London Marathon 2012

A few months back that magical time of year had arrived once again and I was  on the start line for London Marathon 2012. There is something monumentally different about starting a run from your house and starting a race in the glorious capital and one of the world leading routes. The thought of it still gives me goose bumps, still excites me and makes me smile.

Each April thousands of runners and supporters head to London to either run, walk, scream, chant and support each other. It’s a day you never forget. It’s a day when memories are made. It’s a day that  for us runners we have been training months for. No more winter runs. One early alarm. One pair of trainers. One running number. One own self will to get round that route.

This was my second marathon and my most proudest run to date. Past year I’ve battled depression in its ugliest form. I didn’t think I would make it to the start line. Didn’t think I’d complete any sort of training. Didn’t think I had it in me to complete 26.2 miles. Of course the stubborn part of me and the part that doesn’t want to admit to others that I wont do it crossed my mind and thus didn’t tell others how i really felt. I’m a testament to those in similar situations that no matter what you’re going through, you can still achieve something. Can still make yourself proud. Can still prove those negative thoughts wrong.

I’m not going to lie, it was hard. There were days, weeks where I didn’t run. The one aspect of my training that didn’t falter; my friends constantly checking on me and asking for updates. The longest I had run was 10miles. Longest I had covered was 13.1miles (Silverstone half). That sunny day in April was to be the longest run/walk I was to complete. You can do all the training in the world and still have a bad race. I didn’t do much training but I had a great race. I was sensible and broke up the miles. Run for 5miles and walk for 2miles. That later got amended and dragged out longer.

Highlight of the run was meeting Denise Lewis, chatting to her (with a camera and mic in my face) and having a photo with her. After that wonderful chance meeting (albeit I did scour for her on the bridge), I twisted my ankle and later found it to be swollen and bruised. I was aware of the twist but I kept on going. I kept on moving. I kept heading for that finish. I wasn’t going to let myself down and stop. There are always going to be obstacles in the way of completing/achieving things in life. If we cant jump over them, we find a way to go round them. Often so many people look at the closed door that they fail to see the open window. My closed door was that I was not able to run anymore. But my window was I could still power walk. I was surprised by my dad and youngest sister on mile 26 and boy did that bring a smile to my face.

Crossing that finish is a memory etched forever in my soul. Everything over the past winter months had accumulated in that one moment. Underneath the Timex clock. Standing on the red carpet. Posing for the cameras. History. Achievement. Courage. Strength.

That was me in the finish photo. That was all me that completed 26.2 miles. That was me that pulled off the unthinkable, the unimaginable. Me.

No one can take this away from me. Not even my own demons. My medal serves as a constant reminder that we all that warrior in us. We all have that will power and determination in us. We all can achieve what we set out to. In the process we learn more about ourselves, lets others in and learn that things do work out ok.

Some photos of mine from the day. 

Men's Health Survival of the Fittest

A few months ago I decided to take the plunge and enter a rae predominately done by men. Afterall the sponsor of the race is Men's Health. The ratio of men to women who take part in this race is 70:30. This race is set in several cities, some crazy folk even do all races, me however just entered the one location, London. The backdrop was amazing, Battersea Power Station. I arrive midday and already witness competitors leaving head to toe in mud and wet. I'm thinking should I turn back and head back home. I continue my journey and before I register in, I can see the race and set about watching my fellow competitors finish what turns out to be a gruelling race. The race in distance is only 10K. Yes I'm aware that even this distance to some is massive, but to me having run longer I know this is achievable. The thing that sets this race different from other 10K's is simple, a series of obstacles that I simple lost count of how many. I reckon there were at least 30 in total. I got muddy, wet head to toe, legs covered in cuts and bruises. Oh and I also sprained a tendon in my hand. Managed that feat at obstacle two.

