tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86311258140513750752024-03-06T06:38:22.165+00:00Fibre RunnersFibre runners was formed on an early Sunday morning trail run with some friends, we talked of living off the land as we ran and eating what nature provides without explosive incidents.
I am a "teller of stories" so I have been told by a very wise man and here you will find the stories, pick and choose as you see fit.Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-88182397654354794022020-07-20T13:47:00.001+01:002020-07-20T13:47:34.505+01:00Race Report: VR24 - The Virtual 24hr Running Challenge 2020 - 18th/19th July<div>I'd suggest maybe a cuppa for this one as I am about to take you on a journey, a journey that doesn't quite last 24hours but that Id suggest you are at least sitting comfortably. </div><div><br /></div><div>You are? Good, then I'll begin.<br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Background </h4><div>This event was created to replace the annual Continental 24hr Thunder Run 2020 (a 10k lapped trail event) after the global pandemic caused all large events to be cancelled. I have completed the Thunder Run on 3 occasions, 2011 - as a late edition to a team of 8 supported by Womens Running magazine, in 2012 - a team of 5 from my running club (well four from the club and my dad stepped in as 5th team member) and 2013 - my first as a solo runner completed 100km in 24 hours. In 2013 I said I would be back, it has taken a while but I'm finally doing it. Seven years older, certainly not wiser and after ha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTcZQhL11bADudgiUu2nBAs0DVFQ3sFPPENk8ePCiIK4KDZe5mEHk9-TQe2w1cicaIepV1XaXKz2W_lcXEso27HqizxaMhDycgq1TQcs_R_j55ulD1Y0RP9NueNfqNO35ru10XwlVPMKb/s1440/BC727D93-4AF8-4293-A9E9-59825A1F98D6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>ving a child. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTcZQhL11bADudgiUu2nBAs0DVFQ3sFPPENk8ePCiIK4KDZe5mEHk9-TQe2w1cicaIepV1XaXKz2W_lcXEso27HqizxaMhDycgq1TQcs_R_j55ulD1Y0RP9NueNfqNO35ru10XwlVPMKb/s1440/BC727D93-4AF8-4293-A9E9-59825A1F98D6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTcZQhL11bADudgiUu2nBAs0DVFQ3sFPPENk8ePCiIK4KDZe5mEHk9-TQe2w1cicaIepV1XaXKz2W_lcXEso27HqizxaMhDycgq1TQcs_R_j55ulD1Y0RP9NueNfqNO35ru10XwlVPMKb/w205-h205/BC727D93-4AF8-4293-A9E9-59825A1F98D6.JPG" width="205" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div>This year I had planned once again to go solo and had recruited my two friends - Kate & Paddy - to join me. With government guidelines changing all the time we did not know if we could even run together so we were pleased that we were able to set up a Race HQ for the three of us to take on the challenge together. Routes were mapped out with a section of 20km, 10km and 5km options so we could mix and match depending on how we felt. For a bit of an extra challenge - like this wasn't enough - we also plotted road signs into the route so we could create a race name road sign collage, I mean why wouldn't you! (Thanks Paddy for being in charge of this).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTcZQhL11bADudgiUu2nBAs0DVFQ3sFPPENk8ePCiIK4KDZe5mEHk9-TQe2w1cicaIepV1XaXKz2W_lcXEso27HqizxaMhDycgq1TQcs_R_j55ulD1Y0RP9NueNfqNO35ru10XwlVPMKb/s1440/BC727D93-4AF8-4293-A9E9-59825A1F98D6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The night before we had a carb heavy meal of homemade lasagne with garlic bread followed by apple & blackcurrant crumble with ice cream. Then whilst our support crew (Mike) put the mini supporters (kids) to bed, the three runners set out to walk a 5km route for familiarisation and stretch the old leg muscles prepping them for the beasting that lay ahead this weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>We opted to start our 24hours at 6am on Saturday 18th July, so with our goals in mind (100km for me, and 50-60km each for the others), off to bed we went with our kit all laid out and our tummies full. <br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Runners Ready..... 3....2....1....Go!</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4UQjt6V0upyqZKSiCqMc_IullBr5FaYSI9Gp4uMuWYlUy83MFhDDobCSOc07c_krSE1l4MVOTcxFvSQHjeMhmctPsCsa40ecReKtgiW0-LY3kw4uCTy1y4v6L08UP4ehZlJUVF2duEk_/s640/4FB45F1E-48BC-4A18-8633-ED6A2D0E9BB5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4UQjt6V0upyqZKSiCqMc_IullBr5FaYSI9Gp4uMuWYlUy83MFhDDobCSOc07c_krSE1l4MVOTcxFvSQHjeMhmctPsCsa40ecReKtgiW0-LY3kw4uCTy1y4v6L08UP4ehZlJUVF2duEk_/w105-h105/4FB45F1E-48BC-4A18-8633-ED6A2D0E9BB5.JPG" width="105" /></a></div>I hadn't slept well, slightly restless, strange dreams, a heavy tummy and waking at 4:30am but I was confident that I was well prepped and that I had banked enough sleep over the last week that this would not impact me too much. I got dre<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDmscVNjOD-d8Jlin28dGE0SjZ4_zrvpvvz3RVNEsci30akWsKjKXrCVjQ4OvVdJlrQ6ZPoUHedeGAwko5jc7ksGLSalnJBkXhGjQfSfyS1aKgYfu1B5yhlas0UKh6SZE6CQ9LqlZH9ln/s1440/179D210F-BE09-4BD0-8670-B72B3A79382E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDmscVNjOD-d8Jlin28dGE0SjZ4_zrvpvvz3RVNEsci30akWsKjKXrCVjQ4OvVdJlrQ6ZPoUHedeGAwko5jc7ksGLSalnJBkXhGjQfSfyS1aKgYfu1B5yhlas0UKh6SZE6CQ9LqlZH9ln/w164-h164/179D210F-BE09-4BD0-8670-B72B3A79382E.JPG" width="164" /></a>ssed in my kit, sporting my Petts Wood Runners club vest for the first leg, was liberal in my application of Vaseline and zinc tape in any areas where rubbing may occur and settled down to eat two Weetabix and a banana. Before long I was joined by the others. The weather was warm despite the early start and cloudy (which afforded us much protection throughout the day). The first route was 20k with options to add on and ended up being around 15miles - we had decided to complete the long routes early into the run to bank the miles and felt it would be easier to talk ourselves into either 10ks or 5ks later on as we got tired. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDmscVNjOD-d8Jlin28dGE0SjZ4_zrvpvvz3RVNEsci30akWsKjKXrCVjQ4OvVdJlrQ6ZPoUHedeGAwko5jc7ksGLSalnJBkXhGjQfSfyS1aKgYfu1B5yhlas0UKh6SZE6CQ9LqlZH9ln/s1440/179D210F-BE09-4BD0-8670-B72B3A79382E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdWJsvyA21e-2bB4w2KeD3VMAVZIpUJxVrc-FQACb80_65bJbTWiiGqy6MUWeLL2ehU5gL7nnJGoN2_jLA2i2x4auZMD-Mw3jxXxW8QaM75IHjjt70yh5MUgIpXg2Vc86BoxAoxvKNQM3/s640/IMG_3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdWJsvyA21e-2bB4w2KeD3VMAVZIpUJxVrc-FQACb80_65bJbTWiiGqy6MUWeLL2ehU5gL7nnJGoN2_jLA2i2x4auZMD-Mw3jxXxW8QaM75IHjjt70yh5MUgIpXg2Vc86BoxAoxvKNQM3/w256-h193/IMG_3365.jpg" title="Waterway to have a good time!" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJFIbh66rwCmrXULxIzKKbGXXvc8SKAIY5PWKDrPxyPTr1-j1_F7AmGe2TuHiAEpaxFO3BwHlGWZ6uNBrwVV5ELHeXo3WpeZ0ycKNs5DwlU5Q22yfGyszcuq6Q1qRnmLWpDt8ZR12uTV3/s640/IMG_3373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJFIbh66rwCmrXULxIzKKbGXXvc8SKAIY5PWKDrPxyPTr1-j1_F7AmGe2TuHiAEpaxFO3BwHlGWZ6uNBrwVV5ELHeXo3WpeZ0ycKNs5DwlU5Q22yfGyszcuq6Q1qRnmLWpDt8ZR12uTV3/w256-h193/IMG_3373.jpg" width="256" /></a> <b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdWJsvyA21e-2bB4w2KeD3VMAVZIpUJxVrc-FQACb80_65bJbTWiiGqy6MUWeLL2ehU5gL7nnJGoN2_jLA2i2x4auZMD-Mw3jxXxW8QaM75IHjjt70yh5MUgIpXg2Vc86BoxAoxvKNQM3/s640/IMG_3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font color="#0b5394" style="background-color: #ffe599;">Waterway to have a good time! </font></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This first run took us along the canal path and on part of 'The Big Track', as we ran I was treated to some history of Nottingham including the 2nd Boots store ever opened (now a pub). There were lots of geese and swans along the paths, not delighted to have their morning routine disturbed by 3 chatty runners - but we were considerate and Kate's clapping technique warned them ahead of time and we only had one minor geese hissing incident!</div><div><br /></div><div>Note: The clapping technique was also used later on tired runners!!!<br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Going it alone (but not for long)</h4><div>Upon our return from the first lap we were all buzzing and happy with how we felt, as my target distance was a bit higher I opted to add in another 5km - banking a few k's here and there where I could to keep the distance creeping up - whilst the others had some poached eggs and a quick shower. Although not my local area I was confident in the route we had walked last night so was happy to go it alone for a while, running down by the river I saw I had a video message from my running buddy Sally, I watched this as a ran along which really made me happy that she was running a 10km virtually with me from home - so nice to know I have so many great friends supporting me on this journey. I returned from this sweaty, hot, smiling, but with my legs slightly crossed and ready for some more food including homemade flapjack and some sausage rolls (any excuse). It was 9:22am (3h22mins into the challenge) and I had the equivalent of just shy of 3 laps completed! </div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst I was out the others were sorting out big batches of pasta for us at lunchtime refuel - blinking heroes! Not sure anyone ever actually stopped moving when we weren't running laps. </div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Refuel & Resume </h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71ZHc8wdukJBgjayaZZbRMi9i8QR-qqokZQo9BTjG9hF0xr_b029AZ0XsIotrbYZaaBU-sG47RsEXXoqGCtgKEkiL2A5k872mMtkCZiFw3bre2U3cPdlu67knmuXo_ipabYtztgXmoa3E/s640/291B2047-7795-4A29-A581-686EC909B122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71ZHc8wdukJBgjayaZZbRMi9i8QR-qqokZQo9BTjG9hF0xr_b029AZ0XsIotrbYZaaBU-sG47RsEXXoqGCtgKEkiL2A5k872mMtkCZiFw3bre2U3cPdlu67knmuXo_ipabYtztgXmoa3E/w164-h164/291B2047-7795-4A29-A581-686EC909B122.JPG" width="164" /></a></div>Now that we'd all had a little break we opted for the second 20km route, which promised beautiful views, and a flapjack at the midway point in a play park with our support crew. We set out at 10:00am and whilst I found my knees a little achey they seemed to return to normal service after about half a mile - which was a bit of a relief as there was a lot more to come. It was certainly getting much warmer but the cloud cover stayed which seemed to help - not sure I could have coped being smothered in sun cream as well. we passed through the watersports centre and eyed the podium - this would indeed need a return trip for a photo opportunity! Picturing more road signs and starting to see more people out and about we trotted along, a happy little trio chatting away. I started to notice a pattern... roughly every 3 miles as part of my fuelling strategy I would eat 3 jelly babies or fruit pastilles and ensure to have at least 3 swigs of water from my 'hydration bladder' (you know those water packs that go in a pack on your back and you have a straw!)… this was not the new thing I noticed... it was the similar regularity of which both Kate and Paddy have wild wee's yet they carried very little water with them! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpKbJYnkR7V_Wss0VpsLVe7iPnA6H9P_oCf_tLZw-zVhNqr3wWovtrD3TLWPSiTK_E2aNZVv7JQefVoX5A9ezC_xIewKYM5rPa2am47to2eg6J_NWFsgTXtUWGcZkB18kmD6l4jsXEfHP/s1440/0041B97B-B9EF-4689-B131-CBEC4331D748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpKbJYnkR7V_Wss0VpsLVe7iPnA6H9P_oCf_tLZw-zVhNqr3wWovtrD3TLWPSiTK_E2aNZVv7JQefVoX5A9ezC_xIewKYM5rPa2am47to2eg6J_NWFsgTXtUWGcZkB18kmD6l4jsXEfHP/w205-h205/0041B97B-B9EF-4689-B131-CBEC4331D748.JPG" width="205" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div>Just before we reached the halfway point of this lap we stopped briefly to admire the views over the Radcliffe on Trent Valley (?), and then joined the supporters at a picnic bench at a playpark on a hill (giving us the opportunity for a little walk) where we enjoyed some cold water and flapjacks, good luck cuddles from our kids and off we went away... this time down a little hill back to the water sports centre. Just before the we returned back to the water I saw hat my distance had reached a marathon distance so a quick stop for a photo opp with a lama to celebrate and we were back on our way. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpKbJYnkR7V_Wss0VpsLVe7iPnA6H9P_oCf_tLZw-zVhNqr3wWovtrD3TLWPSiTK_E2aNZVv7JQefVoX5A9ezC_xIewKYM5rPa2am47to2eg6J_NWFsgTXtUWGcZkB18kmD6l4jsXEfHP/s1440/0041B97B-B9EF-4689-B131-CBEC4331D748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div>As we rounded the water the wind was at our back but on the return leg it was against us and truly felt like we could be running on the spot. I took this slowing in pace to check the VR24 facbook page - just in time to see Alex McNicol (the race director) to give the welcome and countdown to the 12noon start (insert airhorn here!). It wasn't much further and we were starting to flag physically, Kate sent us on and myself and paddy pushed on tagging on a few more km's making sure he also reached the marathon distance. We expected Kate to arrive back at HQ shortly after but she didn't, but when she did she had also tagged on some km's plus helped a man to find a lost phone. And the community spirit award goes to.... Kate!!</div><div><br /></div><div>We knew this was to be a longer break, a time to rest a little, refuel, shower and change kit. <br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Just the two of us</h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">At around 2:30pm we were thinking of heading back out although Kate had opted foo a longer break so just myself and Paddy were going. We choose a 10km route so that we could loop back from Kate when her legs had rested some more (plus a quick bath and a lay down). </span>I changed into a second pair of shoes (slightly larger in the toe box to allow my hot feet some more space) and completely fresh kit. As we started back up it was harder this time, the longer break although beneficial and had allowed my knees to stiffen up and start aching again and they were not happy. Our pace took a little while to settle to something resembling consistency but we plodded on, returning to the water sports centre and this time going the other way around in the hope of a tailwind for the first long stretch by the water - it kind of did but by no means magically lifted and transported us as I sort of hope it would Mary Poppins style...would that still count?