I run because...

I didn't start running because it was an extension of who I already was. Yep, I used to be better at running at school, because I have an ingrained fear of balls being thrown at my head, but I was fat when I started running. I was unmotivated. I was down in the dumps. I had low self-esteem. I was overweight and it was hard. It wasn't the most fun. I 'couldn't run for a bus', as they all say. I couldn't see ahead and picture myself running races, let alone marathons and ultras.

It hurt me when I first started running marathons (emotionally) and for a few years later, when marathon blokes would make comments about my weight. I'd come a long, long way, but I still wasn't what you'd call 'athlete thin'. I didn't necessarily look like a runner. I wasn't skinny, And yet, I was running long distances. It didn't make sense to some. So, I got little comments, mainly from male runners. They didn't mean to hurt or offend. I know that. But it did hurt and offend. I'm not an 'offended person', by the way. But I've come a long way and that's what some people don't see. I lost a lot of weight before I ever started running and before they ever knew me. I will always have a saggy stomach, unless I get surgery. I will always have flappy underarms. I always will have some loose skin. I'll never be one of those super-toned types. You all look amazing though, you super-toned types :)

My record got broken this week, which I'm all good about. Records are made to be broken and I truly believe that. Otherwise, what is the point in them? I was only ever in the right pace at the right time, at the right age. I didn't know all too much about marathon running or the running circuit before I became involved in it. I just saw all those '10 marathons in 10 days' runners and got inspired by some amazing 100 Marathon Club members and vowed to be like them. I did.  I just ran a lot of races. But, what will never be broken is the fact that I have run lots of ultras and marathons and challenged myself. That will always exist and I'm really proud of it. I want to challenge myself more. I know so many amazing runners who I aspire to be like. You know who you are. I have met many of you who have done some fantastic things.

I went to an 'interview technique' session the other week and I realised how bad I am at selling myself. I could have been in Runners World etc. haha, but I never have been. I love running for the sake of running, for the way it makes me feel, for the sense of self it gives me. Most of all, I like the feeling you get from knowing you have travelled so far on your own two feet. How awesome is that? You should probably have used a car, but you got there with your own two feet. I also like running at night, in ultras, when the world is asleep and you're still moving forwards.

Just some thoughts I decided to write down on this Good Friday. Have a lovely, long weekend everyone.

New Year, new adventures.

So here we are in a new year. And I get to thinking about new adventures more than ever...despite the fact that I’m always looking for them anyway. Where will I travel this year? Where will I live and where will I work? I’m still working on these three questions and they all need answers. This is the year for stability. I need to find a place of my own to live and forge a proper career. However, I also really want to run new and more exciting things. This is quite hard without a stable income and car at the moment. I miss all of those obscure ‘out in the middle of nowhere’ marathons. I know I will get there, but I keep asking myself, ‘Are we there yet?’ Nope.

In the meantime I have occupied myself by still running home from work a lot. I never feel like doing it when I set off, but when I get into it, it always turns in to a great training run. As much as I miss having a car right now, I appreciate those moments. I appreciate the self-sufficiency of getting myself home using my own two legs and determination Yesterday I even picked up two pints of milk from the shop on my way back home. Adding a bit of weight to my rucksack varied the training and it was useful, because I needed that milk for my protein shakes ;-)

Here's to new beginnings

To quote Semisonic... ;-) 'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end'

I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. Crazy. I have been working down in Eastbourne, in a big old ex-stately home, which is now a language school and tomorrow is my last day teaching. I feel happy to embrace new adventures up North, but there is also a little bit of sadness there. I will miss the building itself. It is so beautiful and extraordinary working here. You definitely don’t come across places like this very often, if ever. So, I feel really privileged to have had the chance to work here. And then there’s Eastbourne. I had never had the chance to visit Eastbourne before I worked here. It was just too far away from the North West. I’m glad I got the chance to stay here and experience the wonderful surrounding hills and scenery. The South Downs Way has been an amazing running route to have on my doorstep, and Beachy Head. I will make sure to go out for one last meander or maybe two, before I leave on Monday morning. Then it’s northwards I go and off to discover new adventures.

It’s better going that way

Bloggage from 24/02/14

That statement just about sums up yesterday’s run. It was so very windy, it made running a little difficult. In fact, the wind was so gale force out there, it made walking difficult along some stretches of the sea front. It was especially tricky going out, so when I was on the return leg, the wind was mainly behind me then, but another runner was running in the opposite direction, and he was indeed correct – much harder! However, looking at it positively, I had to work much harder and therefore, I got more out of the run. I wasn’t simply running up hills, I was running against the wind and a bit of resistance training is very useful.

So last week, I ran 49.58 miles. I wanted to run at least 40 miles, although I was aiming for 50 miles in order to meet my target of 160 for the month. In actuality, I did just over 50 miles, since I got to restart my Garmin at some points.

Monday 17^th Feb: A wet and rainy run along the sea front. It really got torrential out there, but it also felt very refreshing. Overall, I ran 6 miles

Tuesday 18^th Feb: I went running a little later than normal and it started to get pretty dark whilst I was out. I ran 6.11 miles

Wednesday 19^th Feb: I ran 6.18 miles and I went a little further along the coast. Sometimes, I run up and down and repeat sections of the seafront to make up the mileage, but I didn’t need to on this run.

Thursday 20^th Feb: I ran shorter than 6 miles and ended up doing 5.18 miles. Again, it was getting dark. However, I made sure I put a lot of effort into my runs up the hills.

Friday 21^st Feb: I felt a little chilly and pretty tired on this run. However, I did manage to do the 6 miles that I was aiming for and ended up on 6.04 miles.

Saturday 22^nd Feb: I decided to explore further along the coast than I had previously. I went down the big steps to Goodrington. There were lots of steps and lots of hills to be had on this run, but the weather was glorious. I was warm from running and the sun was shining, I wish I’d taken money for an ice cream. Overall, I ran 10.07 miles

Sunday 23^rd Feb: I was determined to continue my little running streak and get in more than 6 miles, in order to reach my target for the month. My calfs and quads were now beginning to ache after the repeated hill running and climbing of steps. Yesterday was also extremely windy, so there were many points where I nearly gave up on running longer than 6 miles. Yet, I prevailed and I carried on – I was determined that the wind was not going to beat me! I had to run up and down a bit, to make up the mileage and I even ran around the block at the end, but eventually it was worth it and I clocked up 10 miles.