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.