March's running highs and lows

Reading Half Marathon had been firmly booked in my diary for months now. This was the very first race I completed with me sister, so it felt very nostalgic for me. We completed the race in 2hrs 56 minutes and went across the line holding hands! 

We stayed at a Travelodge again the night before the race this year, which is a 15 minute walk to the start line. Aside from being nostalgic, this race is a fantastic one to take part in. The atmosphere is incredible and there is support virtually all the way round the course. There is an abundance of portaloos, bands playing, and thousands of runners. A breathtaking finish within the Madjeski Stadium caps it all off - as you enter the area the crowd roar!

I had pretty much got my pre race rituals down now - get up early, eat porridge and a banana, also some malt loaf for more energy! Have some drink with electrolyte tabs but not too much, number on, warm up. Having predicted I would run a faster time this year, I was placed in the red start zone, which I didn't realise at first was in a totally different place to the others, so went the wrong way! It wouldn't be me without some kind of drama thought right?!

I knew the course vaguely from the previous two years; through the university, the town, Green Park. I kept a good and steady pace which I was pleased with - although with marathon training plus lack of speed work, I just didn't have the speed endurance in my legs. So I was surprised when I came in a few seconds under my PB - 1.34.05! I also got a bit of a tan as it was so hot!

My training is also going well - I have really started to enjoy cross training by lifting weights and doing gym classes, which I believe is helping my posture and strength in the later miles of running. I am so greatful that some friends from the running club are keen on doing long runs together - the company makes such a difference. We have done a few 20 milers which has built my confidence, and I have had practise at getting up ridiculously early to eat, and using gels as I run. One memorable run was in the absolute pouring rain, and we managed to get lost and had to run alongside the A289 with massive lorries spraying us! Not fun.

My last race before the marathon was to be the Folkstone 10. I quite like 10 miles races as a distance, and this course was meant to be flat along the seafront.

We went down there on a drizzly grey day, and the first part of the race was around a field - you can imagine I nearly stacked it various times. However practically the whole race was an out and back along the promenade, not incredibly interesting, but you can get a good pace going, and also see members of the club to give encouragement too on the out and back! 

I was really happy with another PB of 1hr 10 and I felt strong at the end. I also had a great sports massage there, which although hurt like anything, made my legs feel light as a feather afterwards!

More training, more racing

With a brand new Rebel Runners vest firmly on my back and now a regular at Wednesday team runs, I sought out some new races to get further experience before the Marathon. I entered the Headcorn Half Marathon on the day on a bit of a whim (again). Racing    whilst marathon training is not the easiest thing, as my legs are constantly tired and heavy, but I was needing a challenge.

Unfortunately, I set off too fast (standard) but this time it really did feel like suicide pace. By the time 5k came round, my fellow Rebel Runner Paul who was running alongside me, announced that he had smashed his Parkrun PB. Not ideal for a half marathon! 

However, despite a few wobbles where I thought "why am I doing this" we went on to run a PB of 1.34.11 - around 4 minutes quicker than my previous PB. I was delighted with this, especially as at various points I was full of hate for the course, hills, and my tired legs. I had sore  feet and was almost sick at the finish line - but a good result! 

I also managed 6th female and a mention in the local paper! Not a bad result. 

In terms of training, this was going well. I was building up my long runs and gaining confidence and experience with the running club. Hitting the 20 mile mark at first was challenging - I was very sore and almost mentally and physically drained afterwards. I could hardly think straight and kept doing stupid things and nearly falling asleep everywhere! However, my body adapted to this, and aside from a few foot and knee niggles, the long runs became a regular part of my weekend. 

I had also, rather mentally, booked in for a 20 mile race in Thanet. Whilst this sounds horrendous on paper - I knew it would be fantastic training to run this distance under race conditions. 

After a bit of a false start being unable to find race HQ, we set off along the Thanet Coastal path. Now as the running obsessive I am, I had thoroughly researched this route - and it is what they like to call undulating, i.e hilly! Unfortunately wasn't quite prepared for the strong coastal winds, which at some points meant it literally felt like I was running through treacle! A man turned to me during a particularly large gust and shouted "this is absolutely ridiculous!" I agreed. 

