Category: Fun Runs

I have to be honest I’m really not feeling that pre race excitement this morning, but I know I need this one for the distance and to prove to myself I can do this.

It’s been awhile since I feel like I covered a great distance, never did I think I would be saying that, a great distance to me used to be 3 minutes running when I fist started. I know my training hasn’t been going to plan as much as I would have liked. I am missing some blogs so please don’t think I’ve completely abandoned my running commitments. I just haven’t been covering the distance I would have liked a few 5ks here and there.

My aim today is not to beat any record timings but to just get through the finish line.

Having not really fueled myself right food wise for several days I made sure last night was a pasta dish and woke with plenty of time to have porridge and then a pre race banana.

As I sat on the edge of the bed putting on my trainers I could hear the heavens open. It was going to be a wet one, on the plus side it meant I didn’t need to waist time drying my hair from my shower.

I decided to drive to Rothervalley and conserve my energy for the task at hand.

As I parked up the parking attendant came over and did inform me if I wanted to save my legs there were more spaces further down, why I chose to stay where I was and didn’t take his advice is beyond me as I didn’t realise the start was way past the entrance to the second lake. By this time I was already dripping wet. I stopped off for a pre race loo stop whilst I was passing the toilets, as I stood in the que I noticed a set of funky, matching my own, legs approaching me there was only one person they could belong to, Sharon. Great minds must think alike!

I can tell you pulling Lycra down when soaked is tough but pulling them back up really is no fun!

I did start to get a little concerned that I may need to shout for assistance! Could you imagine the headline, runner retrieved from portaloo, unable to pull up tikkis.

We huddled for a short while in the tent taking our compulsory pre run photos but wasn’t waiting long till we were directed to the start line which I was grateful for already starting to get cold from the wet clothes.

The horn sounded and we were off, I knew there was no way I would keep up with Sharon and het speedy legs today so went with a pace I was comfortable, I tried to not set off too quick knowing I would regret this later if I did.

We started on grass which was a first for me and I have to admit felt a bit wiered, but didn’t last long thank fully although it wasn’t long before we hit a detour from the path down to the waters edge and zig zaging back up to the path all on grass. I have to be honest I don’t think I am a grass runner, I was also a bit concerned to see several large holes big enough to get a foot stuck or sprain an ankle on the grass section. I’d dread to think of the damage that could be done if not paying attention.

At the 3K mark I have to be honest I felt like I could have sat on the grass and stayed there. I think an emotional draining week had finally caught up with me and being alone running with my thoughts was giving me way too much thinking time. If I am honest I also think I was going through a patch of dis belief in myself, not sure if this was cause my training hadn’t been going to plan or if it was just because the big day was getting closer.

I gave myself a bit of a telling off, I could do this I’d done 10ks before step at a time, one foot in front of the other it would all get me to that finish line. As I approached the half way point I could hear cheering and the gent on the microphone talking to the first gent to finish!! wow!!! He must have proper bombed it round, I was never going to be one of those runners but now past half way I knew I could do this and continued round.

I’d set my sights on a young lady just in front and gave myself a gaol of keeping pace with her, I wanted to come in just after her. This gave me something to focus on, as we hit the 7k ish mark the lady in front started to take walking breaks, I have nothing against walking breaks if you need to take them take them but this made me feel stronger as I felt comfortable now knowing the pace I was going would see me through the full course.

As I passed the cafe and my car parked up I knew I’d got this. I started running down the partitioned run way to the end and knew I had more to give so gave it my all and sprinted through the finish line. Today had been one of my most emotional runs and it showed as the tears started running down my face at the finish line, I’m not even sure why I was crying but quickly wiped them away and replaced them with a smile. I had completed the Global 10k my aim of the day and that’s all that mattered.

It wasn’t till later I realised this was a personal best at a 10k for me which was a surprise. So pleased I made that effort and stuck to my plan.

 

                                                           

I arrived at the Winter Green ready to register about 9.40am, there were already lots of clubs In their club kits and runners milling around. Some very athletic looking runners among them.

