Theresas training

My next run was on Tuesday 21st – too busy marshalling
the cross country on Sun 19th to fit a run in (well it
was a handy excuse).

Tuesday – club run about town. Ran with Sheila K and
Sheila M – we went down some slightly different
streets to try to make the run more interesting –
although I don’t think it worked! Both Sheila’s
decided I was being bossy as I tried to make them run
round West Barnes after the town – I was just using
some many tried and tested techniques they used to use
on me (such as “keep running and ignore her – she’ll
follow anyway). My influencing techniques failed me
though (probably because they were both wanting to go
back) and I couldn’t face the West Barnes mob on my
own so I added a wee loop up Countess Road and along
Spott Road, back down Kellie Road. Lovely…

Thursday 23rd – had the choice of 1200’s or 1600’s.
There’s no surprise in what I opted for….I went for
1200’s obviously. Due to the time delay we did finish
the 1200’s after those doing the 1600’s on many of
them…..It was a bad night – typically windy of a
Thursday track session. We got 9 minutes to do our
1200’s and only had to do 4, and even then it felt far
too difficult. On the third one we only did an 800,
but made up for it by doing the full 1600 at the end.
That took us just over 9 mins so we were right to go
for the 1200’s. After the session we had a bit of a
taster sports massage so I got my knees done again.
Think more drastic action might be required (although
unsure what). Sheila M had an unusual suggestion of
what to do with a golf ball – although not sure it
would be such a good idea.

Saturday 25th I went out for a light trot at 9am. A
beautiful day – you really appreciate running in
daylight during winter. I ran round the bottom of
Doon Hill, up behind Spott Farm, down Starvation Brae,
through Spott and down to the first ford and up
Daniel’s Brae. Had some amazing views out over
Belhaven Bay to Bass Rock, North Berwick Law and
along. The route was quite deserted and I was doing
well saying hello to anyone I did meet until Daniel’s
Brae – the guy I saw there just got a wave as I didn’t
dare waste any breathe when trying to get up that
hill! From there I ran down and along beside the A1
to Spott roundabout. I then managed to get a handy
lift (as we were a bit strapped for time before the
rugby) to Lauderdale park for a lovely cheese
scone……mmmm

Sunday 26th I went out early again but didn’t feel as
good as Saturday – it was windier too so running was
hard work. I did a bit of an uninspiring route round
the cement factory, down to Barns Ness Lighthouse,
along Whitesands and back home. Although dead proud
that I managed to run up my hill. First time I’ve
attempted it in ages, and after the undulating route
yesterday, including Daniel’s Brae….think I might be
getting back to normal. Although knees still
bothering me – clicking loads. I’m not doing well at
the squat/lunge routine. The last time I tried (Sat
18th) I could barely walk the next day. Although I
really don’t want to have to take time off so I’d
better start doing them again.

Tuesday 28th – town run again. The Christmas Lights
had been turned on, but Val and Hannah were going to
fast for me to even see them. (well it felt fast to
me, so maybe I’m not really getting back to normal!)

And finally – tonight. Intervals again. Although
quite enjoyed it as my choice was between 800s and
600s, I opted for the 600s as shorter is better as far
as I’m concerned. Doing better timewise than last
week – each 400m was under 2 mins, and the final
interval I did the 800m in 3min55 so quite happy with
that. Now I’m knackered and need to head off to
bed…….

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# posted by user : 2:48 PM  0 comments

Well back to normality I guess. After a nice week of
not running (but working out in the gym and pool at
Cardrona, Peebles, I had to get back to the task of
running.

My first run after the marathon was the rather
uninspiring run around town on Tuesday 7th November.
Fay and I were both late because of the trains, and I
had picked Sheila Kerr up so we headed out for a light
trot around Dunbar. We took it very easy as Fay had
been ill and Sheila has been on a boat for months, so
no running for her. We ran from Halhill, down to
Shore Road, up Back Road, along by the Harbour and
back via Countess Road to Halhill.

On Wednesday I did some lunges, squats and stretches
in the vague hope of sorting my knees out. Not
working – although my quads are painful for about 2
days after doing them so I guess there probably is a
muscle imbalance there somewhere….

Thursday the 9th I went to intervals – brave woman.
Did an easy session though – did 2x800m, 1x400m,
2x800m. Should have really been 5x1km, but timewise I
would have just had to have keep running round and
round. 800m was ok, but the 400m in the middle was
probably gave a nice breather…

Saturday the 11th I just did a wee 6 miler from East
Links car park through John Muir and cross over the A1
to Hedderwick/North Belton etc, coming back into John
Muir and back to the car.

And then….on Sunday for some reason I agreed to do the
Goat’s Gallop. Sheila M, Val, Fiona and I made the
sensible decision to set off 30 minutes earlier than
the rest of the crowd. Good move as this meant there
was no pressure to finish quickly and actually most of
the runners came in at around the same time. It also
allowed us to have a nice relaxing climb up the hill
and wander round the cairn to have a look at the
plaque. Lunch at Goblin Ha’ followed – good fun. We
were slower this year than last, but I definitely
enjoyed the experience a lot more.

Monday 13th – my first time back at pilates in ages.
Felt pretty tough – especially the plank and the inner
thigh manoeuvres.

Tuesday 14th – another town run. This time I did the
full effort – Halhill to West Barnes, looped round, up
Back Road, swimming pool, round harbour, along the
back roads to Walker Homes, round there and back onto
Spott road, down Kellie Road and back to Halhill.
Felt ok, although we weren’t going that fast. Could
feel pain in my stomach muscles all the way though –
pilates…..

