25.04.2010-26.2-04.54.53

My London Marathon 2010

5am I wake up having had a fair to good night sleep, though had to get up to go to the loo about four times.

6am My alarm goes off and I get straight up as I want an early breakfast in the hope that my digestive system will do what it needs to do before we set off. Have to take my own shredded wheat and raisins downstairs as the hotel breakfast didn’t really start till 7 and there was going to be no porridge available! Hardest decision was how many shredded wheat to have, don’t really feel hungry as eat so much yesterday but need fuel. Settle on 3 plus a slice of toast. One by one runners wonder down in search of a decent breakfast disgruntled that there is no porridge. Chat to one guy who was doing his 13th London Marathon.

6.40 Notice the time and I realise I better go get ready, just a few nerves but that is about being ready to go on time.

6.45 I start my routine to get ready for my race, shower, brush teeth, Garmin on, hair up, cup of hot water to drink, check my feet no sign of any new blisters pending, use nearly half a tub of Vaseline on my feet, use the other half going through my mental list of chaffing areas I have learnt need Vaseline, is getting to the stage where it would be easier to just get showered in it! Get dressed re arrange my gels, check iPod is working, check my kit bag, double check that I have my number and chip.

7.15 I am heading back downstairs to deposit my suitcase with reception.

7.20 Julie puts my chip on my trainer for me, check my kit bag again, mine looks to have so much more in it than anyone else. Nerves showing a little bit

7.30 Taxi arrives to pick us up but not all the runners are ready to go, am anxious that my digestive system hasn’t done everything it needs to do!

7.40 and we are on our way travelling away from the start line to charring cross, this seemed a bit weird.

8.00ish We get on the train and the logic of travelling away first repays itself as we are one of the first lot of people to get on the train and we were able to get a seat!

8.20ish, we get off the train at Blackheath and are directed in the direction of the starting area. Everyone alighting that train was also very reassured by the girl handing out flyers and shouting “The ........ Minor Injury Unit – will be open today”

8.30ish we are in the starting area with a good hour to spare, que about 10mins for a portaloo, put my bag with gels on, iPod in place, eat banana, relax. What can go wrong now? Nothing! Then it starts to rain! Fortunately for me some time ago Gill J had given me a little present for just such an occasion and I hurriedly search for it in my bag and when I unzip it out pops a hat and waterproof poncho type thing see photo! I looked ridiculous but I sent Gill a big thank you and hug! What I didn’t know till later is that she was actually somewhere near me as she was volunteering at the start.

Thanks Gill!

9.00ish – by now we decide it’s time to put our kit bags on the lorry and then try to find shelter in a tent, but there is none to be had, I decide I need the loo again and que for another 10minutes, I am a little anxious as nature has not taken its course yet and shelter in the loo for a while

9.30ish – give up trying to make something happen that just isn’t going to happen and leave the shelter of the loo to head to the start line, the rain has almost stopped. I am in pen 9 at the back and just join the end of the long line slowly but surely making my way into the crowds, there is a lot of excitement and chatter around me, but I pop on my iPod and find my own head space. After a while we start to slowly move forward and I conclude that the race has started, there is no other visible or audible sign that this is so.

9.55ish -10ish – I cannot be certain of the time but it didn’t seem too long before I crossed the start line. Now I have read the race reports of my fellow club bloggers and both Michael and Chris report early problems with bottle necks and a stop start stop start to the beginning of their race. I didn’t experience this and managed to find space to run at my pace, I was mindful and pulled my speed back though I was a little faster than my planned 11min mile pace.

Mile 1 the little bag clipped on to the waist of my shorts annoys me as it is bouncing on my hip, take some gels out which makes this better but means I have to carry them in one hand and my water bottle in the other.

Mile 2 a series of young men at the side of the road shout at me “Hump” at first I’m not sure if this is a question, an offer or an instruction, then I realise it is a warning about the speed bumps in the road! Check pace need to slow down

Mile 3, we merge with the runners from the other start, gets a little busier but still have room to run at my pace. Check pace need to slow down

Mile 4, 5, 6, 7, I can’t really remember anything defining about these miles, I just ran, I tried to look in the crowd for my niece, but looking for one face in the crowd made me feel a little dizzy so I didn’t look any more and just hoped that people would see me and shout loudly. I thought I heard my name called a few times but could never be sure. At one point I passed a lady called Ruth who was getting lots of cheers she reminded me of what is in fact my very long term goal to take part in a marathon when I’m 90 (Vikki told me later that the oldest runner on the day was 83 – I reckon this was Ruth). At some point I could see a pacer in front of me and though oh great that must be the 11 min miler maybe I can drop in with them but when I reached them it was the run / walk and so Ii kept going at my own pace, still a little faster than my planned 11min mile.

Mile 8 As planned I had my first gel, which I managed to have on the move, I’d also managed to run through all the water stations often not even noticing them until I started to kick the discarded bottles on the ground!

Mile 9,10,11, I kept running, I was aware of the crowds and fantastic support, I was aware of the runners around me but if I’m honest I kind of blocked them out I was very much in my own place and it was very comfortable, I occasional burst in to song, for which I have to public say sorry to those around me! I started to feel like I could do with the loo but they all had long ques so I blocked this out and kept going. I caught up then passed the 11 min mile pacer and surmise I am going faster than planned

Mile 12 – 13, I can’t be sure of what happened where but I took on another gel and at one of the water stations I grabbed a bottle of water and while I was running took the top of my bottle, topped it up, lid back on sipped some from the other bottle, nice and cool – Oh yes forgot it had warmed up by now – and then threw this away, very impressed with myself that I did all this without stopping. I think it was about here that we went under an under pass and I had been told that many people stop here to relief themselves however there was a supply of portaloos and only a short que, so I pressed pause and joined the que jogging back and forth so as not to stop, there was also a block of urinals and I really wished I’d picked up a P-Mate at the start (a cardboard thing that apparently lets a woman P like a man!) I considered going behind the portaloo as stopping for a wee just wasn’t part of my race strategy! It felt like I was stopped for ages but the difference in my Garmin and chip time shows it was only about 4 minutes. Feeling more comfortable I was off again.

Mile 14 – 20 is a blur, I know I crossed tower Bridge because I am told I did (I think) this is where two runners stopped in front of me got their iPhones out and started to take photos! Eh? Guess this just demonstrated we all do Marathons for different reasons. I kept to my gel every 3 miles or so strategy, one of them I made a bit of a mess with and got it all over my hands and bottle Yuk! Mile 16 or maybe 17 I collected a bottle of water and walked about 20 seconds as I filled my own bottle up but according to Tom so long as you only walk during the length of the fed station this doesn’t count as walking (still I had managed to top my bottle up while running before). The course got busier for me during this stage and I felt that I continually had to slow my pace and run at the pace of the crowd, I was frustrated by this and I even swore at a few people who just seemed to stop right in front of me, urgh, I had to remind myself that we are all there for different reasons and are at different levels, none of them knew I had a target in my head which has been driving me on for the last 16 weeks, and at this point nothing else mattered!

Mile 20 eventually came, just two park runs to go, you can do this Kay, I looked at my arm where I had written “it’s not a walk club you know” on my other arm I had the words Awesome and Extraordinary, just two of the words that had been given to me to take with me! I smiled to myself and lifted my head, keep going just two more park runs to go!

Mile 21, legs getting heavy now take on my last planned gel; don’t think my tummy could take another anyway. I am still in my own little zone, both aware but unaware of my surroundings, the occasional shout of ” Kay” penetrates my thoughts and I am grateful to those that read my name on my vest and give me an encouraging shouts, thought I still haven’t seen anyone in the crowd I know and wonder where they all are.

Mile 22, kept going through the mantras and words you had all given me: Pain is temporary, finishing is forever: Bolt this was from young Kara who said to imagine I was racing Usin and he was behind me (now we all know if ever I was lucky enough to be running with Mr Bolt I would NOT be running away from him even if I physically could): Blue Balloon: inspirational: eye of the tiger;:go girl go: give it to em: and several more besides (I just didn’t have time to write them all on my arm and I didn’t want to get ink poising but I did use them all so thank you!

Mile 23, “Kay” I hear and look over my shoulder in time to just see TESS very cheery face, at last, this gives me the lift I need, then for some reason I decide to change side of the road, I’m not sure if this was to avoid slower runners (not that I am going fast) or to seek some shade but am I Glad I do as there in front of me is Debra & Harp and then Andy! Wow I knew Harp was out supporting but I didn’t know Debra and Andy were coming down, they had missed me earlier on in the course and were so determined to see me at this point that Debra was nearly stood in the middle of the road! Thank you

Mile 24, just 2 and a bit keep going, it hurts, keep going, my back aches, keep going, I’m hot keep going, there are lots of people around me walking, keep going . . . .

Mile 25, I grab a bottle of water and for only the second time I walk as I pour this in to my own bottle, but this proves to be a mistake! When I start to run again my legs don’t want to know, I am so close I want it over and without realising pick the pace up, but neither my lungs or my legs can cope with this increase speed and I walk for a few seconds, off again, in the distance I can see a sign saying 800 meters ,so close so so so close, again I speed up too much then have to walk, it is my mental side that lets me down, I just cannot find that extra something to keep me going through the pain and I have a couple of these very short walk breaks, then we round the corner, 400 meters my legs slow to a walk but I am not having this and get them going one last time, 200 meters I see the clock 5hours 7 minutes, I’m mort sure how long it took me to cross the start line but I suddenly worry that I might not make my sub 5 hours and to miss it by just a minute would be far worse than missing it by 10 minutes, I pick up my pace, I am not letting go of this and I sprint the last 2 hundred meters not sure where I find the power or energy to do this, but I do and I am finished! I stop my Garmin which says 4hr50min 08 sec but this does not include my loo stop and so I have to wait till Vikki texts me to know my official chip finish time of 4.54.53 – I HAVE DONE IT!


