I am a half marathon runner!!

Right then, today. Where do I start?! I'll start at the beginning (I've heard that's a very good place to start...) 

My alarm went off at 6.30am... no don't worry it won't be that boring 

At the start of today I was nervous, extremely nervous. I'm not normally a nervous type, but I am one for putting a lot of pressure on myself, so I think that, coupled with the fact that a half marathon isn't exactly an easy walk in the park, set my stomach butterflies into overdrive. 

I managed to keep things quite well at bay for the first few hours of the day, there was a great buzz around the race village and a particular highlight was catching up with my old friend, Becky. But then before I knew it it was time to head into the pens and my bloody nerves went into overdrive. I spent the next 20 minutes doing what can only be described as a nervous jig which I'm hoping was just about in time to the music to look like I was having a little dance. 

Eventually, the claxons started going and the elites were off. Slowly but surely, my gang walked forward and made our way towards the start line, at long last it was time to start! I pressed play on my mp3 player and the beats of antidote by Swedish House Mafia (always my first song of the race) kicked in and I was off!!

And just like that my nerves melted away! I was running like I've done hundreds of times before and it wasn't scary anymore! People were lined on the pavements and clapping and I couldn't stop smiling. I was finally doing the half marathon that I've been training for months to do. The first couple of KMs (forgot to change the bloody measurements on my watch) went by like a breeze, I kept bumping into the lovely Becky, joined in on a bit of 'bants' with fellow runners and was in excellent spirits. 

Robin Hood marathon/half is popular with runners across the country for being quite flat... and in the most part it is. However, just shy of two miles in you turn off Castle Boulevard and begin the ascent into the Park. Flipping heck the hills!! Obviously, castles are built on hills for a reason, but I've no idea which bloody evil person decided the route should take in these hills. After about a mile of seemingly never ending hills that twisted and turned through the really lovely park area of town I was so glad to see the familiar semi-derelict sights of canning circus.. it meant the gradual descent of Derby Road was upon us! 

Trotting down Derby Road with a grin on my face thinking about many uni memories from the area was great, I was really getting into my stride and enjoying myself by this point. Smiling away to myself, I started to hear "KKAAAAAAYYYYYY" and see flapping arms to the side of the road. My little smile turned into a huge grin as I saw two of my best pals cheering me on! I'm quite the emotional type so I definitely had a few teary sniffles for the next couple of hundred meters. 

I'm conscious that I'm going on a bit now, so I'll summarise miles 4-10. Hot, liked seeing the speedy runners on their way back, loved Wollaton Park, running down the ringroad was fun. Not a fan of the several hairpin bends. There was a final evil hill moment on Abbey Bridge but the cheerleading squad from my lovely Notts Women Runners helped with that!

Before I knew it, I was approaching mile 10 which was when I really started to think "shit, I've got this, I've nearly done.. only a parkrun to go!" I had another couple of little sniffely teary moments when I realised this, one by the Irish Centre where there was a live band playing and another coming past the train station when it really hit me how close I was. 

In what seemed like no time at all, I was at mile 12 and so nearly there! Turning back onto the Embankment and into some well needed shade I couldn't keep the smile off my face. The crowd support on the finishers tunnel was like nothing I've experienced, hundreds of people clapping, smiling, cheering! I almost missed mum and dad, and their camera unfortunately missed me! 

I attempted my usual sprint-finish but my legs weren't fully cooperating, however it didn't matter as in what seemed like no time at all I was clicking my watch off and over the finish line! I'd done it, I'd bloody done it!!! 

I collected my very big and heavy medal and eventually found mum and dad where a few more tears ensued, I couldn't believe it was all over! My time is looking like 2:22:09 which I'm really chuffed with.

And that's it really. I can't really think of how else to round it off. Even now hours later I don't think it's properly sunk in... I am a half marathon runner! Who knows what will be next. 

One more shameless plug.. it's not too late to sponsor me! At least now you know you've got your monies worth and I didn't bottle it! Head over to my fundraising page and help me make the most money possible for the fantastic Royal British Legion. 

