I decided to take on this challenge as it wasn't running, it was a thank you to the "Guru" Gary of G-Rex Fitness who had taken his time to train me.
Bridgewater Place in Leeds is the tallest building in the city it has the nickname of "The Dalek" it can be seen up to 25 miles away in certain areas.It has 32 floors. Unfortunately its rise to notoriety is for the sad death of a pedestrian who was killed when a lorry was blown over by swirling winds around the tower.
Over the 32 floors there are 522 steps, the challenge is simple, get to the top. You are given a timing fob which you insert into a port at the start and find the other one at the top to calculate your time. Mark was volunteering to take photographs at this event so he would meet me at the top. Dan McIntyre a really good friend of ours would be taking part in this event for the 2nd time. Last year Dan lost his timing fob so once it was found on level 10 his time was recorded at the top of the building this year he wanted to beat his time. The first wave of climbers were going at 10am so Dan and me decided we would join in at the end. Dan uses a wheelchair and so to complete the climb he drags it with him......yes you read that right he drags it up 32 floors, 522 steps. I have never doubted what a strong character Dan is but when he did this last year it blew me away, then he did the Edinburgh Marathon (the only wheelie) his determination to rebel against the form is truly motivating.
I decided to try and keep a steady pace up the stairs, but this went wayward by level 5. I was badly out of breath really struggling to the point of feeling very faint and clammy by level 10. I knew that the only person behind me if I passed out would be Dan, I didn't want him to find me on the floor, so decided to slow down a little bit and try and get my breath back. As I rounded one of the flat bits of the staircase a voice greeted me "Hello" I kid you not I could have Kung Fu Pandaerd him, he scared the living daylights out of me all to take my photo. At level 15 the halfway point a little family were gathered with water in hand, baby was asleep but I still needed to coo. It was a welcome break to be honest, as by this point I couldn't believe that Dan was going to do this dragging his wheelchair with him, I was shattered and I was supposedly fit !!. Rounding the last flights of stairs, I got to an open door where I caught a glimpse of my other half, just one final turn and that was it. Another couple of piccys at the top hopefully I wasn't too red in the face. I walked back down just one flight to take the lift back down to earth. Having had another piccy done this time by my Hubby I had to leave the building for another commitment. Before I left I shouted over the side rails to Dan that I had made it, I could see his hand on the rail so I knew he was on his way....Dan IS the Man.
In the foyer I collected my goodie bag and made my way to the timing station, 7.35 wow I was really surprised it felt about 10 minutes so I was super happy, as said to me later if gives me something to beat next year....
A little later on I received a text from my Hubby who told me that Dan had finished and smashed his time from the previous year. He also told me that the fastest time had just been set 2.59......you cannot be serious I really didn't know what to say other than that.
I finished 85th out of 109 overall, 26th out of 40 Women, Dan finished 106th overall which is super impressive and he beat his time.
When you say you are doing a stair climb the first and obvious reaction from people "that's easy" yeah well put your money where your mouth is and give it a go because I can tell you now its not easy at all. Yes I will do it again next year, I think my youngest Son maybe up for the challenge too. All sorts of people take part in this event, Marathon runners, professional stair climbers, hikers, amputees, they all like the challenge, the challenge of something different, to challenge the norm.
The people that you meet are so friendly there is respect for and given by and to every person taking part. The volunteers are brilliant they motivate and congratulate you. So many people give up their time to help with these sort of events and without them they just would not happen.
So to the staff at Bridewater Place, G-Rex Fitness, Gary Butterfield and Andy Dodman to the volunteers from the bottom to the top and back down again, a heartfelt thank you. See ya next year.
Sunday 24 November 2013
Abbey Dash
The Abbey Dash was the very first road event I entered many moons ago. It takes place in the city centre and out towards Kirkstall and back again. Flat and even its a good course for getting good times however, this would not be my aim this time. This time the aim was to complete a full 10km running on the front foot, having covered quite a few km with this technique and recovering well and especially happy to be ache and pain free after it, I was looking forward to it. It was only a week ago having had my visit to A&E that this run was in serious doubt, if I didn't respond to the medication I was given then I would without a doubt have to abandon this run. The surprise that I was given 4 weeks worth of medication set me back a little I don't think I had realised just how serious things had become. When I did my first run I was very nervous about any side effects the medication may have as it really was a cocktail to take. I decided to take it fairly steady best not to push myself now otherwise it really would have written off the Abbey Dash. No pains on returning home meant it went well, I felt confident in extending the distance after my rest day. No side effects from the medication meant that I felt comfortable extending my distance.
On Saturday I decided that I would take part in the Abbey Dash, I had to leave it as late as possible to determine how my week had been. As I had been taking the medication the pain had reduced dramatically in my chest, the pains in my lower and upper abdomen was much better, not quite there but enough. I had avoided so many "trigger" foods which up to a week ago I had risked in small doses but now they had to go. The problem is two fold, for the foods that trigger the IBS they aid the calming of the excess acid that irritates my hernia and vice versa, to find the balance for both problems is something I have learned to live with for many years, but now it was a problem again. It also makes running a bit of a problem, as I am a classic under-eater about 600-700 calories a day, so to try and limit the food intake only leads to one thing even less calories.
Sunday morning and I am up and ready for the off small bowl of porridge but no liquid. Its a dry but dull morning perfect conditions for running. This year the start and finish are in different places in the city, we made our way to the start enclosure which was quiet. But this was quite a way from the bag drop and finish, we decided that the weaving in and out of the back streets of lower city Leeds was a pain for Mark so he would wait for me at the finish. After dropping my back pack I made my way back down to the start enclosure, by the time I got back down there it was quite a bit busier, the usual queues for the toilets were extending across the enclosure. The warm up was called and a lady from Virgin Active with her helpers began to warm the "Dashers" up. This became a real problem quickly for me, as I am not the tallest of the species I couldn't see the stage, let alone the warm up. As people craned their necks to try and follow the warm up, it became obvious that this was fruitless unless you are fortunate to be Emuesque, arms and legs protruding in every direction possible, the near knock out punches, kicks up the bums and trodden toes and heels it became a hokey kokey. Eventually we were guided to our paddocks these were in time sectors, as we waited to move down to the start it was at this point that I missed my music. Since taking on the new training plan I have not taken my music with me, it meant I gazed around looking at the same buildings, scenery and people. As people cheered at the movement of other sectors, ours remained still, it had now been 20mins since the warm up, luckily as there were so many people corralled into the section I was in I wasn't feeling the cold air. As we began to make our way to the start it became obvious that this would be a rolling start from quite a way back from the start. It always amazes me how and why people set off at such rate from a 60+ section, if you wanted to go faster go into the 50+ section !!. I pick a couple of people who I feel will help keep my pace so that I can concentrate on my feet. Due to the start of the Dash moving the course directors have needed to add in a little bit to take it back up to a 10km. So as we approach Cardigan Fields we turn into the complex to run around the top of it, its slightly uphill and this means that the pacers I had have now dropped behind me, new pacer required, it takes me a little while to find one but as we begin the slight downhill back onto Kirkstall Road I have found one. Then a problem that I had not anticipated, the heavy breathing, slamming of feet and general thump behind me has distracted me. I am willing him to pass me quickly so I can get back to what I need to think about. As we turn onto Kirkstall Road my pacer is still in front of me, its feeling comfortable I am still running as I should be, as I have no headphones I have no idea of pace or time, but it doesn't feel too bad. As we approach the uphill section towards the Abbey I try to think about my foot position ready to push uphill. The road surface is a little bit more stoney which I can feel quite badly under my toes, I try to see ahead of me to pick out a smoother surface but there really isn't a smoother bit. As the turnaround point is now in front of the Dashers its a squeeze to double back, the water station is on the left, for me I don't drink on a 10km unless it is exceptionally hot, so I keep to the right of the course to avoid the water drinkers, however, it amazes me how many suddenly think "oh water" and flash across your pathway. Avoiding the slippy cups which is easier than trying to dodge than bottles, we now head downhill back towards the city. I am at this point aware that I had some rubbing under my left toes, but as I am now on a slight uphill it's rubbing more but hopefully this will ease as I level off. I have now picked a new pacer for the run back into the city, still unaware of any time or pace it is impossible for me to guess if I am on my wanted time/pace I cannot decide if I should pick up my pace a little or maintain to feel comfortable. As I pass the 7km marker board I decide to try and pick up a little bit I pick another pacer a little way ahead of me, my aim is now to catch up and stay with them. Under the viaduct, across the traffic lights pass Radio Aire, sat on an electrical box are two children singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" this makes me and the lady I am running with smile and wonder when we will see them on "Britains Got Talent". Fire Station, I can see our car, a left bend we now climb again towards the overpass of the inner ring road, this is a killer at this point if you slow down too much you walk, if you try to push it hurts or you lose posture. Over the inner ring road, downhill to the Headrow, the finish line comes into view, don't go too early, as the road climbs slightly towards the finish the need and urge to push takes you, you cross the line and grab for your timer. Bottle of water in hand and my finisher t-shirt in the other I make my way for my bag, all the time checking my phone for my chip time. Warm clothes on, still checking my phone, I then try the task of locating my Hubby, still checking my phone, I know that he is waiting for me somewhere near the finish, buzz buzz buzz, arggghhhh my chip time, I now don't want to look.....1.09.25 mmmmm a little disappointed I would have been happy with 1.06. However, I have completed the whole 10km on the front foot, I have no pain at all in either achilles tendons, no pain at all in my knees, so that is worth the 3 minutes, the only tenderness is from a couple of blisters under my left row of toes. I feel so pain free that I am almost waiting for some real pain to zap me. After locating my Hubby we make our way to the German Market for our now mandatory Pancakes and syrup, but today as I see people eating the most delicious looking hot dogs and I need one. After having our little snack we make our way back to the car feeling that I have achieved I would never have believed that at anytime of my running that front foot would ever be my position of choice but the benefits have out weighed any reason to go back to how it was.
So the next dates in the calendar are Great Yorkshire Stair Climb, which takes place inside Bridgewater Place in Leeds. The Santa Dash around Leeds city centre will be something that I will do for the first time with my youngest Son. That will conclude my event running for this year, but does not conclude my running for the year as weather permitting I will carry on putting in the miles.
On Saturday I decided that I would take part in the Abbey Dash, I had to leave it as late as possible to determine how my week had been. As I had been taking the medication the pain had reduced dramatically in my chest, the pains in my lower and upper abdomen was much better, not quite there but enough. I had avoided so many "trigger" foods which up to a week ago I had risked in small doses but now they had to go. The problem is two fold, for the foods that trigger the IBS they aid the calming of the excess acid that irritates my hernia and vice versa, to find the balance for both problems is something I have learned to live with for many years, but now it was a problem again. It also makes running a bit of a problem, as I am a classic under-eater about 600-700 calories a day, so to try and limit the food intake only leads to one thing even less calories.
