13 December 2013

2013 What a corker

I've just read my end of year blog for 2012. It was nice to look

back and think about the things that happened in my life - the

new achievements, discovering more about myself, a little bit

of romance, a lot of running and a lot of reflection. So, here I

am again, a whole year has passed, 2013 has brought many many

highs, even more amazing and inspirational new friends and

lots of new experiences, including a house move, my first road

bike, a reunion, a duathlon, an ultra, some marathons,

travelling to some wonderful places and peppered with a few

lows, the end of a romance (see above) an unexpected

diagnosis.

2013 started with Tough Guy in January, this is the original

obstacle race, it's been running (pardon the pun) since 1987 and

after Survival of the Fittest the previous year I thought it

couldn't be too bad...how wrong was I! Two inches of ice on the

water we were to go in, mud, electric shock, fire, relentless

hills. On the plus side it brought a new and smiley friend into

my life who I admire greatly.

Throughout the early part of this year I began marathon

training even though I didn't have a marathon booked until

October, well everyone else was training so I just joined in.

Some of my favourite runs happened -including snowy laps of

Gra%am Water, off road Saturday morning runs, watching an

owl swoop in front of us, running through icy puddles without

care, feeling the sting on your legs as you hit mile 18 in sub zero

temperatures wearing shorts. Stuff like this makes you feel

alive!

In February was a trip to Madrid -not a running trip but a

weekend away based mainly around eating and drinking and

what a wonderful place it it, Grand Playas, beautiful parks,

amazing nightlife and stupendous tapas, churros, jamon and

wine.

March brought a move from my two bed flat in town to a two

bed house in a village. It took some time to get used to stairs

!1

No one looks good in Lycra, an

no one should care!

13 December 2013

after having lived in flats for quite a few years. I maintain that

this is the best move I've made in a few years and feel very

settled, maybe I'm just getting old?

In April I marshaled at the London Marathon with lots of

other Harriers and felt the electric atmosphere of this mass

participation event. I wanted some of that! Back home I

googled my heart out and managed to find a lady selling her

place in the Edinburgh Marathon in just six weeks time and

went for it, why not, I was trained, what could possibly go

wrong?

A week or so after London the romance ended, it was a shock

and not particularly well delivered (on the phone whilst I was

working in London) then I suppose it's never going to be a

good time.

A few days of feeling a bit like id been tasered followed by an

uprising of the 'cup half full' mentality I could see that this

meant more training time, and anyway it was costing a fortune

in petrol to travel to see the person in question, and his loss! It

was also about this time I booked a flight to Arizona to see my

big sister and her lovely hubby after a 15 year hiatus.

Soon I was on a train to Edinburgh and hooking up with some

buddies from Fetcheveryone. My pre race evening consisted of

prosecco and beer, not your usual nutrients but hey ho, still

managed a reasonable 4.15.

Two days after Edinburgh minus a few toenails and with a

hobble I boarded a plane to LA and took a connecting flight to

Arizona.

Ten days of talking, running, swimming, cycling, more talking

and even a 5k race followed. I discovered that you can cycle

quite far but only run short distances in 42 degree heat!

A calf injury kept me from running in June, my solution was to

invest in a road bike, with encouragement and advice from a

good friend I was soon hitting the roads with a passion, it was

about this time Larissa and I discovered we were equally

slightly bonkers and we became friends and started to train

together, 40k on the bike before work? No problem, ride 104

miles to Hunstanton and then run into the sea to cool off? Sure

thing!

!2

13 December 2013

I went to Glastonbury too, what a revelation that was, a crazy

insulated world of music, fun and total nuttiness, needless to

say I went in head first and came out quite dishevelled! Took a

week to recover.

As soon as the injury subsided I then had to fit running and

biking into my life, lots of early mornings followed and soon I

entered/was talked into my first duathlon.

Althorp Duathlon was a baptism of fire, and what fun, 10k run,

ok, fine, 40k bike, tough going, the 5k run that followed this

I'm sure was with someone else's legs!

Still racing every weekend I will often contact my friend

Eamon who provides me with a constant source of mutual

competition-Eamon likes to race me and pass with a big grin

on his face, having spent the early part of this year watching his

heels I'm now catching up and even beating his sorry ass on a

few occasions.

