Not a lot to write about today, a gorgeous day here and a fantastic morning run: sunny, frosty, fresh.
Total distance: 4.27 miles
Total time: 41 mins 49 seconds
Average Pace: 9 mins 47 seconds
Calories: 497
Showing posts with label brussels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brussels. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
The sun is shining, the weather is sweet!
2nd March, 2010
Not a lot to write about today, a gorgeous day here and a fantastic morning run: sunny, frosty, fresh.
Total distance: 4.27 miles
Total time: 41 mins 49 seconds
Average Pace: 9 mins 47 seconds
Calories: 497
Not a lot to write about today, a gorgeous day here and a fantastic morning run: sunny, frosty, fresh.
Total distance: 4.27 miles
Total time: 41 mins 49 seconds
Average Pace: 9 mins 47 seconds
Calories: 497
Monday, 1 March 2010
6.46 miles and a crazy plan
1 March 2010
Sunday was a bit of a wipe out for me. I was tired. It was RAINING.
I mean seriously raining. Big fat drops of rain and lots of wind to blow them right in your face. I really didn't feel like getting out of bed, but I had committed to run. And, when you've set a time in the morning to run and told members of your newly created running club to meet you at a certain point at 11am, there's not really much room for manoeuvre.
In the end it was fine. I dragged myself out of bed and donned a lot of waterproof gear and a warm hat. We ran for a while, jogging for 10 minute stints and then stopping and walking for two minutes. We totalled just over six miles in a little over an hour. I surprised even myself at how good I felt at the end. Little stiff today.
Actually there's an interesting study somewhere that shows the run-walk-run approach to running can actually work out faster overall than just keeping going. The logic is that the recovery segments make the next bit of running more powerful and faster. More here.
Also -- in a late addition to my running calendar -- I have enlisted to run the London marathon in eight weeks time. ARGH! Diet and running plan need a lot of work :-)
Total: 6.46 miles (around 10K)
Time: 1 hr 7 mins 31 seconds
Average pace: 10 mins 27 seconds per mile
Calories: 724
Sunday was a bit of a wipe out for me. I was tired. It was RAINING.
I mean seriously raining. Big fat drops of rain and lots of wind to blow them right in your face. I really didn't feel like getting out of bed, but I had committed to run. And, when you've set a time in the morning to run and told members of your newly created running club to meet you at a certain point at 11am, there's not really much room for manoeuvre.
In the end it was fine. I dragged myself out of bed and donned a lot of waterproof gear and a warm hat. We ran for a while, jogging for 10 minute stints and then stopping and walking for two minutes. We totalled just over six miles in a little over an hour. I surprised even myself at how good I felt at the end. Little stiff today.
Actually there's an interesting study somewhere that shows the run-walk-run approach to running can actually work out faster overall than just keeping going. The logic is that the recovery segments make the next bit of running more powerful and faster. More here.
Also -- in a late addition to my running calendar -- I have enlisted to run the London marathon in eight weeks time. ARGH! Diet and running plan need a lot of work :-)
Total: 6.46 miles (around 10K)
Time: 1 hr 7 mins 31 seconds
Average pace: 10 mins 27 seconds per mile
Calories: 724
Monday, 22 February 2010
A Paris et cinq miles
20th February, 2010
The weekend: partly perfect, partly annoying.
Late return from work trip to Dublin cancelled out Friday night plans. A very happy and very sunny day trip to Paris on Saturday involved a lot of wine, cheese and cocktails. Planned to return in a few weeks for the Turner exhibition which has just opened and runs until May 24th.
Sunday was a lazy day of paper reading and cinema going. I managed to cram in a 5-mile run and was pleased not to have lost much of my fitness despite drastically reducing my running in recent weeks.
Ran: 5 miles
Time: 49 mins, 21 seconds
Calories burnt: 584 (two lumps of cheese)
The weekend: partly perfect, partly annoying.
Late return from work trip to Dublin cancelled out Friday night plans. A very happy and very sunny day trip to Paris on Saturday involved a lot of wine, cheese and cocktails. Planned to return in a few weeks for the Turner exhibition which has just opened and runs until May 24th.
Sunday was a lazy day of paper reading and cinema going. I managed to cram in a 5-mile run and was pleased not to have lost much of my fitness despite drastically reducing my running in recent weeks.
Ran: 5 miles
Time: 49 mins, 21 seconds
Calories burnt: 584 (two lumps of cheese)
Friday, 29 January 2010
First Run Of The New Year
Saturday 23 January, 2009
For the first time this year I woke up feeling like a run on a Saturday morning. I was taken by surprise because so far 2010's been sluggish and I've had to force myself out of the flat even to get the gym.
Not wanting to scare off the resurrection of my enthusiasm and concious that it could start to wane at any point, I dressed for running and made my way outside as quickly as possible. This took a while, since my running kit's been redundant for several months and was scattered about the flat and buried in different drawers.
I stuck to my normal route, down Avenue Louise to the Bois de la Cambre and around the pond, clocking up four easy miles. It's not the prettiest time of year in Brussels. Those who criticise the city for being grey should avoid visiting in mid-January, when it is cold, rainy and composed singularly of shades of grey.
