Christmas saw us visiting friends in New Zealand and I was quite cross with myself that having taken my kit on four 12 hour flights I only managed one run in the southern hemisphere. Plenty of good eating, drinking and traveling took place instead and we had a fabulous time. Relaxing in bed in glorious sunshine towards the end of our adventure I was given a wake up call when I checked social media to discover my friend Fiona had posted that she had booked her place for the Taunton Half Marathon. Not to be outdone I immediately attempted to get myself a place. Being unsuccessful to do so whilst on Kiwi soil I had to wait until we got home some days later to secure my place. I was so worried that I would miss out and this year really was the year I had to do it.
I kept my plan to run the half to myself and set about getting back into the stride and was mindful of the fact that not only did I need to get going I had to run further than I had ever run before. The usual winter illnesses stopped me in my tracks once or twice and an outing with Donna had me seriously worried that I had bitten off far more than I could ever chew. Perseverance needed to show its cards.
Gradually over the following weeks I battled on and completely surprised myself the day I completed the Taunton 10k circuit twice! I needed to know I could go the distance and this achievement gave me a great big and much needed mental boost. The week before the half marathon I was decidedly under the weather and fellow RFRC runner Nadine offered advice on resting up to make it to the day. Illness had taken its toll on Fiona but meant she wanted to run with me and for this year just aim on completing the distance. Club supporters, family and friends cheered us all the way round and Fi's encouragement really kept me going through the villages and lanes until I lost her on the dreaded Rumwell Hill. Nadine greeted me again on the last 400m of the course getting me to look up for the camera and to get sprinting around the corner to the finish. I couldn't believe that I had actually done it. And I had done it before my impending 50th birthday.I am very proud of my medal!
The following week I watched the London Marathon hoping the stories and achievements reported would no longer give me the desire to take part. Knowing quite a few RFRC members were taking part didn't help. I marveled at the elite athletes and as soon as the masses joined in I got that old familiar feeling. I should be doing it not watching it. I kept reminding myself that every step of the 13.1 miles the previous Sunday had me vowing to never take part in anything requiring stamina to keep going ever again. But maybe I'm a distance runner, I know I'm not a speed runner, and once I couldn't do 5k so maybe, maybe...
Nadine laughs every time I call her coach but she has helped me to really focus on what I want. She has put a plan together for me and I am doing my best to put it into practice. I wish to run faster, my times recently have been dropping off and finding motivation was getting tricky too. And I want to be stronger, in mind, determination and stamina.
Last week Tina and I ran the Killerton Park Run. Tina has way more running experience than me and she's quicker. The course had changed from my previous visit and I disliked the huge downhill over grass start, the masses of people (over 300 and a record for Killerton) and the spooked cattle stampeding towards the same section of the field as ourselves. Oh and then there's the ups and downs of this undulating course. With Tina's encouragement and a huge amount of heavy breathing I achieved a park run personal best of 33:01 minutes. I was delighted.
Yesterday I ran 5.2 miles for the sheer pleasure of it. I took my time up the hills, walked when I needed to, enjoyed the views and the birdsong and conversed with walkers, riders and runners and even drivers! It was a beautiful day and pace and time didn't matter. It reminded me that running is an enjoyable exercise.
Today I was very privileged to run Longrun Park Run with my coach. Nadine offered to run with me, suggesting that together we could get me another PB. So there I was, having been out of bed for not much more than 30 minutes, joining the regulars and newbies and my coach, preparing to run my heart out. I don't know how she did it but Nadine got me round quicker than I've ever managed before. She let me ease up now and then but she really pushed me too. I focussed on counting my breathing and getting my knees up. I will get a photo that makes me look like I'm actually running even if it kills me! Apparently we did a pretty speedy sprint finish, all I remember is feeling so sick that I was in danger of seeing the breakfast I hadn't eaten make a reappearance! And yes, I did get a PB. My last time for this course was 35:01 today I did it in 31.14 thank you Nadine.
How will I ever manage that by myself. Can I run even further than a half? Which race shall I enter next? Who knows what lies ahead. I do know I am going to keep trying and I also know I will share my experiences with all of you!
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