Alice's Adventures in Running Land
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

2021: A Year of Running

12/31/2021

1 Comment

 
Writing ‘2021: a year of running’ made me feel a little bit like a fraud at first, as I shall remember this year not only for the continued impact of Covid-19, but also for sustaining my first true running injury, both of which have had a significant impact on my life. With this in mind, this could well be a pretty bleak review of 2021, however, looking back I can find a lot of positives. It may not be a year filled with races, achieving running goals, or gathering a haul of running bling, but it has been a year where I have made great personal progress, overcome challenges of a different kind, and importantly, have felt happy.

The year began in lockdown – or whatever we were calling it, some sort of Tier structure maybe? Whatever slogan Boris and co had come up with, it meant (being brutally honest!) not much happened in the first months of the year. I kept motivated to maintain a strong running routine via my Run Club friends as we undertook various lockdown challenges and buddy runs. Running with friends kept me sane as I continued to work from home, and the release of the Government’s ‘road map’ out of Covid restrictions offered some hope on the horizon for the return of aspects such as group Run Club sessions, races, and parkrun. My mileage was strong and consistent, and a highlight of this period was my regular Friday night long runs with a friend, who at the time was training for an ultra-marathon. After a week of being stuck in my kitchen, chained to video call after video call, it was a tremendous release to run and chat with someone for a few hours. We would weave around the empty streets of Lincoln clocking up between 16-18 miles, but it never felt like that.

March 2021 marked a year of living with Covid; not a great milestone, but a marker nevertheless. The country ‘opened up’ a little following the Government’s roadmap, and this gave much needed hope after a tough start to the year. Run Club group sessions came into my life, and I also took on a couple of virtual running events the Lincs Inter Club 10k and the virtual Ashby 20. I am proud I maintained my running fitness during the lockdown periods to take on both these events; pushing hard over 10k distance on your own is tough, as is winding 20 miles around Lincoln solo, but I did it.

I continued to run strong into Spring, and unbeknown to most people, entered Peterborough Marathon at the end of May. A few conversations shared with my friend on those long Friday evening runs started to inspire me to think a marathon could be possible. And it was. Smaller in scale than other marathons I have taken on, and different in nature due to continued Covid restrictions, however it was equally as memorable. I can truly say I loved every single second of the race; the feeling of a physical and mental battle, and the strength to overcome each mile challenge felt even more worthwhile after living through Covid. I ran relaxed and with no time goal and was delighted to finish in 3:43:52; my third fastest marathon. I burst into tears at the finish overcome with pride and emotion. May was a good month, as added to achieving my 11th marathon, things also ‘opened up’ further outside of running. I was able to enjoy other parts of my life again; actually going into work, days out with friends, attending football matches, and most importantly finally getting to see my family.

Halfway through the year and things seemed to be moving forwards in many senses. Races started to take place more regularly and I managed to complete the Round Sheffield Run with my sister, enjoying being back on the hilly trails. Then my Achilles injury hit. It all happened very suddenly after only a couple of weeks of discomfort, yet in the space of a few runs this discomfort soon turned to pain. This pain meant I had to walk 5 miles home of a planned long run, and then was unable to even walk a step the next day. Cue a summer of cross training and rehabilitation. I committed fully to keeping fit, adapting to a weekly schedule of gym sessions and spinning classes, and once able, beginning a walk/run programme.

For someone who would quite happily head off for 18 miles on a Friday night, to someone who was now running for 1 minute then walking, you can see the impact my Achilles injury had on me. Google Achilles tendinosis and the description is quite scary – degeneration of the tendon… months away from running etc etc. You do not really believe it at first, but it has been true for me. I have coped though, something I never thought I would say. I was also helped by the Government’s roadmap continuing to open up, and at this point we were almost back to a state of freedom and normality. So, whilst I could not run, I could embrace other parts of life such as throwing myself (even more!) into a job I love, trips to visits friends and family, days out with friends, concerts, more football matches etc. Without the pressure of training for running races you could perhaps say I enjoyed these parts of my life even more than in past years. The biggest joy perhaps was that parkrun finally came back – and I will touch on that more later.

From being unbale to walk, I take great pride in being able to say I was disciplined in my recovery and had maintained enough fitness to complete two 10k races in the Autumn. The first the Lincoln 10k in truly biblical rain; being able to line up for my hometown 10k event, which I have not missed since 2013 (ignoring 2020!) was a special comeback. Following my injury and with limited miles under my belt, I had no idea what I may be capable of, and to finish in 45:11 felt amazing. A long way from PB territory, but a great marker. This ignited my desire to dip under 45 minutes at my next 10k, Doncaster 10k, a month later. A freezing cold day this time, but an event I ran with increased confidence, pushing myself to finish in 44:15 – nearly a minute quicker than my previous event and meeting my sub 45 challenge.

With 2021 now heading to a close, December saw me undertake some festive themed fun running in the form of the Lincoln Santa Run and the Elf Yourself 3k with a new little running buddy I have acquired. This blog would not be possible to write without a nod to my buddy, who is becoming quite infamous himself in the Lincoln running circles! My friend’s six year old son was inspired when I ran Peterborough Marathon earlier this year and told me quite confidently, he wanted to run a marathon with me. This filled me instantly with joy, but I realistically suggested we try some Lincoln parkruns together first. At this time I was still injured, so running with a little buddy was a great way for me to connect with a community I had missed so dearly during the pandemic, but also at a pace which suited my recovery. My buddy now loves parkrun and takes on the course each week with enthusiasm, joy, and embracing those around him. Yes, some weeks he does get distracted by dogs, trees, chatting to others, or telling me about some mythical creature which lives on Boultham Park, but every week he completes the 5k. I am so proud of the PB time he has set, which coincided with his 10th run milestone – that week he ran with such determination and showed the talent and endurance he still has locked inside. If he did not talk to me so much on the way around, I am convinced he has much more speed to give! But as we all know, speed is not the point of parkrun; its not all about times either for my buddy or for myself. parkrun has taken a new meaning for me having my buddy to accompany around the course and my times have most definitely slowed! Yet I feel I have achieved more parkrunning with my buddy than I could ever do on my own, and gaining my little running companion has been the biggest highlight of my running year for sure.

So, as I sit writing this review my Achilles is not fixed; it still worries me some days, I am still scared it may go backwards, and I long for the time I could head out the door carefree and just run. I am not sure when that will be yet, but I will keep going until I get back to that. I also long for life without Covid, but I think we all know that is not possible, as we must instead learn to live with it. The challenges of 2020 made me a stronger person, and 2021 chose to test that resilience in a different way. I turned 30 this year, and as I enter this next decade as well as 2022, I am taking a lot of learning from my 20s, as well as these last 12 months, to help make me both a happier and heathier runner and person. 
Picture
1 Comment

Doncaster 10k 2021

12/12/2021

0 Comments

 
One month after the joy of being back racing again at the Lincoln 10k, following many weeks of Achilles struggles, I was once again pinning a 10k race bib onto my running vest. Whilst the Lincoln 10k had been a bit of an unknown entity in terms of what my body could be capable of following lengthy injury, this time heading into the Doncaster 10k I had more of a benchmark of what could be achievable. After finishing the Lincoln 10k in 45:11, I knew I wanted to try and dip under 45 minutes at Doncaster – another marker on my comeback journey.

The initial weeks after the Lincoln 10k race, I felt confident in my running, upping my mileage slightly and incorporating a few short speed sessions in to my training (all based on advice from my therapist!) However, in the ten days approaching Doncaster 10k, suddenly my Achilles seemed to bother me again - it did not hurt as such, but it did not feel right either. This panicked me and I instantly reined in my running, so much so that in the days ahead of race day I barely ran at all, finding extra refuge in the gym and the spin bike again. However, my therapist cleared me to run Doncaster, so I tried to forget my concerns and head into the race with confidence.

Race day was a frosty, crisp morning - or in more plain terms, absolutely Baltic! However, the gale force wind and rain which had battered the country the day prior had at least disappeared. I travelled over to Doncaster with my sister who was visiting for the race, and after prying ourselves from the warmth of my little car, we met up with some of my Run Club friends at the race start based at Doncaster Racecourse. This was my 4th Doncaster 10k event and I can advocate why it has won many awards – the setting is fantastic, with the backdrop of the racecourse feeling unique and the added bonus of having excellent facilities; parking and plenty of actual toilets on site! The course itself starts outside the racecourse, before heading into the town centre for a loop, then passing the racecourse again to complete a final out and back section, to finish back by the grandstand. It’s the course where my 10k PB was set – 42:42 – and whilst I knew I would not be challenging this time today, I still hoped to try sneak a sub 45-minute time.

I lined up at the start next to my sister, huddled in on an old jumper trying to strategically plan when to remove my final layer and brace myself for the chill to hit even more! Akin to the Lincoln 10k a month prior, the extreme elements meant that as the start gun fired, I was not really thinking about anything else other than just to run! The first couple of miles I felt I was trying to settle into the race as my muscles warmed up and I attempted to regulate my breathing against the harsh air. I had no idea what pace I was running and had also completely unintentionally found myself running pretty much next to my sister. Winding through the town centre I settled into running a little more, a couple of short inclines challenged me, but also seemed to help wake my body up and force me into a stronger rhythm. As I closed in on passing the racecourse again, and hitting the halfway marker, I felt much more in control.

The second half of the Doncaster 10k is dominated by the out and black section, which I really enjoy. Some people do not like out and backs, but I feel it offers you chance to feel even more connected to the runners around you; cheer those on who are already heading back to the finish, and encourage those about to follow in the steps you have just completed. This section of the course inspires me and is what’s needed in the final sections of a 10k. Heading along the ‘out’ part of the course I was still running next to my sister, who had not taken on the Doncaster 10k before. I had prewarned her about the slight hill at the turnaround point; its short, sharp, and hard work for those few seconds you battle the incline – but the downhill reward comes very soon after.
Picture
Picture
Hitting the hill, it felt I was going backwards; due to my injury, hills are not something I have ran in months, and I was glad that this was the only true hill on the course! The power and rhythm I had in my legs was sucked away instantly, and I worried for a split second that this may be something I would struggle to recover from. I embraced the downhill though and tried to relax back into my running, although the biggest boost came from spotting one of my club mates running on the other side of the road, powering up the hill not far behind me. I screamed out her name, knowing that her proximity to me would mean a huge PB would be on the cards if she could keep going. This simple act energised me, and I turned to look for my sister who I had lost a little on the hill. With only a mile now left, I urged her to catch up with me, suddenly forgetting a few moments ago my legs felt like lead weights.

Pushing towards the finish I was continually energised by the sea of runners on the other side of the road, spotting more club mates and other runners I knew from Lincoln. This final mile was hard work, and I felt a lot less in control than I did towards the end of the Lincoln 10k a few weeks ago, but I knew heading for a good time if I could just hold on. The ‘back’ section of the course eventually turns off in the final few hundred metres to enter the racecourse and head to the finish line. My mind wanted my body to surge on from here, but my legs had very little left by now! My sister now drifted ahead of me, but I couldn’t hold onto her, and instead I focused on keeping moving and the sight of the finish arch getting closer to me.

Crossing the line my legs were spent but looking at my watch to see 44:15 on the screen I knew it was all worth it. I had achieved my goal of getting back under 45 minutes, and whilst I am still a long way from my PB shape, it felt a big achievement. My club mate I spotted on the hill crossed the line soon after, a huge PB secured. My sister had also come within seconds of a PB, and we then stood and cheered lots of my other Run Club friends over the line, with many achieving their own race goals - so there were lots of successes to celebrate over our post-race (free!) hot chocolates!
​
Doncaster did not disappoint as event again, and I did not disappoint myself either. It’s been a strange second half of the year for me in running terms with my injury battle, but I have managed to take some highs from these final months. I hope I can now begin to rebuild my mileage and look to bigger 2022 goals. ​
0 Comments

Lincoln 10k 2021

11/7/2021

0 Comments

 
​Lincoln 10k is an event I always look forward too – my hometown 10k means there are constantly lots of friends I know taking on the challenge, both from my running circles and wider connections across the city. It was also my first ever running event back in 2013 and I have not missed one since. The fact the race was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic made this year’s event feel even more exciting.

My excitement to have the 10k back was however slightly tainted by the fact in the months preceding I had been battling with an Achilles injury which had meant my running miles had been few and far between. As the weeks of injury ticked along, the ‘Lincoln 10k’ written on my calendar loomed closer, but I remained hopeful I could make the start line. My dedication to rehab paid dividend and I was delighted a few weeks before race day when my Sports Therapist said I would be able to complete the event. I was under no illusion that I would be quick, or challenging a PB, or any similar notion, but to know I could be there running with friends around my City felt fantastic.