The woods look stark and unwelcoming now the snow has melted. On the upside, all of the pathways have been redone and are fresh with yellow sand.
A restaurant has opened on the island in the middle of the man-made lake: Chalet Robinson, linked to the shore by an electrical raft which looks precarious... Apparently it was first built in 1877, but was destroyed by a fire in 1991. There's a Belgian restaurant on the ground floor - which I'd like to check out - and a ballroom on the first floor.
www.chaletrobinson.be
Ran: 4.1 miles
Time: 38 mins 45 seconds
Average pace: 9:40 per mile
Calories: 467
For the first time this year I woke up feeling like a run on a Saturday morning. I was taken by surprise because so far 2010's been sluggish and I've had to force myself out of the flat even to get the gym.
Not wanting to scare off the resurrection of my enthusiasm and concious that it could start to wane at any point, I dressed for running and made my way outside as quickly as possible. This took a while, since my running kit's been redundant for several months and was scattered about the flat and buried in different drawers.
I stuck to my normal route, down Avenue Louise to the Bois de la Cambre and around the pond, clocking up four easy miles. It's not the prettiest time of year in Brussels. Those who criticise the city for being grey should avoid visiting in mid-January, when it is cold, rainy and composed singularly of shades of grey.
The woods look stark and unwelcoming now the snow has melted. On the upside, all of the pathways have been redone and are fresh with yellow sand.
A restaurant has opened on the island in the middle of the man-made lake: Chalet Robinson, linked to the shore by an electrical raft which looks precarious... Apparently it was first built in 1877, but was destroyed by a fire in 1991. There's a Belgian restaurant on the ground floor - which I'd like to check out - and a ballroom on the first floor.
www.chaletrobinson.be
Ran: 4.1 miles
Time: 38 mins 45 seconds
Average pace: 9:40 per mile
Calories: 467
Monday, 11 January 2010
Then It Snowed
January 10, 2009
Beautiful weather here in Brussels over the weekend, lots of snow
.
I was using it as an excuse not to run and went on a long walk in the forest. What shocked me was the number of runners who were out in the cold, decked out in hats, gloves, scarves and trainers with special grip, lolloping through the forest. And loads of them where wearing STABILicers.
Made from steel, STABILicers strap over your trainers and provide extra grip so you don't skid over in the snow. They cost around £30.
I wondered if I should get some, wrap up warm and get out there, but I settled for a snow fight, building a snowman and a hot chocolate while watching Mad Men series two instead!
For those of you who are more keen, there's another blog about running in the snow here
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=115725§ionid=351020605
Beautiful weather here in Brussels over the weekend, lots of snow
.I was using it as an excuse not to run and went on a long walk in the forest. What shocked me was the number of runners who were out in the cold, decked out in hats, gloves, scarves and trainers with special grip, lolloping through the forest. And loads of them where wearing STABILicers.
Made from steel, STABILicers strap over your trainers and provide extra grip so you don't skid over in the snow. They cost around £30.
I wondered if I should get some, wrap up warm and get out there, but I settled for a snow fight, building a snowman and a hot chocolate while watching Mad Men series two instead!
For those of you who are more keen, there's another blog about running in the snow here
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=115725§ionid=351020605
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
NYC: Post-Marathon
1 December, 2009
I know, I know. I haven't updated for ages. I've been busy and I didn't think anyone would notice. Some of you did and here we go, this is for you:
NEW YORK, After the marathon
After partying pretty hard on Sunday evening, wearing our medals, we woke up ridiculously early and ridiculously stiff on Monday morning.
I had come off pretty well, and had to cope with some pretty stiff quads, one blister, some rubbing from my sports bra and a very sore neck (the physio says the neck pain could be caused by the knee injury because "the body is like a train of dominoes").
We did some stretching and took a stroll across the beautiful autumnal Central Park to the Lexington Candy Store.
On the way we picked up a copy of the New York Times, where we were both named in the Marathon Special pull out. There we sat, eating, relaxing and planning the rest of the trip, mainly around the shops, bars and restaurants we were going to visit. The rest of the trip passed in a blur of fun, with one of the highlights being a visit to the newly created High Line Park.
The High Line is a disused railway for short-haul freight trains which has been converted in to an elevated park. It's located on Manhattan's West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. It is beautiful and free to enter so if you are in NYC definitely take a look.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/08/highline-new-york-garden-martin
Back in Brussels, I was straight back to work and off to the thrilling Annual European Bond Conference at the Conrad Hotel. After sleepwalking my way through the two day conference, I rewarded myself with a weekend of culture and relaxing in Amsterdam.
I've had so many people say watching me train for the marathon has been inspirational, spurred them to go to the gym more, or made them think - just for a second - about running a marathon themselves, that I've decided to set up a running club, launching in the new year, to provide support and encouragement to people who already run and to show those that don't the benefits that can be derived from running and how easy it becomes if you put your mind to it.
