PACE YOUR RACE HALF MARATHON 28TH MARCH 2010

Time: 2hrs 20 mins 06 seconds.

Drove up to Dorney Lake which is where they will hold the Olympic rowing in 2012. It's a bit bleak especially when it's dreary and dreary it was, four times around the outside. The gazelles sorry the faster runners had set off earlier in the day so were done and dusted as I was getting myself out of the car, bastards, sorry I mean lucky devils.

Really needed to go to the toilet, so left all my bits and pieces in the car and practically ran to the toilet, picked up race number and went back to the car for my marathon belt, gels, fruit pastels and water, everything I think I needed to complete a half marathon.

Had to hurry back to the start of the race as the car was so far away, first mistake should've of grabbed my stuff instead of leaving it behind, oh well, when you got to go, you got to go. Second mistake: last toilet stop did not shut door properly and there I was pants down and it was flung open by some woman we were both as shocked as each other, I said “Oh shit.” She said "Oh sorry." And I pulled the door shut, it all happed so quickly, I don't think anyone saw anything, bar the women, note to future self, ensure toilet door is closed to avoid extreme embarrassment.

Managed to keep an average pace of 10:39, had 3 gels, and fruit pastels whenever I felt like it, and they seemed to keep me going, tried to pick the pace for the last 3.5 miles but a stitch kicked in so no luck there, had to slow down, in fact had to curse myself out to maintain the same pace as the stitch was really biting into me, but I managed and finished in 2 hour 20 minutes 06 seconds, pleased with the time, would’ve been nice to go faster, but you can only do what your body can do on a given day, and since this is part of my marathon training I'm happy.

The event was well organized bumped into a sweet black couple, who run together, I think the man must've had some Kenyan in him even though he denied it as he came in well under 2 hours and his girlfriend in 2 hours, they'd only been together 6 months and he had already got her running 3 marathons, now that 's love for you!

No medal, but I got a nice cup and a Lucozade water bottle, great race, well organised, wonderful for a PB if that what your after, was good to do as part of my marathon training, but if your looking for excitement your not going to get it, just a flat, fast course which does what it say's on the tin.


Thats me done for now,
Happy running.

NERVES

Trying to keep the nerves and butterflies at bay, feeling quite nervous about running the PACE YOUR RACE half marathon today, up early and the clock has gone forward an hour, but can't sleep anymore for love nor money, I'm hoping to do as well as I can so that I can get a good gauge of what I can do come marathon day. I'm ready, all my gear and kit is ready, I've had a bowl of shreddies, ate well yesterday been drinking water like a fish still drinking water, weather looks O.K a little dark but fingers crossed the rain will hold of does not look too cold, although the place I'm running Dorney Lake is very exposed, so will be taking a jacket to keep warm, and layers I can tie around my waist. They have pace makers there, so going to to to the 12 minute pace and work my way up if I'm feeling good.

Been plagued with stitches this week so I want to warm myself up slowly rather than just throw myself in, fingers crossed I won't need the toilet and can just concentrate on running and the job in hand. The thing is I'm feeling strong, as said I've had no major problems with injuries, I've done all my training, been meticulous about getting all my runs in, have not missed any training since the beginning of Jan,( which was due to achilies) been running consistently since and all is on track.

The time has just seemed to flown this year and it is hard to believe that the marathon itself is only 4 weeks away, I need to get together a four week plan ie food, rest, exercise, luckily next week I'm only working one day, then have a two week break for Easter, then back to work the week of the marathon. To be honest I could do with the money but I'm glad to have a bit of time, things have been hectic and this break will really work in my favour, (plus there is a possibility of a house move) means I will be a bit more rested by the time the marathon comes around and I can complete some tasks that really need doing like my paperwork and admin, and housework, not as much fun as runnning, but needs to be done!

Wish me luck for today.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Above is what I looked like before my 9 mile run today fresh and good to go after two days rest, can't lie, was feeling quite tired, and two days rest was just what I needed, but no rest for the wicked and today it was time to get running again. Below is a picture of myself and my furry visitor who has been coming to my house for the last two years, he is a bit of a local tart and will visit anyone who lets him in,I feel sorry for whoever moves in this house after my sister and I move out, they will get quite a shock when he waltzes in like he owns the place! I am so not an animal person but as you can see he has won me over hook, like and sinker, the lovely thing about a visiting cat, is there is no litter tray, and I can kick him out whenever I want.



So as you can see I was ready and very able before the run, stepped out the house and it was pissing down with rain, no time to worry about it, just got my head down and got on with it, started off well, but by two miles in I had a wicked stitch that moved around for most of the run, which was very annoying, I have not been as plagued by stitches as I was last year, tried had to work through it, breathing it out, ignoring it, cussing and berating it, but it kept me company practically all the way. With 9 miles to run it was bearable, that's the nice thing about running so much and for so many miles there is a confidence even if things are not going 100 percent that I will and can finish.

