Resurrected - it is alive!!!

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After much contemplating, I have decided to resurrect my blog (you at the back stop groaning).  Seems I haven't put fingers to keyboard on here since the end of 2011 :-O  A shocking 18 months have passed without me droning on about my attempts at kidding on I am a runner but I am back to update you with my new found loves on top of this running malarky.  

I have dived into the murky depths of open water swimming (did you see the pun there?  No? Really?), dabbled in some cycling, taken up Metafit (what can only be described as enjoyable torture) and Bokwa (can you feel the buzz?).  I also changed jobs in 2012 after 14 years with the same company.  

Open water swimming came about when I decided sometime during 2011 that I would challenge myself to something new.  I think I mentioned something about this in a previous post about me taking to the pool and doing some training.  The training continued throughout 2011 and into 2012.  I was entered in the Great North Swim but with one thing and another, it didn't come about and I transferred to the Scottish Swim at Strathclyde Park.  Turned out that one was cancelled as well due to poor water quality (swimming with shopping trolleys is never a good thing) which left my challenge of completing an open water swim up in the air.  As I mentioned, I joined a new company in 2012 and met someone who also likes doing open water swims and had taken part at Windermere and Manchester in 2011.  He was doing Windermere and Strathclyde in 2012 in aid of for Leukaemia and Lymphoma  Research, With both of these cancelled, I had a look about and found a 2km swim at Loch Eck in Dunoon for us to both do and thus my Open Water swimming started.  My swim was completed in 54 mins - not bad for a novice who had never been in open water.  Now to be fair I havent been in open water since and really need to get back to it as I have entered Lock Eck again this year and will enter the Great Scottish swim in August which is at Loch Lommond (not a shopping trolley in sight)  :-)  A good start for this would be to actually start training again ;-)

Next up is Metafit - demonic torture is what it is.  I discovered this at the end of last year and thought I would give it a bash.  I couldnt walk properly for 4 days after, as the DOMS was that bad but to be honest, its a fab workout and I'm still going so it obviously does something right.  30 mins and your done and dusted - literally.  Its difficult to explain to people what it is but here is a link which explains it - About Metafit.

My other keep fit love which I discovered last year, is Bokwa.  Now what can I say about this apart from its FANTASTIC!!  The class I go to is awesome - yes its that good but I put this down to the instructors and the great crowd of people at Ayrshire Fitness.  Steph and Claire are just brilliant and have such a love for what they are doing. I have to say that it is a bit addictive so much so that AJ (my daughter) and I even went to the Bokwa Buzz event in Birmingham and met the creator of it.  I should point out that Steph is the Bokwa B.E.S.T in Scotland (best as in great at it but also Bokwa Education Specialist Trainer).  Paul Mavi is coming to Scotland in July for an event so will be going to that one as well.  Never given it a try?  You really must.  Want to find out what its all about, check this out from the FIBO event in Germany.

This now leads me to why I started this blog way back when the fields were green - running!  The beginning of 2012 seen some good running (well for me anyway).  I managed a PB at my 5k distance (a sub 30 as well :-) ) and also one at my 10k distance.  Since then I have never managed to PB again or a sub 30 for that matter, so I think I have peaked lol.  I did a few 1/2 marathons in 2012 as well but my love for running sort of waned after July '12 and never really picked back up until May this year, even though I continued to race with very little training.  One thing to mention is to say that I ran a 5k at Disney in Florida :-D  That was fun but so hot!!!  So to make things quicker and not to bore you too much, below is a list of my races I have managed to plod through:

2012
Great Winter Run (5k) - enjoyed this but hard going up Arthurs Seat :-)
Devilla Forest 15 (15k) - first time doing this trail race and loved it. 
Scottish 6/4 Road Relays - part of the GGH ladies team for this and did the 3m leg.
Running Network 5k - last one of these and really disappointed it wasnt on in 2013
Willie Jukes 5m - only club race I have ran since joining.  Was okay but was shuffling along at the back.
Rock n Roll Edinburgh Half - did this fab race with the lovely Glenpark ladies
Great Manchester 10k - my fav 10k race and I pb'd :-)
Jogscotland 5k - my fav 5k race and I pb'd at this and did my first sub 30 ever! This has now moved to a big event for 2013 and I will be in Dublin at the time its on :-(
Bella 5k - hhmm wasnt my best race
Great Scottish Run 10k - course best on this but I still dont like the course
Disney Happy Haunted 5k - woo hoo I got to run a race in Florida.  Hot, sweaty and fun :-)
Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k - another 10k which I struggled with but that was due to no training runs before hand

