I was determined to make it out for the first Finsbury Park Parkrun on Saturday, so we all downed our porridge and got ready to bike it over there. As we were putting on our helmets the rain came down in buckets. Edward was all set to stay behind, but Hector wasn’t (and never is) put off by a bit of rain. It was so bad we even had to shelter under a tree for a bit, but it eased as we made our way up the hill to the park. As we rounded the corner I saw a few runners huddling under the eaves of the cafe, all looking a bit bleary-eyed and with that sort of ‘what the hell am I doing here at this time on a saturday morning?’ look on their faces. Edward and Hector sauntered over to the playground and I did that runner’s loitering thing you do before a race, where you check everyone out whilst doing a daft token stretch and trying not to look to awkward.

Eventually we were directed over to the gate where the race will start each week, and were given a few pointers before the start was called. I was delighted to see that the first stretch was down hill so we could generate some speed, but soon found myself overtaken by pretty much everyone. Quite quickly I settled into a pace alongside another woman whom I plodded beside for the rest of the race. I had been very excited about this new race and have dreams of cracking my PB here in the future, but I soon realised this is not really a PB sort of race. About a third of the way round, the path takes a sharp turn up a steep hill. During the first lap I found some incredible grit from somewhere and glided up no problem, leaving my fellow runner behind, but during the second lap I thought I was going to throw up! I had to pause for a moment and lean over before resuming my trek to the top. How embarrassing. Shortly after the hill I was on the home straight, so picked up the pace, gasping and panting all the way. As you cross the line you are given a token with a number on it to hand to the computer-wielding volunteers at the end, who scan your personal barcode and add your finish time to the website later in the day; all very high-tech.

This was my Garmin’s reading of it all:

Time: 27 minutes 41 seconds

Distance: 3.16 miles

Average Pace: 8.46

Best Pace: 5.28

Calories: 329

Not a PB, in fact a little bit slower than  my last 5k race at Trent Park, but not so bad considering I stopped to avert a pukey disaster.

On Sunday I headed out for a ‘long’ run, but this was cut short by not being able to see where I was going due to the rain being horizontal and mostly directed at my eyes.

Time: 41 minutes 20 seconds

Distance: 4.37 miles

Average Pace: 9.27

Best Pace: 6.55

Calories: 445

Back from our lovely trip to Venice where, as we were leaving, things were being put in place for the Venice Marathon which was being raced today. I imagine it’s a challenge to put on a marathon in any city, but in one that is largely water and tiny streets then it must be the biggest challenge of all. Ramps were being suspended over the steps to bridges and a temporary bridge was slowly arcing over the Grand Canal and, as we headed back to the airport, we saw lots of sporty-looking types gathering at what looked like the expo, an air of excitement all around…and some rather gorgeous snow-topped mountains in the background. Ahhhh.

During our little break we did lots and lots of walking, trying to avoid travelling on the vaporetti which seem so much more expensive than last time, in fact everything seemed more expensive, this strong Euro is a real pain in the wallet. I had lots of time to think about running, but didn’t actually do any (I would almost definitely have got lost) and I have come up with a short and long-term plan to shake things up a bit. With the fabulous new Parkrun taking place just up the road in Finsbury Park, I will have a regular 5k to test myself against, so I will aim to beat that much desired 5k PB of 25 minutes. I think a realistic time scale might be to achieve this by my birthday (December 30th). As a longer goal, I would like to do a Spring half-marathon and my aim is to do it in two hours, something I did in training for the London Marathon, but failed to do in my last ‘official’ half-marathon. Another goal is to shed this extra bit of weight that has crept onto my lower half – it made today’s run feel ever so sluggish.

This morning I got out for a run-around-in-circles-in-the-parks type run which, as I say, felt a tad tiring, but it felt great to be out again and tackling the head winds with gusto.

Time: 1 hour 1 minute

Distance: 6.44 miles

Average Pace: 9.37

Best Pace: 5.49

Calories: 679

Phew, feeling much, much better and a good run makes me feel like a proper runner again.

