I realise the picture and the title don't really match up.
The picture is from Movember 2019 in Nottingham where I was joined on stage by one of the Movember Ambassadors sporting a marvellous 'Mo', mine still had a way to go plus the chin bit had grown back. (yes that is Batmans house in the background again) Today is now May, and the weather has somewhat imporved, even if we are all still working from home, furloughed, social distancing etc. My Movembers Miles for Mates was a bit slower today (44.06), partly due to the warmer weather and partly due to me catching up with a friend during the first 2k. The physical activity of the challenge, which is a pretty big challenge for me, is great for your mental health, also good for me, but in addition it is really important to keep speaking to epople. Making a conection, having a catch up on the phone can make a difference to your own mental health and the others. Since Lockdown started I have been looking at ways to keep myseflf motivated and catching up with other. Zoom, is my new friend, something I had never used before. Yes I have done conference calls for work, and the occasional Skype call with friends overseas. But now I am finding lots of different ways to use Zoom. We started with a weekly quiz, just a few people to see how it could work, and now we get around 20 teams each week, with lots of regulars. Yes someone has to win, but its much more about being with other people and a shared, communal activity. Next up was a Saturday night party, with a bit of dancing,, laughter and a surprising about of 'disco; lights that people just seem to have at home, either that or Amazon did some speedy deliveries. We even tried a radio show, but that one still needs work. The content was great, the technology not so! We had coffee with friends in the 'cafe', trips to the 'pub' and even birthday celebrations with cake and candles. One memory will be seeing my neices face as she blew out the candle through the screen....now thats magic. Whatever you do, keep talking to people. Ask 'How are you?" and if necessary ask again - sometimes people just need to be asked. There is still time to join me as part of Movember's Miles for Mates - its not about how fast, or slow you go - sign up at thefixevents.com/movembers-miles-for-mates Goto to dash - a quiz wont write itself!
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Three Walk/Runs in and the time is coming down. today we knocked a further 2 minutes off so down to 40:51 now for 5K.
I spoke to Kerrie Aldridge, Marathon Runner, the other day and she gave me some great advice. To build up slowly, only go out every third day, I am watching my knees and noticing every ache in them. I am making sure I keep to Kerrie's advice and not over doing things. I am finding I am able to run for a bit longer than walk which is good. One thing I will need to do is look at my route, At present the main part of my last kilometre is up hill. this isn't great for my head, or legs at that point, so I will have a look on Strava to see what other routes are around. The other rookie mistake today was what I was wearing. For the past few months the only walking I have done has been in normal shorts, so this morning I put on my running one, I felt it was important to be committed with my kit as well. However, these shorts , whilst they have pockets, don't work for your phone. I tried holding the phone in my hand and nearly dropped it a few times. I improvised, pushed yup the sleeve on my long sleeve top and slid the phone in trapping it near my elbow. Only issue then was half way around my long-sleeve top was making me way too warm Note to self - phone holder - which was in the cupboard back at home. MILES FOR MATES Don't forget there is still time to be part of the Movember Miles for Mates - sign up here - thefixevents.com/movembers-miles-for-mates Being physically distanced is the best weapon against COVID-19 for now but that doesn’t mean you have to disconnect socially. Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your mental health I have been back and looked at my last post (September 2019) and wow so much has changed since. Obviously the fact we are all in lockdown is one thing that we are all dealing with. Then there is the fact that mass participation events, including running ones, are all on stop. London Marathon may or may not happen in October (personally I think not) 5 and 10Ks all being postponed and then often postponed or cancelled until next year. It seems likely that it will be 2021 before we see any large races again. In the meantime virtual is the way forward. Knee update Well we tried some more running in September and clearly it was too soon. Sorry for not updating the blog, but I was focused on improving knee strength and blog took a back seat. More physio was needed and then some weekly circuits type classes for knee strengthening. My measure of progress is how easily I can get up off the floor and how quickly I can come downstairs in the morning. Through the end of 2019 I continued to work and support other runners, at Cardiff 10K and Cardiff Half. Hosting at Poppy Run for the Royal British Legion. And in Movember hosting MoRun at Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham and Nottingham, at Batman's house no less, Wollaton Park. As always these are my favourite races as the link to mens health both physical and mental is very close to me. Into 2020 and battling the storms we managed to attend the slightly delayed Llanelli Half, and The Winter Warmer runs. The weather took its toll on the St Days Day Run....and then the virus arrived! As someone who is close to the organisation of many races we were watching what