenge is what Hardmoors means to me, and this was a challenge, advertised as 6.8 miles it was actually 7.67 by my Garmin. 

The weather was awful, it was cold and raining and the higher you got the stronger the wind blew. Billy came with me and stayed with me most of the time. It was a tough race start to finish.

We started running uphill in mud and were soon climbing the first of the 3 hills, the route is mainly paved and stepped but there is still plenty of deep wet sections and muddy sections. 

We started at Clay Bank and ran over ther three hills known as the 3 sisters to Lordstones, where we gave our numbers, turned round into a headwind and ran back the way we came. 

The longer we were out, the stronger the wind blew, I was quite scared at times, it was so strong.

We finished in mud, soaked through. and quickly cooling, we changed in the carpark and got ourselves home and warmed up again 

Friday, rest day, well maybe not

Already breaking my resolve to have a rest day.

 In trying to get another swim into the week I got up early and arter breakfast jogged with the dog to save time, not as much as I would have liked, it was really icy this morning so it was a cautious jog this morning.

I then lost time de icing the car, lost more time stuck behind a slow vehicle for miles, and when I did get into Ripon, I had to wait for the dustbin lorry to move out of the middle of the road.

Finally I arrived at the pool, my planned hour swim was reduced to half an hour. Fortunately the pool was quiet and I could just get on and get it done. I swam a bit longer than planned but swam a mile.

Mad rush then to get to work, but I made it.

This afternoon was my very important sports massage, I go monthly and when I ramp the training up I will go more often. Libby keeps the little niggles at bay an today re stretched that annoying hip flexor and worked some knots out of my left calf, neck and shoulders.

And now I'm resting, till tomorrow anyway 

Hitting the road early

Although I prefer the routine of being at work, I then have to work out how to get all my training sessions in, creating a routine that still allows time for family life. I. Have just started the plan to get me to a 55 mile trail race in March whilst still training for an ironman distance triathlon.

The weather is pretty rough too, which doesn't help. So I have downloaded TrainerRoad to make the best of my turbo sessions.

I was up at 5 am to turbo, I ended up faffing about again, the app seemed to have reset and I had to put some details back in. I finally set off on an interval session which was almost impossible. After 8 mins I checked my watts and it had set them at 200 instead of 145. I didn't have time to restart the session, so I picked a 30 min interval session which now that my watts were right was tough but achievable. 

My hip flexor was improving, so after the turbo I went out into the pouring rain for a mile brick run, got home, ate breakfast, showered and walked the dog, all before heading for work.

After work and after tea it was Pilates. I enjoy this class, I finished feeling relaxed but knowing that the amount of glute work we did will give me a sore butt tomorrow.

So that's the first 7 days of the year done, here are my totals, not bad to say I've not been on full form this week.

Twelfth Night

Today, Jan 6 is Epiphany or Twelfth Night. The night to end Christmas celebrations and the decorations come down. Tradition and superstition says that you need to keep the secs up to keep the goblins out. Well I took mine down on Sunday this year and on Monday woke up with this stupid sore hip flexor, coincidence?

Fortunately my hip flexor is less sore today, so I went to Bedale and Aiskew Runners (BAR). I ran with a steadier group this week and the pace was comfortable, I hope that the pain keeps receding and the mobility increasing.

I did the run in my new light vest. This is a cheaper version of one that I normally wear which cost me £45 a couple of years ago. 

The belt is similar, elasticated with a hi vis strip around it and a chunky buckle. The light part is thin plastic tubing, mine is green and there was blue or pink available too. The tubing gives a steady light, or a pulsing light in 2 different speeds. The battery pack is on the waist belt and takes 2 AA batteries.

The tubing is longer that it is on my other vest, but the excess pushed into the back piece out of the way. 

Without my jacket on

With my rain jacket on.

Runstreak continues (just)

Ever woken up with an injury? I did yesterday morning. Following a restless wriggly night, I had a pain at the top of my leg which increased through the day, though I could still exercise. It was worse this morning and hasn't eased. Fortunately Junior runners had a field session planned, due to the wet pitches we moved the session to a local street for a pyramid session. I managed a slow jog to the Ste then placed myself as a turn point. Afterwards we walked back to club following a stretch session of which some stretches I was unable to demonstrate. 

I wondered if I would be able to run with the adults, I dropped a group and decided that If after a mile it was too painful I waould walk back. But after a few yards I found I was running steadily and almost painlessly. I ran the 5 miles chatting with Linda and apart from up or down curbs, it was pain free. Unlike getting in and out of the car.

Don't know what I e done, do know it's painful when I make certain movements but determined not to let it get in my way.

I think this is the affected muscle.

Still managed this. 

So now I am hoping it goes as quick as it arrived. 

Back to work

Back to work means getting some routine back in my life.

Last night however, I slept very poorly, so the early alarm for the first of my new turbo sessions was not a welcome sound. I have started to use the TrainerRoad program to focus my sessions. I really should have set it up last night, I ended up faffing on and by the time I was ready to start I realised I didn't have a drink, so I had to go and get one, I wasted so much time that I picked a 45 minute session rather than an hour. 

I picked an interval session, it was so hard but that's where gains are made. 

Anyway, session over, showered and breakfasted it was time for work.

After work I went for a dog walk before tea.

After tea I had a break of a couple of hours or so before swimming. I decided to run to the pool. I am really struggling to put an end to my hard earned Runstreak.

The swim class was tough, 

12 lengths w/u, 

8 X 25m with 10 sec rest

6 X 50m with 15 sec rest

4 X 100m with 20 sec rest

6 X 50m with 15 sec rest

8 X 25m with 10 sec rest

Cool down

I was put in the faster lane and really had to push myself.

So today has been a big busy, time for bed now.

Last day of the holidays

Janathon day 3, back to work tomorrow. Today Billy and I went to Hackfall woods for a run, it was hilly and muddy. There was a Strava segment that I was second on and wanted to get. I don't normally go after Strava segments but I knew I was second so thought it was worth a go.

We set off down the road to run a long hill in the wood opposite. At the top we decided to loop round then go a slightly different route than usual, up an extra hill. The run down to Hackfall was a bit slippy, it was hard to grip on the wet grass on the wet ground, but we made it down. The woods were dank and the tracks covered in leaves hiding roots The section I was pushing myself on took me from the bottom of the wood to the top, it's a long section, I was gasping for air when I got to the top by the waterfall 

But I don't mind that section, the next section is undulating on narrow paths and steep drops to the left.

I don't like the drops especially when the path is so slippy and normally deliberately avert my gaze, but today I forced myself to look

The mist was lurking in the undergrowth from the river. The toughest bit of the whole day was getting back to the carpark up the slippy grass field

Everytime I stepped forwards I slid back half a length of my  foot but my Brooks ASRs were doing a good job, They've never let me down in years of off road running even now when I am doing trickier stuff.

The best bit was when I stopped for a pic of a waterfall Billy got me to position myself so that it looked like the water was coming out of my mouth.

And even better I grabbed that Srava segment I was after and got a 2nd to my own CR on the longer effort and 2nd on a different segment, so a new goal for next time