And so onto 2013 and the races I have completed so far:

Great Winter Run (5k) - first of the Bupa races this year
Devilla Forest 15k - second year doing this and still love this race even though it can be hard work for me.
Inverness Half - my first half of the year.  Did little training and struggled but still finished.  Lovely medal :-)
Rock n Roll Half Edinburgh - I started but didnt finish due to my calf twanging :-( Totally gutted
Womens 10k - taken over by Bupa this year.  Still struggle on this course and not sure what it is.
Great Manchester Run - no PB this year but it kick started my mojo which had been missing since July last year :-)
Karrimor Great Trail Race (11k) - and challenging course which included a climb up the north side of Latrigg Fell.  Loved it and will be back next year :-)

Well that's what's been happening in the last 18 months.  A few dramas but nothing exciting.  Until the next one blogglets 


Kimbles
~x~x~

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A Review of 2011

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I was shocked to discover that I haven't been on my blog since May this year :-O  A lot has happened between then and now.  Some good and some bad, some ups but a lot more downs :-(  So in true end of the year fashion, here is my round of my "annus horriblis".


January
January seen the start of my running again after I was signed off from physio with my hip problem.  This was a good thing as I had to start my training for my first ever half which was in Edinburgh in April (more about that laer).  The postponed Jogscotland Christmas Cracker was also held and it was also a good test as to how the hip would hold up.  As it turned out, the hip was doing great.


February/March

Race bib and medal :-)

February seen some ups and downs with training but I was getting out there and doing it (albeit it wasnt a pretty sight).  Training continued into March and was going well.  I felt confident about race day in April.  The end of the month signalled the yearly Running Network 5k which my mate and I do as an "anniversary" race.  This race takes place at Bellahouston Park and has a great atmosphere.  I look forward to doing this every year :-) 

 March also signalled a piece of good news - I was accepted to run for  Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in the Great North Run.  This is one race that I have always wanted to do (more on this later). 


April
April came and with it my first half marathon.  What a fab day I had :-)  I didnt do it in a fast time but I started, ran it, crossed the finish line and raised money for MacMillan.  You can read all about it here ADT Edinburgh Half.  This month also seen me join Greenock Glenpark Harriers.  You?  Part of a running club? I hear you ask.  Yes well I dont think they knew what they were letting themselves in for by letting Kimbles Tortoise join lol.  Seriously though, they are a lovely bunch of people and very welcoming.  The support from the ladies group when out with them is great!


May
May signalled a busy month of running and races.  First up was the Ignis Womens 10k which again I was running for MacMillan.  Turned out it wasnt a great run for me.  I felt awful and was probably the signal that the rest of my running year wasnt going to be great.  Unfortunately the mental motivation deserted me big time.  The following week saw me travelling to Manchester for the Bupa 10k.  This was a better run and I really enjoyed it.  So much so, I am signed up again for next year :-)  This month also seen me taking to the water - the pool to be precise.  I started back at swimming, took advanced lessons and have been enjoying being back in the water.  I sometimes wonder is I am a better swimmer than I am a runner :-)


June/July/August
June seen me pick up a minor niggle which was enough to push me to the bench on running and concentrate on X-Training.  I did run the Jogscotland Summer Challenge and picked a pretty decent time.  Still not great though.  July and August seen me ramp up my training when the niggle disappeared,  for the Great Scottish 10k and the Great North Run which were coming up in September.  August the training ramped up further but unfortunately the niggles were coming back and becoming a bit more serious.  My right calf and my achilles were beginning to really bother me and it was affecting my running.


