Running Update

Well yet again I have managed to neglect my blog :-(  I keep meaning to update it and then think "do I really have much to say?"

So what have I done between my last blog and now?  Well I am now into week 3 of my half marathon training in preparation for the Edinburgh half in April.  Training is going well so far.  I am managing to build up my distance and stamina again after enforced rest due to injury.  My hip is also holding out and I am really pleased about that.  I just need to make sure that I now take time out to do my physio exercises and to stretch properly after each run and gym session.  

Jog Scotty

I also took part in the Jogscotland (post)poned Christmas Cracker 5k at Strathclyde Country Park.  Although my time wasnt fantastic, it was a good effort for a first of season and post injury race.  Time to complete was 33:48 and a time I need to work on.  It was a good day out and the weather held out for us. The highlight?  Our picture taken with Jog Scotty the mascot :-)

I'm hoping to do another first for the year and attend Parkrun.  This will also help with my half traning and the course is tough.

Anyway, I will try and make a concious effort to update my blog from now on.  I am usually so full of hot air I need to vent it somewhere but I havent been up to drivelling standard the past few weeks.  So more to come from now on - you have been warned :-)

First Of The Year

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Well we are nearly at the end of the first week of 2011 and I am feeling quite proud of my exercise achievements given everything that has been going on.  


I did my first rehab run since being told by physio that I could start again :-)  This run coincided with it being the first run of 2011.  It was only a short run (1.33m) but it felt really good.  My hip coped really well and the next day, I didnt feel any pain - yay!!  My next run was on 3rd Jan and I followed the same route as Saturday.  Again, another successful run and it was looking good for my next physio appointment.  I also got to use my funky new Garmin for the first time on these runs :-)


I went to physio on Wednesday and she was pleased with my progress.  I've got a few more core and hip strengthening exercises that she has gave me to work on but I dont have to go back for a month and this will just be a progress appointment unless something drastic happens in between.  I also went to the gym on Wednesday and had a good session.  I used the x-trainer, weight machines for my back, shoulders and chest, summit trainer, rower and finished off with a cheeky wee 2km run.  

My legs weren't like rubber when I got up on Thursday and I ended up going out for a 2m run at lunchtime and it was fab.  Bit chilly when running into the wind but when in the wintery sun it wasnt too bad. I also managed a negative split in my laps :-D

Friday is a rest day and will see how the weather is on Saturday and maybe attend Parkrun for the first time this year. Weather isnt looking too promising though.  Its not the actual run in snow that bothers me but the travelling up there.


Kimbles
~x~x~

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My Year In Running - 2010

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Its been awhile again since I updated my blog with my running exploits.  I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the year ahead.  

2010 has been a mixed year running wise.  It started level, reached a high during the summer and then hit the dirt with an almighty thud in November.

January/February/March
Snow and ice during the first 2 months restricted training outside, so I was left to run on the treadmill.  I aimed to do my first race in March and this was the Running Network 5k fun run.  I would use this as part of my training for the Ignis 10k in May.  During these months, I met my friend Cazza through an online forum and we agreed to meet up for the first time during the 5k.  Since then we have become good friends, running buddies and support for each other.  She rocks and I'm glad we met :-) We also found out that its definately a small world.  I used to work in the same place as her dad 19 years ago!! The 5k race was in Bellahoustan Park and was fab.  We will both be running it again this year ;-)  I finished this race in 33:25 and a time I could work on and hopefully bring down.


April/May/June
April seen me attend Parkrun for the first time and I really enjoyed it.  The runs there held me in good stead for the Ignis which was in May and training was going well.  May also seen the start of my blog and my first post was a post race report on the 10k (Ignis Race Result).  My time was 64:19 and something to work on for this year :-)  June seen me run the RFL at Glasgow Green and achieve a PB in the 5k with 28:51. I also ran the Jogscotland 5k in June which was also held at Glasgow Green.  Sadly no PB here as it was a very humid night and killed me.  Time for this 5k was 29:57.  June also seen the start of training for the GSR half marathon which was in September.


July/Aug/Sept
Training for the half continued through July, however by the end of July I was experiencing hip pain and at one point had to stop half a mile into my last long training run of July and walk home as the pain had got so bad.  I took 2 weeks out for rest at home.  August seen me heading to India on a business trip, so that was a futher 2 weeks out but the niggle was still there.  Once I arrived home from India, I had a week left to the GSR and I knew deep down I would not be able to complete it as I had only managed to get up to 8 miles on my last long run.  I made the decision to run the 10k instead.  The GSR 10k wasn't my finest hour but I completed it in 69:49. I had another 10k race coming up at the beginning of Oct, so training started again for this.


Oct/Nov/Dec
The start of Oct seen me take part in the St Andrews Hospice 10k at Strathclyde Country Park.  This was completed in 67:11.  Not too bad and an improvement on the GSR 10k time.  I seriously felt that my mojo had come back and I got straight back into training and this meant going back to the gym and doing my PT programs.  The only downside to this was that the hip pain was not going away and was in fact starting to get worse again.  By the time November came, I couldnt deny there was a problem and my first appointment to the physio confirmed it.  I had a hip bursitis, weak hip flexors and IT Band syndrome. The bad news was that I was benched from running after my last run on 18th November :-(  Physio gave me exercises to work on the ITB and the hip flexors.  As I was going on holiday on 9th December, I was still benched from running and a subsequent spate of bad weather meant I couldnt attend my next appointment before Christmas.  Eventually I attended my physio appointment on 29th December to be given the joyous news that I was signed off to run.  Although I was only allowed to do 2x1 mile sessions to start with.  I didnt care, I was bouncing about the physio room like Tigger on speed :-)  One of the highlights in December which more than made up for my enforced running drought, was the birthday present from hubby - a Garmin 305 watch. However, since I wasnt allowed to run, this piece of lovely kit lay dormant in my drawer until 1st Jan - the day of my first run.  But that is story for my next update.

My Garmin 305

I am hoping 2011 will be injury free and a full of good races, great training and the meeting of new and like minded running friends.  A special thanks go to my husband, my family for their support. Also thanks to Cazza and Sharon for being my friends and running buds :-)  Thank you to all who have supported  me during this year and for also following my exploits on my blog.  A big thank you to everyone who stumped up sponsor money for my charity races.  I raise a glass to you and here's to 2011.

Kimbles
~x~x~

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