Day 29 - parkrun PB for Becca and a mini Tweet up!

It's parkrun day again! This week seems to have gone so fast, certainly doesn't feel like a week since we were making last minute relay plans.

The 4 of us HARP relayers who made it to parkrun today all wore our shirts and Ian took a great photo:

(Photo by Ian Tatman)

Was great that Steve finally made it back to parkrun so we could meet up after so long chatting on Twitter :

Agreed with Becca that as it was pretty warm and I was tired and sore we'd just concentrate on comfortably making it around ... As usual, it took me a while to settle into the run but once I had, with about half a mile to go I realised that actually, with a bit of speeding up we could still beat Becca's PB from her birthday. 

We did it! I may have got a bit over enthusiastic and almost dragged poor Becca the last few metres but she knocked 41 seconds off her PB. Amazing stuff!

(Another great photo by Ian)

(Not sure what's going on there, I wasn't pushing her out the way like it looks, I was trying to help!)

Today - 3.14

Total so far - 125.82

Day 28 -

Today's run was just a loop of half of the parkrun course before picking Olivia up from school.  I didn't struggle as much as I had expected to so I could have gone further if I had enough time left! Typical!

Today - 2.7

Total so far - 122.76 

Day 27 - 10K (mostly) with Sam

Arranged to meet Sam this morning to go for a run - we were undecided if we would do 4 or 5 miles. I'm tired and Sam has a couple of niggles so we agreed to just see how we felt.

We headed from hers, through Gunners Park and along the seafront. Very slowly! My foot has been pretty sore again today but after a few miles the numbness sets in and it's easier to run.  This wasn't an easy one but I enjoyed it. I love running and chatting, I always have a laugh with Sam and also it makes it easier to talk about stuff that might be difficult sometimes - we could probably run a bit quicker if we didn't talk so much!  

We looped back through the Burgess estate and then eventually back through Gunners and around the cricket pitch. Back at Sam's for 5.1 miles.

Was very tempted by the offer of a lift home but after a quick stop for a drink I ran the long way home (carrying a hoodie, bottle of water and some shopping!) to make it up to 10k.

Today - 6.2

Total so far - 119.98 

Day 26 - New Target

6.2 emotional miles along the seafront.

I struggled with the first few but got into it about 4 miles in. Felt ok finishing so was a bit tempted to do more but don't want to be too stupid. Juneathon *is* stupid though ... 

This week is getting to me a bit, but I'm still going and I have a new target - at least 131.5 miles.

Today - 6.2

Total so far - 113.8

Day 25 - Target Achieved!

(I know I haven't blogged days 22, 23 and 24 yet, I'm working on it just in the wrong order!)

This morning I met my friend Becca to do a 10k along the seafront. She did her first 10k with me at the start of the month and wanted to do a few more to build up confidence for her first race on 14th July.

My legs were sore when I first got out of bed this morning but I walked 2 miles before meeting Becca and I felt a bit better by the time we started.

On the way towards the pier we were running into a slight breeze but on the homeward stretch there was none at all, just hot sun. This weather, combined with me still aching from the weekend's efforts meant I didn't find a lot of this easy, my legs felt really heavy.  Lots of chatting and plan making (I've come up with some brilliantly crazy ideas!) helped the time pass and by the time we reached 5 miles I was relaxing into it and feeling good.

10k done! I have reached my Juneathon target of 100 miles! This felt like it may be too much at the start of the month, I'm so pleased I did it. Especially that I managed to do it today. 

Today - 6.26

Total so far - 100.9

(May run again this evening!)

*** Edited to add :

Have now run 3.2 and then 3.5 miles on the dreadmill.

Total today - 12.94

Total so far - 107.58

Day 24 - Recovering

Still recovering after the weekend of lots of running and lots of not sleeping!

Decided to run on the dreadmill and aim for my minimum of 2 miles.  As often happens, I got to 2 mile then thought, may as well do 2.5.  Got to 2.5 and figured I may as well do 5k. Slowly, obviously, but it's done!

