My Phedippidations World Wide Half Race Report

MY RIBBLE VALLEY HALF MARATHON
I’m ready. I’m trained. I’m focused. I’m running the streets and lanes of the Ribble Valley on my own today. It’s a strange feeling to get ready for a race and be the only one on the road, yet have the excitement and nerves internally like any other race morning.
I check the weather and see that it is perfect for a long run. There is slight misting rain, and temps are in the low 50sF with a very slight breeze.
I mentally remind myself of the route and my goal time. I know that running on my own I won’t have the physical pluses of focusing on other runners, but I will have over 1000 runners in my mind’s eye that have, will have or are doing their very best in their respective races. That along with the “shouts from the World” will carry my feet.
Any course that I select around here has hills, they just can’t be avoided. I start out in my little village with the first uphill. The air is refreshing, the misting rain comfortable and I am prepared with my waterproof and hat. Breathing is good as I reach the turnoff and the lovely downhill and flat to one of the duel carriage ways. Making a left I continue along coasting downhill and finish my first 5K in 38.25 with splits of: 13.00, 12:15, 12.05

The next 3 miles take me along a somewhat busy road with morning drivers and folks getting their papers at the shops along the route. I leave this to enjoy the road venturing off on to a side shoot that will allow me across the duel carriage way and into the more rural section of my course. My next 3 mile split is accomplished in 37:15 with miles done in 12:47, 12:20, 12:08.

I’m virtually on my own, little traffic along the loop into the countryside. The rain is a bit heavier now and there is a low misting of clouds out across the fields. The River Ribble is in view as I approach the level straight. I’m listening to the 2nd playing of the “shouts from the World” and Blacklab’s great song kicks in and pushes me through the fatigue I’m starting to feel. My breathing is good, my pace steady and mile 9 sees me complete this section in 39:28. My splits are 13:29, 13:30 12:29 (thanks to BLACKLAB)

Now the more difficult uphill section back to the main road. Legs are tired, breathing a bit laboured. I take my first walk break to get my stamina back. My SIS sport drink keeps me fuelled and start running again. I’m approaching mile 10 and mobile rings; it’s my hubby checking on my progress. He’s a great encouragement and tells me how great I’m doing. Phone call over and still going uphill. Finally I’m making the turn onto the main road and a bit more even ground. I know this straight stretch so well; I’ve run it countless times. I pick up speed and know that the rest of the way is a clear shot to the finish. I hit mile 12 with a time of 43:02 for that section and splits of 15:21, 14:17, 13:24.

Now it’s my final push, I’m tired; I’m running this distance faster than I have run it alone. All I need to do is just breath, pace, and relax. I’m crossing the main road to the lay-by that will take me down the short hill to the finish. I’m continuing to pick up pace. I’m watching my time, I can see the finish. No cars, no dog walkers just me crossing my PWWH finish line. I stop my watch and see that mile 13 was done in 12:27 and that very last .10 mile in 55sec.

I shut off my watch and I am really happy to have finished in 2:50:35. Not the fastest half marathon I have run, BUT it is THE fastest half marathon distance I have run by myself. I was 1:44 faster than the First PWWHM and that WAS during a scantioned race. (Not mentioning the 15K hilly trail race I ran the day before!!) I walk up to the corner bakery and phone my husband with the results. He’s applauds me and offers to come and pick me up. I ask him to bring the camera and my REGO after race drink. I continue walking a bit further and then while waiting I am surprised by my running friend and “marathon training advisor” out on her Saturday long run. She stopped and congratulated me on my results. My husband arrived and captured the moment. We wished her safe running as she left to complete her 18 mile run. A great finish line moment shared with my two great running supporters.

I will remember this day with fondness, and pride. Thank you to Steve R, and everyone who made this event so fun.

MY P'dip WWH

There it is! My course. It's a mix of both somewhat busy roads and countryside. I've run all of it at different times and different finish distances. I have planned the course so I have some nice downhills, straight stretches, a long incline 2/3 of the way and then a 2.5 straight to an exhilerating finish.

Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon Awaits

It's crunch time! My PWWHMC is only days away and I'm still seeking THE route I want to use. Not being able to do an official race I am going to use the beautiful Ribble Valley, Lancashire Uk as my course. There are so many roads I have run down in these past couple of years that I am perplexed as to which ones to pick. I'll need to have this finalized within two days to give myself mental preparation time. I will add a post with my decided course before Saturday 14 October, my official PWWHMC day.

I know that it will be my energy, my steam, my motivation that gets me around my route. There won't be any signs, any people cheering my name. It will be a lonely 13.1 miles on my own. That is why I am thankful to the Phedippidations Podcast that will carry me along. The shouts of encouragement will help me to focus and "feel" the energy of others on this trek. I may be running alone, but I know I am not alone.

Another PB! Another Coniston Trail Challenge!

The Lake District in Cumbria is massive. I have only seen a very small part of it, but find it wonderful. The hills or should I call them mountains or fells, rise up all around and surround you. On a day like the 7 October it was perfect weather to spend a day exploring the majesty of the area. I did so by competing in the third annual Coniston Trail Challenge/Race event. The start was at the Historic Coniston Hall which sits on the beautiful Coniston Water.

I had prepared intensely for this race and the others in the Lakeland Trail Series. I was familiar with this course as I had participated in the previous two. It would be tricky going in several places but I knew what my goal was: to see how far I could get before the faster participants in the Trail Race caught up with me. I also wanted to finish before my good friend Linda who was in the Race. I wanted to snap a photo of her coming to the finish.

The day was clear, warm, and felt like late summer rather than October. The first part was through the small village of Coniston and I felt good, that was until we started the assent on the gravel road up towards the trail head. It was steep going for two miles and at one part I thought I would loose my balance, but good shoes and hill training kept me moving forward, even if it was hands on my knees kind of forward.

I really enjoy the trail when it opens up and I can get a good run. I felt like a goat jumping over rocks and dodging puddles. The views were not disappointing. I felt good and my breathing was strong. As the time approached the 1 hr 23 minute mark I kept my senses keen as I was anticipating the sound of fast approaching foot strikes. None appeared. I ran through the shale quarry without having to give way to any racer. It was great getting beyond where I was overtaken the past two years. It wasn't until the 10K mark when I heard the lead runner closing in on me. I gave way and shouted a "Well Done" as he flew past.

From that point on I knew that I would need to keep alert and be able to step aside for these faster competitors. Still I kept my pace up, enjoyed the well deserved downhills to the lake side and the run to the finish. with only 3 minutes left to the end I was overtaken by one of the racers I had driven up with. However, as I crossed the finish line in 2:13:33 I had arrived before Linda and hurried to find our cameras. It was then I saw her approaching the line. I wasn't able to get a picture of her before her finish, but I did get one as she was processed through the finish funnel.

The real bonus of this fantastic day was watching UK running legend, Ron Hill finish the race and get a photo taken with him. It was almost as good as my 17 minute PB from last year!

I'm Running at the Lakes Again!

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Wanderings

I'm really behind on my postings but here is today's run. More to follow

Why I ran today

It's another wet, windy morning. Supposed to be summer, but I think it looks more like March or April. I can see the clouds moving quickly past and they look low. I'm thinking...do I REALLY want to go out in that? Don't I want to stay inside instead? I could crawl back into bed, take a nice nap and just do a by on the run.

See, that's my all or nothing attitude. I planned to run 10 miles for my long run. Looking out at the skies I am making up all kinds of excuses of why 10 miles is NOT a good number on a wet, rainy, wind blown day like today. The list of why not to run is getting to about my elbow, when my husband's voice nudges me out of my self indulgent attitude. He simply says, "why don't you just run less miles?" Geezeee...that is such a simple thought. Why didn't I think of that.

Because, I was in do the 10 or nothing mind set. I was focusing on all or not at all! Now what would be my reason to not get out there!? Nothing. I agreed with him, saw the wisdom in it and put aside mental elbow long list, and laced up.

I'm really glad that I did get out there. The rain had stopped, the wind was still brisk, but felt good, and the run went well. Along my route I came upon 2 other women who I had spoken with about a year ago out on another run. We were going in opposite directions but we stopped to talk. They had been in the Preston 10K on Sunday and remembered me from that and our previous run/talk. It was great learning that they both had run the London UK Marathon in April, were now both club members/committee members and were planning more races. It was like talking with old school mates after years of not seeing them. We were all running the same loop this morning and would pass again later on but we said we would just keep on running as to keep our momentum going.