</p><div><b></b><br /></div><div>Checking in with Kate we knew she would be ready to head back out again at 4pm so we stuck to the 10km plan getting us back to HQ just before 4pm in time for a mini refuel of satsumas and marshmallows. Another change of shoes into the Mizuno's as the Reebok Floatride were not my friend that day.<br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Friends Reunited</h4><div>Before long we were back out again as a trio, plotting a 5km that could turn into a 10km if we 'were feeling it'. Kate seemed to have had a complete turn around and was buzzing! Her form looking good, pace steady and strong. Myself and Paddy on the other hand were feeling a little weak at this point and somewhat wobbly. He seemed better than me, I was continually burping and tasting the high volume of sugary treats that had been fuelling me so far. We continued to gather our road signs for the collage, our minds struggling now to remember which letters we had and I was just happy to stop at every road sign for a little break (sssshhhh don't tell anyone). As me and Paddy trotted along behind, Kate led the way, and every time we slowed she did two claps - which seemed to have a magic power over out legs and spurred us into action. A bus slowed to allow us to cross a road - I had wanted the break, grrrr - but then somehow we started chatting to him and felt the need to announce we had done 40 miles so it was okay we were moving in slow motion. We were frauds I was only at 39miles at this point, hahahaha!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLMIYWzhsczmFLDYfCzTNsuKWR3vNNukduFO-Wp8OV0a3idAVm1AXIlC5kx_ILUbrWZZkuhH_6HUeEXTux-eYjB6bWQKVIk81cEwVgE3pD_19CSJNwkFeH05y_U5VJ8Yt6OwpTKpoFgBM/s1024/46F65BBB-EB41-4F51-B901-274D62D1EF29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXlG_CbGTkUs54mHYfJdwXvagQnh20Lau_IA4mhwXinJC8RSesjwHhqmPCZY8jOT_-MicOJqLNr9X9YIPlVO7VBhsWlYQzKFcFc5iaaLOygCmIqsunH9yOxEiEyqqnDWDztxPEusalC1B/s1024/road+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXlG_CbGTkUs54mHYfJdwXvagQnh20Lau_IA4mhwXinJC8RSesjwHhqmPCZY8jOT_-MicOJqLNr9X9YIPlVO7VBhsWlYQzKFcFc5iaaLOygCmIqsunH9yOxEiEyqqnDWDztxPEusalC1B/w256-h256/road+signs.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>One sign sent me into a fit of hysteria - not even for a really good reason but left me unable to talk as I was giggling so much. Luckily I recovered from the delirium and normal service resumed... until Kate turned and started running up a hill... she was gone... we couldn't keep up. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We were about 2 miles from HQ and all agreed that given the time and how we felt this would be a longer break, we would stop for dinner (pre-prepped by our catering lead, Kate), see the kids and crew, have a rest for a while. </span>We arrived back at 17:40 - almost 12 hours after we started. Our countdown timer dutifully showing us how long was left. I uploaded my run to Strava - the Garmin had been great so far but couldn't risk losing the run!<br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Woah, we're halfway there</h4><div>My feet were hot and swollen but amazingly free from blisters - taping the pressure points is certainly the way forward. I sat in the garden with them submerged in a bucket <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLMIYWzhsczmFLDYfCzTNsuKWR3vNNukduFO-Wp8OV0a3idAVm1AXIlC5kx_ILUbrWZZkuhH_6HUeEXTux-eYjB6bWQKVIk81cEwVgE3pD_19CSJNwkFeH05y_U5VJ8Yt6OwpTKpoFgBM/s1024/46F65BBB-EB41-4F51-B901-274D62D1EF29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLMIYWzhsczmFLDYfCzTNsuKWR3vNNukduFO-Wp8OV0a3idAVm1AXIlC5kx_ILUbrWZZkuhH_6HUeEXTux-eYjB6bWQKVIk81cEwVgE3pD_19CSJNwkFeH05y_U5VJ8Yt6OwpTKpoFgBM/w256-h256/46F65BBB-EB41-4F51-B901-274D62D1EF29.JPG" width="256" /></a>of cold water, while the kids bounced on the trampoline and quite frankly it felt amazing! We ate a dinner of Cheesy Macaroni Broccoli bake with sauages, followed by more flapjacks. We took the opportunity for a quick photo opp - I was delighted to be well over halfway towards my target and then others had both reached theirs already but wanting more!! They'd been bitten by the ultra running bug! I showered and even washed my hair - I'll be honest, I didn't have much choice, I had sweated so much it was dripping and rank...yuck!</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to drink my tea, it tasted foul, but I didn't want to be rude as Mike had been looking after the kids all day and running round after us. In my mind I was thinking, when did his tea making get so bad, its like nothing I've tasted before. Then he looked up, saw my face, and pointed to another cup... Oh... "is this coffee?" I asked. I don't drink coffee, I have actually never had a cup of coffee in my life, coffee cake, coffee ice cream yes but the drink, no, not once. Good news is it didn't kill me, but I certainly wont be rushing for more!</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Paddy's last hurrah...</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0vcwltfxDntiyCFOIeJXdybA2av6MV0UqTJfswmHfid8Nl2RXjGZf7WvBoVIPVbdU5GkVf92Gbz9q-6dqGgxwIciQMbjILKjPcd1pgcwZox9ssbhXLtJiAGVryeOkcoeyXy7DBO35Egv/s640/65C5F372-15B7-403A-A4EA-18F809002ACC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0vcwltfxDntiyCFOIeJXdybA2av6MV0UqTJfswmHfid8Nl2RXjGZf7WvBoVIPVbdU5GkVf92Gbz9q-6dqGgxwIciQMbjILKjPcd1pgcwZox9ssbhXLtJiAGVryeOkcoeyXy7DBO35Egv/w164-h164/65C5F372-15B7-403A-A4EA-18F809002ACC.JPG" width="164" /></a></div>Heading out on the 10km - and fuelled by bitter coffee - we knew it was going to be Paddy's last, he had smashed his target distance already so this was the cherry on top before a well-deserved beer. It felt tough, really tough, I was struggling. We headed into a more industrial area then we had been in previously in need of a road sign starting with an I, then in stark contrast back towards a more residential area with all road names, named after areas in the Lake District - which made me smile and think of my Dad - to find two U's. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUuF09H6giZi9IdPmvhqo0QroWXg-5-spkC9jVi1a4aB3ohtYfFo__MvpVmwe9MjnnQuJFlBObttW5aiZKKWKEnerRH9cTzMLOE8Zfig5BWfFkO6Ub8wpYd6FI7L1VT3JZCjnKIqTMt2Y/s640/IMG_3491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUuF09H6giZi9IdPmvhqo0QroWXg-5-spkC9jVi1a4aB3ohtYfFo__MvpVmwe9MjnnQuJFlBObttW5aiZKKWKEnerRH9cTzMLOE8Zfig5BWfFkO6Ub8wpYd6FI7L1VT3JZCjnKIqTMt2Y/w256-h192/IMG_3491.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">By this point my bladder was not my friend, I would start to run then have to stop as the pressure was too much but we were in a residential area and nowhere for wild wee's. I ran/walk/ran/walk feeling bad for holding the others up but I couldn't keep going like that. In what felt like an age but probably not even 500m we found a suitable spot and a weight was lifted (or more accurately expelled at high velocity) and I could run again! Whoop whoop! </span><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Who's your mate?... that's Kate, Kate from Netball, she's awesome</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoejDkzknec2YkFe2Ummlqvfh2T5PvPfgIy8MN9rH9UK9sMrtP9RVWQR1Ix5KkEFAh7E5oT0eZdWpHN6a5CAtt4WQ40VeuxPadF6bJJ8jMWS6NuauLrTlq-6wX5oTbOWSyv2Mj3At7WR39/s640/IMG_3515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoejDkzknec2YkFe2Ummlqvfh2T5PvPfgIy8MN9rH9UK9sMrtP9RVWQR1Ix5KkEFAh7E5oT0eZdWpHN6a5CAtt4WQ40VeuxPadF6bJJ8jMWS6NuauLrTlq-6wX5oTbOWSyv2Mj3At7WR39/w154-h205/IMG_3515.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>Now it was time for ladies, me and Kate heading out. Paddy was now happy with his beer but we had unfinished business. Kate still seemed to be on top of the world - all I had done was run - she had done kit washing, fed children, made signs, found a lost phone, and possibly changed a tyre or built a den (who knows she's so busy!). She knew what I had left. We were out for about 2 hours and covered over 8.5miles edging me ever close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUuF09H6giZi9IdPmvhqo0QroWXg-5-spkC9jVi1a4aB3ohtYfFo__MvpVmwe9MjnnQuJFlBObttW5aiZKKWKEnerRH9cTzMLOE8Zfig5BWfFkO6Ub8wpYd6FI7L1VT3JZCjnKIqTMt2Y/s640/IMG_3491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get me wrong I was always going back out and would have got the distance I wanted but with Kate by my side, in rain, leading the way, driving me forwards and with an<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: right; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhcGmkNnoiCArRQpZ1WXx5RNaxbxHP-MJhSBdtEULCAGWl8ijuq81EsDd6zLY0cWJ3WB40mxtQJMYIkoGx19i2cyjI2aAElRgO9vVrn63PTRropP1OsJWwWot-av-IAryikrQO93bvQ08/s640/IMG_3512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhcGmkNnoiCArRQpZ1WXx5RNaxbxHP-MJhSBdtEULCAGWl8ijuq81EsDd6zLY0cWJ3WB40mxtQJMYIkoGx19i2cyjI2aAElRgO9vVrn63PTRropP1OsJWwWot-av-IAryikrQO93bvQ08/w320-h240/IMG_3512.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Abbey Road, I promise!</td></tr></tbody></table> enthusiasm that only she could have at that point it was contagious. Before long the distance clocking up again, it felt possible, I knew we had hours left but wasn't sure how long I could keep going. The rain started and it seems we found Kate's nemesis, she was not happy with our new soggy selves but we kept smiling and driving each other on. soon we came to Abbey Road, which also had a pedestrian crossing, what else could we do... recreate an Album cover of course! </div><div><br /></div><div>She did more that she needed... two reasons,... to creep her total just past her hubby and to stay with me as long as she could. Kate - you are my hero. </div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Time to bring it home vs. are we nearly there yet?</h4><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7leUvHEYksg40e_KjeDypqFOytvFoS4iWYosFLeAIghdbjqNtCLQJQQD5bH_nAyplsnfN3vUB-UZRf4zf1-Oq1xIy2hdEpowdB44pIvGbudtMoWpfegoSwvVE074mHsrJOzVYNCp9P3Kv/s640/EB74FE05-8376-4D94-8451-2153568A742A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7leUvHEYksg40e_KjeDypqFOytvFoS4iWYosFLeAIghdbjqNtCLQJQQD5bH_nAyplsnfN3vUB-UZRf4zf1-Oq1xIy2hdEpowdB44pIvGbudtMoWpfegoSwvVE074mHsrJOzVYNCp9P3Kv/s640/EB74FE05-8376-4D94-8451-2153568A742A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7leUvHEYksg40e_KjeDypqFOytvFoS4iWYosFLeAIghdbjqNtCLQJQQD5bH_nAyplsnfN3vUB-UZRf4zf1-Oq1xIy2hdEpowdB44pIvGbudtMoWpfegoSwvVE074mHsrJOzVYNCp9P3Kv/s640/EB74FE05-8376-4D94-8451-2153568A742A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I had 95km done, I need 5km more to hit my target and 1km more to beat it. I was tired and wet, I felt sick. I couldn't find my waterproof so settled for a lightweight gillet. Kate was not thrilled at me going out by myself in the witching hour but she made me eat some toast, drink some water and said she would stay awake until I returned. So at 12:20 I set back out in p!ssing rain to complete the final few kms as a solo runner, but actually solo for only the second time since 6am. I stayed close to HQ on well lit roads, I saw more other people than expected, with umbrellas and big jackets - weak! (eye roll). Who possibly questioned what I was doing running around at that time with flashing lights and inappropriate clothing for the w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7leUvHEYksg40e_KjeDypqFOytvFoS4iWYosFLeAIghdbjqNtCLQJQQD5bH_nAyplsnfN3vUB-UZRf4zf1-Oq1xIy2hdEpowdB44pIvGbudtMoWpfegoSwvVE074mHsrJOzVYNCp9P3Kv/s640/EB74FE05-8376-4D94-8451-2153568A742A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7leUvHEYksg40e_KjeDypqFOytvFoS4iWYosFLeAIghdbjqNtCLQJQQD5bH_nAyplsnfN3vUB-UZRf4zf1-Oq1xIy2hdEpowdB44pIvGbudtMoWpfegoSwvVE074mHsrJOzVYNCp9P3Kv/w205-h205/EB74FE05-8376-4D94-8451-2153568A742A.JPG" width="205" /></div><div><br /></div></a><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></i><u style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></u><sub style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13.26px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sub><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13.26px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sup><strike style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: line-through; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></strike>eather. I started off running and when I saw the first mile split was about a 14min/mile pace I kind of wondered why I bothered so just walk/ran the rest of it. Kate was sending intermittent messages, fighting her own tiredness so keep an eye on me (using shared location tracking).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I got back to HQ the door was open, Kate was stood inside with a sign congratulating me, I had done it, I had covered 63 miles / 101.3km in 19hours 40mins. My furthest distance covered and in a much shorter time!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In summary</span><br /></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><li> Distance Covered </li><ul><li>Paddy - 71k</li><li>Kate - 74k</li><li>Me - 101k</li><li><b>TEAM TOTAL - 248km</b></li></ul><li>Wild Wee's - 1 for me, too many to count for the others!