A rest is as good as a change

Both the whites and the light blues let me down badly that weekend. The whites had an awful game against Pompey. Only one change from the team that BEAT CHELSEA but they just looked like they couldn’t be bothered. So much is dependent on how ‘up for it’ a team is regardless of skill which is how we were able to beat a team of Chelsea’s ability in the first place.

Cambridge were poor as well. Never mind, always next year.

On the Monday I did the usual circuits class which was tough. Not sure why but whilst I found it rewarding it was very hard work. I did the usual 3 mile run on the Tuesday which was good although carrying a bit of a sore hip for some reason. Finished it in quite a good time so I was reasonably happy. That run and the 3 previous ones were all within a 6 second band so I think it was fair to say I had found my level. I’ve since heard from various sources that your speed doesn’t get faster but your recovery time gets quicker. Played football at work on the Wednesday lunchtime and not only contributed next to nothing but felt very, very achy afterwards. Back, hip and knees were all letting me know that I was carrying too many years and pounds.

Luckily I had already cancelled my usual Thursday night football so I had plenty of time to recover until my next run which I planned to run ‘sometime that weekend’. Saturday night was a busy night so I decided to run on Sunday morning which would be the first time I’d run in the morning rather than under cover of darkness.

It was a disaster

I went out at 10 am. There were far too many people ‘out and about’. I was completely and totally lacking in energy. I thought that was because I hadn’t eaten anything that morning but apparently the really early morning runners don’t eat anything pre-run. Quite apart from lacking in any energy I was aching all over with the old favourites of back, hip and knees being the main culprits although I couldn’t rule out some sort of additional groin pain providing the icing on the cake ailments-wise.

Ok so not really a disaster on a global scale. No deaths occurred.

At that stage I decided to have a week off any and all forms of exercise from circuits and work football to running and my usual Thursday night indoor football. A quiet week followed apart from my enquiries to Becky about whether they do hip replacement operations on 40 year-olds. Her response was to remind me that it’s probably not unusual to run with a bit of pain and I probably won’t notice it after a while.

My ‘barren’ week wasn’t wasted as I had time to go out in the car and measure out a 4 mile run as I’d already done 5 3 mile runs and felt that I needed to move up sooner rather than later. For info the new 4 mile run takes me past the chip shop, Ask Pizza, Barnes station, Rosslyn Park, down the Upper Richmond Road for what seemed like bloody miles and back along St Leonard’s road past Jessie’s nursery finishing at Mortlake bus garage.

I was debating when to do my ‘comeback’ run and putting off the date from Saturday to Sunday and then from Sunday to Monday. Physically I was ok, or not too bad, but mentally I was dreading going out after my last experience. Finally I donned the appropriate attire on Monday evening and set out unsure as to whether I was going to run 3 or 4 miles. I bit the bullet and did 4. It was hard work but the feeling I got at the end was amazing and better than anything I’d experienced before in this short running ‘adventure’. No pain at any stage apart from my upper legs feeling very tight 36 hours after the event. My plan for the future is to do 2 4 mile runs a week until further notice but as the evenings get lighter I may well head for the towpath and abandon any fixed length runs in favour of running for 40 or 50 minutes.

I know 2 people who are doing the marathon this weekend – Kate, a good friend of Becky’s and Sam, our next door neighbour - and I wish them both luck

I’ve decided that I’m now a beginner and not an absolute novice which puts me in a good position to offer more titbits of advice/observations to absolute novices

- Run don’t walk. Whilst this may be the absolute opposite of what you’ve heard in swimming baths and school corridors I’ve got a friend who has just taken up running for similar reasons to me except without the run date at the end. He has been doing better times than me because his ‘run’ consists of run/walk/run/walk/run/walk/run. Is that defeating the object? Apart from my two aborted runs I’ve run every single inch of the way. Does that make me a better person? Is incorporating a walk defeating the object? Discuss

- My running has a goal. The 10k on 11th June. This gives me something to aim for and in turn increases my motivation. Simple.

- Posture. A combination of ‘pumping my arms’ and leaning slightly forward whilst running makes the run that little bit easier. Possibly. Breathing efficiently helps as well.

