Running - Maria Runs

Podcasts are awesome

I have always loved the radio. Probably in part due to me not being allowed a TV in my bedroom until I was at uni, but generally I like to be doing things, so the radio suits me as I can potter about while it is on. The excellent thing about podcasts is that they are like the radio, but on when you want them to be. Excuse me for stating the obvious here!

Anyway, in the summer I got a new phone, and one of the first things I did was buy the Pocket Cast app. I used to load all podcasts into a little mp3 player, but it was a pain downloading them, copying them over, and then remembering which ones I had listened to and which ones I could delete. This app is amazing, seriously. Any podcast you listen to, you can add to your homepage/ subscribe to. I have a collection- marathon talk, the parkrun show, a whole load of radio 4 ones (Friday night comedy for The News Quiz, Food Prog, Infinite Monkey Cage, Feedback, More or Less), Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode’s film review, Richard Herring’s Leicester Square, Christian O’Connells Breakfast show (I tend to get these for holidays with long journeys), No Meat Athlete podcasts, and Serial (which if you have not listened to already, go and find it! It documents a journalist examining evidence in a murder trial, and is really interesting- we listened to it in Spain- I had to limit myself to one per day as it got a bit addictive!). I even found Happy Health Chat on there!

When you open the app it then prompts you when there is a new podcast to download. You can search by popular ones, or my name, if you fancy something new. If I am going on a long run, I can set up a playlist, or just choose one to be “up next”, and brilliantly if your headphones accidentally get pulled out of your phone, the podcast stops (instead of it using the phone speakers). Clever stuff. Then, once the podcast has been listened to, it automatically gets deleted, so no wasting a load of memory, and I don’t have to wonder which ones I need to delete. They are still linked to, so if you wanted to listen again you could click to download again. It also saves where you are (which my mp3 player didn’t always do) so I can carry on right where I left off.

Now my long runs are taking longer (getting closer to 3 hours) I need more to listen to, although for the rest of the week I tend to run without anything.

What are your favourite podcasts? Have you jumped on the Serial bandwagon yet?

Jantastic week 4- a little wobble

Hey peeps, I hope you all have had a good weekend.

First up, I can’t remember I forgot to mention this before. The last parkrun I did with my dad and brother, I had a rather embarrassing moment. You have to park a bit of a way from the start line, so we tend to bring a carrier bag and leave our coats and a bottle of water in the bag while we run, to keep us warm on the way back to the car. It was a cold morning so my dad also had a scarf with him, and as we were sorting out things out I realised that his scarf was right next to a big pile of dog poo (yup, how lovely) so I picked up all our bags and moved them. Then someone from SRC came over to leave her bits with ours, and we were chatting- I had noticed that one bag was a drawstring fabric bag and not a carrier bag, and I briefly thought that it was better to bring that than my old carrier bag, but I didn’t pay much attention. Then as I was moving the bits to a better (cleaner) spot a guy came over and asked for his bag back! Whoops! I had managed to pick his (Chelsea) bag up along with all of our bits. Luckily he was OK about it, but I was so embarrassed! Not sure why it didn’t register, especially as both Dad and my brother had on Watford hats! Anyway, that was a few weeks ago now.

Onto this week. Monday was a rest day, after all those runs and workouts in a row last week. I did some cleaning at home, and we had a short walk in the evening.

Tuesday– I had no meeting after work, so I got home quickly and headed out for a 7 mile run. I was contemplating my usual 7 mile route, but some of it is not that nice after dark, so I did 2 laps nearer home, adding a bit on at the end to make it up.I thought it was going to be really cold, but it wasn’t too bad. Weird to think that a month ago this was my long run length, and now it’s a midweek after work run.

Wednesday– We were going to see Andy’s parents in the evening, so as soon as I got home I did 3 miles- no SRC this week.

Thursday– I tried to book onto pump but it was full (apparently). I had a sore throat and had a busy day with work to do in the evening, so we had a walk after dinner in the freezing cold before I finished my work.

Friday– Rest day.

Saturday– Off to parkrun. I was originally going to do St Albans, as we were meeting friends for brunch at 10, but they cancelled as they had a bit of snow, so I went to Panshanger instead. This turned out to be brilliant – the founder of parkrun, Paul Sinton-Hewitt (there is a little background to how he started it all here) was there- he ran it (he is very speedy) and then went to the final corner, just before the final horrible hill, and was cheering everyone on. What a great community. I love it. The run itself was pretty tough- my sore throat had turned into a little bit of a cold, so I kept having to slow down to use tissues, plus the ground was very icy in places, so I didn’t push it. I also kept telling myself “you have to run 14 miles tomorrow, don’t go crazy”. 32.04, fairly slow for me on that course but I wasn’t taking any chances.

