Great Birmingham Run 2018~ Running Any Given Route in the Rain Makes You Feel 100% More Badass

It’s raining, it’s pouring... but I’m still running anyway!

WHAT-A-DAY! A fantastic one I must say. 

As you’re most probably aware, I had only trained up to 10k. I was just lacking the running bug. But was this to stop me make my 3rd Birmingham Half a DNS? I don’t think soooooo. 

I felt pretty confident that I could run 7-8 miles and then walk/run the last bit of the course. It would be my first attempt at the new route, which is kinda backwards to the 2016 and before. Your start on Broad Street and finish at Jennens Road. They claim in to be ‘flatter’ and ‘faster’. I’ll explain more and if I truly believe it is flatter at the end. 

A week before. I’d done nothing since the Leafy 10k and I awoke to find I had a pain in my left glute once more. I belive I had a trapped pirifomis... again! Bloody thing, just take it out! I wish. This and my groin take it in turns to piss me off, if it’s not one. It’s the other. It’s difficult, the pirifomis to stretch. I used one of my spikey massage balls. But it plays havoc due to it running along/ behind/ in front of the sciatic nerve (I ent no physio). Meaning any inflammation aggravates the sciatic nerve. I felt a gonner. No need to pull out due to lack of training, it’ll be a double whammy with an injury. I suspected I’d done when I picked up Freya. Think I need to go to one of those health and safety things about lifting in the work place. She’s a right heffalump now! 

Anyhoo, I took no painkillers or anti inflammatory’s. It subsided by its self by Friday. Yeeey. 

Jake had luckily got the weekend off so agreed (more like I told him) to come and spectate. In reality he seen me off, went to watch Vemon in cinema, but tracked me through the app to see my whereabouts and an estimated finishing time. Which is a great idea. We were going to take Freya, but decided against it due to the atrocious weather. So Jakes mum offered to have her. It was unfair. As much as I’d have loved her to come. 

Race morning I woke (before Freya- for once!). We’d decided to get the bus. But in actual fact we were lazy and got an Uber. Which made us ridiculously early. We then confined ourselves toMcDonald’s. To which, I got a small coke. No food, for fear it would reak havoc with my intestines and digestive system. We then made the small journey to the start. I started to have a stern talking to in my head like, 

Coley, you could be at home in bed, spooning Jake (pg13 style). Wrapped up. All comfy and warm. But NO. You’re running a fucking half marathon, of which you have only realistically trained half way for! All for what? A medal and ANOTHER pissing t-shirt... which you have loads of by the way. They take up half your wardrobe!

With that, I found the green wave banner and waited for a bit. Then stripped off my layers, handed them to Jake (as he accurately said, its donkey mode time!!) then went into the barrier like a farmer herding his cattle. Literally, the warm up is usually great and energetic, but me, like many others were freezing. They shared the same view of, we just start already!?
Before long we did. The little shuffle forward, led to a brisk walk and then, boom! I was running over that start line mat. No going back now. 

As stated by the announcer, the first 5km were downhill. I knew this. If it was the route in reverse, we’d be running down the dreaded finally leg of 2016. Up St James and Charlottes road. It was mind boggling, running down it for once. My legs were ticking over just fine. My 1st mile came in at 10:10. The second mile I started to get a stitch. This had me in pain for at least half an hour after this point. I just dug my right hand into just below my rib cage and soldiered on. As I do. 

Mile 2 came in at 10:05. Yay. I’m liking this I thought... then my left groin started to tighten up. Hell to the no! I just stayed positive, thinking. Ok, it’s fine. Don’t over stretch, try to keep a safe distance feel hip width apart. They say if you run with your feet close together it can be a big cause of a groin strain.

Finally onto Clevedon Road. Which seen the first ‘proper’ hill. I ran all the way. I didn’t look at my watch for my 5k time. I can only assume it was about 31:50 something.

Miles 4 and 5 seen us heading through Cannon Hill Park. I’ve agreed with many RMR’s that this section should be elongated, to try and cut off the whinding through the industrial estate just as you’re about to hit the city centre. I can only assume it’s cheaper for these roads to be closed, with it being right near the finish and not half way through. So fair game. My 4th mile came in at 10:43. The 5th mile seen us submerge through the Edgebaston Cricket Ground came in at 10::48. Now you can really see my pace declining. Ever so slightly, mind. By this point I wasn’t flagging, but I wasn’t feeling a fresh as a daisy. Especially now I knew what lay ahead. The dreaded and elongated Pershore Road. We were running parallel to mostly the Orange wave. There was me trying to think in my head what mile they were on and envied them. Like, 

why am I not fast like all of you guys? #goalzzz. 

Turns out it was in fact mile 11!!

I ran and ran. Trying my hardest to concentrate on something more than the fact I still had just under half to go. 10km came along. According to my watch which was overall 0.8 miles over I came had a 1:05:17. Which I was more than happy to have. It beat the other weeks time for sure. But the online results say, i think it’s 1:05:51. Which I was kinda gutted about. But the first has still gone down on my chalk board as a 10k PB. I DONT CAREEEE. NO SHAME.

Mile 7. Came in at nothing special. Nothing really happened of much interest if you ask me. Now mile 8 or leading up to it, was special. I was just merrily running along and a lady kind of swung her head round as of to get my attention. I seen she was wearing a Northbrook vest. Yeeey. Hadn’t seen any of them at all, all day. Which is quiet unusual. I never got the lady’s name. But she was lovely. She greeted me at the end just after the finish line, I explained to her that she may not see me much at training due to me having a 10month old baby with a working Dad and Nan. So I was unable to make any of Northbrook training days. Which still guttifies me to this day. She said. “Ooo, I’ve herd about you. They say you’re unable to come, but said you’d be doing this. There was only another man in this wave who a Northbrooker, so I knew it had to be you.” Good old Kev Coughlan. Lizzy’s Daddio. I’m pretty sure It was him 100%, as there’s no one there that knew me better from the club. Especially not about Freya. It was absolutely lovely and showed me why I still pay my membership to affiliate with this club. Their comradery is outstanding. I’m really sorry Northbrook lady I don’t think I asked you name! :-(. 

Mile 8 was horrific. The nasty Mary Vale Road. Mayyyyn it was steep, I had to walk half way. I just physically couldn’t do it. There was a lot of support which was great. As soon as I summited at the to the bridge I kicked back into a shuffle. It was like a horse (if you’ve ever seen one) going from walk to canter very ungracefully. If that’s a word. Who cares. My blog. I can make up words if I do want to. It came in at 11:08. So not as bad as I initially anticipated. You head onto Bournville Lane... my shoe laces decided to untie themselves. So I had to look over my should as to not stop abruptly and cause a runner pile up. I couldn’t feel my hands very well at all. Then I got back to it. The decent back onto Pershore was a lovely respite for my previous efforts. Selly Park Road. Another filthy incline. Not as steep as Male Vale, the bitch. Kensington Road was again another well needed decline. 

Going from 10 to 11 I could feel my calf’s screaming at me. I’d never experienced this before. I can only assume it’s because my lactic threshold has far surpassed itself with my current fitness. Like, I know I seen many stop to stretch at this point. But I didn’t want to. I feared if I stopped I wouldn’t maintain any sort of momentum or finesse. Ive never had this during previous half marathons. I can truly imagine what football player go through when they get cramp throughout a game. It doesn’t justify their pricey wages though. 

Here was where I hit the, Oo please let it be over. I just kept think run to this lamppost, run to this object approach. Which actually did work. I kept on bullying myself in my head. 

What’s walking going to accomplish? Nothing. It’ll just be over a lot slower. 

Mile 11 10:37 a negative split. It was flat and fairly boring here. I peered over to the right, where some, 7 miles ago I was at that point and seen a lady who was an amazing inspiration. So happy, full of life. Even with the sweaper van behind her. 

Many supports had fled back into their warm living quarters due to the rain. Who could blame them? It had kinda started to ease off by this point too. I kept glancing at my watch. Bad thing to do really. It was like the last hour of work- dragging tremendously. 

Mile 12, a landmark. It’s not a landmark. It’s a roundabout. But it marks your return to the centre. The final furlong! Then the boring industrial estate part. It honestly feels like they’re just dragging it out to make up that last little bit. Here I was getting angry. Like really angry with myself. It felt like my legs weren’t attached. Like they were disunited. I suppose it’s normal after running 13 miles on only 6 miles of training. 

Mile 13 11:22. By this point I looked like a drowned rat, I wasn’t cold as such. Just my hand. Not even my feet and they were soaked to the bone. Bradford street was to follow onto Moor street. This was torture. Torment from the course organisers. Although fairly vertical and over quickly (by quickly I mean my snail pace), it was different from the lengthy inclines you would have to tackle back in 2016. I honestly don’t know what one was worse. At this point I didn’t care. I was so close. So close yet, so far. Onto Moor St Queensway. It seemed really claustrophobic. Supporters either side. Obviosuly trying to be helpful, but narrowed the finish a bit too much. It prevented runner over taking if they’d wanted up the pace for a sprint finish. I believe they should of taped a running lane so the spectators couldn’t come in so close. I don’t know what it was, maybe it was because I was wet, panting like a bitch with achy legs that I just didn’t want to be crowded. It felt like I was in London at rush hour. Erghhhhh. Get away humans. But bless you for cheering us on. You’re major hero’s. Then It was uphill slightly to the finish. I was like...

where is it, where is it? Come to me, baby! 

