A Runner is Born...

You don’t always have to be in the lead…
If you have the heart to come from behind.
Don’t give up hope, don’t doubt yourself,
And a new strength is what you’ll find.
The spirit of competition, the desire to succeed
will always be important for life.
So give your all, everything you’ve got,
No matter the occasion, through pain and strife.
So step up to the plate, enter the race,
Never be afraid to take your turn.
Because winners are people who just never quit,
And this is a life lesson we all will learn.

By: Melissa Underwood

The last twenty four hours have been grim.
lack of sleep, aches and cricks from a forced sleep on the sofa, eating badly..
the start of a cold or hayfever...

Anyway, enough wallowing.. I know I am a rubbish runner but the point is I have stepped up to the plate. I have put in the training, even if not as much as I would have I liked.
But I running this for charity, to raise awareness and funds. Funds and awareness to improve the lives of others.

So quit bitchin' of a few temporary ailments and set backs and get back to what I am good at - Partying in my ducksuit ready to to set the world on fire!

Good morning legs..yes, I can feel you as I drag from one room to another! Now, what is that all about?! I did an hour in total of stretching, rollering and massaging after my 11 miles walking and 4 miles running, yesterday! I had a fantastic sports massage from Vanessa. I even drank lots of water to avoid dehydration as so hot!I'm guessing the body is tired from poor sleep and possibly not eating enough protein. I have been skimping on good stuff and grazing some bad foods. I didn't have a salad, or any fruit yesterday.  Tiredness does that to me.

I will have my porridge, then do a short dog walk. I really want to go to Zumba as missed it last week, and can't do it next week. Zumba is what lights my soul.

Then I shall have a day of rest. Haven't truly had that since last week. I have done a lot of dog walking miles and run every day for the last 5 days. I actually fancy a swim but really do not like public pools.

Sleep and read are the goals for today. Rest aids recovery that promotes fast sleek happy duck.
Shut the kitchen door and put the fruit bowl in front of it.

Running as a sighted buddy with Simon Goodall, blind Paralympian for Goalball
I have added in a screen print of the stats for yesterday's run with Simon.
I chose a park which was relatively flat and open. This then mean't Simon could run freely and not worry about obstructions. Unlike the run around Dinton Pastures when he had to hold my elbow for guidance to avoid falling off path, and potentially into the lake.
The aerial view looks like a trail left by a snail that climbed out of a vat of vodka. There were some dips in the ground which I had to describe and identify for Simon rapdily so he didnt stumble. Small dips we take for granted and automatically change our gait,posture, leg lift, foot plant..but of course he can't see it to make the adjustments in advance. I have to see/speak/describe for him to be able to safely run through. A very big learning curve. I know it's extra tiring for me as I have to talk through the running. Brain, lung and leg training for me. Plus he is naturally faster than me so I have been trying to go his speed and keep up!
We were only doing a "short run" so neither of us carried a bottle of water. Big mistake on two accounts. It may only be March but he heat in the open space at 11.30am became quite intense. do not under estimate the power of the sun at any time of the year! Also, as I was having to speak, my mouth had become quite very dry. The speaking did zap my strength and was probably the energy equivalent of an extra mile. This may also account for my strange lack of oxygen as we did a cool down walking up a hill.
We were due to run 5 miles. Simon wanted his confidence boosted to do his 5 mile run around the Olympic Park on saturday, a massive event. I asked him at various points how was he feeling. He did say his legs were heavy at 3 miles so we walked for minutes, shaking legs, then ran again. At mile 4, I suggested we ease off to walk and cool down as I was feeling light headed! I was sniffing a little, probably due to hayfever induced by tractor cutting grass and Hawthorn blossom. We should have been carrying water! However, we showed maturity of mind by stopping and not fulfilling the training plan. It's not worth the consequences.
I shall do a bigger blog about this as my brain slowly  assimilate the whole training experience and adventure.


 

This is a complicated day for being in many places within same time span, and the logistics of being miles apart!

Also on sleep deprivation as husband and old dog both snoring, along with the chugging noises coming from the airing cupboard!

With careful time management skills I shall endevour to walk my 3 dogs, then walk another pair of dogs, thus covering a distance 7 miles in 90 minutes.

I will then do a 4-5 mile run with Simon.

I can then return home for a two hour sleep slot before having to repeat the double dog walk stint again. Sod the housework!

I am then Mummy-taxi for a couple of hours and can recover in the car with music up and windows down.

My end of the day treat is a "relaxing" sports massage with Vanessa.

Porridge for breakfast. Protein shake after run with Simon. Egg wrap for lunch. Tuna and GF pasta for dinner.

Wish all those luck who cross my path cos I am a grumpy duck who needs sleeeeep!