Day 23 - HARP day 2

I think the feeling of most of us this morning is best illustrated by this brilliant photo Sam took of me :

I think I may actually have slept like this for a few minutes!

Thankfully, not long after this, some clever person spotted the cafe over the road had opened so me and Rich headed over. A bacon sarnie and a coffee which strangely looked awful yet tasted amazing and I woke up slightly. 

Steve M had returned from holiday to join us and did some laps and then some other people did some! 

Kieran had done a great job looking after us all over the weekend and wanted a look at the course so was heading out with Andy so I decided to join them, realising it would be the last lap I could manage.

We started off nice and slow as it was all I could manage and Andy was apparently injured .... A couple of miles in and me and Kieran were a little behind, we came round a corner and Andy was almost out of sight! He sped off and we just took it easy, glad to get back!

Keith did the final lap for our team, managing to look better after his 5th than I did before I started:

There was a little presentation thing in the clubhouse ... We didn't win ;)

Me - 4

Sam - 3

Andy - 3

Steve R - 7

Steve M - 4

Keith - 5

Scotty - 3

A few laps didn't count where more than one of us ran at once - 109.2 miles counted and 12.6 that didn't!

My Juneathon miles for days 22 and 23 total - 16.73 

Day 22 - HARP 24

After months of planning, relay weekend was finally here!  I say months of planning,  what I actually mean is that I entered the team months ago and this week I've been having a bit of a nervous breakdown trying to organise getting the children all the places they need to go, finding what I need to take ... Oh , and trying to work out some kind of running order. Luckily, I have a great team who were very patient with my disorganisation!

(OK, we were "Beer and Cake" team but Pimms, cider and cake will have to do!)

After volunteering at parkrun, I rushed over to Westcliff Rugby Club which was the base for the relay and started to set things up. I registered the team after a few last minute swaps and changea and picked up our tshirts (very nice tech tees) and goody bags then went the briefing.  All sounded good, there would be arrows on the ground/rocks to show directions and tape on fences, between trees etc.. which we should keep on our right.  Apart from when it was on the left  .... This confused me at the time but made perfect sense when actually running the course. Mostly.

                 (Which way??)

Keith started the running for our team doing 2 laps in seemingly no time at all, my sister took the children to the park and then it was my turn for 2 laps.

All started off well ... It was was a very strange experience running somewhere I had never run before, knowing there were loads of others running the same route but barely seeing anybody.  I think I saw 2 people per lap.  The course was marked out well, with arrows on the floor,  and rocks :

Yet maybe a mile and a half in, I got lost. There was a small track we needed to cross which had a "Caution, Runners" sign somewhere near it.  Approaching the track I could see exactly which way to go, yet the caution sign had been blown down/moved from wherever it originally was and was laying in the middle of the road.  I picked it up, moved it to the edge of the track .... And promptly ran down the wrong path.  After about 300 metres I could tell it wasn't right so backtracked and ended up doing an extra loop, passing bits I had already run past.  In hindsight, I should have stopped and thought about it instead of panicking and keep running! 

The rest of that lap passed in a bit of a blur to be honest.  I was aware of it being really beautiful and a great course but was just so stressed I wasn't taking anything in, I was so desperate to make it  back without getting lost again.

I made it back! I had intended to not stop but ended up taking a few minutes to have a little cry, a hug with Tracy and pull myself together a bit.

The next lap, I didn't get lost and I really enjoyed.  It was a bit windy, but a beautiful day, ideal for running really but the sections deep inside the woods were very humid, although the shade was very welcome.

After joking with some friends that I should be careful to not fall in a ditch, I really laughed when I came across this sign:

Luckily, I didn't fall in!  A little further, I rounded a sharp corner and actually screamed when I found this:

I hate bridges. All of them. Especially slippery, wobbly looking ones. 

I didn't get lost and did really enjoy that second lap :-)

I'd write about who did what laps when, except it was a little chaotic and I can't quite remember!  Will put the totals at the end. 

