A busy Christmas week!

Well my plan was to blog again in the New Year, but I feel like I have too much to talk about to wait until then, and am also likely to forget stuff!

I knew that training would be tough over Christmas, but if you need to do something, you need to do it so there is no use moaning, just get out there and get it done! There is no running group for a few weeks, so this stuff I would need to do on my own and it's where the miles really are starting to stack up, so yet again friends from running group stepped up and in came the offers of running with me over the holiday period. I'm lucky that many of them are running Silverstone half marathon so they are looking to increase their own mileage.

So now I have my training plan it really is all systems go, its pretty scary and looking at the number of miles that I will be running is quite daunting. At least now I have something to follow and I can organise my runs around work, which really helps.

So last week I had 4miles and 5miles to run :) followed by a 12 mile long run :(. I was pleased that I had some shorter runs this week. I arranged to run the shorter runs with girls from running group and both runs were great, although again I noticed that my pace was slower than it had been a few weeks ago.....I need to get back to spin class, and fast!! I decided to get myself an early Christmas present, and bought a Garmin forerunner 205 watch to keep an eye on my pace and track my runs acurately. I have since found out that it was the best present I could have bought myself! I love it! I just need to work out how to use it properly!!

Christmas Eve was great. I took myself off to parkrun in Leamington to support the runners, I didn't really fancy a run and as my pace is slow at the moment I worried that I would just annoy myself by getting a rubbish time! There were loads of Regency Runners taking part so it was a good opportunity to see people before Christmas and cheer them on. It was a great atmosphere up there, and it seems a record turn out, with well over 150 runners taking part! I also got to meet a 'twitter friend' (@porcelinatweets) up there, always nice to put a face to a name and have another person to run with!

The runners setting off!!

Regency Runners Helen and Sharon finishing in 32 minutes!

I had planned to run 12 miles on Boxing Day. However, after staying at my Dads house where they have central heating I was full of cold and couldn't breathe, not good! I knew that I needed to go early if I was going to get the 12 miles in before the visitors started to arrive but there was no way I could get round 12 miles like this! So, I decided to take myself out for a quick 3mile run, and with my aces new watch, I was able to pace myself around and got close to a PB, brill!

I went out for my 12 miler the day after Boxing Day, along with running watch and running belt. This made such a difference as I was able to take out my phone, drinks, keys and jelly beans....rather than just leaving everything at home as per usual, plus it was really comfortable and I hardly noticed that I had it on so I will definately be buying myself one in the New Year. The run went really well, I was so pleased! Again I had company from Sharon and Claire from running group for 8.5 miles which was so helpful, especially over the last couple of miles where I was really struggling with pain in my left hip, something that has been niggling me since a silly fall a couple of weeks ago and that I am trying to pretend isn't there for the time being!

I was able to keep an eye on my pace during the run with the watch and tried to stay under 12.30 minute miles. My last long run was terrible and when I looked at my splits I was averaging on 13.30 minute miles.....far too slow! So, when I got home and looked through the data on the posh new watch my average pace was 12.30 minute miles! Ace! I was also quite consistant as each mile was between 12.25 and 12.45, apart from one at 12.05.

So, going into the New Year I'm really happy with how things are going, lets see how the 13 miler goes on New Years Day!

London Marathon.....all systems go!!!

So, now that 10k is out the way, its all systems go for London Marathon. Eeek!

I met with Rachel from Regency Runners at the beginning of the month, she is one of the leaders and as far as I know, is the only one that has had experience of a marathon. I needed help with getting a training plan together as I had no idea what I was doing! I felt that Rachel was the best person to ask, she knows what I can do and she also knows me personally. She was fantastic at helping me put the plan together as she was so organised, knew exactly what she was doing and was taking into consideration my limitations. All the leaders and runners at Regency Runners have been so supportive....more of that later on!!

So Rachel set me the task of a 10mile run on the following Sunday. I mapped a route and asked if any of the runners from group wanted to join me. I knew that it was going to be really tough as I hadn't run this distance since I ran Great Birmingham Run in October, so I knew the company would be great! I was really taken aback when I had offers from 6 or 7 people who wanted to run part of the way with me to make sure I had company all the way around, what amazing support??!! I finished the run - 10.5miles in 2h15minutes, I wasn't that pleased with the time but the important thing is that I ran all the way. So, a good start!

Since then I have been sticking to my training plan, I have kept to running my week day runs on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings with Regency Runners and running into Leamington to meet with them to add extra miles. I have found that the increase in miles has slowed my pace down but, as I was told the other day I'm not going to come first so who cares! I'm doing this for the achievement of completing the distance not to run 9 minute miles! (in my bloody dreams!!!) A friend of mine ran 5k in 22:57 the other day, I am more than happy to admit that I will never achieve that pace, I'll just keep chugging away at my 12 minute miles!!!

