Overview

So after a well deserved week off I decided it was high time that I got the trainers back on again.

Started off with a cheeky 4.2k at the gym on Tuesday - 25 mins, job done.  Then on Tuesday evening I went to running club and did some low hill reps.  Legs felt really heavy and tired, but it felt good to be out at the same time.

This evening it was back to club for some more action.  This time it was speed reps (but still with a sharp incline in the middle ).  My legs felt a lot better and I was able to do well on some 100m sprints.  No idea of times as I didn't have my Garmin, but I was keeping up, which I always take as a good sign.

In other exciting news, I think I might be a bit busy on 25th April next year .  No mag as yet, but the VLM website seems keen to accept my payment.  Eek!

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Hi Everyone!

Well I’ve been struggling with writing a post about Berlin – mainly as a good part of the race is a complete blur – is that normal?  Regardless, I shall do the best I can!

My mum picked me up at 7am on Saturday morning and very kindly gave me a lift to Heathrow.  This was all remarkably stress free thanks to the fact that I had been able to check in online on Friday.  Very civilised, leaving me with plenty of time to wander about the shops – managed not to buy anything – phew!

After speaking to my dad and my sister on the phone, it was time to head to my gate and get on the plane.  One slightly dodgy sandwich (have no idea what the filling was – completely unidentifiable!) and a diet coke later I was in Germany!

Getting from the airport to the centre was ridiculously easy, thanks to some prior research online.  I already knew which buses to get and where to change, and the bus stop nearest to my hotel was only 300m away on Tiergartenstrasse, so only a short distance to wheel my suitcase too.

My hotel was nice, but overrun by an international dairy conference.  I’m sure if I’d been a bit more proactive, I could have obtained a lifetime supply of yoghurt, so that’s a missed opportunity.  My room was nice, but I only spent 5 minutes jumping on the bed before heading out to the expo to get my race pack.

I walked over to Potsdamer Platz, which was my nearest u-bahn station.  On the way I passed about a gazillion children all ready to take part in the mini-marathon.  I later saw plenty of those children proudly wearing their medals round their necks.

Got to the former airport at Templehof, and the expo madness commenced.  Had to walk through a couple of hangars selling all manner of kit before finally reaching the registration section.  I then managed to accidentally request a male race pack, having failed to notice the giant F at the beginning of my number.  Oops.  An error quickly corrected – thankfully there were no queues for numbers.  I then had to go pick up my timing chip and then I did some shopping! I bought a Berlin Marathon polo shirt and a leg strap for my chip.  Then I decided to leave before my plastic got too much of a bashing

It was a beautiful day, so I took a little while to sit in the park outside the expo, to enjoy the sunshine and to decide how to spend the remainder of the afternoon.

I decided to head for Checkpoint Charlie, as it was in the same area, and surely you can’t go to Berlin without seeing it.  It’s something and nothing really, mainly notable for the enormous amount of souvenirs on sale!  So I took a few pictures and then headed back to Potsdamer Platz to catch the inline skating marathon.  Potsdamer Platz is at about the 38k mark, so the skaters were nearing the end of the race at this point.  I had to wait a little while for the lead pack to come through, so had a nice chat to a friendly Nigerian bloke while we waited.  Then the skaters zipped through to roars from the crowd.  What a fun event, it really sets the tone for the running marathon the following day.  After popping into Aldi to grab some supplies (no cycling /running gear though Andybee!) I headed towards the start / finish area near Brandenburg Gate.  I wanted to see some more of the skaters, and I also wanted to familiarise myself with the area so that getting to the start would not be too stressful the following morning.  The atmosphere at the finish was great – they have grandstands on either side, which are accessible to anyone, so it really makes the crowd big!

After watching for a little while, I walked through Tiergarten back to my hotel.  I was a little tired to be honest – it had been quite a long day.  I had planned to go find some carbs for dinner, but in the end I just heated up some dried pasta that I had brought with me, read through all my race information, laid out my kit and headed for bed.

I woke up, and it was MARATHON DAY!  All manner of excitement.  I had a cup of tea, a couple of bananas and a couple of cereal bars for breakfast – had a shower and pulled my kit on.  I headed out of the hotel only to remember that I had forgotten my sunglasses.  Given the weather forecast, this seemed an essential bit of kit, so I went back up to my room to get them.  This was fortuitous, as I ended up walking to the start with another runner staying at my hotel.  This was her sixth marathon, although another Berlin first timer.  We walked through the park having a nice chat before splitting off to find our separate pens.  I headed over to the baggage area, dumped my bag, ate another banana and headed to the start pens.  I managed to go to the loo without suffering an enormous queue, and was in my start pen and ready to go by about 8.35 for the 9am start.

