Keep on running by harrietemma

Time has flown again.  Last week I just pottered a bit, a few runs, a few classes, a really hard Power Workout (have decided to retire from that for now as it was starting to feel really hard which suggests to me my body has had enough for a bit).  Then this week have started the first week of a 12 week beginner's half marathon plan.  Next week I will repeat the first week, and so on for 6 months. 

The main change is that it requires me to run four times a week instead of three.  I think it is a good thing to just settle into that for the time being.  Of course I do exercise in some form most days, and even on days off have a good walk with Alfie.  If I don't do anything I feel terrible!  A couple of my short runs this week I have taken him with me.  It's a struggle for the first 15 minutes as he is all over the place and I have to have my wits about me to avoid being tripped up.  But then he settles down and I think it does him a lot of good.  It also means I don't have to double up, ie dog walk then run, I can do them both at once.

Sunday's run was just three miles and I was delighted to note that I got to the sea wall (half way point but not really as it is down hill on the way there and up on the way back) in 15:40 - this has always taken me about 17 mins.  So I am definitely speeding up!  Hooray!

Last week I also went and bought new shoes - tried quite a few but settled on Asics Gel Nimbus 12s which are the new version of my beloved Gel Nimbus Xs.  I haven't been able to switch totally, partly because the new ones are so dazzling and I need to get them grubby slowly, partly because I am so attached to the old ones!  My plan is to keep the old ones in the car so I can always run if I get an opportunity.  Also occasionally I have got to the gym, found a class is cancelled and been for a run instead.  I wouldn't want to do that in any old trainers as I am very protective of my feet and knees!

Work is very thin on the ground and I am not looking forward to the spending review on Wednesday as I am pretty sure it will do me out of a job.  On the other hand I am really enjoying the research I am doing for my Uni course and hoping that this will open up new opportunities.  I am really an academic at heart so that's where I would like to stay!  Just a question of finding someone who wants to pay me to do what I love!

Hope everyone has good weeks x