Thursday 16th – intervals again. Well at least I’m
right back in there. This week was 6.5mins for each
interval and we had to choose between 800m or 1200m.
Val, Fiona and I opted for 800m until the last one
where we did the full 1200m. Wise choice considering
the leading men doing the full 1200m were only about
10-15 seconds behind us. Val was being a hard task
master too (and now I find out that she was sick all
week too!). Val kept making us take a second off the
first lap (ok so we started at 2:06 for the first one
and then 1:58, 1:57 and 1:56 for the next ones) but it
hopefully did me some good. I’m feeling quite
sluggish at present – feel like running marathon speed
(ie very slow) all the time!

And today – headed out with Sheila M and Val this am
to do a loop from Belhaven, through John Muir and over
A1 to Hedderwick, North Belton etc and back to John
Muir. We then crossed over to the beach to get back
over the bridge to Belhaven, although unfortunately
had to double back on ourselves as the bridge was
inaccessible – a bit of a bugger really. But we made
it in the end.

Have got my photos from Dublin – they are cool. Will
need to get together with Sheila to write the piece
for the club newsletter now.

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# posted by user : 8:51 AM  0 comments

Well I’ve just about recovered enough to write up the
more full entry than previous. Club was good on
Tuesday – Val had figured it out and looked up the
results so she knew by the time we got there. Anne
though was speechless (and for those of you who know
Anne, know that doesn’t happen often!!!). Sheila
brought along her pink bubbly for the evening and we
scoffed that down. Now for the run itself though…..

Sheila’s chip time was 4:35:20, completing the first
10km in 1:12:01, first half in 2:23:30. Think that
also means she ran a negative split – second half
being run in 2:11:50 if my maths is anything to go by.
She ran the whole way and felt not too bad after.
Pretty good considering she fell out the back door the
Wednesday before and twisted her ankle! She said she
had me and all my positive thoughts repeating through
her head all the way. Shame I seem to have misplaced
the positive thoughts. Anyway Sheila was 39th in her
category and 4967th overall.

As for me – I was 5379th overall. Ran the first 10km
in 1:10:12, first half in 2:21:20 and chip time was
4:44:00. (although I’m not sure about these splits –
think they must be from start time rather than time we
actually crossed in which would mean I did first 10km
in 1:04 ish and first half in 2:15 ish which ties in
more with my own records). Splits as follows:

Mile 1 – 10.24 (Sheila goes behind skip to pee)
Mile 2 – 10.24 (up hill)
Mile 3 – 10.01 (still sort off up hill, first water
stop, boys kick bottles across road)
Mile 4 – 9.44 (enter Phoenix Park)
Mile 5 – 10.03
Mile 6 – 10.24 (take gel, drink water, top up water
bottle)
Mile 7 – 10.00
Mile 8 – 9.35 (leave Phoenix Park)
Mile 9 – 10.19
Mile 10 – 10.01 (steep but short up hill bit)
Mile 11 – 10.06
Mile 12 – 10.42 (long draggy up hill, wind in face,
take 2nd gel, drink water, top up water

bottle)
Mile 13 – 11.01
Mile 14 – 10.45
Mile 15 – 10.21
Mile 16 – 10.55
Mile 17 – 10.46
Mile 18 – 10.56 (right knee starts to hurt behind
knee, Sheila catches up after
waterstation, we run
together for a bit. Take 3rd gel, drink water and
don’t top up water thing)
Mile 19 – 11.24 (send Sheila off on her own, have a
walk, feel knackered)
Mile 20 – 12.56 (have toilet stop (in a toilet unlike
Sheila), walk a bit, now its hot)
Mile 21 & 22 – 24.25. Works out at 12.13 each. (knees
hurt, nice man pats me on back
to keep me
going, lots of other people look as if they are in
agony
too, really
thirsty need water)
Mile 23 – 11.58 (right knee really starts to hurt – v
painful. Figure out I need to finish as
quickly as possible and only way to do that is to run
as much as possible.
Do a funny limpy hobble run for a bit)
Mile 24 – 12.35 (another hill (well a pimple but it
looks like a mountain at this stage)
more water – phew!)
Mile 25 – 10.59 (too many people around to walk)
Mile 26 – 11.18 (pain is nearly over!)
0.2 – 1.50 (that is definitely short – but I’m not
complaining!!!)

Only annoying part was no toilets near the start –
thank god for McDonalds. I will never slag them off
again.

Met lots of nice people before, during and after the
run. Lots of support on route, with kids hanging out
for runners to “High 5” them as they go past. Loads
of water and Gatorade stations, and portaloos on the
route. Funny though as every alley, road, skip or
tree for the first 10 miles seemed to have loads of
men down it peeing. Would have made for an
interesting photo!

Weather was good considering it was end of October –
well a bit too windy in some places and too warm in
others. I even managed to get sunburnt slightly.

After finishing it was really hard to walk back to the
B&B – we were half a mile max away from the finish and
it was tough going. I didn’t really feel like eating
afterwards (unusual considering the amount we ate in
the days preceeding!). Feet were sore – sort of
bruised feeling on the soles. Really felt it when in
the shower – the non slip markings were agony on the
feet. Anyway recovered pretty soon after demolishing
the finishing bag snickers and headed on out in our
“Finisher” t-shirts to get bladdered – only not so bad
as some we saw on the way home….

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# posted by user : 5:25 AM  0 comments