As I stood there watching everyone around me, I actually felt quite emotional.  It had been such a long journey to reach this point, I hadn’t been able to do as much training as I would have hoped – with Trailwalker training getting in the way until end of July – and what a disaster that was!  Despite everything, here I was, standing at the start line, feeling confident that I would get round and finish this marathon.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I had a little cry.

Then before I knew it, they were playing Chariots of Fire, introducing the elites over the speakers (Go Haile!!!) and then BANG – the gun.  It took me a further 15 minutes to get over the line and then I was running the marathon!

My plan was to run the first half as strong as I could and then just keep going for the second half.  This plan came fully into focus on the way to the airport thanks to a conversation I had with mum.  I asked her if she had ever thought that I’d end up running a marathon.  She said that she absolutely did.  Right back when I was a kid, I never wanted to run the 100m at sports day – I’d always do the 1500m and when other kids where lying by the side of the track having given up – I’d keep going.  She knew even then that once I’d set my mind to something, there was no way that I’d give up.  I thought about it, and she was right.  Despite a hiatus of well over a decade in between running at school and running as an adult, this was something that had not changed.  Once I start something, I will not give up until it is done.  I would have crossed that finishing line if it meant crawling over it on bloody stumps, although thankfully it didn’t come to that!

The first half just flew by.  It really is a blur.  I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you much about it.  The only thing I can do is tell you my splits:

5k 32:39

10k 1:04:44

15k: 1:37:45

20k: 2:10:50

Half marathon 2:17:53

Given that my current half marathon PB is 2:15:14, I’m extremely happy that I was running to plan – to be at only a couple of minutes slower than my half PB at that stage of the race was exactly where I wanted to be.  Now all I had to do was keep going. 

By this point, my hips were starting to ache a little – something that always happens to me on longer runs.  I had taken a couple of ibuprofen prior to the race, but had also put a couple in my pocket.  Took them and they soon kicked in, making me feel much better.  I also had a few sport beans, which gave me a little boost!

And then it was just a matter of digging in and keepin’ on keepin’ on.  I knew that I was slowing down, but this didn’t worry me overly.  By this point it was getting really hot - about 25c, and I was really grateful for the firetrucks that had their hoses out to cool us down!  I was also grateful for the regular drinks stations – they were all less than 5k apart, and some had a massive array of options; water, energy drink, iced tea, apples, bananas.

The one thing about the drinks stations is that it was all in cups – no bottles.  This meant an enforced walk break every 4k or so – only for a moment to get some water down, so it was probably enough to rest a little without seriously damaging race times.  All in all, probably quite a good thing.

The crowds were getting bigger and bigger as the race progressed – people were out making noise with anything they could think of – there were people banging on their cooking pots with metal spoons to encourage the runners!  There was also a lot of music around the course – lots of drumming, but also jazz, and a brass band.

Everything is a complete blur really, all the drinks stations have merged into one, and the only thing I can remember clearly are all the kilometre markers that I passed.  I missed some, but I saw most of them.  Then, finally, I could see the Brandenburg Gate in the distance.  Wow.

So I aim for the gate.  Slowly, steadily it gets a little nearer, and before I know it, I’m running through it, on to the 42k mark and the finishing line is in sight.  With Take That’s “Greatest Day” in one ear, and the roar of the crowd in the other, I decide to sprint to the end, and am amused when I glance at my Garmin and note that my “sprint” is at the same pace as I was comfortably running at the beginning of the race – I don’t think I had much left in the tank!

Over the line.  A lady asks me if I’m ok.  I tell her I’m fine.  I think I may have looked a bit of a state.  Then as I realise what I’ve done, I burst into tears.  Happy tears.  Glad I’m wearing my sunglasses, so no-one can see.  Knew they’d come in handy.  Then it was a slow, slow walk, queuing up for water, medal and finishers photo.  Still having a cry.  I eventually make my way back to the baggage tent.  Call up mum and dad.  Have another cry down the phone to them.

