I hate running. I mean really hate it… my war cry is ‘if you see me running something is chasing me’
Over the years I’ve wanted to do it, everyone else seems to enjoy it. I’ve tired, it hurts, it bores me and I’m a lazy cow by nature.
Recently a fairly new running sport has caught my attention called Canicross which is basically cross country running with dogs. The buzz word here is dogs…if dogs are involved I’m in.
My friend Keely has been taking my Labrador Ralph out and seeing the pleasure they both get from it has got me interested and so I’m going to try and complete the couch to 5K beginners course with my Golden Retriever Miley. At this stage I should point out that Miley is as lazy, out of condition and stubborn as me so this might be a disaster waiting to happen.
I thought it would be fun to blog my journey good and bad and just dive in..
DAY 1
Until I join the official Canicross couch to 5K course I thought I would try and get ahead of the game so I’ve downloaded the BBC Couch to 5K app on my phone. The idea is you build your stamina by walking for 90 seconds and then running for 60 seconds with a 5 min warm up and cool down walk.
I decided to just go to the local park for our first session as it is familiar, flat and not far to limp home. I was never expecting great things from either Miley or myself but the warm up walk went well and the first couple of 60 second runs (well slow jogs) weren’t too bad either. Then Miley decided she had had enough and just stopped dead, refusing to move until I had shouted “where’s that pussy cat?” About 50 times. The next 15 minutes was literally me dragging a bored, slightly overweight retriever up and down a large field and sweating like a fat bird in a cake shop.
However we did finish the session and I’m quite surprised that I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was. Miley was just as bad as I expected her to be. Next time I’m taking her somewhere she doesn’t know because frankly I think she just got bored of walking and running up and down the same field for half an hour. The first week you do every other day and so we shall go for round two on Saturday. At least my new trail running shoes are awesome. I’ll be back….
Literally deciding she wasn’t going to walk another step!
RUN 2
Morning campers! From now on I shall be referring to our training as ‘runs’ not days as at the moment we do a day and miss a day.
Right, so lets jump right in with today’s adventures of Miley and Helen’s couch to 5K Canicross Challenge.
I decided after Miley’s reluctance to go the distance last time I would change locations for our second outing as to be fair to her, running up and down a field is pretty boring. That being said we decided to stay local and go to what is affectionately called ‘The Bunny Fields or Rabbit Hill) which is still just the warm up walk away and is far more interesting.
She was immediately more perky and we started off at a good pace with her running off in front like a real canicross dog should! She did slow down towards the second half of the session but it wasn’t the embarrassing drag it had been previously. I too enjoyed it more than I thought I would and surprised myself by actually noticing a slight improvement from my last attempt.
The only really problems was that as the bunny fields are local to me I do tend to know a lot of the dog walkers and so there was a bit of stopping and marching on the spot as we greeted fellow dogs and their people. Also as a reward at the end of the session I gave Miley some off lead time and she promptly rolled in a load of fox shit and then refused to come back when called. She’s a caution that dog is and she now stinks like a barnyard. Having said that she did do much better and I couldn’t love her more… the little Diva.
Rest day tomorrow and then we shall see how we go on Monday for our 3rd session.
RUN 3
Before we get into todays ‘running’ I still can’t actually say I run… more of a sort of falling forwards quickly, I thought I’d give you a bit of a back story to how I got so out of shape and why I am fighting back.
Last year after a fairly stressful time with various things I suddenly began to fell tired. Not just a bit tired, walking through treacle tired. All I could manage to do was work and sleep. It was getting worse and worse but I kept blaming it on stress, active work (dog grooming) and getting older (menopause). Finally after months of this chronic fatigue I could stand it no longer and I went to my local GP who ran a barrage of blood tests. I thought he was going to tell me I was low in iron or B12 or something or at worst had I thyroid problem so I was absolutely horrified when he telephoned me to tell me my Liver Function results were off the scale and I should seek advice from a private liver specialist as quickly as possible. What followed has been a year of waiting, misdiagnosis and finally treatment. I’m not totally in the clear but my bloods are back to normal and the chronic tiredness is leaving the building… thank fuck!
Clearly after having literally being asleep for almost 12 months I had not only gained two stone in weight but also was so out of condition walking upstairs left me breathless. If you had told me this time last year I would be out walking let alone running I would have laughed you out the building (if I’d had the energy). So here we are today and after starting a few weeks ago at Slimming World and already being 10lbs down I decided to address the fitness side of things. See original post.
Right, now we are up to date, time for a brief run down (pardon the pun) of todays session.
In the mornings I work for my family business in Milford, directly opposite Milford Common / Cannock Chase. I thought it would be the perfect place to keep Miley interested for 30 minutes and so I took her down to the office with me so we could run after my early morning shift. Can I just add that over the last week or so I have been buying running items including proper trainers, jackets, etc. I looked in the mirror and the phrase ‘all the gear but no idea’ popped into my head!! Having said that having the correct clothing does help massively especially on crisp muddy slide runs on the chase.
We had to navigate a few hills today and there may or may not have been some ‘leakage’ problems… bloody pelvic floor.. I’m like a bloody bottle of Sarsons vinegar I am… at this point lets just all take a moment to thank Tenalady for it’s service to older women. TMI? Soz
So anyway we completed our 30 minutes without me having to drag Miley once and now we have completed WEEK ONE on my couch to 5K app. Not sure what is going to change on our next run but of course I will be back to let you know. For now I will leave you with a picture of my beautiful Miley running in our beautiful location.
