Monikie 10K Race

The alarm woke me up shortly before 8am. I lay there tired after a night of broken sleep. The wind and rain were rattling the windows again - seems to be a regular Sunday occurrence. Bobby was snoring lightly beside me and there was no sound or movement coming from the girls rooms. It was still dark despite sunrise being 3 hours ago and I realised upon swallowing that my throat was sore and raw.

I seriously considered pulling the covers back over my head and going back to sleep - I was tired enough. I knew if I did this, it would ruin my day. I rarely DNS an event I've entered, and never DNF if I can help it.
I dragged myself out of bed and padded to the bathroom, to inspect my throat in the mirror. Then I realised my nose was not so much dripping, but running...a lot!

I didn't feel bad as I would imagine I would if it was cold, so decided to cuff it off and blame hayfever, even though I don't usually suffer from it.

Waiting for my toast to pop, I sneezed. Then sneezed again. My 4th sneeze sent my neck into a painful spasm which travelled down my shoulder blade into the small of my back. So painful that it temporarily winded me. When it settled i tried to stretch it out - it crunched and became more painful. Damn! Ibuprofens to the rescue. I  usually try to avoid taking any medication especially ibuprofens on race day - they tend to give me serious 'Paula issues' mid race. However, my neck and back were so painful i decided to take my chances.

Race 

Went to sign on at the race venue and found there was a problem with my number. I ended up with a doctored number which was supposed to be 43, but ended up looking like 443. This was to cause confusion later on at the finish.

I found a place mid pack on the start line and found that unlike last year, I had a good amount of space to run into. Last year, I started at the back and got trapped in the first mile, panicked, and used up a lot of energy to get back on pace. This led to a very grim race with me hanging on for dear life.

I think because I wasn't bothered about times this year, a huge pressure was lifted, and like all things when you relax you enjoy it more and things go well.

I quickly settled into a good rhythm and found myself counting in my head which helped my cadence. I've been listening to a lot of Audiofuel's music on my training runs and could silently hear 1,2,3,4...1,2,3,4. It really helped.

Although I doubt if I could've increased the pace at all, I was running very comfortably. It got quite difficult at 4 miles which is understandable as my regular training is only over 3.5 miles. I was expecting this and dug in for the 4th mile. Although I thought I'd carried the pace through, my 5th mile was a really random slow one, about 20secs slower than the rest. I didn't feel any worse and can only think that because that particular mile was through the trees, that the gps went haywire and recorded a long mile.
Into the last mile, I tried to pick it up and go for it. It felt as though I was running quickly but the stats suggest otherwise. The last half mile was into a headwind - and for the first time, I really began to feel it. I felt a bit sick in the last 400m especially since it was a long straight - you could see the finish but it wasn't getting any closer. I continued to push through to the end, which eventually arrived and I was very grateful for the opportunity to stop and have a sit down.

Because the event was non chipped, I had to confirm with 3 separate marshalls what my number was but judging by their responses, I wasn't confident they'd recorded my number correctly. I was right. The provisional results came out and I'm down as a DNS...bleurgh!! Ironic really since I felt like DNS'ing this morning but dragged myself out of bed out of, well, pride or duty(?)

Despite the DNS, I'm so happy. My training indicated that on a good day I could slip just under 60 mins. It wasn't a perfectly prepped day considering weather, throat, neck etc but....I smashed 60 mins and came in at......

Garmin stats
Distance - 6.30M
Time - 51:53
Splits - 8:10, 8:12, 8:03, 8:13, 8:40, 8:19, 2:13
Ave pace - 8:15 min/miling

I'm VERY happy!
 

 

 

Race Day Eve

I had a complete rest day yesterday as I felt a wee bit weary. Bobby has been on nights this past week and with him coming in at 3am, and me being a light dozer, it's led to a lot of broken sleep. I'm not a great sleeper at the best of times either - it accumulated to make me one tired bunny.

I also took a rest day today too. I woke up with a few tender points - my hips, glutes, and neck. Lack of sleep is a big trigger, so is stress. Not that I'm stressed at the moment but I think subconsciously, I'm a little apprehensive about tomorrow's 10K race.

