February fever

Not the best of running months what with gastric flu and last week's training being interrupted with a dose of flu.  I don't think I've ever had a month where I've been ill so much, but at least this illness explains why I felt so rubbish at the Valentine's 30K as it was probably already in my system waiting to strike.

So after the 30K I had a short recovery run on the Monday and Tuesday, but felt pretty rubbish.  I just thought I'd worked a bit harder than expected.  Wednesday I didn't run as just felt awful and the weather was dismal.  There was a time bad weather would not have deterred me from a run, but these days I'm just not as committed so if I feel rubbish and the weather matches how I feel then the best place is in the warmth snuggled up on the sofa.  However, Thursday I was determined to put a solid run in and although I'd been sneezing and had a bit of a headache I enjoyed a social 10 miles.  Although this was to be what then brought out the full virus...

Friday morning I woke with a tight throat that was sore on one side and head like I had a hangover, but it was the last day of work before half term so I dragged myself in and it was such a struggle to get through.  I felt tetchy, ill and feverish all day.  Stupid going in really... Sometimes you think you can fight illness off, but realistically once you have a virus it has to run its course!  I was feeling annoyed too as I'd planned to have a really good running week in half term with a marathon for a training run at the end of it!  Now it all looked in jeopardy... Having shivered my way through Friday evening, I again got up early to go to parkrun, but having done a gentle run before it I knew there was no way I was going to do it. In fact I was stupid to even do the 3 miles easy before as I had a temperature and was feeling awful.  When I got home I was shivering uncontrollably with a pounding headache and a throat like broken glass.  I so hate being ill.

Sunday morning I felt slightly better, but no way able to run as I now developed a hacking cough, which made me want to cry with the pain in the back of my throat.  To get out of the sick bed John and I took a drive over to watch the Wombwell 5 and I took some photos, but that's about all the energy I had for the day.

Then this last week, which was my half term saw any plans of big miles disappear, in fact it saw plans of any miles disappear.  I'm stubborn old mule and so did try and run a mile on Tuesday, but oh boy that was such a bad idea as my throat and lungs were in such pain I could've cried with it!  So back to bed, which was now being shared by a sick John too.  For the rest of the week we both shivered and coughed and moped around.  Thankfully the fever broke and we started to see signs of improvement by the end of the week.  Both of us were determined to try and have a normal weekend before the return to work, which meant choosing a parkrun.

Saturday saw us head over to Hull for the Humber Bridge parkrun, which is all off road on a nice trail surface and being snuggled in trees provides a bit of protection from any harsh winds.  We ran together at a steady pace coughing our way through 25 minutes, but felt good to be doing something normal!

Having got through the parkrun with just  a bit of coughing Sunday's long run was on!  I'd already sold my marathon place for the Slaithwaite Slog as just knew I'd not be up for that, but nothing stopping a steady out and back on the TPT.  So this morning we set off meeting long time training partner and friend Simon at Oxspring with 15 miles in mind.  I would just be happy to finish the run so wasn't bothered about pace.  However, the pace was not that bad considering how ill I'd been and I'd only eaten a yogurt and banana for breakfast.  So goal complete 15 miles at 8:48 average and a low 125 bpm HR.  Again coughed through quite a bit of it and afterwards, but it was worth it to be back doing what we love on a Sunday! 

Bring of the next few weeks with so many plans of races and weekends away and hopefully some decent training in the bank!   Oh and just a few days left before I get an extra boost in age grading...  

• 15.05mi
  Distance (?)
• 2:12:32
  Moving Time
• 8:48/mi
  Pace

Elevation

569ft

Calories

0

Elapsed Time

2:15:27

Garmin Forerunner 235

Shoes: —

Stamford Valentine's 30K

Having had a bit of a miserable long run last Sunday over 20 miles.  We decided to try and get numbers for the Valentine's 30K as it's sometimes easier to do a paced training run in a group.  We've entered the next stage of our training, which is to build leg strength and the 30K is very undulating so perfect for working those muscles.  When John looked the race was full, so he contacted the organiser who said there was a waiting list, but he was pretty sure we'd get a place. This was on the Monday and we had a confirmed place by the Thursday.  I was looking forward to it as I remember enjoying it back in 2007 when John and I ran the fastest combined times to be the Valentine's couple.  Him in 1:55:09 and me in 2:08:53.  Okay we were both much fitter back then, but it still felt nice to go back and run it again and as I had no intention of racing it I thought it would be a nice comfortable way to get the miles in...

