Maria Runs

Hey peeps, I hope you are all doing well. I have been away for a couple of days- once I have some photos I shall do a little recap (probably….) but for now I have some pondering for you.

If you don’t run, why don’t you give running a try?

About to take on the Great North Run. This was after I had to have a break from running as I was awaiting an operation, so re-started the run/walk programme in about May, and did the half marathon in September.

I think this post might turn out to be a little evangelical, but I really do think you should give it a go. Now, if you have not been reading my blog for long, or in fact if you read it from the start, you might not realise that I have not always loved running.

When I was at school I liked being active- I liked cycling and I liked playing hockey, but most sports were not my thing, and for sports day I was usually given whatever was left. I cycled when I was at uni too (I didn’t learn to drive until my final year) and kept active, but didn’t think I was built for running.

After I had been working for a few years (way back in 2008) one of the teachers mentioned that she was doing a local Race for Life and wanted to get a school team going. I had not even heard of them, but she was going to walk it and so I signed up. Whilst walking the course I felt very inspired to see so many people of all shapes, ages and sizes running the 5K course, and really felt like I should have been able to run it.

The following year I signed up to my local one, but didn’t tell anyone for ages. I looked on the internet for training guides but they were all so complicated (run 1 min, walk 90 seconds, run 3 mins, walk 45 seconds etc)- no way could I remember that! Then I found in a magazine the most simple run/walk programme ever. I cannot remember what it was from, possible Zest magazine, but it was super easy to remember what to do, so I started following it, using the clock on my phone to time each section. It was also easy as you did each run 3 times in a week, so it was more of a routine. What I do remember is that I didn’t have any special running kit (apart from a sports bra)- I had old skechers trainers, some old khaki capri combat trouser things, and just old cotton t-shirts. At least now there are plenty of websites (including Millet Sports) who can provide affordable exercise gear.

I still remember each week thinking that I would never manage the first run, finding the second run OK as I knew I could do it, and then on the third run wondering how I would manage the step up next week. In case you are interested I will put it at the bottom of the post.

I honestly thought that I would train, run the race, and then stop running. I did manage to run it (it was my first time of running non stop too, as in my training I had a walk break after 15 minutes), but at some point I realised that I actually enjoyed it. I think partly I enjoyed achieving something that I didn’t think was possible, but I also love being outside in the fresh air, and found it rather therapeutic to be outside just running.

It was a year later that I signed up to a “proper” race, a local 10K- again I kept it a secret in case I didn’t manage it, but I did, and then I was well and truly bitten by the running bug. I really wish I had my blog back then, but I didn’t start it until 2010 when I was running regularly and had run a half marathon.

In 2011 I ran a marathon, and crossing that finish line was such an amazing moment, and such a proud achievement for me. But really it is up there with my first 5K, because I didn’t believe that I could do either of them, but for both of them I followed a plan, and did them slowly (I am a tortoise and not a hare), but I finished them, and proved the doubting section of my mind wrong. Of course when you look at them side by side, a marathon is much harder than a 5K, but my journey for achieving both was similar, and I think it has given me confidence in other areas of my life because I have achieved things that I didn’t think were possible.

I suppose my point to you is that I am not a natural runner, but I run, and I love it, and through running I have met wonderful people and had wonderful experiences. Also you never know unless you try. I really didn’t think I could run a 5k, and now running is just a part of me. When I was not allowed to run a few years ago, I was really fed up, and so I want to make the most of it now. I see senior people running races and I just think it is amazing, and I hope that I can continue to run for years and years to come.

So, if you run, when did you start and why?

If you don’t run, have I tempted you at all? Or if not, what would you be evangelical about? 

*Collaborative Post

In case I have tempted you the plan I followed was this:

Each week do 3 runs.
Week 1 Run for 1 min, walk for 90 seconds 8 times = 20 minutes
Week 2 Run for 2 minutes, walk for 90 seconds 7 times = 24.5 minutes
Week 3 Run for 3 minutes, walk for 90 seconds 6 times = 27 minutes
Week 4 Run for 5 minutes, walk for 90 seconds 4 times = 26 minutes
Week 5 Run for 5 minutes, walk for 1 minute 4 times = 24 minutes
Week 6 Run for 8 minutes, walk for 90 seconds 3 times = 28.5 minutes
Week 7 Run for 10 minutes, walk for 1 minute 3 times = 33 minutes
Week 8 Run for 15 minutes, walk for 1 minute 2 times = 23 minutes
Now you are ready to run a 5k race!!!

Oh my word! Those are tough!

Last week (I am so behind with blogging!) Sweatshop were doing hill repeats. I only just got there in time as I left work a bit later than usual, so had to run there a bit faster than usual. Then of course I was filled with joy at the prospect of running up the hill not once, but 6 times.

