Week 18 - One Giant Step Forward for Me, one Major Leap Back for Mankind
Sunday 6 August 2017. After spending the evening in the pub watching the Gaelic Football, I had an easy day, but did cook a large pot of bolognaise. I went for a walk later as it was starting to get dark. I took a few videos and picked up the odd bit of rubbish as I walked around The Glen. The cattle were by the waterfall, and as you can see from the video below, they were giving me a strange look. The black bull appeared, just as I stopped the video. I didn't hang around to talk to him. By the time I exited The Glen it was quite dark and I walked to the local shop on my way home. I was out for less than an hour and walked about 2 miles.
Monday 8 August 2017. My sleep pattern is a bit out of sink, so I sat up all night catching up on BBC Dramas on iPlayer. I went to bed just after 10 am and got up at 4.30 pm. Later I had a hot shower, done some stretches and set off walking to The Glen - it was 8 pm. I jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my laps. The first one was on the river path, as the cattle were right up against the barb wire adjacent to the upper path. I didn't feel great and started wondering how far I could go without stopping. On my second lap the cattle had moved and I used the upper path. I passed another jogger, a girl who I saw as I had entered The Glen. She was dressed completely in black and had golden blond hair. We talked as I past her - she was doing three laps, but I could see she was using all the paths. She told me I was going too fast. I didn't feel I was going fast, but it was nice to overtake someone for the first time in years. I felt better on the 3rd lap and managed four in total, plus the extra to the waterfall. I was hoping to complete five without stopping, but I don't think I could have done so. I did pass the girl in black twice more, but both times coming in from an opposite direction.
I rested and stretched next to the waterfall for a bit longer than usual. I even sat down on the bench for a minute. My objective was to try and complete an extra two laps. I set off slowly, then over the footbridge and started to climb up the upper path. What I didn't realise was the bull was soon right next to me. I quickly turned around and ran along the river path. I didn't feel great, but completed the lap and set off on a second, again along the river path. I began to feel better as I went on. I even felt good climbing up the steep hill after the car park. With 300 m to go to the waterfall, I even speed up and felt like I was flowing and did all the way to the waterfall. I cooled down behind the large tree next to the river, hiding from my big black friend, the bull. He does get angry when he sees me and it's scary. I finished off by jogging back to the exit footbridge, all the way up the hill out of The Glen and on up to the road junction at the top of the hill.
Overall, it was a really good workout. 4.3 km jog, 2.2 km jog and finished with 0.4 km mainly uphill. That's 6.9 km jogging, and with the walk to and back from The Glen, a total of 8.35 km or 5.2 miles.
Tuesday 8 August 2017. Had a hot shower and done some stretching then set off just after 8 pm. It was a beautiful evening. There was a clear blue sky, the sun was low, it was cool and not humid at all. As I jogged down into The Glen the sun was in my eyes and at times I so blinded I couldn't see the ground under my feet. I set off on my laps on the upper footpath and I didn't feel that bad. In the back of my mind I knew I had a few miles in my legs from the previous night and wondered how far I could go tonight. I had to mentally stop myself counting steps and just enjoy the scenery. The Glen was busy. There was a man with a dog, a family of 6, two tall men with a dog (both jogging laps and in between, stretching near the car park), there were others walking a dog and Michaela (a girl I know) walking here little bulldog. It couldn't have been a more beautiful night to go for a walk or a run. The only problem was the midges were also out in force and I managed to swallow a few.
My legs felt weary, but with all the people I kept passing I was determined to keep going. I kept passing the two men jogging with their dog, but always in the opposite direction. The muscular looking one was always 20 yards in front of the other. He was wearing no shirt and always seemed as wide as the footpath. He also didn't make much of an effort to allow me enough space to pass him. I felt I was going faster than I had on previous runs. I'm enjoying the uphills a bit more and can recover well on the downhills. On completing my 5th lap I decided it was enough and diverted to finish at the waterfall. In total it was a 5.3 km interval and equal to my longest.
At the waterfall there was a young woman sitting on the bench, having a cigarette and just enjoying the surroundings. Immediately across the river from us were the cattle in the field. We struck up a pleasant conversation and I told her about the black bull that sometimes scares me. Unknown to us the bull was immediately across the river, behind a tree. She soon spotted him. However, he was too busy arguing with the other cattle to worry about us.
