Anglesey Half Marathon: Body Numbing Rain, Less Hills (surprisingly) and Looking Cray-Cray Telling Your Legs to "Shut Up"

Well, well, well!

The last post seen me come back with a bang from stupidly stepping on a sewing needle! Ha. (Which is all scarred over now- yey!) 

In short, 3 Sunday's before race day, I went on a long 9 miler. I absolutely loved it and I was exceedingly proud of my time due to being a work all day. The next morning I felt I niggle- a niggle in the bum to be completely honest with you! I was gutted... As well as that, I gained the cold and flu virus after my January exams, going into semster 2. 

After Google doctoring and self diagnosing, I came to the conclusion that I'd pulled or over extended at the hip causing the pain in my glute on the right hand side. I had a spin class on the Monday, which didn't do much damage. I didn't feel it until after Tuesday and gave it a slight rest (*cough* attended mums tone class). Wednesday, I decided to go to running club (yes, I am now officially a member of Northbrook AC!). The session was hill reps! Joys- my fave -_- .  I also decided to run commute 2 miles there and back. A mile into the commute, it became apparent it wasn't fully healed. The pain running downhill was indescribable. I should have just turned back and left running with Northbrook until the next week. But it's me, honestly, that was not going to be an option in Snailtastic Coley's book! Surprisingly, going uphill was fine. It was just going down that near brought a tear to my eye. But I did it and then shuffled moped home- painfully, with my bottom lip scraping the floor, soaking wet too.

Thursday, I attended Spin again and Step and Tone. Spin was fine but Step was a struggle- again, I shouldn't have really participated. But i bloody did it anyway (when will I learn ey'). The weekend seen me working and rubbing deep heat into my right arse cheek and smelling increasingly of eucalyptus oil- always fun, like. I was also crying to my mum on the Friday in total agony and in compete disarray.

I rang the doctors to try and get something stronger for the pain. But lone and behold, unless you're truly dying. You WILL wait a minimum of 2 weeks to be seen. I said to the receptionist. "There's no point. It'll more than likely be better by then. I'll just suck it up deal with it". Absolutely useless my doctors are! Frustrates me. 

So from then, I was popping paracetamol and ibuprofen until the following Wednesday. After having to miss my 10mile run due to this pain in the arse injury, I began to get really anxious about my upcoming half marathon. The train tickets had been booked for me and Jake (who couldn't get the dates off work anyway!). The outlook wasn't looking great, it was going to be a possible Did Not Finish. But it's me again after all. (I hope to never hold the title of a Did Not Start in my snailtastic career.) 

I laid off running for a week and up until the day of my half, I didn't run any longer than that 9 mile distance for fear of causing anymore harm. I attended running club on the Wednesday night and to my utter dismay fell off a pavement- a fecking pavement (I began to start thinking that running was giving me some sort of evil hint to steer clear for while). I fell off the pavement because of a husky dog being problematic for its owners on the path. Like ouch. Fell onto my ankle, which gave a slight wince of pain. Never fear, I still managed to continue running with the group. But I took it easy. There was slight pain in my ankle. But to my surprise- nothing more came of it. 

Overtime for Wednesday and Thursday and Friday from work! It seen me being extremely lazy. Friday, I did a steady 4 miles on the treadmill. Saturday night I had a brilliant night out in Rugby for a best friends birthday, but it came at a consequence. I was feeling rough, having not come home till 5am and being up for work and in for 10am. Hadn't  even been a month, and I'd gained another cold virus! Sore throat you name it. Poorly chest. A week before race day- could my illnesses and injuries just give me a break. Like, seriously? Missed another long run. 

Monday, nothing but uni 4-6pm. No Spin class unfortunately either. Tuesday missed mums 10:30am tone, but I went to Zumba. Wednesday a steady 200m and 400m threshold run reps on Butchers lane with running club. Thursday, I attended Spin and Step and Tone, which just about killed me off. My chest was so painful, proved by my heart rate being sky high, my snot was green and yellow too. I was really getting concerned. However, my butt was fully healed and I found out I was successfully in for my 3rd consecutive year of gaining a place for Two Castles 10km! Which has begrudgingly gone to a ballot this year due to high demand and fairness rulings. 

Friday 7:42am train to Crewe. Then from Crewe to Holyhead, where I met my Nanny Bunny. No extreme coughing or shivers. But when I did cough the mucus was thick. It's been piddling it down up here since I arrived. Typical of Wales at this time of year really. Did not think of that when I registered to run the half marathon did I? Aha. 

Now for the juicy bit. Sunday morning, 5th March 6:15am RACE DAYYYYYY. I'm feeling ready to rumble. My aunty and I set off at 7:35am and got there for 25 past 8, the race was due to start promtly at 9am. Again horrific rainy conditions. If I hadn't gained pneumonia now. I sure as hell will be of high risk after running this!  

My typical dodgy stomach made its apparence and after that, 9:50am came and went rather quickly. By this point, my aunty left to walk back up and over Menai bridge to spectate. 

I toddled off to the 2:30 starting pen, constantly having to use my fingers as winder screen wipers because I got up late and couldn't find my contact lenses thus I was running in my glasses. 

No gun, just a count down for the official start. 

Mile 1: Over the bridge and the turning back to come under the bridge was congested as hell, resulting in me gaining a depressing 10:03min/mile. Everyone was so close knit, due to the road being so narrow. I didn't like this. But I suppose I was thinking it for the best due to my chest. There was no need for me to go speeding off and burning myself out. I was aiming for a max 2:30 finish. 2:20 minimum. 

Mile 2: Everyone was kind of finding their paces and opening up a bit. This also meant that I was gaining my own momentum and felt at ease. No major inclines either. I was pleasently surprised. I was running a half marathon in Wales- without any hills. Surely there is some sort catch, no? Mile 2 was a 9:38min/mile. Every 5 minutes I was wiping my glasses with my fingers in a hope to be able to see a little bit more infront of me, my nose was drizzling snot too. Yucky. 

5km: Took me just over 30 minutes. I was well on the way to believing I could be in with a chance of a  2:30 finish. No major inclines once again. But due to the coast road it was fairly secluded. 

Now mile 5: half way into this I started to gain a massive stitch. I got on with it. Tried my infamous breathing out on the side as the opposite foot strikes. Normally does the job. But here I hit the first true incline. My legs and chest were already taking a beating and the rain was still heavy as ever. I thought, that's it- I'm a goner. The routes just going to get worse. I can't do it. Wahhhh. At this point, the faster runners were already dashing back up to the bridge to finish probably 11 miles I'm already which thus means I passed the winner male. Who came in at 1:12mins!!!!! Lots of spectator in Beaumaris. 

