Monday 24th August - 2.7 mile

Distance: 2.7 miles
Type: Recovery run
Time: Didnt time
Weather: Fine

Well I didnt ache as much as I thought I would this morning, bearing in mind I rode the horse yesterday afternoon too! I think the soak in the bath must have helped ;-)
So this morning I thought it would be a good idea to do a steady run just to loosen off the muscles so they dont sieze up!
So I did a short run at a steady tempo and did feel alot better for it :-)

So going forwards - a rest day tommorrow and then training again in earnest! I need to be stepping up the mileage now! 3 weeks before the Stratford 10K run and im not even running that distance yet!! Better get on it pretty damn quick! So tommorrows 'rest day' homework is to map some routes for 5, 6 and 7 miles.

I DID IT!!!!!

COVENTRY'S BIG FUN RUN!

I did It, I did it!!! hahaha!!! And it felt GOOD!

I felt a bit nervous in the morning - gawd knows why as its only a fun run - but I couldnt stop that adrenaline rush and must have been to the loo about a million times before the run lol!
So I got to the Memorial park and found the car park easy enough and there were lots of people milling about who were obviously running so I followed them down to the start! There were all sorts there, ladies dressed up as angels, a couple with thier young child in a 'jogging buggy', proper runners and just everyday people raising money :-) There were a lot of people there running for Macmillan and other Cancer charities, one lady had 'grandad' written on her back, another young girl, probably about 12, had a T Shirt with her Mothers photo on it saying 'Never Forgotten' - I felt so choked when I saw this and had to swallow back the tears. Some people are just so so brave.

Then the 'Big Warm Up' started and we all did some stretching and aerobic exercise all together in a group. The man who led this was really good fun and coupled with the music you couldnt help but smile and feel good! They ought to hold outdoor aerobics in parks every sunday! would be great fun lol! Then we were told to line up for the race, and we had a count down and then Air Horns to signal the start! The adrenalin was really pumping and made my legs feel really wobbly, but I soon got into my stride and calmed down into a steady rhythm. I desparately wanted to run under 30 minutes and had worked out mileage markers along the course to try and see if I was on course to do less than 10 minutes a mile. I think the general vibe of being in a race must have helped as when i crossed the finish line I had completed it in 28 minutes!! YAY! I was stoked! And we all got a goody bag at the finish which was full of nice stuff like a bottle of water, a banana, deodarant, body wash etc and best of all......................... A MEDAL!!! WOOP!!

So summary:
Distance: 5 Kilometers
Type: Race
Time: 28 mins
Weather: Fine

Monday 17th August

Distance: 3 miles
Type: Regular run
Time: 30 mins dead!
Weather: Fine

BACK TO IT! Starting to panic a bit now as the 5K Big Fun Run is this SUNDAY!! ARGH!

So I thought Id start off with the 3 miler just to make sure I can run the distance lol! I also made sure Id took a proper note of the time when I went out - 17.45 exactly.
I didnt feel to bad out on the run until the last 3 parts of a mile when my stomach actually started to feel a bit peculiar :-( I pushed on though as I was nearly home and managed to run it in 30 mins exactly - so while no improvement at least I havent lost any form over the last few days of no training.
I must admit I felt quite peculiar when I got in home and had to sit down for a few minutes before doing my stretching :-( I hope that this will soon pass though and I will feel back on par again soon - as I really need to start upping the mileage for this Half Marathon!

Spanner in the works!!!

Well ironically, 2 days after me entering for the Big Fun Run and the half marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support I got a letter drop through my door informing me I had an abnormal smear test result. The technical term is severe dyskaryosis, in reality this means that there are changes in the cells which could possibly develop into cancer if left untreated. To say I was a little freaked out would be an understatment, but luckily I have good friends and family who helped calm me down!
So last week I had to go to hospital for a Colposcopy and becuase of the severity of cell changes they were removed by diathermy excision. This is sometimes called LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone) which is a little like a stick with a circle of wire on the end and an electric current is passed through to 'shave' the cells off :-O

Why am I telling you this? Well, for one it gave me a tiny tiny insight into the panic you must feel at the thought of being diagnosed with cancer - so this has made me even more determined to raise money for Macmillan for where else would most people turn to for help and support? If you can make even a small donatation please visit my Just Giving page where it will be gratefully recieved :-D
Secondly, I want all women out there to realise just HOW important it is to go for regular smear tests and how common it is to get an 'abnormal' result. Thankfully when these cells are caught early enough and treated accordingly there is rarely any further problems. So PLEASE PLEASE ladies, GO for that smear!! It literally could save your life ;-)
For more information please visit Colposcopy.co.uk

So as far as training is going it has bought things to a bit of a standstill - literally!! Bloody Typical!

Donating and Just Giving...........

Just Giving is a quick and convenient way of donating money to a charity and has the added benefit of reclaiming gift aid from the government which increases your donation further :-)

So if you feel able to sponsor me for any of the fundraising runs I am carrying out, the Justgiving site is an ideal way to do it!

If you log into the Just Giving Website and search for 'Vicky Whitlock' you will find all my current sponsorship pages that you can choose from - or maybe even split your donation between!

For many reasons Macmillan Cancer is my charity of choice and I do hope that you will help me raise as much money as possible for them as they do rely on supporters for 98% of thier income. Bearing in mind the diverse amount of services they provide to people who are affected by cancer in one form or another, they would leave a massive void if they were to dissapear.

A bit about Macmillan

What we do
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. One in three of us will get cancer. We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. We are Macmillan.
As treatments improve, more and more people are living with cancer in their daily lives. This means they need more than medical help, they also need practical, emotional and financial support.

