Winter Running Fears

You'll be pleased to hear that my injury is almost completely healed. I'm still not comfortable running, and my knee feels achy after a day standing around in the shop but I'm almost there. I'm planning to go out on Sunday afternoon for a c25k week 3 run (90s run, 90s walk, 3m run, 3m walk) and if that goes well then I'll do a couple more week 3 runs before starting on c25k week 4, just to make sure I ease myself back in and don't do any further damage.

I know it's not that cold... yet!

The thing is, these past two weeks of no running have seen a bit of a weather change. We're definitely getting more to the winter end of autumn and I'm not sure I want to go outside in a t-shirt! In my head I know that after a couple of minutes I'll be sweating like a pig, but the longer I don't run, the scarier it seems.

There is also a safety issue for me. I finish work at 5.45 by which time it is really dark. My Karrimor running kit has a lot of fluorescent bits on it so I should be easily seen but, probably something to do with being brutally mugged as a teenager, I'm not so keen on being out in the dark for other reasons.

I've done a bit or research (isn't t'interweb great?!) and read a fantastic book (full review to come soon!) and have compiled a list of the most useful tips.

1. Always tell someone where you are going, the full route and what time you expect to return. This way if you don't return, they know where to start looking for you!
2. Make sure you have some identification with you and a number to call in case of emergency - I write my husband's number on my arm. This way if you're in an accident you won't be Jane/John Doe.
3. Make sure you have some money stashed about your person. If you're going on a long run take enough for a bus/taxi home in case you get injured, for short runs enough for an emergency phone-call should you need to make one. That's if you can find a phone box of course.
4. If you're going to be running in an unlit area take a small torch, a tiny keyring torch is perfect.
5. Don't have your music too loud. You need to be aware of your surroundings, traffic and other people to stay safe.

So, be safe running, wish me luck for Sunday. Any other tips please post a comment below.

Injury & Ice-Cream

I know it's been a bit quiet this past week but I'm STILL hobbling around on my injured knee. Hopefully it's just a sprain and will heal within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately walking to and from work, standing up all day in the shop and just generally living seems to be extending my recovery.

Plus I really feel like I need to run, I've got all this excess energy since starting running and now it has nowhere to go! That's bringing me down and I'm reaching for the Ben & Jerry's...

I'm very lucky that even with my (old) sedentary lifestyle I've never been more than a few pounds overweight. This gives me a huge head start in getting fit. But for those people who are overweight taking the first step can be painful, mentally and physically.

It really is a great article, give it a read!

C25k 3:2

I feel I should warn you all... I'm injured!

(not my knee)

Run two of week three went really well for the first mile and a half (even that hill wasn't so bad this time) but then disaster struck. My left knee began to ache. Not wanting to give in I carried on and managed a good six minute run at the end again, followed by an extra couple of minutes after that because Mr Bunn needed to go out and I was on kid duty.

It seems this extra running was a mistake. My run was on Friday, now it's Monday and I can barely walk. I've dosed up on paracetamol (I'm allergic to everything else) and strapped up the offending appendage. I feel no better and what's more, I'm desperate to go out running!

Everything's starting to hurt now as other parts of my leg are trying to compensate for my knee. Particularly my left ankle and my right knee. The worst thing is I don't even know what caused it. Well, obviously it's the sudden exercise after 10 years of being a sloth, but what I mean is there was no sudden jolt, no falling over. I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday but he'll probably just tell me to keep rested until it's better. 

Has anyone else had anything similar? Any advice?!

C25k 3:1

Week three really steps up the running. You do two repetitions of - 90s run, 90s walk, 3m run, 3m walk. Doesn't sound like much but three minutes? That's quite a lot!

I set off at 9.30 this morning in my new trainers and my new (matching) Karrimor jacket. It was raining, windy and cold. The first half, as always, was hard. I couldn't even finish the first of the three minute runs falling 15seconds short of the target. I recovered easily in the three minute walk though, and by the time I got to the second long run I felt like Batgirl.

I didn't stop. The podcast told me to slow down, told me how well I'd done and I thought "Yeah, I did really well. I'm going to run to that tree." I got to the tree and decided to run to the next road, then to the red car, then to the shop. Before I knew it the podcast was over, I was nearly home and I'd run a solid six minutes.

Today was a good run. A really good run. I hope every run is that good. Power to me!

