Mission Imbloggable

It's been so hot but you have to be ready for any race conditions so I have been running in the sun mainly trying to stick to the woods where it is shady and also running late at night when it's cooler.

I got home from work feeling run down, tired and not really wanting to run but pulling up on the drive at 5.15pm with the temperature gauge showing 29 degrees I realised I had to take a dvd back to Blockbusters in town before 10pm, here presented an opportunity to run and save petrol.

So my Mission Imbloggable if I chose to accept it was to run what I thought would be 2 miles into town drop dvd off at blockbusters and run the 2 miles back. I accepted the mission. It was never going to be easy due to the heat, the fact I was running in work traffic direct to the centre of town and the shortest route was going down and up Tolladine Road....it should be called Tolladine hill!

I put my ultra vest on and the back pocket was large enough to fit a dvd in it snuggly so packed up and off I went. Straight away at half a mile in I was beginning to think it was a bad idea there was very little shade anywhere but where I could I tried to run on the side of the road with shade. Approaching the top of Tolladine I was looking forward to this bit as it's just under 1 mile of all downhill yippeee. Now I know it's summer and I know I was running through a chavy/rough part of Worcester but is it really necessary for people to sit at bus stops on their own with shirts unbuttoned all the way down., beer belly hanging out drinking cans of special brew?

At the bottom of Tolladine road it leveled out back to flat and I checked my garmin I was already over 2 miles in and not at blockbusters yet so my 4 mile Mission Imbloggable run was actually going to be more like 5 miles. Arriving at blockbusters I had a quick pit stop and found some jelly babies in one of my pockets from a previous race... mmm... yummy I scoffed two of them ready for the climb back home. I had already decided to walk majority if not all of the hills on the way back as it was still so hot and still little shade along the way. It was a case of stop startng with the traffic at road crossings but I was soon halfway up the hill and even managed to run / walk it all the way up. From here it was going to be easy I was 1.3 miles from home it was flat I had however ran out of water but started a sprint back and managed a mile in less than 10.30mins not bad considering I was running at nearer 11 -12 min miles with my run/walking.

At 5.5 miles I arrived back home dripping with sweat, tired, thirsty, hot but happy that I had accepted the mission and succeeded!

Coombe Abbey Half Marathon

I'd been searching high and low for a half marathon / 10k to do this weekend after my high of Malvern Half last weekend and could find nothing near enough to get to or that provided a medal... yes I am a medal chaser! Until Wednesday when I came across the Coombe Abbey Half Marathon near Coventry. Right I was in and looking at the pictures from the Coombe Abbey Country Park website it looked beautiful I was under the impression I would be running on the pavements around the parks passing lakes, fountains and flowers...... I wasn't.

I arrived at 8.30am got my parking space and went across to the registration desk to collect my run number, info pack and a commemorative gym bag and timing chip. I have done many a race before and never in all my life have I come across such a chunky thing. I know I'm a bit mad sometimes but this thing made me look like I was on tag day release from the looney bin! From being sunburnt from a picnic day out the day before my knee caps were bright red and skin very tight so I slapped on the factor 30 all over even though

the day was overcast. At 9.45 I made my way to the portaloos for my pre-race nervous wee and started chatting to a few ladies about the race. It was the first race held here so no one really knew what to expect but I still had the image in my head at the top of the screen. At 9.55 we had the race briefing there were 3 separate distances being covered in one, the 10k, half marathon and full marathon and I was surrounded by the familiar 100 marathon club running vests that I have got accustomed to from doing the Enigma marathons in Milton Keynes. A short presentation was made to a guy who was running his 200th marathon today then the race briefing  commenced. The deal was the 10k runners did a part lap then 2 full laps, and I would be running 6 laps receiving a hair bobble to put on my wrist after each one to show how far along I was. Standing at the start line I wasn't nervous and I wasn't even excited for some reason but got my garmin at the ready and couldn't help but think with garmin on one wrist, mental asylum tag on the other and 6 hair bobbles to slip on throughout the course I was going to be sporting some epic tan lines!