My sister brought the children back, the boys were picked up for the night then I took Olivia to my Mum's where she was spending the night, stopping to buy a beautiful new tent for me on the way!

I headed back and Scotty was finally able to get out and use his head torch, something he had been dying to do!

About 9:30 Sam and I headed out together. I was a bit worried about us running in the dark on our own anyway but after having got lost and seen the woods it seemed even less of a good idea. Only one lap would count towards our team total but keeping safe was more important!

It was a very strange experience, both mine and Sam's first night run and although it was a bit scarey, we're going to do it again sometime.

After we made it back, I think a few others did some laps but couldn't really tell you! Of course team 1 had Alex's precision organised spreadsheet so carried on!

Edited highlights of Saturday night:

Wine

Beer 

Cider

Carry on parkrun

Gazebo

Toilet paper

Day 21 -

Have nothing to say about today's run, really.  Just a 2 miler to make the final decision about what shoes to take with me to the relay this weekend.

Today - 2

Total so far - 74.7

Day 20 - CATS 10K

 Today was the day I had arranged to do my 10k for the CATS challenge - 

http://www.cats-foundation.org/cats-10k-challenge/

         

Since 27th July last year, someone has run 10k every day to raise awareness of this horrible disease.

I first learned of this challenge through one of my Bosh friends, Brian, following the story of his nephew, Amazing Archie, and I had been looking forward to playing my part today.

Had planned to run with a friend today but she couldn't make it in the end.  The weather has been terrible today, torrential rain with predictions of storms so I spent a lot of time procrastinating and wondering if I should do a dreadmill run rather then brave the outdoors.

After a few hours of dithering, I came to my senses.  Thinking of what Brad, Lauren, Jack and now baby Matilda were going through, (and what I, and others have dealt with) could I really complain about running 6 miles in the rain? Of course not.

The running is irrelevant really - I've had a bad week and this one went very really, a PB by just over 3 minutes. Of course I'm pleased by this, especially after my last runs that were full of worry, but actually, today wasn't about the running. 

Today's run was for remembering Archie and all those, especially the little ones, who should still be here but aren't. 

Today - 6.2 

Total so far - 72.7

For Archie and an extra special little one with him on a special day xxx

Day 19 -

Juneathon madness really is setting in today.  Arguing with myself earlier and now I'm hearing voices.  "Day 19 in Liz's Juneathon house ...." in the style of the Big Brother voiceover bloke!

Anyway ... today's run. Thought I'd go the long way round to school and manage a 2.5 mile run for a change from the 2 I've mostly managed lately.

The first mile and a half were terrible again. As happened yesterday, I just really struggled, everything hurt and I had a little cry. I need to get a bloody grip and realise that I'm doing ok for me and to stop comparing myself to what everyone else is doing. I've waffled about this before, clearly I'm still struggling! 

The first 15 minutes ish consisted of me arguing with myself :

I can't run

Shut up Liz, you're running.

It hurts.

Stop moaning.

I won't be able to PB my 10k on the 30th.

You smashed your 1/2 time, you can't do it all, it doesn't matter.

Maybe I'll just do 2 miles again.

Don't be lazy.

Then just as I got to 2 miles I pulled myself together a bit.  As I came up to the school I was at 2.7 so I went round the block a bit to round the distance up.

Today - 3.1

Total so far - 66.5

Day 18 - Something A Little Different

Today's view, that's not the something different, just my usual run along the beach before picking up Olivia.  I had left in time to do 3 miles but my legs just weren't cooperating.  

As I was plodding along, wondering why I was seemingly unable to run today, I remembered some Boshers posting yesterday about running backwards.  Now I only managed 2x100 metres as I wasn't about to try it where people could see me but I liked it! Definitely something to try again and a new race to add to the wish list ...

http://www.wackynation.com/our-events/reverse-running 

Today - 2

Total so far - 63.4

Something else a little different, the highlight of Tuesdays here, a train crossing the High St. 

