After sorting out things in the morning, finally made it out to do a loop from mine to the Regents canal, round Victoria Park and up to Springfield park past the Olympic site and up the Lea Valley. I took it easy but found it hard going. Getting worried about the tightness of my legs. I'm conscious of it and don't burst at any point in my speed. Once I get some paid work I'll book in a massage.
Got round ok but may have felt a bit hard due to the run last night and knowledge of the cross country tomorrow.
The weather held till I got back but it was great just being out and getting my head back to normal. Having put in late nights to get my work finished, I was delirious by the finish and completely tongue tied. My assessment with a client finished me off and passed out the night before on my bed!
Distances: 9.2 miles. About an hour and a half.
How did it feel?: Tough to complete, but leg muscles tense (still need to do more stretching)
Listening to?: Elbow - Seldom seen kid; Sebastian Tellier - Sexuality.
Food Eaten: Excellent dinner out at back to basics. Caesar salad followed by gilt head bream. Delicious.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Days 10 & 11 for FLM 2009
Rest day for Wednesday as project hand in and a full day at Uni. Thursday had a fantastic day up in Richmond, walking through the park, having lunch on the Ian Dury bench (see pic) and thrashing out what I'm doing on my dissertation some more.In the evening went to the club and still wired from the last week did a respectable 6 mile loop from the clubhouse to Limehouse and back. Chilly as heck and a bit sore on the way back. A good nights rest Thursday as I have a long run planned Friday daytime....
Distances: 6 miles
How did it feel?: Tough to complete, but leg muscles tense (still need to do more stretching)
Listening to?: None. Chatted with club mates.
Food Eaten: Ham and Cream cheese bagel, chips. Not ideal but pushed for time I wanted a big carbohydrate hit due to early run tomorrow! Plus you've got to enjoy such pleasures now and again!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Day 7, 8 & 9 for FLM 2009
Bit out of kilter with runs over the last few days.
After the exertion of Oakwood I did a gentle 3 mile loop to Clissold Park on Sunday morning before hitting the books again. Another late finish that night and Monday meant no runs, and having been grafting all day today and finally printed off the Case Study for hand in (Yay!) I'm just back from a 40 minute gentle run.
With my assessment tomorrow to complete at University, my time will be freed up to get back on the schedule proper and do track work Tuesdays and the club on Thursdays as well as the weekend big runs.
A quick surmise of the stats:
Distances: 3 miles and 3.5 respectively.
How did it feel?: Sunday easy; today leg muscles tense (need to do more stretching)
Listening to?: The National - Alligator and Underworld - Second toughest in the infants.
Food Eaten:
Dinner: Shepherds pie and veg - Sunday
Thai stir fry with turkey and veg. Sticky rice - Monday
TBD tonight!
Breakfast: Sugar puffs & milk, tea x 2, fruit & wholemeal toast with damson jam - over the course of last few days!
After the exertion of Oakwood I did a gentle 3 mile loop to Clissold Park on Sunday morning before hitting the books again. Another late finish that night and Monday meant no runs, and having been grafting all day today and finally printed off the Case Study for hand in (Yay!) I'm just back from a 40 minute gentle run.
With my assessment tomorrow to complete at University, my time will be freed up to get back on the schedule proper and do track work Tuesdays and the club on Thursdays as well as the weekend big runs.
A quick surmise of the stats:
Distances: 3 miles and 3.5 respectively.
How did it feel?: Sunday easy; today leg muscles tense (need to do more stretching)
Listening to?: The National - Alligator and Underworld - Second toughest in the infants.
Food Eaten:
Dinner: Shepherds pie and veg - Sunday
Thai stir fry with turkey and veg. Sticky rice - Monday
TBD tonight!
Breakfast: Sugar puffs & milk, tea x 2, fruit & wholemeal toast with damson jam - over the course of last few days!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Day 5 & 6 for FLM 2009
Been working on the assignment at great length last couple of days so yesterday was a rest day.
Good job cos this morning after a late finish on the books I was up in Oakwood (where the hell is that? - end of the piccadilly line. I didn't know either) competing in my first cross country. Good turnout from Victoria Park Harriers, we did 12 km on bone dry frozen grass and woodland trail.
Didn't feel properly warmed up as arrived late but it was so cold it didn't matter too much.