Sarah W - I don,t have many photos at the moment, but will post more when i get!

Sarah Q - No bubbly yet so feel  free to kick ar*s!

WEEK SIXTEEN - PART 2

So in the interest of completeness I need to fill in the gaps before I blog about Marathon Day!

Day 107 Thursday 22nd April 2010

I had planned to go for an early morning gentle solo run. But for some reason I pratted around doing bits and bobs and it wasn’t until Vikki (who was laid up after her knee op) quite forcibly told me to get changed and go that I actually managed to go! I was looking forward to this run but didn’t enjoy it in the way I hoped, I found it hard work even though I wasn’t pushing myself. I was running along with the i-pod on minding my own busy when I jumped as I felt something grabbing my a*$e, I turned quickly to find a large dog had chased me and jumped up to catch me. Although this gave me a bit of a fright I realised the dog was just trying to play and it soon backed off. But for a moment I had visions of having to withdraw from the marathon because of stitches in my a*$e.

Thursday night I delay packing, it’s as if I’m still avoiding the whole thing, at about 9pm I discover that half my kit is still sat rather smelly in the wash basket and rather hurriedly have to put it on to wash, but my machine is one of the newer ones that in the interest of energy efficiency takes nearly two hours to do one wash! But eventually I am able to hang my kit to dry, finish most of my packing and fall in to bed somewhat later than I had planned.

Day 108 Friday 23rd april 2010

I wake up just before the alarm goes off having had a really good night sleep and feel refreshed. I start to get myself ready and faffing about trying to leave the house tidy but that isn’t going to happen. Trevor arrives at about 8.20 with two large Cappuccino, just the thing I need, I sit and chat a while then start faffing about some more getting myself all worked up, double checking that I have my registration form, passport, money, trainers, house keys etc etc, “what about your Train tickets?” Asks Trevor . . . er I look at him blankly, “What about your hotel?” I shake my head, “do you know where your staying yet?” eh yes, I know that one, “a holiday Inn express!” I start the re checking routine again, race registration number, passport. . . . . I then look at the things I have put on one side to take in a hand bag with me on the train. I don’t do hand bags these days and can’t decide which of the old ones I have dug out from the back of my wardrobe to take. I glance at the pile of stuff I want to put in it, fruit, flap jacks, sweets, purse, Start to wonder if I should put my registration number in my handbag rather than my suit case, I am terrified of losing it and not been able to run, Trevor calms me It will be fine in your case, next I bring through 4 bottles of water and look at my handbag and suit case “Kay they do sell water in London you Know!” Trevor reassures me. Eventually I’m done and sit back down to finish my cappuccino, bet you’ve not seen me like this before I remark “What? Organised!” quips Trevor

Trevor being much more punctional than I am gets me to the station in plenty of time to meet Julie and David for our train to London. Once I’m there the first set of nerves disappears.

When we get to London we drop our cases at the hotel and head to the expo I see Tom as I’m stood waiting at a burger bar, feel compelled to tell Tom that I’m not having a burger but a fresh chicken breast in a bun and NO chips! Next, bump into Helen. Collect our numbers, kit bags and timing tag,

Me and David

 now I worry about losing my number and check my bag every five minutes to reassure myself it is there. As it is quieter on the Friday we browse round the Expo, I could have spent a years salary on all the things there but settled for a commemorative T shirt and a hat as hot weather is predicted. I look for some wicking knickers as I always have a problem with chaffing , Now there were loads of shops selling running socks and several selling running bras but I could only find a couple selling specific running knickers, from this I conclude that either my fellow female runners just wear ordinary every day knickers or none at all when running. However I did manage to find two stalls selling specific running knickers, at the first I asked the assistant if they were made from wicking fabric obviously not a runner and not a clue what I was on about when I tried to explain she nodded yes but still looked at me disbelievingly. I wasn’t convinced! The second stall who assured me that there knickers did have wicking properties showed me two different styles, a thong . . er no...a bridget Jones style pant that were bigger than some shorts . . . er no!

I go chat to Helen some more who takes my photo with Martin Yelling.

Me and Martin

After the expo I went back to the hotel and had an afternoon power nap while J&D went to see her niece, then we went out for tea. I opted for steak and chips not something I would normally choose but I just wanted meat! By 10pm I was tucked up in bed with Dr McDreamy (for those that don’t watch that’s nick name for the dishy doctor on Greys Anatomy)

 

Day 109 Saturday 24th April 2010

Me and Wimbeldon Park Run Race Director

In an effort to keep in front with my challenge with Russell to be the first to 50 park runs I wanted to do a park run in London. J&D decided to come with me and we settled on Wimbeldom. We were all up early had a bite to eat for breakfast and then went to the tube station, unfortunately the line we needed was partly closed due to planned maintenance work and we had to have a roundabout trip involving changing tubes four times. We then got a little lost when trying to find the race and we missed the start. David and I went for a run round the path ways and this was really good as most of it was on dirt track, although I found it hard I felt much better for doing this. We then found the windmill cafe which is where the Wimbeldon Park runners go for coffee after. The race director was still there sorting out the tokens and I got Julie to take a photo of us to prove that I had made the effort to get to a park run though I know I can’t count it in my race to 50. We have a lovely morning having a second breakfast in the sunshine at Wimbeldon before we head back. The rest of the afternoon I chill in the hotel and lay my kit our ready for tomorrow. Sat evening I head out to meet up with Mabeth, Jaz and Tess, get lost but eventually meet up with them and have a lovely relaxing evening and am back full and tucked up in bed by 10. I run through my race day plan in my head a few times. This seems to be keeping my nerves at bay and I am quite relaxed, just two things worry me a little, breakfast, no porridge available and getting to the start, once there I’m sure i’ll be ready.

25th April 2010 - Virgin London Marathon 2010 - DONE

Well its actually 39 min past midnight on the 26th April 2010, and although I am tired I can’t quite switch off so here is a mini blog. I woke up just after 5 got up just after 6, I’m not going to go into details of my Marathon yet as I still need to capture it in my own mind. Offical chip time 4hr 54min 53sec, Unofficial Garmin time which dosen't include my short loo stop 4hr 50min, either way I smashed my previous marathon PB and got sub 5hour

I got home just before 11pm and have had a bath and assessed my marathon damage, I have one blood blister under my big toe, sunburn on my shoulders and somehow on the inside of my legs just below where my shorts finished, my left arm is stripped from wearing both a Garmin and a sweatband and lets just say I will not need to use bronzer on my face for a few days! I have discovered 6 areas of chaffing, despite applying generous amounts of Vaseline (maybe I should just get bathed in the stuff)and the small of my back is bruised.

I do ache but have been able to get up and downstairs no problems, but lets see how that is tomorrow!

Will blog more soon!

22nd April 2010 Day 107

Thursday morning, there is 2days 23 hours 22min and 45, 44, 43 seconds to go

Restless is probably the best word to describe how I have been feeling this week

Emotional is another word that fits

Very busy is what I have being

Organised? – Not at all but I’m off today

Race ready? Yes I am!

Week Sixteen so far

I was going to blog each day this week but it just hasn’t happened. My mind is doing strange things, the Marathon has never been far away from my thoughts yet it seems as far away as it did 16 weeks ago. I know it’s this weekend but when someone said on Tuesday are you ready for Sunday I looked at them blankly and asked why, when they said the marathon it freaked me out, oh god is that THIS Sunday?

I am not nervous or excited but at the same time I am! Eh?

I think this in part has been due to the fact that work has been demanding of me in terms of time, emotion (on Wednesday I came across and had to deal with every human emotion possible) and energy and that this has distracted me in some way from the Marathon. Probably a good thing!

I believe in the final week of training it is about your mental and emotional preparation that is the key to success. In the gaps when my thoughts have turned to myself, I have, I think been what I call a little needy, one of you out there will know what I mean by that and has had to put up with that side of me, for the rest of you I’m not sure how to explain that really. I guess it’s the selfish side of me that for a change wants someone to look after me, to take control for a while rather than me looking after others, maybe it’s about coveting a little attention or just been spoilt!

I was brought up with the believe system that to be selfish was a bad thing, I was always told “I want never gets” But I don’t believe this, if you don’t know what you want how can you go out and get it! And sometimes to get what you want you have to be selfish, but if this brings you happiness that you can then give back to others how can this be wrong?

I was also told “Little girls should be seen and not heard” apparently I used to chatter on and on then and this was just a way of getting a little peace and quiet. Have to say I often find myself biting back these words with Adele!

Sorry gone off at a tangent, (which is a reflection of my mind this week) so to bring it back to my Marathon training, what else have I been doing this week to prepare myself.

Well on Monday I went for an easy Lunchtime swim, but still ended up doing my normal 40 lengths though it did take a few more minutes than normal, my mind wandered from my work to do list to my marathon to do list and back again.

Tuesday I took group two on my favourite summer run along the canal, Liz had to guide a stray horse off the tow path at one point, around Kirkstall abbey which is full of flowers, back along the railway track (this is a model railway track not used on an evening) over the railway bridge which you have to take big stride across from sleeper to sleeper and then back on the canal, great company, great conversation, a lovely evening and a lovely 5.5 mile run effortlessly done.

Wednesday I rested, got home and Adele has made buns, would have been rude not to eat them!