RUN 4
Hello anybody who is still with us on this journey and thanks for hanging in there. This morning my friend Keely who started me on this road came with us as a warm up before meeting her running / Canicross friend for a 6 mile ‘real’ run!
Keely borrows my chocolate Labrador Ralph and so he came down to the office with us this morning too so we could meet up at Milford common which is my starting point.
As you can see from the picture Ralph has to wear a muzzle. He doesn’t bite but can occasionally be reactive towards other dogs which is a total no no during Canicross running events. For this reason we have got him used to wearing a lightweight muzzle which he can pant, drink and eat wearing. It looks scary but we can’t have him being banned from eventing for having a swipe at a passing dogs backside!
So on to my fourth run out with Miley.
She was very excited to have Keely and Ralph out with us today and so was running out in front of me the whole way. As we are in week 2 of the couch to 5K programme the run walk game has changed again. We still do the 5 minute warm up walk but now instead of 60 second runs and 90 second walks we do 90 seconds runs followed by 2 minute walks and then a 5 minute cool down walk.
Now you wouldn’t think an extra 30 second run time would make much difference but try telling that to my legs… phew I felt the difference today. At least I didn’t have to drag Miley and she helped a bit during the first part of the session by pulling me which is actually supposed to be the whole point. She is definitely enjoying it more now though and has begun to understand why she is tethered to me and has stopped looking so confused.
Watching Keely and Ralph trying to hold back so we could keep up made me realise how far we have to go before being any where near enough to join a proper Canicross run, but we are still going for it and enjoying the beautiful sights of Cannock Chase along the way.
Keely had to run ‘literally’ during our cool down walk to go and meet her friend so Miley and I went and mooched around a bit and visited my Grandads memorial bench which has been there nearly 50 years now. She also saw her first squirrel which I think actually made her day!
Our next session is scheduled for Friday but as I’m working in the office early and then grooming I think we may have to just do a later park run next time. In other exciting news though Ralph has got his first official Canicross running events on Saturday and Sunday so I’m really excited to go and see how the pro’s do it. I’ll be sure to take some pictures to show you on the blog. All in all things are staying positive and I’ll see if it has any bearing on my fat arse when I go and weigh in at fat club tomorrow morning…fingers crossed! TTFN xx
RUN 5
ABSOLUTE TOTAL DISASTER
Well I wished I could show you the video of the joke of a ‘run’ Miley and I did today.
In theory we weren’t supposed to be doing our next session until tomorrow (Friday) but I work all day at both the office and grooming and I decided I would probably be too knackered to run afterward. Given it was such a nice day I though we would stay local and go back to the bunny fields again.
Big mistake, Miley showed zero interest whatsoever and the only time I got more than even a trot out of her was when she spotted a squirrel in the woody bit. Aside from that it was back to literally dragging her around the course for 30 minutes nearly putting my back out in the process. I was actually leaning backwards on the waist belt. While she had her feet planted firmly on the ground refusing to move. At one stage she actually pulled herself backwards out of her harness and look so bloody pleased with herself I forgot to be annoyed for a nano second.
Anyway we did manage to complete the session mainly with me running on the spot during the runny bits and dragging her during the walky bits.
I literally limped home exhausted and feeling quite defeated… I fear Miley is just too stubborn to ever get this canicross thing. (We still aren’t talking). I’ll keep going but I’m going to have to avoid the local circuits and keep changing things up.
Anyway got a couple of days to recover now so I’ll see how things go on run/drag 6.
Until then I will leave you with the picture of her smug mug after she pulled her harness off. Little bitch!
RUN 6
Now I’m not going to lie the last disastrous run kind of put me off this whole Canicross business and I didn’t got again over the weekend. Having said that I did attend my first official Canicross event to watch my BFF Keely run my lab Ralph in their first ‘proper’ race. They did so well and it was such an awesome experience it lifted me up again and made me want to carry on.
Here are a couple of shots of the CaniX run at Marquis Drive, it needs a blog of it’s own but the noise itself was quite something on its own!
Anyhoo back to run 6.
Keely’s friend Rachel is a seasoned Canicross runner and is also qualified to coach beginners and so she said she would come for a run with Miley and myself to see where we were at. Actually it turned into a bit of a party as Keely came along too to run with Ralph and also brought her terriers along to run with the pack.
We went straight from my workplace in Milford and I’ll admit to being a bit worried as these girls warm up walks are faster than my bloody sprints… but I got the gear on and decided to give it my best shot.
First I hit the wrong button on my couch to 5K app and skipped a week which meant I was running for 3 minutes and walking for two which was quite a step up but as it happened it worked out quite well despite feeling the burn. Miley absolutely loved running as part of a pack and was out in front of me the whole way. Rachel and Keely were so encouraging and kind that I really enjoyed it.
As an aside on our cool down walk on the way back, Keely realised that she had dropped her car keys and so we had to go back round to find them!
We couldn’t find them until, defeated we eventually made our way back to the cars only to find a lovely gentleman patiently waiting on a bench holding the keys aloft. Thank you that man! Also we got a bit of a longer workout.
So all in all a good session although I still fear Miley will never be a very enthusiastic Canicross dog. BUT, I started this couch to 5K with her and she is damn well finishing it with me whether she likes it or not!
Until next time I’ll leave you with some more photographs.
RUN 7
Sorry about the late update on this one, it’s been a busy week.
As Miley had been much better on the chase I thought I would take her around the same course and me and the girls had done the last time. Whilst there wasn’t any enthusiasm on her part she did at least keep moving forward albeit slowly and not always in front.
