Work in Progress

Nearly a month on .....

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:17:10 -0400

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog - having a new role with North East Runner blogging with them means I’ve neglected this one!

So I’ve been having a bit of a tough time recently - I’ve been dealing with lots of changes in my life and an injury in my foot (plantar faciitis) but luckily enough I’ve been able to keep training and whilst I suffer from lots of negative thoughts quite often I’ve realised that I need to be positive in order to succeed. Believing in yourself is just as important as the training plan!

My foot has stopped me running as much as I’d like but I’ve taken up swimming too and I really enjoy it! Hopefully I’ll be getting a new road bike soon too so I look forward to getting out on that too!

One of the things I need to focus on is my eating!! I don’t eat properly at all as sometimes feel too sick to eat so I’ve got some protein shakes to have when that happens. And I must get more fruit and veg in!!

I have lots of ups and downs and those that know me will know that but I’ve been looking at ways to combat this and have more ups than downs! I wrote a list of my achievements so far this year and I’ve ran 1 half marathon, 5 10km races, 4 5km races, 3 relay events and I’ve tried cross country and track and field! I’ve also volunteered at parkrun, done lots of work for charity and TBH and the more I think about it - the more I realise I’ve loved every minute of it and I wouldn’t change a thing!

(I’m getting weepy now so I’ll shut up) Next on the race calendar - Darlington 10km and still chasing that sub 60 dream!!

Weetslade Relays

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 06:01:12 -0400

Last night was the Weetslade Relays held by Claremont Runners. I really like running in the relays as I enjoy being part of a team and trying to run hard for a shorter distance as the majority of races I do are longer than 5km.

I turned up and saw a sea of TBH vests (as usual, it seems I’m not the only one who likes taking part in relays) and instantly my nerves were calmed. We went for a quick look to see what the course would be like and we found out there was going to be a massive hill right in the middle along with different types of terrain. I knew not to aim for any particular time as the course was different to anything I’d ran before so the aim was to try my best and hopefully enjoy it!

The first leg runners set off and us second leg runners entered the pen to wait for their return. About 5 or 6 minutes in we could see the leaders start to climb the enormous hill - so we were definitely going to have to run up it! A first leg runner for TBH came in second place and didn’t calm my fears of the hill by saying ‘it’s horrible, don’t go off too fast, it goes on forever.’ Cheers for that!

So it was my turn to go and as I started along the grass I could hear the effects of the rain we’ve had over the past few days under my trainers as I ran. The route then took us onto a gravel path and I felt good, a few turns and I was at the bottom of the hill. Every time I do a race with a hill in it the hill becomes known as the ‘hill of death’ but this took on all meaning of that title.

Use your arms, take shorter steps and just keep going! I nearly reached the top of the hill (which did seem to go on forever) when I needed to take a short break and catch my breath before heading back down. The downhill wound round the side of the hill so it didn’t feel as much of a downhill as I’d hoped but I pushed on and ran away from the hill behind me.

Onto the last mile of the course it was more twists and turns, muddy patches and gravel paths and I could see lots of TBH 3rd leg runners taking on the course. About half a mile to go and I could hear shouts from my fellow TBHers from across the fence and with the finish line not far off I knew to just keep going.

The finish line was well within my sights as I turned onto the grass, somehow I managed to pick my legs up and put in my favourite part of any race - the sprint finish!! Possibly one of the hardest courses I’ve done but a race that I really enjoyed.

I completed the 2.54 miles (as clocked by my Garmin) in 24:59 which I’m happy with considering the monster of a hill! But at least I now know somewhere I can do some good hill sessions :)

Back to Basics

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 07:42:21 -0400

After my storming run at the Blaydon Race things just haven’t felt right! I’ve had little niggles here and there and I’ve felt exhausted on every run I’ve done. With only 12 weeks on Sunday till the Great North Run and lots of races in between I’ve been carefully looking at my training - whats good and whats not so good. I’ve never been the most sporty of people and I think this is why I don’t naturally have any stamina so I’m going back to basics and concentrating on getting my fitness levels up before I then start to work on my speed again.

