2015 - The Run Down

This time last year I set myself 5 'Runolutions' - running goals and resolutions for 2015 - and boy did I have fun trying to achieve them.

Without a marathon to concentrate on, 2015 saw me become a triathlete after completing the London Triathlon; run with Paula Radcliffe; be a poster girl in the This Girl Can campaign; learn to swim front crawl again, and take part in my first 24 hour race at Equinox24 which included getting up and running in the dark at 1.30am! Phew!

So let's see how I got on with the rest of my goals...

1) Join a running club
This is probably the best thing I've done for my running all year, hell probably ever! After a few tentative visits, in January I signed up to the Manchester YMCA Harriers and haven't looked back since. Running with these lovely lot has meant going to wonderful races I'd never have entered alone, tackling a 24  hour race and coming top ten, winning the Christmas 5K Handicap as well as lots of brilliant social outings - not to mention chat chat chatting all the way through our weekly club runs.

Harrier!

2) Go to parkrun and make it routine
As soon as I completed my first parkrun early last year, I knew I would be back. The atmosphere en route; waiting for the text later to confirm your time and the feeling of being back in the warm tucking in to a post run brekkie by 10am, have all contributed to the best start to the best weekends. This weekly free 5k has also helped in increasing my speed (my 5k PB is now 21.34) and kicked me into gear to up my mileage by incorporating it into a long run. I've run in a number of different parkruns and when I'm away always check if one is nearby! Brilliant.

Impromptu Harrier parkrun meet up

3) Try out Cross Country
Not too long ago I did my first Cross Country race with the club. The wind was howling, the rain was pouring and the mud was slippery. But it was lots of fun. I've only completed one race so far but the season is young and I will be back for more in Jan!

Mud mud mud

4) Properly train for half marathons and try and break 1.45
Along with completing my triathlon, this is the running achievement I am most proud of in 2015 - completing the Wilmslow Half Marathon in 1.39! A new PB and much faster than the 1.45 I was hoping for. It was really hard work, but I really felt like I put the effort and training in, and unsurprisingly it paid off. I must remember this in my marathon training for Manchester 2016.

5) Have a clear out and lend a hand
A mile in her Shoes is a charity which helps women who have been affected by homelessness help find their feet through running. It's great, and I was really pleased when my new club told me they'd read my blog and were also doing a collection of running clothes to donate to the charity. So after sorting through my kit drawer I added my donations to the pile. In fact, having complained that my drawer is currently bulging, it's about time I had another clear out. I also volunteered to marshal our club race this year. It's nice to give something back and I should very much make it my goal to do more volunteering this year.

So there we have it - a pretty busy 2015 with lots of achievements I'm proud of. But the over riding bonus of the last year are all the lovely crazy people I've met and trained with along the way. From swimming, cycling, triathlon training and of course running, it's been the people who have been crazy enough to do these things with me that have really made it a brilliant year.

Running and racing in 2016

After a year off marathons there was much 'umming' and 'ahhing' over which marathon I would do come Spring 2016. Would it be London again after I loved it so much last time? Paris perhaps, along with a few Harriers? or would I run my adopted home city of Manchester?

After thinking about it at length, the lure of waking up in my own bed and celebrating post race at my local was too much for me and Manchester was entered! Im stupidly excited and am being bold and aiming pretty high for me with a time of 3.30. Yikes! This is massively quicker than my current PB of 3.51 so am hoping a lot of track sessions and hard work will help me get there. But in order to do that I'll also need to run some other races in the lead up to the big day.

These are, so far:

Cancer Research UK Winter Run 10k - 28th Feb Manchester
To run faster, you  need to...well run faster! So although 10k is not my favourite race distance, I figured I'd need a short sharp race to keep my speed up.  After it's launch in London last year, the Winter Run series has expanded to various locations throughout the country for 2016. As this 10k promises on course snow zones and plenty of polar bear hugs, I figured this was a good 10k to opt for and I was very kindly offered my place in it by the organisers. Im also hoping the fun course will help me beat my 10k PB which has been standing for over a year.

Coniston 14 - 19th March, Coniston

When I first joined my running club a year ago, the word 'Coniston' was said approximately 1 million times to me in the first couple of months and they were all to do with this lovely looking race in the Lake District. You get a slate table mat if you come top 10 and the scenery looks amazing. Im looking forward to the 14 mile course in March and it will hopefully act as a good gauge as to how I'm doing in my training. I can't wait to run a course which gets such rave reviews from my running buddies, especially as I'll get to run it along side them (well maybe quite a way behind the fast boys but you get the drift).

