Relentless Forward Progress

First of all my apologies to Rhona, she hates the phrase that I have used as my title for this blog as I keep saying it to her when things get tough.

"Relentless Forward Progress" is the title for a great wee training manual which has inspirational stories in it about Ultra runners. Today's run reminded me of it a lot.

I have been using this phrase as my motivational mantra for my life at the moment. Every day, as a family, we are faced with challenges in this new life without Alistair. Sometimes it's okay other times it is tough and we just have to make relentless forward progress. People keep saying I am so strong, but I think what I have is fairly strong mental strength, which does definitely come from long distance running. Running long distances really teaches you a lot about yourself. It teaches you how to keep going, how to battle through the walls, and just how far down you can dig into your reserves to keep going. You learn that to finish the run you just have to keep making relentless forward progress. No matter how tired you feel, you have to tell yourself that you have to get to the end where you can sit down and enjoy your achievements. This is why I have "relentless forward progress" as my mantra for my life at the moment, I have to keep going, battling those challenges from day to day.

So to my run today. How did I have to just make relentless forward progress on my run today? Make yourself a cup of tea, sit down and read on....

The alarm clock went off at 6 o'clock. I had said to Rhona that I would get up early so that I would be out mostly when she was still sleeping. It did take me to 6.50 to actually haul myself out of bed. Looked out the window and the sun was shining so I got up and had my porridge. By 7.30am I was ready to go. The sun was shining but it was very cold and there was snow on the hills and ice on the pavements. And there were gorgeous golden daffodils everywhere.

I had decided to try and practice the run/walk plan for my Ultra at the end of April. I felt a bit daft walking just a mile into my run. I was trying to do the 1/10 but got all muddled at where my walking started and then stopped. Too much maths for me just boggled my head. So I decided to go for the "walk up anything that resembles a hill" advice that I had been given. This was much better as it felt more natural. My legs objected to begin with not liking the stopping and starting very much. However, after a run of hills they soon got used to it and it felt good. I was running nice and relaxed, particularly after my lovely massage from Lynne last night. The sun was shining and the sky was sparkling blue.

Run/walking my way along the route and I was really feeling good. Then I got to the huge downhill which took me out of Midlothian and into Edinburgh. Over the by-pass and onto Frogstone Road. This was about the 9 mile mark so I walked and practised my eating (this sounds a bit mad but eating is really important on long runs to stop you hitting the wall and practising is good for settling your stomach to eating whilst running). My run was going nicely and I completed another 5 miles, still feeling great. The run/walking strategy was really working. Then it all went pear shaped.

I was running along looking at the ground and I noticed an old television aerial (the round wire kind). I was thinking "there is that aerial again, it has been there for weeks". Next minute my foot was all caught up in it and it flipped up (comedy rake style - thanks for that description Douglas) and I was crashing to the ground in slow motion. I had just finished running on a beautiful new tarmac pavement and had stepped onto a really rough, stony path. I slammed my hands out in front of me as I could feel my head almost hitting the ground. My knees banged onto the ground and then my hands slid along the stony path. I lay on the path for a second (interesting none of the drivers who were sitting a queue of traffic thought to open their windows and shout to me to see if I was alright - probably killing themselves laughing at me). I got myself into a sitting position, picked up the aerial and flung it into the bushes with a few choice words. I sat waiting for the stinging to stop and was trying to decide whether or not to phone my Dad to come and pick me up.

But then I remembered "relentless forward progress". So I got up and decided to walk for a bit before I decided whether I needed a lift home or not. Adrenalin must have kicked in because soon I was running again. Quick look at my watch told me that actually I hadn't lost too much time so this spurred me on a bit. When I got to Seafield Moor Road I stopped at the traffic lights and there was Jean waving madly at me. 

It wasn't until I got closer to home that my hands and knees began to sting like they were on fire. By the time I got to the house they were throbbing. But, I was quite pleased with myself, my legs weren't actually sore from my run other than my knees and hands burning. So I think making relentless forward progress was the best thing I could do. Again running has helped build my mental strength. 18 miles done for the day. With slightly stingy, plaster covered knees. And sorry Lynne, might have totally ruined all your good work with the massage, I reckon I might be sore tomorrow. 

So whether you are walking the Race for Life or running it whatever challenges you face on your journey to June remember to keep making relentless forward progress. (sorry Rhona :) ).

don't worry be happy!

Killing the Kilomathon!

