How To.....Yasso 800

Day 55 of run streak. 55 days! How?! I have no idea how I have got here but with no races in the near future I figured it was time to have a go at a couple of technical runs to see if it would help me to improve my overall pace.

The Theory

The Yasso 800 theory was created by Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer at Runner's World. Bart's theory is that the pace you train at for the distance of 800 metres is in a direct correlation with the speed at which you could run a marathon. For example, Bart says that if you can run 800 metres in 3 minutes 20 seconds, you will be capable of a marathon time of 3 hours 20 mins, a 800 metre time of 2 minutes 50 seconds would get you a 2 hour 50 marathon, and so on and so forth.

In training, you should aim for between 3- 5 Yasso 800s and work up to eventually achieve 10 in one training session. The rest time between each Yasso should be a recovery for the same length of time it took to do the effort. Obviously this alone to try and achieve a target marathon time would be ridiculous so this training is recommended once a week as part of a full marathon training plan.

....Really?! How accurate can this really be? I've already written off another marathon post London for a long time but with time on my hands, I thought I'd give the theory a go and see how I got on.

In Practice

Before setting out, I needed to work out what would be an ideal pace. As I won't be doing a marathon I decided to bend the rules slightly to work on a target pace for a 5k distance. The pace obviously needed to be quicker than what I currently work at (otherwise what would be the point?) so I decided on 7:20m/m pace as being able to maintain this for a 5k would get me a PB.

Maths arrghh! 800 metres is pretty much half a mile so my target time for 1 Yasso would be 3:40. I set the intervals on my Garmin to an effort of 0.5 mile and a rest period of 3:40.

Scores on the doors!

When doing intervals, a flat route is always ideal to  achieve maximum results on efforts so the local park was the ideal location where one lap is just under half a mile. It also meant my fan club could join me and cheer me on, aka Lee and mini-me.

A half mile warm up and I went into my first effort.  Only half a mile at 7:20 pace, only!! Maybe I should have allowed longer to warm up or maybe I underestimated how hard it would be to try and hit a  pace that has always been 'just' out of reach when trying  to maintain for longer than a mile. As I came into the  last 0.10 of the interval, I hit a corner and lost about 4 seconds from my time ending the first Yasso on 7:23. The recovery time soon came and went and my Garmin  beeped down to the second Yasso. I was so done. So done with this stupid idea, whose idea was it to try this anyway?! I dug deep to get down to my target pace, this  time falling short by 7 seconds- not too bad considering  how hard it felt. After a second rest period, I finished my last Yasso hitting 7:30 pace. That was hard! 800 metres never sounds a lot but oh it really is!

Speculation

Wherever there is a theory, especially one as detailed as this, speculation will always follow. A simple Google search of Yasso 800 will bring up optimistic reviews and those incredibly doubtful that such a specific theory could actually work in practice. The main argument again the success of Yasso 800s is that a marathon is predominantly an aerobic event, running at a pace that allows your body to efficiently use the oxygen you inhale allowing for long distance whereas the theory of Yasso 800s works based on speed training (anaerobic). It is relatively common to find runners training for long distance not fully appreciating the importance of aerobic training, not ensuring distance over speed is favoured which can lead to burnnig out in a race due to insufficient experience of pacing.

That is not to say that speed training is not important and can be a great way to train the body to a quicker overall maintainable pace. 

Why Parkrun?

Where It All Began

Founded in 2004 by Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the first parkrun took part as a time trial in Bushy Park. This turned into a few events around the country called 'UK Time Trials' and eventually Parkrun in 2010. Today there are over a million registrants around the world!

Beginning Or Racing

It doesn't actually matter whether you haven't worn trainers for years or if you live in them. The whole idea is that you get out on a Saturday morning, do a 5k and whether you walk or go hell for leather, you will be pulled along by the fantastic, friendly atmosphere and community spirit.