And so far, that's it! I'm on the look out for a good half marathon to chuck into the marathon training mix, along with weekly parkruns, cross country, club runs, long Sunday runs, track sessions....phew! I think it'll be a busy start to 2016!

What races are you planning for next year?

Tatton Yule Tomp 2015

It was touch and go whether the Tatton Yule Yomp 10k would go ahead on Sunday thanks to Storm Desmond strutting his stuff. Lying in bed that morning listening to the wind howl and the rain on the roof, I didn’t much feel like getting out and entering the storm. 

But when an email pinged into my inbox from the organisers whilst I was eating my pre-race porridge, I was really please to see that it was still going ahead, and not only because the alternative was to tackle a run in the rain alone. I was looking forward to this 10k; it would be my last race of the year and I'd heard really good things about it. Plus I love a festive run! I also was in the mood to get out there and was looking forward to running with some of the club.

Following Santa and his elves into the storm

The atmosphere as we arrived was great, with everyone in good festive cheer boosted by the brass band playing Christmas songs. We decided all races should definitely start with a brass band. Loads of runners were dressed up and I vowed that next year I would do the same. Amid the angels, penguins and various Santas, the best outfit had to be the guy running in A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE costume. I dread to think where his branches may have got caught mid run...

It was so fun and festive that I almost forgot we had to race, but the party atmosphere continued down at the start line.

The course itself was tough. Lots of trails, mud and fields were the order of the day and I found it hard work. I like the idea of trail running and appreciate the scenery, but I feel like you can't settle into a pace and are constantly tackling the course. That, and I realised I really need to invest in some trail shoes. It was fun, but just as I was thinking hoe the weather wasn't so bad after all, the rain started to hammer down on us. It was cold and the rain in the wind was painful! But it was also refreshing and I kept the post race cuppa in my mind to get me through.

At a little over half way a marshal told me I was 7th lady which meant I kept my pace up even though my quads were screaming at me - I quite liked the thought of being top 10 and I didn't want any speedy ladies coming through and overtaking me!

Soon enough the KM markers ticked by and I was up to 8km. It was here that we thankfully left the fields behind us and were back on the open road and on to the home straight. I could see the light of the finisher clock in the distance and kept pushing towards it until soon enough I was there!

It was no PB run but I was so glad that I'd been able to go out and finish my last race of the year and the tough course made it even better. The costumes, festive music, and brilliant organisation made for a great race, not to mention the best post race goody bag I've ever had (complete with whole loaf of bread, gingerbread snowmen, and teacakes). 

Having some festive fun in the rain, 7th lady home and a time of 48.10 felt like a good way to finish my racing year.

See you next year Tatton Yule Yomp!

Hanging with the band post-race

Windmill Half Marathon race report

Windmill Medal

I was looking forward to doing the Windmill Half marathon and getting some double digit mileage under my belt, something I've not had much chance to do while training for my triathlon. I heard the course could be pretty boring with a flat two lap loop along the coast, but I quite like this type of race as you know what you are in for and you can tick off little landmarks on your way, including a very large pretty windmill.

What I didn't like or anticipate was the wind. My god the wind. The second half of the loop felt like you were using up all your energy just pushing through the gale and I could really feel it in my legs and lungs which were burning. 'Shut up legs' I kept saying to myself over and over. Then the turn back came again and out I ran getting into the stride and feeling good. Then back into the hellish wind. Repeat. So it really was a run of two halves.

There was a nice atmosphere and the looped route also meant plenty of opportunity to see people you knew out on the course . I got to see all the Harriers who were also running, and cheer them on while they offered me words of encouragement which was great, and needed.

The miles crept up and the wind kept going and then suddenly I was at 10 miles and I realised that I was surprisingly and tantalisingly close to my PB. I told my legs to shut up again and pushed on, knowing it would be touch and go in these conditions. I decided I had to give it my all otherwise I'd be annoyed with myself. I ran and ran making strange noises and grimacing into the home straight with the effort. I gave it my all only to see the clock as I ran over the line read 1.39.55 - 10 seconds more than my PB. I felt sick - mostly because I had run so hard, and just a tiny bit sick about the time. But I'm over that. There will be other races, I will get another PB another time (perhaps when I've worked a little bit harder for it in training) and I know that I gave it my all on the day. And you can't do any better than that.

I came fourteenth lady; got my second best ever time; had a great time with some of the Harriers and received the world's most ridiculous medal, complete with moving windmill sails.

All in all not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

Joining a Running club - Crandon Runs Friday Photo #29

It's official, I am a Harrier!