About 10 miles in, my mum and brother had positioned themselves to give me a cheer, which was such a welcome boost! You weren't allowed headphones in this race, so my mind was free to debate many negative things, for example why the heck have I paid for this pleasure! 

I actually paced this race rather well for once - I let the speedsters go ahead and stuck to a manageable enough pace. My last mile was my second fastest which I was really pleased about, and I did a sprint for the line! I felt a real sense of accomplishment after this race. And I liken races a bit to getting a piercing - it hurts at the time but as soon as it's over you want another one...

Race report: Canterbury 10

I entered the Canterbury 10 mile race in rather last minute fashion - on the day actually! It made me quite stressed that I would drag myself out of bed and trudge down there only to find the race was full, however there was no problem will paying on the day. I got my number and timing chip which I expertly attached to my shoe (I have learnt from bitter experience at the Harvel 5 miler last year, when I took so long faffing and tying my shoelaces wrongly etc, that I missed the start of the race entirely) and I met up with the rest of the Rebel Runners. I wore my relatively new bright pink Asics which are lighter than my normal version used for longer runs. I didn't yet have my official Rebel vest, but was still made to feel very welcome! 

Nutrition wise, I had some porridge with a few nuts, seeds, a banana and peanut butter stirred in (really yummy) in the morning - and had managed to keep calm despite a porridge-exploding-in-the-microwave episode. I had also hydrated quite well the day before, plus had some lucozade with an electrolyte tablet that morning. 

Yet again I was cursed with loo problems - I'm the kind of person that has to go again just in case, and unfortunately the portaloo supplier had let these poor guys down. 5 toilets between everyone wasn't sufficient or pleasant. Let's just say there seemed to be a lot of pre race nerves going on!

We had a little walk up to the start line, speculating on where the hills were, how bad they would be, our finish times etc. I was looking to beat the 1hr 15 I had set at the Dartford 10 miler in September. 

And we were off! And too fast AGAIN. I can't seem to get this right, and always get carried along with the crowed. Around 6min 45 for the first mile was a bit speedy, although I could see another Rebel, Lisa, in front of me. We have run the team runs together before and she is an amazing runner - so I thought I would try and stick with the pace and keep pushing. 

I'm not going to lie - the hills at miles 4 and 7 hurt. A lot! There was a lot of huffing and puffing going on as they sorted out the men from the boys...! Hills are not my forte and I know I need to work on them - but I managed to attack and push through and then reclaim my legs at the top.

I thought he course in general was lovely. Not too narrow, luckily not wet or muddy, variation to keep it interesting, and it was a beautiful day which helped. 

I seemed to somehow get a second wind around mile 6, my competitive instinct kicked in, and I thought I would try and push this. The last couple of miles were nice and flat, and I managed a little sprint finish for. 1hr 11 which I was delighted with. All the Rebels who raced that day were so impressive, I think Chatham Hill training stands us in good stead! I think there were PBs all round. I really enjoyed the team spirit too. 

I've been experimenting a bit more with nutrition lately too, and have been eating more, but more healthy foods as paying attention to recovery and eating after training. I have noticed my energy levels are higher. I have discovered Upbeat protein drink, Nakd bars and a lot of Greek yoghurt - which has become a staple. Porridge is now my go to breakfast every time, and I have been making time for this before my long runs i.e getting up ridiculously early! I've also really got back into the weights and gym classes - it's good to have variety, and I believe it's making me a stronger runner. 

In terms of fundraising, I had a pub quiz in Colchester on the 30th January which was really successful. The owner of the pub was so helpful, and provided the prizes for the quiz and the raffle, the questions, and was also the quiz master for the night! I bought along some branded Whizz-Kidz banners and collection tins, and took the entry money and the raffle. A lot of people were very supportive as I want round the tables, and even more so after I did a speech on how fantastic Whizz-Kidz are, what they do, and why I'm running the marathon specifically for them. Just over £250 was raised, which is a good boost to my total and means I am just over half way to target...!

 I have to keep pushing now and think of some news ideas to get the money in. I'm also looking at booking some more races with the Rebel Runners and getting as much experience as I can before the big day.