Whilst running I was listening to Marathon Talk which is a marathon and running podcast and today was all about visualisation and techniques to help you as you run and they were like imagine your an animal like a gazelle or a cheetah, well in my mind all I could truly see was a sloth, oh well, never mind. Today the show was almost 2 hours long and was meant to keep us runners company on our long run, now my long runs are 4 hours plus, so the show only just kept me company for my 9 miler which was just over 2 hours, goes to show how slow I am. O.K positive thinking goes to show how fast some other people are, like the gazelles and cheetahs I was talking about.

Here is the link if your interested, it has been packed full of great tips and interviews, advice and motivation http://www.marathontalk.com/

AFTER
Here I am after the run, can't lie I was so glad to see the sofa, once I kicked the cat off, I was completely socked a mix of sweat and rain, not very attractive but that's running, you don't always look your best when your doing it but the benefits will show themselves in good time.


Slow and easy 6 miler on Saturday, and a another half marathon on Sunday, the Dorney lake pace your race, run, and that is it for the this week, then next week is the challenge the monster week, of 40 miles in total, two 5 milers a 10 miler and what will be my longest run to date this year a 20 miler. The other half will be accompanying me on the bike and is working out a route for us to take. In a perverse way I am looking forward to it, as once that is over I have done all my big training and will start to taper (for you non-runners, training mileage goes down to give the body a chance to rest before the race, so you arrive at the start line in peak condition).

I have been blessed because for all the drama, achilles problems, e.t.c, teaching, performing, holding down a relationship,spending time with friends and caring for my sister, her level of care has gone up recently, due to a number of different reasons, one of which is the house we live in becoming more and more unsuitable, the other day she fell as I was trying to get her from a chair into her wheelchair, the irony of the situation was we were getting ready to leave the house to view a property with disabled access meaning she'd be able to stay in her wheelchair all the time, eliminating the possibility of falling. I really think it's only the extra strength and muscle gained from the running that enabled me to get her up off the floor, I still don't know how I done it, to be honest. I have managed to keep to my training shedule, yes I have been obsessive, but it's worked for me and wherever and whenever I can fit a run in I do, and everyone knows thats my sacred time. I really don't know how people with kids and even busier lives cope, maybe that just shows how nutty we runners are!

Thats me for now, need to go to bed now, got a full days teaching tomorrow, 14/15 year old boy's, relationships, contraception e.t.c, so you know I need my beauty sleep.

RECOVERY

Day after the Reading half marathon, don't look too bad if I might say so myself!

Two days in and I feel fine, knocked out a 5 miler yesterday in 54 minutes, felt good to stretch out my legs, nice weather always helps, did not have my IPOD left it at the other half's house, it always amazes me the amount of people who talk to you, or beep their horns, which I never usually hear as I have my head phones on, it's a whole new world, I don't mind running without music, I just count, or think or chat to myself but music sure helps a lot.

Body is feeling good, no major problems after the half, went to the physio yesterday and he says everything seems alright,I can keep running, he massages my calves and I have to admit I find that quite a strange feeling not only does it hurt like mad it makes me feel nauseous but it works so I let him do his thing, and he's helping me to get the start line and hopefully also the finish line of the marathon.

Achilles was hurting a bit later in the day, so iced it up and done my exercises but today it's been fine, no running today, decided to take a break, no sense killing myself, got to knock out a 6 miler, a 9 miler this week and I will be doing another Half marathon on Sunday to work on my pace it's my chance to see where I'm at in terms of fitness and based on how I do I will decide what my marathon pace shall be! If I have a disaster race that will throw that theory out of the window! So fingers crossed it all goes well.

In my aim to help my sister Emma raise enough money to buy an electric wheel chair I have committed myself to running not only the London Marathon but I am also planning to run a half in August, two in September one in October and maybe even one in July as long as I do not pick up any injuries, I know I can do it, I feel that this year I have to do something different, money is hard to get out of people, I done a marathon last year so why would anyone think that's impressive, but a marathon and 5 halves, now yes that's impressive. I also want to keep running, keep getting fit, keep pushing myself, keep getting faster and slimmer, bottom line running makes me happy so as long as my two legs can move that is what I'll do. I have a brother and sister who can hardly walk and one day will not be able to walk at all, so I run and I run and I run and I run and I will continue running until one day hopefully a long, long time from now,when I have to hang up my running shoes.

READING HALF MARATHON

Looking nice and fresh before the start.


Boiled dumplings, green banana and fish the night before,
carbing up Caribbean style,
stomach still played up next morning,
nerves!
2 mile walk from the car par to the start,
faithfull black bin bags kept myself and the boyfriend warm,
18,000 all lined up to run 13.1 miles,
the gun goes off, twenty minutes later I cross the start,
shoulder to shoulder, with the masses
Off we go, right at the back,
but we soon past the walkers, those who give up without a fight,
a nice steady pace of around 12.22,
lucozade and plenty of water in abundance,
mini mouse is fast on her feet, her red polka dot dress eye catching,
swinging in her hand a bucket clunking with coins,
the army boy's pushed a range rover, sweating, grunting and shouting,
two toilet stops, all that water,
lucozade gels and fruit pastels kept me going,
13.1 miles is a long way, but head down we keep going,
knees and back aching,
but keep going,
boyfriend still placing one foot in front of the other,
he's hurting but still going,
my breath is heavy,
but keep going,
4,5,6th mile done.
7,8,9,10th mile done,
11,12,13th mile done, yaah,
finish in the Majedski stadium,

lots of cheering,
ran ahead,
boyfriend not far behind,
2 hours 45 minutes of running
and we are finished
tired, take a picture
get a medal, grab a goodie bag,

Those crazy army boy's!, Not one pair of trainers between them.