I got on the case with some vitamin C and zinc tablets and snaffled some of Hector’s mega stash of satsumas and grapefruit when he wasn’t looking (he gets through so much fruit, it’s unbelievable. Good boy), it does feel like it’s heading for my chest though, so I’d better watch out. I decided to give the running thing another go this morning, but didn’t leave the house until I’d given my shin a jolly good rub with the old Neal’s Yard Salve and popped on my compression socks. Things felt good as I set off, my lower legs feeling like they were in a constant and loving embrace, ahh.

It’s a beautiful day here in London, so I headed over to the marshes to enjoy the ‘countryside’, and soon realised I might find myself in the middle of a race, as I spotted km markers and brightly coloured marshalls scattered at various intervals. I stopped and asked one of the  marshalls what the race was and she said it was the Enfield Running Club’s 10k, shame I hadn’t realised it was on, could have been fun. It was interesting to see the setting up side of it all, people rushing about and getting into place ready to direct the eager runners. I paused on the footbridge to watch this for a while and also look at some men who were climbing up a pylon, they seemed to be doing some fixing – I know from those 197os public information films that it’s highly dangerous to enter into such activity without permission.

I had felt a bit heavy-legged and sluggish during the first couple of miles, and wondered if I had it in me, but that magic thing happened at mile three, where I felt settled and energetic, warmed up. As I crossed the lock, one of the marshalls asked if I was in the race, looking surprised: ‘Yes’ I said ‘I’m really fast!’ Things were going well, but I didn’t want to push my legs too much, so decided to head home when I reached Tottenham Hale. I did have to do the up-and-down-our-road-for-a-bit thing to reach the six mile mark, but I did it.

Time: 58 minutes 38 seconds

Distance: 6 miles

Average Pace: 9.46

Best Pace: 7.10

Calories: 651

Rubbish. My Octoberthon that is. I have run this week, but gingerly, fearing the dreaded shin splints. Arrrghghghg! I’ve also done something weird to my neck/head. Sometimes I wake up, having slept in a funny position and can only look to one side, but normally it clears up as the day progresses. Well, this happened to me on Monday and has got worse as the week has gone on. I can’t look right or left or upwards, yes, I am a danger to myself and everyone else, especially when I try to cross the road. Now things are taking a turn for the worse as I fend off a killer sore throat and ‘the sniffles’. There’s lots of it about.

I am off to Venice this week for the Bienalle, so my running will be interrupted anyway, but I should take this opportunity to think about what I really want to do with my running. I caught sight of myself in the mirror last night as I put on my pyjamas and thought ‘Oh shit, how did that happen?!’ something needs to be done, and sharpish!

On a positive note, the wonderful Parkruns have moved up north London way, with a new run starting in Finsbury Park on October 31st, so a weekly, timed 5k run…for free! What a great incentive to get 5k fit and beat that PB to the ground.

It’s hard! Octoberthon is going well in many ways, but it’s such a challenge getting out every day. On Tuesday I didn’t manage it. It rained and rained and rained all day and Hector and I were all ready to go at one point and it started chucking it down again. We spent some time at the library and I decided I would head out when Edward got home…only he didn’t get back until just before nine and I didn’t fancy the streets at that time, mingling with the ladies of the night and their associates. Oh well.

On Wednesday the weather really picked up, it was one of those autumn days that makes me smile: crisp, fresh and sunny, so we headed down to the canal.

Time: 33 minutes 13 seconds

Distance: 3.17 miles

Average Pace: 10.29

Best Pace: 8.21

Calories: 358

Thursday was just as lovely, if a little bit windy, so we did the run-to-swimming-lesson-and-run-back-home run. I do enjoy this, it’s so much more enjoyable than the bus, but it’s hard putting on slightly damp running clothes after emerging from a deliciously warm swimming pool!

