An Expected parkrun...

I'm coming for you!!!

Saturday 27th February 2016 was my first race of the Goyt Valley Striders Championships season.  

We had to complete Woodbank parkrun - in Stockport, in as fast a time possible.  The best time set in February would count and as I could only make one, today was the day!

I was feeling quite calm about it on Friday, and thinking I would just do my best and not worry too much as I haven't been doing any tempo (speed) training recently (except the York parkrun).  

This week, I have exercised  more than normal as I have got my new road bike, so as a result have done two bike sessions and two run sessions.  

Usually, I do suffer a bit from pre-race nerves and this morning I did the usual 10 trips to the loo before leaving then needing to go again on arrival!  I think it's the bodies way of getting everything out and letting the adrenaline take over!  I was really glad they had toilets!

The course was really unusual in that you start by running a full lap of the Stockport Harriers athletics track.  After the lap of the track, (which makes you feel like spontaneous sprinting!) you enter Woodbank Park and complete 2 laps of paths in Woodbank and Vernon Parks.  The course feels quite short to run, as the lap of the track is a bit of a novelty and the laps in the parks feel quite short.  

There is a quick downhill section with a sharp left turn which leads uphill to a cobbled area.  The hill is surprisingly steep and by the top I had "jelly legs" both times!  There were friendly marshals at key points and it was easy to find the way with all the clear signage.  

I paced myself at the start and was aiming for 4 minute 30 second kilometres.  My friend and fellow Strider Sally, ran with me and we were quite comfortable for the first kilometre or so. We stayed together most of the way with me leading for a while and Sally overtaking me at about the 4.5k mark (which seems to be a pattern!)

I had resigned myself to Sally beating me but the finish came quite quickly and in my usual trademark style I went for a good sprint finish, passing Sally and a man right at the end.  I was absolutely knackered at the end and had to sit down as I felt sick from the exertion!

Sprinting for home!

There was a photographer at the finish which turned out to be a very good thing as there was a big problem with the results and most positions from 30th onwards were incorrect. In the end, with help from everyone and the photos, they managed to get the results looking more accurate!  

The Legendary Ron Hill

I was pleased to be 3rd lady out of 58, and 36th out of 155 runners overall in a new PB time of 23:04.  I had hoped to crack the 22 minute barrier, and according to my Garmin I did, but officially I still have to wait another day for that acolade!

It was a good day for the Goyt valley Striders as we were out in force and came home with 1st and 3rd man and 1st and 3rd lady finisher titles!

In the GVS championships I got 59 points for second place, not a bad start to the season.  Next Sunday (6th March) is Langsett 10k - another of the Striders Championship races.  

After the run we were lucky enough to see Ron Hill finishing and we went over to say "Hi", how very inspiring to see a man in his late 70's still enjoying running everyday after all the years and years of training and racing he has achieved.  Another great advert for parkrun! 

Smiling because I've finished!

An Unexpected parkrun...

Every year in February, myself and Mr A get a kid-free weekend away (wippee!).  I mentioned to Mr A that York (where we were heading) has a parkrun.  

Unexpectedly, he was quite interested in this and sounded quite keen to give it a go (Mr A hasn't run for about 20 years)  So I was soon googling running shops in York to find him some suitable footwear.  

I insisted the "very good pair" of trainers he used to use was not going to cut it (and I also forgot to mention I chucked said trainers in the bin about 10 years ago! - this is "need to know" information - which he doesn't).  

I knew the gait analysis I had planned for him may spook him slightly but it was with gusto I ushered him through the doors of Up and Running the next day.  

He took one look at the treadmill and glanced towards the door but in the end we got him assessed as a "neutral" runner (where he doesn't turn in or out on his feet and can buy any neutral running shoes) and had him parading around the shop in Brooks, Mizuno and Asics contenders.  

We settled on some Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 shoes - I already used the GTS 14's for road running and I also got a pair of 15's as there was a 2 for 1 offer - bargain!

Parkrunday arrived and it was freezing and raining, great.  Not the best combo when you are on holiday and don't actually need to get up.  

We drove to the racecourse where the parkrun is held, expecting 50 or 60 odd hardcore runners.  We were amazed to see hundreds of people - some with dogs attached by special canicross belts, some with buggies and some with little children running too. It was a massive field, almost 500 runners.  

I jogged to the start to warm up, poor Mr A was looking a bit overwhelmed and walked to save his legs.  It was about 1k to the start before you had to run 5k then walk another kilometre back to the car.

As I approached the start area I noticed that there was a person who was the "newbies" marshal - a crowd gathered around her to listen to the course details - 1 and a half laps of the racetrack service road, and to know what to do at the finish (present barcode to scanning marshal).  

I also noted two pacer marshals - one with 25 and one with 30 on their hi viz vests (to help people run 25 minute or 30 minute times).  I decided the 25 pacer would be useful for me as I had forgotten my Garmin watch for the first time ever!  I was aiming for a PB of 23 minutes but with so many people and no watch I knew it would be tricky.  

