Pilates and Advent Running

Sorry for the silence...heres a little update on Pilates at the Pilates Pod and a festive running challenge I've taken on...

As usual I always look wonderful in the thumbnail...really must workout how to sort that one out.

Love, running and mince pies

Holly

x

Equipment Class Part 2 @ The Pilates Pod

So we all know that its not just about how you feel during the class but also the day after (and sometimes the day after that). Find out how I felt the day after an Equipment Class at The Pilates Pod...

Stay tuned for videos on Twin Reformer, Barre and Personal Training at The Pilates Pod.

If you enjoy my videos please give them a thumbs up on YouTube and feel free to drop me a line on Twitter and/or Instagram

Keep podding on (sorry)!

Holly

Equipment Class Part 1 @ The Pilates Pod

Part 1 of my thoughts on The Pilates Pod's Equipment class, I'll leave the vlog to do the talking...

See you in Part 2...

Keep balancing!

Holly

x

Essential Mat Work @ The Pilates Pod

Following on from my previous blog post, I have done another vlog on my second Essential Mat Work class with The Pilates Pod.

Since then I have also done a barre class Pilates style and an equipment class, I'll have those vlogs up in the next few days. These might interest you if you like a little bit more sweat with your workout.

Perhaps I should explain a little more about the Essential Mat Work class and whats 'essential' about it. It refers to the basic positions/moves that Pilates are built on and the first things that you will learn if you are new to Pilates. If you're a complete beginner or haven't done Pilates for a while then this is a great way to ease you back in and help you recall what you have learnt in the past. As a side note, if you haven't done Pilates before then I highly recommend The Pilates Pod: Intro to Pilates Course. Its one session a week for 4 weeks and gives you a really good grounding for what Pilates is all about and a good place to start building on. Its only £50 for the 4 weeks as well (the last one for this year starts on November 13th, book here or call 01462 338002).

Anyway, I shall leave you with my thoughts on my second Essential Mat Work class, please give it a thumbs up if you enjoy it and I'll be back soon with tales of Pilates beyond mat work.

In the studio before my class

(It never starts on a flattering face does it)

Keep balancing!

Holly

x

Non Running...Pilates

Long time no type once again...

This post is and isn't related to running as it is and isn't a proper blog post.

I decided to start doing Pilates again and did my first essential mat work class today at The Pilates Pod in Hitchin. I've vlogged about how it went and where my Pilates journey is going to go from here.

I will do a proper post on why I've decided to go back to Pilates again and what it means for my running, for now though I'm looking to get some variety into my exercise and something that will improve my overall strength and core.

Please let me know what you think of the video and give it a thumbs up if you liked it (please don't let the above face put you off)!

Happy viewing!

Holly

Running Away

Once again its been a whilst since I visited my little corner of the internet, but in the spirit of promising myself that I would keep up this blog post London Marathon...here I am back again. Quality over quantity and all that jazz ;)

Its now been 4 months since the marathon and theres have been a lot of rocky miles since the big 26.2. I'm pretty sure I mentioned previously that I have really struggled to get back into running since then, with it all coming to a head at the Hitchin Hard Half Marathon back in June (see previous post). The disappearance of my seemingly sound running ability prompted me to shy away from the running shoes and get on my bike. I knew that wasn't the end of running but I really appriciated the break and cycling has definately improved my running (more on that when I'm not typing away late at night on a sleep in at work when I have to be up at 6am). The long and short of it...I took the plunge and bought a bike.

So whats in store for running:

• My next event is the Standalone 10k in October. I absolutely love this race as its the one that got me into running and inspired me to do the London Marathon. I first did this local event in 2012 and have decided to make it my annual event. I'm going to be taking it on this year with a couple of friends and hope to (maybe) get a PB. I'm looking forward to giving this event the review it deserves.
• More cycling...my boyfriend and I are going to take on the London to Brighton next year which will hopefully not only improve my cycling ability and stamina but also have an effect on my running too.
• I'm hoping to get back into pilates with the Pilates Pod soon as I really enjoyed discovering what pilates is all about and really think it could help with my running and sort out my core (which is terrible)
• Last but not least, I'm hopefully going to be doing a run club with my friend Jade and Herbalife who are going to start some run clubs in the local area.
• How could I forget....PARKRUN IS COMING TO HITCHIN! One of the lovely ladies on UKRunChat is bringing ParkRun to Hitchin around about September time and I can't wait. I've heard so many good things about it and I'm looking forward to being able to try it out in my little town.

