Almost exactly three years ago, I started on a lose-weight-get-fit journey, which has taken me from someone who couldn't run for a bus to someone who has found an enjoyment in running that I would never have imagined and brought out a long-dormant sporting competiveness. I started out slowly, graduating from running on the Wii Fit to the wonderfully simple Couch to 5k programme, which prepared me for my first event, the 5k Race for Life in June 2011. I kept going and in March 2012 completed my first half marathon. Just over a year later, in the year I turn 40, I conquered a marathon too and had the most amazing day at the Greater Manchester Marathon. I've taken on many different running challenges, including running in the Olympic Stadium, and loved most of them. I've lost weight and got much fitter than ever before in my adult life and perhaps most importantly, I've met some amazing people along the way and have an ever expanding circle of (running) friends.
The last month of my running journey has been a particularly varied one and I've shared it with many of these new running friends... we've run distances from 5k to half marathon distance, with all sorts of different terrains, event types and outcomes, celebrated or commiserated with cakes and hot chocolate. There are plans being for the next few months too and the challenges won't stop yet.
Back in October, a mystery runner at parkrun stuck with me to the finish to help me finally set a new Hanley parkrun PB after almost 18 months of trying. It may have only been 2 seconds faster than my time from May last year, but they were 2 vital seconds and I'm not sure I could have kept going without his encouragement. But he didn't have a barcode, so I can't even lookup his name in the results, but I am very grateful for his generosity in pacing me round. parkrun is probably the main reason why my circle of running friends keeps on growing - runners of all ages and abilities, coming together every Saturday to run 5km.
The next day it was time for the Bupa Great Birmingham Half Marathon - which actually seemed much more like Hanley parkrun on tour, as there were so many familiar runners taking part. The crowds on the course were amazing, similar to the Potters 'Arf or Greater Manchester Marathon experiences. I was running in my Cancer Research vest with my name on, so was getting lots of encouraging shouts of "C'mon Lizzie, keep going Lizzie, not far now Lizzie". Meeting up with everyone at the finish was great fun too - swapping race stories before heading off to Nando's (as demanded by Meg and Millie) to refuel.
After Birmingham, it was off to the Shropshire countryside for a few days for a little escape with Mr T. I tried out the hotel gym and managed a few treadmill miles but much preferred to run outside and this time I had Mr T for company - he is currently working his way through the Couch to 5k programme too and will make his parkrun debut in a couple of weeks (November 23rd). He is already up to running 3 miles so I'm obviously coaching him well!
And then it was back to the cross country and the scene of my low point in running last year - Stafford Common. I had really struggled in the muddy conditions in 2012 and lost all confidence in myself as I grappled to keep two shoes on my feet. But, armed with words of encouragement from my running friends, I was determined not to let the mud get the better of me this time. In the end, conditions weren't as difficult and my positive attitude prevailed - I was faster and in a much higher position than last year and came through the race mentally unscathed. And, best of all, Potters Trotters had a great team performance and actually finished with more points than four other teams!
And so to the last race of the NSRRA season, the Flying Fox 10 mile race. This would be my 14th race of the NSRRA calendar and the opportunity to finish off the season on a high. If I managed one final win in Group W, I would have a perfect score of 600 points to count in the official completion, as I'd be able to discard the two races where I'd finished second in the group (Cheadle and Berryhill). The route was a squashed circle which has the steepest hill climbs just after half way but finishes with quite a helpful downhill mile.
The weather yet again had a significant impact on the race - I started off wearing my lovely sunglasses and so obviously got the blame when the torrential rain started after about 25 minutes! The temperature fluctuated wildly and I was officially cold by about mile 7. The biggest talking point before the race was the water feature positioned at mile 5... it is one of the lowest points of the course and the road basically floods with very muddy water (even if it is not raining that much). It dictates running in old trainers and not shiny new ones and means you run the second half of the race with completely wet and very dirty feet (again, even it if is not raining that much). On Sunday, with the heavy rain, the puddle was verging on a lake but it was actually not as bad as the pre-race gossip had suggested. Perhaps, I had psychologically prepared for the worst and it wasn't quite as bad as the worst conditions I could imagine (see previous comments on Stafford Common for example). It was wet and muddy but fortunately over and done with in about six strides.
