uh-oh INJURY!

Don’t fret, we are nearly at the end of this bleak month which feels as though its been dragging on forever. Good riddance to January is all I’m saying. My training hasn’t exactly kicked started as I planned and has been blue for another reason. 

A few weeks ago, I carelessly bashed my right knee into a kitchen draw handle. How amazingly stupid, but it was also so amazingly painful.Training was going so well up until that point. Hill and speed sessions were added to my schedule, all important to increase endurance pace. So when this incident happened I was not best pleased.

So there I was on a sunny but cold Sunday morning, 7th January to be precise, all ready to go for a 9 mile run.This was going to be my first long run of 2018 and I was really looking forward to it. As I started I could feel something wasn't quite right and after three miles it was really twinging.There is always that dilemma when you feel something is not quite right in training as to whether you should carry on or quit? I was running on a flat surface and decided to carry on and go for the full 9 miles. It was only on my return journey when I had to run down some steps that a shooting pain went from my right kneecap all the way up my leg. And that was it, running over and I had to limp home. Bugger or much bluer words to that effect! I realised that the bash the previous evening was a little more serious than I first thought. 

Gym session

Over two weeks has now passed. I’ve tried a couple of times to run but not with much success. I’ve carried on my fitness regime in the gym resorting to pedal power on a racer bike and lifting weights. A trip to the Physio has also been made and now with structured exercises to strengthen the knee I think I’m turning a corner and will soon be back to pounding the streets of London. So not the greatest start and perhaps I need to bubble wrap all sharp corners so I don’t make the same mistake!

Whilst boring friends with the woes of my lack of training, a writer friend, Neil Bailey (very good books by the way, When she was bad and Bad for Good) come up with the great idea of interviewing me so you, the reader, can get to know me a bit better. “No dodgy questions!” I said to him. So over the next couple of blogs you will be able to read this interview. 

Here is Part One: 

Did you run competitively at school?

Ha ha ha haha, sorry I just need to stop laughing. That’s a big fat NO to that answer.  As soon as I hit my teens I hated running. In fact, hated any type of sport to be perfectly honest unless it was Hockey and that was only so I could get my revenge on anyone that had given me grief during the week with a nice little whack to their shin - accidentally of course. “Sorry Miss, didn’t see her leg there!”

When did you start running as an adult?

I started running in my late thirties - around 38 I believe so I really am a late starter to all this running malarkey. And I would only run on a treadmill at the gym. I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone I knew seeing me run outside. I just thought everyone would fall around laughing seeing my huge rear wobbling down the road. I was extremely body conscious so treadmill it was, and I tried to time it when the gym wasn't that busy. I remember the first time I managed to run 20 minutes non stop and I was so proud of myself.

And why did you start running?

Well, I’ve just mentioned I was body conscious. Throughout the majority of my thirties I was undergoing IVF treatment. The gruelling schedule of hormone injections played havoc on my waistline. I also had been through a pregnancy and birth and I just struggled to shift the baby weight. But the main reason to be perfectly honest was for my own sanity. I struggled with depression very badly after the death of my daughter and exercise was my way of keeping sane. I still have dark days but I find a nice long run gives you plenty of time to think and work things out in your head. When the endorphins kick in you end up feeling on top of the world.

Why did you decide to run a marathon? You’d previously suggested you were happy running 10k and half marathons.

Richmond 10 mile T.Shirt

I’m still asking myself that question to be honest! When we moved to Greenwich, over 6 years ago, that is when I finally started to run outside - and really enjoyed it.  My fitness had improved and I had shifted the excessive weight. September 2013 was my first half marathon and then I just started signing up to the odd 10k here and there. 2016 I ran two more half marathons, both with their own problems - either too hot or believe it or not I had a dodgy knee - the same one as now!  I then signed up to the new Richmond Park 10 mile race. I had never been to Richmond Park and couldn't think of a better way to see it. I was told the course was hilly so that's when I joined Greenwich Runners to help me with hill training. There was quite a few members training for the London Marathon when I joined and I was basically so inspired by this running group that I entered the 2018 London Marathon ballot but also approached Tommy’s to see if I could run for them - and the rest, as they say, is history! If I never joined Greenwich Runners, I wouldn’t be running the 2018 Marathon! 