As our breakfast had been cancelled, I persuaded Andy that we should still go, but for lunch instead. We popped into town to collect some shopping we had ordered, and then headed to The Waffle House- yay. Hummus and avocado for me, and pulled pork for Andy (he was very happy that it was on special as they don’t have that one all the time). So cosy.

Sunday– The plan said 14 miles. I had decided on a couple of loops- my usual loop is around 8 miles, so I decided to do that once, and then go out until 11 miles (so 3 more) then turn around and come home to total 14. It was a run of three thirds (a new saying). The first third was good. It was cold, but no rain (which had been forecast) and I saw loads of running groups out, including the fit 4 fitness group, and someone wearing a Fred Hughes 10 t-shirt. Plus all the runners I saw were friendly. I listened to the end of one marathon talk podcast, and then a documentary about subliminal advertising (the one before The Infinite Monkey Cage last week). But then the wind picked up, or I noticed it more, and I came to a hill that I do not like. I really felt like I was running through treacle or something. Each time I looked at my watch it seemed to say 11-something, although with hindsight that is because I was either stopped waiting to cross a road, or using a tissue, or putting a tissue in a bin. Getting close to home, but knowing I had another 6 miles to do was also tough. And it rained briefly. And I started to feel hungry. Another marathon talk started, with Boy on the Run’s take on the Ghostbusters song (for Jantastic), and that lifted my spirits a bit. The final part of the run was really a battle with my mind, and I am sure I have more of those to come. Seeing my watch flash for 13 miles at around 2.20 was also a bit depressing, but then I told myself that I am not running this at pb pace, and that would be a respectable half time for me anyway. Those thoughts took up the last ten minutes! I was very glad to finally make it home. All in all, the 14 miles took me 2 and a half hours (although moving time was 2.20). Which initially I felt fed up with, but Strava was my saviour. My miles were wither 9 something or 10 something, and my slowest (mile 13, including another horrible hill) was 10.31- not bad at all. All I want ultimately is a sub 5 hour marathon, and so I would have another 2 and a half hours to run another 12 miles. Should be doable. But it was a bit of a wobbly moment for me then.

I felt pretty shattered after that. I had an apple and a nuun tab in water as soon as I got in, then a hot shower (which always gives me very itchy and red skin in cold weather, but I needed to warm up) and then French toast with blueberries, and also some of the most amazing butterscotch sauce which you can get here (it is divine) and a teapigs chocolate flake tea. And coconut water while I was cooking. Then I started to feel human again! I had to pop out to the shops later, so treated myself to a hot chocolate with almond syrup. Then, bliss.

Laying on the bed, watching rubbish on netflicks, with some tea bread and the rest of the coconut water. I tried to have a nap, but I am not one for daytime sleeping and it didn’t work.

A baked sweet potato with hummus, salad and some cranberry and apple chutney was an easy dinner (Andy was out so I had to fend for myself which often results in toast).

So, onto February. My weekly distance targets are set. I am still going for 4 runs a week, but I might have to play a joker at some point as we have two weekends away and I am not sure when I will fit the runs around at that point. I am just hoping that this cold clears up soon as it is no fun running with.

How has January been for you? Is Jantastic going well? Are you a nap person?

Jantastic weeks 2 and 3 (scraping by)

Whoops! I totally forgot about this last week, but I suppose last Sunday I was recapping the 10 mile race.

So, how have these last two weeks gone?

Week 2:

Monday-Rest day.

Tuesday– 4 miles of down and up underpasses and steps with the OH girls.

Wednesday– 5.1 miles- I had to run a longer route to Sweatshop, then we ran loops of a depot in some horrible sleeting rain and a very strong wind, and then I ran home.

Thursday– Body pump. I really hurt my hand or wrist- I could not work out what it was, but it was from those stacked clean and presses- I think the final weight was too heavy for me.

Friday– Rest.

Saturday– Panshanger parkrun- one of my favourite times of the week.. My Dad and brother came too, the weather was beautiful (frosty) and it snowed when we were getting our barcodes scanned.

This is the alternative ending- long and slow hill.

This is the normal ending- doesn’t look that steep but it really is!

Sunday– 10 mile race.

4/4 runs completed, 22.3 miles run.

Week 3. This turned out to be a bit of a challenge. For this year and last year I chose 4 runs as my target, as I knew that I could easily do 3 runs per week, but 4 was more of a challenge during busy weeks. They said on the show that if you achieve all of your targets, then they are probably too easy, and I wanted a challenge. Anyway, Andy had arranged a day out on Saturday as a belated Christmas present, and had told me I would not have time for parkrun that day. Fine, I can switch it to another day. But then something else came up.

