​Round Sheffield Run feels almost like a bit of a cult event – if you have taken part in it you know just how uniquely good it is, and if you haven’t, you don’t know what you are missing out on! My friend and I took on Round Sheffield Run in 2016 for the first time; it was totally unknown to us and just something my friend had spotted and thought looked different to try. It turned out to be one of the standout events of the year for us both. Needless to say, we eagerly signed up again for 2017, where we took an impressive eleven minutes off our debut time. Taking part in the event for the third time in 2018 was always on the agenda, with the event date firmly fixed in both our running calendars. The unique concept of Round Sheffield Run means it comprises of 11 timed stages of running totally 20km, with 4.5km worth of recovery breaks in between the stages, with the vast majority of the course set along simply beautiful trails and parkland in Sheffield. The event also allows you to compete as a pair, which is another novel idea and one which really allows you to share the experience with others.
 
My friend and I approach Round Sheffield Run with a relaxed attitude; for us the event is not really about a clock time, it feels more like a challenge than a conventional race. We know we will have a great day of running whatever happens, just as long as our legs are able to conquer the (many) hills! The race starts at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield; itself a beautiful location. My friend and I had chosen an early start wave and it was already apparent that the event was set for beautiful weather, clear blue skies, sunshine and a developing warmth. To complete Round Sheffield Run a timing ‘dibber’ is used to check in and out of each running and recovery stage – it almost makes a Garmin useless and I only use mine to log the distance I cover rather than referring to pace or time. I am always trusted with the 'dibbing' task and I tend to grow quite attached to my little timing device by the end! Now the race…
 
Stage 1 is a gentle introduction to what is to come; the route weaves through picturesque woodland on a mix of paved and dirt tracks, with a few very gentle inclines thrown into the mix – it feels like a warm up almost. This stage also gives you a taste of the scenery to come to expect, streams running tranquilly through enchanting woodland, with the trickle of waterfalls complimenting the crunch of runners’ feet. It really is beautiful. 
 
Stage 2 is a real test – named King of the Mountain, it gives you an idea of the sort of gradient challenge it presents. Since our first year, my friend and I have resolved to try run as much of this stage as possible. As we began the ascent I stopped talking to focus my mind and breathing on the test ahead. It is a test, the start of the climb builds gradually as the terrain itself progresses underfoot from well-trodden woodland paths to rocky narrow trails barely wide enough for one person. We had to walk a couple of small sections which were so steep and rocky that I am not sure if I could ever run them, but aside from these we climbed to the top of the ‘mountain’ with increasing assurance. 
 
Stage 3 and 4 are predominantly downhill; which is basically a lot of freewheeling fun. Downhill sections actually appeared to be our weakness last year; we noted that many runners were a lot more skilled at this form of running and we were overtaken a lot on these parts, whereas on hills we seemed to gain distance. Feeling bolder we attacked these stages a little more, still having to carefully navigate our way through tree roots, rocks and hidden dips, but at the same time trusting our limbs to bound downwards. I always feel like a child on these sections, a smile etched widely across my face despite my concentration, and squealing the odd little yelp as I dance dangerously down the trail tracks.
 
Stage 5 requires you to climb a long set of steep stairs which reach high into woodland before you can even 'dib' into the start checkpoint. This simply warms the quads up nicely for further hills to come. This stage begins steeply and is then followed by lots of smaller inclines. It is somewhat peaceful, however when my friend dared me to look down and I realised just how high up we were actually running on quite a small pathway, my heart did beat a little faster! Stage 6 offers some relief all round comprising a brief and welcomed downhill sprint, which again my friend and I confidently took on.

This has been my favourite training week so far - there have been some hard, challenging runs, but the weekend has been a timely reminder of the happiness running truly gives me...

MONDAY: Strength and Conditioning for Runners session

TUESDAY: early morning intervals, followed by a Body Pump class later in the evening. The intervals were a massive struggle I won't lie; I had 6 miles with 5 x 1000m on my plan, however by the end I am not sure my interval and rest periods had too much difference in pace! My legs faded badly and I stopped a few times after some intervals just to compose myself. I think the one positive was I did not give up!

