Friday 31 July 2009

573 Days of running without a rest Until now

I have run everyday since 01/01/2008 until 27/07/2009 and am now having a forced rest for a week. I pulled my back whilst putting up a tent so I am in too much pain too run.

Having this rest is horrible but necessary. I can't wait to run again and hope I have not done any long term damage to my back. It really hurts and I hate it. When I get back to running I think I will schedule in rest days and even rest weeks as I know they are necessary and it will make me run stronger.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Quote and run

"Most of our obstacles would melt away
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them."
- Orison Swett Marden

This afternoon my run was really hard because of the wind. I ran home from work and did a speed session but because it was one way I had a head wind all the time.

I did 11 miles in total with 6 X 1/2 mile reps. Average pace for the reps was 2:48

Tuesday 21 July 2009

"He, who every morning plans the
transactions of the day, and follows that
plan carries a thread that will guide him
through a labyrinth of the most busy life"
- Victor Hugo


Did 3 X 1 mile reps tonight. 5.24 5.25 5.37. The last rep is up hill. Didn't want to do four because my legs are sore from the race last Friday.

Monday 20 July 2009

Running quote

Scientific testing can't determine how the mind will tolerate pain in a race. Sometimes, I say, Today I can die. - Gelindo Bordin

Sunday 19 July 2009

Prize money

"Success seems to be largely a matter
of hanging on after others have let go."
- William Feather

If we want more people to take up running and join our clubs then I think one thing (amongst many) that would help is better prizes.

The last few races I've done the prizes have been, ?5 for third, box of biscuits for third. A cheap drill for 2nd place in a Marathon. Obviously we don't run for the money but if there was ?50 instead of ?5 in these races then it might encourage others?

Today's running: am 4 pm 11.

Quote and run

"Take the first step in faith. You don't
have to see the whole staircase.
Just take the first step."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

This morning my first step of my run was hurting but once I'd warmed up I was OK and ran a good 13.5 miles.

Total mileage this week: 69 which is the same as last week and I had a race!

Saturday 18 July 2009

Quote and Packwood 10K turns into a 11K

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.
That's what makes you a winner."
- Venus Williams

On Friday 17 July 2009 I ran the Packwood 10K and about half way through I got sent the wrong way along with the other first 4 people in the race. The front four were the only ones who got sent the wrong way and we didn't realise until about 1K later when we joined the pack again. I don't think any of us minded and I certainly didn't. It added some fun to the race.

I personally enjoyed it because when I we got back on course I got to overtake about 5 people again and got up to third place. It's a positive feeling when passing people later in the race. I also didn't mind because I knew I wouldn't get a PB because the course is not a PB course due to the hills.

I finished the race in 36.48 and using a calculator on my favourite website: Fetcheveryone this is 35.24 for 10K which is better than I ran the race in last year (36: 35).

The wind was also strong.

Monday 13 July 2009

Quote and run

Bob does well in big races because he doesn't stand at the starting line and establish a pecking order. He doesn't look around and say: 'Oh, sp-and-so is here...' His great gift is his ability to focus completely on himself and his own race, and then let the place or the time take care of itself. - Coach Vince Lananna on Bob Kempainen

Last night my legs were aching all night. I think I need an easy interval session tonight. I have a partly hilly race on Friday night so I need to taper a bit.

Yesterday evening I put my Trailer Tent on Freecycle. I had a huge response, about 40 emails. Someone came around in the evening and took it. People love free stuff.

Yesterday was also a good day because my little K learnt to use her bike without stabilisers.

Thursday 9 July 2009

Good things come slow - especially in distance running. - Bill Dellinger, Oregon coach

Yesterday (Thursday) I did 1/2 mile reps on grass. Average 2:35. Very pleased with this effort and I thank Darren for dragging me around!