Today was meant to be a 4 miler according to the training guide and I had planned to tack on a few more but it wasn't in the cards. Spen made it home from work a bit later than planned and then we had a lively discussion about a possible trip to Centre Parcs with friends this coming fall. We haven't seen each other much over the last few days so debated if I'd even go out tonight at all. . . this took a while to decide as I really wanted us all to have dinner as a complete family but also wanted to keep to the schedule and get home before dark.
All of that talking didn't see me out of the house til quarter past five. I knew a long walk wouldn't be possible as I don't like being out on the canal in true darkness - all on my own - so I decided to see if I could be a bit speedier and do a sort of 3 mile 'sprint.' Is there such a thing as sprinting in terms of walking? I'm still not sure but I know that I was averaging over 5 miles an hour!!
3.11 miles - 5382 steps - 36.52.68
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Spring, Spring, Spring!!!
I have officially decided that Spring has arrived to the Kent Coast! My mini iris in bloom should have been a clue, but my walk today clinched it. There were birds singing, flowers blooming, even little swarms of gnats that made me grin and think that the sun is on its way. I was enjoying myself so much that I decided to tack another three miles on to what I had planned for the morning. Many thanks to Spen for offering to take the girls to the grocery store so I didn't have to worry about when I had to be home.
After many months (well, years) of grumbling about living 'over here,' I found myself in awe of our lovely little corner of the world. The first 30 min of my walk goes through a hilly area full of baa-ing sheep and a trickling canal. The second 15 min took me through town and along some heavily planted trails showing the first signs of spring color . . . including a coloration I've never seen before- RED dog poop! I kid you not, the council must employ someone to go around and spray paint all of the dog poop red so someone else can come along and pick it up- crazy!!! Turing away from the poop path, I found myself along the seaside for another 15 min out and back. Seriously, I live in a pretty great place; country hillside and the beach all within a few miles of my front door.
The only strange bit of today's journey occurred about a mile from home. This group of what I can only guess were ramblers was about to pass me from the other direction when their leader shouts (so I can hear him over my Radio 4) "we're all quite impressed." Ordinarily, I would assume that any British person uttering that phrase would be being sarcastic but today, I choose to believe they were impressed. They should be, I took out 7+ miles in an hour and a half- stuff that, ramblers!
7.25 miles - 12814 steps - 1.32.08
After many months (well, years) of grumbling about living 'over here,' I found myself in awe of our lovely little corner of the world. The first 30 min of my walk goes through a hilly area full of baa-ing sheep and a trickling canal. The second 15 min took me through town and along some heavily planted trails showing the first signs of spring color . . . including a coloration I've never seen before- RED dog poop! I kid you not, the council must employ someone to go around and spray paint all of the dog poop red so someone else can come along and pick it up- crazy!!! Turing away from the poop path, I found myself along the seaside for another 15 min out and back. Seriously, I live in a pretty great place; country hillside and the beach all within a few miles of my front door.
The only strange bit of today's journey occurred about a mile from home. This group of what I can only guess were ramblers was about to pass me from the other direction when their leader shouts (so I can hear him over my Radio 4) "we're all quite impressed." Ordinarily, I would assume that any British person uttering that phrase would be being sarcastic but today, I choose to believe they were impressed. They should be, I took out 7+ miles in an hour and a half- stuff that, ramblers!
7.25 miles - 12814 steps - 1.32.08
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Beware- Grumpiness, Next 5 Miles
What a horrendous walk today was! I left feeling motivated to tackle something in the range of 8 miles but as soon as I hit mile #2 my stomach started to churn. I'm not sure if it was the after effects of the food from H's friend's birthday party in the morning or if I'm catching what the girls have had, but it was a really griping pain. I felt so defeated and then I noticed that my watched had stopped clocking time and mileage- ugg! I fought the urge to call Spen for another half a mile but ended up giving in in front of the Neptune pub. Thank goodness he agreed to pick me up a few miles down the road!!!
I'm happy he gave me a few miles to sort my head out as I was feeling so, blah, really. During this time I focused on a few things, grumpy things. I hated how fume-y the road was. I ordinarily walk along the canal or by the sea so the fumes of the lorries and buses made me feel woozy. I think I have officially become 'country.' Also, someone beeped me. It scared me senseless! It was horribly embarrassing as I literally jumped off of the pavement.
walk- down the canal, crossed over the bridge near the Prince of Wales, down the A295 ending at the Martello tower just passed Dymchurch. . . and into the coziness of the car!
Grumble, grumble, grumble. Tomorrow is another day.
5.45-ish miles - 9192 - 1.16.38-ish*
*guesses based on map my run data, damn watch!
I'm happy he gave me a few miles to sort my head out as I was feeling so, blah, really. During this time I focused on a few things, grumpy things. I hated how fume-y the road was. I ordinarily walk along the canal or by the sea so the fumes of the lorries and buses made me feel woozy. I think I have officially become 'country.' Also, someone beeped me. It scared me senseless! It was horribly embarrassing as I literally jumped off of the pavement.
walk- down the canal, crossed over the bridge near the Prince of Wales, down the A295 ending at the Martello tower just passed Dymchurch. . . and into the coziness of the car!
Grumble, grumble, grumble. Tomorrow is another day.
5.45-ish miles - 9192 - 1.16.38-ish*
*guesses based on map my run data, damn watch!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
i didn't wanna
I so did not want to go out today; the weather was perfect but I was absolutely whacked after twins club and H and I were all snuggly under a duvet watching a dvd. I'm not sure if it was Spen's nagging or his pseudo-motivational speech but I found myself putting on my trainers before long while grumbling that it would be a total waste of time and I'd only do three miles as I just could not be bothered.
