18 Days Later

I had not exercised for 18 whole days, following the unwise decision to do a long run in the cold I was attacked by every vrius and infection going, leaing me bed bound, miserable and unable to sleep. It was a bad time. But today I was back and my first session will take place in doors as I headed of for my personal training session with Emma. 
Unsure how my body would react I arrived early and started a 15minute warm-up run on the treadmill, feeling good we then went into intervals and lots of other weights before more intervals and another set of weights and core stability. Don't get me wrong it was tough and I worked really hard but I absolutely loved every minute of it and was bouncing off the walls for another couple of hours upon returning home. 18 days without exercise is too much  I was ill there was nothing I could do about it but now I am back and must ease in sensibly so as not to waste the enforced rest my body has undergone. 
For those who have commented on the lack of Fibre Runners I do apologise as you will now be bombarded as I update all my runs over the xmas period.
Happy running everyone. 

Snap, Crackle and Pop

Today was the first day in many I had actually started to feel like myself again. I didn't want to risk a run but I did do a few household chores. Now through my coughing I had managed to bruise my ribs with the victorious wretchings my body was subjected to. 
So despite my cough easing, today as I reached over for some washing and coughed simultaneously I felt a sharp twang and massive pain in my right side. I had popped out a rib and by golly did that smart.
Looks like another few days before I will be able to run again, gosh darn it. 

Practise what you preach

I had been coughing now for a couple of days, my head was foggy and my chest ached, but I had arranged a lovely early morning run which started as Me and Eleanor, then came Jerry, Emma G and Karien. I woke to a frosty morning and not feeling great but hating to let the others down I donned my kit and headed to our meeting place. I was determined to run and felt that if I couldn't make the full run I could always do an out and back.

We headed off down Leesons Hill - in Jerry's immediate running excitement taking the wrong road immediately - we were soon back on track and heading up a road I had never before run. After a mere 2 miles I was coughing my way up a hill but thought it would clear soon enough, my legs and stamina were fine if only this blasted cough would leave me be. 

Another mile further on we reached a scabby old corrugated iron gate that was hanging off its hinges  Jerry named this Liz's Gate -charming!

Onwards and upwards we went, through fields, over railways bridges and deep in the countryside before popping out in Crockenhill at which point I declared I was heading back home. We reached a white post and Jerry explained to us all about how these were Coal Tax posts and they were situated across the valley, we thought maybe that would be a good goal to find them all and provide a very interested route for a run... maybe not one for today though. 

After a momentary discussion and Jerry saying he'd take it easy I was easily swayed into continuing. As we entered a filed rutted and frozen solid I knew it had been a mistake, then as we circled it again I was sure... I need to be home but another 7 miles lay ahead of me. Oh dear, we continued on but by now my coughing was ridiculous and Eleanor had hurt her knee negotiating the frozen ground. 

By the time we were nearly homeward bound I had the brainwave to head to the burger van in the Homebase car park for a bacon butty and a cup of tea.... it was the only good idea I had had this morning. We ate them and started towards home being passed by a surprised looking observer in a car - I suspect he may be from the club and wondered why so much lycra for bacon butty's! The final mile was a slow plod fuelled by bacon and tea.

So to summarise when you feel ill, take the rest day, take the bacon butty but do not go running for the best part of 14 miles. Thanks for looking after me guys!

Gone Clubbing

Once again I arrived home early enough to eat and have a couple of hours relaxing before going to running club. This can be fatal, as I sat snuggled up on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, a purring cat on my lap and the sound of rain falling on the roof I did not want to go back out.
But checking the weather it promised the rain would be over by 8pm so I told myself to man up, get changing and get out with the club. So donning some full length tights and a high viz jacket I departed into the cold (but thankfully dry) night.

Tonight we had another group leader variation with Sian leading the way and Ray bringing up the rear. At first there was a little confusion as two groups kept crossing into one another but before long we had edged ahead and were on our way. My legs felt heavy and sore for the first 2 miles as I contemplated ditching and going back the way I came. Instead I got chatting which is always a very good distraction and one of my favourite things about running on a Tuesday night and before I knew it another two miles had passed, then another and we were homeward bound. 

Finally my legs felt at one with my body and I stepped up the pace for the final stretch sprinting home and then saying some quick hello's to faces from the other groups. 

Wiltshire Smiles

After a lovely meal out with after staying with friends last night I was the first to wake as is quite usual these days being unable to have a decent lie-in before the urge to run takes over my body and wakes me up.
I departed quickly and quietly at a decent pace, although this soon deteriorated as I reached an incline... oh dear the wine and rich food was not best chuffed I had chosen to disturb it so soon. I soldiered on wishing good morning to the friendly folk of Wiltshire - and when I say friendly they really were. No eye avoidance and looking the other way. Everyone was so friendly, runners, walkers and cyclists alike. Maybe I was a pitiful sight but nevertheless I was pretty pleased with this Sunday morning attitude of the locals. Perhaps this is the difference when living in a village?
Whilst the run was relatively short in length there was plenty of lovely hills, fields and woods to gaze upon so it was a nice way to start my day before a sleep in the car on the way home... well I had been for a run!