If you are losing faith in human nature

If you are losing faith in human nature, watch a marathon.  I have met so many people who say that they could never run a marathon!  If you stood at mile 25 of London marathon 5 or 6 hours after the race starts then think again.  Anything is possible, but the marathon isn't just a physical challenge it is a state of mind and anyone can achieve the 26.2 miles with the right state of mind.

I have had the pleasure and pain of running the London Marathon 3 times.  This year I had the pleasure of cheering on the troops and on the morning of the race I decided to do my recovery run from my friends house.  Not knowing London very well,  I thought a straight out and back would be good as I have a habit of getting lost and running twice as far.

After a mile I headed under the iconic banners reading Virgin London Marathon 1 mile.  I had stumbled across the marathon route and even better all the roads were closed off to traffic, it was a dream.  I realise now that running in London isn't the same of running in Rotherham.  It's normal to say morning or hello as you pass people back home.  Obviously not in London I got a delayed 'Errm hello' as then looked at me to see if I'd escaped some a local psychiatric department.

I am in awe of all of you out there today and the courage it took you to get to the start line. I hope I have the strength and determination I saw in your eyes on the 5th June.

So this week was a strong week of running but lacked again in strength training.  I fear the speed sessions every week.  Not because of the pain but feeling like I've let myself down if I don't hit my targets.  I had two belters of sessions which I like telling coach OJ about as I can see the joy on his face but I also kind of want to lie and tell him slower times so he doesn't keep making the sessions harder.

On Saturday I ran Bexley Parkrun.  Usually I get nervous at Parkruns. I know it's silly but I try and push myself every time.  This one was different.  I had done a speed session the day before so Owen said just do it in recovery.  Yes I can have a nice little jog around and enjoy the London scenery.
After warming up I trot over to Owen and said all smiley.  'So just a recovery then?' to which he replies 'Just sit behind first lady and overtake her at the end'.  'What if she's like a 16 minute 5k runner?'.  'You'll be second then'.  The gun goes off,  I stick to the plan but after 1k first lady started getting closer so I moved into first position and relaxed into the run, I felt strong.
Six weeks to go and I feel like the training is coming together.

Bexley Parkrun

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 10, 40 level 2, 10
Wednesday: 4 x 10 minutes at level 3, Pilates
Thursday: 50 minute recovery
Friday:  4 x 5 minutes, 3 x 1k, 4 x 200's
Saturday: 50 minutes with 20 minute level 3 at Parkrun
Sunday: 50 minute recovery

Just one wish ✮

'If I could have just one wish this week and never have another it would have been to spend just an hour with my mother'.

This week marked the year of the loss of my mum.  I score pretty highly on keeping a good brave face on the outside but the pain of losing my mum comes in waves and this week I have felt like I was drowning at times.

I handle a lot of my thoughts and emotions while running but the night before her anniversary I turned to the red wine even though I knew I had a wicked session in the morning.  I thought I was entitled to a day off considering.  Thursday came and I felt rubbish in every way so it didn't make sense to not have my therapy session of 5 x 1200's (the one's which made me feel like my arms might fall off the last time I did them).

I pulled myself together and to be honest I smashed them, they hurt but I just thought I'm hurting inside anyway so what's a bit of extra physical pain.

Earlier in the week I did 8 x 5 minutes with Archie up and down the TPT. The highlights were pretending I hadn't noticed a man had joined me with his pitbull on one of my reps (that one I did run slightly faster).  Then two likely lads asked if I had a boyfriend.  Come on, I mean I'm a mum pushing a baby, sweating like pig and my cheeks were as red as a baboon ass.

The weekend was fast approaching, I'd had 2 good quality sessions but I feared that Owen may throw in another tempo run.  So how do I avoid it?  I enter a 10k race at the last minute as I thought it would be easier to do it in a crowd than on my tod.

I've not properly raced a 10k since 2012.  Owen was confident that my training predicted that I was in PB shape which would mean beating 38.46.  The aim was:
Try to control my pre race anxiety -  ✓
Try to not blow up - ✓
Try to stop negative thoughts of doubt creep into my mind - half ✓

The result was 2nd lady (first very old lady in a sea of young whipper snappers from Sheffield University) and a new PB of 38.18.