Time: 50 minutes 45 seconds

Distance: 4.74 miles

Average Pace: 10.42

Best Pace: 7.40

Calories: 453

Friday was another gorgeous autumnal delight, but I waited until the evening to run and really regretted it as the skies opened up just at the point where I said: ‘Ok, I’ll go running now’. I stared at it for a bit, procrastinated some then realised it wasn’t going to stop and I should just go for it. The rain did something great to my speed motivators as I kept up quite some pace for the whole three miles. It made me realise I might just crack that 25 minute 5k I would love to achieve. My enthusiasm was knocked somewhat as I neared home and heard some lads shout out: ‘Come on big arse!’. Hmmmm, thanks for that.

Time: 25 minutes 29 seconds

Distance: 3.02 miles

Average Pace: 8.26

Best Pace: 6.04

Calories: 298

Yesterday we all set out early on our bikes to Hampstead Heath where we enjoyed a flask of tea and our lunch near the lovely Pergola and then wandered through the trees and had a play in the playground. I saw Ricky Gervaise at one point running through the heath, looking like it was hard work. Glad it’s not just me that finds the heath a challenge! Talking of challenges, the outward trip to the heath is full on hills, hills, hills and I realise how useless I am at cycling; I might be running fit, but cycling makes my legs scream. As a result I decided not to run yesterday, I was simply worn out.

Since I did my big walk a couple of weeks ago I have been experiencing a new pain in my left knee, on the inside, some sort of patella thing I guess, probably just caused by all that walking and stair climbing. The funny thing is that it only hurts when I walk, it’s absolutely fine when I run and was ok when I cycled yesterday. This morning I set off to Finsbury Park as I fancied running along the path that we rode on yesterday. My knee was hurting though. I ran as far as the park, stopped and stretched and decided to run back home. As well as the knee, my right shin was aching too, so I didn’t want to push it too far and cause long-term problems. Damn it. I don’t know if it was because I had decided to run back home or if it was because I had warmed up, but the pain and the ache both eased a bit on the return journey…

Time: 33 minutes 30 seconds

Distance: 3.19 miles

Average Pace: 10.29

Best Pace: 8.03

Calories: 337

It’s ever so slightly harder getting out for evening runs during Octoberthon than it is in the warmth of Juneathon. I didn’t manage to run yesterday with various rain issues and the general business of attempting to get H to do his business in a potty (I wish there was some kind of sure-fire way of getting this thing nailed, it’s really tough-going), so I got my kit on as soon as Edward got home and went out for a dark run. By dark I don’t just mean the sky, I also mean my attire: black from head to running shoes, I really must get on the high-vis case. I don’t like this sort of run: it’s dinner time, Edward has just come home and I would much rather chat and eat and relax, but I have an Octoberthon to stick to, so needs must.

My reluctance to be outside did mean I found myself running faster, though the uneven pavements are a bit hairy in the dark: I felt like I was going to trip up at any minute. I stuck to the residential streets and scared pedestrians out of their skins as I galloped up behind them at full speed…maybe I should invest in one of those ‘honk-honk’ type horns to let people know I am coming, actually that’s not such a bad idea when I’m using the running buggy as well, there have been a few moments of almost calamity when people stroll into our path, unaware that we are going fast, fast, fast!

Time: 29 minutes 13 seconds

Distance: 3.03 miles

Average Pace: 9.38

Best Pace: 6.34

Calories: 302

Rushing around the house trying to find a lost receipt is not the best way to spend your time when you should have left five minutes earlier for your 9am race. I had woken up at 5.45am, but still managed to find myself in a fluster trying to get out of the door, not a good start. It didn’t help that the race starts at The Hub in Regent’s Park and is not a quick spot to reach from any tube stop, so I knew I would have a bit of a walk at the other end. Eventually, we got on the tube and I tackled the timing tag I had been sent, a sort of strip of plastic with a metal bit that you loop through your laces and then get funny looks as people notice the big red thing sticking out of your shoe.

