Yume No Chikara

Today is speedwork day! The planned session is warm up then 8 sets of 3mins @ 10K pace 2 mins recovery before a cool down. Plan was a lunchtime session and my kit is next to my desk, however the sky is as black as a black thing so I may end up on the tready at home after all! In which case I will put kit on at work so that I don't get tempted to skip it!! See I did it!! Really pleased as this was off road and totally my effort not the tready making me run this pace! Some entertainment with the concrete under the canal bridges being wet and slippery with mud from the splashes of the boats. So I nearly ended up in the canal! Also saw a mother duck with 11 ducklings and two angry swans who did not appreciate me passing them! Then there was the walkers, the dogs and the man on his bike! So overall I'm really pleased! I even had enough energy to do a 5 mins cool down jog of 12-12:30mm pace. Only down side was I went back to work rather damp!! But hey ho! SpeedWork done which is grea...

Or not as the case may be! I read somewhere that self massage is great for legs and can be aided by using a rolling pin!! So whilst watching TV given my tight lower legs I tried it! Pot of Body Shop Muscle Rub in one hand and Gnome's kids rolling pin in the other! Do you know what? It works! It does help! Check with me tomorrow though just incase I change my mind!! Talking of tomorrow it's a rest day! Well rest from running. I will however try to do something else in the form of exercise ... a walk at lunchtime or similar. Friday is speedwork on the tready!

Well today I planned a steady 40mins of solid running. No pressure just run. After yesterday's run I decided to walk to the end of the road (4-5mins) cross then stretch before running. I watched my HR to keep the pace down. My legs were still tense after yesterdays beating so I made a point of being very steady and stopping at traffic lights and stretching whilst waiting for the lights to change (instead of my usual leg it between cars!). Due to crossing 2 large roundabouts this gave 2 stops of about 2mins in the 1st 2 miles! For some reason I couldn't get my shoes comfy today so I stopped and fiddled with them a couple of times too. Things just weren't right but I got there in the end. Due to stops the milage was low - just 2.9m in the 40mins but I think I can remove about 5mins for stops! HR was lower with a Max of 176 which is very low for me an average of 167 which is just 75%. So a nice steady run. I learnt that legs are important to a runner and will be making more ef...

Each journey begins with a step forward with a purpose and a goal. This journey is taking me from chubby plodder to Athlete! My tools to guide me and help me on my way are a fantastic coach in Spans, great supportive friends in you lot and a stubborn character. My map shows few waymarkers just now so I can't see the hills and valleys which lay ahead! Like the Roman roads that were built 2000 years ago I have my beacons shinning but need to clarify the route between each beacon. The path is supposed to be straight and clear but if there are hurdles I'll just have to work round them then get back onto the straight and narrow as quickly as possible with no turning back. Straight ahead lies victory. To represent this "one day at a time" attitude and the desire to not linger on the past and dwell on what could have been I've started to archive daily. When today is done it's gone. I can't repeat the day so I will put it behind me, take forward the positives and...

I love the Olympics 2012 song by Heather Small - Proud. So many of the words are so true. What have you done today to make you feel proud? It's never too late to try What have you done today to make you feel proud? You could be so many people If you make that break for freedom What have you done today to make you feel proud? Still so many answers I don't know Realise that to question is how we grow So I step out of the ordinary I can feel my soul ascending I am on my way Can't stop me now And you can do the same What have you done today to make you feel proud? It's never too late to try What have you done today to make you feel proud? You could be so many people If you make that break for freedom What have you done today to make you feel proud? We need a change Do it today I can feel my spirit rising We need a change So do it today 'Cause I can see a clear horizon What have you done today to make you feel proud? So what have you done today to make you feel proud? ...

