Quindici, Cinquante,Femten,Fünfzehn,Quince

An uninspired and uninspiring run this morning.  Still a run is a run is a run!

and another 13.1

 

I hope I am still doing this when I get to her age!

Average 5 miles an hour over all the miles this weekend. Sort of scary actually being able to keep the same pace today as yesterday. It also means that I am not taking enough advantage of the big girl blades.  Got a couple of blisters yesterday so did this morning in the old ones.  Hmmm.  Wish I knew some Yoda wise-person who knew everything about roller blading.

26.2! Second fastest…

 

And here’s the new big girl blades.

An ice bath cometh

74° Really?

Hot steamy morning for 6 quick miles.  What will Earl bring this weekend?  Wish me luck hoping to do 26.2 on Sat and 13.1 on Sun!!!

5 miles

Buenos dias e gracias!

Game On!

I did 20 miles in the NEW blades today. I was frightened but I did it anyway!

Which means I have the confidence to say that the weekend of the 11th is going to be the weekend of the two marathons! If the masai can go to London and run a marathon then I certainly can do two in a weekend.

Guess what’s next – yes you guessed it

 

 

 

miles today – now I can party the day away! Happy Significant Birthday to Paul!

5 miles in just less than 25 mins

Great temperature this morning. Really lovely to be out as the sun was rising.

I have been concerned about my time. Since the tumble I have felt that I had slowed down considerably, but look ‘tis not so! Averaging 5 minute miles, slower out than back with the wind behind me. All is pretty normal.’

May do a short blade in the morning. But the goal is a marathon 26.2 on Saturday.

6 miles and a new goal

Been thinking about this since Sunday!  40 seems more than I am going to be trained to – so the new goal is 2 x 26.2 x 2 days!

Mid September here we come

Thirty-mile weekend

Yaay! Thirteen today into a vicious wind makes it a 30 mile weekend.  Yaay!  I am so hungry!!!

Now I remember why I go out early

I forgot why I go out early! Luckily West River was more like this –so not so bad, but East river is just heaving with peoples!

Yes I know go out earlier – simples.

18 Miles give or take today – on a goal of 17! Pas si mal!

Tuesday and so it must be 7

Seven miles and finished!

 

+ + -

only 10 miles today

If touchy feely offends…

Give this post a miss!

 

What a beautiful morning.  How lucky I am and grateful I am for it!  A nice half marathon although glutes and thighs feel it.  I am concerned for my goal.  Its in my head, but there some fear and intimidation and also the fact that glutes and thighs felt a half marathon.  I have done 45 miles this week,  but I was doing 60! 

I think tomorrow will tell,  If I can be out by 6:30 then I am hoping for twenty miles.  Keep everything crossed please, and hope for no wind.  Weather not me!

I have great music on my ipod, but since the horrors of 2009, one song has really meant a lot to me, and if I told you the circumstances when it first registered you would raise your eyebrows.  Any way this is a link to it and while I love all the words, here’s the (for me) specially inspiring ones…

 

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Thanks to Natasha Bedlingfield!

Atchoo

and then four miles were finished!

Seven

Miles today! 28 miles this week…

slow, slow, slow, slow, slow!

But there was a varie-wind!  6 miles 32 mins. Booo Hiss

Guess who’s back!

Fourteen miles – taken at a really easy pace,  about 70 mins.  So now I need to decide where to restart from. Going back the point where it’s a half marathon on Sunday is about week 4.  But then I only missed two weeks.  Oh what to do?

For anyone who didn’t see it, this was about a week after the crash!

New blades ooh ha, ha!

I took the new blades for a spin this morning! They were amazing. For a while it was like strapping two racehorses to your feet and trying to control them. Moments of exhilaration followed by sheer terror. But then we got a used to each other and they are fabulous!

But then I guess overconfidence pride came before a fall – and what a big one it was too! Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!

Clock Reset

After all the rain and the aches and pains of the last week, the freedom of my schedule allows a reset. Another week has been added to the training schedule.  This gives me the chance for another week of preparation before the 35 miler, the big one before the event.

Sitting here this morning 39.3 miles still seems an awful long way away.

