Bruntsfield Loop - 4.5km - untimed

Don't quite know what possessed me to go out in the snow today and run? There was about a foot on the ground and it was still snowing heavily as I trudged round Edinburgh.

Although quite trecherous, I'm sure it was good training however, I didn't really push it for fear of breaking something. At least I went out and the take home message is that if I can run in that then I can run in anything. Got a day off on Thursday so will WILL go out again.

Cramond Causeway - 5km - Untimed

Through a whole bunch of misfortunate incidents including - tiredness, hungoverness, sciatica, calf pain and general laziness - I've not run in about 3 weeks.

I'd decided to get back on it on Sunday 28th Nov and unfortunately this coincided with the worst snow fall in 17 years. The run was ok but the first half was into a head wind with sleet and snow flying into our faces. Didn't even make it to the end of the esplanade and turned back around the half way mark. The way back was much nicer! Only one slip while turning to blow and air hanky - but I guess I was asking for it.

Once back at the car park Graham got his new 2.4 child carrier stuck and thankfully some bloke gave us a tow up the hill (to where I'd sensibly parked). The drive home was crazy and almost bought it head on into a Honda Jazz (I hate those cars) but managed to do some Iceman manoeuvers to get out the way. Then at about 200m from the the flat at 3mph crashed into some scaffolding. Luckily the curb prevented anything serious from happening.

The car has been buried where I left it ever since... and it's now Tuesday!

Meadows Loop - 7.5km - 54min 14sec

Smilers
Wet, dark and windy but still got up and ran before work
Not out of breath and fastest time this year
Hip occasional twinge only

Spoilers
Wet Leaves everywhere
Sore feet at Toll Cross (and now)

Major Spoiler
Had to stop in the Bruntsfield Hotel for a poo!

Don't have much more to say than what's written above except to say that this was a good reminder that eating a spicy chicken pizza the night before a run is a stupid idea. If id hadn't been for the nice (albeit grumpy) night porter at the Bruntsfield I may have gone off running altogether.

Will start the 10k distance next week... promise.

Cramond Esplanade - 6.2km - untimed

Ran with Graham again today. Forgot my watch but it was quite nice to jog without worrying about time. Took Thursday off as I'd been getting a bit of a right shin splint. Thankfully it seems to have worked out well as managed to chat with Graham the whole run without being too sore or out of breath.

Was supposed to start my 10k long runs this week but am going to do 7.5km again and start 10k next week.

Meadows Loop - 7.5km - 54min 46sec

Stretch Split - 7min 14sec

Smilers
Rain
Good time
Thighs good
Hip less sore
No ankle pain

Spoilers
Feet very heavy from Lauriston to the Meadows
Back pain through Bruntsfield and breathing felt tight here too which is a first.

Ok so first you might have noticed that I've put "Rain" in the smilers section and that's the plan from now on. If the weather is bad and I got out running in it then that's a plus. Not a happy thing in the conventional sense but I think it'll proof useful in the long run (no pun intended).

The run itself felt generally slow and I really struggled round the University. Thighs didn't hurt but legs really felt heavy and I thought of stopping a few times. Really felt like I was dragging myself round Potterrow and the Meadows but the run up to Bruntfield felt the easist it's been so far and quite quick, however, I paid the price at the top and my back was hurting and my chest was tight from breathing hard. Those two things haven't happened before so I'll have to keep an eye on those - especially my back.

Anyway, both surprised and pleased at the time. Still not very fast but at least things are going in the right direction.

Another plus is that a mate is also signed up for Berlin which is encouraging.

Last 7.5km long run. Might have to make this one of my short runs soon.

Cramond Esplanade - 6.2km - 43min 45sec

Half Way Split - 22min 24sec

Went out early to Cramond with the camera. Took my running stuff and went running after the sun had come up. Graham has taken a trip to the West Coast today so I was running alone.

Have to say that apart from kicking a stone block when I was stretching, it was quite a good run. The split felt pretty slow but I was surprised at the time. Tried to push it on the way back and although I beat my fastest time by about 2 mins I'm paying the price now. My left hip is really sore now. And worse... I've got to spend the day sitting on a chair studying. Crap.

