Running Round 2: 28/08/2011
 
Picture
Today marks the serious start of me trying to do a half marathon (13 miles) again. I did one last year in May and ended up in a bit of mess: although I did finish it!

On the 16th October 2011 I plan, along with 13,000 others to do the Cardiff Half Marathon but due to the madness of work my training recently has not been as it should. I tend to do about 4/5 miles, 3 times a week but to be able to do the half this year I really need to be at about 7/8 miles by now.

A friend of mine who got me into running (and did the Hereford half with me) has kicked my but into order again and we started training proper tonight with a 6 miler but running at the pace I need to run to do it in 2 1/2 hours.

Desperate to do this one and not end up in the back of an ambulance (again)! Watch this space.
1 Comment
 
Run: 30/07/2010
 
Picture
Thought I'd give you a quick update on where the running is at. It's been a long time (May) since I ran my first half marathon. Massive achievement, but since doing it, I have really struggled to keep things going at a good level. Don't get me wrong, still doing 5 miles x 3 times a week but nothing like what I wanted to do.

I think it's a mixture of a lack of goal to head for, the heat (which is a real killer) and losing my running partner. All of these have led me to really struggle.

Despite all this, I had a bit of breakthrough today! With a new pair of trainers purchased recently, I finally pushed myself to do a 10 miler! 1st I've done since the half marathon.

The places to run where we now live are unbelievably hilly and so, as good as that is for training, it's so tiring!

Next goal is the Cardiff Half which is on thew 17th October 2010. It's called the flat half as the course is totally flat. This is going to be such a treat for me. They had 11,000 runners last year so i'm looking forward to this one. 

I am desperate to prove I can do a sub 2:30 and not nearly die this time!
1 Comment
 
Run: 30/03/2010
 
Picture
One of the things I have not blogged about, as far as I recall, is running. If you don't know me at all, let me explain...

I'm 43 now, and for most of my life, lets be honest, I have been seriosuly overweight. Seriously overweight. In fact at one point in 2009 (and I'm 'outing myself here on the blog!) I was just over 19 stone. Serious.

After trying to diet more times than I can count, I got to the stage at the start of 2009 where I was just sick of being fat. Sick oif walking up stairs and being out of breath. Sick of chasing the kids round and feeling sick. So unfit.

A group of mates from our church decided that they were going to run the Hereford Half marathon to raise some funds for a friend of ours who was in India. For some bonkers reason I said I would start to look at training to do the relay element of this (just ov er 4 miles!). I was convinced I wouldn';t be abkle to do this but thought, even if I have to walk, I have to do it.

Off I started to run to the end of the road and can recall coming back, falling to the floor and screaming 'the burns' as my legs exploded. The kids woukld run and get water. Nightmare stuff. Something within in me had just reached a point where I was not going to give in this time so I kept going.....

A little run, a lot of walk, a little more run and little less walk and after a couple of months I was going for half a mile, then a mile. I struggled to get beyond a mile to be honest. I battled on and finally got to about 3 miles and felt that if I could do that, I could do 4.

On half marathin day in 2009 I did just over 4 miles in thew most awful weather for ages! I was so proud! Straight after this I got a serious groin strain and was out for 2 months! Arggghhh!!!

Well here we are in March 2010. I'm now a 2.5 stone less than what I was at the start of 2009 and have totally changed shape (i'm told!). I'm running 3 runs of 4.5 miles and one run of, wait for it, 11 miles!!! I got to 11 miles 3 weeks ago and have kept up doing 10 or 11 each week. Amazing eh!?

Found a great website that maps how far you are running so you can plan your route etc.

My aim is to run the Hereford Half marathon again (see route below) this BUT do the whole half marathon. I have to keep pinching myself that I am doing what I am doing.

The impact that running has had on my health, mental wellbeing and general all round fitness has been beyond my wildest dreams.

Onkly one problem now...I am addicted. Serioulsy addicted! I have to  now run each week and, if I don't, I get grouchy and that's no good.

Am I bothered about being addicted to running....?? I think not!!
1 Comment