We also made a buggy running tips video for those who like to run with buggy's or for those who like a good laugh at how it's not best to explain technique while running away from the camera and to film in landscape!

Buggy Running Tips

Also last week I said it would be super to read the £1000 mark on my fundraising page.  I've had so many lovely donations this week and just this evening someone has tipped me into the £1000 mark, thank you.

Lindsy's fundraising page

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” 

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: 50 minute recovery run
Tuesday: 8 x 5 minutes buggy reps
Wednesday: 50 minutes recovery run
Thursday: 5 x 1200's
Friday: 50 minutes recovery run
Saturday: 30 minutes with 10 x strides, pilates
Sunday: Neurocare Headstart 10k

8 weeks to go!

This flashed up on Facebook today.  It's going to be here before I know it as the weeks are just flying and I've achieved 14 weeks of buggy running training so far.

Its been another positive week of solid training and hitting my target times set by coach OJ.

The session of the week was the hard level 3 session on Friday.  For some reason I thought this session was going to be easy, but when I found the pace I needed to run after 400 meters I was a bit concerned that physically and mentally I may not be able to keep the pace up.  Owen was trying out a Gopro at the same time as on day we need as much evidence as possible to prove I was pushing the pram the whole way around.  We were in Derby for the run and we covered some of the final miles of the Ramathon route.  Somehow I managed it and it was a great session for mental toughness.  Just to fizzle out my smugness Owen said 'Great session but you will be doing that again but 50 minutes next time then an hour', he really can be a joy to have around!

I've finally started some strength training as I'm sick of hearing myself saying I should do it and then not. Man I am a weakling I think it's the first time I've activated my triceps in over a year.  More time is needed to be spent in this area which I know should improve my running form which isn't the best.

My only buggy run this week was a 1 hour 20 run up and down a 1.5 mile stretch near Meadowhall. Some lovely comments from the locals 'Your a fit mum', followed by 'Can I get in there!' I hope he was talking about the buggy.

Someone also made a generous donation today on my page but I don't know who you are Mr Neminem, thank you but please drop me an email as I would like to thank you personally.

So I've nearly hit the £800 mark on my page lets get to £1000 be this time next week!

Lindsy's Fundraising Page

Better, Stronger, Faster - this is our target for next week!

Summary of training:
Monday: Recovery 50 minutes
Tuesday: 8 x 5 minutes, 30 minutes core and strength
Wednesday: Recovery 50 minutes
Thursday: 10, 40, 10 level 2
Friday: 40 minutes level 3, 30 mins TRX training
Saturday: Spin 40 mins level 2, 30 mins Swiss ball training
Sunday: 15, 50, 15 level 2 with the buggy, then 6 miles easy

Ramming up the miles on the Ramathon

I'm trying to look like a Ram if you were wondering!

I'm back in the game.  My fear of losing all fitness in one week of illness wasn't to be and I managed to hit some hard sessions.

The first quality session back was 6 x 5 minutes on the Rotherham canal.  Owen has started to bring in longer reps and introduce more tempo running into my programme which is more suited to running a half marathon.

I see the same man and his dog pretty much every day I run.  He always asks where the baby is which is usually when I am half way through an effort at full throttle and not during a rest section of my session.  I manage to breathlessly shout an answer each time usually just one word.  So this week he got 2 quality words out of me 'Grandad'  gasping and Thursday's session 'Dad'.  I'm sure he'd love to share a pint with me to see if I can string a sentence together.

On Thursday Owen ran pushing the pram next to me while I did 5 x 1200's.  I thought I was doing OK until rep 4 when my arms hurt just as much as my legs as I was pumping them so hard to hit my time set by husband Hitler.  There's nothing quite like feeling like your legs could go not faster and giving 100% effort and your hubby is just pushing a pram chatting as though he's out for a Sunday stroll.

The highlight of the week was our return to Derby to run the Ramathon route.  This time I had Archie with me so it would be the first time I'd ran with him on the actual course and the first time I had run half marathon distance with him.  It was perfect conditions and we got up at 6am to drive down from Rotherham so we could avoid as much traffic as possible as we intended to run on the roads.

