Jo Nicholson's London Marathon 2008

Hello, I've just run the London Marathon!!

2008-04-14T19:24:00.003+01:00

Firstly, I am sorry I haven't written for a while. 'Laser runner' you asked what I would be wearing for the Marathon and I even had a photo taken in my kit for 'spotters' but had a problem getting the photo on the blog and then I just ran out of time.

The Marathon? Well, it was a spectacular event. To have a man running with an iron tied to his back, in the same race as an elite runner completing the run in 2 hours and 5 minutes and all the people in between (including me) is really just amazing. The spectators were fantastic. I have been a spectator twice, but to be on the other side of the barriers was incredible. The support was very strong. I particularly enjoyed the parts in the race where there was loud music, specifically the live bands - that gave me such a lift. As we were waiting to start I looked around me and couldn't quite comprehend that 35,000 people were about to run 26.2 miles together. The sheer volume of runners was breathtaking and quite hair raising at first. I dropped my gels near the start and there was no way I could stop and pick them up - I would have been quite literally 'run over' !

As the course dipped and rose again I was aware of looking ahead and seeing the most beautiful, multicoloured carpet ahead that was actually a sea of runners! It was stunning.

The first 12 miles felt fine although I was faintly aware of my legs feeling a little tired. It was a risk running my last long run (19.3 miles) two weeks before the marathon but I had no choice because of my virus putting me out of training for three weeks. I knew this was going to hurt as a consequence and from about 17 miles it did!!!

It was really really hard running this marathon and it challenged me physically, psychologically and emotionally. My legs really hurt and some of the miles seemed to go really slowly. People say that training for the marathon is the hard part but that hasn't been my experience. I think running the Marathon was one of the hardest things I have done.

And this is what is most staggering to me. 35, 000 other people would have found the Marathon, to a greater or lesser degree, really difficult and yet they did it. Only about 400 people did not complete the race. That is an impressive amount of people who, whatever they were going through finished the race. I will never watch a Marathon again in the same way. Spectators call out your name (if you have written it on your top, that would be a lot of names to remember!) and they know that the runners are doing something difficult. But until you have done it yourself you don't fully understand what an incredible challenge it is.

Amy and I ran together and ran over the finish line in tears. Mine were tears of relief at finishing. Our time was 5 hours exactly and we ran non-stop!

Would I run another Marathon? Well, probably not this week! But I have raised almost £2000 for St Helena Hospice and that's brilliant - THANK YOU so much to everyone who sponsored me. And I do enjoy the training. And I would quite like to have a different experience with less tired legs! So YES I do want to do the London Marathon 2009!

7 days to go.

2008-04-05T21:09:00.002+01:00

The last long run this morning was only 5 1/2 miles! We used it as a dress rehearsal, running in exactly the kit we are going to run the marathon in - from sun cream to sun hat, laces to sunglasses. Still unsure what the weather is going to be like. It was really cold this morning but really sunny, and tomorrow it is supposed to be snowing!! I have bought a second hand track suit top and bottoms to wear to the start line if really cold and have been told that all the discarded clothes are collected and given to charity to be sold - so that's good.

I have made lists about lists including lists of the lists so I don't forget anything. Friends that are going up to watch are strategically positioned evenly throughout the course to maximise the support! Now all I have to do is a couple more short runs, eat carbs and relax!

Last year as I watched the Marathon on the television I decided to run it the next year and here I am. It's a strange thing looking forward to something that has been a challenge, rewarding but ultimately is going to really hurt! There's sort of no way round the fact that 26.2 miles will need to be run on Sunday 13th April, starting around 9:45am.

Now, is it too soon to see what the weather forecast says .....

I am thinking of everyone who is training for this and wish everyone all the best - and that includes you, Paula (of course she reads my blog).

19.3 miles and I'm a little tired!

2008-03-29T17:34:00.002Z

I feel I know that pond, and those ducks, in Great Bentley really well! I ran round the nearly two mile circuit five times on my own and was then joined by Amy. The blister didn't trouble me, and although it was windy it was also intermittently sunny and a little rainy. It wasn't too cold either. Amy joined me and we began the second round of five circuits. Strangely, at 17 miles I had a bit of a crisis and almost had a panic attack! This is really unusual for me. I suddenly doubted that I could complete the run even though I felt physically OK. Amy was brilliant and firstly got me to stop running! Then, once my normal breathing had returned and I settled down we continued. I'm not entirely sure where this pressure is coming from, but for a moment it was intense. I did go on to complete the 5 further circuits and wondered what that was all about.

I have now completed a run of 3 hours and 10 minutes which, following my break with the virus, gives me confidence that although the marathon is going to hurt I should be able to complete it. I would like to understand what my panic was about and will ponder upon it further!!

Two weeks to go.

Approx £1700 so far raised for the Hospice makes all this worth while.

Nearly there.

Ruth, that run was for you!!

