Changing Room Drama Queen - Blog

Lose your sense of humour and you’re in trouble…

Pinky13 — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:44:24 GMT

I am back, but not really here. My lack of running blogging has been due to my lack of running. How can you blog about something you are not doing? Not down to poor weather or lack of motivation or anything like that, but I guess I have a good excuse.

My 87-year-old father was taken ill late last year and I had been ferrying him around from one hospital visit to another. This meant time off work, time off family time and time off running. Sadly, he died at the end of January. That is not the end of the story as he left my older sister, who has autism all alone. I have doing lots of running – but running around to try to get things settled for her.

Two weeks after he died, I went for a run. It was a freezing cold day; my mind was on just getting out there to blast away the constant stream of questions bombarding me. All manner of things; money, job, finance, healthcare, support, funeral, probate, flowers, coffin, what to put in coffin, car, house, cleaning, decorating, the list was endless.

My usual run preparations went by the by. I just hared off out the door. After a far too quick first kilometre, I knew I was in trouble. My right hamstring was complaining, but I ignored it, I just needed to run. 6K later and I was home, but hurting.

Back to physio, back to resting, not back to running. Now I am not doing this, I am absolutely gutted and crazier about running than ever. I have ‘runner envy’, anyone I see pounding the pavements makes me wistful. I have lots of scar tissue that needs to be broken down before I can get back to it and on top of this, I also managed to tear a bicep tendon that is aggravated by – you guessed it – running, as you have to swing your arm back and forth. I am on elephant type painkillers to get the inflammation down and counting the weeks until I can start again (6 weeks minimum to go).

Clearly, my body was trying to tell me something and had to make me listen. Next time I am going to take notice a little sooner. Running to ease the pain of a change of circumstance is a good reason to get out there, but I wish I had more caution.

My Dad had a great sense of humour. He would say ‘Lose your sense of humour and you’re in trouble’ so if you were wondering what went in the coffin. Some sea charts, (he was a sailor, but always got lost) thank you cards and letters from all the people he helped throughout his life – he was generous to a fault and all the gratitude over the years he had kept, Shakespeare’s, ‘To be or not to be?’ and a cucumber. The look on the undertaker’s face was priceless at the sight of the cucumber. This was in homage to my mother, who would often mix her metaphors, as he said at her funeral some 14 years ago, ‘Cool as a cucumber is good, but calm as cucumber is even better!’ So, the next time I go for a run I will be as calm as a cucumber!

Do a mile for me

Lots of love,

Pam

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Autumn to Winter: The Most Depressing Time of The Year

Pinky13 — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:33:00 GMT

It is hard to admit when things get tough – I’m tempted to write a ‘rosy posy’ blog and show a face to the world that I’d like all to see, but instead I am going to be real. The strong amongst us soldier on and maybe that is part of the problem. At this time of year, I have a major struggle with the change of season.

SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder as it has become known is something I have had to deal with for many years. I forget how bad it feels when the clocks go back. For the past two winters, I have used a full spectrum lamp to boost my brain and body into action. It does work, but on days like today when it is dreary and overcast all day the lamp is on a lot and it is hard not to feel the need to hibernate.

Real hibernation is a natural defence mechanism, and as one who has suffered from depression, I know the signs. I am not talking about feeling a bit low or blue, or Monday morning ‘life’s a drag’ feeling. I am talking about the total physical shutdown that occurs when your body and brain just blow the safety valve and you literally ‘hibernate’, shutting off major systems and slowing down all your processes.

This results in actual clinical depression. If you are in that state, running is not an option, medical help and recovery is.

Running assisted me a great deal in my recovery from clinical depression and a grey day reminds me exactly how far I have come. So today it is not going to be easy to get the running shoes on, but as long as I feel I have had enough rest, it’s a good decision. Seven Tips to Motivate Yourself.

However, I need to watch my natural propensity to burn the candle at both ends and in the middle. I have never run without a watch – I always know the time and distance I have run and all the splits. I don’t think this is necessarily a good thing. Have I made running just another target in my already fully loaded life?

It seems strong people battle on; lazy people give up and give in to pressure before it affects them adversely. Lazy people are not going to get ill from burn out or get a sports injury due to over exertion or coming back to hard training too soon. Five Reasons to Take Recovery Seriously.

I think I need to have a lazier approach to my running in order to keep things in check. I am going to try to focus on how the run made me feel and the fact that I have managed to get out at all, not looking at my times so much, not striving for a PB every time I head out.