Two consecutive weekends…

Means two consecutive marathons.  Yesterday’s means that yesterday’s 6 didn’t happen, so I am 6 short for the week.  Next weekend is supposed to be the really big one.  I don’t think I am ready.  Probably need another two weeks in this.  We shall see.

got here…

7 miles, 34 minutes.

Graceless, charmless and somewhat speedless!

Well, what do you expect its already 78 degrees.  6 miles.  Great 4th weekend which I suppose I have to concede is now over.  But here’s a picture of the fireworks!

 

…and 10.5 more

I think means that this is a “more than” mark; it brings me to 37-ish for the weekend which is more than I have ever done in a weekend before!  My glutes felt every up hill step this morning and my legs felt every step of the last mile on the horrid road surface. Thank goodness for rest days.  

25.2 D.G.

Marathon Distance, 2 hours 10!

4 miles. Really!

Been there. Did that!

Almost chilly this morning…

But of course not.  But its still only reached 64.  There’s a pretty strong wind by the river, so the three outy miles were 5 min miles and the three back ones only 4.  27 minutes for 6 miles.

A post for atheists and contrary winds

Hard, hard on the way out.  Achey-knee, miserable hip. Then turn so the wind is behind you and oh, the sense of flowing with the universe.  But then a contrary wind serves to put you in your place, until some kindly deity turns the wind again, so that you pass cyclists, and all the aches and pains disappear.

5 miles 22.37 mins.

Nirvana

With both sides of the drive closed for the real Triathlon today skating was wonderful. Road all the way, no sidewalk at all. 17 miles total in just less than 81 minutes!  And it was in old blades with old wheels. 

Yes I got new blades yesterday – but 17 miles first run, I don’t think so.  They are really ugly, by the way!

My theory about Triathlon’s

The Philadelphia Tri is today – as I am writing this there are women swimming in the Schuylkill!  Two days ago a storm went through Philadelphia bringing trees down and generally wreaking havoc!  And now they’re swimming in the Schuylkill!  My sister reckons my endeavour is mad – that’s really mad.  Yes really.

Anyway, I did 12 today which makes up half of yesterdays 4 which couldn’t be done because of yesterdays debris strewn paths.  West River is still a disaster from the amount of twigs, leaves and general mess on the path.

All being well this was the last roll on my existing wheels; I am off to collect the new blades this morning and to put new wheels on the existing ones, all being well. 

Fingers crossed.  Is 17 miles too long in new blades, I think so!  But perhaps I could buy moleskin and give it a go! 

Very Damp Indeed

Well mes amies, 7 hot steamy miles. Its already 82° with 65% humidity!  If you’re going running do it now. For everyone in PVOP, I resisted all temptations to mention its… … … hot. Psss

8 miles before School

I am really beginning to understand just how much your mind comes into this.  Eight miles on West River means you have to do something twice.  I finally decided to get the 8th mile from doing the section from 1.75 to 2.25 twice.  As I made the turn Stevie Wonder suggested I Boogie On Reggae Woman, and of course the whole mile was done before the song finished.  All that thinking about where was the turn and I really didn’t want to do anything twice.  All in my head! 

If you you think you can or if you think you can’t; you’re right!

Lugubrious

That was the word for the last mile this morning.  Thank goodness for Leigh who came along and did the repeat miles with me.  I did the ten.  30 miles in 2 days.  Last week was supposed to be 31 but ended being 41 as I did the 20 yesterday. This week is supposed to be 49 but will end up being 30.  Tomorrow’s a well earned rest day so see you Tuesday!  Oh new blades in sometime next week and new wheels on old ones.  So excited!

Thanks to all who’re keeping the songs coming it’s such a help.

20 miler…

Thanks to Ellie for being there for a 20 miler on the Valley Forge Trail!  All went well, especially now the cold bath is over!  This is going to be a great trail on the new blades!  Tuesday apparently!

I think that I was about 5.5 minute miles on average so a bit slower, but these are old blades with really bad wheels.  I think all things being equal still on track for three hours!

Ellie you rock!  Thanks much.

