Diary of a 10 km Run

Running: I was supposed to run last Friday after a day off Thursday but didn’t make it. This meant cramming 2 runs into the weekend. I thought it would be hard work, but it worked out well.

On Saturday I ran for 40 minutes (nearly), about 3/4 of the 10 km I need to do – my pace was reasonably strong.

On Sunday I ran 4 miles (about 6 km). I didn’t time it because the purpose of the run was to bring my 5-year-old on a bike ride, and my 11-year-old joined as well. We went to the village down the road (2 miles each way) so there was a pause as we bought the paper and some Sunday treats.

The Sunday run was hard work, because my legs were a bit heavy from Saturday’s effort. Plus, we’d been out to a birthday bash, a bit of champagne and wine laced the evening.

Drinking and smoking: I didn’t have a hangover (I was the designated driver), but still, every little thing is amplified when you’re getting fitter. At university (long long ago) I was a “cafeteria smoker” for a while. I’d buy a 15-pack which would last the week and I’d share with friends. Still, those few smokes showed up when, a few weeks into this “cool” activity, I went for a run while trying out for the basektball team. Ouch. I made the team but had to ditch the cigs, very painful for the bronchial tubes when I exerted myself, even though I didn’t notice any change in my breathing in day to day life.

Diet: I haven’t given up the coffee but I am drinking interesting things like lemon & ginger in hot water at night and lemon water this morning. It’s really unfortunate that my daughter is a good pastry chef because her cake had to be eaten this weekend, while fresh. Not so good for the gut. That and the birthday party gave me all the treats I needed!

My approach is to watch portions, and to go easy on carbs in the evening. That is all. I hate giving things up, even for lent!! And I cannot possibly manoeuvre around strict eating regimens with a slightly mad schedule and 4 children. Not to mention the fact that I sometimes mysteriously-on-purpose disappear around meal-prep time, leaving my husband fills in the gap. I am then not entitled to comment on what is put before me.