So three weeks after Leeds with a weeks holiday and very little movement I decided to take on the Derby half.
This was a tough one, not because of the terrain etc but it was hot and I had just spent a week eating and drinking and doing nothing camping in wales.
The one good thing about this race is I got to complete it with my amazing friend Sharon, the one who inspired me to run in the first place. It’s not often we run together at events so it was nice to potter around and just talk a load of rubbish.
One of my slowest half’s today at 02.57.33 but I was happy to be in under 3 hours and to have company doing it. You forget when you run alone a lot how nice it is just have someone by your side.
I will definitely be hoping to return to this one and whilst I don’t stress over timings or normally try to beat my times I think next year this is one I’ll be looking at beating the time on.
Only writing this three months later, my apologies I have no idea where time has gone recently.
One thing I can say about the Leeds Marathon is that it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing. I remember leaving Stu at the gates to the stadium as it was runners only to start with and making my way round to the starting Pen. Purple Pen the last to start, nothing unusual there for me. I remember doubting myself as I do most races, my training had not been as intense as I would have liked and I had even considered not doing it but I’m not one to not turn up to start lines if I can help it.
We seemed to be waiting ages before we were allowed to join the street to filter through to the start. As we passed through the start Rob and his family were all there High Fiveing runners as they went past which was quiet emotional.
I don’t remember every twist and turn of the course but I do remember at about mile 17 we hit the long incline, I believe it went on for three miles. The views were amazing as we all trundled up and at this point not one person was running it. The last few miles I started to Flagg a bit but kept going with the fact it was looking like I would be in in around 6 hours which I was amazed with. Then I hit a couple of miles before the end and both of my calf’s were hit with cramp, determined not to let in stop me I kept going one foot in front of the other till the cramp subsided and then there is was the path round the stadium, I picked it up a little then realised my ending peak had come too soon as there was still half of the track to run round.
I finished in 6.30.26 which I am fine with I have never been finishing times for me its always been finishing lines.
Would highly recommend Leeds to anyone that is thinking of doing it and so pleased I did.
Yes that’s right! I do not know where those other weeks have gone I have not been overly productive if I am honest. I have completed Derby Half Marathon and a 50km in the Peak District (this one was walked) but apart from that my training has been hit and miss.
I dont seem to be motivated by the Woman’s 100 Miler project training plan, I think its too rigid for me as it is set out in three blocks and that’s it, I feel I need something more progressive as I go along so I feel like I’m ticking off the weeks and goals.
So after spending what feels like weeks but has only been the past week asking myself do I really want to do this, followed by London Marathon a week later! Yes you read that right I have been given the opportunity to run London and realised its a week after the 100. Anyway I came to the conclusion that yes I do want to do this craziness.
I have perused training plans and YouTube videos all week and at the end of it still didn’t get that feeling I had found what I was looking for. So today I took the plunge and did an online meet with Steve from PFM coaching to get a feel for what support and structure he could offer me.
I have to be honest I had my reservations about taking on a coach but after speaking with him I feel this is the way forward and he didn’t tell me I am crazy with my goals which is a good start. We did discuss being realistic which is fine. So Paper work completed I am looking forward to starting my training with the support of Steve.