2008-03-24T12:30:00.003Z

Just done a 10 mile run. Unfortunately Amy is still feeling poorly and wisely stayed in this morning. It was really cold but beautifully sunny and I re-visited my favourite running spot; the seawall along the marshes. Absolutely stunning! The positive ions (?) coming from the River Colne swept me along. Felt really good and I feel really back on track. My dilemma now is the big one - I feel I need to complete a 20 miler but is it more sensible to try and do it this Wednesday morning, or Saturday morning. Saturday only gives me two weeks recovery before the marathon, but then is Wednesday too soon - it was only last Wednesday that I returned to running (that 2 miler) after a three week break? I can see I am driving those close to me just a little barmy by ruminating on these sorts of issues.

I wonder how Kevin and Paul got on running in the snow on Saturday.

And Ruth. I'm really thinking of you. Ruth, you probably know, is my music therapist colleague who did that sport relief run last Sunday (16/03/08). She has been very supportive of this blog giving me loads of comments. She was off from work last week and I thought she had flu. Got a text from her on Sunday and she has ended up in hospital. After speaking with her I am really worried for her. I know she is surrounded by loads of friends and family and she said that there were advantages to being in Broomfield Hospital - an en suite, flat screen TV, central heating !!! But tests are being done and, well, if you need anything just shout. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday. Anyone reading this got any message for Ruth?

Ok, time for protein, carb and vit/mineral in take - sorry I mean lunch.

What's the story, morning glory?

2008-03-22T20:23:00.002Z

Wednesday morning I did indeed go out for a two miler and it felt really tough, which was psychologically quite tricky. TWO miles felt tough??? Marathon in three and a bit weeks -uh-oh. I met up with the Hospice runners Thursday night and following his injury, Duncan said the evening's run was going to be make or break for him - sadly it was break, and as I shook his hand and wished him the best I vowed not to mention my silly virus again - I AM going to run the Marathon and I am grateful for that. At least he can kick back and enjoy little Matilda with his wife. Hopefully see you next year Duncan.

Kevin and Paul were kind enough to run a short four miles with me (OK so they had run 13 miles on the previous Saturday and were about to run from Chelmsford to Colchester, about 22 miles today (Saturday). But it did make a difference running with them and the four miles, while I was happy to stop at that, felt good. They were generous to add that I kept a good pace. My biggest problem, actually were my trainers - (remember Laser Runner, you were asking about my trainers?) Two huge blisters on the insteps of both feet. This has really concerned me. I didn't get any blisters with my previous trainers (Assics nimbus 9's) and suddenly feel a desperate need to get a new pair of those instead. Where I bought them are happy to look into the possibility of an exchange, which if they do I will be really grateful - although an invaluable bit of kit - they don't come cheap! Luckily I kept my old pair and ran in those this morning. No, not 10 miles, just six. It was freezing, windy, snowy and I'm saving the 10 until Monday - following Chris's advice to build up the mileage again slowly. This morning felt much better so that's encouraging. As I finished and was cooling down an old lady walked past and said "You've inspired me to walk really fast'!

Another reason for waiting until Monday is that Amy, my trusty running partner is now unwell although I sense she is going to see this off quicker than me. Hopefully she will be better for Monday.

You know, there are thousands of people in this country (and others) who are getting in a pickle about this Marathon. It is such a commitment, such a challenge and so invested with all sorts of various levels of meaning and could be simply blown out of the water by an injury (or a silly virus!). Which means there are thousands more family members, friends, colleagues and you all reading this who are tolerating us lot getting in that Marathon pickle. Thank you.

Oh, and Happy Easter - here's to new beginnings.

Things could be looking up!

2008-03-18T20:38:00.002Z

Today is the first day that I have started to feel better - I mean REALLY better. I went to the GP and got the all clear. This is just fantastic - however I do this Marathon - walk, run or crawl - I am going to do it. Coming back from the Doctors I suddenly felt concerned about how to return to the training now. The last thing I want to do is run (quite literally) into an injury, so I called Chris Wheat, the Physiotherapist ( www.colchesterphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk ) I saw before and he advised me thus. He said that my fitness level will have dropped dramatically and I need to get this back up. He suggested building up to running for an hour (about 7 miles) because if i can run for an hour I could run for three. He also recommended that I don't do the really long run this weekend but wait till the following weekend. This buys me time to still get really better. So the plan is to run 2 in the morning just to get back out there, then 6/7 Thursday followed by 10 on Saturday. Then next week I will repeat that with a 20 (hopefully) on the Sat. Then I will have a two week taper. I feel so relieved to have a plan and to feel better. I know that doesn't mean to say that it will all go swimmingly but I am positive.

Feeling as poorly as I have, i have actually only had a virus, a nasty one, but just a virus. I have felt out of control, powerless and at times actually quite low (thanks Jane for listening to me!). But I work with individuals who are living with life threatening illnesses. It's a stark comparison and helps me to understand that my understanding has limitations. I have also reflected about what running this Marathon is about. Of course raising the money, supporting the people I work with and for. But could there be something about the notion of health - if I can run a marathon, I am healthy? This doesn't (clearly) follow and neither does it vaccinate against more serious illnesses, that's just fantasy. OK, thinking too much - need to run. Can't wait for the morning, although I think it's going to be quite chilly.

I wonder how Duncan is getting on, with Matilda but also with that injury?

Ruth, you are suspiciously quiet about your Sports Relief Run on Sunday?

