What to write

I feel a bit overwhelmed about all the things I could blog about.  I've been to ballet and Japanese this week, I went to London yesterday and today I've been for a run already.  Running in the morning is lovely but leaves me feeling worn out in a very relaxed way for the rest of the day.  I'm excited about the things I bought in London yesterday and want to show them off but I also want to spend the day writing up a kntting pattern and knitting the sample.  And the sun has just come out!

Busy busy

I went for a run today and followed it up with a lovely bath. It is very windy but the rain held off while I was out for about 25 minutes.  I jogged for 4 minutes then about 2.5 minutes at a time.  More running thatn usual but at a much slower pace. I've been working on my project for Let's Knit and it's coming along well although my hand is sore.  I won't do much tomorrow as I'll be at my Japanese class.  I haven't done any since the last lesson which was two weeks ago.  Bad me. I'm trying to balance my time to fit everything but the knitting takes precedence at the moment and I'm trying to keep the house tidy (where normally it falls apart when I'm working towards a deadline). I haven't even had much time for Pikmin.

Lovely weekend

I'm almost converted to getting up early at the weekend.  Lately, I've been staying up late and then getting up late and sometimes sitting in bed and reading all morning.  This weekend, my nephew stayed over so I was up early on Saturday to squeeze in a run and finish tidying up.  I pushed myself on my run and was pleased I hadn't totally lost fitness from last year. I definitely lost some but I'm not back to being a total beginner.  I did think I should start again from scratch but I now I think I'll write my own plan.  I'd like to be able to run a mile in time for the sports relief mile at the end of March and I think that's acheivable. last year I focussed on trying to build stamina for the 10k but this year I'm going to aim to run continuously for longer times.

I played lots of computer games and knitted while my nephew was with me and then we had to get up early after a night of oreos and Jurassic Park, to get to football in good time.  It's a lovely sunny but cold say and the sun always puts me in a good mood.  I've played pikmin and realised I can even save it on the wii with my old gamecube memory card so once the knitting's done, I'll be saving Captain Olimar one spaceship piece at a time. Later, I'll be seeing a sister to eat roast dinner and watch movies, and I'll be knitting some more.  What a blissed out weekend!

First run of the year

I haven't run since the semi-disatrous 10k in September so I've gone right back to the beginning.  I'm following a beginner's training plan from runner's world which has me training 5 times per week - 2 runs, 1 power walk and 2 circuits involving planks and lunges and things to improve strength.  The runs are more like interval session with short bursts of sprinting and walking to recover.  It was fun to be out again.  My trainers didn't hurt my toes as I was out for such a short time, it was short enough to not feel onerous (6 x 30secs run, 2mins walk) and it reminded me of when I was a genuine beginner, in 2009, when I would run rather than jog. The first few reps weren't too hard but as usual, the running began to feel like it was taking longer and the walking sections felt much shorter by the time I was at the third rep. After a total of not very much running at all, I deserved a lovely bath and even ached the next day so even though it was only a fraction of the amount of running I probably could do, it felt worth while.

One left!

Two more squares have been completed. 

 And so has the charity 10k stagger round Bedgebury.

Here is my medal.  I'll post more about it all when I'm not trying to finish the blanket.  I imagine that post will feature photos of the wedding too!

Wow - I ran really far today!

Training Run #19
Pre run munch:pb&h sandwich
Post run munch: turkey, sweet potato, spinach and leeky cheese
Time of run: 6pm
Distance: 6.57km!!!!!
Time: 54.5 mins!!!!
Category: 1x1 run then walk 7 times, then 1x2 10 times then another 2 mins run!!!!!!!!!
Feeling: hooray for me!!!!!!

With only 10 days to go, there's not much more time for training.  I thought I'd just go out for 20 minutes but got a bit carried away.  I had planned a long run for Saturday but the weather got in the way so this made up for it. I'm really chuffed with how far I went and feel really happy with my progress.

I'm also feeling great about the blanket.  I've finished 9 squares and am part way through the 10th out of 12.  It feels like it's doable now, I can see myself joining up the strips and knitting the border. 

