Race the train Report

A little bit belated now a over a week after the event but been a bit busy with work and trying to get fixed. Because I got broke. Some more.

Traveled up the day before from Bewdly as was working up in Northampton Thursday so stayed with friends so I didn't have to go back to Sussex and then back to Wales within 24hrs. Had my first Radio Interview as well on the Friday for work which was scary but went okay so I was told.

Got to the apartment we were staying in early evening, and crashed a bit before a reasonably early night. I got cuddles with Mic, who I absolutely adore! 

Saturday was a slow start the race wasn't until 2pm. O was a bit poorly in the night with a temperature and wasn't great still in the morning. Let and I did a bit of shopping and went and checked out the venue for parking etc.

Got back and met O's dad which was nice and after a bit of fafing about (mostly on my part) we headed to Abergavenny.  I decided to run in my new Salomon Speedcross 3s which I am really pleased with. Tread on them comparable to a tractor!

When at the event we also met up with one of O's colleague Lee. We found the train I was never optimistic about beating it I just didn't want to be last.

So we soon were set off with the whistle of the train and I think I kept O in sight maybe for 1km then let him go, I couldn't keep his pace. Little did I know that I would nearly catch him up later.

It didn't take long to get out of the town, now I come to think of it I don't think I have known a better supported event in terms of crowds and cheering. Was so encouraging! And then we were out in the countryside and the route followed a reasonably flattish route for the first half of this 14mile route, with a few sneaky climbs but nothing that stopped me running. 

I could feel my form slowing me down, my lack of training recently had really affected me and I just wasn't enjoying this as much as I did the half marathons I was doing early in the year where I was fit for them. But I was okay and the miles went by and I got chatting to a few people, the marshals were really supportive and there were supporters dotted along the route. 

The train went by a few miles in and I have a very unattractive photo with it but as my readership is rather minimal I suppose there is no harm in sharing.

I'd like to point out that it was really really hot and I had tipped a cup of water over myself which turns out isn't a very attractive thing to do and must make not to avoid doing that in future to avoid looking like a puddle of sweat. Or at least more of one than usual.

The pain in my hip started to bother me by mile 5 and I pushed on until mile seven where there was a water stop and I paused for a breather and to review the damage. My knee was niggling as well on the descents as well. By this time I wasn't too shabby for time was on track for a 2:20hr finish I think my pace was around the 6:20-7min mark which wasn't much different to the marathon, well, the first bit.

I pushed on, a very unpleasant passing of two partially decomposed sheep carcasses that I would have thought the organisers should have arranged to dispose of prior to the event as the smell was horrendous and was very unpleasant to see. 

The route then continued up somewhat and along the side of this hill for what seemed like ages. There were some sections so steep that we had to climb with our hands! The camber of the path must have been varying between 15-30 degrees at times which put a lot of strain on my untrained and unstable body that was already hurting. My new trainers were awesome though and the views were stunning, when there was chance to look up as the terrain was quite treacherous with bits of slate sticking out the ground, rocks to clamber over and all sorts.

Another highlight was a beautiful waterfall but no time to stop and look as there was a slippery wall of rock to climb. At some point there was a bog to run through which was very smelly and the route later joined back onto the original route for the final 6km or so.

So I was pushing through a lot of pain after mile 7. I hurt a lot. There were a lot of sections that I just couldn't run even if I wanted to so did walk when I had to but there was a descent just after the bog I think when my knee had just had enough and I had to stop briefly to compose myself as I literally was finding it hard to even put weight through it. Once I got on the flat again I picked up the pace a bit but it was hard. My knee was the worst it hurt so much. It was more crippling than the marathon and I didn't have Owain in my ear encouraging me but I don't think that would have helped at this point. With 5km to go and the promise of a Jaffa cake and then being told that there were none left was devastating in itself (I recently found out that O had passed brought not long before me and he had some!), I conceded to walk the rest. Though I did still do this as quickly as I could. Though I remember it hurting I can't remember much of that walking miles.

As soon as we were back on the roads and there were people and supporters cheering us on again I somehow managed to find a run in me. Well I say run, I mean hobble type run that was quicker than a walk. The fact that one guy was starting to take down some barrier tape was even an incentive to keep going! I think I managed 1.6-2km I tried to work out how far was left based on confusing signage from different races.  The finish seemed to come quicker than I thought and I crossed the line without realising and my name was called out which was nice but i didn't want to stop for fear of falling over as I had momentum and needed to find my friends. I nearly went straight passed them mind and O was there surprisingly out of breath and as it turned out he only finished 3minutes before me. He hadn't had a great race either.  But we finished, we survived (just) and had our medals and t-shirts and goody bags and hobbled back to the car.