Day 17 - With Olivia!

Another one that I wasn't really looking forward to.  Was excited about running outside after the last 2 dreadmill days but was uncertain how I would manage it as too much traffic meant I needed to take Olivia with me. Matthew was at a friend's just over a mile away so with a little bribery (stopping at the shop to buy chocolate for her on the way home) Olivia joined me on her balance bike to go and meet him.

I did a few 1 mile runs like this in Janathon but it felt like a bit of a cop out this time.  Trying not to feel too disappointed, I ran, I'm blogging so still taking part, just a little slower than I hoped.  Having said that, I'm actually pretty impressed with a 11.13 min pace from a small, tired 3 year old!

Today - 2.26

Total so far - 61.4

Day 16 -

I am struggling more with blogging every day than running everyday!

I planned to leave Olivia at Mum's and run from hers but after a bit of a stressful morning I honestly couldn't be bothered. Changed plans and had a tasty pub lunch with my sister instead.  The first proper food I've had in a week and it was very good!

I could have gone out this evening but whereas I'm physically fine, I'm emotionally exhausted so knew I would cry while I was out and just couldn't handle the idea of seeing anyone I knew as often happens when I run locally.

Dreadmill it was and Nike+ worked today so no idea what yesterday's weird results were about. 

Today - 2

Total so far - 59

Day 15 - Halfway Through Juneathon!

It's parkrun day but for the first time in a few months I didn't run or volunteer. The craziness of this week meant I ended up taking all the children with me this morning as I had nobody to leave them with and I couldn't bear to miss out. After a few hours sleep I was fairly amazed I managed to finish making the cakes I started last night and get there in time for the start!  

As always, lots of great running and no leftover cake :-) Took advantage of not having to rush back to go over to the pub and have hot chocolate with Keith, Alex, Rachael and Nathan. Wishing I could have faced breakfast though!

After trekking everyone around town and then Asda all I really wanted was a nap but I wasn't going to be beaten!  Knowing I had to run indoors meant I didn't have my usual Juneathon motivation but luckily, due to next weekend's relay, I think I'll only have one other day where I can't get out this month.

This INXS powered run didn't feel too bad, felt like I was struggling less than I usually do inside but unfortunately I have no idea of the numbers. Nike+ insists I did 5k in about 22 minutes at a pace of 7.2 min/mile.  I didn't.  I think it's just having a wobbly as it's annoyed at being mostly replaced by my Garmin!

I'm logging 2.5 as that seems to be about right for the time at what the pace felt like.

Today - 2.5

Month so far - 57

Day 14 -

Haven't got much to say today other than this was an uneventful, unenjoyable run but at least I did it.

Today - 3.4

Total so far -54.5

Day 13 - Halfway To Target

Not the most flattering photograph but I like it as it shows just how windy it was.  Running along the sea wall the waves were splashing over the top and although it wasn't easy to run in it was strangely comforting.  On days where I'm struggling there's far more satisfaction from making it through a difficult run than just going out and doing an easy few miles.

I had a difficult morning but was cheered up by Tweets about what I should shout/swear when on my stress relieving run! As it happened, there were far too many people around so all I got to shout was a very satisfying "aaaaaaaggghhhhh" as I ran towards the fort.  Not quite what I had planned but there's always tomorrow. 

Having only done 2 miles Monday and Tuesday and 2.5 yesterday I was hoping I could push myself to 4 miles to get to 50 miles ... Halfway to my #Juneathon target :

Today - 5.1

Total so far - 51.2

Day 12 - Whinging But Proud

Still haven't really eaten or slept, even though I have tried and my legs are hurting so this week is getting more and more difficult.

Despite that, probably because of that, I'm proud of my silly little run.  The far easier option would have been the one that was very tempting - hiding at home a bit longer. I'm not going to be beaten though.  This is my challenge and if I fail it will be down to something I have done, I will not be made to fail due to someone behaving like a cunt and turning my life upside down. 

