Running - Maria Runs

More sports awards!

But first, here is an important lesson. On Sunday I was up early for my run as our buyers were coming to measure up a few bits, and I didn’t want to wait until after. I had a lovely 6 mile run, but then when I got home I felt a bit rushed. I had put my fitbit (as usual) into the zipped pocket in my running tights, and usually I take it out straight away but I was in a bit of a hurry and just put them right into the washing basket. After our buyers left, I put on a wash, feeling very pleased with my efficiency. We headed out on a walk and it was part way around the walk that I had a horrible feeling- had I left it in my tights???

I had to wait for the washing to end, and yes, there it was. As I picked it up, the screen lit up, and I was able to scroll through the steps and distance (and I was amused to wonder how many “steps” a spin cycle earns you)- but then the battery ran out. No worries- I had not charged it for a week, so I plugged it in. And there is the lesson, because it would not charge! Whoops!

I made this cake to take around for Sunday tea- a red velvet cake (sort of chocolate) with cherry jam in the middle and cherry butter-cream on top. It was rather tasty.

I had this beautiful sunset on my drive home on Monday- it’s lighter so much later now!

Anyway, onto the post. On Tuesday I was off to the local Sports Awards with some of my running club- some of the committee members were going, and with my “runner of the year” hat on I was invited too, as was the runner up.

It was held in a local theatre, and even had a little buffet and drinks (apple juice for me- there was wine too though) before it started.

Our club was up for “Club of the Year”, and the leader was up for “Coach of the Year” too, so it was very exciting.

I did wonder what it would be like, but I really enjoyed it. They had a few videos (Sport Relief, an Olympic montage, This Girl Can), and they whizzed through each award very quickly (there were a lot of awards!). They had a question and answer session with Chris Ryan, the GB “murder ball” captain, which was really interesting. They also had an amazing video about a local swimming club who support disabled people. It was really inspiring. I loved seeing all of the school children get their awards, and finding out about local clubs (there is a women’s roller-skating club- not for me but what fun!), as well as a hub for disabled people (adults and children) to experience activities such as trampolining, sailing, cycling and other sports. Even though we didn’t win, of course it’s the taking part that counts, and it was a great reminder of all the fantastic work that is going on throughout the district from volunteers, schools and clubs. The local paper did a little write up here.

The council are also looking at holding a special event in October (10 days long) to encourage women and girls to become more active and involved in sports.

We spent a bit of time talking about the local parkrun that our club are sponsoring (in part)- it has a launch date now, which is very exciting! There are lots of great things coming up in the club now- a new runner’s graduation at parkrun in a few weeks, lots of people running and marshalling a local half, a few of them running the London marathon for charity (lots of charity fundraisers going on), a virtual race for the charity…I am very very glad I joined!

Another 50th parkrun!

But first, recovering! I heard a while back a rule of thumb is that you need 1 day to recover for every mile of hard race effort. Well, it was a hard race effort and this week I certainly felt it! On Monday I went out on a walk at lunch time as I sit down all day and didn’t want to get too stiff. After work I had a back massage which was just heavenly. I did plenty of foam rolling when I got home too as my legs were getting stiffer.

To ensure I am getting lots of liquid I have been enjoying these lovely fruity teas kindly sent to me from Pukka herbs. The Blackcurrant beauty is my favourite- I was never a Ribena fan but I really like blackcurrant in fruity teas- it seems to taste as nice as it smells which often fruity teas don’t. The Elderberry and Echinacea is good too and although I don’t think echinacea is proven to help with immunity, it can’t hurt. I think they would make lovely iced teas too, but it hasn’t been the weather for that at the moment!

On Tuesday I missed by club run as we were visiting Andy’s brand new baby niece! Very exciting! I made them a banana bread (banana’s are coming out of our ears at the moment so any suggestions welcome!) when I got home.

On Wednesday I went for a short run (about 2.5 miles), to loosen my legs a bit. It did help but I was slow! I did go on the fields which are still super boggy, so I had to walk some of it to avoid going in up to my ankles! I did get to see a gorgeous sunset, and it seems I ran at the right time as later on some of my local running pals were soaked in a storm.

