Sunday 12 December 2010

Cup of Tea Before the Storm

Finally managed to get out for a run today now that all the snow and ice has cleared. Did a lovely social six miles on an old favourite route from Apperley Bridge to Esholt with a few club members, followed by a warming cup of tea at Toby's Tea Rooms on the canal.

This period before Christmas really does feel like the calm before the storm, as I know I must start marathon training in earnest come the New Year. No more cuppas in the middle of training!

I'm feeling a little nervous about it all, but am trying to combat my nerves with planning. In what I can only describe as sheer panic in the space of about 10 minutes this week, I managed to enter five races including a 10k, a ten miler, two half marathons, a 16 miler in Derby (well, it made sense at the time) and, I really can't believe this, the dreaded Trimpell 20 in Lancaster, the race which I despised every minute of last year. At least I can now console myself that five of my long steady runs are sorted...now just got to organise the other 10 or so!

I'm trying to be confident in the knowledge that I have done this before so I do know a little about what I should be doing. Helen of ERR and I got chatting to a man from a local running club on the canal today who was also training for London but was doing 12 miles. 'How many are you up to?' he asked me. 'Er just six today', I replied with a slight undertone of worry. But I know I'm okay - I've now got my training plan in place, thanks to the fantastic Mick (aka marathon school coach 2010) and whilst it looks daunting at this point, it feels like a security blanket in that I've just got to stick to the plan, and then if I can't do it well, it's surely the plan's fault not mine!

So, three weeks left of relative freedom before training starts so I intend to thoroughly enjoy the festive period and make the most of drinks, food, visits to family and lie-ins before they all become a distant memory.

Merry Christmas and here's to a fabulous 2011!

Monday 29 November 2010

Get ('em) in

'I'm in!' I texted James on Friday night after receiving a deluge of texts from club members informing me that I'd been successful in the club draw to win a place in the London Marathon next year.

'In the pub?' he replied.

Not the response I was hoping for but perhaps a sign that my world is no longer the 24/7 running focussed one it once was. And then it came flooding back to me...

The hours messing about with my spreadsheet of training sessions, adding up miles covered; the complete lack of free weekends for fear of missing my long run; and all those freezing and snowy evenings spent running.

And I'm feeling very nervous about whether I can really do it all again, and dare I even think it, do better? But I'm also so excited. I mean, this is London, the world's top marathon (well, according to Runner's World). I am really lucky.

Sunday 21 November 2010

Dashing Back...

After confidently declaring in my last post that the Guy Fawkes 10 would be my last race of the year, earlier this week I found myself entering the Abbey Dash 10k. This is a race I've always wanted to do but am usually not around for.

So, I entered last minute, didn't think much of it, had a couple of glasses of wine the night before, got up early, sauntered into Leeds, and somehow or other managed to knock nearly five minutes off my previous 10k PB which I'd achieved only six weeks ago - coming in at 50.47!

The race is a straightforward out and back starting at Leeds Town Hall, then up to Kirkstall Abbey then back down again. I'd heard a few people say it wasn't a particularly scenic race, and some that they just didn't like it but given a PB like that, I'll definitely be back for more next year.

I think it must have helped motivation a little that the previous night, like the stats geek I am becoming, glass of wine in hand, I'd been browsing around Fetcheveryone , comparing PBs of people who ran the same time as me at the Paris Marathon this year. It became abundantly clear that I have the slowest PBs of all of them - the average 10k PB for these runners was about 45 minutes, and 5k times seemed to be nearer to 20 minutes than 25. It dawned on me that perhaps I've simply not been pushing myself enough in these races - have I been taking the good advice to start slow too far? Quite possibly. Or maybe they just weren't pushing enough in the marathon?!

Anyway, I am resolved to take this possible learning forward, and see if I really can get my times right down. This is confirmed by proudly tapping my new 10k into the race predictor calculator on the Running for Fitness site, which calculates my half marathon time should now be around 1.50. Good to have a goal in sight, albeit ambitious.

Sunday 31 October 2010

Explosive Times...