Have there been any moments when you’ve had second thoughts?

Only recently, when I haven’t been able to train. I do get a bit down when I can’t keep to the correct training schedule. But I’m extremely determined and I’ve raised a lot of money so basically I can’t entertain any second thoughts. 

Do you have a regular route you run in training or do you like to mix it up?

I have lots of different routes of all different distances but I never run the same route each week. I would find this a bit tedious but also if you stick to the same training regime your muscles just get used to it so your not giving your body any new challenges. You need to mix it up to get the best benefits out of training.

Do you prefer running on hard services (roads, pavements) or soft?

Well lets be honest here, hard services aren’t great for your joints especially long endurance runs. I think 10k is OK on a hard service but for longer runs I would prefer a softer surface. I do enjoy trail running in the countryside or beach.

What are your ideal weather conditions for running? 

Perfect conditions would be a dry cool sunny day. When the sun shines I always seem to run faster.

Is there any weather you won’t train in?

I’ve trained in most types of weather now but wouldn’t train in extreme conditions, i.e. ice or snow on the pavements or if it was scorching hot. Absolutely hate running when it is too hot.

You have mentioned joining a running club. Do you prefer to run on your own or with others?

In a race I prefer to be on my own. I don’t have to worry about keeping to someone else’s pace. Otherwise, it’s always nice to run with someone else and have a good chat. The miles seem to clock up a lot a quicker that way!

This was my first session with the Greenwich Runners in March 2017

The second part to this interview will be next month.

Remember to visit my Virgin Money Giving Page to read my full story

A little festive cheer

As 2017 is drawing to an end I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to all of you - yes YOU. The support I have received since starting this Marathon quest has been fantastic. So far I have raised a huge £2,271.00 and that is all because of you - yes, YOU again. Without your help I wouldn’t be writing this and by help, I don’t just mean donating sums of money (althougth that does obviously help), but if you’ve had to endure yet another running story without falling asleep, well that is really much appreciated!

furthest run so far

My participation in the London Marathon is extremely important to me and since discovering my application to run for Tommy’s was successful I’ve changed the way I run and train. I’m pleased to say that all my additional efforts at strength training, speed sessions, pilates and yoga are all helping. My pace on long endurance runs is faster, completing a whopping 19 mile run earlier this week in 2 hours 49 mins. My longest and furthest run to date. Not a bad way to end 2017.

Welcome Speech at Bingo Night

I was also pleased to host a Charity Fund Raiser held at my local pub earlier this month, The Ashburnham Arms, where a fun night of Bingo was had. Apart from my dodgy bingo calling accent a great evening was had by all with a request for another Bingo Night in the New Year, probably before Easter and before the big Marathon itself. 

So there you have it. No mince pies or quality street will be passing my lips this year, just the odd G&T obviously for recovery benefits of course. I’ll be continuing my training over the festive period but before I go I just wanted to say, 

Have yourself, 

a 

Very Merry Little Christmas 

and 

Best Wishes for a Wonderful 2018

Remember to visit my Virgin Money Giving Page to read my full story

HELLO KNEBWORTH !!!

Start and finish line in front of Knebworth House

Open air concert at Knebworth

Sunday 19 November was a beautiful crisp sunny morning and I was participating in the very first Hertfordshire Half Marathon. Starting and finishing in front of the iconic Knebworth House which has featured in many films including The King’s Speech and Harry Potter, but probably more widely known for playing host to open air rock and pop concerts for the likes of Robbie Wiliams, Oasis, Led Zepelin and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In fact it was at one of those open air concerts, to see the then very young Robbie Williams dangling upside down in front of a crowd of thousands and singing “Let Me Entertain You” and “Angels” - which took me to Knebworth for the very first time a mere 14 years ago! Probably under the influence of a few vino’s I couldn’t really remember the countryside, so when I signed up for this little jaunt I really didn’t know what I had let myself in for.