Usually, the Lincoln 10k is held in Spring, and the weather tends to be cool and crisp (if you ignore the year it got postponed due to snow and was then held in a June heatwave…). With a Covid shuffle, this year’s October date instead greeted us with a wild and wet morning, which only proved to become increasingly wetter as the morning progressed. The forecast had not been great, so I had at least prepared for this weather. At our final Run Club session pre the 10k I had advised fellow members taking on the race to bring an old jumper and bin bag to the start line to try and keep warm and dry before running. A few of them seemed to think I was mad, but as I met up with my club on race morning, I was pleased to see a bin bag wearing crew huddled under the vague shelter of some trees. I had walked to the race start with my sister who was visiting to take on the event too, and whilst it was only a steady rain when we set off, as the time ticked by the droplets became increasingly heavier and the wind even stronger.

By the time we were stood in the start pen the weather can only be described as truly grim. Despite this fact, I was excited to start running; I felt no pressure, even less so in the conditions, and my only thought was to enjoy running again. If I could get sub 50 minutes, I would be happy, and if my legs made it through 6 miles, I would be even happier, as I had not ran that far since July.

As soon as I stared running, I felt such joy; for moments I almost forgot about the cold rain pelting my skin and the puddles instantly soaking my feet. I know the 10k route like the back of my hand, so had no need to contemplate the course, I also felt no desire to look at my watch either; I simply wanted to run to feel and just see what my body was capable of. The first few miles just flew by, several people I knew in the hardy crowd braving the rain to spectate cheered my name, and I knew my smile was beaming. Halfway came before I knew it; I felt good still, keeping amongst a similar crowd of runners and showing no sign of my legs giving up on me.

During the final three miles the weather deteriorated even further, if that was possible. The roads became flooded in places and the wind seemed more noticeable into my face. I still could not believe how well I was running though; I felt really fit and my legs were still moving at a good pace, perhaps just lacking that power I know I used to feel when running quicker 10k times. I was certainly happy though.
Picture
As I entered the final mile I realised I was catching up with my sister, who had been in my eyesight throughout the race, but I now seemed to be closing in on her. Turning to enter the long road to the finish, which very gradually inclines, I was just about to catch her up, when she pulled up at the side of the road next to me. I instantly shouted to her asking what was wrong. She had a stitch which was making running very painful. With less than a mile to go there was no way I was letting her stop nor was I going to leave her. I urged her on with me, and we ran side by side heading towards the finish line, as I relayed words of encouragement/distraction to keep her going. It was this final mile I feared may be the point where I blew up, my legs not used to working so hard for so long. I was ok though, and as we turned by the famous Lincoln Cathedral to head towards the finishing arch, I urged my sister into a sprint finish. She had the legs on me now (there are some great photos of me chasing her down in the finish straight!) but I did still have some sprint left. It was only when I finished that I actually looked at my watch – I had not glanced at it at all during the race. 45:11 it read. My sister finished a second ahead of me. 
​
I was absolutely soaked as I stood at the finish with my sister, absorbing not just more water into my saturated clothing, but also what I had just achieved. I did not expect to run a time close to 45 minutes, nor to feel as comfortable as I did in the process. My fitness pleased me; I have been working hard even during periods when I have not been able to run to maintain my fitness, cycling and spinning constantly over the weeks. This race was a real indication to me that this dedication has paid off and left me with a good platform to continue to build from.

Post-race the weather showed no sign of letting up; I took off my drenched gloves (I ran in a rather strange combination of shorts, vest and gloves..!) and literally wrung them out, water pouring from them. The heavens opened fully as I collected my medal and I felt for all the people still out on the course. The fact so many of us turned out in this weather to run I think shows just how much events like the 10k mean to people, and just how important running is. It was good to be back in many senses. ​
0 Comments

September and October 2021: The Comeback Begins

11/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Long time no blog (again!) – but this time less due to lack of inspiration to write about running (or lack of running as was previously the case!), but more due to life and work just being busier, which has been nice to embrace after we all know what some of the challenges of the last year have been like. Indeed, quite a lot has progressed since I last wrote in the Summer, including my age. I am now a new member of the SW 30-34 age group at parkrun and a year closer to maybe a slightly more realistic Boston Marathon qualifying time…! My running progress has been the most positive change though, and I feel like I am making large strides in my comeback from my Achilles injury.

Running wise, I am now at the point where I am back running three times a week, with a shorter faster effort run, a 4-5 mile easy run, and a Sunday ‘long’ run starting at a base point of 5 miles. Its nothing like what I was running preinjury, but it’s a huge step forward from the Summer when I was only able to run/walk for a few minutes. I have built back cautiously and gradually, and I listen carefully to my body even more so that I did before. I still am Spinning a couple of times a week to maintain my fitness and keep intensity in my training, as well as doing strength and rehab work. So whilst my running is not back to what it was pre injury, and I would say my dedication to training is still the same; training just looks slightly different at the moment.

I look back to when my Achilles injury first hit and I was not even able to walk without pain, barely able to stand up on tiptoe, and my Achilles was visibly enlarged with a huge bump on it – a lot has changed! I must thank my Sport Therapist for her guidance in getting me through the past months, her reassurance and knowledge has been invaluable. I am also proud of how I have coped – if someone had told me I would spend what has now been over 16 weeks injured and not able to run to my full ability, I think I would have feared for my sanity. But I have made it through – and I am also still aware I am most definitely not fully recovered yet, which is just as important.

So, what have I been doing with my new found ability to run? I have returned to my running club, which has been great to reconnect with friends again, and I have been able to both lead and participate in a few sessions. I have managed my first solo (without my little running buddy) parkrun since March 2020 at my home event in Lincoln. This felt hard but wonderful at the same time, and was the first time I had been able to run with speed and whilst pushing myself for many months. I managed 22:34, which when I set myself a goal of sub 24 minutes, I was extremely pleased with. It’s a long way from my old parkrun times, which tended to hover in the 20:50 – 21:20 bracket, but its not a bad start!

​Outside of my solo parkrun effort, I have continued to enjoy weekly Lincoln parkruns with my mini running buddy, who himself has progressed considerably. He has reached his 10 milestone, marking this achievement with an equally impressive PB of 36:14 – considering on one run we logged a time of 1hr 10mins, I am incredibly proud of him.
Picture
Picture
I was even more proud when his mother told me my buddy has been talking about his running technique at home – “Alice says I need to use my arms when I am running”– so he must be taking some of my mentoring in! parkrun has taken a new meaning for me having my buddy to accompany around the course, but I am really enjoying it, and I hope that the collective parkrun community is helping to instil both a love for parkrun and running into him.

Perhaps most significantly since I last wrote, I have run an actual race - the Lincoln 10k. I wrote last time that I hoped I would be able to take part my hometown 10k event, and I am so pleased I did, despite the truly horrendous weather on race day. I will write more on this, but I completely surpassed my expectations on the day. I hoped to be under 50 minutes as a start point, and I hoped my legs would make six miles having not ran that far since July. I was therefore delighted to finish in 45:11, without pain, and loving every single stride that I took. I have Doncaster 10k booked at the end of November, and my performance at the Lincoln 10k has given me confidence I can try aim for a sub 45 minute time here, as long as things continue to go well.

My focus for the rest of 2020 is still very much a gradual rebuild, that has not changed, but my progress over the past couple of months has given me extra belief I can do this, and that my hard work to build back from my Achilles set back is working – the comeback is on. ​
0 Comments

July & August 2021: The Injured Summer

9/5/2021

1 Comment

 
Long time no blog… when injured, unsurprisingly it is hard to get inspired about writing about running – and there is not even much running to write home about!

Since last writing in July, I am still battling with my left Achilles, which although improving, is being stubbornly slow to get back to normal. I am now a spinning expert and feel quite strong on a static bike, which is perhaps not too shocking considering I have been cycling six times a week for most of Summer (anyone know of any cycling races?!) I also incorporate daily rehab to try and build back strength into my Achilles and supporting calf structure – boring, but essential.

There has been some running since July, and following a careful rehab plan set by my Sports Therapist, I have gradually started to incorporate some walk/runs into my week. At first, I did these runs on the treadmill – I will admit I felt too embarrassed to be seen walking around my local streets which I used to stride almost effortlessly along. As the running intervals have increased slightly, I am now venturing around small circuits close to my house. Those brief moments of running feel joyous and frustrating at the same time – I love the feeling when I am running, but its hard to feel true euphoria as there is a niggling worry in my head about a sudden Achilles pain. The stop start nature of these runs also means it is hard to get into a flow or even begin to assess how much fitness I have lost.

In brighter running news I have actually managed five parkruns since the long awaited return of the weekly 5k events following the Covid enforced break. One was whilst visiting my parents back in Suffolk, where I took on the relatively new Chilton Fields parkrun in Stowmarket. This is my childhood hometown and the event is set on a playing field which I ran around a lot during my youth; so I felt I had to take the opportunity to run it. I ran it very steadily and slowly, simply enjoying my first parkrun since March 2020. I volunteered at the first two Lincoln parkruns back – my now home event – and since then have been running this event each week with a new little running buddy I have acquired. Way back when I could run (which does feel an eternity now even if it is ‘only’ eight weeks) my friend’s son was inspired when I ran Peterborough Marathon and told me quite confidently, he wanted to run a marathon with me. At six years old, I obviously admired his determination, but instead (perhaps more realistically!) reasoned we try some parkruns together first. We now have four runs under our belt, with a debut time of 57:44 now shaved down to a PB of 45:41. I am really proud of his enthusiastic, determined running and the way he is adapting each week. It is even more wonderful how the Lincoln parkrun community have embraced my little buddy, cheering him round and encouraging him to keep going. Running together has certainly made me smile in recent weeks and helped me find some joy from running.
Picture
I do still feel a bit disconnected from my running identity though, and indeed my running community, what with being unable to run with friends or attend Run Club, however I have tried to find some positives from a summer of little running. Usually during summer I am in training for an Autumn marathon, and battling summer warmth with a training plan is often quite grueling and life consuming. However, this summer I have had more freedom – freedom from training and freedom from Covid restrictions. It has meant I have been able to enjoy some ‘life’ again without trying to combine being a marathon runner. I have missed a couple of 10k events now, but with no Autumn marathon looming over me it takes off any pressure, and perhaps in the grand scheme of things, if there was any time to pick up an injury, this was the best time.

So the future… I am hoping to be able to at least run Lincoln 10k at the end of October. I then have a couple of other 10k events in November and December. I would love to build my fitness up to be able to run these with a bit more confidence and to challenges times again. The goal will then be to build up mileage again in the New Year. That may sound like an awful long way away, but I really do not want to take any steps backwards and see no need to push excessively in the remainder of 2021 when there is no real need to. I have goals to chase in 2022, and I need to be fit to attempt these, build back, and find peak fitness again.
​
Injuries are rubbish – and at times in recent weeks when work has been stressful or I have needed to switch my head off, I have missed my miles dearly. But I will be back. ​
1 Comment

June 2021: A Backwards Step

7/11/2021

0 Comments

 
A slightly delayed looked back at June, after I have been trying to figure out where I really am at with running at the moment... 

I had always intended June to be a slightly easier month in terms of mileage and running intensity. After the Peterborough Marathon in May and over a year of Covid impacted running, which has seen my average mileage increase over a sustained period of time, I felt I was due a little bit of a recovery period.  

This mission started well, I was enjoying relaxed running, taking part in social runs with my run club, doing a few small hill sessions to keep myself ready for the Round Sheffield Run trail race I had at the end of the month, and dropping my longer runs down to around the ten mile mark. Then, as the middle of the month came, I started to get some tightness into my left calf/soleus - nothing unbearable, but enough to make me notice it. I carried on running, but eventually had to seek some treatment to my lower leg when the pain become a bit more specific into my Achilles. Treatment seemed to help and I remained running. 

Whilst I thought my lower leg niggle was sorted, I was then hit by another little setback - a common cold. Normally a cold would be nothing to write home about, but this one really wiped me out. After a number of negative Covid tests I knew it was 'just' a cold, however perhaps after being germ free during so many months in isolation, my immune system was not ready for a hit. During the first few days I felt unwell my running was minimal; I had no energy and felt like I could not breathe properly with my sinuses fully congested. Typically, Round Sheffield Run was now on the horizon, so I tried to rest as much as possible in the hope my cold would shift (as well as buying and trying any cold remedy I could think of!) My germs improved for the race, but I did not feel 100% - even writing this now I still have a bit of sniffle. 

