Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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What a beautiful week, with glorious sunshine and warmer temperatures. It has really felt like spring has sprung as we mark one year since lockdown and restrictions began. I had a little more space in my diary to get some exercise in, so here’s what I did.

Monday-

I had a meeting finish early which meant I had time to fit in a lunchtime run. The weather was lovely, with some light cloud overhead so I thought I’d squeeze in a trail run. I headed to Kintarbert Forest and did the hill and loop there. It was a lovely start to the week!

Later I was also able to join Jacqui’s Fitness Pilates class which was just lovely.

Distance: 3.4m

Time: 45m 19s

Elevation: 630ft

Pace: 13.19/m

Wednesday-

After a busy day on Tuesday when I managed no time for a run, walk or class I was determined to get a decent run in. Working from home gives a little flexibility around this and so I set out to run four miles. But both my legs and my head needed a little more, and so I ended up running 10k instead. Lockdown life isn’t always bad!

Distance: 6.2m

Time: 1h 8m 14s

Elevation: 433ft

Pace: 11/m

Thursday-

After work, we headed out for a walk, to make the most of the remaining sunshine, and I’m very glad we did, it was such a beautiful evening! It took longer than usual as we kept stopping and talking!🤣

Distance: 3.96m

Friday-

I had a wee gap on Friday and squeezed in a three miler, which was slightly faster than I thought it would be!

Distance: 3.01m

Time: 31m 10s

Elevation: 36ft

Pace: 10.21/m

Sunday-

We were up early and on the trail before 7am with a plan! As 21/3/21 is World Down Syndrome Day, we thought we’d walk 21k to celebrate and mark it. Diversity and inclusion is so important for so many people and we need to celebrate and raise the profile of those who need our support.

Distance: 13.66m

Elevation: 1,654ft

Not a bad way to end the week!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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After a really good few weeks, the past week has been curtailed somewhat by other priorities, which has affected the number of classes I’ve been able to do (zero) and the length and time of my runs. We all get weeks like these, and I’m certainly not going to beat myself up over it – it’s just one of those things! Here is what I did fit in:

Monday –

After my eight miles on the Sunday I was keeping my Monday run short, so I managed a wee 3 miler around the harbour. I was distracted, thinking ahead to my afternoon workload, and forgot to take a photo! Oh well, you’ll all know what the harbour looks like!

Distance: 3m

Time: 31m 0s

Elevation: 69ft

Pace: 10.19/m

Wednesday:

After a particularly busy day taking part in two really excellent seminars, I knew a run would be a good idea to expend the adrenaline and decompress my thoughts. It was absolutely the right thing to do and I felt so much better for doing it. I even kept my lipstick on!

Distance: 4m

Time: 45m 29s

Elevation: 52ft

Pace: 11.21/m

Thursday:

After work, we went for a walk to the West Loch and we’re surprised to see the Gigha ferry sitting there! It was a strange site!

Distance: 3.37m

Friday:

I was able to squeeze in a short lunchtime run and so I headed back to the West Loch to see if the ferry was still there, but it was already away. Ah well!

Distance: 2.67m

Time: 30m 3s

Elevation: 131ft

Pace: 11.13/m

Sunday:

It was a really cold and wet day, and I really didn’t feel like lacing up. Ordinarily, running in the rain doesn’t bother me, but it was windy and cold, and- well- I just wanted to stay home!

I did lace up, and decided not to put myself under pressure. I opted to just do 30 minutes, just to get it done, so that’s what happened. It was so, so wet!

Distance: 2.56m

Time: 31m 16s

Elevation: 453ft

Pace: 12.12/m

We’ll see if the coming week brings more opportunities to get a sweat on! 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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March arrived, not like a lion for a change, but with a hint of spring in the air which was perfect for me as I wasn’t working on Monday. My plan was to get a slightly longer run in to kick start the week, and to get my March Accumulator off with some real bounce.

That’s exactly what happened, and even though the remainder of the week had me finding very short windows for running, I managed to keep on track even with a tough workload. Here’s how my week turned out:

Monday-

I had a long lie and, unusually for me, I had switched my work phone off completely on Sunday night so I wasn’t tempted or distracted by work matters before heading out for a hill run. I had tried to run at Corranbuie on Friday, but couldn’t get parked, so thought I’d try again. The weather was foggy as I headed out, but that soon lifted to leave a beautiful sunny run with blue skies.

Sometimes Corranbuie can seem pretty tough and unrelenting with its continuous climb, but when I reached where the rod joins the Tarbert castle loop I was surprised to find that two miles had ticked by quite unnoticed, so I kept going!