I hate typing this, but Spencer was right. I did feel invigorated once I got out in the sunshine and ended up committing myself to a six-miler without being entirely sure of where that would take me. I headed down the canal path, passed by the miniature railway station, across town, down to Ladies' Walk, and found myself exactly in front of the swimming pool at the 3 mile mark.
***make a note of that for later. The next time I'm scheduled a 3 mile walk I can just toddle home after taking the girls for a swim.***
The trip out was relatively slow but I managed to carve off a few minutes on the return by improving my form. I suppose its also because I didn't have to guess where I was going and I stopped fiddling with my watch. Not sure what was wrong with it but I couldn't get the silly thing to show my mileage and time at the same time, kept getting MPH instead. Will have to play about with that later.
The new shoes definitely have the blister situation under control, no new ones and the old ones didn't rub at all. My knee is a bit swollen tonight, not complaining though as it gives me a reason to lounge on the couch and watch ER?!
6.12 miles - 10,770 steps - 1.17.38
I hate typing this, but Spencer was right. I did feel invigorated once I got out in the sunshine and ended up committing myself to a six-miler without being entirely sure of where that would take me. I headed down the canal path, passed by the miniature railway station, across town, down to Ladies' Walk, and found myself exactly in front of the swimming pool at the 3 mile mark.
***make a note of that for later. The next time I'm scheduled a 3 mile walk I can just toddle home after taking the girls for a swim.***
The trip out was relatively slow but I managed to carve off a few minutes on the return by improving my form. I suppose its also because I didn't have to guess where I was going and I stopped fiddling with my watch. Not sure what was wrong with it but I couldn't get the silly thing to show my mileage and time at the same time, kept getting MPH instead. Will have to play about with that later.
The new shoes definitely have the blister situation under control, no new ones and the old ones didn't rub at all. My knee is a bit swollen tonight, not complaining though as it gives me a reason to lounge on the couch and watch ER?!
6.12 miles - 10,770 steps - 1.17.38
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
3 short ones
I couldn't seem to get myself started today and ended up being forced out the door for my walk. I needed to walk some place new as the canal has become a bit of a bore and so drove off for a quick three miles on the sea wall. Walking on the sea wall proved to be a lot more challenging than the canal as the distance was deceptive; it felt like I was moving so slowly but my watch kept telling me I was on pace. . . think I'll have to clock a few more miles there as I imagine there will be a times on the night that the walking will get monotonous and I want to have the ability to shut the feeling out, put my head down and motivate. The three short miles brought three little thoughts.
1. Don't eat beans on toast before going on a speed interval walk- gave myself a horrible side stitch!
2. The sea is eerie when there are no boats on the water and the sky is gray- too too quiet.
3. The last time I walked the loop from today was the day Spencer's sister & brother-in-law told us they were pregnant for the first time. They'll be having their second baby sometime next month. I can't get over how quickly the years are passing these days, seems only a moment since we had Hannah and soon there will be five little ones in the family. Congrats to them!!!
3 miles - 5234 steps - 37.33.67
1. Don't eat beans on toast before going on a speed interval walk- gave myself a horrible side stitch!
2. The sea is eerie when there are no boats on the water and the sky is gray- too too quiet.
3. The last time I walked the loop from today was the day Spencer's sister & brother-in-law told us they were pregnant for the first time. They'll be having their second baby sometime next month. I can't get over how quickly the years are passing these days, seems only a moment since we had Hannah and soon there will be five little ones in the family. Congrats to them!!!
3 miles - 5234 steps - 37.33.67
Sunday, February 15, 2009
new shoes
Four trips to Sweatshop, three models of shoes and a few blisters later- I officially have my new shoes. I set of to Maidstone again today to pick up the shoes that had been special ordered due to my *massive* sized feet. It took me nearly 30 minutes to realise that I had forgotten the shoes at home. Thank goodness I have a forgiving husband as he didn't force me to drive back again and instead piled all of the kiddos into the car and followed me up to the shop. The exchange only took 5 minutes and I even got my bum bag. Writing that I willingly purchased a bum bag makes me shudder but I have been assured it will be essential on the night.
The shoes are incredibly light Asics (never had those before) and are so white that you could probably see them from space. I haven't had white shoes for years, preferring gray or tan, and couldn't get over how shiny and clean they looked. It was almost embarrassing and reminded me of my old cross country coach, Mr. Roderick. I half expected him to pop out from behind a tree and push me in the mud or tread on them to dirty them up a bit. The first time he smudged my shoes, I was horrified, but its changed my feelings on white shoes forever. Thought a lot about him while out walking today, he was a great guy and often said 'you can't have a bad time at a track meet.' Ah, may be the first of many puns I can't help but find amusing.
Today was the first 'official' training day according to the Moonwalk Guide and I clocked a quick four miles. No blisters but the shoes did rub a bit- need taller socks.
4 miles - 6860 steps - 48.59.75
The shoes are incredibly light Asics (never had those before) and are so white that you could probably see them from space. I haven't had white shoes for years, preferring gray or tan, and couldn't get over how shiny and clean they looked. It was almost embarrassing and reminded me of my old cross country coach, Mr. Roderick. I half expected him to pop out from behind a tree and push me in the mud or tread on them to dirty them up a bit. The first time he smudged my shoes, I was horrified, but its changed my feelings on white shoes forever. Thought a lot about him while out walking today, he was a great guy and often said 'you can't have a bad time at a track meet.' Ah, may be the first of many puns I can't help but find amusing.
Today was the first 'official' training day according to the Moonwalk Guide and I clocked a quick four miles. No blisters but the shoes did rub a bit- need taller socks.
4 miles - 6860 steps - 48.59.75
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