Ironbridge Half Marathon

The Ironbridge half marathon Plan A was this....

A nice scenic 13.1 mile run starting in Telford Town park and running through Ironbridge. It was a special race on a special day, March the 24th would have been my Grandads 100th birthday and the run was to take me through the point where his ashes were scattered in the River Severn. Snow was forecast for the few days leading up to the event and I was spending the weekend with family in Telford, I made the journey down on the Friday night and immediately ended up in a snow storm on the motorway driving at 30mph in the slow lane! Upon arriving at Telford it was apparent that there was little chance the race would go ahead and I was constantly checking the race website for updates.

I woke up the morning of the race to this....... race cancelled time for Plan B.....

 

The good news is my dad has a home gym including the dreaded treadmill, could I really run 13.1 miles on a treadmill. Two hours plus running on the spot with no t.v no support, nothing? Of course I could! I couldn't let my grandad down.

 

I pinned my race number to my top, music ready, picture of my grandad next to me and away I went setting the treadmill to 5.5mph which is my usual outdoor running speed. I couldn't believe how slow the miles weren't ticking over and not having anything to look at other than the console stating just how far I hadn't ran wasn't helping I decided very quickly that maybe  I should just do a 10k so started aiming for the 6 miles which would still take me an hour. After a little while I decided to make it more fun by shouting out things to my mom who was ironing on the landing (something I've never ran past before in a race!) "Look mom there's a big hill coming up" I said setting the treadmill to an incline. "I've just been lapped by the winner! Unbelievable" and acting out real scenarios made the experience all the more fun. Every now and again my mom would come running in the room cheering my name and clapping me on then disappear again.

 

At mile 6 I decided to make a note of the time, my 10k pb outdoors is 1 hour 3 minutes, my 10k time that day on the treadmill was 57 minutes and 17 seconds! Excellent. This spurred me on to see what time I could do the 13.1 miles in so decided to carry on and go the whole hog. Mile 7 I started to flag a little and realised I hadn't bought any jelly babies due to being snowed in the few days before, at this moment my mom came in with a massive jar of fruit pastelles! It was just like running past the supporters that hand out sweets along the route and was just what I needed.

 

The miles started ticking over quick after that and I found I was enjoying myself I kept it interesting by changing the incline every now and again and even started walking to take drinks pretending I was going through drink stations.  Nearly at the finish and 1 hour 45 minutes in I looked down at the consol and started swearing explicitly! My mom came running in to see what had happened... what had happened was the treadmill (which had never been used for more than 30 minutes before) had reset the timer back to zero, thank goodness the distance was still correct. This meant I couldn't be sure of the time for the half marathon but was beginning to slow down so knew it wouldn't be a pb anyway. At mile 10 my sister arrived and started taking pictures of me cheering me on. The final two miles went rather slow and my hips were beginning to hurt a little though not as much as outdoor running.

 

13.1 miles complete in memory of my grandad in around 2 hours 9 minutes although the treadmill said that I ran 13.1 miles in 24 minutes and 25 seconds! What a run... a massive pb!

As I finished and stepped of the treadmill I was presented with a home made badge from my lovely mom and sister.. it said Totes Amazeballs! All in all I enjoyed the run and it was made all the more special that my grandad was there with me.

 

                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warwick Castle Half Marathon

Or a better title would be "the day I nearly dnfd for no reason"

The morning started with me not really feeling bothered or excited about the race which is a first in the one year and 3 months I have been running. Still I set off to Warwick castle and at least it wasn't snowing! Upon arriving the cars were directed to a large field and it was a short 5 minute walk to the race area where the toiltets, food and t shirt collection point was, after receiving my shirt I then made the journey back to the car which helped warm my cold feet up. On the way to the start I chatted to a few people one girl who although she had charged her watch all night kept saying the battery was flat and wouldn't turn on...nightmare! and another who told me I was mad for even thinking of running more than one half marathon per year. Shortly into the race I began to think she was right.

The start was all very confusing we came into a circular courtyard and were told to get in the pen that related to our estimated finish time, mine is anything between 2:08 and 2:30 but I wanted to get nearer 2 hours so I wouldn't get stuck like last time. The first sign I saw was sub 1:30 I didn't even know it was possible to run a half marathon that fast! then the next sign was between 2-3 hours and then 3 hours plus. Before I knew what I was doing I was being hearded along by a marshall directed to the start so just followed everyone else, big mistake. I ended up about 3 rows back from the start, I found myself surrounded by what can only be described as the elites that run a sub 1 hour 30! Yikes what had I done? My garmin also wouldn't pick up satellites as we were under alot of trees it kept teasing me by going up to 99% then back down to 50% I knew I had little chance of getting it going as I crossed the timing mat.

Away we went and boy we set of fast I wish my garmin had been working as I reckon the first mile I ran at 4 min mile pace... Elite I was until mile 2 when I felt like I was dying! This was not a good moment and I knew I had to start slowing down to my usual 10.30 pace. I finally picked up satelites but knew my miles and time were going to be out first mile logged at 9.19 pace still too fast, second mile logged at 9:31 still too fast not a lot I could do except try to slow down. The Elite soon were way in the distance and I was now surrounded with runners that quite frankly I felt I should be good to run along side but they just kept coming and I got overtaken by probably a thousand people, some old, some really old, some fat, some really fat, some thin some that looked like they weren't even meant to be there and this played havoc with my little brain and at mile 4 I actually considered dropping out. What the hell? You'd think this was a moment that would pass.. well at mile 8 I felt exactly the same I just couldn't get my legs to move they felt heavy I thought at one point I had injured myself but then realised this was me looking for an excuse not to carry on. From mile 6 it started raining and I was soaked through, I had my coat tied around my waist it wouldn't have made a difference if it was on me or not at this point. I had two tissues with me one for my snot rag and the other to wipe my glasses with (as yes I had forgot to put my contacts in) It didn't take long for me to drop my glasses wiper and had to resort to wiping my glasses with my snot rag Ewwwww!

