Run 101 - Last one for the year???

Not a lot to say about this one. Well, it was hard getting out of bed this morning. Tired! Very tired!

But out I went! I knew it would play on my mind until I did it, so out I went!

5kms, too fast to start with and it made it harder later on in the run, but I got round!

A hot one with a little breeze.

Run 100 - 999 run so far this year

Did a 'comfortable 8km' - well, that's what the plan said. So I ran it as 'comfortably' as you can run 8km! Hot and quite windy but it went well.

So, so far this month I have run 125km, and 999km in total this year. I had wanted to run 1102km this year but the injury earlier in the year put paid to that. Still, I shouldn't be too far off, the year hasn't ended yet.

Run 99 - More than I've ever done!

Did another 5km this morning. Only a slow recovery jog but it means that I have run 117kms this month - that is more than I have ever run in a month! Well pleased with that!

The weather has turned very overcast and drizzly. Yet it is still very warm.

Wore my new running top that Sam gave me for Christmas (thank you, Sam!). It worked a treat, and ideal for the heat.

Run 98 - Christmas Eve run

As it is Christmas this weekend, I thought I would try and get my long run in today rather than tomorrow, Christmas Day.

So I was up and out at 7am for a long run up Carruthers Hill. Nice morning but windy uphill (which makes the return run much nicer!) No guests in last night so Steve came with me on his cycle. The run went well and I ran a kay further than last week's long run in the same time, so happy!

Distance: 17km
Time: 2hr 6min
Average Pace: 7:26

Run 97 - Good run at last!

Up early again this morning before the wind got up and the heat rose to do 8km. My plan said the run should be done at a 'faster pace that feels uncomfortable' (that's a shame!) Still, I was up bright and early, whilst Steve prepared brekkie for a couple of guests who had to leave early.

Wasn't expecting much from this run as I have really struggled lately - the wedding, etc. was a lot more tiring than I had realised, then on top of that we went straight into the 'Christmas rush' of guests.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The run went very well and I ended up doing it in 53min 48sec - a lot better than my other 8km runs of late! I warmed up at a slow pace for the first couple of kms then quickened up, and managed to maintain that pace for about 6km. I usually flag after half way but I managed to keep going this time. Does a lot for the morale! :)

Run 96 - Great little run

Not a lot to say about my run today, other than that it was done at 6am so that I could back to help Steve with the guests' brekkies, and that it went well.

5kms around the village, had to keep slowing myself down as it was supposed to be a jog rather than a run!

Weather still fairly cool as it was early, but a bit windy. Not a problem though, and felt good.

Considering the amount of people here now for their holidays, there weren't many people up at 6am this morning!

Run 95 - Lovely Long Run

I quite enjoyed my run this morning. I managed to stagger out of bed before 6am, have a drink and some cereal, get dressed, cope with the animals and get myself out of the door by about 6.20am! Not bad going really!

I had decided that I really couldn't face running around PB again, so I went up to the R43 and ran up Carruthers Hill. Well, half way up anyway. I did 16km, which is about a km off the top.

Slow, comfortable pace. Cool, bright morning for the first half, a bit warm (but not too windy) for the second half.

Lost track of the time as I switched off my garmin for a short break half way to listen to the peacefulness, and ran for a couple of minutes with it off before realising it was not running!

Estimated run: 16km (definitely) and approximately 2 hrs 7 minutes.

Run 94: A struggle

Don't feel I am doing very well lately. Have had a bit of a bug, just hope that I don't get a full-blown cold like Steve has had. Thank you for the bugs you left with us everyone!

Didn't really feel like going out today, but it appeared to be a lovely day, weatherwise, and I felt ok whilst eating my muesli in bed(!) so got up and went out. Poor Steve was left to do the guests' breakfasts and start cleaning the rooms! Thank you! I love you!

Was scheduled to do 8kms, but ended up doing 6kms. Apart from feeling weak, it was hot, windy and the lube stuff didn't appear to be working as well as it should. Maybe I should just lose the extra couple of kilograms that I have put on over the last few weeks!

Run 93 - Ugh!

8kms to do today!

Horrible weather. Lots of rain and wind. I thought it was supposed to be nearly summer!

Asked Steve to come out with me on his bike and he agreed, so we both got ready. However, he got down to the garage and discovered he had a puncture! I decided to go off anyway, and he said he would catch me up en-route! Yeah right! Probably when I was almost home again! (Apologies, dearest! You caught me up after only about 2 - 3 kms. Big kiss!)

No sooner had I left the driveway of the house than it started raining again, getting harder and harder. Well, I thought I may as well carry on and do my 8kms. I was still wearing my sunglasses, which I needed when I left the house, and they did stop some of the rain getting in my eyes, but it made it very difficult to see!

People must have thought I was completely mad to be out in a rainjacket, capris and sunglasses in pouring rain! However, it did stop after a few kilometres, and I dried out a bit in the wind!

I really battled the first half against the very strong wind, although the second half was a bit better. It was just starting to rain again with 300m left to do, so I turned into our road instead of going straight on and ended up just 100m short of 8km. I'm sure that won't make a huge difference!

Thank you dearest Hubs for coming with me! :)

Run 92 - Phew!

I woke up this morning knowing that I had a run to do. Only a short one. In fact, a real s-l-o-w jog> 5km! The weather looked good with no wind. "I'll go a bit later, I think. I'll stay in bed a little longer." Then I noticed the branches of the tree opposite starting to sway a bit. "Mmm!" I thought, and got out of bed to check the weather forecast. "How much?" I cried. "Oh no, that's a really strong wind. I don't want to run in that!" So, I got changed into my running gear and went out!

Very strong headwind (but getting stronger as I speak - phew, glad I went out when I did!) first half, and very hot second half. My legs did not feel strong and even though it was a slow run, it felt hard work. Glad I did it then, though!!! :)

Run 91 - Long Run

Desperate to get out for a 'proper' run as my running seems to have slipped so much lately. So, after I had helped Steve with the guests' breakfasts, I changed into shorts and vest ('cos he said it was warm outside) and went out for a 'long' run. I hadn't been sure exactly how far I was going, but I wanted to do something between 12 and 16kms. 12kms I had done a few weeks ago, and 16kms I missed out when we went away last week. So, 14 seemed a good idea! Mmm, it's a long way, we'll see!

I ran around the village (so the boring part was done), then ran up towards B'bos until I had run 10km and turned round and came back. The weather had started off warm and sunny (hence the shorts!) but the clouds came and it rained for about 1.5kms! I got very wet!! And cold (the wind was blowing!) However, then the sun came back out and I dried off!

It was a slow plod all the way, but it was enjoyable, and I ended up doing nearly 14.5kms.

Run 90 - Let's get back into a routine!

It has been extremely hectic recently, especially the last few weeks with Sam and John's wedding and looking after Finn, and going away for a few days as well. Even though it is great to see everyone, it takes a lot out of us, and I had to forgo some training runs. That makes it all the harder to catch up.

We are still busy, and will be busier in the lead up to Christmas and over the holiday period, with guests staying, but must press on now with my running.

I did a slow jog this morning after the hikers had gone out for the day, 5km around the village. After I had warmed up, it was quite enjoyable.

Run 89 - Back out around Pearly Beach

I was told to go out for a run this morning (can't think why?!) so I did!

It was lovely to get out as I hadn't run since Sunday. I did my 8km route, although it had an extra 300m tagged on to it as I forgot my water bottle and had to go back for it. There was no way I could run for an hour without that.

The run went quite well and I felt much better than I had last week when I ran out of energy. Mind you, I did have breakfast about an hour before I went out! I only stopped running for water breaks. I can't run and drink at the same time, I end up with a sore mouth!

Run 88 - At Robertson in the mountains

Just back from staying in the mountains for a few days. Lovely little cottage - we stayed in one and the newlyweds (and babe) stayed in another. It had a spash pool, which was very welcome - with the temperature in the high 30s/early 40s! Beautiful scenery!

I took my running stuff so that I could run whilst there and I managed to get out once anyway - Sunday morning, early. I did less than 5kms. It was fine on the way out, but totally uphill on the way back! And it was hot - even though I went out just after 6am. All along the farm track. At the end of the track by the main part of the farm, there were 3 adult pigs with lots of little piglets - very sweet! They enjoyed all the organic waste from the kitchen each day!

