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Easter 50

I woke on the 12th April 25 earlier than planned around 4.30am, why is it that race days always make you wake earlier than your alarm no matter how long you’ve been doing them. Today I was starting my first day of being 44 doing something I loved, I didn’t know if I would finish it being undertrained and it being the first race since my unofficial peripheral neuropathy diagnosis although they are now still questioning Rheumatoid Arthritis but I am tired of waiting so I was going to start I knew that much.
We made our way to breakfast and I managed a slice of toast and a peppermint tea before heading over to the starting line. I had been given a start time of 9.00am despite asking for an early start but managed to get into the start pen with the 8.30am start which was a bonus, it also meant I was.t hanging around something I hate at the start of races, I just like to be off. So there was the briefing and then the 5 minute obligatory warm up dance and the countdown before we were off. The route was a figure of 8 with the first half leading off down the canal past some gorgeous houses, it was fairly congested for the 4-5 miles so everyone just plodded along at the pace they could due to the narrow walkways. The views were lovely the sun was starting to come out and you could feel the excitement from everyone. The first check point at Runny mead seemed to arrive fairly quick, greeted with delightful pastry’s and the usual goodies. My water bladder was still 3/4 full so I just grabbed a cup of coke, putting a few goodies in my bag to have on hand, an orange and collected a pastry before a quick loo stop and I was on my way eating my pastry as I walked. One thing I always have in my rucksack sack to hand is food bags they are ace for putting food items in until you want to it as often at checkpoints you are only provided with a napkin. It wasn’t long after we were greeted with a hill I think called snow hill, I knew this was the one and only on this route so just took it one step at a time, nice and steady, hills are something I really lack training in at the minute and I know I have to face a fair few on London to Brighton but I’m not going to stress about them and just go stage by stage. After the hill we came out in Windsor Park which was absolutely stunning with some amazing views, then came the 2.5 long walk to reach the house, at this point it was starting to get warm and I was happy I had decided to start in my vest top with no base layer as it really wasn’t needed. Half way came and could feel a blister on my big toe starting so I grabbed my lunch consisting if a sandwich, crisps, flapjack and coke putting everything my bag apart from the sandwich, re filled by water bladder before taking a seat and removing my socks whilst I ate my sandwich giving them some air, something I’ve never really done before. I then applied clean socks quick loo stop and was back off I was averaging 16-17 min miles that mile at lunch was 36 mins so pleased with the time spent at the check point. The next section went out down the themes path, it was a long 17km of same white path not the most interesting I’ve seen, it was made a bit nicer by spending some time speaking with a lady for about 8km of it before I got a surge and went ahead, must have been the salt and vinegar crisps I was munching on . I was pleased to see the final check point, by now the liquid in my water bladder was warm and yucky so it was nice to a coolish squash, picked up my pick and mix knowing that would be eaten tomorrow on the car journey home before grabbing some pineapple, quick loo stop and I was on my way with 8km to go feeling motivated. For the last 5km I realised my right big toe had no feeling in it not something I’ve experienced before and not sure if it was race or neuropathy related, my toe is still attached so all good.
I was surprised how well my feet did there was a little discomfort to start with, with cracking across the joints and occasionally a pain down the big toes but it went as quick as it came nothing that would stop me walking. My hands had ballooned the size but I’m used to that and have to remove my wedding rings prior to starting and long walk now as a precaution.
Walking along the canal bank you could see at 46km the back of the race course on the other side and you could hear them congratulating people on the mike coming in, which spurred me on even more knowing nothing was going to stop me now. I walked into the venue on the grass area and down the finish funnel, I could hear the gent on the mike promising a bar 😂 😂 I scanned in and I was through! I had finished it, 9 months ago I knew my running days were over and questioned if I’d do long distance walks again, something inside me knew different and signed up for the Easter 50 despite me questioning everything in my life at that point full of pain pre neuropathy and medication diagnosis. Today I proved to myself I can still do it and whilst I can do I will do,
I was greeted by Stu as always supportive of my craziness, collected my evening meal voucher which I had little intention of using but collected a drink and a big slab ok cake which Stu ate whilst we sat I could feel the adrenaline disappear and the exhaustion take over, standing for the car was fun as my muscles had stopped and started to go cold and I could feel my teeth chattering, we made our way back to the hotel and I managed to get to the hotel room. I was so tired, sore and unable to move my legs I ended having a nap it was 8.30 when stu woke me with the restaurant closing at 9.15pm I knew I needed to move as I needed to eat so I hobbled into the bathroom lifting my legs over the bath 🤣 to have a shower, the hot water was what was needed to bring my muscles to life and really helped with the stiffness in my neck. We made dinner although I ate little and didn’t even finish my glass of wine off, first Birthday to not have had a drink since I was pregnant. After dinner I crashed and when I woke next day I was surprised how little stiffness I felt, it’s amazing what the body is capable of at times.

