Hello to you all!
So here's a question for you.... how are your shins tonight? 'Cos mine hurt! I'm back into training, not that you'd think what I've achieved is very much but I've been for three runs this week (including last Sunday- I've decided that counts within the last week!). So Lizzy's diary of torture reads:
Sunday: 6K (3.7 miles)
Monday: 13 hour shift at work
Tuesday: 13 hour shift at work (including a very interesting story regarding an inappopriate use of batteries. Not pleasant.)
Wednesday: Travelled down to Felixstowe and had a date night with the boy. No running involved in a date night, just pizza and maltesers.
Thursday: 4K (2.5 miles) "Blowing a hooley" is the Suffolk expression for the weather conditions. i.e. practically gale force winds.
Friday: Trip to the Zoo! Thought about setting off around the lion enclosure with a string of sausages tied to me but decided Mr Lion looked quite chilled out and probably wasn't up for a jog.
Saturday: 4K (2.5 miles)
Now Saturday was an interesting run. It was my first run with a running buddy. The running buddy in question was none other than the subject of the date night: Mr Matthew Elsey. If you're not aware, Matt ran the marathon in 2010 in a reasonably respectable time of 4:45. Matt also did virtually no training as he's one of those irritatingly fit people that actually enjoys trotting around. He's also running the marathon next year when I do. He's sworn that he'll run it with me for moral support. I think we may come near to a divorce after 26.2miles of shared torture with him being all sprightly and jolly and me cursing and tripping me way round the sights of London. Anyway, so off we set on a little jog. Mum waved us off with a helpful "you look lovely, dear" (clearly the new running clothes haven't been worn enough and still look shiny and fresh).
Here's where our problems started. Matt made a joke, I tried to whack him, he dodged, I tried a crafty little kick and nearly twisted an ankle. Who says violence is bad?! Matt had agreed to run at my pace (I say run, he could have walked and overtaken me) so he obediently jogs along beside me, chatting away whilst I'm becoming more and more luminously purple and can barely utter two words together in reply. We ran along Felixstowe prom. Now for those that have never visited Felixstowe, it is a lovely little town but it has a disproportionate number of pensioners resident there. That translates to a fleet of old biddies in motorised scooter thingys. So I'm stumbling along, beetroot in the face, gasping for breath in the wind from the North Sea and there's all these smug grannies and grandpas zooming along in their battery-powered scooters. The thought going through my mind? I'M GOING TO MUG A PENSIONER FOR THEIR SPEED MACHINE!!!
I didn't. But I might next time.
Then my running "buddy" made me run even faster after promising I could walk up the really steep hill. Oh. My. Word. We ran at about 8 min/mile pace. Never, ever again.
Things I have learnt this week:
- Matt is not a good running buddy
- I can't run fast, only about as slowly as a speed walk.
- All motorbility scooters should keep away when I'm training for their own safety.
That's all for now. See you next week (provided I'm not in custody for mugging a wheelchair user).
Lizzy x
PS. I've now set up a money raising, cash donating, give BHF your pennies (but preferably pounds) site. It's http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/longrunlizzy . Feel free to start donating in advance. Little and often is a great philosophy!
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Sunday, 23 October 2011
A lapse of effort....
Hello!
I'm aware it's been a while since I last blogged. Four weeks in fact. It's also four weeks since I last went for a run. UNTIL TODAY! Back on track. Or back on Aspley Lane actually.
I've got tonnes of excuses for why I haven't been for a run in the last weeks. Some of them are even true.
- I had a really nasty bout of tonsillitis
- I worked some night shifts and a few long days shifts and was too knackered to run
- My right leg fell off
- Matt went away and I can't run with no-one to look after Katherine
- Someone stole my trainers
- I'm a bit lazy
- I prefer the settee to running
- We got snowed in..... (actually I might pull that one out of the bag as an excuse in December)
- I've had tonnes of other stuff to do rather than run
The problem with being public about my useless running is that loads of people ask me how I'm getting on. This is a conversation I had with one of my bosses this week:
Boss: So how's the training going?
Me: Training for what?
Boss: The marathon, idiot.
Me: Oh yeah.... that.
Boss: Running....?
