Tag: running

My Marathon Experience

Yesterday I ran the London marathon – yes, really and it was difficult, but yet in a bizarre way enjoyable as well.

The day started early with tea and toast and then a drive to the train station, because our local line had engineering works going on I had to journey across the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and we could make out Canary Wharf, where I would be running around. As I arrived there were lots of other runners arriving, bright red kit bags in hand also arriving and the moment I arrived on the platform you could begin to feel the excitement and anticipation. There was a lot of chatter on the train, as well as the smell of deep heat and ibuprofen gel!

Soon enough we arrived at Blackheath in glorious sunshine, a steady stream of runners crossed the grass from all directions making their way to the blue start. Music was blaring, Lucozade sport was being drunk everywhere you looked and the number of banana skins was immense! Having queued for the toilets once I grabbed everything out of my bag for the run and then went and dropped it off at the relevant baggage lorry and then queued again. To be fair there were enough toilets that only a few minutes were spent waiting, others braver than me used the female urinals but I decided I’d rather queue. I watched the start of the elite women’s race and then headed over to my start zone, right at the back. Again there was lots of chatter a mix of people who had competed before and others, like me who were nervous first timers. Quarter to ten finally ticked round and after a couple of minutes we began our slow shuffle forwards, it took about ten minutes to get over the start line and then we were off and running. The sheer sea of people was mesmerising, the costumes were amazing. Everyone seemed happy to be there and be taking part. From the first step to the last the support was amazing, no spare pavement anywhere.

The thing that caught me by surprise was how hot it was, the forecast had been for showers all week and in the end it didn’t rain until about 4pm by which time I was fighting my way through the crowds trying to find my friends and family! The run itself was going well, the Cutty Sark section was amazing and I was making good progress, I did get overtaken by a huge pink nurse which looked very heavy and a rhino and it was great looking at all the costumes and the messages people had on them as to why they were running.

I was starting to feel hungry heading towards Surrey Quays when I spotted some familiar faces in the crowd. I was delighted to see the kids and the big bag of jelly babies they had! A couple of handfuls later and I was back on my way. Crossing Tower bridge was amazing, the noise and the colour as well as the landmarks of London was amazing. Then came the turn towards Canary Wharf, those that were faster were already on their way back heading towards embankment and the finish line. For me though there was still a hard slog and still no sign of the promised rain!

As I came into Canary Wharf I couldn’t help smiling as the runners came to the underground roundabout and all started walking and stretching, after all it was one of the rare places that no-one could see you! Emerging back out of the tunnel and running again into the noise of the crowds and cheers. As I ran through the Limehouse section and people began to slow down and walk I could hear some of the kids in the crowd saying ‘come on, you’re meant to be running.’ Their parents tried to shush them in vain but it did make me smile, there were loads of people handing out oranges, sweets and even custard creams! As I came into the part of Canary Wharf that I properly recognised I saw more familiar faces and then saw the kids, hubby, even more friends and my Dad and Step-Mum all together! At this point I grabbed the school Travelling Teddy as Pixie had asked for him on purpose and ran round with him. Luckily it was at the point where Canary Wharf loops round on itself and so I was able to give him back about a quarter of a mile later but we had pics of it. Mr T even managed to capture some pics of runners doing the YMCA moves by the Lucozade bus at mile 19. As I left Canary Wharf energy levels began to fade, I knew I wanted to run the last bit so I slowed down and tried to save some energy. The Lucozade jelly beans came in handy and I power walked until the Rotherhithe tunnel. Coming out of there onto embankment was another highlight! The noise was a roar, charity boppers and notices were everywhere and you couldn’t run a step without someone cheering you up. I had seen the Great Ormond Street Caterpillar, several rhinos and the London Pride beer bottle.

