Blythe Valley 10k

Blythe Valley 10k entry was a last minute decision. I hadn't ran a 10k since joining Black Pear Joggers or taking part in efforts every Thursday and I knew my times had improved massively over 5k so I was excited to see what I could do over 10k. I had only ever gone sub 1  hour once and that was at Market Drayton in March.

I started off looking for races around 30 minutes drive away or closer, preferably with a medal, but my main search was for a flat and hopefully tarmac course to give myself the best chance of a pb. I found Blythe Valley 5k and 10k just off the M42 a 25 minute drive away, flat and classed as multi terrain but I had heard it starts in a business park and then is a few laps around a park and for £10 entry which was all donated to charity I felt I couldn't have found a better race.

My current pb and the only time I had ever gone sub 1 hour currently stood at 56 minutes 45 seconds. In talks with some of the group at efforts a few people felt I could go around 51-52 minutes - this I thought was slightly optimistic. I had a plan and two backup plans , Plan A was to run 8.30 minute miles to get me in at 53 minutes, Plan B was to run 8.40 minute miles to get in at 54 minutes and then Plan C was to run 9 minute miles and come in just under 56 minutes.

I was travelling up with Ben and his dad Mark and mom Sue, Ben had already checked out last years results and had a very good chance of winning the 5k and Mark had not ran a race before and wanted some practise before taking on Paula Radcliffe in the Worcester 10k this coming Sunday. Upon arriving on the business park I was super pleased! Yes this wasn't going to be the most scenic of runs but it was tarmac woohoo! I had already pre-registered and went to the tent to collect my race number. Number 13, the lady on the desk said she hoped I wasn't superstitious, as I pointed out as long as there is a 100 in front of the 13 it will be ok ( the 100 was to signify I was running the 10k not the 5k) The set up was fantastic there were toilets, a dj, tents selling hot drinks, cold drinks and food, tables with bottled water on and a car with a timex system on it so the runners could clearly see their finish times. The race wasn't chip times but for a small event and the fact I was going by my watch this didn't bother me. Just after 11am there was a race briefing, we were told the 5k and 10k runners start together and 5k run 2 laps of the course and 10k run 4 laps.. easy peasy. I was nervous at this point, I was masking an injury I seem to have picked up since the Joust and then a 7 and a 5 mile run that following week but I desperately wanted a pb.  After the funniest warm up ever I was stood along side Ben and Mark at the very front of the crowd of 88 runners. An announcement was made if you want a fast time to move to the front but no one did so I had a clean break.

After a little countdown we were off running in the middle of the road of a business park with a slight incline I was off! Glancing at my watch at the top of the road I was running at 7.30 minute mile pace - too quick but I felt I would rather go out quicker and slow down to my desired pace than have to make time up later on. I was pleasantly surprised when we diverted from the main road and took to some nice pathways running around some lakes and woods, my ideal race so far. There were some nice downhill parts to gain some speed too. My first mile clocked in at 7:50! On track for a pb but I knew it would be ambitious to keep that pace going. I soon passed through my first lap and had Bens mom Sue clapping and cheering me on, this was going to be easy! I soon started feeling the pace I was running on the second lap the sun came out from no where and it was super hot. I made the decision to grab a bottle of water from the next lap although there were plenty of marshalls and signs on the course and water, I was going to grab and drink a few sips and drop at the start/finish to make it easier to clear the course after. My second mile came in at 8:35 and third mile at 8:28 so I was settling very nicely into my Plan A. I passed through my the lap point and this time Ben was cheering with his mom so I was pretty sure he had possible won the 5k. Lap three was quite hard my hamstring started hurting and I was trying to ignore it and push on. Mile 4 was ran in 8:45 and mile 5 in 9:06 I knew I had to keep pushing hard to get the 53 minutes time that I wanted. It was at the downhill points of the course where I gained my ground from this 9 minute mile I came through the lap point again and took a quick glance at the timex clock though it said exactly what my watch said I couldn't work the maths out for the last lap but Ben shouted something like you've only got to do this lap in less than 12 minutes you can do this.  I struggled on with a sprint/limp I could feel I was dragging my leg a little, Mile 6 was ran in 8:38 so I was back on track, coming to the final climb which in the car on the way there felt flat but running it was a different matter, Ben had come down to meet me and was telling me I was going to make it, I remember moaning about my leg but knew I had to finish.

As I crossed the finish line, the lady from the tent at the start came and presented me with my medal and certificate and said she was glad 13 wasn't unlucky for me and it certainly wasn't as I looked down at my watch my new 10k person best stood at 53 minutes  21 seconds!  Ben also won the 5k race with a time of 18 minutes.

There are a few things I have taken from this, It's a good idea to choose a specific race or course that has pb potential and also the funny thing is in the smaller distances like 5k and 10k I run better and get my times when I am analysing and planning splits before and during the race, this theory however doesn't work on a marathon!

The Joust 24

After a few emails between the team, a curry night out and a practice night run my team for The Joust 24 hour event were ready! The Knights Who Say Ni!   We had team t shirts made especially for the event, we were a team of 8 consisting of myself, Jo, Kazzandra, Anna, James, Steve, Ben & Adam a mixed bag of runners and I was thankful we had escaped a weekend of camping with Mad Margaret.

We arrived on the Friday after work to set up camp. Each of us having smaller tents then Jo & Paul bringing their massive tent which would also double up as our HQ. After a good team effort of tent organizing we left the campsite around 8pm Friday night to pack for the weekends adventure. 

The race was open to solo runners, pairs or team of 3-5 or 6-8 the concept is to run as many laps as you can from midday on the Saturday to midday Sunday. For the pairs and teams only 1 team member was allowed on the course at a time though we decided myself and Jo would run out night laps together but only one of us cross the finish line as we were scared. The laps consisted of a 5 mile route off road. We had devised our running order of fastest runners first and moving down the minute per miles, the theory behind this was so everyone would get a lap in the daytime so they could learn some of the route before nightfall. Steve had also worked his magic with a handy spreadsheet and had input our estimated times for day and night laps so we could keep a check on if anyone had gotten lost on the course (we were mainly thinking of night laps at this point). 

