Starting Blocks!

Dave and I are off for a bimble in Manchester tomorrow morning, I'm off work and Dave has to work so we're doing it mega early. 7am to be precise. Looking forward to it. I've done 2 bodypump classes in a row, and ache. But i'll do it. Dave's had a run this week, i've had a half hour treadmill run. We've had a look at the runners world training plan for a sub-2.15 Half Marathon and we're going to start it from Sunday. That should be fun!!

I have an appointment at a physio tomorrow to FINALLY get my achilles (if that's the real problem) sorted out. Yay!!

'Bout time too!!

Laters, Rodders x

So....

With all the hoo ha about yesterdays buggeration about holidays and stuff, I did a 12 hour shift today, with the worst achilles tendonitis. Got home about 7.45pm and the boyf opened a bottle of champagne, then got down on one knee and said that he felt he hadn't properly asked me to marry him. So he did and it was lovely. We had a glass of champers and then steve decided he didn't really like the taste so I've ended up drinking it all myself. Oooops.
Lovely big sis phoned and we talked shite for about 75 minutes (or summat like that) talked about nothing and laughed a lot.

We haven't done any running today - due to my achilles tendonitis. Boooooo!!!!!

Will be doing more wedding organising tomorrow. Yawn.

.....yeah but it felt like 1000!!!!!

Dave, myself and Una met up @ 9am to go out for our first 10 miler in AGES!!! I don't think I've done 10 miles since we did the Great North. Yeah, that long ago!!
We started off at the Northern, off up to Chorlton, round Sale, and then back through the Ee's. After the Ee's was a trot back up Barlow Moor Road and back to the club. Phew.
I quite enjoyed myself, despite having the legendary 2 mile legs lol. Took my camelbak with me for the benefit of myself and Dave, and also to get used to it for Wilmslow. I've decided that getting myself used to drinking just a little bit more on a half might stop me from feeling so sore and getting cramp towards the end. You never know, it might work. It's quite handy for taking gels as well, never seems to be enough water en route for taking gels.

So anyway, back to the run, it seemed quiet around Chorlton and Sale until it dawned on us that it was Blackpool half marathon day. Brilliant. By the time we'd got round Sale though, all the dog walkers were out in force. We even saw that woman that fell on Jacksons Boat Bridge last week hahahahaha. Some of the ground was pretty muddy, but my trainers are wrecked already so it didn't matter too much. Just tried to not think about the distance going round, but the last mile was tiring, although compared to last year, not quite as bad. Had 2 gels going round, and a bit more water than usual. Don't think i really felt a benefit from the 2nd one, so not sure if I'll bother with it or not on the day. I'll be testing that out on our next long run.

We've got 11 miles planned for next week. Scary huh? Bring it on!!!!!!

Lazy Huh?

Ok, so i've been told to update the blog. I'm a bit lazy when it comes to this aren't I?

I've got my Fetch page open to have a look at some training stats. It's been so long I can't remember what I've blogged about. So I'll just do the last week shall I? Ok......

From Sunday 8th Feb.

Emma, Cerys and I had a lovely Sunday morning run @ CWP & SWP it seemed effortless and we did almost 8.5 miles. Was really happy about that. Dave didn't come - probably because she's lazy lol.
Seriously though, Dave's been a bit lazy about the half marathon training (it's 5 weeks away!!) so after much moaning at her, we're back on track and doing just dandy thank you very much!!

We went out for a run on Monday round Whalley Range in Manchester, it was bloody freezing. Met Dave straight after work so that she didn't have an excuse not to come. It worked, and we had another nice run. It was 4.2 miles @ less than 12 minute miles. Happy with that for a recovery run. Was nice to catch up with some gossip and have a bitch about life in general.
See? running is good for your mental health too, you can get rid of all your moans and groans and have a good bitch into the bargain!!