Still at least I wasn't covered in bogies and being sick on myself like last week! I opted for jelly babies this time rather than gels. From mile 7 I was run walking, I could kick myself I've ran way over 13 miles before without stopping and couldn't help beating myself up over walking but hey at least I finished and didn't drop out. I didn't know what time I was going to finish with as Garmin was out of sync but rounding the final straight I saw the large digital timer and I finished in 2 hours 21 minutes not my worst and not my best but average which I will happily take.

So I went to Warwick Castle ran 13 miles covered in my own snot, got the t shirt, got my medal and then got stuck wheel spinning in the now very muddy field, took over an hour to get of the car park and onto the main road and then managed to get a 6 inch crack in my window screen on the way home. Nice.

Stafford 20 Mile

I was so excited about Stafford 20 miler not because I really enjoy running 20 miles lets face it honestly who does? But I was meeting my fellow Run For Funners! Carl and Sharon.

The night before I had packed ready including my new Spry running vest but was unsure whether to use it as I hadn't given it a good breaking in so packed my usual bum bag or fanny pack as Carl calls it. Setting off at 8.15am heading down the M5 the day was looking overcast and windy then the further I got down the M6 the snow began to fall and the wind picked up! I could tell this was going to be fun.
Arriving at the University was an adventure in itself as there was not one sign directing you for the race. I pulled into the Uni car park and was relieved to see running looking people getting out their cars. With the snow coming down fast I decided to whack my contact lenses in save wiping my glasses throughout the run and also decided to go with the fanny pack, gels at the ready, phone in waterproof case, music loaded I was ready to go.

Carl rocked up around 9.30am and we straight away went to find the race headquarters and the toilets. It was alot warmer inside than it was outside so we opted to stay in there for a while. A runner called Andi Jones was pointed out to us who was apparently super quick and would 100% win it. I was just hoping for a sub 4 hours as this was the time limit given and I was worrying the night before about timing per mile and even thought about pulling out. I was worried about the marshalls going home, the signs being taken down and me not receiving my memento at the finish, I didn't need to worry though as the memento which was a nice mug was being given out at the start when you flashed your race number.

We met up with Sharon and her husband Nigel from Run For Fun and the conversation quickly led onto what we would all be wearing considering the weather, we had options thrown around by loony carl - shorts and vest! Sharon was debating trousers, shorts and a long sleeve top and a vest and maybe a coat. I went with long sleeve top with vest on top, coat and gloves. It was chilly and still snowing!

I think all three of us were wondering just what we were about to do... run 20 miles in the snow? Really. We made our way outside to the start and we were off.
Disaster struck straight away when my phone decided to keep playing the same track over and over again for the first 3 miles! I couldn't get it to shuffle. The first 2 miles saw us running up a main road (none of the roads were closed to traffic) so trying to maneuver past other runners whilst keeping to the left so not to get hit by the cars was fun. The first 2 miles were a long slow hill that I thought was never going to end, the wind was bitter stinging my face, snow was getting in my eyes but on I battled. The brow of the hill was in site and then bliss there was a fantastic down hill which everyone barreled down. I had worked out I had to maintain 12 minute mile pace for the 20 miles to finish bang on 4 hours so I was taking this downhill as an advantage and busted out a 9:30 min mile get some spare in the bank for later.

We were then diverted to the left and this took us onto country lanes still not closed to traffic and some people in the cars were complete toss pots getting too close, revving the engines or honking horns. Faced with more hills my pace slowed and I had to walk up some of them as I kept going light headed when I tried to push too hard up them. I finally got my music playing properly at this point which helped massively. I found a pacer in the form of a lady running just ahead so I stayed close when realised she was maintaing 10 min miles really well so stuck on her heels and found we were both walking the hills. I lost her a few times when she stopped at the drink stations but she soon found her way in front of me again and I felt comfortable just following. At mile 5.5 I got lapped by the previously mentioned Andi Jones! WOW he was running uber fast!!!! Lapped at 5.5miles shocking. (He actually finished the 20 mile course in 1 hour 43 minutes and yes he did win)

 Mile 6 I had a good burst, felt good and like it was easy that lasted I think around 1 mile then I felt rubbish again. The first loop was just over 8 miles and I was under the impression it was a 3 lap race but even my maths isn't that bad so I couldn't work out how the route was going to pan out. I saw Nigel, Sharons husband just before the end of the first loop and he told me Sharon & carl were way out in front and going well.  The second loop tricked me, we started up the same route as before up the long arduous hill for 2 miles and just as iIwas looking forward to the big downhill we got diverted off down a different route. Mile 11 I was sick and have no idea why and then at mile 14 I hit the dreaded wall, I actually decided I didn't want to run anymore, not just this race but run ever again! I really struggled with the demon in my head then but remembered I am Wonder Runner. I always wonder why I do these races then at the end wonder what all the fuss was about!

The second loop was much nicer in terms of not so many hills or so I thought but looking back on Garmin elevation I seem to be wrong!  The final two loops were 6 miles each. At mile 17 I felt sick again and was struggling to maintain running as after a few minutes I was trying not to be sick and had to adopt a run/walk strategy. Mile 18 was just around the corner and who do I see walking along the opposite side of the road but Carl! He had finished and come back for me, he ran/walked with me the last two miles to the finish and decided at 19.5 miles to tell me the finish isn't all that spectacular lol... thanks carl.

I didn't need to worry about the 4 hour time limit as even with all the hills, snow, wind and being sick I finished in 3 hours 37 minutes! Superb. Next time I'll be aiming for the 1 hour 43 minutes...NOT! We had all done so well Sharon and Carl finished strong and although it was a tough course which we all struggled with and said we wouldn't do again we had a brilliant day.

Wyre Forest 10k

I am probably the only person mad enough to have both feet tattooed the day before a 10k race! But that's what I did :-)

I had entered the Wyre Forest 10k for the British Heart Foundation as a bit of a fun run just a warm up for the other races I have entered in March Madness. It wasn't until 8pm the night before that I actually decided I was going to run as was unsure how my feet would fair but with my race number and welcome pack sat on the dining table calling my name how could I resist?

The morning started with me preparing my feet, some cream went on first followed by tissue paper with oxide tape around the edges then a good wedge of cling film wrapped around my feet with more oxide tape securing it in place. The next mission was to squeeze my mummyfied feet into my socks and get my trainers on! I think I deserved a medal just for that part. Feet feeling good and not restricted off I went on the short journey to Wyre Forest.

