So this week...

8 weeks to go until the big day and this week my training has definitely moved up a gear.

This week I have managed to fit in the following:

Tuesday: Weights and core muscle workout at the gym + 5.6 miles on the treadmill

Wednesday: 7.6 miles night run (in the rain)

Friday: 4.5 fast but windy miles and the sun was shining :-)

Sunday:16.25 miles, long run

Total distance for this week: 33.95 miles

I have to admit after the long run today the thought of repeating this next week is scary, but will rest up tomorrow and will be back out on the mean streets of Stevenage on Tuesday

How the Queen kept me going....

This was always going to be quite a milestone. 3 weeks ago I got around 13 miles in my training run, but being a half marathon runner I knew that I had that in me. Today I ran further than I have ever run before, 16.25 miles to be exact. It is quite scary to think that I still need to get another 10 miles from somewhere, but 6 weeks ago I could only run half this so I am definitely getting there.

The run itself was pretty good, the route I had plotted was more undulating than I anticipatedand had to stop for a stretch at 9 miles (9-10 miles is a tricky but nice long climb so I needed to prepare myself for that). But it was pretty quiet out and I felt pretty good all the way round. 12 miles bought me to the end of my road but I kept going for a final 4 and 1/4 mile loop to push up the miles. At 14 miles my legs felt like they were going to fall off, everything else was good, but the backs of my knees really hurt. It was lucky that at that point Queen "Dont Stop me Now" came on my iPod. If you ever need a motivational song believe me this is it. I was shouting along to it much to the bemusement of several dog walkers and other runners, but it pumped up my adrenaline and before I knew it I had pushed through and was soon on the last mile home.

It could easily have been all so different. I woke up to very heavy rain, now I am really not worried about running in the wet and over the last few weeks I have run in snow and fog as well as rain, kept my balance on icy pavements and clocked up alot of miles in the dark. But this was an important run to me so my head had to be in the right place. I checked the BBC weather and indeed it promised that by 3pm the heavy rain would turn to light rain and would be clear by 6pm and the BBC was as good as its word. I left at 4pm and obviously still wet and muddy, but no more rain (of course if the forecast had said heavy rain all day then I would still have done it, but it was a bonus to be able to avoid it).

I did my run today in 2 hours and 35 minutes, but this was not about time, this was about the miles and moving on to distances that I had never attempted before.

What is that big yellow thing in the sky

After what seems like an eternity of running in the dark / wet / fog / snow last night I actually ran while the sun was shining. It was still very cold and windy but it was bright and sunny. It obviously had a good effect as I broke my 9 min average, but it was only a 4.5 mile run so no need to hold back.
After a cold wet 7.5 miles in the dark on Wednesday it made a nice change.

I have to admit that my first mile last night was tough, I was running right in to the wind and I seemed to go backwards. I just kept telling myself that "a bad run was better than no run" and to keep going. But once I got off the exposed area and was sheltered from the winds I went up a gear and really motored round.

Tomorrow is a big one, I am aiming for 16 (maybe 17 miles) further than I have ever run before so am feeling rather nervous. Off to stock up on energy drinks and having a huge bowl of pasta for supper in preparation.

A tasty approach to fundraising

A few weeks ago I trialed a different approach to raising money at work - and I am pleased to report it was a huge success. I prepared for my colleages about 20 bacon rolls and 4 veggie sausage baps which I charged £2 a piece for.

I raised over £50 at this so will be repeating the exercise on a weekly basis starting next week. The only change will be the amount of bacon rolls I bring in as that initial 20 didnt last more than about 2 minutes.

A triumph in running shoes

My beloved Saucony Triumph 4's have served me well over the last 18 months. But I have to face facts that they simply dont have the miles left in them to train and run this thing.

It is with regret that it is time to move on to a new pair - they will be missed.

Any tips on a good pair of cushioning shoes - no need for stability or support.

Back in the game

Due to a hectic work schedule the last few weeks I have been absent from my blog, but since my last update I have completed a landmark 13 mile training run and a few goes on a treadmill. But with the weeks ticking away time waits for no woman so yesterday I was in the gym on the leg press and treadmill rebuilding up my strength and getting back in the game.

Today I was back on the road, just over 7.5 miles (just over 12kms) in 71 minutes. Bang on my target pace of 9 1/2 minutes a mile. So the two weeks of treadmills have not done too much harm.

The next big one is on Sunday and I am aiming for 16 miles - eeek

Its all about the oats

I have noticed that my eating habits in the last 3 weeks have changed drastically. Before breakfast was a black coffee and maybe a banana. Now I am permanently hungry so I am being very careful not to eat empty calories. I have to tell you I have never eaten so many oat based products in my life

Breakfast - Granola cereal if at home or granola pot with banana and honey from eat (scrummy) or eggs eggs and more eggs on wholegrain toast
Lunch - No matter what I will pick up a granola bar or flapjack to go with it
Snacking - wholegrain yogurts and wholegrain bread (bye bye doughy white bread)
Dinner - Its all about the Pasta and carbs

Tonights treat though is pizza -home made of course

Favourite running tunes.

I thought I would share with you some of the songs I like to listen to when running

Queen - Dont stop me now
Republica - Ready to go
Madonna - Vogue
Take That - Shine
Mark Ronson feat Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers
The Killers - Mr Brightside
Scissor Sisters - I dont feel like dancing
Lily Alan - Not fair
Ting Tings - Thats not my name
U2 - Beautiful Day

In all I have about three and a half hours of songs downloaded just to run to so this is just a selection. Any other recommendations?

On a safety note for those that are concerned - I obviously dont have the volume turned up too loud.

Over 10

Just a quick update as I did not have a chance to do this yesterday.

Distance - 11 miles (17.7k)
Time 102 mimnutes
Av pace 9mins 27 secs
Weather - one below, icy and it snowed

I broke the 10 mile barrier and managed to get myself around a respectable 11 miles. At 8 I wanted to quit, it was freezing cold and it was difficult facing the hills on the home straight. But I talked myself in to it and managed to break that 10 mile barrier. Now I just need to deal with that pain barrier.

Oh and the woolly hat and gloves made a much needed reappearance

And just an observational thing - only saw women out running yesterday - dont know where the men were. A bit too chilly for them?

Dont forget to visit my justgiving page
http://www.justgiving.com/LaurarunsLondon2010