It was around now I discovered the LDWA-Long Distance

Walkers Assoc, they organise marathon and ultra distance

walks or runs, the first one Larissa and I did was in

Connington, Cambs. 26.2 miles of off road loveliness, no

pressure and wonderful views, followed by a 42k bike ride back

to Bedford (Larissa said it was about 30... Yeah, thanks for that)

The great thing about LDWA event is they cost about seven

pounds, there are amazing checkpoints-think cake and tea, and

!3

A typical checkpoint at a LDWA

event. Pure joy!

Eamon on the right. Beat him in

a five mile race shortly after this

photo, just saying.

13 December 2013

are perfect for training if

you prefer not to run

alone.

Thunder Run was another

highlight, 24 hours of epic

weather, a ten km hilly off

road loop and a ton of crazy

runners, tents flooded and rain pouring

Larissa sat in my car wide eyed planning our

strategy for the 2014 run! Truly an amazing

event, probably best for only the real

lunatics.

Race the train happened about here, I think this may have

been my favourite race of the year, on the side of a mountain in

driving rain running 14 miles after a narrow gauge train in

Wales, I mean what's not to like!?

The Round Norfolk Relay happened in Sept and I ran my leg

into Yarmouth and drove one of our coaches cars behind a

runner for the other 23 hours, wow that was a dodgy drive

home the following day.

Soon after I felt ready for another marathon and entered the

Dunstable Marathon, off road with navigation, I ran this with

my friend Lee and we got impressively lost with some lovely

ladies from Leighton Fun Runners. So lost in fact we did 34

miles and ended up in the local paper and on the radio. I just

want to say that it wasn't my fault.

!4

Larissa and I on a rare occasion

not in Lycra

Noel and I before Steppingly

Step

Gatliffe ultra, super terrain, only

fell over twice.

13 December 2013

October saw my second road marathon attempt, Chester was

the location and this was renowned for being a cracking race

and good PB potential. I was hunting a sub four and was

delighted to achieve 3.57.

Steppingly Step, another off road LDWA happened next, run

with our club coach Noël. Event free and most enjoyable.

It was around this time I began to realise that quite often I was

struggling to hear people talking to me in a setting where there

was background noise. Being honest I could say it's been

happening for a long time but it was getting more noticeable of

late. I decided to consult other family member ps knowing that

my sisters high had some issues with hearing too. After much

discussion and a consultation with a specialist it does indeed

appear that I have hereditary hearing loss. There really isn't

anything that can be done and it will continuer to deteriorate.

It's been on my mind a fair bit but, you know what? It could

have been worse, could have been my eyes, or my legs. I had a

brain scan during the diagnosis period and all they found was a

Garmin and a pair of trainers.

A last minute decision in late November saw me running my

first Ultra in Kent (Gatliffe 50k) with Noël again, smiling and

chatting most of the way around it was quite enjoyable.

Looking back at my times I've made a steady improvement this

year on all race distances. Much of this is due to the

wonderful help and support I get from Bedford Harriers, I

rarely miss a training session and love being part of the club

and feel that there are huge benefits both socially and to my

fitness.

Other realisations this year include: I've made a ton of friends,

I still can't drink red wine, my kids make me very proud, i am

quite good at selling, not many really look good in Lycra, and

nobody should care, I am grateful to be able to visit new places,

to be able to do my sport and challenge myself.

And here we are in December, I'm lucky enough to be

travelling out to some sunshine in Tenerife for Christmas with

a lady I've known for years to enjoy some giggles, a few drinks

lots of hiking and yes some running too!

Just one more race this year on my birthday 31st Dec to round

of a truly amazing year, over 2000km run and another 2000km

biked.

!5

13 December 2013

2014?

Next year will bring lots more running (surprise) I don't want

to get into the race 'loop' doing the same races every year so

will be looking for new challenges in different locations. Berlin

marathon is booked, More ultra distances may happen. Some

cycling will occur too. Ooh and I've just heard Ive been lucky

in the club ballot and will be running the London Marathon,

wow!!

I'm not going to plan too much as I really love doing things off

the cuff.

Keep your cup half full!

