No rest for the wicked!
After what has felt like a tough week, todays run was surprisingly enjoyable and reinvigorated me just as I was starting to burn out!
Last Sunday I took part in the Edinburgh marathon (report to follow), my first full marathon for 5 years and although I had a few miles behind me courtesy of the run2012miles challenge my less than ideal prep and the lack of rest days left me feeling very tired afterwards.
I managed a short mile-ish recovery run on Monday, followed by a 5 mile or so group run on Tuesday with Up & Running Bristol. This took in some varied terrain through Blaise, with some steep inclines (of both varieties...the downs being far worse than the ups!) On Wednesday I had to get up to date with my accounts and submit by VAT return...and so ended up squeezing in a late (11:30pm I think!) short mile or so in before the fun started on Thursday with our flat renovations!
I managed a short mile-ish recovery run on Monday, followed by a 5 mile or so group run on Tuesday with Up & Running Bristol. This took in some varied terrain through Blaise, with some steep inclines (of both varieties...the downs being far worse than the ups!) On Wednesday I had to get up to date with my accounts and submit by VAT return...and so ended up squeezing in a late (11:30pm I think!) short mile or so in before the fun started on Thursday with our flat renovations!
Doing it myself....well, with a little help from my brother!
During all of this MBW and I had been trying to keep working and sort out how on earth we were going to get all of the work done to the flat we needed to do before the baby arrives. In the end we realised that the only way we could get it done was to temporarily move out and take up residence in Hullavington with Mam and Dad. So we needed to pack up our life and move out so we could get on with taking our flat apart! |
| Our Living Room... |
Fortunately my brother was on hand to assist with the demolitions and Thursday through Sunday I have been clearing out and then stripping a kitchen before removing a lath & plaster ceiling in the living room...not a pleasant experience with all that plaster and 100 year old dust. (not to mention the old cigarettes we found...)
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| Interestingly...I found an advert for the very same in the 1953 Coronation edition of Picture Post |
So with all that going on whilst my body has been in marathon recovery mode and my mind suffering post marathon blues it's amazing that I've managed to get out running at all!
Well for that I have to thank a certain David Coffey and the Louisiana Ultra Runners, who very kindly invited me to join their Facebook Group and take part in their latest challenge.
Friday was day 1 of the LUR challenge and although doing the mileage wasn't going to be a problem, 50 push-ups ans sit-ups pretty much killed me! I managed just about by spreading them out, but on saturday morning I felt as though I had been badly beaten up!
I managed to get through Saturday, but after a restless nights sleep and a day during which I must have sweated my body weight I felt terrible when it came to running late at night. To add to the frustrations, my Garmin battery gave up and I only managed to officially record around 900m of the run! It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable run of the year so far!
By the time we were done, respirators sodden with a bitter black sweat and goggles misted through, we were both ready for bed. My brother (Matthew) had to leave earlier so that he could get back for my niece and nephew's bed-time and I was contemplating a run back into the village.
Having moved our stuff to Hullavington, I was limited in the choice of running attire I had with me, and so ended up going out in shorts and a cotton tee with my wind proof Ron Hill hi viz jacket...well' it is sort of water proof! It had been raining on and off all day, but when we came to leave and head back for the day we had saturating showers, the kind that feel almost more like a thick mist rather than a downpour. Lovely!
I was so tired that I actually managed to fall asleep in the car as we headed back towards the village; waking just in time to confirm that I would run on the way rather than go out late again as I had the night before.
I jumped out of the car near Sherston and planned to take the turning towards Hill Hayes. By the time I got to that junction the decision had been taken to extend the route and I headed towards Norton and added an extra half mile or so.
I don't know what it is about the rain, but tonights run has to go down as one of my most memorable. I felt comfortable at around 8:20 pace and although soaked to the bone, I didn't feel the cold until I stopped and the rain on my face felt refreshing. When I returned to the village I lay outstretched on the lawn for around 6-7 minutes in the pouring rain, enjoying that 'I'm alive' feeling and being very grateful for my freedom to run in all weather.
The rain washed away some of my stresses and when I finally got out of my soaking clothes I was feeling fresh and happy to have enjoyed such a childish run, outside in the rain, splashing though puddles and relishing being alive!
Now I'm sure that there was more I wanted to say, but I'll leave it at that for tonight.
I'm hoping to have my Edinburgh race report up soon, although it may have to get knocked down my list of priorities, I just have to get the baby's room ready in time!
Well for that I have to thank a certain David Coffey and the Louisiana Ultra Runners, who very kindly invited me to join their Facebook Group and take part in their latest challenge.
New Challenge!
This involves a slight expansion of my streaking project. Whereas I had decided that to complete my streak I needed to run at least 1 mile every day, the LUR challenge requires at least 2 miles per day as well as 50 push-ups and 50 sit-ups...so much for recovery!Friday was day 1 of the LUR challenge and although doing the mileage wasn't going to be a problem, 50 push-ups ans sit-ups pretty much killed me! I managed just about by spreading them out, but on saturday morning I felt as though I had been badly beaten up!
I managed to get through Saturday, but after a restless nights sleep and a day during which I must have sweated my body weight I felt terrible when it came to running late at night. To add to the frustrations, my Garmin battery gave up and I only managed to officially record around 900m of the run! It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable run of the year so far!
Wet and Wild
And then today, having woken up feeling as though I had been trampled on by a heard of animals I was in no fit state to even get up, never mind sit up 50 times! Off to Bristol it was to finish removing a plaster cornice, loft insulation and then all the timber laths.By the time we were done, respirators sodden with a bitter black sweat and goggles misted through, we were both ready for bed. My brother (Matthew) had to leave earlier so that he could get back for my niece and nephew's bed-time and I was contemplating a run back into the village.
Having moved our stuff to Hullavington, I was limited in the choice of running attire I had with me, and so ended up going out in shorts and a cotton tee with my wind proof Ron Hill hi viz jacket...well' it is sort of water proof! It had been raining on and off all day, but when we came to leave and head back for the day we had saturating showers, the kind that feel almost more like a thick mist rather than a downpour. Lovely!
I was so tired that I actually managed to fall asleep in the car as we headed back towards the village; waking just in time to confirm that I would run on the way rather than go out late again as I had the night before.
I jumped out of the car near Sherston and planned to take the turning towards Hill Hayes. By the time I got to that junction the decision had been taken to extend the route and I headed towards Norton and added an extra half mile or so.
I don't know what it is about the rain, but tonights run has to go down as one of my most memorable. I felt comfortable at around 8:20 pace and although soaked to the bone, I didn't feel the cold until I stopped and the rain on my face felt refreshing. When I returned to the village I lay outstretched on the lawn for around 6-7 minutes in the pouring rain, enjoying that 'I'm alive' feeling and being very grateful for my freedom to run in all weather.
The rain washed away some of my stresses and when I finally got out of my soaking clothes I was feeling fresh and happy to have enjoyed such a childish run, outside in the rain, splashing though puddles and relishing being alive!
Now I'm sure that there was more I wanted to say, but I'll leave it at that for tonight.
I'm hoping to have my Edinburgh race report up soon, although it may have to get knocked down my list of priorities, I just have to get the baby's room ready in time!
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