Things kicked off great at my 44th Park run on 19 September. Still managing to keep under the 30 minutes which was my goal for September. You have to have goals…even if they are little ones. Its funny because I didn’t feel that I had much go but once I get started at Park run something else takes over and I feel great. I finished in 29.46 and 6th in my age category which seems miraculous to me.
There were quite a few people not running because of the English Half Marathon the following day. So frustrated that I wasn’t able to compete in the run as I had been so looking forward to it but there is always next year to look forward to. I still managed to get my own little run in on Sunday. As I didn’t know what the traffic was going to be like I parked up by Latchford locks and ran over from there to the EHM finish line to take some piccies of my fellow running buddies. Running up Knutsford Road felt a bit odd as there were actual half marathon runners going up the road and I tried to stay away on the opposite side along the pavement. One marshall asked if I knew where I was going. I think perhaps he thought I had somehow ended up on the wrong side, but with my camera in hand and the speed I was travelling I certainly wasn’t running with the guys at this point as these were all the fast runners. Managed to clock myself 8.6km with both journeys. Really enjoyed taking some fab pictures:
Kevin Lakin looked so cool running up to the finish line. I only found out later that he had pulled a hamstring around the last mile. He is certainly showing a brave face finishing in 2.05.25.
My fellow “bumpie”, Lisa McKenna-Brown running at 18 weeks pregnant smoothly ran up the finishing stretch. Her and her runner bean clocked in at 2.09.38
Daniel Dunbobbin proved that he could really motor achieving a stupendous finish with gritty determination with a personal best of 1.42.44. Next year I hope to be right there with you Dan.
As always Roger Seddon makes it look easily. You certainly wouldn’t think he had just run 13 miles, getting a personal best of 1.39.18
Dave Webb with ever a spring in his step steamed up the finishing stretch to clock in at 1.50.46 and I’m sure another PB for him there!
The amazing Louise Blizzard finished in 2nd place for the woman coming in at a very speedy and what looked like for a her a comfortable finish in 1.25.24.
After the half marathon things seemed to down turn for me. I felt really glum and lethargic and didn’t feel much like doing anything. I wanted to go out and run but either felt too tired or lacking in motivation. By Thursday though I was climbing the walls. Andy said when I got home from work “get out and run” and off I went with a real spring in my step and a huge smile on my face. I felt amazing and for what is really supposed to my steady running pace turned into two miles finished in just over 19 minutes, which I can tell you with an extra 17lbs of weight sitting in front of you is no mean feat.
Which then brings me to Park Run number 45!!! I had struggled to get up that morning. I think a lot of my lethargy is not sleeping well, which is obviously part and parcel of the whole pregnancy thing. I somehow managed to get my weary legs and body out of bed. Once at Victoria Park I felt lifted and more alive. Caught up with a few people pre run and stood in line with Roger and Sarah Seddon. Sarah had also said she hadn’t felt like coming out but she had already had a busy week of running with some hill sprints that sounded like heaven to me on the Thursday evening. Nevertheless we had both rocked up not knowing what we were going to run like. I ran with Sarah for the first kilometre and we had a good chat. So nice to be able to chat along and not be competitive (because clearly I cant right now) but I did want to make sure I stuck to my plan which was to stay under the 30 minutes so at the first kilometre marker I said farewell to Sarah and toddled on my own.
I really do look 26 weeks pregnant on this one!!! Running with Sarah Seddon
A further half kilometre down the line I spied Lisa McKenna Brown ahead. I thought it would be a lovely thing for us both to run together so I endeavoured to catch her up. She must have been about 300 metres ahead of me but I recognised her T-shirt which was quite bright and orange. With that goal in mind I picked up my pace for the next kilometre, but still felt great. All the feelings of negativity and tiredness that I felt pre-run had upped and vanished. As we were reaching the slope of the field I was eventually gaining on her but not enough. It seemed to take for every over the next half kilometre to catch up. Finally off the field and back down the slope I caught her ( not just because she stopped to tie her laces I might add) but I was only ten metres behind when she stopped. We carried on together and finished the race together. We should have finished hand in hand which would have been a nice touch. We clocked in at 29.35. I finished 10th in my age category. Again a surprise to be even that high up. A fantastic run and again I was back in good spirits.
With fellow Bumpie, Lisa McKenna Brown, both sporting our runner bean tums!
Again it took me until Wednesday to get out running. I suppose last week I had a really busy week so I never had time in the day, but this week I really had no excuse. I was thinking of going out today but now again the “I can’t be bothered feeling” has come over me. I did actually ride Libby twice this week; Sunday and Tuesday so I don’t feel like I haven’t done any kind of exercise, so in that respect I don’t feel as bad as I did last week. I am actually despite only running once during the week, feeling quite positive. Been so busy not had time to write anything either. Its a shame because I really enjoy writing this blog once I get myself sat down and start typing. Sometimes its like I just can’t stop typing…which is like now. I think it is time to finish off else this will turn into a ridiculously long post. Very much looking forward to Park run tomorrow. 46th Parkrun and I will officially be 6 months pregnant on the day as well!!