Oh and incidentally having dropped me back at the car – she went off and did another 20 miles.  Please check out her FB page for the Alzheimer ride page.

Blad-a-bing, Blad-a-boom

Three miles, three and a half songs, and done. Happy Friday!

Lazy, lazy, lazy!

I blame the Cabaret committee myself.  It’s their fault I didn’t meditate this morning; when the alarm went off I pressed snooze, three times.  Finally fell out onto the drive at a little before 7! 6 very lazy miles later, I don’t really feel as if I have done any miles at all! Maybe that’s a good thing as there are 30 to be done over the weekend!

A really nice morning after the rain today, but its already 75 degrees with 68% humidity. The drive is very debris strewn and lots of puddles.  Perhaps it was a good thing I was not wanting to really push it.

I do wish they’d do something about the geese!  Geese are really stupid. 

18mph Wind

This morning the wind is strong.  So strong that those of us who sometimes have trouble getting sufficient oxygen into our lungs are left sucking in any air we can get, like a fish out of water.  The river drive did its usual trick though – that sneaky trick of turning round when you hit a corner and being in your face again. But as always its great to be out.  And though the 5 miles felt like 10 it feels good to have done them.  Tomorrow’s a rest day.  Catch you on Thursday.

Macho Schmacho

Why do cyclists feel slighted when you pass them on roller blades?  And to the gentleman on an extended skateboard with a gondolier pole – really?

I was right on 5 minute miles this morning, even though its already 80 degrees with humidity at 78%, yeuch! 7 not so hard miles.

I did get to NJ yesterday and have ordered new roller blades.   I have a choice of two coming and they are big, bad, bastards! Very exciting, if you like that kind of thing!

The !*@%#~+ wind

Eric and Erika – got your songs into the blade today… please keep the songs coming, today I was really happy to have new music.  The wind by the river was way stronger than 7mph like the weather channel says! They know nothing.

Anyway managed 15 miles and an ice bath afterwards as I need to be able to stand and sing tonight! There’s something a tad masochistic about tipping ice into your own bath.  I wonder what a psychologist would think about that~

The implication of only 15, is that I really do need to repeat the week that just went and baby the knee a bit more.  That means only 7 tomorrow which as I bet it’s a late night tonight is a good idea.

Ruh Roh!!!

This morning was just a 5 miler, and it took 25 minutes and 28 seconds! There’s good news and bad there. So the bad, its supposed to be 25 or less.  5 minute miles = 12 miles an hour.  But, the good, the first 2.5 took nearly 14 mins; into the wind you see.  So the second half was considerably faster.

The new blades with their extra 10mm of wheel should make all the difference.  3.25 hours is not unreasonable. I hope I still feel that way after the long ride.

 

Oh ‘appy birsday Jaques Cousteau,  me and ze men of the Calypso wish you an ‘appy birsday!

New path

Went and took at look at the path from Conshohocken out to Valley Forge today!  It’s going to be really handy for longer blades, but needs a back up team.  Drive there, blade, drive home again.  Hoping to give it a spin this weekend. 

Oh biked about 15 miles… thanks to Ellie!  Thanks Ellie!

Icing the knee now.

A typical morning

This morning was just five so no big deal.  The wind is from the west, i.e. rolling into the wind on the way out.  Nicely cool, its only 63/17 degrees so almost a chill in the air.  You don’t really notice that its a bit harder going into the wind if that’s how you start out, it’s just that when you turn to go with the wind, then it all changes! Suddenly the rhythm hits and with it ease and grace – a great feeling.

I came to the big corner of the Schuylkill heading back into town, its a really nice vista; green, green trees at the water level on the far side, blue water, no buildings in view for that particular moment and the sun brightening it all.  At that very moment, the music which is now known as the Theme from the London Marathon came on the iPod. 

Oh well back to real life!  Tomorrow’s a rest day – two each week on this new schedule! 

Rest Days and a rest daze

Today is an officially, according to the schedule, no guilt here, rest day! The weekend was a bit of a surprise as through the day on Saturday my right knee had a little breakdown all of its own.  Donc, yesterday I gave it a little break and cycled the miles rather than blading them.