So like I said O didn't have a good time of it and was quite sick a few times and had to walk a lot of it as well in the end. He was still poorly after and I hurt so we went home, O went to bed and did feel a bit better later but even a week after he's only just started feeling a bit more normal so lesson perhaps not run with a temperature or feeling poorly. And for me, maybe I shouldn't have run either. Probably not. Will I learn. Probably not.

Day after both O and I had knee injuries (he always has to copy me) and turns out his was worse, is worse.  From running on the sideways hill no doubt too and masked the day before because of being poorly. Poor thing even went to the minor injuries as swelled right up and was, is, agony for him and still feeling rubishy. He's done his MCL we reckon and is now recovering from that. He is a terrible patient mind. Gave him a Tens machine last night to help with the pain but he found it more fun to see how high he could take the 'therapeutic' effects.... At least it was a distraction for a bit I suppose. Our knees....

Anyway, back to my knee. I got home Sunday night and did the whole RICE thing for a few days and the pain was gone by Wednesday. Considering I was going down stairs on my bum it hurt so much Monday I was a bit shocked. More on my injury on the next blog as I have seen the physio and this post is getting a bit long.... But let's not forget the medals: 

Week report. Not as planned. But onwards, something to train for now!

This week hasn't quite gone to plan, mostly because of work, finding a new home that we are going to rent and buying a new car. Quite an expensive one.

Oh and after a meeting with O Ley and Jules we are now doing the Endevour Devises to Westminister race next Easter which is also rather costly (about £1k and that's not even with a boat). 

So after saying I wouldn't run, I ran on Thursday morning with Leyla and 1k in my hip hurt and 2k in, a pla on Dinosaur island and I had to walk home I couldn't run. So no running now until race the train which will break me more. Physio booked for Monday and will book ready for after race the train. 

I was pleased and very much enjoyed kayaking again today. Yanna was the instructor but I spent quite a bit of time with Zak too who is a kid that seems to be always down there and is quite good (first impressions last week I thought he does like to show off a little though he is actually quite sweet and very helpful and not a bad instructor in the making). So with him did t-rescues practicing hip flick (need loads more practice with that!). Did deck test fine, few practices slowed it all down so it doesn't look like I'm panicking. 

Standing up in kayak (followed by a splash-well everyone else was in the sit on tops and I was heckling so Yanna made me do it in the dagger well briefly before I went in) didn't spin out today and good news my sides ache not my arms which means I am am doing it all a bit more properly!  Also did support strokes and braces so all in all got quite wet today. Also my friend Amy came and she really enjoyed it too. Overall pleased that I can notice a difference even so quickly, a lot still to learn but enjoying it.

Might go on the SUPs tomorrow and hopefully out in the kayaks next week if Owain can be tempted. Busy week though at work so will have to see about all the other stuff. 

So will need to catch up with O a bit more re DW and shopping list and plan but he fact there is a little bit of one is a start and that certainly makes me happy. 

Tomorrow is Sunday so hoping for a ride with the husband and maybe the SUPs down the lake if it is nice or a BBQ.

Recovering for the next race - Race the Train

So I am pleased to report that I am getting back on track in terms of increasing exercise and reducing calorie intake in my attempt to shift some of the 'getting married' weight I gained (though I think some of it was training for the Dragon ride muscle gain too) and I would quite like to fit more comfortably into my size 10 shorts. That aside I also want to be fitter and faster and for that I need to be stronger and lighter. 

I still need to get my 5k parkrun pb down below 24minutes and also aspire to run a faster more pain free marathon.

Before I worry about that though I have managed to pick up an injury. This is from the marathon which is unlikely to come as a surprise. Now that all the general aches and pains have gone I am left with mostly just hip pain.  I did see a physio last week and this helped confirm my weaknesses in my core, ITB and my adductors particularly in my right leg.  It is my right hip that I seem to have the problem well the pain. This I think is primarily at the tendon muscle junction and into the belly of my adductors but I also think I have some involvement of my Iliapsoas (group) as I had some pain swimming front crawl and so my hip was in (and out of) full extension and the pain is still quite isolated to that area.  So I have prescribed another week of no running, especially after a sneaky 1km run on Friday still resulting in pain. 

Race the train is a 14 mile run in 2weeks and that is shortly followed by Beat the Tide which is a 10k evening run the following Thursday.  I must admit I am a bit nervous. I don't like this feeling of going into races un prepared, it's not my style and I need to break this habit I seem to her fallen into.

I didn't even do parkrun yesterday. 