Me: Yes, I believe it's a forward motion faster than walking.
Lots of theatre staff keep asking how my training is going too and have even, very helpfully, suggested a specialist running shop with NHS staff discount, recommended special socks and given me inspirational talks. One of the staff (Hi Donna- if you ever read this!) laughs each time she asks how I'm getting on with a "I suspect you might die trying to do this but it's very funny watching you squirm every time I ask" grin. Cheeky. But true.
The thing I've realised is that it's so easy to get out of a habit. It's SO hard to get back to it again. The thought of going for a run has been tormenting me. I'm back to that feeling of nausea every time I consider a little trot up the road.
So what I need is help. And that's where you horrible, teasing, chuckling, meanies come in. I hereby give you all permission to nag/ moan/ poke me every time you see me and ask why I haven't been for a run and cheer/ jump around/ yelp a yippee when I proudly tell you I have been. I think I need lots of positive encouragement and lots of hitting with a big stick to get me going too. So please help!
Tonight I dragged my sorry self and trendy, new training togs out on the road. I did my "usual" (though not for the past month...) route of 6K in 42 minutes which isn't too bad given it's been a while. Plus it was windy. Running in windy weather is awful- it takes your breath away and makes your mouth even drier than a dusty playgound. Bleugh.
Anyway, the important thing is that the first crucial run is done. I'm back to training. Oh joy, oh wonder, oh brilliance (said most defiitely in a dour tone with heavy sarcasm).
Right. Best go and massage my painful calfs/ calves (still haven't worked that one out and it really does have entirely different connotations). Until next week..... xx
PS. If he can do it, then I can! Cor blimey.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15330421
I'm aware it's been a while since I last blogged. Four weeks in fact. It's also four weeks since I last went for a run. UNTIL TODAY! Back on track. Or back on Aspley Lane actually.
I've got tonnes of excuses for why I haven't been for a run in the last weeks. Some of them are even true.
- I had a really nasty bout of tonsillitis
- I worked some night shifts and a few long days shifts and was too knackered to run
- My right leg fell off
- Matt went away and I can't run with no-one to look after Katherine
- Someone stole my trainers
- I'm a bit lazy
- I prefer the settee to running
- We got snowed in..... (actually I might pull that one out of the bag as an excuse in December)
- I've had tonnes of other stuff to do rather than run
The problem with being public about my useless running is that loads of people ask me how I'm getting on. This is a conversation I had with one of my bosses this week:
Boss: So how's the training going?
Me: Training for what?
Boss: The marathon, idiot.
Me: Oh yeah.... that.
Boss: Running....?
Me: Yes, I believe it's a forward motion faster than walking.
Lots of theatre staff keep asking how my training is going too and have even, very helpfully, suggested a specialist running shop with NHS staff discount, recommended special socks and given me inspirational talks. One of the staff (Hi Donna- if you ever read this!) laughs each time she asks how I'm getting on with a "I suspect you might die trying to do this but it's very funny watching you squirm every time I ask" grin. Cheeky. But true.
The thing I've realised is that it's so easy to get out of a habit. It's SO hard to get back to it again. The thought of going for a run has been tormenting me. I'm back to that feeling of nausea every time I consider a little trot up the road.
So what I need is help. And that's where you horrible, teasing, chuckling, meanies come in. I hereby give you all permission to nag/ moan/ poke me every time you see me and ask why I haven't been for a run and cheer/ jump around/ yelp a yippee when I proudly tell you I have been. I think I need lots of positive encouragement and lots of hitting with a big stick to get me going too. So please help!
Tonight I dragged my sorry self and trendy, new training togs out on the road. I did my "usual" (though not for the past month...) route of 6K in 42 minutes which isn't too bad given it's been a while. Plus it was windy. Running in windy weather is awful- it takes your breath away and makes your mouth even drier than a dusty playgound. Bleugh.
Anyway, the important thing is that the first crucial run is done. I'm back to training. Oh joy, oh wonder, oh brilliance (said most defiitely in a dour tone with heavy sarcasm).
Right. Best go and massage my painful calfs/ calves (still haven't worked that one out and it really does have entirely different connotations). Until next week..... xx
PS. If he can do it, then I can! Cor blimey.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15330421
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