I want warm dry clothes. I passed the line, I’ve seen on the tv at the London marathon when people finish and they just collapse. I felt like that. I made an abrupt stop and swayed side to side like a drunkard and my vision had the old television like static for a slight second. I just kept walking, taking advantage of the fact that if I did pass out. There was a medical tent and a stretcher to my right. Ahaha. Luckily though. That was not needed. I gained my goody bag and took my phone out to call Jake. 

OMG. I literally wanted a divorce. He was trying to tell me where he was and it wasn’t making any sense to me. I hadn’t a clue. Then he couldn’t hear me, then I couldn’t hear him. I kept my composure as much as I could. It wasn’t his fault. I then was met by the Northbrook lady whom had waved at me at mile 8. We congratulated each other.

After this, I took shelter in a portaloo and just started getting my wet stuff off immediately. Dabbing myself with toilet paper, yummm. He finally found me. To say I’ve got changed in more fancier places is a given. But I was warm a and snug. I herd my phone ping when I was coming up the Moor St hill. I read them after. It was Jake. Clearly watching the tracker and he’d sent me 3 texts egging me on. I’ll post a picture at the end. I didn’t want a divorce anymore. I do love him very much. 

After this we went and met my Dad and Helen. I ran up to him, squeezed him and shouted, “admit you were wrong!” He said “what are you on about!” I said, “you kept on relaying to me when I was pregnant planning all this years running events that I’d have no chance of doing them with a baby and that I didn’t understand the true extent of how much my body will change. Well in your face. I’ve just completed this in a faster time then my first ever attempt, my second half marathon in 2015!” He just grunted, with his dorkey laugh, then grunted some more and congratulated me. He doesn’t like to admit he’s wrong. Can you tell?

We went to the Square Peg. Which was heaving with runners and their family and friends. We got a hot chocolate and brunch. When both the men went to the bar to order I was with Helen and said, “my arms tingling. Am I having a heart attack?!!”. She burst out in laughter and said, “don’t be silly, no!”

I ended the day knocking off 16 minutes and 23 seconds from my come back Half in Liverpool in May. It took me to a new post preggo PB of 2:23:17! I was over the moon. 

Now without further delay. Because I’ve either bored the shit outta you or you’re just wanting to know is the route flatter. Ermmmm in my opinion I would say ever so slightly. Not much difference at all. Looking at the data from 2018 comparatively with 2016, it shows the elevation through records on my TomTom (which I had at the time) 

 

2016

555ft max

456ft average  

389ft loss

2018 

556 max! 

342ft average

438ft loss

So as you can see you gained 1 ft more as a result in 2018, but lost significantly more in your average elevation throughout, and lost more on the descent   which would explain the ‘fast’ side of the course description. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this course and as ever the support was amazing considering the weather. You’re fully looked after by them throughout the course. The comradeship is a sight to see. So guess what Brum? See you next year pal! I’ll be back faster! ;). 

 

Bournville Leafy 10k- Spontaneous.. Beautiful, Definitely Leafy & A Post Preggo PB Achieved!

Well what can I say about this one. I’m not going to lie. Other than the Brum 10k and Two Castles this has to make the podium for being a newly acquired favourite. I’d seen it a while ago, then realised that it sold out fairly fast. I was gutted. However, a fellow RMR member had to pull out due to illness. I quickly jumped on her post and asked if I could have it, luckily I got in there quick enough and managed to bag the place. 

This event is very popular in Birmingham due to it being just two weeks before the Birmingham Half Marathon. Again, I’ve had a slow week. But I’m happy to say my germs have gone fully and I feel like I’m going back to some sort of healthy normality with my body. But then Freya has a tummy bug. Noooo, it’s horrible. But it’s been kind to her. Only being sick about 5 time during the past 4 days. But I just wish it would buggar off now. If I get ill again between now and Brum. I think I’m going to have to pull out. But hopefully I don’t have to. It’ll be a gruelling decision if it comes down to it though. Luckily all the family who’s children have been affected haven’t actually caught anything themselves. Pray for me Lord! 

So I bribed the bestie into taking me for some petrol money and baby cuddles to which she agreed. Now a massive shout out. She’s been through a lot these past couple weeks bless her. Mentally and physically. But she’s always there for me when I need her. Now this is the bestest type of friend ever. I’ve booked my driving test also. So maybe, just maybe I’ll pass before the end of the years out. However, I’m not feeling completely optimistic, especially if I do, my insurace is ridiculously expensive. But I suppose nobody does feel completely confident in their driving test. I just keep on relaying what others has said, “you don’t really learn how to drive until you’ve passed your test!”. Eyy so I’ve spend about 80 hours worth, which is a lot of penny’s for people to say this! 

Anyways, it was an early start for me. 6:30am get up. I snoozed till 7. Freya has puked in her bed. The other sheet was on the line (probably not drying) so we just chucked her in the bed with us- not even she was up. Which I was happy about to be honest, it meant I could get everything ready. I shit you not, it’s like going on a mini holiday with a baby. You’d better not forget anything, otherwise you will feel like a bad mother! 

So we arrived in Bournville, my stomach definitely wasn’t agreeing with the early start of the onion Bahjis from the evening before. A first for me was having the timing chip being put on like a ankle bracelet. I felt like I was out on day release. Ahaha! 

We assembled at the start, and Vickie was like, “Coley, no earphone! You’ll be disqualified.”. Obviously being the total rebel I am, i stuck one in but hid it very well under my bandanna and my sports bra. To my knowledge I think I got away with it! Maybe I was too quick for the marshals to realise. Pfft, yeah right. Pull the other one Cole. 

The start consisted of going round the playing field, then, turning left towards/ Mary Vale Road. The start was a tincy wincy bit crowded. Runners trying to slot in or overtake. This didn’t bother me. I just wanted to enjoy it, so much so I was watching people play their Sunday league football games which was a nice distraction. I slotted nicely behind a fellow Massey runner. My breathing was easing out. Onto Bournville Lane - it was a lovely decent. Ooo, I thought, I could do this all day long. Then there was another slight incline, to which I realised why they said no earphones. The roads were still technically open, but Marshall’s manned those roads to ensure the safety of runners- perfectly may I add. Both laps I hand to stop to let cars pass! Typical. The first mile came in at a respectable 10:08min/mile. 

We were then directed to a pathed trail, through a little woodland, this was lovely. It makes me really want to start hitting the trails, this spat us out onto Hole Lane. The second mile completed in 10:32. I felt a little out of place, the common Coventrian that I am. The area was incredibly posh. Like life goals posh. The majority of the properties were beautiful. We then went into an open field, which spat us out onto Woodlands Park Road. To my surprise I herd my name, like, hang on... what? Vickie definitely hasn’t come out this far surely, I looked to the right to notice my old secondary school teacher/ tutor was there spectating. That was a lovely pick me up. I mean, I have people who drive me to events. But not many I see actually supporting around the course. When my dad wasn’t working his arse off (probably to partly pay for my car, which I am whole heartedly grateful for) he’d always be there at the finish and see me. I miss him coming to my events. I’m hoping work don’t call him in on the Birmingham Half as he’s on baby spectating duty. 

Teazel Avenue was a little steep, but it marked the 3 mile point which meant we must have been well on the way to heading back to the field. Another testing Hill was the entry leading up to the park. My God. My calf’s were burning. However, I didn’t stop. Boom. As you turned left onto the field the support was intense. Who ever owns the husband that stood there shouting encouragement very enthusiastically at that point needed a medal of his own. He was fab on both laps. 

As we ran down to come back up with a sign saying lap two or finish, I was feeling a little lethargic. Not so much so that I wanted to stop at 5k.  I didn’t quite look at my 5k time. However I suspect it was around 32 minutes or just over. I was a little envious that a Bournville Harrier came soldiering past me. Clearly the first man to the finish first in around a time of about 33/34 minutes I suspect. Wow. Like. Wow. Why I not that speedy? He passed us like a sonic the hedgehog. Well done muscly Bournviller’ man! 

Onto the the next lap, mile 4 was 10:12. My legs were starting to feel like lead. I was reduced to a walk. After 40mins of fair consistency. Something I haven’t felt in a while. My watch was predicting a finish of about 1:06. Hey, I was a hell a happy with that. Again Dory sounded in my head. Just keep running, just keep running. I think I’m starting to like 2 lap 10k events. At least you know when you’re nearly finished. Worst mile of the day at 11:20. The majority of my little walk breaks were here- only 3. So I am getting fitter. 