It'll be my first race in 7 months since burning out. I know I haven't prepared for it as well as I should, or could have. I can just about run 10K now so I'm confident I'll manage the distance. But, considering it's my 'long' run these days, I will suffer if I try to increase the pace from what I'm used to at the moment.

I ran a road 10K with Bobby 2 weeks ago in around 62-63 minutes. Tomorrow's race is flat in that it has little elevation, however it's mostly trail/grass/uneven surface. The route takes us twice around a figure of 8 loop - along a lake. The path is only suitable for the width of one runner, and if you want to overtake, you have to run on a camber. It's not the easiest of routes, even though on paper it looks perfect for fast times. I found this out last year when wearing my racing flats. I had a hell of a job keeping my feet in places, and ignoring the pebbles and jagged stones which I could feel on the soles of my shoes. I won't be making that mistake tomorrow and will be wearing my trail shoes. They may be heavier, but lets face it, even if I borrowed Paula Radcliffe's legs, I still wouldn't go any faster.

The course is also mentally challenging too. You pass the middle of the figure of 8 loop 4 times. There's a lot of opportunity to think that you want to stop. It's great for the spectators, not so for the (mentally weak) runners.



Saying all this, I have butterflies in my stomach. I am feeling excited about what the race will bring, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. Before a lot of my earlier races last year (pre burnout), I was apathetic. Obviously looking back now, I can see that this was a warning sign.....



Back to the race - I'm going to go out on a limb and state that I want to break 60 minutes. Although much slower than the 10K I did 8 months ago by about 12 mins, I can't live in the past. I have to go with now, and now I'm hoping I'm capable of dipping under 60. I don't think I'm in any shape to go faster although you always hope and pray for that dream race. The weather doesn't look good for tomorrow either, but if I'm honest, I've run some of my best times in rainy/windy conditions.

Of course, race day eve isn't complete without the fashion show to try out different combinations of race day wear. My kids and Bobby dread this. I disappear, only to reappear minutes later donning what I 'might' wear for the race and ask their opinion. Bobby asks me practical stuff like 'do you feel comfortable in it?' and I ask things like 'do I look fat in this'. Actually, that's the only question I ask and always get the same reply. I'm sure if I weighed 200lbs I'd get the same reply....

What usually happens is that I go through lots of changes of clothing, different combinations, tri shorts with red t-shirt; running shorts with vest, running shorts with black top etc. Usually, as is often the case when the fairer sex is shopping for clothes, the first outfit, in the first shop we visit, is the one we plump for in the end. Same with my race day wear -I end up wearing what I always wear - t-shirt and shorts.

However, the big question tonight was 'what colour buff should I wear and will it clash with the orange in my new trainers?'

I usually have short hair - wash and go, no fuss, that's me. I rarely look in the mirror and just run my fingers through it. However, I've grown it a bit lately. Having naturally curly hair with a mind of it's own, it's no wonder I've kept it short for so long. Now it's longer, and grows outwards and upwards instead of down, I have trouble keeping it out of my face during runs. It won't tie back - well, it will but won't stay there, so I've had to resort to buffs worn in a sort of bandana style to keep it out of harms way.....

I think I'll wear the purple one, or, maybe the orange and white one.

Whatever the weather, I'm going to give the race all I've got - I always do, but the difference this year is that I actually want to race tomorrow and am looking forward with excitement and anticipation. My stomach is filled with happy fluttering butterflies rather than the awful fear and trepidation which was so apparent last year.

Marathon Schedule

My 20 week training schedule started on Monday. Well, not really, but I am aware that it should have started. But as I pointed out in my analysing post, I'm not really one for following schedules to the letter. Maybe if I did, I'd see more success. However, success to one person, is another's failure. Success is a very personal thing - mine revolves around enjoyment first, then I worry about times.

I was back in the pool this morning. It was packed. There was a mixture of good swimmers, middle of the road swimmers, OAP's, and then me. To be honest, I wasn't as slow as some who seemed content just to float. One older lady decided to walk across me, then later on swim right towards me only to stop abruptly and do half lengths instead of full. It was frustrating to say the least especially since she seemed to do it deliberately not only to me, but to a couple of others in our 'lane'. Though it was a public swim, no lanes were roped off, and I fully understand that if people pay their money they have the right to essentially swim where they like, but a bit of common sense would've gone a long way to diffuse a heated situation. But as with life, there's always that one person who spoils it for everyone else.