Monday- Rest day. I had a sports massage booked- so many horrible knots in my shoulders.

Tuesday– We were going to go to the cinema (to see The Imitation Game which I thought was excellent). Originally we thought the film was at 6, so my plan was to leave work asap (my normal 2 hour evening meeting was cancelled), go on a short run, then walk up to the cinema. But then during the day Andy texted to say we had the time wrong, and it was actually 5pm! So anyway I rushed home from work but only had time to walk up there before it started. By the time we got home I could have gone out (it was about half 7 I think) but it was cold, I wanted dinner. At least we had walked to and from the cinema.

Wednesday– Plan said 7 miles. So I went out earlier before Sweatshop and went an even longer way there, then we did 3 miles together, and then I ran home. In total it was 6.7 miles, which was close enough for me in the freezing cold!

I also got this rather terrifying looking foam roller for my 30 Sweatshop runs. Running home carrying it was hard work- it’s heavy!

Thursday– Body pump. Went lighter on the stacked weights this time, and still at the end of the track I could feel my hand starting to get sore.

Friday– 3 miles after work- for the missed Tuesday run.

Saturday. We didn’t need to leave until 10am, so I got up early and did another 3 miles from home- I was back just as parkruns were starting. Then we went into London- more on that another day but we walked for miles!

Sunday– 12 miles scheduled. On Saturday night I mapped out a route and wrote myself a few notes (most of the route I had run before, but some of it was new). I was out at about 8.15am, and it was just wonderful. I had felt apprehensive about it- what with not having a rest day since Tuesday, and all the walking yesterday. But it wasn’t about time, it was about getting the miles done.

The lake was still semi frozen- quite comical to see the gulls “walking” on the water. I am slowly catching up with the marathon talk podcasts anyway- I am into December now! In fact I was surprised to hear a PE teacher from my secondary school on there (although he is younger than me so didn’t teach me!). I did get a little lost so at one point had to get up maps on my phone to find out the way (surprisingly the directions “right, over, right, Woods Avenue” were not that easy to decipher) but in the end I got home having run 12.1 miles in 2.13 (although moving time was 2.06)- but anyway as I said it is not about the time.

So, week 3, 4/4 runs done (by the skin of my teeth) and 24.8 miles

I did hear that the third week in January is when people are most likely to fail at their resolutions, so I was quite pleased that I managed to keep it up this week despite some busy days. I am very much looking forward to a day off tomorrow though!

Sorting out my sports clothes

I have a drawer that I keep my sports things in, and recently it had got to the state where I could not even close it.

It got very frustrating, and so annoying when I wanted to wear a certain top but could not find it. It was going to be one of my holiday jobs, but I didn’t quite get around to it.

After Christmas I treated myself to a few more items, mainly because sometimes we have not done a wash in time for all my kit to be clean. I read a rather disgusting statistic in a magazine that said most people wear their gym kit 3 times before washing it! I might wear a jacket a few times if I have tops on underneath, but everything else goes in the wash right away!

Anyway, buying more things meant I had to make space! So a few weeks ago I sorted out a bag of clothes that I don’t wear any more, and sorted out the drawer.

So much better than the shove-it-all-in approach that I was employing.

I also found out that I have more running tights than I realised, so I thought I would rank them:

Thoosa are my absolute favourites. The zipped pocket is big enough for my phone (which I use to listen to podcasts on solitary runs), the fabric is soft and warm, they have ankle zips so they fit well at the bottom, and they have a drawstring so they don’t slip down. The waistband is lovely and wide, although it is quite high one me. The only downside is their price, but I try to get them on sale, and also they last years so I feel they are worth it. I have tried their capris but wasn’t so keen, but the full length tights I love love love.
Karrimor ones are OK. The pocket is a good size, and again zipped. The long ones have zips on the ankles but the fit is not snug so I don’t use them. The fabric feels thin and is not good for icy days. They do have a drawstring but it isn’t very long on some of them. I love the colours of them. They were super cheap (£6 a pair) so who cares if they don’t last too long I suppose.
Nike ones are good (I have the filament ones), although I have capris and not tights. Again the zipped pocket is a good size, the fabric feels substantial, and the drawstring means they fit well. They are expensive and not as good as the Thoosa ones, but if they were in a sale I would probably get some full length ones too.
Sia ones are a good fabric, good length for me (so probably too short for some), but only have weird velcro side pockets so no good for anything apart from tissues really. No zipped pocket or ankle zips. The waist band is nice and wide. I keep them for body pump.
Fat Face ones- a disappointment. I got them in the sale (straight front leggings), but even then I don’t think they are worth it. For one, the fit is awful. I got a small size as Fat Face things tend to be quite large, and running tights should be snug. They were very very tight, but then there was no drawstring on the waist so had I got a larger size they would be falling down as I ran. They have one zipped pocket which is so tiny that my front door key barely fits in, and my car key doesn’t, so I can’t use them for most runs. They also don’t have zips at the ankles, although looking on the website now they have another pair now for running that do have zips.

How many times do you wear your gym stuff before washing it?

Fred Hughes 10- freezing my crumpets

I ordered some crumpets this week, but they had a short date so I put them in the freezer- Andy asked what I was doing and I told him the same as I would be doing on Sunday- freezing my crumpets. That is what happens on cold runs.

So a while back I did the Hatfield 5 and at the end was given a leaflet advertising the Fred Hughes 10. I had looked at it a few years ago but it was cancelled due to ice and snow, so then I was pretty glad I hadn’t signed up. But the 10 mile distance fitted well into my marathon training plan, and at £18 (including a technical T) it was good value, and pretty much on my doorstep. I think it was also the first race I signed up to and got the affiliated discount! How exciting!

Earlier in the week I saw the weather which forecast heavy rain for all of Sunday morning, so I was not looking forward to it. Then we had a bit of snow yesterday, and I was then worried about icy pavement. Luckily this morning was cold, but there was no ice, and no rain.

I had a clif bar for breakfast, as the race didn’t begin until 10. Normally now I would run 10 miles and then eat, but I thought it would be a bit too late to eat by the time I got home.

The race HQ was in a school- a bit of a faff as I was told the car park was full, but as I was leaving a marshal came and told me they had opened up a new car park so I had to try and turn around in the road with cars trying to turn in- not so easy!

Anyway, I picked up my number, chatted to some running buddies, and then went back to my car to sort out what I needed to leave behind (extra jumper etc) and what I needed with me (gloves).

Then I walked to the race start, which was 400m up the road. It was very very cold- I had worn a long sleeved top with a t-shirt over the top, my buff (neck thing) and a thin head band for my ears, but I was wondering if I should had worn more.

The starter horn went and even though I had started at the last possible time marker (100-110 minutes) floods of runners were overtaking me. I spent a bit of time feeling a bit inadequate as all these speedy club runners whizzed past, but then gave myself a bit of a talking to. There was a 2 hour time limit, which I was perfectly capable of doing. I didn’t need to get a pb, I was running to get my distance up as part of my training. I wanted to enjoy it. According to the website it was the County Championships, so probably attracted more club runners than most, so I spent a lot of time looking at the vests and wondering where they were from. There were plenty from London as well as Herts, Beds and Bucks.

My mind wandered for a while, pondering the names of the clubs. Near me there are the Ware Joggers (they organise the Ware 10 which is possibly my favourite race)- their tag line is “we run for fun” or something, and I think they sound welcoming. To counter that, there are the Harpenden Arrows, which just sounds too competitive to me- I can’t run as fast as an arrow so the name puts me off (I do know someone in that club, and he is friendly, but also pretty fast). A few others I noticed- Leighton Fun Runners (I like the sound of them), lots of .. Road Runners (I like roads, but I like fields too), and the one that kept confusing me, Fit 4 Fitness- shouldn’t it be Fitness 4 fun, or fit 4 life, or something else?

Anyway, back to the race. It was pretty undulating- you ran out for 1.5 miles, then a loop of 3.5 miles twice (not so good seeing the 8 mile marker on your first loop, especially when being overtaken by people on their second lap!) then back to the finish. It was good though- country lanes mainly, so there was nice scenery. But there were a few hills that were not my friend- one had a photographer right at the top- what lovely grimacing he would have captured!

The sun came out, and then my arms were warm (as my top was black)- I even took my gloves off for a bit. But for the final couple of miles the clouds came over and it got so cold- I was back to seeing my breath again. I was glad to see the 400m to go sign, and had enough energy to finish strong.

I then picked up my t-shirt (you could even choose your size), got a banana and a cup of water, and then began the walk back to the HQ. That was the only downside I think, as it was so cold, and as soon as I stop I cool down really quickly. I could have put the t-shirt on for an extra layer I suppose, but I didn’t think it would do much. They did have tea and cakes inside race HQ, but I stopped at my car to put on my jumper and coat, and just wanted to head home at that point.

After a cup of tea and a hot shower I had some of my pre-frozen crumpets and yet more tea to try and warm up, before heading to the shops to pick up some bit for dinner.

I am really glad I signed up for this- I think had I not, I would not have got my long runs up to quite this distance just yet, whereas now I am pretty much level with my plan.

Official time: 1:37.41 (Position 636 of 732)- not a pb (stays at 1:36.12) but pretty close.

Which running club names do you think sound friendly/ elitist?