Looking at the forecast on Saturday evening I was a bit concerned that it was saying 41 mph winds, but having paid £50 for both of us only a few days previous there was no way we weren't going to not run!  So kit was chosen on Saturday night and John decided he would run with me for the first half and see how he felt.  He was just after a solid training run too, so brilliant the Valentine's couple of 2007 were going to at least run part of the course together. 

It was to be an early start as Stamford is about 80 miles from Penistone.  Breakfast was the customary porridge, which I dislike by the way!  It's just I know it's good for giving energy for long runs, so I forced it down thinking give me my Yogurt or Weetabix any day!  John did all the driving and we arrived with plenty of time to collect numbers, go to the loo several times, sit in the car and relax, talk to Martin Hall and Gail Hall before a short warm up on the school field.  Running around the field the wind was a little fierce, but the sun was out and we both thought it's not that bad it could be so much worse and certainly didn't seem as bad as the forecast.

Warm ups are great for helping you to decide what to wear when the weather isn't great.  I certainly didn't want to wear just my vest as much too cold and the initial 2 long tops, a buff, head band and gloves felt a bit too warm, so just before we headed to the start the second long sleeved top came off and I settled for a long sleeve compression top under my vest.  After the first few miles the gloves came off as my hands always get too warm, so I spent the next 15 miles carrying them.

I was hoping to run around 8.30 m/m for the first half and then pick up to run around 8 m/m for the second half, which I felt was doable.  What I'd forgotten from the last time I did it was how hilly it was!  I set off and probably, no not probably, I did run too quick, which is not like me as I'm pretty good at running evenly.  I didn't realise at the time though until hill after hill started to sap my legs.  I couldn't believe how many ups and downs were coming at us.  Surely this isn't the course I ran 2:08 on was my thoughts, but it sure was and my mind had not remembered any of it!  Anyway John was comfortable beside me and I didn't say anything to him, but my legs were starting to feel weak.  I took a gel hoping for a boost, but when we hit a pretty hefty climb at 7 miles and into a nasty headwind I said I'm struggling here.  He encourage me to ease back on the hill, but even with easing back I could feel my heart rate rising and a look at my watch confirmed it was too high at 152 for the pace.  I ploughed on and felt awful with stomach ache and a mild stitch.  At around 9 miles I had an overwhelming urge to stop and walk.  I went to double over with lack of energy and my Valentine partner said "come on we don't walk in races".  It did the trick as I carried on but at a slightly slower pace.  To be fair John was great, he even gave me his gels and refused to run on as was the plan at the start.
Together we kept going on the roller coaster of a course and although I didn't set out to race it, I was feeling a little irritated by the number of women that were passing me.  I took both John's gels at 10 miles and 14 miles and these seemed to give me a second wind.  I wasn't by any means feeling great and the legs were aching far more than they should, but I did pick the pace back up again for the final 10k and went past some of the women that had floated past me when I was struggling.   The final few miles couldn't come fast enough and although the marshals were fantastic in their enthusiasm I was not feeling the love on this Valentine's run to offer too much of a smile.  The finish was nasty with a lap of the school playing field into a cold headwind, don't you just hate these kinds of finish!  I wasn't bothered by what time I finished in, which was 2:35 for the record, just relieved it was all over!  Oh the joys of running!

So what went wrong?

1.  Not enough training on undulated tarmac routes.
2. Set off a bit too fast!
3. Probably still not 100% after the virus.
4. Resting heartrate a bit high.

The race itself is fantastically organised and a substantial goody bag and long sleeved t-shirt.  However, it's a tough course on constant rolling hills and next time, if I do it again, I'll be ready for it!

This 'race' came at the end of another solid week where I've covered 2 x 10 miles and lots of shorter runs to make 60 miles.  Onwards and upwards!