We are a source of support

We are a source of support, helping with all the things that people affected by cancer want and need. It's not only patients who live with cancer, so we also help carers, families and communities. We guide people through the system, supporting them every step of the way. We fund nurses and other specialist health care professionals and build cancer care centres. But we give so much more than medical help.
People need practical support at home, so we provide anything from some precious time off for a carer, to a lift to hospital. People need emotional support, so we listen, advise and share information though our CancerLine, website, support groups and trained professionals. People need financial help to cope with the extra costs cancer can bring, so we give benefits advice, and grants for anything from heating bills to travel costs. Together we listen, we learn, we act to help people live with cancer.

We are a force for change

We are a force for change, listening to people affected by cancer and working together to improve cancer care. People who live with cancer are experts by experience. Together we use this knowledge to make a positive difference to the lives of people affected by cancer. This could be anything from getting a coffee machine installed in a waiting room, to bringing about changes in the law.
We fight discrimination – from challenging unfair travel costs and insurance policies to improving the national benefits system. Together we challenge the status quo, we push for change, we lead the way.

We are Macmillan
We believe we can all help. We can raise money – through marathons, coffee mornings, street collections, sponsored events. We can give time – at cancer care centres, events, fundraising groups. We can share experiences – online, in the media, with each other.We are Macmillan.

For more information and ways you can help please visit thier website

Tuesday 11th August - 2.7mile

Distance: 2.7 miles
Type: Fast run
Time: 20 mins approx
Weather: Fine

An evening run tonight - a lovely night and I decided to run along the canal path again, but in the opposite direction this time. I really do love running 'off road' if only for part of the run - its really interesting to see the town from a completely different angle :-) As it was a slightly shorter run, I tried to push on and up the tempo for the duration of the run and although it was a shorter route I felt like Id worked hard when i finished. At times I really got into the zone where it all felt easy and I felt strong like I could run forever! then id loose my legs or my stamina lol! But still, I was pleased with the effort. Again I need to get more organised with timing the run! but it took me approx 20 mins so I was pleased with that :-)

Monday 10th August

Distance: 3 miles
Type: Regular run
Time: 30 mins (approx)
Weather: Fine

Another early morning run! You really wouldnt think you would need your hair and makeup done but typically as I was running I (nearly literally) bumped into a guy who had chatted me up a few weeks ago! :-0 and although I wasnt particularly interested, id rather have been looking slightly more presentable - its a girl thing ;-)

So, getting back to the run!! I tried to up the pace a little this time but I must REALLY get organised and time my runs properly! does this mean I need a gadget? to time my runs and measure my heart rate and work out my time per mile and tell me who is the beautifullest one of all!!! lol! And I thought this running was a CHEAP hobby! Give or take a few mins it took half an hour - so i have a 3 mile bench mark now ;-)

One thing I HAVE noticed, is since my new trainers, my calves are not acheing like they were last week. I really think the proper support has made a difference :-D Although I have to say towards the end of the run I can feel the blister again - its in the arch of the foot, obviously where I tend to 'roll in' and as I get a little tired the rolling in must get worse and therefore rub - but only on the left foot interestingly enough. I am trying to concentrate on my posture and form as I run to try and retrain my wonky leg lol!

Saturday 8th August - 4.43 Miles

Distance: 4.43 miles
Type: Regular run
Time:
Weather: Sunny

Well, equipped with my go faster trainers, new lightweight t-shirt with pocket in the back for my phone so i can listen to the radio I felt like a serious runner! So today, I thought, is the day to start increasing the miles! In a new pair of trainers I hear you cry!! Hmmmmmm, well perhaps y'all should have shouted a bit louder - but more of that later lol!

So I have found this nifty little website - Map My Run - which allows you to, well, map your run hahaha! Basically you can map your running route and calculate the mileage you are running - which is fabulous for starting to plan some set local routes for my training. :-D

So I set off full of enthusiasm, and although it was late afternoon it was still nice and sunny! Part of my run was along the canal path and if you could just block out the smell of dog shit, it was a most beautiful setting! So much so, I found myself grinning away at nothing in a village idiot kind of way hahaha! Still, after about 3 miles this had turned into more of a grimace in a village pyshco kind of way!!! During the last mile my left foot was starting to get sore - well it was inevitable wasnt it! longest run id done plus new trainers, not really rocket science is it now lol!
But I finished the run in good style and didnt forget the all important stretching at the finish.

So there we have it, a good day! I had aquired a pair of brand new trainers and a new blister! Coincidence?? Surely not! lol!

New Trainers!

Well, if Im going to run a half marathon then I really need to get a pair of 'proper' trainers otherwise Ill end up with an injury - and that would be stupid - wouldnt it!

So, today (saturday 8/8/09) I went along to Coventry Runner for some advice. They did a 'gait analysis' for me, which consisted of me running on a treadmill while being videod! I felt a right eeeejit! I havent ran on a treadmill for years and was dreading falling off in spectacular style! Well, luckily I didnt fall off! But it turns out I am an 'over pronator' or in laymans language, my foot rolls in too much when my foot strikes the ground. So the shop chappie got me down some suitable shoes that will help correct this and therefore avoid overstraining my legs. Of course, its absoloutely FATAL to give a woman a CHOICE, and after much deliberating and trying on, and jogging around in different shoes at times with a different trainer on each foot - I finally made a decision.........................

Can you guess? Thats right! the first bloody pair I tried on hahahaha!!!! A pair of Saucony Pro Grid Ride 2 no less! There is no stopping me now Mwhhhaaa haaaa haaaaaaa!

So equipped with my new trainers and also a new T-shirt (well, it has to be done doesnt it girls!) and a £100 lighter, I left the store raring for my next training run this afternoon :-)