I was clearly jammy with the weather last week for my annual leave - a whole week of sunny clear days, not a breath of wind - ah, heavenly. But today it's back to the real world with gusty wind and rain and brrrrrrr coldth (that's a technical term which means it was well chilly).

Anyway, the first run of this week is a six, so I set off knowing exactly where I was going and then went wrong by turning right instead of left at the top of my road, then turned right too soon.... oh blinky bonky, what the...? Fortunately I was able to read my mileage much easier on the 305's bigger display screen to tell me that I just needed to make a tiny detour to make up the missing yards!



I am pretty sure that it was this sort of weather that I found before gave me the most problems with my breathing, and I certainly struggled tonight too. Had to stop a few times and take a puff or two, and had to take recovery time afterwards as well, so not good at all, but I managed to get round okay and apart from in the lung department everything felt good. This felt like I was taking it easy, which was my intention, so that's okay.

I'm very pleased to be still on track, and feeling strong, so February - bring her on.

:-)

Rest Day

Normally Sunday is the start of the working week, but this is the last of my few days off, so no work for me. It is a planned rest day, however, so no running either. Instead, Jasper and I enjoyed a little walk around Ennerdale. Haven't been out there for a while - petrol is too dear at the mo :(



It was also a good opportunity to take the 305 for a proper test, so that I am a bit more familiar with it when I go running (it will be dark, so it's helpful if I know what I'm doing beforehand!)

Skinny-Chick's 305

A few people have remarked that the wrist-strap on the 305 is a bit rubbish and the unit sits wonky on their wrists, but I have pretty substantial wrists and so it didn't look quite as bulky on me as it might on some more slightly built folk, and it 'sat' perfectly' - wasn't running though so I might change my mind yet on that point. It's bigger than the 405, of course, but that's why I have switched, for the bigger display.

Was it a good move - oh yeah. The screen can display up to four data items and each of these is shown the same size. The size that I can read. Hurrah. If you go for less information at a time on screen the display is bigger still. I normally have elapsed time, distance and heart rate (or hr%) on show, and to have all of these easy to read is a definite advantage for me.

I can't find any feature that I have lost by 'downgrading' other than the wireless comms. The 405 'connects' to the PC or Mac wirelessly and can also communicate with other 405's. I'm not sure what they talk about - how much their bezels have been touched lately I suppose, but that is a feature I never have used.

As for the connection to the PC or the Mac, I found that you had to get pretty close for it to work anyway, and so placed the charging clip on the computer desk. Post run routine then was to come in and connect the 405 up to it's charger on the desk. The wireless gizmo would then do it's stuff and my run would upload itself. With the 305, there is no wireless capability, so my post run routine is now to come in and connect the 305 up to it's charger, and click a button on screen which says 'upload' to upload my run. Not a great hardship!

I found the 405 to be very easy to operate once you had got a fair idea of which menu to go into for whatever you wanted, and the 305 seems similar. A lot of settings and functions and it takes a bit of getting used to, but the functionality seems a bit better on this one I think. More logical somehow. It looks a lot easier for switching between sports too, ie biking or running, but that's not particularly relevant to me.

Back again to the display - customising the display screens is a straight forward task, but with the addition of buttons it is much easier to navigate through them than on the 405. I now have an up and down feature to go back and forth through the various screens whereas I used to tap-tap-tap to go through them to find the one I wanted (don't think I ever managed to stop on the right one first time!)

So, I haven't actually been running with the new toy, I mean, kit - yet, that's tomorrow, but I am pleased with what I have found so far. Wish they made em in other colours, really. I have never been a fan of red....

Oh, and just to prove that I really am bored, and should not be allowed too many Sundays off work (except for race days), here are some charts from Daily Mile, which I'm not sure if I find useful or not really, but thought that I needed some piccies to brighten up this page.

Dirty Dozen

This is my last run with the 405, I have the 305 on charge at the mo and the ebay auction closes in a few hours. Already bids are more than enough to cover the cost of the brand new 305. Looks a bit weird, but who cares. To be honest, the 405 looks a bit weird too, at least with the 305 it's obviously meant to be something other than just a watch!

Never mind all that though - I just bloody ran 12 miles!! Yahoo!!

Well, I did stop a few times cos I was knackered, and I certainly felt it in the old legs, but by 'eck it's gotta be heading in the right direction. It's a beautifully sunny day here in West Cumbria so perfect for a long run really, but icy in places mind, and the cold air meant that I did need to use my inhaler a couple of times - other than that, no problems.


