parkrun #24

I was absolutely thrilled yesterday morning when I read a text on my phone, which was the result for my 24th parkrun. I completed the parkrun in 31 minutes and 12 seconds, which is my fastest 5km so far!

I couldn’t quite believe it as I wasn’t expecting to be so close to completing a parkrun in 31 minutes. It was only a few weeks ago when I ran my 23rd parkrun at Kingsbury Water Park in 32 minutes and 41 seconds, so I didn’t expect my progress to be so quick!

My 24th parkrun was at a place very familiar to me; it was my old local parkrun at Braunstone Park. I stayed over at my parents on Friday night after seeing a show at the theatre, so I decided to pack my running gear and enjoy a refreshing run at the Braunstone parkrun the following morning.

Sweaty but feeling great after my fastest 5km!

In my usual fashion I placed myself towards the back of the runners, to let the fitter and faster ones get their running start. I quickly noticed however that I felt ready to pick up the pace early on during the run, so I overtook runners where I could safely and sped down the first part of the route. I aim to push myself now by running faster for longer periods of time, but not to the point where I over-exert myself and have to stop running entirely.

The proudest moment for me yesterday was easily running up the dreaded hill in the Braunstone parkrun. I have moaned about the hill many times in my previous blog posts, but I have become so accustomed to hills now in my running ventures around Tamworth. In fact, every run I complete around my local area includes multiple steep inclines. The half way point felt like a breeze compared with previous Braunstone parkruns, and it set me up positively for the remaining route around the park.

I felt exhilarated when the finish line was approaching. Picking up the pace, I felt confident that this parkrun would be my fastest yet and it certainly was, with a finish time of 31 minutes and 12 seconds. I’m closer than I expected in completing a parkrun in 31 minutes or less, considering that I used to finish 5km in between 33 – 35 minutes.

I’m feeling very confident about the upcoming Running Grand Prix at the Bedford Autodrome, where I’ll be running 10km on the race track. In addition to parkruns, I’ve been running before or after work two/three times a week. I usually complete distances of between 6 – 8km, but I’ll make sure to run 10km at least once before the big event. I’ve completed 10km runs on many occasions at the Race for Life, so the Running Grand Prix should be fairly easy!

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear 🙂 xx

Explortary Run #2

It’s almost been a month since I moved to Tamworth! My boyfriend and I are definitely settling in well and our house is starting to become much more like a home. The current lockdown is giving us time to sort out our house, although I can’t wait for when I can start safely seeing my family and friends again. I also can’t wait for people to start coming round to see how our home is coming along, and I intend to cook lovely meals when my family and friends can come round for dinner.

One exciting part of moving home has been exploring the local area. I recently went out for my first run along a canal near my house and ran about 5.5km in 42 minutes. It was refreshing to run somewhere new and it was a fairly easy route as the gradient was mostly flat. There’s a country park near the canal, so I am keen to have a run around there at some point in the near future.

After a really busy week at work, I decided to go out for a run yesterday evening. By the time I had finished work, it was dark outside. I hadn’t been out for a night time run before, so it was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. I had been contemplating recently going for a run in the evening, as I have cancelled my gym membership with moving to Tamworth, plus I don’t really fancy going to a gym with the current pandemic.

With my recent thoughts, I looked into buying reflective or light up bands to wear for safety while out in the dark. I’ve seen runners wearing reflective vests and head torches when running first thing in the morning or in the evening. I had a look on Amazon and decided to opt for two light up armbands. They are rechargeable and there are three settings for the lighting. I wore one on my right arm and the other around my left ankle, and had them flashing so that drivers and pedestrians could see me while I was running.

My light up arm band

I didn’t really plan a route for last night, but I ran a few laps around a nearby park and ran along the path by the main roads. It was quite difficult at times running in the dark, as I had to be careful with my footing on the ground, especially round the park where there was no lighting. My light up band around my ankle helped slightly, but I had to run a bit slower at times. In the end I was out for just over 40 minutes and ran almost 4.5km.

