Not doing a great job posting...

...doing a better job running

In the last 10 days, my running has looked like this:

Saturday 8th: approx 7km around Hampstead Heath

Tuesday 11th: 6.8km around Hyde Park and Green Park

Thursday 13th: 4km 'sprints' (that is, run for a km, walk 500m, repeat four times)

Sunday 16th: 8.9km around Hampstead Heath

Tuesday 18th: 8.8km around Hyde Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens

I'm feeling strong and fit.

All is good.

Weekly numbers

This last week, I ran 2 x 5kms on the treadmill, and 1 x 8.5kms on the road and Hamstead Heath. So, 18.5kms for the week, which is OK. A 'good start' etc.

Yesterday, I went for the 8.5kms run. I set off in my new Sauconys and climbed the hill into Hampstead. My cardio system was feeling very relaxed, but my legs were tired for the first few kms. I was very conscious of the fact that I'd tried to ramp my mileage excessively in the past and injured myself.

At the top of Hampstead, I turned down Spaniards Lane and went round the back of Kenwood House. I was approaching the 5km point and still hgadn't turned for home. I was a bit concerned I would run a lot further than planned. Fortunately, I came straight back across the Heath and this was a much quicker route: 5kms out, 3.5kms back.

At the end of the run, I had a slightly sore achilles tendon, and a dull ache in my right quad (from the hills in Hampstead and across the Heath). My right knee didn't feel 100%, but there was definitely no pain behind it. The plan for this week needs to be to increase my mileage slightly, and probably to add a bit of cross training to the mix. Hopefully four sessions, of which three will be running.

Which reminds me: this is all training for the Windsor Half Marathon on 27 September; I think that's 10 weeks away...

On the treadmill

Yesterday, I discovered I'd only brought one pair of shorts with me to Calgary. This led to me wasting severl hours playing Civilization IV rather than running.

Today I bought a most excellent pair of running shorts at Patagonia. At $60 they were most decidedly not-cheap, but they seem lightweight and comfortable. They have pockets too, which I appreciate. On the other hand, I continue to be incapable of opening the packaging of my Polar Heart Rate Monitor. I am officially a complete idiot.

Equipped with new shorts, I looked outside. Raining (albeit only showers) again. Still, the risk of most vigorous rainfall put me off running outside. So, treadmill again. 5km again. 38 minutes 30 seconds. Not my greatest run. But I did excercise my legs. I am getting my running legs back. The back of my right knee remains good. No soreness in my Achilles tendon. All in, I can't complain. My next run will probably be in London. I need to get myself a bluetooth HR strap to pair with my N97.

Back to Blogging...

OK. Just off the treadmill. Ran 5K in a thoroughly uninspiring 38 minutes or so. Perhaps 'run' is the wrong word. Jogged would be better.

I've been a lazy runner in the last six weeks. It all started with pain behind the knee. I'd get to the end of a run (and these were decent sized runs - say 6 to 8 miles) and it'd be sore. The soreness would continue and move to pain if I tried to bend my leg. During actual running there was no problem. But I decided to play it safe and cut out the running until the pain went away. (That was what Google suggested anyway...)

That lasted three weeks, and I've struggled to get back into a routine. I ran two miles on the treadmill in India a month ago. Two weeks ago I did 5K or so with Guy, followed the next day by some pretty serious sprinting (result: very sore legs for three or four days).

Today I bought new running shoes: Saucony, rather than Asics. They're stability shoes, and a bit more cushioned than my previous ones. My knee feels fine post the run, which is good. On the other hand, my tendons are a little tight.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'll drag myself outside and do a 5 or 6km loop.

Feeling tired

Weight: 87.4kg

Out last night with Lucille. And I also have a bad habit of reading in bed for an hour. Result, asleep at 1am. Awoken by Julia at 5:50am. Oh joy. Tonight I have a big dinner at Berry Brother's, celebrating a colleague's 25th anniversary of working in finance. It will likely be a big night.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to do a little exercise this afternoon. Some light cross training at the gym would be perfect. 

Fartleks round Green Park

Distance: 5.7km

Time: about 35 minutes

Very high intensity run walk session with Guy. Did three circuits of the park, roughly running for 200-250 yards (more than 75% intensity), then walking for 75-125 yards. Rinse and repeat. Legs felt like jelly at the end. 

The most gratifying part of the session was the speed of recovery (from 80-90% of max heart rate to 60% or so) well within the short walks. The real issue was that my legs simply weren't as strong as I'd like. But - courtesy of fartleks, and just running more - that will change.

Tomorrow I'll have a longer, but low intensity, cross train (probably while listening to the Now Show) at lunch. Friday sees me hooking up with Guy for a 5K around Hyde Park.

Better than I should feel

I went out last night, drinking beer and eating lamb. Not good for my fitness, really. I didn't dare weigh myself this morning. I am also out tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday. There will need to be some serious exercise to work this all out my systems, followed by abstinence next week.

This afternoon, Guy will put me through my paces. Hopefully I'll manage a couple of circuits of St James's Park at high intensity (walk/run).