Last Run of the Year

I have to admit that it felt pretty good when I was heading out for a run this evening when people would have been doing last minute prep for New Years Eve events. Not because I felt smug or that I thought I was better than that, and not even because I didn't have anything better to do. It felt good because I am in control. I haven't been an angel this festive season, but I certainly haven't been eating or drinking to the same extent as previous. Do I miss it? Actually no I don't.

Control is something that I don't find easy. I am a sucker for a good cracker and cheese, or another chocolate a it is Christmas (or any other time of the year!), and certainly yes I would love another glass of wine, Baileys, G&T, Snowball, mulled wine, e.t.c!! However I then suffer stupid levels of guilt and self loathing and what might have been a treat, becomes an overwhelming need to stuff myself because I am not worth anything else than to be an overweight idiot that can't achieve at anything. Blimey, this one is getting a bit personal!!

Anyway, running gives me some of that control back. 2003 I decided I was going to go running  and the following morning I did so of I went around Pitsford Water. I had never been all the way around the reservoir before and as such did not know how far it was; the bends kept coming and the water seemed to go for ever but eventually I ended back in the carpark. 7 miles later and not being able to get up, or down the stairs for about a week later but I did it. Slowly. From that point onward I spent every late Spring and Summer participating in a few events, mainly Race for Life 10ks, and other local but larger events. It was sporadic and I came to realise that I could rattle of a 10k without training, as long I could put up with not being quick and not getting any better.

In 2011 I decided that I needed to do something bigger so I applied for a ballot place in the Great North Run. I didn't get it and was pretty cut up, so I looked at a few different charities, and won a place with Leukemia and Lymphoma Research. I pledged to raise £500 which was a bit of a concern but I would give it a go. I did all my research, I trained and I raised money. I manged to get just over £800 in the end which was amazing. Race day arrived. I thought I had thought of everything, except I hadn't realised how far the station was from the finish which meant that I had some additional running to do! There is so much more to tell about this day and maybe I will in another post. For now, all I can tell you is that that race was outstanding! Not because I was quick but the whole thing. I felt like I could do anything. The support was fantastic and I burst into tears on several occasions!!

The point of these ramblings? The GNR was the start of things. It started getting me to think about races and running in a different way. This was something that I could do. It was a race against myself, no one else so it didn't matter that I was slow and cumbersome. I wanted to do more.

In the November Mike and I conceived and I became a little distracted so my running recommenced after he was born. Quite a while after he was born! 

I finally braved contacting my local running club (Desborough and Rothwell Running Club) as I know that running with them will help with technique and speed. It was very scary, especially as the first run with them was supposed to be 8 miles and ended up being 10! They are a great bunch of people and very supportive, which is a good job as I am the slowest! I have also found support through Run Mummy Run and Too Fat to Run facebook pages.

I am looking forward to what 2015 holds for me and my running (including my forth and final GNR :-(  !!)

Happy New Year xxx

Starting my challenge

So it all started in April when I was feeling like I needed to just DO something! I decided that I was going set a challenge of completing 3 half marathon races between August and October. I had previously completed the Great North Run twice and LOVED it, but it wasn't easy so I guessed that doing 3 would be loads. I wanted to support Bliss as it is a charity close to my heart, although thankfully, not one I have had to call on to support my family (www.bliss.org.uk).

However thoughts moved to bigger things when I completed a local half in May, having taken the crazy decision to support a friend who was worried about it, giving me only 3 weeks to train. I overcame some fears in this race! I haven't entered many local races because only 'proper fast runners' go to them! I couldn't wear headphones, and I previously and religiously wore them in order to make sure I didn't think about what I was doing too much! I ran in a long race that only had 150 people in it - bound to be last, and indeed I was, from the 2 mile marker, exactly at the 2 mile marker. I thought it was quite funny how the first aid man kept coming back to check on me!!

OK what else could I do. I know, the London Marathon! I had always secretly harbored desires to do a marathon so this could be just the opportunity. I had missed the ballot so I contacted Bliss to see if they had bond places, and then the wait for confirmation started. I have also entered two other half marathon races in March.

The Great North Run came and went with the normal level of excitement (and emergency loo stops) - I really love this race, everyone should apply to do it at some point, it is just fabulous - OGGY OGGY OGGY!!

And then it came - I AM DOING THE LONDON MARATHON, yes me!!! OMG now it is real, now I really have to do it, but isn't it just amazing!!

I started up a Virtual Run which was pretty successful - £236 pounds was raised, and I was off!

The Great Perkins Run saw me achieve a Personal Best for a half marathon, and gave me an injury that I am still getting over! 

Whilst I haven't been able to run I have been trying to get things going with fundraising. So I have had a cake sale (£80 odd) and spent every evening making soft toys and decorations for Christmas (and no I do not normally sew). This has raised an additional £130 with more to come. Poor Mike thought we lived in a sweatshop!! My mum has been doing a sterling job to organise an music event to be held in Feb (https://www.facebook.com/events/323873964484051/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming), I have another virtual run organised for Feb and March (https://www.facebook.com/events/1422219084667256/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming) and I have a Barn Dance and Country Craft Fair plus raffle in the planning stages.

Running recommenced gingerly in December. Once a week until Christmas week, then I thought to myself, 'Right, lets go for it. No more messing about and yes I am ignoring the fact my foot is still sore!!' Today is the 30th December and I have run every day since the 23rd and feel brilliant for it. I am slow and cumbersome. I get to about 4 miles and my foot lets me know that I really am a bit stupid, but I am out there and I am doing it. 

I am so proud of myself for getting out in the winter months when normally I would be tucked up in a lovely thick blanket with some nourishing chocolate, cheese and wine!! I am loving the crisp days, I am even loving running in the dark with my layers, headlamp and flashing lights. I am loving being one of the 'mad runners' that I had previously given a questioning glance to. I am loving getting some time back for me to think, to reflect and to plan the future. I am loving counting pace, and thinking about times although not with too much concern as I really do need to think about my foot! I love to be able to say that I am training for a marathon!! 

I love to run!

(BTW, don't tell anyone but if I get a place on the Snowdonian Marathon it will be an accident, honest!!)