The day of reckoning - London Marathon event day

Job done!


I did it in 4hrs 12mins and it was ace!







Saturday

We travelled down on the Saturday and was really giddy - first time we'd left both children and were going for a weekend away together in over a year. Tom had planned all the travel so I didn't need to worry about that at all - he even walked me right to my starting area on the day!

The expo was huge, stuffy and overwhelming ( I got choked up!). Saying that it was really well organised and there I got my number and chip quickly. We then found the short cuts through the 'Ikea' style guided path past all the stalls to the bargain bin. We then took the United Emirates cable car part of the way to where we were staying - like a proper tourist.

That evening I was really jumpy, I got upset when someone admiringly joked about me being 'stupid' for running tomorrow and when I put my running vest on I got upset that my tummy protruded more than it had done pre-children. Lukily I had a good talking to from a dear friend and my husband and realised I was worried about tomorrow and not to read into it. I didn't feel worried as in a visceral feeling - more like I read negatively into what was going on at the time.

Sunday

Up bright and early - it was warm and stuffy already. I put on my (temporary) Mermaid tattoos, plaited my hair & put a thick layer of sun cream on. We got a bit of breakfast before heading out 6.30am. I was starting to feel nervous now. My mind jumped around from feeling excited to worried & nervous - "had I trained enough?", "had I stretched enough?", "this is going to be AMAZING!!", "There are so many people on this train doing the same thing as me", "What is that guy wearing (cave man suit)?!". I thanked mum & dad for having the kids - knowing they were safe & loved was a weight off my mind.

Tom was my travel guide and did a tremendous job. Not only getting us to where we needed to be on time but helping quell my nerves with singing, dancing and jokes.

I got to the start area with an hour to go and chatted to Strider friends while I waited to be set off. The queues for the loos were 100s of meters long!

So the Queen set us off and we heard the elite runners go, then it was our turn. As I crossed the start line my watch went blank and my gel belt fell off. I rescued the belt and reset the watch but realised it was set to kilometers (I tend to judge pace in miles) - no worries...I'm here!

So, first cry - in the first mile. I remembered my (adjusted) goal was to get to the start line and I'd done it. Go Hol!!!

Second cry - I saw the blue line. This is the line my Dad talked about running on back before I was born and I have watched the best runners in the world follow over the last 30 years. I felt humbled to be following the same line and knew we (me and the elites) were all running the same route, in the same event - incredible.

I liked the arc of balloons at each mile marker and even more the water stations at every mile too - they offset the heat, which I heard got up to 28 degrees C. I felt really privileged to be doing something I love with thousands of like minded people and to top it off I was being cheered on! The sights were a fab distraction from the physicality of running when tired & warm.

The 1st 10 miles went quickly, I was running between the 3.30 and 3.45 pacer and felt comfortable. After that I started to get tired and knew my prep had been less than I needed to feel good over 26.2 miles. Never the less, I had signed up for it and knew what I'd let myself in for so my decision about how I wanted to do it - not if I was going to do it.

By 15 miles my pace had slowed and my knee was really sore. I took some paracetamol and was mindful to keep my hips level & back up straight (slumping would have only put more pressure on my pelvis and lower legs).  I started to get tummy ache and was worried I needed the loo so added some salts to my water and that seemed to help. I had 5 gels over the event and they really helped too.

I was so happy to see Tom 4 times - at one point I even had chance to give him a huge cuddle & that lifted me for ages. I saw some Striders on the way and a friend from Uni - to see someone I knew was fantastic, I knew they were shouting just for me and it motivated me to keep going.

I can't remember seeing mile markers between 15 and 20 but that's when my 3rd cry came! I had promised myself I could walk from 8 miles to go so was relieved I'd run further than that. I still carried on be it at a slow shuffle. By 23 the pain in my knee had gone to my hip and ankle so had to walk. Even then I decided that a race walk (relaxed shoulders, bent arms and a bum wiggle!) would help hold myself more upright so get me round faster. This was a winning decision - I felt athletic and the response from the crowd was so supportive. One person assumed I'd race walked the whole distance, I felt like a pro!