I will definitely go out for another run in the dark. I was pretty tired after finishing work, but I felt much better after a run, and in a way it was refreshing. I’m pleased with my light up bands as well. There are still plenty of routes to explore around the local area, so I will aim to go out for a run twice after work next week. I am thinking about going for a run tomorrow to explore the nearby country park, although I will see how the weather is and it isn’t the best for this weekend.

Happy reading and blogging, and stay safe!

Clare Bear 🙂 xx

Exploratory Run

As if it’s already been over a week since I moved to Tamworth! I’ve been pretty busy since moving in trying to unpack box after box and shifting heavy furniture around the house. My boyfriend and I had a rest day yesterday, as we’ve been working on house stuff since we’ve both been off work. We’re both looking forward to trying out a Thai restaurant tonight in a place called Barton-under-Needwood, as a treat and to celebrate moving in together.

This morning I decided to go out for a run, which has been long overdue. I believe it was back in June when I last went out for a run and I haven’t fully explored my new surroundings yet. There’s a canal not far from my new home, a country park and a couple of nearby local parks, which means there’ll be plenty of routes to keep my fitness side occupied. It also feels like being ‘home from home’ with the canal pretty much on my doorstep.

I had a quick look into potential running routes last night, but I decided to keep things simple this morning by opting for a run along the canal and back. I didn’t listen to any music either as I really wanted to take in my surroundings, plus I’m unfamiliar with the area at the moment. I took a steady pace since it had been four months since my last run, but I found it easy enough to run this morning.

It felt lovely running along the canal as there was an autumnal atmosphere with the leaves turning into the beautiful yellow, orange and red colours of the season. There were also quite a few canal boats which were nice to see as well. I also saw some old 12th century ruins know as Alvecote Priory, which I will have to go back to and explore some day.

Very autumnal along the canal

I ended up running just shy of 5.5km in 42 minutes, which I didn’t think was too shabby. Once I was running back towards home, I increased my pace as I knew the route back. I might go for another run on Sunday and try a different route as there’s still plenty for me to explore. I would rather try exploratory runs while I’m off work and during the weekends; the last thing I want to do is become lost or run too far before starting work for the day! Of course I could always go for a run after I’ve finished work. I’m looking into ordering light up arm bands for running when it’s dark, as I’ve cancelled my gym membership due to the pandemic.

My legs feel achy now as I’ve been unpacking more boxes today with my boyfriend, and trying to make one of our spare rooms the study for where I’ll be working from home. We’re almost there with our home and I’m looking forward to having two weeks off work for over the Christmas period. I can’t wait to adorn our house with festive decorations!

Happy reading and blogging, and keep safe!

Clare Bear 🙂 xx

Back into Long-Distance Running

It was five years ago yesterday that I ran 10km for the first time! A memory appeared on my social media that I had completed 10km on a treadmill at the gym in 1 hour and 25 minutes. After seeing this memory, I was trying to remember the last time I ran 10km. After running at two Race for Lifes, I focused on long distance running for my first half marathon in October 2017. Unfortunately after running 13 miles / 21km at the Leicester marathon, I felt a lack of motivation to carry on running long distances again, and didn’t end up running at Prestwold Hall in February 2019 where I signed up for a half marathon.

5 years ago after running 10km for the first time at the gym

After seeing this memory of running 10km, I decided that I would have a go at running this distance again over this weekend. This morning I was up at a reasonable time which made running easier as not too many people were out. I had a new 10km route in mind, which combines a few routes I have been running recently, such as last week’s. The conditions outside were just right and I felt motivated for once to run further than 5km.

During this morning’s long distance run, I kept an eye on the time on my Fitbit, as I wanted to see if I could meet or beat my first time of 1 hour and 25 minutes. The fastest I’ve ever ran 10km was in 1 hour! That was over three years ago when I was training for my second Race for Life, but I knew that I definitely wouldn’t make that time this morning.

