Category: Running

So, I have only had a break of about two and a half weeks, and in that time I have done a lot of walking. Most of the time we were at high elevations, so the walking was tougher, and although some walks were nice strolls along board walks, others were hikes in the mountains (including an amazing 10 miler). I knew I was not going to take my running things with me, and knew we would be keeping active so would just start back when I got home.

Well, it has been tougher than I thought!

We got back Monday lunch time, and on Tuesday morning I went out for a gentle run before breakfast. I went faster than I expected, and didn’t have to walk (I thought I might have to)- I did 3 miles and was fine, and when I get home I did a lot of stretching and some foam rolling. But my legs have been very stiff since.

I had some lovely coconut water as soon as I got back, and then saved my breakfast until after my shower – muesli, chia seeds and soya milk with some berries.

I knew that sitting around would make me stiffer, so I tried to keep busy with unpacking, washing and so on, and popped to see my parents (although that did involve mainly sitting in the garden, and looking at their newly hatched bantam chicks!).

While I was tidying I found the tropical black tea I bought last summer!  Lovely hot although I must try it iced too.

On Wednesday I popped to work, and was so tempted to pop to Starbucks on the way home (it was very hot in the car by that point).

I made a home-made chai latte instead- just as refreshing as shop bought (and probably a lot less syrup!).

I had a tea and a larabar for some pre-run energy, as I was heading out with Sweatshop later on. We bought these bars to eat on holiday but never did- they are basically whole nuts and dried fruits bound with syrup and honey. For some reason I thought they would be blended (? processed up?) but everything was left whole so it was a satisfying chunky bar. Although sadly not vegan as they use honey.

I left extra time to get up to Sweatshop as I didn’t want to use all my energy running up there. It was good to have extra time to chat, and then they needed a volunteer to be the back marker as we had a couple of new runners. I was more than happy to offer my services as I knew I would not be running my normal pace. We tackled the dreaded “hill” route, but the guy from the shop ran with the speedy front runners and at several points along the course they had to double back until they reaches us- I prefer it when we do that as then the group does not spread out too much.

I didn’t look at my watch at all but I think from seeing my time at the end it was slower than usual- I found the hill tough, but for the rest of it I felt OK. We had to stop and walk for a few strides a couple of times, but I didn’t mind and knew I might have to as I had offered to be at the back. After we finished I ended up chatting to another girl for ages (probably a good 25 minutes) and by the time we finished and I had to jog back home my legs were feeling so stiff. I am hoping that my legs will remember how to run (or how to recover from running) within the next week as my half marathon training needs to start ramping up again soon.

I was not that hungry after my shower, but knew I would need something so went for a bean burger, a few sweet potato fries (they are on offer in Waitrose at the moment- so exciting!), plus a salad with spinach, cucumber and tomatoes. It took me ages to eat but I knew that I had to otherwise the runger (love that phrase from Claire!) would hit later.

I followed it with some painful foam rolling (once dinner had gone down of course) and then we went to see a late showing of the Alan Partridge film, which I giggled all the way through- some classic moments in there. Although not sure a late night film viewing was the best way to help with the jet lag as I took ages to get to sleep and have been super tired today- I decided some fresh air would help so spent ages at the allotment weeding and chopping.

My legs have still been super achy (although I may be a little impatient seeing as my first run back was only 2 days ago…). It has reminded me of when I first started running- I shall just keep on with stretching and foam rolling. I have booked on to pump this evening so hopefully that will help and not make them worse!

Do you find it hard to get back into a routine after a holiday? I was really looking forward to running again; I think a break does you good, and the actual runs were fine but I wasn’t expecting this much soreness.

Of headphones, that is.

When I first started running, it was to train for a race for life. I had not run since school (and even then I didn’t enjoy it) so I found a run/walk plan and followed it to the letter. I managed to run the whole race for life, and then realised I enjoyed it, so carried on. Anyway, I found the sound of my loud breathing very alarming, so I started listening to music while I was running to help me focus on something else.

After getting annoyed so many times as the headphones yet again fell out of my ears, I bought some with a solid band, and these are perfect. I have a tiny mp3 player which can fit in any small pocket.

I started doing other races (local 10K’s and a half marathon) but took my mp3 player with me. I was always sensible and had the music down very low, so I could hear people around me, the marshalls and so on.

At some point I discovered marathon talk, and began to listen to talking podcasts more and more. I had found that I was tending to run to the beat of the music, so if I was listening to something slow I would slow right down, or I would get annoyed if it was faster music and I couldn’t keep up. By then marathon talk planted the seed and I then signed up for the Stockholm marathon. In the run up to it we did a 20 mile training race/ run, and as it was run on the roads you could not have headphones for safety reasons, but I ended up chatting to the back marker for the first hour, and it was not too bad. Headphones were also banned for the marathon! So I had to run it with nothing to distract me from my breathing. In fact, I could have worn them as I saw other people with them. There was one point in a park, a little over half way I think, and it was very lonely as there were no spectators and not many runners around me. I really could have done with a little boost then, but hey, I managed it still. Andy also did the marathon and in his training he started out listening to podcasts (I think he would download some football ones) but soon he stopped and even on long runs he would not listen to anything and I could not understand how he managed it.

