End of year

What an interesting year this year has been. I've managed to do 2 races (not counting Bournemouth because I walked most of that) and managed to set a few personal bests. Hopefully, I will be able to beat my PBs next year.

I am really not sure what year next will bring. I am hoping to do 12 races in 12 months; but depending on everything, this is very likely to change. I have decided that going back to the beginning and doing a lot of walk / run sessions is probably best for now. I can't seem to run for long enough without my legs hurting.

This was my first year of running and I managed 106.2 miles. I am hoping next year to do around 750 miles.

I have lost my mojo...

Last week went very well, training wise. I really struggled to run today and Wednesday. I just could not get into it. It wasn't raining, or indeed, that bad weather wise.

I was so hoping to reach 100 miles today - which would have meant running 5.3 miles today. I ran just under 1 mile.

I have a race in 4 weeks time. I do hope this was a one off and that I am back to normal next week.

Week one of 10 mile training done

This week, saw me start my 10 mile training for the Plymouth Hoe 10 miler on February 19th. It didn't quite go to plan - the training plan I'm following, ( http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/beginner-10mile/ ) focuses more on time than distance. This week, I had to run/walk for 30 minutes, run for 30 minutes and run 2 miles.  I managed the run walk/run ok, (1.71 miles) ended up running for 45 minutes at club on Thursday (3.4 miles) and managed 1.46 miles today - the weather is far too hot to run in.

2012 Race calendar

This list is provisional and will change at some point. I will also update this post regarding race times.

January 8th - Exeter Last Chance 10k
February 12th - Plymouth Hoe 10 mile (16k)
March 18th - Looe 10 mile (16k)
April 28th - Haldon Heartbeat (8.55 miles / 13.75k)
May 6th - Great Western 5k
May 27th - London 10,000 (10k)
June 24th - Torbay Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
July 28/29th - 24 hour Adidas Thunder run

TBC:
Plymouth 10k
Race for Life (5k)
Castle Combe (10k)
Tavvy 7 miles

I will be running for Mencap. To sponsor me - http://www.justgiving.com/Sofie-Haidon Thank you.

Castle Combe 10k

This race was much more difficult than Plymouth 10k. With Plymouth, it was a lap; with Castle Combe, it was 3 and a bit. 

The first lap seemed to go on and on forever and so did the last lap - despite the fact that the final lap is a bit shorter than the first two laps.

It being a race track, in one way, made things harder; because of the incline on the track.

I did enjoy this race and will consider doing this again.

Time 1:21:00.

My first experience of 3D films

I have never, up until last night, seen a 3D film. I have heard from many people with Nystagmus, (one of the eye conditions I have) that they can't see the 3D with or without the glasses.

Anyway, I went to see Tin Tin last night and was given some 3D glasses to wear. As someone who wears glasses, I found the 3D glasses to just be irritating; so didn't use them.

At no point in the film could I tell the difference between 2D and 3D - it all looks the same to me.

What a boring week!

Since last Sunday's 10k, I have really struggled with running. I don't race on a Monday; so that gave me time to rest before heading out for a run on Tuesday evening. That run was awful. I always find the first mile so difficult.

I went for a club run on Thursday, again, the first mile was difficult and I struggled to do a decent time. Yesterday was just as bad - I tried a different route, thinking that may help - it didn't. I managed just under a mile before walking the rest of the way home.

Have done very little else this week. Still no luck with job hunting - despite emailing 3 different employers on Tuesday about jobs, I haven't had a response from them at all. I am now getting fed up of taking my time to email them and tell them that I would like the job they're offering, just for them to completely ignore me.

Plymouth 10k Race Report

Today, was my first ever 10k race and the first time I did more than 5k in one racing session.

The race started at 8.15am - too early for me! I made the mistake of wanting to start near the front. I got overtaken by so many other runners. The first km came around very quick.

Annoyingly, I had to stop 3 times to sort my shoes out - that was so off putting.

Part way through the race (and for the second time this week) I got pins and needles - apparently, this is because I "strike" too hard. This makes running rather difficult and somewhat interesting...

Part way through the race, I ended up racing with about 4-5 people and kept trying to overtake them - including a man dressed as superman!

A quick glance at my watch at just over 5k showed that I had beaten my current 5k personal best. (38:50)

At around 5k, I could see a lot of people on the other side - including one of the people I ran with on Thursday at the running club. They cheered the rest of us on; as did the marshalls.

Not wanting to finish last, I knew I had to keep on running and no (or very little) walking.

The last km seemed to take ages to come around. Coming across the finish line was a lovely feeling.

Finish time - 1:18:41

So, I joined a running club...

I really do not like running by myself and sometimes, it feels like too much of a chore. After some thinking, I joined the local running club.

I went for my first session tonight and loved it. I had a free session tonight and have two more before I have to decide whether I join and pay £25 for the year and £10 for every year after. The £25 also means that I can get reduced (only a few pounds or so; but should get my money back if I end up doing 12 runs next year) entry to races.

I managed 5km tonight and really enjoyed it.

To half or not half

As mentioned in my first post, I will be doing 12 races next year. It has been suggested that I do a half, which I am not that sure about. However, I will see how my 10 mile race goes and decide from there.

Anyway, I received a pack from my chosen charity, Mencap. Amongst the sponsorship forms and information about the charity, was a half marathon training plan...

Panicking

I am panicking a lot right now. I have my 10k (Plymouth) a week tomorrow. I have spent the last 3 days ill and have been able to do very little training. I am now a bit worried about how I'm going to do the 10k without needing to stop ever so often.

My first post!

Hi and welcome to my blog. This blog will mostly be about running related things, such as the challenge I have set myself - to run 12 races (mostly 5 and 10k) in 2012. 3 of which are charity specific and the other 9, I will be doing for one charity.

I will be posting my progress with running, including races and training.

Enjoy!