Alice Goes Running

(Friday 21st August)

Marathon 366 - Saturn Too Midweek Medal Madness:

The best thing about having Friday morning off was that I could run! It was a nice, low key race and the weather was perfect.

I felt strong throughout and enjoyed seeing lots of new faces, as well as some familiar ones, including Leo, Tim and Sue, each of whom I hadn't seen for a long time.

At around mile 18/19, I decided I'd run a little faster, if I could, until the end. I put my foot down a touch and was pleased to take a couple of minutes off my planned finish time, resulting in my fastest marathon this year and a first place result. I was very pleased and also relieved, especially after a couple of poorer performances in the previous two weeks.

Thank you Leon and Amanda for looking after me and the other runners!

(Saturday 15th August):

Marathon/Ultra 365 - Saturn I'm Not Throwing Away My Shot:

I was disappointed that this is some Hamilton thing, rather than alcohol related ... I mean, what a let down.

Moving on ... it was a super early start for me, then I just curled up in the van for a few hours before starting. I didn't feel great within the first lap and had horrendous stomach knots to the point I practically walked my second lap. A walk with and hug from Denys helped, then I enjoyed a couple of miles with Andy and Katy to get to a half marathon. Thank you so much guys, you really helped me get back into the running rhythm!

After halfway, I continued just alone, slow, but in a much better mindset. It was tough to see my times drop by 10 minutes each week for two weeks, but it's recovery running and I still did a marathon 😊.

Thanks Wayne for the lift back. It was good to have a few drinks in the pub with Wayne and Craig to unwind before heading back. Thank you George for the t-shirt and all at Saturn for the race.

Still catching up!!!

(Saturday 8th August)
Half Marathon #? - RunThrough Battersea Half:

I'd wanted to race two marathons this weekend, but due to the pain after running just one the week before, I knew not to push it.
Fortunately, I saw that RunThrough had some events on, so off I went.

There were over 800 runners in the half and more than 1700 across the half, 10k and 5k distances 😮, including many super speedy athletes!

I felt like I was putting more effort in than the return and was considering my life choices when I noticed another girl just to my side. We were experiencing similar thoughts, but celebrated the fact we were just over halfway! We ran the rest of the race together which made it a lot more fun - well, she shot off and smashed the final 200m, but other than that ... !!

Another excellent event from RunThrough, thank you team!

Following the race, Poppy and her friend came to meet me and we had a lovely catch up before completing a 5k as part of their brilliant initiative; Roll and Run.

(Sunday 9th August)
Marathon #363 - Saturn Great British Bake Run:

Sunday Funday!! I decided to take it steady today, have fun and just run. I always have fun to be honest!

It was a very enjoyable race and lovely to see everyone, including Tom who I hadn't seen since I broke my leg. Ruth and Paul's appearance topped it off 😊. I felt pretty rough once I finished, but caked myself in ice to cool down after I'd finished, then completed a fun and chatty 7km lap with Marie.

My afternoon was spent in the pub with Lovelocks Craig catching up and rehydrating.

Oops, I forgot to post, then got distracted for a couple of weeks!!

Marathon 363 from Saturday 1st August. It was a painful one and I didn't really get the chance to stop that weekend. Better late than never ...

(Saturday 1st August)

Marathon 363 - Saturn Have You Ever Seen a Nessie in the Thames?:

As standard, I'd drunk too much on the night before, but sobered up and made it to Staines ready to run late morning on Saturday.

I hadn't raced for 2 weeks and, mentally, needed to run a marathon, so that's exactly what I did.

My femur pain was agonising and something I know I shouldn't have run through, but sometimes my mind is stronger than my body, despite my determination to let my femur recover.

Seeing Theresa, Chrissy, Denys, and everyone else just made my morning, and I absolutely loved racing alongside them all.

Another sub 3:30 and second place / first female were nice touches, if only the pain wasn't so bad.

Ben kindly gave me a lift home and by 4pm, I was recovered enough for a 10km run with a mate, before heading to the pub with another mate for the rest of the evening!

(Sunday 19th July)

Marathon/Ultra 362 - Saturn Running Oops I Did it Again North ... AKA The Forgotten Child Run:

There were around 300 participants at the event, which had a mass start at 9.30am, but it still meant an early start for me as I was helping out. I started just after 10am, so all of the other competitors were already on the course, which was a 3.28 mile (5.3km) lap.

The route was brilliant; peaceful, undulating and varied. The two kissing gates on each lap were a bit annoying as they added a few minutes onto the overall time and it was hard to get going again each time. Aside from that, it was a very enjoyable race and runners were well looked after.

I ran alone and, at 21/22 miles in, I decided to run 50km. I knew that my marathon time would be slower than 3h25, but faster than 3h30, so figured that I should complete the 50k ahead of 4h10, which I did!

