Shrewsbury Parkrun #54 pacing event

So I only blogged yesterday but this definitely deserved a write up of its own.

The day didn’t get off to a great start…

As soon as I got up, I knew something wasn’t right with my knee. It’s been slightly sore after running for a couple of weeks but this morning I was struggling to put any weight on it.

                                  

My first thought was Parkrun and the fact I was supposed to be pacing! Thankfully once I was moving, the pain eased and after walking to the Quarry I had no pain at all.

After picking up my pacing bib I took a slow jog to the start line (actually resulting in a personal record on a Strava segment!) and met up with the other pacers and the runners that had started to gather including Katie, a fellow Run Mummy Run-ner.

Thinking about the race beforehand I hadn’t imagined many people would want to run with 30:00 with most people either just ahead to get sub 30 but I was surprised to see quite a few people heading my way and gathering at the start line. It was definitely an ice breaker and I chatted to a few people, many aiming for PB’s of 30 minutes.

We set off and heading the hill I tried to make up a few seconds from the delayed start. I very quickly gained a few people running with me including Julie, a work friend doing her first ever Parkrun. Waiting for my watch to catch up my pace I stuck to a steady rhythm and we took on the first hill. I lost a few people at this stage but passing the Quarry swimming pool and heading down the hill they caught back. I completed the first mile in 9:35- perfect!

Heading under the bridge

The second mile is the flattest mile and for some reason always my slowest; it was nice to have a few people with me at this stage as we rounded the monument. My second mile flashed up at 9:55. I was a bit worried at this stage as I knew I wouldn’t finish in 30 minutes if I carried on that pace so knew I needed just a bit more speed. As we approached the hill, people started dropping back and I knew I had to stick with my pace and plough on.

I completed the second hill and making up some time, I managed to get my pace down and as my watch flashed 9:45 one of the ladies who had ran with me previously caught me up. The finishing line was in sight and it was a countdown of seconds to get over the line in time. I urged her on in front of me and she passed the stopwatch at 30:02, me close behind in 30:04.

4 seconds! In a day that is nothing but it all counts in a run. I was so pleased to be so close to 30 minutes but just a teeny bit annoyed to have not gone just under. There will be a next time!

Going back to the fantastic lady who crossed the line in front of me, I have identified her from the leader board as Jackie Roberts. Jackie was aiming for a PB and she told me at the start line she wanted to do under 30, 29:59 to be exact. Her finish time was 30:02 but I am so pleased to see that this in fact a 4 second PB! We weren’t quite there but I am so pleased for her.

Parkrun photos by Paul Jones

Well done to everyone who made the pacing event possible!

All of today's photo's can be found here http://www.parkrun.org.uk/shrewsbury/photos/

"Because you know I’m all about that pace, ‘bout that pace…"

Firstly, after a grand total of 21 days….I caved!! A luxury hot chocolate got the better of me. By luxury I mean with the mini marshmallows, extra chocolate and clotted cream. Guilty as charged!

This challenge has definitely been that and I found I actually became unhealthier searching for something that would satisfy my sweet tooth. Butterscotch and pecan yumyums certainly gave me a sugar kick but with 21.9g of sugar per half (gulp!) this was certainly not the better option! I’ve now decided to stick with ‘a little bit of what you fancy does you good’.

This weeks training has been a mix of steady miles, hill sprints and progressive kilometres. This has all been in build up to a busy weekend of running!

Saturday- Tomorrow is pacer day! Shrewsbury Parkrun are holding their first pacing event with times ranging from 20 minutes through to 34. I had one more practise at my 30 minute run this week coming in at 29:52. It should be a great morning and a fantastic turnout.

Tomorrow's racing bibs!

Sunday I will be completing my Virtual Runner Half Marathon. I’m not going to go for any particular time, just get the miles under my belt and enjoy it.

'Running face' in Birmingham Half

This weekend I will be dedicating my miles to Kayla Montgomery.

