Another Parkrun PB and advice from a chiropractor

A cold, showery parkrun yesterday but managed to get a PB of 32:51. This is a minute faster than my previous best at the same location so I'm really pleased with that. The training is starting to pay off 😁

I also visited a chiropractor this week, not because there is anything wrong, but because I wanted to ensure I remain in good physical shape.  I firmly believe that prevention is better than the cure.  Outcome: I must cross train and lift weights - don't just run. The chiropractor said, in no uncertain words, that if I don't follow this advice, I won't complete the challenge. This does seem like common sense, so I'll continue with my plan but add some weight training and another exercise session in the week that isn't running - cycling, rowing or maybe a yoga class). 

#chiropractor #parkrun #PB #crosstraining

Hardwick Hobble

Yesterday I ran the Hardwick Hobble at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. The event was run by Rasselbock whose mission (taken from their website) is to create fun and interactive events for people of any fitness level and age. They also try to help the environment as much as possible and plant a tree for every person who signs up for an event.

I really enjoyed the day - it was well run, the aid station was well stocked and the marshals were all encouraging and cheery.  The medal for completing the challenge, featuring Bess of Hardwick is truly spectacular.

My only small complaint is that the website said that if I ran 4 laps it would be a half marathon (ie 21. 09km) but when I looked closer, it was in fact longer at 25.12km as each lap was approx. 6.25km. When you are a novice like me an extra 4km is a lot!

My target time to complete was 3hrs 32mins but it actually took me 3hrs 52mins. I did walk quite a bit of the last lap but at least I completed my intended 4 laps.

I was a bit disappointed at first that I didn't finish within the time I wanted, but when I thought about it, I realised that I had done a little bit more assent compared with the Firelighter race (in proportion to total distance) and there were 3 aid station stops due to the course laps whereas there would only have been one during this distance of the Firelighter Race - all those short stops add up.  Also, I had stepped up the distance more than planned. 

So I'll keep on running and trust that I'll get fitter and faster!

#teamrasselbock   #FirelighterRace2023  #anglesey   #hardwickhobble  #UltraMarathon

Parkrun PB

Woohoo! Today I got a Parkrun PB of 33:47.  I'm away on holiday so did the Parkrun at The Eden Project - it's not a flat course either so I'm well pleased. Hopefully I can equal or improve on it when I get back on my home turf. An added bonus with doing the Parkrun at The Eden Project is that you can stay and look around afterwards for free 😁

History

 I hated PE at school – I really was rubbish at everything! 

In my 20’s I briefly joined a gym and maybe did a little bit of running (around the block was about all I could manage).  I did like getting out into the countryside but easy poddles in the peak district were all I could manage.

Then in January 1999 aged 29 I met my husband who was into all things outdoorsy – mountaineering, climbing, kayaking and I did a lot of activities with him.  I certainly upped my game, but just went along with whatever he had planned and didn’t really take much of an interest in the what, when, where or how.

Moving along years 14 years, something changed.  I decided I wanted to get to the top of Ben Nevis.  Rather than go up the boring tourist path, I was convinced to go up via the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête.  After a false start due to bad weather, I made it to the top and was rewarded with a fabulous view of a temperature inversion.

My holidays usually involved a lot of walking - I ticked off the Dales Way, Pennine Way, Coast to Coast, Cumbria Way to name a few.

But I wanted something different - something with a set time and distance to work towards - so I chose the National 3 Peaks Challenge.  As part of the training I did the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge and the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge.  The National 3 Peaks Challenge was finally completed in 2018 at the 3rd attempt.

In 2019 I did the Lyke Wake Walk - which is approx. 40 miles with 5000ft of ascent and the challenge was to complete this within 24 hours.  It took me 16.5 hours. For comparison the Anglesey Firelighter Race is 35.7 miles with 2880 ft of ascent and the challenge is to complete this within 9 hours.  Tough but do-able!  I hope :-)

#ultra  #angleseyfirelighterrace #2023  #challenge  #running  #3peaks   #lykewakewalk

 

Blisters

I've got my first blister 👎  Very sloppy of me.  My feet are not the best specimens, but it's usually my little toes that get the blisters first as they are curled under, so a blister on my second toe is unusual. I've done quite a few long distance walks and have tried lots of methods to prevent blisters. My usual arrangement is to tape up my little toes, apply 2 Toms blister prevention powder, put on a thin pair of Injinji liner toe socks followed by a pair of Bridgedale Coolmax socks.  This worked well with walking boots but I'll be wearing trainers for the Firelighter so I'll have to relook at my blister prevention stategy.

For now, the training must go on though. So plaster on, toes socks on  - and I'm off to the gym for a slow 10 mile run/walk.

#Injinji  #2Toms  #Firelighter  #Blisters  # Bridgedale

Shoes

For running shoes, I always used to buy Asics then I discovered Hokas.  I don't know how or why, but I swear they make me run just a little bit faster.  However, due to the very muddy Parkruns I've had to buy some new shoes that are just for the gym and chose some Brooks.  I'd not heard of Brooks before but they are perfect for treadmill running.  I bought them from a lovely running shop, Metres to Miles tucked away in Epworth along with some long Ronhills for those long cold runs.

I'm assuming that I will run the actual Firelighter race in the Hokas but maybe they will be worn down by then.  I'm not sure how many miles a pair of shoes will last, I've certainly got a lot of miles to run before the 1st September!

Parkruns

There aren't many things that will make me get out of bed on a weekend, but I do make the effort to join our local Parkrun.  Although, sometimes I wonder why I do it when its cold and wet - and I oftern get passed by 5 year olds and 80 year olds!  The last 3 Parkruns have been very muddy which slows me down quite a lot and one week my feet got wet 😒. Thankfully the course has been altered a bit to avoid the worst bits.

I've just completed my 25th Parkrun in a time of 36:26 which is 7.29 mins/km.  My fastest time is 33:50 (assisted by the pacers) and my average (mean) is 36:03. I think these times aren't good but I did come 3rd in my age category of VW50-54.  Although this time isn't very fast it is still faster than I need to complete the Firelighter which I'm aiming for 8.48 mins/km which will give me around 50 mins spare time for checkpoints etc.  I hope that will be fast enough to complete the 57.2km challenge within the 9 hours time 😬