I was so excited when it came to registering to find that my club t shirt had arrived, so pleased I had choosen the blue Cameo’s this morning a perfect match, my first Grand Pix race and a race our club had organised in  the Handsworth Roadhogs kit. I know it sounds really silly but it made me feel like I was a part of something and a sense of belonging. I was no longer a lone runner. (not that I ever was with my fab running buddies by my side)

We set off at 10.35 on our walk to the starting point, little did we know the start was 1 mile away from where we had registered! Good job we strolled across when we did, climbing up a steep hill to where the starting banner was sat. So pleased the banner was at the top and not the bottom.

With Sharon marshaling this one she went on ahead to get positioned in her post and it wasn’t too long before her daughter who’d decided to run this one was pre warning me to pace it as shed been informed this was a hilly one with some steep areas early on. Cheers for that one, got to love those uphill flat bits!

This was the first real race event I had ran alone, I knew I wasn’t really alone Sharon’s daughter was there and I was surrounded with a good few hundred other runners, but I was missing my pacing team and had decided to not run with ear phones on this one. I’m not entirely sure ear phones were allowed to be honest.

Looking around I could see some proper athletic type runners and knew these would be off and away before I even got to the first K mark, so I positioned myself just behind them but before the 5K lot as they were setting off a few minutes behind.

The horn was sounded and off we went down a trail type path with high grass on either side. I could see all the power runners sprinting off ahead and knew if I allowed myself to get caught up in their speed it would not be long before I would struggle. So I paced it down a bit and told myself it did not matter where I came number wise, running for me has never been about speed its been about completing runs and increasing distances, knowing that every time I ran a race I was improving personally and it was all adding to the training.

About 3.5K in one of the fellow Roadhog ladies ran alongside me when I asked if she was ok her reply was I will be I 1.5K, this got me thinking whats coming up in 1.5k, what do I need to prepare myself for I was hoping all the hills were over with. Then I realised as we came to a marshall holding up a marker and she ran back past me as I was directed to the left, she was doing the 5K. As she past I remember feeling why wasn’t I do the 5K and did ask her if I could go her way lol.

I knew I was starting to feel tired and I started getting a bit angry with myself last weekend I had done 11 miles and not felt this tired until the last couple of miles so how was it that at the 5k mark it felt such an effort? It was warn but no warmer than I had ran in before.

I ran into a woodland area where I was faced with a steep but small incline with Sharon stood directing people, (thanks for the photo Sharon) for a split second I was expecting her to say to carry on up the even steeper incline behind her with small wooden steps so was delighted when she pointed to the left and I heard those words of I think the hard parts over all flattish now.  There were several marshals with cameras and I did try to smile as I passed just in case one good picture was snapped.

I carried on determined and telling myself I could do this and to stop being a whimp. When I arrived at a bridge with steps up I used it as an opportunity to take a breather walking up the steps, slow jog along the bridge and then walking back down the other side I knew if I had ran down the steps it would have turned into more of tumble with disastrous outcomes doing a loop and returning back over the bridge again using it as another 60 second walk. At the bottom stood a fellow Roadhog marshaling, who cheered me on asking me who I was as and commenting on the blue cameo tikkis, I had yet to meet most of them with only running on the ladies night yet but already everyone who I had seen on route had been friendly and welcoming. Following the route back along the way I’d come until reaching the corner of the lake where a Marshal directed me to the left up a field, I knew looking ahead it wasn’t so much as steep but my word it was a long, gradual incline that seemed to go on and on, this was going to be a tough last stretch to the end. I could see the marshall at the end of the hilly bit so focused all my energy on getting to him, I had come this far this was not going to be the race I didn’t finish. About halfway I knew my legs were giving up so took it a step back again and took it as an opportunity to walk quick whist taking a drink before starting to run again and before I knew it I was at the top, last 800meters to go as I went out onto the road and round a corner. As I turned I could see the end and out of no where came a sudden adrenaline rush I wasn’t crawling through the finish line I wanted to sprint through. I seemed to have found a new pair of legs as I pushed along quickening pace down the path way to the end!! Yay another one in the bag!!