Wearing my t-shirt proud as punch

My and my dad promoting Wastecycle!

All done! With the world's best football ground in the background

Look at the evil hills!!

Me and the lovely Becky!

One bad run, one week to go.

As my last couple of blogs have described, things have been going well and I've been feeling as positive and confident as one can about their first ever half marathon.

My first week of tapering hasn't been exactly as planned, at some point in the middle of the week germs descended on me and I became somewhat of a coughing, sniffing and spluttering lurgi-filled mess. This meant I decided to give myself a break after four days of spending a good 14 hours out of the house and give Thursday's planned treadmill 5k a miss.

Not too deterred from my missed session and with the worst of my cold behind me, I woke up this morning feeling quite confident and looking forward to the gentle 10k I had planned as my last long run before next weekend. I followed my normal pre-run routine of breakfast etc and set out in the sunshine, looking forward to having an hour to myself away from the chaos that has been the preceding week.

The first couple of kilometres were fine, I was going at my normal 10k pace and really enjoying it. Then something weird that hasn't really happened before came across me as I broke into the third kilometre. My legs went heavier than normal, my eyes went all spekeldy and everything was just weird. I slowed to a stop and as soon as I stopped moving I went scarily dizzy. I quickly clutched onto the nearest lamp-post and tried to get some blood to go back to my head (having a really annoying squeamish complex which often sends me into these weird spells means that luckily I know exactly what to do!)

As I stood (well, leaned) there, trying not to panic I had to decide what my next move was going to be.  I was close to phoning my Dad to come and get me, but as the dizziness passed I went for the "eat a couple of magic beans and walk it off" plan. Either way I knew I'd have to walk a bit to somewhere my Dad could get me from so it seemed the best option.

A bit shaky at first, I slowly got into my stride and made my way around the seemingly never-ending Bypass and eventually felt like I was up to a little jog. I came up with the plan that I'd jog back home to try and remind myself I could, but I'd go for the direct route rather than adding in the extra 4km loop I'd planned to take the run up to 10k.

The rest of the run is quite uneventful really. I got home, had a long soak in the bath, did lots of thinking and, if I'm honest, had a bit of a cry. I felt quite sad and deflated, after all these great months of training I felt a bit like I'd fell at the final hurdle and the confidence I'd spent months building up was faltering fast.

Fortunately, I'm a member of an absolutely fantastic running club. I explained my ordeal to my lovely purple ladies and ever since I've been inundated with advice, encouragement and, most importantly, reassurance. I'm still not feeling as confident as I was this time last week, but I'm feeling a hundred times better than I did as I plodded up the path this morning.

This all leads quite nicely into my plea for sponsorship. Because really, by sponsoring me, you're not just showing your support for the 13.1 mile challenge that lies ahead of me next Sunday. You'll be sponsoring me to recognise the hours, the sweat, the determination and the tears I've put in over the last few months to get me to this stage. I'm raising money for a truly great charity and I'm so keen to get to my £200 target. Head over to my fundraising page and help me to get there.

Thanks for reading!

Running. Out of time.

Despite being in the final stages of training, I've not done an update for a good few weeks. Not because I don't have anything to say (I can always think of something). And not really because my training has been going particularly well or badly (it's been ticking by quite nicely, if you were wondering).

I've not written anything for a few weeks because I've just not been able to find the time.

It seems to be that there's been an unfortunate clash between some of the busiest and most stressful few weeks I've had in a long time - don't worry I won't bore everyone with all the details - and the final few weeks of prep for my first ever half marathon.

I'm not complaining... I've started a Uni course I've really wanted to do for ages and I've been preparing to take over as Brown Owl which I'm excited about, mixed in with the general work-based madness (oh look at that, I am going to bore you with all the details...) So it has been and is still shaping up to be a fantastic bunch of weeks, it's just that like the proverbial bus... everything's came at once.

So enough with my half-moaning, I'd better talk about running.