I have never laughed out loud in the middle of a race but I did when I spotted the 'for Fawkes sake' sign as I was ploughing up (read speed walking) the final hill of the Guy Fawkes 10 mile race today. And this pretty much summed up the race, which also included signs for the Birstwith Brute at four miles (apparently 15%!) and the Swincliffe ( I think) Swine at about 7 miles. Despite having run this race last year, for some reason, I had completely blanked out the hills, possibly because of the tongue in cheek way they were introduced to runners during the race.

Or possibly because the race is sponsored by Nestle resulting in a fabulous goodie bag filled with chocolate, sweets, coffee, tea and pasta which is presented to each finisher at the end of the race.

Running the race were lots of fellow Eccleshill Road Runners, shown above with Guy Fawkes himself at the end of the race. I travelled over with Gill (and husband, Ian as our chauffeur and photographer), Lisa and Julie who was bravely attempting her first race since succumbing to a nearly three month break from racing due to an injury with her Achilles. I was really pleased to be racing again with my original running crew, and super proud of Julie for being back in the game!

There must have been over 800 runners in the race, which started and finished in the stunning Ripley Castle, just north of Harrogate. It was a little congested at the start but thinned out by mile two, and was a great course with sufficient downhills to negate the beast and swine hills.

Given my recent run of luck running without my watch, I decided to try it again and ran round at a pace which felt like I was pushing myself but not so much that I would run out of steam. I was overwhelmed at the end of realise that I'd managed to run it in 1 hour 35 my new 10 mile PB, knocking eight minutes off last years time!

It's races like this that make me really proud to be part of a running club. The camaraderie is just amazing, with every runner no matter how fast or slow being cheered on and encouraged by fellow members.

And that, I think, concludes my races for 2010 unless I suffer a severe memory loss about the horror of the three Peco XC League Races I naively ran in the 08/09 season and put my name down for any in the forthcoming season...

I am extremely stiff now, and am on leading duty at club tomorrow night for the monthly three mile time trial. A recovery run is in order I think...

Sunday 17 October 2010

PB By the Sea

Absolutely glowing after a great day out on the east coast of Yorkshire in Bridlington, eating ice-cream and fish and chips on the seafront, oh and running a half marathon.

As I hadn't felt great all week, I went into this race with low expectations and decided not to wear a watch and just try to enjoy it.

And I did.

It was one of the nicest, most scenic races I have ever run starting and finishing on the Bridlington seafront and heading off out into the countryside via the villages of Sewerby, Flamborough and Bempton before returning to Bridlington. The last couple of miles which pass through Sewerby Hall grounds and along Flamborough Head were pretty blustery but the view of the sea made it worthwhile.

The end in sight
I genuinely had no idea what time I was on as I ran the final half mile along the seafront and so was amazed to cross the finish line and see that the timer clock read 2 hours 3 (it might have been 2 - my memory's gone hazy), knocking about seven minutes off my previous half marathon PB.

My reward was a large ice-cream and fish and chips...clearly not really a true athlete yet!

Thursday 14 October 2010

Zonked

 I ended last Thursday's training session at the track on a real high, endorphins flowing. It was week three of the speed for endurance runners course being put on by BAN. We had done some work with hurdles and various plyometrics, followed by 10x400m round the track with a 30 second sprint and two minute interval. Totally knackering but I seem to get a buzz from this type of running that I just don't find with middle and long distances.

It was a late one, and I didn't get home until 10pm. Putting this in the context of the other Tuesday night course, bootcamp in Roundhay on Wednesday evening, 10 mile race on Sunday and up for work at 6am, I guess it's not hard to predict my downfall...

Yes, tiredness hit me on Friday evening, sore throat on Saturday, blocked nose Sunday and by Monday I began to feel completely listless and just, well...zonked. The result being that I haven't been able to run or do anything all week. I've even been breathless trying to get up the stairs. I had done too much...

The moral of the story?

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing...

Sunday 3 October 2010

Scenery, Mud and Beer

Two weeks to go until the Bridlington Half Marathon, the last race in the club summer championships, and I was starting to get nervous about the lack of mileage over the last few months. Quality training? Yes. Time on my feet? Not much (curse you fetcheveryone, you leave me with nowhere to hide!).

So, not really thinking twice about it I decided to enter the Harewood 10 Mile Trail Race intending to use it as a training run. Saturday had been a beautiful day and several fellow Eccleshill club members who had run the race in previous years reported it was a great course - really scenic.