After a couple of minutes, I set off jogging again. I really wanted to add another lap. I don't believe I've done this yet, after completing over 5 km, as it's a way of adding stamina to my legs. I must admit that as I started to climb uphill, I didn't believe my legs would take me all the way. The downhill to the car park allowed enough recovery to climb up to the reservoir and as soon as I got on the long straight towards the waterfall I even sped up and felt like I was flowing again. On finishing my legs stopped working and I had to sit down on the bench. The cattle had gone, and after a few minutes enjoying the sound of the river, I set off on another jog. This time about to about 150 m past the exit bridge, back to the bridge, over it and uphill out of The Glen. I continued to the junction of the roads plus a bit extra. So I finished with a 600 m jog with a tough long hill included. So 5.3 km, 1.2 km and 0.6 km jogs tonight. A total on 7.1 km (or 4.4 miles) and my longest yet. Add my walking to that and it makes it 5.4 miles. I'm happy with that.
Wednesday 9 August 2017. The weather was glorious today. I spent the afternoon in Armagh City. When I got home I cooked a curry. As it's Wednesday again, I take my mother to the bingo in the evening, so any workout has to be done early.
I set off walking towards The Glen at 6.40 pm. The cool breeze, the sky was blue and the sun beaming down made it really pleasant. I was mindful that there were more miles of jogging in my legs, from the last two days, than I had done in years. I also said hello to my friend, the horse, I'm beginning to believe he recognises me now.
I jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my laps. My aim was just to hopefully complete a couple of laps. The shelter down in the glen removed the breeze and I was soon sweating. On the first lap I overtook a young couple out walking. A very determined, wide man dressed in black, also steam-rolled past me as I exited the car park. He looked to be on a mission and as I climbed up and rounded the reservoir, he trundled off into the distance. I must admit I didn't feel great, and being overtaken by Shrek didn't really help. Personally, at this point, I was just praying I could complete two laps without having to stop. As I neared the finish of the first lap, I looked across to the top path and could see a shadowy figure pounding his feet as he disappeared and reappeared between the trees.
As I crossed over the river I passed another young couple out walking. My legs were very weary, the heat was starting to get to me, and climbing up to the highest path was almost a point of giving up. But as soon as at the highest point I knew in was downhill for over 200 yards so I could relax and recover. By this point I was also looking over my shoulder waiting for Shrek to reappear behind me.
I managed to struggle to the end of the second lap and automatically turned to start a third. I was probably too tired to think straight. However, I was starting to feel I was in plus territory now. I was still looking over my shoulder and listening for the heavy pounding of another jogger coming up behind me. As I approached the end of my third lap I started to flow better - it must be the thought of knowing I would only be jogging for a short while more before I could rest. I was also beginning to wonder what had happened the large runner who had over-taken me earlier. Approaching the junction, where I either turn left to set off on another lap or go straight on to the waterfall, I could see a young couple in front of we walking towards the waterfall. In the back of my mind I was thinking they won't want to be disturbed by a fat jogger grunting at cattle. By the time I had made up my mind on what to do, I was already past the junction of paths. So I turned around, jogged back to the junction and set off on the start of a fourth lap. I knew I would finish it, but would be happy to get back to the car park. I was so leg-weary by the time I reached the car park, but I did continue on across the footbridge and as far as the bottom of the steep hill. This meant I had completed just over half of the lap. I walked back to the footbridge and went around the car park picking up a few pieces of litter that had been annoying me on each lap and put them in the bin. I walked back to the footbridge and stretched against the hand-rails. I was bloody wrecked. It took me over 5 minutes to get back the energy to continue.
The thing about reaching a point when you have put so many miles into you legs over just a few days, and apart from being really tired, your body remembers and you will reap the benefits on the hard work in the days to come. Also, the process of recovering and going on to do some more, will give added bonus.