Countdown from 10-1 and away we went running through the start line and into a field covered in sheep dung and long stringy grass that whipped at your legs. The first mile was running through this field and I was wondering where the pavement would come in and the picturesque setting. We rounded a corner and continued through more field with more dung then ran around a chair and back up a long straight with a large lake to the left though you couldn't see much of the lake because of the trees. We then diverted left through a gate and ran on yes more field, more field, more field and I realised I needed the toilet..not for a wee and quite badly. Now runners will understand this but when you need to go you need to go and it's all you can think about, I actually cannot physically run when I'm like this and thought about whether I could divert of course to use the visitor toilets rather than a portaloo as I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. By the time I ran up yet more field I found I didn't need it quite so bad so thought I would do the first 2 loops then go. At this point we came along side some pavement with nice bits but we had to run on the field along side it as the park was open to the general public. We came out at the side of a childrens playground the kind with the wood chipping covering the floor and it bought back memories of going to Telford Town Park with my parents as a child. A quick jog around a line of trees and I was back through the start line finished my first lap and handed a purple hair bobble. Excellent... but half a mile into the second lap and I really really did regret not going to the toilet! I had to resort to run/walking and had got into a decidely negative mood. I don't do trail running often and have never ran a half marathon on grass/fields before I struggled to keep my footing and my ankles kept rolling. Rounded back to the part by the visitor centre I diverted this time and managed to do a 16 minute mile whilst sat on the toilet :-( Once that was out the way I ran back through the start to collect my second hair bobble and I thought things would pick up now. The laps starting going quite quick but the sun had come out in force and I just couldn't maintain constant running, there were two parts on the course where I opted to walk for a few minutes. By lap 4 I had drank all the water from my camel bak so started taking on water from the drinks station I drank half the bottle then would use the rest to tip over my head and back to try to cool myself down it was so hot! Lap 5 came and I was struggling I had been repeating my running mantra in my head saying " I can do it, I will do it, I am doing it" this seemed to help.

By mile 10 I had a blister on the side of my foot from my feet slipping in my trainers trying to run on grass I tried to ignore it and wondered why I was bothered about it when I overtook a young man who was wearing a tshirt, office shorts, white knee length socks and office shoes and backpack. He looked a little bit special and I don't really know whether he had ever ran before but good on him he seemed to be enjoying the walk. I was fading now and still had another lap to do when just at that moment I spotted a single white feather on the floor in front of me (I like to think this is a sign from my Grandad to tell me everything is ok) I said thank you grandad and smiled then a white butterfly flew in front of me for a bit and I had already established a few years back during a harmonic healing course that my spirit guide is a white butterfly. These two things spurred me on to finish. I was very hot, very tired, had an upset tummy and by now also heat exhaustion but I was spurred on to finish what I had started.

Crossing the start line I collected my final hair bobble and started walking to pour yet another bottle of water over my head. I chatted for abit with a lady I had been using as a pacer since around mile 8 she was doing the full marathon. I don't envy anyone that had to run around in that heat for a further 6 more laps than me. The rest of the final lap was a blur I knew I was still run/walking bits and was quite happy with the fact it could be a PW a personal worst but I still throughout everything had enjoyed it... a little. I came around the final bend by the childrens playground and people were clapping me on then I got to the finish with a time of 2 hours 24 mins it wasn't a personal worst and not too bad considering the toilet stops I had to take. I was happy that was all that mattered.

Malvern Half Marathon

Yippeee I did it! I ran the Malvern Half Marathon..after last year when I had to pull out due to Piriformis I was really looking forward to this, so looking forward to it my race number was number 30 and when I got there I was surrounded by lots of 300 upwards. I must have got in mega early!

I had arranged to meet Annabelle at the start and run or maybe not run together as she was aiming for 9 min miles, bit quick for me but it was great to catch up as I hadn't seen her since the Enigma Winter double marathon in January. Timing was great we arrived at the same time and went to find the toilet before the start at 10.30am.

The day was overcast and very windy and I was just hoping it wouldn't rain as I had spent the morning tanning so I could get my shorts on and get my running legs out. We made our way to the start lining up in the sub 2:30 bay and were soon crossing the start line...then 18 seconds later I crossed the finish line! A pb a pb.. unfortunately the timing mats hadn't been activated until we had crossed over ready to come back at the actual finish. Annabelle tootled off in front and I was just happy to keep a good pace but ended up running the first 3 miles at under 9 minute miles not sure if that was going to be a good thing.  I had a discussion with Annabelle at the start about how crap I run or should I say walk up hills and with it being Malvern and hilly hence the Malvern hills I was worried. She gave me advice on running up on my toes and changing my breathing and it seemed to work a treat I ran non stop for ages. At mile 6.1 I looked at my garmin and I had only gone and clocked a 10k PB of 58 minutes 30 seconds wooooppeee I debated stopping the clock and having that as a pb but thought I could possibly get a 2 hour half or a pb at least so kept it running.

