Do you Run to a Routine?

Do you Run to a Routine?

I do. But then, I really like routine and knowing what is coming next. For those of you who like management-speak, I’m a typical Myers-Briggs ISTJ. I’ll bet you’ve worked that out by now!

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I’m not much of a weekday morning runner. I’d really like to be, I know it would set me up for the day, and I’d feel really smug! But the thought of getting up early instead of squeezing out the last 20 minutes of sleep in my cosy bed it just too difficult for me.

So, I head off to work, and think about my run, before home time comes around. Then, I head home, get changed into my running gear and get out there. If I hesitated too much, or get caught up in other things, it probably wouldn’t always happen. After I’m done, I shower, download my GPS info, and have the evening to myself, which is great.

If I’m home at the weekend, I usually have a light breakfast, then head out for my run early to mid morning, knowing that I’ll have the rest of the weekend for chores, shopping, relaxing, going for walks, coffee, etc.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about mixing things up a little.

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When it comes to race days, it usually involves an early morning start, which throws my routine. With a few halves coming up, and my first marathon looming on the horizon, I think I might benefit from changing my training, to help get used to the early rises. But, I’m struggling to make a start, and commit to a change! At the moment, I’ll probably continue to toy with the idea until after the wedding, and look to make changes then.

Have you ever changed up your running routine? How did it go? Did you stick to it, or change back?

Thursday’s Training Update

Thursday’s Training Update

Hi everyone! It’s the weekend for me, as I’m off Friday and Monday, soooo it’s vino night tonight!

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I thought I’d give you an update on my Hal Higdon half marathon training. The main headline is: it’s going great!

I think that the plan is really suiting my running style, but it is early days. Last week – week one – was a 3 miler on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, a four mile ‘long’ run on Saturday and cross training on Sunday. This week is similar: a 3 miler on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, a five mile ‘long’ run on Saturday and cross training on Sunday. So far, so good, but it has ten weeks to go.

It feels great at the moment!

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I did my three miles tonight on the treadmill, in my new trainers. All will be revealed soon, in a later post! 😉

Something I’ve been trying to do is to post my training runs on Instagram, so prepare to be bored, if you follow me there.

I’m struggling to figure out how to fit in my five miler this weekend. You see, I’m off on my Hen Weekend, to Alton Towers, and I can’t wait!

Do you think that walking around the theme park, queueing and screaming while riding roller coasters could count as cross training?

Have a fab weekend, everyone!

GNR: I’m in!

GNR: I’m in!

Well, the title of this post kinda gives the game away! I’m doing a very happy dance, as I’m in! I secured a place in the Great North Run! Squeeeeeeeeee!

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It’s one of those races that I watch on TV every year, and wish I was participating. And this year, I will be!

I think I’m right in saying that the Great North Run is the world’s biggest Half Marathon (correct me, or back me up on this, please!), and this year, the one millionth participant will cross the finish  line. Secretly, I’ll be running and pretending that it’s me 😉

It’s on Sunday, 7th September, and since that’s about seven weeks before my first full marathon, I thought it would fit in nicely with my training. I may have to tag on a couple of miles at the end, but that should be ok 😉

Unfortunately, @TheWelshWookie didn’t secure a place 😦 so, I’ll be running myself.

But I can’t help but be excited!

For anyone who has run it before, any tips?

Indoors and Outdoors

Indoors and Outdoors

The training is under way again, and after a couple of months of just running when I felt like it, and for as long or as short as I wanted, I’m surprised at how easily I’ve fallen back into the schedule!

I’ve always liked routine, so I suppose I shouldn’t really be surprised. Structure works for me 😉

Last night, I mixed it up a little, and did my three miler on the treadmill.

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I watched the latest episode of The Following while I ran, and that helped the minutes to fly by. Turns out my teenage crush on Kevin Bacon is still there…. 😉

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I also did some weights, as the show hadn’t finished by the time my run was done. I’m sticking to my plan like glue!

Tonight, it was great to get outside and run. I really, really enjoyed it. It felt great after yesterday’s cooped up run. Unusually, it was both dry AND still daylight when we headed out, but the light faded fast at the end of the run.

Here’s the view over the harbour at the end of my three miler, which is a little blurry: sorry about that! 🙂

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Tomorrow’s a rest day, and I suspect that I’ll be itching to get out again come Saturday!

Are you training right now? How’s it going for you?

Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope your hangover has cleared, and you’re now over yesterday’s big game.

Today is day one of my half marathon training programme, and it starts off with a rest day 😉 I love Hal Higdon already!