Arriving again on the Saturday morning, a few of us had ran park run myself included we turned up to a buzzing atmosphere with people setting up camp or the ones who had got in early the friday night were chilling out around their camps waiting for the race briefing at 11am. As we made our way over it was apparent there was a lot of nervous tension in the camp. We were told that the course follows a 4.8 mile loop off road around private fields and grounds, there is a pub the Wagon Wheel half way around where you could either go into the beer garden for a drink, water I may add and give the marshall your race number to show you had got to the half way point or for the solo or competitive runners that didn't want to waste time you could just shout your number and keep running. A few things were mentioned about the signage on the route as no marshalls are present other than at the pub.  At midday our first runner Ben was off! Hurtling across a field then down a very steep grassy hill. All we could do was wait around 39 minutes which was his estimated time and make sure James our next runner was at the start/finish tunnel for the exchange of a hand slap and away he would go. Within 36 minutes Ben was back and James was off, so Steve was now prepped ready to go out on James return. This was going to be fun! Especially trying to make sure everyone knew who was next and how long the runner before them would take and when to get to the change over point, it would be more fun at night when people were sleepy and you can't actually see who is running up to the finish as it's just a light bobbing around in the distance. 

Whilst James was out on his lap Ben proceeded to tell everyone what was to come on the course, explaining the signs are sparse, there are multiple gates and styles to climb over, a graveyard and 

an abandoned quarry to navigate. Me & Jo were getting worried, what had we got ourselves into?  Our fears were about to get worse when we realised James hadn't finished his lap and he had been gone over 50 minutes, when his predicted time was 39-40 minutes. I found Steve at the change over point and a couple of other concerned looking runners waiting for their relevant running buddies to finish their laps. Something had clearly gone wrong when there was still no sign of James after an hour. Finally he came over the brow of the hill for the straight to the finish with a scowl on his face. He had ran over 7 miles rather than the 4.8 as he, along with other runners had took a wrong turn and got lost. At this point a few people went to the organizers and explained and some more high vis direction signs were put out on the course.  Still myself and Jo were very nervous. I was pleased at this point that we had planned a few weeks in advance that we would run our night laps together but only one of us cross the finish line so it only classed as 1 lap for the team. It went more smoothly after James's lap with Steve and the rest completing their laps no problems but there was still talk of gates and graveyards.  Finally around 3.20pm it was my turn I was full of nerves for the unknown, I like races on road where there are marshalls on every corner and water stations and lots of other runners to follow. I ran across the field with my estimated time of 50 minutes in mind then straight down the grassy steep descent - wow it was steep you had to put the brake on here. At the bottom it was a little right turn into a corn field where you had a mud/stone track to follow for quite a way then it was a left divert into a cows field, urgghhh it was horrible to run in, the ground had clearly been a bog at some point then a tractor and millions of cows stampeded over it then it dried to make an ankle twisting nightmare! I had to walk most of this field. Then I came to the first gate to navigate, a quick up and over and I was back on a nice stone track with a bit of an incline. I chatted to a solo female runner said hello and said well done, it was hot so I felt for her having to run all that way! I then came onto an actual road with houses and had a horrible feeling I was lost. I slowed down a lot and heard the sound of feet behind me, I looked around and it was another runner wearing a black pear top! Excellent I tagged along with a man who introduced himself to me as Niel, if it wasn't for Niel I would have missed the Wagon Wheel pub and  drink of water and I 100% would have missed the little entry to the graveyard! So it was true there was a graveyard! After that I don't remember much of the course as I was gas bagging to Neil the whole way I wasn't paying any attention to where I was going or landmarks to help me out on the night laps. Big mistake! Niel it turns out was running as part of a pair with another man and they ended up winning the Male Pair category. I finished my first lap in 47 minutes which I was super pleased with.  I met up with Jo at the end who was running after me and I told her all about the course of what I could remember. There were around 9 gates to climb and 3 stiles, the graveyard and the abandoned quarry were real, the majority was mud/stone track next to corn fields or just ankle breaking fields.

The rest of that day went without problems and by 8pm Ben had been to get everyone a pizza and we sat scoffing in the gazebo. Me & Jo were going out for our 1st night lap at 9.30pm. Jo had a super duper headtorch and I had two rubbish ones but together we would be ok. We were no longer nervous and infact excited to get going in the dark, it was quite difficult to get used to it as you could only really see where your feet were just about to go. The graveyard didn't phase us at night we just ran straight through and into the quarry. We ran through a succession of yellow metal gates that had to be closed before the next one opened. I had no idea where we were as couldn't remember doing any of this on my earlier day lap but Jo assured me this was the right way and the other odd runner we went past were going the same way. I can only imagine that Niel had held the gates open for me on the day lap hence I don't remember them at all. We thoroughly enjoyed our night lap and chatted and laughed all the way around. We had a few mishaps with Jo's head torch packing up so had to rely on my rubbish ones, and me climbing a gate only for it to swing open whilst I was still straddling it! Before we knew it we were back at camp and I diverted off  and around the outside of the course to meet Jo at the finish so only her lap counted. We had ran it in 1 hour 10 minutes which we were happy with. We tagged Kazzandra for her night lap and went back to HQ and made sure we had woken up Ben who was running after Kazz, we had some more food and stayed up chatting. We worked out based on predicted and actual times that we would need to wake up around 2.30am to be prepped ready to run again for 3am. I got into my tent at gone middnight I made the decision to nap with my contact lenses in save going to the toilet block to put them back in to run with and I also climbed into bed in the clothes I was wearing, I just took my trainers off. Stinky!

No sooner did it feel I shut my eyes was Jo outside my tent "Sarah, Sarah we need to go and run!" Looking at my phone it was earlier than I expected as the faster runners had gained some ground so we were to head out on our 3am lap earlier. After 2 hours broken snooze I got out the tent put my trainers back on got my headtorch and away we went to the change over, it was pleasantly warmish which was a good thing, I was wearing a long sleeve thermal base layer and a short sleeve running top with capris. There was nothing more surreal than being stood at a large inflatable arch at 3am in the morning with a headtorch waiting to run 5 miles for fun! We were waiting for Adam to come back and I needed the loo, I didn't think Adam would be too long so I said I would just go on the course it was dark and secluded enough after all. But as Jo pointed out that will waste time so we should just go now really quickly. Turns out really quickly wasn't quick enough, 

mid flow with my pants around my ankles (jo was by now washing her hands) I heard people yelling my name saying adam was back adam was back. Someone has to be there for the change over! Jo went dashing out with me following not too far behind trying to pull my trousers up to get a tag of Adam and we were off on our 3am jaunt around the countryside. 

The second night lap was as much fun as the first and it only took us 4 minutes more considering we were tired and by now a bit achey I feel we did very well.

