Slowly slowly catchy monkey

Love this. It's so me!

shared from The Running Bug.

Arrrggggghhh

Today is Sunday and while most sane people were sleeping or chilling in front of the telly in their jammies, nursing a cup of tea and/or hangover; I was at Wynyard woodland walkway aka Castle Eden walkway, attempting to commit hari kari.

Mel and I joined her slimming world members  for a run. They were doing 12 miles and we were attempting to keep them within our sights. A lovely group of people and utterly different to the last group I ran with, which is great.

I've been hating running recently.  I keep asking myself why I'm putting myself through this torture. At the moment that is what it feels like! Today was no different. We did a really good long run but at stages I felt ill, physically sick,  light headed,  tight chested and generally at deaths door. Burning tummy (hence the hari kari reference), chest which didn't open up when it usually does and leg ache. I kind of thought that I would feel better having gone back to meat, and while I suppose I must given the distance we covered,  I still felt just dreadful.

Bless Mel, she's such a trouper.  So positive and determined. I feel like a complete misery in comparison. 

Still,  14km. That is getting near Great North Run length. We just need to do it more than once a week, even if it's not that length each time. Tomorrow I'm starting the Insanity programme and there is a boot camp at the barrage on an evening I might go to. I really need to work my core.

My back started hurting towards the end of the run today. Toenails as well.  Need to get a bum bag!

I ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 14.46km, time: 02:19:00, pace: 9:37min/km, speed: 6.24km/h. http://mapmyrun.com/workout/1017999335

Tired and stressed out

Mel and I ran the Tees barrage last week. It was really challenging.  Not because it's the Tees Barrage but because I was exhausted.  Nothing left bone dry tired. I've been so tired recently that I could sleep during the day. I think it is because I have been really bad with my diet. Too lethargic to cook anything decent so living off fried haloumi,  cheese pasties and tins of chickpea Dahl which has played havoc with my tummy. So, I decided to go back to eating meat. To up my protein and iron intake to give me some more support while I'm training.  So this run was hard and emotional and I changed my diet afterwards.

I ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 5.78km, time: 54:19, pace: 9:24min/km, speed: 6.39km/h. http://mapmyrun.com/workout/1012057835

The River Tees and the Tees Barrage

Today we decided to change our view so we went over to the Tees Barrage and began our run from there. What a glorious day for it.  The sun is shining and the River Tees looked serene. We had a really nice run. My first time along the river walk. I didn't realise how many nature reserves sit alongside it. It's a haven for wildlife. We didn't spot the famous seal though!  There were lots of people out running, walking dogs, cycling and taking in the scenery. At the barrage there were a group of kayakers taking on the course. I hadn't realised how popular and used the Barrage and the Tees river way is. 

Mel took some photos when we got to Newport Bridge which I've nicked for the blog. She had been holding her phone though so they are a bit blurred from the sweat!  

Didn't do bad and hopefully we'll have another run on Sunday.

I ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 7.20km, time: 01:08:13, pace: 9:28min/km, speed: 6.33km/h. http://mapmyrun.com/workout/992745419

Hard one today

Wow it felt like it was back to the beginning today. First run for 2 weeks due to my achy back and boy it was really difficult. Totally self inflicted of course. Since i hurt my back I've been on 'don't give a shit' mode. Eating crap, drinking crap, late nights and laziness. Last night I ate half a pack of cheese doritos and humus and had fried haloumi for dinner. Hold the salad. I also had a few glasses of wine which is silly because I don't sleep well if I drink.

So today I felt as though my legs were going to give in, my head was going to explode and I was only fit to drop. Still, a run is better than no run.

My back ached at first but was fine by the end. Eased up a bit I guess. Now I'm sitting with an ice pack on my back as instructed. Then off to shower.

We ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 5.08km, time: 46:46, pace: 9:12min/km, speed: 6.52km/h. http://mapmyrun.com/workout/983027495

A short pause!

So last week we did 10KM. Amazing! So proud! 

This week however I've had to take a break. My back has been troublesome for years ever since I done it in trying to remove a tree stump from my garden. I didn't go to the doctors as I just thought I'd torn muscles, but I was laid up in bed for a week and had to use a stick to help me walk the few metres to the bathroom. 

So I've been having trouble recently, especially after a run, and my friend suggests a Sports Physiotherapist she uses for her dodgy back. I went to see him yesterday and he asked me a lot of questions, done some tests and it seems I may have slipped a disc all those years ago. Explains why ever since then I have had back issues, sciatica and tight muscles. 

After some vertebrae compressions and a deep tissue massage, which was uncomfortable to say the least, I went away with an exercise regime and feeling fab! 

Started to feel less fab the more the day went on and by evening I was relying on heat pads to ease my sore muscles. 

Today I am bruised and sore but hopeful that I will get back to running next week. In the meantime I'll be exercising gently and working on my core.

At least I have an answer now and can start to recover. I'm going back to see him in 4 weeks time. 

Mel, love her, made me up a soothing lavender oil to help ease my back. I have lovely friends!!

OMG!!!!!! 10km

How amazing do I feel right now? ?Pretty bloody amazing! I am so proud of what we have achieved today. 

We ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 10.13km, time: 01:31:59, pace: 9:05min/km, speed: 6.61km/h. http://mapmyrun.com/workout/963150141

Had to have a celebration selfie with Mel.

GO US!