Running out of shape

Last night while round visiting family to celebrate Pancake Day I happened across a set of weighing scales in the bathroom.

I jumped on, I knew the results would not be good but was keen to know the damage none the less.

The last few months have not been the best in terms of health and well being or maintaining a consistent training schedule.

Since October/November time several personal things have left my routine and any hope of planning training plans and eating schedules in tatters.

Due to these changes I quit my gym membership with the promise of replacing my gym workouts with more running and more specific running based training. The intention has certainly been there and the commitment was very evident in my successful 30 day runstreak in the second half of November through to mid December.

But apart from that my training has taken a backward step and my diet has also deteriorated. 

In addition to this less time in my schedule and a change in my working patterns has meant much less walking part of the way to work which has cut out a large portion of extra exercise from my daily routine.

Throw an injury into the mix and I have really been struggling! I say injury its more of an irritating niggle which to be honest is even more frustrating than a serious long term issue! 

Then you have the usual Christmas indulgences over the festive period where I did really pig out which really added some inches to my waistline!

On top of this a trip to Reykjavik for my 30th birthday celebrations were not particularly kind on my waistline despite the fact I managed to get out for a run in the snow and the sub zero temperatures.

I had hoped to share my culinary highlights of this trip in a blog (weekendiniceland.wordpress - not much there at the moment but more to follow soon!) but unfortunately I haven't had enough time to publish much so you will just have to make do with these photos to give you the idea that I really did eat a lot and really enjoyed my food on this trip! 

 

The final straw was then a weekend visit to Edinburgh for the six nations, although this was a kind birthday gift from my wife a weekend of drinking and eating out was not the best thing to help my weight problems!

So I suppose you are wanting yo know what the weighing scales had to say? 

12 stone 11lbs, at least a stone over my usual weight which is generally in the region of 11 6 - 11 10.

With the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon at the weekend, the scene of my triumphant HM PB last year I am not in great shape, struggling with injury and with a belly that feels like Mr Blobby's I am not looking forward to it and my aspirations are quickly turning towards just trying to get round rather than aiming for a time. 

But I am looking at things like a new start, I will be starting my marathon training shortly and with new routines and schedules to adapt to it feels like a new beginning almost like New Years. 

I am also currently reading Angry Jogger by Angry Jogger which is a story about overcoming personal difficulties through running which I am really enjoying and would whole heartedly recommend to anyone that likes the idea of a motivational/self improvement running book. I think this book should give me the required kick up the arse to get myself in gear! 

A nice running experience

Yesterday I headed out for an hours run, it wasn't really planned I just wanted to get out and run so I did. 

I headed out to Ingrebourne Country park with the aim of running through to the far side of the park, up Ingrebourne Hill and back again, a total distance of around 12km. 

On my route out I decided to deviate away from the main path and take on one of the off road trails just for a bit of variety as I don't usually run that way. The trail I headed onto is part of the Spitfire scramble course which naturally brought me to thinking about the event, both last years and this years up and coming race.

So Spitfire scramble was fresh in mind as I continued my run, I was thinking about what objectives I should set myself for this years race and reflecting again on how much I enjoyed last years event.

As I headed up Ingrebourne Hill I was aware I was being followed by a cyclist so naturally I pulled over to one side of the path to allow him to pass. He didn't seem to want to pass though. I wasn't sure if he was hanging back as he was either struggling on the steep incline or perhaps didn't want to risk passing me on such a narrow and twisting path. I just tried to concentrate on my running and the climb up the hill. 

Next thing I know I hear, 'excuse me, sorry to interrupt...' as the cyclist tried to strike up conversation with me.

The cyclist preceded to question me about whether I know the park and knew the route of a 5.8 mile course. After some discussion I realised he was referring to the spitfire scramble race. We soon stopped at the top of the hill and engaged in conversation about running in general, his running and cycling around the Ingrebourne area. I tried to advise him and direct him around the course which in fairness was quite easy a he had a good knowledge of the area from his previous experiences training here. 

