Sat at home one night after an evening of running/exercise, my friend sent me a message about something called ‘Round Sheffield Run’. It looked good, she said, followed by a winking emoji face – an icon which basically replaced the words ‘shall we do this?!’ I looked into the run very briefly - to be honest if it’s a running event I do not usually take too much convincing! The race appeared scenic, was a reasonable distance, and the multi stage nature of the event sounded interesting - why not I thought!

I had never heard of Round Sheffield Run before this. The event was billed as an ‘epic’ trail race set on ‘superb’ trails and parkland in Sheffield. Quite a statement. The race was to comprise of 11 timed stages of running, totally 20km, with 4.5km worth of recovery breaks in between the stages. I had certainly never done anything like this before either. So taking this into account I was not really sure what to expect as race day arrive. I call it race day, it did not really feel like race day, I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t chasing a time or a PB, and I was not really expecting to be racing anyone. Running with my friend as a 'Female Pair' I was a little worried about slowing her down, especially as hills have not been my friend of late! But aside from that there were no pre-race nerves, just a little uncertainty about what lay ahead…  I need not have been concerned on any fronts though, as I can honestly say Round Sheffield Run was so much fun, even on some of the most testing running stages I have ever completed…

The race started at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield; it was a fairly cool morning, and waiting in the start funnel there was a sense we all just wanted to get going! After checking in our timing ‘dibber’ (probably not the word but it’s what I called it!) at the start line checkpoint, my friend and I were off. The first stage felt a bit like a normal race, set on a mix of paved and dirt tracks it was a gradual incline which did not seem too bad. The setting was already beautiful too, with woodland engulfing us and a calming stream running alongside us. This is alright I thought! At the end of this stage it felt a bit unnatural going to check in the ‘dibber’ rather than rushing to stop my watch. It was a bit of a juggling act between the two, and one I soon gave up on, just letting my watch run its course and focusing on checking the ‘dibber’ in and out of each checkpoint.

The liaison between stage one and two was short, a brisk walk and we were soon onto stage two. I had seen on the Round Sheffield Run website that stage two was said to be the toughest on the course; so had braced myself. We started a hilly climb, and I could already see in the distance it was long. My friend was ahead of me, eating up the hill with seeming ease; I could see the summit (so I thought) and just tried to keep going until I met it and caught her up. As I neared what appeared to be the top, a slight turn revealed that this was by no means the end of the hill. It was getting stepper, narrower and more uneven underfoot, and was certainly going on for much, much longer. This second part of the hill/stage was tough. I couldn’t keep running that’s for sure (I would like to bet my friend might have been able to without me though!) Some sections were so steep it actually felt quicker to walk, and most people were. This stage was virtually 2.5km of an increasingly hard hill climb! It sounds really hideous doesn’t it, but it actually was not (see image where I am actually smiling whilst running the stage!). It’s hard to explain, but the environment around was so peaceful; running water, natural stone footpaths, twisted tree trunks; that it didn’t feel a chore to run the hill, unlike some I have faced whilst out road running!

The next walking liaison was very much welcomed and was a longer stretch along a small road. I did laugh at the cars overtaking us runners. If I was driving I would have been thinking this was the worst running race I have ever seen – everyone walking! Little did they know what we had just accomplished and what we were about to go onto face.

The next two stages felt a joy to run, both predominantly downhill, it was good to get the legs running freely again. Stage four was a bit of a challenge with some heavy rainfall overnight leading to some very boggy patches inside the woodland. Freewheeling downhill and then suddenly hitting a boggy patch was interesting to say the least - at one point I was within a few millimetres of skidding right down into a ditch! I was laughing so much at my complete lack of control – it felt like being a child again!

As we walked the liaison onto stage five I commented I felt like I was on holiday. It certainly didn’t feel like I was in Sheffield. Having run through such beautiful woodlands so far, we were now strolling through quaint houses and alongside a small railway set in front of a massive expanse of hilly woodland and trees. It was perfect. I say perfect, that was until I realised we were heading up towards the hilly woodland and trees – I should have expected after some kind downhill stages the hills would be back. Before we could start stage five though we had to climb a long set of very steep stairs, which made the quads burn before running could even begin again! The start of stage five was right at the top of these stairs – so there was no time to exactly let the pain subside. The stage start was also a very steep incline itself, which was then followed by lots of smaller inclines through more woods, although the up and down nature of this section was more bearable.

