Great North Run - 9 days to go!

Hello! Welcome back!

I know it's been a while since posting an update; but I've still been training hard.

In my last blog I wrote about recovering from a cold and getting back into training. Well it's not been easy since either. I've been trying my best up increase my mileage at the same pace as my 5 k but losing those two weeks hasn't made it an easy task at all.

After running a very quick 1.66 miles on the 11th with an average pace of 12:41 mpm, I was feeling very confident; my legs were feeling light and I managed it really well. I wanted more runs like this; where I run short but quick then long but steady.

I set off for 8 miles the following Wednesday, two days later; I really struggled. I though when I was out there that I was going very very slow, my legs were heavy, my shins were hurting, and I really didn't feel like I had anything in me to push any faster! I wasn't very warm when I set off but when the sun came out when I reached mile 3/4 it made it very warm and very uncomfortable. I'm so glad there are so many water stations on the main event day!

I finished my 8 miles with an average pace of 14:39 mpm which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have been aiming for under 14:30 mpm average for my long runs so it wasn't far off.

The following week I did the Quayside route and finished a 5k with an average of 14:06, this was hard work but I was pleased as I did manage a few short sprints in there to push myself.

It wasn't until bank holiday Monday that I was really disheartened by my progress. I set out to do 10 miles from Seaton Sluice to Tynemouth and back again. My first mile I felt OK; I was wearing a t-shirt under my vest as I hadn't realised how warm it was. This meant at mile 2 I started doing a weird contortionist-escapee-type-thing and wriggled out of the t-shirt under my vest. I didn't care what I looked like though I was far too hot to care!

I made the big mistake of not taking any water with me; it was sunny and very very warm! by time I got 4 miles in I had to stop at a cafe to get a glass of water. I was so glad they obliged! I took a few sips even though I wanted to down the lot and plodded on. I even discovered afterwards that I got a little sunburn!

Tynemouth was so busy and it was hard to keep any kind of pace with people walking right in front of me... I might not have been going very fast but you would have thought that the trainers and vest might have given them a clue that I was trying to run!

I decided not to run back along the coast way back and carried on along the road that runs parallel as it was a bit more in the shade and wasn't nearly half as busy. At mile 7.5 I was passing another cafe so I stopped and asked if it was OK for a glass of tap water. Thankfully he went straight to his fridge and gave me a bottle of water! I was so grateful at this moment you have no idea!! It really helped me get through the last two miles.

By this point I was getting a blister on my left foot and I was practically limping. When I finished I had only managed 9.55 miles and my average pace was 15:43 mpm well over a minute slower per mile than my goal pace.

It's so disheartening after training since February and after feeling so strong in July. I know that I'll enjoy it no matter what; I know the time doesn't matter to other people but I so wanted to show an improvement since last year. I know I can do a 5k quicker than ever before but I really wanted to prove it to myself with my pb.

So that brings me to my last run which was only last night, I went to Sweatshop running club and covered 2.77 miles with an average pace of 14:34 mpm. I started of quite slow but I managed to pick it up and just keep pushing.

I'm going back on Monday for the last run before the big one. I'm going to take it as easy as possible s I don't want to push too hard. then it's just a question of fueling, hydrating and resting.

I have my last appointment with Physio on Wednesday next week for a half hour treatment on the calves. I'm going to ask if she can tape up my left shin - just for my own peace of mind more than anything.

I'm looking forward to the Great North Run but I'm apprehensive - I've just got to get my confidence back up.

My mantra - "I've trained; I can do this"

I hope to write a new blog before the big run but if not I will be back with an update on how it went.

Please donate whatever you can - no amount too small!

Thank you for reading!

Take care!

Chrissy 

Twitter@79bobbin

Half Marathon training & getting a cold don't mix!

Hello!

Welcome back!

This Weeks Training update...

Quite a bit has happened over the last week, a friend of mine gave birth 6 weeks early to a gorgeous little girl and I've not been able to visit due to being loaded with a cold!!

Needless to say my training has slowed down somewhat too!

So last week I wrote that I'd had my best ever pace for a 5k, I was so pleased and confident that I could get my miles up that weekend to 8 on that Friday. On Thursday I started to feel that dreaded scratch in my throat, it wasn't looking good.

On Friday, I came home from work and all I wanted to do was sleep, I even thought at the time that if i could just do some running then it would be ok. It was not meant to be; I lay down on the sofa and slept.

Saturday was none eventful too, I stayed on the sofa all day, the only movement I made was to walk the dog and even then I took the throwing ball for her and she did all the work!

I was feeling gutted, my 8 miler was out the window. I felt weak; I couldn't breath; I wasn't sleeping... I could almost see my average pace drift away from me.

Monday I felt slightly better so I went to SweatShop club that evening; I probably shouldn't have done, but once I'd done it I did feel better. It was short and slow but at least I did it.

