Thursday 10 April 2014

Fresh Start

Firstly, I would like to say a big well done to everyone who attempted and completed the Brighton Marathon last Sunday.  I must say I felt a little disappointed that I had given up my place this year but there's always next year and to be honest, running a full marathon after only 11 months experience of running was probably not the wisest decision in the first place!!

It's been almost 2 months since I last posted on here.  But, in those 2 months I have have upped sticks and moved to the other side of the country, started a new job, been doing many touristy things as well as getting back to cycling and most importantly, running.  

About a month ago, after a few weeks of inactivity on the running front (and gaining about a stone of weight in the process), I decided that I had to get some motivation back so looked for a local half marathon to train for.  I soon discovered the Torbay Half Marathon (www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk/), which is nice and local and at the end of June so that would give me a few months to get back into shape.  

Three weeks later, I finally got my act together and started going out for decent runs.  Anyone who doesn't know Devon may not realise just how hilly it is.  Basically, wherever you go in the towns or countryside, there are hills.  Big hills. So when planning a 5k route for example, it's pretty much impossible to avoid the buggers.  From the half-hearted runs I had already attempted, I can honestly say I was dreading the thought of trudging up steep inclines but tackling them head on has proved to be the making of me and has improved my fitness levels quickly.  Last night was a five miler with plenty of hills all the way through and I still managed a power sprint to finish off and this resulted in my first ever true 'runners high' as instead of feeling knackered and ready to drop onto the first available sofa, I felt energised and ecstatically happy and wanted to run another 5 miles!

Another thing that has changed is that I now have a running buddy (the boy) and have found that I can actually manage long distances after a day at work so don't really need to get up at ridiculous o'clock every morning just to go for a run.  It does help though that running at night in a small town in Devon doesn't quite attract the same level of verbal abuse and dodging of missiles as it does in Kent!

So, my new aims for the fresh start are to keep up the training and get through my second half marathon in under 2hrs 30 mins. Oh and finally be able to hang out on the beach in summer without the fear of being harpooned ;) 

A pic of me running on Dartmoor.*
  
*One day.......if I keep doing those hills!!