Sunday morning and I am up and ready for the off small bowl of porridge but no liquid. Its a dry but dull morning perfect conditions for running. This year the start and finish are in different places in the city, we made our way to the start enclosure which was quiet. But this was quite a way from the bag drop and finish, we decided that the weaving in and out of the back streets of lower city Leeds was a pain for Mark so he would wait for me at the finish. After dropping my back pack I made my way back down to the start enclosure, by the time I got back down there it was quite a bit busier, the usual queues for the toilets were extending across the enclosure. The warm up was called and a lady from Virgin Active with her helpers began to warm the "Dashers" up. This became a real problem quickly for me, as I am not the tallest of the species I couldn't see the stage, let alone the warm up. As people craned their necks to try and follow the warm up, it became obvious that this was fruitless unless you are fortunate to be Emuesque, arms and legs protruding in every direction possible, the near knock out punches, kicks up the bums and trodden toes and heels it became a hokey kokey. Eventually we were guided to our paddocks these were in time sectors, as we waited to move down to the start it was at this point that I missed my music. Since taking on the new training plan I have not taken my music with me, it meant I gazed around looking at the same buildings, scenery and people. As people cheered at the movement of other sectors, ours remained still, it had now been 20mins since the warm up, luckily as there were so many people corralled into the section I was in I wasn't feeling the cold air. As we began to make our way to the start it became obvious that this would be a rolling start from quite a way back from the start. It always amazes me how and why people set off at such rate from a 60+ section, if you wanted to go faster go into the 50+ section !!. I pick a couple of people who I feel will help keep my pace so that I can concentrate on my feet. Due to the start of the Dash moving the course directors have needed to add in a little bit to take it back up to a 10km. So as we approach Cardigan Fields we turn into the complex to run around the top of it, its slightly uphill and this means that the pacers I had have now dropped behind me, new pacer required, it takes me a little while to find one but as we begin the slight downhill back onto Kirkstall Road I have found one. Then a problem that I had not anticipated, the heavy breathing, slamming of feet and general thump behind me has distracted me. I am willing him to pass me quickly so I can get back to what I need to think about. As we turn onto Kirkstall Road my pacer is still in front of me, its feeling comfortable I am still running as I should be, as I have no headphones I have no idea of pace or time, but it doesn't feel too bad. As we approach the uphill section towards the Abbey I try to think about my foot position ready to push uphill. The road surface is a little bit more stoney which I can feel quite badly under my toes, I try to see ahead of me to pick out a smoother surface but there really isn't a smoother bit. As the turnaround point is now in front of the Dashers its a squeeze to double back, the water station is on the left, for me I don't drink on a 10km unless it is exceptionally hot, so I keep to the right of the course to avoid the water drinkers, however, it amazes me how many suddenly think "oh water" and flash across your pathway. Avoiding the slippy cups which is easier than trying to dodge than bottles, we now head downhill back towards the city. I am at this point aware that I had some rubbing under my left toes, but as I am now on a slight uphill it's rubbing more but hopefully this will ease as I level off. I have now picked a new pacer for the run back into the city, still unaware of any time or pace it is impossible for me to guess if I am on my wanted time/pace I cannot decide if I should pick up my pace a little or maintain to feel comfortable. As I pass the 7km marker board I decide to try and pick up a little bit I pick another pacer a little way ahead of me, my aim is now to catch up and stay with them. Under the viaduct, across the traffic lights pass Radio Aire, sat on an electrical box are two children singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" this makes me and the lady I am running with smile and wonder when we will see them on "Britains Got Talent". Fire Station, I can see our car, a left bend we now climb again towards the overpass of the inner ring road, this is a killer at this point if you slow down too much you walk, if you try to push it hurts or you lose posture. Over the inner ring road, downhill to the Headrow, the finish line comes into view, don't go too early, as the road climbs slightly towards the finish the need and urge to push takes you, you cross the line and grab for your timer. Bottle of water in hand and my finisher t-shirt in the other I make my way for my bag, all the time checking my phone for my chip time. Warm clothes on, still checking my phone, I then try the task of locating my Hubby, still checking my phone, I know that he is waiting for me somewhere near the finish, buzz buzz buzz, arggghhhh my chip time, I now don't want to look.....1.09.25 mmmmm a little disappointed I would have been happy with 1.06. However, I have completed the whole 10km on the front foot, I have no pain at all in either achilles tendons, no pain at all in my knees, so that is worth the 3 minutes, the only tenderness is from a couple of blisters under my left row of toes. I feel so pain free that I am almost waiting for some real pain to zap me. After locating my Hubby we make our way to the German Market for our now mandatory Pancakes and syrup, but today as I see people eating the most delicious looking hot dogs and I need one. After having our little snack we make our way back to the car feeling that I have achieved I would never have believed that at anytime of my running that front foot would ever be my position of choice but the benefits have out weighed any reason to go back to how it was.
So the next dates in the calendar are Great Yorkshire Stair Climb, which takes place inside Bridgewater Place in Leeds. The Santa Dash around Leeds city centre will be something that I will do for the first time with my youngest Son. That will conclude my event running for this year, but does not conclude my running for the year as weather permitting I will carry on putting in the miles.
Saturday 9 November 2013
A week to go and Disater Darling
Didn't know how to title that to sound like Craig Revel Horwood.
Having started the week on positive vibes, new shoes, new tights all was good. Muscles and injuries all feeling fine and dandy then what I didn't want happened. My three gorgeous Grand-children have suffered the most terrible coughs and infections. However, the Girls have been by far the worst affected. As I am lucky enough to see them all loads I was aware that I was at risk of picking up a cough or cold. I prepared well I got plenty of fluid and slept well my diet remained sensible all this was to no avail. As I suffer from Rhinitus it can be difficult to determine whether its a runny nose due to a cold or my rhinitus having a flare up. The consequence is that I need to wait to see what it is that I am treating, so I prepared and bought caffeine free flu remedy, sensible to avoid any trigger as I could be poorly with it. So far so good eh !. The following day I woke with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth unable to get any saliva to wet my throat. My sinuses felt horrendous I put the remedy into full attack mode, lets fight it quickly and get it done with. After taking the remedy for two days I didn't feel a great deal different, but I will take my 3 days worth what harm can it do? Thursday was by far my worst day, I took Mum shopping and before I had even started my trolley was full of crap..biscuits,buns,cakes etc, I felt crap so I may as well eat crap. I hasten to add I didn't, I didn't really have an appetite. My final tablets were heading down, lashings of vapo-rub do or die time. Friday I woke up and felt great apart from indigestion, which could be normal for me, Gaviscon you are my saviour. Little bit odd its didn't work as well as it should, food doesn't seem to be actually going down it feels like its getting stuck below my breast bone..bit odd but it will clear up. By Friday night it really didn't feel normal I had taken more Gaviscon but still no real relief. Over night it got worse the spasms in my chest kept waking me up I had the Gaviscon by the bed but it just wasn't touching the sides. It feels different that any indigestion I have ever had. It feels like a huge lump of pain running under my ribcage up into my throat. 7am Saturday the pain is so bad that the collective we (Mark & Me) decide A&E is the only option, as we both know that if my hernia is strangulating then it was serious. After having a cuppa...I know what I said but even without a decaff coffee I can't operate...without going into detail I paid a "visit" and felt better, had my breakfast felt worse but then felt reasonable.
Our Daughter is getting married and today was a visit to the suit shop, all was going well until the pain in my abdomen started, I was struggling to hide the pain I was in as I didn't want my kids to worry. But the pain got too much and I had to tell them that after I dropped them off I was heading for A&E.
On entering A&E I was wired up to ECG to make sure it was gastrointestinal and not heart related, bloods and even urine taken. Pain relief and lansoprazole given, I hoped this would do the trick back in the waiting room the pain was still there but then seemed to ease...yipee. When I was called back into the exam room I was confident that I would be discharged with lansoprazole in pocket. The Dr did look slightly confused that I was still in discomfort, he decided to examine me, he pressed lightly under my left ribs felt a bit sore, pressed lightly on my right side no pain at all, then he pressed mid abdomen on my left...if it hadn't of hurt so much I would have knocked him clean out. Wow the pain was excruciating he didn't do anything else apart from move me and ask for an xray. Whilst I was waiting I was doubled up in agony, I know he didn't mean to hurt me but I really wish he hadn't done it. The xray just to check if my hernia had strangulated or perished, this was my biggest fear I knew what this would mean and I was scared. After the xray I saw the same Dr who said everything was clear, the relief was huge, but I was given Buscopan and an advisory to visit my GP Monday.
having had time to think over what I had eaten to cause this problem there was nothing, I do have to be careful with IBS and hernia that I don't upset the balance. So I knew it was nothing I had eaten, what could it be then? Then with a flash I knew...cold & flu remedy, it's the only thing I have taken that is unusual, but I got caffeine free it can't be that..can it? On returning home and checking the ingredient list the 1 of the 3 got my attention Guaifenesin, oh boy was I foolish. I suppose I am no different to you I never read the warning leaflet, but this simple action was a great error. The ingredient Guaifenesin has a side effect of gastrointestinal discomfort, if I had read the label then maybe I would have thought twice about taking it. The pain I am feeling is as a result of the remedy that I was sure would just take care of a cold.
With a week to go before the Leeds Abbey Dash I am now unable to run until the pain subsides, if the pain or symptoms don't subside then I will have no choice but to relinquish my place. I simply cannot put my own health at risk for this, there would have been a time I would have run with any problem, but as with many things in life, somethings just have to take a back seat.
I have lived with the symptoms of both IBS and hiatus hernia for many many years but this scared me it's the first time I have ever had a problem. I knew that any operation would have been swift and would mean a stay in hospital, something I just don't want or need.
So I go into a new week carrying something I wasn't prepared for, I hope that by the middle of the week I will be able to pop a couple of 10kms in before the Abbey Dash, my GP may be able to give me more advise on my next steps.
Having started the week on positive vibes, new shoes, new tights all was good. Muscles and injuries all feeling fine and dandy then what I didn't want happened. My three gorgeous Grand-children have suffered the most terrible coughs and infections. However, the Girls have been by far the worst affected. As I am lucky enough to see them all loads I was aware that I was at risk of picking up a cough or cold. I prepared well I got plenty of fluid and slept well my diet remained sensible all this was to no avail. As I suffer from Rhinitus it can be difficult to determine whether its a runny nose due to a cold or my rhinitus having a flare up. The consequence is that I need to wait to see what it is that I am treating, so I prepared and bought caffeine free flu remedy, sensible to avoid any trigger as I could be poorly with it. So far so good eh !. The following day I woke with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth unable to get any saliva to wet my throat. My sinuses felt horrendous I put the remedy into full attack mode, lets fight it quickly and get it done with. After taking the remedy for two days I didn't feel a great deal different, but I will take my 3 days worth what harm can it do? Thursday was by far my worst day, I took Mum shopping and before I had even started my trolley was full of crap..biscuits,buns,cakes etc, I felt crap so I may as well eat crap. I hasten to add I didn't, I didn't really have an appetite. My final tablets were heading down, lashings of vapo-rub do or die time. Friday I woke up and felt great apart from indigestion, which could be normal for me, Gaviscon you are my saviour. Little bit odd its didn't work as well as it should, food doesn't seem to be actually going down it feels like its getting stuck below my breast bone..bit odd but it will clear up. By Friday night it really didn't feel normal I had taken more Gaviscon but still no real relief. Over night it got worse the spasms in my chest kept waking me up I had the Gaviscon by the bed but it just wasn't touching the sides. It feels different that any indigestion I have ever had. It feels like a huge lump of pain running under my ribcage up into my throat. 7am Saturday the pain is so bad that the collective we (Mark & Me) decide A&E is the only option, as we both know that if my hernia is strangulating then it was serious. After having a cuppa...I know what I said but even without a decaff coffee I can't operate...without going into detail I paid a "visit" and felt better, had my breakfast felt worse but then felt reasonable.
Our Daughter is getting married and today was a visit to the suit shop, all was going well until the pain in my abdomen started, I was struggling to hide the pain I was in as I didn't want my kids to worry. But the pain got too much and I had to tell them that after I dropped them off I was heading for A&E.
On entering A&E I was wired up to ECG to make sure it was gastrointestinal and not heart related, bloods and even urine taken. Pain relief and lansoprazole given, I hoped this would do the trick back in the waiting room the pain was still there but then seemed to ease...yipee. When I was called back into the exam room I was confident that I would be discharged with lansoprazole in pocket. The Dr did look slightly confused that I was still in discomfort, he decided to examine me, he pressed lightly under my left ribs felt a bit sore, pressed lightly on my right side no pain at all, then he pressed mid abdomen on my left...if it hadn't of hurt so much I would have knocked him clean out. Wow the pain was excruciating he didn't do anything else apart from move me and ask for an xray. Whilst I was waiting I was doubled up in agony, I know he didn't mean to hurt me but I really wish he hadn't done it. The xray just to check if my hernia had strangulated or perished, this was my biggest fear I knew what this would mean and I was scared. After the xray I saw the same Dr who said everything was clear, the relief was huge, but I was given Buscopan and an advisory to visit my GP Monday.
having had time to think over what I had eaten to cause this problem there was nothing, I do have to be careful with IBS and hernia that I don't upset the balance. So I knew it was nothing I had eaten, what could it be then? Then with a flash I knew...cold & flu remedy, it's the only thing I have taken that is unusual, but I got caffeine free it can't be that..can it? On returning home and checking the ingredient list the 1 of the 3 got my attention Guaifenesin, oh boy was I foolish. I suppose I am no different to you I never read the warning leaflet, but this simple action was a great error. The ingredient Guaifenesin has a side effect of gastrointestinal discomfort, if I had read the label then maybe I would have thought twice about taking it. The pain I am feeling is as a result of the remedy that I was sure would just take care of a cold.
With a week to go before the Leeds Abbey Dash I am now unable to run until the pain subsides, if the pain or symptoms don't subside then I will have no choice but to relinquish my place. I simply cannot put my own health at risk for this, there would have been a time I would have run with any problem, but as with many things in life, somethings just have to take a back seat.
I have lived with the symptoms of both IBS and hiatus hernia for many many years but this scared me it's the first time I have ever had a problem. I knew that any operation would have been swift and would mean a stay in hospital, something I just don't want or need.
So I go into a new week carrying something I wasn't prepared for, I hope that by the middle of the week I will be able to pop a couple of 10kms in before the Abbey Dash, my GP may be able to give me more advise on my next steps.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
When you go home tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow we gave our today
Lest we forget.