The starter had a proper gun to send us on our way and off we went. Ran my own race and wondered if I had the legs in me as it was a tough hilly course and trying out my new spikes wasn't the best decision given the terra firma. But I did myself proud. My finish time was 53 minutes 12 seconds. I only wanted to get round and at the end had a 2 mile fight to the finish with a member of the Serpentine runners (posh boys compared to our humble little east london club). I sat on his shoulder all the way but having been told it was a 2 lap race, I'd cooked the goose on the 2nd lap and didn't have enough in the tank to overtake him on the hill finish.
I had my team mates cheer me on at the line which made a difference and usually I'm a strong finisher but my competitor had the edge this time. I'll take him out at Stevenage next week, just you wait and see! To be fair I congratulated him straight away and he thanked me for pushing him so I like to think I did my diplomatic bit between the 2 clubs. Tomorrows a light jog and stretch.
The stats then...
Distance: 12K
How did it feel?: Bumpy. V firm underfoot. Tough but satisfying.
Listening to?: Nothing during the race but loads of tunes whilst working last night. Everything from Dinah Washington to Talk Talk.
Food Eaten:
Dinner: Thai stir fry with turkey and veg. Sticky rice.
Breakfast: Porridge, tea x 2 and fruit.
Good job cos this morning after a late finish on the books I was up in Oakwood (where the hell is that? - end of the piccadilly line. I didn't know either) competing in my first cross country. Good turnout from Victoria Park Harriers, we did 12 km on bone dry frozen grass and woodland trail.
Didn't feel properly warmed up as arrived late but it was so cold it didn't matter too much.
The starter had a proper gun to send us on our way and off we went. Ran my own race and wondered if I had the legs in me as it was a tough hilly course and trying out my new spikes wasn't the best decision given the terra firma. But I did myself proud. My finish time was 53 minutes 12 seconds. I only wanted to get round and at the end had a 2 mile fight to the finish with a member of the Serpentine runners (posh boys compared to our humble little east london club). I sat on his shoulder all the way but having been told it was a 2 lap race, I'd cooked the goose on the 2nd lap and didn't have enough in the tank to overtake him on the hill finish.
I had my team mates cheer me on at the line which made a difference and usually I'm a strong finisher but my competitor had the edge this time. I'll take him out at Stevenage next week, just you wait and see! To be fair I congratulated him straight away and he thanked me for pushing him so I like to think I did my diplomatic bit between the 2 clubs. Tomorrows a light jog and stretch.
The stats then...
Distance: 12K
How did it feel?: Bumpy. V firm underfoot. Tough but satisfying.
Listening to?: Nothing during the race but loads of tunes whilst working last night. Everything from Dinah Washington to Talk Talk.
Food Eaten:
Dinner: Thai stir fry with turkey and veg. Sticky rice.
Breakfast: Porridge, tea x 2 and fruit.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Day 4 for FLM 2009
Brrr! The cold snap continues. However I have to keep training. Ran out of time to go to the club tonight as I'm writing a paper on Athletes use of imagery in a therapeutic intervention. Though its taking up most of my waking hours, its really interesting and useful to try during runs to keep motivated. I'll put up some of the more interesting aspects of it once the papers out of the way. But I did get out and manage a 40 minute run instead round my way.
Got my first consultation tomorrow with a client. I've done my prep so they have nothing to fear and it might lead on to some more work. Apparently a number of colleagues of theirs are impressed they are drafting in a Sports Psychologist to help with a New Years fitness programme. Let us see!
Anyway here are todays stats:
Distance: Just over 4 miles (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2478404)
How did it feel?: Not as cold as expected. Ran quickly to keep warm. No pain at all. Yay!
Listening to?: Underworld - Everything, Everything Live.
Food Eaten:
Brunch: Huevos Rancheros, griddled potatos and sauteed mushrooms.
Dinner: grilled meat, salad, Turkish bread.
Got my first consultation tomorrow with a client. I've done my prep so they have nothing to fear and it might lead on to some more work. Apparently a number of colleagues of theirs are impressed they are drafting in a Sports Psychologist to help with a New Years fitness programme. Let us see!
Anyway here are todays stats:
Distance: Just over 4 miles (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2478404)
How did it feel?: Not as cold as expected. Ran quickly to keep warm. No pain at all. Yay!
