Rain, Rain, Go away!

Just a quick hello, now that I'm back from a wonderful, long (10 days!) holiday with family and friends in Devon. Still with the cough lurking as a remnant from the nasty virus I had, I took my running shoes down with me, determined to fit in some training with the Woodley 10k date fast approaching!

I struggled with a run in Exeter, but kept going to reach the 5k mark, with a little walking up the hills. Then, once we were were in Kingsbridge (South Devon), I ran about 4 times over the whole stay, but not entirely satisfactorily. If anyone reading has ever been to Kingsbridge, you will appreciate just how hilly the terrain is. The hills just killed my legs - I am used to running gradual inclines, but these were something else! - and my walking up the hills rather than running of course slowed my overall average pace. But I continued to run every few days to keep my legs ticking over, even though I have now decided that I am really not keen on running in Kingsbridge, not only due to the hills, but also the traffic and lack of continuous pavement, sooo not enjoyable with the exception of Easter Sunday when it was lovely and quiet of course! Still I had managed to run up to 6k several times whilst away, and it had whetted my appetite for getting out running on one of my "usual" local routes once home.

We came home on Sunday, and even in the car I was thinking "we're going to be home early enough for me to go for a run whilst hubby puts the kids to bed!" The weather was ok too, so I got out there, decided on a 6-7k route in order to start increasing my distance, and lo and behold, on a route which is mostly flat but slightly undulating in parts, I managed 6.95k in under 39minutes, a great improvement. It felt tough for the first 2-3k, but then seemed to settle down. 

My plan was then to run yesterday or today, but alas, the rain has come, and is still here, and doesn't seem to want to go!! It's not warm either, so I'm not going out there running! I don't mind a little shower, but constant rain, wind, and cold temperatures, nah, that's not for me! Instead, my Nell McAndrew Cardio, Stretch and Core dvd has had my attention both days, and it does actually feel good to have stretched other parts of my body, that don't get actively stretched in the same way whilst running.Only 3.5weeks now though until my race, so as soon as the rain goes I'll be back out there :-)

As you may be able to tell, the scrapping has taken rather a back seat what with holidays and running. Back to school and work now so no lazy lie-ins except at the weekends, so by evening I am shattered, even though I would really like to get some scrapping done.... sigh. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I shall allocate some of my non-working daytime hours to treat myself to some scrapping time.

I hope some of you are managing to fit in some running / scrapping, I would love to hear if you have anything exciting to report!

Jx

Starting to run again - #Take2!

It's been a while. Since I last blogged I have run, and stopped, and am now hoping to run again very soon! A couple of weeks ago, six weeks after my breast surgery, I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon, just another check-up if you like. I had initially been told that 8 weeks is the "normal" time to wait before trying and "impact" activity such as running, so I was delighted when the lovely Mr. D told me everything was good and I could now do "whatever I wanted, as long as it's comfortable!" 

I was soooo pleased. We started having some sunshine that week, and the lovely sunny evenings were making me crave getting out in my trainers for a run in the fresh air - even a run/walk/run if necessary! So the following day (a Friday evening) hubby was home just before it started to get dark, and I went out for my "first" run. I was half expecting to feel a bit of soreness around my chest, but in fact I felt nothing there, ironically it was only my legs that found the whole 5km harder work than previously!! I ran 5km in about 30mins, so much slower than my usual 27/28mins, and I loved it, it was just great to be out in the fresh air and doing some proper cardio excercise.

Two days later, the Sunday morning, I went out for another run, but even as I ran out of the front door, I was already feeling strain in my upper legs. I pushed on, but only managed to push myself to a total of 3km. I was disappointed, but had to remind myself that my legs had done virtually nothing for 6 weeks. Although this signalled to me that I couldn't try another run too soon, I knew that I wouldn't have that option anyway, as last week I was working extra days (hence no time to run whilst the children were at school), and hubby is working long hours so no time available pre-darkness. Call me a big wuss, but I won't run alone in the darkness.

What's more, I then came down with a sore throat, which developed into a really nasty virus, from which I am still recovering, with a nasty cough to show for it. Physically, I probably could have tried running in the last couple of days, but once again I have been unable to as it's school holidays so I've been having fun with the children in the daytime. Tomorrow night we're off to Devon for not only Easter weekend but a whole 10 days, so guess what? Yes, I shall be taking my running gear with me and running the last remnants of this virus out of my system! 

I now have only 5 weeks to get up to 10k fitness, so I REALLY need to get some runs in and get my legs back to fitness. I don't want to run the race half-heartedly, that's just not me.On a more positive note, I LOVE my new boobs, it does feel lighter for running, and there is now a much reduced "bounce factor", so bring on the running!