Where was I? Ah yes, there had been hills, chaffing, PBs and a half marathon. What did the second half of 2014 have in store?
July: In 2013 I entered my first race, the Leeds 10k. To say that I let myself down is an understatement. Given the amount of training that I had done I was determined to break the 50 minute mark. I finished the Leeds 10k in a new PB of 49:52, over 17 minutes faster than last year. That is what a year of training can do. Total Distance 70.03km
August: With all but one of 2014s races out of the way I needed something to keep me focused and to keep me running until the Abbey Dash in November. 100 mile August should have been enough to keep me focused, however I only managed 23 miles before I injured my knee. I don't know what I did, but I couldn't even run for a bus let alone another 77 miles. The challenge was over, so was running for the foreseeable future. Total Distance 40.44km
September: I discovered in September just how good for me running had been. I had been focusing on times and distances, the fitness benefits had been secondary, a happy by product of achieving my goals. Due to my injured knee I was losing fitness and putting weight back on, but most significantly I was struggling mentally. I needed to do something to clear my head and that something was walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. It was tough with a gammy knee but I made it with a little help from my friends and some walking poles. Total Distance 43.46km
October: After two months off, numerous physio visits and an x-ray, I was finally given the all clear to start running again. I only had 4 weeks before the Abbey Dash but I couldn't risk further injury so I took it steady, starting right back at my first run in 2012, a circuit of Cross Flatts Park. October was also when I found out that I hadn't got a place in the London Marathon. I have never been so happy not to get something that I had wanted. Total Distance 21.31km
November: The Abbey Dash came around faster than I had anticipated. Before my injury I had wanted to get will under 50 minutes but after a couple of months off my feet I just wanted to get around the course. The week of the race a good friend had an awful accident. I raced to raise money for those who helped him and finished in 50:03, 7 minutes faster than last year and only just off my Leeds 10k time. The month ended with the Leeds Christmas 10k Challenge, a multi terrain race around Middleton woods and a smile on my face, I was running again. Total Distance 84.94km
December: With no races and nothing immediate to train for, December has been about enjoying running. I went on an organised group run and I had a few runs with some running buddies. This is significant for me as, apart from races, I have always run alone. I could get used to the communal side of group running. Total Distance 108.59
I'll be honest, 2014 has been a mixed bag, but over all it has been a good year. The only negatives have been the hugely disappointing Pudesy 10k and injuring my knee. The highlight was crossing the finish line for the Leeds Half Marathon, but the race of the year was the Harewood 10k. I will race Pudsey again and lay that demon to rest, but not in 2015, I have plans for 2015.
As for the injury, I'm still unsure what happened to my knee, or what caused it. The knee is still not 100% yet but the forced time off gave me an opportunity to reassess why I run. I know now that running is part of me no matter what the distance or the speed. I don't need to run to prove anything, but I do need to run. It gives me time to reflect, time to breath, and it's good for my health, both physical and mental.
This year was all about the half marathon but there is no room in my running schedule for it next year. 2014 was great, but I have big plans 2015. Thank you for all of the support and encouragement this year, and for reading my blog. I hope you'll come along for the ride next year: 2015 is going to be epic!
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
2014: Personal Bests and personal worsts - Part 1
It is traditional at this time of year to look back at what has happened over the last twelve months. BBC 6Music have their album of the year chart, there was the Sports Personality of the Year awards, and Charlie Brooker has pre-empted his 2014 Screen Wipe with this look at a cruel 2014. I have also been reminiscing.
