Don't stop me now.....'cause I'm having a good time!!

Oh my good God. That was the most amazing experience ever!!

I can't believe I've run the London Marathon!! Official time 5 hours, 1 minute and 46 seconds. I knew I was having a good run and was on for about 5 hours so I pushed as hard as I could over the last 10k for a sub five hour finish, but it wasn't to be. If only I hadn't stopped for a wee......!!

It's true what they say about the supporters too- them 'Cock-en-eys' really are fantastic. There wasn't a point on the course where there wasn't supporters shouting my name- especially over the last couple of miles it was awesome!!! Got to see Floela Benjamin too, overtook her on Tower bridge!- life doesn't get any more exiting than that I can tell you. Masai warriors were great too.

See you all next year!!!! Thinking about running it in fancy dress. If only I had the thighs for a wonder woman outfit....Wonder if Mrs Shaunie is up for that?!!!!

The final countdown.....

Well that's it. I've got my last long run under my belt, I'm as fit now as I'm ever going to be so bring it on!!! Karen and I had a good run on Monday, despite a couple of unscheduled stops(!) and being attacked by the biggest fucking Swan you've ever seen that had decided to build it's nest on the canal towpath. Ok so we weren't attacked exactly, but we could have been- it looked the sort that would go for you, and a Swan can break a mans arm you know....

I can't believe that's my longest training run before the big day!! It was hard work mind, although I have to say that my legs felt remarkably OK today considering how much they hurt during the run!! Even felt happy enough to go for a short run at half seven this morning! I guess Roy Castle was right all along- dedication's what you need. Or was it medication's all you need?.....

Windy Wendy...

Nope, I haven't been up to my old farting tricks again(despite what Andy might say!)!! The 'windy' really does refer to the weather!!! My God it was blustery this morning!!

Karen and I went for a run along the Canal- ended up doing 16 miles because it was just so windy and cold. Felt good though and 16 miles was pretty comfortable, which is just as well as I'll have to add on another 10 on the day. Mrs Shaunie did very well as this was by far her longest run for a while- it's her jet-set lifestyle you know!! She has agreed to come with me on my last long run before the big day which will be on Monday 31st.

Christ- it's all beginning to sink in!! Let's just hope I don't over- indulge with the Easter Egg and Hot Cross buns otherwise I'll be waddling the 26.2 miles around our nations great Capital!!! Shame.... I like over- indulging....I'm good at it!...

Easy rider.....

Have taken it fairly easy this week after The Grizzly last Sunday. My legs seemed to have taken all this time to recover! Did 10 miles today which felt really hard, but that might have been because I ran with the club and the pace was a bit faster than I'm used to.

I hope I'm not tempting fate by saying this, but I'm quite pleased that I don't seem to have picked up any significant niggles or pain- just need to do my last couple of long runs and stay injury free!!

Never again.......

I will never ever run that fu**ing race again as long as I live. EVER. Jesus Christ yesterday was hard, and not helped by  odd rain and hail showers ( the hail came when I was on the top of a hill of course and had nowhere to shelter).

Felt utterly miserable for the last third, and even had a little cry on the Beach at Branscome because I knew what was still to come!! I have never really considered giving up in a race before, but I did yesterday- I didn't think I'd make it to the end.

Time wise, I think I was around 15 minutes faster than last year, so that's something I suppose.

If I ever even consider doing this again next year, for Gods Sake KICK ME!

 

                               

Just so you know, this picture was taken at the start which is why I am smiling. Apparently I didn't look too happy on the way back! but then I didn't feel too fu**ing happy!

No contest.....

So Paula Radcliff has pulled out of the London Marathon. She says it's because of an injury to her toe. Bollocks!, she obviously heard how well my training is going and just doesn't think she'll stand a chance!!

What goes around comes around....

I think I've just had my strongest run EVER!! Martin and I were dropped off at Wiliton and run back to Taunton through the Quantocks. We reckon it must have been around the twenty mile mark and we ran it in 3 hours and 10 minutes which is fu**ing quick by anyone's standards!! I'm unbelievably chuffed as it felt pretty comfortable and not all that fast. Just to put it in perspective, had I ran a Marathon at that pace I would have finished in four and a quarter hours (disclaimer: This is never likely to happen!).

 

Unfortunately though a couple of miles into this morning's run, the bladder in my camelback burst and I got a litre and a half of freezing cold water down my back. Not only did this mean that I had to finish the run without my water, but I also had a very wet and uncomfortable arse!! Unfortunately for me, I had blown any chances of sympathy from Martin last week when the same thing happened to him and I'd had a good laugh! He did let me share his water though (and gave me sweets), so he's been a great running partner today. All this and he's not even training for an event. Thanks Mr Shaunie.

