Today is Monday January 27th. Yesterday I was supposed to do my 7 mile session, the furthest I have walked on this challenge to date, but, due to having a rotten migraine for over 24 hours, I decided that I would postpone it until today. I worked a night shift last night. It was a quiet night but I never sleep well when I am there so the usual 4-5 hours sleep was grabbed where possible and I came home ready to take on the day.
I prevaricated a bit before I left....sweeping the floor, putting on a load of washing, that sort of thing.....but then there was nothing for it but to hit the road. I set up my iPhone, cleaned my shoes from Saturday nights shenanigans and away I went. I set off at a good pace and had no planned route. I just wanted to 'do the miles'.
About 2.5 miles in I was really struggling. I felt weak and shaky and I wasn't sure that I would be able reach my goal for the day. I decided to carry on....stubborn Taurean that I am.....and I gradually began to feel better. By the end of the 7 miles I was doing pretty well for an old girl!
The battery on my phone was on its last legs, unlike it's owner, and I was concerned that my walk wouldn't be recorded but I got in through the back door at home before the screen finally went blank as I sat down.
So, 7 miles done and on we go to the next session. Lots of thoughts crossed my mind as I was walking today. Questions looking for answers that will probably never come. Maybe the further I walk the more things I will get resolved in my head. This walking lark could sort out all of my problems!!!
Wednesday January 29th
I have just returned from a nice easy 3 mile walk. It was raining but not cold or windy so it was a straightforward affair. Today's ramblings took me around Westborough, another childhood haunt. I walked along Roundhill Way where my Nanny Gittings used to live. Her house is long gone and has been replaced by council flats but I remember her house very well and I remember her too. Dad used to take us there on a Sunday morning and Nan would delighted to see us. She would always be wearing an apron and be preparing Sunday lunch. She was often doing the laundry by hand and we used to help her put the washing through the mangle before she hung it on the line to dry. Dad used to make himself comfortable in an armchair and would proceed to read the News of the World. Nan would make him a cup of tea and generally make a fuss of him. He was the youngest of 7 children and he was her baby!
Anyway, after my long walk on Monday, Tuesday brought a few aches and niggles. My 'bad' knee felt slightly puffy (which I know elevation and ice will help) but no pain. My bottom, on the other hand, ached like mad. I assume it's what they refer to as 'the glutes' and so I think it's a good ache and that I'm working muscles that haven't been worked for a very long time. Certainly, today the aches have subsided which is great.
Due to fact that my training schedule is running a day behind, tomorrow I am due to walk 5 miles so I shall make another entry then.
Thursday January 30th
There we are, another 5 miles completed. No problems this morning. It's a gloomy morning but dry so no need for a waterproof jacket. I kept my pace steady and when I got home I saw that I was walking 14 minute miles for the first time. I'm delighted with that. I knew that I was walking briskly but I didn't feel as if I was walking faster than normal. I have a 3 mile walk to do on Saturday which should involve lots of hills so I need to plan that walk a bit and then on Sunday I'm due to do a 9 mile walk for the first time. Now that will be a challenge. I have to be at work by 2pm so I will have to be very organised and get it done first thing in the morning.
During the first part of my walk this morning I had a little bit of muscle tightness on my right outer shin. I know it's not shinsplints because I suffered with them when I was training for the London marathon all those years ago. As my walk progressed, the discomfort went so I think it's just my muscles shouting at me for working them so hard. My knee feels fine today. My hip is a bit niggly and my bottom is still aching!
I was hopeful that all of this extra exercise would help my sleep issues but that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. I haven't slept well for years. I can't remember the last time that I slept through the night. I know a lot of that will be an age thing. I go to bed, fall asleep and then wake continually throughout the night. I don't wake up and stay awake like I used to but it's still disturbed sleep. I'm sure working nights doesn't help. By the end of this challenge I will probably be sleeping like a baby!
Saturday February 1st
Today has been a difficult day. Over the past week or so my stress and anxiety levels which are always pretty high have reached a new level which has come as a bit of a shock. As usual, it has taken me a long time to realise how stressed I have become again. As usual, instead of listening to by body, I have carried on regardless and assumed that I will overcome whatever gets in my way both physically and mentally. Well, the last few days have made me realise that that is not the case. Even my body needs rest and recuperation and a bit of pampering. Just because my body CAN keep going doesn't mean that it WANTS to or that it should.
I have found every day routines challenging and found work very traumatic for no reason other than I feel I can't cope. This is not a new experience for me but I had hoped that I wouldn't be returning to this place but, what do you know, here I am again. I know that I will be fine and I am almost sure that all of my aches and pains are nothing but a reaction to lack of sleep and much more exercise but in the back of my mind is that little 'what if' voice that makes me fear everything and makes me imagine the worst case scenario. Oh, I can't tell you how I hate feeling like this and I know that I am not the only person to have these feelings. I long to be carefree and happy and enjoy an occasion without worrying about every little thing.
This evening we were invited out for supper for the 2nd week running, this time to celebrate a special birthday for a lovely lady. I was at work today but was home in plenty of time to get ready, knowing that I had a 3 mile walk to fit in before the night was out. We had a really pleasant evening, no stress, nice food and even a g and t! When we got home I got changed straight away and prepared for my walk because I knew if I sat down I wouldn't want to get up again!
I feel that 3 mile walks are no problem for me now but this one had to include hills so I found myself walking up the cathedral hill and down the other side, around Guildford Park, back up around the cathedral again and generally included as many slopes as I could. Yet again my pace was a steady 15 minutes per mile without really trying which was reassuring.
When I was walking, I decided that tomorrows walk of 9 miles is going to be put off until Monday because I have work again tomorrow 2 pm-8 pm and trying to fit in a 9 mile walk without putting myself under pressure is going to be impossible so, in the morning, I will do another 3 miles which I should be doing on Monday and do the 9 miles on Monday.
Part of my Saturday evening 3 mile session.
Sunday February 2nd - That was an interesting experience...out for a quick 3 mile walk when I became overwhelmed with the urge to have a wee! 2.5 miles from home and I'm almost walking with my legs crossed. Quite how I got home without wetting myself shall remain a mystery but poor hubby was most concerned as I flew through the door, dashed past him and ran to the bathroom. Still, I made it which was the main thing.
This morning's walk was completed in beautiful conditions. Blue sky, fresh breeze, the kind of morning that makes you glad to be alive. It really was lovely to be out and about. I felt a little fuzzy headed to begin with which I am putting down to the herbal sleeping pill I took before going to bed last night. I certainly slept better but I'm not sure I'm a fan of the muzzy head. However, the walk has cleared my head and I feel refreshed and ready to face another afternoon shift.
I'm not sure whether I shall still to this format for the next update. I actually prefer it but I am aware that I am going off track and blogging about much more than training. It's more like a diary and I have found it therapeutic but we'll see. It's certainly easier for me to write up each training session after I've done it.
Hope you all have a lovely week. 4 weeks today and we will be at Silverstone.
Broken the 200 mile barrier. Woohoo!
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