Theresas training

So somehow, Jane manage to talk me into running The Mighty Deerstalker at the last minute.  Just the 5km we were running, with only 3 bits of water to run through - couldn't be that bad could it? Well given that neither myself, Jane or Ian could walk for about a week after the run itself and I was using the tried and tested method of going downstairs backwards - obviously there was something challenging about the run itself!

The 5km started in the daylight at 2pm, with a large gathering of country gentry at the start line and a smattering of fancy dress.  I stuck to old running clothes as my preferred option for running - but seemed that some of the runners had hatched a cunning plan as things such as masks and snorkels came in handy for them later on in the race.  We started by a 200m run up a field to a hay bale wall which we had to climb over - at the same time as the rest of the country gentry.....which made it more challenging than it should have been! 

On a bit to the ponds, all nicely stagnant and full of frogs and toads.  Lovely.  Janie got stuck and was pulled out by what I thought was a helpful marshal, although don't think Jane enjoyed flying through the pond on her stomach!  Up to the top of the hill following mountain bike tracks, going up some balance beams and under a net before then being able to come back down the hill again.   Phew!  Or so I thought..... Going down was at least as hard as going up.  Some nice obstacles to climb over and under on the way... with a net to climb under at the end before hitting some road to run along.  Road? Whats that all about.  Far too normal for a race like this.  The along grassy path, through a river, then a tunnel full of freezing cold not so fresh water to the waste, with a funny gate to help us climb out.  Then I can't truly remember - there was more stagnant water, more fresh water, a hill, a tunnel we had to crawl through, a net to crawl
under and finally the finish line.  Approx 1hr40mins after the start.  And there were another 170 behind us!!!  Thats some 5km if you ask me - crawling a whole 5km would be quiker!  Interestingly the GPS measured it just shy of 6 miles....which sounds a bit closer to the truth!

Mad man Ian ran the 10km - goodness knows what length that race really is!  He did all the same as us plus a big scree slope to run up and down.  Oh yeah - and most of it he ran in the dark with a head torch on.  Mental.  And somehow, despite all that, he came 10th!  an achievement - helped only by the fact he cheated by avoiding some of the early ponds, running round them rather than through - a bit girly if you ask me!

I expect to see all club runners there next year!  Just watch the stairs for the week after......

Have spent this afternoon a bit frustrated at my pc - had to watch new york marathon on the computer as a live feed from new york as the british tele had to show really important rugby, darts and rally driving.  It was worth it though to see Paula win - think she did a slower time than her previous two wins at new york but managed an impressive negative split (approx 1hour 13 and then 1hour 10).  Last week I saw her win impressively at the Great South run - and that was shown on channel 5.  No wonder nobody gets into running if they only show it on the telly 2 a year outside of olympics/world championships.  Football is on every other day year round!  Anyway was mildly disappointed that Paula missed a world best at the great south run, by about 20 seconds, and a course record by about 10 seconds.  Just a little bit more push...... I s'pose she did at least get a new British record....

So, apart from watching those much faster than myself....what have I been doing? well analysing my fellow club members running styles seems to be one of my favourite past times at the mo.....although for some reason Stuart seems upset with his comparison to Banana man.  I don't know why.  Secretly I think he's pleased someone has likened him to a superhero....and I'm sure he'll eat a lot of bananas too as a runner.  If he doesn't want to be likened to banana man he'll need to stop running with a big puffed out chest.....

And Ian Sills - everyone else knew what I meant when I said he runs like a gorilla!  Big arms swinging as he runs.  I'm not dissing either of their styles - it seems to work for both of them!  Now I just need to figure out the rest.....

Running wise I've been out and about.  Town runs, intervals yawn yawn yawn.  Went out a week ago on Saturday in gail force winds.  Lovely 6 miles into the wind, turn around and the wind turns around with you.  How annoying!  Went out with Sheila M and Val that day.  Head down into the wind.  I had the advantage in the windy bits - they were too light and just got blown backwards.....and then there was more of me to catch the wind when it finally was behind us to get a bit of a push along!  

