Reflection

Thoughts on this process.......

From that first raining very wet three mile run the weeks and miles have passed too very quickly. I have fallen in and out love with running so many times. At times Jedi running master has had to force me to run and on one particular occasion he sent me back out of the house when I hadnt run far enough (boo hiss). Other times I have looked forward to clearing my head and listening to my music away from everything that is my daily routine.

Running in the heat is an absolute killer.

There is a poor man out there who thinks I am crazy singing lady.

There is more to this running lark than just popping on a pair of trainers. I love the Jedi running master for  imparting his knowledge and experience. Still wanted to kick his Jedi boy bits sometimes for being so flipping right all of the time, well most of the time ;-)

As with most things in life running is all about the putting the work in and just getting on and doing the preparation.


If someone had had told me eighteen months ago that I would have lost  weight and have trained and ran the race I have completed today I would have laughed and called for more cake. Its taken  a lot of work and a long time to break down a lifetime of negative attitudes I have built about and around myself. I still don't think I am fully there but know I can now recognise behaviours in myself and others that are negative and dont get me where I want be in life.

Me in Feb 2011

Me in May 2012

Will I carry on running? hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm - keep tuned.

Pics of the big day

12.9 miles in and my head was down just wanting to finish

Me and my big boy once I had recovered and stretched.

My time

Forgot to report on my time........

Well I had set my target of 2 hours 30 mins (well beyond the target of finishing) and I was slightly outside that at 2 hours 35 mins.....am I disappointed?

I finished, it was HOT and it was my first race  -EVER - I think I will focus on what I have achieved rather than
worry about five minutes here or there..........

Will I do it again???? Well pre registration opens tomorrow - let me sleep on it, I'll give you answer in the morning........................

27 May - EMF!!!!!!!

What a flippin day!

Today was THE day - the EMF half.

I had went to bed relatively early although I have to admit I had one small glass of wine (ignoring that particular paragraph in my book). I had a pretty restless night sleep and was awake before the 6am alarm call.

After the Jedi running master force fed me porridge; energy drink we made what seemed like a very long 13 mile journey to the start line.

I was nervous to say the least and it was very overwhelming to see THOUSANDS of other people all waiting to start. I also had to pee in the most disgusting portaloo in the world. It reminded me of a stunt once performed on Jackass eeeeeeewwwwwww! I was thankful however that although it was warm the sun was having a lazy sunday lie in behind the clouds.

The nerves really got the better of me and I could have cried but we eventually all got going.  I was nervous and it wasn't helped seeing people pulling out at only 1.5 miles in and by 2 miles there was people walking. However the first five miles were ok. I found a surrogate Jedi running master and although she didnt know it I followed her most of the way for all those miles. Does that technically make me a stalker?

Then  - BAM - The sun got his hat on - hip hip hip hooray. Wow - hot hot hot. I kept running and met a couple of nice ladies along the way and we passed some of the miles talking about how the sun could have waited another hour before its appearance.

By mile 9 I was beginning to struggle thanks to the heat. I no longer could keep up with my surrogate Jedi  running master and just began to focus on every half mile. Even my much coveted training music couldnt keep me going. It was very hot and my legs were hurting.

 I tried my best and I kept going and I am glad to say I ran and kept running for 13.1 miles. Seeing my boys near the end really spurred me on and its hard to describe the feeling of achievement when I actually crossed the line.

I've only gone and bloody done it Rodney..........

Just me......

So I am LOVING tapering!

Well here we are less than seven days to go. I have some thoughts in my run up to the' big day' so to speak:

1. Isnt tapering fabby? Only eight miles at the weekend. It was fab and I  felt great in my new gear. That last part was nothing to do with running but I now never miss the opportunity to shop when it once it was only fun for anything that didnt involve clothing.

2. My new running shoes do not mash my big toes to a pulp l so my poor feet were also thankful.

3. I love the fact we are finally getting some sunshine - again not really about running but hey the sun has to cheer everyone up! However, reclining on my lounger drinking Pimms made me realise on race day too much sun will make me a sweaty salt mess. Pimms, not! Reclining ? with two children under five - errrrrmmmmm no to that one as well I'm afraid.

4. My race number arrived with lots of talk of going to the correct pend. Made me think of my friends the sheep who will probably be missing me singing at them over the last few days. 27,000 sheep in the correct colour coded pend on Sunday. Well I thought of the sheep after I thought OH SH!T.

5. I got my first email wishing me luck today. That made me think OH SH!T again.

6. I need to make a list of the things I need to pack in my bag for the day - lists are good.

7. I still havent found out if I can wear my music on Sunday. Will add this to number 6 above. In fact I will write a list of all the lists I need to compile.

