It's My Birthday and I'll Run If I Want To...

Friday: Looked in the mirror this morning and thought, 4 races, you are so kidding me! :o) And to think I could be saying I have done a marathon by my next birthday?? This running lark does wonders for one's self-confidence. As planned, I went off for a run this morning, taking raspberry-flavoured Lucozade sport with me (nothing else in the fridge). Still no sign of the earphones but the loudspeaker option works well on my mobile, probably to the displeasure of others in the park though (hehe). Nice cool weather today, no blistering sun in my face for once. I set off intending to do a lot of uphill, around the route of my first race. It wasn't as hard as it was, but still tough enough to be a real challenge for me. A problem was my drink, it tasted very off and I gave up drinking it (it had been opened and in the fridge for days, I think). So, running uphill and feeling very thirsty, the run felt tougher than it should have been. I had thought about the 5km mark before my run but, listening to my body, I stopped at 3.24km (21mins 12secs). I thought I had stopped at a point where I had reached my limit, but I felt rather weak for a little after the run. It was the usual faintness and weakness, and I wished I had drunk more water and eaten more salt in the past few days. The feeling passed eventually, it was just annoying to feel so weak like that. The walk home felt quite long as I could feel the blisters flaring up again on my feet. Not having any vaseline in the house, I searched the cupboards and settled on using vicks balm on my blisters before the run. I figured, similar consistency, similar appearance... not very logical really, but I was desperate to run! I managed to run fine but the walk home was difficult, the vicks was not a real alternative. I later bought a tub of vaseline from Boots, and will put the use of vicks down to experience ;o) I was pleased to have had a run, though, and it was a good run, a lot more uphill than usual, I felt good about it later. It was a quiet birthday on the whole, the run was a real highlight for me. My favourite present was, and oh this is bordering on obsessive surely... vouchers for 'Up and Running' in Manchester :o) Oh yes, a running shop... a year ago, getting those vouchers would have had me in a foul mood, as well as indignant, hehe. But I am so enjoying my running, and I am looking forward to when I am able to get to the city centre and shop. It still feels surreal to think I have done 4 races. I know it is a lot for some, and a paltry amount for others, but a huge deal for me. And it's not just the number of races. I think about each, and the experience of each, and each was unique. The pain and the suffering is individual to everyone, no-one knows how much you give of yourself to the race, the emotions that race through your mind, the low points when you think 'I can't do this, I really can't', the pulling-yourself-together points, periods when you remember why you're doing it, trying to motivate yourself, bits when problems happen and you try to deal with them fast as you can... but it really isn't all pain and suffering, the points where you're 'in the zone', when it feels so good, points when you're focusing on putting into practice everything you have trained for and learned, periods where the crowd support makes you want to burst with pride for doing this, the sheer joy of seeing the finishing line, the ecstasy of completing the race, still standing... I think it's something both no-one else knows and feels, but also something only other runners know and feel (if that makes any sense but it makes sense to me). I spent the evening, drinking Irn Bru, indulging in Pringles, planning on a bigger birthday next year, but feeling so satisfied and pleased with my running. And this really is only the beginning :o)