Today - 2.5

This month - 46

Day 11 -

Not much to say about today really - I didn't sleep at all last night so feel sick, shaky and exhausted so today's miles were a bit of a struggle.

I had a big cry along the beach which helped as I really needed to.  I'm mostly really, really angry still so tomorrow I will be trying @benjiboyW's suggestion of shouting as I run instead!

Today - 2.5

Total so far - 43.5

Day 10 - Recovering

Somewhat surprisingly, I didn't feel too bad this morning.  Pretty achey and my foot and heel were sore but it has eased a lot as the day has gone on, the only real trouble being when I've been sat still for too long. Olivia wasn't at school today so we just pottered about doing housework and stuff ... And she helped with my rolling!

I ran this evening and I'm really proud of myself as this is the day I was most unsure if I would make it. It felt pretty good, a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first and I wouldn't have wanted to go much further but it was easier than the 2 miles I walked afterwards! (I'm only counting the running miles in #Juneathon)

Today - 2

Total so far - 41

Day 9 - Southend Half

I

I had been looking forward to this race for a long time as I have been really trying to run faster lately and apart from the occasional (ok, not so occasional!) worry I felt fairly confident I could get a PB. My fastest had still been the Great North Run at 2:29 as I had been injured when doing the next two halves so they had got slower!  I really hoped to run 2:20 but thought that may be too optimistic as I wasn't sure how my foot would hold up so decided that I'd be happy with 2:24, a 5 minute improvement. Especially as I had run every day this month so far covering 26 miles!

Despite an early night I didn't sleep well but it was nice to wake up knowing it was just a half mile walk to the start.  I had planned to eat breakfast, something I've never really managed before a race due to lots of travelling, sorting children and rushing around but I just couldn't face it in the end so had my usual pre race 2 nutrigrain bars!

I walked along to the beach, arriving around 9:15.  I'd planned to get there a bit earlier but instead of the forecast lovely weather it was windy, cold and drizzling. I met up with Lisa and Stacey and we had a wander around for a bit then I saw Carla (@fortnightflo) and Alma (@plustenner) -

I wasn't going to post that photo as I look terrible but always lovely to meet new Twitter friends so I will :-)

Headed up to our arranged meeting point with Lisa and Stacey and found Sam, Andy, Richard, Lloyd, Justin and his friend. There was a really nice atmosphere at the beach, as before most races I've done actually, but this was more fun I think as there were so many people that we all knew to chat to. Stacey and Lisa went to check their bags in and that was the last we saw of them! We were planning to meet a few others that we hadn't seen so were hoping that they all found each other.

The race was delayed for about 15 minutes and it was so cold that about 2 minutes after me telling Sam that I couldn't run before the race like lots of people were doing as I'd get tired  .... We joined them and ran for a bit before heading to the start.

Go!

The guys sped off, leaving me and Sam to stick to our far slower planned pace of around 10:40 which would get us both the PBs we were hoping for.

After leaving the beach, we headed into the Garrison past the school and round the cricket pitch. It was very strange running with so many people in the area I have run most days this month. There were quite a few supporters in this area plus the obligatory Rocky theme blaring out from one of the flats!

From here, we headed out onto the seafront where the route was down to the sea life centre, back up to the entrance to Gunners Park, down to the sea life centre again and then up to Maplin Way. 

I wasn't looking forward to it to be honest, laps are a bit boring anyway and I suspected that being a road I run a lot may make it worse but I actually found it a lot better than I expected.

Just as we got onto the seafront we saw my Mum cheering us on and taking some   (probably/hopefully out of focus) photos and actually, one of my favourite things about today was the support. Being such a local run, there were a lot of people I knew on the route, mostly due to the magnificence that is parkrun. Even when I was in a bit of a world of my own and didn't spot people, there's nothing like hearing someone shouting your name to give you a bit of a boost. Thank you so much supporters!