So on Wednesday I started my non-running training for my running events. I did a quick 15k ride and even got a pb on bonfire missing out on beating my usual nemesis by 1second (on the strava segment). Friday I did a quick 1,025m in the pool (41 lengths) and tested out my new watches functions which was cool and yesterday I took part in the adult kayak session run by Southwater Water Sports for 2hours (4km). Today I had planned a ride but my body had planned something else so stomach cramps this morning put a halt to that and we walked to the pub with some friends. Currently sitting out in the Sunday afternoon sun not managing much.  I am pleased with my activity, I can also keep track of my steps too and they are mostly above 10k but I was ill last week and I am only just over it so I am aiming to make sure I get my 10k in daily. I am in the office this week mostly so should make time to do something at lunch times or in the evening where possible.

So this week, the plan(ish), subject to change of course. Monday evening ride with Jules to Kirdford and back to see the family (2hrs riding approx 26 miles, might be a bit slower as Jules is on his MTB. Not a bad idea for me to take it easy anyhow.  Beyond that evening wise I am leaving open as I don't know Jules' movements for one. But I hope to get another evening ride in, hoping to get a kayaking session in with O but we'll see. I can't wait till I can actually go out on my own as I am pretty sure I can't be trusted yet even on the lake and I am pretty sure O wouldn't let me if I was stupid enough to think I was. But I am just eager to learn as until I am of any credible ability I can't train in it and at least until that point the DW race won't happen, beyond that who knows.

Anyway, I'm going to do my strengthening and core work 3 sessions this week before work and another swim or two at lunch times. Kayak again on Saturday, no parkrun I imagine but I will volunteer as my Elephantastic elephant (overall fundraising and awareness for lots of charities and causes mine is for parkrun, there are these trails across Horsham district over the summer run by the rotary) and out parkrun Ele is going and I have some promo work to do on it and the paper is coming. But I am going to do the adult kayak session again next Saturday.

So ride x 2+ (might cycle to work), swim x 2-3 and kayak x 2, gym x 1-2 (cross trainer maybe), core and strength x 3. Review hip daily. Weigh in Tuesday and MFP Monday-Friday. 

Go!

Recovering from a marathon for two weeks and now onto the next Race The Train!

I read quite a bit about why not to run a marathon with no training and also how to survive one. So I survived running a marathon without it's fair to say enough to training. The longest run I had done previously was probably a half marathon 3months before.  I had done a 100mile bike ride in Wales a little over a month before but my wedding was in between and it mean my activity levels were significantly reduced to mostly just park run and the odd ride in the previous 4 weeks. So. I may have had some residual fitness left from the ride but my joints and muscles were not strong enough. Which is why I broke.

I was even told tonight that I shouldn't have run the marathon by the person who agreed to it. To be fair he had removed all pressure and encouraged me to run what I wanted. What I wanted was to do the marathon. For myself mostly but also because I have this ridiculous person inside my head saying if so and so can do it I can do it. I need to calm down. There is no need to be competitive. If anyone it needs to just with me. 

I have now raised my own question in my head that what am I doing? Am I the same person I was a year ago? What is really driving me? It always used to be me and now I am not so sure. I have to get my head in a better place I am just not sure where that is right now.

Anyway. So I was running on marathon day by half way / 3/4 of the way with agonising pain in my lower back kidney area, latteral upper quads and hip, latteral aspect of my knees.  The back pain hasn't hurt since the medal was out round my neck. The latteral aspect of my knee (over LCL ligament) has lingered a bit and hurt after parkrun last week too but has been fine since I have stopped running, I jogged a bit and it seems fine now, need to slowly progress my mileage and I should be fine. I also have some strengthening exercises for ITB, adductors and quads which i need to crack on with. My hip has lingered the longest and was what has prompted my decision to have a whole week off running. It really hurt on Saturday and few days after so it had to be sorted. I did see a physio last week and they only said what I knew and I can't credit her much with her anatomy knowledge but I got given some exercises and told to use the roller. 

I went for a brief ride last night and all injuries felt good it non existent although I do need to roll my quads for sure. All feels a bit tight.

So I am not doing parkrun I don't think on Saturday, I am planning on kayaking though there is an adult session on the lake at 10am so in Os absence from wanting to kayak for the moment if I want to learn this sport I just need to practice and so I need to get on with it myself though am more than happy to be coached and would prefer to be coached  by my friend however I am impatient and I want to be better now. And if it's going to be about me then I will just have to make it happen. 

I also want to get a long ride in this weekend so whether it is on my own or not I am planning on a ride, hopefully to dorking and back nice and early as want to go on the A24 a bit, as it is the ride London event and I want to be nosey. This is what I need to do to not run for a bit longer. I am going to run on Monday or Tuesday morning next and do a nice easy run and if my hip or knee start hurting I am going to stop. I a also aiming to get in the pool 3 times next week.