With a cold distraction, the focus on my left leg niggle went away, and it did not bother me at all during the hilly trail course in Sheffield. However, a few days following the race and after a hill run with my Run Club I was suddenly in a lot of discomfort again. There was tightness into the Achilles and pain when pushing off with my leg; I felt uncomfortable walking let alone running. A rest day made my leg feel better and I did a gentle 5k the following day which was a little uncomfortable but not painful. The next day when I headed out for my long run it was a different story though; the discomfort was much higher, which grew into pain, and I could then feel I was running to compensate the ankle area. The run ended in me walking 5 miles home trying not to feel sorry for myself. 
Picture
I have since had some more therapy, which seems to indicate a tendonitis type injury which is synonymous with overuse. I am still struggling to get my head around this considering June was a month in which I had been easing back, and with my illness, had probably logged the least miles in a very long time. I was told I could run, but that it would be painful. Since my treatment I have tried one run and it hurt, a pain which made it simply unenjoyable. 

So, this last week I have been abusing my gym membership to the full, maximising spinning classes and biking sessions in the gym to keep my fitness and try and get an endorphin boost. I like keeping fit, but these type of sessions always feel functional - which lets face it they actually are - and do not give me that pure happiness that running brings. Having said that, having an injury niggle does seem to suck the happiness from attempting a run - there is so much doubt in your head about what to do, a constant analysis in your brain about how it feels, and almost a fear waiting for something to change. 

I feel mixed about this injury. One side of me is thankful it has come at a time when I am not training for anything major thanks to such a disruptive race reason again this year, and we are also not in a lockdown which would have meant I had no gym access. I do have the York 10k in a few weeks time, but I may be able to get round that relying on bike fitness if my leg improves. The other part of me feels frustrated though as I am not sure where this injury has come from, and I also feel a little lost at times. Running and being a runner is my identity - not running just feels wrong. 

What July will bring I am not sure - I know I have to be disciplined with recovery from this niggle and make the most of the fact I have no pressure to get back to training. It is just not always that easy though! ​
0 Comments

Round Sheffield Run 2021

7/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Despite being six months into 2021, racing still feels a little uncertain with race/event organisers facing what appears to be a bit of a minefield when it comes to waiting for Government Covid-19 restrictions to ease/announcements to be made, and deciding how much/when they can gamble on things changing. Thankfully despite the so called ‘freedom day’ being delayed in the UK, Round Sheffield Run was still able to go ahead on Sunday 27th June and provide me with my second racing opportunity of the year.

I have completed the multistage trail event four times before; it’s a staple on my calendar for its completely unique running experience, however this would be the first time I would be running as a pair with my sister. The last time I ran the event felt almost an eternity ago, but I do distinctly remember being sat in the race village afterwards at Endcliffe Park wondering what the next year would bring before I found myself sat here again, slightly traumatized by the hills of Sheffield. Turns out quite a lot has happened in life during the two years since I last ran the beautiful trail course!

I had no goals for the race this year; it’s not really an event I ever complete with a goal to be honest, other than to enjoy a day out running. Round Sheffield Run follows a local ‘Round Sheffield Walk’ route but is broken down into 11 timed stages totaling 20km, with recovery stages split in between. There are also quite a few ‘tasty’ hills mixed in…

Annoyingly, I entered race week with a couple of niggly issues though. The first, some aggravation/inflammation to my left Achilles, which I have no idea the cause of considering throughout June I have been taking things pretty steadily after my May marathon. Secondly, and hampering my running more than my Achilles, was a rather heavy ‘common cold’ – which I had tested negative for Covid on a number of occasions throughout the week before anyone points this out! Perhaps being in enforced isolation for 18 months and having had not so much as sniff of any form of germs meant that this cold seemed to really hit me hard and wipe me out. Not ideal when I just wanted to enjoy a weekend and a race with my sister!

Anyway, as all us mental runners do, dosed up on Lempsip and with packets of tissues stuffed inside my running shorts, I found myself pinning a race number onto my vest in Endcliffe Park ready to push my body over some trails…! I was excited for my sister to experience the course ahead, although also aware she had no idea what to expect as it is so different to any other running event out there. I remember my first Round Sheffield Run and being blissfully naïve as to what was ahead and also having to try get my head into the mode of stopping after each stage and walking! I had not seen my sister for ten months, nor had we run together in years, so I was determined not to let my cold ruin the day.

The Sheffield trails lived up to memories from previous years, such beautiful scenery tucked away in the city, with bubbling brooks, rocky waterfalls, dense woodlands… the hills remain just as steep too! I struggled on a couple of the stages with the longest ascents; I am blaming my cold, but I just suddenly could not catch my breath. However my sister, who lives in an area where a hill is classed as minor ramp over a bridge (!!) took them well within her stride. I thoroughly enjoyed the recovery stages as a chance to – very glamorously – blow my nose and actually let my lungs recover.

As we ticked off each stage I tried to recount to my sister what to expect from the stage ahead; some I could recall with good recognition, mainly due to the hills! Stage 2 is probably one of my favourites scenery wise, it reminds me of almost a rainforest, but also features a long climb which ends rather aggressively. Stage 7 is also a toughie, just gradually building through the woodland, it’s test almost takes you by surprise. Stage 9 has a stunning view across Sheffield’s city landscape and an enjoyable fast flowing downhill, before leading you onto Stage 10. This penultimate stage although features some of the very few stretches of the course set on road, is also a long, drawn out climb, which toward the end of the race your legs certainly feel and remains in the memory for this very reason!
Picture
Picture
The final stage, named a ‘sprint’, never feels like it by the time your legs have been battered by the course, but my sister and I made it to the end successfully, checking our timer ‘dibber’ out for the final time. I felt relieved to have made it round to be honest, it definitely felt harder than some of the previous years despite my fitness (pre cold!) arguably being in a better position. The biggest success of the day was being able to run with my sister though, and the fact she enjoyed the event – ‘next year?’ I tentatively asked, and happily I was met by a ‘yes!’

As an event Round Sheffield Run did not feel too impacted by Covid-19 restrictions – it is usually set off in waves of small runners, and perhaps the course was a little quieter than in past years, but it still maintained its friendly, sociable feel. I also love the race village which always feels really relaxed and a place I enjoy spending some time just soaking in the atmosphere. My sister and I sat there for a while this year listening to the chilled, slightly dance based music mix being played by the DJ, and assessing how our legs felt. A passerby in the park stopped and asked us how far we had just ran, and our response made him realize we had taken on the Round Sheffield Walk route. ‘Oh...’ he said,  pulling a slight face and gesturing with his hands an ‘up and down’ motion - ‘That’s hilly!’
​
Hilly, yes, but as this year’s Round Sheffield Run medal has inscribed on it ‘The most fun I have had running since I was a kid’ That sentence is a pretty good event summary, especially when you get to run the race with your twin sister who I spent the vast majority of my childhood running around with as a kid. 
0 Comments

May 2021: May-be Some Progress?

6/6/2021

0 Comments

 
The month of May has certainly felt like a step in the right direction. At times it has almost seemed possible to forget about Covid, and these glimpses of ‘normal’ life feel very welcomed.

Running wise, May has obviously been significant for the Peterborough Marathon – the marathon I quietly ‘snuck’ off to run. The event was such an important way for me to sign off months of lockdown running, whilst simultaneously almost finding myself across 26.2 miles again. Since the marathon I have been taking things steadily, although I will be honest the recovery in my legs has shocked me. Usually after running a marathon I can become frustrated by how long my legs seem to be in pain, however this time, three days of complete rest and a sports massage was enough to see me lacing up my running shoes again. I would not say I am back to 100% yet, and the recent surge in temperatures have also made running feel a bit harder, but I am in a much better place than I sometimes have been physically.

Away from running May brought lots of other happy moments – spending more days at work than sat at my kitchen table; two lovely days out walking with friends; two opportunities to actually attend a live football match, including a day out to Wembley Stadium; and finally, being able to see my parents again after nine months, including opening my Christmas presents we didn’t get the chance to give.

As long as there are not setbacks in the next few weeks, I will be racing again in June at Round Sheffield Run; an event I have completed many times before. The multistage race which is set on trails and features a lot of hills, means it is not a conventional road race, and something I am instead looking forward to experiencing with my sister. June should also see the return of parkrun; I really hope this becomes a reality, as it feels like a crucial missing part in gradually piecing my ‘normality’ back together again.  
Picture
0 Comments

Peterborough Marathon 2021

5/25/2021

1 Comment

 
Can anyone ever say they loved every single second of a marathon? I am not sure I genuinely can, and of the ten marathons I have completed before, there have most definitely been periods when I hated running/myself/my legs/my own decision to chose to run 26.2 miles. However, marathon number eleven was very different for me, and I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment of Peterborough Marathon. The race was also a very different experience for me compared to my previous marathon events…

Firstly, let’s not ignore the obvious; Covid-19. Peterborough Marathon was my first event of 2021 and my first race since October 2020 due to lengthy periods of lockdowns and restrictions. For someone whose weekends used to be dominated by events, this is a huge chunk without a race. However, Covid is also one of the reasons why I decided to run Peterborough Marathon.

Over the past year or so since Covid entered our lives, my running routine has inadvertently changed. With lack of events and event cancellations I have found myself with lengthy periods not following a training plan for once and simply running whatever I wanted. This has seen me develop a consistently strong basis of mileage over a number of months, often averaging 30-40 miles a week, with a few weeks closer or exceeding the 50 mile mark. I have felt fit and strong, but I was not specifically marathon training – which for me would usually involve following fairly rigidly a 16 week programme. A few conversations shared with a friend from Run Club on some long Friday evening runs – a real escape after a week of home working – started to inspire me to think a marathon could be possible.

After deciding to enter Peterborough Marathon I also made the decision to keep my entry fairly quiet, apart from a handful of people. I wanted literally no pressure or the feeling that I would suddenly need to ‘panic train’ for the race. In the lead up to the event I did not change my approach to running at all, the extra motivation did mean I joined some Run Club buddies for a couple of longer weekend runs, but nothing like what I would normally tackle in the lead up to a marathon. In fact, it was a conscious effort to remember to taper in the days preceding the event! On race week I did have mixed emotions though; was I being complacent and slightly arrogant that I could run 26.2 miles without having really trained? I had to keep reassuring myself that I was just approaching the race as a long Sunday run taking place somewhere different in the UK, and a chance to actually leave Lincoln for a day!

Race morning felt calm – a couple of texts from people who knew I was running to wish me luck and an early alarm for a quiet drive down to Peterborough. Peterborough as a location and an event was very different to any of my previous marathons, which have tended to be big city affairs and occasions - no offence Peterborough, but my last marathon was in Chicago surrounding by tens of thousands of people, towering skyscrapers, and over enthusiastic Americans cheering me on. Instead I arrived in Peterborough and parked in a muddy field which I hoped I could get my car out of later, and stood at the start with a socially distanced cluster of around 500 other runners, listening to 90s dance music over a small PA system. It was exactly how I wanted it to be though; calm, quaint and perfect for reducing any form of nervousness or pressure within me. I had no goal as I crossed the start line, I almost just wanted this race to be a form of sign off from the Covid era (fingers crossed), which I could recover from and then look to focus on tangible goals again.  

The relatively small scale nature of Peterborough Marathon was not compromised in its delivery, nor did Covid rules seem to put a dampener on aspects. The Race Maker volunteers provided enthusiastic support across the course from the very start, and plenty of local people came out to cheer along the course, with members of the public taking part in their regular Sunday stroll seeming really happy to have the entertainment of some mad marathon runners to wish good luck to.

The course itself was a perfect patchwork of different aspects around Peterborough, including lakes around Nene Park, the Cathedral, local riverside cycle paths, and resident streets - it must have taken some planning to map out the route, but it really worked. I split the race into 5-mile chunks, half intended due to the fact this was where each aid station was positioned and I knew I would remember to take on water/fuel. This mindset really helped and I practically approached each five mile block as a new run in my head. The first two blocks – 10 miles – were really comfortable, I was enjoying my running, taking in the race and surroundings. I had no real concept of pace and just ran to feel. 
Picture
Picture
The next five miles also passed quite quickly, with some enjoyable riverside stretches, and crossing the halfway point I felt strong and in control – pleasing! As I edged closer to the 20-mile marker I began to feel my hamstrings tightening a little and a few protests from some muscles develop, but these were easy to override in my mind, and spectators kept telling me I looked strong, so I believed them!