     (Around mile 7, photo by @noynek)

I remember Sam commenting on getting neck ache at one point but I liked the lapped course as there was plenty of opportunity to see our friends coming back the other way.  I saw Lisa speeding back towards us, Claire who we missed at the start just behind her, found out that everyone had started Ok, Stacey was just in front of us, and that the guys were looking good.  

I'm glad Sam wanted to run with me, we seemed to comfortably run at our target pace together and having someone to chat to definitely helped me along.  The aim was 10:40 pace which we stuck to pretty well, mostly steady but every now and then we had a slower few seconds at a water station or a quick sprint to wake ourselves up a bit.

Day 9 - Southend Half by Fizziebeth at Garmin Connect - Details

The course was very flat with the only real incline being up from the seafront to Church Road at mile 11,we sprinted most of it (this isn't that impressive, it's pretty small!) but couldn't quite go fast to the top.  Just after this point, Sam was struggling more and about halfway along Church Road she couldn't quite manage the pace I was at.  I feel a bit guilty leaving her behind but although my legs were tiring and my foot was getting more painful I was still feeling pretty good (good for having run 11 miles faster than ever before, that is) and was getting a bit stressed about how much I could slow down and still PB.  As you can see from the Garmin info, I sped up, just in case!  From the end of Church Road we headed down back into Gunners Park. I passed Rob from Bosh here which was nice after he spotted my sweatband, he said that I looked like I was running well (or something like that, it gave me confidence though that I didn't look as bad as I felt!)

Coming around the sea wall we ran half of the parkrun course. The part that's always ridiculously windy, obviously.  I caught up with Stacey here and we ran for a little bit, I remember promising her she would be finished in ten minutes.

On yes, one more slight hill back up towards the beach but a more gradual one this time.  At the top here I was really pleased to see Nathan telling me I was nearly there then saw Alex, Rachael and Noah.  We knew they'd been at the start and had looked out all round - I've never been so glad to see them, I needed that encouragement! By now I was tired and my foot was really sore and I had hit the point of total confusion.  I do this every race, I should know by now but the change of signs into metres really throws me. I run here several times a week, I knew it wasn't far to the end but there was a strange conversation as I ran past of Rachael saying 600 metres and me stressing, asking if I could make it in 6 minutes. 

I could and I did!  That 2:20 I was optimistically hoping for .....  Became an official finish time of 2:17:23 :-)

Still cannot believe it! Saw Keith and Olivia at the end then collected my medal and caught up with as many people as I could. Sam and Stacey were only a few minutes behind me, Stacey finishing her first half and Sam achieving her PB!

My lovely friends Cassie and Simon came to meet me and brought a card and presents.  I'm very lucky to have such great friends so one last picture, me and some of them:

               Well done everyone! 

Today - 13.1

Total so far - 39

It's All About Me

I know McFly will be insisting that "It's All About You", but I'm going to disagree. Actually, it's all about me.  

I am approaching my 4th half marathon tomorrow, also taking part in Juneathon and have had a really emotional week or so.

Currently I am back to feeling relaxed about the morning's run (and the month as a whole) but it has been a real rollercoaster and I'm sure in the course of writing this I'll have changed my mind many times as to how I feel.

I think a lot of what makes it difficult for me is that I know so many great runners. It's difficult to not try and compare myself to their amazing achievements.  I'm never going to be really fast or be able to put in huge mileage, but I have started to realise that really, it doesn't matter.

This time last year I could just about do a 9 mile run - tomorrow will be my 4th half, having already run 25 miles this month. I've had weeks off in that time due to injury/illness but I'm still persevering.

Maybe I'm not progressing as quickly as I could, I'm (just about) looking after 3 children and about to start the final year courses for my degree.  There's probably someone reading this who has 5 children, 3 jobs, took up running last week, has done 3 marathons and is doing an ultra tomorrow ... 

That doesn't matter. It's not about you lot, it's about me.

All I can do, all I *do* do is the best that I can.

I love to run. I need to run. I'm running. 