If I had crawled back to sleep this morning I would have missed a wonderful chance encounter with two other running women. If I had kept that all 10 miles or no miles attitude I would have missed out on the 600 calorie expenditure, the feel good buzz feeling I still have hours after finishing and all that I saw and mentally captured while out on the road.

I'm glad I got out there and ran today.. I just feel better for it.

Preston 10K Race Report

The race was in the City of Preston and was a full morning of races. It startd with a "fun run" of 2k distance, then the longer race of 10K followed by the 5K.

The 10K started promptly at 10am with a field of 714 finishers. It was an overcast but cool morning with temps around 56F. Perfect running condtions. Four of my co-members of the Women's Running Network were there and we exchanged well wishes as we gathered in the start area. I positioned myself near the right side of the pack and after a stumble like start we thinned out as we quickly moved along the streets.

My Garmin was a great help as it showed me that I was going too fast starting out and needed to slow a bit. I wanted to conserve a bit of energy as I approached the later miles. I wore my Bosco's Buddies shirt and my orange Asics DS Racers, they always make me feel like I can run faster in those, and for some odd reason I usually do.

Once we finished the loop and a half through the city centre the entrance to the riverside park was a very nice change of scenery. Long straight tree-lined stretches were where I was able to test the stamina and endurance from my speed sessions. I was pleased to see that I was able to pass several women and was determined to stay ahead of them.

The exit from the park was the uphill that felt so great to run down, now causing strain to my legs. Once clearing that obsticle it was back to the city streets and a half mile to go. I could see three women ahead of me that were slowing and with my added push I was determined to catch and pass them. On the final downhill I ticked two off my list and with my sights set on claiming the third one I kept my focus on the slight uphill before me. She decided to walk to ease her exhertion so with my running push I passed her on the incline. That was job done, now it was to keep an eye on my time and claim that personal best that waited at the finish line beyond the last turn and the straight ahead. I saw my husband and heard him shout words of encouragement as he could see I was running a PB time. Now the clock took focus ahead of me and as it counted ever so close to the next minute I surged forward and sprinted to the end. Elated I set a new record of 1:10:50 a very nice 1:08 faster than my previous time for the 10K distance back in 2005. I am very pleased encouraged by my speed sessions that I believe had an effect on my stamina for this race.

July is here

July has now happened and my week was a low mileage week due to some family matters. I did get out with the Women's Running Network on Tuesday for a really nice off road session. With all the rain there were parts on the fields where boots would have been useful. The tempo run on Wednesday went to plan and the 6.2 miles were again filled with vapour trials on the flats. With personal matters taking up running time that was all until Sunday. (see next post for race report.)

Wraping up June

It's now July, the weather is warm, the sun blazing, the breezes warm and suntans are glowing. Well, all I can say to that is Yep it is July, but it's been raining almost every day since the month started. That makes training a bit wet and with the wind, it has felt like we are back in March or maybe just skipped on over to October.


Anyway, not time for a weather report, time to get updated with what has been going on with the running. Picking up from after that great soggy run on 25 June, I spent Tuesday sick from a cold. Could it be I was running in the pouring rain, or not getting warm enough right after finishing that caused the lovely cold/flu? It knocked me out and had to spend the day recovering. But, couldn't keep a good woman down and I was back out on Wednesday, again in the rain, trying to get a 5.5 mile run accomplished. However, getting tired of 3 downpours in the time I was out there, I decided to just head on home and dry out.

It was time for another speed session so on Thursday 28 June I headed out for a really good tempo run of 8.5 miles. It was like letting the carbon out through my shoes on the flats. I wanted to test all engines and see just how my endurance was for a mile or two. I was surprised to find that my breathing and endurance got me through the first flat part very well. I regained my stamina on the inclines to the next flat and then picked my speed up again. My confidence was growing and I could see how these sessions were enabling me to keep my pace for longer faster distances.