Mile 6-7 were particularly hard. A SIS gel had to be taken. I'd say this was the biggest of the inclines throughout the whole course. So steep. But I ran through it. Occasionally closing my eyes and pretending it wasn't under my feet. This seems to work for me. However, make sure you have some space between you and the other person infront. You do not want a collision. Again, another secluded mile. Hardly any spectators. 

Mile 8-9: Lovely views! The most picturesque half I've every done may I add. Just a shame of the weather. Here, I was flagging. It was to be expected. But I was still in a state of shock at how flat this course actually was. 

Mile 10: My aunty and cousin were waiting for me. How blessed I was to see them. They got me through the remainder of my half. My aunty videoed me too and I had the most delayed of reactions when my cousin was shouting. I was like who the hell is that?  Then I started waving frantically. I was soaked to the brim. I hadn't been able to feel my thighs from mile 2, and my shorts were riding up my jacksie, like my arse and thunder thighs were eating my shorts causing me to occasionally jump in the air mid stride to pull them down. Not the most flattering of things I've had to do in my life. 

Mile 11: Hard, hard, hard. Another hill but it was over a longer distance. As much as I dislike doing hill training. It must have been a God send in disguise. My legs were crying at me to give up. Many had given into the hill and proceeded to a walk. But not me. I wasn't going to stop now. Not with 2.10 miles to go. Here, another God send. High 5 gels. Ahh heaven. I gulped to my hearts content, hoping it would like give me a little buzz. At this point. After the hill, I synchronised my pace with a gentleman, his silence, determination and consistent pace kept me going. I lost him after that mile. Shame it was. 

Mile 12: That High 5 gel must of semi digested, because I initiated Duracell bunny mode. Jai 

Ho! Came in in my ears which made me think of my Nanny-noo, who absolutely loved dancing to this in mums Zumba classes. I felt on top of the moon and realised, looking at my watch that I was in PB territory. I was so close. I was gritting my teeth, speaking words of encouragement to myself too along the way. I then stumble upon a very tall man, a member of Warrington Triathletes if I remember correctly, whom I herd shouting at 12.60 miles. "Shut up legs, you're nearly there". I laughed and we both screaming it out together. This made me chuckle. 

Mile 13: I gained, probably my fasted spilt during a half at 8:52! Which I thought was pretty good for me. Not having ran this distance since October in the Brum Half. 

0.10 left to go. I kicked up my road running beep beep phase! Gaining a 7:57 split for that 0.10. Over the line I sprinted. 

I knew I did good. I grabbed an orange, seen my aunty and cousin at the finish with my medal and then got changed in the Port-a-loo. I couldn't feel my hands and nearly fell in the loo causing it to rock and nearly fall over because I was that damp, and couldn't put my legs in my dry trousers. Then I looked at my unofficial time on Mr TomTom... 

My Half Marathon PB time stood at 2:11:16, I gained this almost a year to the date at my hometown Half in Coventry. 

In the Anglesey Half Marathon, I gained an astounding time of 2:05:37!!!!! A new PB had been aquired. Not only did I come to the race feeling shitty overall with having gained 2 colds in under a month, but I had battled an injury and ran no further than 9miles in training. Even if this course was probably the second/third flattest I'd encountered out of my now, 9 halfs marathons, It was done- just like that. I felt fit and endorphin rush crazy. Again, a tear came out of my eyes due to the achievement I had just gained. Ironically, this weekend, my cousin said, "I don't know how you can like running as a hobby" This Is why i love it. It will surprise you even when you're in doubt of yourself as a whole, all you have to do is lace up and go. You have no contract, no full commitment only you can decide. 

"Guess Who's back, Back Again, Coleys's Back. Read My... Post..."

***Grim photo at the end***

How long has it been since i blessed you with one of my posts? Last post seen me with a recently extracted sewing needle and 5 stitches in the ball of my foot, no?

Well, i can safely say that i'm back and will not be sewing- EVER AGAIN!!! 

When i got my stitches out, the nurse pulled the wound apart and it was only then that we discovered how far the A&E doc dug to get it out. It was pretty grimmmmm. As a direct result, infection became inevitable. Back to the hospital i went, and this time i came out with crutches. (the most awkward, and not to mention tiring pieces of equipment I've ever used in my life!). All in all i had a 4 weekends off work, lost my Christmas bonus and couldn't run, or go anywhere for that matter- for 5 weeks. Me, being a particularly active person, this was like a prison sentence.

All in all, i had a good enough Christmas, but as always dreaded my Nan's death anniversary on Christmas eve. This was the day i desperately wanted to run, so i could just try and run out the grief and upsetting waves of emotions. 

With that, i knew that i'd lost my running mojo and a lot of running fitness overall. I'd had a lot of time to weight up the pros and cons of continuing to train and run the Manchester Marathon in April. The cons outweighed the pros to my dismay. I'd lost 4 weeks pay and had yet to pay for the £200+ hotel at Trafford Hall, as well as the train tickets for both me and Jake to travel up there. I could have put it on my overdraft and just winging the race, but i though to myself. It's a fast course and i wanted it to be PB perfection. There was no way i could get myself up to that standard. All of this happened when i hit a low point in my recovery and gained the infection in the wound. I sold my place to local AC Northbrooker and i wish her luck in her 1st Marathon!

My first training run consisted of a 1 mile 14 run on the 29th December. I kept it stumme because of external factors and the fact my foot was still open and i was still on antibiotics. I was going insane- it just had to be done I'm afraid. We as runners always seem to go against the Doctors orders with injuries. We are a stubborn bunch! Anyway, this run was so difficult. I've experienced having time off running prior yeah, but i was mobile and able to walk about; still do my daily routine without excruciating pain. But because i'd been refined to limited mobility, on crutches and basically not being able to leave my house, it was only natural that the first run was going to be a difficult one. I took this on board as i left. i felt like i was running, but not gaining much ground. I got back, panting like i'd smoked 100 a day, but my oh my. My endorphin rush was incredible. I felt like i'd just completed a half marathon! I clocked in at 11:32 for the whole 1 mile 14. Which wasn't bad, then i thought. Yeah right could you do that pace for another 2 or three of those? Absolutely f-ing not. 

My next run was New Years Eve. 2 miles recorded. Mile 1- 8:50 pace, but it was mostly downhill. Second mile- 10:01. A little incline 368ft to 407ft. I was dying, my lack of fitness protruded due to my heart rate reading an average of 180 p/m, when before on December, with one of my fastest first 2 miles, i averaged out at 164 beats p/m! Mad Times!

