A little bit annoying!!

What is the worst thing that can happen when you're out running?  Well maybe this wasn't the worst, the worst would be dying or breaking a leg, or perhaps even just twisting an ankle.  This was just a little bit annoying.

Last Saturday Mr G and I went over to Maldon on the East Coast to go for a run along the coast path followed by a visit to my Auntie Jane's.  This was all going to plan, we set off with the dogs, a cold bright winters day and a beautiful stretch of coastline.  We'd left the car near Auntie Jane's house and I put the car key in my jacket pocket.  Off we went at a nice gentle warm up pace heading along the Maldon promenade.  We stopped to do the unpleasant thing that one has to do when you have a dog, picking up their poo.

You're probably wondering why I'm telling you this, well about 10 minutes later when we had just gone through a kissing gate I realised I no longer had the car key in my pocket.  Oh my God!   I only had my running jacket pockets to check but believe me I turned them inside out.  We then turned and started looking for it.  After a bit of discussion we decided the most likely place that I would have dropped it was where I picked up the dog poo.  So Mr G ran off to check before someone else found it and I started walking back diligently looking at the ground.

It certainly is chilly when you're walking and not running, but being freezing cold didn't stop us retracing our foot steps two or three times before we convinced ourselves that it wasn't there.  The nightmare hadn't yet started though we suddenly realised the house keys were in the car and the spare keys were in the house a 45 minute drive away.  Bugger bugger bugger.

We're AA members so we gave them a call and while they couldn't get us back to the house to get the spare key they could get the house keys out of the car.  Thankfully we were planning to visit Auntie Jane so had somewhere warm to go and have a cuppa while we waited for them to arrive.  Amazingly they were there within 10 minutes, and with a torch in one hand and a long thin piece of metal in the other the AA man managed to hook the keys out from the centre pocket.  Then it was Auntie Jane's turn to come to the rescue as she lent us her car to drive back to Stortford and get the spare key.  After driving back and forth we were finally home.

Sadly though we missed the Christmas Panto!  Oh well there is always next year to shout 'he's behind you'  or should I shout 'where's the car key.'  That all said I thank our lucky stars that nothing worse happened, after all it was only a car key and we could get it all sorted out.  Just a little bit annoying!

Yoga for runners - our third class

Our yoga classes are going really well.  We had our third class last night, and it was just the stretching I needed, focusing particularly on deep stretching of tendons and ligaments.  As I get really sore hamstring tendons this was perfect for me.  It was apparently a Yin style class.  You can find out more about this type of Yoga at Mandy's teachers website Simon Low.

After our warm up we did lots of work with bolsters following Mandy's explanation that if the muscle is tense when we are stretching it it will not lengthen, we need the muscle to relax to lengthen.  Obviously this makes a huge amount of sense, but in the past I have found myself stretching after a run and watching my legs shake, a sure sign that I'm over stretching.  With our bodies stretched over the bolsters sideways and backwards and us lying with our legs up the wall all the positions left me feeling elongated and relaxed!  Think I'm now ready for Christmas.

Getting to my ideal running weight

You've probably read about how losing a few pounds and getting to your ideal running weight can make you faster and make running easier, and added to that are the obvious vain benefits of looking and feeling better about one's self.  Reading such articles led me to read 'Racing Weight' by Matt Fitzgerald early in the year, a great inspiration to why it is good to lean down.  Following my enthused reading I spent about 3 weeks following his guidance, measuring my calories in and out, monitoring everything I ate, and I did lose weight but as soon as I slipped out of the programme I put it all straight back on again.  By the time this September came round and I'd completed my first ironman 70.3 and spent a month on honeymoon I was up to the heaviest I'd been in a long time 64 kilograms.  This is still actually well within a healthy weight for my height but I wanted to do something about it.

My previous weight

I was very lucky on our return from our honeymoon, while Gary went back to work, and a promotion, I've had some time at home seeking my next contract/job.  A great opportunity to train and get healthy.  We decided to try Carol Vorderman's detox diet.  There is nothing ultra marathon running related about the development of this detox but it does fit really well to the recommendations of ultra runners like Dean Karnazes keeping down the hydrogenated fats buying organic and eating lots of whole grain.

The detox is for a 28 day period which is all about changing one's eating habits which after the 28 days you try to stay with.  While you're detoxing you can't consume caffeine, alcohol, wheat, meat, or dairy.  Believe me when Mr G and I first realised this we thought we would starve.  What on earth were we going to eat.  The recipes in Carol's book are though great and with me being at home I was able to prepare dinner, buy fresh fruit and veg and make sure Mr G always had something to take to work for lunch.

