So, for anyone that might read this blog and have a vague interest in my running adventure I will endeavour to update you now.
I last blogged at around the start of March and two key events have taken place since then...
1. I did the 10K :)
2. I turned a year older :(
I won't go in to detail about turning a year older. I am a huge embarrassment to all that know me and I will forever regret getting "that drunk" on my 25th birthday. What I will go into detail about is the 10k and how things have followed since that point.
I briefly mentioned in my last blog post that I was really struggling with my confidence at running and my belief in being able to do the 10K. Well this didn't really improve ahead of the 10K itself. I carried on running and kept my weekly workout schedules largely the same even in the week of the 10K itself. Some people told me to take the week of the 10K off but I thought different. My logic being that I would be doing as much as I usually do if I wasn't running the 10K and I was never doing the 10K as a race anyway, to me it was another run. Anyway...
The morning of the 10K arrived and I had actually slept pretty well. I was up early to take on some breakfast and get kitted up (new pink t-shirt was a necessity). The weather looked a bit dodgy but the main thing was it was dry so I wasn't worried. So at 9am my running buddy arrived to pick me up and off we went to Don Valley.
Registration was easy and organised. We picked up and rocked (if I do say so myself) our bright yellow University of Sheffield race t-shirts, pinned our numbers on and attached the all important chip to the shoe! All going well except for one thing...a big yellow ball in the sky!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a bit of sun and nice weather but I prefer this when I am positioned in a beer garden with a pitcher of Pimms for company, not when I am about to run my first 10K!!! By the time the run started temperatures had soared. I know it sounds silly but I have only been running since January so anything warmer than 10c was going to be a shock as I just haven't been able to prepare for this and I don't cope with heat well if I have to do more than sit in previously mentioned beer garden.
Anyway, there wasn't time to dwell on the arrival of summer I had 10k to take on. Off I went. I had a strong start and first lap round Don Valley was good and the hills (gentle inclines?!?!?! Hmmmm I don't think so!) were OK. The course was 3 laps in total and I did start to waiver. I kept going though and eventually crossed that finish line. In my joy of crossing that finish line I forgot to look at the giant clock to see what time I had completed so thought I would check when results went online from the chips. After all, I was more pleased I had got round regardless of time! Only one problem with checking my time...my chip didn't register so I have no recorded time! As far as the race organisers are concerned I am still running the damn thing! Oh well, as I say I am proud of the fact I did it and from my own estimates and others who were waiting for me I reckon 1hour 10 is a good estimate.
So since the 10k I have continued to run. I haven't done more than 5k but I have run around 3 times a week to keep me ticking over and running on my mind. Sadly my running buddy has had to take a break due to injury so I have done more on the treadmill than the roads.
Although I have been continuing to exercise regularly my eating habits have not been as good as I would usually like to have them. It's no excuse but I certainly blame my birthday, Easter and a little trip away for sending me well and truly off the rails. I am getting back to normal gradually now but there is still a bit too much chocolate passing my lips than there should be...tastes yummy though!
Last week I decided to give something new a go and went along to a Run England running group. To say I was nervous was an understatement!!! All day I couldn't think of anything else! Off I went last Wednesday with my friend from work who is a regular at the group and once I got into it and got the hang of interval training I had a great time and will certainly go back! Sadly I couldn't go this week as I was supposed to be working late. Annoyingly that was cancelled at the last minute but all was not lost as I took on the role of budget personal trainer (and a very bad one at that) and took my housemate into the park for some interval training. She's still walking and talking to me so hopefully my attempt at being a PT wasn't too bad. It was also throwing it down with rain so we deserve extra brownie points!!
Now I am well aware this post has been way too long so Jenni if you are still reading you deserve a medal! I will just round off with a few thoughts and plans for the future of me and running.
I will continue to run, even if sometimes I just manage 5k on the treadmill or the running group. I will still go. I love the feeling of feeling proud of myself that I can run...this time last year this was impossible in my mind.
I love exercise. If I can't go spinning I get moody...who'd have thought it! Certainly not me or my family as they regularly tell me.
I feel motivated. I have been reading some books about running and talking to the leader of the running group about how to progress. I feel that I can do this. Next year I would like to run a half marathon. I did secure a place on one this year to see if I would be ready but I won't be and that's just fine because in the meantime I plan on getting a couple more 10ks under my belt.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and it has been a challenge. Nothing about it has been easy but that's part of the fun I suppose!
Hopefully I can also keep this little bit of the Internet up to date as well...as boring as it may be!
xxxx
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