Another one-day run week ...but worth every minute of it.
I was up way before 5am - 3.24am - but had to force myself back to bed. I guess this has to do with the fact that I went to bed early, around 11pm. Two, we didn't have electricity so I did my cooking and eating and washing up early
Anyway, 4.55am I was awake but chose to lie in till 5.05am when the alarm went off.
5.09am I left the house ready for the run. Out the gate and off. It was chilly, so chilly.
I walked the customary half a kilometre. Long strides, Femi Kuti's beng beng beng playing in my mind. Boy, I've missed this. Up ahead at the turning point were just a few matatus then a gang of about five suspicious looking young men. None of my business so I walked on to Naivasha road and started my running.
It's lovely the way the wind just greets the face. One of my eyes was teary (let's say it was leaking). And the chilly weather was unrelenting - it had such a force ... I need to get appropriate gear - the jacket, cap and the sort.
Seems the blackout was all over; it was just too dark. Throw in the chilly weather and all that mist ... tough weather, I tell you.
Tough as it was, the legs were responding well to the road. I took the hill with gusto, so much gusto that by the time I got to ILRI gate - God bless ILRI for their well-lit fence! - I was out of breath. Quick I took the roundabout, two laps, down to the start of the fence and back, up the roundabout, one lap and back to where I came from. I loved the run, really.
As I said, the legs were responding pretty well ... and this they showed when I was going downhill. Like last time, I took the final hill with gusto, out of breath or not, I took it on. On and on all the way to a few steps from my gate.
Into the gate, breathless but feeling good. At my door, I couldn't wait to kick off my shoes. In the house. T-shirt off, tracks off. Welcome bedroom carpet. Yeah, and some coughing and hot sweat down my face. Boy!
Another distance done - 11km - and more to follow.
I met 22 runs - only two before 540am. Despite the chilly weather, people still get up early to run. I'm encouraged... I just wish we could form a running group specific to that route. It would be awesome.
PS.
1. I'm thinking of trying out the Valley Road route soon, say Sunday August 2.
2. Jack lost his brother last week on Thursday. He was run over by a bus. Sad.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Training Day 15: 9km, 52:22 min
Let's just say I have returned - after two whole weeks! In that period, I took a short leave to Bungoma, Jack organised a 23km run...Anyway, what matters is that I am back on the road...
I went to bed early last night - 11.30pm - hungry for today's run. At 4.25am, I was up, reluctantly, for I had to empty my bladder. My mind and body agreed it was too early so I went back to bed but deep down I was worried I may fall asleep and wake up at 7am - it has happened before.
Anyway, at 5.05am, the alarm went off and I forced myself out of bed into the biker, tracksuit, Standard Chartered Marathon t-shirt, my Id into the pocket and some 50 bob. Then to the sitting room, out the door, washed sleep off my face and was off. Time check 5:15am.
5.24am: the run and I knew I was back. The legs were okay, the weather was cool, it was light and ... leg after another I took my usual route.
Late as it was, there were few people/matatus on the road. I checked my watch again to confirm it was actually past 5am... there were just not enough people for a Wednesday morning.
Anyway, down the river - still no person, up the hill, to the ILRI fence, then two runners to the opposite direction...so far so good.
Just after the ILRI gate I came across the perennial stretchers doing their thing; three laps of the roundabout and was on my way... the road is really good tarmacked and all, ILRI gate, ILRI fence, the river and up. This time I took the hill faster than I normally do. I enjoyed the speed ... (Note to self: I should do this fast runs more).
I met nine runners in total: two before 5.40am and the rest after 6am.
I was feeling good about myself so I didn't stop at the junction but farther towards home.
It's nice to be back.
PS
Jack has organised a 27km run on August 29. The route is quite intimidating - from Zimmerman to Museum Hill roundabout and back. Starting time: 5.30am ... and you thought I was crazy!
I went to bed early last night - 11.30pm - hungry for today's run. At 4.25am, I was up, reluctantly, for I had to empty my bladder. My mind and body agreed it was too early so I went back to bed but deep down I was worried I may fall asleep and wake up at 7am - it has happened before.