Next run was Thursday, normally we'd all be out on a Wednesday with the club, but I was working. Boooooo!!! Dave came to mine and we went out through Reddish for a bimble. Wasn't as cold as Monday night (thank God) it was a good one too, was less than 4 miles, but I'll blame that on Dave, she's a wuss!! Then back to mine for a cuppa and some of my trademark pasta. Mmmmmm garlic breath lol.

Sunday was our last one, the 4 of us were out at CWP & SWP as usual, and we did a satisfying 9.3 miler. Well I did, Dave did 9.5 miles and I believe Cerys did 9. This was due to fannying around in circles to make our distances longer. It was a good run, felt like I could have done more, which is always a good thing. Next Sunday is 10 miles, so it's up out of bed even earlier!!
It's all worth it though huh?

Dave and I are a bit pissed off though, we found out today that the ballot for the Great North Run is closed. Closed? We didn't even know it was bloody open!!!! After we did the run last year, we both signed up for the reminder email service. Well guess what? They didn't send us the reminder. If they had, we'd be sat here biting our nails waiting to see if we'd got a place. As it is, Dave has sent one of her stroppy emails to Great Run and I've been searching online for charity places. If they'd sent us the reminder we'd have been chatting excitedly about it and comparing how quickly we'd said we'd do it etc etc, but we didn't get the mail, or a place in the GNR. Gutted. BUT.. by hook or by crook, we'll get to do it!!

So Wilmslow is in 5 weeks, we're geared up and ready (almost) and I'm actually looking forward to it. Can't speak for Dave though, she might blog when I tell her I have. You never know.

Nearly Forgot

We also stopped afterwards and had a coffee and a toastie. Toasties ROCK!! And then started to stiffen up having been too excited about stuffing our faces, we neglected to have a right good stretch. We kind of forgot because I was buying lovely veggies at the farm shop.

Note to self - STOP FORGETTING TO STRETCH -YOU IDIOT!!!!
IT'S NOT BIG AND IT'S NOT CLEVER!!!!!!

2 More!!!!

So, did the usual Wednesday night run with the crowd. It was a very short run for some reason. Think it might have been because of the bar. In fact I'm sure of it. Seemed like a bit of a waste to come out on such a miserable night, to make the effort and only do a couple of miles.

Anyhoo.... Emma and I went off to Dunham Massey park today for a few miles, it was a lovely cold windy day, perfect really. I had a brilliant run, and felt really energetic. Although after having about 5 weeks off over Christmas has taken it's toll on my endurance a bit, after 4 miles I can feel myself draining. Time to look at a better diet maybe? We did a comfortable 4 and a bit miles and then ran back to Em's car that she parked at a FARM!!!!! Woo Hooooo!!! Best bit of the day, they had turkeys, cats, cows and pigs!!!! It's LOVELY!!!! *ahem* calming down a bit. It was a pleasure to run somewhere so beautiful for a change, and the river Bollin was just fab, wish I could live round there.

So it's time to up the mileage on the long run. Really need to aim for 7 miles on Sunday, hopefully Dave will be up for it, but she's being a bit quiet this time round.


OI DAVE!!! WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO MATE!!!!

I think it's about 8 weeks until Wilmslow - God help us!!!!! Lol!!!!!

Woo Hoo we're back!!!!!

It's been a HUGE break between the last blog and this hasn't it? Due to illness and stuff, it's been all over the show a bit. Totally out of routine. But now we're back!!!!

Sara and I have the Wilmslow Half Marathon (or snickers if you want to be silly) and then the Great Manchester so far this year, and we've started our training!!

I went out with Emma on Friday - which was my first run of 2009 - to Bramhall Park. We only did 3 miles to see how we'd get on, and it was quite hilly, but it was great to be back. It sure hurt on Sat morning!! Note to self - after not having run for about 5 weeks, remember to stretch really really well. Stupid me. It was a good hurt though.

