Already the enthusiasm is waning...

So I amazed myself by going for a run after work on Wednesday - couldn't think of a good enough reason not to go, frankly.

Used the opportunity to try out my ipod radio thing - and was mildly disappointed - it really doesn't tune in very well and it keeps wandering. Still, it's nice to hear voices in my head while I'm running.

Went a little further than I thought I might which is A Good Thing - as in I went about 4 1/2 miles. Whoopie do, etc. Still a long way from the 10k let alone a 1/2 marathon. And it was ok, you know. Not brilliant but I didn't feel uttery shot away when I'd done and as long as I didn't dwell on the pain and discomfort, I might even admit to have almost enjoyed it at times.

Outcomes - stiff glutes, hurty toe joint, aching knees. A renewed desire for new shoes which might stop my feet slapping on the ground. Although a bit of effort on my part has the same effect.

So, next run planned for Sunday I think. It's going to be cold.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Apparently

The genius of ipods - pick a song you want to listen to you and the genius fella inside the ipod makes up a list of similar songs. Genius.

No hail this morning, just a lot of soggy ground and loads of other runners - guess their new year resolutions haven't worn off yet

Today's musical journey...

Cave - Muse
Always the hardest part of the run, setting off (apart from the other hard bits) but this one gets me going

Leave me alone it’s nothing serious
I’ll do it myself
It’s got nothing to do with you
And there’s nothing that you could do

Doginabag - Fratellis

Ovary Stripe - Kasabian

You're the reason I'm leaving - franz ferdinand - perfect pace!!

Getting into my stride a bit now - heading into the dullest part of the route near st monica's so it's good to have a song to take my mind of the tedium

Everything goes dark - the Hoosiers

Thank you very much - Kaiser Chiefs (had to skip this one, not interested)

Where the white boys dance - Killers - never know quite what to think about this one

Filmstar - Suede - the absolute highlight of the run - haven't heard this one for 10 years so loved every step of the way. Now I've 16Gb to play with I can load so much music I haven't listened to in many many years and I haven't even thought about Suede in years since I saw them at possibly the worst gig I've ever been to - it was a sit-down affair at the Colston Hall and Suede were not happy bunnies. Not that they ever were...
Must also download echo and the bunnymen - heard the Back of Love the other day and felt happy.

Folding stars - Biffy Clyro - unfamiliar but enjoyable
Dead star - Muse - was there, I was wondering, a theme more to do with stars and colours etc than pace and genre??

At this point I was heading into the unknown between the birdwatchers place and the zoo - lots of little paths and even a fallen tree to negotiate - I was also being chased by spies but managed to give them the slip thanks to my athletic prowess.

When I needed you - Supergrass - such an underrated band. Skipped the track

Black wave/bad vibrations - Arcade Fire - one that's good to listen to inside your head

Auf Achse - franz ferdinand - skipped

Get Off - Dandy Warhols - didn't recognise it immediately and it's really hard to read the screen when you're hurtling across muddy ground - love it

So Young - Suede - not a favourite but acceptable

I want you back - the Kooks

At this point I'm almost back at the car so I was searching for a big finish - and this wasn't it

Just - radiohead - this was much better - and appropriate

you do it to yourself, you do
and that's what really hurts
is that you do it to yoursef
just you and no one else
you do it to yourself
you do it to yourself

Back at the car, relax, get breath back, go red in the face and grin inwardly at having survived another run - and dare I say, actually enjoyed it. Hurrah for endorphins.

Now I have to start running in the week and at lunchtimes.

the swing of it

So this morning - it's Sunday - I went for a proper run around the downs - and it was surprisingly ok. I even took a path I'd never been down which took me through the woods by the side of the gorge and it was lovely, quite tricky underfoot which makes up for cutting a corner off the route.
But when I got back out into the open, onto my least favourite bit of the journey, it started to hail, quite heavily. It made my ears hurt and went down the back of my neck. Ugh.
But I was terribly brave and I made it all the way round (although there's no alternative to going all the way round as I had to get back to the car somehow and running is the fastest option. Even running at my speed...)
So I have to keep this up - at least twice a week as well as pilates on Tuesdays and at some point I will return to yoga. There is no stopping me.
Kind of

feels like starting over...

I went for an intentionally short run last night - the shortest it's worth putting the kit on for, (about 3 1/2 miles or so) - and I so didn't want to go. It was cold, windy, rain was in the air...

But I bravely put Pendulum onto 'genius' on my lovely gorgeous and brand new ipod and just went. Couldn't think of a good enough reason not to go.

And, do you know, it wasn't quite as bad as I'd feared. OK the slight uphills (gentle inclines) took the wind out of my sails a bit, but the flat bits felt ok. I think I'm not psyched up for running (yet) - I didn't have that feeling of giving in to the moment and accepting that your whole existence for a while is just running.

I tried out a new way of running, just for my own entertainment initially but I might be onto something. I read at the weekend that there should be no sound of 'slapping' when your foot hit the pavement. Well I am a bit of a slapper in that respect but I put it down to having flat feet. However with a bit of application I tried to lead with my heel and then roll through the stride and lo! the slapping stopped. It was really hard work especially on my hamstrings but again that could be a bonus.
Hey Ho.

I'm still a long way even from being confident about tackling the 10k let alone a 1/2 marathon, but every journey starts with the first step...

Why is this so tough?

OK I know I'm not superfit but this is ridiculous - I'm aching all over. Perhaps it's got something to do with walking a lot in this really cold weather but it doesn't bode well for upping my distances...
The good news is that my ipod is too unwell to be mended which means I can blow a stack of cash on a smart new one, hurrah. But to keep me honest I'll have to run more to justify getting it. Which is, on balance, A Good Thing.
Perhaps wait until it gets a bit warmer.
Has anyone tried a Thai Massage? I want to have a go to ease out my hips and shoulders and legs and feet and well you get the idea.

New Year

Another run!
It was OK - absolutely freezing this morning but I've decided it's better than running when it's too hot. Except for the first bit before I get warmed up. But it is far easier to get going when it's warm. So warm is better all round. Except for when it's too hot.
Do I get new running shoes? Mine are 3 years old so I think I can justify it.
Need new legs really.
Same distance as before and just as slow.
I began to think this morning that running is quite hard work - how did I ever do a 1/2 marathon??? I'm even thinking the 10k is going to be a struggle