I know this won’t be easy and I can already feel myself working out a counter strategy to make up for the loss of facts and figures. What can I say? I am results driven, I just need to adjust the parameters of how I measure and see my achievements in a different way.

So lights on, watch off…

Have a great week

Pam

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Wet Wet Wet

Pinky13 — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:50:46 GMT

I suppose the one good thing about this awful summer weather is that so far I have been little affected by running in the heat. Chance would be nice though. Is there so much difference between winter and summer training I wonder? Which do I prefer?

I can hardly comment on summer training this year as we have had so little summer and I only began running last summer, with short distances, mostly walk/jogging and that seems so long ago.

However, last winter is still a reasonably fresh memory. I can recall clearly, running in the dark, along streets lit with streetlamps, not being able to use routes that go cross-country, so the terrain was tarmac or paved and pretty hard going. I remember being able to feel and see every breath in and out. Wearing my long thermal compression running tights and lots of layers, a ‘scarfy’ thing (neck warmer – I make them!), earwarmers, gloves, flashing armband and straining to see the backlight on my sports watch to note the splits.

I can remember what it was like to draw in a breath and try to warm it before the cold of it split my lungs in half and made me gasp. Even the chilliest summer morning is not going to do that to me. It was great to run to get and keep warm, but second guessing wind chill and exactly how much heat I was able to self generate had me finding it just too cold on some runs.

Summer running I am sure has its drawbacks. Flies in your eyes, mouth and up your nose are an unwelcome distraction, there is a wealth of fresh vegetation, some stinging and spiky, that spring up overnight and block the path making you regret that you wore your shorts. Sunburn (not this year!), dehydration, overheating, hay fever, are all factors that could affect your enjoyment and training. However my main problem now is trying to dry out my running shoes between runs!

I confess I am a hothouse flower. I love the heat, the hotter the better, but probably not for running in, more for laying about in, reading a book and feeling lazy and happy. When we do get that one-day summer I will make sure I either run early or run late to capture the cool ends of the day.

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side, so to avoid disappointment I am going to try to savour every run I do, come rain or shine!

Have a great week,

Pam x

More from Pinky13
A Funny Thing Happened to Me	What a Difference a Year Makes	I'm Not Running a Marathon	Bad Blisters, Bad Diet, Bad Fall, Bad Habits, Good times!
Some things in life are just not funny. Running however can be quite an amusing pastime.	Twelve months ago, I put on a pair of barely used cross trainers and attempted to jog around the block.	It seems everybody is running. Lots of ultras, marathons, big challenge distances in far flung places.	I have had one of those times where I have not been able to do any running for a full 10 days.

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A funny thing happened to me on my way to the Forum…

Pinky13 — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:14:00 GMT

Some things in life are just not funny; queuing, waiting to see the dentist, losing your keys, being late. Running however can be quite an amusing pastime.

First, I am amused at how fickle I can be. Some days I am intent on having the flattest stomach on the planet, the best time for my age/distance and I go out for a hard ‘fat burning’ run followed by lean cuisine (not the ready made variety!). Other times I trundle around the block in an almost casual manner, come back, and eat chocolate brownies.

The fact that we expose ourselves to the great outdoors when running (with apologies to the treadmill only runners) can be a source of great amusement. I wonder if I am the only one who sees if they can leap the puddles just for fun, thinks about the ‘Chariots of Fire’ music on the last stretch home, or just gets the giggles because the fact that I, a former self confessed couch potato, am running at all.

Then there are the encounters that you will inevitably have with people, dogs, and nature in general. The other day hubby was pushing himself on a quick 10K when a car drew alongside him. The window came down, the car slowed to his speed and the driver leaned out and asked directions to the pub! Not quick thinking enough perhaps his retort should have been, ‘Do I look like the kind of guy who spends all his time in the pub?’ or sorry ‘I’m not local, just passing through’. He did manage to gesticulate and indicate that the said pub was 800m ahead! Some people!

Has anyone else had any weird requests or questions when out running?

Running with a buddy can throw up all kinds of strange topics of conversation, that is if you are not belting along and unable to speak.

I had just made a comment to my hubby about the difference between men and women runners acknowledging each other. My theory was that blokes pretty much gesture, say ‘Alwight?’ (in the style of Michael Barrymore) to each other, or make some other form of greeting.

I said that most women will hail a guy too and say ‘Hi’ or smile or wave. However, in my experience women do not go out of their way to greet each other, unless they know each other. Furthermore, women may not feel inclined to greet a woman they perceive as being faster, fitter or better looking than themselves.