Coming up that hill to the end I couldn’t run without stopping. I’d been followed by a woman throughout who was a Badger (my current 1st claim club which I’ve never trained with). She was determined. We were head to head, I wasn’t racing her, I used her pace to coincide with my own. Literally with 100 meters to go she took off for a fast sprint finish. My tiny legs just couldn’t keep up with her. Well done fellow Badger. I went as fast as my little undertrained legs could go. Over the line I went. I was then greeted with I a massive bag of goodies. The most food I’ve seen in a finishing bag. Wow. It was like trip to the shop. Amazing. Thanks Bournville Harriers. I was a bit gutted that it was a metal medal and not a wooden medal #gutted. I went to get my time and was elated to see id finished in 1:05:28!! A new post preggo PB! 

Would I do this event again, abso-fricken-loootley. It was amazing for a running club event. Outstanding marshalling, beautiful scenic course consisting of both trails and road, amazing goody bag. You really out did yourselves! I’d definitely recommend it, but to be fast on making your online entry as there are none on the day and it sells out in a flash. 

Balsall Common 10k ~ A Very Unexpected Event, But a Pleasant One at That!

Heyyyyy, 

So again I’ve been off the scene since my last race, the Northbrook 10k. But I’m back (hopefully). My last race was hot and sticky. This race I had a base layer on! I’ve definitely been off the running bench. The seasons are about to change, the night will draw in. I kinda like it, I kinda don’t. Kinda like the coolness, kinda don’t wanna be stalked or murdered like! 

So since July, I’ve started working again. I am now a night cleaner at the Village Hotel. Nights are hard. But I only do it 2 days a week. Better yet, I get free membership for being part of the leisure team! My mum has worked there for over 10 years! So it’s nice when people said, “Ooh, you’re Teresa’s daughter aren’t you?” Already gained some street cred! 

My training has been so bad lately. I’ve since gained another sinus infection at the end of July that knocked me for six for 2 and half weeks, and I’m now getting over another nasty cold after a week of suffering. Aches and pains, blocked nose. Anyway enough of my horrible germs...

I was working on the Tuesday night and gained an email an from my club stating that it was the last call for the Balsall Common Fun Run art up by the Lilly Mae charity. Hmm I thought, I know that this isn’t too far from Coventry. The email stipulated that online entries would close the day after, on Wednesday 19th. I was full of the cold and thought. Hey why not? You know, as you do. 

I got home and signed up as quickly as I could. Then I sat round before going to sleep when most people would be waking and thought. “Can I really do this? Ive only done 12 runs since Northbrook and mostly all under 4 miles. With only two 10ks.” 

Just want to also add, I recently purchased a running buggy from eBay, second hand. A Out N About Nipper 360. But one of the first versions. It’s in mint condition. I was really excited to try it out. So I went out on the Monday and ran a fairly comfortable 10k in a very good time (in my opinion) of 1:14, I walked little intervals here and there. But I was really pleased with my fitness. This was also what made me believe I could do this race. I absolutely love running with the buggy, on the other hand I don’t think I’m quite brave or fit enough to enter any events just yet. Freya loves it too and fell asleep the whole way round. Bonus... 

Brimingham half is just around the corner, and I’m really, really undertrained. Like scarily undertrained. I’ve had two DNS’s and I really don’t want to make this one. But because of its mass scale, I know in the 10k there is a walking wave. I’m just going to ‘Jeff’ the way round. This is a theory composed by a guy called wow, get this- Jeff. Basically it uses ratios. Ie 30:60. Walk 30, run 60... I think. I’m still new to this technique and absolutely hate anything maths related. So don’t believe this is true fact. However, if you’re interested google, ‘jeffing’. It’s an alternative way to accomplish your goals. There is a FB group also which you can request to join. I’ve seen replies from people on certain posts about paces and time say they’ve gained PB’s, they’ve smashed it and that they never knew how useful the technique could be. See when you think of running with walking intervals. You immediately think they’re: 

1) New to running. 

2) Maybe not currently as fit to run full distances in an event. 

3) Erm, some sort of speed/fartlek training. 

4) An association with the word slow... I hate to say this word, as who cares. A mile is still a mile regardless of times. 

Well I can vouch and say I’ve seen replies from people. They say they’ve gained PB’s (far faster than I could ever be at this moment in time), they’ve smashed it and that they never knew how useful the technique could be and would never go back to running continuously. But yeah so, a new evolution of running. Very much so. 

With that, this 10k served as a kinda of half way, to see where I’m at, as well as assessing my mental state and how my body would hold up. Thankfully, very well as a matter of fact. 

I asked Vickie to take me along with Freya. It was held at the Heart of England school. There’s me thinking, ahhh it won’t be that popular we’ll aim to get there half an hour before the very generous start of 12 in the afternoon. Omg was I wrong. People had parked near on a mile away. Luckily, me and Vickie managed to reiterated that we had a baby and needed to be as close as possible, and as a result we ended up parking in the teachers car park. 

I got out and collected my bib, guess what, they’d only gone and ran out of bloody safety pins!!! Runners nightmare 101. No bib attached- no race. I was getting a little envious of seeing fello runners with 4. How greedy! I gave up looking on the tables and just grabbed 2 paper clips. I had my running zip belt on fortunately, so I just attached one to my zip and the other through the elasticsted waist bit. Give me a Blue Peter badge! It actually held on throughout the whole race!! Whoop! 

With Freya in the pushchair, we made it to the start in the school field. No waiting around really and we set off. I didn’t even know what I was expecting. All I knew was that it was two 5k laps, there were 5k and a 10k entrants being set off at the same time. Vickie said after she’d been to the loo, “ I did some ears dropping and someone said there’s only like, 2 major hills. But apart from that it’s okay!”  Ahh I thought. I can handle that. No problem. 

Out of the field onto the main roads we were met with the first incline- fine. I felt fresh as a daisy. We then proceeded down hill to turn right up Frog Lane - a fairly testing incline. By this point I was okay, but a bit weary. I’d got a bit excited due to the race atmosphere and I think I went out a little too fast. Station Rd was next, and I actually can’t tell you what my min per miles were because I stupidly set up the training on my watch for 10k estimated finish time, but upon starting I forgot to toggle it up to the running feature, so it was stuck on cycling mode. I only discovered this after I’d synced the data to my phone. This section was undulating, but not unbearable, you turned right, ran up a road for about 0.30 miles and then ran back on yourself to turn right again. It was here that I noticed 2/3 Northbrookers and a mass amount of Massey runners. Clearly this is a popular running club event. Many local club vests were radiating to my eyes. I used this to take my mind off the run itself. Oo look a Keniloworth Runner, I would say in my head. I always seem to try and discover the furthest run club if I can. So for example, the furthest I seen was a woman from the Kings Heath running club.

As I turned right, I could feel a stitch coming on. Not good. I know from experience that if you haven’t trained for a while, your breathing isn’t regulated or simply out of sync, therefore the diaphram is like nopeee stab, stab. I’m not use to jiggling about, you’ve been lazy for the last month! Whatchu doing woman?

It wasn’t unbearable by this point, but as I ran on it got worse. After this, we hit a steep decent to which went down to the water station. Then back up it went... and some more... and some more. I was reduced to a walk half way up. I’d say this was probably one of the inclines that Vickie overheard of when she’d been waiting for the loo. It was quite intense. If I’d have been a bit fitter I could have probably got away with shuffling up it. But by this moment in time, I could probably walk faster than my pathetic shuffle, there was a corner which bent to the right, but it was still slightly uphill. You then peaked to turn left and then right again, and right again. This section was nice, a steady reward for you hard work you literally just done. This road then takes you to the next left, it took quite a while to get there. All in all, this stretch lasted for about 5 of my running minutes, after you’re greeted with the open gates back into Balsall Common primary, then you’re back where you started. 

On the start to my second lap, I felt deflated. Thinking, I was in over my head again? Why didn’t I just take the turning and finish and just do the 5km. Accept defeat. I’d pulled in a decent effort of 32:15. But I’d missed that opportunity. Back out I went, I suffered for the first 1.5 miles. Then I got a grip of myself, the stitch was still digging me in my left side and started to radiate on both sides. I took one earphone out and tried to focus on my breathing. Trying the infamous trick of when you breathe you make sure the foot that strikes the ground is opposite to the stitch. But it didn’t work to my utter dismay. It didn’t ware off completely. But it eased at around 9km. By the time I knew where I was and that I hadn’t much longer to go, my spirits were lifted and I gained that feeling of being able to run forever, eyyy you kicked in a wee bit late there sunny Jim. Didn’t yeee’! 

As I got to the school I told myself. Nope you’re running to that bloody finish line, now right now! It was nice and slightly downhill. I managed to extent my stride and finish! 

I finished with a post pregnancy PB of 1:07:51. I was really pleased with my efforts, due to going into this race with a wing it attitude. I would never have got away with this for a half marathon. But thankfully, this showed me that I still have a suitable amount of fitness for the job in hand. The medal was lovely, and I was happy that I stumbled onto this race, it was all for a charity and I loved every second of it. There is discussion that it may appear on the WRRLeague races next year. I hope it does! 

For now I wait until next weekend. All being well in myself, I’ve managed to gain a Bournville Leafy 10k place from a lady who had to pull out due to illness. It’s always been a quick sell out, so I’ve been told.  To be honest with you, I just want the medal- it’s supposedly a leaf made out of wood instead of metal! Like wow, I need that in my life. 