September
Beginning of September seen me run the Great Scottish 10k.  I really dont know why I run this as I seriously dont like the course.  My right calf gave out at 9k and the last 1k was spent gritting my teeth and pushing through to the finish.  This was becoming a serious worry with the GNR approaching.  I rested up as much as I could before GNR.  We travelled down on the morning of the race and I was flippin shattered which didnt help matters.  Ankle and calf were strapped up as well.  Both my friend and I were running this. The dutiful spouses headed to the finish to wait for us.  The atmosphere at the start is brilliant but no-one tells you prior to this race just how challenging it can be to a novice.  It was hard going.  Crowd support is great, the hills are not lol.  10 miles in, my calf started to hurt and had to stretch a few times.  I cant tell you the feeling of elation when I got to 12 miles, seen the Red Arrows overhead and knew I didnt have long to go.  I still managed a sprint finish at the end and the relief was immense.  I paid for it however with damaged tendons in my foot and spent the rest of the day limping round Newcastle :-(  I said at the time I wouldnt do it again but I have since changed my mind.  I wont let the course beat me down, so will apply again this year!


October

Still carrying an injury from the GNR, I had the Bupa Great Edinburgh 10k to run.  I really shouldnt have done it but....It was a great race, atmosphere was fab and one to do again but not next year as I will be away. Problem was that after this run, I ended up being benched again from exercise.  I couldnt walk after the race as my foot was pretty damaged :-)  Anyway, the rest ended up being good as I had the Great South to do at the end of Oct, again for MacMillan.  Another fab race, fab atmosphere and fab crowds.  Not to mention the fab company at my mates :-D  Definitely one to do again!

November/December

No races in November, so it was back to easy running :-) In December the Jogscotland Christmas cracker and the Paisley Jingle 5k happened.  Both fun races and no need to go full out - which is just as well lol  At the beginning at the year I set a target to do 500 miles.  So far I am 3 miles short with a few days to go.  I am pretty chuffed at this considering the problems with injury I have had.

2012

So what will 2012 hold?  Rock n Roll half in Edinburgh in April, Great Manchester run, Ignis 10k, hopefully the GNR again and also the Great South.  I may also get the chance to the Glasgow half.  However the biggest challenge I have set myself is doing a 1 mile open water swim at Lake Windemere in June :-O

Anyway, enough drivelling from me.  I think I have covered everything :-) Here's to an injury free 2012 and improvements in my running and my mental attitude

Till next time :-)

Kimbles
~x~x~

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News

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Okay so in my last post I mentioned a few things which have happened recently, so I shall take them in order.

Women's 10k

Firstly was the Women's 10k on 8th May.  After last year's run, I was expecting great things to come out of this but noooooooooo.  What a sorry, disappointing run that turned out to be.  Weather was humid which didnt make for great race conditions for me.  I suffered the whole race with the heat and subsequently a rather elevated heart rate which manifested itself in my heart doing back flips for 7k of the race.  I gave the crowds at the 2.5k mark a rather unflattering flash of my sports bra as I stripped off my long sleeve top which was under my MacMillan vest (maybe not the best idea putting it on in the first place).  By 7k I was severally flagging and at the water station ended up using my bottle of water to cool me down.  This did the trick for the next 3k and I flagged over the line in a dismal 69:25.  The day was definitely not one to go down as a fab run :-(  The goody bag was one to write home about as well - a pen, a bottle of juice, a bottle of water and 2 smints.  Outstanding!!!

Cazza & I after Manchester 10k

Next was the Manchester 10k the following week.  Now that was a great race and I knocked 2.5 mins off the previous week's time.  Still not a PB but I finished the race satisfied that I had pulled out all the stops considering.  The night before we had to put up with a couple having a domestic in the room above us for nearly 2 hours, followed an hour or so later with the 2 lassies screeching in the corridor outside our room.  Still we were up bright and early, breakfast eaten and headed to the city centre.  My goal for the morning was to see Haile Gabrselassie starting his race (and possibly finishing) as I was in the back wave of runners.  That would have been a big NO then!!  We spend ages looking for the baggage area and asked 4 marshalls to be told different directions and then someone from Manchester who said they didnt come into the city often so didnt know where things were *incredulous face*.  I was in the green wave and Cazza in blue.  She went first followed by me 30 mins later.  The race was fab, the course was brilliant and the crowds outstanding.  I finished in 66:55 and was pleased with that.  This race is a definite on next year's calendar (well it ought to be as I've entered it again lol).

