tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76638744725230195242024-03-27T23:52:55.269+00:00RUNNER MUMLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.comBlogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-51725494873715501472015-05-03T18:10:00.002+01:002015-05-03T18:10:53.661+01:00Back to the physioSeveral weeks ago, I stood up after a good long lunch in a restaurant and found my back was sore and stiff. It was quite uncomfortable for a few days, but after a week or so it was fine again. Then about 2 weeks after that I was mowing the lawn and as I bent down to pick up some grass, I felt the back go again. It was immediately very stiff and I went from fully mobile action mum to stationary old lady in a matter of seconds.<br />
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I decided it was time to visit the physio. I went to see one about 2 years ago and she was great. She gave me some stretches to do regularly, and I still do them, and the leg pain I had then has never returned, so I am willing to put my faith in her.<br />
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She informed me that it was a problem with a disc, and gave me the advice that in order to get rid of the problem once and for all, I basically need to not bend my spine forwards for 12 weeks. Part of this was the instruction: 'No sitting'.<br />
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So what fun. I can still stand, run, walk, perch, lean, and kneel as long as the back is straight at all times, and I am encouraged to bend backwards regularly, especially when lying on my front on the floor. But no sitting!<br />
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Luckily I don't have an office job, but am currently doing part-time teacher training. This involves me teaching trainees (easy enough to stand throughout), and observing them teach (now standing with my notes resting on an big old rectangular cassette player, on top of a table).<br />
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The other part of my week is working at home, previously sitting at a PC, but now standing with my laptop on some or other raised platform.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wash basket workplace</td></tr>
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For the last couple of weeks I have spent most of the day on foot (but while driving and going to the toilet, sitting is permitted - phew). I went to Cambridge for work and spent 3 hours there, 3 hours back standing on the train (occasionally resting a knee on a seat for parts of the journey), and I now eat all my meals standing, often with the plate on a raised box.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch version (Pete has a lot of board games)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The most difficult parts of the day are cleaning my teeth - impossible not to bend forwards, and getting dressed - the children sometimes help me put on socks and tie my shoelaces for me. In the evenings, I tend to sprawl on the sofa, lying down but with a straight back.<br />
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The worst part of it all is, I can't ride my bike. The weather is improving and the kids are still at school, so I have time for long bike rides, but I can't because it's impossible not to bend forward on my bike.<br />
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However, the good news is, I can still run - hooray! Nothing too strenuous, and not too hilly, as I tend to bend forward when tackling an uphill. But I can run, and I think it actually helps. Walking is fantastic, and really makes my back loosen up and feel better.<br />
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So I've kept this up for nearly 2 weeks, and there are 10 to go. I'm seeing this as my next challenge, like training for a marathon. I just hope that in 12 weeks I'll be all cured! Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-32421082958740204472015-04-15T14:58:00.000+01:002015-04-15T15:01:30.873+01:00Biking and HikingOver the last couple of months, I've done less running than usual but tried to stay active! From the start of 2015 I've been determined to do more cycling, as I'm usually disappointed by the small number of miles covered on a bike at the end of each year.<br />
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During March, the kids' school had an initiative where they were challenged to cycle or scooter to school every day for 3 weeks. If I joined them on my bike, they could earn points towards the challenge, and this culminated in a breakfast at school one morning - free food and drink for bikers!<br />
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So I was enjoying lots of cycling until I went for a ride at the end of March and got a puncture. I had to sit on the bike and slowly trudge it home over 3 miles and that was that for a while. I've just finally repaired it though (or at least Pete has), so will be back out soon! <br />
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Then we had 2 weeks of Easter holiday to enjoy. The whole family had time off work and school, and we went up to Derbyshire for a few days. We were lucky to see some fantastic weather, and the first signs of summer - hooray! So we did lots of walking and had a great time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intrepid hikers</td></tr>
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On our first day there, we did not one but 2 hikes. The first was a loop from the Monsal Trail in Bakewell, up through hilly farmland and back down into the town. It was muddy and fun! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down to Bakewell</td></tr>
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After some lunch we went to the town of Buxton, where we walked up a hill and came out at this fantastic area of hilly land with a folly (Solomon's Tower) at the top. It was a beautiful landscape with wide views around the countryside and we went back again a few days later - we loved it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVpNQ6SfNncF6koTfYTOMxTPgKy3izyKDkTbHsnS4hJy0hBXONsFdpuf6xDz2F4FJY7eNNsRc0McwGFyHkv-ltUB3QXRy_ptxJaGMInU_R_UsCFPaFZDAvppAm91_BErYluUmKh43pMjM/s1600/WP_20150405_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVpNQ6SfNncF6koTfYTOMxTPgKy3izyKDkTbHsnS4hJy0hBXONsFdpuf6xDz2F4FJY7eNNsRc0McwGFyHkv-ltUB3QXRy_ptxJaGMInU_R_UsCFPaFZDAvppAm91_BErYluUmKh43pMjM/s1600/WP_20150405_020.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buxton Country Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great hilly landscape for playing and hiding!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On our last day, we followed a walk from a paper guide. We traipsed through muddy forest, along a river with a waterfall and went up and up. Eventually we came out at a spot called Monsal Head where there was an amazing view down the valley below. It was spectacular, partly because we'd had no idea that view was coming!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsal Head</td></tr>
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We popped in to a tea room before heading back, and it was a tough walk with steep climbs, but the kids did really well and didn't moan too much!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep climb</td></tr>
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When we got home, we managed to fit in one more walk. This was along our familiar neearby cliffs, but a part that we hadn't been to before. We took a picnic, which was good fun, and had another lovely walk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More steep uphills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Seven Sisters</td></tr>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-84056710375613771822015-02-23T13:08:00.002+00:002015-02-23T13:08:41.853+00:00February ChallengesFor the last few years since I started running and blogging, I've always begun each year with a list of goals. I've had clear ideas about what I want to achieve and I've always managed to do at least some of those things. It's been extremely satisfying looking back at those goals at the end of a year and ticking things off the list.<br />
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This year though, I've been at a bit of a loss. Obviously I'm blogging a lot less these days, (due to other demands on my time), and that's made me less motivated to list my goals. In addition, I had such a good year of running last year, with a couple of hard won PBs (<a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/brighton-half-marathon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Half</span></a> and <a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2014_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">10K</span></a>), and my highest ever mileage.<br />
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I've also been feeling as though I'd like to aim more for general fitness this year, rather than a narrow focus on running. Having finally achieved the goal of 1000 miles in a year in 2014 (after a few failed attempts), I'm not putting any pressure on myself this year to run far. In fact my mileage this January was 57 miles, compared to 70 miles in 2014.<br />
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Hopefully this can mean more time for cycling, swimming and core / strength work! (I must admit though, over the past couple of weeks I've really started enjoying my running, so I might change my mind again - ha!).<br />
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So over the last few weeks I've set myself a couple of mini-challenges.<br />
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<b>1. Complete the 30-day shred!</b><br />
This is <a href="http://shop.jillianmichaels.com/products/jillian-michaels-30-day-shred-dvd" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">the DVD</span></a> I first did about 5 years ago, Jillian Michaels series of 20 minute routines incorporating cardio, strength and ab exercises. I decided to go through the whole 30 days, from level 1 to level 3, to improve my muscle strength and core stability. While I don't do every exercise as hard or for as long as recommended, I find most of it a do-able way of firming and toning up. I did it almost all the way through, but after experiencing some shoulder pain, I stopped with a few days to go. However, my biceps are like rocks and my flabby Christmas stomach has almost disappeared - result!<br />
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<b>2. Stop eating chocolate!</b><br />
Although I personally know people who have successfully given up chocolate or other sweet treats without resort to murder, I consider myself to be a serious chocoholic. Since I was a child, I can't remember ever going longer than about 48 hours without chocolate (and I usullay eat chocolate every day). But for some stupid reason, on 1st February, I thought I might try going without for a whole month just to see if I could. (Cleverly, I picked the shortest month of the year - January would have been far too long). It's been 3 weeks now, and with the help of substitutes such as plain biscuits and flapjacks, I've almost managed it. It's not been too bad, and for the most part, I have tried to eat more healthiliy overall, (although last week was half term and the kids and I indulged a bit too much).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MfkNgQs1MwZoi_XzGxAlKH297g6ulqUcHI08XWeeiHtItcbFzw_1gi6G5CImgOn9QwrczG_skq0ZD-fBmMDQAX4KJ6xWOZYuuAKV4OcLlJbksH9yYGKDNrx6Pa6elViNjUoh_I0hipgs/s1600/WP_20150217_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MfkNgQs1MwZoi_XzGxAlKH297g6ulqUcHI08XWeeiHtItcbFzw_1gi6G5CImgOn9QwrczG_skq0ZD-fBmMDQAX4KJ6xWOZYuuAKV4OcLlJbksH9yYGKDNrx6Pa6elViNjUoh_I0hipgs/s1600/WP_20150217_001.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate free pancake day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just 1 week to go now...<br />
<br />
The other February focus has been <span style="color: purple;"><b>Brighton Half Marathon</b></span>. About 2 years ago, a friend of mine (S) decided she wanted to run a race and raise money for charity. Her daughter, (in my daughter's class), has Cerebral Palsy, and she wanted to support SCOPE, a disability charity. She was not a runner at that point, so we started going out together, run-walking, and building up to about 3 miles.<br />
<br />
Then she got pregnant with her 4th child - surprise! I ended up running the Half alone last year (we'd both already entered), and got my <a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/brighton-half-marathon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">PB there</span></a>. Meanwhile, S had a little girl in January.<br />
<br />
Last summer we started training again. S built her running up again, and with a couple of other friends joining us we did lots of running round our home town, and S completed her first race with a 10K in October.<br />
<br />
Gradually we added miles to our long runs. It wasn't easy as S has 4 children, aged 1 - 7 (including one with special needs), and 2 jobs, one of which is working late hours in a restaurant. She managed some of those long runs after working late the night before and getting only 4 or 5 hours' sleep.<br />
<br />
After so long in the planning, the race finally rolled round yesterday. It was a lovely sunny morning, and we chatted and enjoyed the atmosphere, which was fantastic. It wasn't all plain sailing - S stopped for a loo break at about 7 miles and we lost at least 5 minutes while she queued for the loo. Then she started to struggle around 9 miles and nearly started walking, but I persuaded her to keep jogging. Then she totally amazed me by getting a second wind around 11 miles! We sped up and almost sprinted to the finish!<br />
<br />
It felt so emotional to finish together, especially as it had been so long in the planning. We did it faster than I'd expected in 2h36m, and S raised over £300. With all her comitments I was really pleased for her, and today she's already talking about doing it again next year!<br />
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<br />
As for my next challenges, I'll be chocolate free for another week, and then I'm running another Half next Sunday. I'm only doing it as some other friends are running, and because I've done it for the last 3 years in a row and I'd like to keep that up. <br />
