Back and blogging

Hello all
Dave here from Rodders & Dave.
Good to be back running with my buddy even if she is an achy creaky wreck at the mo! Makes me look better anyhows :oD
Not run this week as been in Berlin but think Rod might be up for a run in the morning (subject to alarm clock!?!?!)
If she's not up for it will do my usual mad dash around the city. It's lovely running in the city first thing in the morning at this time of the year, really fresh and peaceful and a great way to start the day. After that it'll be another 50 minutes with Rod on Sunday and then next week sees the start of some speedwork.
Going to blog off now and do some work (see what I did there :oD)
Dave x

Owwie!!!!

Good afternoon reader - just a quickie, I'm off to work shortly.

I bit the bullet on Friday and finally saw a physio. I can't quite remember what he told me the injury was called, but it started with 'Mid Range' and regarded virtually all the lower leg muscles. Quite common apparently. Just like me.

I have strengthening exercises to do, and they hurt like a bitch. They're supposed to make me stronger, they make me unable to walk. I'm sure that's not right lol!! I did the heel lifts and lowers on Friday, and on Saturday, but by Sunday (and also today) it was too painful to do, I'm going to see if i can manage them later tonight at work, if not, then definitely tomorrow.

Dave and I did a run along the Fallowfield loop on Sunday 21st, we decided to run for 50 minutes, so 25 out and back. It was a painful run for me. My tendons and muscles were screaming at me for the whole distance. I have to thank Dave on 2 counts, one, for not losing her temper with me, and 2, for encouraging me so much - you're a real mate x

So, still sore today, I'll take it easy with the running, and i have 2 classes at the gym booked this week - hurrah!!!!!

Laters, Rodders xx

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

Ready to start over!

Dave and I are doing the GNR again this year, we both have places and we're both pretty chuffed about it. I haven't blogged for months, and I don't have a lot to say now. Dave and I had a run on Sunday, she had a good one and my run was shite. Still, I can keep trying and I WILL GET BETTER!!!!
So tonight was bodypump at the gym with breathy funfair woman that sings along with the music rather annoyingly. Actually she doesn't annoy me, that's a lie, I find her amusing. I think the fact that she amuses me is quite obvious oops. It doesn't stop her though.

After BP, had a half hour run, went ok. Did a little 30 second threshold at the end before I cooled down. Enjoyed it. Next run is on Thursday after bodypump. Looking forward to it. I'm glad i've got something to work towards - it'll help with motivation.

Laters,

Mrs Mudd (Rodders)

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.

Still Running?

Yep, still running albeit not as often. I think it's a big mistake not to enter any races/runs, there's not as much incentive for lazy bones like me. Don't be mistaken though, i'm going to the gym up to 4 times a week and running quite often while i'm there. At the moment I have achilles tendonitis, quite painful really.

Work and home life take over.

Talking of which, the wedding plans were going ok until I got a letter from First Choice this morning to say that our premium class flights were no longer available, sorry about that. Well that's not ok is it? Steve phoned them and they've told him that the plane has been changed and there are less seats available in first class. We're in the middle of trying to sort it out. I didn't think i would drift into the part of 'stressed out bride'. I was already ready to cry this morning, and the icing on the cake was witnessing the funeral cortege of the young soldier from Stockport who was killed in Afghanistan. I'm utterly ashamed that I don't even know what his name was.
RIP.
Then i'm sat here watching the news while writing this, and Harry Patch's funeral is on.
RIP to you too.
Yeah, that did it for me, and i've been having a right sad day ever since. Honeymoon? How can that even compare to that fella? Puts it all in perspective huh?

Well i've seriously depressed myself now. Cup o' tea i think. Wish I had some chocolate.

:-(

INCREDIBLY LAZY!!!!

Dave and I are soooo lazy!! We haven't blogged for ages, i think because we were so disappointed with the Wilmslow half marathon and it's organisation we've been a bit discouraged. Anyhoo, next race is the Great Manchester Run - next Sunday 17th May. It's going to be a blast and we're going to do really well, I can feel it.

Sorry for not blogging. Will do again soon. Next race after Manchester is Warrington. Looking forward to that one too, since it's only a 10K!!

Promise to get it together with the blogs soon!!!