Training run on 7th November

Feeling slightly confident following my triumphant run at Royal Parks on 8th October and a mammoth 15 mile run up to the Olympic Park 2 weeks previous, I was perhaps a little cocksure of myself and thought this would be a doddle. 

The day before the race we went on a little recce drive to see how long it would take us to get to the grounds from our rented farm barn. Only a 20 minute drive - perfect. From there we went to Hitch Wood famous for its bluebells in the Spring so Vinnie the dog could have a lovely Saturday afternoon walk. It was around here that I suddenly noticed mile markers along the road. No lie, there was a very long stretch, nearly 2 miles all up hill and I just thought “oh no, I’ve got to run up that tomorrow”!

So back to Sunday morning. As already mentioned it was a stunningly bright autumn morning but extremely chilly with frost on the ground. At the last minute I decided to wear two long sleeve tops - big mistake. Off we all trot to the car for our short drive to the grounds. I wanted to get there around 8.30am to give myself plenty of time to warm up, stretch, last minute loo etc. All was going well until we were two roundabouts away from entering the Knebworth grounds, approx 2 miles and should have taken about 10 mins. The traffic was totally gridlocked. All this traffic couldn’t be for the race surely? We could see the A1 from our static position and the slip road joining us was also completely at a standstill. After 20 minutes of only shuffling a few feet I de-robbed my winter coat, said farewell to Mr P and Vinnie the dog and got out the car to join fellow runners walking along the busy road to get to our start line. So with a 2 mile warm up walk I had a nice little chat with a local who couldn’t believe the chaos this race was creating. The one benefit of a traffic jam was when I finally got to the race village the queue’s for the loo weren’t that bad - silver lining and all that!  At 9.25am I go to my start position and just after 9.30am the race was on.

The Route

The first couple of miles was within the grounds with a nice downhill incline to start. It is always nice when supporters cheer you on but when you have only literally started and someone shouts out “well done, keep going” you think, give us a chance it has just started.  Then there is always that one person who thinks they are really funny by saying “Nearly there” when you haven’t even ran a mile!

Waving at Vinnie and Mr P.!

After 2 miles we exit the grounds and hit the narrow Hertfordshire country lanes. Passing a fabulous looking pub and thinking we need to check that out later, I was struggling to find my stride. The pack had started to thin out slightly and my pace quickened but my legs just felt really heavy. OK, I thought to myself, this is going to take to a least mile 4 to get going. It’s cold and your body is not enjoying this. I was also struggling to keep my breathing under control and instead of breathing through my nose and out through my mouth, I was breathing in and out through my mouth making me extremely thirsty. Right, I thought, at mile 3.5 there is a water station, I’ll grab a bottle and then I can sort this breathing out correctly. I grabbed a bottle at the water station but the water was so cold I’m amazed it hadn’t turned to ice. Drinking ice cold water and running was just making me burp and hiccup and didn’t help the breathing. It made it worse. Despite this I held on to the water hoping it would start to warm up. Now I knew from our recce trip the previous day that from mile 4 the road gets a bit hilly. My legs still didn’t feel great and now I had the added discomfort of overheating as I stupidly put two tops on. I carried on, up and down those blasted hills but by mile 7 pulled over to take layer number 2 off. I just couldn’t handle it any more. Ditching the freezing cold water bottle I decided to swing some of my energy drink instead which I was hoping would finally get those legs going.  On I go, and the rolling hills just do not stop. Despite the hills, the views were stunning and I seriously thought about just stopping and taking some pictures to share with your all.  Miles and miles of rolling countryside with that undoubtedly fresh countryside smell - cow sh*t!  Mmmm, just breath that in, I don’t get that in London.

