Garmin 405, the VLM and things I have learnt

Well where to start? Today my new Garmin Forerunner 405 was delivered and what a beauty it is! My previous forerunner the 110 was good at the time but I felt with my running and the events I've entered stepping up a gear my equipment needed to do the same.

I chose the 405 for a few reasons the first being the pacekeeper. I am slightly embarrassed to say that until Sunday I have never watched or was even aware that the London Marathon was aired on television nor did I realise that proper athletes compete in it. I thought it was just an event for the public and running clubs to enter. To this end I also didn't know what was going on when I saw a man running with what looked like a large red lollipop stick with 3 hours on it until I saw James Cracknell running literally shoulder to shoulder with him so he knew he would finish in 3 hours or under...then it hit me... the man with the red lollipop stick was a pacekeeper!

I have lots to learn still... Because James Cracknell stayed with this pacekeeper he finished the London Marathon in 2hours 59minutes and I thought I have to get myself one of those! short of paying someone who knows what they are doing to run with me with a lollipop stick I bought the Garmin 405 as it has a handy little pacekeeper on it or as my mom said "the man at the top is the Ghost busters marshmallow man and the man at the bottom is me trying to keep up with him" 

My first test run with the 405 led me to fill in the chosen pace of 10 minute miles, this was ambitious as this was also a test run on a recovering foot injury. Low and behold I set off and my little men were running side by side but rapidly my man started slowing down and before I knew it at around 0.5 of a mile the Ghost busters Marshmallow man wasn't even on my screen anymore! He may be big and marshmallowy (if that's a word) but I couldn't keep up! Maybe next time I'll aim for 11 minute miles.

All in all I am very pleased with the 405 and pleased I also know more about the VLM and will certainly be logging on on the 30th April to get my ballot entry in and hopefully picked to run next year.

Things I have learnt..

Listen to your body,I have had what I called a niggle for a week but ignored it being stubborn, I have too many races coming up all in the next 3 weeks, one half marathon and two 10ks to be off my feet, plus training for my first Ultra and couldn't help but think time off my feet is not going to help! Today my run lasted 10 minutes 25 seconds I ran just over a mile and could run no more. My foot is well and truly done in!

So more things I have learnt, my waterproof jacket really is waterproof, my baseball cap keeps the rain off my glasses, good job as the person referred to in my previous blog hasn't been in touch reference the creation of mini window wipers for glasses, or they just haven't read my blog!
White Karrimor Dry socklets slide down my ankles though the exact same socks in purple don't? (How does that work?)

Oh and if you are running and know you have a blister and its hurting during a 14mile run, it's ok to think to yourself  "Hey it's only a blister how bad can it be, do you think the runners in the Marathon Des Sables would stop just because of a blister" this is fine to think off as it's true but be prepared for what you see when you take your trainer off.

The last part of my blog is for everyone to remember Claire Squires the young lady that sadly passed away during this years London Marathon. She was doing something she loved for a good cause and thoughts go out to her family and friends.

Treadmill vs Pavement

This is an interesting one and one I've heard lots of views on....

Treadmill                   Pros                                                             

 The surface of a treadmill is more forgiving.
Newer treadmills have a variety of programs so you can do several interval workouts that replicate outdoor terrain even though you're inside.                 

                     Cons 

The moving belt propels your legs, so you're not working as hard as you would running the same speed outside. If you're training for a race, you'll be missing out training in extreme temps, wind resistance, blaring sun, precipitation, and on an uneven surface              
                                                                        
One comment that I found on a website was from a person who even though they run outside as well as inside prefer to do their long runs (even in the summer) on a treadmill indoors so they can still get their fix of guilty pleasure television. Why oh why would you not want to be outdoors with the wind around you with mostly pleasurable things to look at? (with the exception of the keved up vauxhall Astra that revs past you at 60mph)

I will run outside come rain or shine hence the picture of me taken after a very wet and windy 3 mile run; by the way if the person who has the tools to make mini window wipers for glasses is reading please get in touch.

