Getting lost and not even minding

The little gem I have discovered recently is Wyre forest only a twenty minute drive from my house and with a cafe, toilets on site, go ape and three different routes to explore it's no wonder I have gone twice in the last 3 weeks.

Pulling up to aim for a 10 mile run though I would have been happy with 9 with my drink at the ready and a fruit snack pack in my vest I set off to start the yellow trail around 0.80 miles. This first trail takes you around the Go Ape centre with people whizzing through the air above you on zip wires.. majority of them screaming as they go! After the yellow route was done I started on the green route slightly longer and with some hills to contend with and running of the beaten track. I remember running the green route the last time I came and was looking forward to getting to my favourite part of the forest. It appears to be a part where not many people venture and was beautiful and quiet.. trotting along the green route I realised I had missed my favourite part and couldn't understand where it was.. maybe I had took a different turning though still following the green markers.

 

my favourite place

I carried on regardless and finished the yellow/green route at just over 3 miles, I took this time to sit on a bench and eat my fruit snack pack. Last time I did the red route, the hardest one I remembered a pretty nasty hill right at the end which I walked up so decided to mix things up and run the red route backwards. First part was all downhill which was brilliant though the downhills I did the first time around the right way were now uphills. Around 2 miles into the red route I came across my favourite place...

I don't remember it being on the red route before but I was there and that's all that mattered. It is far enough out the way that you cannot hear the Go Ape screams and far enough away that I stood there looking around and gazing up at the trees for twenty minutes and not one single soul came past. ( I may add I forgot to pause my garmin whilst tree gazing damn it!) If i take up tree hugging I must be sure to pause my watch.

After tree gazing was done I took the gate through the field where I got lost first time around and found my way back out the opposite gate no problems. I finally reached the final stretch and was pleased to be running downhill to visitor centre rather than the long slog I had done previously. A quick toilet stop was needed and I decided whilst on the loo to run the green route backwards too. I set off following the green markers but the other way around. One thing I realised when I'm running is I tend to only look at things on my right hand side and in front so doing things backwards meant I was taking in different views. I started off great following the green markers then after a while I realised I hadn't come across any markers of any colour at all.... F@^CK I'm lost!

 

 I carried on for around half a mile then picked up a red marker, bugger I was running the longest route again! I carried on with the red route and was coming up to just over 7 miles. Along the forest there are sign posts directing you to the visitor centre and telling you how far it is.. I came across a sign with Visitor centre 2.5 miles pointing to the left or 1 mile heading back the way I had just come from, perfect that will get me to the 9-10 miles I wanted!

I carried on running, I was tired I had eaten all my apples and grapes and I began to get a bit lost in my own head. I kept running past a man whizzing by on his bike we past each other probably 4 times in total and everytime he looked at me like "why are you still running?" I was thinking the same about him cycling!
As I was running I noticed a sign in the distance... no... surely it can't be?
Visitor centre 2.5 miles to the left... or 1 miles heading back. What on earth was happening I had followed the route but ended up at the same place... bermuda forest sprung to mind.

 Nothing to it but to keep running so that's what I did and ended up finishing the yellow, green and red route twice with a time of 1 hour 47 minutes  total of 9.60 miles.

Although I spent most of the time it would seem lost I can think of no better place to get lost than in wyre forest.

 

Puckrup Hall 5 Mile

After thinking I would spend the rest of my life stuck in a muddy gridlocked field at V Festival and getting home at 1.30am the night before Puckrup Hall you can imagine how I felt about running... not very good, plus the fact I wasn't meant to be running by order of my physio but what does he know?

Waking up in the morning I felt like I'd been drugged after very little sleep all weekend I wasn't prepared, I didn't know how long the journey would take, I hadn't printed out my entry email that I needed to take with me ( I didn't even know if the printer had ink in it!) I didn't know where my running gear was and I didn't know where my mind was. Oh yeah that's right it was still fast asleep!

I somehow managed to sort my things out packing the usual camelbak, tissues and garmin and set off to Tewksebury. The event details said not to park on the hotel carpark but that there would be signs directing you to the 'runners' car park. These signs did not exist I ended up driving down a small country lane just wide enough for a car and honestly I don't think I was even allowed to be on that road, I managed a three point turn and went back to the start pulling up alongside some runners I asked where to park and they had no idea they had just parked on the hotel parking so that's what I did. By this point I wasn't overly impressed with the organisation and it was going to get worse. I found one sign that said Race HQ with an arrow pointing down a lane where there was nothing... so I just stood there probably looking very silly but then more runners arrived asking me where Race HQ was!? We managed to find it tucked away no where near where the sign was pointing and I got my race number 24. Walking back to the car I told myself I was going to go home, I couldn't be bothered. At 10.45 I made my way to where the lost runners were all stood round scratching their heads asking where the start line was, who knew?

Finding the start line I settled myself in the middle of the pack of around 70 runners and told myself if the organisers are going to do a p*ss poor job I most certainly am not! It was a lollipop course with an out straight road then a loop then back up the straight road for the finish, I had already overheard a runner saying it had some hills but the first bit is downhill. My sleepy brain computed that that meant the finish was uphill.

