WEEK NINE – DONE

Can't believe another week has gone already!



Highlight – The Fact that I LOVED my solo 20 miler


Lowlight – Reoccurring bouts of very painful tooth ache


Inspiration – Has to be the Double First Place From Team VARR!

                                                          The Winning Team!

Day 57 Monday 1st March 2010 – Groundhog day


My entry for Monday reads almost the same as last week . . . .


Slept well but still hard to get up and get going but that is about my motivation for work not for training.


Had a lunch break and did my active recovery in the shape of a 40 length swim


Brought work home but haven’t done any of it, busy updating training programmes reading and writing blog, I feel a bit guilty that I prioritise my training over work.

Day 57 Tuesday 2nd March 2010 – Club Intervals – So tell me how come 1min rest goes much quicker than 1 minute running?

Not very much to say today really, went to work, spent all day in the office but most of it I was meeting with a colleague going through things, which was most helpful but I didn’t get anything from my to do box (yes I’ve now gone from a list to a box!) done.

My tooth has been niggling throughout the day take some painkillers before run club.

As we gather for the start of run club there is a lot of chatter about Saturday National, someone asks me if I’m recovered I say ask me in an hour! Its first Tuesday in the month and so we run as a group and as we warm up my legs ache, my right Achilles feels very tight I’m not sure I’m up to the interval session ahead! We are trying somewhere new, Tom splits us into two groups and we do 12 X 1min intervals with a 1min break. I take the first one steady and all is fine and I am able to have a good hard training session, I try mark someone on each of the intervals my aim is to finish before them, on one of them I chose Vikki and keep on her shoulder before taking her in the last 10 seconds (though I know Vikki is been sensible and coming back from injury in a very steady manner, by next month I won’t even be able to keep pace with her). I push myself and it takes me nearly a minute to get my breath back in between each effort I am really surprise and pleased how my legs work, no pain, but as soon as we start to run back I can hardly move my legs and I know I’m not recovered from Saturday! By the time we get back to the gym my legs are so tight I have to walk the last bit for fear that something will snap! Tooth ache – which was fine while running starts again! Really wish I had a sitter for tonight as would love to go for a curry with the guys.

Day 58 Wednesday 3rd March 2010 - It can’t be Wednesday I’m not training!

I wake up just before my alarm, have had a good night sleep but have a headache and tooth is niggling already. Also my left foot is a little sore again! Think I need to call Harriet the Hands Morgan and get myself booked in for a sports massage, as I lie here contemplating this I can’t decide which is most painful a sports massage or Tooth Ache!

It’s a rest day to day so I focus more on my work, want to get through my to do box today but also have an interview for ILM course at lunchtime which I need to prepare for first thing as I haven’t really thought about this yet.

Adele has developed a new tactic of asking me things in a way that she gets her way it starts with “Mum I think I know what you will say, but . .. . . “ And as the one thing I hate to be is predictable I end up not saying what she expects and therefore agreeing to whatever she has requested. This is how at the beginning of the week Adele got me to agree to her friend staying over on a school night. Tomorrow they have to go dressed as characters from a book and they wanted to go as twins . . . . . from which book I never actually found out . . . . .But they were as good as gold hardly saw them and when I went to tell them to go to bed they already had.

I had a relaxing evening and filled up on pasta veg and chicken in preparation for tomorrow’s long run!

Day 59 Thursday 4th March 2010 - Solo 20 miles, just me, myself, iPod & open road

Its long run day – Adele friend brings me a cup of tea in bed, could get used to this! Have toast for breakfast then a little while after a big bowl of porridge with sultanas. I have just converted to Sultanas in my porridge as last week when I was skint I ran out of my usual golden syrup, but actually this is much nicer! Can’t decide what to wear as sun is shining, My new coat with removable sleeves has arrived, but it’s not quite what I want and I think I’m going to send it back: so should I go for long sleeved top and sleeveless gillet, but pockets are too small for my water bottle: or short sleeved top and long sleeved jacket, but zip has gone on this and I have to step in and out of it, a pain if I want to take it on and off? Start to get myself in a tis-was.

Have a lift arranged and so at about 10.40 I am abandoned in Morrison’s car park at Whetherby. I set off, back to Leeds divert through Collingham the first 2 miles hurt in my legs, but am ok, Garmin suggested I was going too fast. But I soon settled in to my run as I worked my way along towards Harewood. I had chosen this route as I thought I would be able to take in the lovely country scenery, I always feel at peace in the country side and it was lovely, the snow drops and other spring flowers are finally making an appearance. But what I hadn’t thought about was there was no pavement on this road and the traffic was somewhat fast, including several large trucks and so I had to keep my wits about me particularly on bends in the road. Once or twice I had to jump into the hedgerow just to be sure. As I reached Harewood I decided to have a gel as there was a bin could throw wrapped away in, Nicky, with brilliant timing, sent me a supportive text at this point and so I was able to quickly reply before I was on my way again. Up Leeds Road, never realised what a hill “up” this was but got up it by taking steady paces and singing along to Surfing USA, Ruby Ruby Ruby, and Maggie May........ walking just wasn’t an option for me at this stage. Was worried I might miss my turning to Eccup but found it ok, from here on I could visualise my route as it was made up of different runs I have done several times. I think this helped as I just ran it a section at a time. In what felt like no time at all I was at Golden Acre. It was here I had my only real walk while I had another gel and text Dan who was at home poorly. I’m not a fan of running along Otley Road, it’s just too long and done it too many times but today it felt ok. I stopped at the garage to get some water and top my bottle up and had another gel, then off down Ade Lane, I love house spotting down here, across the ring road up Weetwood Lane, felt a need to turn the music up a little here, then as turned left to run down through the Hollies on came “eye of the tiger” and I found myself bounding down the dirt track round fences and boulders punching the air as if I was Rocky himself. I felt my shin ache a little here though and know I was just going too fast. In to Meanwood Park and I took advantage of running on the grass to give my legs a breather from the pounding. Along the back way to Monkbridge Road (passed the bakers shop my Granddad used to run in the war and where my dad used to call regularly to buy teacakes so that he could try chat my mum up) and up for what I knew is my last but one hill, I slowed my pace and stuck with it. Nipped through Headingly and downhill to join Kirkstall Road. When I reached my turning to go up Canal Road I still had half a mile to go and as Canal Road is up I contemplated running further on Kikrstall road but didn’t decided to go up Canal Road which I have to say was the hardest bit of the whole run. I then had another mile to walk home but this helped to ease my legs.

Now last year after doing my 20 miler I think I just had a bath ate and did nothing for the rest of the day but today I have arranged to meet Mabeth for a coffee and a long overdue catch up. So it’s a proper meal, bath, dressed, drive to town, park up a quick browse at Up & Running and Sports Direct than meet up with Mabeth. Lovely to see how well Mabeth is and hear all her news.

Day 60 Friday 5th March 2010 – Duvet day!

I have a second full rest day today and when I say rest day I really do mean rest day, Leisurely bath, a little nap, read, write my blog notes for yesterday, rest my eyes a little, lunch, read some more a wee afternoon 40 winks and read a little till kids come home from school! Very lazy, very self indulgent – but hey I think I deserve it!

Day 61 Saturday 6th March 2010 – Massage with Tea & Cake

Shan’t bore you too much with my Saturday routine as I’m sure you know it by now, Park Run (no Dan) Hot chocolate at Caldos (thanks V) Body Pump then home to do washing and chores etc.

Went to Nicky’s later who gave my legs a brilliant massage (reckon Nicky could be on a winner here massage with tea & homemade cake) It was great to have a proper chat and catch up and I felt very relaxed after but I bet Nicky was tired as she spent ages on each leg!

Day 62 Sunday 7th March 2010 -

Last race of the 2009/10 season Peco Cross Country today. I seem to remember when the club first raised this as something we could do that I said very clearly that I would not be taking part in any cross country as I was scared and convinced and I would injure myself. I am thrilled that my team mates persuade me to give it a go. One pair of off road trainers later and I have completed 5 out of 5 with spilling my first blood today from one slight wound from some brambles that tried to trip me up! It has been an experience a challenge and I have enjoyed (in a perverse kind of a way) every single minute of them! Each course has been different bringing its own challenges but today saw us returning to running up, down and through woods, over tree roots, stiles, bridges, cobbles, boulders, puddles, ice and even some metal hurdles and of course the obligatory mud!

First Blood!

As I ran down the final hill I thought about how far I had come and was taken back in time about thirty–cough-cough-ish years ago. My dad was a scout leader and our summer family holiday was the annual scout camp and one particular year when I was about 9, abseiling was the main activity. I remember sitting at the top of what my much older brothers called a nursery slope in the woods and they were teaching the scouts the techniques etc for abseiling. I was desperate to have a go but just daren’t as I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of all the scouts. After a while I decide to go back to camp, probably to set the tuck/sweet shop up which I was in charge of (what power I had for such a young girl) and as I started to walk down this hill – much like today’s final downhill - my feet started to run away with me I got faster and faster and could not stop I was quite terrified and trying not to scream and as my feet turned over faster and faster I was propelled forward until slam I ran straight into a big tree my chest and face banging right into it (if I remember right I even lost a tooth) the tree stopped me momentarily but then I just kind of slid round it and continued on my journey to the bottom of the hill where I arrived in a dishevelled heap! Then later that year I was on a Sunday school trip to Filey and was walking along a winding path that went up the cliff through a wooded area. I lost my footing on the path (and I wasn’t even running) and went tumbling down the hill side hitting my head on a tree and landing in a great big bunch of nettles my legs and arms were covered in cuts bruises and nettle stings. But what I remember most is that the Cadburys Caramel Bar had only just come out and I had treated myself to one ( for me this was a big treat) and in my tumble I lost it!