Swimming.  Now this is an interesting turn of events :-)  Not content with running, I have decided that my next challenge is an open water swim!!  The marbles have well and truly been lost - fact!  Now this swim is not until next year which gives me plenty of time - I think lol.   So I have been back at swimming and have even taken advanced lessons.  Now the purpose of the lessons is that I have never swam freestyle or breaststroke properly. So online I went, purchased a swim cap and goggles and booked my lessons.  One lesson in the pool and I am dolphin-esque (okay allow me my moment of ego stroking here).  Teacher says that my form is good and I only need to work on my breathing and keep practising.  So with that in mind I went a further twice to the pool last week :-)  Sorted - now I just need to get out in open water with a wet suit and I can guarantee the picture of me in that suit is not going to pretty *shudder*.

Lastly on the news front, I have now joined a running club - the Greenock Glenpark Harriers. I'm really not sure if they actually know what they are letting themselves in for by allowing "Kimbles Tortoise" in, but I am pretty chuffed to actually be part of a club *beam*.  I am definitely not a hare but I am sure by continuing to run with the ladies and attending the club meets, I can pull myself up to a pretty passable standard.  Records will not be broken but I am hoping that my times will improve along with my physical and mental stamina - both of which have been pretty absent of late.

Oh one last point.  I had to pull out of the Edinburgh Half last week.  I twisted a muscle in my back at my rib cage and it was holding out on Saturday until I slept in a lumpy hotel bed and woke on the morning of the race under par.  Still I have to say, that it wasnt any great loss.  I just have to focus now for the races at the end of the summer.

Till next time :-)

Kimbles
~x~x~

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Hhhmmmm

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Well looking at my recent blog entries, its becoming a bit of a sorry story :-(  I'm not sure what the problem is, or maybe I do.  Nothing exciting has been happening and I cant muster any enthusiasm to drivel.  I dont know if this is because I was training for the half and it was becoming a bit same old same old or whether its all a bit of an anti-climax.

I do have a few things to update since my last past at the end of April. 1) I completed the Women's 10k, 2) I completed the Manchester 10k (now that is worth writing about), 3) I didnt do the Edinburgh half and 4) I have taken up swimming again ;-)  This last item is important so bear with me and I will write a post on it later.  Oh and finally, not forgetting the fact that I am now a member of the Greenock Glenpark Harriers.  Although whether that is good or bad I have still to find out but that is for a separate post.  Oh hear look, I have found some drivelling material :-D

Till next time :-)

Kimbles
~x~x~

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My first trip to running club

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Hello Blogglings :-)

I was recently invited to try out a running club in Greenock - the Glenpark Harriers.  After a few false starts of getting to the ladies night, I eventually went on Tuesday night.  Its was fab and just what I need to get myself some motivation.  All the ladies were lovely and the small group I was in was very supportive and gave me loads of encouragement.  They run slightly faster than me (which is not hard lol) but we increased/decreased pace to suit and it turned out to be a pretty decent time for the 3.42 miles we ran.  The route started out at Greenock academy and we ran along Newark Street, crossed into Battery Park, completed a lap of that and headed back out on Eldon Street.  We turned down on the Esplande and followed this right along to the end.  At the traffic lights it was then "up" Campbell Street ( I hate hills), along Union and Newark Street and finished back where we started.  I even managed a quick sprint for the last 50 metres.  Where the sprint came from I have no idea as I was fair pushing my pace for the whole distance.  Weather wise if was a fab evening which added to the enjoyment.  I will definitely go back next week :-)

Distance - 3.42m
Time - 35:25
Splits - 9:45 9:53 11:04 4:41

Till next time :-)

Kimbles
~x~x~

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