The Jog Blog

6 days until run day...

Last week I managed my 5 miles in an hour, and today I did a very gentle 5k in 45 minutes. So I am happy. Although the 5 mile last week was not comfortable feet wise, although it was fitness wise. The numb feet were there with full force. And then when I took my trainer off my middle toe was bleeding. Ouch. No idea how I did that. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I have tried tying my shoes up differently, but they don't seem to be working out too well. I have Asics, and I did get them fitted in an 'Up and Running', so I assume they're doing their job. I have a sneaky suspicion it's something to do with the way I run...hmmm.

That's my only issue with the race on Sunday really, my pins and needles. I know I can do it though...and the crowds will hopefully spur me on.

Got my running vest today. Blue and lime green:/ I'm going down on Saturday, and staying at The Midlands. I should be at the Mind stand in the Charity village at some point after I finish, as will the relatives:/ I can't wait to be back in Manchester. I haven't been since January.

Added another mile to my usual run yesterday, and managed to do about 4.5 miles in 55 minutes...which I think is good for me, and I know I could have done the same distance in a quicker time if I hadn't done a five minute warm up walk first. I've come a long way since I first started in November though, and that makes me proud.

The only problem I seem to be having is after about 3 miles my feet start to get pins and needles, and I can't feel them at all. Physically, I feel fine, and I'm not tired while I'm running, but I'm being forced to slow down because my feet are numb. I think one possible reason is that I'm not warming up properly, and stretching like I should - especially in my hamstrings...

Got my race pack today, and I'm in the pink wave, number 26165. Quite relieved, as  I wasn't sure what time I'd put down on the entry form, and thought I'd end up being in the White or Orange waves...not good. It does all seem more real now that I have my number though!

I was in Dublin yesterday as part of my course, and spent the night in a nice Irish pub with lots of Guinness and blokes playing guitar and singing 'Sweet Molly Malone'. I was so tired when I got back though that I really didn't stand a chance of going for a run without falling asleep at around 4 miles:/ It just means I've had 2 rest days together, so it's not too bad really.

Went to the doctor today to talk about my shoulder. It seems I've sprained the muscles surrounding the clavicle and the head of the humerus. So, I'm on the strong painkillers, but thankfully it isn't affecting the running. In fact, I've been advised to keep moving and using it...so the running is helping

Same route as Monday, 5 minutes faster...hmm, 45 minutes. I think what really helped was the nice man on my ipod telling me 'half way there, go faster if you can - I am!' Strangely, it did work...and I even ended up running up one of the steep hills on the route and sprinting a little bit. Only past the pub mind, to stop me going in. I am feeling a lot more confident in my ability though, and for the first time I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel regarding the Great Manchester Run. Maybe I can finish it without collapsing over the finish line.

Maybe I took a little bit of inspiration from watching the London Marathon on Sunday, but I decided to set out on a new route yesterday, and was a few miles longer than usual. It takes me around the rest of my estate, past my old school (following the old school run I use to be forced to do) and then through a nice village. Lots of hills. I have found that I don't mind running up hills as much as I use to - although I'm still not running for as long as I would like. I'm taking it slowly I guess, although the fact that I slowed to a walk when I approached two fellow runners kind of makes me feel that I haven't fully embraced the running lifestyle...

I thought it might take me an hour to complete, but in fact it took me 50 minutes, so I was very pleased - and at the end I felt I could have carried on fo a bit longer. The only problems that I found were the balls of my feet began to get numb towards the end, and I ended up with pins and needles. Also, my pelvis is aching a bit more today than normal.

I've also realised that it does take me a few miles to get into the running. The first 2 were a big of a struggle, but then I kind of found the right pace, and my body had settled down and I began to enjoy it - which I guess is what it's all about.

Well done to everyone who took part in the London Marathon. That's determination

Training went scarily well today - except for when I initially started to run and felt my ankle twinge a bit. It didn't help that it started to snow just as I set off. Ah well. I hate February weather. The run went so well that I was tempted to add on another mile, but stopped myself - I've had two days running straight, and I think I might need a break for a bit. Also entered myself for the local Race For Life 5k in Middlesbrough in June. Looking forward to it - but I've geared myself up for the GMR now, and getting into the swing again with running 3-4 times a week. Not expecting to do a great time, but I'm really just hoping to finish. That in itself will be an achievement.

Off to a masquerade ball on Saturday for my friend's 21st - should be fun, and a good way to relax. Although I do look quite scary in the mask...

I woke up this morning to find snow covering the street and road outside - good for ice-skating, but not for running. Thankfully, by the time I set out today most of the snow had melted away to leave a few choice patches of hard, pure white snow. I also managed to finish my 20 minute run (I wasn't risking staying out any longer given the road conditions) without any incidents, and with energy to spare - again. I think today it was mainly because I was going at a considerably slower pace. Ah well, more energy left for Thursday when I will be doing the same thing. The running also seems to be helping me loose weight, although not intentional - as I've dropped another 2lb. I can't see any difference, but seeing as it wasn't my goal to loose any anyway, it's always a plus.

Rest day tomorrow, so I'm hoping to catch up with Aaron in Middlesbrough - I haven't seen him for a while, and also buy a dress for a masquerade ball I'm going to in February. Busy, busy!

Wow. It's been quite a while since I blogged. My excuse is, as always, university work. And Christmas. And work (although work isn't really an excuse as I only work twice a month, at a football club...therefore should be more inspired to run). The training's slowed a bit - mainly because of the weather, but it is still going. And to make sure I stay on track I registered for the GMR, and to run for MIND.

I asked for a running vest, and I'm really looking forward to it. The fact that I use to live in Manchester is also another plus to running there - hopefully my university friends wont have exams on the 20th May.

Just got to keep it up. Good luck to everyone else who registered today for the race - hope to see you there!

I haven't written for a while. Mainly because I've got a cold, my training has gone down (I have still been running though), and generally I just feel like a bit of a failure. I'm really not running at what I would have hoped to right now (alright, I know having a cold hardly helps) but I seem to be stuck at the 3x4 hurdle. Yesterday I went out, and because I had a cold I decided not to push myself, just stay at the same pace and keep my fitness levels stable. I do keep getting a pain around my hip areas though. I think it's a psychological thing now. Annoyingly. I didn't manage to complete the full course (which I could do a week ago...) but I did nearly finish it. I'm just afraid of having to start all over again, when I know how far I've come in such a short space of time.

I know it takes time, but being ill and finding that I'm still slow and just sort of stuck at the same week of my training log for the past two weeks just doesn't help motivate me. I hate having a cold, and I hate being so unfit. Gr.

Hopefully if I'm feeling a bit better next week I'll try and increase my sets to 4 minutes x 4 - not the 5 minutes x 3 as suggested. I don't quite think I can manage that right now after the easy week and a half I'm having right now.

On the plus side, my ankle ligament tear of the left foot which my doctor told me to 'walk on' over 3 months ago seems to have healed up pretty well. And my knees seem to be recovering after the heavy pounding they got in the first two weeks of training.

The first inclining of a cold on Thursday made me stop a set short, and made me really annoyed with myself because as I was walking back, I felt fine. Stupid cold. I think I'm going to repeat this week though because a)it's a 2 minute leap up for the next set, and b)drinking last night as left me with a slight 'alcohol flu', which is not good for the running. Combined with the fact that I only got 3 hours sleep, it means I'm probably not going to get the best out of myself. Shame it's such a nice day for a run too. Ah well