was happening and we all hoped that things would be getting back to 'normal' as the year went on, but that looks unlikely now. Even if mass gatherings are allowed, who will come? People are wanting to do things but very cautious, and rightly so. Virtual There has been a number of virtual events, plus the 2.6 challenge, set up to allow people to use their time, in lockdown, productively. I wondered what I would be able to do. Please remember, even though I have been at more running events than I can even remember over the past 20 plus years, I have not actually completed a race of my own for more than 25 years....probably longer. My good friends at Fix Events (MoRun) launched a Miles for Mates, virtual race, Being physically active is great for your mental health, and now more than ever it is important to check in with your friends and family. We have all been dealing with Covid-19 in our own way, and nobody had the rules on how to deal with things. So for my challenge, I chose to do the 5K. I baselined with a steady walk 47.56 and today improved to 42.49. Let's see what we can achieve as the month goes on. Goals
You can be part of Movember Miles for Mates - HERE Or if you fancy just trying to get me below 40:00 come and 'run' with me. After an enforced break from running, and walking for that matter, I am back. The last time I added to my blog, the Doctor has told me it would be 2 weeks of rest before I could do anything. Well.... 2 weeks became 3 weeks and the 3 months, a lot of rest, a few pain killers, and an MRI scan later and here we are on the 26 September. It seems ironic to me now that yesterday, the 25 September was the day the physio said "OK i think we can start some short distance walking and mild jogging, but not too far too fast!" when it was the 25 June when the knee injury happened. A lot has happened in that time, and in some way not a lot. I'll leave politics out of it. I had the pleasure of being invited to Vintage for Victory, celebrated a big birthday, saw 4 musicals in 2 weeks, met Michael Ball, stood on the Greenwich meridian, attended Invncbl and then helped to deliver the most successful Cardiff 10K so far. It was incredible to see so many people taking to the streets of Cardiff and having a fantastic time. I knew I wouldn't be able to run, it is the one question as an event manager you get asked all the time....are you running. Well 'No' someone has to organise things!! However, it did mean I met up with some incredible runners and it was lovely to have Kerrie join us as a race starter. It was also incredible to be stood on the finish line to welcome her home. So what now? Tonight I pulled on my running shoes and stepped back onto the road. I took it slowly and didn't try to do too much. 2k in 20 minutes, I also took the 4 legged training partner with me, so I wouldn't go too fast. The big question now is.....how will the knee be in the morning? Look what arrived today (thanks Ben), I'm thinking of getting this added to my training top. It has given me a bit of a boost today as I have been in pain since yesterday. Surprisingly the pain in my knee didn't happen when I was running, but I think it did happen when I stood up after writing my blog! I know the irony is not lost on me. Anyway it has put pay to me doing any more running for a few days, which judging by the weather forecast may not be a bad thing. Running in the dry weather is one thing but running in the heat. I know I can do a 5k without stopping which was my goal by the end of June, next main goal is to complete 10K. Once the knee is feeling better I will be looking for some training partners, I am looking at parkrun as an option but would also like to have some friends who just want a plod around the park to join me. I'll keep you posted on some dates. When my daughter was younger our house was full of the singing of Troy and Gabriella, I'm sure many of you can empathise. On todays run, however, it can safely be said that my Head was not in the Game! I think it was a combination of a number of things: - not running for 5 days - spending a lot of time on my legs over the weekend - stiff legs and sore knees - damp humid weather - thinking of others The weather today is damp and humid, which made it slippery underfoot. I was speaking to a former olympian over the weekend (get me) and he advised running on grass to save my knees. but I think wet grass wasn't the best of ideas, so I went back to the path. I decided to put on my lightweight running jacket but whilst this helped with the dampness it didn't help with the warmth - lesson learnt. I actually started off well, and as I entered the second kilometre I felt good....however at just after 2k everything started to get more difficult. Breathing was harder, legs were heavier, knees jarring. I decided to take the advice of Sam2.0 an reduced speed and returned to Jeffing. I needed to get around the course (plus by now I was nearly 2.5k from where I parked the car). Running what I could, and walking the rest got me through the next 2.5k and back to where I set off from. It was only then I checked my time and distance tracker, only to find I was nearly 2 minutes faster than my last run, where I didn't walk at all! Clearly I had set off at a faster pace...... Over the weekend I was at a number of events and had fun talking to people about my running journey. It still seems strange to be able to have an actual conversation with other runners and know exactly what I am talking about. It was lovely to meet some of the members of the South Wales Running Community in person. I love being part of their online group, and to be able to put a face to a name was fantastic. Let's hope the next run