<br />
Then I'd like to look at my 5K PB. I can focus on that without haivng to do lots of long runs, so it should fit in well with doing other things too. I'm going to try to eat more healthily too, and fully intend to go for a swim one of these days...Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-61609629730582966552015-01-18T17:31:00.002+00:002015-01-18T19:35:30.814+00:002014 Rundown - Goals met???Well, well, well, it has been a long time since I last posted, and much less blogging was done last year than in the previous years. I suppose I've just got busier. I'm now working from home quite a bit doing lots of writing at the computer, and I suppose that the last thing I want to do when I take a break is more writing on the computer.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it would be rude not to finally get round to looking at those goals I set way back at the beginning of 2014.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1. Run 1000 miles</b></span><br />
I did it! Yay! My third year of attempting this goal and I got to 31st December with 1001.8 miles in the bank - whoop! It wasn't easy, and I often had to run rather than bike and keep my eye on each weekly total. At times it was a bit of a pain. I managed not to get injured all year - probably down to not doing a marathon and running consistently, not increasing mileage of long runs too much. I was really happy to meet this goal!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2. Cycle 500 miles</b></span><br />
Not a hope (368.8). Tried this in 2013 too, and was way off. Last year the running took precedence. I can either go for one or the other, not both!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>3. Strength training and stretching</b></span><br />
I was pretty good with the stretching. As I get older it's a must, and I think doing at least a few stretches after running helped keep me injury free last year. As for strength training - not so much.<br />
<br />
<b>4</b>. <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Do more swimming and master front crawl and breast stroke</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Absolutely not. Again, running was the priority, and my swimming continued to flounder. Needs more work...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>5. Keep injury at bay</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lucky me! (See goal 3 for how I managed this).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>6. Complete loads of parkruns and get my 50 t-shirt</b></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">I ran my 50th parkrun on 29th March and have been wearing my 50 t-shirt ever since! (Well, at parkruns anyway). I've tried to count and it looks as though I did about 40 parkruns last year - not bad going. Certainly much more than any other year. I'm now at 79, so 21 away from my 100th. (Sadly our local parkrun was cancelled yesterday (for the first time) due to ice! so the 80th waits for another week...)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>7. Run a parkrun somewhere else</b></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes! Robbie and I ran in the Queen Elizabeth parkrun (local to Pete's parents); Pete, Robbie and I ran at Havant (also near Pete's parents); and all 4 of us ran in Edinburgh when we visited Scotland. I had done Edinburgh before, but it was new to the others. Then in November, I visited my sister and dragged her along to her local parkrun at Colchester; and during our Christmas visit to my parents, Pete and I ran Chippenham parkrun! So 4 new locations in 2014, 6 in total - whoop!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Run a parkrun with Emma!</span></b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma did 14 parkruns last year! However, she doesn't really enjoy it and has been getting slower and less happy about it, so we're going to let her have a break! Perhaps she'll enjoy it as she gets older, she's still only just 7 (6 in 2014).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>9. Run 8+ races</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just about - I think I did 9 races in 2014 - phew!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>10. Run 4 Half Marathons</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not quite, I only ran 2 Half marathons. But I did run a 10 miler and a 15 mile race as well, so I think they kind of count too. Kind of.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>11. PB at 10K and Half marathon</b></span>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Big fat YES and my proudest achievement (along with 1000 miles)! Way back in February I killed Brighton Half in 1h56m31s, taking 2 mins off my PB, and in November maybe my greatest running EVER was in the Brighton Brook 10K which I totally nailed in 49m26s, also knocking 2 mins off my PB. This means my PBs for Marathon, Half, and 10K were all completed along the same stretch of seafront in Brighton - nice and flat and speedy!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">So a good year of running, not so great for cross-training. I'm a bit uninspired at the moment, so I need to think carefully about goals for 2015, but I think they'll be less running based and aim to be a bit more well-rounded. Watch this space... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-63247312173977932052014-11-17T13:11:00.002+00:002014-11-17T13:47:00.128+00:00Brighton 10K - Goal achieved!!!So this summer I started thinking about my 10K time and thought I could probably run faster than my PB of 51m17s. I did a bit of speed training (only a bit of intervals and tempo runs) and in September decided to go for a sub 50 mins 10K. I attempted this in the <a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/disappointment-10k.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Bexhill 10k</span></a>, but for various reasons, I ran neither sub 50 mins nor a PB.<br />
<br />
Shortly after that, I entered the Brooks Brighton 10K - a much bigger race with over 3000 runners, but a flat one, all along the seafront in Brighton. A few days later, a friend (V) entered too. She has been running less than a year (although she's very fast), and this would be her first real race.<br />
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My plan was basically the same as it had been in September - start at about 8.03min miles and try to hang on. I wasn't interested in a 52 min run, so I was happy to either get a PB or crash and burn (e.g. 56+ mins) trying! I knew I had to go for it from the start and run consistent splits.<br />
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I'd never done this race before, and hadn't realised how big it was. At 9:30am yesterday (16th November) just over 3000 of us lined up in the start area and we were off. There was a bit of jostling and our speed was often controlled by people in front of us. V decided to try to keep up with me, but we thought we would probably lose each other in the crowd during the race.<br />
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The route was east along the seafront for about 2K, then turn around and run west on the same road for about 6K, then turn again and finish where we started. As it was so flat, the biggest issue would be exposure to the wind along the sea, but luckily for us, it wasn't too windy at all.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrOD4bJLHwU8oPLsXEZ-VOYMzdMXdC2uiE3KyQL5FTZ6JbOSEr4WmWiFxr4OBiT8oIvYuk4rShyTy8oVgWonjNYX31jqJ2xpcNr2KWaLX2sepRNg4-VEpiqbc60eADVKYDGo2UdybMqjc/s1600/arch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrOD4bJLHwU8oPLsXEZ-VOYMzdMXdC2uiE3KyQL5FTZ6JbOSEr4WmWiFxr4OBiT8oIvYuk4rShyTy8oVgWonjNYX31jqJ2xpcNr2KWaLX2sepRNg4-VEpiqbc60eADVKYDGo2UdybMqjc/s1600/arch2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start and finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because of the route (people running back towards us on the same road), it got very crowded at certain points, and I was frequently frustrated at having to run around people. Despite this, V and I managed to stick together most of the way, and whenever I lost her among other runners, she eventually re-appeared behind me!<br />
<br />
I felt strong, (if a bit asthmatic) as the miles went by and I was keeping a constant eye on my garmin. The first mile was 8m02s, and from then on, my average pace was usually between 7m59s and 8m04s. Whenever it dipped below 8m, I reigned it in and tried to keep consistent. There were some km markers along the route too, and every time I saw one I switched my garmin display to overall time, and made sure I was always on target. At each km marker I was about 3 - 5 seconds inside 50min pace! I really was totally reliant on my garmin for the whole race.<br />
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As we got to about 8K, I knew that I just had to keep going at the same speed and I should make it, but I just didn't know how accurate the garmin and the km markers were - it could be a matter of a few seconds that would be the difference between under or over 50 mins! In the final km I could see the finish approaching. I was so tired and at times I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds so that when I looked up the finish was a bit closer!<br />
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A few hundred metres from the finish I knew I was close to 50 mins, so I really dug in and tried to speed up. It was only at this stage that V dropped back and I finished a little way ahead of her. I crossed the line, paused my garmin and crouched down to catch my breath. I was knackered, but my watch said <b><span style="color: magenta;">49m26s</span></b> - YES!!! Pure happiness.<br />
<br />
Later we got our official stats. V was just 10 secs behind me, in 49m36 - incredible for her first proper race! It has taken me 5 years (and 11 10K races) to get from 60 mins in my first 10K to sub 50mins! My position was <span style="color: magenta;">1220</span> out of <span style="color: magenta;">3173</span> runners; <span style="color: magenta;">303</span> out of <span style="color: magenta;">1503</span> females and <span style="color: magenta;">128</span> out of <span style="color: magenta;">599</span> in the F35 - 45 age group - some good looking stats there!<br />
<br />
My mile splits were as follows:<br />
8.02<br />
7.59<br />
7.56<br />
7.59<br />
8.02<br />
7.45<br />
(and 6.50 pace for the last 0.2!)<br />
<br />
Very happy with that. We didn't take any photos and the official ones aren't out yet, so here is a picture of the rather nice medal!<br />
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I'm going to take it easy now for the rest of 2014, and aim for slower runs but keeping the distance up. The question now of course is whether I can go any faster next year?!<br />
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PS, when I got home, the kids had made me a card to congratulate me on my PB!<br />
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-36098940868568307322014-10-31T09:52:00.001+00:002014-10-31T10:11:16.336+00:00Races with a differenceThis month I've done a couple of races but neither of them have been PBs and in fact they both involved running well within my comfort zone. The first was run with friends and the second with my husband, and they were both great experiences.<br />
<br />
On 12th October there was a local 10K organised by a new-ish local running shop. There were 150 runners, a few marshals and it was run along the seafront. Over the summer I've been running with a couple of Mums from school, both of whom are quite new to running. One used to run a bit as a teenager, and she's pretty speedy, but the other had a baby in January, has never run before and is juggling trying to get fit with 4 kids and a job.<br />
<br />
So they both decided to enter their first ever race with this 10K (my 10th 10K!). I was a bit concerned that we might actually be last as it was such a small field, and we almost were! But all our families came to see us and the kids played on the beach with their Dads while we ran.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3nHYgz1NYZh-HfU6nRYrgnQMWazrTH1r7MhEtmLuHTFdVsLUOYkq_xC7LWC9bZhrsDvmzAu0VeLxwXp8CAD4vqueFmLS2c-DWhoMJj7H1tc_88G9ErPSbt0sTIPSh9nf8vswA9rVpsOF/s1600/12th+October+14+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3nHYgz1NYZh-HfU6nRYrgnQMWazrTH1r7MhEtmLuHTFdVsLUOYkq_xC7LWC9bZhrsDvmzAu0VeLxwXp8CAD4vqueFmLS2c-DWhoMJj7H1tc_88G9ErPSbt0sTIPSh9nf8vswA9rVpsOF/s1600/12th+October+14+(4).jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling cold pre-race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was all very sociable as I saw a few runners I knew including parkrunners and one of the teachers from school! We called out to people and the three of us chatted away as we ran the whole thing together. We also met a 75-yr-old man who told us all about his running past and the fact that he races every weekend and travels with his wife to do so. Our pace was 10.47 overall, which is quite a bit slower than my marathon pace, so obviously it was very comfortable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start</td></tr>
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It was tricky at times to keep to that pace, and I had to keep holding myself back to help my friend who had never run further than 5 miles before. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFh8lrLUyTPVMF_3cj6koEHCmARIpzW4YJv671eOqNe4P_2_da_5fDd1hlrZK5hpkhcGySViE7XG6rzdWIPan5ueVQMulOM6rZ9MT-S7LWP2oGb8594D3rnFGju2NIMnbABuXaKUiytXy/s1600/12th+October+14+(17)%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFh8lrLUyTPVMF_3cj6koEHCmARIpzW4YJv671eOqNe4P_2_da_5fDd1hlrZK5hpkhcGySViE7XG6rzdWIPan5ueVQMulOM6rZ9MT-S7LWP2oGb8594D3rnFGju2NIMnbABuXaKUiytXy/s1600/12th+October+14+(17)%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the finish</td></tr>
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But it was really good fun and nice to do such a sociable event! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWyOGuX5bNOO1Aorxtk-rDnbTP9_ToKEmFI8Ov3DHT3Xjz0v8VzljbitCKxCOFj01g-ZBAtJ_F3_HlzvqcJy1AsdnrJgZITxxSV069TaBSFF3MROTIYmGHrqgJ__CnrEAdv6S_w1RWeur/s1600/12th+October+14+(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWyOGuX5bNOO1Aorxtk-rDnbTP9_ToKEmFI8Ov3DHT3Xjz0v8VzljbitCKxCOFj01g-ZBAtJ_F3_HlzvqcJy1AsdnrJgZITxxSV069TaBSFF3MROTIYmGHrqgJ__CnrEAdv6S_w1RWeur/s1600/12th+October+14+(22).jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We finished in a time of about 67 minutes (only about 5 or 6 people finished behind us) and got a medal at the finish. I was very proud of my friends for completing their first race and furthest distance!<br />