The first week of the detox was the toughest.  I had a headache for about 3 days, which I presume was from caffeine withdrawals.  A scary thought as I never realised I drank so much tea and coffee.  I never though felt hungry and always made sure I had plenty of fruit and healthy snacks available just in case.  My training didn't seem to be effected, I made sure I ate a few hours before training.  I did though feel a little empty on the first couple of long runs we did but having stuck with it this no longer seems to be the case.

My new running weight

The great news is I've managed to lose 5 kilos (7 Ibs or about half a stone).  I feel great for it and confident even with Christmas ahead that I can keep it off and hopefully lose a few more.   I am feeling fitter but I'm not sure whether that is the training or weight loss, a good telling point will be the Anglesey marathon in January, if I beat my 5.25 trail marathon PB.

Interestingly though Mr G hasn't lost any weight, he didn't actually need too and only wanted to do the detox to be healthy.  I find this great that actually by eating the right foods you will find your perfect weight.

Easy recovery runs

Is it just me or sometimes am I only able to stumble out a recovery run.  I end up going so slowly that walkers are catching me up.  Ok maybe that is a slight exaggeration but considering I can keep a good 8 minute mile on a road run, some of my recovery runs are at 11 minute mile pace.  Last Sunday was a great example of this, Mr G and I headed out for a recovery run after the Dorset Coastal Half.  We were staying down in Bournemouth so took the opportunity for a run along the beach.  We went down to Sandbanks beach, which is the perfect winter running beach, with great sea views, sailing boats and kite surfers to look at, and heaps of house candy to lust over.

Archie enjoying water

I though was very stiff and struggling to make myself move in a forwardly direction.  At every opportunity I stopped.  You should know this was a 4 mile recovery run, so not really the distance I usually need to take breaks on.  I managed to need the loo, Sandbanks beach has some lovely public conveniences, I stopped to throw Archie a ball and feed his two obsessions water and tennis balls, I asked Mr G incessantly how far we'd been, he holds the Garmin power, and I even had to retie my laces.

Amazingly I think my body actually felt better for getting out, but my mental power to keep plodding along was weak.  I'm never sure in these scenarios whether I should keep on going or whether I'm going to injure myself.  It appears this time the run was the right thing to do, the sand meant a soft running surface that reduced the chance of injury, the only thing really not keyed in on the day was my brain.

I am very pleased though to be able to report that Wednesday's easy run was way more fun.  I felt bright and enjoyed every gentle step, even when I was bombarded by the biggest dog I've ever seem, apparently it was a great dane crossed with a St. Bernard.  Archie, in true wimpish style, whimpered at my feet as I tried to run through them.

It's not just about running

Apart from running I do do other things in my spare time for example for the last couple of months I've been volunteering at the local charity shop.  I love this place it just tickles my humor every time I volunteer.   If you've seen the office and think it's funny, try working in a charity shop, you have it for real!  They are all caricatures of themselves.

There's the chap that works behind the till.  Poor soul was beaten up when he was young, which ended up leaving him slightly brain damaged.  He is perfectly nice, but sometimes just a little over the top.  I was rather taken a back as he told me how beautiful I was, then proceeded to tell me that he was single and did I have any nice friends.  Bless him, I'm sure he'd be a lovely boyfriend to the right girl.  

Then there's the very harsh old girl that works with him on the till.  She brings in her own CD to play, some artist that she idealizes.  It is brilliant, she was genuinely upset when being December they wanted to play Christmas songs instead.  She's got that way of looking you up and down like a school mistress; which always makes me feel like being naughty and childish.

Then there are the two old girls that volunteer upstairs sorting out the donations.  They are hysterical, giving a running commentary of what is going on on the high street.  They had a great conversation yesterday about the young mums who were pushing their buggies down the high street.  'Those women living off the system, how can they afford coffee in Costa,' 'ohhhh I know, never would have happened in my day we couldn't afford coffee.'  I couldn't resist saying they might just be getting out of the house having been cooped up looking after their babies, with their husbands at work but 'oh no they are definitely claiming child benefits you can tell.'  

Then there is the quiet man who doesn't speak but comes in to sort out the books, keeping a really well organised library, continuously updating the new books that come in, making it look like a real book shop.  I'm not sure that he actually has a voice, but believe me he's meticulous.

Then there is the young work experience girl, who always seems to have a hang over and spends most of her time outside smoking.  Though there was a break through yesterday when she used the steamer and enjoyed it!