Then I head back to the Brandenburg Gate to get a bit of atmosphere and also to buy a finishers t-shirt.  Overpriced, sure, but it’s my first marathon, and I finished it.  Definitely a been there, done that, GOT THE T-SHIRT situation.  After eating a giant pretzel, some currywurst and a litre of (non-alcoholic) beer, I headed back to the hotel.  Had a much needed shower.  Realised that despite putting Bodyglide on most parts of my body, the parts I missed are very, very sore.  Shower stings.  Ouch.  I put my pajamas on and examine my feet.  Poor feet.  I should not be a bit surprised if I lose both big toenails.  Poor feet.  Then I have a nap.  I feel like I earned one.  There was a marathon afterparty in the evening, but I decided not to go.  My legs are stiff and tired, and it feels like too much effort to get there.  So after speaking to my sister, who despite being a little bit drunk at a wedding has remembered to call me, I go to bed.

The next day I wake up and my first thought is to wonder whether my legs are awake (or was I just wearing one big slipper? – that gag’s just for my sister ).  They are not happy.  They are wondering why I expect them to carry me about everywhere.  Damn it, I just want to go to the loo.  It’s only a few metres.  I get my cossie on and head to the hotel pool.  A few laps, a sauna and a hydrotherapy jet applied to the legs later, I start to feel a bit better.

Pack up my bag, check out and then wander aimlessly about for some hours.  Don’t really feel as though I took anything in, so decided to give up, eat a giant pizza and then head to the airport.

And that was Berlin.  Oh, almost forgot to give you my second half splits:

25k 2:47:26

30k: 3:23:10

35k 3:59:40

40k: 4:37:31

Marathon 4:51:41 (yaaaaaay!)

A very proud Dad picked me up from the airport and took me home.  The next day I turned on my computer and nearly had another cry (are we starting to notice a theme here?!).  I was Tweeting the whole time I was in Berlin (including during the little walk break while I was taking my ibuprofen ).  But I couldn’t see any responses – all my updates were done by text.  So to come home to such an amazing amount of supportive messages was incredible.  I am very lucky indeed to have such wonderful friends and family.  I really couldn’t ask for more from them.  I include you guys in that.

And that really is it.  I’ve got the Royal Parks HM in a couple of week’s time, followed by GSR.  By then I should know whether I got into London or not.  I’ve entered the Kilomathon with Tina (which I’m very excited about).  Haven’t been for a run yet, am having a well deserved week off.

The one thing I have decided is that now that I’ve got a marathon PB to beat, I need to lose some weight.  I need to increase my speed and that will be much easier if I stop being such a fatty.  So watch this space!

Finally (and apologies for the length of this post) I’d like to congratulate everyone for their performance at GNR at the weekend.  Hopefully I’ll be back there next year.

xx

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Well this is it.

My bag is (nearly) packed.  After some wrestling with Lufthansa, I managed to get checked in online, and I've been sat at my desk all week twitching.  Which can mean only one thing.  I'm ready to go run a marathon.

Massive thanks to everyone for your messages of support - both over the past day or so and in the long, long run up to the event.  I'll try and do you proud.

Assuming that o2 haven't ballsed up my international phone access, I shall be tweeting updates, which in turn are set to update my facebook status.  I won't be getting any updates back, so please feel free to text me if you have my number.

And that's it from me.... oh, no, wait a minute.  Isn't there something else going on this weekend?  I'm sure there was something...

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE RUNNING* GNR!

Especially Man in the Stand, TISM & WTS, sorry if I've missed anyone else, but good luck to you regardless xx

*or walking - walking is good :)

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It's been a month!  Crikey I've been busy.  Since I last blogged I've attended two weddings (in the same weekend), lost a flat, had an offer accepted on another one and run a half marathon.  No wonder I'm knackered.

The half marathon was round two of the "races beginning with B" series - the Burnham Beeches Half.  The day dawned clear and bright and before too long it was chuffing hot.  The signposting to the car park was a bit iffy, and it was a 20min walk to the start.  We got lost trying to find the parking so had to run to the start and lined up just as the gun went off - not ideal, and particularly annoying as we'd left plenty of time to get to the start all being well.  The course is undulating throughout - not much in the way of flat running, and the course is two loops, so you climb a hill, think "ooh that was a bit nasty" swiftly followed by "aaaaw crap, gotta climb that again in about an hour".  Thankfully it's quite a shady course, and friendly marshalls were plentiful.  Zero points though, for the "helpful" spectator who shouted "keep going slowies, it'll take them ages to pick you all up and take you home".  Nearly punched that woman, not helpful.  Didn't get close to my HM PB - finished in 2:27:52, but am happy with that given the conditions on the day.