Heres to an Autumn and beyond of running and its little helpers...

Happy Running

Holly

xx

Hitchin Hard Half 2014

Really I only need to say one word to review this race...OUCH! But since that doesn't make for very interesting reading I shall elaborate.

The Hitchin Hard Half Marathon has been going for 3 years now and starts and finishes in my lovely town of Hitchin. I wanted to do it since it started but running wasn't as much a part of my life as it is now and last year I wasn't quite ready for a half marathon, what a difference a year makes. My Dad was a marshall last year so I went to meet him at his post to see what the Hitchin Hard Half was all about (and how important the 'hard' bit was). I walked up a couple of small inclines and decided that it didn't look that hard, how wrong I was.

I signed up this year as I wanted to do my home towns half and also because I've been suffering a little lack of mojo recently. The London Marathon has really broken me and its taken a long time for me to recover and get back into running. I think I'd been building up to it for so long and really pushed myself on the day to get my much wanted 5 hour time that my bodies just decided that its had enough. I've been feeling a little 'where do I go from here'?

I knew I wasn't quite up to par as the longest run I've done since the marathon was about 8 miles (at a struggle) so nerves were running high on the day, despite my previous comment I was also wondering how tough the 'hard' bit was going to be. I was excited at the same time though as I was looking forward to doing another event and also to run with my best friend again.

The course starts and finishes in the lovely grounds of The Priory, a place which holds a lot of memories for me of many summer evening spent watching the Priory Picnic concerts and sitting in sun/dancing in the rain at Rhythms of the World. I couldn't help getting swept up by the sunny day, being in beautiful surrounding in my beloved town with so many other people as passionate about running as I am.

The warm up was lead by Ellen Tipping who I did a Pilates course with at the Pilates Pod, I could definitely do better when it comes to warming up and cooling down so I was grateful to learn some new warm up exercises. I put these into practice a couple of days a go and woke up the next day not in the pain after a run for the first time since I don't know when, thanks Ellen and the Pilates Pod!

The race itself...they don't call it the 'hard half' for no reason. It started up hill, which was a good metaphor for my entire race. Due to taking a long time to recover from the London Marathon and not being quite on form I struggled the whole way round, I'd like to say that this was all down to the heat but I knew it wasn't just that. The hills really got to me, so much so that I almost broke into a walk run at times. I know that slowing it down and walking is the right thing to do sometimes and theres no shame in it but its always been my big no no when it comes to racing. I managed to keep running the whole way despite the downhills being as tough as the up...who said Hertfordshire was as flat as a pancake?

Despite its up and downs (literally), the run went through some beautiful local countryside and I really tried to appriciate how beautiful the course was. I never taken much time to get to know Hitchin's surrounding villages and I really should, maybe it'll be good motivation to get some practice in before next year (Preston Hill I'm coming to get you in 2015).

Despite the pull of the challenge, terrain will not be the thing that brings me back next year, however the event itself will be. It was one of the most organised races I have ever done. Organised by Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary I wasn't sure what the organisation itself was going to be like but I was literally blow away. It was a painless experience picking up our race packs on the day (no annoying print outs), everything was made clear at the start, plenty of enthusiatic marshalls to guide the way (and no untrue statements of "the finish is only just round the corner" were uttered) and perfectly placed water stations every 3 miles.

No runner can deny the lure of the bling and goody bag at the end and the Hitchin Hard Half certainly did not disapoint. A bug bear of mine is when a race wheels out the same medal year after year so when the chord said 2014 that was the first thumbs up. The goody bag had me at 'Lucozade Orange' (my post run drink of choice) and blew every other one I have ever had out the water. Not only was it 'pick and mix' style so you didn't end up with a load of toot you don't want but you could take as much as you liked.

A nice little addition at the end was the £5 for 10 minute sports massages, all proceeds of which went to Cancer Hair Care. It was here that I met Dave from DW Sports Massage without whom I would have been in (even more) pain in the following days. He professionally delivered me some home truths about the need to improve the flexability in my legs and gave me tips on some cool down exercises to help with this. I'll definately be paying him a visit once I'm back on track and in need of a sports massage.

