Just getting out there

Just doing something, even if its only a 30 minute walk at lunch time, a 2k lap round the block or a somewhat lazy yoga sequence (I often forget chaturanga dandasana) a little sweat every day has been my goal for the last year and I think it's just becoming part of me now.

So if your debating getting out there but can't dedicate the time or your waiting until your fitter to give a new sport a go don't wait because fitter won't just come, you'll never have enough time, so what are you waiting for? Just get out there!

Dorney Dash - Medals

IThe 20 annual Dorney Dash was held at Eton Dorney Lake, now known for its part in the 2012 Olympics.

Jenny and I started off quickly (in hindsight a little too quickly!) and settled just ahead of the 60 minute pacers. The pancake flat course is truly flat, bar a couple minor bumps for lake crossings, by the 5k lap I was suffering (probably due to the far too fast start) and I was certain I was going to vomit.
After a few words of encouragement from Tim I continued for the second lap. I lost Jenny around the 5km mark and had been steadily dropping back from the pacer group I could just see the pacers yellow t-shirts ahead and resolved to finish the run strong and as fast as possible. I was slowly gaining on other runners and over-taking a few, boosting my confidence again. The medal is rather lovely and really now believing that I can complete this little challenge.

Dorney Dash 10k 20/07/2013 (1:02:54)

Zest Challenge - Muddy butt

The first issue I bought of Zest in 2012 featured a race-recap of the annual women only run and obstacle course. I was so excited and awaited entries to open for the Zest 10k Challenge 2013!

Jenny and I arrived early, after getting a little lost (Tom-Tom still is not a fan of country lanes). We checked out the sponsor tents, including Freya, Itsu, Vitamix and Exodus travel before heading over to Alpro the main sponsor for some breakfast. We tried the smoothie and the cereal and berry pots and both were amazing and the perfect light breakfast before the run, no heavy or nauseas feeling.

After watching the 5k runners set off, we made our way to the energetic dance warm-up led by Gym Cube. Feeling warmer (and a lot sillier) we set off behind the quad bike around the paddock and up the first hill. Although Bolt round the Holt had been partly trail this was my first full trail and the mix of grass, bark and rough terrain was harder than I had anticipated.

We reached the first obstacle and ran high knees through tyres, then after a very steep hill we spied the slip and slide down a nice steep section of hill, my section seemed to be extra slippery with bubble soap and I quickly slid off the end and continued down the hill. My choice of bright (but not dark) leggings had me convinced I looked like I’d had an unfortunate accident, although fellow runners reassured me this was not the case!

The obstacles really took their toll on my pace and I struggled after 5k to keep running but was determined to finish strong, then I saw the queue for the next obstacle. The pyramid was high, every other person was taking multiple attempts to make the ascent and I was tempted to run past, but then I watched as Jenny sprinted and leapt, gazelle like, straight over the top. I took a sprint, certain I was going to copy Jenny’s magnificent leap and hit the pyramid hard, rebounding onto my butt. I took another sprint and again slammed the grass. I took a long breath, sprinted hard and hit the pyramid hard, I managed to hang to the top and thankfully pull myself over and slide down to the other side.

Back into the forest we tackled the final few kilometres and obstacles, then through the clearing I could just see the final obstacle, a bouncy castle and slide. I bounded in so happy to have reached the end but then the rain started, unfortunately it was too slippery to make the scramble to the top of the slide so I bounced my way out and sprinted to the finish line.

Although this was a hard race, it was really fun and will look for more adventure or obstacle races in the future.

After collecting our medals, water and goodie bags we posed on the podium, looking like fools!

Zest 10k Challenge 15/06/2013 (1:30:24)

She Runs Windsor 10k - I don't like coconut water

May Bank Holiday saw the inaugural She Runs Windsor 10k. Set in Windsor Great Park on the Long Walk, we looped round the course past George III Stautue, the York Club and Jubilee statue, finishing back on the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle.

The event was well signposted from the main road and we were quickly at the race start/finish line, I collected a t-shirt and goody bag but was disheartened that there was only small and medium t-shirts available. Note to race organisers women generally want a larger size and longer cut!

The morning was beautiful with a clear blue sky, although I think Tim was suffering as a spectator as there was very little shade!

I met with friends at the start line, Cheryl was taking it slow due to an earlier injury, so I made my way with Sophie and Rachel to the starting pens, the pre race nerves hit but I was excited to be running with friends so pushed the usual defeating thoughts back and focused on the in ahead.

We started off fast and made good progress to 5k where the girls broke ahead chasing a sub 1 hour finish, I set pace in front of the 1:10 marker and focused on my breathing. 

I caught up with Sophie around 7.5k and we pushed forward promising ourselves the Vita Coco water on the finish line, all we had to do was keep running. We reached 9k and picked up the pace, back on the Long Walk and downhill I kept pace just behind Sophie, refusing to let her get out of sight. 

I had my medal (best race bling so far!), a banana and a Luna bar and met up with Sophie and Rachel for our celebratory Vita Coco, my first ever, turns out not a fan! I was and still am a little disappointed in myself for not loving coconut water, I love anything coconut but I tasted to me a bit off and metallic, nothing coconutty just a bit odd.

Would love to run Windsor again, the vibe was great, the course although challenging was beautiful and interesting and most of all running with friends was the highlight for me.

She Runs Windsor 10k 06/05/2013 (01:04:44)

Bolt round the Holt 10k - Challenge Accepted

I laced up my trainers and drove with the husband to Alice Holt Forest, just outside of Farnham. 

As we arrived I was debating a last minute switch to the 5k race but Tim reassured me that I could easily do the 5k and the point was the challenge of the 10k.

Due to the beautiful British weather the forest was water logged and the route was amended to a 5k round lap.

It was a hard run, the inclines were sharper than I was used to and the trail was less forgiving than the pavements I has been training on. I felt slow, my legs like lead under me and I was frustrated as runners passed me on the hills but Tim kept me going. As we past each kilometre marker I felt stronger, Tim told me I could finish this and I would finish it strong. We approached 9k and I felt a boost, the final hill was tough but we sprinted the finish line together and came in with identical times.

That feeling, finishing a race, running a PB, I finally understood it. It wasn't the fastest, il never be an Olympian but the running high had hooked me.

I set myself a challenge that day, run a 10k every month for a year.

Bolt round the Holt 10k 06/04/2013 (01:10:54)