Just as I had finished my statement, a tall willowy blond came jogging around the corner. She beamed at Andrew and then caught sight of me and her face literally dropped. It was perfect timing if I ever needed proof of my theory! I could hardly run for laughing.

I know perhaps I ought to exercise some brevity and be serious, it is a serious business for many - times, challenges, the pressure to get better, fitter, flatter, faster. There are times when you just need to enjoy yourself, go ahead you know you want to!

Have a great week!

Pam x

What a Difference a Year Makes

Pinky13 — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:42:00 GMT

Twelve months ago on 29^th June 2011, I put on a pair of barely used cross trainers and attempted to jog around the block for the first formal exercise I had done in years.

For three years, I had suffered terribly from a very deep depression, which took, over my life. As I was beginning to recover, I put on weight and having seen myself in that fateful changing room mirror (see my first blog!) something had to give. Those closest to me (namely hubby) thought ‘Oh, yeah this will be a one minute wonder’, as previous exercise or get fit regimes had fallen by the wayside almost before they had begun.

However, there was something about running from the very start that got me hooked. Maybe it was the fact that at 47, tall and blonde I viewed myself as a bit of babe, and was shocked to see the reality that I was more blob than babe! Having put nothing but processed and junk food, alcohol and caffeine into my body for years I was still convinced I was reasonably fit and able to do anything I put my mind to.

How wrong can you be! 200 metres into my first run I was ready to quit! I was bent double, trying not to throw up and gasping for breath. I knew that the ‘block’ was a mile and being a goal oriented person I dug in and over the course of 2 weeks; jogging, walking, running every day I finally made it round the mile without stopping! Little did I know I had just embarked on interval training.

Now 12 months on – what do I know that I did not know then?

I know that it helps to have some good running shoes, I got my gait analysed and I know I over pronate slightly on my left foot. I know about breathing ratios, tempo running, speed work, injury management,/b>, RICE, I know what a 5K looks like and a 10K and the kind of times that are good or not. I know about age grading times and splits, I know how it feels when you get racing and the adrenalin kicks in. I know what it is like to smash your PB (personal best!). I know that I like running in the autumn, winter, spring and summer! I know about the running bug website and all the great advice I have from it…training plans, groups, forums and a sense of camaraderie. I know I love getting out there, I know I love to run alone or with hubby, I love running early in the morning when there is no one else around or running during rush hour when everyone else is stuck in cars.

Most of all I know I feel good! OK I look good too, some two and a half stone lighter than when I started and three dress sizes smaller, but better than that - I feel happy!

I feel I have run the remnants of my depression away and I am keeping it away too. OK now I am not saying that if you are seriously depressed just go running and all your troubles will be over. It is not as simple as that - depression is an illness and there are various stages and levels. If someone had told me to go running at the depths of my despair, that would not have worked as when I was in that place nothing could motivate me,/b> and I needed professional help.

As I came out of this pit, running regularly, a much better diet (for running!) and a goal (my next PB, my next distance) kept me on track.

My self-esteem has re-built and knowing I belong to this running community gives me such a great buzz.

So with a wardrobe full of pink running gear, and a grin on my face I look forward to many more years of running for life!

Have a great week!

Pam x

Bad Blisters, Bad Diet, Bad Fall, Bad Habits, Good times!

Pinky13 — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:38:00 GMT

I have had one of those times where I have not been able to do any running for a full 10 days. This was down to being at work for hours on end, then being away and having several social engagements that I had to attend.

Not only was I unable to tap into my usual source of exercise, but I also had a wealth of naughty food around me. A change of diet with quick fixes and rich food did nothing to energise me.

I really felt it when I was finally able to hit the road for that first run. It was something I had been yearning to do, that I was positively excited about doing, but the toll of the lack of sleep and my hideous diet meant that it was a real struggle.

I had only gone on my usual 4-mile route, but it may as well have been a half marathon! I felt drained and dead legged. I did soldier on though to my constant surprise. (In my head, I still regard myself as lazy…, which is crazy given how full my life is!) I believe I have a fear of becoming that way, and it is all too easy to slip out of a good habit into a bad one.

I am back on track now, although the cravings for sweet food are still there, but I have them under slightly more control than before. I love the fact that after a couple of runs you can be back in shape mentally, it is such a powerful tool to keep me, quite literally, on track!

I have blisters too to add to my woes. These are not from running though! I have ones on my heels from wearing riding boots for a week and walking miles in them.

I also have blisters all over the sides of my feet from wearing altogether ridiculously high-heeled, glitter platform shoes that I danced all night in. I had a great time, but now have to manage the blisters.