- Fast food outlets and restaurants. Try not to run past (or indeed into) too many of these. Not a good idea especially when hungry.

- Boombastic, Mambo no 5 and Ooh ah (just a little bit) are surprisingly uplifting running songs. Possibly not the best three songs in the world and the boombastic lyrics are interesting to say the least but very good for running to. IMHO.

- People walking on the pavement are annoying. Don’t they realise what the pavement is for? Fools!

- Spitting is disgusting. I’ve hated it for 40 years now. Sadly I have to do it about twice a mile. Just thought you’d like to know

Just two more things to report.

Celebrity spot this week was Michael Ball (singer) in a bookshop in Barnes and Dad. Thought I’d add Dad as he’s been in ALL THREE episodes of Green Wing so far. Most impressive.

Finally if anyone wants to do a 10,000 word Maths project on Magic Squares then can they contact me immediately.

Please.

Fresh air, dirty trainers

Before I start I’ve taken Becky’s link off this page as she now says she’s got enough money (needed £100, received to date £237.95) and thank you all very much for your overwhelming generosity.

Went on my usual 3 mile run the Tuesday before last (10/11 days ago), felt like very hard work but bizarrely finished it in LESS THAN A SECOND slower than my previous one. It’s fair to say I may have found my pace although I’m confident the roar of the crowd will drag my time the right side of the hour mark. That and another 10 weeks training.

One slightly worrying thing is my pace (or lack of it). I was going past Barnes Bridge station whilst people were getting off the train and it took me longer than I’d like to catch up and even overtake them. This will improve. I hope.

I need to generally review my fitness routine/diet. On the fitness side of things I’m aiming for either 2 or 3 runs per week added to my circuits class and a maximum of 2 football games. If I miss a footy game and/or circuits class then I’ll try and make it 3 runs etc. Don’t want to overdo it at my age! Also need to go on a diet – been drinking too much these last few weeks and made no effort to lose weight which would obviously make the whole running thing a lot easier.

Due to go on a run last Saturday but was so shattered that I was in bed at 7.30 and was even read a bedtime story by Rosie (5 next month) rather than the other way round. Also got very, very, very slight hip(!) and knee soreness so trying to take it a bit easy for the time being. As far as the run goes, I’ve got time on my side.

STOP PRESS: Becky’s moonwalk is on the same night as the Eurovision Song Contest – what should I/we do. At this point half of you are shouting ‘Saddos’ at your screens and the other half are truly feeling my pain.



From Monday to Wednesday I went, with 30 of my work colleagues, to a hotel in Ascot for some ‘team-building’. Better than I thought, best bit: Scalextric evening, worst bit: Horse whispering. There were offers from Garry of an early morning run but these were politely declined for the following reasons:

Early morning (I do very well for early mornings at home, looking forward to 8 o’clock lie-ins when away)

Garry is probably at least 4 times as fast as me and whilst at the beginning the general consensus was that it’s good to run with other people I think I definitely prefer running on my own – especially at this still early stage.

On the Tuesday evening we had an hour before dinner so I donned my magic pants (and other assorted clothing, obviously) and went for a quick run outside the hotel gates. Not my best run for the following reasons:

Hilly – or possibly slightly undulating – but hillier than Barnes/Mortlake
Limited pavement - had to keep crossing road to find more pavement. This was an unrestricted road where cars felt free to travel at speeds in excess of 250 miles per hour. Or so it seemed.
No pavement – just one of those muddy patches of grass (or grassy patches of mud) with the aforementioned road on one side and a ditch on the other.
Smells – animal excrement I’d wager. And mud of course.
If I got lost/broke my ankle – how would I get back
Lack of landmarks – in the leafy suburbs of SW13/14 I know that if I go past the chip shop (go PAST the chip shop – that’s right) I’m either 4 or 26 minutes from home and if I see the Red Lion I’m just past halfway and should be back in the warm in about 15 minutes etc. etc.
MY SHOES GOT MUDDY

Enough said

The last couple of Thursdays (5 a side football in Brentford) have been good and definitely feel I’m getting more out of the games now although first touch, shooting etc. still need a lot of work.