So this brings me onto my gym experience today. I have decided that the two days in the week I don't run I maybe want to do something rather than nothing so went to the gym to go swimming. Whilst there I thought why not have a go on a treadmill, I had been on treadmills many years ago but wanted to see what it was like as an avid outside runner.

Three words "I Hated It" to go from putting on your running shoes going out the door and you're off, being able to speed up or slow down without pressing a button to looking down and seeing this........ (also catching a glimpse of the image on the left in the mirror wasn't very pleasing either :)

Don't get me wrong I am rather savvy with technology and had no problems figuring it out, just too many buttons to press and too many flashing lights going on for me to focus on my actual running and even enjoying myself. Yes treadmills are useful and in all honesty I will try it again as the hill training will be very useful rather than driving somewhere to find actual hills!

There is nothing I like more than to go on a run and ask myself " I wonder what's up here? I wonder what is beyond that field" To be restricted to running on a moving belt just isn't my cup of tea really.

Everyone is different so which do you prefer treadmill or pounding the pavements or trails?



 

The Running Bucket List

I've decided to make a list of all the events and running experiences I would like to complete before I kick the bucket so to speak. If anyone would like to comment and share your running bucket lists or ambitions please feel free I think it will be interesting to see other runners goals.

Run a 10k 

Run a Half Marathon

Finish a Half Marathon in under 2 hours 30 minutes

Run a Full Marathon

Finish a Full Marathon in under 5 hours 30 minutes

 Have a flattering picture taken in motion or at the end!

Enter an Ultra Marathon   ( Entering was the easy part!)

Run for Charity

Run the Grim Reaper Ultra Marathon 40  miles

Finish an Ultra Marathon

Run in the London Marathon 

Run in the Paris Marathon

Run The Wall    http://www.thewallrun.com/%20%20%20

And I'd really like to run 12 Half Marathons in 12 months,

Some of these may depend on me learning how to navigate myself or even use a map and not need signs pointing me in the right direction!!

Worcester Half Marathon 15th April 2012

I wanted to title this post "The best thing I have ever done"... as quite simply it was, but I realised I should stick with the title of the event!

So it started last night where I had a full carb meal mainly pasta and even stuffed down a bowl of porridge    ( I have eaten more porridge this last week that in my whole life) Went to bed at 9pm and slept rather well. The nerves kicked in this morning, a 6am start so I could eat yet more porridge and leave 3 hours for it to settle.

At 8.50am I made the short walk to the Rugby Center all the time thinking about my previous bad run in training where I stopped after 2.25 miles. I met a nice lady on the way called Karen she told me it would be her first half marathon as well which made me feel better about the trial to come. I knew how many people had entered by the running numbers but after a 300 runner event to a 1000 plus I was quite shocked. Around 9.15am we were making our way to the starting point (by this time I had lost Karen but was silently wishing her all the best) In the info book we had been given it advised getting into the right position for your estimated finish time. I could see no sign of any markers but had learnt my lesson from my 10k and placed myself around three quarters of the way to the back.
One of the things that amused me was the amount of Garmin and GPS watches beeping going into sleep mode and around 80% of the runners around me and including me all rushing to check if it was theirs so not to lose signal. I kept myself to myself at this point trying to think about what was going to happen and trying not freeze to death! The man with the megaphone said go and the crowd soon shimmied its way to a slow trot and before I knew it I had crossed the start to the sound of Faithless God is a DJ which I found quite amusing as I used to be a DJ before giving up due to hearing loss.Crossing the starting line was quite emotional and I could feel myself welling up.

Before we had even got to the first mile Iwas faced with a hill, I have not done any hill training before but knew my heart rate would go up from the 166bpm I had calculated to  keep it at to the run the complete distance, with the first hill tackled and mutual groans from my fellow runners what followed was a beautiful course through the countryside. The amount of support from the locals, children and dogs lining the course with deck chairs, pom poms and bells was outstanding, a real boost! Even people passing in cars further down the course would slow down and wave and cheer words of support out the window.