It was a beautiful morning though abit chilly and I was eager to get going as it was cold. I decided upon arriving that for the sake of my feet I would drop down from the 10k to the 5k and this was quickly sorted. An annoucement had been made that the 10k route wouldn't be able to be run the whole way as some parts were unpassable due to mud and water plus I heard it was a tough hilly route. 5k for me then!  
 It had a comfy starting time of 11am as it's a charity run alot of families with dogs and young children take part. This I am all for, there's nothing better than seeing children taking part in something good and getting fit but I wish people would listen to instructions and follow them. We were advised that the 10k runners start first, 5k runners just behind, walkers after them and anyone with dogs or children start last. Good idea?

Yes...if people followed the instructions. I set off and within 0.1 of a mile I got stuck behind 5 people walking shoulder to shoulder, walking!? Then lots of people with toddlers. Shouldn't they be behind me?? This continued for quite away as these people obviously wanted to start earlier and finish earlier. As soon as I found a way through I was off & pulled out a 9.46 min mile through the woods jumping over tree roots and splashing through mud, I loved it!

Until just after the first mile where I hit the biggest hill I think I have ever seen let alone ran up, nothing for it but to keep my head down get up on toes and take it on. I made it but paid for it at the top when I went really light headed but kept running and taking in how nice the forest was. It makes such a change for me running in woods than on a main road around the local industrial estate. My taking in the beautiful scenery soon came to an end when at mile 2.5 I was faced with what I know now is the biggest hill I have ever seen (the first one was like a speed bump compared to this thing) I admitted defeat and didn't even attempt to run it so a slow walk ensued even a little boy of around 11 was walking so I didn't feel too bad.  I got chatting to a fellow runner/walker called Steve who was also struggling with the mountain. This hill went on for just under 1 mile and when I got to the top my calves were burning and I just couldn't run properly.

Thankfully the ground evened out and I rounded the corner for the finish where I was presented with my lovely cutie medal. A good run and event all around though maybe I should start right at the front on fun runs.

Enigma Winter Marathon

My first race of 2013 was the Enigma Winter Marathon, it was meant to be my first double but I'm not as silly as I look and I decided to pull out and not even attempt the second day as I just knew my little legs weren't up to it.

(A big part of this race and the blog is a song that is quite special to me and is the only thing that possibly allowed me to finish but at the same time nearly stopped me from finishing the race. Here is the video if anyone would like to listen to the song whilst reading, if not just enjoy the read)

Back up to the lake I went setting off at 6am, not having much sleep the night before and with a lot of things been going on in my personal life since before Christmas I was slightly dubious about how the run was going to go. Still with my race number pinned to my top and mp3 player at the ready loaded up with loads more of my favourite songs I was going to give it a bloody good go! I met up with the usual suspects, Dave, Karen, Dawn, Annabelle and Millie and was looking forward to spending some time with them all again.

It was a lot different to the previous marathon on the same course only two weeks earlier, I hit a wall at mile 1. This continued until around mile 15 not a great start and I just couldn't get going, I opted to run/walk it as I just couldn't get myself going properly into a good running pace. I started of following Dawn who I knew ran fast, alot faster than me and the first 4 miles were done at 9 minute mile pace then I started flagging bad and Dawn was a mere dot in the distance.

There was one song on my mp3 player that has held a lot of meaning to me over the last few weeks and I was determined not to skip to that song but wait patiently for it to come around and play on it's own. Having new songs  was good and I was soon pounding away to different beats though 75% of it was power walking. I was having the previous problems with my foot which wasn't helping, plus there were no iced fairy cakes to keep my brain active and for me on that day 5 hours in my own head and mind was just too much.

Karens "this is not a sponsored walk" hoody

At mile 18 'The song' came on and that was it, I felt completely relaxed, not really feeling anything but sad I guess and it made me start taking in my surroundings and set me on a bit of a downwards spiral, I continued listening to the song on repeat until mile 22 then switched to more upbeat songs and decided enough was enough I was going to finish this marathon and I was going to do the Milton Keynes Marathon in May and I was going to do the Grim Ultra in August in fact I was going to do anything and everything. The last lap was the hardest ever both feet were now suffering with this pain every time I took a step but I just had to get to the finish. I decided near the end of the last lap to put my song back on and this actually reduced me to tears, the people that were walking dogs or cycling around the lake must have thought I was a complete loon! I could have sworn I was last at this point as I hadn't seen anyone for ages, I kept looking behind me and no one, I got to the point at the underpass where the lake meets and you can see right over the other side of the course and I couldn't see any runners.

I had resigned myself to the fact I was last and everyone was waiting in the cold for me the girl who was blubbing and walking, walking and blubbing to round the final straight. I came to the final straight and decided enough was enough I couldn't cross the finish line crying so turned my music off and looked at my garmin. My last marathon time on that course was 5 hours 31 mins and somehow, god only knows how? If I sprinted the last bit I would have a new pb.

I ran for my life and finished with an amazing new time of 5 hours 20 minutes and 59 seconds! Millie was waiting for me at the finish to say how well I had done and check I was ok as she had noticed me crying. The great news was I also wasn't last! 

In 8 weeks I have ran 3 marathons and knocked a total of 36 minutes of my original time. Looking back at the garmin connect site I walk faster than I run though the first 4 miles with Dawn helped a little! 

I love running around that lake so much and all the friends I've made that comes with it that I've entered the Enigma 30 mile Ultra in July. 

Review of 2012 and my first year of running

 A little late I know but it's now been a year since I started running and my first ever race back on the 6th January 2012 at Blymhill running around for 6 miles wondering why on earth I had decided to take up running?

2012 has consisted of many races, in total 10 broken down as below

3 x 10ks                            (Blymhill 10k, Blackpool 10k and Trailblazer 10k)
3 x Half Marathons            (Worcester Half, Lichfield Half and Birmingham Half)
2 x Marathons                    (Rutland Water Marathon & Enigma Christmas Marathon)
2 x Ultra Marathons           (Grim Reaper 40mile and Enigma Gold 30mile)

I have only pulled out of two races due to injury which were Sutton Park 10k and Malvern Half Marathon and the great british weather was to blame for the cancellation of another race the Kingsbury Water Park 10k.