I’ve been looking at training plans and the majority consist of 2 easy longer runs, 1 steady or tempo run and 1 interval/speed session. Running with TBH means I always have a structured session to go to but it’s outside of the club sessions I struggle to stay motivated and get those long runs in.

Last night I met up with Graham who is currently running 2012 miles in 2012 for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and we did 7 miles along the derwent walk. I’d be lying if I said it was easy and whilst I managed to maintain and average pace of 10:10 min/miles I felt very unfit! My goal for the Great North Run is to run the whole way and get a time of around 2:15 and I know the only way I’ll achieve this is to get the long runs in so my legs are used to running for long periods of time.

I always find that I’m constantly changing my goals and reassessing my training and at the moment I can’t decide whether that’s a good thing or not! It’s difficult to forget about times and what pace you’re running at etc. but for the next few weeks I aim to enjoy my running and get into a routine where I’m doing the training I need to do outside of club sessions. It’s been nice to mix my training up this week and as they say - change is as good as a rest!

Gannin along the Scotswood Road t see the Blaydon races!

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:17:50 -0400

Yesterday was my one year running anniversary and what better way to celebrate than with doing the Blaydon Race. With only two weeks since Edinburgh Half I was just planning to enjoy the day and run as well as I could! I only had a rough idea of what the course was like and having been down earlier to drop my car off I saw the finish so I could visualise this when things got tough!

I must admit when I arrived at the bigg market I was not in the mood to run, I’m not sure what it was but there was lots of people hanging around and it was very crowded and I had no idea even where the race started! I met up with some fellow TBHers and we headed down to the front for the 6pm start.

I was dying to start running, the rain was starting and I was sandwiched between lots of eager runners near the front of the start. I ran with Micky from TBH who has been helping me with my running. I had said to myself I wanted to run a sub60 10km pace which would be 9:39min/mi since this race was just short of 10km it would boost my confidence for my next 10km coming up!

I hadn’t noticed any mile markers and looked down at my watch - we had already done about 2 miles in just under 17mins I was going faster than planned but could I maintain it?

Lots of TBH vests flew past me and with words of encouragement and nods and waves they were on their way through the pouring down rain and flooded roads. As I approached the bridge Michelle came past me and as always had words of support! Coming down the other side of the bridge I had the worst stitch but I knew we had roughly 2miles to go so I took deep breaths and pushed on.

Going through the industrial estate I knew I was near the finish and I was keeping up my pace feeling strong and desperate to put in my sprint finish! As we came down into the last half a mile I realised something - I had never raced over a 5km and ran the whole way but I had today and I felt like an actual runner! ‘just over 200metres to go’ a marshall called and I thought time for to pick up the pace and sprint I picked up my legs and I went for the finish as fast as I could my Garmin clocked me at 54:31 - I was elated!!

I worked my way through the finish and whilst waiting for my tshirt my emotions overwhelmed me and I held back the tears. Not only had I ran well, I thoroughly enjoyed the race, I felt strong, I was celebrating a year of running and I would have smashed my 10km PB!

Having done lots of races there are so many times I’ve come away disappointed and disheartened wondering why I’ve put myself through it and whether I should just give it up but yesterday made it all worth while something clicked and I plan to carry this forward onto my next race!

A year of running and what a year it's been!

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:44:33 -0400

I’ve now been running a year and my anniversary will be celebrated by doing the Blaydon Race tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to this event as there has been lots of build up with it being in it’s 150th year! I can’t believe how fast the past year has gone and how much things have changed. Not only am I the lightest I’ve been since I was 18 and I actually have a muscle or two, but things have changed in pretty much every aspect of my life.

Today I was asked to write a brief introduction as to who I am and why I took up running in the first place and this got me thinking about how much this simple sport has changed my life. I have a competitive side I never knew I had, I have grown in confidence and I have been given opportunities I never thought I would come across.

