Although I had clearly stated my intention to run my first ever sub 40 minute 10k at the City of Salford race (with ‘just’ 31 seconds to shave off my We Love Manchester 10k time), I had to revise this plan. As such, I started today feeling genuinely justified with my head-injury related decision (I say that as I mean it really wasn’t one of those runner’s excuses I’ve previously decried) that this was not a realistic goal and that following a rather off-piste week (see yesterday’s blog for more on that little adventure!) I was lucky to even be running it, let alone attempting any sparkling performances.  

If this had been a film of course, I’d have sailed over the finish line in the face of such handicap, probably in slow motion and to the gentle rhythm of an uplifting soundtrack, perfectly timed to a soaring crescendo as I demonstrated that humans are capable of achieving their dreams if only they really believe in them. I’d have then continued to run, straight into a burning building, rescued a granny and promptly handed over my fresh medal to cheer up a crying baby before discovering that I’d actually come first and pulled off a course record. I’d then have been abducted by aliens, flayed, lightly broiled and absorbed through a semi-permeable facial membrane for dinner. Hey, I like odd films, OK?

Thankfully, the weather was good and despite a grim looking start this morning, the sun was shining by the time we set off and there was very little wind. Surprisingly, I found most of the people I was looking for at the end too, despite the crowds. Yesterday, during the UKRunChat challenge, I spoke with Joe about positive speech patterns and how powerful these can be. For example, saying ‘I am going to stay relaxed’ is a much better way of getting that outcome than saying ‘I am not going to get stressed’ , which in a way reaffirms the potential negative. For this reason, round about kilometre 8, when it started to feel hard and a niggly headache crept in, I stopped myself quickly when I started to think to tell myself that I was going to run as hard as I could despite my recent accidents. Instead, I started to muse that I was going to enjoy being as strong as I am and run well for today.  I genuinely think that helped make a difference as I don’t remember what happened to the headache but it wasn’t there by the time I finished.  The cheers of the crowd always help too, especially when people recognise the club shirt and you get a good strong ‘Go on Salford!’ (Actually, it was a Salford Harrier who took second place!). I’m still a little confused with regards to the identity of the sun-glass wearing cyclist who shouted ‘Go on Annabeth!’ twice along the route but it was nice to be recognised and it did provide a bit of impetus!

All in all a good and an enjoyable race, even if not a perfect one. Most importantly, I finished strong and following a worrying week when I was beginning to feel concerned that I’d really gone and broken myself good and proper this time, I’ve still got enough enthusiasm to be musing over that next race date. Since there’s nothing now in the diary until London next April, I think I had better get on the case and sort that out! Oldham Half you say..? Hmmmm…

They say (whoever ‘they’ are!) that you learn something every day and yesterday was no exception as I rocked up at the Salford Harriers club house for their ‘Summer Handicap’ race.  Aside from a vague understanding that there was some sort of specific event going on and that I had to bring a bottle of wine and some safety pins (runners are so boozy, the pins come as standard…) I really didn’t know what to expect.

It hadn’t particularly occurred to me that it might affect my running; I was able to do a track session on Tuesday as normal and if I’d felt tired at all from that I’d have thought it was a mild after effect from Saturday’s half marathon more than anything else. Perhaps however, a couple of days can make a difference as I realised as soon as I’d got to the Blue Bell that I was pretty low energy with what I call ‘butchers window’ legs; you know when you see those dead legs hanging up on hooks? Yeah. Like that. I’d not had time to re-fuel between work and legging it out again either but dinner was in the fridge waiting for me and I was visualising it at the end of the run like the carrot on the stick it was. There were some other veg involved too, and some tofu but when you’re vegan, describing dinner as a carrot on a stick isn’t a million miles off. ‘Never mind’ I thought to myself just take it easy, it’s less than 4 miles apparently, just a pootle round ‘The Clough’ and be done.

Not sure how much I’m looking forward to the Christmas one, it gets a bit icy in The Clough apparently! I’ll probably get the train that day either way and do some strides before we start. Maybe I can ease my (only mildly!) wounded pride in so doing!