However, I did get a fright. As I stepped away from the pigs and faced the other way to run back up the hill, I noticed a baboon on the edge of the road, seemingly asleep! Mmm!

Run 87 - Not a good run!

We went to Swellendam today to pick up Sam and John and let Finn meet up with his parents! That took up most of the day and so I decided to fit in my run when I got back.

What started as a good run, by 4km had turned rubbish as I simply ran out of energy. I had to walk/jog back home and managed about 6.75km overall.

Keep positive...

Run 86 - Grabbing a few minutes

Eventually managed to struggle out of bed this morning and get ready to go for a run, leaving Steve and Finn in bed. Fed dogs and cats, ate a banana and managed to get out of the door!

Jelly legs this morning - really could do with some decent sleep! We are away with Finn, and his mum and dad for a few days from Saturday, (separate accommodation) so maybe we can lock the doors and windows and grab some sleep then! It's all very nice to see everyone, of course, but having planned and prepped for the wedding, etc. it is exhausting!

Anyway, managed to squeeze in 8kms, and ran around the village. It rained on me for a few minutes but it didn't matter as I was on the way home then. Very slow, but I am not going to worry about that until we are straight again in a few weeks' time. Looking forward to going away at the weekend, maybe squeeze an early one in then.

Run 85 - Exhausted...

Wow, I forgot (is that the right word, or am I just 25 years or so older and therefore it is much tougher!) what hard work a 2 year old is! It's not exactly a child-friendly house either, so can't take our eyes off him! Hope we/he survives until Friday when mum and dad come back for him!

Didn't get out until late this afternoon and it was very warm and still when I did get out. Lots of noisy whales today. They must like the weather! Jelly legs today, too - exhausted after a day with Finn! Taz and Nick went back to Cape Town this morning and they fly back to the UK tomorrow, so it was just Steve and Me! Oh, and the two dogs and two cats, of course! They are totally confused! What is this mini person that makes a noise, and lots of mess!

I did 5km around the village, slowly! Hopefully, I'll manage another run tomorrow.

Run 84 - Finn is with us...

Well, had a nice rest yesterday and today we have 2 year old grandson, Finn, staying with us!

Mum and Dad have gone off up the Garden Route until Friday with their friends for a few days after their wedding.

Aunty Taz and Uncle Nick brought Finn across from the wedding venue this morning, whilst I was out for my run. Grandad was here, so let them all in.

Run went a lot better than yesterday's run. I did 12km and ran down from up the B'bos Road, and around Pearly Beach. Very windy but didn't really notice it until I came around Rotunda and it hit me!! Woosh! Head down, keep running!

Well worth going for a run though, as Taz and Nick took us out for lunch today at Baardies. Very nice!

Run 83: The Day After...

It is the day after the wedding. It was a great day and I think everyone enjoyed it, especially the Bride and the Groom, which is the most important thing. Sam had surprised me by announcing, when I dropped her off at the hairdressers in the morning, that she had booked me a hair appointment too. So I had a really nice hairstyle done for me. Thank you, Sam, that was a lovely surprise.

But the day after - mmm, I didn't crawl into bed until 1.30am this morning. That, and so much to eat and a different routine for the last couple of weeks, doesn't bode well for a very successful run.

It was s-s-o-o hard! Real hard work. All 8km of it. Struggled round with very heavy legs and body in a strong wind. But that is 95km done this month now. Only 5km more to do to meet my target!!!

Run 82 - 5km with Richeldis and Taz

I actually had people to run with today - Richeldis (Sam's Chief Bridesmaid) and Tamsin (Sam's sister and my daughter)!

Steve took us up the B'bos Road this morning and we all ran 5km down it. Richeldis would have liked to go a lot faster and Taz would have liked to stay in bed, oops, meant, run slower. We tried to run so that everyone could run together. It was a lovely morning and I think we all enjoyed it. It did make a nice change to have others to run with. Thanks, guys!

Run 81 - 8km Trail Run in Stellenbosch mountains

Well, this run was a bit different! I had entered the Mr Price Winelands 8km trail run - a new event that runs into the Stellenbosch mountains. There was an 8km and a 16km event - I chose the 8km as I have never done this type of running before. We were already staying in Cape Town as Sam and Co had arrived from the UK and I had intended running something that weekend anyway. Sam's friend, Richeldis, asked if she could run as well, so we set off with Steve at 5.30 in the morning from Cape Town to Stellenbosch! I'm glad it's light at that time of day now!

We sorted ourselves out when we got there and saw that it was only a small event, not like the marathon and half marathon held the day before. First time ever I have been to a running event and there hasn't been a queue for the loos!

Just before 7am, we all gathered at the start line and were informed of the route we would be taking. We didn't have a number but had a chip so had to ensure we ran over the mats. Off we set around the track and straight up into the woods. Hard start! Most of the run seemed to have uphill sections, in fact it wasn't until we got to nearly 5.5kms that the track was downhill for the rest of the way!

Water station was half-way, very welcome. It had been raining earlier, but didn't rain whilst we were in Stellenbosch, and it was very humid. We climbed quite high into the hills where the views were absolutely fantastic. There was just about every surface you could think of to run over and I did slow down considerably when we had to run down a very stony gulley. I did not intend tripping or ending up on my bum not being able to run for the next few weeks.

Great run, thoroughly enjoyed it, and would do it again. I do, however, now have a serious case of DOMS! Not used to that sort of running!

Edit: Official results are out now: 1hr 06min 57 sec. AND, after thinking I was just about last - I was 1st lady over 50! OK, so there were only 5 of us ladies over 50, I was still 1st lady over 50!

Run 80 A Difficult One!

I attempted the same run as I did last time, but it was about a minute slower! My legs just didn't want to run this morning. OK, it was about 6am, and we did go out for a well-earned meal last night (before the onslaught next week of my daughter and her friends from the UK for her wedding) and I did eat fish and chips, oh, and crumbed mushrooms. BUT, I did get up early and go for the run!

It was warm out there even though it was overcast - it is supposed to rain today - and it was very windy, which I didn't really notice until I was on the way back and it hit me full on! That really slowed me down a lot! But I knew that if I didn't go out for the run, I would feel incredibly guilty about not doing it, and it would worry me all day. Easier to go, really!

8km - about 58 minutes! Not wonderful, but it all helps to my monthly total - 73/100kms.

Trail run on Sunday in Stellenbosch. Looking forward to that, but not the early start!

Run 79 - A 'build up' run

Today the plan told me I was starting to do some 'build up' runs and getting faster over the next few weeks.

I ran 8km around the village (backwards - I know what I mean. OK, anti-clockwise!) starting off with a slow jog to warm up and building up to, really, quite fast for the last 2.5km. The run started off being quite hard and I felt quite 'heavy' and slow even though the wind was behind me. It was very warm, overcast and humid. However, the second half, with the wind in front of me, wasn't too strong to affect my running and was quite cooling. I ran much better the second half.

I intend doing this run again in a couple of days, so I shall have to compare them!

Run 78 - Beautiful!

The weather has been beautiful so far today. Woke up to bright sunshine and it is still with us - unlike the last few days or so!

Breakfast (in bed, thank you Hubs) and got ready to go out for my run. Just 5km today, but a very nice 5km, around the village.

Monthly total: 57km out of the 100km I am aiming for.

Run 77 - Up and Out Early

Woke up to a lovely morning and I know that tomorrow is due to be really awful, with wind, rain and thunderstorms. So, I decided to run today instead. Dragged Steve out of bed too, as he had been complaining that he hadn't done a cycle ride for ages, so we left the dogs at home and he set off in one direction, and I went in the other. We knew we would meet in the middle somewhere.

I ran around the village, quicker than I was supposed to according to my plan but it felt ok to do that, and met S at about 6kms as I was on the main road out of the village. Chatted on progress for about a minute and he turned back to finish his circuit, and I carried on to the end of the road. When I turned back, I decided to speed up a bit and finished the last 2kms fast (for me!) so I was 'well impressed' with my finish!

10kms overall. :)

Run 76: Beautiful morning!

It was Run 3 of the week today, and I got up (fairly) early to do it. It was a beautiful morning - sunny and windless (practically anyway!) so off I went!

