Bad Blogger

OK I think we can agree I am crap at blogging and keeping things up to date! I must get better at this. Anyway here I am!

Marathon Training Week 1

So this week has brought challenges in the sense of illness for all of us, which then impacted my training plan and runs needed to be moved. Janathon has appeared to died a death in my life. I have been moving every day yes! With either running, walking to work or yoga I am keeping to the bargain. but blogging about it seems to be difficult. I have signed up for Jantastic too which I am completing very well. Committed to 3 runs a week throughout January and so far I have achieved that. So Jantastic and Janathon are working along side each other. Hoping to find more time this week to blog as I get my head around everything that is happening in my life!

So lets start off with marathon training. It was a good start to the week. Monday = REST DAY! :) So apart from my tiny walk to work I did naff all! Stretched, rested and it felt great. I wasn't feeling too sore after my long run on Sunday so had a smug feeling about me Monday. It was a good day.
Tuesday I arranged to go for a run with a friend which I really enjoyed. The only downside was running in the evening. My stomach really doesn't like the evenings so stitch was a common feature throughout but having a friend to chat and laugh with really helped get me through :)
Wednesday I was meant to cross train, but not having access to a car is difficult and I didn't get to the gym. So it was more stretching, a short walk to work and some yoga.
Thursday was meant to be a morning run. Alarm went off but I was shattered. I decided sleep was important and I could run in the evening when I got home. However, F was poorly in the evening so the run didn't happen.
Friday was meant to be a rest day but I got up and ran, as I had missed my run on Thursday. Having been up loads in the night with F I debated going but thought it was best as I really didn't want to miss a run this week.
Saturday ended up being another rest day. I started feeling ill myself on Saturday so decided to rest before my long run on Sunday...actually thinking about it I failed Janathon Saturday! Uh oh! Well I was ill and I needed to rest. Saturday night resulted in a quick midnight trip to the docs with F was his temp rocketed and wouldn't go down. So another bad nights sleep and constant worrying (like all us mothers do when our little ones are poorly) I wasn't sure if Sunday's run was even going to happen.
Well today is Sunday and F is feeling fine, as he has been during the day all week, just night times he is bad...its typical ;) We were all up much later due to our early hours outing. I set off out for a 6 mile run walk. 10 mins running 2 mins walking and felt pretty good. Well apart from the cold and sore throat which did play havoc with me mentally, but physically I felt good.

So in a nut shell this have been my week:

Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Slow 3 miles
Wednesday -Yoga
Thursday -Rest
Friday - Easy 3 miles
Saturday - Rest (Unwell)
Sunday - Run/Walk 6 miles

It's not perfect. I would have liked to have done some cross training and disappointed with myself I didn't do any strength training but this has been the first week I have properly been training. It was the first week of my marathon training plan and I completed all the runs. OK the other bits were hit and miss but I completed the runs. So I am focusing on the positive. I feel like I have a lot of excuses for why things didn't get done but they aren't excuses, its just life. These are the challenges I face. Its no ones fault at F has been ill, I've been ill and M has been ill as well. F comes first so sometimes training may suffer. That is something I have already accepted.

Week 1 down, 15 to go until Milton Keynes Marathon!

There are lots of other exciting things happening in life which I am going to leave to another blog post. This one can be dedicated to running and Marathon Training. Also M has just made some lovely homemade rolls and I'm starving! Off for some soup and roll :)

#Janathon Day 8

Today was the start of my marathon training plan and I was starting on a long run. A 6 mile run walk. I decided to do 10mins running and 2 mins walking. This seemed sensible giving me enough time to warm up and get into a run and then recovery time. I have been having problems with my left knee since having F and its been rearing its head again recently. I think this is down to increasing my runs too quickly. After my 7mile run on Boxing Day my knee really suffered. I can easily run 6miles as I have completed two 10ks, but the furthest I had been in training was 5 miles.

To get into running I started run walking, mainly to help me with my knee, and it worked wonders. I was able to build up fitness, endurance and slowly get my knee used to the new impact of running..strange to think this was nearly a year ago. My mum also completed a marathon in 4hr 25min run walking while she was recovering from shin splints. So run walking my long runs seems to be a good idea. It was also recommended as part of the runners world sub 5hr marathon training plan which I have mainly taken on. (A few tweaks to meet where I am at.) So I think all of my long runs and probably my marathon are going to be done using the run walk method.

