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Week 4 0f 26 Jeffing 30:30 Marathon Training plan week commencing 27/4/20

Run 1 Tuesday 27/4/20
Late start this morning by time I’d woke (after a 3am wake up call it took ages to get back to sleep) fuelled with porridge, no banana, shopping day today meant non left this morning, it was coming up to 11am!
Today was much cooler thankfully and even a slight drizzle in the air. There would have been a point previously where I would have put off getting up and going out in the rain but today I embraced it and have to say enjoyed it.
Decided today I’d head off down to Rothervalley as only a short run day set the goal of round the larger lake and back knowing that would cover around 4 1/2 miles.
The country park was much quieter than it had been on the sunnier days but still a handful of walkers, bikers and runners were out. Enjoyed this mornings run only downside was about mile 3 I started to feel hungry as in proper belly rumbling hungry, not sure if it’s the lack of banana this morning or that I ran on Sunday with Tailwind in my water bottle. Definitely a snack needed when I get in.
Wednesday 28/4/20
Last week I made the commitment to start thinking about my core strength more and putting it into my regular training plan each week.
So this morning I decided to give an online body balance class ago. After doing a few at the local gym awhile back before the world went a little crazy, I thought how hard can it be? I found a class with a lady called Ken just generally searching on U Tube.
I overcame my first hurdle of space by clearing Suzies room of Teddy’s and shutting myself in there for an hour so no one could disturb me.
Positioning the lap top was a tough one it started on the chest of draws and then I realised when lowering to the floor it was impossible to see and since I had no idea what warrior positions were I need to visualise them, so it was moved onto Suzies bed and around the room as I went, definitely something I need to reconsider next week. The TV in the lounge would be better I may need to set an alarm for an early start or kick everyone out one evening 😂😂.
It started off not too bad and I was quiet enjoying breathing with stretching, we then went into some exercises involving Planks, as much as I know these help strength wise there not my favourite but we’re easier than doing then on my arms like the physio had set.
There was one point when she tied herself in a knot with legs and arms bent everywhere 😂😂 I decided to observe that one after not even being able to bend the first leg into position 🙈🙈. I definitely need to work on this more but I suppose it’s all about sticking with it.
I have looked into a plates online for beginners class as well this morning, maybe starting at a beginners specific class will help a bit more.
Thursday 29/4/20
It would appear I did more than I though in the bodybalance class yesterday as this morning I woke up with sore muscles across my chest and stomach. It’s been awhile since I’ve had that feeling and in a strange way I feel like I’ve pushed myself fitness wise for a change.
Normally I would have shuffled my runs around and ran on Friday instead giving myself a break today, there was room in my plan to do that but today was my day for the Tikkaboo challenge. So no backing out of today’s run.
The challenge was to run as far as I could for my team, Team Purple, in 19 minutes (for covid 19). The team that’s run the furthest at end of May wins. We also had to pick a baton as you would have with a usual relay.
So after my usual breakfast on went the Solar Tikkis and my purple vest, along with my spaceman baton which I thought was very ideal.
The sky was full of dark clouds and I could see it was breezy just from watching the trees outside. I had a feeling today really was going to be the short distance planned. It was nice to be participating in the relay challenge, something to add a bit of fun to today’s run.
I stood at the gate ready to set my watch on the next beep of my gym boss, I’d already decided I would Jeff the distance not run straight as it had been awhile since I’d ran straight and I wanted to see how far I could get using the Jeffing technique just out of interest.
The Gym Boss beeped, I started the timer and off I went down the hill, turning down onto the trail past the horse field then up the main trail. I tried to speed up my walking sections a bit and when the timer hit 19 mins I was pleased with my 2.74km.
Decided to take a walk back around the road way and up the hill rather than continuing to jeff if.
Although a short one today a fun one.
Friday 1/5/20 walk day
Managed a small family walk to the local Co op this afternoon.
Needed a few bits and suzie needed some fresh air so we all went out. Suzie and I waited outside, out of the way whilst Stu went in sticking to social distancing rules.
I really need to add more short walks in to get my steps back up each day. Even if it’s just a slow stroll each evening.
I finally put my trainer tags on to my trainers today as well. They were sent to me as a gift from my friend Carmel and i have been meaning to put them on for awhile just one of those two minute jobs i’ll do later so today I made the time and think they look fab!
Sunday 3/5/20
Today should have been long run day, although this week is a drip down weeks and the long run is only 4 miles (which I covered earlier on in the week) I just didn’t feel like going running today.
Not sure why, in myself I felt find, can’t really say I was unmotivated I just didn’t want to go so as much as I know sticking to plan and getting out is important I also knew not running today was not going to be the end of the world and the reason I’d started a longer Marathon plan were to account for these type of weeks, illness and holidays (chance of one of those would be nice).
So I spent time staining Wood in the garden woth the family today, we did manage to get out for a short stroll to the Co op again though.
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Week 3 Jeffing 30:30 Marathon Training plan week commencing 20/4/20

