I took a giant leap towards a good run today by not drinking in the pub last night. Although it was quite a late night (with a chinese thrown in for good measure) it felt glorious not having a hangover this morning. Waking up around midday, I looked out the window to see a wonderful blue sky and not a cloud in sight. How wonderful it would be to get out into the sunshine and ward off rickets for another day.
But life is never that easy, especially when there's a tasty FA Cup tie on TV just waiting to be watched. Promising myself that I would go for a run straight after the final whistle, I used my pre-match time to plan my route. I chose a route of about 3 miles and then settled down to the football safe in the knowledge that I'd make up for it afterwards.
But then ITV threw a spanner in the works by announcing that the FA Cup 4th round draw would be on immediately after the final whistle. This was a horrible dilemma; keep my deal with myself or stay on the couch for an extra 20 minutes...
After the 4th round draw, I started to doubt my deal-making skills. It was now around 16:00 and starting to get dark. The sunshine that had promised to provide me with much needed vitamin D was gone and it was replaced by a bright moon and a dark sky. My session on the sofa had also stiffened my body to unprecedented proportions and also sapped the motivation I had this morning. But as a dedicated Janathoner, I took to the streets.
Going for this run has been a revelation and so many good things happened that I actually returned with a smile on my face. You may be asking yourself how this can happen but I have no answers for you. Its a miracle. It started within 20 strides of my front door. The route I planned was quite a regular route for me, which was putting me off. I've done it so much I'm getting bored of it. That can only mean I'm going running too much, so that was the first good thing.
My legs were quite achy from football yesterday so after changing my route and stopping to have a stretch after 1/2 a mile, I set off at an unusually steady pace. Getting to the end of my improvised route, I thought to myself "I can do better than this", so I added an extra mile on the end of my run. This was amazing. This was more than a miracle. I can't even find words to describe how I felt at running an extra mile.
Towards the end of this extra mile, I was starting to flag a bit, with my legs dragging behind me. This is where my other recent revelation (my iPod) came in handy. As I was thinking an extra stretching session would be a good idea, The Spencer Davis Group starting serenading me with the words "keep on running". The miracles just didn't stop today. With those words in my ear, I picked it up a gear and finished my extra mile with a sprint.
I defeated quite a few demons with my run tonight and now I just want to go running again. I have a feeling this new motivation will dip a little tomorrow when I realise I can hardly move my legs but with the Grim Challenge coming up next Sunday, I'm more optimistic of having a good time than I was last year.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Saturday, 8 January 2011
The Underdog Story
Today was my first 11-a-side football game after Christmas and I prepared for it like a professional by having copious amounts of alcohol and a doner kebab the night before. Needless to say, the quality of sleep I had last night wasn't the best so I stumbled out of bed and into the shower (I always shower before football, not really sure why).
We were playing a cup game today against a team in the top division (we're in the bottom division) so it was a real David vs Goliath fight.
The score isn't important here, the main thing is that we all tried our hardest (yes, we lost). The ground was very muddy so it was like running on sand sometimes and when a team is better than you, it always seems to be you doing more running than them.
One good thing I can take from the game today was the amount of running I managed. I would compare it to interval running with a gentle jog up the line, a sprint back along the line when the team have lost the ball and the winger has just strolled into your half with no one within 20 metres of him and a short rest while the goalkeeper picks the ball out of the net.
We did manage to string a few passes together and actually managed to claw 2 goals back, but it doesn't really make much difference when your 7-0 to start with :)
Its running time tomorrow and I have a feeling its going to be a difficult one, not least because I feel like I could sleep for the whole of tomorrow. Anyway, to the pub! I'm just glad I've got my blog post out of the way first :)
We were playing a cup game today against a team in the top division (we're in the bottom division) so it was a real David vs Goliath fight.
The score isn't important here, the main thing is that we all tried our hardest (yes, we lost). The ground was very muddy so it was like running on sand sometimes and when a team is better than you, it always seems to be you doing more running than them.
One good thing I can take from the game today was the amount of running I managed. I would compare it to interval running with a gentle jog up the line, a sprint back along the line when the team have lost the ball and the winger has just strolled into your half with no one within 20 metres of him and a short rest while the goalkeeper picks the ball out of the net.