The miles drifted by and I began to visualise the day.  So many friends and family are coming to support my attempt and I could see and hear them along the way.  Like all long runs you get times when you have a little wobble but my spirits were soon lifted when we were running through Elvaston Castle and a fellow runner shouted 'Good luck with your World Record Attempt'.  My pace and heart rate went up as the excitement filled my veins.

Golden Gates Elvaston Castle

The last stretch of the run is on the tow path of the river Derwent and my pace slowed a bit with the surface and the slight head wind.  I looked up to the sky and could hear my mum saying 'Go on Lindy Loo' .  I've always wanted to make my mum proud and before she went away she said how proud she is of Kate my sister and I, she didn't need to tell me as I could always feel it.

We turned into Ipro (well twice) as we saw the Race Director of the Ramathon who shouted 'You are going the wrong way', always good to know.

So this is us where the Ramathon finish line will be and hopefully I will be looking up to the clock which will read less than 1.30.51!!!!!

So with just 9 weeks to go take a little trip to my fundraising page and give a penny or so for two amazing charities Macmillan Cancer and The Rotherham Hospice.

Lindsy's Fundraising Page

#TEAMJAMES

Archie at the finish line

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: 50 minute recovery Spin
Tuesday: 6 x 5 minutes and pilates
Wednesday: 50 minute recovery
Thursday: 5 x 1200
Friday: 10, 40 level 2, 10
Saturday: 50 minute recovery
Sunday: 13.1 miles level 2

Insanity sends buggy running mum to prison

Outside Forest Bank Prison

I've been blessed with 3 months of pretty positive training with everything going to plan.  However every runner fears one of two things, illness and injury.

After leaving on a high and raring to go after the Gainsborough 10k, I woke up feeling ill the next day.  That's OK I thought one easy days cycle and I'll bounce back tomorrow.

I'm not a fan of a rest day and start to break out in cold sweats at the thought of two, so I couldn't work out whether the illness was getting worse or the thought of consecutive rest days had sent me over the edge.

I'm not a fan of negativity either so by Friday when I went to watch Owen run in the Salford 10k I thought what the hell am I going to write about this week.  Other than sleeping in bed during the day with a huge winter coat on to stop me from shaking.

So I'll tell you about my trip to Forest Bank Prison 30 times in 50 minutes!

We arrive at Salford at the crack of dawn, Owen is a bit of a fan in getting to a race super early, we may have well have put the cones and mile markets out.

I thought I'd use this spare time to get in my run before the race started and had checked out that there looked like there was a nice river path close by.  Double checking I asked a local who didn't sound so local! (clue number one)  what the path was like and whether is was OK for a running buggy.  'Yes and you can go for miles'  was the reply.  Off I went to find the route and hopefully put an end to a not so positive week of running.

The first access I tried to take onto the path couldn't have fit a small shopping trolley through it.  Anyone who knows me will know that once I have an idea I'll do anything to make it happen.  So I took a detour to find another way to the water.  All I can think of is this man have never run with a buggy before or probably walked with one as the trail consisted of mud and large stones.  Yet I still tried to run on it but seeing Archie catapulting up and down and thinking of Owen asking why all 3 tyres were flat I let the inevitable happen.  I turned around to look for an alternative as there was no way I wasn't going to run.

I found a lovely alternative route which consisted of about 600 meters down a road leading to ....prison.  So I ran up and down it with the buggy about 30 times until I had run for 50 minutes.  I could only think the guys in there looking out thought 'I think she needs to exchange places with me'.

As 'd:ream' says 'Things can only get better' and they did I managed to end the week with a long run without coughing my guts up too much, so onwards and upwards for next week.

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: Recovery bike 50 min

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Recovery run 50 min

Friday: Recovery run 50 min

Saturday: 10, 40 at level 2, 10

Sunday: Long run in recovery 1h35min

#TEAMJAMES

What a week of buggy running.  My training has shifted from doing the majority of runs without the buggy to running with the little fellow.

The speed sessions were tough this week but I had the joy of easing back towards the end of the week to do my first buggy race the Gainsborough 10k. A flat, fast PB course (but not with a buggy and baby).


