Every step is good

Two lovely coaching runs tonight totalling 6.4 miles. Rather chilly but new running gear helped!

We did various routes around Winchester at 'chat pace' and laughed along the way.

I returned to a quiet house and promptly had some delicious veggie chilli (one I prepared earlier) and a glass of White.

Also will have completed two short yoga sessions by the end of the day.

Night night Janathon people whoever and wherever you are. Keep on running/blogging/smiling.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Streets of Winchester

Minute 18 magic

Today I completed 4 miles after work in 33 minutes. I ran it at easy pace with iPod. It was completed before tea on my treadmill at home. I felt good once I had started, but there's something about minute 18 of a run when I click into bliss mode and all is well with the world.

I knew today would be busy, as I was working an hour away and had a very early start, but I made a definite time to run and stuck to it and asked my lovely husband to help with the logistics.

The run was uneventful but brilliant in its own pure way.

There was no scenery or conversation, just the simplicity of one foot infront of the other, the space for thinking and no other demands, confirming my opinion that I love running and the peace it brings to a chaotic life.

Thank-you Janathon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Winchester

Blue sky running

Our lovely babysitter saved the day by forcing me to get out the door for a run this morning at 9 when I really didn't feel like it.

Our youngest continues to wake up repeatedly throughout the night and my husband and I feel we are turning into zombies....I started looking like one some time back!!

Once out into the 'cold and frosty morning' we were rewarded with a glorious run in beautiful, much welcome sunshine. My polar buff and two pairs of gloves helped keep the chill off and I soon found myself smiling at the joy and simplicty of being able to do what I love once more.

I slipped a few times on the ice, but thankfully didn't fall...

The water meadows once more created the backdrop if the bulk of the run and we passed two runners that I coach out for their run and looking great(v. proud coach).

After about 9 miles Tom and I ran past the rugby club and saw boys as young as 3 having a wonderful time by doing some seriously impressive speed work! Great atmosphere and inspiring to see. Passing the Military fitness group doing jump squats on the playing field saw my husband speeding up a bit- was he trying to impress or get away from them?!

The run was completed by going along the footpath by the river, down to Kingsworthy and through Barton Farm.

Day 9 run done-11.2 miles. Achilles still complaining, but holding up.

I have exercised every day in January, so far,but being sensible and decided not to run everyday due to risk of injury.

I am already thinking ahead to tomorrow and how to find the time to do everything I want to do, as well as everything I have to do.... Where there's a will there's a way.

Happy running fellow Janathoners!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Winchester,United Kingdom

Yoga saves the day again

Another busy day. Very sore Achilles still and a bit concerned about it. Don't want to be injured for marathon training.

Did evening yoga from Yogatic.com on YouTube- highly recommend it!

Planning to do a long run tomorrow to up my mileage a bit.

Night everyone.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Winchester yoga mat

Do rest days exist?

The sound of my youngest son at 5.30 am followed by sharp pain in both Achilles as I stumbled across the dark bedroom,was not the most relaxing way to begin my 43rd birthday...

Ouch.

A welcome 'rest day' needed,if there is such a thing for a working mum of 3.

Presents, cake, hugs, cards and meals out with friends and family were lovely, but didn't remove the Janathon guilt, so decided it was time for tipsyBirthday yoga!

I put down my new (OAP) reading glasses and got out my yoga mat for 15 minutes. I am rubbish at yoga(think tin man)but do always feel better for it.

It's not running,but it is what I needed today.

Tomorrow I am hoping for a 6am lie in and a run once more.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Winchester

Easy recovery run -done.

Really enjoyed my run today,but was glad when if was done.

Looking at other blogs it seems today was tricky for a few people. I

I ran 3.5 miles in 31 minutes on the treadmill. Steady run which is what my tired body needed today. Ate my first Buzz bar afterwards, which was delicious.

It's my birthday tomorrow - started early and opened some champagne-cheers!

Keep on running....

Happy Janathon!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Kitchen treadmill!

Treadmill Trot/Scamper

Today I was tired (not sleeping well) but focused on my challenge to carve out time for Janathon and complete my work and family demands...

