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I must admit today I was slightly apprehensive about how I would go on a long run but I smashed it! No stopping along the way and perfect weather really. A good run around Wanstead, Leyton and Snaresbrook. When I got home I wasn’t even out of breath so feeling much more positive as my levels of fitness improve. Today 7 miles in 1hr 10 mins.

Had in mind to run around Hyde Park, St James’s and Green Park but so much else on today that I thought best stay local. After all I’m determined not to become a boring person who constantly talks about running but I’m really pleased with my progress so far..

Whoop whoop!

Since last writing, the snow has cleared up and I’ve been able to get outside which has been totally different. The cold air has knocked my lungs for six! Still managing to clock up some mileage although I missed my long run last week due to birthday. Well a girl has to celebrate! This Saturday i’m going to do a 7 mile run. Decided that running around Leyton/Walthamstow isn’t that beautiful so have decided to catch the tube to Marble Arch and do Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Green Park. Actually really looking forward to it.. hoping the rain holds off.

Starting to feel like I am not starved of air when I run so that’s a good sign! Onward and upward!!

Promise to write after Saturday!

Well the thaw is on, so I managed to get out on the streets today, did a 40min run 10ER 2×10min TR 10ER,
I find the Threshold Runs really hard, but I suppose thats the point, but I do struggle to run flat out for 10mins. Any advice that anyone has on Threshold Runs would be really welcome.
It was cold and damp, but managed 4.42miles.

Hi All,

It’s been a while since I posted anything but generally training has been going well. I was particularly pleased with clocking up 40 miles in the week after Christmas.

However, since then I have had the same challenges as everyone else & been severely hampered by the weather. That said, I did manage a couple of runs in the snow in the Isle of Man last week (see attached). It certainly is harder work running on unstable ground!

I have now bitten the bullet & rejoined the gym in order to cram in some treadmill training. I find it very difficult to fit visits to the gym in but now I am paying out again I will just have to force myself! I visited Rayleigh Leisure Centre last night & was somewhat pleasantly surprised to be dragged into a treadmill class for half an hour that ended up with my pulse rate right up at my maximum! It was hard but actually good fund & a pleasant diversion from miles & miles of road running.

By the way Ian, sorry I haven’t emailed to arrange weekend runs but my phone crashed & I lost most of my contacts. Place a comment on this blog if you see it & we can sort something out. Otherwise, I hope to see you on Sunday.

Keep going everyone.

Neil D

Like everyone I’ve been feeling so frustrated about not being able to run on the pavements. So today I went back to the woods.
I figured that at least if I do my weekly long run surely this is better than nothing. So I set out to do the scheduled 2hr run.
My first lap felt like total madness, the terrain was very mixed, hard packed snow, slush, and mushy leaves with the occassional muddy and very icy puddle. I felt like giving up, but no, I carried on, lap 2 felt better, as there were alot more people walking in the woods with their dogs, giving me encouraging/sympathetic looks. But then I just kept going round and round, saw a couple of runners, and I kept going, even though my legs were cold and tired, and my feet were wet and rubbing on my shoes. I had a couple of Sport Jelly Beans stashed in my glove, I ate these and gave it one more lap, I managed to keep going for 1hr 53mins, 10.5miles.
I have to say that I was glad when it was over, but now I’m looking forward to a nice hot lunch.

Today was my first run outside due to snow.. no music today but chatting with a work colleague which was really enjoyable! Completed a 40 minute run. Feeling a bit wheezy now but doing the distance..  here’s hoping that the snow is fully gone soon then I can really get stuck in to running outside..

Thanks to Corinna for making me go outside!!

Today I managed my first ‘proper’ 5 mile run (8.1k) albeit on the treadmill but I refuse the snow to hamper my training. Gym was surprisingly empty! So far so good.. Invested in some muscle rub and Glucosamine capsules which should help my joints/muscles along the way.  Finished the run whilst listening to Fleetwood Mac – “Go your own Way”.. quality.. I even managed to speed up!

Here’s to next weeks’ training and my birthday next Friday!! hurraaaayyyy….

So far so good and i’m sticking to my training schedule. I am starting to enjoy running again which I haven’t done for ages. I feel I must pay credit to the songs/artists on my iPod shuffle though! Positive mental attitude is high. I think of all sorts of things when i’m running.

A shorter run today of 35 mins with a big run planned for Saturday and I should smash my planned target of 15 miles for the first week – only marginally but I think this is a great start! Taking time to stretch properly as hip was a bit sore yesterday but seems to have subsided now.

In the words of General S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian..

“If you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired..”

Quick post for any who may have ended up here via Judys email – if you would like a blog set up please email me on havensrunners@neillock.co.uk and I will get it sorted!

Thanks

Neil

Hi Guys

Hope you’re enjoying the weather and still able to train, we’ve had a long hard look at the weather and think that in the interests of everyone’s safety the sensible thing to do is cancel the pasta supper. I think that I will struggle to get the shopping as the shelves seem to be bare!

I will not set a date now as I’m not sure how long we will be having the snow but I think it will probably be the 22^nd Jan, if you bear that in mind. Very sorry for the inconvenience, but although an adventure a night spent at the Heath Centre snowed in  may not be the best preparation for a wedding on Saturday! 

Please remember you can  still set up your  blog on this site .The comment facility has now been activated to communicate with other runners and people can also link direct to their on-line sponsorship site.

Please do care when training and I’ll be in touch soon

Judy