At this point in our journey it has become a bit of a battle of wills. I know for a fact that Miley will never be a Canicross lover BUT we started this couch to 5K thing together and we are damn well finishing it together even if it kills me. I’m contemplating getting a cattle prod to keep her moving… joking obviously but honestly it’s like pulling a reluctant mule around.
From my point of view though I am beginning to feel myself improve. Although I really didn’t fancy the run, about half way through the endorphins finally kicked in and I looked around at our beautiful surroundings and just felt glad to be alive and healthy again.
Although the running sections of the course are getting longer now I quite like it as it proves to me that I can keep going longer than I thought. Having my virtual coach Sarah chatting to me along the way really helps too. To be honest a reluctant Miley is quite good for me as I feel like her personal trainer, cheering her on every step of the way.
I do need to learn to look where I am going a bit more though as there are some muddy, rocky and uneven bits throughout our chosen course and I did go over on my ankle at one point. It was nothing serious but did make me thank goodness for mobile phones as if I did fall and break something Miley wouldn’t go for help, she’d just eat me.
On that note I shall leave you until our next run (which is supposed to be today but it’s pissing it down #fairweatherrunner) TTFN
RUN 8
Hi folks, we were a bit late with our last run again. We should technically have done one on Saturday but Stafford had one of the highest rainfalls in many years, flooding half the town. Suffice to say I thought I’d give it a miss. Nick and I were also going out with friends later in the evening and I didn’t want to be tired as I do feel it for the rest of the day when we do a run as I’m still trying to get my energy back after my illness.
That being said we woke up on Sunday morning to the most glorious day. My bestie Keely was taking Ralph out for an 8 mile run over the chase as they are literally coming on in leaps and bounds… Ralph is beginning to look like a racehorse at this stage and is so shiny, healthy and happy it’s a joy to see. Anyway, Nick and I decided to take Miley and Ted to our local cafe / bar, (Bod) for breakfast and I got myself in my running gear so Miley and I could go off for a run after we had eaten and chilled for a bit. I was very good, staying on my Slimming World plan and just having some poached eggs, mushrooms and a bit of bacon.
After ditching the idea of going on the chase due to the water logging I decided to do my run straight from the Bod and Nick said he would come along with Ted as I was going down to have a look at the flooding by Baswich bridges and then along the canal tow path and back through the bunny fields.
Miley and I are running for longer periods now so Nick said for us to just go on ahead as he just wanted to walk with Ted (who is a very large Newfoundland for those of you who might not know). However Ted was having non of it and dragged Nick along for the ride. Nick is a big guy but if Ted is going somewhere you are going too, he’s as strong as a horse! Miley really surprised me by being absolutely brilliant and I surprised myself by actually being quite disappointed when we got to the cool down walk. Who knew I would start enjoying this thing. Miley’s fitness levels have increased so much too and when I let her have a free run after we had finished she was racing around like a puppy on acid.
Giving her too much rope though did mean she did hang herself by rolling in what was obviously a very fresh and very large fox shit. The smell was horrendous. Usually I can just spot clean her but this time I had to take her over to the grooming shop to bath her properly. Ugghhh I couldn’t get that smell out our my nostrils for the rest of the day. Anyway she may have hated the bath but she looks and smells like the princess she is again now.
I’m working all day on Tuesday and Wednesday and so our next run will not be until Thursday now. We are however upping the running times again, so I’ll see how that goes. I really enjoyed the route we took down the canal so I think that could become a favourite as we continue our journey.
In other news I have registered to do the Park Run at Marquis Drive at the weekend. It’s a bit of a free for all family 5K run or walk. I shall stick to my training app and then walk the rest of the way. I can also find out how 5K feels to do in one go as in a few weeks Miley and I are committed to running the whole thing! Eeeek. I’ll leave you with some photographs of the weekend jaunt. Thanks for hanging in with out journey, writing this blog keeps my head in the game. TTFN
RUN 9
The Halloween Run
Hi lovely followers of our couch to 5K journey, we are now into week 4 of our challenge and shit is starting to get real.
Week 4 is a bit of a game changer as we are now running more than we are walking. We still start with the 5 minute warm up but now the runs are 5 minutes each with 90 second and two minute walk intervals.
I took the same route as our last run as it is local and Miley and I both enjoyed running by the canal last time. We started off strong with Miley ahead of me but about half way though she wanted to sniff everything and contemplate diving in the water. Thankfully she didn’t as being tied to her would have meant we both ended up with a stinky canal bath.
The canal tow path is nice and flat so I did feel a bit ‘cheaty’ on the run sections that is until we came to the last 5 minute run which took us under the railway tunnel and up to Rabbit Hill. The incline is so steep I actually thought I might expire with the effort of keeping going. By this stage I was dragging Miley again and for about the millionth time wished she was like Ralph and would pull me up hills. Oh well maybe one day (as if).
However finish we did and apart from sore thighs and knees I feel pretty good about how things are going. We are due to take part in our first 5K Park run in the morning.
What I intend to do is stick with the Couch to 5K app and then walk the rest of the way when we are finished as I want to stay with the scheduled training programme. As I’ve mentioned before it will give me an idea of both how it feels to do 5K in one go and to see how Miley reacts to lots of other people and dogs.
I’m not sure I am looking forward to it as such but I will of course be back with an update of the good, the bad and the ugly. Until then TTFN
RUN 10
THE 5K PARK RUN
Well above is a picture of Miley and I getting ready for our first ever 5K park run at Marquis Drive on Cannock Chase. This is a race for all ages, abilities with or without pets, well a general free for all really. It is an organised event though so I was a little nervous but feeling determined.
