How’s everyone this morning? If you’re from the UK, then hopefully you’re not still damp from our rather soggy Sunday! Feels all rather autumnal to me. Winter is coming…
Friday night I stayed over at my parent’s house. I wanted to try out the new Lee-On-Solent parkrun that had started a few weeks ago and it’s about three miles from my parent’s house. It runs alongside the beach on the promenade and is really flat. It’s actually part of my long run route when I stay at my parents.
I hadn’t run since Ultra12 last Sunday as I was concerned about my shin/calf (I say shin/calf as I’m actually not sure where the ‘issue’ is – it’s just a general discomfort and tightness of my calf that then aggravates closer to my shin, if that makes sense). In the week it was feeling grumpy and niggly and the last thing I wanted to do was annoy it further. I ran 20 miles over 12 hours (and a parkrun a few hours earlier) so I’d definitely pushed it out of its comfort zone and I needed to give it time. Check me out being all sensible.
My plan then on Saturday was to drive down to the beach car park about a mile away from the start and run down. This meant that I could judge my leg before I got caught up in any parkrun buzz and adrenaline and could walk back to my car if it felt rubbish. At Netley my warm-ups tend to be very quick and I knew if I went I wouldn’t bail on the run as there were so many people I know there and I’d have been embarrassed to have dropped out last minute (stupid, I know).
Annnnyway, I did some dynamic stretches and then began running down. Everything felt fine. I literally had the biggest smile on my face running to parkrun. Thank god.
Beautiful blue skies and the parkrun start ahead
I got to the start in more than enough time and chatted with a fellow Hedge End Running Club member. It was nice to see a friendly face, though to be honest everyone was very friendly and lovely. But then all parkruns are welcoming! 🙂
This parkrun is very flat and with few turns (it’s an out and back twice…you run along one way, then turn to go back, then run past the start/finish area, turn and run back) so it’s ideal for those wanting a PB, if the wind isn’t too bad. Because of my recent niggle I wasn’t looking to go crazy. I just wanted a quickish run to get the legs turning.
As I started I felt good and my legs felt nice and fresh. I was listening to music but not my usual “GO GO GO” music on my Running Playlist that encourages me to go faster. Instead I just put on music that was in the charts that I was liking lately as I didn’t want to get lost in the moment and push myself too hard. Basically I was looking to enjoy myself 🙂
Photo credit: AmandaLou Hall and Ethan Gee
The first mile was great. Despite not setting out with the ambition to smash the pace I felt very comfortable at sub-7min/miles. I just went with it. I noticed there weren’t any other females around me and felt quite content.
At the turnaround I checked to see if there were any ladies in front of me (I say I wasn’t racing, but it’s always nice to know your placing!). There was a young girl storming ahead and that was all. As I turned to go the other way the full force of the wind smacked me in the face. Ah so that’s why my first mile was so lovely. I was being pushed along nicely! The second mile was therefore a lot harder and a bit of a grind. My pace dropped but I didn’t mind (a completely different story to last week’s parkrun – what a difference a change in mindset makes).
At the next turn around point, where we would then head back to the finish, I passed the girl. She was really struggling. Again the wind was now behind me and it was suddenly easier again. I sailed nicely to the finish.
I finished in 21:37 as first female and I was chuffed. A hard but enjoyable run.
Sadly I’m an absolutely idiot (this might not be that much of a surprise). I sat down and caught my breath. I went over to the young girl who finished second I think and said well done. I chatted to a few people. Then headed over to the barcode scanner. Oh wait, where’s my finisher’s token?
Cue panic.
Arghhh, I’d put it down somewhere! Despite spending a good amount of time searching the area with the help of a few kind people, I couldn’t find it. It was very windy so I was worried it’d blown away. I spoke to the marshal in charge who took my name, my Garmin time and my barcode number and promised to sort it. I felt terrible though as I know they’ve had a few problems lately with tokens going missing. Long story short, after a few emails they managed to get me on the results on Sunday. I was mortified to have caused such a faff and felt suitably guilty. I donated £5 because I felt so bad. It costs them £70 to buy 100 new tokens (they can’t buy them individually).