On Thursday there was no Pump as the instructor was away, so I went for a run when I got home. This time I felt a bit better, and kept very impressive even pacing (10.24, 10.28, 10.24- I wasn’t aiming for that!). That felt far enough and I was pretty tired at the end.

Friday was a rest day- I met a friend after work at The Waffle House- a fab start to the weekend.

When I got home I was very excited to find a package from Tribesports! My personalised parkrun t-shirt! They sold out so quickly the first time around, and I happened to be online when they released the next batch so I didn’t hang about! You can have it plain, or add your home parkrun to the front.

(Taken in early morning light- the colour is really more like the top picture!)- the back is fab too with the parkrun design and all the super sponsors who help keep it free for everyone. They are the same cut as the milestone t’s, so I got a small which is very generous- I wore it over a long sleeved top today and it had plenty of room.

Anyway today I was off to parkrun! It was my Dad’s 50th run! I had emailed the team earlier in the week (once I had checked that Dad was coming) but when we got there they didn’t say his name. I gave him a clap anyway! We ran together which was really nice- my Dad is a lot faster than me so usually he heads off, but we chatted (and at times, he chatted to me while I focused on breathing!)- there was a flurry of snow at the start but thankfully it stopped and the weather was good. The course had dried up a lot and so even the muddier parts were so much easier to run on. We thanked the marshals on the way around, as usual (and I was taken by surprise when one of them called to me- it was one of the OH ladies but she was so bundled up I didn’t recognise her at first!), and enjoyed the scenery. I tried to push up the final hill and we even overtook someone (and someone else stormed past us)- Dad even let me cross the finish line first.

We even did a finish line selfie to commemorate the occasion!

Later on I had an email from the Panshanger team saying that the original RD had broken her arm so they needed a last minute replacement- they were very apologetic for missing the email but they asked for the photo and added my Dad to the run report from this week too.

I did some more foam rolling in my (un-festive) lounge pants, did a lot of work, before having a nice walk around town and doing some baking. A brilliant weekend so far! I am not sure how far to run tomorrow- probably around 6 or 7 miles as I have another half (this one is “for fun”…..) in a couple of weeks so need to keep the longer miles if I can. I thought 6 or 7 this weekend, 9 or 10 the weekend after, and then the half. Hopefully that will be OK and my fitness for those distances won’t be lost that quickly.

Have you had a good week? Do you run or workout with anyone from your family? Are you close to any of the parkrun milestones?

*Pukka Herbs kindly sent me the teas. All opinions are my own.

Brighton half 2016- believing in myself

So for a long time now, years in fact, I have been working towards a sub 2 hour half marathon. The reason for this is stupid. I know it’s stupid. But I have still been wanting to achieve it. Back in 2008, when I started running, I bought this book after following a run/walk programme in Zest magazine:

(I still can’t flip images any more…)

I found it very useful in my beginner days- it had tips on what to wear, training plans, what to eat, race guides…. But one sentence stuck with me:

That sentence about how long a half marathon should take: “about 2 hours is respectable”. Now realistically reading that, it’s probably true. But I did my first (albeit hilly) half in 2.32. And yes I was near the back. So near in fact, that some of the marshals were packing away and I nearly missed the turning to the finish. But some people did it in 3 hours so I wasn’t really that close to the back.

Anyway, since then I have run 2.19, 2.27, 2.20, 2.12, 2.10, 2.16, 2.06, 2.42 (this was a trail one), 2.04, and 2.11. And do you know what? With my rational head on, I should be proud of every single half marathon. Running one is no mean feat, and from each one I have taken away something. But there has been a little voice in my mind about achieving a sub 2 hour half. I want to be a “respectable” runner. I like goals to aim towards- I managed a sub 30 minute 5k, and a sub 60 minute 10k, and then a sub 5 hour marathon, so the sub 2 hour half seemed similar, and the next goal to aim for.

So, with that in mind, I signed up to the Brighton half. I had already run it twice, so I knew the route- it’s lovely and fairly flat (apart from a gentle hill near the start, which you then get to run down), it has great crowd support, nice views of the sea for most of it, is easy to get to…

Because last year I felt so good running it, I tried to replicate some of my marathon training. I often struggle between miles 8-11, so I decided that adding in a few longer runs, and some over the distance, would help me get through those miles on race day.

