Highs and lows...but not too low

Saturday was my 3rd 5k of the summer. My times have gone 19:30, 19:45(ish) and now........20:10! ugh. I'm left scratching my head a bit. Coach Doug wasn't too keen on the idea of one in August, something about heat and humidity but I know best and signed up anyway. I got a free entry and it's such a local race I found it impossible to turn down. 

Anyhoo, I was feeling good, woke up with a bit of a cold (of course) but otherwise felt fine. Warmed up for a couple of miles which is longer than normal for me and timed my strides so that I was on starting line feeling like my heart rate was elevated and I was ready to go! 

This is only the 3rd year this race has been run and the 2nd time I've competed. I recognized a few faces this year, last year I wouldn't have recognized anyone anyway as I'd only been running and racing for such a short time but I knew this year the prize money on offer had resulted in a bigger and more talented field. 

Still, I like lots of healthy competition, maybe it would help drag me round to that new PR I'd like so much, right?! They moved the start time too this year, which was great. The 10k went off 1st at 7:15 and the 5k at 7:30. I didn't think it was that hot or that humid, I mean it's August in Houston so it is what it is. 

I tried to hold back in the 1st mile but went through in 6:07 (I think I've had the exact same split for my 1st mile in all three 5k's I've done now!) There were two female runners ahead and I felt good enough that I thought if I could keep them within striking distance I could maybe take them during the 3rd mile (my plan had been to build, build, build). I felt ok, but during the 2nd mile my chest tightened up and breathing was a struggle, not something I'd expect. I really wanted to stop at around 2 miles, I mean I was VERY close to calling it a day and walking/jogging back. I felt awful. Like throwing up. I never feel great on a 5k, I mean there supposed to feel like hell on earth but something just didn't feel right. I was around 6:4? for the 2nd mile and brought the 3rd home in 6:3?. I do have my splits on my Garmin but am too tired to go get it - yup I'm not feeling 100% for sure :D I was 3rd female and won my AG for what it's worth. 

Almost finished and completely finished at the same time!

I'm wasn't hugely disappointed, just a bit puzzled. Why can I produce better runs in training and then bomb out on these 5ks? I know I don't cope well with the heat, I had contemplated putting a zip lock bag with ice under my hat - I might in my next 5k! 

I worked this 5k into my long run which was 13 miles, doing the last 6.5 on the treadmill at my Y which was very near the race start/finish. 

Later that night my 'cold' hit me like a ton of bricks and on Sunday it was all I could do to move. My whole body ached, even my eyes? I have only had the flu once before and felt certain I was on course for my 2nd time. A friend asked if it could be allergies? 'Emmmm no way, it's definitely not pollen' was my response but it got me wondering. The way I felt during the race was the same as I did back in March when the tree pollen made it virtually impossible for me to run outdoors. 

I should probably mention, at this point, I have next to no knowledge about pills and lotions and potions. I guess I grew up in house where there were none and I think its a cultural thing too. Because it's such big business here, you guys are bombarded with advertisements all the time about this drug or that drug but where I come from there are next to no adverts for medication - National Health Service makes it pointless to advertise to the general public other than for over the counter things. 

Anyway, I popped an antihistamine (I had some left from March) on Sunday evening and felt a bit better, well actually a LOT better within around 15 minutes. My body no longer hurt from the neck down and my energy level had gone from 20% (it was a huge effort to brush my kids teeth!) to around 75%. 

I hate to make excuses after a crappy race and take full ownership for my result. I did feel like I hadn't given it my all at the end, which is not like me AT ALL but I think it was more like I felt I couldn't give my all, like I was being held back. 

The upshot is I will start to be more mindful of the pollen around here, I keep hearing what a problem it can be and I know it can effect me so it would be stupid not to. I have a couple of 5k's planned for next month and will try popping a pill before hand so I can at least eliminate it as a possibility if nothing else. I was having to take one before my track sessions during the summer, when I forgot it made a manageable session impossible. 