We did manage to string a few passes together and actually managed to claw 2 goals back, but it doesn't really make much difference when your 7-0 to start with :)
Its running time tomorrow and I have a feeling its going to be a difficult one, not least because I feel like I could sleep for the whole of tomorrow. Anyway, to the pub! I'm just glad I've got my blog post out of the way first :)
Friday, 7 January 2011
Janathon Ethics
Is blogging on the Janathon whilst drunk within the ethics of the competition? I like to think so if you've earned it... and I think I have today.
My alarm sounded at 6:10 this morning, calling me to rise from bed and get to the train station by 6:31 to arrive at the gym before work. 7:00 I got to the gym and I felt no better than when I woke up.
The difference I did notice in myself today was my opinion on what I should be doing at the gym. I've noticed from the running and swimming that its not my CV that is suffering but the muscles that help me move; my legs, shoulders and pecs. So after 10 minutes on the rowing machine, I made sure my upper body had a good workout, especially myabs ab and my "core" muscles.
The rest of the day was a bit of a tired blur... 10 hours at work and then to bowling with a load of people I didn't really know but I feel good for actually making it to the gym this morning. I feel even better after the doner kebab I've just consumed (I even ate the salad!) and I even managed to watch (the end of) another James Bond film, bit it was only Pearce Brosnan this time, so I don't feel as depressed as Casino Royale.
Anyway, its football time tomorrow and probably a run for Sunday so I'm still (just about) in the Janathon.
P.S apologies for the incoherent blog... I really am quite drunk but I'm trying to follow the 24 hour rule
My alarm sounded at 6:10 this morning, calling me to rise from bed and get to the train station by 6:31 to arrive at the gym before work. 7:00 I got to the gym and I felt no better than when I woke up.
The difference I did notice in myself today was my opinion on what I should be doing at the gym. I've noticed from the running and swimming that its not my CV that is suffering but the muscles that help me move; my legs, shoulders and pecs. So after 10 minutes on the rowing machine, I made sure my upper body had a good workout, especially my
The rest of the day was a bit of a tired blur... 10 hours at work and then to bowling with a load of people I didn't really know but I feel good for actually making it to the gym this morning. I feel even better after the doner kebab I've just consumed (I even ate the salad!) and I even managed to watch (the end of) another James Bond film, bit it was only Pearce Brosnan this time, so I don't feel as depressed as Casino Royale.
Anyway, its football time tomorrow and probably a run for Sunday so I'm still (just about) in the Janathon.
P.S apologies for the incoherent blog... I really am quite drunk but I'm trying to follow the 24 hour rule
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Why do I do this to myself?
Today was the first day when I really thought to myself "Is this really worth it?". With a lack of sleep last night (Match of the Day was totally worth it!) and a tough day at work lined up, I had my chin tickled by a buttercup went swimming.
My whole body aches... my pecs are aching from swimming and my shoulders are just generally aching but on the good side my calf muscles are feeling less tight. I struggled through the swim and came out the other side just as achy as I started. So much for exercise releasing endorphins to make you feel good.
Anyway, the saying "its a marathon not a sprint" springs to mind at this point in time. I'm only 6 days in and struggling so hopefully 12 days in I'll be struggling less. At least I hope so anyway because its just over a week until the Grim and I don't really want to feel like this when I run that.
I'm heading to the gym tomorrow morning before work... that means getting a 6:30 train! I'm not sure how I'm going to do that but seeing as I'm going out for a team lunch and going bowling in the evening a morning gym session is my only chance to stay in the Janathon. Why do I do this to myself?
My whole body aches... my pecs are aching from swimming and my shoulders are just generally aching but on the good side my calf muscles are feeling less tight. I struggled through the swim and came out the other side just as achy as I started. So much for exercise releasing endorphins to make you feel good.
Anyway, the saying "its a marathon not a sprint" springs to mind at this point in time. I'm only 6 days in and struggling so hopefully 12 days in I'll be struggling less. At least I hope so anyway because its just over a week until the Grim and I don't really want to feel like this when I run that.
I'm heading to the gym tomorrow morning before work... that means getting a 6:30 train! I'm not sure how I'm going to do that but seeing as I'm going out for a team lunch and going bowling in the evening a morning gym session is my only chance to stay in the Janathon. Why do I do this to myself?
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Swimming with a beard
I turned 25 just before Christmas and I realised at the time that I've never had facial hair. Now, I'm not someone who gets a 9 o'clock shadow at the end of the day. Infact, I don't even get a 9 o'clock shadow 2 days after I've shaved but I thought I'd persevere with the beard growing effort anyway.