I can't sign off without giving my bestie Louise a mention, after watching her struggle at the Standalone 10k last year she could have steamed on ahead of me this day. But she chose to run with me and get me through to the end. I'm so proud of what she has achieved this last year and it was a pleasure to run with her again. 2 hours 20 seconds ain't bad for the hottest day of the year so far.

Thanks to the Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary for putting on such a great event. I really hope this event grows and gets with it the attention from the running community it deserves. Also big thanks to all the volunteer stewards (and a little extra mention to favourite stewards, my Dad and my friend Jon) and the locals of Hitchin and surrounding villages who turned out to cheer us all on. The support and smiles of strangers always makes my day.

I definately wouldn't have been saying this at the time, but if you're looking for a new half marathon challenge then you'll be seeing me at the start line on 21st June 2015.

Happy running and if like me you're struggling a bit of the moment...hang in there!

Holly

x

London Marathon 2014

Its now been exactly a month since the London Marathon 2014 so I thought it was about time I gave my #VMLM2014 story. I've been trying to do this for the past 3 weeks or so but its been pretty hard to put it down into words. 

I thought I would start by giving you a little bit of a ‘why the London Marathon’ background. I know I have touched on how I came to start running a little but I’ve never gone into the story of why the London Marathon in particular *checks previous blog posts*.

I’ve grown up watching the London Marathon, not because my family are runners but its was one of those annual televised events that was on in the background during Sunday breakfast time. It always felt comforting yet exciting to watch but never something I felt compelled to do myself. Its only been in the last 3 or so years that I’ve actually made a point of sitting down and watching it.

I’ve mentioned before that I took up running when I came back from travelling in 2011. By 2012 I was running about 5k every morning but I never really expected to progress from there, however it was watching a 101 year old man take part in the London Marathon in 2012 that really made me think about doing it myself. That was the defining moment for me, because if a 101 year old man can do it…

If I want to do something big I usually tell lots of people about it to ensure that I see it through, so I posted this Facebook status…

Clearly LOADS of people thought I would do it due to the number of ‘likes’ it got ;)

I have a very vivid memory of watching the 2013 race with Emma on a boat down in Chichester for Rosie’s birthday and deciding that it would definitely be me next year. I decided to apply for the 2014 race as I was still yet to do a 10k and a half marathon so it gave me 2 years to get myself up to scratch.

I was all set to enter the ballot in April only to discover that it closed at 11am, luckily I managed to secure a charity place with Leonard Cheshire who I also volunteer for.

So I’ve managed to get all this way without actually saying why the London Marathon, well…I only intended to do a marathon once so I decided to go for the big one!

"So how was it?" is something I've been asked a lot over the last couple of weeks, so heres how it was...

In the tapering weeks it all began to feel a little bit 'unreal', it only really hit me when we went down to the Expo on the Saturday that it really begun to hit. I felt awful that day, just sick with nerves about the whole thing, sad that a few special people weren't going to be there and worrying that I hadn't done something I was supposed to and I wouldn't be able to do it. Poor Russ, I was horrible that day.

The best part of the day was getting to meet some people from UKRunChat that I've been talking to via Twitter throughout my training. Our carb loading meal definitely confirmed what a special community UKRunChat is and how glad I am to be a part of it at the grassroots stage. Its definitely going to get bigger and I can't wait to see where it goes...and the new friends I might gain along the way.

Sunday, I was way more relaxed. I've sat here for a good 15 minutes trying to think of the best way to explain how I felt on the morning but there really were no words. I think because I'd felt so awful during the day on Saturday, by comparison things were looking much better by Sunday morning. All the hard work had been done and everything organised...all that was left to do was running the thing!

After a winning breakfast of yogurt, oats and raisens, Russ drove me down to Kentish Town and we got the tube from there to Greenwich Park. Although it was wall to wall with runners it still didn't hit me that it was THE London Marathon. I've done quite a few events before and this didn't seem any bigger than any previous events. I remember being awe struck by the volume of people lining up with me to do the Great North Run last year but the same feeling wasn't there. It wasn't disapointing as the atmosphere was fantastic, I just expected it to be, well...bigger.