There we have it a short term plan. Race the train stuff came in the post today so that is in two weeks I need to sort myself out in my trainers and I my head. 

We did a marathon!!!!!!

So a bit late writing this but we did it! We ran (mostly) a marathon! Took about 5:30 or something but we did it!

Firstly massive thanks as always to the support crew, here she is showing off her cute new hair! 

So both of us were reasonably calm given the occasion and it was a lovely start to the event. There were a god few hundred people and some chaps that we recognised from the Larmer Tree. It was their first marathon too. White Star Racing did pull of a fantastic event, there were some great costumes and there was even a horse and a horn to start and the weather was awesome (until it got too awesome and was too bloody hot!). Anyway, cracking on 27miles to go! Said farewell to Ley and we were off.

So as per previous post we were going to walk all the hills. I was a bit worried O wouldn't stick to this, but he did and we were walking quite early on up the first hill as planned. This was good, but he does walk slower than me, I just need to worry about keeping up with him when we are running! We were talking about our next marathon and future events within 5 minutes.... It hadn't started hurting yet.

So first feed station 5k in was earlier than expected but a couple of nibbles and we were back on our way. 

So a few new gadgets in tow. My new Garmin FR920XT which I haven't really taken off since the day it arrived (and I love it even if it is huge!) I will save my love for this to another post once I have tested out a few more functions.  I also aquired a new Camebak the Aurora. Very pleased with this hydration pack, love how easy is to fill and drink from, also love all the extra pockets! I took 7 gels and it had a ful 2litres in. I used 6 gels and refilled it once. I needed the fluid, it was a hot day!

O had a few issues with his sloshing. I tried to help fix it but I think I made it worse as it ended up leaking and he had a wet bum and then I think I pissed him off attempting to help some more. Eventually he stopped and fixed it so it stopped leaking. We got used to the sloshing. He has now got a new Camelbak too, the marathoner I believe but I haven't seen it though it was one i shortlisted but they had sold out mind I am chuffed with the one I have.

So buy 1/4marathon I needed to sort my feet out as I could feel a blister developing so compede blister patch applied. I was anxious this was going to stop me later but it didn't. The blister patch did its job but the cause was because I wore my road trainers and because it was a trail and very uneven underfoot the front of my foot was moving around too much. I am going to look at getting some new distance trail trainers ASAP. My current Trails are good but my feet swell a bit when I am doing longer distances and so need a bit more room. 

So we pushed on, we kept walking the hills and we're both feeling pretty good. We were on track for a 5-5:30 finish. When we were running we both were keeping our watches somewhere between a 6:00-6:30 km pace although this tended to creep up on the descents (and was around the 7min/km towards the latter half of the race). 

We both needed a comfort break at one point and the plan was to walk until the other caught back up. I climbed a 6ft gate into a field but on my return over the gate landed badly and caught my ankle but luckily all was okay and caught back up.  Never had to stop during a run before, luckily I was prepared. Boys get it so easy... 

So all was going ish to plan. I was starting to hurt though. O was bouncing around still and full of it which didn't really change. I had the energy but my legs were hurting. Particularly the upper lateral part of my quads around my hips, and the outsides of my knees. My quads were what was hurting on my Monday run so wasn't completely unexpected. There was that but also my lower back around my kidney area. This was only going to get worse and it was getting hotter. 

As I had expected I found 28-35k the worst. I was in so much pain, and although I didn't tell O, I had a headache and felt a bit faint and so hot I found it really hard to keep running and start back up again. There were some great people we got chatting to at times and it was lovley. O was amazing as well. I wouldn't have got through those 7km or the subsequent last 8k either tbh if he wasn't there and being a huge support (and feeling a lot better than I was). I didn't talk to him much for an hr or so I don't think, bit of a turn of the cards to it usually me doing too much of that. I just had to get my head down and push through what I was going through, if that was the wall I think I found it, still it was the pain in my back and quads that was just the worst. Energy wise I was okay, just oh my, my back was agony. Every step I landed was agony. O kept me smiling. Well it's the best I could do, I couldn't find the focus to call him a jerk or tell him where to stuff his idea to start running again.

Anyway, for the last parkrun it was easier to run and focus on the finish. I think I did actually smile a bit more. There was a section that was really overgrown and we couldn't run it even if we wanted to. Because I walk a bit faster I got a bit ahead but I quite liked the excuse to stop and wait.  I think that there was a short period O went through a bad patch, he went a bit quiet and wanted to walk when it wasn't a hill. He resolved himself quickly, if it even was that, either way he was back with me after 10mins. We were now looking to the finish and I think it is fair to say I quite enjoyed the last 5k, down the hill through the tall crops was fun (although still agony, I was ignoring it now). We could hear the finish!

