18 miles in my legs!

That sounds impressive and it really wasn't as impressive as that as I estimate I walked on average about 1/4 of it which would explain why it took me nearly 4 hours!   Why am I so rubbish stamina-wise?  I felt much fitter and able to run continuously 3 months ago!   However, I remember feeling like this before the Bath half 2 years ago and it was fine on the day - sometimes its more the tedium of running on your own which makes it hard to keep going.  Even with 5 Live and Trevor Nelson keeping me company on an alternating basis via my little digital radio (I am certainly keeping duracell in business at the moment).  Anyway - I will be doing the Silverstone half-marathon on Sunday (will just have to imagine what its like when the real racing takes place there!) - will trial run my fancy dress hopefully if I have made it in time - and hope that at the end of the 13 miles I will be able to imagine running another 13 in 6 weeks time!  Will definitely be able to post some photos from Sunday!

Visit to Rainbow Centre

This is a retrospective post as life has been very busy since last Weds (and access to the computer limited with a daughter returning from an amazing week in Uganda and hogging the pc!)

Anyway - last Weds afternoon I visted the Rainbow Centre - which I am runing and trying to raise money for (justgiving.com/Joy-Skinner) - It was great to physically see the centre and get a feel for the amazing work they do there.  They have been supporting children and families affected by bereavement , cancer or a life-threatening illness for over 20 years!  They see up to 50 children / parents a week providing various therapies (art, music, play, counselling, homeopathy) - really whatever would help that child / family best.  It was awe-inspiring to meet some of the staff and hear some of the stories.  I came away really motivated to raise as much money as I can for this amazing work.  Have a look if you want more info: rainbowcentre.org.uk  is the website.

A half-term extra long run

Not an extra long run but an extra run that was reasonably long!  Well, no longer than Saturdays but hopefully to consolidate my mileage.  I went the other way i.e. parked by the cycle track at Staple Hill and headed out - into the countryside!  I got about a mile or so beyond the pub at Saltford - about 15 miles my mapometer website tells me.  Very boring in some ways as it is just long straight stretches with hedges either side or even a single track railway alongside - some nice views of the river (Avon) along the way.  The cafe at Bitton doesn't do tap water (tight people!) so good job I took a couple of quid as I find I need a refill on a long run.  Must tell the people that maintain the cycle track that they need to get the water fountain working again.  I used to rely on that but now it is just an impressive bit of stone masonry - the picture here  is not the water fountain but another impressive bit of stone masonry I found on the website (bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk) - the warmley giant nonetheless!!

To Sea Mills and beyond!

Actually there was no beyond - but I did get as far as Sea Mills railway station which is a fair way down the Portway towards the M5 - so officially about 15 and a half miles there and back - which is my longest run so far - although the last half hour was a bit of a run/walk affair with very heavy legs.  Quite enjoyed it overall and was out for nearly 3 hours (that shows how slow I was towards the end - but at least I got the miles in my legs and can build on that.  Nothing too exciting to report - loads of tourists around the harbour, I think the SS Great Britain must be open for half-term - I tried to take a picture of the 'Clifton doves' on my phone but you can't see anything - no, that's not a local indie band, but they are actually doves which roost in the cliffs below the suspension bridge and circle the gorge.  Quite a lovely sight, generally!  It was supposed to be a sunny day but was mostly grey and even a bit drizzly at times. 

Have enjoyed recovering from that exertion by watching all the sport on telly this afternoon - really enjoyed seeing Chelsea get knocked out of the FA cup by Everton and then seeing Mo Farah break the British record was a real pleasure.  Just a shame the mighty Crawley Town didn't beat Man United! 

Zoe has been helping me design my fancy dress for the Marathon - a rainbow coloured net skirt to go over my running leggings!  We even found some probably suitable fabric on ebay!  So watch this space! 

Long Run Day

Well, the sun shone and all was good (or at least a lot better than the last few weeks) for my long run day.  I managed 14 miles - with no problems with my leg and my stamina was better too.  However, I'm not going to get too pleased with myself as I did 14 miles 4 weeks ago - before the aches and pains started.  I went on the cycle track down to just beyond Bitton.  Lots of people were out having romantic walks / cycle rides - quite sweet!  Saw some Bath Half people training too.   Feel a bit wiped out now but that's to be expected.  Next run Thursday, then Saturday, then will try 16 miles on Monday.  Will try and add in some photos here and there if I can work out how to upload from my phone. 

9 weeks to go!

Yes, 9 weeks tomorrow I am supposed to be pounding the streets of London (well, maybe not pounding!) - so I decided I would start blogging about it - if only to keep myself motivated! 

Just to recap on the history of this rather crazy challenge - it has been an idea floating in my mind for a couple of years now - that I should do it once and once only and if I didn't I might forever regret it.  I hit the big 5 0 three months ago which made me think it could be now or never so I decided it should be now rather than never!  I am running for the amazing Rainbow Centre, a fantastic charity here in Bristol which provides therapeutic care and support to children and families who have been affected by bereavement, a life-threatening illness or cancer.

Training started well before the snow and viruses of Christmas - then I was playing catch up but caught up well until 3 weeks ago when I started having trouble with my left knee.  I am plodding on and hoping that it doesn't get worse but having to catch up on my training plan again. 

So - I am back up to double figures (i.e. I ran 11 miles today) - and need to do 14 on Monday - that's from here to just beyond Bitton - & back! I am finding that the routes I do are getting a bit boring - but at least I have a choice of 3 off-road routes thanks to the wonderful Bath to Bristol cycle track.

Thats all for this first post.  Below (hopefully if it will load) is a rubbish picture of me just coming back from a shorter run i.e. not looking like a melting beetroot)