Just over two years ago my best friend, and running partner in crime, moved to Australia. Having your closest friend on literally the other side of the world has been hard at times, but seeing her for the first time this weekend, with the extra bonus of managing to get a race day experience in together, made it all worth while.

It seemed like fate that the first ever Doncaster 10k had fallen on this weekend, and in my friend's hometown. The race was within minutes walk of my friend’s Mum’s house, meaning it was very stress free in terms of logistics, plus it was a nice distance to race and meant my friend’s Mum could also take part and complete her first ever official 10k race. I was not really taking the race too seriously in terms of running, possibly emphasised by the fact I sat and ate a huge slice of cheesecake and a good sized mountain of chocolate profiteroles the night before! I simply just wanted to enjoy this day. Before my friend moved to Australia we loved a ‘race day’, travelling to random new places, running a race and then celebrating usually with one too many fruit ciders afterwards, and I have missed sharing times like this, as well as just missing her.

Sunday morning was one of those beautifully blue skied but bitterly cold winter days. Not quite the sunshine and beaches my friend has been used to of late! Before leaving for the race I had given my friend her early birthday present, matching ‘Best Running Friends’ running vests, which were perfect for the occasion, but maybe not quite the weather! We had to brave them though, although I did wimp out a little and put a long sleeved top underneath mine! I also included two bottles of our favourite ‘Old Mout’ cider and a giant bar of chocolate in my friends’ birthday package,ready for post race celebrations – we would be celebrating regardless of how the race went!

The Doncaster 10k started and finished at the Doncaster Race Course, which seemed a lovely place to host a running event. The atmosphere was equally as pleasant, although looking around pre-race everyone simply gave the impression they were absolutely freezing! My friend and I slotted into the race pack, keeping our jumpers on for as long as possible before revealing our coordinating race gear. My friend is a speedster and my aim was to try and keep up with her, not for time purposes, but we both just wanted to try and run together if we could. As the starting gun was fired we sped off, it was numbingly cold and I could not really feel what I was running, I just ran! My friend agreed it also took her about 3k to even begin to feel warm!

I had not really seen too much of Doncaster before and I really enjoyed the first half of the route which left the racecourse and took in some residential streets and the town centre. It was quiet in terms of spectators – not sure many would voluntarily rise early on Sunday morning in icy temperatures to cheer random strangers! – but I found the variation of the surroundings interesting and the relatively flat route good for keeping a run tempo going. Running through the streets of Doncaster with my friend felt surreal at times – in a good way! We had not been or ran together in so long, but here we were. My friend also made me laugh as we ran, insisting we kept running on the same side to each other so the split heart graphics of our vests made sense!

This week was all about the countdown to the weekend (I must add - I do actually love my job!) It was for a good reason though. My best friend, and running partner in crime, moved to Australia two years ago and this would be the first time I had seen her since she left. Having your closest friend on literally the other side of the world has been hard at times, but this weekend would make it all worth while. 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: after a busy day at work my urge to run was low. I eventually stuck my run gear on though, and my procrastination did at least mean the rain had stopped lashing by the time I got out the door, and I logged a steady 5.5 miles at 8:09 min/mile average pace.

WEDNESDAY: my energy levels were a little low again today, but I knew I wanted to run a few extra miles today since my weekend plans meant I would be missing out on my traditional 'Sunday long run'. I targeted 7 steady miles and finished at the gym for Body Pump - feeling much more energised for completing both. 

THURSDAY: Body Attack class

FRIDAY: Rest Day

​SATURDAY: the start of a bitterly cold but exciting weekend. If I thought last Saturday's Lincoln parkrun was cold, today it was absolutely Baltic, with a sparkling of frost gracing the park. Although the conditions were harsher, I seemed to cope better with the weather today. Whilst it was still a shock at first as I started to run, I seemed to adapt quicker, and I pushed myself to an improved 21:13 finish. My quest to return to a sub 21 minute time before the end of 2017 remains, but I shall keep trying! Post parkrun I then headed to Doncaster to meet my friend; a bundle of nervous, emotional, excitement - somewhat like heading to a big race!

This week has been pretty standard in terms of running, however the weekend offered an extra reminder of the pure joy that running can add to life, and has added to mine. 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: I had a long and busy day at work today, but managed to find an opportunity to squeeze a quick 5 mile run in. When I can just about fit a run into a day I am grateful to have that chance to get my endorphin hit, so in these situations tend not to put any pressure on myself in terms of pace. With no expectations I was therefore pleased to naturally hit exactly 8 min/mile pace. 