After having a drink and a chat and working out what time to wake up again I went to my tent at 5am. Mine and Jo's shared laps were over so I was running my next day lap at around 8am I was scoffing baby bells and drinking pepsi in my tent at 5am so knew it was going to be another 2 hour kip before my alarm went off. I had this time taken my contacts out but still slept in the same clothes I had been running in. I even took my makeup off.  Waking up at 7am I felt like shite! Literally I thought there was no way I'd be up to much that day, my head was hurting ( I hadn't drank hardly anything and had bad sunburn) I bobbed my head out my tent, grooannnn it was so bright. urgghhh I felt rough. Everyone was at the gazebo, I made my way over, mumbled something like morning then proceeded to wobble into a camping chair. Darren said I was that pale I actually looked see through and maybe I shouldn't run (he later admitted to me that he has never seen anyone look so bad and he really didn't think I would be able to walk let alone run) I told everyone I would be fine after a wash  and some food and I wanted to be updated on the evenings events whilst I had been asleep. Turns out Kazzandra had rolled her ankle in her night lap after mine around 4am so she wouldn't be able to run her last lap and Ben had some sort on injury though no one was quite sure what- even Ben himself wasn't open for discussion on the subject.  Hazel who is a black pear jogger had come along to support us the whole weekend though she wasn't taking part she was just camping, drinking and enjoying the event. She offered to make me some fried eggs before my lap, I gladly accepted her offer and made my way to the shower and toilet blocks where I managed to freshen myself up enough that everyone looked very surprised upon my re entry to the gazebo at how much better I looked. (My secret was downing a bottle of water and putting some slap on!)  Hazel presented me with my plate of fried eggs they were lovely just what I needed! I had a couple of pieces of chocolate then I was off to the change over point waiting for Adam to come back. I had made the decision if Kazzandra and Ben weren't going to get another lap in I may do an extra one and do 10 miles not 5 miles. I started off on my final (actual) lap and enjoyed it so much, the sun was blazing the sky was blue, I knew exactly where I was going and my footing was a lot more confident from doing 2 night laps I found in the day now I barely had to think about what I was doing. My second day lap took me the same amount of time as my first one the day before to say I'd had 2 x 2 hour sleeps and was hurting a bit I was pleased. I had managed to sneak in a sports massage the day before and thought I may as well get another one done before I went home for a donation (a fiver a go) it was cheap as chips. I finished my lap and hopped straight on the massage table whilst Jo went out for her final lap, Kazz made the decision to share the lap with her so I knew due to the injury it would be a slow lap but I was so pleased Kazz was going to get all of her running in. Ben wanted to see how many laps behind we were in the rankings and suddenly made his mind up that he would run the last lap...even though I had stated I would do this, the time was running down as all laps (that would count) had to be completed by midday, I was getting my laps done in 47-49 minutes. Jo came back at 11.15 am which was tight for me but I felt like another run so me and Ben set off and the fastest one would cross the line to take the glory. I knew before I set off it would be Ben but I still wanted to run a bit more, I enjoyed the day, the course, the scenery everything about it so I was happy to do 5 miles just for fun.

Before I even got to the half way point at the pub the landrover was coming around in front of me and they were taking the signs down in front of me! I was pushing 8.30 minute miles and knew I was fighting a losing battle. At the pub I asked if I could have a lift back as there was little point continuing if they were taking the signs down I still relied on these a little. I got in the back of the van and had flashbacks to the Grim but this time I didn't feel like a failure if anything I felt great and I knew Ben would get the lap in for us (which he did with 10 minutes to spare) I also got to share my journey back with Ian Radford who as a solo runner had ran 105 miles in the last 24 hours, he had asked the organizer in the van to call back to HQ and see if the solo male in second place had gone out for a final lap - If he had he was going to carry on to get the title - If not there was no point in him continueing the lap as he had already won. He had already won so I had company on the way back and what a pleasure to share running stories with him. 

Whilst I had been gone on this mad little adventure the tent fairies (Hazel, Jo, Kazz, Steve and James) had been and taken down and packed away my tent! Bless them. After a bit of a wait around the presentation was made at around 12.30pm with each individual solo runner going up for their medals, then the pairs and teams. 

All in all it was the most fun I've had at a race and already looking at booking another team of 8 for next years event. I ran over the course of the weekend park run (3 miles) then 4 and a half laps of 4.8 miles. 

Colour Run and Park Run PBs

Another few weeks/months have passed and more races have come and gone and I am still struggling to update my running blog and also my running scrapbook. So I have made the decision to blog when I can.  I have been spending so much time improving my running that I have very little time to write about it.

Two updates on what has been going on in Sarah's running world -

I took part in the most fun run ever with my big sister, The Color Run in Birmingham on the 16th August. It was a 5k fun run not timed and I jog/walked the whole way simply enjoying myself holding my sisters hand. At every 1k we went through a large inflatable tunnel and had powder paint thrown all over us!

The first station was pink and it was so much fun. Though I felt it safer to put my sunglasses on during the paint throwing. The next station was blue where I ended up looking as though I had eaten half the paint. Yellow was our favorite station it was a very happy and fun color station. Then the final station Orange all went a little mental with people rolling around on the floor and throwing paint at each other.

Besides from having colorful fun I have been working hard at improving my running times. Working hard at efforts every Thursday has certainly been paying off. What started off as a bit of fun at park run every saturday morning with my times around the 30 minute mark, I got down to 28 minutes then Ben paced me around to a 25 something minute pb.  Since then I have been half paced round to a 24:49 pb but wanted to beat that as I would get on the park run wall of pride having done 10+ park runs. On my 10th park run I had a bash at pacing myself and would you believe I matched my time to the EXACT second!! 24:49 that number burnt into my mind. Where could I have made up 1 second. The clock at home was mocking me every time I heard it tick I thought that one second could have been the difference to me getting a pb. So this Saturday I got myself pumped up ready to go though I know how much it hurts for me to run that fast, I had a new inhaler which had proved itself to help at efforts a few nights before. I made the decision if I was to get a pb and get on the wall of pride I needed a clean break at the start so lined up on the first row. Wow that was scary looking around at the sub 19 minute runners! I lasted with them for all of 5 seconds but I had got a clean enough break that I didn't get caught up behind children or dog runners. I knew to scrape my pb I had to run 8:18 minute miles.  First mile I clocked at under 8 minutes... felt strong.. stronger than the previous week. Baring in mind it was only April that I was running a mile flat out on the magic mile at 7:55 I knew I had improved my running and speed ability I was hoping to keep this up for 3 miles! Mile 2 came in at 8:01 again still feeling strong. I knew I had some time in the bank now for the final part but I didn't want to make the same mistake twice and ease off to come in bang on the same or even slower than I wanted! I kept pushing forward my breathing really labored now and struggled up the final climb. Coming out on the grass for the final straight I dare not look at my watch I felt like I was going to throw up or collapse, maybe both.  The relief of crossing the finish line is something I can't put into words. You must understand I am a different runner now to what I used to be even 3 months ago. I was running nearer 30 minute 5ks I have taken nearly 6 minutes off that time. To cross the finish and feel your legs wobble as you finally stop and your lungs release that one final agonizing labored breath and you look at your watch and see that you have taken 22 seconds off your current pb makes it all worth it. My park run pb now stands at 24:29 and I wonder now if it is possible to continue chipping away at this time or if that is all I have in me?  My next aim in sub 24 minute. I got on the wall of pride as I envisioned that morning and am now having a week off park run just in time to go camping and running for the weekend at The Joust Ultra 24 hour event. Who knows there may be another blog coming soon.......