In addition to this as part of my mental preparation I had a coaching session with Tom on Monday evening. Just the thing I needed to focus my mind, to look at the positive side of my training and understand the not such good sessions, we talked pre and actual race strategy, nutrition, mind set, kit, self believe and many, many other things. I know there are many things I could have done different or in deed better in my training. Nutrition is definitely an area I can still improve in, stretching has generally being nonexistent, and all the work I was going to do on my core just didn’t happen. However I have done most of the runs I had planned to do (though some of them shorter) I have dropped some of my cross training but this has usually been around ensuring adequate recovery rather than can’t fit in / be bother.

But I think I have put in the best training I could whilst still maintain a (reasonable) balance with the other areas of my life.

I am stronger and fitter than for my previous two marathons.

My race will be what it will be
 
The only question left is . . . .Will that bottle of champaign I was promised be waiting for me when I get back to Leeds?

WEEK FITHTEEN DONE - Taper is not good for your health

Just one week to go, this time next week it will all be done, doesn’t really seem real. Surely I need to run more first, I’m not nervous yet but I am sure it will come. I think I will post daily this week, well at least till I go to London on Friday.

Day 98 Monday 12th April 2010 – Back to work

Wake up not wanting to go to work but talk myself round and go in a positive frame of mind pinching the addidas phrase as my mantra for the day “Impossible is Nothing” I have meetings in the morning and so I don’t get to even open my emails till late afternoon! I have a busy day but as I don’t actually get to the bottom of my inbox I am blissfully unaware of what I need to do and so finish the day as relaxed as I started it! Don’t manage to go for a swim at lunchtime but go after work, have missed my swimming in last few weeks. Bump in to Dave as I leave the gym who has had an excellent run today and chat for a while about Marathon things. Dave more than once tells me to not stand out in the cold and wrap up warm, but as I’m talking about my favourite thing Marathon running (ok ok my second favourite thing) I shrug his concern off and say I’ll be ok!

Day 99 Tuesday 13th April 2010 Injury & Illness

Injury - When I am getting my breakfast I open the fridge door and the milk shelve complete with a full four pint carton of milk fall out hitting me on the ankle bone. I drop to the floor in agony as if I have just been rugby tackled I screamed out so loud that I woke and got Daniel out of bed to see what was up, and anyone with teenage boys will know how hard this can be! Ankle is red slightly swollen and feels bruised!

Illness - Should have listened to Dave! At lunchtime I started with a strange pain at the back of my mouth/ tongue which within half an hour had turned in to a sore throat, my throat felt swollen, kind of numb like when you have an injection at the dentist but hurt at the same time and I couldn’t talk properly! I really really really want to run tonight I have planned my route out and have been looking forward to it! But I begin to feel a little achy and feverish, go to the gym but when I get there even drinking water is ridiculously painful and my head takes over from my heart and I decide not to run. Get home and have a missed call from Trevor so text and ask him if he could bring me soup lemsip and ice cream for my tea but he calls with some excuse about been in London, so try and suck on grapes for my tea!

Am worried! 15 weeks of training and I get ill now!!!

Spend the evening working out the UKA database and re registering the club and members, think I have it sorted now!

Day 100 Wednesday 14th April 2010 – What happened to Wednesday?

Actually had a good night sleep got up, throat still sore though! But really don’t remember much more about my day!

Day 101 Thursday 15th April 2010 – Aren’t massages suppose to be relaxing?

My throat is feeling much better today though I feel a bit snotty! My work phone rings not long after 8 and I have to laugh as I am still in the bath! Another busy - ish day at work tackle some of the things I have been avoiding which feels good! Make time to go to the gym at lunchtime to do an easy (if there is such a thing) interval session on the tread! My chest feels tight and I am wheezing a little, so know something is not right! Wonder if should go see GP, but what can they do?

After work I have a sports massage, have been looking forward to the pain all day. I just finish saying to Harriet that I think either she has developed a gentler touch or that my body is getting used to it when she turns her attention to my troublesome hip! I am left with a bruise from this attention. Then I silly say that I have had a touch of pain under my foot which keeps re occurring, it never occurred to me that you could give a sports massage to the sole /arch of your foot. Well guess what apparently you can and boy does it hurt!!! Last time I felt pain like that was when the dentist gave me an injection and accidentally hit a nerve.

Day 102 Friday 16th April 2010 – Dull Friday

I want to do spin class – but my body is still demanding rest - dull

As always spend most of Friday in a never ending meeting – very dull

Get home to an empty house – very very dull

Hope to see Trevor after work, but he is working late – very very very dull

Put TV on very very very very dull

Ignore the fact that Trevor has work to finish and go see him anyway, have to brighten my day somehow!

Day 103 Saturday 17th April 2010 – Relaxing Saturday

Get up for Park Run, think I might chase a PB today seen as how I haven’t worked hard this week so make sure I get there in time for a warm up. Set off feeling good, Garmin not charged properly though so this soon goes off and I don’t know my pace. Now I felt strong and ran well I got a little wheezy on last lap and I think I backed off a little but I think this is because my goal is VLM and not wearing myself out for a PR pb. I finished in 29.31 (fastest during my Marathon campaign?) this is 34 seconds slower than my PB. Russell who did Paris last week got a PB today because he has been recovering this week and only done about 30 miles!

Get home to discover that poor Misty the cat has had diarrhoea in the house!

I can’t seem to get energy to do any chores this afternoon, I look around at all the things I need to do, the sun shine seems to be showing all the previously hidden dusty corners, the garden is in desperate need of some TLC, my hall and stairway need preparing for decorating, junk needs taking to the tip but as Marathon Talk says you shouldn’t tackle a new project or do any physical work during taper, wrap yourself in cotton wool! Well I don’t need telling twice and decide to try sneaking an hour sleep on the bed. But alas the Kids arrive home and my peace and tranquillity are shattered. We go to Goodalls farm at Tong for one of their delicious ice creams and then back home where before I know it there is a (what is the collective noun for a group of noisy kids) lot of kids running around seems to be some kind of girl V boy game going on!

Nandos for tea, kids are on form and have me laughing so loudly, we are talking text talk what does “SUD!!!!” mean asks Daniel, we look at him stumped. SHUT-UP-DEL !!!!! Then home and we have a rare evening all cuddled up on the sofa and watch Run Fat Boy Run.

A lovely relaxing day

Day 103 Sunday 18th April 2010 – Last Long Slow Run

It’s 8.36am and the sun is shining and I should have set off on my last (short) Long Slow Run already but I’m here updating my blog notes. But time to get going lots and lots to do today!

I’m back; the run went well, was a lovely running day sunny but not too warm. Decided to run solo today wanted to mentally prepare myself. Took myself up Tong Road and across Back Lane through Gildersome and to Morley before enjoying a downhill run on Churwell Hill! The last half a mile did feel hard and it did seem impossible to think that I will have to run another 16miles further next Sunday. But I think its psychological, 10miles was on my plan and that is all my body was expecting so anything more felt too hard, next week my body is expecting 26.2 miles so should be ok, well that’s the theory anyway.


Now I have a favour to ask you all. Your support throughout the last 15 weeks has been fantastic and invaluable and I’d like to take that with me on the day. So I need your words, a single one or a short Mantra to keep me going, post them here as a comment, facebook them, text them, and I will write them on a band I will wear on my arm (hence why short) so that I can carry your words with me for when I need them!

WEEK FOURTEEN DONE – two weeks to go

Bunny Run

Day 91 Monday 5th April 2010 – The end to the peace and quiet

Kids are due back home today, was just thinking I’d go for a run when they phoned to say already home. So Adele and I started on the task of painting over her art work on her bedroom walls. Shame really, was quite good. Only some of them are done with ink, which the paint just won’t cover. Have to change which wall is going to be wall papered.

No training today, still feeling tired but also somewhat lazy and lack motivation.

Day 92 Tuesday 6th April 2010 – Sick child number one

More painting, start hanging lining paper, go to run club. It’s interval session tonight, don’t run as strong as I would like, legs still feel heavy and I develop a pain around my Achilles so daren’t push it any harder. Join the guys for a curry after haven’t been for a few months, enjoy this, chat to Michael about his marathon training, have a fun evening.

Get home to find my daughter asleep on the sofa with a bucket at the side of her! My brother says she was very sick about 10 minutes after I left the house and several times since. Adele sleeps in bed with me and is sick again through the night, normally when my children are ill I would do anything to take the bug off them and be ill instead, but tonight I pray I don’t catch it!

Day 93 Wednesday 7th April 2010 - One year older

It’s my birthday, thank you all for your kind birthday messages.   I tried to keep my birthday quiet as in the last 5 years or so I have come to loath my birthday.  This year proves to be no exception. I’ll say no more! 

Sarah - thank you for knowing when to call, and for listening to me.  And thank you for knowing what to say.

Day 94 Thursday 8th April 2010 – Sick child number two

Up at 2oclock in the morning when Daniel started to be sick. Will it be my turn tomorrow?

Can’t believe its Thursday already, back to work on Monday and haven’t achieved half of the things I wanted to do, like running it seems to take me a while to warm up and get going with chores. Still I’m sure the Lazy mornings must be doing my rest/recovery good.

Adele is an angel today she decided she wants to know how to use the washing machine and spends the day putting the washing on and pegging it out bringing it back in and sorting it! She then sweeps and mops all the downstairs floors, makes coffee for my friend and I.

Had arranged to meet Nicky for a run this afternoon and bumped into Claire in the changing room who then came with us. Claire is doing London as her first marathon and so we chatted a lot about marathon training and running. At one point Claire asked us if we had ever considered running with weights. Nicky and I simultaneously, positively almost shouted NO!

Was a good run taking in one of my favourite routes canal, round the abbey along the miniature railway line over the rickety bridge and back on the canal. 5.5 miles lovely sunshine.