</li><li>Types of pasta eaten - 3</li></span><li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Bags of Jelly Babies devoured - 2 (I feel sick just thinking about it)</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Fits of hysteria by seemingly innocent things - 2 (had to be there moments)</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Album covers recreated - 1 (very poorly)</span></li><li><font face=""times new roman"" style="background-color: white;">Road sign, race name collages - 1 (thanks Paddy)</font><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></li></ul><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Post-Event</h4><div>I was shaking, shivering, cold and nauseous. My legs were sizing up, I couldn't face anything more than water - which even that was a struggle. I had sent Kate away back to bed, my husband appeared and asked what I needed. I needed a bath but it was 2am. He ran the bath, I struggled to keep my eyes awake as the hot water warmed me back up. I was still feeling very unwell and struggling to get water down. I did and was in best by 3am. I woke at 5.15am.... hmm, 45 minutes until this thing is officially over, I wonder if I could get back out for a few more km's? Yes at this point I know I was being ridiculous! I rolled over and had a few more hours sleep. <br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XPmeqDPxvXT-dkne360vRIez0Q-0OAiBwj6oN0hGJB2ctGl1fVNVUYMEHovIxrWqkvtcvuMYiC73VRDGcVy8jzj3DIZzYjynTkObX0dO58VGtjAddJxb82_4NkaOdQgPz9ZgtCJQg7qE/s2016/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>We celebrated over breakfast with Mimosas and bacon, then we all went back to the water sports centre for our medal giving ceremony and ice creams from a van with my name on it! What bloody fantastic weekend and amazing group of human beings! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXIVW1jQfyCMnRIzjuF7vMt9Zbu3WyZr3VYIkVUX_8L8WeD81UAXDoqsjbDSOEkHrJN5jkTXW1e4DMsT-yjQCp23l52_Xrwzp-81cMqCs0VtxxyqRrOD4j3SQjfd90-NzW69ZXWTQQMB8/s2016/IMG_3549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXIVW1jQfyCMnRIzjuF7vMt9Zbu3WyZr3VYIkVUX_8L8WeD81UAXDoqsjbDSOEkHrJN5jkTXW1e4DMsT-yjQCp23l52_Xrwzp-81cMqCs0VtxxyqRrOD4j3SQjfd90-NzW69ZXWTQQMB8/w256-h193/IMG_3549.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XPmeqDPxvXT-dkne360vRIez0Q-0OAiBwj6oN0hGJB2ctGl1fVNVUYMEHovIxrWqkvtcvuMYiC73VRDGcVy8jzj3DIZzYjynTkObX0dO58VGtjAddJxb82_4NkaOdQgPz9ZgtCJQg7qE/s2016/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9M4xCNHyyqMjw08G-G5wv5U0vOrKyx2Lp7jZl6t0k24LvcvpzqJ-lRF5-FhdXbrqYzuZM4r6smX2xLvnwKnBD9Hp4eSP2WXSur2JEJ97FhRTxIpYtE8Y6_85yfL5Ib8MIK0X7upEi6ee/s1024/ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9M4xCNHyyqMjw08G-G5wv5U0vOrKyx2Lp7jZl6t0k24LvcvpzqJ-lRF5-FhdXbrqYzuZM4r6smX2xLvnwKnBD9Hp4eSP2WXSur2JEJ97FhRTxIpYtE8Y6_85yfL5Ib8MIK0X7upEi6ee/w256-h192/ice+cream.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XPmeqDPxvXT-dkne360vRIez0Q-0OAiBwj6oN0hGJB2ctGl1fVNVUYMEHovIxrWqkvtcvuMYiC73VRDGcVy8jzj3DIZzYjynTkObX0dO58VGtjAddJxb82_4NkaOdQgPz9ZgtCJQg7qE/s2016/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are still places available for next years race, teams or solo's. But be warned, If you don't go Solo you're gonna get FOMO! <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Its all in the mind. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><font color="#000120"></font></u><br /></div></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Acknowledgements </h4></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><font face=""times new roman""></font><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thank you to all who supported me in this endeavour, to everyone who joined me on a training run, who posted their well wishes on social media, the other VR24 runners being so supportive in the run up to and during the event, my family, my friends, my fellow Petts Wood Runners, my awesome daughter and goddaughter for behaving so well this weekend whilst we kept disappearing out the door, </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">my husband and of course Kate and Paddy. You two were fricking awesome and I cannot wait to do it all over again with you at the Thunder Run in 2021. </span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div><br /></div>Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-31426113575893891322020-07-17T09:20:00.002+01:002020-07-17T09:20:43.741+01:00Guess who's back, back again.... and running the #VR24<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've been here before, I go quiet for a long time. The last time I was dutifully silent and reappeared to tell everyone I'd decided to run the London Marathon rather than losing my place... oh and with zero <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQbJbGgtt-oVIRrBlzLpjbrJ5_ddTmov9SfcWLWo6NOMeqQvFYyzhDPd9Kt4DBZkKCAYrrWDGzgVBW3TfyPMa3_LDD9RDSl0yID67wG0289Obn055k9eIuphRQktWipTgeIm5IkOWZ4BA/s640/IMG_2998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQbJbGgtt-oVIRrBlzLpjbrJ5_ddTmov9SfcWLWo6NOMeqQvFYyzhDPd9Kt4DBZkKCAYrrWDGzgVBW3TfyPMa3_LDD9RDSl0yID67wG0289Obn055k9eIuphRQktWipTgeIm5IkOWZ4BA/s320/IMG_2998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>training unless you count a couple of 5ks and a 5 mile run 6 months before. </div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9Rkbk5y3JpbFg3MAL-6YMPBHjviJHMkKJAjQ_tAujw_9GvPgiH7L3jf-oKQiF36NX98nNAUWEYSL7kj7OF8_N9TzBtcYvueSy3MR7yJLsP7uVHFVJXRX8MIhtbFMRpo41EasqNlCqYH0/s640/IMG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>This was in 2017 and I have been meaning to step up and start writing the blog again and this latest adventure would have been a perfect time but for some reason I haven't. Better late than never though and I want you all prepped for what I hope will be the story of an epic adventure this weekend! <br /></div><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So by way of a super quick recap... my running has been back on track for a good year now. I have a new excellent running buddy in Sally - we are evenly paced, always encourage each other to get out and run; and have endless sources of chat so we never get bored (or silent!!). </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9Rkbk5y3JpbFg3MAL-6YMPBHjviJHMkKJAjQ_tAujw_9GvPgiH7L3jf-oKQiF36NX98nNAUWEYSL7kj7OF8_N9TzBtcYvueSy3MR7yJLsP7uVHFVJXRX8MIhtbFMRpo41EasqNlCqYH0/s640/IMG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9Rkbk5y3JpbFg3MAL-6YMPBHjviJHMkKJAjQ_tAujw_9GvPgiH7L3jf-oKQiF36NX98nNAUWEYSL7kj7OF8_N9TzBtcYvueSy3MR7yJLsP7uVHFVJXRX8MIhtbFMRpo41EasqNlCqYH0/w164-h123/IMG_2702.jpg" width="164" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhyphenhyphensn_vHDkYgzApJ4wUHh6eSUO-PjnVy4k8Z6_BHTgW3TEKysM3wINtsltqMCbGmWMVrVL4l2XYfmJBxXGOhNIFCUBlwR4MFtbeOhOTg6336sSy8ocT5AsvFL9lG2ARKqiKK4mW825phl/s640/IMG_2695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhyphenhyphensn_vHDkYgzApJ4wUHh6eSUO-PjnVy4k8Z6_BHTgW3TEKysM3wINtsltqMCbGmWMVrVL4l2XYfmJBxXGOhNIFCUBlwR4MFtbeOhOTg6336sSy8ocT5AsvFL9lG2ARKqiKK4mW825phl/w205-h154/IMG_2695.jpg" width="205" /></a>It took a while after I had my daughter for a number of reasons but I am well and truly back. So much so that last October when the entries opened for the Continental Thunder Run 24 Hour Trail running challenge I promptly signed myself up as a solo runner and started campaigning others to do the same (or in teams). My good friend and her husband (also a good friend) missed places as solo runners but were going to enter as a pair instead. It was easy to convince them.... we had all run our first marathons in the year of our 30ths so 10 years on what better excuse than reaching the 4th floor with another medal round our necks!</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Alas, a rather inconvenient global pandemic put pay to many events this year (I won't dwell on this and I'm not being flippant but its all been said), and sadly this including the Thunder Run. I was gutted, the last time I ran it (and as a solo runner) was in 2013. I did 100km , 10 laps and it was the year of horrendous thunderstorms, rain, mud slides and the 'frog incident' (you'll need to read a p<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXnTCTjh9_xC2_hJ3EcuqsaBrSxB-mwS4RMpxjWVMKFZ_aEzSM8R-nnzQCC43z3Gq0iNvBB0V-pTWS-Z4wTSvtHPmodk0JLkaf2VIRaPnQFyWUJjTrR3ftiXxhmmB23yU84P3_cKy72L8/s640/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>revious blog for more on that one). </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/s640/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/w256-h192/IMG_3002.jpg" width="256" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But when cancellation was announced we were informed we could still run, it would be a virtual <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/s640/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>challenge (guidelines permitting) and we co<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/s640/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>uld still run for 24hours self supported on our own routes. Well why the hell not! My training planned was painstakingly added to my Garmin so I had daily reminders of what I should be doing and the advantage o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXnTCTjh9_xC2_hJ3EcuqsaBrSxB-mwS4RMpxjWVMKFZ_aEzSM8R-nnzQCC43z3Gq0iNvBB0V-pTWS-Z4wTSvtHPmodk0JLkaf2VIRaPnQFyWUJjTrR3ftiXxhmmB23yU84P3_cKy72L8/s640/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXnTCTjh9_xC2_hJ3EcuqsaBrSxB-mwS4RMpxjWVMKFZ_aEzSM8R-nnzQCC43z3Gq0iNvBB0V-pTWS-Z4wTSvtHPmodk0JLkaf2VIRaPnQFyWUJjTrR3ftiXxhmmB23yU84P3_cKy72L8/w154-h205/IMG_2822.jpg" width="154" /></a>f being in lockdown is that I had very few social events and commutes getting in the way of my running. It was on! Kate and Paddy had been marathon training in the early part of the year and were up for the challenge too so it was more than on, it was on like Donkey Kong!</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/s640/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVes4HYSsIvFtW2syWxxj-x_6v-X4IEpuHClXgABQBSyqFMypuSHVO9QcXhI2u6UZLc5DF-wRAWxXup-yNhS5kSeijrglUFlPe2NWX9F2YjkJRzmjDsAT_nl35f9eZmiejdeT4SgQQIc/s640/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>As time drew closer my distances were increasing and I was doing well, there were good runs, great runs, sweaty runs, runs that dragged, runs that flew by, many audiobooks listened to and runs where I got a bit grumpy but I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXnTCTjh9_xC2_hJ3EcuqsaBrSxB-mwS4RMpxjWVMKFZ_aEzSM8R-nnzQCC43z3Gq0iNvBB0V-pTWS-Z4wTSvtHPmodk0JLkaf2VIRaPnQFyWUJjTrR3ftiXxhmmB23yU84P3_cKy72L8/s640/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a> have loved the journey. Restrictions have eased enough that the 3 of us can run together (rather than the initial plan of virtual support). Routes have been planned, flapjacks baked, kit is packed (way too much). Tomorrow we take on a self supported 24hour running challenge. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thank goodness a big part of this is about mental strength, there I have no worries, lets just hope our bodies can keep up with our minds! </div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUzQkaMQagcEcAbCUJen2fH__S8KsPzr-odeeQ11x2iJe7I0DtEr2oPAdtXMp1S0EftTNgs9GqZRBTTvUjIsH6oYhIhWc4owivU09cTG25yy2WWcBhWCwfgyOnQbfk-YRV8DdH8SdDiYj/s640/IMG_2998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b></b><i></i><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXnTCTjh9_xC2_hJ3EcuqsaBrSxB-mwS4RMpxjWVMKFZ_aEzSM8R-nnzQCC43z3Gq0iNvBB0V-pTWS-Z4wTSvtHPmodk0JLkaf2VIRaPnQFyWUJjTrR3ftiXxhmmB23yU84P3_cKy72L8/s640/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-30419740340367116322020-07-17T08:40:00.002+01:002020-07-17T08:41:45.236+01:00It’s taper time!! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">5th June 2020 (forgot to publish!)</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today was a nice walk/run before I move into the two taper before the VR 24 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOwYmxUHRAKjd1CTLQIz7OVnNamB4wMSxsDXMHbaHhonTPhEZH2djzj1sHxAM0KQ3pTjt4cos5-2hEKhyZpfIj_ML2R0rivhxW2MvALcBF_KdqK4lgCyVQg6Z1kdvNML84mxMIAAzA4Kf/s1600/DA6C88CE-F841-4DA0-B34E-DBEB51C0F3D2.jpeg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOwYmxUHRAKjd1CTLQIz7OVnNamB4wMSxsDXMHbaHhonTPhEZH2djzj1sHxAM0KQ3pTjt4cos5-2hEKhyZpfIj_ML2R0rivhxW2MvALcBF_KdqK4lgCyVQg6Z1kdvNML84mxMIAAzA4Kf/s200/DA6C88CE-F841-4DA0-B34E-DBEB51C0F3D2.jpeg" width="200" /></a>- a virtual 24 running challenge. The original plan had been to go out to Lullingstone and see the lavender fields - usually a very popular spot for families to take cute pics of their little ones nestled in the rows of beautiful purple flowers but somehow my legs were tired and knees were achy so I decided to alter and shorten my route slightly.<br />
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I did pass a house with a generous out of lavender growing on the verge out front so I utilised this for my frolicking lavender pic - I was just a bit sweaty rather than in my Sunday best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDkkKE7G7ObsnGq_NUj7TYcYLS7X2FVPI5Moygnc7vR31I2sAzqZhpRDT3Yfj3fsSSLiPduBqbc6I5yNm4c0owALzjSY_lDU0PIA_q-LzcIWxeNvOcKX1gI3J2evd7cJ_SPhFe8PRHCIh/s1600/0B6EF039-73BF-4171-BFD8-5454DBEC29D7.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDkkKE7G7ObsnGq_NUj7TYcYLS7X2FVPI5Moygnc7vR31I2sAzqZhpRDT3Yfj3fsSSLiPduBqbc6I5yNm4c0owALzjSY_lDU0PIA_q-LzcIWxeNvOcKX1gI3J2evd7cJ_SPhFe8PRHCIh/s200/0B6EF039-73BF-4171-BFD8-5454DBEC29D7.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