Friday 1 November 2013
Weird week
A funny week for running, or lack of would be more apt. I haven't been in the best of places over the last week or so, as a result my running has suffered. For a while now I have been having severe pain in the back of my head just to the right of my neck. The instant and severe headaches that accompany the pain had been at best paralysing. I struggle with slurred speech and the pain in my right eye is tremendous. However, these attacks last only seconds but are blinding, they also cause balance problems. I have noticed an increase in frequency of these although there is no limit to how few or many I can have in a day, the only warning I have that an attack is imminent is the twitching of my right eye. After my latest attack Mark begged me to seek medical advice, after checking NHS DIRECT and all indicators led to a visit to A&E immediately I felt I had little choice but to face my fear. The fear I had was that it could be neuralgia which a friend of mine suffered from before being diagnosed with severe arthritis. I wanted to ignore all the symptoms I had and just leave it. But as these attacks are totally random I couldn't guess who would see one next. I know what Marks biggest fear was but that hadn't entered my head as I knew I would have more symptoms than what I had. The following morning I had another attack so it was time to call the GP I was terrified of what could lay ahead for me. The GP has initially diagnosed a trapped nerve in my 2nd vertebrae which is causing ice pick headaches, called such because of the severity of the pain and the almost immediate leaving of it. I was relieved to say the least, the exercises will determine if this is in fact a trapped nerve. I have had attacks since but I will persevere with the exercises.
I managed to run this morning in new shoes and tights and felt good. I managed a free km, basically I covered 6km in previous time of 5km whether this was down to the new gear or a little belief in the theory I'm not sure but it felt good to me.
This weekend we are doing a charity walk in aid of Brain Tumour Research and Support. Its a 10km walk which is a challenge for Mark, but as a charity that has supported both of us we welcome the opportunity to take part. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Enjoy your weekends all.
Saturday 19 October 2013
Yet another mad week.
Its been difficult to get out again this week. Having said that the pain after last Saturday did take until Tuesday to ease. I completed my exercises to keep my muscles in tune, this was pure agony I have to admit. Yesterday I managed to get out running, straight onto my front foot and keeping my concentration. It felt good no pain still feeling light and comfortable. Running without headphones or music isn't bothering me like I thought it might, I am now listening to the music my feet make tapping the floor, how about that for a comparison. As I wasn't completely convinced I was still getting the new style right, I decided to go back to the old way to see and feel what the difference really was. Wow it was truly unbelievable, the instant vibration through my feet into my knees was instant and uncomfortable. I knew then I was getting it right, Gary was right not that I doubted him but I never thought that this was possible. A few tweeks here and there and I will be extending the distances back out. At the moment I am doing 3ish miles to get used to this new position I am looking forward to moving up. I need to lift my knees next to the riding a bike position. This is proving a little more difficult as I feel like I am running on the spot, so at the moment I am trying it in spots hopefully this will eventually become second nature. Coming from the run yesterday I am feeling no pain at all so I will assume that although I was in a considerable amount of discomfort last weekend and doing the exercises that Gary gave me it has worked to keep my muscles going. This weeks plan is to be out possibly 3 times with exercise in between with extending my distance on 2 runs. My new toy this week is my cross trainer :-). I have bought this so on icy days I can still move my legs without causing myself any injuries. I'm hoping to buy my barefoot running shoes in the next couple of weeks an early Christmas present. I have picked the pair I want Merrell is a new brand to me, Gary hasn't been wrong yet so I'm sticking with that theory.
Have a good week ahead. Keep on running.
Monday 14 October 2013
Barefoot running in the park.
It could be the title of a novel. However the truth is that yes I was barefoot running in the park but it was Saturday on an Autumnal, cold and wet day. During the week I had been told by Gary (fitness consultant extraordinaire) to bring my trainers, but I wouldn't be needing them, I felt nervous but had full faith in what Gary was going to be teaching me, the idea of meeting Gary was to try and work on my technique. We met in the car park at Roundhay Park, Gary had just finished the Harewood 10km so for him to give up his time for me was something I really appreciated. We head towards a small grassed area where Gary explains what we will be doing today, to begin with I run at my normal stance and pace around a small area. When asked to describe my running stance and range I just shrugged my shoulders and said "plodding". After I had done my little circuit we chatted about what he wanted me to do next, Step number 1....take off your trainers. Gary instructs me to do the circuit again, I cant believe what happens, as I finish the circuit we discuss what happened. Now you may be wondering what miracle befell me on the wet grass, well plain and simple it was front foot running. I know I know "whats so special about that ?" well for me that has never been able to front foot run it was unbelievable. Gary shows me on my trainers why it has been so difficult for me to run on my front part of my foot. It is down to the heel of my trainer, its too thick, the cushion that we require to keep our feet from impacting on the surface is the very thing that is potentially causing the injuries I run with to be aggravated. Gary shows me how the balance of my body whilst running could be contorting my whole body even to the point of causing a problem with my shoulder. So the conclusion to this is new training shoes, now anyone that knows me will tell you that buying things for myself comes quite low down the list, there is always someone or something that needs it more than me. But this time even I have to admit that maybe it is time to get what I need. Gary then shows me a yoga based exercise for balance, standing on tip toes, lift the knee up and hold for 2seconds, step forward still on tip toes, raise your trailing leg to bring your knee up, hold for 2seconds and step forward. This is repeated over a distance of about 12 feet, now until you give it a go you have no idea how difficult this is, my arms were really aching when I finished the first rep. I rest for a couple of minutes we discuss how this exercise will benefit me in the future, due to the extending of my calves at such a stretch it will mean that when I do run on my front foot I wont be extending that far therefore meaning that I should avoid injury and pain.
We do some strengthening exercises which really test my muscles in my thighs, I can feel the burn in my thighs they feel heavy and jelly like, but Gary won't let me relax just yet. I am working muscles that I would normally use when running but boy oh boy are they hurting now. Then as we get into a press up position Gary asks me to move my left foot next to my left hand....er Gary I don't do flexible....I get it as near as I can, then begin to rotate my hips.....I hope you can get the mental picture of this, because trust me the physical part of doing it was forefront in my mind. Then I need to take my left elbow and run in down the inside of my left leg to try and put my left elbow on the floor, yes you read that right, the floor, so by this time my body is screaming pain, and Gary brings out this gem " my running club guys hate it when I turn up, because I make them do this and they hate it" No you don't say Gary !!!!. So we drop the back leg and relax for a split second then continue with the right leg. By now I can no longer tell my right from my left, my mind is trying to decide whether I should scream in agony or just collapse. We continue with some more stretches this time on the park bench, squats used to fill me with dread as my thighs would just turn to lead. But sitting up and down from a bench was good news for my thighs, " take a step forward and go as low as you can, what I would like to see is your hips below your knees". I don't know if I mentioned this Gary but I am not that flexible !! But it felt good and quite comfortable. You will have noticed that at no point have I mentioned putting my trainers back on, that is simply because working in bare feet is the lightest way to feel what is going on under your feet. It felt good to be in bare feet and working with front foot running, I am really excited about giving it a go in the morning.
Yeah well my intention was to go out, but I hit a major problem, I thought I ached after the GNR boy oh boy it had nothing on this pain. But at least my normal injuries were not hurting I just had a few new ones. I didn't expect this level of pain, but as Gary said I worked muscles pretty hard and it was going to be uncomfortable. Okay so instead of heading out for a run I had a quiet day searching the internet for new training shoes, I spent a mental fortune.
Today was run day, I set off out with my focus on front foot, no headphones, no music just me listening to my feet striking the floor, this was an usual thing for me as I have always run to music, but I have to admit I soon got into stride. It didn't take me long to remember to stay on my front foot, it felt lighter and less effort. I could tell instantly that my not banging my heels into the ground was less painful on just about everything especially my heels,shins, knees and hips. I felt completely at ease and even on the slight uphills I didn't feel out of pace or stride. I was really happy that although it was a short run it was a success and what I set out to achieve had been done. Huge thank you to Gary Butterfield G-Rex fitness you never know Gary the next time you see me I may be able to do the dreaded exercise.....I did only say maybe !.
This weekend marked a year since Anne left. It was a difficult day for many of us. Happy memories of childhood, masked with unbelievable sadness.
I thought about one particular day when I sat in the conservatory shortly before she went back into Wheatfields, she sat and watched her Partner and Mum hanging washing out on the line. I asked her " tell me what you are thinking about ?" Anne replied with a shaky voice " why does it take something like this to make things right ? " I didn't really know how to answer this because I knew what she meant. Why do we wait until it's too late to make amends ? If we know that a situation needs someone to make the first move, then why leave it to the other one. One day you may not have this option and it is too late to make the first move.
We do some strengthening exercises which really test my muscles in my thighs, I can feel the burn in my thighs they feel heavy and jelly like, but Gary won't let me relax just yet. I am working muscles that I would normally use when running but boy oh boy are they hurting now. Then as we get into a press up position Gary asks me to move my left foot next to my left hand....er Gary I don't do flexible....I get it as near as I can, then begin to rotate my hips.....I hope you can get the mental picture of this, because trust me the physical part of doing it was forefront in my mind. Then I need to take my left elbow and run in down the inside of my left leg to try and put my left elbow on the floor, yes you read that right, the floor, so by this time my body is screaming pain, and Gary brings out this gem " my running club guys hate it when I turn up, because I make them do this and they hate it" No you don't say Gary !!!!. So we drop the back leg and relax for a split second then continue with the right leg. By now I can no longer tell my right from my left, my mind is trying to decide whether I should scream in agony or just collapse. We continue with some more stretches this time on the park bench, squats used to fill me with dread as my thighs would just turn to lead. But sitting up and down from a bench was good news for my thighs, " take a step forward and go as low as you can, what I would like to see is your hips below your knees". I don't know if I mentioned this Gary but I am not that flexible !! But it felt good and quite comfortable. You will have noticed that at no point have I mentioned putting my trainers back on, that is simply because working in bare feet is the lightest way to feel what is going on under your feet. It felt good to be in bare feet and working with front foot running, I am really excited about giving it a go in the morning.
Yeah well my intention was to go out, but I hit a major problem, I thought I ached after the GNR boy oh boy it had nothing on this pain. But at least my normal injuries were not hurting I just had a few new ones. I didn't expect this level of pain, but as Gary said I worked muscles pretty hard and it was going to be uncomfortable. Okay so instead of heading out for a run I had a quiet day searching the internet for new training shoes, I spent a mental fortune.
Today was run day, I set off out with my focus on front foot, no headphones, no music just me listening to my feet striking the floor, this was an usual thing for me as I have always run to music, but I have to admit I soon got into stride. It didn't take me long to remember to stay on my front foot, it felt lighter and less effort. I could tell instantly that my not banging my heels into the ground was less painful on just about everything especially my heels,shins, knees and hips. I felt completely at ease and even on the slight uphills I didn't feel out of pace or stride. I was really happy that although it was a short run it was a success and what I set out to achieve had been done. Huge thank you to Gary Butterfield G-Rex fitness you never know Gary the next time you see me I may be able to do the dreaded exercise.....I did only say maybe !.
This weekend marked a year since Anne left. It was a difficult day for many of us. Happy memories of childhood, masked with unbelievable sadness.
I thought about one particular day when I sat in the conservatory shortly before she went back into Wheatfields, she sat and watched her Partner and Mum hanging washing out on the line. I asked her " tell me what you are thinking about ?" Anne replied with a shaky voice " why does it take something like this to make things right ? " I didn't really know how to answer this because I knew what she meant. Why do we wait until it's too late to make amends ? If we know that a situation needs someone to make the first move, then why leave it to the other one. One day you may not have this option and it is too late to make the first move.
Monday 7 October 2013
Sort of back to it.
Phew its been a busy couple of weeks. I have honed my skills as a carpet layer, decorator and basic style guru. As well as squeezing in work, looking after the little ones, doing the normal running around, my running had to take a back seat for a full week.
Before that though I had eased myself back into running. I think I had seriously under-estimated how sore I was going to be after the GNR, I had a Bowen treatment and it really helped but a few days later I was back to being sore. Some of this comes from having a stand up job, the rest comes from the plain and simple fact that even during the day I don't just sit around I am constantly busy, this causes problems with recovery.
I have also been advised to seek help with my running style to try to avoid aggravating the injuries I run with. However I do have an offer from a trainer to do this, but I simply cannot find the time to squeeze this in but it is something I really need to do. More effort required.