Norton 10k fun run

After looking for a local race to take part in I found the Norton 5k and 10k fun run just a 5 minute drive from home and you get a medal...ideal.

Arriving on the morning after my amazing park run pb of 25 minutes 45 seconds it was a small local event with a field of around 35 runners this was down to the fact it clashed with Evesham and Gloucester 10k races. I felt confident in my running but wary my legs may feel tired from the efforts of the previous day. An announcement was made at the start that the course was a series of 4 right turns and 5k runners would do 1 lap and 10k runners would do 2 laps but the option was there for the 10k runners to do move down to the 5k do 1 lap and still get a medal.. as the starting horn went off and my concrete legs started lifting off the ground this option sounded very very appealing! The course was undulating with a few steady climbs, one big hill then a lovely downhill where I got an 8.20 minute mile in! I made the decision then and there that if I was on for a 5k pb then I would do the 5k. Coming to the final straight before entering the field where I had to do a lap I wasn't on for a 5k pb but I was close and tired and my shin started playing up, some may judge but the choice was given and I listened to my body and I went through the 5k finish tunnel rather than heading out for another lap.

I finished in 26 minutes 49 seconds and was super pleased with myself as it was only 1 minute 4 seconds slower than my pb and I was pacing myself around on tired legs. I feel Ben helped me push through a barrier and I am now even to this day (a week on) running quicker and finding it easier.

Park run and a super PB!

Having frequented park run 7 times now and working towards being part of the 100 club and get my tshirt I have knocked some time off my park run pb and got it down to 28 minutes 1 second.  Last weekend after waking up at 8.20am and not really being bothered to go I dragged my arse out of bed and rocked up with not much time to spare. Whilst sat on a bench in the sun (it was super hot) I looked down and "oh pooh! I had forgotten my watch"  I hate running park run at the best of times as I never know where I am on the course as it confuses me and without my watch I would be even worse.

My friend Ben who runs park run in 20 minutes had been offering to pace me around for a while but I always refused due to it being trail and not wanting to damage my ankle again but today I knew I had to do something and asked Ben if he would pace me to around to my usual time 28-30 minutes. He was pacing his dad to 28 minutes so it was ideal to tag along with them and try to keep up as much as I could.

We set off and I was running along side Ben with his dad just behind the whole way through Ben was shouting at his dad to run faster he's falling behind pace etc, I was glad it wasn't me being screamed at. Under a mile in and his dad was struggling and told us to run on and pace me around instead so the screaming then started coming in my direction, I knew Ben was pushing me hard my breathing was very labored and I was making grunting noises (something I have never done before!) Coming up to the final run up Badgers Hill he was telling me it's all downhill after that and think of it as one more sprint like at efforts on a Thursday.... at that point in time that really wasn't the right thing to say.   I wanted to stop but Ben said he wouldn't tell me what time I was on for.. which made me think I was getting close to overunning the 28 minute 1 second pb I currently held on that course.  Ben left me on the final straight across a dreaded field so he could stop his watch as I crossed the finish. I felt like my lungs were going to burst, I was feeling light headed but coming into the finish tunnel Ben held his watch out to show me my time.

25 minutes 45 second..... 25 minutes 45 seconds...... 25 minutes 45 seconds. I can't repeat all of the words that came out of my mouth but it went something like " Are you ******* kidding me?"   I could not believe that I had knocked just under 3 minutes of my time, I never thought my 5k time would begin with a 25 considering when I first started running I was pushing at 31 minutes.

Now I just needed to run this fast without someone pacing or shouting at me the whole way around but my hat goes off to Ben he does this selfless act of helping people get pb's often and always knocking 3 - 4 minutes off times. It has been mentioned if I pay his entry to a 10k race he will pace me to a 10k pb so watch this space.

Malvern 5k

It's took a while to start blogging again as I honestly don't have the time anymore. But after hearing the disappointment in my moms voice when I told her I would no longer be blogging I felt maybe I shall carry on as best I can...... I will have to try to remember details of these next few races.


Malvern 5k was a hot one, so hot I was very pleased I had opted for the 5k woodland trail race. Arriving early I was thinking about maybe getting a good time and had a plan of action to do my race then laze in the sun waiting for the rest of the gang to finish the half marathon and go back home.

I made my way over to the starting line for the 5k and we were off running into the woods over grass fields. The route started off very nice and I was speeding along at under 9 minute miles but I soon came out into a field where long grass had been cut and the clippings still on the ground. I couldn't see the field beneath me or how uneven it was and the worst thing possible happened. (same as 2 years ago at park run) my left ankle rolled all the way over and popped. Ohhhhh it was agony a shooting and burning pain shot up my leg and I stopped for a few seconds, tried to put weight on my foot but was limping like a hurt animal with it's paw in the air. I thought for a second about getting medical help but I didn't want to waste anyone's time getting an ambulance or car out to me as I was in the middle of the woods by now I was just over 1 mile in it was only a 3 mile race surely I could carry on. So I did, I continued to run and crossed the finish line in less than 30 minutes with as much of a sprint finish as I could manage. I then proceeded to collect my medal and go to a st johns ambulance where I received treatment for my ankle that had ballooned up. I came away from the race with my medal and my foot strapped up and the effort of now having to drive home barefoot with my clutch foot out of action.  I hated the race for obvious reasons and made the decision that the only trail running I will do now will be park run and I won't go fast!

Worcester 10k

I am always dubious of first time events as you have no one to tell you if it's good or bad you just have to take the chance. Similar to my experience at Coombe Abbey Park half marathon you never know what you're going to get! (please see previous blog) I took a chance on the Worcester 10k it was the first time this event had been put on and the organizers were Peak Performance events more like Rubbish Performance events. With it starting in town a very short drive from my house it felt rude not to give it a bash. With a number of Black Pears taking part I was looking forward to the event and waking up on the Sunday morning with the sun streaming through the window I had high hopes of a good run.