What with various seasonal travels, so many summer races, a seemingly endless cycle of gearing up to and down from said efforts, and unfortunate but unavoidable recovery from falling off the new bike, I cannot be described as having been on any kind of consistent training plan recently and have really had to take each week/day as it comes. Especially having focussed my efforts on much shorter but faster races since the marathon in April, my weekly mileage has dropped right down and I'm really not sure, despite my 13.1 mile ParkRun Sandwich last week, that I was as prepped as I could have been for the Thames Meander Half Marathon on Saturday. I have to say in respect of this though, how glad I am that after much deliberation I did finally settle on registration for the half not full marathon course! I've been fully aware of the potential compromises in performance I've been making by trying to cram so much in though and that statement is in no way intended as any kind of excuse, more just scene setting.

Speaking of which, as luck would have it, it turns out that Kingston ParkRun meets at the Hawker Centre too and as the race didn't set off until 10, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss! As such, it was at about half past 8 on Saturday morning as I strolled up Richmond Road that I spotted my first runner. "Are you doing the full or half marathon?" I queried, only to be left feeling mildly inadequate when it turned out to be the full 26.2! We carried on chatting about all the sorts of things runners chat about until Kieron (my mum's partner, who also came along to the Newham Anniversary Run) asked how we knew each other! Well, I suppose it had been a bit of a guess but I've never known a non-runner kitted out in Mizuno! Yet more proof, should any be needed, of just what a friendly bunch runners are and the sense of community it seems to instil. No questions asked, if you run, you're one of my people, yo! Further examples of this throughout the day included various chats and natters, including a mid ParkRun boost from one chap who seemed terribly impressed that I was doing ParkRun as well as the later race, despite my disclaimer that I was only doing the half. "I'm only really running this at warm up pace anyway" I explained as I carried on past him, hoping both that I didn't appear too arrogant for doing so and that I wasn't underestimating the effect of having three miles in the legs before starting. It was useful to do though as it followed some of the same route so I felt good and mentally prepared, with few unknown factors.

Now, I am not a stranger to the varied and wonderful world of digestive responses to running. It's actually quite impressive just how creative a stomach and bowel can be in letting you know how they feel about being repeatedly jiggled up and down for a period of time. Jogger's Trots, Runner's Tummy, call it what you like, if you've regularly run more than a mile or two then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, or by some miraculous possession of an iron gut are still oblivious then I'll spare you the details. To put it politely, however, Banana and Bagel Breakfast suddenly decided to settle down to a bit of alone time and made a polite but assertive request to Last Night's Savoury Rice to vacate the premises in order to facilitate this.

Gurgle. ‘I can run through this. I've NEVER stopped on a race before!’

Squirm. ‘Just think of other things, Ooh, what a pretty, erm, stone, litter bin, river view, muddy puddle!'

Glug. 'Oh blimey.'

Needless to say, that did throw a bit of a spanner in the works and there were a couple of times on the way back, when the sun dipped behind the fluffy white clouds, where I did feel a little lower. This was the point at which I remembered that Kieron was waiting for me at the finish, and that by the time I got there, my mum would also be on the scene and was bringing with her a picnic lunch. I didn’t feel even remotely hungry so it wasn’t for the love of houmous sandwiches that this gave me a boost, it was genuinely the thought of this support from family that warmed my little running cockles and sped some extra ‘oomph’ down past the mildly grumpy left knee and into the gradually tiring leggies! I am an independent sort of person and am happy to go off to events and races alone, in fact I ran my first half marathon without anyone with me, but I have to say now I know that support from family and friends can make a real difference, especially when you know they don’t give two figs for running themselves!

It was more often with tear stained cheeks of suppressed humiliation in having been forced to compete in an event I had (at the time) absolutely no interest in than the ruddy afterglow of a race well run that I turned to face my mum at these events. It felt good to be hammering a nail in the coffin of that particular demon; and with not a beanbag in sight!
I finished on a chip time of 1:38:26, which is, if I have correctly calculated it, 75 seconds off my PB but  a minute or so faster than my last two half marathons. I was 6th female, in at 46th overall and as the lady ahead of me finished in 1:35:48 I can’t honestly say that my unscheduled stop had any impact on the race results really.