We travelled down on Friday evening (listened to the Film Podcast on the train), and then the next morning went to Cafe Coho. I love it there, and was sad that the pancakes with nutella and banana was no longer on the menu, but this beauty was- pancakes with fruit compote and Greek yoghurt. It was delicious.

We had a lovely walk along to Hove.

It was gorgeous out there.

We went out to Food For Friends for dinner- this time we shared the tahini dips to start, and then I had a lovely salad with roasted sweet potato, hazelnuts and avocado.

Staying hydrated with a pear juice, strawberry and elderflower drink.

We had bought a slice of carrot cake from this amazing cake shop, and so shared that later whilst watching Trapped (take me back to Iceland!).

The next morning I had a clif bar and some water for breakfast, before getting dressed and walking down there. I had my flipbelt on with tissues and a pack of yo-yos (just in case) but no phone. Our hotel was close to the start, and Andy walked with me so I could hand him my jumper instead of using the bag drop. I was actually in the sub 2 hour pen, which made me feel very inadequate indeed, so I went right to the back. I had copied down the pacing I would need to achieve 1.59- (the Lucozade website only does minutes, not seconds, and I thought at least that way I have a bit of leeway). It was 9.05 per mile, but I was hoping to see a pacer. 9.05 per mile does sound fast to me, but I reasoned that I ran 10 miles at pretty much that pace back in November, and I have been increasing my long runs since then, so I was trying to be positive! The 2 hour pacer was in the pen behind me, so once they removed the tapes I walked to the start line and let the pacer go ahead so I could watch him.

The first mile was so congested. I have never felt so claustrophobic in a race before. My legs got clipped so many times (through no fault of anyone, it was just very busy) and at one point I tripped on some road paint (the thick lines I think) and just caught myself before I face-planted the floor. Not a good start! I suppose I should have realised that it would be busy, and of course if I had started further back it would have been clearer, but I wanted to see the pacer as I think that helps so much.

Anyway, the first mile (flat through the town) was bang on 9.05! It felt fast, but OK. The second mile heads back to the seafront, and we sped up then, doing 8.59! Someone said “maybe he is going fast in the first half so we can slow down in the second half”, but I think it was just because of it being so busy.

The route then heads up the coast, and I was glad that I knew the course because I was expecting it. I don’t find the hill too bad- it does go on for a fair way (until just past the 4 mile marker) but it’s fairly gentle. There was a point where it narrowed to about the width of two runners, as the fast runners were heading back down on the other side, and here we had to actually stop. The water station was congested too with people running across to grab a water- I had no idea where I should go to avoid it. I had only written down the times for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 13 miles, because I didn’t want to be looking at each mile, but also I could get a fair idea as it was so close to 9 minute mile pacing. Anyway, mile 3 was a 9.12, and when I checked my watch and post it note I was only behind by a few seconds which was fine with me because of the hill.

I was watching the other runners head down the hill and saw another 2 hour pacer on the other side- I had time to think to myself “they must have more than one” before I reached the traffic cone- yup, we were turning around and heading back down! Whoops!

On the downhill I tried to keep the pace going, and enjoyed looking out to sea too. It seemed more blustery here, but of course this was when the runners seemed to thin out a bit- no-one to act as a windbreaker!

Miles 5, 6 and 7 are downhill and back towards the start. I was on course at the 6 mile point, and could hear the winner being cheered home (around 1 hour 10 I would guess- some very speedy time anyway)- at least you can’t see the finish line as you run along the top road, and the finish is on the promenade below. Miles 6 and 7 were run in 8.57 and 8.49- I’m pleased with that speed at a parkrun so I was hoping my legs would last the course.

This is where it began to get tough. Mile 8 and 9 were OK (9.09/ 9.06), and I was pleased that my training had meant I still felt strong for these miles (too far from the end to be “just a parkrun to go”). There were loads of crowds cheering- especially as we were with the pacer lots of people were going “go on two hour runners” which was lovely. One lady shouted in my face at the top of her lungs “OH” (down to my Old Hatfield OH top)- it was funny but also a bit intimidating! I am sure she meant to be supportive as she was cheering all of the runner names and club vests- our OH is a bit weird if you don’t know what it stands for! At the 9 mile point I was still OK, but when I glanced at my watch a few times I was below the 9.05. I wished that I had also typed in 2 hours straight (it’s 9.09- I just looked) as that would have helped settle my nerves. I was getting warm too- I only had on tights and a vest, so I decided to have some water at the final station. It’s at the turnaround point past the Hove Lagoon, just before the 10 mile point. I had to stop to pick up a bottle, and then I had a few sips but that made my stomach ache, so I left the rest of it.