Day 95 Friday 9th April 2010 -

Rest day today but get up early to do wall papering in Adele room – looks pretty good.

Adele continues with her mission to have a clean and tidy house and almost stands over me to make sure I clear the dining room table which has been full of clutter from a de cluttering exercise I did some 6 months ago (have to say not all yet sorted but moved ready for sorting) and for the first time in 6 months we sit at the table to eat tea! Adele is still in great form chattering none stop coming out with her one liners, I sometimes think she could be either a stand up comic or a politician! Dan keeps rolling his eyes and asks if we can get a sound proof box to sit her in!

Am so tired I am falling asleep at 9 and go to bed, but then I wake at 1 and struggle to get back to sleep, put lap top on do some run club stuff, get a drink, try to sleep, need loo, still can’t sleep, lap top back on check runners world forum, check various blogs, light off, settle down, Adele (still sleeping in my bed while decorating her room) suddenly sits up, starts to try and grab something and point shouting that it that one it’s there, then sighs and lies back down, decide I need loo again, still can’t settle, laptop back on, look at my training spreadsheet, decide to plan out my post marathon training and look at possible races, put in loads some def club races other possible that I might do 20 altogether (though two are on the same day) and when I get to boxing day and the Chevin Chase, I decided that instead of trying to plan my training for Dec I should be concentrating on getting some sleep before the Bunny Run which is in just 4 hours time!

Day 96 Saturday 10th April 2010 – Run rabbit run

Found it hard to get up, I had wanted to get up in time to have a proper warm up and then try for a PB, but no way was this happening. Meet up with Julie and David who were doing their first park run today and Julie and I got our bunny ears and tails on.

Was a good run, quite a way of my PB but I am consistently running this without stopping now which 4 months ago would not always be the case, I don’t hurt less I’m just more able to keep going through the pain!

Join the gang in the cafe after for a fresh orange juice, then home. I call at Woodrups on the way home to get some gels totally forgetting I was still wearing my bunny tail and ears and then when I get home I chat with my neighbour for a while till I saw my reflection in the window!

Went to see my Mum at tea time to have a cuppa and a natter, she lifts my spirits and has me laughing, just the tonic I needed. There is no one quite like your Mum when you’re feeling a little Blue!

Day 97 Sunday 11th April 2010 – A “short 12 miles”

Today is a taper short-long run aiming for between 12 – 14 miles, not sure how I’m feeling about this after my horrible 22 miles. Meet Clair, we do a couple of miles along the canal and Sue then joins us. Once again my legs are sore for the first 3 miles, we run along the canal to Rodley before leaving the canal and then up the hill to Horsforth, Somehow I make it up this hill but have a two minute break at the top before we are off again. A couple of times my breathing feels tight and I feel I struggle for breath not sure if this is a virus or if it’s because the weather is getting warmer. But all round a good strong run.

Legs ache during the afternoon.

But I crack on and tick a few more things off of my holiday to do list.  What isn't done now will just have to wait.  I have a hectic schedule home wise in the next few weeks, somehow I have to ensure I get adequate rest and recover whilst fitting in my training, coaching session, sports massage, preparing for my trip, registring the run club members, preparing for my course, parents evening at school and general must do everyday chores. I reminde myself that i need to be selfish for a couple of weeks and everything /one else will just have to wait.

Then I start to think about going back to work tomorrow and check my emails only 122 new ones! Check my diary - Dam it Monday & Tuesday  I have back to back meetings.

Work wise I have what feels like an inpossible couple of weeks ahead of me.

But as every Marathon Runner Knows

"IMMPOSIBLE IS NOTHING"

This will be my mantra for the next two weeks!

WEEK THIRTEEN - Just three left to go

Highlight – Volunteering at Leeds Park Run (a great excuse to ogle all those legs)

Lowlight – My longest L(very)SR

Inspiration – Helen Williams, who never seems to stops smiling and always seems to have just the right words to make me feel normal agian

Well its Sunday night 4th April 2010 and I have just realised I haven’t written one word for my blog note this week. Now I wonder why that is? I could say I’ve been too busy, but I haven’t been any busier than normal, maybe I’ve just run out of things to say . . but those that know me, know thats not likely . . .lost motivation . . possibly . . . distracted . . .have to say my thoughts have wandered to a certain someone in Lanzarote once or twice . . . But the reality is . . . its getting close now and I think I’m trying not to think about it!

But as much as I try the VLM and my training journey are never far from my mind.

I have started to compare myself to others,

Comparing myself to Dave who said he missed run club as he needed extra slept after a 50+ mile training week, to Russell who is already tapering for Paris Marathon and says he is cutting down to just 30 miles a week, to Chris who has lost weight during his marathon campaign, to Michael who says he is really enjoying his training, and to top it off my Runners World arrives with lots of comments and satire about marathon training and final prep and I suddenly feel woefully under trained with my all time maximum of 32 miles in a week.

I know better than to compare myself to others as I know we are all different, in different places and aiming to achieve different things, but I Just can't help myself and  on Friday I found myself doubting my ability to do this and wondering why I am?

The only person I speak to who has words that echo true to me is Helen W, who quite simply says “do you know I’m getting bored with all this Marathon Training now” . . . what a relief it is to hear these words, that is it I’m BORED and feel sure you must be bored with my Marathon Chatter too! But having started I will see if I can recall my week for you and hope it dosen't bore you too much.

This chat with Helen was on TUESDAY as we waited to go out in the pouring rain for run club.  It must have been the wettest day of training so far ans there are not as many of us running tonight, understandably! But are dedication and commitment to our own goals is rewarded when the rain stops and holds off for the hour that we run, just 6 in my group but had a really good run, 5.89 mile done!

I have massive amount of work to do on WEDNESDAY as I break up for over a week but I also have to shuffle my training round as we have a committee meeting tonight. So i am selfish and prioritise my training over work, take a lunch break and go to the gym I do my 45 min session on tread. I do 8 x 2min intervals ending with 2 @13 it feels very hard, but somehow i do it. Rush from work to committee meeting without eating and then end up picking kids up a little late. Nip to shop for milk and buy a packet of mixed nuts and fruit I am tired and exhausted and end up eating the entire packet of nuts instead of doing some tea . . . e m i know nuts are good for you but probably not as a meal replacement!

My THURSDAY the first day of my break starts at 6.30am when Adele sends me a text asking if we can go to Goodalls farm for ice cream today! I have a rest day planned but I actually feel like I have energy. Have a nice day with the kids. Adele tidies up for me moving a big pile of papers and folders I have put on one side to sort, only now I have no idea where she has put them.

FRIDAY comes and it is the day of the longest Long Slow Run training day. I drop the kids off with their dad for their weekend holiday trip I set off with Harp who kept me company for the first 3 miles. I pop the ipod on after this and I run on the canal to Newlay Bridge then make my way back up to Kirkstall Road and head for the sports centre to meet Helen B. But already I am hating this run, it is horrible, I find I have lost my determination I struggle to run up anything that is even slightly a hill and walk, I know I am late to meet Helen and try to call her but she doesn’t have her phone on her, I was over warm on the canal but now I start to feel really cold and quite shivery particular around my lower body my bum and hips, I pull my jacket down in a vain attempt to keep warm and discover the reason that I feel so cold is that my water bottle has leaked and my jacket and leggings are soak and freezing cold against me! I find it even harder to run as I am bursting for a wee and planned to nip in to the sports centre to use the loo. But it’s good Friday and it is closed, as I reach the point I was supposed to be 40mins ago Helen calls me, she has popped back home as was worried and so I dash to hers for the Loo. Feeling more comfy we set off again up to Headingley, Helen manages to pace me so that I can run up this Hill, through Headingly to Otley Road we go, across to Weetwood Lane, down through the Hollies to Meanwood Park and I (must) bore Helen with my sightseeing tour of my childhood, I am grateful for every junction we come to that I am able to stop and take a breather at, and I have a couple of walk breaks where I Just can’t seem to get my breathing and leg turnover to synchronise. Up Stainback Lane stop to buy more water, point out the school I used to go to, my oldest friends house, up Stainbeck Road across to Parkside Road where I point out where I had my first kiss. I find I need the loo again and we stop at the Myrtel Pub (more Kay growing up sighseeing facts for Helen) and down the big hill to the ring road pick up part of the Leeds Half Marathon Route (more walking) then go up Adel Lane towards the back of Golden Acer but again I feel desperate for the loo and make another stop at the tea rooms. I ring Nicky and Liz who are both waiting for my call and leave Helen at the bus stop outside Golden Acer. I hope she doesn’t have to wait long as she looks frozen. I am still feeling a little cold as although my leggings have dried out the zip on my coat has gone again and is flapping about. I keep going along Leeds road hoping Nicky will just say come on you look terrible i ll take you back home for a coffee and cake! But as I ran along Leeds Road I first saw Liz on one side of the road and then Nicky on the other side running towards ME to meet ME, to support ME, to keep ME going, it didn’t enter my head that they were joining me because they wanted a run to for a few selfish moments it was all about ME and just seeing then both run towards ME gave me a lift. Now although Liz and Nicky live a few minutes from each other they didn’t previously know how close and so they chatted about all sorts of things, I’m not sure I could tell you what they chatted about, a vacant shop, Tesco, cats, George or was it Harry camping out, lots of house spotting, who lived where . . . . all I know was I let them take control of the route, six miles was what I requested, six miles is what I got and as we went they kept chatting, occasional asking me if I was ok, occasionally getting a few words or a grunt from me, but it was great listening to them chatter without having to actually join in! Eventually my garmin showed I had done the desired 22 miles and I stopped not wanting to run a step more than was on my programme, but Nicky did get me to have a slight jog back to her house where she feed me with the best tasting brown bread and peanut butter I have ever tasted!