Keely came to pick up Ralph and we popped Miley and Ted in our car – my husband Nick came along with big Ted to offer his support bless him. The weather was appalling and by the time the 9am start came round it was literally pissing it down. Still I don’t want to be accused of being a fair weather runner so off we went. Keely and Rachel started at the front of the running pack and Nick and I opted to start at the back (which is where I stayed until the bitter end!). There were small children and one legged old men going faster than me but I was there and I was actually doing it!
As planned I stuck to my couch to 5k app training and walked the course after that. It was tempting to run more but I don’t want to do too much and hurt myself and not want to complete the challenge. I did manage a little spurt at the end though just to show willing! Ted and Nick tapped out at about 2k as Ted was getting very hot trying to keep up. They did wait for us and finished alongside us which was lovely.
Miley did really well and I’m so proud of how her stamina is improving. By the end of week 8 I hope to be running the full 5K but until then I’ll just keep plodding on with my training sessions.
To say I enjoyed it might be a bit of an overstatement BUT I do feel very proud of myself for actually getting off my fat arse and giving it a go. It proves to me that my body and soul are healing. It was actually a year ago today that I was diagnosed with liver disease and after an exhausting period of ups and downs I never thought I could come this far.
A huge thank you to Keely for encouraging me every step of the way and for my ever patient husband for always being my biggest supporter. I couldn’t do any of this without them.
On that soppy note I will leave you until next time when hopefully this damn rain will have stopped.
Week 5
Runs 11 & 12
Hi my lovely followers… if anybody is still hanging in there with us.
I thought I’d treat you to a two for the price of one today as I didn’t manage to get round to blogging run 11 last week.
Run 11 was still technically week 4 and so the running / walking intervals were much the same. It was a soggy, cold day but Miley and I dug deep and got out there, we changed our route a little bit which meant running up a fairly long, steep incline and I thought at one point my thighs were going to explode. I normally try and run in some sort of loupe but when the half way timer pinged I turned round and the run down again and it was so much easier. That is until we decided to run down the cutting and found a tree had gone down. Miley and I had to scramble through it like some sort of assault course getting scratched and covered in mud in the process…such fun!
Also during that run I got a bit creeped out by a shady looking chap on his own and for the first time I felt a bit vulnerable. Obviously Golden Retrievers aren’t well known for their protective instincts so armed only with a soft dog and a can of compressed air I was glad when we were back in the car.
It’s such a shame that women have to feel this way when all we want to do is run or walk and enjoy the solitude of the countryside. I’m pretty sure that man was no threat whatsoever, but it did spoil my run a tad. I’ve actually brought myself a very loud little rape alarm now which I hang on my running belt. I’m not sure I would have the energy to run away but it would startle a would be weirdo.
Anyway on to run 12
I was so proud of Miley today as we did our first week five run. We have now upped our running times to run 8 minutes, walk 5 minutes intervals with a warm up and cool down session. I planned my run to make sure we were on fairly even ground today as I knew running those extra few minutes would be tough. To be honest I was a bit worried we would manage at all after our struggle on the last outing.
What a difference today, Miley proudly ran out in front of me from the get go and honestly although the runs were longer than normal we both coped really well and I can actually say I really enjoyed it.. I was even laughing as we were splashing through the numerous muddy puddles. Maybe Miley and I will make the Canicross team yet!
When we got back to the car, there were a group of pensioners all gathering for their weekly 5k hike and one of the ladies that was there was one of my mums best friends so I stopped for a chat while they were waiting for the rest of the group to lace up their boots. (You know how people of a certain age still have ‘driving shoes’?) Anyway finally they were ready for the off so I quietly said my goodbyes to my friend and headed towards my car. The man who organises these walks was obviously some sort of Sargent Major in a previous life and barked at me ” and where do you think you are going young lady?” He actually thought I was there for the hike and I was so taken back I nearly went with them!
Anyway I explained I had already done my stint and needed a brew and a bath and so he let me off but it did make me snigger a bit on the way home. Next run will be the park run again on Saturday and so I am hoping for better weather and a better pace. Being last and soaking really did suck big time. Until then TTFN xx
RUN 13
Gosh time is flying even if we aren’t.
For our latest run we decided to complete the Cannock Chase Park Run again, as this is what I’m aiming to be able to run all the way by the end of week 9. OMG!
The weather forecast was for torrential rain as it was last week, but I was prepared to do the run whatever happened so I was pleasantly surprised when we woke up to crispy clear Autumn sky’s.
It was bloody freezing but I’ll take that over rain any day. I layered up and also got to wear my new hat, which I was more happy about than I care to admit, I love it, as it’s waterproof and will be perfect for sunny or rainy conditions (Sealskinz make if you are interested)
The turnout at Marquis Drive was probably double what it had been on the rainy Saturday before and the atmosphere was buzzing and upbeat. Although my friend Keely who runs Ralph couldn’t come due to work commitments my husband Nick came along with our Newfoundland Ted again (which I’ll come back to)
We were also joined by our lovely Canicross experts Rachel and Alan and also ‘Team Darby’ who are great friends of ours and always put a positive spin on any situation. It was lovely to have friendly faces there, and although they complete the course in half the time it takes me (snail with arthritis) they always wait to cheer us in at the end. This really helps and inspires me to sprint to the finish line.
Nick, Ted, Miley and I started at the back again as I am still sticking to my couch to 5K app and it starts just with a 5 minute warm up and I don’t want us to get in anybody’s way. Of course this does mean the bulk of the park runners have disappeared out of sight by the time I actually start running but to be honest I’d rather not let other folk watch my feeble efforts just yet. Having said that everybody including the marshalls are so encouraging to the newbies it’s a real boost.