I am not quite sure how I have finished week three of my sixteen week marathon training plan already...these initial weeks seem to just be flying by! But I have completed it, and the miles are in the bag...

MONDAY: some light cross training, some lengthy foam roller work, and then some heavy weights lifted at my Body Pump class to start the week. 

TUESDAY: interval day; 7 miles with 4 x 1 mile intervals at fast pace. I tried to get my interval miles sub 8 min/mile pace, and was pleased to dip under on the first two. The second two intervals were however into a headwind, which was enough to tip my tiring legs into 8 minute territory. The last interval was a real effort, especially on a humid evening, but although my face doesn't suggest it (see image), I felt good after finishing.

WEDNESDAY: a steady 7 miles before my Body Pump class. After a busy day at work, which included a canoeing session in the afternoon, this felt a physical effort. However,  although I felt tired, I know these are the miles and sessions I need to train through in order to fully prepare for the marathon.

THURSDAY: an absolutely rubbish run. My plan was only for four miles but it was a massive struggle. My legs were heavy and tight, and I was no where near hitting the suggested pace on my plan. I felt a bit rubbish after, but tried not to let it effect me too much, and just discard it as 'one of those runs'. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: Back to Lincoln parkrun today after touring Gainsborough parkrun last week. I was hoping once again to try and get quicker; my current aim is to run sub 24 minutes (overall aim to eventually get back to my PB of 22.37!). This week for some reason I really felt I could run a 23 minute time, but I didn't - not even close. A well paced first loop was followed by a disastrously slow second, which could not be recovered even by a rapid final third lap - the clock stopped at 24.32. The way I ran is frustrating, if I can speed up so much for the final lap, why is my middle one letting my down? A problem to be solved. 

SUNDAY: I ventured slightly off plan today for the Round Sheffield Run, a race which features 11 timed stages of running, totally 20km, with 4.5km worth of recovery breaks in between the stages. The race was billed as being set on superb trails and parkland in Sheffield, and it certainly did not disappoint. Running with my friend as a 'Female Pair' I can honestly say it was so much fun even in the tough terrain and the numerous hills. A great race - full blog to follow. ​

At the start of the year my friend and I vowed to complete some parkrun run tourism in 2016. However by mid June we were yet to venture from our home run of Lincoln – until this weekend. Gainsborough parkrun is not far from Lincoln at all, although going there still felt slightly strange and out of the usual Saturday morning parkrun routine. Despite it being nearly mid June you would never have guessed it from the weather. It was a grey, cool and miserable ‘summer’ morning, with only the florescent bibs of the parkrun volunteers brightening up the landscape. Gainsborough parkrun is a lot smaller than Lincoln, and from a quick bit of research I completed into the run I knew to expect the course to be very different – hilly was a word I kept coming across... It seemed my research was pretty accurate as my friend and I stood on the start line, huddled with a small group of fifty or so runners at the foot of a definite hill! 

As the ‘go’ signal was given we began a steady ascent of this hill, which turning a corner became a gradual climb through long grass, and then merged into a still climbing grassy footpath alongside a field. A welcomed downhill section was next, and it felt good to finally get my legs going after a somewhat steadier start than I am used to at a parkrun. The route continued along a flat field side path for a while, and I naively thought I must have finished with the hills now. Turning a corner I was however met by another steep incline. Thankfully for my legs this was followed by a downhill stretch through a small section of woodland, and allowed for some much needed recovery. Again at this point I naively thought I must have beaten the worst of the hills by now, but no, another turn led to another hill! This hill was very long and eventually joined the bottom of the starting hill;  which also indicated the end of the first of three laps. At this point I smiled and uttered a few curse words wryly to myself – I had to do this twice more!