Margaret came to pick me up at 7.40am and we made the short journey to Crown Gate then a small walk to Copenhagen street at the fountains where we were told in the email instructions to collect our race numbers at least 30 minutes before the race start at 9am. I collected mine and realised it was an adhesive number, I have never had an adhesive number before and later on in the race I would find out why. I attached a safety pin to mine for good measure and had the Black Pear Joggers team photo whilst a stream of people were still lining up at 8.55 am to collect their numbers. The race it appeared was going to start late.

At 9.05am the race started and I must say I was pleased that day that I'm not a super fast runner as there were no signs / directions/ mile markers or anything so luckily I just followed everyone else. I can only imagine the front runners had memorized the route from the email info sent out. Along the whole 6.2 mile course I saw 1 marshall, still at least there were more marshalls than water stations. Baring in mind it was a two lap course I feel it would have been simple enough to have the registration tables and filled them with plastic cups already pre filled with water, if man power was a problem you don't need someone to hand the drinks out just leave them for the runners to take if they wish. More problems appeared as there were runners numbers on the floor all along the route, clearly adhesive numbers aren't used as they don't work. Putting all the moans to one side the route itself was very nice, I enjoyed the run but didn't want to push myself due to no water being available and it being a hot day, still I came in at 1 hour and 59 seconds which I was pleased with. The finish also left a lot to the imagination, as the route was open to the general public, i.e dog walkers, cyclists, families, walkers and the finish line was simply a white chalk line drawn on the floor where all of these members of the general public and other runners who had previously finished had congregated over so you couldn't see it. I finished by running into a wall of people. After a few minutes of looking around confused looking for water first, then my medal I was shown to a table with a pack of plastic cups and sparkling water!? that I had to pour myself. The medal I received had nothing on it, unlike some of the others with a nice picture of Worcester cathedral so I took it back and swapped it for another one. I then noticed some people milling around with bags.. what were these bags? They were the goody bags but it turned out they had ran out by the time I finished. Now I'm not what I would call a slow runner, I finished a 10k in 1 hour there were people finishing behind me. The race entries closed at least a week prior to the event and there were no entries on the day so how can they not accommodate enough medals/ goody bags for the number of entrants.  I know I sound like moaning minnie but this really was a poor show on the organizers part but with a bit of tweaking and some honest feedback which I have given I am sure this could be a really good local event in the future.

Market Drayton 10k & A PB!!!!!

I was looking forward to the Market Drayton 10k as it was voted the best 10k two years in a row so I was looking forward to seeing what all the fuss was about. The final info on the face book group stated there was a steep hill around 5.5 miles.. seriously who puts a hill in the last half mile of a race?!

The morning pretty much started lay in my sisters guest bedroom listening to the pouring down rain and wondering how on earth I had forgotten to pack my baseball cap and any form of jacket or coat which by now were 40 miles away at home. After worrying over this for an hour or so it was soon early enough to message my friend Rebecca who was also running to see if I could borrow a coat. With this sorted I ate my porridge and was out the door to pick Rebecca up and make the half hour journey to the race. I wanted to park at the school so we could collect our T shirts and put them back in the car without having to walk to and from a different car park. This was no problem with ample parking that was well sign posted. We had been discussing times on the journey with Rebecca being a faster runner than myself we decided we would start in the same pen around the 58 minute or sub hour pen then I would just do my best. My personal best up until that day was 1 hour 3 seconds and I so desperately wanted to shave 4 seconds off at least to get my first sub 1 hour 10k. 

After milling around and getting a drink of water we then ventured over to the starting pens which were literally some white signs in a field, the slowest pen was 55-60 minutes!? Surely that can't be right, there were a lot of charity and fun runners and from the conversations I overheard first timers so surely a pen of 1 hour plus or something would have been ideal. It was just a mass of bodies so we had no choice but to get in near the back. Suddenly we were off! Running across a large field though the room to run was so compact I couldn't actually run at the pace I would have liked. The first mile was difficult as people had already started walking.. these were people that had started way ahead of me in the pens. I was frustrated as at some points couldn't make my way around them and kept getting blocked in. I just wanted to run! At this point any thoughts of a pb had gone out the window.. the first mile was over 10 minutes and I knew for a 1 hour race I'd need to run 9.17 minute miles. By mile 3 I had lost Rebecca she had a stitch and had slowed down. I had found some room and made a break for it. I was running like a mad woman mile 3 was finished in 8.55 minutes.. I wasn't sure I could keep this up but the support from the locals was brilliant, I was still ducking and weaving around people and soon felt very competitive. By mile 4 I started to feel the same way I did in the Birmingham Half Marathon back in 2012 when I set my still current pb. I felt good yet knew I pushing hard, very hard, the course starting getting undulating now and mile 4 crept around in 9.04. I knew this big hill would be coming up and decided to run as fast as I could to make some time up in the bank so I could walk near the end if I had to. Mile 5 came around with a time of 8.48 minute miles! Excellent.. by this point I was well aware that I looked exactly the same way I described the front runners of Park run in a previous blog.. I reckon I had drool flopping around off my chin, I probably had a wild look in my eyes and my breathing by now was very laboured but I kept pushing running up every hill. 

It was at this point that mile 5.5 came along and I was faced with The Hill. It was steep and veered around a bend right in the middle of the shopping centre with big crowd support and a very loud drumming group. Something hit me and I panicked I had pushed too hard it felt, I was certain I was about to collapse , I really didn't want to walk but the hill was so steep and the drummers were so loud I think I had a mini panic attack. I stopped for around 10 seconds though it felt like a lifetime and gave myself a good talking to. I hadn't ran my arse off for 5.5 miles to fail in the last little bit so I did the only thing I could do... I ran!

It felt good to be running away from the drummers, Mile 6 was run in 9.12 minutes and I had a quick glance at my Garmin, I couldn't believe the time I was on for. As I approached the field that we started on I was told I was nearly at the finish though the same field I had run around 50 minutes before seemed to have doubled in size. I couldn't see the finish as I was looking out for an inflatable arch but it was simply a line to cross over. I had finished Market Drayton 10k in 56 minutes 45 seconds.  The way I felt when I eventually stopped running was a mixture of sheer joy for the time I had run and elation that I could actually stop and rest. Rebecca came in a few minutes behind me and we had both earned pbs that day. After being loaded up with our goody bags and medals I decided it's probably not worth me running another 10k as I don't think I'll ever get near that time again but I will certainly give it a bloody good go at Worcester 10k in June. 