Is there anybody reading this who hasn't yet sponsored me? There's still time - just look at my justgiving page to warm the cockles of your heart.

THANK YOU to Helen, Emily and Gordon - that means more than 'kerching'.

27 days, 11 hours and 13 seconds to go

2008-03-16T20:42:00.002Z

... and I still feel really rough. This is some strange virus - one minute I think 'it's on the way out' and the next I feel as though I have been hit by a truck. But I am still thinking positively and was encouraged to hear about Amy's long run on Saturday with Kevin and Paul. She did really well - 13 miles with them and then 5 on her own. Well done Amy.

I heard that Ruth did her 3 miles today - well done Ruth - so is running something you are going to continue with - hey I can vouch for the health benefits!

I miss running so much.

My aim is to go back to the GP on Tuesday, get the all clear, do a couple of short runs and then a long run on Saturday. I think Kevin and the boys are running back from Chelmsford on the A12 so if you see them, give them a supportive beep!

It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

It's not good.

2008-03-13T21:39:00.002Z

'Laser runner' asked 'did I do the run and how were the trainers'? I ran two miles, TWO miles on Tuesday with Amy and it did not feel OK. Those two miles felt like ten. I still feel really bad - it's just a head cold but it has wiped me out. Went back to the Doctors this evening and, luckily my GP is a runner (and an all round decent chap as it happens) and I got to see him. He told me about runners who have died having run following serious viruses (great) and seeing as though that's not on my wish list we talked about what to do. He suggests that I don't run 18 miles on Saturday and give it another week to let this thing go. I am beginning to be really concerned. Easter Weekend is the time for most Marathon runners to start tapering down their runs. That's to say, you do your longest mileage then and begin to slowly reduce the distance you run. This is in preparation for the 26.2 miles on the 13th April. The rationale is that you have done enough training up until then and you just need time to recover and store glycogen for the big one. All sounds great except that I haven't run seriously for three weeks now. I haven't done enough long runs to even think about tapering. My Doctor has suggested I go back to see him next week and we make the decision about whether I can continue with training with completing the Marathon in mind, or I have to consider not doing it. This is really tough, really tough. People have sponsored me to the tune of nearly £1500 - that is just so amazing. But when I received the final information through the post from the Marathon organisers, they stress the importance of not running unwell, however much you want to.
There's the other angle, which is if I am well enough to pick up the training and complete the marathon, I won't be prepared enough with four weeks out and just four weeks to go and it is really, REALLY going to hurt!
But my spot on Doctor suggested a third possibility which is that I could, COULD return to training stronger than before because of all the rest! I don't quite believe this just yet but I am optimistic by nature and I'm going to believe that it will work out OK and Amy and I will run over that finish line. I'm off to do some positive visualisation - There, I can just see Paula ahead of me 'come on Jo' she says 'you're nearly there'!
The trainers? Fantastic!!!!

Hello Matilda !!!

2008-03-09T21:17:00.002Z

Ok, so on the down side I am still feeling rough, although I think I am getting better now ... I haven't run for 8 DAYS!!!! But on the brilliant side it was great to hear from Duncan (not great about the injury - crutches, that sounds terrible?) he has a bonny baby girl Matilda - born on the 8th - very best wishes Duncan, and to your wife (let's face it, she has completed her very own Marathon!) and lots of love to Matilda. How on earth are you going to continue your training with a new born in the house - respect to you.

I am mentally preparing for a run with Amy on Tuesday - probably just six or seven miles but I am concerned - is it too soon, am I well enough, will I remember how to run? But also excited about using my new trainers!

Night, night Matilda

Cough, cough, sneeze,blow ....

2008-03-06T20:41:00.002Z

OK, I'm not happy. Ruth you asked what I was going to do when this was all over. I'm questioning if I'm going to be able to do it at all. No, not really but I've been advised by my Doc not to do the 18 mile run Amy and I had planned for tomorrow, My cough and cold have really taken hold and my Doctor said that if I tried to do the run I could put my training schedule even further back. Actually, timing wise I'm sure it won't be a problem, and we still have plenty of time to get the last two long runs in - it just feels so weird not running.

I went to Runners World shop yesterday and got a new pair of trainers. I had to run on a treadmill and had my feet videoed! Then the lady analysed my running style and recommended different trainers according to how I run. I can't wait to get out and run in them, but wait I will have to do. So, I haven't got much else to write about. Tum- te-tum. Hopefully I'll be able to write soon that I have recovered and am pounding the streets once more.

Until then, Ruth keep going - running is fun, just the kick the endorphins give you is enough!

Would you describe the London Marathon as a 'fun run'?

2008-03-01T21:36:00.004Z

A simple yes or no is required to make my point. If you felt so moved to do so I would really appreciate if you could leave a comment and let me know, really, if, say, you were chatting to someone, a work colleague, someone in the queue at the post office or perhaps your sister, you would describe the London Marathon as a 'fun run' - I'm intrigued, that's all!

Anyway, moving on. Following 'that' run last week, we did a seven mile run on Tuesday and a six miler on Thursday.

