Red Rocks Again

Did Red Rocks again tonight after work.

Was not too bad going out. Had a little walk period at Red Rocks then back.

Was a big struggle getting back, and it seemed like I was going very slow.

Got back and my calvess were hurting. I know how John feels now when he complains about his calves.

Anyway I am really pleased to be getting the distance in!!!

Prom Loop Timed

Went out and did the Prom loop but timed myself out of interest.

Details:

Start Time: 20:10
Distance: 4.84km
Duration: 24:35
Avg Speed: 11.813 kph / 7.340 mph

A little disappointing but I havent been back at it long.

Another Prom Loop

Prom loop again, a little earlier than normal.

Fairly strong breeze going out but it was warm so not too bad. Tough going as I have a cold and a sore leg at the moment but the running seems to help the leg.

Start Time: 17:40
Distance: 4.84 km

Chilly

Went out again for the prom loop but a little later tonight. I didnt anticipate it to be too chilly but when you get onto that prom it can all change.

It was windy into my face and felt cold on my arms and ears as I went towards the tennis courts but I was ok with it. Then turned back and headed for home and unfortunately got a little bit of a stitch which I ran through to get home.

Felt good today but dont know how fast it was.

Start Time: 20:10
Distance: 4.84 km

Another Prom Loop

Went out for another Prom Loop in what I thought was going to be a calm night.

When I got onto the prom the wind was right into my face but it wasnt cold. Anyway tough getting up to the turn and was tired coming back.

Put the stopwatch on this one to see where I am at.

Came in at a shade under 25 minutes. I still have a way to go.

Start Time: 19:30
Distance: 4.84 km
Time: 24:54

Football - I never knew I could ache that much

As I was in the office down south all week I normally dont get to do any running. One of the guys asked if I would be interested in a game of football with him and some guys that he plays with on Astro Turf.

I said I would be up for it so played at 12:30 and it was 7-a-side. I could not believe how unfit I felt. I did about 10 minutes and was absolutely knackered. Huffing and puffing I opted for a stint in goal and then skinned my knee on the Astro turf (lethal stuff).

I then took it easier for the rest of the game and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was aching afterwards and for the next two days after.

Totally different to running which is constant pace.

Hope to do that every time I am down at the office.

Here comes the rain again

I decided to go for a lunchtime run today and looking outside saw the sun and so put my shorts and T-Shirt on instead of the Tracksuit bottoms and Hooded top which I have needed on most other runs this year.

Any way set off to do the Prom Loop and was fine until about 1/3 of the way along the prom towards the lifeboat station and then it just turned.

Rain started coming and the wind was horrendous. Plodded on but only went to the beginning of the prom where it splits and you can go left or right past the tennis courts.

Turned back from there and made it back home with the wind behind me (but still had the rain).

Probably about 4km. Very tough going again and painful chest when finished.

WooHoo

Ok I finally started again.

Set off today to do my Water Works Loop and I knew it was going to be hard work after not running for about 6 weeks, maybe more.

It was a sheer struggle the whole way with that burning feeling in my thoat/chest the whole way round. I am seriously out of shape.

Made it round at least with the only stop being the crossing of the railway line.

At least its a start again, I have to keep going with it this time (hopefully the weather will be getting better now)

Another Windy Prom Loop

Out again tonight to make it two for the week (record so far this year).

Windy prom route as normal but not as bad as the other week.

Set off about 20:00 and no timing again. Its still feeling very much like hard work but I am not surprised.

Just need to try and keep going.

Evening Meols Prom Loop - Not as Bad

Went out this evening as I noticed that the wind was not so strong and I had some energy for a change!!

It was very cold out but no rain and no wind makes for good running.

Very very tough going for me at the moment as every time I run its like running for the first time as the gap in between is a week or more.

Anyway trudged the usual Meols prom route in the dark again. I cant wait for the lighter nights.

No timing, not until I start doing things more regularly.

Very Very Tough Prom Loop

Went out tonight to do my prom loop as its been a week since my first and last run of the year ( :-> ).

The wind was unbelieveable and typically into my face as I went along the prom towards the new lifeboat station. I dont remember it being this strong ever on previous runs.

Going was very slow and at one point I felt like stopping but didn't!!

I was totally shattered by the turnaround point and plodded back home.

Very tired afterwards and could feel it in my legs a little.

I timed it this time and it didnt surprise me at what it was:

Start Time: 19:30
Duration: Just under 27 mins
Avg Speed: 10.75 kph / 6.68 mph

At least I am sure I can improve on this !!!!!!

2008 Here we come!!

Hello again!!

I have started my running again for 2008.

Went out last night in the horrible wind and slight drizzle. I had the wind behind me going down the prom but did not want to face it on the way back so cut through Queens park and then back through the houses and down School Lane then onto Park road and back home.

I took it easy and didnt bother to time as I wanted to just get going again without any pressure.

Lets see how things go (need to get rid of some of this Christmas weight).

Prom Loop (Drizzle)

Did my prom loop again (as its the only one that is lit during the evening).

Making progress to get back to previous levels but its going to be tough I can tell.

Details:

Start Time: 19:55
Duration: 25:06 minutes
Distance: 4.84 km
Avg Speed: 11.57 kph / 7.19 mph

Prom Loop (Struggle)

Started back running today after a couple of months without doing any and boy did I know about it.