On that note does anyone have any advice as to what kind of allergy medication to take? Again, I know zero about this. I just grabbed the 1st thing I saw on the shelf back in March, maybe there's one that's suited to exercise or maybe it doesn't matter? Help. I suffered from hay fever as a kid in Scotland and had no idea there were pills you could take! I was working on a farm one summer whilst I was at uni and my eyes were streaming and burning. Someone asked if I wanted an antihistamine and I was like 'a what?!', she gave me a pill, I hesitated and then popped it. I thought a miracle had occurred, a few minutes later I was cured!!!!!! I couldn't believe this...stuff existed and I just didn't know about it :D 

I feel way better today, still not good enough to tackle the threshold/hill session I was supposed to do but I did manage 10 miles on the treadmill and still need to find an extra 4 this week to make up for the 8 miles I dropped on Sunday. 

I also survived the 1st day of Kindergarten, my eldest boy did too but I knew he'd be fine ;) We managed our cycle there and back with no major mishaps (there are always several minor mishaps which are no longer 'mishaps' just merely 'life' when you have a 5, 3 and 1 year old). 

All ready for the off, very mixed emotions but he had a great day :)

Oh, when I finished my 10 I came back to find my 1 year old on time out at the Y creche for hitting his sister and other various kids, boys and girls alike - he does not discriminate. I went through the same thing with his big brother, just before he turned 2 he would hit every kid in sight for no reason. Here we go again, this is a fun ride and I have a feeling I'll be riding it for the next 10 months or so. What's nice is the first time round I found it so awful, it reduced me to tears on several occasions and I considered not taking my 'terrible 2' ANYWHERE until he, hopefully, outgrew it. This time, when I got the report I heard myself say 'oh, well here we go again, he'll probably be doing it for the next year if he's like his big brother and then it will just stop one day, just like that.' 

I'm not sure what I was supposed to do or say. They had dealt with it, and he's only 2 and in with the big kids (hit him back guys, he might learn quicker!) It is so much easier being mum the 3rd time round - this time I KNOW it's not my fault and there's nothing I can do. AND I know it won't last forever and I won't cry about it this time :) Older and a tiny, tiny, tiny bit wiser perhaps - a first! 

Finally, I got chatting to the female winner of the 10k and she gave me a bit of a brief history of her running career. It has got me to thinking do I need to have years and years and years of high milage in my legs before I can do what I want to in the marathon? Or will I be able to get there in a relatively short period of time? I hope so, my coach thinks so. I will give it my best shot anyway, if someone could tell me I can't do it, that would help me heaps! I will be honest, I am having major doubts about sub 3 come January. I knew it was a tall order but I'm wondering if time is too short? One things for sure, I'll give it my best shot. I'm just hoping it will be a cold day in Houston come January 13th but there are no guarantees there either!

Race Time :)

It's not much, it's not a nice juicy half or 10 miler but I have a race this weekend - hooray! There's a local 10 and 5k a 5min drive form my house on Saturday so it would be a crime not to run. I was toying with the 10k but I wimped out and opted for the 5. It's just so hot and humid still that the thought of the 10k filled me with....dread! I ran it last year, my 2nd 10k ever ( actually not true I ran a couple when I was around 18 but have no idea of my times) It was hell on earth. It was so hot and humid and despite the fact I had only been running for 8 months, I started like I was a super star and died the most vile death :D Also Coach Doug wants a few 5k's over the next month or so I had my get out clause from the 10k.

I have zero idea what I'll be capable of. The heat is such a killer and despite putting together some nice threshold runs on the treadmill I'm not sure what I can pull off in the real world! 

I am going to play with my approach to this 5k a little bit. I will do a bit of a longer warmup up and try to ensure that my heart rate is elevated at the start. I find when I'm doing my 4/5 mile threshold runs on the treadmill, which are run at 6:30 pace, it takes me until the 3rd mile to settle in and get in my groove. I want to lose that 'shock to the system' feel I've experienced at the start of the 5ks I've run over the summer. 