When we reached the park, Hector and Edward set off to the playground and to find good bike riding spots (steep hills for Hector to go ‘weeeeeeee!’ down) and I made my way over to the The Hub. As I neared the playing fields I saw a couple of marshalls so asked them what time it was ‘Nine o’clock’ said the man ’so you’d better hurry!’. Damn it, I was going to miss the start. I started to run. I could see lots of runners milling around, so realised it hadn’t yet started, but I still wanted to get there on time. It turns out the marshall was being ‘funny’ and it was only five to nine when I got to the start. Oh, how I laughed. Fortunately the start was delayed further for me to get my breath back due to the postal strike – lots of runners hadn’t received their number or tag, so it all had to be sorted out there and then.

It was a beautiful morning with golden sunshine and still, crisp air. Perfect running weather. I was glad the wind had eased, didn’t fancy struggling into that. And we were off. It is a three lap race and I enjoyed this aspect, I think I’m deciding all races should include laps, such fun. As I tackled the first lap I realised we were heading towards the playground and was delighted to hear big cheers of ‘Go Mummy!’ and little squeals from Hector – the boys don’t normally come to races, so this was a new, and rather lovely, experience for me. I was feeling good, running strong. One particularly interesting part of the race was where we ran alongside the zoo, I saw sheep mainly but could hear all the animals starting their day with various strange noises and grunts. At one point I was puzzled by a grunting noise, trying to place the animal, but I soon realised as it came closer that it was in fact a fellow runner who must have been on his final lap and definitely in  it to win it. Those fast types really do push themselves and the resulting sounds are quite something!

My own final lap felt more challenging, I started to flag a bit, but was boosted again by Hector sitting in a dry fountain, shouting ‘I’m having a bath!’ As I approached the finish, I picked up the pace down the last little incline and decided I would run past the woman ahead of me. I laughed as she realised what I was doing and decided to put up a fight ‘You sneaked up on me!’ she said.

Time: 56 minutes 53 seconds

Distance: 6.28 miles

Average Pace: 9.04

Best Pace: 6.46

Calories: 684

After the race I collected my banana and went to find the boys at The Hub. I was really pleased when I bumped into Paddy, our old trainer who used to motivate us to get moving a few years ago. He had over-taken me during the race and I had wondered for a moment if it was him. It seems he does the series every year; he’s hardcore.

And here are the stats for my run around the park on Saturday. Boy was it windy?! I really struggled and it seemed to make my asthma rear it’s head, not nice.

Time: 29 minutes 11 seconds

Distance: 3.02 miles

Average Pace: 9.39

Best Pace: 6.35

Calories: 343

So, that’s four Octoberthon days completed. Still no takers in the challenge though…

Well, maybe the odd glass on a Friday evening.

I am feeling a bit sluggish and porky around the middle at the moment and, after my BIG walk last week (which I will write about when I get a chance, really I will), I feel encouraged and inspired to push myself a little bit further than I have been doing of late. So I have decided to take decisive action and commit to a daily activity. Remember Juneathon? Well, this is just like that but it’s in October and doesn’t necessarily involve daily blogging, which I found more challenging than the daily running (look, I’m making all this up, so I can make up my own rules and do what the heck I like). I will attempt to run every day, with a limit of no fewer than three miles and, as I will be perusing the Venice Biennale for a few days towards the end of the month, I will make up for those lost days at the beginning of November (as I said, I make up the rules ok?).

To start you off, I ran to Hector’s swimming lesson and back yesterday and boy did I look like some sort of lardy, asthmatic (yes, I am) beginner! I gasped up Hornsey Rise like a steam train, pausing at the top pretending to look at a digger and roller combo. Coming home was a little easier, but I still felt totally out of condition. Here are the stats:

Time: 52 minutes 59 seconds

Distance: 4.92 miles

Average Pace: 10.46

Best Pace: 8.53

Calories: 512

This afternoon I popped Hector in the running buggy in a desperate attempt to get him to have a sleep. Of course he slipped into gentle slumber within minutes of setting off and I enjoyed a saunter along the canal. There is a lovely new cafe near the playground at Markfield Park, so my longer runs will be full of temptation as the delicious-looking carrot cakes call me from the path of righteousness.