I ran back to my car as a cool down, which was also a great way to check how my niggle felt post-run. Things felt fine! Hurrah. I still think I need to be careful and I’m now including calf raises into my strength training because clearly this is a weakness I have that keeps cropping up. I regularly change my trainers so I really can’t think what else I can do (apart from not go crazy with jumping up my mileage).
Later in the day I went shopping with my mum and decided to do something I’d been considering for a while. I’ve always liked the thought of having a tattoo but can never really make my mind up on what or where I’d have it. I also know I’d probably regret it later. And I’d just look stupid. Years ago I used to have my belly button pierced but I let it heal over. My belly button, I think, is really quite ugly so I thought what better way of improving things and doing something a little bit (for me) crazy.
You can see where the plaster had been on my tummy
It didn’t hurt as it was numbed beforehand and it was very quick. I’m very pleased. You only live once!
I also splashed out on a new outfit that I could then wear to the meal my parents and me were going to that evening. I bought this beautiful long skirt from Monsoon, and then paired it with a very simple strappy top, a white cardigan and a necklace in the sale all from New Look.
How pretty is that pattern and those colours? The skirt is of really good quality – there is a lot of material there and it fits beautifully.
The restaurant we went to was called Beefy’s in Southampton. It’s located in the Hilton hotel at the cricket grounds, The Ageas Bowl. It’s rather posh and very lovely.
The service was impeccable. They were so attentive, pleasant and friendly. And the food was gorgeous. Yes it is expensive (relatively so – mains are around £12-15 but can go up depending on what you choose, obviously. My dad had a steak for £30!).
You choose a type of bread to start (I went for olive bread) and then I had a sharing platter with my dad of hummus, feta, olives, bread, roasted vegetables and local watercress. For main I had a char-grilled sweet chilli chicken salad. My dad and me joked that we’d both expanded our culinary choices by me choosing that salad and not the Caesar salad and him having a Porterhouse steak rather than a rump steak. Small steps. For pudding I had sticky toffee pudding with ice cream. It all tasted amazing. Definitely worth a visit!
And then the weather turned and I woke up to stupid amounts of rain the next morning. Originally I’d planned to go for a long run with some guys from the club but I didn’t know if I was going to stay at my parent’s again or not (I did) and I was still being cautious about my niggle. The last thing I wanted to do was go for a long run and ignore any discomfort. I wanted the option of just cutting things short without feeling the need to explain things to people (I know everyone would have been lovely about it but I would feel awkward). So I went solo.
It was absolutely tipping it down and I only had shorts and a sleeveless top. It wasn’t cold per se but it was miserable out there. My run felt fine. There was an awareness of my niggle at the start but nothing to hinder me or make me feel I was “pushing through” discomfort or pain. Then for the rest of the run it felt fine. I actually felt really good and fresh (despite being soaked to my skin).
I did get yelled at by a driver though. I was running along a relatively short road where there were no pavements and he pulled up next to me and yelled that it was a stupid place to run. There was more than enough room for the both of us (and cars the other way) and I had made sure I was in full view of any oncoming cars. *Sighs*
The run felt good but I still don’t know where my head is at for the Cheddar Gorge marathon in a few weeks time. I’m 90% certain I’ll do it. The only thing that will halt me will be if that weekend is really rainy (because it will just be a mud bath and I want to enjoy it) or if my niggle becomes anything bigger.
Decisions, decisions.
And I’ll leave you with the joys of running in the rain with long hair.
I’m sure it’s so much easier being a man…
How was your weekend?
Have you got any piercings?
Have you done anything stupid at a race before? My life is full of stupid moments…
I love the pattern on that skirt. I might have to treat myself to one, as I love everything in Monsoon.
Good choice with that salad too 😉
I have my ears pierced. I used to have my nose and lip pierced, but it just isn’t me any more, so I let it cover over a few years ago.
Normally Monsoon is a bit out of a my fashion style (and budget) as it’s very patterny which I don’t normally go for (I’m a block colour/black/grey kinda girl at the best of times!)
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Lee-On-Solent parkrun, Beefy’s and YOLO
I get very squeamish with belly buttons so I could never have that pierced. I do have my ears pierced but I have not worn earrings for months because they always irritate my skin. I did have the top of my ear pierced when I was in 6th form but let it close up when I left uni as I didn’t think it would look good for interviews!