The support and kindness and understanding I've been shown while training and while coping with the injury has been really humbling, but the biggest compliment I received came from a fellow reporter, a hardcore, scary Polish hack, who until now has barely spoken to me: "You ran a marathon, then from now on, I look at you with respect."
I know, I know. I haven't updated for ages. I've been busy and I didn't think anyone would notice. Some of you did and here we go, this is for you:
NEW YORK, After the marathon
After partying pretty hard on Sunday evening, wearing our medals, we woke up ridiculously early and ridiculously stiff on Monday morning.
I had come off pretty well, and had to cope with some pretty stiff quads, one blister, some rubbing from my sports bra and a very sore neck (the physio says the neck pain could be caused by the knee injury because "the body is like a train of dominoes").
We did some stretching and took a stroll across the beautiful autumnal Central Park to the Lexington Candy Store.
On the way we picked up a copy of the New York Times, where we were both named in the Marathon Special pull out. There we sat, eating, relaxing and planning the rest of the trip, mainly around the shops, bars and restaurants we were going to visit. The rest of the trip passed in a blur of fun, with one of the highlights being a visit to the newly created High Line Park.
The High Line is a disused railway for short-haul freight trains which has been converted in to an elevated park. It's located on Manhattan's West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. It is beautiful and free to enter so if you are in NYC definitely take a look.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/08/highline-new-york-garden-martin
Back in Brussels, I was straight back to work and off to the thrilling Annual European Bond Conference at the Conrad Hotel. After sleepwalking my way through the two day conference, I rewarded myself with a weekend of culture and relaxing in Amsterdam.
I've had so many people say watching me train for the marathon has been inspirational, spurred them to go to the gym more, or made them think - just for a second - about running a marathon themselves, that I've decided to set up a running club, launching in the new year, to provide support and encouragement to people who already run and to show those that don't the benefits that can be derived from running and how easy it becomes if you put your mind to it.
The support and kindness and understanding I've been shown while training and while coping with the injury has been really humbling, but the biggest compliment I received came from a fellow reporter, a hardcore, scary Polish hack, who until now has barely spoken to me: "You ran a marathon, then from now on, I look at you with respect."
Monday, 19 October 2009
13 Days To Go - Anticipation Building!
Saturday 17th October, 2009
This week has been mainly about the ice-pack and the glucadol tablets, in a bid to shore up the knee ahead of the marathon. I can't believe it's only 2 weeks to go, I am getting more and more excited.
Having an injury gives me time to focus on things other than getting around the course and in what time, I've been thinking a lot about how I'll feel on the day, the atmosphere, the sense of achievement and, most importantly, my outfit for the big day.
On YouTube I found this awesome video of the course for inspiration.
On Saturday, I ran ten rainy slow miles in the forest, to keep myself in the game. It was hard going and my knee burt but most importantly, I made it round the ten and am now totally focused on the big day...!
This week has been mainly about the ice-pack and the glucadol tablets, in a bid to shore up the knee ahead of the marathon. I can't believe it's only 2 weeks to go, I am getting more and more excited.
Having an injury gives me time to focus on things other than getting around the course and in what time, I've been thinking a lot about how I'll feel on the day, the atmosphere, the sense of achievement and, most importantly, my outfit for the big day.
On YouTube I found this awesome video of the course for inspiration.
On Saturday, I ran ten rainy slow miles in the forest, to keep myself in the game. It was hard going and my knee burt but most importantly, I made it round the ten and am now totally focused on the big day...!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Yoga For Runners
Wednesday 7th October, 2009
If it's good enough for Jennifer Aniston, it's good enough for me!
Bikram Yoga is a series of 27 postures and two breathing exercises, which take place during a 90 minute class held in a room heated to around 36 degrees C. To me - the lay-person - most of the exercises seemed to be advanced stretches, and there were some incredibly flexible people in my class!
Some of the poses were difficult to bend in to, but I managed to have a go at each one and the instructor was very helpful, highlighting the benefits of each move.
Afterwards I felt great: relaxed and well stretched. I will definitely be going again as the NYC Marathon draws ever nearer.
Competing in the Brussels marathon reminded me just how tough a marathon is.
Duh, I hear you cry, but to be honest, I think I had fallen in to a bit of a false sense of security, knowing that I'd run a marathon before had made me self-assured and cocky.
Monday's muscle tightness, sore knee and general fatigue quickly saw to that, and as well as concentrating on my diet and water intake, I decided to explore the benefits of yoga. Something had to loosen these damn muscles!
Running is a great workout for the heart and lungs, but breeds lower body strength and upper body instability because it works a certain set of muscles and has a limited range of motion, often leading to tightness and overworked joints.
That, according to my book, Run for Life, is where cross training, like yoga or swimming can come in. Yoga helps with balance, muscle stretching, breathing and flexibility. It also gets blood pumping around the body, aiding the healing of injuries and the meditative aspect is good for the mind.
With this in mind, I trotted off to the Yoga College of India.
If it's good enough for Jennifer Aniston, it's good enough for me!
Bikram Yoga is a series of 27 postures and two breathing exercises, which take place during a 90 minute class held in a room heated to around 36 degrees C. To me - the lay-person - most of the exercises seemed to be advanced stretches, and there were some incredibly flexible people in my class!