Since then I have not used my mp3 player in a race- I have actually found it enjoyable to look at the spectators, and take in the surrounding views and listen to what other people are saying.

Last year I had to have a break from running as I was awaiting (and then recovering) from an operation, and so to help me get back into it in May last year I started going on runs with the local Sweatshop running community group, and although some people listen to their headphones I never have. Sometimes I run with someone and we chat, sometimes I am on my own and I just think. I run there and back, and I suppose I could listen to something for that part, but I have never fancied it. I quite like just thinking and running.

I have also started running longer runs with Andy, and during those we would chat (or on the hills he would ask me if I was OK and I would try to answer through my gasping!)- I ran faster on those runs than any on my own.

Finally, I have started going to Parkruns. I love these- seriously check them out! Again, I see people with their headphones but I see it as more of a social run, even though I tend to run around alone.

Last summer I did a few runs while we were on holiday in Hawaii (as I had only just started running again and was doing the Great North Run soon after we got home) and it was wonderful to run by the sea (plus I had to remember the route back to the hotel…)- I didn’t want anything distracting me or taking my mind off it then!

I still enjoy listening to podcasts when I run on my own, but I do think running with nothing to listen to has benefits too. I like to zone out and enjoy a gentle run, and podcasts are perfect for those sorts of runs. But I still want to speed up, and I find that I run faster when I focus my mind on running a bit more and don’t have something taking my mind off my running. I still really enjoy running and I am glad that I can go out without the need for my headphones.

Do you listen to music/ podcasts when you work out? I couldn’t imagine a body pump class without the music, but then people lift weights in the gym with just their thoughts for company.

Hey peeps!
How are you all doing?

My summer is officially starting today! I have been off work for a couple of weeks now, but I spent the first week back in school, and have been doing work at home (and popping back in a couple of times too) since then. But today, no work, only packing, because tomorrow we are off on holiday!

I have managed a few runs this week- on Tuesday I went out for a run before breakfast- I listened to an audiofuel intervals podcast and tried to keep up. It starts off with a warm up, then you do 3 minutes at a fast pace, 3 min recovery, 3 mins even faster, 3 min recovery, and then 3 mins at the fastest pace. I did the whole thing 3 times- I went around the lake and across the park behind the lake which was a nice change- saw loads of rabbits! My best pace was 7.23 but that would have been for a 3 minute burst and not a whole mile of course. My actual average pace was much lower but I suppose that is because the recovery part is very slow. I do like them, but I find that the slow parts are very slow and I find myself doing comedy leaps to try to keep in time.

I wasn’t hungry at all when I got home, but I had been out for an hour so I had a few almonds and some water before I went for my shower. Then I had some fresh pineapple with a passion-fruit Danio (see the seeds?).

Then it was time for a bit of work before I went to see my Mum (3 weeks since she finally had her op and she is doing so well 🙂  ).

On the way back I stopped at Aldi for some washing tabs and things, and noticed pumpkin purée on offer for £1.29 per can- this is the cheapest I have seen it anywhere. The sign said limited stock, so I bought as many cans as I think I can fit in my cupboard!

Later after lunch (I treated myself to caramelised onion hummus- yum) I had some delicious raw chocolate fudge (thanks to Oh She Glows).

Yum! In the afternoon I did some weeding at the allotment, before coming home for some dinner.

Wholewheat pasta with cherry tomatoes, avocado, lime juice and a little salt. Summery perfection.

We spent some time in the evening getting out clothes and other things that we need, although we have searched everywhere and cannot find our adaptor plug- where is it???

Today is generally a “use up what we have in the fridge/ cupboards” day, so for breakfast I had the last cherry/ almond scone (topped with almond butter and home-made blackcurrant jam), along with a peach, some watermelon and some pineapple. I need to do some weeding in our garden, and do some cleaning at home too (does anyone else clean before a holiday? I hope that it means I won’t have to as soon as we get back home), as well as sorting out the packing.

We are off to the North/West USA to visit some of the National Parks that are there, so we will be doing plenty of walking, although I won’t be taking my running things this time.

Also, I just came across this article (linked to by Hungry Runner Girl) and it is very funny- I was looking at the St Albans Parkrun photos from last weekend and yes, there was a guy running the 5k run wearing a tri suit- why??? And also, I can’t understand how people can do any exercise without their hair tied back! I usually do a french plait with my fringe now to make sure that no strands ever break free!

What are you up to this summer?

Do you clean before you go away on holiday?

Do you commit any of those runner fashion faux pas?

PS I have written some posts and I am hoping that I have set it up right and they will come up while I am away. Fingers crossed!