My route took me towards a previously unknown path, which I have passed a few times lately but not ventured upon due to the alarm “this is a COVID hotspot” sign<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOwYmxUHRAKjd1CTLQIz7OVnNamB4wMSxsDXMHbaHhonTPhEZH2djzj1sHxAM0KQ3pTjt4cos5-2hEKhyZpfIj_ML2R0rivhxW2MvALcBF_KdqK4lgCyVQg6Z1kdvNML84mxMIAAzA4Kf/s1600/DA6C88CE-F841-4DA0-B34E-DBEB51C0F3D2.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>In two weeks the VR24 will be over, I’ll have tested the metal to see what I am capable of in 24hours... I'm just grateful that I found two willing participants to join me on my latest quest!! </div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-47898786195653029872017-05-20T08:56:00.000+01:002017-05-22T10:35:14.039+01:00A Great (Houghton) North Run <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those that think its grim up north, well you are wrong! I awoke to beautiful blue skies and the sun beaming overead. It was the weekend we were to celebrate my Dad's birthday so we had all headed to t'north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I knew the day would have more than a little tipple involved so my plan was to get up and run before the masses awoke and get a run under my belt. Behind my dad's house there is a path that runs adjacent to open countryside, filled with friendly dog walkers... "'eh up love", "keep going duck". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did a nice flat,out and back route along the path concentrating once again on my gait and foot placement<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. My pace was comfortable and a little faster than I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> had been of later - perhaps <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">due to the lack of hills. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Returning along the path I could see the bar my Dad built and was looking forward to enjo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ying the rest of the day with the fami<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and having a slight smugness that I had managed a run before most of them had got up for the day. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was 3.6 miles so still not a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">huge distance and I didn't feel quite ready to up the distance much further yet, but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">m</span></span>ay<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be the old (running) Liz is coming back!</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-85799581601918250152017-05-17T07:00:00.000+01:002017-05-22T10:29:30.584+01:00Badger badger badger badger stret-ching stret-ching!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax6-nOfIngrCHImcZ2YAbCIRn55eLJNAEmm49b5Q5ZxiIYuzsR9NAkq3ImJWltpNp0SpjdZN7Af88cJbRFAnIiuPp8PiWlVo08Aeh1mGI-_4IdnMnKLq836S8g00TThwYzUDRlz4dOwO3/s1600/IMG_7207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax6-nOfIngrCHImcZ2YAbCIRn55eLJNAEmm49b5Q5ZxiIYuzsR9NAkq3ImJWltpNp0SpjdZN7Af88cJbRFAnIiuPp8PiWlVo08Aeh1mGI-_4IdnMnKLq836S8g00TThwYzUDRlz4dOwO3/s200/IMG_7207.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I get back into running regularly (ish) I am required to do more pre planning and to get up at 5:30am at the latest to squeeze in a run before my other half leaves for work and I return to parenting duties. First fail, I forgot to set the alarm... doh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Luckily hubby woke me at 5:45am and with my kit already laid out at the end of the bed I leapt (this may be an exaggeration) into action and out the front door. It was raining. I was never a fair weather runner so decided I shouldn't be one now. Besides, it was very muggy out so the light drizzle was very nice to cool me down and I'd had the good sense not to put on a long sleeved waterproof which would soon turn into a me shaped oven once I warmed up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSkx5mYtJ9UH9t39_WRyIo_fb2kC5FNuaV1ZMaIzY6XlN9mCoLBtjMQKmBHR0_Hd48NF-1E_-A3qbnapEznG7mCMTokS-m44tnlXSf7g7AkZMehgQh2ZC1OkMMJHACwo-r0QDPJGmMO-P/s1600/IMG_7208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSkx5mYtJ9UH9t39_WRyIo_fb2kC5FNuaV1ZMaIzY6XlN9mCoLBtjMQKmBHR0_Hd48NF-1E_-A3qbnapEznG7mCMTokS-m44tnlXSf7g7AkZMehgQh2ZC1OkMMJHACwo-r0QDPJGmMO-P/s200/IMG_7208.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">I trotted along, happy enough but I was finding the run tough this morning. I took a strategic turn up a hill which I knew I would have to walk but would give me a flatter run for the rest of my route. I felt smug as I passed the growing line at the McDonalds Drive Thru, no doubt the inhabitants of the cars also felt smug that they were about to get their McMuffin and not soaking wet and clad in lycra! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The hill passed and I was running again, trying to concentrate on my technique, my feet seem to land differently so I was working hard to correct this to a more efficient gait. I reached home after 2.5 miles (shy of my planned 3 miles but time was not on my side today). I started to stretch, leaning against my porch then seemingly out of nowhere a large badger appeared by my feet.... being poorly sighted the badger jumped upon seeing me, as did I and he circled back and scooted around the neighbours garden looking for an escape route! (so I took the opportunity to grab my phone and take a few pics for evidence!)</span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-64598138066699212632017-04-23T20:00:00.000+01:002017-04-25T21:03:11.196+01:00London Marathon 2017 - Training is over-rated (it's really not)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6am </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm awake, I can't sleep. My bag is ready, my race kit is laid out. I'm really going to do this. I'm going to run the Virgin London Marathon with no training. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:40am </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am dropped off my by husband and young daughter (clapping and waving happily at me and she has no idea why) close to the blue start where I will complete last minute preparations, drop my bag in the luggage trucks and make my way to my starting pen. I chat to a lady named Sandra who is approaching her 70th birthday and from Bromley (close to me) and we wish each other luck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9:35am </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the loo queue again, nerves are taking hold of my bladder but not my mind. I have done this before I can do it again. I have no time in mind as such but I'd like to be ahead of the bus that goes round collecting runners who will finish in less than 7 hours... I really don't want to be on the DNF bus. There is no shame in this, I just can't face being on a bus that is going at 4 mph for what will feel like an eternity. (I imagine it to be not entirely dissimilar to the episode of Father Ted with the Milk Float). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10am </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am in my starting pen, its packed with runners who are flinging off their extra layers by the side of the course waiting for the start. It happens, or it doesn't, we edge forward slowly towards the start line as the pens ahead of us start to pick up pace and run over the start line, determined and starting their garmin's as they cross the first chip sensor mats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Already I am swept up, I have a walk/run strategy (I would be stupid to do much else at my current level of fitness or lack thereof), but I start with a run not a walk, but its the first mile and everyone watching is so expectant. Just before the first mile I see the bright pink coat of my daughter, held aloft by my husband, she grins as she see's me and reaches her arms out for me to take her. I give her a kiss and a cuddle and set off on my way again. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFYLlj0X5X5AoF5GKtCtNLSuxm8e-lzhVz3xbWoZ8Tf7TiQQuI-iVhroW5Spv0AH-ajtGy2_TLUZ8B9U80uyvu6GeP8cL6SSCYD4isQsJOscZxZ6Ece4YNAk9dgt9vEOUax_CbF8ZhZZc/s1600/IMG_6716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFYLlj0X5X5AoF5GKtCtNLSuxm8e-lzhVz3xbWoZ8Tf7TiQQuI-iVhroW5Spv0AH-ajtGy2_TLUZ8B9U80uyvu6GeP8cL6SSCYD4isQsJOscZxZ6Ece4YNAk9dgt9vEOUax_CbF8ZhZZc/s200/IMG_6716.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After 3 miles my garmin is not working - no satellites located - and I am regretting the extra layer I added on this chilly morning. I quickly whip of my vest and long sleeve top, replacing the vest and ditching my shirt at the side of the road. Much to the surprise of a helpful police officer who was asking if i was okay as I stripped to my sports bra! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spotted the PWR flag and stopped for a quick snap knowing that the water station manned by this fantastic club was coming up soon. As I ran through I could hear Karen with the megaphone (or she can throw her voice very well), I grabbed my water and one by one they all realised a fellow PWR was in their ranks and they all started to cheer, I got a surprised cheer from Donna... not surprisingly as nobody knew I was running. T</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">his really raised my spirits and I continues on my way, walking for 10 minutes and running for 10 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A comfort break was required, frustrating to queue whilst taking part in a 'race' but hat's how it goes. I passed the Cutty Sark and its roaring crowds, by this point I was pretty fed up with my Garmin and was unable to work out if I was on track or not. I knew to avoid the bus I needed to keep my average pace at 16 min/miles or less. I started to wonder what the hell I was doing, why had I decided to do this today. I was at 8 miles and I was pissed off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJMlPmwY1J-X3Alam8IIxf_1o-BWdVmPuIMHgXsM6ho7pR9iYAqr8kYwmgW95zvFwWX7qbylf4i7rpKScjYo5mP1DKN-GHKg_b9UN5qB05PXbzI1uReyKj1yDKN012ZuY8CYiK1Cpd365/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJMlPmwY1J-X3Alam8IIxf_1o-BWdVmPuIMHgXsM6ho7pR9iYAqr8kYwmgW95zvFwWX7qbylf4i7rpKScjYo5mP1DKN-GHKg_b9UN5qB05PXbzI1uReyKj1yDKN012ZuY8CYiK1Cpd365/s200/IMG_6718.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I carried on grumpily, until I looked at my wrist and realised I had picked up a pacing band at the expo, I could use this to work out if I was on track. Much happier that I felt I had some control back I carried on looking forward to the next major landmark... I turned the corner and there it was, Tower Bridge. Awesome! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was under my mile targets for a 6 hour marathon by about 8 minutes which was good and gave me some wiggle room. Next stop, the halfway point and then its all downhill... mentally at least! I looked across at the faster masses and saw some other PWRs I shouted hello to Chris B, then soon after saw Phil and Jenny but they didn't spot me. I was feeling so much more positive about the whole thing now. I checked my phone during one of my walking intervals and saw a message from my husband saying he was at Canary Wharf waiting for me, what lovely news. as I started up an incline I saw another PWR runner and as I apporached I saw it was Matt S, we had a quick hello and I continued on my way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I approached the 30km marker I once again spotted my little girls pink coat and waved at them both, she was once again delighted to spot me and I stopped for a cuddle which gave me a lovely energy boost. Matt passed me and gave me a pat of encouragement on my shoulder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in a great place now, I was enjoying the crowds, my husband advised me my pacing was very even and especially brilliant with no training - they don't call me the metronome for nothing hahaha!! I was getting messages of support from people all of which spurred me on.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fr8IhVIXLrwmdiaAdyt_jfi7NAnaUJl06N61oTYh4NSG3_lGT2qHrhpNy8XZndVO_a79u1nm9nVcZne0Sk4Oai3QMCng5IRAaAOk8LCaTvmbikLgjJPKfPtkG_pQlcc_18OI_OFCFka3/s1600/IMG_6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fr8IhVIXLrwmdiaAdyt_jfi7NAnaUJl06N61oTYh4NSG3_lGT2qHrhpNy8XZndVO_a79u1nm9nVcZne0Sk4Oai3QMCng5IRAaAOk8LCaTvmbikLgjJPKfPtkG_pQlcc_18OI_OFCFka3/s200/IMG_6719.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I saw some great posters and the supporters were on great form if not a bit tipsy now after hours cheering and drinking. You're in for a treat if you're a runner named Ollie, "ollie ollie ollie oi oi oi". Another comfort break was on the cards although the queue moved faster this time but still added a good 5 minutes stoppage time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon enough I was at the 20 mile marker, I stopped for a picture and once supporter was cheering me on as I did it. Only 2 Parkruns left to go. That's definitely doable! In celebration I took a Jammie Wagon Wheel being offered by some beer swilling members of the crowds and enjoyed it as I entered my next walking interval. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oQ-gmVAWqUl-71oZOEyCKQrSpeD2_cSXAfKhYlmmBDf48MKoDT5FRokvYRMOSZ0jSQ-chWPfDfKh1kZt9xmWqM8kh7I6PUAttP6WznJc0Rec0caQd-vfGAd7XxMaWp3NcM8_IguDknch/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oQ-gmVAWqUl-71oZOEyCKQrSpeD2_cSXAfKhYlmmBDf48MKoDT5FRokvYRMOSZ0jSQ-chWPfDfKh1kZt9xmWqM8kh7I6PUAttP6WznJc0Rec0caQd-vfGAd7XxMaWp3NcM8_IguDknch/s200/IMG_6735.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I saw a few ice cream vans and silently cursed myself for having no change on me for a 99. So I kept on going, my energy gels and Lucozade supplemented by the kindness of strangers mostly in the form of jelly beans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon enough I was to see my support crew again as they waited for me just under London Bridge, only a few miles to go and I may have been a little giddy and delirious. I'd lost my advantage now and was looking at a finish time of just over 6 hours by my calculations.... and this was fine by me. This couldn't be right could it, no training, a baby later and no running but pretty much just nailed this?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was buzzing now with less than 3 miles to go and I heard a familiar voice, I ran across the road and got a hug from a former work colleague and friend. What a nice surprise for us both. I kept going, I could feel my pace had slowed a little and running was getting tougher as I felt a sharp pain in my big toe (I think a blister may have just popped... yuck). Onward I went, I wanted to run the last 200m so I opted for a bit more walking, less running for a while and then it was upon me... 800m to go, 400m to go.... I could see the finish line, I started my run towards the line, I crossed and was handed my medal by a smiling volunteer (not a prince), I looked around in wonder, being congratulated and congratulating other finishers. I went for my finishers photo. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjercumQ1bs3odqruYdU1A_K8CTeibUwAkJoAul7Bilm57RMMzh1yYLaM2iaFiWVsojcbcU8Z9SZnGGPXOxiLWIrPMS1FK8PjqF8edsRHLH2SKJ3VnqaCkhy1zLfGpzs2696i7KnDW3YHkc/s1600/IMG_6725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjercumQ1bs3odqruYdU1A_K8CTeibUwAkJoAul7Bilm57RMMzh1yYLaM2iaFiWVsojcbcU8Z9SZnGGPXOxiLWIrPMS1FK8PjqF8edsRHLH2SKJ3VnqaCkhy1zLfGpzs2696i7KnDW3YHkc/s200/IMG_6725.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd only gone and bloody done it! I was gobsmacked and thrilled all at once, I had made a crazy decision (it wasn't the first crazy running decision and surely wont be the last) and it had paid off. My legs were aching, I was scared to look at my toes but I had just run the London Marathon with no training! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My support crew were at the finish waiting for me with a meatball sub... could this day get any better?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On the train home we spotted fellow PWR #mikethemod and congratulated each other. What a fantastic end to a surprising and thoroughly enjoyable day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#reasontorun #runninglondon #thisgirlcanuk</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOTES: As a trained running coach I would not advocate running a marathon without training. Whilst its true that I did this one without any training I have run 3 marathons and one ultra marathon before (albeit a couple of years ago pre-injury and pre-baby) and knew what I was letting myself in for. I also have some very supportive friends and family. Thanks you to everyone and your words of encouragement, this was not a secret marathon, I really did just decide 3 days before!</span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-5557335146605538542017-04-20T14:12:00.000+01:002017-04-25T19:51:54.790+01:00I may be about to do something a little bit silly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5rOuSLl8sPvSUZ0Vnlib7JFqxDe55uTEvhvVMI_ov37nOxKWr1dWsmS_blukiH3Tq2MQK3_eBEIfbjMgTHz71WT3yYJUB6SYtJGeFqj0mp_qaSAtENodkU3Lw98BZPwpuMuu7-eb8rjK/s1600/IMG_6652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5rOuSLl8sPvSUZ0Vnlib7JFqxDe55uTEvhvVMI_ov37nOxKWr1dWsmS_blukiH3Tq2MQK3_eBEIfbjMgTHz71WT3yYJUB6SYtJGeFqj0mp_qaSAtENodkU3Lw98BZPwpuMuu7-eb8rjK/s320/IMG_6652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been feeling angry, angry and jealous pretty much any time I see somebody running. I am so frustrated with myself that I am unable to run. Even more frustrating is that all anyone is writing about on social media (and rightly so) is that they are ready for London Marathon on Sunday... arggghhhhhhhh!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What makes it worse is that I have a place, a place that I will lose if I don't run. I have already deferred once and so that's no longer an option. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can I possibly run? I haven't done any training whatsoever since I had my daughter in February last year. Well, I did two or three parkrun's over the last year but that's it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I made a decision, I decided to go to the expo today, I collected my number and I soaked up the atmosphere and positive pre-race energy, I was determined to stop feeling jealous of those who are running. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I thought, hmmmmm maybe I can do this? I can walk pretty fast, I'm a London commuter after all. There's no expectations as nobody knows I will be doing it. I have run the marathon before and therefore have a legitimate and tested race day plan (timings will need to be adjusted of course) but maybe this is doable. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3QFVTWHy3skuB-e49sASSLuL9IJ3n-mERZGobpHh7XsBa2o9nhL5wB8de7cfLor_QEUw-J_Zvx-TmuJ235WFu79t32gr4Ss_D_7zoYbQjtCixOr-EMxpsbUw2pkRnRHKpQgE92zLIFmx/s1600/IMG_6655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3QFVTWHy3skuB-e49sASSLuL9IJ3n-mERZGobpHh7XsBa2o9nhL5wB8de7cfLor_QEUw-J_Zvx-TmuJ235WFu79t32gr4Ss_D_7zoYbQjtCixOr-EMxpsbUw2pkRnRHKpQgE92zLIFmx/s320/IMG_6655.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I asked a few people if they thought I was crazy..... my husband, my chiropractor and my personal trainer.... they all agreed I was completely mental to consider this but they both know me and my capabilities and thought I was more than able to do it. They said as long as I dropped out if it became too difficult or I was putting my body at risk then crack on! Doh, I thought a professional may tell me no and I'd have to listen to them... no such luck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this is happening.... or is it?!</span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-43048966580046705232016-02-02T09:57:00.003+00:002016-02-02T10:11:58.483+00:00Marathon Verses Labour Training<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>So as I wait for the impending birth of my first child I have been thinking about the similarities of running your first marathon and having your first baby. As I have little to write about in terms of running at present this seemed like a good outlet to try and put down some of these feelings and thoughts.</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Signing Up</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The decision to tackle a marathon is a large undertaking, committing to training and preparing your body in the best way you can to take on something that only 1% of the UK population have completed. Starting a family is of course a much bigger undertaking than a marathon but a lot of the principles are the same, people will see you differently and your body will certainly never be the same again, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKjqbtpReP3E_KEx59PliMZSO6er0fvRYGaE9mLgU3pdezLo8GpuWyfMuxsqLRF_yAg89z0TQkFEmxqfQiS99x4KaN8sq6jzxKpyf9mdO9Cctp-k-UUgfJX2bFTOuVfJ1h0D0GpwlqmgC/s1600/38+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKjqbtpReP3E_KEx59PliMZSO6er0fvRYGaE9mLgU3pdezLo8GpuWyfMuxsqLRF_yAg89z0TQkFEmxqfQiS99x4KaN8sq6jzxKpyf9mdO9Cctp-k-UUgfJX2bFTOuVfJ1h0D0GpwlqmgC/s200/38+weeks.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Building a Base</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As with marathon training you need to make changes to your body. Eat healthy, cut out toxins such as alcohol, sleep well, take care of your body, exercise sensibly, have a plan in place but remain flexible and don't push too hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Training Hiccups</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am sure some women have a beautiful idyllic idea of pregnancy, a lovely round bump on which you can balance plates of cakes, plenty of well wishers telling you that you are blooming and that pregnancy suits you. I was concerned from the beginning when the morning sickness struck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am going to liken a training mishap to morning sickness. I myself suffered for the first 4 months of pregnancy with nausea, vomiting and dizziness as my body changed with this tiny little being growing inside me. I was unable to do things I had planned, feeling like I was deviating from my training plan and convinced that I was never going to reach the end whilst feeling so rough. But this, like with an injury passed in time and I was able to get back on track, feeling much healthier and feeling my baby move within me, reassuring me - like a good time in a training race - that everything was going to be okay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Tapering & Carb Loading</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, moving on a few months, my energy burst and confidence was waning again as I felt my increasing size was slowing me and the inevitable tapering (maternity leave) making me feel lazy and restless as I wanted to be proactive but knowing I need rest so my body is ready for the big event. Eating vast quantities of carbs to make sure my body has the energy I need when the time comes making me feel bloated but necessary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Waiting Game</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The big difference I feel now that I am so close to the big event is that I have no idea when it is!! I mean we have a due date (5 days away) but that's just an indication really... at least with the marathon you know exactly when its going to be! I remain anxious, excited, scared but I also know that what I am about to go through will take a lot of mental strength not unlike a marathon. I don't know exactly how long it will take but I know I am prepared mentally for the long haul, I have my support crew in place and cannot wait for the day to arrive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In Summary</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You will make huge changes to your physical and mental being, your life as you currently know it will never be the same again, you will question your decision many times but when its all done you will look at that medal / baby with such emotion and pride and love that you will know it was the best decision you ever made. Whether you want to go through it all again is another question entirely and one I am not equipped to answer yet in terms of a baby but as for marathons I am in! </span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-22131650264258771222015-10-10T10:00:00.000+01:002015-10-21T20:54:02.798+01:00Papaya Power<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6410Vf4qvEk8KxiHsPPoYkhyphenhyphenyP364qOUSMD4M8yiEtmSWaGcDZX3SA4kmmCe2Vy17iVRg1Be7iDzVpWTSH2NMQcXINwpzLsLujj4gqqN5hCOgvUCpFz0NCusfoYmFsE6ryY8BOWB1Tjb/s1600/howbigisbaby_week22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6410Vf4qvEk8KxiHsPPoYkhyphenhyphenyP364qOUSMD4M8yiEtmSWaGcDZX3SA4kmmCe2Vy17iVRg1Be7iDzVpWTSH2NMQcXINwpzLsLujj4gqqN5hCOgvUCpFz0NCusfoYmFsE6ryY8BOWB1Tjb/s1600/howbigisbaby_week22.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This week I was feeling pretty motivated to get out and run at parkrun, I had decided to switch back to Orpington this week to give me a change of scenery and also I had visitors arriving mid morning and with slightly fewer runners than Bromley I can get away a bit quicker!<br /><br />Before the start I spotted a friend whom I hadn't seen since before I was expecting which was great as we had a lovely catch up and she waited to cheer me in at the finish line. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />This week my Orpington Parkrun was powered by the papaya, it would seem that this is a pretty good running fuel as today the baby was not doing a bladder dance as we ran allowing me to run 10 / walk 2, and finish in a pretty respectable bump time of 33:15 with only 2 walking breaks. My pace is gradually slowing as my weight and tummy size increase but I am enjoying being out running and ticking off Parkruns on my way to the 50 t-shirt.... still another 15 to go so suspect it will be a post baby win! </span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Goddington Park, Goddington Ln, Orpington, Kent BR6 9DH, UK51.3669496 0.1155955000000403751.3619931 0.10551050000004038 51.3719061 0.12568050000004038tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-73133939952623584262015-10-03T10:00:00.000+01:002015-10-21T20:53:57.290+01:00Don't Look At Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It is becoming somewhat of a family tradition that when my siblings come for a visit we come out to Parkrun. This weekend it was the turn of my younger sister, and her first time at Parkrun and only her second 5km event.<br /><br />It was a cool and drizzly morning, pretty good as running weather goes as you don't get too hot and sweaty!!<br /><br />We arrived and headed over to the start line, my sister clearly impressed or perhaps confounded by some of the anniversary shirts she saw, 250 parkuns was a shocker!!<br /><br />We set off at a steady pace, agreeing to a walk/run strategy to get us around the course and selecting Bromley </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as the flattest of the local parkruns and also the family favourite!<br /><br />Happily I am still fitting into my running kit and managed to zip up my waterproof over my increasing bump, this week apparently the size of a pomegranate.... now this raised suspicion for me as I have never seen a pomegranate in excess of 10 inches, in fact probably not even half that size. The app that gives me these updates is American so I am wondering if they have giant pomegranate farms in the US where these enormous fruits frolic together in the fields. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As the time wore on, my sister was seeming a little less keen on running that when we started, and stating definitively "Don't look at me" when I asked looked over to see how she was doing!! but with shorted run/walk intervals we kept moving and before long the end was in sight. The finish line prompted a new energy and we overtook about 4 other runners in the dash for the finish.<br /><br />It was over and we could now go about our day with a smugness of those who get up early on a Saturday to exercise!</span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Norman Park, Hayes Ln, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF, UK51.3879977 0.02626689999999598525.8659632 -41.2823271 76.9100322 41.334860899999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-20209222867823459732015-09-26T09:00:00.000+01:002015-10-21T20:53:46.451+01:00Parkrun Tourism: Worcester Woods Country Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyz1MH0mNdL9cjnw9hFBS1yJJ7maqDreKJnKlhX1GGnZgi35heQrnvEMI9eECVfG-xlIEcv5iczqAO5XO0FSrSv7rGq592walcP6mbS0Ob9L4gWcv7rw7OPmrHZtbDKRJKVkkAu3fL-wv/s1600/12063370_10156142418805038_8620025548134904524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyz1MH0mNdL9cjnw9hFBS1yJJ7maqDreKJnKlhX1GGnZgi35heQrnvEMI9eECVfG-xlIEcv5iczqAO5XO0FSrSv7rGq592walcP6mbS0Ob9L4gWcv7rw7OPmrHZtbDKRJKVkkAu3fL-wv/s320/12063370_10156142418805038_8620025548134904524_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was the weekend of the worldwide netball reunion, with the Australian contingent in attendance. As is usual on these gatherings I suggested a trip to the local Parkrun on the Saturday morning and Team Meakin took the bait.