Here I lost the pacer group a bit- I could still see them but they were inching further away and I had no energy to sprint- I still had a parkrun to go! The final 3 miles are along the promenade, so I occupied myself with looking out to sea, thinking about the walk we had yesterday, thinking about the parkrun I ran along there last year, and a lot of counting up to 100. At the 10 mile point my watch said 1 hour 29 (which is my fastest 10 mile time, even though Strava thinks it’s my second fastest- possibly down to a mix up), so I knew I had 31 minutes to run a 5k= 10 minute mile pacing. Then I just had a battle in my mind:

Why not just slow down and enjoy it? You are meant to enjoy running after all? Why not stop and walk for a bit?

No! You have wanted a sub 2 hour for so long! The pacer is still in sight. You can run 10 minute miles. Keep going!

But if I slow down, I will still get a pb, just not a sub 2 hour time. I could still get a pb. My legs hurt a lot.

Come on- you have done the hardest part! You’ve kept up with the group the whole way up the hill, for the first 10 miles- you can do this final bit.

Those final miles were my slowest- 9.20, 9.18, 9.27, and even as I passed the 13 mile point I looked at my watch and looked at the finish gantry and that doubting voice crept in saying “you’ve missed it”- I actually said out loud to myself “No, you can do it- don’t give up”- hopefully no-one heard! I could see the time on the clock ticking closer to 2.05 (I think I crossed the start line at 5 minutes) so I gave it all I had for the final “sprint” (9.06 pace!) and was so elated as I crossed the line and saw 1.59.11 on my Garmin (but of course I had to wait for the chip time). I thanked the pacer as he was stopped right by the line- I really don’t think I would have kept going for the final 3 miles if I could not still have seen him and the group.

Then I felt a bit dizzy, so quickly got a foil blanket and drank some lucozade. Then it all got a bit stressful. I had arranged to meet Andy by the ferris wheel- he was going to bring me tea and my jumper. I hurried (as best I could) past the yoghurt raisins (no thanks), cereal bars (thanks, took one for later), carrier bag (it’s empty- well I guess it’s worth 5p!), water (take one for later), medal (hooray! I love my medal) and t-shirt (yes, finally a technical t-shirt from Brighton!!!!!) which I put on. I tried to get out of the finish area, but it was jammed, and the bit outside with spectators was only wide enough for 2 people, so in the end I went back through the medal area as I had seen an exit further down. I actually ended up running a bit here, as it had already been 20 minutes- I didn’t want Andy to worry but also we had to check out by 12! I finally met up with him half an hour after finishing- just due to the huge crowds. The tea was lukewarm but it was amazing!

We stopped for a quick photo, before heading back to the hotel. We got back at 11.45- I had to have a very quick shower and then spent a long time trying to dry my hair as much as I could. (In the end we checked out about 10 minutes late, which panics me but they were fine).

I then got a text through confirming my time- 1.59.09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still so amazed! I have finally achieved that time!

Brighton always make fab medals- this one with the pavilion on is great, and I love the silver with a hint of pink. I wore it all the way home!

I love the t-shirt too!

I have lost count of the number of races I have completed in Brighton- and this is my first technical top! (I do have a cotton one from the marathon which is being kept for posterity).

Andy had also bought me a cinnamon roll, so as we checked out, I started to eat it and realised I was rather hungry, as there were no bananas at the finish and I didn’t fancy the cereal bar- then we were in such a rush I forgot. Not good!

Anyway, after that I felt a bit more humane, so we walked around Brighton and ended up going to Bill’s for lunch. I was soooooo tempted by a new item on their brunch menu (peanut butter and banana French toast- I think it was designed for me) but knew that more sugar would not be a good thing (right away…)- instead I had a lovely salad with lentils, roasted squash and goats cheese. Better re-fuelling I think.