I reckon these two events had left me with a deep seated fear of any sort of off road running that involves hills and trees! But thanks to the VARR team and Peco I think I’m nearly cured!

And the best thing about today?

Well this may have been the last race of VARR’s first cross country season but both the Girls and Boys team came first! Brilliant! And the boys have gained promotion double brilliant!

WEEK EIGHT, DONE -- TO DO, EIGHT WEEK

 This week it has been that time of the month . . . . you know the week before payday when the cupboards are bear and for me maintaining a healthy balance of nutrition becomes a challenge!

Highlights – I have had lots of comments this week both from my running buddies and others saying I have lost weight!

Lowlights- Given the above I pick up the courage to jump on the scales and the few pounds I had lost has actually gone back on!!!!!!!!!

Inspiration – My Sunday morning run

Day 50 Monday 22nd February 2010     Bacon Egg & Chips - Yum

 By the end of this week we will be half way there!

Slept well but still hard to get up and get going but that is about my motivation for work not for training.

Had a lunch break and did my active recovery in the shape of a 40 length swim

Brought work home but haven’t done any of it, busy updating training programmes reading and writing blog, I feel a bit guilty that I prioritise my training over work.

Its end of the month and as is normal have been to raid my mum’s fridge and have ended up having one my favourite teas from when i was a little girl, Bacon (grilled), (dry) fried egg, (oven) chips and tomatoes Yum – not had this in years – Yum!

Bed time

Day 51 Tuesday 23rd February 2010 Easter Chicks Waddle by

I think I went to work today but can’t really remember anything about it!

Don’t have the best of lunches, the cottage cheese I had brought into work last week has a green covering to it now so into the bin it goes, have to make do with a packet of oat cakes, there is two yoghurts in the fridge and I can’t decide if they are the ones I brought to work last week, or if I have eaten mine and that these are someone else’s. Decided best to leave them and have two small oranges instead. About 5pm I make myself a bowl of porridge in hope that this will fuel my run, but I am already feeling sluggish and know this is due to my poor nutrition during the day, not a gram of protein in sight! Roll on pay day so I can eat properly again!

When I leave the office at just gone 6 I am surprised at how cold the temperature has dropped as I head to the gym. My foot has had a slight pain in it for the last couple of hours, put it down to wearing my big snow boots.

Think the cold and return of snow may have put a few people off as not as many out tonight have about 8 in my group. Tom chatters and everyone just wants to get off as its so cold.

Of we set but I had made the mistake of putting my off road trainers on and these made my legs ache, I could barely make it up Gotts Hill Park, bless Helen B she kept trying to talk to me as we ran up the hill but all I could really manage was a grunt. As we round the corner we came across group 3 and I chuckled to myself as I thought (now please don’t anyone be offended) how in their bright yellow jackets they looked like a group of fluffy Easter chicks all following their mother (Paul W)! I had to stop a couple of times to re tie my laces and so I tied them quite tight, but then I got that horrible foot thing I get from time to time, the only way I can describe it is it feels like I am wearing house bricks as trainers, Horrible, but I know now that it usually runs off. I had to walk a little as this feeling made me run awkwardly and I could feel all sorts of things in my lower legs ankles complaining and pulling. I ended up having to drop back a little and as the rest of group 2 ran on in front of me I recalled Tom’s words just before we set off . . . “guys if you struggled to keep up with your group last week maybe move down a group” . . . . . . .

Think may be its me that needs to drop down to group 1!

After a while my feet return to normal and I can run almost comfortably back to the gym. But as I stopped and had a quick chat at the end of the run the very cold air got to my bad tooth and set it on edge and as I drove home I wanted to just bang my head against the steering wheel till the pain subsided. I HATE TOOTH ACHE!

We chatted about arrangements for Sat National cross country, have to say am getting anxious about this now
 * Will I/we be able to find some where to park
 * Amongst all those people will I be able to find my team mates
 * Not sure I like the sound of being pinned in a penn!
 * Someone said something about running up hill 60 - twice!
 * I’m convinced I will be the last lady to finish
 * Worse than that what if I haven’t finished before the men’s race is due to start and we are on the same Course!.

Day 52 Wednesday 24rd February 2010 1@13

Have a slice of homemade carrot cake when I visit one of my teams (think well at least thats some veg) Lunch is again a packet of oat cakes and two small oranges followed by a pre training bowl of porridge about 4 in the afternoon.

Don’t have running on my programme to day but after last weeks interval session on the treadmill feel I want to see if I can focus better.

Was happy with my effort, concerned that my foot would be a problem but was ok!

2@11 2@11.5 2@11.5 2@11.5 2@11.5 2@12 2@12.5 1@13

Followed by an hour of Body Pump, enjoyed!

Followed by Baked Beans on toast – roll on pay day

 Day 53 Thursday 25th February 2010 An early night with Runners World

Lunch is . . . . . . you’ve guessed it a packet of oat cakes and two small oranges followed by a late afternoon bowl of porridge (can hear Tom and others shouting at me now but all I can say is - roll on payday)

Ran with Nicky today which was really good as we haven’t really run together in ages.

My plan was to run about 3.5 miles meet Nicky and do another 4.5 miles but I was later leaving work than I planned and a certain someone had wound me up so I just ran in to town to meet Nicky running a total of 6 miles. I have promised myself sometime ago that I wasn’t going to let that someone wind me up anymore but arrrrrrgghhhhhhhh he has taken to shouting at me in text now and sometimes I just want to shout back! But instead I just have a grumble to Nicky which means you don’t need to get chapter and verse here! But because I am a little wound up I feel as if I am running quite fast. However for the first two miles my legs are cold and I can feel all sorts of aches and niggles, and so a couple of times I have a little walk, I’m sure its just a result of running on tired legs as once I warm up these little niggles seem to disappear. It is raining but about half way round it starts to poor down and then we have to have frequent stops for Nicky to wipe her glasses as she cant see properly, so our overall pace on the Garmin looks about normal but my legs said that when we were running we were a bit speedier than normal.

My monthly copy of runners world is waiting for me when i get home, have brought work home to do but feel an early night with my mag is in order!

Baked Beans on toast for tea and as a treat I have the last tin of fruit in juice!

Still very scared about Saturday National Cross Country

Day 54 Friday 26th February 2010 Pay Day - Yippe

Have a rest day programmed today and thought I would miss my early morning spin class but I don’t. The niggle in my left foot was sore through the night and I had to take some pain killers.

It is payday, dined out with a lovely charming young man called Daniel. Had a gorgeous mouth watering hunters chicken breast, jacket spud and salad. Dan also had a pudding a warm chocolate brownie with ice cream and cream, it looked gorgeous but by the time I had said “Daniel if you can’t eat all that don’t worry ill finish it” it had gone and the plate was almost licked clean and Daniel gave me a look as much as to say “don’t even think about it”!

Still can’t settle my nerves for tomorrow, don’t understand why so bad, but I am!

Go to bed, can’t sleep

Day 55 Saturday 27th February 2010  -
I CAME 5th IN THE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Am still awake when my alarm goes off at 6am, I put it on snooze and then fall asleep but I must have turned alarm off because I slept till Harp texted me at about 7.30 – I’m glad she did otherwise would have been late getting Daniel to Park Run. I sense he is chasing a PB today, gets up earlier so that he has time for breakfast and to let it settle. He gives me a good morning hug and I swear he has grown another 2 inches overnight (must have been the brownie). I am under strict instructions to get some good photos of him that he can use for his facebook profile, he even takes the time to gel and style his hair.

Off we go and Dan has a good run, seems to be running stronger and not leaning forward quite as much, he is more upright which I have told him he needs to do but I know this takes time and practice. I still lean forward when I’m tired! Dan managed to run nearly all 3 laps before having a short walk break on the last corner. He finishes taking 44 seconds off his previous time for a new PB of 30.30! He wants a sub 30mins next time.

Daniel walked over to the cafe with Vikki who told me after wards that she hardly got a word out of him and although she tried to get him talking he just grunted. I forget how shy he is around people he doesn’t know well or maybe its just a teenage thing! Dan and I share a fresh orange and BLT at cafe caldo before dashing home to get ready for the XC nationals



 I set a bath running then ring Helen B to discuss arrangements, I pop back upstairs to check my bath as I’m talking to Helen, who must have wondered what was going on as I shrieked out loud when I discovered I had left the cold tap running and the bath was about to overflow! I screeched and tried to turn the tap off but turned the hot tap on as well, by this time I had dropped my phone (Helen must have wondered what all the fuss was about) and my hands were wet so I couldn’t turn the taps off, had to shout my hero Daniel who wondered what his silly old mum was panicking about this time! Had to drain the bath and start again, curse as I’m on a water meter.

