Last long training run completed

My incentive for getting out of bed early was not limited to just eating chocolate for the rest of the day...although this was appealing.

The weather first thing was beautiful and crisp, blue skies and just the birdsong chorus.

My preparation of the water carrier overnight was not a sensible plan however as no sooner did I start running but the sloshing started.....air had clearly decided to sneak back in.   After a quick stop to sort this out, I was on my way.

A steady run with not a huge amount to really report on.   I would love to say I saw a few Easter bunnies but I would be lying.... (Sorry Kids).

My playlist was on shuffle and at Bridge 137 I was a treated to Black Lace - "Do the Conga!" - a classic disco anthem which made me laugh out loud.  Such a ridiculous song and so incongruous to my surroundings at the time -  I was staring at a huge hills to either side and the muddy tow path ahead.   Also - imagine doing the Conga around the VLM?....I suspect someone already has.

Did have a stop and walk briefly at mile 20 as my left outer knee was feeling particularly tight....hopefully not the start of the dreaded IT Band issue again but after a good stretch out and a gentler pace, I made it home in one piece.

My darling #2 had made marshmallow Krispy cakes yesterday so I smashed one of those into myself upon entry home, had quick bath and then straight back out for Easter lunch and the Egg hunt. 

Pleased with my morning effort and now really looking forward to the challenge of completing the biggie in 20 days time!

Running number is through!

It's official!   My running number for London has been confirmed, along with the details of how to get to the ExCel in London and collect it.   After which,I pretty much have to guard the thing with my life, as it sounds like I will then feel like I have won the last GOLDEN TICKET....

A relatively easy week of runs - did an 10 km trail on Wednesday which I loved but two days later my little calf muscle on the left decided that it did not. 😟

I have rested it since and also massaged it with the odd squirt of gel, ice pack and a few ibuprofen tabs and it has improved to allow a gentle 4.5km run this afternoon.

Went for a lovely walk up towards the Darren yesterday instead of a run and met up with a few friends...

then spent the rest of the day finalising and baking the dough that had been proving since Thursday night.    Worth it though - the kitchen smelt divine.

Being the elite athlete I now am, I tested one with copious amounts of butter and in the evening, popped out to see friends and re-hydrate with Gin....    A good days work :)

Hangover 20.....

What I forgot to mention in my last post was how rough I felt upon waking up at Jans, after the successful fundraising event on Friday night.   A night of sipping gin and going to bed at 2am was not the best preparation for a long run on Saturday.   (I even had to go back to bed for 40 winks at Jan's before feeling well enough to drive home...)

Anyway, once home, my nearest and dearest (who without his support and understanding I could never achieve my training goals) kindly took the children off out and I headed out for the PUNISHMENT run.   I figured that the poor sleep (which I am likely to experience the night before the big race anyway) would act as a good measure of how I might react on the big day...not to mention coping with dehydration.

Water pack filled....I headed out.

I had a sheepish audience on the way.....much how I felt at the Mile 5 mark :(

Later, in my hangover haze, I noticed some signs saying, "FOOTPATH CLOSED - DO NOT PROCEED - DANGER OF DEATH" around the Llanfoist area but at this point, I was buggered if I was going to add extra miles to my route home by being forced to detour back on myself so I carefully proceeded whilst looking up.....

Sure enough - the danger was pretty real as electricity cables were being reeled in on these huge suspended wheels.....I sped up to get past quickly and tried not to look more stupid than I already felt as at one point, I do recall thinking about the chances of being fried by a rogue wire.

Mile 17 - probably the nearest I have ever been to try running and vomiting at the same time but I ploughed on and nibbled on a banana and carried on sipping gentle amounts of water which seemed to help.

Ended up doing 33 km (I think just over 20 miles); tired but still able to move and much easier run than last week in the snow.   

A Good Friday before Good Friday!

Friday 23rd was a fab day of fundraising!

First off a cake and Easter egg raffle in work where BGCBC colleagues again donated their weekend pocket money, helping raise a total of £107.75.

Later that night, my dear friend Jan kindly hosted a Bingo night and between the "house" shouts, raffle prizes, homemade cards and sales of free range eggs, we managed to raise an additional £268 so a total of £375.75 raised on the day which has helped me get ever closer to the magical fundraising target of £2,000.

I have been humbled by the sheer generosity of those who have been able to contribute towards my funding target and can guarantee that every penny donated really does spur me on when the legs start their screaming! (usually around the 18 mile mark).

At last check - the total now stands at £1,702.73 :) 

Beast from East v Chick from Crick

I was disappointed but not surprised to see the decision to cancel the San Domenico 20 mile race yesterday and the weather forecast was again correct.

VLM training stops for no woman however, so at 0830 this morning, I roused myself out of my lovely warm bed and pulled back the curtains to view the street and again the white stuff was covering the road and swirling around in windy puffs.

I had to try and get a long run in today and my mission was to hit the 20 mile mark so after a quick banana and a glass of water and getting my stuff ready, I was prepared.

The wind chill was offering a free skin exfoliation which was a nice touch I felt...

It supposed to be Spring......god knows what weather to expect on the 22nd April this year.

I started to flag considerably towards the end of my run back which given that I didn't really have breakfast, is no surprise but after smashing another frozen banana into me, I started to feel a little better.

Finally made it home and even better, my lovely in-laws had booked a table at The Bear for lunch so after a hurried stretch and quick bath, I was back out to walk into town for roast dinner and a G&T.  20 miles in the bag done.  👊

Springy morning run

It is probably rare that one wakes from sleep and actually looks forward to a 50 min run but I must admit that this strange phenomenon did occur this morning!   I usually have to peel myself away from my drool infested pillow and dress with my eyes closed but I think the brighter mornings are finally starting to make a difference.

 This little lot were having a right old party when I jogged past - again, I did stop to have a little chat.

Its a shame my camera has no zoom but the lamb in the middle is actually air-borne!

The joys of finally seeing some colour.   

Lovely slow recovery run after my longer miles on Saturday - my legs and joints benefited from a few days rest too.

Six weeks tomorrow!!

I cannot believe how the weeks are now on serious countdown until April 22nd.

I have been back on track (not literally as I am not a fan of the circular nasty) but I have managed to follow the plan this week for my morning wake up calls and run sessions. 

This morning was a long 19 miler which I started at Theatre Brycheiniog thanks to my lovely nearest and dearest dropping me off and I was sporting my blinged up training vest too.

As I set off, it then decided to hammer down with rain, pretty much for the duration of my journey.

I felt I connected with the forlorn solitary swan just after setting off...the rain drops were huge and the canal was more like a XC course. My poor new road trainers were NOT happy.

Coming in towards Pencelli - the River Usk below the canal was loud and rising fast due to recent snowfall and thaw.

The canal just outside Talybont resembled Wonka's Chocolate lake...again due to huge amounts of muddy run off coursing into the waterway.   

Some ickle twin lambs....I had to stop for a quick chat.

From previous experience, the above walk in Talybont is worth doing, especially when Spring is under way.  

Llangynidr Locks around mid way in the run.

 

I stopped at the above point to try the peanut stuffed dates I had made and packed into my rucksack....sadly they resembled small pellet turds by the time I fished them out.   They tasted good and didn't create havoc with my stomach but note to self - leave these in the fridge at home for next post-runs.

Nearly home!!!  My legs laughed at the speed sign....

River Usk at Crickhowell looking like Wonka's Chocolate Lake too by the time I crossed back over.

Finally made it home.