I'm back on track with training this week and certainly feeling it! Have had to up my diet significantly just to keep up with the amount of calories I'm getting through, so I'm now having 4 or 5 meals a day and plenty of water. I'm aching slightly from a gym session yesterday; had an upper body weights session to make sure I don't get too bottom heavy. On Sunday I did a 10 mile run exploring a new direction out of Bangor, towards Caernarfon. I got a little lost and ended up running along a road through a forest in the middle of nowhere but I just retraced my route once my iPod told me I was halfway. Thankfully it meant that it was back down the huge hill I'd just slogged up. I was slightly off pace, but nothing too bad, think I need some more uptempo music for the middle sections of my long runs as I was on quite a chilled vibe again with CoMa. Off to the gym again this afternoon for a cardio session and then have a run planned for tomorrow.

After a few days off to celebrate my birthday I started this week by getting back in the gym. Did my usual cardio session on the ergo and bike then had a swim. The weekend hadn't caught up with me too much thankfully and I got my diet back on plan. Today I did my scheduled long run from the weekend and pushed a little bit further just to get my first half marathon out of the way. It was a really great run, I left it quite late which meant that on some of the darker roads on Anglesey I could appreciate the stars and the bridges all lit up are quite something. Had a minor hitch in that I managed to not resume my workout on my Nike+ after my stretches so actually did a bit further than 13.1 miles! But I got it sorted as I got into Menai and headed off in the direction of Beaumaris. Outside of town it quickly became apparent that it was far too dark for that route as I could barely see the pavement and kept getting blinded by headlights (I was wearing my flattering fluorescent jacket for the cars to see me though Mum). The thing I like about the chip for my iPod is that it gives me more flexibility with my routes so I just turned around and headed to Llanfair... I'd chosen more of a chilled soundtrack with a producer called Owsey. There were a few really amazing moments when I just felt so alive and appreciated how beautiful Bangor and the surrounding area is. One back onto the mainland I headed along to the pier, overtaking a couple of groups of runners which was a good boost. The new shoes have definitely broken in now, my knees didn't give me any trouble at all. Things started to get tougher after I'd run along the seafront and onto the High Street and by the daunting incline of Penchwintan Road my pace had slowed right down. I was still on course for my planned time though so soldiered through and had a couple of spare miles when I got to the top so I did a loop around Ffridd and then ran down the remaining distance around the field. My legs don't feel too bad now and I've had a mountain of pasta to recover but I know that tomorrow will be painful! Still, at least I now know I can survive halfway, and in under 2 hours.

This came on on Menai Bridge and was just one of those moments where the song gave me a huge boost and I remembered why I'm doing this

I had a rather busy week last week, getting back to normality with lectures starting again so apologies for not keeping up to date. I started it off with a 10 mile run to Beaumaris and back which went really well. I put Street Horrrsing and Tarot Sport on and let the droning electronics and steady beats propel me along in an almost trance like state. I really love running on Anglesey, especially in the late afternoon sunshine, the scenery just becomes so beautiful and across the bay I watched one of the mountains smoke as some of the shrubland was on fire. I did the 10 miles in an hour and twenty three minutes which I was really pleased with as it was my quickest pace yet for my longest run. My legs were very sore the next day though so I put the running on hold for some other cardio in the gym, doing long sessions on the ergo and bike and then a quick swim to warm down. Later in the week I opted to run to my practical in Menai rather than take the offered lift.
I finally bought some new shoes this week. I did a gait analysis at the gym shop where they video you on a treadmill to establish how your foot falls and whether your ankle over or under pronates, or if you have a neutral tread. Mine was fairly neutral so I tried on a few cushioned trainers that were recommended by the assistant. I opted for the Nike Pegasus with a special insole to absorb even more impact and help my knees. I also bough the Nike+ sensor for my iPod which is great, gives me current information on the run and logs it all on their site when I get back and plug it in. It even comes with a Power Song function to spur you on when you need it most but I've not tried it out yet. I broke the shoes in with a short 4 mile run and they definitely helped, taking the pressure off my knees and giving me quite a bouncy stride. I listened to a mixture of Rage Against The Machine songs.
I did 5 and a half miles this afternoon on a new route that takes me towards the mountains and then back into Bangor along the seafront, all soundtracked by the epic riffs of Maybeshewill. It was a perfectly clear sky so the mountains had an orange tinge to them in the bright sunlight. The air was bitingly cold though. At the bottom of one of the hills was a ford across a small river and I was worried I was going to have to get my new shoes wet until I turned the corner and saw a footbridge. My Nike+ told me I averaged exactly the same pace as Monday so at least I'm being consistent.
It's my 21st tomorrow so having the day off but back to training on Friday and then as of next week I'll be starting to step it up as time is ticking away.

I got a bit lost in the woods at Treborth Botanical Gardens today so did slightly less than intended, just short of 5 miles. My pace was good though despite the miserable weather and had a Bloc Party mix on my iPod to keep me steady. Planning a 10 mile for Sunday and hoping the rain holds off as I've managed to avoid it so far. Back in the gym next week to do some cross training cardio, will probably alternate long bike rides, rows and swims and a few weights so my upper body doesn't disappear. Dreading the long ergo sessions but if I can get back to my peak rowing fitness it'll help with the running a lot.

Had an eventful run yesterday! Planned a 6 mile route to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and back and the run there was fine, stuck to the main road. Decided to get off the tarmac on the way back for my knees' sake and do a little cross country down by the Menai Straits. Started off well, with some very scenic woods and a clear path but things started to go a bit wrong when I emerged from the trees. I went to cross a little stream on a board bridge but it was slippy and my legs completely went from underneath me. Thankfully just landed on my bum and was fine so got up and continued, just with a little more care for where I put my feet. Soon the path started to become less clear and I ended up losing a shoe in the mud. I managed to get it back on and picked across a field to try and run on the rocks by the shore. Unfortunately the seaweed (Fucus spiralis) proved even slippier so I had no choice but to brave the mud. Eventually, after sinking ankle deep and having to climb over a couple of fences and walls I spotted the path on a route I've used before back to Menai Bridge. To get there however I had to wade across another mud bank. Thankfully the tide was out and the narrow bit of water was only up to my ankles but it still made for a mess when I eventually got home and got my shoes off. Managed to emerge still smiling thanks to this song:

Learnt today that sunglasses are going to be a pretty vital investment alongside new running shoes. It was great that the sun was shining, especially as it was a frosty morning, but it meant that I couldn't see anything running into it. Still managed bang on an hour for 7 miles, including a couple of stretch stops so I was happy with that. Ran along the Beaumaris road and back. The bad thing about living at the top of a hill is that no matter what my route, the last section is always going to be uphill! Slowed right down at the end so will have to practice ascents, luckily London is a lot flatter than Bangor. Nothing like a film soundtrack to make a run epic, and the Tron Reconfigured album didn't disappoint, especially on such a scenic day.

Having a day off today so that as of tomorrow I'm doing a run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a long one on Sundays. Did just over 5 miles yesterday, further into Menai and then explored along past Treborth. Managed to get into a good stride and had wrapped up a bit better than the first run, the January chill of North Wales didn't seem so bad. It's always encouraging seeing a few other runners out. My new diet is going well: muesli, weetabix, milk and yoghurt for breakfast; ham, cheese and vegetable sandwiches with soup for lunch followed by fruit and then a big dinner of pasta and chicken in various forms. Keeping myself hydrated with plenty of water too. I was quite achey in the evening despite warming down after the run so did some stretches before bed and not feeling too tense for it today.
This mixtape was what I was listening to yesterday, this song in particular really gave me a boost up a long gradual hill quite late on: