Looking for my running mojo...

Since January and my back injury I have been so frustrated wanting to run and not being able. I had worked hard to strengthen my core to support and speed up my recovery. So whilst doing exercise it has been hugely restricted and am still suffering. The worst being that I stopped wanting to run because it caused such discomfort. Gradually it came back but I am still wary of overdoing it.  

After an intensive week of exercise last week where I attended a 3 day fitness bootcamp in the Cotswolds, then followed this with the Great Swim London (1 mile open water). I seemed to have rediscovered my running mojo or at least some of it. For the first time in weeks I was in fact excited to come home and get into my kit. So much so that I couldn't wait for running club at 8pm instead opting to run when I returned from work.

In, changed and out running, the way it used to be and where I wanted to get back to. Mentally I was ready to run but knowing what my body had gone through and the heat I opted for a shorter run taking in the woods for some shade.

The first mile my legs were leaden, not an unusual feeling for me these days as I do take a while to loosen up and get moving. By mile 2 my legs were improving but I was hot, really really hot. Grateful I had filled the water bottles on my running 'utility' belt despite the length of the run. Entering the woods I was much happier as the trees afforded me some shade, trotting away I saw many dog walkers and another couple of runners. A lovely evening for a run and glad I seem to be collected up my running mojo - it may not be fully back but there was certainly a big lump of it picked up in the woods of Scadbury. Over the next week or two I hope to up my running again and gather up the rest of the mojo.

Swim Report: Great Swim London 2013

Favourite Aunty, The Mother and Me pre swim!

This event was to be the family event, at the end of last summer a few of us ran the Bacchus Half Marathon and this year we had chosen to take to the waves and complete a one mile open water swim as part of the British Swim Series.
Following a late text two days before the swim there was to be a location change from Victoria Docks to Millwall Docks, momentarily causing confusion and leading to a slightly earlier departure from home. My mum and aunty arrived ready to leave at 8:30am. We departed and headed to Greenwich from there we would catch the DLR to Crossharbour and walk the remainder of the route to the start point. Initially I was a little apprehensive about the venue change but soon enough I realised it was located where I had my first marketing job out of university! Bizarre coincidence, the dock we would be swimming around was the one I used to walk around at a lunchtime for a bit of exercise - back in the days when a 30-40 minute walk felt like sufficient exercise for me! My how things have changed!

We went to the changing area and lathered up in baby oil, this much to my delight ensured I would slip easily into my brand new wetsuit (never before worm) but a proper swimming wetsuit rather than my previous multi purpose one. We would soon see if this made a difference.
As seems to be the way this year with my events I had not done much training, I had been training hard but had not swam at all since around the middle of July, whoopsie, so was a little concerned as to my swimming strength.

I opted to swim mostly in breast stroke, two reasons. Firstly, I am much better at breast stroke conserving more energy. Secondly, I had not practised my crawl so I knew my breathing would be a problem (I tried for some of the event and I was puffed out as suspected!). Our support crew were waiting on the side of the docks opposite the start line. we went into the water to acclimatise before the swim started. Then a bouncy women came along to lead us through a warm up back in the waiting are as we all jumped around with our bright pink hats looking like a bunch of condoms bobbing about. I managed to locate Jill, another friend who was swimming before the start. Soon enough our wave had begun, this the 10:30am wave was the largest group of the day so they filtered us over the start line in smaller sub groups. I hovered with my mum until the last group and we entered the water, wished each other well and set about our own races. My aunty had gone earlier and I had no doubt would fly round the course - experienced triathlete that she is.

Halfway!!!

Not long and I felt I was struggling, I started into a minor panic attack and couldn't get my breathing right. I spotted my hubby and called out, he told me to slow down which I dutifully did. Going at a steadier pace and knowing hubby was following me on the dockside alleviated my nerves and I settled into the swim. At the halfway point I gave him a little wave and asked for the time... hmmm... could this be right, I was far quicker than last year at this point. I realised I had found it so tough to start with as I had powered off faster than usual and was closer to my pool swimming pace. Silly Liz!

Now I was more than happy, I knew I would be getting a PB, the sun was shining, the support was out and although I lost sight of hubby near the finish momentarily I could hear the familiar voices of the Turner boys shouting their encouragement in their distinctive Hull lilt. As I crossed through the finishing Bouys I saw Jill exiting the water (very please for her as she shaved plenty of time off last year and got a new PB). 

Out of the water, being assisted up the ramp I was shffling along to cross the point for my chip time to register, they called at me to slow down at which point I stopped dead, skidded and did an almost cartoon fall flying up in the air and landing flat on the back and bumping my head.... ouchy! Thanks goodness for the runner mat. Before I was even down I was surrounded by the support crew to ensure I was okay and to take a minute before getting up. My concern, not my pounding head, but to check if my chip had registered. they assured me it had so I lay back for another second or two.... then asked the uncomfortable looking photographers if they caught that putting them back at ease and I was assured he had got my action dive!