It's also my intention to make the 1st mile my slowest. I CAN DO IT!!!!!!!......right? No, I will do it! I feel like I have so much discipline in some things but this is one area I am sooooo weak. I spent my whole running career when I was younger being a front runner, I think I felt (feel?) if you don't go for it and give yourself a chance to win then what's the point of starting?! But I am beginning to slowly realize that you can be competitive AND be a smart racer. Who knew. I'm not running sub 19 5k's let alone sub 18 so I need to have a word with myself. I want to start off conservatively and build, build, build and finish the same way I do during my fast training runs. I have only run one race since taking the sport up again in which I felt strong and it was by far my best race (1:29 PR in half last Dec). I took the 1st 2 miles easy, made myself hold back and then when I started to struggle to keep with the 2nd placed female (Adrienne Langelier!) at around the 5/6mile mark I decided that I wasn't there to run her race but my own so I let her go and ended up with the sub 1:30 time I wanted. It's time to get race smart.

Tomorrow I get to string 6 threshold miles together, yeh! Actually, I'm usually pretty pleased to see the 4.99 click over to 5.00 so we'll see how I cope with that extra mile. 

On a completely different note, my 5 year old starts Kindergarten on Monday. I am terrified. We are going to be cycling to school and did a Walmart shop today for his bike lock. That was the last item on the list of TTD, we are ready. Well he is, I'm not so sure. Any advice on surviving next Monday would be greatly appreciated. Makes a 5k in 90 degree heat feel like a piece of cake. 

I have also signed up for the Houston half and 1o for Texas in October, here's hoping we get some nice cool weather running!

Join the club!

Straight to the point, a few weeks ago, whilst on my 'take it easy, chill out, run easy, before we get stuck into Houston marathon training' phase I power washed the...whole house, cleaned like crazy, organized the kids room and started a running club. I find it hard to do nothing. I was so frustrated 18 months ago when I was looking around for a club to run with and discovered Kingwood doesn't have one! What the.... There is one but it's only run for part of the year, who only runs for part of the year? Not me! 

I have since heard so many women tell me how they run, want to run, used to run, etc etc etc. I see countless women out running with maybe one other running buddy and would wonder what happens when her buddy goes on holiday or just can't make it? Does she go out solo? I mean I do but I'm big and tough and not scared of the boogie man ;) 

The school corridor at my sons preschool was filled with running clad women who would talk about the half they were training for, etc. Who with I would wonder, I mean I have my running buddy's now but it took a while to weed them out! 

So somebody ought to start a club, just a virtual 'noticeboard' where women can hook up with like paced friends and get their miles in safely and with good company. 

So I did. 

You should be aware that I am the biggest commitment phobe on the planet (I have no idea how I find myself married and with 3 kids - it's a mystery to me!) so I started this thing with the intention of kicking it off, pushing it a bit initially and once it had a few members leaving it up to them to make it work for them. I am still in that place, except I find myself expecting a delivery of 'wearables' from our sponsors tomorrow and my coach, coach Doug is going to be a kind of virtual coach, ask the expert type deal and I am even going to create a meet up with one of the new members for next week. Hey, baby steps for me! 

The newest member of our now 28 strong club, is a 22 year old college grad who recently moved from Colorado and has times not too far off my own! Excited much?! If I play my cards right I could be up to 4 fast ladies to train with :)

I am half way though Augusts training schedule now, H and I are following the same schedule or we were, she has made a few tweaks to hers whilst I soldier on with it unadjusted. 

I am on around 40+/50+ miles a week for August and am itching to get some big miles in but Coach Doug is teaching me patience. ugh. I feel like I've been waiting forever and I am green with envy when I read all these other blogs and their authors 70+ miles a week and more. But I trust Doug and the last thing I want is to get hurt so I will continue to behave myself (not easy for someone who firmly believes rules are made to be broken). 

Monday was a tough session on the treadmill:

2 miles w/u, 8x 2mins at 6:15 pace on an incline of 4, with 1 min recovery in-between. Then 1 mile w/d, total mileage 6.

I had to put the incline down to 2 towards the end of the 5th rep, it was that or fall off the ******! It made the rest of the session much more doable. That 4 incline kills! I will try again next Monday though, what doesn't kill me....

Today is Fun FriWednesday so I got to do threshold again:

1 mile w/u 5 miles at 6:30 pace then 1 mile w/d for 7 total.

I love covering that treadmill in sweat and being vaguely aware of the sideway glances whilst the early morning Y attendees wonder what on earth the crazy girl is up to! 

