Day 6 Pre Rugby Run

Today's run: Morning - Gentle/Recovery - pavement - 5.16km - 30.23mins

Today as it is a Saturday I had considered heading over to my local parkrun as I haven't done one in months, but as it has been rainy the last few days I decided to give it a miss as it will be wet and muddy. 

So instead I opted for a short little gentle run ahead of a planned longer run tomorrow. I headed out this morning so I had plenty of time to crack on with a few weekend chores before settling down for an afternoon in front of the TV watching a great sporting lineup. The line up this afternoon including Wales v New Zealand and England v Samoa in the rugby autumn Internationals and Manchester United v Arsenal in what promises to be a tasty premiership fixture.

I chose my running top this morning with the rugby in mind.

A little something to provide some extra motivation for my run!

The run itself was very straightforward a gentle little jog round trying to maintain a nice steady pace. My legs did feel somewhat stiff and struggled to get going until after a few kms but towards the end I was feeling good.

My only slight injury concern is a bit of a niggle with my back as it is feeling painful and stiff in the mornings and takes some time warming up to feel normal. I am sure its nothing major but I will keep an eye on it and make sure I stretch it and warm up properly before each run. 

Thank you for reading this short and sweet post to read further about my runstreak challenge please read here and for my latest incredibly exciting running news please read yesterdays Day 5 post. 

Running home from work for the football

I fell a little short of my destination as I called my run off two tube stops early.

But overall I had achieved my goals of running a minimum of 20Km and getting home with time to spare for the football.

I had covered my desired distance of 20Km, I had bad cramp in my rught foot, the heat had taken its toll and time was getting on.

My total distance of 20.55Km was achieved in just under 2 hours which I was really pleased with when you take into account I was running with a backpack and all the stoppages at traffice lights and waiting to cross roads as well as two stops for water.

I was also impressed with how good I felt, at a steady pace 20Km was a comfortable distance easily achieved.

Running my commute is increasingly becoming a viable option as I was struck by how easy it felt to just pop on my trainers and run as part of my journey.

When taking a train or the tube gor the first time the experience is some what daunting. Am I getting the right train? Have I got my ticket? And all the other things you worry about but over time as you make the journey numerous times it just becomes routine and you conplete the journey without thinking too much.

The same is nkw true for me with running my commute, I used to feel I couldnt achieve it, running with a back pack would be too hard or I didnt feel comfortable with the route and running alongside roads. Now its a breeze and lacing up my trainers and running off is as second nature too me a lacing up my ticket and junping on a train. 

The run its self was easier than I thought and I was pleasntly suprised with how better my stamina levels are than what I expected. Also the weather conditions were more pleasant than I anticipated as there was a nice cooling breeze for the majority of my journey. 

Sure running alongside major A roads isn't the most pleasant of experiences but I did enjoy the variety it provided and the mental challenege of having to overcome the monotony of dull surroundings. 

When I got home I was rewarded with bring able to sit and enjoy the football and what a spectacle Spain v Holland provided?! I was so glad to have not missed out and really enjoy a great game and some great goals! I am looking forward to more occasions of running home for the football. 

So my quest to run all the way home from work continues although I am now only about 6Km off my target. I have pencilled in the 3rd July, the next run2work day as the day to give it ago. 

 

World Cup build up

You will have to excuse my break away from my usual topics to indulge in a little bit of world cup fever….

So you probably will have seen that there is something quite big starting today? The biggest show on earth to be watched by millions upon millions of people and I for one am really rather excited!

I can’t wait to see how Brazil handles hosting the tournament and if the team will live up to the expectations of being tournament favourites?

How are England going to fare? (I reckon they might squeeze through the group and then get knocked out by Columbia in the second round, which would be a decent achievement)

Who will be the stand out players? I am looking forward to seeing all the usual suspects but think Di Maria and Aguero for Argentina will have great tournaments as well as Lukaku, Hulk & David Silva.

How will my sweepstake team of Belgium feature in the tournament? (Realistically I know they won’t win but I am quite excited by the prospect of cheering on Lukaku, Kompany and co)

I have invetsed a little money in Brazil to win outright with Sergio Aguero of Argentina to be the tournaments lead goal scorer so fingers crossed!

But the big question will be how will the world cup fixture affect my training?

I am very much an early to bed and early to get up in the morning kind of guy and this is reflected in the fact I do most of my running in the early morning.

I generally really struggle staying up in the evenings watching TV, films or sport and have quite a reputation of falling asleep through things! So the prospect of late kick offs is not really going to suit me.

Planning to watch a few games out and about in pubs and bars with friends will obviously have a knock on effect on my training as well so I will be trying to cut down on my alcohol intake.

I was planning to go alcohol free through July with my marathon booked for the first weekend in August and this will still be my plan. I know I have the willpower to do it if I want to and missing out on a few drinks will not impact on my enjoyment of the football.

I guess it’s just another thing you have to sacrifice for the good of your running and training and a good time in my marathon will more than justify any sacrifices made.  

I am thinking of scheduling my runs in the evenings before the late kicks off so I am awake and alert to stay up for them and I will see how that works out….