The title of my blog relates to the power of dreams and their magic. After all what is the point of having dreams if you aren't going to make them come true. I don't know if I can run in 3:45 (that's a constant 8:30mm pace) but unless I train and put my heart into it and try I will never know. I guess that's what this is all about. I think I can do it and want to the chance to see if it is true if I really can do it so all I need to do now is put my mind to it and train. It's time to be sensible and serious which is why I have decided against the Suicide Sixish. I have a lot of work to do and I've missed weeks with colds, back problems and tiredness and have a week in EuroDisney next month so why waste another weekend. So training it is. Training for both body and mind. I need to start focusing on the task in hand. I need to lose weight (down to 11st 1 now but still fat!) and I need to cross train .... improve my core strength and tone. It can only make the runn...

I am not doing the Suicide. Training comes first.

Well before now I've had arguments between Pixie and Trixie and today Logic joined in! Pixie siad run yes but not too long cos you ran yesterday and have hardly run in 2 weeks! Trixie said but but but need to do a long run, long runs are good! Logic said runs are good and tomorrow you give blood so won't run and Tuesday you have post blood rest day and a massage! Trixie and Logic then argued it out. Trixie won! Logic then spent the whole run saying, slow down, breath, it's too hot, see now you're paying! Trixie struggled on with the "hey I'm running!" smile on her face until she hit yet another hill when smile vanished and was replaced with serious "I will not give in" face! So that's it then! 6.7m of sllllloooooowww hard work! Will post stats later but they aren't that pretty! But as Leon said - we run because we enjoy it! Today was more of a "I WANT to do a long run" run than a need to do a long run run! Next week I will repea...

Two reasons to be amazed today 1) I have an International star as a coach! Yes Spans is running the 10m Great South Run for Wales! She got her Welsh Internation Vest today! I am so proud of her! She deserves it as she has worked so hard! So WELL DONE SPANS!!!! 2) I've been for a run! Not a huge run or a fast run but I went out! 10 mins walk run warm up to the hardware store in the village followed by 50 mins (2x 5:1, 1x25:1, 2x 5:1) which gave me 3.8m. Add the warm up and cool down and it's nearer 5m. I've not run much in the last 2 weeks but did walk a lot last week. Still it was fairly hard work, harder than I expected but it was FAB! Started off too fast (boobs told me that! Need a new bra!) which felt great but when I hit the second mile which was uphill followed by more uphill the legs went ARRRGGGHHHH. But hey I loved it! I may even go out again tomorrow if I can ... Sainsbury run to do and a tonne of washing in the new machine (the best part of 2 wks worth of washin...

Well yesterday's massage was an errr experience shall we say!! I'm back on Tuesday too! Today my back feels tender, especially in the center at the base where she said the muscles were most tight. Almost feel bruised!! Trying hard to sit up properly too but that's tiring so my core must be shot! One thing she did say is try to do the exercises that the physio gave me too as he said my right hip was weak and it was the right lumbar area that had the muscle spasm. Oh and it will take 3-6mths of exercises to get the body to "fix" as such whereas I only really did my exercises for about 6wks max!! So back to laying on the floor in front of the TV and looking a pratt!! Tomorrow we have the new washing machine and tumble dryer arriving which means I can start to work on the tonne of washing I have waiting for me since the current one went wrong! Oh what an exciting weekend I have! Somewhere along the line I need to try and get some running in too!

Yep me is 'ick. Whole house has a cold and I feel cold, sicky, sore throat and hear achy! Oh joy! Off for sports massage on back after work so hopefully that will see that off meaning I can get back to running and improving in time for BM!! Thank you also very much for your support on the beginners idea. This is something I want to do and I will do but there is also loads to thin about and work out. Like a training course ... next one is in Exeter and I am not going that far!! Also my own training is important to me and the GFA too so this will need to fit in together. But I am taking on ideas and looking at plans and training and will be, perhaps, writing some "stuff" in preparation. So watch this space but don't hold your breath tooo tightly!! PS Yoghurt Maker is FAB! Post Massage Update Ouch! Well no damage done but very tight muscles round lower vertibra. She was concerned it had locked at first but I have too much movement so she isn't so worried now but sti...