After 20 miles I could feel the strain on my body hit almost instantly as I passed this milestone. This is where my ‘no pressure’ mantra I had adopted from the point of entry into this race really paid off. I simply said to myself – slow down. I was not chasing the clock or a time and by easing back – probably only about 10 seconds per mile - I felt more comfortable and more confident I could not only enjoy the final 6.2 miles, but also complete them. These miles were by no means a breeze; I had to remain mentally resilient and physically strong to stick to a rhythm, but with each mile I ticked off the happier I felt knowing I was going to complete this marathon. With a couple of miles to go, I really felt a rush of determination hit my body, passing a few slowing runners also renewed faith that my body could hold out – although perhaps the biggest challenge of the course was to come. A technically tricky part was saved for a muddy stretch on the final mile that felt particularly hard work on tired legs. The actual finishing meters were on tarmac though – which after navigating the almost trail like terrain, felt amazing.


The finish straight was lined with a good crowd of people, and as I saw their lined pathway guiding me toward the finish arch, I instantly felt emotional. I could feel it welling inside me like something I have never quite experienced in any race before. A combination of emotion and people cheering me on meant I found a vague form of sprint finish from my tired limbs and surged toward the archway, not really sure what time I was heading for. Before even passing across the finish timing mat I had burst into tears – I couldn’t hold back the emotion anymore. There will be a great finish photo of me somewhere I am sure, stood at the finish line sobbing my eyes out, whilst the marshals stand looking helpless at me, unable to enter my 2 metre sphere of protection! I have never cried at the end of a marathon before, and did not expect this to be the day. What brought the tears I think was the sheer overwhelming realisation I experienced along that finish stretch - the realisation that after possibly the most challenging times we have all collectively lived through, that there was still hope and humanity out there. Personally that finish stretch also brought a feeling of pure strength in both my body and mind, those few metres of running – and the 26 miles which proceeded them - felt almost a release after so many months of battling through, and gave me a renewed sense of self again.
​
Time was not my goal, but I am pretty proud of what I ran by the way; 3:43:52. My third fastest marathon and only 14 seconds slower than my second quickest finish time! Peterborough Marathon did not have the most orthodox of build ups, but it will remain a significant moment from my running memories I am sure. ​
1 Comment

April 2021 - Pubs and Club

5/1/2021

0 Comments

 
And just like that we are a quarter of the way through 2021. I am really trying not to wish this year away, however ticking off the weeks does edge us closer to more milestones in the Government’s roadmap out of the Covid lockdown. I will admit I am very much embracing each change in restrictions now and feel we do need to (safely) edge back to as much normality as possible.

Traditionally April has been a month dominated by a Spring marathon for me, but this year it has obviously been different again. The month of April actually feels more notable for completely non-running reasons. I have been able to return to a little more outdoor community activity which is part of my job. Not only has it been extremely welcomed for me to get out the house on a few more occasions each week, but face to face engagement also feels incredibly welcomed by those I have been working with. In terms of socialising, the rule of six came into play and outdoor hospitality (aka pubs!) reopened. Since this become possible, I have actually been to the pub three times…which is probably more than I ever would normally in one month, and which is probably not in true covid spirit! However, on each occasion it has been such a good way to catch up with friends and just talk… as well as enjoying a couple of gins and fruit ciders. I had not drank anything alcoholic in over seven months, so I have not been going mad by any means! However, it has certainly been good to embrace other aspects of life again.

Back to running, and it’s been another consistent month of mileage for me. Good weekly totals, a few extra speed sessions dropped in, as well as the continuation of Run Club sessions which have returned strongly. I have logged some long runs with friends, including a 20 miler which I felt really strong over. We also had our first track session – which felt fantastic, and my legs did not even hate me too much afterwards!
Picture
Picture
Looking ahead to May, running will probably continue to follow a similar pattern – which I am very happy with - however the month with hopefully be most notable for being able to visit my family at the end of the month. As long as things go to plan, this will be the first time I will have seen them in nine months.  Fingers crossed!​
0 Comments

March 2021 - One Year On

4/4/2021

0 Comments

 
The month of March can now be ticked off the 2021 countdown (although what I am counting down to, I am not entirely sure…!) Looking back, it seems hard to distinguish the past 31 days for many notable reasons, with life seeming to adopt that continuous cycle of working from home, running, walking, and finding things to paint in my house… as has been the case for much of the last year!

March did in fact see us past the year milestone of entering the first lockdown in March 2020, and I will admit, it felt a strange day, with the realisation of how much life has changed. The lockdowns have given positives to my life, a space to reflect on past ways of living and an appreciation for the small things that truly matter; so, it’s not all been horrendous! However, there is still a lot of time spent with people and memories which have not been possible during the last year, and I personally can now feel the change a year of almost isolation has on my sense of wellbeing and how I am now almost naturally choosing to spend my time.
​
The 29th March did however bring the most significant change to my living in recent months, with the Government roadmap allowing the return of organised outdoor sport, as well as being able to meet outdoors socially following the ‘rule of six.’ I very much welcomed this change, and I felt ready to get out of my four walls and my own company a little more. The rule of six opens up a few more options for some of my work to resume, so the relief in knowing I won’t be chained to my kitchen chair all day whilst starting at a Teams video screen feels positive. Outdoor organised sport also allows my Run Club to return, and the first session back was just an amazing feeling, to be amongst everyone again I just felt so happy (as my beaming smile in the photo taken probably shows!)
Picture
March 2021 did offer some running achievements in the form of virtual events. I took on the Lincs Inter Club 10k Virtual Race which gave me a chance to test the speed in my legs for the first time in a while over a sustained distance. It hurt, I won’t lie! I started strong but around mile 4 I was questioning if I could actually keep going. I think some of that is the mental side of remembering the discomfort you feel is ok and telling your brain you can indeed keep going. Which I did, and by mile 5 I felt strong again, speeding to the finish. My time was 43:33 which I was pleased with as a marker, and especially with the majority of my running in the lead up being a mix of steady runs, sociable miles with friends, and longer, slower runs.

​My second test was the virtual Ashby 20. I had not been training hard for this, but I had been making sure to include some longer runs in my running weeks to ensure I didn’t just try and bust out a 20 mile run from nowhere! I really enjoyed this run, which I planned to navigate around Lincoln. I fell into a very natural running rhythm which, whilst I was working a little harder than my easy pace to stick to, at the same time it felt comfortable. I had to divert past my house at 15 miles for a drink and some fuel (why I thought I could run 20 miles without either I am not sure!) but after that pitstop I felt renewed and ran the final 5 miles very strongly. I finished in 2:47:10 and with an average pace of 8:21 min/mile. When I finally stopped, I felt done in, but at the time of running I felt I could have kept going, and the feeling of strength over distance ignited my marathon dream desires again. I was proud what my body did without following an arduous training plan, and I think I can learn from building a good, strong base of miles/fitness and what this can allow me to achieve when I really need to perform.
​

Onwards into April now – and at the moment there appears to be nothing too significant running wise on the cards. My aim however will be to continue with a solid base of miles and fitness, whilst relishing Run Club sessions again. The future does look brighter, so my other aim will be to try to keep looking forward. 
0 Comments

February 2021 - A Roadmap Out Of This?

2/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Another month of 2021 ticked off – and yes, I do feel like I am ticking days/weeks/months off at the moment on the unknown countdown to some form of normality. February has however seen the Government’s ‘roadmap’ to a return to normal life outlined, with a strangely specific date of 21st June earmarked as the day we shall be able to do whatever we want without Covid restrictions in place. I am skeptical though, and judging by the behaviour I have witnessed since the roadmap was announced, I am not sure how far we shall get through the 'map' without set backs occurring. I wish I felt a little more hopeful, but as a colleague put recently, I think we are almost tired of hope now, clinging onto something only for it not to happen. I am still of the mindset of taking things very much a day at a time.

The ‘roadmap’ did offer some indication of when my running club sessions could return, which will be fantastic to connect with our club community more widely again, and possibly a notion of some races/events being able to happen, but again I shall wait and see how things pan out. My rather ‘realistic’ outlook was challenged however by the announcement that parkrun intends to resume on Saturday 5th June – that news actually excited me and instilled positivity about the thought of spending my Saturday morning’s back down at Boultham Park, the home of Lincoln parkrun.

February itself has seen me continue to run regularly, getting some good mileage in the legs across some longer runs, a few sessions, and some always appreciated miles with friends. I have logged mostly 40-mile weeks, and this week actually tipped over the 50-mile marker, with 52 miles logged over the seven days. My entry into the Ashby 20 virtual event is serving me well as a good motivator to add longer miles in, although I would not say I am ‘training’ for the event as I would train for a ‘normal’ race.

​As February has passed by the weather is also beginning to turn slightly warmer and the lighter, longer days are making it more appealing to get out and run earlier, which I do not always need to do anymore whilst I am working from home – long gone are the 5:30am alarms! It also means some of my favourite routes to run intervals can be accessed again in daylight hours. February did however have the week of snow and ice – which I hated with a passion! It made running tough as surfaces never really thawed and kept constantly freezing, but I muddled through with a few uninspiring runs running loops of the same ‘safely thawed’ streets, and wrapping up in three layers (unheard of for me!) to face a couple of bracing runs into bitter winds.
Picture
Picture
Looking ahead, March will be fairly similar in both running and life senses, although I will have my virtual Ashby 20 to log (I am earning that hoody!) and my run club is also taking part in an inter-club virtual 10k event, so I need to pick a good day to have a go at seeing where my speed is at the moment! March will also hit the one year anniversary of Covid entering all our lives - safe to say its been quite a year! I think we are all feeling the strain of 'covid life' now, but whilst I am uncertain of the 'roadmap' dates which Boris and co have put together, I am still positive that the future will eventually be better, and if we have navigated these last 12 months, we can navigate the weeks ahead. 
0 Comments

January 2021 - The Longest January On Record?

1/31/2021

0 Comments

 
As we say goodbye to the first month of 2021 (which in my opinion has felt like an eternity!) I thought I would check in to the virtual world. It has not been the brightest start to the year in many respects, but the Covid-19 vaccination programme is giving us glimmers of hope that we might get back to some form of normality during 2021.

Normally I kick start the year with a marathon training programme looking ahead to a Spring race. This year it is very different, I have no idea when my next race will be, and one of the events I had transferred from May 2020 to May 2021 has already been cancelled. 2020 taught me that running matters just as much to me without races though, and thus running is still proving to be very important to my life (will it ever not be?)

I am completely ‘done’ with the work from home life now and getting out for miles each day gives me a break from my laptop screen, my house and my own head. Running practically remains my only concrete plan each week and meeting a friend for a run is a grand occasion! The only negative is it can be hard to rein in the running a little – I have found myself running six days a week recently (normally its five) and still doing strength and conditioning on rest days just to keep myself sane. Its something to be mindful of, but also slightly hard to keep track of, as I often have no concept of the days and weeks, it all just feels slightly repetitive at the moment!

The January Lockdown Challenge my Run Club has been running for our members has proved to be a fantastic way to keep us connected and focused through this difficult time though, and has meant I have enjoyed miles with lots of friends. It has also seen me scanning the hedgerows of Lincoln to try capture a photo of a Robin, learning about local defib locations, and completing a leg burning four minute wall sit. The challenge has furthermore motivated me to add a bit more variety into my running again, reintroducing some interval runs, hill sessions and longer miles. My weekly mileage has now crept back up to the 35-40 mile region.

Running aside, I am missing ‘normal’ life a lot at the moment. My opinions of home working are clear, it’s been nearly six months since I have been able to see my family, friends have had babies I am yet to meet, I miss the endorphin hit of lifting weights in the gym… I am sure we could all write a long list of things we are longing to get back to. I even found myself watching a programme on TV where two friends staggered into their house after a night out, high heels in hand, laughing and joking about the night’s antics – it’s quite rare I do this anymore Covid or not, but I actually felt jealous of these fictional people!
Picture
Picture
This weekend I did enjoy a Zoom call with some friends which went on until 3am just talking and laughing about random things. Getting up at 6am the following morning for a 10 mile run with a friend then felt so thrilling, and made me miss the often hectic nature of normality. I also met a friend and her son for a walk and we just were carefree for an hour or so, splashing in puddles, stomping through mud, and attempting to ride a child's bike which was much too small for me – things that I wish could just be a bit easier/normal without the knowledge of Covid rules hanging over us. 

So, the plan for next month – much of the same! Enjoy running, keep up with some longer runs so I can take on the virtual Ashby 20 in April, and hopefully enjoy some improved running weather (I hate the snow and ice!) and the lighter longer days. The even better news however is that February is only 28 days long...! ​
0 Comments

Running Into 2021

1/10/2021

1 Comment

 
2021 – it already feels a lot like 2020 in many respects! The New Year has brought new restrictions, another lockdown and many of the same challenges. I am working from home – as I have been since March 2020 – only leaving the house once a day to run or walk, and seeing just a handful of people each week. However, perhaps unlike 2020, this way of life no longer seems a shock to the system; I know what it feels like and the things you must accept are part of living through a pandemic.