Around 3 miles in something happened that i can only describe in one way... I felt as though someone had stuck Energizer batteries up my bum as I suddenly felt fantastic, the best I've ever felt whilst running. I maintained my 166bpm except on hills when it went up to 180bmp and believe you me there were a lot of hills! The biggest hill was at around mile 5, I could see the majority of people around me slowing and walking, this is something I have done before when faced with a hill in training but at the top of the hill was a marshall and a photographer, no way was I going to be caught walking on the one picture that they get of me so I ran (well shuffled) up that hill and it felt great!

Mile 7 was a good checkpoint as there was a lovely lady holding out a massive bag of Jelly Babies for people to take. It is true what your parents say do not take sweets from a stranger but this lady was a god send at that point and I happily munched away (plus she was a marshall and I had no reason to believe she would want to kidnap me or poison me) Throughout the race so far I had felt tip top and kept saying to myself this is one of the best things I have ever done, then changed that thought to this IS the best thing I have ever done. The weather was on my side and the best thing was I was also raising money for the charity SHINE.

Mile 9 was the tough one, I had hit a bit of a slump but nothing as bad I have in training, it lasted around 5 minutes and I managed to tell myself that the finish is close, I actually think I hit that slump as I realised I was sad it was nearly over! The miles had been flying by so fast i really didn't want it to end, I even shouted to a marshall that I wished I had entered the Marathon now!

As i tootled around mile 12 I could see in the distance the finish line ( never have I been so happy to see half of an inflatable bouncy castle) I picked up my pace massively now as had kept in reserve my last push of energy, I started sprinting and managed to pass some runners along the canal side then as it got to the main car park where all the support and finish line was I let rip over took quite a few and crossed that finish line with tears down my face (tears of happiness)

I had forced myself not to look at the time on my watch throughout, I was hoping for a few scenarios

Worst case 2 hours 45, best case 2 hours 30.. i hesitantly looked at the time I had logged and it was 2 hours 31 minutes and 14 seconds, I was elated as this included a toilet break!

This was the best thing I have ever done, the race was so well organized, marshalled and support was just crazy! Bring on the Lichfield Half Marathon in two weeks :-)

Here's the link for details of the route and my splits from my Garmin watch Worcester Half Marathon by enigmatik3 at Garmin Connect - Details: http://bit.ly/L7fPdi

Blymhill 10k 22nd Jan 2012

After the drive to Telford I was very nervous as really didn’t know what to expect. Upon arriving at the event my nerves didn’t subside when I saw all the runners and all the kit and warm ups going on, I myself have never warmed up in my life I find a small walk out of the estate at a reasonable pace is enough to get me going.

I had been told that running is a friendly sport full of camaraderie I could see little of this from where I was standing as a new runner at my first event full of nerves and anticipation; lucky for me I had Kevin there.

We got led to the middle of a very muddy field and I remember thinking “this is it” Kevin stood to the side with his phone in the air taking pictures of my first running event, and me trying to hide from him behind the swarm of 300 plus people. He still succeeded in getting some snaps! A man with a megaphone shouted to everyone to look out for the Rabbit holes which filled me with confidence. (Note to oneself when entering an event make sure you look at the terrain that you will be running on.)

The horn sounded and the race began I soon realised that placing yourself at the front of a 300 strong crowd of actual runners (not pretend ones like me) was not the best plan I’ve ever had as I felt I had to keep pace with them or fall behind, consequently I tried to keep pace and after 1 mile I conceded and starting to walk! This I couldn’t understand as I had been continually running 3 miles without stopping with ease at home.