Anyway, at 5.05am, the alarm went off and I forced myself out of bed into the biker, tracksuit, Standard Chartered Marathon t-shirt, my Id into the pocket and some 50 bob. Then to the sitting room, out the door, washed sleep off my face and was off. Time check 5:15am.
5.24am: the run and I knew I was back. The legs were okay, the weather was cool, it was light and ... leg after another I took my usual route.
Late as it was, there were few people/matatus on the road. I checked my watch again to confirm it was actually past 5am... there were just not enough people for a Wednesday morning.
Anyway, down the river - still no person, up the hill, to the ILRI fence, then two runners to the opposite direction...so far so good.
Just after the ILRI gate I came across the perennial stretchers doing their thing; three laps of the roundabout and was on my way... the road is really good tarmacked and all, ILRI gate, ILRI fence, the river and up. This time I took the hill faster than I normally do. I enjoyed the speed ... (Note to self: I should do this fast runs more).
I met nine runners in total: two before 5.40am and the rest after 6am.
I was feeling good about myself so I didn't stop at the junction but farther towards home.
It's nice to be back.
PS
Jack has organised a 27km run on August 29. The route is quite intimidating - from Zimmerman to Museum Hill roundabout and back. Starting time: 5.30am ... and you thought I was crazy!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Training Day 14: 9.5km, 54min
I did it - and am back, for real.
4.59am the alarm went off and I was out of bed and into my gear. Actually, I grabbed the torch first - no electricity, never mind that the security light 5 or so metres away was so bright you'd think it was 1,000W-strong.
Groggy, cursing KPLC, thinking of that contract I was to sign hours later and how broke I seem to be of late, I staggered out of the warm house into the chilly morning. My mind was on the run ahead.
Usual routine - walk half a kilometre to my starting point ... and let go.
I last ran on Sunday but it felt like I'd run two or three hours before - the shins were taut, the heel was 'burning' etc ... but not to bother, leg after another, breath, breath, cough, cough, some air ... a kilometre, then another ... I was on.
Traffic was light but the cold, my man, the cold was biting. It was so cold that sweating seemed like a luxury - the chilly weather just 'chilled' it.
Or could it be that the 5km I walked last evening took some of the energy? (Consider I had a lousy supper of rice, beans and some not-so-ripe bananas!)
Past the Catholic church and was thinking the cops no longer guard the place (or, let's say they no longer stand there with their huge guns) but, well, wherever they may be, let them. My thoughts were interrupted by this huge lorry parked right infront of me. Nothing to warn you, eish! Then some loony cyclist followed ringing his bell like it was viral!
Down the river and up the hill. As was coming up, passed some guy psyched me, "Poa muthee, strong strong." Whenever I meet someone anywhere on this stretch I am assured the road is clear so I add some power to my run. I did.
Up the hill, ILRI fence, no lap of the roundabout but instead ran up the bridge, came back, two laps, then ILRI and down. This time I did a sprint and it was good - all the way to the river then dragged myself up the mini-hill to my starting/ending point.
There were eight runners today and the usual two guys who love to stretch at the roundabout. Runner number one appeared just as I was approaching the ILRI fence. Ran alongside him all the way to the roundabout then lost him (or did he lose me as I went up the bridge?). That run helped me stretch ...
That is it for today. 9.5km done, more to come.
Talked to Jack and he advised I do several 8kms instead of trying to do an under 2-hr 21km every Sunday. He also advised I come up with a training plan - this one is tricky but will see to it.
PS
I'm likely to take a 5-day leave next week. I hope the Bungoma Municipal Stadium is open ...
4.59am the alarm went off and I was out of bed and into my gear. Actually, I grabbed the torch first - no electricity, never mind that the security light 5 or so metres away was so bright you'd think it was 1,000W-strong.
Groggy, cursing KPLC, thinking of that contract I was to sign hours later and how broke I seem to be of late, I staggered out of the warm house into the chilly morning. My mind was on the run ahead.
Usual routine - walk half a kilometre to my starting point ... and let go.