January: By the time the new year rolled around I was already a few weeks into training for the Leeds Half Marathon. I had managed to keep running during Christmas and had increased the distance of my weekly runs to 8k. I had also taken the decision to stop running along the canal. People had warned me about the hills of the Leeds Half so long flat runs were not going to do me any favours. Total distance 108.16km
February: February was cold, cold and wet. Leeds had been spared the storms that washed away railway lines in Devon and had flooded Somerset, but we still had our fair share of inclement weather. One particularly cold, wet and windy run, I found out first hand the pain and discomfort that comes from joggers-nipple. In fact, there was quite a bit of chafing in February as I tried out different kit for the Leeds Half, but I won't go into the details hear. Total Distance 141.64km
March: My training continued during March but this was the month that something changed. March was when I started to think of myself as a runner. It happened during one of my Sunday long slow runs. My new hilly route took my up Churwell Hill and back down Gelderd Road. I was on my way back home, with Leeds glinting in the morning light, and a smile crept across my face. I was running, on a Sunday morning, when most of Leeds was still asleep, and it felt good. Total Distance 176.8km
April: It had been five months since I had taken part in the 2013 Abbey Dash and I was still a month away from the Leeds Half but April saw my first race of 2014, the Harewood 10k. Having signed up on a whim I had no idea what to expect however I found out that the race was on and off road and could be very muddy. Muddy is an understatement but the race was fantastic. It was a clear day and Harewood House was a fantastic backdrop as we raced around the grounds. I finished in 54:10 due to a massive hill at the end. I then set my sights on May's Leeds Half Marathon. Total Distance 161.97km
May: After 25 weeks of training it was finally here, the Leeds Half Marathon. Although I had put the miles in I still wasn't sure that I would be able to get around the course in my target of 2 hours. I set off too far too fast and in the end I missed my goal by 8 minutes, finishing in a staggering 1:51:48. Over the moon doesn't do justice to how good I felt crossing the finish line. All of the training had been worth it and I could now relax, but not for long as I had unfinished business with the Leeds 10k to deal with in July. Total Distance 133.26km
June: During June I took a bit of time out from constant running. I still ran two to three times a week but having smashed the Leeds Half I didn't feel like I needed to prove anything or punish myself, how wrong I was. I signed up for the Pudsey 10k and knowing that I could cover the distance in around 50 minutes I set off, too fast again. Only this time I didn't manage to maintain the pace and I finished in a very disappointing 56:20. I have unfinished business with the Pudsey 10k but that can wait until 2016. Total Distance 82.28km
With half of the year gone I had covered 804.11km and, the disappointment of the Pudsey 10k aside, I had done it with my head held high. The Harewood 10k and Leeds Half had both given me new official PB's for their distances and I had a clutch of new training t-shirts to wear, which was a good job as I had lost a load of weight along the way. The rest of the year was stretching out in front of me. Six more months of doing the thing I had come to love the most, running. Or at least, that is what I thought!
January: By the time the new year rolled around I was already a few weeks into training for the Leeds Half Marathon. I had managed to keep running during Christmas and had increased the distance of my weekly runs to 8k. I had also taken the decision to stop running along the canal. People had warned me about the hills of the Leeds Half so long flat runs were not going to do me any favours. Total distance 108.16km
February: February was cold, cold and wet. Leeds had been spared the storms that washed away railway lines in Devon and had flooded Somerset, but we still had our fair share of inclement weather. One particularly cold, wet and windy run, I found out first hand the pain and discomfort that comes from joggers-nipple. In fact, there was quite a bit of chafing in February as I tried out different kit for the Leeds Half, but I won't go into the details hear. Total Distance 141.64km
March: My training continued during March but this was the month that something changed. March was when I started to think of myself as a runner. It happened during one of my Sunday long slow runs. My new hilly route took my up Churwell Hill and back down Gelderd Road. I was on my way back home, with Leeds glinting in the morning light, and a smile crept across my face. I was running, on a Sunday morning, when most of Leeds was still asleep, and it felt good. Total Distance 176.8km
April: It had been five months since I had taken part in the 2013 Abbey Dash and I was still a month away from the Leeds Half but April saw my first race of 2014, the Harewood 10k. Having signed up on a whim I had no idea what to expect however I found out that the race was on and off road and could be very muddy. Muddy is an understatement but the race was fantastic. It was a clear day and Harewood House was a fantastic backdrop as we raced around the grounds. I finished in 54:10 due to a massive hill at the end. I then set my sights on May's Leeds Half Marathon. Total Distance 161.97km
May: After 25 weeks of training it was finally here, the Leeds Half Marathon. Although I had put the miles in I still wasn't sure that I would be able to get around the course in my target of 2 hours. I set off too far too fast and in the end I missed my goal by 8 minutes, finishing in a staggering 1:51:48. Over the moon doesn't do justice to how good I felt crossing the finish line. All of the training had been worth it and I could now relax, but not for long as I had unfinished business with the Leeds 10k to deal with in July. Total Distance 133.26km
June: During June I took a bit of time out from constant running. I still ran two to three times a week but having smashed the Leeds Half I didn't feel like I needed to prove anything or punish myself, how wrong I was. I signed up for the Pudsey 10k and knowing that I could cover the distance in around 50 minutes I set off, too fast again. Only this time I didn't manage to maintain the pace and I finished in a very disappointing 56:20. I have unfinished business with the Pudsey 10k but that can wait until 2016. Total Distance 82.28km
With half of the year gone I had covered 804.11km and, the disappointment of the Pudsey 10k aside, I had done it with my head held high. The Harewood 10k and Leeds Half had both given me new official PB's for their distances and I had a clutch of new training t-shirts to wear, which was a good job as I had lost a load of weight along the way. The rest of the year was stretching out in front of me. Six more months of doing the thing I had come to love the most, running. Or at least, that is what I thought!