It was another slow jog for 5kms today and I warmed up with a walk then started jogging. A few steps into it and I saw a shadow and heard footsteps coming up behind me - another jogger! Unheard of in Pearly Beach, especially out of season!! She overtook me and carried on in a medium plod sort of way, very much like I do when I am running faster than the jog I am supposed to be doing this week. Well! I couldn't let her get away with that, could I?! And I speeded up a bit, following her up the road until she followed the tarmac road to the right, and I turned left on to the gravel road. Then I allowed myself to slow down again to the pace I was supposed to be doing!

It was a nice, uneventful run, sorry, jog, and as I turned back into Charlie at the end of my run I met a jogger with a small dog going the other way - so had to finish on a "high" or "faster"!

Enjoyed the jog anyway. Could do all that again. I had been listening to an old episode of Marathontalk on the way round and I really hadn't noticed the time passing. The 5kms was u before I realised it!

So, then I was back home and stretching in my studio. Chilli, the cat, came and stretched with me - in a little patch of sunshine!

Run 75 - Before it gets even windier and it rains!

Week 1 Day 2: 8km at 8:43/km:

What horrible weather - heavy winds and rain too! Where's summer? Hope it's not far away!

I had another run scheduled for today (because yesterday's was so easy!) so dragged myself out of bed before 7am to go and do it. I thought I should at least try and stay on track for the first week or two!

So, off I went after half a cup of tea and a banana, and I jogged anti-clockwise round the village for 8kms (@ 8:43/km again ), which was quite a nice, easy pace in the strong winds! It's almost a shame I shall have to speed up a bit soon!

Certainly glad I got out early and didn't wait as the wind has been howling since I got back, and we have had quite a bit of rain!

Run 74 - Start of Marathon Training

Week 1 Day 1: 5km @ 8.43km/h. Start of my 'personalised' running plan!

Gosh, it's hard to run, sorry, jog, that slowly, but trying to do it certainly gets you to S-L-O-W down and think about your running! I had to concentrate hard to be consistent and get the pacing right.

Very enjoyable run though, as not huffing and puffing all the way through it. Did my usual circuit of Pearly Beach - Charlie, Esplanade, Central, Arcadia, and back to Charlie.

Wanted to get out early because wind is getting up very HIGH today and, because I wasn't struggling and running fast today, I didn't notice the wind so much!

Overcast but not too warm. Overall, an enjoyable run! Could do more of these! :)

Run 73 - Managed to get back up to 10km at last!

It was my last run today before I start my marathon training plan - all 24 weeks of it! Ow!

So, I finished off my current plan with a 10km run up towards Carruther's Hill. Not that I got very far up it as I only ran 5km before turning back to do another 10km, but I've got to start somewhere! Steve came with me on his cycle, which was good. We have had very, very strong winds, and some rain, over the last couple of days so I didn't know what time of day would be good to get out and run in, but we have a bit of a respite from it for a day or so, so I decided to get out when I could, hence the 8 o'clock start! Not too early!

Ended up doing 11.42km in all, including my warm up and cool down, and was out for 1hr 26 min. the 10km part took about 68 minutes with a slower second half because of the headwind. Happy with that as I haven't run 10km since my 10km race at the end of July. :)

Run 72 - Up the hill instead of into the wind!

I was going to run early this morning - at about 6am! However, in order to do that, I have to get out of bed before 6am! And I didn't! The reason I wanted to run early is that the water was going to be turned off whilst they replaced a valve in the pumping station, and I wouldn't be able to have a shower afterwards. Also, it is expected to get very windy this afternoon. Oh well...

Well, I had just had lunch and thought, "Oh, (something)! I'll go out for a run now." The water had been on and off for a bit, so I might even be lucky and get my shower this afternoon. Steve was taking the dogs up the B'bos track so I could run up there and get a lift back!

So, that's what I did! About 6.5kms in all, including warm up and cool down, and (I think) about 48 minutes. Now, when Ronnelle has finished cleaning the bathroom, I can have a shower... ! :)

Run 71 - If I can remember it from this morning.

We have had no internet or e-mails today (again) which has been very frustrating as it means we may be losing business and we can't get on and do useful things (like posting here!)

I ran early this morning and did approximately 6.25kms around the village. It was lovely sunshine and not too windy and a nice run. I am hoping to run at least 100kms this month, having managed over 90 last month. So, 6 down, 94 to go! :)

Run 70 - Without Garmin - How will I cope???!!!

Got up this sunny morning to go for a run as yesterday, well, I should not have bothered with at all. Less said about yesterday the better! Fed the animals, fed me, fed Steve, and got ready to go out, as I knew it was going to get windy later.

Off out bright and early! I had lent Steve the Garmin yesterday for a cycle ride so had to change the settings on my warm up walk. However, that didn't go to plan as it didn't reset properly. Must remember to have a look at it again later!

So, told Steve to tell me when I had run for an hour, as an hour was what I had to run today. The run, itself, wasn't too bad, and I ran faster than I had thought I would, even though it was uphill on the way out, and into a "getting stronger all the time" headwind on the way back. Tired when I got back though, and run out of steri stumpies!

I think I did just over 9km of actual running in the one hour, and approximately 15 minutes of warm up/cool down. Happy because I have built this distance back up in 6/7 weeks, since my return from injury. Still doing lots of stretching after my runs, and core work on "rest" days.

Run 69 - Uphill and Headwinds

Thankfully, not both at the same time. I think! Fancied a change of route today (hoping that I would escape some of the wind) so ran up main Road to the R43 and over the road to B'bos. Managed a fairly steady pace, both up the mountain road and when I turned round and came down the hill into the wind!

Can't say it was much fun as it looked like rain as well, but switched off to all of that and concentrated on plodding along, not too slowly though, and listened to Marathontalk on my ipod. Including warm up and part of cool down, I did 7.5km in 55 minutes. I think 6kms of that was done in 40 minutes.

Run 68 - With my trainer

Actually got my "trainer" out with me today! It made a change that Steve came with me on his cycle, and I wasn't running on my own! We have decided that Alfie is old enough to be left for a while during the day so we made up some stuffed hooves for both Alfie and Mango and we went out for my run.

It wasn't a long run - about 45 minutes altogether, and very hard work. The wind is very strong and I didn't feel as if I had the energy battling against it, although it was much better once it was behind us. Still tired, too much going on, but that is another run 'done' and my monthly total is now 74 of 75kms. If I had known that, I would have stayed out for another kilometre!

Warm up and cool down, plus 30 minute run: 45 minutes and 6.21km. Will have to start taking off the warm up and cool down part - make the run time look better!!

Run 67 And 67km this month

We went to Cape Town this weekend. It was Steve's late birthday present. John Cleese at the CTICC. So we dropped the animals off at the kennels on Saturday morning and took the scenic route (around the coast) to Cape Town. Of course, not living near any decent shops, we had to stop at the Mall at Somerset West! Then went on to the hotel in Cape Town where we were staying overnight. We enjoyed the show, and went across to Brackenfell to see my Dad this morning. Of course, we had the rugby and the cricket to watch!!

Needless to say, I ate all sorts of things over the weekend that I shouldn't but, hey, I'll be back on track tomorrow! It was a great weekend!

Really felt I needed to get out for a run when I got home and, amazingly, I did so! So, put on my shorts and t-shirt and off I went. It was nice to get out as I had not run at all for 2 days. It was warm but very windy and I managed about 7km at a slow pace. Should manage my target of 75km this month.

I could really have done without the black guy that passed me half way round telling me, "Nice legs"!!!! I think, probably, that he thought I couldn't hear him because I had my earplugs in for my ipod, but I could hear him!

Scientists uncover Alzheimer's enzyme clue

20/10/2011

Scientists in Leeds have discovered levels of a specific enzyme are raised in the brains and blood of people with Alzheimer's disease. It's hoped their findings could be used to help clinical trials for new treatments for the disease.

A team at the University of Leeds, part-funded by Alzheimer's Research UK and the Medical Research Council (MRC), studied an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. It's thought the enzyme could be linked to the build-up of tau, a hallmark toxic protein in Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers, led by Prof Nigel Hooper, studied blood plasma samples and post-mortem brain tissue, provided by the MRC London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, from people with Alzheimer’s and from healthy people. They found that people with the disease had more of the enzyme in the hippocampus – one of the first regions of the brain to be damaged in Alzheimer's – than healthy people when they died.

People with the disease also had greater levels of the enzyme in their blood. Further analysis showed that higher levels of alkaline phosphatase were associated with a greater loss of cognitive function.