I needed a rest day and Friday fit nicely. Then up early and over to the Sweatshop in Chorley for a Ladies Day. About 50 women participated and I really enjoyed the on/off road run of 4.5 miles. We passed along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, dodging rain drops as we went. I really enjoy the off road parts as it is a great change of scenery.

Where is Summer?

June is getting away from me! Geezeee.....and it doesn't even feel like summer. The weather has been something out of March, with the rain, and the wind, and the did I mention rain? and then the needing long sleeve weather...and then the rain. OK.. enough on that. Time to relate how the running is going.

Not going to call it official training yet, as that will kick up soon enough. This is still supposed to be run for fun before the training begins. The fun type of runs have been putting some serious miles on my shoes. My feet, once groomed and beautiful and all that stuff, have long ago turned into the feet of a long distance runner. So I do have to be careful with the necessary bandages, Vaseline slathered over the dry bits, the right socks with the right shoes.

Looks like this entry is another summation of my last 2 plus weeks of runs. I've managed to get some longer distances in and my endurance is still there. The week of 10 June I totalled 26.45 miles with a nice long run of 8.35 miles on that Saturday. It was one of the hot days we were teased with. I upped my mile the following week so that by the 17 June I had clocked a disappointing 24.62 miles. Mainly due to the horrific winds and rain of Thursday and Friday. During the Saturday long run of 10.02 miles I tried a new route and that change of scenery really helped to keep me focused and enjoy the run even more.

With the lower totals of the past two weeks I was determined to make the next week a more concerted effort to run no matter. Pleased to have run 33 miles o weeks end of 24 June. Just a mere 4 miles short of my projected total. I topped the week with a very nice 11.01 long run on Saturday. My stamina is good but I had times during that where my legs were so tired and my breathing was laboured. The tempo run on Thursday was a real boost. I choose a route that allowed me a 2 mile flat and then later on another mile flat where I could test myself with speed and endurance. I was able to keep the pace at a nice high rate for that distance.

Where I run is hard to accurately measure my capabilities because of all the hills I run. No option for me as once I have run down from the village at some point I will have to go up to return. To have these intervals/pace runs where I can see my speed really boosts my confidence. It helps me to see improvements I have made and realize that I have gotten quicker.

So that brings me to today, 25 June and a rainy, windy, overcast morning run. It was a short recovery run of 3.55 miles that I totally enjoyed with a neighbour. We got soaking wet from the conditions but it was good of her to agree to go out with me. Since most of my runs are by myself it was great to share this with another person, and be able to offer some encouragement. It was a good start to the week. I am aiming for a 36 mpw total.

What Goes Up...

Definitely a spring wanting to be summer day. Warm for a run and humid as well, but when running a slower pace it makes it all do-able. Ran on of my favourite routes, 10K distance, with a nice coasting down hill after the mile uphill. I'll have two more uphills before the nice .2 miles to home.

Can't get around the hills here, I just know that any of my runs will be finishing on the uphill. I think one of the rewards of running to me are the views I get to admire when cresting the first incline. The buttercups golden in the high grass being nibbled on by the horses. Cows/Bulls ripping like lawn mowers the shorter grass in the next field. The sheep in the next field have had their wool shaved off and with their big eyes stare at me as I run past. I'm laughing as I make eye contact with one and it's as if it is saying, "I know, I know, just don't stare!!"

The legs are feeling stronger and after listening to a podcast(more about that on another post) I switch to music to finish the run at a little quicker pace. Knowing that I have a longer run in the morning I planned this as a bit slower.

Trying too hard

It's another slip sliding away kind of days for me. The best of good intentions thinking. Of wanting to do things a certain way and finding out that it's just not getting done. So here I am again playing catch up. So many miles I have covered since I last wrote.

No excuses, naddy gonna go there. Just putting the words down and making this simple. Sure I want the nice pics and the great layout, but I'm new to all of this and I'm needing to do it simple. Trying too hard keeps me from writing anything.

Now, back to the running and how it's been going. I'm looking at week totals of over 30 miles now and at times the IT Band on my right leg aches and the piriformis muscle again on my right side kills. Seems to kick in at about 6+ miles so lots of stretches is necessary. Week ending May 27 took me up to 36.57 miles and that is the highest to date. Plans were to get up to that level and be ready for the Garburn trail race on June 3. Plans have a way of changing.

