Last night I set my alarm for 5.30 to catch the 6.22 train to Gatwick Airport and from there to Luton. As the clocks were going forward I was so paranoid that somehow I would oversleep, I decided to change the time on my phone manually as I use the phone as a wake up alarm. So I set the time to an hour forward before going to bed. Lo and behold I woke at about 1:50 this morning (bedside alarm clock time, except the alarm bit does not work ) looked at my phone and it was 2:50 – excellent, it had done the ‘clock forward thing’ itself as well. I then tried to set it back to 1:50 but it was having none of it. In the end I had to set the time zone to West Africa to get it to 1:50 LOL! Good news is that I didnt oversleep and for once the trains behaved themselves and I arrived in Luton at 8.30. After a quick pick up of Lynda, the 3 of us set off in the lovely country side for our 18 mile run. The first few miles we came across a triathlon and had great fun cheering the runners on. There were quite a few hills, which we walked, but overall we had a great run, it was lovely to run among the quaint litle villages and in such good company!
Afterwards Carla treated me to a delicious pub lunch of eggs, chips and beans, which I all but inhaled! Then home to hers for a cup of tea in the sunshine, while the cuty Oliver-cat entertained us with his antics

Been a busy old week, had a great sports massage from Giselle on Thursday and yesterday Chris, Sean and I did the 250th Banstead Woods parkrun. Afterwards Sean and I drove to Bristol to pick Neil up for the Easter Holidays. I somehow managed to jam the front door lock of Neil’s student accommodation, and he had to climb out teh window in order to let us out!

Also the end of Jantastic, apart from the blip I had with my long run in the beginning of Feb, and being faster at 5k than I thought I could be, I managed 100% score, which gave me an overall total of 99

Have a good week all, in 3 weeks Brighton and Lochaber will be done (yay!) 4 weeks to London and 5 weeks to MK .. then what on earth will we do with all the extra time not spent running??

Must admit I am well chuffed this evening

I was really nervous about the Spitfire 20, having not run that far in a training run – ever! Up until we got started I was contemplating dropping out at 10 depending on how I was feeling. Met up with Jo, Steve, Lesley and her friend Sue, and Ian before the race. Steve and Lesley’s lovely mom and dad and her daughter Danni was there too to cheer us all on. I ran the first 10 miles with Lesley and Sue and it was wonderful, we had a real laugh.. I then set off for lap 2 on my own.. up to about 16 miles I was feeling ok, but then got to a few ‘undulations’ which may just as well have been mountains on my tired legs, and walked up all of them. I really had to dig deep for the last 3 miles, but thankfully got there in the end. My garmin time is 03:52, will wait for the official result. I am just so very pleased to have reached my Marchvellous target for this week..

Yesterday I volunteered at Banstead parkrun, it is quite amazing to see it from the ‘other side’ .. I was a (not very good) timekeeper, luckily my stopwatch was just for a backup Is really amazing how fast some of those runners are… Chris was doing his epic ‘run to parkrun ‘ – ‘do parkrun’ – ‘run home’ 18 miler. He still managed a sub 30 even on tired legs! On the way back it was really raining hard, I drove past him and decided to stop and check if he needed anything like extra water or gels, but he was fine, and still going really strong when I passed him again a bit later.

4 weeks to Brighton today, by this time it will all be over. I know one should never say never, but if I ever do another marathon it will not be for a while, I will definitely carry on doing half marathons, but need a break from all the training for a few years methinks

Well done to all of you on some amazing runs this weekend!

Below is a picture of the latest twitter meetup – note to self, get some new sunnies, that make you look less like an insect!! LOL

I had a bit of a lazy running week, did not start my weekly runs until Wednesday evening! Managed to get the 4 Marchvelous runs done, thank goodness

This morning, Chris picked me up at 8 o’ clock and we got to Silverstone with loads of time to spare. We met up with some a group of twitter people, was great to meet everyone! The race itself was hard work, very hot out there on the relentless tarmac. I ran with Carla until just after mile 9 and then set off on my own – this is becoming a bad habit, me abandoning my running buddy at mile 9! Waited for Carla at the end and she looked great, sprint finish and all! Took us ages to get out the carpark after the race, but once we got to the M40, it was fine. A long, but thoroughly enjoyable day!

Having battled in the last 3 miles today, I am feeling quite apprehensive for next weeks’ Spitfire 20 race. I think I am going to treat it as a catered training run, and hope for the best

Have a good week all!

 

been a bit of a slacker this week, started off well with a 6amclub 6 miles on Tuesday, and then work just got in the way.

hopefully made up for it this weekend. Ran home from work on Friday, and Saturday morning dawned for parkrun. Chris kindly offered to drive us to Nonsuch Park, Sean and I arranged to meet him at our usual pick up spot. We were on our way threre when I realised I had left the barcodes behind! d-oh!! quick run home, but we got there a bit late. (sorry Chris!!) Chris did a great job of driving, and we got to the park with literally  minutes to spare, and had to make a dash for the start. Chris kindly dropped my jacket off for me, and we barely caught our breath before we were off! Was great to see Louise there, she is becoming my good luck charm, and she helped pace me to an incredible 29:12!! so so happy! so much faster then I ever thought I could go, and made a bit of a mess of my marchvelous prediction of 29:58, but I don’t care Chris and Sean got pb’s too, 22:50 and 23:05 respectively. Thanks Louise!! you are an amazing motivator..

