Jiggling the fat, running in the rain, crossfit and doing it fabulously...

Wind and rain have been the most constant thing on most of my runs this month. Also the temperature, for this time of the year has been quite moderate except for a day or two when the temperature dropped.  The constant wet gear has led to an ever increasing pile of washing each week - the joys of winter running.

I often read about runners who due to weather conditions or time, run on treadmills. I tried maybe once or twice to run on a treadmill but I felt awkward. I could see the fat jiggling, in the full length mirror in front of the treadmill!!! Not a good look for anyone!

Misty Hill runs..

Hill running/training isn't on the list of my favourites things although I know it has to be done. I have a few runs coming up over the next few months so have try to put in one at least once a week. As I'm usually soaking wet from the rain it has given me added impetus to finish and get the pain over as quickly as possible. I really do find them the toughest thing I do....

This weeks hill run was this past weekend, there was a small gap in the weather so as I started there was no rain. The first mile and half were fine, a few rolling hills, manageable. Then I hit the next hill which seemed to go on for a while, so a quick chat to self and I just kept moving to the first bend and then the next and the next.. I still haven't mastered the keep running part.  So as I climbed to the top of each bend I stopped maybe only for a second or two but I stopped all the same. Finally I reached the top! What must go up must come down as the saying goes, so down the hills I went and as I hit level ground again my quads were beginning to cry. Thankfully,there wasn't too far to go and hill training was done. Although, my quads haven't yet forgiven me for it!

The day closes in so quickly at the moment, during one of my longer runs, the sky just kept darkening as I kept running. My illuminous running vest is part of the kit whatever time of the day it seems. I am also trying to curtail the urge to take off like Mo Farah and not burn out towards the end of each run. My aim is to run at a steady pace, it works sometimes. Its like my running in general a work in progress. I am trying to put the miles on my legs as I have the 10K in Clonakilty and the 10 Mile Valentines run in Tralee at the start of February.

The weather has also being playing havoc on our running group schedule. I look forward to Monday,  to run with someone other than my own thoughts. When there is someone ahead of you, I tend to move better, its like they set the pace.  I also do more pre and post run stretching with the girls which as we all know is a plus! I'm not great for talking as I  move, so a catchup before or after adds to the enjoyment. This week it was great to see Siobhan back running and she was flying. I predict great runs by our little running group in 2016. #RIOTRUNNERS

I am also determined to conquer some specific goals at Crossfit. I've picked two things which really bug me even though there are many moves I haven't conquered yet, I am determined to get these down - Double unders and walk walks. So I decided to invest in some Reeboks which I'm hoping will give me magic Crossfit powers.

I'll keep you updated on how I get on with conquering these moves and my Reeboks.

The motto for January...

Thinking of the month ahead and looking for a motto to carry me through the miles and workouts I must do in order to achieve the goals I've set for myself, I read this and I think this motto will carry me not only through the month ahead but maybe the year

'I know I can't do everything 

so I will do what I CAN fabulously....'

Kicking off 2016..

Running in 2016 has been a bit of a washout. It started on New Years Day, which is when I did my years first run of 2016. Start the year off as I mean to go on etc....
The Riot runners and myself headed to Beaufort to take place in their annual New years day run. Bernie, Eileen and Michelle signed up for the 5K. Anna and myself signed up for the 10K.

Getting on the layers to face into the weather!

I had been suffering from a bit of a head cold but felt much better. As I signed up, I mentioned to the girl at the desk I would be slow, 'You won't be later than an hour fifteen?', she asked, 'Hopefully, not',  I replied but I thought 'No pressure, so'.

I happily brought down by 10K run to under 70mins over the last year which I am quite proud of.
Sometimes, Athletic clubs and fast runners think only in their fast times and forget that a 10K run at 38/48 Min's is the same distance as a 10K run at 70/80 Min's.

The start was delayed by 30 minutes, as we started it was dry and other than a light mist it was that way for the first mile. Anna and I stuck close  as the girls sprinted off in the 5K.
I could feel my chest wheeze slightly so catching my breath was a bit problematic after a while,
although not debilitating. Fun running! Hahahaha!