Volunteers

Integral to the running of a parkrun event is volunteers described as 'the heart' of parkrun. Marshalls, time keepers, barcode scanners as well as processing of results and clearing up; taking part in the Saturday event as a volunteer is a great way to give back to the organisers of your local event. Look out for pacing events too to help other runners achieve their goals.

Community

Want to be part of something in your local community? Meeting other runners and socialising is just as much a part of doing a 5k as the running part. Recognising personal achievements and involving local running clubs boosts moral and knits together a huge array of people up and down the UK and overseas with one common theme.

The addition of Junior Parkrun- a 2k version of Parkrun for children aged 4-14 on a Sunday has been a great addition allowing children to follow in their parents footsteps in a safe, friendly environment.

If you haven't yet had a go, find your local Parkrun here.

Should you need any further persuasion, check out some photos from Shrewsbury Parkrun's 2nd birthday event last Saturday and...Don't Forget Your Barcode!


*Photo credits to the fantastic photographers at Shrewsbury Parkrun and congratulations to Paul & Susan for 2 years since the start of Shrewsbury's event.

Shrewsbury Parkrun yearly points winners

'The Hill' at Shrewsbury

How To.....Run Streak

After a very long time of no blogging, I decided it was high time I took to the keyboard. What better to do so than on day 50 (yes 5-0!) of run streak! I'm still not entirely sure how I made it here. For those of you who don't know, this means 50 days of doing a run every.single.day! Time for a bit of reflection...

In The Beginning

It all sort of began by accident, starting with a Friday night run as a family. There was no conscious decision after that to run every day, it just sort of happened and by Day 10 I had decided I didn't want to give up. It was never easy to get out of the door, running has always been a great way for me to  de-stress but actually putting my trainers on and getting out of the door has always been the hardest part! Blackmail, bribe and sometimes even guilt-tripping; Lee always managed to get me out, even when I was dragging my feet knowing how much I'd enjoy it (eventually!).

Do I, Don't I

As with anything, to make it a habit, you have to do it again, again and again. There is a common myth that you must repeat an action 21 times for it to become a habit as observed by Maxwell Maltz in the 1950s. According to more recent studies this is actually more around 2 months. Many a time I have lingered in the doorway deciding whether I should push myself out and just do it. Mental power has played a huge part in succeeding in 50 days of running (and counting).

Music

I have always been devoted to my headphones. From someone who began from never running at all, music was a great way to help me switch off and still does allow me to zone out. As many pros as there are to listening to music, there are also cons. It can take your mind off your breathing leaving you short of breath and many races now prohibit the use of headphones so training with and without music is a great way to learn to adapt.

"In Training"

When people heard that I was running every day, I was asked what I was training for. As I hadn't made the conscious decision to start a run streak, there was never any goals set out- apart from those I'd set myself at the beginning of the year. Having already achieved my longest distance (London Marathon) and a sub 2 hour half marathon, my next biggest goal was breaking 50 minutes for a 10k, After 16 days of running, Ellesmere 10k made perfect sense.

Goals and Races

After eventually getting a place for the race (thanks to a place transfer), I was feeling the pressure to compete in a race in my hometown. I stuck to my tactics that Lee and I thought would work; all out for 3 miles, 2 miles a bit slower then use whatever I had left at the end to try and get sub 50. I managed to hit my target with over 20 seconds to spare!

Since beginning my run streak, I've managed a achieve a 10k time of 48:51, 5k at 23:12 and today a mile time of 6:28! After considering finishing after 50 days, I'm not quite ready to give up my run streak just yet. Onwards and upwards!

Post- marathon come down

Nearly 5 weeks ago I crossed the finish line in London. After huge build up, excitement, hype, atmosphere, nervous tension with a massive target......it all ends, just like that.

What now?

What previously took up soooo much of not only my time but occupied my thoughts so much is now gone. It leaves behind this huge blank space and I have desperately been trying to find something epic to fill it. I even went as far to suggest (after a couple of glasses of wine) that I enter the Island with Bear Grylls before remembering I'm not THAT hardcore (yet!).