As we moved into the starting pens, my heart sank as I realised that I was in the last one with all the people dressed as Bagpuss and fridges etc. Bang goes my 5 hour marathon...however I made the decision not to get hung up on it as I've always said that I just wanted to get round running. This is all that is ever important to me.

It started to feel like the real deal going over the start line, the speed started to pick up and the crowds that lined the route started cheering. I set my pace at approximately 5.5 miles an hour and hoped that if I could maintain this then I stood a chance of getting to my 5 hour goal.

The noise level, the amount of people making a day of it, pubs blasting out music, small children holding their hands out for fives, homemade banners lovingly made by people I will never meet, people handing out treats for energy and the feeling is something I don't think I will ever fully be able to put down into words. So I've put it as best I can into my top moments.

1. Cutty Sark and coming up to Mile 7...as I was running through Cutty Sark I was aware that Leonard Cheshire's first cheer point was coming up. I actually felt a little sick and nervous wondering how I would react when I saw my friends and family, would I even see the cheer point and had they all found it in time. The first person I saw was my Mum who immediately started screaming for me, I then saw my Dad and Russ with camera phones at the ready (Russ managed to pick possibly the worst photo he took of the day on Facebook…thanks babe ;) ) Of course that moment literally passed by in a flash, in both the time and camera sense. That was the first time I was hit with the emotion of the day and I had a quick burst of tears but quickly managed to grab myself together.

2. There was a feeling of euphoria in the air going over the half way mark, everyone cheered when they went over but I couldn’t help but glance to my left and see all the runners aiming for a 3.5 hour finish…how far away is the other side? Well when I was on the other side the sweepers were behind the last people, they were all still running though. It was that moment that made me realise that its true, ANYONE can run. 

3. I felt a real sense of enjoyment around the Canary Wharf area where I really felt like I was running the London Marathon and that I could go the distance. It was mile 18 and I wasn’t in any pain, just feeling good and trying to take it all in.

4. I had my ‘oh god’ moment when I got to Tower Bridge. The sheer volume of space and the sight itself was breath taking, a moment that everyone had been waiting for and thinking about in those long, dark and wet January runs. The noise fell slightly as it felt like everyone just took a mental step back to enjoy where they were and think about what they were doing and maybe why they were doing it.

5. As I was approaching mile 23 and the second Leonard Cheshire cheer point I saw the pacer for 4:58. I had made sure I had maintained my pace of at least 5.5 miles an hour the whole way (minus a pesky stitch moment) but had long shoved a 5 hour finish to the back of my mind. I thought that if I could just keep up with him then I would make my 5 hour target, I still tried to tell myself that it didn’t matter though. Mile 23 came and went in a quicker flash than before but I managed to get a glimpse of Katie and Emma whilst going past. After that moment, I got hit with a lightning bolt like surge…I had 3.2 miles to go, I was level with the 4:58 pacer. I decided to just go for it and run as fast as I can, for as long as I can and just get that 5 hour time. I kept looking at my running watch and seeing my speed increase, I was sure I’d burn out before the end and limp over the finish line, but I just kept on going faster and faster, so much so that I almost missed ‘The Mall’ moment. It was so busy at one point I actually had to ask someone if it was The Mall.

6. And of course, the finish line itself. I wasn’t sure if I was within 5 hours as I got over the line but I made sure I enjoyed the moment...and I bloody did! I can’t describe the feeling of crossing the marathon finish line…but I urge you to find out for yourself if you’ve ever had the inkling to. If I had to put that moment into words that about 37,000 other people can probably identify with then it could only be 'I am a marathon runner'. 

My official time was 4 hours, 48 minutes and 34 seconds and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. From no running to a sub 5 hour marathon in 3 years. I always said that this would be my first and last marathon, but after my London experience…now I’m not so sure. Watch this space...

I have so far managed to raise £1580.20 so far for Symonds House - Leonard Cheshire Disability, a charity I volunteer for. Please help me to get to £1800 if you can, its what this whole 26.2 miles was all about for me... http://www.justgiving.com/hollysrunningthelondonmarathon2014

"There will be days when you think you can't run a marathon, but a life time of knowing that you have"

 Thank you for joining me on my journey

Holly

x

3 days to go...

Yes you read right, I can almost see the start line from here!

As its so close to the big days itself and I've been having one of 'those evenings' I thought that now would be a good time to share how my training and fundraising have been going and how I'm feeling about the whole #VMLM2014 thing as I may not get another chance.