Today I was all set to go to the Regents Park 10k, checked the train times last night and all was fine. Got to the station this morning, and it was closed! Even the staff did not know about it – replacement bus would not get me to London in time came home, huffed a bit, then went out for a 10 mile run, it sure was wet out there!

Been following Chris Brisley doing the Thames Path 100 miler since yesterday morning, what an amazing achievement!! the race has now been stopped due to conditions, but he got to within less than 9 miles from the end. I think I have done well when I manage to run 100 miles in a MONTH!! but all in one go – that is scary.. winner did it in 15hrs 11 minutes- that is 9 minute miling – for 100 miles ..

have a great week, really looking forward to catching up with some of you at SIlverstone next week – happy running till next week

Louise encouraging me to keep going

7 weeks today and it will all be over!

What a lovely week it has been for running, spring-like conditions just hope it does not get too much warmer in the next 9 weeks, just give us time to all finish our marathons please, mother nature!

Number 1 son, Sean did his first parkrun yesterday and finished in a respectable 24:14. When Chris, Sean and mysefl were trudging up the hill to the start, I had a wonderful surprise; who was there waiting at the start, but Louise! (abradypus) and to top it off she helped me get a new pb of 30:18, 30 seconds quicker than Cardiff which was flat! Chris got a new pb too 22:59 – go us! Afterwards we went for a coffee and a chat (thanks Louise for buying!)

Today was back down to earth with a resounding thud as it was the dreaded long run day. Decided to get it over and done with and initially set the alarm for 5:52, which changed to 6:22 and then 6:52! did my first loop which was 14 miles, and came home for a quick pitstop, a gel and a change of shoes. Was soooo hard to set off for the last 4 miles, and made the mistake of running my usual 4 mile loop from home, forgetting that there were quite a few ‘undulations’. They are normally no problem, but on 14 mile legs they felt like climbing a mountain LOL! Very pleased to have finished the 18 miles and now a bit less nervous about the Spitfire 20, although still think I will be almost last looking at last years’ finish times!

While running, was listening to two weeks of Marathon Talk podcasts. In episode 110 they interviewed a lady called Karen Darke, who I had never heard of before. What an amazing story!! She broke her back and neck in a climbing accident in 1993, and even though she is paralysed, did not let that stop her at all.. her list of achievements are too long to mention here, please check her website karendarke.com. After competing in the 2012 Olympics she is hoping to journey by arm power from the edge of the frozen Antarctic continent to the Geographic South Pole. For this she needs a sponsor  for £250 000, which I agree is a huge amount of money – unless you are a footballer – you earn that in a week! How hard would it be for a couple of the overpaid, spoilt, footballers to give some money towards an amazing cause? The other thing that really annoyed me is that no one has ever heard about this amazing lady, yet the papers will give pages and pages of tomorrow’s news to who wore what at the Oscars!

Rant over have a wonderful running week all, and looking forward to catching up with some of you at Bexley parkrun and Regents Park 10k on the weekend

Went to the lovely runorgocrazy yesterday to have a massage and she strapped my achilles up with rock tape.Definitely did the trick, almost no achilles pain all through the race!!

Carla arrived in the evening, and the dog was so excited by a new person in the house, he just would not leave her alone! Dinner was eaten, and lots of chatting, and we had an early night. Up at 6, porridge eaten and we set off for the station to get the 7.06 train. Met some other runners, in particular a lovely American lady called Lawry (not sure of the spelling) lots of running talk, she is hoping to get a place in the NY marathon. Met up with Jo, Steve, Lesley, Danni and Steve’s mom and dad before the race. Carla and I set off towards the back and were cheered on by her mum and stepdad. Course was different to last year and included a few hills, unfortunately we probably took it too fast up those hills, feel really bad towards mile 9 Carla was feeling it, and told me to go ahead.. from mile 5 we noticed that the mileage seemed to be off, out garmins were registering further than the mile markers. the last 2 miles seemed to take forever, and was very glad to see the finish. So glad in fact, I forgot to press the stop button on my Garmin! I think my time was around the 2:29 mark for 13.5 miles.. so glad I managed to beat Katie Price, although she did come in sporting 2 wonky knees! waited at the end for Carla and she was very disappointed with her time, but after all this was a training run, and given the fact it was half a mile longer than it should have been, her time is not all that far off the times we did for the previous half marathons. Looking forward to Silverstone on 11 March.

well done to all of you that have raced this weekend, especially those that got pb’s!!

have convinced son to give parkrun a go next week, watch this space for a report next week

Coming from warmer climes originally, I still get really excited when it snows. But now I have had quite enough of it, like a relative outstaying their welcome. It has been lovely, but now please leave

Running this week has been tricky and I even had to resort to the dreadmill, but it was this mornings’ 16 miler which turned into a 12.5 miler that finally did it for me. I really can’t remember when last I felt that tired during a long run. Even now, after a nice shower and a lovely lunch, my legs are still sore.

