Training Programme

Second week of my exercise plan. Four runs last week and one, so far, this week. Next stop: avoid chocolate and other evil vices...

Anniversary Run

Quick anniversary 5k
Tim: 28 mins
Isla: 29:45 mins

Equal best!

Managed 5k in 24 min 40 seconds - equalling my previous best. Had some in reserve for the end, but not enough...

Faster Run

5k in 24 min 44 sec
(Record still stands at 24 min and 40! - If I'd know how close I was, I might have given it more speed in the last half mile... gutted!

Running better - sustainable me

I ran home from school in 26 minutes and 13 seconds, my best 5K time since 8th July 2008. My record remains 24 minutes and 40 seconds - which I did during my sabbatical when I was able to exercise more regularly. Of course, I do need to increase my exercise frequency and improve my diet. I've just been writting up our deanery plan which calls for the Church in Milton Keynes to promote, encourage and model sustainability - and that really ought to include me... It's really hard, since the temptation to work harder is always there, but I do need to prioritise family, health, exercise and spirituality - not just for my own sake, but also as an act of witness. The good news that we preach is that God loves us and wants the best for us - and we need to respond by being good stewards of the complete person he has created us to be.

Only a small dog

Went for a three mile run this morning - on the way back from school. As sometimes happens a small yapping dog came running at me from the front. I had to stop. The woman who was walking her dog said, "Don't worry he's only a small dog. He won't bite. He only wants to play."

Setting aside the fact that I have only ever been bitten by dogs belonging to owners who said that their dog didn't bite, I had to explain to the owner that it wasn't biting I was worried about, but breaking my neck as I tripped over said enthusiastic animal. My problems are intensified by the fact I run without my glasses - small dogs on nearly invisible leads are therefore a death trap!

Anyway, I had a pause (paws) and said hello to her dog, who was very keen to have a bit of affection, which was nice - some kind of bull dog I think, but I'm no good with breeds... I finished my run in 28.27 which was OK, but it would have been nice to get into the 27s again... Never mind, hopefully there won't be any small yapping dogs next time. Big ones on leads are easier to avoid.

The Running Norwoods

Iona and Izzy decided that they wanted to go for a run with me today. We ran 1.5 miles in 16 minutes and then ran home again. They seemed rather keen - I think they may both be up for the Race for Life this year! - Next year they'll probably be to fast for me...

Cold

We're all feeling the effects of cold. As a result Iona didn't run in the school's cross country today - although Isla found herself acting as a steward. Apparently the route was only 1.5 K - half the distance we practised on Thursday - so I think Iona has actually done quite well!

Had a great evening with Katherine and Harry - courtesy of a takeaway from the Grange. It was pretty good!

Iona Runs!

Iona is doing a cross country run on Saturday. The school doesn't really do much in the way of preparation and we haven't had much time for practice at home, but I took her for a run around Furzton Lake this evening - just to make sure she could survive it!

She did very well. We did one lap in 15 minutes, which is roughly 1 1/2 miles. She was clearly confident and keen and determined to get round without stopping. To be honest, she gave me a run for my money! If she keeps this up it won't be long before I will struggle to keep up!

Four years anniversary

I note that today marks the fourth anniversary of our first 10K run. We did two laps of Willen lake, coming in at an hour 10 minutes - which was not fast but our main goal was to finish! I've re-posted some 2004 entries to mark our times and runs back then...

Monday

Have a cold, so didn't run today.
Spent a productive morning sending emails - yawn...
Had lunch with Ernesto.
Bought a new watch.
Took a funeral.
Went to High Wycombe...

I needed to buy a new watch because my latest (cheap) market watch beeps every hour and drives Isla mad! It must die! It's also rubbish.

I used some birthday money to buy a watch from an actual shop. I was torn between one that records multiple lap times (ideal for running) and one that receives an acurate time signal from a transmitter in Rugby (ideal for services and meetings - work in other words). The sports watch was too fiddly and wouldn't have been practical on the move, so I opted for the work model - so at least I will now know if services really start on time - or meetings go on too long!

I had one of these watches before and got quite addicted to knowing the exact time down to the closest millisecond. In a funny kind of way it makes you feel in control, although, of course, you're simply going along with what the Rugby transmitter claims the correct time to be...

If I was the kind of person who likes to make create sermons out of cans of peaches(!) this would be an opportunity to create a Gospel message about God as your spiritual Rugby. You need to keep tuning in on a regular basis and keep yourself on step with him... but since I don't go in for that sort of thing, you've nicely avoided a sermon...

I'm back

After a few fairly pathetic runs, I set out on an eight mile after school today, finishing in 78 minutes - which isn't too bad.

New Run

Tipped off by my friend Nigel, I went for a run around Caldecotte Lake while the kids were at their activities. Good run - with too many jumping dogs...

Half Marathon Sponsorship

I think I now have all the sponsorship money (or pledges) for the NSPCC half marathon in June. I've added them up and we have raised £333 which is not a bad haul! Well done to everyone who supported us and many thanks! - and to those who have promised money - I'll be seeing you soon...

Running Again

Another three mile run - with Isla this time.

Running Again

Walked children to school this morning, where I saw Nick lurking at the gate doing the Chaplain thing - good stuff...
Ran home. Three ten minute miles. This marks the start of my new training regime. My aim is to extend some of my longer runs so that I've got the stamina for a faster half marathon next year.

5. Running for Life

Exercise has been a key element of this sabbatical. I joined a gym (see Fresh Expressions of Gym) and ran a half marathon (see Half Marathon). I have really enjoyed stretching myself a bit more than usual and getting into a regular pattern of exercise.

But this shouldn't be a once in ten year event. We are all told that we should exercise four or five times a week. Having done this I must say I feel fitter and more positive. I'm sure I function better if I have regular exercise.

The question is, as I return to "full-time" work, do we want vicars to put in 80 hours a week because there's so much to do? Or do we want them to be functional? This is a real choice which clergy need to take responsibility for themselves and their congregations need to support...

When I look back at these notes in a few months time, will I have managed to put this into practice? Only time will tell...

And it's not just vicars who need to exercise, we could all do with a bit more physical activity. What could you do?

Half Marathon

Isla and I finished the MK Half-marathon today - hand in hand.

Here are some more pictures by family and friends:




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Interviews and Long Run

Spent most of the day at CtS interviewing for a year six teacher.
Had time for a quick 8 mile run before collecting children (80 mins). This was my first long run after the half marathon walk-through. Can I keep this up for 13 in a row?

Still not broken

I was on track this morning for a good time for three miles. I managed the first two in 16 minutes but began to feel a bit sick. Perhaps I ate too much this morning or didn't have enough water or didn't take a hay fever tab... Walked the last half mile and finished in 26 mins. Still chasing that elusive 24 minute record...