Sunday 20 December 2015

Blood, Sweat and Raindrops

It was wet again today. When I opened the curtains it was dry, but before I could get out, it rained. It cleared a bit by the time I got to the park but consequently the path was very wet and there were a lot of puddles.
I'm starting to get nervous before runs now. I know it's still training but 10 miles is a significant milestone and I was a little anxious the night before. As usual it took about half a lap to settle down but I got into a good pace. A few comments, a few dogs chasing me (one with a massive stick in it's mouth) and I overtook several other joggers.
I did nine laps as planned which is 10.25 miles and didn't lose either ball again. However, just short of nine miles I noticed my thumb was bleeding and at this point it started raining too! I pressed on as I figured it would be good training getting used to sore hands and I could probably take Boxing Day off and give may hands a couple of weeks to recover. The fingers of my right hand felt a bit tingly but it didn't worry me too much. It was only when I stopped after the full nine laps that I realised my fingers were bleeding too. It has, however, made a decision for me. So, far I've been training with two different balls, always using the same one in the same hand. I've been using the entry level rubber ball in my left hand and the more expensive, tougher ball in my right. I was beginning to think that the tougher, more expensive ball was the better option but that's the one that has wrecked my right hand today so I think I'm better of with two of the cheaper, rubber balls. I had concerns over its longevity as it looks a bit battered but it's done 52 miles round the park now which is twice as long as it would need to last on race day.
Anyway, those 10.25 miles took 1:26:32 which is an average pace per mile of 8:26 - quicker than last week despite bleeding hands!
Ooops!

Cleaned up

Patched up

Sunday 13 December 2015

Dead Puddles

It was a wet one this morning. Not actually raining but the path was very wet with standing water in places. The slightest bit of water takes a lot of the bounce out of the balls so I tried to avoid them as best I could. Very little else to report about todays run. It's beginning to get a little trickier but I still managed the planned eight laps in 1:17:44 which is 9.08 miles and an average pace per mile of 8:34. This is still a long way ahead of the marathon pace I'll need to run and I'm more than a third of the way there now. It's looking good already for the Silverstone Half in March. I had in mind to beat two hours at Silverstone but I'm thinking I ought to be looking at beating 1:55:00 now.
I stopped briefly at each mile to wipe the mud from my Garmin and check my pace but I didn't lose control of either ball again today.
10 laps next week!

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Dottie the Rottie

I didn't get to train on Sunday due to having entered the Seaford Mince Pie 10. This was a great race despite the atrocious weather. I got soaked to the bone and more than a little bit chaffed! I'm mostly recovered from that now and after the school run this morning went to the park to try 7 laps.
It's a cold day but sunny and with very little wind - not far from ideal conditions for this time of year. The first half lap is always a little bit nervy as I settle into a rhythm but I was extremely pleased with todays run. Seven laps as planned which turns out to be a tiny fraction over 8 miles in 1:07:52 which is averaging 8:27 per mile - an excellent pace.
No children about today but plenty of dog walkers. I got chased occasionally by excited dogs but none of this was a problem until I encountered two women with about 6 dogs between them on my final lap. The largest one (the largest dog, that is!) took an interest in me and started bounding around in front of me. One of the ladies called to it: "Dottie! Dottie! DOTTIE! HE'S NOT PLAYING!" By this time, Dottie had tripped my right leg but bar a little stumble I was ok and managed to keep control of both balls. Dottie looked like a Rottweiler to me and is no doubt affectionately known at home as Dottie the Rottie.
On the short straight by the running track I had the sun directly behind me and my shadow stretched out ahead right in front of me where I focus. This was quite distracting but good practice.
I stopped momentarily once a lap to check my pace (Garmin strapped to my right shoe) but despite Dottie's best efforts I did the full 8 miles without losing control once.
The weekend is busy again but I may be able to squeeze in 8 laps Sunday morning. It's all going rather well at the moment!