Well I decided to recruit the folks on the RW forums for some help and ideas about the beginners course/group at club. Well it's kinda evolved and I ended up talking to Shades and sending a mail to the folks at the Womens Running Network . I'm going to seriously look at starting my own group. It would give me some training either through them on a UKA approved course or indeed a UKA course. It would also give me something positive to do and allow me to get to know more people were I am too whilst helping and encouraging others to take up the sport we love. I remember so clearly the time I finished my 1st 5K. It was also a race and although it was in my villiage I knew no-one. When I finished I was so happy and proud that I called my mum! She thought I was about to collapse as I could barely talk! Then when I finished my 2nd race (the Flora Light in London) I was soooo happy and hyped up I immediately declared a love of running and the intention of running the Reading Half Marat...

Well actually it's not a running route really but it will be for me! The Ashby Canal is being restored and have just been given government permission for a compulsory purchase order. This means that the canal can now be extended another 2.5m from Snarestone to Measham where I live which will give me a nice 5m loop by running down the canal and back up the roads! The next stage will be from Measham to Donisthorpe and more difficult as it is up hill and will also need to go under the A42 but that will also give me another route! But is also several years away! The canal currently finishes at Snarestone but connects to the rest of the canal network from there so when I get to doing loooooooong marafun training runs I can use the canal and admire the scenery! I know it will take some time but the future is looking good! On a different note last night I had a comittee meeting again for club. The beginners course was brought up again and this time the discussion was much more annimated. ...

As you know I've been on the bench due to back problems. Sunday whilst taking drugs my right shoulder went ouch (I note the right as it's my lower left side of my back that's been hurting). Shoulder was there but didn't stop me running. Got no worse and no better. Monday I return to work. Back fine. Shoulder there (hurt when I turned to reverse by looking over right shoulder etc but otherwise fine). Didn't run last night as life got in the way. Went to bed. Whilst asleep I "became aware" of back as in I was still asleep but could feel that lower left region when I moved. I can pin point exactly where it hurts now. I did get an occasional tingle down the left leg but this could have been in my head I wouldn't like to say (you know the old "what's that?" syndrome when anything hurts!) Shoulder is also still sore, again I can point to where it hurts (well not on me but I could point to it on a picture!) Now I mention the left/right thing bec...

Well hubby called today to declare that the washing machine had died. This meant I had to pop into the shop on the way home to see how much breaking of the bank was involved and availabilty. Due to badly timed client call I actually ended up being the last to leave and late. Add on time in shop and drive home and I was starving. So cooked and ate. Walked to the villiage and back to collect Gnome from BB and spent ages on the net looking at white goods. Time went wizzing past, hubby made a cuppa I got freezing cold and fell asleep on the sofa, so no run. Tomorrow I have a club committee meeting which means I won't get to run unless I run at gone 9:30 on the tready. So looks like a Wed, Thurs, Fri session which I don't like doing as I like to rest between runs and I really wanted a run today. Huh Oh and I have thrown away my Marafun magazine so no temptation to enter FLM!!

I've been for a run!!! Yep it's true! Well back was fine after driving and doing the shopping ysterday as well as mowing the lawn. I watched the GNR and was jealous I wasn't running so ... I did 40mins of solid running .... longest solid run since Feb! Back fine - only niggle is shoulder from the ouch this morning when I was taking my tablets! No idea why! Felt really good and pace was much better than I expected .... not run for 10 days now! So 3.424m in 40:17 av pace 11:44mm (11.39,11.57,11.39,11.51) very happy! Really enjoyed it and really pleased! So back to training next week (and work). Tomorrow will be 50mins of walk run with a long run in the middle. Wednesday speedwork on the tready and Friday 40mins solid on the tready as hubby has to go to work early. Leaving a long run at the weekend. Fingers crossed!