Last week big Ted got a bit over excited about the whole thing and wore himself out in the fist 2k and so he and Nick dropped out and joined us near the end. However this week he seemed to just ‘get it’ and so they stayed with us the whole way round and Ted absolutely loved it, as did Miley to have part of her pack running with us. The only problem this threw up was Ted likes to poo a lot…we actually call him Teddy two shits so there was hold ups while large Newfoundland poop was scooped. Also Nick decided he could hold his bladder no longer and went for a piss in a bush further hampering our progress. Having said this it was fantastic having company on our way round and I think Nick enjoyed it so much he is now on the hunt for some better running shoes.
The couch to 5K app had us finishing around the 3k mark and so for the last part of the course we just walked briskly. I was actually 39 seconds faster (woopie) than last week but it’s not about pace yet just stamina and I did find it easier this week. That being said I was still happy to see the finish line looming.
Miley is doing so well and has really taken to the whole concept of canicross now, so much so that I have decided to invest in some more professional gear including a new harness for her and a better waist belt for me. She wore Ralph’s pro one this week and it really did make a difference so I think it’s worth the investment. I wouldn’t let Ted run at speed or any further than 5K but I think if we work him up slowly he will be able to run the course easily as long as the weather isn’t too warm.
My next run will be stepping up to running without a break for 20 minutes so we shall see how that pans out! I have to say I’m not really looking forward to it and am already trying to plan the flattest route I can for it. Strangely enough though in week 6 we go back to intervals again. I don’t really get it but I’m now on a couch to 5k group on Facebook and have been told to just ‘trust the programme’.
Until next time then I’ll leave you with a shot of Team Overmire looking rather smug.
RUN 14
A RUN TO REMEMBER
Today was a run I’ve been dreading as it required us to run a full 20 minutes without any walking breaks as we’ve done in the past. I chose my route carefully as I didn’t want to be going up any nasty hills or inclines. The canal is always a safe bet as obviously it is nice and flat.
We started off well with our warm up walk across Yelverton Park.
It was a cold morning but after 5 minutes of brisk walking we were ready to go for it. The first part of the run took us round the estate and the down to Baswich lane where we joined the canal tow path. By the time we hit the canal we had already done 10 of the 20 minutes so I was feeling pretty good but then two things happened which nearly ruined everything.
The first was that Miley decided that she just wasn’t feeling it this morning and would much rather sniff in bushes, and so we were back to me pulling her along behind me like a rusty anchor calling her every name under the sun and cursing loudly whilst getting disapproving looks off some passing walkers. I may have called her a word beginning with C but I don’t want to discuss it.
The second more pressing problem was that my bowels suddenly decided they needed to be evacuated really rather quickly… I’ve heard of runners trots before but this is the first time I have experienced it. There was no way I was stopping though, so I ran on, buttocks clenched tightly trying to think of anything but the contractions that kept on coming. Finally we came to the end of the run and I could finally see light at the end of the tunnel.
Still walking like a mincing queen we then happened upon the dog walking group who wanted to stop and chat. I was practically touching cloth at this point so I made hurried excuses about needing to get ready for a funeral and made it home just in the nick of time. OMG I was literally sweating… sorry if this is all too much information but honestly I couldn’t believe it and it will ensure I never forget my first 20 minute run!
I am incredibly happy to have completed this stage of the run and now we are moving into week 6 where we go back to interval training again for a few runs before the big 5K attempt and 30 minutes of non stop running.
So it’s goodbye to week 5 as we head into the last 3 weeks of the programme. I’ll try and put to poonami incident behind (pardon the pun) me. And crack (sorry pun again) on. TTFN
RUN 15
SO OVER IT!
As we move into week 6 the weather has been appalling. I was going to miss this run as it was freezing cold and it was pouring down with icy rain which makes you feel like you are being slapped repeatedly around the face. But I’m nothing if not a trooper and given that I had just spent a rather large sum of money on some professional Canicross gear, including a new running belt, harness and lead for Miley I decided to put on my big girl pants (along with my new running belt) and get out into the elements.
My one concession to going out in such bleak conditions was that I would stay fairly local. Oh why oh why do I never learn. About 15 minutes into our session Miley did her famous stop dead trick and then promptly pulled herself out of the harness. I was cold, wet, tired and frankly pissed off so as we were near the fields I decided to just carry on running alone up the bunny fields carrying the harness while Miley happily trotted in front of me. I wanted to scalp the furry little fiend. I have to say it was actually easier to run without her and the whole point of Canicross is that the dog is supposed to help pull you along. For the love of God …. gahhhhhh!!
Swearing like a sailor we finally completed the session and then stomped / limped home feeling both deflated and more than just a little hacked off. If I’m honest I was ready to throw the towel in at this point but tomorrow is another day and I am determined that fluffy princess is completing this couch to 5k with me.
RUN 16
PARK RUN NUMBER 3
After the horrors of our last run I decided to repeat week 6 run 2. Not only as because of all the shinanigans from our last outing, but my husband was joining us at the park run with our big Newfoundland Ted again and so I felt he needed the intervals to rest a bit as he isn’t the fittest (or sharpest) tool in the box. – Ted that is, not my husband…although…
Anyhooo, the morning of the park run dawned and all I could hear through the darkened windows was the hammering of the rain outside. Tempting to hit the snooze and have a lie in but my friend takes our Labrador Ralph so I needed to get him ready anyway. Also Miley and Ted love the park runs too so off we went.
