End of year review and next years' goal

Well, this has certainly been a mixed year:
- 12 races
- 3 PBs
- too many injuries to count!

This year saw me do 12 races in 2012. I was hoping to do a half marathon this year; but things didn't quite go to plan; so I ended up doing some 3k, 5k and 10k races. I received PBs in all of them.

One goal was a sub 1:15 10k. I got a 1:13:28. Before then, my best was 1:18:38. A huge improvement of over 5 minutes!

Next years goals:
- a 10 miler
- a half marathon
- stay injury free
- a sub 1:10 10k
- a sub 29 5k
- a sub 35 5k race
- a sub 17 3k
- a sub 21 3k in the 3k winter series - I also plan to take part in all 6 of these

Unsure about which other races I want to do next year. Will be helping to marshal the Plymouth half marathon; so will receive a free Plymouth 10k place. I will be looking at a summer (June / July / August) half marathon; but need to be able to run 10 miles comfortably before even looking at half marathons.

Taking a break for a bit

On Wednesday, I completed my 12th and final race of the year. (and no, I hadn't intended to complete 12 in 12 on 12/12/12!)

During the 3k race, my ankle started playing up. Not wanting another DNF, (did not finish) I carried on to the end. To my shock, I had knocked 7 seconds off last months' PB.

Having looked back at the first time I did this race, (March) I have knocked 4 minutes of my PB and have done better each time.

Talk about ending on a high note!

I have now made the decision to take a break for a few weeks, or maybe a month. Since my Great West Run in May, I've had various injury issues and think the most sensible thing to do is to take a break.

Please sponsor me - http://www.justgiving.com/Sofie-Haidon

Brooks Adernaline 12

About 3 weeks ago, I bought a pair of Brooks Adrenaline 12; as my New Balance 660s have completely worn out and were giving me a lot of pain.

They are so comfortable. Have had a minor problem with blisters; but nothing major that would prevent me from running. I love them.

I did try on the 11s last year; but they do not offer quite enough support for me. The 12s are extremely comfortable and a pleasure to run in.

I did have a bit of an issue with shin pain; but from previous experience, I do know that this isn't really anything to worry about and it should wear off. It has worn off, thankfully.

New shoes time

On my last few runs, I've had a really achy hip. On Monday, I spoke to someone at Sweatshop and asked how do I know if I need new shoes? He said to bring them in and he'll check for me. I then went out on my run. What a painful run that was.

Wednesday came and I headed back to Sweatshop and had my shoes checked. It was confirmed that my shoes were in need of replacing.

I was told by someone that he's just saying this to get me to buy new shoes and I shouldn't be getting new shoes every time I ache. It wasn't an ache - I couldn't put weight on my right leg without being in an awful lot of pain.

On Thursday, I went to Saltash Sports to get a second opinion. He said the same - it is my shoes. He then demonstrated that if you can bend your shoes, they're gone and need replacing.

I tried the next model up from mine - New Balance 860s. They felt ok; but not brilliant. I then tried on a few pairs of Mizunos and he said that they didn't suit my feet at all. I then tried on some Asics 1100 series. (no idea of exact model) They were ok; but nothing amazing. I tried on some Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12. I tried the 11 on last year and they didn't have quite enough support. The GTS 12 seem to have been the best of out of the 5 pairs (I tried on 2 pairs of Mizunos) that I tried on. I am now the owner of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12.

I went out in my Brooks for a quick run yesterday - they felt so good. I was unsure about going for a long run; as I didn't want to be near Marsh Mills and have painful blisters (I had one walking home in my Brooks on Thursday) or have some hip and leg pain. The run was really slow and I couldn't seem to pick up the speed.

I am hoping to go on a 5k with SRC (Sweatshop Running Community) tomorrow evening, where I shall try them out properly. I have decided to keep track of how far I run in both my Brooks Adrenaline and Asics 2150s to see how long they last for.

Due to my issues with my shoes, I had made the decision not to do a 5 mile race today. On Wednesday, I shall be taking part in the Armada Athletics 3k Winter Series.

A race report and shoe review will follow.