Running to the finish line

As I passed mile 10 I peeked at my watch. I had given up on watching what pace I was doing miles ago as downhill I was running super fast and then uphill super slow so trying to work out an average was far too complicated. But I was just curious to see how long I’d been on the road. When I ran Richmond Park back in June, which was a 10 mile race with numerous hills, I finished in 88 minutes and was pretty chuffed. So when I peered down at my watch and it said 80 minutes at mile 10, I thought, either the mile markers are all wrong or I’m going faster than I thought. Just after mile 11 we had a heavenly downhill stretch and I really went for it here, trying to gain back some valuable time I lost on all those up hills. By mile 12 we are back at Old Knebworth and I decided to put my second layer back on so finishing photo's will show my race number. Finally back in the grounds and then we have another blasted hill. The last incline before the finish line. I mean seriously, who wants to run uphill after running 12 sodding miles! So up I go and then just near the top I notice a familiar little dog in his cosy winter jumper together with Mr P.  I shout and wave at them and Vinnie whimpers and barks as I run past. And then I see the clock and realise I’m going to beat my Royal Parks time, so with one last push I run over the finishing line. My official chip time was 01:51:01, shaving 1 minute 54 seconds off my personal best time. 2069 people completed the Hertfordshire Half Marathon and I'm glad to say I completed within the top 10% of female runners.

And over the line

Despite achieving a good time, I didn’t  feel I ran particularly well. Whereas the last race everything seemed to come together,  on this occasion I just never felt I found my stride. Every mile was a bit of a struggle and I really had to keep my inner mantra going “I can do this, I can do this!”. And usually after a good run my endorphins kick in and make me extremely happy but on this occasion they obviously decided to pack their bags and go to sunny climes as they were nowhere to be found.  In fact, I felt pretty low.

The medal

So what have I learnt from this race.

• Don’t be over confident - having nerves is actually good for you.
• Don’t over compensate for cold weather - I get seriously hot whilst running.

But most importantly

• Don’t beat yourself up over a run that didn’t go to plan.

My legs felt heavy and I just couldn’t find that comfortable stride but I carried on and somehow, still beat my previous time. So endorphins, you go on your holiday because as I’m writing this, I’m saying to myself "Well Done"!

In front of Knebworth House with Vinnie the dog

Robbie Williams, Let Me Entertain You, Live at Knebworth 2003

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Six months to go.......!

So I know I’ve been banging on about this forever already but the clock is well and truly ticking - six months to go until the London Marathon. Yikes!

October has been an extra special month with Baby Loss Awareness week but I just wanted to do another quick blog update to tell you about my amazing Half Marathon experience a few weeks ago. I didn’t intend on running the Royal Parks race this year so didn’t enter the ballot or request to run for a charity. Having run it last year - on a dodgy knee injury - I thought I would let this one pass me by. But whilst attending my Saturday running club, coach Ellie mentioned there was a spare place and would I be interested? Oooh, I thought, shall I put my money where my mouth is and actually run a half marathon instead of just saying to friends, “yeah, if I really had to I could run a half marathon tomorrow”. 

Hyde Park Race Festival

So that’s what happened. On Sunday 8th October, with less than 24 hours notice I was making my way to Hyde Park for the Royal Parks 10th Anniversary Half Marathon. My first half marathon this year. I’ve run a few of these races now and annoyingly I have never completed one sub 2 hours. I was running under someone else’s name (shhh I know your not supposed to do that) and Richard (that's who I was for the day) had stated a slower predicted finish time than I would've liked and was supposed to start in a slower start pen. Egged on by coach Ellie, who was running it as well, I didn’t go to my allocated start pen and just went in the faster one instead (shhh, I know I know, you’re not supposed to do that either, but I wont tell if you don’t). So not only was I running under the wrong name I also started in the wrong pen!  

