Category: Short run

In contrast to March 15th, the day after the last time I ran 22.95 miles, I decided to take it really easy earlier today.

I set the machine to 6mph and completed 3.25 miles in 32.17, my ankle only twinging lightly in the first half-mile.

Afterwards I marvelled at how relaxed my legs were, although not so now, alas, having been sat back at my desk for an hour!

I had resigned myself to not running today, on account of a painful ankle, knackered legs and a touch of hayfever.

That is, until I spoke to Cliff this afternoon.

Despite running a 50-mile (FIFTY MILE!) race on Saturday in Paris with Pete and Daren, the lune was still seriously contemplating going to Circuit Training tonight!

In the course of trying to persuade him to be more circumspect, he persuaded me of the merits of jogging in order to be able to stretch my legs out properly.  So that is what I did earlier this evening.

3 miles took me 29.52 and whilst my ankle is still about as painful as before, my legs are a whole lot less stiff.

Earlier this morning I climbed aboard the magic carpet to do my weekly Friday-five-miler.

I started at 7mph and increased the speed by 0.2mph for each quarter mile until I reached 9mph.

Then I reduced the speed by the same amount until I reached 8mph, where I stuck it out until the end.

My heart rate was only in the low 170’s even running at 9mph, but then it didn’t drop down again as the speed decreased, which suggested that I had had a tough workout.  Even as I was running I knew that I could have run faster, but this still turned out to be a personal best.

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 37.23

Average speed 8.02mph, narrowly beating my time on the 3rd February

As per the last few Mondays, I did a short run this morning to take the edge off yesterday’s long one.

What was instantly surprising was that, beyond a slight initial stiffness in the legs, I felt no other after-effects and happily increased the speed, varying from 6mph initially to between 7 and 8.5mph.  In fact, I whizzed along very comfortably, the only negative sensation being one of hunger that developed after about 2 miles.

For the sake of balanced reporting, I should mention that yesterday afternoon and evening I had a series of temporary headaches and backache and was very pleased to finally turn my lights out at bedtime!

I am also glad to report that Spring took another step forward and that the door was open from the off this morning… although  we do have the benefit of a secluded South facing aspect!

So 3.25 miles in 26.40 which equates to an average of 7.3mph.

Lately I seem to have been becoming a more reluctant runner and a conversation with the Big Man (Mr DP) yesterday highlighted to me the reason why.  Where once the running used to be about fun and socialising, it now has a clear purpose.  And since each of us has our own running program, mileage targets, time constraints and other variables including at least two different race dates, it’s not so easy to run together.  Realising that I feel a lot happier… I know that there is a peak of fitness to achieve at a certain point in time and then I’ll be able to use that extra strength to enjoy myself even more than I used to before!

Even so, after ten icky miles yesterday and slightly achy knee joints this morning, I was not raring to get on the machine.

But on I did get and after the distances I’ve recently endured, 5 miles seemed pretty straightforward.  42.26 is not fast by the standards of previous weeks, but I’m still being sensible after last weekend’s 20-miler and with the average at just over 7mph, it’s okay.

One other thought from the Big Man is rattling around in my brain though… why am I not outside.  I run on the machine for a series of reasons:  monitoring heart rate, getting used to running at a particular speed, avoiding the ice & snow in the winter, lack of pleasant local pavements to run on, time available and so on.  This has definitely had a positive effect on my long-distance running ability, as witnessed in the consistency of speed in my Woodingdean runs.

But Spring is upon us and that’s my favourite season for running outside so whilst I may continue to do some training on the machine, I will hopefully find time in the next few weeks to do some of my old cross-country routes too.  And since the Big Man is back in town for a while and there’s a rumour that the Bok has overcome some of his back problems, maybe there’s even a chance of the odd social run too.  Just the thought of it has made me smile!

After running 20 miles on the machine yesterday, I was unsure how I would feel about getting back on it again this morning.

But after the inclemence of yesterday,  the day that dawned was beautiful and with sun streaming through the window it was hard to feel anything other than upbeat.  With a hasty espresso to wake me up and a banana for sugar, I got straight on with it.

I started the machine at 6mph to give my legs a chance to warm up but quickly realised they actually wanted to go faster… I kept running onto the front board.  I increased the speed to 6.5mph and while I’m sure I could have run faster still, I thought prudence was well advised.  I actually experienced no discomfort at all, so the training must be having an effect.

I regretted not putting the fan on though… the combination of the heating, sun and my activity quickly brought me to a hot sweat, but I didn’t want to stop so I just had to endure it.

After yesterday’s Kiss FM session, this morning I opted for Radio 4 and endured some politician getting a browbeating from the presenter.  It was clear that the presenter just wanted a percentage number that could be used later in the news, but the guest was having none of it and managed to get away clean from the more telling elephant in the room.

He pointed out that there has been a 45% increase in public spending within local authorities since 1997 and that councils would easily be able to create efficiencies without cutting front line services.

Whether or not this is the case, this is like saying that ‘we think they’ve been pouring money down the drain for a number of years but we’ve not previously done anything about it because… ‘

Slightly hot under the collar, for more reasons that one, I completed 3 miles in 28.24, average speed 6.3mph.

It’s late now, but when I climbed aboard the magic carpet to do my Friday run it was only just light.  More to the point, I was hardly awake… and maybe I just dreamed that I ran.  Who knows?

Because it was early and I was half asleep (and also because I’m building up to a long run Sunday), I couldn’t bring myself to stress my legs by making them do 8+mph, so I pootled along at 7mph for the first 10 quarter-miles and then increased to 7.5mph for the balance of 5 miles.

Although I really sweated it out, my heart-rate stayed below 165 and I finished in 40minutes 49 seconds. .. average 7.35mph.

It makes me tired just thinking about it, but maybe that’s because it’s late!  Zzzzzzz