 

My legs are very stiff now and I suspect they will protest even more tomorrow. I think I've gone a bit mad though and am having a deep heat and Ibuprofen induced high!!!...Woo Hoo!!!

deep pockets and short arms....

Feeling really positive about my running after another great run this morning. Martin and I ran around 8 miles- and off road too, so  a nice opportunity to get muddy!!

I've also sent out my sponsor forms, so hopefully people will pledge lots of money to all the various projects we want to set up at work. More like deep pockets and short arms!!!!

We were talking about holidays earlier, and in particular all the wonderful food!! ( made me so hungry!)Andy and I usually go to Tsilivi in Zante- it's such a beautiful place and we've made some friends out there too so it's always nice to go back. Last year I took my running gear and got up early a couple of days for a run along the beach. here I am looking athletic!!

            

Canary Wharf...

Today I've ran a whopping 18 and a half miles, the first 8 and a half I ran on my own from Wellington to Taunton, and then I met up with some fine folk from running forever running club and ran a ten mile circuit with them. Despite my very achy legs, I really enjoyed today- it's always nice running in unfamiliar places!

According to my course map for the London Marathon, 18 and a half miles takes me almost to Canary Wharf! I hope I'll still be upright at that point!! The crazy thing is, I'll still have around an hour and a half of running to do to get to the end!! Oh my God.

Winner takes it all....

Went for my third run of the week this morning, it was only a short run, but it takes this weeks mileage to almost 30 miles!! I was supposed to be running with a friend today and I can't resist telling you exactly why I ended up running on my own! I'm not going to name and shame this person ( Martin I wouldn't dream of it). Before I went to bed last night I send this person a text asking if they were still running in the morning. When I got up, I had 3 new messages on my phone as follows...

 

Message 1 (sent 1.24)    No

Message 2 (sent 1.26) No plaxing pokdm

Message 3 (sent 1.32) No playing poker and drink. and loosing however I can feal a comeback soon.

Hope you're not too hungover this morning!

there and back again...

Woo hoo!! Ran a comfortable 15 miles along the canal with Martin this morning, which is pretty good given it's the furthest I've run for 3 weeks and that I ran the humdinger yesterday. It was a beautiful morning for running, but unbelievably fu**ing cold!!! Wore my sexy running hat for the first time this year! Feel great now- the last couple of days have really given me a boost.

That's nearly 25 miles already this week and it's only Monday!

Maybe the Grizzly is do-able after all.......!!Think I'll see how I feel on the day and decide then wether to do the full 20 miles or to drop down to the 9.

 

Thought I'd add this (really quite unflattering!) picture from yesterday's humdinger. No pain no gain as they say....

 

                                

Humdinger....

Ran the Hestercome Humdinger today. Nine and a half hilly miles and finished in 1.37 so am pleased. A bit cross with myself for walking part of the last hill but hey ho, I got to the end fairly comfortably so I'm feeling a bit more confident that I can get things back on track.

I'm still worried about the two weeks of training I missed and am considering not running the Grizzly as it's only three weeks off and am not convinced my fitness is good enough to get round without killing myself. I've got some options though in that they also do a 'cub run' which is around 9 miles so I might have to consider doing that instead. I'll see how training goes over the next couple of weeks before I decide.

I'm Back!!

 

I haven't run for almost two weeks because of this cold/ virus thing I've had.  Spent the time wisely though- sat on my arse eating biscuits and getting fat! I must admit that I'm bloody worried about the training I've missed, it's only 8 and a bit weeks until London, and THREE WEEKS until I take on the dreaded Grizzly again. F***k.

 

I went out this morning and ran 6 miles which I really enjoyed, the sun was out and I found my rhythm quickly so my confidence is restored a little bit! Have got another two runs planned for this week including a 15 miler, so it'll be interesting to see how I get on.

 

Sorry this post is a bit boring, trying to get my head around training hard again!!!

Gladiators are you ready....

Heard yesterday that they are bringing 'Gladiators' back to TV, so am considering a career change!! Not sure I'm ready for the Lycra though!!

Karen asked today what my Gladiatorial name would be- when I asked Andy (hoping that he'd suggest something exciting and sexy) he said 'Flatulence'.

..."Flatulence are you ready"....

 

                                         

In my dreams!!! and Andy's too I guess!!!

Armageddon again....

