Got to Run Mum

Brr. Beginning the day in minus temperatures, I found myself questioning my sanity as I left the comfort of my warm and toasty bed to run for two hours in the freezing cold… And what’s more, we runners pay for the experience! Missing this run wasn’t an option. Last weekend, after a migraine from hell and a serious lack of sleep (and a little bit of fear about my performance, if I’m completely honest) I was a no show for a half marathon event. One that I’d been excited about for months. And that I’d spent all week regretting missing as pictures popped up on social media of happy runners showing off their well- earned medal bling.  I'm a sucker for a snazzy medal... Plus, this race would be a very rare chance to run the same event as my husband as a friend was happy to watch the monkeys. Monkeys packed off, and absolutely sky high (apologies Debbie!) and we were on our way. As we approached Thorpe Park the car park was quickly filling up… This was a bigger event than expect

No, this isn’t a clean eating guide or a fast food bashing post. I am talking about junk miles, and the half arsed workouts. I have been running for about three years now (how did that happen?!) I was a complete novice when I started- I seriously would have rather missed a bus then have to jog to make it. Running? Oh, no. I can’t breathe when I run. Yes, I used to say that! Now approaching my third marathon, I guess I should start accepting that perhaps I have become a ‘proper’ runner. But do I feel like one? Not really. I don’t know my ‘tempo’ from my ‘fartlek’, my ‘Kenyon hills’ from my ‘threshold’. I just… run. And pretty slowly too. Ahead of each event I’ve ever entered, I’ve downloaded a plan and started ticking. Obediently setting off for each run and churning out the miles. But not making any significant improvements. Not getting any speedier, and not feeling particularly stronger. The two races I’ve entered and felt really strong and powerful for, (and fast as it g

So, 2018. Here we are. Somehow you are flying by already. I thought I’d take time for a little catch up, now that we are solidly into 2018… February already?!! I have become the cliché! January 1st arrived and I joined a gym. Since taking up running I’ve been quite smug about not needing to be a gym member. ‘I get all the cardio I need through running.’… ‘I do my own strength training at home.’ ...Why would I need to join a gym? And yet, I haven’t seen any major progress in my running for a long time, my jeans are all feeling a little... well... a lot more snug (darn you Christmas!) and my strength training now pretty much consists of a couple of squats and stretches whilst watching Eastenders. So when one of those new, cheap and cheerful, no contract, 24- hour gyms opened on my doorstep, I thought maybe, just maybe I could benefit from a helping hand. I’ve now been a member for just over a month, though two weeks of that was spent booking and then cancelling classes. I