Bop

!6

A first, a last and a pain in the ass

Dunstable Downs Marathon Challenge

 

I had booked the Dunstable Marathon as part of my 'longish races I haven't done’ idea
I was running with a friend, Lee, off we set, for the first few miles  stuck with the crowd, the 1/2 mara and the 20 miler peeled off later in the course. Can I just add at this point that the whole course is unmarked, you have a map, and some directions, most of which are left and right turns, mostly across fields and through nameless woods. There that's my defence sorted.

At around 15 miles we found ourselves running with a couple of lovely ladies from Leighton fun runners, they were about the same pace and were also struggling a bit with directions (and they had potatoes and malt loaf and they were really good fun!!) We got a little lost at this point, not a problem as we were happy to try to work it out. Then we met a chap coming from a completely different direction, he looked lost and tired and was low on fluids. He joined our merry gang and we were off over the hills and fields. We ended up quite a few miles from the Buddhist centre we were aiming for, after running round in circles a bit we finally got some help from a friendly farmer and headed off in the right direction. Unfortunately our new friend was not a seasoned runner - in fact we learned that the furthest he had run was 7 miles! With no water and now legs so tired he could only walk we couldn't leave him. So we trudged on for a good few miles running a bit and walking and waiting a bit. I got stung by a wasp, which made me leap about, not funny on tired legs, I may have discovered a few new dance moves though. Finally 5-6 miles from the finish we got hold of the organisers who picked up our stray and Lee  (We had done I think 28 miles at this point!) Us three remaining ladies were determined to finish the course and were happy we knew where we were going. I was also on track to see 50k pass by on my Garmin and I felt quite happy physically so 'bring it on' I thought.

The last five miles were pretty nippy compared to the rest of the race.

The first time ive run over 50k

The first time ive ever come last in a race – 8 hours!!!
A Day of firsts.
And met some really fun people

HUGE thank to the organisers for hanging on for us

I would like to say the directions were not clear at all, maybe if I had stayed with the pack it would have been a 26.2 mile run at a reasonable time in my report, but hey - this one is much more fun - isn't it?

The accidental marathon

It was a good plan, i had a free Sunday, as did my equally potty friend Larissa, i found an obscure and interesting run, well it was actually more of a walk, The Pathfinder Walk, Conington, Cambridge.
The event is named after the 2nd World War Pathfinder Squadrons which flew from airfields which surround the area. This was the 16th year of the walk.
We were dropped off with our road bikes so we could cycle home. (Thanks to Nick, Larissas hubby) Our intention was to run the 32km option, (there were four others 14/23/32 and 42)
After signing up we received a set of instructions and a checkpoint card, this got me thinking, it wasn't going to be a fast run, so why not just do the marathon distance? After a short discussion and almost no persuasion we were signed up (Noel from our club was already running the full distance)

Realising id only consumed one cup of coffee i quickly necked a Cliff bar (arent they yummy!) and we set off at 08.30 it was a lovely cool morning, we set a reasonable pace and the instructions were well written. The checkpoints were every 5 miles, you got your card marked and had limitless bourbons, custard cream and digestives - my kind of run, nice touch. The course was reasonably flat but the ground uneven, lots of edges of fields and through farms, very little road. Some lovely views too.

Along the way we met a few people too, most notably a chap called Joe, on his 17th marathon and quite a character, called us the Bedford Babes and tried ot keep up but failed. As the day progressed the sun began to appear and it got quite warm, we arrived at some of the checkpoints pretty parched!

Larissa had a few knee issues so we walked a little and enjoyed the scenery. At 20 miles we did a little high five as its the furthest either of us had run in sometime.

About a mile from the endthere was a small oak tree, This is really aimed at walkers but a really nice training run or plod in the countryside, entry is from a very reasonable £4 and for a little more a nice mug
I'm not sure of our times, and it didn't really matter, but was around 5hours.
You can also camp on site for £2!
The cycle home was a little longer than first thought, around 70k... Not sure that's for everyone after a long run.
A great little event, recommended.

sheep, beer and more beer, camping and cool people and big hair

Forgive me because i havent blogged a while, ve been too busy/excited/tired/at work/forgetful - any of those or all of them....

So, last blog id dne a long run and was heavily into foraging. Wales has happened since then, and what a great time was had, I did do a race report (try to do these as i forget stuff about different races) Heres my report:

This races reputation preceded it, and I entered it on a whim after my first lap of Thunder Run a couple of weeks back. About Weds last week it dawned on me that I would be driving almost 400 miles to run 14 -ah well, in for a penny and all that.