Then it was a slog up the big hill and into the final few miles - yet again, there were loads of familiar faces amongst the runners and spectators and it was great to hear their words of encouragement. My target had been 85 minutes and I was absolutely thrilled to finish with a time of 82:27... 10 miles at 8:15 pace sounds pretty good to me. And I got the group W win too - receiving an NSSRA mug and a big hug from Potters Trotters' Sue Rushton as I crossed the finish line. I still can't believe everything that I have achieved this year and finishing top of Group W is a real honour.
I've got two more cross country races to complete this month, lots more parkrundays for running and volunteering and then I'm sure I'll find a couple of opportunities for some Christmas Fancy Dress too to wrap up my running in 2013. Hopefully Mr T will keep up his running too as I've really enjoyed our after-work training runs and it has certainly helped keep me going for Go-vember. And then before you know it, 2014 will be here and I'll be marathon training all over again - I've been lucky enough to be allocated a Potters Trotters club place for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon. And I've got to set a whole load of new targets for next year too.
Happy Running
Liz T
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| Running in the Olympic Stadium |
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| Finishing the Marathon |
Back in October, a mystery runner at parkrun stuck with me to the finish to help me finally set a new Hanley parkrun PB after almost 18 months of trying. It may have only been 2 seconds faster than my time from May last year, but they were 2 vital seconds and I'm not sure I could have kept going without his encouragement. But he didn't have a barcode, so I can't even lookup his name in the results, but I am very grateful for his generosity in pacing me round. parkrun is probably the main reason why my circle of running friends keeps on growing - runners of all ages and abilities, coming together every Saturday to run 5km.
The next day it was time for the Bupa Great Birmingham Half Marathon - which actually seemed much more like Hanley parkrun on tour, as there were so many familiar runners taking part. The crowds on the course were amazing, similar to the Potters 'Arf or Greater Manchester Marathon experiences. I was running in my Cancer Research vest with my name on, so was getting lots of encouraging shouts of "C'mon Lizzie, keep going Lizzie, not far now Lizzie". Meeting up with everyone at the finish was great fun too - swapping race stories before heading off to Nando's (as demanded by Meg and Millie) to refuel.
After Birmingham, it was off to the Shropshire countryside for a few days for a little escape with Mr T. I tried out the hotel gym and managed a few treadmill miles but much preferred to run outside and this time I had Mr T for company - he is currently working his way through the Couch to 5k programme too and will make his parkrun debut in a couple of weeks (November 23rd). He is already up to running 3 miles so I'm obviously coaching him well!
And then it was back to the cross country and the scene of my low point in running last year - Stafford Common. I had really struggled in the muddy conditions in 2012 and lost all confidence in myself as I grappled to keep two shoes on my feet. But, armed with words of encouragement from my running friends, I was determined not to let the mud get the better of me this time. In the end, conditions weren't as difficult and my positive attitude prevailed - I was faster and in a much higher position than last year and came through the race mentally unscathed. And, best of all, Potters Trotters had a great team performance and actually finished with more points than four other teams!
And so to the last race of the NSRRA season, the Flying Fox 10 mile race. This would be my 14th race of the NSRRA calendar and the opportunity to finish off the season on a high. If I managed one final win in Group W, I would have a perfect score of 600 points to count in the official completion, as I'd be able to discard the two races where I'd finished second in the group (Cheadle and Berryhill). The route was a squashed circle which has the steepest hill climbs just after half way but finishes with quite a helpful downhill mile.
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| Before the Rain... |
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| The last mile... in the rain! |
I've got two more cross country races to complete this month, lots more parkrundays for running and volunteering and then I'm sure I'll find a couple of opportunities for some Christmas Fancy Dress too to wrap up my running in 2013. Hopefully Mr T will keep up his running too as I've really enjoyed our after-work training runs and it has certainly helped keep me going for Go-vember. And then before you know it, 2014 will be here and I'll be marathon training all over again - I've been lucky enough to be allocated a Potters Trotters club place for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon. And I've got to set a whole load of new targets for next year too.
Happy Running
Liz T
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