WEDNESDAY: another early morning run, but at an easier 8.17 min/mile average pace it felt much more manageable, even though at 6.30am it was already 18 degrees in temperature! 

THURSDAY: I could not bring myself to set another early alarm today so put my run off until the evening after I had been to a Body Pump class. Obviously I regretted the decision once the evening arrived, especially as I had 7 miles on my plan, but I gathered some motivation to give it a go. I actually ran fairly well, aiming for alternating miles, one faster and one at an easier pace, and finished with splits of 8.08, 7.00, 7.46, 7.36, 8.23, 7.42 and 8.20 min/mile pace. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: without any work commitments on a Saturday for the first in a long while I was able to venture for some parkrun tourism today. A friend who lives in North Lincolnshire had been asking me for a while to come and try the relatively new Normanby Hall parkrun, so I pulled on my home Lincoln parkrun vest and took the opportunity to become a tourist. It was a beautiful setting for a parkrun and a very interesting course with a mix of path, woodland and gravel running surfaces. As I ran I had a few wobbles in terms of confidence with my breathing (which is still not back to being perfect yet!) but I was helped by the fact I had a couple of females running around me which spurred me on. My friend and his wife were also running and as the course route looped round a few times they shouted across enthusiastic encouragement. I finished in 20:39 - my quickest 5k time for a few months - and then went and cheered my friend and his wife onto new PBs too; a good morning.  

It has been an interesting week - running has been good, bad, happy, frustrating, hard and enjoyable all across a seven day period. 

MONDAY: I started the week with the second session in my latest block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners. It was a really muggy evening and I found as I ran and exercised my chest and consequently breathing felt a little congested. The session focused on some arm drill work and I left with a mission to try to improve my running style - which I know quite often resembles a chicken, with my arms splayed out from my side and crossing over my chest literally like bird wings!

TUESDAY: early morning intervals of 6 miles with 3 x 1 mile reps. Fresh in my mind from last night's session I really focused on my arm drive. This focus helped take my mind away from over-analysing my breathing, which still did not feel quite right. I logged intervals of 7.19, 7.13 and 7.17 min/mile pace, which I was pleased were relatively consistent.

WEDNESDAY: a steady 6 miles with sub 8 min/mile splits throughout. My breathing still felt almost wheezy though, especially in the warm conditions, which was a concern. 

THURSDAY: another 6 miles, this time split across two runs. I ran a quicker 2 miles to the gym for a Body Pump class - 7:47 min/mile pace - and then a steadier 4 miles back at just over 8 min/mile pace. Even though I felt tired, I still tried to focus on my arm drive and running form. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day, and a trip to the Doctors to get my chest and breathing examined. Ever since I lost my voice a few weeks ago, I have struggled a little with my breathing, but now it had really started to affect me. My lost voice was likely to be due to a virus, which the doctor informed me now seemed to have left me with some asthma like side effects in my chest. I left with an inhaler to use for the next two weeks to try shift this lingering nuisance and return my breathing to normal. 

So here I go again, another journey to 26.2 miles, and a race which will possibly be my greatest marathon adventure yet - Sydney Marathon. I have written about why I have chosen this race and what it means to me here, and starting this training feels like a countdown to something very special. Having raced a lot in the past month or so, I am following a fifteen week training plan - I figured one less training week would not hurt this time!

MONDAY: the start of training and also the start of my summer block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners sessions. I loved being back at the session; being in a group of like minded people and learning about ways to benefit my running, it is not surprising I do really. Body Pump class after. 

TUESDAY: early morning intervals of 4.5 miles with 12 x 200m reps; the first sign of marathon training commencing. My legs felt a little sore today and definitely not at their best, so I did not put too much pressure on myself for this run, focusing on taking the rest periods easy, and working at a hard effort in the intervals, rather than focusing on paces. 

