Not Prepared!

This is another one of those posts that starts with 'I'm an idiot.'

So, I'm an idiot.
As it was only 14 miles, I didn't do any of my usual long run prep, totally forgetting that a couple of months ago that was my long run, and a very big deal. I didn't have a proper breakfast after a bad night's sleep, have been working a lot and not taking iron as much, and the other things that I try and keep up with diet wise. I also didn't take any gels or anything with me, and was in a hurry as I had to get to work.
I ran off-road as I didn't feel lucid enough to be constantly looking out for traffic.

It started well. the first 10 miles were great. I think 10 miles is my ideal distance as a human being.
After that, it all went a bit wrong. It had been very hot. Then windy and rainy. And I had run out of drink. I walked for a little bit, and felt more human. I kept getting stones in my shoes, and even with the walking I still averaged faster than I have been known to run the distance.

On the upside, I had a super fast shower, gulped down a smoothie, and spent 4 hours standing up at work, and my legs don't feel that bad. Once upon a time I remember being unable to get out the bath after 10 miles without moaning and howling liek a 90 year old trapped on a boucy castle.

I didn't get to swim as I had to get to work, but I should be off tomorrow for sure, so will run a few miles in the morning and then head to the pool. Yeah. Sensible sporting.

Core Me! Core Me Up Good!

I am all about the core today.
I fully expect pain tomorrow on breathing, moving and god help anyone who makes me laugh.
I have been doing these exercises, and whoever invented the crab toe touch is a proper nutter. I did some turboing this morning before work, but only an hour, due to other stuff getting in the way. I whacked the resistance up and it didn't smell. Maybe it was just the newness that made it burn. I did the same speed as before, but it was harder, and again my legs were a bit wobbly.

And less than two weeks until Edinburgh.
I am rather scared.

Plan For The Week

I need to plan things a bit more right now. I have to be sensible. Grown up.

I did 4 miles before work this morning. I was planning 5 but ran out of time, and I had my 35k for the week minimum sorted anyway, and will get my long run done early next week. I was faster than yesterday, and feel like my legs are getting used to early activity.

So this week I will -

Monday - Turbo tomorrow before work. At least 1.5 hours.

Tuesday - 14 miles run and a swim

Wednesday - 6 mile run

Thursday - 3 mile run

Friday - 3 mile run

Saturday - Swim

Sunday - Baker Hughes 10k

As soon as this marathon is over I will be long bike obsessed. I will still get 35kms worth of running done a week, but big proper rides. Miles out in the wind. Up and down hills. Hours on the turbo. Gonna be great.

Up The Wall

A bit cooler today, and my legs felt good this morning, and did 5 miles at 9:50 min miles before work. I will do the same tomorrow, and do my longer run for this weekend on Tuesday, when I have a day off work.

I've been looking for different core exercises, mainly as the old ones I've been doing are getting boring. To get on the floor and plank for a bit while watching TV is the easiest thing to do, and would only take a couple of minutes out of my day, but I can't be bothered. It's boring.

So, core exercise for today is the half handstand, or 'L' handstand. It's as simple as starting in downward dog and walking up the wall, and holding for 5 breaths.

Seems I'm A Masochist

The cheapo turbo thing arrived. It's connections are a bit plastic-y, so may not last long. To start off with I could smell burning rubber, and feared for my tyre, but it felt cool. However, the little resistance unit was pretty hot, so I think the smell was coming from there.

The whole thing is very interesting.

* I go faster, probably because it's easier, but then the constant non-stop action and higher cadence is a killer in a different way. After an hour and ten mins of speedy pedalling to fast music I was very wobbly. The constant action also makes it miserable saddle-wise.

* My feet still went numb. And I sure as hell wasn't cold. I've now read it could be a nerve in my feet being compressed, and so I need to move the cleats slightly more forward on my shoes.

* Hot doesn't cover it. People have said before how a fan is needed, but I've decided not to.
It was kind of hellish. I don't do heat. It was like being in a sauna. I'm sure it contributed to my higher heart rate. And I kind of liked the suffering. It was awesome, tough, hideous suffering. And I loved being able to listen to music.

I have eaten very well today.
Spinach smoothie, strawberry, banana and protein smoothie, porridge made with almond milk, and tonight will be wheat-free pasta and veg and a huge chunk of watermelon. I am eating ALL the fruit and veg!

Clean Energy

I have eaten too much sugar today. Not all of it was junk, some were the new Nak'd bar varieties, but I feel a bit bleugh, and it's made me think about the next two weeks of food.

I want to feel energised. I'm liking drinking more fluid each day (even if it did mean I had to run and pee during the new Star Trek film. I missed a bit with the old Spock!) but the two weeks before a marathon are not a good time to detox, so I'm not doing anything drastic. More an improvement, adding healthy things that make me feel good.

Clean energy. Like a wind turbine. (But hopefully without wind)

Today is a rest day. I have some smaller stickers to put on my chart for rest days. I think it will be handy to be able to see at a glance when i last had a proper day off.

Tomorrow I will run early in the morning, and will get my bike cleaned and oiled up. I have ordered a very cheap turbo from eBay. It may be rubbish, but it's being delivered tomorrow, so will be setting up camp excitedly by the front door, ready to greet the van man.

100 Day To Go

To totally steal a blog post idea from Kevin, it is 100 days until Aberfeldy.

I have put the first sticker on my countdown, which is living on the pin board in my kitchen.

It really doesn't seem long enough to be able to do a half-iron, but nevermind, sure I'll be fine.
I was going to run 8 miles this morning, but got my routes mixed up, and found myself on the 10 mile route instead, but it was OK.
Hot, and I ran out of drink (only took 500ml, and big hills) but was quite happy with my pace of 10:35 min miles all things considered. I managed to run the last mile quite fast.

Then I went to the pool, and had planned to just do an easy mile, but I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, although I did drink plenty, but felt kind of crap, so did some drills and some super fast lengths with my pull buoy, and got out after half an hour. My legs felt a whole lot better afterwards. Cross training really does seem to help, and fingers crossed, I'm dodging injury, and so must not neglect swimming over the next couple of weeks.