Crazy times people - CRAZY!

Crazy times indeed.

As it happens, I'm pregnant.

As it happens, I didn't know I was pregnant.

I am thankful I didn't run the Lochness Marathon because, as it turned out, I am pregnant.

I am THRILLED to be pregnant!!

I am NOT thrilled about having to go through morning sickness again.

I am very very tired, but I went for a 5.2 mile run this evening and, even though I felt tired, it felt good getting out there amongst the birds and the trees (I could have said "birds and the bees" but felt that would just be WRONG as it is because of the birds and the bees that I happen to find myself pregnant!!)...

Anyhoo, yes, it felt GREAT to be running again after having to back off my training so my achilles and knee could recover.

I am pleased to have a good level of fitness (pretty much marathon fitness) going into this pregnancy and I aim to keep running (sensibly) throughout this pregnancy like I did with my previous two. Makes those babies healthy and strong (and hopefully not toooooo big...!)

Well, that's my news and a quick update from me.

Happy and Healthy Running!

The spirit is willing but the flesh (achilles and knee) is weak

So this is the way of it - my achilles and my knee have thrown in the towel.
With only 1 week to go they couldn't handle the demands of marathon training.
DAMN!
So I'm pretty gutted right about now.

I could only do 7 miles today before the pain kicked in...

I know it's been a while since my last post but I couldn't bring myself to admit there was a potential problem for my first much anticipated marathon...

Anyhoo, I figure it's best to listen to the painful cries of these tendons and give them time to sort out their shit rather than keep on pushing through and likely do permanent damage right?

There'll be other marathons.
Yes, there'll be other marathons.

So it's physio appointments for me - strengthening exercises for the glutes and hamstring on my left side where the affected tendons are. Right leg is stronger than my left and is also 1cm longer (go figure?) so this is the reason for my pain...
I'm discovering that physioherapists are pretty darn clever.

But don't worry I shall keep running and all the while listening to my body.
I'm planning to still be out running when I'm 80 so this is really just a minor setback for now.

I've enjoyed doing the training so much that I shall definitely be tackling a marathon as soon as I can.
And I now know that I can at least do 19 miles and not even feel like I'm dying - I think that's pretty darn good!!

As for now, time to apply another icepack and book another physio appointment.

19 miles and it's getting tough...

Woah..... this marathon training malarkey is really tough going!

I've just completed a 19 mile training run - was supposed to only be 18 miles but I calculated wrong... it's a bit annoying that my iPhone battery doesn't last the distance required as I could have stopped bang on the 18 mile mark today instead of having to add that extra mile in.... ah well, I did it and have lived to tell the story so that's all that matters right now.

I'm feeling well chuffed that I did it and also VERY SORE! Still think childbirth is easier than this marathon training!!
My fitness (lung capacity) is doing great, it's just my legs that HURT!! And - funnily enough - my uterus...... I guess the muscles all around there are still in shock after having Beni 8 months ago... better get onto those pelvic floor exercises again I suppose (yawn).

I had 3 rest days last week instead of the 2 that I was allowed..... ooooOOOOOOoooooo! But hey, it was my 3 year old's birthday party so I'm thinking this was a good excuse! I spent the morning decorating the cake and the afternoon keeping adults and children happy and entertained. That's exhausting!!

So right now I'm liking the fact that I would only have to run another 7 miles and that would be equivalent to running a marathon! Easier said than done, but I'm feeling more confident now that I will actually be able to complete a marathon and still be breathing!

Hope you are all well and loving your running xx

Marathon Training - 9 weeks to go and feeling fine!

Wow - it's been rather difficult to get on here this week and give y'all a run down (Ooooo that's a terrible pun sorry...) on how the training's going.
But don't worry yourselves none, I've been a-runnin! Oh yes.

I'm feeling well-chuffed that I'm actually following my marathon schedule as accurately as I can. I guess I was a little nervous that I would start out all excited and stuff, like any other project, and then after a week lose interest and not end up completing it.
But not this time - oh no.
I'm going all the way baby.
26.2 miles in fact!

I'm so flippin' excited about getting to run in Scootlund ! It all feels a bit unreal...
Once I book the flights and accommodation I know my anxiety will settle down.
And the great news is that my sister is going to run the Loch Ness Marathon also!!
I should get a reward (£500 will be sufficient) because I managed to convince her that she has to do it and the scenery will be amazing and we can talk with Scottish accents the whole way around and remember we are part Scottish so it's only right that we should be running in the Highlands blah blah blah...
So I sent her a marathon schedule and she's signed up to do it. YES!

I ran a hilly mountainous half marathon on Sunday with my husband and I totally loved every minute of it! I was feeling so good and my legs and lungs felt strong and the scenery was STUNNING, the marshals friendly. At the end I even felt like I could keep going - now THAT is a sign that this marathon training is actually working!
NEVER have a felt like that at the end of a half marathon! So pleased I was, so pleased!

I had a rather unfortunate mishap last week... I've heard that it happens to many a runner, but still...
I had a wee 'accident' in my undies while out running thanks to a stomach bug that I picked up.
You can read about it at my Stay At Home Mamma blog here.