This morning Amy and I joined Kevin, our Hospice coach, his friend Andy, Amanda (her husband Mervin joined us en route), John and Paul at the Tesco store in Brightlingsea. The plan was to run to the Tesco at Great Bentley, then through Frating, and Elmstead Market to the Tesco at Hythe and onto (via somewhere) to the Tesco at Greenstead. The entire distance was about 20 miles which was a little long for Amy and I. In our training plan we are due to run an 18 miler on Friday so we didn't want to overdue it today. So we stuck with 10 miles and ran with the group to Frating. It was really windy, AGAIN but I was much more sensible and did not freeze. It was really nice to run with the group and hear various valuable advice regarding sports gels, the marathon day etc. Kevin talked us through the final two weeks of preparation for the marathon (only 6 weeks away!!) that would include winding down the mileage. It really feels imminent now.

I do still have quite a cough and have taken advice from my running partner to not run now until Wednesday - this is tough but I don't want the cough to get worst or go to my chest and put the training out for longer. It's just too close to the big day for any serious illness. I'm drinking water like there's no tomorrow.

Nine months training, roughly 144 runs, culminating with a 26 mile run on April 13th - I wouldn't describe that as a fun run .... YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!

That was the hardest run I have done so far ..

2008-02-24T15:40:00.002Z

I have got a bit of a cough but I still judged that I would OK to do the 16 mile run with Amy yesterday morning. OK, it did follow a week of 17 miles run in total, two of those hard runs. And I did think it was time to start running in shorts - (I aim to run the marathon in shorts and a friend told me about a chaffing nightmare of a marathon she ran when she wore shorts for the first time, so I am keen to avoid this) .... AND I thought I could avoid running 7/8ths of the run with a sweatshirt around my waist by brunting the chilly start. You can tell I'm leading up to something. It was a really difficult run. It started OK, except perhaps for the fool hardy decisions described above. But even beginning the run I felt different, like a cat was sitting on my chest. I thought I just had to settle into the run. 16 miles is a long way you know and I find it takes me a little while to accept that that is the distance I am going to be running and calm down! The cat on my chest turned into, oh I don't know, a dog (I'm trying to communicate something of weight - nothing to do with type of animal!) and by 13 miles he had turned into a rhinoceros - no kidding! Added to this when we turned around a mile or so beyond Walton pier to head back to Clacton pier (and a little beyond) the wind hit us. Oh ..... my ...... gosh. That was really challenging. I couldn't hardly get any breath to my lungs and what little I could felt like it was being snatched away by the wind. AND it was really cold. My hands were so freezing i couldn't move them. When Amy handed me a yogurt covered strawberry I could barely hold it! The noise of the wind ... and we still had 8 miles to run! Amy had been trying to persuade me to try one of her gels. I had been avoiding these, preferring my trusty 50/50 oj/water and a pinch of salt and sultanas. I seemed to feel they were really dodgy, like some kind of performance enhancing drug! But I was keen to try any help so at 13 miles I took one - cherry flavour. It did really help. It didn't stop the wind but it gave me a real surge of resource, if that makes sense. I felt I could complete the run. My breathing didn't feel any easier but my sense of well being was fr better. Amy, very kindly gave me her gloves (she had to put them on me because I couldn't move my fingers!). I probably am labouring the point but, actually that is the perfect word, labour. It was such hard work. I wouldn't have completed it without Amy and we both spoke with such respect about those people who train for marathons on their own.
But we did finish and in 2 hours 37 mins which we were happy with. We were careful to dress warmly and then walk for a while and then stretch. This really helped in reducing the amount of stiffness later on.
After that run Amy had to put the finishing touches to her quiz night. I helped out with the scoring so was unable to take part with my team, 'Something amazing' (THANK YOU Jane, Peter, Mandy, Colin and Katherine). There were about 200 people there and the evening was a great success. I did a picture round about detectives that I was particularly proud of because it included 'Inch High Private Eye' - a favourite of mine! Amy made £1300 for the hospice last evening through the quiz - not bad after a 16 mile run in the morning.
Any one reading this feel like sponsoring me? Please go to my just giving page.
Cheers
Jo

The evening before a 16 miles run.

2008-02-22T20:53:00.002Z

.... So last week I was a little poorly for a couple of days. But I soon recovered and ran 10 miles on the Friday with Amy, followed by six on Sunday. Tuesday we ran a fast 5 miler which felt great. Last evening (Thursday) I joined the other Hospice runners, Amanda, Jo, Paul, Duncan, Alex and Kevin our trainer. I ran with Paul and Alex and boy, was that hard work. We only ran about 6 miles but at a faster pace than I'm used to. Although Paul kindly kept checking I was OK, I was determined to keep going and keep up with them. It did push me out of my comfort zone and there were times when I wasn't sure whether I could keep up with them, I was delighted to finish and know I had done a different sort of run. It was also great to hear about Paul's experience of the Marathon last year, and his reasons for doing it again this year.
Amanda and Jo are doing really well with their mileage, and their fundraising efforts.
Duncan's partner is expecting a baby next week and yet he remains focused on his training too. It really helps meeting up and hearing about everyone's training experiences and what motivates them for this 'marathon' task.
On Saturday 1st March the group are going to run from Tesco to Tesco via a specific route outlined by Kevin. We will start at 9 am in Brightlingsea and see where we get to. The aim is to combine a long run with some fundraising.
Talking about fundraising, Amy has a quiz night planned for tomorrow night at Great Bentley Community Centre. It's £3.50 per person to take part and promises to be a really good night. She has worked really hard to secure some fantastic raffle prizes and has invested a lot of time and planning to make it a really succesful event.