I have long been a fan of T. S. Eliot and have quoted one of my favourite poems, The Waste Land, at various appropriate points throughout this text. The opening quote is obviously relevant and one line that often comes to mind when I return to the Thames area. So many important events in my life happened in close proximity to the Thames that it is always close to my heart. It wasn’t until I came to write this and think of a conclusion, however that I realised how relevant the closing lines of the poem are too.

Taken from the Buddha’s Fire Sermon (Eliot blends many Eastern and Western religious references in his poem), these words are intended to reference some key qualities one should aspire to, these being generosity, compassion and self discipline. I have frequently mentioned how much I appreciate the community spirit one finds in runners and this generosity of spirit, as well as demonstrable support and compassion are not hard to recognise. The concept of self discipline, both physical and mental, in preparing for a race hardly needs explaining either. Through adequate training efforts and preparation one is able to accept the parameters of ability, accept outcomes, relax into the act of running, and have the emotional resources available to offer compassion and generosity to others in achieving their own goals. Train hard, engage meaningfully with others and you will be able to enjoy the run and find Shanti (peace). Very relevant. I wonder if Eliot was a runner!?

So, all in all a fairly standard week and not much to write home (or blog) about really, in fact well done if you stayed awake for that bit, you must be an even more obsessive runner than I am! Things, you'll be pleased to know if you are actually reading this, got a tickle more interesting today though... I wanted to do a 13.1 miler this weekend to feel prepared for next Saturday. As the weather looks horrible on the forecast for tomorrow, Saturday (also being a full week away from the event) was definitely the day of choice... BUT... as a Saturday when I am actually home and free... I also fancied ParkRun. Whattayagonnado!? Well. (5 miles from my house to Heaton Park) + (5k ParkRun [3.1 miles]) + (5 miles from Heaton Park to my house) = 13.1 miles. Bazinga. You do both. You have yourself a Saturday Morning Heaton ParkRun Sandwich!

Well. That and the energy gels of course and today I tried out a High 5 gel from my first JoggBox. I don't use gels that often but I cracked this one open on my way out of the park as I figured I needed to use up some of my hoard and it might make the last chunk of the run a little more... zingy. I found it incredibly sweet but then I don't really 'do' much in the way of refined sugars (Even when indulging my cake habit I tend to rely on natural sweetness from fruit, etc.) so perhaps I am more likely to notice that. It did the job though; it was really windy for a lot of the way back and I'm sure I used up all that extra energy just battling into it pretty much all the way into city centre!

So there you have it! A very satisfying start to a Saturday! At an hour and 45 mins total running time, it's not exactly my best for the distance but it's not bad for a training run, especially as I've been focusing on much shorter distances lately. A week of gentle tapering is now on the cards I think (though maybe I'll squeeze in one more track session before I start that too seriously!) and then a Meander down the Thames! We've been warned to kit out in rain wear and trail shoes and that some of the path gets muddy, so I'm not expecting a PB but I am expecting to enjoy a mosey down by my favourite river and I reckon by then I should be pretty much back to what passes for normal... watch this space!

Chapter 4 of Scott Jurek's Eat and Run (which I shall soon review) is titled Pain Only Hurts. This has become something of a mantra for me since I read the book. That's not to say I am continually suffering, or make myself sound like an hypochondriac, more to say that sometimes, when things are tough, you just have to suck it up and deal with it. I felt much this way when, using a new (second hand) bike for the first time at the weekend, I failed to account for much more responsive brakes than those on the borrowed bike I had got used to and so I became more acquainted with the tow path gravel than I might have liked. Because 'Pain Only Hurts', and because I was too far away from home to be bothered with walking, I got up, got back on the bike and carried on. Until I fell off again. And got on again. I only fell off twice.

So yes. That race hurt. But, I kept telling myself, the faster I run, the faster it's allllllll over and I can sit in the bar and eat my snacks and pick up my prize for coming first last time and not have to think about it anymore. I actually tried not to think about my position in the last race, or my overall standing in the series stats (I was third overall and first lady), or seeing those achievements on two feet slipping away from me due to having been a bit daft and falling off two wheels. It was a lovely summer evening in a beautiful place with a fat, if not full, moon hanging languidly and low in the sky over a row of pine trees, I was surrounded by lovely people and was fully of chocolatey sugar. What could possibly be wrong with that? Ow. Shuttup. Ow. Shuttup. One. Foot. After. The. Other. Just another sensation, just another message to the brain. Oh. and I needed another wee. Don't drink fizzy drinks too soon before a race either, even if they do have caffeine in.

