Double Figures!

Four weeks today and my journey to the Great North Run will be complete! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by! My training is really in full swing now and I can honestly say that running has taken over my life!

Last Saturday I ran 9.1 miles, I got up early because I was meeting Rach at lunch time and needed to ensure I would be back (we were going for cupcakes so I obviously didn’t want to be late!) It was a difficult run, the rain during the first half being a combination of light relief keeping me cool and a challenge trying to see out of my glasses! I was so proud when I got home and had completed my longest run to date!

On Monday I went to running group and we were doing 800m repetitions. I found it particularly difficult as I was becoming out of breath much quicker than usual. I also had a bad cough which probably wasn’t helping! I still managed to do all of the 800m reps at a consistent speed though, and we all ran well.

On Wednesday I was due to go out for a 4 mile run. My cough had become chesty and although I felt well in myself, I didn’t feel up to running. I was disappointed and disheartened to miss a run in my training plan but I thought a rest day would be better, rather than risk making my chest even worse.

Yesterday was my first 10 mile run. I set my alarm early and got up and had porridge for breakfast. I was coughing a little bit and I had cramp in my left calf. It looked damp outside and I wasn’t sure if I should go running due to my cough. After an hour or so thinking about it I finally decided to go out and just see how I felt. I arranged with my mam that if I felt poorly I would phone her and she would come and pick me up. Knowing I had this option made me feel happier about going out, though I knew I would have to be pretty poorly to take her up on her offer. I set off on my favourite route towards Sheepwash, hoping I could complete my 10 miles. “I CAN DO THIS” I thought to myself as I left the house.

I started off steady and was happy to find that my cough seemed fine. I tried to keep my mind occupied with thoughts about anything but running as I find the time passes quicker this way. The first few miles were a lot easier than I expected and I felt that having a few days rest probably made me stronger. At about 5 miles I called into a shop and bought a Lucozade sport. I didn’t drink it all but it was just the energy boost I needed.

Lovely View
 

At 8.5 miles I really felt I was struggling but I just kept telling myself I could do it. I’d ran this far so I wasn’t going to give up now. At 9.5 miles my chest began to feel a little tight and I was glad I was almost home. My knees were hurting and my calves were heavy but I was determined to continue. I arrived home exactly on 10miles (my feet are good at leading the way!)

As I was stretching outside, before going into the house, I felt a tear escape my eye and roll down my cheek. I felt extremely emotional that I actually ran 10 miles. My first run in double figures and the first time I ran for more than two hours (2 hours 11 minutes). I have never felt so proud and I am so glad I decided to go out for my run!

My 10 mile run

 

If I felt that emotional after a 10 mile run on my own I cannot imagine how I will feel 4 weeks today upon completing the Great North Run. I am running for a very worthwhile cause, close to my heart. Aphasia is a life changing condition, affecting all aspects of communication. NETA support individuals and their families, in the North East, with Aphasia and make a positive difference to their lives. If you can help me raise money for them you can donate here (every penny counts).

Thank you so much for joining in my journey so far. I still cannot believe I ran 10 miles yesterday! My legs believe it. My legs believe it very much! My Great North Run number arrived this week – it really is happening! I’m excited that I will be in the same zone as Joanne and Rachael, as well as some of my running friends. Four weeks to go!

I ran by the light of the moon..

Tonight I ran by the light of the moon... Well this isn't entirely true as I was in Cramlington so there was also a lot of light from street lamps... But I'm feeling a little poetic and the moon was beautiful tonight!

I went to my running session tonight; If you read my post yesterday you may know that my enthusiasm for running this past week had drastically diminished. However, I took my running kit to work with me this morning to go to the session on my way home as I'm not one for giving up!

Once I finished work I was quite looking forward to going for a run and hoped that wouldn't change once I was running in the dark and cold. I noticed quite early into my run that it was more difficult to breathe than it was last time I went out and it was clear I'd lost a little bit of fitness. I'm still fitter than I was when I started and I am super proud that I ran a whole 5k (3.1 miles) WITHOUT stopping!! My running enthusiasm has returned and I have remembered why I enjoy it so much.

I am not sure if I will get out running this week due to work and a weekend trip to London! I will be be running again next Monday at the running session. I still can't quite believe that two months ago I struggled to run for 30 seconds and tonight I ran for almost 45 minutes without stopping!

Couch potato to 5k is complete! I aim to do a park run as soon as I have an available Saturday as I want to be able to run a 5k with more ease than I did tonight. I still had my usual niggles tonight (numb feet, sore ankle, sore hip) but none of it was unbearable and not as bad as usual. I will make time to do some strength exercises this week as I won't even need to leave the comfort of my lovely warm house for those!

I really enjoyed tonight; there were a couple of moments I was ready to give up and walk but I am so glad I didn't as I can now say I can run 5k! I absolutely feel like a runner now and that's not something I ever thought I'd say.

I love the moon and it was so pretty tonight, making my run more enjoyable! I took a photo of it but the camera on my phone didn't capture the real beauty.

What a difference a month makes!

This morning I went for another run, with the intention that I would be listening to week 3 of the NHS podcast again. However, a few minutes into my run my iPod started shuffling itself (despite being locked) so I decided to turn it off and just 'go with the flow'.

I was still walk/jogging as with previous runs but I found it really difficult today. I think this was partly due to the lack of guidance/other people to motivate me, and partly due to the sun being so bright and so low in the sky. Normally I wouldn't complain at all that the sun is shining brightly, but it doesn't make for pleasant running conditions (not when it's so low anyway!)

Also, my legs started hurting today and I couldn't feel my toes on either of my feet by the end. I did about two miles (run keeper stopped before I got home! Grr) and normally my feet are fine. I think my trainers might be too tight across the top of my feet (either that or I've started running differently). I made sure I didn't tie my laces so tight today after my sore toes on Sunday, but this doesn't seem to have helped.

Today was definitely a difficult run, but I don't regret it. In fact, I'm still rather proud of myself for getting up and going out! Making the most of morning runs before I start my new job (then I will be running in the dark!)

Off to Birmingham tomorrow for a conference on Thursday (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists) and have a busy day on Friday, so unlikely to get out running again until Saturday! I can't believe how much this bothers me haha. As little as 4 weeks ago I still hadn't even been for a run! What a difference a month makes!