My husband hurt his back and the trip was off. My miles that week were low anyway due to a trip down London way to visit one of my children on a layover. Lots of walking but no running. Miles for week ending June 3 were a miserable 9.7!

So now the miles are getting there. Went out for an evening run on Monday 4 June and enjoyed the 10K distance and had so missed the running I needed a fix. Tuesday night was the Women's Running Network night and the off road run was great. The evening was mild and we mixed the surfaces up to include grass, dirt paths, road, and a bit of trail. Although the distance was only 3.25 miles it seemed longer due to the change of terrain.

That brings me to mid week and The Race For Life./a>
I had a great time, ran my feet off, and finished hand in hand with a neighbor who I had encouraged to participate. This was our third year running together and my fourth year participating. This is where I caught the run bug and just went on from that distance to now be a Marathoner!

The distance was not the advertised 5K but was short; 2.42 miles. Even with the race being spread over 2 nights we still had 1,5000 women participating last night. There were bottle necks and slower women to get passed, but the evening was perfect. It feels good to do something like that for a worthy cause. This is the only 5K I run and the only other charity I run for.


Today Thursday 7 June was to be a run day, but due to sleep deprived me, I've switched it with Friday, tomorrow. I chose to take the dogs out for a nice evening walk. It was good for the three of us.

Evaporating

Time, that elusive thing that I wish I had more of and never seem to hold on to. I look at my last entry and realize I need to catch up. I don't want this to be a good intentions gone a stray. However, just as time evaporates so do the details of things if not written down. At least that is how my mind works, or should I say, doesn't work.

So to keep myself true to this blog and my cause I will pull back from my memory the past week's running. I'm slowly increasing my miles to reach a level of around 35 miles per week before I start serious marathon training in July. Last week my total was 17.75 miles and this week I'm finishing off at 24.28 miles.

On Thursday 10 May I had a most enjoyable almost 10k run with quite a few hills thrown in for good measure. My legs are still recovering a bit and I do feel some soreness on the uphills in my thighs, but with lots of stretching I'm working them out.

Saturday 12 May was great to get out early and find the quiet of running down some of the back roads a change from the busy major roads. I can't seem to escape the busy roads as I wait to cross over after descending from the village. My breathing is good, but I find that only after 2.5 miles my legs are getting tired and my stamina is weakening. I find myself walking for a minute or two and collect my thoughts and remind my body that I am only running around 6 miles and can find the strength to pick up the pace. The feet listen and off I am again. The final run up the hill to home feels good and I actually have the same pace as Thursday for a shorter distance.

Sunday 13 May is something different. The Women's Running Network that I also belong to has organized a morning run. It's to be off road and out in the countryside. I am so looking forward to this change of scene and the group run. Just about all of my running is solo so having the opportunity to run with others is a nice change. The run originates in the small village of Scorton and takes in some country roads as well as public footpaths through the fields. There are about 15 of us with various skill levels. We run in the shade of a river bed, out in open farmer's fields making sure the livestock keep well away. I'm loving wearing my trail shoes again. It's been too long since they got mucked up! The distance is about 5.5 miles and we finish it off with a downhill to the village and gather in the local tea shop for a morning pickup.

Looking over the week it was an enjoyable mix of running places, surfaces and time of day. My body is still reminding me to not over do, to keep slowly bringing the miles up but take those rest days as needed. I do plan rest into my weeks to give these sometimes over used muscles a bit of recovery time.

Finding the time to get the runs in each day, each week don't seem to be a problem. I am now just so used to getting out there and enjoying myself. It's the writing the experiences down that seems to elude me. Therefore, my next blog will be the catch up of another week. I don't want the memories to evaporate any further.

Turning It Around

So much can happen in the span of a few minutes. The best laid plans can be blown apart like leaves scattered in a fierce wind. My plans for Tuesday were to run with the Women’s Group. A nice change of pace from my usual solitary training runs. I look forward to the social as well as recreational side to these evenings.

All looked great for getting to the meeting location in plenty of time, until…..
It seems that when it hits spring around here that’s the signal for just about every road to be ripped apart causing traffic delays. That’s what befell me and the over a mile long line of slowly moving cars made it obvious that I would not make the start time for the run.