C25k 2:3

The third run of week two was after work before a week off. Unfortunately this meant I had to have all my 'stuff' with me in a backpack.

Now, I'm not sure if you've ever jogged with a backpack before, but it is not easy. It kept jumping about which meant I had to hold the straps the whole way. This really affected my running and I felt like a daddy long-legs rather than the graceful leopard I normally resemble.

Despite the backpack issues and managing to faff up my iPod I managed to finish the 2.3 miles in 25 minutes and still felt pretty good afterward. Apart from the continuing footwear issues of course. Luckily I have managed to leave the house and buy a lovely shiny pair of New Balance running shoes today so all should be good for week three.

I can see things being difficult for week three. It's half term and we've got not just our regular 4 year old but also her 9 year old big sister with us. There's always more fun stuff to do than running! I want to make cakes and shoe-box guitars and go rollerskating! My plan is to run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday so we'll see how that goes.

I am quite nervous about week three as it involves stints of three minutes running and I just don't feel ready. I'll let you know what happens on Tuesday evening...

Targets

Obviously in doing c25k I aim to be able to run 5k. But I don't want that to be the end, I want to push further not just flop back onto the couch for Christmas.

I have decided to do the Norwich Parkrun on December 10th as my final c25k run. Go me! All being well my next target will be to run the Trowse 10k road race in April 2012, followed by the City of Norwich half marathon later in 2012 OR join in with Team Bangs on the Run.

Now I know this sounds a bit drastic. At the moment I can only run for about 2 minutes at a time. But without something to work towards I think I'd be less likely to persevere in the face of adversity. I know that, if I train and focus, I can do all of this. It is possible. I will make it happen.

Aga Classes

You might remember some time ago I spoke to you about my love of all things Aga. I was incredibly excited when the new Aga Total Control cooker was released but also acutely aware that my council flat existence was a far cry from ownership of said excellence.

Time for a Run

One of the excuses I always used for not exercising was that I didn't have enough time. Since I started running I have realised that actually, I can fit exercise into my life quite easily.

When you're planning your runs for the week you need to think about how much time you need to set aside in total. Sure there's the half hour run but there's 5 minutes getting ready, another 5 getting water and music, when you get back you need at least 10 minutes stretching and another 10 in the shower... I set aside an hour minimum.


Anyone who knows me will tell you that getting up an hour earlier in the morning just won't happen. I like sleeping. I like it more than anything, even more than Marmite. There's no point setting time aside in the morning if you know you just won't do it then. So, for me, runs have to be during the day or after work.

Other things get in the way though. Tonight is a run night but I've got to go to Ashleigh's school for her first disco. I won't get up early tomorrow and do it (see above) and it's my friend's birthday party after work. I have to fit it in though or I'll be off schedule and Mr Bunn will beat me. That is not acceptable. I am very competitive.

My final option? Take my running kit to work tomorrow and run the long way home. I was going to have a shower before going out so it should only add 20 minutes or so onto my getting ready time. Easy. Crisis averted, c25k remains on course.

If I can find time to do it, anyone can. If you think you can't then it's probably just that you don't want to. Lazy you.

Recipe: Spicy carrot & parsnip soup

A beautifully velvety soup to warm you through the winter.

C25k 2:2

Today, being my only day off during the week, was my turn to take Ashleigh to school. In my great wisdom I decided to wear my running kit to school then do a 2.4 mile route back home. Needless to say I was freezing. Walking at 4 year old pace wearing a t-shirt and capri pants in October is not a good idea. Ashleigh was good though and we skipped for quite a lot of it.

I really didn't enjoy the music on week 2's podcast so decided to go with my own music (Red Snapper again) and try out another Android app. This was a mistake. The app froze after a couple of minutes, then had to start from the beginning, and the notification to change from walking to jogging was just a slight lowering of the music. This meant I spent a good portion of the run checking my phone to see how much time I had left.

Added to this annoyance was that I had to wait at pretty much every road to cross. Where I normally run at 7pm with very little traffic it seems 9am is quite a lot busier.

Aside from these little problems I had quite a good run and did extra running and less walking to make up for all the time left standing at roads. I found my other trainer at last so wasn't in Converse, but my left shoe was rubbing against the back of my ankle, I'll have to watch that.

I think I'll go back to the podcasts and give up on the phone for good. Too bulky and unreliable. I'm really looking forward to my last run of week 2 which should be on Friday evening.