Summer Running

It's been ages since I updated my blog!! Quite a bit has happened...after a good run in Arden 9 (my last post), I then went on to tear my calf muscle half a mile into the Stratford 6. It was only a minor tear, and after 2 weeks off I was back to running again with no pain. Unfortunately, my fitness levels dropped a bit, and coupled with a few other things going on, the running fitness has dropped a little. However, I'm getting back to fitness and enjoying all the various races! Here is a summary to bring my blog up to speed!!

26th July Inter Club Champs - Spa Striders vs Kenilworth vs Stratford-upon-Avon

First race back. Just under 6 miles. 41mins 22sec.

Team photo before the Inter-Club Champs

A win for Spa Striders ladies - men came 2nd. A great evening followed by food and drink in Stoneleigh.

12th August - Hooky 6

A 6 mile race in Hook Norton in Oxfordshire. Quite a few Spa Striders at this one. 

4th woman - 40:53.

1st ladies team.

Great weather, so followed the race with a picnic in the sun!

16th August - Rowheath 5km

A Wednesday evening run. I really enjoy the evening runs and this one was in Bourneville not far from my old home in Umberslade Road.

Time: 20:01.

Suffered a bit on this one having gone off a bit too fast!

22nd August - Godiva 5

Another evening run as part of the Warwickshire Road Race league. A slightly different course around Coventry War Memorial Park.

Time: 33:14.

Really struggled tonight!! Got some fitness to get back!

2nd September - Kenilworth Half Marathon

I knew this one was going to hurt! But a great course, though challenging.

Time: 1hr41.12.

Finishing straight of Kenilworth Half Marathon

Arden 9

On 24th June, I headed out to Henley-in-Arden with fellow Spa Striders to take part in the Arden 9. 9 miles isn't really a common distance to race over, so it would be a guaranteed PB if nothing else! I set off at what felt a comfortable pace and was feeling good. It was a lovely route through quiet country roads - I think 9 miles is a good distance to race over. Not the speed and pressure of a 10k, but speedier than a half marathon - I really enjoyed it. I was hoping to go under the hour, but a muddy section around the lake towards the end put a stop to that. I finished 6th woman in 60.37. At the end we were presented with a nice medal and a banana and I really enjoyed cheering on the Spa Striders as they came in. A really good team atmosphere!

Havant Parkrun

Well I'm a bit behind on my blog, but being inspired by the start of the Olympics this week, I thought I'd right about my recent activities. In fact, I'm over a month behind, so I'm going back as far as June 16th, when a weekend down in Horndean led me to take part in the inaugral Havant Parkrun. It was about time a parkrun hit that region and I was pleased to take part in the very first one! It takes place in Staunton Park and involves a couple of laps of off road paths. After a small 400m loop at the start, the route takes you on a steep downhill and then you climb gradually back up to start the second lap. It was a lovely sunny day and I enjoyed the route - though it's not really a PB route. I came through as first lady in 20.47. I will certainly be making sure I go along to this parkrun everytime I'm back down south. Being the first ever race, I of course had the pleasure of setting the course record - I can say that it held for about 5 weeks, but has now gone. Something to aim for next time I'm there!

Two Castles 10k

The Two Castles 10k is a unique point to point run going from Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle. It is very difficult to get a place, as usually fills up a few days after entries open. However, a fellow Spa Strider was giving her number away after developing an injury and I was lucky enough to get the spot. On the morning of the race I met with Dawn, Charlotte and Trevor and jogged down from the club house to Warwick for the start of the race. It was a sunny morning, and although fairly early, we could tell it would be fairly warm for the race itself. There was a big contingent of Spa Striders. The course itelf was along the back roads between Warwick and Kenilworth heading up through Leek Wooten. It was undulating in parts, with the final kilometre including a short climb up to Kenilworth Castle. The crowds along the route were great. I wasn't really sure what kind of time I might get, but was hoping for something under 43 minutes. I went through the line in 42.11 and 10th lady overall so I was pleased with that. I hope to get my 10k times down over the course of the summer. Then it was off to the Almanac in Kenilworth for a cold drink and some cake.

The Malvern Challenge

My second walk with the Bear walking group was a biggy - the Malvern Challenge. An 18 mile loop of all the Malvern Hills. The Malvern Hills are a range of hills in the English counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and a small area of northern Gloucerstershire, dominating the surrounding countryside and the towns and villages of the district of Malvern. The highest summit of the hills affords a panorama of the Severn valley with the hills of Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains.

There were 21 of us and we were lucky enough to have one of the sunniest days of the year so far. I drove down with Dave and Ian and met the others in the car park at British Camp. The route was a figure of 8 which meant that we were back at the car park half way round (and an ice cream stop) and then continued with the remainding hills. I was pleased to get out on some hills, albeit a bit smaller than the ones I'd been used to in Scotland, but steep nonetheless! Some great views from the top.