I didn’t realise they had to buy sets of the barcodes- ours are always posting messages on facebook as it seems some people keep them as souvenirs.
I think the worst thing I did was high five a guy at the end of a race- he was waving or pointing to the water or something, but I got confused and high fived him instead- whoops!
That parkrun course looks so pretty- I love running by the sea. The out and back sounds like a 5k version of the Brighton 10K too- super flat and all by the sea.
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…More tail running and some TV
Oh sorry I probably should have warned you about the belly button/piercing shot then!
Keeping them as souvenirs? This sounds very odd! Yes apparently they have to buy them in bulk and they’re clearly not cheap.
Your high five story literally made me laugh out loud. One of those “ahh that was awkward” moments.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Lee-On-Solent parkrun, Beefy’s and YOLO
Thank god you posted this recipe because I was drooling after seeing the instagram pic. By the way, I’m sorry for the comment overload…I have missed so much from your blog and just had to catch up. Can’t wait to try these asap!Stephanie
You're right, such a wonderful side dish. I'd gobble these up in no time! Hope you had a lovely Christmas…and happy almost new year to you! 🙂
I love your skirt and the blue of your vest top, so pretty! I really want to try out my local Park Run and fancy registering in the next couple of weeks, it looks like you enjoyed some stunning scenery by the sea on your recent one.
Love the piercing too, I always wanted one but was never allowed and have never got round to getting one done.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…A Garden Party For Our Baby Boy
Oh you must do a parkrun! They’re so much fun!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Lee-On-Solent parkrun, Beefy’s and YOLO
Well done on first lady at the new parkrun! Sometimes the wind can be so helpful but other times really not! It seems whenever I run on a windy day at Northampton parkrun (my local one) the wind is against me the entire way round the circular route. 🙁 How awful about losing your barcode though. That is something I would manage to do as well, and then really stress myself out about. Glad they sorted it out for you – generalising here but parkrun people are really lovely.
I have a tattoo which I got after finishing uni. I thought for a long while about what I wanted, and it is in a very discrete place – on the top of my right hipbone, so I always forget I’ve got it. I don’t regret it but am glad I thought hard about what I wanted and where I wanted it to go.
Love your outfit for your meal. Very classy. 🙂
Mary recently posted…Running talk
Ahh that’s cool about your tattoo. I think I would have had a small one somewhere discreet like that. But honestly I would have no idea what of! A piercing was a bit easier for me (and cheaper).
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Lee-On-Solent parkrun, Beefy’s and YOLO
That meal looks heavenly!
I love that we seem to have the same attitude with piercings – if you don’t like something so much, pierce it 😉 I have 5 – ears, top ear, nose and belly button.
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…An Ode to Coffee
Oooh cool piercings! I was tempted by the top of my ear but my hair would just bug it too much I think.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Lee-On-Solent parkrun, Beefy’s and YOLO
Well done Anna, awesome time and so good to be first lady too!
Love the skirt and outfit as a whole, it looks great!
Claire @ Flake and Cake recently posted…Hello Mr Slug
Thank you Claire 🙂
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I had my belly button pierced when I was 16, and had it in for years, but took it out a couple of years ago, as I didn’t like the idea of having metal in my body. Well done on parkrun. I’ve had shin issues previously, and my masseuse says it’s mainly caused from having tight calfs, so lots of rolling of calves and calf raises etc should help.
Lauren (@PoweredbyPB) recently posted…How to:Make Your Own Energy Balls
The tennis ball is my saviour with my tight calves!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I had my belly button pierced when I was 16, and had it in for years, but took it out a couple of years ago, as I didn’t like the idea of having metal in my body. ngôn tình cưỡng bức
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That meal looks heavenly!
I love that we seem to have the same attitude with piercings – if you don’t like something so much, pierce it 😉 I have 5 – ears, top ear, nose and belly button. games to play with friends online
I’ve had shin issues previously, and my masseuse says it’s mainly caused from having tight calfs, so lots of rolling of calves and calf raises etc should help. plants vs zombies game 2