Last Thursday was Regency runners Christmas party. The leaders had done a wonderful job of decorating the room, music and some lovely food for us all to munch on. It was a great night and was great to meet up with everyone in normal clothes, even though I don't think we all recognised each other out of our unflattering lycra! I came away from the night with a lovely surprise. the leaders had given out awards to members of the group for various reasons......magnificent marshall, gadget girl and little miss giggles off the top of my head, and I received the "Be careful what you wish for" award for gaining entry to the London Marathon through the ballot (first time lucky?!?!)
It was also given to me by my sister Helen who is a leader so it made it extra special!

So now, with Chrismas this weekend, I have a 12 mile run to look forward to on Boxing day, and a 13 mile run to look forward to on New Years Day! I have mapped routes for these already and I think I have been clever and have chosen out and backs along the canal tow path to keep it flat. I have also borrowed a running belt off a friend to see how I get on with it and to carry drinks and gels along with me. So I think I have been well organised and clever, we will see how clever I think I have been afterwards!!!

Merry Christmas everyone, updates in the New Year!!!

Kingsbury Water Park 10k

This week I have overcome a huge hurdle and I'm chuffed! As I have said before I have never attempted a 10k race, I can run the distance, and have been able to for some time but as I have said before the competitiveness always put me off. I know that I'm not a fast runner, I am in fact rather slow and I always felt that the achievement of running 6 miles would be taken away from me for having a slow time.

I had done a practice timed 6 mile run with running group last week and completed it in 1:08, now in February I had completed that in 1:23, so although I'm a slowy hopefully you can see the improvement!

I didn't know much about the race itself, only that it was two 5k laps and that it was off road, thats preperation for you! Oh and I did find out there was only 500 entries into the race, something that made me rather nervous, the fewer people that were around, the fewer people there would be to hide behind, and fewer people that would be behind me!

As we arrived the wind had really picked up and it was quite chilly, but the sun was fighting to come out so I wasn't too worried as I would soon warm up when we set off. It had rained quite heavily overnight so I was a bit nervous about how this had affected the course. I did start to notice some pretty serious runners about, and started to think that I may just finish this race in last place and that I had bitten off more than I could chew! Well I was there so I might as well have a go, right?

As we set off the paths were quite narrow so finding space to run was quite difficult, add to that it was slippery upnder foot and I wondered how muddy it would get further around the course. I set off at quite a reasonable pace and felt comfortable through the first mile, the second mile was a different story! I lost quite a lot of time here as it was quite boggy underfoot and very up and down, I was actually sliding down the banks as there was little to grip onto!

As I came through the half way point the field had really thinned out and the clock was on 34 minutes so I was doing ok. I started to run with a lady from Birmingham, I was struggling at this point so it was nice to have someone to run with and we helped each other with pace. Again as we ran though mile 5 I was sliding about every where and by this point finding it frustrating as getting cross with myself so I was pleased to leave it behind but it had really slowed me down again and I was getting pain in my achillies so found it hard to make up the time during the last mile.

I tried my hardest to speed up and saw a lady in the distance that I decided wasn't going to beat me, so I started moving at a proper race pace. I think I had forgotten that I was actually in a race and that I wasn't just having a jog around the park! I remember my sister telling me that a 10k hurts and I had got too comfortable and wasn't trying enough. I soon passed that lady and then got my eye on somebody else to run down, if only I could run at this pace for the entire race?!?!

I managed a sprint finish (the one part of the race that I am actually good at!) and came over the line in 1:10, just chasing somebody down as we crossed the line. I wasn't that happy with the time but considering how muddy it was I don't think I did too bad. Looking at my data from Endomono I ran mile 6 in 9:15, that is huge for me and more than 3 minutes faster than mile 5! now, either this is wrong, or I did what it felt like and dug in deep to get to that finish line as quickly as possible.

I am a road runner and this race did nothing to convince me to turn to off road running! It's nice every now and again and it was really enjoyable and nice to be away from the traffic but I'm too girly to like getting muddy! I may enter this race again in the summer as it was really well organised and everyone was really friendly, apart from those few banks on mile 2 and 5 the rest of the course was quite flat so if not for the mud I dont think they would have caused too much of a problem.

I do feel now that I have got over my fear of 10ks, and will be entering some races next year. I just need to choose which ones take my fancy!

10k Training update - 1 week to go!

After having such a tough week last week I didn't see this coming, one of the most positive weeks I've had in a long time! Great news!

The week started with me pushing my training plan to one side, convincing myself that I was too busy. I knew that I wasn't, and that I needed to do something about it pretty quickly.