So today (Sunday) there were 5 of us, which was lovely, Claire, Cerys, Dave, Emma and Me. We did a lovely LSR of 6 miles in just over an hour - nicely paced and may have taken less time if we didn't keep stopping to chat like old ladies lol. It was a lovely run, and my new Asics GT2130's are just as manky as my old Mizuno's cos it was really muddy in places. They were lovely bright white *sniff* but now they look like real runners trainers *yay* Talking of which, I still don't know who all those people were that were running around CWP with Running Bear numbers on. Hmmmm....must look that up.
I know I'm going to hurt tomorrow, which is a shame because I promised myself a gym sesh. Tried to give myself a good stretch, but was more interested in eating lol.

So the car cafe was up and running for the first time in '09 I still think the best thing after a good run is a good cuppa, can't beat it. Can't beat running with your good mates either, it's the dogs!!!

Better go and wash Fridays and Sundays kit before it stinks the house out lol.

Laters, Rodders xx

Look, it's Dave and Rodders!!!!!

Look, it's us!! Looking really really happy to have finished the GNR!!!!

What Dave said. And more random stuff too. As usual.

Yeah, pretty much what Dave said there. I loved the GNR, it was friendly, it was well organised (although a few more toilets wouldn't go amiss - then Dave and I wouldn't have to flash our arses in bushes) and it was a fabulous day! I even managed to get sunburn in October in England - how the hell can that happen?
Our drive to Newcastle was nice, shame about the 2 cars that got rear-ended on the A1, thank God it wasn't us. Dave's Aunties are fab, they took very good care of us and I think I love them. Thanks have to go especially to Auntie Maxine, for the bed for the night and the use of her socks. How on earth can someone organise to do a half marathon and then forget an absolutely necessary piece of kit like socks? R'Tard!!!!! They worked a treat and for that I'm eternally grateful.
The Garmin (car edition) got us there apart from a spacky ending which Dave rectified by taking the piss and laughing at me. More than once.
Had a couple of drinks in Newcastle the night before (not really sensible with hindsight) and had a good laugh at the half dressed slappers.
On the morning of the run, woke up after a brilliant dream about body-building squirrels who come out on the race day to pick up the packets of energy gels that are discarded by the runners, and then eat them. Thus turning them into super powered squirrels!! Seemed such a shame to have to wake up, never mind.
As usual, we didn't leave to get the metro on time, due to the simple fact that I find it almost impossible to be on time for anything. I can't help it, it's in the genes (possibly) so always assume I'll be 30 minutes (at least) later than I say I'll be. It'll save you getting annoyed with me. 5 Minutes after leaving the house, we got our first 'good luck and have fun' from a complete stranger - how nice is that?
Got to the start and need the loo almost instantly - must've been nerves. Waited for a bit in the queue and then decided to have a wee behind the portaloos. What fun. Sorry to all those who were in the queue and got wet trainers. Not really sorry at all to be honest lol.
Waited for a bit in the pink starters pen (sorry Dave, will get green next year, I promise) and listened to the radio guy being a dick for a while. Didn't hear the start of the run due to being so far back, but slowly started to edge forward. Took so long to get past the start-line I didn't think we were ever going to get there. Dave was delighted when she got mentioned on the radio, apparently I have to do another 2 before i can get a mention.
Blah blah blah.....run run run.........Dave's written it all, and she DID shout at me, but I deserved it and she got me to the end. Bless her. Came in at about 30,000 and something. Official time 2 hours 37 minutes, Garmin time 2 hours 34 minutes. I'm going with the Garmin time as at least it stopped while we had another wee at mile 6. Classy huh? Needs must - as 'they' say!!

