When I started running, I didn't really know quite where my running would take me, other than up and down the canal towpath where all those early runs took place. Over time, as my runs got longer and sense of my local geography improved, my running took me further afield and to more and more varied locations. I've run in the Olympic Stadium and of course the streets of London for the marathon back in April.
On Sunday, my running took me back around my local area for my 10th half marathon, the Potters Arf. I had a brilliant day, seeing some interesting sights on the course, cheering on other runners and running with a friend as she completed her first half marathon. There were a lot of smiles as well as the customary happy tears at the end of the run. I never expected my running to develop to the extent where I could help and encourage other people... Most days, I still feel like a beginner! The Potters Trotters even ended up in the local paper and were named Runners of the Day on the I Love Running Facebook page!
Thanks to Liz and Laura at Write this Run for this amazing but definitely challenging opportunity, and for sourcing us head torches, snacks and a tent.
Last week, my running, and specifically my involvement in Hanley parkrun, took me to a Black Tie Awards Dinner, complete with red carpet, champagne and a celebrity photo-op with Colin Jackson. We'd been nominated for a Sport in the Community Award and it was a brilliant night celebrating a wonderful event that I love being part of (even if we weren't the first finisher).
On Sunday, my running took me back around my local area for my 10th half marathon, the Potters Arf. I had a brilliant day, seeing some interesting sights on the course, cheering on other runners and running with a friend as she completed her first half marathon. There were a lot of smiles as well as the customary happy tears at the end of the run. I never expected my running to develop to the extent where I could help and encourage other people... Most days, I still feel like a beginner! The Potters Trotters even ended up in the local paper and were named Runners of the Day on the I Love Running Facebook page!
On Saturday, my running is taking me into the unknown as I join up with Team Write This Run at the London Enduro challenge on Wimbledon Common. I will be part of a team running 10k loops from 6pm to 6am. I've seen some pictures from the race team - it's going to be muddy. I've spent the last six weeks trying to prepare an event that I really don't know how to prepare for... I've been doing long runs, off road runs, two 10k runs in a day and then last week, I ran 17 miles in one day in three runs, coming home between each run to refuel, get changed and rest. I found that I got really hungry on run 2 but actually felt fresher on run 3. But I've not been able to practise my night time running, so the 10k at 3am could be very very interesting!
Thanks to Liz and Laura at Write this Run for this amazing but definitely challenging opportunity, and for sourcing us head torches, snacks and a tent.
I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Wish me luck!
Happy running
Liz T
Good luck Liz! It'll be a great experience. Can't wait to hear all about it :-)
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