I haven’t blogged since July, mainly because I haven’t had much time and also because I didn’t have that much to blog about. As we’re now at the end of 2012 I thought I’d break myself back into the blogosphere with a little recap of 2012 and and a look towards 2013.
2012 started injured with plantar faciitis, a pain in the (heel) butt, that didn’t stop me running as such, but prevented me running too far, not normally an issue unless you’re in training for the London Marathon.
During the training I decided that long runs alone were mind numbingly boring so in March I joined David Lloyd Redway Runners (DLRR) and competed in my first race for them at Oakley. My first ever 20 miles and just dipped under 3 hours.
In April I ran the London Marathon. It was one of the hardest but most satisfying things I have ever accomplished. It was made harder by the stinking cold/flu thing I had during the preceding two weeks that even had me in bed two days previous but I did it, it hurt, I didn’t get anywhere near the time I had in mind but I raised just under £1,500 for SANDS UK and my local Milton Keynes branch.
Following the marathon I carried on running with DLRR and tried the Silverstone 10k, a race around the Grand Prix circuit. Legs were still a bit heavy from the marathon but I was only about 30 seconds off my PB so not all bad.
Training continued well and felt I was running well. I managed to come second in the MK Race for Life and was slowly getting back into triathlon training with some early morning lake swims and some short rides. A tight calf slowed progress down and although I managed a third place in the Northampton Triathlon at the end of June I was struggling to run properly.
The NSPCC Half at the start of July was a bit of a non-event. With my tight calf I was able to run it, but had to stick to 8:20 min miles or slower otherwise I was in pain. Came home in 1:49 which is near my PB but frustrating to know there was plenty more in the tank so to speak.
I decided to take a break from running in July to get my leg sorted and stuck to swimming and cycling. I came back in early September and ran the Bedford 10km, again around the 47 min mark and also competed in a few triathlons.
I also competed in an Open Water swim race for the first time at Brogborough near Bedford. A lovely clear lake where I came third in my age group over 1500m.
Training continued well and in October I ran the inaugural Daventry 10. My first ever 10 mile race too. It was one of those races that I wasn’t too sure what shape I was in, but was pleasantly surprised to come home in 1:18 and also secured a bronze medal as the race also doubled up as the Northants 10 mile county champs. My time meant I had run sub 8 mins miles on avergae and boded well for the Bedford Half in December.
I finished off October with the Candelford Canter 10km, a women only race around Flora Thompson country, again running around 47 mins, but as part was off-road not a bad effort.
November meant the ‘Squeaky Bone Relay‘ a cross-country relay near Olney held on one of the wettest days of the year. It was mud, mud, mud along with water and lots of it, but a fantastic team event. DLRR fielded around 12 teams of 4 and a fantastic day was had by all.
During October and November I helped out with the DLRR Beginners group. It was great to finally meet fellow blogger JogOnJules who also joined the group. To graduate they all completed a Parkrun. DLRR members then run with a beginner to help them round. I ran with a close friend who had joined the beginners group and it was great to see her complete it, and for me it was my first ever Parkrun. I came back the following week to have a go at a quick one and didn’t quite dip under 23 mins but that will keep for next year.
December was the Bedford Half. I’d been running well for a few months now, and despite a really windy course I managed a PB of 1:45. I was so pleased with it, apart from London that was my only PB of the year so it was nice to finish off on a high.
So what about 2013, well, somehow, I managed to get through the London ballot again so that is the focus for the next four months although as of Wednesday I have a touch of achilles tendonitis so am currently not running to ensure I have sorted it before the tough training starts. I have my plan, it starts tomorrow, except it wont for me as I’m erring on the side of caution and holding off until my achilles is better, better to miss a few runs now than suffer when it really matters – aren’t I getting wise in my old age?! 😉
runwithchips 