I stood on the side line to cheer in the remaining runners not sure how many more were left but I knew Rebekka wasn’t far behind.

I was so relieved to hear even some of the more athletic runners saying it was a tough one, as they waited for others to come in, it made me feel so much better about how tough I had found it.

Shortly after I had finished, Suzie and Stu turned the corner after having spent ages round the housing looking for the finish line and it wasn’t much longer before Rebekka came up the finishing stretch. Suzie managed to claim a medal for her cheering skills 🙂

Slow walk back to the pub through the houses for a victory glass of wine, it has to be done at every race! Many of the Roadhogs came over and introduced themselves to me, whilst Suzie played on the park area some even asking about my running plans for the future which really made me feel part of the group.

Once the crowds had gone and tables started emptying we decided to stay at the winter green for carvery. Well what can I say, the surprise I got when I went to the counter and discovered Stu had ordered giant Yorkshire puddings!! I was definitely podged when done! Definitely flexible syns being used today. To be honest I didn’t manage it all but gave it a good go!

 

 

 

Today wasn’t about breaking PB’s or dashing around it was all about supporting a fellow running member finish her first race and enjoying a fun day for a fab cause with great friends. This should have been my first official race when first booked but with the earlier races creeping in first this was now my third race.Still my first %k though!

Supported by Stu and Suzie and with a picnic planned after today was going to be a good day.

It was a warm one but luckily not as warm as the day before. So all sun creamed up and ready to go off to Clumber Park we headed. Having just returned from 2 weeks in France I wasn’t the most prepared attire wise so off to the merchandise tent I strutted for a vest to wear with my little miss princess Tikkis. If you ever feel like investing in a pair feel free to use my recommendation link https://prz.io/RrnalaTj getting you 10% off! I could not resist in the pink tutu and also picking up a t-shirt for Suzie ( Maybe next year she can participate).

We lined up at the start for the obligatory warm up dance before getting into sections based on running, jogging or walking.  Hundreds of runners some in some amazing fancy dress costumes, all stood raring to go. I always find this an emotional race (walked in past years not run) with all the remembrance notices pinned to runners and listening to stories before the start. We stopped to take the pre run photo of course!

We were off onto the trails of Clumber Park. with the amount of runners it would have been hard to go at a speedy pace even if we had wanted to with quiet a few narrow walkways it wasn’t easy to overtake other runners and  it was soon easy to spot the mistake at this year event,  as both the 5K and 10K had started together and soon the 10K runners were overlapping and struggling to get through the hustle and bustle of the 5K lot.  This must have been frustrating for them especially the faster runners.

As we came up and over the brow of the hill turning on to the last stretch you could hear the music and commentary at the finish line. So we prepared to finish running in together holding hands just as the ladies had done with me last year, all together leaving no one behind and we did just that with a cracking comment from the gent on the mike over my leggings deserving a ring of the bell!

Yay Jackie had run her first 5K! and it was a privilege to run at her side and she was so deserving of that medal.

This is my favorite picture as I don’t do pictures very well

Then they made me do a more serious one!

 

 

Well where do I begin? Firstly apologies it seems like ages since I last blogged,  so this is going to be a long one. So grab a cuppa and pull up a chair or simply flick through and jog on (I promise I won’t be offended if you just check out the pictures)

It seems so long ago I was starting the couch to 5K and the though of running even just 5 minutes seemed so daunting and like it wouldn’t happen and yet here I am coming up 2 months after finishing it having achieved so much already and learning to be proud of my achievements.

So my first official 5K race actually turned into a 10K!

After an impromptu entry into Wellbeck 10k with my running buddies. it seemed pointless entering the 5k Nuro Care at Rothervalley the week after so I swapped for the 10K.

How did the crazy idea of running 10k come around on, May 12^th at Wellbeck estate? Well that will be my friend Sharon’s idea. who messaged our group chat at 10pm that she’d found a run that looked interesting but the catch was it was the next morning. So when invited it took me all of seconds to say why not! Being a fun run / walk I knew that even if I only made 6k (the furthest I’d run so far) I could walk the remainder and meet them at the end and it would still be an achievement.

