Another step closer...

Can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged! I've just been so busy (but am glad to say I've still been running!)

This is just a quick update as I don't want to miss a month as I'm going on holiday tomorrow and it will be March before we know it!

I've done a few Parkruns since I last blogged (Newcastle and South Shields) and have been steadily improving. A few weeks ago I did South Shields with my big sister, Joanne, and got a new pb of 35.31! I was ecstatic with this as it was more than two minutes faster that my previous pb two weeks earlier! It was lovely running with Joanne again and she stayed with me even though I am still slower than her (hopefully not for much longer....I can't wait for a bit of sibling rivalry! Haha).

Me with Joanne after the parkrun

Yummy cake!

After the run we went bought cake and drank tea at Joanne's house, which was a lovely ending to a nice run. The weather was lovely, unlike last Saturday when I competed Newcastle parkrun in a torrential down pour! I went to Newcastle on my own and it was definitely the worst run I've ever done, as I couldn't see out of my glasses and kept running through puddles! I got soaked to the skin and was so cold! However, I am so proud that I didn't let the rain put me off, and even though I didn't get a pb I got up out of bed on a Saturday morning when I could have easily turned my alarm off and gone back to sleep!

Running with Dynamic Running Fitness has also been going really well. I've been doing some speed work and on Monday we increased my distance to 6km! I was really proud of this, as not only was it the longest distance I've ran, there was also speed work in the middle of it. This was an especially proud moment as when I return from my holiday I will be moving up a group! I no longer need to be in the Couch to 5K group as I have now reached that target! Next stop Sunderland 10k in May! My friend Rachael has joined the next group so I am looking forward to running with her there!

Monday's running effort!

Steve has been fantastic! There's no way I would have made so much progress over the last 5 months without his brilliant coaching. He is starting a new Couch to 5K group on March 31st for more beginners and I definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of trying running! I never thought I'd love running so much! If you are interested contact Steve (http://www.dynamicrunningfitness.com) to secure your place in the group before it fills up!

I now have my place in the Great North Run and will be running for the North East Trust for Aphasia. I am really excited (though the thought of running 13.1 miles does still terrify me!)

Well I'm off to check that I have everything sorted for my holiday tomorrow... And I am of course taking my trainers! (Who would have thought I'd ever say that?!)

New Year, New personal Bests!

Welcome to my first post of 2014! Where has the time gone? More than two weeks into the new year already! I haven't had time to sit down and type but I have managed to fit some running into my busy life...just!

 

I haven't been running since last Saturday (running was cancelled on Monday and other priorities this week have meant no running!) I am planning on getting my trainers back out and doing the Parkrun in South Shields tomorrow morning with my sister and friends!

I've started keeping a running journal to record my progress and effort. I regularly keep a journal of my life in general so I am enjoying having something new to write about. Even though I haven't been blogging about running I do still have a record of my progress so far this year - and I have lot of progress to report!

 

My first run of 2014 was Newcastle Parkrun on 4th January. I went with my friend Rach and saw a friend (Micky) from the Great North Run Beer Tent Group when we were there. I also had opportunity to chat to one of my teachers from High School, which was nice!

I found this run difficult and needed to walk a few times. I was just about to start walking again when Micky came back for me, so that was the encouragement I needed to continue. During running with Micky, Rach also came back to find me,  and the encouragement from both was invaluable. I started to get a stitch which I was not able to run through so I did slow down to a walk again. Once it cleared I ran some more and my friends encouraged me to have a sprint finish. I found this run difficult but I achieved a Newcastle Personal Best (40.03) and felt great that I'd got to the end! My friend Rach and I then went for a most deserved hot drink (and I chose a healthy snack of some fruit - starting the year as I mean to go on!)

Rach and me - enjoying a hot drink and a snack!

The following Monday I went to my running session which hadn't been on over Christmas, so I was happy to report how I'd been doing since the last session. I'm still the only person in the 'group' so the sessions are tailored to me! I ran 3.1 miles without stopping as my next goal was to do a Parkrun with no walking. With encouragement, I managed to run the 5K in 39 minutes but by the end I couldn't feel my feet and I had cramp in my legs! I was wrapped up warmer than I needed to be and felt quite hot (the weather milder than I thought it would be), which didn't help. But I did it! I ran 5k without stopping for the second time ever in my life! To say I felt good would be an understatement. I was so proud! 

Later that week I went for a 2.5Km run with Rach after work - we did this in 18 minutes. I wanted to do a shorter, slightly faster paced run to vary my training routine and also I didn't have much time available. A short run is better than no run! I really enjoyed this run and it was lovely to see my friend after work!

Last Saturday I did Newcastle Parkrun and my aim was to complete it without stopping. I now knew this was possible because I'd previously run this distance with no walking so I knew that the voice in my had just had to believe it! Rach and I arrived promptly at 8.45am and it was bitter cold! We were talking to Una (from the GNRBTG) whilst we all tried to stay warm! There was an announcement to say that there was ice on the route and they were going to have to delay  the start time. Some people chose to go for a freedom run at 9am, but Rach and I (and a number of others) waited for the official start time, which was 9.30am. I don't think I've ever been as cold in my life as I was waiting for the Parkrun to start (except maybe the time I got caught in a blizzard after a night out but that's a completely different story!).  

By the time 9.30am arrived I was painfully cold (I had been jumping/jogging on the spot but this only helped raise my temperature momentarily). My aim was to get to the end without walking and then treat myself to a cup of tea! The first 2.5km were difficult and I was still freezing! There was frost on the beginning stretch of the town moor but I ran carefully, just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. I felt like if I stopped I might never get started again so I just kept going. My sister, Joanne, text me before I started and told me to picture her telling me to keep going – this worked in real life when I did the South Shields parkrun. All the way through the run I kept hearing Joanne’s voice telling me I could do it and my desire to succeed was greater than my desire to stop!

