Did about 700m worth of swimming in 20 mins today, considerably less time or distance than I normally cover in my 5 or 10k runs, and now exhausted. Admittedly a large part of the excursion involved bundling up Emily, persuading her that pools are fun (she was mostly unconvinced, although did like her snazzy bathing suit), and getting her warm and dry as quickly as possible!
What is it about swimming? Less used muscles, apparently… but who knows?
Most of my running training last year was done before work – 6ish am runs along the canal path for 30 mins to an hour depending on how early I needed to be in and how vigorous I was feeling.
I found the running on empty, early morning runs purifying in a strange sort of way – serene, calm, contemplative and, well, from a practical point of view, not-resulting-in-unexpected-upset-tummy along the way, caused by random combinations of foodstuffs rebelling against the exertion.
But with Emily around, and the commute, the early morning runs are not so much an option so didn’t make it out today till 3ish – and again on Amanda’s egging on, had decided to make it a 10k so, at my pace, running through sunset. To my surprise, I improved on my pace from recent 5ks and really quite enjoyed the late afternoon run.
I’m not sure what the received wisdom is and mostly intend to avoid the risk of an unsettled stomach on a run, but I won’t write off afternoon running as I have done in future….
2011 running to date – 20km. Not too bad. Hoping to get out again tomorrow but we’re also taking Emily swimming so time might be somewhat short… still, v exciting way to spend her 3 month birthday!
…saw this painted on the road as I was running today. It’s probably just the grammar pedant in me but reminded me of the tip-jars you see in American bars that say “Tipping is not a city in China” (or was that just in the X-Men film?).
I know it’s probably impractical to write “No tipping” or “No fly-tipping,” just wondering if there’s a better way…
For Christmas, one of my gifts from my lovely wife was a pictogram, which I failed to decipher… when it was interpreted for me, it transpired it was code for “New Balance Trainers”, as mine are probably past due for replacement, having served well over the “recommended” 200 miles they’re meant to cope with (as Sensei Paul tells me some companies advise).
Even at a modest level below my training target, this translates to 9 months at best  (if you run 6 miles per week – 2x5k runs) – which seems a bit meagre! So here’s a random shower thought / appeal to the sports shoe companies – if you can’t build trainers to last, how about you lease me a pair of trainers? I’ll pay £5 a month and you give me a new pair a year, and recycle the old ones.
In 2010, Runkeeper tracked 80 activities from the date I started using it (May) with only a half dozen or so in Oct-Nov 2010 (and none in December). The winter fat has begun to set in, but motivated by my wife and a desire to use my new (purchased months ago) cold weather running gear, I’ve headed out a couple of times this week. Here’s a pic of me kitted out…
It’s been a slog and I’m nowhere near the level of fitness I was at at the half-marathon in mid-September but it will return. Yesterday’s 32 minute 5k left me feeling slightly ill at the end, and today’s 30 minute 4.7k involved a number of hills and cross-country routes…. So, 2 down, 78 to go to match 2010, lots more to beat it. I need to do at least two runs a week (weekends are my only realistic time for these at the moment) but, with holidays, I should be able to blast 120 runs this year. I’m hoping. We’ll see. At a minimum of around
5k a run, that’ll be about 600km this year – hopefully more as IÂ hope to do another half-marathon or two (TBC as to which ones).
Incidentally, Runkeeper Pro is free this month (Android/iPhone) to support people trying to make and keep New Year’s resolutions. I totally recommend it, obviously… Wonder if Audiofuel will do something similar, as still need to try that out to see if it helps with my pace-setting…. I’m not doing Janathon this year as with work and the commute, not to mention lovely small daugher, Idon’t have enough hours in the day! Have also restarted my ITBS remedy, rolling the affected area on the reinforced foam roller Sudhir prescribed to me a while back. The pain (which had vanished at the time of the half-marathon) is back when rolling but not affecting my running yet, so hopefully have caught it in time…
Anyway, will try to manage a post or so a week to keep you guys in the loop of my latest running thoughts, training tips and race plans…
So it turns out winter, commuting, a young baby, snow and two weeks of a bad cold are a bad combination and its now been more than a month since my last run with no prospects for another until next weekend at the earliest.
My brother recommended I get into a winter-fat mindset and just deal with it. Is he right?
Side-effects of this withdrawal appear to be slight podgyness and tiredness. I don’t like it… but there’s not enough hours in my day, as I haven’t found a cure for sleep as yet…
t’is indeed a jolly season but I’ve been missing for my usual reasons – work has been busy, the commute has been tiring and Emily has been far more fun to play with than my blog in the evenings. Still, hopefully I can get a bit more writing in here as things slow over Christmas. I’ve not been running or dieting particularly well and the winter fat is setting in. The new office canteen is very moreish.
Still, the Christmas shopping is nearly done.
Hope you’re all well. Anyone had any good soup lately?
Love, A
Description: “A spicy Mexican chicken soup with haricot, cannellini and butter beans. We add jalapeno chillies and lime to keep it authentic. Garnished with a freshly made tomato and coriander salsa. Dairy / Spicy.”
Health: 360 calories for big (16oz) portion . Highish on fibre, highish on fat, high on sodium. On balance it’s not bad, but not one of their best.
Taste: Wow. It’s got a creamy, spicy kick – which feels like a contradiction in terms. The chunks of chicken are meaty and a delight, the beans are well-cooked and add great depth and texture, and the coriander in the garnish explodes in your mouth. Wonderful.
Full-o-meter: I think it’ll be reasonable, but I missed breakfast this morning so had to have a 180 calorie roll as a supporting act. Pretty full with the bread.
Verdict: 4.5/5. A strong contender. I’d recommend this unhesitatingly.
Just one 10k this weekend, but in 60 minutes (more or less dead-on) and the first semi-distance run I’ve done since the half marathon. Winter, as well as having Emily around, is making this a much tougher challenge to take on.
Am in London one night this weekend ahead of my sister’s registry wedding. Wonder if I can squeeze in a canal run on my old route for old times’ sake!
Haven’t found a race to aim for yet. Thinking of another local Hampshire one of seeing if I can persuade Sensei Paul to take on another race with me and find a location either nearer him in North Somerset or somewhere between us. Will keep you posted…
Wonderful weekend, as have they all been, but full on on four specific Emexperiences.
1) Poop. I got to change them all. No novelties here, except for instructing Aunty Sheila… who got to witness the ever unpleasant mid-change poop. Fortunately a well-located nappy cut collateral damage down to zero.
2) Sleep. On Sat night/Sun morning, Amanda decided I was responsible for all of Emily’s post-overnight feed burping… and where she’d only fed once over night the evening before, she was making up for lost time on Saturday. Every two hours, after Amanda fed her, I’d have to keep her upright for 10-25 minutes without dropping off to sleep myself to help the wind through her. Absolutely sleep-destroying and don’t know how Amanda does it every day, even with late night digestives to keep her energy up. My wife, ladies and gentlemen, is amazing.
3) Smiles. Emily did her first verified non-gas related smile this evening and it was an absolute joy – not only to see her smiling and happy but to witness her development. She’s a little on the early side – she’s 4 weeks old and the majority come in with first smiles around 6 weeks – so it was a delightful surprise. I have a new game – make Emily smile! Although am definitely not wishing the time away (sleep notwithstanding!)
4) Bathtime was fun. She always fusses royally about being bathed but fortunately today, whether through getting her water just right or some other act of fluke – she was pretty mellow throughout it. It’s a wonderful bonding experience – if I can get her to stop crying for long enough to enjoy it!
Anyway, wonderful weekend. Next up; things I’ve learned in early Dadhood…