Nicky kindly dropped me back home and other than having a bath, eating and a little facebooking I didn’t do much else for what was left of the day!

A big thank you to Harp, Helen B, Nicky and Liz and sorry I moaned so much, walked so much and Helen probably bored you silly with the this is my life fact tour!

Next thing I know the alarm is going off to signify it is SATURDAY and time to get up and go help support Mr Dooley as Race Director at this week’s Park Run. I have requested a sitting down job and Sam puts me in charge of pressing the timer as the runners cross the line, this is a perfect job for me sitting and watching lots of athletic legs passing in front of me, but what a responsibility to make sure I get everyone, 160+ runners and walkers crossed the line in about 54 minutes. Geoff ( who is handing out the placing tokens) and I work well together and with the exception of one person who nearly mucked things up because he wouldn’t take a token we captured everyone.

Thanks to Julie (Sams wife) for providing Easter chocolate buns as well!

After helping to pack up I went and spent the rest of the morning at Caldo’s cafe with the park run gang, it was good not have to rush off for the kids or to get to the gym, but the truth was my legs and body couldn’t have rushed anywhere if it had tried! Lots of people congratulated me on doing my 22 miler and I felt a fraud as didn’t feel it was worthy of a well done. But as I sat and chatted I realise not all runs will be great, Russell said how he had dreaded his 22 miler and found it hard. I was reminded that actually I had done this LSR just 5 days after running my best ever half marathon and as for the difference in miles I have run in comparison to Dave, Russell, Chris, Michael and Helen, well yes my mileage is much lower but if you were to add up time out there on our feet I bet I’m not that much behind them! They just cover more ground in the time than I do!

Was going to go for a swim in the afternoon but felt drained and ended up having a nap before going out for tea with my mum.

I have a rare lie in this morning , SUNDAY and although I was awake for a little through the night I am pleasantly surprised to see it is nearly 10 when I wake up.

I was going to start painting Adele room today but B&Q and other such places are closed so cant get the paint, was going to go do body pump and spin but when I phoned to check times I was told the class was cancelled and the pool out of working order. I took this as a sign that the universe was saying I needed another rest day . . .and who am I to argue with the universe.

With just 3 weeks left to go I have started to look for post Marathon races, there are just so many to chose from but perhaps I should take some advise on recovery before I plan too much!

Ps TSR - Have missed you!

WEEK TWELVE

Highlight – Another Race, well run. Another PB!

Lowlight – None!

Inspiration – Kara K & Ellie D (Junior VARR) super efforts and superb PB at park run in recent weeks!

Day 77 Monday 22nd March 2010 - Groundhog Monday returns

Get up (somewhat groggy) go to work, go swimming at lunchtime, back to work, take work home with me. Have tea with kids, potter, don’t do work, go to bed tired! Like I said groundhog Monday!

I did get a call this morning to say I have got a place on the ILM 5 Course! It starts about 3 days after the Marathon. . . . . . I was wondering what I would do with all my free time! lol

Day 78 Tuesday 23rd March 2010 - Ticking off my to do list

Feel quite good today, tired but good! Got a few of my bit & bob jobs done, pay bill, pick up mandate, post parcel, see mum, ect

Dentist this afternoon for another hour in the chair, but this time I didn’t fall asleep and no pain once injection wears off, yippe! Told Mr Woods I hoped I would not be seeing him again for a while, at least not till August when kids and I have a check up!

Cold sores are beginning to heel as well so hopefully by weekend my Mouth may be back to normal!

Run club, not as many turned up tonight, was rather wet, though that nice kind of rain that you often welcome in a hot run! So just 6 or 7 in group two tonight, the group ran well and they certainly pulled me along at the end. Brought my coaching course in to action and had them running in a single line with the runner at the back sprinting to the front, nearly killed me off but the group seemed to enjoy it!

Have felt quite hungry through the day and so was glad I had put a jacket spud in the oven on a timer for when I got home

Day 79 Wednesday 24th March 2010 - Am selfish and sticking to my training

A busy but good day at work, not the day I planned which is why I probably enjoyed it! Really trying hard to eat well this week, so was good and took tuna and some couscous salad and plenty of fruit to work for my lunch but left it in my base and found myself elsewhere at Lunchtime starving with only biscuits and such! Not good!

Nearly wavered and stayed late to catch up (not that I ever will in my job) but in end stuck to my training programme. 40 min session on tread, warm up then intervals, finishing off with 2 @13 followed by Nicks Body Pump Class.

Day 80 Thursday 25th March 2010 -

Another busy day at work, can’t really remember much about it other than that! Finally managed to speak to Daniels Head of English about his report that stated “serious concerns” for his English, she was puzzled by this as says have had supply teacher after supply teacher so doesn’t know who would have written this as none of them would have known Daniel well enough! NOW I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS!

Arrange to meet Nicky for a run after work, can tell its one of those days, if either one of us had said shall we have a cuppa, cake and chat instead, then the other would have agreed straight away. But never of us did and our effort was repaid by what turned out to be a lovely run along canal and round abbey. We got wet but both felt better for it!

Day 81 Friday 26th March 2010  - I want to spin!

Really want to go to spin am missing it and I find it helps get me through my Friday morning team meeting. But I know I need to have at least one rest day before Sunday Half Marathon and so I miss it again.

The dreaded Friday am meeting starts at 8.30 and is still going when I have to leave at 12.30 to attend a S&M Training course (that’s Statutory and Mandatory before you get the wrong idea!). My car is just about out of petrol, I cross my fingers and coast as much as i can to the petrol station hoping I can pick up a sandwich for my lunch as well. Turns out to not be the sort of garage to do sandwiches and so lunch is a grab bag of cheese Doritos! Arrive a little late for my course and spend the next three hours on a conflict resolution training course in which I learn absolutely nothing, ah well at least I’m up to date, ticked the box, and the trainer was quite entertaining! Have to fly back to the office as not been anywhere near my email or post today. Adele rings me as she is waiting for me to shop so that she can make cookies and biscuits for the Rugby tournament that her team is hosting tomorrow.

Finish up as quick as i can, home, pick up Adele, supermarket, home, baking, finally sit down grumpy and tired with a cup of tea at some point in the evening. Give Trevor a quick call about tomorrow. Give up on my day and go to bed without having a proper tea!

Day 82 Saturday 27th March 2010  Mr Dooley nearley laps me twice at Park Run!

Dan is up before me but seems reluctant to do park run, persuade him to come by telling him that when he gets a sub 30min I’ll give him £10. Vikki is running with Kara today and asks to borrow her Garmin as Kara is going for a PB. Feel naked without it!

Event is a little short of Marshall and Mr Dooley starts proceedings.

Dan only manages a few steps before stopping saying his foot still hurts (I had forgotten that he had dropped a hand weight on the other day)

Mr Dooley must have joined in the race a little after everyone else started as he passes me on the first corner of the first lap.

I carry on in my own little world at a relaxed steady pace, I’m in no rush today just want to loosen my legs up for tomorrow.

As I pass the finish line for the first time (for those of you that don’t do Park run you pass the finish line 2 before finally crossing it after your 3rd lap!) the lead man passes me, gosh either he is going super fast or I am going super slow. Begin to wonder if Mr Dooley might even lap me a second time. And indeed as I pass the finish line for the second time I have a quick look behind me to see Mr Dooley storming home, 30 seconds faster and he would have lapped me twice!

I finished in a very relaxed paced in 33+ mins and Kara flew home with an outstanding PB

Stop at up and running to get gels for tomorrow then home to start what I like to call the transformation process for lunchtime drinks.

Am just about ready when Trevor calls to pick me up, he enjoys a couple of glasses of red wine while I pull faces at my rather tart traditional lemonade with more than a hint of ginger! But if I’m going to race well tomorrow cant indulge in a glass of vino so settle for a cappuccino! I’m promises that a bottle of chilled champagne will be waiting when I’ve done the Marathon!

Spend the evening with Daniel, buying some CD which has the words “bass” and “addicted” in the title! Emmm ear plugs will be required I think! I finally get a new mobile phone hand set the nice red one I have wanted for so long, not only do they give me it at no extra cost but give me a discount on my monthly rate! Well happy!

Only as I don’t know the phone I don’t know what time to set the alarm for, as I’m not sure if the time will automatically update or not, decide to go for the option that may wake me up two hours early rather than the one that may wake me up an hour late! But was so worried that i wouldn’t wake up I didnt go to sleep!

Day 83 Sunday 28th March 2010  Liverpool is very windy!

At four o’clock old time and five o’clock new time I crawl out of bed! Make porridge, just doesn’t taste right at this time in the morning! Have most of my kit ready, just need to throw things in a bag and set of shortly after 6, stop for a cappuccino and go for Vikki, get to Julie and Davids just as Julie is getting home from work! Don’t know how she does it! David is more groggy than I am but we are soon on our way to Liverpool.

As we get to Liverpool we seem to have loads of time and I am bursting for the loo so we stop at Macd’s and I have a second cappuccino! Then we try make our way to the race only we get stuck in traffic, finding some where to park is a nightmare and we end up in a multi-storey. As we get out of the car and start to hurriedly get ourselves ready Paul Warren pulls up next to us. He too has been stuck and struggling to find somewhere to park. After a lot of messing about and a first (Vaseline my bits up in the middle of multi storey car park) we set off to find the start. There is only 10 min till the race starts and I’m desperate for the loo again but don’t want to be late, we pass a hotel and Paul tells me it will be fine to go as will take time for crowds to get to the start line and as we are wearing timing chips it doesn’t really matter! As we come out someone tells us the start is delayed any way and feel so much better. We actually get to the start line about 10 minutes before the race starts. There is a cold wind coming of the Mersey and I worry that I might be too cold in my vest . Look out for Harp, Kate and Michael but don’t see them, David and I join in the crowd just before the pacer for 10 min miler passes.

