Woops...

I can’t go for a run today, so I thought that I’d use some of the time writing instead. I stepped on a nail yesterday, when I was putting a curtain pole back up, so I have a sore cut on the bottom of my foot. Luckily it didn’t go too far in, but I did have to pull it out (once I’d got the pole back up, of course!) I managed to teach yoga ok yesterday, because if I’m barefoot it’s not so painful, but when I went to the gym it was quite sore. I went in my pink Crocs, and the rubbing from the rowing machine really aggravated it. I thought that it would do more good, because they allow my feet to breathe. I did some walking yesterday (to and back from the gym, with all my yoga kit) and had a nice sauna after my gym work out. To make up for the lack of running that I’m now going to have for a few days, I worked one class of my students through a full body advanced class, which I practised with them.

I think that I’m going to take a few days off running, until I’m not in pain anymore from my little clumsy accident!

To Run, or To Write - that is the question!

As I’ve been so rushed off my feet, these last couple of weeks it’s been like, do I write about it, or do I just do it? I’ve not had time to do both...

The good…

I’ve been doing a lot of running with my dog Dooky, which has been fab, as I can run through woodland, just the two of us and feel free. I sometimes feel a bit vulnerable going off the beaten track all alone. It’s that inner fear that I’m still trying to detox out of me, from when I was a kid. The school that I went to made out that if you were to do so much as to look at a stranger when you were alone then that was it, you’d be kidnapped! What a load of rubbish – I’m 24 yrs of age (25yrs old very soon) and I’ve not been abducted once! :0) Anyway, its good to run with a four leggered friend, as I know that she would never see anything bad happen to me. Even when I play fight with Tom or my brothers, she always protects me. Bless her!

The NOT so good…

The down side to running with Dooks is that she poos at the worst possible times, and when you’re in public places you have to pick it up. Not good when you’re doing timed runs! The last run that I did with her I couldn’t see a bin nearby, so had to run with a bag of pooh for about 2 miles!

Gym

I’ve done some good gym sessions recently. I need to go more frequently though. Last Wednesday I had the morning off to do a really good training session and then a run. It was so enjoyable, and the next day I felt incredible!

Finding my running feet again

It’s really shocking to think that after 2 weeks of not running, one can lose a dramatic amount of fitness! I did another 30 min run today, and I felt like I lacked oomph. I’ve been running without my water bottle (strapped to my back in a runners pouch) to make me feel lighter as I throw myself back into the runs, but in all honesty, I think that I’m better off with it, as I think that the extra hydration goes along way. I couldn’t wait to get home during my run today, as I felt I was running in slow motion! This is sooo going to change! I did an hour of yoga today, which felt lovely.

Ouch

I’m pleased with myself that I got myself out running today though, as I scalded my right hand last night. It hurt so much that I cried for about half an hour, and then couldn’t eat my dinner because my stomach was churning. I’ve been a bit clumsy this year, first slicing my hand with a knife, and now scalding myself with near on boiling hot water. I threw Ionic Silver and Hydrogen Peroxide all over it, and it feels really good today, and didn’t even blister.

On the track

I think that I’m going to join a running club soon so that I can do some track work to increase my speed. My friend Bernadine gave me a whole load of running articles that her coach has published. His emphasis of track work during marathon training is big. I use to hate track work because I push myself so hard. I know that in the long run it will increase my chances of getting a marathon personal best.

Back on track...

I let my training slip a bit after I was experiencing what felt like a trapped nerve. I was getting a pain in my right shoulder blade that felt similar to a needle piercing through the skin. I wasn’t too sure if running was making this worse, or would heal it. I felt really drawn to not running, so I’ve been doing lots of walking in the countryside. I’ve not felt any pain now for about a week, so I ran for the first time again today. I ran for 30 mins and it felt great again. At the beginning of the run I felt really springy on my feet, which was lovely. After about 20 mins I could feel my bum muscles. They didn’t hurt, but just felt a bit tight.

It's all flooding back...

Goal:

Run for at least 40 mins

Result:

I ran for 44 mins and it was bliss. I’m falling slowly in love with running once again. I felt like I could have run for another hour, as I was feeling so good when I hit home. I found a brand new area, where I ran around massive natural ponds. It’s been so busy at Total Raw Food today, what with preparing for The Natural Trade Show on Sunday, at the same time as dispatch in full swing. The phone was ringing off the hook and I went and got changed into my running tights, pulled on my trainers, and shut the door on mayhem, in order to immerse myself in peace, quiet and natural beauty.

On the days that I run, when it gets to about 4pm, I feel myself getting pretty tiered. I remember this feeling from marathon training last time. I think that my body has a lot of adjusting to do, so whilst I wait for it to adapt I’m going to give it the best nutrition under the sun!

Rest Day

Not really out of choice - it's been such a busy day! It's been so sunny, and all day I've been imagining myself running with the sun on my face!

Training Session

7 March 2007

I finished a 23-hour fast today, which was the first successful one after starting my training. It’s important that I don’t start the fast on a day that I train, although I can finish the fast on a training day, if I’m not too tired.

Goal:

Run for at lease 30 mins at a nice pace, with some gentle hills

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Result:

I ran for just over 30 mins – I’m not too sure how many miles, but it felt really good to be out and running in the sun. It put a lovely spring in my step and a smile on my face!

Oh, didn’t mean to slip behind with this training diary! I’ve just been so busy this week with Total Raw Food and training, that I’ve got a bit behind.

Rather than try and catch up from memory, this is what’s been happening…

Training has been going well, and I’ve been running now for almost 3 weeks. My short term goal is to aim to run 20 miles a week. I’ve found a nice little 4 mile run that I’ve driven in the car to track the mileage. I’m going to start to do hill and track work shortly, but just want to gain back a bit more strength and power first. I’m not too sure how long this will take. Perhaps another month?

The diet

My diet has been great. Lots of organic, and the intention of 100% raw vegan as usual. I’ve started drinking more water too - as I’ve always had to force it down me! Now it seems more natural again. I find that running first thing on empty (before checking emails) and returning for a banana smoothie with added superfoods, seems to be working best. If I leave training too late in the day, work gets the better of me, and I end up not having time.

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Overall

I’m really happy with my training, and have started to notice a muscular difference in my appearance too. The Sauna several times a week has just been lush!