Event 33 of #fortyb4forty

The Great South Run - one of the South's biggest running events every year, with thousands of people taking part for different reasons.

My preparations for the event included doing my nails using nails wraps from Jamberry that I thought were amazingly apt!! I even put one on a toe, joking it would make me go faster!! 

I had also met up with a former colleague during the week, who I had recently got back in contact with, from my last workplace and her mum had passed away from PSP last year. So yesterday I was not running just for Nan, but for her mum, Carol, who I had also worked with

Anyhow, this time last year this was my 5th of the current challenge. And to be honest I was pretty downhearted with the time and the actual run itself. I didn't enjoy it.

Fast forward to yesterday. The weather was beautiful. I was starting the race with two running buddies and I was looking forward to the event. I even remembered to take Hope with me.

And suddenly we're at the start. The sun is shining, and although the wind had been slightly cold, it didn't take long to warm up. I kept up with my running buddies for the first 5 miles maintaining a 3 min run, 30 second recovery walk. It was surprising how quickly that recovery walk would pass. I then did my own race. The wind wasn't that bothersome except in one area. The atmosphere was brilliant the whole way round, I was looking forward to the residential area near the end where last year they have music on loud speaker and just loads of encouragement. I do remember thinking at one point that I am not entering next year's event, even if the tantalising offer of early bird was available!!! 

The end is in sight!! And that is always the part I struggle with. I have no idea why. It's so nice to see familiar familiar faces in the approach and it really is a boost to keep going. I cross the finish line with an official time of 2 hours 24 seconds. This is 7 mins faster than last year so this really has made my day although I am ever so slightly disappointed that 25 seconds faster and I'd have had a sub 2 hour time for the course. Clearly, doing my nails had had a positive effect........

Seeing some running club buddies after crossing the finish line to give me a hug was amazing. I was exhausted and probably could have just burst into tears. But it was also nice to get a finish line photo from them :-) 

Today I am exhausted!! Knowing I pushed myself yesterday is satisfying particularly with the result that it achieved for me. Yet, I have two children to entertain. 

I have 7 events left to complete this challenge. It's possible it could happen before the end of the year. I'm not sure when next event is but I'm sure it'll be soon. 

Event 32 of #fortyb4forty

Hard one today. The New Forest Stinger 5 mile distance. There as also a 10 mile distance but opted to not go for that.

Now, when I woke up this morning I wasn't booked onto a race. I had intended to enter this one but needed to wait until pay day, and then I plain forgot. Saw that a couple of friends were doing this race and wished them luck, including the comments that I had forgotten to enter. I think one of the ladies who entered into a conversation was on the team organising the race. So by 8am I had nearly convinced Muself I was going to do this, but for one thing: one of my worst fears about races. 

Now, at most events, there is almost always more than ample parking. But, I have this almost irrational fear that If I go alone I'll get lost, there won't be enough parking and I'll be late. This morning, as I then decided I was then entering on the day, I also had a major anxiety panic about turning up and finding out all the enter-on-the-day places had been taken. To the point I was nearly in tears about it, and nearly just didn't go.

In jumps my wonderful husband who drives me to the race, with the children. He takes them off for a walk whilst I am running. 

The terrain of the race was pretty much mud and puddles. Difficult to run in. Legs feeling like lead made it all the much harder. Going around, I struggled with anxious feelings about completing it, the fact that my legs just hurt, and they nearly get the better of me on more than one occasion on the route. I haven't had these feelings for so long. Probably last time was when I did the Ox half, so that was May, I think. I struggling with breathing too. Carrying an inhaler has made such a difference to my running lately but I had to work hard mentally to not go into panic mode completely because I struggled to breath. Anyhow, it's fair to say the latter half I probably spent more time walking, but I did run down the hills. I was going to finish this damn race becaus there's no way I wasn't going to finish. The last kilometre was a long slow hill. Whilst pushing myself up I saw an adult deer, and three babies cross the path in front of me. It was an incredible sight. I pushed to the end. It was hard.

I had to laugh at my husband when I found him at the end. He'd wandered back to the car after walking with the children to drop something back because he thought I'd be a lot longer. Ha!!! Really happy with about 1 hour 12 minutes. Got a rather nice little cool bag as my finishing memento.

Event 30 of #fortyb4forty

Yes!! I am now 75% complete of the challenge. It is now a countdown to 40. What a nice feeling!

So, what did I do? I took part in the RNLI 10k in Portsmouth. A very flat route, good prep for the Great South Run which is in 17 days time. The weather was just lovely. I had no idea how the race was going to go. In previous runs I was struggling to get to 1 mile without needing to walk so today was going to be interesting, one thing I tend to do is to set off too quickly, so I had to really hold myself back and let everyone overtake me. However, this way of doing things meant I ran the first three miles of the race before needing to walk. I was so pleased with myself. It gives me hope for the GSR that whilst I probably won't run it (never say never however), it feels that it could be a lot more comfortable to do. I absolutely loved the medal at the end. I finished with my best 10k run for the year.

Haven't really planned when I'm doing event 31, but that's okay. I have vague ideas when races happen but entering races at the last minute always adds to the fun of it,

Event 29 of #fortyb4forty

This run was very much a last minute event. As I was helping at the main Perform 5 mile event by handing out tshirts I was unable to take part. However, there was a 1 mile fun run afterwards, which was most likely aimed at children. Having persuaded my son to take part, I entered also. 

Now, I realise a mile isn't far. However, I could make it challenging by getting round as quickly as possible, and seeing how fast I could do one mile in. My son just raced off and finished comfortably ahead of me. I finished in under 10 minute, so was very pleased with that.

I recently received Hope the PSPA bear. I brought her along to the event, and my plan in the future is to take her along to the remaining events of the #fortyb4forty challenge.

Event 28 of #fortyb4forty

I'm a bit late with this. My apologies.

So, the Woodland Way was hard. The aim was, in 6 hours, to run as many laps as possible. 4 laps would equate to a half marathon. When I entered this was my aim. Being treated for sinusitis and probable bronchitis in the week prior really played havoc at the actual event, and I struggled on the second lap so I had to call it a day. I still wasn't fully recovered. Gutted but pleased that I actually got out there and actually gave it a go. I didn't achieve what I wanted to do, but it was such a relaxed event anyway. And I did enjoy it. Nice to see a few people from running club too. I apologise for lack of photos as well.

So now? Still not completely well, but am under medical care for that now. But I haven't been told to stop running.............bring on event 29 hopefully soon 

Event 27 of #fortyb4forty

Triathlon probably isn't the first thing you would expect me to come out with - unless you are following my page on Facebook, or on Twitter.

So, to update you. During my recent holiday, I saw that GoTri Hamble were hosting the final in a series of tri events: a triathlon. A 160m swim, 6km bike ride, and a 2 km run. I was interested, but it would be something where I was putting myself out of my comfort zone - cycling is the one thing I am less keen on for various reasons. But anyway, I entered. Last night, I was seriously doubting that decision. 

Let me take you back to May 2015. I was a member of Herc Tri, a fairly newly formed triathlon club. I had entered a local triathlon event hosted by Try Tri - the May Day Tri. This was a 200m swim, 6km bike ride and 2.5km run. I managed the swim really well. The cycling, however, was my nemesis, partly due to not having trained as much, and the hills that were part of the course were quite steep. My error completely, considering that I had done a recce ride. Nevertheless, after completing the course, I was put off triathlon until now, as I had really struggled physically and mentally to complete the cycling element. Then running 2.5km on jelly legs, which included short but sharp hills, was just too much.

So back to today. The bike ride was always going to be my difficult area to overcome. After being reassured that the route was relatively flat, I was feeling okay, but knew I would still struggle having done no recent bike training. The swim was easy. Sorry, but it was. But swimming is the sport I focused in as a child into my teens, and I guess as a result it comes more naturally to me. After having some mechanical issues with my bike sorted prior to starting the race, I was nervous, and to be honest, at one point I wasn't sure if I as going to be able to even race due to the mechanical issues. Anyway,  I was cleared. The actual ride was hard for me (lack of training) but it wasn't difficult, and no where near as inclined as I had ridden (or walked) up during the May Tri. But I got around, and was happy.  Had the jelly legs after dismounting, and there was no way I could run to the field for the final element. I think I would have collapsed. But I got around the field with a mix of running and walking. I had to dig deep to keep going. I was very aware of a group from running club who had stopped on their run, and was cheering people on (thanks girls, I loved that. Apologies for seemingly ignoring you. I wasn't, I was very focused by the end of the run). 

And I finished. Very happy with the fact I finished and I did enjoy doing it. 

Having done some analysis of times and distances at my events today, I have come to the conclusion I did a brilliant job and, despite lack of recent training ( last minute entry and I was on holiday!!) in the run up to the event, my times are right on track with what I had been training at, which is better than going slower than training!! Happy days 😄

Next weekend, I'm doing a 6 hour event where I run as many laps of a course as I can manage in that time. Again, something a little more challenging than just doing a set distance race. 

Testing times

Doing 40 events before I'm forty seemed a good idea at the time 11 months ago or so. I knew it would tag me physically, but it has been the mental challenge in more than one way:

* having to wake up early to go to events more regularly than I did. Me and early mornings have never been friends and I will often have an argument with myself to hoick myself out of bed, particularly for parkrun.

*believing in myself that I can complete an event, even a 5k event, such as parkrun. Halfway round a distance my mind start telling me that's it's too far, that my body has had enough and let's just quit.

*The feeling that I can't be bothered, I'm too tired, I haven't eaten properly, finding a babysitter, it's too hot/cold, 

But here I am 26 events on now. Hauling myself out of bed, especially to get to parkrun. Fighting those inner voices which will continue to torment me, telling me I'm not good enough. 

I will admit, I will be glad when this challenge has finished. It's been a long haul, this year particularly. I've had to work hard to change my thinking and to fight the feelings of depression, and actually breaking the cycle of letting it rule my life; but instead regaining control, and ok, sometimes I can't be bothered to do X, Y and Z, but that's not depression. I'm being a lazy whatsit. I'm not denying that I've had depression, but this year I came to the conclusion that I really need to move forward and only I can really do that proactively, and not make excuses all the time. 

The weather has been really hot, and it has made recent events hard going. But last night I did take a  proactive look at my challenge, I now have 14 events left to do. Not including today I now have 25 weekends left to do 14 events. So I produced this:

Having written it out like this helped me to focus and look at where I can do events. If I really focus I can complete the challenge by Christmas time latest if I tried hard to get to parkrun each week, and find a few more events.

So I got this, right?