Day 293: Highs and lows on a big Sunday run

RUN: 13.1 miles

Today I intended to run 18 miles - the same route I did on Day 251, but the other way round.
There was a long slog of a hill on the way back, so the other way round seemed a good solution.

Running along, mulling over why things don't seem to be going well with only six weeks to go until marathon day, I realised my problem is with confidence more than anything else.
So I decided that redoing last weekend's half marathon route better than I did it before would give me more confidence than struggling through 18 miles.

Just 13 miles wasn't easy, though, and I seemed to suffer a lack of energy for some reason, even though I had energy gels and jelly babies with me. So I have resolved to treat myself a bit better, eat more food, good food, get more sleep and drink more water.

Near the end of the run I had to tackle Hollins Hill - a one-mile distance with a 250ft climb. At the bottom I told myself if I could make it to the top without stopping, I could do the marathon. So I did.
The feeling when I got to the top was fantastic. I hope I feel so elated when I finish the marathon.

Here's today's run - see the big hill near at the end?

Day 294: Tragedy and triumph on a sunny evening

RUN: 2.5 miles

This evening I got back from work about 7pm. The weather was warm and sunny, and it was just beginning to turn dusk. It's very uplifting to be able to take advantage of these light evenings
I rarely feel the urge to go out running - it's often a chore - but today it felt a pleasure. I was so enthusiastic in fact, I headed straight up the nearest hill and didn't stop once until I got home. Brilliant. Hopefully I've found my lost confidence.

Here's today's run

Sadly, I wasn't feeling good for long. I got home and heard of the tragedy unfolding at the Boston Marathon. The two bombs that went off close to the finish line of the most prestigious marathon killed two people and injured scores more. Many people have had their feet and legs blown off. Unbelievable scenes. Why would anyone target runners and spectators? How can anyone be so cruel?

I hope all my family and fellow runners will be safe at the Edinburgh Marathon.

Day 292: Warming up for the big one

RUN: 2.1 miles

A two-mile warm-up for tomorrow's big run. I'm going to aim for 18 miles, which is pretty ambitious considering the way I felt last on last weekend's 13-mile run. Fingers crossed for a better performance, or I really will be in trouble for this marathon. Only six weeks to go!

Here's today's run

Day 291: 800 miles!

RUN: 1.1 miles

Having not done my maths for a few days, I missed the 800-mile mark yesterday!

So only 200 miles and 74 days to go. The marathon will be 26 miles of that, so for the remaining 73 days, I need to run an average of 2.3 miles per day - so I'm well ahead of schedule!

Here's today's run

Day 290: High praise all the way from Westminster

RUN: 1.2 miles

A nice surprise came in the post today - a letter from our local MP, Stuart Andrew!

The article about me in the Wharfedale Observer must have been spotted by someone in his office and this lovely letter of support popped through my letterbox. I'm honoured.

It says: "I write to congratulate you on your excellent fundraising efforts... the Smile Train is a wonderful charity... it never ceases to amaze me how many people freely give up their time so generously to help make such a difference to other peoples' lives... I hope your story has inspired others to raise money and donate to this excellent and worthwhile cause. You are a real credit to our community and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements... I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you good luck when you participate in the Edinburgh Marathon and wishing you all the best for the future."

Here's today's run - Just a short one before work since I had a very busy evening ahead.

Day 289: The sun has got his hat on...

RUN: 7.6 miles

Another run to work today, the first for a couple of weeks. The almost eight miles into Bradford started out somewhat of a pleasure today, unusually. The sun was out and there was a nice breeze keeping me fairly cool and all was well with my legs and feet.

One of the only things to put a slight dampener on the run was the fact that it doesn't feel any easier than when I first started just after Christmas. Perhaps it's all in my head, but it seems to be getting harder. Hopefully I'll see some improvement in the next few weeks.
The other was the number of white van idiots that rear their ugly heads when the weather is nice. Why on earth would you shout at a complete stranger running along the pavement? No idea what they're saying.

Here's today's run

Day 288: Welcoming a few little aches and pains

RUN: 1.2 miles

Feeling a little bit tired and achey today after Sunday's longest run in a while. But I have to say it feels good to ache a bit again, knowing that you've worked hard to push your body enough to feel the effects two days later.

On the other hand, perhaps I should be past feeling achey after a 13-mile run at this late stage in the game. Just less than seven weeks to go until the marathon. Argh!!

Here's today's run

Day 287: Even more midnight madness

RUN: 1.0 miles

A tough day today, with a very long day at work. I was stuck in the office from 8am to 11.15pm, so I was obviously cutting it very fine to squeeze in a run before the end of the day.

I raced home and ran in the door, where I found my fantastic fiance in the hallway his running kit, encouraging me to get changed quick-smart! So together we jogged up the road to finish a one-mile run before midnight, with less than ten minutes to spare. Thank you, Andy!

The big run days and race days are tough, but it's also days like this when this year of running really feels like a massive challenge.