Some of the poses were difficult to bend in to, but I managed to have a go at each one and the instructor was very helpful, highlighting the benefits of each move.
Afterwards I felt great: relaxed and well stretched. I will definitely be going again as the NYC Marathon draws ever nearer.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Gross Photo, Sore Knee
Tuesday 6th October, 2009
Here is a lovely photo of me just after I stopped running at the weekend... and some other photos of the marathon.
The knee has been pretty bad these past few days, I am icing it, resting it and hoping for the best.
The start, pro runners:
Inside one of the tunnels:
The finish, in the Grand Place:
And finally, only in Brussels:
Here is a lovely photo of me just after I stopped running at the weekend... and some other photos of the marathon.
The knee has been pretty bad these past few days, I am icing it, resting it and hoping for the best.
The start, pro runners:
Inside one of the tunnels:
The finish, in the Grand Place:
And finally, only in Brussels:
Monday, 5 October 2009
Three Weeks To Go - Eating 21 Miles For Breakfast
4th October 2009
With the knee rested for over a week, I returned to Brussels feeling a bit more upbeat. I'd been chomping the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and wasn't feeling any pain.
With the New York Marathon just 28 days away I was acutely aware of the need to do a long run. The Long Run part of the training is very important, not only from a physical point of view but also from a mental point of view. Completing it reassures you that the massive distance involved in the marathon is achievable and also allows you to try out certain things, for example using gels, drinking water, setting the right pace and generally getting a sense of how you will feel on the day and what problems could crop up.
A few weeks ago, before encountering my injury, I'd entered the Brussels Marathon and I decided that I would start it and see how far I could get. If my knee began to hurt I would drop out, but in a best case scenario I would be able to do 21 or 22 miles, thus covering off my Long Run.
The Brussels Marathon is tiny in terms of competitor numbers, with just 2,000 runners, compared to New York's 37,000 or London's 30,000. Even Edinburgh, the other marathon I have run, had 13,000.
It's also a very fast marathon, with a 5 hour cut-off. No beginners here.
Arriving at the start, in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe in the Park Cinquantenaire, built when Belgium celebrated 50 years of independence in 1880, it became very obvious that this was a marathon for SERIOUS RUNNERS. Nearly everyone had a gel belt and a lot of serious kit. There weren't that many women.
I suppose the reason is that the Brussels course isn't particularly pretty, the city itself isn't a major holiday destination and finally that the course is very hilly, so there's no likelihood of getting your best time. Here's the profile:
The Brussels marathon has a team of professional pace-setters who aim to set a steady pace for runners who want to reach the finish line at a certain time. There are seven sets of 2 runners, each with massive coloured balloons on their backs for a certain time, ranging from 2 hrs 59 - Pink balloon to 4hrs 3o - orange balloons.
I lined up with the Orange balloon team and was quickly introduced to John and Terry, who said there were "our grandparents" and would look after us for the run. They were both fairly old but super fit and running with them was great.
I remembered my Edinburgh marathon experience where I had been really concentrating on my time, wearing a pace band, continually checking my watch. It was quite stressful. Following a pacemaker completely removes that and allows you to focus on the race itself. I will definitely follow one in New York.
The race went well, with good weather conditions. I found myself reminded of why I love running and the sense of immense personal achievement I derive from it. Brussels is a very green city, and the route goes through the woods and out to the beautiful Africa Museum before returning to the city and ending in the Grand Place.
The city also has a lot of traffic tunnels, and this, in terms of a marathon, means a lot of running down in to the tunnel and up out of the other side. I feared for my knee entering the first one but tried to concentrate on my breathing and "running from my core." Up and down, it was fine.
Reaching the half marathon at 2 hrs 15, I took a gel - vanilla flavoured, and powered on. The knee pain kicked in. I took 2 paracetamol.
Stopping after 21 miles was tough. Part of me really wanted to carry on to the finish but I was in a lot of pain and acutely aware of how long it took me to recover from the Edinburgh marathon. My main focus is on New York and being able to get round the course and enjoying it. So I stopped and walked the remaining 5 miles. Almost everyone passed me and a policeman drove past, closing the course.
Handing my chip in at the Grand Place I felt great. The New York marathon is in my sights and all feelings of letting myself or my running buddy down were gone.
Link to my official marathon time, here
Time for 21.02 miles: 3 hrs 36 mins
Average Pace: 10 mins 16 seconds/mile
Overall time for marathon: 5 hrs 9 minutes
With the knee rested for over a week, I returned to Brussels feeling a bit more upbeat. I'd been chomping the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and wasn't feeling any pain.
With the New York Marathon just 28 days away I was acutely aware of the need to do a long run. The Long Run part of the training is very important, not only from a physical point of view but also from a mental point of view. Completing it reassures you that the massive distance involved in the marathon is achievable and also allows you to try out certain things, for example using gels, drinking water, setting the right pace and generally getting a sense of how you will feel on the day and what problems could crop up.
