Happy Runniversary to me!

I had no idea that the events of 26th June 2017 would have such a huge impact on my life. I dropped the big girls at school, took the boy to nursery and popped into Sports Direct. I spent £50 on a pair of trainers, a sports bra, capris and a top. I strapped little miss into the (completely unsuitable) buggy, put some tunes on my phone and set off on a run/walk.

I did 6k in 42 minutes and earned my first virtual medal, the RMR finishers medal, for completing 5k. I went out again on the Wednesday and the Friday. I took part in my first Parkrun that Saturday and so the cycle began. I ran with the buggy when boy was at nursery, with my big girls on a Friday pm when Mr W got home and Saturday morning was parkrun.

First proper race was a 5k Race for Life in Taunton with the girls. We ran the whole 5k, no walking and stayed together to cross the finish line. Somewhere along the line Mr W convinced me to sign up for the Great South Run in October with two friends, told me it would add focus to my training a give me something to aim for! By this point I could run/walk 10k but 10 miles was a whole other ball game.

I was doing this all by myself. I had no training plan, knew nothing of how to increase mileage safely, gait analysis, correct trainers, technique. I just laced up my trainers and ran. I quite quickly bought a second hand Phil & Teds buggy for running and the second seat meant it could go out with boy smalls if necessary. The most I covered with double trouble was 7 (painful) miles but I did the full 10 miles with little miss.

I’d been running 2 months when we moved to Cornwall and it was then that my running life changed. On a whim I signed up for Truro Half Marathon on 17th September 2017. I’d covered 10 miles on 3 separate occasions so this was ‘just a parkrun’ more. It didn’t feel that way on the day that’s for sure!

I’d been running for just 12 weeks when I completed Truro in 2:43:57. The emotions I felt when I crossed that finish line was something I can’t even begin to explain. I’d run a Half Marathon! Me. The girl who didn’t run.

When we moved to Cornwall I joined JP Fitness and went along to 2 buggy friendly running sessions a week. I learned how to tackle hills (essential in Cornwall), correct form and most importantly – made friends. This is by far the best decision I ever made and made the move even further away from family that little bit easier.

Those cheap trainers didn’t last long and straight after Truro I could barely run a mile without pain. I went for gait analysis and came out £100 poorer but with properly fitted trainers – what a revelation! Great South Run was only a few weeks away and 10 flat miles would be easy in comparison to 13.1 miles of hellish hills. Except I never did do GSR. The day before I was due to leave for Portsmouth I rolled my ankle on a gentle 5k through Penrose and tore the ligaments. No running for me.

I was out for 3 weeks and just 5 weeks later raced again. This time it was a 5 mile road race and it felt so good to be back.

From here I just got stronger. January 2018 I set myself the challenge to run every day and had planned to run 6 half marathons in 2018. The first 13 days went really well. I felt strong and was improving every day. Then I broke my ankle.

6 weeks (and two cancelled races) later I was back. I took it easy, increased my miles slowly and in May ran Plymouth Half Marathon. My first race as part of team JP and a new PB! Despite the searing heat and niggling ankle pain I took 5 minutes of my time.

3 weeks later I travelled to Yeovil with 3 other JP ladies and ran Heron Half Marathon. Taking another 4 minutes off for another PB!

This year has been something else. It’s changed me so much and I can’t imagine my life without running. I run 4-5 times a week, own 3 pairs of trainers, 12 pairs of leggings and shorts in various lengths, 6 sports bras and numerous race tshirts and vests. I’m no longer on medication for depression, I’m fitter than I ever have been and I’m proud to be a positive role model for my children. But most importantly? I have a whole rack of bling now 😂

Best £50 I ever spent!!! Here’s to the next year …

Time for a rest

Sunday saw the completion of half marathon number 3 – Heron Half. A lovely flat, fast, course but this didn’t seem to help my performance. I managed to run the first 6.5 miles but after that I had to build in walking breaks. I used the race function on my tomtom to ensure I stayed within my target zone and completed the course with a new PB of 2:34:34 which was my goal.

It was hot, sticky and stuffy. Race prep involved deep heat, freeze spray and painkillers but it seemed to work. My ankle was uncomfortable rather than painful and a fetching pair of compression socks post race meant the swelling stayed away.

I now have just under 14 weeks until my next Half Marathon in Truro. This was my first Half Marathon so I want to make sure I’m on form and can beat last years time. It’s a very challenging course so it will be tough to beat this weekends PB but I’ll try. The next few weeks will see me drop my mileage right back down, focus on my diet and increase my strength and conditioning. I’m also hoping that next weeks sports massage will finally release the knots in my right calf and ‘fix’ the multitude of niggles I feel every time I run.