Returning to home was the plan, and that is what I did. It would have been so easy to just leave the run for the next day, settle in for the evening and call the entire night a wash. I was tempted, but with my husband’s encouragement I went out for a run of my own.

The rain had eased, the air was fresh and the temps were cool. It was 7:30pm once I got going and the evening had the start of a golden glow. The girl football teams were having a practice match on the upper field and the valley on the other side of the road had a smokiness from the evening clouds.

The run was quick, a 5k, my legs felt strong, and my breathing relaxed and focused. No other runners were out. I was surprised at the stamina and buzz even on the uphill. The last dash home was an all out burst. It was a great evening to be running. I’m really glad that despite the disappointment at the start of the evening, it all turned around for a great end.

Voices That Carry

It's a Bank Holiday Monday today and that means no work. The clouds are allowing the sun a bit of room but just a bit to not make it totally a cotton wool sky. Traveling light today with just my watch and iPod. Keeping the music a tad lower to let my mind slip in and out of the miles and not let the music determine all of my pace.
This is a more relaxed run of 4 miles around very familiar roads. Traffic is light and my mind drifts to thinking about people. I recall an editoral in one of the runner's mags about how when at the London Marathon Expo the Editor was offering the mag at a discount to folks. He was struck by the many who refused the offer by saying, "I'm not an athlete".
There was a time when I didn't consider myself an athlete. Well, to be honest, for a very LONG time I didn't consider myself an athlete. Ya see, my concept of an athlete was one of those speed demons and gangly legged men and women I had wached on the sports shows on Sunday afternoon TV as a kid. They were the ones on the Olympics who were pushing themselves toward perfection. I didn't look like them, have the same drive as they, or attained anywhere near the same level of achievement, or even have the outward conscious desire to. My mind told me I wasn't an athlete.
But all of that changed. Sometime during those first few months of running back in 2004 I became an athlete. I no longer listened to those voices in my mind saying how I didn't match up to the perceived image of an athlete. I began setting goals, training for races, and pushing myself further to reach even newer goals. Now I say to those who question if I fit the definition; a person trained in exercises requiring physical strength, skill, stamia, speed, Yes, I AM an athlete.
Those kids on the Marathon courses that want to high 5 us runners coming by see us as athletes, no matter what our speed. They want to be a part of what we are doing, they want for an instant to feel what we are feeling. Their cheers are the voices we carry along with us. We have our own voices within that push, scream, cry, encourage us to the finish line. When we finish we have that subtle voice that tells us, well done, now lets go do it again real soon.

Running With Wings

This was my first longish run since The London Marathon. I was looking forward to getting out, putting some good tunes on and seeing how my legs have recovered.
Where I live I have no choice but to run hills. This medium size village sits atop one. So even if I start on a downhill I will have to run up to get home. Same goes for running up the hill, home is up. But, part of the run is flat and that is where cruise control sets in.
Today temps were in the high 50s and a cloud cover when I got out shortly after 9am. I headed up the mile long hill to catch some of the sites out over the valley. My legs were feeling strong, not many out even at this time on a Saturday.
Breathing was excellent and I seemed to find a bit of spring in the step as I greeted the lambs in the fields close still to their moms. The horses weren't yet out, but the cattle were still in repose in the upper fields. Then it's the downhill bit to the more congested footpaths of the shops. I shortcut behind them to avoid traffic and then Heather Small kicks in on my iPod. PROUD sends shivers and chills to my soul/my spirit and I begin to relive London two weeks earlier.
I see the red laces in my shoes, I hear her voice again as it played while I was awaiting my start in the blue area. I smile outwardly and something inside soars. My feet feel lighter, my breath seems less of an effort. Another hill in front of me doesn't seem as steep as other days. I crest the hill, I hit replay and keep running to her anthem of achievement and I sing along.
This training is what today makes me proud. I feel my soul ascending, I step out of me, I realize that I am doing things that I never ever imagined. Where has it come from? A desire to be more than I ever imagined? A goal realized? I don't know, but I today I run as if I have wings on my feet. I am a streak, a flash, a ribbon of energy. I am flying!

A warrior, a runner, an athlete

I'm starting this blog anew. Watch this space