Have my bath, get dressed, kit bag ready and a have a big bowl of porridge. Then it’s time to go

Set off, realise no safety pins, text Helen, call Harp, pick up Helen, Helen hasn’t pins, back to Helens, pick up pins, running behind schedule, panic rises, call David, ask if he will drop us at Roundhay (am leaving my car at their house), my nerves result in incoherent chatter, I start to make Helen nervous, get to Davids, Helen drops her key, it gets stuck under the seat, eventually I get it out, David drops us at Roundhay Park, find registration tent, am late, only Khara there, collect numbers, still panicking, hope Trevor makes it, will calm me, fuss about sorting out envelopes, a few of the girls have withdrawn, consider withdrawing myself, more of our team arrive, hand out envelopes, Harp calls, where we are, try to explain, fuss around putting on my chip, tie my laces, really hope T makes it, pin my number on, am all thumbs , what to do with the bags, need the loo, get a text from T – running late, might not make it, go in search of loos, a race is underway, have to dodge racers to get to loo, join que, still queing, not good for my nerves, feel sick, still in loo que, Text T back, loo done, back under course tape, nearly get in way of lads racing, back to tent, Harp arrives, hug from Rick Club Chairman, I panic more as don’t know where the start is, only 20mins to go, Girls Team photo and finally we go in search of the start which is a massive  . . . . . 30second walk away, I'm told off, for putting my chip on my lace, we are told to go away and come back in 15mins and so I relax and have a bit of a warm up.

We eventually get called back to the start and have to go through a deep puddle to get to our allotted pen (which was actually just a wooden stick in the ground, it’s like been back at school as were given strict instructions to stay behind the post, single file, we all look a little apprehensive, still not sure where we are supposed to be going, we are told to move forward to the line, I turn round to wave to the lads, BANG the gun is fired, it makes me jump and a few of us give an involuntary scream and we are off!

VARR GIRLS TEAM

As soon as I set off I knew I had not tied my laces tight enough, the start was on a slight up hill and it was impossible to not go with the pace and so I set off too fast and knew this very quickly! I normally struggle with either my legs or my breathing sometimes changing from one to the other during the race as I warm up, but not to day both my legs and breathing hurt from 5mins of the race starting till about 10 minutes after I crossed the start line! The Mud was every bit as bad as the Ilkley Peco and all though there was no water jump the course was much much hillier both down and up. On the downward run I put the brakes on as I didn’t want to risk going ar$& over t$t and doing damage in the process, as we came back round in front of the mansion and turned to go up hill 60 I slipped in the deep mud and thought I would fall, somehow I seemed to save myself but felt my knee and ankle twist. I could not run up hill 60 as much as I tried though I did try to keep a trot going but when i got to the top I could barely breath and had to take a few walk steps to let my breathing regulate a little then back to running and as I came back round soldiers field I saw and heard, Tom and Helen W and Liz J and some of the lads (sorry guys i can’t remember who exactly) I remember passing Rick who told me I was nowhere near the back ( not yet - I thought to myself) then round to the bottom of the field I remember thinking thank god for that I’m nearly done, but then it dawned on me that the men were still all milling around and had not gone through to the starting area, I checked my watch I had only been running about 26min and only covered 2.4 miles, my heart sank as I realised we had to do the whole thing again! It was about here that Dave and Jan were stood cheering everyone on, Dave said later I didn’t look happy at this point and I could hear him calling advice and support which did help settle me. I stopped trying to race it as if my life depended on it and just ran it, but by now my legs were screaming out but there was so many spectators I didn’t want to walk, but soon my legs just would not push anymore and i took a few steps. I wanted to shout out to people I’m not slacking - my legs have already done 35miles in the last 6days! However I know that I won’t have been the only one there having done this amount of mileage and im sure lots will have done lots more but to me its a lot! Back down the treacherous hill I ask a marshal what happens if the men’s race starts and they lap me? He laughed. But this is still my biggest fear! A lady from Southampton with a less likely running physic than my own over takes me, I realise the course takes a different turn and that we aren’t heading back to hill 60 . . . . . .just yet (there is a god) I finally find a comfortable pace and think yes i can do this and push on a little, we reach the lake and follow its edge I think yes I’m going to overtake the Southampton girl and after a few minutes I do but then my legs just seem to say ENOUGH! And all I can get from them is a walk and a slide across the mud! And Southampton girl leaves me for dust or should i more aptly say stuck in the mud!

At this point I really consider just giving up, but one of the marshals gives me some encouraging words, “come on Kay your doing great” “I don’t think so” I reply my head shaking “Yes you are, you are doing something today (taking part in a national) that I never managed in 50 years of running, keep going” and that was enough to get my legs going again at least for a little while but mentally i changed to the I’m finishing this whatever it takes! I could see ahead of me that the course doubled back on its self and then i could see Helen, Hansa and Harp in front of me, I had no chance of catching them but I wasn’t as far behind as I had imagined! A bit more run /sliding through the mud a bit more walking and I was back to the muddy approach to hill 60, this time I took it a bit easier through this mud as it was even worse now and then the hill, there wasn’t as many spectators around this time and I resorted to a walk to climb this impossible hill. No one seem to be watching any way, but then I heard it “come on Kay run, come on you can do this” Tom and Helen shouting for me I actually could not see them, I looked but I couldn’t see them and then their voices got louder as if others had joined in their call, but still I couldn’t actually see where they were, I’m sure I must have looked straight at them but I couldn’t see them, But it felt like their words were physically pushing me up the hill and I did managed to do a kind of a run/trot to scale to the top of the hill. When I thought I was out of sight I stoped and walked only to find Ady(?) one of Tom & H friends I recognise from Park Run also calling my name out – busted again! In to the finish lane I went but I had to get my breath back and a marshal said if you can walk you can run, but I just had no idea how far there was to go. But then my breathing returned to normal and oxygen was pumped to my legs and I started to run . . . well actually it was more of a mud slither/slip/slide/wade/run kind of motion I could see Liz ahead with her camera posed and I was sure I was going to fall, but finally I was close to the end but I had no motivation to do my normal sprint finish and was just so relieved to hear the bleep bleep bleep of the chip as I crossed the finishing mats!

Hansa powering through the MUD to the finish line!

Hansa, bless her came to meet me and helped me take my chip off it didn’t occur to me at the time but I wonder now if I had looked so bad that she felt I needed the help!

I joined the rest of the girls, Liz and Tim to watch the boys pass us, it was like watching a stampede of wilderbeast, they just kept coming and coming. I have to say we gave typical Virgin Active Road Runners supporting cheers to everyone of our team mates out there. And on the first lap round we got big smiles and waves from each of them and a few kisses too, on the second run pass they were given an even louder cheer but alas the smiles were diminishing a little, by the time we moved across to watch the finishing straight even Dave didn’t manage to muster his normal finishing wave, in fact the only one of our boys that had anything resembling a smile on their face as they passed us was Russell. But this is because of how hard they were all working, a longer course than the girls taking in hill 60, 3 or 4 times. They were all absolutely amazing!

I’m not really sure what I did with the rest of my day, a chat with Harp, a long bath to soak off the mud, a chat with Vikki a few text chats a bit of facebooking, Russell posted the results up, I proudly text some of the girls their times and positions telling them I had come 5th !

Harp was understandably a little puzzled by this comment and when I text back I was 5th from last she sent me this lovely message back

“Kay you are my inspiration and a lot of the time my motivation. You’re always there and committed and that makes you first across the line in my book!”

Harp, thank you! (have to say you nearly had me crying again)

It is bed time now, I did originally have a run planned for tomorrow but put an extra one in earlier in the week and so I have decided for the first time in over 8 weeks I’m NOT going to set my alarm to wake me up, I’m going to let myself wake naturally, when I’m ready to do so and then have a rest day, at least in terms of training!

Day 56 Sunday 27th February 2010 A Sunday Morning Lie in!

I woke up about 4, had to get a drink as quite thirsty, often am after a hard run or race, read a bit go back to sleep, wake in morning not really sure what time is, dose a bit more, read a bit more, dose and read some more, I can hear Daniel moving about and Adele has her TV on. I look through the gap in my curtains and can’t see the rain that was expected today, looks a nice day, realise pain I have had in my foot for most of the week has gone, really looks quite bright outside, think how nice it would be on one of my favourite runs from home, how peaceful and quite it would be on back lane in Farsley, turn over dose a bit more, wake up think I want to run, not because I have to train, not because I need to get the miles in but I want to run because “I ENJOY IT” and so at about 9.40 I jump out of bed have a quick cup of tea and some malt loaf, throw my kit on and tell kids I won’t be long! I have no running goal in terms of target pace, time or distance I just pop the ipod on and start to run. I head up Tong Road, walking a little up the hill and across to Chapel Lane, as i come level with the end of the woods an elderly gent comes out obviously enjoying a Sunday morning stroll and we exchange a cheery hello. I run a bit further and when I get to the clearing I stop switch off my music (sorry Trevors Music) and sit on the wall and take 10 minutes to look out over the fields and back towards Leeds, I can see Dans new school, Elland road and that really big building in Leeds City Centre, I love this view how the country field in front of me opens up to the city and how they come together. Behind me is another field opening up in to the countryside. In the 10mins I’m sat here not one car passes me, love it love it love it, feel refreshed, rebalanced, calm and ready for anything! Have a lovely run down Whitehall Road (someone beeps me a friendly beep and waves but i can’t see who it is, if your reading this sorry i didn’t recognise you) and before I know it I’m back home having done a very easy 5 mile recovery run!