Thankfully, the Government’s recognition of the importance of being able to get out for daily exercise has remained into 2021. At present we can even buddy to exercise with one other person, which for someone like me who lives alone, is a huge bonus. I am not sure how long that will last, but it is something positive for now.

As this year has started, I have therefore enjoyed being able to get out and meet friends for some miles. As lockdown now means my Run Club cannot meet, we have also set a virtual challenge to our members with various points awarded for finding certain objects on runs, step counts, healthy food choices etc. It has given some focus and a distraction from the going’s on in the world – plus a bit of healthy competition!

In a wider running context, I have no real goals for this year – there are still longstanding running goals I want to achieve – but I see little point in pinning them down at this moment in time whilst Covid still remains rampant. Some races are on the calendar, mainly those which I transferred places from 2020 – but whether those due to take place in April/May will be possible, I will wait and see. I have entered the virtual Ashby 20 in April (mainly because I love the hoodies!) and hope this will give me some further focus and an extra reason to enjoy some longer weekend runs again.
Picture
Picture
​In the weeks ahead my plan is to therefore to continue just to enjoy running, keep a good base of fitness and mileage, and where possible relish running with friends. Simple goals, but realistic at the same time. I believe there is a brighter period ahead during 2021, but for now we just need to take each day at a time… and keep running!
1 Comment

2020: A Year of Running

12/31/2020

0 Comments

 
2020 will certainly be a year we will all never forget, perhaps not for the memorable moments we had planned or the things we had hoped to achieve, but for the worldwide pandemic which has changed our lives and left every single person to face new challenges to their way of living. It has simultaneously felt like so much has happened this year and like nothing has happened at all. I paused blogging for a while as my running training had stopped and I did not want the pressure of feeling like I should be training for something, but I am pleased I have sat down to reflect on this year; it has felt surreal, and looking back on it now, it feels even more surreal!
 
If you can think back to the start of 2020, life feels almost unrecognisable – I was training for the London Marathon and thoroughly enjoying sharing marathon training journeys with several of my Run Club friends. Alongside this I was throwing myself into work doing a job I loved and living my usual busy life where my house was more of a hotel, waking up at 5:30am to run and often not getting home until 8 or 9pm at night (oh how things have changed…!) I had also logged two great races during these early months of the year; the Stamford 30k which I ran with Run Club friends and felt strong despite the challenging conditions and a lot of hills, as well as a great day out at the Cambridge Half Marathon with my sister and her boyfriend.
 
Then it all changed. Lockdowns, working from home for endless months, learning what 2 metres looks like, clapping on the street, queuing to get into Tesco, shopping for vulnerable strangers who needed help, working out in my living room, and Zoom – how can I forget Zoom! Running remained a constant though, and whilst Boris Johnson and co. have made some questionable decisions this year, one thing I am appreciative of is their recognition of the importance of exercise. I have run constantly all year, and probably logged a lot more miles than normal, keeping a consistent level of good weekly mileage. Due to this I feel my base level of running fitness has improved – it sounds almost arrogant, but I have been able to perform well at the few races that were possible in the latter part of the year without really training for them. Throughout 2020, running has been the focus of moments of enjoyment as in previous years, however it has taken at times a very different form.
 
For many weeks, running was solo adventures around a deserted Lincoln, running down the centre of roads which you never would normally dream of without even having to look to cross junctions. It gave me fresh air and kept me sane through many months of working from home, and I think judging by the amount of runners I would see out, was a sanctuary many others found. When restrictions eased and exercise was allowed with one other person, I was able to finally run with others again – a particular joy for someone like me who lives alone. Socially distanced runs eventually became small bubbles of running, which allowed the return of Run Club in little groups. Being a Run Leader has never been so rewarding as when my Run Club returned; seeing friends each week and knowing that we were all appreciative of that structure, escapism, and togetherness. It has been far more than just running.
 
The London Marathon played with my emotions throughout 2020. The postponement of the event in Spring paused my training, and instead I completed a 2.6 running themed challenge on what would have been London Marathon day, running 13 miles around Lincoln including 13 of the steepest hills in the city to raise funds for the charity I work for. Training then started again in the summer and went on far longer than it should have before the London Marathon organisers finally decided to cancel the rearranged October date. I then lost my Good For Age place in the mess they made of transferring people into future dates – which is another story…
 
In addition to the 2.6 challenge, I also took on a 10k challenge raising funds to tackle food poverty in Lincoln, which was led by my workplace. I ran laps around Lincoln City FC’s pitch until I reached 10k (I honestly cannot remember how many laps it was now – but it was A LOT!!) which also coincided with it being one of the hottest days of the year, registering at a sweltering 32 degrees. A fellow Run Club member also ran seven half marathons in seven days to raise funds to support the NHS, and I joined him for one of his runs as well as getting caught up in the excitement that rippled through our Run Club during the week.
 
Summer brought more freedom to running and life. I was able to see my family for the first time in 2020 and also enjoyed some trail adventures when my sister was able to visit me again. Racing also returned – the Normanby 10k was a welcomed return to pinning a piece of paper onto my chest on a Sunday morning and was expertly delivered to offer both a safe and enjoyable experience. Bassingham Bash 5m soon followed, and like at Normanby, I was really pleased with my performance considering I had not trained specifically for either distance. I also marked what would have been the first Lincoln City Half Marathon – and event I am involved with organising through my work and was devastated to have to postpone due to Covid - with a Run In Red half marathon around Lincoln with friends.
 
Autumn squeezed in one final race – the Thorsby Half Marathon which I loved; a trail adventure which I ran strongly and finished as 3rd female, gaining a little piece of silverware in the process. As Covid-19 took a hold of the country again, racing then ceased, but I logged two further virtual races; the Hedgehog Half Marathon and the Doncaster 10k. It is hard work running a virtual race – pushing yourself all-out but without the race atmosphere - but I was pleased to challenge myself. I also won my age group in both races and gained two further trophies. It felt strange receiving these in the post, but I told myself to feel proud I had remained fit throughout 2020 and had also kept my motivation high in order to complete these races on my own accord.
 
Christmas was also defined by running; unable to visit my family over the festive period and finding myself alone for the first time, I was very grateful to have the joy of a Christmas morning run with friends to get me out of bed and start the day memorably. 2020 should also have been a Christmas Day and Boxing Day parkrun double – I am sad enough to have planned that well in advance of Covid! – and I cannot write this blog without mentioning how much Lincoln parkrun has been missed in my life this year. I coped without races for many months, truly realising that I did not need a race to find joy from running, but parkrun is a whole community that was taken from us all. When it comes back I think it will truly feel euphoric.  
 
To summarise, I feel thankful for running in 2020 – unsurprisingly my previous running goals were put on the back burner, but I would never have got through this year without running. Being a member of a Run Club has also been hugely important; I live by myself which has been tough during times of lockdown and limited social contact, however having friends to run with and talk to, either individually or in our club sessions, has really helped get me through. I have valued every single run and mile more than ever.
 
2020 had also taught me a lot about myself and life and for that I am actually grateful for 2020. It has given me the pause I probably did not know I needed and a chance to reflect. I have realised how valuable the people in my life are – I have a diverse friendship network formed predominantly from running circles but also wider, and I am truly grateful for every single one of them. I have felt so very supported and cared for by those around me. I have also learnt to cope far better with myself, which sounds strange, but sometimes you can be your own worse enemy, and when you have a lot of time with your own thoughts/in your own head it is easy to get lost. I feel proud of the personal strength I have shown. I think 2020 has also made me more adaptable; things change – and I am not always a fan of change! – but I have realised sometimes you have to let go of certain things and people that I used to think I needed to have in my life. Finally, I think I have learnt to recognise what makes me happy again and who I need to be around to feel happy – I strangely feel more like ‘me’ than I have done in years.
Picture


2020 has not been without its challenges and tough periods, but I am choosing to focus on the brighter sides as we head into 2021 - things still do not feel certain, but I am hopeful and happy about the future and what life will eventually be like again.

Keep smiling - keep positive - keep running!

​
0 Comments

Thoresby Half Marathon 2020

10/19/2020

0 Comments

 
In the ‘unprecedented’ story of the year 2020 things currently feel a bit uncertain again. With the latest ‘tiered’ living restrictions announced on the week I was due to take on Thoresby Half Marathon, I was feeling very unsure about the race going ahead. However, I am pleased to say SBR Events held strong in their belief that they had a suitably ‘Covid-secure’ event plan in place, and I was able to pin a race number onto my Run Club vest for only the fifth (which is low for me!) time during the year.

Some people may have questioned why the event was going ahead, however being at the event – which offers a very inclusive range of distances from 5k to half marathon including options for Nordic walking and Canicross – it was clear for me. Firstly, the Covid-19 measures which had been implemented were thorough and over and above current guidance. Masks were worn from the moment we stepped out the car until we crossed the race start line, with our ‘slightly sweaty’ face coverings being worn again after we had crossed the finish line. Portaloos were cleaned and sanitised after each use – hence being possibly the cleanest portaloos I have ever encountered! – and hand sanitising was mandatory at all key touch points, including when picking up your own medal. Secondly, the happiness, joy, togetherness, and positivity apparent amongst all runners was something which has been so absent from 2020, it was a reminder that this was more than ‘just’ a race. 2020 has been tough, and if things can offer a beacon of light to people – and let’s not forget no one was forced to be there – we need to embrace those right now.

Anyway, enough of my justification – the event happened, and I loved it! I had not taken part in any of the Thoresby distances before and was tempted into entering the half marathon by friends from my Run Club. Unlike the vast majority of the events I take part in, this was a trail run, and I was keen to test myself on a different train, as well as wear my shiny new Nike Pegasus Trail shoes (in turn coming to terms with the fact my beautiful shoes would in fact get dirty…!) I had no real expectations for my performance, which I feel like I always say, but it was true. With the uncertainty of 2020 I have been following no training plan and simply running whatever I feel and whatever makes me happy. I knew I was fit though; I am not going to pretend I am not, so the half marathon distance would be less of the test, but more the terrain I was running on.

The half marathon course was two loops of the same circuit set in the grounds of Thoresby Hall country estate. I quite liked the loop nature, as from early on into the race I decided not to refer to my watch and simply approach the race as two circuits. This approach therefore meant I had no real idea what pace I was running, but then again, I had no real reference on trail course as to what I would expect my pace to be! After starting I simply settled into my running rhythm, focusing more of my concentration on assessing the terrain beneath me. The course was a lovely mix of some roads, woodland tracks and grassed paths, with a few hills added to the challenge – my beautiful new trainers, although now splattered in mud, were perfect and compared to my old trail shoes, felt a joy to run across all surfaces.

I felt really strong running on the trails; a level of strength that did shock me. The first lap flew by as I enjoyed the little test the inclines offered, smiled at spotting the famous Longhorn Cattle grazing in a field, enjoyed winding through woodland, as well as speeding down lovely road downhills. However, the second lap began with a short grass section, and it was almost like that little stretch shook my legs back into reality. I quickly realised the second lap would require a bit more digging in!

The initial stages of the second lap encountered some of the hills again; I battled up these (uphill is definitely my strength) picking off runners, so knew even though I was having to work harder, I was still going ok. A marshal station gave me a massive boost with the volunteers (in full PPE) blaring out The Killers ‘Mr Brightside’ on a boombox and giving us a full karaoke style rendition of the indie anthem, which I am pretty much word perfect on myself. I probably gave my watch its first real glance after passing this point, and my pace shocked me, as it was much quicker than I felt. I knew I had slowed a little too, so I assumed my first loop had been fairly speedy. Again, this gave me a lift, and I knew I just needed to keep steadily ticking off the final miles – my legs still felt up to the test, I just had to keep consistent.

My final mile was my quickest, helped by a longer road section and by the surprise of some of my Run Clubs friends popping up on a bridge to cheer our club runners home after they had finished their own races. My watch ticked onto half marathon distance annoyingly a fair way from the finish arch, and this told me I needed a good final spurt along the grass to keep under 1hr 40mins still. I had not set this goal, but suddenly on realising it could happen, I really wanted to achieve that time. I pushed on, desperate to get to the line in time.

I made it – 1:39:52 and the bonus of finishing as third place female. On stopping I realised how hard I had been actually working throughout, collapsing onto the hand rails and trying to tell my body to move again. I have missed that feeling – it’s a mix of feeling truly spent but utterly alive. It felt good, and I felt proud of what my body had achieved. I enjoyed some socially distanced chats with others runners as we collected our beautifully wooden crafted medals and then went to find my Run Club friends to cheer in our other running buddies. It almost seemed normal if it was not for the face masks!