In all the races I have done I have met some lovely people along the way both event organizers, fellow runners, marshalls and running communities online some of whom I am yet to race with in 2013! 

I have only suffered with one injury which put me out of running for a few weeks which was Piriformis, something I hope I never get again.
 I have only DNF'd one race. Dare I talk about it?.... THE GRIM!!! but that experience taught me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, yes you may not be able to walk for 3 days after but it was worth it as since not finishing The Grim Ultra in July I have successfully finished one Ultra marathon and three marathons with some lovely medals to show for it and lots of new friends made.

My 10k time has gone from 1:10:38 at Blymhill to 1:03:31, there was however a sub 1 hour 10k that was the first part of the Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon but it doesn't really count as a 10k pb.

 My Half Marathon time has gone from 2:31:15 at Worcester Half Marathon in April to 2:08:07 at Birmingham Half Marathon in October.

My Marathon time has gone from 5:56:08 at Rutland Water Marathon in November to 5:31:24 in December at Enigma Christmas then more recently which you will read about in my next blog I got a new pb of 5:20:59 at Enigma Winter that's a massive 36 minutes shaved off in 2 months!

Finally I ran 637.78 miles in 2012 spent 123 hours 48 minutes 59seconds on my feet with my running shoes on pounding the pavement ( you got to love the report function on garmin connect) and burnt 58935 calories in the process. My average speed over the year was 5.1mph  not fast but I got the job done!

Thank you to everyone that supported me along the way, my family, my friends, my car for getting me to the races and my legs for getting me to the finish.

I have pledged that I would like to run more than 900 miles in 2013 and conquer the Grim Reaper 40mile ultra marathon with Maureen from Run For Fun, I'm also going to join my local running group and see what else 2013 will bring.

Enigma Chrismas Marathon

The morning of the Enigma Christmas marathon was upon me and I wasn't feeling ready for it at all, I had not really ran over 5 miles at a time since the Rutland Water Marathon and not more than 10 miles per week so was slightly dubious about running up to 26 miles in one go...still off I went tinsel in my hair and butterflies in my stomach.

Arriving at the pub (which is the headquarters for the race not a place to get drunk; well today anyway) I met up with Dawn, Ria and Brenda, Liz and Mel who had all ran the first marathon the previous day... you see why I choose to run on the Sunday is in the hope that I wont be last as everyone else has already ran the day before and should in theory be knackered and achey.... not the case at all!

It was nice to meet up with some new people whom I had gotten to know on Run for Fun and Run 2012 miles/km in 2012 (shameless fb group plugs) Brenda was lovely happy and smiley and ready to face her first double marathon along with her husband Andy who had slipped the day before and was injured but attempting to run anyway.

We made our way to the start line and I decided to stick my mp3 player on, something I hadn't done in a long long time but thought it may see me through and make the run a bit easier. The route had been changed at the start slightly due to some recent flooding and we started just past the large Tesco that I was previously fed up of seeing on the Enigma 30 mile Ultra, thinking about that run scared me a little as I knew I was faced with 7 1/2 laps around the lake which is mentally challenging. Before I knew it I had completed the half lap and came through the checkpoint where Karen and the other supporters were waiting for us, running straight through the checkpoint I went on to start the first loop and was going quite well knowing it was around 3.7 miles until I cross through the checkpoint again. Soon enough I was through the checkpoint and made the decision not to stop for anything and to keep going, I didn't feel I needed anything to eat (even though all I had stomached for breakfast was half a banana)

Three quarters through the second lap I began to regret not stopping as I had started to feel very weak so with the checkpoint in sight I stopped ate a banana and noticed some lovely iced fairy cakes in a tin on the supplies table, a quick decision had to be made and a very important one.... yellow icing or pink icing!? In case you're wondering I went with yellow....

Food was just what I needed and I decided to go back out and do some more laps of the lake. There were alot of people out and about taking walks, cycling around the lake but the one problem I had that day were dog walkers... if you can see a runner or a few runners running towards you with around quarter of a mile to go until they reach you, surely that is enough time to un extend your dogs extendable lead so it's not 4 miles long and going right across the path of others. Or if you have a massive dog and it goes gallivanting up to a runner why not either call out to the dog to get it under control or try to reassure said runner that the dog won't hurt you??

At one point I had a massive dog the size of a bear stand length ways in my path...luckily I was walking at this point as it was up hill and I had to practically leap frog over it's back! Maybe having to run through a constant assault course like that made me not realise how fast the miles were ticking off I was up to 18 before I knew it and hadn't hit the wall. I had decided to take some electrolyte drink as felt water wasn't enough at this stage. I had kept a container full of freebies from previous races, magazines etc and had a nice water melon flavour which was really refreshing and seemed to do what I wanted it to do. When I found myself struggling I also decided to keep my brain active by decided what colour icing cake to have at each checkpoint, the cakes turned into my checkpoint treat something to keep my moving forwards.

The last two laps were very hard I had resorted to run walking the penultimate lap as after a few steps my left foot had a searing pain through the top of it and I told myself that although I was booked into the Enigma Winter Double Marathon in January and another three marathons after that, that this would be my last marathon as anything over 14 miles I simply do not enjoy this spurred me on a little knowing this would be the last time I would have to go through the pain and mental torture of thinking I can't do it!  I walked some of the way with a nice group of runners who were on their final lap they got me around my least favourite part of the course where it is all zig zag gravel paths round some flash apartments (the bit where it's possible to cheat...but I never have!) It's funny how parts of the course changed from being my favourite to least favourite and vice versa from the Enigma 30. I came through the checkpoint for the final time and kept going... I had one lap left to complete and still hadn't hit a wall... yes I was hurting though not as much as before and yes I had decided I didn't want to do another marathon but I hadn't hit the mental desperation wall that I usually do, I think cakes and music helped. The last lap was pretty much walked the whole way as putting my left foot into any kind of running motion was painful, but at the final straight I was determined to sprint and sprint I did through the finish to my wonderful spinning medal and a pb of 5 hours 31 mins (yes I know I am wishing I could have beat the 5:30 mark but hey ho) That's a massive time off my previous marathon of 5 hours 57 mins!