And it was. It started in the grounds of Harewood House and included parts of the Leeds Country Way, Dales Way and Ebor Way. The route is traffic-free, half in the Harewood House estate, half around Eccup Reservoir and it also passes Emmerdale Village (where I spotted Tom Willams of Marathon Talk fame).

But the rain had started at some point in the early hours of Sunday morning and didn't let up until some point late Sunday afternoon (the race finished by midday). It wasn't just spitting either - it was pretty torrential. What more can I say other than I see the race now seems to have been renamed 'Harewood Trail, Mud and Rain Race' on the organisers' website.

Well, it turns out that I can still run 10 miles with no problems. And in knee deep mud with rain pouring down. My trainers will never be the same again.

Worth it for a bottle of beer?

Definitely.

Thursday 30 September 2010

The Apprentice

You're fired!
End of the summer season at OutFit, the weekly bootcamp I've been going to at Roundhay Park since the end of July, and we were faced with the 'Summer Challenge'. This is designed to test various areas of fitness at the end of each season and afterwards we are assigned a 'Chaos Rating' indicating our level of fitness.

Ten weeks of classes, a fair bit of running and nine pounds lost, I thought I would do okay...

I do need to set the scene for this event. I'd been at work all day, the rain was pouring down and it was one of those days when it never really seemed to get light. So, after the usual 'do we really have to go to this?' conversation with James we headed down to Roundhay Park. The rain stopped, leaving only mud...

The challenge consisted of...

Core – Plank
Balance – Stalk
Agility – Side jumps
Strength – Farmers walk
Endurance – Crab walking (don't ask...)
Power – Bag throws

And all in the dark. I actually fell over at one point by slipping on a power bag doing the agility challenge.

Madness?

In everyway possible.

But I drove home endorphins flowing feeling pretty pleased with how I had done.

My ranking? 'Apprentice', the results email told me the next day. Only one better than 'Rookie' the lowest possible category.

Oh, and did I mention I am also a London Marathon reject?

Happy days...

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Fast Twitching

So, I've read that runners either have fast twitch muscles or slow ones and even though I suppose I can now call myself an endurance runner, I know I have a small amount of 'slow twitch'. Sprinting has always seemed a much easier option for me - perhaps because it's over quicker?

Apparently, the slow twitch muscles contract slowly but keep going for a long time, whereas the fast twitch ones contract quickly but rapidly get tired. This was confirmed by a trip to the Perform Centre in Rossendale yesterday, on week two of the Running Efficiency, Posture and Control course I am doing via Bradford Athletics Network. We spent about an hour and a half learning about and being tested on the strength and control in our muscles, and in our legs in particular.

After warming up and going through a variety of dynamic stretches, we were introduced to the Smart Speed Reactive Training System, which basically assesses how high you can jump, hop and sprint (and manoeuvre round corners!). We firstly had to take it in turns to see how high we could jump with a broom handle on our shoulders so just using our legs for momentum. We then repeated the exercise using just one leg. It was interesting but not really surprising (I'm left-handed) to learn how much weaker I am on my right leg than my left. The point of this, I think, was two-fold. Firstly, to demonstrate how much more momentum using your arms to propel yourself gives you, and secondly, to demonstrate where weaknesses lie so strength work can be used to address this.

Tomorrow night is the speed session at Horsfall Stadium where we've been told we'll be progressing interval sessions (learning theory and practice), discussing training diaries/logs: recording and monitoring; confirming warm up routines and completing an interval running session.

Makes me wonder whether all this fast twitching stuff is going to make me want to slow twitch. For now, I think I just really need to schedule in a lie down...

Sunday 26 September 2010

Simple Maths

About 4k into the Horsforth 10k this morning, I decided I was going to call this blog entry 'might as well have eaten all the cakes'. I decided to try to run the race by 'feel' rather than by my watch so after starting my stopwatch when setting off I forced myself not to look again. For one who constantly checks my watch in an almost obsessive way when racing, it was a pretty hard thing to do.

At this point, I didn't 'feel' great.