We got a lovely massage off the ERUK physios - I love them. Did a lot of stretching and then went to get some LOVELY chips and tea. Burned off over 1700 calories and really deserved it, I think.
Had a shower at Auntie Maxine's and then went to Dave's other Auntie's and had a lovely sarnie and more cups of tea.
I drove a little of the way home, there were loads of roadworks and it was tiring for poor me, so Dave drove the rest. Stopped for a coffee and it took us hours to get back to Manchester. Had to spend an hour when I got home unwinding but when I got to bed, I slept like a log. Brilliant!!! Had a short run on Monday morning and also on Tuesday morning, then rested my poor wee legs until Sunday when Dave and I had a fun run for a change. Was great to not have the pressure of an upcoming big run, but it won't be long until we're starting the training again for Wilmslow. Looking forward to that one already lol!!!! Nutter.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED AND SPONSORED US, AT LAST COUNT WE HAD ABOUT £450 FOR EPILEPSY RESEARCH UK!!!!!!

Rodders x

WE DID IT!!!! AGAIN!!!!!

Another half marathon under our belts!!! Unfortunately I'm WAY too tired to write anything about it. So you'll have to wait until Dave or I have had a rest. I will tell you though, it was an amazing day. Thanks have to go to Dave who was BRILLIANT and kept me going for the whole run. Cheers mate, you're a diamond. Looking forward to the next challenge!!!!

Laters Rodders xx

Great Yorkshire Hell!!

We've enlisted the help of poor old Steve to drive us to Sheffield because I can't be arsed driving there. He woke me at an ungodly hour (6.30am) with porridge and coffee bless him. We're supposed to pick Dave up at 7.15 but as usual I'm running (haha) late. We pick her up at about 25 past which isn't too bad considering how late I can sometimes be!!

Steve's got the sat-nav on to get us there, shame they have to speak. How irritating are they? Ok skip on a bit, we get to the Hallam Arena and park fine, then realise we have to get some shabby tram to the city centre, and unfortunately now Dave and I need a wee (badly - as we've been 'hydrating' all the way there lol) Of course when we finally do get there, the queues for the loos are massive and we end up doing a bit of the warm-up (half-heartedly) while we're waiting - it isn't a good idea to jiggle so much while waiting to wee!!!

So skipping on again. We're at the start. The weather is great, the atmosphere - not so great, bit boring really. Bearing in mind it's quite a small run compared to Manchester though. Anyhow, we start at 9.50am with the realisation that the start is downhill. Hmmmm....

The first 3km takes just over 19 minutes, it felt ok, my legs always feel stiff and tight - especially the right as everyone and thier dog knows by now. The 5km mark is over in 33 Mins (which i'm quite happy about) and the 5 mile mark comes at 54.19 I'm ok with that. In total it takes 1 hour, 7 minutes and 51 seconds!!! The last 400m were 400m's that I'll never ever be able to forget lol, it was like Salford all over again only much worse. After doing the 6 mile part, it was torture to have to do that, what made it worse was the really bad Robbie Williams impersonator that I could still hear when I was half-way up the fecker!!! Didn't help at all!!! Dave and I passed the finish line with just 6 seconds separating us. I know Dave felt she didn't have the best run, I'm sure she'll blog all about it - only she can tell you about her race experience. Personally I felt I did ok, as I said, the last 400m were a killer, and I really felt dizzy after doing the final burst, but felt fine after having my head between my knees lol.

So advice to self - do more hill training. A LOT more.

So that's really about it, nowt much to write home about. After a quick purchase from Nike, we wait in line to get the shabby tram back to the arena - back to the car cafe!! Hurrah for flasks of tea. Dave kindly brought some really lovely cookies and the 3 of us stood around making everyone who didn't have tea and cookies jealous.

Was absolutely knackered on the way home, and I know I didn't mention the dead sheep before, but we never saw it on the way back. Maybe it wasn't dead after all.

um......that's about it really. Hopefully Dave's recollection of experiences is better than mine. I'm sure she'll be a lot more interesting!!!!!

Rodders x

Lazy Bint

I've been far too lazy this week. Haven't really done much and I'll probably suffer tomorrow as a result. Ah well, I wish I could just win the lottery and give up working and just run when I want to instead of having to try and fit it in after a double shift (not possible) or on a day off when all i want to do is stay in bed and sleep for 2 days. I'm fed up. I need someone to run for me when I'm too tired. It's not motivation, I've got that. I'm just physically knackered. Bah bloody humbug. Oh well, here's looking forward to tomorrows long run.