How do you match or beat something as amazing as London Marathon?!

Whilst trying to find the answer to this, my running has taken a hit and I just haven't  been going or only doing 5ks and very begrudgingly! I hate not enjoying it as running has been great therapy for me as working full time and being a Mummy can be full on and to get some head space is great. But right now, give me slippers over trainers!

What about another marathon?
So many people said to me that when you finish a marathon you forget the pain in a couple of days and want to do another one. No, not me, thank you very much, marathons are not for me. Ask me in 10 years and I might think about it.

To refocus myself I am entering a couple of races and trying to drag myself over the wall I have hit. Time to get back to 10ks and half marathons please! Fingers crossed this will help me pick myself up.

Part 2/2 The last 26.2!

Saturday 25th April

After a teary goodbye to Isabella who went to stay at my parents, Lee and I set off for the train to London. 

After a reasonably straight forward journey we got to the expo. Wow. It was busy! After nearly 4 hours on trains, waiting in a queue was not top of our list of things we'd like to do. To then be moved to a second queue was equally as un-fun- I don't care that it isn't a word! Lee, having not been to London since attending the theatre to see Cats aged 15 was having a baptism of fire of experiencing London at the busiest time possible.

Finally escaping the expo to head to our hotel was massively stressful (don't talk to me about Oyster cards!), and google maps was incredibly unhelpful; but arriving dishevelled and ready to relax, the hotel receptionist presented us with warm cookies and we headed to the room collapsing on the bed!

After winding down, I insisted on being in bed and asleep for 9pm and thankfully I managed a good night sleep.

The next morning- 6am to be exact I got up and ready. Lee made my wallpaper paste- like porridge which I could barely stomach. My kit bag was ready and my timing chip secured on my trainer we headed to the DLR and Lee left me as I boarded heading to Blackheath for the start. A lovely couple (the lady was also in the blue start) adopted me on the journey as I had no idea where I was going!

Getting to Blackheath and a huge field full of runners it was freezing cold! I found my way to the Lucozade stand where I know Run Mummy Runners and the Shabbas would be. I stayed with the RMR group before heading off and finally finding the Shabbas! The time with them just summed up why it's great to be part of a team :-). A loooong queue for the toilet and kit bag dropped off saw the start fast approaching and we all headed over to the starter pens!

I haven't mentioned my lucky charms! I'm not a great believer in luck (make your own!) but I did carry a couple of things with me. Isabella's hair clip and the blue earrings I wore for Grandad's funeral I had worn for Stafford so I figured I should wear them for the marathon. Added to this Lee's race clips for my number and a coin from my dad with a runner on (that he found when he was thinking about me doing the marathon- spooky). All I was missing was a rabbit foot and a 4 leaf clover!

The start was busy and when we finally got going I discarded my bin bag (that had done little to keep me warm) and walked up to the start of the race. I'd started my music and felt good, I was going to do this!!

The first half marathon flew and I hit my target time, just over 2 hours. I was on track! My next target was to get to 15, then 19- my training distance. 17 miles and I crumbled, the wall came suddenly and out of nowhere and I just couldn't run any more. I started walking and made a couple of emergency calls for some support. Firstly dad- somewhat inexperienced in the 'I can't I can't' speech said 'weeell if you can't finish' to which I replied you aren't supposed to say that so he changed tactics and told me to keep going. Speaking to Lee and I received a stern talking to that I didn't have long now and to pull myself together which I needed! A mixture of running and walking got me to 22 miles. Realisation dawned and I wondered how the hell I had got this far without stopping?! It was time to get myself into gear and as the crowds were building I started running again and pushed myself to keep going right to the end. And I bloody well did with a small sprint finish. I can't even explain the relief of rounding the corner to see the finish line. 