<br />
Then 2 weeks later I had a very different race - the Great South Run. From 150 runners to 25,000, and this was televised with an elite field and a completely different event!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichvHZ1aRoFu3XouEn41v2sFriT0QOWSDTlVzLz9xRJufVA1X99wboU-yYzL60YJiDv4fKYu-V5D1YnhJOwqoFrw0gOSTeGY7he5yilxj2C59Qu_YnVO_dzXv9bVlmE1Dc3nhn9kUL7vGO/s1600/26th+Oct+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichvHZ1aRoFu3XouEn41v2sFriT0QOWSDTlVzLz9xRJufVA1X99wboU-yYzL60YJiDv4fKYu-V5D1YnhJOwqoFrw0gOSTeGY7he5yilxj2C59Qu_YnVO_dzXv9bVlmE1Dc3nhn9kUL7vGO/s1600/26th+Oct+14.png" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started by Olympic and Commonwealth hero, Jo Pavey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pete and I had planned to run this together a while ago, then he hurt his ribs on his bike and couldn't run for a few weeks. He did very little training, but managed an 8-mile run a couple of weeks before so decided to do it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICtOb299NrWQf1gFpLgyWOrf2LizgXEWOB_SH-gfDWiLeWcMXz2oB5jY4kKM0c2ZyegS13dJSPtyr_O-okYSKDrx5E77vwb_kFEJvQJMP26kZ9eAE65eWrkg_saIj3serWnD7PHBTnRVP/s1600/26th+Oct+14+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICtOb299NrWQf1gFpLgyWOrf2LizgXEWOB_SH-gfDWiLeWcMXz2oB5jY4kKM0c2ZyegS13dJSPtyr_O-okYSKDrx5E77vwb_kFEJvQJMP26kZ9eAE65eWrkg_saIj3serWnD7PHBTnRVP/s1600/26th+Oct+14+(8).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He decided that we should run nice and easy miles up to about mile 7, then step on the pace if he felt ok at that point. We started right at the back of the last group to start, and put in a couple of miles around the 11 min mark. In fact we even had time to stop for a tourist pose as we ran through the historic dockyard and past HMS Victory!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqmLdU-yDLUggXpBYHwtwxCjuI5BKQ6bnQMe5ilBDI0r6Zp0ZYtifpfX8UiH6GXFsm4zR6J0e-GwP6CvXTXgigJyXBNOGSxY1mVyh30AnCD2_FKazBrDNa5vo0U5p2T1XstFzxlWYtiwU/s1600/26th+Oct+14+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqmLdU-yDLUggXpBYHwtwxCjuI5BKQ6bnQMe5ilBDI0r6Zp0ZYtifpfX8UiH6GXFsm4zR6J0e-GwP6CvXTXgigJyXBNOGSxY1mVyh30AnCD2_FKazBrDNa5vo0U5p2T1XstFzxlWYtiwU/s1600/26th+Oct+14+(14).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't look like he's in the middle of a race!</td></tr>
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It was so crowded we were constantly having to dodge people and run around them, and there were walkers right from the start. But as the miles went by, we were feeling fine and doing about 10.30 min miles. When we got to 7 miles, Pete said he felt good and we started to speed up a bit. We ran mile 8 in 9.52, then really started to get faster.<br />
<br />
It was good fun as we sped past most of the pack and we both had plenty of energy left. Mile 9 was 9.16, and the last mile we ran in 8.24! I think Pete was much fitter than he thought and could have run a lot faster overall if he'd wanted to. But it was his first time running 10 miles, so our finish time of 1h47m was pretty good! (Only 20 mins slower than when I ran it 2 years ago!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done!</td></tr>
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In November I'll be running a 10k at my own pace I hope, and making my second attempt at a PB (after failing to get one in September). I'm looking forward to pushing myself in that one!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-29314753357575929442014-09-29T14:09:00.000+01:002014-09-29T14:09:03.395+01:00Disappointment - a 10KI signed up for this race a while ago, and had decided to go for a PB. Over the last few weeks I've been adding a bit of speed work to my running - intervals, tempo runs and the odd hill - although it's been somewhat ad hoc and I haven't followed a proper training plan. It's been working though, and I've increased the average pace of my training runs a fair bit. I realised that I had been running too easy a lot of the time, and no wonder that my 5K and 10K PBs were so long ago.<br />
<br />
To be specific, I ran my 10K PB in summer 2012, when I did 2 races in about the same time - 51 mins 17 secs. The second of those was the Bexhill 10K, which was the same as this race, although the route has changed since then.<br />
<br />
So my aim has been to get under 50 mins. I think this is achievable, and I've been training to run 8 min per mile pace to do this. Recently though, I have been really tired (due to work and various busy-ness), and I haven't been able to maintain 8min/mile pace for anything longer than 3-4 miles in training runs.<br />
<br />
My preparation for the race was terrible! This race always falls around Robbie's birthday, and he turned 9 years old the day before the race. According to his wishes, we spent that day walking around a theme park and queueing for rides - LOTS of time on our feet. For dinner, we had a huge pizza and birthday cake - less than ideal race fuel!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_h40vh0ZiDOKL_258d2ECLzTWTCOx3eNDXyL0NB48mVz6r2AEkvXcWC6a5iJkjIO5X8fUjw_Ww6YUASpBctm1HMFoIjAB5i4qE7_SYBQepAWGFmOZV6jPAjDPJnVEzboFx2Keod5FIR3/s1600/27th+Sep+14+(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_h40vh0ZiDOKL_258d2ECLzTWTCOx3eNDXyL0NB48mVz6r2AEkvXcWC6a5iJkjIO5X8fUjw_Ww6YUASpBctm1HMFoIjAB5i4qE7_SYBQepAWGFmOZV6jPAjDPJnVEzboFx2Keod5FIR3/s1600/27th+Sep+14+(37).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday!</td></tr>
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So I just had to go for it. I decided at the start that I would go out at 8 min/mile pace and try to hold on. I wasn't really interested in running a 53min 10K, so I would either hit my target, or crash and burn, but I wasn't going to settle for anything easy.<br />
<br />
I had 2 goals then - A - run sub-50mins; B - run a PB (under 51m17s). Pete asked what my C goal was, and I supposed it was to run close to those times, which I haven't done for a long while. The last 10ks I've done have been trail races, so this was the first road 10K for 2 years.<br />
<br />
The race started at 10:30am, and it was ridiculously hot for September. We set off along the seafront, and within a few minutes I was shocked at how hot it was. I started sweating, and within a couple of miles I decided that I would look out for a water station and pour the water over my head (I don't normally bother with drinks stations in a 10K).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35sKBO7kRcI8iAnMucoS-mc-2zv2o2LYIxTxzEjYyvoujlwSgI1X6sFMTgPRKOrk1VrHnmQRMEVYRlZ8zyhbquqslHt8t4p2WQz24XKEgdunvbHIOoi6f7X_jK4TzqUGZo_mIyVy7iZPd/s1600/28th+Sep+14+(34).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35sKBO7kRcI8iAnMucoS-mc-2zv2o2LYIxTxzEjYyvoujlwSgI1X6sFMTgPRKOrk1VrHnmQRMEVYRlZ8zyhbquqslHt8t4p2WQz24XKEgdunvbHIOoi6f7X_jK4TzqUGZo_mIyVy7iZPd/s1600/28th+Sep+14+(34).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contrary to what it looks like - the start (me in purple t-shirt)</td></tr>
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We continued in the roasting heat on a course that was totally unshaded, until we got a to a turnaround point. As we came back in the opposite direction, there was a fairly string headwind. At first it was wonderful, and it really cooled me down. But it also slowed me down, and became quite difficult to run into. My pace started to drop. After a confident first 2 miles, the next 2 miles were a struggle.<br />
<br />
As we went past the start/finish again, it was the half way point. I heard an announcement that drinks were on the left, but as I heard it, I saw people giving out cups of water to my right! It was too late and I had missed the (tiny) drink station. I felt gutted, but tried to push it out of my mind and keep on running.<br />
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Then came the hill. Most of this race is really flat and fast as it's along the seafront, but there is a steep hill just before mile 5 which you run up, down the other side, turn around and run up and down again. I'd forgotten how bad it was. As I reached the hill I was almost ready to give up. I felt exhausted, and as it went up and up I was almost walking. A male runner offered me some water, but I didn't want to take his bottle and chuck it over my head, so I declined. He advised me to take deep breaths - I think I sounded pretty bad at this point!<br />
<br />
Mile 5-6 was 8m59s - horrendous! That was the worst bit. As we came back down the hill, I could see the finish in the distance and I focused on it determinedly. There were so many negative thoughts in my head; 'I didn't get a drink', 'I didn't see the kids and Pete', 'there are no km or mile markers', 'the weather is too hot for this', 'the hill has ruined everything' etc.... but I pushed them out.<br />
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I gave it what I could to get to the finish, and crossed the line feeling that I had given my best. I knew I hadn't beaten my PB, and later found out that my official result was 51m37s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJT1sBaGZgc8qUTIpZmkjZZWo_IlC-gMUIl04neofQkEPgQ7t29IkDPgeNbgx2whVctWKybAZ9ueUqkEL1jyiyTwT2Jbw6V-3wpapmGNKOuyRqcCt6pB_IhY3ztb10Vqoj53DaJCFw5ZY/s1600/28th+Sep+14+(38).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJT1sBaGZgc8qUTIpZmkjZZWo_IlC-gMUIl04neofQkEPgQ7t29IkDPgeNbgx2whVctWKybAZ9ueUqkEL1jyiyTwT2Jbw6V-3wpapmGNKOuyRqcCt6pB_IhY3ztb10Vqoj53DaJCFw5ZY/s1600/28th+Sep+14+(38).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not delighted</td></tr>
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It just wasn't the day for me to go under 50 mins. I saw a runner I know from parkrun, and she's always much faster than me, and she only finished a little way ahead, so I took this as a good sign! My stats were <span style="color: magenta;">69 / 218 runners</span>; <span style="color: magenta;">7 / 89 women</span>; <span style="color: magenta;">2 / 13 in my age group</span>. Those figures make me feel a bit better.<br />
<br />
The figures that make me despair are my mile splits:<br />
Mile 1 - 7:52<br />
Mile 2 - 8:03<br />
Mile 3 - 8:17<br />
Mile 4 - 8:19<br />
Mile 5 - 8:59!!!!!<br />
Mile 6 - 8:31<br />
0.2 - 7:32<br />
<br />
Average pace was 8:18, which is so far away from the 8:04 that I wanted, it's hard to believe. Aargh!<br />
<br />
Anyway, apart from me, there were also a couple of kids races which Robbie and Emma did. Emma ran in the 1K and Robbie ran in the 2K - (there were only 2 of them in that race, but at least he came 2nd)! I don't know their times as they're not on the website yet, but I was proud of them both for taking part.<br />
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Now, inevitably, I'm scouring the Internet for another 10K - I'm feeling a bit disappointed but I know I can run faster on a flatter course and a cooler day. I'll keep trying for that pesky sub-50mins!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-4418078866516625792014-09-10T14:50:00.002+01:002014-09-10T14:50:20.510+01:00Summer's over......well nearly. The summer holiday's are over anyway, and the kids have gone back to school, and I've gone back to work. Lucky for us, the weather is hanging on, with decent temperatures and sunny skies - yay!<br />
<br />
We had an extremely busy August. It included Pete's 40th birthday, and we did a lot to celebrate that. Firstly we had a day in London (<i>sans</i> children - thanks parents!), when we wandered through the streets, had coffee in the park, ate in restaurants, visited the IMAX cinema and finally, saw a musical. We watched 'The Book of Mormon' which was great!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoBGrl54ZCSYu98NHxLBGOcTaj4EnF2g2Y_A4qZaV0pkm5WGgJK0ePkqprzoCmVGmNWzOcy4htSTxH21zrxpSfbMKa2QBCPfMuqvsZbWFEgyLsPJ4tA0pry3LtBi_wfRJLGZBiBwZgGWX/s1600/14th+Aug+14+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoBGrl54ZCSYu98NHxLBGOcTaj4EnF2g2Y_A4qZaV0pkm5WGgJK0ePkqprzoCmVGmNWzOcy4htSTxH21zrxpSfbMKa2QBCPfMuqvsZbWFEgyLsPJ4tA0pry3LtBi_wfRJLGZBiBwZgGWX/s1600/14th+Aug+14+(14).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trafalgar Square</td></tr>
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The following day we took the kids with us for a surprise arranged by me: an experience of indoor skydiving! It was good fun, and Robbie and Emma were naturals, much more so than us old fogies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete & me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma & Robbie</td></tr>
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The ticket also included a 'vertical jump' - this turned out to entail climbing up ladders to the top of a 125ft tower, getting strapped into a harness and stepping off! The fall was quite gentle, but the initial step off the platform took a bit of bravery. It was quite shocking to stand above and watch Robbie then Emma throw themselves off the edge, but it didn't seem to worry them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOkuML4BmPvYgKuJdm69bZjJ7V1kmxLhmGnPQV4m9NZOJAa0MWIZ-FldPOTQMs55nLJUQ61juky1EkmcLkM_3VTQVULL94JkzuIoQagbzFVsl0eh6MkvZGFSQo_pIaI20ZupANHHLIcwh/s1600/16th+Aug+14+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOkuML4BmPvYgKuJdm69bZjJ7V1kmxLhmGnPQV4m9NZOJAa0MWIZ-FldPOTQMs55nLJUQ61juky1EkmcLkM_3VTQVULL94JkzuIoQagbzFVsl0eh6MkvZGFSQo_pIaI20ZupANHHLIcwh/s1600/16th+Aug+14+(16).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After departing the platform top left</td></tr>
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After that trip, we went camping for 4 days. It wasn't too far away, but the site was very basic, with just a couple of portaloos and not much else. We had some lovely walks in the surrounding countryside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbjRHxmiE-pN4Tdz4IsGG8u3yUIUj4MzRagHX4XWM7HSlNunwRRgHEMhfuaXTvnzfl29dwanR-jbe85vOwrEORXOk2uULtVoNi0Ug25FHJ0LzeYhcPHd_d7hn1dP-AbJT7EnjItiHZirs/s1600/19th+August+14+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbjRHxmiE-pN4Tdz4IsGG8u3yUIUj4MzRagHX4XWM7HSlNunwRRgHEMhfuaXTvnzfl29dwanR-jbe85vOwrEORXOk2uULtVoNi0Ug25FHJ0LzeYhcPHd_d7hn1dP-AbJT7EnjItiHZirs/s1600/19th+August+14+(17).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the South Downs</td></tr>