Here was a free photo of me. Not too bad considering it was free. 

Northbrook 10k- A DNS the Day Before for BBCH, But a Lovely Run Down Memory Lane on Home Soil

What even is this heat?? So we’ve had a heatwave for literally about 8 weeks. I sit here, it’s August. It only just really rained a couple of days ago. It was truly lush. I’ve never been so happy for rain in England. 

My training didn’t even begin for BBCH, the temperatures were to reach 27 degrees on race day, with a 10:50am start. It just wasn’t appealing to me.   My first half this was in 2015, I remember it all to well. It was hot and sticky and sun burny, around 25/26 degrees and I struggled in that and that was with training. I just wasn’t prepared to be stupid. If I didn’t have Freya, maybe I would of done it just to finish but nah. I was gutted also because the medal looked sick and they introduced a runners vest in the goody bag. Oo well. There will be more years to come. 

I forgot that I planned to run my second claim running club’s annual 10k race. So I reasoned with myself to do that instead. I tried to get Lizzy to do it. But her reply was it’s just too fucking hot. You’re mad. No. I looked at the route, I’d ran down all of the route at one point in my snail career, I’d also rode a horse down all of these lanes at one point. The familiarity was one of the things that kept me doing this race. 

I managed to get my best friend to come with me and use my camera for a bit. I got my race number, walked out of the Jag Club then down half of Browns Lane to the start. The heat was monumental. I was sweating by just standing there. That and I forgot my cap! I had a quick chat with Lizzy’s dad, Kevin whom does all the club statistics and data analysis, he wasn’t running that day due to marshalling. I felt kind of guilty. I really should of helped with the marshalling and said I’d help next year. After that, I recall saying to Vickie. I’m not sure about this, it’s really hot. I’m going to die. Might just go back to the car and go home. She didn’t envy me at all. She just said. Just do it. Walk if you need. Drink water when you want and need. 

With that advice we started. Straight up the Browns Lane hill. Gosh I was puffing like I smoked 50 a day. It was a shock to the system not being particularly warmed up and pounding down and up a big incline. After you peak, you run down to turn left alongside the White Lion Pub on Wall Hill Road which again is another elongated climb. However, to keep my mind off it, i thought of riding our horse Guinny who we sadly had to put down in November last year. We had so many memories along these lanes that my mind just went away with the fairies. After peaking here we passed the lane that the stables was on. Down a short decent before heading up Pikers Lane. A memory that comes to light here was the only house on the lane on the right handside. Many a time he had scarecrows or this one time he had a David Beckham human sized  cardboard cut out. I have no idea why?! Maybe he didn’t like horses, but Guinny really hated it. He’d shy, try cantering down the lane because he was shit scared! Bless him. It was also infamous for fly tipping, me and mum nearly landed in a ditch many a times peaking this hill. Going up Pikers i was met with another memory, I remember it happened not long ago. I cycled in front on my mountain bike whilst Guinny and mum trotted behind, not for long. I called his name and he started to get really excited. Mums was laughing her head off as he flung his head in excitement into a strong canted with mum wooowing him in an attempt to slow him, still giggling. I was racing him, trying to catch up but he left me hanging behind and didn’t wanna wait for me. We then turned left back onto Bridle Brook Lane. A nice decent and a welcomed water station to head back up another incline onto Wall Hill Road once again. All these memories took me to 5k

1st mile = 10:35

2nd mile = 10:57

3rd mile = 12:35

Another hill. Gosh this is coming all too repetitive. 416ft to 534ft a 10 minute long incline. Looooovely. Just what I needed when I was sweating my tits off. Just as I peaked. My earphones died. Well they were loyal actually but my iPhone adaptor lead died. Feck you iPhones. That cost me £10 to replace! Money grabbing dicksplashes. Why can’t you have a normal headphone port with a charging port like a normal mobile phone. Nooo you just wanna combine the two so when it breaks you make more money. Cocks! Never again, after I’ve paid my contract off I will not get an iPhone ever again. Sorry Apple, you’ve lost me. You’re just getting ridiculous. Sorry, I was so angry. I like my music when I run! 

It was at this point I seen Massey members egging their team up the hill. Their entries for their club were one of the highest for the event. It shows for their supportiveness to their fellow club runners. It was lovely to see. We then turned left into Watery lane. Just up from there was the Red Lion Pub. Again so many memories. I went on the zip wire with my cousin Ciara and because we were so heavy combined I literally got wooden shards in my bum and knickers due to my arse ccraping along the floor back in 2012. It was also mine and my Nans favourite pub. We’d always go for family birthdays. To this day, it does a banging Cesar salad and home baked lasagne. 

Running down the road I always recalled Guinny having a shit fit at one of the drain covers. Every time. Even though he’d been on that route numerous of times. He’d literally give that wide a birth, he’d be in the hedge on the other side!! After the water station I was met by Steve. One of the Village gym members and mums friend, I’d known his partner, D for many years. Apparently she was probably finished by now! She’s a great runner! Speaking to Steve helped mentally drive me forward and pick up a little pace. 

Mile 4 13:05

It showed with mile 5 coming in at 11:58. After the incline at the end of Watery we went right. Here I knew for sure it was a downhill or relitively flat for the last two 2.5 miles. We were met with water sprinklers to run through which was so refreshing. Before I knew it, I was at the last 0.7 miles of Washbrook Lane. I recall running this in 2016 whilst marathon training in complete darkness with all but a head torch on. It was so scary. Don’t think I’ve ever ran so quick in my life. As I started to walk a runner who wasn’t part of the event said, keep going. It’ll be over quicker. Then spectators said under half a mile come on. Round that corner. Give it some welly. So I did. I got over the finish. My heart was racing and I seen Kev at the finish who congratulated me and thought I’d done it fairly fast. Coming from the man who’s in his 50’s and does a 40 odd min 10k with ease. Ha! I came in at 1:12:46. For the heat. I was super proud! 

Overall, I liked the idea of a cup instead of a t shirt. It was a lovely idea. The medal was also big and colourful. I can’t believe I’ve never participated in this event before. It was well organised. Many water stations to accommodate the heat and the sprinklers were an added bonus on two/ three occasions en route. I definitely got my money’s worth. You could say I’m kinda bias because they’re my club. But no I mean it. It was a brilliant event! 

Two Castles 10km 2018- A Sickness Bug From Hell and A Lush Water Infection

So, this run was a wing it run. 3 weeks before I was due to partake in it, I gained the sickness bug I was so desperate to avoid. It knocked me for 6 completely. I woke in the early hours of the morning to Freya wanting her bottle, but I quickly had to slap Jake awake so I could go and throw up. It took the best of 5 days for the nausea to settle, within theese days my Two Castles race number came through the post. Once again I was debating whether I’d be fully fit to be able to take part. Directly after... maybe due to my shocked immune system,  I gained a head cold, then a week before race day, I was again in the same bathroom experiencing... a burning bladder and increasing discomfort. Luckily I had some antibiotics of which, I took immediately as soon as I discovered leukocyte’s in my home uralysis. I just couldn’t get over my bad luck and Ill health at the moment. I was constantly being struck down. 

To top it off, I hadn’t ran properly since the Liverpool half apart from doing the Wolf Run. We hardly ran either. My confidence was thin for this one. 

Race morning came and I decided that I wasn’t going to pull out, I was just going to do it as slow as was comfortable. Luckily my best friend Lizzy was able to get a place transferred from her friend to her. It made me feel so much better, but because I run alone, I feared that Lizzy talking to me would cause me to get out of breath too quickly escpeically with the amount of undulating-ness of the course. We arrive with no longer than 30 mins to spare before the start. I wasn’t met by my dodgy pre race stomach either which, was a bonus. 

The start was underway. We went out the Warwick Castle ground down hill to turn the corner onto the Coventry Road, which was the first incline of the morning. I was feeling great. I managed to run up the whole thing averaging a sturdy 11:25 min mile. The first mile seen me ease into my stride quite well. We reached another incline to then pass the beautiful pub called the Saxon Mill. Coming up to Warwick bypass roundabout I started to flag which was about 2 miles in. The heat was making an appearance and I felt my sweat glands weren’t releasing the sweat properly (vile- I know) which made me feel a bit lethargic. The second substantial incline was still on the Coventry Road. But featured a lovely down hill section. Which was a relief for my leg and lungs. Looking back at the data, I was making good progress considering how I felt:

Mile 1= 10:31

Mile 2= 10:51

The third mile turned us into Hill Wootten. My god. They like naming their street names with a hill in it. 

Mile 3= 11:21 

Mile 4= 11:50

I love this section of the run, I don’t know why. But you’ve climbed for what seems like the equaivilant of Mount Everest, at the time and then you suddenly turn right and have a lovely decline. With beautiful houses on the right too and the spectators are amazing, well they are throughout this whole run. It’s incredible. After this you’re met with massive trees hanging overhead and you slowly run back up gradually. 