Here's what I'm running for this time

I really enjoyed the 10k run I took part in in May. It was the first race I've run since I was at primary school and it was far more fun. So, when I saw there was another race at the same venue, I signed up with a friend. This time, it's in aid of Maric Curie Cancer Care. I don't remember the last time I asked for sponsorship for something, again it was probably in primary school, but it's so easy now. If you're interested, you can click on the link, and if you're not, it doesn't matter.

SInce last posting, I've had two more training runs and finished two more squares.  I've also just coloured my hair and am disappointed by the results but will have to wait until tomorrow to see the final colour.

Training Run #17
Pre run munch: rice pudding
Post run munch: dinner
Time of run: 6pm
Distance: approx 5km
Time: 42 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk 6 times, 1x2 10times
Feeling: damn app didn't work so I don't know how far I managed

Training Run #18
Pre run munch: cereal
Post run munch: lunch
Time of run: 11.30am
Distance: 3.4km
Time: 28 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk 6 times, then run for 3 mins in the pouring rain then maybe another 1 min
Feeling: should have left earlier and missed the rain

The race is getting nearer

I now have my race number, parking permit and information pack. Also, my friend, who I registered, also has hers, which is great as she hadn't heard anything from them yet.  And thought it was on the Sunday rather than the Saturday.

Another run (#16): another square (#7)

Pre run munch: cereal
Post run munch: milk and a mini pain au chocolat
Time of run: 11am
Distance: 4.6km
Time: 39 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk 7 times, 1x2 7times
Feeling: too hot but I stuck with it

I had other things to say but I've just looked at my running app and I've found out it does more than I realised.  It makes me a little map to show where I went and tells me my km splits. Now, io know where I went, but I wasn't convinced it knew when I was running in a circle in the park.   I think it's more accurate than I gave it credit for.  I went out yesterday morning about an hour later than I planned as I was reading Dead Reckoning.  I love the Sookie Stackhouse books.  When I finally did leave the house, the clouds parted and the sun threatened to burn my shoulders.  I almost gave up after 15mins but found a shady path by the allotments and went up and down there several times.  I'm pleased to see that I've already done more training for this race than previously and am staying out for consistently longet (around 40minutes compared to 25-30). 

 I didn't use my computer at all over the weekend, which was great. Well, i had a lovely weekend but that was probably more due to what I was doing, rather than what I was avoiding.  On Saturday, I went to a family barbeque which ended in a singsong - you know, like singstar but without a computer ;)  There were renegade piglets from two doors down,  three types of cake and crumble with ice cream and three of my dad's siblings in one place at once.  My younger sister brought her boyfriend to meet the rents for the first time and got a mild shock to have so many aunties and uncles there too!

On Sunday, I ran and shopped and then went to my bro's so couldn't take the secret surprise knitting with me.  I did confirm the love-hearts-as-wedding-favours theory though. I helped separate fabric petals for decorations and watched Source Code.

Square #7 was probably finished on Friday and here it is for your admiration.

There's the deadline!

 I also took a better picture of the purple square (hint: in the dark, use the flash) so you can see it really does say lucky day.

I finished work in a major grump but I've chilled out a bit now.  I was going to go to the running shop and buy some new trainers and even made it as far as my car but I left it too late in the evening and the shop would have been practically shut when I arrived.  I want to try the motion analysis and the website recommends allowing 30mins for them to watch me fall off a treadmill in stretchy pants that are too small. Shouldn't rush that!

Training for September #15

Pre run munch: smoothie and two oreos
Post run munch: beef dinner
Time of run: 6.30pm
Distance: 4.7km
Time: 39 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk 6 times, 1x2 7 times plus 1 extra at the end
Feeling: getting fitter

I was a bit worried that I'd messed up my fueling strategy and felt a bit sick/hungry before I went out but all was fine.  It was probably good to run on a slightly emptier stomach. I'm beginning to feel like I'm making progress now and pleased to see I've already trained much more than for the race in May.  I've decided about 40 minutes is long enough to be outside but I do still want to do a longer run before the race.  I'll have to plan that a bit more though as I don't like doing circuits round the village after last time. 