After a few kilometres or so, my body was starting to feel accustomed to running longer distances again, so I picked up the pace, more so during the second half of the run. There was one point where a few groups of people were coming across a bridge so rather than stopping, I ran a few short laps in a nearby field then ran over bridge when it was clear. The last thing I wanted to do was stop running completely. Other than the bridge, there weren’t too many people out but it was picking up as I was approaching the end of the run.

I stopped the timer on my Fitbit at 1 hour, 16 minutes and 30 seconds. I then checked the route on Mapometer and it turns out I ran just over 11km! (11.07km to be exact). I’m thrilled with this result, as I wasn’t sure how the run would go this morning. My body hasn’t forgotten how to manage long distance runs, even after a few years. The only thing I got was a blister on the side of my left foot, which I felt halfway through the run but ignored. It’s a little bit sore but not too bad.

After running 11km this morning

I’m feeling tired now, but I’ve been sunbathing in the garden this afternoon which has been relaxing. I’ve topped up my tan which I’m very happy about! I have a 4 day weekend coming up soon so I will aim to run the same route or a different one. Somehow being in lockdown has helped me to find my motivation.

Happy reading and blogging, and stay safe!

Clare Bear 🙂

xx

parkrun #20

I felt chuffed yesterday as I finished my 20th parkrun in 37 minutes and 18 seconds, which was an improvement of almost one minute from last week. Two weeks ago I completed the Braunstone parkrun in 40 minutes and 33 seconds, so I’ve significantly improved in just over two weeks. It also helps that I went to the gym twice before work again where I ran 5km on the treadmill. I’m also very chuffed that I’ve lost another three pounds this week, which means I’ve lost half a stone in two weeks!

Despite weighing significantly more since starting the parkruns and my quest for fitness, I can still run pretty well. I’ve managed to conquer the steep hill halfway through the Braunstone parkrun by running up steadily, and I’ve not had a to walk or take a break. I decided to wear my parkrun orange t-shirt yesterday, which I hadn’t done for a few years as I didn’t feel confident enough to wear it. I can’t believe that I bought it over three years ago, but it felt good to wear it again. I wore a long sleeved black top underneath to keep myself warm, as it’s felt rather chilly the past few Saturdays.

It’s been a while since I’ve won my parkrun t-shirt

My fitbit also saw an significant improvement since last Saturday, as it read that I had ran 4.74km rather than 4.43km. A software update was completed on my fitbit earlier this week so that may have helped to improve its accuracy. The map looked very much similar to last week’s, and I might also try wearing my Fitbit a bit looser next time to see if that makes a difference.

I won’t be running next Saturday morning as I’m off to Southwell Minster to sing at a special evensong service to raise money for Alzheimer’s. However, I will be going to the gym in the mornings before work which I’ve now been doing for two weeks. I just need to make sure that I keep this up, and ensure that my mojo is kindled and kept alight!

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear 🙂

parkrun #19

I’m certainly feeling back on track with my health and fitness as I went to the gym twice last week and completed my 19th parkrun yesterday. I’ve also been more mindful of my diet, eating more fruit, avoiding sugary treats and trying to eat less food. As a result, I have lost 4 pounds this week! I weighed in at 17 stone and 12 pounds last week, and weighed 17 stone and 8 pounds on Friday morning (I’ve decided that Friday mornings will be my weigh day rather than Saturdays which I used to do).

After not attending parkruns for over 20 months, I’ve started getting back into the routine of getting up on Saturday mornings and running with over 500 parkrunners. Last Saturday I finished the Braunstone parkrun in 40 minutes and 33 seconds; yesterday I completed my 19th parkrun in 38 minutes and 21 seconds, which was an improvement of 2 minutes and 12 seconds. I didn’t expect to finish the run by that many minutes and seconds, and I can certainly feel my mojo coming back!

It seems very timely with my motivation coming back that I won a Fitbit Versa Health and Fitness Smartwatch! I entered a competition at work just before Christmas, and was presented with the smartwatch on Thursday morning. I forgot that I entered the competition and was very surprised and pleased when my manager gave me the Fitbit.