Mile 5= 11:32

Rounds Hill!!! Ergh- the steepest hill over a short amount of time, I believe. I struggled up this hill to the point where Lizzy was running ahead. Turned back and ran back up half with me at least. Hand on my back literally pushing me up the hill. Like you can do it. Come on. Bless her cotton socks. I was just really lathargic. It was getting hotter, and I was fairly ill trained. (Seems to be becoming a common thing :-(.) Fishpond Road again seen Lizzy trowelling forward with confidence, whilst I flagged. From the beginning I had had a niggle in my right hamstring which remain easing as my muscles got warm. So I didn’t really want to overstrech unless I had to at the end. I tell you what. When I first started taking fitness seriously as a slightly over weight teenager in 2013, I joined the Royal Court Gym where I’d go religiously after 6th form. One day i squatted with a studio bar and really, really hurt my right groin. It was excruciating. I could hardly walk. The first time I’d really had a sports induced injury, then it proved a big issue when I started running. After running more than 8 miles, there was a full ache spurring from my pubic bone, (for the ladies, where your triangle is just above your ninny) round under my bum cheek then the ache persisted to shoot down the side of my leg. To which, I came to the conclusion myself that I had a slight bit of pirofomis syndrome. At the time I wasn’t really working or having a reliable income. Nor did I know the trueness of the sports massage’s magic fingers. When you’re 16/17 that doesn’t really cross your mind. I’d have the same pains for a couple of days after, but I’d just deep heat the shit out of it, hobbling to my lectures at University. At this point, I just really didn’t think my body was cut out for running. I thought, yeah I’ve joined all these half marathons, but what’s the point if I preempt that I’m going to get this pain every single time I run over a certain distance. I am no runner. Then suddenly, in 2016 it stopped. I can only assume that the groin muscle/ surrounding ones got stronger with the amount of running and sheer determination for me to keep at it. That too and i joined my mums classes at the Village doing spin, step and tone, Zumba and aqua on a regular basis. I wasn’t ready to sling my towel in just yet. This year sought a significant improvement in my stamina, general fitness and a reduction in body weight and fat, I was starting to gain a lean running figure. Now I’ve had Freya, I’m starting again, and with it come restrengthning areas neglected after 9 months. Anyway back to it. 

Finally, mile 6 arrived to my utter delight. However, you know you have to climb once again the Kenilworth Castle grounds, but again you have the spectators in their hundrads calling you home! I told myself, no. I cannot walk now. The last 0.2 miles. I will not let it defeat me. Plus, I wanted to at least give people the impression that I hadn’t walk/ ran, especially because my step dad had made the effort to come and see me for the first time. Castle Road then turned right into Grounds Farm Lane and I picked up the pace, reaching my fasted pace of the day at 8:46. Me and Lizzy sprint finished. 

This run reiterated why I love running, what I can achieve if I just try and cancel out my brain telling me stop. Although I stopped to walk all of 10 times, it was no longer than half a minute. Which I was proud of, considering how demanding the course is. I will always try to return to this race, well now that’s it’s a ballot I will always enter it with hope of gaining a place. I’d say it was definitely still my next favourite 10k alongside the Birmingham. I finished in a respectable 1:10:13

This was my second ever 10km race back in 2015. Can’t you tell I was struggling? I finished in 1:16

London to Brighton Cycle- “I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride it Where I Like”

My longest ever bike ride in one go!

Gosh, so the only other bike ride I’ve done is the Warwickshire 32 mile for the British Heart Foundation back in 2015 with my cousins. That was when I did no training, wasn’t cycling to work or anything. You could say it was a disasterous success. I was on a shitty mountain bike that weighed a tone, and my dad had purchase this bike no more than 3 weeks before the event. The gears got stuck on the highest gear 20 miles into the event. As you can imagine in Warwick it’s has its fair amount of hills. It was safe to say this event put me off cycling events for a couple years until I purchased my first ever road bike in January 2016 (Mrs Viking). She took me on miles and miles of work commutes and kept me safe and road worthy until I was 38 weeks pregnant, not to mention getting me there on time, regardless. 

With this, in November 2017, I kept on seeing advertisements of London to Brighton, some debit card details and a little cheeky extension of my overdraft and I was a participant for this event. After 2015’s event I vowed I would never do another cycle event on a shitty £80 mountain bike. I used my first weeks of maternity to purchase Trish the Triban. My new bike baby of 10.5kg. The first ride on her was to the gym in the centre of Tamworth and she was so light and comfy. 

The longest training ride I did was 35.5 miles 2 weeks before the event. The next day I got a norovirus, following this, larangitis acommanied by a cold. Then the Monday after a bloody water infection! Luckily I felt 100% from the virus and cycled down to my mums in Coventry the week before the event, then did no exercise the week leading up to the event for fear of my bladder falling out because of the pressure from the infection. 

The event came round so fast. I managed to lend a bike rack from some friends and after the disaster like that of Laurel and Hardy trying to attach the bike in heavy pouring rain, we were able to set off. Lizzy drove us down to London. The orginal plan was to take mum and Freya. But at the last minute, we decided that it was just too much hassle with sterilising and the fact she’s at that transition stage to solids. It was too much. So mum looked after Freya for me. At last minute, I cancelled the triple room hotel and managed to get a good deal on a double in Lambeth, London. 

To our horror, when we arrived after 9pm, we discovered that the bed linen hadn’t even been changed, hair all over the pillows and duvet, the room was dusty and just damn right dirty. Not to mention It was like a treasure hunt trying to find the front door keys, then to find the room keys which were located behind a picture canvas. But then again what do you expect for £44 in London. It was so bad we slept on top on the covers and froze our asses off all night! I laid out all my stuff for the morning and went to bed anxious as hell. From reviews online, many said they wouldn’t do it again due to the sheer amount of cyclist participating, the congestion and the likelyhood of accidents. 28,000 people on 2 wheels all heading on the same country lanes. Not to mention people who had barely adequate bikes for the distance ahead. 

After a terrible nights sleep I got up at 6:30am. I ate a nature valley bar, brushed my teeth and got ready. Then my nervous tummy started right as people from the other doorms were waking up and wanting to use the same facilities! 

I set off at 8:40am on my own and left Lizzy to return the keys and make her way to Brighton. I cycled 2 odd miles to Clapham Common. The roads were dead. But it was a lovely little commute to wake my legs up. 

I arrived at the race headquarters and start at 9:15am. I was straight into my starting pen. Now I was really getting anxious, the sheer amount of cyclists was so intimidating. We shuffled forward and were told not to mount our bikes until we got on the road. 

1-10 miles:- it took me over an hour to get out of London due to having to obey the traffic signal. Like stopping at red lights etc... there is no way they could have completely closed the roads. I felt sorry for the buses. They were so good. Apart from the one driver who was swearing and clearly livid about all the cyclists and not being able to move for fear of killing one of us. I was so amazed at the amount of cyclist already having pulled over to change their inner tubes. Hundreds, before even getting out of London took to the road sides, bikes upside down, pumps at the ready. 

The first 10miles were a pleasant warm up. Going down what looked like the first country lane of the day I was met by two male cyclists singing the Queens Bicycle Race song. Singing it in sync. It made me chuckle. People were in high spirits and it was lovely to see. The first significant incline came 1hr 20mins in where we climbed from 90ft to 575ft! I was so surprised to see how many people got off and walked it. Over hearing someone saying “no point in burning yourself out so early”. Here was when I seen some congestion. Many of the walkers stayed to the right to let the people whom stayed on their bikes flow past without a pile up. I had one scare when someone stopped dead in front of me and dismounting causing me to swerve. Luckily no one was next to me. My already high beating heart rate went into my throat. I’ve feared falling off ever since I Jarred my shoulder and had to go to A&E back in 2014. My confidence was knocked so much. 

10-20 mile. I felt amazing. However. The miles were going by quite slow and I started to doubt myself. 2 hours in, I witness my first hold up due to an accident that took place on a steep decent. The ambulance people were there with a woman, who was laying ton the side sucking on gas and air. So she had clearly done some damage. I was amazed to see an many on tandems and one bloke on a massive penny farthing. Fair play to him. In his suit too! Amazing, he actually passed me and I don’t think he stopped at any pit stops. By this point around 15 miles my knees started to hurt, I decided to knock my seat down for fear of having to stop suddenly and fear of falling by not being able to touch the ground. I persevered and always carry my deep head and a knee support with me on every ride as I’ve experienced this problem so many times. 

I stopped shortly at the 21 mile pit stop. These came every 5 miles to ring Lizzy and tell her of my progress and read Jakes good luck message. She’d arrived to Brighton already and was saying how amazing it was. I refuels with a SIS gel and a Nutella Bueno tasting thing and went on my way. 

20-30 miles-

The next significant incline came at around 23-25 miles. The people who lived in the Village came out to cheer and tell people to keep going as the hill was short but steep and it really was! I was in awe with the variety of different types of bicycles some old, some new. I think I personally only saw one or two fully carbon race looking ones. The descents here were lovely and fast, on 4 occasions I hit pot holes at a high speed and screamed shit for fear my tyre would become disformed or for gaining a puncture, but Trish held up really well, bless her, I was like in a scouse accent, “ayyy steady on there Trish, love”. She was fast. Wanting to go faster down the declines. But I had to restrain her by resting my hand on the break, just in case someone pulled over in front of me or for fear clipping someone’s back tyre. 

