RACE DAY!

So - that came around quicker than expected! I was checking the weather about 5 times a day and in the end we had a bit of rain, lot of sun and some nice muggy heat.

Well, I managed to complete the race in 5 hours 26 mins. 26 mins slower than I wanted to be, but struggled with knees from mile 9, and found pushing through thousands of 'walkers' quite hard work which slowed me down more than I expected. Must aim to be in higher pen for the start next year!

Overall it was an amazing experience, the crowds were fantastic and some key highlights for me were Tower Bridge, running down Embankment around mile 24-25, and of course the last 800 metres where I dont really even remember much apart from looking around me at all the others who were finishing alongside, and trying to make sure none of them got in the way of my finishing PHOTO!

My medal is great, wore my t shirt home, and am still having trouble walking, but will be hoping to do it all again next year :o)

Thanks to everyone for their support, and if you haven't done it yet - please do donate to an amazing charity.

 

Lorna

 

April 2010

Ok - so March was a long month wasn't it?? Certainly felt it to me! Managed to get up to 17 miles in my last long run last week - however - it was not a good run. Combination of factors I suppose, but i'm blaming it all on being at the Easter Celebration Agility Comp all day Saturday. My little Pegs did herself proud and managed to get 2 clear rounds in agility over the weekend and only just missed out on placings both times, and I mean just - she missed out by 1 place in one of them.

Back to Saturday - was stood up all day from around 10.30 when we arrived - to around 5.30 when I finished - lucky I was nubmer 19 as those who were later in the numbers were there until well gone 6pm! I think by around 2pm my knees were already aching. I then got up nice and early on Sunday to do another 2 rounds, before getting out and doing my 17 mile run. As a result - my knees started to hurt around mile 9, but managed to go on until around 15.5 miles, then had to walk the last mile and a half back to my car. Not the result I wanted for my last long run and has me feeling quite nervous over having to do the full 26.2. Guess I need to think back to last weeks 16 miler which went very well nd keep my head in that positive space.

So - its the offical 'Taper' down period now - thank goodness! My body - temple as it is - has likely reached its maximum limit, so shorter easier runs are definately whats needed - with a bit of speedwork every now and then to keep the heart racing and those calories burning :o)

 

Less than 3 weeks to go.......rock on 'M' day

 

 

March 2010 - So - went to the Hearing Dogs Day and met some wonderful people and their amazing dogs - aswell as some fo the lovely new puppies that will be getting trained. Really brings it home how much these dogs can help people.

So - training......hows it all going ....well, still on track despite having to fit working at Crufts around it all - but it's so nice to have the sun out again! It makes running all that much easier. Slow build up to around 18 miles over next 3 weeks, then looking forward to my 'tapering' down.....albeit its still a 2 hour run the first week! I remember when a short run was only 20 min - gone are the days when I can fit a run in my lunch hour - 20 mins now is just a warm up :o)

 

22/3/10 - Well, did my longest run yet of 14 miles. Weather was surprisingly warm, which made it a nice run, albeit a bit hot and sweaty! Legs seemed to hold up well and even managed to go faster in the last 2 miles in order to hit my timing. Legs today are also surprisingly good - so all that stretching must be paying off :o)

Motiviation is hard now - short runs being around an hour long in the week are getting harder to fit in, and knowing I will eventually be running for around 5 hours on the day is still a very scary thought!

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far - your support means a lot, and its all going towards a great cause.

 

Dont forget anyone can come along and watch me run - I will be wearing some fluffy ears and a tail so you wont be able to miss me!

March 2010 - So - half way through the intense 16 week plan - and only 8 weeks to go to 'M' day. I'm off to the head office of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People tomorrow to meet some of the wonderful dogs who have changed people's lives.

So - how on earth do I still find the time to do agility with my dog? I hear you all asking....well, we do make it to club training most weeks, but I have had to jig around the training plan a little to fit in my longer weekly training runs as they all seem to be scheduled on the same night as agility training!. The interesting one is going to be the Easter Celebration Competition in April as that's my last long run - targeted at 3 hour 30 mins and I have to somehow find the time to do that over the weekend when Peggy (my little terrier) is entered into the show for both days....i'm sure i'll find a way somehow!

As i'm running for a charity through a golden bond place, I have quite a challenging target to reach with my fundraising, so please, however small it may seem, all dontations are greatly appreciated.