Whoop! Whoop! The sun is out again!
Took dogs for a 5 mile walk in the woods before it got too warm for them.
I then whizzed out for a 5 mile run. I didn't take any gadgets with me. I just enjoyed the run for the sake of the run listening to Mother Nature. The first of the Bluebells are just starting to burst into their blueness. Very realxing comfortable run. The ground felt like I was running on marbles a lot of the time. The dry dusty ground with small twigs, acorns, etc are now becoming quite lethal as you roller over them. I have to make sure I plant my feet quite carefully. Thankfully I have quite a low profile run so can react quickly if my feet or ankles feel insecure! Ankles are certainly getting a great strengthening work out.
I got fueling and hydration just right and could have run further but this is tapering week! Not Showing off week!
I had my porridge quite early so I had a banana after the dog walk, and just before I went running.
Perfect choice as light and easily digested. I also had a quick top up of water.
I also enjoyed the feel of the new Hilly Mono Socks. They did feel a little slippery underfoot when I was walking in them yesterday but I am guessing that reduces friction, thus avoiding blisters.
definitely noticeably more comfortable than my old hiking bridgedale socks which I have been a frim favourite. but sadly, after a couple years of running and hiking they are truly at the end of their comfort - as realised from the 42 mile walk last weekend.

The rest of the day is spent drinking lots of water and lime, plus a couple of protein shakes.
Dinner is salad with a couple of hard boiled eggs. I lose my appetite when it gets hot.

I have the whole week off work. I have no excuse to get a couple of runs in ready for Sunday. I just have to make sure I do't over do it!

5 miles is already planned for wednesday. I was going to do a long dog walk followed by a 7-9 mile run today, That may be unwise, but I shall see how the day pans out.

I should go to the gym and do something else such as rowing, cross trainer or bike. But it gets hot in there. Again, I shall see how the day pans out.

I am not being very constructive this morning. It must be the lost hour and some dog awakening moments in the night addling my brain.

Point being, I will be moving and not sitting all day!

*I actually did just over 10 miles walking with dogs and friends. large G & T from friendly chatty neighbout then rendered me useless. It is a rare occurence to have such chatty moments with neighbours as they are always indoors! Loving the way the sunshine brings out happy people!

..and I was up and out for a 5 mile run before it got too busy or hot out there! Yay, go me!
Took the dogs and 5 miles was enough for them too.
I ran before breakfast and a cup of tea. So I just survived the 5 miles before my tummy rumbled and the power started to fade.
So 600 calories burned before refueling, lets make sure I keep on track for the rest of the day!
BBQ'd steak and salad kinda day!
Will do some kettlebells thorugh out the day.
Will do a 4 mile dog walk this afternoon.

It's only 6 days until reading Half Marathon!

Thursday was a mix of pain and pleasure.
Right ear blocked so impinged on balance as well as ability to hear.
Stayed up right on rower but actually struggled with the recumbant bike!

Friday had ear syringed so hearing back. Nurse also had a go at left ear which hadn't been oiled, and that darn well hurt! head thumped all day.

On the plus side the bunion plasters padded my bruisey blistery thing under my foot so I was able to do some long dog walks and a run.

I did my first run with Simon Goodall, blind paralympian, and it was a huge success.
Just did 2 miles together, around Dinton Pastures. There was a lot to get used such as talking as I was running! I am his eyes so I had to help verbalise the track and also the scenery.
He ran holding onto my right elbow. I avoided the bondage rope, for a tethered run, he had brought along. He had not run with a buddy before so this was all new to him too.

It's a beautiful day today but I must be Mother, Wife and good friend so no training today.

I shall be on my feet for a few hours helping as a marshal at the Green Park Tri.

Feet permitting I shall do a 5km run after work.

Blisters have now hardened up but beneath they feel tender like a bruise. So I am still being careful. I may have to resort to the gym and the rowing machine if it's not packed with sweaty bodies, this evening!

I don't doubt I am more than capable of doing the Reading Half marathon; the training is secondary to my feet being fully recovered. The difference will be between a sub 2.30 or a sub 3 hour finish. As I am about finishing with a smile I am not unhappy with either of those results.

What I didn't mention was the 5 mile walk and 3 mile run I did yesterday...
and how did I feel? Marvelous!
Legs were absolutely fine but feet now feel bruises as deep blisters are still a little tender. Thankfully the blisters aren't those thin ones that shred your feet to reveal raw skin beneath!

Also had a sports massage yesterday evening so legs do feel absolutely great today.

I shall have a restful day off my feet to give them a chance to recover again. Will do a dog walk.
I will go to thy gym for a 45 minute session on bike and rower but stay of the Cross trainer. There is still some movement underfoot on that.

All birthday cake and Mother's day cake has been eaten (thankfully had guests yesterday) so I can go back into the kitchen without being tempted into many naughty things.

11 days to Reading Half! really got to look after those feet!

Well having successfully completed a 42 mile walk in under 12 hours on Sunday (19th March) I had yesterday off. Couldn't really walk far as feet a tad tender with blisters!
Left hamstring behind knee was also very tight.

I spent Monday stretching in between snoozing in between popping and bathing blisters.
I paint a pretty picture!
I had no brain power to blog either.

Today, I have woken up with a monster rumbling tummy. I will have to be very careful that I don't over do the eating.

Feet are a lot better so I will do nice slow long dog walk. Need to do a lot of stretching on hams and achilles (right is a little tender).

Generally, I am surpised at how great the body feels. Puts me in good stead for a few more events coming up that require a lot of stamina, such as 24 hour treadmill events!

Reading half marathon is next, 1st April. That should be intersting totrain for over the next couple of weeks!

I shall do a seperate blog under Rmablings about sunday.