It was my first race since shedding half a stone after the horror that was Pudsey 10k at the end of July, and I was hoping to feel a lot speedier. I'd also been concentrating more on circuit type running (there's probably a technical term for this) - intervals, hills and strength work -  and hadn't run more than 4-5 miles in over a month. I was a bit worried that this wouldn't pay off in a race.

However! It seems the success in running equation is this:

Lose a bit of weight + some quality training = 10k personal best!

Yes, despite not feeling vastly speedier, although I haven't seen the official results yet, my watch said 55.05 as I crossed the finish line which is over a minute off my previous 10k PB at Apperley Bridge Canter last May. Hooray!

It's wonderful when running leaves you with a big smile on your face..

Friday 24 September 2010

Why Run?

I'm often asked why I run. What's the point? What keeps me going? Why do it?

The common assumption, usually from female friends, is that running is the key to major weight loss and I must admit that my original motivation to run was exactly that. I was working hard, completely unable to motivate myself to go to the gym and the weight was creeping on.

Oh, and did I mention that I love food?

Running, I decided was the answer. Surely it would mean as long as I ran regularly, I could eat whatever I want.

Eighteen months on and training for a marathon, I realised this simply wasn't true. In fact, I seemed to be putting on weight. How could this be? An article in the newspaper entitled 'Why exercise won't make you thin', confirmed my suspicions that horror of horrors, exercise alone simply doesn't cut it.

So, what is the point?

Well, I've grown to love the feeling of crossing the finish line, the elation of achieving goals, the routine and the focused, talented and amazing people I have met. Could I need another reason to run?

Sunday 19 September 2010

Talking Marathons


After saying 'never again', I'm starting to wonder about entering another Spring marathon. The miraculous thing about running a marathon seems to be selective memory as I can only remember the great things about it.

I actually entered the ballot for the London Marathon back in April and should hear whether I have been successful next month. At the time, I decided if I got through it was the universe's way of telling me I should run another one but if I didn't, well, I concluded that would be it for my marathon career.

But I'm getting itchy feet...

And a small part of me is asking would I be capable of running a faster time? What would it be like running such a long way in a different setting? Then the negative talk starts. What if I can't do it again? What if I run slower? Would I have anyone to train with? Could I really go through all that training again?

On my often lengthy journey to work, I religiously listen to the fabulously entertaining podcast, Marathon Talk, produced and hosted by Tom Williams and Martin Yelling. The mix of interviews, tips and anecdotes from 'normal' runners and elite athletes are truly inspiring and sometimes (only sometimes!), it makes me think well, if they can do this, why can't I?

So, my latest thinking has me trawling Runner's World for a new marathon and a new challenge for 2011.

That is, if there's bad news from London...

Friday 17 September 2010

The Nights Draw In...

This is definitely the most challenging time of year for me in terms of running. The evenings are getting darker and the temperature's starting to dip and all I want to do when I get home from work is put the heating on, have a lovely tea and settle down on the sofa for the evening. I'm truly lazy at heart.

Nevertheless, Monday evening 7pm saw me racing down to Fitness First for running club (racing because I had spent the time up 6.55pm in battle with myself trying to find a good reason to go). The wind was howling. It was pretty cold and the scheduled run was up the dreaded Bank. Proud memories of managing four laps of the figure of eight up what must be the steepest hill in Bradford seemed far away, as I trundled round only managing two laps before scurrying home when darkness started to fall.

This is no good! I've run in much worse than this. I've even heard fellow runners comment that they prefer running when it's colder but, for me, there's no beating a long run on a lovely summer's evening.

So, what am I going to do to keep myself going?

Well, the answer to all ills...clothes! Time to get myself down to Sports Shoes and get kitted out in some lovely new stuff for winter...

Got to be an incentive.

Saturday 11 September 2010

Back to it!


Where's the time gone? Where have I been? I must admit I was a little shocked when I realised how much time had elapsed since I last blogged...

So what's been happening?

A holiday, a bit of bootcamp, a few runs and lots of planning.

I spent a much needed relaxing week chilling out in Turkey at the end of August. Took the decision to leave my trainers at home given the likelihood of me feeling like a run whilst there would be nil - the heat and my general lethargy (translate laziness) being the main reasons.

