Sat 25th Feb St Mary's Lighthouse 4.9m 34:54
Sun 26th Feb Tynemouth Priory 6.7m 46:33
At the beginning of the year I had two New Year resolutions. One was too stick to a running plan and the other was too cut down on the amount of alcohol I drink. While my running has gone particularly well so far I've not really stuck to the other side of the deal. My weekly alcohol intake seems to be rising in line with my weekly mileage. In fact last week it was at an alarming rate. I had half a dozen pints on Wednesday whilst watching the match with the lads. Then on Thursday Terry had endured a difficult day at work so we split a bottle of wine, then Cava and a couple of cans on Friday and the same again on Saturday. It all added up to one pretty tired runner. Now if it was all down to my training it wouldn't be so bad, but most of the fatigue was due to poor quality of sleep you get after drinking. So from now on it’s a concerted effort to bring my drinking under control - although having said that I've a night out planned with the lads this Friday.
No football again this weekend, which was just as well because I needed Sunday to catch up on my running. Felt pretty rotten on Saturday morning and the icy blast blowing off the North Sea didn't help. The first part of the run out to the lighthouse was something of a nightmare but I gamely struggled on and running home with the wind at my back came as something of a relief. An average pace of 7:07 per mile wasn't bad given the condition of both me and the weather! The weather got even worse on Sunday with wind and hail mixed in. I opted for an afternoon run and really had to fight the wind on the way back from Tynemouth. I'd planned only a 6 miler but I felt good enough to run the extra 0.7 miles and go along to the Priory. The wind at my back in the first half was a joy tempered by thoughts of what I would face on the way back. I resisted the temptation of cutting inland to take a more sheltered route home, gritted my teeth and tried to spur myself on with mental images of running for a medal in the Olympic marathon. It worked to a certain extent. Although I'd managed a 6:47 per mile average on the way out, I was quite pleased with 7:07 per mile into the wind on the way home. This was my equal longest run of the year so far and almost 3 minutes faster than the same route 2 weeks ago.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The joys of the North East coast
In the summer the worst thing about running along the sea front between Whitley Bay and Tynemouth is the number of charvas hanging out in bus stops or driving by in their daft little cars with the windows rolled down. In the winter the worst thing has to be the wind. To be honest since the turn of the year the weather hasn't been that bad. Or perhaps while my running plan has consisted of 3 runs a week I've been able to dodge the worst of the weather. I'm stepping up to 4 runs this week and endured an unpredictable blustery wind on both Monday and Tuesday. I wanted to get ahead of the game so I went out for an unscheduled run on Monday night. I simply had no idea of how fast or slow I was running for the entire 3.7 miles. Sometimes it felt good and sometimes it felt bad. In the end I averaged 7:21 per mile but just felt relieved that it wasn't any worse. The following night I ran the 6 miles to Seaton Sluice and had a much better time of it. Never quite sure where the wind was coming from I averaged about 7:11 per mile on the way out and then on the way back with the wind (mostly) at my back I was pushed to an average of around 7:01. I'm doing reasonably well at sticking to my plans during the dark nights and inclement weather but I really can't wait until spring finally springs into action - who knows when that will be though, June maybe?
Monday, February 20, 2006
The last mile for my little friend
Wed 15th Feb St Mary's Lighthouse 4.9m 35:08
Fri 17th Feb Brierdene Crescent & Monkseaton Drive 4.8m 37:36 approx
Sat 18th Feb Sluice, lighthouse, churchill 6.3m 1:01:00
Kind of a dull week on the running front but just about managed to stay on track. The wind caught me out on Wednesday. Started too fast unaware of the nice breeze pushing me along from behind. As soon as I turned to head for home my legs felt heavy and the wind smacked me in the face. Tried to keep it going for a while but by the last mile I'd slowed considerably and just ambled home.
Friday was a morning make-up run. Started out for the lighthouse but it seemed ridiculous (and not too mention dangerous) to run out there on a cold, dark morning. Turned off the sea front and ran up Brierdene Crescent. Seems like a nice street to live on but I think probably way out of our budget at the moment. The pace was slow, I really need practice at this early morning running lark.
The kids were at my dad's for the weekend, so Terry and I were able to run together for the first time in ages on Saturday morning. It was a bright but cold day and should've been perfect for a nice run. Unfortunately the events of the previous evening hung over our heads. We had finally taken the decision to have our gorgeous little Jack Russell put to sleep. Penny had been a great dog and we have loads of heart warming memories of her but she'd just reached the point where life was meaningless to her. She was suffering from dementia and weeing all over the house. For the last few months she didn't want to go out for walks and spent all her time under the duvet. I'll never forget the day she walked 7 miles around Ullswater and then gulped down an ice cream cone, or when she went off the rails and started chasing sheep in Wastwater, not too mention the countless Sunday mornings chasing the waves in Tynemouth. It was nice to get out on a relaxing run together but we both found it difficult to keep the sad thoughts out of our minds. I loved that little dog. Goodbye Penny.