Would I do it again, definitely. I completed in 9 hours 44 which I am over the moon with as when I checked my 2023 Peak district 50km results that was just under 11 hours, I also realised I’ve not blogged that one as well, but a little late now, I must do better with my blogging. The Peak district was brutal terrain but I may do it again next year 😁. I made the decision to defer London to Brighton till next year but I have my eyes set on Thames Path 100 for this year.

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15 months to 100 miles

So not quiet the same as a year to 100 miles but not far, after some thinking I decided to park the charm bracelet 100 for 2025 knowing I have not trained enough and wanting to give myself more time to rebuild my strength, so instead as you do when your phone pings with an enticing email I signed up for Rat Race, castle to castle 100 in July 2026! so it’s not 15 months to 100 miles!!

Bamberg Castle in Northumberland to Edinburgh Castle, training plans are out and I am determined I am not giving up!

I promise to post more along my journey regarding my training as I feel I have abandoned my blog recently.

Here’s to more challenges and adventures.

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Update

I am not going to lie my training has been non existent in preparation for the Easter 50km and London to Brighton which is very near. Id like to be telling you I am smashing it but in fact it is quiet the opposite. Health wise the last few months have been a bit of a roller coaster, I have gone from waiting for a referral to rheumatology (which is still a good 6 – 9 months away) to being told it highly likely I have peripheral Neuropathy and then discovering extremely low vitamin D and folic acid. Most days I crash when I come in from work so this explains a lot with little or no energy, my head wants to get up and crack on with life determined not to give in my body has other ideas, so |I feel like I am in a constant battle. Hopefully now I have started some treatments I should feel benefit’s soon, I am really hoping before the Easter 50km in just under two weeks! Yes despite lack of training I have decided I will spend my 34th Birthday putting one foot in front of the other and proving to myself I can do this.

I also decided stupidly last night, like you do when your phone pings and you have an email of interest to sign up for Rat Race’s 100 Castle to Castle next year, so I have decided I will park the charm bracelet 100 for now and build myself back up giving my self 15 months to train for the 100, plus this one is supported and directions are included which takes some of the pressure away from me.

I might have had to hang up my running shoes but I am not ready to give up on everything just yet.

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Chester 100 April 2024

So, my year to 100 miles did not quiet go to plan, training went to pot (no reflection on the coach I would like to add), I started off ok then had a series of issues with my left foot and ankle. I just put it down to training at the time little did I know then that I would be waiting for a rheumatology referral at the end of 2024 for a RA diagnosis (Rheumatoid Arthritis).

I rocked up to the start with hardly any sleep, I think I knew before I had even started in my heart that this would not be the finish I wanted, but what did I have to lose. I strapped my left ankle up which helped throughout the event and set off after having a photo taken with the armoured guys, I’m not sure where my photos even are, after the first check point about 8 miles in my jeff became a walk. To the first check point was not too bad underfoot it went down the canal which was compact and then onto hard pathways. It was after here that it began to get muddier, and I had underestimated the thick ankle-deep mud pulling on the legs constantly, there was a couple of occasions I lost my shoe. Shortly after check point two I was greeted with the pacer and three other gents who I walked with chatting away through the all the sludge at the side of the canal. I can remember walking to the next check point through some woodland that was quite hilly and then descending a really steep cobbled bit, there was another lady who had made her mind up to stop here as did one of the gents and I wobbled thinking there was no way my legs would get me back up that cobbled steep part, but as stubborn as I am after a cup of tea and some crisp I threw my back pack back on and kicked my butt out, tackling the hill wasn’t as bad as I thought and the pacer chatting away really did help take my mind off, whilst we trudged back over the woodland and muddy fields. I could feel my self-loosing energy and my knee began to twinge knowing I really was racing against the clock began to deflate me as I knew there was no chance, I would make it all the way. We got to a road, and I was informed we had about two hours to the next pit stop and that I could just make it at the pace we were going, it was this point about 38 miles in that I decided today was not the day and made the call for a pick up returning to the campsite where my trainers were disposed off and I filled the showers with so much mud.