A few weeks ago, before encountering my injury, I'd entered the Brussels Marathon and I decided that I would start it and see how far I could get. If my knee began to hurt I would drop out, but in a best case scenario I would be able to do 21 or 22 miles, thus covering off my Long Run.
The Brussels Marathon is tiny in terms of competitor numbers, with just 2,000 runners, compared to New York's 37,000 or London's 30,000. Even Edinburgh, the other marathon I have run, had 13,000.
It's also a very fast marathon, with a 5 hour cut-off. No beginners here.
Arriving at the start, in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe in the Park Cinquantenaire, built when Belgium celebrated 50 years of independence in 1880, it became very obvious that this was a marathon for SERIOUS RUNNERS. Nearly everyone had a gel belt and a lot of serious kit. There weren't that many women.
I suppose the reason is that the Brussels course isn't particularly pretty, the city itself isn't a major holiday destination and finally that the course is very hilly, so there's no likelihood of getting your best time. Here's the profile:
The Brussels marathon has a team of professional pace-setters who aim to set a steady pace for runners who want to reach the finish line at a certain time. There are seven sets of 2 runners, each with massive coloured balloons on their backs for a certain time, ranging from 2 hrs 59 - Pink balloon to 4hrs 3o - orange balloons.
I lined up with the Orange balloon team and was quickly introduced to John and Terry, who said there were "our grandparents" and would look after us for the run. They were both fairly old but super fit and running with them was great.
I remembered my Edinburgh marathon experience where I had been really concentrating on my time, wearing a pace band, continually checking my watch. It was quite stressful. Following a pacemaker completely removes that and allows you to focus on the race itself. I will definitely follow one in New York.
The race went well, with good weather conditions. I found myself reminded of why I love running and the sense of immense personal achievement I derive from it. Brussels is a very green city, and the route goes through the woods and out to the beautiful Africa Museum before returning to the city and ending in the Grand Place.
The city also has a lot of traffic tunnels, and this, in terms of a marathon, means a lot of running down in to the tunnel and up out of the other side. I feared for my knee entering the first one but tried to concentrate on my breathing and "running from my core." Up and down, it was fine.
Reaching the half marathon at 2 hrs 15, I took a gel - vanilla flavoured, and powered on. The knee pain kicked in. I took 2 paracetamol.
Stopping after 21 miles was tough. Part of me really wanted to carry on to the finish but I was in a lot of pain and acutely aware of how long it took me to recover from the Edinburgh marathon. My main focus is on New York and being able to get round the course and enjoying it. So I stopped and walked the remaining 5 miles. Almost everyone passed me and a policeman drove past, closing the course.
Handing my chip in at the Grand Place I felt great. The New York marathon is in my sights and all feelings of letting myself or my running buddy down were gone.
Link to my official marathon time, here
Time for 21.02 miles: 3 hrs 36 mins
Average Pace: 10 mins 16 seconds/mile
Overall time for marathon: 5 hrs 9 minutes
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Seven Miles And A Sore Hip Joint
Wednesday 26 August, 2009
I must be getting old. This morning a seven mile run gave me a pain in the hip. Internet consultation tells me this could be down to my shoes or the way in which I'm striding. I hope it is the shoes... resolve to get new ones and KEEP GOING!
Ran: 7.02 miles
Time: 1 hr 5 mins, 5 seconds
I must be getting old. This morning a seven mile run gave me a pain in the hip. Internet consultation tells me this could be down to my shoes or the way in which I'm striding. I hope it is the shoes... resolve to get new ones and KEEP GOING!
Ran: 7.02 miles
Time: 1 hr 5 mins, 5 seconds
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
9 Weeks To Go - Humidity Strikes!
Monday 24th August, 2009
The past week has been a write-off in terms of running, I've only managed to get out twice, because the weather in Brussels has been crazily hot and very, very humid.
Each day temperatures breached 30 degrees Celsius and last Thursday the record for the hottest day of the year in Belgium was broken, with the peak temperature hitting 38.2 degrees Celsius. More Here.
It didn't even cool down at night.
The problem wasn't so much the temperature but the humidity - the amount of water vapour in the air.
I've never lived anywhere with high humidity before and it's quite different to living somewhere where it gets just hot.
High humidity makes you feel hotter because it prevents the body’s sweat from evaporating.
Sweating is the body's method of keeping cool, especially during exercise. When that's not working, blood flow is diverted to the skin, limiting your ability to cool down.
I found these stats on the internet, about the effect of heat and humidity on heart rates:
For Heat:
Temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24 degrees Celcius) will increase your heart rate by 2-4 beats per minute
Temperatures between 75-90°F (24-32 degrees Celcius) will increase your heart rate up to 10 beats per minute
For Humidity:
Humidity levels between 50-90% will increase your heart rate up to 10 beats per minute
So a combination of high temperature and high humidity levels can increase your heart rate by 20 beats per minute and that's before you've even started running!
The forecast for this week is slightly cooler, and I'm off to the Champagne region of France at the weekend so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the training again!
The past week has been a write-off in terms of running, I've only managed to get out twice, because the weather in Brussels has been crazily hot and very, very humid.
