Diary

A doctor once told me that I shouldn’t run as I was too tall. Well considering that Paula Radcliff is a tall lady too I didn’t take this too seriously. However I never thought that I would really sign up to a serious race so why did I decide to take on the Canterbury Half Marathon which is renowned for being a hilly and challenging course? I suppose I did this partly because Pilgrims Hospices receive the profits from this event and partly because I don’t like having the word can’t in my vocabulary. I’m a great believer in aiming high and doing your best to achieve things you never thought you could do!

Monday 25th May

Well, I DID IT!!

It was such a lovely day, clear skies beautiful sunshine! So we broke out the sunscreen and drank lot's of isotonic drinks to try and make sure we didn't de-hydrate. The runners started to arrive from 9am onwards with a big rush for the chips (electronic tags to measure your run times) at about 10am. Martyn Rouse then started to urge people to make their way down to the start which was a 10 minute walk. Paul Roberts from Pavilion, the main sponsors for the day drove one of the two gorgeous vintage cars down to the start line and at 10.30 he started the race and off we went.

The man in my life ran off ahead as he was aiming for a sub 2 hour finish and knew I wasn't going to be able to keep up. I found the first 3 miles really hard work, I got a stitch and realised I was running way too fast for myself. My (American) friend (who used to go to Clarendon House but has been living in the US for the last 9 years and last year married a lovely guy from Kentucky) I'm sure was the person who had travelled the furthest to take part in the half marathon. She has run lot's of 'minis' as they call them over the pond. So she blamed herself for the fast start!

She ran with me the whole way - we haven't seen each other since her wedding last September so we had alot to catch up on and as I was out of breath most of the time Gill did most of the talking. I nearly sold her services as a personal trainer she was that good!

We had great fun running through Petham, we managed to get high fives off of all the children cheering us on and even some of the adults. It helped wearing Pilgrims Hospice Sunflowers as everyone commented on them and they did look quite fitting with the wonderful countryside surrounding us.

The climb at mile 10 was definately as bad as everyone said it would be. Walking was the only option I'm afraid and even that was really hard work.

The last 3.1 miles were good, one of the last marshals we saw turned out to be one of our old teachers from Clarendon! As we approached the final stretch I was determined to run not walk so we took it really slow up the final slope and when we saw everyone cheering us on near the finish line it gave us the boost we needed to sprint over the line! What a feeling! As I walked towards Martyn Rouse who wanted to me to say a few words to the crowds - all I could manage was "I'm still out of breath!" The man in my life gave me a huge hug and then told me all about his fall on mile 7!

For me this was probably one of the biggest achievements of my life. I hated running at school and I had trained so hard over the last 5 months. To make it over the line even if I was 758th out of 777 is something I won't forget in a long time.

Thank you to Paul Roberts from Pavilion for being our main sponsor and for starting the race, Podplus for proving the race numbers, Bannatynes for providing the water, Raynet for volunteering to provide emergency radio cover for the event, 2:09 our partners for making everything run smoothly on the day, Martyn Rouse for all his hard work, Brian Maxted and our friends at the Rotary club of Blean for providing all the lovely smiley marshals on the course, the police for stopping the traffic, Giles and our friends at Canterbury Rugby Club for allowing us to use their clubhouse and grounds, Steffi Morelli for helping with the planning, the Hospice volunteers who ran our stall and handed out medals and all the runners and spectators who made the day as memorable as it was.

A massive achievement for me personally but for everyone else who took part - well done. See you next year......

Wednesday 13th May 2009 

Still ill, have had cough now for over a week and feeling thoroughly fed up. It doesn't help that people keep asking me if I ‘oink' in between coughs! I looked at my running shoes mournfully last night as the doctor said definitely no running until I feel completely better. 11 days to go and I'm not sure if I'm going to be fit enough.

Monday 16th March 2009
30 mins, 2.25 miles around Blean woods. Is there such a thing as running debt? My legs did not want to go about half way round. They were very heavy and I was feeling quite tired! I’m sure it’s because I did a long run yesterday. I ran at a medium pace (this would be slow for the man in my life!) for the first 15 mins, did 4 intervals and nearly passed out then jogged the last 8 mins.

Sunday 15th March 2009
Sunday afternoon run with the added incentive of going fast to get round in time to get back for the England France rugby match. Ended up running 80 mins and 7 miles with the man in my life – he was a star pushing me up the last hill as my legs were completely shattered! And made it back for half time to find out we were winning!