First Post-Sale Run

Thursday: Back to the park today. It was sunny and warm, and I had Lucozade Sport Lemon Plus to sip. I realised that GO really did have a hint of lemon, as this drink was akin to being overdosed on lemons... The aim was a 15 to 20min run, I felt pretty relaxed about today. It was strange not having a race to aim for, well, not an imminent one anyway. I would have liked to enter the Race for Life on the weekend (5km) but it is apparently too late to do so. Still, I plan to go and watch, and cheer the runners on. Today I just went all-out within minutes, I think my body just wanted to run and not worry about pacing itself, after constantly having to do so for races. I went uphill for a bit, making the most of the adrenaline rush of running without care. The lack of water from my rest days, as well as the not so healthy snacks, definitely affected me, though the drink was helpful. Feeling very tired in the heat, I stopped at 14mins 13secs, having covered 2.17km. I was surprised to check on fetch that I wasn't as fast as I thought I was, it had felt an uncontrollably fast pace. Though I was exhausted and sweating hugely by the end of a very short run, I enjoyed it today, it felt rather good. The run ended at the other side of the park, leaving a long walk home, but the walk was good for the legs, which couldn't run anymore but definitely needed to keep moving. I began to feel the blisters on my left foot again, which I hadn't noticed during the run. When I got home and took the socks off, they were huge again, much to my disappointment. I also noticed slightly lumpy kind of swelling on both feet, above the heel and a few inches down from the ankles. Probably nothing, and not really painful to touch, but I plan to get it checked out, to be on the safe side. I spent the rest of the day barefoot again, walking with my weight on the outside of my feet to help the blisters heal fast. My runner friend advised vaseline for them, which I unfortunately don't have (does vicks balm work as an alternative, I wonder). Lots of water today, to keep hydrated, and lots of pasta, partly because I wanted it, and partly I hope it will help with running tomorrow. I'd quite like a long run tomorrow, how long, I don't know, I guess I'll just see how the mood takes me. It's my birthday and I was so keen to have a race to do, but none near enough to me, so this is the next best thing. My kids asked why I didn't take a day off running for my birthday, but I tried to explain that it was something that would help make my day, and I do mean that. Looking forward to tomorrow's run, should be a pensive one, too. My earphones are currently lost so I relied on the mobile's loudspeaker to run to music, the same will probably happen tomorrow. Hope it rains, that would be rather lovely indeed :o)

Training Thoughts for Glasgow

Wednesday: Another rest day, and happy to take it. I knew I was exhausted on Sunday but I didn't expect to be happy about resting a second day. Perhaps the 3 races in 3 weeks, or even 4 races in 5 weeks, took a lot more out of me than expected. I received my first copy of Runners World in the post yesterday... yes, it is true, I have subscribed, much as I laughed (possibly guffawed?) that I never would be that ridiculously hooked on running... I am rather hooked indeed, much to the delight of my constantly-saying 'I told you so' runner friend :o) There were some very interesting articles in there, I have left it on my bedside table for bedtime reading. The blisters haven't gone completely yet, I do need compeed patches but dithered over buying them due to their cost. I run tomorrow, the first post-race run, perhaps going to leave things as they are and hope for the best. I looked up a half marathon programme from great trainer, which is 14 weeks long and starts on Monday. I plan to cross check it with the RW programme which is 10weeks long, and see which I prefer. The difference is RW tells me how many miles to do each session whereas great trainer tells me how long to run for. I am used to going by time at the moment, is that better, I don't know. I guess it's all about what I feel more comfortable with, as both lead to being well prepared for doing 13.1 miles. I am keen to finalise my programme soon so that I can start looking up races that match it. It was very interesting what RW say about not making every race about doing a PB (personal best, hark at me using running terms...) and to allow some races to be like training sessions, not going all-out every time. The magazine really is full of helpful advice and tips that made me think about my attitude and approach to running. I appreciate the lovely comment left on this blog by Georgia's Dad some days ago, it is really uplifting to know others read this and get something out of it, in addition to all that I am personally benefiting. I do feel a lot more positive about my running since doing the Sale 5 Mile, and in the face of recent family crises and goings-on, I do appreciate my running more. As tired as I still am, I am looking forward to being back in the park. My birthday nears and though I am not as fit as I would like to be yet, I know I have achieved a lot personally these last few months and I feel fitter than I have done for years. Looking at my fetch profile makes me smile, 4 completed races on my list, it feels rather surreal, but in a rather brilliant way :o)