I think I'm prepared for the half marathon I'll be doing in what is now less than 13 day's time. My long runs have been good, I trained up to 11.5 miles a couple of weeks ago and bashed (well plodded) 10 miles out yesterday so I'm pretty sure I can do it. I'm in the taper phase now, which I'm still not fully sure what it means but I've found a decent online plan to follow.

In standard Kay Knowles style I'm swinging rapidly from being calm and rational to being a snappy, mardy nervous wreck though, something which from previous experience will probably only get more intense over the next less-than-thirteen days.

What I am worrying about is that I've not started collecting sponsorship yet. I chose my charity - The Royal British Legion - several months ago and some admin issues at my local branch mean I'm yet to start my fundraising. Even if I have to do everything the old fashioned way via actual paper forms, I'll be coming round cap in hand by the end of this week and praying the sponsors come flooding in.

Expect a desperate "dig deep pretty please" style blog post to follow. And I promise that post will feature more running. Because.. well.. it's a running blog not a moaning about being busy blog!

A rate good race... Mansfield take two!

First thing's first, for a lot of this blog to make sense, you'll need to read the post I did about the same race last year.

All done? Good, then I'll begin. If not don't worry, I'll summarise below.

2015
Last year, the inaugural Mansfield 10k was a disaster. Not only was it a disaster for me (the second biggest struggle of a race I've ever done), but it was also a disaster for the organisers. Late start, not enough toilet rolls in the portaloos, long queues for everything... and the biggest balls up of all is missing 400-500m of the route. All in all, not a great day.

2016
Couldn't have been more different! Number arrived nicely in time, new town centre meeting point to alleviate the need for manky portaloos and great organisation meaning a prompt gun fire at 9am.

But bigger than any of the formalities and organisation is my personal experience of Mansfield this year. Even though I remembered really struggling last year, reading that post back has reminded me just how tough it was. It was hot, hilly and I was hugely underprepared.

As a result of how difficult it was last year, I headed off on this year's race with barely any pressure on myself - a big thing Miss Self Critical here! I headed down through the market place and out to the first loop in great spirits, there was a great atmosphere and despite the shocker of a first hill (which I knew I'd have to endure two more times) I had a big smile.

Amazingly, this smile stayed with me all the way round. It was hot (but not has hot as last year) and there were still a million hills that I've avoided training for, but something in me just kept me going. No mid-race lull, no mental arguments, nothing.

I can't not mention that it goes without saying my high spirits were 100% backed and helped by the array of smiling, waving and cheering purple ladies around the course. They gave me a huge boost each time I could see one in the distance and between them managed the first ever collection of half-decent photos of me in action. They did a great job marshalling at the event and made me as proud as ever to be team purple!

Despite saying I wasn't putting myself under time pressure, I naturally checked my watch every now and again.. (that's a fib, it was probably every 30 seconds). I was running at a solid 6:00-6:10km pace and after the half-way wall I hit at my last race I kept telling myself to steady on. It seems, however that my legs had other ideas and just kept going. Keeping that eye on my watch I saw myself smash pb after pb and as I ran past my fan club at around 8.5km I did the token Kay thumbs up face and bellowed that I was massively on track.

Smile still on my face, I charged up the penultimate hill and broke back into a run on the flat, dropped my hips to scuttle along the last major down hill and went round the corner to be faced with the evil what-was first hill for the final time (remember, the one I said I'd be doing three times). I began my uphill charge and was about half way when a lady reminded my that I wouldn't be getting that PB unless I gave it my all. So gave it my all I did.

Soon at the top of the hill and onto the home straight (which was a fantastic gentle hill) I went as fast as I could past the crowds and over the finishing line. I'd done it! I picked up my medal (a great one!) and made my way through finishing crowds to find my family so they could hold all my bits and bobs while I eagerly checked my watch.. a comfortable PB and a course which measured in at the right length.. I couldn't be happier!!

Once the chip time came through it confirmed I'd ran a PB by more than a minute.. 1:00:39 and ever closer to that sub 60 I'm so desperate for.