Gastro...

I'm not sure how the word gastro pub can ever bring about pleasant images of fine food... After my last 4 days I don't think I'd ever want to eat anywhere that says gastro pub fine food again..

I started the week feeling quite good having just had a down week, so I was ready to forge ahead for another 70 mile week, but come Wednesday that was all to suddenly change. I'd gone to work as normal and sometime during the day had developed a dull headache, but thought nothing of it, as this can sometimes happen when you're working hard.  However, on the way home in the car I said to JB I'm feeling a little chilled, but he said you'll be fine, just dress up warm for the run then we'll go out for something to eat or in other words "just get on with it".  Now, going out for something to eat normally cheers me up, so I got changed for the run with the thought of nice food and drink as a reward in my mind.  The run we planned was supposed to be 10 miles.  I couldn't believe how cold I was feeling as soon as I left the warm confines of the house.  I felt shocking and just shivered the whole slow plodding 3 miles that the run had eventually become. 

Okay, I thought it's just  a bit of a chill so have a shower and go out for some nice grub, forget the word gastro for now.  In the shower I couldn't stop shivering, even with hot water.  This couldn't be right I thought.  I must be coming down with the flu...Might as well go out for the meal then if I'm going to be ill and off my food.  I didn't enjoy my food and picked at it feeling quite nauseous, but a glass of red wine seemed to go down okay.

Thursday I went to work as normal and planned to run for a hour early evening.  I knew I wasn't right as the dull headache and chills continued at work and by the end of the day I'd developed abdominal pain.  Couldn't wait to leave work for the comfort of my home loo - say no more...  Although if you were to run with me on a long Sunday run I might give more details lol.  What is it with runners that on long runs one's bowel movements become part of normal conversation?

Needless to say no run happened Thursday and by Friday the gastro problem was full blown, no details to follow here either, but I'm sure the imagination can conjure up a picture, hence why the word gastro attached to fine food just will never ever do it for me again!

I've heard the words pain is temporary pride is forever on many occasions, but Saturday at parkrun the pain on warming up was not going to be temporary and there was no pride in wanting to dive in the nearest bush, so the decision to stand and watch JB run overthrew that silly saying.

So then it's Sunday and still this gasto issue continued.  Getting rather fed up with the sight of the toilet and smell of air freshener I yearned for the fresh air of the TPT. So the determined me once again put on running kit and trainers and set off with JB for a few miles, 3 to be precise.  What a silly decision as I clutched my... I bet you think I'm going to say butt cheeks... hahaha no I clutch my stomach as the gripes take hold.  Oh well 3 miles done and another trip to the toilet before curling up in agony was probably not worth the pain, but this is me and I'm not one for giving in easily.  Although, I'm admitting defeat now and just want the pain to disappear and allow me to feel myself again.  Let's hope this time next week I'll be blogging something less bogging related.

Total mileage this week 27.2

Will I ever get used to these harsh northern winters...?

I've lived in West and South Yorkshire for 9 years now and every winter John will hear me say the same thing, "it's so cold up here, it was never this cold in Dorset I hardly ever had to wear gloves...".  But it is so cold up here!  I was brought up in the biting winters of South Wales, but I got soft when I moved in my late teens to balmy Dorset, well in my opinion compared to Wales and Yorkshire it is balmy!

Anyhow, this week has been a challenge to run with the icy conditions.  I enjoy running in virgin snow, which is wonderfully soft and invigorating, but as soon as other humans and their dogs and their bikes and their sleighs have trampled over it the surface becomes a runner's enemy.  Then add in the dark, as it's the only time you get to run in the working week and the wind, sleet and hail that lashes your already freezing face the challenge to put your trainers on and head out the door is most definitely increased!  A non runner reading this will be thinking this running malarkey sounds so awful...It's not, honest!

I tried hard all week to overcome the weather barriers as I remembered my renewed enthusiasm in the Christmas holidays and I can proudly say it mostly worked, until Thursday when the tiredness of work and the conditions put paid to my running streak that I'd inadvertently started on December 21st.  Oh well I didn't quite make the whole month without a rest day, but I have increased the training significantly in the last month going from 25-30 miles to 61, 71, 70 and as this week was an intentional cutback week of 50 miles I felt okay with myself for having that rest day.