I attended my mums Spin class on the Monday, which i found particularly difficult. It was absolutely packed of New Year, New Me's. The 0 windows in the studio did not help my unfit self. But fear not... i still peddled my heart out! 

The next day i went on the same 2 miler as the above and came out with a time of 18:18. Which was about 45 seconds faster than the above. I still felt blurr, but i knew that i was easing myself back steadily. 

Saturday the 7th i took on my first gym sesh. 1 hour and 30 minutes of pure isolation and weight work. No cardio. I also learnt how to deadlift! 

Sunday- another 2 miler at the same time as the above- so strange. 

Monday spin class, less peoples. i was getting back into some sense of normality. 

Friday 13th, what a day to decide to go out and have a run. I decided i'd ran enough 2 milers to be able to up the mileage. I took on my first 5km since my foot. Nice downhill on the first mile. Clocking in at a lovely 8:17 min mile. Second mile- 9:47, and the third 9:26. Not too shabby really. But the total accent was only 105ft. But i produced a sound 28:23 5km. Considering my fastest on my TomTom is 28:10, i was impressed. 

On the Monday, I'd left my bike at work (I was so glad to be back to work also!), so i decided to run commute to the Village Hotel. I ran 1.54 miles in 13:47, done my class for an hour and then ran back (this was one pretty relaxed and laid back, due to my energy levels feeling quite depleted). This one measured up at 1.63 miles. So a 3.09 mile run which fitted nicely with my half marathon training for the Anglesey Half in March. (which i nearly died when i checked how many weeks away i was from it). 

With my exams taking priority, i left my next training session after i'd sat my last one, because i was revising every minute of every waking hour. Friday 20th, i ran another 5km. My legs just would not go. It was like the Road Runner cartoon when he rotates his legs before abruptly shooting off. But all that negativity, paradoxically produced a 28:11 result. 1 second off my PB. 

Saturday, i trained after finishing work at 7:30pm. I did a 2 mile fartlek session at speed 10 for one minute and then, i was kind to myself. Provided this was my first speed session of the year and resisted to a recovery of 45 seconds at speed 8! After this, i did some isolation and weight work. 

Sunday, i had a 7 and a half hour shift at work and was dreading my first long run of my training schedule. My legs and booty were in a state of absolute fatigue. So, when i cycled home i commanded myself not to sit down, get ready straight away and just get it over and done with. I'd made up a new running route too! I produced a healthy 48:53 5 miler and was left thinking how i'd preformed if id have had one or two days rest! Like, no jokes, my legs and bum were burning with each stride, but like i say with recovery, i can most definitely bring that time down a notch... maybe 48:00. 

Aye, i'm finally up to date with my blog again! Today, Monday. I got to make the Spin Class playlist. I was left on a high due to all the positive feed back from the members and contemplating that if my future of being a History teacher doesn't work out, i'd just do my fitness instructor level 2 and 3 and follow in my mothers footsteps. I'm actually so gutted. You have to hold the above before you can be certified in instructing a indoor cycling class... Bro, i don't mean to blow my own trumpet, but i have been spinning since the age of 13. That's nearly a decade of experience right there! And in addition, i have been around the fitness environment since the age of like 6. 

The above was all due to my beautiful mother, my love of fitness has spanned from her. I thank her so much for this, as i know many that hate physical activity. You may have a qualified mini me in the making! 

My Running calendar (up to date) goes as follows:

• Anglesey Half- March 5th
• Solihull Half- April 2nd
• Wolf Run- April 8th 
• Great Birmingham 10km- 30th April 
• (A possible) Two Castes which they've changed to ballot entry- 11th June
• Birmingham Black Country Half- July 1st 
• Kenilworth Half- 3rd September
• Birmingham International Marathon- 15th October

I am wanting to find an event in May and also gain my Alpha Wolf Running status too this year. But we shall see.

As always, i thank you for reading my blog and hope you have a good week. My next post will be just before the Anglesey and then obviously a review write up of my experience running it! 

The Start of Another Journey and A Sowing Needle Sending Me to A&E!

*****GRIMM PHOTO ADDED AT THE END OF THIS BLOG POST*****

So i have not blogged about running since October. It is now just over a week until Christmas and a fair bit has gone on in my running life. So much so, i'm telling you all.

I left my last review disappointing in not gaining a place into the London Marathon. My crazy idea of running Paris was more of a pipe dream to a certain extent. On two occasions i sat at the computer, so close to filling in my debit card details, but each time preventing myself from doing so. The whole entry fee was going to cost me around 120 EUROS. They keep quiet until the latter part of the registration that an entry insurance for 6-8 EUROS should be purchased, so if you couldn't run, upon presenting a valid Dr's note, you could gain your money back. Then, there was runners insurance that was around 12 EUROS, so like, if you died on route or something, your family can't go and sue the company. This was all fair and well, but with adding to that a £25 doctors note that is unavoidable if you want to even contemplate running this event it was leading less to be desired. Basically, you have to prove when picking your race number up at the depot, that your Doctor has deemed you fit to run! Absolutely ridic if you ask me! All of this money and i haven't even taken into consideration travelling, hotel costs, as well as spending money! As Simon Cowell say, "It's a NO from me!".

I was left trying to find a Spring marathon once again. Brighton- you have to go down one or two days before to pick up your race number. If i'm honest, if i drove myself, then that would be all fine and well. But at this stage in my life, i do not. So this didn't appeal to me in the slightest (picky bugger aint i?). Next i contemplated Edinburgh, love, love, love the city- hands down! But again the sheer travel cost and cost of a hotel means that you should really book it straight away and not a few months after the entries are opened. The cost of this event would see me spending the same kind of money as Pairs because all the budget hotels had been fully booked. With my student, part time self. This was out of the question. Lastly... PING! Manchester, yes Manchester, fast and flat says the course description, with an entry fee of around £55 and i can save money by booking the train tickets early. So, there you go i have my Spring marathon! It was a bit earlier than i anticipated (April 2nd) for running my second marathon, but due to the reviews of the course description and a 24ish week training programme, i felt i will fine.

So, my official training was scheduled to start the first week of November. I'm attempting to follow this plan as closely as possible and look, there's speed training in there too. Go me!

I started following the 3rd week on the plan above. First Fartlek training was different and very hard, but i managed to persevere.