Over 1000 runners on the start of this 14 mile race, the idea being that you try to beat the train running on the narrow gauge railway (the passengers are family and friends of the runners) the atmosphere was amazing, Tywyn is a small coastal town in North Wales and the arrival of a huge amount of runners filled the town. There were four races on, a three mile, five mile, 10k and the fourteen mile. The 14miler was the big event starting at 2.05pm. Weather was windy and warm, I say 'was' for a reason. The first few mile or so was on the road, a little congested due to the volume of runners but this soon sorted itself out as we ran onto the fields. Going out you could hear the train, and sometime see the steam above the treeline. As we progressed it began to rain a little, the marshals were amazing, all smiling and cheering us on whilst getting soggy. There were a few sharp hills, some uneven surfaces and some small streams to pass through, all the time the wind was behind us, by the turnaround point everyone was pretty soggy, and loving it! At 7 miles we turned boom! the wind was straight in our faces, pushing us back and it remained this way almost to the end, we then ran up the hill we had been running next to, it got very steep and narrow so walking and single file running was required. Some of the course was fairly technical, you really had to focus, the rain by this time was coming across sideways and very heavy, brilliant!! We passed through the bog of doom (I may have had a little incident here) and soon were out on to the open mountainside. The camber was just ridiculous, so difficult to run on, you really needed one leg shorter than the other! Soon we joined the original path we had run out on, seeing the same smiling soggy marshals and back on to more familiar territory. To beat the train you needed to be faster than 1.47 and a few did achieve this, about ten per cent I believe.

Personally I managed 2.13 which gave me 14th of 35 in my age category...but this race was not really about getting a time, it was about having a good time! Amazing medal, blingy t shirt, biggest race goody bag I've ever received, wonderful marshals, more water stations than you could imagine, with isotonic drinks and smiley faces, brilliant after race social, disco, hot pasties (£1) this is THE race to tick off, and what's more it's set in the most stunning North Welsh countryside, I almost stopped at about ten miles to admire a waterfall! The campsite I stayed on was great, clean and cheap with warm water and good wet room style showers. Nearby is Aberystwyth Parkrun and there's also the beach if you fancy it.

　

Thats the running angle of it, what i didnt really mention is that i met some really cool people too, James (previously met in a shower queue at Thunder Run) Cat, (James friend) and a few fetchies (see fetcheveryone.com) that i knew. I even had a Twitter moment - i was walking down he high st in Tywyn, as you do, out pops a fella with a wide angle lens fnar - 'are you Sarabop?' he asks 'whos asking' i reply (with Sarah written all over my club shirt - clever me) Turns out this chap - Dan, is the voice of 'Race The Train' on twitter and also the photographer (id been tweeting him and he recognised me) so we had a chat and he took a few snaps. Im beginning to realise that the mahoosive hair and yellow vest are making me stand out a bit - and this helps people to spot me at events, i was oblivious to this until RTT when people kept on coming up to me to say hi.

After the race i spent a bit of time with Cat and James discussing how marvellous it was and our plans for future fun and games in the running genre. Turns out these two are even more mental than me, think there's a couple of new friends right there - although i do fear they may lead me astray...and James has a positive twinkle in his eye if the subject is running - oh dear....

After mud removal there was much beer consumed, although not enough to give too much of a headache the next day -i said farewell to my friends, packed up the tent and then managed a nice walk along the beach, some crappy stone skimming and a few pics.

En route home i stopped at Welshpool for fish and chips for one and really enjoyed them.

Its been a bit of an anticlimax since Tywyn - but this has been helped by James and Cat sending my links to ultra marathon races - some not even in this country (!) and ive been seriously thinking about perhaps having a go at a long distance one day.

Bike training and running have happened every day since my return, both going well. Planning to do a short plod this Saturday with the lovely young chaps from work and then a little something called the Pathfinder Walk on Monday. After spending ages looking for something that would fulfill my LSR requirement this weekend i found this little gem - a choice of 14, 24, 32 or 42 km walk or run, theres a bit of a history too, something about aeroplanes and the war etc... will find out more and post after the event.

