Bit of a catch up

Since my birthday I have been taking things a bit steadier, I have still run every day, but last week I put cycling back into my training, I've done some sessions on the turbo but Ive also been out and about a couple of times. It was hard on the seat at first but it's getting easier.

On Thursday I started at a Pilates class. That was enlightening, I've previously only used YouTube videos, but they helped me pick up some moves. The instructor helped me perfect my positioning, and I had an enjoyable hour.

Yesterday I went for my first swim in 9 weeks. That went ok, I only did half an hour, for my first session. I tried to concentrate on form rather than pace.

Today I was going to go for a Halloween night run up at Swaledale, but common sense prevailed and instead Billy and I went and ran around and up Roseberry Topping instead. After all I'm only just learning to run off road in the dark, and just learning to do steep stuff in daylight. I would have help people up and possibly put myself off. Any how, we had a great 5.5 miles of mud and steep stuff today.

Tomorrow is The Guy Fawkes 10 Mile road race at Ripley. A new route this year so exciting stuff.

Bridlington Half Marathon

Many years ago, well in 2009, it was my first year taking part in the Black Sheep Series. A series of local races, mainly 10 km but also a 10 mile race and the brillian Burn Valley Half Marathon. This half marathon fell on one of my running partner's birthday in July, so we looked for one on my birthday too. Vicky found the Bridlington Half Marathon on 18 Oct. my birthday, so we signed up. 

Vicky and I did the Brid half for 3 years running but in 2012 we went to Dublin for the marathon on Oct. the habit was broken.

This year my friend Caroline decided that she would do a half marathon and had picked Brid. I looked at the date, it was to be on my birthday again, so I signed up too and planned to use it to finally get under 2 hours for a half.

Since Vitruvian middle distance triathlon at the end of August I have not cycled or swum, I have put all my energy into running. Firstly to be able to complete Equinox24 and run 100 miles in 24 hours. I achieved this. Then I wanted to get under 7 hours at the Round Ripon Ultra (35 mile) a fortnight later, which I did. A fall on the ultra has made the last two weeks uncomfortable for running, as my ribs have been bruised. But I kept working on pace and achieved a PB at the Yorkshire marathon last week. My half marathon split was just over 1:57. So the signs were that I should be able to run a stand alone half marathon in under 2 hours, but now it would really need to be under 1:57 to be a true distance PB.

I have also been running every day this year and yesterday (day290) was just 1.7 miles, but it was awful, my ribs were sore and I could not get my breathing to regulate.

Love my birthday gift from Billy

So today it is my birthday. I got up early, had breakfast and set off alone for Bridlington. I was meeting Caroline there and Billy had a monster bike training session. So this was also a challenge for me, having recently got back to driving and not being keen on motorways. Brid is nearly 2 hours drive away. I got there no problem.

Bbrr! It was not very warm, time to evaluate clothing choice. I'd packed an extra vest and a long sleeved top. I decided to put the extra vest on. I also put on a disposable Mac and made my way to meet Caroline. She was looking calm to say it was her first half marathon. The crowds were building so we got amongst them to keep warm. We were about halfway in amongst the pack. There was no rush though we had timing chips.

Suddenly the supporters were clapping and the runners were running, I started my watch and we were off, running along the promenade.

The route is undulating with more up than down in the first 8 miles and I remember a definate hill at 7 miles. 

It took me about 2 miles to feel warm. The miles seemed to be passing quickly, I dare not check my watch in case I was disappointed. Once the weaving and passing had settled I tried to keep it, that if I was passed I would try and pass someone. I remember a water station about 4 miles, gutted, it wasn't there, I should have checked the race details, I just assumed everything would be the same. I ran on everything else seemed the same, I felt as if I was running well, my ribs ached but I was managing to control my breathing. I made sure I got plenty of water on board at 7 miles, and ran on, Where's the hill? Yes there was an incline, a long incline, but it didn't feel like a hill.

 I turned towards mile 8 and picked up the pace for this predominately downhill section.

 I decided to check my watch as it buzzed 9 miles. Last mile 9:11. 

Oh no, that's not fast enough, if that was a downhill mile, what were the others. 

Oh well can't change it now, just gotta run these last 4 miles as if my life depends on it.

And I did, I moved slowly though the group for a couple of miles but soon I found myself speeding past others as we turned towards mile 12 .

One mile, just one mile. I ran as hard as I could and was soon back on the promenade, it felt like it was uphill, I was tired but not giving in. 

The race clock was obscured bu supporters on till the last few feet.

1:54:?? I'd done it, I had nothing left, no sprint finish. I was done. But so happy.

