Too much has happened on the personal front over the past two weeks to fill in the detail here. Business travel also played havoc too. However, I have been able to keep up my running with a 5 runs totaling 44km. Temperatures have been a lot warmer too (mostly above 5C) so I have been running without gloves. I have also ben trying to push the speed up a bit over the shorter distances I have been running. I hope to get consistently close to 5 minutes per kilometer speed over the next few weeks so that I am in shape for a short 8km race in early May.
I plan to enter some 10km races over the next 2 months - just sizing up which are close to me and selecting which ones I should do.
Any comments or advice on how to get faster would be appreciated as I seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment.
I gave my normal Monday run a miss today as I have been feeling ill over the weekend with a sore throat, runny nose and general aches and pains (not running related). So I hope that situation improves during the week.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Pushing the boundaries
Yesterday I went for a run with a friend. This is nothing unusual as I run with friends all the time. Except that this friend is more than 20 year younger and in training for a Marathon in a few months' time. The distance we set was more than either of us had ever run in a single training session before and really pushed us both to a new level. We covered just over 30km (19miles) in under 3 hours with only a short stop to refuel and drink some water at around the halfway mark.
It was cold at the start (-2C) but there was very little wind and the sky was clearing with a high possibility of sunshine warming things up later. Although I had thought about running with a shirt on seeing as I knew we would be on the road for a long time I asked my mate what he thought and he said "what are you most comfortable with?". I replied that I prefer to run without a shirt and at that point the decision was made: no shirt.
The temperature when we finished was around +1C or +2C so I survived a full 3 hours in what many would say are very cold conditions. There were a few comments passed by other walkers and runners out on the route like the normal "Are you mad?"; "Don't you feel cold?"; and the best of the day from a passing runner kitted out wearing leggings, shorts, 2 shirts, gloves and a hat: "I thought I was crazy!"
I enjoyed the run and the company, we chatted along the way and encouraged each other a lot. I only walked on one very steep section of trail for less than 200m. It was a tough run but enjoyable and yes, I can still walk today!
As its the end of the month I think an update on a few other things is in order too. Total running distance covered in January: 169km (105 miles). Weight at the end of January 66.2kg.
I guess all of this made me think that:
1. Running a full marathon is now a real possibility and within my grasp
2. I should never even think about wearing a shirt when running
3. You only learn about what is possible when you push yourself to new limits and set goals (i.e. running distance; shorter time for a race; cold endurance temperature and/or time)
4. If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be able to do any of this I would have told you that you were crazy
What things have you been able to discover about yourself when you push your boundaries? I would be interested to hear about them. Post a comment below or send me an e-mail.
It was cold at the start (-2C) but there was very little wind and the sky was clearing with a high possibility of sunshine warming things up later. Although I had thought about running with a shirt on seeing as I knew we would be on the road for a long time I asked my mate what he thought and he said "what are you most comfortable with?". I replied that I prefer to run without a shirt and at that point the decision was made: no shirt.
The temperature when we finished was around +1C or +2C so I survived a full 3 hours in what many would say are very cold conditions. There were a few comments passed by other walkers and runners out on the route like the normal "Are you mad?"; "Don't you feel cold?"; and the best of the day from a passing runner kitted out wearing leggings, shorts, 2 shirts, gloves and a hat: "I thought I was crazy!"
I enjoyed the run and the company, we chatted along the way and encouraged each other a lot. I only walked on one very steep section of trail for less than 200m. It was a tough run but enjoyable and yes, I can still walk today!
As its the end of the month I think an update on a few other things is in order too. Total running distance covered in January: 169km (105 miles). Weight at the end of January 66.2kg.
I guess all of this made me think that:
1. Running a full marathon is now a real possibility and within my grasp
2. I should never even think about wearing a shirt when running
3. You only learn about what is possible when you push yourself to new limits and set goals (i.e. running distance; shorter time for a race; cold endurance temperature and/or time)
4. If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be able to do any of this I would have told you that you were crazy
What things have you been able to discover about yourself when you push your boundaries? I would be interested to hear about them. Post a comment below or send me an e-mail.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Too Much Travel
2011 has started with a bit of a travel bonanza for me. Far too may business trips and not enough time to do what I want to do. Which at the moment is to get a run in as often as possible and to try to have a few cold water baths and showers whenever I can.
I have been able to run twice this week while away (19km) and three times the week before (24km) - not nearly enough to keep my weight down with all of the business lunches and dinners though. I did take a 10 minute cold bath - water not nearly cold enough though (I did not have a thermometer to measure it but I reckon it was around 9C). Maybe I need to start looking at how to make an ice-bath for my garden again.