There  was only one outfit for today’s run and that was the cookie monster.

We set off nice and steady feeling strong, the scenery was so spectacularly pretty it was breath taking and made the run seem so pleasant that the odd hill didn’t feel too bad and when we hit the 7k mark I was surprised I still felt so good and did a little victory punch in the air as I passed the marker, this was the furthest I’d ever ran!! 7K gone 3K to go I now knew I could do this, I wasn’t stopping now, I wanted that medal! And I wanted to say I’d ran it all. Crossing that line was amazing and I really felt like I could have given more on the day. I think this was the day that I started to realise my crazy Marathon entries may not be all that crazy.

Thank you to my crazy friends for believing I was ready to take on this challenge otherwise I would never have enrolled for a 10k so soon.

So what followed after, let me think. I feel like I have done so much!

There was the 10k neuro race at Rothervalley a fairly flat route and a route I knew so well having done most of my couch to 5k training around there. On May 19^th I woke raring to go and excited at the thought of completing another 10k. After a breakfast of overnight oats and a couple of cups of tea I headed down to the registration area. This was my first chip timed event so I was starting to feel like a runner now. There was a variety of runners this morning from club athletes to fun runners. I thought lining up next to the athletic runners would be off putting but it wasn’t I know I am never going to be number one over the line and that really dose not matter what matters is I finish the events I sign up for no matter how long it takes and I take pride in each medal and goal I achieve.

So I set off with my running buddies nice and steady, lap one of the lakes went well and I still felt strong as we passed the finish point to do a final lap around the smaller lake before finishing, Sharon began to pass in front of me picking up pace. I didn’t know at the time but her though was I would either drop back if too fast and finish at my own pace or I would keep up and it would motivate me to push my self that little more. I knew I would never hit her pace but was determined to not get left too far behind so picked up my speed, I could feel the muscles in my legs being used but pushed on through. As I passed the ice cream van I could see that finish line and knew I had a little left to give so set off for the sprint finish!(It has to be done at every race no matter how tired I feel) Yay another 10k medal to hang on my board!

P.S If anyone finds the top I was wearing today can you point me in the right direction I haven’t seen it since it went in the wash after this event! and es my whole wardrobe has been emptied.

26^th May 2019 was my next biggy I had started running with the girls on a Tuesday evening doing some hill work and kept my mileage up running three times a week. When they told me they were planning an 11 miler to help with their marathon training. After some thought knowing the route was mainly flat and that if I didn’t manage it all I could walk it, So I decided why not, if I wasn’t going to challenge myself who would it was all great for training.

We set off early with the sun already shinning down on us, today was going to be a warm one. When I was first invite on group runs I was a bit nervous I would hold people up or might fail at running the distances but I have to be honest I’m glad I said yes and took that step, running alongside friends having a chin way (a great way to know the pace is right when you can run and still talk) and having them to pace me really has helped me build up my distance.

Fairly flat route heading from my doorstep, down onto the trail and along to poolsbrook country park. Quick toilet stop before returning back along the trail and up. Note to ones self must master pulling up sweaty tikki’s quicker for Marathon. Didn’t go round the lake saving that extra mileage for another training day.

Heading up the last stretch of hill towards home was a tough one, legs were now tired and my muscles were definitely feeling the mileage but I couldn’t stop now not when I was so close so I plodded up to the top to be greeted with Sharon saying we were so close to a round number of 11 miles and couldn’t stop now so off around the small estate we went and into our car park circling the car park a few times. I think that was the toughest part of the morning I could see my back garden gate but knew it would annoy me not rounding off the miles and I would regret not staggering that little bit.

17.73km in the bag!!! Check out those calories burned!! I must remember this is not an excuse to over indulge.

So happy with this one. I would never have done it if it was not for the help and support of my running buddies Sharon and Marie.

So I think im all caught up apart from The race for life and training runs which I will blog separately. Hope your still with me at this point? Don’t forget to keep following I know it’s going to get tough and I have so much more to learn. I love to read others blogs too so if you blog please do share with me.