Scotland – Page 3

Training Weeks 12-14

Training Weeks 12 to 14

My lack of blog posts for the last two to three weeks is due to a few reasons; firstly after the Edinburgh race I developed an ankle injury which was causing really sore calf pains in my left leg. Due to my injury I haven’t been training as much as I would have liked and felt pretty low about it. Secondly I’ve been very busy with work and social engagements and thirdly life just sometimes gets in the way!

During the Edinburgh Great Run I was aware of some calf pain and had a few niggles on a run a couple of days before the race. I put the pain down to pushing myself during the race, walked it off and stretched after the race. I went for a run two days later and my calf was in agony after 3-4 miles. I slowly made it home and used my foam roller which helped slightly. When I got up for swimming the next day and it was still sore I knew something was wrong and more than a pulled muscle.

I booked an appointment at pro-active sports physiotherapy on Dublin Street. Del the physiotherapist confirmed my calf pain was due to my weak ankle, my foot is overcompensating by running on the side (of my foot) which is causing my calf pain when running. He strapped up my ankle, gave me exercises, massaged my leg and told me not to run that week. I returned a week later and it did feel better. I was told to continue resting but I felt able to compete on Sunday at the Selkirk triathlon. I’ve started running again doing short distances and continued my exercises so hopefully will be fine for June!

Luckily I was able to swim and cycle so I was able to continue my overall training. One positive out of my injury is that I’ve had to cycle much more. I faced my fear of going out cycling solo and now found a new love of cycling. The improved weather has helped but I have really enjoyed going out cycling myself, getting lost in the Scottish countryside and having time to clear my head. As a result my cycling times and bike handling have massively improved!

Cycling is my weakest sport out of the three disciplines. I didn’t go out enough because I couldn’t really repair a puncture. On Wednesday afternoon I completed a bike maintenance course at Grease Monkeys Cycles. I choose Grease monkeys because the course was one to one, I could pick a time convenient to me (most courses in other bike shops are in groups and on set days) and I could also choose what to focus on. My main focus was puncture repair, removing the rear wheel and tightening my breaks. It is particularly important I am able to repair a puncture, during triathlon races only I can repair my bike. Bike mechanic Grant was very patient with me, he went through everything step by step and on the second attempt I was able to successfully remove the rear wheel and repair the puncture myself. Grant also showed me how to adjust gears and break blocks. I would highly recommend doing the course. I am more confident and feel much safer cycling. It also includes a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit!

I’ve also been a little social bee. As my little brother James is moving to Sydney Australia to start his new job. We had a little family get to together at Oregano restaurant on Leith walk; the antipasti and Pizza are amazing!! The food is reasonably priced and you get good portions. I am so sad to see James because we are close but I don’t mind going to visit him, ha!

Two weekends ago I organised one of my closest friends Naomi’s Hen do! We all had fun in Edinburgh, having Afternoon tea, hula hooping, cocktail making, drinking, Karaoke singing and dancing the night away. It was a great distraction whilst being injured and also nice to have a break.

Last week it was Sam and I’s first wedding anniversary! I cannot believe it’s been a whole year since we wed, crazy! We treated ourselves to meal and stay at Hotel du Vin on our anniversary followed by a spa day with treatments at One spa. We had a lovely couple of days hanging out and relaxing which was amazing!

On Sunday I competed in Selkirk triathlon in the Scottish Borders. It was a beautiful day and I even managed to get sunburnt in Scotland! It was a standard distance triathlon; the swim was in a pool (which I prefer) followed by a very hilly cycle with wonderful views and fairly flat run along the less inspiring A7. I was pretty happy with my swim time, the cycle was slow but I put that down to the course and the run was ok. It was the first time I ran in three weeks and my calf and ankle were fine. Ideally my run time should have been better but I was happy just to complete it.

I’ve also recently dyed my hair blonde and got a new tattoo on my arm (Sorry Mum, Dad and Graddad).

Only 4 weeks now till Staffordshire Ironman (eek) my aim for the race is to enjoy it and complete it rather than aiming on a time. These next few weeks I’m focusing on distance, building up my running distance, and keeping injury free.

Jenwaar

Great Edinburgh Run 2016

Great Edinburgh Run

My first race this year, Sunday 17^th April 2016, I made my way to Holyrood Park for the start of the Great Edinburgh run. I felt a little tired when I got up however after a big bowl of porridge, honey and berries I was ready to get my game face on!

I’m lucky enough to live close by and walked to the start after meeting my friend Tiffany. I packed for the race the night before so my start wasn’t too early.

I’ve run this race for the last three years and it’s a favourite of mine. It’s a hilly ten mile course through Edinburgh city centre. Half the course is up hill and the other half downhill starting and finishing at Arthur’s seat. I really enjoy running the streets I regularly run and it’s a true reflection of hilly Edinburgh!

I got to the start five minutes before the start during the warm up so I wasn’t able to get close to the start line but still managed to wiggle past a few people. Luckily, the weather improved, Edinburgh was grey and wet all week up to the race. Dare I say perfect conditions, over cast and dry however a little windy in some places across the course.

