Sunday 25 November 2012

Just do it!


Comparing ourselves to others is something we are all guilty of it, and I think it makes most of us feel bad.  But we still do it!  I know that after a few minutes on Facebook, I inevitably convince myself that everyone is happier/busier/more glamorous than I am.

I am also guilty of comparing myself to other runners. During my last race, (which was a loop course) I watched open-mouthed and envious at those who were powering their way past the 7K - as I passed the 3K marker!  Wow....wouldn't it be amazing to run like that.....could I ever do that? Well, no, is the simple answer.  I am a recreational runner.  I will not win any races, but by running in races I might raise a little money for charity and keep my mind and body fit in the meantime.

The great think about running, and running events, is that you learn that runners come in all shapes and sizes.  It may sound stupid, but I didn't know that until I entered my first race.  I had been running solo for years before I had the courage to enter a race: I'd felt I wasn't good enough to stand next to real runners.  And it's not all about a PB.  Loads of people race for fun, to raise funds for charities, to remember lost loved ones.  I was chocked with tears as I watched the final two runners cross the finishing line at a 10K race in Sheffield; an 81 year old man and his daughter.  Christ, if I live to be 81, I hope I am as brave and fit as he is.

I think what I'm saying is, it's not all about speed.  We get so bogged down with our 'minute mile' and our PBs.   Of course, this stuff is important as a marker, but the main thing is that we run, and that we enjoy running.  In a recent survey by Runner's World, participants were asked what running milestone they were most proud of.  The majority rated the ability to run a long distance over speed.
Get outside the numbers....be present in your next run, not pre-occupied!



Monday 19 November 2012

The Abbey Dash 10K, Leeds


I am one happy mother runner.  Last week I was digging deep to find motivation. This week I find myself on a post-race high following the Abbey Dash at Leeds on Sunday morning. The 10K course took us from the city centre to Kirkstall Abbey and back on mainly flat (ahem!) roads.

I must admit, when my alarm went off at 6:30 am on Sunday, I wondered why I was dragging myself, Hubbie and children from our sleeping beds.  Man up, I muttered to myself.  Thankfully, there wasn't too much grumbling from the family.  The promise of a 'pan au chocolate' in the car spurred them on.  By 8:45, we had arrived in Leeds and spilled out of the car into the freezing cold city centre and hopped about to warm up.  By now, I was eager to get to the race, but there's no such thing as walking briskly with a 4 and a 7 year old. ("Mummy, I brought my binoculars so I can see you, or so I can see some really good runners!  What are those statues?  Why are they on top of the building?  Mummy, look at the hair plane").  We ambled our way up the hill to where the race was scheduled to begin at 9:30.  By the time I joined everyone in the pens, I was buzzing with excitement and couldn't wait to set off.

I like to think of myself as a real runner now, kitted out in my tights, new (ish) trainers and my gore top, but I don't even have a watch!  The battery in my analogue model packed in a few weeks ago and I haven't gotten around to replacing it.  I've been running on instinct rather than relying on stats to get me through.  I rely heavily on my play list also, and know which songs mean I need to up the pace.  It was a fantastic and uplifting surprise for me to crest the last hill and see the finishing line and clock in sight, and to know that I was running towards a PB.  I ran the 10K in 54:24, a time I had not even secretly dreamed I would achieve.  I am so pleased! Yeah!

Regular running has certainly paid off.  The first 10K I ran in September was a struggle, and also a real turning point for me as a runner because it made me realise what I was capable of.  This 10K was a lot easier.  I was fine afterwards; I managed to have a normal day once we returned home, took the dog for a 4K walk, took my daughter to her horse riding lesson, cooked tea, did a load of laundry etc.  And I even baked a celebration cake!

So, what next?  Well, I have been trawling the net looking for my next race.  Not sure yet whether it'll be another 10K or if I'll go for a 13.1 miler......time will tell!