Although levels of the enzyme in blood samples were higher in Alzheimer's, the measurements were still within the normal range, meaning they would not be useful for diagnosing the disease. However, the findings could give researchers a new tool for clinical trials, helping them to monitor how people are responding to treatments.

The findings are published today in the journal Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Prof Hooper, a Scientific Adviser to Alzheimer's Research UK, said:
“We were surprised to find that levels of this enzyme in people's blood correlated with cognitive decline, and we think this could be significant for helping to monitor people with Alzheimer's over a period of time. We hope that with more research, our results could be useful to people who are testing new drugs, giving us a better chance of finding an effective treatment to fight Alzheimer's.

“Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and with research it can be beaten, but we need to know much more about its causes in order to develop effective treatments. I hope our research can help bring us a step closer to that goal.”

Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said:
“These important findings could give researchers a vital tool to aid the development of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease. It will also be important to find out what causes alkaline phosphatase to increase as the disease develops.

“Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, which currently affects 820,000 people in the UK and more than 7,500 people in Leeds alone. If we are to find new treatments that could really benefit people in the future, it's crucial that we invest in research now.”

Professor James Ironside, Director of the MRC-led UK Brain Banks Network, said:
“What's so fascinating about this study is that the researchers were able to directly compare healthy tissue with samples from Alzheimer's sufferers to demonstrate the importance of alkaline phosphatase levels in the brain.

“This cutting-edge research would not be possible without access to a reliable supply of high-quality brain tissue samples, which is why the UK Brain Banks network is so important as a national resource to support neuroscience research.”

The study received funding from Alzheimer's Research UK, the Health Foundation and the Medical Research Council.

Run 66 - That was hard!

I must remember never to go out to eat again if I want to run reasonably well! I went out for a meal a few evenings ago, as you may remember, and we ate lunch in Hermanus whilst we were there yesterday. Not just a little lunch - a big lunch! With cake! Does not bode well for running the next day!

It has been very windy here over the past week and that always means sleepless nights! Not impressed! Am tired!

Still, I went out for my run remembering that I will then have 2 days off running, so a bit of 'rest' to look forward to.

I was out for 50 minutes and was supposed to do 35 of those at a 'steady state'! In that wind? You have to be joking! But I did run the 35 minutes and not walk - so, surely, that is good???

I covered nearly 7kms running around Pearly Beach. that brings my monthly total to 60km exactly, so another 15km and I've reached my target for the month. :)

Run 65 - It's hard work running after an evening out!

Steve surprised me yesterday afternoon when he told me to get ready to go out for a meal. We were celebrating the start of our fifth year together in South Africa and I hadn't given the idea of going out for a meal a thought! So, out we went, an hour later and Ronnelle came to doggy-sit!

It was a lovely meal at Seemans Taphuis with a starter, main, sweet, and wine (of course)! We were even given a celebratory bottle of champagne by the management. Very nice indeed!

Anyway, none of this bodes well for a run the next morning. So it didn't happen! However, as I want to go shopping tomorrow for wine for Sam and John's wedding next month, I decided I would do my run after all, albeit slowly. So out I went. It was hard work, but not as hard as I thought it would be.

5kms at a steady pace around the village. Done! :)

Run 64 - On the treadmill!

What a windy day! It is s-s-o-o-o windy today! Dust is being blown up from the gravel roads, so I absolutely refused to go out and run in that! I would end up choking and spluttering from all the dust I would swallow (as happened to me once in a relay race in Cyprus - but that is another story!)

So, out came the treadmill. I found it quite hard to run on at first, as I haven't been on it at all for a long time and for the first part of the run I found myself 'hanging on'. I had a recovery run to do, 20 minutes long, which was actually lovely to do and ended up being a nice, easy, comfortable jog! I started off with a warm up walk, and finished with a cool down walk. Then, 10 minutes of stretching! Yay, another few kms done! :)

As I type this, I must add that Chilli, our 8 month old cat, is sitting in front of Steve's computer watching the birds. She spends

literally hours in front of the screen, trying to catch the birds. Steve has a birds screensaver going round and round, and she LOVES it! She will even wait patiently on her cushion (pretending to be asleep), until the screensaver kicks in, before stalking the birds! He might have to change it soon before she destroys the monitor!

Run 63 - Going well

I am a lot happier with my running (at the moment) than when I was running before I got injured. Not sure why, perhaps it's because I'm concentrating better on it and focusing more on stretching and core work than I was before. Whatever, I went out and did just on 8km this morning, which includes a warm up and cool down, and it was a very enjoyable run.

So far this month I have done 45kms, and I am aiming to do 75km by the end of the month.

Run 62 - Didn't notice this one

I woke up really not feeling like a run. It has been a very busy week and I haven't slept well due to the howling wind some nights! So, feel quite tired. However, I thought I had better do my run - at least it wasn't a long one, so get out there woman!

I took my ipod with me, and I hardly noticed the 40 minutes I was out there. It was a fairly easy run with a warm up and cool down and I covered about 5.25kms overall.

Charity News

As I am trying to raise money for Alzheimer's Research by doing the London Marathon next year, I thought it might be a good idea if I put on here some research news from the charity, from time to time. So, to start off with:

A Swiss study testing a potential new Alzheimer’s treatment has promising results. The drug, called gantenerumab, is designed to stop the build up amyloid in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s. The results mean that the drug is now being tested in larger phase II clinical trials to assess if it gives a clinical benefit to those with Alzheimer’s http://is.gd/UpVKZl.

See the link for more details.

Run 61 with a metronome!

But it worked! It really helped me keep a steady pace, even up hills and into the wind!

It was drizzling, very overcast and very windy, but not really cold this morning. I took a metronome with me to keep me at a steady pace of 160, and it really worked well! The second half of my run was really hard but I kept up the same pace, and am really pleased with it!

Just over 6km in all with a warm up and cool down. I did 4.5km of it at the steady pace.

Run 60 Start of Pre-Marathon Plan

I woke up early this morning and thought, "Ugh, I really don't feel like getting up and running this morning." Even though I had planned a recovery jog this morning, I thought, "Everything is aching. I'm tired!" But I got out of bed to let the animals out, and to feed them. Then I thought, "I'll go and get my running stuff on now!" And out I went.

The wind was blowing hard, but it was bright and sunny, and it was only a very short (15 minute) jog I needed to do. So, I did it! and it wasn't that bad once I was out. I actually quite enjoyed it.

Warm up and cool down walk, and 15 minutes recovery jog at a slow pace.

Run 59 - Hooray! Got back to 5km!

Got up this morning to a beautiful day and looked forward to going out for a run. A special run today because it was the day I would manage a full 5km running again. Not done this for what seems like a long time.

Didn't take my ipod with me because I forgot to put a new Marathon Talk on it, so went out to enjoy nature instead!

ran up to the R43 and did a km along there, with not one vehicle passing by me in the 12 or 14 minutes I was on that road! All too busy watching South Africa lose to Australia!

Did just over 7kms in all in 53 minutes with 32 minutes of that running an actual 5km. Started out a bit too fast, and had to slow myself down. I was supposed to complete it in 30 - 35 minutes, so I did manage that ok, but needed a couple of drink walks because it was very warm.

Run 58 - Early one before it got too warm

Did a quick and early 25 minute run this morning before it got too warm, and I got too busy! Did a warm up and cool down either side of that, and ended up doing a 15 minute cool down because I misjudged the distance I had left! Oh well, never mind. It was nice out there running with the sound of the whales in the background!

Lots of stretching when I got back home, showered, then got on with cleaning the rooms as we have more guests arriving later.

Run 57 - Ran past a (dead) puff adder!

Woke up to a bright, sunny morning, and looking forward to a run. My running plan hasn't let me run for 2 days, so I was raring to go. Warmed up along CvB and ran up towards the R43. Got a fright when I saw a puff adder just a few metres from me but, thankfully, it was well dead! Didn't like the look of those fangs though, even if it was dead!

Did 20 minutes of constant jogging, the longest constant jogging (without any walking) I have done since my injury. It felt good, although I had a head wind for the first half, until I turned round to come back. Second half was quicker than the first half!

Timing went a bit awry at the end as I met Otto and Bella out for their morning walk so stopped to chat, but it was into the cool-down walking bit so it didn't matter!