At the finish I got to meet up with fellow runners who had finished before me majority of which were double marathon runners! After a nice curry with Brenda it was time to go home and within two hours of being back I had already decided I am going to continue running the rest of the marathons I have booked... after all I found this one easier going on the way around and I could walk pretty normal the next day and even walk up and down stairs properly...which is a first after running that far :-) I may not attempt the double in January but will certainly run and finish the first day and may get another pb to start 2013 off with a bang!

Rutland Water Marathon

I wasn't sure if I would even make it to the Rutland Water Marathon as the few days leading up to the event I had been suffering with a cold and a stomach bug but me being the stubborn person I am was determined I would at least get there and see how I felt. I woke up at 5am the morning of the 4th November and a chilly morning it was.. I started getting ready telling myself I felt well enough to try to run and at 5.30am I was in the car starting the 2 hour drive to Rutland.
This was technically my first "proper" marathon, I had twice before ran up to and over marathon distance in the two Ultras I had ran but was excited to see how well I would do knowing I could stop at 26 miles and also having the extra boost of my fast half marathon time two weeks earlier.

Is it Enigma? Grimsthorpe? No it's Rutland!!

Arriving at the car park I decided I must stop choosing races where you run around lakes...or big areas of water! If I lost concentration slightly I found myself looking out at the course of Enigma Gold in Milton Keynes or even the Grim Reaper in Grimsthorpe!

I met up with the usual suspect at all races Ria and we made the short walk to the starting point where I soon met up with my running buddy for the day again Stewart and some of his friends. Ashley who had also ran the Grim reaper and Anna and Mark both of whom were running this as their longest distance. This was to be both mine and Stewarts first marathons and it was nice to be in it together. One thing I might add in at this point is how bloody cold it was, I was sporting my black long sleeve top with my purple vest top above, running gloves and my woolly head buff. I could barely feel my hands or feet. Before we set off I was approached by a lady that turned out to be Liz who had also ran the Grim. We had probably ran best part of 8 miles along side each other in that event but hadn't spoken a word to each other but later made friends on facebook. It was nice to finally meet and talk and it shows what a small place the running world is!

Liz and I at the start

At 9am we were off! I started running with Liz and Stewart but Liz dropped back to fix her race number. I soon found I couldn't get into a good pace and was struggling from the get go, I ended up losing stewart for a little while and ran on my own, instantly I realised how hilly the course was and it took me by surprise, I did struggle with the hills and decided to walk the big ones. I don't remember too much of the route except it being on cycle paths I do remember from the second mile it started to rain. I was also struggling to run as I couldn't actually feel my feet or my legs, or my arms or my face it was so cold I wish I had bought a balaclava! The rain continued to poor down and we eventually came out onto a long stretch of pavement along a main A road, this was my favourite bit as I love road running and there were no hills. I still wasn't pacing very well but came along side a lady who seemed to be running well so I decided to stick close to her.. only thing is I think she thought I was trying to overtake her as she kept speeding up randomly.

Shortly after the pavement stretch we took a left turn to run around the peninsula back on the cycle paths. It wasn't long before Stewart caught me up and we decided to stick together. I don't remember much from there except being very cold and very wet and not really enjoying myself much at all! We spent around 20 minutes discussing what a peninsula actually was which was amusing for a short while. Then at around mile 13 I decided I'd had enough...I wasn't feeling well at all, I had decided I probably should have just stayed home in bed, I was cold and I was soaked through as it was still raining. I know you will probably say man up but I could think of nothing else but quitting. Then my saviour came along in the shape of Liz! She ran along side me and I told her I didn't want to continue but she kept me talking and made it seem like we only had small chunks to deal with, I also learnt to run up hills too! Having Liz there gave me a real boost and before I knew it we were coming up to mile 17. Liz ran on then I think she felt she had worked her magic on me and she certainly had. Stewart by now was struggling and the course had become quite frankly abit of a joke! I could post the same pictures from Grim and you wouldn't tell as it was muddy, boggy and waterlogged. This had a massive negative effect on my mood and we both agreed it was too much like Grim, we also both decided at that point we may not do the Grim next year and may never come to that part of the country again or do a Fat Feet event ever again! (can you tell we weren't happy) From mile 19 we had resorted to a power walk as neither of us could run... it was too cold and I wasn't feeling good. Our aim was to finish, then the icing on the cake was to finish in under 6 hours so we plodded on.

The route got worse and worse and at one point the whole pathway was completely waterlogged with only a very narrow muddy slippy ledge to walk over, Stewart very kindly offered to walk through the puddle and hold my hand on the ledge so I wouldn't fall.. I did tell him not too but he walked on through anyway and was horrified that the water came nearly over his knees! I felt really bad for him but it did make us giggle a little too... At this point I decided I needed to eat and said I was really hungry. Stewart chose this moment... 6 miles from end to announce he had loads of food with him and what did I want?!? Well I could have murdered a Big Mac meal right then but was just as delighted when he pulled out a chewy caramel bar... oh it was a little bit of heaven that for a few moments made me feel alot better about everything.

Then the rain kept coming and the course kept getting worse! We ended up running past a massive pile of crap (cattle pooh to the posh people that read my blog) honestly it was half the size of a house and I really wish I had taken a picture of it as it would have summed up the event really well... a massive pile of crap!
The only way to get through to the finish was to keep talking about how well we were doing and the lovely food we would eat when we got home. Stewart had a nice little image which he shared with me of me at home sat in a chair with my granny blanket over my lap eating pizza!

A theme of the day was people mentioning my corgi hallucinations from the Grim Reaper and Stewart made sure he kept reminding me of it...when we ran through a flock of sheep he had to comment saying "Oh my gosh I'm seeing things! There are sheep everywhere.. with red bums!" this made me laugh but the best part was later on in the race when we came across a herd of black sheep/goats, I actually think Stewart was being serious when he asked if they were black hamsters? But soon set him straight that they were black sheep crossed with goats.. aptly named shoats!

