Third time's a charm!

First thing's first, to round off the last blog, the Mansfield race was short!!! It took the officials a few days to confirm it, and they never confirmed exactly how much by, but from the comments of other people, it was around 400 metres. All in all, I'd judge the whole inaugural Mansfield 10k as alright, but with a lot of lessons to learn for the organisers.

One good thing did come of the disappointment of the time being void for Mansfield 10k though - the following Saturday I set about Parkrun and managed my best ever time of 29:32! Shaved nearly a minute and a half off my previous PB and broke the sub 30 target too!

So in the next couple of days I started browsing around for my next challenge. I saw a few that looked sort of alright and mentioned it at work, to which my colleague eagerly decided we should definitely sign up for the Crossdale 10k. So we did.

Not much to tell about the training in the weeks leading up to the race really. Done a lot more outside running compared to treadmill running now that I'm living over the river in a more scenic area. Also, brought myself one of those fancy watch things that track how far and fast I go, which I found very exciting (yep, I've turned in to one of those people!)

Skip forward to race day and I wasn't feeling too bad. The weather was decent, I had my fan club on hand to support me, and I was only slightly apprehensive about the unfamiliar trail terrain as opposed to the road running I'm used to.

Then we started the walk to the start line and the apprehension started to merge in to more of a blind panic.

I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm fairly unsteady on my feet. So it didn't bode well for me that the ground was uneven and a bit on the slippy side. As Dave (my mate from work) and I walked down the starting point we started to seriously question what we'd let ourselves in for. The starting horn went, I stuck my headphones in, set my watch off and set about running down the steep hill stretched out in front of me.

Once I'd set of I realised that I was actually quite enjoying this trail business. The scenery was lovely, and it was great to be out in the open in the fresh country air. Things could have been much worse!

Then I got to a puddle and nearly died. Well nearly fell flat on my arse but it's just about the same things. I was a bit on the cautious side for a while after that, but on the whole the trail was fairly easy going. Kilometres four to six were a bit boring and tedious, but I think that seems to be a bit of a pattern, I set off well, get a bit bored, then get excited when the end is in sight.

So I passed the 9km sign with the excitement that I'd be crossing the finishing line soon, went under a nice little bridge thing and came out again with the finish line practically in sight. There was just the small matter of the massive hill I'd absent mindedly ran down without a care in the world less than an hour earlier standing in my way.

I got to the foot of the hill and was determined to run up it, it was only a hill it looked like this...

About 50 metres up and I started to I was climbing a hill into the clouds. It was bloody hard. I chickened out of the running and thought I'd have a little walk. But seconds late I spotted my brother and his girlfriend so thought I'd better show willing and start running again. This lasted about five steps. This pattern pretty much continued until the top of the hill, walk a bit run a bit until the bitter end. It was flipping hard but I got there at the end, Dad cheering me on from the top and Simon and Katie willing me on alongside me. Just a bit of another hill and a sprint to the end and I'd done it! Race number three over and done with, crossing the line exactly three seconds quicker than my previous PB!

As much as I've waffled on about the hill, I really can't do it justice with words, so here's the elevation graph from that fancy new watch I mentioned:

Unfortunately, there was no fancy medal this time, which means we completely forgot to take sweaty finishing photos!

Despite the hill, I really did enjoy this one, it was a lovely atmosphere (I've not even mentioned the kids' fun run!) and it's definitely one I'll be pencilling in next year - maybe I'll even run all the way up the hill!

So that's it, race number three done! Got a couple lined up over the next few months, including a Santa run which I'm extremely excited about, watch this space!

At it again!

Soon after signing off my last blog with the idea that my running would turn back in to being more of a social stroll on the treadmill a couple of times a week with a parkrun pb attempt here and there, the inaugural Mansfield 10k was announced.

Still slightly buzzing from the memory of the WR10k, I signed up immediately. Yes, I had a holiday and numerous birthday plans coming up, and yes the Mansfield race included lots of hills, but I'd really surprised myself with how much I enjoyed WR so I didn't give it a second thought as I filled in the form and booked my place.

To be honest, even before signing up for my new race, the post-race high from WR meant I was absolutely smashing the running thing, and (to my surprise) enjoying it as well! My first session back at the gym after it went like a dream, I hit my fastest mile time by far and felt like I could do anything. I whizzed round the following Parkrun like nobody's business. It was going great.

Then I made the mistake of going on holiday. Well, it wasn't a mistake at all, I loved it. But lots of alcohol and only some mad tearing up of the Benidorm dancefloors do not make for the best training regime.

By the time I made my return to the gym, nearly two weeks had passed since I'd last ran, and the vodka, wine, sangria cocktails and rubbish food had taken their toll. That was a hard two miles. Panic stricken and with the Mansfield race only 18 days away I knew I needed a plan.

It turns out, the really good plan I made for myself was about as useful as the revision timetables I used to spent hours making and colour co-ordinating when I had exams coming it. The plan did not go to... well... plan.

Due to my good friends Smirnoff and sauvignon, the 7.5km and 8.5km runs I had planned for the two Sundays leading up to the race did not happen. I managed to bang in a mid-week 7.5 at one point but other than that I never went above 5k in training.

