Week 9

Half way!

We’ve reached week 9 which means we are officially half way through our training programme. This weekend we are running the Sussex Beacon Brighton Half Marathon with another 4798 runners and doing (obviously) exactly half the distance of the marathon so we’re on track! This week we had to run a longer distance midweek which seemed a bit scarey – we ran 7 miles on the Wednesday but it actually wasn’t too bad at all – I think after the week before battling in all that wind and rain, it made this week seem quite pleasant. This week was also a step back week – slightly reducing the mileage to make sure we are ready for the following week. 10 miles on Sunday and it was a really lovely day – what a difference it makes – we ran along the seafront in the opposite direction this time towards Brighton which meant there was a fair bit of weaving round dog walkers, and inline skaters.

We are slightly apprehensive about next weekend in ‘race’ conditions but I think we’ll just have to treat it like a regular training run.

Oh, and we featured on the Moo blog this week – look here.

Total miles this week: 20

Lessons learnt: That actually I think we really are improving.

Week 8

Ok, my turn to write the blog again for this week – I think the novelty has worn for Zo.

Ok, week 8 – phew! It’s not been a good one on the weather front. Our mid week 5 mile run was very frustrating – against the wind all the way out which meant no energy to run back particularly quickly. You do feel good once you’ve battled against the elements though I must say – even though a little wind-burnt! We have managed to train a full week this week though which helped.

On Saturday I bought my trainers that I’ll actually be running in for the marathon – it’s apparently about just the right time in the training to make sure they are worn in enough – Zoe not to be outdone also bought another pair – just so you know, due to Zoe’s ‘perfect/neutral’ running style she gets through 2 pairs of trainers to my 1. You would have thought that it would be the other way round wouldn’t you! We bought our trainers from the lovely chaps at Run in Blatchington Road, Hove – so big thanks to Fred who is always so patient with our daft questions.

For our long run on Sunday this week we were dropped off in Littlehampton and ran home. It didn’t seem achievable at the time to be perfectly honest with the howling wind and it just seemed so far away! 12 miles was the distance. It was really hard and in fact not that enjoyable because of the conditions – it just blew your legs all over the place and put extra strain on the the joints and the patience! We did it though! We experiemented with a Lucozade gel at 6 miles which seemed to do the trick giving us an extra energy boost – weird consistency but tasted ok.

My hip joints are a little bit achey today (Tuesday) so tonight’s run should be interesting.

Total miles this week: 23

Lessons learnt: Find an inland route on an extremely windy day as running on the seafront is just silly – not only do you end up having a hair style similar to a back combed eighties throw back, but it just makes you a bit grumpy and very tired!

Week 7

Hurrah, I finally get to right the blog having prised Em away from the keyboard!!

Week 7 has been a slap back to reality with a combination of jet lag, returning to work and not having run properly for almost 2 weeks. The 3 miles on Tuesday and 5 miles on Wednesday almost caused a visit to a scientific research institute to see if our legs had actually turned to granite. Fortunately the 10 miles today (yes we are into double figures!) confirmed that this wasn’t the case and on marathon day we may actually make it further than Jade Goody.

I personally think that the best training strategy is be allowed full paid leave from work by your boss in order to concentrate on marathon training. Maureen has mentioned that you are monitoring our progress Julie so if you could pass on this handy hint I would be very grateful. Unfortunately Em is her own boss and is so indecisive she may not have made her mind up until after the marathon.

Quick thanks to Erica and Ken for dropping us 10 miles away from home today so we could run back. I think they were hoping we wouldn’t make it or get lost along the course amongst all the wood on the Worthing beaches.

Total miles this week: 18

Lessons learnt: Don’t run on the sea front on a sunny Sunday lunch time as tripping incidents with zig zaging dogs could put pay to your marathon hopes.

Week 5 and 6

Weeks 5 and 6 were a cross training frenzy!

Basically, we went snowboarding for 10 days and a day on the snowboard doesn’t leave any energy or leg stamina whatsoever (at our level) for a run in the evening.

Phew! Also our apartment block’s lift was broken so loads of stair climbing too.