Despite feeling exhausted I went on another 3 mile run last night (Friday). It was fairly easy/comfortable in some places but very tough in others. A bit of light rain at the beginning was welcomed unlike a couple of the Oxbridge ‘types’ here for the boat race on Sunday who seemed to relish trying to block my path. Running around here you get cars and pedestrians who treat you as if you’re invisible and think ‘Why should I have to move for him’ but luckily there are slightly more people who make a conscious effort to get out of your way/stop their car to let you cross. Timewise the run was about 6 seconds faster than the most recent two so that's good. Thinking about moving up to 4 or 4.5 miles in mid April. Possibly.

One last point: I got sent the following link from an old friend of mine, Damian, and also saw it on the BBC website. It’s called http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/ – have a look at it. I found it very interesting.

That’s all for now

Saturday – Come on you Whites
Sunday – Come on you Light Blues

Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

OK so nothing at all to do with running and I can claim little (or possibly no) credit for the rather impressive scoreline above but I just like seeing it in big letters.

Cash news - all going brilliantly, Becky is happy with her total (she says thanks very much and you can stop now) and I'm more than happy with mine, thank you all very much.

You'll see a few very messy links down on the right hand side. If anyone knows how to tidy them up then I'll try my best but I'm new at all this blog/web stuff. Two are for cheap petrol and one for cheap cds/dvds etc. Certainly worth having a look at if you've got a couple of minutes.

I did it. I achieved what I set out to do at the beginning of the week. I thought three times in a week would be too much but with a lot of determination and effort I did it.

Now enough talk of pub visits, let's get back to running/exercise.

My second three-miler was on Wednesday. Very confident going into it as my first had been a great success in my view (i.e didn't collapse/die/walk/explode) however after practically knocking my old mate Stubbsy over by the White Hart Lane level crossing (look him up - Ray Stubbs) I developed a stitch on the mile mark that not only wouldn't go away but seemed to get worse. Started as a stitch in the side and increased all round my trunk (around my ribs, nowhere near my face) heavily restricting my breathing.

Glumly I had to head back mainly walking but also trotting (am I an elephant or a horse?) slightly until the pain kicked in. Put 'running stitch' into Google and after sifting through all the knitting and sewing websites was told to do the following:

Take deep breaths whilst running
Warm up properly
Breathe out through 'pursed' lips thus fully utilising the diaphragm
Alternate which side of the body I 'land on' whilst exhaling
Start at a reasonable pace but don't go off 'like a shot'

The whole breathing thing has always been a bit random and my 'efficiency' has probably suffered as a result so to get that sorted would be a major boost.

Slightly depressed when I got back but realised this was a minor hitch and no more than that.

Thursday was a very good footy session and felt definitely fitter afterwards (did I say that last week?). Friday was a pub night and on Saturday I once again attempted to complete my second three-miler. Very good run although about a minute slower than my first one (exact times are only important when I'm getting faster - you should know that by now) but I always felt comfortable and with a little bit more 'in the tank' if you get my drift.

Sunday was another rest day watching the football which was excellent although marred by some idiots running onto the pitch as was Monday (a rest day not a day marred by idiots etc. although that said .......) as I didn't go to my normal circuits class for many reasons, the main one being I didn't book it in time but also I seem to have acquired a slightly sore hip. Perhaps I've been overdoing it - we'll see. Perhaps that first sentence was far too long. Perhaps.

Talking to a couple of very old (in both senses) and extremely computer-literate friends in the pub about blogs/websites on Friday night and why or why not people should have them they came to the conclusion they should only exist if people have something worth saying. I may not fall into that category but this has definitely helped for two main reasons:

Charity Fund Raising
Motivating me to get out and get fitter (which I DEFINITELY feel)

That's justified it to myself - job done.

I think I've not conformed to blog etiquette by emailing people when there's been an update. I think you're supposed to just let people look as and when they can/feel like it. That's what I'll do from now on but I will say that I'll try and update at least every two weeks.