After the long recovery, I set off again. My legs did feel as if they had forgot how to run, but I my soldiered on. After 100 yards, and by the time I had reached the bottom of the steep hill, was tired, but at least my legs were moving slowly but properly. I skated up the hill, around the old reservoir and jogged pensively to finish the second half of the lap. I turned left over the footbridge and started another lap. I was so bloody determined tonight. I wrote last week that I need to jog more and walk less. I actually felt a little better than I had previously, maybe because it was starting to get cooler, but I knew this was my toughest workout to date. In the back of my mind I was urging myself to just keep going. As I climbed of the steep hill and rounded the reservoir all I could think of was "just another 400 steps". On crossing over the sluice footbridge "just another 300 steps". The thoughts in my head made me feel better and I started to feel I moving faster and more relaxed. I continued at this speed all the way to the waterfall. I even managed to round the big tree and jog a bit extra to the end of the walking area. My timing was brilliant as the young couple were already walking away from the area. I felt tired, but not as knackered as I did earlier. It still took me a couple of minutes to recover and the cattle were only about 50 yards away, but I was in no mood to talk to them tonight. I could see the bull through the trees. He had his back to me and was arguing with a young bullock.
I finished my run by jogging back to the exit bridge, climbing up the hill out of The Glen and up along the road to the junction. Overall, I had jogged 3.7 km, 1.7 km and 0.4 km. A total of 5.8 km (3.6 miles). I also walked 1.3 km. Although I must have appeared drunk walking home as my legs were a bit wobbly. 7.1 km (4.4 miles) is certainly not my longest workout, but this was my toughest and maybe one of my most satisfying.
It was pleasant cooling down, as the sun was still out and it was cooler, with the breeze. by being back on level ground. After wiping myself down and changing, I had some bolognaise (the curry I cooked earlier was for my parents - I'm sticking to pasta) and headed off to the bingo with my mother. My sister joined us and she won £30, but not a penny for my mother or I. All in all a good day and reflecting on the last three days I have jogged 20 km in total - now I feel that's a bloody good result. Let's see how tomorrow goes.
Thursday 10 August 2017. Last night I slept so well. It was probably due to all the running I had done during the last three day. Any workout today would be a bonus.
I had a hot shower, done some stretching and headed off walking towards The Glen at 8 pm. It was a beautiful evening again and I said hello to the horse as I passed. I jogged down into The Glen and set off on laps along the upper paths. My legs felt a lot better than they did last night. I decided I'd just play it by ear and see how I got on. Lap by lap went by, I was sweating less than last night and the only time I had to force myself to keep going was on the climb up along the highest path. After three laps I was still feeling OK and set off on a fourth, it was getting tougher, but I forced myself to keep going. It felt like a bonus when I started the 5th lap and when as I struggled up the steep hill to the old reservoir, I knew I would finish the lap and jog all the way to the reservoir. I was tired when I stopped, but still felt better than last night. I stretched a while and sat down for a minute on the bench beside the waterfall. This spot is so beautiful and the sound of the falling water makes it so relaxing.
I was in two minds whether or not do do another lap. But I felt OK and off I went. My legs felt tired, yet I managed to complete the lap and all the way back to the waterfall. Again, I stretched and sat down for a minute. I finished off by jogging along to and 120 yards past the exit footbridge, back to the bridge, uphill out of The Glen to the junction of the roads - over 500 steps in total.
Because of the pleasant evening it was busy in The Glen tonight. I passed two young women walking as I started the first lap; two other young women soon afterwards; a young family of five with a small dog; a bloke out jogging; a young woman jogging and another young woman walking. I'm really surprised so few people use this lovely little green space.
When I got back home it only took a few minutes for me to cool down, before changing and walking to the local shop. It had been a great workout tonight. I had jogged intervals of 5.3 km, 1.2 km and just over 0.5 km - a total of just over 7 km (4.4 miles) and with the walk 5.3 miles overall.
So far this week I have jogged 27 km and all of that in the last four days. I'm beginning to wonder if I am doing too much, but as I have always said, I'm just doing what my body tells me. I'm still 5 st overweight, but I've been building up to this for almost 18 weeks. My only plan is to keep going, try not to get injured and loose weight. If I can gradually build over time then I am progressing. So far I have lost 2.5 st in that time and have build from nothing to being able to run over 5 km without stopping. It sometimes hurts and I have to dig deep, but I'll just keep going and hopefully I can continue to build in the weeks to come.