You can sponsor me at http://www.justgiving.com/Sofie-Haidon

VLM Reject

So, I received a magazine in the post on Thursday, which informed me that I have been unsuccessful for the 2013 London Marathon. Ah, well. Not marathon ready at all; so it would have just been deferred anyway.

I will be reapplying next year I think. I am hoping that in 2014 I will be ready.

Sweatshop Running Community

Not posted for a while; as it will just turn into a moan about how crap my runs have been.

Last week, I had a lot of trouble with running club and being left behind. As it's getting dark, it's now being dangerous.

A few weeks before, I'd signed up to Sweatshop Running Community. I went along on Thursday to see what they're like. I loved it. There was no issue of being left behind; as we were doing intervals and kept doing loops. As much as I hate loops (and laps) I loved this particular session.

After an hour we went back to club. As I was leaving, the leader asks me if they've scared me off, to which I replied "not yet!" I was informed that their Monday sessions (which never go above 5k) are much slower than Thursdays sessions.

I will certainly be going back there again.

The Olympics

So, for the last few weeks I've been following the Olympics. What a fantastic event it is. I watched most of the running events and have to say that some of the times scared me! They're so fast.

Can't wait until 2016.

Thunder Run

I will do a proper race report at some point.

Over the weekend, I took part in a 24-hour team race called Thunder Run. The goal was to run as many laps as was possible in 24 hours. We decided the fairest way was to draw names out of a hat and then see how everyone feels as to who runs when.

I was last. This meant running sometime around 7.30/8pm. Great I thought. This gave me time to relax, hydrate and get enough fuel inside me.

It was a really lovely weekend. I got slightly injured and really will not be running this next year. As fun as it was, the course was really awful to run.

It was very well organised.

Wanted: Mojo

I was informed on Friday that's now less than 2 weeks until Thunder Run. I am now concerned. I have no mojo at all and have never run when it's really dark or run more than once during the day. I've not run more than 6k since January.

Needless to say, I'm now panicking...

The loss of my mojo

About 7 weeks ago, I ended up injured during the Great West Run. I then had 4 weeks of rest and then tried (and failed) to get back into running. I failed. I seem to have completely lost my mojo.

Today saw me take part in Race for Life. I hate laps. It was also difficult at times and my slowest 5k (40:58) for a very long time. Had to walk some due to pulling my hip during the warm up and my reoccurring knee troubles.

Running on an empty stomach

I tried doing this on Wednesday. It didn't work at all. I managed about a mile before having to head home and get some food.

Since getting injured, I have really struggled to get my mojo back. On Sunday, I am doing Race for Life and about 4 weeks after that, I am hoping to take part in the Addidas 24 Thunder Run with a group of friends.

Back to running

I have not trained / run properly since Great West on May 6th due to injury. I've tried running during that time and the end result has been painful.

I took 2 weeks off and decided no running at all. I then did a short run on Monday and it felt good. Very slow; (as planned) but I did it with no pain. Had a slightly faster run with club on Thursday. Ended up slightly sore; but nothing that a day of rest wouldn't solve. I then ran yesterday and that felt good. Again, it was slow; but not painful at all.

I am hoping I am fit enough to run all of Race for Life in 2 weeks time. That was originally the date I was going to attempt my first half marathon; but lack of training and injury meant I had to change my plan.

First experience of marshalling

Earlier this year, I agreed to help marshal the Plymouth Half Marathon. If you marshal the half marathon, you get a free entry into the 10k.

I got there early and managed to (just) arrive at the wrong place. I was then transported to the place I was meant to be at.

A few hours later, we were told that the first runners should be on their way soon and I had to divert them. Some cheeky runners asked if they had to turn where I was - no! They had to run up a but more and then turn.

I saw many club mates there and said hello to them. One gave me a high five. Got passed by a man dressed as Elvis and another in a mankini - lovely!

One man asked me how much further and I said he only had 9.1 miles to go. He replied with "I love you!"

After one hour, we were told we could stand down and that we'd receive a phone call saying thank you.

All in all, it was a good experience.

In the evening, some members of club had decided to go for a curry and one member said that if I enter the half next year, his wife will too. She didn't look too happy with that!

Great West 5k

I arrived pretty early as the person who took me up there, was doing the HM which started elsewhere.