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Then we were off again to see Pete's family, and attend a music festival. We just went for one day, but it was good fun. There was a large kids' area with plenty to do, and then in the evening we saw various bands on the main stages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H3HljNJZE5XKYniWOwWN2kHLgUuYtxcqtomn2v8xmVMhEQ4mAn428a4A5FQBgJYawpAI9tFO-s8JxI_i_TUdwED2Rhe3rNlzDr0tX3h2KBOniAkEfJLr6Ay1Ri7re-dbTYdyKblqIiym/s1600/24th+Aug+14+(48).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H3HljNJZE5XKYniWOwWN2kHLgUuYtxcqtomn2v8xmVMhEQ4mAn428a4A5FQBgJYawpAI9tFO-s8JxI_i_TUdwED2Rhe3rNlzDr0tX3h2KBOniAkEfJLr6Ay1Ri7re-dbTYdyKblqIiym/s1600/24th+Aug+14+(48).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkshakes & music</td></tr>
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After that we finally had a few days at home before the school term started. It's been lovely having some quiet stay-at-home weekends since then. Despite the busy month, I was please to have managed to run 83 miles in August - BOOM!! (Cycling didn't fare so well, with one poxy commute involving a puncture totalling 5 miles...).<br />
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Now it's back to routine and time to carve out some proper training and hopefully get towards a PB!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-86437668015320027132014-08-17T16:22:00.003+01:002014-08-17T16:22:29.513+01:00Commonwealth GamesWe used to live in Scotland and still have friends there, so when the tickets for the Commonwealth games went on sale a couple of years ago, we applied to get some. So in the last week of July (and the first week of the summer holidays) we took an 8-hour train trip up to Scotland! We stayed with some very kind friends, and saw athletics, netball and diving.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7mHQzYBjaQXb2-V7DlWGSkRJuHi7F2_jPBXqCN11nI6hQf65EX6aExJYPspvfqb1QNP4RKUNYTmCJzt857SyobOOfASJMTJVUe_r9pgAPpgcE7Njy82Ud95f4NqqAqkYoZF6GEjnVlWo/s1600/29th+July+14+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7mHQzYBjaQXb2-V7DlWGSkRJuHi7F2_jPBXqCN11nI6hQf65EX6aExJYPspvfqb1QNP4RKUNYTmCJzt857SyobOOfASJMTJVUe_r9pgAPpgcE7Njy82Ud95f4NqqAqkYoZF6GEjnVlWo/s1600/29th+July+14+(14).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring on the athletics!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZsJTlckFzs8vVXSjJJql8c-M8KvVzM5Rpuq5NcDd7FRH7Ir9Xw4Y3kjCBI_M19iJAgxAbw9Eprc7mRoSa1NiylSW8Rm8yKM-kVljfWtbsjuNshyphenhyphen-s9LbawxGs_6sl0dJr45cxJmw2xaM/s1600/29th+July+14+(25).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZsJTlckFzs8vVXSjJJql8c-M8KvVzM5Rpuq5NcDd7FRH7Ir9Xw4Y3kjCBI_M19iJAgxAbw9Eprc7mRoSa1NiylSW8Rm8yKM-kVljfWtbsjuNshyphenhyphen-s9LbawxGs_6sl0dJr45cxJmw2xaM/s1600/29th+July+14+(25).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Rudisha leads 800m heats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLoPTnBTmZCj8QRGX5k7ocPkzHEQw-amkOcZmwG6PqgeuTXeSH_WbACtl7HRx33TU7XxyJ8w2_tFhyphenhyphenKWI_Z2AZQJbWhzN90gnzkir3uSQBqIOKBhfTMol4G15YsQ3Z9Kr8nWi9F14-lSQ/s1600/30th+July+14+(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLoPTnBTmZCj8QRGX5k7ocPkzHEQw-amkOcZmwG6PqgeuTXeSH_WbACtl7HRx33TU7XxyJ8w2_tFhyphenhyphenKWI_Z2AZQJbWhzN90gnzkir3uSQBqIOKBhfTMol4G15YsQ3Z9Kr8nWi9F14-lSQ/s1600/30th+July+14+(36).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SECC venue </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mIBQiHDJmPM9yza1UeZNyEMJcyRtGhFIj4ttvtIPNY2Bt637CybP9_icLiIsxoeXrGA0dNj5ER86N2t4HTO8dZHWh1QW5MNj4Mz7Qi13bpHLKyI9aForyvfwiaibhRkhvAfjZ0tUV064/s1600/31st+July+14+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mIBQiHDJmPM9yza1UeZNyEMJcyRtGhFIj4ttvtIPNY2Bt637CybP9_icLiIsxoeXrGA0dNj5ER86N2t4HTO8dZHWh1QW5MNj4Mz7Qi13bpHLKyI9aForyvfwiaibhRkhvAfjZ0tUV064/s1600/31st+July+14+(3).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clyde' the mascot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOmbj6HojZknYGqbgJ75KMUojS-eIh9lDcc38xQ1L1vUYbk9FR9lx3we3-7uBYRzWhIIw9y68jDA9WkZhbi152B-mmpdDFVp6dOkOmnzAAVbAQZgSfvLkoOF8jEbXj-5JKX-AJaMcGQCk/s1600/30th+July+14+(49).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOmbj6HojZknYGqbgJ75KMUojS-eIh9lDcc38xQ1L1vUYbk9FR9lx3we3-7uBYRzWhIIw9y68jDA9WkZhbi152B-mmpdDFVp6dOkOmnzAAVbAQZgSfvLkoOF8jEbXj-5JKX-AJaMcGQCk/s1600/30th+July+14+(49).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netball - Scotland v N Ireland</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjDww7VmjMv5mLINmHqCowr-BCRaw9AzSSAenXcoe1zKRaisRdC7ihLwcn4HWSbfIbnCyM2bMcGLluRmnGI_or2BuEDtWVJRlKLUk5Gsz6c0dq1D_8x7ky5S5ZjYvE6UcUcz4VDPxP9lF/s1600/30th+July+14+(57).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjDww7VmjMv5mLINmHqCowr-BCRaw9AzSSAenXcoe1zKRaisRdC7ihLwcn4HWSbfIbnCyM2bMcGLluRmnGI_or2BuEDtWVJRlKLUk5Gsz6c0dq1D_8x7ky5S5ZjYvE6UcUcz4VDPxP9lF/s1600/30th+July+14+(57).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England v Bahamas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6lbpQsJ3b6Wt_ZpLfieqM4wk_88IHe5xo0j_XyW7ooYiu3sejFkh_QN6bfaOWHJAmbrdPXj6bHMsD4cIsZtiNOZIam7ZPW2SiQQSqJTwjiCvD2b1WM8xIULqppI7VatlTxZs-TyCvc5/s1600/31st+July+14+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6lbpQsJ3b6Wt_ZpLfieqM4wk_88IHe5xo0j_XyW7ooYiu3sejFkh_QN6bfaOWHJAmbrdPXj6bHMsD4cIsZtiNOZIam7ZPW2SiQQSqJTwjiCvD2b1WM8xIULqppI7VatlTxZs-TyCvc5/s1600/31st+July+14+(11).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men for 3m springboard diving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9hFTTfPkUbbbGKtuaXx9JXt7mRf2qTPsCP4NRC4mYPTswah7SADNZWVGg5RSJOYELiYU2soggrGhBS7zqoyPuxujKv_eoyjDzaShlm0UZi75_RErQJfazy7ZrgTwwqa-pZ5rR5sdyve4/s1600/31st+July+14+(27)%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9hFTTfPkUbbbGKtuaXx9JXt7mRf2qTPsCP4NRC4mYPTswah7SADNZWVGg5RSJOYELiYU2soggrGhBS7zqoyPuxujKv_eoyjDzaShlm0UZi75_RErQJfazy7ZrgTwwqa-pZ5rR5sdyve4/s1600/31st+July+14+(27)%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's 10m diving</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The diving was really impressive, and the kids enjoyed the netball most, which was very exciting, but for me the best was the athletics. There was just so much to see, always something going on, and I saw so many athletes who I recognise and admire. This was our first time seeing athletics, but I hope I can go to more in the future!<br /><br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-45560656908824510172014-07-25T19:22:00.000+01:002014-07-25T19:43:09.123+01:00Spectating!So after years of resisting, this year Pete finally joined in with running, increased his swimming, began cycling and entered his first triathlon. After a few months of hard training and the loss of several pounds in weight, the date finally arrived - 13th July - and it was triathlon time!<br />
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While he had a few nerves and wondered whether he might actually finish dead last, I enjoyed the more relaxing feeling of being the spectator for a change.<br />
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A few days earlier, the kids and I got kitted up with some big paper and thick pens, and they designed their own motivational messages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHZ5n67Ad_PY3-ObDl0ZKzN6y1RBaUo7K1r9tSR5FatmikbEzvgF_FPhJ5VyN2RNrcqIXCGuYcwpP390loI5_ersQC5oiaD2iP1MvZK143ThfEd0RN8cVTaD2qeZBy_4PYQgpN7TGxqi4/s1600/13th+July+14+(38).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHZ5n67Ad_PY3-ObDl0ZKzN6y1RBaUo7K1r9tSR5FatmikbEzvgF_FPhJ5VyN2RNrcqIXCGuYcwpP390loI5_ersQC5oiaD2iP1MvZK143ThfEd0RN8cVTaD2qeZBy_4PYQgpN7TGxqi4/s1600/13th+July+14+(38).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim like a fish, Cycle like a motorbike, Run like the wind</td></tr>
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We all drove to Bexhill (along with the bike) on the Sunday morning, in plenty of time for Pete to check in and leave his bike in transition.<br />
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Then it was rather a nervous long wait while other races started, and Pete's wave was the last to enter the sea for the swim. Eventually it was time for his briefing, and then they were off!<br />
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As he swam off, the kids and I popped in to a seafront cafe for a quick refreshment - it was past time for my usual morning coffee - and we sat down with drinks and cakes.<br />
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But I kept anxiously glancing out of the window, and realised the first swimmers were quicker than I had thought. We ate up and drank up quickly, and got to the beach just a few minutes before Pete came out of the water - he was in the first few swimmers, doing much better than we had imagined!<br />
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He looked as though he was having a great time as he ran up to transition. We raced up the steps too, so we could stand near where his bike was. As we sped along, Robbie said 'This is brilliant fun!' Meanwhile, we also spotted Olympic Gold winning Ice skater Jane Torvill, who had taken part in the earlier duathlon!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Torvill (and somewhere in the background, Pete)</td></tr>
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After a leisurely 3mins or so, Pete cycled off. We got to the side of the road, and waited. After a while, I wondered where my rucksack was, and had to run back to the cafe where I had left it by a chair... when I got back to the kids, they said 'Daddy's just been past'! Beacuse the course was all loopy, I did see him a few minutes later when he passed again.<br />
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We crossed the road for a better view for his next passing, but after about 10 mins, Emma needed the toilet. We ran to the nearest one, dived in and out quickly and ran back, where Robbie said 'Daddy's just been past!' again! So much for spectating...<br />
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But we did see him come back to transition, where he left the bike and went off on the run. This was along the seafront, and this time I managed to catch him both times he passed.<br />
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We waited near the finish, and eventually, in a very impressive total time of 1h30mins-ish, he crossed the line. He was 35 out of 83 participants, so not even close to last.<br />
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It was a really good day, and Pete's already planning another one. It was great to be spectating rather than running, but I must admit, I do like the idea of doing one of these myself one day... just need to learn to swim properly... Watch this space!<br />
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-64676564232590388112014-07-08T14:53:00.000+01:002014-07-10T11:54:45.718+01:00Bewl 15I had been wanting to do this race for a couple of years. It has a really good reputation as being well organised and friendly, and it definitely was those things!<br />
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It was also tougher than I had expected.<br />
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Pete, the kids and I drove about 24 miles to the small, pretty town of Wadhurst, where the race start was. From the town, we had to walk down a farm lane to the start of the race in between some farm fields, where there were cakes, drinks, a brass band and a piper!<br />
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There were 684 runners in total, so quite a crowd to get thorough a narrow lane, but it was chip-timed, so the wait to start didn't matter. The course was mostly around Bewl Water - a country park around a large reservoir. This meant it was very much off-road!<br />
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We ran through fields, long grass, muddy tracks, footpaths, and small roads, and the route included a number of gates and stiles to cross. It was described as 'undulating', and most of the run was just gently hilly, with lots of little ups and downs. The last few miles was more dramatic though, with a lot of steep hills - mostly up.<br />
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As I've never run a 15-mile race before, and as this was a fairly unique trail course, I didn't have any goal time in mind. That meant I could relax a bit and enjoy the surroundings. There were some good views, and the weather was cool with occasional rain and occasional outbreak of warm sun.<br />
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I enjoyed the first 7 or 8 miles, but started to find it quite hard work from then on. I think I had underestimated the extra effort involved in the terrain, which was quite hard to negotiate at times and I had to really concentrate on where I put my feet.<br />
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From about 10 miles, the race started heading uphill. This is where I started chatting with other runners - mostly swearwords at the hills! I took a slice of orange from a volunteer, and as I bit into it, I choked on the juice. A woman behind me gave me the last of her bottle of water - thank goodness for her help! Then I started chatting to a man called Eddie at the foot of a hill, and our short conversation got me up the hill without really noticing it - thanks Eddie!<br />
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As we got into a field near the end, a man with a South African accent started urging others on, and complaining about the hills. We saw a sign which said 400 metres to go, then turned a corner and met another hill. The air turned blue with expletives!<br />
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As we saw the finish, I was level with 2 men. We had a joke about sprinting to the finish (I was barely jogging by this point) but they both got ahead of me. Then I saw Robbie and Emma at the side of the path, urging me on. We high 5'd as I passed, and as I stumbled towards the finish, I heard Emma shouting 'Come on Mummy!', which definitely helped!<br />
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I was so exhausted. I felt almost as spent as when I did my marathons. At the finish we got a medal and free t-shirt, both showing the image of the lake. There was also free cake!!! BEST FINISH EVER!!<br />