Pushing on there was a cheeky hill right near the end which we walked to save us for the last bit. We were just going through a wooded section and we could really hear the cheering now, this was really motivating and we past some volunteers who were encouraging too. Then out of the woods and down to the finish we could see it. Ley said she saw me put my arms in the air. I, well O, found me running into him as I for some reason wanted to head to the right. The finish was to the left!

Eventually corrected we came down the hill at quite a pace and crossed the line together and got the most awesome medals!

Ley was waiting for us! We also got a goody bag with jam in it and Ley got me a biscuit, she knows me too well. Was fed up of sweets and gels and just wanted something proper so we all had hog roast bap. Was yum!

And home. O even got a record of me getting some kip which might explain why one minute we were in Dorset and then in what felt like 2minutes we were in Chichester. 

Oh and we have new tshirts too!

I will save post marathon week report for another post. Was a tough run, so pleased to say that I am a marathon runner now though. Now just looking at next ones, we have booked the Larmer Tree 20miler for March next year! 

Another great event White Star Racing (WSR)! Thanks!! 

Starting over

I am writing this after a busy month.  This is my 2 week anniversary as a married woman.  What with the preparation for, the big day, the aftermath and our minimoon there is lots to report but not much actual training has taken place although lots of fun has been had for sure.  Back to work and reality/normality Monday though, with the promising outlook of my Husband starting a new job soon after a few months of no work following redundancy (which also has added to the challenges we have faced recently) but fingers crossed an offer will come his way soon.

Anyway, I finally took my road bike out for the first time since the Dragon last night, off road (it coped but I don't want to do that too often).  It started off as an afternoon cleaning and oiling the bikes at Os which resulted in us being in the sunny pub garden with the Boss (Ley) before 5pm.  My hubby and some of my other favorite people H and Z also joined us later.  O was still probably drunk from the night before and I missed lunch and then proceeded to drink way too much in the sun.  I have been informed of my embarrassing resulting actions by husband (still getting used to that) but it was still fun and I still insisted on cycling home.  Well we walked the last bit.  Probably shouldn't have cycled home.  I am recording this merely to remind myself to avoid doing this again for a while.  This was not conducive for the planned activities for today.

Over the past month I think I have mostly managed one or two easy runs a week (parkrun usually) and have been out on the mountain bikes a bit too while on holiday in Cornwall for a few days.  Although I didn't manage parkrun on my wedding day as planned, O and I (albeit somewhat worse for wear) did manage a 7km run the morning after. Jules and I visited Lanhdyrock parkrun on our minimoon (2nd hardest parkrun in the country apparently, we aren't going to disagree) and back to it now as of today.

I also messed about in the sea and went kayaking for the first time on the river Fowey while away which was great. We had a great time, and been looking forward to my first lesson with O since.  Even having done the Dragon about a month ago now, I haven't done half enough to keep my form so I have a lot of work to do as well as a half marathon (Dorset Invader) next weekend.  Eeek!.

So now I have brought you up to speed.  I am married, I have put on loads of weight, I am rather unfit, I have a half marathon next weekend, I am still hungover and I have taken up a new sport.

Now I have done a half mara or 2, 96miles on the bike, 10k and 5ks can just happen, I am really looking for something that is going to make me train and motivate me to get out there.  At the moment the next biggest event is Race the Train in Wales in August which is 14odd miles which will be the furthest I would have ever run.  I need to put a training schedule together I think to take me to that then we'll see beyond that.  I also need to shift some fat and tone up again and my parkrun times are suffering so that needs to be addressed as well.

Jules has set his sights on and signed up to the Barns Green Half in September so it will help that we can train together too depending on his work schedule.

I know I can do it.  I need to set my mind to it, put a plan in place and take bloody control. It's happening.

Run, bike, swim, kayak, gym, My Fitness Pal.  Beep beep beep Go!

2 Days until the Dragon

With a little over 2 days now until the Dragon ride (had an email reminder!), tonight I/we need to pack and do a bit of planning.  I am a bit nervous but I don’t think I am worried really.  I have full confidence in Owain and I and I enjoy riding and know how my body best deals with hills as long as we just take it easy and drink and eat regularly we will be fine.  I have a wedding in 3 weeks and I am worried about this and the amount still to do more.  This ride will be hard, but fun.  What’s a challenge if it doesn’t test us?

