Running in the daylight

Another evening of running in the daylight which is nice. Tonight I ran to Tesco's and back.

Splits 9:14, 9:07, 8:47, 8:32, 8:36
Distance 4.34
Time 38:34

No club due to AGM

There was no club tonight due to the AGM so I went out for a run. I had finished work early again so was running in daylight. I ran onto the Leas and got down to the seafront and turned around at the memorial and ran back through Sandgate High Street, up Sandgate Hill and then got back onto the Leas.

Distance 4.5
Time 43.10

AGM

Tonight I was awarded the Chairmans Award for my hardwork and dedication. I was very chuffed and received a bottle of Champagne!!

6 steady miles

I finished work a little earlier today so my run started off in the day light. I did my 6 mile route from the gym.

Splits 9:24, 9:53, 9:10, 9:22, 9:18, 9:23
Time 56:29

10 miles in the sunshine

This morning I went out for a run with Ian, I did my usual long route going down Horn Street and this time turned left along the seafront to the big bell and then turned back and went up Zig Zag path and then ran to the bottom on the Leas and back to the Bandstand and then home to make it 10 miles. When running down Horn Street I was able to keep the same speed going which was great but at mile 8 was when I reached the Zig Zag path.  My legs felt fine today after Cross Country.

Splits 9:39, 9:29, 9:21, 9:20, 8:35, 8:33, 8:47, 8:40, 10:11, 9:00
Time 1:31.31 - nearly getting to under1hr30
Distance covered this week 33.03

Gym session
Spinning

National Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill

This morning I travelled with the Folkestone Running Club by train to Parliament Hill.  We got a Ladies team as well as a mens team for the Champioships. As we entered the grounds of Parliament Hill there were massive of club tents group together on a hill.  Going to be a hilly course if the tents are not on the flat!!  After we had pitched up, we had a little wonder, the start line was at the bottom of a massive hill.  At the top of the hill, was a fantastic view of London.

On the way to the start I saw Gemma Steel, who I have seen on the telly, the winner of Bupa Bimingham and running the same race as me! She was tipped to win the race.

Us ladies got in the pen at the start line, there were loads of us. The gun soon sounded and we were off up this massive long hill. The crowds were lined all the way up the hill.  Just ahead of me I could see Kim and I had managed to catch her up and get past for a little while and then she caught me and then Tina caught me and got past.  There were some muddy boggy patches around the course.  It was hilly too and there was a quite an up right hill.  There was one hill where Dave Smyth was standing, shouting out encouragement and on  all the hills I was able to get past people.  There was a lovely downhill sprint which was a great end to the race.  This course has a reputation for being a tough course but I had actually found Brighton being a tougher course.

Splits 9.21, 9.22, 9.56, 9,26, 8.05
Distance 4.76
Time 44.13
Position 536 out of 650
Team Position  43 out of 73 which is a great result for the ladies.

That is now the end of the Cross Country season which has been very enjoyable.

Club night

Tonight was a steady run to the Leas, dynamic stretches and run back to the club for those of use who are racing Saturday. Its the Nationals Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill.

Distance 3.32

Tim's route yeah right! by twinkleang at Garmin Connect - Details

Tim's route yeah right! by twinkleang at Garmin Connect - Details

Tim's route - yeah right

I have started a new job this week and today I have had training in Ashford.  Tonight I am going to the cinema, so I thought I would stay in Ashford and do a run. Tim planned me out a nice route from Bannatynes which was loop that included Givaudan 10k route.  I started off and I was looking at my pace which was about 7min mile and then a bit later I was getting faster 5 min mile, down to 4 min mile and even under.  So I thought the setting on my watch must of changed to km instead on miles.  If it was in km, I would of been running between 5-6 min km. Cetainly not 4 min km. But later on it even crept up to about 10 min mile and 11 min mile and then I decided it can't be in km as if I was doing 11 min km I would of been walking.  Throughout the run the pace was just not right.  As I got to the end it said I did 6.45 miles in 47.09, so even the distance was not right.  When Tim mapped out the route it was 4.85 miles.

Anyway the run it self was a good run and was a nice change.

When I got home, I downloaded the run and it was in miles.  The route was in a straight line saying I went else where, showing I ran through Challock and Shottenden. The elevation gain was 328, 084.

My splits 6:11, 6:47, 11:15, 12:34, 3:38, 3:31, 7:08  that made me laugh!! What was my Garmin playing at!

Distance was actually 4.85
Time 47.09

Last Winter Handicap

Tonight was the last winter handicap for the season.  My start time had changed again and this time I was starting off at 3 minutes. So this time there was 5 of us and I was starting with Tash, Kirsty, Ray and Paul. It was quite tight at the start as we couldn't break away as there wasn't enough room.  Kirsty managed to break away first and then I got past Tash.  Then Ray and Paul caught up and overtook.  It wasn't long before Tash caught me and overtook.  I had managed to keep just behind Tash and on the hill Tash and I was closing the gap on Kirsty.  When we got to Grimston Avenue I had managed to get past Tash. Tash has had back trouble and could see she was in discomfort with it and asked if she was ok.  Leah soon caught me and overtook.  On the last stretch round I was running hard and was starting to feel a little sick but I was ok.  Got another PB, this time was 31 seconds quicker and from the handicap from October 11, I have improved by 2.49.