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My time was <b>2h30m07s</b>! My position was around <b>530 / 684</b> (but the results were given by gun time, not chip time). I'd like to do it again now I have a time to beat, but I think I'd do more training next time!<br />
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-24401448572339056012014-06-28T23:09:00.002+01:002014-06-28T23:11:05.361+01:00Big JuneThis month isn't even over yet and it's been one of my biggest training months EVER!!<br />
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At the start of June I was lucky enough to have 2 1/2 weeks when I didn't have any work on, so I decided to seize the opportunity to get some good running and bike miles in while I could.<br />
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This month has included;<br />
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A couple of beautiful runs over the cliffs:<br />
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No fewer than 3 bike rides to the beach and back:<br />
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Several stops inbetween cycling for this sort of thing:<br />
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And lots of long runs and cycles up and down the lovely Cuckoo Trail:<br />
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Unfortunately the work is now piling up again and I haven't got as many chances for long runs and long bike rides coming up, but I have got a race coming up next week which I'm really looking forward to. It's a 15 miler - not a race distance I've done before - so I've had to some long runs as training.<br />
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Over the last 3 weeks I've done a 10, then 12, and finally 14 mile run. The last of these was a bit of an adventure. I usually do a loop round the local towns for a long run, but at this time of year we are plagued by seagulls who like to swoop down towards me and scare me! So I am avoiding the areas where they are and sticking to the tree-shaded path of the local Cuckoo Trail.<br />
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So I set off one morning with a plan to run 7 miles one way, turn round and run home. This would be further than I've gone along this path before - including cycling. I don't usually take water with me, but this was a very hot day, so I filled a bottle, put it in the freezer to cool quickly, finished getting ready, and left - without the bottle.<br />
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I wasn't too worried as I don't drink much when I run anyway. However, this was a hot day and a long run. After about 5 miles, I stopped seeing anyone on the path. It got more isolated and far from any roads, so there were none of the dog-walkers, kids on bikes and horse riders I sometimes pass nearer home. I eventually turned around and started feeling very hot and thirsty.<br />
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About 2 miles from my house, there is a little place off the trail called The Loom Mill, where they sell arts and crafts, and there's a cafe and toilet. I started thinking about it at about 8 miles, but wouldn't reach it until 12 miles...<br />
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I was really enjoying the run though, and the miles went by quickly! When I finally got there, I went into the toilet, turned on the tap and started gulping down water. I sounded like a dog, slurping away, and it tasted amazing! After a while I left and finished the run.<br />
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I felt thirsty all day after that, and couldn't drink enough. Later I had a bad headache and felt unwell, and I think it was down to the lack of water. Lesson learned.<br />
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So with a few days still to go, I've already run just over 100 miles this month, and cycled about 90. This is big mileage for me!<br />
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This is bound to drop over the next few weeks as I have more work to do, but I'm hoping to get in some more long bike rides and plenty of running too!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-45869324751595525102014-06-12T13:49:00.002+01:002014-06-12T13:55:38.618+01:00About time I blogged...Things have been busy with work and children and busy weekends for a while, but this last couple of weeks I've had a bit of time off (from work anyway, not from children or busy weekends).<br />
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So I haven't blogged for a very long while, and it's about time I did a little catching up. <br />
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Since my last post in April, Pete, Robbie and Emma and I have all been very active. Pete has even signed up to do a triathlon in July! This is pretty significant as it's his first event since running a 10K in 2006 I think, and he's been up early training for weeks. He's lost a load of weight and is fitter and slimmer than I've ever seen him in the 18 years we've known each other!<br />
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Pictures speak quicker than words, so here's a glimpse of what we've been up to over the last couple of months.<br />
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<b>Lewes Easter Monday 10K </b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Pete in the 1 mile race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fcihCxuvIuBTOqQiNmeeTvuOpsyudIl6eA_DeE4i-7LU9Xx2L12eSm3U0LQfaYvBCrH2MeUCFxPqDunqq7YgyLI_OYFbTQA_7q5Ern8qeoKwoEmcAbToYfYnJ7fpkHK0ogSKY-6kN-hi/s1600/21st+April+14+(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fcihCxuvIuBTOqQiNmeeTvuOpsyudIl6eA_DeE4i-7LU9Xx2L12eSm3U0LQfaYvBCrH2MeUCFxPqDunqq7YgyLI_OYFbTQA_7q5Ern8qeoKwoEmcAbToYfYnJ7fpkHK0ogSKY-6kN-hi/s1600/21st+April+14+(22).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robbie in the 1 miler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-s2LSJJlYixBM4jgbz0DNF08JKrM59J1pkTpLqYW5N94gE8-kz3amgtBinAz41g1-Xd40AwRvAEHitAEAwwxaB4I18FJiXr4cqE5sOGmc9VZxLHn_idSU7NWovvqmydB0l5RnVJNP18k/s1600/21st+April+14+(59).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-s2LSJJlYixBM4jgbz0DNF08JKrM59J1pkTpLqYW5N94gE8-kz3amgtBinAz41g1-Xd40AwRvAEHitAEAwwxaB4I18FJiXr4cqE5sOGmc9VZxLHn_idSU7NWovvqmydB0l5RnVJNP18k/s1600/21st+April+14+(59).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After my 10K</td></tr>
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This was a morning of races which started with the kids' 1 mile race. It was mostly round the track, although they ran off into a field for a bit. Robbie ran 9.26 and Emma ran 11.03!<br />
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My 10K started and finished on the track, but slightly to my surprise (and dismay), most of it was in wet fields amidst angry sheep and one herd of charging cows! This was quite scary, but a brave marshal managed to shoo them off. The land was quite boggy in places and I found it a very tough 10K. I ran it in 54.49.<br />
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<b>My parkrun 50 t-shirt</b><br />
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In April I also ran my 50th parkrun, which entitled me to a free t-shirt! It's a really nice shirt, and as Robbie got his 10 t-shirt ages ago, we can co-ordinate nicely on a Saturday morning now.<br />
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<b>Climbing </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsR23flQK7q19e8dNdKeeLlXzzB6yG3MixzaCVcaCHmEQAGMMfYHpJMeHVvk2B0OJmLZMqTLo9gaRYSx7GLMph61V6oxII5s7WltLoz64ZJQ9JH7yWaN2v_FOtdiYyEW1X_vu558IovOZ/s1600/11th+May+14+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsR23flQK7q19e8dNdKeeLlXzzB6yG3MixzaCVcaCHmEQAGMMfYHpJMeHVvk2B0OJmLZMqTLo9gaRYSx7GLMph61V6oxII5s7WltLoz64ZJQ9JH7yWaN2v_FOtdiYyEW1X_vu558IovOZ/s1600/11th+May+14+(15).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDy5HITKt6-90HaINZi0jbJbebZQf6TuVFXx6kYhyyH2TRhd3I4zFP6q4viCJogFcr4PX3YGnM5qbCCegRON0nuSBFnoVYuQsbwZ3eIRjiqxJcmiloTSNWyqOysw0V2kf_kFonpt7_wuS/s1600/11th+May+14+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDy5HITKt6-90HaINZi0jbJbebZQf6TuVFXx6kYhyyH2TRhd3I4zFP6q4viCJogFcr4PX3YGnM5qbCCegRON0nuSBFnoVYuQsbwZ3eIRjiqxJcmiloTSNWyqOysw0V2kf_kFonpt7_wuS/s1600/11th+May+14+(4).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Em</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pO-Pfqz-dqQT4CIftAaCCqqP6kbZc6gEN1Lq-g6IIdln7zxrPONqCTh34P8mMfvmJut1CxiB19xKxd2b4B-77ThH7zwAMvtfi0s5a90TEel-OkUqeBUce-aDOyxHFv3up1hZy6EoiUcw/s1600/11th+May+14+(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pO-Pfqz-dqQT4CIftAaCCqqP6kbZc6gEN1Lq-g6IIdln7zxrPONqCTh34P8mMfvmJut1CxiB19xKxd2b4B-77ThH7zwAMvtfi0s5a90TEel-OkUqeBUce-aDOyxHFv3up1hZy6EoiUcw/s1600/11th+May+14+(37).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me</td></tr>
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In May we all went indoor climbing one weekend! This was something we hadn't really done before but thought we'd try. It was good fun and the kids loved it. The next day they were fine, while Pete and I struggle to raise our arms above our heads...<br />
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<b>Parkrun PBs</b><br />
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As we've been parkrunning regularly, both Robbie and Emma have recently smashed their 5K PBs! On his 30th run, Robbie ran 29m59s - his first sub 30 5K, and over a minute off his previous time. The following week Emma charged round to an amazing 34m10s, another huge PB!<br />
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<b>Sea swimming and paddling</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete is the swimming cap on the left</td></tr>
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As part of triathlon training, Pete has to get used to swimming in the sea, so he has joined a group of nutcases who regularly get together on Eastbourne beach to take the plunge. It's great at weekends because Robbie and Emma absolutely love the opportunity to paddle and get themselves soaking wet, while I like nothing more than sitting on the beach doing nothing - perfect!<br />
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<b>Beautiful scenery</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNUcRQGLB4sYhy1L30swRhNCe3dHuFyQwFadnHXXDfHqts5ZleSlfXHyOYjIAwn0lQms9LagBGoGm03X2mfqL3Vy7a4-wShB2c3qEfYpWlUeo59fi9F51UDVnYrLcgzN-ze4cdz4i0CFn/s1600/3rd+June+14+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNUcRQGLB4sYhy1L30swRhNCe3dHuFyQwFadnHXXDfHqts5ZleSlfXHyOYjIAwn0lQms9LagBGoGm03X2mfqL3Vy7a4-wShB2c3qEfYpWlUeo59fi9F51UDVnYrLcgzN-ze4cdz4i0CFn/s1600/3rd+June+14+(7).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I did run up this hill</td></tr>
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While I've had some more free time recently, I've been making the most of it by upping my running and biking, and doing some different routes. Last week I drove to just about my favourite place in the world, and ran over the cliffs. It was a tough hill run, but stunning scenery. The lighthouse at Beachy Head (above) is quite iconic round here, and these were the best views I've ever had of it - breathtaking.<br />
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So that's about it. Next week it's back to work, but I hope I'll be able to blog again a bit sooner. We've got lots of plans, including some races, camping trips and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - can't wait!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-8608314852548750792014-04-17T19:45:00.002+01:002014-04-17T19:45:38.701+01:003 months in to 2014So we're well into April and this year is truly flying by for me. As March rushed to an end, I thought it was a good time to reflect on how my year is going so far. At a quarter of the way through, am I on track for the things I want to achieve?<br />
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It's going ok so far.<br />
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One of my goals for this year (and an easy one) was to complete my 50th parkrun, which I did a few weeks ago. I'm waiting to be presented with my free t-shirt, and meanwhile, I'll start working on progressing to 100 runs...<br />
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I've also met my other parkrun goals - to run in a different location - <a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/parkrun-adventures.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">done here</span></a> - and to run with Emma - she's done 2!<br />
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I was hoping for a few PBs too, and so far I have beaten my Half Marathon PB, with my 1.56 in Brighton in February. Another goal was to run 4 Half Marathons and I've done 2 so far, so I suppose that's on track. I'd love to think that I could go faster again... Another goal was to run 8 races, and I've only done 2, but I've got lots of ideas of others I want to do! I really hope I can do more races this year, as 2013 was a bit rubbish on this front.<br />
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My mileage goals are not going too badly. My aim was to run 1000 miles in total this year - or at least get as close to that as possible. I don't think I'll quite get there, but by aiming for that distance, I am motivated to try to average about 20 miles a week, which is good for me. Recently I have been doing that mileage consistently, but January took a while to get going and was quite low numbers.<br />
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As for biking, I'm aiming for 500 miles. So far I've cycled 55 miles to the end of March, and in fact most of those miles were cycled in March. With the better weather, I'm hoping to build that up quickly.<br />
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To sum up:<br />
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<b><u>January</u></b><br />
Ran 16x = 70.09miles<br />
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<b><u>February </u></b><br />
Ran 16x = 77.41 miles<br />
Cycled 1x = 7.27 miles<br />
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<b><u>March</u></b><br />
Ran 19x = 92.99 miles (ouch for that 0.01!)<br />
Cycled 3x = 47.72m<br />
