MyiPhoneography and assorted miscellanea

I might get into trouble for saying this...but thank feck it's almost over*** ;) 

Tangent: I've thoroughly enjoyed janathon challenge as it's focused me and I've achieved more than I could have hoped for at the start.  I've loved the cameraderie and support that all of you, my fellow janathoners have put out there; it has been the key to the success of the whole experience.  It's your support that's kept me going and motivated me to do that little bit more - and it's always good to make new friends. 

I've seen that we all have challenges that get in the way our best laid plans to run or exercise, and that some of you have a phenomenal ability to squeeze in some serious miles at times (i.e. pre-breakfast) that I would balk at!  I've learnt a lot from each of you, knowledge that has contributed to me becoming a bit of a running geek, ok a COMPLETE running geek. I can't seem to help myself whether it's conversation, clothes or the actual doing; it's enveloped me all month and I've loved it.  Pity my friends and colleagues as I wear them down with another running related revelation :)

***However, despite all the pleasures... nothing pleases me more than the knowledge that rest days are once again on the horizon :D

Today's run was day 1/week 4 of marathon training; 30 minutes covering 2.5miles.  The run was slow and steady as my legs were giving me signs that enough was enough. It was my running partner's first long run beyond a couple of ten minutes and one twenty minute run; she has a lot to be proud of; go Sue! 

My running partner and I have now ditched the Run 10k app; I was conscious that I need to get on plan with my marathon training and mixing the two just wasn't going to work any longer.  So now, if my running partner isn't able to run I can stay on the programme and she'll just pick up where she left off on the next planned run.  No extra runs or messing around, and it means proper rest days and that equates to a happy Emma! (that's me!)

Tomorrow is the end of Janathon; I can't believe it really because it has flown by.  I won't be running tomorrow as my legs say no and it's my long day with work, followed by Uni in the evening so my cycling commute will be my final janathon activity.

I'll see you all on the other side :) xxx

Stats
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 114.85

After an incredibly late night, I woke (properly) around lunchtime and my first thoughts were of dread for my impending my long run. I knew I wouldn't miss it, but I couldn't shake off my self doubt about how it was going to pan out, mainly due to late night tiredness and aching legs; definitely not the best start to the day.  

Positivity had deserted me and all I wanted some 'lazy in bed' time watching movies and reading but it wasn't to be, so after breakfast in bed (yes siree) I took myself off for a little retail therapy and satisified my running gear addiction with the purchase of a new hoodie and running gloves... this seemed to revive me and I couldn't delay any longer so I headed out, armed with music as motivation, for my dreaded run.  Muse on the highest volume if you're wondering.

The first twenty minutes saw me trying to find my pace without getting carried off by the pace of the music; tricky! Anyway, I found my pace and half way through my hour I perked up, and it was on the second lap down one of the parks tree lined avenues I begin to feel this most amazing euphoria sweeping over my head and body.  Endorphines were rushing out left, right and centre and this kept up for most of the second half of my run, and throughout my stretching.  I've had this feeling before but it was so short lived it barely passed notice.  This was something entirely different and I want more!!  MORE I tell you.

This is the way running really gets a hold of you isn't it?  I couldn't stop smiling running around that park; I really wanted to punch the air, jump and shout out loud... you'll be pleased to know I restrained myself and focused that energy on my running instead but I did it when I got home :D What a day and what a run.

Also had a good pace which was faster than last week's long run... progress is definitely being made.

My legs are finished though, at least until tomorrow's easy run... ;)

Got to go, Birdsong is on...

Love from a seriously happy girl.

Stats
Distance: 5.24 miles
Time: 60 minutes 28 seconds
Total Janathon Miles: 112.35

Oops I nearly forgot... my 28th Janathon activity was a 40 minute run covering just under 3.5 miles; that is all... ;)

Back to sleep x

Stats
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 107.11

Not sure if it's because I'm a wee bit tired after a hectic week or whether my new trainers have a secret lining of concrete, because what was supposed to be an easy 30 minute run for day 3/week 3 of MT felt incredbily onerous on the ankles and feet. It started well but I began to feel like my feet were being prepared for some old fashioned mafia justice!  

I hope this is either tiredness or just part of the breaking in process, but as a precaution I'm wearing my other trainers for Sunday's long run as I don't fancy that feeling over a 60 minute period.

It's been a crazy week and it's been a challenge to fit my janathon activity in at times but I have managed it, even if 'only just'.  I'll own up and admit that I'm am more than looking forward to the end and having rest days again but I'm also going to miss it more than I can explain.  It's never been a chore but it's certainly been a challenge but an enjoyable challenge.  I shall make the most of my final few days.

Stats
Distance: 2.43 miles
Time: 30.03 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 103.61

I'm just home and it's ten past ten!  I'm not sure about you but I'm seeing a theme of long days occurring this week and no ME time, and I need ME time more than I need any other time or it's possible that I will spontaneously combust from all the effort given to other time.

...Ok, that's not entirely true however, I'm prone to exaggeration after long days... and sometimes just for the effect :)

I'm afraid this is my lamest janathon effort in the entire month but it was something which is better than nothing, so I'm logging and blogging!  I cycled 1.75miles in 12minutes... to work, this morning. I told you it was lame but it's all I could squeeze in today; not a total fail but not a success either; it's my survival ride! However, I have broken the 100 mile marker; whoop whoop!

