My first attempts at running were half-hearted (and short lived). I started out with NHS couch to 5k in April 2014 (for some reason I had a random urge to try running) and gave up within a week. I found the run-walk combo hard (not to mention the fact that my lifetime mantra had been "I can't run"). Fast forward a couple of months and my then 10-year-old son (Jamie) and I had entered our local Race for Life. We were planning on walking - all the way up until they separated people into runners, joggers and walkers, when Jamie decided he wanted to try jogging. So we joined the joggers and walk-ran the course. The little swine raced off with 50m to go and "beat" me, but we finished in about 38 minutes - my first 5k (and his). The next day I was in AGONY with DOMS, my quads were on fire, but I also felt fabulous. I continued running on and off for the rest of the summer until I picked up an injury (ok, two inuries - plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis). I could barely walk, let alone run. In 2015, I don't think I really ran much, although I was cycling quite a lot and had joined the gym over the winter. I didn't have much time to exercise as my husband and I were busy starting our own business. That was my excuse. That, and running was hard work! Anyway, I digress. I ran on and off during 2015-2016, including a couple of events and my first 10k. Then last year, I entered my first half marathon (Reading) - something I thought I'd never be capable of. In fact, the previous year I'd been out running a strained 2 miles when I saw people walking home from RHM and thought to myself "I could never do that"... An injury 5 weeks before the big day (ankle thing, ran on it as a niggle then couldn't walk - lesson learned) left me frustrated and that's when I took up yoga (highly recommended, but that's a different post). Nonetheless, I completed it in 2:10:56 and (foolishly) entered a marathon whilst on an endorphin high. 2017 also saw me entering my first 24 hour event (Cotswold 24) which I think may be the most awesome thing I've ever done, despite how difficult it was. The marathon...well I completed it (see earlier blog post), but I'm still in my "never again" frame of mind almost 4 months later). Do I love running? Sometimes. Do I always want to go out when it's a "run day"? No. Do I always go out when it's a "run day"? Usually. What motivates me to run when I don't feel like it? Me. There were definitely (often long) periods of time since my couch-5k days when I didn't run for days, weeks or months. Of course it niggled in the back of my mind, but I didn't do it and as a result, I couldn't eat as much (which has to be a great reason for running, right?), felt more sluggish and had less muscle and more fat. So what is it that makes me head out regularly now? 3-4 times per week, whatever the weather? Me... And the fact that I want to be fit and healthy for my family. And because, well, I like cake! If I don't do this for myself, nobody will do it for me, will they? And if I want to feel better and be happy with what I see in the mirror (that's a whole other post), then I have to get off my butt and do something, even if it's windy, raining or snowing (common weather themes this winter in the UK). Last Wednesday, I didn't feel like running. So I thought "how can I do something worthwhile that will be over as quickly as possible?" I ran a mile around the block as fast as I could. 8 minutes 41 seconds I think. It hurt a bit, but I'd run. Job done. So next time you're lacking motivation (not even just for running), remember who you're doing it for. And that nobody can do it for you except...you. What motivates you?
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It's been seriously ages since I've blogged. A lot has happened. I did the pacing event and finished in 32:09, so not quite as accurate as I was hoping for but not too bad. I think I've only managed one ParkRun since then, but hoping to get back to that soon. But more than that The Marathon has finally been and gone. I did it. It was bloody hard, but I did it. And ever since I've been wondering...why would anyone do a second (or more) marathon?! |
So now I'm onto "pastures new" as it were.
I have 2 events booked in to my diary for next year. The first is Reading Half Marathon (18th March) and the second is Endure 24 in June, which coincides with my birthday (almost). I am teaming up with my lovely husband, Dave. A non-runner, but willing to take part and spend the weekend in a tent with me and try at least one lap (as per the rules). We have completed the Shine Walk together twice now, so I know he's good to his word.
Other than that, I am looking into some local sprint duo- and tri- events and upping my speed work and cross training. It's been great to get back into some stuff other than running and not to feel pressured by a "big event" on the horizon.
I've also be addressing my general wellness and eating habits - more on that in my next blog :)
I have 2 events booked in to my diary for next year. The first is Reading Half Marathon (18th March) and the second is Endure 24 in June, which coincides with my birthday (almost). I am teaming up with my lovely husband, Dave. A non-runner, but willing to take part and spend the weekend in a tent with me and try at least one lap (as per the rules). We have completed the Shine Walk together twice now, so I know he's good to his word.
Other than that, I am looking into some local sprint duo- and tri- events and upping my speed work and cross training. It's been great to get back into some stuff other than running and not to feel pressured by a "big event" on the horizon.