Last monday we decided to shake up the jog scotland group a bit as they were getting a bit too relaxed and cosy... we did this thing where you run in line with the person at the back running to the front and setting the pace, and then the next person at the back running to the front and setting the pace and so on.  This led to a fast pace though as you had to sprint to get to the front, and once there seemed to keep a faster pace going.  We then did loops of west barns as hill training, with a run up the back road as the final hill.  The best did 5 laps of west barns and the rest of us (me included!) did 4.5 laps of west barns.  No easy feat really!!!!

And then yesterday did a bit of a trek with Sheila K up to Spott, round by the ford and onto pitcox, down through the secret garden and some of the paths near Biel, and back through john muir country park.  Turned into a bit of an epic but needed to up the mileage a bit anyway.

I'm off to figure out who Ian R, Frank and the rest run like....back soon.
T 

well that's a new excuse anyway for not writing for so long.
Been doing lots of races recently and most of them going ok/well and loads better than this time last year!  Will try to give some update on the most exciting bits......

just after my last update we did the Cafraemill to Gifford run.  Sheila, Jane and I all left early to ensure that we could finish before it was totally dark.  Felt loads better running without knowing I was wayyyyy behind all the others.  Good being in front.  Must say quite rude of Ian to run past us before the end - Brian Marshall showed much better manners by letting us finish first.  (in saying that he was about 45 ish minutes before us if you look at the times we all finished).  Time for a shower a bit of a disappointing tea - if you've read Stuart's blog I had the same potentially canned spaghetti with tomato sauce.  Some onion and cheese would have helped slightly.  Also main course + pudding.  I don't know but would much prefer more savoury food especially after a long run like that. 

Then had a bit of a run around Grantown that weekend - had taken Brian away for a night or two for his birthday treat.  Some fishing for him, some running for me, lots of food and lots of watching the Olympics for me.  (So much so that our room didn't get serviced as I don't think I left it for long enough!!!!  that was the weekend of lots of rowing and cycling medals though.)

Final summer series race on 19th August - not too far behind Sheila M which is my usual measure of how I'm running.  Sandra bet us both though!

On the sunday 24th Sheila M and I ran from Tyninghame and ran along up and over Traprain Law.  All because Frank wouldn't stop saying on the bus back from Braemar that Traprain was easier than Braemar.  (after a few beers).  I beg to differ.  There is no way I could run all that way.  Think the hills are defo harder. 

The next Sunday 31st August Sheila M and I did another long one.  Sheila moaned less than she had when I took her up Traprain. A little bit less anyway.

And then - the reason for the long runs - Glasgow Half Marathon on 7th September.  My first half marathon this year.  My first half marathon since the disasters which were Aviemore and Jedburgh last year which where by two slowest halfs (or is that halves?)  ever.  Wierd year 2007 - 2 fastest halfs/halves/whatever and the two slowest!  anyway luckily managed to follow Sheila round and did the route in 2.04.31.  A good bit faster than those worst halfs (somewhere halfway between the best and the worst - in fact closer to the best so I was pleased).

Followed by Stirling 10k on 14th September.  My best 10k for a while too - the only one under 55mins this year and managed to beat Sheila.  Although she wasn't feeling so well and probably still recovering from last week.  I was pleased with my time - 54.16.  Yeah. Good route, flat but scenic.  Felt fast too.  Brian did this one and got a pb.