I had done it! 4:37:04 I'd actually done a marathon! Receiving a hug from the medal lady after bursting into tears I limped my way along to get my goody bag and kit bag. The road seemed to go on forever! I must have walked about a mile after the finish.

Being 6'2 has its advantages. Especially when trying to spot said person in a huge crowd. Thanks for being tall Lee!

I'm going to round it off here- if you got this far thank you for taking the time to read- it's just a brief write up really. The journey back to the hotel was painful and slow but I can't even explain the relief of finishing.

A lot of people got me through my marathon, those with us and those that aren't- thank you so much to everyone who supported me during my training, listening to me moan and believing in me. It's certainly been....an experience!

Will I do another one? At the moment I'm happy to say I'm 22 and I've done London marathon and I'm not planning to do another one anytime soon; but who knows?!

My marathon part 1/2- The end is nigh!

So I thought it was about time I wrote my post- marathon report (as I also have a few minutes to myself!).

You will have noticed the time lapse between my last blog and this race report is rather large....the lead up to marathon, especially the month before was armed with happiness but also tinged with great sadness. (FYI this is not a pity post).

In February, Lee, Isabella and I headed to Preston en famille for a mass family get together of both my side and Lee's. After what was a great visit, it was also clear I had just said goodbye to my grandad for the last time.

The week after our visit was tense and difficult waiting for inevitable news and when setting out on what was supposed to be a half marathon training run, I rang Lee in tears telling him I couldn't do and came home. A couple of days later I couldn't physically get out of the door. I can't I can't I can't seemed to be all I was saying.

A few days later, not sure how long after but it was a Saturday and I pulled myself together and headed out managing about 10 miles. It felt good and I managed to get everything straight in my head.

It was that afternoon, sat in Morrison's cafe before we shopped that I got the call. As soon as my mum's name came up on the screen I just knew. The exchange of words was short and just a few seconds later my phone was on the table and my head was in my hands. That was a hard day.

Amongst all this I had accepted a new job and was due in just a week. I was also grounding to a halt with my studies for my Online Marketing qualification.

Lee and I had a chat and discussed me deferring my marathon place for a year. Lee was pretty convinced I should, training was not going well and time was running out. I decided I should wait until after Stafford Half Marathon to decide what to do.

Stafford arrived, 6 days after Grandad's funeral and I was feeling pretty relaxed. I decided to go in with no expectations on myself. I felt I've taken a lot of peace from the funeral and the first 2 weeks of my new job had gone well. I wasn't nervous and I wasn't expecting miracles so headed out with Lee in the 2 hour pace bracket. It was great to know he was next to me and I felt good as we set off. My pace was around the 8.30's m/m and after 8 miles or so Lee kept glancing at me expecting me to slow but I didn't! After a sprint 5k to finish I managed to get my first ever sub 2 hour and sub 1:50 half marathon! To this day I can't even tell you how I managed it...everything just seemed to go right?! It was clear I was going to do the marathon.

I'd be dreading my long run with 3 weeks to go. Having missed my 18 miler, I needed to try for 20 miles. With a hydration pack, jelly beans and some hot cross bun, I headed out on Good Friday to get the b*****d done! I'll keep this bit short- in comparison to nearly 3.5 hours of hell. It was not pretty. There were hills- too many; tears- also too many- in fact between 15-18 miles I was stifling sobs most of the way and a lot of knee and hip pain. Getting home I'd done 19 miles as I could not bear the last one. Finishing with a cold bath, the prospect of a marathon was still scary; if not scarier at this stage.

After 2 more weeks of training runs, the last one of 10 miles feeling great I couldn't wait to get the marathon done!!

Fuel and Strategy

I was dreading Thursday...I mean completely and utterly not wanting the day to arrive.

After a pretty fast 5k last Friday, I headed out on the Sunday only to find I could barely muster enough strength to get under 10m/m. My legs felt so fatigued and I concluded that perhaps racing myself after a 12 miler the day before had not been my best idea...