Adding to this I had a spectacular fall on a run last night. I was running along the Thames towpath, taking in the sun and the scenery; through the dappled shade of the trees…when slam! Down I went. I hit a huge tree root with my toe and it sent me sprawling. In the slow motion sequence that happens whenever your adrenalin pumps, all I could think about was trying not to land on my face (I had a nose job about 20 years ago and I’m not about to go through that again!)

I took the impact on my hands, forearms, knees and elbows. I lay in the dirt for a few minutes and then got cross at myself for not stopping my watch! I continued my run with the embarrassing sight of dead leaves, mud and scrapes all over me and this morning I feel stiff and bruised.

I am glad I didn’t break anything – but just for the hell of it, I will do that run again tonight, maybe armed with a can of spray paint to highlight the roots along the way!

Has anyone else had a spectacular tumble? Do share!

Have a great week!

Pam

I'm Not Running a Marathon

Pinky13 — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:20:00 GMT

I’m not running a marathon…

It seems everybody is running - running further than me. Lots of ultras, marathons, big challenge distances in far flung places. Am I somehow less of a runner because I don’t take part in these long hauls?

The problem with lots of people collectively doing something (eg. London Marathon) is that being on the sidelines, I feel strangely attracted to this world of bruised toenails, carb loading and tapering.

I find myself wondering if I could ever run a marathon in under 4 hours. (I know I would not be satisfied with anything less or more if you know what I mean). What is stopping me? Fear of injury or boredom? I do not wish to get injured and stress my weak hamstring so I could not run at all. Boredom definitely, I find it’s so boring running for longer than an hour!

Is it inevitable that I will somehow be seduced into doing longer runs as my age works against me in improving times at shorter distances despite age grading my results! Will I indeed improve my speed over shorter distances if I run long? That has not been my experience so far (okay so I’ve been running less than a year – what do I know anyway!) But when I extended my distance from 5K to 10K my speed on 5K runs disappeared and I mean completely! Maybe it was more to do with my mindset and the pressure I put myself under, but why was I dragging myself around a 5K, when I could feel pretty fresh around a 10K? It makes no sense to me and is quite demoralising.

Thinking about it now, it could be that I was simply changing the way I was striding. I noticed I was taking shorter steps, my natural stride seemed too exuberant for longer runs. So I thought I was conserving energy but maybe I was just running ‘empty miles’ instead. Also my breathing went from 2:3 to 1:2 for all my runs. Hmmm, when a complete beginner 8 months ago I was far more focussed on my form and breathing and less about the times. Now I seem to be ignoring the basics at my peril – you know what they say about a little knowledge being dangerous.

Right now my idea of a long run is 10K, 6 miles or so and I run this once a week. In between times I run 2 miles easy or 4 miles tempo every day and swimming twice a week on my ‘rest days’.

As I write this, it’s like I am having an ‘out of body experience’ or surely I have been kidnapped by aliens? A fitter, sleeker version of myself is in my place and the real me will return to earth shortly to plonk on the sofa with curry, beer and chocolate bars. The real me struggled to complete even a mile (took me a fortnight of running every day until I could run a mile without stopping). I have come such a long way from the couch potato I was less than a year ago. But saying that, doing a training run of 17 miles to me is still utterly inconceivable and yet that’s what is regularly called for in marathon training, and lots of them too!

Even though I’m not an ultra runner or marathoner I have joined a secret society – one of strange terminology such as tempo runs, splits, fartlek, intervals, quads, ITB’s, hamstrings, achilles. When I meet someone new and discover they are a runner, its an instant bond, a camaraderie. At least we know what we are on about, although anyone on the outside listening in would be most puzzled.

So maybe I am a runner after all, I know my heart is in it. I feel deprived if the weather or family life, work or injury stops me from my run.

So Paul (my lovely mate who has run the London Marathon several times and the Great North Run) - I know I said I would never run - well – you were right to say ‘never say never.’

Have a great week!

Pam

Are you sick of everyone talking about the marathon? Does it make you any less of a runner if you don't want to take part? What would you rather see and read about during the marathon period? Share your opinion with other runners in the comments below. You may find you're not alone.

Obsession or Addiction, choose your poison!

Pinky13 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:10:00 GMT

Ha I’m back! On a number of levels I have been ‘away’. Having had horrendous chest infections, three courses of anti-biotics , 2 flights, 2 lots of business trips, charity work and family commitments, not to mention the dodgy weather it’s time to get back into training.