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At the moment it's Easter holiday time, so it's been more of a struggle to fit in bike rides and long runs while the kids are off school. The weather has been AMAZING recently though, so we've had some lovely walks, and I can't wait to get stuck back in to consistent running and biking soon!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School holidays are sooo tiring...</td></tr>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-86034965740944519982014-03-29T22:28:00.001+00:002014-03-29T22:28:16.373+00:00The family that runs together, eats cake together.This month the whole family has been joining in with running and activity in general. It seems that either <b>a</b>. I am an inspiration to them all, or <b>b.</b> they have given in and realised that if you can't beat me, join me. Here follows a brief recap of our family achievements in March.<br />
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1. My last post was about Robbie and I running a new parkrun course, which was on the 1st March. The following day I did my 2nd race of the year, Eastbourne Half Marathon. It was my 3rd year in a row, and my worst time yet! Having run a PB 2 weeks earlier, I was content to take it easy, but tiredness in my legs, the huge hill and a strong head wind all took their toll and I found it really tough. The family was there watching me though, and Robbie and Emma joined me to run through the finish, which was the ONLY reason I was smiling.<br />
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2. On Saturday 8th March, we finally persuaded Emma to join us in a parkrun! Yay! She's only 6, and she did find it a long way, so we let her stop and walk a few times. She still completed the 5K in under 40 mins though, and was not last. She has decided that she will aim to join us every other Saturday, giving herself plenty of rest days! It was great having all 4 of us run together, and Robbie was really sweet, wanting to let her cross the line first.<br />
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According to Emma's schedule, we all ran again 2 weeks later, but were hit by cold weather and hail, which she didn't like. She only walked once though, so did really well to keep going.<br />
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3.The following day it was beautiful sunshine, and we all went for a walk in the countryside. It was just outside our town, and we had a great time exploring up a hill, where we found a nice spot to sit and eat a snack before hiking back. Lovely day.<br />
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4. The spring weather has definitely been inspiring us, and last week, Pete decided to take a day off work so we could go for a bike ride together while the kids were at school. We headed East, through a nearby town and on to a country road, which turned out to be popular with cyclists. It was great, we sped along and really enjoyed it. After about 11 miles, we reached a big seaside town, and stopped for a coffee in a museum cafe there with a view of the beach. It was wonderful.<br />
When we headed back though, we found that we had been helped on our way by a strong tail wind, which we now had to battle all the way back. As we went along the coast, it was very tough! We did stop at a pub and get a roast lunch, before making it home. It was about 25 miles in total. I honestly can't think of a better way to spend a day off work! <br />
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5. Last weekend, it was Emma's second parkrun, and then on the Sunday we took part in a Sport relief mile. This runs every 2 years and we did it last time. You get sponsored to run for charity, and we ran a mile round a race track, so 4 laps. It's not timed, just for fun, but Emma did it all without stopping this time, and they got another medal at the end.<br />
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6. This morning, it was just Robbie and me at parkrun. We went at his pace, and my garmin failed to locate any satellite whatsoever, so I didn't know how fast we were going, but we both thought it was pretty speedy. When we got our results later, it was a PB for him by 1 min and 10 secs, beating his previous best time from November! Amazing! We ran 31m12s, and it was also my 50th parkrun. This means I should soon be seen sporting the appropriate red 50 t-shirt. It was Robbie's 25th run, so he's not far off either!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-45072107457726277712014-03-09T19:04:00.002+00:002014-03-09T19:06:52.845+00:00Parkrun adventuresLast weekend I managed to tick one of my goals for this year off my list. Robbie and I ran a different parkrun!<br />
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We were in Pete's home town for the weekend, and drove down on Friday evening, which meant we were there and ready on Saturday morning for the run. I had planned ahead, and brought our running stuff, but early on Saturday, Robbie was almost tempted by the lure of a cafe with Grandma and a chocolate treat. Pete and I spent a few minutes convincing him that he should do the run, and that he'd feel pleased with himself afterwards, and eventually he agreed to come with me.<br />
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Robbie has now done about 22 runs at our local parkrun, but this was his first at a different location. It was very different! It's in a country park, and on path, grass and - that morning - a lot of wet mud. It also included quite a long uphill, and then downhill. Robbie is used to running on a gravel path which is completely flat, so I thought it might be a challenge.<br />
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I had to ask someone to show us from the car park to the start, and we chatted about the course. When we got to the start, a few people asked where we were from and everyone seemed really friendly. It was the Queen Elizabeth parkrun (in Queen Elizabeth Country Park), and has been going for less than a year. There were about 40 runners altogether.<br />
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It started with a run up the hill, then we turned and ran downhill, where it was very muddy, and very slippery. I think Robbie coped better than me, as I slipped a few times, and then was wary of falling or getting injured. We ran a short loop, then it was the hill again, but further up this time. Robbie did really well! I preferred the hill to the mud at least.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Determination etched on his face!</td></tr>
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We reached the top of the hill, then ran down into mud again, and along a very muddy stretch to the finish. We had to stop and pick our way through the really boggy bits at times, and I didn't really enjoy that part as I just couldn't run through it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwkPNa5ZvRJeEzpFrizwF-6C9XFjA_Kf7g4Um18wt-Kt7V1gvCFqefpasE9PUIXnoAZjW1_6yHRWYpJdr8skcJ5XdEu94GG9m506abWdklT9dcSXq6yUDv_Zg-z-wVADzMi1lIUrhBa3f/s1600/QE+parkrun+(6).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwkPNa5ZvRJeEzpFrizwF-6C9XFjA_Kf7g4Um18wt-Kt7V1gvCFqefpasE9PUIXnoAZjW1_6yHRWYpJdr8skcJ5XdEu94GG9m506abWdklT9dcSXq6yUDv_Zg-z-wVADzMi1lIUrhBa3f/s1600/QE+parkrun+(6).bmp" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the finish</td></tr>
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We finished near the back of the pack, but although our time was slow - just under 36 mins - it was still faster than Robbie's first 4 parkruns on a flat course, so it shows how much progress he's made!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p-IDCTIebmu6jpVHPE8489Sxqdulot_eXvKX8X1ybXDSNiYOsli-YAiymi0sE8jZPJNCPcbnCj3TXo5wATSmHJO-2fneNFmu6-ylLmfaT-mVB4kJuGbkjptvklgfKHdViLiwJdSgpJmq/s1600/QE+parkrun+(1).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p-IDCTIebmu6jpVHPE8489Sxqdulot_eXvKX8X1ybXDSNiYOsli-YAiymi0sE8jZPJNCPcbnCj3TXo5wATSmHJO-2fneNFmu6-ylLmfaT-mVB4kJuGbkjptvklgfKHdViLiwJdSgpJmq/s1600/QE+parkrun+(1).bmp" height="197" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robbie pushing me out of the way...</td></tr>
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We were so muddy afterwards that I ended up buying him new shoes that afternoon! The photos were posted on Facebook by the photographer, and I think they're really nice ones of us running together. I might try that parkrun again when the mud has dried out, and we'll definitely hope to do some more in different places!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_1t6AWlo5dJAJgnD3w1PQ-ynPwnjy-uG8H3f5GO55lWfxwCRPu_3ZqRiyF1tZXLxwrlRPnuho_6BFr-zgfJS8eSja0OXKA5zbSw-hHKY_yBGY0C_PL06ulbms7ItJdvuOoQPxTJr34Q9/s1600/QE+parkrun+(7).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_1t6AWlo5dJAJgnD3w1PQ-ynPwnjy-uG8H3f5GO55lWfxwCRPu_3ZqRiyF1tZXLxwrlRPnuho_6BFr-zgfJS8eSja0OXKA5zbSw-hHKY_yBGY0C_PL06ulbms7ItJdvuOoQPxTJr34Q9/s1600/QE+parkrun+(7).bmp" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...overtaking...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAedvQO-4J6UzqtYJrv72DMt5YqaEmKHlJM_M4GjR8pk4SIqWiNPb1jpRHeHghATlKX3NjwYDpKRgAmUuLL-VyNf7Jg7PXQ0Ixo7ru7_UvbykoFRP3WlEOcmAduUYNHGkBL_HWy7BdyYp/s1600/QE+parkrun+(2).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAedvQO-4J6UzqtYJrv72DMt5YqaEmKHlJM_M4GjR8pk4SIqWiNPb1jpRHeHghATlKX3NjwYDpKRgAmUuLL-VyNf7Jg7PXQ0Ixo7ru7_UvbykoFRP3WlEOcmAduUYNHGkBL_HWy7BdyYp/s1600/QE+parkrun+(2).bmp" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..and he beats me again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-61721992276879669092014-02-17T20:52:00.001+00:002014-02-17T20:52:22.591+00:00Brighton Half MarathonWhat a day! After weeks of gales, storms, floods and hail, Sunday morning was dry, sunny and totally calm. We were so lucky with the weather, and there weren't even any puddles on the course, although you could see some of the damage from the storms, such as knocked over beach huts and washed-up rubbish on the beach.<br />
<br />
Pete and the kids were away as it was my father-in-law's birthday lunch, so I had the house to myself the night before and on Sunday. Very relaxing, but this meant I had to catch a train to Brighton as they had taken the car, and take my bag with me. Luckily the organisation was fantastic, and I was able to easily check in my bag and pick it up afterwards with no waiting around or queuing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBawpSPiHvV7uubWPUhMB3nkUCUZmazL0CPV_eAD11OKsqdsksfNB1XNFWtaNB4k0PBn8FHhljhbgX2SnHxufwc75qMMjAAy82TzPY7-1uDtklinKMZameXBGh6eF8xmTuO4UVT-z9KTJ8/s1600/WP_20140216_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBawpSPiHvV7uubWPUhMB3nkUCUZmazL0CPV_eAD11OKsqdsksfNB1XNFWtaNB4k0PBn8FHhljhbgX2SnHxufwc75qMMjAAy82TzPY7-1uDtklinKMZameXBGh6eF8xmTuO4UVT-z9KTJ8/s1600/WP_20140216_002.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny at the bag drop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was pretty cold when I left the house at 6.50am, and I was well wrapped up with scarf, hat and 2 jackets. After I had checked all this in, I got nice and cold waiting at the startline. I was at the back, as I had planned to run with a friend, and so was in the 2h30+ start area, even though I was hoping to run around 2 hours.<br />
<br />
So it took me about 8 minutes to cross the line - not too bad. I think there were about 7000 runners in the end. In parts it was very crowded, especially in the first few miles, but also on narrow parts of the course later on. I did find it quite frustrating whenever I got slowed down, but it might have helped me pace myself.<br />
<br />
I hoped to run around 9-min miles, and thought that if I was just under that, I would be happy with my time. My first 2 miles were 9m11s and 9m10s, so I was a bit worried that I might not make it.<br />
<br />
However, they turned out to be the slowest 2 miles - probably due to the congestion. From then on I kept looking down and seeing 8m50, 8m45 etc on my watch, and worrying that it was too fast and I would slow down later on... <br />
<br />
As the miles went past, I realised that the conditions were so perfect, I had to go for it. There was no wind, which was shocking after the gales we've had almost continuously since before Christmas. I put my mind on auto-pilot and just kept ticking off the miles. It was great.<br />
<br />
Although I got tired around mile 10, I felt strong enough to keep the pace steady, and confident that I could keep it up to the end. The spectators were great, making lots of noise and generating a fantastic atmosphere. That's the positive side to these busy city races, I suppose!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim30vF-hEm0PRt4Ipt1gTuLAX4sfy0V7k-V-90E86xaXMoHy7Hv3yImUOWbzjha6Pzpu4ZEJELrXMVcy9xZuTNI5Dp9wkVwYbY_tci55BL5RIi2jgKGc_9qLkrIcl3UZGfD_F-Dl7DlvJU/s1600/WP_20140216_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim30vF-hEm0PRt4Ipt1gTuLAX4sfy0V7k-V-90E86xaXMoHy7Hv3yImUOWbzjha6Pzpu4ZEJELrXMVcy9xZuTNI5Dp9wkVwYbY_tci55BL5RIi2jgKGc_9qLkrIcl3UZGfD_F-Dl7DlvJU/s1600/WP_20140216_008.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny Brighton andSpectators</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, for the last 3 miles I was roasting hot in the sunshine! I was wearing long tights, a long-sleeved top, a jacket and (at the start) gloves - not really appropriate for the weather at the end. Such a change to have sweat dripping down my neck rather than freezing rain!<br />
<br />
My last mile was my fastest, in 8m21s, and I finished in a <b>PB</b> of <span style="color: blue;"><b>1h56m31</b></span>s! I was thrilled! This was 2 minutes, 7 seconds faster than my previous PB, from 2 years ago. I had hoped to run faster this year, but hadn't expected to be ready to go that fast yet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQXbp_06lxC78VYJkEArRYOgf-gpIwbBteTI-58HKglL_2fbK8eMkpZV7RK45OKvLP8TTncjBcG23WjDGMdHra5IIljqo7i0oeSVH-VIzS9AeOrcBw9V5tex-9L8cCQcTY_8bLKJ8Rdj/s1600/wp_ss_20140216_0002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQXbp_06lxC78VYJkEArRYOgf-gpIwbBteTI-58HKglL_2fbK8eMkpZV7RK45OKvLP8TTncjBcG23WjDGMdHra5IIljqo7i0oeSVH-VIzS9AeOrcBw9V5tex-9L8cCQcTY_8bLKJ8Rdj/s1600/wp_ss_20140216_0002.png" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chip time is what counts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a lovely day and a great race, and one I'd like to run again. The medal was nice too, one of my favourites:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWQOUBtZyHYMvzuk6dOaKXJQ2HHZkfNI-mfBNrA1uidmktEE3R4pQOvEKiLgoyd8XLfnZtuG_kZy7iX3ItIRYJAAkj4kBD-pyVxlnQsgsm1Mur5SvY8zHZKOMwjOcmJVMbjH67zsE5ORT/s1600/WP_20140216_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWQOUBtZyHYMvzuk6dOaKXJQ2HHZkfNI-mfBNrA1uidmktEE3R4pQOvEKiLgoyd8XLfnZtuG_kZy7iX3ItIRYJAAkj4kBD-pyVxlnQsgsm1Mur5SvY8zHZKOMwjOcmJVMbjH67zsE5ORT/s1600/WP_20140216_012.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