We bought another slice of cake (this was mint and lime) to take home, got a chai latte from Bluebirds, and then got the train home. I thought I would nod off but I was so excited still, plus a few of the OH ladies had been running the Cambridge half and the Gade Valley 17 so I was checking on our facebook group to see how everyone got on.

Are you impressed with my cake slicing skills? I managed to slice it properly in half! After soup and sourdough for dinner we shared the cake- it was delicious!

So the moral of the story? Believe in yourself. Not like a “if you can dream it you can do it” kind of way, because I often dream that I can fly. Like a bird. Frequently. But believe in what you are capable of.

And also sometimes not being able to walk properly the next day is very worth it! That time is mine forever!

Long run recovering

Last weekend was a good one, with parkrun and a long run (two of my favourite weekend activities). My dad picked me up for parkrun and we had a good catch up. He had been to a London one (I forget which one) last Saturday and he had enjoyed being a parkrun tourist (he has done a few before) so we were talking about maybe once a month or so visiting a different one closer to home.

He ran on ahead, and I was pleased with my time as the conditions were fairly tough, as it was quite muddy, especially in the final km which made it harder. Anyway, I looked at my token number (118)- I don’t always. I scanned it (it beeped), and then saw a few people I knew so had a little chat before we headed home. My parents had invited us over for brunch, so after a shower we headed over for pancakes (I do love my mum’s pancakes). Later my dad got his laptop out and looked at the results- my number was down as “unknown”. I emailed the people later, asking them nicely to add me to the results (and offering to send in my Strava if they needed proof- although later I was tagged by one of the run directors in a photo)- they replied really quickly and said they had updated them. But even when I checked today, I’m not on there. It was meant to be number 61, and I do understand the whole no-barcode-no-time, but I did have my barcode, and I did scan it. Anyway, I sent them another email today, saying sorry to be a pain but…, and also offering to be a marshal in a few weeks. I am hoping that one of them sees it and adds me. Otherwise did it really happen? I don’t want to be a pain as I know they are all volunteers, but at the same time I really like my page to have all my runs on there…Edited to add- they added me on Saturday morning- I got the email and everything. Thanks lovely RD team!

On Sunday I wanted to do around 11 miles, but everyone else in the club was doing shorter ones, so I decided to run to and from the meeting place, as that would add on around 3 miles. We did a new route which was fairly nice (and flatter than our usual 8 mile loop). With running there and back I managed 11.7 miles, and although I felt very thirsty when I got back (it was so mild) I felt pretty good. It has helped me to decide what to pack for Sunday too- I wore my vest and I was fine so I know I will be fine in a vest once I get going this weekend too (Brighton half).

My new favourite post-run food- slices of oranges. Which is lucky as the weekly Abel and Cole fruit box contains a huge bag! They are so refreshing. After a shower, tea and muesli I put on my festive lounge pants (which are different to pyjamas!) and my heat holder socks and ended up falling asleep listening to podcasts.

(My normal checked ones were in the wash!). I did a lot of foam rolling too

On Monday I was fine in the morning but by the afternoon one leg (sort of up to my lower back) was really sore- we had a walk in the evening and I did some more foam rolling to try and help it. Not sure what caused it- we do normally have a walk on Sunday after a long run but we didn’t have time so I suppose I sat down a lot more than I would usually. I put some of the herbal deep heat on before I went to sleep and that seemed to help a lot.

I was a bit worried and thought I might have to give my Tuesday evening run a miss, but by the morning I was fine so I went along for a nice 5 mile catch up run.

On Wednesday I got home planning a run, but I was shattered (work was just so busy and I had been doing work until 10pm on Tuesday after my run) and we needed to walk up to the shops, so I opted for the walk instead. I went to Pump on Thursday and was careful to not go too heavy on the squats or back, but again my leg felt fine so fingers crossed. Those lunges are never easy though!

Now I need to go and pack for our weekend in Brighton- wish me luck for Sunday!

Slices oranges yes or no?

Anyone else still wearing festive gear? I did buy a woolly reindeer hat last week (for £2.40!) but I feel that is a bit too much!

Happy half term!

Sometimes we book a little trip away for one of the half term weekends, but with house hunting at the top of our list right now, we didn’t. Although that is easier said than done, as most places around here host open houses, and even if you phone up on the day the house gets listed, often the slots are already full. It’s stressful!