After finally finding some toilets, we were called over for briefing. We were asked that we observe a 1 minute round of applause. Last year, a man sadly passed away during GWR.

And then we were off. Despite starting fairly close to the front, I wasn't passed by that many people during the first km.

The second km came and I'd been passed by many people. On the second lap, (2 laps of 2.5km) I was stuck behind some people who were walking and using all the pavement and there was no way to pass them. Please, if you're going to do that, move out the way to let others past. I looked at my watch which said I'd done the first lap in around 18 minutes - just a bit higher than my target time of 35 minutes.

By the time I was starting my second lap, I could see people finishing the race and the crowd were cheering people on.

I had now reached the third km and felt a slight pull in my knee.:'( Not wanting to pull out, (don't want another DNF) I decided to carry on, knowing that we only had 2km to go.

KM 4 came and at this point, we saw loads of people cheering others on. I also realised that for the first time since Plymouth 10k, I wouldn't be last!

Almost at the finishing line now. Knee was playing up slightly. Not wanting to walk across the finish line, I decided that I would run the rest.

Came across the finish line to be greeted by a crowd and the announcer person calling out my number.:)

We were then given t-shirts and medals. Not that keen on the medal, it's a bit, well, bland.

Very well organised I thought. Not sure if I'll be doing it next year - not that keen on laps.

Chip time - 36:50, Cat pos. 19.

No London 10k for me

Ok, the plan is to do 12 races in 12 months. Originally, I had planned to do the London 10k at the end of May.

Unfortunately, I was having injury trouble and hadn't trained enough to even think about running this weekend.

The Tuesday before, I was at club doing hills. I managed 1km before I felt something go in both knees. I was told by my coach to stop running and that I shouldn't run that weekend. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I've only had one pain free run since Great West on May 6th.

I went up to London that weekend anyway; as I'd paid for travel and hotel. It was so hot. I am glad that I didn't run. The weather for running was awful. It was bad enough just walking around; let alone running 10k!

Maybe next year...

No half marathon for me

I've spent the last 3 weeks training for the Torbay half marathon at the end of June.

Unfortunately, during the Great West 5k last Sunday, (race report will follow later) I felt the back of my click and it started hurting.

I decided that there would be no running on Tuesday and would see how I was on the Wednesday. I was ok. I then went out on Thursday and at around the 3 mile mark, my knee clicked again and hurt a lot.

I went out for a run yesterday and managed 400 meters before it started protesting.

I hope I'm ok for the London 10,000 in 2 weeks times.

Making progress

About 2 months ago, I was informed that my running partner at running club would be away for 6 - 7 weeks and that when he comes back, we can start half marathon training.

He came back on Tuesday - that was a wonderful surprise. Anyway, we went for a run together and with a few others. During the run, he said that I'd come very far since he last saw 2 months ago.

We met up again at club on Thursday. Unfortunately, his knee was giving him trouble and he had to pull out after 100 yards. I went for a run with a few others. I then came back and he asked how I did. I told him that yet again, I did no walking at all.

He informed me that I may regret agreeing to him helping me with half marathon training. 2 months ago!

Saltram 5km race report

Decided at first to have a quick walk around Saltram; having never been there before. What a lovely place it is.

10 minutes before the start, we got asked if we knew where the start was. If we didn't, we should start heading over there.

I lined up and tried to see if I could spot anyone else from club. There was a grand total of one person there; whose name I didn't know. There was a scary amount of people from Plymstock Road Runners.

The race started. A load of people passed me and I was determined not to walk any of this race. The marker said 1km; but my watch said we'd only done .75km. The second km took ages to come up. By this time, we were in woods. Not overly keen on running in woods. The ground is so uneven and not always possible to run on.

We then got to 3km and had to pass a field and part of the ground was covered in pebbles. I tried (and failed badly) to run over this. A man from Plymstock RR shouted hello at me as he passed. Before I knew it, he was miles ahead of me.

4km came and we were still on grass / woods. I had to walk some of this; as it really was difficult to run.

After running for a bit longer, I came to the car park and knew I was almost there.

According to my watch, it was 4.4km in 39:22. Spoke to race direction and they said that the signal sometimes goes in woods.

Not planning on doing this one again. Not overly keen on running through woods.

A new PB finally!