I have a long road ahead of me to Brighton 2019 but I have a plan. This is undoubtedly going to be a challenge but one I’m looking forward to.

A new goal

Now that I have returned to fitness following my broken ankle and completed my first Half Marathon of 2018 I am no longer an “injured runner”. This blog is no longer about my path to recovery but about something bigger. You see yesterday I did something which 12 months ago I would never have even considered doing. Yesterday I entered the Brighton Marathon 2019.

I’ve been running 11 months today. Clocked up numerous miles, and now have 2 Half Marathons under my belt with a further 3 booked for this year. With the Big 4-0 looming next May I decided it was the perfect time to set myself my ultimate goal. London would be incredible but the chances of winning a ballot place are so slim and there is no way I could raise enough money for a charity place with my current personal circumstances. So I’ve decided on Brighton. I’ve heard great things about it. It’s close to family so logistically as good as it’s going to get. It’s slap bang in the middle of Easter holidays meaning I will have time to recover before returning to work and with any luck my parents will have the children for a couple of days so hubby and I can build in a mini break too.

Having made this momentous decision I went out last night for my usual Friday club run. It was awful. I struggled through the first 1.6 miles but ended up calling it a day and walking back to the car in years. I have NEVER done this but it was an awful run. Nothing felt right. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find my pace. My calf hurt which caused pain in my foot and I felt like I was wading through treacle. Not a good start to marathon training.

This morning I drew a line and set off for Parkrun. It wasn’t my fastest but it was infinitely better than last night and great starting point for my new journey. The first entry in my training diary. Next year, I’m running the Brighton Marathon and this is my training diary. Highs, lows and everything in between. A no holds barred document of my journey. Come follow me 🙂

Plymouth Half Marathon

I’d put in the training. I’d hydrated, tapered, carb loaded and done everything I needed. My ankle was niggling in the last few weeks leading up to race day but I taped it, rested as much as I could and prayed it would hold up.

Race day arrived and nervous excitement crept in. I knew I had the miles in my legs, had a plan for race fuel but still didn’t realise just how hot it would be. Plenty of suncream on and a good breakfast I was ready.

There were people everywhere. We lined up among the masses and waited for the klaxon to sound. Countdown from 10 and we were off. Slowly at first but as we crossed the line gaps emerged and we began to pick up our pace. The first mile or so was adrenaline fuelled and excited. We ran together as a group, chatting and laughing. Waving to supporters in the crowd and smiling.

It didn’t last. By mile 4, the beginning of the 2 mile climb to Saltram House I was not quite so chipper. We’d all found our own natural pace and gaps were forming in our little group. This was always our intention but as I saw my teammates pull away and willed my legs to keep I just couldn’t. It was too hot and the hill was brutal. Just when I thought it was nearly over there was more … and more.

A nice downhill around mile 6 was followed by yet another climb and here I hit my wall. I wanted to cry. I was on my own, my teammates just a flash of colour ahead and I was hot and tired. What was I thinking? I couldn’t do this? I’m not a runner. For the first time since the klaxon sounded my watch buzzed to tell me I wasn’t going to get the sub 2:30 I wanted. I took a breather to gather my thoughts, a brief walk as we passed through Saltram House but I wasn’t done. The brow of a hill around 7.5 miles was all I needed. I took a deep breath and flew, my body and momentum propelled me down the hill and my watch buzzed to tell me I was back on target. I caught up with some of team JP and came out the other side onto Laira Bridge. Away from the beauty of Saltram, back into dual carriageways, cars, industry and heat my little legs were flagging. The water station was welcomed with open arms but with 4.1 miles left to go I wasn’t optimistic of that sub 2:30 anymore. I just wanted to finish, preferably quicker than I had done Truro last year.

As we passed each other on the other side of the bridge it was smiles and high fives all round for team JP. Encouragement a plenty and support all round. The 10 mile sign loomed and it was suddenly just a Parkrun … an uphill Parkrun! By this point I was having to talk walking breaks but I kept finding the strength I needed to pick up speed and run. All I could think of was the next water station and the finish line. Then the moment I’d been dreading. That niggle in my ankle wasn’t a niggle anymore. It was pain. I wanted to cry and I needed a hug but there was no one in sight from team JP, if I was going to finish this, pain and all I was going to have to do it alone.

The final 3.1 miles were pure hell. I ran as much as I could but walked more than I wanted to. In fact, I hadn’t wanted to walk at all but by this point all I wanted was for it to be over. I pushed on. I put one foot in front of another and ran/walked through the pain. The crowd support was phenomenal. Clapping, cheering, encouraging, I couldn’t have asked for more. Having my name on my club top meant people were calling my name from all directions, spurring me on when I could barely move.