Brass Monkey that is! Cheques been cashed!! All fired up and keen to go! I will get sub 2:30! No really I WILL!

The Forum Bench Perhaps??? It's long enough for us all! Well I'm sorry but I was a frustrated as hell!! So despite the warning sign I went for a walk - it rained, it was drizzle and wet and dark and gray and I LOVED IT!! Bit achy but I needed that fresh air!

Day time TV that is! So back to work tomorrow. Didn't take drugs tonight and been fine and not even felt like chucking up. Well not much! The plan: Assuming I manage at work OK tomorrow I will do a trot when I get home. If that's OK I will trot Thursday. If it continues OK and Gnome visits new friend I will sneak in my long run Friday then speedwork Saturday before a possible walk with Duck! Assuming tomorrow is OK! Update Not a happy pixie - back does not like driving :-(

As Cath predicted - loadsa drugs = bad belly. Back getting better, may tempt work tomorrow but not sure, 'specially if belly not happy. Nose tender, feels bruised when touched and some scabby thing came out too (grins!) So I'm feeling just fabtastic! Oh and frustrated! I really want to run, the weather looks so lovely and I want to run but know it's a bad thing to do :-( Brass Monkey is about 3mths away and I need to increase my milage and speed for then! Aim is 2hrs 30 which is about 11:20mm pace and my last long runs (up to 7m I think) where about 12:30mm pace so double distance and lose over a minute. So what am I doing - sitting on the bench.

No more tears of pain but annoyingly uncomfortable. No work today as I really didn't fancy the drive (twisty roads, changing gears and speed bumbs) but may tomorrow. After 4 days of Diclofenac (yes Cath you got it right!) and pain killers today I dropped the pain killers. Yes it still hurts! I don't like being on drugs for long periods of time, not sure why, 'tis just me. So will try work tomorrow and take it from there. Really grouchy pixie as this has really messed up my training and I wanted to be running, I wanted to finish the garden, and go swimming with Gnome. All I have managed is to gain some weight, 2lb that I struggled to lose! Will I ever get to below 11st 2 and stay there or lose more!! Hey ho - life goes on.

The Problem!! OK so it's a bad picture but you can see the area that was dug last weekend ... the reason behind my bad back! It's feeling better today, I managed to get out of bed without crying! Still hurts though :-(

Today has been an exciting one! Wake up and take 20mins to get to the bathroom which is en suite! By this time I am in tears with a cold sweat and feeling nausious. Gnome had to help make breakfast and I had a yoghurt as that involved no bending down for cereal or bowl! Walked Gnome to school - normally 15mins today over 20mins; it's half a mile. Took me 20mins to walk home alone after. Called Drs. Appointment 1 with Dr about back @10:40. I have inflammed back muscles, a large packet of high strength prescription on anti-inflamatories and advice to go back if no better by Tuesday/Wednesday. Oh and that I can self certify sickness for 7 days "work will be very uncomfortable if you work at a PC all day" Yep this is true 5mins here is enough! Appointment 2 @11:25 (I didn't bother leaving!) for nose zapping. Back too sore to notice if nose hurt but now the anesthetic has worn of it hurts!! So I'm feeling just FAB today! Running - err me finks not!

Singing Hippo! This is just great! Brings back memories - needs sound!!

Monday - Fine Tuesday - nose bleed Wednesday - stomach spasms Thursday - fecked back Not a happy pixie and in pain. Used 'brufen gel and paracetomol and no good. Gonna sulk. According to Sports Injury Clinin I have a muscular strain/tear. Probably brought on after all the gardening at the weekend. They suggest rest. Grrrrr

that I did my run this morning. Walking back to the car after work with S, made a comment about a stitch and he joked I was unfit. Less than 5mins later I was in the car cringing with pain. Stomach spasms again. Not as bad as before but maybe that was because I stopped the car and had a drink and took some Colpermine. Good job it was staff lunch today as I missed tea because I was so uncomfortable. Still not 100% now :-(

Today being Wednesday means just one thing - Speedwork!! So the plan was 8 sets of 3mins@9m and 2walk. Last time I did this session I crashed after 5 sets. Last lot of speedwork was at 8.9Km too! So I was detirmined to do all 8 sets and at the full 9km - and do you know what?? I did it!! Nose kept on running and I kept on checking for blood but it was OK! I survived!!