Last weekend both Mark and myself volunteered at the Starlight Hike for Wheatfields at Temple Newsam. Stood in the woodland of Temple Newsam in the thick of night with no ambient lighting was to say the least a little un-nerving. Things falling through the canopy of the woodland, hearing the scurrying feet dashing for whatever it was that fell. The deafening squawking of an Owl on the attack, the squeak from its victim echoed through the pitch black. The constant feeling that something or someone was touching your shoulder was making me a nervous wreck. The crackle of the radios broke the relative quiet of the woodland, the walkers are passing the start line. The event began at 10pm on a dry starlit night, all the walkers looked great in their neon clothing, flashing boppers and fancy dress. We were at marshal point 1,8 & 13, this was due to the figure of 8 that the walkers would walk in, a tight group of walkers arrived at 1km, the next time around they would be at 6km. We tried to guess how long it would take the lead walkers to come back round to us, we estimated that maybe an hour would pass before we saw them again. Around an hour later we see torchlight approaching us, this time the walkers are spaced out. The next time we would see the walkers would be at the 9km, only 1km to the finish. As some walkers appear coming towards the 9km point we are aware that some walkers are still coming through the 6km point. As some walkers pass us at the 9km point they tell us that people are getting lost at the top of the hill and going into the woodland. I decide to walk up to the top of the hill to make sure people are taking the correct path. It seems even darker at the top of the hill and it is clear to see why people have taken the wrong way. The pathway doesn't go all the way to meet the other path and in torchlight alone it was almost impossible to see where the path was. Luckily another set of marshals from the start/finish line have come to take over in a Land Rover with lots of lights, I make my way back down to meet Mark to see the last of the walkers passing the 6km point. As the last of the walkers pass by the marshal points they join the back of the group and walk in, by this point we had been stood around for about 4 hours. A vehicle was heading out to pick Mark and another lady up but the rest of us walked back in together. The welcome sight of the butty van, the lights of the stage, the finish line. The butty van had run out of bacon butties but I couldn't eat a burger at this time of night. It was time for a photo call, all the team of Wheatfields, the Ambulance service, the marshals stood together under the finish line jazz hands a waving. It was an amazing experience to be involved in the walkers were fabulous, high spirited and friendly, the team of Wheatfields again were brilliant, It is something that I/we will be giving our time to again. Had a phone call late last week from one of the fundraisers to say thank you for the help we offered and to let us know that about £30.000 had been raised for the hospice.
It is in this very sad week personally that the appreciation of what Wheatfields offers is the most relevant. A year ago this week Anne had re-entered Wheatfields, this was her dying wish. I remember every single moment of this time a year ago. It will be a very difficult time for so many in our family, Anne was a very strong character and is missed everyday. I know how valued this money raised for them is I would never refuse to help them as it is the very least I can do to say thank you to them.
It may be difficult to motivate myself to run this week, but I shall try and grab some miles. As its only 5 weeks till the Abbey Dash 10km and I would like to beat my previous times.
Before that though I had eased myself back into running. I think I had seriously under-estimated how sore I was going to be after the GNR, I had a Bowen treatment and it really helped but a few days later I was back to being sore. Some of this comes from having a stand up job, the rest comes from the plain and simple fact that even during the day I don't just sit around I am constantly busy, this causes problems with recovery.
I have also been advised to seek help with my running style to try to avoid aggravating the injuries I run with. However I do have an offer from a trainer to do this, but I simply cannot find the time to squeeze this in but it is something I really need to do. More effort required.
Last weekend both Mark and myself volunteered at the Starlight Hike for Wheatfields at Temple Newsam. Stood in the woodland of Temple Newsam in the thick of night with no ambient lighting was to say the least a little un-nerving. Things falling through the canopy of the woodland, hearing the scurrying feet dashing for whatever it was that fell. The deafening squawking of an Owl on the attack, the squeak from its victim echoed through the pitch black. The constant feeling that something or someone was touching your shoulder was making me a nervous wreck. The crackle of the radios broke the relative quiet of the woodland, the walkers are passing the start line. The event began at 10pm on a dry starlit night, all the walkers looked great in their neon clothing, flashing boppers and fancy dress. We were at marshal point 1,8 & 13, this was due to the figure of 8 that the walkers would walk in, a tight group of walkers arrived at 1km, the next time around they would be at 6km. We tried to guess how long it would take the lead walkers to come back round to us, we estimated that maybe an hour would pass before we saw them again. Around an hour later we see torchlight approaching us, this time the walkers are spaced out. The next time we would see the walkers would be at the 9km, only 1km to the finish. As some walkers appear coming towards the 9km point we are aware that some walkers are still coming through the 6km point. As some walkers pass us at the 9km point they tell us that people are getting lost at the top of the hill and going into the woodland. I decide to walk up to the top of the hill to make sure people are taking the correct path. It seems even darker at the top of the hill and it is clear to see why people have taken the wrong way. The pathway doesn't go all the way to meet the other path and in torchlight alone it was almost impossible to see where the path was. Luckily another set of marshals from the start/finish line have come to take over in a Land Rover with lots of lights, I make my way back down to meet Mark to see the last of the walkers passing the 6km point. As the last of the walkers pass by the marshal points they join the back of the group and walk in, by this point we had been stood around for about 4 hours. A vehicle was heading out to pick Mark and another lady up but the rest of us walked back in together. The welcome sight of the butty van, the lights of the stage, the finish line. The butty van had run out of bacon butties but I couldn't eat a burger at this time of night. It was time for a photo call, all the team of Wheatfields, the Ambulance service, the marshals stood together under the finish line jazz hands a waving. It was an amazing experience to be involved in the walkers were fabulous, high spirited and friendly, the team of Wheatfields again were brilliant, It is something that I/we will be giving our time to again. Had a phone call late last week from one of the fundraisers to say thank you for the help we offered and to let us know that about £30.000 had been raised for the hospice.
It is in this very sad week personally that the appreciation of what Wheatfields offers is the most relevant. A year ago this week Anne had re-entered Wheatfields, this was her dying wish. I remember every single moment of this time a year ago. It will be a very difficult time for so many in our family, Anne was a very strong character and is missed everyday. I know how valued this money raised for them is I would never refuse to help them as it is the very least I can do to say thank you to them.
It may be difficult to motivate myself to run this week, but I shall try and grab some miles. As its only 5 weeks till the Abbey Dash 10km and I would like to beat my previous times.
Sunday 22 September 2013
The most amazing day. Part Two.
The road surface is a bit slippy, but it remains dry in the sky. The atmosphere is electric everyone is excited to be under way. As the masses jiggle for position, we settle in for the run ahead, all I can see in front of me are bobbing heads. We go into the Tyne tunnel to the resounding noise of "Oggy Oggy Oggy" with the replies echoing around and bouncing off the walls. To my amazement the Tyne Bridge appeared in front of me, I cannot believe that I am about to run across the Tyne Bridge actually running the Great North Run. As I pass through the concrete pillars of the bridge the rain turned to hailstones slamming across the bridge, making everything very wet indeed the strong gusts and wind chill are making me struggle all I can do is hope that this stops. It does stop but the damage is done, my feet are sodden but the 4 mile marker board is there. The last 4 miles have gone really quickly, the mass pack has spread out a little bit, I am trying to follow people who I feel I can keep pace with over the next miles. We reach the marker post for halfway in no time at all, my thigh and Achilles feel good, to be honest it felt easier than I expected. But a problem I have never had before is creeping up on me..blisters. The blisters were on the arch of my right foot, so to try and avoid the pain of running on them I tried to run on the outside of my right foot. This led to the obvious happening rubbing on the outside of my foot, well I couldn't run any other way now, so it was time to put up with the pain. I could feel the pain of a blister right underneath my toes on my left foot too, I couldn't alter running style on this one so I had to just put up with it. Miles 8,9 and 10 passed by and the amounts of people stood at the side of the road began to swell. Outside a Sue Ryder shop at the 10 mile point I saw a familiar face stood cheering us on, shaking her tambourine Charlotte from Sue Ryder Wheatfields, it was a real welcome boost at this point. Pushing on towards mile 11 means "The Hill", now I had heard so many things about this Hill some saying it was "like hell", others saying "its nothing just feels a long way". Having never done this course before I could only make my mind up once I was there, but so far the whole run felt uphill so how bad could it be ???. About halfway up the hill my blisters were screaming at me, my hips were now very sore because of the running style I had to now use due to the pain of the blisters. With the amount of runners in front of me it was still difficult to gauge just how steep the Hill was all I could see were the back of peoples heads. I knew it must be getting worse because there were more walkers than ever, I don't have a problem with anyone taking a breather but why do they stay in the middle of the road ?. People at the side of the road were handing out ice pops, sausage rolls, sweets, which at this point was really appreciated. Finally it seemed that the Hill leveled out now I can see the North Sea, now comes the tricky bit for me personally...downhill. My knees don't walk down hill very well let alone run down one after 12 miles. As we came off the bend of the roundabout and began our descent on to the sea front people at the side of the road were shouting encouragement, cheering and clapping. Relatives suddenly seeing their loved ones at this point waving their homemade banners, little ones still wanting high fives, the pain is unbelievable the hill is steep trying to slow down so you don't fall. As I rounded the bottom of the hill the Red Arrows swept along the sea front, it was an amazing feeling to be 1 mile away, the noise from the crowd swelled with the Arrows in the air. The sea front was completely full of people, the Arrows doing their thing out at sea, passing two guys dressed as Iceman and Viper, 800m to go the pain is now taking over me. Has somebody moved the 400m board ? it seems to have taken an age so maybe there isn't one. The sea front has a slight incline, as you hit the top of it the charity tents come into view, in the distance is the 400m board, more importantly the bright blue signs of the finish. The down hill to the finish is awash with people both on the course and supporters, as I approach the countdown boards my thoughts move away from the pain, keep moving don't stop.
I know my Hubby is at the finish...somewhere, as I come down to the ropes for the finish I see him, I cant believe it, I am in real need of a cuddle, but I have to finish, waving frantically and telling him I love him I get to the finish. As I come through the finish I get a phone call its my Hubby, I am trying to hold back my emotions because I don't want him to worry. We agree a meet up point back at the finish as I need to go retrieve my back pack from the baggage bus, of course I need to grab my runpack, medal and tshirt in hand I cant believe it. Now its time to try and keep warm against the gale force winds and driving rain on with the tin foil.
I realize with a horrible clang that the baggage buses are very small in the distance, who thought that after running 13.1 miles it was a good idea to put the buses a mile away DOWNHILL. I thought as I arrived at the buses that the front buses made lines, but nooooooo, I had to walk up and down the buses to find my baggage bus. Eventually I found my bus, at last dry warm clothes, dry socks and trainers. I work my way up back to where we had arranged to meet. My phone in the meantime had turned itself off due to the lack of battery. Unbeknown to me Marks phone has also run out of battery, we are now in amongst crowds of people and have no idea where each of us are. As I stand and wait for Mark I watch more runners coming over the finish line. One lady breaks down completely she is a survivor of cancer who has just finished the Great North Run. Seeing her made me wish.....I began to feel the emotions that I had kept inside me during the run, come to the surface, once again a meltdown was upon me. I kneel down to compose myself, when a hand touches my back, a marshal asking if I am okay, he helped me to my feet, I told him about the lady I had just seen, he told me that he had cried so many times at the bravery of so many with incredible stories of why they were there. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and pointed at the medal around my neck and said "you are one of them, well done". He turned and went on to see many more finishers. I stood and waited in the pouring rain, and gale force winds wanting now more than ever those arms around me. Eventually I was so cold and wet again that I decided to head for the charity tent, hoping that Mark would eventually meet me there. As I rounded the corner of the tents luckily the Sue Ryder tent was in front of me, as the curtain opened on the tent, who is sat having coffee and biscuits ? In the blink of an eye I am really cross, I have run 13.1 miles walked what felt like the same, got very wet twice, seriously cold and very hungry. But almost immediately I am overcome with sheer happiness that we are re-united, I am handed my coffee and begin to thaw out.
We walk to the car which is on the sea front, the skies are now blue with lovely warm sunshine, I change for a 3rd time into my final set of dry clothes. I also spy conveniently positioned close by a 'buttie van' this will be my next port of call. Many have entered the pub behind us for a refreshing beer or three, but my only focus is coffee and hot food. Before we eat Mark takes a photo of me with my medal and t-shirt, at this point Mark and me have our first hug, I breakdown for the umpteenth time. Mark understands so I can let go completely, everything I had trained for, it was finished, so was that to be the end of my grieving, my complete and utter sadness ? As I composed myself and apologised to Mark...again, the sun was burning my back I felt the heat and it warmed me and I knew I still wasn't alone.
Sausage,chips and curry sauce is my food of choice, I suppose I really ought to be heading for the sensible option of the noodle van further down the village, but I feel I can let go at this moment. Fully loaded up with our supplies we sit watching the sea in the comfort of the car. A few more tears follow as I receive messages from friends and family. As the traffic subsides we move from our cosy little spot overlooking the sea, it is a feeling I will always hold dear. We leave South Shields, going on roads that only a couple of hours ago I was running in the opposite direction, there are no clues to see that we were even there.
We are heading home after an amazing weekend, full of many laughs, many tears, good company, with my best friend right beside me.
The support from my family and friends has been amazing, putting up with my picky food ways, and no alcohol nights out. Supporting early mornings and early nights, bad moods caused through bad weather and injuries/illness. To the support network at Wheatfields who have been a constant through this journey. To you all I cannot say a big enough thank you that covers how grateful to you all I am. The sponsorship was down to you, I did the thing I love to do. I will run the Great North Run in 2014 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields with the same determination that I did this one, with my Sister right behind me pushing me up the last mile.