Turns out trying to keep up with 10k runners that finish in sub 30 times is not a great idea, so I slowed my pace down this also enabled me to run better on the muddy fields without twisting my ankles too badly. I found the race very hard going not helped with the initial sprint at the start but my mp3 player also decided to not work and I had never before run without Eye of the Tiger willing me along my way. I struggled all the way around to find some sort of rhythm and kept being amused at turning a corner to find a stile to climb over, not what you expect being a road runner but then I should have read the small print.

It was at mile 4 of the 6.2 that my savior of the moment came along, I had tried to speak to a few fellow runners along the way commenting on the weather and such like with a frosty response but just when I started walking again a man called out to me as he caught up with me, he told me to run with him for a while and keep pace as he had seen me continually stop starting and could see this was getting me no where fast. Initially I thought god this man is slow and felt I was losing my edge on the race although I should not have doubted this man who later told me he was 52 and a committed shuffler! Shuffler being the name I know give myself when running 10 miles plus on a long run. I was pleased as he was the first person who had acknowledged me that day and we spoke about a lot of things from his running experience to my lack off. He pointed out to me at just over 5 miles that I had run continuously without stopping and had actually got my breathe back so told me there wasn’t far too go and the last bit was on road which he knew I was used to so told me to leave him and go off on my own to finish in style. What a nice man.. so I did and soon found myself enjoying the run and even overtaking 3 members of the DK running club which I felt was an achievement in itself!  Crossing the finish line and seeing Kevin there again phone in had for photos was one of the best feelings in the world because back then 6.2 miles was alien territory to me. My finish time was logged at 1 hour and 10 minutes and guess what? I didn’t finish last. I now have my Blymhill Blue Neck warmer and finish time, plus photos courtesy of Kevin who may I add walked part way around the muddy course in shoes to meet me half way to cheer me on and take a picture!! What a star.

I can honestly say I learnt so much from that race, starting with checking the terrain the race is held on, to run my own race not other peoples, test your mp3 player before setting off and looking out for the one person that may just help you finish.

Here's the details of the course and my splits from my Garmin watch 10k Blymhill Run by enigmatik3 at Garmin Connect - Details: http://bit.ly/JNAqFT

So it starts...

So it starts in October where I join a popular slimming website and am told I should be burning 200 calories a day, surely the cheapest way of doing this is either a work out DVD at home or running as both involve a small cost to start then free from then on.

After purchasing a £22 pair of running trainers I started running and would get 0.5 of a mile down the street and have to stop this was due to previous smoking and a large lack of any exercise. I pushed on with this stop start way of running but went 1 mile around the block which took me probably near on 25 minutes. I remember that first day walking back through the door to Kevin saying that was quick and me puffing and panting thinking I’m glad I only spent £22 on the shoes as don’t think I will keep this up.

I continued pushing myself to run although maybe once or twice a week at most but soon found that I had sustained a simply foot injury, which I put down to the cheap shoes I was running in. I suppose spending £100 on a new pair of better running shoes was the kick up the backside I needed to run abit more, this and discovering the miracle of a Garmin Forerunner 110 recommended to me by a fellow dieter on the website forums. It’s funny how much further a mile actually is compared to what you estimate in your head.

Along with my Camel Bak I would say the Garmin Forerunner is the best bit of kit I’ve ever bought.  This enabled me to quickly build up to running 3 miles minimum taking around 33 minutes. I soon found after I had lost the weight I intended to lose I needed motivation to run and thought what better way than to enter a Half Marathon 13.1 miles and run for charity that way I’d have to stick with it and not let people down.  So I entered the Litchfield Half Marathon taking place on the 6^th May 2012.. plenty of time to get training.

I find with running you get itchy feet as it were and I certainly need a goal to work towards with this in mind and feeling I needed to get a sense of a race environment and test my training so far I entered the Blymhill 10k on the 22^nd Jan 2012.

I remember the night before very well as I didn’t get a wink of sleep and any sleep I did get was spent dreaming that I ran so slowly I was lost as all the Marshalls had packed up and gone home!