Post Race - Rest and Crises

Tuesday: Resting after yesterday's race. A family crisis of sorts has brought me plummeting down to earth from my post-race high. Today was supposed to be a day of personal celebration but crises tend to put a dampener on things. The blisters remain, though less aggressive. I spent most of the day barefoot which I think really helps. I have already posted on the running forum about my socks, advice on how to wash them properly, if I am not already doing so, as that may have contributed to my blisters. Felt quite pleased to be able to text my brothers about my 5mile race, casually texting my time and a brief race report. They still find it hard to believe, I think, that I (of all people) am so into running. I was very anti-cross country at school, and never much for fitness (aside from brief periods of gym membership). On the weekend, my older brother suggested I didn't think about doing a marathon, to keep running but to be more careful race-wise about pushing myself. This was after our run together on Sunday, when I was a red tomato, sweating and panting after a 20min run, and he was fairly relaxed after it (lol). I assured him I was taking things 'logically', a half marathon this year and a full marathon next year, and I think he knows me well enough to know that I know my limits. The concern derives from my mother, mainly, and her concern is very much linked to the passing away of my cousin in December. It was a very sad time for all of us, the only good thing, if any, was my waking up to becoming dangerously obese and deciding to do something about it. Today I was happy not to run, the body was very tired, but it felt so good to have completed that 5 miler, to be getting fitter.

Sale 5 Mile - Race Day

Monday: I slept rather well for a pre-race night, perhaps due to a general lack of sleep anyway and fatigue from the weekend. Getting to the race by bus would mean changes buses (plural) and I insisted on a lift, so the other half and the kids accompanied me. We nearly got lost but found the park in time. It would have been nicer to have got there earlier, as I didn't get much of a chance to warm-up, busy registering myself with the organisers and trying to calm the kids down (who wanted to race with me...). I had emailed a fetchie last night to inform of my last-minute change of plans, and it was pleasing to see her to say hello. A very nice lady in her 60s, who I fmailed long ago in a fit of panic over my first race, and she has kept in touch ever since, always a kind and supportive fmail before a race. I spoke to some other runners too, very friendly people indeed. The race began on the athletics track and as the hooter went, the (mostly club) runners shot off and I was trailing in the distance. Luckily, my first race had been a club race and I expected this situation, and didn't feel too disheartened (the trick being, start at the back, so overtaking runners don't depress me, lol). I'm learning with each race the importance of focusing on running my own race. It was a very sunny day, strong winds though. I had new sunglasses and a bottle of SiS GO to sip (I am finding shades really help to focus the mind, away from the glaring sun, no hat today incase of overheating). Initial problems were twofold: music and shoelaces. My earphones refused to work properly, constantly cutting the sound, and after a a while, I gave up and, seeing I was so far from all runners, I switched the mobile's speaker on to hear the music. Before the first mile was up, my right shoelaces came undone, a problem I have never had and threw me a little - should I stop or keep going? I realised it was stupid to keep going, risking an injury, and so I swallowed hard, and let myself stop for a few seconds to redo the laces properly. Setting off again wasn't as difficult as expected, perhaps because it was so early on in the race. I was pleased that despite the stop to redo my laces, I did the first mile in 9 and a half mins. It was difficult in many places, the poor diet over the weekend and lack of proper training perhaps catching up with me. The course was flat at least, and rather scenic, taking place mostly in the park. My main annoyance was with the lack of race markings; despite race marshalls at certain points, there were turnings that were not manned nor marked out, and I very nearly got lost. I had to keep my head up (I often look down as I run) in order to see which way the runners were going, way in the distance. I often lost sight of them, which I am pleased did not bother me nor affect my running confidence. It felt good to have experience behind me, and feel confident and happy to run alone, not letting the fact the others were miles ahead worry me. In that respect, it was an enjoyable race for me. There was more crowd support than I expected, and it was so lovely to see smiling faces and hear their support. Towards the last 2 miles, I got closer to 2 runners ahead of me. I was just behind one and I kept myself in check, not overtaking rashly, sticking to going at a pace that had me panting like mad but a pace that would allow me to make the end of the race. I think the runner wasn't pleased with my music playing on the speaker and I did consider switching it off, but the runner in me urged to do what helped me, and forget about manners (does that make my inner runner a real bitch, lol). It felt strange to see mile markings, which I realised as I was puffing along, come along later than km markings. As the race neared the end, I planned on sprinting ahead of the runner, with anything my legs had left. However, the heat had clearly got to my head... as the crowds cheered, my eyes rested on a long strip of blue tape that seemed like the end of the track, and I sprinted, overtaking the runner... the crowds started going 'watch out, she's overtaking you' (damn biased crowd, hehe) ... as I neared the tape, 2 secs ahead of her, I realised that wasn't the finish line and there was a sharp left to take... the runner was older and wiser, and having run/fast walked the race, she burst into life too, knowing to turn left quicker than me... it was a race between us to the end... I gave it everything but that mistake cost me, she forged ahead faster, and her time was 1sec quicker than me... oh, the drama of it all! My time was officially recorded as 51mins 08secs, which delighted me, since my 'a' target was 54mins :o) I may have adjusted my 'a' target to 50mins, had I known earlier that I was definitely racing, so if that had been the case, I would have beaten my 'b' and been very close to my 'a'. Point is, I am pleased :o) It was lovely to see the kids cheering me on as I raced, and they enjoyed it. The goody bag was rather disappointing, I was already forewarned not to expect a medal, but I paid £8 for race entry and I get a plain pen, a capri-sun drink and a cereal bar? Just as well I was ecstatic over my race time! As usual, I basked in my selfish post-race glory, with Irn Bru and Ferrero Rocher :o) The legs ached in the evening but were fine. The main issue was blisters; I felt 'blistered' with a mile and a half to go, and when I got home, I discovered a blister above the right arch of my foot, and a 'blister on a blister' above the left arch. They had been uncomfortable during the end of the run but sipping GO to deal with the heat and listening to music helped me focus away from discomfort. I was pretty pleased with today. I came 127th out of 128, maintaining not being last (lol) and it is a great feeling to be approaching my birthday with 4 races completed, instead of 3. The body felt extremely tired, not so much ache-y, but really tired in the evening (though my mind was hyper with Bru). Doing 3 races in 3 weeks has been exhausting, constantly pushing to train harder for upcoming races. As much as I love running, I think I am going to enjoy the next couple of days off as rest. I feel pretty satisfied right now and am feeling happy about my progress so far. The next major goal is the Glasgow Half Marathon in September, but for now, chilling is the order of the day :o)