My very snazzy new Fitbit!

I bought myself a fitness tracker a few years ago, which is good as a timer and counting steps but it isn’t the most accurate device. I’ve been using my new Fitbit since Friday and it tracks my heart rate, steps walked along with the average distance, my sleeping patterns, calories burnt and many more statistics. I decided to give it a try on the parkrun yesterday. The Fitbit vibrated each time I had completed 1km along with details of my average running pace which was 1km in 8 minutes and 39 seconds.

The Fitbit also tracked my route on a map which I can view on the Fitbit application via my mobile phone. When I completed the parkrun, my fitbit was showing that I only completed 4.43km, even though the parkrun is supposed to be 5km. You can see on the map below where the route overlaps as parkrunners complete two laps of the course, although the overlapping is slightly out.

I’ll see what happens next Saturday when I complete my 20th parkrun and if there’s a difference between the distances on my Fitbit. I will also be using my Fitbit at the gym this week, so it’ll be interesting to see if it tracks 5km when I run 5km on the treadmill. Other than the discrepancies on the distance completed at the parkrun, I’m pleased with my Fitbit so far and it will certainly help me with my weight loss journey. I can track my body weight via the Fitbit app so I will record my weight readings each Friday and see my progress on a chart.

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear 🙂

parkrun #18

I didn’t realise until now that I completed my last parkrun in May 2018… how on earth did I let that happen?! Reading through my post on my last parkrun, it was full of fleeting promises and goals, including training for a second half marathon, and not leaving it so long before I completed another parkrun. Well I’ve not completed a second half marathon since running my first one in October 2017, and I didn’t participate in a parkrun for 20 months, until last Saturday.

On Saturday I completed my 18th parkrun at Braunstone Park in 40 minutes and 33 seconds. I finished my previous parkrun in 36 minutes and 50 seconds, so I was almost 4 minutes over. However, it felt good to be out running again. There were over 500 runners on Saturday; it’s great to see how popular the parkrun has become over the past few years. The route has somewhat changed since I last ran at the Braunstone parkrun, with a grassy start (involving mud!) and a straight run at the end which is nicer than having to run up a hill. The steep incline halfway through the route still remains, which I slowly jogged up and felt the aches from yesterday.

Since running on Saturday, I feel that my mojo might be slowly coming back. As if by magic, I was up at 6 this morning and I ran 5km at the gym before work. I wasn’t too sure if I should’ve done with my achy legs and a chesty cough, but I’ve had enough of making excuses and putting off making my fitness and health a priority. I felt much better after going to the gym this morning, and felt that I started my day off on the right foot!

I’ll be taking my dog Barney out for a walk tomorrow morning as my father is away, and am planning on going to the gym again before work on Wednesday. I read over the weekend that working out in the morning before breakfast is more beneficial, as it helps to burn body fat much more efficiently. I’ve also downloaded an app on my phone which helps you to track your body weight with a graph. I think seeing my progress on a graph would help me as I will it visually, with a hope of the line going downwards and onwards to a healthier lifestyle.

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear 🙂

parkrun #9

It was so tempting to stay in bed this morning, but it wasn’t raining and it wasn’t particularly cold outside unlike last Saturday. The next two Saturdays I probably won’t be able to go as I’m off to London for both of those days, so I decided to run this morning. It’s like getting up in the morning for the gym before work sometimes, where I’m debating about going or not, but then I always feel better about myself when I do get out of bed and make it to the gym/parkrun.

This morning I ran 5km in 32 minutes and 55 seconds, and came in 257th place out of 299 park runners. There weren’t as many people as last week, when there were 365 runners. Looking at the history results table for the Braunstone parkrun, it’s incredible to see how the amount of people doing the run has increased greatly over the years. The first run took place on 25th September 2010 and only 54 people participated; on some Saturdays now over 400 people run!