Monday 12 November 2012

Staying Motivated

I find staying motivated during the dark days of Autumn to be a challenge.  Writing this Blog certainly helps, as it forces me to think about running more than I probably would if I wasn't writing it.  But there are lots of other ways to stay focused on running.  Here are some that I came up with on my run this morning:

1)  Tunes : I find running with music inspires and motivates me.  I occasionally revamp my running playlist, and I like to know what songs motivate fellow runners so I can incorporate them if I feel they will work for me.  My playlist starts out quite slow (Fatboy Slim's 'Right Here, Right Now') and revs up a gear at about the 5K marker (Franz Ferdinand's 'Take Me Out').  I also enjoy a bit of Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face'.  For me, the songs need to have a kick to get me going.

2)  Get kitted up : Sometimes, even if I plan to run later on in the day, I get into my running clothes first thing.  That way it's harder to back out of the run.

3)  Run with a friend : While I love escaping for a run and enjoying time alone, there are times when I wish I could share a nice route with a fellow runner, or just benefit from some company and encouragement.  Why not arrange a 'Share a Route' day with a fellow runner.  Take it in turns to devise routes to run together.

4)  Reward yourself : If you successfully haul your ass out into the cold, you need to reward yourself on your return, for doing so.  I enjoy a coffee and a piece of cake post run.  I have also decided to reward myself with a post-race cake, after each race (no, I don't plan to eat all of it, but I will enjoy planning, making and sharing it). This weekend it will be a lemon and poppy seed cake to celebrate (hopefully) my completion of the Abbey Dash.

5)  Read about running : Whether it's Runner's world or a book, reading about running can be very motivating.  (After reading 'Running with the Kenyans' I began to feel I might like to run a Marathon!)

6)  Race! : Entering races will give you a clear, definite target you can work towards.  I must admit, I was tempted to slack off this morning but couldn't as I have a race on Sunday.

If you have any motivating tips, please leave a comment.  

Monday 5 November 2012

Winter Clobber

Recently, in an attempt to keep my enthusiasm bubbling away, I registered for the Leeds Abbey Dash.  It takes place on Sunday 18th November.  Unlike my first and last 10K, I am not worried about covering the distance, but I do want to better my time.  Since I started taking running seriously, I have found my inner competitive spirit. I am not fired up about doing better than the other runners, but I do want to beat my 10K time of 59:52.  Provided there are no hills, I'm hopeful that I will achieve that target.
Now that the weather has turned cold, I am so pleased that I have finally taken the plunge and invested in some proper cold-weather running kit.  Last year, I used to go out in my tracksuit bottoms and a sweatshirt...no wonder my running used to slack off in October and restart in March!  This Autumn, thanks to my hubbie and my overdraft, I have some lovely Ronhill running tights, a long-sleeved Gore top and a Lonsdale waterproof (which was Bargin as opposed to Budget according to Runner's World).   This vision in fluorescent lycra is crowned with a Ronhill beanie.  I know it's a cliche, but having the proper kit makes such a difference. 
I was trying to put off the inevitable expense of a new pair of trainers until after the Abbey Dash, plus I didn't want to retire my Nike Lunar glides as I've loved them so much, but I've had to listen to my muscles.  Over the last couple of weeks, my shins have become increasingly sore, but yesterday, they stopped me in my tracks.  I set off full of enthusiasm for my six mile run and had to turn around and head home. I lied to myself as I set off, the soreness will ease out, mind over matter, Man Up! etc. But then sense kicked in and I realised after 2 miles that something was wrong.  I am hoping that this is nothing major and a few days of R and R will sort out the soreness, but in the meantime I hot-footed it to Sweat Shop in Meadowhall and after trying on 6 pairs of trainers, purchased a new pair of Brooks.  Looking forward to getting back out in them, when the muscle soreness dies away.  

Today, in Sweat Shop, I learned that if I am running 20 miles a week (and that is my target)  I should change my trainers every 6 months!  (My Nikes were over 3 years old!)
Sports bras should also be changed every six months.