At training last night with the mighty TBH something seemed to click I actually felt like a runner, I felt lighter on my feet and I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. With having Blaydon tomorrow the group didn’t want to push themselves too hard but I managed somehow to get an unofficial 5km PB and I felt strong rather than knackered which in previous weeks I have. I’m not sure if its more of a mental thing or whether I am getting a bit fitter and faster or just a combination of the two but I’m certainly starting to feel better about my running.

I struggle massively with the mental side of running and am forever telling myself I’m slow, I’m no good etc. but with the amazing support and encouragement I’ve received from not only TBH but some of my good twitter friends I’ve started to tell myself that maybe I’m not so bad at this and I can achieve what I want to achieve (it just takes a bit of work to get there).

I have lots of goals for the rest of this year and even started thinking of 2013 but my main goal is to continue to push myself, to enjoy my running and keep the passion for it alive! I’m not sure what life was like before running …

Edinburgh Half Marathon - a new PB

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:17:53 -0400

It’s nearly a week ago since I tackled my second half marathon, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I didn’t know Edinburgh very well but I’d been told it was a fast flat course with excellent PB potential. We headed up on the Saturday night and after checking into my hotel I headed the the shop to get some pre race food since I would need to be up at half 5 for the 8am start!!

After some supportive words from friends and my pre race bagel I headed to the start early just incase I got lost! Knowing there were other TBH members doing the race helped me feel less apprehensive about turning up to the start alone. I was there pretty early so had a quick stop to the toilet, took some photos of the start and soaked up the atmosphere.

There wasn’t much build up and we were off at 8am! Didn’t take long to get over the start line from my green pen and we headed downhill for the first few miles. I ran this part with one of my best friends and fellow TBH member Vanessa but she is way too speedy for me so at about mile 3 she pushed on and ended up doing her first half marathon in 2hrs and 2seconds! The miles went by and as it got to about mile 8 I started to struggle - this is about the longest I’d done in training and it showed so for the next few miles I took lots of walking breaks and as the temperature rose as much water as I could swallow.

Mile 10 to 11 was the longest mile of the course and I was close to coming in around 2:30 so I desperately tried to keep running! As I made it to the 11 mile marker and we headed back to the finish I started to feel better and as I hit 400m to go I thought ‘this is once round the track - go!’ I managed to pick up my speed and put in a sprint finish and crossing the finish line is the best feeling in the world!! I crossed the line on 02:32:31 a massive 16minutes and 17seconds off my last half marathon time - it wasn’t what I was hoping for but a PB is a PB and I know what I need to do for my next half marathon in September!

A fantastic weekend and I would recommend this race to anyone - very well organised, great finishers pack, great scenery and best of all it was pretty flat!! I’ve already signed up for the Edinburgh Half 2013

Edinburgh Half Marathon number - I think it’s a pretty...

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:43:38 -0400

Edinburgh Half Marathon number - I think it’s a pretty cool number to have!

Running Mantras and the ever fast approaching Edinburgh Half Marathon

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:41:29 -0400

Yesterday sitting watching the incredible performances at Manchester I started thinking about motivation and I was trying to think of things that were going to help get me round Edinburgh on Sunday. Things to eat, to drink and to say to myself as I run/plod round 13.1miles. I asked my twitter friends what they used as a running mantra to keep them going when things got tough and here are some of the responses -

F*ck it, just do it
Pain is temporary, pride is forever
Don’t think, just run
It’s too far to walk home from here
Relax and enjoy
Pain is temporary, glory is forever
FFS just keep going, FFS just keep going

I struggle psychologically when it comes to running and I plan to look into this more after I get Edinburgh out of the way! I’m trying to use visualisation techniques to motivate me and put me in a positive frame of mind for the run ahead as suggested to me by a few people now. I haven’t decided what my mantra will be and I guess it’s a very personal thing - maybe something will come to me as I tackle the half marathon on Sunday.