I was up at 5am and running by 6am, I find it hard to do threshold at anything before 6am and my hubbie kindly forwent his spin class so I could have an extra hour in bed before hitting this at a slightly more reasonable time! (if he goes to spin I have to be home for 6am so he can make the 6:15 class). I will do my easy 6 miles tomorrow at around 9am so he can have the early slot for spin - it's all works out somehow! 

I get to string 6 of those wonderful threshold miles together next Wednesday, that will be the most I've done at that kind of pace (6:30-6:40, of course I do them at 6:30) for a million years. 

I used to have an 8 mile route from my house in Scotland that I ran a lot when I was a teenager. I can't wait to be able to string that many together and have it feel as good as it did then! My best run ever, was on that 8 mile route. I mean better than winning the Scottish Schools cross country championships, better than representing my country better than any of the thousands of other training runs I've ever done. 

I felt good one day, the weather was good and everything just felt right. It was time to have a crack at my best time which was 57mins 5?secs. So I went for it and the first 6 miles were so easy and blisteringly faster than I'd ever been before. Then something happened and it went from being easy to being the easiest I had ever felt. I was pushing even harder, as hard as I could and it felt fantastic. I remember as clear as a bell thinking how the only thing limiting me was my cadence, literally how fast I could turn my legs over. Finished it in 53:54 (it was 8.1, according to my dads car, no garmins in those days!) so 6:39 pace. I still remember all these stats, worked out in my bedroom the minute after I finished but not before I ran passed my dad in the living room and told him 'beat my best time..... 53:54'. His jaw hit the ground :D

I never thought I'd be running those kind of paces again but it's coming. I feel so strong and still see changes in my legs, arms, core..entire body on a month to month basis! I can't help but feel if I was able to do 3:13 with 12 months training I must have a to more in there. 

I get so much from running, I am so grateful I have rediscovered it. I can't believe I deserted my first love for so many years! I want every woman, mum, girl to run and get from it all that I do. They just have to be slower than me ;)

 

 

Garmin 180

I have had quite a week of back and forths on the email front with Coach Doug this week. I have gone from having all the answers to having, well none, to finally, FINALLY starting to 'get it'. It all started with me thinking the 6:30-6:40 pace for my threshold runs was too slow. I based this on the fact that I can run them faster and it's therefore obvious that I ought to, right? Wrong. 

I wasn't questioning Coach Doug's expertise, I have 100% trust and faith that this guys knows his stuff. I just had to clarify why I was running the paces he has set. I have always thought that the harder you work the faster you will get but I have had this philosophy turned on it's head this week and it's a little bit scary. 

The upshot is, if I am going to commit to Coach Doug's training schedule (which I am) then I have to be 100%, completely and utterly on board with all aspects of it. I can see that it's not fair for me to say yes to 100 miles but then ignore the recovery paces, long run paces, threshold paces etc etc that have been set. I now understand that these paces are of equal importance as the miles, intervals, hills etc that I will run.

I feel like I have taken a HUGE step this week in getting myself closer to my dream of a sub 3 hour marathon and ultimately a 2:4?.....2:3? PR (dream big or go home). 

This is going to take discipline but the type of discipline I have never had to exercise before. I will no longer allow myself to run my long runs as hard as I or whoever I'm running with feels like on any given Saturday. I will stick to the paces I have been given, like glue. So I have had to go dig my garmin out of the bin, dust if off and charge it up. This is new territory for me, being dictated to by a pace during every single run I will for the next 6 months to Houston and beyond. 

I don't feel like I need the watch to judge the pace I'm running, I'm a pretty good judge of pace but I know myself well enough to know that if I leave it behind like normal then I will be tempted to push on with any of my group who are having a good one! So I need to learn how to set the upper and lower pace alerts (you can do that right?) and eat my words. 

I do not HATE the Garmin. There I did it!

It is about to become an invaluable tool that will help me get to where I want to be. I also know I am going to have to get good at saying 'no' and ignoring the inevitable peer pressure my running friends throw my way. They are not used to having me hang back in long runs and it's bound to raise eyebrows but maybe come January they'll all be taking their long runs a little bit easier ;)

All of this means that I am also taking all my running hopes and dreams and placing them completely 100% in Coach Doug's hands. Even typing that makes my anxiety level rise a little, I admit it, but I think that I must have done something right in a past life because sheer luck has brought me a coach who I believe can get me that Olympic qualifying time I so crave. 