Fri 17th Feb Brierdene Crescent & Monkseaton Drive 4.8m 37:36 approx
Sat 18th Feb Sluice, lighthouse, churchill 6.3m 1:01:00
Kind of a dull week on the running front but just about managed to stay on track. The wind caught me out on Wednesday. Started too fast unaware of the nice breeze pushing me along from behind. As soon as I turned to head for home my legs felt heavy and the wind smacked me in the face. Tried to keep it going for a while but by the last mile I'd slowed considerably and just ambled home.
Friday was a morning make-up run. Started out for the lighthouse but it seemed ridiculous (and not too mention dangerous) to run out there on a cold, dark morning. Turned off the sea front and ran up Brierdene Crescent. Seems like a nice street to live on but I think probably way out of our budget at the moment. The pace was slow, I really need practice at this early morning running lark.
The kids were at my dad's for the weekend, so Terry and I were able to run together for the first time in ages on Saturday morning. It was a bright but cold day and should've been perfect for a nice run. Unfortunately the events of the previous evening hung over our heads. We had finally taken the decision to have our gorgeous little Jack Russell put to sleep. Penny had been a great dog and we have loads of heart warming memories of her but she'd just reached the point where life was meaningless to her. She was suffering from dementia and weeing all over the house. For the last few months she didn't want to go out for walks and spent all her time under the duvet. I'll never forget the day she walked 7 miles around Ullswater and then gulped down an ice cream cone, or when she went off the rails and started chasing sheep in Wastwater, not too mention the countless Sunday mornings chasing the waves in Tynemouth. It was nice to get out on a relaxing run together but we both found it difficult to keep the sad thoughts out of our minds. I loved that little dog. Goodbye Penny.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
New shoes, another cold
Sat 11th Feb St Mary's Lighthouse 4.9m 34:55
Sun 12th Feb Tynemouth Priory 6.7m 49:28
After crashing through the 300 mile barrier on Tuesday night I went shoe shopping on Wednesday. Wanted either a pair of Asics Gel DS1100 or Adidas Supernova Cushion. After resisting the temptation to buy from a charver sports store I went to Start Fitness. The Supernova just didn't feel right and they didn't have the DS1100 in my size. The lad suggested I try the Asics Gel Cumulus as they have the same amount of cushioning but without the support. Tried them on, felt great, bought them. Slightly worried that I might actually need that extra bit of support. So far they feel pretty good, nice and light, although I have felt a tingling sensation in my toes towards the end of runs. No injuries yet, lets hope it stays that way.
Anyway, it took me 3 days to strap them on and go for a run. The whole family has been hit by a cold and it just left me feeling rotten. When I eventually ran on Saturday I started quickly (6:45 first mile) and maintained a decent pace until the halfway point. Then I turned for home and the bracing wind smacked me in the face and the illness started to take effect as well. Slowed down significantly and eased myself home. No point killing myself with a long run planned for the following day.
No match this Sunday but the cold and the hangover (really must cut down on the beer, its increased steadily since the turn of the year) made me switch the morning run to an evening session. When I finally went out I knew there was going to be no repeat of the previous week's sub 7:00 minute miles. I opted for a steady but comfortable pace of just over 7:20s and managed to keep it going throughout the run. Steady, but unspectacular, although I think the fact that I listened to my body and adjusted the run accordingly is good sign. Maturing as a runner perhaps?
Sun 12th Feb Tynemouth Priory 6.7m 49:28
After crashing through the 300 mile barrier on Tuesday night I went shoe shopping on Wednesday. Wanted either a pair of Asics Gel DS1100 or Adidas Supernova Cushion. After resisting the temptation to buy from a charver sports store I went to Start Fitness. The Supernova just didn't feel right and they didn't have the DS1100 in my size. The lad suggested I try the Asics Gel Cumulus as they have the same amount of cushioning but without the support. Tried them on, felt great, bought them. Slightly worried that I might actually need that extra bit of support. So far they feel pretty good, nice and light, although I have felt a tingling sensation in my toes towards the end of runs. No injuries yet, lets hope it stays that way.
Anyway, it took me 3 days to strap them on and go for a run. The whole family has been hit by a cold and it just left me feeling rotten. When I eventually ran on Saturday I started quickly (6:45 first mile) and maintained a decent pace until the halfway point. Then I turned for home and the bracing wind smacked me in the face and the illness started to take effect as well. Slowed down significantly and eased myself home. No point killing myself with a long run planned for the following day.