Distance: 8.2 miles

Time: 1h 44m 12s

Elevation: 1,175ft

Pace: 12.43/m

Later on Monday I also logged in live for Jacqui’s Fitness Pilates class, this one was using hand weights. I know I neglect upper body exercise, it makes me feel sick in a way lower body work never does, which is probably a sign to do more!🤣

Tuesday-

My initial plan for Tuesday was to give my legs a bit of a rest, and a full diary during the day meant no time for a walk. Instead I was able to do another of Jacqui’s online sessions, this one was a fab Virtual Powerwalk session, and I just loved it!

Wednesday-

Another very full on day left no time for a daytime run, but I did manage to step away from my desk just before twilight to squeeze in a short run around the harbour before sunset.

Distance: 3m

Time: 33m 10s

Elevation: 79ft

Pace: 11.02/m

Thursday-

Another busy day meant I finally stopped for a break just as most people will have been sitting down for their dinner, but that didn’t stop us from getting a leisurely stroll in before we did the same.

Friday-

Another busy but productive day with no lunchtime run, but it does make such a difference when it is still daylight into the late afternoon and early evening! I wanted a short run, and instead of going to Garvel and then around the harbour (bring a creature of habit), I headed to the concrete first. Small changes can make all of the difference!

Distance: 3m

Time: 32m 4s

Elevation: 85ft

Pace: 10.40m

Saturday-

I had – for some unknown reason – a cup of coffee at 10pm on Friday night 🙈🤯 which meant I had a disturbed sleep, unsurprisingly as the caffeine took over!🤣 So I didn’t have too many expectations for what my Saturday morning run might look like. We headed to the trails up at Cour windfarm, and I had a loose plan that I might do 10k, but would be happy with 4 or more miles given my lack of sleep.

As can sometimes happen, though, I found myself really enjoying the run, listening to my audiobook and watching the deer cross my path ahead. I managed much more than I thought I might, which is great for my Kintyre Way training and for my overall fitness and stamina I suppose!

Distance: 8.1m

Time: 1h 36m 50s

Elevation: 636ft

Pace: 11.57/m

The dry and settled weather this week no doubt played a big part in what felt like a good, solid week of running, especially off the back of last weekend’s four runs in a row (counting Monday). Gotta make the most of it while it’s good- 22.3 miles, 1,975ft.

Not bad indeed!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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And just like that, February has drawn to a close. We are already two months into 2021 and the weather has been more kind over the past week, that is for sure! The end of the month also marks the end of my February Accumulator Challenge, which I’ve completed with 17 runs. That marks five Great Run Solo challenges in a row…. so of course I’ve signed up for the March Challenge, marking six straight months if I get through this one ok.

Here’s how last week shaped up for me:

Monday-

I started off the week with a lunchtime run, and as I knew I had a busy week ahead I decided to get a 4 miler in, so I knew I had some mileage under my belt. It was such a beautiful, sunny and mild day so I decided to test out the trainers I’d bought last autumn, but had put away for the spring. They felt so light compared to my winter ASICS GTX!

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 41m 55s

Elevation: 344ft

Pace: 10.28/m

Tuesday-

What a difference 24 hours makes, it was absolutely horrible outside with torrential rain, high winds and stormy weather. But, Jacqui had us all sorted with an alternative- a virtual power walking class! It was such a lot of fun, with 35 minutes of indoor walking: low intensity (ok, I did ramp it up at times, I can’t help myself!) and it passed so quickly. Can’t wait for the next one!

Wednesday-

The storm had passed, leaving some overcast skies on Wednesday, with quite a bit of moisture still in the air. My legs were tired after Tuesday’s class, and I was pushed for time, but I squeezed in a half hour run to the West Loch and back.

Distance: 2.72 miles

Time: 30m 3s

Elevation: 115ft

Pace: 11.02/m

Thursday-

Thursday saw a return to blue skies and mild weather. Tony and I were both working from home, so at lunchtime we headed out for a walk around the harbour, making the most of the day while we had the time.

Distance: 3.48 miles

Friday-

I have a long weekend off work (ok, except I did do quite a bit of work on and off during the day), so I started the weekend with a run, of course. I knew I needed to get into a trail and had no plan in mind at all. My original plan was to run at Corranbuie but when I got there it was busy, so I headed to the timber route instead. As I had no plan, I took a trail that I would usually pass by, just to see where it went! It turned out to be a lovely, if not terribly long, trail and I’m glad I did it. On my way back I diverted down another trail, and found myself in some woodland. Following my instincts, I made my way through the trees and back to one of the other trails I use quite often, feeling some sense of accomplishment at not getting lost!

