March Hair Raiser 2011

Last year my big race was the Wolverhampton Half Marathon (September 10) I hadn’t followed any training programme all I did was increased the miles I ran. I clocked in a time of 2:09.  I was extremely happy with this result, more than that, overjoyed!  As I’d also never ran that far without stopping.

Having close friends who have been diagnosed with Cancer, I decided to try and raise money for Macmillan nurses. As at the moment I’ve only got four races as definite, which if I want to raise more money, get fitter & faster. I want to run at least one race each month.

March 3^rd I completed the reindeer run @ Dudley zoo, so looking for a race for the end of the money. The March Hair Raiser 2011 run came to my attention, (via a quick check on the runners world website)not getting the application in, meant that I’d have to turn up on the day & see if there was a place.

Bless British Summer Time, not only did I have to get up at 7:30 am (It was my lie in day) but I lost an hours sleep. The rave  was about 30 mins drive away. Feeling like a change I put on Def Leppard Hysteria album. (80’s classic rock)

Finding the place wasn’t a problem nor was registering. People were on the gates directing people to park & registration to 2 minutes.

Boy was it cold. I wished I'd worn long sleeves that morning. Looking around at the start it seemed that the majority of the runners were all attached to running clubs, (I did feel a little our of my depth, watching them all warming up with their nice watches & running tops) just before the start the jostling for position started, getting themselves set for the prime positions.



As the starters whistle went off everyone seemed to go off with a charge, I thought that I was running at my normal pace until I noticed that that my pace was 7’01 This isn’t my normal pace and I soon realised that I’d have to rethink my pace or I’d not be finishing or walking like I did at the reindeer run.  





The run was across farm land and as picturesque as it was. It was very uneven and luckily not wet,  had it of rained we would have been talking about an extremly different race.  I always feel tired on morning runs as I seem not to be able to get my hydration right, even though I’d been drinking since waking up. Miles 1-4 went OK, but from then it got tough as I felt tired/dehydrated mile 5 was tougher as it was a cut up track so keeping a nice steady pace was difficult. I had to make a couple of stops at the 5 mile point to get some lucozade sport down my neck.



Endomondo Running Workout:

Passing the mud track the ground became easier to run on, which was a good thing as it was an uphill section.  I’d been passed by a guy who was about 10 years older than me & a few stone heavier, this gave me the motivation to increase my pace. Knowing the end wasn’t too far away kept me going. Passing the 6 mile marker I could see the flags & finish marker ahead. Why is it all the finish lines are uphill!!! Oh that hill felt like it would never end. I so wanted to stop, you just couldn’t as everyone was waiting & watching. (I have never felt like hurling after a race until then)



To the victor go the spoils



 Crossing the line in 0:56:10 a PB for me & fully completed 10k done (See Reindeer run Blog) dusted & a Morph Scarf (Multifunctional headband, mask, and sweatband) as my prize.  

Though the  official time was 0:56:16   I'm happy at finishing 127 out 201 (the winner finished in 0:35:01)http://www.wolvesandbilstonac.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/march-hair-raiser-2011.pdf

It was also good to see Brian Smith there, as it's always nice to see pictures of yourself looking haggard as you cross the line.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baldeagle/sets/72157626213919323/ 



Here’s hoping for more races, no injuries, more PB’s & loads of sponsorship.



I am smiling

Now to look for other races in April & May before the Aldridge 10k in June.

Another week, another run

A manic weekend was had by all in my household as it was my daughters 3^rd Birthday, Friday night was a house full of family, Saturday saw the house  overrun by screaming children demanding pass the parcel, pop,  cakes  and crisps,  throw in magic tricks & balloon folding and a couple of hours later every one  is away the kids sugared up to the max.    

After moving my partners uncle into his new  flat I managed to go out for a run. This time I didn’t get lost. My stamina is improving as I didn’t need to stop for 4 miles, then with just a 30 second walk before I set off again. The run would of got a lot smoother & quicker had the end of the waterway not be cut off by fences  as there was massive construction work going on. This took a while to navigate a way around the construction site.  Just over 9 miles & 1hr 40mins later I complete my run.

Satisfied that my pace, stamina are improving & that any upcoming races will not feel such an uphill battle. I just need to hope that I can remain injury free & that the races I take apart in improve my fitness & also excite people to continue to sponsor me.

 

Sunday lovely Sunday!

All week I'd been looking forward to my weekend towpath run, having found it a couple of weeks ago. I've been chomping at the bit to get back out there. Local runs are ok, but the view as your running along the canal is beautifull, just what you need to keep you motivated.

My lie in Saturday went a bit O.T.T. as I slept till 2pm. (Good job it was my day for a lie in) So Sunday would be my day! Rain & gloom surrounded me Sunday morning, but undetered. I would run.

The afternoon however cleared & a beautiful sky was awaiting my run! I've always needed something to run to, be it music, podcast, Audiobooks, anything to keep my mind busy.

Todays listening was Lawrence Dallaglio on Desert Island Disks, the 10 O' Clock show, & Chris Moyles.