(Tomorrow.  Now, I'm going to bed)

Day 8 - Race Day Eve

This morning, I volunteered at parkrun.  Olivia and her friend Bobby helped me with the barcode scanning.

My foot is still feeling not quite right.  I did a couple of miles back in my Asics to see how they felt and it was still a bit tender.  Still no closer to making a decision I put a Lunareclipse back on just to take a joke photo for a Twitter friend.  As soon as I put my foot in, it hurt.  I've no idea why this has suddenly happened as the runpro inner soles were previously fantastic but it's made me change from my original plan and decide to run in the Asics instead.

Not as matching as I'd have liked but I was expecting a purple colour scheme to match the Nikes!

Have a plan in place to meet friends in the morning which will be good. Planned race pace for me to finish in the time I am hoping is a minute slower than I've been practising, in the hope it'll give me more confidence feeling easier.

Day 7 - One Week Done!

One week done :-)

Physically felt a bit better than yesterday but still a bit "blah" mentally - these couple of miles in the sun really cheered me up but it's the kind of day I wanted to run and run. If I do any more then I know I'll jeopardise my chances for Sunday so I'm being careful - looking forward to doing more longer runs next week as I've nothing booked for next weekend.

 

Today - 2.17

Total so far - 23.84

Day 6 - Feeling Sorry For Myself

Today has been difficult.  The first day (but I'm sure it won't be the last) where I've wondered if I could run.

I woke up feeling tired and with stomach ache and after managing to slowly walk the 3 mile round trip to take Olivia to school, went back to bed for a while. 

I think as well as feeling unwell the pre run madness is setting in a bit. I *really* want to do well on Sunday so a bit of a sore throat I probably wouldn't normally notice is worrying me, a bit of a weird feeling in my leg and back ... What if I've hurt something?  I think I'm ok really, I feel happy with the preparation I've done and can only do my best so there's no point stressing now. 

I pondered at one point using the school run walks as my Juneathon miles, and actually I'd be on far higher mileage if I did at 6 miles a day but I want to just include actual running, not the walking I always do. I figured I needed to get to the school so may as well try and run. My stomach still felt really bad so I left time in case I needed to walk.  It's about 1.3 miles so decided to do at least 1.5.  In the end, I managed an extra mile at around usual pace.  Pleased I did make the effort.

But I'd love a hug :(

Today - 2.5

Total so far - 21.67

Every time I go out I see more signs for the half marathon :-) 

Day 5 - Changes

The top photo was taken on 23rd February ... The bottom one on today's run.  I run down this path a lot but as I was looking out at the sea today, I remembered taking the original photo.  I love how although a lot of the routes I run regularly change a lot through the seasons.  I can't run a lot of this section in the winter as it's too dark but now it's lighter I'm back out there, everything is getting greener, there are cygnets and ducklings and baby rabbits.

Anyway ... The run!  I swapped over from my beautiful Asics to my Lunarglides as I'll be running in them on Sunday and I haven't worn them for a few weeks and wanted to get used to them. They look so boring in comparison, need to get saving for new shoes but trail shoes first.

I ran down to pick Olivia up from school with a bit of looping around the Garrison to round up the mileage.

Today - 2 miles

Total - 19.1 miles 

Day 4 - Cancelled plans and Pilates

Tonight I was originally going to do a 5k with a girl I met at parkrun but late last night she let me know she couldn't make it in the end.  This morning I arranged with another friend to meet up and do a few miles but late on she had family visit so also couldn't come out.

I've only fairly recently started enjoying running with other people after so long if loving the solitude so these plans all falling through were disappointing so I wasn't as enthusiastic as I had been originally.

In the end, I needed to get shopping so I just ran the long way to Asda!

In better news, I had a lovely walk along the beach this morning and then my first try at Pilates.  I have decided to have a few one to one lessons with Bridgette (who more usually I see for sports massage) before I brave the classes so I have a bit of a clue what I'm doing.  I found it a bit difficult in places, remembering which bits to move up/down/imprint/relax/breathe but I think it will be so very useful so I'm hoping I can get the hang of it! 

