How to run using lampposts.

Three and a half years ago I couldn't run for a bus - no lie.


Then we got a dog, who needed walking, who needed lots of walking, who had unboundless energy.


My problem was I did not have the time to walk said dog for long enough to wear him out.


I also wanted to get fitter so my clever little brain said running and dog exercising made a perfect combination.


To some extent it did as the dog proved very useful for pulling me up the roads and any hills, while making me look like I was still capable of running (I like to think that was the image I portrayed and not one of a sweaty mess being dragged along against her will).


2012 Edinburgh Rock and Roll half marathon


In April 2012, I ran my first half marathon.  My training for said marathon had begun with an aim to run from my front door to the end of the road without stopping (about 200 yards), once this was accomplished, I added running round the corner to the bus-stop without stopping, and again once accomplished I then added the next lamppost long the street.


This technique actually worked, and I taught myself to run using lampposts, anybody watching me probably wondered who the mad woman was who every few days ran past them and stood clinging to random lampposts for support while looking very elated. Probably thought I had some odd fetish.


Anyhow, the weekend of the half marathon arrived and saw myself, hubby and 2 kids in sunny Edinburgh. I had to register on the Saturday in Holyrod Park, and actually said to my OH that I wasn't going to bother and we should just have a nice weekend away. My training although going well, had actually only seen me walk run a distance of 6 miles in one go, once, so the thought of 13.2 miles was horrendous, plus no-one told me how hilly Edinburgh was - I mean serious hills!


My OH said ' don't be stupid, register, even if you walk/run it you can still say you have done it and you know you can walk 26 miles in 7 hours having done the London Moon Walk twice, so you will definitely complete this'.


I obeyed and do you know what, I completed that course and amazingly did it in 2.36 hours running the majority.


This experience taught me a number of things:

1. You are capable of a lot more than you think
2. Running a half marathon is a fab way to see a new town
3. Vaseline is an essential to stop sore nipples
4. Powergels are vomit worthy
5. I actually liked running

2013 Great North Run


2013 saw me complete the Great North Run with a cold in the time of 2.21 hours.


I did the GNR for my Uncle who had recently died of cancer and raised money for the local hospice.


Not only on this occasion did I do it for someone else, I also got a personal best and felt rubbish due to my cold.


For the GNR though I trained properly, I even did a 12 mile run in the lead up to it.


2014 Great North Run


And being completely stupid I am running the GNR again this year. 3 weeks after a 2 week all inclusive holiday, mmmm possibly not the best plan, where there is a free sweet factory and sweets are my downfall.


This year I would really, really like to get another personal best. If I am completely honest, I would like to run a half marathon in less than 2 hours, but is it possible to improve my running by a huge 22 minutes at least?


I am going to aim for it.


I have downloaded a 0-10k running app, and have gone back to basics. I am using it to try and run fast, so each running interval I am really pushing myself to have a much fast pace rather than my normal plod (where someone with a zimmer frame could quite frankly overtake me).


I am also planning on running hills, regularly to try and do some intensity training.


I would just love to do a sub 2 hours - is it possible though?

Crazy

I think that sums up life at the moment - Crazy. I don't have a moment to breath, let alone blog.

Since the beginning of May I have been travelling with work, 2 nights in Amsterdam for a meeting, 5 days later another 2 day meeting in Amsterdam, last week a 5 day meeting in Istanbul (thank god I am not there this week), tomorrow I head back to Amsterdam for yest another 2 day meeting, then hop straight over to Copenhagen for a 4 day meeting.

In between all of this I am also doing my regular mummy duties, dog walking duties, decorating the boys bedroom, training for the Great North Run in September and trying to find a reasonably priced gardener to come and tame the jungle that seems to have appeared outside the back door (please don't get me wrong, we are not rich or posh and have never had a gardener before and probably never will do again, but having done all these meetings, we are in a rare position of having a little extra cash and are realistic enough to realise that neither one of us has the time, knowledge or willpower to sort the garden - the idea being, get a keen gardener who wants a bit of cash in hand to sort it out and then we maintain - mmm right, that's the idea anyhow).

I am also in the process of stomping my authority with the school and refusing to be fobbed off and demanding my Little Man's lack of progress is recognised and looked into and I think we are making progress. The SENCO retired at Easter so I saw the deputy and the head and said I was worried and showed them his work books over the last 2-3 years and the lack of progress.

I expressed my shock when the headmistress actually utter the words 'perhaps we need to accept that Master E has reached his potential'- I don't think so love, and I think she regretting speaking them out loud. The deputy clearly got my upset (only someone with very thick skin and a lack of perception wouldn't have done) and said she would see what she could do.

The following week she rang me and said she had done some assessments and we had every right to be concerned (people did look strangely as a jumped around outside the headmistresses office doing a victory dance while chanting 'told you so' - no not really).

Long and short of it is, they have had the Autistic outreach team in to assess him which has lead to 3 visits from them, and an acknowledgement from them that he needs extra help, and I am currently waiting to speak to them having said we wanted to be involved.

So I had better get back on with the work I need to do towards these 2 meetings I need to fly off to, and get the rest of the painting done, then hopefully out for a run and dog walk all before picking the boys up.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - R is for

R is for Running

I think last year, I may have don R is for running as well, but I am seriously addicted to it now!

18 months ago, I was not capable of running to the end of our street (about 200 yards) - seriously. It wasn't a lack of fitness really as I could easily jump in a pool and swim 50 lengths or walk over 10 miles, it was simply an inability to run.

Anyone else had/have that problem? I use to dread those horrid miserable, drizzly school days where they didn't know what to do with you at PE time so would send you on the dreaded cross country death run.

Where I live my senior school is on the side of a massive park and you've guessed it, we use to have to run round that park. I never made 1 side, let alone all 4 (in total about 1.5 miles) and that inability to run has stayed with me.

18 months ago I was challenged to a half marathon and being one to never turn my back on a challenge - I decided to overcome my running phobia.

I got decent trainers and set off under the cover of darkness with only the dog and music for company.

Initially that first 200 yards was hard enough but then I started setting myself new lamp post goals - 1 lamp-post further each run and then I suddenly seemed to break a barrier and I was off.

To be perfectly honest, the mad hound trying to charge ahead of me who is completely untrainable on a lead possible pulls me along rather than me 'running' but it all adds to my distance!

This time last year - I entered my first race, I don't do things by half so did a half marathon which was an amazing experience and I stunned myself in completing it in 2.35 hours - i don't think I have ever been more proud of myself.

Yesterday I got an email through to say I have been awarded a place through St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds who cared so lovingly for my Uncle and his family last week for - wait for this only The Great North Run!

I am both excited and scared witless about this! But bring it on!