Where for art thou running?

Even a hen do will not stop me from a morning run. As we woke in the aftermath of night one of Jess's Henweekender in Shakespeare's County 4 brave souls (Myself, Debbie, Kate and the ultimate Dark Horse Lisa) donned our lycra and left the party house for an out and back run.

The day and night of drinking did not bode well for the success of the run but we headed out regardless and ran towards the pretty High Street of this pretty little village.

We opted for 15 minutes out and back although this was slightly longer as the return journey was primarily uphill.

After the halfway point me and Kate did a few sprint intervals before reaching the final hill climb back to Ashleigh House. Returning to the Hen House we bathed in the praise and admiration of the those more hungover than us as we returned victorious to a beautifully prepared mega breakfast prepared by the bridesmaids.

Once again we are remind....Netball, you have changed!

Tryathon Trial Run

The most worrying and incomprehensible thing to me about a triathlon is to get on a bike whilst wet. and not only wet but in padded cycling shorts... essentially a wet sponge between your legs. Why, why would people do this?

 

So this morning, I decided to do this very thing. My own mini trial triathlon in the gym to see how it all goes. I departed my house, ready in my tri-suit, I went via the spin studio to set up a bike then headed to the pool. 10 minutes swimming (hopefully at race pace) and I found the tri-suit strangely comfortable. As I exited the pool this is the part that would be weird... I went into the changing room where I had set up my trainers and towel in the locker. A quick towel down, t-shirt over the top, socks and trainers in then I trotted through to the spin studio.

 

20 minutes on the bike seemed reasonable at a tough pace to make sure my legs were worked hard enough before hitting the treadmill. The padded wet bottom scenario was not quite as bad as I thought but I was not a big fan of the weird wet yet dry feeling behind my knees. I'm sure this can be countered with a bit of baby oil on the day but a weird place to be in discomfort.

 

Next up, I was off the bike and a quick sprint up the stairs to the main gym and the treadmill, I set the pace a reasonable 11kph and ran for 10 minutes. As last time my bike to run begins with jelly legs but this soon wears off and hit my pace.

 

I finished and was still not as dry as I would have liked and perhaps driving home sitting on a small plastic bag wasn't the best idea as my car seat was a little damp for the rest of the day. All in all though I have a little more confidence with the transitions than I did before. Two weeks to go.... eeek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hels Hilly Club Run

Second week back at running club and this weeks leader was Hels. The route traced a maze up and down, around and about the streets between Petts Wood and down towards Sevenoaks Way. Running along I felt this was going to be a tough one, I was pleasantly distracted having a chat to some of the new faces (new to me anyway) at the club.

Somewhere between 2-3 miles I was feeling like I might need to bail, I felt I was struggling with the pace and as we stopped midday I was considering making my way back to base. Then my saviour, I spotted Eleanor, whom I hadn't seen probably for at least a year of not due to my injury and hers. We fell into pace and chatting away the miles seem to vanish underfoot.

We chatting about Paul McKenna's crazy night time hypnotic sessions, which currently seem to be working for me. Then we moved onto the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred which I was having success with. Eleanor had done this before and we raved about the results of 'America's toughest trainer'.

Before we knew it we were less than half a mile from our start point and Hels let those that wanted to proceed at their own pace, we ran down Poverest Road and to base. It really does make a difference to the difficulty of a run when chatting to someone. The first half was tough but then when I got engrossed I was much more relaxed and comfortable... now I just need that to transfer back  to my solo runs.

Almost the Whole Experience

I may have mentioned the foolish mistake I made by entering a triathlon, these things seem like such a good idea when a long way away or a day away but not so much on the in-between. We were staying with friends and a bike ride was on the agenda, it would be mostly off road on a canal path and at an enjoyable pace… we were not racing!

But having taken into account the relaxed nature of the ride and the pending triathlon I need to test out my bike to run transition. The first section of the bike ride (pre lunch) was 10 miles at a comfortable pace, chatting and enjoying the Wiltshire scenery.

A tasty lunch and we headed back onto the path for the remaining 5 miles back to the car. We stuck together for the first 2 miles then I upped the pace with hubby for the final few miles to make sure my legs were a bit more tired and felt more like they might in the race. We reached the car; I jumped off my bike, threw off my helmet and jacket, then set off back along the canal path.

My plan had been just a five minute hard run. I started running on wobbly legs which took about 2 minutes before they felt normal. I decided I would keep going and do 1 mile rather than the 5 mins as I had some time. I made it back to the car feeling comfortable (and confident I could do more) in 9 minutes.

I am started to feel like it’s a lot more doable and still three weeks away I need to practise my transitions and brick sessions a little more over the next 3 weeks.

The Trees Have Eyes

A nice break in the Leicestershire countryside near the quaint village of Market Bosworth, a happy coincidence as we realised it was the re-internment of Richard III this weekend so the village was awash with white roses and bunting.

When I woke the sun was shining and although I had planned a gym workout it was too nice not to run. The Market Bosworth Country Park was just across the road from where we were staying so I headed in that direction. It was a cold, fresh and bright morning and the dog walkers were out in force.

I headed towards the duck pond and was accosted part way by one of the friendliest dogs I could ever hope to meet. After a good deal of fussing and rolling over – mostly the dog – his owner put him back on his lead so I could make my escape. I looped the park twice, clearly not sticking to the route I have seen at the entrance but getting the miles in nevertheless. I as was coming to my final section over the small stream on the trolls bridge I noticed the trees had eyes and as you ran they appeared to follow you… quite spooky if it were a dusky evening run!

I made my way back towards the entrance and the hotel, passing yet more dog owners, taking in some of the Bosworth Hall grounds before a tasty breakfast!