Ok, food poisoning done and dusted, I am back and ready for NO more illnesses pre the race in December please. Have kicked off my return to good health with lots of sleep and rest, good food (featuring jiaozi of course), and a promise to myself to make nutrition and rest key priorities while I continue training. (Ok, this is what is so frustrating, as I thought my nutrition and refuelling was excellent hey, but yes, could probably do with more sleep, so let's blame that.)

So, having only been for one, fairly easy, slow run this week, suffice to say, my training has not been to plan. But that's OK. Have done a bit of yoga and a bit of strength training instead, and to be honest, am just stoked to be feeling recovered and 'normal' again. So, all's good.

I may go for a longish (18-20 km) run/jog in the morning, but will take it very slowly and at a cruisey pace.

The weather has changed here in China, seemingly overnight, and is getting really cold now. (Yep, had to get out the old long-legged running pants and two layers to run  Ahh, I remember this from good old 2012! Yep, its  going to get f*&ken FREEZING very soon. Time to hit the night markets and indoor clothing markets for some warmer clothes. Cue a Sunday of shopping, eating tasty treats on sticks, and maybe maybe some lesson planning for next week's lessons.

So, last week, I diligently stuck to my training program, and was on fire! I was feeling on top of the world, felt like a training champ, was all organised and packed ready for a weekend of FUN in Hangzhou, and then guess what - food poisoning or some horrible stomach bug. Again. Must be 3 bad/serious-ish illnesses in the last 4 months.

Seems to happen when I stick to my training plan 100%, or is this just an awful coincidence?

So, no running yesterday, no running today, and probably not tomorrow either. Booo....

Is it my imagination, or did my knee feel a bit funny on my 8km endurance pace run this morning?? I sincerely hope it is indeed all in my head. I will see how things go this evening when I have a recovery jog planned (another 8kms).

Boo, I spoke too soon re: how beautiful the weather was yesterday. It is cloudy and a bit hazy (read = polluted) today.

I have had a productive day so far: running, doing some cleaning/tidying, planning our trip for the weekend (we are going to the beautiful city of Hangzhou to meet some friends), and then attempting to go to our first lesson of the morning, only to be informed that today all the students have a Chinese exam, so we can 'take a rest', woohoo. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is a good gig.

Here are some previous pictures of Hangzhou, where there is a very famous lake (West Lake):

I went to the track early this morning for a warm up, some intervals, and then a cool down. (2km warm up, 800m intervals with 500m jog in between, then 2km cool down).

The thing with the track is that it is much more of a mental challenge than anything. I see it as somewhat of an outside treadmill and have to psych myself up to actually go and use it. This year is the first time I've used one to 'train' on, and although I always feel great at the end of a workout there, it is always a struggle to get going and get out on the track. There is of course, the added negative of the awkward 'ni hao's and hellos as I pass other on the track (akin to being a runner's awkward hug I think), pus the lack of new scenery such as the river and people walking their dogs / practising tai chi / dancing / sword fighting / playing badminton, BUT I am getting an accurate workout and it's good for speed work. Today I began my workout at 5:20 ish, so about 15 minutes later first light was just about happening - cue awesome orange glow behind the backdrop of the large, dark mountains that are apparently behind the track and school, and probably have been the whole time. So, maybe there is some enticing scenery there after all.

After I finished my track workout, and had showered and eaten, taken the puppy for a piss etc, I did the best new habit I've developed lately - I went back to bed for a power nap. Excellent idea I thought. Then a bit later, Husband and I went on a longish bike ride in the sun down to a beautiful riverside park. This was followed by jiaozi (dumplings) and huanggua (cucumber) before we meandered back to be ready for our one class of the day. That being over, we took puppy to a local park and had heaps of fun chasing her around and attempting stick throwing/fetching.

Acually cooked for once, instead of the usual dabao (takeaway) or eating in one of the many neighbourhood restaurants and cafes. Felt awesomely healthy with our purple sweet potato mash and mixed stirfried veggies. For some reason, I downed some porridge drink later on along with the requisite snacks of yoghurt and sultanas and a banana. (Why?? I don't know - habit of snacking before bed, hey-ho, must be tired...)

A GREAT Monday. :)

So, WELCOME! This is my official 'rest day' of my week of training and I've
finally gotten round to writing/attempting to set up a blog. I know, I know,
there are hundreds (maybe thousands??) of other running blogs out there, so this
will undoubtedly be nothing special, but hey-ho, this is me and this is my
running hobby/lifestyle in China, put down in black and white for your viewing
pleasure. Who knows, maybe there are other expat runners in China who may
read this? That would be great.

This week I
have been training hard, and my legs are feeling it today. Hence the fact I'm
still in bed and not planning on moving yet for a little while. I am
following a half marathon training plan that I found online, and so far so good
(albeit a week where I was completely laid up with the flu and couldn't even
leave my bed, let alone go for a run), and hopefully things will be on track
right up to race day (1st December). I really really want to improve my time
from last year's half marathon, going from 1:44, HOPEFULLY down to 1:30 ish.
Wish me luck.

So, no running or exercise as
such today, but we are going to trek down to some night markets this evening so
that husband can try to get some trainers to fit him. We're taking a Chinese
friend (a former student of mine) so hopefully she can help us not get ripped
off and be given the 'laowei' (foreigner)
price.

It is a beautiful Sunday here in China,
and the air is sweet and fragrant today. Hope this lasts - it's so much nicer
than when the pollution is shocking and the mountains that surround our city are
no longer visible. Today they are clear and seem really close to us too.
Might go for a cycle to stretch the legs seeing as it's such a nice day.


Thought we would be a bit dustier this morning
than we are, due to a little bit of red wine last night followed
by forced downing of their lovely Chinese light beer amidst the cries and
shouts of 'Gambei!' (down in one) at a local restaurant we frequent. But. all
good, no hangover, phew. Husband is out at the supermarket getting us some
supplies, and puppy is hanging out with me on the bed. Tough morning so far. :)
Zaijian!