I am very pleased with how I ran Thoresby Half Marathon – I am not a trail runner, and when I do runs trails its usually sociable, not as a race. My last trail half marathon in 2017 I ran in 1:47:31, so I am counting this as a trail PB... we have got to come out of 2020 with some achievements right!? In all seriousness, I have exceeded my own expectations in the small number of post lockdown races I have managed, and maybe this is because I have relished everything about taking part in a race so much more. As I said, its more than a race, and whilst I am unsure if there will be many more opportunities to race for a while, its something I shall always be thankful being able to participate in.
Picture
0 Comments

Bassingham Bash 5 Mile 2020

9/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Running Bassingham Bash 5 Miler was not originally on my plan for the year (I think all 2020 plans have been well and truly ripped up now though!) but with the event given the green light in terms of Covid-19 restrictions, a friend from my Run Club tempted me to sign up.  I have completed the race a few times before, but not for a couple of years, and its uniqueness stems from both the 5 mile distance and the Saturday afternoon 2pm start time.

Unsurprisingly given all that is going on in the world, this year’s event was slightly different, with the race capped at only 100 or so entries in order to meet Covid guidelines. Finish time restrictions were announced in order to thin the field, and originally females were required to run sub 29 mins in order to be eligible for a place. Too quick for me! However, they later upped this to sub 41 minutes, which was more within my reach!

The finish time cap meant for a very fast field of runners taking to the streets of a small Lincolnshire village, and perhaps in the past I would have felt intimated by this. There were certainly a lot of ‘serious looking’ men and women gathering around the start area. Most were going through warm up routines in tracksuits, before stripping down to tiny club vests and shorts. I was given number 92, which meant I was one of the slowest runners in the race. However, as I stood on a cold Saturday afternoon, with a chilly 20mph wind whipping across Bassingham cricket pitch, I felt relaxed about racing. I was not here to challenge for a place or battle it out at the front, I was just running for me. I also recognised a lot of runners from the local Lincoln running scene, and as well as them being some very fast runners, they are also really friendly.

There was a jovial atmosphere as we were led to our starting socially distant waves. I was in the final wave at the back, which along with those around me, we took light-heartedly. We were essentially racing the sweeper car behind us! My placing at the back also indicated just how fast the 90 odd men and women ahead of me were attempting to run. I had predicted a finish time of 35 mins, simply based on the pace I ran my 10k race a few weeks ago. I hoped I may be able to go a little bit quicker given the race was a mile less, but with the very strong wind who really knew!

The 5 mile course features a small loop around Bassingham village before completing a large loop out into the countryside, finishing back on Bassingham cricket pitch. The route would be fairly exposed in places, so I knew the wind would require some battling. With the socially distanced start, it also meant there would be no one to ‘tuck in behind’ and it would very much be a solo fight.

​Once my time came to cross the starting mat I aimed to set off quickly; my legs were a little tight from a track session on Thursday, so I wanted to wake them up and run off any stiffness in the opening mile. It seemed to work, and my first two miles were well under 7 min/mile pace. 
Picture
Picture
The wind was reasonably sheltered to begin with but came into more force as the third mile hit. I felt strong though, and although I was very much running alone, I kept runners in my sight in the distance and tried not to let them get away from me. This required more mental effort than physical if I am honest, as there was no support on course, and it was simply down to me to keep driving the pace.

​The fourth mile has the most wind, and my splits dipped here. I still felt strong though and knew I just had to dig in and wait until the course turned and changed direction. When it did, with about a mile left and the familiar sight of Bassingham village now around me, I tried to find a final kick in my legs. This felt harder with no one around to try and hold off or who I could realistically try and pick off ahead, and again it was down to me to find that determination to pick up the pace.


The finishing stages of the course pass the start line again and then head onto a short section of grass, finishing directly underneath a football goalpost! Grass can be a killer in the final sprint of a race, but I felt good as I hit the green surface and drove to the finish. I was slightly breathless when I stopped, it felt like I had been winded almost, but I was pleased with my time; 34:25.

My 5 mile PB is 34:17, so I was not far away, and that was set on a perfectly still day when I had also actually been training. I am still running ‘just for fun’ at the moment and the fact I can log times like this using my base fitness makes me happy. My two friends from Run Club had also ran well (perhaps our less structured Covid training has actually given us all the refresh our bodies needed?) and we made sure to wait until the end to clap the final runners over the line, who had all escaped the threat of being swept up!

​
Bassingham Bash was a great Saturday afternoon speed test, and a reminder again of what racing feels like. The race also fell the day before my birthday so additionally acted as a bit of a pre-birthday bash! I did not think I would be racing as much as this toward the end of 2020, and who knows how long it will last, so I am thankful for each opportunity I get at the moment and to be able to create some happier memories from the year. ​
0 Comments

Checking In...

9/20/2020

1 Comment

 
Its been nearly a month since I last blogged (other then a review of the Normanby 10k), and as seems to be the case for this year, the past few weeks have all seemed to blur into one as we try and move on with life in a socially distanced world, yet with the fear of ‘lockdown’ hanging over our lives. I cannot complain though, I am happy, and when I think back to how life was a few months back, spending long days on my own predominantly confined to my house – life is amazing! You have to hold on to the positives.

Since last writing I have learnt my London Marathon fate, and under their rules my 2020 Good For Age place is now only eligible for 2023, and will no longer be classed as Good For Age. I cannot change this, but I will forever feel slightly sad that Covid robbed me of my qualifier place and the – I will say it – greed of the London Marathon robbed me of a second chance to run as a qualifier. However, everyone has had to make sacrifices this year, and everyone will have something they feel disappointed to have lost; some people will think ‘it’s only a race’ but for me this was my ‘five star luxury holiday’ or ‘dream wedding’ and something I had been wanting for so long. However, I move on.

Running wise I am currently enjoying running whatever I like. It feels good and I have no targets or goals. I am mixing up my running; running easy when I want, adding in some longer runs, still motivated to throw in some harder efforts be that intervals or hills, and am also loving leading my Run Club sessions each week. My weekly mileage is still reasonably high (this week I have ran 37 miles for example), but it does not feel draining, and I feel I am building a good base fitness.

Highlights of the past month of running have been a return to track nights with Run Club (absolutely brutal but wonderful at the same time) an 18 mile trail run with my sister and her boyfriend (I may have told them it was 13…! ), logging a #RunInRed Lincoln Half Marathon with friends to mark what would have been the first Lincoln City Half Marathon event (roll on 2021, it will be worth the wait!), as well as of course a return to racing at Normanby 10k.

I feel like my plan for the rest of the year (if you can confidently plan anything these days!) will be to continue in the same vein. I find myself for the first time in years without a big race in the calendar, and I want to use this version of ‘Alice Downtime’ to truly enjoy running, as well as appreciate all those other parts of life which Covid took from us for so many months. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Normanby 10k 2020

9/6/2020

0 Comments

 
2020 has been a year which no one could have predicted in nearly every way possible. Therefore, on Sunday 8th March 2020 when I raced across the finish line at the Cambridge Half Marathon, despite threats of this strange ‘Coronavirus’ rumbling in the distance, I had no idea this would be my last race for six months. I had a full calendar of events planned for 2020, and slowly but surely, they fell victim to the pandemic. I had almost resolved that there would be no further racing in 2020, that was until the team at Curly’s Athletes gave us some hope – the Normanby 10k will be going ahead they announced, and with some encouragement from friends at my Run Club, I signed up.   

I feel we have all reflected a lot on life during lockdown and one thing I realised was that I raced a lot – all it takes is for someone to mention a race to me and I am signing up! The positive of this was I had grown quite comfortable with racing and my pre-race routine, and never really felt any nerves – unless it was one of my big marathons! However, with a six month hiatus from races I could feel the nerves creep in again; even on Saturday evening I was anxiously getting all my gear together (with the extra addition of sanitiser and face mask!) fearful I had somehow forgotten something key. I was very much looking forward to the race day environment though, that shared sense of determination and achievement, and whilst I knew it would not be the same as races pre-Covid, I was confident the team at Curly’s Athletes would be doing all they could to make it safe but successful for runners.

Prior to Sunday morning I had watched the online race briefing so knew what to expect as I arrived at the race start, which is based at Normanby Hall Country Park. I was to stay in or next to my car until being called over to start, and could only leave to use the toilets. It made sense and worked perfectly fine. A relatively small field of 500 runners also meant queues etc. were minimal, and everyone observed the rules and social distancing guidelines impeccably. My nerves had calmed a little until they began to call over waves of runners to start; thirty at a time based on the predicted finish time you entered on registration. Predicting a finish time had been tough, I knew what my 10k PB was (42:42) and I knew what I wanted to run as a bare minimum (sub 45) – so I plumped for 43 mins as an educated guess! I was really pleased that both my friends from Run Club were in the same start wave as me; it was hard to spot them in a car park and this meant we could see each other and share a few pre-race words.

Our group of thirty were given a short briefing and then led down to the start line, where we lined up in socially distant queues, three runners wide. The start would then be staggered and rolling, with three runners set off in time intervals to minimise overtaking. It was well thought out and the system flowed very nicely and certainly meant there was now crowding at the start line.

​As we waited to start my friend asked me how I felt; I admitted I was nervous, I knew I had been running a lot this year, but I did not feel speedy or quick. In particular these last couple of weeks, since the London Marathon had finally been cancelled, I had relaxed more with running and had also been enjoying life a little more, finally being able to spend some time with friends and family. In short, I did not feel confident I could run fast – I knew I could run 10k, but in what time? My friend then said something to me which helped immensely; it was said as a bit of a joke, but the words stuck – ‘you’ve been training for a marathon all year Alice – you can run well!’ It was true – I have been training a lot this year, just with not much to show for it! These few words gave me the mental boost I needed as my time to cross the start line arrived.

I had not ran the Normanby 10k before, but I have done the parkrun based at the site a few times, as a well as the Hedgehog Half Marathon which again starts and finished at the site. A quick scan of the route (I am never much of a route analyser!) therefore meant I knew I would recognise some parts. Essentially, the route started in the park before leaving to complete a large loop incorporating the local villages of Thealby and Burton Upon Stather. The final section then re-joined the park, including a half mile section on grass, to finish outside the main Hall. I liked the look of the course, and long straight stretches of road really help me find a running rhythm, but I already knew that the grassy finish would be a killer on the legs!
Picture
Picture
My first mile was fast, I felt quick, but the route was also kind with a slight downhill slope. We soon paid for this assistance though as the next two miles featured a couple of longer drawn out inclines – the term hills is far too strong – but the route steadily climbs upwards and it makes you work hard to maintain your speed. Despite having to push, as I passed halfway I felt good, I was not looking at my watch and just running to feel. I was also running pretty much on my own, with only runners ahead of me to chase – the social distancing worked well. It still felt like a race though as the sound of footsteps in the distance behind me, and the focus of keeping runners in sight in front of me, spurred me on. The only slight difference was probably the lack of spectators, who had been advised to stay away, especially in the finish areas.

​Mile 4 to 5 I found I had to dig in a little more, but with two miles to go I drew on some of my marathon training mental strength and told my mind and legs to hold steady – my friend’s inadvertent pep talk helped me here. After passing the 5 mile point I could then feel myself wanting to kick for the finish as we re-entered Normanby Hall, however I first had to accomplish running the grassy half mile loop. As I hit the green surface at first I kept my stride well and thought for a split second I was going to be ok. This soon faded though as I had to work harder to push from the softer, slightly uneven surface and maintain my form and speed. It was a tough little test, but something which (afterwards!) felt good to have mastered.

​Leaving the grass, I tried to rebuild the speed in my legs and push for the finish arch, which I could begin to see looming on the horizon. I was going well, and then suddenly the route turned for a another final 200m or so on grass leading to the finish line. Now this was tough! Sprinting on grass at the end of the 10k caused me to grit my teeth and required far too much concentration to even think about what time I was heading for! I made it though, and moving swiftly through the finish to make sure I did not cause a gathering, I was extremely pleased to read a time of 43:07 on my watch. I was happy for a number of reasons; firstly this was my second fastest 10k, and not too far from my PB, but I was also pleased that I had found the belief in myself to push for a good time, and that my legs did actually have some speed in them! With the grass and inclines, it is probably a tougher 10k course than where my PB was set too, which makes me believe I have another sub 43 minute time in me one day.


The beauty of the finish area at Normanby Hall meant the large open space allowed for runners to meet fellow friends who were running, whilst remaining distanced from others. Chatting to my Run Club friends after the race meant it didn’t feel like I had to just run and leave, and could enjoy that post run reflection and socialising. Curly's Athletes got the event spot on in my opinion; importantly it felt safe, and to be honest there are elements I think actually made the racing experience better too! Although I did of course miss getting a high five from a random stranger at the side of the road, and having a finish funnel area lined with more strangers screaming my name!