Thank you to all of the runners and families at Herrington on Sunday. The support, encouragement and friendliness was tip top and certainly makes me want to return.

(Saturday 11th July)

Marathon 361 - Saturn Running Oops I Ran it Again:

Last night's wine may have gone down a bit too easily, but it was fun to catch up with James and George.

After 12 miles of running, I'd recovered from the wine, then I had a water fight with Craig. The rest of the miles passed by smoothly and happily, especially thanks to Katie and Charlotte keeping me hydrated - the little things make all the difference!

It was so much fun as always and lovely to share a little distance with Chrissy at the end of her race.

I managed the whole race without pain relief ... admittedly, I was slow and put in minimal effort. It's good to see some endurance slowly returning.

(Sunday 21st June)

Marathon 360 (eventually) - Phoenix Running West Sussex Sunflower Run:

I'd been out partying a bit during the week, so had been carb-loading with wine, but clearly rum works better for me as this was the slowest marathon I've raced since I've been semi back ...

I caught a lift from Darren with Craig and, due to the London to Brighton cycling event, our journey to Ardingly reservoir was entertaining and definitely helped to calm my nerves.

The course was a 7km out and back, so the marathon was 6 out & backs. I knew first/last 2.5km and know I'm not fit enough for a sub 3:30 on it, so just took it steady.

It was a lovely trail with a nice bit of undulation here and there, as well as shade, which was important in 30°C heat. The marshals at the aid station were really helpful keeping water bottles topped up and just being generally positive.

I ran alone for the whole race, but enjoyed quick bursts of conversation when passing people on the route - something that happens a lot on out and backs with people coming towards you and staggered starts etc. You can usually hear me before you see me anyway!

The final 10km was a real struggle for me in the heat and I ran at a slow bimble, filling up my water at the 3/4 way point a couple of times.

After finishing, I was a bit overwhelmed and frustrated with myself, so took my chip off and went to sit in the reservoir before even taking my shoes off! Sometimes recovering from injuries, heat and life get a bit much.

I went for a walk along the route as a cool down and to support other runners. It turned into a flip flop 5km with the race director, which was certainly uplifting.

Finished off the afternoon with a 10k with a gym mate, before showering and going for a few impromptu drinks with another gym mate ... the gym was shut for refurbishment ...

Thank you Vern, Joanne, Christian and the team for a great event and for supporting us competitors.

1st Place 🏆

I took the 4 weeks off as planned. How boring!

On Saturday 23rd May, I completed Marathon/Ultra #359 by tailrunning The Fox 62km for RunThrough. It was a fun event on a stunning course - trails are my favourite!! I thoroughly enjoyed supporting runners as always!
The weather was very warm and I was glad not to be competing. RunThrough Trails thank you!

Following my time off running, I went for a couple of 10ks with a mate from the gym, then that weekend, ran The Labyrinth Run with Saturn Running. I was too full of wine from the night before, added to my lack of fitness, so wasn't running too well.
I therefore ran a half marathon, before clocking out and running 5miles (8km) with Lovelocks marathon page as I miss winding him up.

My femur is still healing and I'm finding it tough not running marathons every day, let alone less than every week, but I am going to try and start running a bit outside of races, just shorter distances here and there to stay happy.

No races today, but just a little update ...

.. firstly, thanks everyone for your support both in and out of races. Particularly Vanessa, Sean, Saturn Running crew, James, Olivia, Lesley, Rosie, Martin and others who check in and think of me. A little kindness goes a long way.

After a couple of brilliant weeks doing what I love, I've realised that I can't keep racing every weekend without my recovery going backwards. I am in a little pain. Nothing bad, but enough to remind me that I'm not invincible and can't rush back.

I still find it fascinating that I can bend my leg to do a quad stretch - something I couldn't do for over a year! The fact I can run a marathon isn't as fascinating for me, more innate, but it is exciting and I love it!

Anyway, it's a reality check. I'll still run a little, but you won't see me on the towpath every weekend just yet.

Here are some of my favourite photos from recent events! 📷

(Saturday 16th May)

Marathon 358 - Saturn Running Rocky at 50:

After a higher mileage last week and a lazy week this week, I was pretty worried about running yesterday. I wasn't too confident.
However, once I got going, I was glad I turned up and started off strong.

Six out and backs along the towpath smiling, cheering people on and having fun was just what I needed!

At I had a bit of a slog around 8 miles, then at 20 miles, I had to just hang on for the final 6.2. The realisation that I am still not marathon fit brought me back to reality a little, but I'd decided at around mile 18 that I wanted to finish on under 3h25, so I had to keep going!

It's cliché, but, 'When your legs get tired, run with your heart'. That's exactly what I did.

Thanks to Saturn for another awesome event, particularly to Charlotte and Melanie for keeping me hydrated throughout the race.
I, of course, followed up with further hydration in the pub last night.