Run 1 Tuesday 21/4/20
I got up this morning feeling much more motivated than yesterday. Not just running wise but in general. Yesterday had just been one of those un motivated days.
My typical week at the moment plan wise consists of 2 short runs supposedly 30 minutes long however mine tend to be about 3 to 4 mile ish mark lasting up to about an hour with a longer run which I normally run in the latter part of the week Saturday or Sunday. It’s whats always fell better for me around work commitments etc, however I had found my run routines were changing under the current times.
I can’t remember the last time I bounced out of bed at 5.30am to have breakfast so I was off out nice and early before the day had even began. My run days now tent to be getting out the door no earlier than 8.30am and my non run days seem to start mid day. I do feel like I have become lazy however its hard when you’ve no where to go and no normal routine to follow.
I set off just after 10am, a lot later than normal for me but by the time i’d actually got out of bed and let my usual pre run breakfast of porridge followed by a banana settle I was shocked to see the time.
Today should have been run 1 of the week so normally a shorter run but when I left the house and headed down the road something just felt different. I kept my usual 30:30 Jeff going and stuck to my normal pace which felt comfortable.
As I joined the trail from the main road normally I would have gone up, round and along towards Rothervalley but today I felt like venturing out and trying a different route. Maybe it was the change of route that got me excited who knows but I found myself going down the trail in the opposite direction. It didn’t seem to take long before I was hitting the Renishaw entrance to the Sitwell arms, knowing continuing towards Pools Brook would be pushing it too far too soon today and would almost double my long run millage this week I decided to take a detour back home around the road way.
As I turned out of the Sitwell carpark onto the main road a thought occurred to me as I visually mapped out the route home in my mind. Running this way would mean I’d have to face the very large hill between Eckington and Morissons at half way! I’d not thought of that and having not been hill training this could be interesting. I decided if it was that bad it really would not be the end of the world to walk up it.
As I came to the gold club area there was a small bridge bit on a windy bit of road, at first I did wonder how I was going to get round the section with no patch way and surprisingly a lot of traffic out today, I then realised to the right of me just off the road side was a hidden metal foot bridge, I would have looked like a right plonker tackling the road and traffic had I not seen the small path leading tot he bridge section.
It wasn’t much longer before I rounded the corner to face the hill. I looked at it head on and set my self goals like I used to when out with Sharon on Joes Ices hills (Them were the days when I could run and go for a chat) I started slow and steady just having started a 30 seconds stint. It’s times like these 30 seconds really do feel like a life time. I was great full when I felt the vibration on my arm indicate it was walking time. The next indicator from walk to run signalled but going from a walk to a very and it was very slow jog took some getting into and felt awkward to transition between. About half way up and in a walk section I was passed by a road sweeper and I have to be honest when I needed to cross the road as there was no path left and had to try and time it around the sweeper I secretly used it to walk the remaining top part of the hill before getting back into rhythm at the top.
Following a different route really was rather inspiring me and I continued along the road, along the top past Morrisons taking a peek to check out the ques for Stu who was off to do our weekly shop after. As it turns out I was surprised to see no one stood waiting to go inside.
I turned off down the trail route taking me away from the road down the back of the petrol station and industrial units and back onto the track entrance. I decided to use the track to get extra millage in so joined back onto the track and headed back up it to go over the bridge and down along past the horse field.
I was half way up the hill towards out house when the local delivery man collared me to talk to (social distancing of course) as much as I wanted to continue the 200 yards I knew that would be rude so stopped my timer and decided to call it a day.
Just over 6 miles, I was more than happy with that.
I really need to start taking more pictures when out especially on my longer or newer routed runs. I logged a memory note (I have many of these when out on runs) to discuss how the small action camera worked with stu when I got back to save having to take phone in and out of pocket and risk dropping it.
Tonight’s news that Berlin has cancelled their Marathon in October left me feeling emotional.
I really want to keep focused and drive forward with the training plan and miles in hope that I will make that start line in 2020 but part of me is starting to feel deflated and like running a marathon is maybe not meant to be for me. All I can do is hope, I can’t even defer my place to 2021 if the event dose not go ahead as we’re away for a big holiday on the date 😭😭. My crying faces are over the deferral not the holiday no way I would miss this holiday.
I need to think of a back up plan, a Marathon later on in 2021 if really needed to focus on, I am determined nothing is going to stop me crossing a finish line even if it is a different one to my original plan. It will not drag me down to give in on my goals, I will run 26.2 miles in 2020 one way or another!
When I put my Jeffing plan together based on Jeff’s book I was wary over the fact that the training plan takes you to the full 26 miles! Every plan I have ever read up on or seen has always steered clear of completing the full millage. However, Jeff’s plans push to cover the millage during training. I had planned in a 26 mile run on my plan but was going to gauge how I felt on the run up to this week. I have now decided that if it is looking or feeling unlikely the official marathon will be going ahead then I am committing to completing those 26.2 miles in my own un official marathon. Even if I have to do numerous circuits of RotherValley. In fairness by then I should be able to run it blindfolded if the lock down continues.