So the planning, I've discovered the excellent http://www.fetcheveryone.com/, which was recommended to me ages ago by Julie but I'd never followed it up. The website basically allows users to set up a profile, log training runs and race times. Users can also see other people's training and look up who else is entering the same races. There's also a good calender that logs miles run each month - slightly scary on my part, given that my September total is currently three from last Monday's 5k time trial at club!

Other planning, I've now registered for some coached courses via Airedale Athletics the umbrella organisation for lots of Bradford running clubs. I inadvertently registered for two after misunderstanding the application form (I thought I had to give one as a back-up choice). Anyway, I thought it wouldn't to me any harm to do two so for six weeks from the last week of September I'll be spending Tuesday nights learning about running efficiency and Thursday nights speed for endurance runners. I never did know when to stop...

Coming up this week, it's club on Monday night - hill running up the dreaded Eccleshill Bank, then bootcamp Wednesday, back on the torture rack with Penny Brook's sports massage on Thursday (feel a bit fraudulent about this given the lack of 'sport' in September), then club again on Friday. I'm also going to aim for a long run on Sunday as I have the Bridlington Half Marathon coming up next month and I'm worried that I haven't run more than about 5 miles in one go in the last few months.

Goals wise:

Still not there with weight loss though not far - 6lbs lost so a pound to go (and could probably do with a few more if I'm honest...)

Horsforth 10k at the end of September - here's hoping some of the speedwork I've done recently will pay off to reach my goal of under 56 mins

5k wise - still some way to go...I'm working on it but decided that Leeds parkrun could be a good PB target so I just need a free Saturday.

Three months to go...getting there!

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Checking In...


Well, I thought I'd better check in and check up on where I'm at with the goals I set several blogs back at the beginning of the month...

And I'm pleased to report that it's been a pretty good month and goal setting really seems to be working for me.

I'm now happily enjoying bootcamp again every Wednesday and have now been to four sessions, and the kettlebells are not hurting quite as much now...

I've run with club every Monday and Friday throughout the month, which has been interesting as I have posted all of the training runs for Eccleshill Road Runners for August. I decided I might as well make use of some of the new training sessions I'd learnt during the various running schools I've done via Airedale Atheletics over the past 18 months.

Monday the week before last saw us doing a fartlek session in Peel Park, which was tough but really good fun. And last Monday we went down to the dreaded Gain Lane for a short tempo session, where you run out and back as fast as possible for 12.5 minutes each way, the idea being that you should run the distance for each half in the same time, and everyone should return to the starting point at the same time. I hope we can now incorporate these sessions into the normal training routine.

I've also had some really lovely Friday evening runs with club including my favourite six miler to Esholt and back along the canal.

Another goal was to lose seven pounds this month, and I'm slowly getting there having lost five pounds so far. Hooray! Just got to keep going now...

My next race is the Horsforth 10k at the end of September so here's hoping a lighter me will equal a speedier me! I haven't investigated the course yet, but here's hoping I can come in under 56 mins.

Will that do for this month??

Thursday 5 August 2010

On the Torture Rack

I'd promised myself several weeks ago that I would book a sports massage, so on a recommendation from a fellow Eccleshill Road Runner, I booked in with Penny Brook.

She cut to the chase from the start, "This is going to hurt, but I will stop if it becomes unbearable".

What?

No chance of a little sleep then while being gently pummelled?

One hour later, eyes watering I had been massaged within an inch of my life. I knew my calves were stiff and the soles of my feet had been sore since training for the marathon but this was pain on another level. And as for my hips...and did she actually put an elbow into me at some point??

Nevertheless, I'm hopeful the pain will be worth it and I'll be less stiff which should, in turn, improve my running.

Booked in again for six weeks time before I could change my mind....

Sunday 1 August 2010

parkrunning



After months of meaning to go but never quite getting round to it, Saturday morning at 9am saw me at the start line of the Bradford parkrun in Lister Park.

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world and the Bradford parkrun was set-up in April this year by one of our ERR club members. Several members, including Julie have volunteered at parkrun for sometime - it's such a great event to have for the community. Having run the Leeds Hyde Park parkrun several times, I was intrigued to try out the closer to home Bradford parkrun.

I arrived at Lister Park in Manningham at about 8.30am unsure where to go but soon spotted lots of runners milling about near the bandstand. A quick chat with several familiar faces and brief warm-up and we were lining up to start.