I last ran on Sunday but it felt like I'd run two or three hours before - the shins were taut, the heel was 'burning' etc ... but not to bother, leg after another, breath, breath, cough, cough, some air ... a kilometre, then another ... I was on.
Traffic was light but the cold, my man, the cold was biting. It was so cold that sweating seemed like a luxury - the chilly weather just 'chilled' it.
Or could it be that the 5km I walked last evening took some of the energy? (Consider I had a lousy supper of rice, beans and some not-so-ripe bananas!)
Past the Catholic church and was thinking the cops no longer guard the place (or, let's say they no longer stand there with their huge guns) but, well, wherever they may be, let them. My thoughts were interrupted by this huge lorry parked right infront of me. Nothing to warn you, eish! Then some loony cyclist followed ringing his bell like it was viral!
Down the river and up the hill. As was coming up, passed some guy psyched me, "Poa muthee, strong strong." Whenever I meet someone anywhere on this stretch I am assured the road is clear so I add some power to my run. I did.
Up the hill, ILRI fence, no lap of the roundabout but instead ran up the bridge, came back, two laps, then ILRI and down. This time I did a sprint and it was good - all the way to the river then dragged myself up the mini-hill to my starting/ending point.
There were eight runners today and the usual two guys who love to stretch at the roundabout. Runner number one appeared just as I was approaching the ILRI fence. Ran alongside him all the way to the roundabout then lost him (or did he lose me as I went up the bridge?). That run helped me stretch ...
That is it for today. 9.5km done, more to come.
Talked to Jack and he advised I do several 8kms instead of trying to do an under 2-hr 21km every Sunday. He also advised I come up with a training plan - this one is tricky but will see to it.
PS
I'm likely to take a 5-day leave next week. I hope the Bungoma Municipal Stadium is open ...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Training Day 13: 10km, 60 min 43sec (+11km walk home)
Stuff happens, I now believe.
I haven't run since Wednesday but when I got to the track, something went off and I ended up doing just 10km in an hour, then walked home.
What happened?
Two things:
a) I was fatigued thanks to a series of four-hour 'sleeps' for I had to clear some side job;
b) I was disillusioned, somewhat (I got to the track later than 3.30pm, Jack wasn't coming, I weighed 79.6kg etc).
Excuses aside, it was a friendly run.
I took off at 4pm sharp. There was one other guy running but he was too overdressed for that kind of weather - sunny and all.
I set off to do 21km, hopefully in less than the previous 129min. I started off with a friendly pace which I maintained till the 5k mark - 29min.
I think this is where things went off. I did a simple sum and realised that if I maintained the pace, I'd do 20km in 116 min and 21km in about 122 min. However, it is a fact that I would slow down ... I just felt tired, wanted to stop and leave ... some little pride told me no, I mean, how do you go to the track just to do 5km?
The remaining 5kms were the slowest - in my mind - that I have done in ages. All sorts of things stood in the way: sweat flowed into my eyes, a little runny nose, an aching butt, rumbling stomach, a paining shin ... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
So I ran on, undeterred ... my mind was on the 10km mark with hopes of a slow 5km run afterwards... anyway.
Come the 25th lap, I decided to do a death dash - worn out but still with enough energy to last a fast lap. At the end of this last lap, I was out of breath and coughing like a small African drum. I then walked home... 11km of nice walking.
On my way, I met these huge, fat, shapeless Arab-looking guys heading to the track and wished I could go back to psyche them up.
PS.
1. I have to admit: I will not be doing Saturday runs any more. It just doesn't work. I get home as 'early' as 2am; by the time the alarm goes off at 5am, tehe body seems to say no way!
2. I have to work on my motivation. I need it so much ...
I haven't run since Wednesday but when I got to the track, something went off and I ended up doing just 10km in an hour, then walked home.
What happened?
Two things:
a) I was fatigued thanks to a series of four-hour 'sleeps' for I had to clear some side job;
b) I was disillusioned, somewhat (I got to the track later than 3.30pm, Jack wasn't coming, I weighed 79.6kg etc).
Excuses aside, it was a friendly run.
I took off at 4pm sharp. There was one other guy running but he was too overdressed for that kind of weather - sunny and all.