The pressure should ease off tomorrow and the weekend so expect to see some quality effort being put in for the last days of janathon.  I shall miss it but at the same time my body will welcome non active days (rest days) without the heavy guilt of janathon preying on my mind ;) 

Only five days left!

Stats
Distance: 1.75 miles
Time: 12 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 101.18

Well if yesterday was a ridiculous day then today was idiotic! I had an Exam first thing, that I desperately crammed for yesterday/last night (after night class at Uni), followed by a semi 'normal' day at work, ending with a 4pm meeting that was supposed to last one hour to complete an element of project work. Due to unexpected interference to the space time continuum I arrive home at 8pm!  

I'm sure I've heard people talk about a concept known as the work life balance; I wonder what the heck it is some days.  So 8pm and no tea and I had to go for a run.  I was a little bit grumbly to say the least but I had new trainers to test drive and a head to clear.

I've completed day 25 of Janathon, which is day 2 of week 3 of my MTP; it was an easy run (defined in the programme and not by me) of 25 minutes and I covered 2 miles.  It was, well... easy! As for my new trainers; I was definitely aware of the difference but whether that's good or bad is too early to say; I'll come to a conclusion after Sunday's long run. 

Oh, and I passed my exam! 

All my love, Superbrain ;)

Stats
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 25.02 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 99.43

#crammingdoespayoff #geek #cleverclogs

Quick update on yesterday's Janathon activity. 25mins cycling over 3.5 miles...no time due to work/Uni and cramming for an exam so this is based on my commute ride :(

Will add more detail later on but still at work but conscious of the 24hr rule :)

Update at 21.12 on 25th Jan: Finally added stats.  Yesterday (Day 24) was a ridiculous day on many levels none of which are particularly entertaining fodder for my blog, just work, work, and more work.  Feel slightly guilty using my cycle commute as my activity for the day but had no other option I'm afraid; some great hills to cycle up on the way home so effort was put in :)

Stats
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 25 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 97.43

Evening Janathoners :)

I went out a bit later than expected today as my running partner decided she wanted us to have a weigh in, and to start factoring our diet more into our 'healthy' regime :) I'm not a fan of scales and tend to prefer to measure myself by my clothes and my general confidence in myself.  I'm a natural hourglass figure and my weight has fluctuated up and down over the years, with my curves following in equal measure.  I'm lucky in that I can carry any extra weight very well however, although I hate to admit it and feel nervous doing so, I know I would benefit in many ways by losing some weight at the moment.  I am definitely getting fitter and my running proves that, and personally I don't want to be hung up on a number week in, week out but I can see the merit/sense in monitoring what kinds of food I'm eating. It's all about making better choices and still enjoying those treats I love such as... chocolate, wine and good cold lager; just maybe in more moderation ;)  So, I ran the scaly gauntlet and I have now have set myself a challenge of better eating habits and a target loss to achieve over the coming months.  I'll need to balance this carefully with my marathon (accidently wrote 'marathin' lol) training but I'm confident it's do-able, and any weight loss will benefit my running, health and wellbeing.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Anyway, this isn't Emma's 100 ways to lose weight but my Janathon blog.  Tonight we headed out and ran for 40 minutes, in 4 cycles of 10 minutes with one minute walking intervals in between (Run 10k app).  My running partner had a bad muscle cramp in her calf last Monday that prevented her from running the rest of the week but I'm pleased to say she's recovered.  It was hard starting out as my legs were so tired but in the last ten minutes I really found my stride; I could have carried on :) 

What I'm after, if any of you can suggest a good website, are some new/beneficial leg stretches suitable for runners.  Any good suggestions?

Look, only 6.7 miles off the 100 mile marker :D

Stats
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Total Janathon Miles: 93.93

Home sweet home and as usual within 5 minutes of being home I'm more frozen than the antarctic; at least it feels that way.  One hot shower later and I'm starting to feel human again and really chuffed with todays' efforts.

Headed out on my bike to find the starting point of the Brampton Valley Way, got completely lost and had to harangue a number of dog walkers until I got on track.  Is it Northampton's biggest secret or something, because it's like trying to locate the holy grail!  

Anyway, with help I was on track and heading to a suitable starting point for my run, when it occured to me that although I'd bought my bike lock, I had no key; what an eejit. However, my luck was in when I arrived at the starting point, near a pub called the Windover, and I noticed a bunch of rail workers who kindly agreed to look after my bike while I ran, however it was in return for me laying down some line afterwards, Well, it was a done deal :D 

It was a good 50 minute run, the legs were on a roll, not so fast, but I didn't suffer any niggles.  This is my longest run so far since I took up running and it felt comfortable and my mind went on a bit of journey, thinking about running, my marathon, how long I had to go, whether to have direct eye contact with walkers, enjoying the elements, feeling grounded and at one. Yes, I have a little tree hugging spirit within me  :)  There's something about running today that made me feel part of the world around me and the realisation that it keeps me grounded.  I definitely need that, and it reminds me so much of meditation and mindfulness.  Despite my butterfly mind jumping all over the place it soon calms down, and my focus is on is my breathing rhythm alone; that in itself is meditative.

Anyway, I finished the run, threw down a few metres of rail line #justkidding and cycled home!

Stats
Distance: 12.98 (4.08 run / 8.9 cycle)
Time: 50 minutes run / 62 minutes cycling
Total Janathon Miles: 90.43