As always I never take a good running pic... Nothing changes!

The route itself was a loop.  The first miles or so passed as we house watched but the rain began to fall heavily. The road was open to traffic but we didn't meet to many cars as the back splash as they passed wouldn't have been fairly large.  The puddles were getting larger and I found myself walking up any bit of a hill. The wind was fairly strong so battling against that also added to the fun of the years first run. I kept thinking to myself that surely the wind would be to my back soon, it never happened. I just wasn't feeling great but I was determined not to start the year off with a DNF. My legs were fine but head was just so foggy. I was having my only little pity party as I ran and I had only myself to blame for how miserable I was feeling.

We were really sopping wet, Anna ran ahead but soon we came to a crossroads, we didn't know which way to turn.

Thankfully, we flagged a car and they were able to direct us on the right road, (left to our own devices we would have taken the wrong road). So with a Kilometre to go, it was time to kick it up a notch.  That kick that comes at the end of most runs didn't materialise. I met my mum who herself had done the 5K, she said just around the corner and you are there. Thankfully! As we came up to the finish line the stewards were calling for our numbers, which they duly noted.

Done! 

I was so glad to be out of the rain as we went into the community hall. Susan and my dad went to the car to get our gear. Our cheer leading squad were as always fabulous!! Bernie and Michelle got us lovely hot coffee... After a quick change and putting on more layers, I soon began to warm up. We had all felt the effects of the wind and rain. Bernie was the 4th lady home in the 5K,
Michelle too had a good run and Eileen (my mum) had powered through the rain too. We waited a while to cheer on those who had received prizes and then headed home to hit a hot shower.

Mum and I, getting warm after the wind and rain...

There was a delay in putting up the results as they had a technical fault with the timing. I had my trusty garmin with me so I knew that I had run a 72.5 min 10K. The results did go up during the week and apparently Anna and I got the following result 'NO TIME'. After 68 Min's there were no times recorded  which is disappointing for those who finished after this.

But all thinks considered, I was happy enough with the time I finished in because at times it felt I was running for hours.

What a way to kick off the running year!

It had to last me a while as I was knocked down with my sinuses for most of last week, towards the end of the week I turned a corner. I was unable to go to Crossfit either. So I'm ready and looking forward to heading out on the road and heading into do some AMRAPS, WODS. I'm sure as I do the first WOD I won't be thinking that..


So this week coming is when I start of my 2016 in earnest.

2015 summed up with a glance at 2016..

I started 2016 of  by doing the Beaufort 10K with some of the Riot runners, the weather was appalling. It was a tough one!  I'll put 'pen to paper' about it soon.

Since I've started this blog I've done bit of  of a yearly sum up as the old year ends to see what I have achieved and get me ready to face the new year ahead.

My Running Year 2015


Total Mileage:-                       554.55 miles      

Highest Mileage
Month:-                                  June

Lowest Mileage
Month:-                                  December

Runs done:-                            132

Pace:-                                      Improving

My Races:-                              6

Half Marathon                        Run Killarney Half Marathon

10 Mile                                   Tralee Valentine  10 mile run

10K                                         Killarney women's mini marathon

4m                                           Maurice Collins Memorial run

5K                                           Run for the Angels 5K
                                             
                                                Colour Run 5k

I also started attending my local Park run on Saturday mornings in Killarney National Park.

This year I also started doing core and strength training at Crossfit Training. This has transformed my running.


Pb's 
At the start of the year my aim was to achieve 10K in 70 Min's and a half marathon within 2hr 30 I happy to say I met all these goals. I  have run a 62 min 10K while training but on a time race I ran a 66 min 10K at the Killarney Mini marathon. In July I ran a 2.21 half marathon.
I also achieved PBS 1 mile and 5K Pb's.

Looking ahead to 2016 I want to be more consistent.

I have so far decided to do the following runs:

February                     Clonakilty 10K
                                    Valentines 10 Mile Tralee

March                         Tralee Half Marathon

This will keep me busy for the first few months of the year.
Looks like a fun year ahead!