We were off! I started running down a long big hill and when it levelled out I checked my watch and was running an 8:40 minute mile... WTF!? I decided to keep it going as my leg wasn't hurting and I had my breathing spot on. Around 1.5miles I passed a very overweight man who decided maybe because he had personal issues of his own to pick on me.. He asked why I felt the need to run with a camelbak? Am I a real runner as who needs a drink in a 5 mile run.. I promptly overtook him at the drinks station along with lots of other runners ha! I started running with a lady I had spotted at the start and was initially using as my pacer but at mile 2.5 she was telling me she was really struggling and could see herself walking. I was still busting out 9.30 minute miles so left her and ran on my own.

At just over 3.2 miles I was running behind a man who when we approached the bottom of a big hill he started swearing, when I asked him what was wrong he said it's a hill I don't like hills. This is normally something I would say but I couldn't stop running I even ran up the hill at 9.30 minute mile pace and got a compliment on my bum wiggling when he said he would walk and admire the view as I overtook him. (Blushing). At the top of the hill there were two marshalls who congratulated me and I told them it was an amazing hill to which they replied I was the first runner who had said that and with a smile on my face.

Nearing the 4 mile mark I knew I would be coming to the start downhill/finish uphill I can't say I was looking forward to it and by now I was dry heaving and felt a little bit icky it was hot I was tired but as my mom calls me; I'm Super Sarah and had ran all the way I wasn't going to stop and walk. The last hill was a killer to say the least but I dug in and kept going head down legs turning over, coming into the finish tunnel I had finished 5 miles in 48 minutes 5 seconds with mile times of 9:14, 9:39, 9:55, 9:27 & 9:42 and an average pace of 9:36 I was ex tactic as I had ran the whole way (with a bad leg, in your face Mr physio man) I had ran up all the hills, beat the nasty man and apparently have a nice bum. Then I got my medal.

Rubbish organization, excellent run so the good outweighed the bad and just goes to show even if your mind isn't in it and you can't be bothered at least try because you may surprise yourself.

Injury Frustration and taking a walk

It's funny how I seem to get injured once a year and it's been in the same month! It's also a funny story about how the unjury came about.

Rocking up to the Physio on a monday night I sat in the waiting room debating how to explain to the physio how I hurt myself without him 1. throwing me out of his office or 2. having a good old laugh at my expense! It went like this...

Physio - What brings you here today?
Sarah - I think I have hurt my leg along my groin, it hurts to change gear whilst driving and I cannot run.
Physio - How and when did the injury occur?
Sarah - It happened on the 24th July when I tried to mount an elephant at Chester Zoo
Physio - Well I've never heard anything like that before! Lets take a look.

Here is the elephant in question... you'll be pleased to see it isn't a real elephant and I'm not completely mad!

After an assessment from the physio and me having tears streaming down my face I was then told I had torn my hip flexor at grade 1. Not good news but better news than a grade 2-3. I had ultrasound therapy and outcome was no running for two weeks, daily stretches to do and no more mounting elephants.

Needless to say I won't be attempting that again. It's left me in a pickle as I have Puckrup Hall 5 mile race Sunday the 18th August only 10 days after being told not to run for two weeks. I went for a 3 mile stroll around the woods last night and still have a slight pain in my thigh but not half as bad as it was previously. It's funny how you take in different views and notice more when you are walking not running but if it wasn't for me wearing sandals I'm sure I would have attempted a little jog.

Fingers crossed I'm all fixed for Sunday else it will be yet another race I have had to pull out of this year due to health/injury problems.

Pitchcroft 10k (Race 2 of 2)

After Fridays jaunt up and down the mountains I was looking forward to a flat race around Worcesters race course Pitchcroft, definitely no hills there. The 10k would consist of 3 laps around the perimeter with another kids fun run starting just before.. this time I knew the medal I was looking at was mine as the fun runners were being awarded with certificates. I ended up going out in town drinking the night before which didn't help with my organizational skills the morning of the race as when I arrived at the car park I realised I didn't have my hat with me nor had I bought or put on any suncream oh well I'll finish like a lobster.

I made my way to the start line with Cindy who was running this as her first race and we positioned ourselves near the middle of the pack with the hope of not getting too caught up with the front runners. An announcement at the start made us aware that there were some competitive runners in the field today, we were also given a safety talk on running in the heat and told if we start to feel faint and need to stop don't worry we will still get a medal (Oohh I wish I had  paid attention in drama class at school!) We were off and like a fool I started running too fast not gaining a steady pace I ran the first mile in 9:10 minutes a lot faster than my usual 10:30 and far to fast considering the heat, time to slow it down by the second mile I was running along side a man who introduced himself to me as Tim this was his first race and he had no idea how well he was doing or how fast he was going, he said he liked the pace I was running maybe a bit slower. We ended up chatting for a while and we ran the second mile together in 9:57 so a little slower which was good. I had no intention of going for a pb today I just wanted to finish but knowing the course I was slightly disappointed it was so hot as it's got serious pb potential. By mile 3 Tim and I had settled into a nice pace and he was happy pacing himself with me to get to the finish.  We had the odd walk breaks to cool down and had a natter with Cindy who would come past every so often. We ended up getting lapped by around 7 people all of whom would run up behind us really quick and shout "LEFT" I had no idea if this meant I was too move left or they were coming down the left so I ended up getting in the way more than they would have liked!