Tomorrow morning at 8.30am Amy and I will be running 16 miles along the Clacton, Frinton front. I was a little worried at seeing 'windy' on the forecast - windy inland is one thing - on the front at Clacton is quite a different thing! If only it would change direction with us!
I received confirmation of where we are staying the night before the Marathon today and this starts to make it all very real.

To change subject for a bit, I attended a study day today at Trinity Hospice, Clapham. It was run by the Creative Response, a sub group of the British Association of Art Therapists, representing Art Therapists working in Specialist Palliative Care. When I began writing this blog, part of the reason was to discuss art therapy at the Hospice. However, I have found this difficult to do. I am so mindful of the individuals I see and of respecting their therapeutic space that talking directly about my practice as an art therapist seemed too problematic. Today's study day was focused on the role of audit in art therapy and led to some really interesting discussions about how we as a profession share and communicate about what it is we do. The other day Tim, our IT guy said he had been reading the numerous articles about art therapy on our office wall. He admitted that he hadn't realised that art therapy was a formal pshychotherapeutic intervention. I feel passionately about my job and day in and day out I see how it helps individuals express and process their feelings about their diagnosis/possible death. Today's study day helped to explore ways in which my experience in the art room with a client can be communicated to others without compromising confidentiality. This needs thinking further about and a long run is ideal for that - role on tomorrow morning!

Didn't go running tonight.

2008-02-12T21:01:00.000Z

Well, although I did compose a blog last Wednesday (6th Feb) I didn't have time to complete it and so i saved it - can i find a way to publish it now? No. Does it really matter? Actually no.
So, since the half marathon, Amy and I ran 14 miles on Saturday. This felt great, it was light and bright and we were unexpectedly accompanied by my friends Jane, Peter and little Teddy-Edward for a while. Jane has just started running herself and it was a real pick-me-up to see them. Edward appeared to enjoy being pushed along in his pushchair whilst his Dad set the pace!
We were taken aback a bit by the sun on that run. It was actually quite warm. You would think that i would be struggling with ham string strain, or shin splints but do you know what I am struggling with the most at the moment? Sore and I mean, really sore, on fire, dry and cracked lips! I wouldn't mention it except for the fact that no-one else in any running magazine or book has ever mentioned it that I think it's therefore worth mentioning. I have tried lots of different products including a bizarre looking ointment a local chemist recommended that looks more like insect reppellant and burnt like crazy - I am DELIGHTED to say that I have found relief in Blistex and reccommend this to anyone.
I was supposed to be going out for a 7 mile run tonight but have decided not to - I was quite unwell yesterday and although I have made the decision in the past to run when not tip-top, tonight it feels different and intuition suggests I miss a run - it's not going to make too much difference and I have to be sensible.
We met with the other Hospice runners last week, Jo, Amanda, Duncan, Paul and Kevin our trainer. I enjoyed running with Amanda who amazed me with the number of injuries she has suffered and come back from - really inspirational.
In the saved post I couldn't work out how to publish I waffled on about the unexpected sense of support from individuals that gives one a really good feeling. Sara and Ruth's comments, Linda (Molly and Harry), Flisan, Chrustine and Doug all helped me get out last Wednesday to do a relatively short run of 4 miles that I was struggling to do.
Richard from 'Clear To See' (www.cleartosee.co.uk) printed my running shirt with this blog site and just giving page, free of charge. This all matters.
There's not long to go now before the big one - Amy and I are going to do a 16 mile, 18 mile, and a 20 mile before the marathon - intersrpesed with 10 miles and three shorted runs in the week - I'm thinking of it in terms of 'three sleeps before the big day' - that makes sense to me.
So Ruth, have you got a just giving page for your run?
Jo

Ok, that was a windy half marathon!