I got some water and was starting to feel the chill. I looked around. No sign of Caroline so I jogged down the promenade to meet her. I didn't need to go far, there she was, I ran up with her she was smiling, so happy. And so she completed her first half marathon in just over 2 hours. Fantastic. It was great to share that with her before she had to dash off.

Me, well there was always a bit of a tradition for Vicky and I, a paddle and fish and chips before the long drive home. On the way to the beach I got my official time via text.

Bbrr! The water was cold, but it felt so good on my hot feet and calves.

No swim this year, they've knocked the leisure centre down and are building another.

Looks lovely so far.

So that's it. It's only a month since Equinox24 and I've been steadily reducing my distance but had a PB at 35. 26.2 and 13.1 miles. A great birthday pressie.

Oh and Billy made me a fab gin and lemon cake.

It is very yummy.

Don't bite off more than you can chew (Yorkshire Marathon)

Today was the third Yorkshire Marathon, held at York, it is not really hilly, in fact there is less than 800 ft of elevation in the whole 26.33 miles (that's what my Garmin measured), so reasonably flat and not too many twists and turns. 

The event sells out quickly, so I entered months ago and set myself a target of sub 4 hours. Last year's 4:17 gave me a good start in pen 2. I set off behind the 4 hour marker but in true form, I soon was in front and running hard. The pacer was planning to run a steady 9:09 min mile pace. I'm rubbish at consistency. I'm also rubbish at negative splits so positive split was the plan, in other words, run like heck then survive.

At 10 km I thought I was going too quick, I tried to slow it a bit. The weather was far better than last year, no fog and quite bright, so there was lots of support on course. 

It was hard running with bruised ribs, but I knew it would be, what I didn't expect was the twinges in my piriformis, meaning my left leg started to give way about 12 miles. I forced onwards and passed halfway at 2:02 on the clock. I was off the planned pace and needed to fight onwards. I turned in Stamford Bridge, the first out and back, the crowd boosted me for a while. 

At 15 mikes the 4 hour pacer and his followers passed me. I missed the water station, I took a gel but the lady was shouting use both sides of the road there's more water further up. There wasn't, I'd misunderstood. She had meant to go the other side of the table. Hey Ho! Not the end of the world. 

I had needed the loo since the race start but I kept seeng signs for toilets ahead but not seeing the toilets. About 16/17 miles I saw toilets, I detoured. Feeling relieved, I tried to get my mojo back and catch the group I had been running with, but was almost floored with a stitch, I tried to shove my fingers into the pain but that and my bruised ribs made breathing a struggle. I ran with my elbow out like a tea pot for ages until it started to ease, gutted as my group got further and further away. At the waster station I grabbed a bottle, took a gel and struggled onwards and upwards. 

As I turned towards 21 miles I was still struggling. So far it was very similar to last year and again by 22 miles I had settled back into it. My head was willing but my legs screamed walk, my piriformis was preventing me running fluidly, I felt like I was limping and tried to stay away from the left hand side of the road as the camber was aggravating it. The miles started to tick by again, only 4 miles, just a park run. 

At 40 km there was a clock 4:04 the sub 4 was impossible, but I was doing better than I thought. Right, get a grip, sub 4:15 is possible. I tried to pick up the pace as I put as much of the pain away as possible. The hill towards the end was brutal and a sprint finish was impossible even with the downhill.

I crossed the line and stopped my watch. I hardly dare look, it could have gone either way.

4:13. Oh My, I did it. A PB at last. My marathon PB has been 4:16:26 since the first Manchester Marathon in May 2012. A long time coming. But my text said 4:13:35 and the tracker 4:13:15. Either way I'm a happy bunny tonight.

sub 4 was always a tough target, too big a chunk to bite off, especially with the recent event I have in my legs. So hopefully nibble away at my marathon times and one day achieve a sub 4.

One Misty Moisty Morning, When Cloudy Was The Weather {Round Ripon Ultra)

One Misty Moisty Morning, When Cloudy Was The Weather, There I met a few men and women clad all in lycra.
The Round Ripon Ultra is a 35 mile multi terrain race organised by Go Beyond Sport. It has been running since 2010, where there were 36 finishers. this year there were 126, the race has grown. I first ran it in 2011 I was 42/46 in 9:05. In 2012 I ran it again and was 71/100 in 8:15. In 2014 I ran it again and was 40/66 in 7:23. So i set myself a target of under 7 hours today.