After about 45 mins, the pool cleared a bit and I got into a good rhythm. I did 80 lengths in total. It took me 73 minutes which is sloooooow, but faster than last week.

Happy Birthday Nana 1918 - 2004

  My girls did the heart cakes and I did the round one. Fun tea party had by all.

I'm a Cowboy...

on a steel horse I ride....

Another bike session this afternoon. Was going to go swimming this morning but youngest had a dentist appointment, time was tight, and I didn't want to turn up with frizzy hair smelling of eau de chlorine.

I baked cakes instead. Some for the after School Christian Club I'm a leader at and some for my Nana's birthday which is tomorrow. Nana is no longer with us, but loved birthdays and a good old knees up, so in her honour, we have a tea party. Just me, Bobby, and our 2 girls...oh, and the dog. We've been doing it for the last 7 years since she died. She was fun loving and very wise, and wouldn't want us to be sad. Our 2 girls were very young when she died, but still remember her and the memories of their time with her. I think that's testament to what sort of person she was.

These are just a few cupcakes I made. I intend to do a 'proper' celebration cake tomorrow. Some people remember with flowers, we do it with cakes.

So, this afternoon I had a bit of spare time. I decided to do a bike session to 'test the water' so to speak. I set myself a session of warming up with about 20 mins of medium effort, with a higher cadence than I'm used to (I'm a gear grinder) of around 95. Then I was planning on doing a really hard 20 mins effort - sustainable but uncomfortable - finishing off with an easy 20 mins cool down.

The first part went ok although I got to the end of the 'warm up' blowing a lot more than I should have. I launched into the hard effort and immediately my quads started burning. They got no worse, but it was very uncomfortable and by the end of the 20 mins, I'd had it. Not cardiovascular wise, but legs wise - they were toast. My planned 20 min cool down consisted of lying across my tri bars for 5 mins before attempting to get off the bike- as soon as I did my legs buckled. Yep, I'm out of shape.

Although I didn't finish the session, I wasn't disappointed. Yes, I was tired, but it was a good tired, the tired you feel when you've worked hard, and I did. It wasn't the tired where you want to sleep for 2 weeks afterwards - that sort of tired isn't good and is exactly what I went through after most sessions last year.

The stats are pretty unimpressive. For the main 20 min set, I managed 7.52 miles at 22.5mph. I have to point out that this session was on rollers, well the back rollers at least as I put the front fork on a stand. There was no resistance other than my gears which I kept in the big ring. So, compared with a turbo session, this is probably far easier although it didn't feel like it at the time.

Enjoyable but I am suffering with very sore lady bits now -sorry TMI, I know.

Loving it...

My mojo is sky high. But, I'm keeping it in check. It's difficult.

Back to the pool this morning - there was a queue outside waiting for it to open. I was the youngest in the queue.

On entering the changing rooms I was treated to a wrinkly bottom. An old man in his 70's (maybe) decided the cubicles were for the more prudish among us and just stripped off at the lockers. It looked very liberating the way he was just chucking his clothes off and into the locker. Stark naked with his black nylon socks the last items to be kicked off.
Reminded me of very young kids, their innocence, and their ability to not really care what others think, or if their actions will offend. It highlights how we seem to come a full circle in our lives....the bit in between, the middle aged years, well, we could do worse than to take a leaf out of the people in the generations below and above us.

The pool was busy. Well, busier than usual. Oooh, get me, I've been there 3 times and already think I own the place...not.

I did 70 lengths off the bounce. It was (slightly) faster than last weeks effort but not much. I did 98% of it breaststroke with a few crawls thrown in. I'm determined to crack this fc lark though. I'll never be a great swimmer, but there is room for a bit of improvement, I think.

Back home for a run. Supposed to be easy but I stretched the old legs a wee bit. It felt good. Not great, but good enough and going in the right direction at long last.

4.2 windy miles in total. I tried out my new trail shoes. I've had Adidas Kanadias for the last 3 years - my new ones are NB 573's. Not much padding which suits me just fine as anything more hurts my hips and glutes. Pretty grippy too but I suspect not as good in mud as the Kanadias.