Short and slow with the SRC

I ventured out on Wednesday for a bit of a longer run; definitely a bad idea, I should have just done a 5k. It was quite possibly the worst run ever. Slow, hilly... I despise hills!!! I had a stitch for pretty much 75% of it!

Wednesday nights awful run!

Last night however I forced myself out on a later run; it was totally worth it... I actually enjoyed it!! the first mile was slow and up hill but after that I got into my stride. I felt strong, I didn't get a stitch and ran for the majority of the entire thing! I was focused on the end goal... to get back to my average pace.

Saturday night run!

For the Great North Run this year I'm aiming to keep to a 14 min mile to get my desired time of between 3 hrs to 3 hrs 15 mins. The way training has gone so far I should be able to do that; I just need to try harder on my longer runs, make the most of downhill and declines and focus on keeping the walking pace up to a fast march on those up hills. I really feel that I'm better prepared for it this year, so I'm  quite confident I'll beat last years time at least.

My charity

This year I'm running to raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, they are absolutely amazing animals who not only alert their owners to possible dangers and general household sounds and alerts; they keep them company too.

"Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity and centre of excellence in training dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals in the home, work place and public buildings." hearingdogs.org.uk

Please support in any way you can - my link to sponsor me will be at the bottom of the page.

In other news....

So, two weeks ago the Bupa Great North Run Facebook page has been running a competition to take a 'selfie' in front of the bridge and uploading with #bridgeselfie and #GNRMillion - of course I have been doing this as I do a selfie after every run anyway! 

I found out after arriving home from work on Monday that I was the first winner of the trainers! I was over the moon!! 

The moment I found out I was a winner

I have now received them and they're great! I'll not be able to run in them unfortunately as my gait analysis recommended that I get stability trainers and these are neutral. I will however wear them all the time I'm not running which will save my Brookes Vapors for all my runs.

The winning Puma Faas trainers

Coming up...

So this week the plan of action...

5k Monday evening
8 mile on Wednesday afternoon
5k on Friday evening

Stay tuned to see how they go!


If you want to sponsor me you can do here:

See you next time,

Chrissy

Well overdue update!!

Welcome back!

Wow, I hadn't realised how long it's been since I wrote my first blog! I get into the situation where I just think I'll do it tomorrow; then by the time tomorrow comes there's something else I've got to do...

Anyway.. it's better late than never!

So where do I start - the last few weeks have been eventful that's for sure!

Bupa Great North 10K 

So much better than last year, I felt more confident before I left than I did last year for a start.
I got up quite early considering I din't get to bed very early, got dressed; made sure my Garmin was charged the night before; pinned my number to my t-shirt the night before too.
My breakfast was two Power Bars one on the way into town the other on the way into the stadium.
I wisely didn't drink too much that morning, but I did drink plenty the day before. I ran in my SweatShop SRC Yellow t-shirt, and I had my ipod and phone in my running belt. Checked I had everything else! I was ready to go! My friend Sarah picked me up and we made our way there together, and although it was a while we had to wait it did actually seem like time flew over.

I knew that after the start I'd be overtaken quite quickly so I just let it happen and tried not to trip anyone up when I slowed down to a fast march; I wanted to save some energy for the flatter parts so I was letting the hill carry me down and not push. At one point I was so distracted by the elites coming in the opposite direction I forgot I was actually running!! I kept a steady pace and was on target for a 1:20 finish... then that hill happened! I tried little steps but then my toes went numb!! I just kept pushing and pushing.. eventually I saw the stadium in sight.. I really wanted to run the entire lap to the finish; so I picked myself up and just kept going! 

In the end I got a PB of 1:30:09 - that's 3 minutes quicker than last year!!

Just over the moon! I wouldn't have minded it being a bit quicker but there's always next year! 

Very Proud in my t-shirt - which funnily enough I'm wearing as I type!

Training

Training for the Great North Run has been going pretty well too, not 5 days after finishing the 10k I went out and did another one....

Then a few 5k's under the belt.....

And the best PB on a 5k ever!! 

Have been feeling really good out there on my runs until.... I got a cold!!!!!! It couldn't have come at a worse time! It sucks!! I wanted to go out for my long run on Friday - I was due to do 8 miles... but no, I ended up having a bath and going to bed. I slept most of the day on Saturday and Sunday and today I made it out for what felt like the shortest but longest run ever...

This was only this evening; and I must say I do feel better for it!!

In other news....

So over the last few weeks I've been doing odd bits and pieces in preparation for the Great North Run, I've had my vest printed...

The Great North Run Facebook page have been running a competition, to take a selfie in front of the bridge with the sign on it.. so of course I've been going a little nuts, and this has been the result....

And no I can't believe it!!

I'm over the moon!!

I really hope to write more very soon; so sorry I've cheated a little bit but I hope I told the story well with my photos!

If you'd like to sponsor me you can do so by clicking right here....



Hope to see you very soon!!

Chrissy xx

Running the Great North Run for 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People