2008-02-03T21:24:00.000Z

Amy and I are deighted to have completed our first half marathon this morning in a personal best of two hours and 11 minutes! And we didn't stop once! It was really, REALLY cold and really, REALLY windy but it felt fantastic! The atmosphere was nerve wracking but friendly and we met and chatted to a few people on the way. There was a chap called Steph, who i see running in Brightlingsea. He is in his eighties and runs lots of marathons ! We met two girls called Becky and Sarah who only started running about a year ago and are doing really well. And then there was the lady who was almost repeating 'cake, cake' in a mantra like fashion to get her through the last few miles!
The individuals running (817 in total) were of all different shapes and sizes but the common denominator was that we all got up this morning with a committment to run 13.2 miles.
I had my trusty porridge for breakfast and took some sultanas in case i got hungry but I didn't. Three oj's + water + pinch salt and tried taking water from the water stations - this seriously requires practise - well you try drinking while running!
I felt great running especially when I realised that we had been running for over an hour when it felt like 20 minutes. The run organisors mark each mile out so it's easy to count down the miles. OK, we weren't the fastest (number 1 chap completed the race an hour (!) faster than us!) but we weren't the slowest either and lets face it the main point was to test our ability out and run for 2 hours and 11 minutes without stopping is really encouraging at this stage of our training.
My husband ran the race as well, by way of suporting my efforts and made an excellent time of 1:45. It was great to see his encouraging smile at the finish line. But we wouldn't have been able to do this if our daughters godmother hadn't offered to have her for the morning - oh and cook us a cracking Sunday lunch as well. Thank you Elaine, that was really, REALLY appreciated. AND you sponsered me as well!
So that feels like a real milestone achieved. Now, every weekend long runs has to increase by a mile at a time until we get to our longest run of 20 miles before we start to taper down in preparation for the Marathon - and that is only two and half months away!
I have been really impressed with people at work and how they have supported me and sponsered me - it really matters.
Looking forward to joining the Hospice runners this Thursday and Kevin our coach.
Speak to you soon.

Under a week to the half Marathon!

2008-01-28T08:28:00.000Z

Ok, so in a weeks time we will have run the Great Bentley half marathon! Just writing that is strange, it seems it was only a little while ago that Amy and I were struggling to run once around Great Bentley Green! Ruth (your comments make me laugh so much and how terrifying to turn one's computer on at work only to find that someone (?) has put 30 or so copies of the photo of me running on the screen! Anyway, Ruth your tentative beginnings as a runner are spot on - you are doing it safely and it won't be long till you are doing a half marathon - seriously - the rate of increase of fitness is staggering and really encouraging - that's the best thing about running. Plus there are no gym fee's, you only need to splash out on a decent pair of trainers - you can go anytime that suits you - you're out in the fresh air - you can choose to run by yourself and 'think/run things through' (I like doing this for half my runs) or run with someone else and talk non-stop (I like doing this for the other half of my runs). It isn't all wonderful - I have to say that I really struggled driving to Amy's to do the 12 miler on Saturday - I just wasn't looking forward to running for two hours + around Great Bentley - but once we got started it went really well. The thing that really, really helps is knowing that that money is trickling in - I had an anonymous donation of £100!!!! Unbelievable! That REALLY helps and motivates me.
I am about to start a Monday at work, and this is why I'm running for the Hospice. The clients I work for and the colleagues I work with.
Anyway, more about the training later.

Two weeks to the half marathon ..

2008-01-21T08:31:00.000Z

Amy and I completed our first 12 mile run yesterday. Running between Clacton and Walton, almost pier to pier (we can't wait to achieve that). It was really mild yesterday and incredibly windy on the return run but it felt great. I was grateful that I ran out of time for the hill training I was supposed to do the day before. Yesterday, we went in the afternoon which is a little out of routine and this meant that food intake needed to be carefully considered. I know what you must be thinking, isn't that a little obsessive but really it makes such a difference to your experience of running. What you eat before a run is crucial! So I played safe and had a bowl of porridge at lunch time. This was fine. I had a pouch full of sultanas (great tip Kevin) but didn't need any. I did run out of fluid - two bottles of 50/50 OJ and water wasn't enough so I need to consider taking 3. It was so mild we took our sweatshirts off and left them thinking they would Ok for our return run - however sadly Amy's really cool top was stolen - strangely they left my cheap as chips, slightly torn sweatshirt!
I find myself thinking about dogs and, probably more to the point, dog owners! There seems to be such a difference in attitude of these people! Some spot you running towards them a long way off, call their dog to them, hold them while you pass and continue, with a warm, and sometimes sympathetic hello. You can see that I'm building to something ... last run Amy and I were running towards two little boys on bikes with a dodgy looking dog running towards us - this is probably a good time to add that I am running with a real animal lover and a knowledgeable dog identifier - this is very useful in such situations as Amy immediately identifies the 'make' of dog, it's rough age and whether friendly or not. However this did not stop me feeling a little panicked and I have to admit, cross with the owner who was miles away. Actually the dog was OK - but it may not have been! Sarah told us at the training evening that she had been bitten twice by a dog whilst running and left on the pavement! Anyway - what is my point? Well, I suppose I just wish dog owners could be a little more considerate as probably most of them are actually. It's just the odd one or two added to which I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to loose dogs on a run! OK, rant over - feel like an episode of 'grumpy old women'.
So, this week, a hill training session, a six miles and a run with the training group. Have a good week!
Jo

Time for a review of training

2008-01-16T11:39:00.000Z

Morning! Having attended the first meeting with some of the other individuals who are also training for the marathon for the Hospice (hello Clare, Amanda, Jo, Pauland Duncan (thanks for the support Duncan) Amy and I are reviewing our training shcedule. We based ours on one someone else put together and learned from Kevin who is going to accompany us all on our training programmes that our mileage during the week is too high. On the one hand this was great to hear as it was getting difficult to fit the ever increasing length of time the runs took into the week. However, now we have to consider hill training and tempo runs - so less time but harder work! Our long runs are going well and the 11 miler on saturday felt great. We are going to run the half marathon in a couple of weeks in Great Bentley and should be up to 12 miles by then.
I have to admit to being a little distracted whilst I am writing this and will probably continue this another time. Tim, our IT man at the Hospice, set this blog site up for me because I really know very little about such things. He and his wife and little boy have had a baby girl very early and I am thinking of them and send them lots and lots and lots of congratulations, love and best wishes xxxxxxxxx.