 

February 2010.....Well, it's been a tough but rewarding month. Gradually have been building my long runs up so now doing a half marathon length run as a minimum every week! I have kept to the training plan as much as possible, but sadly Peggy is no longer able to come out on the long runs with me as they are a bit too long for her now - however she does still come out with me on my shorter weekday runs where possible. I did my official half marathon down at Brighton on the 21st Feb. I was really looking forward to it, as its a fairly flat run, and all my training has been on hills, so was very interested to see what sort of pace I could achieve on the flat. However, and this seems to be a recurring theme for me.......the weather was utterly awful! Gale force winds, rain and even sleet/hail towards the end. It made for a very gruelling run, but despite a stop for a toilet break (and that's never happened to me before!!), I still managed to complete it in 2hours 25 mins. If you take away the toilet break its 2 hours 22 mins - which is a whopping 8 mins off my best half marathon time. So - considering the weather was awful, I managed to hit a great pace and this has really encouraged me to know that I might actually pull this full marathon thing off without collapsing half way around :)

So - half way through the intense 16 week plan - and only 8 weeks to go to 'M' day. I'm off to the head office of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People tomorrow to meet some of the wonderful dogs who have changed people's lives.

 

20/1/10

So - into the new year and training is progressing as well as expected! Snow made outdoor running interesting, but starting to hit the higher mileage now. Have a half marathon booked for end Feb so looking forward to improving my time to under 2 hr 30mins. My toe is finally starting to heal, but i'm told this is normal and to expect various loss of toenails whilst doing long runs....hmmm...not a pleasant thought, but Ho Hum it's all for a good cause and definately worth it!

Please give generously as Hearing Dogs for Deaf People recieve no government funding and surely it's worth it to see me run in a pair of fluffy brown dog ears?!!

Thanks for all those who have supported me and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People so far - your support is greatly appreciated

Lorna

 

13/12/09

Just a short update! Had a few weeks of not much running since half marathon as had a bruised toe. Still not totally healed but been back running for 2 weeks now. Have bought new trainers so hopefully that won't happen again! Managed to get a personal best in my last 10k last weekend which is really encouraging and i've booked my half marathon in Feb as part of my training plan. Roll on Christmas - looking forward to getting out Christmas morning for a nice run before a HUGE lunch :o)

Please dont forget i'm running the marathon for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. For more details on the great work that they do, please visit their website at www.hearingdogs.org.uk. I appreciate times are hard, but please do dig deep and support me on behalf of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf as they recieve no government funding and rely totally on donations from the public - hence why this event is so important for them and for me.

Thanks for all those who have supported me and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People so far - your support is greatly appreciated

Lorna

 

1/11/09

Ok - thought i'd give an update from this weekend.

I have just finished my first half marathon - woohoo! I made it - and I ran the whole way - no walking which was one of my aims. Hit a real tough point at mile 10 where I felt like my legs were going to fall off which carried on until 11.5m then got used to the pain and managed to shut it out so I could finish :o)

I think I may have managed my 2hr 30m - but only just - may have crept into 2hr 31m but really pleased I finished in this time especially considering the horrendous weather we had to run in. It gives me hope I may still make the marathon in 5hr or under. Lots of training to do though before that. Think i'll have a couple days off before I start again!

Don't forget - i'm running the marathon for Hearing Dogs for Deaf - £1500 left to raise so pleeeeease help me get there!

Lorna

.............................................................................................................................

 

Well, here we go - the big challenge!

This is my first ever marathon and prior to this summer had never run unless trying to catch a train/bus!. However those that know me well, know I like a challenge - and this is certainly one of the biggest i've undertaken.

I am absolutely delighted to be running for a fantastic charity - Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. For more details on the great work that they do, please visit their website at www.hearingdogs.org.uk. I appreciate times are hard, but please do dig deep and support me on behalf of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. I have a challenging target to reach as you can see above - and I would love to exceed that as every penny raised goes right to the charity to help more deaf people get their perfect doggy partner. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf recieve no government funding so rely totally on donations from the public - hence why this event is so important for them and for me.

You are all welcome to come and watch me on April 25th next year - would be great to see some friendly faces at the finish line - will need a few at least to pick me up off the floor i'm sure!

Many Thanks in advance for your kind generosity and support for me and my chosen charity

Lorna

P.S. Peglet will not be running the marathon due to other commitments, however she will be training with me on the shorter sessions ;o)