I had another rest day on Monday in the hope this would help and headed out on a slow 5k on Tuesday. It felt painfully slow and although everything from the waist up was fine my legs felt so weighted and I was grimacing at the thought that Thursday was coming round quicker than I would have liked.

Thursday night came around and after a long day at work I was not keen to be heading out in the dark and cold knowing I was aiming to complete my longest ever run. If I do something, I like to do the best I possibly can or not at all. Perhaps I'm afraid of failure? I knew if I started, I had to finish. So I devised a plan!

15 miles...argh! That one figure is scary, seems impossible and is ridiculous to think I could run that far. I decided to break it up into parts. My run involved an 'out and back' method so my run was split into 4, 3, 4 and 4 mile sections. For example my first section was from home to the Crematorium, exactly 4 miles. I would then reward myself with something then my next section would be the 4 miles home, another reward. You see where I'm going? So splitting it up meant each section felt like an achievement and was a step closer to finishing.

Fueling my run was something I had not yet touched on- up to 10 miles and I'm quite happy to run on just water but I wanted to make sure that come marathon day, I had a tried and tested plan to keep my energy and sugars up to stop fatigue and keep me going.

I've previously tried numerous amounts of gels and Dextrose tablets but they never seemed to sit well so my theory was to use something that combined the instant energy with a fibre base so it was more slow releasing but kinder on the stomach. Dates were my choice and at end of each section I would have 2 dates as my treat.

I headed out incredibly apprehensive, keeping my pace as slow as could knowing I needed to keep my legs feeling as fresh as possible for as long as I could. My pace varied from 9.50- 10 mins/mile for the first few as I got into my rhythm. Thankfully as I ended my first chunk I managed to zone out from the run and as I got to 5 miles on my way back home I did a mini fist pump as I knew I was a third of the way there.

As I hit 8 miles I started to speed up and hit progressive miles of 9:30, 9:26, 9:25, 9:14! I still felt really good and started on my final 4 mile leg home.

I was just finishing my 14th mile and my mental motivation hit a complete brick wall and every part of me was saying STOP! I gritted my teeth and ploughed on through- so close yet so far!

Rounding the corner to come home my watch buzzed 15 miles!! I stopped my Garmin and carried on limp-running until I came to a natural stop.

At this point I would like to apologise to anyone that was in the vicinity and happened to see me limping along the road with a deranged expression on my face...as I came up to the house I decided to keep walking as my legs were already seizing up. It was then that my eyes started stinging and watering- I figure this was down to the cold air and maybe I don't blink as much when I run. So there I am stumbling around in the dark, barely able to walk or see and end up in the neighbours hedge. I decided to call it a night and head inside where I would be less of a danger to myself.

I am so proud of myself for completing my run and feel like a marathon is within my reach. There is still a long way to go but with just over 10 weeks to go, I think I might just do this!

It will change everything

Hello!

So this is my first post in a while, the past couple of weeks have been full on with work, running and many viewings of Disney's Tangled- I could probably recite most of the words now- in fact Isabella would do a better job than me.

My running has been up and down; happily it's been mostly up but one thing that is hard to appreciate if you don't run is the hard work that goes into that one good run.

When you see people on Facebook, Twitter or Strava you see the miles they have done and how fast they did them. What you don't see is the mental battle to get out the door, the foam rolling or the ice pack waiting for when they return. The cold, icy nights don't help matters, or the limited routes possible in the dark nights as the Spring races creep closer and closer.

The occasional bout of shin splints is about as bad as it has got for me but the occasional 'dodgy knee' tends to rear it's ugly head occasionally.

Have I put you off running yet?!

Running is hard work but from burning lungs to aching joints it's all totally worth it!! Following my 12 miles on Thuraday night (a pretty steady run up and down the biggest hills in Shrewsbury) and a full day at work Friday I headed out for a 5k full of energy and managed my second best ever time of 25.08. I can't decide if this was because it was Friday or because I was reminiscing with a bit of Greenday...don't judge.