I've also be addressing my general wellness and eating habits - more on that in my next blog :)
I think I was really lucky to come home from the Cotswold 24 with no blisters or major damage (bruised toenail probably doesn't count!), but I think I underestimated how much it affected me physically as it's taken these 3 weeks for me to be able to run longer distances again.
I must admit I was starting to get a little worried, but faith has been restored with a couple of good interval sessions in the week (which have actually proved to me that I can run fast when I push myself a little), a 5 mile run yesterday then 13.1 miles today. This also brought my total weekly mileage up above my previous efforts (except the week of the Cotswold 24), which makes me feel a lot better.
The balls of my feet are sore and I'm quite tired, but still able to function (I even mowed the lawn!).
I've also managed to maintain my running streak (which I'm enjoying most days), and have managed to reach day 81 today!
I'm planning to increase my long run to 15 miles next Sunday, followed by 17 the week after. I am having to juggle the long runs a little as I am (possibly stupidly) doing the Shine Walk two weeks before the RFL marathon.
That's all for now - I'm off to give my feet a well deserved "volcanic foot mask" and moisturise!
I must admit I was starting to get a little worried, but faith has been restored with a couple of good interval sessions in the week (which have actually proved to me that I can run fast when I push myself a little), a 5 mile run yesterday then 13.1 miles today. This also brought my total weekly mileage up above my previous efforts (except the week of the Cotswold 24), which makes me feel a lot better.
The balls of my feet are sore and I'm quite tired, but still able to function (I even mowed the lawn!).
I've also managed to maintain my running streak (which I'm enjoying most days), and have managed to reach day 81 today!
I'm planning to increase my long run to 15 miles next Sunday, followed by 17 the week after. I am having to juggle the long runs a little as I am (possibly stupidly) doing the Shine Walk two weeks before the RFL marathon.
That's all for now - I'm off to give my feet a well deserved "volcanic foot mask" and moisturise!
Well, OK, canal, but it didn't have quite the same ring to it!
I'm now on day 52 of my running streak, which I wasn't quite expecting. I've been suffering a bit lately due to the heat and being tired from early mornings/life etc, so a lot of my runs have been quite short, leaving me feeling a bit concerned about being in shape for the marathon.
Last weekend I did my long run along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath (once I'd run to it, which is about 3 miles from home). This week, I thought I'd see how Lexie would handle a run-walk-run down there, but decided to drive down instead so that we could just run and enjoy the scenery.
I did have some concerns about how far she'd manage, so I set off with very few expectations (and a backpack full of supplies!). Turns out I needn't have worried. We settled into a rhythm of run 0.5 miles, walk 0.25 miles which seemed to suit us both pretty well. We stopped every couple of miles for water, and Lexie seemed to totally love it, even having the energy to hop into the back of the car at the end after 9 miles!
It was blissfully cool and even drizzled for some of the time which was really nice.
I stupidly didn't take any photos whilst we were out, but here's one of Lexie zonked out on the bath mat when we got home!
I'll be honest, when I decided to start my running streak, I wasn't sure if it would suit me or where it would take me (metaphorically), but so far I am loving it. Having picked up injuries in the past, I am very conscious that if I start getting any niggles it will have to stop, but so far so good.
I have found a nice little loop (around 1.25 miles, as you can see) that I have done on my 3 "rest" days, meaning I don't have to plan a route, I just go. I am not planning to extend these runs at all.
I have also started running in the mornings again, which used to be my "time" before Will started at college (meaning I now have a school run at 7.45am). I realised that for most of my weekday runs, I can fit them in either by making sure I don't hit snooze at 6 or by setting my alarm a little earlier.
Morning exercise suits me really well (sets me up for the day), and some days I've been doing yoga directly after the school run which means I don't have "when am I going to fit my exercise in" on my mind all day. Also with the warmer weather coming it means I don't have to run in the heat, which I hate.
Of course, since it's half term this week, that's irrelevant!
I've also made a minor adjustment to my long run plan, adding 1.2 miles per week rather than the 1/16th of a marathon that I had planned on. Subject to further adjustments in the future, of course!
I ran pyramid intervals this morning (Power Up 2012 from Audio Fuel), which went pretty well (3.29 miles in 30 minutes including warm up and cool down). I was remembering as I did it when I couldn't finish the session or I had to walk between the intervals rather than jogging. It does feel good to improve.
I have found a nice little loop (around 1.25 miles, as you can see) that I have done on my 3 "rest" days, meaning I don't have to plan a route, I just go. I am not planning to extend these runs at all.