Each day temperatures breached 30 degrees Celsius and last Thursday the record for the hottest day of the year in Belgium was broken, with the peak temperature hitting 38.2 degrees Celsius. More Here.
The problem wasn't so much the temperature but the humidity - the amount of water vapour in the air.
I've never lived anywhere with high humidity before and it's quite different to living somewhere where it gets just hot.
High humidity makes you feel hotter because it prevents the body’s sweat from evaporating.
Sweating is the body's method of keeping cool, especially during exercise. When that's not working, blood flow is diverted to the skin, limiting your ability to cool down.
I found these stats on the internet, about the effect of heat and humidity on heart rates:
For Heat:
Temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24 degrees Celcius) will increase your heart rate by 2-4 beats per minute
Temperatures between 75-90°F (24-32 degrees Celcius) will increase your heart rate up to 10 beats per minute
For Humidity:
Humidity levels between 50-90% will increase your heart rate up to 10 beats per minute
So a combination of high temperature and high humidity levels can increase your heart rate by 20 beats per minute and that's before you've even started running!
The main methods of managing this are to keep hydrated and then either reduce your pace or use the run/walk/run method of training.
I opted for the first, keeping going for as long as I could before stopping and walking for a bit and then starting up again. The concept is the same as reducing the pace because the walking part of the training allows your heart to recover.
I managed a total of 5.7 miles in three intervals before I was too hot to carry on.
I opted for the first, keeping going for as long as I could before stopping and walking for a bit and then starting up again. The concept is the same as reducing the pace because the walking part of the training allows your heart to recover.
I managed a total of 5.7 miles in three intervals before I was too hot to carry on.
The forecast for this week is slightly cooler, and I'm off to the Champagne region of France at the weekend so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the training again!
Monday, 27 July 2009
13 Weeks To Go - Gentse Feesten
Monday 27th July, 2009
Two good length runs this weekend, a total of 13.5 miles, the longest one 7.64 miles, and a trip to Belgium's annual Gentse Feesten.
The Gentse Feesten runs each year for 2 weeks in Ghent, a town 30 minutes by train to the north west of Brussels. It was my first visit to the city and I was surprised at how gorgeous it is: cobbled streets, canals, 900 listed buildings. And great shopping.
The music and theatre festival is Europe's third largest festival after Germany's Oktoberfest and Valencia's Falles. It starts each year on the Saturday before Belgian national day (July 21) and runs for ten days. There are stages in each of Ghent's main squares with organised acts and small street acts like buskers and acrobats run alongside. The last day of the festival is called De dag van de lege portemonnees, the day of the empty wallets!
www.gentsefeesten.be
My runs were much less exciting, I am getting stuck in the same route: from my flat down to the Bois de la Cambre, same route through the park and then a few laps of the pond. Need to change it up!
The stats:
Distance: 7.64 miles
Time: 1 hr 10 mins, 12 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins 11 seconds
Calories: 803
Two good length runs this weekend, a total of 13.5 miles, the longest one 7.64 miles, and a trip to Belgium's annual Gentse Feesten.
The Gentse Feesten runs each year for 2 weeks in Ghent, a town 30 minutes by train to the north west of Brussels. It was my first visit to the city and I was surprised at how gorgeous it is: cobbled streets, canals, 900 listed buildings. And great shopping.
The music and theatre festival is Europe's third largest festival after Germany's Oktoberfest and Valencia's Falles. It starts each year on the Saturday before Belgian national day (July 21) and runs for ten days. There are stages in each of Ghent's main squares with organised acts and small street acts like buskers and acrobats run alongside. The last day of the festival is called De dag van de lege portemonnees, the day of the empty wallets!
www.gentsefeesten.be
My runs were much less exciting, I am getting stuck in the same route: from my flat down to the Bois de la Cambre, same route through the park and then a few laps of the pond. Need to change it up!
The stats:
Distance: 7.64 miles
Time: 1 hr 10 mins, 12 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins 11 seconds
Calories: 803
Monday, 20 July 2009
Two Weekend Runs
Monday 20th July, 2009
Two short runs this weekend and a lotta Belgian beer. My two runs were each of just over 3 miles, which was fine for me. I am going to try and pack in a few longer ones this week and one looooong one at the weekend.
My exploration of Belgian beers is going to have to take a back seat as I ramp up the marathon training. These beers are seriously strong.
This weekend I tried Belgian favourite, the Chimay Bleue - a dark ale which packs a whopping 9% alcohol. Chimay - in the very far south of Belgium - has been a centre for cheese and beer production since 1862 when Cistercian Trappist monks began brewing to generate cash.
I liked the beer - it has a creamy bitter sweet taste - but it is very heavy and I couldn't take more than one.
www.chimay.com
Two short runs this weekend and a lotta Belgian beer. My two runs were each of just over 3 miles, which was fine for me. I am going to try and pack in a few longer ones this week and one looooong one at the weekend.
My exploration of Belgian beers is going to have to take a back seat as I ramp up the marathon training. These beers are seriously strong.