The following Wednesday I tried out a new running route that my friend had told me about.  I often run from Godalming up the River Wey towards Guildford.  My friend told me that there is a cycle route that crosses the river near Shalford and continues down pretty much to the south coast.  It's gravelled and FLAT, which is the Holy Grail of routes round these parts.  I finished work at lunchtime, got kitted up and embarked on a 30k odyssey.  It's a lovely run, flat and quite shady, and I made it as far as Cranleigh before turning back at the halfway point.  The main thing that I learnt from this run is that I must remember to take ibuprofen before going long.  My hips were really painful towards the end, and I had to walk the last couple of kilometres.

The following weekend was the BH, and my sister & BIL were down for the weekend.  Spent an inordinate amount of time eating (yaaaaaaay!) and when they left on Sunday evening, I knew I could put it off no longer.  Monday would see me attempting my longest pre-Berlin run.  32k - yikes!

I procrastinated as much as possible, but finally mid afternoon I got my kit on and headed out.  It was quite hot, so decided to do my Grayshott loops.  Started running at 3.30.  First loop would be a long one of 12k.  It went ok, although I was glad to get to the car for some Lucozade, which I used to wash down some yummy Jelly Belly sport beans.  Om nom nom nom. Lap 2 was more of the same, and I was actually feeling quite strong, despite the hills in the route.  Lap 3 was a shorter lap of 8k to finish, and I completed this without issue - mainly due to the fact that I remembered to take my ibuprofen - anti-inflammatories kick ass.  Throughout the run René (my Garmin) was on the fritz - kept losing satellite reception.  I can only assume that some nefarious Bond villain was attempting some kind of global scheme using the satellites, as I've never had an issue there before.  Anyhoo, the result was that when I downloaded the data, it turns out that I had actually run 34k, which I'm over the moon about - I feel confident that I can get round the course in Berlin now, so life is good.

Since then, I've been tapering off - possibly more than I should have been - have only done a couple of short (4-5k) runs since.  I love Runners World as this month they took the opportunity to state that it is better to be under prepared for a marathon than over trained.  Music to my poorly trained ears!

I have a 10k race this Sunday at Alice Holt - my first race as cross country captain for my club.  And then the following weekend...... IT'S BERLIN!  Can't quite believe it's here already, but really really can't wait to hit the start line.

As for non- running stuff, I lost the flat as the eejit decided that after dangling me on a string for 3 and a half months he didn't want to sell after all.  Nearly went round there to beat him to death with his own arm - I know where you live buddy.  Thankfully common sense prevailed and I undertook another intensive round of property viewings instead.  I've now had an offer accepted on another flat - it's smaller, but in a good location, and four doors down from B, meaning that I'll never want for a running buddy again (or someone to share a bottle of wine with for that matter!).  Please, everyone keep fingers crossed that all goes smoothly with this one!

And finally, last night I went to see the Chris Moyles show on tour.  They have been doing a week of karaoke shows around the country and I was lucky enough to get tickets to see them at the o2.  Wow, they had so many amazing guests - Roy Walker, John Barrowman, Peter Andre (♥ Peter!!), James Corden, Justin Lee Collins & Alexandra Burke all sang karaoke - and as it was a small venue, we were really close to them (Peter was smuggling peanuts - we were close enought to see his nipples *sn----r*).  The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant - was so glad to have been there - although feel a little bit jaded today (no beers - just a late night).

If you look carefully at this video you can see me and my friend Lexi jumping around like loons in the audience (at about 40ish secs into the clip)  Fun times.

Hope you're all well - I have been trying to keep up with reading blogs, and have chucked the odd comment in here and there - some comments odder than others haw haw haw.

xx

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I promised myself I wasn't going to do this.  "There are plenty of perfectly good 10k races in my local area" I said. "It's silly to go all the way to Manchester" I said.  And yet somehow, I just found myself entering the High Legh 10k for next year.  Damn and blast the insidious publicity machine *shakes fist*.  Now all we need is a TISM shaped marshall and we shall be good to go

Anyhoo, it occurs to me that a post weekend update is in order.

Saturday morning - awoke and legs did not work.  So decided to roll over and sleep in till about 11am, when they seemed more than willing to get out of bed and potter about the flat with me atop them.  A nice lazy day - rest is important y'know.

So on Sunday I was left with the prospect of the Bolt, followed by an LSR. Yikes.

