Guess who's back, back again.... and running the #VR24

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

training unless you count a couple of 5ks and a 5 mile run 6 months before. 

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! 

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!!). 

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!

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 previous blog for more on that one). 

But when cancellation was announced we were informed we could still run, it would be a virtual challenge (guidelines permitting) and we could 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 of 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!

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 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. 

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! 

Marathon Verses Labour Training

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.

Signing Up

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, 

Building a Base

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. 

Training Hiccups

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.

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. 

Tapering & Carb Loading

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.

Waiting Game

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.

In Summary

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!