WEDNESDAY: a steady 5 miler after a much needed Sports Massage earlier in the day, logging a 7.54 min/mile average pace. 

THURSDAY: a double session of Body Pump followed by a five mile tempo run. Running after Pump required a bit more effort to fight fatigue, but it felt like good training. I aimed for the middle 3 miles to be at half marathon pace, approx 7.20 min/mile, and finished with splits of 7.11, 7.17 and 7.23 min/mile respectively. The last tempo mile was not too enjoyable as it felt like I was asking a lot from my tired legs whilst also running on a gradual incline, but overall it was a good run. 

​After I completed the London Marathon in April the inevitable question which people began to ask me was ‘what’s next then Alice?’ The big ‘next’ was actually a place in the Liverpool Marathon four weeks later, but I kept this under wraps and gave slightly vague answers instead – apologies! The ‘what next’ question has now started to crop up again; people know me well enough to realise that there will be something else running related in the pipeline! And there is – something pretty special to be honest.
 
I will not beat around the bush (slight pun intended); I am going to Australia, where I hope to complete the Sydney Marathon. Flying literally to the other side of the world to run 26.2 miles may seem like a new level of madness, but for once in my life this trip is about much more than just a running…
 
Roughly two and half years ago my best friend moved to Australia. Saying goodbye to Maaike was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, it was heart-breaking knowing that someone so close to me would now be so far away. Our lives had been entwined in so many ways, not only did we have our friendship, but we had been housemates, colleagues, training partners and, of course, running buddies. Seeing Maaike leave was a difficult set of emotions; a raw mix of pain and sadness, but also happiness that she was getting this amazing opportunity that I knew she really wanted. Maaike brought out the best in me, and still does! Her visit back to the UK last year was like we had never been apart, and I know whatever happens in life she will always be there for me, no matter the distance, as I will be for her.
 
The day Maaike left Lincoln I promised her I would come and visit her in Australia, and whilst it has been a very difficult promise to make happen, I never intended to break it. My previous job saw me restricted to school holidays for annual leave, and even then I had summer holiday residential programmes to deliver. In the minimal free time I had left flight prices were sky high (another slightly intended pun) and it was a trip proving a challenge to make a reality. I think at times Maaike herself questioned if I ever would come. However, starting a new job, working for an understanding employer who has permitted me a lengthy annual leave block, combined with my now overwhelming desire to visit my friend and experience her Aussie life, my flights are firmly booked.

Whenever I went to Australia I think it was only natural that I would have looked for some form of running event to do – it is what I love after all, and the bonus is Maaike loves it too! It was actually Maaike who mentioned the Sydney Marathon to me, and I was instantly sold. This would be a once in a lifetime race, and I am still hopeful I may be able persuade Maaike to run it with me! I would love to share a marathon with her, if not this time, sometime. I am not massively well travelled so the fact I am actually going to Australia still has not really sunk in. To run a marathon there, hopefully my 8th marathon, just feels simply surreal.
 
However, I go back to my original point. The marathon is not the sole purpose of this trip by any means. I have no goals or expectations of the race other than to relish the entire experience. I am going to train hard as always, because I would not have it any other way, and the ironic thing is I have probably already run 26.2 miles in hotter conditions in the UK this year, with both London and Liverpool being held in 22-25 degree heats! When I land ‘down under’ I will however have around two and half weeks in Australia before race day on Sunday 16th September – I will not be spending these days chained to a chair resting and focusing on nothing else bar the 26.2 miles I will be running. I want to explore and create memories with my best friend, I do not care how or if this will impact how quick I can complete the race, some things are just more important than times.
 