On my training plan I had a 3 mile run planned. I went out with a friend and ran a new route, something that I love to do. We were able to have a chat, clear our heads and more importantly, have fun! We ran the three miles in 34 minutes, and although we had a chatty run at a slower pace, we both shut up for the last half a mile and our competitive nature took over as we pushed each other back!  (I won, for once - think she let me!)

So then Thursday came. Tonight was a night that I had been dreading for weeks, 10k time trial around Leamington and Warwick with running group. I never wear a watch when I run, I want to have fun not be constantly looking at my watch trying to do maths and run! I can't do maths at the best of times!!  In saying that I still wanted to get an idea of the speed that I was running and the improvement that I had made over the last few months, so I downloaded the Endomondo app onto my phone and shoved it into my pocket where I couldn't think about it for the rest of the run.

The run itself was pretty steady, and was reasonably flat until 3 miles where we then faced 3 lovely hills! Most of the group had run ahead, but in true running group style marshall's had been organised around the course and luckily for us they were all people that we knew well and who were very vocal as we ran past each mile. From about mile 3 I starting hurting, then remembered advice from my sister, "run up those hills like you're on a treadmill, keep your head up and use your arms" and all of a sudden they didn't feel so hard. As we hit the last mile we had a lovely downhill into town where we saw Rachel, a group leader coming back to help people 'run in'. I didn't realise that we had increased our pace during this last mile until Rachel told us we were running at 10.5kph, now for me that is good pace, at the end of a 10k that is great pace!

We kept this pace up until the last 50 metres when Rachel said to change gear. I didn't even think about it or try moaning, I just turned that run into a full sprint and bolted, finishing in 1:08, a great time for a slowy like me! Now I have something to aim for at my first official 10k this coming weekend. I was on such a high after finishing I was close to crying after overcoming such a rough week last week.

So, I finished my week off with spin class (my favourite session of the week!) and an early 6 miler on a foggy Sunday morning, where I got to try out my new hi-vis running jacket and running socks. Both of which were surprisingly great as I'm a creature of habit and don't like change! All in all a great week, bring on the 10k! :D

It's not all it's cracked up to be!!

When everything is going well and you feel like you are flying you never think about those weeks when you dread getting out of bed and running feels like the worst idea you have ever had. So when they show up, they smack you in the face like treading on a rake!

I don't really know what triggered it. Well, really I do, I just don't want to admit it's my fault. You see, to keep me sane and all positive I do self hypnosis every night before bed. I know it works because, well for the past 6 months I've have been sane (ish) and my self confidence has gone through the roof. I was feeling so good last week that I missed a few nights thinking it wouldn't make a difference, I was wrong.

This week has been my toughest week for months. I've just had no motivation, no energy and no desire to do anything apart from sit in the house with my curtains closed stuffing my face with anything I can find. Finding the energy to be enthusiastic at work drained everything out of me when I got home, so my training has suffered a setback this week which has made me very grumpy!! So, back on the daily self hypnosis!

I managed to get out and run Tuesday night, but this was only because a member of my running group offered me a lift. Not turning up is easy, but finding excuses not to get a lift when I usually jump at the chance is not so easy, so I went and opted to run the shorter route, 4miles. I was so glad I went as I didn't find it as hard as I thought I would, but when I got home, my mood soon dropped and I was back to square one. The week then just got worse, and my mood got worse with it. I didn't run Thursday, and didn't get up to go to spin class Friday morning (well it is at like 6.30am!) I was going to run Saturday, but didn't....see a pattern here??

So Sunday morning came, 6 miles planned for today with running group, and I had a lift....how was I going to get out of this one?!! Then, 20 minutes before I was due to be picked up, my running friend texted to say she couldn't make it, this could be my perfect excuse, I didn't have to go, hooray!! But just as I crawled back into bed and picked up my phone to say I didn't want a lift, I remembered how hard I had worked to get this far, and had that feeling of "I'm not throwing that away!!"

So I got myself ready and went. We had the option of 3.4 or going around twice to make it 6.8. As I still felt a bit sick from Saturday's mountain of food I opted for the shorter route again, getting this far was an achievement in itself! As we set off I felt really good, and after a mile or so I noticed that I was keeping up with the others, something can't be right!! It wasn't, I had, as usual gone off too fast so I hit a nice big brick wall making the last mile especially difficult.

The sense of achievement after finishing these runs makes me realise why I put myself through it! I have such good support within the running group it reminds me that I'm not alone when I have these down weeks and rather than staying away and getting in a "grump" as I call it, I need to be getting out there.  If I have learnt anything over the last few months it is that these people aren't just people that I run with a few times a week, they are my friends, and good friends,that I am proud to have.

Training update

Ok so after running the Great Birmingham Run you'd think that 10k would be easy wouldn't you?

Well, it's not. It's hard.