Good run though! :)

Run 56 - Very windy

I had been looking forward to my run today and felt very enthusiastic about it yesterday. However, I woke up during the night to rain, strong wind and no electricity (not that no electricity is unusual in Pearly Beach!) and began to wonder whether I did actually want to go out for a run after all.

When I got up this morning, it had stopped raining and was just very overcast and very windy, and thought I may as well go. After all, it would get me out of having to help do the guests' breakfasts this morning, ha ha! (Yesterday, I let Steve have a day off and he went on a bird trip at Stanford. I had to do all the breakfasts myself! Yes, all two of them! AND he forgot to get the bacon out of the freezer! So...)

I was supposed to run for 40 minutes this time, with walking breaks, so I did a warm-up and cool-down either side of a jog of 10 minutes and 1 minute walking, until I had completed the 40 minutes. It went quite well, and I covered a greater distance than I had thought I would, so pleased about that. Also pleased about the fact that Steve was just finishing the washing up after the guests! :)

Run 55 - Or was it a Cycle Ride?

Well... according to my Garmin I cycled around the village today - not very fast though - I don't think I got faster than about 11kph! But it made a change from running! I forgot to change it back to Running from Cycling after I let Steve use it to try out a new cycling route!

Another "Well..." Today was my longest run since July! All 15 minutes of it. I ended up doing more walking than I did running because I got my distances slightly out - obviously because I thought I was cycling (lol)!

Overcast day but not cold. Hardly any wind (yay!)

So, it was a warm up and cool down and 15 minutes of constant jogging. Hopefully, one more week of my 'return from injury' programme and I can start my 'pre-marathon' plan!

Run 54 - Hard work today but enjoyable

Got up this morning and decided to do my run straight away as the weather looked so nice. Clear skies and not too much wind.

Went out and did a warm up, then 2 of 5 minute walks/10 minute jogs. Covered about 5.5km in all. Not a huge amount, but I am building back up slowly. Felt a bit harder today, must have been the heat.

Came back and did 20 minutes of stretching, which almost felt harder than the run! Went to go into the shower, but the water pressure is down again so I will have to wait. Lovely!

Edit: Did get my shower eventually, much to everyone's relief!

Run 53 A lovely morning for a run

Did a nice 5km this morning along the sea front watching the whales performing. It was a bit windy but I still enjoyed it. How many places are there in the world where you can run and watch the whales at the same time?!

Run 52 - Today instead of tomorrow

I wasn't going to run today but after reading the weather forecast I thought it might be a good idea to run if I don't want to have to run in a gale tomorrow!

So I went out and did 5 min warm up/cool down and walk 5 min/jog 10mins x 2 times.

Felt much more like running today and it got quite hard but good to feel that I am doing more.

Beautiful weather by the way - warm sunshine with a breeze - good to run in! :)

Run 51 - Nice run

It started off to be a very grey and cold morning, and thought I would have to go out in my long sleeves again. However, Steve went for his cycle ride quite early and I had decided I would wait an hour or so before running as I was still tired from being away.

We went to Cape Town for a couple of days to get some more things sorted for John and Sam's wedding, coming up in November. It's great to go, but it is also very tiring with all the travelling. The animals were pleased to be picked up from the kennels and little Alfie spent the whole evening totally 'flakers'. He was shattered. I don't think he could have slept the whole time he was in the kennels (which was only one night!) Anyway, I'm glad to see they are all back to normal today! And Chilli back to eating as much as possible!

Anyway, I'm glad I didn't wear my long sleeves after all as it turned out to be a warm, sunny and windless morning. Beautiful!

Quite a pleasant run - 5 min warm up and cool down with a 2 min walk/5 minute jog alternately, 3 times. Still only a half hour run in all, but I am happy to build back up slowly and stay FIT!

Run 50 - Cold, Wet and Windy

I was looking forward to my run this morning - until I got out of bed and discovered that it was cold, wet and windy! Oh well, I still need to do it! So out I went. Felt like winter, all wrapped up!

Another little walk/jog session around Pearly Beach. I took my ipod with me this time (thank you, Taz) with a Marathon Talk downloaded on to it. I discovered this quite recently and have found it to be very interesting and informative! Nicer to listen to than the wind howling in my ears!

Not a Run day today

Well, it's not a Run Day today but I have done an hour of weights, core work and stretching. I thought I had better let you all know that I don't just go out and run every other day, but there is lots more work going on 'behind the scenes' so to speak!

I don't want a repetition of my last injury so am being very vigilant in the amount of stretching and core work that I do, ensuring (or trying to ensure) that I do enough of this to balance out with the amount of running I am doing, and want to do! Let's hope it works! :)

Run 49 - Very windy this time

Got up early this morning to run, and had been looking forward to it since the last one as I was going to run just a little bit further this time.

However, when I got up the wind was howling. Agh! Still, I went out and managed the run but the first half, into the wind, was not good! My eyes and nose were streaming, but I told myself that once I get around the bend and on my way back it will be much better. And it was! Where was the wind! It had almost vanished!

Run 48 - Bright and Early with Whales, Dolphins and baby Francolins!

I decided I was going to run early(ish) today as it was likely to get very windy later. Well, it was quite windy enough this morning with a strong head wind during the second half! I ran a similar route to last time with 1min walk/3min jog alternately and it felt good. I'm glad that my body bits are all more or less as they should be again! It was very windy, but it was bright and sunny too, and I could hear the whales in the bay. There don't seem to be so many as in previous years but at least there are some to listen to.

Steve had decided to take the dogs out for a run along the beach while I was out and I got back about the same time as he called me on the phone (luckily for him lol) to tell me where the key was so that I could get back in the house! He had discovered a dead dolphin washed up on the beach, probably an elderly one and not one that had been injured in some way, so that is going off to the Dyer Island conservation people.

Meanwhile, I had been dealing with Chilli! She had brought the most tiny, francolin chick into the house and was chasing it around the bedroom! I managed to rescue it from her and it didn't seem to be harmed, other than probably terrified, and then wondered where Chilli had taken it from! Anyway, as I went down to the front of the house and down the drive, there was a francolin parent calling, so thought that maybe it belonged with that one, so I put it down on the ground, and the francolin parent waddled up to the chick, and they seemed to belong together. Later, I saw a whole family of francolins just over the road and I like to think that one of the little ones is the one I rescued from Chilli!

Run 47 After the Hairdressers

I went to the hairdressers this morning for a bit of pampering. It was very much overdue (the haircut, that is) but it was lovely to see a new 'me' at the end of it. Unfortunately, it was Run Day today also, so I had to go out and mess it all up!

Still, it was a lovely day for it, and it wasn't a long run! I did a similar run to my last one, and no aches and pains at all. All in all, a successful run of about 30 minutes.

Run 46 - Hooray!

I had a good run today. I am really pleased because I had no pulling or niggles in the injured area, and it felt absolutely fine, and that is after I have also walked 3kms this morning with the dogs along the beach for an hour!

So thrilled to bits!

I did 20 minutes of running altogether - 1 minute walking/3 minutes jogging, with a warm up and cool down walk. Covered just over 4kms in all. :)

Run 45 - Nice Run

Same route as last time but better weather this time. Sunny but windy. I did a 5 minutes warm up, then 1 minute walk/2 minute jog alternately for 20 minutes. Finished with a 5 minute cool down. It felt good with barely any little niggles. Good to be out! Came back and did 20 minutes of stretching.

Run 44 - with lightning (not 'like lightning'!)

Today's run started off in slightly windy weather and within half an hour it had tried to rain, there had been thunder and lightning and the wind got up really high! And I was only out for a total of 30 minutes!

Good run though, and barely felt any aches and pains at all, so really pleased!

A warm up and cool down with 20 minutes of jogging and walking alternately. Lots of stretching afterwards! :)

Run 43 - A little bit longer

It has been another lovely day today. A little bit windier, but not too bad to get out in. The water has been off today whilst they put a new valve in the water pumping station so didn't want to go out too early in the day because I wouldn't be able to have a shower when I got back.

I went out so that I would meet Steve and the dogs at the end of my run, which was at the beach.

The run was 30 minutes overall, with a warm up and cool down walk.

The first 10 minutes of the walk, and then the jog, was rather painful in the right knee, where everything is still pulling. However, after that, everything settled down and it was a good run.

