This made me smile.

Running etiquette: the 10 commandments

The writing of this is straight from your own mind, fabulous and funny.

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

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

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

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.