Thinking and Analysing...

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired......

I'm not usually one for keeping to strict training schedules, usually starting off with good intentions only to get bored a couple of weeks in, chop and change my mind a bit, move to a different schedule, take nice bits from one and discard the horrible bits, then glue it together with a different one....basically, I'm terrible at following training plans.

Usually the plan comes first, then you follow it. With me the running usually comes first and then the training plan morphs around it - I can hear the sharp intake of every coaches breath in the land, and visualise them shaking their heads with despair.

In normal life, I'm really strict with myself. I have routines for everything, which I guess comes from being a busy Mum/wife. I like to think it's being organised, but really I'm just a borderline OCD'er. I also have a compulsive personality disorder - I think a lot of sports people do, they have to in order to succeed. Don't they?

Having a compulsive, addictive personality has it's drawbacks. We are generally difficult to live with, can never focus on one thing for very long, and our minds race at 100mph most of the time. We conduct several conversations at once because of our inability to concentrate for long periods of time. We live for the moment and rarely plan stuff. We are spontaneous, reckless even, and frequently thoughtless towards those close to us. And then there are times when we withdraw completely, avoid interaction with anyone other than our families, and prefer our own company.

For a long time I thought being like this was an inconvenience. However, being a generally positive person, I like to think of having this sort of personality as a blessing in disguise. If I'd been 'normal' I wouldn't have done some of the things I've done which I believe have shaped me into the person I am today

It's a pity I don't have the discipline to follow a strict training plan - I often wonder if I've got the potential to get any better and if I'm short changing myself by not committing to one, or a coach......then I think nah, do my own thing.

I do it because I love it, it's always been part of me, and there's a possibility I'd get too obsessed with hitting certain sessions, and depressed if I didn't. Actually, I've been guilty of just that in the past.
It's at times like these when I'm actually glad I'm fully aware of having a compulsive personality. After last years spectacular burnout, and the subsequent conditions I now have to live with because of my stupidity, Inow fully understand my triggers so I can take a step back and re-asses the situation rather than ploughing on with sessions regardless. I see it happen a lot, and I also see people over training, obsessing, and getting depressed because of it. It happened to me. It'd took the enjoyment out of it for me so for now, I'll do as I please. If that means I'm going to be a BOP'er for the rest of my running days, then so be it.

We never stop learning and it's good to challenge ourselves from time to time. If we did the same things, day in day out, we'd get the same results. It's interesting to see how minor changes to the daily routine can have major effects.

The lessons I learnt from last year aren't anything profound, they aren't going to set the world alight, they didn't need much research, and they were all common sense. But, sometimes we need to experience them just have that 'aaah' light bulb moment, and to prove that what we hear through the research of experts, or read in books which have been researched by these afore mentioned clever people, is usually, in a round about way, true.

We're like children though. Our parents tell us not to touch a hot stove but we do. Once we have, we know that's it's not bright to touch it again. This is where the learning curve comes in. I love learning, finding out things for myself, about myself, and discovering new things and new ways of approaching challenges and overcoming problems.

In brief I learnt that sleep, rest, recovery, and nutrition are paramount to delivering adequate results on the training ground. Sounds obvious but I think a lot of athletes mind sets are to push on regardless of how they feel. I did this last year when something was obviously wrong and which then led to complete exhaustion. It pays to listen to your body otherwise you end up injured and ill. However, I realised there is a fine line between feeling a bit sore and tired where you can run through it and sometimes record really satisfying sessions but choosing to bin it, and being completely lazy and negative and binning it anyway.

Recovery and rest is of the utmost importance. Sometimes it might feel like I can't contain my mojo, but learned it's better to reign it in and keep it simmering. I needed recovery and rest days during heavy training periods to absorb the workload I'd put my body through in previous days....unfortunately rest was a rude word for me last year.

Nutrition and hydration are a weakness of mine. I frequently go for long runs not bothering to hydrate beforehand, during, or after and rarely fuel up beforehand either. For certain things this is OK, for example if I want to train my system to use my fat stores for fuel during long runs. However, if I'm doing anything other than long slow running, I need to pay attention to eating and drinking enough.