This week has consisted of, a wasp sting, a pyramid session, a nice countryside bike ride, a lovely off road run and some bike commuting. Tonight is a rest night, i know its a necessary thing to do and am trying hard to embrace it...except it means i have the time to do the boring stuff like hoovering, cleaning and admin, spose id better suck it up.

ION i purchased our clubs cycle jersey - eeek - the first step to perhaps doing a sportive at some point. #

Things i need to do:

Make a race calendar for the next year (ideas are stacking up but there will be a danger of double booking)

Facetime my older sister

Visit my younger sister

See my youngest son

Run a bit, cycle a bit

Forage a bit

Spend less time on the interweb and more time reading.

Get some more trail shoes (one wet and one dry - good plan)

Think about winter commuting on hybrid - if and how etc

Lose a few pounds

Find some kind of core work that you will actually do

Lets see if i have achieved any of this by next blog.....

Bop

Cheesy plums....

Am aware i havent blogged for a bit - a whole week actually! not been in the correct frame of mind really, but, back at work, its quiet as so many are on annual leave, what better than a spot of bloggage??

Last week passed uneventfully, although i do recall a really good run on Weds evening, you know when everything goes perfectly (apart from falling over due to exposed roots) How is it that i run 45k at Thunder Run without a fall, and do an 8 mile club run and topple twice? Bizarre. Wednesdays run was a totally brilliant off road around Harrold, (not the person from neighbours) but the stunning local village. I saw brooks, mills, horses, a sky that looked on fire, stunning rolling hills and the company wasnt half bad either! I finished with legs ripped to shreds by corn and other sharp grasses, smiling like a lunatic.

This weekend brought challenges new, Larissa - my equal in lunatic challenges, and i decided to do a 50 miler on the bikes, this is new territory for me but we needed to get some miles in before the lunacy of the Hunstanton ride later in the month. We headed off at around noon on Saturday, ensuring we had empty boxes for a spot of foraging en route. We set off at a pretty good pace, a few eyeball popping hills ensued and some nice chatter along the way. Larissa was quite adept at spotting good forage opportunities which unlike me - i need my eyeballs to keep on the bike. Soon we had plums and a small amount of blackberries, we concluded that we were a week or two early for bumper crops and decided another ride out should happen soon. Stopping at Emberton Park for a cuppa we then headed home. A total of just under 48 miles, good enough for me - i now have an idea of what we are up against on the 30th ...eek

Sunday was case of 'up and out' before i had time to figure out what was going on i was half way around the lovely Grafham Water with some good runner pals - see cheesy picture below:

　

We completed two laps and it was a fairly pleasant 17,5 miles with most of the discussions about running (Marc being particularly keen) Most enjoyable. Home and a quick bath, compression wear on i collected youngest son and we re created a Nandos type dinner of chicken and corn, how yummy! By 5pm i was yawning, by 830 in bed - what an old lady i am. A lovely weekend of self propelled fun.

Crash - I'm back at my desk, back to reality. I've been mulling over how lucky i am to be able to do what i do, and also how many lovely people running has brought into my life, I'm making a pact with myself not to moan too much in future!

This week will mean a few brisk lunchtime walks, a bike ride, a run, and planning for the trip to Wales on Saturday, tents running, a train and maybe some beer will be involved. First things first,i have to negotiate my way there, thats the hard bit.

Right, off for a stroll, theres some rather large blackberries up the road with my name on them!

Bop

Park Running Banshees and Vipers

　

This weekend started pretty well, a thirty mile ride out on bikes with some Harriers chums on Friday evening - the first of our pre Hunstanton training rides. We kept a reasonable pace although legs felt heavy and i complained a bit - ok more than bit, nice few chats along the way too.

Saturday morning i decided to can a planned paced run and go shopping for a few things ive been needing/wanting for a while - a hydration bag, some trail shoes, some compression wear and a leakproof tent. I decided on Milton Keynes Snowdome as my destination, up good and early - decided a little Parkrun en route wouldnt hurt theres one in MK. Trainers on i ran round Campbell Park for 24 mins and some seconds feeling ok, huge turnout to this run and a bit windy with occasional little inclines. Bagged 2nd lady in my age cat, cant grumble at that. A quick wipedown with some babywipes (getting good at that - thought- i bet you can get 'runners wipes' somewhere in the world, probably America, and then off to the Snowdome.