It's less than five weeks until the half marathon now (my race pack came today!) and at this point I'm really excited! The next few weeks are likely to be a complete roller coaster and before long everyone is going to be fed up of my fundraising pestering, but I can't wait for it all!

Once again I've written twice as much as I'd intended.. apologies.

Here's a couple of photos seeing as I don't look like I've got no teeth and in some kind of critical pain!

Big smiles for a change!

I do love a bit of bling!

Another big smile

What looks like a weird bird impression is actually me waving. I believe this includes the sought after flying feet

Big smiles all around.. and that's before I knew my end time!

Doing the impossible #401challenge

Yesterday was a tough, inspiring, painful yet bloody brilliant day.

For anyone who doesn't know what the 401 challenge is, it's a fantastic chap called Ben who is running 401 marathons in 401 days. Why? Well, a couple of reasons.

Firstly, he wants to raise a quarter of a million pounds for two fantastic charities which both do great work that is close to his heart. The first is Kidscape and the other Stonewall, both charities which aim to stamp out bullying, inequality and support those affected by such things.

Secondly - and I only heard him saying this yesterday - because people said it was impossible.

So there we have it, an impressive mission and something I absolutely couldn't pass up the opportunity of being part of when he was local for the last time in the challenge yesterday. Earlier in the week I decided to abandon the idea of the 11 miles I needed for my training plan this weekend in favour of the 7.5mile loop of clumber park with Ben before he headed off for the rest of the marathon. (Any more than 7.5 miles and I'd be running away from my car, which is why I didn't just plan to join him for 11).

This all changed when I got out of my car at Clumber Park and got chatting to a lady from my running club who I'd never met before. Talking about our training schedules and how we both wanted to do a couple more than the 7.5, we decided we'd carry on with the route then double back when we'd done the extra few miles. Great plan.

However, it was impossible not to be inspired by the atmosphere once we'd got going with the first stage (the fantastic Clumber Parkrun) Helen and I hatched a plan. We'd do the 7.5 mile loop, then shift our cars around so we could rejoin the group at mile 15 (which just so happened to be at a fantastic ice cream parlour) and carry on for the next 5 miles to Walesby Camp - a place which means a heck of a lot to me and has millions of happy memories. Sorted!

Well, turns out the inspiration turned into some kind of madness and as time went on we thought we'd add an extra stop then realised we may as well just leave one car at Clumber Park and do the whole of the afternoon leg of the marathon (11.4 miles of it!!).

I'm conscious that I'm waffling on now, so I'll try and rein it in.

After a lovely few hours in the sun at Thyma Dairy, we set off on our afternoon jaunt though the north notts countryside surrounded by a fantastic bunch of runners. I've never had the pleasure of running with such a polite, friendly and motivating bunch of strangers! We all genuinely wanted each other to do well, and the support between us all was like nothing I've ever experienced - all led by this fantastic man who was on day 348 of this 'impossible' task.

I'm not going to say it was a complete pleasure, those last few miles were the hardest I've ever done. Yet we all kept smiling as we asked each other what the hell we were doing and just as I started to think my legs would never be my friend again we were at the finish, Ben and my new friend Helen's beaming faces welcoming us! When I totted up the two halves on my Tomtom I couldn't believe it when I saw I'd done 18.9 miles! A personal best by 8.9 miles and something I'd have thought impossible for me!

All in all it was a great day, and an experience I'd never forget. Please please, check out Ben's website, and, more importantly his Virgin Money page. Every little really does help!

Here are a few snaps from the day.. if I'd have known about all the photos I'd have been in the make-up bag yesterday morning!

Me and Florence the van!

My two loves combines, Guiding and running. Love this place and the memories!

The lovely purple gang - pic courtesy of Clumber Parkrun

The inspirational Ben and I. Photo courtesy of The 401 Challenge.

Me and the lovely Helen.. a perfect stranger until yesterday. Courtesy of Clumber Parkrun.