I'm not going to lie, a couple of times on a Sunday after work, i've had to merge some runs together due to missing them in the week. But all in all, my training was going absolutely fantastic. Well in my  personal opinion. I felt stronger and faster with every run i did. PB'ing a 5km at 28:10 on November 22nd. My first major achievement was running 8 miles in 1:21:51 (route PB) on bomb fire night. With a 7 mile on the 25th- another route PB of 1:06:32! Man, i felt determined as ever, this speed play was already seeing results. First week in December marked a nice laid back week. 2 miles, 2 miles, cross train, 5 miles. I missed the 5 miles regrettably. But i was going to make it up the following week! Sunday night, i missed my 5 miler because i was feeling fluey, shivering, hot flushes, aches and pains- the lot. I then stupidly still went to my mother spin class on the Monday, coming home and feeling worse off for it. Tuesday, i managed to get into uni for the afternoon. I couldn't get warm, still achy as hell. I was generally just feeling under the weather- exhausted because of looming deadlines too etc...

Now for the dreadful bit! I'd noticed my Fiance has managed to split a pair of work trousers on Tuesday night, i decided to sow it back together... A nightmare in itself i finished- noting that i hadn't turned the trousers inside out, to top it off i had only gone and used white thread... ON BLACK CHEF TROUSERS! Haha. So i just coloured the thread in with black gel pen, hoping that it was too noticeable.

Went to sleep. Woke up with a banging headache, annoyed for not being able to get out of my bed for my 9am lecture, i started to put some washing away, scooted my foot with some force over to put some knickers in the draw. Then

BOOM!

I  feel on the bed, to be met with excruciating pain. Looked to the floor to find that i had trod on the sowing needle that i was using the night before. Not only this, i realised that the needle had snapped inside my foot. ARGH, I COULD FEEL THE METAL IN MY SKIN, WITH NO EVIDENT INSERTION POINT!!! This was bad, real bad.

My mind was everywhere, Jake was asleep, it was his day off. I tried to no avail to push and prod, but nope, it had well and truly been embedded into the ball of my foot. Absolutely fricken fantastic! Hysterically crying, i woke Jake after trying to call close relatives to see if they could pick me up to unavoidably take me to A&E. Nope, no one answered, my step dad. But he was on the other side of Rugby delivering parcels and had no way of coming to my rescue,

Finally, mother rang back in what seemed like eternity. I explained the situation and she was like

"A&E now, ill ring Shannon (8 months pregnant cousin) to see if she can take you."

She freaked me out and said they'll have to cut your foot open Nicole, its going to hurt.

Big cousin to the rescue!

Before i knew it i was hopping along to X-ray. The Dr was disgracefully abrupt and blunt. In short said, it was wedged in. The only way to retrieve the needle was to cut it open and try to get it out. The X-ray couldn't tell them how far in it was. If they couldn't get it with just the numbing injection, I'd have to be stitched up and go back on the Thursday to have a full on, put me to sleep operation. OK, Now i was really panicking. Before i could blink the tools were on the table the needle was out. It was huge, and i've never experienced pain like it in my life... but alas, least i could only feel pressure when he made a inch and a half slice down my foot. I have never been so happy to see a piece of metal in my life. when i herd it clang onto the metal tray full of iodine, it was like i'd just given birth. It was out, God bless!

I had 4 non dissoluble stitches added,with a heap of antibiotics and mostly annoyingly NO RUNNING FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 WEEKS!!! I was nearly crying at the fact. My poor, poor fitness levels.

It's now nearly been a full week since my accident. Suspected stitch removal on Friday or Monday. I still cant put my full weight on my left foot, i feel depressed, fat and helpless and i cannot even clean properly. I obviously had to take the weekend off from work so, to top it all off im broke right before Christmas too! All for the sake of a sowing needle.

Morale of the story is... either put your sowing needled away or bin them and beg your Mum or Nan to do any sowing disasters!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GRIM PHOTO BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor me!!

The Great Birmingham Run 2016- My Last Running Event of 2016, Lack of Training and Horrid Germs!!

Good evening all you wonderful peoples!

As the title states, this event was the last running event of 2016! I chose this purely because I enjoyed this event so much last year! I'm surely not going to hibernate from running for the winter, as i shall hopefully be starting marathon training again soon. I'll be doing some light running, with no targets to ascertain, as well as allowing me to focus on my first semester back at university! JOYS!

So as you are all aware. I had a lovely time in Rhodes, the injury I picked up from running the Hull Marathon was beginning to have me a tad worried. It took a full blown 3 weeks to bugger off and stop hurting! I laid off running and settled for a little short run on the beach... Purely for photographic purposes. I came home on Saturday to have the Sunday off and then back to university on the Monday. The Great Birmingham Run was 2 weeks off. It left me with two concerns...

1. If this injury would fizzle itself out of my foot, so I'd indeed be able to run properly.

2. I was wanting to avoid at all costs, that horrible sickness bug and of course the infamous Freshers Flu. (I was more at risk for going from a hot country to coming back into arctic conditions of Britain).

First week back, Monday to be exact. I wanted to test my foot on a steady 5km and of course, this would allow me to see how much my fitness had depleted whilst I'd been lying on a sunbed in the Greek sun! The 5km was a massive amount of effort. It felt as though I was running for hours. It's me, I obviously went out too hard, not taking into account at the time that I'd find it difficult for not running since my marathon. A 30:06 time came out, with my average heart rate zone being 181bpm. To paint a picture for you, I did the same run on the 11/08 in 28:59 with an average 174bpm. As you can guess this was not looking good. I felt like death running for three miles and my heart was also agreeing with me. If my heart could talk it would have probably said cheekily, "Nicole, you b@$tard. Don't go away for a week and work me this hard, I'm still in Pina Colada mode!"

With that, the next day I decided to run 5km on the treadmill because I had a 3hr wait for my next lecture. This came in at 35:10. I decided to just take it easy on this one. However, I still recall flagging at around 2 miles in. As you can imagine, I was thinking 'there is no way in hell I'm going to be able to run this half marathon, that is in under 2 weeks.' Believe it or not, this was my last running session I did before taking on the 13.1 miles.

The week before race day I got the startings of a cold, but I knew this was unavoidable. Germs everywhere, people coughing and sneezing around me in university. It was unfortunate timing of course, but it was imminent. Wednesdays 9am lecture seen me wanting to be sick everywhere, so I gave up and went home, avoiding the seminars for fear of puking on a fellow student and embarrassing myself. Thursday, I wasn't too bad I went into town and met my best friend for the gym and some lunch. But on the way home on the bus, I had to depart about a mile and a half from where I usually get off, due to feeling exceedingly sick. What was wrong with me? They were only cold symptoms, but the nausea was incredibly prominent, and in consistent waves. That night I felt like, so poorly. So much so that I begrudgingly had to call in sick for my Friday 12:30-18:00 shift! I was gutted. I needed the money, I love my job.

