What a week! Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong!
I haven't even been able to "run-off" my frustrations as I have been taking it easy this week as I have a 15K trail race tomorrow!
The only exercise I have done is a recce of the run route I will be doing on Monday with my Ladies in my new running club called Women on the run!
This consisted of 3 minutes run and 1 minute walk intervals repeated 10 times and I covered 3.43 miles. However, I think I possibly ran too fast and I will be interested to see what my ladies do on Monday!
So tomorrow I have my first race since my calf injury and my first race for several months!
Its a Trail Run starting at Coniston, other than that I don't know much else about the route!
I do know that it will be hard as it's a trail race and I am not at my fittest but I am hoping just to finish it and to enjoy the views!
On a positive note the weather forecast is looking good - lots of sun and no rain - at the moment!!!
I am going to be wearing my "Women On The Run" vest for the first time during a race - might as well advertise whenever I can!
Although if I collapse unconscious it won't be a very good advert!
The best thing about tomorrows race is it doesn't start until 1pm so no silly early get-up which means I have risked a sneaky Gin and Tonic this evening to help relax my stressed nerves!
Tonight I gave in to peer pressure, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
For some strange reason it was decided that tonight's Tri Club Open Water swim would be a wetsuit free event!
Bearing in mind that it was our last swim of September and the water temperature is beginning to plummet I decided it was now or never and knew if I didn't go along with it I would regret it big time!
So tonight at 6.30pm I found myself shivering on the jetty dressed in just my tri suit with "must be mad" thoughts rushing through my head!
When I first got into the lake the cold took my breath away and I had to do breaststroke just to get my breathing under control!
Once my body had become accustomed to the icy cold water I started to do front crawl!
I managed my first ever wetsuit free open water swim - I didn't last long but I did it all the same!
I managed a pathetic 200 metres before I decided my body could cope with no more!
It was really strange because when I got out I felt far warmer than I usually do when I get out wearing a wet suit but then 10 minutes later the shivers set in!
I am still feeling cold now!
I can't believe I have been Open Water swimming this year since 3rd May and I wait until the end of September to brave it without a wetsuit!
If I had done it sooner I would have done it more!
It was an amazing experience and one I will pursue next year!
Tonight was the inaugural run for the Women On The Run Kendal Group!
I was extremely nervous beforehand in case I ended up running alone but I needn't of worried as I had 16 ladies who turned up and enrolled for the 10 week course!
I am feeling very very excited about taking these running fledglings from couch to 5K.
Tonight we did 2 minutes running followed by 2 minutes walking repeated 8 times and ended up covering 2.48 miles!
They were all very friendly and enthusiastic about the mission ahead!
I am thrilled at having 16 new running buddies!
I can't wait until next week!
I did the course and got the T Shirt - Literally!
Omg I'm bouncing around like an excited puppy!!!!!
Sooooooooooo deliriously excited to be starting up my own running club tomorrow and can't wait to meet up with lots of new running friends!
Here's hoping people turn up!
On Wednesday I did a recce of the route I am planning to do tomorrow and did it as the walk/run interval session I will do to check it worked!
To make it more authentic I took my husband along (a big couch potato!) and put him through his paces! He managed the session but was exhausted at the end!
We did 3.02 miles in 47 minutes. I think the run intervals were probably done at too fast a pace for a total beginner so will have to slow it right down tomorrow! I will let the group determine the pace!
I have been trying to increase my mileage this week and have managed to do 3 runs over 10K, I am pleased with what I managed considering I have been so exhausted with work! However, I haven't managed to fit any swimming in! I have finally realised I can't do everything and when I am so busy something just has to give! This week it was swimming!
I also treated myself to some new trainers which I wore for my run/walk session and then again yesterday and I was pleased that they were extremely comfortable - no blisters or aches and pains!
You can now follow our Women On The Run activities and give my lovely ladies some support and encouragement on Twitter!
Bring it on!
Today I have been on a course in Bolton entitled "Leadership in Running Fitness" with England Athletics!
I am not sure whether I am more proud of gaining this qualification or making it down to Bolton in one piece in the dense fog this morning!
The course was far more practical than I had expected and I definitely got some running miles in when I expected to be sitting listening for the majority of the day!
A week tomorrow I start leading my own club!
Feeling Excited! Bring it on!
I have had an exceptionally busy weekend as I had to travel down to Reading yesterday to take my daughter back to Uni for her second year and we didn't get home until 8pm, and then I had to be up and out the house by 7.15am this morning!
Not the most restful of weekends but it will be worth it!
This morning when I woke up I felt dreadful! I had a lot of pain in my back and side so decided to visit the Doctor! I am glad I did as it appears I have another Kidney infection therefore have another course of antibiotics! I am really glad I went to the Doctors rather than put it off until Monday!
Anyhow after getting the first 2 tablets into my system I was feeling surprisingly better so I decided to venture for a short run!
Its amazing that when you least expect it and least feel like it you do your fastest run in weeks!
I must be powered by antibiotics!
I did 3.64 miles at a 8.52 pace and loved every second of it!
My Doctor would no doubt have a fit if he knew I was running in my condition but I survived to tell the tale!
Feeling giddy and happy despite the pain!
Tonight I decided to go for my run as soon as I got home from work, before my brain had time to think about it and put me off the idea!
I was feeling very tired, run down and I am still sniffing slightly so I didn't set a mileage goal I decided just to run and see how I felt.
The first couple of miles felt horrendous and I had to really self talk myself into not turning round and going home! Then my mind got into gear and my body was willing so I ended up doing 7.48 miles - my longest post injury run yet!
It was a cool, dry and calm evening, perfect conditions and I really enjoyed this run once I stopped thinking how horrible it was!
I am going to be wearing my "Women On The Run" vest for the first time during a race - might as well advertise whenever I can! 
