On the increase...

I've managed to increase my running distance again!

I'm up to 4 miles now, still pretty slow at 11.5 mins per mile but it's consistent the whole way round, I don't slow down. I've done the 4 mile block twice now, I'm pretty sure I could do 5 miles but I'm going to leave that for next week and just consolidate the 4 miles first.

Once I'm up to 5 miles then I think I need to start looking at my speed. I'd like to get up to 10 minute miles if possible, but that's an awful lot to shave off my current time.... we'll see!!

The next milestone after that will be 6 miles - 10K!!

Bad cat!!!

Woody went missing last night.

I got home from work early at about 4.30pm and there was no sign of him. I was worried because normally he comes running within seconds of me getting home, whatever the time of day. I had a scout around but there was no sign. My neighbour said he'd seen Woody at about 3.30pm but not since. I went out a few times after that to walk and call for him, and I listened at all the garage doors in case he'd been shut in.

I went to badminton since there was nothing else I could do and I would have just sat around worrying even more.

When I got home I printed some posters and Tarka and I went round putting those up. I waited up till about 2am in case he came home and then got up this morning about 6.45 to try and catch the neighbours as they went to work, to check their garages.

When I got up Woody was curled up in the conservatory!! He's cold, but not excessively hungry or thirsty, I have no idea where he's been but strongly suspect he got shut in somewhere, he's such a nosey cat!! At least he doesn't seem any worse for the experience, but he's staying indoors for today at least! He's currently warming up in his favourite box which I've put in front of the heating vent for him. (Spoilt cat - I normally NEVER have heating on in the mornings!)

This is the bit of cat ownership that I really don't like - the uncertainty of letting them outside and just hoping that they're still there at the end of the day. Despite knowing that he was more than likely shut in somewhere, I still had all sorts of thoughts running through my head. I love my cats, but I really don't think I'll be getting any more after these guys. They're just too stressful!!

New shoes...

...yes, new running trainers...

But before that, a big hello to all my readers, old friends and new - I don't think I've ever said that before! You are appreciated, all six of you!! I'd hate to think I'm talking to myself  here... and if it's your first visit to see me, welcome!!

So, back to the shoes. Like any girl, new shoes is always an exciting event although with most girls it tends to be a new pair of high heels or similar that causes the excitement. With me it's new walking boots normally, but in this case it's running shoes.

I've been getting pain in my left calf - I think I mentioned it before....? I suspected my trainers were to blame so, as an experiment I ran last Thursday in ordinary trainers, the ones I wear for badminton. Got away with it, and calf muscle was fine. Point proved? Well yes, except I decided to repeat the experiment at the track on Friday night. Big mistake. Thursday night was a gentle jog with friends. Friday night was a tough training session, and boy did I struggle!! It's Monday now and my shins still hurt from the impact of running in unsuitable trainers!! So on Sunday I went out with my brother (who runs and who knows about stuff like this) and I got a pair of Nike Anodyne+ for £38, instead of the original price of £65. I did a test first which showed I am slightly pronate when I run, so these are supportive shoes to stop my foot rolling inwards. I did a short 2 mile block tonight (kept it short as my legs are still sore and I didn't know how the new shoes would be) and all seems fine with the trainers. Hopefully they'll be ok and solve the problems I've been having. Of course I will let you know....

Glad to live in England

Recent events once again make me glad I live in England, even though I may moan about it from time to time.

Earthquake in New Zealand
Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Floods and fires in Australia
Famine and 3rd world conditions in Africa (highlighted again by RND Comic Relief)
....and all the other events in the past.

We don't get such extremes in this country. Yes we have had some natural disasters, but not on such a huge scale. (although of course they are just as devastating for those concerned)

I don't really watch TV but the pictures I have seen are horrific. I simply can't imagine the terror of living through an event of that nature, or the helplessness of having lost everything except the shirt on your back.

Another 'newsy' post.

I went running again tonight. My left calf muscle has been aching a lot since last Friday, although to be honest it's been sore for a while now. I strongly suspect my ultra-cheap shoes may be the reason, so I rested Saturday Sunday and Monday, played badminton Tuesday and Wednesday,then tonight I ran in a different pair of trainers. They're not specifically designed for running, but as my calf muscle is no worse than it was before I ran I think that confirms my suspicion. I think that a trip to a running shop for a gait analysis might be on the cards although I really don't have the money to spend on an expensive pair of running shoes.

I also need to buy a dress. I'm going to another wedding in April and need a new dress since the old one is 4 years old, has been to 4 weddings (including the one which was the brother of the cousin getting married this time) and has also got a tear/repair in it!! I'm going shopping on Saturday and hope I can find something in M&S since I have got a gift card for there.

Molly is still suffering from cystitis. She's better than she was, but still not right. She's had various tests but they're all clear (thank goodness) so it looks like ideopathic cystitis (meaning no identifiable cause).

I have got two commissions for my jewellery, I'm off to buy the beads etc for them on Saturday so will get started on them as soon as I've got all the stuff.

And I've just figured out that I won't be able to sit in and watch Comic Relief next Friday as planned, I'm going to see my neices school production of West Side Story. They're both in the band this time, not on stage. The school productions are normally quite good and I've never seen WSS so I'm looking forward to it.

Red Nose Day....

....is on 18th March, but today is the 24 hour Panel People. It's 24 hour non-stop game shows, all involving comedian David Walliams in one way or another. He's presenting some and is a contestant in others. It's also quite nostalgic as they are reviving some long dead game shows for the occasion - I've just watched 'The Generation Game' and it's all to raise money for Comic Relief.

Do something funny for money

Hooray!

....I found a running club that I like!

Tonight I went for my first session with a different club from before. The last one didn't work out because it clashed with badminton too badly and I couldn't make it work. Also, they weren't a very friendly club, the two nights I was there a total of 3 people spoke to me and one of those was the coach who was rude. There must have been about 30+ people there so that's not a good statistic in my book.

Tonight was different though. There were only about 10 people there but they all spoke to me and introduced themselves. They were looking out for me and made sure I was OK, and were chatty when it was feasable to be chatty!! At the moment I'll just be going to the track night on Fridays, but once I've got my distance up I'll join the Monday night runs. I need to be at 5 miles though. They do a shorter run on a Tuesday, but that clashes with badminton...

I do think I need a better pair of running shoes though as I'm getting a few aches when I run which I don't get when I play badminton. They're too expensive though so I'll have to make do for now. *sigh*

....better keep buying the lotto tickets....