Saturday, November 17, 2012

Day 146: Little jog in preparation for the big 10

RUN: 1.3 miles

Just a short one tonight to save my energy for tomorrow's 10K run. It's a 9am start, so we'll be getting up very early doors to head to Leeds.

As you may know, early runs are not my thing, and my leg is hurting at the moment, so I'll have to keep my fingers crossed for a miracle tomorrow to achieve my target of a sub-60 min 10K.

Here's today's run

Friday, November 16, 2012

Day 145: Four miles and a bit of compression

RUN: 4.2 miles

A nice chunky run today in preparation for Sunday's Abbey Dash 10K run in Leeds.
Here's today's run

My right shin is still giving me a bit of pain - like a stinging, pulling sort of uncomfortable feeling as though my shin splints are threatening to make a comeback - so I've got my Saucony Amp Pro 2 compression calf sleeves on tonight. Hopefully they'll do the trick.

(Note the manky left big toenail in the background here!)

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Day 144: Short run blamed on eight-legged intruder

RUN: 1.5 miles

To cut a long story short, home alone, I spent almost 45 mins frozen on the spot watching a spider in my hallway tonight. That's 45 minutes I should have spent running. Damn arachnophobia!

Here's today's run

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Day 143: Joining the friendly masses for a training trip

RUN: 3.4 miles

Quite a tough run today - perhaps because that I haven't been doing as much running as I should, with being full of cold last week and having a hectic few days to start off this week.

Well I certainly wasn't the only one hitting the pavements around Guiseley this evening - the town is full of runners! I think they must all be in training for the Leeds Abbey Dash 10K at the weekend...

I find that runners are generally unfriendly. Unlike wakers, cyclists (apparently) and general village folk, they avoid eye contact, heads down, no smiling, saying hello or even raising an eyebrow in acknowledgement of the common pastime you are sharing.
Well today was a different case. I came home with a warm fuzzy feeling after passing friendly runner after friendly runner along my route, with nods of encouragement, knowing smiles in recognition of the effort needed to power on up that hill, cheery "good evenings" and friendly waves. If only every night was like tonight.

I'm certainly looking forward to Sunday's run if these are the people I'll be running alongside.
Only four days to go... hopefully I'll be feeling a bit more on form for the weekend.

Here's today's run

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Day 142: Another busy day, another little run

RUN: 1.8 miles

Another busy busy day today, but managed to squeeze in a mini run around the block. Hoefully the rest of the week will be a bit less hectic so I can get in some bigger training runs ahead of Sunday's Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 10K.

Here's today's run

Monday, November 12, 2012

Day 141: I've reached my sponsorship target!

RUN: 1.0 miles

A crazy busy day today means I only had time for a rather late bare minimum run.
That's the bad news, but the fantastic news is that I've passed my £1,000 sponsorship target!!
Hooray! I'm so pleased, especially as I'm not even five months into my 12-month challenge.

A massive thank you to my Uncle Andrew, who has taken me way past my target with a very generous donation!

Since my last sponsorship update, the donations have continued to roll in, motivating me to get out and get moving on these cold autumn evenings.
Huge thanks to my recent sponsors colleagues Steve Teale, Jim Greenhalf, Sally Clifford, Karen Pickering and Elaine Wilson (who I've found out was my anonymous donor!)
Many thanks to my godparents Angela and Colin Milner, auntie Caroline Murie and Carol Hogg for their very kind donations to my cause.
Friends and family have been busy drumming up support and even people who I've only met briefly, infrequently, or even never met, have been donating - thank you Val Atkinson, Marjorie Craven and Patricia Wood - I am truly touched.
My ever-generous regular donors are still showing fantastic support, adding even more to my charity total - thank you John and Una Earley, Donna Hildreth, Gerry Earley and of course my boyfriend Andy.
I'm blown away by the kindness of friends, family, workmates and even relative strangers. It's a great cause we're all supporting.

I've even had messages of support from half way across the world via Twitter. Amazing.

It's all keeping me going. Up to 343 miles now!

Here's today's run

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Day 140: Little legs hurt, little run cut short

RUN: 2.0 miles

A combination of last night's wine and a Sunday spent at work put me in the mood to curl up on the sofa with chocolate and more wine, but, of course, I went for a run.
Just a two-mile trip up the hill and around the block with boyfriend Andy today.
We were aiming for three miles, actually, but my right shin is feeling a bit tight and painful so we cut it a bit short. Might have to get out the compression sleeves.

Here's today's run