Hilly 100 and Coventry parkrun

I'm enjoying some of the local races as a Spa Strider now. A few weekends ago I took part in the Hilly 100. A 100 mile race in the Cotswolds, finishing up in Stratford upon Avon, with teams of 10 all running 10 miles each. I had leg 4, and was partnered with leg 3 runner Jude. I supported her for her leg, as she did for mine. It was an early start - though not as early as legs 1 and 2 who started at 5am! We got to Jude's changeover point in good time for the second leg runner to come in (it had all been worked out based on us running an average of 1hr30mins). We waited...and waited...and waited...! Then we had a message saying the leg 2 had taken a wrong turn and had gone a long way out. Doh!! He eventually got back on track, having run more like 15 miles that 10. Jane set off and we were back on the correct route! I drove the car, stopping at various points along the way with water. Then 10 miles later is was my turn to run. We had done a recce earlier in the week, so new the way to go, though was great having Jude at all the turns to make sure I stayed on track! It was pretty undulating most of the way - the Cotswolds are really beautiful, but they were certainly hilly - as the name of the race suggests. The last mile was the biggest hill of all!! Straight up and seemed to go on forever! I was pleased to see a group of Striders cheering at the top though which really helped! Managed to run my leg in 1hr14mins17s, which i was pleased with, given the hills! I handed over to Leg 5 runner, and headed home for a rest before driving back to Stratford in the evening for the final runners coming in. A great race and team spirit - loved it!!

The following weekend I gave the Coventry parkrun a go! It was a really hot sunny day, but lots of the course is sheltered under the trees. It takes place at the Coventry War Memorial park, and the 5km involves 2 and a bit laps of the park. Much flatter than the Leamington parkrun, great course. After chasing a girl from Warwick University most of the way, I was pleased to edge past her with about 1km to go and held on to make it round as first lady in 19:45. I'm looking forward to trying a few more local parkruns in the area.

Warwickshire, Spa Striders and Leamington parkrun

My new place! I'm the middle top window.

So it's been a busy couple of months. Now that the big events are over and I'm settling into a new life chapter I thought I'd take a moment to update my blog. The London marathon was fantastic and my legs are gradually getting back to normal. At last count I was on £1300, so well over my £1000 target. A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who sponsored me, it means a lot to me!

Other than the marathon, lots has been going on. At the end of March I had my last day at CAHRU, where I worked for 5 years, and I left Bonnie Scotland for Warwickshire. What an amazing time I had in Scotland - I had so many great experiences and a chance to visit some of the country's most beautiful locations. And most importantly, I made some lifelong friends. I may not be living in Scotland anymore, but I'll be back regularly for visits, and cherish my memories there. 

On April 9th I started my new job at University of Warwick, working on the Families for Health project. So far I'm really enjoying the new challenges it is bringing and my new colleagues are great. So, now I'm settled into my new job and my new flat (which happens to be right opposite the local running club!) lets move onto what adventures my new location has to offer!!

I have joined local running club Spa Striders. A really friendly club who have training sessions on every day of the week (!!), and even do a bit of cycling and open water swimming. I've also had the chance to try my local Leamington parkrun, and have run this a couple of times, yesterday along with fellow Birmingham Uni friend Hannah Roberton. Her husband Neil and cutie pie daughter Emilia were there to support! The course is really nice off road, but has a sneaky hill at around 1km. So far I have run 20:22 and 20:36, so the aim I think will be to do a sub 20 on this course. I was pleased to only lose 15 seconds on the first post-marathon race yesterday. There are other local parkruns, such as Coventry, which I hope to try soon.

With a new area to be living in, and a friendly new running club telling me about lots of fun events, my hopeful plan for the next few months is as follows...

16th May - Rugby 6 - an evening race, part of the East Midlands Grand Priz series

24th June - Stoneleigh 10K (Race for Life 10k, along with Hannah and others)

30th June - Stratford Summer 6 - an opportunity to run around Shakespeare's home town

15th July - Northbrook 10k - in Coventry, a chance to hopefully capitalise on marathon endurance for a fast 10k

12th August - Great Shakespeare Ride - a 65 mile cycling sportive. Might try my hand at a bit of cycling this summer

18th August - Race the Train, Wales - a 14 mile race (against a train!) in Snowdonia, Wales. Always fancied doing this, so this year is the year. Might even go and explore Snowdonia afterwards too.

30th September - Bristol Half marathon or Robin Hood Nottingham Half marathon (to be decided!)

Think that's enough to get me started....haha! As always, if anyone fancies joining me on any of these, do let me know!