Crossing the start line - thanks to Newcastle Parkrun for the photo

Towards the end of the 5K, Rach came back to meet me and she provided encouragement and support to get me across the finish line. I don’t think I have ever felt so happy and proud of myself as when I crossed the finish line (except maybe the day I graduated!), knowing that I’d done it without any walking! The volunteers at the end were all cheering me on and they asked how great it felt to know I’d done it! I told them it was the first time I’d completed it without any walking and they all seemed genuinely pleased for me. I achieved a pb with 39.08! Rach was also super proud! We went to the metro centre afterwards for a hot drink and to get Rach fitted for some trainers at Sweatshop. The man serving us was really helpful and he too had done the parkrun that morning. Rach’s trainers are lovely and I bought myself a new jacket and my big sister a purple t-shirt that says ‘Will Run for Wine’ – I saw it and thought of Joanne (her favourite colour is purple, it had nothing to do with drinking wine…honest! ;) hehe

So happy...I DID IT!!! :-)

 

I can’t wait to go to South Shields parkrun with Rach tomorrow. I'm running it with Joanne, which will be good, she's the best big sister (and worst!) when we are running together. I’m hoping we can do it without any walking but it is a more challenging route than Newcastle, so I'm just aiming to get to the end! I’m excited to go for tea (and cake!) with our friends after the run also.  

Who would have thought that not only would I be so excited about running, but I’d have so much to say just 17 days into the New Year! If you made it this far thanks for reading! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2014!

My First Park Run!

I can't believe how long it is since I sat down and typed an entry for my blog! I have still been running but I haven't had time to write about it.

Yesterday morning I completed my first Parkrun! I am so proud of myself and I am pleased I took part but I did find it difficult. I've only run 5k a couple of times previously so my aim was just to get to the end!

I picked my friend Rachael up early yesterday morning and drove to Newcastle. I felt a little nervous, partly as it was something new and partly as I knew I had to run 5k!

Once parked, we headed into Exhibition Park ready to run! We started off near the back (as I didn't want to go too fast). I encouraged Rach to go ahead of me as she is a faster runner than me and I didn't want to hold her back.

I still find running pretty difficult and 5k is definitely challenging for me! I started off well and was feeling positive. It started feeling like a struggle and I thought I must be half way so was most disappointed when I saw the 2k sign! At this point I decided to walk as my legs were hurting. I soon started running again though. I slowed to a walk again further along the course but I did do more running than walking overall.

I was very excited to see the 4k sign and know that I only had 1k to go! Though at this point that felt like 1k  too far! I was determined not to give up and knowing that Rachael was at the finish line waiting for me kept me running. Also, I knew I was going out for lunch with my friend Katie and her gorgeous boys (Benjamin and Joshua) which inspired me to get to the finish. Joshua enjoys running and I am going to be his accompanying adult in the mini GNR next year :-)

Joshua and Benjamin in front of my Christmas after a lovely lunch!

As I neared the end, Aidan (from the Great North Run Beer Tent Group) came to check I was ok and ran the final stretch with me.

I was so pleased to cross the finish line and was pleased with my time of 42.06! I found it difficult but a few months ago I would have laughed at anyone who said I would do a parkrun before the end of the year! I look forward to doing another one again soon and hopefully as I continue to improve I will enjoy it a little more. I do love how happy running makes me and the sense of achievement after I've finished though so I'm not planning on giving up! My running niggles are definitely improving and I am recovering much quicker!

Me crossing the finish - thanks to Rachael for taking the photo! :-)

I will be at my running group tomorrow night. The last few sessions have involved some speed work so I look forward to finding out what tomorrow has in store for me!

A weekend of running good fun!

On Saturday morning I went out for a run with my mam and we followed the podcast (my iPod worked fine, unlike Tuesday! So that was good).

We completed two miles (combination of running and walking) and I really enjoyed it! I don't mind running on my own but I much prefer running with someone. I tend to go too fast when on my own then can't do as much. When I'm with someone I like to keep talking (who'd have thought I like to talk!! Haha) so I can't go so fast if I want to still be able to breathe!

Joanne, Craig and the children came for lunch and we had more running related conversations! What did we talk about before running?! Haha. After they left I got ready for an exciting night out! On Saturday evening I met up with some of the beer tenters for a social gathering. Dawn and I arrived together and we ordered cocktails from happy hour whilst waiting for the others to arrive. We had a brilliant night, chatting, laughing and dancing! Some people were driving as they had the Newcastle Stampede the next day, but it was fab that they still came out! We all had a lovely evening and it was nice to meet some more new faces.

Some of the group that were out - me, Dawn, Sarah and Adelle

Dawn and I decided to go and be a two woman photography/cheerleading squad at the Stampede on  Sunday! We took lots of photos and then met up in the Border Minstrel after for a drink. Dawn and I opted for Tea as we were so cold from cheering everyone on! It was a great day, though I still have no desire to do it next year! Well done to everyone who completed it! We then went for lunch in Gosforth and talked more about running :-)

Kelly, Kelly and Alex!

Dawn and I went to the metro centre to take my trainers back as my feet get numb after running a couple of miles. After trying nearly every pair of trainers in the shop I finally came out with a new pair! Hopefully these will be better (but they did say it could be because I am new to running, so I guess I better stick at it!) :)

All in all a fabulous running themed weekend! Enjoyed every second :)