Okay so what has this week looked like?  Nothing too spectacular about my running, no fancy sessions or structured hard running yet, just all easy and steady miles to increase strength and aerobic base.  Build that mitochondria for a natural pace increase before adding in some specific sessions.  So Monday to Friday was mostly slow to steady miles around 8:30 - 9:00/mi.  Saying that the underfoot conditions wouldn't allow for much more!  Saturday parkrun is the only run I work a little harder if the legs allow.

This week we headed to Clumber parkrun as we know this event is always one you can run when conditions are testing elsewhere.  On warming up my legs felt heavy, probably from doing 8 miles the day before, I'm still not recovering from runs very quickly, but decided just to run to feel and if I felt like pushing then do so and if not then don't bother.  I set off a little faster than I normally would, but realised that I wouldn't be able to continue that pace, so eased off slightly to what felt comfortably hard and kept it that way for the whole run except I really pushed up the last little hill to see how the legs responded and I was surprised to feel a renewed strength I've not felt for a while, so that little hill gave me a small sign of progress.  The overall pace was 7:18 on MT, but very firm trail paths, so is worth around 40 seconds, which would've put that run around 21:30 on a flat tarmac course.  Still a way to go to secure a sub 20 5k again...

Sunday was to be the longest run John and I had done for many months, but the underfoot conditions in Penistone were still pretty bad and I really couldn't face 18 miles up and down the TPT this week, so we met Simon, who has been a loyal training partner for the last 11 years for me and about 20 years for John, and off we trotted down the TPT from Silkstone to the trails, woods and roads of Barnsley.  John is pretty good at making up routes that just seem to measure the exact distance, no Map My Run Apps needed for this man, he has his own inbuilt measuring system.  The route he chose measured just over 18 miles and my only complaint was Smithies Lane, oh what a hill! AND then he finished with the last mile on Cone Lane with yet another BIG hill and  with the snow lashing into my face - delightful!  Felt great after though, as the conditions weren't great and some of the route was treacherous, but we don't mind running slow to get the miles in and that's just what we did!  50.2 miles in the bag and target hit.  Now go away snow and ice I've had enough of this northern cold!

All Good Intentions

2018 rolled in and my enthusiasm and motivation was at a high, as high as it could be to make it my running year. The last time I made a blog post was just over a year ago and I think I was feeling quite optimistic then too.  It must be something to do with this time of year!  I had intentions of keeping my blog going, but I must have lost the enthusiasm to do so after the first post because the next time it came to my mind was when it popped up in my memories this morning. :-)   I'm going to try and keep this one going for as long as my enthusiasm lasts, which could be monthly or I could be sat here writing the same thing this time next year...

Although I've struggled to rebuild my fitness with all the set backs in the last few years, I still have running hopes and dreams and things I want to achieve. 2013 when I ran Ypres marathon, the last good attempt before all my problems began, I was still thinking if I could string together a few months of good training I could get close to 3 hours and definitely sub 3:15. Secretly, well it's not so secret to write it down and make it public...I still believe with the right amount of uninterrupted training and a bit of blubber loss I could still get close to sub 3:15 again, or is this now just a dream? Well, everyone has to dream and if it stays just a dream I'll always believe I could've got there!

The thing is I'm 54 this year and although I don't feel 54 , not that I know what it's supposed to feel like... I get nagging thoughts of you're too old to train hard now so stop thinking like a young runner, but I don't want to stop thinking like that, so I've decided to ignore that thing called age.

On that note nearly 4 weeks of the year have passed and let's just say the cold and dark of winter is testing my renewed 2018 enthusiasm and motivation already,  but I'm digging deep, with the support of my long suffering training partner husband as I have goals to meet...  The only way you'll know if I achieve those goals is to read my future blog posts, which could be monthly or as I said this time next year. See you soon... :-)

Running is always an adventure...