Splits 7:46, 8:54, 8:14, 8:16, 7:42
Time 36:17
Distance 4.40

October 11 Splits 8:01, 9:53, 9:13, 9:01, 7:50 so there is a definite improvement.  I looked back when I did my first handicap in January 2010 and my time was 45.07, a big improvement.

4 steady miles

Tonight I had Ian's company on my 4 mile route from the gym.  Kept it nice and steady as it is the Winter Handicap tomorrow.

Splits 10:09, 10:28, 10:05. 10:21

5 miles in the countryside

This morning I went out for a steady run with Ian.  Ian didn't fancy the seafront so he took me out in the sticks. On our to finding somewhere to run, we came across Dave who was out running.  We ended up in Rhodes Minnis and did a gentle 5 miles.

My legs felt fine today and didn't even ache from yesterday. The recovery drink certainly helps.

Splits 10:04, 10:05, 9:51, 10:10, 9:45
Time 49:53

Distance covered this week 41.61

17 miles

I went out for a long with Ian this morning.  We were running into the wind and this carried on for about 10 miles.  I changed the route slightly, instead of going down Horn Street, we went along Church Road and through the Army Barracks and went down Hospital Hill.  We went as far as the first bridge along the canal plus half a mile before turning back.  When we got onto the seafront we finally had the wind behind us which gave me a little nudge. When we reached 15 miles, it was 2.19.11 and my 15 mile run a couple of weeks ago was 2.20.53, a little bit quicker.

I had a good run today and felt strong.  The pace was comfortable and even had some sub 9 min miles. Zig Zag path is always a killer at the end, if it wasn't for that I could of carried on for a bit longer at the same pace.

Splits 9:49, 9:45, 9:41, 9:33, 9:15, 8:54, 9:13, 9:13, 9:13, 9:09, 8:58, 9:26, 9:06, 8:59, 9:01, 9:13, 11:10
Time 2:39.36

Club night

We did the warm up to the Leas and my legs were feeling tired for some reason. Did dynamic stretches.  The session was 10 x 1 min with 1 min recovery and 10 x 30 sec with 30 sec recovery. We did half going down the leas and the other half going up the Leas.

Splits downhill 7.11, 7.07,7.07, 7.04, 7.13

         uphill      7.04, 7.15, 7.02, 7.08, 7.13

downhill 6:47, 6:52, 6:35, 7:01,6:57

uphill      7:14,6:45, 6:58, 7:34, 7:11

My legs soon woke up when we did the session and felt fine.  Just needed to be woken up.  Whilst doing the reps, we had formed two groups and for each rep we managed to stick together which was good.  I was pleased with the session tonight as the reps were fairly consistent with each other. 

Distance 5.85

Time 1.07.58

Sports massage and 3 mile run

I had the day off today and this morning I had a sports massage on my legs and back.  I was told that I had good strong leg muscles which were a little tight. My shoulder was also tight which is from sitting at a computer all day.

I went out for a 3 mile gentle run along the seafront.

Splits 10:7, 10:19, 10:27
Time 30.52

Club night - something different

Gym session early afternoon.

Tonight's session we did something different. It was a 2 mile warm up to the Leas starting at McDonalds. Running a mile up, then down and then up.  The idea was to run at a fairly comfortable pace and to be consistent. Tash and I used our long run pace as a guide to stick to.  Then 2 mile warm down back to the club.  My lap button automatically laps at a mile.  The stretch was slightly over a mile so on the first 1 mile up, the lap function was used twice. So after that we turned around exactly after a mile. Enjoyed tonights session, a change to do something different.

Splits 9:26, 9:22, 9:37
Distance 6.84
Time 1.09.53

4 steady miles

We have had a bit of rain this afternoon so it has cleared a lot of the snow but there were some icy patches I had to watch out for. I did my usual 4 mile route from the gym. Legs were a little achy but loosened towards towards the end of the run.

Splits 10:00, 10:39, 10:17, 10:16
Time 41:11

Deal Half got cancelled - 15 miles instead

This morning I set off with Ian to Deal to do the Half Marathon. Just before I left I went on fb and it was reported that it was snowing in the Dover/Thanet area so I thought great as we were heading in that direction.  Just before we arrived it started to snow and by the time we reached the carpark it was heavy snow which was laying!!  We went inside to find out what was going on and they said it was still going ahead and will decide a bit later. We went back to the car to keep warm.  By this point the carpark and cars were covered in snow.  A little while later they decided to call it off as it was too dangerous.  Especially when there are still icy patches which are now covered in snow which you wouldn't be able to see.  So we headed back to Folkestone and decided to run 15 miles instead.