 From mile 7 I had found my pace maker from previous blogs you will note these are usually women (I don't know why) around the same size and same ability looking as me... this time and I hope you stifle your laughs my pace maker was in the form of a man of around 50 slightly over weight wearing a sock type thing on his head and a pink tutu around his waist!! Go on laugh I will let you.

Have you finished laughing? Right I'll carry on.... I was mortified that this man was actually running away from me at some points this is still the one thing that baffles me on races you do judge people by the way they look I am forever being over taken by 90 year olds and a woman pushing a baby in a buggy.. go on laugh again but you know what? they could have been running since they were like 10! and I bet they didn't look as good as me at the finish and we all got the same medal.

From mile 8 onwards I was struggling slightly and the route had become rather boring. I had by this time turned my garmin to the screen saver screen as I just wanted to finish and not keep looking at my wrist. At mile 10 I worked out I had infact slowed down rather a lot and was no longer on for a pb of 2 hours 8 minutes but nearer my average of 2 hours 15 oh well I still had my 10k pb which made me happy. At mile 11 the route was horrible it was such a long straight gravel road that then turned into tarmac with speed bumps the head wind was strong and  I resorted to walking. Rounding a corner to pass mile 12 and the road was closed to traffic I did my usual of running straight down the middle on the white lines and nearly cried. I feel so free when I run like this! The finish ended with running around some cones and heading back up the opposite way we had started. The finish just never seemed to get any nearer I normally have a sprint finish in me but the last two miles of wind and speed bumps had just drained me completely.

I crossed the finish line in 2 hours 14 mins and handed the most amazing medal I think I've ever received!

I was pooped! It was a tough course full of changes in attitude from the first 10k being easy and elated at my time to gradually being worn down by long straights wind and bumpy roads. I beat the man in the tutu thank god and met up with Annabelle who had finished in 2 hours 9 mins. A brilliant race all in all.

Trailblazer 10k

Trailblazer 10k was my favourite race of 2012 so when the opportunity came around to do it all again in 2013 I grabbed it. Last year I was suffering with piriformis and couldn't really give it my all this year was going to be different and alot better!

I started off on the hour journey wondering the whole time whether having a spray tan the night before was a good idea or if I would end up with sports bra sweat marks but the run was the more important thing. After parking up on a glorious sunny day (looking quite good with my tan I might add) I made my way to the registration desk to collect my t-shirt and info pack with my wave coloured wristband and running number. Number pinned on ready to go I stood near the warm up dance stage and met a man stood on his own called Robert he had travelled alone from Cheltenham and we got chatting about how he ran this event two years prior. He usually runs 10k in just under an hour but had done a half marathon the week before so wasn't sure what time he would get. 

We decided to do the warm up together and to be honest we were both pooped after dancing around for 5 minutes I thought the 10k would be the easy part! The short walk to the start line followed where we were told the race was now an obstacle course as in the night a large tree had fallen down across the path of the runners between 2-3k and we would have to climb or jump over it. When the gun went off Rob ran off as he was quicker than me but I soon caught him up as was running under 10 minute miles which surprised me but it just seemed so very easy running fast on that day. The fallen tree came into view and it was massive I had no choice but to practically straddle it and climb over which added to the fun!

My fast running soon came to an end when I approached the first hill, I don't remember all these hills from last year and certainly not one that went on with a gradual climb for over 1 mile but the course was no different to last year. Still I was walking up them pretty fast and enjoying the sun. Rob at this point was now infront as he was talking on the hills running.  I was soon nearing the end of the course and spotted the dreaded photographer at the ready to get the awful running pictures we all love to hate but I made sure I looked tantastic and with a big smile and a thumbs up I ran past him.