Distance: 4.7 miles

Time: 58m 8s

Elevation: 827ft

Pace: 12.22/m

Saturday-

I wanted to shake out my legs a little after yesterday’s trail adventure, though they were tired and heavy when I set out. From trees to the sea!

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 42m 49s

Elevation: 243ft

Pace: 10.42/m

Sunday-

Unusually, I headed out for an extra run to round off the month. I realised that my slightly shorter longer runs this month meant that I was just a fraction off 100k for February, so I decided to get in one wee run just to add the mileage in.

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 20m 44s

Elevation: 136ft

Pace: 10.21/m

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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What a difference a week makes- we’ve gone from dry, bright but icy and bitterly cold to the more seasonal wet, mild and stormy weather. The wind and rain has made for some interesting running this week, and some less impressive photos than of late!

Here’s how my week turned out:

Monday-

It was really mild on Monday, and I definitely wore too many layers on this run. It came as a bit of a shock to have to remove gloves and headband mid run!

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 31m 55s

Elevation: 49ft

Pace: 10.36/m

As I had managed to fit in my run at lunchtime I was able to join Jacqui’s Fitness Pilates class again, and I’m loving them. This week we were using the prickle balls, and I definitely felt the benefit during and afterwards.

Tuesday-

I had time today for a midday walk, so I headed to the West Loch again, with the aim of beating my time from the last walk out that way. I got back with less than an hour on my watch so had to go past the house and back again!🤣

Distance: 3.68m

Time: 1h 0m

Wednesday-

I timed my run incredibly well, managing to dodge the showers and even capturing one of the very few bright spells we had this week. I also managed to get a slightly longer distance in for a lunch run which was ace.

Distance: 4m

Time: 42m 50s

Elevation: 151ft

Pace: 10.42/m

Friday:

Another day, and another stormy run! I’m desperately missing my trail runs but I only had a short gap to get any outdoor exercise in, so I opted for a 30 minute relaxed run to the West Loch. I was absolutely soaked by the time I got home!

Distance: 2.75m

Time: 30m 3s

Elevation: 144ft

Pace: 10.56/m

Sunday-

It has been quite some time since I last run on a Sunday, but Saturday was an absolute howler! I also had a busy day with clarsach classes and some online support work for those, which took longer than expected. It was a good excuse to postpone my run until Sunday, and that turned out to be a good call. The morning was dry, sunny and mild, with just a hint of spring in the air. I didn’t have enough time for a longish run but I was determined to get onto a trail, so that’s what I did, for five lovely miles.

Distance: 5.25m

Time: 1h 4m 6s

Elevation: 528ft

Pace: 12.13/m

That’s now 12/14 runs for my February Accumulator, so I’m hoping to exceed the 14 runs by one or two. Let’s see how this week goes 😉

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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This week’s theme has been consistency. Consistency in many areas, and one of those areas was with my running plans. So there was no huge uptick in progress or in plans, but consistency is the key to many things, so I’m quite happy now that I reflect back on the past seven days.

Monday-

A double header! It was a lovely bright and crisp day so I ran at lunchtime to make the most of the beautiful winter light. The weather this week has by far been dry, bitterly cold and windy, that is for sure!

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 42m 45s

Elevation: 89ft

Pace: 10.41/m

I also managed to step away from my desk in time to fit in Jacqui’s Fitness Pilates class, which I’m really enjoying, so that was another hour of exercise.

Oh, and it was also ‘Medal Monday’, with my Great Run Solo January Accumulator medal arriving:

Tuesday-

A busy day at work meant I didn’t have time to stop at lunchtime, but as it’s getting slightly lighter in the evenings we are no longer heading out for a walk or run in darkness! These photos were taken from about the same spot- one was taken on my way out around the harbour and the other on my way back.

Distance: 3.54m

Wednesday-

I fancied a change of scenery on Wednesday but didn’t have time to drive to a trail. Instead I decided to do my lunch run along the Kilberry Road. It was nice to change it up a little, but I’d forgotten how much you have to stop and hop off the road to let traffic past!

Distance: 3.1m

Time: 34m 2s

Elevation: 102ft

Pace: 10.57/m

Friday-

This run was bitterly cold, and I saw for myself how the harbour itself had iced up! It’s the first time since 2010 that has happened, I think. It looks more amazing in person than it does in the photos!