The course is three laps of a set route in the park which includes a bit of a hill at the end of each lap. Racing were children, older people and even a man running round with a pushchair and child. It has to be one of the most inclusive races in the world.

I'm not sure what it is about 5ks that make them so hard! I always think they're nothing, only three miles...well, I've run more than that but this was hard...and was certainly not helped by the three large glasses of wine I'd consumed the night before!

The equation is this:

3 x large glasses of wine + late night + 5k race = horrible race

Nevertheless, I managed a credible time of 27.49, which I was pleased with.

Now what does 0 x glasses of wine + early night + 5k race equal?

Guess, I'll have to go back shortly to find out...

Getting My House in Order


Well, following the 'undulating' Pudsey 10k last Sunday I decided that my running was getting worse not better.

It was time to do something about it.

So, Wednesday evening saw me back at Roundhay Park bootcamp swinging my first kettlebell since pre marathon training in March. We had a great session, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the sessions (despite not being able to sit down for a couple of days afterwards!). Phill and Jenny who run Creating Chaos http://www.creatingchaos.co.uk/ do a great job of making exercise seem like a lot of fun and messing about.

A trip back to WeightWatchers on Saturday confirmed the worst - I have put on a stone in the last year, and with a holiday booked for a month's time, something has clicked inside me.

My goals aren't going to happen on their own.

It's time to sort myself out!

And I'm now beginning the coming week with the ambitious aim to lose seven pounds over the coming month, and three pounds this week.

Running club Monday
Bootcamp Wednesday
Running club Sunday...

Here we go...

Sunday 25 July 2010

Punishing Pudsey...




Can't breathe and the Pudsey 10k finished two hours ago...

Proud owner of a new T-shirt, sports bag, running socks and a kit-kat (now eaten).

Still not worth it.

Never again...

Thursday 22 July 2010

Save the Best For Last?


This Wednesday saw me driving over to Golden Acre Park after work in torrential rain. No issues getting there this time, in fact, I was early for once and the rain stopped as I parked up. A good sign for the race ahead I thought.

Went over to register for the relay race bumping into other ERR members who were getting a bit tense because quite a few people didn't appear to have made it. Some swift changes were made to the teams by Julie and we were good to go.

I'd diligently warmed up (well, I'd ran all the way over to the loos..) but was allocated the C number, which meant I would be running last in our team. My team included Julie as first leg and Linda as second. I had lots of fun cheering on other team members whilst waiting for my leg but became increasingly disturbed at the state of other ERR members arriving back looking like they'd run up a mountain and back. Even Julie who usually never fails to enjoy races announced 'that was awful' on her return!

I watched as more and more runners arrived back, realising that I was probably going to be the last runner in the whole relay. I waited patiently in the start area with Liz from Hyde Park Harriers. As she set off, I realised that I definitely was the last runner in the race...undeterred I thought back to something I'd heard on marathon talk about the last runner getting the bigger cheer. Fingers crossed everyone wouldn't have gone home. Finally set off and found I had company in the shape of a speedy marshal who announced he was going to run the course with me to let other marshals know I was last.

Well, I felt like I was having one-to-one training from him as he encouraged me to catch up Liz who must have started a minute before me?. About a mile in I was huffing and puffing so hard that I knew i had to ditch him to save myself from complete humiliation. Mustering all my will, I got a sprint on and finally overtook the other runner...within minutes the enthusiastic marshal was just a yellow blur in the distance.

I can only liken this run to the short tempo I'd done when training for the marathon. Once again, all I could mutter was 'horrific'. This is horrific. The course was really unexpectedly hard. Undulating it the correct term I think...



I persevered up and down hills and through woodland but finally lost my will about half a mile before the end when I realised some marshals had failed to direct me correctly because they didn't realise the race was still going on!

In what seemed like eternity I rounded the corner back onto the field where I started and the end was in sight. The ever loyal ERR team were waiting for me with a big cheer which made it all worth it (see definite spring in my step above!)...

I refuse to believe this race was only 2.75 miles and am now panicking about the 'undulating' Pudsey 10k on Sunday. Remind me why I do this to myself??