16,000 runners in this 10th Year
Royal Parks Half Marathon

Now, as usual with these blogs, I mention there aren’t enough loos, and boy there really wasn’t enough. Half an hour queue to spend a penny and then another half an hour to drop our bags in. The race actually started whilst we were still at the bag drop and had to race over to our start pens (although the wrong one for me) to join the thousands of other racer’s - 16,000 in total. At 9.07am I finally cross the start line and we were off; and then disaster. I can feel my running belt is too loose. “Bo***cks” I rant, as I try to tighten the belt whilst running. Then the damn thing came off. So there I am, cursing and trying to run in a straight line whilst tightening the clasp and trying to put the blasted thing back on. My running belt was a key part of my kit for this race whereby I had two small bottles that fitted snuggly into the belt which I had filled with an energy drink to give me that extra boost as and when needed. Finally I get the belt securely in place and I could up the pace and get this race started for real. 

Running Belt finally in place

I do love the beginning of this race, running through Wellington Arch, past Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Park, down Whitehall past Downing Street, up and down The Strand, round Nelson’s Column before you hotfoot it back to Hyde Park for the next 7 miles. Despite having less than 24 hours notice I felt very strong and kept a pretty steady pace, weaving my way past fellow runners when they were too slow. By mile 8 I felt I needed that extra little boost so reached down to my running running belt and grabbed one of my energy bottles. Within a few minutes my legs felt recharged and I was happily striding through Hyde Park once again. The miles were steadily going past and despite the many runners I didn’t get tripped up this time. Royal Albert Hall was within site and I knew the end was near. At the 20K marker I decided to up my pace. Lets get this done. 800 meters and I’m still striding even faster. 400 meters, 200 meters. The crowds are cheering, the clock is counting down and I knew I was in with a chance to finally nail a half marathon under 2 hours. I upped my pace for the final leg and it felt like I actually flew over the finish line. It took me a while to stop as my legs wanted to carry on!  Wow, I thought, that was the best half marathon ever. My official, or should I say, “Richard’s” official chip time was 1:52:55.  I’d shaved a massive 13 minutes off my best time. Hopefully Richard was pleased with this time as well. 

And I'm over the finish line

First sub 2 hour half marathon

My next official race is the new Knebworth Half Marathon taking place on 19th November.  Can I do a repeat performance?  Oh, and this time I will be running as Tina and not Richard!

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Global Wave of Light

Today’s blog is a little bit different from my usual posts. Today I want to promote Baby Loss Awareness Week - 9th to 15th October 2017 - and invite you to join with families across the world and take part in the global ‘Wave of Light’. Simply light a candle at 7pm on Sunday 15th October and leave it burning for at least 1 hour to remember all the babies that died too soon. 

As you know, I am running for the charity Tommy’s to raise funds and awareness of miscarriage, still birth and neonatal death. I decided to write an experience which happened after the stillbirth of my daughter which I have shared on the Baby Loss Awareness website. I’ve also decided to share this on my blog as this may explain a few things to friends and family about me.

************

When we discovered our baby had no heartbeat at a routine scan our world fell apart. Within two days of the scan I was admitted to hospital and induced to give birth. The whole experience was exhausting, both physically and mentally. But the worst part was having to tell family and friends that we had just given birth to a beautiful but dead daughter. 

Knowing the right thing to say to someone when they are dealing with bereavement is hard. Are there any words that can console? But I’ve always wondered why people send flowers? Is it to signify that life goes on? The cut flowers may die but their beauty lives on in the growing plant?

As soon as we returned from the hospital bouquets of flowers started to arrive. And they kept on arriving. It got to a point that I didn’t have any vases left to put the flowers in. I know the flowers were sent with good intentions but I hated their presence in our house. Every room downstairs was adorned with flower displays and it looked more like a florist shop than a home. I found the intoxicating scent suffocating and couldn’t wait for the flowers to die so I could remove all presence of their existence. To this day I hate cut flowers in my home. It just brings memories of that time flooding back. My husband doesn’t buy me flowers for this reason - he knows.

There was one gift we received during this mourning period that a very dear friend sent to us and it still means the world. She had arranged for a star to be named after our daughter. I thought this was so thoughtful and something that would never die. The star will shine for eternity. Our star. I can never thank her enough for this as it was one of the best things anyone did at that very emotional time.