I wasn’t too far off my personal best today. I was 11 seconds ahead of my best time which is currently 32 minutes and 44 seconds. I tried pushing myself today, running quicker at the easier parts of the run. One of my favourite parts of the Braunstone parkrun is a long path where you run downwards and I always aim to do that bit at a faster pace. You just have to watch out for the speed bumps! I had to stop once to tie up my shoe lace and I struggled with the steep slope halfway on the course, so I walked up most of it.

Only 1 more parkrun to go and I’ll join the 10 club! If I don’t go next Saturday morning on the next, I can go on Christmas Eve. That’ll be an interesting way to start off my Christmas Eve, and I’ll probably get festive and wear a Santa hat and maybe even some Christmas leggings!

 

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear 🙂

parkrun #5 followed by afternoon tea

This morning I ran my fifth parkrun at Braunstone Park. It had been a while since my last parkrun as Saturdays can be quite busy for me sometimes. Now that it’s officially autumn the weather is starting to feeling cooler, which was ideal for running this morning.

I tried to push myself by running faster for periods of time, but my legs felt felt achy during the run so I walked for parts of the route. Additionally my trainers weren’t on their best behaviour; I had to stop three times to tie up my shoelaces! I don’t like stopping completely when running as it can be difficult to get a good pace without stopping again. I had to walk briefly after tying up my shoelaces for the final time, and then I really went for it and ran fast on the last steep incline to the finish line.

My finish time was 33 minutes and 31 seconds, which is 20 seconds off my best time. I came in 318th place out of 385 parkrunners. So considering that I had to stop to sort out my trainers and walk for parts of the run, I’m pleased with the result.

After a fit start to the day, I treated my mother to afternoon tea in Leicester. We went to a quirky little tearoom called Mrs Bridges, where we sat outside in a courtyard area. Considering it was cooler this morning for the parkrun, the afternoon was lovely and it was warm enough to sit outside.

Mrs Bridges’ afternoon tea

I had sticky chilli chicken sandwiches with roasted mediterranean vegetables and my mother had sausage sandwiches with cheese, lettuce and chutney. They were delicious, especially the chicken ones. The sticky chilli was sweet, which I love as a sauce with chicken. We then had a large scone each generously lathered with clotted cream and strawberry jam. We also had a macaroon each (one was caramel and the other strawberry), a slice of chocolate brownie and we shared a slice of lemon tart. The sweet treats were also delicious, which were enjoyed by my mother and I with a pot of tea between us.

While this afternoon tea certainly wasn’t like the one I had recently at the Savoy, I still really enjoyed it (especially the chilli chicken sandwiches). I like to have an afternoon tea now and again as a treat; you can’t beat a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream with a lovely cuppa!

 

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear

parkrun #4

It had been nearly two months since I last went to a parkrun, until I managed to run one this morning. My Saturdays can be quite busy sometimes and I was focusing on the 10km Race for Life after my last parkrun. However, I’m so glad that I went today because the vibe was fantastic, the weather was beautiful and I even bumped into someone I know.

I completed the 5km route at Braunstone Park this morning in 33 minutes and 41 seconds, not far off my personal best of 33 minutes and 11 seconds. I came in 345th place out of 410 runners. This was the busiest parkrun I’ve been to so far, which was really great to see. There were a few runners with their dogs, young children with their families and parents running with prams! According to Braunstone parkrun, there were 42 new timers today, which is absolutely fantastic.

My barcode which is scanned at the end of each race

After my barcode was scanned in order to log my result, I saw someone I know from the monthly poetry night Find The Right Words (you can find out more about this on my poetry blog Poclaretry). I haven’t really talked to anyone at my local parkrun yet as I can be quite shy around new people, especially when there are lots of them. Turns out the person I know through poetry runs with someone else I know from Find The Right Words, but they weren’t present today. I will look out for these two people next time I do the parkrun, but will also try talking to someone I don’t know.

5km is a nice distance to run first thing on a Saturday morning. I consider getting up at 8am during the weekend to be early, but it’s good to get out of bed and start the weekend off with feeling good about myself after going to the parkrun.

 

Happy reading and blogging!

Clare Bear