Olympic Park Run - once in a life time opportunity.

The morning started with a visit to Folkestone Academy Radio station with Kim and Sue. The Sportsferret had invited me along this morning where Kim spoke about today's Olympic Park Run with Sportsferret and Adam Dowling.  It was really good to go along to see what happens at the station.

Afterwards I caught the highspeed train to Stratford.  I was given two spectators tickets so Laura and Ian came along to watch. At the station we met up with Kim who was also running who brought along Sue and Kirsty.  From the station we had to walk through the shopping centre which was really busy and then there was a queue to get to the stadium and once inside we had to go through security.   Once inside Kim was the first to celebrity spot and spotted Nell McAndrew who was running. I was in the red wave and Kim was in the white wave.  The different waves had different seating areas so we had to go our separate ways.  So we found our seats and just seeing the running track was amazing.

It wasn't long till I had to go to my start area. My wave was the first to go which was great as it was cold waiting around. We did a little warm up, there were also people being interviewed and I think I might of made it on Chinese television lol. Princess Beatrice had started the race but she wasn't high fiving, how disappointing!!! She was also running the race.  The route was through the Olympic Village, seeing the Velodrome, Basketball arena, Water polo arena and the Aquatics centre.  Not that I knew what each building was when I was running.  I could only make out the Velodrome.  It was like running through a building site, there were also construction workers cheering you on. There were also quite a few inclines along the way.  I did see Nell McAndrew running but she wasn't wearing her red top like everyone else.  It was a mass of people wearing red.  

I was running really well, for the first two miles I was running about 7.30 which is super quick which surprised me that I was able to keep that up.  The mile markers were in the wrong place, saying you have done less than you really have.  For the last part of the run, was running through the tunnel of the stadium.  They had music playing inside.  In the tunnel I had lost my satellite, so that meant losing the true distance that I had run, my time and pace.  It was a shame as I wanted to see what time I was at when I reached dead on 5 miles as the race was definitely going to over 5 miles. Once out of the tunnel you were on the track, what a great feeling that was, it was quite breath taking, seeing the crowds in the stadium and also hearing the crowds cheering you on. A once in a life time opportunity to be running on the Olympic running track.  I had managed to see Sue and Kirsty in the crowds so I gave a wave.  Then I was looking out for Laura and Ian, I just couldn't see them unfortunately.  I was then approaching the finishing line. There were a mass of cameras and also there were the Olympic athletes. So I was waving and Anthony, heavy weight boxing champion gave me a thumps up so I returned the thumbs up.  Another PB for me even though it was over 5 miles YAY!!!!  

I then returned to Laura and Ian who were both freezing, it was really cold. I managed to see Kim come in as she started on the wave behind me.  We then made our way to Sue and Kirsty and had managed to get in their seating area to greet Kim.  Kim had a great run and really enjoyed it too. She had managed to keep her satellite and it was over 1/4 mile over 5 miles.

Splits 7:38, 7:44, 8:02, 7:58, 9:45.  The last split was wrong due to losing my satellite. It should of been around 8 minute mile or under.  Also it was dead on 5 miles, not being 1/4 mile over, my time would of been under 40 minutes.

Time 40:48  I was really chuffed with my time as being able run 7 min something miles.

Position 1812 out of 5000

What a fantastic experience and enjoyable day!!!

Club night

Tonight we did a warm up around Lucy Avenue.  Then the session was 3 x 4 minutes, 2 minutes with half recovery.  I only did 2 reps as wasn't quite feeling it tonight. I had woken up with a cold, had already been running today and also have got the Olympic Park Run Saturday.

I have downloaded my run but I think I didn't press the right buttons as I can't tell what my splits were.

Distance 3.58
Time 42.27

Sight seeing run in London

Yesterday I went to London with Ian and stayed overnight so this morning I got up and went for a run in the sunshine. When we left there were commuters running to work and loads cycling. First tourist sight was Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, London Eye and then Buckingham Palace. I stopped at each place making Ian taking a pic.  I stood in front of Buckingham Palace as I wanted a picture but no Ian pointed in the other direction and got the monument instead. It was just a leisurely run seeing the sights.  Not long to I am running the route for real!!

Distance 4.83 

Club night and no Garmin

Tonight I had forgot to my watch which was annoying.  It was the first club night running in daylight. Tonights session was hill reps which I didn't fancy being close to the marathon. Leah and Becky felt the same so we decided to do a 6 mile run instead.  We ran out to Cherry Garden Avenue and then got onto Lucy Avenue and then we went down Cornwallis Avenue, onto Cheriton Road and round to Shorncliffe Road and up to Earls Avenue to the end of Sandgate Road. We went through so back roads and got onto Coolinge Lane. Then Audley Road, down Shorncliffe Road to Church Road, to tescos and then along Cheriton High Street. We ended up doing 7 miles.