Friday 11 August 2017. I set off at 7.55 pm. It was cloudy, although the BBC website said it was sunny. I walked to just before The Glen, then jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my first lap on the highest path. Due to the clouds, it was quite dark and I thought I'd just go along with how I feel. I felt weary and at times the sun did break through the clouds. There was a van, with two men, parked in the car park and it was partially blocking the paths. It was a struggle, but I did manage four laps and all the way to the waterfall. I knew at least that was over 20 minutes (probably over 25) of anaerobic running. I stopped at the waterfall for a few minutes to stretch and rest and it started raining. I even came out from under the trees to enjoy the rain and let it cool me down. There was no sign of the cattle in the field and the only person I past was a guy running - he looked very fit and was running fast.
After recovering I decided I would do another lap, but after starting I decided it was a bad idea so I just jogged 300 steps then crossed over the exit footbridge, up the hill out of The Glen and to just past the road junction - 550 steps in total. Overall, I jogged 4.3 km and 0.55 km, a total of 4.85 km or 3 miles (4 miles by including the walking) . As I walked home it had stopped raining and there was a perfect double rainbow in the sky. As usual I wiped myself down and walked to and back from the local shop.
In the news USA and North Korea are threatening each other with nuclear war. Both are hugely dangerous people. I have to think that the world has gone mad since the vote on Brexit and am beginning to wander if there's any point in me doing all this hard work. Anyway, I'll keep going.
Saturday 12 August 2017. Couldn't sleep last night. So I gave up and got back up at 7 am. At 8.20 am I could hear the distinct sound of a Lambeg Drum and a few seconds later the music to The Sash. It was the Orangemen out early warming up for Apprentice Boys of Derry commemorating the 1689 Siege of Derry. It soon started raining and the music stopped. They probably wanted to remain dry for their journey to Derry. You can read about them at the link below.
I did go back to bed and got a few hours sleep before getting up again and cooking roast vegetables and lamb chaps for my parents and a very spicy curry for myself. I did shower earlier and by 7.30 pm I started to prepare for my last workout of the week. It's been a great week of exercise and I just wanted to finish it off on a good note.
I set off at 7.50 pm. There were police in an armoured jeep, at the side of the road, as I walked out of the town. Just before I got to The Glen is a small housing estate, just outside the town, and another two police officers were standing on the pavement. A couple of cars and a coach pulled up - it was the Orangemen back from Derry. They finish off the day by marching from here, into the town and up to their hall.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my first lap. I could feel the miles of the last five days in my legs and in my stomach. Again I decided just to play it by ear. Half way through my first lap I could hear the band warming up in the estate above The Glen and soon afterwards hear them marching off and the sound died away into the distance. The sound had completely gone by the time I had reached the car park on my second lap.
In total I completed four laps and the extra 125 yards to finish at the waterfall. I stretched and rested for about two minutes. I was contemplating whether or not to do another lap. I did set off with the intention of doing the extra lap, but I was distracted by a few teenagers sitting in the woods and decided not to. It was probably a good choice as I'm already really happy with what I have achieved this week. Instead I jogged passed the exit bridge, then back and climbed up out of The Glen and all the way to the road junction. It was 550 steps in total, took me to over 5 km of jogging for the day and that's enough. I was tired and sweaty and I walked home. The sky was a beautiful red colour again. I took a few minutes to cool down, then wiped myself down changed and walked to the local shop and back. In total I jogged and walked 6.5 km (or 4 miles). This brought the week up to just over 37 km (23 miles) jogging and 14.5 km (9 miles) walking. A total of 51.5 km (or 32 miles) with a lot more jogging than walking - I am so pleased with this and it's a huge step up on the jogging. By the way I never called it jogging many years ago, I called it running. The reason why I currently use the term jogging is I feel I'm not going fast enough to call it running. When I feel I'm going fast enough I'll start calling it running.
Just before midnight I went out to try and video a few shooting stars from the Perseid Meteor Shower. I even went to a field where I could see the Milky Way, but nothing came up on the videos. I blame the big fellow in the video below as he was very bright.
