#horshamjoggers

[runsjrun2019]

Left it all on the road,at @runwisborough 5k that last long hill to home just sapped that last bit outta me aerobically but heart rate didn’t jump off scale and legs feeling worked but ok so hopefully we will get below 30mins on a flat and consistent footing. Official chip time 31.59. Veggie lasagne did its job. 113 outta 228 and 2nd club lady for @horshamjoggers #veggie #runner #horshamjoggers (at Wisborough Green) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxpLTEnn2k3/?igshid=m38s49i7d5ed

[runsjrun2019]

Interesting article. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2187709-the-most-comfortable-running-shoes-may-actually-increase-injury-risk/ #londonmarathon #runsjrun2019 #horshamjoggers https://www.instagram.com/p/BrQl4MugHYZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n747e48w5v0u

[marathonpip]

On top of the world, looking down on creation......

Another Sunday and another run.  Thankfully the weather improved from the wind and rain that lashed the windows on Saturday and instead the sun shone; the flowers had started to bloom and it could even be called warm...

Over 16 miles this week and my knee was not happy, probably because my new pair of shoes had given me a massive blister.

However; what got me through was the band of merry women that I am running with.  We are now 7 weeks into our training and we have shared the miles, the moans, the high hills and the lows as we have run around the highways and byways of Sussex.

Which made me think of changing the lyrics to a song - (with apologies to The Carpenters...)

I am at the top of the hill

Lookin’, down on creation

And the only explanation I can find

Are the friends that I’ve found

Every since I’ve run around

Your help has put me at the top of the hill!

I am running the 2018 London Marathon for The Benevolent  This is my first 26.2 mile race and I am aiming to raise £5,000.  Please support me http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip

[marathonpip]

No Pain, No Gain

It has been over two weeks since I last posted about my running exploits and things are beginning to hurt.  Not that they haven’t already been aching, but this is long-term; in for the distance.  The long run mileage is increasing with 12 hilly miles; followed by 14.5 - we are now in serious marathon training country - distance is all.

Because I am putting so much stress on my body and it is taking such a pounding of miles on the tarmac; prevention and maintenance are essential. I am currently getting through what seems like miles of sports tape; strapping up my knee and ankles to provide support during the hours of running and not exacerbate old injuries. 

When I get home on a Sunday; despite the desire to flop down and sleep; I do a series of stretches to try and keep the muscles from cramping; before attacking them with the ‘torture tool’ (as my son calls it).  This contraption resembles a rolling pin with three spikey balls in the middle and when rolled over the glutes; IT bands and calves it loosens the tight muscles and promotes healing.  It also makes me wince, shout and use some very colourful language.   

To add to the pain; the next step is to stand in the bath and pour alternating cold and warm water over my legs to try and stop any niggling injuries before a soak in a bath with epsom salts.  

Once a month I am going for an MOT massage at my friendly osteopath which just keeps everything well oiled and moving - but again is not the most comfortable of events; less lotus flowers and calming music and more squealing as a tender spot is hit.

But when it all seems impossible.  When them miles seem unachievable I have to remind myself why I am doing.  I am running 26.2 miles for The Benevolent  This charity supports anyone who works or has worked in the UK Drinks Trade and needs help - be it physical, social, mental or economic.  

I wish to raise £5000 by running the London Marathon on April 22nd, 2018.  I have never run a marathon before so this is a huge challenge for me.  Please support my efforts and the wonderful work this charity does by making a donation - please click here

[marathonpip]

It’s Snow Joke

Another Sunday and another long run.  I felt more prepared this week; sorted the distance out; was trying a new nutrition plan (okay consuming jelly babies at regular intervals) and had been pounded into submission by my friendly Osteopath so was raring to go.

And then the weather took a turn....

Last week it was actually warm; the sun was shining, the birds were singing and you could almost believe that Spring was just around the corner.  Such a contrast to this week with its leaden skies and icy rain pouring down.

However, that didn’t stop the intrepid Marathon Training Team from Horsham Joggers.  It was a fourteen-mile route (well just under but so hilly that it apparently gave the same workout).  Six miles in and we climbed up the rolling hills of the Weald and the rain turned to snow, cold and wet as it fell; freezing fingers and numbing toes.

The only reassurance we could give ourselves as we ran through the inclement weather was that the chance of it snowing on the 22nd April in London are hopefully fairly slim....!

I am running the 2018 London Marathon for The Benevolent  This is my first 26.2 mile race and I am aiming to raise £5,000.  Please support me http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip

[marathonpip]

So Selfish....?

“Training for a Marathon is so selfish,” was the comment bandied around at the end of our 13 mile ‘long run’ on Sunday.  There were six of us left, collapsed on the edge of the pavement outside the leisure centre, aching limbs and sweaty faces on all of us.  

Naturally, I felt myself quiver with a shot of anger - selfish, how could this be selfish?  I had just run (okay run and walked a bit) for 13 miles; training for the London Marathon to fundraise for The Benevolent.  This wasn’t selfish, this was so altruistic that I should be put forward for a medal.

But as I calmed down; as my aching limbs revived and my head cleared, I could see the point of the comment.  It is true; there is no room to do this half-heartedly.  Running a marathon requires time and dedication - hours of it.  Apart from the sheer time spent running several days a week, there is also the physical and mental recovery; the hours spent having limbs massaged back into action; the afternoons that are given over to ‘recovering’ (and not doing anything else at home) - yes the training is selfish.

So, although I am running this marathon for a good cause - a shout out also needs to go out to all the people who are affected by this selfish form of altruism. My family; who I abandon three or four times a week; the support crew at Horsham Joggers who give up their time to plan the routes and meet us with snacks and drinks during and after the run and to the more established joggers who pace us round; offering advice and words of encouragement.  To my wider family and friends who have basically been told that there is no chance of meeting up in the near future at the weekends (unless they wish to jog alongside me).

So here is a shout out to selfishness and the selfish support crew.  Please make their sacrifice (and mine) worthwhile.

I am running the London Marathon for The Benevolent.  This is 26.2 miles and I wish to raise £5,000.  Please sponsor me at  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip

[marathonpip]

Marathon Training Number 2

Okay a slightly misleading title as I have done a lot more running then twice, however this was the second of the long runs organised by my local running group Horsham Joggers . An essential part of Marathon Training is the ‘long run’ and so on a blustery, cold Sunday morning I gathered with a mass of others in neon and Lycra. Our route was explained with a ‘sorry for the hills, but at least you get them over and done with’ which was only slightly reassuring.

11 miles this week; taking me around undulating country lanes. Now as someone with a geography degree, I have come to decide that undulating in geographical terms and undulating in running terms are two totally different thing. The first means small up and down hills; the later - hills - your leg will hurt.

The best thing about these runs is that the misery of the miles is relieved by the company of other people and the fact that halfway around a friendly volunteer greets you with welcome bananas, jelly babies, brownies and water - most valuable.

Talk is very much about which Marathon you are signed up for, which gave me a chance to mention The Benevolent . As alcohol and long distance running are not the most common of bedfellows, I did get some slightly strange looks; until I explained the wonderful work that they do.

So now I am sitting here with rather sore legs and 13 miles to face next Sunday.

Please support me in my endeavour. I wish to raise £5000 for The Benevolent by running the London Marathon- my first ever 26.2 mile run! You can sponsor me at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip