Training

Tonight was a training run with running club.

I had put myself forward to lead a 5k slow run in case any beginners wanted to join in, no one took me up on this. So I joined the 5 mile group instead. Now, I had no intention of doing further than 3 miles tonight, having just had some rest time after hurting my knee at the end of last month.

Suffice to say, I ran about 4-4.5 miles of the 5 miles (I can't run it all just yet). No knee pain, which clearly I had been concerned about.

And I think I'm changing allegiances with my running watches. Earlier in the year I had purchased a Tomtom multi sport watch which meant I could swim, bike and run wearing it. It does what I want it to do.. I'm loving it particularly more as it's much slimmer and less bulky than my Garmin 610 (even the FR 10), and much more comfortable le to wear.

Overall I was really happy with tonight. I would have preferred to have stayed under my blanket I am currently crocheting, but as I said I would lead a group I had to go really. Admittedly, at one point during the run I nearly contemplated turning back. I didn't think I would be able to do all 5 miles. But as I had reached mile 2 by this point, I thought that I might as well keep going!!! 

I'm still battling negative thoughts of low confidence and it takes a lot to actually put myself in a group where I definitely feel that I am not as up to speed as the other runners. Hence, why I have avoided this in the past. But if I want to run the Southampton Half marathon next April then I need to get the legwork going and perhaps have a little more confidence in myself.

As a result of having a couple weeks rest, this has impacted on my #fortyb4forty challenge slightly, but not horrendously so. Hopefully I can catch up with some parkruns very soon.

Lessons to be learnt

So, tonight I went back to running club after a couple of weeks off running to give my knee a rest after experiencing a lot of pain at great South run, and in training in the week following.

I have joined a running programme at running club to run a half marathon in less than 2 hours. This really could be a big challenge for me. I came into the programme later than the other participants, and am definitely less fitter than most of the other participants too.

Anyhow, I managed 3 x 800m internals with a one minute rest between each 800m. Thursday is supposedly a 6 mile run. I confess, I'm somewhat nervous as to whether I will realistically manage it.

Anyhow, tonight I went back to wearing my brooks trainers and had no knee pain or even slight discomfort. Lesson is don't change your trainers if what you have is working for you!!!!!

No news on the PSPA article as yet.

Journalism

I was contacted recently from the PSPA. I was asked whether they could talk to me about my fundraising challenge for an article for their newsletter. Me, little ol' me? Of course!!

So, having had a lovely chat and a few hours alter a draft article has been emailed to me, and I return it with a photo to include. 

So what did I say in the article? Well, you're just going to have wait and see!! 

Decisions, decisions.......

Why is making a decision so hard to do?

In 6 months time it's the Winchester Triathlon. This year I did the novice race. The swim was no problem, the cycle I really struggled with (admittedly no where near as much training done as I should have done), and then a 2.5km run, which initially I may as well have had spaghetti for legs. I was exhausted!!!!

I have friends who believe that the sprint distance is well within achievable reach. Now admittedly I hated the hills on the cycle route on that occasion. I also am doing the Southampton Half marathon 8 days before Winchester Tri. Is both achievable without worrying about having a PB to worry about?

I would really have to focus on all three disciplines over the next 6 months, particularly the cycling and running. The swimming, whilst equally important, I feel is the most achievable discipline for me.

What are my worries? Struggling with low motivation and low mood predominantly over the next few months. I really need to sit down and write all the pros and cons to entering this event - factual ones, rather than perceived pros and cons, and the what-ifs. 

Let's not also forget that whilst I have plenty of options for my #fortyb4forty challenge, it would be nice to have a little variety.

Lesson learnt

One thing I have learned much to the detriment of my back account is the importance of running footwear.

A few months ago I bought a new pair of trainers as my other ones needed replacing, and whilst initially they were great, more recently I have been having knee pain whilst wearing them. The difference with these trainers compared to my last is that I changed to a different brand. I had them fitted but clearly they're weren't to be.

So I now have gone back to my usual brand, albeit an upgrade of what I had before. Already even just wearing them around the house, I'm noticing how much more comfortable they are, how much more stable my feet feel, and the ache in my knee I had, and managed to ignore wearing the others, has disappeared.

So what have I now got? A fabulous red/black pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15.

The wide range of running footwear is vast, and the advice on what you should go for is varied, whether you are a pronater, or an over-pronater, how much support and stability shoes offer, barefoot shoes. But one piece of advice is go and get to a running shop that specialises in gait analysis. 

Event 5/40 #fortyb4forty

So, what an amazing time I had in the end at Great South Run. After initial anxiety and panic about doing it, once I was moving it was much much better. I didn't have any anxiety symptoms on approaching the finish either. That made all the difference.

I ran/walked as I planned to do. I stayed comfortable and got around. No personal best, but I'm still really happy that I finished it, and have since gained more sponsorship for my fundraising.

I did struggle with a painful knee, and a sore foot - of course it was different legs!! I wasn't quite sure which leg to hobble with!! The foot has now recovered, but the knee hasn't so much. I think I'll be getting it checked out soon.

The weather was lovely. A balmy 16 degree Celsius. If I heard right, the race organisers were implementing the warm weather plan, which is unheard of in October!!!

I'm really happy with what I did today. It was fab seeing club members running today, and the cheerleading team at the end. I have definitely come away a happy hedgie. Thanks Jim for this photo!! 

2 days to go

On Sunday, if you didn't know, it's the Great South Run. About 25,000 runners take part on a 10 mile course around Portsmouth and Southsea. It's very flat - I can definitely testify to that having run it last year. It's also event 5/40 in my #fortyb4forty challenge.

So how am I feeling this year about it? Probably pretty much the same as I felt last year about it. Nervous, excited, worried about finishing, am I going to get there on time, where are the water stations? All those kind of questions. 

So my plan? To run/walk the course, staying comfortable so that I enjoy it. There is no pressure to time. I vaguely know the distance the drink stations are located at so my mindset is to make it to each drinks station, then to the next etc until the finish.

I'm desperate to try and use this large event as a big fundraiser for the charity I am raising money for. I have raised 26% of my target amount, so far, so it's good. And I'm aware I will still have 35 events to go after this one. But to raise more than my target amount would just be really awesome.

I have music to listen to going round. I love my aftershokz bone conduction headphones. They are really comfortable and I still have a reasonable awareness of what's going on around me when I'm wearing them.

So there we are. Big event coming up, and loads of running club members either running or helping win marshalling.

I have permission from the owner of this inspirational quote to post this on my blog. It's from 'May the thoughts be with you', from the Facebook page. 

And if you feel like sponsoring me you can donate by text using the code JWHH52 £5 to 70070 or visit my just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Helen-Hobbs2