Cattle in field by waterfall - I just caught the bull at the end.
Monday 8 August 2017. My sleep pattern is a bit out of sink, so I sat up all night catching up on BBC Dramas on iPlayer. I went to bed just after 10 am and got up at 4.30 pm. Later I had a hot shower, done some stretches and set off walking to The Glen - it was 8 pm. I jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my laps. The first one was on the river path, as the cattle were right up against the barb wire adjacent to the upper path. I didn't feel great and started wondering how far I could go without stopping. On my second lap the cattle had moved and I used the upper path. I passed another jogger, a girl who I saw as I had entered The Glen. She was dressed completely in black and had golden blond hair. We talked as I past her - she was doing three laps, but I could see she was using all the paths. She told me I was going too fast. I didn't feel I was going fast, but it was nice to overtake someone for the first time in years. I felt better on the 3rd lap and managed four in total, plus the extra to the waterfall. I was hoping to complete five without stopping, but I don't think I could have done so. I did pass the girl in black twice more, but both times coming in from an opposite direction.
I rested and stretched next to the waterfall for a bit longer than usual. I even sat down on the bench for a minute. My objective was to try and complete an extra two laps. I set off slowly, then over the footbridge and started to climb up the upper path. What I didn't realise was the bull was soon right next to me. I quickly turned around and ran along the river path. I didn't feel great, but completed the lap and set off on a second, again along the river path. I began to feel better as I went on. I even felt good climbing up the steep hill after the car park. With 300 m to go to the waterfall, I even speed up and felt like I was flowing and did all the way to the waterfall. I cooled down behind the large tree next to the river, hiding from my big black friend, the bull. He does get angry when he sees me and it's scary. I finished off by jogging back to the exit footbridge, all the way up the hill out of The Glen and on up to the road junction at the top of the hill.
The Waterfall in Sunlight.
Overall, it was a really good workout. 4.3 km jog, 2.2 km jog and finished with 0.4 km mainly uphill. That's 6.9 km jogging, and with the walk to and back from The Glen, a total of 8.35 km or 5.2 miles.
Tuesday 8 August 2017. Had a hot shower and done some stretching then set off just after 8 pm. It was a beautiful evening. There was a clear blue sky, the sun was low, it was cool and not humid at all. As I jogged down into The Glen the sun was in my eyes and at times I so blinded I couldn't see the ground under my feet. I set off on my laps on the upper footpath and I didn't feel that bad. In the back of my mind I knew I had a few miles in my legs from the previous night and wondered how far I could go tonight. I had to mentally stop myself counting steps and just enjoy the scenery. The Glen was busy. There was a man with a dog, a family of 6, two tall men with a dog (both jogging laps and in between, stretching near the car park), there were others walking a dog and Michaela (a girl I know) walking here little bulldog. It couldn't have been a more beautiful night to go for a walk or a run. The only problem was the midges were also out in force and I managed to swallow a few.
Midges in The Glen
My legs felt weary, but with all the people I kept passing I was determined to keep going. I kept passing the two men jogging with their dog, but always in the opposite direction. The muscular looking one was always 20 yards in front of the other. He was wearing no shirt and always seemed as wide as the footpath. He also didn't make much of an effort to allow me enough space to pass him. I felt I was going faster than I had on previous runs. I'm enjoying the uphills a bit more and can recover well on the downhills. On completing my 5th lap I decided it was enough and diverted to finish at the waterfall. In total it was a 5.3 km interval and equal to my longest.
At the waterfall there was a young woman sitting on the bench, having a cigarette and just enjoying the surroundings. Immediately across the river from us were the cattle in the field. We struck up a pleasant conversation and I told her about the black bull that sometimes scares me. Unknown to us the bull was immediately across the river, behind a tree. She soon spotted him. However, he was too busy arguing with the other cattle to worry about us.
An earlier video of the Bull thru' the trees. He was a lot closer tonight.