So back to today's run. I woke up at 7.30am to find F was still sleeping. (This is very unusual. He is a 6am early riser!) I went in to check he was ok (Que mother panic moment!) and he was fine. I decided to come and enjoy a little pre-run snack in peace. I thought getting up would disturb him, it usually does...but not today. I had my usual peanut butter on toast and a banana and started charging my ipod, guzzling some water and setting up my garmin. F woke up about 8.30am so I then needed to sort his breakfast, then clean him and get him changed and dressed. M was still in bed not feeling well, so I made him tea and toast which he ate in bed and then I got ready to set off for my run. (That was my mummy bit done!)

The first 10/2 was good. I felt a little achy but that's normal when I start off, usually takes until I am 2miles in to start feeling good. On the second interval my shins were hurting but this quickly disappeared by the third interval I was greeted with stitch...a sign my core doesn't like me! By the fourth interval I was feeling great and I really enjoyed the fourth and fifth interval. During the runs I was able to maintain a good pace of 10.30 min mile. The 2 min recoveries really made the difference and it helped me stay fresh, positive and I felt great when I got home. Stretched off straight away, F came and jumped on me when I was lying down which is usual! Adds a challenge I must admit and I am still feeling pretty good now. Expecting to feel achy tomorrow as this is my first long run since Boxing Day but all in all a great positive start. I was slightly unsure if run walking would work, but I really shouldn't have doubted it. Next run is Tuesday, just a slow and steady 2-3 miles. Hoping my legs will be up for that!

I was really pleased to see that my average pace throughout my run was 11:19. If I would maintain this through the marathon I would reach my sub 5hr goal. However I would need to keep that pace up for another 20miles...hmmm the thought is a little frightening, but I have 16 weeks worth of training to get there. Its a positive thought.

Afternoon of mummy roast and maybe I need to think about our wedding at some point...got a bit scared last night when I realised how much we still need to do and that invites need to be sorted soon. And my wedding dress is coming in next month! Also need to get looking at my pre-study OU booklet as my course will be starting in 3 weeks time. I have a lot going on, I'm not sure how I am going to do it all. Getting stressed...need to stop thinking!

Time for lunch and some Tea :)

MK Marathon...

Oh go on then! ;)

I had always said MK Marathon just seemed too close and I didn't want to do it. So I was planning on completing MK Half and then having a go at New Forest Marathon later on in the year so I could prepare myself more. That was until I attended David Lloyd Redway Runners marathon clinic earlier this week.

I went along to help me prepare for what was in store after my half mara. I had no idea really what I would be letting myself in for. Well I had some kind of idea as my parent's take part in Ironman for fun (seriously, crazy people!) So marathons kind of seemed 'normal' to me. But I knew I needed to learn more about what it was going to take.

Milton Keynes was sold to me by Andy Hully the race director. The story of how Milton Keynes Marathon came to be made me fall in love with it. I love Milton Keynes. Its my home town. The route seems lovely, no travelling, so many friends and family to take part so I won't feel lonely, and friends and family can support so easily. Also next year I just don't know what my running plans will be. After my wedding comes moving house and decisions about more children. I just don't know if Milton Keynes Marathon is going to be on the agenda for next year. Anyway I just got a buzz from the whole thing so Milton Keynes Marathon is my new goal with MK Half becoming part of my training!

So 16 weeks to go the training begins! My training plan is taking a complete u-turn as a marathon is just a different ball game. I am slightly frightened I have to be honest, but I am surrounded by people who I know can help me. My parent's for one are always great for support and advice. They are also training for Milton Keynes Marathon and Outlaw Triathlon. Mental people but very supportive and I wouldn't even be considering doing Milton Keynes Marathon if it wasn't for them.

So back to training, yes...Its going to be tough but I think I am handle it. I have my training plan ready, I am prepared to hurt a little and feel a little out of my depth for a while but I know I'm not alone :) I am prepared to miss training days or take an extra cross training day if my body tells me to f**k off. I am very worried about injury but I think my taking it slow, listening to my body and being prepared to maybe take some extra rest days here or there I should be alright.

Targets for Milton Keynes Marathon...well I just want to finish really, but being as competitive as I am I really wand sub 5hrs. I think this is a realistic target. This a steady pace of 11.30 minute mile pace. Doesn't sound much but I am still frightened at the thought of maintaining that for 5hrs! So pleased I know people running it with me. I feel I will need those people at some point. I probably chat with people I don't even now. Having read many Ironman race reports of my mum, it appears a good gossip during an endurance is a must! So I will be keeping this in mind ;)

I have decided dieting will have to stop. I need my energy. I am now maintaining my weight, though with marathon training if I am eating right I should lose half a stone...or so I am told ;) So not dieting but still making sure I am getting a healthy balanced diet so I can handle these long wrongs and this intense training. Sport massage I think will become a must...any volunteers?! ;)

I'm not sure if the madness has kicked in yet, or the realisation of what I have done. As my training takes off I am sure I will have highs and lows.

