2013 - a year in running

384 miles, 2 half marathons, 1 10k, 1 5k race and 3 park runs later...

March - Liverpool half marathon - 2.15.08

May - Chester Half Marathon PB - 2.05.05

May - Manchester Great 10k PB- 57.48

June - Knowsley Active Challenge 5k PB - 26.37

2013 is the year I really felt like a 'runner'. I've done a few races before but when I look at my mileage from previous years, I've never even topped 100! Looking back at my training logs though, I'm really proud that I have ran 384 miles in one year. I know it's not much compared to some and I wish I had made it to a nice round number like 400, but for little old me who hated PE and breaking a sweat, it's almost amazing! I'm even a member of a running club which would amaze any old PE teachers. 

I'm a bit sad I didn't do more races in the second half of the year but I had entered the English Half Marathon but didn't end up doing it because of being too busy planning a wedding (what a shame!) and then time and money prevented me entering more. I started going to my local park run in November and enjoy that though (when I can get myself out of bed that early on a Saturday morning). 2013 has been a challenging year at times and running has given me the opportunity for 'me' time and to switch off. I always feel so much happier when I have been running regularly and noticing the small improvements from week to week, whether it's going further or faster, give me the motivation to carry on. 

I have enjoyed my half marathons the most this year and since returning from honeymoon in October, I have been debating my 2014 race targets. I've entered my very first MARATHON! Absolutely terrified on the one hand, but really excited to get stuck into training on the other. Scott is running  it with me too so it will be nice to have some company on longer runs. 

I've picked the Rock n Roll Liverpool marathon as my first marathon because what better than one on home turf? The route actually goes past the bottom of my street! There are some killer hills on the route, but it's also very scenic and hopefully I will be able to round up some good moral support. I'm also looking at a few races in the build up to this to enter, but running races can end up being quite a pricey hobby! So far the Southport Mad Dog 10k in February and Liverpool Half Marathon in March are on my shortlist. I will share more about my marathon training plans shortly, I'm going to update the blog a bit more regularly throughout training so I can look back on it after my first full marathon.

First week of training

Well, it should be first 2 weeks of training but the week of the 1st July turned out to be a bad one training-wise! I had an extremely busy week at work and a conference that I was presenting at and lots of things to finish off before I had a week off. I ended up quite run down and had migraines all week so decided against any exercise and even skipped running club. I knew in the long run it would be for the best so that I could enjoy my week off work.

I rested all day on the Saturday and felt great by the evening. Training is as follows:

Sunday - 5k run
Monday - 45 minutes at the gym (30 minutes cardio, 15 minutes weights)
Tuesday - 6 mile run in 57 minutes
Wednesday - 1 hour in the gym (45 minutes cardio, 15 minutes weights)
Thursday - Running club - 4.6 miles
Friday - rest
Saturday - rest
Sunday - not been yet but a 7 mile evening run is scheduled!

These photos are from my run on Tuesday morning. It was my birthday on Tuesday and yes, I decided to get up super early and go for a run before it got too hot. It was such a nice run. I ran around Sefton Park, down onto Otterspool Prom and then through Otterspool Park. I have been loving the hot weather but it does make running hard. I went to running club on Thursday evening and suffered quite a bit. I'm pleased that I managed just over 4 1/2 miles though. 

This week I am back in work but I'm hoping I can up the mileage a bit. The heat does slow me down but I'll have to get used to it as I think it's here to stay. 8 weeks to go until my half!