Alison Angier Diary

Yes !!!!!  I did it!!!  I have been working my way up this month to run a 10k.  Originally, I set myself a goal of running 40 miles in 4 weeks.  I managed to get ahead by running down to the gym a couple of times a week as well as trying to do 2 long runs on the road.  I tried everytime to beat my personal best for the mile and managed it a couple of times so was very pleased with myself. 

I have managed to beat my goal of 40 miles with 3 days to spare.  I actually ran 43+.  On Nike+ I have now recieved my first medal and now need to reset my target of a few miles longer than my last.  I think I will leave setting a new goal until Tuesday as tomorrow I am having a day off from physical exercise.

I started out on my 10k this morning and got my breathing and pace settled fairly quickly.  I had my ipod on and just settled into listening to the music and relaxing my body into the run.  I used my chi-running form and I am impressed with how much I think it has helped me to improve this month.  I just kept on going and admired all the people stuck in traffic as I ran on past them.  The A12 has been closed at 2 junctions so all of the traffic has been diverted through Colchester.  It has caused mayhem believe me!!  People walked to town instead of waiting for buses as it was quicker.

I ran quite comfortably and didn’t feel the need for a drink or to walk.  I met a man running in the opposite direction to me twice and we had a quick chat whilst still running.  As the traffic was so built up it was easy to cross roads so enabling me to keep going.  Once you stop it is very difficult to get going again, so I didn’t want to do that.  Once I reached the 5 mile mark, I was very pleased with myself.  I had a fair bit of steep uphill but I just gritted my teeth and kept going and ignored the fact that my legs were definatley feeling it. 

Once the 6 mile mark was reached, I knew that it wasn’t far to go to reach 10k, but as I approached home, I was not far off the 7 mile mark, so I just decided to keep going past home until I reached the 7 miles.  I was so pleased with myself I can tell you.  It took me 57 minutes to do the 10k and by the time I had run the 7 miles it was 1 hour and 4 minutes.  What an achievement for me!!  I am so pleased as I didn’t think that I was quite ready for a 10k.  It’s amazing what you can do if you just push yourself. 

When I got back home, David said I didn’t even look tired.  I must admit, my body was ok, it was my legs that had started to ache a little.  Usually my lungs give up first, but with the breathing correction, I have found that I can go further for longer without feeling tired.

After my long relaxing bath, I took James to a party and then David said we were going out on our bikes.  I thought it would be a nice little bike ride.  HOW WRONG WAS I?  He took Tiff and I along part of the route that I had just run, so it was down hill, up hill, wind in your face!!  OH LOVELY!!  My aching legs were aching more!  We rode into town and had a drink in a coffee shop then it was time to come home again as I had to collect James.  After more up and down hills David got a puncture and had to walk home, HA HA!!  Tiff and I went off and left him.  Serves him right for making us do an 8 mile round trip!!  After a 7 mile run and an 8 mile bike ride, I only needed to do a swim to have done a Triathlon!!  NO WAY!!  I just went to get James and now I am sitting here writing this thinking can I actually be bothered to get up and cook dinner?

I have burned over 1000 calories today and it is impossible for me to make up those calories.  I told him if we carry on like this with all the exercise I will be a size 6 by the summer!  Not my intention I can assure you.  My size 8 jeans are starting to get a bit baggy so I do try to eat more, so decided to have a nice big double chocolate muffin.  Naughty but very nice!!

I am not sure what goal to set myself for the next 4 weeks, but I will give it some thought tomorrow.  Well now I am off to get yet another drink.  All this exercise is thirsty work and you need to drink as much as possible to stop dehydrating.  Well that’s all for now.  Bye for now.  BYEEEEEEEEEEE!!

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 28th, 2007 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.