5 weeks to go and 16 miles completed

I decided on a flatish route for yesterday's run.  It was scheduled for 14-16. I would have been happy with 15 miles but managed 16!  The hardest part was 1-3 miles and then 13-14 miles.  Every time I struggled, I kept thinking straighten up, pull your core in and tuck under and that seemed to help. 

I think the amazing part is that although my knees were hurting going upstairs yesterday, today is fine. Amazing how the body adjusts!

I'm at 78% of my fundraising total too. Going to really try to get to Body Balance and Pump this week as my body needs a good stretch.

Catch up!

I ran twice mid-week. The first run on Tuesday wasn't great and I walked back as I had lower back pain and my stomach was playing up.

Thursday's run was better. 10 minutes easy, (5 mins temp, 3 minutes walk) x 5, 10 minutes easy. The first 20 minutes were hard work but felt okay.  The back of my left knee is always tight which is worrying me. Due to workload, running and Uni deadlines, I haven't managed to get to Body Balance or Body Pump and I'm noticed the difference negatively. I will really try and go this week.  

Trying not to feel overwhelmed by my workload, Uni deadline of next week and the pain in my legs! 

Battersea Park Half Marathon

I was so nervous before the race, that I took one of my emergency anxiety tablets. I missed the train that I wanted to get and although I knew I would still be on time, I was still anxious. Even though I had run the distance last week, when I saw all the fit people I thought, can I do this? My legs were already aching. I also forgot my gels! Quick call to Tom to reassure me and some positive messages on social media and I was ready. Although, I forgot to put my HR monitor on. There is not a lot of room in the portaloos and I was more focused on putting my Tiger Balm on! 

I didn't rate the warm up again so I did my usual. Then as the start was in a different location from the 10K, it was more spreadout and I couldn't hear the announcer saying the predicted times to line up. I went near the back looking for people shaped more like me. I set off at my own pace ignoring those going past me. 

There were several girls who I passed, then they passed me and I passed them as they were running faster than me and then walking, instead of just slowing their running down. In the end, I overlapped one group of girls as I encouraged them on as I passed. I was determined to keep running as I knew it would be harder otherwise.  I had a little sprint at the end overtaking two people. The last lap was the hardest as more and more people had finished and  cyclists and walkers kept just getting in the way. 

It was a real battle of my mind to be honest. Stop running, no keep going, stop and walk.  Having no one to cheer me on as well was harder too but it is all done now!

At the start..

Half way point!

Worth it!  

2 miles in the snow

Last time it snowed, the snow didn't glad for a week so I thought I'd better get out on Wednesday morning. Of course, the snow cleared the next day! 

I only managed 2 miles as I didn't want to risk slipping.

Battersea Half Marathon tomorrow and my legs are really acting today. I'm sure it will be fine - only 13.1 miles! 

Half Marathon around my old route

I cannot believe that I'm going to write this but I ran 13.1 miles this morning along my old favourite route. I started the Coach to 5K on 17th November and I've just run a half marathon. I'm pleased that the Battersea Half Marathon next Saturday is flat because today's incline hurt and I had to walk a couple of times. 

My left ankle was really hurting for the last 2 miles as part of my trainer was digging in, I think my socks were too low. Other than that it was okay. I have dreamed of running that route again, not the inclines though. First time that I could feel my glutes while running. 🤣

Yesterday was a great day. Body Pump with my Sis (great sets) and then Body Balance. Then down to near Folkestone to find out the gender of my niece's baby - its a boy!!! 

My first fall

I don't recall ever falling over whilst running before. Cycling? All the time, usually when I have stopped cycling and I couldn't get my clips out in time or I oversteered my handlebars on my Brompton.

I was half way through my 40 minute run on Wednesday.  Just took the above photograph and then I noticed some workers in the industrial estate which I wasn't expecting. As I checked to see who was there, I thought the pavement had levelled out but it was still sloping up and splat! 

Just grazes thankfully to my hand, elbow and knee on my right side. Also a couple of broken nails and one will bruise. As I still had 20 mins run left, I got up and carried on.

I cancelled Body Pump though as I wouldn't have been able to kneel or rest on my palms or elbows. 

This morning, I struggled to get up so I completed a 30 minute mix run, running fast and then walking etc with jogging at the start and end.