Training for September #14

Pre run munch: pb&h on toast (oh the yumminess)
Post run munch: chocolate, oops
Time of run: 6.30pm
Distance: 4.7km
Time: 40 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk 5 times, 1x2 7 times plus 1 extra at the end
Feeling:better

It surprises me how much my enthusiasm for running can vary. On Tuesday, I rushed home, put on my running gear and whizzed out the door, and really enjoyed it.  Today, it took me a long time to get out.  I suppose I was in a miserable mood all day until a Big Bang theory marathon cheered me up somewhat. I still felt lousy though and I had to really focus on not thinking bad thoughts.  Walking for one minute doesn't give me much time to start internally grumbling but two minutes does.  I guess that's partly why I went fast for the first five reps.  I did start to feel better and had a long walk home which reminded me that I really enjoy walking.  I was worrying that I'll have to walk so much of the 10k that I won't enjoy it.  I think I will enjoy it and I'll try to stop putting pressure on myself but I can't help thinking that I do have a goal of being able to run continuously for 20 minutes, not just walk the majority of the way. I don't know if I'm achieving much with the "training" I'm indulging in at the moment.

achievement: improved my mood

Training for September #13

Pre run munch: chocolate apricot bar and a banana
Post run munch: MASSES of thai food
Time of run: 5.15pm
Distance: don't know
Time: 20 mins
Category: 1x1 run then walk ish, maybe 8 mins running
Feeling: speedy

I was in a bit of a rush yesterday as I had to go out for my dad's birthday to eat masses of thai food. I didn't cheat and skip my run completely but I didn't do a full one.  I felt very energised afterwards.  I do wish I'd taken my km measurer with me though as it would have been interesting to see how far I went.  Maybe it was 2.5km.  ;)


I've finished square four and nearly square five so pictures of the meal and knitting to follow tomorrow.

Training for September #11 and 12

Pre run munch: cereal
Post run munch: half a recovery shake - it minged
Time of run: 10.15am
Distance: 3.75 km
Time: 32 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 10 reps plus 1 extra minute run and 2 stair reps
Feeling: sweaty

I did go out for a 20 minute run last saturday but it was a very gentle one and I didn't blog it.  Today's run was more structured.  I've decided to up the ante by introducing some hill training in the shape of stairs.  There's a main road near one of the fields I run round and it has a bridge over it.  I ran up it and staggered down it twice.  Boy, my thighs burned after that.  I did this around 12 minutes in and the rest of the run felt difficult so I conclude it did some good.  The route of the race I'll be doing is mostly hills but where I train is totally flat. I really want my training to reflect the race as much as possible, which is why I'm aiming for distance rather than speed at the moment, so I'll need to increase the stair reps as I go too.

I tidied up my sofa and found a rogue dpn on it.  I'm already down to four as these little black ones like to go wandering.  And they're chuffing expensive, although I've actually seen even more expensive ones since.  To stop this happening, I bought dpn ends at KnitNation, from atomic Knitting and now they're in use. Marvellous.

Training for September #10

Pre run munch: banana and almonds
Post run munch: raspberries and yoghurt, chocolates
Time of run: 6.00pm gogo lokuji
Distance: a whopping 1km
Time: 10 mins
Category: my leg hurts
Feeling: you can't win them all

After the epic training on Monday, I was a bit nervous about going out today.  All I really fancied was sitting in front of the tv eating chocolates.  I've learnt how to recognise the times that I don't really want to go out but will enjoy it if I try and the times when it's best if I don't go out as it will spoil things.  Tonight was a time when I decided it was better to have a go.  I have a few techniques to bribe myself to go out for a run when I don't really fancy it.  I put my clothes on with minimal fuss.  This normally does the trick.  If not, I then tell myself I only need to go out for ten minutes and if I'm still not enjoying it I can come back home.  Normally, I'll start having fun and stay out for a bit longer.  If those techniques aren't working, I eat some chocolate.  Not very scientific, but sometimes the sugar boost gets me out of the door.  Today I had to do all of these things and I didn't get very far at all.  My left leg (calf?) hurts and it didn't ease up at all so I walked around for a bit and then went home and finished off another layer of the chocolate box.