It was in this section at another steep decline that an accident halted everyone I got off here because we were told to stop, then after 5 mins or so we were allowed on our way. But I couldn’t get on my bike!! So I had to stand on an embankment with police officials and marshall’s looking at me like I was a weirdo! 

30-40miles

These came and went by fairly quickly. I believe because it was relatively flat with a lot of decents. The hills were not massive to the extent where I was managing to properl forward and maintain a speed in a higher gear. I really think my training routes (being hilly in parts) have help me mentally, by making myself be persistent and just slowing myself but keeping my legs ticking round, with the lactic acid going as soon as I summited. I was surprised. I mean, I  didn’t stick to any form of plan, I just went out when I was able to. I put no real pressure on myself because I knew this wasn’t a race! The BHF’s slogan for this event was “it’s not a race, it’s a life saver” so brilliantly put. There was no pressure of getting over the finish line due to the cut off being 7pm too. Which was nice. I just wanted to take in my surroundings. Saying this, It started to get really scenic for the last 14 miles.

When I was 40 miles in. I stopped at my second pit stop and got off to ring Lizzy. I was 14 miles from the finish. I thought. Mate, I can do this. I can run that distance. I have no excuse whatsoever. BUT... I knew that the hardest incline of the day lay was  in arms reach- the Ditchling Beacon. Described on Wikipedia as a steep incline of a 10% gradient, that goes up as steep as 750ft in the space of under a mile. I was dreading it. I was really feeling it at 40 miles too. My energy was slowly depleating, which was my own fault, as I should of refueld when I was at the pit stop but I was just like screw it. It’s only 14 miles. Bad idea. The inclines were making my legs feel like led. My pace had significantly slowed. 

40-54 miles 

The miles went by ever so slow and because I was now 46 miles in and herd someone say. “Ooo no. We’re going into the Ditching Village and then the big hill is shortly after” not what I wanted to hear at this moment in time. People’s spirits had burnt out. I met a chap who was cycling next to me asking if it was my first time I said yes. It was his second. He went on to say. Keep at this pace. No point in going all out because it’s going to be steep and difficult. I think I managed no more than 3 minutes on my bike before being defeated for the first time of the day. I had to get off and walk. My legs were just not having any of it. To put it into some sort of perspective, we started at 115ft and reached the top at 763ft in the space of 20 minutes. But bare in mind I was walking. I was even puffing my lungs out whilst doing this because it was steep. But it was truly worth. The views when you peaked were utterly breathtaking. I took some photos and will post them at the end. It was even more satisfying to note, that from that point, the last 6 miles or so were downhill! They weren’t wrong. By this point and due to how high we were, the wind started to batter me. Taking my wheels slightly. I just wanted to get down as quickly, but as safely as possible. Many faster cyclist were sticking to the left now, using it like a motorway and overtaking. I decided to do this. I hit the fastest I’ve ever been on a bike at 31mph, hitting again, some really uneven terrain along the way down, but Trish coped. 

With 5 miles to go, I could tell we were in Brighton. The roads were more city like, which came with slowing down and a little congestion due to having to obey normal traffic conditions again. I didn’t have time to inform Lizzy that I was so very near the finish. With a left turn, we approached the beach front, with the finish line in arms reach. I picked up the pace as much as I could and made sure I was the only one when I seen the photographers. My right hand off the handlebars, I held my hand high with utter relief. 

I’d just rode from London to Brighton. I had an overwhelming sense of emotions, the type you get after a marathon. I shed a tear. Not only did I do this successfully, Trish pulled through without gaining any mechanical issues and I didn’t crash or fall off . To top it off, I smashed my personal target and came in in under 6 hours! I was elated. I collected my medal, which was beautiful, may I add. Then met up with Lizzy when I was on the pebbly beach. She was annoyed that she didn’t see me finish, as she was waiting at the finish line, but no matter. I finally got to hold my bike in the air as an obligatory finishers photo and then we headed back to the hotel. 

It is now the morning after the cycle and I sit here with nothing more than a painful arse and a poorly right knee! I would definitely do this again, Lizzy has provisionally agreed to do it next year with me. So this is another event to add to my regular race calendar!

Some of the pros of this event: 

Very well marshalled and organised. You’re over the start quickly and efficiently. 

Great pit stops full of a variety of coffee, tea bacon and snacks. 

Lots of pubs. I seen many people stop off at the pubs en route to have a pint!!

Great medal. 

Great medical assistance.  

Fairly decent amount of local villager support. 

Great comradeship from fellow cyclists. 

It’s laid back, to my surprise I seen nothing like what I read on reviews about certain individuals thinking it was the Tour De France (maybe they set off earlier, who knows!)

Cons:  

As much as it amazing to see that amount of cyclist taking on the challenge for a great cause, with it being my favourite charity. They really need to re think the maximum capacity in my opinion. I witnessed two crashes, and I had a near scrape when I was 30 miles in, which I’ve forgot to mention above. It was a steep incline and the pit stop was at the top. People were stopping for the pit stop and just stopped dead in the road causing a massive congestion. Not to mention it made it harder because it was on a hill! I was swerving to get around people. I nearly crashed into a fellow cyclist who walked over the road from his bike to get a coffee. That was the most dangerous I’d seen it the whole way through. Many people abided by the cyclist etiquette apart from that one instance. 

So all in all. It was a faboulous mini break away. I got to see a bit of Brighton, not to mention my average pace in comparison to my training rides had gotten faster by nearly 1mph. My last one was 10.1mph, when I looked at my data on Garmin Connect it came up as an average of 9.1mph and that was with walking too! I’m also happy that I’ve got over my fear of cycling in groups. I think I can go into my first triathlon with a little more confidence knowing I’ve done this. 

Next event:- Gate Gallop 10km in Tamworth. 

Liverpool Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon~ Postpartum Success!

Hello all you beautiful people. 

As I stated in my last post, my next race was my first Half Marathon since March last year! Just before I conceived with Baby Frey. 

I shall start my post with the Thursday leading up to race day! It starts with a rife sickness bug that went round the house. First, my niece and sister in law on the Tuesday, then my mother in law on the Thursday then my partner, Jake on the Friday. I was absolutely mortified. I paid the marathon price last November, not thinking logically how hard it would be with so little training after giving birth. So I messaged them to down the distance to the half back in March. That was £47! The room was £75 cancellation with full refund only 7 days before the arrival date. If I gained this bug and as a result didn’t run, it would cost me near a loss of £100! I was not mentally prepared to do that. As a result, I fled and quarantined myself and my daughter at my Mums in Coventry. 

The days went by and paranoia set in. I was feeling highly anxious and nauseous, but I was still eating well, no sign of headaches (which was apparently the first onset of the virus)... Saturday morning came and I agreed with my mum that’s I’d go and if so, just be Ill in Liverpool. Vickie, my lovely bestie and driver headed to mine for 10:30am. We packed the suitcases, and I even put in my plastic bin in the front for a precautionary measure so I wouldn’t dirty Herb (her state of the art, pride and joy purgeot). The drive was lovely up to Birkenhead. We traveled via the A Roads for a more scenic drive. I didn’t feel sick at all. 

The Lions guest house was great. Exactly what you paid for and the owner was very welcoming and asked if I was doing the event, I agreed and he gave a pot of porridge and a banana for the morning because we’d miss out on breakfast. In the evening we chilled out, watched the new season of 13 Reasons Why and took a detour to the closest Weatherspoons for dinner. 

I told myself by 8pm Saturday, if I was still feeling okay, then I should have avoided any contamination. Thank God me or Freya did not catch it. I was actually really surprised. 6:20am my alarm was set for. I woke on time and had a good sleep! I got ready and before I knew it we were on the road, heading through the Mersey Tunnel to Liverpool. 

I cannot believe the sheer volume and variety of runners that came to this event. We arrived with about 45 minutes to spare. I stood around looking at the massive concert looking stage. I was really happy to see the Echo Arena opened for the sole use of their toilet facilities. I always dread the possible trots and stomach upsets on race morning. Having to line up in ques that are miles long, the horrible smell of portable toilets as well as the fear of shitting myself. But the efficiency of these toilet facilities were bang on. The best I’ve seen. Well done RnR Series!  

With about 10 minutes to go before the official starting time, runners were heading to the start line. This was where I realised it was going to be a hot one. Hundreds lined the street. I was in the 19,000’s coral, so I was at the back. I didn’t care. But the only con was we were standing around waiting to start for over 30 minutes. That was the only thing I could say that was bad about the event. To the point where we moved forward not even 10 metres. I said goodbye to Vickie and we came to an abrupt stop. I was getting so agitated. I just wanted to start. Come oooon. 