To run or not to run...

2008-01-09T10:06:00.000Z

I have got a cough. You probably think that means I have taken a break from the training as my sensible co-runner Amy was advised and indeed did do. However, when preparing for the long run on Sunday I kept asking myself 'do you feel unwell' and the answer was no. It was quite a dilemma - to run and end up feeling worse or to take a break and recover. In the end I decided to run (of course!). As I mentioned before, my husband agreed to run with me in Amy's absence and this was brilliant except that he was on-call and, at two miles was called and took half an hour dealing with an issue at work. My body temperature drops quite quickly and it was a little chilly Sunday morning so I spent 1/2 an hour trying to keep warm, using the opportunity to stretch etc and trying not to get too despondent about there still being 8 MILES TO RUN! Nevertheless it was beautifully sunny and we had a great a run. I do think I made the right decision as I have felt OK since.
Amy is back on track and we did our short run of 5 miles last night. She was relieved to find that even with an 8 day break she had not forgotten how to run and in fact felt physically really good.
We have got our first Hospice Marathon Meeting this Thursday where we will meet all the other bizarre, I mean great people who are training to run the London Marathon to raise funds for the Hospice - can't wait. Although I am grateful to be doing two of the four weekly runs with Amy, it can be an isolating experience so it will be good to meet up with others.
Now, that reminds me - here I am merrily writing this blog thinking that maybe my friend, cat or coffee mug will read it from time to time when I find out that, for instance ... and I'm not going to protect anyone's identity here - RUTH ELLAM - MUSIC THERAPIST at ST HELENA HOSPICE reads it regularly. Don't get me wrong, I am delighted and thank her for her interest. I only mention it because I would really appreciate it if you, Ruth would leave a comment - just a 'hello'?
I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to Lindsey who organised an Art Auction at the Railway Tavern in Brightlingsea and donated £25 towards the Hospice. Thank you so much and I know that you are also training for the London Marathon so I am really grateful.
OK, so it's Wednesday and I have to fit in an 8 and a 7 mile run before the first 11 miler on Saturday - here goes .....

It's a New Year

2008-01-04T21:00:00.000Z

Thank you to Paul and Helen for donating your £15 on my Just giving page - this really means a lot. I get a real buzz knowing that something I'm doing is potentially encouraging people to give their hard earned money for the Hospice - and I don't know any rich people! And that buzz translates into motivation for getting out and running. I really, REALLY did not want to run last night. I did my 7 miles on New Years day and had a six to do last evening - but the actual putting on of the trainers was painfully 'oh no!!' but it went OK. My running partner, Amy has been laid up with a rotten cough by Docs orders - apparently new research questions the old view that if you were poorly from the neck up you could run as opposed to the neck down (IE head cold versus chest cough) when you shouldn't. Amy's Doc says 'Cold or cough - no run for a week' - Amy is really disappointed and is out of the long run at the weekend. I was being quite brave thinking I could do it anyway on my own but am delighted that my husband is going to accompany me - we were due to step up from 10 to 11 miles but I'm saving that milestone (honestly, that's how each incremental increase of mileage feels) for when Amy is back on board. So, Amy - get well soon. Brilliantly, she is not wasting her time and is instead, working out her fundraising ideas for her sponsorship for the Hospice.
Anyway, I have 5 miles to do in the morning which I'm looking forward to - short distance + daylight + seawall = happy me!

10 miles on a very windy morning ...

2007-12-29T20:48:00.000Z

Amy and I did our long run this morning. The first five miles were really hard - we were on the coast and it was extremely windy. This was not fun!But when we turned around it was great as the wind, obviously was right behind us!
Part of the training is working out what sort of nutrition we need and what to take during the run. This kind of detail could be quite boring but it starts to become really important whether a half a banana taken at five miles helps or hinders! For fluid I am using a mix of orange juice and water with a pinch of salt, a sort of home made isotonic drink. Amy very kindly gave me a running belt for Christmas which stores all of these essentials.
Christine asked in one of the comments whether it was better to run in rain or cold (I think - I haven't figured out how to access the comments whilst putting together a post). Personally I don't mind either. I would be concerned if the Marathon falls on a really hot day, and obviously strong wind can be hampering.
One thing I have been surprised at is the speed with which my body temperature drops following a run. I get cold really quickly and struggle to warm up again. Is this about blood going to muscles? Is anyone out there medically minded and can let me know?
I haven't been at work for a week and will return on Monday - in specialist palliative care, a lot can change in a week and I wonder how the patients and their families have experienced their Christmas's.
This week is the last 10, 7, 6, and 5 mile runs and the long run creeps up to 11 next week. We are hoping to run a half marathon on the 3rd February in preparation so we need to be able to run 13 miles by then. There has to be a balance of not increasing mileage too quickly and yet getting the time spent running increased enough. I have been niggled by a lower back pain but was relieved when I went to a sports physiotherapist to find out that it is not a 'mechanical' fault (!) but more to do with 'core body strength' (or lack of) which I can sort out. Interestingly, this was exactly what our physiotherapist at the Hospice, Kimberley, told me when I first mentioned it to her!
It's the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 this week - any news years resolutions?