Anyway, this week has been half term, and it has been just what I needed.

Saturday was house viewing after house viewing, a walk into town, some baking, some movie-watching. Sunday was a long run, recovering from the run and seeing family.

On Monday I went over to a friends house where a group of us met up. It was lovely and relaxed and great to catch up.

As two of my friends can’t eat gluten I had made this orange and almond cake which was really tasty. On my way home I popped in to see my mum, before coming home and having a walk with Andy.

On Tuesday I was meeting some friends for breakfast at The Waffle House. Last week I had a problem with the tyre pressure light on my car coming on, and due to parents evening it meant I could not get to the garage until Friday. They checked, and thought it was down to cold weather (it does keep on coming on when it’s cold), but the light came back on again on Monday. So before meeting them I went to the garage- it turned out there was a screw in my tyre, but luckily they could patch it up. I then had a lovely breakfast waffle topped with chocolate sauce, banana and hazelnuts, and had a good catch up with those friends. Then I had to rush home as we had an appointment with the solicitor in the afternoon. Luckily that didn’t take too long, and after a little lunch I made the most of being home in the daytime for an afternoon run in the sunshine. I went to the fields, and really should have worn my trail shoes. Some of the paths were covered in some sort of fine gravel, and my shoes got so heavy as they just picked up the earth.

Hard to see but there was a good cm of mud attached!

I even braved the cow field! I was going to turn back as I saw all the cows very close to the path (the path is along the right of the photo) but some people walking their dog (not on a lead, I might add, even though there are signs on all the gates asking for dogs to be kept on leads in grazing areas…..) and so I decided that if the cows were not spooked by the dog they would be OK with me. I did run through it very quickly!

Once home I had to log on to the computer, because for months now we have been wanting to sign up for the inaugural Disneyland Paris half marathon. The US Disney races always look good fun, and have the most amazing medals, but they never fit with school holidays, so they have never been an option. As soon as the date was confirmed we booked a (cancel-able) hotel nearby, and Eurostar tickets back. You could sign up ages ago if you booked it as part of a package, but the Disney hotels are crazily expensive, plus you only got one race entry per room so it was no good for us anyway. The date to book just a race entry was also put back once (the cynic in my says they are hoping to sell as many package deals as possible to US runners), but it was finally changed to Tuesday at 4pm (because that is the morning in the US).

After a bit of frantic refreshing we both managed to book a place for the half, and then went on and quickly booked flights out for the Friday night! It’s going to be brilliant!

After my shower I did my first bit of school work for the half term- it felt great to have a few days break from all of that.

On Wednesday I was meeting another friend for a Starbucks meet- it has become a bit of a tradition for us to have a cinnamon roll when we meet up, so I had a bit of fruit for breakfast (as we weren’t meeting until half 10) and then we spent about 3 hours catching up! This break has been so needed!

I had to get a few bits in the shops, came home and had a late lunch, caught up on some more work and then headed out on a walk across the fields. It was raining a bit, and it was very cold, but I was well wrapped up, and enjoyed my fresh air fix.

On Thursday morning I went out for a run before breakfast. I would usually run on a Wednesday evening, but it was raining and cold so I left it until the morning.

I ran through the fields to a park (just under 2 miles away) and then ran up and down this hill- it’s short but pretty steep- I aimed to do 10 times, but lost count, did one “for luck”, and when I got home and counted the bumps on Strava it turned out I had done 12.

The sun was coming out and I was treated to some lovely views.

I was being watched by some geese too (luckily the nice ones).

All in all I did 5 miles- a good start to the day. After getting on with work, I had a walk in the afternoon and then baked some banana bread. I had booked on to pump, but they gym rang to say the class had been cancelled, so we had an evening in.

Today I briefly considered a run, but as I am going to parkrun tomorrow (for the first time in what feels like ages!) and doing a longer run on Sunday, I decided to have it off.

I know it’s very British to talk about the weather, but it has been pretty good this week, and although we have had some frosty starts, the days have been mostly sunny (and the wind has at least died down- it’s never fun getting my car out fro the garage in the wind as it blows the door back down)- spring might even be on the way!

Have you had a good week? Have you ever raced abroad?

Also, I just signed up to a free trial of Strava premium- if anyone already has it- what do you do on there and do you think it’s any good?