Oh, and I didn't apply the bodyglide last night - waited for this morning, and it did a wonderful job - apart from where I didn't put it which now looks like something Jasper would like from the butchers shop. Warming the bodyglide up first means it is much easier to apply and makes sure you get plenty on where it's needed.

Now to walk the dog, and test the 305 out!

Friday Four

Day of rest yesterday and I was itching to run all day, but my legs were a little weary so it was good to have a day off. Today is just a four miler, so decided to go for the usual route, but anti-clockwise for a change.



I didn't realise there were roadworks going on and so ended up running round the queueing cars and getting all fumed up. Not nice, but there you go.

I have completed the most important task of the week - found the bodyglide. It ain't brilliant but it's a zillion times better than nowt!

Moresby Parks - Whelpside

Yesterday evening and this morning I could feel the recent miles in my legs, so decided to run first thing rather than tire myself out even more faffing around doing other stuff first.

Once again, no world records getting broken here, just trying to keep the miles coming in without overdoing it. The aching muscles are due to missing out on the gradual build up I had planned, but I should be okay as long as I take it steady.



So, six miles ticked off and tomorrow is a rest day so the ol' legs can recover ahead of the weekends long run which is a twelve miler. I am really looking forward to it and have planned my route ready. Weather is expected to be wet I think but that's not particularly a problem.

Note to self: don't forget the bodyglide - that heart rate strap is a killer!

Eight...

Planned my route based on last weeks ten miler, having realised that if I took the minor detour onto Red Lonning I should be on 8 miles as I come back round to the Highlands. (Only a twit would plan to run UP the highlands at the end of a run, so always plan to end at the bottom!)



Got to the path at just over 8 miles and couldn't stop smiling as I walked back up to home. Felt as pleased as the very first time I ever ran this far. I must admit my legs feel a bit weary but I had taken it easy and should still be able to manage the rest of the runs for this week.

Woo hoo then.

Whelpside sixer

Six miler on the cards tonight and despite being dog tired after a very busy day at work, I was determined to get this one in. I'm greatly concerned at the runs I have missed over the past weeks and am conscious that I need those miles in the bag now.



It may look much the same on the map, but this was like a new route to me as I did the Moresby loop clockwise for a change. I'm not sure which way is easier really, it's difficult to tell as I think a new route always feels easier - psychologically at least. Then I diverted off the loop to add a two miler on by going out by the pool and back up Whelpside.

One or two very brief walking spells, mainly to keep my heartrate and therefore breathing rate to a reasonable level - but this felt as easy as it was, so that's a good sign.

I did have some problems with the asthma after the run and had to rely pretty heavily on my inhaler, but it is good to have something to help me recover (a) quicker, and (b) better!

I have a few days off work now so no reason why this weeks planned runs should not be forthcoming. We shall see. I am looking forward to the challenge of the long run this week, but trying to look after myself a bit as I have not had quite the gradual build up that I had planned. I'm sure I'll be fine. Still feeling good!

Golf Course Circuit

Beautiful sunny day once again in West Cumbria, so really enjoyable four miler round the usual route. As with yesterdays run I didn't push too hard, concentrating more on getting round the distance rather than breaking any records.

Here's that tenner I owe you!

Well, when I started this blog I didn't expect it to turn into a flaming medical diary, but it has already proved invaluable at tracking the problems I had with what I thought had been a chest infection. Duh. Doc has concluded that it is asthma. He confessed that he doesn't know much about this form, which only comes on when exercising, but reckons that we runners know more about our bodies than most people do and so saying chucked a prescription for some Ventolin at me and wished me luck!

He wasn't as slap-dash as that sounds,and obviously they will be monitoring my progress, but for now it's a case of "if it works and you wanna take it, have it". Thanks Doc, I will.

There was a bit of walking involved in this run, and a bit of good ol' fashioned knackeredness, but other than needing a wee puff of the inhaler after an hour and quarter, I was fine. Bet you can imagine how bloody chuffed I was. Still am.

I know the medication may need tweaking, and it may be that I need more than just this, but for now I am definitely a happy bunny.

Marathon? Bring it on!!!

Joe and back

Ha ha - brave and fearlessly decided to tackle a half hour trip out to Joe McBain Ave and back, bout three miles. It's very icy out so used the NB's, they are pretty good on the slippy stuff whereas the Asics are... well, pretty useless to be honest.

Went okay, my legs know they haven't had much to test them and are beginning to get bored waiting around I think, but I can't really do much more than this at the moment.