Stephen also joined us but he ended up pulling out after two miles as it was icy in places.  So me and Ian carried on and the paths were getting better with Cheriton High Street being completely cleared.  We ran in the road down Horn Street.  Again Seabrook Road was cleared and Hythe High Street. We then went along the canal past the Light Railway which was covered in snow but it was ok.  We turned back and we ran along the seafront which was previously clear was now covered in snow.  There must of been a fishing competition as there were so many fishermen out in their tents! As we turned back and went past the lifts we saw Julie and gave a wave.

The first few miles were slow due to the snow and ice but once we got to Cheriton High Street we picked up speed and for the rest of the way we were fairly quick considering the conditions.  I was glad we were able to run that far today.

Splits 9:49, 10:11, 10:08, 9:59, 9:02, 9:20, 9:38, 9:38, 9:20, 9:15, 9:15, 9:14, 9:33, 9:29, 11:04
Time 2.24.53

Distance covered this week 41.22

Spinning

4 mile run

The new trainers went on today.  I thought I would try them out as I am not going to run far. What a nice sunny day it is today. I went out and did a steady 4 mile run with Ian along the seafront.  Kept it steady as I am running Deal Half tomorrow. It was clear from the ice which was good.

Splits 9:33, 9:50, 9:43, 10:49
Time 39:55

Club night - another session on the snowy field

We went on the field again tonight as it is still icy.  We did 2 laps of the field as warm up and then did 3 mins, 2 mins and 1 min with 1 minute recovery x 2. Then 2 laps warm down

Splits 8:50, 9:00, 8:50,9:23, 9:23, 8:31
Time 50:08
Distance 3.11

12 mins hard to see how far I get

Its that time of the month again to run for 12 minutes to see how far I get.  This time I changed my route as I would normally do this in Ashford.  It is still very icy on the paths and too dangerous to run flat out.  So I decided to go to the seafront by the Imperial as I know it is totally clear there and would be safe.  It was windy today which was blowing into me sideways and head on but had to put up with it as it is the only safe place. Also there was the cold air.

I was a little slower today and didn't get quite as far as last time and managed to get 1.44 miles. Never mind. Then I jogged back to my car.

Splits 8.22, 8:20

Club night in the snow

Tonight we did our session on the field as it is icy out and too dangerous to run on the road. We ran one lap as warm up and did dynamic stretches. We did 8 x 2 minutes with 1 min recovery followed by 4 x 1 minutes with 30 sec recovery.

Splits 9:38, 10:13, 9:53, 10:29, 10:05, 10:16, 11:14, 10:05
Was hard running on the field, it was like doing cross country.

Splits 9:13, 9:23, 9:26, 9:26

Distance 3.23
Time 42:42

13 miles in the snow

We have had snow over the weekend and today I have the day off.  The plan was to run 13 miles.  So I thought I give it a go and see if it was possible to run in the snow and if not turn back.  I did my usual 13 mile route to the light railway.  It wasn't too bad, I was watching where I was going and tried to run in the snow rather than through the slush or on ice. The worst bits were crossing roads where it was particularly slushy. Cheriton High Street, there was a clear path and when I got onto Horn Street, I decided to run in the road which was safer. I continued to do this when I got on Seabrook Road and just got back on the path when there were cars coming.  Going through Hythe High Street, again the paths were clear and then running along the seafront from Hythe Imperial there was no snow and was then able to pick up some speed all the way along. Whilst running along the seafront I saw Chris who was on his bike and we had a quick chat. Running through the snow I got very wet feet!!!!

Splits 10:57, 11:01. 10:30, 10:55, 9:12, 9:33, 9:51, 9:58, 9:25, 9:16, 9:21, 9:36, 11:32

Time 2:11:06

I have now hit 300 miles since the start of my training!!

I went for a jacuzzi afterwards to warm up. It was hotter than normal today and I spent a bit too long in it. As when I got out I got dizzy and lightheaded and I was on my way to passing out.  Luckily I was able to sit down to let it pass without me keeling over. 

This morning I am travelling to Truro for the weekend. I was planning on running 6 miles this morning before I go but it has turned so bitterly cold I just couldn't face it, so I didn't bother and thought 3 days rest will do me good.

Distance covered this week 29.21

Club night - hill reps

Tonight we did the warm up to hill rep hill and at the bottom we did dynamic stretches at the bottom of the hill. We had to run for 20 minutes starting half way up the hill and continued to about 100 metres after the top of the hill.

7:35, 7:44, 8:19, 8:17, 8:51, 8:30, 8:51

Then 5 down hills 8:51, 7:04, 7:19, 6:57

Distance 6 miles

4 miles bitterly cold wind

I finished work early today and ran in the daylight from the gym.  The plan was to run 6 miles but it was so bitterly cold with the wind and I decided only to run 4 miles.  I also had a cold and didn't want to push it too.

Splits 9:25, 10:11, 9:56, 10:14
Time 39:45