I set off to do 21km, hopefully in less than the previous 129min. I started off with a friendly pace which I maintained till the 5k mark - 29min.
I think this is where things went off. I did a simple sum and realised that if I maintained the pace, I'd do 20km in 116 min and 21km in about 122 min. However, it is a fact that I would slow down ... I just felt tired, wanted to stop and leave ... some little pride told me no, I mean, how do you go to the track just to do 5km?
The remaining 5kms were the slowest - in my mind - that I have done in ages. All sorts of things stood in the way: sweat flowed into my eyes, a little runny nose, an aching butt, rumbling stomach, a paining shin ... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
So I ran on, undeterred ... my mind was on the 10km mark with hopes of a slow 5km run afterwards... anyway.
Come the 25th lap, I decided to do a death dash - worn out but still with enough energy to last a fast lap. At the end of this last lap, I was out of breath and coughing like a small African drum. I then walked home... 11km of nice walking.
On my way, I met these huge, fat, shapeless Arab-looking guys heading to the track and wished I could go back to psyche them up.
PS.
1. I have to admit: I will not be doing Saturday runs any more. It just doesn't work. I get home as 'early' as 2am; by the time the alarm goes off at 5am, tehe body seems to say no way!
2. I have to work on my motivation. I need it so much ...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Training Day 12: 8km, 53:38 min
I'm back ...
It was such a struggle to leave the house; very much obeying Newton's First Law of Motion: Every body continues in its state of inertia unless compelled to do otherwise ...(so I haven't forgotten my high school physics, eh?)
The alarm went off at 5.05am but it wasn't until 5.21am that I left the house. In between, I went back to bed, closed my eyes and tried to sleep but a line from Jack's blog (http://the runningwriter.blogspot.com) - "If you quit running, nobody cares, but you'll always know" - hauled me out of bed, into my biker shorts/tracksuit/sports shoes and out into the cool morning. I actually said a prayer as I left (courtesy of Booker T. Washington's Up from Slavery - which I've been reading - where he says he made it a habit to pray every morning before embarking on any duty and before, especially public speaking.) Boy, I was in a prayer-gospel mood, what with My soul is built on nothing less/Than jesus' blood and righteousness ... On Christ solid rock I stand ... playing in my head all through. The song just came into my mind - courtesy of my high school days.
At that hour there was more traffic than is usually the case - fitting punishment for waking up late, I think. Every now and then, the matatus literally pushed me off the tarmack. What is with these drivers and their boyish enthusiasm when it comes to full lights? The other group that needs to be whipped mercilessly are those cyclists whose contraptions are without any lights - they are accident-eurs on the prowl. Enough ranting.
Started off at a steady but friendly pace. I was 'hearing' Jack tell me to do the strides, the longer the better and the safer. Down the river, up the hill - the lorries weren't there today, ILRI fence, the round about then up the road to the bridge that pours its traffic to Waiyaki way, back, one fast lap of the roundabout (felt very good) then to the road back to where I came from.
Yeah, and the road is good. The road fellas have done a great job ... they still are.
There were seven runners, al after 5.30am. There were also three people warming up/down at the roundabout - these guys are always there. Of the runners, Mr Three (so named for he was the third runner I ran into) gave me one nice run. I 'chased' him for about 5 mins then he turned back to run up ILRI ... I enjoyed that bit for it got me off autopilot and into some stretching as I tried to keep up with his pace.
A good run.
Eight kilometres done... more to follow.
PS
1. I have to admit preparing for the Lewa Marathon was a motivator of sorts. AFter I learnt it was off, I kinda lost some of the psyche - as if my goal was no longer a goal. Now there is the 23km run this month, Ndakaini in September and Stanchart in October.
2. Is it wrong to lose weight? Yesterday my friend Kate complained that I'm getting smaller and smaller. That I don't look as 'me' with less weight! She is the fifth person to worry about my weight. I am amused at this concern, really.
It was such a struggle to leave the house; very much obeying Newton's First Law of Motion: Every body continues in its state of inertia unless compelled to do otherwise ...(so I haven't forgotten my high school physics, eh?)
