Snow stops play!

As beautiful as our rural setting looks in the snow, it is really beginning to play havoc with my training. More Bambi like running on Boxing Day, it was still very slushy and icy so my carefully planned 11 mile hilly route turned into my normal 5.5 mile round the blocker which I had to mainly walk. Not good. We had yet more snow yesterday too, just hope that's the lot know otherwise gym membership will be needed. Fingers crossed the New Years 10k won't be affected.

Merry Christmas!

Didn't realise it had been over a week since my last blog, I've just been so busy working and preparing for Christmas! No running mid week but manage 10 last Sunday, however was late meeting everyone as had to srape an inch of ice and a dusting of snow off the car and then that silly dusting of snow meant it took 3 attempts to get up the hill! Saw some familiar faces at Symonds Yat and in the race to catch them up nearly went flying on the ice, I think I looked like bambi taking his first steps but luckily I managed to keep my balance and stay on my feet. I stupidly forgot to wear my hat but actually it was lovely running weather, sunny and still and it looked stunning down the river.

I've had a lovely Christmas today, so many presents!! One of which was a running belt which I'll try tomorrow morning on my run. Just a little festive drink today, you've still got to be able to let your hair down a little:-)

Baby it's cold outside!

Brrrrrr, my face is so cold. Nice gentle run tonight, just fast enough to warm us up! Snow predicted for later how very festive!

Treasure Hunt fun

Big brother really is watching! The moment I mentioned my knee issues in the blog the adverts changed from marathon related to knee replacements, very impressive!

Last night our lovely coach set us a bit of Christmas fun, in pairs we ran around Monmouth finding the answers to questions such as what is on draught at The Griffin pub, obviously runners being runners it got quite competitive, my partner Mark though had obviously had his weetibix and redbull yesterday as I spent most of the evening hyperventilating from trying to keep up! Great fun even if we didn't win. Well deserved winners though with Darren and Jo. Arrived home way too late as just couldn't tear myself away from the training night, which had reconvened into the pub! Just 6 more days of work left till a well earned rest. Obviously no rest from the running though, just 129 days until the big event - okay now I'm scared!!

Oh and have new trainers, saddo that I am I can't wait to try them out Thursday night, just need to buy some new orthotics.

Is 35 too soon for a knee replacement!

My right knee is still doing a great impression of a 90 year old so no running again last night, just really hope that all will be well for the Sunday run. It is not a continuous pain however just a sharp little niggle when walking down the stairs but I really don't want to aggravate it.

I'm hoping it's just my trainers, they normally have a life span of around 500 miles which I have now done so probably need a lovely new orthotic too. On the plus side after tomorrow when I'm limping down the stairs at home I'll finally be walking on carpet, only taken us just over 2 years! Actually thinking about it, there goes my lie in this weekend as the carpet man will be round early tomorrow morning and then up for running on Sunday. 2 weeks to Chrimbo, bring it on!!

Troublesome knee returns!

Who would have thought that running up hill was easier than the downhill! My knee is suffering again and as I had to take a break for a whole month last time I had a knee problem I've not taken any risks this time so didn't run Tuesday. Thought I'd need to do an SOS call to hubby on Saturday on my long run but once I was back on level ground the knee managed to cope again. I'm hoping for the 12 miler this Sunday so may not run tomorrow night either, I figure the endurance run is more important than a fast 4 miles.

Last weekend was incredibly busy, we had the running club Christmas party which was excellent fun, plenty of us there and very shocked winners of the club awards. Then on Sunday morning we had our Santa Fun Run, over 250 runners in Santa costumes running down Monmouth high st was definitely a site to behold! Right off to get some shut eye, way too many late nights and early mornings. Roll on Christmas for a week off :-)

Frosty

Just in case you hadn't noticed - winter has arrived, had to use the scraper this morning on the car. Is it sad that a part of me rejoiced in the fact that I'd finally wear my bright red craft winter top for training tonight? Don't answer that :-)

Oh and of course it rained!

Another mad person!

Congratulations to Fiona who had her name picked out the hat at our running club tonight for a place in the VLM. Just need to up my pace to try and keep up with her now!

So excited for her!!!

Why does it always rain on me!

Urrggghhh, fed up with rain! Soaked again this morning and more chaffing in the booby area - nice. Didn't realise until I lay in the bath and the water on this delicate area made me wince. Oh well I guess I need to get used to it, I always knew this was going to be a hard challenge. Just 11 miles done today which is slightly disappointing as I was hoping to do 12, sadly I felt a slight twinge behind my left knee on mile 9, it went away but thought I would err on the side of caution. Don't want to cripple myself this early on my training! Right, what's the forecast for next week, please be sunshine!!!

10 min miles - it's a breeze!

This under 10 minute miles running is becoming a habit. Last night we did 4.5 miles in 9:51 mins miles. At this rate I'll be challenging Paula Radcliffe, well maybe not!

ELan Valley 10

After checking out the forecast for the millionth time in the hope it had changed I started to get quite hopeful on the drive there as it was just a slight drizzle. About 5 miles away from Elan Valley we literally turned a corner and the rain started bucket down! The car went quiet, there was no chance this was going to be a dry race.

With all the rain in recent weeks the dam looked magnificent and very loud! It was such a shame the weather was so bad as it would have looked stunning with the sun shining.