This has probably been my biggest week ever in regards to my understanding of running and training. I feel like a big penny has dropped. I also feel like I still have so much more running in me and I think I've found the guy that can drag it out. I'm so excited to see where this ride takes me :) 

Unrest be gone!

I am feeling a little bit like I have ALL the answers at the moment! Go on ask me anything, I bet I have the answer ;) 


I have been really struggling to find a workout routine that works for me (and by me I mean the kids) for the last few months. I have been getting up early, going to the Y during the morning and even occasionally running of an evening (which I HATE). Last week was a disaster. I missed 2 days due to a sore stomach and another 2 due to those unforeseen things that life throws at you every now and again (broken air con and dislocated elbows amongst other things). So that was 4 days of ZERO running. The knock on effect of that is awful for all concerned. I am like a bear with a sore head if I miss one session let alone 4. It scares me a little how dependent upon running I have become in the last 18 months just to help get me through the day with my 3 young kids and life in general as a stay at home mum. But that's another post.


The positive from all those missed sessions was it forced me to concede that the ONLY time I can guarantee fitting all my training in without outside influences affecting them is lunatic o'clock. This involves getting up at 4:00am and being ready to run at 4:30 for those of you unfamiliar with lunatic o'clock. So that's what I've been doing and what I will continue to do as it's what works for me and my family. 


I cannot begin to express how good it feels to finally be at peace with how to juggle a family and running schedule. The good thing about it is that when I am reaching my big miles in the build up to Houston I will be able to fit in a second session later in the morning to help accommodate all those miles. 


Onto my next reason for feeling so much more settled and at peace this week. I have my new training schedule in from Coach Doug :) I have been taking it easy and just winging it for a while now and was chomping at the bit to get back into some more structured training. I am really happy with how it looks. We are starting at around 40 miles with a high of 50+ in the next month and so the climb towards those 100 miles begins. I would love to rush in and start putting in 80+ miles a week but that's why I need a coach, to make me behave myself. I have openly admitted in the past to being a lazy runner in as much as I am happy to be told what to do and I will do it but as I learn more and get to know myself all over again as a runner my input into these schedules is increasing. 


I politely requested lots of miles, hills and balls out (threshold/tempo) runs and Doug happily obliged. I asked for 5 mile threshold runs building to 8 and 10 and he has happily obliged. There is still a bit of negotiation to be down pace wise on these threshold runs (I want them to be faster than he has requested) so we'll see how that goes. 


I feel like I have had a bit of a eureka moment with regard to my running whilst I've been taking it easy these past few weeks. It's nothing earth shattering, and the majority of motivated runners out there will already have this firmly imbedded in the training philosophy I'm sure, but for me it was a eureka moment. I feel like I realized what's been missing for me for the last few months - threshold. Some serious threshold miles strung together one after the other after the other (after the other and other, I like 5 miles what can I say!) I have had 3 threshold miles in my long runs all summer but in all honesty have found it hard to hit the paces I'd like and I blame that pure and simply on the heat and humidity of Houston. Here comes part 2 of my eureka moment:


ALL my threshold runs have to be done on the treadmill in the relative comfort of my local Y during these hot months. It seems so clear to me now. The ONLY way to get faster is to push hard, really hard on a regular basis. That's how I dragged my approximately 158lb self from only managing 3 miles at 10 min mile pace 18 months ago to running my 1st marathon in 3:13 12 months later (weighing in at 137lbs). I love to run hard, and as much as I loath the garmin I have found the treadmill to be a wonderful tool to help me achieve the kind of nausea enduring runs required to get me where I want to be. 
I have missed these runs for the last few months and whilst the twice a week track sessions have been tough they don't get me to the same place a good solid threshold run can. 


This all leads to a question, one that I will ask Coach Doug too (when I'm sweet talking my way into faster than 6:30-6:40 pace for my threshold runs). I have the book (Daniels) sometimes I even open it ;) and I look at the calculator (McMillan) but I feel that the paces my races indicate are too slow, I mean I can perform my threshhold runs at a faster pace than they suggest I ought to and I feel that, for me, these runs ought to be unlimited in as much as I want free reign to really go for it and, for instance, go for my best times when I'm feeling good.
I am still only 18 months back into running (starting from zero exercise and being completely out of shape) and am still improving and I want that improvement to keep going.