8. Number 3 has made me realise to completely enter into the spirit of this I may have to pass on my usual fermented grape juice from now until race day!!!!!!!!!!

9. Will think about number 8 some more before committing.....

EEEEEEKKKKKKK!

Proud to be number 26075 - just rolls of the tongue doesnt it?

Last BIG run

I ran my last LONG run yesterday. Another 11 miles. Felt better than the week before - I could feel my legs at the end of it and the next morning I feel surprisingly OK.

A good day weather wise so there were LOTS of people out running, cycling and walking.

Current having issues with my hydration so will need to have a think about that. If I am going to use the energy drink I have been training with on the day then I may have to take an extra dose to use on my route.

My time I reckon (keeping everything crossed, which may make running slightly difficult) will be around 2 and a half hours but finishing will do me.

New trainers didnt arrive in time for my run but will break them in during my training tapering. LOL - like I know what I am talking about. I was just happy when Jedi Running Master told me I will be running less over the next two weeks to make sure I dont push my body too hard - YEEHA! For those that know me that completely is not my way of doing things - Cram, panic and write lists till you can write lists no more.

Didnt get a stitch today and was trying to learn a 3.2 pattern of breathing as I had read that this can help prevent the runners stitch as you are not breathing on the same side all the time with your foot strike on the ground. Apparently its the repeated breathing on one side with breathing in at the same time as your foot strikes the ground that causes strain on the muscles and hence the stitch. If you balance the impact of the foot strike on the ground on both sides of the body when breathing in, this means less strain and pressure on one particular side of the body. What it made me do was breathe too fast and nearly pass out less than half a mile into my run. Was beginning to get the hang of it a little bit by the end of my run though so will keep trying.

Added some new tunes to my running play list : Fall Out Boy - Sugar, We're Going Down; The Vaccines - If You Wanna; The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary; Green Day - Basket Case. Jedi Running Master has given me cause for concern however as he said I may not be allowed to use my saviour during my run. I will have to check out the EMF website.

If I were a personal ad..........

I have had another rubbish run tonight. Only managed three miles, had no energy, yet another stitch.

On my way home I was thinking whilst being in a wee cream puff (huff, mood, temper, hissy fit, strop- wow I do know quite a few words for that don't I?) I was thinking about maybe if I had a running buddy then things may not seem that bad?


Do runners have personal ads?

Here's mines - if a famous larger did runners personal ads :

Keen young female in the lead up to her first half marathon would like to meet like minded runner prepared to train three to four times a week covering around 20 - 25 miles at a steady pace. Training is mainly on roads in evening and at weekends. An appreciation of music would be useful. Someone who likes regular exercise and is not afraid to push themselves to limit to encourage, accompany and share experiences.



Here's the more accurate description :

30 something struggling to train for a half marathon would like another pair of ears to listen to her wine about how rubbish running is. They will have to endure running three to four times a week for up to 25 miles pounding on the roads running in the evenings when she is really in a bad mood after a day at work, organising two children and managing the running of a family home, as well as keeping lots and lots of plates spinning. You should not be of a nervous disposition and should not be fazed by outbursts of singing loudly at inappropriate and random times during the run. Sweating lots would be helpful so she doesnt look silly. All round general good listener to grumpy females would be helpful. Those with a fetish for nice feet need not respond.

48 hrs later.....

So off out again to run a little five miles tonight. Anyone would think I was starting to get nervous about my impending doom (less than 21 days to go now).


My big toes really really hurt. I never thought I would be anxious to get a delivery of running shoes, but I really do need them. I have taken the Jedi running masters advice and ordered a half size larger. I have also ordered three new tops as I wanted something new for the day. Three - no point in limiting my options, you never can tell how I will feel on the day.

My toe nails (is that all one word?) under my Jessica polish are foul and now having booked my pedicure I KNOW I am going to have to take poor Netty a peace offering with my repulsive feet. Food may not be appropriate as she may well loose her appetite once she has had to treat them.


My run was difficult tonight probably fuelled by dehydration, no lunch, my sore toes and a long day at the zoo herding two small children who instinctively and continually head to opposite polar coodinates at the same time. Have I mentioned I have really sore toes and horrible black toe nails - yes? Two miles into my run I started to suffer from a killer stitch. I had to stop. If I get one of those on the day it's not going to be good. I think it was probably down to my lack of hydration today.

On the plus side - the sheep in the field & I have reached a whole new level in our relationship. They didn't run away tonight as I puffed my way by them. They just stared.