We jogged gently there, and then were told to run as hard as we could up the hill, then to jog gently back down as the recovery, and repeat.

We do have a route that takes in this hill, but of course we normally only run it once, so 6 times involved a mental battle too.

At first it was OK, but nearing the top the lactic acid builds, the energy disappears from my legs and it just feels so tough. Then running slowly down the hill seemed alien- normally I would try to pick up my pace on the down hill to make up for running slower up it, so I kept having to purposefully slow down.

After 4 goes I was not sure I would finish, but seeing the determined faces of the rest of the group helped to spur me on. It was good doing something where we were all together, although a couple of the speedy ones were finished before my 5th one I think!

After we had all finished we jogged slowly back to the shop- a couple of people managed a sprint finish to the shop, but I didn’t have the energy in my legs for that- it was all left on the hill!

Again, like the speed training, it is something that I would not do on my own- I said to my brother as we jogged back that if I did that by myself I would probably only manage 3 before I gave up- in my head I was thinking “I have had a busy day, I should just take it easy on the run tonight” etc, whereas in fact it was great to properly tire myself out.

Also, my Garmin elevation map had 6 perfect camel humps in the middle- love it!

I had a delicious pot of Booja Booja chocolate “ice-cream” (made with cashews)- this stuff is gorgeous and a perfect way to cool down!

Are you a fan of hills? I don’t mind them in races (so long as they are not too crazy) as I feel I can go up them at a steady pace and then recover and speed up on the downhills.

Now as you may well know, I am not the most fashion conscious person out there. I do like to buy new clothes, but I think I have found styles that suit me, and I don’t tend to try the latest fads.

I was recently made aware of an article that criticised Katherine Jenkins for wearing make-up while she ran a marathon. I mean, talk about ridiculous. (The full article is here, on the Daily Wail, but don’t feel that you have to give it page views). I don’t wear makeup, but I don’t ever wear it, and personally I would not want to wear it while working out as I hate the feeling of my skin being all covered and would imagine marscara would run all over my face. But, if you want to wear it then why not? I mean, I brush my hair before I work out as I have to tie it up- does that mean I am conceited or not putting in enough effort? No, it has absolutely no relevance. Some friends of mine have commented that they would not even go to the shops without makeup on and wish they had my confidence- I don’t think it is confidence really, but I think makeup on me looks sillier than my normal skin, plus I hate how it feels. But I don’t judge people who do wear makeup.

I do quite like to choose nice workout gear as I can end up spending a lot of time in it.

I have found that I like the following:

One- black bottoms. I do not want sweaty patches appearing!

Two- Loose fitting sweat-wicking tops. No cotton for me!

Three- Nice coloured other bits (eg jackets/ headbands)

Four- Comfortable clothing that does not move, chafe or generally slip about. I don’t want to be constantly pulling down tops or pulling up trousers.

The only thing is I chop and change between green, pink and blue accessories, so they don’t really match!

Now, I know you should not choose shoes on how they look (and I don’t) but I keep seeing gorgeous bright running trainers and getting tempted by them.

Sports Shoes have kindly sent me some fitness kit to help me look good while I work out

Seriously, how pretty are the shoes?

Love them! I have only worn them for walking so far but they are super comfy and really light. I don’t want to get them muddy, whereas usually with trainers I feel that they like to get muddy to show they are being used properly. These are too pretty for that!

They sent me some shoes, some long Nike workout trousers, and some Nike capris with a super pink waistband.

I love the long workout trousers, although as I am short they are slightly too long- they are now my official lounge pants (I have never had any before!)- they will also be good if /when I start doing yoga at home again.

The capris are fab- I prefer shorter bottoms as it doesn’t matter if they are cut a bit long. The waistband reminds me a bit of men’s underpants, but it does mean that when running they don’t fall down. I find that some with just elasticated waists can move about a bit, so I tend to go for ones with drawstrings so they can be tightened, but these stayed on my waist. Plus you can’t see the band underneath a t-shirt/ vest. Although the super shiny fabric (seriously, so shiny) meant that my little running belt kept slipping down. They also don’t have a pocket for my mp3 player. I do have pockets in some vests, so it would not be an issue, but I think I might keep these for pump anyway so it would not matter.

Although when I am running a race I tend to wear an old top as new ones get ruined by the safety pins- I know there is no point in trying to look my best for the race photos anyway!

Do you pay attention to clothes when you are working out? I must admit I have seen some rather funky leggings/ tights at pump recently, but I am sticking to my plain dark bottoms at the moment!

Would you/ do you wear make-up when working out (or just ever?)? I really don’t wear make-up at all. I wore mascara for Andy’s brother’s wedding at the weekend, and that was probably the first time in a couple of years, and I hated even that really. It is just not for me!

I was sent these in exchange for my review.