So Edinburgh is only 5 days and something hours away and I’m trying to think of a race strategy. As always Michelle has offered me some fantastic advice and as always super supportive. My plan so far is to take the first half of the race really relaxed and really easy and see how I feel when I reach the 7 mile marker and again at the 10 mile marker - if I feel I can pick up my pace I’m going to give it my best shot! I would love to get under 2:20 and I think this is a realistic target for me for this race. I haven’t done as much training as I’d have liked but have managed to remain injury free for a couple of months and achieve some PBs in other distances so I’m feeling good. I get waves of excitement at the thought of Edinburgh closely followed by the feeling of PANIC! I’m sure this is normal and since it’s only my 2nd half marathon I plan to enjoy it!

This week will consist of some easy relaxed miles to keep the legs going and a sports massage to loosen my calf muscles (as they always get a bit tight). Drinking plenty of water and eating well to see me through race day! Afer the race and an ice bath I will be gorging on rubbish food and drinking myself into oblivion - surely that thought will keep me going!

Sunderland 10km

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:02:21 -0400

Sunderland 10km

Gordon Smith Relays, Track and Field and Sunderland 10km

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:58:39 -0400

So another busy week of racing is gone and I’m back setting new goals for the future. Last Wednesday I ran the Gordon Smith Relays in Wallsend, a 2mile course with 3 runners in a team. Here is my report as posted on the TBH website:

Put on 3rd leg for team I – for inspiring I was feeling a bit nervous about being last to run but excited to hopefully do the team proud! When I turned up to Wallsend to get my number and warm up there was a sea of black and white vests, amazing to see so many people turn up to run and we definitely had the most teams.

We headed down to the start where I knew I had a bit of time to wait for my turn to run so watched the first leg runners set off before doing my warm up! There was a real buzz at the start and my nerves moved to excitement.

After some miscommunication some of our second leg runners returned early and we were left wondering if we would get to actually run the third leg. I saw Joanne Lee who was second leg in my team head up early and after being told she had come the wrong way she turned round and completed the course! I waited for her to arrive and whilst I knew we were near the back I was determined to give it everything I had.

Doing the grand prix at Jesmond Dene earlier in the month had given me an idea of the distance to expect and I knew there wasn’t going to be a killer hill at the end – or at least I hoped!

I set off with the cheers from fellow TBHers determined not to let myself or the club down! I headed down onto the cycle path and whilst it looked flat I could feel the ever so slight incline past segedunum and the old swan hunters building, turning the corner on to the main road I felt strong and could see Rob Kirtley up ahead ready with his camera. A dodgy pose later and I knew I didn’t have far to go! Trying to maintain my pace I headed back past the start to go down the bank back into the cycle path. Andy Lisle joined me for this bit and really kept me going. Going under the bridge ready to turn up the short hill I heard shouts of support from everyone and I tried to pick up my pace to the finish line – 16:56 for my 2miles which was over 1:30mins faster than my Jesmond Dene time!

The Saturday saw a team of TBHers head down to Middlesbrough for the first Track and Field meeting. I wasn’t planning to do anything as I had Sunderland 10km the next day but went to support and fill in any gaps if the ladies needed me - and it turned out they did. I ended up taking part in the Javelin, 200m and the 4x400m relay. I’ve never really done track before apart from the odd Saturday morning down at Churchill but I’d never competed. We had an awesome day and TBH took 3rd place thanks to the amazing Ami! I managed to come last in all my events but I enjoyed the experience and I want to improve my 200m time!

Sunday was the Sunderland 10km and since having a shocking time at NT10km I really wanted to do well and go for that sub 60 time I’ve been dreaming of. It didn’t happen but I’ve taken lots of positives away from the day and I felt an improvement from the disastrous race 4 weeks previous. I was more in control of my pace, I didn’t start out too fast and I felt much more comfortable completing the distance. The course wasn’t flat as described - there were a few inclines that seemed to go on forever and there was a few dodgy areas of the course where I had to stop to get through a gate, but never mind!