I entered this race without doing any training. Battling through some mental demons meant my fitness mojo was MIA. I didn't let this deter me from going to London and completing this race. I guess the temptation of adding another medal to my collection was too much for my inner soul to take. This was to date my hardest race. Most races are not so much physically demanding as they are mentally. I wasn't that fussed that my body had not trained for this event. I was naive in my thinking that I hold a good level of fitness bar doing nothing. It was the mental side that was different that set this race apart. From waking up, crossing the start line, going over the obstacles, having my fellow competitors giving my encouragement and helping me over the taller obstacles and finally crossing that finish line, I felt nothing. I felt no joy, no happiness, no sense of achievement. Why? My state of mind would not allow it. It was huge that I even made it to the race. The only people who stop us from achieving greatness is ourselves. I've been battling some inner demons and even though there was a part of me that didn't want to do this race, I dragged myself there. My work colleague didn't show (who was also suppose to be doing the race) but I didn't let that stop me from getting to that start line.

A week after the race I received an email informing me that photos were now available from race day. As I typed in my race number I was nervous about what I was going to see. I saw a couple of photos and I looked at the only decent one of me (see below) for quite a while. I didn't recognise the person I was staring at. The person in the photo look happy, looks like they are having fun, enjoying themselves. And suddenly, I found myself overcome with proud. This was a really hard race, add to that I didn't train, add to that my mental state was at a crumbly low, heck I am damn proud that I finished that race. It may of been a week late, but true to form, but late then never.

London Marathon 2012

So the ballot results were announced recently. People were opening magazines with either congratulations or commiserations. I decided a few months back to enter again for a second year in a row and found myself very surprised, I got a place! After all I have read and heard, I’ve yet to hear of a similar story. First two attempts of entering the ballot, I’ve secured a place in one of the best marathons in the world once again. This was unbelievable and an incredible achievement already. I'm two for two.

Armed with my first experience, I believe I will be more equipped to achieve better results in 2012. My first goal however is to remain 100% fit. This wasn’t the case last year. With four weeks to go I injured my hamstring and knew I wouldn’t be able to run the whole course. Despite this, every mile was completed and my London 2011 medal proudly hangs off my bed post.

Running the London marathon was a childhood dream come true. Needless to say I got emotional crossing that finish line. Now I have the opportunity to run around London again and I’m very excited at this prospect. To race around London the same year that the summer Olympics are being held sends shivers down my spine. This is going to be one great race. Hope to see you there!

Royal Park Half Marathon

The time quickly came for me to undergo a run through a few parks and down the what seemed never ending Embankment. Yes I’m referring to the Royal Park half marathon.

This was my first attempt at the distance even though I completed a full marathon earlier this year. This race was very well organised and the support was fantastic. I highly recommend this race to anyone. And I truly mean anyone. I saw so many competitors from all types of backgrounds, shapes, sizes and abilities. Best of all it didn’t rain and the sun truly shined at the very end. It made laying down post race much enjoyable despite the throbbing of complete body ache.

Runners were supportive of each other, crowds gave endless encouragement, wonderful sights (all the arches, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the glorious royal parks). Oh and how could a girl forget... hot buff army men encouraging you to warm down after the race!

Overall I’d say go pick a half marathon that is near you and sign up. They are highly achievable, great fun and you get a medal to show off your hard work!

13.1 miles isn't too far.... is it?

Ok so in less than 6 weeks I shall be panting, sweating and dragging my sorry arse at any means possible to run through the Royal Gardens in London, running a grand total of 13.1 miles. Yes this is the Royal Park Half Marathon.

This is going to be my first race since the London marathon last April. What have I done in between?

Well after taking 6 weeks out after the marathon to lick my wounds, I returned to some gentle exercise then I went on holiday and dum dum duuuum I returned injured. But putting pieces together I evaluated my situation. I injured my hamstring 4 weeks before London marathon, I ran half of the marathon before the hamstring kicked in and wouldn't let me run anymore and so walked the rest, then trekking down the 3 miles in Yosemite National Park with a dodgey hammy, add that to uneven surface and I'm surprised all I damaged was my patella tendon.

So seeing as I've got off lightly, after resting, icing, ibuprofen, it was time to get some physio as 3 weeks passed and progress was slow. So I'm currently in physio and progress is coming along great. However RPHM isn't going to wait for me to be fully fit. But I will be on that start line, raving to go to complete the 13.1 miles. I know in my heart of hearts that I won't be able to run the full amount. I know I am capable of completing that distance at a running pace, but with my condition I'm going to follow my instinct to do a run/walk combo.

