There are now only six days to go before The Big One (as I've taken to calling it). Eek!!
Yesterday, I took myself on a mini-run (roughly 3.5K - I didn't have the magic watch, though, so can't be sure) just to keep everything (hopefully) ticking along nicely.
I still ended up getting a stitch (stitches seem to be the story of my running life!) but, as it started a few yards away from my front door, I wasn't overly concerned. I did have a moment of feeling a bit panicked about how knackered I was after only 3K (only??) because, well, I'm going to have to run more than four times this distance on Sunday (!!). Then again, 3K generally is my moment of feeling that way no matter what distance I'm running so I probably shouldn't read too much into it. I always end up getting over it eventually and 'settling into' the run. Plus, I will have Mark with me next weekend and I'm sure he'll have no qualms about giving me a push if I start whining that I'm tired!
I don't really have stats for this run, as both the distance and time are approximations. I think I've got to the stage now that it doesn't really matter in any case!
By the way, if you haven't sponsored me and would like to, there is still time. You can find my sponsorship page here and any contributions would be hugely appreciated :-).
This *could* be my last blog post before the race...
Monday 30 May 2011
Wednesday 25 May 2011
You are what you eat
So I really must learn to stop eating dauphinois potatoes the night before a long run...
(Not that I *turn into* a creamy-potato-mush person or anything - I just get horrid indigestion).
The plan had been to attempt a 12K run, which would take me quite a distance away from home. However, about 2K in, I started experiencing that all too familiar sensation that feels like someone is slowly and carefully emptying a small mug of acid inside my stomach at sporadic intervals. Ouch.
As a result, the plan had to be revised a little and I ended up staying close to home, running through parks and housing estates and past allotments.
Despite the acidy-ouchiness, I still managed to run 10K and, by some insane miracle, I actually completed this distance in a considerably faster time than the previous weekend.
Now, I'm confused. Does this mean that I *should* give myself indigestion???
Anyway, stats for this run:
Distance: 10.27K
Time: 1 hour 26 minutes 27 seconds
Average K pace: 8 minutes 25 seconds
p.s. My next big run is probably going to be the Big Day itself - wish me luck!!!!
(Not that I *turn into* a creamy-potato-mush person or anything - I just get horrid indigestion).
The plan had been to attempt a 12K run, which would take me quite a distance away from home. However, about 2K in, I started experiencing that all too familiar sensation that feels like someone is slowly and carefully emptying a small mug of acid inside my stomach at sporadic intervals. Ouch.
As a result, the plan had to be revised a little and I ended up staying close to home, running through parks and housing estates and past allotments.
Despite the acidy-ouchiness, I still managed to run 10K and, by some insane miracle, I actually completed this distance in a considerably faster time than the previous weekend.
Now, I'm confused. Does this mean that I *should* give myself indigestion???
Anyway, stats for this run:
Distance: 10.27K
Time: 1 hour 26 minutes 27 seconds
Average K pace: 8 minutes 25 seconds
p.s. My next big run is probably going to be the Big Day itself - wish me luck!!!!
Monday 16 May 2011
The original aspiration
When I first decided to take part in a sponsored run for charity, my original plan was to run the Walsall 10K.
10K, I thought then, was far enough. Plenty far enough. Any further than that was just being silly...
In the end, however, I abandoned that plan. The Walsall 10K is, I learned, run for the most part by 'serious' runners and people who have joined running clubs: in short, the sort of running people who are the exact opposite of me.
I wanted to challenge myself and set myself a goal that would push me but, at the same time, I didn't want to put myself into a situation that would leave me feeling humiliated. And finishing way behind everyone else in a race would, in all probability, leave me feeling humiliated.
So Mark, in his infinite wisdom, suggested entering the Great Midlands Fun Run. True, this is actually further than the 10K race but the 'fun run' aspect takes the pressure off a little. There are likely to be people who are dressed up, people who want to walk a lot of the way and the chances of me finishing absolutely last are (I hope!) relatively slim.
So the plan may have changed... but that didn't make me feel any less proud yesterday when I finally ran a full 10K. It still feels like a landmark, a milestone: proof to myself that I can achieve something, even if at first it's a challenge that seems insurmountable.
This time last year, I would have told you that there was no way I could ever run 10K. To be honest, I would have been sceptical that I could even run 5K.
And now, in 20 days time, I'm going to be running over 13K.
Mad...
Stats for this run:
Distance: 10.27K
Time: 1 hour 33 minutes and 1 second
Average K pace: 9 minutes and 3 seconds
10K, I thought then, was far enough. Plenty far enough. Any further than that was just being silly...
In the end, however, I abandoned that plan. The Walsall 10K is, I learned, run for the most part by 'serious' runners and people who have joined running clubs: in short, the sort of running people who are the exact opposite of me.
I wanted to challenge myself and set myself a goal that would push me but, at the same time, I didn't want to put myself into a situation that would leave me feeling humiliated. And finishing way behind everyone else in a race would, in all probability, leave me feeling humiliated.
So Mark, in his infinite wisdom, suggested entering the Great Midlands Fun Run. True, this is actually further than the 10K race but the 'fun run' aspect takes the pressure off a little. There are likely to be people who are dressed up, people who want to walk a lot of the way and the chances of me finishing absolutely last are (I hope!) relatively slim.
So the plan may have changed... but that didn't make me feel any less proud yesterday when I finally ran a full 10K. It still feels like a landmark, a milestone: proof to myself that I can achieve something, even if at first it's a challenge that seems insurmountable.
This time last year, I would have told you that there was no way I could ever run 10K. To be honest, I would have been sceptical that I could even run 5K.
And now, in 20 days time, I'm going to be running over 13K.
Mad...
Stats for this run:
Distance: 10.27K
Time: 1 hour 33 minutes and 1 second
Average K pace: 9 minutes and 3 seconds
Sunday 8 May 2011
Woohoo!
I am officially back on track!
Ran 8.55 K this morning and actually felt like I was running the whole time (as opposed to jogging/shuffling).
And no flies flew into my mouth. Yay!
Next time - 10K!!!
Stats for this run:
Distance: 8.55K
Time: 1 hour 16 minutes and 45 seconds
Average K pace: 8 minutes 59 seconds
Ran 8.55 K this morning and actually felt like I was running the whole time (as opposed to jogging/shuffling).
And no flies flew into my mouth. Yay!
Next time - 10K!!!
Stats for this run:
Distance: 8.55K
Time: 1 hour 16 minutes and 45 seconds
Average K pace: 8 minutes 59 seconds
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