Was I disappointed? Yes but I think I knew from the moment we set off to Chester that this was not going to be a victory event, I am glad I went and had the experience, I will be honest I don’t think it is an even I will return to in the future and over the 6 months after I released my goals may have to change which really took some accepting and getting use to.

I may fail at my 2025 goals but if I sit on the sofa and don’t try, I will never know. Which is why I have decided to restart my blogging on my site, I am not even sure if anyone reads my ramblings but if it helps me keep my focus and gives me something to look back on then it has done its job.

So here’s to hopefully completing 100km in 5 months time and 100 miles in 10 months time!!

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Rasselbock Running

Pre Chester, I tried to get a couple of events in to boost the lack of training, I had heard about Rasselbock running and seen many advertisements of Facebook but never actually attended one of their events. I was drawn to their events with a 6-hour cut off, circular route with do as much or as little as you wanted to do.

So, on the 3rd of February I set off to participate in the Hardwick Hobble completing 16 miles.

February 25th saw me off to Shipley country park to complete 17 and half miles at Butterfly effect at. I didn’t stay the full 6 hours and both the events were muddy and hilly, on this one the mud swallowed my shoe on a couple of occasions and after lap one I was pleased I had come prepared with my trail shoes for sliding down the hilly muddy slides.

I was made to feel so welcome and supported at both events, some completed one lap others went on for the full 6 hours but there was no judgement no matter what pace or how far you went and as for the medals I have to say they were impressive. I would highly recommend.

I have since emailed the company and asked how they would feel if I walked their events as I am not even sure the future me will be able to Jeff, they were very speedy with their reply and walking was not a problem so I will be looking at what they have coming up in 2025 when I get my lazy legs going again to use as training walks.

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04/06/2023 — Derby Half Marathon

So three weeks after Leeds with a weeks holiday and very little movement I decided to take on the Derby half.

This was a tough one, not because of the terrain etc but it was hot and I had just spent a week eating and drinking and doing nothing camping in wales.

The one good thing about this race is I got to complete it with my amazing friend Sharon, the one who inspired me to run in the first place. It’s not often we run together at events so it was nice to potter around and just talk a load of rubbish.

One of my slowest half’s today at 02.57.33 but I was happy to be in under 3 hours and to have company doing it. You forget when you run alone a lot how nice it is just have someone by your side.

I will definitely be hoping to return to this one and whilst I don’t stress over timings or normally try to beat my times I think next year this is one I’ll be looking at beating the time on.

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14/05/2023 Leeds Marathon

Only writing this three months later, my apologies I have no idea where time has gone recently.

One thing I can say about the Leeds Marathon is that it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing. I remember leaving Stu at the gates to the stadium as it was runners only to start with and making my way round to the starting Pen. Purple Pen the last to start, nothing unusual there for me. I remember doubting myself as I do most races, my training had not been as intense as I would have liked and I had even considered not doing it but I’m not one to not turn up to start lines if I can help it.

We seemed to be waiting ages before we were allowed to join the street to filter through to the start. As we passed through the start Rob and his family were all there High Fiveing runners as they went past which was quiet emotional.

I don’t remember every twist and turn of the course but I do remember at about mile 17 we hit the long incline, I believe it went on for three miles. The views were amazing as we all trundled up and at this point not one person was running it. The last few miles I started to Flagg a bit but kept going with the fact it was looking like I would be in in around 6 hours which I was amazed with. Then I hit a couple of miles before the end and both of my calf’s were hit with cramp, determined not to let in stop me I kept going one foot in front of the other till the cramp subsided and then there is was the path round the stadium, I picked it up a little then realised my ending peak had come too soon as there was still half of the track to run round.

I finished in 6.30.26 which I am fine with I have never been finishing times for me its always been finishing lines.

Would highly recommend Leeds to anyone that is thinking of doing it and so pleased I did.

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33 WEEKS TO 100 MILER!

Yes that’s right! I do not know where those other weeks have gone I have not been overly productive if I am honest. I have completed Derby Half Marathon and a 50km in the Peak District (this one was walked) but apart from that my training has been hit and miss.

I dont seem to be motivated by the Woman’s 100 Miler project training plan, I think its too rigid for me as it is set out in three blocks and that’s it, I feel I need something more progressive as I go along so I feel like I’m ticking off the weeks and goals.

So after spending what feels like weeks but has only been the past week asking myself do I really want to do this, followed by London Marathon a week later! Yes you read that right I have been given the opportunity to run London and realised its a week after the 100. Anyway I came to the conclusion that yes I do want to do this craziness.