A good life is all about finding balance and by being unwell, the exercise part of my life had to take a back seat and that I did not like at all. I found myself obsessing about what I was not doing/or could not do. Worse still I had ‘fed’ my cold/cough and as a result put some pounds back on, not necessarily what I wanted but denying myself treats when I was feeling rotten was not my idea of fun, so I indulged (lots of carbs, chocolate etc).

Isn’t it ironic that people feel they have the right to say ‘You’re too thin!’ or ‘You’ve lost too much weight’, when saying the opposite, ‘My goodness you’re fat!’ would cause great offence. I don’t think it any less offensive to tell someone they are too slim, particularly when the person criticising often has a BMI of over 30!

I suppose those who have not seen me for a while might get a bit of a shock at the contrast. One of my clients remarked that he thought I looked ‘plump’ last summer, and felt he could only tell me that once I’d slimmed down! As the weight has slid off I don’t see myself as too thin, I still have the lumps and bumps, they’re just smaller than they were! Ironically when I was overweight, I did not ‘see’ the size of the problem at all, I was definitely blind to my growing mass and addicted to junk food.

So what is the difference between being obsessed and addicted?

An addiction implies the negative, something that affects your mood and behaviour in an adverse way. My addictions to coffee and sugary food, alcohol and curry, kept me fat, inactive and led to depression.

An obsession I think is more about something that occupies you and dominates your thoughts.
By that definition - I am obsessed on a number of levels!

How I feel. Having suffered from major depression in the past, I am always on the look out for any signs of its return. The natural high one gets from exercise and knowing I have done something positive for myself (although the odd marguerita does slip in – but then it’s all about balance) makes me feel great!

My clothes and how I look in them. The favourite business suit hanging in the wardrobe, (the one I could not squeeze into last May) is a reminder of how far I have come. I want to get in to and out of my clothes with ease!

Racing and being the best I can be! Having completed my first 10K race (Water of Life – Marlow) I now realise I really love racing! The anticipation, getting ready, finding out what your number is, putting that chip on your shoe, having the warm up, feeling the hype, running the race, thoughts flying, aiming for your goal, waiting for your result!

So with that I am off to find another race to enter…

Have a great week!

Pam

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Running in the Cold

Pinky13 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:46:00 GMT

What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay Hotel Window?

Its winter, it’s cold. I know I am stating the obvious and to quote John Cleese, ‘What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel window! Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains?’

The night running routine has definitely become less attractive to me. I am not just a fair weather runner. Any one of the nasty weather conditions in the singular seem to be reasonably bearable. I’ve run in rain, cold and wind but when you put some of those together as of late they have proved rather off putting.

I don’t remember the weather being such a distraction in the summer, even when it was hot. I find I’m just not concentrating so much on my actual running. I am thinking more about why my glutes still feel so cold when I have two layers of thermal leggings on, or if it’s better to breathe through your nose or mouth to try to warm up the freezing air. It’s not so easy to be relaxed and get into my rhythm and the ‘running zone’ I used to just tune into seems just out of my reach, or interrupted by too many distractions. I guess part of me can hardly believe I am even outside in these temperatures as I am usually such a hot house flower! It just goes to show that running is such a mental battle. I think I need to visualise warm summer evenings and try to block out the cold in every way.

With more motivation required to get moving off the sofa in the evenings I decided to run to my father’s house (2 miles away uphill) rather than jump in a warm car to hand deliver his birthday card. Killing three birds with one stone, I’ve exercised, saved postage and petrol and have reduced my part in global warming. I must have looked strange running along carrying what was obviously a large card, with my pink running gloves and flashing armband. Looks like a special delivery!

When it’s been really hideous outside I have found another outlet for exercise. Our local pool is open for late night swimming twice a week. There is something very satisfying about swimming 50 laps when everyone else is in the pub, or about to drag themselves off to bed. Not only did I have the huge pool almost to myself (only 3 other people there), but it added a great sense of productivity to the end of the day and, like running, I find swimming can order my thoughts and help me make better sense of the next 24 hours.

Cold weather is not all bad though - Hubby & I went for a sunny, frosty, scenic 6 mile run on Saturday in daylight along the towpath. It was breath-taking on many levels! The vegetation was caught in a glittering frozen case, it looked wonderful and it felt good to be out. The river was like a millpond and all I could hear was my efforts to get oxygen and keep moving forward. So it’s onwards and upwards, winter is not done with us yet!