Feeling confident & happy, my pace was nice & steady.  Following the canal, passing the fishermen the familys walking with kids. There seemed a very happy vibe. 

 Just after the 3 mile point it looked like I was running the wrong way. So "Clever me!" decided to go off course, this resulted in me adding another 3 miles (See map) & going  round in a circle to the exact spot where I detoured from.  





Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 9.80 miles in 1h:45m:30s using Endomondo."



No PC Bridge Names!



The home leg wasn't to bad, due to the detour I was running very late for lunch at my parents that my very hungry partner & daughter were waiting for.

Its the longest I've ran since November, Also a good point my legs haven't been too bad this week.



Mr Man As my Daughter call him every Morning!



Lazy girl running: Another running metaphor

Love this quote!

Lazy girl running: Another running metaphor:

Running, as I put it to my colleague, is a lot like eating olives. You might like the idea of running and being someone who runs, but you won't enjoy it straight away. You have to persist with running. Eventually, though, it will stop leaving a bitter taste in our mouth and you'll love it.

RNLI Reindeer Run 6/03/11 Dudley Zoo & Castle

First race of year, like a little boy at Christmas was far too hyper to sleep. (This would come to bite me on the ass during the race) Eventually hit the sack at 3am.

I Managed to drag myself out of bed & fuelled up with bagel & peanut butter. (I will love the food company who can bring out fat free peanut butter)

On the way to the race, I’d searched through my cd collection for something different, dragging out Deep Heat 5 (1990) a bit of 20 seconds to comply by Silver Bullet  to get me in the mood.

Upon arrival we were presented with our own Antlers & flashing Red nose (well it was the reindeer run). We all went through a quick warm up from a couple of military lads. & we were off. I think due to the lack of sleep, I must have thought I was doing the 5k run, as my pace was faster than I usually run, This became apparent when I hit the first mile. I knew it was going to be tough.



 The first section of the course takes you out side the Zoo’s main grounds on to scrub land running along a very muddy track, across the car park & back onto the grounds.
We then hit the “HILL” which I tried to battle, with the late night & early quick pace. I was zapped. My legs were on fire, even seeing an old guy pass me, didn’t muster my determination. The top of the hill saw us directed back around the castle to start the second lap.

With the Chemical Brothers Hey Girl Hey Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64szVQugrAo blasting in my headphones I was off again. Only one more lap, I would be done, the first task on my fundraising goal achieved.

Remember never make comments about things, they always come back to haunt you. (At work on Friday discussing running with my colleague, she comment about getting stitch. “Oh I never get stitch”) BANG massive stitch, even seeing a runner in front of me wearing a Wolves shirt (I’m a West Bromwich Albion fan) couldn’t get me to do more than a brisk walk. My friends had passed me by, which whilst never outwardly competitive. Inwardly ALWAYS!!! I could see the “Wolves” runner up ahead. So set off again, back up the hill which felt like going up Everest. I then heard a steward say “second time around carry on, not around the castle as before, straight on. Nearly there I could feel it in my bones. Running along side Batman, my pace was nice & steady no pain. Under the castle's gates we went. I could see the finish time & the clock 50 mins a PB for me I was elated. (I’d even beat the Wolves runner)

Congratulating my fellow runners, looking at my winner’s medal.  I checked my watch Garmin forerunner 50 (I calibrated it earlier in the week on the University track) this showed Just over five half miles ran. Even the Endomondo app on my phone was showing I was short. (Though the satellite is sometimes well off) My mind started racing had I ran the correct distance or should I have gone around the castle again. Knowing that 50mins for 10k was an increase in my PB. My concerns grew. Even more so when my friend who had passed me turned up 5 minutes later. Feeling guilty that I’d not completed the whole 10k (As I was running for charity didn’t feel it was right)

So finding out that YES I should of gone around the castle then to the finish line I set off to complete the final task.

Stitch & 6 minutes later I crossed the finish line AGAIN! Annoyed that I could have completed it in a PB, but at least I’d completed the 10k & marked off my first race of the year! I even treated myself to a KFC for being a good boy.

NOW, Where we going next?

The pleasure of running!

Sun 27^th

Having been out for a couple of weeks with shin splints, this week has been the first time I’ve put my trainers back on.  How weird how much you miss the thing that usually causes you pain & aches.  So looking forward to a run today was top of my agenda. Especially after the breakfast I had.  

Tonight I decided on a different route, wanting to keep off the roads to protect my shins. Not far from me is a nice canal route. So listening to the Blues, Arsenal game on the radio , I set out, Running  along the  towpaths.

When you don’t know where your going or where you’ll end up is pretty liberating as your minds not at the finish line, if you don’t know where you’ll finish you don’t know what time, so you stop worrying about it. (My in runs are the worst, when I know I’m close to home! The tiredness creeps in. ! Also with lovely peaceful views,

I finished clocked just under 5 miles in 50mins 05sec. Which i'm happy with as i did walk a few times and stopped to take these pictures. I think this route will be one of my favourites. I'm looking forward to running it again and to follow it further.