After a couple of minutes, I set off jogging again. I really wanted to add another lap. I don't believe I've done this yet, after completing over 5 km, as it's a way of adding stamina to my legs. I must admit that as I started to climb uphill, I didn't believe my legs would take me all the way. The downhill to the car park allowed enough recovery to climb up to the reservoir and as soon as I got on the long straight towards the waterfall I even sped up and felt like I was flowing again. On finishing my legs stopped working and I had to sit down on the bench. The cattle had gone, and after a few minutes enjoying the sound of the river, I set off on another jog. This time about to about 150 m past the exit bridge, back to the bridge, over it and uphill out of The Glen. I continued to the junction of the roads plus a bit extra. So I finished with a 600 m jog with a tough long hill included. So 5.3 km, 1.2 km and 0.6 km jogs tonight. A total on 7.1 km (or 4.4 miles) and my longest yet. Add my walking to that and it makes it 5.4 miles. I'm happy with that.
Wednesday 9 August 2017. The weather was glorious today. I spent the afternoon in Armagh City. When I got home I cooked a curry. As it's Wednesday again, I take my mother to the bingo in the evening, so any workout has to be done early.
I set off walking towards The Glen at 6.40 pm. The cool breeze, the sky was blue and the sun beaming down made it really pleasant. I was mindful that there were more miles of jogging in my legs, from the last two days, than I had done in years. I also said hello to my friend, the horse, I'm beginning to believe he recognises me now.
Saying hello to the horse two days earlier.
I jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my laps. My aim was just to hopefully complete a couple of laps. The shelter down in the glen removed the breeze and I was soon sweating. On the first lap I overtook a young couple out walking. A very determined, wide man dressed in black, also steam-rolled past me as I exited the car park. He looked to be on a mission and as I climbed up and rounded the reservoir, he trundled off into the distance. I must admit I didn't feel great, and being overtaken by Shrek didn't really help. Personally, at this point, I was just praying I could complete two laps without having to stop. As I neared the finish of the first lap, I looked across to the top path and could see a shadowy figure pounding his feet as he disappeared and reappeared between the trees.
Looking across the river to the highest path.
As I crossed over the river I passed another young couple out walking. My legs were very weary, the heat was starting to get to me, and climbing up to the highest path was almost a point of giving up. But as soon as at the highest point I knew in was downhill for over 200 yards so I could relax and recover. By this point I was also looking over my shoulder waiting for Shrek to reappear behind me.
I managed to struggle to the end of the second lap and automatically turned to start a third. I was probably too tired to think straight. However, I was starting to feel I was in plus territory now. I was still looking over my shoulder and listening for the heavy pounding of another jogger coming up behind me. As I approached the end of my third lap I started to flow better - it must be the thought of knowing I would only be jogging for a short while more before I could rest. I was also beginning to wonder what had happened the large runner who had over-taken me earlier. Approaching the junction, where I either turn left to set off on another lap or go straight on to the waterfall, I could see a young couple in front of we walking towards the waterfall. In the back of my mind I was thinking they won't want to be disturbed by a fat jogger grunting at cattle. By the time I had made up my mind on what to do, I was already past the junction of paths. So I turned around, jogged back to the junction and set off on the start of a fourth lap. I knew I would finish it, but would be happy to get back to the car park. I was so leg-weary by the time I reached the car park, but I did continue on across the footbridge and as far as the bottom of the steep hill. This meant I had completed just over half of the lap. I walked back to the footbridge and went around the car park picking up a few pieces of litter that had been annoying me on each lap and put them in the bin. I walked back to the footbridge and stretched against the hand-rails. I was bloody wrecked. It took me over 5 minutes to get back the energy to continue.
The footbridge from the car park.
The thing about reaching a point when you have put so many miles into you legs over just a few days, and apart from being really tired, your body remembers and you will reap the benefits on the hard work in the days to come. Also, the process of recovering and going on to do some more, will give added bonus.