Marathon running mummy. Some how I will fit this into my life. I want my photo of me and F with my finishers medal :) That's the goal, now for the journey.... Wish me luck!

Reflecting on a tough year

Ok I know we still have 12 days of 2011 but the next 12 days are going to go by in a blur! So I am reflecting on my year now thinking of the changes and challenges I will set myself for 2012.

2011 has been a very up and down year. I started the year pregnant! It wasn’t something I made very public as it was a massive shock. I found out about this time last year. Kind of forgot I was meant to have periods! I was busy being a mum and the shock of being pregnant I found hard to take. I was going back to work in January as well after having F and felt rather embarrassed about the thought of going back to work pregnant! Xmas last year was a bit of a gloomy time. I knew my wedding need to be moved again as the due date was looking like my wedding day (What are the chances!) and I was worrying how my body would cope. I was still recovering from c-section.

Within a week of being back at work I had my 12 week scan and it was the worst day of my life. After struggling to come to terms with being pregnant again, worrying about how I would cope physically, emotionally and financially I was faced with what every mother dreads. A pregnancy which wasn’t meant to be. I was crushed. Both me and M struggled to come to terms with that has happened for a long time. I needed an operation, time to recover at home and time away from work. Going back again afterwards was extremely difficult. I don’t even know how I got through it! I think I just went by in a daze, not really dealing with what happened to me. F was only 7 months old at this point and luckily had just started sleeping through the night really well. But this was my first month of 2011. 2011 was meant to be the year I was getting married, then I thought I would be having another baby. My February 2011 I had nothing to look forward too. So I booked a holiday with some friends for the August. Something positive to look forward too.

Within 2 days of my miscarriage operation I joined weight watchers. I was 11st and wanted to get back into shape. I needed to throw myself into something and find some kind of purpose again. By about March time I was thinking about running. It was on my mind. I had struggled with running soon after having F and it had put me off. But it was coming back to me again, I wanted to work towards something. So in March I started a run walk program.

I have mentioned throughout my blog that it took me a long time work through my run walk program. But running really gave me a focus. The weight was coming off well and I could see my running was improving. By April I had applied for a new job closer to home which I started in early May. Running was going really well, my new job was wonderful and challenged me in new ways, and I met some wonderful people. Things were really positive. F started with a local childminder who I instantly trusted and he became much happier. He has always been happy but I had struggled with being a working mum. I was starting to find my balance. I decided to give weight watchers a back seat and focus on my running. I was planning to train for a 10K race and start taking part in my local Parkrun.

By the middle of the year I was feeling really positive. I had come through something extremely difficult and I felt like I was coping really well. F turned 1 early June but sadly a week after his 1st birthday my Great Grandma died.

This really was a shocker! It was expected and I just assumed my Great Grandma would always be here! I have some lovely last memories of her at F’s first party, and I was so pleased F received a first birthday card which was signed from his Great Great Grandma! The Xmas before we had also had a 5 generations photo taken and my Great Grandma was the happiest I had seen her in years. She was ready to go, but I don’t think any of us were ready to let her go. This was the first time I was having to deal with death and I had my first funeral to go to.

I was a mess again for about a month, but M and staying focused on my running really helped. Also some wonderful supportive friends in my new work place really helped me get through that difficult time. I don’t think many of them realise it, but they really made a difference.

M then hurt his ankle at the end of June. Badly hurt his ankle. This meant that the holiday we had booked as something positive after the miscarriage had to be cancelled. We were gutted. Again morale was low, but some how we picked ourselves up and carried on.

From August until now running has been my main focus. Parkrun has become a local event I look forward too. I have run two 10K’s and I have half marathon’s, 10K’s and even a marathon next year!

When I look back at this time last year I couldn’t have pictured myself where I am now. Its been a very up and down year. I feel like at times I have neglected friends and family as my mind has been in a bad place. I know I have been very self involved at times, but it’s what I have had to do to help me recover from what’s happened. I have some wonderful friends who have helped me through some very difficult times, some amazing family and a wonderful little boy who is the light of my life. And M This has been hard year for both of us, but he is my rock.