Training for September #9

Pre run munch: rice pudding
Post run munch:chicken and veg pasta
Time of run: 6.00pm gogo lokuji
Distance: a whopping 5.1km
Time: 41 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 13 reps plus 1 extra minute run and then walk home
Feeling: knackered

Did I add an extra rep in by accident? Maybe that's why I found it so hard.  I'm a bit confused now.  So today I had to push through a psychological barrier and turn left outside my house instead of right.  Yes, peeps, I'm now an ambiturner.  I went into the village to extend my route, instead of hiding in the park and the streets near my house.  It takes about 14 minutes to reach the park in this direction, complete with added embarrassment of wolf whistling (push) bikers. I kept crossing their paths so I didn't hang around in the park for as long as I wanted and had to head out onto concrete again. I really had to push myself in the later stages of the run - I felt quite tired at 15 minutes, winding in and out of the trees in the park.  I don't know how I made it really.  I'm a bit sore too. Running is a mind game.  I wanted to quit but I really wanted to stick to the plan so I kept stumbling forward until my watch said I could stop.  Then I stumbled home to knit and play GnomeTown.  I'm supposed to finish the third square today but I think I should get to bed soon. If I can tear myself away from listening to the Amy Winehouse albums I downloaded, in celebration of her talent and to mark her passing.

Training for September #8

Pre run munch: beetroot crisps and a pb&h roll
Post run munch: dinner
Time of run: 5.20pm gogo goji nijuppun
Distance: 4.33km
Time: 34 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 11 reps plus 1 extra minute run and then (v short)walk home
Feeling: amazed I got out so quickly after work

Running was good and I really had to push myself to get through the final two minutes of running.  I'm also concentrating on not slapping my heels down with every step but aiming for the balls of my feet more and keeping light on my feet.

After a marathon effort today, having swung by work, the doctor's, back past work, through my sister's for lunch and football and back home via the bank, I sat on the sofa for about 6 hours.  Dang, this blanket is taking a lot longer than I anticipated.

 I'm going to my friends' house for the weekend including the new HP bk 7 part II film and pizza and cuddles with baby PWW. The blanket is coming on the train and I hope to get through a whole nother square.  I don't know how realistic that is but I'm already behind on the schedule of one square every 5 days. 

Next up is Lush Lips in purple. I have to draw my own chart for this one aswell which is always exciting - on the previous one I ended up with Found Yod. Tremendulunt!

Training for September #7

Pre run munch: rice pudding
Post run munch: sausages and veg stir fry and rice
Time of run: 6pm gogo nana ji
Distance: 3.95km
Time: 32 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 10 reps plus 1 extra minute run and then (v short)walk home
Feeling: pleased I missed the downpour

I don't know what went wrong with my preparation tonight but I was desperate for the loo by the time I got home and I felt it as I was going round.  Round and round the park and little bit of village I live in.  I was too efficient this time and only had a short walk home so the total time out today was basically the same as the previous session, even though I added in an extra 3 minute rep.  I think I've hit my fitness level now.  The final two minutes of running were more of a challenge than previously and I began to feel achy which is a good sign that I'm pushing myself.  I'm not sure whether I'll add another rep next time or repeat today's program.  I won't wear the hairband with a big yellow flower on next time though.  I brought home some kind of buzzing insect in it!

Training for September #6

Pre run munch: egg and bacon sandwich (!)
Post run munch: rice pudding and peaches
Time of run: 7pm gogo shichi ji
Distance: 3.83km
Time: 31 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 9 reps plus 1 extra minute run and then walk home
Feeling: satisfied

