Happy Hump Day, everyone! We’re on the downward slope to the weekend!
Here’s a couple of my favourites from my Pinterest motivation board:
Tag: training
Are Recovery Runs Always Weird?
@TheWelshWookie and I had a day off from running yesterday.
Today, we headed out for a slow, 5K recovery run. At least. that was the plan. My legs and my brain had something else planned!
Before I was even aware of it, we had run about 3/4 of a mile, and our pace was just over 9 minute per mile! I had to consciously try to slow down, but it still resulted in a first mile pace of 9.39, which is pretty speedy for me!
Here’s the splits- faster than I had planned:
For the rest of the run, I felt like we were on an elastic band- bounding forward at speed, then trying to hold back and run slowly. It was tough, in a weird way!
It’s funny, how after a race it’s difficult to just get back into recovery mode. We need to keep it light this week, so that we have enough energy in the running tank for Saturday’s CowalFest trail race!
…BREAKING NEWS….
The NFL are going to play three home games in the UK during 2014! And which will be the home teams? Well, would you believe this:
Jacksonville Jaguars- my team
Oakland Raiders- @TheWelshWookie’s team
Atlanta Falcons – my brother-in-law’s team
I wonder if I can swing three trips to London next year 😉
Today’s Stats:
Run: 5K recovery run
Weather: cloudy and cold. It’s time for long sleeves and tights, I think
Trainers: LunarGlides
Today’s life lesson: just when you think your day is going well, the other boot falls. Sometimes quite heavily…
How do you find recovery runs?
100th Post; 10K Success!
I’m using my 100th Post to let you know that the Great Scottish Run 10K for 2013 has been conquered!
It has been a fantastic weekend of running- it’s described at ‘Scotland’s Biggest Weekend of Running’ and it was certainly that!
I’ll follow up with a couple of race reviews later this week, because celebrating is coming first today!
We’re watching the BBC coverage of the event, which is great 🙂
@TheWelshWookie has achieved a fantastic PB of 58:32, which is brilliant. I ran it in 57:45, 19 seconds short of my PB, but I’m pleased with this, considering the volume of runners.
Well done to everyone who has run in the various events across the weekend; and elsewhere: it’s been a busy weekend of running all across the UK and worldwide! 😉
Running in the Rain
When I was in Dunoon today, I watched the storm clouds brewing:
And my first thought was, urgh!
You’d think I’d be used to it. I live on the West Coast of Scotland. Rain is something you’d expect me to be used to running in. But I’m not!
In the past, I’ve always been a ‘fair weather’ runner; I’ve skipped any runs that would involve running in the rain.
Yes, I know, I know.
But over the past 18 months, I’ve run in all weathers, and I really do love it, but I still find that I need to drag myself out there when it rains. When I’m actually running, I enjoy it- running in the rain is great! It’s refreshing, it keeps you cool, the roads are generally quieter, I get to splash in puddles…… but why do I still find it hard to get myself out the door?
Tonight, the rain was torrential, and the wind was quite strong. I didn’t really want to run. But I did. And I LOVED it! We were pretty speedy (well, for us, that is). We only did a two miler, since we’re, ahem, lazy ‘tapering’ for Sunday’s 10K, but I’m really pleased with the run 🙂
And, I found another heart!
Here’s a heart I found a couple of weeks ago, that I forgot to share….
Run: 2 miles
Time: 18:44
Trainers: LunarFly GTX
Weather: very wet, rainy and windy
I listened to a Jillian Michael’s podcast again today, instead of music 🙂
Today’s Life Lesson: am I the only person who leaves their reusable bags in the car EVERY time I go to the supermarket?
How do you feel about running in the rain?
Newsday Tuesday
Today, I have a news round up for you, from the last 24 hours.
The main news headline is: I GOT COMMONWEALTH GAMES TICKETS! Hurrah!
@TheWelshWookie and I submitted requests for six events, and were allocated tickets for our two top events! 😀
We’re going to see the judo all day on Saturday, 26th July 2014: it’s the heavier weight categories, men and women’s and features all qualifying, right up to the repechage, but not the medal matches.
And, on Friday, 1st August 2014 we’re going to see Mo Farah run the 10,000 metres! I’m so happy! 🙂
We’ll also see triple jump, javelin, steeplechase, 4×100 heats, 4×400 heats for men and women, pole vault, women’s 800m, 100 hurdles, high jump and discus.
It’s so exciting!
In other news, our Super Saturday race packs arrived today, for the Great Scottish Run! We’ve already received our packs for Sunday’s 10K:
But the packs for the Family Mile, which my four oldest nephews are running along with the ‘big’ boys (i.e. their dads, and @TheWelshWookie) arrived today. They each get a proper race bib, and a tshirt, so it’s a great introduction to running for kids! I’m looking forward to taking lot of pictures!
And finally, did you notice my new address, tartanjogger.com? I’ve had the domain name for while, but since I’m not very tech-savvy, it’s taken me a while to get it set up! If you’re having problems viewing my blog, please let me know!
That’s tonight’s news headlines; now for the weather.