Mr A arrived and we were off.  I ran ahead as I wanted to try for a PB and he stayed near the back so he could stick at a steady pace.  The start was awful.  I have learned in all races to get to the front. 

Never mind what the Mo Farrah types think of you, just get up there, it helps so much with settling into position without the jostling and frustration of people getting in the way.  

You do have to bare in mind one thing though - don't try to belt off at the front runners pace, just set off then settle into a pace that's comfortable to you and stick left.  Yes people will pass you but it will be much better than battling it out at the back - trust me, I know!

At this particular parkrun though, with our slightly late arrival, I ended up quite near the back of a sea of runners.  It was wet and muddy at the edges and the tarmac was quite icy so I was finding traction difficult in my new Brooks.  

As expected I didn't enjoy it until about 2k in, when I found my pace and passed the 25 pacer.  I then basically ran at a fast pace and did my usual heavy breathing (I'm a puffer), until I started chatting (between puffs) to an older guy who looked lean and professional in OMM gear.  He had a watch and told me what pace we were making - around 7 minute miles, and I told him about how I was used to hills and that this flat-as-a-pancake course was actually a good test for me.  


He seemed intrigued and stayed with me, encouraging me until the end - a nice chap. When we finished he told me he thought we had done it in around 23 minutes and he was right!  I got a new PB of 23:23, I was surprised after my ropey start.  

After scanning I went to find Mr A, I was actually surprised he hadn't bailed and waited for me at the finish!  I got chatting to the "home straight" marshal and we clapped and cheered the stream of runners going for the finish.  That's one of the best things about parkrun - its not a race, its not judgey and everyone is friendly and supportive.

After a bit, I spotted him and was a bit concerned that he looked dreadful but was still running!  I told him to slow down a bit and ran with him to the finish.  He did really well and even passed another runner on his sprint finish! I don't think he particularly enjoyed it but it did show him how unfit he is and has made him resolve to start doing a bit more running from now on!



Overall an enjoyable morning which made us feel less guilty about all the food we were eating!  I would definitely recommend York parkrun to anyone wanting to try a 5k.  If you are heading to York, the City walls are great to run and only about 5k in total - see map.

It's A Hill - Get Over It!

Before

After

I have been motivated to create this blog in order to encourage and hopefully inspire other "normal" people to have a go at running in our beautiful countryside.  

My running career has not just been unexpected but genuinely life-changing (sorry for the cheese - imagine x-factor sob story music at will).  From the new skills I have learned, the people I have met and the opportunities I have been given, I can honestly say signing up for the Manchester 10k was the best move I have ever made. Having two young children, running has, at times, been my salvation.

So, one prosecco-fuelled Friday evening in December 2013, feeling motivated by my obvious willpower - having got to my target weight (3.5 stones lighter), I decided I could do with another challenge.  Exercise seemed to make sense as I currently did nothing other than occasionally riding my elderly horse, and I wanted to try something new. So I tried running as far as I could without stopping! (1.9k) Cue STRAVA!

Join here

It was purely by chance I chose this particular app to log my runs - I decided it would make sense to take my phone with me running, so why not track my runs at the same time? This was to become a massive tool in my training, which I still rely on now - albeit with some new gadgetry! (follow me on Strava here).

I mentioned on Facebook that I had entered the Manchester 10K and my neighbour - Viv instantly messaged me to say she too had entered and would I like to train with her - my answer was a big yes!  

I ran the Manchester 10k for the BHF 

We started running together and following a 10k training plan, which we downloaded from Bupa.  During this time I realised a couple of things - firstly -  I had a dodgy knee, and secondly, I was quite good at running - particularly uphill. 

I visited a doctor with grim determination that the aforementioned knee was not going to stop me running, and fortunately he understood and encouraged me to go to a private physiotherapist - (the wait for NHS physio was too long), in the meantime I researched "Runners Knee" and purchased some orthotic insoles in the hope I could cure myself!  

The physio took one look at me and announced that I was an "over-pronator" which meant I turned slightly in on one foot, causing my knee to be slightly out of line.  This had a simple fix - orthotic insoles (hurrrah my research was correct) and/or new running shoes.  I was recommended to have gait analysis at a reputable running shop which I duly did, (at Running Bear in Alderley Edge) and purchased some Brooks road shoes.  

So started a new love affair with shoes - of the running variety! (I currently have 5 pairs - fell, trail, road... you name it!).  In the Brooks I never needed the insoles but in every other pair since I have had to use the inserts to balance out my knee.  So shoes are of the utmost importance for new runners - get your gait checked and buy some decent shoes - it will save a lot of time, ice and ibuprofen!

Helping at Whaley Bridge junior parkrun (WBjp)

Back to the training, and I completed my first event, a local parkrun - which I finished in 32:08 (see all my parkrun history here), I was hooked! parkrun is a fantastic, free, 5k weekly timed run with locations all over the country and now abroad too!  

I have recently been involved in the setup of a junior parkrun event in my local park and have really enjoyed the challenge of encouraging children from the local community to come and have a go.  My own 6 year old has done 10 runs and is completing 2k in 11 minutes!