Christmas is the time for giving ...

2007-12-23T21:42:00.001Z

It's the evening before Christmas Eve and I wanted to waffle on a bit about money if that's OK. The main aim for running the London Marathon for St Helena Hospice is to raise as much money for the organisation as possible. As I have said before I have worked at the Hospice for five years and am amazed at the service it offers individuals and families facing a life threatening illness and death. I am even more amazed how much of the cost of this service has to be found through fundraising. It is through the generosity of the general public and the many volunteers who support the Hospice that it continues to be able to provide the quality of care that it does.
I am delighted to say that, thanks to 'jessie' and 'Sigmund Floyd' (!) I have raised £52.20 through my 'just giving page' - what a great start. I should also like to thank Mandy and Pauline and Denis who have sponsored me £20 each.
In December I took part in two events, one was an art exhibition and the other a Christmas Fayre and through these events raised almost £500 for the Hospice.
This really matters and helps enormously when it is freezing cold and I have to go out for my runs. They don't call that jog in the park on April 13th a marathon for nothing - the commitment necessary for the training is a marathon in and of itself. Getting out to do four runs a week takes some doing and to know that a steady trickle of money is coming in for the Hospice just makes it make sense. This week the four runs are a 7, a 6, a 5 and a long run of 10 miles, oh yes .... and it's Christmas!
I am committed but please, please if you are reading this, pop over to the justgiving page and make a donation. The thing about working at the Hospice is that it isn't about working with those people over there with a life threatening diagnosis. 'Those people' were you and me just getting on with their lives when, one day they were given some dreadful news and their life took a completely different journey. The money you donate will just help them navigate that journey a little easier, that's all.
Anyway, as I prepare for a 7 miler tomorrow morning, have a really lovely Christmas.

What a beautiful day it was ....

2007-12-17T08:38:00.000Z

Another week, another 25 miles but not easily gained. Amy (my running partner) and I are running two runs together a week and two on our own. At the moment this involves two six milers, one three and the long run of ten. It's so funny to think that at one point three miles was our longest run and that wasn't so long ago.
Unfortunately, or rather fortunately I was finally able to use the vouchers for Aquasprings that I was kindly given during my maternity leave from work. Friday I spent being pampered and this included an hour aromatherapy massage. Lovely ... except that Saturday morning when I was supposed to be picking Amy up for the long run I couldn't get up, I was so relaxed still! This meant we postponed the long run until Sunday afternoon. It couldn't have worked out better as the weather was brilliant, cold but bright and sunny with no wind. Along the Clacton front was so beautiful and as we headed back from Frinton to Clacton we watched the sun dip. It was a fantastic run and we felt re-assured again that our training is going OK.
Work is very busy. the Hospice is having the last in its series of Light up a Life events this evening at Myland Hall. These have been very succesful and provide an opportunity for families to remember their loved one at this special time of year.
As an Art therapist in speciallist palliative care I work with both children and adults, in pre-bereavement work, palliative care, and bereavment. I work indiviually and with groups. The main principle of the work is that sometimes thoughts and feelings that struggle to be put into words can find expression in pictures and the art making process. Since having my daughter I reduced my days to two and my colleague Flisan now works here for the other two.
Anyway, hope everyone who might (?) read this is well. Thank you for the comments - very supportive. But Jane, you didn't mention how your running was going. I know you've just started?!

First of many ....

2007-12-12T11:24:00.000Z

Hello. Well this is the first post of this journey. I am running the London Marathon on Sunday 13th April for St Helena Hospice. I haven't done this sort of thing before, keeping a blog or running a Marathon for that matter so I'm not sure if there is any etiquette or correct way of doing it. So my aim is to update the blog once or twice a week and maybe inform people who may be interested about my work as an Art Therapist in Specialist Palliative Care, the work of St Helena Hospice and my training for a 26 (+) mile run.
The first thing I want to say is that I work with adults facing a life limiting illness and their families and I will NOT under any circumstances be writing about these individuals. I take my work extremely seriously and the respect I have for confidentiality will not be compromised. However, I can talk in general about working as an Art Therapist.
The training? Well, I started seriously in the early autumn and have just completed this weekend the first 10 mile long run! I am training with a friend who is also running for St Helena Hospice. We were blown about, rained upon and unsure how we would feel but ended feeling elated at our completion of the 10 (we had previously run 8). We are running roughly four times a week, with a combination of long runs and shorter faster ones.
So, can I please invite you to comment upon my postings. That way I can respond to what thoughts you may have or questions. As I have said I haven't done this before so will really be playing it by ear. It goes without saying, actually isn't that a tautology - it really does need saying - the main reason I am doing any of this is to raise money for St Helena Hospice to support the fantastic work they do for patients and their families.