I must investigate if there is a chance they are getting to know me.

11...............

Well I did it. I ran 11 miles without stopping. Not much more to say on that one. I couldn't feel my legs after, I hurt the next day & my toes, oh my goodness my poor toes.


OUCH!



Why does Jedi running master run double that distance for fun? He assures me that I would get quickly to that level if I kept on going - me thinks I will NEVER test that theory.

eeekkkkkkk - made better by a glass of wine

I merrily donned the running gear for a four mile run last night, fuelled in no part by the fact there was a HUGE glass of celebratory vino at the end of it waiting for me. I am lying of course - my enthusiasm was totally fuelled by the fact there was a HUGE glass of celebratory vino at the end of it for me. Celebratory because I found out I had passed something I had been waiting quite a  bit of time to receive the results of. Its only the first part in a three stage process but it was a BIG part of it.

Anyway back to the run.

Guess who I met on my run????

Yep “Born to Run” man………..

I saw him coming towards me and seriously thought for a second I could pretend to be one of the lambs in the adjacent field……

“No wont work, I have a purple top on” – reasoning skills not completely effectively working then.

So nothing for it - I just have to keep going and run past him.

He smiles (possibly a smirk at the crazy singing running lady? ).  He says hello. In my panic and embarrassment I screech in a high pitched and then broken voice “Hi” and then want to hide. I was running sans music and could hear that “hi” over and over again for the next  1.56 miles.

Its true- some moments in time really do happen in ultra slow motion.

Onwards to 10 or 11 miles this weekend……….

Then the devil is six!

As the Pixies once pointed out the devil is six and boy did I hate the number six last night. After a full day at work after a particularly hectic weekend I had to run six miles as I had missed my long weekend run.

AARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!

That was hard. Even my super dooper new energy giving drink just couldn't help me struggle through. Not sure I like this new drink and I wouldnt normally take anything out to drink for six miles but oh my goodness did I need it last night.

I dread to think what I must have looked like to passers by............

The Jedi Master goes for a stroll in the woods!

For the greater good!

My running shoes had to take a rest this weekend. Poor things had to stay all unused and smelly by themselves whilst we went to support the Jedi running master complete the 2012 Highland Fling.

Runny mummy was replaced by super organising mummy this weekend.

I spent all Friday night getting everything gathered together and packed. On Saturday morning I managed to fit in the weekly shop; packed up bags and shipped the youngest off the Grannys house; then packed the essentials up for our night away and headed off to Tyndrum. If you stayed stationary too long, chances were I would have either put you in a bag or ticked you off on one of my several lists. In couple of sentences that doesn’t sound like very much but really it was a mammoth task. Clothes, food, toiletries, equipment, things to keep wee J (my eldest) occupied; the equipment for the youngest staying at Grannys.

We set of to Tyndrum and arrived within about two and a half hours after stopping off for a pit stop, play, coffee and cake along the way.

We settled into our ‘luxury accommodation’ for the night and then got our priorities right and headed straight for the play park –well a four year old has ensure he can immediately dirty in whatever environment they are in!

Actually I joke about out ‘luxury accommodation’ it was surprisingly grand.  Our luxury hiker hut had electricity, a heater; a fridge, a microwave, a tv, a kettle, real beds - all in all not a bad bunk for the night. Wee J was most excited about our camping adventure, and do you know what -at the end of the day sometimes putting your own expectations aside for seeing how happy someone else is makes all the difference. It’s the small things as they say.

I was happy about the fact I had packed a home made curry, a bottle of Chateauneuf du pape, some beer, some chocolate, some strawberries and some crisps. I had also ground some coffee in the grinder and taken my cafetiere – there are some luxuries I will not compromise on!

Approximately 11 hours and 49 minutes after he set off from Milngavie and navigated his way over the first 53 miles of the West Highland Way the Jedi Running Master completed his ultra marathon.

I don’t know what made me prouder the fact Jedi Running Master not only finished in amazing form but he also ran a PB; or the fact that wee J couldn’t contain himself as soon as he saw him coming rushed up to him and they then ran across the line together; or the fact that I am married to someone who can do something as amazing as that. 

A mixture of all three I think, wouldn’t you?

Perhaps the next time he runs we can have wee S there and celebrate as the full family.

Showered and fed and with our respective beer, wine and milk in hand all three settled down to a cosy night in our hut with our goodies. Mummy and her boys indeed (well two of them anyway).

What a day – cue Elbow 'One day like this' in the background – it just about sums up our weekend.

And do you know what – toilet or not toilet I will go back to he luxury hiker huts as we all had a blast………….