So we're now up in Newcastle and it's all going smoothly thanks to months of meticulous planning by the team at Fast Track. The World Medical Conference is in it's second day - looking forward to John Brewer's talk on nutrition and injury this afternoon and it's been a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with delegates about our products and sports nutrition in general. There's also a growing buzz around Newcastle about Sunday's race. It feels like the whole city is in some way involved - including the guy in JD sports yesterday who noticed our Lucozade Sport branded gear and launched into 20 questions about why we were here and what we're doing. So we, and the rest of Newcastle are getting ready for the biggest event of the year (that's if you discount the Newcastle Bangkok ladyboy weekend that is happening simultaneously! Could make for some interesting fancy dress costumes on Sunday...
The 'going smoothly' comment has to be caveated by things not being quite so great on the personal front. I woke up yesterday morning with a bit of a sore throat and a tickly nose which (touch wood) doesn't seem any worse today, but is not filling me with confidence. I am hoping a few early nights and vitamin c will sort me out in time for race day. I am keeping everything crossed which looks a bit stupid but I am happy to forgoe my street cred if it means I get to run on Sunday!
Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement and support over the last few days. It's awesome to visit your blog and see a handful of comments waiting for you. Makes all the difference. Hope everyone's final week of training is going strong and see you soon!
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Sunday, 23 September 2007
7 miles and 7 days
Never has 7 miles felt so hard! A crazy week at work and stuff generally just catching up with me had clearly taken it's toll yesterday as i embarked on my last long run before the big day. It felt like someone had unscrewed my legs and given me someone else's - and that someone had obviously done zero training and sat on their butt eating pies all year! So, not so good, but I am hoping it was just a blip because I was flying on Monday. It's so funny how some days it just feels like you don't have anything in the tank. In my experience it's also pretty common to feel this towards the end of your training - a bit sluggish and slow when you feel like you should be at your best. Hopefully my best is saving itself for next Sunday!
Today is a rest day but I'll be busy packing to head up to Newcastle tomorrow morning. We're going to be at the World medical Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday and then the GNR expo on Friday and Saturday so my race experience actually starts tomorrow! I'm not sure how much time I'll have to put in a few runs but I can guarantee i'll have plenty of time on my feet so hopefully this counts for a bit of mileage...Gulp.
Today is a rest day but I'll be busy packing to head up to Newcastle tomorrow morning. We're going to be at the World medical Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday and then the GNR expo on Friday and Saturday so my race experience actually starts tomorrow! I'm not sure how much time I'll have to put in a few runs but I can guarantee i'll have plenty of time on my feet so hopefully this counts for a bit of mileage...Gulp.
Monday, 17 September 2007
Goodbye Shin Splints
Sunday was a massive high. I took to the tarmac with 20,000 other women at the Hydro Active Women's Challenge in Hyde Park and not only did my shin splints do an amazing disappearing act (no doubt helped by the magic my physio performed last week), but I also got round in a decent time which gives me confidence that the Great North Run won't be the monster I thought it might be! So it's looking good for Newcastle. Nice.
And the Hydro Active Women's Challenge also helped to remind me what all of this running lark is all about. From scooping a PB to getting round in one piece, goals were being achieved left right and centre and the atmosphere was awesome. It was great to see Liz Yelling get a PB but equally great to see one of our Team Hydro Active runners knock 11 minutes off their last time to finish in 38 mins. It's days like Sunday that remind me how lucky I am to do the job I do and why I keep running even, and especially when the going gets tough.
So tonight, filled with a new found confidence I managed a fairly quick 5 miles and I'm going to get myself out for a long run before the week is out so my body doesn't get too much of a shock to the system when I ask it to do 13.1 miles next Sunday!