I managed a tough, but good pilates studio session for 75 gruelling minutes (loved it really). Realised quite soon I had worn the wrong clothes as was far too hot...note to self to wear wicking clothes next time. Just because it isn't running doesn't mean there's no sweat involved. I was literally quivering by the end of the session. So much so Louisa, the teacher, took pity on me and gave me a chocolate celebration to eat. Yum.

Later I found myself on the treadmill looking out into the damp garden singing along to my iPod. My treadmill clutters up our house much of the time, but is a godsend on drizzly January days. 32 minutes and a few tunes later the deed was done. 1% gradient mostly 8 minute milling, but some (only a tiny minute here and there) at 6.53...COR.

Happy (drizzly)days.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 4-Headtorch runs x 2

Running with a headtorch is something I do now. It took a few years to get used to the 'miner look'! I prefer to run in the daylight(first thing ideally) but coaching in the evening is always enjoyable and rewarding. Also running in the daytime is more of a challenge when back at work/or looking after a toddler.

My Janathon miles today were at 'chat pace' so very easy running but all good. I coached two lovely ladies from 6pm-8pm this evening. Both achieving great things with their running and delightful to coach. They are working towards either a 5k or 10k in the spring.

My biggest challenge was meeting the 6pm lady at the planned time as my husband was a bit late home from work....we passed on the doorstep as I stepped out into the damp night. I say to my runners that the hardest thing is geting out the door...and it certainly was this evening!

Both runs totalled 6.4 miles.

I am more of a jogger than a blogger to quote another blog title (sorry this isn't v. long but bed is calling..). I am very much enjoying the Janathon challenge, so far and grateful to Cathy and all concerned for making this event happen! What's the plan for February??

Night all.

Day 3-Somerley 10k

I woke up early after a restless sleep following a sharp kick in the lower back. My youngest, Fred had taken refuge in our bed at 5am following a number if vivid nightmares about fireworks...

Following a strong black coffee, I did a little yoga. I love it first thing in the morning when the house is quiet and still (a rare thing!) I felt sad for a moment because our elderly tabby cat (Timmy) wasn't in his usual spot on the sofa - he passed away just before Christmas.

After some toast and honey I drove to collect one of the runners I coach (Jane) from her house and drove down to Ringwood in the New Forest together.

There were a few snow flurries as we did the usual pre race rituals of queuing for the toilet, twice, eating an (over ripe) banana, adjusting the sports bra a few times(Shock Absorber Run)and sipping luke warm water from a SIS bottle.

The race was two laps around the grounds of a stately home to raise funds for the Wessex Autistic Society.

Liz Yelling started the race (and shortly after won it). Also spotted Martin Yelling who was babysitting and looking very fit at the same time.

It was my lady's first ever 10k and I felt very proud of her as she overtook a number of runners in the last three kilometres and did a sprint finish!

Some of the other runners I coach were cheering from the sidelines as Jane finished which was heart warming. It was great to run and not feel under pressure myself and enjoy seeing Jane achieve her goal. We also made a few friends along the way including many cheerful marshalls and Gaynor a very glamourous runner who must have been in her seventies (inspiring!)




We both enjoyed the Mars bar at the finish and post race free (ouch) sports massage. My Achilles is still a bit sore.



Happy running everyone.
Day 3-6.2 miles running.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Ringwood

Here is a summary from Running Free:


See the activity on RunSaturday

Type:	Run - Race
Duration:	1:13:52
Distance:	6.26 mi

Second run completed

Just back from my long run. The babysitter was booked for 8.15am so we were up and out early. We have got out of the habit of getting up early over the Christmas break.

I ran a total of 15.6 miles with my husband Tom, up and down the muddy hills in and around Winchester. We saw a Heron and a Kingfisher by the water meadows near Winchester college and returned through the cathedral close.

I didn't feel very fit but really enjoyed slipping and sliding in such beautiful countryside.

Good, solid base marathon training.

Took a few photos:













Happy running everyone!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Off we go!

And so the Janathon begins. A cheeky little 5 miler at a very steady pace around sleepy Winchester. My head was a little fuzzy but I have always thought a run was a great hangover cure. My left achilles is niggling me (old injury) so plan to ice it and stretch it. I left the house at 8.30 and all 3 children were still asleep- how rare.
It was a great run, only saw the occasional dog walker. Feeling hopeful about 2011.
Happy New Year!

---