Another longer run is planned for tomorrow - hope the weather is gonna be cold!
I have been able to run twice this week while away (19km) and three times the week before (24km) - not nearly enough to keep my weight down with all of the business lunches and dinners though. I did take a 10 minute cold bath - water not nearly cold enough though (I did not have a thermometer to measure it but I reckon it was around 9C). Maybe I need to start looking at how to make an ice-bath for my garden again.
Another longer run is planned for tomorrow - hope the weather is gonna be cold!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
New year musings
Well, apart from overeating over the festive period and gaining almost 1Kg I have been doing some running too - 5 runs in the last few days actually covering over 50km in total. One of the runs is very scenic with the route going from one side of a valley to the other and back with some hill work thrown in. Temperatures at the start have been fluctuating between -2C and +5C.
Today was a warmish +2C start, but there was a freshening wind which cooled things down quite a bit. I did something I have not done for a while and that was to take my temperature when I got back from my run. Well, the one thermometer starts at 35C and I didn't event get onto the scale and the electronic one just shows "L" meaning that my temperature is too low. I was not feeling cold and was completely happy and mentally fit, but for some that would be a mild case of hypothermia. I just wonder how low my body temperature has actually got on some of those colder mornings? My body temp was back to a much more normal 36.2C within a short period of time once I got home and inside again
I am also starting to think about what running races I can do this year. I am keen to do a longer one (>10Km) or one where there is a lot of mud/water around - particularly in the next 1-2 months while it is still cold. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I am prepared to travel up to 50 miles from the west of London in the UK to reach a good race.
All the best for 2011 to all who read this too.
Today was a warmish +2C start, but there was a freshening wind which cooled things down quite a bit. I did something I have not done for a while and that was to take my temperature when I got back from my run. Well, the one thermometer starts at 35C and I didn't event get onto the scale and the electronic one just shows "L" meaning that my temperature is too low. I was not feeling cold and was completely happy and mentally fit, but for some that would be a mild case of hypothermia. I just wonder how low my body temperature has actually got on some of those colder mornings? My body temp was back to a much more normal 36.2C within a short period of time once I got home and inside again
I am also starting to think about what running races I can do this year. I am keen to do a longer one (>10Km) or one where there is a lot of mud/water around - particularly in the next 1-2 months while it is still cold. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I am prepared to travel up to 50 miles from the west of London in the UK to reach a good race.
All the best for 2011 to all who read this too.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Festive News
I got a 10k run in on Christmas Eve on my own in -2C still conditions. And over the past 2 days another 2 x 9.8km runs in. The Sunday one (Boxing day) was the coldest start of the winter so far at -7C but the 27th run was a warm 2C! I did both runs shirtless.
I heard a couple of good comments today from other joggers out on their runs as they passed me:
1. "At least you are wearing shorts"! - if only he knew...... , and
2. "I want a running outfit like that"
The snow looks like it will disappear over the next 2-3 days as the air temperature moves up towards 10C by the end of the week. That will leave a lot of water and mud around - could be fun!
I heard a couple of good comments today from other joggers out on their runs as they passed me:
1. "At least you are wearing shorts"! - if only he knew...... , and
2. "I want a running outfit like that"
The snow looks like it will disappear over the next 2-3 days as the air temperature moves up towards 10C by the end of the week. That will leave a lot of water and mud around - could be fun!
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Snow still on the ground
It's nearly a week since the snow arrived and it is still lying on the ground and quite deep in a number of places.
I went out for a run on Tuesday and Wednesday morning this week but the footpaths next to the road were very slippery and quite dangerous so it took me around 4 minutes longer to do my normal 7k route. Once you get off the slippery concrete and tarmac surfaces the snow is much easier underfoot. As it is a holiday week I have been running slightly later too and have met up with a few different people than normal. All have been friendly and none have said anything about me being shirtless when out running in the snow. I will run again on Friday and then again on Sunday 26th.
On my run yesterday I did stop for a couple of minutes on the final leg of my run and had a quick, naked roll in the snow. What a great feeling! If you have never done this before you must really try it.
I will try and take the camera along tomorrow and post a few pics of my route so you can all see how pretty it looks - a great inspiration to keep me running.
Happy Christmas Everyone!
I went out for a run on Tuesday and Wednesday morning this week but the footpaths next to the road were very slippery and quite dangerous so it took me around 4 minutes longer to do my normal 7k route. Once you get off the slippery concrete and tarmac surfaces the snow is much easier underfoot. As it is a holiday week I have been running slightly later too and have met up with a few different people than normal. All have been friendly and none have said anything about me being shirtless when out running in the snow. I will run again on Friday and then again on Sunday 26th.