Despite this, I still wasn't too worried. Until about 5pm yesterday. That's when it properly started to kick in. What was I thinking, why hadn't I been more strict etc etc. After a somewhat sleepless night, my alarm went of at 7am this morning and it was time to get ready.

Forcing down my pre-run breakfast, my stomach was in knots and I couldn't stop thinking about how the rising temperature outside. I'm a natural worrier, so give me something to actually worry about and I'm a snappy, stroppy nightmare (ask my parents how delightful I was this morning if you don't belive me!)

We parked up and made our way to the park and I got in the queue for registration. Not being a regular race runner, I didn't realise how unusual it is for numbers not to be posted. I got there really early (part of my worrying ritual) and got my number pinned on and ready and then sat and watched the queue grow and grow and grow. With the clock ticking it was starting to be obvious we wouldn't be crossing the start time until way past the advertised time of 9.30.

After what seemed like an age, we were off! You can clock my mug running through the start line about 22 seconds into this video. The first lap wasn't too bad, it was hot, I was sweaty but it was alright. Then I seemed to hit a bit of a wall. I was shattered, my legs hurt, my head felt a bit weird and my now-warm energy infused drink was not helping at all.

I was trying my hardest but I was struggling massively. I had one of the biggest arguments I've ever had, with myself, in my head. I had a little walk and told myself I wasn't going to hurl my guts up on the street and carried on running for a bit. Then I walked for a bit again. Then I ran again. I was almost certain I was going to collapse and probably die.

Then I looped back round to the market place for what was probably the last 2km of the course and I started to realise I was nearly there. People were clapping and cheering and the finish line was within reach.

After learning on my first journey via the water station that it's impossible to drink from a cup and run, I did my last  power-walk striding break while I got some water on board and then this was it. I was going to do it.

I set about the final bit of the course with a new determination, who cared if my time was going to be terrible, I was going to cross that finish line whatever it took. Even the last hill didn't seem so bad.

Seeing the sign saying "200 meters to go" spurred me on no end, and as I ran through the crowd into the market place I forgot all about my aching legs and blistered feet. Running past Mum and Dad with a big wave and a smile on my face, I was on cloud nine. And then I saw it. The timer - telling me I was well on schedule for a comfortable PB. As I crossed the finish line I was such a mixture of happy, tired and relived that all I could do was burst in to tears when I found my parents.

It was an emotional rollercoaster of an hour to say the least, but I'd done it! And I've already spend a fair bit of time looking for what to sign up to next.

Unfortunately, since the race I've seen a few comments on social media saying people's Garmins (fancy tracking devices) have measured the race as short. Apparently this could be down to the hills or something. I'll be absolutely gutted if the organisers did balls it up and measure it wrong! Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted.

If you've got to the end, thank you very much for reading my massive waffle!

Kay :) xx

Mission complete!

I DID IT!!! It's now nine hours since I crossed the finish line and I'm still absolutely buzzing - if it wasn't for the fact that I was a sweaty mess I reckon I'd still be walking about in my t-shirt and medal.

I set off today hoping to come in at around one hour ten minutes, that's sort of what I had in the back on my mind. Anything could have happened, and I'd have been genuinely happy even if I strolled over the finish line at about two hours. 

So I was absolutely ecstatic when I got my results message telling me I'd completed the race in 1:02:51! I've even got a dodgy, Microsoft-Word-based certificate, look: 

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed myself as well, the atmosphere was great, the route was lovely and I had some of my favourite people there to cheer me on. I can't believe how quickly it went by as one km turned into two then three and so on, before I knew it I was sprinting up to the finish line with the biggest smile I've had one my face for a long time. 

I'm not sure exactly what my total raised is yet, I've still got some bits and bobs to add up but it looks like it will be around the £175 mark, which I'm thrilled with. I really can't thank everyone enough, not just for the donations but for the continued support over the last couple of months. It's meant so much having you all behind me! 

If if you've still not done that donation you've been meaning to, it's not too late! Get yourself over to www.justgiving.co.uk/kayk10k and I'll be eternally grateful! 

Who knows what's next on the agenda, looking back at my old posts tonight has made me realise how far I've come since the start of the year. I genuinely do enjoy running now and will be carrying on with it. Maybe I'll be back next year with a marathon mission... maybe!

All that remains for me to say is thank you again for reading my weekly waffling on, hopefully you might have even slightly enjoyed it! Here are a couple of photos of me looking a sweaty mess to sign off with! 

Immediately post-race, fresh sweat and all!

Alzheimer's soc t-shirt, nffc sweatbands. Latest fashion! Still pretty sweaty here!

Modelling my finisher's t-shirt, slightly less sweat!

Final photo from my first (potentially of many!) race!! 

Thank you, and goodnight! Kay xx

The calm before the storm

One week until race day! After the sheer panic and worry that's set in over the last few weeks (I've started dreaming about it now, sure fire way of knowing I'm worrying about something), this evening I'm feeling weirdly calm. 

I'm not expecting it to last, since I signed up for this race I've had more ups and downs than Blackpool Pleasure Beach! My mindset has flickered between being completely convinced I'll massively fail (or potentially even die) one minute and then feeling positive, confident and like I'll smash it the next minute. 