As I closed in towards the finish I could see the dark clouds gathering, once through mile 24 I knew I was nearly there so I tried as hard as I could to keep up an even pace, mile 25 arrived and then I knew I didn’t have far to go! As I ran past the London Eye to my left, Big Ben in front of me and then turning towards Birdcage walk the countdown began. The noise in the finishing area was immense and the atmosphere was brilliant, I did run ever so slightly more quickly for the last 200 metres. I went up the ramp to have my timing tag removed, was given a medal and a goody bag containing my finishing t-shirt and the famous foil blanket and then the heavens opened.

The exhilaration of finishing was amazing, the sights I saw all day inspiring but honestly I won’t be doing it again. The amount of effort the runners put in, especially those in heavy costumes is monumental. Perhaps the biggest test was reuniting myself with my friends and family, trying to make my way through to where those with ‘T’ surnames were supposed to congregate was awkward, we then had to make our way out of this area to Westminster tube station. As some points the station was closed due to the heavy foot traffic in the area but when we eventually came to the platform the train was not too crowded. We had decided due to the heavy rain storm not to hang about, I was eager to get home and rest my aching legs.

I was thrilled to be presented with a huge Millie’s cookie from my family and once we got home, with my legs feeling decidedly jittery – the adrenalin having taken over I had a hot and bubbly bath. I discovered a huge blister on my left foot – a first for me and a purple toe on my right foot having been squashed a few times en route by other runners and stray bottles of water and lucozade!  By then my legs gave up the ghost and I stayed in bed occasionally moving to try and loosen up the muscles that were now tightly wound! I feared the worst this morning but surprisingly once I got moving I was OK. If I sat down for too long it was difficult to get back up again but as the day has gone on the tightness has eased. I think it will be a couple of days before my legs feel completely normal again and I am not planning any type of run until next week!

What has amazed me most is the support both during my training, the race and today and the fantastic generosity of people My initial fundraising target was £750 but to date the total without gift aid is 1498 practically double (and with gift aid on eligible donations it is £1742) After six months of training, and a time of 5.25 for the marathon I am happy to say I’ve done it – from now on I am definitely going to be a ‘fun-runner’ from now on running a couple of times a week to keep fit! Having said that the experience of running the marathon, seeing the costumes, the determination and the sheer organisation of it from the port-a-loos, to the charity volunteers, Saint  John’s Ambulance and the people giving out water and Lucozade is unique! There are some down sides as I got nearer to the end I saw those who were struggling ,fellow runners helped them on and others stopped for a massage and plasters, I did see a couple of people who needed more medical assistance and it does make you realise who hard it is, however there is an extent to which I enjoyed running the marathon – especially as I know I’m not going to be doing it again!

Well done to all those who ran, especially those of you in costume and thanks again to all those who watched live or on telly and tracked me and even more thanks to those who gave up their money for the charities I supported!

Best foot forward for the Easter Bunny

The kids are excited – tomorrow being Easter and all that brings with it school holidays and the promise of chocolate. For some reason despite constantly referencing the Easter Bunny they don’t seem to believe in his/her/ its power to steal Easter eggs as well as deliver them! Predictably as soon as the holidays began the weather changed from glorious sunshine to cloudy with occasional showers, worsening to deep snow depending how far North you were!

Despite that the holidays began quietly, filled with boring but necessary tasks such as dental check-ups all run, (thank goodness none of us had any problems!), opticians for Hpops and the confirmation that she is slightly long sighted and then a visit to the hairdressers for all so that they could be tidied up! The big two enjoyed a craft and cooking day at Bake it Make it, a business run by local mums. The kids made cornflake nests, chocolate thins, easter bunny pegs and easter wreaths which have been proudly hung on bedroom door handles and have certainly brightened the place up. Not only did they get all this with a break for lunch fitted in but the two ladies running it seemed unruffled when we collected the children and unlike my house when any kind of craft work is carried out it did not look as if a pillow had just exploded or the entire contents of the cooking cupboards spilt all over the floor!

On Thursday I aged another year – I celebrated by taking the children to Pizza Hut and then bowling where they wasted no time in absolutely thrashing me! I did redeem myself by winning an angry birds pig teddy from one of those coin hungry arcade machines, the fact that I could probably have bought the thing for about half of what we put in it was lost on the children, all that they cared about was that money went in and a teddy came out! In the evening we had a movie night and I was delighted when all three of them sat and watched the first Harry Potter film. Copious amounts of popcorn probably held but Elf really seemed engrossed in the film and even Hpops acknowledged that it was OK!