Normanby 10k worked really under the Covid restrictions, and I imagine the relatively small field and having a manageable, more rural route helped support this. Taking part in this event has given me confidence that the couple of other races I have entered across the remainder of the year, which are of a similar nature, may therefore also take place. It still feels a long time until thousands of runners can huddle in start pens and race through crowded city centre streets – but Normanby 10k felt like progress in many ways. ​
0 Comments

The Next Steps

8/23/2020

0 Comments

 
Since my last blog and my simultaneous decision to end any form of marathon training, things have felt good. I am not missing the structure of marathon training and I am certainty not doubting my decision not to have any involvement in a virtual London Marathon and/or attempt a new Good For Age time.

Mentally it feels like a hanging weight has been lifted; I pretty much know where I stand now in terms of the rest of this year, and although I am waiting on an email from the London Marathon to confirm what will happen with my 2020 place, I am not wasting any energy worrying about what that outcome may be. Physically, my body already feels better for a drop in mileage too. It has made me realise how much pain the tendinitis that my Sports Therapist had recently diagnosed as developing in my left knee has been causing me, mainly when not running. Recently when driving my car and my leg being stuck in a fixed, bent position it was becoming extremely uncomfortable and was seeing me finish even short journeys ready to literally jump out the car and straighten my leg. This week I drove from York to Lincoln without any pain whatsoever. 

In York I had been staying with my sister and her boyfriend for a few days, and my parents also came up to stay, so I was able to see them for the first time since Christmas. The timing of my little trip away could not have fallen more perfectly really; with the marathon plan torn up I was able to really enjoy some time out of my lock down routine and also to switch off. I still ran most days with my sister and her boyfriend (it is so great having family who also love to run!) but there was no pressure to get up and squeeze 20 miles in before joining the days activities. We are still an active family though, so we walked lots of miles and I even went on a bike ride for the first time in many years! We cycled 24 miles and although I have absolutely no cycling gear (my backside was a little saddle sore sat on a rock hard saddle in flimsy running shorts!), was borrowing my sister's second hand bike, and got a puncture a mile from home whilst cycling up a hill - I really enjoyed it! 

At times whilst away I was almost able to forget the ongoing impact of Covid-19. In fact some areas of my life are beginning to shift slowly back towards normality. I am still working predominantly from home, although can go into my workplace/office now if there is a need to - these little breaks from my kitchen table are very much welcomed. Our Run Club is now meeting in slightly larger numbers and we even have a track session planned for next week. 
Picture
Picture
Perhaps most surprisingly for 2020, I also have an actual race - the Normanby 10k - taking place in two weeks time. This is an event I have absolutely zero expectations for in terms of my own performance but simply want to experience a race day feeling again with friends and also support Curly's Athletes, who I know through our joint involvement in the Lincoln City Half Marathon. I trust that the Curly's team will be doing all that can to deliver a safe but enjoyable event. 

Running wise I am simply going to do what I feel like in the weeks ahead; I know I need to keep my mileage a little more conservative for a few more weeks, and I actually feel quite inclined to do some shorter, sharper runs for a change - I can get myself 5k ready for the long awaited return of parkrun! 
​I am also going to be a little more relaxed with blogging - not stopping! - but without 'training' as such to report on I am simply going to write when I feel like it. 
 
I feel comfortable with my next steps, and my biggest hope is that things also keep progressing forward more generally in the world and society. 
0 Comments

The End Of The London Marathon 2020 Road

8/9/2020

0 Comments

 
There are several things 2020/lockdown/Covid has taught me, but in running terms it has been the realisation that I purely love running, the act of going for a run, which is even better when you get to share this with others (oh how I miss you parkrun!) I have not missed racing as such, but instead the shared experience, journey, enjoyment, achievement etc. of running these adventures with others. I have reflected on this a lot since the London Marathon news was (finally) delivered this week and we now know for definite that there will be no 2020 race happening.

Since the news broke late on Thursday I have been through a real spectrum of emotions. It felt different to back in March when, as the news came that the race was being postponed, I felt sad even though I knew it was the right decision. At the time I was really enjoying my training and was looking forward to sharing the event with friends from my Run Club. I did not instantly feel sad this time though, simply relieved. Although I had been training for the new October date, I did not think the race should be held nor did I want it to take place this year. Consequently I was growing to slightly resent my training plan in recent weeks; I felt almost a slave to it when I had no reason to be.

I still feel frustrated with how the London Marathon have handled things; I feel they have almost been ignorant to the commitment of marathon training and, more importantly, to the pandemic. Although they say it, sadly I do not believe they have always had runners’ best interest in mind. Apparently they had been investigating some Bluetooth technology which runners would use during the race and which would be able to log data about who they came into 2 metre contact with across 26.2 miles. This all sounds potentially very useful going forward, but let’s face it, the Government cannot even master a decent track and trace system, so what chance did the London Marathon have of nailing this in a matter of weeks? Its something they should be exploring, but they needed to be realistic it was not possible to master, practice and ensure it was reliable in time for October.

After my initial relief at hearing the race was cancelled for 2020, and then an almost renewed respect that they had decided to hold the event in October 2021, which seems a very sensible call based on the current situation, things quickly spiralled. On the surface level social media (which another frustration of mine is that this comms was released before runners received an official email – surely it should have been the other way round?) it appeared all runners would be offered a place in the 2021 event. However, as I delved deeper into the FAQs, here the uncertainty arose…

Considering we have spent the vast majority of this year attempting to following often vague and difficult to understand guidelines about how to live our lives, you would think the London Marathon would have learnt to make things straightforward and simple – but no. Some sections of the FAQs were more straightforward, however in relation to my area of concern – Good For Age qualification – it was unclear. Have a look at the guidance yourself and see what you think  - but I am pretty sure because the qualifying time I submitted was from September 2018 this means, in order to be eligible to run in 2021, I must take part in the virtual race on October 4th and I must also run another Good For Age time during this virtual run. If not, my place will only be valid for 2023. On reading this I will admit my gut reaction was to feel upset, I could almost feel myself wanting to cry. I had worked so hard to run a qualifying time and it had been a massive goal of mine to achieve this feat, and yet London Marathon were now almost seeming to disregard it. The 2020 race was also the first option I had to use my qualification time (I was too late for the 2019 event) and therefore it seemed unfair that I was being pushed back to five years after the qualifying time was ran.

Trying to swallow my feelings, I then spent time thinking more about the virtual race. How could I run 26.2 miles around Lincoln, on my own and, more importantly, fast? It would be Good For Age or bust... I was pondering routes, how I would manage aid stations, and how much more training I needed to do… Late Thursday night my mind was buzzing, including thinking about how on earth the London Marathon were going to police these virtual runs and ensure no cheating took place to log quick qualifying times. I am still unsure why they feel this should even be an option to qualify virtually when all the other World Marathon majors have omitted this from their virtual events. I was also fretting about the fact the London Marathon are not due to send an email out until September (more waiting) to confirm each runner’s individual options for rolling over their place – so if I have to do this virtual run do I need to keep training? Surely I need to if I am going to have to try run a Good For Age time?!

Fast forward to this weekend and my slightly more logical thinking has helped me make a more rational decision about the London Marathon. Firstly, I have no interest in virtual events, and personally would not feel that running 26.2 miles around Lincoln warrants a prestigious London Marathon medal. Secondly, the amount of pressure this virtual marathon would put on me is too much –  a finish time is not the only reason why I run marathons and yet this virtual run would be all about the clock. On the day if I failed to run the time I needed how would that make me feel? Thirdly, I feel I need a break from training for a marathon, it has been a physically and mentally long year and my body has had no real rest period. I saw my Sports Therapist this week had have been told I have slight tendinitis developing in my left knee – it is a warning sign and I need to take this chance to ease off mileage a little. Lastly, and going back to my starting point, racing is not just why I run and any form of ‘London Marathon’ during 2020 would be going against all that lockdown had taught me.

So, my decision now leaves me awaiting my email in September to learn if I will be given an option to run in October 2021 or if I will be pushed back until April 2023. I don’t want to read I have to run in 2023, but I cannot change it, and to be honest I am tired of the London Marathon playing with my emotions and maybe a break away from the event will be good? There are other marathons to run and experiences to be had out there too.

This means 2020 will be my first year without a marathon since 2014, and I am ok with it. I have gained a lot more this year than the races I have lost. This last week has emphasised this as I enjoyed numerous runs with Run Club/friends, some easy paced runs, some pushing harder, some exploring new places, and on Sunday felt fully free to enjoy a lovely long run with no pressure. I am no longer training but back to running, and whilst I have some small events still booked in for later in the year, I will look (hopefully!) forward to these days as chances to share experiences with friends again and just run happy.

My marathon adventures will undoubtedly return in 2021, I still have many ventures I want to complete, and I am also determined I will run the London Marathon one day as a Good For Age qualifier.
0 Comments

London Marathon Training Week 6 #2

8/2/2020

0 Comments

 
So this week obviously began with the latest London Marathon update (if you can call it that.) I have had my rant, which you are welcome to read again here, but I am sure you can imagine my feelings... 

Aside from the London Marathon hanging over me, this week has felt the most normal in my life for a long time; its felt good, really good, but also a little tiring as I found myself rushing around to fit things in once again. Lockdown really has made me realise how busy I often make my life! Things which have helped were actually being able to go into my office at some point each day of the week and see some colleagues. I was also single handily trying to deliver 2500 consultation letters to local households, which meant a lot of steps, but also much less time sat at my kitchen table – hallelujah! I even had my first day of annual leave during 2020 (which I somehow managed to coincide with the hottest day of the year!) which I used to have a post lockdown reunion with my sister and her boyfriend, and also made a return to the gym. This week makes me feel hopeful for the future, but I am also cautious; on reflection I am now mixing with quite a few different people, and whilst I am following the guidance, I can easily see how across the UK social contact must be sharply increasing and how local lockdowns are developing. Its such a tough balance, as I know how much better I feel in myself being able to do a few more ‘normal’ things again, but yet the threat of ‘the virus’ has yet to really go away…

MONDAY: Rest Day - with the knowledge I had a gym session booked for later in the week I thought best not to overload my body too much with any home workouts (plus I am getting bored of them now anyway!)

TUESDAY: despite the London Marathon news, I felt really motivated to run some intervals today, even with a rather tough looking 6 miles with 10 x 400m reps on the plan. I ran along the riverbank near to me, an out and back stretch which is great for intervals, but often catches you unaware with a deceivingly strong headwind. Today was one of those days and my reps ‘out’ were all well under 7 min/mile pace, whilst my reps ‘back’ into the wind were closer to 7 min/mile pace – I felt strong though despite the added challenge and enjoyed the feeling of pushing the pace.

WEDNESDAY: I met my friend this week for another 6am run just outside Lincoln. We ran 6 miles on mixed terrain and at our usual pretty speedy pace. Strictly speaking today was supposed to be a recovery run, but my affinity to my training plan was rather wavering, and I much preferred the idea of miles with a friend!
Picture
THURSDAY: again my ‘plan’ went out the window a little today; on what was supposed to be some steady miles, I actually ran 5 miles with my Run Club which included 12 x 200m fast paced efforts – again far more enjoyable! Prior to my evening run, I also went back to the gym for the first time in four months, managing to get a slot at my favourite class, Body Pump. I was a little apprehensive as to how my gym would manage the whole reopening, and I probably had fairly low expectations. However, I have to say I was honestly very impressed by the lengths they had gone to. I felt safe and was able to thoroughly enjoy doing some strength training again; yes I have lost strength, particularly upper body, but it also feels exciting to be able to work hard to get it back again.

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: I wanted to try test my speed this week during my ‘not Lincoln parkrun’ attempt, however my legs were still sore from my return to the gym – which I was not overly surprised by! I gave it a go though, purely aiming for some quicker miles, without expecting to feel super speedy. After my legs had warmed up a bit, I ran well and held a constant quick pace, which I extended to 4 miles. I was nowhere near parkrun speed, but it was a nice step up in gear.

SUNDAY: thankfully, my long run this week was a bit of a ‘cut back’ on my plan after last week’s 19 miles; I am not sure even I had the mental strength to log a really long run this week. 14 miles felt a nice distance though and after a number of quicker runs this week, I kept my pace easy. The warmth did make it slightly less comfortable and I also find it tougher when running with water, which although essential for long hot runs, the 2 litres or so on my back does slow me down a little!