I must have pushed my legs to their limits though, as they were very tired afterwards, and today I have really struggled with up and down stairs - it's been almost as bad as when I did the marathon! Totally worth it though for the great day and the unexpected PB!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTllFBol5Xy9bjhZ8NuwBRXbw-VL7c-SMPpmM8OwYcrwuXw8QuE2qfCCb8VSE1ORjX0_30x9hx6XznVeMTp0yHElYL_m3KviEUr3e925EtK3OuiRAfBNM0oQkUIoz7pPdNt0DfM5ElaRC/s1600/WP_20140216_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTllFBol5Xy9bjhZ8NuwBRXbw-VL7c-SMPpmM8OwYcrwuXw8QuE2qfCCb8VSE1ORjX0_30x9hx6XznVeMTp0yHElYL_m3KviEUr3e925EtK3OuiRAfBNM0oQkUIoz7pPdNt0DfM5ElaRC/s1600/WP_20140216_011.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy and tired!</td></tr>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-88602659524291541562014-02-15T21:53:00.001+00:002014-02-15T21:53:07.303+00:00A Race at last!It's been about 7 months since I last ran in a race! Due to injury and busy-ness I didn't do any races in the second half of last year, but tomorrow it's Half Marathon time!<br />
<br />
I entered Brighton Half Marathon last summer, when a non-running friend of mine told me of her plan to take up running (with me), build up her distance, maybe do a 10k, and then run this Half. She wanted to run for a charity close to her heart. So we both entered and paid, and a few weeks later, she found out that she was pregnant!<br />
<br />
She now has a gorgeous 6-week old daughter, while I have an ugly green race number that forces me to start at the back of the crowds, in the 2h30m+ group. Oh well.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs5czYWnvem2e2jcM-sDrjxxqs-nHdKdqtdHO38337eiY7bBobNDQopdlcteV6PBNOaOEqgmMPUTxjYekjNBbCm1dnRfQsWIhEl7Kzpto1qE7CTtzqJgnsJp2zllmMy8TP5_Q7vsNiCFQ/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs5czYWnvem2e2jcM-sDrjxxqs-nHdKdqtdHO38337eiY7bBobNDQopdlcteV6PBNOaOEqgmMPUTxjYekjNBbCm1dnRfQsWIhEl7Kzpto1qE7CTtzqJgnsJp2zllmMy8TP5_Q7vsNiCFQ/s1600/016.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The last few weeks in the UK have been stormy and wet. There has been appalling flooding, with entire villages cut off, as well as people being killed and injured by falling trees and buildings in the gales. Many races have been cancelled due to the weather, so tomorrow I will just be grateful to be there - to have escaped relatively unscathed, and with the race still on.<br />
<br />
It's supposed to be a fast, flat course, although it's all along the seafront so the wind could be a factor. It's also big - about 10,000 runners I think, so crowds could also slow it down. I'd love to get a good time, but I'm really not fit enough to beat my PB at the moment. However, I'll be aiming for the following; A goal - sub 1h58m; B goal - sub 2 hours; C goal - happy to be racing again and seeing this as part of my preparations to smash my PB later this year!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-76092545082400780162014-02-08T16:31:00.000+00:002014-02-08T16:31:30.655+00:00Goals for 2014Hmm, I suppose my first goal should be to update my blog a bit more regularly. I'm not sure what's been going on lately - I have quite a lot of work on and seem to also be spending a lot of time ferrying the kids about to various clubs and activities. Must try harder, must do better.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I've had plenty of time to think about some plans for this year and they're not really going to be vastly different from last year.<br />
<br />
Here are some repeaters:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Run 1000 miles</b></span><br />
This was a goal that I didn't achieve last year, and I'll probably struggle to reach that mileage this year too, but I think it's a good number to aim at. It's a bit too high for me, but it's a good round number, and 1000 km is not enough of a challenge. If I aim for 1000 miles, I might get to 900 at least.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Cycle 500 miles</b></span><br />
I was nowhere near this last year. Why not? Dunno. But I'll try again this year. Although I'm currently on 0 miles, it seems so achievable at the start of a year, so I'll try it again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Strength training and stretching</b></span><br />
I just need to keep the stretches in my routine forever now. Although I've been lazy and not doing them every day, I do stick a leg out every so often and it makes such a big difference when I do. I haven't done any strength training since last year's April marathon really, so must add some of that at some point.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Do more swimming and master front crawl and breast stroke</b></span><br />
I haven't been swimming for a few weeks, but I might go tomorrow, and then I'll definitely try to get that front crawl going again. My breast stroke is much improved, but I can only manage a few metres of crawl at the moment. Plenty of motivation from the fact that both Robbie and Emma (at the ages of 8 and 6) are now far superior to me in every aspect of swimming.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Keep injury at bay</b></span><br />
Not only the dreaded plantar fasciitis, but as I get old, there are myraid opportunities for aches, strains, tears and so on. I need to run sensibly, not overdo mileage, stop running when I get a niggle, and constantly buy new shoes.<br />
<br />
Other goals:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Complete loads of parkruns and get my 50 t-shirt</b></span><br />
Last year was the year of parkrun for me, and this morning I ran my 44th run. I should be getting my t-shirt fairly soon I hope, but will keep going, especially when Robbie wants to come. I love jogging round at his pace as he chatters away incessently, and it's become a real weekend routine for us both.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lNhB4hDEgCgcZn67Jrgz25v22fevmpXpuIi_NDJs2P6SnPW6y9WEKXwqZuQRAtCgDs4GpUxY7zeiJszGkCT80lT72gJP1epp9sapmGV15F5Rsa565tdKbbJg72lwSDklqAUtGjhRq2rv/s1600/parkrun+Jan+14.4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lNhB4hDEgCgcZn67Jrgz25v22fevmpXpuIi_NDJs2P6SnPW6y9WEKXwqZuQRAtCgDs4GpUxY7zeiJszGkCT80lT72gJP1epp9sapmGV15F5Rsa565tdKbbJg72lwSDklqAUtGjhRq2rv/s1600/parkrun+Jan+14.4.bmp" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Run a parkrun somewhere else</b></span><br />
I ran 2 parkruns in Edinburgh before we moved, but apart from that they've all been in Eastbourne, and Robbie has only run there. It'd be nice for him to experience a different venue and a fun trip for us I hope. There are some fairly local ones so we wouldn't have to go too far.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Run a parkrun with Emma!</span></b><br />
She often wants to come with us, but I think she would struggle to run round the 5k. However, she could probably run/walk the whole thing at not too a slow pace now, so as soon as it stops raining, hailing and blowing gales every day, I'd like to take her along too.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Run 8+ races</b></span><br />
Last year I'd hoped to run 10, but ended up doing loads of parkruns and only 4 races. There are a few I'd like to do this year though, so I should be able to manage 8 in total.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Run 4 Half Marathons</b></span><br />
...or more. I'd like this to be the year of the half marathon, as I won;t be doing a marathon, and I've got my first Half coming up next weekend.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. PB at 10K and Half marathon</b></span><br />
I haven't run a PB for ages - the only one I got last year was the marathon - so I think I could go for it in these 2 distances. I'd like to beat my 5K PB too, but speed is not my thing at the moment. Maybe later in the year...<br />
<br />
So that's it for now. We are having lots of terrible stormy weather in the South of England at the moment, which is making running less fun. My last few long runs have all been wet and windy, and at parkrun this morning I was almost forced to run on the spot as I got hit by a headwind. There are more obstacles than usual on some of my running routes:<br />
<br />
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<br />
I'm really hoping the wind calms down for next week's Half along the coast...<br />
<br />
Who knows what is to come - at the start of last year I had no idea we'd be moving house, or that my marathon would go so well! Bring on the miles, the parkruns and the races!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-69069921428523386342014-01-06T19:27:00.003+00:002014-01-06T19:27:59.247+00:002013 Rundown - Review of my GoalsHere is a quote from my post last January in which I listed my goals for 2013:<br />
'...this year I am setting tougher and more specific goals, and if I don't
meet them all, then at least that means they were challenging!'<br />
<br />
<br />
Those goals turned out to be a bit too tough and challenging and I certainly didn't meet them all...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Complete my second Marathon</b></span><br />
Of course I managed this one! Having suffered through Edinburgh Marathon in 2010, I almost enjoyed Brighton Marathon in April. It was all down to good training and careful planning. If you have time on your hands, the recap is <a href="http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/brighton-marathon-race-report.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. PB at the Marathon</b></span><br />
Yes! Originally I hoped for around 4h20m, but as my training went on, that seemed too optimistic and I refined it to 4h30m. On the day I ran with a 4h28m pace band, and got an official time of 4h28m exactly. I'm still basking in the glow of that accuracy. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTCS6YAdHP-RJdLf2gAbF-4PEizT6fP6pMaLK5yRq7ib7Ybze_CZm7m3JiZjm_i1HT3HvUQWFBa-eTrQaq20c-MlympV1hjAoCinDIBy6yCQwOhdI55btziu7JUymzIUNUo5iRRihjRyG/s1600/14th+April+13+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTCS6YAdHP-RJdLf2gAbF-4PEizT6fP6pMaLK5yRq7ib7Ybze_CZm7m3JiZjm_i1HT3HvUQWFBa-eTrQaq20c-MlympV1hjAoCinDIBy6yCQwOhdI55btziu7JUymzIUNUo5iRRihjRyG/s1600/14th+April+13+042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My running highlight of 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Run 10+ races</b></span><br />
Nowhere near! 2013 turned out to be a very quiet year for races for me, and I think I did only 4. There was 1 DNS, due to ankle injury, and that injury also stopped me entering any races at the end of the year.<br />
But on the other hand, I hadn't planned to do parkrun so often. I did 30 <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">parkruns</span></a> in 2013 - that's 30 5Ks that were not officially races, but were timed runs with other people (so quite race-like). 18 of those were run with Robbie, who surprised me first by being able to run the whole thing, and second by being so keen to keep coming back for more! This was something I hadn't planned but loved doing in 2013.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJD1v_4XerbAdWgp-JDKFvbxtTAYe8IYOzbueYqD2ANWzv-QnhNT1O6QQHoEem5Cf7IIVyydHFlvbhaNeO1BsQlnuRJfsHi66Fhuc2ISHiO3KsT0YwdzCGrB5M023eVkP_l-AdJJTlVuO/s1600/058+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJD1v_4XerbAdWgp-JDKFvbxtTAYe8IYOzbueYqD2ANWzv-QnhNT1O6QQHoEem5Cf7IIVyydHFlvbhaNeO1BsQlnuRJfsHi66Fhuc2ISHiO3KsT0YwdzCGrB5M023eVkP_l-AdJJTlVuO/s1600/058+-+Copy.JPG" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robbie's first run - first of many!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Run 1000 miles</b></span><br />
I'm still a bit gutted about this one. I was just about on course to do this in September, as long as I ran 20 miles per week until the end of the year, which I think I could have managed. But then I hurt my ankle, had about 5 weeks off and that was the end of that goal. The final total was 880 miles, which although a long way off my goal, I'm still quite pleased with as it's my highest year yet. Small whoop!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Cycle 500 miles</b></span><br />
No chance! This failure was mainly down to not having time. The last term of College (Sept - Dec) ended up being really busy for me, and when we added moving house to the mix, I've had very little free time over the last few months. When I was focussed on my running mileage, I didn't have time to cycle as well, and I only cycled a measly 283 miles - significantly less than 2012.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Do regular consistent Strength Training</b></span><br />
I did this really well while marathon training. Since then though, it basically dropped off my radar as usual.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Do stretches EVERYDAY!!!</b></span><br />