Have managed to get myself a race number for this years Grizzly ( from a very nice man who let me have it for free). Last years race was held in September- it had been postponed due to the wreck at Branscombe, and I swore that I'd never do it again. However, the pain, flashbacks and nightmares have just about faded and I feel able to face the Grizzly once more!! The entries had all been filled so I'm very pleased to have got my hands on a place. Wonder if I'll be so pleased when the 9th of March comes around?!

For those of you who don't know, The Grizzly IS as bad as it sounds! It's run ( or mostly walked in my case) over twenty- ish miles of really tough terrain.

 

 

                                  

This picture was taken last year near the finish, which as you can see they have kindly put at the end of a stretch of shingle beach. Sadistic bastards!!

It's going to be a killer, but will be a great training run before London.

Mrs Shaunie strikes again!!

Karen finished yesterday in 5 hours 15!! A really great result, although she did say that she found it very hard work and missed listening to my grumbling on the way round. I mentioned this to Andy who suggested I start my own company 'phone-a-moan'. Bloody cheek!!

Well done Mrs Shaunie!!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...

Or so they say...

Today I ran (and I use the term loosely because it was more like staggering come the end) 16 miles with Val and Phil.

Although it was the same distance as last week with Karen, today just seemed so much tougher and we were 20 minutes slower. My legs felt so heavy and my calves really tight.  Definitely a case of putting in maximum effort but getting nowhere fast!! Never mind, you get runs like that from time to time. Despite the struggle it was a perfect day for running, and I think I would have enjoyed the scenery more had I not been busy dying! and I did spare a thought for Karen who is doing the Gloucester marathon today.

 

I think my legs are going to be very stiff tomorrow.

One girl and her dog.....

It was such a beautiful afternoon that I decided to risk going for a short run with Max. I get worried about him because although he's absolutely fine during the run, he does seem to suffer a bit the next day- and I know how that feels!!! He's getting on a bit now the poor old bugger.

We did about three and a half miles off road and  it really was fantastic to be out running with him, and in the sunshine too. I'd almost forgotten what that was like! I don't feel so bad about being a lazy mare yesterday now either!

 

Here he is!

isn't he handsome?!

Oh dear what can the matter be.....

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Today I came down with an acute case of cant-be-arsed-itis!! I know that I should have gone running (sorry Stephen!), but decided that a night in with husbie and a nice dinner would be of greater benefit to my well-being than a 6 mile run!

Now that I've stuffed my big fat pie-hole I am feeling just a tiny bit guilty.

Bugger.................

Ultra Marathon Girl (maybe!)

Today I ran almost 16 miles with Karen which is 4 miles more than recommended on my training schedule,  so I've done well. (That's not to say I didn't complain bitterly along the way!). We ran our first 10k (6 and a bit miles) in under an hour- an absolutely blistering pace for us!! Ran the 16 miles in around 2 hours 40 which is great. We certainly didn't intend on doing a fast run, in fact anyone who knows us will know that we usually do our best to avoid breaking into a sweat. Dirty business!

A few week ago a friend of mine Val, thought about running the Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, a 32 mile race around Dartmoor. She wondered if she would find anyone else daft enough to even think about taking something like that on, and then she thought of me!! Karen and I got talking about it today and we decided that 32 miles wasn't impossible. Now it might have been down to the onset of hypothermia, or even a weird sugar rush from the half a 'power bar' that we'd just eaten, but we convinced ourselves that it was ONLY 6 miles further than marathon distance so it would be a doddle!! It's not seeming like such a clever idea now, but definitely something to give some thought to.

(Disclaimer: Not at any point during today's run and subsequent conversation with Karen, did I bribe, threaten or deliberately impair her judgement in any way in order to get her to agree to think about completing an ultra marathon).

Marathon music....

Had a good run with the club tonight, did around 6 miles and really enjoyed it. Met some new people too which is always great.

My blog is called 'don't stop me now', which is obviously after the Queen song as I like listening to it when I'm running. I was wondering how many other songs we could come up with that ( sort of) had a running theme.

I'll start things off.....

Keep on running- Spencer Davis group

Run baby run- Sheryl Crow

Chariots of fire- Vangelis (I think)

The 'Rocky' theme tune!

Running up that hill- Kate Bush

Born to run- Bruce Springsteen

 

Over to you......

Wearing rubber......

I REALLY didn't want to go for my run this morning even though it was only going to be a short one. It was cold and wet but I eventually managed to get myself motivated and out of the door. This time I was prepared for the weather, so I stayed relatively dry- the Wellington boots made it quite hard to run though!!!.........