I had to go to a tax conference today which meant setting my alarm for hideous o'clock and not getting home until 12 hours later.  Seriously long day for me, when I would usually roll out of bed around 8.30 on a Friday and finish work at 1pm.  I didn't think I'd manage to go out for a run but then realised I might not get another chance until Monday at that would be a whole week later so I put on my little stretchy pants and farted around in my flat until I felt ready to go.  It was quite late so there was plenty of shade and it was cool.  The grass in the fields has grown a lot so my legs were a bit sore from running through there. I stayed mostly on pavement which I don't like to do, especially as the race is on trail, but I didn't like to slice my legs up an further on the grass.  It's too warm to wear my full length jogging bottoms so I might try the playing fields, which are much smaller and have dog walkers and football players on them which is rather embarrassing when my stretchy pants fall down.  Anyways, major success that I managed to go out at all and added a minute of running on to the last time.  I'm going to try adding a minute each time (within reason) by increasing the reps and that should increase my stamina too.  I remember the first 5km of my last (first!) race where relatively comfortable but thereafter everything began to hurt - shoulders, back,  toes, arms as well as my legs - so this time I'm keen to build up some longer practice times, rather than worrying at all about speed.  I did use my nifty phone app this time and it gave me an idea of how far and fast I went.  It was reassuring in that I covered nearly 4km without any trouble and kept a pace that would give ma between 85 and 90 mintues for a 10km.  I'd like to match or beat my original time as I feel I should be better prepared for this one, so a PB around 80 minutes would be great.  My brother is still encouraging me (um, berating me?) to try for a sub-60 minute time but that, for the moment, is crazee talking.

Training for September #5

Pre run munch: fruit and nut bar
Post run munch: risotto for dinner
Time of run: 5.45pm gogo go ji yon ju go fun
Distance: ?
Time: 28 mins
Category: 1x2 run then walk program, 8 reps plus 1 extra minute run and then walk home
Feeling: satisfied

I was pretty nervous of going for a run after such a long break.  My last run was a month ago.  I decided to stick to a run then walk pattern that I used to do very easily. Fortunately, I found it manageable but enough of a challenge to be interesting and feel like I'd put some effort it.  I don't know how much training I'll manage before the race but I'm determined to keep on putting some effort in and not stress about my performance.  I'm also trying to be more active in general and to do some extra exercise every day.  On Saturday, I walked the dogs with my Aunty for over an hour and on Sunday I played tennis and french cricket with my eldest nephews.  This worked out great because there have definitely been weekends when I haven't done much beyond sitting on my sofa, knitting.  I try to include mooching round the supermarket as exercise but I don't think it really counts.  It's a bit like including fruit trifle as one of your five a day. Tomorrow, I'll keep up the good work, and the next day, and the next day and the day after that too, until it becomes habit rather than effort. Well, one day at a time anyway.

Training for September #4 and a new toy

Pre run munch: salt and vinegar crisps
Post run munch: dinner - I think it was sausage pasta
Time of run: 5pm gogo go ji
Distance: not far
Time: 20 mins
Category: hurty leg
Feeling: weepy

Tuesday's run was a bit upsetting as I already started in a bad mood and then my leg seized up and I came home and internally raged and wept at my miserable luck. I had hoped running would cheer me up but I had to fall back on The Big Bang Theory and my lovely knitting group. By the end of the evening I was feeling much better.

On Wednesday, I had to suffer the indignity of working for almost the whole day but I did get to eat cake at my Mum's for lunch.  Big sister came round in the evening to finish off a lovely new bag for me.  Really it was too late at night for sewing in a straight line and everything seemed rather difficult but I gave her a big bowl of ice cream.  We also talked about our trip to Japan that is due in November and we freaked out a bit at how expensive it was becoming.  I went to bed and had nightmares about knitting Bob wrong, as I'd also had a wobble over how close the deadline is.

Thursday was a busy, busy day.  I'm deputy at work and this week I've been in charge which mostly means pretending to tell people what to do. And staying late. And sometimes getting in early. I did manage to sneak out in time to get to town and have dinner and go to my lessons. I didn't have time to open my NEW TOY which is also a BIRTHDAY PRESENT and actually WORKS!

It's a

Tabtech M009S 2GB Google Android Tablet PC - Cheapest 2.2 Android Tablet works with Flash 10.1

 

and it was cheap and it works! I was worried it might all be in chinese or really confusing but it was fine.  I charged it up for a few hours before I became suspicious it wasn't charging properly so I turned it on and had a poke around.  It came with a stylus but I was also a little suspicious the stylus would damage the screen and my finger works fine.  At first the tablet wouldn't recognise my wifi so I turned the wifi off and on again (basics!) and then it detected it and I put in the password and then I went on the internet.  Simples! I've downloaded a few apps and need to check it plays music and films but that will have to wait as Bob is getting jealous again.