Saturday, I dragged myself to work. My symptoms getting better throughout the shift. People at work were strongly advising I give the Great Birmingham Run a miss. But lets be honest, a £35 loss if I don't take part. It played on my mind all day. Looking at the weather was pushing me to just curling up in a ball and stay indoors- yup, a lovely rainy race day forecast. But regardless of the latter, I decided to run and see how I felt, with two conditions... No PB chasing and to pull out if I felt any worse than what I started.

Race day had arrived people! It's Sunday. 8:45 pick up from my Papa. However, I had no excitement for the task ahead. I, of course felt butterflies, but not in the normal kinda way. Lone and behold it started chucking it down too. Wrapped to the eyeballs I set off for the start in Birmingham with a mass amount of feeling and thoughts going around in my head.

I was in the Green wave, so that was an 10:45 start. Assembly was quick and efficient as per with the Great Run series. I was on my adventure before I could say go!

Mile 1: 9:40. A lovely, downhill first mile out of the city center (same route for the 10km). I was feeling mightily fresh.

Mile 2: 10:20. Pershore Road, you tedious demon!

5km: 31:25. Between 5km and the 4th mile. You are met with Kensington Road a the first fairly steep incline, of which goes on for about 400 meters. This had my flagging. I just concentrated on my breathing and not stopping, as I seen so many fellow runners do,

Miles 4: 10:39. The Selly Park Savior, as I like to call it. A nice downhill reward for your previous efforts. I felt normal again!

Mile 5: 10:24. Back onto Pershore people, as well as going up by Cadburys world. We must be arriving in Bournville .... Oh so tempting to just break off the course and into Cadburys World. You're also met with some unduladingness around this specific mile. They're more mentally tasking though. I call this the 'Fight or Flight' moment in a half. Will you look at how far you've come or how far you still have to go? i.e. Doing the previous mileage over again. Although a nice steady pace for me. Feeling a little bit lifeless, but enough to not make me think 'OMG, take me home, country roads'.

10km: 1:04:07. Averaging out at my usual half marathon pace. Coming off Mary Vale Road and can you guess? Back onto Pershore for the tedious 2 Mile stretch back up. A SIS Gel had come out of my sports bra and I took it like the Eucharist is taken at mass. Like its baaaaare minging, but you know you have to do it! (soz Jesus, bro).

*Skipping 2 miles, because they were boring, nothing of significance happened. I just monged out and listened to my headphones*

Mile 8: 10:36. Hey Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Why do I feel like crying? I was really starting to feel it here.

Mile 9: 10:32. Hey Canon Hill Park. My legs at this point were saying. NOOOOOooooOOOoooo. Like why did you do this? You will not be able to finish, or if you do It'll be a shite time. Just give up now and savor your ridiculousness.  

Mile 10: 10:59. The 'You're so close, yet so far' mile. My pace slowed. However, my determination to finish increased. The 2:20 pacer woman passed me. I couldn't tell whether that would mean I was going over that time, as I didn't recall seeing her at the start. I was starting to believe, after she'd passed me that the sights of a course PB was unreachable. My legs were desperately crying out at me for poisoning them with lactic acid.

Mile 11 and 12: 10:45 and 12:04.Worst splits of the day, which can only mean one thing... *Jaws theme tune inserted* The Killer Hill, Ryland Road and Charlotte Road... I had to stop, but by no means was I allowing this section of the course to utterly defeat me. 30 strict seconds of walking and that was it... Back to my menial run/shuffle. I kept on thinking. 'You know what Cole, don't wussy out now... You're better than this... You ran a marathon for Christ sake's- get a grip woman. 2 miles... lets bring this home. Come on McClelland!'

Mile 12: Calthorpe Road. This is when you know you're nearly there, in both of the Great Birmingham Running events. Yes you feel like death, but you can stick it out for another mile and a bit. To my dismay, half way through this mile a man had collapsed half way through the Highfield Road section... Bless his heart. He was being attended by the ambulance crew and was conscious and looked seemingly coherent. I truly felt for him and hoped it was nothing too serious. From then, I was determined to carry on running what this man couldn't do. My pace was upped and I was on the home stretch.

Mile 13 10:13. My chest is hurting. I'm totally going to regret this tomorrow. But who the hell cares. Extra turbo initiated and installed captain. A, what felt like a massive stride and pace increase. Down and up the highway thingy onto Broad Street. "Run Angry Bird, run!!" I herd kids cry. I did just that! I got angry and finished strong!! So Strong that I didn't even bother thinking about my finishing pose and double chins for my finishing photographs. Upon crossing the line I didn't even bother looking at my watch. The last time i'd checked it was coming off Hagley Road onto Broad Street, I was about 13 miles in, with my watch on 2:16/17. After trying not to have a heart attack for finish strongly, I dared look at my watch...........................................




Last year-2:25:48
















This Year- 2:18:45!!!! A cold, bad chest and a freckin course PB baby!

Happy, elated, proud were just some of the emotions I was feeling yesterday and better still, the rain cleared, so my run was very pleasant! Yipppppeeeeee. I am now waiting to see my race photos... Gosh, not looking forward to viewing them. But smile and coughing fits all around. I've ended my 2016 race season on a very high positive.

This year has certainly gone beyond my ambitions and personal expectations... To list a few:

• I have gained a Sub 1 Hour 10km (6.2 Miles) of 59:08, when only last year, I averaged out on a 1hr:12min. 

• I have hit a half marathon PB in my hometown of 2:11:19, which, looking back i don't know how the hell I managed to do... It's certainly going to be hard to top.

• I have broken the seal of my marathon virginity, I AM part of that 1% of the minority that has completed a marathon in their lifetime. 

All of this achievement and elation has come from putting one foot in front on the other. Just try it, baby steps. I can reassure you it'll work wonders for you body, mind and soul.

For now, I leave my blogging for a while, until I embark on next years crazy journey's. One. I hope to be across the seas and into Europe. *cough* the Paris Marathon because I was unsuccessful in gaining a place in the Virgin Money 2017 London Marathon. As I said in my Facebook post last week, "Screw you London. Paris is Prettier!". I hope google translate, translates this properly! :')

Au Revoir! 

Revoir mes disciples snailtastic!