I felt good at the start and the energy was palpable from the other five thousand competitors. My laid back approach to arriving back fired slightly as I spent the first mile running around other runners. After the first mile I was able to get settled in, my own space and start first hill run, up the royal mile from Parliament building. I unexpectedly saw some friends spectating and their cheers spurred me on up the hill.

This year due to works at Scott Monument, the course was changed, instead of running along Princes Street gardens and up the Mound we went up Market Street (another steep hill) but it’s not quite the same as the iconic Mound. To make up the extra distance they added an extra short, out and back section on Lauriston Place.

Miles three to four the sun came out and I instantly regretted not taking my sunglasses and took my gloves off (I‘m used to carrying my gloves in training so no real problem). I felt pretty strong at this point and continued my pace.

Mile five went through the Grassmarket which was well supported, thanks for all the cheers and also half way point. I looked down at my watch: thirty seven minutes, I was determined to get under forty five minutes at six miles and pushed on.

I found mile six the hardest it’s a long incline from the Cowgate, up the Pleasance to the Royal commonwealth pool. I started to dig deep, knowing once I got to the top we were going downhill again. I was picking out other runners and slowly catching them, I’m quite competitive and like picking out people at similar paces to push me further. I heard the bag piper at mile six and looked down at my watch forty four minutes, whoop!

Miles seven and eight I let my legs go down the innocent railway path and to Duddingston village. The last hill is up Duddingston Low road but totally worth it for the views. After hitting the mile nine sign its downhill with a short flat distance to the finish. My legs did feel a little tired at this point but the end was in sight and my legs went with it, I even managed a sprint finish for the last two hundred metres!

I looked down at my garmin, 1 hour 13mins and 40seconds, I was very pleased. Two minutes quicker than last year as I can’t complain with a personal best! I checked my chip time online and was the same as my watch. Overall I was twentieth woman (crazy) and eleventh in my female age group 20-34!!

I had a great race and I would highly recommend anyone to enter.

Jenwaar

Training Week Seven

Training week Seven

So this week’s post will be short and sweet. Last week I was sick, I had the flu and a chesty cough so spent the first five days of the week in bed. I felt much better by Saturday and went for walk with my husband. On Sunday I ran Edinburgh Kilomathon 13.1 kilometres (eight miles). It was a beautiful early morning run along Edinburgh’s cycle paths starting from Ocean terminal and finishing at Murrayfield stadium. I really enjoyed the run, I still wasn’t 100% so treated the race more as a training run than a race. My time as expected was slow but I’m happy I completed it. I was also meant to do the swimathon in the afternoon but my cough was much worst after the run and I didn’t want to push myself too much.

This week’s goals are to regularly train and keep well!

Jenwaar

Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies

Last weekend my parents came to visit for my mum’s birthday. On Friday for her birthday we had breakfast at Montpelier’s restaurant in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. Highly recommended for breakfast! I had Mexican beans with poached eggs and extra smoked salmon with apple juice and green tea. My Dad had the ‘The Full Monty’, a full Scottish breakfast including steak and my mum had a morning roll.

After we filled our bellies we went to the Falkirk wheel and then to see the Kelpies. The Falkirk wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal. We went on a canal boat trip using the wheel which raises the boat by 24 metres. I found watching the wheel in action more interesting and impressive rather than the actual boat trip but the guides were very good and informative.

The Kelpies are thirty meter horse head sculptures made of steel with stainless steel cladding and are the world’s largest equine sculptures. The name Kelpies comes from the mythological transformation of beasts possessing the strength of hundred horses. They represent the working horse’s heritage for Scotland. The structures are pretty impressive and stunning in both the day and night, definitely worth a visit.

Jenwaar

This blog post isn’t sponsored

John O’Groats Trip

This week I was lucky enough to go away with my husband to John O’Groats. Yes that’s correct John O’Groats in February! We arrived in the wind and rain on Monday to stay at the Jan De Groot Penthouse within the Inn at Natural retreats. The apartment had views over the Pentland Firth and a free standing brass bath in the bedroom (I’m a sucker for a big bath). We stayed for four nights in self-catered accommodation. John O’Groats, like any coastal town, is seasonal and was very quiet at this time of year. Our aim of this trip was to relax and chill, which we did.

Tuesday we managed a coastal walk from John O’Groats to Duncansby Head lighthouse and back, our walk was cut short due to the unpredictable Scottish weather (gale-force winds and sleeting rain). Once we got our soggy cold bottoms home, I took full advantage of the bath, a long soak with a glass of Processo.

Wednesday we visited Dunnet Head, the most Northerly point of mainland Britain, and Thurso. I made our favourite dinner of fillet Steak, sweet potato chips and salad when back at the apartment.

Thursday was Sam’s birthday and luckily we had good weather so we could walk out to the Duncansby Stacks, such beautiful views and no wind! In the afternoon we drove to Wick and took the birthday boy out for a meal.

Friday we went home. It was the most relaxing week consisting of eating and drinking, reading and going for long walks. As it was out of season it felt like we had the place to ourselves (which I loved) however most attractions and places were closed. For a quiet break I would recommend coming over winter, just prepare for the weather!

Jenwaar x