One thing also noted - I ran faster without Graham but I think that's because I talk when I'm with him which is probably better for me.

Another plus is that I'm 9 for 9 on the running front. I've so far stuck to the timetable for my marathon ambitions. Hopefully, I can keep it up.

Bruntsfield Loop - 4.5km - 32min 36sec

Stretch Split - 6min 55sec

Smilers
Fast split
Thighs fine
Proper fartlek from Stretch to Tollcross
Sciatica better

Spoilers
Rain and wet leaves
Sore feet from Tollcross all the way to Napier
Sore ankles from Tollcross all the way to Napier
Sore calves from Tollcross all the way to Napier

Actually quite a crap run this morning. The climb out of Tollcross was rubbish and I really struggled. Reminded me of the first time I ran round the Seat. Couldn't believe how sore things were. In fact I think this might have been the worse run I've done since starting training. Really didn't enjoy it at all.

At least it's out the way for another week.

Meadows Loop - 7.5km - 56min 51sec

Started out slow this morning. In fact the only thing that got me out of bed was the realization that yesterday I signed up for the 38th Berlin Marathon.

Reached the stretch post at 7min 42sec which was supremely slow but I wasn't really looking for a good time. Cruised down to Tollcross and again by the time I was on Lauriston Place my feet were really sore. This seemed to improve by the Meadows and then up to Bruntsfield seemed to pass by in seconds. Can't remember what I was thinking about at the time but seemed to switch off for about 5 mins. I'd probably gone back to sleep.

The run back to the park felt great and I'm sure I could have done a few extra km if I'd had the time. Was surprised that I beat last week's time by 2 mins since I wasn't even out of breath at the end.

Left hip uncomfortable but less sore and right ankle now just annoying more that anything else.

Canal Loop - 4.5km - 28min 31sec

Was in a really bad mood last night and this morning felt totally pissed off with life in general. Hate the fact I'm have to study for exams at almost 36 years old. It's really getting me down and I would much rather be out with the camera etc.

Anyway, texted Graham last night saying I wasn't up for running this morning and sure enough I decided to bail. However, as the day went on I began to feel more and more guilty about not running. Especially since I only had a short run left to do this week. So at 1830 put on my gear and did the short run.

It was awful. Couldn't do my stretches properly as the streets were quite busy and so rushed everything. Stretch split at 6min 54sec which was ok but by Tollcross I was spent. Had excruciating calves and sore feet and by the end of the run I couldn't feel my right foot at all. Took about 10mins to get the feeling back. The Canal part was more of a shuffle than a sprint and I could hear my wheeze even with my headphones in.

I know that it's mainly the weight that's causing all the issues here but I'm hoping that begins to come off as I increase my distances and move to 4 runs per week in the next few months.

Anyway, at least I went out and ran but I think there are a couple of lessons here.

1. Don't change your stretching routine - and do it properly
2. Always run in the morning
3. Stick to the timetable no matter what

Having said that... 38th Berlin Marathon - Entries Open Tomorrow

Bruntsfield Loop - 4.5km - 31min 20sec

So I've decided to stop doing the Canal loop as it's pitch black and I can't see anything when I run along it. Last night I plotted a different 4.5km route. This new route goes up to Polworth and then along to the "Stretching Post", down to Toll Cross then up the hill to Bruntsfield. From there down Collington Rd until Gray's Loan and then back along to Harrison Rd.

It started off great and I was at the stretch at 6min 52sec which is the fastest yet. However, once I got down to Toll Cross I realised I was going to have to climb the hill up to Bruntsfield and that was really hard work. Running back down Collington felt knackering and the last 200m or so to the Park was so slow.

Looked at the watch when I got to the finish and I was disappointed by the time. I couldn't believe I was so much slower than the canal run. Granted that loop doesn't have a hill in it but still there was a 3 - 4min difference. So when I got back to the flat I re-plotted the canal loop and upsettingly, the Canal Loop is only 4km!