Worcester Half Marathon 2014

Here we go again! On Sunday I ran the Worcester half marathon for the 3rd year in a row, a few people had stated I was mad to do it more than once as it's such a tough hilly course but with it being on the doorstep it feels rude not to give it a bash every year. I had originally entered the full marathon but after London made the decision to drop down to the half and it turned out to be a good decision.

In the few weeks leading up to Worcester half I had joined my local running club The Black Pear Joggers and had been out on a few runs with them already including the magic mile challenge where I pulled out a 1 mile personal best of 7 minutes 55 seconds.. not without suffering pins & needles from my finger tips to my shoulders through lack of oxygen circulating around my body! I had made friends with Margaret who had never ran a race and had never ran over 10 miles, with very little convincing she decided to enter the race with four days to spare and I was looking forward to running with someone rather than on my own as I used to.

The morning started with the usual half mile walk to the rugby ground where we met up with the rest of the Black Pears and had our team photo taken.

I had asked Margaret if she had a time in mind for her first race and we decided I would help pace her around to a 2 hour 20 - 2 hour 30 finish time. My course record was 2 hours 17 but I knew I would be pushing trying to beat this time as the weather was due to be hot and sunny. We also met up with Jane who was running her first half marathon and she had the same time in mind so we started together.

The first 3 miles flew by sticking to the pace or better that I knew would see us to a 2:20 finish of 11.23 minute miles. Margaret and I lost Jane around mile 4 when she stopped for water and soon the hills started flowing, I had never really thought about how hilly the course was until a few people mentioned it prior to setting off.  By mile 6 I was glad I had dropped down to the half course as it was lovely to be able to run with company. Margaret and I continued running along at a faster pace than needed taking in the country side views and just enjoying ourselves. We were often cheered along by supporters as a pair of pears as the locals recognized the club running tops. There was even a Black Pear water station which was fab and our own photographer who almost caught me walking up a hill!

 We stayed together the whole course and at mile 8 were now overtaking a lot of runners that had set off too fast and by now were walking. We decided to power walk the hills and through the water stations and this worked very well for us. At mile 12 we came out next to the canal for the final stretch back to the rugby ground and I told Margaret to run on her own, I wanted her to get her own time. She finished in 2 hours 20 minutes and 20 seconds so turns out I'm not that bad at being a pacer though I'm sure she would have finished quicker if she had ran without me. I finished at 2 hours 21 minutes which I wasn't pleased with at the time but looking back at it now I can say I am happy with that time for the day and the course. Will I do Worcester again? Ask me again January 2015!

Virgin London Marathon 2014

Just over two years ago I never knew members of the general public could enter races, I thought they were just for club and charity runners..then I entered the Blymhill 10k my first ever race. At this stage I had never even watched 'The London' as people call it, with little more than a fleeting glance at the tv screen.  3 days ago at the 18 mile mark in VLM 2014 I told myself I would never run further than half marathon distance again and would not enter the London Marathon Ballot and here I am now looking forward to Tuesday the 22nd April when the ballot opens to see if I will be lucky enough to be chosen to run again in 2015. From writing my bucket list blog a while back and putting "Run the London Marathon" I never actually thought it would happen.. but it did and here is my story.

I was running London for Birmingham Children's Hospital, they have been taking care of my friends Claire and Ian's baby girl Trinity and I decided even if I raise £100 it all helps, I was under no obligation to meet a fundraising target as I had gained my place via the ballot. Training had not gone as well as I would have liked with shinsplints / a possible stress fracture playing a part in my lack of long runs. The furthest I had ran in training was 16 miles and that was 4 weeks before the big day. The three weeks leading up to the 13th April consisted of 4-5 runs no more than 2 miles each. I am pleased to say my fundraising went better than the training and I have currently raised £928.20!

It all started on the Saturday morning when my sister Katie and her partner (my bro) Simon picked me up for the journey to London. We had a charity photo shoot in the street and on the doorstep - probably much to the dismay of my neighbours as we were rather noisy at 7.30am! 

We were soon on our way for our journey to the Excel Centre where I had to have my acceptance form and ID checked over by an official scrutineer. I would then be given my race number which would also have a smaller number on it relating to the corral I would start in based on my predicted finish time. I can't remember what I put when I entered the ballot last April but I knew on the day I was aiming for a 5 hour or at least a pb of less than 5 hours 20 minutes. The final 12 days before the race I hadn't attempted to run at all so had no idea what would happen when I crossed the starting line. After parking the car and getting on the underground we arrived at the Excel Centre and it all started to become very real! Upon entering the hall that the expo was taking part in the first sight I came upon were the large red signs above the desks relating to running numbers. It was at this point I started to feel nervous and emotional.

Collecting my number 9355

After signing my declaration in front of the scrutineer I then had to go through a barrier and have my timing chip given to me that was scanned according to the race number bar code I was just given. I had signed up for the Boost London app for Facebook that would link with this timing chip and update my status with my time every time I crossed a timing mat to keep my followers and supporters up to date with my progress.

good luck Che message

We then entered a large Adidas clothing hall full of all the running kit you could possibly imagine. No point spending the pennies there though I knew what I was spending my money on and it was at the MarathonFoto stand where I purchased a medal and photo plaque. A very emotional time came when we came across a large white wall and polystyrene letters spelling BOOST and people giving out pens for supporters to write good luck messages. The wall was rather full but Katie and Simon managed to squeeze messages in for me and then a message for Trinity from me.

good luck sarah morris love Bro (si)

 A quick scout around the expo and I had made a last minute buy of some energy gels without caffeine, the only ones I had back at the hotel had caffeine in and they don't agree with me so thought it wise to play it safe. I went to the Garmin stand to complain about my watch and then we made our way back out and back to the hotel. Back at the hotel I decided to get everything ready so got my waist pack packed with tissues, my picture of Trinity and gels. I then had the pleasure of attaching my race number to my Sarah top that my mom had made for me in the hope people would shout my name in encouragement and give me a lift.

