I promise that I am still running ... yes its a bit intermittent, and I don't always blog about it ... but I am!! I just wish I was better, stronger, faster. Maybe if I got up and ran more often I would achieve those things. I am going to try and post more often.

Do you have any advice for me??

Determination - if only I had some!!

Yes, I know... Another long time since I have been on here. My running is intermittent so say the least!! I did run this week for the first time in ages. I went out with my running group and managed to run for about an hour. I did have the odd walk here and there and I have to admit that I was so slow my friend and I got hopelessly left behind!!

I am always amazed by my residual fitness levels.To be able to run for an hour, no matter how slowly, is pretty good in my book. I do think, though, that I need to increase my speed and ability before I go out with them again!!

I do enjoy running. I must start going out by myself a couple of times a week at least.It is hard to find time though. What with my study, the allotment, my garden, work, family... All those things are important to me. There do not seem to be enough hours in the day, even if I am up at 6am!!!

Ah well - I must do it... must do it. Determination is all!!

Anew running group and a new enthusiasm!

You may know that I play football on Sundays.Well, the girls I play with have started going running on Tuesdays.They asked me to go along too, so for the past 2 weeks on a Tuesday night I have been running with them.The first week we were out for an hour and a half ( aaaaah!!) and last night we were out for about an hour.

Its quite a change for me to be running with other people and I have to say that it is a pleasant change!I have always ( well, 99% of the time) pounded the streets by myself. This has mostly been because its easier to just go out spontaneously by myself and also because I am sooooo slow that I feel uncomfortable going out with people who constantly have to wait for me.

There are 7 of us in our little group and our run has the advantage that we can go through the woods, across the golf course - places that I would not dream of going by myself.Also we are of differing ability levels.There are 4 who are faster, 2 in the middle and my friend J and myself bringing up the rear. The whole thing is about fun, having a chat and a stretch and then keeping running.Yesterday we all turned up even though it was peeing down with rain.

This week was easier than last week and I am hoping that I can shorten the gap between we back 2 and the others. I did suggest that I was too slow to run with the front 4 and that maybe I would stop. Their reaction was, kindly, to tell me not to be so silly and that they loved running with me.If I didn't come they would be on the phone to ask where I was!

So - I have a new running group and a new enthusiasm. All good!

Think like a whippet... run like an elephant.

So... its about 6 weeks since I last posted and last ran.The reason I stopped running was:

a) I went out with 10 year old son & hurt knee while running 3 miles.... sad.
b) I missed race I was due to run in because of other son's activities & knee.

I decided that it was time to run again and went out this morning.I got about a mile away and my knee started to hurt again.I don't think its my knee particularly - more to do with my right quad that tightens and then affects my knee. I had a similar problem when doing the Marathon.

However... it made me have to stop running and walk the rest of the way home. Bugger! Bugger! Bugger!!

When you are young you think that an injury is actually caused by something specific, but as you get older you realise that injuries just sometimes occur because your body is getting on a bit...So... what to do? I cannot possibly give up on exercise.Neither my mental nor physical health will allow that. So I will just have to walk. That will hopefully firm up my muscles and maybe I will be able to run later.

I also plan on cycling when and where I can.My holiday is coming up and there are 3 pools and the sea at the hotel so I will swim a lot each day.I am determined to stay fit/ get much fitter. Its also the only way I can stay reasonably slim.Plus... I need exercise to stop me going nuts!!

Right... this is another new start.New look for the blog. New plan for my exercise.I am just absolutely determined not to turn into a couch potato.xx