Cheers

Never as bad as you think

** Previous posts are at the bottom of the page **

Becky would like it to be known that the following was planned long before I decided to do my run and that she is regretting her impetuous, some might say insane, decision to participate in

The Playtex Moonwalk 2006

This is the one that, I think, starts at midnight and involves thousands of women in bras (custom designed obviously) walking a marathon around London on 20/21 May 2006. Anyhow, my current total stands at a not meagre £529 so for all those people who haven't quite got round to sponsoring me yet, can I divert your funds towards https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/beckyharris

Ta muchly.

It's raising funds for breast cancer and I think you have to raise £100 before they let you take part.

Becky says "Please don't feel under any pressure to contribute as you've all been so kind already"

Anyhow what's been going on since last time? I've had 'dodgy guts' - I believe that's the correct medical expression - since last Monday forcing me to miss my normal Monday circuits class at work and my Tuesday run (insert run/runs joke here if you can be bothered). Thursday was footy day which went quite well. We lost but played well and fitness was noticeably better.

Before I rant further, celebrity watch this week was slightly better than last. SIR Trevor McDonald in Waitrose and Ray Stubbs in Ye White Hart watching the excellent Arsenal v Real Madrid game. Everyone know who both of those people are? Good.

Friday was the last 1.5m run - all went well although 10 seconds off my best but I've been told that I've been placing far too much importance on time. Probably right but for me it's the best (if not only) method of measuring improvement.

Sporting activity on Saturday was limited to participating in some excellent snooker in the evening (Fat Boys 4, Bannister's Bottlers 0) followed by watching an abject (and that's being kind) Fulham performance.

Sunday, last night, was the first of the 3m runs. I think doing this in 29 minutes puts you on course for a 60 minute 10k. Wasn't looking forward to doing this at all and bizarrely quite nervous. Now sorted out my playlist so know that every song is a good one or at least hand-picked with no Disney-based surprises. Started off with 'Another one bites the dust' which, like a few Queen songs, has a very strong beat. Sadly this one had rap (with a capital C) all over it. Will delete. 'Don't stop me now' and 'Boombastic' are current favourites. Started at a very slow pace and I think remained at a steady pace for most of the run. The music helped enormously and also the fact that I knew where I was and exactly when I was on the 'homeward straight' (going down Barnes High Street with the Red Lion behind me since you ask)

This running training has similarities with 'a nice walk in the country'. As long as you know how long you're going to walk/run for you can prepare yourself accordingly and feel an amazing sense of achievement when you get back and settle down in front of the telly for an hour or two. It's when either of these activities appear without an end that things become less than ideal.

Finished the 3 miles in 31 minutes, which I was very pleased with as a first attempt at that particular distance. Still definitely looking for 29 mins in an ideal world but we'll see how the next 5 or 6 runs progress. Felt fantastic when I finished, knackered but not dead on my feet and very happy. Easily pleased.

This lunchtime I did circuits which was good but very intense but sadly my running plan this week has hit 3 major snags. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday are my normal running nights. This week I am going out drinking on ........... Tuesday (college boys in Russell Square), Friday (old friends in Richmond) and Sunday (pre-match tincture in Putney before Fulham 1 Chelsea 24). Probably run on Wed and Sat instead.


Just a few things I want to finish on:

1 - How do people cope with running past restaurants? Last night, at about the halfway stage, there was a restaurant with its doors open and two men SPIT ROASTING something meat-based (quite possibly an ex-animal of some sort) ON THE PAVEMENT. Unbelievable! How am I supposed to run/plod past?

2 - At what stage can I legitimately buy one of those water carrying belts and take water on my run? They look quite exciting and an excellent money spending opportunity.

3 - Apparently the crowds at these events can knock minutes off your time. The best trick is to put your name on your shirt so that when they start shouting at/for/near you it spurs you on to greater speeds. Allegedly. If I put 'John' on the back of my shirt, how will I know that they're shouting at/for me. Could be someone else? Does it matter? Do I need a more exclusive name? Do I need a life?

That's me done for the week, wish me luck and can I refer those in the 'I'll definitely sponsor you before the big day just haven't got round to it yet' camp to the Becky link at the top of this entry.