This blog is dedicated in loving memory of Anne Eileen Fawcett, Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Partner and Friend. I love and miss you more everyday, but I know you never left me. xx
I know my Hubby is at the finish...somewhere, as I come down to the ropes for the finish I see him, I cant believe it, I am in real need of a cuddle, but I have to finish, waving frantically and telling him I love him I get to the finish. As I come through the finish I get a phone call its my Hubby, I am trying to hold back my emotions because I don't want him to worry. We agree a meet up point back at the finish as I need to go retrieve my back pack from the baggage bus, of course I need to grab my runpack, medal and tshirt in hand I cant believe it. Now its time to try and keep warm against the gale force winds and driving rain on with the tin foil.
I realize with a horrible clang that the baggage buses are very small in the distance, who thought that after running 13.1 miles it was a good idea to put the buses a mile away DOWNHILL. I thought as I arrived at the buses that the front buses made lines, but nooooooo, I had to walk up and down the buses to find my baggage bus. Eventually I found my bus, at last dry warm clothes, dry socks and trainers. I work my way up back to where we had arranged to meet. My phone in the meantime had turned itself off due to the lack of battery. Unbeknown to me Marks phone has also run out of battery, we are now in amongst crowds of people and have no idea where each of us are. As I stand and wait for Mark I watch more runners coming over the finish line. One lady breaks down completely she is a survivor of cancer who has just finished the Great North Run. Seeing her made me wish.....I began to feel the emotions that I had kept inside me during the run, come to the surface, once again a meltdown was upon me. I kneel down to compose myself, when a hand touches my back, a marshal asking if I am okay, he helped me to my feet, I told him about the lady I had just seen, he told me that he had cried so many times at the bravery of so many with incredible stories of why they were there. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and pointed at the medal around my neck and said "you are one of them, well done". He turned and went on to see many more finishers. I stood and waited in the pouring rain, and gale force winds wanting now more than ever those arms around me. Eventually I was so cold and wet again that I decided to head for the charity tent, hoping that Mark would eventually meet me there. As I rounded the corner of the tents luckily the Sue Ryder tent was in front of me, as the curtain opened on the tent, who is sat having coffee and biscuits ? In the blink of an eye I am really cross, I have run 13.1 miles walked what felt like the same, got very wet twice, seriously cold and very hungry. But almost immediately I am overcome with sheer happiness that we are re-united, I am handed my coffee and begin to thaw out.
We walk to the car which is on the sea front, the skies are now blue with lovely warm sunshine, I change for a 3rd time into my final set of dry clothes. I also spy conveniently positioned close by a 'buttie van' this will be my next port of call. Many have entered the pub behind us for a refreshing beer or three, but my only focus is coffee and hot food. Before we eat Mark takes a photo of me with my medal and t-shirt, at this point Mark and me have our first hug, I breakdown for the umpteenth time. Mark understands so I can let go completely, everything I had trained for, it was finished, so was that to be the end of my grieving, my complete and utter sadness ? As I composed myself and apologised to Mark...again, the sun was burning my back I felt the heat and it warmed me and I knew I still wasn't alone.
We are heading home after an amazing weekend, full of many laughs, many tears, good company, with my best friend right beside me.
The support from my family and friends has been amazing, putting up with my picky food ways, and no alcohol nights out. Supporting early mornings and early nights, bad moods caused through bad weather and injuries/illness. To the support network at Wheatfields who have been a constant through this journey. To you all I cannot say a big enough thank you that covers how grateful to you all I am. The sponsorship was down to you, I did the thing I love to do. I will run the Great North Run in 2014 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields with the same determination that I did this one, with my Sister right behind me pushing me up the last mile.
This blog is dedicated in loving memory of Anne Eileen Fawcett, Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Partner and Friend. I love and miss you more everyday, but I know you never left me. xx
5/5/55 - 13/10/12
Wednesday 18 September 2013
The most amazing day. Part One.
The build up to this event was a really busy time. But I was still really excited, nervous and a little bit scared, I wasn't sure what I was scared of but the mention of the words Great North Run made me feel unwell, after all this was the biggest half marathon. Big name stars, mega athletes, man with a fridge, man with a sink and of course Owld Jarrow Jim...nothing to be nervous about at all.
We set off on Saturday with the weather forecast looking very bad indeed, heavy showers and high winds were forecast for both Gateshead and South Shields.
But as we all know this can change. This however would turn out to be very accurate.
We were very lucky that two very special friends let us stay with them over the weekend, which was great for me as they live less than 10mins from the start.
On Saturday night we went out for a curry....well when I say we what I actually meant was everyone apart from me had curry. It all smelt lovely, but I knew I had put all this effort so far I wasn't going to pay for it now. Had an early night and did manage some sleep although I woke up an hour before my alarm but I dare not have another hour I was awake so stay awake. At 6 we made our way downstairs, our hosts we very accommodating and even got up with us. Trying to eat my porridge and raisins whilst the radio is playing giving shout outs for the Great North Run was probably not a good combination. Although I was now getting more nervous by the second I did feel oddly calm, but the emotion was beginning to hit me.
On Friday it had been 11 months since Anne had passed away and I really felt it, tears flowed I felt a complete mess.
Mark left to head for South Shields he had been lucky to receive a press pass so had pride of place at the finish line. Now I was alone, but almost ready to go into something that I hadn't done before. As we set off for the start the roads were very quiet, I expected queues of cars loads of people milling around but there was no one. As we neared my drop off point the start line came into view and so did the people. I decided to walk down to the start line, I knew it was quite a way from where I would be beginning, so it gave me time to relax.
It had stopped raining but the surface would remain wet and slippery it was bitterly cold, the wind chill was bringing the temperatures down to Autumnal not Summery. I walked back up the start line towards the baggage buses, all this walking around was making me wish I had finished my porridge, I had packed cereal biscuits and bars to snack on but I didn't want to take on too much fluid. Once I had left my backpack behind I made my way to my enclosure. By this time the crowds had swelled a lot, it was great to watch the people arriving. The 4 soldiers running for Sue Ryder in full kit plus bags, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Santa, Homer & Marge, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Braveheart and The Stig, to name but a few. The atmosphere was fun but you could feel a tension in the air, single runners like myself retreating into their headphoned world trying to keep calm, old hands just going with the flow. I entered the enclosure to take up my place ready for the hour to tick by. The person who was entertaining the crowds from the front was doing a very good job, talking about fun things and trying to keep all these cold and damp people happy, he had his work cut out. Then in a brief moment, he asked everyone to take a moment to remember why we were there, at this point I had a complete and utter meltdown, the hymn "Abide with me" played as I knelt down with my head against the barrier I needed Mark more than ever, but I was alone. Two very nice people asked if I was okay to which I clearly wasn't but replied accordingly with "yes I'm fine thank you". I put my headphones back in and tried to compose myself.
As it got busier the very big video screens turned to show the wheelchair athletes preparing to go, that meant it was only 30mins to go. The elite women step forward 25mins to go. Then the warm up begins, it was needed most of us had been there for 2 hours even though I had been wearing tracksuit bottoms and a hoody I was still feeling the chill. Now it was time to remove the outer layers to benefit from the warm up. Warm up complete, the elite men were introduced, Kenenisa Bekele, Haile Gebrselassie, Mo Farah the crowd erupted. As the elite men started the race off, the masses assembled behind ready to hit the road. The first of the runners were away, it took 15mins for me to arrive at the start I blew a kiss to heaven in the hope Anne would keep me safe and injury free, but most of all to tell her that I love her as much now as I ever did. So 13.1 miles lay ahead of me, here we go.
We set off on Saturday with the weather forecast looking very bad indeed, heavy showers and high winds were forecast for both Gateshead and South Shields.
But as we all know this can change. This however would turn out to be very accurate.
We were very lucky that two very special friends let us stay with them over the weekend, which was great for me as they live less than 10mins from the start.
On Saturday night we went out for a curry....well when I say we what I actually meant was everyone apart from me had curry. It all smelt lovely, but I knew I had put all this effort so far I wasn't going to pay for it now. Had an early night and did manage some sleep although I woke up an hour before my alarm but I dare not have another hour I was awake so stay awake. At 6 we made our way downstairs, our hosts we very accommodating and even got up with us. Trying to eat my porridge and raisins whilst the radio is playing giving shout outs for the Great North Run was probably not a good combination. Although I was now getting more nervous by the second I did feel oddly calm, but the emotion was beginning to hit me.
On Friday it had been 11 months since Anne had passed away and I really felt it, tears flowed I felt a complete mess.
Mark left to head for South Shields he had been lucky to receive a press pass so had pride of place at the finish line. Now I was alone, but almost ready to go into something that I hadn't done before. As we set off for the start the roads were very quiet, I expected queues of cars loads of people milling around but there was no one. As we neared my drop off point the start line came into view and so did the people. I decided to walk down to the start line, I knew it was quite a way from where I would be beginning, so it gave me time to relax.
It had stopped raining but the surface would remain wet and slippery it was bitterly cold, the wind chill was bringing the temperatures down to Autumnal not Summery. I walked back up the start line towards the baggage buses, all this walking around was making me wish I had finished my porridge, I had packed cereal biscuits and bars to snack on but I didn't want to take on too much fluid. Once I had left my backpack behind I made my way to my enclosure. By this time the crowds had swelled a lot, it was great to watch the people arriving. The 4 soldiers running for Sue Ryder in full kit plus bags, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Santa, Homer & Marge, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Braveheart and The Stig, to name but a few. The atmosphere was fun but you could feel a tension in the air, single runners like myself retreating into their headphoned world trying to keep calm, old hands just going with the flow. I entered the enclosure to take up my place ready for the hour to tick by. The person who was entertaining the crowds from the front was doing a very good job, talking about fun things and trying to keep all these cold and damp people happy, he had his work cut out. Then in a brief moment, he asked everyone to take a moment to remember why we were there, at this point I had a complete and utter meltdown, the hymn "Abide with me" played as I knelt down with my head against the barrier I needed Mark more than ever, but I was alone. Two very nice people asked if I was okay to which I clearly wasn't but replied accordingly with "yes I'm fine thank you". I put my headphones back in and tried to compose myself.
As it got busier the very big video screens turned to show the wheelchair athletes preparing to go, that meant it was only 30mins to go. The elite women step forward 25mins to go. Then the warm up begins, it was needed most of us had been there for 2 hours even though I had been wearing tracksuit bottoms and a hoody I was still feeling the chill. Now it was time to remove the outer layers to benefit from the warm up. Warm up complete, the elite men were introduced, Kenenisa Bekele, Haile Gebrselassie, Mo Farah the crowd erupted. As the elite men started the race off, the masses assembled behind ready to hit the road. The first of the runners were away, it took 15mins for me to arrive at the start I blew a kiss to heaven in the hope Anne would keep me safe and injury free, but most of all to tell her that I love her as much now as I ever did. So 13.1 miles lay ahead of me, here we go.
Tuesday 10 September 2013
The countdown is on.
Well its only days away, I cant believe its come round so quickly.
Over the last 7 days I have dropped down my training to steady 4.8km runs, these feel quite nice but it feels like part of my run is missing.
I have also had my first Bowen treatment, this is to try and loosen my tight muscles. My Achilles tendons are particularly tight, I assumed that this had been caused by my right thigh strain, however it now appears that this problem could be linked to a long standing back problem. I felt the benefit of this treatment immediately, my Achilles didn't hurt I could walk up stairs without pain, the true test would be the following day...run day. I was worried that my thigh problem would begin to signal the end of my running, the strain on my heels was getting worse the pain almost unbearable. However, my run went well and reasonably pain free, especially in my thigh. I am really pleased with the aches and pains that exist due to my back problem seem to have gone, also the pain in my knees has not raised its head. I am having another Bowen session before the weekend I am hopeful that this will see me over the GNR.
My nerves have started to jitter, whilst watching Athletics from Brussels an advert for the GNR came on and I nearly fainted, I still cant believe I am going to be part of this huge event. My fund raising is going really well and it has passed the £600 easily so can it be possible to reach £700 ?.
The support I have received to enable me to do this event has been at times overwhelming. My Husband for putting up with my incessant moaning about the weather, my aches and pains. Friends and family who have lifted me when the going got tough when the challenge looked too much. For those that have offered us accommodation, resources and their time to help. The understanding that I cant drink, eat this or that, cant stay out late doesn't need explaining but to others its a step too far for what is basically a fun run. To me its so much more, I want to give 110% not only to this event but to any event, I have trained hard, I have sacrificed as have so many around me. To these people this event is a culmination of the faith and time invested in me. To these people I shall toast when I have crossed the finish line on Sunday.
My next update will be after the GNR I shall be posting lots of photos of the day as I go along. It will be a very early start on Sunday but somehow I don't think I will be having much in the way of sleep on Saturday night.
So I thank you one and all for your kind words of support and your very generous donations. If you are reading this and would like to help raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields, please follow the link below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Over the last 7 days I have dropped down my training to steady 4.8km runs, these feel quite nice but it feels like part of my run is missing.