Reaching the final straight on the field to the big inflatable finish line I looked at my watch and realised I was on for a pb! My current pb for a 10k was 1 hour 3 minutes I crossed the finish line in 1 hour 1 minute and was elated! Only to look at my watch again and realised the course had only measured at 5.99 miles rather than 6.2miles. Gutted and slightly confused as the course and route were no different, I don't even think taking the narrow line around corners ( which there weren't may of) I wouldn't have come up that short. Still I collected my medal and goody bag which is the most amazing goody bag ever and who was waiting at the finish for me but Rob, he had waited to see how I did, I told him my time which meant he came in well under an hour as he was waiting a good five minutes for me. All in all an excellent day an excellent race, excellent medal, tshirt and goody bag and I have been informally advised I can class my 1 hour 1 minute as a pb as sometimes gpd can be out by around 5%.

Bromsgrove 10k

 

This race was a last minute jobby for me. After having some health issues and being told I couldn't run for a few weeks it was apparent that I was going to be unable to take part safely in my big races later in the year as there just wasn't enough training days left to run them and enjoy them without injury. I had to pull out of two of my Ultra's and my 24 hour team race which was slightly gutting to say the least. So off I went on the search for smaller races and I came across the Bromsgrove 10k.

 

Perfect really as it was only a 20 minute drive from home and 6 miles was easily manageable even if I run/walked it. The night before my sister and her partner came over and I ended up having a later night than planned and I hadn't got any of my running stuff laid out ready like usual. As my race number hadn't arrived in the post a duplicate number had been left for me at the race HQ to pick up before 10.30am the morning of the race.

 

My alarm went off and would you beleive rather than pressing snooze I turned the damn thing off! I eventually woke up at 9.20am!! Still found time to shave my legs though as I didn't want anything to drag me back as I had already realised that not running for a few weeks I wasn't going to get a fast time so every little helps! Throwing on my running gear and racing to the car flapping I made the short journey down the motorway and realised I may have forgot to turn the iron off...not the most well prepared I've ever been for a race so far.  I eventually got to race hq at 10.15am parked up and got my number. We were then led to the start which was a short walk where we stopped at the bottom of a hill, yes a hill. There was no actually start line everyone just gathered in a group and I just followed everyone else when they started running I didn't hear a horn or even someone shouting GO.

Off I went planning on running as much as I could and walking when I had to as after all I wasn't actually meant to be running. The first 2 miles went by really fast the only problem I did have was an issue with drinks. I had bought my camel bak and ultra vest which I always use on training runs even the small ones but I was dubious about how silly I would look wearing a camel bak for a 10k so left it in the car. I'm not used to waiting for drink stations and found I was struggling without water on tap and having to stop and walk through drink stations was a pain the arse!

Still I managed to maintain under 11 minute miles the whole way even with abit of walking and crossed the finish line in 1 hour 5 minutes, I was very pleased considering the little training I had been doing the month before. I was presented with my medal and then caught a whiff of the burgers being cooked on the bbq mmm lovely! Didn't get one though and instead sat in the car for half an hour waiitng to get off the carpark..something I have realised is getting to be a standard part of races.

All in all it was a good event although strange having to drop down from 40 mile races to 6 miles but a race is a race, a medal is a medal and the sense of achievement is just as good.

 

And incase you were wondering I hadn't left the iron on.

 

Worcester Half Marathon

Time for round 2! Worcester Half marathon 2012 was my first ever Half marathon and with a time of 2 hours 31 I knew I would have to do it again in 2013 and set a course pb.

I'd entered my friend Tom into the race as thanks for cat sitting for me and was looking forward to meeting up with him his girlfriend Dayna and our other friend Luke... I say friends they are both actually exes so it was rather a random day out for the three of us. With the gun going off at 9.30am I was getting jittery when Tom messaged me to ask if I had any spare safety pins for the their numbers and they would be at my house (a five minute walk from the start) after 9am...after 9am more like get here now so I'm not freaking out about being late.

Once our race numbers were sorted, timing chips on trainers we made the short walk over the Worcester Warriors Rugby ground. It was by now around 9.20am and I was desparate for a wee even though I had been for 6 already at home that morning.. a quick sprint to the loo was needed and we finally made it to the starting pens bang on time, we found our pen of 2-3 hours even though I knew both lads would run it quicker we wanted to start together. With a short walk to the starting point I couldn't help but remember the nerves and anticipation I felt last year not knowing what I was faced with and how I would cope, this year being alot different in some ways for the better and some ways not. Maybe it's better to not know what the wall feels like?