Unexpected News - The Race Is On

Sunday: As vaguely planned, my older brother joined me in today's run. The so-called pre race run, for a race I could not make. We did a warm-up walk and then covered 3.3km in 20mins 42secs, which was faster than usual for me. It was a sunny day though very windy. I liked having the company for the warm-up walk and cool-down walk, though it was a real challenge keeping conversation while we ran. We didn't talk a huge amount, but he talked about how he found it boring to run without music or conversation. So, panting and puffing, I piped up with some conversation when I could. I am sure that contributed to me feeling tired very quickly (though I am sure 3 hours sleep was also a contributary factor, lol). He's very sporty and found our pace a little slow but good. The family left later in the evening and the other half said he was able to babysit for tomorrow after all. This was a shock, I was psychologically prepared not to race tomorrow. I hurriedly made pre-race preparations in the evening, though before I went to sleep, he was changing his mind again. Maybe it's a newbie thing, I am not sure, but I find it incredibly important to be mentally prepared and have time for it; the uncertainty gives rise to panic and stress, in a bad way, I feel. I went to bed knowing I will make the Sale 5 Mile race, unnecessarily feeling underprepared and unnecessarily over-nervous. It feels unreal, almost, as if I am not racing, having always known I was racing for a particular race before. Good luck will be needed in buckets.

Day Off From Running And Eating Well

Saturday: More rest and the race on Monday is pretty much out of the question. Hence, I allowed myself to partake in the eating of junk with the family, ususally so careful to watch what I eat, but the mood was such that 'am I bovvered' was understating it. Legs were a little ache-y today, nothing major. Having felt very down lately, the mood was cheered by an incredibly late night of deep thought and reflection. My running will undoubtedly be affected by how I feel and I am making real attempts to 'shake myself' into getting on with things. The better I feel, the better my running will be, the happier I will feel, and so on - not quite the 'circle of happiness' but something I need to think about (as if I don't think enough...).