As luck would have it the rain had stopped by the time we reached the start line and there was a good turnout as always. I love the atmosphere of the park runs, such camaraderie amongst the runner from young to old and everyone in between.
Ted got a bit overexcited at the start line and there was a bit of argy bargy with a Springer Spaniel but fortunately crisis averted off we went.
We had completed the warm up on the walk to the start line and so we were able to start the run properly with everyone. It felt good not to be walking at the back and even overtaking people. The app was for two ten minute runs with a 3 minute walk interval in between. I was really pleasantly surprised by how easy I found the running sections, a few weeks ago I could barely breathe after 60 seconds. We had finished the app training at about the 3k mark and so we decided to walk for the next kilometer and then run the last to the finish.
My friend Keely who had run her own personal best time ran back with Ralph to run with us to the finish. I think I peaked a bit soon but I did manage to cross the finish line puffing and panting with Nick following with Ted who managed to knock down all the cones and finishing tape! All the marshalls love Teddy though so he was forgiven immediately. As Nick was gettinng his barcode scanned Ted just decided to lie down, he was done, the big idle bugger!
All in all though I was really happy with how it went and I am confident that in another few weeks we will be able to run all the way round, even if our pace is slow. Even Miley behaved herself and so we are friends again now.
In terms of the app, all the interval training is over now and from here on I’ll just be increasing the running times for the last few weeks. For now I’ll leave you with a few pictures of our weekend. Also including out stats for our very first park run compared to this weeks. TTFN xx
Run 17
A VERY POSH RUN (WOT NO DOG?)
My mum is turning 80 years old this weekend so as a treat the ladies of the family booked a relaxing spa overnight stay at the Stunning Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire.
I really wanted to finish week 6 but wasn’t sure I’d be wanting to run instead of bobbing about in jacuzzis and the like, but I packed my running gear regardless as you never know do you.
On the morning of the second day I woke up quite early and as we hadn’t arranged to meet the rest of our party for breakfast until 9.00am I decided to go and get week 6 run 3 over and done with, so I could start week 7 with the Park Run on Saturday.
The grounds of Hoar Cross hall are simply beautiful and although this was to be my longest non stop run (25 minutes) I couldn’t have chosen a better location to do it. There is a trail set out through the woods which has a nice even surface and the autumnal colours were so beautiful it was a pleasure to be out and about.
It was strange running without my pretty, stubborn, furry friend Miley but I chatted away as if she was still with me. I do hope nobody heard me!
To be fair at no point did I feel like I needed to stop and whilst it was my biggest challenge yet I found it very doable and I didn’t feel like stopping once.
I will admit that my pace is akin to a tortoise with rickets but, hey I’ll work on that later. I spent to cool down walk just mooching (briskly) around the gardens and although we were missing the sun it was stunning and I was so glad I had made the effort to pack my kit.
According to Sarah on my app I am officially a runner now – go me!
As I mentioned earlier I move into week 7 with my 4th park run and I’m keen to improve my time now I am no longer doing intervals. I shall of course be back to let you know. Until then I’ll leave you with a Hoar Cross selfie! TTFN
Week 7
Runs 18, 19 & 20
Hi folks thought I would lump this weeks runs together as they have all been the same running time of 25 minutes non stop (who knew I could ever do that??) and we have pretty much taken the same route too.
Weather wise it has been a foul week with rain, mud, more mud, rain a bit of extra mud and some fox shit thrown in for good measure. (I’ll come back to that)
Anyhoo, I keep on showing up for the runs and while I can’t say it’s been the easiest of weeks I am so gobsmacked that I can actually run for 25 minutes cross country without stopping I can barely comprehend!
One of the things I learned on my trip to Hoar Cross is that running without dragging a reluctant Golden Retriever behind you is not only easier but infinitely more enjoyable and for this reason I have decided to let Miley run free from now on. Let’s face it the stubborn cow is never going to enjoy canicross as a sport and so unless we are doing the park run I am letting her live her best life. To be honest I wish I had done it sooner as she is absolutely loving every minute of it now and is doing about 5K to every one of mine… you see, she’s not idle she just doesn’t like being tied down (a bit like my son really).
Unfortunately one of the downsides of her running to her own tune is that she can disappear and get into all sorts of messes as you will see from the following pictures. When she first came back looking like a bog monster it was funny, until I realised that most of it was fox shit and the stench in the car almost made me pass out. The filthy tart.
Look how happy she is!
I did get the last laugh in the end when I took her to the grooming shop for a bath in fox poo shampoo…yes it is a thing. She hates having a bath and I normally let the mud dry off a bit and brush it out with dry shampoo, but that fox poo needed industrial strength cleansers and scrubbing.
I can’t quite believe I am now moving into week 8 of this 9 week programme. It’s called couch to 5K but the aim really is to get you running for 30 minutes without stopping. My pace is still woefully slow so once I ‘graduate’ from the course I will work on speeding things up a bit. I’m hoping to start week 8 with the Park run as that is a nice flat route and I can see how far I get in the 28 minutes. I only managed 3k in the 25 minutes today so I still have a way to go.
I think once I do finish the course and feel a bit more confident I will try Canicross again but use my racehorse of a Labrador Ralph. Keeping up with him will be hard but it will be nice to be pulled up a hill rather than dragging a dead weight up one. But that is for another day.
For now this is how we ended week 7. You gotta laugh I suppose….. TTFN xx
WEEK 8
Runs 1, 2 & 3 (also bonus run with a dickhead)
Week 8 consists of running 28 minutes without a break and I decided the weekly Park Run was the best place to do run 1.