On Tuesday, with the help of one of the fab leaders at running group I put together a four week training plan for the Kingsbury 10k at the end of this month. On paper it looks easy, after my first week I can confirm it is not!

I have never run a 10k race before. Maybe a bit strange as I have finished 3 half marathons, but I have always stayed away from 10k because of the competitiveness of them. If you complete a 10k, the first question asked is "what time did you do?" If you complete a Half Marathon, you're asked "wow, how was it??" I'm a bit of a slowy and my 1hour 10mins is hardly likely to impress anybody now is it?! So, after working hard through the summer on my pace I decided to get one of those 10k's under my belt.

A couple of weeks ago, I took myself off to my local 5k parkrun, something that I hadn't done since May. I stunned myself to take just short of 3 minutes off my PB and get 33.28. Now, I know that's quite a slow time, and you shouldn't make excuses, but our local parkrun has a RIDICULOUS hill at 1mile! I don't know about anybody else but I usually spend the first mile trying to get into a comfortable pace and work out my breathing, so hitting THAT hill it this point hurts like hell! My 5k PB on a flatter course is now 31.28. Feeling confident with this improvement, I entered this 10k.....grrrrr.

Right so, back to the training!

Tuesday night - 3 mile fast run. It felt fast (for me), but unfortunately at 33 minutes it was not. I was gutted as I felt that I was working really hard. I did however enjoy it, at the time, and thats the main reason we do it isn't it?!

Thursday night - 20 minutes out and back. I found this really tough! we ran from Leamington back to Warwick, towards my house - 1.8miles exactly. I was expecting that with my 11 minute mile pace I wouldn't quite get there, so I felt like I was flying when I ran past my house and had still not heard that whistle. When the whistle went, I realised I had to run back, and faster.....ouch! I got back to Leamington literally with a second to spare.

Friday Morning - Cross train, Spin. Everyone that does spin knows that they are hard work. At 6.30am, it really is something else! So after the class when the instructor told us he had made it harder, I didn't know whether to hug him or hit him! I did neither!

Sunday morning - 6 miler. Really pleased with this run, along the canal, through woodland then round the golf course. Great for a Sunday morning! I ran with running group so we had a nice chatty run, and finished in 67minutes - Happy Loz!

I'm still not sure how this 10k is going to go, let you know when I've got the medal! When this is completed, it's all systems go to get ready for London, I'm nearly crying at the thought!

Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon Race Report

So, after months of training Sunday 23rd October came around pretty quickly! My lovely sister Helen had agreed to run with me and keep me going and I had arranged for my friends and family to be at certain points around the course with jelly babies/drinks etc. Very organised you might think? Well, it certainly came back to bite me in the bum later on in the race!

The atmosphere before the race started was electric and it was incredibly well organised making it easy for the runners to get to where they need to be. As we were waiting with the rest of our 'wave' the nerves started to kick in and I was at that point, ready to go home! Luckily for me.....I didn't.

As the race started it was evidence straight away why I wanted to do it in the first place. The support was incredible and with the first 2 miles being downhill, I was able to bank some minutes, something which I knew I needed to do. At 3 miles, a great surprise as we saw our Mom and our Step dad Andy standing and cheering us on, this was NOT part of the very well organised plan that I had mentioned earlier!! As we kept going the atmosphere just got better and better, live bands out in the street and everyone out of their houses banging on saucepans or anything else that they could find!

At 6 miles I was bang on 12 minute mile pace, and felt really comfortable. The jelly babies from my friends at 5 miles and sports drinks were keeping me going......for now! As we ran into Cannon Hill Park (8 miles) Mom was there again giving us a big cheer, and more jelly babies, big mistake! Through to 10 miles (past the big female raving Vicar, I kid you not!) and I started to feel sick, and knew straight away I'd had too much sugar, oops! I hit 10 miles at 2 hours so I was on for a respectable time, but around the corner was a big fat hill, not good.

There was no way that I could run it, so we power walked our way to the top, grabbed some water to flush out some of that sugar and carried on running past 11 miles to where we saw Dad, our Step mom Lesley and Brother Matt. I think I was close to crying at this point, and it wasn't long before I started retching....not a good look! I was getting increasingly frustrated with myself so Helen told me to calm down and have a strong word with myself, which I did! We walked to 12 miles and then ran the last mile and down Broad Street where there were so many people shouting and cheering the runners on. I came over the line at 2h48mins although I'm taking a couple of minutes off that for a quick toilet stop at 9 miles!!

I will definately run this race again, and after being so impressed with the organisation and support will try out some more of the 'Great Run' series next year. So what did I learn from the race? As much as you dislike water, drink it, not sports drinks and not as many jelly babies! I know from training that I have run further and not had as many problems, or maybe that hill was really just THAT BAD!