PB and Decision

Ok, so I got my PB for a 5k run today at Cannon Hill Park Run..... 26.29... so nothing amazing, but still my PB. I felt reasonably strong and in the run I finished ahead of someone who is entering the Birmingham 1/2 Marathon this year and so I'm thinking, "Maybe I should do the 1/2?"..... of course there is NO logic to this, as 1) She beat me last week by loads and 2) 5k is NOTHING like 13 miles.

So I have to re-think and be a bit realistic........ I almost did a 1/2 M a couple of weeks ago, more by accident than design... so I think I could do one.... but then again ..........

All I suppose I need to do is do the training and keep out of trouble! Um, we'll see.

On another note, I 've done a little reading about interval training, so think is something I may well look at over the next few months. Not looking forward to the Autumn, or winter, as most of my running is after work, and don't want to do this in the dark, so will have to adjust and look at training during the day and at weekends, I hate winter blah, blah, blah....

Planning would be a good idea...

First time I've done this, just gone for a run without really thinking how far it was going to be... wanted to do a fairly long run (for me, that is), so decided to run from home into Birmingham city centre via the canals, and back. Have done part of this run before, so thought that it would be manageable.

Started off slowly and stayed at that pace. Was a really lovely day and enjoyed running along the canals.. there really are some beautiful, peaceful places along the canals from Kings Norton and Bournville into the city. Was really only seeing if I could do this, so was not so bothered about the pace. 

On the way in, felt that I was struggling, more like jogging than running, but coming back was much harder... felt I was REALLY struggling, like I was jogging/shuffling. However, I was pleased that even at that pace, I was able to overtake some canal barges (for me to overtake anything is an achievement!)... so not all bad! Anyway, just managed to run as far as Bournville station by the canal and had to stop... which was fine as this was by far my longest run (approx 12.8 miles) I've done, but I was some 4 miles from home, so ended up walking back. As I said, would have been good to plan it a bit more!!

Other thoughts? Something really strange happening with my eyes running past the university over the A38: weird sensation looking ahead, with the very still canal on one side and the traffic from the A38 on the other side going underneath the canal. Felt very odd. Similarly going through a long tunnel near town with very dim lighting, feeling the ground moving!! Strange. Also, having done this, I think I possibly could do a 1/2 marathon.. did this run in 2 and 1/2 hours, so not at all quick, but still feel its do-able, and although it was slow, and hard, for most of the run I felt fairly strong... so some hope yet. Oh yes.... sore nipples... need to see how I can overcome this issue!

Need for Speed

Well, just completed my second Park Run at Cannon Hill.... lovely day, loads of people, enjoyed the run, although not the result.... a pretty poor 27:21. I finished behind my daughter on her first Park Run, as well as other friends... left me wondering what I have to do to improve my time... I have an imaginary target in my head of trying to get under 25 mins for 5k and under 50 mins for 10k...... not sure how realistic this is given my age and natural lack of speed, but will have to ask around to see what sort of things I should be doing to improve. Not that I may ever achieve these targets, but at least it's fun trying.

Inspiration

A lot has been written about the legacy of the Olympics.... The physical legacy in London, or the inspirational legacy from Team GB's achievements... how this will inspire generations of people to take up sport. I wonder how true this is? I can only really comment on my own experience. I took up jogging/running earlier this year. I did so for many reasons, but I cannot say runners in the Olympics have inspired me... I've been amazed by some of them, but inspired? I think I have been more inspired and encouraged to run by some of the more "ordinary" people I know... like a colleague I know who is aiming to do an ultra marathon, or my daughter, who is not a natural athlete (I think?), but who is running a half marathon for charity, or seeing another friend running a marathon from scratch. I think this is because these people are not particularly talented, but in their ordinary lives, they have a doggedness, a courage, a determination which I find inspiring. And in amongst it all, what they are inspiring me to do is to say, "If they can aim for and achieve their own goals, then maybe I can do the same with my own lesser goals, in my own ordinaryness".

Perspective

I had a good day yesterday. The previous day I'd tried an experimental mile run, and did it in 8.05 mins........ not impressed. However, yesterday, I ran in my first Park Run at Cannon Hill Park (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cannon-hill/).. a beginner friendly 5k timed run. I've only ever once run before with others, so it was a novel experience..... there were obviously a lot of experienced runners, but also a few like me..... I went to the back of the starting line up and stayed there for the rest of the race. It was a good day for running and I surprisingly enjoyed running with others.... I found it harder than I expected, but I think this was a reflection that I was running harder than I thought. I ended up on the ground in a sweaty heap, but with a time of 26.45, some 4/5 minutes better than I was aiming for... so I was v pleased with myself. Really enjoy running round Cannon Hill, and actually overtook a couple of people at the end, so chuffed! Didn't enjoy the comment of one woman whom I overheard talking to a friend... "I much prefer running 18 miles"......


Anyway, my performance was put into perspective when I saw the women's 10000m Olympic race... finished in a time only just over my time for the 5k. Um. And then I found out my daughter's boyfriend had just run a different park run the same day and did it in just over 18 mins. Um. Obviously still a way to go........ 

Milestone

I was reminded today that there are all sorts of hidden treasures in Birmingham... yes I know that this is hard to believe, but being able to walk, cycle or run along canal tow paths does give a different perspective to this city... which is what i did today. Managed almost 10 miles, which is the most I've run so far, amongst some pretty landscape including Cannon Hill Park.


It was good to run in reasonable temperatures. However, I have to get used to the fact that where I live is pretty much on top of a hill (or as near as you'll get one in Brum) and that therefore wherever I run, I have to go down. This is good at the start of a run. It is not so good at the end of a run. But I did it! I'm managing to keep a pretty regular pace, just need to speed it up.............

'Cos blogging is easier than jogging

Port de Pollenca. The jogger's view. Not bad.

Just returned from a few days in Majorca, and during this time, thought I should really put some thoughts down about running, or in my case, jogging very slowly. I have only started running over the past few months, having never done well at this at school or at any other time for that matter (I'm now 49)... however, the need for a challenge and to get fit, lose weight has prompted me to start late on in life... not sure I enjoy it yet, but I do appreciate the benefits..


Well I'm hoping that I'll be able to share some thoughts about my struggles with running. I am not fast. I am not fit. I cannot run huge distances. I am fat, but even now I feel fitter and am lighter than I have been for years. I hope that I will be entertaining.. we will see.


Anyway running in Majorca..... had to be done early on in the day as it was so HOT. The views were stunning, particularly in the morning light. I managed to do 4 or so miles every other day at my normal (snail's) pace. Memories? ...Dripping buckets after finishing... being ch(j)eered by some early morning revelers, overtaking someone - you have to understand this is a rare occurrence for me - only to be overtaken by them a few hundred meters later, my steady clump echoing around early morning Port de Pollenca and almost breaking my ankle on the rough pavement. And there was also this incredibly annoying runner who I saw most mornings... a very elegant young woman, who managed to "trot" past me as though she were a horse doing the dressage, pony tail flapping, not a bead of sweat showing, and hardly breathing at all. As I said, very annoying.


I'm not sure that the title of my post is true.