131 runners braved the race and to warm us up before the start there was a hot drink and cake for the bargain price of £1, the coffee cake alone was worth turning up for!

There was a 5 minute walk to the start and during that time I was drenched. We had been warned of ankle deep puddles and slippery leaves, they weren't kidding, however these puddles were more like streams which soaked through my trainers and socks, nice!

Between miles 2 to 3 there was a strong headwind as well as a long up hill, the wind kept making appearances (as did the hills) the one constant was the rain. On one of the hardest hills the organisers had very kindly placed a photographer so no chance of a sneaky little walk break, I can't wait to see that photo!

The final mile was all down hill which was a huge relief, sadly the wind machine had been turned back on though so it was like running through treacle. At the finish line there were 3 brave marshals to congratulate me, I can't blame people for not wanting to watch!

My time was slow (1hr 49mins) I was hoping for 4 minutes quicker but with the weather and those hills I'm guessing it wasn't too bad. Sadly though I wasn't quick enough for another piece of coffee cake, that had all gone by the time I'd changed into dry clothes. Next year I'll know to buy 2 pieces at the start!

I'm looking forward to going back to the Elan Valley with sunny weather for a relaxed walk.

12 miles on my plan for next weekend, this running malarkey is hard work!

Guilty

Had an exhausting day at work yesterday with loads to do when I got back so no run last night, now I feel very disappointed with myself. Must never let work get in the way of training again! Race day tomorrow at the very civilised time at 1 o'clock which means for the first time in months I have 2 lie ins this weekend, happy days! Just need to stop the monsoon from arriving now.

Drowned Rat!

Luckily our lovely coach obviously didn't want to be stuck out in the rain any more than we did last night so it was just a short sharp session. Even my underwear was soaked through!

Please no more wind and rain:-) Hard session last night, we normally get a minute break between the fast sessions but I think we would of died of pneumonia last night if we'd stood around for too long.

10 mile race on Saturday - forecast heavy rain, oh joy!

Tired body!

Well after a week of speedy (well speedy for me) running, I reverted to type this morning for my long run. I'm thinking the 2 nights going to bed past 2 in the morning and a little too much wine on Friday night may have had an effect. That will have to stop come January!

Stuck to my plan though and 11 miles completed, those hills felt steeper today and a snail could of been quicker than me on that final mile. Not all bad though, Treacle Sponge and custard for pud, yummy!

Next weekend a 10 mile race in the beautiful Elan Valley. Just 160 days to go now :-)

Broken the 10 min mile barrier - just!!

Had a really good club run tonight, have been promoted to the intermediates and really pushed myself tonight so no chatting. 4.65miles done at 9:56 pace, whoop whoop! Very excited, maybe this extra mileage is taking effect. 5.5 planned for Thursday, lets hope I can repeat the pace on a lone run, will have to pick the ipod tunes carefully :-)

Ready to go

It's 8:10 on a Sunday morning, weather is looking better than last week thankfully, looks a little murky but no gale to contend with. Just sipping some water and watching the Cardiff Half on the telly trying to see myself! The winner finished it 1 hr and 18 mins quicker than me :-)

Aiming for 10 1/2 to 11 miles today, even though I managed 13 only a few weeks ago there's no way I could do that again yet, never felt so ill before. In fact just watching the last segment of the race on the telly is making me feel queasy! Still it felt good crossing that line.

BTW - got soaked again, early morning weather lulled me into a false sense of security but then in the last 20 mins the heavens opened, stupidly I wasn't wearing my wet weather gear, won't be making that mistake again. A very hilly 10 completed, flat equivalent 10.5 and burnt off over 900 calories...hmm cake would be good now:-)

Cardiff Half

4 days before the half marathon I received the most exciting news that I’d been granted a golden bond charity place to run the London Marathon next April. Up until this point I had been nervous about my first foray into double figure miles but with this news all I could think about was that this was now just a training run.

Sadly my mind had gone into overdrive and the excitement stopped my sleep, the night before the half I went from excitement back to the nerves and the agonising over lack of prep due to troublesome knees. My appetite left me and my normal pre Sunday long run prep went out the window.

We all met in Monmouth at 7, I’d been busy taking on fluids as per numerous training websites advice which resulted in having to ask the bus driver to pull over along the A40 which prompted the question from in the bus “Is this your first half marathon?” yes indeed the nerves had definitely caught up with me. Luckily we had a professor on board with a key to Cardiff University, happy days, clean empty toilets, Laurence is now my saviour!

Around 9000 took part and the atmosphere was fantastic at the start line, from the gun it then took me 8 minutes to get across the start line. I had a strict plan, the first 3 miles I’d do at 11 minute mile pace to calm myself down and then I’d build up the pace from there. Sadly there was a lack of markers until mile 3 which I’d done in just over 28 minutes, way too fast, I did 6 miles in 60 minutes and I started to rethink my goals, maybe I could better my target of 2:23.

Then I hit the wall, my belly was completely empty and had an overwhelming feeling of nausea. When I saw the water station I thought it was a mirage, it kept the sickness at bay for another 2 miles but then the thighs started to complain. The last mile was torturous and when I turned the last corner and saw the finish line I was delirious! I hugged my hubby at the end and I let out an emotional wail, I was so exhausted I couldn’t even cry properly! My time was 2:23:24, although it was my target I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. The scary thing is, I’ve got an extra 13 miles to run in 6 months time, now that really is nerve wracking!