I'm still here!

Ok ok I'll be the first to admit I've been SLACK at keeping this blog updated!... It's possibly because I haven't been doing too much running, nothing of real interest anyway.
My excuse? Ah, well, can't really think of a good one...

BUT! You may or may not be pleased to know that in 4 weeks I've lost over 4kgs (for you Americana's that's about 10lbs). Thank you.

I've got to be honest here and say my main reason for running, at this stage, is for weightloss. It also helps that I really really really enjoy running and want to still be running when I'm 80.

So over the past 4 weeks I've been watching what I eat (as in, no more brownie, cakes, cookies, cheese cakes.... all the nice things) and have up'd my running as well. This combination seems to be a winner for getting my 'before children' body back. Hopefully it works again 3rd time round...?!

Anyhoo, this afternoon I ran around Richmond Park which has always been my local training track but today was the first time since baby number 3 that I did the complete 8 mile/14 km circuit.

It's such a stunning run to do. So many trees and grass and open spaces - AMAZING!
I had my sister's RPM instructing music (very electronica) pounding through my ears to help get me up the hills. And it worked!

Now I need to start looking for some races to book in for - would it be too much too think I could be at marathon fitness again by the end of the year?? We'll see. There are so many marathons in different European cities throughout the year, I just need to choose one.
Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Rome, maybe even London...! (crazy I know)

First port of call though will be an off-road half marathon. Get me back to my country girl roots who didn't run on sealed roads until I was in my 20's.

Happy running friends! X

Anyway, hopefully you'll be hearing more from me hence forth!

Heavy Leg Syndrome

I'm feeling quite chuffed about my long run on Saturday - the fact that I'm still able to walk is a bonus!...

Ended up being 14.85 mile - I lasted the distance but my iPhone battery didn't....blimmin'  technology huh?! It only crapped out at the 13 mile mark so it wasn't too drastic. I just hate listening to my own breathing and footfall - it's very boring. You'd think that I could actually use the time as my 'Thinking Space' but that fact is that when I run I think my mind shuts off as well and I just zone out for the run duration... I don't mind. It's quite nice to be able to switch off the noise that is in my head!

By mile 8 my legs were getting the heavy feeling. I was quite fascinated, yet annoyed at the same time. Fascinated because 8 mile is the distance I had been doing a few times a week before I started my marathon training and obviously my legs are used to running that distance, so anything beyond that must become an 'issue' for them. Hmph.
I'm guessing this will get better as my body gets used to doing the longer mileage? I hope so!! At the moment I'm thinking that pushing out babies is actually easier than this marathon training!.... But that could always just be ME being ever-so-slightly dramatic...maybe.

Recovery was good - rest day yesterday was fantastic.

My run tonight felt good once my legs warmed up properly. On the schedule today was hills... Now I actually don't mind running up hills - I find flats a teeny tiny little bit boring...
Anyway, so 10x up the very nasty hill in Richmond Park with an easy 1.6mi jog there and back.
Cold beer and dinner waiting for me when I got home. Nice one Mr. Amazing Husband!
8mi tomorrow.
7mi Wednesday.
etc. etc.
Then it's our Annual 14 mile trail race on Sunday in Surrey (South England) - whoop whoop! This is the run my husband and I love to do each year because of the off-road/dirt track aspect and also the scenery. Oh. My. Goodness.
This is why I run!

T

This is a picture of the Highlands around Loch Ness where I'm doing the marathon. Scenery such as this just makes me want to weep and/or break out into some ancient Celtic song.

Don't tell me I'm the only one...

I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power.  You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.  ~Jesse Owens