Rodders x

Lazy (as usual)

I'm saying lazy, but i mean blogging lazy, not running lazy. I've run 12 miles last Sunday on the LSR, and 12.75 this week. I'm pretty chuffed with that, considering the next half marathon is in 3 weeks. I'm also fecking knackered, so i'm boasting about it quickly and then i'm having a cup 'o tea and a snooze. It is Sunday after all, and I am off work (for a change) so I'm going to make the most of it!!

Will tell all the gory details in a bit after I've had a R & R sesh )and that doesn't mean rock 'n roll (that was last night at the MEN arena lol!!!!!)

Laters, Rodders xx

.....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!!!!!!

Boredom, and sore legs.

You know that feeling you used to get when you were a kid and you were growing? Yeah, growing pains, that's them. I think i must be growing. My legs were killing me last night. We went out and did a 4 mile run with the club, and the first 2 miles were a bit icky, but by the time I'd got through the 4, I felt like I could run even more.Was nice to have a run with Dave, as usual and was able to have a good moan about everything. Not sure how the legs got so sore on a 4 miler though. Must've been tired.

So anyway, another few days closer to Wilmslow. Think I'll be resting until the Sunday big 'un. We've got 10 miles planned. I'm sure it'll be great fun.......

Watch this space. (Not literally of course, you'd get very very bored)

Rodders x

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!!!!!

Half Marathon Schedule

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=101

This is probably the training plan we'll follow. Who knows what might happen though!!

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

Lazy Buggers

I think it's about time Dave and I got back into the swing of it. As it were. About time we stopped dicking around and got moving again if we're to make any kind of improvement for Wilmslow. Which we're doing even if we're the only ones!!! (well I am)
Hopefully we'll get one of the Great Runs in before March. I quite fancy the Dublin 10K - But we'll see. If we do, it'll be one step closer to doing all of them!!!!!

What do you thnk Dave? You up for it?

Rodders xx

Fannying around.

I don't know about Dave, but since we;ve done the GNR, i've been fannying around. Need to get myarse into gear for the Wilmslow (snobby) half marathon. not too far away and need kicking up the arse for it. First to see Sara kicks her up the arse!!!!!!!

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

I'm still here!

Despite how it may look I haven't fallen off the face of the planet - have just been a lazy lard arse who can't be bothered to post! To all our millions of readers I offer my sincere apologies for my tardiness LOL!
Anyway GNR was fab, loved every minute of it and can't wait to do it again - especially the bit where I get to shout at Rodders, now that was fun!
Seriously, for the first time ever it all came together. I had a race plan which involved a quick walking break at every drinks station allowing me to view the race as smaller chunks and thus fooling my messy head into thinking I could do it rather than the usual I can't. Well, got to mile 3 and didn't feel at all like walking, even though we were that point heading in to 2.5 miles of constant up hill. 4.5 miles was the next walk break and again didn't need to use it. Did use the one at 6 miles to have a pee in a bush but that was neccessity rather than desire that forced that and then we were off again. The Nike power mile at mile 9 was fab - they were playing Snow Patrol and so rodders and I sang our way through a speedy mile (the music kept speeding us up!) and then hit the long hard slog of the last 2 mile hill. It was hard, it was hot, the Red Arrows did mildly distract us by making us want to cry and I lied to rodders twice about the sea being just over the top of the hill but we did it. the drop down to the seafront was a welcome relief and for me the last mile felt almost like the first. Crossed the finishing line with a big smile on my face and a tear in my eye and then proudly went to collect t shirt and medal with Rodders who despite having decided to get a medium t shirt this time opted for the large as it was a shorter distance to walk. Lots of stretching and getting changed in carparks followed then off for a fab massage at the Epilepsy Research tent. Then the best bit - chips and gravy and a cup of tea (HEAVEN!).
Was a long drive back after tea at my aunties (lovely big bowl of trifle with double cream to replace all of the 1800+ calories I'd burned) and slept a long and dreamless sleep.
Thanks to our super stretching strategy legs felt good the next day and a 2 mile bimble in the afternoon really sorted them out.
Rodders and I are having a couple of running for fun weeks before embarking on our next 1/2 marathon training programme ready for Wilmslow next March.
Laters
Dave x