Met up with the team and headed up to Wimbledon for the Belgrave Bolt.  We arrived at about 9.15 - it was nice and cool.  But ten minutes before the race started at 10, someone turned the heating on and it was ROASTING.  Before we knew it, we were off - straight up a challenging hill  then it was along, down, past the finish and off for a second lap - up the hill of DOOM.  It wasn't any more fun the second time round I can tell you!  But all in all it's a nice little run - got over the line in 28:04, which I think is a 5k PB - mainly because I've not done one since I staggered around a Race for Life as an enormous fatty.

I was planning on heading straight out for the LSR on arrival back at my car, but discretion is the better part of valour and it was ruddy hot, so decided to head home and go out again in the evening.  So 6pm saw me head up to Grayshott - a local village where I've found a nice little 5 mile loop.  Set off slow and steady - there are a few ups and downs on this route!  Finished the first loop in just under the hour (slloooooow!) and stopped off at the car for a drink.  Then headed off on the second lap.  Decided to extend it a little, and in total ended up doing 19k - so a daily total of 24k including the morning race.  I'm quite happy with that!

Yesterday was a rest day, so I rested.  Was thinking of going for a nice swim, but felt hungry all day so decided to eat a giant bowl of chilli instead .

That'll do for now, except to say a MASSIVE well done to Tina on yet another great performance - she'll be lining up at the front with the elites if we don't keep an eye on her!

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.... something beginning with B!

I seem to have a glut of entries into races beginning with B.  This weekend its the Belgrave Bolt, then in a couple of weeks its the Burnham Beeches HM, and then *gulp* Berlin!  And I got all of my race numbers in the past week.  Strange indeed.

I got a comment from WTS on my last post that really got me thinking.  About "time on my feet".  I hadn't really worried about that to be honest, was more panicky about the miles themselves.  The reason I wasn't worried?  Trailwalker of course.  I know that I can keep going for 30hrs - even when I have giant blisters on my feet and pain in my hips & knees.  Even when I'm finding internal places far darker than the night I'm walking through, and walking along by myself quietly crying.  I know I can do that.  Question is - is time on feet walking different to TOF running?  I really don't know - answers on a postcard please.

You remember how I was having a little moan about how stuffy and humid my run on Wednesday was?  Well my prayers were answered  and yesterday as I headed out for running club, the heavens opened and it was TORRENTIAL.  When I posted about the upcoming cross country season, I had comments suggesting that I was a little premature.  Well the state of my trainers after yesterday's jaunt would beg to differ lol

Yuck!  It was a really good run though - lots and lots of fun.  Did 8.3k in just under an hour.

Busy day at the office today - including a fun trip up to Londinium this afternoon.  Thankfully meeting will finish too late to head back to the office, so I shall be having dinner with my sister - cooked by my lovely brother in law - his world reknowned chilli no less.  Might have to take some of Murdoch's medicine after

Wishing you all a lovely weekend  - and a safe flight for Shazz xx

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.. oops, its been a couple of weeks again.  Bad blogger, naughty.  No excuses, just been really busy.

There's been quite a lot going on at work - am currently doing more work for less money.  Boo.  This is manageable for now but am a bit concerned about what will happen if the chap I'm buying a flat from decides to get his finger out and find a place to move to - my mortgage payments will go up... erm well by quite a bit actually.  Will probably live on value baked beans on toast for a while, but it'll be worth it, as this move is something that I've been planning for YEARS.  Thank God Berlin is already paid for, so that's one less thing to worry about 

Enough of that nonsense, no-one wants to hear me moan on about how hard it is to be me  because really, life ain't that bad.

I might not have been blogging, but I have been finding time to pull my trainers on here and there.

Last week I made it to the gym three times in my lunch breaks - twice on the cross trainer and once on the treadie.  Good times.  Also made it to running club twice - once at the track and then again for a nice little 6.3k run around a local wood that I didn't even know existed.  Very nice.

I was planning to get out and do a long run at the weekend, as I had a bit of a shock when I realised that with 7 weeks to go till Berlin, I've not run further than 10k this year.  Ohhhhhhhh shhhhh*********t.

Unfortunately I had to work.  Now I don't work weekends, but a client wanted reporting done on Saturday and Sunday, so instead of running free with the wind running through my hair, I was stuck in my cupboard sweating over my laptop .  I was not a happy bunny, but client was happy with reporting, so it was worth it in the end.