I did struggle somewhat as you can tell from the stop/start of the last mile particularly, and an hour later I have just about recovered from the lack of air, but tomorrow I am back at the quack and if nothing else, this run has provided additional data for them as to what exactly is going on when I have these breathing problems. There's some pretty wacky looking graphs laying around here at the mo!

It may not have been a great run this morning, but it was better than yesterdays effort, which I had to very quickly abandon in the interests of staying alive!



So, what happens next depends on the doctor I guess. I've not written off Edinburgh just yet...

Puff the Magic Dragon

Aha! Been for some tests today, and this involved being given Ventolin which made me feel quite a bit better. Well, sort of normal really.

After much consideration I decided to go for a run having done a quick peak flow test beforehand and found it to still be feeling the benefit of the ol' drugs.

Oh this felt sooooooo good, what can I tell ya!


All I need to do now is get my hands on a regular supply of the ol' puff and that Marathon may still be within reach.

Windy Golf Course Circuit

Yeah, okay, I know I'm a bad girl, but there is reason in my madness. I have this kind of hang up with medical issues.... see I reckon that if the doc says there is something wrong with you then you can easily start to feel like there's something wrong with you, when before you just would have trudged on. In other words, I don't like to be labelled as 'the patient'. All those times working for the NHS when people would be referred to as 'The Wheelchair' or 'The Heart Failure'. I was always careful not to do it, but it's very common and not something I am at all happy with.

Also, I wanna get an opportunity to see if I can get a good idea of sequence of events if I have problems, so that I can recognise that I am about to start having breathing problems before they actually take a grip.

Well, now the BS is out of the way - lol, not entirely, it is all true, but what I haven't yet mentioned is that I simply wanted to go for a run despite the rain and howling gales.

So this was it.


I will not go running again now until I have been back to the surgery on Monday. I promise. I managed okay, although I did stop once or twice, and I walked up the severest bit of the hill so as not to push my luck. Wheezing started about halfway round, but was slight. It started to drown out my ipod in the last half mile (interesting to note that it's downhill there!), but I am pleased I got round anyway.

For the record, I was easily able to feel it coming on, I lost the ability to breathe in properly after about 15-20 minutes and despite trying hard to take full breaths in, I found it impossible. Eased off to make allowance for it, but it got me anyway.

I recorded my peak flow after the run and it had dropped down to about 50%, so yeah, something is not quite working right. Never mind, I'm sure they will patch me up, hopefully this week.

:-)

Indoor cycling

I was so tempted to try a run today, as I feel quite well. But the memory of my near collapse on Wednesday morning is too fresh for me to consider it for long.

My resolve was somewhat helped by having to go to work for a few hours (something came up!) and when I finished there it was Jaspers turn for some exercise, and then an easy choice to go for the bike again.

Getting into the swing of this - watched some vintage 'Cybill' while I was pedalling (sooooo funny!) and it seemed easier than yesterday although I was a little saddle sore :-(


Once again, happy to be able to manage this without any problems - it's a million times better than not being able to do anything and I am feeling a lot more positive (partly cos I feel a lot more well!!)

I will try to be a good girl and stick to the docs orders, I am hoping on Monday to be allowed to continue the running. We shall see.

So, can I cycle instead?

Woke up this morning once again feeling good, but I resisted the temptation to run and decided to be sensible. Ha, even typing that felt wrong!!

Instead I thought I would see how I got on with a bit of indoor cycling. No cold air to contend with and if I do get badly I am not in the middle of nowhere and can just stop. Good thinking batman.



When I passed 20 minutes and was okay, I knew it was gonna be fine. Boy, did I feel this in my legs though - especially the back of my legs. Ooh. Anyway, I was pleased I managed to do an hour of this - it's not the same as running obviously, but I feel so much better having done something. I'm sure I will pay the price later, but what the hell.

Washed it down with a spinach juice and just in case all of that didn't lift my mood, I have also lost a la'al bit of weight too. All is good (well, almost all!)

Bah

Woke up today feeling good for the first time in a while, so no question that it was a day for a good run.

For somebody else perhaps.



I'm lost for what to say except I think this is may be the last of my running until the doc has sorted me out.

Really really really pissed off.

I know it is sensible to rest, and I know how bloody awful it is when I can't breathe, but I am so bloody frustrated. I got about 20 mins in and started wheezing really badly. Slowed right down, walked in fact, and tried to relax my breathing, but no dice. Just worsened and worsened. Even I will concede that I need some sort of help here. She who hates medicine desperately wants some right now!!