I have perused training plans and YouTube videos all week and at the end of it still didn’t get that feeling I had found what I was looking for. So today I took the plunge and did an online meet with Steve from PFM coaching to get a feel for what support and structure he could offer me.

I have to be honest I had my reservations about taking on a coach but after speaking with him I feel this is the way forward and he didn’t tell me I am crazy with my goals which is a good start. We did discuss being realistic which is fine. So Paper work completed I am looking forward to starting my training with the support of Steve.

Today is Day One again.

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A Year to 100 Miles Intro

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, some of it procrastination thinking.

I have wanted to do a 100 miler since finishing Race to the Stones in 2022 but this year somethings stopped me from signing up, not sure what. Maybe it is the fact my training has slackened off over the last 5 months and been non existent since The Yorkshire Marathon, not that it was existent for The Yorkshire Marathon.

I didn’t make the Seaside Ultra in April 2023, gutted but a multitude of reasons why it didn’t happen.

So I spent a week sulking on the sofa telling myself I should get out and not actually getting anywhere. However, this sulky week was not in vain in fact it was quiet productive in the research department and helping me find my mojo again.

It was this week I was introduced to The Woman’s 100 Miler Project and their training plan to get you through 100 miles!! I have become quiet addicted to working my way through their You Tube videos and made my decision 2024 will be the year I complete a 100 Miler!

I’m dropping miles for time on my feet which is a big change in training for me and will get some taking use to and I am making a commitment to completing the strength training. I’m not sure why this plan feels right out of all the ones I have looked at but it just does, maybe it’s from watching Karmella and Lee’s videos that has been the inspiration.

Having looked at the plan and taken it all in, strength training and all, which really is not my forte. I started day 1 today and planned my Callander of running all the way up to The Peak District 100km in July. I will obviously plan the remainder of the months till May next year at a later date, maybe when I have me feet up after a long run. For now I have plenty to be getting on with. Let’s just say Glute bridges and clam shells need some working on.

So you maybe asking which 100 miler is thinking of? I have had my eye on Chester 100 since finishing my first 100km and hopefully bagged my place by helping out at the Pennine Barrier Ultra as support, which is a bonus financially and also means I get to support other Ultra runners. It has a decent cut off of 36 hours and I believe one of the less hillier Ultra’s.

I won’t bore you will daily updates you can get that from my Facebook or Instagram pages, feel free to follow but I will do an update once a week on how the training is going and I will continue to do updates of any events I attend. So watch this space!

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Yorkshire Marathon

It was 16th October 2022, I was undertrained having Hardly ran anything since Race to the Stones. New jobs role, busy hours and generally life had taken over.

The day before I’d been so I’ll (turns out I had got vertigo) and to be honest even when I was getting in the car with my loyal crew member Stu I was wondering if I should be going, but in my heart I needed and wanted to go to do something for me.

I had made the decision to travel on the day to keep the cost of hotels down and use the park and bus service which was fantastically organised and would definitely do this again.

I don’t know what I expected from this route to be honest I hadn’t really looked at the terrain much we set off with an amazing atmosphere. There was no staggered start just join your area with the pacer you wished to follow, so I joined around 5hours 45 minutes. I had already decided I was going to drop it down and Jeff 20:30 on this one.

We set off and the atmosphere was amazing, it wasn’t long before we hit York Minster where the streets were lined with encouragement.

The route from then on was definitely undulating I plodded along and can recall a few long stretches where you passed other runners going the opposite way, some of those stretches were long. I recall being at about 12 miles and the 6 hour pacers passing me I was still quiet determined at this point and a few minutes later passed them, I managed to keep them behind until just after mile 16 then they just seemed to plough past and to be honest the energy was lacking to fight to be in front of them what did it matter what time I finished as long as I did.

At mile 21 my hip really struggled and it was this point I knew I’d not done the training I needed to end strong, my walk breaks got longer and running got shorter but I put one foot in front of the other. At mile 24 ish I met a fellow girls that Jeff Jeffer who had a foot injury and we walked for a couple of miles together chatting it was only the last couple of miles when the pain killers seemed to kick in or maybe it was the adrenalin that I picked things back up a bit.

I remember seeing the finish line and that burst of energy coming out of no where. They day I cross a finish line and say never again will be the day I hang up my running shoes, at the moment I can’t see that happening soon, that crossing the finish line never gets boring!

Yorkshire Marathon did not disappoint , it was tough I’m not going lie but it was worth it and I’m making it my mission to return next year, more prepared for those hills!

6 hours 21 minutes and 44 seconds not a personal best but now my worse time either, not that it mattered.