I departed the exit area to find my favourite aunty waiting for me and a short while later my mum came over the finish line too. A great swim and family event, 3 shiny new medals, then it was time to head home and refuel on the chilli - in true Blue Peter style - I had made earlier.

Post Family Day Run

The morning after family day and some of us were suffering with hangovers and others not so much. Either way the decision had been made and we were going for a run. In addition we knew there was a huge beef joint for lunch so we needed to earn it!

Donning our kit, the 5 hearty souls (myself, aunty, cousin, brother and his girlfriend) departed for an out and back past The Fox, to the railway bridge and down onto the Downs Link. Three of us made the possibly unwise decision to throw in a 400m sprint - it was make or break if this would resurrect the hangover or send it packing!

I was lucky, any remnants of a hangover dissipated and I thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the run. Was great to be out with the family for a run and so nice that so many of us have taken to this crazy running malarkey. 

We finished the run with a good old group stretch  me putting my coaching skills into practise and ensuring that everyone was fully warmed down...geek! 

A roundabout run to tesco

After several kitchen nightmares on Friday including a 3 tiered meringue disaster (not as pictured... it was worse). So out of eggs and with a strict timeline to adhere to this morning before heading to the annual family day at my aunt's I needed more ingredients but I also wanted to run.

Not having run much (if at all) since the Thunder Run I thought it best to start off of an easier distance, taking in the Tesco express on the way. At about 1.5 miles I hit Tesco but they didn't have what I needed, stoopid little sub standard sized petrol station Tesco this would mean a longer run to the big Tesco!

So under the roundabout I went, through the underpass and emerged victorious at the other side getting across the road without even a pause for traffic (there was none, I have not become some crazed kamikaze runner). 

Saturday morning in a supermarket was not a comfortable place to be mid run and sweating as I navigated the aisles to find my missing, lost or used up ingredients. Soon with them in hand I was on my way again. Homeward bound to complete the cooking. Phew, all went to plan, run done, cooking done but sadly I then got stuck in traffic and was an hour late!

You cannot win them all!

Adidas Thunder Run 2013: Support Crew Version

I decided a guest blog on the behalf on my support crew would pay a nice tribute to the great work they did in getting me through this years Thunder Run. The conditions were truly terrible at points and there was little chance I would have done so well without them. They fed me, changed me and supported me... kind of like a baby! 

Prior to the event I had prepared a hugely geeky briefing note, it had advised of my moods, what I might eat if I could rest and for how long but also a sheet for comments, timings and to record my food and drink. Funniest for me was the comment made at 8 laps (surely by Sue) and it said 'up for it'!!

As myself and hubby were unable to arrive until the Saturday morning following a wedding (congratulations once again to Hannah & Nick) my Dad and Sue had arrived on Friday along with their dog Beau and set up the tents for us in the solo area. On arrival at the camp site we were soon in our ready made home for the next day and offered cups of tea and bacon sarnies!

We once again reviewed the briefing note, discussed what a crazy challenge and got me ready to run.

Cake and ribena!

The posts (via twitter and facebook): 

At the start, ready to go. See you in 24 hours! TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬ 

Keep going Liz, only 23 hours and 40 minutes left! 

Liz Romano 1st lap in 1.11, looking good so far...

Lap 2 completed in 2:24:12 TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬ 

Lap 4 done in 5:23:28. A food stop on lap 5 and here comes the rain! 

TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬. Over 1/4 of the way through now @romanoliz. 40kms done. Keep going

As the thunder, lightening and torrential downpour arrives, time for some food and a power nap, ready for the night running TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬ — 

The rain hasn't stopped, so nor has Liz. Carrying on in the dark and the rain with lap 6. Onward and upwards! TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬

Well over half way now. Liz is about 3km into lap 7 after a break, so anything more is a bonus after this as she'll have equalled her total from last year. It's still raining and very dark but all the people doing this are amazing and still going TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬

Liz is back in the dry after completing lap 7. Alarm set for 5.30 to be back out at 6 for final 3 laps hopefully... TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬

Up for it!

Back out at 6 as planned, it's stopped raining for now, fingers crossed it stays that way. Lap 8 completed in 1:35 approximately, total time 19:35. Roll in lap 9. Keep going Liz!

End of lap 9 and straight on to lap 10 - 90km done, what have you got left Liz, still just over 2 hours left.


10 laps - 100km in just under 24 hours. Congratulations @romanoliz , a magnificent result TR24 ‪#‎allin24‬

These updates will be familiar to many of you but to some may be new, I was amazed when I turned on my phone after the race and saw how many messages of support, confusion and encouragement had been coming in throughout my journey. Hubby had told me everyone was rooting for me when I saw him at food breaks and it meant so such knowing everyone was behind me and supporting me in yet another crazy running endeavour. 

Yes, I did all the running but without the help and support from everyone else it would not have been possible. So thank you with all my heart and aching body!