Run 2 Thursday 23/4/20
Last night I had this bright spark that I needed to get back into some sort of routine again so I set my alarm! It’s not been set for nearly 5 weeks but I decided tomorrow was going to be warm one and I wanted to get up, out and done before the heat hit. I also remember how I really enjoyed by early morning runs to start the day off last year.
Who was I fooling, the alarm did go off at 6am but I turned it off and turned over back to sleep. In fairness I felt wheezy so decided I would go out a bit later. When I did stir an hour later I decided to i’d already decided I was going to have a change and run in the evening today. It had been ages since i had done a teatime run so i’d wait for the temperature to drop then go out before tea for a change. Pleased I decided to wait as the post woman brought me my Gymboss I’d ordered a belated birthday gift.
You may be asking what is a Gymboss? I had to ask myself the same question a few weeks back. well if I am honest I didn’t ask it myself I asked it on the girlsthejeff Facebook page.
A Gymboss it this little beauty
Looks a little bit like a pager. It has settings to allow you to set interval timers, so for example I set mine at 30:30 so every 30 seconds it vibrates and beeps. you can choose big beep or little beep, I set mine on big beep, lets just say they will certainly here me along the trail.
Just before 5pm I got changed, decided it was a cookie monster evening with he matching feed me cookie monster vest top. Although if I am completely honest I certainly didn’t need feeding anymore! confinement was doing nothing for my sweet tooth and this week I had decided I need to step back on the scales and start taking more note of what was going in especially since I wasn’t being as active as I normally was. I set up the gym boss attaching it to my vest strap and went off down the track for a short one.
I have to say highly impressed with the Gymboss, certainly no chance of not hearing it. Only issue I did have is I could feel it rubbing slightly and knew the longer distances wouldn’t survive it positioned where it was so I moved it mid route into the middle of the neck line on my vest which is where it felt better. Think it will be trail and error till I find where it works best without rubbing.
I knew tonight was just a short one so paced at what I felt comfy with. About a mile in I could feel a twingy buttock and a niggle on the inside of my right knee.  I had felt the twinge before in the past training but the niggle was normally on the out side of my knee not inside. I knew the signs were all there in tonight’s run that I needed to start bringing back in those strengthening exercises, something that should never have left my routine (tut tut). I also needed to find some sort of strengthening class such as body balance etc online to follow once a week. I just needed to find a space and time that  was suitable to do it.
Just under 2.5 miles done this evening, short but sweet.
Friday 24/4/20 Saturday 25/4/20 –
No walk day this week, no particular reason just didn’t fit it in to my week, will promise to do better next week.
Sunday Run 3 – 26/4/20
Long run day today although technically I’ve already covered my long run on Tuesday.
Earlier on in the week I had decided to see what I felt like today before deciding if to make this a smaller run or if to still run the planned 7 miles on my plan.
So as I woke and fuelled with usual porridge and a cuppa tea I decided to give the 7 miles ago. I made up some Tailwind in my water bottle (something I’d not done in awhile due to shorter runs)
It felt like a cookie monster day today so on went the latest cookie monster Capris followed by the matching vest top (first time worn). I did take a selfie, not that I am very good at doing that but it also turns out the picture was too big to post on here and i’m also not that technical either. 🤣🤣.
I decided to give the same route as Tuesday ago again but reverse it to try and avoid that massive hill section. What I didn’t take into account was the longer but more gradual hill sections up to the big downward hill section their was 😂😂. I’d obviously not taken much notice of those stretches when going down them the other day. Oh well at least those bits were done early on in the run and the rest was fairly flat apart from the small hill up to the Sitwell Arms.
It was a nice day again and just being out in the fresh air was good for me. As I turned just past the Sitwell onto the track home my legs felt strong and comfortable at the pace I’d slipped into and I knew I was homeward bound along this stretch. I’d stuck to my 30:30 Jeff all way finding it the most comfortable, although I do think I need to work on speeding up some of my walking sections as I sometimes feel like I’m going for a stroll on my 30 second walk sections and could benefits pace wise from stepping it up a little, however equally I need to remember 26.2 miles is a long way and so far my pace feels comfortable and I’m around the 5 mile an hour mark which I’d be more than happy with on the big day.
As I came towards the track exit I checked my millage to see it just turn 6 miles and knew if I wanted to hit 7 I’d need to add a loop in, so instead of getting off I carried on down past the industrial works entering the trail again at the roadside entrance and running back up to the bridge section before exiting down past the horse field.
As I reached the brow of the hill just before our car park I checked in again on the mileage to see it was still short of 7 miles. So did a loop of the nearby street Dobbs Close and then several rounds of the small car park before I hit that lucky 7! If the neighbours ever see me when I’m car park running they’ll wonder what I’m doing 😂😂.
Week 3 down 23 to go 😁.
The more photo promise is a working progress it would appear the posh camera bag Stu got out of the loft contains everything except the camera 😡 since its been ages since it was used the mission of trying to find it is now underway. With the loft being transformed into our new working office it could be in one of many box’s that’s been moved out of there 🙄.
 