Then Thirlestane 5 mile on the 21st - really like this run and the mix of on and off road.  Shame about the sheep shit.  Especially on new shoes.  Anyway = did 45.52 and think it was about a minute faster than last year (or so).  So going the right way.  Also felt good most of the way - mentally and physically. Another pb for Brian (surprise surprise)

Then Norham 10k on 28th - had managed to do some mental prep in advance to tell myself that it wasn't that hilly/undulating etc.  Started ok - althougth Sheila was off ahead by the 1 mile marker and Jane overtook somewhere between 1 and 2.  Managed 56.02 and was mildly disappointed as I was trying so hard to get 55 something, but equally was about a minute faster than last year (unlike Stuart et al).  Sheila 53.45 so she was about a minute faster than she had been in Stirling - I think she's better at these wee hilly courses.....  My back was sore at this one - my lower back/pelvis was out of alignment but didn't seem to bother me too much in the race which is a good thing. No pb for Brian but no surprise as he last set one for this distance two weeks ago on a flat as a pancake course.  He was only a few seconds off though......

Since then I had a lower mileage week, watched the Great North Run (glued to the screen to see how Jo Pavey would do), done a few flat runs through John Muir and round the farms, and also a couple of mental hilly runs up the Brunt/Daniels Brae etc etc

And today - did 10k in Scone in Perth.  Man it was hard.  Think I maybe wasn't mentally in the right place for a race, and also found the multi terrain difficult - the grass was fine, the mud ok but the lumpy stoney bits with pot holes hurt my wee gentle feet.  Anyway at points I thought I'd be doing well to get under an hour so actually was quite pleased with the 57mins dead I got at the end.  Brian as ever only a few seconds off his pb. Which on a flat road race would probably = a pb......

So thought maybe the blogging was a jinx on my times - they improved when I took a long break.  However.....didn't work today so thought that couldn't be the reason! 

Today is Amsterdam - have spied the times on the web already - well done to all!

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well can't even remember what I've to say but since the last time I've written I've achieved a few firsts:
first adventure race
first run where you have to run through rivers
first run where you have to run through thigh high mud
first heptathlon (same as first adventure race but actually giving credit for all the different skills used - hiking, swimming, fence climbing, mud bathing, hurdling (obstacle avoidance), rock climbing, and running!)
first race where I've come last
first race where I didn't actually try to race (I enjoyed it - funny that)
and first race of 12k which = pb!!!!  and given that the pb is over 1 hour and 50, shouldn't be too hard to get another pb at that distance!!!!

So, yeah - have a look at the photos on the running club website.  Braemar was something else.  Managed to persuade Brian it was a good idea.  Was not in a good place when Jane didn't turn up for the bus in Dunbar as everyone else going was going to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay faster than me.  But phew, they met us in Perth.  Jane and I ran together and didn't attempt to race.  If so, no doubt I would have hated it, got an injury, had a stitch most of the way, fallen about a million times, and at best finished a maximum of 5 minutes faster.   Given it took us 55 mins to do our first 4km we did well on the second 8 I feel.  Hilarious.  Couldn't stop laughing.  Especially when I splattered mud all over myself which Jane kindly helped me wipe off, otherwise I'd have been mistaken for a very large dalmation.  Hmmmm.
And since then on nearly every run I've done I think that I've been in training for the next adventure race.  Take last Thursday nights intervals for instance.  As the pitch was flooded someone decided it would be a good idea to do intervals on the beach.  I asked the question as to whether the beach was dry (meaning was the tide in/out/had it just gone out and left big puddles) to which everyone looked at me as if I was stupid.  But.....very clever question actually.  Tide was in and coming in more, big metal bridge was impassable.  So we ran across the salt marsh (the clue there is in the name - it's marshy in dry whether never mind following the monsoon rain we've been having).  So after running through some more little rivers (jumping just wasn't working) I got to the beach eventually.  Did one interval and decided it was a bad idea as my hamstring was niggling and then ran back to Halhill.  Daft. 
Hamstring pain came on in Musselburgh Summer Series race last Tuesday.  Nothing serious and have had a massage already.  Massage found many painful points, so will have to go back for follow up soon I fear.  ITB sore, quads bad, calves bad and glutes very very bad.  Must be using these muscles sometime then?   Did ok in the summer series but not as well as i'd have liked.  Although I passed 3 people and any time I pass anyone it's a miracle.  Just a shame about the 7 or so who passed me. 
Was out a week ago on the Saturday on what was meant to be a long run (think I did about 11 or 12 though) but struggled with it.  First hour was fine but sticky and muggy heat.  I feel that takes it out of you.  Plus I met Fiona and stopped for a 10 minute chat which I'm sure didn't help.  Anyway could hear the thunder over Haddington/North Berwick direction when I still had 3-4 miles to go and started to panic.  Had planned on going back over Doon Hill but didn't fancy getting struck by lightening so changed my plan and trecked through the jungle that is the path from the bottom of Doon Hill to Pinkerton.  Big mistake.  Would have been quicker running up any hill - even Starvation Brae.
On that note I tried starvation brae.  Ran for 2.5 mins and stopped.  When I could breathe again I did another 2.5mins.  Then a final minute and I was at the top.  My legs had gone all wobbly - like they used to when I sprinted in swimming and couldn't walk when I got out of the pool.  Disastrous.  Can't believe people can run all the way, and keep going.  Mad people like Anne and Clarissa who run up it for fun on a club night. 
So in between crappy wet weather, there has been muggy, sticky, nasty weather.  No decent running weather really.  So not really any decent running.  Well apart from Musselburgh 10km.  Where I did 52.55 which is only about 3-4 seconds off the pb.  Although most people got pbs.  And big ones.  Which leads to the usual it was short (with 2x GPS telling you that).  Quite like my dads view - a trundle wheel will be more accurate than GPS so lets count it as a 10km!
Anyway a bit of a ramble but thought no point in telling you about all the sweaty runs in hot sticky whether where I walked up hills.  Best keep the excitement for the next episode.................