<br /><br />Hubby was roped in as chief supporter and childcare for our God-daughter whilst myself, Kate and Paddy partook in a little Parkrun tourism. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl81tb5pRMTRl4R3Kzd9rsy3zvtfDZz6iAX35cywpvWfs0diNNRIj-roqv3FHXHi31aKxCxq7e5K5TQX6xiz51u0oKaNzd5WpPbD73EQES8eZYjwGR6JjeZTzCi2YPUbV4X7AJqBfSsVpd/s1600/howbigisbaby_week20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl81tb5pRMTRl4R3Kzd9rsy3zvtfDZz6iAX35cywpvWfs0diNNRIj-roqv3FHXHi31aKxCxq7e5K5TQX6xiz51u0oKaNzd5WpPbD73EQES8eZYjwGR6JjeZTzCi2YPUbV4X7AJqBfSsVpd/s200/howbigisbaby_week20.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The sun was shining and the course was a lovely couple of laps through some shaded woods, Paddy was off ahead of us and myself and Kate opted for the run and chat option to get us round. I was pleased to find that the distraction of chatting stopped me worrying about the baby bladder dance and I was able to keep going until about 17 minutes when we had a short walk break.<br /><br />As we approached the finish line we saw the husbands and Mollie cheering us on and finished in a time of 35:05 which I am pretty happy with as I am running for two, with my very good friend on such a beautiful morning.<br /></span></div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Worcester, Worcester, UK52.193636 -2.2215750000000352.1157725 -2.3829365000000298 52.2714995 -2.06021350000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-31290363709243477072015-09-19T09:32:00.000+01:002016-02-02T09:08:45.746+00:00Treadmill Run - Mango in Malta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNyrIbBC7stWMA2mN8fKMMmDWqr_e8XRd74Bo4GEg-TSV7mCDw2joP0WwVeYeFSmDp3ZOEGz2oqdmYbaYL6DJ_VwpvpJ9rh2xWKSBT71O0x2ibDsKrTps1oClIgY6tRPo8MT8Lv17Piku/s1600/mango.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNyrIbBC7stWMA2mN8fKMMmDWqr_e8XRd74Bo4GEg-TSV7mCDw2joP0WwVeYeFSmDp3ZOEGz2oqdmYbaYL6DJ_VwpvpJ9rh2xWKSBT71O0x2ibDsKrTps1oClIgY6tRPo8MT8Lv17Piku/s320/mango.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since being on holiday there has been a lot of walking every day and swimming in the sea but this was the first day I decided to run, and hitting the hotel gym seemed like the best idea especially as Malta is pretty hot and I didn't want to overheat the bump!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So getting up early, squeezing into some gym kit and taking myself down to the gym I set out to complete a 5km treadmill run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Powered by an all inclusive diet I was feel quite sluggish and also being indoors on a treadmill I always find slightly tougher then getting out in the fresh air but I stuck with it and completed my 5km in a time comparable to those I have been achieving of late at Parkrun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really I am just happy that I have stopped with the morning sickness and am able to do any kind of exercise again. Lets hope it lasts for a little while at least!!</span></div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-81446870528832609032015-09-12T10:00:00.000+01:002016-02-02T09:08:45.750+00:00Sweet Potato Running<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTEdRnICW90ngI_U_FJ9hBrduhLNdsbyeami8LGt-vQd2sIOlCzO1KHVefwa6ux1fXQ587VCGu8Hnc-Vti_SI24IAEc4CGSeQMBw9z_GAqQQI7tsWui7q5ZHVQcWRaKdqrpC78a-5qNgh/s1600/18+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTEdRnICW90ngI_U_FJ9hBrduhLNdsbyeami8LGt-vQd2sIOlCzO1KHVefwa6ux1fXQ587VCGu8Hnc-Vti_SI24IAEc4CGSeQMBw9z_GAqQQI7tsWui7q5ZHVQcWRaKdqrpC78a-5qNgh/s320/18+weeks.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeling positive about finally being able to run a few times in the last week, after the morning sickness has eased off significantly I decided another Parkrun was in order. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Opting for Bromley Parkrun I was feeling good and looking forward to seeing a few friendly PWR faces in the line up. At 18 weeks pregnant </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my baby is the size of a sweet potato and based on my improved time I can only assume this is down to the increased carbs...it would seem that a sweet potato is significantly faster than an avocado!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was pretty pleased with my bump sweet potato time of 32:55 </span></div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-80564618904654444702015-08-30T09:22:00.000+01:002016-02-02T09:08:45.748+00:00Post Family Day Calorie Burning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CZQzABoIXwVll9paKRMQw9QENvEwMgYYTGW4rptBz0WtSgRp_21kH-ziY2S5DMR_O2ztabSrQ6lUr5nv-NbhvpN1FxUNu-zfnQISetkttd0ds1Sn6dDPwomwJ24zd1rto4QnMvj7MMaZ/s1600/11949551_10155982406825150_685573963221862828_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CZQzABoIXwVll9paKRMQw9QENvEwMgYYTGW4rptBz0WtSgRp_21kH-ziY2S5DMR_O2ztabSrQ6lUr5nv-NbhvpN1FxUNu-zfnQISetkttd0ds1Sn6dDPwomwJ24zd1rto4QnMvj7MMaZ/s320/11949551_10155982406825150_685573963221862828_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following from the parkrun family tradition the day following family day should always start with a family run with as many people as we can rope in!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year we managed 6 runners (big bro taking the picture) for our calorie burning, hangover curing run. Pairing up based roughly on ability (or inclination) we all set off on an out and back route, 20 mins out and then turn around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys sped off as expected, some testosterone playing its part. I was kindly joined by Marii on my walk/run bump friendly pace which oddly still kept the boys in sight ahead of us as they seemed to be doing sprint intervals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see from the picture we finished with smiles on our face... maybe because the run was over.... maybe because we knew we had a yummy fry up to head back to!!</span></div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Rudgwick, Horsham, West Sussex RH12, UK51.095797999999988 -0.4443440000000009651.095797999999988 -0.44434400000000096 51.095797999999988 -0.44434400000000096tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-64525587265185019202015-08-29T10:00:00.000+01:002015-10-16T22:07:49.898+01:00Family Parkrunning <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBHsKiCHIsE9NriktBxKzVv1FBEKqxREQIAsHeXFAHHD1QPr0zY3XIYYU8V4MLdZKqByt94BjvxHzUq7_Kqv_em82W5BsJgh7HxB2D2NRbN7DE_hphy6g8RTDg3_9o9BWPSttNFLeKjB9/s1600/11960122_1189775207715279_6766826376359849009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBHsKiCHIsE9NriktBxKzVv1FBEKqxREQIAsHeXFAHHD1QPr0zY3XIYYU8V4MLdZKqByt94BjvxHzUq7_Kqv_em82W5BsJgh7HxB2D2NRbN7DE_hphy6g8RTDg3_9o9BWPSttNFLeKjB9/s320/11960122_1189775207715279_6766826376359849009_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For regular readers of my blog you will know that when my brother visits he likes to have a go at Parkrun. This was one such weekend as we were gearing up for the fabulous family day at my aunts. I was a little concerned as I had not been for a run for weeks</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> due to morning sickness but in support of my brother I decided I would give it a go as I could always drop out if I was struggling or ill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bromley Parkrun was busy as ever, now seeing in excess of 500 runners every week and this week saw even more than that as it was the 6th anniversary so there was lots of excitement and and of course cake!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The day was pretty hot already, great for our plans later in the day but not so good when it was grey upon leaving the house so we both had too many layers and got a bit warm running. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The course was also being run in reverse, so armed with my Garmin I told my brother his target pace and I dropped back to run with Sherry and share the good news that I was 16 weeks pregnant. I ran most of the way with Sherry and her two lovely daughters until I needed to stop for a toilet break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This for me was unheard of... I have never stopped in a race for the toilet, not in a marathon and certainly not in a 5km event!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It seems that the baby was doing some sort of dance on my bladder, but after a quick pit stop I was back on my way. I opted for a walk run strategy to lessen the pressure on my bladder and this seemed to work just fine allowing me to complete the run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My brother completed some time ahead of me and was there to cheer me across the finish to set a 5km PB for baby bump. Felt great to be out running after weeks of absence, may not be fast but happy to be out and keeping fit again. </span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-51636127092345037602015-07-19T11:00:00.000+01:002015-10-16T22:07:38.513+01:00Newham 10km Run #returntothestadium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8w4wp2Xok7MwfpoE3m-z_LGLDLNNhD_wvKAiqEJnyCbCa9kePy1RMfTM6iVr4k7F3TP3dr5rk3b1rmewzzgbRW4WdRa3wUfNINW1CkS2hKyjsxlP4o9Osu4qO9a_4_9td-vrxHjIA34f/s1600/11742826_10155808086090150_2010520088520181879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8w4wp2Xok7MwfpoE3m-z_LGLDLNNhD_wvKAiqEJnyCbCa9kePy1RMfTM6iVr4k7F3TP3dr5rk3b1rmewzzgbRW4WdRa3wUfNINW1CkS2hKyjsxlP4o9Osu4qO9a_4_9td-vrxHjIA34f/s200/11742826_10155808086090150_2010520088520181879_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This race was going to be a tricky one, when the entries opened up some months ago I of course had no idea that firstly I would be pregnant and secondly that I would have been suffering the most horrendous vomit inducing morning (afternoon, evening and nighttime) sickness!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0udIGT25iyoTMWcD_81s4mgZO0vsMV-el2xJ8fGuPEXksc53mA7N-grwSbNxq8CwBjisexaW1sFUN_DXtvbxX82lmNcKq8oYYpvQIe5C-R04q-MiGjvlhpZq_UhaT5Hmfoj0439vvBnR/s1600/11750681_10155838661075434_6358055344966676152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0udIGT25iyoTMWcD_81s4mgZO0vsMV-el2xJ8fGuPEXksc53mA7N-grwSbNxq8CwBjisexaW1sFUN_DXtvbxX82lmNcKq8oYYpvQIe5C-R04q-MiGjvlhpZq_UhaT5Hmfoj0439vvBnR/s320/11750681_10155838661075434_6358055344966676152_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But as runners we can be a little silly, and I knew this was likely to be the only opportunity I would ever have to run in the Olympic stadium in the footsteps of the greats so I was going to do this event, even if it meant walking the whole way!<br /><br />The time in the picture was never going to happen but nice as a reminder that I was capable of a sub-50 10km at some point in my running life and I will get back there!<br /><br />Added bonus of this event was that supporters could also come into the stadium to watch the finish, so I had both my husband and my mum on todays support crew and what a fine job they did. I must have seen them in at least 4 different points in the race before even getting to the final 400m in the stadium running on that famous track.<br /><br />My pace was pretty good to start with but it was a hot day and getting hotter my the minute. When I was running I was maintaining pace but due to the heat and concern over cooking my growing bump I had several walk breaks and water to make sure I didn't overheat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">These seemed to get more frequent towards the end of the race but the idea of today was not about time, it was about setting foot on the track and that I did!<br /><br />I saw a few other PWR tops around the course and towards the finish there was some encouragement shouted at each other as we recognised the tops if not the faces!! (the club has grown so large and with my absence following injury there are a lot of new faces). I finished the race, oddly not with a personal worst and if anything the bump now had a 10km PB!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A great event, very busy an perhaps 20,000 runners but something that was great to be part of and what a spectacular finishing venue!<br /></span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0London Borough of Newham, Greater London, UK51.5255162 0.03521630000000186651.4464922 -0.12614519999999813 51.604540199999995 0.19657780000000186tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-91913690376795716522015-06-23T21:00:00.000+01:002015-10-16T22:07:30.898+01:00PWR Midsummers Run 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdjLHfn7-UClY9WCtKchQzAjOeGBHBCeTYOsiigX9YS9v45pJc0ynUDJ547WA9rA9xCzoT817JHeXLex-RWKBYtXiI_ahwaV9I9dR5IssNKvd0qHyVaSb_t0ZGkm0PigOJlYTbhCyHkW5/s1600/11334271_10155712717950150_7263423872088779712_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdjLHfn7-UClY9WCtKchQzAjOeGBHBCeTYOsiigX9YS9v45pJc0ynUDJ547WA9rA9xCzoT817JHeXLex-RWKBYtXiI_ahwaV9I9dR5IssNKvd0qHyVaSb_t0ZGkm0PigOJlYTbhCyHkW5/s320/11334271_10155712717950150_7263423872088779712_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of the most anticipated and well attended events on the Petts Wood Runners calendar is the Midsummers Run. This year the organisers outdid themselves!<br /><br />The groups were put together so that 3 larger teams went out and along the way there were pitstops with challenges to complete and 'trophies' to collect. At the first station was a quiz gave which upon completed the team was given a pineapple to carry round the course.<br /><br />At stop 2 David and Hels put on their best Sargent Major military voices and put the groups through their paces on a series of press-ups, burpies, planking, jumping jacks and other activities. All the time being shot at with David's super soaker!