Have a good week

Pam xx

Pace, Pursuit and Speedwork

Pinky13 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:57:00 GMT

The thing about having a running buddy (and in my case he’s my husband) is it’s perfectly fine when they run slower than you or at your pace. Problems arise when you go off the boil or as in my case he just takes to it like a duck to Chinese food and is just out running you.

It seems I have created a monster…someone who is even more avid and keen than me and 20 times more competitive (for those that know me well – this is a lot).

For a few months we have been like ships passing in the night – literally. I would go off on a 5K run in one direction and he’s speed off in the other and our paths would probably cross if one or the other was on track.

All I know is that he’s out there somewhere within half a mile of me, and if he got attacked I could hear him scream and come to the rescue pretty quickly!

So we tried something different last week. (This is not going where you think it is, even if Ann Summers has 80% off this week). The idea was that I set off on a 6 mile run and Andrew set off some minutes after me. The idea is to see how quickly he could catch me up! I have to say that being chased by your husband (even though we’ve been married 18 years this year) can be very motivating! I found myself fairly steaming along and he was quite surprised at just how far ahead I got in 6 minutes! Anyway it added a certain excitement to the run and I think we may be repeating this technique in the future.

I experimented gingerly with some speed work also last week in a bid to keep up the pace whilst increasing distance. (Husband not involved!) I remain a little unconvinced…the dreaded hamstring was making itself known again after months of no complaints. I really will have to keep an eye on that, it’s just not worth being out of action.

So between pursuit and speedwork, it’s been a funny old start to 2012. The 10K race I have entered for in March feels like a ‘Matterhorn’ ahead of me. I need to pursue it more fervently or be more fervently pursued!

Have a great week, no matter who is chasing you!

Pam x

Losing – the Key to the New Year

Pinky13 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:58:00 GMT

I had an enforced break from running in the weeks up to and during Christmas due to mad work commitments which meant I was away from home from 7.30am till gone midnight for 6 days in a row. Not what I needed when I had done no Christmas shopping and the whole family were coming to us for the big day.

Now thankfully it's all a dim and distant memory. I have the New Year to look forward to and feel like I am starting the running bug all over again. I have a 10K race to work up to in March which will keep me focussed.

Taking a break from running had it good points - I had a good rest physically, felt really healthy and relaxed, not a cold or flu symptom in sight, and that's a first for many years as Christmas always seemed to be the time I got ill!

The bad bit is now that I have done a couple of runs, a two mile, a six mile and a three mile I am disappointed by the times I am getting. I seem to have lost the speed somewhere amongst the champagne and chocs.

Everyone is going on about new year and new starts and I feel like I am rapidly losing interest being advised and told what to do and how it should be. Whilst everyone it seems is talking about losing I have compiled my own 'Loser's list':

Things I want to lose;

Timewasters – people and projects that suck it out of you!
Negativity in all things.
My last PB – which means I’m improving.
Clutter in the home and in the head.
That last inch!

Things I do not want to lose;

The will to exercise even if the weather is rotten.
The time to sit back and reflect.
My sense of humour.
A healthy perspective about what I can achieve.
My energy and passion for life with my man by my side!

So with losing in mind I wish a Happy New Year to all and well done to anyone who has just finished their first running year!

Have a great week

Pam x

Not SAD but running toward Christmas!

Pinky13 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:34:00 GMT

It's funny to think that only a year ago things were quite different for me. I was overweight, unfit and had a very low energy level. I would find it took herculean effort to get out of bed on those dark winter mornings and simply function.

I had always felt that the clocks changing and the winter months and winter mornings in particular just too harsh and hard to bear. Once up and about the day tore away in front of my eyes and before I felt I could get up to speed it was dark again.

I did do something about it - I invested in a 'happy lamp' (a full spectrum light) and read up on S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder). This did help and after two weeks of 'light treatment' the world didn't look quite so dark but I was still not 100%.

When I look to the winter this time around, I feel so much better equipped. The 'happy lamp' is still in action on those very dark mornings, but running has been a real salvation for me. My productivity is up, my energy knows no bounds and I don't feel gloomy (well not for long anyway!).

Of course losing weight and feeling better about oneself is a great boost, but I believe there is more to it than that. There's no doubt that the chemicals released during and after exercise are a real boon to my health and well being. As long as I don't go mad and get carried away, I hope to stay injury free so I can continue to get this natural 'fix'.

So the challenge now in running on these cold days is getting the layering right! I don't want to overheat, and I absolutely loathe being cold. This has meant a certain amount of experimentation with technical apparel. Cold and warm this, wicking and windproof that, has seen me trying to keep my rhythm whilst wrestling out of yet another layer on the run. Tying the unwanted item around my waist without knocking the watch or disconnecting the earphones is something of an art - Houdini eat your heart out!

