Today was a great day!

Monday is long run day for me, and I managed to cover 8 miles—well, it was more of a walk/run. I alternated between running for 3 minutes and walking for 2. The final stretch took me through the woods, where the paths were a bit tricky; at times, I felt like I was prancing about like a show pony! However, I enjoy the change of scenery, as pounding the pavements can get a bit dull.

          

During the running segments, I averaged 11:19 per mile. My running coach has advised me to aim for an average run pace of between 11.30-12.00 min/miles, so I’m pleased with that result. Last week was a recovery week, which I think really helped refresh me. My heart rate was manageable, but I did find myself in Zone 4 for 26% of the time, with a maximum heart rate of 164 bpm. There’s definitely room for improvement, but overall, I’m satisfied with my run today! 🏃‍♂️✨ 

           

#UltraAmbition #RunningJourney

🏃‍♀️✨ What Went Wrong with My Parkrun Today?

 🏃‍♀️✨ What Went Wrong with My Parkrun Today?

Two weeks ago, I achieved a new PB of 31:26, and I was feeling on top of the world! But today? Every muscle in my body seemed to be screaming, “Stop!” I finished with a time of 32:51, and my heart rate was far too high. 

           

The weather didn’t help—cold, rainy, muddy, and slippery at @sandallparkparkrun. Plus, I’ve had two strenuous gym sessions this week, one with my brilliant PT @sophiebtye, and I think I might have overdone it. I swear I was using muscles I didn’t even know existed! 💪

Was it the conditions? Am I just tired? Perhaps a bit dehydrated? Who knows! But that’s all part of the journey. It’s about showing up and trusting the process. 

Remember, progress isn’t always a straight line. 🌈

On to the next one! 🏅💖 #Parkrun #RunningJourney #TrustTheProcess

🔥 Your Calves: The Second Heart! 🔥

Did you know your calves are often called your second heart? My running coach once wrote about this, and it stuck with me!

I’ve always had chunky calves—so much so that I struggle to zip up high-street boots (35cm circumference, if you’re wondering!). You’d think that means I can run super fast… but size doesn’t always equal speed or strength!

Here’s something fascinating: your calves play a vital role in pumping blood back to your heart and lungs, especially the soleus muscle. But there’s a catch—this only works when you’re moving! That’s why sitting for long periods, especially as we get older, can impact circulation and overall heart health.

Today, I put my calves to work with a strength session at the gym, including single-leg jumps forward, backward, and side to side over a line. Tough but effective!

Key takeaway: Keep moving, stay strong, and give your “second heart” the workout it deserves! 💪❤️ #Running #CalfMuscles #StayActive #HealthyHeart #Firelighter2023

Parkrun PB 🏅

Yesterday, I bagged another Parkrun PB with a massive 30-second improvement! That’s a big jump for a 5k. I’m also really pleased that my heart rate stayed low right until the very end.

I started doing Parkrun's back in 2019 after following the Couch to 5k programme. On my first run, my only goal was to run without stopping, and I wasn’t too fussed about the time. I finished in 35:24. That year, I only managed 3 Parkruns – in May, June, and October – and didn’t return until after Covid in June 2022, when I ran 38:05. Clearly, the lockdowns had taken their toll on my fitness. By the end of 2022, I’d improved to 33:50.

In spring 2023, I decided to work with a running coach (@therunningandmovementhub), and I’ve been getting stronger and stronger with steady improvements every year. It’s been a tough journey, and I’ve definitely put in the effort – running doesn’t come naturally to me. Because it’s often such a struggle, I’ve never felt I could call myself a runner.

But you know what? I am a runner. I might not be the fastest, but I’m out there, improving every time, and that’s what matters. If you’re putting in the effort and making progress, you’re doing brilliantly. Let’s keep going! 💪

#Parkrun #ParkrunPB #Running #Couchto5K #Covid #Running and Movement Hub

Power Failure: A Lesson in Resilience

Yesterday marked the first Monday of January, a day that signalled the end of holiday festivities and the start of my new fitness routine. I had my running gear laid out the night before, and I was up and ready to go by 6:30 a.m. to tackle a 6-mile run. The day before had brought a fresh layer of snow, and the temperature had plummeted overnight. Rather than risk slipping on ice, I made the decision to head to the gym and hit the treadmill.

But when I arrived at the gym, I was met with an unexpected sight—the building was dark, and the car park was nearly empty. Apparently, there had been a power failure. I felt annoyed and headed home, planning to work for a while, before returning to the gym later in the day.

The day unfolded with its usual demands. I had to visit a client, so I quickly changed into work gear, then headed back home to get changed again in preparation for my gym session. But when I arrived at the gym, it was still closed, and now it was starting to get dark. In the past, I would have thrown in the towel, letting the series of setbacks derail my plans for the day.

But the new me—armed with a fresh mindset for 2025—decided not to give up. I chose to do my run outside, even though it was dark and freezing. The snow had mostly melted, leaving just a few piles of melted snowmen scattered around, and thankfully the footpaths weren’t icy.