The race conditions were perfect, cold but the sun came out and just 9 mph winds.  The usual funny looks mixed with smiles of affection when then saw Archie, Owen and I warming up in our new #TEAMJAMES tops which we have had done for the big day.

The race organiser for set us off 1 minute before due to health and safety reasons before starting the pack of 700 runners who would be hunting us down.

Checkout the race car hunting us down

Definitely a once in a life time experience leading the race but it didn't take long until the whippets came gliding through and became little dots in the distance.

It was so uplifting to get support from fellow runners mainly men for were impressed with what we were doing and the occasional shouts from the supporters saying 'Well done, first baby'.

The target was to hit just below the pace which I would need to run the Ramathon in around 6.50 pace.  I got a nice cheer from the crowds with 100 meters to go when I  got a bit over excited and took a 90 degree corner at 6 minute mile pace and the buggy flying around on 2 wheels.  A bit like rally car I thought I was going to take some spectators out.

Archie was a star not a peep out of him so I'm hoping he will be just as good when I run the half.

We crossed the line in 41.28 an average of 6.40 per mile with a smiling mum, dad and baby (once he saw he has milk waiting for him).  I finished 11th lady overall.

Just before my 2 wheeler

I'd like to thank Kevin Housham the race organiser for giving me the opportunity to race. To the runners and supporters who gave me a boost along the way.  To Owen for putting up with my losing it when my heart rate monitor fell off  and Archie for being a special little training partner.

Other great news this week is I finally got the official email from Guinness World Records to confirm my application is approved so lets hope no one reduces the World Record time before June 5th!.

Summary of this weeks training|:

Monday: Recovery run 50 min with buggy
Tuesday: 200, 200, 800 x 4, pilates.
Wednesday: 10 warm up 40 at level 2 10 cool down with buggy
Thursday: 15, 10, 5 at level 3, pliates
Friday: 30 minutes run with 10 x strides
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Race Gainsborough 10k with buggy

Run, Eat, Sleep...Repeat

They say it takes 1 day's recovery per race mile to totally recover from a race.  I don't know any runner who goes by this rule as most of us are impatient and generally not sensible.  However thinking I'd bounce back into training after 1 or 2 recovery days after a 20 mile race was slightly ambitious.  I'm hoping it's not down to old age (37) and more down to the fact that I've not raced that distance in years and wore my lightweight trainers which I've also never raced that distance in.

I have to give myself some credit though as over the years I have learned to listen to my body and ditch the plan when needed.  My body was saying no most of this week and I knew that trying to push a hard speed session too soon would have lead to both injury and disappointment as I wouldn't have been able to deliver.

So one easy day went into the next and I started to feel a little down hearted that I was taking too long to recover.  Even the buggy run on Thursday was not done at a very fast pace but my heart rate was sky high.

Not wanting to dwell on the negatives, here are the positives.  By Saturday we headed out onto the TPT to see if I could run with the buggy at speed, something I've not tried yet.  We did 4 x 1 mile reps with a 2 minute recovery jog.  Every other rep was slightly uphill with the stats showing that this slight increase in gradient added about 30 seconds per mile on.  It just shows how much pushing a weight up hill while running can take it out of you.  On the plus side I was flying running down hill and managed not to steer Archie into any hedges or dog walkers which was a bonus.

Sunday I started to feel just about myself again and put in some good pace on the Rotherham canal without feeling like I was running in sinking sand.  So it's back on it tomorrow, my hubby has some evil speed session for me to do now I've stop moaning about how much I hurt but he's not revealed it yet as I think he wants a peaceful Sunday evening.


RUN

SLEEP

                               

EAT



REPEAT!

I've had some unexpected sponsorship from people I don't know that have heard about my challenge which is heart warming as well as an old treasured Uni friend who has made contact to say she loves reading my blogs and has been extremely generous, you know who you are, thank you X.

Rotherham canal run

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 50 min Recovery bike
Wednesday: 50 min Recovery run, pilates
Thursday: 50 min Level 2 buggy run
Friday: 50 min easy run
Saturday: 4 x 1 mile buggy reps at tempo
Sunday: 10, 40 min level 2, 10 min