The biggest reason why I haven't kept this blog as up to date as I had originally intended is that I've become really involved with the UKRunChat community. I've spent a lot of internet time chatting to people, not just those running the London Marathon but every type of runner...from those who are aiming for their first 5k to those who are training for their umpteenth ultra. I've found it really reassuring to talk to other people like myself, who are trying their best to fit a hectic training schedule around a job, family, friends, children (not in my case but hats off to those that have been) and all those other niggly things in life. 

I've also learnt that its ok to have a drink or two whilst training (I was even egged on by a few people I regularly chat with to keep on pouring the gins a few weekends a go) and to have a the odd polystyrene container of cheesy chips on the way home. I learnt that you can be normal and run a marathon, theres nothing super human about it. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of them after the Expo on Saturday for a pre race carb dinner.

One of the biggest worries I've had over the past couple of months has been how the hell I was going to get anywhere near the £1800 fundraising target for Symonds House. I hovered around the £500 mark for ages and sometimes lay awake at night wondering what to do about it all. I've always been terrible at sharing my worries, which has never been helpful so I took these worries to the Symonds House Service Manager Aileen. I made the suggestion of doing a bake sale at Symonds House itself and she offered me a whole pitch at the Hitchin Spring Fair. 

I had so many wonderful people bake me some amazing cakes, a lot of whom are people associated with the home that haven't actually met me in person as well as family and friends. I also had the pleasure of my chap Russell, colleague and friend Jay, flatmate Sarah and other friend Sarah helping me out on the day which made it a million times more fun. We managed to raise nearly £350 which was a big boost on to my target. The total currently stands at £1320.20 and I know that some more pennies will be flying my way shortly so I'm really on my way to my target now...and breathe.

I can't fault the support that I've got from Leonard Cheshire along the way, the contact and support from Klara and Amy at head office has always been constant and Aileen and Lesley have gone out of their way to make things as easy as possible for me. I love seeing people so passionate about what they do and who they're doing it for, its why I love working in care and support myself. Knowing I'm not alone has been something thats very important to me throughout this process. 

I've now only got two short runs left until Sunday and I've been feeling up and down about it all week. Its pretty much been alternate days of feeling really excited and really nervous about it. The UKRunChat lot have got me really excited about the Expo. Previously picking up a race number has never been that exciting but theres loads of stuff going on so it seems a little bit like the running version of The Clothes Show Live. Its starting to feel like the build up to a holiday and I'm determind to enjoy the experience and not let my nerves cloud the experience. 

Tonight however, I'm struggling with that feeling. I don't think that being holed up by myself in the flat with Eastenders, Coronation Street and a jar of Lotus biscuit spread for company has helped matters but I can feel the nervous knots in my tummy coupled with a few negative thoughts in my head and I'm finding it hard to shake the feeling. I decided to postpone my five mile run until tomorrow so I can get up early and do it. I got up at 6am on Tuesday morning and hit the pavement by 7am for a 9 mile run. Of course it wasn't wonderful getting up but it was a lovely morning and I felt great the rest of the day, it also felt like 2 in the afternoon around 10am as I'd done everything so early. I'm hoping to claw back how I felt on Tuesday morning tomorrow and disperse some of these nerves. 

It really has been a journey of two halves, one minute I'm questioning whether I even like running (that was most of February's thinking) and the next I'm contemplating signing up to the Brighton Marathon next year (that was Tuesday night's thinking).

I'm hoping to engage more with this blog once I'm down from the marathon hype (which may take a while) so I can use it for a few thoughts and ideas I've been storing next to the tricks up my sleeve.

Right now though...London Marathon, I'm coming for you! Wish me luck...

Holly

x

The Kindness of Strangers

Just a quick one tonight, but I felt really compelled to write a blog post on tonight's #ukrunchat hour!

For those who aren't aware, #ukrunchat is a hashtag on Twitter for runners to chat about all things running and is run by @UKRunchat. You can ask people questions under the hashtag (and always get replies) and reply to others if you have any advice. Everyone is incredibly friendly and it's literally for everyone. There are people aiming for their first 5k to people doing their umpteenth marathon, it doesn't matter because everyone chats to everyone else.