After some perusal i settle on an Osprey Viper 9 Hydration backpack, its easy to use with or without the bladder and not as pricey as the Camelbacks - tho still quite pricey. Curiosity found me in a climbing shop where i spied some Skins (compression wear) at 25% off so am now the proud owner of some long tights, not sexy but oh so comfy, especially after a long run. Bored now, had enough of shopping so off home for food and then down to the river where the Glastonbury crew were fishing. Happily i managed to get four cans of John Smiths and a bag of pistachios into my Osprey - although not its intended use a bonus all the same. Scooted down the river on my bike and met up with daughter and granddaughter too. Whilst 'chilling' we bumped into a very old friend from school days who was on the river with his lady in their very nice boat, he offered us a mini cruise which Millie loved (as did i) after a few beers and a nice time i was off home.

Sunday morning meant the first of my weekly LSR's (long slow runs) in prep for the impending marathon. Met up with Mark and Ben from work and Bex and Tom from running at 8am for a run to a cafe and back, great as this means i dont need to carry water. On reaching the cafe we had a nice lolly and some water before running back, the last couple of miles were tiring but glad its done all the same, got to get used to this as its going to be a regular Sunday thing until October.

 

 

 

Once home and bathed i applied my Skins, it was like begin cuddled, i love them, despite how they look. Off to buy a tent in the afternoon and returned with a Vango Banshee, apparently guaranteed not to leak, we shall see, although i think the main reasons i got it are due to the fact that its a) Red and b) Called Banshee.

Spent that afternoon relaxing and watched a Mickey Flanagan DVD - he is rude and funny, i sat there like a mad woman laughing out loud in my Skins eating melon last night, certainly can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday evening.

A more subdued weekend than last, spose its good for me really. Looking forward to more adventures soon.

Bop

Sexy socks in a sea of yellow

Should i race? Oh go on then

Post Thunder Run my legs were sore, the foam roller was both enemy and best buddy, the blisters and tingly legs were a constant and strangely pleasant reminder of the weekends antics. Oh yes, and after TR lap one i was so delirious with the whole running thing i booked Race The Train in three weeks time - its a fell race, it requires camping and a long drive, i must be tapped! Of course im tapped, a gentle few miles on Tuesday night confirmed that legs were indeed filled with concrete, still cycling to work and back has been a good stretch and the weather is ok too.

This week i was due to race the Harriers Doug Anderson 5k - its on our Parkrun route so very familiar. After concrete leg run i was dubious as to whether it was a good idea, giving myself the best possible chance i slept and spent all day in my uber sexy compression socks, stretched loads and took it easy. Waking yesterday things were a whole lot better. Still a little sore but not as bad as the previous day.

Talking to my fellow Thunder Runners it seemed most of them would be running the DA so i decided to go for it. I cycled there, helped set up and saw loads of people ive not seen in a while, lovely, then we were called to the start - oh yes, we were here to race. It was a sea of yellow - over 100 Harriers (go Harriers!!) One of our fast chaps, Ian who also did TR24 was on for a self imposed challenge and managed a club record time of 17.01 - so pleased for him, hes only been running a year and told me his story between laps at TR24, thoroughly nice chap too which makes it all the better.

The first km was truly painful 4.43 (note that i didnt check my Garmin for the whole run as i was too sore to expect a good time) second km a slightly better 4.29 and then i really began to struggle, noticed a few people passing me, and specifically a friend who i used to beat often, i made the decision to get my head down and just get it over. As i approached the 4km sign i knew it was about 5 mins to go, i was also overtaken by two senior males i knew i could beat - so i ramped it up a little, it took everything i had, stomach feeling sick too, i took both of them and then the end was in sight, this they both saw as a challenge and also upped their speed, so the three of us finished within seconds of each other, me being third in. Watch said 23.57 - my PB is 23.27 so not too bad considering my condition. Happy with that!

Now resting until tomorrows first proper training cycle in preparation for our girlie Bedford to Hunstanton ride in about four weeks (eek) And there's also the matter of a date with 14 miles or marathon training running early on Sunday morning....

ION weight is still going down steadily, 148lbs this morning, 8 to go. Juicing as often as i can and determined too.

I also have a shopping list which includes a hydration pack, tent, trail shoes, and some compression wear for the coming season of marathon and mud madness. Thunder Run made me realise how much better equipped i could be.

Hasta la Vista

S