Tag: motivation

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

After two weeks of recovery, I thought I’d better lace up my trainers and get back out there!

I’ve tried to do the opposite of my natural instincts: usually I’d throw myself back into a full week of activity and overdo it, which in the past has probably (in hindsight) led to exacerbating old niggles and injuries, so I was determined to be a little more sensible with my running this time around! I’ve kept my mileage low and my pace slow, while enjoying being back out in the sunshine and the fresh air. Thinking back on our epic walk, not only did we cover a marathon distance, we also climbed the equivalent of a Munro… not bad! Anyway, back to the present 😉

Monday:

My first run for 13 days, so I headed out to the West Loch at lunchtime just to see how my legs and my back were feeling. I’ll admit that I felt quite sluggish and my legs were heavy, but that’s to be expected, I suppose!

Distance: 2.61m

Time: 30m 3s

Elevation: 115ft

Pace: 11.29/m

Tuesday:

I was in the office today, and had a full on diary but I was determined to make time to get a walk at lunchtime. I did want to pull in my trainers and run, but thought the better of it. I popped my earphones in and headed out with my audiobook- I planned to walk long enough to finish my current listen which was an autobiography of Ted Bundy. Fascinating stuff!

Distance: 3.28m

Elevation: 359ft

Wednesday:

I had a triple activity day, Woop Woop! I know I said I was taking it easy….🙈 but I was ready for another run and I had signed up for Jacqui’s classes.

I laced up my trainers at lunchtime and knew I’d be running up the hill at Kilmory. It has been many, many months (maybe even over a year) since I’d last managed to run all the way up the hill and I had no plan to do that today. But I had a brand new audiobook to start- Clanlands by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish (from Outlander) about their antics when driving around the Highlands in a campervan finding out more about Clan history. I was quite literally laughing out loud from the opening minutes 🤣 and ran to the top of the hill without even noticing!

Distance: 2.44 m

Time: 30m 3s

Elevation: 344ft

Pace: 12.19/m

In the evening I was back at Booty Blast in the marquee. I had gone last week too, and while last week I did the class without the resistance band on, this week I thought I’d try the thick fabric band, even skipping out the rubber ones…. I loved it and let’s just say that as I write this summary on Sunday I STILL have DOMS🤷🏼‍♀️

We then had a Fitness Pilates class which felt amazing after both the run and the resistance class. It’s a really lovely class, but much tougher that you would think from watching it- many of those moves are intense!

Friday:

After taking Thursday as a rest day after my intense day on Wednesday, I wanted to get a run in. I had a really busy day so no time for a lunch run and instead I managed a short evening run around the harbour. It was hard, my legs were tired after my week’s activities as well as after a full on work week but I was very pleased to get it done.

Distance: 3m

Time: 34m 16s

Elevation: 46ft

Pace: 11.25/m

Saturday:

I spent the morning doing housework and also doing more gardening. I even spent a couple of hours scraping the moss that has crept out into the pavement, just to keep the walkway clear and safe. We then went for a walk just to stretch the legs and enjoy the lovely weather, getting in three miles.

Sunday:

I rounded up my week with more gardening, more housework and, as a reward, a dip in the Loch. On such a lovely, sunny day we headed to Ronachan for a wee dook- the water is definitely warming up (after you’ve been in for a few moments) and it was so peaceful, just us, the seals and a couple of jellyfish. Lovely!

All in all, it’s been a pretty solid week and it’s been great to be back out there. I’m now looking forward to another couple of gentle recovery weeks before we go on holiday.

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The past week has been incredibly busy, and I’ve really struggled to step away from the desk either at lunchtime or in the evenings, and yet again I haven’t managed to get to any of Jacqui’s classes live. But I know that the pace of life varies, so rather than being too worried about it I’ve just stayed focussed and taken the breaks when I’ve been able to, knowing that not every week is like the one just past.

Here’s how my week went.

Monday-

After Sunday’s long run doing the middle section of the Kintyre Way, I needed to shake out my legs to help with recovery. I had a small gap at lunchtime so took advantage and squeezed in a short run around the harbour. It was also Medal Monday, and my March accumulator medal was delivered!

Distance: 3m

Time: 31m 59s

Elevation: 79ft

Pace: 10.38/m

Tuesday:

I had a busy day in the office, but as Shirley was also in we did fit in a very short 15 minute walk, just enough to get away from the desk. In the evening, Tony and I walked to the West Loch and back, it was a lovely evening.