2016 The year of acceptance...

After Ypres marathon 2013, which I finished in 3.17.27 and 2nd woman I picked up a virus that led to a series of injuries and conditions that has taken me 3 years to battle back from.  I tried desperately to keep running even when the pain in my Achilles, lower legs, feet and lower back were at times crippling.  I wondered if I'd ever be able to run properly again.  When you wake up in the night with pains down your legs and scared to take your weight when getting out of bed you know you have problems.  These problems consumed me as I fought to find ways to overcome them.I saw many specialists and had many tests including scans, X-rays and blood tests.  During these tests I was told I probably had Fibromyalgia, which accounted for the energy loss, sometimes overwhelming  need to sleep and weird pains that just appeared in random places in my body.

It's been a battle, but I've always tried to maintain a sense of perspective.  All my problems are nothing compared to so many people, but to me they felt a lot when I'd been so used to running when I wanted and always trying to do it to the best of my ability.   Giving up running did cross my mind many times, especially when I'd jogged no further than 400m only to have stop and walk home due to the pain.  Some folk probably would have give up, but I decided even if I could run a few miles for fitness and do some parkruns for fun I'd be happy. 

Racing took a back seat for a while and the focus was  to somehow become pain free so I could enjoy a run.  I have gradually found things that work to rid my pain and although I have less leg strength and am a bit heavier now than I was before the issues my running is once again enjoyable and I have found a renewed enthusiasm this year with a few events as part of a team, parkruns, which I love doing and the odd race where I try and get an age best. 

As the pain in my lower legs has subsided I have tried to increase the running again.  It's still a little inconsistent, which isn't always down to any leg problems these days, but more tiredness from work and I have to admit sometimes a bit of lack of motivation.  It's strange to admit to motivation loss as it's not something I ever had when I was improving and even when injured I so desperately wanted to be running like I used to.  Good job I have an extremely motivated husband. :-)

This year I have enjoyed some wonderful running experiences, many of them at parkruns, but I've still also managed to pick up the odd team medal or age category award.  I try just as hard when racing I'm just a little slower, but that happens and you just have to accept and get on with it. I'm happy just to be able to run if truth be told.  Obviously there will always be a competitive instinct, but that has always been more about me and my personal achievements not about beating others...well apart from going for odd distance records... You got to be in it to win it... :-)

Looking at my PO10 this year makes me appreciate that it's not been too bad at all.  No fast race times, but I'm pleased with all I've managed and had some wonderful experiences along the way.  Looking at the many places those runs/races have taken me to makes me thankful for having running in my life.  So thank you legs for keeping going and here's to 2017 and whatever it brings...exciting experiences I'm sure... :-)

