The legs remember

Today was one of our "local" races.  The Kirkcudbright Academy half marathon and 11k Beaches run.  Last year I ran the half marathon but I was 1 stone lighter and had kept on top of the running all the previous winter.  This year I am in a different place due to life events pushing the running out.  I decided to enter the 11k given than it is around 7 miles and I have been back to doing quite a lot of running in recent weeks.

Rick and 15yos were both running the same race.....needless to say in a different bit of the pack.
I felt quite nervous before the start and did wonder what on earth I was thinking of but it was too late to pull out in front of a lot of friends, and anyway, we had paid the entry fee.
The race starts from the High School Barnaby attends, runs through the streets for a while, which I really hate because I tuck myself in at the back and feel like everyone is watching me.  Having said that, I do tell myself that at least I am running it and they are not!
After crossing the estuary by the harbour, the run starts a steady climb out of the town and this could easily be really off putting.  I had already decided on a run/walk plan as my goal was to finish, not to even break my own record as I am carrying more weight.  So the plan was to start a fast walk up the hill and then run walk the next undulating couple of miles.  This worked well and I saw a good few other people in front having some walk breaks.  The undulating bit is really pretty, along a tree lined country lane.  A couple of very athletic people (not in the race) ran passed me and the chap said "get the jogging going again" just as I had started a walk break but I firmly told him I was on a run/walk plan and didn't allow myself to get discouraged.
The lane then meets another lane and there you meet the half marathon walkers who had set off at 11am and this is nice because you run passed people who have been walking for 9 miles and it's a good feeling.  It's also the lovely down hill - again small country lane and by far the best part of the run.  I passed quite a lot of the walkers.  Right at the bottom of the hill the lane meets a larger road and it was here that the half marathon front runner overtook me.  He was running an incredible pace but I had thought they would catch me up before that.  I had forgotten my Garmin which at first I was really cross about but in the end I think it was good because I just kept pushing at the pace which was right for me.
The last 2 miles of this run are horrid. A long straight stretch passed houses, shops and right through the town centre.  You are passing half marathon walkers and being passed by half marathon runners.  That's the OK bit.  The horrid bit is running past shoppers, feeling like you are dying and wanting to walk all the time.  However, I wanted to run the most of this bit, mainly because it is the last few miles but also because I knew I could do it.
I love the last quarter of a mile of any race and this is not exception.  It is back through houses and then comes into the school grounds.  The beauty of doing the 7 mile run instead of the half marathon for a slow runner like me is that you are running in while there are still crowds there cheering everyone on.  I felt quite emotional running up the finish line - and of course the family are so encouraging however slow I am. I was so tired at the end but had managed to run far more of it than I thought I would, so in the end it was a good thing not having my Garmin with me.
My time was 1 hr 34 min and my target time was under 1hr 45 min so I am really happy, proud and on my way back to running

 The programme has started - first marathon here I come

Stay with me - it's hard!!!

50/50 7 miler

This evening it is glorious Scottish spring weather.  Marie and I had planned a 7 mile run/walk and couldn't have asked for better weather.  We chose a country lane route out from my house, 1.25 mile through the village and then a steady 2 mile climb up past fields and farms.  The bluebells were out in force and the wild garlic smelled wonderful.  We mostly fast walked that hill and at first I felt a little discouraged about that but I really have to remember where I am coming from.  There were growing lambs with their mums in the fields all around. The next 3 miles are mostly down hill and that was so encouraging as I ran most of that.  It is so good to be out again.

A short way down the downhill section is the lovely small loch above.  The photo above is massively unflattering (excuse the pun) but shows that I mean business on my return to running.  My running buddy is so encouraging and we talk through a lot of my feelings about running.  She made me be more fair on myself, accept all the massive life changes we have had recently and start to enjoy the journey again.  So many things in life can push out looking after myself and I do need to make that a priority.
Anyway - it took me a long time to run/walk those 7 miles but I feel a massive sense of achievement.  On Saturday there is a local half marathon with a 7 mile run as well and I intend to do it as part of my "return" programme.  I will be slow and I will be last but I will get round the 7 mile course with a smile on my face.

The journey goes on....................

plodding on

I think my Garmin is feeling quite dizzy.  Since my last post I have consistently run a longish (4-5 miles) run each week and 2 long ones plus a walk.  In some ways it feels like the beginning again but in other ways I know that, even with the extra weight, it isn't the beginning because my body does actually know how to run.
Marie and I have had some great runs in the forest and fast walking the hills has done wonders for the legs already.  I look out over the next year and I know that there is a long journey ahead but then I read other people's journeys (Astrid, Fiona!) and the hard work they have had to put in, and I know deep down inside I can make it.
It is of course easier to run in Scotland in the spring and summer with the lighter nights and mornings but sometimes it is just an excuse if the weather isn't perfect.
My quote for the next week is this -
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." by Fred Lebow

So this evening I am going to take my 13yo daughter for a walk in the forest for 40 minutes.  Tomorrow Marie and I have a 7 mile training run.  On Wednesday I will run about 3 miles in the evening.  Thursday I am working 9 - 5 and on call from 5 - 11.30pm so rest day.  On Friday evening I will play badminton if my on call is quiet and on Saturday I will run the 7 mile local run - will be slow, much slower than last year.  But the above quote will keep me round the course.................Sunday rest day again!

Stay with me - it's hard!!