I had already seen and said hi to Autumn, an inspirational runner from Trawden AC with whom I had a very friendly tussle in the first two races of the series (see race one, two and three reports) and it was no surprise at all to see her shoot off ahead of me from the start line. That was one challenge I wasn't even entertaining. It was with some cautious shock then that I found myself on her heels after about a lap and a half (this 5k route is 5 times round a park and then a surprisingly difficult little bit). I really didn't want to overtake her. This was not altruistic, nor good sportsmanship on my part. This was self preservation. If I could sink comfortably into stealth mode just behind her, perhaps I could pull the same trick she demonstrated so impressively in the first race and save a bit of energy, just pipping her over the line by digging deep in the home stretch. If I overtook her now, so early on, she'd more than likely do the same to me. Now, I know I said I wasn't racing but in my experience 90% of success is in managing opportunity effectively and this opportunity seemed just in reach suddenly, which was more than could be said for most things in the last couple of days thanks to reduced mobility in my stupid shoulder. Well, so much for mid race strategic planning. I drew alongside her in about half a lap. Despite a bit of fun with others, I'm only ever really racing against myself anyway and I felt I could go faster. Imagine the following conversation being conducted between two asthmatic elderly ladies climbing a flight of stairs and you'll get an idea of how  hard we were both puffing.

Following what sounds like quite a lot of effort on the part of the team at Cannonball Events, we now have official times for last night's race (miraculously, mine is 19.44; spot on the same as what I recorded on the Garmin, this never happens!) and the overall series results. I was a bit bummed out to discover that I have been pushed from 3rd down to 12th but I guess I should be glad to have hung on to the top female spot. I always feel a bit of a cheat when I say 'I came first/second/third/whatever!' and then have to suffix that statement with 'out of the women that is'. Yes, I know, men and women are different, blah blah blah, but I don't want to have 'run like a girl' I want to have 'run like a human' and in this case, there were 12 humans who ran better than me. Now, I don't class myself as a feminist, mostly because I have never met anyone claiming to be a feminist who, when it really came down to it actually wanted equality rather than a veiled female supremacy, at least until it comes to things like losing your favourable car insurance quote or having dinner bought for you. BUT, I do like to think of myself as being as capable of most things as other people regardless of what they're packing in their pants, so having to 'admit' that I 'ran quite well... for a lady' just stings a bit, But I'll stop being an ungrateful so-and-so now as it seems like I'll probably get yet another, possibly undeserved prize and I'm nothing if not very grateful for that! So, thanks again to all involved in organising what has been my first race series and thanks also to all my running buddies, especially Jen and Mark for their support and motivation! You guys rock! \m/

They say (whoever ‘they’ are!) that you learn something every day and yesterday was no exception as I rocked up at the Salford Harriers club house for their ‘Summer Handicap’ race. Aside from a vague understanding that there was some sort of specific event going on, and that I had to bring a bottle of wine and some safety pins (runners are so boozy, the pins come as standard…)

It hadn’t particularly occurred to me that it might affect my running; I was able to do a track session on Tuesday as normal and if I’d felt tired at all from that I’d have thought it was a mild after effect from Saturday’s half marathon more than anything else. Perhaps however, a couple of days can make a difference as I realised as soon as I’d got to the Blue Bell that I was pretty low energy with what I call ‘butchers window’ legs; you know when you see those dead legs hanging up on hooks? Yeah. Like that. I’d not had time to re-fuel between work and legging it out again either but dinner was in the fridge waiting for me and I was visualising it at the end of the run like the carrot on the stick it was. There were some other veg involved too, and some tofu but when you’re vegan, describing dinner as a carrot on a stick isn’t a million miles off. ‘Never mind’ I thought to myself just take it easy, it’s less than 4 miles apparently, just a pootle round ‘The Clough’ and be done.