I have also had my first Bowen treatment, this is to try and loosen my tight muscles. My Achilles tendons are particularly tight, I assumed that this had been caused by my right thigh strain, however it now appears that this problem could be linked to a long standing back problem. I felt the benefit of this treatment immediately, my Achilles didn't hurt I could walk up stairs without pain, the true test would be the following day...run day. I was worried that my thigh problem would begin to signal the end of my running, the strain on my heels was getting worse the pain almost unbearable. However, my run went well and reasonably pain free, especially in my thigh. I am really pleased with the aches and pains that exist due to my back problem seem to have gone, also the pain in my knees has not raised its head. I am having another Bowen session before the weekend I am hopeful that this will see me over the GNR.
My nerves have started to jitter, whilst watching Athletics from Brussels an advert for the GNR came on and I nearly fainted, I still cant believe I am going to be part of this huge event. My fund raising is going really well and it has passed the £600 easily so can it be possible to reach £700 ?.
The support I have received to enable me to do this event has been at times overwhelming. My Husband for putting up with my incessant moaning about the weather, my aches and pains. Friends and family who have lifted me when the going got tough when the challenge looked too much. For those that have offered us accommodation, resources and their time to help. The understanding that I cant drink, eat this or that, cant stay out late doesn't need explaining but to others its a step too far for what is basically a fun run. To me its so much more, I want to give 110% not only to this event but to any event, I have trained hard, I have sacrificed as have so many around me. To these people this event is a culmination of the faith and time invested in me. To these people I shall toast when I have crossed the finish line on Sunday.
My next update will be after the GNR I shall be posting lots of photos of the day as I go along. It will be a very early start on Sunday but somehow I don't think I will be having much in the way of sleep on Saturday night.
So I thank you one and all for your kind words of support and your very generous donations. If you are reading this and would like to help raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields, please follow the link below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Wednesday 28 August 2013
Time to kick on
Its been a really good week of training the weather is favourable for running dry and cloudy is my utopia. Over the last week I have changed my training plan to really extend the distances. I can do 10km comfortably and in a reasonable time ( only my personal goal ) but could I start to break into a 2nd 10km when I am feeling fatigued. First step up was simply to do 12km a little slower than my 10km pace to see if I could do it. I have 4 running apps on my phone giving me constant updates on pace, current time and distance. At 10km I knew that I had just 2km to go, I felt comfortable and knew I could do the bit extra surprisingly on 10km pace. On my rest days I still get out but walk between 7 and 10km depending on how my thigh is feeling. I set the goal of 15km next only 3 more than I have already done but a full 5km more than I have achieved before. The night before my 15km I used my trusty muscle rub which I cannot live without. Before setting out used it again, I am nursing a very tight and sore right thigh, but due to this I have really upset my ruptured achilles tendon on my left foot. I run normally with both achilles tendons tight and sore, but its something I have learnt to deal with but this is really pushing the pain levels. As I approached the 10km marker I was super happy with time and pace now begins the challenge. 11, 12, 13, 14 nearly there and still the only pain I have is in my right thigh and hip I reach my cooldown point very happy and only a little short of full target. The pain and discomfort caused by my injuries are not causing me any particular problems at the moment but after the 20km pencilled in for the weekend I am ready to reduce the distances ready for the GNR. I am currently on target for a 2hr 15min event which will blow my mind. Having done other events on the day running can be a little too fast, so my apps will be running and keeping my pace at what I know is fine. I have had many sleepless nights lately I am hoping that once I have completed the GNR that sleep may once again visit me. I know I can do it, I know I am capable of doing it, its the thought of letting all the people who have taken their hard earned money to sponsor me down. My time is not important, only to me, crossing the finish line is what matters. I have trained hard and consistently even through serious illness when I knew I shouldn't be out I did.
The money raised for Wheatfields is a goal I could have only wished for on the day I signed up. At the moment the total raised stands around the £540. Which is down to lovely people who have put faith in me to complete this challenge. It is also that unfortunately some people will have had their families and friends cared for by Wheatfields. I say unfortunately because when your loved one enters a hospice you understand probably for the first time that life is precious and all too short. I miss my Sister with a breaking heart everyday, I still can't believe that I can't pick up the phone and talk to her. My Sister Anne was a Daughter, Mother of 2 Nanna of 5 and a Sister to 4 and a partner in life with her soul mate. I will be forever in debt to Wheatfields for the care, compassion and time they had not only for Anne but her entire family. The money raised so far is amazing, I was delighted at £350 but to pass the £500 opened a floodgate of emotions. Thank you one and all for the very generous donations to Wheatfields in memory of Anne.
If you would like to help me, please follow the link below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne.
Monday 19 August 2013
Its been a while folks
Well it has been a while since my last blog post. I have been lucky to have a very chilled out and restful holiday in the Canary Islands. Catching up with friends and eating and drinking (not much alcohol) in extreme temperatures was not conducive to the training plan. It was 35 degress at 8.30am which is already too hot to run in for me. Most locals run late evening but that's family time so its out of the question. However the compensation is that an hour a day swimming meant that I haven't just laid there and put weight on. I am sensible even on holiday if I am eating out in the evening then my food intake during the day is reduced. I eat breakfast no matter what time of day, holiday breakfast consists of croissant, boiled eggs or beans on toast with a very nice treat of a full english thrown in for good measure. Dinner either happens or it doesn't dependant on the evening plans. Eating out on a night usually means after 9 o clock which in itself is a no on every level, however its holiday so needs must. I try not to overindulge when eating out absolutely no pudding is a firm rule of mine if I can't feel full after a main meal then its just tough luck. But I dont snap myself off of any main meals as I enjoy my food its just a case of keeping away from cream based meals. I don't drink too much alcohol as a rule anyway, age has defined a lack of recovery from hangovers, so the best way to avoid the hangover is not to drink. Its taken many years to come to this conclusion but since my running is important to me then alcohol has slipped away. With plenty of swimming and walking I have managed to keep off any problems with weight. My fitness levels don't seem too far out of my control either.
Having done my first run and not aching or suffering the following day I am back in full training mode. I have also received my race pack from BUPA it made it all very very real. I have read and reread my magazine soaking up what will be an amazing experience. Its only 3 weeks to go and my nerves jangle every time I think of what lays ahead for me. Seeing pictures of the signage emblazoned on the Tyne bridge just makes my butterflies go mad. I have a plan and I am sticking to it, no changes in food or hydration. My kit is sorted the only thing left is for my legs to carry me all the way to South Shields.
Whilst on holiday I had the amazing news that including gift aid a huge £500+ has been raised by you wonderful people. It fills me with great pride that people have enough faith in me to sponsor me. If you would like to help me to raise funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields, please follow the link below.
It makes me wonder what Anne would say to this amount of money raised in her memory. I'm sure she will be with me on the roads of Newcastle she will certainly be in my ears.
Thank you to every single person that has taken the time to help.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Friday 19 July 2013
Cor its a hot one.
We know what summer feels like again its lovely to see and feel wall to wall sunshine always makes you feel better, even if we do nothing but complain. As a race we are never really satisfied with our lot in life, its never quite just right. However it has got to be said that the lovely weather has made training difficult. I run at 8.30 in the morning, this is due to a couple of factors, school run, breakfast, me not getting my carcass into gear earlier. By this time the temperature is comfortable for running, however by the time I finish an hour later its almost unbearable to run in. I cannot run during the evening due to work commitments and usually aching feet. So with the school holidays I am hoping to get myself out the door early and be back home by the time I have usually gone out.
The training has gone really well and I am very happy with my distance vs time. These are equalling out and I can and do maintain every km split somewhere around a 6.50/7 min km, which for distance I am very happy with.
This weekend past the Leeds 10km was held it was a truly giant event 10, 000 runners took part in very hot conditions many achieving PB's. I have decided my future plans are GNR September, Abbey Dash November, Leeds half marathon in May 2014 then hopefully if my fitness and willingness to continue hold out York Marathon in October 2014. This will be the pinnacle for me and may sign me off from such big distances, but we shall see what the future holds after this plan.
My fundraising is going so well I cannot believe that so far a whopping £391 has been very kindly donated to Sue Ryder Wheatfields. The newspaper article from the Yorkshire Evening Post is now on display on the wall in work, and I get lots more toots and waves and I do wave back. Thank you to every single person that has sponsored me and wished me luck.
If you would like to help me to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields then please sponsor me via the following link every £ counts. Thank you
Tuesday 9 July 2013
Its heating up
Well time is passing by and the GNR is only 2 months away. My training is back on track finally but after my illness I am short on my training plan by about 3 weeks which is a huge amount. However I am really happy with how things have progressed over the last couple of weeks. My times are levelling off and my distances are increasing. Unfortunately my eating pattern is the slowest thing to return and this means that my energy levels soon run out. The weather has been getting hotter and hotter over the last couple of weeks and this has been tough going. I am looking forward to the school holidays so I can be out earlier and really smash the distances. The Leeds 10km is this weekend, I was hoping to take part but I have decided that this could hamper my training for the GNR. I dont want to pick up any injury that could set me back further, I dont want to push myself too hard and suffer a relapse on the virus. I am happy and settled with the routine I have and I know it's working for me.
Good luck to all the runners in Leeds this weekend looks like it will be a warm one for you.
Enjoy your week folks and keep smiling.
Wednesday 26 June 2013
90% of the way.
I am currently into the 5th week of the unwell feeling, I still don't eat a great deal ice cream is my favourite breakfast,dinner and tea. Nevertheless I am back into the swing of things, after 3 weeks of a sinus and throat infection that cleaned me out. I finally had enough energy to take on my first run, a gentle 3km. I have slowly built back up my distance but have kept the pace low to allow my breathing to function properly. The lack of proper food has had an effect on performance so this will need to be addressed it has however taken the hassle out of watching what I eat as I have dropped close to a stone and a half in weight but this has taken all my energy with it. The problem that remains is that I still don't actually look at food and think ' mmm that looks good ' and performance building food I simply cannot take in.
I am really happy that I have been able to get back out, it feels good to be out. I know that it will all come back it will take time, after such a long layoff it will take time and I need to wait for it.
As you can see from above an article appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post promoting the GNR for Sue Ryder Wheatfields. After it appeared the cutting went up at work it will show people that when they see me dragging myself around in all weathers that its for something very special. I hope it also encourages others to raise money and prove to themselves that 'yes you can do it' . This also gives me a real boost to achieve my goal of finishing the GNR. I was having the feeling that I would never be able to complete 13.1 miles, but now I know it's within me. It's not about the time, yes I would like 2 hours but to finish will be my challenge complete. I am running the Leeds 10km in 3weeks this should give me a fair reading of my potential over 20km. My aim for Leeds is under the hour, ideally a sub 55min would be a very happy Elaine.
The training plan this week is Monday through to Friday running with rest days Saturday and Sunday. I am running with a training plan but due to the illness I dropped 10 days over 3weeks so I am trying to compress more than I should be into a shorter space of time. This means crucially staying healthy, fit and injury free.
If you would like to help me reach my target of £500 please follow this link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Hope you all have a lovely week/weekend catcha on the flip side.
Saturday 8 June 2013
Wot no training ???
It has been a week I would rather forget. It started last week with what I thought would be a simple cough/cold I would recover over the weekend ready to hit the streets by Monday. Oh how wrong can you be. It simply got worse and worse, I spent 5 days stuck to the sofa dragging myself off to attend work. I knew something was not right when I felt this bad, as I don't suffer like this usually, no energy, lack of appetite, headache, sweats, freezing cold. The GP confirmed along side a stinker of a cold I had a throat and sinus infection, anti-biotics recommended. He was very confident that it wasn't hay fever related, although that has been a problem of late, not sure what gave it away, maybe it was the soaking wet t-shirt and goosebumps told its own story. I wasn't sure the GP would give me any anti-biotics, as I read the leaflets in the surgery that state "Anti-biotics don't work on your cold". Therefore I was quite relieved that this could be treated by them and was confident it would make a difference, the nausea that goes with taking them is unpleasant but they have reduced the pain in my throat and face/head. However it seems to have heightened my sense of smell which is very weird, but it is causing a difficult situation, feeling nauseous at the smell of food. So unless its yellow and has a peel able skin I cant eat it, yes good for weight loss I know but not a great deal else. When I explained to the GP that I need to be training for the GNR he simply smiled and said "Not until those are finished and you are better". I have to agree the way I felt and feel I couldn't have run to save my life, walking was even off my calendar.
So a very slow build up will be required hopefully at the end of the week. Restocking of the energy banks is essential as I still feel very weak which wont be helped by the lack of food. My nasal passages need to be a little lighter as I cannot run carrying a toilet roll round with me, might get some funny looks with that one. I expected to feel very frustrated that I was unable to run but for the first time I think I have realised that if I am unwell then only I will suffer by pushing myself on.
On Sunday a great friend is doing The Race for Life in Bradford. She herself is a cancer survivor, a fighter, a winner, she will enter this event carrying a card on her back with names of those that she wants to remember that have passed from cancer. It came as a real surprise for her to ask to display Annes name, I didnt hesitate, it made me very proud of Liz for doing this event and for thinking of others like she always does. A true inspiration to so many, a wonderful generous, warm, honest, genuine person, who whenever you see her brings a smile to your face.