And you know what? I don't mind you laughing at my expense. It's ok and in fact I encourage it.
That's why I shared it because I knew someone would see the funny side in it...

Anyhoo, bedtime now - running 9 miles tomorrow pushing the buggy with 2 chunky-monkey children it!

Happy running days everyone!

Heavy Leg Syndrome

I'm feeling quite chuffed about my long run on Saturday - the fact that I'm still able to walk is a bonus!...

Ended up being 14.85 mile - I lasted the distance but my iPhone battery didn't....blimmin'  technology huh?! It only crapped out at the 13 mile mark so it wasn't too drastic. I just hate listening to my own breathing and footfall - it's very boring. You'd think that I could actually use the time as my 'Thinking Space' but that fact is that when I run I think my mind shuts off as well and I just zone out for the run duration... I don't mind. It's quite nice to be able to switch off the noise that is in my head!

By mile 8 my legs were getting the heavy feeling. I was quite fascinated, yet annoyed at the same time. Fascinated because 8 mile is the distance I had been doing a few times a week before I started my marathon training and obviously my legs are used to running that distance, so anything beyond that must become an 'issue' for them. Hmph.
I'm guessing this will get better as my body gets used to doing the longer mileage? I hope so!! At the moment I'm thinking that pushing out babies is actually easier than this marathon training!.... But that could always just be ME being ever-so-slightly dramatic...maybe.

Recovery was good - rest day yesterday was fantastic.

My run tonight felt good once my legs warmed up properly. On the schedule today was hills... Now I actually don't mind running up hills - I find flats a teeny tiny little bit boring...
Anyway, so 10x up the very nasty hill in Richmond Park with an easy 1.6mi jog there and back.
Cold beer and dinner waiting for me when I got home. Nice one Mr. Amazing Husband!
8mi tomorrow.
7mi Wednesday.
etc. etc.
Then it's our Annual 14 mile trail race on Sunday in Surrey (South England) - whoop whoop! This is the run my husband and I love to do each year because of the off-road/dirt track aspect and also the scenery. Oh. My. Goodness.
This is why I run!

T

This is a picture of the Highlands around Loch Ness where I'm doing the marathon. Scenery such as this just makes me want to weep and/or break out into some ancient Celtic song.

Don't tell me I'm the only one...

I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power.  You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.  ~Jesse Owens

 

Marathon Training recap - 10 weeks to go!

I am pleased to report that after ONE WHOLE WEEK of official marathon training I feel GREAT!
I shouldn't get too excited though... it has only been 1 week.
I've still got 10 more weeks to go...
AND I've still got the 14 mile long run tomorrow - which I am {surprisingly enough} looking forward to!
It will be interesting to see how I manage my first real long distance run since bambino numero due was born...

A factor that I'm having to incorporate into the marathon training is running with a buggy with 2 kids in it!
My on-line training schedule didn't bring this into consideration did it. No.
I had to swap a run this week - instead of doing a short 'brisk' run on Wednesday I did it today and Wednesday's run became an "easy" run  
(well, if pushing a buggy with 2 chunky monkeys in it can ever be classed as 'easy'?).
My husband was away for work so I didn't have a choice but to take the children with me on the run.
But it was fun.
Luca was very entertaining, once again, with his stretches...

...before he took off as fast as his little (yet long) legs could carry him.
Which is pretty fast.

He feels very special in his new running shoes.

My body's feeling good - although I've gained a kilogram this week... WHAT?!?!?!@*%?$!!!
Scandalous!!
Ah well, I'm still hoping to lose 5kg before I run the marathon. 5kg's less to carry around 26.2 miles is all I'm thinking about!

Anyways, had a good quick run tonight - felt really great to get those fast-twitch fibres into action again - they were loving it! It felt comfortable enough and felt pretty quick, yet I was only averaging 7:51min/mile. Was hoping for 7:30min/mile. Ah well.
I ain't bovered yeah innit.
And I've still got 10 weeks to get there!

Have a great weekend everyone with enjoyable running!

Loch Ness Marathon - I'll be there!

It's pretty exciting times - I have registered to run the Loch Ness marathon on 3rd October!!

Being my first EVER marathon I don't really know what I am getting myself in for.... but I know it's the next step from always running half-marathons. And there's nothing wrong with half-marathons by the way - I LOVE them!! They are the perfect distance but the thought of running that whole distance again if I was running a full marathon has always made me feel sick... but now I am doing it! Going all the way baby!

I think the thing that I am most looking forward to on the run is the scenery!! The race reviews are all about the beauty of the surroundings: Loch Ness and the Highlands all wrapped up into one run - awesome! So I'm hopeful that maybe this will help take my mind off the pain??  Here's hoping...

It's now less than 11 weeks away, I'm pretty confident I can do this. I've got a good training schedule from Runner World website and am aiming for a sub 3:45.

Training's going well and I'm looking forward to hopefully losing the last couple of kg's of post pregnancy fat!

I like the way when your body becomes lighter you run faster, and the more you run the lighter your body becomes. It's a great partnership.