Dare I even say that by next Sunday I should know where things stand regarding the London Marathon 2020…!? ​
0 Comments

London Marathon Training Week 5 #2

7/27/2020

0 Comments

 
​​Usually I sit and write a blog on a Sunday evening, reflecting on my week, consolidating my thoughts etc. Yesterday I ran out of time, which feels quite a joyous thing to say after recent months of finding almost ‘time filling’ activities. I logged a long run and then spent a long afternoon and evening visiting a friend and her family – actual people! – a simple thing which felt so wonderful.

I also almost instinctively held back on my blog due to the incoming London Marathon announcement which was due to arrive on Tuesday. I felt it would rather influence things so to speak! The announcement actually arrived today (Monday) and yet again it filled me (and it seems the overwhelming majority on social media) with frustration and almost anger. No update or definite decision on holding the race was given and instead a promise for another update by Friday 7th August.

At the last announcement I resolved in my head to focus on this five-week mini block of training, after which I thought I would know where I stand. I have tried to train as best I can, but to then find out I must prolong this uncertainty for further days and indeed runs felt exasperating. This is just me, lets not forget (as it seems the London Marathon may have) that we are still in the midst of a pandemic which has caused thousands of deaths and dramatic lifestyle changes for the entire population. Why is hosting the London Marathon even the right thing to do?

I will try not to rant; I just have to try and keep focused for a few more days. This past week of training has been tougher to do this though, and I have felt my commitment to the training plan being questioned by my logical mind – I have wanted to run, but why was I running what this piece of paper said? What is the point…? I did in fact deviate from my plan slightly, although still kept my weekly mileage as required, and it is perhaps telling that on the run where I really made myself adhere to the plan, I also really struggled mentally.

MONDAY: on what my plan told me was rest day - I enjoyed a near 7 mile run with a friend at a steady pace whilst catching up. It was a lovely start to the week, and I felt I did not need a rest day despite Sunday’s long trail miles. I did rest my legs on Tuesday though to prevent too many consecutive days of running.
Picture
WEDNESDAY: this was a real struggle run, my plan was for 9 slow miles and it was an absolute slog. I did not really want to run 9 slow miles and therefore my mind never settled into the run, I never found my rhythm and I used any excuse to stop, which then led me to battle in my head about why I should keep going. Not one to remember!

​THURSDAY: I bounced back today; my training plan was for hill reps which coincided nicely with our planned Run Club session for the week. I split my run into two parts; a morning 5k on a hilly course to get some slightly quicker hill reps in, and then 4 evening miles of steadier continuous hills with my club mates. I love running hills with other people and that collective challenge and achievement.


FRIDAY: home strength work on my glutes and quads, motivated by the fact that this should be my final living room workout, as next week I have booked back into my usual (pre lockdown) strength class at the gym

SATURDAY: keeping with the hill theme of the week, I ran my hillier ‘not parkrun course’ pushing hard up the inclines. Next week I may be brave and attempt a flatter, faster time… I am just a little scared to try as fear I will be so far off my desired time!

SUNDAY: with actual plans on a Sunday and the forecast for a warm day I got up and out relatively early for my long run of 19 miles, which as the day heated up, I was very thankful for. With the warmth and distance, I took the run steadily from the start and the first ten miles passed relatively quickly. As I edged into the ‘teen miles’ however my legs lacked power; they did not feel like lead or ‘planks of wood’ as I described them a couple of weeks ago, I could keep running, but I had no drive and I could physically feel my quads tiring. Maybe it is in my mind now as I know I have lost strength over lockdown, but as I finished I felt a realisation dawn on me that if this marathon does take place, I may not be in my best physical condition regardless of how hard I try; I have catching up to do in areas that are not just pounding the pavements.
​
So who knows what the next London Marathon announcement will bring and how this will influence my running and life over the next weeks/months… more waiting. 
0 Comments

London Marathon Training Week 4 #2

7/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Last week my body felt tired. I did some maths and worked out that so far this year I have ran 1,077 miles, which is definitely a lot more than my car has managed this year! Usually after a marathon training cycle I would have a bit of a break, people who know me will know this is definitely an ‘Alice version’ of a break, but I do tend to drop my mileage for a least a few weeks as my legs recover. This year I have gone straight from full on training for a marathon, to a consistent period of lockdown mileage of around 35 miles a week, and now into the start of marathon training again. I feel fit, there is no denying that, but at the end of last week my body also felt a little knackered.

Thankfully this week was a bit of a ‘cut back’ week in my training plan and I was also able to finally see my Sport Therapist, who confirmed what I already thought may be the case – my legs are struggling under my high mileage without any strength training. Yes, I have been doing weekly home exercise with body weight and resistance bands, but it doesn’t quite match up to the gym work I normally ensure I incorporate into my training. The gyms reopening gives me a chance to build some of this back up at least – I will need to make sure this is done steadily though, else I won’t be able to walk for weeks let alone run!

MONDAY: some adapted home exercise; my quads were still so sore from my long run on Sunday I tried to give them a bit of a break.

TUESDAY: a steady 5 miles – the first mile my legs felt really stiff still, but I loosened up with each mile, unintentionally getting quicker.

WEDNESDAY: although yesterday showed some promise, today my legs were stiff again, and an easy 8 miles definitely had to be taken easily. I was now practically counting down the hours until my Sports Therapy appointment on Friday!

THURSDAY: speed work this week was a little less demanding, with 8 miles of fartlek on my plan. This fitted well with the Run Club session we had planned, and I was able to incorporate my own miles with some leading my ‘running bubble’. For once working from home proved useful as I made myself close my laptop at 5:30pm and was out running within a few minutes. I ran four miles solo, with some quicker sub 8 min/miles, and then met my Run Club friends for another 4 miles including 5 x 1k reps. Running with others is a joy at the moment anyway, but it also really helped take my mind off my legs!

​FRIDAY: Rest Day – and ending my five month wait for a sports massage!
Picture
Picture
SATURDAY: although my legs felt much improved after some treatment, I did not want to instantly push them, so kept this week’s ‘not Lincoln parkrun’ attempt ‘confortably hard’ and with a couple of gradual hills thrown in.

SUNDAY: this week’s long run was a refreshing change which saw me run with someone else, leave Lincoln, and also run on trails! I ran as part of an organised trail run through my friend’s business Remarkable Running, and he had plotted out a 30k route starting in Woodhall Spa and venturing out into the Lincolnshire countryside. I loved getting out exploring, and the route had lots of different elements from tracks, to fields and woodlands, which were all cleverly mapped together. I switched off from pace and distance and simple enjoyed being outside. I would never be able to plan a route like this on my own, and part of the enjoyment was the fact I didn’t have to think about where I was running and could simple enjoy the experience. We finished back in Woodhall Spa around lunchtime, and on what was now a gloriously sunny day, enjoyed post refreshments in the town centre. It was a great day and adventure, and something I highly recommend others try if they find themselves a little lost or lacking with running focus at the moment what with everything going on in the world!
 
Next week should be the final full week of training before the next announcement from the London Marathon is due. I will approach it with focus, but I am very open about the fact I hope this is my last week of marathon training for 2020. ​
0 Comments

London Marathon Training Week 3 #2

7/12/2020

0 Comments

 
This week my running has fallen into one of either two camps – felt really good or felt really tough. There has been no middle ground! The tough runs my legs have just felt so tight; I bang on about a Sports Massage, but I am used to having one every month or so, and thus it’s been hard going without for nearly five months, especially when I have probably been running more cumulative miles than ever before during lockdown. I think my legs are hitting their limit! My prayers seem to have been answered though as the announcement this week regarding the further relaxing of lockdown restrictions means that Sports Therapists are now able to do hands on treatment. With my quads now at the ‘unbelievably tight’ stage I am literally counting down the days until my appointment, which I have managed to book for Friday.

MONDAY: home exercises and strength and conditioning - seems I may also be able to return to the gym soon!

TUESDAY: despite being ‘easy’ miles, this run fell into the ‘tough’ camp. My legs just had no energy, which meant that even though I was meant to be keeping the pace down, 8 miles still felt like a bit too much of an effort.

WEDNESDAY: I met my friend again this week for another 6am run out in the countryside just outside Lincoln. Considering how rubbish my legs felt yesterday I was a little doubtful if I would be able to keep up with him this week! However, my body felt like a totally different person, and I ran along strongly, keeping to the quick rhythm. A few times I glanced down at my watch and saw for sections we were even edging into sub 7-minute mile territory! We finished with 6 miles and an average pace of 7.18 min/mile – I could not have done that yesterday.

​THURSDAY: this was both a ‘good’ running day and a double running day, with the long-awaited return of my Run Club in the evening. My solo morning run was intervals; just over 4 miles with 6 x 800m reps. I actually ran these on a very small loop of streets near my house, logging laps almost like at a track – I prefer this approach for interval running as it means I can switch off thinking about where to run and put all my energy into just running. I was pleased with my splits, which logged 7:16, 6.50, 7.06, 6.26, 7.06, 6.50 respectively, and my legs felt powerful throughout.
Picture
Then, after another day of the dreaded ‘working from home’, I could not wait to get out again and meet some of my friends from Run Club! It had been four months since our last Run Club session, and despite the fact we were all split into small groups across Lincoln (following Government guidance of course!) it was great to be able to run together again. A miserable, grey and damp evening brightened instantly by being amongst and running with friends! I have missed it, and I look forward to when we can become our bigger community again.  

​FRIDAY: Rest Day


SATURDAY: I woke this morning and even lying in bed I could feel my legs were heavy and tight. With a long run looming tomorrow, I did not even attempt a quick ‘not Lincoln parkrun’ and instead plotted a completely new 5k loop, with a couple of gentle hills, which I ran steadily. As I ran, I knew my decision was wise - my legs definitely had no speed in them!

SUNDAY: my slightly more cautious approach yesterday did not pay off today. Whilst my legs felt better pre-run, during the run they were not great at all. From mile one they were tight and never loosened – I likened them to planks of wood which I stiffly had to try bend and keep moving. At times my quads reminded me of the final few miles of a marathon; that heavy tightness that doesn’t get any worse but just makes each step feel like a monumental effort! Somehow, I got through 18 miles; there was just this little voice inside my head willing me to keep going on! At one point I was at a section of my route where I could turn for home and cut the run short at about 9/10 miles, or start another loop which would mean I was ‘all in’ for the full 18 miles. I paused for a second, but found myself heading for the loop – am sure others may have headed for home, especially with the fact that the marathon I am training for is by no means certainly going to happen! Whilst my legs felt rubbish, my pace was slow and it was a tough few hours out running, I am pleased my mental strength is still apparent. 

So that's Week 3 of this second version of training complete and another 43.5 miles in the legs. Two more weeks of training until the promised next announcement from the London Marathon… ​
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Alice's Adventures In Running Land

    Read about my adventures in running land...


    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    Ashby 20 2019
    Bassingham Bash 2015
    Bassingham Bash 2016
    Bassingham Bash 2017
    Bassingham Bash 2020
    Berlin Marathon 2016
    Berlin Marathon 2017
    Boston Marathon 2017
    Brighton 10k 2015
    Brighton Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2018
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2020
    Chicago Marathon 2019
    Clumber Park Half Marathon
    Doncaster 10k 2017
    Doncaster 10k 2018
    Doncaster 10k 2019
    Doncaster 10k 2021
    Finsbury Park 10k 2015
    General Running
    Great Newham Run 10k 2016
    Great North Run 2015
    Harewood House Half Marathon 2017
    Hedgehog Half Marathon 2018
    I Am Team GB
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2018
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2019
    Lincoln 10k 2015
    Lincoln 10k 2016
    Lincoln 10k 2017
    Lincoln 10k 2018
    Lincoln 10k 2019
    Lincoln 10k 2021
    Lincoln Colour Dash 2015
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2016
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2015
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2016
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2018
    Lockdown 2021
    London Marathon 2015
    London Marathon 2016
    London Marathon 2017
    London Marathon 2018
    London Marathon 2020
    Manchester Marathon 2016
    Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2017
    Newark Half Marathon 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2019
    Newton's Fraction Half Marathon 2019
    Normanby 10k 2020
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2018
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2019
    Nottingham 10k 2016
    Oxford Half Marathon 2015
    Parkrun
    Park Run
    Peterborough Marathon 2021
    Robin Hood Trail 10k
    Round Sheffield Run 2016
    Round Sheffield Run 2017
    Round Sheffield Run 2018
    Round Sheffield Run 2019
    Round Sheffield Run 2021
    Royal Parks Half 2016
    Santa Run 2014
    Santa Run 2015
    Santa Run 2018
    Santa Run 2019
    Sleaford 10k 2019
    Stamford 30k
    Sydney Marathon 2018
    The 401 Challenge
    The Royal Parks Half Marathon 2016
    Thoresby Half Marathon
    Winter Run 10k Liverpool
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2018
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2019
    X Runner 2015

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from marksteelenz