Here's today's run

Day 286: No confidence boost on a half marathon

RUN: 13.2 miles

In a bid to regain some confidence for the marathon (seven weeks to go!) I headed out on my first big run in a few weeks. Feeling a lot better after the while I've spent feeling under the weather, and with the legs and feet feeling fit to go the distance, I had high hopes for a good run.

It was a nice day on the canal - warm and very strange that there are still some patches of snow still lingering.

I did go well for the first few miles, but started flagging before the halfway mark. The stoppages were many and longer than ideal.

At one point, on a soul-destroying uphill climb I stopped to phone boyfriend Andy. He asked me if I wanted him to come and rescue me, which I did, but I just asked for some encouragement to carry on. I could have cried.

So while I was looking for some confidence, I may have got the opposite. Either way, it's better to have been out and done the distance badly than not go the miles under my belt at all. I'll give it another go next weekend. Here's hoping for a miracle improvement.

This dog jumping in the water after a stick cheered me up slightly on my way along the canal towpath...

Here's today's run

Day 268: Lame filly is odds on for a painful run

RUN: 1.1 miles

Still in Chester, still on Cloud Nine, still sore from race day and still limping thanks to the tendonitis, we headed out for another single lap of Chester Racecourse.

The course is open to the public, who can use the running or walking track just inside the horse track, and the inside of the course for dog walking and recreation.

So off we jogged (limped) to clock up another mile to add to the total. Here's today's run

The foot needs a rest at five furlongs (that's a grimace not a smile!)

Day 267: A VERY special day at the racecourse

RUN: 1.2 miles

After a final night in Liverpool with a celebratory meal and some well-earned rest, we have come to Chester for a few days.

After the half marathon yesterday, my foot is feeling very bad. I have been struck down with peroneal tendonitis (sharp pain down the outside of my right foot behind the ankle bone), which feels like I've got a knife in my shoe.

We are staying at a hotel at Chester Racecourse, so I put on a brave face for a walk around the course.

As we were wandering (limping) along, boyfriend Andy stopped at a little viewing point overlooking the river and... ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!!

We're engaged! Waaaaaaaa!!

 

I was so shocked, all the pain disappeared! He said he was thinking of proposing after the half marathon (but he diddecided against having the pressure of carrying the ring and the huge box!) or after the marathon (but he couldn't wait that long!) It was a perfect proposal, and I'm so happy!

We sat by the river for a while taking it all in, before walking (still limping) the rest of the way into Chester for a lovely lunch.

Although I was floating around on a cloud, there was still the small matter of today's run to tackle. Fiance Andy joined me for a one-mile lap of Chester Racecourse. At first the pain was bearable, but at five furlongs I got such a sharp stabbing pain, it made me scream out. I did manage to put on a brave face and jog the rest of the lap, but I hope this foot sorts itself out, or I'm in trouble!

Here's today's racecourse run

Day 266: Liverpool Half Marathon Day!

RUN: 13.1 miles

Half marathon day has finally arrived! Argh!
After quite a sleepless night, a panic over forgotten earphones and a bowl of porridge and banana, we headed down to Liverpool's Pier Head, to join the rest of the 8,000 runners.

We stored our bags, attached our race numbers and joined the (very long) queue for the portaloos!

Queueing to the start line

Unfortunately, by the time we had waited our turn and made our way to the start line, it was a bit of a melee and we didn't see the time pens, so in the confusion we ended up setting off from the 2.5-hour pen (for people who estimate they'll run it in that time) - much to boyfriend Andy's annoyance!

About to set off!

We said goodbye and good luck as soon as the crowd started moving, and we were on our way, and Andy was instantly out of sight.

The course took us towards Liverpool Cathedral and on to Sefton Park. There was a good atmosphere, with supporters cheering us all on from the sides of the road, and other runners chatting as we passed each other.

There was one hill to tackle near the beginning of the run, but to be honest I hardly noticed it and was expecting something much worse having looked at the course and the climb.

The crowds grew as we arrived at the park, and I decided to carry on past the first water station. At the second station, I was on the wrong side of the path and didn't fancy tripping anyone up to get some water, so again I carried on.

I had a bit of a mishap with my watch and managed to stop the timer and had to restart, so I only had a rough idea of my pace. Perhaps that was a good thing, meaning I took the course at a pace I felt good at and didn't panic I was going too fast or slow.

I was feeling good and going strong until just after I got to the third water station at nine miles.
I almost missed it (again!), but managed to grab a bottle, get out my energy gel and tried to take them on the go. Having chucked half the water down myself and failed to even open the gel, I decided on a strategic stop. So I stopped, gulped the gel and a bit of water and got on my way again after a few seconds.

Soon after, we were leaving Sefton Park, running through the tunnel of the underpass and into Otterspool Park.

As I started to struggle and was trying to convince myself to keep up the pace, some men ran past me wearing Help For Heroes t-shirts. One of them had a running blade in the place of one leg. That was enough to stop me feeling sorry for myself and get on with the task in hand.

