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...

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??

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!

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...?

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?

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!