We know the route, it’s fairly flat and there is lots of support and encouragement from everyone. It was a very cold wintery day which was a little slippy at first but I’ll take that over rain any day. I use the walk to the start line as my 5 minute warm up and so we were able to start off at a jog with the rest of the group…obviously still at the back.
Once again I was joined by two of the big fella’s in my life, my husband Nick and our Newfoundland Ted. Ted is currently battling with yet another ear infection but he loves it so much we decided to take him up anyway and see how he felt. He took off like a rocket dragging my unsuspecting hubby behind him. We did manage to settle him down though and whilst he was quite tired he did complete the run with us.
I managed to improve my time slightly since the last park run but my pace is still very slow and getting to the 5k in 30 minutes is going to take a lot longer than 9 weeks I fear. Still I’m getting out there and getting better bit by bit and as they always say, we are still lapping all the other buggers sitting on the couch!
RUN 2
Another cold and frosty run on Cannock Chase for run 2 of week 8.
I’ve started letting Miley run free at this stage as we both enjoy it so much more. It was so stunning out there that as a photographer I couldn’t help but keep stopping to take pictures along the way. The low lying winter sun streaming through the icy mist and golden trees was intoxicating and I barely noticed I was running as I took in the beauty before me.
Fortunately there were no fox poo incidents on this run as everything was frozen… she did have a bit of a try at some horse poo ice cream though, filthy bitch!
The route I take is truly beautiful but the run back is a slight incline which is a bit of a trial and by the end of the 28 minutes I was glad to finish. We did improve our pace slightly though which I was pleased about and it was a very enjoyable run. 
RUN 3
The celebration run!
I mentioned previously in my journey that I am still recovering from a chronic liver disease that had me asleep for nearly a year. Finally after a course of successful treatment I am fighting my way back to fitness.
On Wednesday of this week it was another trip to Wolverhampton to find out my latest blood results. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so relieved in my life when I finally got the verdict I had been longing to hear. Everything is back to normal , I am mended and I can just go and get on with my life! One thing this whole journey has taught me is to never take my health or the NHS for that matter for granted again. At one stage during my diagnosis and treatment it was thought I had an autoimmune disease which would have meant steroid and immune suppression treatment for the rest of my life. The relief of not having to walk that difficult path is difficult to articulate, but my joy is palpable.
My hospital appointment was first thing and I was so full of happiness all I wanted to to was run with my dog, grinning all the way like some demented Cheshire Cat. Which is exactly what I did.
We took the canal toe path route again and I did my fasted ever 1km, sadly Miley decided to idle in front of me for the most of the run once she was off lead and so the pace slackened off a big. Still I did do my longest run to date with my fastest pace so I’m pleased with that. Again I plan to start week 9 (the final week) with the Saturday Park Run.
Here are a few pics from my celebration run!
Bonus Run
Attempt one at proper Canicross with Ralph.
I’ve mentioned before that I got into this whole running malarkey via my friend Keely who asked if she could borrow our labrador Ralph to start Canicross which is basically event cross country running with dogs. Keely is a very seasoned runner and needed a dog who could match her fitness levels (she only has small, elderly terriers). They have done absolutely brilliantly and Ralph is now like a racehorse with them running miles together.
Well today, in my wisdom I though I’d like to have a try with a ‘real’ canicross dog who would actually pull me, unlike stubborn Miley who I have to drag around. He had just got back from a 6 mile run and was suitably knackered enough for me to attempt a short run with him.
OMG….
I felt like I was on a treadmill which had got stuck on top speed, I looked like the Roadrunner cartoon! This promptly made me laugh both nervously and uncontrollably thus making me lose all control of my bladder which only served to make me laugh even harder!
Whilst I did enjoy being dragged up a hill I think it will be a while before I try a Ralph Run again!
My next run will be back with my trusty Golden anchor Miley to start the beginning of the end.
Week 9 run one. I can’t believe I only have three runs left before I graduate the Couch to 5K app, I never believed I would actually still be hanging in this far down the line. I think I will just keep repeating week 9 though as although it says Couch to 5K what it actually does is take you from couch to running for 30 minutes non stop. It’s up to me to get my pace up to run the distance in that time after that…I could be a white yet TTFN xx
WEEK 9
WEEK 9 – RUN 1
As this is our final week I thought I would go back to breaking down the runs again instead of lumping them together in weeks. I can’t quite believe we are nearly at the end of our challenge. Some runs have been a real challenge, but we have kept on turning up and here we are in the last week, running for 30 minutes without stopping!
It seemed that the park run was a good place to start our final week and I plan to finish our Couch to 5K there also. Although Ted and Nick did come along with us they decided not to run this week as Ted got a little over tired last time and is still shaking off an ear infection. That being said Miley and I set off on our 5th Park Run at Marquis Drive. I can’t believe I’m not the newbie anymore and we got off at a good pace.
I always have my Strava app running in the background which tells me how many kilometres we have done and our pace etc. I was chuffed to hear in my headphones that we had completed the fist kilometre in just over 7 minutes which is our best ever time, I decided that I would really go for it and see if I could get our pace up a bit.
Whilst I can’t admit to being anywhere near the main pack of runners we definitely aren’t last anymore and I even overtook a few people along the way… I was thrilled!