At the age of 14, Kayla was diagnosed with MS. Despite this, she continues to do what she loves. Running.

The difficulty is that despite the medication controlling the condition, running creates heat that cause the MS symptoms to return temporarily meaning she loses all feeling in her legs. Against all the odds, Kayla continues to compete and win races ranking 21^st in the nation after winning the North Carolina title in the 3,200 metres in February; she falls into her coach’s arms at the end of each race as she cannot control her ability to stop.

It is stories like these that make me grateful that I can go out and run and even though it may sometimes hurt, feeling those aches and pains tell us we’re alive and making the most of the gift of mobility.

'Get out what you put in'

‘Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out what you put into it’

This week I had two of targets:

1. Practise pacing a 5k at 30 minutes ready for 22^nd November

2. Aim for a sub 25 minute Parkrun on Saturday

Tuesday was the start of my running week and I headed out in the evening aiming for a 5k as close as I could get to 30 minutes. I had figured that I needed to stick between 9.40- 9.50 for each mile.

My first mile came in at 10.08! My shins were sore despite a days rest after an 8 miler and I was struggling to settle as I kept checking my watch for pace. I brought the second mile down to 9.51 and the third at 9.29. Although there was good progression, it wasn’t even or quick enough; I finished the 5k at 30.44. So frustrating! Paul Bowes (Shrewsbury Parkrun guru) reassured me this was ok and not to worry about it. Turns out this challenge may have brought the perfectionist out in me; I was so wound up that I even considered heading out again for a second attempt! I concluded to wait until the following morning and try again when it was light.

Wednesday morning arrived and with a day off work and Isabella at nursery, Lee and I headed out together to give the pacing another go. We decided to go for a slightly quicker pace around 9.30 to give plenty of time for the last .11 mile. I was a lot more comfortable and the pace consistent. We finished the 5k in 29.57! I was so pleased and this has given me confidence for the 22^nd!

Thursday night after work, I headed out with the rucksack and managed a steady 3 miles, no leg pain! It appears that my unintentional 3 day run streak had really helped, it was good to have kept to a slower pace and just enjoy it.

Skipping a run on Friday to rest my legs for Parkrun, Saturday arrived and Lee and I did a steady mile to the Quarry as a warm up. I actually felt nervous for the first time ever! I knew I would be gutted if I didn’t beat my last PB.

I managed to get a good position near the front of all the runners. As the timer starts from the claxon, I knew I had lost a good few seconds last time because of this. Setting off I got pulled along as everyone sprinted off the line. Heading down the hill I used it to get some speed up. I completed my first mile in 7.24! I was aiming for 8mm so this was really quick and also a mile pb. I knew this could either make or break my pb attempt so I tried to keep up my pace as I best I could. My second mile came in at 8.04; it was slower but I calculated that if I kept it up I would still be on course for a good time.

Halfway into the third mile, Lee caught me up with Isabella in the pram and kept me going despite my legs complaining they had had enough! As my watch buzzed for the third mile I kicked up my pace for a sprint finish giving everything I had until I crossed the line stopping my watch at 24.11! A new pb by nearly a minute!

‘Charlotte, your time in position 83 today at Shrewsbury parkrun was 24.11. Well done on a new PB’

I am over the moon at my new PB and I have learnt this week that it isn’t all about being fast, the slower miles count just as much for a successful run. Now for a steady few weeks before a sub 24 attempt….

Remember next week is pacing week at Shrewsbury Parkrun (22^nd November).

Follow me on Twitter @pacinginpearls

Racing and Pacing

So I'm going to start my post with a confession....

Following on from my Stop-vember post I will admit I had a teeny tiny slip up this week. Tuesday night, my work colleagues and I were taken out by our boss for a congratulatory drink (or two) for completing the Birmingham Half Marathon. How could I refuse a nice cold glass of prosecco?! When it comes to alcohol I can generally take it or leave it but it seemed a shame to miss out, especially as we have completely smashed our target of raising £2k for Hope House. To make up for my little treat, I will continue my no drinking into December until I have done 30 days.