Eventually after nearly 6 hours of running in the cold and wet we arrived at the home straight doing the Rutland Shuffle (imagine the plastic toy soldier toys you get that rock from side to side to move) and welcomed by..... no-one! We crossed the line in 5 hours 56 minutes so had done what we set out to achieve finish our first marathon in under 6 hours but we were a sorry state to look at. We ventured into a big white tent and were handed our goody bag that we already knew didn't contain a well deserved medal... don't even get me started on that! We then hobbled to the car where Stewart presented me with a medal that he had bought and even had engraved yay!

Technical vest, certificate and medal

Back at my car I couldn't even open the door I was THAT cold my hands just wouldn't work. I finally got in and opened my goody bag to find the award...a fat feet certificate of completion which you had to fill in the details on yourself! Great.... now you see why I bought myself a trophy for the Grim reaper! When I eventually got my gloves off I was horrified to see that my hands had swollen to 4 times their normal size, I looked like the nutty proffesor! I quickly made my way to the ambulance and with my hands held infront of my face asked if it was normal? Apparently for the conditions and the amount of time I was out in the elements yes I was meant to look like a freak with balloon hands! After around 30 minutes in the car with the heaters on my hands I could just about use them to get my wet clothes off, I then ventured into the cafe and had a well deserved cup of tea and a bowl of chips with Stewart, Ashley and the rest of the gang. One thing I did like about my first marathon was meeting new and old friends again.

A quote from Stewart when asked what he thought about his first marathon  " F***ing AWFUL!"

The gang at the end

Bupa Birmingham Great Run

I signed up to the Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon ages ago and wasn't really sure how big of a race it really was until I received my race pack and I found out I'd be running with 18,000 runners! This was exciting as my largest race had only been a couple of thousand and more recent races had been nearer the 50 - 100 runner mark.

My race number arrived and all that was going through my head the week before was just how little running I had actually been doing since hurting my ankle, going on holiday and generally losing my running mojo...I'm sure it was out there somewhere I just wasn't sure where! My longest run in the last 5 weeks had been 6 miles only half the distance I would be running on the day but it was too late to do much about it without risking injury so my intention was to turn up and run and hope for the best. The best being 2 hours 30 mins and the worse anything over that....

My running buddy for the weekend was Stewart who I previously ran with for some of the Grim Reaper Ultra. As he was travelling a distance he had booked a hotel and kindly offered me a bed in his room with breakfast which was greatly appreciated.

The view of the finish line from our hotel room

The journey I suppose began on the Saturday at New Street station in Birmingham we met up found the hotel and went out for a pasta meal.. without the pasta! Nowhere that did pasta meals had free tables so we opted for half a roast chicken and chips. In bed by 11pm I thought I'd get a good nights sleep and not have the stress of getting to the race the next morning in the car... lovely.. until I was woken up by lots of noise and thought we have over slept! A quick look at the clock told me it was 5am! After dozing off again we woke at 7am looked out of the hotel window and found that the finish line and most of the run equipment and camera stands had been erected...whilst we were sleeping.. or not as the case may be!

After having breakfast and attaching my race number to my top I wondered just what estimated finish time I had put down when I entered as I was in the Pink Wave the last one to set off.. however Stewart was in the Green Wave and had put down a time of 2:28, I must have put a really slow time down but Stewart kindly said he would change down to the Pink wave so we could run together as I wasn't allowed to move up a wave.

We ventured outside around 9am and it was freeeezzzing! and foggy! the race was being broadcast on Channel 5 but was being delayed due to the foggy conditions. I braved it with my t-shirt, after all I'd warm up later. We soon met up with May who was hungover to say the least..dirty stop out!

May was also in the Green wave and again I started thinking I'd be in with the first timers in the Pink wave! Around 10.30am we set off to find the starting pen and I was right we found ourselves amongst the charity runners and loads of first timers and had discussed the fact that a pb may not be on the cards as we would be stuck behind lots of slow people. I told Stewart that morning the race would either go really really bad or really really good I had a feeling it would be nothing in between. We were the very last wave to set off, all of the waves were split to left and right sections with left leaving last... groan! at 11.16am I finally started running! I got over the starting mat and started hop footing around people that were already walking. Looking at the garmin we were running at just over 9 minute miles, quicker than I ever run except the odd couple of miles recently but I've never kept up that pace for more than 2 miles. I decided to take what I could and maybe put some fast miles in the bank early then I could afford to slow down later. Just after the first mile Stewart began struggling with his leg, he had been running races back to back weekends for a few weeks and told me to go ahead and he would catch me up. I remember shouting to him he definitely will catch me up as no way could I carry on running this fast for long. I carried on and the second mile was done in just over 9 minutes again I felt good and told myself I would do the first 3 miles at this pace then back off abit, I wanted to run the whole distance rather than go out to quick and have to walk for miles. The rest is abit of a blur from there until I got to mile 4 and found I was still going at just over 9 minute mile pace I thought what the hell lets go until mile 6 THEN slow down... I remember running past a yellow sign saying MILE 6 and looking at my watch and looking at my watch again and again just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I had ran a 10k in less than an hour! I had never done this before, I turned to the man running next to me, a complete stranger at this point and I suddenly shouted at him that I had just ran 10k in under an hour.. he looked at me like I had told him aliens were descending and we would all be turned in giraffes. So I just pulled a silly grin at him and sped off. I couldn't believe what was happening, at this point I was so pleased with myself I had to refrain from getting teary and emotional I still had 7 miles to go and it could have all gone downhill from there.

There was loads of supporters lining the streets and as I had my name on my top every couple of minutes people would be clapping and shouting my name telling me how great I was doing.. I remember thinking to myself these people know my name... this is amazing! The cheer buses were fantastic, people sat on open topped buses at street corners playing music, there were brass bands playing the Rocky theme tune and even though I was tiring a little I still pumped my hands in the air with the other runners. It was nice to clap and cheer at these supporters too as after all they had sacrificed their Sunday morning to cheer on people they don't know in the cold.. or maybe it was to get on tv! Miles 7 to 9 went incredibly slow I kept looking at my watch what felt like every minute but I was still pleased and quite astounded that I was still doing just over 9 minute miles. I knew I would be on for a pb and started working out some sums in my head, I reckoned if I slowed down to 10 minute miles for the last 3 miles I'd be near a 2 hour marathon. (this I might add was something I told Stewart the night before jokingly would be achievable) You are probably wondering where Stewart was in all this... the truth is I didn't know. I knew he hadn't gone past me but I knew he wouldn't have dropped out and would be just behind. You may say it was a bit mean of me to not stop for him but I did feel bad. I knew he would be fine! At mile 9 I went through a mist shower thing to cool the runners down this I didn't like much as when I went through it and came out the other side I felt like I'd been put into slow motion although I was still running the same speed.. if that makes any sense?