Yesterday was yet more errands and preparing for Mr T’s birthday – he celebrates today and to be honest after Elf’s football, in the cold with no cafe serving hot drinks, we’ve done very little. Watched the boat race which turned out to be very dramatic, football focus, read a little, played with the kids a little and will soon be blowing candles out from atop a muppets birthday cake – chosen by the kids of course because this year we couldn’t repeat the feat of the football cake from last year.

Marathon training is now tapering and at last the end seems to be in sight, just over two weeks to go. Last week I managed just over 20 miles and still felt relatively OK! It is nice to think that most of the hard training is done and dusted now although I am still trying to raise money for the charities I am supporting.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/melsmarathonmadness

Tomorrow is a half marathon and then lots of chocolate. This week I have been doing other preparation in terms of trying to work out how to get to the start line on race day! My initial plan to walk five minutes down the road, jump on a train to Liverpool street then switch to the tube and so on has now been disrupted due to the fact that upon checking the train timetable it appears there are engineering works taking place! After a brief panic and the discovery that all the marathon coach/breakfast packages had been booked I decided that what will have to happen is a journey into Dartford, this will take me straight into Blackheath – hopefully in plenty of time. My first goal is to offload my kitbag and get to the starting point on time rather than still be queueing for the toilet when I am supposed to be at the start, which is what happened to me at the Brentwood half a couple of weeks ago, it didn’t particularly compromise my race but had to start from the back.

The nerves are beginning to kick in as I look at the route and read all the information in the official magazine which describes what happens at the expo that has to be attended, work out what I need to take with me and even worry about who is going to stand where and try to ensure I remember all of it so I don’t just jog past and ignore them. I am hoping my GPS app will still work but knowing how many people are going to be around this is not guaranteed.

Wishing everyone a happy chocolate filled Easter!

Time does fly…

It doesn’t seem like it but it is now just over four years since my little Pixie was born as she celebrated her birthday last week. She was the first one of the children to have their birthday on a school day as Hpops always has hers in the summer holidays and Imp is often in the half term. This didn’t stop her, she was up early enough to open the majority of her cards and presents before we had to leave for school, she was delighted to wear a birthday badge on her school top and take in some sweets to share with her friends.

The afternoon was difficult as she couldn’t decide what she wanted to do, first it was the cinema, then it was a restaurant and in the end we went to the local starbucks for pink milk and a cookie, as once she got home she  was distracted by more presents and cards. She enjoyed blowing out the candles on her cake and then the next count down started – the one to her party! She was very excited about this having been to quite a few of her class mates and some of the ones the older children had attended. In between we went to a roller skating party.

It was interesting watching the children go from complete beginners, where every move resulted in them falling over to novices which meant they could almost get around the whole course. Imp and Pixie proved to be very dodgy and I spent most of my time scooping them off of the floor or preventing them falling over. Hpops on the other hand after a shaky start seemed to figure out how to stay on her feet and manouvere herself around without too many problems. The evening ended with the realisation that Imp had lost his second tooth although it was nowhere to be seen. He spent some of the time looking for it but after a bit of coaxing he conceded defeat. Luckily we were able to convince him that if he smiled when he went to sleep the tooth fairy would see the gap and might leave him a reward, which of course is what happened.

The weekend heralded Pixie’s party, excitement before the event was reaching fever pitch and the entertainers comment; ‘She’s buzzing isn’t she?’ made me wonder if she was going to run out of energy. She attacked the microphone with gusto, danced with all her might and revelled in all the games and tricks the entertainer played. She did indeed thoroughly enjoy her party and adrenalin carried her through until quite late. It caught up with her on Sunday though and an early night seemed to get things back on track.