On Monday we say goodbye to a friend David, who sadly lost his fight with cancer last week. He was a very special friend to my Husband Mark, they shared a great deal together, plenty of smiles and laughs, but sometimes tears too. His request is no Black attire to be worn, this mirrors the true brightness that will be missing to so many with his passing. The colours will shine brightly, they will honour you, whilst we remember you. God bless you David and Rest in Peace.
So a very slow build up will be required hopefully at the end of the week. Restocking of the energy banks is essential as I still feel very weak which wont be helped by the lack of food. My nasal passages need to be a little lighter as I cannot run carrying a toilet roll round with me, might get some funny looks with that one. I expected to feel very frustrated that I was unable to run but for the first time I think I have realised that if I am unwell then only I will suffer by pushing myself on.
On Sunday a great friend is doing The Race for Life in Bradford. She herself is a cancer survivor, a fighter, a winner, she will enter this event carrying a card on her back with names of those that she wants to remember that have passed from cancer. It came as a real surprise for her to ask to display Annes name, I didnt hesitate, it made me very proud of Liz for doing this event and for thinking of others like she always does. A true inspiration to so many, a wonderful generous, warm, honest, genuine person, who whenever you see her brings a smile to your face.
On Monday we say goodbye to a friend David, who sadly lost his fight with cancer last week. He was a very special friend to my Husband Mark, they shared a great deal together, plenty of smiles and laughs, but sometimes tears too. His request is no Black attire to be worn, this mirrors the true brightness that will be missing to so many with his passing. The colours will shine brightly, they will honour you, whilst we remember you. God bless you David and Rest in Peace.
Sunday 2 June 2013
Back to the dark ages.
Training had been going well this week, good pace in good weather. On Thursday I ran my fastest mile and Km, so therefore it was with a heavy heart that I took my phone in for repair. I have only had this phone for 3 months and it has been my constant companion on my runs.
Previously I have had a less than helpful phone, no internal memory so I couldn't run any applications. I struggled with it for a couple of years, then one day on a wander around the White Rose..........a new possibility arose. My Hubby is a real gadget man, I on the other hand can take or leave the techno bits. As he approached the phone shop window my parting words to him were "don't sign anything". As I had finished my bit of shopping and headed back towards where I anticipated my Hubby to be sat, no Hubby, I will just pop by the phone shop to see.......argh he's sat down....with a member of staff. As soon as he saw me his first words to me "I haven't signed anything" now if that isn't a plea of not guilty. However the deal put to us was taken up and we both left happy with new phones, I could get apps I didn't need to empty everything out just to run Runkeeper. My new phone was tremendous, the running apps were great, integrating with other programmes, working effortlessly.
Then starts the problem, the phone begins to flash on and off without me touching it. The battery is zapped after a short time, but worse was that once it was inside my armband the plastic cover would press on the buttons sending noises through into my ears. This you may think is not too bad, however when it begins to press the 'Emergency dialler' then dialling numbers you have to stop and fiddle with the thing. This performance has been going on for close to 3 weeks, on Wednesday I had enough it had to go in for repair. I didn't want to do this as I knew my phone would be gone for at least 10 days, I didn't have time to be without my phone. I didn't want to be without my phone on holiday, I didn't want to be without it anywhere near the GNR. So I have got to get it done now or October.
As I showed the very nice lady in the phone shop what my phone was doing, she couldn't believe I had put up with it so long. She explained my phone would be away for around 10 days, at this point I knew I now had to rely on my previous phone for my training for the next 10 days, was this the right decision after all.
The following morning I ran out with just Runkeeper on, more importantly NO MUSIC, this phone simply cannot do 2 things at once. I cannot remember ever running without music, it therefore was a new experience, felt good, kept a reasonable pace and found to my surprise cracked a couple more goals. I didn't really enjoy it though but I have sometime to put up with this so its something I will just have to put up with.
Since the invention of ipods, MP3 and phones the silence of running for many is no longer. You see so many running with earphones but is it to block out noise or to introduce it. When you have to change from noise introduction to the sound of your own breath, gasping and footsteps its like going back in time. I will be a very happy camper when my lovely phone arrives back home and me, my apps and music will be reunited.
Unfortunately this weekend our little household has come down with colds, for a change I have got a full blown cough and cold, including shivers, banging head and runny nose. This has a very real possibility of keeping me off the running for a couple of days. The cold has hit my throat and chest hard, I know it is better to feel better before I run, I have time on my side at the moment so maybe a couple of days recovery will be beneficial.
On Friday our family were saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend and neighbour. He had been cared for in Wheatfields who made his final weeks/days comfortable, he was not alone. Once again the reality of this terrible disease has hit another family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this very sad time.
www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Previously I have had a less than helpful phone, no internal memory so I couldn't run any applications. I struggled with it for a couple of years, then one day on a wander around the White Rose..........a new possibility arose. My Hubby is a real gadget man, I on the other hand can take or leave the techno bits. As he approached the phone shop window my parting words to him were "don't sign anything". As I had finished my bit of shopping and headed back towards where I anticipated my Hubby to be sat, no Hubby, I will just pop by the phone shop to see.......argh he's sat down....with a member of staff. As soon as he saw me his first words to me "I haven't signed anything" now if that isn't a plea of not guilty. However the deal put to us was taken up and we both left happy with new phones, I could get apps I didn't need to empty everything out just to run Runkeeper. My new phone was tremendous, the running apps were great, integrating with other programmes, working effortlessly.
Then starts the problem, the phone begins to flash on and off without me touching it. The battery is zapped after a short time, but worse was that once it was inside my armband the plastic cover would press on the buttons sending noises through into my ears. This you may think is not too bad, however when it begins to press the 'Emergency dialler' then dialling numbers you have to stop and fiddle with the thing. This performance has been going on for close to 3 weeks, on Wednesday I had enough it had to go in for repair. I didn't want to do this as I knew my phone would be gone for at least 10 days, I didn't have time to be without my phone. I didn't want to be without my phone on holiday, I didn't want to be without it anywhere near the GNR. So I have got to get it done now or October.
As I showed the very nice lady in the phone shop what my phone was doing, she couldn't believe I had put up with it so long. She explained my phone would be away for around 10 days, at this point I knew I now had to rely on my previous phone for my training for the next 10 days, was this the right decision after all.
The following morning I ran out with just Runkeeper on, more importantly NO MUSIC, this phone simply cannot do 2 things at once. I cannot remember ever running without music, it therefore was a new experience, felt good, kept a reasonable pace and found to my surprise cracked a couple more goals. I didn't really enjoy it though but I have sometime to put up with this so its something I will just have to put up with.
Since the invention of ipods, MP3 and phones the silence of running for many is no longer. You see so many running with earphones but is it to block out noise or to introduce it. When you have to change from noise introduction to the sound of your own breath, gasping and footsteps its like going back in time. I will be a very happy camper when my lovely phone arrives back home and me, my apps and music will be reunited.
Unfortunately this weekend our little household has come down with colds, for a change I have got a full blown cough and cold, including shivers, banging head and runny nose. This has a very real possibility of keeping me off the running for a couple of days. The cold has hit my throat and chest hard, I know it is better to feel better before I run, I have time on my side at the moment so maybe a couple of days recovery will be beneficial.
On Friday our family were saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend and neighbour. He had been cared for in Wheatfields who made his final weeks/days comfortable, he was not alone. Once again the reality of this terrible disease has hit another family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this very sad time.
www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Wednesday 29 May 2013
This made me smile.
Running etiquette: the 10 commandments
The writing of this is straight from your own mind, fabulous and funny.
Saturday 25 May 2013
Target reached.
Had a very good week of training. Plenty of distance and time covered, some PB's amongst them as well which is very pleasing. I now have a very set routine for running week one (which is next week) means I am out Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday rest days Saturday & Sunday back out Monday to Friday rest day Saturday but back out Sunday rest Monday. I find that I can juggle the bits and pieces in between like the school run, looking after two of my Grand-children with relative ease as I run first thing in the morning.
I am finding more and more people spotting me tooting and waving, I apologise if you think I am ignoring you, this is not the case. I have 3 running apps on my phone which guide and talk to me at varying stages of my run I also listen to music as well, I have a set playlist now which has different tempos of music to speed me up. I only have one tiny little issue with my playlist, sometimes I feel like I could break into dance moves rather than running.
I have all sorts of music on I begin with Elvis VS JXL " a little less conversation" this is my warm up song fairly steady beat. We then pick up a little with "Eye of the Tiger" leading into "Call on me" and Alexandra Burke "bad boys". Then a really favorite which I cannot help but mouth the words to as I running (not out loud) "I Ran" by a Flock of Seagulls, we hit a really good high tempo with "CandyMan" by Christina Aguilera. To even out the pace "Danza Kuduro" Dan Omar & Lucenzo, how to jump tracks "Mambo No5" by Lou Bega this is a great stride setter for me pushes me on. "Chasing the Sun" by The Wanted, "We speak no Americano" cant decide if this track belongs yet as I have the extended version and it doesnt keep a pace at the end. "Evacuate the Dancefloor" "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins when I first began to use this phone I detested this song as I knew it was there to speed me up, now I love it as I can maintain the pace. "I like it" Enrique ft Pitbull, "Maneater" Hall and Oates, "Maniac" Michael Sembello, "Keep on running" The Spencer Davis group usually at this point I want to shout at the music to stop ridiculing me as I am getting tired but it is getting easier. We finish with a flurry of Queen " Dont stop me now" and "Echo Beach" Martha and the Muffins. I own several running trax CD's and they are on my phone but I have found my mixing the tracks I like I achieve the best out of myself. It also means that I pinpoint if I am faster or slower at certain points as I know the tracks that are coming on. So if you toot or wave to me I shall try my very best to respond and acknowledge.
This week brought to the fore why I am raising money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields. As the care and support they offer is helping two very dear people. As a result of the first hand care these lovely people have received in the saddest way I have reached and passed my original goal to raise £350. As it was said to me at the time "no amount of money can repay them for what they have done" this is a true comment. The whole team at Wheatfields gave so much and kept giving even in the early hours of the morning on that sad day. There truly are not enough ways to say thank you. But by passing this target the "thank yous" will support other families that have to go through this terrible ordeal. My new target is £500 so dig deep you lovely people the smallest amount would make such a difference to so many. If you would like to sponsor me to raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Leeds please follow this link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
As a little footnote to this weeks progress, I was asked by Wheatfields if they could use this blog to maybe encourage runners to join the GNR team in September. Along with this going onto the Sue Ryder Facebook page this article will also be making an appearance in the Yorkshire Evening Post (I think). I am fortunate that my Husband just happens to be a photographer at home my "official" photo shoot or "mug shot" was very easy and quick.
Enjoy the Bank holiday it looks like the weather may hold out for a couple of days which hopefully will lead to good times for all.
Ta ra for a bit
I am finding more and more people spotting me tooting and waving, I apologise if you think I am ignoring you, this is not the case. I have 3 running apps on my phone which guide and talk to me at varying stages of my run I also listen to music as well, I have a set playlist now which has different tempos of music to speed me up. I only have one tiny little issue with my playlist, sometimes I feel like I could break into dance moves rather than running.
I have all sorts of music on I begin with Elvis VS JXL " a little less conversation" this is my warm up song fairly steady beat. We then pick up a little with "Eye of the Tiger" leading into "Call on me" and Alexandra Burke "bad boys". Then a really favorite which I cannot help but mouth the words to as I running (not out loud) "I Ran" by a Flock of Seagulls, we hit a really good high tempo with "CandyMan" by Christina Aguilera. To even out the pace "Danza Kuduro" Dan Omar & Lucenzo, how to jump tracks "Mambo No5" by Lou Bega this is a great stride setter for me pushes me on. "Chasing the Sun" by The Wanted, "We speak no Americano" cant decide if this track belongs yet as I have the extended version and it doesnt keep a pace at the end. "Evacuate the Dancefloor" "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins when I first began to use this phone I detested this song as I knew it was there to speed me up, now I love it as I can maintain the pace. "I like it" Enrique ft Pitbull, "Maneater" Hall and Oates, "Maniac" Michael Sembello, "Keep on running" The Spencer Davis group usually at this point I want to shout at the music to stop ridiculing me as I am getting tired but it is getting easier. We finish with a flurry of Queen " Dont stop me now" and "Echo Beach" Martha and the Muffins. I own several running trax CD's and they are on my phone but I have found my mixing the tracks I like I achieve the best out of myself. It also means that I pinpoint if I am faster or slower at certain points as I know the tracks that are coming on. So if you toot or wave to me I shall try my very best to respond and acknowledge.