It was foggy, I hoped it would clear as the day wore on. The race was its biggest yet with over 120 runners and we gathered outside Studly Rodger village hall for the race briefing at 08:45 after registering and collecting our long sleeved technical tees in black and a waterproof phone case. There was a good turn out of Ripon Runners, Alex, Paul, Matt and Simon representing the men and Anneke, Claire, Nicole and myself representing the ladies. Chris was there taking pics. It was great to see him in his Equinox hoody.
5,4,3,2,1, go, and we all ran around the corner and queued for the kissing gate. I took it steady, long day ahead. We ran through Ripon and to North Bridge where we joined the Ripon Rowel walking route. There were still lots of runners in a long trail so I was patient and started to move through the pack as we hit the tarmac again. I was now running a bit quick but felt fine so just kept going through North Stainley to Slenningford Mill caravan site and CP1 (8 miles).

Quick loo stop, refill bottle, get cake and set off again eating. Around the River Ure to West Tanfield, cross the road and head for the woods. The next section was a bit over grown and the fog still surrounded me. it was a bit other worldly. By now I had 2 ladies running with me. I took a wrong turn and they came too. I got us back on track but involved climbing a fence. We ran though Mickley heading for Hackfall Woods, ahead was Simon and Nicole, the had passed us when I had led us astray. In Hackfall it was muddy in places and at one point I slipped and slid on my left side getting a little muddy. I caught up with Simon and Nicole who were enjoying their first RRU and ran with them for a while. I was chatting to Nicole and realised I hadnt had a drink for a while, I pulled out my bottle and raised it to drink, stubbed my toe and ended up rolling around on the floor. The group helped my up, my right arm, knee and re but not too bad, I put the discomfort to the back of my mind and carried on to Masham, where I detoured to the loo, then carried on to CP2 (16 miles).

Quick refuel, more cake and I set off for the shortest leg, down the lane, across some fields and then a downhill road section, an undulating lane and another road descent before the first big climb of the day, time for a bit of run/walking. It was amost all uphill from here on to the Swinton Bivouacand CP3 (20 miles)

Again, a rapid refuel and a run down a field to the bottom of Ilton Bank and the biggest climb of the day. Once up the hill I set off on the short new section and onto the moors. It was still foggy. I ran alone catching up and passing other runners as the emerged through the mist. Soon I was back on the road passing more runners before entering the moors again, I could see runners in the distance and just kept onwards, taking the uneven sections steady as I didnt want a third fall. This is the longest section of the race and also a bit tricky for navigation. Up past the tower and back to road and track, I caught another group and as I passed the lady with them came with me, we passed another group, one man was in a kilt. and then they all passed me as we approached Grantley and CP4 (28 miles)

The lady left first then me, leaving the group of men at the CP. It was still foggy as I headed back downhill, As I approached the bridge the lady came from the opposite direction, she had taken a different path, but it made not much difference. We ran together a while, she had a GPS and was using that, I was using the force and sometimes they didn't match. As I approached Eavestone I realised she was not with me anymore. I carried on alone, around the lake and passed some walkers in the woods but saw no runners. Approaching the fams the route was not clear but I used the force to get through and finally arrived at Pateley road. I crossed the road, grinning, I was nearly home, Soon I would be at Sawley. At Sawley I turned down past the church for a mile or so and then left the lane to enter Spa Gill Woods, Nearly home, along the track over the stile up the hill and then I was on Fountains Road, AND there was a runner, i tried to catch him but it was a bit tiring so I went back to my plodding style, past the visitor centre and though the gate to Studley by the ST Mary's. Yey, I was grinning from ear to ear and was gaining on the only other runner in sight. I ran down the drive, my Garmin buzzed for 34 miles. The road was busy with cars and walkers, and then a huge crowd came out onto the road, They had been photographing the deer, They parted as the runner and i approached. I found another gear as Sarah cheered me on. I overtook the runner. Had I gone too early? there was about half a mile to go, I dodged the walkers and vehicles, running for home, more Ripon Runners waiting for Nicole, including her mum Linda, cheered me on, cattle grids, arches, Kelly and Sam, nearly there run, run, another cattlegrid, but someone held the gate open so I didnt lose momentum, turn the corner, there was the finish gantry, I tried to turn it up a gear, dont think I succeeded, but it was all over now. I asked the time, 6:46 i was told. Yey! I did it. Mission accomplished.

We all had a good day, the Ripon Runners, Alex first, Anneka and Claire first and second ladies, Paul and Matt both finished well up the field, Nicole and Simon just a few minutes after me.

Me well I was 7 th female, 45/126 6:47:26 and very happy with that.
Lack of photos due to lack of view because of the fog

Equinox 24 Solo but never alone

19-20 September 2015, midday to midday run as many 10 km laps as possible in 24 hours in the shadow of the stunning Belvoir Castle neat Grantham.