Then there is the Assistant shop manager, a busy body with poor taste.  Bless her she's so proud of her window displays and her bargain buckets, which are quietly changed and removed by the manager.

Which brings me finally on to the shop manager, a really positive energetic Scottish lady, who spends her time trying to keep everyone going, making sure they are feeling appreciated, and trying to sort out their good intentions that don't work.  Really don't know how she does it.

Obviously there is also me, I tend to feel like a fly on the wall!

Never never never give up

I'm loving the new branding by Endurance Life - never never never give up - and that is certainly what we all needed to hear on last Saturday's Dorset Coastal Trail run.  Gary and I competed in the half marathon distance; 14.6 miles of undulating coastal trail.  The 'severe' rating given to the run was certainly justified, and the muddy conditions added to the difficulties.  But it was thoroughly enjoyable and I have to say up there with my favourites of the Coastal Trail series South Devon and Exmoor.

They adopted a different start this year with elites setting off at 10.30am in a mass start and everyone else dipping their timing chips and heading off at intervals.  I went off at the back of the mass start, I don't consider myself an elite, but Gary is competitive and really wanted to be in the top ten, so I thought I'd try to stay at the back of the top runners.  It was an uphill start followed by a number of gates to get through but once onto the coastal trail proper it was fantastic coastal views and rolling hills, or rather steep hills as you got closer to them.  The jurassic coast really does deserve it's world heritage site status.

The first check point was a 4.2 miles, which seemed to take forever to get to, skidding around in the mud.  I only managed to fall over once, but there were a lot of near misses, very glad of the trail shoes!  The second section had some fantastic down hills, which are always my favourites I love the sensation of being able to let go, just flying on the edge of being completing out of control, which I'm sure some of the other runners thought I was.  The hairiest of these was probably the cobbled steps heading down to Lulworth cove, just one trip on a stone and it would all be over, but thankfully I made it to the bottom and onto the home straight.

We turned the corner into a head on wind, no wonder I had being enjoying myself so much, I'd had the wind giving me a helping hand.  It is this section where I appreciated having my music with me, I turned up the volume and got my head down for a bracing few miles.  Thankfully just as my stamina was lagging, and I was giving myself a positive talking too, we turned out of it and onto the home straight.  One last very slippery hill, the only one I found myself having to walk up (that said while running up one of the coastal hills I'd been joined by another runner walking up, ummmm not sure my very slow run was actually achieving anything!).

At last we were onto the home straight and what a great finish to a run.  A final stretch of coast line and then a down hill sprint to the finish where I saw Mr G cheering me on.  I don't think I've finished a race so coated in mud, but very happy.  The great news is Gary managed 9th place out of 354 and I was 59th (9th woman) in 2hrs 26mins so all in all a very successful day.  We refueled on some fantastic veggie burgers from the mobile food van on site and then headed back to Gary's brothers for a well deserved soak in the hot tub, a glass of red wine and a play with their puppy!

To get a feel for the run check out this video, I think it is the marathon but it captures the run perfectly!

I am now really looking forward to January when we're running in the Anglesey coastal trail marathon.

Running with Archie

If you take a look at any running forum or discussion group you're certain to come across a discussion about what a pain dogs are when you are running.  Who hasn't had someone's dog jump up at you, run across you, trip you up with their lead, chase after you, or as Gary and I had the other day turn and growl at you.  Thankfully the owner whistled and he ran on.

All this aside I do think dogs and running mix.  Gary and I have a lovely springer spaniel called Archie, he is a typical springer full of energy and obsessed by water, and he loves to run.  He's not so great on the lead but as 90% of our runs are off road to help us train for the coastal ultra, they are perfect for him and us.  The added bonus is we don't have to take him out for a walk after running 19 miles.

Archie

I originally got him when I was living on my own.  I'd previously been pushed into a canal while running alone in London and ever since have been a little wary.  Archie helped solve that problem, not that I think he'd know what to do if someone attacked me, but when I've tripped over he's come and sat next to me as if to say 'hey mum we taking a break now.'  He's also a great distraction when the miles are hurting.  He doesn't stop until we get home, as if there are just far to many great smells to check out.  I'm sure if he had one of the dog collars from 'UP' there'd be no talking sense just 'rabbit' 'squirrel' 'cat' 'water water water' 'fox poo!'