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Week 2 Marathon Jeffing Plan Week Commencing 13/4/20

Tuesday Run 1 – 14/4/20
Weather this morning is deceiving the sun is out and although its not jumper weather it certainly isn’t vest weather either like the other day, so on went a t shirt.
I left the house again following my usual route road round to entrance of trail up through the track and down onto Rothervalley.
Rothervalley really was becoming my second home, but I enjoyed seeing the country park especially looking so peaceful. The only down side to doing the same routes is my blogs not the most exciting to follow at the moment.
Thursday Run 2 – 16/4/20
Today was one of those days. Didn’t feel 100% yesterday and as I hit 1 mile I really felt like I was struggling this morning. I wasn’t going fast in fact I’d tried to slow down as I knew my runs needed to be at Marathon pace. But legs felt like they were running on 0 energy, everything felt like an effort. I can honestly say I’ve not had a run feeling like this in a very very long time. It was starting to get warm but I’d ran in hotter temperatures before, my body felt tired and I knew today was going to be minimal planned millage, nothing more as something just didn’t feel right 😩.
I went my usual route down the trail and onto Rothervalley at the first exit turning right so going anti clockwise round today. Instead of continuing around the smaller lake I turned around the big lake passing the park area. The park still seems so erie all shut down, no sound of children’s laughter like something from a horror movie. 1 lap of the larger lake really was going to enough today.
When I came to second trail exit my watch beeped 3 miles covered with legs feeling no more energised I knew that was enough for today so stopped my watch and continued to walk a very slow walk back home. Even walking was an effort.
I can’t remember the last time I had to stop out on a run even on the really big constant runs or when I last had to walk home as oppose to running, part of me felt a little gutted but having felt not right yesterday I knew I had to listen to my body, 3 miles was plenty for today.
It might not be the usual millage I’d cover but I’d got out and done my planned training millage at least which was better than nothing at all.
Friday – Walk Day –  17/4/20
Gentle walk planned today, guess where to? Yup off down round Rothervalley 😂😂.
Decides to make my walk days family walk days 😍.
Suzie was even more excited to join me when she realised we’d got matching Tikkaboos.
Mine were a birthday gift and whilst ordering them Suzie had got really excited so I couldn’t resist putting her a pair in the basket. Tiger stripes it was today.
It was a bit nippy but we enjoyed our walk and fresh air. Suzie managed to walk all the way round the big lake bless her.
Was nice to stretch the legs without having to think of pace.
Sunday – Long run day – 19/4/20
The start to the day just felt better this morning.  Although today is long run day, the planned millage was only 3 miles, a drop down week in preparation of a longer run next week. This is all new to me I’ve never really done drop down weeks the week before bigger runs unless it’s been a half marathon or 10k race. In past plans my millage as always gone up in small increments until taper weeks have began. Reading Jeffs book I knew this was a great way to keep muscles free of injury and allow body to rebuild stronger.
However I found running only 3 miles hard especially feeling so much better than earlier on in the week so did cheekily do 4 miles along my usual Rothervalley route but I did refrain from including the smaller lake in my run and just did the large one.
As I turned the corner towards the exit of the country park I was greeted with a duo of spider men on bikes! 🤣🤣 A little lad and his dad both in spiderman onsies made me smile. I love seeing quirky things when out.
Week 2 training done!
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Week 1  Jeffing Marathon Plan Week Commencing 6/4/20

You may or may not be thinking or asking what is Jeffing? If you already know you may want to jog on from this first bit, for those of you who are interested and no idea here’s a little bit about Jeffing, the technique I’m going to use to get me across the finish line of my first marathon.

A gentleman called Jeff Galloway designed the Jeffing method in 1973! Yup it really has been around all these years and yet still so many people haven’t heard of this amazing technique. It was designed to help beginners start running. Using strategic walk breaks allow each runner to control fatigue, virtually eliminating significant running injuries. Jeff now has a range of training plans and e coaching runners starting with 5k’s all the way to marathon training. If it’s something you are thinking i’d like to give that a go or find out more about it then check him out online.

After reading his Marathon you can do it book ( which I highly recommend), I was left feeling inspired and ready to change my Marathon training plan from running to Jeffing. So I sat down and put together a plan based on Jeffs Marathon plan in his book. As with all plans I know things might get moved around, you have to be prepared for that flexibility. Normally I would have holidays etc worked into my plan but under the circumstances majority of our main ones have had to be postponed till next year so if any breaks go ahead ill work them in as and when they occur. Putting together a plan based on Jeffs Marathon training plan has helped me refocus and given me an idea of millage to be covering each week to get me through that finish line.

So here it is Jeffing my way to a marathon blog section. I will blog week by week all  26 weeks worth of training and then do a full on the day blog of the big day.

At the moment my running routes are limited due to current isolation guidelines and are alone so i’m not promising blogs full of giggles or exciting stuff bur who knows what these weeks will bring and I’d love to have you following me.

 

Monday 6/4/20 – Just a short one to start the week off, I headed off down the track to the trail and decided to right once on trail away from Rothervalley for a change. Sticking to my 30:30 ratio (30 secs walk / 30 secs running) I ran up to the gap in the fence then went down onto the bottom track running back towards home. Covering just over 2.5 miles. It seemed so measly compared to the millage I had been doing a couple of months ago but I knew I had to follow my plan and not over do things.

 

Wednesday 8/4/20 – Decided to cover a bit further today and headed off down to Rothervalley. The weather was lovely and it felt good to be wearing my Capris and vest top as opposed to base layers and gloves. The only downside to the seasons changing is that my wheeze at the start of my runs was back. Although this soon disappeared a couple of km in I knew I needed to start slower bot to prevent the wheezing but also 26.2 miles was no walk in the park and I knew starting to quick could be the make of break of longer runs as the mileage increased so getting into good habits now would help me along the way. Keeping my 30:30 ratio I went down the trail and onto the lakes deciding I would go round both lakes, 5 miles covered and feeling strong! I have to say i’m really enjoying Jeffing.