Did my prom loop with the wind behind on the way out and right in my face on the way back. Very tough and I was very tired.

Met a friend Steve on the way back who I found out runs five times a week (impressive).

Just managed to get home cold and tired and it felt like when I first started back earlier this year:

Details:
Start Time: 19:55
Duration: 26:33 minutes
Distance: 4.84 km
Avg Speed: 10.94 kph / 6.80 mph

Dismall but just goes to show how quickly you lose fitness.

Whats Wrong With Me?

I haven't been feeling well for a couple of weeks and i can't quite put my finger on it. Its tiredness and a bit of a queasy feeling.

Its not really bad but just doesn't make you want to go for a run.

Anyway with that in mind this is what I dont understand. I went for a run today not feeling good. Set off on my Water Works route at a slowish pace. Felt sluggish and tired all the way round.

I get back expecting a poorish time and I get something half decent (for me). I just dont get it. I obviously still dont know what pace I am running at yet.

Details:
Start Time: 15:30
Duration: 22:41 minutes
Distance: 4.74 km
Avg Speed: 12.54 kph / 7.79 mph

This isnt half bad!!!

Water Works

Went for the Water Works loop today as it was blowing a gale and didnt fancy taking on the Prom in those conditions.

Set out fast (probably too fast) and after not too long was feeling knackered. Noticed my nose was streaming on the way round, I think I am coming down with something.

Got to the half way point at the BP Garage tired and continued round. Hard going on the way back and not really able to pick up the pace much on the last section over the railway.

When I got back and had finished my chest was killing me. Reminded me of when I used to run 400m back at school, you know when your chest is burning. I put it down to the cold wind and not being 100% and not being too fit!!!

Details:
Start Time: 12:15
Duration: 22:27 minutes
Distance: 4.74 km
Avg Speed: 12.67 kph / 7.87 mph

Hoped for a little bit faster and its not my PB on this route either. Never mind!!

Extended Prom Route

Went for an extended version of my prom loop to get a bit of distance again tonight. Not too far as it was late and getting dark (I am not going to enjoy the winter nights I think).

Just did the prom from Bennett's lane up to the King's Gap and back again. Wind strong against on the way there but nice behind on the way back.

Felt pretty good tonight.

Gmap Route

Details:
Start Time: 19:30
Duration: 33:43 Minutes
Distance: 6.61 km
Avg Speed: 11.76 kph / 7.31 mph

Looking forward to getting a heart beat monitor so I can see how hard I am pushing myself. Speed not too hot though.

Prom Loop Again!

Nice evening again with a little more breeze than Tuesday. I didnt have a great deal of time as it was getting late so went for a normal distance run for me.

Started out a little slower today as I really wasnt in the mood for pushing it. Obviously felt much better on the way down to the tennis courts on the prom due to this.

Turned and headed back with the wind in my face but had more energy. Towards the end I started to ramp the pace up as I was able to and nicked back home in a reasonable time.

Good run! Just need to do the same on longer ones!!!

Details:
Start time: 20:15
Duration: 23:03 minutes
Distance: 4.84 km
Avg Speed: 12.6 kph / 7.83 mph

Nice Evening - Prom Loop

I had to go out tonight for a run as it was a great evening so I stole away before dinner with my son on his bike.

Took the usual prom route that i did and felt good so thought I would go for it. Surprisingly the backs of my legs were aching when i got going. I thought I was ok from yesterday as my legs hadnt ached up until that point at all.

Still went for it anyway but was very out of breath when I got back home. My son made me feel better by going miles ahead of me making me look even slower ;->.

Anyway in the end i suppose its a goodish time for me as its a new PB for that route but I thought it might have been quicker with the effort I put in.

I will settle for what I got and keep at it. Currently my legs are aching at the backs and a little on the thighs. I think I will rest tomorrow.

Incidently my son arrived home 5 minutes before me at around 18 mins (he was on his bike!!!)

Details:

Start time: 17:45
Duration: 23:00 mins
Distance: 4.84 km
Avg Speed: 12.63 kph / 7.85 mph

Leasowe Lighthouse Loop

Today I stretched myself once more.

I decided to increase my distance after not running for a while to get back into it. I had planned a run for a while that I had not managed to pluck up the courage to do until now.

It goes as follows:

Start off the run as per the Water Works Loop but when I got to the BP garage where I normally turn left I went straight on. I continued all the way along over the crossroads with the little Tesco then on into Moreton and to Moreton cross roundabout.

Then I turned left at the roundabout and went all the way along Pasture Road passing Moreton Station and the Cadburys factory on my right.
Then I passed the Tarran Industrial Estate with the Moreton Hills Golf Club on my left before turning left down Lingham Lane towards Leasowe Lighthouse.

Carried on passed the Lighthouse onto the prom where the wind was against me (but not too badly) and then all the way along back onto Bennett's Lane, right into Park road and home.

Gmap route

Details:

Start Time: 19:15
Duration: 45:20 minutes
Distance: 8.78 km
Avg speed: 11.62 kph / 7.22 mph

I took it easy to start with as my main goal was to make it round. I did this which was great and the time is ok. I would have liked better but I will settle for that.

I need to do this route a few times to see where I can improve.