Coming round to mile 11 and I had previously been told it was all uphill and they weren't wrong, it was hill a mile long, they even said on Channel 5 afterwards the record holder of the mens elite athletes said it killed the race for him. It was tough and I had to walk for some of it mainly to take my inhaler and to steady myself. Mile 11 to 12 were all hills and my pace went down to 11 minute miles so the 2 hour half was out the window.. still I had some ummphh left in me and coming down the last half a mile there were hundreds of people cheering and I floored it... I felt like a Cheetah on speed! Crossing over the finish line I wasn't sure if my garmin was telling me the correct time as it had lost signal a few times running under bridges. A few seconds later I received my tx message from Bupa confirming I had finished in 2 hours 8 minutes and 9 seconds that's a whole 14 minutes of my previous best. I couldn't believe it I had maintained a constant speed of 9 minute miles for 11 miles I felt like super woman... without the cape but with really achy legs instead.

I waited for Stewart and knew he couldn't have been far behind me and he came in at 2 hours 23 minutes 53 seconds he had done so well considering the amount of running he had been doing of late and his injury. He wasn't even annoyed that I'd left him.. I did feel bad but he knew it was for the best so I could have achieved what I did. So the Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon was the day I turned into a super runner. I had overtaken a lot of runners including not just those from the green wave that set off before just before me but people in orange and white that had a massive head start (they must have so lied about their estimated times to start earlier) I finished according to Bupas official results 7498th not bad considering that is out of 18,000 runners!

Finally my thoughts are with the family and friends of Kevin Paterson a runner who sadly passed away at the run yesterday. 

PB's VLM rejection and not running much

This blog is abit different... as it's mainly about me not running... but when I have run I've ran well!

Let's start with the Virgin London Marathon ballot though... drum roll please... I didn't get in BUT do have a lovely white wind breaker rejects jacket that I am keeping for a rainy day. Oh well there's always next year.

This lovely rejection magazine led me to thinking about races I can enter next year and I now have a lovely A1 wall planner with green stickers for races I have already paid for and entered and yellow stickers for races I have found that I want to enter, though I suppose I should really start getting into the swing of running again. Since hurting my ankle at Parkrun on the 1st September then being on holiday and some other things going on it has become apparent I haven't really ran in 4 weeks. Infact until this week I had only ran 6 miles since September 1st...not good. Technically I have been running a year now, I started out October last year and seem to have hit a platue with my running, either that or 4 weeks off is just too long and I am out of the running habit.

I will say one thing for not running though it can help? You think I'm joking right?... wrong!
My previous 5k pb was 29 minutes 43 seconds, on the 25th September 24 days after my last run I went out, head down, garmin watch covered by my coat, in the rain and I just ran and was totally shocked to find I had gained a new pb (or pr for those that only count pbs as events) My new 5k record is 28 minutes 45 seconds not a lot off I know but I was saying to myself the whole run that I'll be happy just to run 3 miles without stopping after having so long off so you can imagine I was rather pleased with myself.

Maybe I can get back into this running malarkey after all... or maybe not. Two days later I went for a run thinking I need to build myself back up to a decent mileage as I have a 10k coming up then a half marathon the week after that then two weeks after that I have my first (proper) Marathon... I managed to run 2.14 miles and went home. At the moment I am feeling like my legs and arms (for some reason my arms keep going weak and heavy when running) belong to someone else, I cannot seem to engage my legs and head to work together. Still I am trying with another 1.14 mile the following day, I know it hardly seemed worth going out!? and then a 3 miler I knew I had to get something half decent in so yesterday I put on my trainers and camel bak and went out the door, back to basics with my heart rate monitor on I thought I would try to go 7 miles at half marathon HR target. Once again legs felt dead, arms felt dead heck even my brain felt dead and I just couldn't be bothered but I ploughed on anyway ran up every hill and didn't stop once by around mile 4 I had given up trying to keep my heart rate down it was working at 185 bpm majority of the run so I changed my strategy to run a 10k and see what my time would be though I didn't intend to look at the timer until just under 6 miles. Coming up to 6 miles I changed from HR to timer and was pleasantly surprised that even though I was feeling dreadful all the way around and would rather have been sat at home doing nothing I was going to get a pb...if I really really pushed the last bit. So I did, forgetting the fact I was going to finish over a mile from my front door and hadn't bought my inhaler I just went all out and got a new record! My old 10k time was 1 hour 8 mins and 21 seconds... my new 10k record is 1 hour 3 minutes and 31 seconds!!

I then walked the rest of the way home trying not to have an asthma attack! I really do need to build up some sort of running base now before Rutland Water Marathon start of November else that isn't going to be a good day as I have heard the course is quite challenging.

Here's an update on future races though I do have lots of yellow stickers at the ready for Feb - March 2013

October 14th      Tamworth 10k
October 21st       Birmingham Half Marathon
November 2nd    Rutland Water Marathon
November 25th   Kingsbury Park 10k
December 1st      CATS 10k Charity run
December 2nd    Run For Fun Christmas 5k
December 16th   Enigma Christmas Marathon
January 5th & 6th Engima Winter Double Marathon
April 14th             Brighton Marathon
May 6th               Milton Keynes Marathon
June 2nd              Severn Way Ultra (58miles)

The View From The Other Side

Today was my first day seeing a race from the other side. The side of the kind people that give up their time to put on such fantastic events and give us runners something to look forward to!

I decided I wanted to be involved in the running of events and helping people get into sports and now I am an official fully fledged Sports Maker.... well after today and doing my bit I am!