Time: 35 minutes 58 seconds

Distance: 3.47 miles

Average Pace: 10.21

Best Pace: 7.55

Calories: 377

So, does anyone want to join me? I found Juneathon a great motivator and this could be just what we need to get back on track for the dark months ahead. Has anyone heard about a place in the VLM and needs a bit of a kick start? Go on, you know you want to!

I am still here, really I am. I’ve been too busy being away or preparing to go away. Last week we had a bit of family quality time down in beautiful Dorset. We camped on a cliff right next to a beach so it was a tad windy at times, but the weather picked up towards the end of the week and we got to do a bit of this:

We saw lots and lots of these:

Ate plenty of this:

Met the neighbours through the mist:

And even did a bit of this (I’m being brave putting this one up!):

It was lovely to have a little break and lots of fresh air, even if we did feel we might be blown away at times. I did run on one of the days and I would say it is one of the most beautiful runs I have ever done. I ran up, up, up through the cows’ field, saying hello along the way, pausing to watch what I think was a seal bobbing around in the incredibly calm early morning sea, then tackled the biggest hill I have ever run up. I say run, but it was more of a hoist, heavily forcing each leg up to the next sod of earth I could get a grip on. The view was well worth the effort.

So, this week has been spent catching up and getting ready for the next big adventure (I haven’t run I’m afraid, so nothing to blog there, I’m feeling slightly lacking in the running mojo area…). On Tuesday we shall be catching a plane to Helsinki then travelling across country to the lakeland area of Kuopio for my performance as part of the ANTI Festival of Live Art. I’m ever so excited.

Click here to read all about what I will be doing next Friday.

Regular readers will know that I don’t generally run to music – I find I go too fast, have the urge to stop and dance, and forget how loud I am breathing when I scare the pants off dog-walkers as I approach from behind. So, I was interested to see how my running might fair with the addition of some Audiofuel tunes pumping in my ears. First of all I got into a bit of a pickle by our front gate, trying to get to grips with both my Garmin and Edward’s MP3 player at the same time. As a result, I ignored the fact that my Garmin had not yet picked up a signal, and set off anyway, only having to stop again down the road and wait for a signal…again. Once everything was in place and I had stopped fiddling with the earphones (I wish someone would make something that doesn’t always pop out of little ears) I set off around the park.

I really did need a boost, with this chesty cough challenging me at every turn, and I found it in this music. It felt a bit weird at first having a sexy smooth-sounding man uttering encouragement in my ear, but I soon got used to his occasional instruction and obediently tried to keep time to his ‘one-two-three-four’. Now there has been lots of discussion recently (Running Matters, Hauling my Carcass) about running form and  if it’s possible or even necessary to change this, and I became very aware of my body on this run, trying to keep to a set pace, noticing my strides getting longer, attempting to pull them back and stay contained. I wonder if it looked as odd as it felt when I suddenly shortened my stride, like a lycra-clad speedy gonzales, my feet a hazy blur beneath me.

I really did push myself, going much faster at times than I normally would, and the clubby, dancey beat helped push me along. The best bit was when I found myself running alongside another runner, doing that irritating thing where you are both running at the same pace, and you feel you will never lose them, until the next track came on and the BPM increased, I left him behind in a cloud of cut grass! I don’t think I would ever normally be so cheeky, but I did it and I kept the pace up for another lap of the park. Once this fleetness had got me floating on air, the voice returned and told me to take it a bit easier now and slow things down, it’s a shame this coincided with ‘the big hill’, but I resumed the slowing down once I’d got to the top.

I really enjoyed this run and I do think doing this kind of pace once a week or so could help me cut a bit of time off my 5k and 10k times, as I am planning on doing over the next few months. You can download a free sample here, and give it a try yourself.

Time: 26 minutes 58 seconds

Distance: 2.78 miles

Average Pace: 9.42

Best Pace: 7.14

Calories: 256