I have tried to taper this week, as per Owains advice and everything else to do with training on line. So what I have done:

• Horsham parkrun last Saturday and 35km on the MTB
• Sunday gym and swim
• Monday I rode with Beck (easy as first time out on her new and first road bike, at dusk and it was windy)and 30 day challenges
• Tuesday my 30 day challenge exercises (Plank, squats, push ups, sit ups, crunches, side and front leg raises)
• Wednesday morning I ran 6km and then fitted in 25 minutes in the pool at 21:35 just before it closed (but I did have the whole pool to myself!)
• Thursday I had all the intentions of running, carrying my gym kit everywhere but it didn’t happen except for a 10minute kick about with the football at the Farm (my childhood home).
• Today I hope to get a ride in after work but I also have to pack for Saturday and will do 30 day challenge exercises.
• Tomorrow, easy parkrun
• Sunday 153km Wales – Dragon Ride!

A good tapper week I think, no endurance work, but kept my body and mind active.

I have had a bit of bother with my tummy last couple of days, not helped by eating too much to relieve stress, or at least I think eating will make me feel better but instead it makes me fat.  I have IBS and follow a no wheat/bread diet.  I am not allergic or diagnosed with anything that requires gluten free, I have chosen it because I feel better for not eating it and I can be quite poorly if I do.  (To get a diagnosis of anything or even be tested in the first place I have to return to a full wheat and gluten diet for 3 weeks or so and I tried but it was too horrible so I just do this instead).  This just means that I am not going to rely on the feed stations for all my energy needs.  We have support crew Leyla and Mic so fortunately can ask her to take along a suitable meal for one of the stops, the rest I can carry.

What I need to pack (according to the email and race pack from Human Race):

• Bike – Specialized Allez Comp (aka Ali)
• Helmet – New Specialized top
• Jersey – New Dragon kit
• Shorts - New Dragon kit
• Jackets/Gilets – Castelli waterproof if needed (will decide on the day if I take it or not)
• Gloves – Specialized white ones
• Cycle Shoes – Specialized with new Shimano Cleats
• Sunglasses – Altura ones
• Spare Tubes – I have 4 (got a few new ones yesterday for the support car)
• Tools – have all need though would prefer a new set
• Puncture Repair & Pumps – have pump on bike and CO2 as well as repair kit and patches
• Saddle Bag – New expandable Specialized one (Also bought a new Topeak Tri Top Tube bag yesterday as my one is frayed and doesn't fit as well as it could to the top tube)
• Tyres – on the wheels, will check – may consult O if we should get support crew to carry a spare
• Lights/Reflective – On bike, might not take full on front lights, just the little rubber hook around one so am seen.
• Bottles & Hydration – SIS 800ml x 2 for bike and x2 1L for journey and post-race.
• Nutrition – SIS gels, banana’s, dried apricots, chocolate rice cakes, Soreen bar, Hydration tablets and SIS Go! powder and suitable lunch for support car – probably M&S salad or John West Tuna Light Lunch.  Will have some stuff at feed stations too.
• Cycle Computer/GPS – Garmin Edge and iPhone 6.

In addition to their list (Which conveniently correlates with items you can buy from Wiggle and they even link to them directly from the email!); also need:

• Chamois Cream – D’nuts Bliss (and couple extra little sachets I acquired)
• Socks – my Favourite race socks (Hilly)!
• Race pack – mustn’t forget this!
• Snood – black one
• Arm warmers – only ones I have
• Mobile battery pack and cable
• Tissues
• Quadlock kit and poncho for phone
• Contact lenses - (old trial ones not new ones)
• Emergency cash and ID
• Emergency event contact number for the day
• Crash pack

Then just need wash bag and stuff for 2 nights’ hotel, bikini and swim stuff for spa at hotel, MP3 player maybe and speaker, glasses.

Also need Bike rack to put on O’s car and bungees.

 

I wonder if I have missed anything….Will send to O for review.

Back to parkrun

I had a good active weekend. I am pleased I got out and fitted lots in. That is more that can be said about reducing the wedding to-do list (though we have chosen our wedding rings which are going to be ordered tomorrow which is something). 

Saturday I returned to Horsham parkrun after a short period away (last parkrun was 4th April!) because of a number of things including events, broken toe, work and cycling taking priority too. All the same it was good to get back and with a 25:29 minute time; less than a minute off my 24:39 5k PB so I was happy with that. Less happy after running with Owain to then have him overtake me on the sprint (and it was a reverse uphill sprint this week too). Even though I caught back up he still beat me by 1second and just had a bit more left than I so I'll give him that. We are often evenly matched which makes things fun and it helps me be better too - though I have more parkruns and a better age grading at the moment, he is still faster on the 5k events at the moment but even on 10k and half marathon distance we are usually less than a minute apart. Leyla did really well too on Saturday, first run for her in ages (I think march?) due to injury (boo!) and still got a respectable 33:16 (and she has more parkruns than O - just saying ... not that Ley is quite as competitive is some of us others not too far away).