By the last mile I was sobbing with joy continuously and waving sporadically. When I saw the "365 yards to go" sign I shed a sigh of relief and managed a painful jog over the line. I was overcome with relief and pride. I'd done it! Not only getting to the start but getting to the finish.

I was awarded my medal - it's really heavy! The given a hefty goody bag  and then I went to find my belongings. The baggage crew clapped as we all filed through and I got weepy again. A fellow runner was having a sob so I gave her a hug and started again! I found Tom and talked through the run, he was really proud and gave me a massive cuddle



Monday came and I was in pain - my back hurt when I shifted in bed, I think the twisting from race walking was to blame. I also had 2 plump blisters, bruised toe nails and sore legs. Anyone would think I'd run a marathon!

Blummin' awesome - thanks to everyone who's read my bogs, shared kind words when things got tough and supported with fund raising. To date, I have raised £400, which is well towards putting on a Mermaid programme for 10 girls. I'm dead happy about that. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

www.gofundme.com/minimermaids

3 weeks until race day!

Last long run: 18 miles
Longest stretch of unbroken night's sleep: 1
Running injuries: right knee - pain when weight baring
Excuses: none

So, it's officially taper time and I'm glad. My last long run was cut short due to searing knee pain and I couldn't even lift my leg up, I really hope it will be OK on they day.  I got to do 2 18 mile runs and one 20 mile run. I'm planning on swimming, doing pilates and core exercises to help as I think it's weakness in my hips that is the route cause of the pain.

I'm hoping it will all be worth if I can raise some money for Mermaids, we're putting on some great community projects, including free summer activities using local food donations to reduce food poverty over the summer holidays. Donate time or cash - every penny/minute helps masses.

www.gofundme.com/minimermaids

I've had some awesome long runs - snow, sun, friends and more snow! Each run I get my creative writing head on and have loads I want to say on my blog but then I get in and find myself torn between spending time with my family after being out for 3 hours and sitting at my computer. So sorry for not being a frequent blogger and charting the journey through my training as I'd intended. Here are some ideas I had to explore:

• Snow is good for seeing your foot strike
• Stopping breast feeding (Yey! and boo!)
• Coming close to being the parent you want to be
• Feeling selfish for wanting children
• Reassessing running goals (Just need to get to the start line)
• Looking into coaching courses - being a better coach
• Sugar addiction
• Strengthening check list - making core strength a routine
• Pre-running activation exercises
• Identity as me, not Mum

Reducing the pressure on myself for doing all the things I want to do has helped reduce my anxiety around not being good enough (parenting, runner, coach, friend, wife) and writing a list of the things I'd like to do (when I have the time) seems to help. 

So look out for future blogs comprised lists!

16 miles longest run & 12 weeks to go

Longest run - 16 miles
Niggles - right knee loss of drive & pain under the knee cap
Average full night's sleep - 4/7

So it turns out having two young children makes me feel like I have no time to write. In truth, I have time but my attention is taken away from writing (pilates, yoga, DIY, cooking & looking for a job etc) by the little ones. TBH, when they are asking you to play it's hard to say no! I've found the time to write mow because my parents have my children today - thank you, thank you, thank you! Getting a balance between childcare and satisfying the drive to be productive is an interesting one and different for all of us.

The 16 miler came as a surprise - I was due to do 12 miles but missed a turning. I was really happy to see I'd done 16 and not felt totally exhausted. It was also great being out around some lovely scenery and tackling some killer hills.

 
South Leeds Sisters is also going well - we have all pulled together to put on and promote a beginner course - check out the info: www.southleedssisters.com. We put on a (humble) stall in Leeds Market and thrust leaflets at all and sundry throughout the day.

Sally also wrote a piece for South Leeds Life - http://www.southleedslife.com/i-never-thought-happen/

We have 15 signed up and I really hope they come - we have all worked hard to talk to our friends and family about how much the group is welcoming, encouraging and a really gradual build up into running. It starts Monday 5th February, I have my fingers crossed!

