Weights...

they're quite heavy!

My knees have recovered nicely but inclement weather, other commitments and a dose of the latest viral cough have limited my activities recently. When I have been out I have used my old walk/run routine. I have, however, starting using my trusty wrist weights again.

I know that there are different views about wrist weights. From my perspective, a bit of resistance is very useful and makes a major difference if I'm not running the full distance.

One piece of news is that I have acquired a new book. 

This was recommended by Henry Hyde in his recent editorial in Miniature Wargames. Thanks Henry! As an old bloke with Type 2 diabetes, this provides some much needed advice on diet and exercise. I'm now considering taking the eight week diet on board, seeing as it has done Henry so much good. I'll report back

Rehab D+2

Phew.....

After a very enjoyable run on Friday morning I decided to have another go at the longer run on Saturday. Although I needed to take it easy, I successfully got round most of the course.

I had another go today and did just as well. Lovely morning too. Not my photo but it looked just like it!

Key learning point, don't over do it! My left leg and knee now seem to be back to normal, not brilliant but certainly in a fit state for running. That really is a relief.

Rehab.....

having a rest is a good idea!

I have not had a run since last Sunday and have been suffering a variety of pains and numbness in my left leg. All of which might be totally expected form over doing it. My concern was that it would have more than a temporary effect.

I'm off with the kids today so decided to have a bit of exercise with C25K. This is a free app that has a nine week walk/run coaching schedule that takes you from being a fat lump nailed to the sofa to running a 5K. I must say it is very effective.

Today I ran one of the week 2 exercises around the estate where I live which is pretty hilly located as it is in the Daventry foot hills.

In the olden days...the hills are just as big now

After 40 minutes of exercise I feel pretty good. My leg is OK (I used the knee support just in case). One interesting thing is that I used specially designed running socks which helped with the fit of the shoes and felt a lot more comfie. I think I'll do the same again over the weekend. Things are looking up!

Day off with the posh people.....

but not the gates to hell

With my leg playing up yesterday I was grateful to take eldest daughter and chums to survival swimming at Rugby School (a GCSE not a hobby!). Obviously the epicenter for rugby (even rugby league!) and extremely pleasant. Having lived in the Midlands now for 20 odd years I had not so far walked around the school. Very nice as you can tell from this.....

I still feel strangely relaxed as a result.

Day 5.....

Day off!

Well, not planned anyway. I started off at 0745 this morning only to find my leg completely gone after 1 km. I did walk the route (44 minutes all in) just to keep my hand (leg!) in. I'll have to think about tomorrow when I get there.

In the meantime, here is a nice picture of the dam that holds in the reservoir.

Day 4......

Darkest before dawn?

Well, usually that is because it is the middle of the night! In my case today was very difficult........

Typical view half way round, nice

Starting conditions

Weather: 6 C, dull and cloudy, light rain.
Start time: 0800
Weight: 14 stone 5 pounds (curry!)

Warm up: Two paracetamol, nice cup of coffee, one slice of toast with jam and knee support.
Kit: Shorts, shirt, running jacket.
Course: 5033m cross country with a 32m gradient as before but yet again had to cut off the last 200m. 

Result

Time: 35 minutes. 
Satisfaction rating: 20% Major knee problems today. Totally disorganised and got worse during the run. 
Ideas: Nil.
Adventures: Overtaken by a man in pyjamas shouting into his mobile.
Warm down: Coffee and a two finger KitKat.
Do differently: I may have to rest up tomorrow. Very disappointing.

Day 3......

Still on track!

Yes, I had to raid my old walking kit yesterday to track down a knee support and elastic bandage. Luckily they were exactly where I had left them 15 years ago!

Starting conditions

Weather: 4 C, sunny with a light wind, low cloud same as yesterday but not yet dispersed so not as warm.
Start time: 0756
Weight: 14 stone 5 pounds (revenge of the Easter egg!)

Warm up: Two Ibuprofen, nice cup of coffee, one slice of toast with jam and wrestling with bandages.
Kit: Shorts, shirt, running jacket. I left off the hat today to avoid overheating.
Course: 5033m cross country with a 32m gradient as before but again had to cut off the last 200m. 