Enough moaning! Really looking forward to next weekends’ Brighton half marathon.. Carla will be staying over here the night before and we are due to meet up with a few twitter friends beforehand. Half of team Fools Rushing will be there And hopefully a new pb for Carla and I?!?

Have a good week everyone xx

Still high on a 100% Jantastic score, February arrived this week

On Monday the chap who sits next to me (and may I say, he seems to be ill rather a lot!) arrived at work with a stinking cold and spent Monday and Tuesday coughing, sneezing, sniffing, all without covering his mouth – once!. Needless to say, by Tuesday evening I had a runny nose and sore throat and was feeling sorry for myself generally quite pssed off with him. Tuesday and Wednesday planned runs did not happen and after a few doses of Nurofen Cold and Flu, and 2 early nights, by Thursday I felt much better and managed an after work 4 miles with someone from work.

For the weekend I had planned the inaugural Mile End Parkrun, followed by a 7 mile run to Hyde Park with Carla and Loiuse on Saturday, and then on Sunday the Regents Park 10k with Carla and Zoe. Right, that would give me the 4 runs I need for Febulous..

Alarm went off on Saturday morning, got myself up and dressed and out the door to the station in good time to meet up at Mile End tube station at 8.30. Got to the station, and due to a ‘power problem’ no trains to London   Station people suggested a different route, changing at Dorking. Got to Dorking Deepdene, ran to Dorking station, first train to London leaving at 8. Texted Louise and Carla and told them I was not going to make the parkrun. Got there just as they were finishing A quick pit stop and we set off on the Thames tow path, past London Bridge and up the Embankment to Hyde Park. Absolutely loved the route and will definitely do it again! Decided to make up for the parkrun I missed on the way home, by getting off one stop early and running home. Train did not stop there, so I ended up doing a wussy 1.5 miles home from the main station.Checked the Marathon Talk website, anything over a mile can be classed as a run – phew!

As I watched the snow come down last night, it was becoming clear I would not get into London in time for the Regents Park 10k. Got up at 6.10 to check on the trains and they were indeed mostly delayed or cancelled. Some early morning texting with Zoe confirmed that we would both give it a miss. Decided to take the dog for a nice long walk and forgo my Febulous 100% score. But then starting seeing all the tweets from others going out to run, and especially Chris, who said he was just going for a slow 30 minutes. Gave myself a kick up the butt, (30 minutes is nothing!) pulled on my trail shoes and set off for a short run. Am so glad I did! It was probably the slowest I have run since I began, but it was absolutely brilliant! And I now have 100% for Febulous so far.. Took dog for a long walk after, he turned into a puppy running around in the snow bouncing around

Bring on next week

Very happy to have achieved 100% for Jantastic I also managed my last-minute goal of 100 miles (inspired by Rachel)

This week started off with the monthly handicap run, one of my favourite routes among some spectacular houses in Kingswood.. some of the other runners are too fast to see the houses, but with my pace I can admire them in all their glory. Still, managed a pb for that course and average under 10 minute miles – happy me. On Wednesday I did a 4 mile run at lunch time, and on Thursday evening I went out with a girl from work, who has only just started running. We did a 2 mile slow run and then I left her at work and did 4 more, running home.

On Saturday I did my third parkrun, and as I have found out Chris lives just up the road from me, offered him a lift, seems a bit silly to take 2 cars! Was a lovely morning, cold, but nowhere near the temperatures we had 2 weeks ago! As Chris had about 9 minutes after he had finished running to wait for me, he discovered a ‘sport mode’ on his phone camera, and took this brilliant shot of pictures of me coming into the finish! Love it – thanks Chris

got a new pb for Banstead, 31:04, considering the one and a half hills, quite pleased, only 16 seconds off my Cardiff pb

Today was long run time. Armed with the latest podcasts from Marathon Talk, Ultra Talk and Park Run, I set off to do 14 miles. All went ok until 11 miles when my legs just told me that they were very tired. I pushed on for another 2 miles, but just did not have it in me to do another mile. Was really grumpy when I got home, told son and OH to leave me alone. But then, standing in the shower, I realised that together with the parkrun yesterday, I had actually done 16 miles this weekend, and felt a lot happier.

Watched the end of the Nadal/Djokovic match, how good was that – gutted for Rafa, but Novak was a deserving winner

Signed up for Febulous, 4 runs a week, and commited to long runs of 6, 16, 13 and 18 miles – gulp!

Listened to the Marathon Talk podcast on my run this morning, and they said that Feb/Mar was when the hard work of marathon training takes place, and they are so right! In January you can still get away with missing the odd run and your long runs are generally less than 10 miles But from around now, the long runs get longer and the training generally takes over your entire life – but however hard it gets, nothing can beat the emotion of crossing the finish line knowing you have just completed a marathon!

Went to see runorgocrazy yesterday for my sore achilles, and she was fantastic! Not only does it definitely feel loads better, she has also given me stretches and exercises, and I got a delicious lunch with her wonderful family! Bargain! If you are looking for a sports or remedial massage, look no further! http://www.rebalancetherapy.net/Welcome.html