Distance 7 miles
Time 1hr04

10 miles in the sunshine with Tash

I have a week off work, so I able to make the most of the sunshine today and went for a run with Tash.  We did a 10 mile route starting from East Cliff Pavilion, through the Durlocks, Coastal Park and along the seafront onto the Canal and then we turned back at Hythe Imperial and then along the seafront to the end of the Sands.  The first 5 miles were hot and then the last 5 miles we were running into the strong wind which was hard work.  We ran to the end of the Sands and were a tiny bit short of 10 so I made Tash run around in circles to finish so we didn't have to run up the steps.  We had a good run considering that strong wind.

Splits 9:22, 9:19, 9:10, 9:11, 8:59, 9:36, 9:30, 9:36, 9:30, 9:26
Time 1:33:36

Sports Relief - 1st Lady home of the race!!!

I woke up this morning and felt fine and I didn't even ache in the slightest.  So I decided I would do the Sports Relief mile. We started at the Band Stand and ran nearly to the top of the Leas, turned around and ran back.  I had a good run and I was the first lady to finish the race which was a great result.  I don't know my time as I didn't hit the start button on my watch doh!

Distance 1 mile

Distance covered this week 41.53

Last 20 mile run

Today was my last longest run and went out with Ian.  It was a hot day and had to wear my shorts and vest top.  I ran in my clothes that I am wearing for the marathon.  I added a bit to my normal route to make up the 20 miles. So first of all we ran along Shorncliffe Road, then down Cheriton Road and did a loop around Radnor Park before starting the normal route.  We ran as far as bottom of Lympne hill and bit further along the canal before turning back.  It was lovely running in the sunshine but did get a bit hot and didn't have quite enough water. Luckily I had some money on me and Ian ran in the garage to get some.  When we got on the sea front we were running in the wind. Ian ran ahead at about 18.5 miles. I worked out my route well and 20 miles finished spot on at the bottom of Zig Zag path which I didn't have to run up.

I felt good today and I am in good stead to do 26 miles.  I had caught the sun today and now have a watch mark!

Splits 9:38, 9:40, 9:43, 9:27, 9:32, 9:30, 9:17, 9:20, 9:31, 9:39, 9:13, 9:35, 9:12, 9:28, 9:50, 10:01, 10:0, 10:08, 10:37
Time 3:13:11

Club night

Today my London Marathon pack had arrived. How exciting, not long to go now!

We did our usual warm up to the Leas and dynamic stretches. The session was 3 mins, 2 mins, 1 min with 1 min recovery x3.

7:55, 8:19, 7:59
8:22, 7:54, 8:08
8:18, 8:26, 8:04

Distance 5.73
Time 1:03:51

Little run

This evening I didn't have much time so I managed to squeeze in a little run.  Run up Shorncliffe Road, down Cheriton Road and then around Radnor Park

Splits
8:39, 9:09, 9:41
Time 21:59
Distance 2.43

Club night

We did our warm up to the Leas and did dynamic stretches.  The session was 8 minutes, 4 minutes, 2 minutes with 2 minutes recovery x 2.

Splits  8:56, 8:41, 8:45
          8:29, 8:36, 8:44

Distance 6.37
Time 1:12:36

I am nearly in Athletic shape!!

Today at work I had a well-being health check up. It worked out my weight, body fat, body mass index and blood pressure.  I had two results for my blood pressure and the scale I was on said Excellent and I was only a couple of points away from the scale of Athlete.  The guy who did it said that he has done a marathon and he said that he supplies for the water for Folkestone 10.

Weight 7st13lb
Systolic blood pressure 104 (range is excellent). 100-90 Athlete
Diastolic blood pressure 69 (range is excellent. 65-60 Athlete
Heart rate 63bpm
Body mass index 19.7
Body fat content 29.7

When I got home from work this evening, my National Lottery Olympic Park pack had arrived including a nice red tshirt.

Tonight I did a gentle 6 mile run with Ian from the gym. My legs felt fine after all this running at the weekend.