After my first Park Run last week and the fact I can't run at the moment due to my ankle still not being 100% I volunteered to marshall at Park Run. Turning up to the field I wondered where was the field? It was totally covered in fog! So much for the 27 degrees we were promised today. I soon found some of the organizers James, Sally & Richard and started to help set out the start & finish markers, whilst chatting away it was apparent that the event has been growing and growing with a record number of 176 runners turning up to one event.

After setting out the markers a quick check was done to see if a marshall was needed on the far end of the field to show people the way as in all honesty you could barely see a meter in front of you. I was then paired up with a nice lady called Sharon who was also injured and helping out whilst her friend and daughter ran the course. High Vis jackets at the ready and off we went a short walk to the point we would spend the next hour standing.

We were stood a couple of feet away from each other so able to have a natter in between the runners coming through. Sharon placed herself at the top of the hill in the wood and I was positioned just out side of the wood directing the runners to the right although I knew 99% of them would know where they were going I felt really important none the less.

I've always found marshalls funny on runs, you get some that just stand there like they want to be anywhere else in the world at the point, then you get some that are really amazing clapping and cheering you with words of support. I wasn't sure how I was going to be but knew I would smile at everyone and hope for the best. It wasn't long before we saw the first runner and boy was he going some! It was amazing.. one of the things I really enjoyed was seeing the people at the front the quick ones as I'm usually able to see their backs then they disappear! The thought crossed my mind whether he needed or even wanted a clap and a well done as he seemed to be a pro, it didn't matter much anyway he was past me like a bolt of lightning and  that was that!

It was near on two minutes later that the next runner came by we couldn't believe how far in front the leader was.. saying that the next 30 or so runners looked just as good. I half thought about slipping one of them my barcode so I could get a sub 20 minute finish!  I will say one thing though they looked terrible, flob swinging everywhere! and thats when I realised I really do not push myself hard enough especially on the shorter distances. I look picture perfect (well sort of ) at the end these people look like they are about to collapse but hey if thats what gets you a sub 27 minute 5k I'm in!! So watch this space!

The rest of the runners were brilliant too each one thanked me for ..well just being there I guess... I was clapping, cheering, saying well done, telling people not far to go now. Although I know some of these things may have seemed condescending to some runners who have ran the course like 100 times over. The children running with parents did amazing and always said thank you on their way past. One thing I love about park run is no matter how fast or how slow you are whether it be an 18minute finish or 45 minute finish..it's a finish and the marshalls are still there for you.

Job done and I had a brilliant time, alot of work goes into putting on events like this and more so the bigger events and I really respect the fact that they should be acknowledged now for the hardwork.

Bring on the flob and hopefully some pbs at future park runs.

My First Park Run

I found out about Park Run through people's statuses on facebook saying they got park run pbs. I wondered if it was a silly question to ask what a park run is incase it's just someone running around a park.

Turns out that's just what it is but organized by volunteers that runs every Saturday morning at 9am and it's a measured and timed 5k course. I got registered and printed my barcode to take with me everytime I run, then I didn't run. A few times I said I was going to go and never did. I either had other things to do or didn't want it to interfere with my long run on a Saturday.

I finally decided to run Park Run this weekend and as I was volunteering as a marshall next Saturday for my sports maker course I thought I'd best run it first!

I'm very lucky that my local park run is only a mile drive from my house and although it said the race starts at 9am I got there at 8am to make sure I got a parking space and established where the runners meet. Sitting in the car I was really nervous, I felt exactly like I did at Blymhill for my first 10k and couldn't understand why.  I have attended a few of my races on my own now much bigger events/races and with no one I knew. It then dawned on me that this would be my first 5k race. I have run 5ks as often as I eat in training but never ran in an event against other people. The fact all my training so far has in all honesty focused on distance rather than speed I was terrified the race would start and I would be left standing! My 11.30 minute miles were not going to do me much good here....so I made a decision....

I decided to go back home! What??? Exactly it took me 10 minutes to convince myself this was nothing different to what I have done before, why was I so scared of taking part in my local community park run of 3 miles!?

I bit the bullet and left the car I ventured out onto the field that we start in and soon started speaking to a nice lady who explained she runs every other week alternating with her husband as they have small children. Already I was beginning to feel more at ease I just needed some slow looking people to turn up so I wouldn't be last. I made my way to where the group of runners were forming and there were hundreds of people, not what I was expecting at all for a local Saturday run.

I met another nice lady who runs there regularly with her son and grandson who was in fact running his 10th park run and would be receiving a junior T shirt. Everything seemed so well run and organized. I was told the race starts with a lap around the perimeter of the field then into the woods for two laps and back out onto the field to the finish.

Easy Peasy....

We were off! I was running and I wasn't being left behind, I nestled in quite nicely with a pack running around 10.30 min miles and knew I could maintain it as my fastest 5k is 29mins 4 seconds. I desparatley wanted to beat this but very cruelly at just over 1 mile in the woods were there were tree roots and stones ( after all it was a trail run) I slipped trying to dodge a muddy puddle and rolled my left ankle straight round on itself so all my weight was leaning over it, I heard a pop then tried not to be sick! Oh it was agony I was walking like a limping dog holding my poorly foot in the air. Then made the biggest mistake ever... I put my foot down and tried to run and ran to the end. Yes silly I know!

I finished in 30 minutes 43 seconds not bad considering what had happened. I was given my finish token and promptly took it to the desk to get that scanned for my time and then my park run ID card scanned. I wanted to stay and meet the lady I had spoken to at the start but was in so much pain with my ankle and if I'm honest trying not to cry. I hobbled to the car and lucky for me it was only 1 mile to get home as I could barely use the clutch without being in agony.

Closer inspection at home shows my ankle had ballooned and bruised, I know the drill so RICE was needed, my ice pack helped and some anti inflammatory gel. A tubey elastic bandage kept on overnight and today seems a bit better. Still bruised and swollen but I can put a little bit of weight on it. I'm just pleased this happened on the start of my planned two weeks off!

Final results -

Finish Position       130 out of 176
Finish Time           30 minutes 43 seconds
Age Grading         48.18%
Gender Position    35
Finished 2nd in my category.