Here’s to a fun filled, run-packed, good-eating week! 😀

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I’ve Only Gone and Done It!

I’ve Only Gone and Done It!

Earlier this month, I posted about Mo Farah’s pledge to move from Metres to Miles in 2014, and how I was considering running my first marathon, too.

Well I’ve only gone and done it. I’ve signed up for  The Loch Ness Marathon this September! Eeek!

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I thought: this is the year. It’s the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It’s the Year of Homecoming across Scotland. Mo’s stepping up the distance. And I signed up!

There was something extra special about signing up for this race: it’s the first race I’ve signed up for in my married name- since I’ll be an ‘auld married wummin’ by then! That was exciting, too!

Be prepared to be very bored with my marathon chat, folks! 😉

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Looking Towards Late Summer

Looking Towards Late Summer

So, it may still be January, and freezing outside for many of you. But I’m already looking towards late summer!

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Already, I have my summer holidays all authorised at work, so I can now look forward to a few trips. 🙂

I’ve also been mooching around various running sites, lining up potential races.

So far, I’ve entered the ballot for places in the Great North Run:

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I watched last year’s race, wishing I was there! I know it’s always over subscribed, so I’ll just have to wait and see if I’m lucky 😉

I’m also still considering the Loch Ness Marathon, and I am definitely leaning towards entering it…. I just haven’t actually committed to it….. yet!

Back in the present, this evening I’ve done my plank-a-day, my squat challenge and some rowing. Gosh, it feels great to be back to it!

Have you signed up for any late summer races yet?

Metres to Miles in 2014

Metres to Miles in 2014

Evening all: I’m just dropping by with a quick question to all of my super-knowledgeable friends, during my short visit home from Portavadie and before yet another busy weekend. We have our family Secret Santa day tomorrow!

I need a holiday!

Those of you who are fans will have seen that, for Mo Farah, 2014 is about moving from metres to miles.

In 2014, Mo will run a marathon.

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Now, the question I have is: can I do the same?

I’ve been eyeing up The Loch Ness Marathon for some time, following some twitter encouragement from @pt_steveb . I must admit, I am seriously tempted. But, can this serial short-distance jogger of 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons step up and do the big one?

TartanJogger’s 2013 Review

TartanJogger’s 2013 Review

If you had told me this time last year that I would have run a much as I did in 2013, AND become an amateur running blogger, I would not have believed you. What a difference a year makes, eh?

On 31st December 2012, I set one goal. To run a half marathon in 2013.

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How far I have come since then!

I’m sure your blog feed will have been overflowing with the 2013 reviews frm your favourite bloggers. So, let me add mine, though I promise, I’ll keep it short!

Favourite Race of 2013

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This is a difficult one, and it changes every five minutes. I’d have to go for the Mull of Kintyre 10K. Not only did I PB, but it was great fun, with fantastic support and a brilliant goodie bag!

Most enjoyable race of 2013

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The inaugural TT10K. Not only was it on my doorstep, but it was a great balance of easy running, hills and trail. The organisation for this event was fantastic.

Most fun running trip of 2013

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Hands down, this has to be our trip to Dublin for the inaugural RnR Half Marathon. The run was great, and the craic as mighty! Second place was the Color Run UK in London, back in July.

Best Family Event of 2013

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That’ll be the Perth Kilt Run back in August, which we ran with Joe, Stacey and RJ. Great Fun!

Favourite non-road running Event of 2013

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The inaugural CowalFest 5K in October. As my first proper trail/hill run, it was great. And I placed! 🙂

Now, bring on 2014!

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New Year, New Races

New Year, New Races

Do you have any races booked up yet for 2014?

This time last year, I was toying with the idea of running a half marathon. I had no runs planned, and I had no idea that I’d run quite as much during 2013!

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I’ve been checking out a few sources for runs during 2014:

The Running Bug

Runners World

The Scottish Running Guide

As well as listings inside Women’s Running magazine.

I’ve signed up for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Half Marathon, but that’s the only one…. so far!

Here’s the ones I’m thinking about running, or hoping to run, right now:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool, 25 May

The Color Run, hopefully in Glasgow as they’re meant to be having one there in 2014

The Kilt Run, Perth

Mull of Kintyre 10K. Maybe the half instead- part of it is on sand, though.

Tarbert’s TT10K

Spartan Race, Edinburgh

Great North Run

Great Scottish Run

I’m toying with a longer run: maybe a 20 miler, or maybe a Tough Mudder. Hmmmmm.

How do you find new races?

Do you have any runs planned for 2014?