It was great to get out in the lovely weather. :)

Run 42 - Jogging in the sunshine

What a beautiful day - definitely a spring day today. No wind, a cloudless sky, and warm sunshine. First day out for amonth for a 'proper' run as well, so pretty scary. Did about 2.5km overall, with a walk to warm up, then walking and jogging alternately. Actually felt quite good. I kept waiting for a stab of pain to appear, but it didn't! Came back and did lots of stretching!

So really pleased. Looking forward to the next one. :)

Run 41 (Walk) Very windy

I did a 30 minute walk with Steve and the dogs along Esplanade and back. They had fun digging, as usual, but it was quite cold. Very windy. Not a huge amount of fun today. Still felt knee after a few minutes.

Run 40 (walk)

I did a similar walk today to the last one I did, which was 2.2 kms long. I spent 22 minutes doing it, on the way, stopping to "push" a Jack Russell back to his home! Luckily, his owner came out and picked him up and took him back inside - he isn't supposed to be running around (chasing people)!

After a few minutes of walking, I felt a twinge again, which lasted about 5 or 10 minutes, then disappeared. More stretching when I got back.

I am looking forward to the next walk, which will be a similar length to this one, then after that I intend adding some jogging. :)

Getting over it...

Well, it has been a long, painful month! It has been very disappointing not to be able to run; in fact, it has been very disappointing not to be able to do any exercise at all. We did go away for a few days and spent some time at Montagu Hot Springs, which was lovely. I think the heat of the water did a lot of good and since then I have been doing a lot of stretching - and I mean a lot of stretching!

I have, this week, started walking for 20 minutes, half an hour, and hope that I am starting to get somewhere now and will be running, oops, meant jogging, no, sorry, plodding again soon.

Run 39 (walk)

Started out walking today (properly) which will, hopefully, lead to proper jogging, then running again soon. So, I think I can safely call it a "run"!

I walked from the the front door to the end of Melkhout Road, which was an interesting test and first walk. The first five minutes was warming up, then the knee area started to ache and hurt so I slowed down just a bit (I was going rather fast!) and thought "I hope it's not going to be painful already". I carried on and then it started wearing off, and the last 5 minutes were painfree. I felt it was quite successful as the first time out, considering I had hardly been walking anywhere the last few weeks.

Lots of stretching when I got back. In fact, I am doing lots of stretching every day, twice a day.

Virgin London Marathon - booked!

It is so exciting! It seems I have managed to book a place in the VLM - what a scary thought! I have also contacted the charity I want to run for - Alzheimer's Research - and they are going to send me a t-shirt to run in. Excellent!

It's just a pity I can't actually get out running yet! I have been doing a bit of very gentle stretching of the actual painful area and hope to be able to increase that, along with conditioning, before I start running again.

Mind you, now I have an idea of how painful it will feel after the event!!!

Still, plenty of time yet... !!! Eek!!!

Think positive thoughts!!!

Aagghh! Injury!

Not impressed. Have managed to injure my hip/bum and not only is that area painful but I have trapped the sciatic nerve. When I do something, I certainly do it BIG! Iced it and put heat on it and I think it is healing very, very slowly. I have been told it can take about 12 weeks to heal properly! What?! Hope it doesn't take that long! I'll drive everyone around me completely mad!

I have just come back from a few days away in Montagu, so took the opportunity of visiting the hot springs. It was l-o-v-e-l-y! I think the heat has definitely helped, but I am fed up of not being able to tie my own trainers!

Woke up this morning and feel a whole lot better. Knee is still a little stiff, but overall I feel LOADS better! Will try and do a little proper stretching later, and see how things feel.

We did have a very nice time in Montagu though so not all bad! It was just a pity I couldn't run my half marathon last Saturday. Made up for it by visiting a winery for lunch! Discovered that alcohol definitely numbs the pain!

Run 38 - In the warm sunshine

Slow run today to get over Sunday's race. Lots of aches and pains popping up! Steve came with me on his bike up the B'bos road and we did 8km.

It was very warm and still, with lots of midges about. Run went ok but didn't have a huge amount of energy.

Ran 116kms in July :)

Run 37 - McKenna Scott Pinelands 10km Race

The day started early - I don't do mornings (if I can help it!) I was up, ready to leave by 6.30am. Steve drove us to Pinelands in the dark (with fog in places) and the race started at 7.30.

I wasn't really ready to go because all us women had been queuing for ages to try and get into the ladies' loos. I was still in the queue five minutes before the start, so I didn't bother and gave up, hoping that I wouldn't have to do a Paula Radcliffe! I walked across to the start with Steve, pinned on my numbers, put on my Garmin, took off my jacket and the gun went for the off!

It was a 2 lap course around Pinelands, quite flat, with a narrow bit across the park area, but other than that it was fine. I did the first lap in a good time but wasn't able to beat my 1:04 (PB) time! Don't know why, other than I wasn't quick enough! However, I feel that if I had run the 5km instead, I could have broken my 30 minutes.

Still, apart from not having enough loos for the ladies, only the clubhouse ones, it was fine. Not hugely exciting because I feel I should have done better, but perhaps it will make me train harder?

I'll wait and see what I did in the official results. Thinking about it again though, it might actually be better than I originally thought. We'll see!

Official results: Time: 1:05:14 (PB)

22/54 in age group for women

169/318 of all women

561/782 of everyone

Run 36 - Jog

Just a slow "jog" around PB today before my 10km race on Sunday.

5km to check that everything is in its rightful place. Mmm!

Weather warm and sunny, but quite windy.

Run 35 - So as not to feel so guilty!

A very wet, windy day! But I eventually managed to get out the door at about 10am. Steve came along for company (well, he does wear a 'Lee's trainer' T-shirt!) on his bike.

Alfie and Chilli are both booked in to the vet's to be fixed this afternoon and they aren't allowed any food this morning. Therefore, poor Sid and Mango aren't allowed much food either! At least Sid did get some breakfast whilst Chilli was shut in the studio! That's more than what Mango did! Therefore, good idea to go for long run so as not to feel so guilty and stay out of annoyed animals' way!

I did 16km today, the first half with a headwind and hilly, took an hour to do. The second half was much quicker! I enjoyed the second half much more, even though I was getting tired then. Didn't get too wet. It rained 3 times, I think, not too heavy, and not for long, until the third time just as I had finished running at the very end - it chucked it down for about a minute! Oh well, nearly escaped the rain!

Run 34 - Treadmill, shower and massage!

This morning I was told that when I had done my run today and had a shower, then I could have a massage! I have a good memory!

This afternoon, I did 3.5 kms on the treadie. It is back to winter outside with heavy winds and rain (and it's cold) so it was an inside job!

Run done, showered, and awaited my massage! Yes, I did get it and it was lovely! Well worth 30 minutes on the treadmill. No, I don't feel guilty about doing less than 4kms - I am supposed to be doing a long run tomorrow and don't want to mess that up! :)

Run 33 - The promise of lunch helps

It was a struggle to get out of the door today but I went because I was promised lunch out afterwards! Couldn't refuse really!

Did a 6km around Pearly Beach (around Rotunda - the hilly bit) at an average sort of pace. Actually, it felt ok considering I hadn't wanted to go out!

Weather is still ok at the moment, but I am sure it will turn very soon!

Oh well, off out for lunch now! :)

p.s. Had to add a PS here to say that lunch was lovely. We sat outside as the weather was sunny and warm. Homemade burger with all sorts of trimmings plus a HUGE glass of wine! Must have been half a bottle at least! Followed by blueberry cheesecake - dee-lish! That's me done for the rest of the day!

Run 32 - Get it done!

I had intended running this long one tomorrow so that Ronnelle would be here and the dogs wouldn't have to be left alone - well, Alfie, anyway! However, she has the day off tomorrow so I decided I might as well get it done today, while the weather is still nice - and get Steve to come with me anyway. Alfie could be left in his cage with a filled kong! They had both had a run before we went out anyway so we felt they should be fine - and they were!

Ran towards Carruthers Hill. I did the run in the ratio of 9:1 - walking breaks of a minute. That gave me the opportunity to drink when I was walking as it was rather hot out there (as well as have a bit of a rest in between bouts of running!). Not fast, but I keep reading that I should run these long ones slowly! Very slow!

Shorts and sleeveless top again today. Shorts weather! Can't believe it. A few weeks ago it was long tights 'cos it felt so cold! Oh well, best make the most of it while it is nice!