Maybe I'm feeling so calm and positive today because, one thing I have smashed thanks to loads of generous donors is my fundraising target! I really do appreciate every penny! I'm not planning on stopping there, and hopefully by the time my race comes I'll have raised well over the £100 mark! 

The plan for the week ahead is to have a couple of gentle jogs and then enjoy a bit of a carb-fest (and probably a very early night) on Saturday!

Nearly there!!! 

The Final Countdown...and other popular motivational songs!

In tonight's blog, I don't want to talk about how there are only two weeks until race day. Nor do I want to talk about how that means I'll have eight practice runs at the most until the race. I'm not even going to talk about the fact that I'm still not even half way towards my fundraising target.

This evening I'm going to talk about music.

For me, a big part of my motivation when I'm running comes from having some music on while I'm doing. There are a couple of ways it helps me. I run faster when listening song I really like that has a good 'drop'. When I'm getting near the end of the distance I'm running that day I encourage myself by thinking 'two more songs...'. Also, I think it generally just helps to make it more interesting, especially on the treadmill when there's no nice scenery to take in (well, apart some of the men!)

Generally, I just stick on a 'running trax' album and off I go - they're simple effective running songs. But out of the whole album I probably only listen to about seven songs. So as part of my final preparations (have I mentioned there are only two weeks to go?) I've decided it will be a good idea to put a raceday playlist to keep me going for the whole 10k route (which I'm still no where near being trained enough to do, in case you were wondering).

So I'm appealing for help! I want your suggestions of good, motivational, upbeat songs to keep me going. I'm not fussy about genre, however I've recently discovered dubstep can be quite difficult to run to! What would be great is if you've got a song that has a memory with me attached to it (for the extra motivation when that memory pops in my head while I'm running round!)

As ever, please don't forget the whole reason behind my blog is that I would love to raise a good amount of money for Alzheimer's Society!

Panic (v) sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety

I received a parcel this week. Normally, when I get any form of mail I find it a bit exciting (needless to say that's because all my bills are emailed to me..) But my parcel this week is something I'd been expecting to come any day. The thing I'd been so eagerly awaiting was this (excuse the creases!):

I've always been a worrier and this weekend has proved to be no exception. As soon as the excitement of ironing the letters on (yes I ironed them on and neglected to iron the rest of the top) the panic started to set it.

Race day is bloody close now, and I can only just about manage half the distance of the 10k route. I did improve my Parkrun time by a good minute this week, but I need to be able to run twice that distance in what is now less than three. weeks.

Added to that, I'm moving house this week, which means training might get a bit difficult. I'm not saying I won't be doing any, but it's likely to be more frequent, shorter runs.

Only 21 days to go, and while I'm not saying I don't think I'll be able to do it (I'll crawl over that finish line if I have to!!), I'm really really worried that I won't be very good at it. And those of you who know me well will know that I don't like to be not very good at things.

I'm also worried that I've barely had any sponsors yet! I'm hoping that as next week's end of month pay day comes and the days to the race get nearer, then people will start to donate.

In summary, this weekend I'm panicking. I'm panicking about running, I'm panicking about sponsors and I'm panicking about moving house. All these things combined mean that Aldi definitely need to start panicking about their wine stock reserves...

If you're one of those people who don't have too much month left at the end of the money, please drop by my Just Giving page and donate a little something, I really do appreciate it!!!

Soggy Saturday

I've never been one for huge lie-ins at the weekend. Not because I don't want to stay in bed for a good few hours longer than during the week, but because I've got a finely tuned body clock that refuses to let me sleep past 7am most of the time. 

So naturally, when I needed to be up at about 7.45am yesterday to take part in my first ever Parkrun, I was still sound asleep when my alarm went off. Hearing the rain hammering on the window really wasn't encouraging me to get out of bed, either. But I'd decided beforehand that I was going on this run so I dragged myself out of my pit and got my running gear on. 

I'd seen a few things about Parkrun on Facebook and via a massive banner on my running routes so I gave it a Google last week to find out exactly what it is. In short, it's a 5k, timed run and it happens up and down the country at 9am on Saturday. 

For the last week or so I've been getting a bit bored of my training routines again so I thought I'd give it a go. I also thought it would be a good idea to have a go at running with a big group to get some experience of it ahead of race day (which is four weeks today...) 

I'm not sure why, but I was a bit nervous as I made my way there. I needn't have been though! There were around 80 people at the start line and everyone was lovely and friendly. There was a quick welcome/safety speech and then we were off! 

Despite the absolutely shocking British summer weather and the steep hilly bits (which I normally avoid), I really enjoyed myself! It was nice to be running with other people and getting to the end was really satisfying! I  was near the bottom of the finisher's table but I'm fairly pleased with my time of 32:47 mins.

I'll definitely be going back next week!! If you want more info on Parkrun, have a look at parkrun.org.uk 

As I mentioned earlier, there's now only four weeks until my race!! I'm not even half way to my target sponsorship yet, please give generously! www.justgiving.co.uk/kayk10k