With all this in mind, why shouldn't I (or anyone else) push myself HARD on runs that are supposed to be hard, what are the benefits of holding back a bit? Is it risk of injury? I hate to be limited on threshold runs and whilst I get the reasoning behind the paces for recovery runs and long runs, I don't understand why threshold/tempo ought to be anything other than 'balls out'. Thoughts please???


One final note, I am excited to think that I am where I am but still have the benefit of a LOT of threshold runs to come, I am looking for a big half marathon PR this autumn, watch this space! :)

The secret to a 5mile PR...cowboys of course!

chilling out with middle cherub

I have been away on my holibobs for the last wee while and have been neglectful of my blog and reading those that I so enjoy. We escaped the heat and humidity of Houston for the....heat and, at times, humidity of Wainscott, Long Island. I got to run on the beach, in the ocean, up hills and down hills WOOP WOOP! I love the countryside feel the place my mother in law lives has, I also feel like I CAN run there, no terrible humidity dragging me down, which is nice. 

I did run but not very much and not all that often. I was under strict instructions from Coach Doug to the it easy 'nothing more than 6 and all at recovery pace'. And yes, I did as I was told, for the most part. I also ate everything in sight as usual so came home with an extra 4lbs too, all bought and paid for ;) 

Enjoying a shoeless run next to (and in) the Atlantic

I managed to squeeze a little race in which I treated as low key, not to be taken too seriously 8k - Southampton Firecracker. I ran it in around 34mins which is way slower than I would have liked but to be fair my hubbie and I had gone out on the town 2 nights prior and I had taken it upon myself to sample every single cocktail East Hampton and Amagansett had to offer. This resulted in the worst 2 day hangover ever, I thought I might actually die at the 2 mile mark when vodka, gin and every other type of alcohol started to sweat from every pore! I only actually feel fully recovered a week after this painting of the town red and am VERY happy to be back into my more comfortable clean living lifestyle that having 3 kids demands (I have to be on my game to cope with them, the merest whiff of a hangover and they'd eat me for breakfast). 

So, this week I have just been getting back into it, still not on a set schedule, I'll get that this weekend, just putting in a few miles here and there and enjoying a 'balls out' (tempo/threshold) 5 miles on the treadmill today. 

Ok, time to explain the slightly obscure and up until now completely ignored title of this blog. I have discovered the 'Country Music Channel' and have been plugging myself in every day this week during my sessions at the Y. I never listen to music when I run but I think I'm on to something here. Oh my goodness there are some nice looking cowboys out there, where exactly I'm not sure, as currently living in Texas I feel I ought to be surrounded by them but not so much as a glimpse in over 2 years. But here they all are, singing their handsome hearts out on my treadmill at the Y - who knew?! I actually pulled the plug on them at around the 2 mile mark today as in reality I can't listen to music and run hard, I find I have to focus on....the hurt? Not sure but I need to concentrate 100% on running when I'm in balls out mode. 

Anyhoo, I haven't attacked this run for ages and I've missed it. So today I went for it, started at 6:30 pace and after 2 miles started to pick it up (once I'd ditched the cowboys). I finished in 31:27 for a nice new 'balls out 5' PR of 63seconds. I am totally shattered now but am happy to know I am still improving and maybe all that speed work over the summer was worthwhile! I also think I have more in there, I mean it was hard but I could conceivably start at 6:15 pace and go from there, will give it another crack in a week or 2. 

I have asked Coach Doug to give me lots of hill work, tempo runs and BIG miles in the build up to Houston, all of which I'm sure he would have anyway (I did mention before how he asked if I thought 100 miles a week was doable). 

A change is as good as a break and I think the last 2 weeks of easy, no focus, just run and enjoy has been good for me. I used to HAVE to take 2 weeks off when I was at school from running between cross country and track which I hated. I felt so out of shape after it but I did agree in principle it was probably a good idea to do it, it always made me more determined to shed that sluggish feeling and get back into shape if nothing else! This time round, I didn't stop entirely just stepped it down a lot and ran for fun and now I am as recharged as I can be with my 3 little cherubs to chase after.