Whilst all these celebrations were going on marathon training continued, apart from a few days off thanks to a back injury, I was lucky enough to get a quick referral to a physiotherapist who not only diagnosed the problem and helped solve it, but also gave me some exercises to improve my core strength to make running easier. It turned out to be a pulled back and after a few days not running I was allowed to try and run and see if there was any pain. I was delighted when there wasn’t and then once I had seen the physio for a second visit and been given the go ahead I was able to resume normal training. I have a half marathon race this weekend and then just three long runs, an 18, 20 and then a 15 mile before the big day. It seems close not, only a calendar month which is both exciting and frightening, I think I am getting to the point now where I just want to to get it done and then the mammoth talk which seems to have taken over my life will be over, I guess now all I need to do is decide what I am going to do afterwards.

Half Term and back to training

Half term seemed to come around very quickly, and we spent the majority of it at Centreparcs, the Elveden Forest site. I have to admit that having read a few reviews on various websites I was a little apprehensive as they had several bad reviews listed. Many were disappointed with staff attitudes, cleanliness and availability of activities. Still we packed up and headed off arriving just after lunchtime. You cannot get into your accommodation until 3pm but you can arrive onsite early, park up and make use of the facilities, however, the only facilities included in the holiday price are the sub tropical swimming paradise and the outside play areas. Sports, kids clubs and craft activities generally cost extra and at peak periods such as school holidays get booked up quickly.

On arrival we were greeted and given our keys but told we couldn’t go to the villa until 4pm as they were running late with the cleaning, this wasn’t a problem and we made ourselves comfortable in one of the on-site restaurants and met up with the rest of the family. We planned the rest of the meals for the week and booked them while we were waiting and managed to get pretty much what we wanted, we were also able to book in for the spa.

On arrival at the villa we were pleased to see how close it was to the main village and that we wouldn’t require bikes in order to persuade the kids to venture out, as we hadn’t brought any – there were a lot around and you can hire them but beware there are a lot of wobbly riders out there and some do not look where they are going and can be tricky to navigate around on the more narrow pathways. The accommodation was clean and tidy and for a family of five fairly spacious. The remainder of our party were in a villa opposite us and beside them was a semi-famous person; Max from Eastenders and his family – not that we bothered them as they were clearly having a family holiday and did not seem to want to sign autographs etc.

We ate in the villa and again everything was clean and tidy and in working order. On Tuesday the kids were attending a queen of hearts tea party, this enables the adults the opportunity to try the swimming pool without them – the rapids were indeed rapid and not to be tried after a trip to the hot pools as the temperature difference is huge! The slides are fast and for the faster one there is often a large queue. The males of the party enjoyed the competitiveness of clay pigeon shooting whilst the rest of us spent the time exploring the site and using the climbing frames and so on.

We all enjoyed our dinner at Hucks, the kids thought the buffet was brilliant and there was a play area for the kids to keep them occupied while they were waiting, as well as a computer bank for the older kids. The food was quick, the staff friendly and I would definitely go there again. Our second full day was busy as we paid a visit to the swimming pool with the kids. The yellow and orange buoyancy aids supplied were a big hit and gave them all the confidence they needed to try the wave machine, slides and in Hpop’s case the rapids. It seemed a world away from the days when my little imp refused to go near the water, as soon as he  came down a slide he was out and back into the queue. Pixie declared in true Pixie fashion that she didn’t like the swimming pool because it was too wet, and she didn’t like the slide because it was too skiddy, right before she asked to go on again.

We tried ten pin bowling in the afternoon, another hit and then in the evening we had a magic show at the Pancake House. The food was buffet style and plentiful and tasty and magic Olly came around to do some close up magic before the show. The trick he did with our children and the multiplying sponge balls amazed them and was brilliant to watch. During the show itself he picked on Pixie to help him with the ever growing wand trick, she was unfazed by a roomful of people and wasn’t afraid of telling the magician exactly what she thought of his giant wands. They were thoroughly entertained and we had another quiet evening.