Chocolate has definitely been more difficult! Time and time again this week temptation has been laid in my path. I even licked a square of chocolate before realising what I was doing and threw it in the bin! To top it off upon meeting my Granny for lunch on Wednesday, she presented me with a pack of penguin bars and kitkats! I can hold my head up high and say I did not touch a single one. Lee on the other hand destroyed both packs (with a bit of help from Isabella) so needless to say his chocolate free month is well and truly over. I have to say, the ability to say no to something you really want is just a little bit empowering and has made me feel good to know I have more willpower than I thought. The lack of chocolate has been replaced by custard creams, croissants, caramel doughnuts and pink wafers…..

So onto this week and my debit card has taken a bit of a hammering from entering races and starting to plan next year and the build up to London marathon!

November- Virtual half marathon (virtualrunneruk.com)

This race costs £5 with proceeds going to Clic Sargent. This month’s available races are 5k, 10k and the Half. Upon completing my distance I will submit the picture of my time to Virtual Runner and await my medal. This is such a great concept both to improve your running and raising money for charity.

22^nd November- Shrewsbury Parkrun pacer

This month, Shrewsbury is trialling the use of pacers during the weekly parkrun event. I had toyed with the idea of having a go since the first post appealing for people to volunteer came up. By Tuesday the 30 minutes gap was still available so I took this as fate that I should do it and signed up! I’m really enjoying my Saturday mornings in the Quarry and have come so far since I did my Parkrun so it will be a great opportunity to help others reach their goals.

My Parkrun progress

14^th December- Telford 10k

With Telford a mere 20 minutes away on the train, this is a great local event with a reputation as a ‘pb course’. Having vowed never to run again after Birmingham Half, some of my work colleagues have also signed up plus a number of Run Mummy Runners. It will be a great get together in the lead up to Christmas.

Telford 10k- 14th December

20^th December- Wolverhampton Parkrun

Run Mummy Run meet up! I’m so looking forward to this. It will be my first Parkrun away from Shrewsbury and with Christmas a matter of days away we will be donning our Santa hats! Sometimes it’s great not to run for a pb but to meet fellow runners and just enjoy the moment.

22^nd March 2015- Stafford Half Marathon

At a mere £22 and a limited number of spaces, I signed up for this on Thursday when the entries opened. With just a few weeks to go until London at this point, it will be a great way to test myself and see how my training is going.

Even just a couple of months ago, I could never have imagined I would sign up for all of the above. Receiving my ‘You’re in’ magazine has definitely given me the kick up the butt I needed and I’ve once again discovered how much I love running.

‘Stop-vember?’

Stoptober- an NHS campaign to encourage people to stop smoking throughout the month of October.

I don’t smoke so that was easy!

Leading up to Christmas to save a bit of money (probably a lot actually) and as a bit of a challenge; as part of my marathon training I am giving up alcohol and chocolate for November.

I’m not a huge drinker but definitely partial to the odd glass of wine or two after a stressful day in the office. Chocolate however, is a problem. This has not been helped by the local corner shop selling huge bars of Galaxy for £2!

Sunday buggy run

So this is a little bit of a personal challenge and it should make the Christmas treats taste all the better!           

After yesterday’s Parkrun and a total of 13.8 miles for the week I decided to do a quick trip to the shop and back with Isabella in the buggy today.

We just needed a few bits, milk, cereal, something for the lunch, maybe a little treat….it wasn’t until I reached the till that I realised the pain au chocolat’s I had picked up had chocolate in them! Dammit! This is actually going to be harder than it looks!

There's chocolate in pain au chocolat!

To distract myself I’ve planned my week of training, an early morning run, a few hill reps and increasing my longer distance run to 8 miles on Thursday. I’ve also signed myself up for the November virtual half marathon race with www.virtualrunninguk.com. It was £5 entry with money going to Clic Sargent- a fantastic cause and a great opportunity to test myself to see how my training is paying off.

Bring on November!