I also now know what a handicap is. Not sure how much I’m looking forward to the Christmas one, it gets a bit icy in The Clough apparently! I’ll probably get the train that day either way and do some strides before we start. Maybe I can ease my (only mildly!) wounded pride in so doing!

This is the first time I've raced in a series so I don't quite understand exactly how that works but I'm not going to complain! The final race is on the 7th of August and I'll be attempting no last minute get out excuses for that one!
A big thanks and congratulations again to Cannonball Events for the organisation and also to Jen for dragging my reluctant arse out and driving me there, as well as for achieving her own hard earned 5k PB! On the hottest day of the year, I think we can both be feeling pretty chuffed with a good evening's running!

After my muddy and somewhat unplanned adventure through the greenbelt of Chessington yesterday I was looking forward to the smooth road running of the 5 mile Newham Anniversary Run, which would take in the sights of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I registered for this race when I noticed the date and location; I'd already planned to be in London today and used to live just up the road in Leyton. This was actually the last place I lived in London before moving up to Manchester 5 and a half years ago, and Stratford was my nearest shopping centre as well as being part of my daily commute to Bermondsey for some years. I'd not visited the area since the redevelopment for London 2012 and so participation in the race seemed like a good excuse to nosey round an old stomping ground as well as an exciting way to spend my last morning in the capital.

There's a limit to this of course and I don't think even I would be daft enough to race with a real injury, however I do also think that it can be psychologically undermining to allow too much room to such worries and refusing to verbalise them is certainly a good first step to avoiding the slippery slope of self defeat! Thankfully, I must've done something right as after a careful stretch (I didn't do a warm up run as I wasn't aiming for a particular time) I was free from discomfort and completely forgot about it for the whole race! It didn't get worse afterwards either so I was very lucky I think.
The run itself was started by Sir Chris Hoy and the Mayor of Newham. I'm not quite sure why a cyclist was chosen to kick off a running event, even admitting "I don't run myself but I'm sure it's a nice day for one", but it's always nice when well known personalities support such events. We did run a lap round the velodrome after all and with 2 gold medals to his name, he certainly has the Olympic link licked!

I was in the red wave, which set off first and the mood around me was one of focus and determination. We had been warned by the organisers not to underestimate the heat, despite the cloud cover and that we should be content to just enjoy the run and not push for a PB. They had a good point of course and as mentioned I wasn't aiming for one myself but I defy any runner to be in a race and not get caught up in the atmosphere, finding yourself running faster than you might have planned! Predictably, this was certainly the case for me as I glanced at my watch on a beep to see a clocked time of 6 minutes and 42 seconds for mile 2. 'That felt easy!' I mused and saw no need to hold back at all with only 3 miles left to go! How typical that I felt so effortlessly strong in a race that I wasn't really racing! Why hadn't I felt this strong in the 10k last Sunday?! Hey ho, C'est  La Vie! It was good anyway when I had enough puff to comment to one struggling runner walking up a bit of a hill, that we were over half way. 'Less than 2 miles left mate, you can do this!' I called out and it was lovely when this seemed to have given him some genuine encouragement and he started running again. 'Strong running!' I observed as I passed by and he acknowledged me with gratitude. I've heard it said that you only keep what you give and sure enough, though it hadn't been my intention, I got a boost myself just knowing I'd helped. There was a similar moment a little further on when I noticed another runner calling out something similar to one who'd slowed to a walk. 'Nearly there!' I joined in. I love how supportive of one another the running community is, even in theoretically competitive situations. The speakers playing Chariots of Fire on the last half mile were an amusing, if cheesy, touch and I'm sure provided the audio fuel for a last bit of digging deep for many, myself included!

So, farewell to London and congratulations and thanks due to the organisers and finishers of the Newham Anniversary Race 2014. I shaln't yet promise to see you next year but I'm not ruling it out either, dates permitting! Next race will hopefully be the third Todmorden 5k on Thursday! I wonder if I'll bump into Ian, the Todmorden Harriers runner who I said hello to after recognising his club shirt post race! It's a small world for this running lark but surely a more friendly one for it and certainly one I'm increasingly glad to have found my way into!