 

Thursday 9/4/20 – Leisurely stroll day today. With the weather so nice it’s a shame to be stuck indoors so keeping social distances of course Suzie and I headed down for a gestalt stroll around both lakes. We really are so lucky to have all this on our doorstep and be able to get out during these tough times.

 

Saturday 11/4/20 – Long run day today as a family Birthday walk is planned tomorrow. By long run my plan states 3 miles which to be honest doesn’t feel like I am challenging myself or pushing myself at the moment but I need to remember I have gone back to the very start of a training plan and pushing too hard too soon will only lead to injury. 

I have been covering an average of 4 – 5 miles on most days i’ve been out so I set out with the intention of seeing how I felt but doing no more than 6 Miles max. 

I took my usual route, but decided I felt strong enough to add in an extra stretch by passing my usual exit and getting off at the second exit and coming back along the trail which I knew would cover the extra mileage. Another good run today finishing the week feeling pleased. 

 

Sunday 12/4/20 – Today should have been a rest day, I know how important resting is but we had planned a family, social distanced stroll around Rothervalley for my birthday so we took a slow plod. It was a slow plod so no danger of over exerting myself today, with Stu, Suzie and Jaffa (the beagle). Suzie enjoyed stretching her legs and looking at the ducks, before climbing into the buggy ¾ of the way round just before the heavens opened and decided to soak us all. Typically it stopped when we reached our garden gate, a bit of rain never hurt anyone and it was nice to escape the house as a family. 

 

       

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Update 11/04/2020

Apologies for my lack of blogging. It feels like it has been months since I last blogged, probably because it has been but so much has happened that to try to catch up with blogs would be a tough one. So I have decided to do a quick catch up post and then restart my blogging this week.

It was 4 weeks prior to what should have been the big day of the Manchester Marathon when I had my first Physio session and was diagnosed officially with ITT Band issues. The world was just starting to enter the first stages of the Corona Virus and the thought that the big day would be cancelled was still just a small thought at this point.

I went with a heavy heart expecting to be told there would be no way I’d make the start line, instead I was given ultrasound and deep tissue massage and told if I followed advice I could still be within a chance.

So that week I followed a strict routine of no running, who would have thought that not running for just 1 week would have driven me so crazy! But I kept my promise knowing that it would get me to that start line, I followed a daily set of strengthening exercises. My word I am not a fan of side planks and walking planks killed my stomach muscles for the first few days but I stuck with it alongside the routine 3 times a day icing of the knee area.

During this week I did a lot of research and reading up on the Jeffing method. I realised to get me to the finish I may have to change my approach. The more I read up on this idea the more I wanted to give it ago.

For anyone unfamiliar with the term Jeffing it’s a very effective method designed by an american gent Jeff Galloway where you mix intervals of running and walking from the very start. This allows better recovery of the muscles, runners to go further with less risk of injuries and more enjoyment.

If you ever get a chance to read his Jeffing a marathon book I really would recommend it, for me it was a real eye opener.

I re-visited the Physio the  week after and received another ultrasound and deep tissue massage. I was then told I was able to re-start the introduction of running but light runs 15 minutes first then increasing this by another 15 minutes and including a walk break every 5 minutes.

After having considered the Jeffing system I had already decided I was going to give it a go and set out doing a 60:30 ratio, so 60 seconds running to 30 seconds walk. The first run took me longer to get dressed for than I actually ran but I had promised not to over do it and risk flaring up my knee. It was strange running then walking and I had to really commit to not just running the 15 minutes but by the end I found I was quiet enjoying it. I knew my ratio’s would take some getting used to and need playing around with but I was quite excited to be taking on a new challenge and the thought that this really may be the way to cross that finish line for me.  

I made my third visit to the Physio the week after, this is were things were starting to get a little more scarier in the world and the thought that the organisers may have to make the decision to cancel the event was starting to feel more real. Happy with my progress we decided my appointment could move to fortnightly and I could continue to increase my mileage and running time gradually.

Little did I know that life would change from the next day.

Tuesday is really when things took a turn in my life, I had to close the doors that day to my Slimming World groups, never knowing if or when they would re open.It turns out three weeks later I made the decision to step down from role as a consultant making a decision I knew would change my life. I’d had five amazing years at building up my groups, being part of members’ amazing journeys, but up until trying to make this work from home I had never really worked out the hours I was putting in. Lets just say it was a lot and I decided I wanted to be able to switch off from my work in an evening and give my family the time they deserved from me.

 I started on an emotional roller coaster ride, one I am still on and believe I will be on for a while as will most people. I never realised how much running would play a part in keeping me sane during this time.

That weekend the announcement came in everything I had been looking forward to planning and training for, was taken away. The marathon had been cancelled, Although I agreed with the reasons,I went through a series of feelings. First it was disappointment and upset. I had spent a year building up to this date, early mornings, running in all weathers. Then it turned into determination. Just because I was not crossing that line on April 5th 2020 didn’t mean I was never going to cross it. This extra time meant I could strengthen the training I had already put in crossing that line stronger!