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Next up, into Petts Wood we came across the infamous Cocktail & Dreams bar, amazing effort went into this, my favourite of all the challenge stops. With our very own Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown impersonators hosting this cocktail challenge. We had to guess the ingredients of a cocktail and were rewarded with cocktails of our own!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The last stop before the finish was a cup cake decorating challenge where we had plain cupcakes and plenty of sprinkles and icing to pretty them up for judging... but mostly for eating!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijilPDXjc11Muy_Jtjo0R7mmsw5EkkW09JTpswOWuaej0E4Svt3HILD204RYFSW2LmT6LIq_f_mQ7oJNpad8_4WPMiciWOevejXFxmSqYt4FlnYhV25KUoDzZAP0Ovs_tiJDtdcEQNIEii/s1600/11053707_10155712717405150_8701233608636162154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijilPDXjc11Muy_Jtjo0R7mmsw5EkkW09JTpswOWuaej0E4Svt3HILD204RYFSW2LmT6LIq_f_mQ7oJNpad8_4WPMiciWOevejXFxmSqYt4FlnYhV25KUoDzZAP0Ovs_tiJDtdcEQNIEii/s320/11053707_10155712717405150_8701233608636162154_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Post cake decoration we headed to the finish point - with a quick team photo stop - and highlight of the evening, a garden Pimms party at Mike's house where we are all welcomed into the delightful oasis that is Mike's garden where his family rally to serve us cake, Pimms, samosa's as we await the annual prize giving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A wonderful evening as ever with lots of laughter, smiles, running and Pimms!</span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-51096219270662858772015-06-07T14:00:00.000+01:002015-10-16T22:07:25.146+01:00Dartford & White Oak Sprint Triathlon 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qbRWhVdo4r4PRyLH5owurPU-RJvkUlSnHrejPGqwttO2fP_CLEYIOYe9fxImZjZZmFEx3_eks3jzbaxQKxfdN5Ly2pHsehUBzg-XCfqCbWAsXbGbhzhTFsLFjhTukY-LwPkT_95WDe1T/s1600/10472681_937129839650987_4467929868415405754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qbRWhVdo4r4PRyLH5owurPU-RJvkUlSnHrejPGqwttO2fP_CLEYIOYe9fxImZjZZmFEx3_eks3jzbaxQKxfdN5Ly2pHsehUBzg-XCfqCbWAsXbGbhzhTFsLFjhTukY-LwPkT_95WDe1T/s320/10472681_937129839650987_4467929868415405754_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Something happened after my first triathlon back in April, I wasn't sure if I enjoyed it or not. But after some very hyper encouragement from the ever energetic and slightly manic Emma we decided we would both sign up for our local sprint triathlon with Dartford and White Oak Triathlon Club. As we were super keen we first joined the club to get some help, particularly with our swim training. I had hoped that I might be able to complete the swim section in front crawl rather than my usual metronomic breast stroke. We also pulled in my friends from my first triathlon, Lexi and her husband Chris who had regretted not signing up last time so wanted to get involved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As the race was only a few miles from home it wasn't such an early start as usual and we loaded up the bikes and got to the venue where we soon came across Emma and many other lycra clad competitors. It was a beautiful sunny morning, our support crew of my Mum arrived soon after and was our personal cheer squad and photographer appearing at multiple points around the course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The swim was well organised and I started with a length of front crawl but my nerves got the better of me and I struggled to regulate my breathing so I reverted to breast stroke and completed the 400m in my predicted time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ImX-rUaKPQLB3vId4-Tzb1jFCrvST9dUyfyb_Gq53c9K3pVUzO-noA0nd1YQ_frf2J-TkcqfCenxqvJQX1cv2AMnHxmaxyMuoxLizixKBouewp5zZ2kUMgYyhGyKGRSMrzr2toXz3uhD/s1600/11415362_937129716317666_395832786565654041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ImX-rUaKPQLB3vId4-Tzb1jFCrvST9dUyfyb_Gq53c9K3pVUzO-noA0nd1YQ_frf2J-TkcqfCenxqvJQX1cv2AMnHxmaxyMuoxLizixKBouewp5zZ2kUMgYyhGyKGRSMrzr2toXz3uhD/s320/11415362_937129716317666_395832786565654041_n.jpg" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Into the transition zone and i stuffed a handle of jelly babies in and hopped on my bike. Only my fourth time riding my new racing bike but I was enjoying how much faster the ride was than my hybrid without any change in effort. I made it up the first hill and to the roundabout where I saw Rob and Sonja who seems to appear at quite a lot of my events in random places, they were there for my London marathon debut when I was struggling, they were in Brussels the same time as me completing the marathon (when I ran the half). There is something reassuring to me now to see the smiley supportive pair that I know the race will go well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The cycle was good and was faster than anticipated, about 4 miles in, Emma came speeding past me with words of encouragement, making me smile before she disappeared at an alarming rate into the distance. I reached the transition zone, my legs tired but I saw my mum again as I racked my bike, stuffed in more sweets and headed out for the final section of the event. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixilAbKDjXVrzSvjzdDoblVFJY06GQ2Ez5eCT0FHc1pYQtDBs1TI1cDcQPzJJ_B6rTaFtqARJVX7xjf9Ml0R1lS-3TuUDudUd0vvbxm8lHoSRRMn-dnQ5DSLQCo_1PZ0gvEwC89rIfgIwJ/s1600/11428032_937129172984387_6414738453047905043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixilAbKDjXVrzSvjzdDoblVFJY06GQ2Ez5eCT0FHc1pYQtDBs1TI1cDcQPzJJ_B6rTaFtqARJVX7xjf9Ml0R1lS-3TuUDudUd0vvbxm8lHoSRRMn-dnQ5DSLQCo_1PZ0gvEwC89rIfgIwJ/s320/11428032_937129172984387_6414738453047905043_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My run was slower than normal and as the day heated up I was starting to feel fatigued. But I pushed through taking water at the stations and being encouraged by supporters on the course. As I exited the park after two laps and headed out to the road I was really tiring and was delighted as before long the leisure centre and finish line was in sight. I crossed the line, tired but satisfied and was reunited with the support crew (Mum) and my friends. After much patting on the back we headed up the road for an Asda breakfast to refuel before heading home for a well deserved bath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">NOTE: So, although I did not know on the day I was in the early stages on pregnancy so this may account for my struggles on the final leg of the race and slower than normal running times! </span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-86399618770503950672015-05-16T10:30:00.000+01:002015-05-18T17:21:05.171+01:00Parkrun Tourism: Tilgate Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihth3g_BPbU4r-imxBbuqFWFH5hh_dNWUJgPYSapu7hOLrMyeBXBPoQMeU-OYkKMvSh-zy7wKiHMIYmNWd9hp2BdHnw7FHwB0_8dGUmeDS5Bd0eJ1FZUXMGCG1tRRKMFSZ1dwrh-qrlhnT/s1600/11045515_926888137341824_8058879066308332422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihth3g_BPbU4r-imxBbuqFWFH5hh_dNWUJgPYSapu7hOLrMyeBXBPoQMeU-OYkKMvSh-zy7wKiHMIYmNWd9hp2BdHnw7FHwB0_8dGUmeDS5Bd0eJ1FZUXMGCG1tRRKMFSZ1dwrh-qrlhnT/s320/11045515_926888137341824_8058879066308332422_n.jpg" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Staying away from home on a Friday night? What's the first thing a parkrunner does when planning their trip? Check out any local Parkrun to their accommodation and then see how they can squeeze it into the weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have not really considered this when getting ready to stay at my Mum's house until she sent me a message suggesting after staying over on Friday night that we could go to Tilgate Park in Crawley so I could do Parkrun there as it was a really rather lovely park. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She was not wrong, the park was beautiful and a popular Parkrun by the looks of their webpage regularly enticing over 400 runners. <span id="goog_2082337321"></span><span id="goog_2082337322"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We arrived and saw the floods of lycra-clad participants heading from the car park towards the start of the course. The numbers swelling as 9 am drew closer. Mum found a good spot by the lake to watch the running and I waited at the start point as we thanked volunteers and celebrated the multiple event awards of 50's and 100's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was a sunny and warm morning - not really done justice by the picture. The first lap of the course was gently undulating around the lake and then headed upwards for a lap of the park with some not so gentle undulations. Passing through wooded areas it was clear to see why this was a popular Parkrun, despite the course being tougher than I am used to it was a far more enticing environment to run in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At almost 2 miles into the run we returned to the edge of the lake to run another lap where I saw Mum and gave her a wave as she cheered and took pictures. Onward I went, very hot by now but still keeping pace with the same runners I had fallen into pace with early on during the run. A runner with his dog, let the giddy Spaniel off the lead to jump in the lake to cool down... I think this is possibly the only time I have ever wanted a wet dog to shake the water off himself near me (to cool down) but alas he did not! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Round the final bend and the very keen marshals were shouting words of encouragement at the runners who were starting their final lap or in the final 200m sprint for the finish. I pushed as hard as I could for the last 100m although to look at the video my mum recorded you may be forgiven for thinking I was having a leisurely jog. I crossed the line in 26:42 which was pretty pleasing - and not too far off last weeks time especially considering the hilly course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tilgate Parkrun, I hope to be back in the future! A lovely park and very friendly marshals.</span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Tilgate Park, Tilgate Drive, Crawley, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 5PQ, UK51.0953623 -0.1767055000000254930.661239799999997 -41.485299500000025 71.5294848 41.131888499999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-85317837799109612302015-05-10T10:30:00.000+01:002015-05-11T18:48:32.875+01:00ORR Anti-Heros: The Man with No Name<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrgnLz_QHa8jGsrgknTR0p4XPdPoLKIAbHL2rV1UeRbtuVDPrXgOsRHhz1aW84lUwThrgNXFCQPV4vQ0hRsYT23l7GttalrhwhnDuHM4qbjIQJtYUntfLgUQDnk7tbMNUcuE8I2JyuJia/s1600/hero+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrgnLz_QHa8jGsrgknTR0p4XPdPoLKIAbHL2rV1UeRbtuVDPrXgOsRHhz1aW84lUwThrgNXFCQPV4vQ0hRsYT23l7GttalrhwhnDuHM4qbjIQJtYUntfLgUQDnk7tbMNUcuE8I2JyuJia/s200/hero+4.jpg" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A potted history of the Heroes Run (High Elms Run On Sunday) can be found <a href="http://www.magicforest.co.uk/2015/05/a-monkey-by-any-other-name-would-smell.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This in turn led to the Anti-Heros Run, also taking
place in High Elms but at 8am and takes the form of a trail run of around 6
miles. A Hero or Anti-hero is selected
by the weeks run leader and this week leader had selected Clint Eastwood’s
character, The Man with No Name.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG7z2YK_phPTUG0p54iqp4Ja0crIqP4_BYWvS6YJeDWtD6KeQ1zfpDGILltYJj6g6iIXTSXgRaItJy3WeePQIiw4R5SzGmZaClCbGskId5b7_AFP4FrlyuJRBjMp3KX40kDdx2sEdyDCZ/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG7z2YK_phPTUG0p54iqp4Ja0crIqP4_BYWvS6YJeDWtD6KeQ1zfpDGILltYJj6g6iIXTSXgRaItJy3WeePQIiw4R5SzGmZaClCbGskId5b7_AFP4FrlyuJRBjMp3KX40kDdx2sEdyDCZ/s200/IMG_1318.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I decided to tag along as this week’s route was being led by
Jerry and although an Orpington Road Runners established event I find them to
be very welcoming and like-minded trail runners. I was collected from home by
Jerry after a somewhat disappointing 5 hours sleep following a late night but I
wanted to get out and run the trails and this seemed a great way to do it. We
shared a Satsuma on route to the run, I forget all the reasons but oranges are
a good pre workout source of energy so it only follows that so are satsuma’s!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Arriving at the designated car park meeting point another 4
runners pulled up shortly after us ready for the run. After some introductions
we headed out onto the trails and past High Elms Golf Club before getting into
territory unknown to me. Although the pace was fairly easy and should have been
comfortable this was possibly the first hilly run I had completed in quite some
time and it was taking its toll on me as I remained at the back of the back for
most of the run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was a lovely sunny day, running along the trails and
chatting with some new faces sharing our enjoyment of moving away from road running and getting into the
countryside. We passed several batches of youths – whom we presumed to be
taking part in Duke Of Edinburgh training (or similar). Each group with
matching ran covers on their back packs which were equal if not larger than the
youths themselves. They politely waited, with bemused faces, as we trundled
past wishing them well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Crossing a field we entered a woodland which stopped us in
our tracks, it was a magical bluebell carpeted wooded wonderland. So delighted
we all cheered and whooped, congratulated Jerry on his excellent route choice
and took some pictures of this magnificent sight. This is the reason we run in
the woods, these sights can just not be found running the roads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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a Aberdeen Angus happily stood by the fence next to the path we were running.