Think it's a 2-hour bloody marathon lol!!! Great.

Sunday 10th August

As Dave said, I was late as usual. You'd think everyone else would be used to it by now. Was nice to see Karen again. Emma was with us as usual. We had no Cerys this week as she decided that going to Prague was more fun. Can you imagine that? She's weird.

Had a good run at CWP, as usual my right shin was giving me gyp. A quick stretch sorted that, went around the Ees as Dave said. Nothing much more to report as I'm having a hangover style PMT day which means that there will be no amusement or fun. Although for some reason, people seem to think it's funny when I'm in a bad mood. The b***ards.

I enjoyed the run, could have done more, which is great, but for now am sticking with my faithful running buddy. If she has to 50% then so will I!!! Which is a great excuse for being lazy on a Sunday morning. But will continue the training plan for the rest of the week as best I can. Going to go to the gym as it's easier to work out the reps this week. Anyone know how 10 minute miles equates in km? If I'm supposed to do a 10 minute mile pace, then how does that look for 200m in km? Does that make sense? I'm no good at numbers, I'm better at ballet than numbers lol!!!

Laters,

Rodders x

Thanks to Emma for putting a pic on FB of me looking like a 'tard, Karen flashing her Chapel Hat Pegs, and Dave looking ... well not her best. You will regret that Copson, I WILL get you back.
Consider yourself warned!!!!!

OMFG!!

Haven't got time to do a full Sunday blog just now, but had a look at this weeks training schedule. Have a look at Sunday. That'll be fun!!!

Laters

xRoddersx

Will Dave stop moaning?

Poor Dave's having a rotten time. Eating like a pig and running like a spacker. Lol, only kidding Dave!!!
I went out for my 45 minutes of torture at Chorlton Water Park (CWP)- it's a lovely day. I don't really like lovely days, they don't agree with me. It's too hot. I decided to do 23 minutes out and 22 minutes back (see what I did there?) but just as I left Sale Water Park (SWP), I got tumbled by 2 big dogs called Becks and Sparky (after David Beckham and Mark Hughes apparently) who were big Labradors and soaking wet and covered in mud. Well I couldn't refuse to throw a ball or 2 for them could I? Seemed rude. Plus running's supposed to be fun so why not stop and smell the wet dog now and again eh?
I ran down the Mersey and across the bridge again into the top part of CWP, sweating like a...... anyway. Realised that I'd only done 43 minutes or so and then though 'bollocks' what's 2 minutes. But then I realised again that 2 minutes is 2 minutes of training that'll bring me closer to the 2.30 half marathon time I want to achieve or beat. Buggeration. Now I feel rotten.
As always I have no idea how well I've done as I haven't had time to download the gremlin. Having a rest day tomorrow so will do it all then.

Oh, and ANOTHER day of not smoking. Yay!!!

Laters x

Rodders Rambles

Since I seem to go off at tangents most of the time, I'll try to be to the point. Wednesdays run was a good 'un for most part. We ran as a group for the first 35 ish mins (with Northern Sole) then Dave an I branched off and it started to rain - oh but before that some twat outside a pub asked us why we were running and threw a beer bottle at us. I have a name for those kind of people, it begins with a 'c' and ends in 'unts'.

I've gone off on a tangent already. Can't really help it. So, Dave and I branched off to finish the rest of our 65 minutes. Of course, as soon as we do, it starts to rain. Then Dave needs a poo so we have to find a pub, then we decide that we don't want to run past a big group of girls.

So Palatine Road gets a beating, only by the time we get to the end of Palatine Road we haven't done 65 mins (cos we're sooooooooooo fast) so we have to run around like loons to make it up. Ended up halfway down Barlow Moor Road as well (still raining at this point) Had a great laugh in the process though, felt for Dave cos her hip hurt though. Felt brilliant myself 'cos I don't smoke yay!!!!!