So onto the next! I have Edinburgh Half Marathon in just over 2 weeks, Blaydon Race in 4 weeks and the Tynedale 10km in 8 weeks. I am determined to reach sub 60 at the Tynedale 10km and have downloaded a training plan to do so, along with the training at TBH there is no reason I can’t reach my goal!

Sunderland 10km race number

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:50:01 -0400

Sunderland 10km race number

It takes a bad race to give you a kick up the bum

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:42:51 -0400

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on here but that’s because I’ve been busy and whilst I sometimes complain that I’m too busy I love it really!

The week or so following the Blyth 10km was a week of up and downs - I was buzzing with a new 10km PB and I had North Tyneside 10km coming up which I was hoping to knock more time off and adding to this I had my twitter running buddy Michelle there to pace me and support me to the finish. The theory was great but in practise I struggled with the NT10km! 2 miles in there are some short steep hills which took it out of me and I felt sick at the top which stayed with me for the rest of the race. I stopped and started so many times I lost count and by mile 4 I’d had enough. My PB was way out of reach so I tried to enjoy the rest of the race but my head and heart weren’t in it and I struggled to the finish. I did manage a strong sprint finish where I overtook a few people but that was the only positive I could take away from the day.

Thinking about my training and reassessing my goals I chatted with other runners and one of the coaches at TBH who has been fantastic in helping me progress and get the most out of my training! I looked at what I needed to do to get the most out of my training - stop training at 100% as it was burning me out, cross train, work on flexibility, and get some longer steady runs in.

I’ve been trying to do this over the past few weeks and the benefits have been enormous! I feel more comfortable and confident when running and most importantly I feel in control of my training and positive about future races.

In some ways I’m really happy that NT10km went a bit wrong … ok alot wrong! It’s given me the kick I need and it’s made me look at my training. Next on my list to add in is Pilates and swimming and my next race is Sunday at the Sunderland 10km!

Snazzy race tshirt

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:20:39 -0400

Snazzy race tshirt

The day I got a 10km PB

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:20:15 -0400

The day I got a 10km PB

Blyth 10km and training update

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:19:38 -0400

So it’s been a while since I’ve wrote anything on my little blog here so I’ll try not to ramble on but update with what’s been happening!

Training has been going quite well but I did struggle in the heat last week and felt a bit down about it as it felt like I was going backwards rather than forwards, but I think everyone has days or weeks like this so I’m just looking forward rather than back. With the light nights we’ve started running down Jesmond Dene which is lovely but rather lumpy do good to run somewhere different!

Today I ran the Blyth 10km having only decided late yesterday to give it a go! I would recommend to any on my North East followers for next year as its a lovely course, very well organised, great tshirt and flat as a pancake!! I started out too fast which seems to be a mistake I make far too often but we set off and I felt fairly comfortable at the faster pace until I hit mile 3 where I felt a bit rubbish so stopped. I got a drink and set off again after a wave from a fellow TBH on their way back to the finish. I could see a few people not too far in front of me so kept as close to them as I could. As we came into the finish I gave it all I had left in me and after a shout from a supporter ‘go on you can take them’ I managed a sprint finish and overtook 2 people on the home straight. Provisional results show 1:03:03 which is a PB knocking 4 mins off! I know I could have got closer to the 60min mark I dream of but it’s all experience for the future and I know I’ll do it this year!!

First ever track session and decisions to be made

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:38:00 -0400

So since my last update the muscle soreness has eventually worn off and I’ve done my first ever track session, I’ve also got a pretty big decision to make (in running) and I’ll come to that later!

I headed down to the track on Saturday morning in North Shields on what was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze but nothing much. I was kicking myself for not choosing this week to attempt a parkrun PB as it would have been near perfect weather conditions but never mind I still got a PB in the blustery winds the week previous (smug face).

