Theresas training

hence the lack of writing for the past week even though I've been back at home.... anyway have certainly been on holiday mode this week, although think I'm doing quite well. Washing basket is only full, not over flowing. And managed to do the housework today (although it did really really need doing - had a whole spare cat's worth of cat hair on our living room rug - let me know if you see any naked cats around as I think I could help them out!)

Anyway, was in sunny ole France whilst the whether in Britain has not really been great. Went away in a big group of folk and did some cool stuff whilst there - included eating a lot of bread, cheese, croissants, pain au chocolat, cheese, bread etc. Did manage to keep up the running - did 7 runs in the fortnight I was there, just to keep ticking over did about an hour a time (very slowly though). Managed to cajole Brian into keeping me company on 3 of those - although he didn't half moan a lot. Annoying but - he hadn't run since the Haddington five mile race and then kept up for about 6.5 miles in pretty warm weather, including quite a stretch on the beach. Pain he is!

We were lucky in the area we were in - near the beach so could run along it. So much better that other beaches I've run along - this was hard and flat, without those annoying rimples you get that hurt your feet on some beaches. Better than running on road for sure. Also found a nice wee trail in some trees that must have been just over 3 miles that we ran along a couple of times. There were loads and loads and loads of cyclists. Not just your ordinary little family of people out for a wee cycle on a sunday but groups of fully lycra clad, professional looking folks practising for the next tour. Bizarre. A few runners as well though. The abundance of cyclists meant that there was of course an abundance of nice, smooth cycle paths everywhere. Fantastic for runners - you just need to keep your wits about you a bit!

Anyway - important notes for anyone else going to France in the near future:
1 watch your feet - you thought Dunbar was bad for dog shit? you ain't seen nothing yet. There is poo everywhere! The pavements are actually just paved with it!
2 you sometimes get to pay extra to eat your food outside? amazing huh - check the menu.
3 doesn't really matter what you eat or where - you will be surrounded by smokers who will breathe their smoke over you all the time
4 if you are vegetarian - hope you like omelette, chips, cheese and bread. Although did manage to have a fantastic couple of salads when I was out...
everything is served with chips, everything
5 the pancakes are to die for - have them just with sugar. or get one of those alcoholic ones that they set light to at your table. They look cool.
6 if getting a train from a non-major train station make sure you check all the wee notes in the timetable. Or better still ask the person at the kiosk lots of questions about trains there and back - this will ensure that you don't attempt to catch the last train only to find out it's not going your way because its not a sunday or a fete day. the seem to have some bizarre ideas about when they run their trains!
7 go to Euro Disney if you can - I so need to go back
8 don't buy expensive wine - the cheap stuff tastes just as good
9 get proper french chocolate - preferably go to see the factory (counts as sight seeing) and buy some afterwards (counts as a souvenir)

Won't say much about the running since I've been back - clearly not a lot to tell! Last week was dead chuffed as ran for about 10 miles (longest I'd run for about 3 weeks) and managed to run up all the hills on quite a hilly route. Fab I thought. (From Knowes, up across old a1, by Biel, up the hill at Biel and along to Pitcox, up the hill at Findlay's spring water (the worst ever I think) down to second ford and up hill towards Spott, up house at red chimney and up hill in field and finally up the hill to my house. Wow. Great. Monday night went to Pilates but unfortunately my instructor didn't so thought I'd head out for another run - again made it up the hills. Ran up towards Doon Hill, round the back and up to the top of the Brunt and then back down to the house.

Then club on Tuesday - think Val was on a mission. The try to tire Theresa out mission. Man I think she nearly killed me. Ran through John Muir but it felt pretty fast to me! and that was Val out for an easy run. She thinks it was down to my just coming back from holiday - very nice of her to say so.....then sandwiches and pizza. Yum. Wednesday Val and I spectated at North Berwick Law race - fab. It's such a good race to watch and cheer all the club on. Funnily one of my friends at work ran it for the first time, loved it and ran a good time. But had great difficulty walking on Thursday and Friday - especially negotiating the stairs!

Thursday, unfortunately had to go out for a meal in Edinburgh instead of managing to do intervals. Shame.

And then today. The worst run in ages..... one of those where every footstep is hard work from beginning to end and your brain is busy telling you negative, can't be bothered type thoughts all the way. Should have cut back but didn't. Big mistake. Ran about 12 miles. (or about that time - could have been about 3 the speed I was going). Anyway got back just in time to catch the highlights of the Salford triathlon. That was the aim. Then carbo loaded - maybe my legs just didn't have enough fuel (ha - for those who know me, will figure out that that's unlikely to happen!!!!)

lets hope tomorrow is better!

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