Disheartening but hey. At least this new route is probably better for me and for training.

Meadows Loop - 7.5km - 55min 51sec

So quite a bit faster this morning. 7min 25sec to the stretch split and then the rest of the way was pretty straight forward.

Foot pains on Lauriston but they went away by Potterow and climb to Bruntsfield seemed ok too. However, has a stick from Tesco all the way back to the Park which was unfortunate.

Still far to heavy and although some weight has come off in the last couple of weeks I can't help thinking that it's not doing my joints any good and it definitely isn't helping my time.

What can I say? I love eating.

Cramond Esplanade - 6.2km - 47min 6sec

There was a mega headwind along the esplanade this morning. We started out really slow and this ended up being more of a jog than a run. The split was 25mins and change and it really felt quite slow.

However, the way back was fine and due to the slow pace we were able to talk for the whole run unlike last week. Towards the end we were actually running but still the overall time was quite a bit slower than last week. Oh well. Don't suppose it matters since overall it felt like a better run.

Hip not too bad but now right ankle really playing up. Broke that when I was a kid pretty badly and have horrible memories of a black rubber gas mask being forced onto my face in A&E to put me to sleep so that they could pull everything straight.

...But it's not straight. No wonder it still hurts 25 years later.

Canal Loop - 4.5km - 28min 3sec

This run started ok. I reached the stretch split at 7min 14sec. Hip was feeling ok until the end but as usual feet were hurting around Toll Cross and really bad at Cargo and the cobbles.

The fast part along the canal was completely black and I couldn't see where I was running so I'm blaming that for the lack of a sub-28min time. By the end I was knackered and I'm glad I only need to do one more run this week and it's not the long one - although it is with Graham so that will probably deliver the pain... again.

Meadows Loop - 7.5km - 58min 58sec

So this is the first time in ages I've run this loop. For the next month it's going to constitute my "long run".

Having said that, it was really tough. I didn't try to run quickly, just get round without stopping. I got to the split at 7min 47sec which was quite poor but that bloody left hip of mine was really playing up. In fairness I should have expected that as it's sore all day long now and really plays up when I'm sitting at work all day.

Anyway, at Lauriston place I was going really slowly but down Potterrow and the Meadow's wasn't too bad. However, by the time I got up to Bruntsfield I was really struggling and that was the theme all the way home despite it being down hill.

Did all my stretches afterwards but my hip is going to be an issue for weeks to come I think.

Cramond Esplanade - 6.2km - 45min 35sec

This was horrible.

I don't know what was going on but I really struggled. On the way back ended up having to slow down and at points walk/run. As usual, Graham seemed to be cruising without much bother.

Legs weren't particularly sore. Feet were alright. Ankles a bit uncomfortable from the camber. Hip not really playing up (although it is now). But the main issue was my breathing. I was out of breath the whole run and felt really wheezy. Don't know if it was because I had an ibuprofen before the run - can make asthmatics wheezy you know!

But I'm not asthmatic. Just unfit.

Canal Loop - 4.5km - 27min 46sec

So the alarm went off this morning at 0530 and I felt a horrible twinge in my left buttock. Over the last few days my backside has been getting sorer and sorer and to some extent I was dreading this mornings run. I'm sure it's my hip and the last thing I need is a hip problem or some bloody sciatica.

Anyway, as I looked at my phone which now said 0537 I almost turned over and went back to sleep. However, I remembered a conversation I had last night at an ENT conference which went like this...

"So, I'm thinking of doing the Edinburgh Marathon next year"

"Why are you doing that one?"

"Dunno?"

"Cause my mate did the Berlin one last year and it was much more of an incentive and there's a great picture of her at the finish line holding a huge jug of beer!"

I think she might have had a point as I haven't really been that enthused about running along the coast and back. All I can think about is the Edinburgh Half marathon last year and how dull a route it was. So with that Berlin in mind I limped out of bed and got onto the street.