We finally started. Yeeey. Over the start line I went. I held myself back. Telling myself that slow and steady was to be a vital race tactic for the day. 11:30 was the pace I wanted for the flat parts, which just so happened to be the first mile 11.35. Spot on. No congestion was present as we had the entire roads through the city. Then the climbing started. My second mile came in as my fasted of the day at 11:28. I told you I was taking it steady! Time was of no matter to me for this race. 

5km came and went pretty fast (fast, pfft well not fast in some people’s books, just over 35 minutes). At this point we were going through China town and out of the City Centre. My first walk according to my pace calculations on Garmin connect was 44 minutes in, that quite good for the elevation. We went from 93ft to 172ft! A steep incline to say the least and the peak elevation of the day. 

Mile 4 was 12:48 my second worst split of the day. 

Mile 5 = 12:04. Nothing really interesting happened here. Just a loooooong stroll before heading into Sefton Park. 

Sefton Park on the other hand was absolutely stunning. So athestetically pleasing. I really enjoyed it. Plus the shade from the trees was fantastic. It gave me a new lease of life. I seen people struggle from 6 miles with the heat. I just kept on trying to keep my mind off stopping by looking at other and their vests and t shirts from their clubs or charities. There was so many runners from all over the UK. I seen people from Ireland and herd of a woman from California that travelled over just to run this race. Crazy! 

10km came in at just over 1:13. Considering it was better than Birmingham- I was happy. More shade was definitely the only reason for this. From here, we went up Queens Drive and back down to head out of the park. 

Mile 7 was 12:26. Mile 8 (11:43) still shady, SIS Gel gulped down. Not nice when you’re dehydrated and have a mouth like Gandhi’s flip flop already, to then  take these on board. The thickness was intense. Like, I’m going to throw us intense. It caused me a little of stomach upset. Which I walked off- thankfully, without having to run off into the bushes. Which I seen so many people do. I also noted that I was getting blisters on the inner side of both of my big toes. I tried so hard to not think about them. Which I did successfully until 11 miles in, where the pain was excruciating causing me to stop and walk! 

Stupidly, I wore my new New Balance trainers after only doing a couple of miles in. I wore them for my 10mile long run a week before and it did the same. But not to the, at the time suspected severity as what I was feeling from at that point. 

Mile 10, dead on 12:00. At this point we’d ran through Otterpool Park which had a slight incline, but the decline onto the coast was lovely and a relief to know that it was going to be pretty much flat until the finish! 

Mile 11, 12:07 culmative time 2:11 to think just a year and 2 months before I successfully complete my PB for a Half at 2:05. I kept on gritting my teeth thinking if only I was still that fast, I would be done now, having gained my medal and finishers t shirt and heading back to the car. In a way it’s quite deflating for the ego. But I promised myself that after having a baby I would come back stronger. I took into consideration that it took me 2 and half years to reach that PB and that it was likely to be the same again. I told myself again and again. I have a beautiful daughter/tiny human which is way better to have than chasing a menial sub 2 hour half marathon time. That’s the thing about us runners we define ourself by our overall time. I see it every other day on the Run Mummy Run page. This page is so ace. If you’re ever thinking about starting to run, or currently a runner who has relating issues, go join their page they’re so supporting and loving. Truly amazing women. They also have sub groups which are based by your region. For example, I’m part of the West Midlands Clan). Back too. I see posts like:

“I want to do (said event) but I fear I’ll be too slow. My time is (... for this distance) am I too slow?” 

“I’m a plodder”

The problem is with road running. We critically define ourselves by the pace at which we race. Constantly trying to better ourself for our ego or simply trying to move from jogger to runner, which I recently seen was anything below a 10min/mile. Screw that. If you put on foot in front of the other,  at a pace that’s faster than your walking pace... You’re a runner. Sometimes the latter can take away the true value of just being able run. It takes out of the enjoyment of the sport in my opinion. Hence why Im attempting an ultra marathon at the end is September to mark my 23rd birthday. There is no reliance on time. You don’t have to feel ashamed to walk, it’s all off road and the sights look beautiful! I know it’s going to be damnnnnn hard. But it’ll be Oo so rewarding when I finish! 

Wooow. I’ve done it again and gone off topic. Back to race reporting. Mile 12 13:18. My worst split of the day. I was well and truly jeffin (walk/running) no shame. Just before the coast got boring, we went back out onto the streets for a change of scenery. Around, Brunswick Dock then back onto the riverside. A marshal said. “Come on you’re nearly done. The finish is around that corner”, Looking at my watch. I actually believed him. Most note that when spectators say you’re nearly there, never up your pace. Because it mostly means, you’re are not ‘nearly’. Or you ware yourself out and look like plonk for believing the public. Mile 13, 12:05. Then I upped my game and gave it all I had left in the tank. 0.10 came in at 8:23!!! Happy days. I posed for the finishers photos and I was over getting my medal. I was so elated. I could run a half marathon fairly comfortably again. I finished in a time that was way faster than my expectations. 2:38! I was so happy. The other thing I would state that I disliked was not getting a finishers bag. You have to walk for 0.4 miles, roughly, to different tables for drinks, Haribo, bananas, crisps the lot. By the end you look like a stubborn food shopper who neglected to bring their plastic bags and refuses to pay 10p for a bag! However, I do respect that it was probably more eco friendly. Fair game. 

The last on the list was to go into the arena to retrieve my finishers t shirt. I opted for medium, but I knew I needed a small. I went up to this girl who was distributing them and apologetically said. “I’m so sorry my t shirt token has been stuffed down my sports bra for the whole race. Have a you got a bin to just put it straight in. Because I really don’t want you touching my tit sweat!” She did not look amused at all. Hahaha. 

After this I met with Vickie. Hobbled to 0.7 miles to the car park from Albert Docks and as we were about to exit the car park. I pulled both shoes off and took in the true horror which were my big toes. The blisters were probably the worst I’ve had since In 2015, when I ran Birmingham and didn’t have proper running trainers. I got my safety pin at the ready and Vickie was heaving saying, “Don’t you dare get your foot juice in my car.” Not going to lie it was a squirter!! Proper vile. Painfully vile. After this success we were on the road ready to come home. I celebrated with a large crispy wrap meal and cheesy bites from McDonald’s on the way home. Then an ommlet when I got home to mums!! 

Shout out to Vickie whom this event wouldn’t of happened if it wasn’t for her intense driving skills, and thinking going 70mph on a single carriage was the national speed limit! Which is so funny because right she’s a police officer and is such a good law abiding citizen. When in actual fact, she was braking the law by accident! She is a true friend. 

The concluding thought. I so would do this again, the medals are fantastic. I’m planning on doing the Dublin one next August. The last downer was that I only got 4 race photos which were all hurrendous. But then again, it saved me £19 per digital photo. Gutted because I really did pose for the finish photos. 

Next event Wolf Run and Two Castles. Another favourite of the year!!! 

Brum 10k - “I wish it was hotter and more humid outside” said no runner ever!

Ow wow. My hottest 10k to date. I know my first half marathon was horrificly hot at 25 degrees. But that was near on three years ago, I have long since forgot about that. 

Training is going fairly well for the Liverpool RnR half marathon. Saying that, I’ve missed my long run this week because of the heat and the possibility of getting a cold! Typical, once again. I was popping vitamin C like happy pills in hope that it would keep off the cold until after the race day. To which, it was successful, and in all honesty I’m just a bit blocked as a write this. So fingers cross the cold crisis has been averted. 

After everyone saying it was going to get hot again. I took it upon myself to check the weather the week before. First look- it was 20 degrees. After a hot Saturday I seen it had changed and was supposedly going to get as high as 22-23 degrees. My heart dropped. I had a start time of 11:15. One of the last waves to be sent on their way, to top it off, it looked like It was going to be 19 before I’d even started. 

I cannot cope with running in the heat. It is my pet hate. But I love this event. I just had to try and sustain my hydration and energy levels. I didn’t eat breakfast for fear of a dodgy stomach. Probably not one of my brightest ideas! Mum woke me at 6 after having Freya in her room for night for a feed. So I was up way before I’d planned. Which didn’t bother me too much. 

I knew it was going to be a hot one when at 8:30 I let the Dog out and it was already heating up. Dad came and go me and Freya at 9:20. Yes my Baba was finally coming to a race with me. The journey wasn’t delayed through any traffic and we nabbed a parking space fairly quickly by Aston University. Yey, no cock up yet. 

I watched the elite wave go off and just before the Green wave went off, we seen the winner cross the line in a staggering (just over) 29 minutes!! O my Christ, I’m not even half way by that point. Incredible. Wish I was that good at running. I read a post which was pretty funny. It said, “I’m glad I’m only competing against myself, because everyone else it kicking my ass!” Couldn’t have been more relevant to myself. That is why I love running. You challenge your personal goals, it not about winning the entire race. 

The time came and went. Before I could say go I was through the barricades, lining up to start. For once I wasn’t hunderds of participants behind and I managed to get to the closest I’ve ever got to start a race which was cool! I wonder if I made on tv?!  God knows. 