Jerry patted him on the head and kept going as I held back and took a picture
of him, whether he knew or not he was soon to gain blog fame I’m not sure as
his floppy red fringe covered his gentle eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Continuing on, Jerry thought he may have taken a wrong turn
but this didn’t matter at all, we carried on happily chatting and our next
wildlife stop took us past an animal sanctuary with fields full of donkeys,
Shetland ponies and turkeys. We passed the sign towards Downe House (home of
Charles Darwin) and the group halted as I faffed around taking more photos and
catching my breath!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We were now on the homeward stretch, a very lovely run with
a very nice group of runners. As we closed in on our final destination we saw
the 9am Heroes run group coming towards up where we exchanged plenty of hellos’
and a few high fives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I, I will be king (of the trails)</i></div>
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<span lang="EN"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And you, you will be queen (of running)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Though no-one will run away</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><i>We can be Heroes, just for one day</i></i></span></span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0High Elms Road, Downe, Orpington, Greater London BR6, UK51.3384762 0.0600564000000076751.3285567 0.03988640000000767 51.348395700000005 0.080226400000007664tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-48151793087675821672015-05-09T10:00:00.000+01:002015-05-11T18:37:43.084+01:00Fast & Furious Parkrun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciNDEWqUwTRsE6nrGL_MMGRjx0ToQjZUe5HJ_Ka3y9a-Sd6pJxLB0pIWKEGzcOTsPiyARfvS2O53OXNzC0KQT-ogkuT_9waVldQFENCn9boFLsWQMUs2B_yA0fdtFppD9xHOakZK2IOVg/s1600/new-fast-and-furious-7-official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciNDEWqUwTRsE6nrGL_MMGRjx0ToQjZUe5HJ_Ka3y9a-Sd6pJxLB0pIWKEGzcOTsPiyARfvS2O53OXNzC0KQT-ogkuT_9waVldQFENCn9boFLsWQMUs2B_yA0fdtFppD9xHOakZK2IOVg/s320/new-fast-and-furious-7-official.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Waking up 2 hours before my alarm and very keen I decided I
would get my bike out and cycle to Parkrun. I ate my regulation 2 Weetabix and
seeing it was still only half past 6 I decided I would go back to bed for an
hour. Miiiiiisssstttttttaaaaaakkkkkkkkkeeeeee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So I slept through one alarm and woke with my back-up alarm
which meant I would have time to get my bike sorted and I would be driving to
Parkrun. About 1 mile from home my petrol light came on but I hadn't brought my purse, only my keys and my barcode. By the time I parked up I was decidedly
grumpy and not in the mood to talk to or be around people so Bromley ParkRun,
now pulling over 500 people each week was possibly not my best choice of
destination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I headed to the start line, still grumpy and now wishing I
had my sunnies to protect my eyes from the savage winds that seemed to have
reared up since arriving. But shockingly, I did not!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Announcements were made, we cheered the volunteers and we
were off. I had seen some pacing vests but none were around me as I started. My
Garmin had not managed to find a satellite so I didn't have much idea of my
pace or distance so I just ran. I ran round the first lap, I ran into the
second. Still feeling pretty grumpy, and
wondering why I had even come out at all then I saw the finish line ahead, I
was on the home straight and looking at my watch I saw I was closing in on 26
minutes. I had no idea where it had come from.
I stepped up a gear and pushed as hard as I could to try and scrape in
under 26 but alas my final time was 26:02. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From my positive early morning to the grumpiness that had
become progressively worse due to one annoying incident after another I had
somehow done my best 5km time in about 3 years and certainly the best since my
back injury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I returned home in a much better mood and after a quick
shower went off to an early showing of Fast & Furious 7 at the cinema.
Quite apt after the morning I’d had. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF, UK51.3879977 0.02626689999999598530.9522702 -41.2823271 71.8237252 41.334860899999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-54544954499929827602015-05-07T07:30:00.000+01:002015-05-07T19:02:10.773+01:00Run and Vote! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfczA_cV6pAjwxKMSbmxQJQIJ22QHuRVzKQqKCCF3HMQ3tY3l76Z_uCn0QdDj7krjbfsntjKRBBPhlNcLERXf2EWWhOH7hQWbHXztXmPNLtxEuhuQNwYJ73tphocME23uTxxjf9ZoxukU6/s1600/polling+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfczA_cV6pAjwxKMSbmxQJQIJ22QHuRVzKQqKCCF3HMQ3tY3l76Z_uCn0QdDj7krjbfsntjKRBBPhlNcLERXf2EWWhOH7hQWbHXztXmPNLtxEuhuQNwYJ73tphocME23uTxxjf9ZoxukU6/s200/polling+station.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Another pre work run which was much needed as I had completely flaked out yesterday evening and headed to bed at 8:30pm.... but almost 10 hours of sleep later I was ready to run!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I decided I would combine the run with my Vote and planned my route to make sure I hit the polling station at the end of the run. It was a lovely bright morning. I ran happily along without looking at my pace along a very familiar route heading towards Chislehurst, down towards the A20 and back up St Pauls Wood Hill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The sun was shining and I was heating up but still running well. When I reached the polling station I was aware of how red and sweaty I was but hey at least I was there to make my Vote count. They asked if I had run to the station and quipped they had walked but really quickly that morning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Vote safely in the ballot box I stepped once more into the sunshine and ran the final half mile home, I was very pleased to see that my natural running pace has returned and now all I need to do is start building up the distance again. </span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Saint Paul's Wood Hill, Orpington, Greater London, UK51.40609 0.09391340000001946551.3961845 0.073743400000019471 51.4159955 0.11408340000001946tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-46856129939391228412015-05-04T08:30:00.000+01:002015-05-07T19:02:10.764+01:00Netball doing other stuff! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZrvydkznXk1PihuJgLpDSw-Xf4fA5H55eVEqeDmhgt84DHQpqaYf_MDOyLZs9ujTZk7ih5hnwwQhNPalxJncJxu_K_9dt5gP482mpVWtxZ7GIY-sRtwSWyP713T9s33vLDulmWBV6rm7/s1600/west+b.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZrvydkznXk1PihuJgLpDSw-Xf4fA5H55eVEqeDmhgt84DHQpqaYf_MDOyLZs9ujTZk7ih5hnwwQhNPalxJncJxu_K_9dt5gP482mpVWtxZ7GIY-sRtwSWyP713T9s33vLDulmWBV6rm7/s320/west+b.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It would seem that of late Netball have been doing other stuff and lots of it!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are baking courses, hairdressing courses, triathlons but before all this other stuff there was running. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">About 5 years ago both me and Kate had taken up running and didn't really know for a few </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">months </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that the other one had. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When we found out we both promptly signed up to a half marathon and a full marathon and that was the beginning....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So this morning, years later it is now the norm for us to get up, get our trainers on and get running. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our route plan was in the hands of Kate as we headed out of the door and towards the canal. We reached the canal and I must admit I had to ask Kate to slow down if she expected me to be chatting too as I was getting out of breath! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After a while it was pointed out that the side of my head had gone yellow!! It seems that there was still paint powder in my pores which was now being sweated off, mmmmm janudice head! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Along the canal, past the football ground, along residential streets we ran and chatted as the miles were eaten up beneath our feet and before we know it we were back at the house and it was time for brekkie. A lovely chatty run with a very good friend, a shame we are not more local as after 5 years our pace seems to have fallen perfectly into alignment. </span></div>
Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK52.935673 -1.134016999999971652.897383 -1.2146979999999716 52.973963000000005 -1.0533359999999716tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-31659866554991425982015-05-02T10:30:00.000+01:002015-05-07T18:14:37.139+01:00Bluebell Wood 5km Colour Dash <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9vqaMN40zP3HQ-DeYfb0geySIheK9eBLBUiVgyIDdDdVWw5OHivRf7Ln1x8DK2Lt-gT4dHbUzbp25pgx7KMAJxDzqqH_4RSu0LxKRkqu9tv3ONcrT-Ktv10wZk6zpyG609oDqUca4yIs/s1600/medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9vqaMN40zP3HQ-DeYfb0geySIheK9eBLBUiVgyIDdDdVWw5OHivRf7Ln1x8DK2Lt-gT4dHbUzbp25pgx7KMAJxDzqqH_4RSu0LxKRkqu9tv3ONcrT-Ktv10wZk6zpyG609oDqUca4yIs/s200/medal.jpg" width="77" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last year my younger sister decided that running would be a good idea and that as a runner I would be a good person to run a race with. The race was selected and entered and a coach to 5km programme was embarked upon. This was backed up with a pre-event training session in March (See: <a href="http://fibrerunners.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/running-sisters.html" target="_blank">Running Sisters</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The event was upon up, it seemed that the pre event "propaganda" had indicated we should arrive from 8am even though the event did not start until 10:30am. But being strict rule followers we departed my dad's house, collected my sister and her support Crew then headed to Rother Valley Country Park where the event would be held. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCurk9WLQjq2xt-M5hHGRBVH0gavNpFNjUYOkT38rW4qZdJmeciV76dwCFhJlEdpz7UYQtymnpGdPxVULX6LpHPVi26qBL7QKuxrWSF0_1vs77sX4Cp3me6bFyICfhW0dj18wI92JcwIP/s1600/shoes+protection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCurk9WLQjq2xt-M5hHGRBVH0gavNpFNjUYOkT38rW4qZdJmeciV76dwCFhJlEdpz7UYQtymnpGdPxVULX6LpHPVi26qBL7QKuxrWSF0_1vs77sX4Cp3me6bFyICfhW0dj18wI92JcwIP/s200/shoes+protection.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sat in the car at approximately 8:03am as the rained started we wondered if we might have been a little keen!! It did give us time to scavenge some safety pins from Dad's first aid kit though to attached our race numbers. Rebecca had taken shoe protection precautions by covering here shoes with tape so the coloured paint would not ruin them (it seem to work pretty well!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After much waiting around and many sad faced looks from the dog (poor Beau) and the two man support crew it was finally approaching race time, not before we were treated to entertainment in the form of belly dancers, dancing along to 'Follow da Leader: Jump and Wave' - not a family friendly dance!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We were self-timing the event as it was more of a fun run so there was no official clock... our plan was one of run / walk combination and after running through the first two colour showers we opted to walk through the next 3 as we barely looked as though we had picked up any colour. This backfired slightly when we both got an ear full of yellow paint powder... at least it matched my sunglasses!.The course was run around the perimeter of the lake on a nice path with only slight undulations. We had started towards the front and think we placed ourselves well as we seemed at a good pace with those around us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2__Jl27309gsNL6KL2bx9SjBsjtEn3blFhhkcsxRApbG44kxlyDvCBqU8o2NVM1TuSvFEfd5UzPzcjVb5QVfGC4ulrJPY9HA9gylk3LGJXNw9UEkseUfUe7aDcHTTCCnFqD72JpGNEED/s1600/sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2__Jl27309gsNL6KL2bx9SjBsjtEn3blFhhkcsxRApbG44kxlyDvCBqU8o2NVM1TuSvFEfd5UzPzcjVb5QVfGC4ulrJPY9HA9gylk3LGJXNw9UEkseUfUe7aDcHTTCCnFqD72JpGNEED/s200/sisters.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pacing was good and we saw our supporters after 3.5km where they cheered and we waved as we continued on our way. as we rounded the end of the lake we could see the finish line in sight and to our rear still hundreds of runners. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The pace stepped up as the finish line was in sight and we crossed the line together not quite in a shower of coloured paint but some clammy handfuls from a few excitable children! The time was good with more than 2 minutes taken off our time back in march when training. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We regrouped and headed back to the car, a very short walk thanks to our early arrival, we quickly removed the worst of the paint. Rebecca de-taped her shoes and we were heading out of the park laughing at all those fools who had arrived late and had to walk over a mile from their cars to the start line!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Later on the bath turned a terrible colour and left a decidedly bright yellow rim around the waterline.... This was duly scrubbed although I feel it won't be the last I see of the colour yellow!</span><br />
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Rother Valley Country Park, Mansfield Rd, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S26 5PQ, UK53.337 -1.321000000000026432.901272500000005 -42.629594000000026 73.7727275 39.987593999999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8631125814051375075.post-21923850866778398502015-04-30T21:20:00.000+01:002015-05-07T18:14:37.135+01:00Monkey Track Thursday <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7lp_V-lfgcrTqppvVEIzqrek-eLzGbgW0O2awQVO_PZJn0FilgSojauqeCGdPfEENcc8HOLB3D5kQmg2ViUocHXGLzkA3V0ZAq6pRQy5-8IpOTJTUzGQI0Vm4UOEYU-UKT64vTkTmwO6/s1600/monkey+track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7lp_V-lfgcrTqppvVEIzqrek-eLzGbgW0O2awQVO_PZJn0FilgSojauqeCGdPfEENcc8HOLB3D5kQmg2ViUocHXGLzkA3V0ZAq6pRQy5-8IpOTJTUzGQI0Vm4UOEYU-UKT64vTkTmwO6/s320/monkey+track.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For regular readers of <a href="http://www.magicforest.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Magic Forest</a> - and those who are not probably should be - you will know that Monkey Track Thursday is a weekly activity of this blogs author. Where he joins Petts Wood Runners at their weekly track training session but uses this as a pacing session where he runs laps in a metronomic style. <br /><br />Not quite up to a full on track session but wishing to run with company I decided to join Jerry in his monkey footed running antics - only without monkey feet of my own and simply my super duper Nike Flyknits!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nl-H_b3m7IRGcLWjAR5P5ImNKBOwIy9VhWN4z4W5g39ByQeRGUcgqZynFeAvq-Y8cAkaz4nznuW0QE6IGCxpoRRXg47elcox5PDuyLeftMTKMSDmVi-lhHgD5Qbu-uTW-eWpif-QmIpL/s1600/macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nl-H_b3m7IRGcLWjAR5P5ImNKBOwIy9VhWN4z4W5g39ByQeRGUcgqZynFeAvq-Y8cAkaz4nznuW0QE6IGCxpoRRXg47elcox5PDuyLeftMTKMSDmVi-lhHgD5Qbu-uTW-eWpif-QmIpL/s200/macarons.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We hit the track do run circuits along with a young addition to our crew, the son of another PWR. This young lad seemed to effortlessly keep pace with us for 4 miles at which point I gave up (as I didn't want to push my back too far) and he took the out too, although I am sure he could have outlasted me had he felt so inclined! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />We watched the rest of the track crew under Mike and Hels instruction continue their speed work and chatted to those in between reps. As ever it was nice to get out and see poeple from the club and catch up on their going-ons and marathon stories. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />I had been baking prior to leaving and lucky for Jerry (and a few others) there were a few extra macarons brought to the track as well and distributed afterwards. </span></div>
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Romanolizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05205404433715233617noreply@blogger.com0Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF, UK51.3879977 0.02626689999999598530.9522702 -41.2823271 71.8237252 41.334860899999995