There wasn’t many of us at the track as there were various races happening, which left us with the option of doing the track session or going for a bit of a run. I had said that I wanted to have a go at track but was happy to go with the flow, our coach decided to just stick with the track and gave us a session of 400m, 1min rest, 200m, half the field rest x4 - sounds easy right? WRONG! We warmed up by doing a few laps of the track and our coach joined in with us for the first few reps. I did the first 400m and it was hard - running on the track felt so different to running on the road and I was determined to try my best! It’s hard to describe how the track feels different but it does! I got to the 200m and this felt better but still tough as it’s hard to know just how fast to run. We got a few reps in and I looked down at my watch the first mile I ran - 7.06 and I was so happy but couldn’t show it as I felt sick from pushing myself. This is the fastest I have ever ran in my whole life probably considering I was never a one for sports at school. I finished the last rep and then headed home after a good chat with another one of the girls at TBH and the coach.I’m never going to be a track star but I can see how it will improve my running and fitness and it’s something a bit different to add into the routine.

I’m starting to feel much better about my running and dare I say it I appear to be niggle free at the moment. I’m feeling lighter on my feet and that the improvements are happening gradually not overnight as that’s how I’ve injured myself in the past - I’m FINALLY learning! I’ve got amazing support around me and this has been half the battle, the support I’ve received is even tempting me to attempt the half marathon I had decided to pull out of which is taking place on Sunday. My number arrived last week and I felt that little wave of excitement come over me so tempted to try it but as a training run and a prep race for Edinburgh which is my main goal. So I have a decision to make and I’m no good at that - long run planned for tomorrow so going to see how I get on with that before making any definite decisions. I do get to carb load tho I suppose …

Great training, New Experiences and DOMS

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:39:12 -0400

This week I’ve been training my butt off in hope it will disappear and in hope that it will get super strong (I’ve been told that it’s all in the glutes)! Monday was a 6amClub run which was great I felt light on my feet and that my legs had fully recovered from pushing it at parkrun on the Saturday. We normally just do a couple of miles but I wanted to add one onto the end so Micky (my coach from TBH) ran another loop with me. Tuesday was a TBH session … HILLS! Now I love hills much to the disbelief of my fellow runners and it’s not because I’m particularly good at them but because I know after that I’ve worked hard and it makes running on the flat feel a lot easier! I maintained 10min/mi pace on the hills (including warm up and cool down) which for me is good and shows that I can run on the flat a little bit faster that what I have been. Wednesday was 6amClub run which I thought would be a breeze because my legs hadn’t seemed to of suffered but once I started running they felt pretty heavy, I maintained my pace, powered through and got another 3 miles in the bank.

I tried something new last night - Circuits in the Park. Which is ran by a fellow TBHer who runs the classes to raise money for Alzheimer’s, all the proceeds go to the charity and he is doing lots of fantastic work for this charity. He explained the session and I couldn’t believe my ears when he said HILL SPRINTS my quads screamed out a little but I thought just do your best and give it a good go. We started with some power squats and lunges after a short warm-up I was hurting already and it took me ages to get to the finish line but everyone was really supportive and cheered me on. We then went on to do the hill sprints down a steep hill, up 2 sets of steps then a sprint up to the hill and repeat. The first one my legs felt like jelly and I could barely feel the ground beneath me (very strange feeling) but I soldiered on and managed 2! Some people in the class were doing 4 or 5 to me these people are Olympians! We then moved onto a grass area where we did burpees, bear crawls and a number of different exercises which got me a bit dirty. This went on for an hour and I managed the majority of it but it’s a total different ball game to running but something that I think will have a positive impact on my running and help me keep the title of #PBgirl.

I’ve woken up today with some serious DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)! Proof that lots of my muscles remain unused from just running and that in order to have the body of a goddess (I can dream) and be the runner I one day hope to be I need to do different things and mix my training up. I’m not sure if i’ll make it to TBH tonight and might just have a rest day today but all in all it’s been a pretty good week of training so far and considering this time last week I felt pretty rubbish it just shows how quickly you can turn things around if you try.

Pain is weakness leaving the body.

#PBgirl Thanks to Rob for taking this pic of me against my...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:36:23 -0400

#PBgirl

Thanks to Rob for taking this pic of me against my wishes!