2016 V50 Penistone
Event	Perf				Pos				Venue	Meeting	Date
3KXCL	13:11				2	L2			Long Eaton	British Masters Relay Championships	19 Nov 16
2MXCL	15:08				35	L2			Sheffield	Northern Counties Relay Championships	22 Oct 16
5K	22:05			22:03	117		13	2	Dereham	Dereham 5K	28 Aug 16
parkrun	20:47				53		3	1	Huddersfield	Huddersfield parkrun # 259	9 Apr 16
parkrun	20:48				35		3	1	Hull	Hull parkrun # 354	3 Dec 16
parkrun	20:58				39		3	1	Hull	Hull parkrun # 322	23 Apr 16
parkrun	21:09				28		3	1	Rother Valley Country Park	Rother Valley parkrun # 150	8 Oct 16
parkrun	21:11				41		2	1	Shrewsbury Quarry Park	Shrewsbury parkrun # 150	26 Nov 16
parkrun	21:23				63				Huddersfield	Huddersfield parkrun # 289	12 Nov 16
parkrun	21:27				36		3	1	Dalby Forest	Dalby Forest parkrun # 1	19 Mar 16
parkrun	21:34				32		2	1	Fountains Abbey	Fountains Abbey parkrun # 98	30 Jan 16
parkrun	21:43				47			1	Hull	Hull parkrun # 344	24 Sep 16
parkrun	21:44				8		1	1	Sherwood Pines	Sherwood Pines parkrun # 11	9 Jan 16
parkrun	21:45				7		1	1	Ellesmere Port	Ellesmere Port parkrun # 74	26 Mar 16
parkrun	21:48				24		1	1	Sheffield Hillsborough Park	Hillsborough parkrun # 175	28 May 16
parkrun	22:00				49		2	1	Manchester Platts Field	South Manchester parkrun # 307	1 Jan 16
parkrun	22:04				18		2	1	Poolsbrook	Poolsbrook parkrun # 23	10 Sep 16
parkrun	22:07				17			1	Sherwood Pines	Sherwood Pines parkrun # 12	16 Jan 16
parkrun	22:10				12		1	1	Rotherham Clifton Park	Rotherham parkrun # 152	16 Apr 16
parkrun	22:10				23		2	1	Brierley Forest	Brierley Forest parkrun # 9	5 Nov 16
parkrun	22:23				24				Nostell Priory	Nostell Priory parkrun # 97	4 Jun 16
parkrun	22:26				24			1	Rother Valley Country Park	Rother Valley parkrun # 139	16 Jul 16
parkrun	22:36				24			1	Minehead	Minehead parkrun # 1	13 Aug 16
parkrun	22:44				19		1	1	Rosliston	Rosliston parkrun # 15	25 Jun 16
parkrun	22:46				16		2	1	Witham Way Country Park	Boston parkrun # 31	21 May 16
parkrun	22:58				25			1	Sherwood Pines	Sherwood Pines parkrun # 17	20 Feb 16
parkrun	22:58				27		3	1	Skipton	Skipton parkrun # 136	12 Mar 16
parkrun	23:14				21		2	1	Sewerby	Sewerby parkrun # 232	7 May 16
parkrun	23:19				19		1	1	Glossop	Glossop parkrun # 14	2 Jan 16
parkrun	23:39				12		2	1	Bedgebury Pinetum	Bedgebury Pinetum parkrun # 15	2 Jul 16
parkrun	23:42				28			1	Clumber Park	Clumber Park parkrun # 173	19 Nov 16
parkrun	23:46				73				Longford Park	Stretford parkrun # 7	1 Jan 16
parkrun	23:52				65			1	Wellholme Park	Brighouse parkrun # 5	1 Oct 16
parkrun	24:09				64			1	Darley Abbey Park	Darley parkrun # 138	5 Mar 16
parkrun	24:11				80			1	Newbury	Newbury parkrun # 219	13 Feb 16
parkrun	24:29				81			1	Taunton	Longrun Meadow parkrun # 131	2 Apr 16
parkrun	24:38				12			1	Ludlow	Ludlow parkrun # 3	27 Feb 16
parkrun	24:52				31				Rutland Water	Rutland Water parkrun # 37	23 Jul 16
parkrun	25:12				34			1	Sherwood Pines	Sherwood Pines parkrun # 53	29 Oct 16
parkrun	25:16				40				Marple	Marple parkrun # 191	23 Jan 16
parkrun	25:32				78			1	Clumber Park	Clumber Park parkrun # 161	27 Aug 16
parkrun	26:05				214				Worcester	Worcester parkrun # 258	30 Apr 16
parkrun	27:40				61				Concord Park	Concord parkrun # 274	14 May 16
parkrun	33:00				215				Fountains Abbey	Fountains Abbey parkrun # 124	30 Jul 16
parkrun	34:28				168				Rother Valley Country Park	Rother Valley parkrun # 144	20 Aug 16
5M	34:54				67		6	2	Wombwell	Wombwell 5	21 Feb 16
10K	44:13			44:09	76		6	1	Stamford Bridge	Derwent Dash 10K	15 May 16
10M	77:54				64		9	2	Swallow	Lincolnshire Wolds 10	3 Sep 16
HM	99:49			99:47	109		12	3	Bridlington	Bridlington Half Marathon	16 Oct 16
15M	1:59:28				50		7	1	Holmfirth	Holmfirth 15	30 Oct 16
20M	2:36:58			2:36:55	260		37	2	Bramley	Bramley 20	14 Feb 16
20M	2:46:13				128		22	4	Liversedge	Spen 20	13 Mar 16
Mar	3:29:45				60		5	2	Sturminster Newton	North Dorset Village Marathon	1 May 16