Thursday 12th March 2009
48 min, 4.09 miles. Really hard, really tired, guessing that having a tough day at work sometimes doesn’t help…

Wednesday 11th March 2009
20 min interval training through Canterbury City Centre, managed to run past several eating establishments without once thinking about food (which is a first) I know I probably looked a little silly but hell it hurt and I suppose that’s good.

Monday 9th March 2009
Ran with the hashers again through the woods near Blean. Very tired tonight and not into it at all.

Sunday 8th March 2009
80 mins with the man in my life and his friend (who is training for the Edinburgh marathon) I felt a little outclassed today when they said we’ll run at your pace! We ran together for 20-25 mins then they sped off to do a speed session promising to turnaround and meet me after they had done their sprint. They were quite surprised when they turned around and I wasn’t that far behind!

Saturday 7th March 2009
35 mins, 2.25 miles around Blean woods. I scoped out the woods for tomorrows run to make sure they weren’t too muddy. I haven’t got a problem with mud but some trainers just don’t look right being mud splattered!

Friday 6th March 2009
43 mins, 3.53 miles. Run before breakfast (really!) last day off this week so made the most of it. It was a lovely sunny day and I really wanted to be out there.

Wednesday 4th March 2009
Interval training, I managed 10 intervals on the sand at Ramsgate then ran up the cliff home (ok the cliff was in two attempts but I still ran it!)

Monday 2nd March 2009
I saw my trainers at the bottom of the stairs today before I went to work and felt an urge to go for a run – this must be a sure sign I’m getting addicted! Another run with the hashers tonight, great fun, had loads of energy and I’m sure I ran most of the false trails tonight.

Sunday 1st March 2009
I think today I’m supposed to be starting an official half marathon training plan. Hmmm, www.209events.com have some really good plans that I had a look at trouble is sticking to them! But because I started two months ago I’m already ahead of the game! 43 mins, 3.7 miles with the man in my life (who is following a strict plan!)

Saturday 28th February 2009
48 mins, 3.89 miles. Ran from my house through Wincheap and followed a footpath which took me out into the fields which was nice. It’s lovely when you know you are living no more than a few minutes away from the countryside.

Wednesday 25th February 2009
38 mins 2.9 miles I was really keen to get out there today and get on with the run. I decided to start at a faster pace, after all I can’t let the man in my life think he’s going to get to the bar afterwards too long before me! Anyway 10 mins into the run and I’m getting the same stabbing feeling in my right hand side – my breathing is a lot harder and I’m starting to feel that I’m slowly suffocating! So I walk for a minute and as soon as I stop the stitch really kicks in so I walk for a couple of minutes and decide to break into a slow jog. I then try to include some interval runs into this one and after two minutes of running what I call flat out the stitch comes back with a vengeance so I finish the rest of the run as a slow jog/walk.

Monday 23rd February 2009
Run with the hashers in Deal, it was a good run tried to run as much as possible and was out for 1 ½ hours. Not sure if these runs really count towards the training though!

Saturday 21st February 2009
80 mins, 6.39 miles ran down to Pegwell Bay again this time with my Mum on the bike. It was such a gorgeous day for the first time this year I ran in just a t-shirt – I’m determined to be the first to have a (British) tan in the office.

Thursday 19th February 2009
20 mins, 1.7 miles before breakfast (eek!) Can’t believe I made it out of bed and to be honest if the man in my life hadn’t dragged me out and made me do it I would have sat waiting for him with a nice hot steaming mug of coffee. I am so not a morning person!

Monday 16th February 2009
Run with the hashers at Broad Oak, it was a long run tonight and I got given a hash name – will this make me go faster I wonder?

Sunday 15th February 2009
1 hour of Pilates followed by 70 mins and 5.25 miles in Pegwell Bay. I recruited my Dad to come and cheer me on Rocky style on his bike. After the Pilates I needed it!

Thursday 12th February 2009
25 mins 2.16 miles. I felt really ill again. My right side where I keep getting the stitch was really sore. I felt it today at work so I’m not surprised I’m aggravating it!

Wednesday 11th February 2009
48 mins 3.89 miles. Wincheap run again, and then dancing afterwards!

Monday 9th February 2009
Hashing in Pett Bottom in torrential rain. I fell over tonight in a rather large muddy puddle. The bruise on my knee means I won’t be wearing skirts for a while!