Now when I had meet with Tom a few weeks ago to talk about race and pace strategy for Liverpool half, tom had simply said – GO FOR IT – only I wasn’t sure I was able to go for it today, think not fully recovered from Trimpell, feel my training has taken a little dip and think I might be fighting off a little virus, so I was happy to see how it went. I would quite like to get a 2hr12 min as iI missed out on this by just 4 seconds at Brass Monkey !

I don’t remember much about the course, there was a hill early on which slowed my pace a little and the 10 min milers passed us, but I wasn’t aiming for that pace so that was ok, I felt I was running comfortably, not talking much, but seemed to settle into things quite quickly. As we entered the park David disappeared to see a man about a dog and said he’d catch me up. Now I have to confess a small part of my brain did click in here and said, No you wont and my pace picked up. I found myself with the 10 minute milers and thought i’d try running with them for a while to see if I fancied doing this in London. But I hated it! I felt traped and as if I was going to trip up so I did a quick side step and sprinted passed them till I had space in front of me, checked Garmin way too fast, slowed and settled in to my pace again! 10 mins gone and no sign of David catching me, I smiled to myself relaxed and enjoyed things, checked garmin and was surprised to see how far had already run, felt strong and comfortable, still no David! Then a voice says “so as I was saying . . . “ . . David was back! Dam it! He asked me if I had picked up the pace, no no not at all I lied!

I couldn’t tell you how long David stayed with me but he did push on in the end! I wasn’t feeling in the least bit hungry but had a gel at about 8 mile, I heard myself think “its over half way and don’t feel like I have been running for long, only 5 miles to go that’s easy” Excuse me is that really my voice I can hear inside my head!! “Oh look there is a bit of a uphill in this path, never mind slow the pace, little steps up you go” i begin to think my mind has been taken over by a being from out a space!

9 mile - check my garmin - a PB is on the cards unless the wheels come off! Then at mile 10 we rejoin the walkway running alongside the Mersey for the last three miles, the wind blowing off it was a shock and took your breath away and sapped your energy! I pause for 30 seconds to fill my water bottle, off again, start to struggle with my breathing, but im having this, a PB is in site! The 10 min milers catch me back up and pass me, i stick with them a while but they take the whole pathway up and i feel cramped in again and so drop back. I instantly regret this as i hadn’t realised how much shelter they were providing from the wind! We moved away from the front a little and ran through some kind of warehouse car park and I thought this would give some relive from the wind, but in fact it was worse as it seemed to be coming from all directions, back on to the front I check my Garmin, have slowed its going to be close but can still get that PB, want to go for it but have just over half a mile left so pace, steady my pace, see Vikki get ready to pick my pace up, pass a group of scantily dressed roman soldiers, very nice, sense I’m close and start to pick up my pace to find I’m actually already at the finish line! So yes I get my PB, 2.09.29 but am cross with myself as if id know was so close and picked up the pace earlier id have got a 2.09.00 and if it wasn’t for the last 3 miles of wind I think I would have got a 2.08.00. Vikki tells me off and reminds me I have actually taken 2min 35sec off my PB on a harder course!

So yes Tom I Kind of went for it, think I could run it harder, but not to day, but I feel fine after which makes me think could have given more! But as I sit here reflecting on it I’m well pleased, my first half Marathon just four and a half years ago took me 2hr.27min and I felt very ill afterwards!

When I got home Adele asked me if how my run had gone and told me she thinks it’s amazing that I can run for 14 – 20 miles without stopping! So Do I, blooming amazing!

Ps  a few of you said struggled to leave a comment so I have reset the settings so if you want to leave a comment you should now be able to do so much easier by doing annoyminously!

WEEK ELEVEN – DONE - Just five weeks left!

Highlight – Sunday afternoon when a handsome young man brought me my favourite large cappuccino as a recovery treat

 

Lowlight – Having not just one but FOUR horrible cold-sores! Not a good look!

 

Inspiration – An email from my eldest big brother (thank you)

 

Has been a strange week, feel a little bit stuck with things!

 

Not sure if I’m just tired, fighting of some virus or at some level a little bored, actually the word tedious comes to mind! This week in addition to my normal busy, work, kids, training, home chores schedule, I also had to prepare a presentation, complete a self evaluation questionnaire, an on line personality type test and right a short paper all as part of a selection process for a course!

 

The result is I haven’t done my day by day blog notes but here is a summary of my weeks training!

 

• Mon – an unplanned rest day as couldn’t fit a swim in.
• Tue – run club, but I took advantage of being group leader and walked slowly up the hill on Spen Lane while I made group 2 run up and down the hill around me several times!Wed – Tried to do my interval tread session but after a warm up and 6min of intervals it was obvious it just wasn’t happening and decided a rest, hot chocolate and a chat with Nicky was more needed. 
• Thurs – Planned rest day 
• Fri –  Am lazy and have a 3rd rest day! 
• Sat – Park Run aimed for a PB. I missed it by about 40seconds but I did run as hard as I could. Also did body pump, which unusually I didn’t enjoy very much. Perhaps this is another sign that I’m still tired. 
• Sun – Long Run 14 miles. Found the whole run hard going and am glad Helen B joined me for about 8 of them!

 I have mixed feelings about my training this week. I know that rest and recovery are important parts of training, but even after 3 days rest I still struggled with my long run! I worry I’m not as fit as I’d like to be or indeed need to be to achieve my goals!

 

GOALS –  Now There is a word . GOALS - food for thought,  GOALS

Now some of you may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned my specific goals for this Marathon.

 

That is partly because if I tell you, you will have something to measure me against and once you have a measure you can either succeed or fail!

 

I find that when you tell people you are running a Marathon you generally get one of three responces . . .

 

• “WOW, how far is that, is it as long as New York marathon/Great North Run/ or some other run they have heard off?” This response delights me as it means I have a non runner who I bore silly with my tails and who are amazed at my efforts!

 

• “What time are you aiming for?” – To this I generally say well I’m not bothered but would be nice to beat my Edinburgh time of 5hr 21mins

 

• And then there are those who ask me my 10k or half marathon PB and start to predict my finish time for me. – This again gives a measure (not even my measure) against which I can either fail or succeed!

 

This happened after my Brass Monkey PB in week 3 and after this I made a conscious decision not to share my race or training run times with anyone except a few of you that give me constant running counsel!

 

I have managed to avoid discussions of Marathon finish times until last week when Liz captured my Trimpell 20 mile time on camera as I crossed the finish line! Now I have to say I am very pleased with my time, it was some 17 minutes faster than what I was hoping for. But as I thought, this has been followed with a week of individuals predicting my Marathon finish time!

 

So I think it’s time to share MY goals with you

 

1. To arrive at the start line strong, fit and healthy having the best possible 16 weeks training!

 

2. To finish and enjoy what I know will be an amazing event

 

3. To run it all (apart from fuel stops)

 

4. To run it as hard as I can. If I do this I will achieve the best possible time I am capable of at this stage in my running life!

 

Those are my primary goals, the only ones that really matter!

 

Time is not important . . . . . . . or so I tell myself. . . . . but if in doing the above I manage to improve on my Edinburgh time of 5hr 21 I will be pleased . . . . . if I take 20 min off my time like I did between Dublin and Edinburgh times I will be thrilled . . . . if I break sub 5hours I will be ecstatic!

 

You see if I’m honest with both myself and you a sub 5hr is what I want, I can feel it, I can almost taste it! There you are, I’ve said it

 

MY GOAL IS SUB 5 HOUR!

 

Just five more weeks, 5 more swims, 20ish more runs, 8ish more cross training to get to a sub 5.

 

So how am I going to get through the next few weeks strong but fresh?

 

REST, rest and more rest – but not too much,

 

FUEL 5* got to get this right now, complex carbs for energy, protein to rebuild and recover, plenty of fresh fruit and veg to provide essential vit & minerals to keep me well and healthy! Wonder if I can do 5 weeks without chocolate, biscuits and sweets? Alcohol not a problem not had a drink since November anyway!

 

SMART TRAINING – keep to my programme, amend if necessary but don’t miss it just because . . . because!

 

BE SELFISH - training comes first! Everything and everyone else I’m afraid will have to wait!

 

FUN – make sure my training is fun, mix it up, do it with others.

 

SUPPORT – Your support and encouragement is amazing and keeps me going, so keep with me guys, just five more weeks!

 

X X X

 

WEEK TEN – DONE

Highlight – Trimpell 20 Mile

Lowlight – Feeling ill for a lot of the week

Inspiration –  Listening to Tom Williams

Day 63 Monday 8th March 2010

Up, bath, work, meeting 1, meeting 2, meeting 3, chat with work colleague, buy lunch, meet boss, go buy boss lunch, meeting 4, 1:1 with boss, home, hug kids, head hurts glands feel sore, cup of tea, bed, (kids make own tea) do work emails, post blog, chat to Trevor, view blog, blog is broken, chat to Vikki, get up, make cheese on toast, back to bed, read book (Julie Walters biography), sleep.

No swim – didn’t have time for a proper lunch break and too tired after work.

Day 64 Tuesday 9th March 2010

Yippe finally going back to the Dentist today and he is taking the nerve out of my bad tooth!