Unfortunately once home within 30seconds of being inside my tooth ache starts again! This time worse than ever! Find some pain killers but can’t do anything for about 20mins as I rock back and forth till the pain subsides and I can face eating breakfast before another soak in the bath!

Adele agrees without any need for bribery to come do the monthly food shop with me, she says she enjoys it??????!!!!!!!!!!!! Very strange, last time i had to almost drag her round. Ask Dan to tidy kitchen while we are gone, he has a really good go, washing all the surfaces down but just leaves all the washing up in the bowl, apparently that would have required a separate specific instruction, but still what he has done I’m very pleased with. We all get stuck in to put the shopping away the cupboards, freezer and fridge are filled again but I wonder how long it will be before Daniel has worked his way through all this, not a month that’s for sure!!!!!

Other than shopping, making a nice tea, washing up, ordering some new trainers and running gear and washing clothes i don’t get much more done today!

WEEK SEVEN – DONE

 A slightly better week . . . . .

Highlights - all  your very kind comments, messages of support and hugs following my rather honest blog last week.

Lowlight - Work has remained a low point for me this week, particularly Thursday

Inspiration -  My Oldest Friend Julie!  She is always on the go and always has a smile and is in part resposible for this journey I am now travelling!

Julie & Me

Oh so many years ago!

Week 7 day by day

Day 43 Monday 15th February 2010      40 - Done

Am determined to have a better week this week both in terms of my training, work and emotional state! Its half term which means my normal routines (if i have such things) go out of the window and i have to be a bit more flexible around the kids. Adele decided to stay at her dad’s tonight so opted to do Body pump, have a go on the new stretching machines and do a 40 length swim session. Actually think it may have been more than 40 but I lost count a couple of times and always go with the lower figure if I’m not sure.

Came out of the pool feeling I had had a good training session, good start to week 7!

Home for chatter with Daniel, he is bored and wants to go back to school already.

Day 44 Tuesday 16th February 2010   Told off by my dentist

Was planning on getting to work super early but just haven’t quite got my motivation back yet, maybe it’s because I knew I had a meeting with finance this morning to review my budgets! After this I popped in to see my mate peter and ended up giving him a lift (had to apologise for the smell of sweaty training kit in my car) to Clarendon Road. I had been wondering what route to take group 2 on tonight and so this is now decided, Clarendon Road – UP – it is!

Next I collect the kids as we have a family appointment at the dentist – I know how to give my kids a good time at half term! Dan first, he is so tall now his feet nearly hang off the end of the chair, make my dentist laugh when i tell him that although Dan is now 5’9”ish and size 11 trainers the orthodontist has told us to go away and come back in a year as Dan still has most of his baby teeth! A small filling for Dan. Adele next, another small filling. Next its me, Mr Woods (who I think is the best dentist in the world) ever hopeful, asked if all was well with me (is only a few months since he last did some expensive work) but alas I had to report no! All I can tell him is I get tooth ache after just about every run. I’m not very helpful I can’t tell him which tooth, could be any top or bottom at the right. There is nothing to see but an x ray soon has him sighing in exasperation as it shows a huge cavity hidden. Another nerve will have to go, root filling and possible crown! While Mr Woods perplexes about the continual battle of my cr*&y teeth (thanks mum he blames your genes) all I can think of is dam it thats my new trainers and sports massage that I desperately need gone! Have to get my tooth fixed before London as I know will end up in agony if I don’t and would hate to do all this hard training and then not be able to run because all I can do is bang my head against the wall! I know you probably don’t really want to know about my dental issues but it impacts on my marathon journey

Anyway its Tuesday so it must be run club! I just love running with group 2 I never seem to have a bad week no matter how much my legs might be aching running with everyone makes it such fun! Group 2 seems to be growing at the moment, we have a few new members who have entered the Great North Run and Stu and Laura developed a bit of a competitive streak towards the end of our run. I welcomed Ben who has moved up from group 1 and Claire who is doing London so we chatted . . . . . a lot. Liz J, Liz G Hillary and Linda all worked hard on the hill, though Liz & Liz got a bit of a telling off when they walked on the downhill later! It was great to have Barbara and Helen back with us but I’m sure they will soon be moving back to group 3!

Just a special word of thanks to Liz J who had lovely word to say about last week blog and to Helen W who came up and gave me a big hug!

Daniel was very very bored tonight, he brought me a cup of tea when I got in and then did the washing up and then without me asking he set to and gave the whole kitchen a really good tidy and clean up including washing the cupboard doors down (not very well but he tried) and then swept and mopped the floor!

Although I’m feeling better about my training so far this week I’m still not at my best, I know this partly because when people ask me how I am or comment on my blog I feel myself wanting to cry . . . again!

Day 45 Wednesday 17th February 2010 – Still all feels a bit of a slog

I’m not going to talk about work except to say I’m still feeling very stressed by it all. I’m just going to talk about my training session. Was looking forward to an interval session on the tread and body pump this evening, was looking forward to it all day! I made sure I left work bang on time so that I could do my session without feeling rushed! I did a 45 min session on the tread mill but didn’t manage to reach 2@13 I did a few 11 and 11.5 reasonably comfortable and then a 12 which was hard but when I tried for a 12.5 I didn’t last the two minutes! So dropped back to 11.5 and these seemed hard again. I was a little disappointed with this but on reflection I realised, I haven’t done intervals for two weeks, I hadn’t eaten particularly well and I haven’t had a full rest day since last Thursday! Considered not doing pump, but as you know by now I enjoy it! Wasn’t my normal instructor so didn’t get my normal buzz and lowered weight for squats, but still i’m glad I did it.


Came home chatted to my friend Julie about London Trip, her husband is doing VLM this year and I am travelling with their club. So trains are now booked and hotel is now booked. I have no idea where I am staying but I don’t care they are booked! And bless my oldest friend Julie (yes she is the one that could tell you embarrassing stories about my youth, but then I could tell a few about her) she also sorted my Trimpell 20 mile race entry as an early birthday present . . . . . its Julies birthday just before mine . . .now I wonder if she likes carrot cake?

In fact Julie is probably responsible for kick starting my arse into running! I had always wanted to run London Marathon before I was forty, I don’t think I ever told anyone this fact because as a non runner I really didn’t think someone like me could run a marathon. And then Julie just before our 40th who had only ever done a bit of running for race for Life announced out of the blue that she had got a place for London through her slimming club! I watched, green with envy as I saw Julie get fitter trimmer and on her 40th a month before the marathon she looked amazing! That was it . . .I was in. . . . turned 40 myself, entered the GNR , ditched my husband and took up running and here I am today a lot happier (even if I am having a difficult couple of weeks) and hopefully a little fitter too!

So yes Julie you are responsible for getting the green eyed monster in me to kick start me to do something I have always wanted to do but never believed I could . . . . so thank you!

Ps besides being jealous I was also very very proud of you

Day 46 Thursday 18th February 2010 From sleepless to sound asleep!

Another night sleepless in Wortley. . . Consider not going into work . . . not really an option . . .get to work . . . I’m all churned up inside . . .another piece of work but with a short deadline arrives . . . my head hurts and I consider just going home . . .I travel across the Chevin to go see the team based at otley . . .I am envious of the walkers and runners out on the chevin . . .wish i had my kit in the car . . .I want to get out of my car and just run . . . . . . run till I’m free! But I stick with my day and get a few of my difficult tasks done. . .
finish work . . .its a rest day . . . still feel C$8p . . .need to train to work off this mood . . .but its a rest day . . .go see Trevor who gives me a hug . . he listens patiently as I whinge and whine and moan . . .finally I feel my stress begin to lift . . .I feel more balanced . . .pick Adele up . . .drive to Debras to get a cheque signed . . .stay and chat for a while . . .as we leave Adele comes out with what must be the quote of the week . . .
“Mum they have a lovely house, if they ever come to see us we will have to make sure we tidy and clean up first! . . . arrive back home at 8ish . . .kids are an absolute joy to night. . . they bring more magic back in to life. . . bit by bit i can feel myself coming out of this horrible place I’ve be stuck in for the last two weeks!

Go to bed with a smile  Try to send a text but fall asleep

Day 47 Friday 19th February 2010    Kay is Back!

For the first Friday in weeks I wake up before my 5.30 alarm and think yes its Friday its spin and getting up is not a problem,

Kay is Back!!!!

Busy busy day off work, spin, breakfast, work emails, bath, update training record, run club admin, bank, shop, washing, lunch, fold clean clothes, wash up, cinema, make a short recording of our thoughts about the film, home, bit more run club admin, set off late to friends, quick chat with Trevor, arrive late at friends, good food – spinach and goats cheese filo parcels, sparkling water, homemade raspberry cheese cake – 2 servings, lots of girly chat, home.

Had hoped to fit in a run as well as spin today but when I just don’t know. This will be the second week that I have only managed to get 3 runs in, but hey ho!