The run to the stretch was much faster - 7min 04sec. Cut almost 40sec of that time. It felt good up until Toll Cross and my feet really started hurting again. Once I battled through the cobbles at Cargo I got up to the first bridge and then moved up to a run instead of a jog and managed to make it all the way back at that speed again. However, at that part my hip started hurting and I think that might be the cause of it all.

I guess I really need to keep and eye on it and make sure I'm stretching it out properly each run. Hip problems at age 35 would spell disaster. Anyway, overall time was over a minute faster and if I could run at this pace for a 10k or a half marathon I'd do the following times...

10km - 61min 35sec

Half Marathon - 2hours 9min

Not bad but at this stage highly unlikely. Guess I'll just keep plodding away.

Canal Loop - 4.5km - 28min 51sec

Stretch Split - 7min 41sec

So this run really surprised me this morning. I started this as a fartlek run and I was supposed to be a jog down to Toll Cross and then a run/jog along the canal. Last time I did it I managed to divide the canal bit into 2 runs and 2 jogs. This morning I jogged up until the first bridge and then ran the rest of the way.

Ultimately, I'd like to be able to run at that speed for the whole route which I think is a reasonable ambition. One thing that did give me a fright though is that I was reading the Triathlete's Bible last night and it reckons that in the weeks before an Ironman you should be doing 35 hours of training a week. That's like a full time job almost.

Crazy.

Arthur's Seat Loop - 5km - 38min 46sec

So this is the first timed run I've done in ages. I decided it would be worth doing as I'm not sure exactly how bad I've become at running. Funnily enough it wasn't my worst time round the Seat. Kinda surpised.

It was still quite horrible and now that we have got into the habit of starting the run at St Margaret's Loch there is no warm up - just a ridiculously steep hill that knackers me straight off the bat. There was some talk of altering the route etc so we'll see what happens with the Sunday Run in the future.

Of note - freezing and glad I had gloves. Crap though - feet really hurting. Hope I don't need new trainers again. Perhaps should have been keeping a note of how many miles I've put into these ones over last year.

Canal Loop - 4.5km - Untimed

So I'm back on the road now. Recently I've been trying to improve my speed and actually run instead of jog. As part of this I've been doing this wee loop out to Toll Cross and then back along the canal. During the canal part I've been doing a sort of fartlek and I've really noticed a difference.

Today, I managed to run the length of the canal with only 2 "running" sections were as previously I've had to divide it up in to 4 and 5 parts. The hope is that I can actually get up to calling myself a "Runner" instead of a poor excuse for a social jogger. A few more weeks of this and I should be able to move onto a marathon-type training program as it looks like I'm going to need a minimum of 26 weeks serious effort to pull this off.

Oh well, at least I've got a project for the winter now!

HERE WE GO AGAIN....

This has been a lame-ass year. After dropping 2.5 stone for the wedding I have eaten and slothed my way back into obesity. As a token gesture to former fitness I signed up for the Glasgow 2010 10km road race and put in a blisteringly poor time of almost 80 minutes!

80 MINUTES!!!!!!!! To run 10km. In the words of Eric Cartman "WEAK!"

So that's it. I've had enough. I'm getting back on the road. Since then I've run about 3 times. Only 4.5km at a time but it's a start. The training starts in earnest tomorrow and I'm going to start trying to build up speed first and then distance as I never really managed the other way round. There's about 10 months till the Edinburgh Marathon and I might just be tempted to make that my goal for 2011 and "run through" all the shorter races that I missed out on this year.

Get on it Chunk.

Meadows Loop - untimed

Soooooo after far too much eating, almost no training in 4 months and 2 stone of weight gain I decided to get back into it today. I've decided that I'll be doing the Stirling Tri again this year although I really should do some half marathons and other road races too. Perhaps I should actually join a club this year.

Anyway, went out on the pavement at 5:45am this morning and happily made it round my old 7.5km route. Legs etc felt fine and was surprisingly not out of breath but it was super slow - didn't time it for fear of having a dreadful time. Thinking of going out again tomorrow but perhaps that might be fool-hardly. We'll see...