Saturday 17 July 2010

Wash Away the Blues...


Arrived at Fewston Reservoir for the Washburn Valley Relay tired, fed-up and frustrated that it had taken me an hour and 40 minutes to get there from work. I'd managed to race out of the house that morning without my trainers nor my phone and managed to convince myself during the day that week day races are impossible...just too stressful trying to get there now I work in what seems like the middle of a traffic jam!

Thankfully, Julie had brought my trainers so with 15 minutes to go I got changed and managed to chat to a few familiar races before it was time to start. Panicked a little that I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing - simple instructions came from Mick Hogan, 'just run as fast as you can for 3.2 miles, tag Martin (second in my relay team)and then you can go home'.

It was a really scenic course (if a little hilly), and the sun shone throughout making the reservoir look really beautiful. I think I was pretty near the back of the first leg but I've no idea how long it took me (had forgotten watch too!). Final push back up the hill to the car park, tagged Martin and I was done.

Once I got my breath back, I spent a lovely evening cheering on the other runners and chatting to lots of people I hadn't seen in a while. It was a really friendly competition with runners helping others back up the final hill. Including a lovely scene with Jo's son, Jack running up and down the hill with all the finishers.

Headed home at about 8.30pm. Loving week day races!

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Being SMART...


Okay, it's time to admit it. I really can't stick with what I've been saying. All that guff about enjoying running and ambling about. I can't do it. It makes me just want to head for the sofa for a lie down instead.

I need some goals!!!

So, this is what I will be achieving before we see the year out:

1. I will run a 5k in under 25 minutes.
2. I will run a 10k in under 56 minutes.
3. I will run a half marathon in under 2 hours.

And how am I going to do it? Well...

I will

Run at three times a week including one quality session such as hills, intervals
Enter at least one race a month
Lose seven pounds so I can be speedier..

Do those count as SMART...?

Tuesday 6 July 2010

A Time Trial, a Race and a Rest


Have had a thoroughly enjoyable week in the world of running!

I spent Sunday watching the Leeds Run For All 10k with Lisa. Unbelievably, I realised this is the first ever race I have spectated since, for me, the effort of turning up means I might as well run it. However, it was a really good experience and I loved cheering people on, particularly at the end when they were struggling because I know just how they feel. To top it off, a very pregnant Paula Radcliffe was also running the race (though I was disappointed to note she is still thinner than me!) and ran within inches of us so we got a chance to cheer her on too. By the end, I decided I'd quite like to enter this race next year as it was my first ever 10k in 2008, so it would be interesting to compare how I have improved.

Monday at club is the now monthly 5k time trial. I'd convinced myself that I'd just amble round and use it as a light run but obviously was unable to do that as soon as we set off due to my increasing competitive streak! It was quite a tough course round Eccleshill due to the number of roads to cross and there are also quite a few inclines. Nevertheless, I made it back to Fitness First in 26.01, which I was pleased with. Almost a minute slower than my PB from May but this course was definitely tougher.

Wednesday saw me trekking over to Halifax for the Helen Windsor 10k which took ages, and after sitting in the car for an hour and a half trying to get there, and then unable to find the car park entrance, I was ready to turn round and go home. I finally made it with 15 minutes to go before the start of the race and managed to register, meet Julie (who was racing on her birthday - hats off to you, Julie) and do a quick warm-up before the gun went and we were off.

It was a really scenic course but also hilly and the weather was pretty muggy. We started at Gretland, which was fairly rural and I tried to take in the lovely views and enjoy it rather than focussing on speeding round but it was hard when I was huffing and puffing up those hills (see photo - why oh why can't they snap you when you're speeding down hill?!). The only saving grace of such a hilly course was the lovely downhills that came afterwards! As I was chugging round I mentally decided to add this race to my never again list, but my the time I crossed the finish line I had decided that it hadn't been so bad and I would do it again. How quickly the memory blanks things out! Anyway, I managed to complete it in 58.38 which I was pleased with.

I'm now enjoying my birthday weekend and a bit of a rest from running. I have the Washburn Valley Relay booked for next Friday which sounds like fun and I'll probably do some training runs in the week but nothing too strenuous.