Tonight was the first time I actively took part in the #ukrunchat hour and I loved every minute of it. I got some questions answered, gave some advice, made some new Twitter friends and got some donations for my target for Leonard Cheshire Disability. One of my new Twitter buddies suggested that people donate £1 to someone random's fundraising target and I managed to get myself a fiver in donations (don't worry I reciprocated). The whole ethos, energy and kindness of everyone has really made me smile. I've got so many great tweets to read if I'm ever having a 'I hate running' moment and lovely people to chat to. It's made me really excited for my training week ahead!

So if you're a runner I'd really urge you to give the #ukrunchat hour a go, it's every Sunday and Wednesday between 8pm and 9pm. My Twitter handle is @OhHollyGosh and I'd be happy to chat anytime! 

Keep running (and tweeting)

Holly

x

P.S If you feel like donating a pound or two then you can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/hollysrunningthelondonmarathon2014 or text HFLC99 £1 to 70070

Love/Hate

I said when I started this blog that it would be a completely honest account of all things marathon, and that is what this post is about to be. It may sound mad to get so emotional about putting one foot in front of the other but I have really learnt over the last couple of weeks that training for a marathon is a truly personal experience and not always a good one. I knew there would be low times but I thought that those points would be related to not feeling too great about running 8 miles on a cold and drizzly Thursday afternoon after work, I didn't expect to feel like I have felt over the past couple of weeks. 

I hope this post doesn't come across as too negative. I just want be honest with myself more than anything, so that when I look back when my brain is clouded with the memories of the London atmosphere on the 13th of April and the feeling of crossing the finish line...I can stop and remember that no, sometimes...it just sucked! 

I was genuinely really enjoying training, I've loved seeing the miles clock up on the Nike+ app, being able to run further and further and feel my muscles get stronger and stronger (and maybe being able to munch on a few more treats). But the week before last it all just suddenly became a burden, the way my shifts fell meant that it was just getting in the way of everything and I was having to squeeze my life around it to the point of exhaustion. One day the only way I had time to fit in a run was to use it as a mode of transport to take me to my boyfriend's house (which also meant that I had to run back the next day). I sat at work last Friday having a bit of a bitch about it and coming out with hyperbolic statements such as "I wish I'd never bothered signing up", "It's the worst thing ever", "I don't want to do it anymore".

I was also worrying about the fundraising side of it and the prospect of having to raise £1800. I was previously really excited about the prospect of getting some local press coverage to generate some cash to top up my fundraising but it was looking like at one point that things weren't going to shape up the way I'd hoped and it really got me down.

I tried to get in the mindset of 'new week, new start' but last week was even worse. I managed Monday and Tuesdays runs but by Wednesday I just couldn't face it. I got up in time to do 6 miles before work and there was no physical reason why I couldn't run, but I stood in front of the bathroom mirror in my onesie to have my head and my feet tell me that it wasn't going to happen today. I felt really guilty about it all day and tacked on an extra 3 miles to Thursdays run. 

I let myself down again on Saturday by doing 8.5 miles instead of 14. I'd been working all day and then had to go and get my photo taken for the article thats hopefully going to be going in the local paper. It was all getting a bit late, cold and rainy so I made the decision before hand to cut it short. The saving grace was that I actually had a really good run with my running buddy Emma. She assured me that its normal to feel like I do and that sometimes its ok to shove the schedule. I ran faster than I normally do and it was the first time in 2 weeks that I actually felt good about and enjoyed running.

I've been back on track this week but I'm still not loving it to the extent that I was a few weeks a go. Yesterday marked 2 months till the big day and the way I'm feeling right now it can't come soon enough. I'm really looking forward to just running for the love of it and not just because I have to.

I'm really going to push next week, try to enjoy it and remember why I decided to do this.

Has anyone else feeling like this about the marathon at the moment? 58 days to go...

Keep on running (whether you have to or because you want to)

Holly

x

On a lighter note...heres a picture of me just after stacking it in the mud on mile 5 of 16 a few weeks a go. Despite the Hitchin Hoop being all bogged up and me falling in it, I really enjoyed this run. 