The run went ok but was getting quite hard on the way back because the wind got up and was channelling up Carruthers Hill.

01:47:31 - 14.5km

Still, it's done now and I don't have to do it tomorrow! :)

Run 31 - That was hard!

Well, I enjoyed my massage on Wednesday afternoon. I think my legs must have enjoyed it too because they didn't want to work today! It was a real hard run this morning and everything seemed to ache! My legs felt heavy and weren't very interested in running. Perhaps my leg muscles are still too relaxed from the massage!

Still, I staggered round 6.5km of Pearly Beach, which is most of Pearly Beach! The weather is still lovely and ideal for a run - only a gentle wind, sunshine and warm but not too warm.

Glad it's over though for today!

Run 30 - Enjoyable run in the sunshine

Another beautiful day. At least, it was when I went out. By the time I had showered when I got back, the fog was rolling in fast off the sea! Still, it was beautiful when I went out.

I did a slower run with a fast km in the middle and slightly slower at the end around my normal route.

I am looking forward to my massage later this afternoon in town!

Run 29 - Another beautiful day...

What a beautiful day for a run! lol! The sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze and it is warm. I can smell the blossom of the fynbos, a sort of honey smell. Beautiful!

It's a long way to go though - 15km today. It is a long time since I did 15km! Luckily, I was able to get Steve to keep me company on his bike (and carry my stuff) so that helped the time pass.

I did another of the 3:1 ratio run/walks, which I think helped! I'm sure it must have helped my joints! Well, I'm still standing at the end of it so it can't have been too awful!

Thank goodness for chocolate steri stumpies at the end of a run! :)

Run 28 - What a beautiful winter's day...

A beautiful, almost hot, sunny winter's day. Wind is getting up a bit but it certainly didn't make the run feel cold at all. In fact, it helped to cool me down.

I did my usual around PB - up Charlie, Esplanade, Rotunda, Central and Arcadia, coming back to Charlie.

I tried the ratio of 3:1 again. Not sure yet whether it is just as fast as running all the way. Will try a few more and then review it, I think.

Run 27: Sunny day so why not...

I hadn't intended going out for a run today because I had it in mind that I didn't need to run until tomorrow. However, when I checked my training plan, yes, I should be running today! I put it off, and put it off, until late in the afternoon, then decided to go for a run anyway as it is supposed to be very windy tomorrow so I don't think I will want to do it then. It has been a lovely warm(ish), sunny, wind-free day today so why not make the most of it...

I did run/walk in the ratio 3:1 to see how it felt for 45 minutes, and covered 6.35km. Not sure whether I ran any faster though.

Run 26 - So much rain!

Torrential rain meant that I really did not want to go outside and run 13km getting, well, more than just drenched! So I did 13km on the treadmill.

Wow, that was a long session, but at least I could listen to my music and I didn't get as wet as I would have done if I had run outside!

I should have run yesterday instead, but I had wanted company on my "long" run so Steve said he would come with me today when Ronnelle was here to look after the dogs. However, little did we know how much rain we would get today!

Run 25 - Just for the fun of it!

Weather has turned out nice this afternoon, except for rather a lot of wind! However, I didn't go for a run yesterday so wanted to go for a short one this afternoon. I had intended doing about 5km and ended up doing just on 7km.

There was a head wind for the first half of the run but it was much easier running the second half!

I ran up Charlie and around Rotunda, then back along the usual route to the other end of Charlie.

I didn't follow my "plan" but just ran as I felt like it! Made a pleasant change!

Kms run last month: 77 (better than the month before but not the 100 I am trying to run each month)

Run 24 - Intervals (I know I'm not going to enjoy this!)

Well, what I did was:

1.6km warm up.

800m fast.

200m slow. 6 times

7.6km

Not sure of exact time. Approx 53:20

I was right - I didn't enjoy it! Good thing was though that as I was running down Esplanade I saw that Steve and the dogs were just walking back to the car - so I didn't have to run back home! Yay! :)

Run 23 - A nice run

I struggle to get out of the door lately. However, it is the first nice day for a while so really need to make the effort. The weather started off really cold and overcast (it was about 9.15am) and my hands were freezing for the first couple of kms. I only really started warming up when I got to the top of the road at the R43.

I had decided to run up the B'bos road as it is a lovely run through the mountains even though I have to pick my way through the potholes at the moment.

I ran up to the 5km marker and turned around, and ran back home. I even managed to get the timing right this time and stopped running at the top of the road.

Steve had taken the dogs out and was also taking them up B'bos road and they passed me going, and they passed me coming back!

All considering, not too bad a run! 11.27km and 1hr 20 min :)

Run 22 - Me, not Alfie, not Chilli

The weather has turned very wintery today with heavy rainfall and strong winds. In fact, we were without electricity for 12 hours from 8pm until 8 am this morning! I was not going for a run in this weather, so ran on the treadmill instead.

We have been training Alfie (our 4.5 months old Labrapig) to go on the treadie so that he can run on that when the weather is too bad to go out, and he now associates the treadmill with cheese! He can't wait to get on it at every opportunity, and he was convinced I was on it to eat cheese.

Then, when I got off it, Chilli the kitten got on it and went to sleep on it! Alfie couldn't believe Chilli was on the treadmill too. Why not him? She must be eating cheese as well!

Oh, Alfie!

Run 21 - A beautiful day for it!

A beautiful day for it! I did a warm up jog at the beginning and at the end of some intervals. The intervals consisted of 4 x 800m with 90 second recovery in between. I managed the first three within the 5 minute time limit but the last one was extra hard! A digger was repairing the gravel road as I came along the last time so I ran up along the tarmac road that runs parallel instead. Initially, I found it considerably easier than running on the gravel road, but the wind had been getting up and was coming straight towards me, which made that last run incredibly hard! Glad when it was done! Can't say it was my favourite run but - I did it!

Run 20 - Turnaround

I did tomorrow's run today because today is supposed to be much better weather-wise than tomorrow. It is a beautiful winter's day with warm sunshine and a light breeze (for a change!)

I can't say I was looking forward to this run because it gets "lonely" out there sometimes and it is much nicer to have someone to run with (even if they are on a bike!) Where are you, Steve? You're supposed to be my personal trainer, not puppy-sitting!

So, I listened to music on my mp3 player, which helps sometimes when I am out for a long time.

I ran for 1hr 35 min and covered 13km.

It was a better run than my run last weekend, but there is still room for improvement!

Run 19 - Not good weather for a public holiday!

Ran on treadmill this afternoon as the weather was too bad to get outside - very heavy rain showers and very strong winds - ideal for a public holiday!

This treadmill is on a slant so I am continually running uphill - impossible to reach my targets! So, when Steve came back (from being out with the dogs) he found some planks to even it up a bit. Much better, made the run feel more like I would expect it to feel!

Ended up doing 4.25km.

Run 18 - Intervals - Phooaarr!

It has been lovely weather today - no wind, and warm sunshine. I didn't run until this afternoon, but then jogged to Esplanade, then met Steve with the dogs to do 6 x 400m. Real hard work (for dogs as well as me!) as I couldn't get "in the zone"! I suppose it will take a couple of weeks or so to get back into it! I finished off with a jog around Rotunda and then part of the way down Central where Steve picked me up in the car.

Run 17 - 1st long run for a long time!

What hard work that was! I haven't done a "long" run for at least a month and my body spent a lot of time complaining about it. It was only 7 miles! However, I managed it - within the time limit - so am happy. I'm sure my body will be complaining even more later on today!

Run 16 - Hard work

It has been an overcast but warm morning. The sun is trying hard to peep through but there was not enough wind to stop my sunglasses steaming up, so I had to take them off! Can't complain about the lack of wind though - that doesn't happen very often!

Steve took me up the B'bos Road again to the 5km marker and dropped me off so I could run down the hill and back home. He stopped off at the track and took the dogs for a walk.

The run was hard work as it is only my second one for a while, but it was nice to get out there and do it! I think only 2 vehicles passed by, so it was lovely and quiet. Ionly coughed when I finished the run!

I got back to the top of the main road at the same time as Steve and the dogs, so he waited for me around the corner so I could get a lift home! I needed it by then! :)

Run 15 - Back at Last!

I had to give in to my cold and take some time out from running! Not impressed! No sooner do you start to feel that you are getting somewhere, something else happens to stop you! Oh well, hopefully, I've seen the back of that for a while!