By that weekend the Corona Virus had really started to up its pace in the world, taking thousands of life’s and it was decided as a country we would go into isolation with strict measures in place only being allowed out of our houses for exercise and essentials such as shopping whilst maintaining a social distancing at all times. Some countries at this point had banned things such as exercise at this point so just to be able to get out once a day was a blessing to me. The world was turning into an erie place full of uncertainty. So much had changed over the last couple of weeks things felt so unreal.

I’d already eyed up the garden and realised it would be too much of a krypton factor for me to run in. Dodging the slide, swing, dog child etc spelled disaster. So being able to have access to the trail and Rothervalley really was my saviour.

Jeffing gave me a new challenge to focus on, a new plan. When the new date 11th October 2020 was released for the Manchester Marathon I decided to re start my training with a brand new plan.

By this time I had spent a few weeks building back up to around the 5 mile mark by using a Jeffing ratio of 30:30 which I found to be quite comfortable, with no knee pain so decided to plan a whole new training plan based on Jeff Galloways marathon training plan.

Which leads me up to where I am today, My first week of my new marathon training plan!

I have decided to start a whole new blog category to follow for my new plan. I promise to blog every week as opposed to every run unless there’s anything extra exciting to share with you, all the way to that finish line in October.

 

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Sunday 1st March – Should have been an 18 miler today but not meant to be

After our first Junior park run I Stu dropped me off at the entrance on the train towards Poolsbrook country park and off I went with 18 miles planned. I had planned to do round Poolsbrook then back along the trail to Rothervalley including a few loops to make up the mileage needed for today’s training run.

As I set off I just didn’t feel right and as Stu pulled away in the car I felt almost a panic, not sure why but determined I needed to get these runs in with the weeks quickly passing and the starting date getting nearer I pushed on down the track finding my pace.

As I hit Pools brook I decided to do two laps round as knew i’d need to make up for the lack of millage down the track having started in Stavely, then headed back along the track towards Rothervalley about 4.5 miles in I could feel my knee starting to hurt something which was greatly worrying me know so I made the decision when I got to the turn off on the track for home I would reluctantly make my way back and have to admit defeat at just 8.5 miles 🙁

I felt like my legs had the strength to go on for many more miles but that niggling in my right knee I knew would be extremely painful if I pushed through and carried on.

So I returned home where I iced the knee area before pending the day feeling sorry for myself, could this be the turning point in my training, Had I not done enough strength training, was Manchester even going to happen.

I decided after lots of forum advice to seek a physio out first thing in the morning after all I was no professional and could be making a mountain out of a mole hill. Ill keep you posted on the out come!

 

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Sunday 1st March 2020 – First Junior Park Run

Proud mummy day today, although every day is proud mummy day for me today was even more so.

We attended our first Junior park run together.

Although Suzie cant register as an official runner so no time or bar code scanned we were told we could go along and run as much or little as we liked.

Watching her get so excited about running with mummy and wearing her cookie monsters really put a smile on my face.

We arrived at the Stavely Junior park run and was instantly made to feel welcome. I had already volunteered Stu to help out as a Marshall as they were short of helpers and he was only going to be standing around any way so might as well be of use.

He was handed a bright bib, whistle and neck chain with official Marshall on it before beginning given his position at the far end of the field across the sludge to his delight.

We gathered for a small warm up pre run before heading to the start line for the count down and we were off. The full route was 4 laps around the field. I could feel Suzie getting excited as we set off and had warn her to go slow we had a long way to go. We ran around and it wasn’t long before we were passing stu for the first time. Shortly after their was a particular boggy area we plotted our way round for least slippage before continuing past the finish tunnel onto our second lap.

Suzie high fived her daddy as we passed him for the second time and crossed the lap marker for the second time as we started to just get past Stu again for the third time Suzie told me she was very tired bless her and at this point I realised 3 laps would be our goal this week so as we came to the lap marker again she ran through the tunnel to the finish!

So proud of her for completing 3 fab laps of her first Junior park run and secretly I think Stu enjoyed helping out and wearing his gear.

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25/02/2020 – First Sports Massage experience

Tonight I attended my first Sports massage. Although this isn’t a training run I thought it worth blogging for those of you who may be interested but never took up the courage to book one. Its also part and parcel of my training.

I’ve been saying for awhile I needed to book and look into sports massage but it’s been one of those to do things that I’ve never got the courage to go ahead and book.

So when Sharon tagged me in  Keep Active Muscle Therapy’s Facebook post offering a free sports massage I thought what have I got to lose.

I really was not sure what to expect to be honest. Having heard horror stories about sports massage and how painful it was I was a little nervous.

From the minute I stepped in the door I was made to feel welcome by Sian and Simon.

After going through some routine health questions and asking if I had any particular areas of concern etc, Sian took me into a conservatory area and explained the process.

As she went through the sports massage she explained what she was working on and the reasons. I’d love to be able to tell you all those big long words and body parts she was mentioning but the minute she’d said them I forgot lol. I was forewarned it wasn’t like a spa type massage and was meant to work the muscles to rid of any tightness and knots but was also told it was as brutal as i’d probably heard.