No match this Sunday but the cold and the hangover (really must cut down on the beer, its increased steadily since the turn of the year) made me switch the morning run to an evening session. When I finally went out I knew there was going to be no repeat of the previous week's sub 7:00 minute miles. I opted for a steady but comfortable pace of just over 7:20s and managed to keep it going throughout the run. Steady, but unspectacular, although I think the fact that I listened to my body and adjusted the run accordingly is good sign. Maturing as a runner perhaps?
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Tue 7th Feb Cullercoats Seawalk 3.7m 28:07
One of those nights where I feel like I'm just running for the sake of it. Not a very nice night - damp but not rainy, cold and windy. My legs ached after the weekend and I felt fatigued. Elen is not feeling well and she was up during the night. For some reason Terry brought her into our bed last night and its just not easy to get any decent sleep when a 3 year year old girl keeps kicking you in the back. Anyway enough of the complaints, it was dark, it was cold, I felt tired, but I got myself out there and ran. This run was probably the epitome of 'junk' miles but it beats sitting home doing nothing. And what's more it takes me over 300 miles with my Adidas Response, so I can justify buying a new pair of running shoes tomorrow. There's nothing better than a shiny pair of trainers.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Bedlington Grapes 3 Monkseaton Arms 5
First round of the JD Marnock Cup and as usual we dropped our standards to match those of the opposition. All credit to the Grapes who are bottom of the league yet never gave up. We gifted them a goal early in the first half and when we finally levelled through Graham Murray, we then gave away another cheap goal within seconds. Just before half time Ashy split the defence with a great pass for me to run onto and pass it into the net with my left foot. First goal scored with these silly new silver boots.
It stayed level until half-time but we came out fighting after the break and quickly made it 4-2. Murray scored again before Mason harried the goalkeeper into an error and I stole in to steal the glory side footing it into the empty net from about 15 yards. We then relaxed a bit and the Grapes pulled one back from a set piece before Graham completed his hat-trick knocking home the rebound after Mason's effort was parried.
It stayed level until half-time but we came out fighting after the break and quickly made it 4-2. Murray scored again before Mason harried the goalkeeper into an error and I stole in to steal the glory side footing it into the empty net from about 15 yards. We then relaxed a bit and the Grapes pulled one back from a set piece before Graham completed his hat-trick knocking home the rebound after Mason's effort was parried.
Too much work, too much stress
Tue 31 Jan St Mary's Lighthouse 4.9m 35:27
Sat 4 Feb Delaval Arms 6m 41:31
A tough week at work as semester 2 begins for the students. On top of that it was bloody freezing at the beginning of the week. I went out on Tuesday in almost all of my running clothes (2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts) and ran a pretty decent run out to the lighthouse. Too cold to check the watch until the end and to be honest I was a bit disappointed with my finishing time. It felt like I was going so much faster but I'd had a hard day and it had obviously taken its toll.
The week at work got steadily harder and the planned Thursday night run became a caasualty. Disappointing because I hadn't skipped a planned run for over two weeks. However, the Saturday morning run more than made up for it. I extended my long run to 6 miles and despite battling a stitch for the last 2 managed to run a steady pace of around 6:55 per mile. It was tough coming back but I worked hard to maintain the pace and it paid off. To be running consistently in early February is a rarity for me and to be running a decent pace is more than pleasing. It bodes well for the year ahead and I'm already looking forward to my first goal of a 10k PB in May at the Clive Cookson NSP race.
From now on though its less work, less stress and more running. Probably a good idea to cut back on the alcohol which has risen in the past couple of weeks.
Sat 4 Feb Delaval Arms 6m 41:31
A tough week at work as semester 2 begins for the students. On top of that it was bloody freezing at the beginning of the week. I went out on Tuesday in almost all of my running clothes (2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts) and ran a pretty decent run out to the lighthouse. Too cold to check the watch until the end and to be honest I was a bit disappointed with my finishing time. It felt like I was going so much faster but I'd had a hard day and it had obviously taken its toll.
The week at work got steadily harder and the planned Thursday night run became a caasualty. Disappointing because I hadn't skipped a planned run for over two weeks. However, the Saturday morning run more than made up for it. I extended my long run to 6 miles and despite battling a stitch for the last 2 managed to run a steady pace of around 6:55 per mile. It was tough coming back but I worked hard to maintain the pace and it paid off. To be running consistently in early February is a rarity for me and to be running a decent pace is more than pleasing. It bodes well for the year ahead and I'm already looking forward to my first goal of a 10k PB in May at the Clive Cookson NSP race.
From now on though its less work, less stress and more running. Probably a good idea to cut back on the alcohol which has risen in the past couple of weeks.
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