There's no shame in a short run

What a few weeks it's been! Running (and blogging about running) has had to take a bit of a back-seat because of an array of social events, entertaining and somewhat reluctantly turning 25!

Having a crazy and interesting social life might seem like it's all well and good until you realise that your waistline seems to be ever expanding and your bank balance ever decreasing. And that's without even mentioning the effect on the training regime for the looming half marathon.

Despite being pleased with how my training's going so far, I must admit it has become quite same-sih.. Couple of treadmill sessions during the week and a long run at the weekend. It's hardly surprising really, I'm a massive creature of habit, I like order and routine almost as much as I like wine and chocolate. However, due to my hectic schedule this well thought out and ordered plan has been non-existent and I've had to cram in little runs here and there as and when I've been able to.

And I've really enjoyed it.

It's reminded me that running doesn't have to be about precise route planning and careful pre-hydrating. Getting home from work, throwing your gear on and nipping out for half an hour can be just as satisfying.. I even managed to work in a run around needing to pop to the shops! (Needless to say I must have looked like a nutter running around with a jar of mango chutney on the way home).

The next few weeks are looking somewhat less hectic and training will once again be top (or very close to top, at least). My social calendar is pretty clear which is good as I've realised the necessity of reinstating the drinking ban if I want to make it to 26!

My long-run dates are planned but other than that I'm determined to be more flexible with myself and enjoy a quick trot around the streets now and again.. I might even go wild and do some hills!

Ten

This week has vaguely followed a theme around the number ten. I did my first ten miler yesterday, it's ten weeks today until the half marathon and down in London there's been all sorts happening at a house which happens to be the tenth on a particular road.

I've had this weekend earmarked for doing 10 miles for a while, my life is so busy that all my weekend runs up until the Half are already planned, I know what distances I'll be doing and what day I'll be doing them each weekend so that there's no opportunity to think "I'll do it tomorrow" "I'll get that distance in next weekend" etc. And to be honest, after the disappointment of my run last weekend I was quite looking forward to getting back in the saddle so to speak and tackling a distance rather than pace run.

Something I've learned since I've been upping the distance is how important route planning is. It's alright going for an out and back or a few familiar laps when it's a couple of miles, but I've found this is tedious and repetitive on my longer runs. Plus, I like to be able to sort of visualise where I've got left to go as I'm on my way around.

Over the past few years, I've lived in eight different places in Nottingham, which has been extremely beneficial to my route planning. I know several different pockets of the city, what roads link them together and where any nasty hills are. With all this in mind, I set about planning my route for this weekend and spent the rest of the week really looking forward to getting out and running it.

Saturday morning came around and while I was quite looking forward to it, it did seem slightly daunting too. I'm part of a running club and while it is nice to run with others, I just felt like going on my own this weekend, and I'm really glad I did. As I made my way around the perimeter of the city I started thinking about all the memories I've got at the various places I passed. The beer gardens I've spent hours laughing and drinking in, the houses I've been to mad parties at, where I crashed my car, the site where the tower block I once abseiled down used to stand, a couple of places I've lived and all the memories they held, another place I crashed my car (whoops). The list is huge and I could be typing all night!

Importantly though, running round the city with a smile on my face thinking about all these things really made the 10 miles fly by! I'm not saying it was easy, but I really really enjoyed it! I'm also especially proud of myself for actually remembering my whole route, I think it's the first time I've not ended up making a bit of it up because I've forgot my plan.

So any of my lacking confidence feelings following last week are at the back of my mind for now. I managed to run ten whole actual miles and I've lived to tell the tale. It's now ten weeks until the race and I've only got another 3.1 miles to pull out of the bag which doesn't seem like a huge amount.

I've got three busy/boozy/birthday weekends coming up now so fitting in my runs is going to be a bit tricky. I'm planned and ready though and I know I can fit in at least 10k at some point each week with the next long run (eleven miles) planned in for Saturday 13th August. I'll be 25 then, flipping heck!

In case you're interested, here's the route...

As always, thanks for reading!