This week brought to the fore why I am raising money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields. As the care and support they offer is helping two very dear people. As a result of the first hand care these lovely people have received in the saddest way I have reached and passed my original goal to raise £350. As it was said to me at the time "no amount of money can repay them for what they have done" this is a true comment. The whole team at Wheatfields gave so much and kept giving even in the early hours of the morning on that sad day. There truly are not enough ways to say thank you. But by passing this target the "thank yous" will support other families that have to go through this terrible ordeal. My new target is £500 so dig deep you lovely people the smallest amount would make such a difference to so many. If you would like to sponsor me to raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Leeds please follow this link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
As a little footnote to this weeks progress, I was asked by Wheatfields if they could use this blog to maybe encourage runners to join the GNR team in September. Along with this going onto the Sue Ryder Facebook page this article will also be making an appearance in the Yorkshire Evening Post (I think). I am fortunate that my Husband just happens to be a photographer at home my "official" photo shoot or "mug shot" was very easy and quick.
Enjoy the Bank holiday it looks like the weather may hold out for a couple of days which hopefully will lead to good times for all.
Ta ra for a bit
Thursday 16 May 2013
Cutting it short.
It has been a strange week. The weather in Yeadon has been its usual topsy turvey best. Sundays run was really good plenty of gains, Monday was my rest day I hit the road again Tuesday. It was a little bit windy but dry, I felt comfortable and happy with both distance and time. Wednesday was like we had transported to October, icy winds and rain that felt like snow. The winds were gusting at 40mph but the chill factor was horrendous. I found this difficult going my legs were really sore and I felt the tightening in my right thigh and above my left knee. After my run my right thigh just felt like cramp so I decided all was well. Thursday morning my right thigh was tight but didnt feel sore, my left thigh felt totally fine. As I began my run I knew it was a mistake, but I had to finish at least 5km. The temperature was up and no wind at all made for a humid run. I felt a little tired and maybe lacking in energy, but at 8km I could take the pain any longer. My right thigh was constantly cramping I could barely walk on it let alone jog/run. I tried stretching it out to try and slacken it off but to no avail the pain was just too much. I therefore have got no choice but to have an extra day of rest tomorrow to try and heal before my 5 day stretch next week. It is really frustrating, due to running on my thigh I have aggravated my achilles tendons which brings pain to the heels of my feet. So as disappointing as it is to add an extra day of rest in it is very necessary otherwise I won't be out Monday.
So an early wish for you to enjoy your weekend.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Sunday 12 May 2013
A good week.
Had a really good week for training. Plenty of distance and good timings. Windy conditions returned to Yeadon which as you will be aware by now is my enemy. However I decided that the best course of action in these conditions is to run where I can, if this means a double back then thats the plan. Today is the Leeds half marathon, it also marks the 4 months to go to the GNR even now my stomach turns. There have been points this week that I have seriously doubted my ability to do 13.1 miles. It is a jump to a new area of distance running, although I can do 10km with ease, to double it seems like a bridge too far. But I am not giving in I know that if I maintain a constant steady pace I can complete my goal.
This weeks training plan is to be out on 10km runs Tuesday & Wednesday then take up the distance on Thursday to 12km back to 10km Friday. My rest days are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, back to 12km and upward distances Monday onwards.
If you would like to help raise funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice by sponsoring me then please follow the link below, thank you x
www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Friday 3 May 2013
Temptation is in my path.
The temptation placed in my path as the messages about the ballot for 2014 VLM was over-whelming. There is only one reason to run the VLM, its so high ranking that its something you just have to do its the pinnacle.There are a few reasons why I cant, the travelling, the amount of sponsorship required is beyond my limited means. My own personal goal is to run the York marathon in October 2014, I do believe that to run the VLM 6 months after the GNR could be a bridge too far for me personally. By aiming for the York marathon it allows me time off during bad/cold weather, as I have discovered over the last week or so that strong winds are something my vocal chords simply cant handle. As I run into strong winds I cant breathe, due to my condition I feel like I am only getting air into my throat not my lungs. This makes me out of breath very quickly, leading to panting which as the wind is blowing into my face means I cant catch my breath. This leads to me feeling very light-headed and faint, not something I need when I am on my own. Due to a condition called Rhinitus I cannot breathe through my nose, which compounds the need to breathe fully by mouth. The winds were so strong on Sunday that I had to turn back, I was so disappointed but when I got home the running apps on my phone confirmed more PB's (wind assisted).
The aim for this week is a 3 day running plan but to extend the distance. I mapped out what I expected to be at least a 10 mile route, unfortunately it was only a 6.2 miles. The route I do at the moment takes in around 4 miles, I can double this route but the thought of tripling or quading doesn't appeal to me. The weather forecast for this week is looking good, the winds are returning later in the week but I shall try my best to bring in a few more PB's. Todays plan was for slower runs but greater distance, but I found it really difficult to run a bit slower, my split times over the half mile were the same as I have done previously. I managed 7.3km at a resonable pace so ulitimately the combination is working.
This week has not gone fully to plan, only managed to miss the run this morning though. I started with a sniffle earlier in the week but managed to still run with it. However this morning my head is banging and the pain at the back of my eyes and nose has prevented the run this morning. Last year I had tests for triggered asthma and hayfever, and I didnt have any of them. But since the grass cutting has started my head, nose and eyes have been thumping. It doesnt hamper me mid morning but early morning or early evening is a sneezefest. I have been lucky this week that the weather has improved running in sunshine is lovely, the wind speed has dropped, so all round perfect conditions. I am now on my 2 days off I am back out all next week with rest days Sunday and Monday. A busy schedule but an opportunity to extend and bulid.
This week brought to the fore the reason I am supporting Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. A neighbour and friend is needing the help of Wheatfields. The help and care that they offer make such a difference, not only to the patient but to family and friends.
This weekend also brings the sad reality of cancer, my Sister Anne would have celebrated her birthday on Sunday. Without the care and support of Wheatfields during her illness our family wouldnt have been able to spend the time with her that was so valuble and so short.
Every time I run I think of Anne, I know that I run with her support behind me. I hear songs that remind me of her and they push me on.
If you would like to help me to support this amazing place and make a difference please follow this link.
www.ukvirginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne
Thank you, enjoy your long weeknd. Stay safe.
Saturday 27 April 2013
Another week closer.
Its been a good week for training. The weather has remained fair, temperatures have been perfect, but the wind has been a nightmare. Even with this menace of nature I have covered 41 miles this week, some runs felt really easy some like today felt like I hadn't run all year but then find that I have broken 3 personal records. I have been experimenting with running before breakfast, the reason for this is simple...I get a stitch. I have tried so many remedies for this problem, dropping my arms so I straighten up my posture but once you are tired posture leaves anyway its not until you see the finish line that the posture returns. Drinking on the move, not drinking at all, eating hours before the event, breathing exercises .
A couple of years ago I ran the Leeds 10km as I approached the 7km point I got a stitch, it was quite possibly the closest I have been to quiting an event. I stopped at a water station and with the aid of 2 St John's ambulance volunteers tried to rub and stretch the stitch out, it was pure agony. After 5 minutes I had a choice to make quit/run, I decided that I had to carry on during what felt like a half marathon I came across "the hill" oh goody just what I need at 8km. By this time I had nearly got rid of the stitch now trying too hard was my biggest problem. I knew I had lost time, up to the point of stopping I was on target for an under hour, now it was going to be at least an 1.05 this was unacceptable so I began to push. As I approached the Headrow I knew a turn to the right and I was on the home stretch, push even harder...wait a minute they are all going straight on....oh dear this means I have another hill Albion Street. ..I now have nothing left. As the pack turn into Albion Street you can see the top of the hill well actually you cant what you can see are lots of heads bobbing up and down but you know the top is there. ..somewhere. Yes there it is, please turn left and head downhill to the finish, yes that is exactly what happens. I crossed the line in a 1.05 not what I wanted at all the stop, the effort I put in after it meant that I expelled so much energy that even the faster pace I put in meant nothing.
After this episode I tried to find the best solution to stopping the dreaded stitch. The only way so far has been to run early on an empty stomach, but this as I found out on Thursday also has a very serious side affect. When I got back from my run I grabbed my water and energy drink, I made my breakfast bit of beans on toast. It didn't take very long for me to start feeling very ill. I decided that to avoid the potential revisit of beans on toast I stopped drinking. I felt shocking all day, felt cold and shivery no further appetite. I came in from work, I was frozen still feeling unwell I hit bed fully dressed and tried to get some sleep. I woke in the morning still not feeling too good, I simply couldn't run like this I will get up and have...then it hit me....idiot woman....DEHYDRATION. .. I couldn't believe I could be so foolish. I spent Friday only drinking water and no surprise I was feeling better by the hour by lunchtime I was ready to eat again. A hard lesson learned on running on an empty stomach, this morning I did run on an empty stomach but last night I hydrated really well and truly felt the benefit from it.
So back out tomorrow for the start of a new week of adding a few more miles on. Just hope that the April tornados stop or at least ease by half.
If you would like to help to raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice please follow the link. Ta ra for a bit.
www. uk.virginmoneygiving.com / ElaineWinterbourne
Sunday 21 April 2013
London Marathon.
I have watched the VLM for many years in awe of so many having the ability to run 26 miles. As you watch the elite runners coming home in a time that you would be happy with for a half-marathon, you watch the paralympic athletes and wonder where they find the strength to compete let alone finish 26 miles. You then see the throng of charity/fun runners who have trained hard in all weathers to enter this amazing event, every one that crosses that finish line not only pick up a medal and a t-shirt but they can say without challenge " I have completed the London Marathon " its not always about time its about your personal challenge, your goal, your aim. Whenever you send in your application for any event you have to set your stall out for making sure you are fully aware of what you want from yourself. You cannot attempt any type of event without making sure you and your body is ready for it not only do you risk injury but you are not giving 110% in effort. Its not all about training on the park, its about your food intake, water and lifestyle. You need to mentally train yourself to the fact that no matter what event, you are asking your body to perform, if you dont maintain your body it wont be at its optimum for your event. I sound like I know what I am talking about, but I dont really its common sense, however having learnt from 4 years of events the right food + water = energy. More importantly no alcohol, the odd take away is okay but if you value your aim then you will make the changes.
I will never be fortunate enough to run the VLM, however I do intend to run the York Marathon next October, at this point I will have completed 5km,10km,Half Marathon and Marathon. This will require more training, even now as much as my aim is the half marathon my training must incorporate a pattern for 26 miles, extending out all the time not pace everytime but distance is the challenge.
Last weeks training had gone really well, the weather hasnt interferred too badly and my pace and distance are on par for me to be happy. I go into this week with an aim of a 5 day training week, I am back in work this week so it can cut my training time down a little, but at least my diet should be back where it belongs.
So have a good week one and all, hopefully I shall have an update during the week.
I will never be fortunate enough to run the VLM, however I do intend to run the York Marathon next October, at this point I will have completed 5km,10km,Half Marathon and Marathon. This will require more training, even now as much as my aim is the half marathon my training must incorporate a pattern for 26 miles, extending out all the time not pace everytime but distance is the challenge.
Last weeks training had gone really well, the weather hasnt interferred too badly and my pace and distance are on par for me to be happy. I go into this week with an aim of a 5 day training week, I am back in work this week so it can cut my training time down a little, but at least my diet should be back where it belongs.
So have a good week one and all, hopefully I shall have an update during the week.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
School child errors galore
So the weather is wet and currently raining tge temperature is average the wind has dropped. Ideal running conditions, but this is exactly where the problem begins. To waterproof or not, gloves and hat ? So I decide that due to it raining already I shall wear my waterproof, I shall also wear my hat, this is not an unusual sight on me I like my ears nice and warm. Off we go, it soon becomes apparent that the jacket, hat and gloves are a good idea as I can feel a breeze and the temperature is a little bit cooler than I first expected. 3km in I now decide that the jacket, gloves and hat are a stupid idea as I am now way too hot and melting. I dont like running with my jacket round my waist and the pockets are not actually made to carry anything so I am stuck in my attire. Then comes an error of biblical madness my shoe doesn't feel tight enough so by whatever lack of sense hasnt left me in the heat of my attire I readjust the lace. I know I know. ....huge, monumental mistake. As I now have one tight shoe the other one feels slack so I make the same mistake again. At this point I am at about 4km my intention this morning was to do an 8km after my messing around with the shoes I set back off immediately there is a problem, my shoes are too tight. So do you stop and fiddle again or carry on and hope that they slacken themselves. I carry on but as I should have known my feet are getting tighter now because of swelling. By this point I have lost my pace and stride I am annoyed with myself for messing around. At 5km I know that I can no longer run in the attire and my shoes are squeezing my feet. I turn for home feeling utterly annoyed at myself. I shouls have known better than to play with my shoes I still cant believe I've done it. As for the attire its one of those things it can be difficult to find the balance. As they say tomorrow is another day and despite the agitated state of running my times are dropping significantly I am into the 5.59 per km which I can maintain just want it down a bit more. So out in the morning, today I have learnt if its not broken don't fix it.
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