I have been struggling with a bit of a stiff back whilst I have been running the last few weeks, then it came to me one day when I was putting my trainers away in the cupboard. I need new running shoes! If the soles of my shoes had been the tyres on my car I'd've definitely collected a point or two. It is no wonder really I did train for two marathons with them. They are absolutely flat as a pancake. So I managed to get a replacement pair on line which are the same make but black. Never had black running shoes before - I'll be like a stealth runner!!

Day before the Kilomathon I had my second long run of the week. By 10.30am I had eleven more miles in the bag. It was blowing a gale and freezing but a good run nonetheless. At that point I didn't have the new shoes and my back was niggling away as it had been for a week or two. After my run Rhona and I had breakfast and then Rhona wasn't that well. I was beginning to doubt whether we would be able to run the Kilomathon which would have been a shame as Rhona has been training hard. We went over to see the pups and whilst we were at Cathy's my new shoes turned up. All nice and bouncy will a lovely thick sole! Now I know why my back has been sore - there was no tread on my old shoes at all. 

Early on Sunday morning I got up, had a cup of tea, and despite the wind it was a nice morning. I tentatively went into Rhona and gently woke her up. (It is a little like waking a sleeping lioness but this morning she was a fairly happy lioness). We got our breakfast and then headed down to Mum and Dad's our official support team for the day. Got to the race start and Rhona began to get a little nervous (as did I) there weren't that many people there and it looked like it was going to be a small, quick field. But convinced the field would get bigger when we joined the main race, which started at Ocean Terminal. Sure enough, word got around that there were loads of people coming along the railway.

It was an odd start really. We were on a little path which joined up with the main path (which was full of runners from the main race) the marshalls basically just waited for a bit of a gap and then set us all off. I think if I had been running the main race and we had all ran out in front of me I'd've been a wee bit fed up. Still that was the way it was so we got on with it. Running along an old railway line is a safe bet as it has just enough bends in it to stop it being boring and straight but it is always fairly flat with only gentle inclines. Rhona had told me not to talk to her, especially if she was struggling. I was under orders not to try and motivate her. So I decided on the better part of valour and decided to do what I was told. I had a sneaky look sideways a few times to check that she was okay and both times she was just fine. The kilometres were ticking away nicely and Rhona was doing really well. She was running really evenly and strongly. I was very proud of her. I was really enjoying running alongside my beautiful daughter. 

We had about 2 kilometres to go and Rhona spotted Murray field and asked if that was the stadium. It was a nice view. Once we were off the railway we turned onto the road and ran along towards Murrayfield. We had to run around the field outside for a bit and as we got onto the path in the park Rhona shouted that she could see yellow gloves - It was Tracey!!! There giving us her speciality Mexica Wave. Thanks Tracey, nice to see you there, even if you did shout at us to do a sprint finish. We turned into the stadium which was very cool, saw Mum and Dad in the stands waving at us and Rhona suddenly took to her heels and got faster and faster. Over the line and we're done. Well done Rhona a PeeeeeBeeee no matter what the time is. You are now officially over 5K next stop the 10K!!!

So that's another medal and number in the bag for me, an excellent run for Rhona and a nice morning out.

don't worry, be happy :)

Where did my training Mojo go?

I don't know but it came back this week....

On Monday I went out for a 4 mile run at Cramond which was not easy. My back was stiff, my legs were heavy and I just slogged my way along the foreshore. But the weather was lovely and I did enjoy getting out again. And it was fun running on the beach looking at all the shells.

On Tuesday I set out on a different 4 mile route. Back was feeling a good bit better and I was running along a lot freer. The weather was absolutely stunning. A gorgeous blue sky over a calm river Forth. It was a fairly uneventful run other than the entertainment of a woman scootering along with her mad wee dog who kept trying to knock her over. It was a great idea though, her wee dog was way to fast for her and the scooter kept her alongside her dog. So that was another 4 miles in the bag.

So onto Wednesday. With the weather still gorgeous I decided to run home from work. Was totally wrongly dressed, I was roasting with my long sleeved top, but it was just gorgeous. My run took me from Granton, through Inverleith Park, up through the town, through the Queen's Park and up the dreaded Liberton Brae. Had a great run, really enjoyed my run. 15 miles in the bag. 

So wherever my training Mojo went it came back - who hoo!!! A great week of running so far and it is only Wednesday. Kilomathon on Sunday with Rhona.

don't worry, be happy :)