Juneathon so far:

Today - 2.2

Total so far - 17.08

Day 3 - Speedy Garmin running

Got a great result at the weekend where I returned a couple of birthday presents and other half paid the (loads) extra to exchange them for a Garmin for me.  

I'd been coveting one for ages but as my Nike + was basically OK, mostly accurate  and all working I couldn't really justify the money.  The last couple of months though, where I have been trying to improve my times more, I have found the Nike + a little frustrating.  It only displays one of distance/pace/time and though it's just one button press to toggle between them, it's enough to be annoying when I'm already struggling.

This evening, I knew I'd only do a small run as I've done quite a few miles the last 2 days and don't want to overdo it.  I planned to run to pick Matthew up from his friend's house and back - as fast as I could.  I didn't go quite as far as hoped as Matthew left his bike at school so I made it to just over 2 miles then walked with him.

Previously .. My fastest mile ever was back in April, 9.11 - Today ... 7.44! :-)

I don't think I could have managed much further that fast but I'm amazed and very happy I managed it at all.  

Today - 2.18

Total so far - 14.87

Day 2 - Becca's first 10k

My friend Becca started running a little while ago and is training for her first10k race in July.  We have done a few parkruns together now and she mentioned wanting to try a longer run this weekend, around 8.5 or 9k.  Having seen how well she runs at pakrun I knew she could do the full 10k so came up with a little plan!

I knew Becca could manage the running but was worried that if I told her we were going to go so far she would worry as she wasn't very confident so I told her to not look at her watch (she put it on kind of backwards!).  I said that we would run to the pier and back from parkrun car park, which was the kind of distance she had in mind, all good there. 

We headed along the seafront, the tide was in and it looked beautiful (later on we were contemplating paddling instead) and there were plenty of friendly runners out.

Just over half an hour of chatting later and it was time to turn around already -  just past the sea life centre so we didn't have to go as far as I had first suggested.  I had hoped that by slightly over estimating the point we were running to it would feel better turning around earlier than if I got it wrong and we had to go further and it seemed to work. I often run through the fountains there but they were a little fierce today so decided against it (I probably would have if I was on my own!)

Another 30 minutes or so and we were back - 1 hour 6 minutes-  We did it!  I'm very proud of you, Becca, knew you could do it, you'll just get better and better   :-)

Although it was as warm as it was yesterday, I felt I coped better with it so I'm not worrying quite as much as I was about next Sunday.


Today's distance - 6.36
Total - 12.69


Day 1 -Today's runs and my plans for June

It's Juneathon :-)

I had such fun in Janathon although I did slightly overdo it towards the end and have an easy couple of weeks in February.  Since then, My running has improved a lot.  I have learned a lot about what works (and doesn't) for me so am feeling much more confident this time around.

I have a lot planned this month, my busiest run month so far.  Next Sunday I have Southend half marathon where I am hoping to beat my PB of 2:29 - although after today's heat I am a little worried as I've never run that far when it's hot, I always go out very early or late instead when I can.  We'll see, I have a great group who are aiming for similar times so will stick with them as long as I can.

After the half, is the HARP relay on the 22nd/23rd. Southend parkrun have 2 teams entered, obviously I'm nothing to do with the serious one, "Lucozade and Flapjack" who need to beat the bootcamp team but I have the very important job of being in charge of team 2' "Beer and Cake".  I think we are going for a make it up, have a laugh type strategy but as the course is 4 mile laps I'm hoping to do 20 miles over the 24 hours.  Have never done any night running before so looking forward to giving that a try.

Last plans are the 30th June, Horndon 10k.  This was the first run I entered last year so am really looking forward to doing this again now I know I can do it. I was terrified last year!

Anyway, today's runs ....

(Storm remembered the all important parkrun rule of #DFYB in her brilliant coat!)

No better way to start Juneathon than with a parkrun so I ran to parkrun, ran parkrun with my friend Becca and then ran home.

Today's total - 6.3 miles