Well just for a laugh I decided to have a nose bleed - whilst on the phone to a client! Took 25 mins to stop. Now feeling yuck (got congealed blood in my throat and all that!). Me finks I will abandon tonight's run and move it to Thursday! Still Friday my nose gets zapped!

Due to the fact that I need to take the car in to the garage today I got the opportunity to "do a double!". This meant I got a 1.2m run to work this morning which took just 12mins! (HUGE beam!) whilst carrying a loaded rucksack! Tonight I get to pick up the car and will add a run on so looking for 30-40mins in total. It will be interesting to see what the legs think of two runs! Also I got my BRASS MONKEY application today and have completed it - Hope to post today!! Oh and estimated time has been put down as 2:30!!

I got these done when I changed my site - this was my original choice of colour too but I couldn't remember what RGB code they were! Anyway they both mean about the same Believe in the magic of your dreams! The theme of this blog. My dream is a GFA and with Coach Spans helping me I believe I can do it! Anyway last night we had some fun with the barbie - like a small fire!! hehe!! Tonight I have a 50mins run planned. Tomorrow I have to take the car to the garage which is further away from work than I thought so I'm becoming all pro like! I'm doing a double! Well 15-20mins 1st thing then 30 mins in the evening as I will run between work and the garage!! Will report back on tonights run later! Somewhat later ... Well I got home, changed and headed out of the door ... the GPS failed after less than 11mins due to dead batteries. I was alone! It felt odd not knowing how I was doing. I've not used my HRM for a while due to a sore itchy rash (heat related!) where the strap goes...

Saturday: Aim to build a raised bed! 1st - try to fix sink. Yes it was a touch of avoidence tactics but it did need doing. Sink is now 99% fixed (will confirm tomorrow I hope!) Then off to wood merchant - Decided to get deeper wood (9" not 6") but that had to be ordered so now wood to take home, but they will make me some stacks so I don't have to make points! Total cost of wood less than £16 whereas everyone else was spending 2-400!! Ok so no wood meant I could prep the ground ... several hours of digging later I was totally knackered but it looks so much better and only half done! Take away curry and wine well and truely deserved! Sunday: Swimming with Gnome. Practiced my front crawl breathing whilst stood still! Also did 30-60 secs bursts of rapid kicks which were very tiring! Tesco - oh the excitement Now back to the garden! TTFN! Later that evening! Boy am I shattered! Two days of hard labour - a 15m run would have been easier both on the knees and the exhaustion lev...

Well back about 3 moths ago I wrote this .... I had a body analysis and was all down at being a lard arse (or as Special K like to say "Overfat!"). Today I went back for a re-assesment. Weight - down 8lb! Blood pressure - down RHR - down (read as 46!) Body measurements - down Body fat - down All good. Body fat not as down as hoped (even the lady said that she was surprised) and lean mass is down too (not good). So yep I'm healthier. She also agreed that the NHS lady was nuts saying reduce calories to 1500 and not to allow for exercise. She also suggested to increase resistence exercise, and perhaps try 30mins of circuits at home. I will go back just before Christmas and have another review and also I can speak/mail her which is good. In the meantime: tonight I have 5:1X2, 20:1x1, 5:1x2 (45 mins!) of steady run to do - will report back later. Mid Day Update! Just found that I can get some wood this weekend for a veggie bed .... and about £10 or less for the wood whereas I...

I rest! But I've eaten chocs so maybe I should run!!