Sunday 8th February 2009
52 mins 4.5 miles The man in my life and I drove the half marathon route today to have a look. On the run afterwards around Canterbury I burst into tears after the first 10 mins as we had set out quite fast for me and I had another stitch. I suddenly realised the extent of the challenge I had taken on and I started to doubt myself. He was great and pointed out that we still had lots of time and we are running much longer now than we did at the start. So despite my crisis of confidence and my blubbery eyes, he made me smile and we managed to carry on with the rest of the run and actually enjoy it.

Friday 6th February 2009
35 mins 3.1 miles My legs were really tired and I got a stitch 15 mins in.

Wednesday 4th February 2009
40 mins 3.37 miles CONTINUOUS!!! I didn’t stop once. I then went dancing afterwards just to really finish me off!

Tuesday 3rd February 2009
32 mins, 2.66 miles, ran from Mums down to Ramsgate harbour and along, didn’t stop once!

Sunday 1st February 2009
1 hour of Pilates to help with the stitches I keep getting. I cannot believe that lying on a floor doing a few stretches can cause that much pain!

Saturday 31st January 2009
Interval training with the man in my life today. We started with a slow jog then as we got to the park he said to me “we’ll run a circuit around here and then you won’t need to keep up with me as I can see you at all times”…cheeky! I was determined then that I wanted to keep up with him as much as possible. Apparently interval training is where you run as fast as you can for 1 minute the you walk for a minute and you repeat as many times as you want. Well the target was 10 but thanks again to a stitch I only managed 6! We walked home…

Wednesday 28th January 2009
27 mins 2.6 miles. This was really hard work and I actually felt quite nauseous when I got back home. I hadn’t had a lot to eat today and work was quite stressful so I think that might be why.

Sunday 25th January 2009
Hashing in Hawkinge, my first hash in daylight! It was really nice running in the morning then having Sunday lunch with the guys. This one incorporated quite a few steep hills which I gave my best shot at running up. I know the Canterbury Half Marathon route is really hilly so this was good practice.

Saturday 24th January 2009
30 mins, 2.59 miles. I had to stop and walk after 10 mins as I had a stitch that lasted for another 10 mins. The last 10 mins back were ok though. I’m still having difficulty breathing, for some reason my nose won’t stop running!

Wednesday 21st January 2009
25 mins 2.26 miles. Today was a terrible run, stitch after 5 mins and it didn’t go away. I soldiered on for 25 mins then gave up. I went home to look up stitches and their causes so I could try and overcome this problem. Apparently because it is on my right hand side it’s most probably down to the movement of my internal organs as I run and there are a couple of techniques to try and sort it out. Breathing out when your right foot hits the floor, stretching when it comes on and working on developing your core muscles. Ok so Pilates it is!

Monday 19th January 2009
Run with the hashers again, 60 mins of wind rain and mud – haven’t got a clue how far we ran!

Sunday 18th January 2009
20 mins 1.98 miles. I invested in a pair of running tights today. If you had asked me a month ago if I would be seen dead in public in bottom hugging lycra I would have laughed very loudly. Hmmmm what is going on?

Saturday 17th January 2009
15 mins continuous run! That’s a first!

Monday 12th January 2009
I went running with a really mad group of people tonight in the pitch black and pouring rain. There’s a group of Hash House Harriers who meet every Monday night in various pubs around the East Kent countryside to run together then have dinner afterwards. It is a real experience. After running for what seemed like a couple of miles following signs laid in flour on the paths, cracking jokes we all stopped for a beer stop. Now does this count as part of my half marathon training? Who cares it was good fun!

Sunday 11th January 2009
Run number 4. 20 mins – yea! I actually feel a small sense of achievement here even if it is only 5 mins! And it was the day after my Birthday so I was surprised I even made it out of the house!

Friday 9th January 2009
Run number 3. 15 mins but it actually felt reasonably ok. I was able to say at least two words to the man in my life as we ran even if it was just slow down!


Wednesday 7th January 2009
Run number 2. 15 mins again same route which involves running past all the shoppers in Canterbury who are waiting for their buses in the bus station. Boy, humiliation as well as sheer pain…I must be mad.

Sunday 4th January 2009
Run number one...or rather walk / jog number one! I managed 15 minutes today which sounds really weak but I’m streaming with sweat, I can barely breathe and I’m sure I won’t be able to walk tomorrow!