Wearing my pin with pride

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I’m wearing my pink and blue ribbon pin to promote Baby Loss Awareness and although I’m not particularly religious, whenever I go into a church I always light a candle and send a little message to my daughter. Being part of the ‘Wave of Light’ on Sunday 15th October is especially important to us on this 10th year anniversary. If you know of anyone that has suffered a loss of a baby,  join us and light your own candle.

Thank you.

Wave of Light, 7pm Sunday 15th October 2017

a

Summer round-up

PHEW! what a summer

Well I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted!  So much for lazy afternoons in the sunshine as this just hasn’t happened this year. With a constant trickling of friends and family visits, I’ve had to don my London tourist hat this summer with visits to the Tate Modern and Buckingham Palace to name just a few. And although fun it has been, my diet and exercise regime has taken a slight pounding to say the least. With too much Rose wine and far too much cake consumed I really do need to rein it in. I know I shouldn’t really say this, but I’m actually looking forward to the autumn and some normality again - well before the madness of, dare I say it, CHRISTMAS!

Now jolly visits aside, I haven’t fallen completely off the band wagon and thought I’d do a quick round-up as to what training I’ve been up to since the great British 10K back in July. Even with the crazy summer antics I’ve still managed to squeeze in a training session; half an hour here, a quick yoga session there, followed by a spin class and not forgetting running every so often both road, trail and treadmill (very pleased with a personal best on the treadmill for 5K in 23 minutes 40 seconds). I also continue to attend a running club (Greenwich Runners) on Saturday Morning’s in Greenwich Park. It’s here the coach puts us through our paces and makes us do things in a training session you probably wouldn’t do on your own, like running and up and down a very steep hill, or sprint sessions. I’ve also been following daily exercise challenges created by a personal trainer who used to work at my local gym, Nicola Pybus of FitandFlashy. Nicola has just set up her new fitness challenge site called Fit Squad. Now Nicola has an amazing body. She trains hard and boy does it show, but she is one of the best trainers I know who creates training exercises especially for women of any age and any fitness level. I urge anyone, even those who don’t work out much at the moment to have a look and sign up for a month of challenges and notice the difference in your strength by the end of it. Fit Squad kick starts this September.

And although my eating habits may have slightly gone off-kilter of late I’ve also started some serious research into how you can improve your performance and specifically how to train for endurance as a woman.

I’m currently reading “Roar” by Stacy T Sims PhD and I really wish I had read this last year when I was training for my half marathons. The mantra of this book is that Women are not small men. So many times I’ve tried to follow a training plan devised by a young male trainer and only to fail miserably. It may seem blatantly obvious but we are different to men. In general we are smaller, have different fat deposits and have way more hormones!

So many things are starting to make sense since reading this book and I’m seeing improvements already and I haven’t even finished the book yet. What I was pleased to discover is that women are built to be naturally good at endurance which is perfect for marathon running and probably why I do enjoy a nice long run. 

In the book it explains how to eat without counting calories; the best way to eat depending on your body shape - are you a Ectomorph, Endomorphy or Mesomorph -  and at what stage you’re at in your life cycle and how to train - young, pregnant or menopause - myself now being a 40 something woman would not eat or train the same as someone in their 20’s. It’s basically being honest with yourself and then you can up your training accordingly. The one big thing that has come out of this is that I need to up my strength training and really focus on my glute muscles if I’m ever going to run this marathon comfortably - well as comfortable as one can when they are pounding the streets for 26.2 miles!  So that’s my plan. More strength training with weights and heavy weights at that. As women age we lose muscle mass and the only way to create and maintain your muscles is lots and lots of strength training.

So in the the words of the late great MJ [Michael Jackson], THIS IS IT. No more messing around, the serious training is about to begin. With Autumn just round the corner, I’ll be starting a new pilates course in September to further improve my posture [the book on the head doesn’t work by the way (see earlier blog)]  and strength train, strength train, strength train. And then a bit more strength training just for fun followed by a large G&T!

  

Trying my Tommy's running vest

Remember to visit my Virgin Money Giving Page to read my full story