So, I laced up my shoes and ran laps around the block. It was a bit repetitive, but it got the job done! It wasn’t the workout I had originally planned, but it was a reminder that sometimes things don’t go as expected—and that’s okay. The key is in how we adapt and keep pushing forward, even when the circumstances aren’t perfect.

In the end, this “Power Failure” wasn’t just about a gym losing electricity. It was about powering through challenges and finding alternative solutions to stay on track with your goals. The obstacles will always come, but it's up to us whether we let them stop us or find a way around them.

The moral of the story? Even when things don't go as planned, there's always an option to push forward. And sometimes, the run outside in the cold is the one that feels the most rewarding.

#snowmen #icy #gym #powerfailure #challenges #obstacles

Running Out Of Steam

By the end of 2024, I definitely ran out of steam. I had a short break in the Lakes at the end of November, with plans to do the Keswick Parkrun, but unfortunately, it got cancelled due to Storm Bert. I didn’t let the weather stop me completely—I did get out for some hill walking, even though the winds were pretty strong. Living in Doncaster, I don’t get the chance to walk in the hills as much as I used to, so I made the most of it.

After my trip, though, I just couldn’t seem to find my motivation. Then I caught a cold and have been feeling drained for the past three weeks, which led to a serious dip in my training. I did manage some therapeutic walks, but that was about it. I had to cancel a few Christmas events too, not wanting to spread the cold around.

Now, as we ring in the New Year—I’m not quite back to full strength, but I’m slowly getting back on track with my training plan. I can definitely feel the lack of activity in my body, though, as I’m now sore after a session at the gym. But I’m determined to keep going and get back on track!

#runningoutofsteam #december #newyear
 

The Goalposts Have Shifted: Embracing New Challenges

I recently received an email announcing a significant change to my challenge: the distance has been increased to just shy of 50 miles, with a cut-off time of 14 hours. Initially, I was thrown off by the jump from 35.7 miles to nearly 50 - it felt huge and, frankly, impossible. But after taking a step back, I'm starting to see the bigger picture. This change has opened up new possibilities and has given me a fresh sense of purpose.

The Mental Shift

At first, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. The jump from 35.7 miles to 50 miles seemed like an insurmountable leap. My training so far has been working towards a challenging distance but one that felt achievable to me, so the idea of stretching that goal even further made me question if that was even possible.

However, after a bit of reflection, I realised that this has freed me to explore new opportunities and other event formats or distances I hadn’t considered before. I've recently discovered the Ultra Challenge series which offers a variety of events, that are designed for participants of all abilities - you can choose to walk, jog, or run. These events include a 50 km distance (31.07 miles), which is close to the distance I was already training for, but also 100km and multi-day events.

A Change of Pace: Focus on Parkrun

So I’m still keeping my long-term ultra goal in mind, but I’ve decided to switch things up for a bit. Throughout November, I’ll be focusing on improving my Parkrun time.

For those who aren't familiar, Parkrun is a weekly 5K event that’s free, and open to everyone with runs all around the world. It’s a fantastic community initiative that brings people together and promotes fitness in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. My current PB (personal best) is 31:55 at Clumber Park, and I’m determined to chip away at that time over the next few weeks.

I’ve always enjoyed Parkrun for its community feel, and having a “quick win” goal like improving my 5K time will give me a nice break from the long, slow runs that are often required for ultra training. It's a chance to work on my speed, stamina, and overall fitness. After all, being able to maintain a quicker pace over shorter distances will undoubtedly help when the time comes to tackle longer ultra events.

Looking Ahead: The 20-Miler Milestone

I’m also aiming for a big milestone in June next year: a 20-mile run. Specifically, I’ve signed up for the Rasselbock Running Hardwick Hobble on June 14th, 2025. It’s a looped course with each loop being 6.3 km (3.91 miles), so five loops will total 31.5 km (or 19.57 miles). This will be a perfect stepping stone toward the ultra distances I’ll be training for later on, and I'm excited to see how I handle the loops and manage my pacing over a long distance.

It's not just about increasing distance but also about building endurance, learning how to fuel efficiently, and practicing mental toughness. I’ll be working on all of this in the lead-up to June 2025.

The Work Begins

With all of these new goals and changes on the horizon, there’s plenty of work ahead. Whether it's improving my 5K Parkrun time, ramping up my training for the 20-mile race, or preparing for the 50-mile ultra distance, it’s going to be a long journey. But I’m embracing the process, and I’m ready for whatever comes next. The goalposts may have shifted, but I’m excited to keep moving forward.

Thanks for following along with me on this journey. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as I hit new milestones and face new challenges. It’s going to be an exciting ride!

Until next time, keep running, keep moving, and remember—every step counts!

#ultrarunning #ultraambition #parkrunPB #endurancetraining #ultrachallenge #runningcommunity #distance running #mentaltoughness