I decided a couple of years ago that I would like to run 100 miles in 24 hours. I investigated 100 mile races and worried about getting lost in the dark, so I decided that a 24 hour race over laps would be a better plan. I found Equinox 24, a brand new race that had only run once, so I figured that would be a nice one but it was too close to Ironman Wales in 2014 so I planned for 2015. I picked this event because I had done a Triathlon at Belvoir earlier in 2014 so had a good idea of the route.

I entered in October 2014 and planned my triathlon training to incorporate extra running, I decided to do a Runstreak in 2015 to get used to running tired and tried not to let it get into my head too often (failed)

The weekend finally arrived and I was excited, I just wanted to get on with it. Billy was my support crew, he picked me up from work and we drove down to Belvoir. We arrived around the same time as Chris who I had roped in to do the challenge too and his wife Cathy. Chris and I went and registered and collected our event T shirts and then went to set up our bases. Chris had a tent and I had a gazebo. Once set up close to the first turn on the course we all set off god the local Premiere Inn where we were sleeping that night. 

We booked in the Premiere Inn and then went for tea and an early night. I didn't sleep well, what's new I never sleep well before an event, especially one so big. Next morning I had a full English, Unusual for me on a race day but it was only 07:30, plenty time to digest it before race start at midday.

After breakfast Billy and I set off to fully set the base up.

We arrived at Belvoir to a far busier campsite than the one we had left around 18:30 the previous evening, the place was buzzing. We set a table in the gazebo up with snacks within reach from the race route.  I hung Yorkshire Rose bunting around the gazebo and hung a flag on the fence. 

I was starting to get fidgety, constantly asking for time checks but soon the kids race started. 11:00 there were loads of youngsters running past the base, they had a lap of the campsite to complete, and it was a big camp. The main event was approaching.

About 11:30 Chris and I headed for the start area with Chris and Cathy for race briefing. Now the nerves kicked in, but meeting old friends soon settled me back down. Graham, Sid (Who was running in a morph suit), Julie and Chris, and finally got to meet Michelle, Sid's better half.

Johnny did the briefing overseen by Laura. These two had set this whole event up, which is a massive undertaking for two people. They seemed to gave got it right in this, the events third year, there were over 140 solo entrants and over 170 teams of 2-8 people

Time to get in position to go. We filed around the timing mats teams, solos and people doing only the first 10 km. I needed to be behind the 10 km runners to prevent going off too quick. I had a plan and that was to walk the inclines and keep my heartrate around 140 bpm. I turned my Garmin 910 xt on to get satellite signal. I'd left everyone I knew to get into my own space in my head.

The race started and it was the slowest race start I've ever had, soon the field was well spead out, even before we left the camping field. 

So this was it, stay cool (tough when the sun is blazing in the sky) keep the heartrate down, the first field had a slight incline and was rough underfoot. The course was marked in Kms and they passed steadily. The long incline was my fist walk, I walked from the ramp to the cattle grid then ran steadily again. 5 km, wow that was quick, water station, met up with Graham, then back off-road and down a really steep hill, turn and up a short steep hill, definately a walk, then running down down down towards the lake, slight up through the wood, not enough of an incline to walk, turn and back onto the camping field. That was not so bad, 15 to go. We crossed the timing mat then split, Graham to his base and I headed for my base, focusing on my flag. 

Billy topped up my Tailwind ( nutrition, a powder I add to water to give me a steady flow of carbs). I ate a couple of sweets, grabbed a mini Soreen loaf and set off for lap 2. "Slow down" Billy said. I tried, but I felt fine and had a rhythm going. I said the Kms out loud as I passed 11, 12, 13 and soon I was back focusing on my flag, only 14 left to go. This time I took my Go Pro out with me. . The footage is not great. It's too shaky really. I ran with Trudy a while, she was solo too. The team runners were cheering us on. The atmosphere was lovely and the sun shone down.

Getting there, 3 down, now just another 13, and so it went, Billy topping my drinks up and me trotting round, keeping a check on my heartrate. I kept seeng Wendy, she was running well, even after a fall. And Ruthie, she was always smiling. There was a lady with a flamingo on her head and people dressed as super heroes. Sid was steadily getting through the laps in his morph suit. It was great keeping seeing the others.

After lap 6 I recharged my watch battery. I did this by having my each charger plugged into my Duracell mobile charger which was in the bum pocket of my shorts and the wire ran to my loosened wartch. About 3 km in I was getting warnings off my watch. The memory was full. I tried to find the right screen to delete some activities, which I have never done mid activity before. I couldn't see without my glasses, I asked a passing runner to help. He did. Paul from team bear with the cowbells, read the screen and I deleted old activities and the watch was charging again, and we ran together a while.