Result

Time: 35 minutes. Quite good given the circumstances.
Satisfaction rating: 70% Despite the problems with my leg the run was enjoyable. No problems with stamina or rhythm. 
Ideas: Dragoons Rampant.
Adventures: Nil. Almost no one about today.
Warm down: Coffee and a two finger KitKat.
Do differently: I'll try the same thing again tomorrow. The only thing on my mind is whether the new running shoes are affecting my left foot and that in turn is impacting on my calf and knee. I could try my old boots and see if that is better.

If anyone were to ask about my objectives then they are twofold:

• to run a 5K and enjoy the experience
• to obtain a reasonable time

In terms of time, given that I'm 58 this year, I'm looking at 25 minutes as a starting point. Age adjusted that is around 20 minutes so would not be a bad result. Still some way to go!

Where are the Gates of hell?

Just over there actually!

Its a bugger to get to Waitrose if they don't close them at the end of the day!

Exchange at Peterborough Diocese Conference 2014 during the Bishop's Plenary as reported by Richard Cole, vicar and ex-Communard: 

"where do we find the Gates of Hell?," he asks. Someone whispers "Daventry".

I'm not surprised they were installed in Dav as it is a very convenient sort of a place!

Day 2 of the mission to get ready for a Park Run 5K has been a bit of a disaster. Here is the AAR:

Starting conditions

Weather: 5 C, sunny with a light wind, low cloud quickly dispersed so it started getting hot.
Start time: 0906
Weight: 14 stone 4 pounds (still)
Warm up: Two Ibuprofen, nice cup of coffee, one slice of toast with jam and a trip to the Doctor's for a blood test.
Kit: Shorts, shirt, running jacket, woolly hat and underpants (see note below). New boots still.
Course: 5033m cross country with a 32m gradient as before but had to cut off the last 200m due to pain. 

Result

Time: 40 minutes. The stop watch worked but then I'm not sure it mattered! A calendar would have done just as well.
Satisfaction rating: 10% I quickly found I had a problem with my left calf which generated a lot of pain and discomfort. The rhythm was great and my head was correctly tuned in which was also great. Overall though, not fun.
Ideas: Still working on the BKC idea. Have also just been thinking about using Lion Rampant for Napoleonics as per the latest WI.
Adventures: Nil. Glad to get back in one piece actually.

Warm down: Coffee and a large orange.
Do differently: I need to look at warming up more comprehensively than just getting out of bed. Also need to look for an elastic bandage, they always seem to work quite well for this sort of thing.

By the way, it has been pointed out to me that the reference to underpants yesterday might be interpreted as meaning I prefer the woolly variety. Not true. However, I remain very concerned that my running shorts contain a string vest arrangement that you might use for oranges which seems to imply that undies are not required. I do, of course, prefer to be dressed appropriately! 

Can things get any more exciting? Lets see tomorrow.

Lift off........

The journey commences today!

Well, the crap runner is me and the Gates of Hell are where I live apparently, or at least according to the Church of England! This is a short diversion from my normal blogging activity and it feels a little strange to be writing about things which are personal and don't involve playing at killing people. 

New boots....

The mission is to run a 5K with other people in a Park Run towards the end of May. The primary objective is to get round it in one piece without looking a total wally. I have been doing quite a lot of prep over the past year. There is a story to all of this which will come out over the next few weeks. However, today's post is about my first actual trial run. Here is the AAR:

Starting conditions

Weather: 2 C, sunny and windy

Start time: 0810

Weight: 14 stone 4 pounds

Warm up: Two paracetamol, nice cup of coffee, one slice of toast with jam and half an Easter egg.

Kit: Shorts, shirt, running jacket, woolly hat and underpants (natch). New boots.

Course: 5033m cross country with a 32m gradient.

Result

Time: Possibly 33 minutes but then I didn't set the stop watch properly! Bah!

Satisfaction rating: 50% I didn't find a rhythm until the last 1k and my head was in the wrong space.

Ideas: Adapt the Blitzkrieg Commander combat rules to the Neil Thomas intro rules for WWII.

Adventures: Nil, just people with dogs. Hey ho.

Warm down: Coffee and the rest of the Easter egg! 

Do differently: Well, I'll sort out how to use the stop watch properly. I'll also need to look at the lacing on my left foot as this is a bit tight.

More excitement tomorrow!