Running and lifes lessons.

This evening I went to a local running club and ran with them.  It has to be said, the group were really really welcoming and supportive, far more then I thought they would be.  The session lasted about an hour, and was formed by a 1/2 mile warm up, interval running around a football pitch and then a 1/2 mile run back to the club.  The football pitch is 1/4 mile around it, and including the the warm up/down I estimate we covered about 6 miles.  This has taught me several life lessons:
1. There is a reason every one else was wearing running tops and not airtex t'shirts.  Runners nipple hurts!
2. Like wise there is a reason every one else was wearing shorts and not tracksuit bottoms.  Less weight is good!
3. Remember to pack your running trainers.  I didn't, wore the trainers I wear for circuit training and now have a bruise underneath a toe nail.  I didn't realise you could bruise under a toe nail! 
4. There is no need to put hair gel in your hair to go running,  It is not a fashion show and tastes rank when you sweat that much it goes in your mouth (oh yes, a delightful image and a taste to match!)
5. When the trainer says "stride out" that does not mean sprint as if you are being chased by a bear!  I did spirit for the first few lengths of "striding out" and suffered for it later.

Apart from these lessons, I also found that my training has been paying off.  My fitness isn't as bad as I thought.  I managed most of the training session, okay I had to walk some of it instead of jogging it, but didnt stop. 

1 hour of running training done, bring on barns green half marathon!

I have a plan, which normally means an injury round the corner!

Work has settled down now (helps I'm on leave) and most of my injuries are all healed up, including my running injury caused by my dog (have quite a scar now on my knee curtosy of my dog.  Got to think of a more impressive story then my dog knocked me over!)  so I have planned this week.

Yesterday had a 1:1 PT session that focused on back/arms/shoulders.  On a positive note here, my weak shoulder seams to have strengthened up sufficently to match my right.  This is the first time this has happened in about 4 years.  Today my back is sore, my arms are sore and my neck muscles are sore.  I didnt reasilse there were that many muscles in a neck that could ache!  But its all good aching.
Today is a rest day (well, as much as a rest day could be with Mrs L also off and a garage to clean!)
Tuesday - Going to try a local running club, get myself motivated again for the half marathon.
Wednesday - Rest (maybe a swim)
Thursday - Swimming session
Friday - if all things go to plan I will be re-introducing myself to my golf clubs!

Planning has also started for the next fund raising event.  Its in its early stages but looks like a fish and chip quiz night, although I'm trying to convince the organiser (Mrs L) that a karaoke night might be a giggle!

Sailing and rowing looks like it may happen in September too. 

I'll let you all know how this week goes.

Excuses, excuses, excuses......

Last two weeks have been a bit strangle when it comes to PT and my Gold Challenge.  There's been no real running, absolutely no swimming and no planning of the other activities.  This is mainly down to personal and work commitments taking over.  However it has hit my motivation (again!).

I now have 78 days until the 1/2 marathon!!!!!

I've noticed that with the training that I don't enjoy (ie running) I make better progress when I train with others.  With no boot camp training at the moment I'm pretty much left to my own training.  I've been thinking for a while now about joining a running club, so spent a while yesterday researching local clubs.  Having now emailed the local club, I'm visiting them tomorrow or next week and having a training session with them.  Fingers crossed and I will let you know how it goes.

On a slightly different note, the total raised is now over 80%, with £92 to go until I hit my new target.

I've been aware that this blog has had some regular readers, but I have my first follower.  You know who you are and a big thank you for following this.  It does make a difference to know people are reading this and enjoy it that much to take the time to link as a follower.

Joy is ................ a whole weekend of PT!

As I've mentioned before, I'm an instructor with the sea cadets.  I'm starting to get the PT bug properly now so thought I would try a PT instructors course with Sea cadets.  Part 1 was last weekend, so off to Chatham I went.

I was a student for the weekend with 2 other adults and a number of cadets.  The whole weekend was great.  We done 1 1/2 mile runs, circuit training and various gym activities and games.  I done two 1 mile and a half runs, one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday.  Times were 11 minutes 50 seconds and, on the second run to stretch out my tight thighs and calf muscle, 16 minutes 10 seconds.  I ache all over but its kick started the training again.