WEDNESDAY: a pre-Body Pump class 5 mile run, which was almost an exact copy of yesterday's run, with my legs seeming to revert comfortably to 8 min/mile pace.

THURSDAY: Body Attack class - the endless squat jumps and lunges killed my legs this week and walking home I felt like I had just stumbled across the finish line of a race, with that feeling of having very little left in the tank!

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: this Saturday marked my local parkrun's 4th Birthday. Lincoln parkrun has grown to become a near on permanent fixture in my week, and thus has had a huge positive impact on my life. I know I am not alone in feeling like this, and I am bias to say we also have a very special community at Lincoln. It was therefore heartwarming to stand listening to the celebratory run brief, with this all in mind, and feeling a small part of something so special. The morning itself was very cold, and in the first mile I felt the effect of the wintery weather, with my body feeling a bit shocked by the conditions the air seeming harsh to breathe. The following miles I adapted a little better, but could sense I was not going to achieve my sub 21 minute time goal without even needing to look at my watch. I clocked a 21:25 finish time, which I was content with in the conditions; after all time is not everything at parkrun and there is always another week! I then went and left a message on the white board which had been brought along to the event this week and asked us to describe Lincoln parkrun in no more the 4  words (see images) - 'my happy place' - I wrote, and I really mean it.  

SUNDAY: across the last few weeks I have been completing a longer run on a Sunday without any set time or distance in mind, which after months of marathon training has offered a bit of a break. Today was much the same, albeit on a much colder morning, and I headed out for a no-pressure long run with my friend. For some reason though I just really loved this run, more than any of the Sunday's runs throughout the past few weeks. 

This week I have realised two things. One; it is definitely getting cold/into winter running season now! Two; at some point before the year is out I need to give my body a bit more of a break - a real break. I have not really rested at all since September's Berlin Marathon, and whilst I am pleased I have been able to maintain a good base of fitness in terms of both endurance and speed, I also want to be refreshed for January when my training for the London Marathon starts. Running is such a massive part of my life though it is no secret I find it hard to rest, but am hoping the rapidly approaching festive season will bring me some down time. Lets be honest, I am not going to be putting my feet up for an entire week - but I think even a couple of extra days out of routine will do me well before the year is out.

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: it rained almost non stop today, and as I headed out for a cold, dark 6 mile run, prepared  for a soaking, I felt a little mad! At first as the cold rain droplets pelted my face and limbs (I always wear shorts!) I was leaning towards the fact I was actually insane, but then the running endorphins kicked in and suddenly it felt weirdly refreshing. I ran quick, as whilst feeling refreshing, it was still not quite the conditions for a gentle plod!

WEDNESDAY: the rain had disappear but today was simply cold, with a slight bitter edge. Again the conditions urged me to run quick, as opposed to this being a conscious decision, and I ran 5 miles at around 8 min/mile pace. Body Pump after at the gym. 

Stood in a patch of warm sunshine which had managed to find its way through the tree canopies at Sherwood Pines, it was hard to imagine that a few hours earlier I had been soaked to the skin, pushing my rain splattered limbs around Lincoln parkrun. I was stood with my friend waiting to start the Robin Hood Trail 10k race, which was slightly unconventionally held on a Saturday afternoon. This timing had therefore left a nice little window of opportunity for me to squeeze in a Lincoln parkrun still, as well as running there and back to the parkrun location itself. I had not held back when running parkrun and had attacked it with my usual vigour, probably because I was really seeing this afternoon’s race as a bit of a fun challenge, as opposed to something I was taking too seriously.

​With the autumnal sun now dominating the crisp blue sky, we really could appreciate the beautiful surroundings of Sherwood Pines, and as my friend and I huddled amongst the relatively small field of runners about to take on the 5k or 10k distance, the situation actually had a bit of a parkrun feel about it; there was no pressure and the atmosphere around was friendly and light-hearted. As we listened to the announcer give a small pre-race briefing I was a little disheartened to hear the course was two 5k loops, as I sometimes find this a bit demoralising. My surprise at this fact demonstrated how little I had really looked into the race details; however I was prepared in the sense I was at least wearing my trail shoes! As the ‘go’ signal was given I was certainly pleased to be wearing these shoes as I carefully weaved through the mass start and also the boggy patches of grass underfoot.