Future Plans and Aspirations As I Sit Reading Eat & Run in Rhodes, Greece

So I'm currently on my 3rd day (minus the day of travel) relaxing in Rhodes. Upon completing my first ever marathon I've had this terrible feeling on the top of my right foot. Like it kills. I put it down to having my shoe laces too tight. I have experienced this pain before, but it fizzled out after resting for 3/4 days. I went to work the day after the marathon feeling extremely dazed and still it ore of my runners high, the post race muscle pain wasn't too bad. But i was pre warned its actually the second and third day after a rigerous event which is the most painful. The 5 and a half hour shift was over in the blink of an eye. Being a cleaner, I still had to do my individual jobs around the Foodcourt when it wasn't busy. I had to get on my knees for one of them and it was then that i truly noticed the crippling affliction on top of my foot. I limped round the Foodcourt. Just putting it down to run/shuffling 26.2 miles with tight shoelaces. Friday came and the pain hadn't got better. It got worse. I checked it every day for swelling, bruising etc... Then Friday came and I cycled down to mother dearests and showed her. She was in a complete state of concern. The swelling was prominent. Like when you look at your big toe and bend it upwards you can see the tendon thingy and as you jiggle your toe up and down you can see this veiny tendon thingy protrude and retract up and down with the movement. Naturally. Yeah, well no. Not for my right. It was that swollen you couldn't see any tendon movement. I took some anti - inflammatory pills and hoped it would ease up. With any injury like this I feel it better to keep it warm and not sitting so much for it to seize up! 

Flying out on Saturday seen it ballooning, but I'm thankful I have a week to rest it on a sun lounger drinking and eating as much as I want. 3 days in and it's still killing. Any brush of other human flesh or any object on the top and I grimace in pain. The swelling is still there and it's now making a creaky sound when i attempt to fold my big toe downwards. Of which I don't try to do often as it is painful and the creaky pain makes me want to actually heave. This leads me to believe it could be extensor tendonitis or a slight stress fracture. With Brum half coming up, I am worrying as to whether I'll have to pull out because of it. 

Apart from my dodgy foot. I'm taking time for myself before going back into my final year as a undergraduate history student. But guess what? Instead of reading rich in academic knowledge texts and sources to help research my dissertation. I am indeed feeling sorry for myself whilst reading Eat and Run by Scott Jurek. It is amaze balls, I've read over a hundred pages in just over 24 hours with an aim to finish it by tomorrow. It's great. It gives you healthy recipes at the end of each chapter to fuel and recover from running. His accounts of the Western States 100 are incredible. I struggled and barely finished a full marathon. Never mind 100 miles. I thought people running 50k or over we're crazy. This man has taken my definition of crazy to a different level. It has so far inspired me to keep on challenging myself and research ultra marathons myself in the UK. 

My plans for next year go as follows:- 

On the 30th September (still being in Rhodes) I will receive priority entry to the first ever Birmingham International Marathon. Hosted by the Great Run Series. I SHOULD GET A PLACE. I've never been so iminent on wanting to cause myself pain for the say so of saying I ran the first ever one. Knowing that it will, in the future be possibly as big as London! Which then leads onto...

Hopefully gaining a ballot entry into Virgin Money's London Marathon 2017. I know chances are slim. So I have a back up being the Manchester Marathon. Failing that i might push for a May Marathon in Edinburgh if I can afford to get there. 

Obviously do as many half marathons As I can within the year. Not going too crazy though. Aim for a half a month. including running Coventry and BBCH again. 

Finally gain a team and stop wussying out over the expense of Tough Mudder. Failing that I definitely want to do the Autumn wolf run, but this time the Warwickshire one instead of Leicester.

Depending on where my degree takes me, hell it may even see me retaking the year. (Apply 1 for teacher training on UCAS opens 18th October 2016 for people like me who complete their degree next summer and want to go straight into working towards their QTS'). But if I get turned down for lack of classroom experience I am thinking of taking a year out as a teaching assistant part time ish as well as setting an aim for completing Chiltern 50km ultra marathon in Buckinghamshire in a hopeful 2018! As the saying goes,

"There will be a day i can no longer run. Today is not that day" 

"There Is No Victory Without A Battle" Hull Marathon Review

Well, well, well. It's my birthday, I'm 21 today!!! I'm in excruciating pain, having a chilled day to myself after an agonising shift at work yesterday. Which nearly brought me to the brink of tears. 

Many of you known by now reading this, I was successful on my marathon debut. But not without an epic journey of emotions, fatigue and wanting to give up!

The week before my marathon I started to get sinus problems and an eery feeling of a cold. I thought  "GOD no! Please just let me do next Sunday and do your worst thereafter!" Especially taking you back to January when it took me 3 solid weeks to get over the infection. My head was pounding, behind my eyes, my cheeks, my chest was tight, my teeth were hurting- but no mucus present. I was in a state of pure panic. Googling if I should run with a sinus infection, reading people's experience of doing so. Which were not very optimistic. 

On the Monday my mum had to go to get a deep salt spray so I could flush my nasal passages. And she said "look Nicole. I know you really want to do this and you're stubborn like me. But please. You're only near 21 years of age. You have plenty more opportunities to run a marathon. In full Heath. Nobody is going to think any less of you!". But to be honest, my heart sank. I wanted this so bad. I agreed with her to run. If I felt crappy at any stage I'd pull out. As Lisa Jackson states very wisely in her book 'My Pace Or Yours" (fantastic book-read it!) "a did not finish is better than a did not start."

So with this, I decided to lay off running for that week and just read her book for inspiration. I was taking everything from 1000mg's of Vitamin C to chesty cough syrup to Gavisgon. 

Thursday had come, and I was in work 10:30-19:00. I felt truly crappy. To the point where I felt like I was going to pass out every time I was wiping a table down. My chest was burning and tight. In the end, my supervisor sent me home. With strict instructions to go to the walkin centre. A 3 hours wait! Ironically I was eavesdropping on a couple next to me. He has a distinct Yorkshire accent and gave the impression that he was running the same marathon that Sunday. The best part was "yeah, I'm shitting it. I've ran no more than a half marathon in training". As you can imagine. It was a reassuring feeling, as I'd only gone as far as 16. Least I wasn't on my own. 

The doctor took my temperature, my breathing and said it was the starting of a sinus infection. She advised rest and to keep on flushing my nose. 

Friday came all too quickly, I had a minging pressure headache and was due to catch the train with my fiancé at 12:27. That night we just stayed in the bar playing pool. I had a great sleep, but the headache was still lingering. 

Saturday, no headache- I felt fresher than I had all week. Pre race nerves were settling in. So we took a toddle into town and visited the aquarium, had some coffee and for dinner, I had lasagne and chips. My apatite wasn't great. But I hear this is normal. I tried to force feed it down. Which I did so successfully. Hoping it wouldn't give me a dodgy stomach on race day morning. I was so excited on the night that I gained about 3-4 hours sleep. My Restless Leg Syndrome haunted me profoundly that night. Due to my inactivity of taking near on a week off running. So with my alarm was set for 5:45am all of my stuff for the morning ahead was laid out ready for me to throw on. Thoughts were buzzing around my head like the morning rush in London. 

