Challenge Week

The ever-so-stylish Jess had what she calls a brainwave. I call it a moment of madness. She wants to do a series of week-long fitness challenges and I, stupidly, agreed to join in.

This is not mine or Jess' bum...

Random Running

The Mr managed to convince me that I'm probably better than c25k week one and that, instead of following the plan, I should just run as much as I can, with no route.

I got MapMyRun up on the ol' HTC and we set off. Yes, we. I ran with my husband for the first time ever. After about 15 minutes we were doing some 'off-roading' in the woods and my asthma started to kick in. Having lost my inhaler in the house move I decided to slow down for a bit. Some sporadic (and painful) jogging later and I was back home.

Unfortunately I had managed to pause MapMyRun in my pocket and so had no idea how far we'd gone, if all that pain was worth it. I went on-line later and figured it must have been just under 2.5 miles in about 35 minutes. Not bad when you feel like you're going to pass out, be sick and explode your lungs all at once.

The thing is, I feel like I failed. It wasn't a long run, overall I was quite slow and it hurt. I'm going to stick to the plan and do solitary c25k runs from now on. If they are easy then at least I'll feel like I've achieved something and look forward to the next run.

As it is, bring on Sunday when I'm going to smash my previous week 1 time/distance record. Go me!

New Plan!

Well, we all know how things went for me last time I was running - injured knee within a couple of weeks and then over two months off training! So now I have a new training plan up on my wall and am getting really into it.

The Team Bangs ladies know how to run!

Public Transport is an Inspiration

Photo Credit

 I work 2.9 miles from home. According to Google Maps it should take about an hour to walk, 35 minutes on the bus and 10 minutes to drive. Last night was my first experience getting the bus home and all I can say is wow. What a waste of time (and £2.20).

I had a few bits of shopping to do first but was still at the bus stop 10 minutes before the bus was due at 6.38pm. I walked in the door just before 8.00pm. Ridiculous. I could have walked it quicker.

So, there's the inspiration, the kick up the bum I needed. There's no way I can face getting public transport home when the distance is so small. Here's to running home in 2012!

Book Review: Running (The Only Book You'll Ever Need)

As a lot of you know I started off with the C25K programme, but have really struggled with technique and injuries. Luckily for me David & Charles, the lovely publishers of Running (The Only Book You'll Ever Need), sent me a copy of the book to help me along.

Getting Back Into It

As I'm sure you can tell by my absence, my first run after the injured knee did not go too well. After the first running interval I felt like I'd been kicked by a donkey. Since then I've just not had the guts to go back out.

Winter Running Fears

You'll be pleased to hear that my injury is almost completely healed. I'm still not comfortable running, and my knee feels achy after a day standing around in the shop but I'm almost there. I'm planning to go out on Sunday afternoon for a c25k week 3 run (90s run, 90s walk, 3m run, 3m walk) and if that goes well then I'll do a couple more week 3 runs before starting on c25k week 4, just to make sure I ease myself back in and don't do any further damage.

I know it's not that cold... yet!

The thing is, these past two weeks of no running have seen a bit of a weather change. We're definitely getting more to the winter end of autumn and I'm not sure I want to go outside in a t-shirt! In my head I know that after a couple of minutes I'll be sweating like a pig, but the longer I don't run, the scarier it seems.

There is also a safety issue for me. I finish work at 5.45 by which time it is really dark. My Karrimor running kit has a lot of fluorescent bits on it so I should be easily seen but, probably something to do with being brutally mugged as a teenager, I'm not so keen on being out in the dark for other reasons.

I've done a bit or research (isn't t'interweb great?!) and read a fantastic book (full review to come soon!) and have compiled a list of the most useful tips.

1. Always tell someone where you are going, the full route and what time you expect to return. This way if you don't return, they know where to start looking for you!
2. Make sure you have some identification with you and a number to call in case of emergency - I write my husband's number on my arm. This way if you're in an accident you won't be Jane/John Doe.
3. Make sure you have some money stashed about your person. If you're going on a long run take enough for a bus/taxi home in case you get injured, for short runs enough for an emergency phone-call should you need to make one. That's if you can find a phone box of course.
4. If you're going to be running in an unlit area take a small torch, a tiny keyring torch is perfect.
5. Don't have your music too loud. You need to be aware of your surroundings, traffic and other people to stay safe.

So, be safe running, wish me luck for Sunday. Any other tips please post a comment below.