As the Mersey came into sight and we turned the corner on to Otterspool Pier, we were on the final four-mile straight back towards central Liverpool. I had aimed to pick up my pace at this point, but my body had other ideas. Stitch strikes!

I have very rarely suffered stitches while I've been running, so I was a bit annoyed and unsure what to do. I went for just carrying on, but it was painful. As I had been doing all the way round, I thought of the cleft children, of my sponsors and my family and friends who would be cheering me on if they were there, and of Andy running ahead of me. Eventually the pain went away, and I came to the last water station with one mile to go.

I could see the Liver Birds on top of the Liver Building in the distance, so the end was in sight. Phew!
As another stitch started to stab me once again, I managed to keep going. People all around me were talking about finishing and saying they thought they might just miss the two hours. With a few rough sums and my dodgy watch timings, I worked out that I might just make it.

With a last push, I headed past the Museum of Liverpool, and with the deafening noise of the crowds spurring me on, I turned the final corner to see the finish line only a few metres away.

I finished in 1 hour 57 minutes. Phew!
Andy finished in 1 hour 41 minutes. Wow!

I was pleased with my time, but since I was so exhausted I hardly felt any emotion about finishing. The thought of doing it all again in the marathon is a very scary prospect at the moment. This is where it gets serious.

Here is our route for the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon 2013:
 

 

Hooray!

 

Day 260: Snow, snow, go away...

RUN: 2.2 miles

Back in familiar surroundings after an eventful couple of runs in the countryside, I clocked up another two miles this evening in the snow. It's very cold and windy and the snow keeps coming in flurries, but it's not too bad on the pavements and hopefully it will all be gone soon. I'm looking forward to some better weather...

There is going to be a feature about my running challenge in tomorrow's Telegraph & Argus, so keep an eye out for my face on the newsstand (if you're in the Bradford area)!

Here's today's run

Day 259: Up hill and down dale in a countryside challenge

RUN: 6.1 miles

With my running shoes all cleaned and dried, I was back out on the North York Moors today.
The moors are obviously a challenging place for a long weekend run, so it's a good job that the marathon training schedule suggests a mere six-miler for today. Phew!

So boyfriend Andy joined me (no getting lost today) for a challenging and scenic run through the lanes of Fryup Dale. Here I am (above) outside Dale View barn, where we stayed, on my way home for the obligatory Fryup Dale fry-up.

Here's today's run

Day 258: Country calamity on the North York Moors

RUN: 2.9 miles

Well, how can I begin to tell you about today's run? It was a real comedy of errors on my first run out on the North York Moors, where I am staying for the weekend in a very rural barn comversion.

Heading out in to the lovely scenery I was looking forward to a nice, peaceful Saturday session... which I got for the first few miles.
Then this happened....

Mud

 

Don't always trust Google Maps in the countryside. I had set out a route along some lanes, through a farm, down a track and back home. Simples.

Well, not quite. I got to the farm track and it was gated off. So I imagined I could just carry on down the lane and find another way up to the road. Wrong again.

 

Once I had got myself in the above situation, I decided I was too far along to turn back, so I stuck with the plan and headed for a hedgerow skirting a field with no animals in it. I realised why there were no animals in it when I found myself knee-deep in a bog. Great. Obviously at this point there was more wading going on than running.

 



Bog

 

Realising I was quite possibly trespassing by this point, I hurried along thinking a farmer might be out with his gun at any moment to chase off this ridiculous offcumden dressed in illuminous pink.

 



Barbed wire

 

Then came the next challenge of a barbed wire fence, which I managed to get my pants caught on with one foot stuck through the holes in each side, so I was teetering on the top.
Next came the stream, which I hurdled to get back to the road to sheepishly jog back to the barn. Phew! No damage done, no shots fired, just a lot of mud to carry home and a lesson well and truly learned.

Here's today's disastrous run

Day 257: We're all going on a country holiday

RUN: 1.2 miles

We're going away to the North York Moors with boyfriend Andy's family today, so I had a quick jog out before we set off. Looking forward to a couple of runs out in the countryside this weekend.

Luckily this weekend is a bit of a 'rest' weekend on the marathon training schedule, so just a four-mile and a six-mile run to do in Great Fryup Dale.

Here's today's run

Day 256: The only way is up in the gym

RUN: 2.2 miles (3.6km)

Back to the gym today for my new weekly strength-building session, and I had a little mishap.

An interval run (to build fitness) on the treadmill was my first task - so I put 20 minutes on the clock and set off doing one-minute intervals of 9kmph and 12kmph.
After the first ten minutes, my right calf was feeling a bit tight and needed a stretch. But during my few seconds of stretching the treadmill decided to give up on me and reset itself! Nooo! So I started again with another ten minutes.

 

Next I moved on to weight training (to build strength in my little legs) and managed to increase the weight on all my exercises. I'll be like Geoff Capes in no time! Hmm...

 

Day 254: Just the one... again

RUN: 1.0 miles

Another one. Hopefully I'll recover a lot more quickly after these bigger runs once I've been doing them for a few more weeks.

Here's today's run