Spent an hour in the dentist chair and despite having a mouth full of mental drills plastic tubing and a sterile gum guard I started to fall asleep as he worked! I was obviously tired! After my little nap I went back to work and all was good until the injection wore off and then OMG my mouth is very sore, I cannot bear the slightest pressure on my tooth and I just can’t eat!

Still I manage to get to The Edge where run club has been invited to look round this evening. I’m not sure I’ll run but am keen to look at the facilities and meet with the management. I did run in the end and felt better for it. But when I got home and searched my cupboards for something I could manage to eat without chewing the only thing I could come up with was porridge, but even this was a challenge and I couldn’t eat much. I take comfort from the fact that at least I know when the swelling has gone down I will be free from the horrible pain I have been having!

Day 65 Wednesday 10th March 2010

Wake up feeling below par, my mouth is still sore; eating is too painful all I can do is suck on my cereals! My head also aches I feel like the dentist drill is still rattling around! Go to work because I want to do my interval training session at lunchtime and body pump this evening!

Feel off colour all day and fatigued because of a lack of food. Have a coaching session with Tom this evening and decide not to train because I just don’t have the energy. Will do intervals tomorrow.

Talk to Tom about pacing and miles for Trimple20 on Sunday, agree goals are

• Don’t race it but run it as if it is a marathon (ie at mile 20 feel I could run more)

• As it is flat aim for a more even pacing of approx 11.15 min miles

• Run it all, no walking if possible

Get a text to say Hotel for London is booked. One less thing to worry about!

Day 66 Thursday 11th March 2010

Training doesn’t happen I allow work to get in the way and so I have a second rest day, mouth still sore though I am able to eat a little more.

Day 67 Friday 12th March 2010

Today I had planned as a rest day but as I haven’t done anything for two days i’m not sure what to do! But I don’t manage to get up early don’t have a lunch break and have to get straight home after work as Dawn is popping round. And so I have my 3rd day rest in a row.

When I get home Adele has done more baking, buns, biscuits and something she has adapted from a recipe that she calls “Lumps” and I wonder why I can’t lose weight. The baking is in honour of Dawns visit,  but Adele presents me with a lovely card she has made me for mothers day.

Day 68 Saturday 13th March 2010

Get up early to do a few chores and have porridge before Park Run, finally feel I can eat and tooth no longer sore! Daniel takes a lot of getting up this morning. I put on my new trainers which I need to break in before Marathon day, they are exactly the same model size and colour as my others just very bright and very white!

Get there in time to do just a half lap warm up and then I chat with Nicky, Barbara and Stu at the start line. I already know I want to run this slowly, and set off very leisurely chatting to Nicky, Dan is soon in front of me. But all of a sudden for no reason I can fathom my lower back goes and I am in pain each footfall agonisingly jarring. I have to stop and walk, Nicky runs on, I try to stretch, consider stopping altogether but know if I do ill lose a point in my race with Russell to 50 Park Runs and my prize of a Hot Chocolate! Somehow I manage to finish but my back is so painful after I struggle to move.

Wasn’t planning on doing body pump today but there is no way I could if I wanted to! On way home I need to nip to up & running to buy gels for tomorrow and get out of the car like a 90 year old!

By the time I get home I also feel quite nauseous and don’t know what to do with myself, start my Saturday must do chores but only the barest minimum gets done. I put Marathon Talk on to listen to as I soak in the bath. Begin to wonder if this is just another of my pre race nerve episodes that I get, but how would that make my back so painful? Panic about tomorrow, should I even think about doing Trimpell 20 feeling like this, how can I? But I have to, its on my programme, David is doing it because I recommended it and Julie treated me to this race entry for my birthday, so I just have to do it! No way am I backing out! Feel like I could just soak in the bath all day but Trevor is calling round so have to drag myself out of the bath and struggle to get dressed.

Trevor takes my mind off how ill I feel and helps me to relax and I begin to think I will be ok to do Trimpell, that is until he goes and I try to stand up but my back cease up and for a moment and I can’t move, I see a look of worry on his face and he suggests maybe I shouldn’t be racing tomorrow. Somehow I get myself moving again and pretend i’m ok, but i’m not and I can’t muster the enthusiasm to go out and look at his shinny new car.

At tea time I go visit my mum then call into the supermarket and by the time I get back home at 7ish I feel absolutely dreadful again! But by now I do think that my symptoms (except the bad back) are pre race nerves. I don’t feel hungry but force myself to have my now ritual pasta chicken and veg.

I take some pain killers before going to bed and do manage to get some restless sleep.

Day 69 Sunday 14th March 2010

Alarm goes off at 6am, back feels easier but am careful not to make any sudden movements, another soak in bath a bit of stretching, get kit ready, porridge, dressed and off to Julie & Davids. Race isn’t till 11 so I buy a cappuccino on the way. Get to J&D by 7.35 (only 5 min late which for me is good), Julie drives we take the more scenic route and chat as we go, I have had some pain killers before setting off and my back is comfortable. After about an hour I start to feel sick again but I think this is motion sickness and when we get there about 9.30 I feel much better.

I go to get my race number and realise I have forgotten my confirmation email but am not worried as you don’t normally need it at such events. I go to the table, “Fawcett, please” the man looks “Adele Fawcett” “Eer freaky, thats my daughter but no” we look again i’m not on the list! Panic starts I haven’t got my email! “ which site did you register through” he asks getting his lap top out “I don’t know!” then as he gives me a, what a blonde look, I explain my friend registered for me! “John Schofield” I remember, Julie joins me and I tell her I’m not on the list, someone else approached the table and starts to go through some numbers to retrieve his . . “your there” says Julie noticing my name on the back of one of them! “No that’s Kay Jefferies” says the guy at the table . . . “yes yes that’s me” he gives me another you really are a blond look “it would help if you knew your own name!” “sorry . . . mid divorce I mutter” make a note I really must get that sorted now!

We have over an hour before the race starts which is just as well as I change my mind and my kit 3 times as the weather warms up and the sun comes out. Sip water eat malt loaf and two bananas, hoping this will be enough to top my porridge up without causing digestive problems!

I see Michael then am surprised to see Chris and Liz, Chris has taken Gills Number so there are 3 of us from VARR running. It may be a small team but its a VARR team non the less!

VARR MARATHON BLOGGERS

And so to the race . . . the start line is on the track and I catch up with the boys my nerves disappear, the sick feeling goes and even my back feels ok, I think this is because I can’t do anything else now but run it. Whatever decisions I’ve made, food, gels, kit, music it’s too late to change it so I stop worrying. Now it’s all about the pacing and i keep going over Toms words 11.15, even pace, fuel at 8,10,12,14,16, even pace, run it all, even pace to the end, feel like you can run further!

And we are off, a circuit of the track followed by some back and forth round a cycle course and then on to the cycle/foot path. David and I ran together chatting some and listening to our music, my garmin bleeped at me constantly telling me to slow down and I kept trying but my legs were still in their warm up mode and wouldn’t do as they were told!

Quite quickly we were faced with the lead runners going back at us in the opposite direction quite worrying at only two miles into a 20 mile race! But soon we also came back round this first loop and headed back the way we came. And here was a classic moment as we approach a small group of supports (now remember we had probably only been running about 30 min at this point) David spotted Julie waiting to cheer us on then as he noticed the large shopping bags around her came a cry of “what on earth have you being buying now?” Brilliant, he couldn’t do or say more as he had another 16 miles to run and by the time we got back he was too tired to care what Julie had bought!

David stayed with me till about mile 8 or 9 sometimes chatting sometimes not but when I slowed to have my 2nd gel David pushed on worrying that I was going too fast to run at his pace. But I still kept a steady pace though I did speed up just a little. But according to my Garmin I was still going to fast. A little after this I saw, first Chris and then Michael, both looking strong, pass me as they head on the return journey back. I cant remember where, but I stopped to fill my water bottle but wasn’t more than 30 seconds and then I was off running again.

I kept checking the garmin and my lap times were pretty even though i was still going faster than my target 11.15. I was conscious of having gels regularly which I managed to do as I ran only tried to time them so that I could leave the wrappers at the water stations. Even dumped one on a spectator at one point saying I hate to litter!

At mile 14 I had another 30 second stop to fill up my water bottle and then after I started to run again my hip suddenly started to hurt which took my breath away and slowed me a little but i knew that if I stopped even just to walk one step I would not be able to get running properly again so I tried to block the pain out and kept running. This was really hard as at this point there were times when i couldn’t see any other runners and it felt more like a training run than a race. But gradually I gained on runners in front. It wasn’t my intention to do so but very gradually I gained and over took about a dozen runners in the next 5 miles. My hip continued to bother me to the point where at the last water station I gave someone my bottle to fill up ran on and then ran back to collect it as i knew if I stopped even for 30 seconds I would not be able to run on!

At mile 18 I had to fight back the urge to speed up, two miles is still a long way – but I must have speeded up or at least maintained speed as when we renetered the cycle track I found myself amongst many runners and continued to slowly overtake a few more.

This part of the race was mentally tough as you could see the track where the finish line was but the garmin said still another mile to go round and round the cycle track and then a very cruel 2 laps of the track. But I did manage to sprint across the line!




Had been chasing these gents down from about mile 17 and took them in the last mile!

WEEK NINE – DONE

Can't believe another week has gone already!



Highlight – The Fact that I LOVED my solo 20 miler


Lowlight – Reoccurring bouts of very painful tooth ache


Inspiration – Has to be the Double First Place From Team VARR!

                                                          The Winning Team!

Day 57 Monday 1st March 2010 – Groundhog day


My entry for Monday reads almost the same as last week . . . .


Slept well but still hard to get up and get going but that is about my motivation for work not for training.