Just like us humans he suffers injuries too. Since he was one he's been diagnosed with arthritis, apparently it is very common in all breeds of dogs.  It's been about four months since he was last lame, but yesterday morning he started limping again, so he's back on rest and metacam, a painkiller for arthritis.  I worried in the past that the running might exaggerate the arthritis but I'm assured by my vet that as long as he's not lame running is good for him, keeping him fit and lean, and being a springer spaniel I'm not going to be able to stop him even if I stop.

Yoga for runners - our first class

Isn't google the best; in my twenties I would have picked up a flier, spoken to a friend or seen an ad in the paper, but now we have google (should I say there are other search engines available).   Having agreed with Gary that we'd try yoga to help our running recovery (see previous blog) all I had to do was type in yoga in Bishop's Stortford and up came some classes.  

I'm afraid my selection criteria wasn't very sophisticated; something near, something after work, something stretching and relaxing.  I've previously tried dynamic Ashtanga yoga, which while great for toning kept making me feel tired running, and considering we are currently on 40 miles a week and building up to about 70 miles a week (just thinking about it makes my legs twinge), I don't want to be doing anything else that makes my legs ache, this is recovery all the way.  

Mandy Beaumont's class came up trumps, and the best thing is when I dropped her an email asking about availability she replied straight away and offered us spaces in her class last night.  A quick text to Gary asking if he was up for it and we were booked in.

So at 7.45pm we left the house armed with blankets and pillows, felt like we were heading for a slumber party rather then a yoga class, but we were only following instructions.  Unfortunately I wasn't following the instructions as well as I should have been, I'd read the address wrong and we ended up at Rhodes Theatre instead of Birchwood High School.  Bless the receptionists as they tried to explain to us where we should go and every road name they mentioned we hadn't heard of.  So dumb did we appear they politely asked if we weren't from here.  Oh yes we do live in Bishop's Stortford, but obviously we walk round with our eyes closed.  

Eventually though we understood (yes they were speaking English), and we headed off, debating whether or not we should actually still go.  Was it rude to turn up late or ruder still to not turn up at all.  We decided that if we didn't go we probably never would so bore the embarrassment and headed into the class - finally located.

Thankfully Mandy was really friendly and welcoming and pointed us to two yoga mats positioned at the front of the class ready and waiting for us.  There were about five others already practicing.  Am I meant to call them Yogis?  I'm not yet up on the lingo!  Being at the front and not having a clue what we were doing made it a little awkward, but we seemed to get by.   We went from child's pose to downward dog, it was lovely and slow and really relaxing.  Finishing off with some great dynamic breath work.  The best bit was doing some group work to perfect the position of downward dog and realising my hamstrings aren't as tight as I'd thought.  Even Gary enjoyed it, he was the only man, but even so he engaged in feedback and proved that yes men don't have as much flexibility!  Rock on next week - not sure what surprises are in store for us, but I'm looking forward to it!

Now thinking about the next thing I can google and be so childishly pleased about!

Ice baths

We're trying everything to help our training even ice baths.  If your not an advanced runner or a rugby player for that matter, and I'm certainly not either, you may not have heard of ice baths.  The theory is that the cold helps flush the muscles of lactic acid and basically helps muscles, tendons and ligaments recover more quickly in preparation for the next workout.  In theory this all sounds great, in practice this is seriously painful (or do I just have a very low pain threshold).

Each weekend Gary (my husband) and I embark on a long run.  Last weekend was 19 miles.  For the last three weekends we've tried out ice baths.  I run the cold tap until the bath is full enough to cover my legs with me sitting up.  I then put a thick jumper on, turn the bathroom heating up and prepare myself all while Gary prepares to laugh.  Unlike the cold sea you can't dive into a cold bath.  In I get very slowly and out flow the blasphemies; I manage to come out with words my husband didn't even know I knew.  I must apologize to our neighbours, I'm sure they must think we are into some strange ritualistic torture.  Though that is probably how some describe long distance running.  

The experts say you should stay in the bath for 10 to 15 minutes.  So far I've managed about 30 seconds before I've had to jump out and stand dripping on the bath matt until I can breath again.  On the second submersion I've been able to manage a minute before jumping out.  It seems that by the third submersion I'm able to stay in a little longer - last weekend's record was 4 minutes.

Gary gets in after me, now I think this is probably cheating as I've already warmed the water, but he doesn't seem to think so.  Last weekend he took the protective measure of wearing water proof socks and cupping his privates with his hands, my turn to laugh.  

So you're probably wondering for all this pain is it actually worth it.  I have to say I think it actually works.  My recovery definitely seems to have improved, or could that just be from the laughter therapy!