At the start of the second lap and drink station I promptly threw a cup of water down my back to cool down and carried on running, the next few miles we slowed down more with a 10:31 & 11:03 minute miles but were still running faster than Tim is used to so kept it nice and steady. Running past the drink station for the last time on the 3rd lap and I simply threw the cup of water in my own face I was dripping with sweat and although I was now soaked through and probably going to end up with a frizzy fringe it was more than welcome. With the finish in sight with all the crowd cheering and clapping on the stands I decided I had a little bit left in me and went for the sprint finish though I wasn't in competition with anyone this time I still went for it. My final time was 1:03:58 and I was delighted when I got home and uploaded the route from my garmin that it was a pb! How I managed to pull a pb out with two races in three days one of them being really tough and both being extremely hot I do not know.

I'll definitely do Pitchcroft again next year and see if I can shave some more time off. All in all a great racing weekend.

Dirtrun Summer Sizzler 6.5 miles (Race 1 of 2)

Who runs on a friday night? Answer.. a lot of people and Dirtrun summer sizzler was the most fun I've possibly had on a friday! Considering I was falling asleep at my desk at work from 3pm onwards I was wondering how on earth I was going to finish a whole day at work then run 6.5 miles in 27 degree heat.

Getting back from work I put my old stinkers on as it was called Dirtrun I didn't want to take a chance taking the new beauties out and getting them muddy. Car loaded up and off I went to pick up running buddy Luke who I may add has just sauntered out the pub from a pre race meal and beers! We made the short drive to Top Barn Activity centre in worcester it was beautiful scenery and I felt lucky to be able to go to events like these and take in different surroundings. There were lots of people milling around registering for 

the race and lots of children as they were doing a fun run before the main event. We watched the kids off and I spent some time eyeing up the medals which looked very nice I couldn't wait to get my hands on one to add to the collection. After around 30 minutes the front runner was finishing in the kids race and we clapped them all through then made our way to line up at the start line where a short race breifing took place. It went something like this.... for those that did the race last year you will remember the mud, well there is no mud this year (so I was wearing the old stinkers for no reason) you follow the lake round then go into the forest for the up and down up and down bit then the steep bit then the really steep bit then down again then the big hill......... At this point I stopped listening I don't want to know about hills and steep bits I just want to get it done.

The whistle blew and off we went I didn't want to hold Luke back but we ran together around the lake and down a slight hill across a field all was well I was rocking my sunglasses, legs felt good it was all good until we ran into the woods. Suddenly it was pitch black and I couldn't see a thing so whipped the sunglasses off and could see what was next. The biggest hills I have ever ran up along the side of one massive hill routing and weaving it's way up like a dirt track that mountain bikers would go on. The part to run on wasn't all that wide initially and the footing was very loose due to dry twigs, pine cones etc so I was very careful to slow down and take my time. Rounding a corner I was then faced with what can only be described as a full vertical climb (imagine the drop on Oblivion) well I was running up something like that, it was so steep the organizers had tied rope between all the trees for people to literally pull themselves up.

This isn't what I signed up for at all! Luke had to start pushing me up from behind and when we reached the top it appeared we were making our way out of the woods...yippee.. but then runners were coming from the opposite direction on the other side of some red and white tape. They had tricked us! We ran out of the woods then straight back in for some steep descents and more steep inclines. For the purpose of this blog I will replace the word F**K with the word fudge. Fudge this and fudge that, this is so fudging hard I can't fudging believe it, I was ranting to myself. Finally out of the woods and having to jump through stinging nettles was next then out to some nicer parts running through fields and on pavements. We ran past a pretty church and the first drink station and started talking to some runners from the black pear joggers group in Worcester we bimbled along with them for abit chatting and another girl also called Sarah. By mile 5 we were run/walking and there were more hills to come.

Finally we came out by the lake and myself, Luke and Sarah had discussed sprint finishes and no one said they were going for it. Liars! On the final straight Sarah booted it and I decided to take her on. I have never felt competitive in a race until now, it made me feel like I was back at schools sports day. She beat me only by 2 seconds but still I could of had her if i didn't have a stitch...honest.

Crossing the finish line I was presented with a medal the size of a fifty pence piece... eh? This isn't the medal I saw before. Turns out only the children got the big medals!I did however get a free burger from the bbq so this kept me happy.  I said at the end I found the Dirtrun summer sizzler 6.25 mile race harder than any marathon or Ultra I've done before and not sure I will go back next year unless I'm allowed to enter the kids race and miss out the hills and get the big medal.

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.