Thursday saw another visit to the swimming pool before the men took over kids entertainment duty and I and my MIL escaped to the spa. It was a long walk from the village but well appointed, the only thing that was slightly disappointing was the necessity to change in open plans rooms, when we went the place was quite busy and for those who are self conscious for one reason or another this can be a problem. We participated in the 3 hours spa around the world experience where you roam around two floors of rooms at your own leisure and decide where you want to go, we really like the Indian steam room and the Turkish one as well. Again a slight niggle that people spending the day enjoying the facilities had taken up residence on the loungers and water beds meaning that despite the signs asking people to be no more than 15 minutes these facilities were rarely available. It wasn’t the warmest of days but even so the outside pool with various massaging water jets was warm and lovely.

Dinner was at Cafe Rogue and again was fine and another play area to keep the kids occupied. Back at the villas we had to start packing up once the kids went to bed as check out is 10am. On this occasion we decided to leave then and come home to do some other bits before the children returned to school but you can stay on and use the facilities if you wish. All in all a good break with plenty of fun for everyone.

With the snow and ice gone it was back to a proper training schedule. Running at CentreParcs was lovely, the air was fresh, no cars are allowed on site after check in day and you can smell pine trees all the way round. There are some lovely views of the lakes as well and so I felt fairy revitalised running there. At the weekend I ran a half marathon and have to admit I found it very difficult. This week the training has gone well and I already have 20 miles on the board and tomorrow aiming for a 15 mile run. Fundraising is going well with a steady flow of contributors. (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/melsmarathonmadness) It has struck me however how isolating the training can be. You spend a lot of time running at the most miserable time of year, it is cold, wet and dark for most of the time but you need to get the miles into your leg. A lot of people you know see you running or hear about what you’re doing so you spend a lot of time talking about running as well as doing it, but at the same time it can be lonely. If you run for a club or train with someone the experience is probably different, but for me doing the majority of my training by myself due to the hours in which I can train  (school time) it can be difficult. Pixie has just switched to going to school in the morning so that makes life easier. I can have breakfast with the kids, take them to school, run and then  have lunch with Pixie when I pick her up after my run but at the same time for the last few months I have had to say no to invitations for evening events because I am due to run early in the morning, a couple of birthday parties of lunches because it conflicts with training and even getting up earlier than usual to run or going out in the evenings if Mr T is home early enough. In reality I am one of the lucky ones, I work around the kids so although the writing is suffering at the moment I can prioritise training whereas those working full time still have to fit their running in. Despite this there have been times when I have wondered what on earth I am letting myself in for, why do I want to run just over 26 miles and the answer is because it has always been an ambition of mine, precisely because of the doubts that I can actually do it – I have to now prove it to myself and for the charities that I am raising money for.

A lot of people talk about a running bug, that once you start you won’t stop. I can honestly say that I won’t stop altogether but I will not be running every day after the marathon, I’ll cut down to 2-3 times a week with a maximum of 5 miles. There are other things I enjoy that are less severe on knees and ankles and carry less risk of getting injured. I have been touched by the interest people have shown and the those wanting to come and watch and am also in the process of trying to work out where it would be best for them to be if they want to be together. I have no idea how I am going to feel once I have actually completed the course but I am sure it will be worth it in the end, 8 weeks and counting …

Journeys

As I think I have said before I am currently training to run the London Marathon in April. When I first got the magazine in September last year it seemed ages away and a little surreal, now there is slightly less than three months to go and it now seems incredibly close, I have a half marathon race in just over eight weeks and yesterday the race number and rules and regulations came through. I am now starting to fundraise, and keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t get an injury. For anyone interested my fundraising page is;

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/melsmarathonmadness

I have been pleased with my training, it started with going out at 630 in the morning for a maximum of three miles, now my long weekend run is up to eleven miles with the other runs averaging 4-5 miles. I am still hoping to finish within five hours. Perhaps the thing that has touched me most is how the kids and my friends have reacted.