As a point of interest, I read that the average person has fat reserves, enough to run 40 marathons without taking on any fuel. Sort of challenges the other research which suggests the only reason people hit the wall in marathons is because they only have enough fat stores to get them to 20 miles.

Wondering why I run. I decided that I'm intrinsically (is that a word?) motivated. I do it for the love of it; I do it because I get excited about trying out new ways to train and getting the same, or different results; I do it because it captures my attention; I love the feeling of challenging myself.
I believe that I'd run even if there was nothing at stake. I could go out and run 50 marathons in 50 days (theoretically of course as I have no intention of doing that whatsoever)) and it would satisfy me as long as I got out of it what I'd set out to get. I might do an 40x400m session, and would, just to see what will happen to my body, to my mind....

I'm not interested in trophies, or the medals, although I have got a secret t-shirt/goody bag affliction.


I wonder if there are more intrinsic or extrinsic people around? I presume there are more of the latter? Crowds cheering at events don't motivate me to go faster, and don't really inspire me. It's nice but I've ran many more races where there are no crowds cheering and have enjoyed them more. In fact, I actually get embarrassed in the last 200m or so of any race which has a large crowd cheering the competitors through the finish. For me, that's the worst part of the race. A lot of people I know love that part, throw their arms up, high five the crowd, wave, and engage in banter. For me it's head down and get it over with as quickly as possible.

I'm odd.

Rain....

The rain woke me up pretty early this morning. I lay there dosing. Thoughts drifted through my mind of my many friends whom I knew would be getting up around then to tackle bike rides, and ironman training. I was glad I was doing neither as the rain lashed down, rattling the windows - we have triple glazing too.
I wondered if an ironman would be for me. I don't train well in the mornings and it's not for the lack of trying. I have at various stages of my life, dragged myself out of bed in the middle of the night, well ok, 5am, and gone for moonlit runs. It's never worked for me and I've never got used to it despite giving it a good go.
Apparently it takes just 21 days to make or break a habit - I've usually given myself  4-5 weeks of regular training and all that happens is that I end up very tired, grumpy, and snapping at everyone.
Ironman races tend to start very early too. Just not sure if I'm cut out for it. Anyway, those are things to ponder over the next few months, if not years. I'm in no rush.

The sun came out around lunchtime so I decided to try my luck at another 10k. This time I used a familiar out and back route, a trail run which was going to be a little testing considering the amount of rain which came down last night.
As suspected most of the route had big puddles, and lots of mud. The puddles which I couldn't run around, I just ran through and was surprised to find how deep they were, some coming up to my calf. It was good fun. It was warm and sunny though - just perfect.

I got to the turn around point comfortably enough but realised on turning that I'd been running into a headwind. I mentally prepared for a really nice calm run back and hoped for a negative split.

Best laid plans and all that.....

2 miles from home, the sky darkened, I heard a crash of distant thunder, and then the heavens opened. I've never ran in conditions like that for a very long time. The force of the rain was actually stinging every bare part of my body especially my face. My glasses steamed up, and I literally couldn't see a hand in front of me due to the fog which had rolled in. This lead to an embarrassing near collision with 2 dog walkers and their 4 dogs as they were walking rather fast with heads down, and I was running along doing the same. No hard feelings and despite the horrible conditions, we all saw the funny side.

At around 5 miles I turned off the trails onto the country lane which takes me home to find Bobby driving towards me. He'd seen the weather, got a bit worried, and came out to rescue me. He was rather surprised when, soaked to the skin and hair plastered to my head, I, grinning like mad, refused a lift home. I had to complete the run just for my own sanity (or lack of).

9 or 10 minutes later I turned into my street, big smile on my face, legs and arms red raw, but with the greatest satisfaction I've had from a run in some months.

I didn't get my negative split - missed it by 18 seconds but considering the weather on the return leg, I can't be too disappointed....can I?

Back on the Bike

Boy oh boy, am I out of cycling shape.

10 miles in 31:43 and puffing and wheezing as if I smoke 90 a day. Lots of work to be done..

Oh, and yes I did cheat by taking my front wheel off - and I still couldn't break 30mins for 10 miles...doh!

Plodder or Slogger...