Distance: 3m

Time: 32m 14s

Elevation: 85ft

Pace: 10.44/m

Saturday-

I really wanted to get onto a trail for a slightly longer run, but the threat of snow in the sky meant I didn’t want to risk getting myself stuck solo on a trail. I also had some commitments today so didn’t quite have enough time for a trail either. So a run around the harbour was called for, though it was so windy I was running to stand still at times! It reminded me of mile 9 of my first Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Edinburgh when I didn’t the I’d finish because of the wind as I ran up part of Arthur’s Seat. But knowing I’d managed that, I could keep going.

Distance: 4m

Time: 44m 6s

Elevation: 249ft

Pace: 11.00/m

That makes eight runs so far for my February Accumulator, so I’m getting there!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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I write these weekly reviews largely for my own benefit- I find that it helps me to stop and review how my week has been and when it can sometimes feel like all I have done is work, the blog reminds me that I do manage to do more than just that (sometimes!). This past week is a good example- it’s been a full on, busy week work-wise, and though I’d managed to do some Clarsach practice earlier in the week and I’ve managed to squeeze in some reading every night, I did feel that my fitness had suffered a little.

But pausing to review what I’ve done shows a different perspective: I managed one of Jacqui’s live classes (still only one live, though, getting away from my desk on time remains a challenge), and I also got my February Accumulator Challenge underway with four runs.

Monday-

The first day of a new month and I was determined to kick start that with a run. The day was unusually dry but bitterly cold when I headed for my lunchtime run around the harbour.

Distance: 3.1m

Time: 32m 49s

Elevation: 112ft

Pace: 10.35/m

Tuesday-

I managed to step away from my desk on time for Fitness Pilates. This is such a good workout- low intensity but strong moves, and I definitely feel the burn!

Wednesday-

It was a stormy day, and I knew that the harbour would be incredibly windy so I squeezed in a short run to the West Loch and back.

Distance: 2.7m

Time: 30m

Elevation: 177ft

Pace: 11.06/m

Thursday-

At lunchtime we had time for a walk, and despite the driving, icy rain and strong winds we walked to West Loch and added to the distance and elevation by adding in Carrick hill.

Distance: 3.37m

Friday-

I ended the working week with another 5k around the harbour. Still raining, still bitterly cold and still very windy!

Distance: 3.1m

Time: 33m 7s

Elevation: 148ft

Pace:

10.40/m

Saturday-

I woke up today to a dry and sunny morning, and so I pulled on my trainers and headed to a trail- the timber route- with an aim of 10k or so. I listened to Hamish Napier’s ‘The Woods’ instead of a podcast or audiobook and mixing it up was a great idea- the music perfectly matched the run!

There was even some snow at higher altitude, which added some fun to my run and it was the first run in some time that was gratifying and soul restoring, even with the stormy winds trying to blow me over!

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 1h 24m 16s

Elevation: 810ft

Pace: 12.01/m

I’m grateful for having space to reflect on this week- and to notice that, actually, it’s been a good week fitness wise! Here’s to next week!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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Let’s start with the positives: I managed more running this week. Woo hoo! But, I didn’t manage to join any of Jacqui’s classes live this week. Boo! I just couldn’t get away from my desk on time. Hopefully this coming week might be a little easier to fit in at least on live class: we’ll see!

I also completed my Great Run Solo January Accumulator, with 24 activities. I’m pretty pleased with that result.

Monday-

I had time for a short lunchtime run, and as we’d had some rainfall that morning I mistakenly thought that the underfoot conditions would be fine. Nope! There was hard packed ice en route to the astroturf, and to say I had to take my time and run very gingerly would be an understatement! It was just beautiful, though.

Distance: 3m

Time: 36m 17s

Elevation: 52ft

Pace: 12.06/m

Wednesday-

I had to venture into the office, but I packed my running gear in the hopes that I’d find time to squeeze in a run. And I did! I headed up Kilmory hill yet again, finding that there were icy patches along the way. It was tough, but worth the effort. And I was glad to be off road.

Distance: 2.73m

Time: 32m 42s

Elevation: 292ft

Pace: 11.57/m

Thursday-

The Welsh Wookie and I were both working from home, and after a morning filled with online meetings, I needed to stretch my legs and take my eyes off of the screen for a while. We went for a damp walk to the West Loch, also doing Carrick Hill while we were down that way. It was very refreshing, if very wet!