 

I think I could have maintained a faster pace on Saturday but playing football for the first time in ages Friday night (literally went to Tesco to buy a football at 21:30 and came home to play it as part of resolving a dispute with my future husband - I won I hasten to add of course), my broken toe had flared up. I broke my toe about 4-5 weeks ago accidentally kicking the base of the bed going to draw the curtains - nothing exciting except it bloody hurt and is still continuing to bother me every now and then however, it hasn't stopped me entirely. I still ran the Southampton 10k a few days after doing it (though I was meant to run the half marathon) and it doesn't bother me cycling.

So if you haven't heard of parkrun and are either a runner or like the idea of running or just a means to get fit (or you can even walk them!), check it out: www.parkrun.org.uk it is the best! In summary they are free 5km timed runs all over the country, it is a great community to get involved in if you haven't already. I run and I volunteer at them when I can't run or shouldn't (i.e. race) and I know I should volunteer more and I hope to. My regular parkrun is Horsham but my friends and I also frequent Tilgate and Cranleigh and try and tourist to others too if we can. There is no medal but there is a t-shirt and the kudos of joining the 50 club once you have done 50 runs and 25 for volunteering. I am at 28 parkruns now since last August so I hope to achieve my status by the end of the year at the very latest.

I love park run for all the stats it give you too. I can see how much I have progressed and how effective my training has been too. A screen shot shows this best:


I often like to include parkrun at the end of a long run to make it up to 13miles or more. I really enjoy those too. We have talked about running to Cranleigh parkrun which is 10miles up the Downs Link and meeting the less crazy amongst us there, or cycling it.

I was talking about goal setting and I suppose this is a good opportunity to set one, or 3:

#1 Achieve a parkrun 5k PB of <24:00 by the end of July and a <23:00 PB by the end of 2015 (location irrelevant).

#2 Earn my 50 club t-shirt before the end of 2015 (The earliest I could do this would be 24th October as I need a further 22 parkruns under my belt. This could happen but is unlikely so end of 2015 it is (and hopefully before any of my other friends too ;-) )

#3 Visit and run/volunteer at a further 8 new parkrun locations before the end of 2015.

To achieve a PB I think I need to invest in some new technology to help me pace myself. Owain and Beck (a fellow parkrunner and new to road cycling friend) both have the Garmin Vivoactive. I keep looking and have been for months and for the price there really doesn't seem to be anything better (and now that O has learnt to use his and doesn't stop singing its praises I am inclined to think that it is quite good). The one I was considering (TomTom multisport I think) Beck has just replaced with the Vivoactive. I need more information closer to hand. Like on my wrist. Another TBC...

At this point I realise that I write a lot. I have a lot to say. (I am also terrible at grammar and spelling which has already been pointed out to me) parkrun does indeed deserve its own post but I also had a great 35k ride on Saturday on the MTB as part of a risk assessment for a Breeze ride I still need to set up on the system as well as my 30 day challenge app. Yesterday (Sunday) I also made it to the gym for row/arms strength and core session and swim and would love to write about that, the good aches today and the blisters on my hands. But I am not, for now at least. After an evening meeting later at work I am riding tonight with Beck, weather pending (her first time out on her first and new road bike), but with the Dragon at the weekend this really does need to be a reasonably easy week.

Quality Miles

I have a medal hanger on my wall at home.  It is perfectly hand made for me by my friend Owain which I got for my birthday in March and it proudly displays my memories. My unique tag line written for me is 'Quality Miles'. I love this. It got me thinking how important quality miles are.  Especially if miles represent time and that time could be running, cycling, socialising, shopping, working etc. What is a mile if there is no aspiration to make it count? It needs to count, be memorable, be worthwhile. Miles, or time as I am translating this to, spent on my own or with others and whatever I am doing needs to be good quality time spent.  We only have so many miles we can go, and so much time to spend, so I am using this as inspiration and motivation to improve the quality of my time, my miles, and hopefully this will result in achieving more.

So one of my weaknesses is that although I am busy I can sometimes use my time inefficiently, and ultimately that weakness is in part Facebook and my phone.  I hate to admit it but I am a slave to it sometimes and I know some time spent on it could be spent doing other things more productive. Particularly in the morning so I am aiming to use my mornings more efficiently for productive exercise or non exercise activities that give me a sense of achievement.

To be continued....