The best piece of advice that applies to everyone doing fitness (and in life too) is to follow your instinct. If you think your pain threshold is about to crash through, stop. If you feel light headed whilst running and you don't have the fluids to keep you going, stop. We all have these mental battles but the one voice we have to listen to is our inner voice. Stemming from our gut instinct. It will save you from further injury.

I'm back in the gym and my cardio is fast increasing but I've yet to get back out on the road and run. This will be more hard as my body has not been subjected to the impact. I will attempt to brave the field across my home as my first run. Running on a softer ground, like grass, will ease the impact on your body. This is perfect for those who don't like road running or those like myself coming back from an injury.

So the countdown is on. London, get ready.

London Marathon 2011

Last month I took part in my first marathon. I grew up in London and it has always been a childhood dream of mine to run this marathon, so imagine my ecstasy when I opened up my acceptance letter! As anyone knows who applies, results of the ballot come out in October after the registration from a few months earlier (April). I had completely forgot that the result was due out as I was recovering from a broken foot. Breaking my foot had meant that I had to build up my calf muscle again and gain flexibility back into my foot. Having one leg look smaller than the other one was tough to stare at each day. But now having the marathon to focus on, all systems were go to get me to that start line !!

Broken foot getting a new cast put on:

Getting into the marathon was the catalyst to stop feeling sorry for myself and finally get back into shape. Christmas came and I had a general good level of fitness but no where near my best. Then New Years Eve came and I was struck down by flu!! Everything I had worked from October through to the end of December had been wiped out. This was a huge blow. It took 3 weeks to recover from flu. I can honestly say having flu is the most horrendous illness I have been through. So I had to build up my fitness yet again towards the end of January. I knew cardio is easier to get back than strength so that gave me some hope.

One of my many running magazines were gearing up to the marathon too so I had plenty of training programmes to choose from. After carefully picking one that was right for me, I set about with my training. It did not occur to me how training for a marathon takes over your life. I didn't socialise with friends as much as I normally did or wanted, I detoxed from everything fatty (not that I eat lots of junk food anyway). I gave up caffeine as it strips the blood of iron, a really important vitamin for running. I gave up alcohol too. My body was to be pure all throughout the training.

Training went well. Who knew there are so many early bird runners?! and late ones too. Most of my runs were done in the evenings and my longest runs on Sundays. One thing always occurred to me during my runs. The majority of runners wouldn't smile back at me. I find this strangely bizarre as we'll all in the same boat but I guess that is just the British culture. Four weeks before the big day and two weeks before tapering, I went too hard in a training session and buggered my hamstring. I undertook several sports massages to get the muscle as much repaired as possible but knew I wouldn't be fully fit when it came to the big day. Carb loading was deffo fun at first, then it got sickly !! But needs were a must !!

The marathon itself was beyond my expectations and indescribable. I got emotional shuffling up to the start line. Then once again when I reached the Embankment and at Big Ben. I knew I was on the verge on achieving a dream. Something that I never thought was possible. My body was in a different world to my mind yet still connected through the pain. My recent hamstring injury had flared up at the halfway point and in a flash my body stopped running and I was now limping very badly. I knew my leg was hurting but training my mind to push through pain had meant I didn't stop when I felt something. I was determined to continue, there was no way I was pulling to one side and quitting. Crossing that finish line and then being processed by the amazing staff were parts that I won't forget. The medal weighed heavier than I thought but equally as nice !! The time wasn't what I wanted due to my injury but upon reflection, I really didn't care. I did it !!

After the race, I have never felt more proud to be a Londoner. I know London can be a scary place for some people but on race day, so many people turned out. One thing I would recommend to any runner doing this or other marathons, get your name printed on your top. Having strangers shout out your name and encouragement really does keep you going. The crowds cheered for everyone, one guy even offered me a pint!! I kindly declined.

A great day !!