I have also started running in the mornings again, which used to be my "time" before Will started at college (meaning I now have a school run at 7.45am). I realised that for most of my weekday runs, I can fit them in either by making sure I don't hit snooze at 6 or by setting my alarm a little earlier.
Morning exercise suits me really well (sets me up for the day), and some days I've been doing yoga directly after the school run which means I don't have "when am I going to fit my exercise in" on my mind all day. Also with the warmer weather coming it means I don't have to run in the heat, which I hate.
Of course, since it's half term this week, that's irrelevant!
I've also made a minor adjustment to my long run plan, adding 1.2 miles per week rather than the 1/16th of a marathon that I had planned on. Subject to further adjustments in the future, of course!
I ran pyramid intervals this morning (Power Up 2012 from Audio Fuel), which went pretty well (3.29 miles in 30 minutes including warm up and cool down). I was remembering as I did it when I couldn't finish the session or I had to walk between the intervals rather than jogging. It does feel good to improve.
So I started thinking about the fact that I've signed up for a marathon later in the year. Not saying that the idea fills me with dread but...well...after the Shine Walk last year, I did say to Dave "I'll never attempt to run a marathon" - famous last words!!
I did some googling of walk-run techniques and stumbled on Jeff Galloway's Run-Walk-Run method. This basically suggests that you can actually travel faster overall if you take timed intervals of running and walking. The walking intervals give the body a chance to recover from the stress of running, and it keeps your core body temperature down.
Using his guidelines, I decided on 3 minute run:1 minute walk intervals based on a running pace of 10 minute miles (which was my half marathon pace).
I took a route that I'd run on Tuesday (4.7 miles). Here are the results:
I did some googling of walk-run techniques and stumbled on Jeff Galloway's Run-Walk-Run method. This basically suggests that you can actually travel faster overall if you take timed intervals of running and walking. The walking intervals give the body a chance to recover from the stress of running, and it keeps your core body temperature down.
Using his guidelines, I decided on 3 minute run:1 minute walk intervals based on a running pace of 10 minute miles (which was my half marathon pace).
I took a route that I'd run on Tuesday (4.7 miles). Here are the results:
I was honestly staggered when I looked at the stats.
Even considering that I obviously took off at a faster pace today, that only accounts for 1 minute. This is definitely a technique I will be continuing for longer runs going forward, and I may look at 4 minute run intervals to try to increase my overall pace.
Even considering that I obviously took off at a faster pace today, that only accounts for 1 minute. This is definitely a technique I will be continuing for longer runs going forward, and I may look at 4 minute run intervals to try to increase my overall pace.
This morning I took part in my second ever parkrun.
My first was 2 weeks ago in mild ice then last week it was totally freezing and there was no way I was going to slip again and murder my poor coccyx as I did a few weeks ago.
So today was a balmy (!!!) 6 degrees above freezing, the mildest morning for weeks.
I set out without a particular plan aside from doing the run - I have an 8 mile training run for Reading Half Marathon tomorrow, so I didn't want to do anything too ambitious. Without meaning to, I managed to run the best 5k time I've managed in many, many months.
My first was 2 weeks ago in mild ice then last week it was totally freezing and there was no way I was going to slip again and murder my poor coccyx as I did a few weeks ago.
So today was a balmy (!!!) 6 degrees above freezing, the mildest morning for weeks.
I set out without a particular plan aside from doing the run - I have an 8 mile training run for Reading Half Marathon tomorrow, so I didn't want to do anything too ambitious. Without meaning to, I managed to run the best 5k time I've managed in many, many months.
So hopefully this won't have killed me for tomorrow - I did push myself and it was hard going, but a few weeks ago 11:30 miles were hard going!
Yesterday I entered myself for the Race for Life Marathon on 8th October.
I may actually be insane.
That said, as my fitness improves, so does my overall sense of wellbeing.
I've set up a JustGiving page to fundraise for Meningitis Now, a charity close to my heart.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Marathon-for-Archie
Distance: 5k
Time: 29:09
Average pace: 9:26
Fastest mile: 8:56
Type of run: Threshold
Cardio fitness score: 40
Yesterday I entered myself for the Race for Life Marathon on 8th October.
I may actually be insane.
That said, as my fitness improves, so does my overall sense of wellbeing.
I've set up a JustGiving page to fundraise for Meningitis Now, a charity close to my heart.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Marathon-for-Archie
Distance: 5k
Time: 29:09
Average pace: 9:26
Fastest mile: 8:56
Type of run: Threshold
Cardio fitness score: 40
Author
Sophie
Runner & yogi.
Mum of 5.
Dog owner.
Business partner.
Home educator.
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