Week 10 / 17

Day 64 / 119

2014: 

So, after a weekend of fried food, beer and wine a 40 minute run wasn't the best idea

From the first moment I could just feel it swilling all around me and the smells seeping from my body was even making ME feel nauseous 

So the very last thing I needed was confrontation ....

About 15 minutes in a strange bloke took the treadmill next to me (git) and started walking whilst clinging on to the railing like his life depended on it

I could see him in the mirror and every 20 seconds he'd turn his head and stare straight at me

This went on for 5 minutes making me feel very uncomfortable

So uncomfortable I'm fact that I took one of my earphones out and asked "do you know me?" 

When he shook his head I asked why he kept staring at me because it was really off putting 

He said that he was looking at the clock on the wall so I pointed out he had a clock on the treadmill right in front of him

He just turned and stared at it for 30 seconds without reply, then stopped the machine and walked off

Weird? Yes - and as I left I kept my wits about me just in case he pounced Kato - style from the pink panther

Still, it took my mind off the run and it's a big tick in the box of training though my holiday

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 79.5kg
Current Weight - 80.3kg
Weekly Gain - 0.8 kg (kind of forgotten what a weight loss feels like)
Overall Loss - 4.1 kg

2011:
Went to the physio this morning and after a bit of prodding and pulling she suggested I tried acupuncture. I told her I didn't believe that sticking pins in me would help as I reckon that you have to believe in that kind of thing to feel any benefit and I just can't see how it could possibly work. I think this must be a reaction she must get a lot as it didn't seem to phase her and it looks like it's still a possibility. Throughout the training I've pretty much stuck to the training plan but I think it's time to start "reading between the lines" - so, when it "suggests" I jog for 40 minutes, I now can see the small print that says that if your foot is hurting, 30 minutes of gentle bike riding will do just as well - so that's what I did. Did enjoy the new kids being taught how to use the rowing machines and was especially pleased to see a boy try to ride it side-saddle. Finished with some stretching and decided to have a hot bath tonight instead of the cold one's I have been having - much better. 

========================================

Day 65 / 119

2014:

A 30 minute cross trainer today and after yet more wine last night I wasn't exactly on top form

I decided though that my best course of action was to just "go for it" and at the end I was little more than a gibbering mess

I wasn't even bothered that I couldn't stretch in the usual place and was forced to do it in full view in the main hall

Sod everyone else - I was just past caring

At least my injury niggles were holding up...

2011:

I was up at 6, yes, read it again, 6 in the a.m. to go to the gym. It was freezing cold and pouring down so ended up doing weights looking like michelin man with all the layers I was wearing. Some of the more cruel might suggest that's what I look like all the time....Anyway, the weight's session went really well. I fully rested my aching feet and legs and have now totally knackered the top half of my body as well. As I finished the obligatory stretching I noted that there were very few parts of my body now that doesn't hurt - who said getting fit was good for you!!!! From there I've got 36 hours to get ready for my next run hmmmm - I wonder what else I can read between the lines, maybe a nice sit down with a glass of wine....

========================================

Day 66 / 119

2014:

A night WITHOUT wine (no I can't believe it either) meant that I was in good shape for my early, early start eating high energy stuff ready for my 6 mile run at 8:45 pace

Last time I did the quicker run I didn't go through the pre match ritual so I was hoping that this would make the difference - I didn't want my calf to go again

At the beginning I decided to walk .34km to warm up which meant I had to run to 10km at 11.1km/h

Again it felt like I was sprinting but to my great pleasure that feeling seemed to subside after 5 minutes as the pace became more comfortable

I was even treated toa show as Joss accidentily threw her water bottle to the floor and it split, showering all and sundry

If I'd not been conentrating on my breathing so much I'd have laughed out loud - for my marriage it was probably for the best

The rest of the run was, dare I say it, strong and as I was on holiday I was able to finish the job with a stretch and cold bath

While it appears to be working I'm sticking with it - I just wish it was a little more pleasurable......

2011:

I've actually remembered to bring some bottled water to the gym - it's about time. Today was a quicker paced 6 miles which is just about the limit I can go to on a treadmill. I was a bit worried about my leg but within the first 2 minutes that wasn't going to be a problem, well, not compared to the pain in my left foot. It felt like I was running with a golf ball in my shoe and the more I limped away from the pain, the more the other side of me started to hurt as I over-compensated. So, I turned up the audio book and hoped for more deaths (not my own) to take my mind off it all. It did sort of work but I was looking at the distance monitor every few seconds so the miles seemed to be passing at a snail's pace. At 2, 3 and 4 miles I was ready to quit. Was it worth continuing if it might jeopardise Saturday's run? It was at 4 miles that a class of moody kids were led to the treadmills for part of their training only to find that there weren't enough treadmills for all of them and the ones due to miss out were clearly unhappy. That was all the spur I needed to stay for the final 2 miles. They won't learn how to take situations gracefully if I just got off at the time they wanted me to, would they? Cheered up no end after that and was genuinely pleased I got to the end

