Running Outside

Can’t believe I haven’t updated this blog since last April!

I’m still running, though not as much as I think I should be. I’ve kind of lost focus …maybe I need a challenge of some sort to aim for? Like a marathon maybe? I fancy having a go at one, but it’s a long way and it’ll probably hurt a bit If I did decide to have a bash at one I’d be looking for a half decent time – by my standards that’d be in region of 3.30 to 3.45 maybe. I did have a nose at the London Marathon website. Assuming I don’t run for a charity (how do people raise all the sponsorship money?) you’re guaranteed a place at the latest in your fifth year of applying. I dunno, can’t seem to make my mind up.

Also, I’ve got my dad’s old road bike …a Pete Matthews bike, but with wheels from Dave Hindes (poor URL redirect). I’ve been out only a couple of times and really enjoyed it. I’ve also got a spare Dave Lloyd Bikesport frame in the garage that I’m tempted to build up as a single speed bike, but not fixed wheel, well probably not. Not sure what bits I need but I’ll need a pair of wheels and chainset at the least.

I’m still meeting up with my old mate Mike and I run with Graham from up the road whenever we can fix something up.

Having not been out for a couple of days due to poorly children and other stuff, I’d planned on going out for a decent one. But when I got down to the prom and felt that nasty Mr Wind again I could have easily changed my mind. Got to end of the prom and was already a good half minute down on normal times.

Any road, convinced myself to stay the course and I did my Caldy – Wirral Way circuit. Not the fastest of times but I thought I was going okay. Could really feel in my legs afterwards though.

Stats to come.

Did Marine Lake again today – only slower by about a minute!  Seemed to lose time in the last 3km or so. Nevermind, it was a decent session combined with yesterdays.

It was really quite cool when I set off and I could clearly see my breath running along the prom in Hoylake. Reaching the wall of Marine Lake it was a different story – the sun was out and it was much warmer and I was too hot in my hat and gloves.

Day off tomorrow I suspect.

Stats to come.

Not much to say so here’s the stats:

Start:16.45
Duration:25.51
Distance:5.51
Ave speed:12.79kph

Another windy day on West Wirral saw me trudging around my Riversdale Rd circuit.

Sneakily tried to avoid some of the stiff breeze by running upto West Kirby first to attempt to benefit from a tail wind down on the sand.

Would’ve been happier with a sub 40, but not too bad considering.

Start:12:34
Duration:40:30
Distance:8.28
Ave speed: 12.27  kph

Ventured out into the late, cold afternoon …but not for too long. Actually, whilst it was chilly it wasn’t that bad and my hat and gloves kept Jack Frost away from some of me.

Bit slower than yesterdays effort.

Start:16:56
Duration:26.14
Distance:5.51
Ave speed:12.6o

Always my barometer of form I had a bash at my Red Rocks loop for my first run of the year.

Nice to see a bit of an improvement after recent plods – nothing amazing but on the way back.

For ‘08 I’ll be dropping some of the stats. I’ll still be recording kcals and HRs in my google doc but won’t bother detailing them here ordinarily.

Start:12:56
Duration:25.56
Distance:5.51
Ave speed: 12.75

Seven months ago I guessed that I could hit a target to run at least 1000km over the calendar year. Well, I achieved it …just !

The recorded total for the year was 1011.83 km. I just scraped it really though I was somewhat hampered by acquiring a decent grade cold during December.

I could do much better of course – 610 miles over a year is nothing for the more committed runner. I’ve probably recorded higher annual totals myself in previous years but over the last 12 months I’ve had the new, time-consuming interest of the allotment (though, judging by the state of the plot, not time-consuming enough). Getting quite literally whacked by the chicken pox back in May cost me a very spotty and itchy week and a half that won’t happen this year.

No predictions yet for 2008. Do need to enter Liverpool Half soon though.

Despite the graft I do enjoy it. Here’s to Running Outside!

Finished off this years running with a trip around my Riversdale Rd circuit.

Running along the beach in the dusk made for a change and I’ve convinced myself that it’d be daft to run this circuit when it’s completely dark.

Slow again, but signs of returning fitness on the return home.

Start:16.11
Duration:41.12
Distance:8.28
Ave speed:12.06

696 kcals

HRmax=179/ave=173

Dear me, a very slow Red Rocks run today. Probably slowest of the year. Not easy this running lark!

Start:16:42
Duration:27.24
Distance:5.51
Ave speed:12.07

422 kcals

HRmax=177/ave=164