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cos it's been ages and ages yet again.
Have i got a good reason? not really.  But didn't want to jinx anything cos................yup the running has been getting better.......long may it continue!
Key highlights of recent month (or so)
Dechmont Law 10km race - second time I've done this one and really enjoy it.  Think it's my favourite 10km. All run on trails and track, with a bit of a looped course but not annoying in the least.  Smallish field, bit cramped at times but really nice to run on something other than road and pavement and with the scenery not including houses.  Anyway did 55.45 official which was a couple of minutes slower than last year but probably the best 10km time I'd run since about July/August last year.  (well I was so hacked off after Glasgow 10km last year that I didn't even write the time in my log so guess it could still be quicker).  I'm waiting for Sheila and I to get a call about our indecent exposure - we needed to utilise some outdoor space pre run, as all runners do, but we were a bit close to some CCTV cameras at the time......
The day after Dechmont I ran with Sheila - she needed to do a long one before the Barrathon.  We did a lovely 12/13 mile loop that I had planned.  With a few hills but not as bad as I could have made it.  Good plan though as Sheila's slow pace is still faster than mine so I think I was working even harder.  Once finished I shovelled in some food as Sheila got changes and then I ran 5 miles with her middle Jog Scotland group.  I am so amazed that I managed it. 
Peebles 10km race - I find this one tough - no idea why.  Think it's because of the small field again and the fact I come somewhere near the back.  Anyway did 55.11 so faster than the week before and less than a minute slower than last year.  Also all of the ks where under 5.50 and with the exception of two the rest were under 5.40.  Very tired at the end.  Although whoever is updating the club championships better update my points - I get 4 for this as Mary was the only other Dunbar woman running.
Did the Mussleburgh summer series.  Twas hard work.  Bit slower than last year but not tooooooo bad.  30 secs or so. 
East Kilbride 10km race - the overall time was annoyingly disappointing.  The last two km's were crap but the rest of the race went very well so have to be please overall.  First km was slow as bunched up and hard to navigate round folks but after than was running under 5.30kms until midway (at which point I caught Sheila up and was feeling pretty good) and then it went a wee bit pete tong but still on for a good time until 8kms where a 1km long hill really tired me and made my km time go up to 6.30.  Eeeeek.  Anyway did just over 57 overall so not so bad I guess.  Please with the time up to 5 miles anyway as was under 45 mins. 
Did the 5km in the park with Sheila and her jog scotland mob.  Although less said the better I think!  I arrived in the park in my work clothes with about 20 mins until the start of the race, still needing to get my race number and chip and put my bag in and go to the toilet.  Not so good really.  Never rely on trains.  Never.  Had to do a bit of a striptease in the park (seem to be making a habit of this indecent exposure malarkey) and thought I might get in trouble as the police were standing watching me getting changed.  Had to improvise on the toilet point too.  Was a tad stressed when starting so lucky I finished as I did.  km times all ok (under 5.20) except the 4th one as I lost it a bit mentally at that point.  Never mind though.....still did about the same time as I did 2/3 years ago when I last ran this one. 
Last Sat was very warm and muggy so really struggled.  Had also decided on a not so easy route taking in Brunt hill, down to the ford at woodhall dean and up the other side and then running on to Thornton via Innerwick.  Got caught my Anne and Stuart stopped halfway up a hill. 
Anyway am persuading Brian to give it all a go again.  He's a natural.  Last Sunday I took him on a route that went halfway up the Brunt round towards Brunt house and over the Brunt hill via grass path and he managed the whole thing fine.  Hmmmmm.  I found it hard and I've been running it for ages.....
Did the Longniddry summer series on Tuesday - good route, haven't run it before which always helps.  Very warm and muggy so felt crap at the end but overall pretty pleased with my time and performance.
And today did 13 miles, with hills and felt ok for most of it.  Physically good until about 12 miles. Then v tired.  Mentally hated the bit from about 11 - had to go down to civilisation and run near cars and people.  I hate that.  Not what running in the country is all about at all.......