So there we are going really well and enjoying the good weather when we happened upon Nick and Ted who by chance were just having a walk around and bumped into us by chance. We said a quick hello and carried on our way. Sadly Miley decided that she no longer wanted to be on the lead at this point (it’s not an option to let her off on the Park Runs) and go and find Ted and Nick. So as we were close to getting our best ever time she stopped dead, I mean totally dug her heels in. I was practically crying with frustration by the time I finally got her moving again. We did finish and get a personal best but we still could have shaved another 5 minutes off without her shenanigans. I have now renamed her the Golden Anchor.
I’m asking Father Christmas for a cattle prod.
All in all though I really enjoyed the run and although I like the couch to 5k in my ear in some ways I am looking forward to being a ‘free runner’.
WEEK 9 – RUN 2
THE PENULTIMATE RUN
So here it is the beginning of the end of this particular personal challenge. It’s had its high and low points but if you had told me a couple of months ago I would be not only running cross country but actively enjoying it I would have laughed in your face!
After getting our PB at the park run on Saturday I was keen to pick up the pace again this morning as although we are completing the 30 minutes without a problem we are still a fair way off actually 5K in distance. That being said after our 5 minute warm up walk I set off at a brisk pace only to run into a chap with two labs about 10 minutes in. One of his dogs set about poor Miley who was still on lead at this point and we had to stop for about 5 minutes while he got his unruly pooch under control. Miley was fine, she can be quite feisty when she needs to be but it did hold us up again. I know it doesn’t really matter but it’s so frustrating.
The rest of the run went well although there was a strong wind which hampered progress also. I did manage to pick my pace back up and so overall I was pretty pleased with our average pace at the sound of the 30 minute finish bell.
As we are so close to Xmas I will be pretty much working full time at the dog shop for the next two weeks and so my GRADUATION RUN will be at Marquis Drive again on Saturday.
I’m not going to stop running after graduation but I am thinking of going back and starting the couch to 5K from the beginning again with our big Ted to get his stamina and fitness up. This will be after his ear surgery though. I also want to be fast enough for the Racehorse we call Ralph… not enough tenalady’s in the world at this point in my running career!!
Until the graduation then I shall leave you with some pretty Cannock Chase pictures. TTFN
WEEK 9 – RUN 3
GRADUATION RUN!
I can’t quite believe that I have come to the final instalment in our Couch to 5K Challenge.
I never thought a few short weeks ago that I would go from being a breathless mess from just walking upstairs to actually running 5 kilometres… nothing short of a miracle really given my past couch potatoey history.
As Christmas is nearly upon us my friend Keely has been absolutely inundated with requests for grooms. During my illness I was forced to drop a couple of days helping her as I just physically couldn’t do it without a days rest in between. Grooming is an extremely physical job when you are well but with a liver disease it was more than I could handle.
Anyway not to dwell, but Keely asked if I could cover some extra days over the festive period to help out and I was glad to be fit enough to say yes and get stuck back in.
We have worked our arses off this last week and so on the morning of my final ‘graduation run’ (the Saturday park run) my legs felt sore and weak and I was shattered.
Obviously I was not obliged to do it and could have put it off if I wanted to, but I’m as stubborn as Miley and I was determined I wanted to finish doing a full 5K before Christmas. As it happened, after a hot shower and a bit of a word with myself I was ready to go, praying Miley would try a bit harder for our final run.
As we headed to the start line I was full of grit and determination and excited to get the job done so to speak. The siren sounded and we were off. We got off to a reasonable start, doing a very acceptable time in the first kilometre but then Miley decided to put the brakes on again.
What followed was me literally dragging her around the course once more. I was itching to let her off the lead as I knew she would run beautifully untethered, but it’s not allowed and we would have been disqualified which was unthinkable at this stage.
I might as well have picked her up and carried her around that last 4K and I truly believe with the added pressure of keeping her moving forward I probably did the equivalent of 10K… oh the frustration is difficult to describe, apart from we may be having Roast Retriever for our Xmas lunch!
That being said we made it to the finish with my trusty husband and big Ted cheering us on. I was oddly emotional as I passed that finish line and despite being furious with my Golden Anchor Miley, I did always say that I started this journey with her and I was going to finish it with her even if it killed me, which at times it nearly did!
She is sacked now by the way and I will now only do free running (off lead) with her. I love the park runs but sadly she does not. Although I will do the Christmas Day run with her just to complete the year.
So that’s it, we are done folks.
Well when I say we are done, that’s it for the couch to 5K training app. It’s been clear from the get go that Miley was never going to be a Canicross dog and that’s what I really wanted to do.
In the new year I am embarking on a beginners couch to 5K Canicross course with Ralph. Keely has now adopted a new puppy called Rubble (see below) who she will be training up to be her partner once he is old enough. This means I have got six months to be fit enough to run Ralph at his current speed….yikes!
I definitely didn’t think I would actually want to carry on after this particular challenge was complete. I just thought I would grit my stubborn teeth and get through it and then get back to the job of napping on the sofa.
Who knew I would actually be one of those people who planned and looked forward to their next runs, had a draw full of professional active wear and talked about things like Strava, ‘pace’ and ‘personal bests’ (pb’s if you are really into it)?
Anyway for this particular blog I will say my goodbyes and thank each and every one of you who have followed and supported our rollercoaster ride over the weeks.
As I mentioned, I am continuing my Canicross journey with my Ralphie boy in the new year but I will start a new blog for that little adventure. For now I’ll leave you with a very bad picture of me actually in action as we did eventually get fast enough to make the ‘official’ photographs (before the photographer got too cold and buggered off.)
Happy Christmas to you all and I’ll catch up with you in the new year. TTFN xx
Happy New Year readers.
When Two Become Three
helenovermire 