Right time for bed got 18 miles in morning

Day 48 Saturday 20th February 2010     18 Miles Done

Slept till about 6, which is good for me. Got up tried to finish off notes of run club meeting but can’t seem to get email to work. Barely think about the fact that I’m doing an 18 miler this morning, struggle to eat porridge sometimes it just don’t seem to want to go down! Call Dan a few times he gets up but is very groggy and seems full of cold tell him to go back to bed! Throw my kit on trying to decide if its going to be cold or warm, remember to put some gels in my pocket and wrap some small change in cling film (to stop it rattling if your wondering why)

Sue picked me up at 8.40 and off we went to the park for the first three miles of my 18 miler! Set off with Nicky who was doing her first full park run for a while and was running strong so I told her to go on, then I dropped in and ran with Jan and Janice for a while. Jan was also doing Park Run as part of her weekend long run, only she was planning on doing a total of 10 miles round the park. Not sure I could do this, I would have go round the twist doing this! Hope it went well Jan. My plan was to run slow and steady but I have a theory that somehow your subconscious mind works with your body and tells your body what is expected because I could not have run fast today at park run if I had tried for my life! When I passed the finish line for the 2nd time David B who was joining me for the other 15miles was waiting for me. Normally this would have made me go faster but my body just wouldn’t. When I crossed the line and joined the que to register my time I thought great ill get a little rest, but oh no, Nicky (my dear friend) offered to take my number and register it for me.

And so David and I set off for another 15 miles I'd planned it out on walk jog run, up through Headingly down into Meanwood where i grew up, followed the beck down to Meanwood Park, through the Hollies, pointing out to David historical points in my life, bakers shop that my granddad owned and where my dad used to go buy endless teacakes so he could talk to my mum, the house where my parents first lived the tannery my brothers used as a playground, my first school, where i had my first cigarette and my first kiss. Up across the ringroad through Adel eventually coming to Eccup, it struck me how the conversation differed to the normal girly chat I had when running, David was house spotting, the sun broke through the cold morning chill and turned in to a gorgeous morning I had had a couple of walks up some of the hills and to take on a gel, but now I began to find things hard work, the conversation lessened as I had to dig deep. Along the side of Eccup on to Harrogate Road, across to Shadwell we went. A quick stop to buy more water and on our way again, finally a downhill towards the back of Roundhay woods I picked up a little speed and lengthen my stride easing out my aching legs ( I can’t fathom how we seemed to have run up so many hills yet this was the only downhill I remember) We ran along the trail in the woods coming out by the big lake and ran round this to the cafe and back up another hill towards the Mansion a short stop to remove what felt like a large boulder in my trainer but turned out to be a tiny piece of grit! And now my need to stop was becoming more, but running with David kept me going, when i did have a short walk break, David only let me walk a few moments then had me running again, much quicker than if I had been left to my own devises, along street lane we went, but somehow we must have miss calculated or taken a different route than planned and we were a mile short as we reached Davids street and so we had to continue running for half a mile past Davids before we could turn round and head back. Julie was in decorating but broke off when we arrived back and provided juice and coffee as i sprawled across their doorway feeling somewhat faint. I eventually managed to get up and have another cup of coffee and banana before Julie kindly dropped me back home. As i soaked tired in the bath and aching somewhat I recalled how this had been a similar route to the one Debra had taken me on for my longest run of 19 miles before I did Dublin Marathon. Debra taught me so much on that run but it nearly killed me and although I was tired now and had had a few walk breaks I recovered enough to function for the rest of the day. A sign of how much stronger and fitter I am now.

Really fancied a treat of curry and a few beers tonight . . . . .

Day 49 Sunday 21st February 2010   Qualifying as a Run Group Leader

Another early Sunday morning start but not for running! Had to get up early make a packed lunch, across to Meanwood (via a stop for a cappuccino) to get a club cheque signed, and to Ricks for 7.30. All was well and under control till I opened my door and saw the snow. Where the heck did that come from!!!!!! Made it to Ricks about 10mins late, Dave was already there, picked up Vikki and off we went to Manchester. Several hours later, a few practice run sessions and some stretching and more than a few laughs we emerged with a qualification in Leadership in Running. We discussed and explored ideas around encouraging new people into running and providing safe and challenging training sessions for all abilities. It was good to know that as a club we are doing so many things right. After the course we threatened to leave Dave, who was as usual chatting, as we were next to the football stadium which was holding a big match that was about to finish!

And so I finish my week, much brighter than I started it. I would like to thank you all for your lovely comments and support after last week’s posts, in particular, Nicky for just always been there, my hug from Helen on Tuesday night, Julies kindness and generosity on Wednesday, Trevor on Thursday for listening and helping to put a smile back on my face, Mel and Louise lovely company on Friday evening, and David for getting me round my 18 miler on Saturday, And to Vikki, Dave and Rick for an entertaining Sunday and a big thank you to Rick for getting us across to Manchester safely in the snow!

WEEK SIX - DONE

This has been the hardest week so far for many reasons. I don’t feel I have done much running at all!

Highpoint – Haagan-Daz Ice cream on Sunday night!

Lowpoint – The whole week but especially Wednesday!

Inspiration – A Plant Pot

My week day by day

Day 36 Monday 8th February 2010 - Flat

I feel very flat today, my spark has gone. I went swimming at lunchtime but more because A) it said it on my programme so thought I had to. B) It meant I could delay going back to the office. Didn’t manage my usual distance, was more a recovery stretch in the pool. Have a headache. I know this feeling will pass and I just have to be a little kinder to myself till it does.

Congratulations to Nicky tonight on passing her final practical assessment to become a qualified Masseur – think I might have mentioned I can recommend her.

Bed time now, well actually it was bed time about 2 and a half hours ago!

Day 37 Tuesday 9th February 2010 - Thank Heavens For Run Club

I struggled to get to sleep last night and in the end had about 2 hours altogether, feel shattered. It is mostly work things that are running around in my head. Have even texted myself through the night to remind me of things I need to do today. When I get to work I suddenly remember its Adele’s parents evening and I haven’t made an appointment yet so this is the first job. Before I can tackle my to do list I get a message re an urgent piece of work that needs doing straightaway, my colleague in another area is sick and so I have to ensure I do for both areas. I remember a couple of other items I have to do that aren’t on my list and by this time its lunchtime. I have a quick dash to Morrisons to buy ingredients to bake a birthday carrot cake wondering when I’m going to manage to do this! Next I have to cover a meeting for my sick colleague and I leave the office only having done half of my must dos and the two biggest pieces of work I haven’t touched!

Pick Adele up from her Dad’s and off to school we dash! I’m not sure if it’s just me but the way they mark and assess them is so complicated these days. On her sats she is on target in two areas and above target in reading on another scale the foster family something or other she is above target in all areas! But most importantly she is working well and always makes a good effort. The teacher tells me they are hoping to get the school to take part in the Run for All - Fun Run and asks if i would help!

I drop Adele back at her Dad’s and back home to check my emails and grab something to eat before run club, I should go to Abs with Nicky but just don’t feel I have time!

Arrive at Run club a few minutes late and Russell is lined up to take group 2 as they didn’t know I was there! Some of the team are looking a little worried as Russell talks about pacing and time I tell him (in a nice way) that ill take the group. Russell still ran with us which was good as it was a large group with some runners stronger than others. Was a good run, I chatted to lots of people on the way and it was great to hear what everyone is up to and it gave my mood a little lift. As the group was mixed I worked hard, hope everyone else got what they needed from the session.

Home, a bit more work, omelette and veg for tea, consider baking carrot cake but decide is too late, go to bed fall straight asleep till about 1.30 and then its......

Day 38 Wednesday 10th February 2010. Stop the world I want to get off!

2.00am, wide awake again my mind is whirling with work, adjusting my running programme, run club things, my mobile phone upgrade, spring cleaning at my mums, coaching course, work, work, work, blog, sorting laundry, route for my 16miler, preparing for an interview to do ILM course, need to enter Trimpell 20 miler, Adele changing schools, need to bake a carrot cake, have to apply for my new lease car, what am i going to do about childcare for half term, need to buy gels and a new water bottle, work, work, work, will I need to buy more trainers before VLM, how long till pay day??? wonder how my 3 big brothers are - must call them, planning my London trip, someone mentioned Nottingham run club trip – wonder if I could do two marathons in a year!

STOP STOP STOP!

At 3.30am I get up and find something to eat (fruit) at 4.30am I give up trying to sleep and get back up to sort my 16 miler on www.walkjogrun.com Its 5am now and I’m updating my blog notes, next I’m going to wash up (forgot to do it before i went to bed) put some washing on and then bake a carrot cake!

I could do with some time away from work to catch up but I know my main worry is work, I have some deadlines looming so can’t afford the time off. It’s a vicious circle as i struggle to balance work deadlines, home chores, training, family & friends and most importantly the kids. I can feel myself worrying and getting stressed its keeping me awake so that I am even more tired and not able to work effectively or train as hard as I would like to and then I worry more don’t sleep and .. . you get the picture!

I feel like I’ve lost my “Super Woman Powers” this week

Right its 5.30am – now where is that recipe for the best Carrot Cake in the world 

8am and I’ve just taken the cake out of the oven and off to work I go!

Am tired through the day but manage to get through loads of work, feel a little better, not quite on top of things but better.

Sarah Q pops in at lunchtime and we have a real good chatter catching up on things and helps put things back in to perspective.

The afternoon passes slowly yet I’m still struggling with how I’m going to fit everything in, I want to train but am tired. And when TSR calls and suggests meeting for a coffee and a chat after work I tell myself l can fit that in and still make it to body pump and then do my interval tread session after . . . well that didn’t happen!