Running to the Beat

Todays post is inspired by Meg Cross Menzies, an American lady who was sadly killed by a drunk driver whilst out for her morning run on 13th January this year. Those in the running community will be aware that members of her running club did a memorial run for her on Saturday just gone and invited runners from around the world to join them and dedicate their miles run on Saturday to the memory of Meg using the hashtag #megsmiles 

It was a wonderful way to commemorate what looked like a wonderful life and such a passion for running. I happily dedicated my 12 miles on Saturday to the memory of Meg and hope that her family and friends can take some comfort from the support and solidarity of what I have personally discovered to be such a wonderful community.

One particular tweet urged runners to just get out there, appreciate the gift and to just run for all those that couldn't. This got me to thinking about the last time I had ran without music...probably during the Great North Run last year. Its been a long time since I just went out and appreciated running for just what it is, so I decided to leave the headphones and iPhone at home and let my feet be the soundtrack. 

I'm so glad that I did and I'm so glad it was today as it was such a beautiful one. Without being distracted by music and any thoughts linked to it, I got to appreciate exploring the HOOP (see yesterday's post) for the first time, take in the sun shining down on my beloved town and enjoy hearing my running trainers crunch along the gravel path (does anyone else love that sound?). It also made me listen to my body and learn more about its strengths and weaknesses. I was able to feel the bits I enjoy most (long straight gravel paths with the occasional sharp incline) and gain insight on where I struggle (the first mile and long inclines). All this would have passed me by had I had my headphones in this morning.

Thats not to say music doesn't have its place...its a great motivator and at times a distractor, theres nothing quite like your favourite running tracks to push you through the wind and rain or when you simply don't feel like hitting the road. However, once a week I'm going to make sure I leave the headphones at home and just appreciate the ability to run and my love for it. So thank you Meg for inspiring someone you never met, I shall think of you everytime I'm MP3 free.  

I hope everyones running week has got off to a great start!

Run safely...

Holly

x

Marathon Training Plan Week 1

Well here I am on my rest day after week 1 of using an official marathon training plan and looking ahead to week 2...and what a week its been both physically and emotionally.

As I mentioned in my last post I decided to use the Nike+ coach (you will learn that I'm a bit of a Nike+ fan girl) as I use the apps to track all my running stats and got a Nike+ running watch for Christmas (see!). I looked through the plan before I commited and decided that it was doable and would fit around my lifestyle. As its also within the app it sends you reminders of what training you have coming up which keeps you on track/puts the guilters on if you're sitting on the sofa with a cuppa and a biscuit trying to justify a second rest day. 

The downside...once again it assumes a 9 to 5 job so the rest day is always on a Sunday, which is fine every other weekend but will make things even more tough going for the inbetween weekends. I'm a glass half full person though, so I'm trying to think that maybe it might be quite good if a part of my life does have a routine. I work shifts and the patterns change every week so I'm used to not having a daily routine as such so although this plan might sometimes be a hinderance it might also bring more order to my life. We shall see...

So, how is the training actually going?

Well physically, so far its not too bad. The runs in the week are challenging enough to complete every day but not pushing me so hard that I want to cry (yet). Even with my 12 miler yesterday I still felt not too bad until the last mile when my legs started to protest. Thats what confirms for me that running is all in the mind, I know I can run further than 12 miles (and I have to next weekend) but I think because my brain knew that I was doing 12 miles it started to protest when it knew that the finish was near. I can definitely feel myself getting fitter and starting to tone up properly so I'm really enjoying that bit and looking forward to seeing the changes to my body as my training progresses.

Emotinally, its starting to show a bit. I've worked a couple of day time shifts this last week which means I had to get up early, run and then go straight off to work. I've also been doing some overtime as well to pay for some post marathon rewards so I'm not going to lie it has been tough. However, hats off to anyone who is training alongside a 9-5 job, you have to train at some very unfun times of the day and I admire you for it. I have enjoyed seeing the miles rack up on Nike+ though (there she goes again) and I just keep trying to focus on completing the challenge and the feeling I'll get on the day. 

Which leads me on to some quite exciting news...as some of you may or may not know. I am running for the charity I volunteer for Leonard Cheshire Disability. Because I volunteer for my local service Symonds House, Leonard Cheshire are kindly allowing all funds raised to be donated directly to the service. So I got a call from Leonard Cheshire's press office on Monday and they left me a message asking me if I would be interested in doing some media work with them. They want to interview me for an article to go in the local press which will raise awareness of the service and the charity and hopefully also generate some revenue on my fundrasing page (cheeky hint there). Its quite exciting and an honour to be chosen to represent the charity for such a big event so I'm really looking forward to doing it. I shall keep you posted on the progress of that little piece of news.