We did take one day off the slopes and spent an hour each on the one and only treadmill in the hotel. It is a bit daunting deviating from the schedule I must say as we were hoping to follow it religiously. Looking at various forums on Running World though lots of people say to ditch the trainers or leave them at home at least if you go skiing or snowboarding as the cross training is really valuable. I’m hoping they’re right!

A total of 10 k for the week and loads and loads of cross training.

The lessons learnt this week – a week and a half of snowboarding is good cross training. Treadmills in ski resorts don’t seem to be used much!

Week 4

Week 4 and come and gone and we have encountered our first flurry of illness!

This is not in the schedule so is quite daunting. I (Emma) had a head cold which meant I had to miss out on a 3 mile run at the beginning of the week and Zoe now has a chest infection which meant that she had to miss out on Saturdays 9 mile long run – she was not pleased. It’s really difficult to mentally get over the disappointment about missing out on a run and you almost want to force yourself to go out regardless so you can stick to the schedule but health is more important. Hopefully Zoe should be back to fitness again next week.

Week 5 will be done on a treadmill as we are off snowboarding – so cross-training galore!!

Emma – A total of 16 miles for the week.

Zoe – A total of 10 miles for the week.

The lessons learnt this week – eat healthily, start taking zinc supplements to boost the immune system and preferably try not to work in a hospital! Oh, and jelly babies are really good half way through a long 9 mile run!

Week 3

Well, this week was quite a tough one, not in distance terms but just because of the over indulgence that is ‘Christmas Week’. We were out on Christmas Day up in Nottingham before a very large and lovely Christmas Dinner. Dawn and Peter mapped out a 3 mile run for us around Calverton and off we went. All I can say is that Shoreham is obviously a bit flatter! A nice 3 mile turned into gradual never ending hills, which bought on some grimaces and wheezing…but once finished we thought what a good idea it had been to include some hills and felt quite pleased with ourselves that we had stuck to the plan and completed our Christmas Day run.

Boxing Day was a little different – we had driven back down to Shoreham and made it back in time for lunch, so we decided that the Boxing Day run should be after dinner and before the ‘just as enormous’ tea. Today’s run was 4 miles and it felt like 7, but again we were pleased we did it. The Christmas pudding nearly re-appeared after 2 miles but we soldiered on.

Saturday’s long run of 5 miles was a good one – into a gusting wind on the way out but turned into a nice cooling breeze on the way back.

A total of 15 miles for the week.

The lesson learnt this week – all the research and written books on a ‘good running’ diet is all true – Yorkshire Pudding and an overflowing bowl of gorgeous Christmas Pudding with cream isn’t necessarily good running fuel!

One thing I wanted to mention is we have become very aware of drivers in cars needing to toot at runners – why?? We’ve noticed this for a few months now but still don’t know quite why?

Is it the fact that they are simply encouraging the fact that we are out running and they think that that is very worthy?

Is it they are fellow runners and tooting to signify their commaradery?

Or is it simply the lycra?

I don’t understand it and although I would be pleased if it were the supporting – basically it just makes you jump!! Anyone reading this – please try not to toot at runners – their hearts are already at quite a strain and an extra palpatation just won’t help – thanks.

Week 2

Week 2 was almost completed – just missing Thursday’s 3 mile run because of a band rehearsal and we just simply could not squeeze in a half hour run in between eating dinner and then rocking out to sweet child ‘o mine and 20th century boy!

We still completed the 7 mile run on Saturday though – just – we had about 2 hours after setting up the band at the harbour club, sound check and then showered and changed and ready to start at 9pm for a 3 hour set – phew!

A total of 13 miles for the week.

2 weeks down – 16 to go.

Week 1

Well we’ve completed or first weeks training!! Gulp.

A total of 15 miles for the week.

We’re following Hal Higdon’s novice schedule which was recommended by a fellow runner.
We’ve also got our new fundraising page up on Just Giving so that we can raise lots of cash for BAAF (the British Association of Adoption and Fostering).

We’re still walking after the first week which is a bonus and only one blister so far (touching lots of wood). Everyone has been very supportive and we’re determined to stick to our schedule come ran or shine. So far we’ve already had both!