 We then ventured out to get some food and enjoyed a meal of pizza before I settled down for the night hoping to get a good nights sleep. It was the best sleep I've ever had before a race, even when sleeping at home. I didn't feel nervous..in fact I didn't feel anything which was quite strange. Waking up at 6am on race morning was a different matter! We were all sharing one hotel room and whilst Katie and Simon were getting ready shots of the starting line etc were on BBC1 on the tv and I was trying to stomach my porridge. It wasn't happening I managed 3 mouthfuls and forced a banana down. I felt agitated and very nervous. The fact that it's London kind of masked the fact I would be running 26.2miles. I hadn't ran that distance since Jan 2013 and knew from mile 15 onwards I hate it.. like seriously hate it but was hoping this wouldn't happen this time. I still didn't know if I would be limping from the off and run walking the whole way. We were ready to leave the hotel at 7am. It was a glorious morning blue skies no clouds I knew the temperature would get up to around 17degrees and had put suncream on my arms and neck ready. After a journey on the underground I was then on the platform with hundreds of other runners waiting for a train to Black heath, the start for the blue runners. Katie and Simon literally had to squeeze me in a carriage and hope for the best as there was no room people were getting squished trying to stand right by the doors. I knew there would be two other trains along shortly but as Simon later told me these were just as cramped. I was on my train and now on my own for the next how ever many hours. We had arranged to go by my 5 hour predicted finish time and Katie and Simon would be waiting in the family meet and greet area at Horse Guard Parade at 3pm. The cramped and hot train journey soon came to an end at Black heath and we all swarmed off the train, there was an air of excitement, nervousness and anticipation around. I followed everyone else and soon came upon a large field with the floating colored balloons to direct you to your relevant starting area.

blue float

Leading up from this was the barrier for the Blue starters and was a runners only area, I was glad we made the decision for me to travel here alone as it would have been a difficult and pointless journey for the others. I had to flash my number to get through the blue barrier then I was free to take it all in. This is the part you see from the helicopter cameras on the tv.. the birds eye view of the masses and masses of people. From where I was standing it was simply a field, lots of portaloos, a Buxton stand giving out water, some stages and large tv screens where we could see what was being broadcast on BBC1. It was pretty much like being at a festival.

I made my way to the toilet as there was no queue, then found a spot to sit down and check Facebook, emails and my fundraising page. I arrived in the field at 8.20ish and knew I had a wait for the start of the race at 10am so tried to stay as relaxed as possible. The time flew by as I was watching the big screens and music was playing the atmosphere was quite calm considering. Some people were sleeping on the grass others were doing some mad stretches and others just sat quiet like me in their own little world probably contemplating what the next 5 hours or so would bring. I didn't have the extra hassle of taking my kit bag to a designated lorry to be transported to the finish line as I had simply left my supplies or 'marathon survival pack' as I called it with Simon. At 9.15am I joined a now large queue for the toilet and saw on the big screen that runners should start making their way to the starting corals by 9.30am. I made the long walk to coral 9.. right at the back. I was fine with that but got in the front of coral 9 about 5 or 6 rows back. Here I started nervously chatting to other runners, there was a mixed bag, a man who was 78 who would qualify for another race if he came in at 5 hours. A few that were aiming for 4.30 hours and charity first time runners hoping for a finish. I still had a pb in my mind but the day was hotting up already and I knew I would adjust my plan accordingly. I had been told by previous runners that it can take up to 40 minutes to cross the starting line but just after 10am as I stood on my tiptoes I heard alot of cheering and saw jumpers and coats being tossed in the air. The runners in Corals 7 and 8 were on the move and stripping themselves of the warm overlayer that would be left behind and given to charity. I discarded my black long sleeve top and prepared for the jog, walk, halt, jog, walk, halt that led us to the starting line and I was off crossing the starting line at 10.14am!

This was the first year they had stands on the side of the starting line and people were clapping and cheering. It's funny looking back as I didn't think once at this point 'This is it I'm running the London Marathon'. The plan was to stick to 11.23 minute miles to get me to a 5 hour finish time but the excitement and flow of people around me led me to running the first 4 miles less than 11 minute miles! Though the excellent news was my leg / injury seemed to have totally cleared up giving me no pain at all. At mile 3 I felt I could go to the toilet and saw a sign reading Toilets ahead 200mtrs there were 4 toilets and no queue but I made what turned out to be a disastrous decision to skip these toilets and stop at the next ones if I still needed the toilet. Of course I would still need the toilet and probably more desperately that I did at that point! Around mile 3 the blue start and red starters merge together now following the same course and when this happened there were roars of Boooooo's from all the runners red and blue! This of course was just abit of fun but I did feel like I had settled in to my group and didn't really want anything to change. Just around mile 4 - 5 I did need the toilet and knew I couldn't keep going and saw the sign for toilets again 200mtrs ahead... Crikey the queue for the toilets were snaking their way through the stream of runners! I joined the back of what seemed the shortest line and had no choice but to stand and wait, and watch the time ticking by on my watch, and wait and wait, Mile 5 according to my garmin was a 20:41 minute mile! I took advantage of standing still and started my music up on my phone and also had my first energy gel. It was ok I told myself just keep going keep moving forwards try to gain some ground back you could still get a pb. Just as I rejoined the mass of runners still yanking my trousers up would you believe who overtook me? The Runners World pacer with the flag on his back of 4:58! Yesssssss I wooped woooped silently to myself how good was that timing to come out the toilet to find him!? Well actually there were 4 of them running at 4:58 target time and there were runners literally glued to their sides. I knew they may have started before or after me so there would be a difference from when we crossed the starting line but I figured if I stuck with these pacers with their magic flags sticking out their backs they would lead me home with a pb or even my desired finish time.  The thought kept crossing my mind how amazing would it be to have a marathon time beginning with a 4!! I had my music playing for all of twenty minutes or so, I had it low enough that I could still hear the crowd and sometimes the live bands and music being played out on the streets but I found it an annoyance more than anything and soon turned it back off. I stuck with the pacers and just around the 6 mile marker came along side the Cutty Sark and what a sight it was, beautiful I found myself just staring up at it as I ran around it, the crowds here were thunderous in their cheering.

I was moving from side to side along the road slapping peoples hands, high fiving children desperate for runners to touch them, beaming up at their parents when a runner would venture over and give them a clap! It was around this point I was offered some jelly babies and took one but within a few minutes of swallowing it I found myself bringing bile up into my mouth, not nice at all and this was the start of my downfall. Every couple of minutes this bile would rise up and I was fighting to keep it down.. was it the jelly baby or was it the energy gel, I decided it was jelly baby which was strange as all my training had been done with gels and jelly babies. The heat was rising now and there was no doubt in my mind it would be in the twenty's on the temperature scale. I kept with the pacers until mile 10 then started flagging down to 11:46 minute miles. I was being careful with my hydration as I didn't want to drink too much as this can be dangerous but I was wary of not drinking enough with the time coming up to midday I knew I'd be running still until at least 3pm through the hottest times, there were water stations every mile so I made the effort to take a bottle from each station take 3-4 sips then discard the bottle and collect another one at the next mile and so on, that way I would keep drinking small amounts but regular rather than carrying a bottle and glugging it constantly. By mile 12 I was seriously hurting as I hadn't ran more than 2 miles at a time the month leading up to the event my legs and glutes were screaming at me to walk, and walk I very nearly did until I remembered Tower Bridge is just before half way! All the BBC1 cameras are at that point with runners being interviewed! I don't think I could live it down walking over Tower Bridge. As I came up to the bridge the noise was deafening, this was another amazing moment but still the thought had never entered my head that I was running the London Marathon or that Mo Farah and Kipsang had ran across this same bit of road only an hour or so before me! I was pleased that I had ran the whole first half of the course