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So Stuart can train for a marathon, work in Glasgow and update his blog everyday.  I manage to update it every 3 weeks or so.......but I s'pose the last time I updated it, I did 3 in one day!
Nothing exciting has happened since then really - no unexpected bat girls flying past, no cat women scratching.....hmmmm just gone straight back to normality.  Normality which is now sleep, travel, eat, work, eat, travel, run, eat, sleep.....
Managed to fit a race in last week - the Glasgow Women's 10km.  Had to do a bit of psychological prep as I knew it wasn't going to be a good race, and also knew that last year I had a very good race so always a difficult one to deal with.  But I kept telling myself the important thing was to enjoy it, get round, time not important la la la la la.  Yeah right.  Enjoy it? Well I say I did now, but ask me at the time I was running and I think you might have got a different response.  Must say I did enjoy the goody bag.  Some quite large bag of chocolatey cornflake bits with cranberries and apple chunks, the obligatory tunnocks caramel wafer (always in Glasgow do you get your caramel wafer), banana (which did for breakfast the next day) and some oat bar that never quite got finished.  Felt a bit crappy afterwards which I take as a good sign that I tried hard, but a bad sign as my time wasn't so hot.  Major goal was to get under the hour - which I
did.  The real goal was 55 mins though, which I didn't.  Haven't managed under 55 in about a year now.  Dunno where the training is going wrong but will need to keep working at it.  Managed under 57 which doesn't sound so bad, although is nearly 4 mins slower than last year, which then equates to quite a lot a mile (more than Stuarts second for sure!).
Other than that I've been slowly building my miles and on Saturday there I went out on an epic hilly adventure.  Up the brunt, down to Spott, up Daniel's Brae, round the Pleasance, back up the hill in the field near the red chimney (with the usual couple of walking bits) and then up and over Doon hill.  Pretty pleased but took it at a pace I knew I could keep up at.  Made it up Daniel's Brae - not a pleasant experience but once over the top and round the bend there I got my reward.  A fox in the middle of the road.  Cool.  It's been ages since I last saw a fox.  I'm easy pleased.......
Although Sunday went out for a wee trot in John Muir with Sheila K and struggled with the breathing to begin with.  Here's hoping that's not a result of my run round many rape fields the day before......might need to start measuring my breathing again to see if there is a pollen issue going on......
Anyway best go as have some more crappy telly to watch - so important you know.  Quite into this online demand telly - watch what you want when you want to, rather than someone telling you what you can watch at any one time.  It's great - just log on and you can watch as many old episodes of house hunting programmes, drama or comedy.  Guess where some of my precious time is going rather than blog updating then!