Splits 10:02, 10:19, 9:55, 10:12,10:05, 10:13
Time 1.00.43

Ashford & District 10k - Another fantastic PB by about 5 minutes

Today was Ashford and District 10K. Woke up to a nice warm sunny day, perfect conditions. It was a bit of a walk to the start line and it was marked depending on your finishing times. I stood by the 50 min mark with Tina, Tracey and Becky. We were soon off. Becky was the first to break away and I had managed to keep her in sight all the way. At the first km mark I was under 5 minutes so I was running about 5min Km's. So at each km mark I was doing my 5 times table and I was under which was great.  As last year I remember counting in 6 to get under 60 minutes. At around the 6km mark I was getting closer and closer to Becky and then I over took Andrew another club runner.  Then we reached 7km which was the hill and then I got past Becky at the top of the hill. The end was then getting in sight as we were approaching the start line to head back down the hill.  Still near to the end I was still running around 5minkm pace which was great and a PB was going to be on the cards around the 50 minute mark. Going down the hill to the finish I had cheers from Dave and Lucy who were taking pics. Just before the finishing line, Andrew full on sprinted past me. Just as I got to the finishing line, I was heaving over the fence just as the guy on the mike was shouting my name as I went through, oh well.

A fantastic run for me. 50:38. I certainly wasn't expecting to finish then and thought it would be more 53/54 minutes. Also I did 15 miles yesterday. All the running I am putting in is certainly paying off.  I felt really good through the race and strong.  Everyone at the club ran really well today and there were so many pb's. Great result.

I had made the Ladies team with Nikki and Lauren and we came 3rd!

Splits 8:02, 8:10, 7:59, 8:21, 8:41, 7:51, 8:21 - got some 7 minute something miles in there and all under 9!!
Time 50:40
Distance 10 km

Splits from the same race last year. 8:49, 9:23, 9:12, 9:44, 10:02, 8:54, 9:18 Time 57:40

Distance covered this week 39:59

Spinning

15 miles - now clocked up over 500 miles!

This morning I did a gentle 15 mile route with Ian. I have got Ashford & District10k tomorrow took it easy.  I didn't use a gel either.

Splits 9:43, 10:05, 9:53, 10:02, 9:06, 9:30, 9:25, 9:33, 9:18, 9:37, 9:41, 9:43, 9:34, 9:40, 11:10
Time 2:25:55

Pole fitness class - was tough on the arms. Hope I am not going to ache!

I have now done 506 miles from the start of my training in December!

Club night

Tonights session was warm up around Lucy Avenue, then we went to top field. We had to pair up. I paired up with Tracey, we were running around in a circle, Tracey went one way fast and I went the other way going slow till we met up and then we swamped and we did this for 20 minutes.

Splits for fast 7:49, 7:59, 8:29, 9:08, 9:03, 9:27
Time 54:55
Distance 4.42

12 mins hard to see how far I get

Its that time of the month again.  Today I was supposed to be having a meeting in Ashford and thought great I can do my 12 minute route but my meeting ended up getting cancelled.  So I did it in Folkestone and decided to run around the perimeter of Radnor Park as it was flat.

Unfortunately I didn't beat my PB of 1.52 but was better than last month.  I did 1.49 miles. I blame running around corners!

Club night

Tonight was a 2 mile warm to the Leas then 3 x 1 mile and then run back to the club.  The idea was to run about 20 seconds slower than 10k pace.  This was hard to do as when looking at my pace I was running a lot faster than 10k pace.  But when I downloaded run, it wasn't as fast as I thought. Still quicker than 10k though.

Splits 9:00, 8:59, 9:08
Time 1:06:46
Distance 6.49

6 miles

Tonight I went out and did 6 miles from the gym with Ian. I did my usual 6 mile route.

Splits 9:25, 9:34, 9:18, 9:35, 9:31, 9:33
Time 56.53

6 miles in the sunshine

Today is tshirt and sunglasses weather.  Instead of having tired legs my muscle feels a bit tender from my massage yesterday. I went for a run along the seafront with Ian. As I started running it soon eased off. I couldn't believe how warm it is today. I was certainly a lot quicker today and my legs didn't feel heavy.

Splits 9:26, 9:16, 9:04, 8:56, 9:04, 8:56
Time 54:38

Distance covered this week 29.63

17 miles - struggled

This morning I set out with Ian and did my usual route running to the first bridge of the canal plus half a mile.  My legs were tired and heavy today which surprised me after I have had 3 days of rest. I wasn't able to go my usual pace. On the positive side I had practice running on tired legs!

Splits 9:29, 9:37, 9:29, 9:38, 9:28, 9:15, 9:22, 9:42, 9:31, 9:40, 9:33, 10:04, 9:48, 10:01, 10:36, 10:54, 12:05
Time 2:48:13

Had a massage in the afternoon. I was told I have super strong muscles!