after not knowing if I could even run a mile let alone 13 miles I was pleased with my efforts so far but slightly disappointed I couldn't maintain the 11.23 min miles I needed for a 5 hour finish. It was mile 14 when I did the thing I really didn't want to do the most and that was walk! I just stopped running and walked... it felt bad yet so good and this was the start of the 12 and 13 minute miles. My half marathon time was 2 hours 40 mins around 10 -12 minutes over the time I wanted and needed for the full marathon race time and I knew the second half would be done alot slower than the first so I made the decision to walk when it felt bad and run when it felt good. There were people run/walking from the starting line so I was not alone when plodding along. Around this point I got overtook by a Minion. I had a quick glance around for a camera man and was pleased this moment in my life hadn't been caught on camera! At mile 16 I stopped and took my picture of Trinity out my pocket to look at and remember why I was doing this... did I at any point feel like I wanted to drop out.. honestly, yes I did I was hot, hurting and tired the crowd were that overwhelming that I half wished there would be a stretch where there was no support, as crazy as that sounds I realised I had a splitting headache maybe from the sun maybe from the constant cheering, screaming, banging, clapping and music and air horns right by your ear. This was to continue non stop for nearly 6 hours. The only way I can describe it at my lowest point was having to run on a treadmill for 6 hours in a greenhouse in 22degree heat with a boom box right by your ear. By this time the Runners World pacer of run/walk had overtaken me, he was followed by Big Bird from Sesame Street, an old man dressed like Superman and the man carrying a 42kilo fridge on his back! I decided to call my sister, they had a guide that would tell them were I would be for a 5 hour marathon pace and what time I should finish, I didn't want them to worry when I wasn't where I should be at a certain time so called to explain I was falling behind target and had readjusted my finish time to 5 hours 20/30 minutes. I was soon back on track and run walking, a lot of people by this time were walking. I remember reading in books and hearing from people that you see Big Ben before you actually get to run around by him and this can mislead you into thinking you are further along the course than you actually are. I didn't remember getting a glance of him which started off the doubts and calculations in my head. From Mile 18 onwards I knew my Garmin was out of sync with the course as I crossed the 18 mile banner with my watch reading out 18.65 miles, a bit frustrating that I was over half a mile out. I was walking a lot at this point from the vague memories I have from mile 18 as most of it is a blur I probably walked 2 miles non stop and was now glugging water back at water stations and holding onto the bottles a lot longer than before. The miles seemed to merge together and this may not be in the right order but I passed a lady giving out oranges and missed them, bringing back memories of Torremolinos I so desperately wanted a bloody orange! But not to worry a bit further down the road a lady was giving out bananas, I grabbed half of one and stopped and thanked her. London is amazing as people you don't know stand there and hand out food and tell you how great you are doing. The Banana gave me a boost then a lady gave me a star burst. I was a bit wary of it at first as was still struggling with the sickness feeling from the jelly baby. I had thrown away my gels as they were also not helping with the bile. I ate my star burst, it was a taste sensation! I phoned Simon and told him very specifically I had 6 miles to go and I need him to listen to me very carefully... he was to bring to the finish line a packet of star burst, failing that a Big Mac. I couldn't help but laugh to myself that the only thing on my mind at this point was food, actual food. I wonder what Mo Fara was thinking of at mile 20? Safe in the knowledge that bro wouldn't let me down I carried on with my walking and the odd bit of running. The crowd were fantastic and people were catching my eye and screaming "Come on Sarah you can do this. You are brilliant. You look amazing. Keep running" Wow these people don't have a clue who I am, they will never see me ever again but in those few seconds all that was on their mind was helping me to the finish line. Around mile 25 and again I'm being vague as it's a blur, I started talking a lady who was doing her first marathon. She said she wouldn't do another one. At  this point I asked the question "Have you seen Big Ben yet? I'm sure we should have seen it by now" I don't think she knew much about what was to be expected on the course so just gave me a strange look then as we round a corner there he was towering above me. Epic. I knew then I was near the finish I also knew my time was not
I had hoped for at all I was well over 5 hours 40 minutes now. But I was nearly done, Buckingham Palace was in sight I could see the statue out the front, all I had to do was turn right and I was there! I could see the signs saying 385 yards to go, I was overwhelmed at this point, this was the only time in the whole 5 hours and 53 minutes it took me to run the London Marathon that I actually realised what I had just done. I crossed the finish line and had my medal hung around my neck, I broke down crying I was shaking and moved to the side against a fence where a marshall found me and asked if I was ok. I replied through tears I couldn't believe I had done it and when he asked me why I was crying I pulled my picture of Trinity out of my pocket and said " Because I ran for this little girl" He then helped me to keep moving where I then called my sister to tell her I had finished and would be with them very soon, though the words wouldn't come out through the tears and Katie couldn't understand what I was saying.  I then had my finisher photo taken with tears in my eyes Trinitys picture and my medal in each hand.

Trinity and my medal

Me and Katie at the finish

The walk to the family meet and greet area was amusing as everyone was walking like John Wayne! I soon found Katie and Simon and low and behold Simon had got me a packet of Star burst! Yummy. That was it, I had ran the London Marathon, to this day it still doesn't seem real, I stayed up until 1am Sunday after being driven home by Simon who I must say a big thank you to for doing all the driving and looking after me and Katie whilst away. I watched the coverage on tv and was hoping I would have been filmed! And at 107 minutes I somehow found the strength to leap up of the sofa and run up to the tv screen to see myself running in with the crowd I estimate around 1-2 miles in.  I said to myself at mile 17 onwards and even back at home that night watching it back that I don't think I will enter a marathon again even London but the following morning when the proffesional photos were released of me running with Buckingham Palace in the background and I held me medal around my neck I realised of course I will enter it again and fingers and toes crossed I get to run again in 2015!  Finally a few thank yous, thank you to Claire, Ian, Kendra and Trinity for your support and all the staff at Links Lockers who have sponsored me, thank you to all my family, my mom, dad, sister, nan, aunts and uncles who have supported and sponsored me. Thanks to my bro Simon for sponsoring me and getting me there and back without you I may not have even made it to London! And thank you to each and everyone who sponsored me and helped me raise over £900 for Birmingham Children's Hospital.