Distance: 3.4m

Time: 1h 2m 30s

Elevation: 164ft

Friday-

I was determined to make sure that January didn’t end without another slightly longer run under my belt. I had no scheduled meetings for the afternoon, which gave me some leeway to make the most of Friday to do just that. As the ice had gone, I thought I’d see how the castle loop was faring, which gave me just enough momentum to do 10k, with a mix of trail and road to keep it interesting. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so was low on fuel, and I think that’s probably why I could it reasonably tough. That and negative splits!

Distance: 6.2m

Time: 1h 13m 12s

Elevation: 377ft

Pace: 11.48/m

Saturday-

We woke up to a gloriously sunny day, and decided that a short trail run to shake out my legs after yesterday’s tired run. It was a little windier than I had expected, but I enjoyed a short trail while listening to my audiobook.

Distance: 3.45m

Time: 40m 49s

Elevation: 472ft

Pace: 11.49/s

So, that was just short of 16 miles of running and well over 1,000 feet of elevation this week. I was glad to be back on some trails, with less roads- I love the harbour, but it gets a little monotonous (and flat) when running and walking it multiple times each week in winter. It feels great to get exploring again!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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So much for getting back to running this week- I’m afraid that a combination of my diary and a return of icy paths and roads meant that I didn’t get anywhere near as much running done as I’d have liked. Here’s how my week planned out:

Monday-

My week started off going to plan, with a short lunchtime run around the harbour. It was cold and wet, it it felt good to get it done, and to start the week right. After work, I also managed to join Jacqui’s Fitness Pilates/Fitness Yoga session which was just lovely- hard, strong but fab!

Distance: 3m

Time: 32m 22s

Elevation: 262ft

Pace: 10.47/m

Tuesday-

I had planned to squeeze in a lunchtime run, but it didn’t happen. Instead, we managed a short evening walk around the harbour. Yet again, I forgot to take a photo….

Distance: 2.91m

Wednesday-

I did manage another lunchtime run, and for the first time in many months I was able to head up the hill above Kilmory. I missed out Kilmory Loch, however, and just stuck to the hill. It was incredibly misty, but beautiful.

Distance: 2.8m

Time: 32m 39s

Elevation: 344ft

Pace: 11.39/m

Thursday-

Another short walk around the harbour, fortunately it was dry and cold for this walk.

Distance: 3.19m

Saturday-

The plan was a run. And I had hoped to manage a slightly longer run than I’ve done in the past couple of weeks, but we’d had a dusting of light snow overnight and by all reports it was icy and slippy underfoot. So rather than risk it we went for a walk instead.

Distance: 4m

With the cold weather set to continue in the coming week, I do hope I can get some more runs under my belt. Here’s hoping that the weather plays nice!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

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After cranking up the mileage last week, it’s pared back a little this week, largely due to the volume of work. But I’ve still managed to get a few runs and walks in, though not as long as I had originally planned.

Monday-

I want to commit to doing more of Jacqui’s classes live. She is working so hard giving us an excellent selection of classes and I want to make the most of that so I started the week with an Evolve Fitness Pilates – Fitness Yoga session. And, wow, I felt that! It was great to feel connected back with the class and my buddies.

Tuesday –

I headed out straight after work to get a short 5k in. After Monday’s torrential rain, however, the roads were icier than ever, so I had to take it very easy and tentatively. Glad I did it, though!

Distance: 3.1m

Time: 38m 53s

Elevation: 220ft

Pace: 12.31/m

Wednesday-

I had time for a lunchtime run, so I headed out to the harbour to make the most of the daylight. It was right in the middle of a rain shower, so I was drenched by the time I got home!

Distance: 3.3m

Time: 36m 33s

Elevation: 82ft

Pace: 11.04/m

Thursday-

Another harbour walk after work. It was cold, but dry. And I forgot to take a photo!

Friday-

As @TheWelshWookie was also working from home today we went for a lunchtime walk together, heading out to the West Loch for a change, including the hill up to Carrick Cemetery. It was a much needed break away from the desk.

Saturday-

I’ve been loosely working to a plan for Kintyre Way Ultra training, but I’m not being too rigid with it as I want the flexibility of doing what feels right during this month. Despite the stormy weather with big winds and icy showers we headed to the timber route to get back on a trail again, for the first time in weeks.

It was a joy to be back – I really felt the difference of the running surface, but the weather was relentless. I dropped my LSR plan and decided instead just to keep the run short and enjoyable.

Distance: 3.31m

Time: 39m 32s

Elevation: 390ft

Pace: 11.57/s

We’ll see what the weather does this week but the plan is more of the same: have fun, chop it around a bit and do what feels right.