For just that one run, that huge achievement and massive high, all those miles so far were completely and utterly worth it. So if you're thinking of taking that first step, no matter how old you are, what size you are, do it!

Progress is impossible without change

So after a couple of weeks of following a plan of around 25 miles a week, this week involved a few little changes...

Training plan

My partner, Lee has been a huge motivation these past few weeks in the moments I've wanted to give up during the transition to make running a habit, not a chore. Together we decided to add a couple of miles into my plan this week.

Monday- 4 miles- trial run in my new Boosts
Tuesday- Rest day
Wednesday- Was supposed to be 7 but after a misjudged route, ended up with an extra half.
Thursday- Rest day
Friday- 4 miles- I swapped my Thurs and Friday round
Saturday- Was supposed to be 10 miles but doubled back into my second mile for a toilet stop (a pint of lemon water half hour before wasn't such a good idea!) used the extra half mile as a cooldown.
After the minor hiccup at the start I got into a really good pace and managed to beat last week's 10 mile time by nearly 4 minutes! My Thurs and Fri will now be a permenant swap and it's so great to start seeing some improvement.

Diet

Getting back from my run last Saturday, Lee said there was something he really wanted to try...no it's not dirty!! He suggested that for one month we give up meat, dairy and eggs and try a plant based diet. This coming from the chicken, bacon, cheese 6'2 destroyer. So we have thrown ourselves in head first. A couple of trips to local health food shops and we'd stocked up on coconut oil, chia seeds, goji berries, flaxseed, tahini, almond milk, fruit, vegetables and spices. It's now been a week since we started and it's certainly been a challenge at times but we are continuing to discover new recipes and ways to keep my sweet tooth and Lee's biscuit addiction at bay. I'm going to be interested to see in the weeks to come if a change in diet will improve my progress.

Having a (very bossy) two year old means at the weekend I need to make the time for her and fit in my training so tomorrow I'm going to combine the two with a buggy run to the park. With a final 5k to end the week I'll hit a total of 95 miles for the year so far.

She believed she could, so she did!

A week in the life of a marathon trainer

39 miles and counting

It is only the 11^th January and I can’t believe I have already run more miles than my previous record MONTH! Marathon training is well underway and I have so far stuck to the training plan- if sometimes through gritted teeth.

3rd January- Last Saturday saw….rain, a hell of a lot of rain. In the time it took to get changed into my running gear it went from a dry, mild day to freezing torrential rain.

I did try to give Lee the look of ‘I can’t run in that’ but he was having none of it so I would have no one else to blame but myself if I didn’t pull myself together and get out of the door.

On stepping out one thing was for sure. My shower proof jacket would not survive…I was right.

Result:

6.2 miles

9:06/mile

56:36

4th January- It honestly rained yesterday?! I headed out Sunday evening for a steady 5k, perhaps trying to prolong the time more than anything to try and prevent the inevitable Monday morning back to work around the corner.

Result:

3.1 miles

8:51/mile

27:48

5th January- Monday was supposed to be rest day but still in my New-years-healthy-eating-resolution-haze I decided to head out to Lidl to stock up the fridge for the week. Packing my rucksack with Ikea bags I headed out- yes I am the crazy one running the dark streets with florescent slap bands and a red rucksack! Good excuse for some resistance training.

Result:

3.1 miles

8:57/mile

28:07

6th January- Rest day. These are just as important as the days that I don’t run. Recovery is a huge part of my marathon training and I want to protect myself as best I can from injury.

7th January- Wednesday night I had planned to do a 4 mile loop when I realised we had run out of bread which we needed for Isabella’s sandwiches for nursery the following morning. Lee saw this as a perfect excuse to request a bottle of wine so I again headed out with my rucksack, running back the second half with all of the above- plus a couple of custard slices as a treat.

