Keep Glowing!

What a great surprise to come home to a delivery today from Virgin Money Giving with probably the most useful running accessory you can have - a hi-vis running vest! 

I was one of the first 5000 runners to get donations on the Money Giving page so got sent this. 

What a nice letter too! 

Thanks Virgin Money Giving! 

Countdown is on

I received this wonderful plaque in the post from a lovely lady called Kelly. Kelly has done lots of decorative plaques for me & my sister in the past & they make such great presents.

I just love this, girly & pink & matching my charity colours but also a great reminder of the days on the journey ahead! 

 

Check out her Facebook page Kelly's Kitsch Stitch https://m.facebook.com/KellysKitschStitch

Thanks Kelly!! Oh & it's 141 days until the marathon!!!! 

Nobody said it was easy...

Just a couple of the wonderful things I'm going through this week: 

* Chapped & blistered lips

* Feet cut to bits

* Sore boobs

* Constantly cold

The cold weather is so tough to train in that I'm actually scared now about how hard it's going to get as the winter really kicks in. 

It's currently around 3 degrees when I've been going out in the mornings to start my run & with it set to get colder this week I'm not sure how I will get through it. I'm following the Virgin London Marathon Beginner's plan which has me doing varying distances 6 days per week. 

I can tell you this is a lot & having gone from someone who run whenever I fancied & mostly when it was dry & light to now running in the dark & all-weathers, it's definitely pushing me to my limits! 

I've been told about various remedies to alleviate some of the problems and any others would be really welcomed! Feel free to comment with your suggestions! 

Nobody ever said marathon training would be easy, but then again no one told me it'd be this hard either!! 

What a difference a year makes

A year ago today I went along for my routine smear test with the nurse. Thinking nothing of it at the time, it was about to be the day that set me off on a different course.
Thinking about it today with my stronger, wiser & much more focused hat on, I'm wondering what I'd say to 'me' a year ago. I'd have laughed if you'd told me in a year I would have a place in a marathon & be 4 weeks into training for it. 
I would absolutely tell myself to do what feels right. Something I have learnt over the past year is to have the emotion you feel like having when you feel like it, don't put on a brave face, especially around friends & family, and know that keeping positive & healthy is the best thing you can do. 

A year on and although I am still having to go to the hospital for check-ups & it is always in the back of my mind, I have new things to focus on & I've certainly never been stronger both mentally & physically.
It just goes to show you don't know what's around the corner. 

I recently came across this quote which fits just perfectly...

In the spotlight

Over the past week or so I've been working with a videographer creating a fundraising video. Brian, our work videographer kindly offered to film & produce this when he heard my 'story' during a recent work event. 

It really is amazing how people offer their skills to support me & I'm amazed on a daily basis by just how much support I'm getting. 

Brian recorded a sort of interview with me last Saturday where I basically gave my history & story. Having never been one for the spotlight this was a lot harder than I even imagined. I find it really difficult to articulate my story & feelings in words at the best of times but with a camera in your face it's even more pressure. Luckily Brian is an absolute pro so was able to coach the best out of me & hopefully got some really good quotes. I was also fortunate that my friend Alex joined us for the filming so rather than talking to the camera I directed everything to her, so it was just like having a conversation with a friend, the camera was just in the background. 

With that done Brian suggested he do some B-role filming which will go over my talking. He kindly came down to Essex in the week & recorded me doing normal things like making the tea, chilling on the sofa, then a lot of running along the seafront whilst he drove alongside with his camera in the window (apologies if we held anyone up along the seafront on Tuesday but all for a good cause!!). 

Brian also wanted to capture me walking into the hospital which has become something of a regular haunt for me this year. This was probably where I felt most exposed, and there was me thinking it'd be when I was running along the seafront in the middle of winter in Lycra!!! I guess the hospital when I visit is generally quite a negative place so to be back there wasn't easy and to remain inconspicuous & be filming was just a lot weirder that I imagined. 

Anyway, the filming is all now done & the footage is all in Brian's capable hands. Normally I would dred seeing myself on camera but actually I'm really looking forward to seeing what he comes up with. 

As soon as it's all finalised I'll post it on here so look forward to seeing what everything thinks of my big screen debut!! 

Huge thanks to Brian for doing this all for me & to Alex of course for getting me through the filming! 

Running is a lonely sport

Whilst doing my daily training run this evening it struck me at just how lonely it is being out running on a winters night.

It's hard enough to get ready to run & prepare yourself for the very cold, dark weather but motivating yourself without the help of others is quite a task. I find the Nike app motivating as I have friends on there so I can make sure I keep ahead of them. Whilst running it gives you quite a lot of time to think through any dramas of the day & what's on your mind but once that is out of the way then what do you think about & how do you carry on pushing yourself? 

Music is my key to keeping sane & blocking out the cold & tiredness but even that can get a little boring at times. Plus the marathon training tells you to sometimes run without music as during a lot of races you're not allowed earphones in so good to prepare without them. 

If running during the day it's always nice to run in public places so you can see other runners but the most you get out of them is a nod of acknowledgement. Running at night, even in well lit areas, is a different ball game altogether, you're lucky if you see anyone else mad enough to be out in the cold & when you do they're definitely 'in the zone'! As evenings after work is when I do most of my training, finding ways to keep my mind occupied is hard work. 

I'd love to hear from other runners in the same position to know what you do to keep motivated during your winter training? Or if you have any suggestions to help me along my way please be in touch. I have a feeling the mental strength is just going to get tougher as the runs get longer & the weather worsens.