We crossed the start line and I'd already told Tom and Luke to go on without me I wanted to run my own race and not feel I had to keep up with them running some stupid fast pace of 7.30 min miles! It all started off well, taking part in a race that is actually on your doorstep is fantastic and I think this was the most prepared I have ever been for a run. Camel bak on with flappy strappy bits secured and my new Spry Ultra Vest being tested on it's longest run to date again with flappy strappy bits secured. Phone and Jelly babies in pocket along with plenty of tissues (please see previous blogs about snot rags and glasses)  I'd also found a neat little way of threading my headphone cable through my spry vest so I had no jiggly bits bouncing round my neck it was possibly..no definitely the most comfortable run I've ever done.

Same as last year course straight away we were faced with a big hill, I hate hills. I ran up it and decided to practice my breathing as in previous races running up hills makes me go very light headed. We were soon tootling along country roads and the most confusing thing was the yellow signs telling the runners to keep to the right however everyone continued to run on the left and vise versa throughout the course, I just followed everyone else. Around mile 5 I had found my pacer a lady that was maintaining 10.22 - 10.30 min miles, although I would have loved a pb I knew I had no chance due to how hilly the course is so I was happy just running comfortably behind her... then low and behold the half marathon runners were diverted to the right down a little road to run around a traffic cone and back up. This was to make the full distance to 13.1 miles at the end. In last years race the cone part happened right at the end which meant you couldn't get a straight sprint finish. I preferred the cone bit being in the middle of the race to the end but as my pacer lady was running the full marathon she didn't divert off with me and I lost her.

I continued on on my own and found myself running behind a girl who had a wonky leg it kept kicking out awkwardly and once I'd noticed it was all I was looking at worried she was going to hit me, I tried to overtake her but she sped up and I had no choice but to stay behind. I soon got boxed in by around 6 of the Black Pear Joggers which is the local running group I'm a member off. I didn't know any of them so didn't talk to them but they had boxed me right in behind wonky leg girl and weren't running quick enough or with any intention of over taking me. I felt completely trapped all I could do was slow down my pace and let them break free then carry on a little behind them all... I'm not sure what happened to wonky leg girl after that but I don't remember her being an ongoing issue. The weather couldn't have been better it was warm and sunny but the wind was blowing at some points which was nice to get a breeze to cool down. The route was the same as last year so I knew what was coming and when, time was no issue and I just enjoyed myself until mile 10.

Mile 10 and my right knee went funny, I didn't stumble or land funny but all of a sudden it felt like I'd twisted my knee cap and was ever so painful but I kept bumbling along although slower now than before. I decided to walk up the rest of the hills not wanting to cause more damage and mile 12 came with a right bi*ch of a hill! "I don't remember this from last year" I thought but it must have been there last year as they hadn't changed the course.. it was a bit under a dark underpass leading us up onto the canal to the finish. There was no way I was running and was horrified by the amount of people clapping and cheering at the top to me casually strolling on up. Canal in sight I started running and over taking people I came into the rugby ground car park just as the heavens opened and the rain came down but it was quite welcome as I was so hot. The rain lasted a few minutes and just by the finish line who do I see but Tom, Luke and Dayna they had finished and were heading back to my house but saw me and started cheering me on. What good timing hey...

I sprinted to the finish and made sure I was smiling so I could maybe once just once get a picture of me running where I look happy.

I finished in 2 hours 17 minutes not a half marathon pb but a course pb none the less. I grabbed my T-shirt (I had already faced the dissapointment the night before when I discovered they weren't giving out medals this year) and hobbled to the find the guys. "what good timing that was" I said thinking they had just finished before me, turns out they had ran it in 1 hour 46 minutes and Tom very kindly pointed out they had been sat in the bar drinking until I finished! Probably could have gone shopping in tesco, walked the dog and pegged the washing out too.

All in all it was the perfect race, from the perfect company, running gear, weather and course time and topped off nicely with food and drinks in the pub afterwards I couldn't complain...well except about not having a medal.

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.