Result:

5 miles

9:19/mile

46:44

8th January- By Thursday I was exhausted from a week getting back into routine and working again after a long break over Christmas. It was most definitely a shock to the system but on returning home I dragged myself out to do the loop I had previously planned including a 270ft climb. It wasn’t pretty.

Result:

4 miles

8:57/mile

35:57

9th January- Rest day. Throughout my training leading up to London, I will plan in at least 2 rest days a week. Friday night involved carb loading in preparation for Saturday’s planned 10 miles.

10th January- Saturday morning my alarm buzzed at 6.30am. It’s Saturday for crying out loud! Getting out of bed was the hardest it had been all week but I knew I need to be up and get breakfast before heading out- accompanied with the cries of ‘mummy mummy! Wheatabix!’. To break up my long run I planned it into segments including Shrewsbury parkrun to make it more digestible and give the illusion that it wasn’t as far as I thought…

I started my run with 2 miles to the Quarry before joining in Parkrun. Finishing these two parts, I knew I was half way and would now just need to battle the wind back home before finishing with a 5k lap. On my way back home I went into my thoughts and started planning my afternoon (seeing as it was only around 10.30am). I decided to have another bash at my sweet potato chocolate brownies so decided my run would take a detour to pick up some chocolate. I texted Lee to put the bag and some money out for me so I could grab it on my way round.

Now, if you are reading this and you are a runner you will more than likely know the mile points in most directions from where you live. So, as I carried on up to the shop I worked out if I did just an extra .2 of a mile I would actually finish on 11 miles!

After being pulled into a faster pace at Parkrun, I found myself slowing towards the end of my run finishing with a 9:54. That’ll teach me!

Overall though, I am just so pleased to have got the distance under my belt. Only another 9 training miles to find on top of that and it is only 11^th January so I won’t complain.

Result:

11 miles

9:15/mile

1:41:54

11th January

Today’s run had been planned as a 5k but as soon as I headed out early afternoon I could feel my shins resisting.

Instead of powering through, I made the decision right at the start to cut down to 2 miles and work on some foam rolling and stretching when I got back. This was most definitely the best decision. Listen to your body!

Result:

2 miles

9:33/mile

19:15

I still struggle with the thought that I am in fact training for a marathon but this week’s training has shown me I can do what I set my mind to. It hasn’t always been easy to get out of the door and I know I will experience both good and bad runs but these few months will definitely be an exciting journey.

If it doesn't challenge you....

...it doesn't change you.

Firstly Happy New Year! I can’t believe how quick it went but it was certainly one to remember.

We had a fantastic Christmas break as a family that just topped off the year. From trail running up Haughmond Hill with Lee, completing three half marathons to my daughter’s first day at nursery and a wonderful visit to the Lake District; it will definitely be hard to beat but I think I can give it a good go!

Run geek run!

Shrewsbury Half Marathon

Amongst my training towards London Marathon in April, I will also be working towards my diploma in Online Marketing. I’m so excited about this opportunity which I hope will lead to bigger and better things.

So, on to the traditional New Years resolutions…ones I hope to stick to.

1. Eating healthily

By this I don’t mean any fad, rubbish diets, just straightforward clean eating with the occasional treat. The best way to change bad habits- keep it simple and realistic.

2. Train properly

It isn’t just a case of pulling on my trainers and heading out of the door anymore, it’s time to take it seriously and try my best to prevent injury through stretching, light weights and core work.

3. Get contact lenses

More of a mental note than a resolution but I definitely need to sort this before heading to London- although sometimes the world looks better with fuzzy edges...

I think that’s pretty much it. When it gets to April, I don’t just want to do London marathon, I want to run it knowing I did it to the best of my ability. It’s not going to be easy and I’m pretty scared to say the least but if I put my mind to it I know I can do it. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone right?

Training is already well underway and I’m hoping to steadily build up my mileage over the next few weeks.

2015, lets do this!