With the course now in my head I concentrated the next two laps on running the best time I could. It was evident this was not going to be a run to challenge my parkrun PB and to be honest I was not really thinking about beating it. In fact I think I glanced at my watch twice merely out of curiosity to see what my pace was, once on a hill (around 10 min/mile) and again on a downhill section (roughly 7.30 min/mile). I have recently been struggling with hills, they seem to sap all energy from my legs and leave them with a heaviness I cannot recover from. So this course felt like a very personal challenge, and one that I was not going to let defeat me. 

MONDAY: I was booked in for Spinning before my usual Body Pump class, but decided against it. This week's plan was a noticeable step up from last week in terms of pace demands, distance and types of running required; so I opted for some light cross training before Pump instead.

TUESDAY: an enjoyably tough 4 mile tempo run, with 2 miles at 8 min/mile pace in the middle. At first running 8 min/mile seemed ridiculous, and a pace I had only been achieving of later under parkrun conditions. But I drew up some of my Saturday morning determination and managed to stick with it, even adding a slightly unintentional extra mile at the end. 

WEDNESDAY: the plan today was for a slow 6 miles at 9.40 min/mile pace. I aimed to go no faster than 9 min/mile pace, yet despite feeling like I was taking things steady, still averaged 8.40 min/miles. I was warm whilst running; setting out there had been a persistent rain in the air, meaning my rain jacket had been dug out from the wardrobe. Within a few minutes of running however annoyingly the rain suddenly stopped, leaving me to sweat away in my now unnecessary extra wrapping!

THURSDAY: 7 miles including 3 x 1.5 mile intervals - the return of intervals felt like marathon training was really back in my life. The intervals at 8 min/mile pace were tough, they felt long and the final sections really hurt, but I managed them. On the positive, they also made a 7 mile distance fly by!

FRIDAY: Rest Day - and a much needed sports massage. It had been over two months since my last massage and lets just say my legs were very tight and it hurt very much!

And so it begins..! This week marked the start of my sixteen week countdown to the Berlin Marathon in September, and my second marathon of 2016. The weeks between marathons/marathon training I have not found the easiest (see blog), so I entered this week with real enthusiasm. Its funny how just being able to say 'I am in marathon training' has brought a bit of positivity back to me, and I feel like the metaphoric grey cloud which seems to have been hovering over me is lifting. I just wish my legs felt quite as positive...

MONDAY: as with most marathon plans, Monday is a rest day following a Sunday long run. I intend to complete my Body Pump class on Mondays still, and for now I am keeping with spinning whilst Sunday longs run are not too long! So Spinning and Pump to start the week.

TUESDAY: my first run of training on a very warm day. The plan was for a slow 4 miles, but I got into rhythm and in the heat just stuck with it. I ended up running 8.21 min/mile pace overall, which was a bit of a shock to me, as my legs have not been capable of that recently.

WEDNESDAY: my legs were tighter today and the heaviness which has been plaguing them crept back in; normal service seemed to have resumed! It was warm again, and with my legs feeling as they were and in the heat, I found it much easier to run the 5 miles in my plan at the suggested 9min/mile pace. Body Pump class after in a boiling gym studio!

THURSDAY: on paper tonight's run looked easy, just 3 miles at a steady pace. It was not a good run though; my legs were hit but real heaviness after the first incline I attempted, and from then on it was an effort. I felt really fed up afterwards, frustrated, and a bit sorry for myself.

FRIDAY: Rest Day

The parkrun quest had been to get back to my old 5k PB of 22 mins 37 secs in between finishing the Manchester Marathon in April and starting marathon training for the Berlin Marathon in June. My Berlin Marathon training started this week - which meant Saturday's trip to Lincoln parkrun should technically have been the week I stopped running in the 24/25 minute time zones and got my legs back into gear. Did I? Well no. But things felt more positive...

Heading into parkrun I knew there was no way I was going to run a PB, as I had yet to dip below 24 minutes since the Manchester Marathon; so a sudden near 2 minute drop would have been a bit extreme! My aim instead was to get under 24 minutes for the first time post marathon. I was feeling very determined heading into Saturday morning, this visit to parkrun marked nearly a year since my favourite ever parkrun (see blog), when my friends and I finished in 1st, 2nd and 3rd female positions, and I ran a huge PB at the time of 22.55. A year on and a lot has changed, some good things some not so good, but I had that memory driving me on too.