So, it was my first run back after being ill with my cold virus thingie. Nice to get out. Steve took me up B'bos Rd to the 5km marker so I could run back home. He took the dogs for a walk up there along the track so we all benefited!

It was a lovely quiet run back, only one vehicle on Bbos Road, and all I could hear were a few birds and my feet on the gravel road. It was so nice to get out again.

I did today's workout from the plan that I had put on my garmin. It kept telling me to slow down - not easy when you are running downhill! Better to run slower for the first one back though - doesn't make you cough so much at the end!

Slow, easy run - ideal for first time back out.

Happy. :)

Run 14 - Treadmill today

I ran approximately 4.5km fast on the treadmill this afternoon. The weather has not been good, with strong winds and heavy rain so couldn't face running outside today! I always find it much harder to run on the treadmill than outside - probably because the treadmill is on a slight incline all the time! Oh well, at least I ran!

Run 13 - Nice, gentle run

I had a really bad night last night - I couldn't stop coughing! This cold is really getting me down now! I spent most of it up, reading.

Today, I went for a nice, gentle run of 5km. It was supposed to take me about 37 minutes, and I actually took 36 minutes, so not too far off target! I ran down Melkhout, Main, Arcadia, Central and then into Esplanade, where I met Steve with the dogs.

The weather was just right for a run, particularly a run where I am trying to get over a cold! It was warm, sunny(ish), with no wind (for a change). Hopefully, it will have done me some good! :)

Run 12 - Intervals

Had to select my time carefully - it was chucking it down with rain this morning but managed 43 minutes of running inbetween the rain, so happy!

Did intervals this morning - 4 x 400m with 200m recovery in between.

Dogs and OH came along too as I ran along a road that sees no vehicles for 99% of the time! Ideal for them (the dogs I mean!)

So we all had a good workout!

Run 11 - Not been a great week!

It hasn't been a great week this week as I have had a cold and cough, so haven't been out running since last week. The garage door fell off last weekend, as I mentioned, and we finally got that fixed. The car's battery is not working properly - probably just old! Alfie is only just starting to sleep for a bit longer at night, so we haven't been getting much sleep lately, which doesn't help when you both have a cold!

Anyway, I am sure we will "get there"! I managed to get out for a run this afternoon and just did a short one around Pearly Beach - about 4km I think. I didn't take a lot of notice of the time it took or the length of the run, I just wanted to do one! It gets incredibly frustrating not being able to run! I kept it slow so I didn't start coughing again, but I am happy enough that I got out.

I will aim to do another run like this tomorrow!

336 days until the VLM

Run 10 - Amazed legs still work!

After my time trials on Thursday, I thought I had better go for a short, gentle run to see if I still have legs. Amazingly, they do still work!

Just did a little 3km recovery run around the village but it seemed to go well.

However, after my shower, I hear a loud crash - as the garage door falls off! I told him it would...

Run 9 - Time Trials with running club

I did something this evening that I have wanted to do for months but have also been rather scared to do because I feel I am so slow, particularly at the shorter distances! I ran a 5km time trials with the Whalers running club in Hermanus.

Steve and Sam came along with the two dogs so that they could also get a bit of exercise - though not running with me! They went off up the forest road into the mountain while I did my run.

It went surprisingly well. I was convinced that I would get lost because I was at the back of the pack! But I checked the route before starting and managed to keep someone in view (miles ahead!!) so that I felt reasonably sure I would stay on the correct road.

For me, it was very fast-paced but I persevered because I felt that it must be doing me some good! I managed the course in my time of 29:56, which I am pleased with - it means I ran 5km in under 30 minutes! Now to repeat it of course...

Run 8 - Outside again

Managed to get outside and run today. It was great, so much better than the treadmill!

I hadn't been able to get out for a few days because of the gale-force winds, and also I have been getting Steve's cold (thank you, Steve). However, hopefully it won't get any worse!

I took Steve with me, after he had finished 'banging and crashing' in the garden! He is building a wall and doing other changes outside with the help of Sam, who is staying with us for about 10 days. His help is most welcome!

Anyway, Steve came with me in his role of 'Lee's personal trainer' and I jogged for about 10/15 minutes to warm up, then did 4 intervals of 400m, and then jogged back home - to a braai! Sam had got the braai started, and we enjoyed a warm, winter's evening outside on the stoep enjoying a meal - well, until the football came on anyway!

Run 7 - Also put Mango and Alfie on the treadie

Very windy today and really didn't feel like contending with that today, so I did some slow/fast running/jogging/walking on the treadie. Still built up a sweat, so must have been working!

Then, we started to get Mango and Alfie used to going on the treadmill - the idea being that when the weather is too bad to take them out, they can run on that instead. The weather in Pearly Beach can be very hard work sometimes - gale force winds are common and heavy rain in the winter. It is no fun on the beach in the strong winds (Mango doesn't like getting sandblasted any more than I do!) so the treadmill is as much for them as for me (honest!)

Run 6 - 10km up the B'bos Road

It was a lovely morning (for a change) so I decided to run a short way up the mountain road towards B'bos. It is (obviously!) hilly on the way so was slower on the way up than the way back.

However, it was a lovely sunny day and the crosswind just cooled me down, so it was really enjoyable!

Felt very tired for the rest of the day though - I think it is the lack of sleep with a new puppy!!!

Run 5 and a trip to the vet

It has been the day that Chilli and Alfie have had to go for their vaccinations. We took them this afternoon and they were fine. Chilli squawked all the way there but Alfie liked to look out of the car window.

When we got back, I went out for a run. I did a nice 5km. Nice, because the weather was much nicer for a change! Sun was quite low in the sky but it was still warm and there wasn't too much wind.

It felt quite good too. I felt stronger!

Run 4

Did intervals on the treadmill today. Still very windy and rainy and I really didn't feel like going out in it today. It's hard work looking after a new puppy and trying to keep a kitten in - jabs coming up soon I hope!

Can't remember how many I did, but I covered 6km in all and ran several 400m fast!

360 days until VLM2012.

My birthday and the Ballot opens

It's my birthday today - and the ballot opens for the marathon. What a combination!

I have entered the ballot but don't expect anything to come of that. Thought it is also a good idea to contact the charities and see what they can offer me.

Had a very nice birthday though. Steve took me out for a meal in the evening and I escaped the menagerie for a couple of hours!

Weather is not good - high winds, heavy rain and it's cold. Must be winter coming!

Run 3

Happy Easter everyone. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. The weather was beautiful yesterday - today it has been rainy and cold! I was going to go out for a long run, probably up the B'bos Road, but changed my mind this afternoon, and ran on the treadmill.

It has been a long day, as Alfie was not well last night and not only did we have to get up to take him out at least twice as usual, he needed to go out even more times because he was not well - both ends!

So not a lot of sleep was had all round really. Hence a shorter treadie run this afternoon.

Approximately 6.5 kms and 1 hour of running. I know - very slow! But at least I did it! Hopefully, Alfie will start to sleep better soon, not need to go out in the night, and everyone will be happier!

Run 2

I escaped today - from the "mad house"! I was both dreading and quite glad to get out and have a run! I am really tired - I've never had such an energetic little puppy before. He is real hard work - but I went out for a run anyway.

I wasn't going to go very far because I felt tired and was still a bit achy from the run the other day, but I took my "plan" with me in my head, and I ended up doing it anyway.

3.5km easy - 5km @ 6.41 - 1.5km easy

I ran up the B'bos Road into a head wind and up hill, which slowed me down a bit but it was nice coming back as the first half was downhill! I had to keep slowing myself down.

I ended up doing 10.28km altogether, and it was a nice comfortable run! Not a bit like I thought it would be.

AND: It is exactly a year until the London Marathon!

Run 1

I am starting a new training plan this week as I want to improve my half marathon time. There is a half I would like to run in August, so now is the time to do it. I have decided to try out the FIRST running plan, which consists of 3 runs a week but incorporates a steady intensity and speed build up based on my current 5km time.

Today was a warm up, followed by 12 x 400m runs @ 2.22km pace. Phooar, never worked so hard. My legs felt like jelly after the first 4 or 5, but I persevered and it actually felt a bit better for a while. I certainly felt like I had been working though! I finished off by jogging/walking home. I covered a distance of about 11.4kms overall - a lot more than I thought I would do.

I had a chocolate steri stumpie when I got back!