Sunday 27 May 2012

Week beginning 21st May: Back to the running and back to the blogging!

So... after a month of very limited running (apart from the three king challenge, which me and Angela aced), I thought it would be a wise idea to start the blog again and start the training again. I signed up for the Folkestone 10km to give me some motivation and something to aim for and also to stop me from eating ridiculous amounts of food. I think I have exhausted the whole 'I ran a marathon' line. I don't think that works as a valid excuse for eating like a pig, 4 weeks later!

Monday 21st May


A friend, Joe, is also determined to do his first ever race this Sunday for the Folkestone 10km. So we decided to run the course so that Joe could feel more confident on the day. Our mistake was running from my house to the route start and then following the route and then running back to my house. Both of us were worn out before we even started the course. I hadn't done many runs since the marathon and Joe hasn't got out much either. We ran 9 miles in the end with an average pace of 9:22, which was much quicker than either of us thought. Little worried about the course though as it was a bit soul destroying, running 3 miles out and 3 miles back.

Tuesday 22nd May


Woke up with very heavy legs today. My fault for being silly and running 9 miles yesterday. However, I was determined to have a good speed session today as I haven't had a speed session for well over 2 months. After a disasterous start, where I arrived on time and not harassed from leaving school late (for once), I spotted all the runners in there marathon t-shirts. It dawned on me that it was photo night, so I literally turned straight back round again and headed for the car. Managed to pick up Tim's medal which I had previously stolen at a scout talk, found my marathon finisher t-shirt but couldn't find my medal. I searched everywhere and turned everything upside down. I left very harassed and with no medal. At least I had Tim's. I rocked back up again as the photo was being taken. Phew!

We warmed up around Lucy Avenue, then did our dynamic stretching as always. A big shout out to Mr Warren who has now mastered the hop scotch - woop woop!

Our main session consisted of x1 4 minute, x2 3 minutes, x3 2 minutes and x 4 1 minutes with recovery between. Considering I haven't run fast for a long time and my legs were so heavy, I was really pleased with my pacing today. I trained really hard and it paid off with my splits (apart from the one blip on the 2 minute).


3 mins – 7:31/ 7:33
2 mins - 7:00/ 7:00/ 7:42
1 mins - 6:40/6:57/7:04/ 6:32

Total mileage: 6

On returning home, I managed to find my medal as soon as I entered my room. I had forgotten that I had put it in my pouch after the scout talk to 'keep it safe!' I now had a room to restore to its rightful order! 

Friday 25th May

A very early start this morning! I did not go to the club last night because I had friends round for dinner, so when Loz rang me and suggested I run in the morning, I thought I'd better accept. I've been refusing all offers of an early morning run for weeks. 

I didn't sleep very well as I was clock watching from about 3 as I was determined not to sleep in. Once I decide to do something and say yes, that's it! Alarm went off at 5.10am and I was in the car by 5.25am, having rolled over, rolled into some clothes and rolled into the car. Once I got running, it felt really good to be in the beautiful sunshine. The Leas was gorgeous at 6am. There were also a surprising number of runners and walkers around for such an early time. Myself, Will and Lauren had a good old chat as we headed down the zig zag path to Sandgate. Will was evil and made us run up Sandgate Hill. I don't particularly like Sandgate Hill during daytime hours, so during sleep hours it was even worse! I did struggle more than I would have done during the day and as time passed, I go hungry too. I think my body needs to adjust to an earlier start. 

We ran 4.5 miles, with an average pace of 9:06, which I was pleased with. Thanks to Lauren and Will for making me run, it did actually set me up for the day. 

Sunday 27th May - Folkestone 10km Coastal Run

A very hot today for the Folkestone 10km run. The temp on the car was 24 degrees at 8.45am. Was very nervous about today, I was worried about my speed as I feel like I have lost it since my marathon training. 

I didn't like not having a chip - you can tell I am a 'proper' runner now. I wouldn't have cared this time last year but now any extra seconds count! I tried to start nearer the front, so that I wasn't too far back and my official time wouldn't be too different to my actual time but equally I didn't want to get swept away or be one of these really annoying people at the front who so shouldn't be there! My aim today was to get a sub 50. My first 10km was Ashford, which was 52:10, so I had worked out what I needed to do to get a sub 50. Unfortunately, after the 1st mile I knew this was not going to happen today.

I started well with my first mile an average of 7:36. By the time, I had completed a mile, I had those wretched pains in my stomach. I have been having these on and off for over a year now but not often. I had the same pain at the Folkestone leg of the relays. I have begun talking myself out of the pain but today with the heat as well, I really struggled to find the positive attitude. My splits got slower and by the time Dave Walbrook and Angela had overtaken me, I was considering stopping. This is very unheard of from me and I am not a quitter but the sun was pounding and my stomach was really cramping. Got to the water station and had a couple of sips of drink, tipped the rest over my head to cool me down and I felt much better. Managed to get rid of my negative mindset and focused on each 1km as it came. Gradually, the stomach pain subsided and then I could cope with the heat. 

On the way back, I was greeted by thousands of bees near the Murco garage, all the runners were literally running low to the ground and with their eyes closed. Didn't pass them on the way out, so I have no idea where they suddenly came from. Was great to have the support of all the marshals and I completely cheered up when I saw Becky. My two very good friends and their son, my godson, were cheering from the beach, which was a real boost too and gave me the motivation to persevere.

Continued plodding along, knowing that now I was over half way, there was no way I would stop. It was great to see the bell in the distance, such a feeling of relief. The last 1km sign was also a great sight, even though it did take forever to run it!

Pleased to have finished. Was very gutted that I only knocked 9 seconds off my p.b and was well over 50 minutes but in hindsight, it was a very hot day and I completed it. There is another 10km at Littlestone on Friday...

Great support as always from the club, they make the running worthwhile. Was buzzing afterwards and within half an hour, I had forgotten how horrendous the run was (well almost!) Finished the race off, with a cheeky massage whilst Mum ran up the zig zag path to get the car. Bless her!

Mile 1 - 7:36
Mile 2 - 8:22
Mile 3 - 8:17
Mile 4 - 8:38
Mile 5 - 8:51
Mile 6 - 8:39
Mile 7 - 7:24
Average pace: 8:22
Total mileage: 6.22

Total mileage for the week: 25.72