This weekend I tried Belgian favourite, the Chimay Bleue - a dark ale which packs a whopping 9% alcohol. Chimay - in the very far south of Belgium - has been a centre for cheese and beer production since 1862 when Cistercian Trappist monks began brewing to generate cash.
I liked the beer - it has a creamy bitter sweet taste - but it is very heavy and I couldn't take more than one.
www.chimay.com
Friday, 17 July 2009
10k
Thursday 16th July, 2009
Today I discovered that if I run from my house to the forest and then twice around the pond, I make about 10k.
Having not been out for a few days, I was keen to get a good run under my belt to reassure myself that I was still "a runner".
Ususally I find the first 2 miles or so the hardest, so battling through those I pumped up the i-pod and pushed on, keeping running the whole time (try to ignore that massive v-shaped dip in the middle of the running chart below).
Felt AMAZING at the end. Bring on the marathon!
Ran: 6.22 miles or around 10k
Time: 58 mins 31 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins 24 seconds
Calories: 654
Today I discovered that if I run from my house to the forest and then twice around the pond, I make about 10k.
Having not been out for a few days, I was keen to get a good run under my belt to reassure myself that I was still "a runner".
Ususally I find the first 2 miles or so the hardest, so battling through those I pumped up the i-pod and pushed on, keeping running the whole time (try to ignore that massive v-shaped dip in the middle of the running chart below).
Felt AMAZING at the end. Bring on the marathon!
Ran: 6.22 miles or around 10k
Time: 58 mins 31 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins 24 seconds
Calories: 654
Friday, 19 June 2009
Running On A Hangover
Thursday June 18, 2009
A lovely evening and too many drinks in my local, Bistros des Restos, saw me spend most of Thursday feeling pretty out of it. But a gorgeous day in Brussels had me hankering for a run.
Most people don't recommend running with a hangover because alcohol has a dehydrating effect, and when you feel hungover, what you're actually experiencing is intense dehydration. Not good for running.
I tried to overcome this by drinking A LOT of water during the day, and setting off. Felt terrible, uncoordinated and clumsy but pushed on for almost five miles - you can see the massive, hangover-induced dip in the middle, here:
Ran: 4.9 miles
Time: 44 mins 59 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins, ten seconds
Calories: 515
Ate: A LOT: Museli, tomato salad, steak frites, ice cream sundae, thai green curry
A lovely evening and too many drinks in my local, Bistros des Restos, saw me spend most of Thursday feeling pretty out of it. But a gorgeous day in Brussels had me hankering for a run.
Most people don't recommend running with a hangover because alcohol has a dehydrating effect, and when you feel hungover, what you're actually experiencing is intense dehydration. Not good for running.
I tried to overcome this by drinking A LOT of water during the day, and setting off. Felt terrible, uncoordinated and clumsy but pushed on for almost five miles - you can see the massive, hangover-induced dip in the middle, here:
Ran: 4.9 miles
Time: 44 mins 59 seconds
Pace per mile: 9 mins, ten seconds
Calories: 515
Ate: A LOT: Museli, tomato salad, steak frites, ice cream sundae, thai green curry
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Personal Plateauing
Wednesday 17th June, 2009
Of course I've heard of plateauing in exercise - when you get to a certain point and you find it difficult to push yourself beyond it. But I didn't expect to hit one myself.
A chart of my last eleven runs shows differently. Each run - apart from the two that were with other people - have been under the four-mile plateau level. I've noticed this when I've been out running, I get to a certain point and I just can't seem to run any faster or any further. I am pretty sure it's mental - when I am running in a race or with others I don't seem to have the same problem.
I consulted a long time runner and friend of mine for tips:
"It's to do with motivation more than tiredness, you've just got to get on with it," he says. "See what works for you, join a running club, some people are quite single minded and like running by themselves but others prefer - and need - to go out in a group. Failing that get some new tunes, trendy ones!"
He is right of course, once you push yourself through the barrier, carrying on seems easy.
The internet has a few other suggestions. It says other types of exercise can help because if you vary your routine you are more likely to enjoy the few runs you do go on and push yourself harder.
Other online hints include breaking up runs with 1-2 minute surges of faster paces and recovery breaks of easy jogging for 3-6 mins. This again adds variety and gives your body and mind something different to focus on. I think there is a Swedish name for it...
Of course I've heard of plateauing in exercise - when you get to a certain point and you find it difficult to push yourself beyond it. But I didn't expect to hit one myself.
A chart of my last eleven runs shows differently. Each run - apart from the two that were with other people - have been under the four-mile plateau level. I've noticed this when I've been out running, I get to a certain point and I just can't seem to run any faster or any further. I am pretty sure it's mental - when I am running in a race or with others I don't seem to have the same problem.
I consulted a long time runner and friend of mine for tips:
"It's to do with motivation more than tiredness, you've just got to get on with it," he says. "See what works for you, join a running club, some people are quite single minded and like running by themselves but others prefer - and need - to go out in a group. Failing that get some new tunes, trendy ones!"
He is right of course, once you push yourself through the barrier, carrying on seems easy.