When we had finished I was given some advice on using sports balls along my legs after runs to prevent tightness (something I had been looking at prior to the massage so ordered as soon as I returned home) and I booked back in for another one on the 11th. I was advised if running tomorrow to only do a light low millage run even if I felt OK which was perfect as running with the Handsworth RoadHog ladies would enable me to do this.

I left feeling ok not hurting in any way. It was only about an hour and half later that it really hit me. My legs felt they had been running for miles and miles but without actually doing it and I felt exhausted and dehydrated in a wired way.

Definitely early night tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

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February 23rd Chesterfield Canal 17 miles.

17 Miles today and have to be honest legs feeling tight in the back of the calves and heavy really isn’t filling me with positivity for the mileage ahead. My legs haven’t felt like this for a couple of weeks and no idea why they’ve started again, just hoping like in the past once I get going they will keep carrying me.

I woke this morning to discover no bananas left in the fruit bowl! That’s just porridge this morning then! As you can imagine not a happy bunny I like my pre run banana, but with no shops opening till 11am hoping it dose not have too much of an effect on my run today fuel wise.

I was hoping for a dry day today, no such look! As I gazed out the patio windows whilst eating my porridge it was absolutely throwing it down, on the plus side the wind didn’t look too bad. I suppose you cant have everything and the weather could be anything in April.

After breakfast on went the gear and I set my rucksack up whilst waiting for the porridge to settle.

I’d planned in to try using some gels further into the run today alongside Tailwind to see if this would sort the hunger issues I’d had in past two long runs.

After some pre run stretching I set off down the trail towards the canal, my aim at least 16 miles today but really wanted to see 17.

The rain had stopped and in fairness after about 3 miles in I needed to remove my gloves due to things warming up. I fell into my comfortable marathon pace more or less straight away knowing I had many miles to cover I didn’t want to go to quick.

I seemed to reach Renishaw and then the turning for towards the canal so quick today that I had to double check my watch in case I was going quicker than I thought. It turns out I wasn’t.

Running along side the canal made me realise how much rain we had had the past few days and the effects the canal was almost touching the pathway in some places and about 4.5 miles into my run I was faced with raging waters coming from the field into the canal straight across my pathway, no exaggeration this was a welly job to cross. I held onto the fence as the current of the flowing water was quiet strong. The last thing I needed was a damage foot or ankle. After a couple of seconds analysing the situation I realised their was no choice but to go through it and grin and bear the wet feet for the remainder of the run. I was going to take a picture of the water gushing from the field into the canal but by the time I got back to that part it had gone and there wasn’t even really a puddle!

After that I decided with feet sodden no need to hop my around the bigger puddles and just ran through them. It was nice to run along the canal for a change of scenery past Hollingwood hub and onto tapton lock.

It was about mile 9 ish after having turned around at Tapton lock to run the route back home, I started to feel the twinge in my knee, the one that had been popping up in on some of my longer runs recently on the outside of my knee. I knew the mileage I was doing was getting longer, so never expected to not feel any aches or pains throughout training but this just didn’t feel right.

For the first few miles it was there but didn’t really have an effect on my running then it started getting sorer and by mile 15 every time my foot hit the floor I could feel it. At times I felt like like my heel on my right foot was pushing out but my knee was pushing inwards almost like they were fighting against each other.

Although my legs and lungs in them self felt strong and able to carry me so much further, the last mile up home really did take its toll on my knee and I was pleased when I walked into the back garden.

I cooled down and stretched before going into the house and that’s when the soreness really hit me. Simple things climbing up and down stairs was really sore. Something told me this wasn’t just fatigued legs from the mileage ran this was something more troublesome and I should listen to my body. Ice, rest and maybe some googling needed although deep in my thoughts I think I always knew it was ITT band related but with 6 weeks to go so didn’t want to hear everyone’s or no running for several weeks even months to heal it I didn’t have that time.

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The Great North West Half Marathon 16/02/2016

I woke knowing today’s half would be testing. With the forecast of Storm Dennis bringing around 70mph winds to Blackpool running along the sea front was not going to be any easy run.

With an 11am start I was great full to not have to be so early to eat but at the same time found myself waking before my alarm at 6.45am so then felt I was just clock watching and figiting about.

Although not completely UN nerved I didn’t feel as nervous as I did in Manchester. Maybe cause I knew the start area was straight forward to get to, maybe I had just got use to the race morning routines.

The beauty of staying in self catering accommodation is being in control over pre race dinner the night before which had been Turkey Risotto and breakfast on race morning. The thought of having to eat out and what to eat is just too stressful the night before so booking accommodation like Kennedy House really works for me. A small apartment type style flat but perfect for what I needed.

I made my usual porridge for breakfast at 8am followed by a banana about 9am before starting to get ready. As always I had pre laid all my kit out the night before. I always have this fear of forgetting something important so like to go to bed knowing everything is definitely there, even though I know it is as I’d checked the case a zillion times prior to setting off.

Once dressed I prepped my water bladder with Tailwind and ensured I had 30ps in change just in case I needed a loo stop. In fairness once I get going I’ve not yet had to make that stop but like to be prepared and had been pre warned the toilets were coin operated en rout apart from the start / finish line ones.