Thank the Lord it is all over, time to drive home,

feeling good, ready to eat and sleep.

18 MILES AND COUNTING

Training has been going well, I've hit all my targets so far in terms of all my training runs, last long run was on Tuesday, 18 miles altogether, I once again ran after teaching, tried not to leave it too long in the day as I knew I would be out for 4 hours plus, crazy ah!I Ran from West London to central London, Westminster in fact, past the houses of parliment, dodging all the tourists and trying to keep focused, mile 5-6 spoke to the other half on the phone, yes it was a bit of an nutty thing to do, but whatever it takes I say to keep me running. The first 5 miles were the hardest then things eased up for a while, hardest thing was to keep focused and motivated and keep moving, I knew my leg's would keep moving if they needed too one step at a time, thats my mantra, one step at a time sweet Jesus.

I can't lie I was nervous before I started, the thought of running 18 miles gave me butterfiles, last year whilst training for the marathon I didn't do an 18 miler, got the flu and had to take that week off training, I jumped straight from an 16 miler to an 18 miler.

The last 3 miles were very hard, my groin was starting to feel strained, knees beginning to ache a bit, left ankle hurting, good news was my achliles was fine though. Strangly the bottom of my feet were also hurting which is not something that happens very often, to be honest I can't remember the last time my feet actually hurt, just less than a mile from home I took my trainers off and ran in my socks for a bit,then I took my socks off and ran home in nothing but bare feet, looking out for glass, dirt and most of all dog mess. People did look at me like I was a complete nutter, but my feet instantly started to ease up and figured it was time for a new pair of trainers!

Been on a 5 mile run today knocked it out in 54 minutes, legs were a bit dead at first but then I got a second wind and was putting on a bit of speed, reminding myself that I have a half marathon on Sunday,which is why I only doing 3 runs this week, in fact that run today was a lot of fun and at times I was grining like a fool, my achiles is not 100 per cent but it's responding well to the streaching and the icing.

6 more Sundays until the marathon, not long at all, training is on track, I need to sort out my food, been okay could be a lot, lot better, the time is going so very quickly, need to keep focused,motivated and injury free.

Canals, swans, salmon and veg.

Eight mile run along the canal on Sunday and it was actually a lot of fun, the sun was shining, although it was a brisk day but just having some sun really made a massive difference to moral, in fact my other half and I had a great time even took some pictures of the wildlife, I know we should have been concentrating on running, but the way I see it is what point is there in running if you don’t enjoy what your doing.

I think this swan thought we had food, was sorry to disappointment him as he came right up to us and was very friendly until two small dog's came along and he started to hiss like a snake!

4 miles in not looking too bad!


We kept up a decent pace especially the last few miles, but I felt quite nauseous right at the end when I upped the speed, too much sugary stuff and not enough water had, jelly beans, gels, and even a little chocolate from the other half. my stomach started to rebel at the end, more water and less sugar next time.



I am going to try the Lucozade gels on my next long run, the SIS gels have been tasting a little funny to me, either it is just taking me a while to get used to them again, or it’s because they run out of date this month and are at the end of their life, so since I got all these free Lucozade ones thought I better give them a try.


5 mile run today, got out and ran early before my physio appointment, good news my achilles is holding up to all the training and he thinks I should be able to make it to the start line, as long as I eat and hydrate and look after myself, which I am doing, the one thing I need to get more off is sleep, I really do piss about at bed time, mix that in with late night performances and early rises to teach and it takes a toll!



Today’s run was my first of the week, I had a day off yesterday but it was cold and I got caught up cleaning and taking care of my sister who has muscular dystrophy and was having a hard day, so I stayed indoors kept warm, cleaned done paper work which urgently needed doing, so I have to fit in 3 more runs, and this is a busy week, tomorrow I will knock out a 12 miler by myself then I have a book reading in the evening.

Friday I will knock out a 4 miler before work, go and teach then off to a Grenadian history course in the late afternoon, then hooking up with a friend in the evening, I tell you marathon training can take over your life, so I am determined to spend Friday night and Saturday day time with her. I feel like I’m leading a triple life at the moment?

Since running will be a continuous part of my life I need to slip it in when and wherever I can, so if I have to take my running stuff and get up early and run on Saturday whilst I am at my friends house, then so be it.


Then Sunday need to knock out an 8 miler and do my weekly radio-hosting slot. Lord where does the time go? Food wise I am doing okay cut out all the crap and it’s working the old body is responding, tonight there is Salmon and roasted veg on the menu with 12 miles to run I though I’d better eat well.



Don't know if my dinner will turn out as good as this, but I'm going to try.