*alarm buzz* a nice good morning world stretch and getting changed. The sense of worry and agitation still all too present. I had a problem with breakfast, as the our hotel brekky wasn't open till 8am. Which was way to late. I was expecting to be at the starting area by that time. So me and Jake played it safe and just went to McDonald's.  There were people that looked like they had a fantastic stress feel, alcohol intense night out and getting their hangover munchies for a lazy day of recovery. The stares that read 'crazy person' all over. With my white compression socks on. My stomach was uneasy. So I settled for plain pancakes and a tea. Then Jake goes "you do realise that tea acts as a laxative!?". Safe to say, I only drank half. 

By this time we followed some runners. That looked like they actually knew where to go. Unlike me and Jake. The start was beautiful in the Queens gardens. Marquees being set up. Refreshments. Toilet facilities were ace. They still managed to have toilet paper right through to just before the start. Well done race organisers! I assembled to the start fairly quickly and Jake stood on the other side of the barriers taking photos of my worrisome self. Dictating words of encouragement like. "You got this!"  I knew there was a reason why I wanted him to come.

The start was upon me. I averaged out in the first half to about 11:40min/mile. First 3 miles flew by. The  views were nice going through West park and not to mention the amazing volunteers and spectators who'd come out to cheer us on by the names on our bibs. The course to this point was flat. I was happy. Content in my stride. The first challenging part was around 10-11 miles. I started to feel the burn in my legs and there was an, what seemed like enormous hill to the point where I shouted to a Marshall "please let there be a downhill after this!" Her response no too canny "erm, maybe!". By this time there was a fairly big gap infront and behind me and it seemed lonely with only a handful of spectators. I kept on saying. 

"Come on Nicole. To the Humber bridge. Half way and you can have a break."

Just after I hit the 13.10miles I decided that I needed something to take my mind off the fact I was running. No headphones rule meant I couldn't zone out thoughts like, 

"Nicole, love. It's only going to get worse from here!"

I took out my phone and started a live session on Facebook. I was in awe at the amount of people that joined me for that 3-4 minutes of my marathon. People I'd never expect to even give it a second glance joined in. It was utterly breathtaking and I thank the people that joined as it gave me a mile of joy. I was here. I started as I mean to go on. After I finished, I had a whopping 150 views! I felt famous.  If I can. I'll try post it at the end of this blog post. 

So the Humber Bridge. I'dvstopped and walked for a bit. Just to take in the views. It was magnificent. However it went on for what seemed ages. Like, I know it's a massively long bridge and all. But I was looking at the cars going past like please. Give me a lift. It was at this point, my phone magically fell out of my arm band and smashed on the floor. Luckily it was the glass that broke and my phone was still in working order. I think at this point I was more gutted about my phone then that the pain I was currently in. 

Mile 16 was tough. This was where I was going to have to run further than I had ever ran before. The lactic acid was burning. There as a dull ache in my feet, back and shins. I took a gel and a nibbled on a banana. Not to mention the heat was scorching for a September day. Even one marshal said "trust you to pick to do a marathon on the hottest day in Hull in September!" 

18-20. More walking than running. I could feel every muscle in my body ache. The sense of giving up was becoming like a heavenly godsend. A fellow relay runner in the accend back onto the Humber Bridge helped me through this mile. She could see the fear of me giving up as I shuffled to a walk. She turned round after passing me and gestured for me to run next to her. We talked for about 2 minutes and fell silent. Her silent companionship was all I needed at that point and made me feel relexed. I didn't get her name. But thank you fellow relay runner! I left her and went infront after encouraging her not to stop. Momma then rang at dead on 18.5 miles and screamed out to everyone at the yard "My baby's at mile 18 and half. She's going to make it!" This had a great effect on me mentally. Even though I was still walk/ running. I walked/ran with a purpose. Faith had been restored. I cheekily put in a single headphone (shhhhhhh. They were banned. You were suppose to use them for fear of getting disqualified!) and played mine and my Nans fave song so loud the spring in my step made me feel on top on the world. 

It was at about 21 miles that I'd been following this middle aged man from the start. With a black and orange triathlon vest on, with bright orange compression socks. I got chatting to him for the next mile. He'd been nursing an injury and explained that was why he was going at a slower pace. This was a try run, if you like for the upcoming Yorkshire marathon. He'd done Iron Man UK and a whopping 100miles in 24 hours. What a true inspiration this man was. He also told me a funny story that for his mates 40th they'd signed him up to the 100miles in 24 hours as a joke present, which immediately backfired when  he succeeded. Haha. Fair play. After the decent I was struggling to keep up with his 12 min/mile. So I thanked him for keeping my company and left him to go ahead. 

21-25 miles. Ergh the worst. I have never felt so drained. I was shuffle running at this point. I'd hit the dreaded wall with an almighty thud. I didn't want to take in gels or even water because I felt so sick! But knew I had to keep sipping little but often for fear of becoming dehydrated and being hauled off in an ambulance. By this point the female relay woman over took me and shouted. "You are nearly there!"  It was just down that road that another lovely woman helped me, by talking. My favourite saying of the day "it's only 2 Park Runs and a bit to go". She was so supportive and was impressed that this was my first marathon. She also said that these were more mental miles than physical ones. And at 25 miles you would get an emotional lump in your throat. No matter how many marathons I decided to run. Boy was she right. But a quick mention before. I was met by the same woman just after I'd finished, she came up to me and gave me a mighty hug and said "Well done. You've done it. Congratulations". 

Skip to my loo mile 25. A great idea! Here I met a RUNNING ANGEL! These were fellow runners in a fairly secluded part of the docks. In bright pink may I add. Even a guy in a pink tutu. They were there to help almost giving up runners like me a chat and a sense of optimism in the wake of probably the darkest point of the run. I was introduced to Becky, a 27 year old woman. She was my star of the day. She stayed walking by my side for the whole of mile 25. But I had to promise her to run the last mile, failing that she said "you have to sprint finish!" 

I looked at this woman probably in her 60/70's in her fluorescent kit. My idol of the last mile and 20. I called her Gladdis in my head. I thought. Wow. You go girl. The fact she was still running and I was more than half her age, reduced to a walking got me. Without knowing, this lady helped me a lot mentally get to that finish. Thank you Gladdis! Mile 25 too. Seen me talking to a bird, not literally I wasn't that dilusional. But a costume bird. The guy was probably about my age. He looked sweltering in that suit. We both gave each other a "nearly there" prep talk to the point where a fellow spectator said "you aren't going to let the bird beat you are you?!" Hahahahaha. That tickled my humour spot. 