On my run yesterday I did stop for a couple of minutes on the final leg of my run and had a quick, naked roll in the snow. What a great feeling! If you have never done this before you must really try it.
I will try and take the camera along tomorrow and post a few pics of my route so you can all see how pretty it looks - a great inspiration to keep me running.
Happy Christmas Everyone!
Monday, 20 December 2010
Snow Fun (It's no fun)
Well, the heaviest early snow and cold temperatures for several years hit the UK and my part of the country over the weekend and I spent most of it away from home and not able to enjoy it.
Hopefully I will get to go for a run in it tomorrow morning and give you all a report back later in the day.
Hopefully I will get to go for a run in it tomorrow morning and give you all a report back later in the day.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Brief period of warm weather
The weather has been warmer this week (i.e. above 0C) and with 3 runs under my belt including the Monday one it is looking like a reasonable week running wise. The Pond I considered doing a dip in is really looking overgrown and dirty so I have almost given up on the idea of taking a mid-run cold water dip in that for the moment (until we have more rain and it gets cleaner/clearer water in it). There was still ice on the top however so it is tempting for me to break the ice and get in.
The forecasters say there is more snow and cold weather on the way so I will keep you all informed as to how much snow we get and how cold the thermometer drops to (and whether I ran in the cold or not).
The forecasters say there is more snow and cold weather on the way so I will keep you all informed as to how much snow we get and how cold the thermometer drops to (and whether I ran in the cold or not).
Monday, 13 December 2010
Boring week
I was away this past week with very little time to get out and run (early morning meetings and travel play havoc with running, as does staying in the middle of a city landscape with nowhere to run freely). I did, however, manage to get a couple of 1km swims in the pool at a hotel I was staying at and also to get a rare treat in the form of a massage one evening. I love massage and wish I could afford more of them.
I did a 10k run on Saturday morning in relatively warm 5C conditions compared to those I've been running in of late. Today I did a 7km run this morning in freezing fog (-1C) followed by a cold water shower of at least 4 or 5 minutes duration. The forecast is for colder weather and snow later this week so I may get my first snow run in for the season soon.
One of my blog followers wrote me an e-mail saying that he had re-read some of my earlier posts and how my early experiences with cold water were similar to his own. He also noted that some of my observations about how my body reacts to the cold were correct and how exciting that journey had been for both of us. I think I need to re-read what I wrote and discover some of that early enthusiasm again - maybe it will inspire me to do more and to push my body just that little bit further into experimenting with cold water some more.
I did a 10k run on Saturday morning in relatively warm 5C conditions compared to those I've been running in of late. Today I did a 7km run this morning in freezing fog (-1C) followed by a cold water shower of at least 4 or 5 minutes duration. The forecast is for colder weather and snow later this week so I may get my first snow run in for the season soon.
One of my blog followers wrote me an e-mail saying that he had re-read some of my earlier posts and how my early experiences with cold water were similar to his own. He also noted that some of my observations about how my body reacts to the cold were correct and how exciting that journey had been for both of us. I think I need to re-read what I wrote and discover some of that early enthusiasm again - maybe it will inspire me to do more and to push my body just that little bit further into experimenting with cold water some more.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Cold Running
The temperature on Friday was not as low as they expected it to be but was around-5C at 07h00. It was still at -4C after 08h00. I managed my regular 7km loop in around the same time as usual (37 minutes). My Saturday run was warm in comparison with the temperature gauge in the car on the way to the start point showing only 0C. That 10km run was icy and so a little slower than normal at just over 54 minutes. Some sections of the locks on the Saturday run were frozen over, the first time I have seen that on that stretch of the river. I was tempted to take a plunge into the river, but I think my running mates would just no understand that desire - not yet anyway.
Always looking for running mates that would understand the need to take a quick dip in ice cold water and continue running - any takers?
My weight seems to be relatively constant nowadays - hovering between 65.5Kg and 66.6Kg, depending on what I have been eating and drinking. I normally weigh myself directly after my run and shower so the timing each day is consistent.
Always looking for running mates that would understand the need to take a quick dip in ice cold water and continue running - any takers?
My weight seems to be relatively constant nowadays - hovering between 65.5Kg and 66.6Kg, depending on what I have been eating and drinking. I normally weigh myself directly after my run and shower so the timing each day is consistent.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Record Low Temps in the UK
Well, what a start to the winter season we are having here in the UK. Record low temperatures and the earliest snowfalls in several years. Locally we seem to have escaped the worst of the snow but there is still a dusting on the frozen ground.
In a very strange way I am actually getting excited about looking at the weather forecasts and the prospects of some even colder temperatures as it will give me a chance to see how I get on running shirtless in very cold weather and testing my "toughness".