As we see the close of November I, like many, am in apparent denial over Christmas. I have bought only two presents, one has already been given (some cold gear for Andrew as he was freezing his socks off running in short sleeves!) and the other is only a stocking filler for one of my kids. They already seem to have everything they need, and actually they are not far off having everything they want!

Buying for me however has become even simpler. Most people know I am obsessed with the colour pink, now I am also obsessed with running and exercise there are even more clues as to what is on my Christmas list...pink i-pod, pink water bottle, pink heatgear!
But strangely the one thing at the top of the list is some late afternoon Christmas Day frosty sunshine, so Andrew and I can run off the turkey in the daylight and come back for sandwiches and mince pies!

Read more from Pinky13's blog here!

The running weak!

Pinky13 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:29:00 GMT

I’ve had one of those weeks when the running has not come easy enough. I think I may have momentarily lost my running ‘mojo’. This is down to a number of factors; Olympics, weather, distance and demands on an ever ageing body and mind!

We finally found out, after nearly 3 weeks of waiting, that Andrew (hubby) was the one to get the Olympic Park run ballot place after all. If I’m truthful naturally I was disappointed. As John Cleese once said, ‘Disappointment I can take…it’s the hope I can’t stand!’ I am glad that at least one of us got it, and Andrew is being very gallant and wishes it had been me. He’s been feeling guilty all week poor chap, but at least we get to watch so I’ll get my Olympic fix one way or another.

In preparation for moving on to 10K from 5K instead of doing a tempo run of 3 miles, I’m now on 5 miles. It has been much more of a challenge to fit this length of run into my busy evening schedule, that and the nights drawing in.

One day last week I managed an earlier run from 4pm – 5pm. As there was still light, I ventured off down the towpath. I had not run down this part of the towpath before, but I vaguely knew that there was a route somewhere off in the distance that would lead me to lamp posts, civilisation and roads. As it got to 4.30pm the light was really fading fast, as was the path in front of me. How stupid! I had no light, no phone, no one knew which run I was doing, when I had set out or when I was to get back…my whim to get ‘off road’ might mean re-tracing my steps in the pitch black or getting completely lost or just disappearing off the face of the earth. Hmm… it’s food for thought.

Just as I was about to turn back, feeling rather foolish and a little paranoid, a footbridge loomed ahead with lights on the other side of the river. I jogged over it and found tarmac! What a relief! I headed back through a well lit suburbia in a large loop to where my car was parked. I discovered later after plotting my route that it was just over 5 miles. I noticed the pace was faster than it should have been…must have been the adrenalin. Next time I’ll be much better prepared.

Fog is not the greatest weather condition to run in either and we’ve had plenty of the grey stuff around this week too. Not only do you get soaking wet but I find my mind plays tricks on me. Somehow the roads just seem a little longer and it’s all a bit ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles’.

Still I am not tempted to rush out and get a treadmill…I am sure I’d be off that in 10 minutes flat, as it’s so easy to think of things to do around the house if you are there in body. At least running outside gives you the distance from the chores and the thinking time we all need.

I am impressed that I am outdoors at all! Usually, at this time of year, you’d find me curled up on the sofa with a box of doughnuts and hot chocolate. (I still had the doughnuts and hot chocolate you understand, but I felt I’d earned them!)

Speaking of doughnuts, I’ve had a few comments from friends recently to say they think I’m now too thin…will I ever win? So not only am I trying to fit in the longer runs, but also having to load up on calories to make sure I don’t disappear. Eating the right food to fuel running is proving problematic however – It must be all that fog! Stodgy comfort food, the sort that sticks to your ribs is what I am really craving and going for a run, even an hour after that lot is not a great sensation!

So what I’ve learned this week is ‘think about it’…think more carefully about where I’m running to, what I’m running for and why!

Have a great week.

Pam x

Going the distance - Upping my game…

Pinky13 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:35:00 GMT

Does anyone else get bored to tears with running the same old routes? I know I do. Last week I took the step to increase the distance I am training for from 5k to 10k as I am running a 10k race in March. This means doing longer runs. I fiddled about with the route maker and put together an ingenious route with a good mix of uphill, downhill and flat, some 10.38k. Hubby then suggested instead of running so far away from home why not run the usual 5k circuit twice, seeing as I knew it so well? That seemed like a good idea so off I set.