Standing on the parkrun start line next to my friend feels almost natural now, and as the 'go' signal is given I watch her almost effortlessly dart away from me, and then proceed to slot myself into my own position in the field. The week I keep up with her will be the week I know I am on for a PB! For the first lap of the three loop course I found myself running among a different group of females. I recognised them all as runners who have been finishing well before me in recent weeks, but I kept on their heels nevertheless, feeling comfortable. 

I was also focusing on my running form. A photograph taken at last week's parkrun had highlighted to me how bent over I was running, and comparing the image to past running photos I looked much less at ease (I hate the photo in fact!) So I was running aiming to lift my chest and legs higher, hoping this would consequently make my time drop lower (see image - which shows some minor improvement)!

​On the second lap the group of females I was chasing began to split and they edged away from me. After a fast first loop I knew I needed to not let my time suffer too much in this middle one. I didn't get preoccupied by my watch though, and instead focused again on my form and keeping in touch with runners around me. By the final circuit of Boultham Park I was feeling the best I had in a long time at parkrun. My legs were not complaining too much and I had no winded sensation in my stomach (possibly from running more upright?) I really dug deep now, trying to catch a female in front of me, and started to pick up my pace very early on. The final winding path felt like forever, and in particular the last 10 or so metres, which is a relative straight sprint into the funnel, seemed like a marathon as I gave everything I had. I collapsed in the funnel again, hands on knees, trying to catch my breath, knowing I should keep moving (sorry!) I had to look at my watch though. It read 24.07. 

​I was strangely not too disappointed in myself. I was not sub 24 minutes, but 24.07 is my best time since the Manchester Marathon, so this felt positive. I had also felt my best in a long time. Considering the week before Manchester I ran a 25.28 5k, I have knocked 1 min 20 secs off my time - which I should be proud of. Can I really run another 1 minute 20 secs quicker..? At times it feels almost impossible, especially when I know marathon training will sap some of my speed again. But if its one thing I am good at it, it is never giving up - so the parkrun quest continues. ​

This week my 'training' has been my most minimal for a long time. A couple of exercise classes, a trip to parkrun (full blog to follow) and one other steady run (see image). That is it. I have finally been strong with myself due to the fact my training for the Berlin Marathon starts Monday - and quite frankly I am not where I want to be. I cannot wait to start marathon training again though, which for me will mark the end of a period of weeks which I have found a real challenge...

Since finishing the Manchester Marathon in April things have not felt easy. From December last year the Manchester Marathon had been my goal, my focus and the largest driver in life. I had trained hard for a sub 4 hour time, but the race itself didn't go as I wanted (see blog), and mentally and physically it has impacted me. If I am truly honest with myself, I know that my confidence in my running ability has dropped. I am fearful of the same thing happening again and I've felt a level of anxiety and doubt in subsequent races and runs I have completed. I have still been enjoying my running, but those thoughts are there. I'm not sure if my mental fear has also been inhibiting my post marathon recovery; perhaps making me over cautious, but my legs have additionally been struggling to feel anything like they were pre-marathon. 

The last few weeks have also been marked with a severe case of post race comedown, heightened back the fact I have not wanted to keep reliving the Manchester Marathon and enjoy many/any of the memories. I have felt lost without training, which has frequently led to me feeling a general sense of a lack of purpose. I know I should have relished this freedom, especially with another marathon training cycle to come, but I haven't at all. The two weeks immediately after the Manchester Marathon I just about got by; focusing on getting in a shape to run the Lincoln 10k the week after the marathon, and then concentrating my energy on the London Marathon the week after that, which my friend was running. The day after the London Marathon I crashed though, struck by a sudden feeling of emptiness in my life, which has not really gone away since.  

Over the last few weeks I have still been running and exercising, and it has brought me the same levels of happiness as ever - this enjoyment has probably led me to doing too much post marathon in fact! But outside of this, my life has felt a lot less purposeful, I have become less invested in myself, and have had days when I have felt quite down.