Am so tired this evening I end up having a little cry when on my own later, but sleep better tonight.

Day 39 Thursday 11th February 2010 Birthday Carrot Cake -Done & Delivered

Have to get up early to make the frosted cream icing for, the Birthday Carrot Cake which I need to deliver today. Am a little concerned as it has sunk a bit in the middle and I want it to be perfect a “10 out of 10"
Take my kit with me to work hoping that I can make up for yesterdays lost tread session at lunchtime or after work.

Don’t get a lunch break, can’t deliver cake till late in afternoon, have to dash back to office to prepare for two meetings tomorrow and check my email, leave work late, have to pick kids up earlier than normal and so no Interval tread session happens today! Am cross with myself for letting life get in the way of training.

And then i get a text that horrifies me. When I had Daniel I made friends with a small group of other new mums and we have meet up regularly for the last 13 years, originally with the kids but nowadays we meet on our own or treat ourselves to a meal out. Sue is moving to Devon and trying to arrange getting together tomorrow evening, but as I can’t go out (no sitter) sue suggest they come round to mine – I am filled with horror – no way is my home in any state to have visitors and no way have I the time or energy to put this right before tomorrow!

Day 40 Friday 12th February 2010 - And then the tears came

Alarm goes off at 5.30 not sure I want to get up for spin am still feeling rubbish that I missed my interval tread and body pump sessions. I feel unfit and it seems like a disaster. Takes me about 10minutes to talk myself round and realise I’m being irrational. I know doing spin will put me back on track and drag myself out of bed get there just in time just one bike left. 45min later I am feeling more myself and ready for the day.

But the day got the better of me and all the stress of the week comes to a head as I have a conversation with someone at 4pm who wanted something doing yesterday. I didn’t know about it so couldn’t have done it, but still I sit at my desk and cry and cry and cry! For once I don’t bring any work home with me, my working week is done.

Thankfully one of the other mums has volunteered to invite us all round for Spaghetti Bolognaise which means I can take Adele with me and catch up for an evening of mum talk and reflecting on how our children have grown over the last few years. Will miss sue, but looking forward to a possible girly weekend down in Devon!

Day 41 Saturday 13th February 2010 – Start new Job!

Park Run – slightly faster than last week but nowhere near my PB, but am conscious have 16 miles to get through in the morning. Daniel ran today and he caught me up but said he didn’t feel well, but he stuck with it and finished, not sure if it was all the talk last night but as I watch him run I find it hard to believe that my baby has grown so much.

Daniel  above at one year old

And

Daniel now a young man in the making, wearining his running top with pride! 

I couldn’t make it to body pump though as we were having a Run Club meeting and we had lots to discuss. Amongst this was to announce that Debra, who has done a fantastic job as Club Secretary since the club started, was formally resigning. Debra, as I think I’ve probably mentioned has been a great support and inspiration to me since I joined the club, I have been chasing her for four years and just as I get faster so does Debra and she leaves me standing again! So when Debra first said she was going to resign I volunteered to take this role over and fortunately or maybe unfortunately when this was put forward no one objected and so today I formally started my new role. This is my way of giving something back to the club, I just hope I can do as good a job as Debra!

Day 42 Sunday 14th February 2010 – I am a Plant Pot!

Have a 16 mile run planned for today. I feel my training has not been on form this week I haven’t done any strength training and am behind on my miles but know today is my last day this week to get a good session in. So get up focused and fill up on porridge. Have a complicated route planned 5miles on my own with what I’m now beginning to think off as Trevors faithful tunes on the ipod. As always the first 3 miles hurt and the first hill I walk a little. Even so my pace was quicker than I think it should be but I had set off about 10mins late and I knew Helen B was waiting for me at mile 5. Helen and I then dropped down on to the canal and we chatted as we ran waving to Bernadette and Hilary as we came across them running towards us. Helen (bless her) stayed with me for a little longer than planned and helped me up Spen Lane before leaving me at mile 11. Text Nicky to say on my way, ipod back on and I made my way to Otley Road. I knew that H and Russell were doing a 20 miler and would be coming back along Otley road but as my mind did the maths I thought they would have long since gone by! I struggled a bit now and took a short walk break then in the distance i saw a blue coat and a high vis jacket sure enough it was H and Russell, their cheery hello and waves helped my pick my head back up and kept me going till I saw my saviour Nicky running towards me. Nicky kept me going for the last 3 miles, during which we also saw Michael looking strong on his 18 miler. I was so pleased to see Nicky, though her fresh legs were a little too fast for me. A slice of homemade Wheatbix fruit loaf and drink and Nicky delivered me back home.

Now I’m not given to flowery slushy words but today i sent someone a silly Valentine’s day text. This resulted in a telephone call during which I was affectionately (at least i hope it was affectionately) called “A Plant Pot” which made a change from the “silly sausage” I normally get! Now some might think this was a bit harsh but then you’re not privy to the term I had used!

However as I did my Sunday afternoon chores I thought about being a plant pot. What is a plant pot for, what does it do? Its role is to protect something, a small seed, it keeps it safe, keep it warm, it brings together all the things that seed needs, soil, water, warmth and nutrients, it nurtures the seed and provides a stable place for roots to grow so that the eventual plant can grow and sprout into something strong bright and beautiful. Sometimes the pot may crack but somehow it still manages to hold all these essential things together!

And therefore though I know this might not be the analogy that was intended I am happy to be “A Plant Pot”! - that protects and nurtures a seed. Now that seed might be my children, a thought, a friendship, an emotion or indeed simply an idea and passion to run Virgin London Marathon!

And with this thought i thankfully bring this week to an end and treat the kids and I to some Haagen-Daz icecream to celebrate the beginning of week seven! Yum!

 

 

WEEK FIVE - DONE

Gosh week five done already, cant believe it! 

Highlight - Finishing my solo 14 miler

Lowlight - Doing my solo 14 miler

Inspiration -   http://www.salvos.co.uk/enotecanunzia/art/index.php

My week day by day
Day 29 Monday 1st  February 2010

Still feeling pretty high today after yesterday’s race and although I’m tired as I didn’t sleep well I went for a recovery swim at lunchtime and manage 40 lengths in 30 mins. I felt quite wobbly when I got back to work, even after having something to eat. Hoping not pushed myself too much.

Day 30 Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Had lunch with one of my oldest work mates Pete and asked him if he was reading my blog, to which he replied well I’ve been looking at the photos! He thinks I have turned into an “Ex Addict” and doesn’t understand how I can find so much to say about running . . . neither do I! Any way sorry Peter if you just want to look at photos this week you will have to follow the link to Exhibition 365

Finally made it to the Abs class today, but only because Nicky said she would come with me! All I can say is if laughter helps develop your core muscles then this is the class for me because Nicky and I were in fits of giggles as we, or should I say, I, tried to copy the moves that the very flexible Miranda tried to teach us! I can see how it all works but give me a good old fashioned crunch (preferably a golden ginger crunch biscuit) any day!

I was looking forward to a good outdoor interval session as it is first Tuesday in the month. But as anyone who went to run club tonight will know it was very slippy and so I ran gingerly on the warm up, I was very anxious while running the intervals and I’m not sure if it was an after effect of Sunday cross country or the way I was running or just because I was tense but during one of the rest I suddenly got a very sharp pain up the inside of my foot and shooting up in to my lower leg. I could not put my heel down on the floor and so after only two intervals I limped back to the gym with Gill!

I’m sat now with my foot up and it still feels very painful. Have booked half days annual leave tomorrow to run a solo 14 miles and I’m not sure I will even be able to walk, I have heard reports of more snow tomorrow, I am more than a little worried. The cold has also set my tooth ache off which has started to bother me in the last few days so am going to take some Ibuprofen and go to bed miserable!

Day 31 Wednesday 3rd February 2010

My foot was much easier this morning but just felt – not normal – I go from deciding to rest to thinking no I must run as I won’t have another chance of getting 14 in this week, I post on face book, text and call friends in hope of getting guidance. Replies range from, probably best to rest, give it go but turn back if it hurts, to, only you know how it feels. That is the problem I don’t know how it feels, it just doesn’t feel right!! For the first time in 31 days I can honestly say I don’t want to do this run, it is filling me with dread! But by lunchtime my foot feels more normal and as I have my half day leave booked I decide I just have to take a deep breath and give it a go

After all Marathon Training is all about taking on challenges!

Even so it takes me an hour after I got home to get ready and psych myself up to get out of the door! Armed with a few gels, some money in case I get stuck and Trevor’s music on the I pod and I set off in the cold crisp afternoon air for my longest ever solo run. My legs ached the Garmin froze for a while, the zip on my coat went and would not fasten, Harp called to ask if it was snowing – Nope – legs still ached, hills felt like Mount Everest, a football song, (something about Leeds and a cup) the temp got colder, my nose was running faster than my legs and my legs still ached! Then to top it all it started to snow! By ten miles it was coming down fast and I was tired and cold but determined to run the full 14 miles but I couldn’t face running up another hill and the only way home was up a hill so I kept running along the ring road away from the warmth of my house turning back only when id done the 14 miles, this meant I had to walk another 10 minutes to get home!