Today it was around -3C (26F) outside air temp at around 07h00 when I set out on my run. Sure it was cold but after a few minutes I got used to it and ran for nearly 40 minutes before getting home again. I could definitely have run further than i did.
The temperature is due to go down again tomorrow and Friday with expected temps of -8C. I wonder what that will feel like to run in shirtless? Anyone want to join me?
In a very strange way I am actually getting excited about looking at the weather forecasts and the prospects of some even colder temperatures as it will give me a chance to see how I get on running shirtless in very cold weather and testing my "toughness".
Today it was around -3C (26F) outside air temp at around 07h00 when I set out on my run. Sure it was cold but after a few minutes I got used to it and ran for nearly 40 minutes before getting home again. I could definitely have run further than i did.
The temperature is due to go down again tomorrow and Friday with expected temps of -8C. I wonder what that will feel like to run in shirtless? Anyone want to join me?
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Colder Weather coming
I have been taking things a little easier this week after competing in a 10k race last Sunday as the only shirtless runner in a field of over 200.
The race was good for me finishing in the top 20% of the field. I did get quite a few comments from other runners the best of which were:
"Now that I have seen you I don't feel so cold anymore!" and,
"You are absolutely Mental!" which I think indicated that he thinks I am totally crazy!
I may well be crazy but I still ended up in front of him at the finish line.
My two runs so far this week have been a short 7.1km circuit (both in under 37 minutes). The Tuesday one started with the temp at around 5C. Today it was -2C when I left the warmth of the house. It was a great run though - cool and crisp air with a slight breeze. No rain or snow and a great sunrise too.
The weather forecast says that colder weather and snow is on the way so maybe I will get my first shirtless snow run of the winter in very early this year with the thermometer just a few degrees lower.
The race was good for me finishing in the top 20% of the field. I did get quite a few comments from other runners the best of which were:
"Now that I have seen you I don't feel so cold anymore!" and,
"You are absolutely Mental!" which I think indicated that he thinks I am totally crazy!
I may well be crazy but I still ended up in front of him at the finish line.
My two runs so far this week have been a short 7.1km circuit (both in under 37 minutes). The Tuesday one started with the temp at around 5C. Today it was -2C when I left the warmth of the house. It was a great run though - cool and crisp air with a slight breeze. No rain or snow and a great sunrise too.
The weather forecast says that colder weather and snow is on the way so maybe I will get my first shirtless snow run of the winter in very early this year with the thermometer just a few degrees lower.
Monday, 15 November 2010
First Freeze
Today was the first day that the temperature was definitely below zero at the start of my morning run. The signs were all there, white frost on the grass, trees, houses and pavements. Ice on top of the puddles, frozen mud on the paths in the forest that crunch underfoot as they give way under your weight. The occasional slip of the foot from underneath you on the more icy stretches.
Today was also the first day in a long time that I have had vehicles hoot at me as they went past, kids (and their parents) looking out of their warm cars in amazement at me running shirtless on the pavement. I even got a few "thumbs up" signs from older teenagers on their way to school on the school bus as they went past.
It was one of those days it is fun to be a shirtless runner - it certainly brings a smile to my face.
9.8km in 53 minutes. Temp: -1C approx
Today was also the first day in a long time that I have had vehicles hoot at me as they went past, kids (and their parents) looking out of their warm cars in amazement at me running shirtless on the pavement. I even got a few "thumbs up" signs from older teenagers on their way to school on the school bus as they went past.
It was one of those days it is fun to be a shirtless runner - it certainly brings a smile to my face.
9.8km in 53 minutes. Temp: -1C approx
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Colder Weather -
The only thing I like better than running on a cold, wet morning is to stay in a nice warm bed. But then again, when the weather starts turning and getting colder why waste the time in bed? Besides that I find a shirtless run in the cold quite stimulating, sets the heart beating and gets my mind into a relaxed state at the start of the day.
To start a run in near darkness and watching a sunrise on a cold morning is great experience too. Pity that the last 2 or 3 days have not been so good. I still managed around 10km each of the past 2 days.
To finish off the runs I have a cold shower and then gradually turn the temperature up over around 10 minutes. A slow warm-up session followed by a hot cup of tea.
Try it - you may eventually get to like it as much as I do.
Post a comment and let me know.
To start a run in near darkness and watching a sunrise on a cold morning is great experience too. Pity that the last 2 or 3 days have not been so good. I still managed around 10km each of the past 2 days.
To finish off the runs I have a cold shower and then gradually turn the temperature up over around 10 minutes. A slow warm-up session followed by a hot cup of tea.
Try it - you may eventually get to like it as much as I do.
Post a comment and let me know.
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