I'm also really happy that I'm starting to connect more with the running community on Twitter, Instagram and through blogging. I've been chatting to a few other runners that tweet and others with running blogs and its really helps to know that you aren't alone. I don't know anyone else close to me thats running the marathon so its great to have somewhere to turn and others to share the experience with who know what its like. I'm also up for chatting to other runners both bloggers and tweeters/instagrammers so please feel free to get in touch on Twitter and Instagram. It would be great to chat! 

This post is scheduled for 9am so by the time this goes live I'll hopefully be eating my porridge in preperation for a 5 miler. I'm looking forward to exploring the Hitchin Outer Orbital Path! 

Happy Running!

Holly

x

Jantastic Week 1

So January is now in full swing...

As I mentioned in my last post I'm taking part in Jantastic (#jantastic for fellow Twitter and Instagram lovers) and my target for January is 4 runs per week, which I'm happy to say I have now completed. As the week was progressing I thought I might have underestimated myself by putting 4 runs a week, however after doing a 6.5 miler last night I managed to acquire myself a bit of a twinge in my right calf muscle which I've decided to rest. I'm also doing a heck of a lot of overtime this weekend so 4 runs has been on the money for this week. 

Although this week saw the official start of my marathon training it still doesn't feel like it. I've struggled to find a training plan that fits in with my lifestyle as they all seem to assume a 9 to 5 job (Sunday ain't a day of rest for us all y'know), but I like the look of the Nike+ coach so I'm giving that a try from Monday. Plans scare me a little as I'm not a big planning person. It makes me feel like I have less control over my running and my life if I'm sticking to someone else's plan, I also know from my job that one plan definitely does not suit all. However I know it's a necessary evil so I'm going to give Nike+ a chance. 

Scary official marathon training realisations aside I've really enjoyed my running this week as well as going back to normal eating after Christmas (even if it has meant divorcing myself from cheese for a while). I really love how I feel within myself with the combination of running and healthy eating. I can already feel the Christmas bloat disappearing, the pounds starting to come off and my muscles starting to tone. I'm still really struggling to get out of bed for those early runs before my late shifts though. Any advice on food/drink/routines that help you wake up of a morning would be greatly appriciated. Until then I shall keep parking my phone at the other side of my room so I have to get up and turn the alarm off. 

I hope everyone who has set themselves a running goal for 2014, even if it's not Jantastic has got off to a great start...and to those who have just taken up running WELCOME! Push through that pain barrier and you'll never look back I promise.

Keep being Jantastic...(sorry)!

Holly

x

100 days to go

Three things that rocked my world today...

1) Its 2014

2) Its 2014...which means that its marathon year

3) Its 2014...which means its marathon year and today marks 100 days to go!

I know it might sound a little cocky but I wasn't really worried about the marathon up until this point. Phrases such as "I've already run half way", "Theres no point starting proper training until after Christmas" and "If a 101 year old man can do it then so can I" have been batted around, however it literally was only today, when the London Marathon Facebook page stated that there is 100 days to go that a new phrase has been thrown out there..."I'm scared".

However, I'm also excited. I'm excited to kick start 2014 with a challenge, raise some money for the charity that I volunteer for (Leonard Cheshire Disability, I'll chat more about that another time) and for the actual day itself. If the buzz I got from the Standalone 10k and the Great North Run is anything to go by then running the London Marathon is going to blow my mind, or at least my feet and my muscles. 

I'm starting what I will deem to be my first training run tomorrow morning and I would love it if you would like to follow me on my journey by reading my blog, you can follow me on Bloglovin or just drop in when you fancy.

I have also just signed up to Jantastic to make sure I stay on track. It doesn't matter if you've just stepped into your first pair of running shoes or you're doing your first ultra, it looks like a great way of getting motivated towards a goal and sticking at it. Theres two days left to sign up so I've got a couple of warm up runs to do before I can start logging my miles.

I love to meet new people so if you're running the marathon, signing up to Jantastic or just have a crazy love of running then please drop me an email or get in touch with me on Twitter/Instagram at @ohhollygosh

Thanks for reading, I hope you stick with me.

Happy Running!

Holly

xx