Hpops has asked me several times if  I am sure I want to do the marathon, and since she has started cross- country at school she has said she finds running hard and worries about me.  She has started taking more an interest and when I have run at night she checks that I am going to be OK running in the dark! I do have to say I dislike running in the dark, I have to alter my route to ensure that I run where there is street lighting and even roads or pavements, the last thing I want to do is lose my way or fall over! I think Mr T has been pleased that I have stuck with the training even in the cold and wet – but as I have said I have no idea what the weather will be like in April, last year we had a heatwave but other years have been wet, windy or even snowy!

Not only have the children taken an interest but some of my friends have too, several have asked where the nest place is to come and yell. This has really touched me, I am told that there is plenty of on-course entertainment for spectators apart from the actual running element and it will be great to see some familiar faces along the route. In some ways I am looking forward to the race, it will be very buzzy and a great atmosphere but at the same time I am dreading it hoping I don’t get too far behind by target pace and so on! Whatever happens though I just want to ensure I finish and get that medal, the kids seem to think that getting a medal at the end means you are first, second or third but I have explained to them that because it is such a long way you get a medal for getting round – then the fight started about who could take it to school first!

Meanwhile the kids have been busy, Hpops has finally decided she does like cantering, she was riding her favourite horse this weekend and she did seem much more confident.  My little imp has been on a journey to drive me into madness by being as naughty as possible and pixie seems to be on a musical journey, she has just started ballet at school and is taking great delight in practicing at all times as well as trying to play the piano because Hpops does and the violin as both the  other two do. It makes me realise how far we have come already – how much they have learned and are still learning. I have also discovered that it is never too late to start a new journey, if someone had told me that I would ever run consistently for a marathon I would have laughed, but here we are! Having got here I can honestly say I am feeling better for the exercise and think even after the marathon I will continue to do some running, but without the time and effort pressure!

New Year, new (ish) blog

Soon all my old posts will be disappearing to be archived in my private files. Instead here will appear my random pearls of wisdom, tales of my adventures, or lack of in the publishing world, marathon training, (yes really!) and parental fears, failures and successes. As the kids are getting older I have decided to keep the tales of their formative years for myself and maintain their anonymity.

So I guess I need to make a few introductions. I have three children the eldest and youngest are girls (Hpops and pixie) with my poor son (imp) sandwiched in the middle of a world of pink and fairies. I have a husband who works very hard but also sometimes has to travel, sometimes at short notice which can make life difficult as I try to juggle the social life of the three kids – they definitely have a better social life than me. I taught in a primary schools for five years before the kids and since then have been dabbling with my other passion – writing!

My novel Tumbling Through Life was published a few years ago and since then I have been working on several projects – some for adults and some for children without really reaching the end of any of them, the kids schedule hasn’t helped and my talent for prevaricating means that I am able to make things that should take half an hour last for several! This year the youngest is off to school full time in September and so the time for prevaricating must come to an end and the time for serious writing must begin. My aim is to keep things ticking over until  then and from that moment on write for 4-5 hours a day and maybe actually finish off some of these half done projects and get somewhere. While it would be nice to be the next J K Rowling or Stephen King my main hope is that I can write something that will entertain people for a few hours. When I read I want to connect with the characters and place, no matter how outlandish the world set before me I want to be able to believe in it and forget myself for a while – if my writing can do that, even for just a few people then I will have considered myself to have achieved my goal.

Before I get to September I have a marathon to run! For the last few years I have applied to participate in the London marathon and  this year I was successful in gaining a place in the public ballot. Initially I was overjoyed then reality set in! So far I have been very lucky with the weather and have largely been able to keep up with the training schedule. I started proper training back in September and went from struggling around for 2-3 miles to running over 7 miles and feeling as if I have some left in the tank. As the date draws nearer training becomes more intense I hope to go a mile further each week and have done a few 20 mile runs before the big day!

I am sure the summer will be spent watching the Olympics, football and kids on various climbing frames as the summer holidays hit. Through this blog it would be great to hear from new people, hopefully you can check out some of my book/film/theatre and toy reviews as they appear as well as examples of my writing work. Most importantly wishing everyone a happy and safe 2012!