Distance: 3.4m

Time: 1h 4m 53s

Wednesday-

I only had half an hour to spare, so I found myself heading back to the West Loch for another sunny run.

Distance: 2.68m

Time: 30m 7s

Elevation: 148ft

Pace: 11.13/m

Thursday –

I was short of time again, but managed a quick post work run. I was so rushed that I forgot to take a photo, urgh!

Distance: 3m

Time: 33m 28s

Elevation: 89ft

Pace: 11.08/m

Friday-

After a busy morning, we were able to head through to Glasgow to meet up with family for an outdoor walk, I saw my parents last year, but it has been well over a year since I had seen my sisters so it was well worth the 5 hour drive.

A sunny walk around Kelvingrove Park was just what we needed.

Distance: 2.7m

Saturday-

Tony and I were up and out early to get in a long training walk for the Great Post Lockdown Walk on 22 May. We headed to the timber route, to the old quarry to see stunning views over to Jura. It was beautiful!

Distance: 20.16m

Time: 7h 3m 49s

Elevation: 2,113 ft

Time now to rest and recharge for the week ahead!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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.

Weekly Workout

Weekly Workout

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! After taking a short break from running, I’m finally back at it this week. I’ve signed up of the January Great Run Solo Accumulator, which calls for 21 days of exercise. I know I said I wasn’t going to do a January challenge but I can’t help myself!🤣 I think it’s been made easier by the weather, as it’s been dry and sunny but incredibly icy! ❄️

I’ve also started my new year training to get ready for the Kintyre Way Ultra Relay in the hopes that it might go ahead. Here’s how the New Year so far has shaped up:

New Year’s Day:

We went for a walk around the harbour, taking our time as we met others doing the same, so we enjoyed a couple of distanced chats too. That was lovely! 4.1 miles in glorious sunshine.

2nd January:

We decided to dig the trail shoes out and headed up to the Cairn for today’s fresh air. The views really are incredible looking over the village. 4.3 miles and 715ft of elevation.

Monday:

It’s a new week, and it’s high time to dig the trainers out again- they’ve been in hibernation since 23rd December. It felt good to run so the break was definitely the right call. I only did around the harbour but it was still tricky and icy in places.

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 44m 27s

Pace: 11.06/m

Elevation: 36ft

Tuesday:

Back to work, so we went for an evening walk around the harbour. After a busy day I completely forgot to take a photo!

Distance: 2.9m

Wednesday:

Working from home has its benefits, including being able to fit in the occasional lunchtime run. That’s what I managed to do here, with a short harbour run again. It’s repetitive and I really want to be in a trail, but it’s just to slippery underfoot and I don’t fancy driving in icy roads if I can avoid it!

Distance: 3m

Time: 32m 4s

Pace: 10.35/m

Elevation: 43ft

Friday:

Another lunchtime run, and I had two meetings cancelled meaning I had a little extra time available than usual. I thought I’d get my longer run done and set out to do 5 or 6 miles. My first plan was to run the Castle loop but when I got to the kissing gate at the orchard it was just too icy for me, and no one knew I was heading out there. So I abandoned that plan and headed back to the harbour. I fitted in some extra hills, though, just for good measure, and ran my first 10k of the year. Woo hoo!

Distance: 6.2m

Time: 1h 11m 27s

Pace: 11.30/m

Elevation: 328ft

Saturday:

Since I managed my longer run yesterday, today was a wee shake out run. After an incredibly cold night I knew it would be icy- and it was. But then it started to rain mod way through the run, which was certainly a change!

Distance: 3.1m

Time: 33m 3s

Pace: 10.38/m

Elevation: 46ft

It’s been a pretty solid start to running in 2021, though I do want to get back on the trails as soon as I can. 7/21 days done of my January Accumulator too. Yay!

Weekly Workouts – Double

Weekly Workouts – Double

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

We were away last weekend and so there was no blog post, so here’s a quick summary of the past two weeks for anyone who is interested (and if you aren’t you might enjoy some photos!). Long story short- it’s been tough, and I’ve had tired legs. After having 10 weeks off earlier in the year due to the pandemic response work, I’ve been consistently running at least 3 or 4 times each week since June so it’s now time for a short break before starting training again in the New Year.

Monday-

A quick shuffle around the harbour at lunchtime. The weather was perfect!