Had a lunch break and did my active recovery in the shape of a 40 length swim


Brought work home but haven’t done any of it, busy updating training programmes reading and writing blog, I feel a bit guilty that I prioritise my training over work.

Day 57 Tuesday 2nd March 2010 – Club Intervals – So tell me how come 1min rest goes much quicker than 1 minute running?

Not very much to say today really, went to work, spent all day in the office but most of it I was meeting with a colleague going through things, which was most helpful but I didn’t get anything from my to do box (yes I’ve now gone from a list to a box!) done.

My tooth has been niggling throughout the day take some painkillers before run club.

As we gather for the start of run club there is a lot of chatter about Saturday National, someone asks me if I’m recovered I say ask me in an hour! Its first Tuesday in the month and so we run as a group and as we warm up my legs ache, my right Achilles feels very tight I’m not sure I’m up to the interval session ahead! We are trying somewhere new, Tom splits us into two groups and we do 12 X 1min intervals with a 1min break. I take the first one steady and all is fine and I am able to have a good hard training session, I try mark someone on each of the intervals my aim is to finish before them, on one of them I chose Vikki and keep on her shoulder before taking her in the last 10 seconds (though I know Vikki is been sensible and coming back from injury in a very steady manner, by next month I won’t even be able to keep pace with her). I push myself and it takes me nearly a minute to get my breath back in between each effort I am really surprise and pleased how my legs work, no pain, but as soon as we start to run back I can hardly move my legs and I know I’m not recovered from Saturday! By the time we get back to the gym my legs are so tight I have to walk the last bit for fear that something will snap! Tooth ache – which was fine while running starts again! Really wish I had a sitter for tonight as would love to go for a curry with the guys.

Day 58 Wednesday 3rd March 2010 - It can’t be Wednesday I’m not training!

I wake up just before my alarm, have had a good night sleep but have a headache and tooth is niggling already. Also my left foot is a little sore again! Think I need to call Harriet the Hands Morgan and get myself booked in for a sports massage, as I lie here contemplating this I can’t decide which is most painful a sports massage or Tooth Ache!

It’s a rest day to day so I focus more on my work, want to get through my to do box today but also have an interview for ILM course at lunchtime which I need to prepare for first thing as I haven’t really thought about this yet.

Adele has developed a new tactic of asking me things in a way that she gets her way it starts with “Mum I think I know what you will say, but . .. . . “ And as the one thing I hate to be is predictable I end up not saying what she expects and therefore agreeing to whatever she has requested. This is how at the beginning of the week Adele got me to agree to her friend staying over on a school night. Tomorrow they have to go dressed as characters from a book and they wanted to go as twins . . . . . from which book I never actually found out . . . . .But they were as good as gold hardly saw them and when I went to tell them to go to bed they already had.

I had a relaxing evening and filled up on pasta veg and chicken in preparation for tomorrow’s long run!

Day 59 Thursday 4th March 2010 - Solo 20 miles, just me, myself, iPod & open road

Its long run day – Adele friend brings me a cup of tea in bed, could get used to this! Have toast for breakfast then a little while after a big bowl of porridge with sultanas. I have just converted to Sultanas in my porridge as last week when I was skint I ran out of my usual golden syrup, but actually this is much nicer! Can’t decide what to wear as sun is shining, My new coat with removable sleeves has arrived, but it’s not quite what I want and I think I’m going to send it back: so should I go for long sleeved top and sleeveless gillet, but pockets are too small for my water bottle: or short sleeved top and long sleeved jacket, but zip has gone on this and I have to step in and out of it, a pain if I want to take it on and off? Start to get myself in a tis-was.

Have a lift arranged and so at about 10.40 I am abandoned in Morrison’s car park at Whetherby. I set off, back to Leeds divert through Collingham the first 2 miles hurt in my legs, but am ok, Garmin suggested I was going too fast. But I soon settled in to my run as I worked my way along towards Harewood. I had chosen this route as I thought I would be able to take in the lovely country scenery, I always feel at peace in the country side and it was lovely, the snow drops and other spring flowers are finally making an appearance. But what I hadn’t thought about was there was no pavement on this road and the traffic was somewhat fast, including several large trucks and so I had to keep my wits about me particularly on bends in the road. Once or twice I had to jump into the hedgerow just to be sure. As I reached Harewood I decided to have a gel as there was a bin could throw wrapped away in, Nicky, with brilliant timing, sent me a supportive text at this point and so I was able to quickly reply before I was on my way again. Up Leeds Road, never realised what a hill “up” this was but got up it by taking steady paces and singing along to Surfing USA, Ruby Ruby Ruby, and Maggie May........ walking just wasn’t an option for me at this stage. Was worried I might miss my turning to Eccup but found it ok, from here on I could visualise my route as it was made up of different runs I have done several times. I think this helped as I just ran it a section at a time. In what felt like no time at all I was at Golden Acre. It was here I had my only real walk while I had another gel and text Dan who was at home poorly. I’m not a fan of running along Otley Road, it’s just too long and done it too many times but today it felt ok. I stopped at the garage to get some water and top my bottle up and had another gel, then off down Ade Lane, I love house spotting down here, across the ring road up Weetwood Lane, felt a need to turn the music up a little here, then as turned left to run down through the Hollies on came “eye of the tiger” and I found myself bounding down the dirt track round fences and boulders punching the air as if I was Rocky himself. I felt my shin ache a little here though and know I was just going too fast. In to Meanwood Park and I took advantage of running on the grass to give my legs a breather from the pounding. Along the back way to Monkbridge Road (passed the bakers shop my Granddad used to run in the war and where my dad used to call regularly to buy teacakes so that he could try chat my mum up) and up for what I knew is my last but one hill, I slowed my pace and stuck with it. Nipped through Headingly and downhill to join Kirkstall Road. When I reached my turning to go up Canal Road I still had half a mile to go and as Canal Road is up I contemplated running further on Kikrstall road but didn’t decided to go up Canal Road which I have to say was the hardest bit of the whole run. I then had another mile to walk home but this helped to ease my legs.

Now last year after doing my 20 miler I think I just had a bath ate and did nothing for the rest of the day but today I have arranged to meet Mabeth for a coffee and a long overdue catch up. So it’s a proper meal, bath, dressed, drive to town, park up a quick browse at Up & Running and Sports Direct than meet up with Mabeth. Lovely to see how well Mabeth is and hear all her news.

Day 60 Friday 5th March 2010 – Duvet day!

I have a second full rest day today and when I say rest day I really do mean rest day, Leisurely bath, a little nap, read, write my blog notes for yesterday, rest my eyes a little, lunch, read some more a wee afternoon 40 winks and read a little till kids come home from school! Very lazy, very self indulgent – but hey I think I deserve it!

Day 61 Saturday 6th March 2010 – Massage with Tea & Cake

Shan’t bore you too much with my Saturday routine as I’m sure you know it by now, Park Run (no Dan) Hot chocolate at Caldos (thanks V) Body Pump then home to do washing and chores etc.

Went to Nicky’s later who gave my legs a brilliant massage (reckon Nicky could be on a winner here massage with tea & homemade cake) It was great to have a proper chat and catch up and I felt very relaxed after but I bet Nicky was tired as she spent ages on each leg!

Day 62 Sunday 7th March 2010 -

Last race of the 2009/10 season Peco Cross Country today. I seem to remember when the club first raised this as something we could do that I said very clearly that I would not be taking part in any cross country as I was scared and convinced and I would injure myself. I am thrilled that my team mates persuade me to give it a go. One pair of off road trainers later and I have completed 5 out of 5 with spilling my first blood today from one slight wound from some brambles that tried to trip me up! It has been an experience a challenge and I have enjoyed (in a perverse kind of a way) every single minute of them! Each course has been different bringing its own challenges but today saw us returning to running up, down and through woods, over tree roots, stiles, bridges, cobbles, boulders, puddles, ice and even some metal hurdles and of course the obligatory mud!

First Blood!

As I ran down the final hill I thought about how far I had come and was taken back in time about thirty–cough-cough-ish years ago. My dad was a scout leader and our summer family holiday was the annual scout camp and one particular year when I was about 9, abseiling was the main activity. I remember sitting at the top of what my much older brothers called a nursery slope in the woods and they were teaching the scouts the techniques etc for abseiling. I was desperate to have a go but just daren’t as I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of all the scouts. After a while I decide to go back to camp, probably to set the tuck/sweet shop up which I was in charge of (what power I had for such a young girl) and as I started to walk down this hill – much like today’s final downhill - my feet started to run away with me I got faster and faster and could not stop I was quite terrified and trying not to scream and as my feet turned over faster and faster I was propelled forward until slam I ran straight into a big tree my chest and face banging right into it (if I remember right I even lost a tooth) the tree stopped me momentarily but then I just kind of slid round it and continued on my journey to the bottom of the hill where I arrived in a dishevelled heap! Then later that year I was on a Sunday school trip to Filey and was walking along a winding path that went up the cliff through a wooded area. I lost my footing on the path (and I wasn’t even running) and went tumbling down the hill side hitting my head on a tree and landing in a great big bunch of nettles my legs and arms were covered in cuts bruises and nettle stings. But what I remember most is that the Cadburys Caramel Bar had only just come out and I had treated myself to one ( for me this was a big treat) and in my tumble I lost it!

I reckon these two events had left me with a deep seated fear of any sort of off road running that involves hills and trees! But thanks to the VARR team and Peco I think I’m nearly cured!

And the best thing about today?

Well this may have been the last race of VARR’s first cross country season but both the Girls and Boys team came first! Brilliant! And the boys have gained promotion double brilliant!