So the answer to the ‘what next?’ question is Sydney Marathon, or perhaps more accurately Australia to visit my best friend. ​

As much as I love the experience and the occasion that large scale running races offer, I also just as much enjoy smaller, local events where things feel a little more relaxed and remind you that it is just running after all! Woodhall Spa 10k is a relatively local race for me, set in a small village a short drive from Lincoln. I had never taken part in the event before and wanted to finally give it a try. It is always very popular and places sell out quickly, and on arriving at Jubilee Park in Woodhall Spa, I could see why. It’s a perfect setting for a local race, and I could tell most people had arrived in groups or with family; a play park for children to enjoy, ample seating for eager and willing spectators, food and drink facilities etc. I spotted lots of people I knew from the Lincoln running scene, although struggling with laryngitis, it did mean my lack of ability to chat with people was a little frustrating.

Race day itself was another hot one – my fourth event in a row which has been held in quite extreme conditions. The day had a different heat to it though, it was muggy with a dense thick air, which when the sun shone through felt almost suffocating. The start line was in shaded trees, which offered some respite before the ‘Go’ signal was given. I was totally relaxed as I stood here, not even really thinking about the race to come. It had been November last year that I had last taken on a 10k event, the Doncaster 10k, and on a bitterly cold day I had ran a new PB of 44:02. I know my speed has progressed since last year; however I was not really sure if I was in ‘peak’ condition, with slight illness and having just come off the back of two marathons in the space of a four week period. Needless to say I had no real time goal or race strategy (maybe a slight error!) and was literally going to run and see what happened.

​On ‘go’ I raced off the line; the course is a large rural loop set on roads which feature only minor undulations. I will admit now I do not think I took much of the course in, as soon as I started running I was really just focused on that! I ran the first mile quick; I knew it was very quick in fact and more like a parkrun lap rather than a 10k start. I just kept going though; however after passing two miles I was starting to wish this was just a parkrun. Another mile I could cope with, but this was not even the halfway point. My head was telling me to stop, just walk, this is just too hard. My heart wasn’t willing though and I calmed down the thoughts whirring in my head, regulated my breathing, and just focused on keeping moving. My pace had dropped now, the heat and the fatigue in my body apparent. I could feel my body did not have its full energy; I think recent life challenges as well as running challenges had taken a bigger toll on me than maybe I had realised, and my breathing was slightly strange feeling probably due to my laryngitis - but I kept at it.

Last week was personally one to forget, and this week I was determined to try and make things better. The challenges in my personal life have not really gone away, but I didn't want them to affect me as badly as they did last week. I can't control what is going on, believe me I have tried, but I can try and control how I deal with it. This week I also wanted to have another relatively easy/care free running week doing what I wanted. Although it seems a lifetime ago now, it is still only a couple of weeks since the Liverpool Marathon, and next week my new goal commences - which will be revealed soon!

MONDAY: on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday I started the day with a Body Pump class and ended with an 11 mile cycle ride - yes, not even running! I had been given a free bike a few months back and had never really had the time (read - have been prioritising running) to take it for a spin. It was relaxing to do something different and definitely helped clear my mind.

TUESDAY: a friend has recently got into Body Pump classes and although I did the class yesterday I wanted to go along with her again today and keep the encouragement going. I therefore ran an easy 4 mile loop to the gym and back, with a Pump session in the middle. Running felt purposeful, but without any pressure. 

WEDNESDAY: a run I absolutely loved. I headed out the door with the aim of running 5 miles but with no focus on pace. The weather was a delight; cool and drizzly, which although might sound horrible, after weeks of running and racing in intense heats, it was heavenly. I ran just over 5 miles in an average pace of 7.47 min/mile - it felt great.

THURSDAY: today I took another turn at revisiting my old football roots and spent a day at work coaching a half term holiday club for children. It is always tiring, but I prepped well and as soon as worked finished rushed and made it to the gym just in time for another Body Pump class with my friend. Three Body Pump classes in one week - I am expecting to be 'hench' soon! Today I also started to notice I was losing my voice. I knew I was a little run down after the stress of last week, and just put it down to that combined with shouting at children all day!

FRIDAY: Rest Day - I woke today with absolutely no ability to speak. My day was unbelievably frustrating, and made me realise just how much you rely on your voice to not only communicate but also to feel a part of things.