The alarm went off at 5.05am but it wasn't until 5.21am that I left the house. In between, I went back to bed, closed my eyes and tried to sleep but a line from Jack's blog (http://the runningwriter.blogspot.com) - "If you quit running, nobody cares, but you'll always know" - hauled me out of bed, into my biker shorts/tracksuit/sports shoes and out into the cool morning. I actually said a prayer as I left (courtesy of Booker T. Washington's Up from Slavery - which I've been reading - where he says he made it a habit to pray every morning before embarking on any duty and before, especially public speaking.) Boy, I was in a prayer-gospel mood, what with My soul is built on nothing less/Than jesus' blood and righteousness ... On Christ solid rock I stand ... playing in my head all through. The song just came into my mind - courtesy of my high school days.
At that hour there was more traffic than is usually the case - fitting punishment for waking up late, I think. Every now and then, the matatus literally pushed me off the tarmack. What is with these drivers and their boyish enthusiasm when it comes to full lights? The other group that needs to be whipped mercilessly are those cyclists whose contraptions are without any lights - they are accident-eurs on the prowl. Enough ranting.
Started off at a steady but friendly pace. I was 'hearing' Jack tell me to do the strides, the longer the better and the safer. Down the river, up the hill - the lorries weren't there today, ILRI fence, the round about then up the road to the bridge that pours its traffic to Waiyaki way, back, one fast lap of the roundabout (felt very good) then to the road back to where I came from.
Yeah, and the road is good. The road fellas have done a great job ... they still are.
There were seven runners, al after 5.30am. There were also three people warming up/down at the roundabout - these guys are always there. Of the runners, Mr Three (so named for he was the third runner I ran into) gave me one nice run. I 'chased' him for about 5 mins then he turned back to run up ILRI ... I enjoyed that bit for it got me off autopilot and into some stretching as I tried to keep up with his pace.
A good run.
Eight kilometres done... more to follow.
PS
1. I have to admit preparing for the Lewa Marathon was a motivator of sorts. AFter I learnt it was off, I kinda lost some of the psyche - as if my goal was no longer a goal. Now there is the 23km run this month, Ndakaini in September and Stanchart in October.
2. Is it wrong to lose weight? Yesterday my friend Kate complained that I'm getting smaller and smaller. That I don't look as 'me' with less weight! She is the fifth person to worry about my weight. I am amused at this concern, really.
7 days, no run
It's been seven days since I last ran, s-e-v-e-n whole days!!!!
I rested on Thursday to prepare for the saturday 21km run. Sadly, I got home so late and so tired I could not run as I'd planned. It wasn't just another run, no; It was a run to hit the 2hr mark. In the form I was in, I wasn't going to hit that mark so I let it pass. Since I was travelling that same day, it meant Sunday's run was sacrificed too.
I will have a re-make this weekend. If I don't run Saturday morning - poor form, frame of mind as the likely reasons - I will run Saturday afternoon. Target: 21km, 2hrs at most.
Thereafter, i pick up Jack's challenge to do 50km/a week and on to 70km a week.
I rested on Thursday to prepare for the saturday 21km run. Sadly, I got home so late and so tired I could not run as I'd planned. It wasn't just another run, no; It was a run to hit the 2hr mark. In the form I was in, I wasn't going to hit that mark so I let it pass. Since I was travelling that same day, it meant Sunday's run was sacrificed too.
I will have a re-make this weekend. If I don't run Saturday morning - poor form, frame of mind as the likely reasons - I will run Saturday afternoon. Target: 21km, 2hrs at most.
Thereafter, i pick up Jack's challenge to do 50km/a week and on to 70km a week.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day of rest
Today I chose to rest, at least to build up my energy reserves for Saturday, the day when I will try to slice off nine minutes from the 169minutes of last Sunday.
Just resting, eating well, enough water and come Saturday morning, I take on the 21km. The legs tell me they are all set for Saturday's run - who am I to say no?
Just resting, eating well, enough water and come Saturday morning, I take on the 21km. The legs tell me they are all set for Saturday's run - who am I to say no?
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