Listening to?: Underworld - Everything, Everything Live.
Food Eaten:
Brunch: Huevos Rancheros, griddled potatos and sauteed mushrooms.
Dinner: grilled meat, salad, Turkish bread.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Day 2 & 3 for FLM 2009
So we've had 2 of the coldest days of the year so far and I went out yesterday to do a 7 mile steady run in the freezing conditions. It wasn't too bad and I felt good at the end of it. Starving hungry mind. My body went into craving mode and after a substantial homemade pie and mash I needed filling up with more and found myself in the local shop buying custard. Lovely on a cold night.I did my first full day of stretching down my right hand side. I could feel the benefit but still got a bit of a twinge on the run. I'm just about to do my set of stretches again now and I do another set first thing every morning! I think I know how it feels to be a pensioner but these exercises are required if you want to try and set a time rather than just make it round according to the physio. Its additional strain for your body to cope with, so if you aren't fully 'stretched' equally then injury is a lot more common. As I've stated before, I'm going to be swapping swimming once a week in place of one of the runs. For those of you with dodgy ITBs, this is advised.
Ok - so heres the deal. I'll post up each time what exercise I've been doing, how its gone, what I am listening to (if relevant), and what I ate. I am aiming to 'eat healthily' on this marathon venture with foods that should help me. So to recap from yesterday:
Distance: 7 miles
How did it feel?: Good, warmed up by mile 3, twinge in right ITB from mile 5 to 7.
Listening to?: Charles Webster Defected mix, Ereland Oye DJ Kicks mix.
Food Eaten: Meat and Potato pie, sweet potato and courgette mash and peas. Banana cake & custard
Today:
Just stretching. No run.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Day 1 for FLM 2009 - The road starts here
First post of 2009. Happy new year to you! - hope it was a good one.
New year, new start. I've updated this blog to slim it down just to training and sports psychology, in preparation for this years Flora London Marathon. We are but 16 weeks away from the big day.
I've been in preparation training hard over Christmas, having a week off over new year and now starting the official program. I ran 5 miles today, it felt good. A bit of negative talk in the head drove me on in the freezing cold, and I did a good time but felt a twinge on my hamstring tendon halfway through.
Was able to get a last minute appointment at the University physio which I had wanted to do anyway, and she recognised that I had a problem (pain and inflammation) with my ITB on my right knee. In short, I'm a bit skew-iff! So my right side needs to be strengthened by additional stretching every day and take more rest. The physio doesn't think this should impact too much on my schedule for the marathon, but we're going to keep watching it and amend if necessary.
I calculated I ran 166 days last year and given the intensity of some of my training this isn't a surprise but if you are already feeling a few pains, go and get them checked out before the real training starts!
So just briefly, this blog is now going to be the resource for me to keep track of my training, update any of you on my progress and offer pointers along the way. From physical, to mental to diet, the ups, the downs, the fundraising and a reference for me as part of my course in Sports Psychology. Hope you find it interesting. I'm looking forward to the journey as much as the end result of the day (26th of April) itself.
New year, new start. I've updated this blog to slim it down just to training and sports psychology, in preparation for this years Flora London Marathon. We are but 16 weeks away from the big day.
I've been in preparation training hard over Christmas, having a week off over new year and now starting the official program. I ran 5 miles today, it felt good. A bit of negative talk in the head drove me on in the freezing cold, and I did a good time but felt a twinge on my hamstring tendon halfway through.
Was able to get a last minute appointment at the University physio which I had wanted to do anyway, and she recognised that I had a problem (pain and inflammation) with my ITB on my right knee. In short, I'm a bit skew-iff! So my right side needs to be strengthened by additional stretching every day and take more rest. The physio doesn't think this should impact too much on my schedule for the marathon, but we're going to keep watching it and amend if necessary.
I calculated I ran 166 days last year and given the intensity of some of my training this isn't a surprise but if you are already feeling a few pains, go and get them checked out before the real training starts!
So just briefly, this blog is now going to be the resource for me to keep track of my training, update any of you on my progress and offer pointers along the way. From physical, to mental to diet, the ups, the downs, the fundraising and a reference for me as part of my course in Sports Psychology. Hope you find it interesting. I'm looking forward to the journey as much as the end result of the day (26th of April) itself.
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