The Big 5-0!

I think my running mojo has returned and I am really looking forward to continuing my training for the Great North Run.

A few Saturdays ago saw me reach my 50^th Parkrun and I had a lovely morning running and celebrating. My dad and two of my friends, Rachael and Katie, came to cheer me on and celebrate after. My sister Joanne also completed the Parkrun with my nephew and niece (their first time!).

Before we began!

I was excited before the run, especially because Joanne and Katie had made cake (at my not so subtle hint/request!) I ran with Tone and once we crossed the finish line we turned back and went to run/walk the rest of the route with Joanne, Darius and Toni. I was so proud to reach 50 Parkrun’s and of Darius and Toni completing their first ever!

Running with Darius to the finish!

After we finished running we got the cake from the cars and Katie tried lighting the 50 candle. It was quite windy so no sooner had we lit it the flame blew out. We decided to take the cakes inside and have a cuppa and I thoroughly enjoyed eating more calories than I’d ran off, with some of the most important people in my life.

Celebration Cake!

The following Monday I went for a run after work with Tone and we covered more than 7 and a half miles. We stopped for me to stretch my calves a few times as they are still niggling. I enjoyed running and then walking when I felt like I needed to (and stopping to eat the jellies Tone had thoughtfully packed in his arm band).

I always love it when our runs incorporate a view of the sea and we started on the prom in Newbiggin. There were moments I found difficult but with Tone’s company and encouragement it was largely an enjoyable run. My focus was to enjoy being out in the fresh air and not on distance (though we did have a distance in mind before we set off).

The following Thursday I went to Ashington Hirst Running Club beginner’s session and completed 5k. I complained most of the way round as it was so hot and my legs felt heavy and tight. Towards the end of the run I settled into it a bit more and my legs were feeling better so instead of running straight back to my house Tone and I decided to run round the lake at the QE2, taking the total distance up to more than 7 miles. The Great North Run is definitely feeling achievable now and I am looking forward to increasing my distance even further!

Thanks for reading!

44, friends and counting!

Last Saturday I introduced one of my friend’s, Kim, to Parkrun. I’ve done a few Parkrun’s in Leeds with my friend Maria and we’ve been encouraging Kim to join us. We were all free last Saturday so decided to try a route which was new to us all. I am counting down to my 50^th Parkrun and Saturday marked 44 – not long to go now!

We met nice and early at Oakwell Hall Parkrun and as the sun was shining I’d chosen a t-shirt and shorts. The sun was deceiving. It was cold. Much colder than it looked. But at least it wasn’t snowing! I spent the time before we started, jumping up and down on the spot trying to keep warm. I’d told Kim I would run with her as it was her first time and she was feeling nervous. I always enjoy doing Parkrun with other people as it’s a much more sociable and happy experience!

Oakwell Hall

Just before we set off we saw our other friend Laura who was also new to Oakwell Hall Parkrun last week. The route was pretty and is a 2 lap course. The marshall’s were super friendly and we were made to feel both welcomed and encouraged. There were lots of lovely printed signs of encouragement and I stopped to take a photo of this one (it made me smile!!).

 

 We felt like it was lying to us the first time round but more encouraging on passing it on the 2^nd lap. The course was challenging with zig zags, mud and trail paths.  We run walked the course and as I still didn’t have my Garmin, I just enjoyed chatting to Kim and Maria and taking in the new surroundings.

Kim and I crossed the finish line together and Maria, Laura and her friend were waiting to cheer us on. Kim enjoyed her first Parkrun and says she’ll be returning for another – she also got a 5K pb! Well done Kim! It was an enjoyable morning and we had some chocolate before heading our separate ways to enjoy the rest of our Saturday (which for me may have involved some wine tasting!!)

Me, Maria, Kim

 My Great North Run training has not been productive at all this week. I had a brilliant week last week, 2 bootcamp sessions and 2 runs but I’ve not done anything since Saturday (oops!). This week has been spent celebrating some good news and preparing for our Speech and Language Therapy pantomime.

Tomorrow I am doing Sunderland 10K for the third year running. I am looking forward to seeing the new start and experiencing a new route.  Two years ago, Sunderland 10K was the first 10K race I ever entered and it was only the second time I’d even ran that distance. Hopefully the next few weeks will see me regaining some motivation and training a bit harder.

I’m off to sort my things for tomorrow. I know I can cover the distance tomorrow as it wasn’t too long since I last ran 10K. I look forward* to increasing my distance over the coming months towards my journey to the Great North Run.

*I am trying to remain positive, I use the term ‘look forward’ quite loosely but I’m not dreading it which is progress on a couple of weeks ago (and indeed the last 18 months since the last time I thought it would be a good idea to subject myself to running a Half Marathon!)