The miscarriageis still very raw even nearly 1 year on. Its something I haven’t discussed much publically and its something I do still struggle to think about. Its become easier to come to terms with. But its something which will stay with me for a long time yet. It wasn’t meant to be, that’s fine. Its lead me to accomplish many other things this year. I won’t let it define me as a person, but its a big part of my life which helped me grow, recover, reflect and become stronger.

To end the year I have Xmas to look forward too and my Dad is getting married. Still many good memories to come from this year I hope. I don’t have many worries. 2012 is going to be an eventful year! Our wedding, all my races and thinking about moving house towards the end of the year. Not to mention F venturing to the terrible 2′s


2011 was tough but it was needed to help me grow.

Runny Mummy

Hello

This blog is an insight into my life. Being a working mummy and embarking on a running jounery. My first post is going to be about running, and how I became a ‘Running Mummy’.

Since having my Son F 16months ago, running have become a big part of my life. I started to run when I realised I had 3 stone left to lose after having F! I have low body confidence, and running was something I had started just before I fell pregnant. With my mum and step-father being Ironman Triathletes and my Fiance M a competent runner I decided this was something I wanted to be part of. I thought of F too and decided I wanted him to have healthy influences in his life. So running came back to me.

This was back in October 2010 I decided I wanted get back into running. I found myself a running plan and set out to get fit. What I encountered was painful, shocking and could have completely put me off. I ran too soon after having F. I suffered badly with my knees. I was in agonising pain for 3 weeks and I remember sitting at home and crying because it was just so painful to walk. With a 4month old and broken sleep I was starting to feel like a failure. I went and spoke with a doctor who was a wonderful lady. What she told me surprised me and I wish I had been told it sooner. It takes your body 9months to return to ‘normal’ after having a baby and all the relaxin in your system to leave the body. What is Relaxin? – Relaxin is good in the sense that its function — as you might guess from the name — is to relax the joints in the pelvis so the baby has room to pass through the birth canal. However, it can cause other muscles in the body to relax and loosen and running after pregnancy when your body isn’t used to it can put emense pressure on your joints causing damage and pain. Seriously though, why is this infomation more readily available? I remember after having Funn being told by my midwife ‘just take it easy’. No more no less. I have to say those 4 words are poor advice! More on what to expect with recovery, the types of exercise you can do or where you can go to get this information would have been more helpful. But thats another issue for another

I avoided running until March 2011 when I knew my body was recovered from pregnancy. From January 2011 I started walking a lot to help improve my fitness. I had managed to lose 1st by this point which really boasted my confidence. I started a running program I found online. It was an 8 week program to get me from walking to running 30mins in 8 weeks. It took me 14 weeks to complete. I found the program hard, and repeated weeks and took rests when I needed too. Once I felt ready I decided to take part in my local Parkrun.

Parkrun is a wonderful event. A free timed 5K every Saturday. You sign up online, print off your barcode, turn up, run, get your time emailed to you. Its a great atomosphere. Everyone is friendly and the great thing is you are only racing againest yourself. Everyone is so encouraging of your improvements and its nice to see some regulars there week after week. So many children running Parkrun with their families too, and mums and dads running with buggies. Just a wonderful place

So my first Parkrun I was nervous. Having had my Fiance, mum and steo dad run the course all in very good times, I was scared of disappointing people. I really didn’t want a time which was over 40mins. My first time was 31:27! I amazed myself. And for the first time ever I had fun running. Until then I ran to lose weight and to work towards a goal. Achieving one of my goals and completing Parkrun was incrediable! I got a massive buzz and satisfaction from all of my hard work. I became a running addict in that very moment!
I ran my first Parkrun in August 2011 and in the last 2 months this is how much my times have imporved: -

31.27 – 13/08/2011
31.09 – 20/08/2011
30.59 – 10/09/2011
30.54 – 17/09/2011
28.56 -15/10/2011

I have also completed my first 10K which I completed in 1:02:11

Finishing my 10K

I am currently training for another 10K in December and a Half Marathon for March 2012.
Its hard to fit in my training around having F, but I am very lucky to have M around who is very supportive and will have F for more while I am doing Parkrun or while I am out for an early morning run. We help each out as staying fit and healthy is important to both of us.

However, running and being a mummy is a post for another day. It does come with its complications, comprimoses and keeping an open mind.
Running and being a mummy is possible. Its hard work but it is possible. I love it