The upside of the pay cut is that we have been given 10 days unpaid leave in order to achieve it.  I decided that between now and Berlin, I would take every Wednesday afternoon off, as my training plan wants me to do a longish run every Wednesday as well as at the weekend.  Clearly this will be easier to do if I have the afternoon off.

This unfortunately meant that after days of fresh rain, I ended up leaving the office at 12.30 yesterday to do a long run in unpleasant humid conditions .  Headed up the River Wey to Guildford - it really is a lovely run along the tow path there.  Got to Guildford - about 8k done.  Stopped for a little walkie break (and to Tweet!), had a drink and tackled The Mount.  I have mentioned this evil before.  Never seen a hill like it.  There aren't many places in Guildford where you can look down on Guildford Cathedral - it crouches atop a hill looming over the town - it's actually quite spooky, which is why it was used in The Omen.  However from the top of The Mount.....

... you are actually above the cathedral.  Had to walk up most of it, my poor little legs did not like me at this point.

Then, thankfully it was downhill all the way, through Binscombe (with a minor detour into the local doctors surgery to get a refill of water bottle - nb must remember to put money in pocket next time to buy in shop - receptionist looked a little disturbed by sweaty red faced person puffing over counter.  Prob though I had end stages of swine flu or similar), through Farncombe, a loop round the back of Godalming (running past the flat that I'm buying) and back to the office.  20.4k done in 2hrs38mins.  Not fast, not clever, but done.  Phew!

Haven't made it to running club this week - was at the vet with the hound instead.  Aside from running and working, I have mostly spent the rest of my free time cleaning up poo from my flat.  Poor little hound has been having stomach problems - as those of you on facebook already know all about!.  Visit to the vet cost £75 (three different types of meds!) but I figure I'd have spent double that on cleaning products if we'd gone on.  Pleased to report this morning that normal pooping procedure has been resumed, although a disturbing orange colour - possibly due to the meds.

This has also meant that for the first time in my life ever, I have made boiled eggs.  I think boiled eggs are DISGUSTING but the vet recommended them to help hound's tum - dog is now officially eating better than me - with lovingly made chicken egg & rice dishes.  He'd better not get used to it

That's it from me - will be making an appearance at running club this evening for a nice little trot around Waggoners Wells, and then that's it till the weekend, when I have a 5k race, and also a 19k long run planned.

PS - haven't I made good use of smilies in this post   

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Sunday dawned sunny and bright, and I had just enough time to blindly swallow down some porridge before heading off to meet my HBAC team mates at 7.15am.  On a Sunday.  Ought to be outlawed.  On the upside, at least a 9am race start gets it all out of the way nice and early, so you can get on with proper Sunday business, such as chilling out or having a nice nap.

So off to Elmbridge we went - this race is in our road race league and we had a team of 5 of us heading up there, so much chatter in the car on the way up, which is always nice.

Arrived, picked up our race numbers and chips and before we knew it, we were off!

I was a little uncertain on the wisdom of doing a 10k race so soon after a mammoth 100k odyssey, but with only 8 weeks left to train until Berlin, I figured I had better get the trainers on and give it the good old British try.  So I decided to take it easy and just see how I got on.  And there's no denying that it was not an easy race for me.  The course is very flat - along the road till about the 5k mark and then back along the tow path.  But despite this I was really struggling, with nothing to speak of in my legs, and nothing but the thoughts in my head, thanks to an illtimed i-pod freeze at the start.

At about 8k I decided that my hips were more than achey enough to warrant a little walk break - but unfortunately I soon discovered that it was actually more painful on the hips to walk (clue - they were very painful on Trailwalker, which might have given me a hint!) so I started running again.

On the final corner before the finish, there was an old chap marshalling.  As I ran towards him he shouted "Go on love, show them how the British fought like tigers".  I have no idea what that even means, but it did make me put on a little spurt of speed and enabled me to overtake someone right at the finish.  Yaaaay!  My time ended up being 1:01:55, so certainly not at my quickest, but I'm more than happy with the time - am happy just to get round the course.

With the road race season now nearly over (only one event left in the league calendar - where did it go?!) it's now time to start thinking about cross country.  As ladies team captain, I'm already encouraging all HBAC members to get their trail shoes out - personally I can't wait to get my mud on!  Trying to rein in enthusiasm a little as still have much road training to do for Berlin.  However I find it quite ironic that our club training programme is forced to hit the streets the moment CC season starts, as it's too dark to run off road!  So in actual fact, I'll be getting plenty of pavement pounding done.

Hope everyone is well x

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