========================================

Day 67 / 119

2014:

This holiday lark is definitely starting to impact the training and we could only manage a mid morning gym visit to let the wine effects completely wear off

To be fair the fact I'm still sticking to ANY sort of plan during a holiday is much better than I could have hoped for, especially with my engrained laziness

Today was a 30 minute slow jog so even though I did start to get a slightly acidic taste in my mouth, the run itself was very gentle and very easy

I still went through the stretching part though because I really do think that it's helping and although I do need to get back on the pilates horse, I still think I'm in better shape than last time

2011:

It was a toss up between 30 minutes x-training or rest and as I had the day off I chose the rest day. Hadn't figured on the scale of walking Joss had planned for me so will be spending the rest of the day mostly sitting, and sighing

========================================

Day 68 / 119

2014:

Today was an unexpected glorious day - a rest day !!! We took advantage by going to the Harry Potter studios and drinking awful Butter Beer and eating more fried food - perfect training material.......

2011:

Today, someone came up to me and said they were following me into the blogging world for a scheme of his own - I won't say who it as and what the plan is as I don't want to spoil it. When he told me I said how brilliantly motivating it was in that when I didn't feel like training it made me do it because I knew I had to write about it. Of course my smug spouting hadn't taken into consideration my underlying and not inconsiderable laziness. Instead of going to the gym to do some weights as I said I was going to do, I settled for going home and having a kit-kat. In many respects, I think you'll find the benefits are much the same....

========================================

Day 69 / 119

2014:

No drinking last night meant I was up bright and early for today's easy 10 mile jog

I had an extra spring in my step as today I was truly revisiting the training of the past as Joss was off work and so volunteered to get up early and cycle with me, carrying waters and gels

Now that's TOP wifing (Tracey take note)

I ran without my "special" vest which was good and without music, which felt just weird

I couldn't run WITH music though as I wld have felt too selfish ignoring Joss after she'd made the selfless gesture

As it turned out, it was a good thing because the run was so slow we were able to happily chat as we went around and it completely took my mind off any potential aches and pains

Unfortunately my company obviously wasn't as dazzlingly interesting as hers as for the last 4 miles we had an in-depth conversation about how exactly you COULD strap a cushion onto a bicycle seat - for the obvious reasons.....

I did half expect to leave a slimy trail behind me very remiscent of the snail's pace I was going after all the greasy food I've eaten this week but despite my obvious flaws in nutrition, the rn felt strong

On this performance I don't think the 21 miles of next saturday will be a walk in the park, but at least I have a week to right some of this week's wrongs but as I'm on holiday this week too, that does seem very unlikely.....

2011:

I know that I am not the first to come to this conclusion and I won't be the last but I feel it's important to say - I'm an idiot. I could end today's entry right there and most would be perfectly satisfied but I should put some unnecessary meat on the bone. Leading up to the marathon, the remaining Saturdays are split between long runs (20 miles +) and short runs (10 miles or so - I know I know not that short). The reason for this is so that your legs and lungs get used to running long distances and are " rested" every other week to prepare yourself for the long run. What you are meant to do is run all of the runs at a similar pace to conserve your strength and prevent injuries. What you are NOT meant to do, is run the shorter runs 25 seconds per mile quicker than you need to, cos "it's only 10 miles". Guess what I chose to do?  So punishment was required  and so it was another cold bath in my pants and t-shirt. Funnily enough - these baths are not getting any more pleasant and for Joss to join me (in the bathroom, not the bath) and laugh throughout really was the icing on the cake. Still, I guess I brought it on myself

========================================

Day 70 / 119

2014:

Another ill-advised night of drinking with friends meant that I was again grateful for Sunday's being a rest day - I've got less than 50 days left, that's more than enough time to really knuckle down, probably......

2011:

That's it - 10 weeks complete. Today, as is every Sunday, is a rest day. For the first time in a few Sunday's, however, I had a full and proper lie in and it was bliss. I have been so naive throughout this process. At the beginning I thought as long as I kept up with the training I'd be fine. I really didn't take into consideration the general wear and tear it would have on my body. Today we walked to the shops and by the time I'd got there it would have been hard for me to point to some part of my body that didn't hurt. I did enquire about using one of the mobility scooters but was too scared to fight the old lady that also wanted it. Joss was game though and carried me home afterwards....

========================================