Growing this beard is giving me so many different sensations and emotions. I've been compared to one of the Three Musketeers (it wasn't specified which one) and my nan almost refused to speak to me when I saw her the other day (it turns out she prefers clean shaven men) but its staying.
I've found it impacts with the Janathon, but only in good ways. When I've been running, it has kept my chin warm which I never appreciated before. The weirdest sensation though was when I went swimming today. I try to swim only front crawl but on the few lengths I did breast stroke on, I found my beard trapping the bubbles when I breathed out. I'm not sure it improved my buoyancy or increased my resistence in the water, but it felt kind of good. Kind of like when someone would tickle your chin with a buttercup as a kid.
Back to the Janathon, its swimming for today and tomorrow. My calf muscles feel like they are about to *ping* so I'm trying to rest them with some swimming sessions. It still counts for the Janathon (I was never going to win it anyway) and hopefully they will be less painful for a Friday morning gym session and 11-a-side football on Saturday.
Growing this beard is giving me so many different sensations and emotions. I've been compared to one of the Three Musketeers (it wasn't specified which one) and my nan almost refused to speak to me when I saw her the other day (it turns out she prefers clean shaven men) but its staying.
I've found it impacts with the Janathon, but only in good ways. When I've been running, it has kept my chin warm which I never appreciated before. The weirdest sensation though was when I went swimming today. I try to swim only front crawl but on the few lengths I did breast stroke on, I found my beard trapping the bubbles when I breathed out. I'm not sure it improved my buoyancy or increased my resistence in the water, but it felt kind of good. Kind of like when someone would tickle your chin with a buttercup as a kid.
Back to the Janathon, its swimming for today and tomorrow. My calf muscles feel like they are about to *ping* so I'm trying to rest them with some swimming sessions. It still counts for the Janathon (I was never going to win it anyway) and hopefully they will be less painful for a Friday morning gym session and 11-a-side football on Saturday.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
What a game!
Tonight was the first night back at 5-a-side since before xmas. It was a welcome return to football and a welcome break from bog standard running. But what a game to come back to... slick passing... plenty of goals and skills on display throughout the team. It was such a pity that was the other team. I was probably about 5 years old last time I took such a spanking. Oh well, there's always next week.
In my post match depression, I've decided to watch Casino Royale (the modern version, not the David Niven version) to try to cheer myself up and only succeeded in depressing myself further. Not only does James Bond (Daniel Craig) look much more in-shape than I
Not much about running tonight folks, but that's because I didn't do any. I'll add a (generous) mile to my Janathon total and look forward to my swimming tomorrow
Monday, 3 January 2011
The day of almost failure
Today was the day that I almost failed the Janathon. It was a day filled with a rearranged Boxing Day dinner with all of my family (including a 200 mile round trip to pick up my grandparents) and a rather large roast dinner.
By 8pm, after nearly falling alseep on the M2, the last thing on my mind was getting kitted out for a run in the freezing January night. However, the thought of failure spurred me on to run a swift 2 miles. I took my own advice from yesterday's (is that supposed to be a possessive? I'm not sure) run and picked up the pace a little. I was a little more tired than yesterday but it was an enjoyable run, with the feeling at the end of it that I'd done something worthwhile. Not curing cancer worthwhile, but still constructive towards a good Janathon.
I'm looking forward to the next few days. I've got the usual Tuesday night 5-a-side tomorrow (instead of running) and I'll take to the pool for the Wednesday in an effort to give my extremely painful calf muscles a rest. I'm not sure what I'm doing Thursday or Friday yet but it may have to be some light lunchtime gym sessions so I can be semi-rested for football on Saturday.
By 8pm, after nearly falling alseep on the M2, the last thing on my mind was getting kitted out for a run in the freezing January night. However, the thought of failure spurred me on to run a swift 2 miles. I took my own advice from yesterday's (is that supposed to be a possessive? I'm not sure) run and picked up the pace a little. I was a little more tired than yesterday but it was an enjoyable run, with the feeling at the end of it that I'd done something worthwhile. Not curing cancer worthwhile, but still constructive towards a good Janathon.
I'm looking forward to the next few days. I've got the usual Tuesday night 5-a-side tomorrow (instead of running) and I'll take to the pool for the Wednesday in an effort to give my extremely painful calf muscles a rest. I'm not sure what I'm doing Thursday or Friday yet but it may have to be some light lunchtime gym sessions so I can be semi-rested for football on Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)