Got home and just had time for a bath, grab something to eat before dashing up to Helen 365 Exhibition in aid of “Naomi's Fund”. It was lovely to see so many faces and particularly the gorgeous Mabeth whom I miss running with. Only problem was my legs ached so much I struggled to walk up and down the stairs and once or twice when I bent down to get a better look at a photo I had to ask Nicky to help pull me back up! I’m not sure why, maybe it was the run id just done, but I was very drawn to day 345 – footprints in the snow . Unfortunately I had to rush off to pick the kids up before I could study the whole exhibition or secure “day 345”

Just need to persuade someone to treat me to my tea at Salvos so that I can have another more leisurely look and hope that day 345 is still available! So come on someone – you know who you are!

In the end I was really glad I had done this run today, I’m no longer so frightened at the thought of doing long runs on my own. I prefer to run with others but I now know I can run on my own and once it was over I was left with a feeling that I had enjoyed it!

Am proud of myself but tired now and need to sleep. Night Night


You can find out more about Helens fantastic exhibition at Salvo's website below


http://www.salvos.co.uk/enotecanunzia/art/index.php

Below you can see Helen's photos but why not treat yourself to an evening out and go see the exhibition for yourself?

Album 1 Day 1 - 200


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=86703&id=103659954791

Album 2 Day 201-365

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94997&id=103659954791


Day 32 Thursday 4th February 2010

Its rest day, and boy do I need it! My legs ached just walking up stairs at work, walked to supermarket at lunchtime to loosen my legs off, bought a big bottle of flavoured water as don’t seem able to quench my thirst. Have a few hours to myself after work and debate about going to see Nicky for one of her amazing massages, or possibly to see my mum, but decide to pick kids up early and go home to just chill out. But the thing is with my kids they can be best of friends one night and the next.......Well it was one of them nights, all 3 of us were somewhat tired and world war 3 broke out when I asked them to help sort the clean clothes out!

Day 33 Friday 5th February 2010

I set my alarm early for spin but knew I was still too tired and skipped spin in favour of having a double rest day. On a Friday morning I attend a weekly team meeting, which just seem to get longer and longer I was sat in the same room for 5hours! I had taken fruit so I would not nibble on the biscuits but by 11am my fruit had all gone and I turned to the biscuits “Malted Milk” one of my favourites and well Milk is good for you isn’t it??? Must remember to take some proper lunch with me next week!

Adele has an early start with her dad tomorrow as she is playing in her second rugby tournament so I just have Daniel at home. I am tired and Daniel bless him makes some paella for our tea and then we just chill a bit. But unfortunately my evening ends up with me being very very very very cross about something and ranting to several friends on the phone!

Day 34 Saturday 6th February 2010

Here we go it’s the weekend again, had a restless night sleep and can tell it’s going to be one of those days when my porridge boils over in the microwave . . . . . twice!!! Daniels not feeling well so decided not to come to park run, I end up leaving late and didn’t have time to warm up. My anger spoils my run and I don’t run well but a post race hot chocolate and another good rant with the guys at the cafe have me feeling a little better! I don’t like feeling angry and cross it’s such a waste but everyone agrees I am justified in being cross this time! Daniel has requested a chocolate brownie, how ill can he feel? Head back home with a large piece of Helens Birthday chocolate cake to check he is ok, quick change (by the time I have changed the cake is gone) and I’m off to body pump as missed this on Wednesday. Not sure if it was because I was feeling fresh after 2 rest days or because I’m still angry but I increase my normal weight for the squats, lunges and triceps tracks forgetting that I have got a race tomorrow!

Day 35 Sunday 7th February 2010

Another early start! Alarm goes off at 6am, have slept well and feel refreshed, still takes a little time to get up. Manage to do a few chores and be ready for Harp as she picks me up at 7.45 and off to Dewsbury we go!

I have had a race for the last three weekends and so was thinking of this as a hard training run with lots of friends. I bumped into James N from work, whom has always being a much faster runner than me although I have been closing the gap gradually. He was saying that he hadn’t run since the abbey dash and thought I might beat him, yeah right!! Set off with Harp and Barbara C. It is good to see Barbara back in VARR racing colours as she hasn’t raced since last years Dewsbury 10k, but then she has been busy having her beautiful baby daughter! I ran for a while with Barbara who was “taking it steady” but I still was finding the pace challenging and struggled to return her conversation. Geoff joined us for a while chasing his first sub 60 10K and one by one all the VARR crew started to come back and the three of us were cheering our club mates on, I’m sure we got a few funny looks from other runners. I could see Harp and James ahead and soon Geoff and Barbara were also ahead. I checked my Garmin and I was maintaining sub 10min miles which for a training run I was very happy with! Just before we reached the turn round point I noticed that my legs had stopped aching but my breathing was hurting instead it was as if all the oxygen and blood had gone from my lunges and heart to my legs! Now what I like about Dewsbury is it is a very subtle hill on the way up which is followed by a lovely downhill on the way back! And as soon as we turned I felt more comfortable and started to gain on my mates, I passed Geoff who was doing brilliantly and could see that Barbara was now almost flying! But I seemed to be gaining on James, I thought wow I’m going to catch him and it kept me going, but as I got closer I realised I had been chasing some other guy in the same colour jacket and when I looked again James was still a long way in front. I kept reminding myself this was a training run not a race but even so I worked hard to close the gap between Myself and Harp. In the end Harp finished 10 seconds in front of me, Harp tells me no way is she going to let me catch her, but I can’t help but wonder if I hadn’t put that extra weight on in Body pump, well it might have been a different story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And Yes James, with just 56seconds the cross over is nigh - unless you try actually training for your next race!

Although I didn’t get a 10k PB it was a course PB and more importantly it is the third race in as many weeks that I have run completely from start to finish without walking a step.

Am beginning to think maybe I CAN DO this running thing after all!

WEEK FOUR – DONE

Firstly a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog and the lovely comments you have posted, facebooked, emailed and said in person. It is wonderful to know I have so much support and interest in my Virgin London Marathon Journey 2010. I keep meaning to try make my posts shorter but when I start I seem to bubble over with Marathon chatter, maybe as the weeks progress and I get tired my posts will get shorter. . . .

Highlights – See Sunday!

Lowlights – The backlog mountain of laundry that comes with training for a Marathon!

Inspiration - This week comes from Daniel and Adele, my wonderful, talented, enthusiastic and supportive (although sometimes a bit begrudgingly) children!

Day 22 Monday 25th January 2010 - The Recovery Massage

Normally I would do a recovery swim on a Monday lunchtime but I felt tired and my legs were still a little sore and although I didn’t feel drained in the way I did last week after the Ilkley cross country, I decided to have lunch with a friend instead.

Nicky is currently doing a massage course and had asked me to go along on assessment night which just happened to be today! Brilliant an hour of relaxing massage at no cost and although Nicky is just completing her course I don’t doubt for a minute that she will pass. I was so relaxed I nearly fell asleep and though not the same as a sports massage, my achy stiff legs felt so much better after the hour! – Thank You Nicky

Nicky will be qualified soon and I’m sure she will give preferential rates to fellow VARR members, so if you are looking for a way to feel equally relax after a hard weeks training or just want to treat yourself give me a shout and ill put you in touch. 


Day 23 Tuesday 26th January 2010 – Group 2 – My Heros

I woke up tired this morning as I was up late typing my Brass Monkey race report for my blog, but I wanted to get my story down. Had another busy day rushing around with work, didn’t get back to the office till late and so stayed behind to check my emails and missed the Ab Class again (though I know I left it too late on purpose).

There was another fantastic turn out for run club tonight. I had another ten or twelve in my group again, some of the new faces from last week had returned and we had yet more new faces. At first my legs were none too happy that I was making them run again, particularly when I lead the group up Kirkstall Lane! I was glad to drop back and keep one of the new girls company and arrived at the lights a little out of breath! I sometimes worry I’m not such a good example as a group leader when I’m struggling myself. Though I do like to lead from the back chatting to people and hopefully giving them the same encouragement and support I received when I first joined the club.

In my working life I have always enjoyed helping to develop members of my team and seeing them move on to new things and as group 2 leader i get the same satisfaction when people leave my group to move up to group 3!. I enjoy meeting and getting to know new people and have made many good friends but I love to see them progress and move up a group when they are ready. Some quickly move up to the next group others move up and then come back for a while, others I have to gently persuade them its time to give it a go! And this week after a year of consistent running and a fantastic first half marathon time I have seen Sue move up to group 3, somehow I don’t think she will becoming back to my group. But I look forward to running with Sue on a weekend and I know she will help bring my own pace on some more! But as Sue moves on Geoff seems to be moving in to group 2 having run a few times with us now, I’m sure he will be a regular. Geoff is also an inspiration I enjoy listening to his journey to a new, fitter, healthier Geoff and all the exciting things it is bringing him. It’s not every day I get to run with someone who is to be featured in tri-athletes world! Really looking forward to seeing your photos and reading your feature Geoff!

A few members in the club have told me I should move up to group 3, but i don’t want to as long as members enjoy running with me I’d like to lead group 2, I am proud of them all and it is an honour to run and support them, even if it is sometimes from the back!


Day 24 Wednesday 27th January 2010 - The Ten Hour Training Day


I had a 10 hour training day today! Yep honestly I did!