Hopefully with another rest day today and a reasonably short roll on Tuesday all will be well.  Shame though! The temperature is just lovely, the heat and humidity have broken.  It would be lovely out there.

I have found an official training schedule which I have decided to follow.  It seems as if it will work.  It gets me up to 35 miles as the longest roll, but gives me two rest days a week.  Generous I’d say, very generous.

PS.  these were the worst knees I could find – and I am not the one with the underwear hanging below the shorts, in case you were wondering!

Saturday Morning

What a nice hot Saturday this morning is.  For us Philadelphians, West River Drive is closed for all the cyclists today and Kelly Drive is partially closed for boat races.   Its a mess round here avoid if you possibly can! 

I was out early this morning, but not early enough as it turned out.  Luckily tomorrow is relatively short, but I think ‘cause of the bike race I am going to need to be on the drive by 6:30.  Its not right for a Sunday!

This morning was 11 miles bringing the total for the week to 47!  I am really pleased and feel pretty good. Next week I drop back somewhat and then push forward again the week after.

I HAVE to get new roller blades, I HAVE to get new roller blades.

 

 

Friday, Friday

In complete contrast to yesterday this morning was not so fabulous!  Why does it always happen like that?  Yes, I did the miles, yes I did them at decent speed, (I think) but they made themselves felt every step of the way.  I seemed to hit every little stone and twig – passed cyclists though.  Thanks to Natasha Bedingfield for Unwritten this morning.  I find that song an inspiration!

At some point I am going to have to think about time…

This morning was one of the ones where it all flowed.  It was why I roller blade, it came easy and fast.  And there’s the rub, it felt fast but I don’t actually know.  I am not ready to know how slowly I am going – yet.  But I am not going to have a choice on that from next week. Its time to get the stop watch out.  Anyway my 7 miles were done and pretty easily too  Total for the week so far 30 miles. Goal for the week 46.

 

and… I am eating Salad!

Today is a rest day!  That’s a relative term, I will cycle a couple of miles later (to dinner that is) and I will also weight and core strength train. But it really means I didn’t have to get up this morning.  So of course, I was awake bright and early and have just got back from a walk.  Just a couple of miles along Kelly Drive

Gorgeous morning, and already quite warm. 

It’s true by the way, I am eating salad. Today will be the fourth consecutive day!  I do so wish I could actually like it. 

Almost an hour to cool down!

I have been back from rollerblading for about an hour… and I am just, just cool enough to consider a cup of tea! 

Tuesday and its June

Well at 7 am this morning it was already 77/25 degrees so hot. Just three miles this morning. It took me longer to get the boots on get downstairs and onto the drive and the the same thing in reverse than it did the actual miles!

Lots of wind this morning, outside, not me silly! It was one of those sneaky winds which was in your face all the way. How does it do that? Blow from East and West at the same time. Any way, all done and pretty easy miles too.

How you can help!

You can help me...

• Please suggest songs that I should put on my ipod... I am going to need a lot of songs over the next 2 months
• Please feel free to come along and train with me. It's usually pretty early in the morning so I don't suppose many will be there during the week. But if anyone wants to take a long bike ride one Saturday - then please be my guest.
• On the day... please come along, maybe do some of the miles, drink bubbly at the end, or bbq that afternoon (I will work out when where later.)

Monday May 31st

This morning I did 7 drive miles. Its the bank holiday here so not in too much of a hurry to get out there. But with combined with the 10 on Saturday, 13.5 on Sunday and now 7 today I am feeling pretty good. The rest of this week I want to do another 15 taking me to 35.5 for the week.

Ok for week 1 I think.

Starting Point May 29th 2010

My goal is 39.3 miles and I am hoping to do this in about 3 to 3.25 hours. So far the runs I have done I have really done for distance and not time, but that has to stop now! I am worried that I will be slower than Berlin - that was a while ago now.

I think I can, I think I can!

What?

This is entirely personal - I am doing it for me, not for charity or to raise money or for some cause, but because I have decided on this goal. I have gone public here to keep me on the track and committed to this goal. What is the goal?

A Marathon and a Half - 39.3 miles

Within the next 8 - 10 weeks (from Sat May 29th)