will be a bit easier, although I've seen the forecast and the word heatwave was mentioned..... Another 5K (without walking) done. Tonight I was joined by my speed coach, our Number 1 Daughter, as she prefers to be called, on my 5K run. She is definitely faster than me, but unlike the last time we ran together I didn't try to keep up. Turns out it was a good plan. Whilst she was 'Jeffing' with speedy runs and then walking, I was able to maintain a steady pace, catching her up and then being overtaken as she went back to a fast bit again. It did feel a bit like the Hare and the Tortoise. I was really pleased to be able to keep to my own pace and completed another 5K without the need to stop and walk. My time remained constant, it is much more about the distance. I am back on the look out for a running watch, I borrowed a Garmin from a friend but it didn't work that well for me. I think a more basic watch might be the way forward, but for now the research continues. I am however, very happy with my choice of Bone conduction headphones. As someone who organises races I am not a fan of headphones at events but when you are training seem like a great idea - remember to pick a suitable speed tune though. I have a few days off running as I have a busy weekend with events. I am looking forward to meeting some fellow runners at Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday. This year I can empathise with the runners, and soon I can aim for 13.1 miles. I left the house this evening for my next 5K distance with one intention, to Run (well jog) as far as I could without stopping. No coaching staff tonight, so just me and my trusty headphones for the evening. I started off well, and chose a suitable playlist, nothing too fast and quite soon found I had competed 1K. Feeling good, and realising I was on the slightly down hill section I continued. I mentioned before I have certain bits of this course I have tried to complete, even setting myself my own little finish line. This soon was upon me and 2K had passed - still no walking. Sam2.0 had helped be deal mentally with the next part of the course, which in my head seems very long, but actually isn't that far. Plodding on, I was soon at 3K and still no walking. Now my head started to ask the question - Can you do 5K without needing to walk? I already knew that the 4th km had 'The Hill', well it's more of an incline but in my head its a hill. I have worked hard over the past few runs to make it up the 'hill' without stopping, and tonight in no time I was at the top, and 4K done. Still feeling good and not too tired the thought of the final km started to move me forward. My head telling me, that with every step forward we were closing in on the 5K. OK I may have been overtaken by other runner but I was on my own little journey. 5K without stopping was in my sights. Then, as if by magic it was done! Without any running buddies or coaches to help me...so I gave myself a little high five to celebrate. Technology however did let me down so I don't have a map or splits to show what I did, however 5K in 36.15 without stopping is what I know I did. Yeah Go Me! On the 1st May 2019 I started my journey as a 'Marathon Runner in Training' and 1small-step was born. I always said I would build up slowly not pushing things too far, too fast, after all it has been more than 24 years since I did any running. But with a steady increase in distance and the support of many friends and family, and my coaching team, Mrs C, Lucy, Sam2.0 and Angel today I achieved the first of many mini goals. 26.2 miles is a huge distance and still a long way off, but 5K is now done. The next mini goal, by the end of June, is to keep going without walking any of the distance. This may be a little way off but for tonight 5K in 37:52 will do. I still managed to increase the amount of time I spent running, and by setting myself some little extra distance goals we were soon eating into the distance. I think it is as much about your head as your legs. Tonight I felt positive about the distance, the drizzle meant it was a bit slippy but also meant the pavement didn't have too many walkers to deal with. I am still on the look out for a 5K race a the end of June, at this rate I'll have to put one on just for me, other runners welcome. In passing today, I was offered a place in Windsor half, in September. Now this is a very achievable goal, but also remember I am yet to run 5K without stopping. With this in mind I set off in the drizzle to see how far I could do with minimal 'Jeffing'. Attached my headphones, choosing a suitable playlist, actually 'Don't Stop me now' was probably a bit fast for a first track, but it got me started and I was soon off and running. I like to set myself small 'distance' goals and today extended one of my sections to the longest distance yet. Note to self - make sure you have water, either with you or in the car for when you finish. Despite the drizzle there was a number of runners making their way around the park, some faster than other but all having a go. I saw some great #MondayMotivation today - "Run when you can, Walk if you have to, Crawl if you must; Just never give up." this kept me going as I went around the park. Now seeing as I need to do 13.1 miles by the end of September, this week the distance goes up to 5K. I am still seeking a 5K event for the end of June, I'd like something special as my first race, my colleague and coach Sam2.0 has said if there isn't an official event then she will get me a medal from the office. |
AuthorAfter 24 years of helping others to achieve their running goals - it is now my time. Archives
February 2022
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