800 metres to go. I upped my pace. 

400 metres to go and Gladdis was still holding on infront of me. But I could see that damned finish line in sight... I was almost there!

200 metres. I took what Becky said onboard and erupted into a sprint!!!  To the point were even the crowed were cheering me on for seeing an incredible effort of a sprint finish. 

I fecking did it. I completed my first marathon in 5:38:09! As well as Mr Birdy finish shortly after. Saying My snailtastic sprint got him to the finish. I love it. It's becoming my trait! The medal was my equivalant to that of an Olympic gold. I rang Jake, seen him and flew into his arms crying. Never have I ever been so proud of my efforts to this date. I cried for thinking how proud my nan would have been. Wishing she could see me run through that finish line in human form. She was with me all the way. I could sense it. All the pain dissipated for those few minutes. All the nightmares of 21-25 miles felt like they just left my body like the deceased carcass forming into a heavenly soul. This was definitely the starting of a newly formed admiration of running. I look forward to my next journey and maybe in years to come an ultra. Who knows. Go wild. 

As always. Thank you for reading and if you've supported me on this journey. You're all amazing. I couldn't have done it without you all. Until my next crazy adventure. A farewell. But obviously a cheeky Great Birmingham Half on October 16th is yet to come. Oo and a week away in Rhodes, Greece.  

Quote to be left with 

"Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Yourself, You Can Learn In 26.2 miles"

The RB Hull Marathon is Just Under 2 Weeks Away, My Race Pack & Number Has Arrived People... A Final Update!

If you have asked any runner, they will tell you, you know shits getting real when you receive your race pack and number. It's an amazing, but daunting feeling. You've worked so hard for this one day in your life. However, you're probably praying to the heavens that you don't pick up any strange injuries, like falling off a pavement or getting the common cold or virus that's practically putting people in bed for 24/48hours.

I'm at the stage in training where I should probably start not missing meals after work and of course everyone enjoys the good tapering for an upcoming event (reduction in mileage). I'm currently thinking to myself that I really should start taking some sort of multi vitamins and staying away from fellow human beings that are coughing and sneezing. "Coughs and sneezes spread diseases", well not literal diseases of course! I really just want to put myself in a bubble for the next 2 or so weeks and stay away from society, but at current with rent and bills I cannot do this, bestest solution is just make sure I wear gloves at work.

The last time I updated was all the way back at the start of July with the Birmingham Black Country Half... and now it's September :0 what?!!! Time is for sure going too quickly. I don't like it, what's worse is I'm 21 in 15 days! (I feel old).

Marathon training has been so time consuming, and I have some confessions, like for example my longest run has only been 16 miles, but I felt fairly okay and Strava gave it a score of 'brutal' with 714ft ascent. It came with its flaws, I've never had to run on the actual road without a pedestrian path so most of my running was reduced to a walk in the first 2 or so ish miles for fear of getting ran over.

*Article blabber time, I cant help it, I'm a geeky university student. What do you expect?*

I recently read an article in Runners World magazine which made me feel more optimistic about my mileage sin. In short, all runners speeds per mile are different, as a result the distance covered will vary from runner to runner. they thus concluded that slower runners, like mwah should concentrate on time, not distance. They basically said a slower runner should use the basis of 3 hours of running in one session as a marathon training peak oppose to the generalised 20 mile standardisations in the vast majority of training programme! Mwhahahahahaha. So with that... I ran,

16 miles in 3:07:32 with an average pace of 11:43 per mile. That's pretty much what I'm aiming for, a couple of 12 minute miles isn't going to hurt me on race day. Putting into a pace calculator, if I stuck out and run/walked the latter of the course, I should get a finishing time of 5:07:12 and I put a 5hr 30min finishing time on my entry, so its cool!... I hope. When race day finally arrives I'm hoping the adrenalin will overpower my fatigue to make me get to at least 20-23miles, if I have to walk the last 3.2miles, I actually don't give two hoots, as my main aim is just to finish without gaining any injuries as such or collapsing. I'm thinking of doing that gay Facebook live session when I feel incredibly tired with hope of my fellow Facebookers giving me motivation. We shall see.

My latest long run was 14miles last Monday, it was such a calm and collected run. I'd worked 10:30-17:00, I felt restless, so I just made up the route in my head, didn't have a clue as to how many miles it would be. I just put my watch on and watched the miles pass me by with the stunning Coventry countryside sunset. I just went...

I felt fine having taken only 2 SIS Gels with me in my hydration pack at around 11 miles, I truly believe that we you run from your home you're familiar with the distance back to your house, I really do think this impacts your fatigue greatly. Like you know you've guestimated 2 miles until you can get home eat and rest, it then signals into your body, like "heyyyyyy, It's your brain here, you're going to feel like you cant continue for that last 2 miles" and it makes you feel like absolute crap. I'm expecting for this to have a delayed onset on marathon day!

So another 5 day week for me, a week has past. It's now Monday. My Mum texted me that my race pack had arrived. I awoke at a cheeky 11:30am and got round to hers as quickly as a child runs down the stairs to get into their presents on Christmas day and with it agreed to walk my doggies and doggie sit, from there I would cycle 2 miles back to where mum works and do her indoor cycling class and aqua fit, which I have done simultaneously for the past 4 weeks due to work being generous and giving me Sunday and Mondays off- Thanks guys. It's a nice diversion from running and its impacts, plus I get to have a bike at the front of the class and help teach with my mum- I love it. Like her little sidekick of DNA. Aha! Or as Fitness First For Women receptionist use to call me, back in the day "Little T", my mums name, Teresa- get it?!

Safe to say running a marathon isn't to be taken lightly, it is so time consuming. Especially when you're working and not finishing till 6, resulting in you not getting home until 6:40pm, what I've learnt is that even if you absolutely hate running on a treadmill, its really your saviour deep down. For example, when you were in your school days thinking a teacher was picking on you then you realise that you're a just a little shit and they do generally want what's best for you and to reach your full potential. I've done probably 5 runs in the past couple of weeks on it due to my gym being 2 seconds from work, If I go straight away, I'll just get on with it. Whereas, you come home do stuff, sit down and then convince yourself not to go out for a run, of late I've been exceedingly guilty of doing this.

13 days, I repeat 13 days before I take on the biggest challenge of my life. Will it make me, or break me? I have no idea as to what the future holds. Unfortunately, I have no future seeing powers. So the next time you hear from me on this will tell a tale not to be missed ;). For now I exceed no more than 6 miles and overdose on Berocca. Stay tuned.








My new purchase, courtesy of mother dearest for an early birthday present! Love it! I cant help it, I just like to be unique.