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In response to Stuart's comment - "getting married for about 3 weeks" - that's not much commitment is it? I must disagree - bet he didn't spend 3 weeks getting married - that's some party!  Am still married so...............made it 2 months so far!  Good commitment.  Shame the 11 and a half years before the wedding don't count anymore.....................

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Totally forgot to mention the other highlight of the past month - Hannah's hen party.  A couple of us headed up to Edinburgh to partake of some cocktails and saving off the world.  The theme was superheroes and villains but think that we were all superheroes.  The run down goes something like - two batgirls, one with a very short black batgirl dress and Jenny in her purple lycra, a few cat woman with Anne also a catwoman in her black shiny lycra, one supergirl - Hannah the hen herself with a tiny crop top and tiny skirt - lovely!.  Two wonder women - the bridesmaids but not planned that way.  One welsh superheroe type, and one 60's superheroe type and one Lara Croft (that was me, lacking inspiration had to figure out what I had in the house I could use.  Luckily had a water pistol from a previous hen night and could use one of my running water belts to help the costume out.  Although overall I feel Jenny should get the prize for the best outfit
overall as purple bat girl from the 60s with proper bat mask with proper bat ears, and she truly had been practising with her cape and had the swish just perfect - very impressive!!!! 

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we'll it's been a while and I'm getting a bit of stick about my lack of updates.  No wonder.  Haven't written anything 5th April!!!!  Well had another sort of wedding to plan so thats my main excuse.  And getting back into the work thing.  And that the weather has been a bit depressing until the past week or so where everything has got a bit warmer.......
so the running has been hard since returning from my honeymoon.  Not so sure what's happened but seem to have lost any small amount of ability I have.  I've struggled on and today managed to run 10 miles (running my usual ish speed rather than dragging my feet around) and it was warm.  Lovely run through John Muir and along the Tyne, along past Knowes and over old A1 up towards Biel Burn and round a loop to Beesknowe and down to Tynefield and back through John Muir.  Very warm & drank loads.  And even more when I got home.  Soooooo thirsty.  Glad I managed to get round in one and felt ok most of the way - big improvement on previous long runs!  Did 10 miles last Saturday too, but did 4 to pick up Sheila Kerr and then we went 6, but had a couple of walk breaks.  Including that hill in the field nearby me which gets me every time (well everytime apart from about 3).  Did a couple of 9 milers/9.5 milers previously too - some ok, some felt dead
hard.  Hopefully will be able to go up now to above 10 miles - mentally that would be a boost.
Key highlights so far in the past month - running wise - ran 6 mile loop last week marginally faster than I did in marathon training 2 years ago and felt good and that could have gone a bit faster.  Ran loop on Tuesday at club reasonably fast and kept it going for the full 5.5 miles.....(I think though not totally sure of the distance).   Ran some fast 300m and 200m in the last couple of interval sessions I've been to.  Have helped out a couple of times at JogScotland - it's good fun too, no pressure at all and you stretch your legs.  Orthotic thingys seem to be going ok - toe not quite so sore but still getting a bit of pain, generally after I run and not before. 
And then the party...it was fab.  Lots of booze.  And some food.  I had a great time - Nether Abbey in North Berwick.  Will definately be heading back there - we had a great night and the rooms were great too.  Some of the gang were there too and seemed to enjoy the booze and food stuffs.
Now I need to get the thank you cards organised and sent out to all - we are just about there with that. And the garden improvements are going well.  I'm picking the plants and Brian is planting them all.  that's my kind of gardening..........
So guess I'd really better start updating more often - only problem is prizing Brian off the computer as I'm sure he's now addicted to various different forums and websites (all fishing related and nothing dodgy - honest!)

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