Well its now well into February and I’m in my 7th week of training.

Can’t say I’m feeling the love at the moment. Running in the cold and the dark, why would you?

Right now I’m filled with dread as my next challenge is the Stamford 30K. It’s hilly and it’s long, I’m just hoping it’s not cold and icy! The thought of those hills is not much fun. Why do people do marathons?

Well so far I’ve got away lightly I think, my knee gave me a twinge when running down hill the other day, so I’ve booked in to see Emma one of our physios just to be checked out. God what would I do without her and Vida, one of our osteopaths, keeping me together.

With all these miles, averaging over 30 miles per week at present my calves have been aching for the first few miles, so as a friend said to me to get some compression socks, I obligingly went off to my local running shop and bought some. Our little possey of marathon training girls set off on a 16 mile run  around the hilly peaks of Folkesworth, and the next day did a slow 6 mile run, but my calves were more sore than if I hadn’t worn them, so I still remain to be convinced about compression, ‘cos my calves weren’t  impressed! 

And I’m glad that they were under my long running tights as they didn’t exactly look pretty. On balance I suspect I just need to do more calf stretching and strengthening exercises!

We’re also having to get used to using gels when running, something I’ve never done. Just as long as you don’t swallow the wrong way and choke whilst running ..…and then what to do with that sticky packet when you’re finished? Last time I made the mistake of putting it in the same pocket as my phone and ended up with a very sticky phone by the end of the run!

We’ve finally booked our accommodation for the night before, we’re staying in a Travellodge, but the cost... £180 per room, and a cold breakfast! Just shows how they can command their prices on marathon weekend. I’ve never paid that much for a Travellodge before!

On the bright side I’ve only got 7 more weeks of long runs at the weekend then I start to taper down... Thank heaven for small mercies! Right now a half marathon seems like a doddle. Surprising how your mindset changes during the training process. Who’d have ever thought I’d be saying a half marathon was a doddle!

All in all the Fund raising is going well. I haven’t added everything up but it must be approaching £1500, though would love to raise £2000. So a BIG Thank you for those of you who’ve sponsored me, bought my jams, chutneys, biscottis, florentines, mincepies etc! Every little helps.

If you haven’t and you still feel the urge to contribute, the easiest way is online here.  Or we also take real money at the Centre!

Thanks to all for taking the time to read this, any tips gratefully received!

Jane x

Well we’re now into February and although the nights are lengthening, my working hours are long and late so fitting in the training does not go without its challenges.

My new trail shoes have been great in the last few weeks, allowing me access to muddier uneven terrain without getting my feet totally soaked, a very miserable feeling when you’re racking up the miles and even better, I’m less likely to slide on the mud.

Similarly my headlamp has been invaluable as most of my mid-week runs, whilst they’re shorter, are still in the dark and will be for some considerable time. Not sure that the local wild life appreciates it though as I trot down the tarmacked track near home towards the racecourse. I almost always spot a solitary bird of prey, a buzzard, or a sparrow hawk may be?  

I’m no ornithologist and in the dark it’s even more difficult to see, but I think he gets  very fed up with me as my headlamp reflects on the back of his eyes as a sits and minds his own business on the fence post. As I run towards him he begrudgingly moves further down onto another post and as I approach that he goes further down and so on until he finally has enough and flies off, probably cursing me under his breath. Still old chap, I won’t always be doing this, in a few weeks time I can stop!

However in all seriousness I can now fully appreciate how people say that it takes over your life. I’m now running 4 times per week, plus a session shared with a friend where we see a personal trainer. I’d ideally like to do some yoga too, but I’m just not sure where to fit it in.

Week 5 of training and I’ve already made several mistakes, one being to see two personal trainers in one day, where each gave my friend and I a severe thrashing. It made the 9 mile run the next day very hard and somewhat painful; well in all honesty it was a case of what didn’t hurt rather than what did! However ever slow to learn lessons, the following week in order for my marathon partner, Lisa and I to do our 13 mile long run together, the only day available was in the afternoon after seeing my regular personal trainer, so that was equally hard! Note to self is to try and plan better!

Finding time for other things is a definite challenge. It would be interesting to see how others find it.

Similarly running in the dark is not my favourite as for me the evenings are the wrong time of the day, when I’m already tired. I’ve never really taken on board before how difficult it is to stay motivated – the thought of getting home, and putting your kit on when it’s lashing down with rain, or blowing a howling gale definitely chips away at your motivation. 

Now we’ve had ice and snow now too which makes running somewhat less fun. Training for an Autumn marathon has got to be easier, apart from the temperature being warmer, you’ve got light nights!

Just remind me of all this if I even vaguely mention doing another marathon!

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