Three days of rest

Wednesday I went away for a couple of nights.  So I had rest from running on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Not a bad thing as gives me time to recover from Thanet 20.

Thanet 20.mov

Club night

Tonight we had a couple of options to choose from. Either hill reps or to run 8 miles which includes 2 mile warm up, 4 mile tempo and then 2 mile warm down.  I certainly didn't fancy doing hill reps after Sunday but didn't fancy doing 8 miles either.  Becky and Leah was the same so we decided to do the tempo ran but to do 6 miles instead.  So we did 2 mile warm up and then 4 mile tempo where we upped the speed.  We had managed to keep up the pace for the first loop but Becky and I legs were still tied.  Leah left after the first loop to go to a class.  My shoe lace had come undone and it was such a struggle to reach my foot! For second loop of the tempo we had slowed down.  Then we ran back to the club.  My watch took a while to find the satellite which was annoying.

Distance 6.63 miles

Taking it easy

This morning my legs felt pretty good considering what they went through yesterday. The only tightness I can feel is the back of my thighs and that is only slightly. Goes to show that I have built up strong muscles.  I am having a day off running today and just as well as it is so cold, wet and windy today.

Tonight I did a gentle session in the gym followed by jacuzzi.

Thanet 20

This morning I woke up to a grey damp morning, least it wasn't raining for now anyway. The rules were strict for the race which had banned the use of Ipods and anyone found wearing one would be disqualified. So I thought I better behave and not wear one which I was quite gutted about as I always wear one on my long runs. There was a good crowd of us running today from the club which was nice and also we had supporters.  Running the first couple of miles was strange not having my music but didn't take long to getting use to running without it.  Along the way we had Dave Weekes taking our pics and giving encouragement. Hopefully I had managed to smile for all of them.  Also there was Dave Smyth cheering us on and then there was Sue, Kim and Trev also cheering and shouting.  I saw them popping up all over the course which was lovely to see.  For the first 6 miles I was running 8 min something miles which was quick for me. I got chatting to a couple who were also doing London and said that they were aiming to complete the marathon in 3hr45 which is a lot quicker than me. We soon approached Dave and I told the couple to smile and then the guy put his arms around us for the pic! I then thought, maybe I should slow down a little.  Just after 6 miles Stephen got past me.  At the 10 mile marker I got chatting to another guy and we both got a PB at mile 10, the first time ever that I got under 1hr30.  My time at 10 miles was 1hr29.  Throughout the course we had quite a few long inclines and hills.  I managed to run up all the hills and also there were some good down hills which I was able to fly down.  Also there were windy places as parts were along the seafront. The next stage for me was Half Marathon, again got another PB and reached under 2hrs, another first. My time was 1hr58. At mile 15 my time was 2hr16, at 17 miles my time was 2hr36 all quicker than my training runs.  At around 18.5 miles I started to feel something not quite right about my right thigh. It was either a bit of cramp or it was feeling tight and maybe something else but I couldn't tell what it was. So I thought I better slow down a bit.  My left leg felt fine and really strong.  Towards the end it had began to ease off a bit and was able to pick up a bit more.  It had also started to rain, it wasn't too hard so it was ok.  Running to the finishing line I could hear the shouts from Folkestone Running Club and also there was Tina, Grahame and Alison who had joined the others.

I had a really good run and was really chuffed. I was expecting to finish around 3hr10-15 but I had actually finished in 3hr05.  I was the first Folkestone lady home which is a great result for me.  A massive thank you to all the Folkestone supporters, Dave Weekes, Dave Smyth, Kim, Sue, Trev, Tina, Grahame and Alison coming all the way over to Thanet. It really helps having people you know cheering you on.

Splits 8:39, 8:53, 9:04, 8:57, 8:38, 8:55, 9:16, 9:20, 9:02, 8:57, 9:02, 9:28, 8:51, 9:49, 9:30, 9:45, 9:52, 9:41, 10:45, 9:32
Time 3:05:

When we reached Folkestone, Ian and I had a MacDonalds instant food before having a well deserved jacuzzi!

Day before Thanet 20

This morning I did a gentle 2 mile run to get my legs moving for tomorrow. Hope the weather is kind to me tomorrow.

Splits 9:55, 10:03
Time 19:57
Distance 2 miles

Club night

Had a change of scenery tonight. We did the Lucy Avenue warm up followed by dynamic stretches on the field. The session was 8 x 300metres.  I only did 5 x 300 metres as wanted to save my little legs for Thanet 20 Sunday. I then did a lap for warm down.

Splits 7:44, 8:03, 7:59, 8:03, 8:08
Distance 3.65
Time 50:03