Thought I’d attempt a 10k down the trails, through the forest to the beach and back. I knew it would be a challenge mainly because of the distance, but also the heat. I don’t run well when it’s too warm and my asthma plays up. But, a mile into the run, England’s weather finally made it up here and I was treated to a lovely shower. It stirred the freshly cut grass and the smell was amazing. It’s at times like these I’m reminded why I love running so much.

The run went better than expected but I think I should be renamed slogger. One paced regardless of how much effort I put in...oh well. However, it did show that I might, if everything goes my way, have an outside chance of dipping under 60mins at next week’s race. We’ll see!

And Again...

Did another solid hour hammering out lengths. Started getting to grips with front crawl. Couldn’t understand how I was going into serious oxygen debt and then had a light bulb moment – kick from the hips instead of the knees and stretch the arms out and pull(?). Anyway it was much easier so I’ll keep trying that and hopefully get better at it.

I was told on twitter today that only ‘proper’ swimmers kick so I guess I’ll have to kick that habit quickly (no pun intended).

Witnessed major pool rage but thankfully I wasn’t the cause of it, and it had nothing to do with me. Was entertaining enough though

Also saw a few hairy backs and shoulders – I think someone (me) should have a word with them soon

I still have no idea about lane etiquette but I’m sure if the other swimmers are anything like the pool raging woman today, they’ll tell me soon enough if I’m doing something wrong.

And to commit myself to doing these sessions, I’ve signed up for our county’s leisure scheme. £17.50 a month for unlimited swimming at most of the pools around here. The pool I use is about 8 miles from home so once I’m in better shape, I’ll either run or cycle it

I Did It...

I swam today.....

64 lengths, done in 4 sets of 10 and 1 set of 24. All breaststroke which was fine as everyone else in the pool (that’ll be the 3 blue rinsers, and the old codger) were all doing it too. I didn’t want to splash them and get their hair wet (the old codger had none so I doubt if he would’ve bothered anyway) by thundering up and down doing front crawl.

The reality was that I seem to have lost my ability to crawl without sinking, spluttering, drowning, or dying even. Ironic really since crawl is the speed I was going, and the only speed I know...oh well.

It wasn't easy walking into the pool on my own, with my issues, but I did it and boy am I proud of myself!

The 'S' Word

Anyone who knows me well enough, knows that I hate swimming. Why..? Well it goes back 30 odd years to swimming lessons at School where we had an awful swimming teacher. She used to walk alongside you while you were swimming, and hold a broom on your back to either push you away from the side, or worse still, under the water.

It got to the point where I'd feel physically sick just smelling the chlorine as you enter the pool building. This feeling has lasted ever since. Even taking my kids to the pool is an ordeal for me.

4 years ago I decided to get off the sofa which had been my friend for the previous 4 years (since I retired from competitive high end club hockey), and train for a marathon. At the start of the training schedule I blogged that in amongst doing a marathon, my other dreams were

1.Ironman – any location, preferable somewhere nice and hot where I can have a holiday with the family after
2.Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon – only if it’s not a misty day
3.Ride the TDF route
4.Run or cycle from one side of America to another
5.Cycle LEJOG, or JOGLE
6.Marathon – London and New York
7.Skate comfortably over half marathon distance – preferably without falling over!

I can tell you now, that I've only managed tick off a couple of things on my list. I've ran a (few) marathon(s) (5 official ones and many unofficial ones in training) but never London or New York. I also managed to skate a half marathon distance - I didn't manage it all upright.

My other 'dreams' on the list don't really bother me now, apart from one....Ironman. This has always been burning a hole, always present, but forever being pushed to the back of my mind. And why? Because in order to do an ironman, I'd have to conquer the swim portion of the event. I'd not only have to overcome my fear of pools (not water funnily enough), but learn to swim (further than the 25m I can just about manage now), and learn front crawl instead of breast stroke.

For 4 years I've accepted the fact that doing an ironman wasn't going to happen.

However, it actually bugs me that an incompetent teacher from 30 years ago, is influencing my decisions now...bugger that. I've decided to face my fears. I've downloaded the local pool opening times, and I intend to get goggled up and take the plunge!

This may lead to an ironman one day, or it could lead to disaster. But we never know these things unless we try, and keep on trying.