And the Hydro Active Women's Challenge also helped to remind me what all of this running lark is all about. From scooping a PB to getting round in one piece, goals were being achieved left right and centre and the atmosphere was awesome. It was great to see Liz Yelling get a PB but equally great to see one of our Team Hydro Active runners knock 11 minutes off their last time to finish in 38 mins. It's days like Sunday that remind me how lucky I am to do the job I do and why I keep running even, and especially when the going gets tough.
So tonight, filled with a new found confidence I managed a fairly quick 5 miles and I'm going to get myself out for a long run before the week is out so my body doesn't get too much of a shock to the system when I ask it to do 13.1 miles next Sunday!
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Frustration!
I have shin splints which a) makes running very difficult at the moment and b) is putting my sanity into question! Since about 6 weeks ago my GNR target has been slipping away as I've been forced to tone down my training (including a 3 week complete rest!) and try and get the issues with my left calf sorted out. So far, not so good.
However, i am trying to stay positive which is helped by a great physio who has been giving me acupuncture and massage that makes me cry (so I know it's good for me!), and the fact that running the world's biggest half marathon (however slowly) is going to be an awesome experience whatever.
I managed half an interval session with the GSK running club on Tuesday (it was on grass which I thought might help but my leg is telling me it's still not ready) and a 30 minute steady run with my housemate Gem today. As long as I keep my pace down I seem to be getting away with it but anything more and my calf gets angry with me! I have some physio booked for tomorrow night and have been massaging, stretching and icing to help things along.
Patience is, unfortunately, a virtue i don't have so this has been a testing time. But over the years I have learnt that running has a way of teaching you things - about yourself, your limits (and how to surpass them), your strengths, your weaknesses and the way you handle stuff that is thrown at you. I get the feeling that I am on another learning curve!
So I'm going to reset my target over the next week so that I run a realistic race on 30th Sept. There's no point going for a PB when I know I am injured and haven't done enough training. I'm aiming to take it steady round the Hydro Active Women's Challenge (5k) next Sunday and see how I feel, but if I could get round GNR in 1.45 now I'd be happy.
As for that elusive 1.30 half marathon...I haven't forgotten it.
However, i am trying to stay positive which is helped by a great physio who has been giving me acupuncture and massage that makes me cry (so I know it's good for me!), and the fact that running the world's biggest half marathon (however slowly) is going to be an awesome experience whatever.
I managed half an interval session with the GSK running club on Tuesday (it was on grass which I thought might help but my leg is telling me it's still not ready) and a 30 minute steady run with my housemate Gem today. As long as I keep my pace down I seem to be getting away with it but anything more and my calf gets angry with me! I have some physio booked for tomorrow night and have been massaging, stretching and icing to help things along.
Patience is, unfortunately, a virtue i don't have so this has been a testing time. But over the years I have learnt that running has a way of teaching you things - about yourself, your limits (and how to surpass them), your strengths, your weaknesses and the way you handle stuff that is thrown at you. I get the feeling that I am on another learning curve!
So I'm going to reset my target over the next week so that I run a realistic race on 30th Sept. There's no point going for a PB when I know I am injured and haven't done enough training. I'm aiming to take it steady round the Hydro Active Women's Challenge (5k) next Sunday and see how I feel, but if I could get round GNR in 1.45 now I'd be happy.
As for that elusive 1.30 half marathon...I haven't forgotten it.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Great North Run
Sal caught the running bug 4 years ago at her first 10k race and has been pounding the streets and competing (mostly with herself!) ever since. She's clocked up two London Marathons and a healthy dose of half marathons, 16 milers, and 5 and 10ks. She runs with Hercules Wimbledon AC
Everyone has their nemesis and Sal's is the 1.30 half marathon. She keeps running 1.33 so the Great North Run is where she aims to conquer her time and shave off those pesky 3 minutes that have been haunting her!
Everyone has their nemesis and Sal's is the 1.30 half marathon. She keeps running 1.33 so the Great North Run is where she aims to conquer her time and shave off those pesky 3 minutes that have been haunting her!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