Christmas spirit at WBjp

When May 2014 arrived and I experienced the 10k at Manchester, I found it nerve-wracking but I enjoyed the experience and came home in a respectable 57:43.  My biggest fear (this will resonate with many mothers) was weeing myself!  I managed to hold on until the end but the run through showers were nearly my downfall!  

I'm pleased to say that now (2 years down the line) my pelvic floor is good and I can run downhill without needing the loo!  But ladies - it takes a while so don't give up!  When I started fell running this turned out to be a non-worry - walls are your friends!

Striders at Langley 7 Road Race in 2015

After the 10k, a family friend Caz - an ultra runner, contacted me as she had noticed my progress on Facebook, and offered to take me fell running.  It was only after we ran up the steepest field I have ever seen that she announced that not many people can do that and I should enter our local carnival fell race.  Little did I know that I was going to become a fell runner.  

Most people think of lean and muscular men when they think of hill or fell running, and indeed the ratios of male/female are very heavily male biased.  In most races at least 80% of runners seem to be men.  The elite or semi - professional ladies are often as muscular, tall and as lean-looking as the men.  

I started to find pavement pounding and flat canal runs a chore, and soon after (following a particularly embarrassing slip on a grassy hill) I bought some Salomon Fellraiser shoes - shoes with grip! For the rest of 2014 I entered a few fell races and started running with my local running club - The Goyt Valley Striders (GVS).  

Through the club I joined the fast group on Tuesday evenings and started really upping my mileage.  I made loads of new and supportive running friends and learned about the clubs Championship races which happen every year - a new challenge for 2015.  

View from the top of the Old Man of Coniston

You know you've become a running addict when you take your entire running wardrobe on holiday!  I have run in various places including the Lake District, Wales, France, Devon and Cornwall and many other locations thanks to our family caravanning holidays.  That's the beauty of running - you can do it anywhere and it doesn't have to take loads of money, prep or time and you can learn far more about places if you really explore them.  

The Old Man of Coniston - well worth the run up!

Receiving my 3rd prize from GVS

So, in 2015 I challenged myself to completing the Goyt Valley Striders ladies championship, a task whereby you choose at least 8 races out of 16 which must incorporate all the different terrains (fell, trail and road) and all distances (short <5m, medium <10m and long >10m).  

I had slipped into a comfort zone of fast 5ks, and up to 10k fell runs, so participating in my first half marathon was another real challenge!  Over the year my results improved in general and I started to learn all about competing and different training tips and what worked and didn't work for my body.  I finished the season in 3rd place only 4 points behind the joint winners, an achievement I am very proud of.

Results of note to date  - 
2014

• Manchester 10k - 57:43
• Eccles Pike Fell Race 5.3k - 35:39
• Lantern Pike Fell Race 8.1k - 52:22
• Terry's Race (GVS) 11k - 1:09:18



Buxton Carnival 4 - 1st Lady Goyt Valley Strider

• Gravy Pud Fell Race 9.5k - 56:07

The river crossing at the Whaley Waltz 2015

Determined!

Stile at the Lambs Longer Leg Jan 2015

2015

• Lambs Longer Leg 4.9k - 41:23 11th Lady
• Stockport Trail Half Marathon - 1:51:06 9th Lady
• Wolfs Pit Fell Race 8.7k - 1:07:00 34th Lady
• Chicken Run 9.6k - 57:52 - 8th Lady
• Round the Ressers 8k - 40:07
• Lyme Park parkrun 5k - 25:08 2nd Lady
• Whaley Waltz 9.1k - 57:55
• Buxton Carnival 4 (4m) - 31:45 14th Lady
• Gawsworth 10k - 52:27 23rd Lady
• langley 7 (7m) - 57:25 



Gawsworth 10k Summer 2015

• Famous Grouse (5.25m)- 50:48 9th lady 

Still smiling at The Famous Grouse Nov 2015

So there you have it, my journey from non-runner to fell runner extraordinaire! I hope I have inspired some of you to try running.  I recommend the couch to 5k plan to all new runners I meet.

Fell runs don't get cancelled

Having bored you to death with my history, my blog will now concentrate on 2016 and beyond - offering an average, real lady runners insight including reviews of races, updates on training for my first triathlon in July, the Summer Fell series with the Goyt Valley Striders, a 24 hour team race in September and my second half marathon in October. I am not going to win any prizes and I'm not doing it be an elite athlete, I'm doing it for fitness, fun and my own personal goals.

Extreme conditions for the Famous Grouse!

Wolfs Pit race Mar 2015

Don't worry, I intend to make the blogs short and informative and hopefully entertaining too!  Running really is a gift - if you don't do it - why not try it?

I am aware that some people think I am crazy going out running at night, or entering extreme races, but I am just a normal 30 something Mum who manages to train 3 - 4 times a week.  If I can do it anyone can!  Like I said in my title "It's a hill - get over it!"  

Personal Best aims for this year 
Sub 23 minute 5k
Sub 48 minute 10k
Sub 1 hour 45 minute half marathon