Friday, 12 December 2014
The Long and Lonesome Road
Since I took up running back in September 2012 I have done so on my own. It's not that I'm naturally a solitary person, preferring my own company to that of others. For me the beauty of running is being able to pull on my trainers and hit the road whenever I'm ready. The idea of running with others always feels like it is adding an unnecessary level of complexity to what is a very straightforward activity.
When I was stood waiting for my first race* to start I couldn't help but think that I could have completed the distance and been at home by the time we finally got under way. I was reluctant to join the local parkrun for similar reasons. I can see the park from my house, but I convinced myself that if I wanted to run 5k on a Saturday morning I could be drinking my second coffee of the day long before 9am, the allotted parkrun start time. I even had the wonderful "Saturday is a rest day" excuse to avoid running with other people while I was in training for the Leeds 1/2 marathon.
I have recently started getting into parkrun though. At first it felt just like a race day, waiting for the "3, 2, 1, GO!" and wondering if I could have already been eating a bacon buttie instead of still standing about in a park. Eventually, after a few weeks, I started chatting to some of the other runners, things changed and I started to get into the spirit of things. When I couldn't run due to injury I still went to volunteer at parkrun, believing that if I couldn't run myself, then the least I could do would be to help others by cheering them on and timing their efforts.
I've come to recognise the camaraderie that can exist between fellow runners. The community spirit at Cross Flatts parkrun is wonderful, with people of all abilities cheering each other on and, certainly between the other volunteers, comparing injuries like Quint, Hooper, and Chief Brodie did whilst hunting 'Jaws'. But still, whenever I take part at parkrun, the second I hear "GO" I zone out and enter my own insular running world.
The idea of running with somebody, whether as a training partner or just for a social run is still very foreign to me. That said, last week I had company on two of my runs and I really enjoyed it. The concept of running at conversational pace is something that I have struggled to get my head around, but running with Mark and Debs allowed me to do just that. The combination of running while putting the world to right without talking to myself could be an addition to my self-help armoury.
The question is, do I actually want to do more social running? Running clubs feel a bit too formal and regimented. Running groups are few and far between in South Leeds, and those that I could join tend to start while I'm still at work. This gap in running provision has been picked up on by Ben from Run England, who has approached me about ME becoming a run leader. Me, a solo runner.
I'll be honest, I am tempted.
Planning runs and routes is one of the many parts of running that I really enjoy. I certainly like encouraging others to run, although I try not to be too evangelical as I know full well that too much encouragement in any direction can have the opposite effect. That said some company could make even the worst run more enjoyable so why not run in a group?
It's time for me to put my thinking cap on, most probably during my next few runs. I suppose making the effort and going out for some organised runs would help me see what I would be letting myself in for if I signed up for the training. I also need to consider if becoming a run leader would impact on my enjoyment of running and, more importantly, whether it will impact on my training for next years races including my first marathon.
I have a lot of unanswered questions and that is where you come in. Do you run with others or are you a solo runner? If a new evening run group started in South Leeds would you be interested? I would love to hear your thoughts.
*2013 Leeds 10k.
When I was stood waiting for my first race* to start I couldn't help but think that I could have completed the distance and been at home by the time we finally got under way. I was reluctant to join the local parkrun for similar reasons. I can see the park from my house, but I convinced myself that if I wanted to run 5k on a Saturday morning I could be drinking my second coffee of the day long before 9am, the allotted parkrun start time. I even had the wonderful "Saturday is a rest day" excuse to avoid running with other people while I was in training for the Leeds 1/2 marathon.