The gun went off and we started. I went off really fast (fast for my current fitness). Stupid! Just because I was so near to the front. The spectators were fab. The first mile wasn’t too bad. But I made another stupid decision to wear shorts. Before pregnancy I could just about cope, my thighs were thin enough to not make them ride up and look like my vagina was eating them! Aha. Yes this happened. The whole of the race I was picking and plucking them out, which was far from attractive and my God I chaffed. I will never do it again. I may just bite the bullet and buy the longer men’s ones. I thought about getting those compression ones. But I don’t like where they cut off just above the knee, the seam causes a tiny fat bulge because they’re fitted Lycra. Nah. No thank you. The first mile went quickly. The sun was beaming down and it took me just over a mile to gain some sort of breathing rhythm. 

Luckily most of the first mile and a half was flat, or downhill out of the city centre. Important to note, I also bagged my fasted post pregnancy mile at 9:35. Yey. By 3km the heat was defeating quite a few people, most around me slowed to a brisk walk. From my Garmin data my first walk was 23 minutes in. From there it went to pot. The heat was sweltering. I was sweating like a nun in a brothel. It seemed to have zapped my energy to near zilch. 

My second mile was 11:08 not too shabby. From then, my third mile came in at 12.32! Even a fellow runner came past and patted my back, saying that I could do this. By this point my shorts were driving me crazy, they were riding up like Mount Everest! I literally wanted to just take them off and be a streaker! But I savoured the public eye. They didn’t need to see that and I would have definitely have got arrested and wouldn’t get my bling or my entry’s worth. 

5km in, I started to ease into it. Even though I was walk/running. I felt a sense of ease or acclimatisation. For this run, I selected the 10k training mode on my Garmin (which I never knew I could do till this point). It was ace. It counted down the miles for me, and gave me an estimated finishing time. Love it. I must admit this was the only thing that kept my optimism up. It was fluttering between 1:16. I honestly put a sub 1:20 finish. Taking into consideration the hot conditions. 

My 5k wasnt actually all that disasterous for when I am now. It was 34minutes something. Quite on par to what I’ve been doing when I exceed over 3.1 mile on my training runs. Happy days. Screw you heat. 

6km was bliss. The shower was located here after going through Cannon Hill Park. My chafe was at its painfullest. That was the only thing at that point reducing me to a walk, even down hill which really peeved mrbecause of the sheer pain. The support at 6k was immense too. Kids and even adults shooting water guns, families handing out extra water and jelly babies! This is why I love this event. So much community cohesion and a great sense of community belonging. 

After this, the chafe subsided somehow (thank fuuuu) and I was freeeeeeee to run/walk better than I did throughout the entire race. I was saddened to see that half a mile from the finish a poor gent had collapsed. I really hope he was okay! 

400m from the start I started to see fellow finisher with their newly acquired tech t shirt. I fell in love with the sky blue colour this year. I shuffled back onto Jennens Road and I seen my dad and my stepmom were shouting my name, with my little baba in her pushchair. Prior to this my fiancé stated he was right at the finish line waiting for me to cross. Yes. He finally got to see me race again and I loved it. This made me up so happy to finish. I managed to sprint shuffle! I met up with him briefly. He said he shouted my name and then went onto say that I blanked him! Whoopsy. 

I was exceptionally proud to have not collapsed, I stayed hydrated and didn’t expect too much of myself. I finished in a respectable 1:14:18! My personal target had been achieved. 

Once again I throughly enjoyed this event and will continue to do it! I absolutely love it. One day, when I’m earning a decent wage. I’m going to try out some of the other Great Runs in different cities to see what they’re like. But for now I will concentrate on my last long run before Liverpool Oo and the Kingsbury Classic 10km tonight! Wow. My first half has come round so fast!!!! :-/. 

Hagley Hall Resolution 10km- Nasty Inclines... Karma For MK? My First Timed Off Roader

Okay, so we actually participated in this run and what a hard run it was. I honestly didn’t know what we were in for. At a fee of £15, this back in 2015 was my first ever 5km race, however it was in the Warwick Castle grounds. When I looked again, I noted that the Hagley Hall was the closest one. I suspect Stroke Association did not have the funds to warrent the closure of the grounds for a morning, or they didn’t gain approval. Which is such a shame, as I love Warwick Castle. 

As I sit here, I am now half wayish through my 8 week come back half training taking place in Liverpool on May 20th. Am I happy with training, but then again I know it’ll probably be my second worst time out of all my half’s. But as I’ve said. I just want to complete the bloody thing (and go to visit Liverpool). My next long run sees me complete 8 miles with any luck. The plan only goes to 10! So far training is going well. I’ve stuck to it bar missing 1 run completely and cheekily missing 0.8 miles because I classed this race as a training run and I think it was the maximum effort I’d put into a 7 miler. 

I stayed at home in Tamworth instead of coming to Coventry and luckily enough the start time was 11am. Meaning it wouldn’t be an early get up. Lizzy came to me and off we went. We didn’t get lost once on the way. Which is really good for us. Stopping off at the petrol station seen Lizzy eating a full blown croissant and me a little bit larger than normal packet of malteasers. We arrived and the mansion were absolutely stunning!  Everyone was also wearing the purple stroke top which was so cool to look at. All these people united against the fight for more research to help prevent or treat strokes. The 15k went off first which seen them do 3 laps, the 10k 2 and the 5k 1. 

Before we knew it, we congregated to the start and off we went. The first bit was down hill to the left. Then through a gate, to follow a little pond which were gravelled paths. This was the first incline of the day. By this point we were only half a mile in and my legs were burning, my heart rate erratic and my breathing was terrible. I kept think. Push through the first mile. Come on Coley. I ran the first 0.75miles before the course literally broke me to a walk. Again, on gravel we headed into the wooded areas. More hills again! And I mean steep. Within the first 14 minutes we gained just over 200ft. 

By 21 minutes we had plumited to the maximum decline, man it felt so good and natural. I felt so much more free than being on road! Before we knew it, another massive climb was in front of us. I was not alone in walking. Many had be beaten by the inclines of the course. 

Again, another climb of over 200ft just as we were gaining momentum. Me and Lizzy were nearly crying for the sight of it. I wanted to take a picture. But I forgot. I was just concentrating on my breathing. Even at a walking pace I was struggling. I think other than after 18 mile during the Hull marathon. This was the most I’d ever walked during an event! 

We completed the first lap of 5km in 40minutes. But it was nice to learn the the last 0.7 mile of the course was a lovely downhill to the finish. As the 5k’ers crossed the line, they must have been secretly happy that they didn’t have to endure another lap or two. I suspect there were a few people on the 10-15k events that dropped their distances without a doubt. I remember saying to Lizzy. I feel for those who done this as their first race. I think it would put me off running for life it it was mine. The terrain was tough. I mean, I don’t really run the Wolf Run. Its not a timed event after all. I pay £55 per race, I don’t care if I take 4 hours to complete it. It’s not competitive. I do it with my friend who doesn’t really run much and only does it because i blackmailed her into it for the first time in 2015, now she absolutely loves it. So much so she completed her 4 seasons to gain her Alpha Wolf status the year just gone. It’s the highlight of our year together! 

This event showed me just how different hitting the trail was when all you’ve ever done is road running. It takes a lot more out of you, it’s also more brutally demanding but offeres so much more versatility and you can truly appreciate nature at its finest. The air just seemed purer, and like I’ve just said you feel more of a sense of freedom. 

The second lap. We knew what we were in for this time. I did walk a lot more. We kept trying to run the downhills and the flats. It was really funny actually. When we ran, we overtook this gentleman. Then when we walked, his massive stride overtook us to the point he said “keep going girls. Because you’re keeping me going with this little yo-yo pacing!” Aha. The first incline seemed harder. But my lungs seemed to have settled into the motion. The weather was really humid when we got to the woods. I was sweating and I felt a little light headed for about 3 minutes. Me and Lizzy at one point started singing cereal advert songs like coco pops and Frosties hahaha. Then breaking into duets half way to the finish. When we passed one of the marshalls we associated them with omg it’s all downhill from here and it was bliss. One of the declines where the photographer was, nearly seen me tumble because I was running so fast and it was quite steep. Just after this. Lizzy decided it was a great idea to roll her ankle and yelped. But continued to run because we knew we didn’t have long to go. 

Oo and when we reached the highest peak we looked down to the field representing the last kilometres and about 20 wild deer pegged it right onto the course. But luckily they didn’t stop and headed into another wooded area. That was incredible to watch. Wouldn’t see that on a road race now would you?

We reached the water station which meant we were a couple of yards from the finish. I ran so fast. A sprint finish and according to my Garmin it ended with a 5:50min/mile for a split second before I stopped my watch with the marshal having to literally put her hands in front of me to stop me to give me my medal . We did it. We lined up to gain our finishing time ticket from the chip timing company and we started at the same time and finished at exactly the same time! Now that’s what you call a running buddy for life. Our finish time was 1:23:40. Lizzy finished 5th in her age category! I finished 23rd and we didn’t come last! Yey. 

So that was the toughest 10k I’ve ever done. Me and Lizzy both joked that this was Karma for MK just over a month ago. But it gives me great optimism that I will be able to finish the Birmingham 10km in 2 weeks time. So with that peace out. Until then!