He went on to explain that he had read about the event and in particular the solo male category and he was aiming to better the 17 laps achieved by the male winner last year, I felt quite inferior referring to my 6 laps achieved as part of a 6 man team. 

Some 10 minutes later I continued with my run after I had imparted by knowledge and we had gone our separate ways. stood at the top of the hill in the cold and the wind was not ideal and I never really warmed up on the run home! However I was left feeling a great sense of friendship and camaraderie that you can experience as part of the running community. 

I always enjoy the opportunity to share my passion with other runners and that is in part the reason why my blog exists. This chance meeting has reignited my desire to interact with other runners wherever possible both in person and online via social media and my blog. 

Final Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon preparation

With the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon fast approaching I am in danger of not getting enough long runs under my belt.

Looking at my running log from last year during January and February I ran a half marathon distance 4 or 5 times prior to running the Tunbridge Wells race at the end of February.

This year I have ran a couple of 12Kms and yesterdays run of 18.5Km will be my only long run approaching the half marathon distance.

Obviously running the required distance so many times contributed to a great race and my subsequent PB run. This year I know I am not in the shape to challenge my PB time and although I know I haven't run enough long runs I feel I am generally a better runner, stronger and fitter than last year.

So for my long run I tried out a new route to keep me on my toes, I wasn't sure what the exact distance would be but knew it would be at least 15Km

I headed out towards Pages Wood which provided a great wintery back drop, however the gravel paths proved to be more mud then stone and were then quite squelchy and mucky to run on. 

Out of the park I headed through Harold Wood and started winding way back homeward. My route took me under the railway that connects London's Liverpool Street station with the Essex outback of Colchester, Chelmsford and beyond. 

I soon came across the highlight of my route that I had purposely Incorporated into my run, I thought some stairs would be great to build some extra strength and be a test of my endurance especially after running at least 12Km by this point. 

In the end I completed around 18.4Km in 1 hour 50 and am hopeful I will be able to complete the Tunbridge Wells half in a similar time. 

Running in Reykjavik

I had always planned on popping out for a little run while we were here. Upon discussing our hectic plans for our remaining time in this amazing city I realised my running plans were not necessarily going to get top billing as other activities rightly took presidency. 

After a long day out sight seeing we returned to our hotel room for a bit of chill out time before we headed out on our night time adventure Northern Lights hunting. I couldn't rest though although I did feel like I needed it not when there was so much to see out there! 

So that was it, a quick warm up, throw on my running kit, try to ensure I would be warm enough, stuff the hotel key card in my pocket, kiss the wife goodbye and head out the door! 

I knew it would be cold, I knew it would be windy, I knew it be icy, but what life without a few challenges?!

I chose to wear my walking shoes instead of my running trainers as I was concerned the latter would not offer me enough grip on the icy/snowy streets, although I was a bit cautious about the affect of my new running footwear on my feet and legs. 

I had decided to head along the pathway alongside the seafront literally across the road from our hotel. The scenery surely ranks as the best backdrop for any of my runs ever! 

A 20-30 minute run seemed purely sensible while being beneficial at the same time so I decided on running out for 10 minutes before turning and returning back to my start.

The temperature when I checked on my phone back on the hotels wifi was -4 and it was pretty windy but once I got moving I was completely warm enough. One of my big personal challenges was that I was wearing jogging bottoms. I generally only ever wear shorts, there's something about having a freedom with shorts that you don't get with long trousers and I haven't as yet caught on with man tights. It was OK though my bottoms kept me warm and didn't feel too restrictive I think mainly as I was plodding along at a leisurely pace.

I was keen to run in Iceland so I could boast that I had ran in the Arctic Circle but upon reading up it turns out that Iceland isn't truly in the Arctic Circle as it only just skims through a few islands off the mainland.

Oh well! At least I can say I have ran in Iceland (the country not just the supermarket!) not a bad way to celebrate my last run in my 20s! I am in Iceland as part of my 30th birthday celebrations and am both looking forward to and dreading celebrating this milestone.