My immediate task for the next week is to book a sports massage, which I am desperate for as I feel so stiff. I'm also suffering from aching calves when I run so I guess I need to do something about it before it gets worse. Also, on the list it to think about going back to boot camp to stengthen the rest of my body and sort out my increasingly wobbly belly...hmm or maybe just eat less?

Saturday 3 July 2010

Looking up and down


After spending a small fortune in Sports Shoes on running sunglasses (with three interchangeable lenses - count 'em!) and several running tops, I was convinced that herein lay the route to running happiness and commitment.

Not so.

All good intentions, I left work early and decked in my new pink & white kit and magic see after dusk glasses I met fellow ERR ladies at Apperley Bridge for the scheduled 10 mile run.

Just under one mile in found me sitting on a wall by the Total garage at the Guiseley roundabout - what a slog up Harrogate road in the evening heat. Things got marginally better as we ran through Guiseley towards Hollins Hill. Had a lovely sprint down Hollins Hill, remembering the times Julie, Lisa and I ran down there earlier in this year.

At the bottom of the hill, the group split off as four of us relented admitting we really couldn't face 10 miles, so we cut off and ran the last three miles along the canal back to Apperley Bridge. Like a sulky teenager, I'd really had enough by the time we go onto the canal and started walking dragging my feet behind Julie and Lisa.

What is it about running? Sometimes I can do and it and other times I can't?! Or maybe won't!!

Amends were made on Friday night with a lovely club run through Calverley Woods (Julie, correct me?), up to Rodley roundabout and then back along the canal.

Off to spectate the Jane Tomlinson 10k in Leeds tomorrow...it'll be great to be on the other side of the line for a change!

Tuesday 29 June 2010

The Heat is On!

And I thought it was tough training in sub zero temperatures but I'm really struggling to run in this hot weather...or maybe it's just the lack of goal in sight?

I've spent up on new running gear in an effort to spur myself on but still I'm finding myself walking when I should be running! Been to club a couple of times in the last week. Did a 5 mile run on Monday but it felt more like 10. It's so disheartening that I'm now struggling to get up hills that I used to have no problems with. I'll blame it on the heat..

Friday at club was lots of fun. The last Friday in the month is now a coached session at Apperley Bridge. I led the warm-up trying out my newly acquired leading skills, and we were then put through our paces on what I guess you would call an obstacle course doing various different drills. It was pretty exhausting. The session was rounded off with a game of rounders which I haven't played since school - I love exercising when you're not even thinking about it. I'm aware that I'm becoming really competitive and am not sure whether this is good or not. I suppose if I channel this into races it'll be no bad thing.


Sunday, I was down in the Midlands and took myself out for a run around scenic Walsall on Sunday morning. Not sure how far I went but it was hot, hot, hot. Ran through all the old haunts including the Walsall Arboretum (home of the illuminations and pictured above). I love running in Walsall as it's just so flat compared to Bradford, though I must admit the scenery's a little different! Roads that I used to think of as hills are now just slight inclines. Brilliant!

June's been a bit of a rest month in terms of races. There's loads coming up in July though so that should keep me moving...next week is the Helen Windsor 10k in Halifax and then I'm taking part in two relays, which I'm looking forward to as I've not done a relay since school! The first is at Fewston Resevoir near Otley and the second in Golden Acre Park in Leeds. The final race of July is the Pudsey 10k at the end of July, which I'm told I will regret entering...we'll see.

Better get training...

Sunday 20 June 2010

Return of the Blog


It's been over two months since I ran the Paris Marathon and despite my insistence at the time that I couldn't wait to be released from the pressures of the bubble that became my marathon training world, I've missed it.

I've missed the long Sunday runs with my training partners, Julie, Lisa & Jo; I've felt restless on Thursday nights when previously I'd be out training in the dark and cold at marathon school and I've been at a loss to review training and races without my blogspot.

Lots of good things have happened since the marathon. I've completed seven races and I'm now the proud owner of new PB's for 5k, 10k, 10 miles and half marathon (shown here after Leeds Half Marathon in May proudly displaying our medals) and I've also qualified as a running leader. And it occurred to me that these too are worthy of documenting.

So, here it is. The start of a new blog...not aiming at anything in particular. Just hoping to keep running and improving...enjoy.