Manchester YMCA Harrier

Sick of running alone, I'd been thinking about joining a running club for a long time and as one of my New Year Runolutions, this was top of my list. It's no secret that I find running with other people way more fun than heading out alone, and I wanted to get to know more people who were in to running. 

Like lots of people I was a little scared of joining a running club and worried that I wasn't 'pro' enough. But I decided to man up when I saw that the Manchester YMCA Harriers were having a new members night to try out the club, and so I popped down to see what it was like. After going along to the club run on a Thursday night a few times I knew that this was the club for me. 

Joining a club really lets you get involved in the local running scene, gain wisdom from coaches and other local runners as well as do different sessions/races that you might not do alone; cross country, track sessions and hill training along with various club championships.

I've now been a proper Harrier since January and I absolutely LOVE IT. The people are really friendly, welcoming and encouraging. There are all kinds of levels within the club too - there's no pressure to be the best, and you are just encouraged to get involved as much as you want to. There is also a great social side to the club. Running with them has already seen me improve my race times and I genuinely look forward to Thursday nights. Now I just need to get myself down to track...

I've had a few conversations via twitter with people who are considering joining a club but are a little anxious - I say 'go for it!'. Yes it can seem really daunting and scary but you needn't worry. Pop down one night and just give it a go - if they are too snooty (which they won't be) then try somewhere else until you find the right fit for you. Your running (and social life) will definitely improve and you will totally love it. 

I got my new vest yesterday and think the Manchester Marathon half and half relay this weekend might be the perfect time to take it out for a spin.

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Wilmslow Half Marathon Race Report

You know when you're pounding the city streets faced with concrete upon concrete, and you dream of running through the countryside with gay abandon, surrounded by fields and basking in the spring sunshine? Well enter Wilmslow Half marathon and you get to do exactly this!

My main goal for Sunday was to run happy, without putting too much pressure on myself. I had a small but mighty team supporting me en route and I wanted to really enjoy the race, not hate every second trying to get a good time. That said, in true contrast one of my New Year's Runolutions was to run a half marathon under my PB of 1.45.54 and I had Wilmslow in my sights to do that there. Hmmmm a running conundrum. So can you ever run happy AND fast? 

Well yes, after completing the run in 1:39:45 with a big (but knackered) smile on my face, it turns out you bloody well can!

Miles of smiles

So on to the race itself, it was brilliant! The sun was shining which definitely helped but the whole organisation was great. Before hand, the rugby club acted as race HQ with lots of club runners milling about, meeting up and generally chit chatting and getting excited. Tea, coffee, bacon sandwiches and pre/post race massages were all on offer as well as a bag drop and LOADS of loos. Bonus points for that, Organisers. It was a great and friendly atmosphere which continued throughout the whole race. The route was also the only race I've run which is lined with little collections of cheerful balloons and the 10.30 start also means you're not awake at horrendous o'clock to get your pre-race porridge in. 

The route itself is really pretty with an out and back loop, which runs through the country roads through fields and back towards Wilmslow. At times all you could hear were the birds and the metronome tap tap tapping of runners feet. Due to the rural course, the route isn't packed with supporters, but there were little pockets full of people cheering, my favourite being the 15 or so kids at 6.5 miles cheering every single runner by name and offering plenty of high 5's! Thankfully I missed the escaped horses which apparently had to be wrangled back into their farm by marshalls, nothing like the fear of trampling to make you speed up a bit.

Like almost every race now, the Wilmslow Half claims to be a very flat course - and I would agree, although that's not to say there aren't any inclines - there definitely are. And what might be a small descent at 1-2 miles felt like quite a hard climb at 12! It was here that Jamie and Chantal had chosen to cheer, but I had no idea. Seeing them at the top of this little hill was a blessing and a curse! They'd definitely chosen one of the toughest spots but it was great to see them near the end and it gave me a huge boost when I really needed it.  

Supporter selfie

I found the first half really enjoyable - it was the first race I really kept an eye on my pace at each mile. At about mile 5 I noticed I was in synch with a fellow runner and we pretty much paced each other to about 11 miles and I enjoyed it (we had a little chat at the finish line and thanked each other for the help in pacing. I bloody love running sometimes!) I was tired by this point and I knew that I could afford to slow down slightly here and still get a good time. I also hadn't learnt from my London Marathon spring clothing dilemma, and once again overdressed for a warm day. Running at that pace was a challenge for me especially in the last three miles. I knew I was on for under 1.45 but when I saw the finish line and saw that I might, just might, make it under 1.40 too I sprinted as fast as I could, and made it over the line at 1.39.45!

All in all, this is a pretty flat, well organised race with a great community feel and a lovely route. I'm looking forward to it again next year.

PBs and Pints