I'm typing this several hours later and although I am now breathing normally, I still feel so dreadfully frustrated but I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and wait. There's no doubt that whatever it is, it's getting worse by the day. My next appointment is Monday and hopefully I will get some magic stuff then.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Not as long as it should have been...

Scheduled for a ten miler today, but despite lots of fighting talk, it was never to be. I settled for once round the block, although I probably could have managed more.

In my defence, I had started the day with a cracking headache which simply would not shift and it is very cold out there, which I knew was gonna set me off coughing again. sure enough the demon two mile mark was the start of the problem.



I have been coughing so much lately that I ache like there has been a bus parked on my chest all night - not a good thing, especially as it was a double decker!

Despite this, I am hopeful to be back in the swing of the training plan, and will try to pick it up again on Monday.

Golf Course 4

Up early this morning as I have a doctors appointment and don't wanna lose the whole morning to it. Round the usual route for a four miler.

I did have to stop three times... first to stretch, it has turned very cold again (ice everywhere) and I think the muscles suffer somewhat with this, then shortly after that for a coughing fit - seems to afflict me about the 2 mile mark every time, and third cos I was at School Brow and decided I wasn't gonna push my luck - lungwise - by running up it this morning and knacker myself ahead of my long run tomorrow.



Otherwise all good, and I enjoyed this outing after yesterdays rest day. I am hopeful that the breathing thing can be sorted as quickly as possible as it is really the only problem I am having right now.

After much blowing in to tubes and wincing at the cold stethoscope, the doc reckons that I will probably end up having to use an inhaler to keep me going. All those years of youthful smoking catching up with me apparently. They're not sure what exactly is the problem til results of x-rays and blood tests, but he assures me that they will patch me up to keep me running so that's a positive note to end on! Blimey, I hope so!!

Golf Course circuit

Okay, I surrender. I am off to see the doc on Friday. Hmmmph. Had a really really bad night with coughing and at one point I wondered if it would ever stop. This morning my chest hurts with every breath and I am wheezing well so I decided that if I am ever gonna get rid of this darned thing I need some good ol pharmaceutical assistance!

Anyway, unperturbed, I set off for a four miler, knowing that I would probably have a little trouble en route. In the event it wasn't so bad. The snow has gone, although a little ice remains here and there, but generally it is quite warm (oh, ha ha ha!) today. It's a little easier on the breathing department that way, and although I stopped two or three times to just allow myself to recover, it wasn't too bad at all.



Felt yesterdays 8 miler in my right calf somewhat, it was twinging a little at me last night and was the subject of much stretching. It's fine, just a little tight. Otherwise all well and good. Tomorrow is a rest day, which I will need, and then hopefully I am back on course.

Happier now.
:-)

Evening Eight

Still having difficulty with the lungs so decided to concentrate on getting the distance in but drop the odd run as additional rest. So yesterdays run was knocked off on the promise that I must do this one tonight.

Easiest way to clock up 8 miles was to go round the block twice, so that's what I did. I was lucky to miss the rain that had come down during the day, but by the time I got out there it had become very windy and it was straight in my face along the 'home' straight. Both times.

Needed to pop up to Keekle Head roundabout at the end to make up the mileage and as I turned back towards Whitehaven it started snowing like the clappers.



More of a weather report than a run report - mainly cos there was little to report about the run. everything felt fine - apart from the lungs. Stopped once or twice for a wee cough and then carried on, so not too bad.

After returning home I struggled much more, but I am getting the hang of this and know that in about an hour I will be okay again.

Also.... the ballot opened today for this years Great North Run, so I have put in for a place. Fingers crossed!

The Year of the Marathon. Day One.

Happy New Year!!

Decided to run over to Harrington, visit a friend and run back, so this was a run of two halves and the Garmin battery died before I made it back to the car, but it was definitely 5.2 miles and I am pleased with it.

The first leg was in darkness. Cumbrian type darkness, so the Petzl was working hard. Very muddy along this route so I was concentrating pretty hard on not falling over the cliff or landing face first in a mud bath. Somehow managed both, and the lungs were not too bad, although I walked a little here and there when I started to feel them seizing up again. Warmer temperature seems to make all the difference.


Not a staggeringly impressive run perhaps, but I am pleased with it all the same. Yesterday I was convinced that I wouldn't manage more than a mile, but today I decided that just for one day I could live with the thought of Mun being right. I would like to hope it won't go to his head, but I fear it is already too late for that.

Most importantly - I thoroughly enjoyed it.