It’s cold and windy, so I haven’t run. I’ll definitely need to head out tomorrow! 😉
Whinfell Forest Run
Morning! I’ve just been exploring around Center Parks, during my 5K run:
It’s lovely!
Back home, @TheWelshWookie has run 3 miles- go, Wookie!
We’re heading for lunch soon, but for now, we’re having a breakfast beer 🙂
The Cheerleader
You know what it’s like. You have a tough day at work. You trail around the supermarket. You head home, and the last thing you feel like doing is going out for a run. But you don’t sit down: you pull on your kit, lace up your trainers and head out of the door. And you have a great run. You know?
Well, that didn’t happen today. My run today sucked.
I moaned for the whole four miles. @TheWelshWookie was a proper cheerleader, keeping me going and making helping me get it done. He even had me laughing at one point. Thanks, Wookie, I owe you a tough run! 😉
We finished just after 6pm, and the lights along the harbour were on, for the first time this autumn:
Here’s hoping that’s my last tough run for a while!
Run: 4 miles
Time: 42:20
Trainers: LunarGlides
Weather: cloudy, and definitely much cooler today
I listened to a Jillian Michael’s podcast again today, instead of music 🙂
Today’s Life Lesson: Sometimes, running sucks. Fortunately, not always 😉
When did you last have a rubbish run that someone helped you out on?
Reading and Running
Today’s run was a bit of a disaster. We set out to do a half mile warm up, a fast mile, and a half mile cool down. When we reached the half mile mark, I set off like a hare out of a trap (well, for me. Normal speed for most), thinking I was doing some sprints. After 30 seconds, I remembered that I was supposed to sustain my pace for a mile- not. a. chance.
I’d set off so fast that my heart rate was crazy, so I had to do a short walk to bring it down. And to shout at myself for being so daft! I set off again for the last 3/4 mile, at a more sensible speed!
@TheWelshWookie had a great run- he ran a great mile!
This arrived in the post today:
I’m so excited! This year’s Great Scottish Run has only two start waves: green and pink. We’re in the green wave, which goes first. I wonder if that’s because us slowbies need a head start? Surely I’m not in the faster wave?
Tonight, I’ll be delving into this:
It’s the long awaited sequel to The Shining! I re-read The Shining on Saturday, so I’m ready to get stuck right in 😀
Today’s Stats:
Run: 2 miles, 1 mile run in the middle
Time: 19:45
Trainers: Lunar Racers
Weather: cloudy, and still warm. Might be my last vest run of the year!
I listened to a Jillian Michael’s pod cast again today, instead of music 🙂
Today’s Life Lesson: Spread sheets are sources of pain and torture.
What are you reading?
Monday Motivation
I don’t know where it has come from, but I had one of those runs today: a great run! 😀
@TheWelshWookie and I headed out tonight, and I’ll admit that my head wasn’t really in it. But I got my trainers on, and headed out the door. Despite still having a cold, I managed to run with only two stops. Once at mile two to use a tissue (I can’t run and blow my nose at the same time- too much co-ordination required!) and once to take a picture of this wee guy:
@TheWelshWookie told me it’s a slow worm. It isn’t slow, and it isn’t a worm. Every day’s a school day! 😉
Tonight, I’ve been thinking about potential runs for next year, as we only have one half marathon booked so far for 2014: the RnR Madrid. So far, I think I might sign up for a Spartan Sprint, and maybe a Tough Mudder. We’ll see how my trail run and zombie night run go first, though!
Meanwhile, I’ll content myself with reading my mag, that arrived today:
Today’s Stats:
Run: 5 miles, slow but with negative splits 🙂
Time: 53:25
Trainers: Lunar Racers. These felt great!
Weather: cloudy, but surprisingly warm
I listened to a pod cast again, instead of music today!
Today’s Life Lesson: never argue with an idiot. People watching can’t tell the difference.
Have you booked any runs for 2014 yet?
Sunday Sessions
It’s been a much more active day here than it was yesterday.
Today, we’ve been to church, done the grocery shopping, been for a run and spent time at the Harbour for the Music Festival. So, we’ve enjoyed both a Sunday running session and a Sunday music session 😉
After our lazy day yesterday, I thought I’d better pull up my big girls (running) pants and head out the door. The run was not pretty: I kept stopping to blow my nose, my pockets ended up stuffed with used tissue (yuk) but, I did it. I ground those four miles out!
After a spot of lunch and a shower, @TheWelshWookie and I walked back down to the harbour, to enjoy a couple of beers, and listen to the bands playing at the quay today. It was a great afternoon: it stayed dry, and the music was brilliant. Are there many villages with free music, cheap beer and street parties this weekend?
Tonight, we have a dilemma: watch football or the new Series of Downton Abbey: which should we tape?
Today’s Stats:
Run: 4 miles, easy run
Time: 42:25
Trainers: Lunar Fly GTX
Weather: cloudy, but surprisingly warm
I listened to a pod cast for the first time in months, instead of music today!
Today’s Life Lesson: just do it, as they say…!
Football or Downton Abbey?
TartanJogger 