I set myself some goals at the start of 2012. They were:
- 12 races in 12 months
- Sub 37 5k
- Sub 1:15 10k
- First half marathon
- 750 miles

I completed race 3 a few weeks ago. Last night, I went out for a run with club. The plan was 3.16 miles. We did 3.4 miles in 33 minutes. This gives me a 5k personal best (PB) of 29:59.

A personal best - finally!

The start of 2012 saw me set myself the following goals:
12 races in 12

Armada Athletics 3k

This is the second time I've attempted this race. The first time, I got a DNF (did not finish) due to falling over part way through.

This time, however, I managed to finish.

I started off slowly - thinking that if I go off too fast, I won't finish. Everyone else had a different idea - just go off as fast as possible.

For the first 1-2kms, I was racing with someone in order to not finish last. Eventually, I lost sight of him and finished miles behind everyone else.

As I came across the line, everyone cheered. I love it when this happens.

Will be going back when this starts again in October. Next month, it's the 5k series. Might do that one.

Bath Skyline 5k series race report

Just before the race, I met up with some people who informed me that this race is hilly.

Got to the start and ran on the grassy area and then came across mud. That was interesting; as I have never run in mud like that before.:lol:

Part way through, it was ridiculously slippery and hilly - this made running difficult. Not wanting to risk my own safety, I had no choice but to walk this. This pissed off the man behind me me, who wanted to get past - there was no where safe (ie, it was bloody narrow) for me to go to - normally, we're told to stay on the left and let the fast runners through.

Finally, 2km come and I just plodded along and almost fell a few times.

Finally, managed to start running again on the grassy area; which went on forever and forever.

Good race; but don't feel I could do this again.

Time of 53:54

My first DNF

On Wednesday, I took part in the Armada Athletics 3k which takes place during the winter and there's a longer route in the summer.

I started running, did the first km and fell over. I then asked about first aid and got completely ignored. I carried on running and found another marshal. This time, he decided that I need to go back to the start and go to first aid.

I decided that carrying on really wasn't a good idea. My shoes were giving my blisters and I'd grazed my knees and hands.

I am hoping to do this race again next month without falling over.

Unfortunately, this also meant that I've only done one run this week and not three.

Going back to the beginning again...sort of

On the advice of my running partner, I have started trying going back to some [url=http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml]couch to 5k[/url] stuff. So far, it's worked. It looks like I should be able to get my times right down for 5k and 10k and should be in the position whereby I am doing little or no walking.

I have almost come to the end of week 6. This now has no walking at all and is focused more on increasing the amount of time you run. The increases aren't huge; but it can still be a bit of a struggle running continuously for around 22 minutes, which is where I am now. Only a few more weeks to go and then I should be able to run 5k. I will then try to find a programme which means I should be ready for the Haldon Heartbeat (8.55 miles) at the end of April.

It's certainly going to be a hectic few months running wise.

Due to having to go sort of back to the beginning, I've had to change the races that I'm going to do. I have no runs now until the end of February, which is a 5k in Bath (Skyline series) and then the following week, I am in Cardiff for the St David's Day 5k.

Exeter First Chance 8/1/12

Got there quite earlier, having gone for a wander beforehand. By this time, I'd been awake for a good 7 hours and was starting to get quite bored. Just wanted to go out there and run! We were warned that the start was a good ten minute walk from race HQ, which for me, was a good thing.

Started off quite slow and saw no club mates there. Unfortunately, we passed far too many bikers and walkers and had to constantly shout that runners were coming through.

The race didn't appear to be just road - never had a race which wasn't just road.

I passed (or got passed by) a scary amount of runners wearing fluorescent yellow running tops. :lol: (a few of the clubs' colours)

The race was two laps - I hate laps a lot. Just can't get on with them.

Part way around the second lap, I started to speed up slightly, having tried to keep a slow pace in order not to use too much energy before the end of the race.

Near the end of the race, I had a few people (I think they were marshalls) telling me to go faster. I ended up sprinting across the finish line to discover that a few team mates were at the finish line to meet.:)

All in all, it was a good race. Will certainly be doing this next year. Finish time of 1:21:53 = 53s slower than Castle Combe, which I found to be much harder.