Despite the wind and rain, I enjoyed today's run and even ended up going further than I'd planned. Rest assured that this doesn't happen very often!!!

So I've actually managed 3 runs this week (total of 21 miles)which is great. Ideally I'd like to do three runs every week, but the reality is that I won't always manage it, so I'll be happy doing two good runs a week and if I manage a third it'll be a bonus!

Running forever...

I've had a good day today. I took Max for a long walk this morning- he really enjoyed himself up until we got home and he had to have a bath to wash the mud off!! Max used to come running with me, but he's an old man now so I have to leave him at home.

I did 7 miles tonight with the running club (Running forever RC). As usual I felt crappy for the first couple of miles but then settled down and enjoyed the run. It's nice to be able to run with different people- I am after all incredibly nosey and like to have a natter on the way round!

The extra weight I inevitably put on after Christmas seems to be coming off too thank God! I really do need to shift a few pounds before the marathon but it's quite hard because you still need to eat enough to sustain the running ( and of course running always makes me hungry!). I eat a pretty healthy diet anyway so I'm sure it'll be fine.

x

One more...

Forgot this one from the Stoke Stampede....I'm the one dressed as an Elf!

The story so far....

Thought I'd add in a selection of photos from some of the races I've taken part in so far....

 

This photo was taken after my very first half marathon in April 2006. Don't I look chubby!!! The other ladies in the picture are Cath and Karen.

This is me and Cath after the Taunton 10k in 2006.

 

The Great West Run in Exeter last year. The first and last time I've ever finished a race before Karen!! Hee hee....

 

I love this picture although it doesn't begin to show how completely exhausted I felt when it was taken!!! This was at an event called 'The Grizzly' and it is bloody grizzly too! 20+ miles over really hard terrain and not for the faint hearted!! Double hard bastard!!!

THE SODBURY SLOG! Only 9 miles but as you can see it was a wee bit muddy. This was probably my favourite event of the year and will definitely do this one again! Karen and Martin ran this one too.

The F Word....

What I haven't yet mentioned is my invite to Gordon Ramsey's post- marathon party. Naturally when he heard I was running the London marathon, the first thing Gordon did was to get his agent to ring me to see if I could be persuaded to attend. In the end I said yes, but only to shut him up.

 

Ok, the truth is that I work with Gordon's mum ( a lovely lady and regular 'church'-goer!!!) and she kindly invited Andy and I along to the Ramsey's annual marathon party. Woo-hoo!! How exciting is that?! Of course having run 26.2 (and yes the .2 IS important!) miles, I'm not sure what sort of state I'll be in. I'm just hoping that the adrenalin will keep my upright for long enough to say hello to Gordon and his family.

Can't wait to hear him swear!.......

First day blues....

Today was the first day of my marathon training. I was supposed to go for a run with Karen and Martin but they (very wisely as it turned out) gave it a miss as the weather was a bit grim.  As I was feeling unusually motivated, I decided that the Shaunies (Karen and Martin ) were being wimps and took myself off for a ten mile run as per my schedule.

Holy Crap was that a bad idea!!! It was a bit windy, but hey I'm a marathon runner- I'm tough.When it first started raining I didn't mind a bit. I quite like running in the rain I though, this is nice. Then it REALLY started to rain. and then hail.

I was absolutely soaked and freezing cold. The hail was stinging my face. I decided after eight and a half miles that enough was enough and headed home.

Not a great start to my marathon training. Oh well, I'll just have to make it up in the week.

Fourteen weeks and counting.....

I've been lucky ( is that the right word?!) enough to get a ballot place for the 2008 Flora London Marathon.

That was the easy part as I've now got just over 14 week of hard training ahead of me. I've managed to rope in some kind souls to accompany me on the longer, harder runs so a huge thank you to Karen, Martin, Val, Phil and anyone else who has agreed to listen to my swearing and whining mile after mile!

I've devised a simple training schedule to make sure I'm fit (ish) and ready for the 26.2 miles I'll be running on 13th April. I'm hoping to get in three runs a week. A long one, a medium one and a short one (see it really is simple!), the long one will increase by a mile or so each week until I do a couple of 20+ mile runs at the end of March.

This will be my second marathon as Karen and I completed the Clarendon way marathon last September in just over Six hours. Not a great time, but hey it was an off-road and hilly course and quite frankly unless you can do any better, then sod off!!!

I'd like to think that I can get round London a bit quicker, but so long as I get to the end that's all that matters.

I'm also going to warn you now that although I'm not running for charity, I will be raising money for the place I work, so no doubt I'll ask you to sponsor me at some point!