We left the apartment and was instantly hit by the blustery cold wind, Thank fully it wasn’t raining and if the forecast was right the rain was going to hold off. My exact words to my husband Stu as we made our way to the tram stop was I must be mad! To which he agreed.

Several tram stops later it was obvious we were at the right one with lost of sportingly dressed people some even running up and down already! Now that is dedication or maybe it was just to keep warm.

We walked down the slope to the lower sea front are where people were starting to gather. I was surprised to see how many people were there and the volume really came to light as we started to move down railed off areas to get ready at the start line.

No pens at this one so i’d already told my self i wanted to be about half way to 3/4 in the starting zone and that I wasn’t going to get caught up with the fast start pace. Last thing I needed was to burn out too early on.

After a couple of speaker difficulties cutting out the starting ladies instructions we were off heading towards the starting flag and then we were off!

We headed out towards the tower all in good spirits, turning at the first turn and going along the very bottom of the sea front. The view of the sea really was a nice site to be looking at whilst running and in fairness the wind didn’t seem to bad down on the bottom. It was at this point I checked in on my watch to ensure pace and discovered it had stopped! So had to mess around re setting it. At that point I made a decision to not look at my watch but to go with how I felt pace wise and enjoy the run. It wasn’t long before we were begin routed around and back up to the mid section to follow back along where we had started and then to loop back onto the bottom level again.

The wind was definitely stronger in the middle section but running was still doable. Again we circled round to the bottom section and began our run all the way along further up the sea front this time.

It was at this point I noticed I was following a gent in a bright yellow waterproof jacket with a yellow t shirt stating he was the 2.30 pacer, at this point I was feeling strong in a decent pace and decided to pace behind or along side him with the though that if I had more to give towards the end I would power past him. It was quiet nice packing along side him even though he may not have known I was stalking him. At one point I thought I’d lost him but then realised without knowing it I had actually passed him and he was now behind me. Legs still feeling strong I carried on with the pace I was at.

The sea front seemed to stretch for miles and miles but the sun had come out and it was a nice view to look at whilst running along. The fast runners were starting to overtake on their second loop and I watched in awe as they ran past full of energy and driving force to speed away. I really wished I had that energy. I am never going to be a speedier racer and do not plan on even trying but do think those that are are amazing runners and must be so dedicated to their training.

The route then took a turn up a small steepish hill coming out on top of the cliffs again where I was instantly hit with hard winds. I could see runners ahead walking and slow motion running.

It was way to windy to keep the pace I was doing so slowed to what felt like a walk at some points but with the wind battering my legs in the wrong direction meant it was a battle to move in some parts. My pacer choose this opportunity to overtake me and there was no way I was going to try keep up so I altered my plan to keeping him in sight knowing that it would mean a time similar to Manchester.

I was great full after about 2.5 miles of battling the route started heading down towards the start line and back along to the turning point which took us back onto the lower and less windier section again.

I had no idea until mile 10 what miles I was covering and where. With no mile markers in place due to the winds apart from cones which to be honest I never saw till I saw the big mile 10 painted on the stone wall I just ran without thinking about the numbers.

I loved the thought that only 3.1 miles left to go what  I didn’t like was having to battle with those winds again along the cliff tops, but i’d done it once I could do it again and at least I knew as turned the corner I was homeward bound!

It was at this point I noticed I felt quiet hungry, something I’ve not experienced when running before . Maybe it was the smell of the seaside food surrounding me or maybe I had used up more stores battling the winds. Either way was something I was going to have to look at for much longer runs.

The wind had definitely picked up even more this time round and there were a few places where it was so strong I had no choice but to walk for a minute at a time until past the sections when I could pick up a very and I mean very slow jog to keep moving forward. I could see the tower in the distance slowly getting closer and closer.

As I headed towards a bright yellow sigh with the word FINISH on I felt a sudden surge of energy and picked up the pace to run the last 200 yards in a sprint form, hearing my name shouted by a few supporters from a running group dressed in black (If this was you thank you very much) surged me on and I was through!!!

  

I had had a cheeky glance at the clock as I came in 235 it had said but knowing this was when they started I still had no idea of my official chip time but felt so excited to find out.

I could hear my name being called and it was at this point I realised my favourite supporter was stood at the side of the finish line holding the camera to capture my achievements. He may not be in my photos but my husband is my rock, he supports each and every run I do, he supports me when I have to go out training in evenings and mornings and without that support I wouldn’t able to do what I do.

He came round to meet me and my first words were “storm Dennis has battered me, lol) not by running the distance, my legs and self actually felt quiet good apart from a small niggle in my right knee which had started the last couple of miles when i had to change to a walk / very slow jog and altered pace, but by the winds. Running when your legs are being pushed in the opposite direction by pure brute wind force is not an easy mission.

In just under a year i’d not only ran one half marathon but two! Something I would never have thought I could do when I picked up that couch25k app the first time back in March 2019.

 

 

We didn’t hang around long as the wind was still blowing and I could feel my self getting colder despite putting my jacket on, plus we had reservations at The White Tower Restaurant at 3.45 and I definitely needed a shower.

My hard work was done for the day time to enjoy lunch / dinner and maybe a glass of fizz or two!

Heres to my next race, Retford half marathon on 8th March!