After the long recovery, I set off again. My legs did feel as if they had forgot how to run, but I my soldiered on. After 100 yards, and by the time I had reached the bottom of the steep hill, was tired, but at least my legs were moving slowly but properly. I skated up the hill, around the old reservoir and jogged pensively to finish the second half of the lap. I turned left over the footbridge and started another lap. I was so bloody determined tonight. I wrote last week that I need to jog more and walk less. I actually felt a little better than I had previously, maybe because it was starting to get cooler, but I knew this was my toughest workout to date. In the back of my mind I was urging myself to just keep going. As I climbed of the steep hill and rounded the reservoir all I could think of was "just another 400 steps". On crossing over the sluice footbridge "just another 300 steps". The thoughts in my head made me feel better and I started to feel I moving faster and more relaxed. I continued at this speed all the way to the waterfall. I even managed to round the big tree and jog a bit extra to the end of the walking area. My timing was brilliant as the young couple were already walking away from the area. I felt tired, but not as knackered as I did earlier. It still took me a couple of minutes to recover and the cattle were only about 50 yards away, but I was in no mood to talk to them tonight. I could see the bull through the trees. He had his back to me and was arguing with a young bullock.
The Steep climb up and around the Old Reservoir.
I finished my run by jogging back to the exit bridge, climbing up the hill out of The Glen and up along the road to the junction. Overall, I had jogged 3.7 km, 1.7 km and 0.4 km. A total of 5.8 km (3.6 miles). I also walked 1.3 km. Although I must have appeared drunk walking home as my legs were a bit wobbly. 7.1 km (4.4 miles) is certainly not my longest workout, but this was my toughest and maybe one of my most satisfying.
It was pleasant cooling down, as the sun was still out and it was cooler, with the breeze. by being back on level ground. After wiping myself down and changing, I had some bolognaise (the curry I cooked earlier was for my parents - I'm sticking to pasta) and headed off to the bingo with my mother. My sister joined us and she won £30, but not a penny for my mother or I. All in all a good day and reflecting on the last three days I have jogged 20 km in total - now I feel that's a bloody good result. Let's see how tomorrow goes.
Thursday 10 August 2017. Last night I slept so well. It was probably due to all the running I had done during the last three day. Any workout today would be a bonus.
I had a hot shower, done some stretching and headed off walking towards The Glen at 8 pm. It was a beautiful evening again and I said hello to the horse as I passed. I jogged down into The Glen and set off on laps along the upper paths. My legs felt a lot better than they did last night. I decided I'd just play it by ear and see how I got on. Lap by lap went by, I was sweating less than last night and the only time I had to force myself to keep going was on the climb up along the highest path. After three laps I was still feeling OK and set off on a fourth, it was getting tougher, but I forced myself to keep going. It felt like a bonus when I started the 5th lap and when as I struggled up the steep hill to the old reservoir, I knew I would finish the lap and jog all the way to the reservoir. I was tired when I stopped, but still felt better than last night. I stretched a while and sat down for a minute on the bench beside the waterfall. This spot is so beautiful and the sound of the falling water makes it so relaxing.
I was in two minds whether or not do do another lap. But I felt OK and off I went. My legs felt tired, yet I managed to complete the lap and all the way back to the waterfall. Again, I stretched and sat down for a minute. I finished off by jogging along to and 120 yards past the exit footbridge, back to the bridge, uphill out of The Glen to the junction of the roads - over 500 steps in total.
View towards the exit footbridge and 125 m past that is the waterfall.
Because of the pleasant evening it was busy in The Glen tonight. I passed two young women walking as I started the first lap; two other young women soon afterwards; a young family of five with a small dog; a bloke out jogging; a young woman jogging and another young woman walking. I'm really surprised so few people use this lovely little green space.
When I got back home it only took a few minutes for me to cool down, before changing and walking to the local shop. It had been a great workout tonight. I had jogged intervals of 5.3 km, 1.2 km and just over 0.5 km - a total of just over 7 km (4.4 miles) and with the walk 5.3 miles overall.
So far this week I have jogged 27 km and all of that in the last four days. I'm beginning to wonder if I am doing too much, but as I have always said, I'm just doing what my body tells me. I'm still 5 st overweight, but I've been building up to this for almost 18 weeks. My only plan is to keep going, try not to get injured and loose weight. If I can gradually build over time then I am progressing. So far I have lost 2.5 st in that time and have build from nothing to being able to run over 5 km without stopping. It sometimes hurts and I have to dig deep, but I'll just keep going and hopefully I can continue to build in the weeks to come.