I have recently started getting into parkrun though. At first it felt just like a race day, waiting for the "3, 2, 1, GO!" and wondering if I could have already been eating a bacon buttie instead of still standing about in a park. Eventually, after a few weeks, I started chatting to some of the other runners, things changed and I started to get into the spirit of things. When I couldn't run due to injury I still went to volunteer at parkrun, believing that if I couldn't run myself, then the least I could do would be to help others by cheering them on and timing their efforts.
I've come to recognise the camaraderie that can exist between fellow runners. The community spirit at Cross Flatts parkrun is wonderful, with people of all abilities cheering each other on and, certainly between the other volunteers, comparing injuries like Quint, Hooper, and Chief Brodie did whilst hunting 'Jaws'. But still, whenever I take part at parkrun, the second I hear "GO" I zone out and enter my own insular running world.
The idea of running with somebody, whether as a training partner or just for a social run is still very foreign to me. That said, last week I had company on two of my runs and I really enjoyed it. The concept of running at conversational pace is something that I have struggled to get my head around, but running with Mark and Debs allowed me to do just that. The combination of running while putting the world to right without talking to myself could be an addition to my self-help armoury.
 |
| Cross Flatts parkrun |
The question is, do I actually want to do more social running? Running clubs feel a bit too formal and regimented. Running groups are few and far between in South Leeds, and those that I could join tend to start while I'm still at work. This gap in running provision has been picked up on by Ben from Run England, who has approached me about ME becoming a run leader. Me, a solo runner.
I'll be honest, I am tempted.
Planning runs and routes is one of the many parts of running that I really enjoy. I certainly like encouraging others to run, although I try not to be too evangelical as I know full well that too much encouragement in any direction can have the opposite effect. That said some company could make even the worst run more enjoyable so why not run in a group?
It's time for me to put my thinking cap on, most probably during my next few runs. I suppose making the effort and going out for some organised runs would help me see what I would be letting myself in for if I signed up for the training. I also need to consider if becoming a run leader would impact on my enjoyment of running and, more importantly, whether it will impact on my training for next years races including my first marathon.
I have a lot of unanswered questions and that is where you come in. Do you run with others or are you a solo runner? If a new evening run group started in South Leeds would you be interested? I would love to hear your thoughts.
*2013 Leeds 10k.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Leeds Christmas 10k Challenge
A couple of days ago I read a very interesting blog post by a complete stranger about what it is to consider yourself a runner. It all came about for her after somebody had questioned her runner's status because they were faster than she was. Due to the fact that she was aiming for a sub30 5k at parkrun she was not a 'proper runner'. This was despite the fact that she has completed a marathon and triathlons.
Her exchange* with this running Nazi has been going around my head ever since. I've always shied away from labels, but I do consider myself to be a runner, albeit not a great one. I've even had a running related injury, so I must be one. It seems to me that the only difference between me and somebody like Jo Pavey, other than age, gender, overall ability, and a nomination for Sports Personality of the Year, is that she is a professional athlete and I'm not. But mentally, for me at least, it boils down to the fact that professional athletes think in seasons and I think in years.
The Abbey Dash was meant to be my end of year run, the culmination of a year pounding the pavements of Leeds. However, having only just got back on my feet I fancied a little more race action before setting my sights on 2015. Handily, I was given a flyer for the Leeds Christmas 10k Challenge at parkrun. At the time I wasn't sure if I fancied it but having survived the Dash I signed up.
So on Sunday morning I took up my place at the start line inside John Charles Stadium. It was possibly the most perfect Winter's morning, clear blue skies and a chill in the air that was negated by the sun on our backs as we waited for the starter to get us under way. I shared the 'proper runner' story with a couple of my parkrun friends and we all decided that we would happily give Mr sub17 a reason to run if we ever met him.
The race itself was a multi-terrain affair. Starting on a running track then heading off-road for three laps through Middleton Woods on bridleways and roads. Given the recent weather I decided on trail shoes and I'm glad I did. The initial ascent up Scrooge Hill (their name not mine) was more or less a scramble up a 45˚ muddy slope, if you didn't take the stairs that is. The next section was the uphill bridleway. This was littered with wet leaves covering muddy puddles through which road shoes would have provided no grip.