During the initial half a mile or so my legs felt quite heavy, especially as we ran up a long incline, and I did start to debate whether I was being completely mad now asking my legs to run a fast 10k. However, as the race to thinned out a little and I found a comfortable running spot, I seemed to settle and any discomfort in my legs faded. I was not really sure what strategy I was adopting for the distance; I wasn’t naïve enough to go out like a 5k parkrun, but I was going to push myself to suit the environment, and maybe see how 5k went before committing to any form of 10k goal. The first loop really seemed to go by quickly; I enjoyed the route with a nice mix of longer steady inclines which tested you without being too brutal, and some downhill sections which allowed your legs to recover. It was also a little less ‘off roady’ then I had imagined, with the course mainly being set on well trodden woodland paths, which was probably not a bad thing considering the morning’s rainfall!

As I started loop two the field was a lot thinner and I felt I could really begin to appreciate the beautiful autumnal surroundings. It really was a glorious place to be running, and I think this continued to make it feel a lot less like I was running an actual race. My shoe lace came undone on one foot and this bothered me momentarily, with visions flashing through my head of my shoe being left behind in a patch of sticky mud. Thankfully I survived, with my laces seeming tucking themselves back inside my shoe in some kind of miracle blessing! Even though I had contemplated using the first lap as a bit of a tester, I did not actually glance at my watch or pace as I started this final 5k, or even throughout the race really, and just continued running to feel. This run was not about a time for me, it was about challenging myself on the course, and I knew I was doing that. I found myself in a bit of competition on this second lap, I overtook a guy who clearly was not keen to be beaten by a female as he attempted numerous times to re-overtake without much success - and it did make me smile. 

After last week felt a little stagnant in terms of running and training, this week has been anything but. Somehow along the way I have managed to log 40 miles worth of running, which sounds a bit ridiculous to say this happened almost unintentionally, but everything mounted up without me really being aware of the overall mileage. Ignoring slightly tight hamstrings, my legs feel alright with this mileage leap though, which is pleasing and makes me itch to start marathon training in January even more!

MONDAY: my usual Body Pump instructor was away so I tentatively tried the replacement class. This turned out to be a CrossFit style session, which is something I have never experienced before. It was very different to Body Pump, which focuses on moderate weights and high reps, instead using lower reps and heavier weights. It challenged me, but I really enjoyed the change - and it certainly made my body ache for days after!

TUESDAY: a 6 mile run dodging the groups of people out on the streets 'trick and treating' for Halloween. I felt good tonight so decided to push the pace a little and ran roughly 8 min/mile on average. 

WEDNESDAY: with a 10k race planned for the weekend, I consciously kept today's run a little steadier, running one of my familiar 5 mile loops before trying a different Body Pump replacement class at the gym. This was again a weights based class, but (thankfully!) was a little less brutal than Monday's CrossFit beasting!

THURSDAY: the 10k race at the weekend was a trail run, so I wanted to dig out my trail shoes beforehand and just make sure they were still comfortable to run in, as it had been a while! With this in mind, I rose early today and headed to the local common near my house for an early morning 5 mile run, reacquainting myself with my forgotten trainers. The morning was cold, misty and mysterious looking, and the conditions felt quite apt to be venturing through the off road landscape. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: a big day of running. Today was the Robin Hood Trail 10k my friend and I had entered, which was slightly unconventionally held on a Saturday afternoon. This therefore left a nice little window of opportunity to squeeze in a Lincoln parkrun still! It was a truly miserable morning, with heavy non-stop rain, and I felt a little mad as I laced up my trainers. I ran to parkrun, which is about 2.5 miles, and was instantly drenched. I found the combination of running down to parkrun and the fact I was so wet made it hard to get my legs going again when the 9am parkrun start time struck. I did not have my usual energy from the start, and I felt a little lethargic throughout. I knew I would not be challenging my low 21 minute times of late, but I was happy I still logged a good 21:30 time. I was then faced with an even wetter run home, my legs now completely splattered with parkrun mud! (Big thanks to the parkrun volunteers for braving the conditions today - such dedication!) A quick shower and change of run gear and it was then time to head to Sherwood Pines for the 10k race... it felt a little crazy, but who can really complain about a day crammed with running! I will write a full blog of the 10k soon, but in short it was a lovely little race, set in beautiful surroundings, which thankfully we could enjoy as it had stopped raining and the sun had decided to grace the now blues skies. I ran much better than I anticipated, finishing in 45:29, my second fastest 10k time to date, and with it not being on my more accustomed road surface, this was extra pleasing (see image).

SUNDAY: my legs were a little tight and sore today after the two fast run efforts of yesterday, so I was pleased to run a steady 10 miler with my friend, on a somewhat chilly but beautiful sunny morning. By now I was actually aware of how many miles I had logged this week, so kept it no more than 10 miles and didn't even look at my watch for any idea of pace until I was home. I love testing and pushing myself running and training, but sometimes nothing beats a long run without any pressure - just running. ​