Return of #PBgirl

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:33:10 -0400

Good news to report (it’s been a while) a new Newcastle Parkrun PB! I had agreed to do parkrun earlier in the week so was going to stick to my commitments but after a rubbish week of training I wasn’t sure what would happen when I got out there. I had a plan, I had organised my kit but one thing I couldn’t control was the weather! I woke up on Saturday morning to a glorious morning, nice and bright but there was a bit of a wind. I didn’t think it was too bad until I made it to the moor and it was worse than I thought. Still psyched up to go out there and run hard (or go home as I now tell myself) I did a short warm up and made my way to the start line after some encouraging words from some of the lovely runners I know from TBH, twitter and parkrun.

The gun went off and I overtook a few people at the start as it was quite congested. As we started the steady incline up to the 1km mark I glanced quickly at my watch to see I was running at 8:50min/mi pace a little quicker than my plan but I felt good and comfortable so kept at it. I then heard some beeping and thought it was from a runner next to me until I looked down at my watch and realised I hadn’t even started my timer!!! So I had no idea how I had ran the first km but I soldiered on and once heading to the 2km sign along grandstad road I decided to dig in a little and overtook a few more people.

The first mile beeped on my Garmin and read 08:51 for mile 1 and even though I was out by 1km I thought if I can keep running like this I’ll do it - I’ll beat my PB. I kept going and once the 3km sign passed I said to myself ‘right Danielle, you’ve done more than you’ve got left just keep going.’ Kilometres 3-4 are always the hardest of the Newcastle course in my opinion, it’s quite gravely and you’re coming back on yourself which is psychologically a bit off putting for me. I did stop and catch my breath a few times and looking back I should have gritted my teeth and got on with it. I got to the finish line and didn’t feel like I had run my best and got the PB I was chasing but I cued to get my barcode scanned and recover.

Luckily enough a runner approached me and said she pretended she was called Danielle when people were cheering me on near the finish to keep her going this is one of the reasons I love parkrun it’s like a little community! She came in just after me and when I asked her what time she did she replied with 29mins. I could feel the excitement building if she came in after me then I would have to have come in under 29mins which would mean a new PB! I spent the rest of the day desperately awaiting the results but unfortunately there was a small problem with the results and I had to wait until today for the results.

The email flashed on my phone - 28:52 a new PB! I’m chuffed but I know I can improve on that so back to training hard and will give it another go in a few weeks :)

Magic Miles, 6amClub and Long Sunday Runs

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:45:48 -0500

Not getting the time to write as much which I guess is a good thing means I’m working hard! Thursday night was a pyramid session with TBH I was feeling good and raring to go but after eating far too much food I was feeling a bit sick when we started the warm up.

Naughty Danielle eating too much but I think that helped me realise that eating rubbish is no good for not only losing weight but for training well.

The coach was up front and waiting to shout for the first interval to go, I went for it - lengthened my stride, filled my lungs and picked my feet up. I felt great (apart from the sickness) and thought I was actually going quite fast, I was up front and making sure no one took over me! We continued with the intervals and I felt so good by the end of the session I was bouncing all over the place! Got home checked my Garmin and I’d ran my fastest ever mile 08:06!

Buzzing from my run I got up at half 5 on Friday morning to head down to the quayside to meet some members of TBH for a short run. It was a lovely morning and so peaceful in a usual busy place. We chatted and the time flew by before I knew it I’d done 4 miles.

Today was my long run and Julie decided to come along with me. I planned to do 8 or 9 miles and did 8.5 so on target for my build up. Again the miles flew by as we chatted. I must admit tho I’ve never been happier to see the bridges of Newcastle as we headed back past the business park. It was tough but really enjoyed it and hoping to go a bit further again next week!

I’m still way off where I want to be but I’m getting there and the improvements are visible which makes the journey that little bit more enjoyable! I think about this time last year when I didn’t do any exercise at all let alone run and I was more on the heavy side to what I am now, it’s good to remember where you’ve come from it shows me that it’s possible :)