10 miles on Ilkey Moor Bar t'at

So I met Sarah Smith (fellow Valley runner) outside the supermarket on Saturday night and casually mentioned I wanted to run 8 miles in the morning (upping my miles again therefore wanting to forget about time and just enjoy it) and she invited me along to a run on Ilkley Moor with Mike Ayers (Founder of North Leeds Fell Runners).

It was Fab! It was a sunny, frosty morning, Sarah picked me up at 7am and we were on the fell side for 8am (ish). As soon as Mike heard I was a relatively new comer to the lesser known trods of Ilkley Moor he got very excited. We bagged 3 checkpoints, a forest, Swastica stones, a plane wreckage and a decomposed sheep.

After 2 1/2 hours I'd gone 10 miles! What an achievement! We walked bits and jogged bits and talked lots. I miss the fells...and maybe more importantly to Strava users...my watch!

Despite the running world not being able to analyse my times & distance, my stress levels and sense of self logged every vista, sun beam and aimless conversation. I'd had a short (but passionate!) cry the night before and really valued time back in my old life - on the hills, no buggy, no nappies...no worries. I even got bored after 2 hours and opted for a shorter route home.

PECO this weekend - bring it on!

7 miles long run

After many weeks of blogging silence I'm ready to share again. Thank you to all the lovely people who stretched out a friendly, supportive hand over the last few weeks. It really boosted me. John (below - at the end of parkrun), shared his memories of life with two young children and was really honest and I have loved this about this blog; hearing about other's experiences which otherwise would have gone unheard.

Thanks to John for taking/talking me through the second half of my first 10K after the Holly Hustle defeat. I ran to the park (3m) and then did parkrun (3m) and was as pleased as punch to have done it.

I then ran a few times through the week and then did a 10k in just over 45 minutes - to say I was proud is an understatement...I still haven't shut up about it! It was a cold and sunny morning, a flat route with plenty of cheerful faces.

The best bit was meeting up with the South Leeds Sisters at the start and cheering them on along the route. For 2 days after I relished the nostalgic ache and heavy legs.

I had planned to be up to a 10 mile ling run by January but I'm a bit behind. I plan on running each day in December (even if it's only 20 minutes with the buggy) and that should help get me into the swing of things. My toddler has stopped napping so mid afternoon is being earmarked for training and I've dug out super warm pram suits to keep them both warm on my adventures.

7 miles for my log run this month...starting tomorrow!

Sorry

The storm has passed and I now regret having had a rant publically. My husband came off worst and I feel awful. It's not his fault I'm overwhelmed.

This is a fairly typical sight each morning (they're probably watching 'Hey Dougee'!) and I'm sorry I portrayed his support as anything less than round the clock devotion.

Neither of us have enough time or energy to do something for ourselves each day. We're both bogged down with toddler tantrums, potty training, poo-ey nappies, 3am feeds, tired infants, work (paid or unpaid), cooking and cleaning. We both miss running when we want, lie ins, popping out for a quick pint and having a bath in peace. I was too busy thinking about how hard it is and I forgot he's in it too.

Sorry x


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Holly Hustle - Holly shuffle

So the Hustle started well - the technical descent through the woods to Meanwood park was exhilarating and I got up some good speed.  As we went parallel to the stream I eased up into a nice pace but felt out of sorts. I managed to keep running for the next 15 minutes but as we descended down through to the bottom of the park & along the duck board bridge I felt tired. I started to walk. I kept running and walking, thinking that I'd walk as much as I needed and run when I could. The walking sections increased and it was harder and harder to run. My tummy felt sore, I needed the loo and I really needed a drink.

I'd had a headache the night before and dodgy tummy in the morning. I'd been encouraged to have a slice of toast but couldn't stomach much more than a glass of water & a cup of black tea.

Just before half way I decided to give it up as a bad job and started back for the finish - good job I new the area! I was proud of myself for deciding to turn back - it felt right, going on would have been an insult to injury. Safe as to say I spent the rest of the day in bed and bottle fed the little one.

There is always next year.