I also drank enough alcohol for a year and danced my little socks off, for the 1st time in around 100 years, in a place that didn't strictly speaking have a dance floor - whatever. Something interesting you don't know about me, I am the best dancer in the world when I'm drunk, or so I believe :)

The 4lbs have gone and I have 13 miles on the cards tomorrow with M. 

Happy days :)

We had a jam packed day in NY which the kids LOVED (no cowboys here either)

How a 5k kicked my butt!

Ok, you know the drill, excuses 1st. Next to no sleep the night before due to 3 year old middle cherub and feeling nervous about the race, 8am start which means it was already hot and humid (I asked about a possible 7am start in summer, they said they could do that - YES PLEASE!)

That's all I've got.


It was tough, but then 5k's are aren't they? I met with my 'mistress' group the one I cheat on my 'regular' group with at 6:30 and was driven in comfort and wonderful a/c to the Woodlands this morning. There were 6 of us, quite a crew and the whole journey was about running which I love. Goals were discussed, mine? I would love sub 19, 18:59 would be great. 


I warmed up well, jogged the course then a stretch and few strides. Then we were off, mile 1 6:07, same split as last time I ran this, mile 2 6:23, it really started to hurt at around 1.5miles, mile 3 6:34. So that's 19:47 and no where near the time I wanted, not even a PR today. I was 1st female and 4th overall for what it's worth. I was pooped, it was hot....I don't know. I'm trying to tell myself that things will get better come autumn/winter when the temperatures fall but I can't help feeling a bit frustrated. 


M asked me at the end what I thought went wrong. I told him I simply don't think I'm working hard enough. I emailed coach Doug similar thoughts a couple of days ago. I really miss the 5mile 'balls out' run I used to do around once a fortnight during those 1st 12 months back into running (now I know they are called threshold/tempo runs!) I think they are the main reason I managed to drag myself from 10 minute miles to 6:53 for the half within 12 months of taking up running again. I like to work hard and haven't been getting the same buzz from training for a while. I know all these track sessions will pay off and I think I'm just getting itchy feet to start on the marathon training for Houston, which begins next month. 


I do wonder whether I ought to run on holiday in the 8k I signed up for (Southampton firecracker, July 8th). We leave on Friday for Long Island and I feel like maybe I should take a break but will no doubt run. I will definitely go into it with a more relaxed attitude and enjoy it and take what I get. Plus the kids can come and watch and then we can get back to the serious business of enjoying ourselves on the beach.  


Also I missed Ramsay swim in his last swim meet, they got through the races more quickly this week due to less numbers and his usual 10:30 swim became a 9:30 one :( Neither of us PR'd, this was divisional's today and the 1st time he has swam at the High School. Anyway, he held onto the lane rope the whole way and told me he was scared as he thought there was a shark in the pool - and I thought I'd had a tough morning! Poor lamb, I told him he was very brave to swim the whole length, I'd have jumped straight out if I thought there was even a frog in there! 


Oh, this morning when I left we discovered a poster attached to a tree in the garden which read 'Go Ramsay, swim fast!'. Turns out the high school kids who help coach the kids had gone around Kingwood last night covering gardens and streets with signs and posters. I was so touched, what a great place to bring up kids. 


None of this helped my mother's guilt at getting a sitter and missing swimming, all to run what turned out to be a crap 5k. But we all survived, I'm not sure I'll do it again though (should have been there to save him from that damn shark!)


Oh, I did win a bag after the race in the raffle...... which I gave away. I have a strict policy that in order to compensate for my husbands hoarding tendencies I NEVER bring any stuff we don't need home! It's all that stops us from appearing on that show 'Hoarding Buried Alive'.


The real hero's of the day were P, who is 59 (female) and ran a 23:30 PR and L, who is 70(male) and finished a couple of seconds behind her. Incredible performances and in those conditions. They blow my mind actually, and take note running has some kind of Peter Pan effect because they do not look their age at all!


10 miles easy in the morning, well I hope it's easy but N didn't run today so she may (will definitely) push the pace, ugh.