Friday 11 August 2017. I set off at 7.55 pm. It was cloudy, although the BBC website said it was sunny. I walked to just before The Glen, then jogged down to the footbridge over the river and set off on my first lap on the highest path. Due to the clouds, it was quite dark and I thought I'd just go along with how I feel. I felt weary and at times the sun did break through the clouds. There was a van, with two men, parked in the car park and it was partially blocking the paths. It was a struggle, but I did manage four laps and all the way to the waterfall. I knew at least that was over 20 minutes (probably over 25) of anaerobic running. I stopped at the waterfall for a few minutes to stretch and rest and it started raining. I even came out from under the trees to enjoy the rain and let it cool me down. There was no sign of the cattle in the field and the only person I past was a guy running - he looked very fit and was running fast.
After recovering I decided I would do another lap, but after starting I decided it was a bad idea so I just jogged 300 steps then crossed over the exit footbridge, up the hill out of The Glen and to just past the road junction - 550 steps in total. Overall, I jogged 4.3 km and 0.55 km, a total of 4.85 km or 3 miles (4 miles by including the walking) . As I walked home it had stopped raining and there was a perfect double rainbow in the sky. As usual I wiped myself down and walked to and back from the local shop.
In the news USA and North Korea are threatening each other with nuclear war. Both are hugely dangerous people. I have to think that the world has gone mad since the vote on Brexit and am beginning to wander if there's any point in me doing all this hard work. Anyway, I'll keep going.
Saturday 12 August 2017. Couldn't sleep last night. So I gave up and got back up at 7 am. At 8.20 am I could hear the distinct sound of a Lambeg Drum and a few seconds later the music to The Sash. It was the Orangemen out early warming up for Apprentice Boys of Derry commemorating the 1689 Siege of Derry. It soon started raining and the music stopped. They probably wanted to remain dry for their journey to Derry. You can read about them at the link below.
I did go back to bed and got a few hours sleep before getting up again and cooking roast vegetables and lamb chaps for my parents and a very spicy curry for myself. I did shower earlier and by 7.30 pm I started to prepare for my last workout of the week. It's been a great week of exercise and I just wanted to finish it off on a good note.
I set off at 7.50 pm. There were police in an armoured jeep, at the side of the road, as I walked out of the town. Just before I got to The Glen is a small housing estate, just outside the town, and another two police officers were standing on the pavement. A couple of cars and a coach pulled up - it was the Orangemen back from Derry. They finish off the day by marching from here, into the town and up to their hall.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my first lap. I could feel the miles of the last five days in my legs and in my stomach. Again I decided just to play it by ear. Half way through my first lap I could hear the band warming up in the estate above The Glen and soon afterwards hear them marching off and the sound died away into the distance. The sound had completely gone by the time I had reached the car park on my second lap.
In total I completed four laps and the extra 125 yards to finish at the waterfall. I stretched and rested for about two minutes. I was contemplating whether or not to do another lap. I did set off with the intention of doing the extra lap, but I was distracted by a few teenagers sitting in the woods and decided not to. It was probably a good choice as I'm already really happy with what I have achieved this week. Instead I jogged passed the exit bridge, then back and climbed up out of The Glen and all the way to the road junction. It was 550 steps in total, took me to over 5 km of jogging for the day and that's enough. I was tired and sweaty and I walked home. The sky was a beautiful red colour again. I took a few minutes to cool down, then wiped myself down changed and walked to the local shop and back. In total I jogged and walked 6.5 km (or 4 miles). This brought the week up to just over 37 km (23 miles) jogging and 14.5 km (9 miles) walking. A total of 51.5 km (or 32 miles) with a lot more jogging than walking - I am so pleased with this and it's a huge step up on the jogging. By the way I never called it jogging many years ago, I called it running. The reason why I currently use the term jogging is I feel I'm not going fast enough to call it running. When I feel I'm going fast enough I'll start calling it running.
Just before midnight I went out to try and video a few shooting stars from the Perseid Meteor Shower. I even went to a field where I could see the Milky Way, but nothing came up on the videos. I blame the big fellow in the video below as he was very bright.
The Moon cancelling out my recording of the Perseid Meteor Shower, or was it my camcorder?
Comments
Post a Comment