A steep left hand turn lead to a final steep climb before a gentle tarmacked decent back though the woods, to start the whole thing again. Only without Scrooge Hill. By the time I was going up the bridleway for the third and final time I was more or less spent. I walked past the drinks station and enjoyed a leisurely cup of water without spilling a drop, a first for me in race conditions. I finished the race with running buddy Debs by my side. She encouraged me and kept me company over the final 3k and I enjoyed a running revelation.
I may not be a professional athlete, I may not pass as a 'proper runner' in some people's eyes, but that doesn't matter. Although I struggled at times over the course (I'm still not as fit as I was before my injury), I really enjoyed myself. Over the last couple of years I have pushed to always beat my last time, to go further, to chase records, but not any more. Injury has showed me that no matter how much I protest I enjoy running. If I need to take my foot off the gas to make sure I can enjoy the next run too, then so be it.
I know that I have entered the York Marathon next year so I will be pushing myself to new running territories, but I will be doing so in a way that hopefully will keep me running in the years after I have finished.
For the record, Debs and I both completed the Leeds 10k Christmas Challenge in 54:01, 3 minutes faster than I thought I would finish after 7k. It was a long way from a PB but I finished with a smile on my face and that makes me a proper runner. I also have the t-shirts to prove it.
*You can read the whole thing here
Her exchange* with this running Nazi has been going around my head ever since. I've always shied away from labels, but I do consider myself to be a runner, albeit not a great one. I've even had a running related injury, so I must be one. It seems to me that the only difference between me and somebody like Jo Pavey, other than age, gender, overall ability, and a nomination for Sports Personality of the Year, is that she is a professional athlete and I'm not. But mentally, for me at least, it boils down to the fact that professional athletes think in seasons and I think in years.
The Abbey Dash was meant to be my end of year run, the culmination of a year pounding the pavements of Leeds. However, having only just got back on my feet I fancied a little more race action before setting my sights on 2015. Handily, I was given a flyer for the Leeds Christmas 10k Challenge at parkrun. At the time I wasn't sure if I fancied it but having survived the Dash I signed up.
So on Sunday morning I took up my place at the start line inside John Charles Stadium. It was possibly the most perfect Winter's morning, clear blue skies and a chill in the air that was negated by the sun on our backs as we waited for the starter to get us under way. I shared the 'proper runner' story with a couple of my parkrun friends and we all decided that we would happily give Mr sub17 a reason to run if we ever met him.
The race itself was a multi-terrain affair. Starting on a running track then heading off-road for three laps through Middleton Woods on bridleways and roads. Given the recent weather I decided on trail shoes and I'm glad I did. The initial ascent up Scrooge Hill (their name not mine) was more or less a scramble up a 45˚ muddy slope, if you didn't take the stairs that is. The next section was the uphill bridleway. This was littered with wet leaves covering muddy puddles through which road shoes would have provided no grip.
A steep left hand turn lead to a final steep climb before a gentle tarmacked decent back though the woods, to start the whole thing again. Only without Scrooge Hill. By the time I was going up the bridleway for the third and final time I was more or less spent. I walked past the drinks station and enjoyed a leisurely cup of water without spilling a drop, a first for me in race conditions. I finished the race with running buddy Debs by my side. She encouraged me and kept me company over the final 3k and I enjoyed a running revelation.
I may not be a professional athlete, I may not pass as a 'proper runner' in some people's eyes, but that doesn't matter. Although I struggled at times over the course (I'm still not as fit as I was before my injury), I really enjoyed myself. Over the last couple of years I have pushed to always beat my last time, to go further, to chase records, but not any more. Injury has showed me that no matter how much I protest I enjoy running. If I need to take my foot off the gas to make sure I can enjoy the next run too, then so be it.
For the record, Debs and I both completed the Leeds 10k Christmas Challenge in 54:01, 3 minutes faster than I thought I would finish after 7k. It was a long way from a PB but I finished with a smile on my face and that makes me a proper runner. I also have the t-shirts to prove it.
*You can read the whole thing here
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