Then my watch buzzed for 13 miles and adrenaline kicked in. My pace quickened and I pushed through the pain. I could do this, 0.1 miles left to go and I’d be over that line … except it wasn’t 13 miles according to the mile markers strapped to the lamppost. When I had pushed my body to its absolute limit I looked up and saw that neon sign that read 13 miles. I could have cried. Infant I probably did. But I had another hill to climb and I couldn’t even see the gantry. What was this hell? I had to walk, except I couldn’t. It was more of a hobble, each step making me wince. The crowds were calling my name, telling me I was nearly there, urging me to run, telling me not to give up and then I saw it … the finish line. One final deep breath. One final push. I was damned if I was going to walk over that line. I was going to run, and run I did. Eyes on the prize, focused and determined I ran with all I had and completed Plymouth Half Marathon.

My official chip time was 2:38:05 nearly 6 minutes faster than my Truro time. I hadn’t done what I wanted but I had achieved something fantastic. According to Strava my actual HM time for 13.1 miles was 2:36:43 so that is my new PB, my new time to beat.

Britain’s Ocean City nearly broke me. I could barely walk and my ankle was in bits but I loved it and can’t wait for next year when at least I’ll know what to expect! Luckily the pain was short lived and I’m no longer hobbling, I even went for a gentle 5k today with friends and managed a little sprint finish. I’m not broken. I can still run … which is just as well seen as Heron Half Marathon is just 18 days away.

Race ready

18 weeks ago I broke my ankle and had to sit on the bench of 6 weeks. On Sunday I’m running my second half marathon. To say the journey has been emotional would be an understatement but I kept going. Listening to the advice of my trainer and returning slowly meant I escaped any further injury and am now fitter and stronger than ever.

I’m ready. I’m excited. I’ve made it to the start line and can’t wait to cross the finish line. Completing this will definitely be an emotional experience. The culmination of all my hard work and of those I’m running with. I’m so proud to be able to share this with the rest of team JP. We’ve all worked tirelessly to get to this point and put in the miles when we thought we had no more miles left in us. We are an incredible team and without them I wouldn’t have recovered so quickly or so well.

Kit packed. Race nails painted. I’ve done my research and have hopefully got my nutrition and hydration right. In 48 hours this will all be over and the countdown to the next HM on 10th June will begin. This girl can!

Time to shift the focus.

My first half marathon of the year is in just 3 weeks time, to say I’m excited is an understatement. My training is going from strength to strength and I feel great. This month alone I’ve achieved a 10k PB twice, and a 10 mile PB. I’m running 4 times a week and have included more strength and conditioning into my training plan. But there is one issue that still needs to be tackled. My diet.

I’m not talking about calories and losing weight. I’m talking about nutrition and hydration. Running means that to a certain extent I can eat what I like and not gain weight. All well and good but it means I’m not eating properly. Chips, chocolate, cake, cheese by the block. None of these will fuel my body properly for the 20-25 miles per week I’m running and the races I have booked this year. The time has come to refocus. Increase fluid intake (sadly not G&T) to ensure I am properly hydrated, especially as the weather warms up, and look at eating the right combination at protein and carbohydrates to fuel my training. I haven’t a clue where to start if I’m honest but am confident that I can gather enough information to at least make several positive changes. If I lose weight in the process then that’s a bonus.

Change starts here.

Full steam ahead

Tomorrow marks 5 weeks until Plymouth Half Marathon and I’m feeling great. Since my 10k race on Easter Monday I have been increased my training to 4 times a week. 2 training sessions where we focus on technique, 1 run of up to 10k which I use as a Pace run and a longer run. Last weekend my long run was 8.7 miles, the longest I had run since 1st October and it felt fantastic. Beautiful sunshine, incredible hills and great company. Tomorrow’s club run takes in the SW Coastal Path which I’m not too keen on as I don’t wish to test my ankle too much at this stage. Instead I will head out on my own to tackle 10 miles.

My 10 mile PB is 1:53 so I am hoping to come in close to this. Even better if I can beat it! Next weekend will be another 10 miles, 11 the following weekend and finally 12 on 6th May before Plymouth 2 weeks later. I’m enjoying my training so much at the moment and look forward to each session. I’d dearly love to go out every day but need to make sure I don’t over do it. Combining my running with daily cross training at home is a great programme and I’m seeing the results. My strength and stamina are improving by the day and I’m feeling better in my clothes.

I feel strong. I feel confident. I feel ready. 5 Half Marathons this summer with Great South Run at the end. It’s going to be a good year.