Introducing myself, running and cycling

So you find me 5 months into 2015 with an impending huge challenge of 153km/95miles and 7,892ft/2,405m climbing on 7th June. Just 10 days away.

I will use this first blog to bring you up to speed and tell you a bit about me and my journey.  I am going to keep this blog focused as the title suggests but I like to talk so I wouldn't be surprised if it get's side tracked at times. This is also my first ever so bear with me if you catch me rambling.

I grew up on a farm as a tomboy and love being outdoors and I have always been a sporty person, playing pretty much everything and anything (football, hockey, tennis, rugby ... everything) and I also have a 2:1 BSc in Sports Therapy (sports physiology, biomechanics and injury treatment and rehabilitation etc). I love a challenge and competition and love encouraging others to get involved.

I have been running for a few years now but cycling has taken over more so recently. I invested in a road bike (a 2011 Specialized Allez Comp) in 2012 when I was employed in my first non-profit job as an events manager at Access Sport, mainly to organise the now London Cyclosportive (previously Ride Around London), a job that I hugely enjoyed and introduced me to road cycling and sportives. I also became a Breeze Champion through British Cycling, however I am yet to (although planned) really commit to this.  I didn't come to find the love for cycling until 2014, after I met Owain late in 2013. Now with someone to share my rides with and a little (understatement) competition with, Owain has become one of my most dearest friends, we have been on quite a journey so far, running and riding our way to fitness, (injury), segments (Strava), medals, memories and of course friends. 

Me on my bike earlier in the year, making the most of the sun being out!

We went out for the first of many rides in January 2014 and I found myself walking up our local 'Bonfire Hill'. Nearly a year an a half on, I haven't found myself walking up any hills since! In fact last time we did Bonfire, even after Owain drafted me up to it and overtook me early on and got 30-40m ahead, I pressed on staying in the saddle, I overtook him on the kick and can now say I absolutely thrive on hills.  This is no reflection on O, he is and continues to be an incredible inspiration, it is just a reflection on how proud I am with my training. When I first went out with O my ambition was to just keep up with him and so this was a huge milestone for me.  

It's not just about cycling of course. I am a runner; a parkrunner too. Getting into to full swing of parkrunning from August 2014 and I love it! It is great that whether just one of us can go or all of my friends and family can join, we have a great time either running or volunteering.

All of us at Tilgate parkrun in August last year. One of our first.

So with the running and cycling and a conversation that I am almost sure happened in a pub, I signed up to do my first half marathon, the Heartbreaker Half back in Feb 2015 and Dragon Medio Fondo ride as afore mentioned. I was questioning Owain's ambitions for 12 medals in 12months when he spoke of them last year but it seems I have caught the bug for a bit of race bling myself and am 8 medals in already his year with at least another 9 more in the diary.

I should also point out I am getting married to my lovely fiancé Jules in 4 weeks so it is all go!

Jules and I after our Southampton ABP 10k (I was meant to do the half but broken toe prevented this-not an exciting mechanism of injury in afraid).

My friends mean everything to me and I love sharing the company of others for riding, running, swimming or whatever. I am a busy person and nothing makes me happier than filling my time with as much as I can with others who I love as well as making others happy. 

Owain and I after finishing the LCS in May 2015 medium route (65miles/105km) at Herne Hill Velo. One of my best days cycling to date.

So the Dragon is in 10 days. Based on completing the 65mile London Cycle Sportive back in early May in 5:30(ish) I am confident that we will complete the Dragon and not be last hopefully in I estimate 7:45-8:30 though the target is to just complete the distance. But also confident that it will be tough and we will both be broken after it! There is some serious hills that we just don't have here in the south which has me nervous. A bit more training would have helped my confidence and a bit less eating too (recent 5kg weight gain!). I would have loved to have done a 75-100mile training ride as planned by now but with running events, injury and wedding organising it just hasn't happened.  I have a strong mind when it comes to exercise and thrive for a challenge so I am sure if the fitness doesn't get me through, my mind will. 

It will be fun for sure! Up to a 9 or so hour day out in the saddle with O. In Wales. With 2,405m of hills. Ten days away. Yea no bother. Thank goodness for our support crew!

This isn't a full reflection on my running and cycling being my life though it is not hard to notice that it is a huge part nowadays. Jules and Leyla (Owain's wife) play a huge part in all this too as some of my nearest and dearest, and of course putting up with Owain and I. I am blessed with wonderful friends and family who I am sure I will introduce you too later on too. 

I am a proud runner and cyclist. Join me! Cycle, run, jog or walk, crawl if you have to. Do what ever makes you happy as often as you can. I exercise for fun, friends, health, happiness, sanity, for the love of the activity, oh and did I mention biscuits!