Remarkably I was bored and de-motivated by the first 1k! All I was focussing on was the fact that I knew I'd be going round again in a while...and instead of my trainers eating up the road with every little marker I knew and every split being a satisfactory achievement, I found myself thinking very negative thoughts, maybe even swearing a little under my breath! I managed the 'long run' in the right kind of time and felt comfortable with it physically, it was just the 'doing the same route twice' thing that grated on me. Next time I think I will take the long run - one way round.

So what will be the main differences between running 5k and 10k? Clearly I have to run twice as far. It doesn't take a 'School for the Gifted' graduate to work that one out. The thing is I'd like to get pretty close to twice my best 5k time (making it around 50 minutes). That's jolly fast for over 6 miles, (it always sounds better in 'old money') so distance and speed will be the challenge. All this training will be useful if it is me who is the successful one (out of hubby and I) to have the Olympic Run place (it's over a distance of 5 miles!). We've still not heard who it is, despite being charged an entry fee.

In the training plan for 10k there is some speed work training, although I hesitate at really going for it. I have read in various places on the web that speed training needs to be undertaken only after you have been running for months and months, one article in a running magazine cited a year as a milestone before you did any speed work. I wonder if this is really the case. If it is, I have another 8 months of running to do before I can use this method in my workouts. And in the back of my mind the 'H' word (hamstring!) looms.

I am still working on the cross training aspect of running and this does seem to be paying off...the 'H word' is hardly mentioned in the house these days. All this core strengthening and weight training must be having some good effects. I know I am still not great at stretching before I run though, so I have it in mind to do a gentle warm up jog, then stop to stretch my warmed muscles, then carry on and see how that goes (even if I may feel a bit of a numpty performing stretching exercises on the pavement instead of in the privacy of my own home).

So if you spot some woman dressed in pink running gear doing a bunch of strange moves on the streets of Berkshire either I've just stopped to stretch or I've found out it was me who won the place in the Olympic Park run ballot after all ....

Come in Number 9 your time is…good enough for the Olympic Stadium?

The Running Bug — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:41:00 GMT

Is anyone else running to the shops? I know that running can be a cheap sport; some good running shoes, trackies and a t shirt is really all that you require. There are no membership fees, no direct debits...however I have been scanning my ever growing running wardrobe. I now have; compression fit tops and leggings (new not tried out yet), ordinary running leggings, skorts, shorts, long sleeved tops, capped sleeve tops, vests, sports bras, crop tops, gloves, headbands, hats, jackets, hoodies, waterproofs, base layers, wicking layers, trackies, capri's, socks, a 'race' bag and of course my trusty pink Timex Ironman watch. At the very least I can look the part!

Despite all this shopping I still have a running 'wish' list, an iPod being the top of it with one of those bands you put around your arm to secure it, and then I really will feel like I've arrived. I will be able to join the ranks of those who shove past other runners to the strains of 'Van Halen' without needing to acknowledge the world around me. I think my playlist however is more likely to be Kid Creole and the Coconuts!

At the weekend I completed my 2nd 5k race (unaccompanied by music) and it was not bad considering it was mega hilly, 'undulating' was a word they used...hmmm I'd call them hills.

Look, I know I'm no elite athlete, but if a race says it will start at 11.00am then I think it jolly well should! So there I was, warmed up and ready to go, but the organisers decided to wait for the 'latecomers'. We set off a good 20 minutes late, by which time I got very cold. I knew this was a bad thing - my glutes felt all tense and painful, and sure enough in the 3rd km I thought I had better ease up, not wanting to risk tearing my hamstring again. Despite this I managed a decent 28 minutes.

Okay so maybe I'm making excuses, but bet I'll do better next time, and after all I beat my 'Park Run' time by over 40 seconds, despite the cold and the gradients!
I did enjoy my post run Sunday lunch and the views and setting were stunning, so all in all it was a good day.

Talking of good days, there has been much speculation in our household this week concerning the Olympic Park Run. I entered both myself and hubby in the ballot. On the application you needed to put why you would like to take part... I put how much running has helped me lose weight, overcome depression and generally woken me up, so I'm full of energy and I wanted to celebrate that achievement. On Andrew's application he wanted me to put, 'I've bought new trainers!' - Needless to say I did type something a little more meaningful.

The tantalising thing is that our bank account has been debited with one entry fee and neither of us has had an email to either reject or offer a place...so I wonder who it will be? Me, - who would absolutely adore doing this and be full of pride and excitement, the pinnacle of any running experience past present or future, or Andrew who's just too cool for school!

Have a great week!
Pam x