Distance: 3m

Time: 30m 55s

Elevation: 92ft

Pace: 10.15/m

Wednesday-

I managed another lunchtime run which was amazing! Two in one week! This one was down to the West Loch and back.

Distance: 2.78m

Time: 30m 13s

Elevation: 171ft

Pace: 10.51/m

Friday-

A day off meant I could head to a trail and I was planning to do a slightly longer run but my legs had other ideas- they were tired and heavy so I cut it short and just did a 5k instead.

Distance: 3.22m

Time: 38m 11s

Elevation: 308ft

Pace: 11.51/m

Saturday-

I thought I’d try again with another slightly longer trail run but the legs were done! It was during this run that I realised I hadn’t taken a real break since June so made the call to have a week away from running at the end of my December challenge. It was a beautiful day, though!

Distance: 2.83m

Time: 38m 51s

Elevation: 620ft

Pace: 13.42/s

Monday-

As we were away on a ‘staycation’ to another part of Argyll we decided to go for a lovely long walk. We headed out in drizzle but it quickly cleared to leave a lovely dry morning for a stroll!

Distance: 9.18m

Time: 3h 14m 39s

Elevation: 974ft

Tuesday-

Another walk, just to give the legs a bit of a longer break. We were home by late afternoon so enjoyed a stroll around the harbour.

Distance: 2.26m

Time: 47m 9s

Elevation: 148ft

Wednesday-

I pulled on my trainers again and enjoyed a beer short run. It was incredibly dark for mid morning!

Distance: 3.03m

Time: 32m 22s

Elevation: 217ft

Pace: 10.29/m

Friday-

I squeezed in a quick late morning run to the West Loch and it was really, really windy! Ooft!

Distance: 2.68m

Time: 30m 4s

Elevation: 148ft

Pace 11.11/m

Saturday-

Another short trail run- it was incredibly wet! I deliberately kept this one short, just to keep my motivation up for my final two runs of the year next week to see out my December accumulator.

Distance: 3.30m

Time: 36m 52s

Elevation: 371ft

Pace: 11.11/m

So that’s 10 of my 12 December Accumulator runs done, I now have two more runs this week to round that off then I’ll refocus on training for the Kintyre Way Ultra (fingers crossed of course) Woo hoo!

Weekly Workouts

Weekly Workouts

by TartanJogger ♥ 2 Comments

I started last week with a day off, and I was looking forward to having a trail run in daylight. And it was worth waiting for! Here’s how my week turned out:

Monday-

I had a lovely 7 mile run, making it to the end of a trail I’d been planning to explore for some time. I didn’t have it all my own way, mind you, as it started to pour at about 2 miles in. It was lovely to enjoy the daylight!

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 1h 25m 32s

Pace: 12.13/m

Elevation: 974ft

Tuesday-

I wanted to give my legs a bit of a break, so went for an evening walk instead of a run. It was raining, but that’s what waterproofs are for!

Distance: 3m

Time: 1h 2m 40s

Elevation: 121ft

Wednesday-

Another dark evening and it was another wet and windy run! But I was fair cheered by all of the Christmas lights that are springing up around the village. I love that people are brightening the darkness with early Christmas cheer 🎄

Distance: 3.12m

Time: 33m 10s

Pace: 10.36/m

Elevation: 203ft

Friday-

I was working from home, and I literally had a half hour gap open in my diary so I took advantage and headed out for a 30 minute run. And….. it stayed dry! Woo hoo! As it was daylight I headed out to the West Loch and back, for a change of scenery.

Distance: 2.93m

Time: 30m 11s

Pace: 19.18/m

Elevation: 102ft

Sunday-

Some runs take little or no motivation, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. After putting up our decorations on Saturday, I was having a lovely leisurely Sunday morning all cosy at home with the Christmas tree twinkling and fresh coffee brewing. It was a bit of a wrench to get myself out the door! The plan was a 5k at Corranbuie but it was really busy so we headed south and did a 5k at Cour windfarm instead.

As is often the case, it was a lovely run- don’t you often find that the ones you struggle to start end up beating the ones you’re glad you did? It was very misty and atmospheric, but that feeling of having the trail all to yourself is so incredible.

Distance: 3.29m

Time: 36m 8s

Pace: 11/m

Elevation: 259ft

I’m 3.3k short of 100k running in November so I may decide to add in a short extra run tomorrow night before I start my Great Solo Run December Accumulator on Tuesday. We’ll see!