Feel knackered today, and i've been at work since 7.30 am and it's onlu 8.30pm. Poor me.
Looking forward to doing the splits tomorrow (I love saying that lol) 45 minutes of probable hell. But, If Dave can do it, I'm bloody sure I'm going to as well.

Laters xRoddersx

Just copying Dave - and some usual random stuff.

Phew, here's mine Dave.
Lap(#) Time(m:s) Distance(mi ) M Spd(mph)



1 2:32 0.25 6.8

2 2:25 0.25 7.9

3 2:38 0.25 6.7

4 2:29 0.25 7.5

5 2:43 0.25 7.1

6 2:36 0.25 8.5

7 2:43 0.25 7.3

8 2:24 0.25 8.1

9 2:20 0.25 7.4

10 2:21 0.25 8.0



Don't think I'll be blogging that every time I do the splits (lol) WAY too much effort. Think my times are pretty consistent and, as expected, slower than Dave's.

Just looking outside now, and it doesn't seem appealing to go running tonight, in the rain, AGAIN. D'you think it might be nice, but not TOO warm, just for once, at some point? Although, for those of you who haven't done it, running in the rain can be quite nice. But never decide to have puddle fights with your running buddies when you've got to get in the car and drive home - unless of course you take some spare clothes with you (and like getting undressed in carparks ahem......)

Anyhoo, as Dave mentioned, it's the 60 something minute run tonight (i'll find out when I get there) In the rain. Better dig the waterproofs out....Whoopy Dooo!!!!!!!!

Oh, and Dave's not the only one eating like a pig. I feel some self-control is in order. Less crap more good stuff - i'll attempt it but where's the fun in that?

And one last thing, don't eat dog or cat burgers, even if someone else makes it for you.

Thats it for now.

Rainy Runner

I've been out and done my reps as well. I went to Fog Lane Park, when I got there it was a little bit drizzly, and half the way through the reps it was p-ing down. I've rarely got so many weird looks - notice i say rarely, it has happened before.

Anyway, I was supposed to do 10 minutes warm up, but to be honest, i was just so desperate to get it all over and done with that i only did 6 mins. OOOooohhh, does that make me a bad person? No, thought not.

The deal was 10 x 400m reps at sub 10 minute pace with 1 minute recovery intervals. The first few, I'll be truthful, were horrible. No other word to describe them. I've got 2 mile legs and until then I can feel every single footfall, especially on my right. I even broke the habit of a - well not lifetime - but running lifetime and had a stretch after my warm up. Helped a little.

The last 4 reps were good, felt like I'd just got used to them. I have no idea how long they took me because stupidly I hadn't set the gremlin to tell me the pace. It's bound to be slower than Dave's though, cos I'm a short-arse. And lazy.

When I work out the miles per minute - I'll write it up.

Just to be a complete rebel, I didn't do a cool-down, I went shopping at Tesco in Burnage instead. The 30 minute walk was just as good and I got some lovely stuff for tea. 2 birds - one stone!!!! Good Times!!!

Reps Day

So, today was reps day - 10 x 400mtrs at 10k pace (sub 10 min mile) with 1 minute walk breaks and I did it!!!

Well, nearly :o$

What I actually did was the first 5 x 400mtrs with 1 minute rests then had a 2 minute rest did 3 more reps had another 2 minute rest then finished as per the schedule. Gremlin reports I did a total of 3.12 miles in 32 minutes so think overall I managed it and am v.chuffed with myself.

So come on Rodders - the gauntlet is laid down ;o}

SPONSOR US!!!!!!!

Please sponsor us @

www.justgiving.com/sharonrodden

If we don't get at least £300 sponsorship, Rodders won't be able to run it, this is because she is running for Epilepsy Research UK as she didn't get chosen for a place in her own right, unlike Dave.

So, spare a fiver? a tenner? more? Give's a hand and we'll post a lovely sweaty pic of us at the finishing line - guaranteed!!!!!

What are you waiting for?