Tale of the little golden anchor,03rd October, 2006
Today I ran the 5k course (carefully measured by Orwell at the w/end). I took with me the golden cocker-spaniel, on the super-light running lead.
Last time I took her out she was fine. Today she made it perfectly clear that she did NOT WANT TO BE ON A RUN. I had to keep pulling her along for the first 1.5miles. I also had to stop so she could go to the loo (despite having walked a section first - to let nature takes it course - which it had done!). This really cheesed me off today as I was trying to do the 5k course in a fast-ish (for me obv.) time. I'd decided not to take a water bottle as I realised for the shorter runs it's not necessary; I was trying to streamline my run - very difficult with the little golden anchor dragging me back.
I knew at the half-way point that things were going s.l.o.w.l.y.
By the time I got to the end I felt more frustrated and tired than on the long run at the w/end. This might be the first time I haven't matched or exceeded my expectations and it pissed me off. However, it makes me determined to do better next time. Hopefully it's just one of those things that comes around; be it the weather, or the time of the month, who knows?
Ah, the freezing cold gym calls tomorrow. Maybe a v short speed session and some weights might bring me back up to form.
In more positive news I called SHELTER this morning and told them that I'd applied to run on their behalf in the 2 races - they were lovely (not surprising - but made a great start to the day) and they're going to send out the running pack and running vest. It makes it all official - and makes me smile.
Showing posts with label introductions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label introductions. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 January 2007
Bad Dog, 17th September, 2006
Well, as the title suggests, this week was all about the pooches. I have 2 dogs (cocker-spaniels) and they usually run with me. In the woods they bound along smelling their own smells and chasing the odd rabbit. This week one of them buggered off. She just vanished.
I searched and called and searched and called, and called the police, forestry commission, vet. I enlisted the help of friends. I cried bucket-loads. She vanished at 3,10 pm. At 7.30pm I finally drove home. It was the worst storm I've seen in years, there was flash flooding, there was thunder and lightening; you could see nothing.
The next morning I went back to the forest with a friend. While still walking and calling her I got a call from the forestry commission - she had been found. She was still in the woods and had attacked someone’s bins at dawn. It was wonderful to get her back.
So this little bad dog has caused a real change in running. She doesn't get to come on the long runs now. And she gets off the lead on a walk but when I'm moving faster than that - she's on the lead. It's a sad state of affairs but it gives peace of mind - and she loves the run no matter how she gets it.
Actual run update for the week:
3,5miles in 39.38
3.25 miles but round the roads and HILLS where I live. It was very tough but nice to have a change of pace.
I searched and called and searched and called, and called the police, forestry commission, vet. I enlisted the help of friends. I cried bucket-loads. She vanished at 3,10 pm. At 7.30pm I finally drove home. It was the worst storm I've seen in years, there was flash flooding, there was thunder and lightening; you could see nothing.
The next morning I went back to the forest with a friend. While still walking and calling her I got a call from the forestry commission - she had been found. She was still in the woods and had attacked someone’s bins at dawn. It was wonderful to get her back.
So this little bad dog has caused a real change in running. She doesn't get to come on the long runs now. And she gets off the lead on a walk but when I'm moving faster than that - she's on the lead. It's a sad state of affairs but it gives peace of mind - and she loves the run no matter how she gets it.
Actual run update for the week:
3,5miles in 39.38
3.25 miles but round the roads and HILLS where I live. It was very tough but nice to have a change of pace.
How this running thing started. August 1st 2006
I'll start with the facts - as they were back in August 2006.
female
27
5' 5"
12st 10lb
So, a minimum of 2 stone overweight. Only exercise done in the last year - dog walking (maybe 5miles a week) and surfing (about once a month at most).
My friends started running, I was supportive but thought them foolish. One day I went to the gym and thought, "How hard can this running malarky be?" Answer: 1mile = 15min; and it wasn't really running - more 10second sprints with some dodgy power-walking. I could barely breathe afterwards and I thought I might pass out. I was too fat and far too unfit. This is what I did to change the situation.
female
27
5' 5"
12st 10lb
So, a minimum of 2 stone overweight. Only exercise done in the last year - dog walking (maybe 5miles a week) and surfing (about once a month at most).
My friends started running, I was supportive but thought them foolish. One day I went to the gym and thought, "How hard can this running malarky be?" Answer: 1mile = 15min; and it wasn't really running - more 10second sprints with some dodgy power-walking. I could barely breathe afterwards and I thought I might pass out. I was too fat and far too unfit. This is what I did to change the situation.
Introductions
I've been writing a blog for about six months and realised that the 'running' aspect of the blog was a really useful diary of improvement/training. However the 'thinking' aspect of the blog didn't really fit in with the realbuzz (where my training blog is 'at home') vibe.
This blog will chart the progress from the first mile to the 1000th mile of training and beyond.
How this affects all aspect of my life should get some kind of mention along the way; although I might forget and just go off on a tangent. Anyone who's tried to run should be able to identify with this meandering journey. I'm as abnormal as the next person, and just as entertaining (be that good or bad). Happy reading and running people.
Cast of characters:
SAM - me
TheOther (TheO) - My "significant other" (bleurgh, horrible description)
Orwell - My Garmin 101 GPS unit (serious personality problems)
Golden Anchor - The Golden Cocker-Spaniel
Evil Black Dog - The Black Cocker Spaniel
Friends - many and various will drift in and out of the blog, they will keep whatever description is given to them on first appearance. Very few are given any names, so far we only have TIGGER and RUNNINGFRIEND (RF)
This blog will chart the progress from the first mile to the 1000th mile of training and beyond.
How this affects all aspect of my life should get some kind of mention along the way; although I might forget and just go off on a tangent. Anyone who's tried to run should be able to identify with this meandering journey. I'm as abnormal as the next person, and just as entertaining (be that good or bad). Happy reading and running people.
Cast of characters:
SAM - me
TheOther (TheO) - My "significant other" (bleurgh, horrible description)
Orwell - My Garmin 101 GPS unit (serious personality problems)
Golden Anchor - The Golden Cocker-Spaniel
Evil Black Dog - The Black Cocker Spaniel
Friends - many and various will drift in and out of the blog, they will keep whatever description is given to them on first appearance. Very few are given any names, so far we only have TIGGER and RUNNINGFRIEND (RF)
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