At the end of the lap my watch had 100 % charge again and it was approaching 7 pm so head torch time. Billy said I was in second place. Whoa, I'd never considered that I could do so well.

I managed about 6 km before I had to give in and put the torch on, the sun sank, now it was the bit I dreaded, running in the dark. The route signs had glow sticks on but that was all the light there was. I thought I'd find someone to run with, but everyone else was faster or slower, so I plodded on but the times on my own were getting longer. The whispered, "well done" keep going "'s from the otherwise silent dark camp site buoyed me up Just before midnight I asked Billy to come with me. Buddies were allowed in the dark hours I changed trainers and Billy dealt with a blister on my toe and we set off together. I was now third.

We did 4 laps together, chatting the night away, encouraging others and being encouraged by other runners and the Marshall's. After 2 laps the torch batteries needed changing, tired hands and fading torchlight made it take longer than planned. On the fourth lap the sun finally rose setting the geese of chattering and as we went up the short hill a cockerel crowed, that was it, back to lone running.

I took my MP3 player to keep focused, counting down the laps doing sums in my head, counting down, only 4 more laps, keep going. Since nightfallI I had walked the incline in the field because it was uneven. Now it was daylight I couldn't find the strength to run it. It was great to be able to look around again, there was mist on the fields and over the lake, very pretty. I saw Chris still going , he looked strong.

With each lap my goal grew closer, it would be close, could I really do it? Was it really possible. I was in fourth place now, I had to keep going. On the 15 th lap Billy gave me a bacon butty with ketchup, I don't normally like ketchup on bacon butties, I didn't know If I could eat it, I set off at a walk whilst I ate it, I walked with Julie and Chris, they were on their 10 th lap, to give them 100 km. We walk/ran together for a while, then the buttie kicked in and I got back to my steady plod. I crossed the timing mat and aimed for my flag and refuelled, I was still fourth, "I've got to keep going" I said and went out on my 16 th lap. I felt a little re energised, in my head I now knew I could do this, I could run 100 miles in under 24 hours, I just had to keep going, and I did. I kept fighting back the emotion, 1km walk the field, 2 km past the wood, turn up the lane, past 3 km, turn for the long hill, through the wood, 4 km, keep going to the ramp, walk fast to the cattle grid, run, slowly, 5 km, Water station,  off road, 6 km, down the hill, up the hill 7 km, down towards the lake 8 km, check watch. 99 miles, I'm gonna do it, feel choked, fight it back, over the bridge, throught the wood BUZZZZ 100 miles, oh my Goodness. I've done it. The guy in the truck that had been topping up the water, and checking up on us all day and night got out and gave me a hug. Keep going, 9 km, turn, back onto the camping field. "Well done" "keep going"  The cowbells had moved to the finish, I could hear them, along the lake, turn, there'ds the finish, keep going. Timing mat, stop watch. 

It's over, I did it. The Marshall came over you can do #onemorelap. "No, it's over I've done 100 miles" and my brain let go of my body, I could barely stand and the tears flowed. I was congratulated and consoled by a wonderful Pirate.

And there was Billy waiting. He had been awake as long as me, supporting me, he had run 40 km with me and I couldn't have done it without him.

I couldn't stay upright, I gad to have a seat before I fell. Billy queued for my medal whilst the man from the massage tent got me some water. Johnny came over with my medal and congratulated me.Then Billy got me an IceCream. I turned round and Chris was there he had done 76 miles. We were both ecstatic with our achievements.

Every time I tried to walk I needed to lie down. I lay in the marquee, feet on a bench and eventually had to watch Billy finish my ice cream because I couldn't eat it lying down. After a while we went to buy a hoody, still feeling a bit dodgy. Chris from Swimzie gave me his coffee and finally I began to feel human again.

Billy went to check timings and I was still fourth female and tenth overall. I was stunned. There were still runners out there so it could change.

Billy had packed up the base so we got set off home and I slept the first half hour. Felt loads better afterwards.

So when the final results came out I was fourth female and twelfth overall out of 142 solo runners. I am very pleased with that. 100.9 miles in 23:38:22 

GOAL ACHIEVED

Photos were taken day and night by Glenn Curley Photography and were available for us to download and share.

I highly reccommend Equinox 24. It's well organised, has a great vibe. The commeraderie is awesome.

It's so good I've entered again for next year and so has Billy.

Thank you Johnny and Laura for an amazing event.

Thanks to Spenser for his great advice.

Thanks to the other competitors for cheering me on.

Thanks to all my friends and family for your support.

Thank you for sponsoring me

https://localgiving.com/fundraising/lenaconlin