Day 16 - Running Aimlessly

I've forgotten to bring my training program with me to my folks, so that's a good excuse for me to run what I feel like. Didn't get out yesterday but just ran a steady 4 miles, yes only 4 miles. Did it in 31:15, splits were 7:24, 7:33, 7:58, 8:19.
I'm going to have to discipline myself over the next few days to do some good runs. I might have a surf online ot see if I can find any other good half marathon training programs.

Day 14 - Easy run with Linda

Didn't get out on Christmas day - not surprisingly - but got out today, Boxing Day, for an very slow six miles with Linda. Did it in 51:45. Very cold up here in Fife, icy under foot too.

Day 12 - Nearly Christmas!

What, I’ve missed a day? No one will notice!
It’s Christmas Eve – managed to run 6 miles this morning – working off all those mince pies and brandy cream! This is the time of year when you’re glad you are a runner – you don’t feel guilty about overindulging cause you know you are going to run it off!
Was meant to run 7 miles today, but didn’t have the time or the energy. Time for 6 was 45:49, splits were 7:20, 7:44, 7:46, 7:46, 7:35, 7:35.
Leaving work at lunchtime today and driving to Scotland – hope the normally 7.5 hour journey is a good one.
But will I run tomorrow – Christmas Day – that is the question.
Have a great Christmas!

Day 10 - Despite the Cold & Wet

I was so close to staying in this morning - it was mingin' weather. I was 'meant' to do speed work this morning (the story of my life) but I settled for a steady six mile run instead. Time of 48:41, splits were 7:55, 8:44 (farting around with my watch too much), 7:54, 8:00, 8:09, 7:55.
I know that I am always going to struggle doing speed work in such horrible conditions, especially when I've no nice flat measured out section to do 200-800m reps. If I lived near a track it would be easier. I am seriously considering joining the local gym for a couple of months, just for the treadmill. Speed work is so much easier when you need to keep up with the treadmill.
Excuses, excuses!

Day 9 - 'Tis the Season to be .... Lazy!

What can I say, late night last night, didn't fancy getting up this morning.
I'll call it a rest day. Shouldn't make much difference to my training (he convinces himself).
Bought some new shorts in anticipation of warm weather running in Oz. Must say I'm not looking forward to running in very hot weather. I think the UK has pretty much perfect running weather, except when it's frosty or snows, which isn't all that often (not in the south where I currently reside). I wasn't much into running for the 25 years I lived in my native Scotland so I can't comment on there.

Day 8 - Easy on the ice

Freezing today, icy ground and everything. Did an easy 3 miles today. Time was 24:39. The sides of my shins were aching a bit – must be the fast run yesterday. Work Christmas lunch today – thus the short entry.

Day 7 - Fast Six Miler

Did a fast 6 miles – fastest I’ve run I think. Time was 42:47, no splits as I reset my watch. Got a couple of really bad stitches, which slowed me down a bit.

Day 6 - Another rest day!

Learned an important lesson today. If I don’t go for a run first thing in the morning, it is quite likely that it will be sacrificed on a busy day. Yup, you guessed it, no run today.

Day 5 - Rainy Run

Raining quite heavily today - but it wasn't too cold and it was actually very refreshing to have cold water splashing on my face.
Did 6 mile fartlek - felt much better than Wednesday. Time was 45:10, splits were 7:29, 7:35, 7:34, 7:39, 7:25, 7:26.
Was thinking about how when we move to Oz its all going to be in kilometers instead of miles. Running just won't be the same again!

Day Four - Rest Day

Went out for a really nice Indian last night in the village with some mates to celebrate Linda getting her citizenship. Pity it was British and not Scottish citizenship! Never mind, came home and watched 'Gregory's Girl' - classic!
Decided that today would be my rest day since I felt so tired yesterday.

Day Three - Morning of the Living Dead!

Watched Sean of the Dead on Monday night – that gives you an idea of what I was like on my run this morning. Was meant to do speed work today – but there was no way I was up for that. Ran a supposedly ‘easy’ 4 miles – it was like running through treacle! Did it in 32:52, splits were 8:16, 8:24, 8:08, 8:02. I think the last two mornings have caught up on me – as well as the fact that it wasn’t as cold as I thought this morning so I overheated a bit in my Windstopper top.
At least I got out there – that’s a good thing for me.
My wife becomes a British Citizen today - she needs to swear an oath to the Queen!! And then we nick off to Australia to live in April - that's the way to do it!

Day Two - Good Six Miler

Did my first ever pre-work, early morning 6 miler this morning. I must admit I feel just a little bit proud of myself. Up at 6.30 and out the door by 7am. I always try to leave a little bit of time between getting up and going out for a run to let nature take its course if it so desires!
It was quite a good run, 45:22. Splits were 7:09, 7:39, 7:27, 7:56 (spot the hill!), 7:46, 7:23.
At the moment I am not eating anything before I run, not enough time (and I don’t want to get up any earlier!) I don’t know if I should try to though, it might give me a bit more energy – we’ll see.
Feel totally ready for the day now – but let’s see how I feel at 3 o’clock!

Day One - Here's where it gets difficult!

It's pretty difficult trying to run your fastest 4 miler ever at 7am in the dark when its freezing cold! But I did it - 29:23. Splits were 7:19, 7:25, 7:18, 7:20.
This is day one of my 12 week program for the Reading Half Marathon. If I'm really serious about this running caper then I think that this is what mornings are going to be like now - pushing my body to the limit at an hour that I used to be tucked up in a cosy bed. In many ways I really don't enjoy this kind of running, not when I'm actually doing it anyway. Its the goal I think about - seeing the times getting quicker and knowing that the mountain peak of the sub three hour is getting fractionally closer(?)

A Run with the Missus

What a beautiful day for a run - sunny and cold! I wonder how many I'll get like this in Australia?
Was very glad to do an easy 6 miler with Linda, showing her an alternative to our tried and tested 6 mile route. We did it in a pretty slow 54:35. Splits were 9:01, 9:13, 8:59, 9:26, 8:57, 8:55. When I start my training program on Monday I won't be able to run with Linda so I just enjoyed today for the good weather/company/easy pace!

I am a slacker!

Had a dinner guest last night so never got to bed until 12.30am! Fat chance of getting up at 6.30 this morning. Got up at 8.30 and was late for work!
No running this morning - maybe tonight?

Got to keep going

I have been soooo bad over the last week. What with a conference and lots of late nights, I've hardly run at all.
Well today I managed to get out for an early morning 4 miler. Did it in a slow 33:59. Splits were 8:26, 8:39, 8:27, 8:26.
Felt so good at work today to know I'd been out for a run that morning.
Half Marathon program starts on Monday - no slacking then.
Sub 3 hour is a long way off!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..

Rest day!

Frozen Sleepwalk...

I can't believe I'm managing to get up so early each morning and throw one foot in front of the other - but it continues.
Did a slower 4 miles today than yesterday- 31:38. Splits were 7:58, 7:57, 7:50, 7:51. Forgot to say yesterday that there was a dead cat on the path on my run (well I presume it was dead, I didn't check for a pulse!) It was gone today though, thankfully.
I know that when I start my half marathon training proper I'll need to run for more than 30 minutes some mornings - I think I should be able to squeeze in up to an hour before work. These dark evenings are a killer for any kind of running.