The internet has a few other suggestions. It says other types of exercise can help because if you vary your routine you are more likely to enjoy the few runs you do go on and push yourself harder.
Other online hints include breaking up runs with 1-2 minute surges of faster paces and recovery breaks of easy jogging for 3-6 mins. This again adds variety and gives your body and mind something different to focus on. I think there is a Swedish name for it...
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Kraainem Capers, Bruxelles
Tuesday 16th June, 2009
Brussels is probably the most green city I've ever lived in. The centre is tiny and good, green places to run are easily accessible.
This evening I went out with my running club around Kraainem, to the east of the centre.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we set off at around 8pm so were running into the sunset.
The sky looked fabulous and I wished I had taken a camera. Also I've misplaced the running chip from my Nike+ set so I couldn't record exactly how far it was, which upset me, but I was reliably informed by a fellow runner that we ran 15k minimum.
I was exhausted, especially towards the end. The hot weather and sweat got to me! But I did prove to myself that running in a group provides ample motivation to keep going..
Ran: Around 15K
Felt: Suprisingly good - all that fresh country air and adrenaline
Ate: Two burnt BBQ sausages and a whole lotta belgian beer
Brussels is probably the most green city I've ever lived in. The centre is tiny and good, green places to run are easily accessible.
This evening I went out with my running club around Kraainem, to the east of the centre.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we set off at around 8pm so were running into the sunset.
The sky looked fabulous and I wished I had taken a camera. Also I've misplaced the running chip from my Nike+ set so I couldn't record exactly how far it was, which upset me, but I was reliably informed by a fellow runner that we ran 15k minimum.
I was exhausted, especially towards the end. The hot weather and sweat got to me! But I did prove to myself that running in a group provides ample motivation to keep going..
Ran: Around 15K
Felt: Suprisingly good - all that fresh country air and adrenaline
Ate: Two burnt BBQ sausages and a whole lotta belgian beer
Friday, 16 May 2008
Bruxelles
13th – 16th May
Attending the annual Brussels Economic Forum I knew I wasn't going to get much running done. The days are long, the hours are relentless and you're lucky if you can remember your own name by the end of each day, let alone the fact that you're running a marathon in just over a week.
Nevertheless I decided to try a few short runs during my stay.
I managed two. Both in the morning before the conference day started.
The weather in Brussels this week was super hot. Hotter I think than in London and also muggier. The air hung heavily in an uncomfortably close fashion. I felt almost claustrophobic, penned in by the humidity.
The first run took place under these conditions and even though it was early in the morning on Thursday, I found it stifling. I made it round one lap of the park near where I was staying.
Over night on Thursday it rained very heavily, clearing the air and making Friday morning's run much more bearable. This time I made it round two laps of the park. I'd like to have continued for longer but time pressures didn't allow.
While I was running I worried all this tapering was making me unfit. Have I been taking the taper too seriously? Had I tapered myself in to a new unfit realm? I certainly don't feel as fit as I was feeling a few weeks ago.
Looking back I was feeling fittest around the time of my second long run, when I was doing several longish runs during the week. Now I feel sort of sluggish and lumpy, which is causing me to worry.
I'm told one final run of ten miles this weekend will round off my training nicely and that then I shouldn't do anything from Wednesday onward. I suppose this is the kind of knowledge that comes with experience of running a marathon and that it's only natural to have a few pre-mara jitters ahead of your first one. Let's hope it'll all be ok in ten days time.
Attending the annual Brussels Economic Forum I knew I wasn't going to get much running done. The days are long, the hours are relentless and you're lucky if you can remember your own name by the end of each day, let alone the fact that you're running a marathon in just over a week.
Nevertheless I decided to try a few short runs during my stay.
I managed two. Both in the morning before the conference day started.
The weather in Brussels this week was super hot. Hotter I think than in London and also muggier. The air hung heavily in an uncomfortably close fashion. I felt almost claustrophobic, penned in by the humidity.
The first run took place under these conditions and even though it was early in the morning on Thursday, I found it stifling. I made it round one lap of the park near where I was staying.
Parc du Cinquantenaire, a park built by King Leopold was named to commemorate 50 years of Belgian independence. It's a relatively small park, the distance of my running route around the outside is about 1.25 miles. It's in the eastern part of the European District of Brussels and is dominated by a huge arch in its centre which was built in 1880.
Over night on Thursday it rained very heavily, clearing the air and making Friday morning's run much more bearable. This time I made it round two laps of the park. I'd like to have continued for longer but time pressures didn't allow.
While I was running I worried all this tapering was making me unfit. Have I been taking the taper too seriously? Had I tapered myself in to a new unfit realm? I certainly don't feel as fit as I was feeling a few weeks ago.
Looking back I was feeling fittest around the time of my second long run, when I was doing several longish runs during the week. Now I feel sort of sluggish and lumpy, which is causing me to worry.
I'm told one final run of ten miles this weekend will round off my training nicely and that then I shouldn't do anything from Wednesday onward. I suppose this is the kind of knowledge that comes with experience of running a marathon and that it's only natural to have a few pre-mara jitters ahead of your first one. Let's hope it'll all be ok in ten days time.
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