8 hours sat in front of a computer at work training to be a super user on the new IT system which goes live on Monday and 2 hours at the gym! Guess which I preferred? I didn’t manage to get up early so had to do my double session back to back, but this seems to work ok. I made a conscious effort to eat well at lunch time and snack in the afternoon on fruit and yoghurt! Then I hit the treadmill for my interval session, I’m not sure your suppose to but have to say I’m actually beginning to enjoy this session. Has taken me a while to master altering the speed manually and counting the minutes properly to make sure i don’t end up cheating! What I’m really starting to like about doing intervals on the tread is I’m never sure who is going to jump on the tread next to me. And today it was the trim looking Paul Warren!

Paul appeared when i was about half way through my session and although I couldn’t talk to him when i was running my interval it was great to chat in my two minute recoveries.  Thank you Paul for helping me to run my last two intervals a little stronger so my session ended up as

2@11, 2@11, 2@11.5, 2@11.5, 2@12, 2@12, 2@12.5, 2@13

I was glad to have 10mins to stretch and recover a little before going into Body Pump! Another brilliant session, though i think the Abs tracks just get harder and are a tad technically difficult for a 40+ mother of two who fancies she could run a marathon!

Day 25 Thursday 28th January - To swim or not to swim

Today is a rest day but because I missed my swim on Monday I have been trying to decide if I should swim. But after a lot of arguing with myself I have come to realise I didn’t “miss a swim session” I “added a recovery session” which I know is as important as all the other sessions. And so I had my 2nd full rest day of the week. Though I did do a monthly shop round Morrison’s with the kids and this was probably harder and more tiring than yesterdays tread session!


Day 26 Friday 29th January 2010 – Kelly is Back!

Its Friday – Its 6.15am – Its Cracker Kelly - Quite simply the best hard core spin class!

Leave the gym feeling in the zone!!!!!

Legs ached rest of the day!!!

TSR – Thank you for your support and input into my marathon training!


Day 27 Saturday 30th January - A Typical Saturday For A Marathon Runner!

6am alarm goes off – should get up and do some house work before my weekend training begins. This is what Marathon training does to you, you have to schedule in when you’re going to basic chores.

6.30am – manage to get up have to at least sort the laundry and get the kids school uniform on to wash. Rest of the house work will keep!

7am – make big bowl of porridge got to fuel 10 miles this morning

7.30 – wake kids – Dan is up and dressed in his running gear in no time at all. He reckons he doesn’t really like running but how many 13 year old boys do you know who would get up willing at this time on a sat to go for a run?

8am -Chase Adele to get ready - have a panic searching for my kit

8.30 – and we are all just about ready for when Harp picks us up, we drop Adele on our way and get to park run in time to do a half mile warm up. I worry as legs feel so tight and I feel breathless. 10 Miles, I think I will struggle to do 10minutes!

9am and were off, Dan was soon in front of me and I had a steady run, not because I thought I should take it easy but because that’s all I could manage. The only reason I managed to run it all was because I spent the entire course running and chatting to different people. Barbara, Liz G, Liz J, Gillian and Suzanne – thank you all! At one point there were a few more of us girls running in a group sharing an appreciation of a certain some ones legs as he effortless lapped us! The conversation quickly deteriorated from there and I pushed on with Suzanne. I kept getting sight of Daniel in front of me and I was pleased to see that he was still running. It was Dan’s 10th Park Run (for which he will get a special T-Shirt) and he got a PB but these things didn’t bother him, what made his day was the fact that as he has said several times over the weekend “I ragged you mum” which apparently means “I beat you by a good time mum”

9.45ish -after Harp and I had checked in at the finish line and stopped for a short catch up with fellow runners we set off and ran a further 7miles back to my house. We both felt this seemed to go quite quick and I have to say considering how much Park Run had hurt I felt I finished strong. A big big big thank you Harp, I’m sure without you it would have felt very different.

11am took Harp back for her car, quick cup of coffee, a banana and a toasted currant teacake. Put second load of washing on. Head to the gym.

12 noon body pump. I did think about not doing this so I could get my household chores done but I really love my body pump and I think I benefit as mush from the psychological boost this gives me as much as the physical effect. However I could have kissed the instructor when he said “we won’t be doing lunges today”

13.30 picked Dan up (if any of you are wondering I hadn’t abandoned him at the park, his dad had picked him up), home, grab bite to eat, quick bath.

14.30 Dan to hairdressers

15.30 put 3rd load of washing on, quickly wash up breakfast pots before Debra came round to discuss Run Club things

17.30 pick Adele up, realise she doesn’t have any suitable running clothes for tomorrow, go through my things to find something that a) kind of fits and B) she is willing to wear!

18.30 Cheese omelette and steamed vegetables and wholegrain bread for tea, put 4th load of washing on!

20.00 ready for bed, but is too early, but yet another load of washing on and wonder how on earth I’m going to get it all dry!

21.00 – Housework still not done, but can’t fight it any longer - Night night!


Day 28 Sunday 31st January 2010 – Adele’s First Race As A VARR Junior

Yippe, I got a lie in this morning and didn’t get up till 7.30 (which as I have been awake for several hours through the night is a good thing). Adele is up early today and gets herself dressed ready for her first Junior Race, she looks brilliant in her VARR vest!

We had a bit of a shock when we got out and discovered how cold it was and had to defrost the car, ran back in for extra layers! Pick Helen up then Vikki and on to John Smeaton for the 4th Peco Cross Country.

Meet up with Team Dooley and Ellie takes Adele for a little warm up and generally looks after her. Thank you Ellie, you are a star! I am a little nervous for Adele, she decided she wanted to run this as she said Ilkley had looked fun (not sure it felt it at the time) but she has done exactly ZERO training for this run. I have watched her many times run in play and believe she is a strong natural runner and she is doing her rugby training, but even so two miles seems a long way to run with no practice, but anyone who knows my daughter will know there is no point in arguing with her when she has set her mind on doing something! My only advice to her is enjoy it and get as muddy and wet as she can!

I needn’t have worried Adele had a really strong first race coming 13 out of 16 and at only 11 she was one of the youngest in a field of 11-15 year olds. I am very proud Mum and have to hold back a tear. Later she told me how she had run it all and once the field had split only one person managed to get pass her and that was at the water jump. She said she knew there was someone close behind her as she could hear them and see their shadow but when she saw their shadow get closer to her she ran faster as no way was she going to let anyone else past her!

And as for how my race went? Well officially I had told myself and anyone that asked, that I was just there to run not race, I had trained hard this week and was expecting my legs not to be at their strongest. And Tom had said it was ok to have the 8 races in my marathon programme so long as I treated most of them as training sessions! But my inner voice kept saying I wanted something special from myself in this race! And it ended up being special for two reasons. 1) I ran the whole thing, I did not walk one single step 2) You will have to read my race report below . . . . .

I set off at the back a steady but strong pace and as I reached the first field I could see several VARR vests but one my one they took the water jump and disappeared out of sight. As i reached the second field i could see the VARR vests again running up the hill and as i reached the bottom of the hill myself I could see Helen Bailey a long way in front of me. I settled in behind a vet and steadily made my way up the hill, as Helen reached the top I lost sight of her. I eventually passed the vet and a few more besides and as I turned at the top I caught sight of Helen again and realised I had gained on her and so I picked my pace up thinking I should try to keep her in my sight. I kept gaining on her and then I realised that if we had come up a hill we must surely have an equal downhill and I thought perhaps, maybe, just maybe I might challenge Helen! The downhill came in a wooded area and normally I would be cautious of tree roots and slow myself down so as not to fall but by then some competitive part of me that I didn’t know existed had decided I wanted to chase Helen down and I flew past her, not stopping to look or say hi I pushed on. I had no idea how Helen had reacted to this, had she just let me pass or was she preparing to challenge me, I hoped she was. I could hear someone else behind me breathing hard but knew that wasn’t Helen, then I sensed someone at my shoulder and I glanced to see Helen right beside me I dug in hard, and kept her just at my shoulder I could tell she was working as hard as I was. I took the water jump first but then it was an uphill and Helen challenged me I couldn’t hold her off and she passed me, for a moment I resigned to losing and told her to run hard (I’ve no idea if she heard me as I could barely breath) but I stuck with her the best I could. I lost sight of her and was a little disorientated and nearly missed the sharp turning left to the route back home. I gained on Helen again and once more challenged and passed her but my lungs were really bursting and Helen soon went ahead again, a fair fight, fairly won! But then a runner from another club passed me and like Adele earlier, no way was I having that, I had worked too hard, how I found it I don’t know, maybe it was hearing Tom and H and the others cheering first for Helen and then me, but I gave it one last effort, and took the runner, Helen was still ahead of me as we entered the field we had started in, I threw my water bottle at H and gave it everything, I drew level with Helen as we reached the second group of VARR supporters and I could hear them all cheering and shouting us both on. Now I have to say I love Helen dearly but passing her again, and crossing the finish line in front of her felt . . . . well . . . . FANBLOODYTASTIC . . . . . and has to be the Highlight of my week!

As I write this now I feel a little guilty about how competitive I was with Helen today, but I thank you Helen for been competitive back, as you made me push myself harder than i thought I ever could!

Thank you all once again for taking the time to read my blog, I hope you have enjoyed it. If you would like to leave a comment on my blog, you can do so by clicking on the word comment just below and to the right.