Again, I did this perfectly up to the marathon. But I did keep doing them afterwards. In the last few weeks I have slackened off a lot, and I dropped from 'every day' to 'after a run', but still, not bad.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. <span>Keep swimming! Learn to do front crawl and build up to swimming 20+ lengths regularly</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>No no no. Just no time, and I kept my focus on running. I haven't been swimming for a while now... Must do better!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>9. Get a top 3 Age Group Placing</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I haven't really done enough races to give myself a chance of this one. Also, I need to do small, local races with hardly any women (and no other 40-44 year olds).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>10. Keep Plantar Fasciitis at bay</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Yeeees! I'm sure the stretches and strength training helped with this. There's been the occasional niggle, but no heel injury. I did get that ankle injury though, which may also have been an overuse injury, and possibly dure to the marathon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>So there we have it. I missed a lot of those targets, but I suppose if I'd done them all, they would have been too easy. Some of those will definitely continue to be goals for 2014. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tdc2vCW-lA5oxKf2jguJMVlA9aVKMDOfEKn7PbgRlNhxtLee2fKi3QFUcAjbwMlne6mlqT1vPPYokhjnk8T9fa8_el2w4a4nHw5eUfqTTaqwnSxnxPniakt2yZnqwl3TUyCa1v7kJdIK/s1600/25th+Dec+13+(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tdc2vCW-lA5oxKf2jguJMVlA9aVKMDOfEKn7PbgRlNhxtLee2fKi3QFUcAjbwMlne6mlqT1vPPYokhjnk8T9fa8_el2w4a4nHw5eUfqTTaqwnSxnxPniakt2yZnqwl3TUyCa1v7kJdIK/s1600/25th+Dec+13+(31).jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent Christmas present from the family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-81004917703284655652014-01-01T17:51:00.003+00:002014-01-01T17:51:20.970+00:00Back online - Catch up!Hello? Anyone still there?<br />
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I am finally properly back online since we moved house. All this time I have survived on occasional wifi use at other people's houses, but at last we're fully functioning - hurrah!<br />
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So I never got to post about my birthday.<br />
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We actually moved house on my birthday, so it was a fairly boring day of cleaning, waiting for removal men and unpacking. But before all that, we had a great morning at parkrun! It was Eastbourne's 100th run, so runners were encouraged to dress up in Christmassy gear.<br />
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Robbie and I took our Santa hats (although Robbie's might have been a bit big)<br />
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Anyway, before the run, Robbie finally got his t-shirt. This is a prize that is awarded to junior runners when they achieve the milestone of 10 runs. Robbie did his 10th run in mid-September, but it has taken this long for the t-shirt to arrive in Eastbourne!<br />
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This was actually Robbie's 18th parkrun, and my 40th - when I get to 50, I'll get a t-shirt too! <br />
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We took it very easy, and finished 141st and 142nd - it was a much larger field than usual! Afterwards there was cake and mince pies to celebrate the 100th run. It was a great birthday morning, although Robbie did try to steal my mince pie - no chance!<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-78179650954746397212013-12-05T21:12:00.003+00:002013-12-05T21:13:19.278+00:00November Rundown and a Magic BunnyWeeellllll, November's running wasn't AMAZING, but at least it was an improvement on a sorry injured October. My ankle injury meant I'd only managed 2 runs of about 6 miles that month, and in November I kept building up the runs, slowly but surely.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ran - 15x = 58 miles</b><b><br />
Cycled - 2x = 15.6 miles </b><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Parkruns - 3</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I've been sticking to short distances but increasing the amount of runs. My ankle still bothers me occasionally, so I'm not overdoing in, and besides, with work, kids and moving house, I haven't got the time for any real long runs at the moment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last Saturday we had a pretty good parkrun-day. Emma had been chosen as her class 'Star of the week' - for 'perfect behaviour and great maths'! This meant that she got to bring a toy bunny home for the week, and was expected to keep a diary of fun activities we'd done with 'Magic Bunny' over the week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here she is reading him a bedtime story for example... </span></span><br />
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Naturally on Saturday, we had to take Magic Bunny along to a parkrun. We posed with him before the run, and then Pete had the bright idea that Robbie and I should take Magic Bunny with us on the run.<br />
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So I ran round with Magic Bunny in my hand. He actually turned out to be rather helpful as whenever Robbie was flagging, I told him that the Bunny was going to overtake, and put him by Robbie's shoulder. That made Robbie sprint off for a bit!<br />
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He had lots of little surges of speed, then he would say he was tired. Another of Magic Bunny's tricks was to put a spell on Robbie's legs to keep him going. This also worked!<br />
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As we approached the finish, Robbie took Magic Bunny, and for once, Robbie didn't manage to sprint fo the line. In fact he had really pushed himself during the run - he ran 32m22s, which was a massive 52-SECOND PB!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Clearly we could do with Magic Bunny's spells to help us every week...</span></span>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-2059371466010838952013-11-22T14:16:00.005+00:002013-11-22T14:16:44.577+00:00New HouseWell we have been busy. Just 6 months after getting an offer accepted on a house, we have finally got the keys and the previous owner has moved out. To say it dragged on a bit would be an understatement, and we finally completed on Friday afternoon - the final day of our mortgage agreement - just a few minutes before close of business for the day. <br />
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Eeeeeeeek!<br />
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Then it turned out that the previous owner had left the house in something of a state. It was full of old rubbish and absolutely filthy. Luckily we aren't moving in yet, and he has to cover the cost of removing the stuff he left behind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGekrLbb_rbBbE_RlJOSHMcn37o8X181qVLKV6LxhngucmFrM-uFtNLsjDy9o4ygO3yZx_N4qvGEzWA5xCUvNeTSLjyk74s68bmhrxZb__JbZBKRsBoH4kwJ5kE4OFO-0LuMUAhp4apyE1/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGekrLbb_rbBbE_RlJOSHMcn37o8X181qVLKV6LxhngucmFrM-uFtNLsjDy9o4ygO3yZx_N4qvGEzWA5xCUvNeTSLjyk74s68bmhrxZb__JbZBKRsBoH4kwJ5kE4OFO-0LuMUAhp4apyE1/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the living room was like when we went in!</td></tr>
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So we have spent the week trying to get things sorted. We've had the rubbish removed, and today we are getting the whole place deep-cleaned. <br />
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Meanwhile, I haven't had time for as much running as I'd like... But my parents were here last weekend, and that meant that on Saturday, Pete, Robbie and I could all do parkrun! Mum and Dad looked after Emma while she played in the park; Pete ran with Robbie and I ran at my own speed for the first time since June!<br />
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As I'm pretty unfit at the moment, after missing runs with my ankle injury, I was curious to see how fast I could run 5K. I hoped to run under 27 minutes, but I actually finished in 26m01s. I was pleased with that.<br />
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It was a lovely sunny morning and a nice run. Pete and Robbie finished a few places behind me, and Mum took some nice pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his finish token</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and Emma spectating</td></tr>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-34719683397527004052013-11-11T18:48:00.001+00:002013-11-11T18:54:26.751+00:00Hail, thunder, sunshineIn my last post I mentioned that we have had loads of rain recently. Nothing has changed since then, although there has been the odd dry spell in between the wet.<br />
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Last week Pete was on holiday, which meant that although I was working, he did all the cooking and picking up kids from school, which made things much easier for me. I also had 2 days off (as usual), and on Tuesday, we took the opportunity to go to the cinema - yes - in the daytime! First time we've done something so decadent for at least 8 years... We saw Captain Phillips, which was pretty amazing.<br />
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On Friday, my other day off, I simply insisted that we do something more worthy, so we decided to have a bike ride together. I can't remember this ever happening before. We biked to the coast, did the crossword over a leisurely coffee, then biked home (in the rain). It was a really nice way to spend the morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not at work = beard</td></tr>
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On Saturday it was of course parkrun-day, but Pete wanted to run, so he did it with Robbie while Emma and I spectated. They set off on a course covered with puddles and us girls had a wander round the park.<br />
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After seeing them at the half-way point, we were on our way back to the finish when there was a huge clap of thunder. It was so out of the blue it came as a surprise, and Emma was a bit scared...<br />
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It started to rain, so we walked a bit quicker, and then suddenly the skies opened and there was a HUGE hailstorm. I've never been out in anything like that - the hailstones were fairly big and it just went on for ages. We got totally soaked to the skin - I mean I literally couldn't have been wetter if I'd jumped in the lake - and we ran to a bus shelter to wait for Pete and Robbie.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not happy</td></tr>
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They eventually emerged looking like drowned rats. Apparently the barcode scanner didn't work because everything was so wet, so all the results were worked out manually - thanks volunteers! It was an incredible downpour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hailstones and water everywhere</td></tr>
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On Sunday though, such a change! It was a lovely dry, sunny day - much more my kind of weather. We took advantage with a family bike ride. All 4 of us got on our bikes and went a coule of miles up the local trail. There were LOADS of people about - clearly everyone was sick of being indoors during the rain and had come out in the sun.<br />
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Emma managed to cycle really well, and although Robbie fell off his bike after skidding in mud at the end, we all had a good time.<br />
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It's rained all day today, and the same is forecast for tomorrow (when I'm planning a longish run). Will the mud ever dry out? Bring on the cold and frost!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663874472523019524.post-85845057011663754582013-11-05T18:19:00.001+00:002013-11-05T20:13:09.862+00:00Off-lineIt's been a while since my last post for a number of reasons...<br />
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Firstly, I was lacking in enthusiasm brought about by my ankle injury and not being able to run. I was feeling a bit blah...<br />
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Secondly, last week was half term here, and with the kids off school for a week, we went on holiday for a few days, staying away from home.<br />
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Thirdly, when we got back, out internet connection wasn't working, so I was without access to the internet for a few days - nightmare!<br />
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So here are some things I've been getting up to since my last post;<br />
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1. My ankle is not entirely better, but I'm back running. Just short distances so far, with my longest run being 5 miles this morning. Yay!<br />
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2. I've run 3 more parkruns with Robbie - he's now done 14!<br />
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3. October finished with me having run a spectacular 6.35 miles (2 parkruns). At least I also cycled 34 miles.<br />
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4. We had a lovely break in Buxton. It's a beautiful town in the Derbyshire countryside, and an extremely picturesque area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caves!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavillion Gardens, Buxton</td></tr>
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5. I spent 2 days being put up in a posh hotel in London for some teacher training. The food was great, the room was lovely and I met some really nice people.<br />
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6. I had a last-minute meet up with my sister (who works in London). We has a lovely dinner and a rare chance to chat without being interrupted by children! <br />
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7. I went to the gym in the hotel and had fun playing on the treadmill, bike and cross-trainer. This was a gentle test for my ankle.<br />
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8. On Friday morning I went for a run around London! It was a scenic run, involving 2 bridges across the Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and the Millenium wheel. I loved it!<br />
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9. I missed Halloween. However, trick or treating went ahead without me:<br />
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10. For the last few weeks it has hardly stopped bloody raining! It's very mild, but I could do with some dry, sunny days as I ease back into running again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best thing about rain</td></tr>
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So hopefully I'll be back into running in the next few days and weeks, and regain my enthusiasm for blogging and all things running related!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714527795744844429noreply@blogger.com4