Running Pains

Ow! Running when pre-menstrual is painful, even with 2 bras. Maybe I need to invest in a better sports bra, but I HATE spending money on bras.

Apart from that the run went well. 4 miles this time, which felt quite a lot further than 3 miles, but I did it without stopping. And, according to my pedometer, I averaged a speed of 7.04 mph, so faster than last time. I'm not convinced my pedomter isn't lying to me though.

Thank you Liz for your acknowledgement that 5 miles IS a long way. Like you say, lots of runners talk about their distances in terms of " I only ran x amount of miles", and I suppose 5 miles is not that much in the context of the marathon. But at the moment there is no only about it for me. I think I will take the word only out of my vocabulary.

The tip of the week from my training manual is to say "but it doesn't matter" when ever I come up with a negative type comment. And this should not only apply to thoughts about running but about my life in general! e.g.

I'm very tired today . . . but it doesn't matter . . . I am still going to run
My legs are sore . . . but it doesn't matter
I don't want to run . . . but it doesn't matter

But the thing is, sometimes it does matter!

Still, I get what they are trying to say.

I have put on weight over Christmas, but it doesn't matter
I am still single, but it doesn't matter

I could go on, but I feel things will only go down hill! Of course, I am sure there are lots of positive things I could say . . .

A short three miles

I did a three mile run yesterday that really was three miles! And it did feel much easier and shorter than the five mile run, so that is a relief.

I bought a pedometer in the sale for a fiver, and it seems fairly accurate. Its a good way to keep track of my progress. I'm hoping to improve my time a bit as I am averaging 6 miles an hour at the moment, and I reckon the faster you can comfortably run, the easier the marathon will be as it will take less time!!

I HAVE REACHED 25% OF MY FUNDRAISING TARGET. Thanks for your recent sponsorship Chalky, which pushed me to the quarter way mark.

I've had my hair cut and blow dried today which puts me off going for a run! May have to put it off until tomorrow and have an afternoon nap instead. Though I suppose that could also be detrimental to the hair!!

www.justgiving.com/ellabullingham

Please sponsor me

I think most people who read my blog have sponsored me already - THANK YOU! But if you haven't , please do! I need to be close to my target by February, and at the moment I'm only about 15% of the way!

You can sponsor me at
www.justgiving.com/ellabullingham

THANK YOU!

A long three miles

I spent some time last night planning a three mile route around Chorleywood using an ordnance survey map and a piece of string. This morning I set off (fairly) enthusiastically for my first measured run.

I returned fifty five minutes later absolutely exhausted and rather despondent. If it takes me almost an hour and this much effort to run three miles then how will I ever run the marathon??!! Not that I am one to panic.

However, I couldn't quite believe it had taken me nearly an hour to run three miles as that is a comfortable walking pace . . . surely I run faster than I walk. Please tell me I run faster than I walk . . .

Hoping for a miracle, I set off in my mum's car and re-traced the route, and am I pleased I did!

I RAN FIVE MILES.

So I feel better now.

To be honest, at what was probably the four mile stage I walked for a bit. But I didn't stop and I made it home, and I have already done my long run for the week!!

I enjoyed some parts of it, particularly at the half way stage when I had that lovely feeling of lightness and being able to run for ever. Its amazing actually how quickly my energy and mindset can change when out running from one thing to the other. One minute I love it, the next minute I hate it, one minute it is painful, the next pleasurable . . . and so on . . .

It is hard work, but at the moment I feel like I will make it.

Happy New Year

Unfortunately the lack of posts is indiciative of a lack of running.
However, it is also a consequence of me having been in Sibford, Oxfordshire for the past five days, taking a break from technology and the madness of the season.
I only went on one run, though managed a full half an hour. I went on lots of walks, but running alone in the countryside felt unnerving. It is very dark, and there is no one around.
I am very well rested, having had a mammoth amount of sleep while away. Hopefully this bodes well for next week when my running schedule starts in earnest.
My training manual even suggests a lay out for my running log.
However, this may stifle my creativity!